The Princess said we all have our part to play in this whole mess. I ain't one to dwell on the specifics so I'm just gonna keep moving along doing what I do best. Even if I'm an earth pony don't mean I ain't just as capable as them here unicorns or pegasus fellas. I know how to take care of myself, and take care of ponies I care about. I admit I'm not into the whole fairytale thing majority of the time but them words from the princess sure are comfortin. I'm not just some farmer, i'm one of the ponies whose gonna see this thing through to the end. I reckon things are just gonna get more complicated but I don't care, I'm not one to just give up. I'm gonna keep moving along and just let whatever happens happen, because I know whatever happens, I'll be able to handle anything they throw at me. I'm an earth pony and we, we persevere.

As he floated in the water, Eden wasn't yet aware he was unconscious. He laid there, surprisingly with the crown in hoof and just remained absolutely still. In his mind he was recalling past memories, they flashed like pictures in an album. He recalled images of him and his father, in mysterious ruins. He recounted a frightening experience he had with a few other anonymous ponies important in his life. Him and his father had found the crown, but something had happened that caused him to be the only one to return. He remembered a shadowy figure, a creature covered in darkness, smirking. His memories then went dark, he heard a faint noise in the background. All he saw was black, he tried to listen closely to the sound.

Pops, is that you? he thought to himself.

"Eden!"

The faint voice yelled as Eden just continued to see black.

As time went on the voice had only continued to get louder.

"Eden!"

The voice kept repeating his name, Eden was confused, he couldn't make out why somepony was calling his name. He listened again as the voice sounded right next to him. It was definitely female?

The voice called out to him again.

"Eden!"

Eden thought to himself in that next second, Applejack?

Eden's eyes snapped wide as he peered at the dark night sky, Applejack was shaking him profusely. Eden leaned up, recalling what had happened, they were still in the water as he peered over at Applejack. "E-Eh!? wha-" Applejack sighed with relief, giving Eden a light noogie as he looked down to see they were floating through a river. Eden lifted the crown out of the water as Applejack laughed "glad to see you're alright sugarcube." Applejack then dragged the colt through the easy river as Eden irked in pain as he climbed out onto shore with Applejack. He had a large gash on his side, Applejack looked at him with a worried expression as she also turned around glancing in the direction from which they came.

Further into the distance, high up, one could see the cliff that they'd fallen off of. Applejack lowered her head as she sighed I'm sorry Twilight, I hope you can handle things on your end for now. Applejack turned back to Eden, lowering herself by him as she inspected the gash he had. He sighed breathing a bit heavily, he staggered to all fours as he smiled up at her "I'll be fine," he muttered. Applejack raised herself again looking down at him seriously "injuries like that don't just become fine, we need to find you a place to rest." Eden looked down in shame, he'd gotten them into this crummy situation. Applejack walked around the area for a bit, she saw the countless trees engulfed in shadow, she looked around, trees, trees, and more trees.

There was no way they could climb the rocky cliff in the distance, and they had no maps or way to figure out how to get out of the forest. Applejack sighed heavily, going back to the colt and nudging him "comon, let's go find us someplace safe to sleep, not so out in the open." Applejack led the way, as through the forest, so far they'd only encountered small critters, some abnormally large bugs and a few other strange animals, but everything was going good so far. Eventually the two ponies had found what they were looking for, a small part of open land, there wasn't much grass, mostly dirt and stone, there must have been some sort of cave nearby. Applejack was more than delighted however with this small area.

Eden smiled as Applejack trotted merrily, she nodded while looking around "oh yea, this will do nicely." She signaled Eden over who trotted over to her, she led him over by a pretty large rock and nudged him. Eden lowered himself, leaning his side against the rock as Applejack continued to work on making the place more homely. Around them one could hear the sound of crickets, birds chirping and other animals making noises.

Applejack smiled at Eden as she trotted over by the trees "alright, you stay right where you are sugarcube, I'll come back with some stuff." With that she disappeared into the trees. Eden remained where he was, leaning against that rock, he looked around although there wasn't much to look at. The area seemed safe, pretty open like a circular field of some grass, and rocks and dirt. Eden yawned as he stared at the crown which he'd placed on the ground. So much trouble for such a small thing he thought as soon enough Applejack came back with some wood. Applejack smiled as she placed the wood down in the center nearby Eden "there we go," she muttered joyfully. Eden then staggered to his hooves once more, approaching the wood as his horn glowed, Applejack held out a hoof stopping him then smirking. "Nope, no magic, we been using it for so long we often forget the joys of everything around us." She then grabbed two small stones with her hooves, clacking them together until eventually a small spark would light the wood on fire.

Eden's eyes widened as he saw her do that with surprise "wow..." he muttered as Applejack laughed some, raising her head confidently. She took pride in his astonishment "yep, don't need magic for everything kiddo."

As the hours continued to creep on, Applejack and Eden remained in that same spot for some time. Eden was silent as he stared at the fire, as if dwelling on something. Applejack wasn't a fan of awkward silences so she eventually spoke "so uhm, Eden, what exactly is your fascination with the sun anyhow?" Eden looked at her curiously, he had tired eyes as he smiled, looking back at the fire "my dad." Applejack raised a brow "yea, I was wonderin bout that, where are your parents, they shouldn't be lettin ya run about all by yourself, I mean just look where we ended u-" Eden interrupted "they're not around anymore." Applejack's eyes widened as she then looked at the colt saddened, a little unsure what to say "oh, uhm, sorry to hear that sugarcube." Applejack then remained silent, looking down at the fire as she to leaned against her own stone. Eden laughed softly, shaking his head "it's quite alright, you couldn't have known."

As the two ponies remained silent, keeping to themselves for the time being nearby the fire, Eden eventually spoke to Applejack, sounding apologetic. "I'm sorry, for getting you into this Applejack," he looked down sniffling a little. Applejack looked to him with a soft smile "all good sugarcube, it ain't over yet, and i'm grateful I came along with ya. I mean, just think about what we saw." Applejack raised a hoof to the sky, looking up in admiration "we felt the warmth of the sun, nopony has probably felt that in I can't imagine how long. We met the second princess, and now, even if were in a crummy situation, were doing somethin that matters." Applejack smirked looking at the colt "were doing something that'll better the lives of everypony in equestria, and that's nothing to feel sorry about." Eden nodded with a smile "y-yea."

Applejack laughed a bit lowering her head, then closing her eyes "now get some rest sugarcube, we'll move again in a few hours." Eden just gave a simple nod, laying down and closing his eyes as well.

As they were resting up, Applejack even while asleep was quite on alert CRACK! She opened one eye right away, peering left and right quickly. She then blinked a bit, shaking her head and then standing to all fours. She glanced back at Eden who was still sound asleep by his rock. Applejack then trotted over to the origin of the sound, it wasn't far, in the grass there was a broken stick nearby their small setup. The stick was broken but there was nothing nearby. Applejack called out softly "is anypony there?" she received no response. Applejack then yawned, shrugged, then headed back to their area and went back to sleep. Suddenly in the darkness of the forest, a pair of blue eyes shot open, peering at Applejack and Eden's mini camp site. The eyes focused on them intently, squinting as the figures body was concealed in shadow. Whatever it was it eventually stepped back, closing its eyes once more and going back into the forest, out of sight.

As a phew hours passed, Applejack yawned, rubbing her eyes with her hooves as she looked back to Eden, her eyes snapped wide WHERE'D HE GO?! Applejack scurried to her hooves and had a panicked expression as she frantically began searching. "H-HEY! SUGARCUBE! WHERE ARE YA?!" Applejack got ready to run through the forest as suddenly he appeared in front of her "no need, here I am." He laughed some as Applejack sighed with relief "don't go running off like that, where were you?" Eden looked to the upper left "nowhere just went to go check out the forest a little is all." Applejack gasped lowering her head to eye level with him "now don't ya go running off into the forest! You need to notify me with what your doing next time ya do it." Eden rolled his eyes laughing a little looking humored "alright alright, sorry I won't do it again." Applejack sighed looking annoyed as she nudged him along, "jeez give me a heart attack why dont'cha." They were continuing their trek into the forest, looking for any possible way out and hopefully back to Ponyville.

They went through a montage of unfortunate events over the course of the next few days. They walked through the rain, getting soaked as Applejack practically received a shower from giant leaves dropping rainwater, this caused Eden to laugh some. They came across a murky swamp, with small creepy eyeballs watching their every move as they attempted to cross and not fall in. They even managed to find themselves near another cliff, it fell deeper into another crevice and they were required to hop on small stone pillars to get to the other side. Applejack sighed as she'd made it across "don't want to have to go through that again". They continued their adventurous trek, even coincidentally finding themselves by a small lake and waterfall, Applejack cheered as she ran in. Eden rolled his eyes with a sly smile as he to went to join her, the water was peculiarly warm, but they didn't question it, only enjoyed themselves. Applejack eventually went to check out the waterfall as she laughed "now ain't this a little slice of paradise?" Suddenly Eden's eyes widened as he screamed "APPLEJACK!" Applejack glanced back then saw a giant hydra head staring at her. It licked it's lips grinning as Applejack's expression sunk "eep..." in the next moment the two ponies were bolting back into the forest, Applejack yelling "go go go go!" The fact that it was always night made navigating that much harder, Applejack sighed as she'd eventually just lowered her back hooves and sunk into a depression.

"This is getting us nowhere sugarcube..." she muttered.

Eden smiled, placing the crown back down and sitting next to her "don't worry Applejack, we'll get out."

Applejack looked saddened as she just stood to her hooves, she just mumbled "comon, let's setup camp..." She'd found another area similar to their first makeshift camp site. It wasn't as rocky at least, they repeated the fire process and had just laid down and gone to sleep once more. At some point during their rest, there was another CRACK! Applejack shot upward, suddenly she noticed surrounding them was a familiar threat Timberwolves! Applejack nudged Eden, hurrying him to wake up. Eden was a little dazed at first as she kept screaming to him "up Eden! up up up!" Eden's eyes snapped wide as he noticed the Timberwolves. He began to tremble as his teeth chattered as she shook her head "oh no, there's no reason to be scared this time." Applejack immediately began to roar and stomp her hooves, yelling at the wolves "get! Go on you mangy dogs, get out of here!" The Timberwolves just like before, began to whine as they backed away, Eden smiled yelling at them "yea get!" The Timberwolves soon ran away, heading back into the forest.

After that incident, Applejack no longer wanted the two to sleep outside, she was going to find a vacant cave. After searching for a little while they eventually did find themselves a vacant cave, or so they thought at the moment. They headed inside, deep into the back, when they spoke they could even slightly hear their echo. Eden smiled, lowering his back hooves and sitting down, then looking up "wow, this place is great, nice find Applejack!" His expression sunk as he saw Applejack nearby the cave wall, looking down and depressed. "Applejack?" Eden approached her as he sat next to her, looking at her saddened, she sighed closing her eyes. "I'm sorry sugarcube, it's just i've lost track of how long we've been here, we don't know what's happened to Twilight and we've already lost Pinkie. Applebloom must be worried sick about me. It's just, i'm starting to think, maybe I am meant just to be some farm pony." Eden gasped shaking his head "what? Don't think like that Applejack, you've taken care of me all this time! You saved my life countless times!" He raised a hoof, looking up "you're a hero Applejack, you're my hero, you're not just some regular earth pony to me." He smiled at her trotting to the front of her and looking in her eyes "we'll get out of here, don't worry!"

Applejack smiled up at him softly "thanks sugarcube."

Suddenly a large thumping sound could be heard, Eden and Applejack's eyes widened as they peered towards the entrance of the cave. There was a large ominous figure coming inside, Applejack shook her head standing to her hooves mumbling frantically "no, oh no no no." Applejack stood in front of Eden pushing him back as the large figure approached them, she mumbled "stay behind me." As the creature approached revealing itself, it was a Manticore. A large lion with a scorpion tail and wings of it's own. Applejack gulped "whoa nelly..." she kicked her hooves up some "n-now stay back you! I'm pretty good at square dancin and it can be a pretty useful fightin form!" Eden just looked at Applejack with a really? look, blinking with his eyes halfway closed. Applejack glanced back at him shrugging with a cheesy smile "eheh." The Manticore just stared at them for a bit before letting off a fierce roar, Applejack and Eden gulped, but realized there was no other way, they prepared themselves to fight. Eden's horn was glowing a bright blue as Applejack began to kick her hooves onto the ground. The Manticore snarled, preparing it's charge as it roared once more, then suddenly-

"STOP!" a mysterious voice yelled from the entrance of the cave.

The Manticore stopped in place, sitting down obediently as if a pet. Eden and Applejack's noses wrinkled as they raised their brows at each other in disbelief, then stared at the manticore.

Suddenly a figure approached the manticore, it trotted and wore a large brown cloak to hide it's appearance. Eden and Applejack stared at it for a few seconds before gasping then saying in sync "A PONY?!"

The figure was indeed another pony, she ignored the other two for the moment and just went right in front of the manticore, pointing a hoof at it. "Bad kitty! Bad bad bad kitty..." the pony spoke in a soft, barely audible tone, yet still somehow gentle and caring, she was obviously female. The Manticore puckered it's bottom lip at the pony as if it looked highly ashamed and about to cry. The manticore then pointed at Eden and Applejack, muttering sounds as if talking to this pony. The cloaked pony just nodded continuously as Eden and Applejack stared at them like this was all some big joke. "Mhm, mhm, mhm, I understand, but that doesn't mean you can go hurting others. Remember what i've taught you?" The Manticore sniffled, nodding at the pony as the pony raised a hoof. "Sharing is caring...now go, go along, go play as I talk with your guests."  

The Manticore nodded happily, it then pranced out the cave, flying off into the sky. Eden and Applejack's jaws were dropped as they were at a loss for words.

The cloaked pony approached them, speaking in her soft, barely audible tone.

"oh uhm,...hello there, you have to forgive him...he's a very good kitty, he's just not so good with strangers..."

Applejack blinked, still a little baffled "errrr...uhm...sure.." She gave the cloaked pony a cheesy smile.

The cloaked pony continued "well uhm...I noticed you two have been lost for a long time now....and i'm not so good with other ponies, but, I really, really, reeeally, wanted to help." She then looked at Eden "and I noticed you had a baby with you, so I couldn't just leave you two out here to starve...."

Eden looked offended as he raised a brow muttering "baby?" as Applejack cut him off "WELL! Thank ya kindly stranger! You don't know how joyed we are ta hear them words! Names Applejack, and this be Eden!"

The cloaked pony just lowered her head some "oh uhm....i'm....the guardian of everfree..."

Applejack just stared down at her as she blinked, then smiled "WELL! Pleasure ta meet ya guardian, erhm uhm, yea, so enough with the chit chat! How about we get ourselves out of here!"

The guardian of everfree shook her head "oh uhm, I was just going to take you to my home. I already have another guest there, it seems she's like you two, just a little...different...I was hoping you could pick her up.."

Applejack raised a brow at this "oh uhm, sure thing, well ugh, let's go then," she glanced back at Eden who just shrugged back at her as they trotted along.

-

They trotted along through the forest as the Guardian of Everfree had led them to her home. She lived in the most peculiar place, a large tree that led into what appeared to be a private garden. The roof was made of leaves and the pale moonlight shined through them, giving the place a dreamy glow to it. As they walked along the vines floor, they noticed all of her furniture looked like natural outgrowing. She had tables and chairs made of twisted vines. Her fridge was made of wood and leaves as was majority of her other things. Applejack blinked a bit, glancing around the place "this is crazy." Eden nodded as he agreed, the Guardian of Everfree smiled as she walked towards a table near the back of her home.

"Make yourselves at home...I have plenty of room and don't have visitors of-"BOOM! she tumbled along the floor as she was pinned by another pony, her supposed guest. "-ten...."

Eden and Applejack just stared for a bit with uninterested looks as they slowly came to the realization of the situation. Applejack and Eden's eyes were wide, gleaming at the sight, Applejack's lips began to quiver as she just yelled. "PINKIE!!!!"

The guest revealed as Pinkie gasped as she raised her hooves in protest at the Guardian of Everfree "YOU KNOW HOW LONG I'VE BEEN WAITING?! I WAS SO BORED I COULD EAT VINES! WHICH I DID." As Pinkie heard her name called she peered over at Eden and Applejack who were overwhelmed with disbelief and happiness at the same time. Pinkie just blinked at them for a few seconds before chuckling with a wave "oh, hey guys!" BOOM! Pinkie was tackled by Applejack who just embraced the pink mare in a tight hug. Pinkie looked like she was struggling to breathe as it looked like her eyes were about to pop out "too much, squeeze!" Applejack cried as she hugged Pinkie "oh Pinkie I coulda sworn you were lost forever!"

As Pinkie wiggled out of Applejack's hug she took a deep breath before speaking. "Lost forever? What made you think that silly?" She raised a brow at Applejack.

Eden cut in as he spoke as if confused "you disappeared Pinkie, into the tunnels."

Pinkie blinked a bit as she giggled "oh well duh! I just swam around until I found a way out! Then I ran into fluttershy!"

Applejack raised a brow "flutterwha?"

Pinkie laughed pointing a hoof at the Guardian of Everfree "Fluttershy silly! The pony who brought you here!"

Eden looked puzzled "I thought she was called the Guardian of Everfree?"

The Guardian of Everfree, revealed as Fluttershy, stood up, taking off her cloak and lowering her head with a deep blush. She peered to the left and right as Pinkie bounced over to her, wrapping a hoof around her.

Pinkie laughed, chuckling "pfffft! Oh that? I told her that's her new nickname since Fluttershy was so boring!"

Applejack just rubbed the back of her mane in confusion "erhm, alrighty then, well uhm, thank ya for everything Fluttershy, especially for saving Pinkie here."

Fluttershy blushed, looking extremely recluse as she kept her head lowered "oh uhm, you're welcome."

Eden raised a brow at Fluttershy as he questioned "uhm Fluttershy, I have to ask, what's a pony doing out living in the middle of the everfree forest?"

Fluttershy looked hesitant to answer "oh yea, uhm, that's because I-"

Pinkie interrupted her "SHE LOVES ANIMALS!"

Applejack shrugged "well, that explains a lot," Eden nodded at her.

Pinkie bounced around for a bit before her eyes widened, she bounced over next to Applejack. "Hey, Applejack! Where's Twilight?" Applejack's eyes widened as she looked down shaking her head "wish I could tell ya, I only hope she's doing okay, we were in quite a pickle last time I saw her." Pinkie just continued to bounce as Eden joined in the conversation.

"Yea, apparently we found out where we have to go next Pinkie. The land of dragons."

Pinkie shrieked "THE LAND OF DRAGONS?!" she bursted upward, getting her head stuck in the leafy roof as Fluttershy's eyes widened as she approached Eden. "The Land of Dragons? Uhm, i'm sorry to question but, uhm, why do you need to go to the land of dragons?"

Eden shook his head "apparently we need to find some dragon called?" He couldn't put his tongue on it.

Applejack cut in "think his name was Methos or somethin along them lines?"

Fluttershy's eyes widened once again as she looked at them surprised and interested. "Mythos? Oh, I don't meet many others who wish to see Mythos....he's kind of uhm, reserved."

Pinkie Pie yelled from the roof as she was still attempting to wiggle herself out "wow! That sure sounds indifferent!"

Applejack gasped "wait! You know this Mythos fella?!"

Eden looked just as interested as he peered up at Fluttershy who just shrugged.

"uhm, yea, he's very nice, I see him sometimes when I head there to help the dragon king."

Eden just raised a brow, looking baffled at how calmly Fluttershy just said those words.

Applejack's jaw dropped as she just suddenly screamed, prancing around in circles overwhelmed with happiness. "HOOOOOOO NELLY! WE SURE HIT THE JACKPOT WITH THIS MARE! TAKE THAT PRINCESS LUNA BAHAHAHAHA"

Eden sighed shaking his head "but how do you get there?"

Fluttershy just blinked a little "well, there's a river not far from here whose current leads to the main watering hole in the land of dragons, I can take you there..."

Pinkie Pie finally managed to wiggle herself loose, tearing a gaping hole of dirt and leaves into the roof. She exhaled then screamed "ARE YOU PONIES CRAZY!" Her eyes practically bounced out pressing against Fluttershy "go, to the land of, DRAGONS?!" Pinkie just bounced around frantically flailing about "do you all wanna get eaten!?"

Fluttershy shook her head, looking a little offended by Pinkie's words. "H-Hey, they're not monsters, they're just misunderstood, now you apologize," she lowered her head "w-well uhm, if you want to that is."

Applejack stopped prancing about as she to paused "well, if you're able to go there all the time, then if we just go with you, we don't need ta worry about any of that stuff!"

Fluttershy gasped shaking her head "oh uhm, I can't, I have to feed my animals, they need me..."

Applejack approached Fluttershy with desperation in her eyes "oh please sugarcube, we could really use your help here. If we don't get to this mythos fella, all of equestria can be at stake." Fluttershy still looked a little hesitant as Eden then approached her "please Fluttershy, we really need you."

Fluttershy looked down at the colt, his wide eyes defeating her as she sighed, lowering her head "fine, for the baby..." Eden raised a brow again "baby?"

Applejack then wrapped her hooves around Fluttershy in excitement "whoo boy! I love you more every second!" Applejack then gasped, her eyes widened as she looked down in contemplation "we gotta get back to Ponyville first."

Eden looked at her confused "Ponyville? Why?"

Applejack sighed "we gotta find Twilight, i'm sure if she managed to defeat that masked unicorn, she's probably waiting for us at Ponyville."

Eden smiled "yea, that would make sense!"

Fluttershy was suddenly cowering, covering her head with her hooves. "P-P-Ponyville, I, I, d-don't do well around other p-ponies!" Eden approached Fluttershy with a smile "don't worry Fluttershy, they're all really nice." Applejack laughed a bit "yea sugarcube, and if you want you can just stay by the forest, we just gonna go to pick up Twi and then we'll be straight off to the land of dragons."

Fluttershy peeked at them as she reluctantly agreed "o-okay..."

Pinkie then cheered "HOORAY, PONYVILLE!"

-

Fluttershy managed to guide the three other ponies to Ponyville with ease. She flapped her wings steadily as she gasped, the town could be seen in the distance. Fluttershy scurried to the back of a large tree and trembled as she hid there, whispering to the others "o-okay, go, take care of your business, i'll wait here."

Eden and Applejack nodded as they began to walk back into Ponyville. Pinkie attempted to follow them as Applejack suddenly called back to her "no, Pinkie you stay here! We need somepony to stick with Fluttershy!" Pinkie gasped in defiance "whaaaa? Why me?!" She looked at Applejack with a saddened face. Applejack sighed "because you're the most likely one to cause attention Pinkie and were not exactly legal according to a special cowled pony." Fluttershy trembled as she pointed her hoof at Eden reluctantly "n-no, the baby, leave him here." Eden's eyes widened as he objected "wait what?!" Pinkie cheered as she ran over, snatched Eden and placed him next to Fluttershy, she then bolted next to Applejack bouncing happily. Applejack just looked back shrugging "sorry sugarcube." Eden's jaw dropped as Pinkie looked back sticking her tongue out at him, proclaiming "baby!" as Eden gasped in annoyance, then crossing his hooves as Fluttershy pulled him close and began patting his mane happily, he still looked annoyed.

-

As Applejack and Pinkie walked back into Ponyville, Applejack took a breath of fresh air "aaaah never been so good to be back home!" Suddenly they saw something that caused them to bolt behind one of the many houses. They peeked out as there were countless lunar guard patrols. Applejack raised a brow "what the doo hicky? What are patrols doing out and about in Ponyville?!" Pinkie Pie blinked "they're probably playing hide and seek!" Applejack sighed looking at her hoof, seeing she still had the crown she muttered "aw shoot, I forgot to leave the crown with Eden." Suddenly they both heard somepony arguing with a guard not far away.

"No I have not seen Twilight Sparkle, nor have I heard anything of this crown you're talking about, now good night! HMPH!" Rarity trotted away with class, looking up and her eyes closed. The lunar guard who was practically interrogating her moved onto another pony. Applejack and Pinkie then looked at each other with a nod, heading in the direction of Rarity's house.

As Rarity was trotting home, she sighed before walking through her front door. It was dark inside so she couldn't really see anything, she shook her head calling out "Sweetie Belle! I swear these patrols will be the death of me-MMMMPH!" Her eyes widened as suddenly somepony's hoof covered her mouth preventing her from speaking. The pony behind her whispered in her ear "make one sound and next time somepony says Rarity they'll be referring to a medium rare piece of meat on my stove!" Rarity shrieked in absolute fear shaking her head with tears in her eyes as Applejack just sighed turning on the lights in the house "cut it out Pinkie." Pinkie just chuckled "oh sorry! I thought we were still spies!" She let Rarity go as Rarity gasped, scurrying to to her desk panicking. "A-Applejack?! Pinkie Pie?! What's the meaning of this?!"

Applejack sighed raising her hooves to Rarity nervously "haha caaaalm down now Rarity, were just here to ask you some questions." Pinkie immediately looked sinisterly at Rarity, getting all in her face "YOU HAVEN'T RATTED US OUT RIGHT?! BECAUSE I SWEAR IF YOU DID!" Rarity gasped "I am no rat! And I have no idea what you two are even talking about?! Leave my house this instant!" Rarity's eyes widened as she saw in Applejack's hoof, there was the crown. "W-WHAT?! THAT'S!" Applejack blinked a bit as she looked at the crown, then back at Rarity with a puzzled expression "wait wha? You've seen this thing?" Rarity rushed over to Applejack snatching the crown and inspecting it again "oh my darling piece of royal craftsponyship, I never thought id see you again!"

Applejack looked confused as did Pinkie who just had no idea what was going on anyway. Applejack shrugged at Rarity "wait a second Rarity, so you've seen that thing before?" Rarity blinked a bit, peering to the left and right then gulping, "oooh uhm, nope whatever do you mean?" Applejack raised a brow "huh?" Rarity chuckled nervously as she handed Applejack back the crown "nope, never seen that before in my life!" Applejack just looked at Rarity puzzled "uhm...oookay? Anyway erhm Rarity, we were gonna ask you, why are there so many patrols out and about?"

Rarity's eyes widened as she sighed "well for one they seem to be looking for that crown, as well as Twilight Sparkle!" Applejack and Pinkie gasped "Twilight? Wait so they don't have her already?!" Applejack laughed happily giving a hooves up yes that must mean she defeated that mysterious mare! Nice job Twi! Rarity looked highly puzzled and curious "wait you know more about why this is happening? Now you must tell me, what is going on? Why are they after Twilight?" Pinkie chimed in "WELL! PROBABLY BECAUSE SHE'S, CRAZY!" Applejack slapped Pinkie in the back of the head in annoyance "now will ya just stop saying that." Rarity was growing impatient as Applejack replied "well we need you to promise you don't tell anypony about this." Rarity shooed them "yes yes, now hurry, tell me." Pinkie suddenly got in her face, a psychotic expression upon her "PINKIE PROMISE?" Rarity gulped "y-yes...I pinkie promise.." Pinkie gave a cheesy smile "good! Nopony breaks a Pinkie promise!" She then continued to bounce around.

Applejack then spoke "well for awhile now we been helpin Twilight uncover the secrets of this here crown. We found out there's actually a second princess and the legend of the sun is real." Rarity looked at Applejack like she was crazy at first "uhuh." Applejack shook her head "no I swear, Rarity i'd never lie bout somethin like this, you know me, i'm all about honesty." Rarity looked Applejack in the eyes who had a serious expression. Rarity then puckered her lower lip, exhaling afterword "bah, well no matter how far-fetched that story sounds It totally makes sense." Applejack raised a brow "wait ya really think so?" Pinkie blinked "wow that was easy, expected it to be harder."

Rarity looked down shaking her head "well it would of been, had Twilight not come and show me that crown beforehand." Applejack gasped "what, Twilight's been here with this thing?!" Rarity nodded "mhm, she made me promise not to tell, but you two already know what she was trying to hide so, eh." Applejack's eyes were wide with curiosity as she questioned Rarity impatiently "Rarity! What did she say?" Rarity shrugged "she just wanted me to slim down the origins of the crown, and I told her the gem came from the land of dragons."

Applejack began to prance in circles happily again as she gave a wide grin looking at the roof "HOOO NELLY, Princess Celestia must be shining on me, my luck been going uphill ever since we got in that cave!" Rarity raised a brow with that same baffled look "Princess, who?" Applejack grabbed Rarity as she laughed "I'll explain on the way!" Rarity protested as she was dragged along "where do you think you're taking me?!" Applejack laughed "the land of dragons, you comin with us definitely, Twilight might need ya!" Rarity's eyes snapped wide "w-w-w-what?! The land of dragons?! Are you mad?!"

Suddenly as they were in the process of leaving, Sweetie Belle came downstairs rubbing her eyes. "Rarity, what's going on why are you yelling? Oh! Hi Applejack!" Applejack waved at Sweetie Belle "hey sugarcube! You lookin as cute as ever!" Sweetie Belle smiled at Applejack "Applejack, Applebloom wanted me to tell you that she's worried sick about you!" Applejack looked down saddened, then gave Sweetie Belle a serious look. "Sugarcube, can ya tell Applebloom for me she don't need to worry, and i'll be home soon?" Sweetie Belle raised a brow at her "well sure, but why can't you tell her that yourself Applejack?" Applejack sighed then smiled "i'm going on a much needed trip! Also i'm taking your sister with me for awhile!" Rarity shook her head, denying Applejack's claims as Sweetie Belle smiled "sure thing! Take her, then I can have the house all to myself!" Rarity gasped as Applejack smiled "thanks sugarcube! Pinkie, grab her back hooves!"

Rarity continued to let off muffled noises as Pinkie grabbed her back hooves and they bolted out the door. Sweetie Belle waved at them as they left "see you Applejack, Pinkie Pie, have fun sis!"

They snuck through the city, as if covert pony ops. They remained hidden in the shadows, as Rarity at this point just looked grumpy and remained quiet. The first chance they got they made way for the Everfree Forest.

As Eden and Fluttershy were still sitting by the tree, Fluttershy was still patting the young colts head softly and telling stories. Eden still looked highly annoyed "and so I decided to name him Angel, he is quite spoiled but such a sweetheart. Oh oh, and let me tell you about the pet squirrel I named-" suddenly bolting towards them from the distance was the two ponies carrying another. Eden raised a brow as he questioned Applejack who just ran past them "whose that?" Applejack yelled back to him "i'll explain on the way there!"

-

As Fluttershy led them to the river that would lead them to the land of dragons, Applejack smiled eagerly "oh boy, I can't wait to get over to this place actually, everythings been goin so swell, I feel nothin can stop us!"

Rarity scoffed in annoyance "did you truly have to drag me along? I mean you couldn't have let me grab my bags at least, this is truly dreadful, TRULY dreadful, I don't have my items, my hat, my jewelry, ooooh this is the WORST, POSSIBLE, THING!" Eden just blinked at her with a humored expression "drama queen much?"

Pinkie Pie then bounced happily as soon a large wooden boat would arrive, beneath it a average sized hydra would poke it's head out with a smile. Fluttershy would fly over towards the hydra's head and pat her softly "good girl bubbles, thank you so so much, i'll be sure to reward you properly when we get back." Fluttershy would hug the hydra as Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack and Eden just continued to stare at her, baffled by her experience with animals.

Fluttershy's rabbit Angel soon appeared from beyond the trees. Fluttershy nodded to Angel with a soft smile "now remember Angel, you're in charge while i'm gone, make sure everyone knows i'm out on a trip. It's very important they know that i'll be back as well." Angel nodded at her with an annoyed look while tapping his foot. Fluttershy just smiled happily patting her rabbit "good Angel, I love you." With that she waved goodbye to her rabbit who went back into the forest.

They all soon climbed into the boat, the current leading them east. Pinkie Pie was bouncing frantically all over the place "wow wow even though were going to get eaten, this is so exciting!" Rarity was moaning in discomfort in the corner as she kept whining about not being able to grab her things. Fluttershy was below deck, perhaps checking on bubbles. Eden was enjoying himself staring at Rarity complain, he found it highly amusing. Applejack just smirked as she looked off into the distance, she crossed her hooves.

Land of Dragons here we come, looking forward to seeing you again Twilight.

Next Chapter: Chapter 8: Rain of Fire Estimated time remaining: 36 Minutes