Kid Crusader (WiP)

>You run and dive into a bush on the outskirts of Ponyville.

>Spreading the leaves, you peek out and search for enemy activity.

>Spotting nothing, you lift a tin can with a string on the bottom and put it to your mouth.

"This is code Green. Come in, White. Over."

>You hold the can to your ear.

>"This is White. Go ahead, Green. Over."

"There is zero sign of enemy activity. Over."

>"Roger that. Proceeding with Operation Apple. Over."

>You peek behind you and spot code Orange crawling from a nearby bush, keeping her head low and wings up.

>You wave to get her attention and point to where she should go.

>She nods her head continues moving.

>When Orange is set, White runs past and behind a low wall.

>You break cover and run past White, dive-rolling under a table.

>You shape your hands into binoculars and hold them to your eyes.

"Target spotted," you say into your can-phone.

>The two ponies sitting at the table peek beneath their table curiously, one of them putting herself between you and your target.

>You lower your binoculars to share a silent stare with the mare before she retreats back above the table.

>A voice from the phone.

"Say again?" you ask.

>"I said, commence attack," said the voice.

"Roger that, Orange."

 

>You crawl on your belly towards White and Orange who are already poised for the assault.

>You reach them and rise to a kneel.

>The three of you exchange glances and nod with determined faces.

>This could go as planned, or very, very badly.

>You may even end up grounded for a day or two.

>Perhaps even a week.

>But this is something that must be done.

>For the good of all fillies and colts everywhere.

>White rears on her back legs and hollars.

>"Charge!"

>The three of you break from cover and sprint at the unsuspecting orange mare at the apple stand.

>"What in tarna-!"

>The three of you tackle her to the ground.

>"We got her!" shouted Orange. "Secure the package!"

>You stand and grab what you came for.

>The filly codenamed Yellow.

>"What's going on?" she asks.

>You set her on your shoulders fireman-style.

"This is a rescue!" you tell her. "Package secure! Retreat!"

>With Yellow on your shoulders, you run away as fast as you can.

>White and orange jump off the apple mare and follow close behind.

>"Applebloom!" she shouts after you in vain.

 

>Coming to the park, you stop and let Applebloom off your shoulders.

>You bend over with your hands on your knees and breathe hard.

>Applebloom smiles at you.

>"My hero," she says with a kiss on the cheek.

"Gross!" you yell, quickly rubbing your hand on your cheek to get the kiss off.

>The girls laugh at your embarassment.

>You take one deep breathe, calming down back to normal.

"You're heavy, you know that?"

>"And what's that supposed to mean?" asked Applebloom, shoving a hoof in your chest.

"Uh... You're fat?"

>"Say what!?"

>She put both forehooves on your chest and shoved you to the ground.

>Then with a smile, she extends a hoof to help you back up.

>You accept the helping hoof and get back on your feet.

>It was all in good fun.

>True friends are jerks to each other.

 

>"Well it looks like covert operations are not our special talent," said Scootaloo, checking her flank.

>You pull your pants down on one side and Sweetie Belle checks her flank too.

>The both of you sigh in disappointment.

"But that went so well..."

>"Well we just need to do something else," said Sweetie Belle.

>"Well how about we go brainstorm at the clubhouse?" suggested Applebloom.

>You, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle trade glances and shrug.

>All four of you start off towards Sweet Apple Acres.

>You always loved to hang out at Applebloom's house.

>Grandma Apple was always so nice to the four of you.

>She would bake pies and stuff for like... no reason.

>Big Mac would poke fun at you sometimes for being so small, but one day, you'll show him how strong you'll be.

>Applejack was nice too, but she was usually too busy to play.

 

>Arriving at Applebloom's house revealed Grandma Apple rocking in her chair on the front porch.

>She smiled as your group walked up.

"Hi, grandma!" you shout with a wave.

>"Why, hello there, youngins," greeted Grandma Apple.

>"Hi, Granny Smith," greeted the fillies.

"Applebloom? I thought you were working the market stand with Applejack?" asked Grandma Apple.

>"She let me go early," answered Applebloom rather quickly.

>"Oh, alrighty then. Anonymous, your mother came by earlier," said Grandma Apple. "She wanted me to let you know to be home by dark."

>How did she know you would be here?

"Okay..." you say, spirits noticably deflated.

>"Now don't be down, sonny," said Grandma Apple. "I baked y'all some chocolate chip cookies. They're in the kitchen. Feel free to take the whole plate."

"Thank you, Granny Smith," you all said as you race past her into the house.

>You literally took the whole plate and carried to the Crusader club house.

>"You know, I still find it wierd you call Granny Smith 'Grandma Apple' even though no one else calls her that," Sweetie Belle said to you.

>"I don't mind," said Applebloom. "It's like we're family anyways."

"And besides. She likes when I call her that."

>"I know," said Sweetie Belle. "It's just a little wierd to me."

 

>"I hereby call to order this meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders," announced Applebloom.

>Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and yourself sat on the floor in front of the podium, the plate of cookies between you.

>"First order of business."

>Applebloom leaned over the podium, her voice going from authorative to worry.

>"How much trouble do you think we're in?"

"None," you boldly declared. "The mission was executed flawlessly. There's no way anyone could have known."

>Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shared a quick glance.

>"Well alrighty then," said Applebloom with a smile, her voice going back to normal. "Second order of business. We need more ideas for cutie marks."

>"I say we just go on a crusading spree," suggested Scootaloo. "We usually get more done faster that way."

>"But if we speed through then we might not do it right and could possibly miss our cutie marks by accident," argued Sweetie Belle.

"She has a point," you say to Scootaloo.

>"I think I have to agree," said Applebloom. "And besides, we have all day tomorrow to try new things."

>You raise your hand.

"I vote we try some of the things you tried before without me. One of those could be my talent."

>"I suppose we could throw in a few as we go," said Applebloom.

>"But what about us?" asked Scootaloo.

>"We have to be willing to help our new members get their cutie marks too," stated Applebloom.

>"That's right," agreed Sweetie Belle. "Even if that means making a few sacrifices."

>Scootaloo crossed her forelegs and pouted.

>"Fine, I guess."

 

>You spent the rest of the time plotting more ideas with your friends.

>Then a tug on your shirt sleeve.

>"Uhm... Anon?" asked Sweetie Belle.

>You turn your head to face her.

"What?"

>Sweetie Belle points a hoof out the window.

>You follow where she's pointing with your eyes and stare at the horizon.

>Your eyes open wide with horror and your jaw falls open.

"Crap!" you shout, quickly rising to your feet.

>You bolt from the door and quickly descend from the clubhouse and start running.

>"Anon! What's the matter?" shouted Applebloom out of the window.

>Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo joined her.

"I'm late!" you shout back.

"I am so dead," you comment to yourself.

>"He's dead," commented Scootaloo.

>Applebloom and Sweetie Belle gave her a hard glare.

>"What?" asked Scootaloo.

 

>The moon was quite the ways into the sky.

>You had stopped running soon after leaving Sweet Apple Acres and were now walking in the dark.

>Even on a cloudless night it was hard to see.

>The moon was waning with only a thin crescent left.

>The street lamps of Ponyville were already lit and glowing brightly.

>It wasn't quite time to go to bed, but most ponies were closing up shop or on their way home as their business for the day was concluded.

>You turn up the walk to your quaint little home.

>The porch light illuminated the front door.

>You stop just outside and take a deep breath, assuming the worst of consequences await you inside.

>The door clicks and creaks as it opens.

>"I thought you were supposed to be home before dark!" called a voice from the kitchen.

>The shout causes you to flinch and you go into the kitchen to meet it.

>Auntie Bon Bon was sitting alone at the dinner table with 2 empty set places beside her.

"Where's mom?" you ask her.

>"She's... out," replies Auntie Bon Bon. "Come. Dinner's getting cold."

"Yes, Auntie."

>You take your place beside her.

>Your mom's spot is on the other side of you, placing you between the two of them.

>You like to sit away from Auntie Bon Bon, though.

>She hits you sometimes when you say something bad, but mom will sometimes protect you unless she agrees with Auntie Bon Bon.

 

>"Did Granny Smith tell you to be back on time?" asked Auntie Bon Bon.

"No."

>Auntie Bon Bon squinted her eyes at you.

>You look down at your plate and say, "Yes".

>"That's what I thought," she said, taking a bite.

>You pick at your food with your fork but don't take a bite.

>"Eat something, Anonymous," encouraged Auntie Bon Bon. "it's alright."

>You take a bite of the casserole and chew slowly.

>As hard as she was sometimes, you know Auntie Bon Bon loved you and wanted to see you grow.

>It's just easy to forget that sometimes.

>"Now why were you late?" she asked.

"I, uh... I just forgot."

>"You forgot, huh?"

>She took another bite.

>"It seems you and your mother share a common trait," she said, pointing to the empty seat across from her.

 

>Dinner finished without much more conversation besides Auntie Bon Bon asking about your day.

>You question her as well just for the sake of talking, but there really isn't much to be said from either parties.

>She asks you to help with the dishes and you comply by washing and she puts them away.

>About halfway through you hear the front door swing open.

>"Anon-bon!" the voice calls. "I mean, hehe, Anon! Bon Bon!"

>"Sounds like your mother's home," said Auntie Bon Bon, drying another plate and setting it in the cabinet.

>You mom trips and stumbles into the kitchen.

>"Hey, buddy!" she shouts in greeting, walking up and rubbing the top of your head, messing your hair.

>Her breath smelled of alcohol.

"Hi, mom," you greet with a smile.

>"Did you get your cutie mark today?" she asked, tugging on your pants to try to see your naked thigh.

>You laugh and try to push her away.

"Haha, no."

>"Oh, that's a shame. Well there's always tomorrow, right?"

"Yup!"

>"Uh, Lyra? Can I speak to you in the living room?" asked Auntie Bon Bon.

>"Sure thing, Bonnie," said mom with a laugh.

>"Anon, dear. You want to finish the dishes and go to your room for a little bit?" asked Auntie Bon Bon.

"Yes, Auntie."

>"Thank you, sweetie."

 

>As promised, you finished the dishes and go to your room.

>Passing through the living room, you see Auntie Bon Bon standing in front of mom who was sitting low in the couch.

>Mom always acted funny when she was drunk.

>Auntie Bon Bon didn't like it too much, but sometimes you wonder if she would be just as funny drunk.

>You get to your room and lock the door.

>There really isn't much to do except sit and draw.

>In fact...

>You walk over to your dresser and lie on your stomach.

>You reach you hands underneath the dresser and pull out several sheets of paper.

>One is a list.

>The other is a note.

>On more is hand-drawn map.

>Sometimes you like to think about what it would be like to run away and go live by yourself just to what it's like.

>You're old enough, right?

>Even Miss Cheerilee says you're a big boy.

>You take the note, the map, and the list and go lie on your bed.

>Your list has several items on it.

>Food, water, clothes, toothbrush.

>You cross off toothbrush and leave the remaining three.

>Yeah, that's all you need, right?

>The more you sit and think, the more you realize how boring that would be to be by yourself.

>You sit and think about which of your friends you would like to bring.

>Scootaloo is cool, but Sweetie Belle is cute.

>Applebloom is nice and lives on a farm.

>She should know the most of all of you about this kind of thing, right?

>You make a note on the list about possibly bringing Applebloom along with you.

 

>About an hour later, there's a knock on your door.

"Come in," you call.

>You had put away your notes and unlocked your door some time ago.

>The door slowly opens and your mom peeks in.

>She finds you lying on your stomach on the floor and drawing.

>You look up to see who it is.

"Hi mom."

>"Hey, buddy," she says, entering and closing the door behind her.

>She takes a seat on your back.

>You groan as the weight of her butt presses down on you and your breath escapes your lungs.

"Get off," you say.

>She lowers head and turns her ear toward you.

>"I'm sorry, what?" she asks with a smile. "I seem to be going deaf in my old age."

>You take a breath and say a little louder," Get off".

>"Oooh. That's what I thought you said."

>She doesn't move.

>You push off the floor a bit and wiggle around to try to make her slip off.

"Mom!" you shout. "Get off!"

>"Nope!"

>Through great effort, you manage to get on all fours and twist your body, making her fall off.

>"Oh, wow!" she shouts.

>You lie back down and go back to drawing, but she comes over and presses both hooves to your cheeks.

>"My little colt is getting so strong!"

"Mom..." you groan.

 

>She lets you go and takes a seat beside you.

>"So Auntie Bon Bon gave me a stern talking to," she said.

"That's what I thought," you said.

>"You know how she doesn't like me to drink?"

"Yeah."

>"Well what she also doesn't like is us being late for dinner."

>You pause your drawing for a second and go right back to it.

"Y-yeah," you say.

>"Well as it turns out, doing both at once is a big no-no to her."

"Are you in trouble?"

>She rubbed a hoof in your hair, messing it.

>"Me? Naw. But she isn't too happy with me. Mostly because she doesn't like you seeing me like that."

"I think it's funny."

>"That's what I said but you know Auntie."

>Her voice got real deep.

>"You can't be setting a bad example like that for Anonymous," she mocked. "Bon Bon the Destroyer says no fun allowed."

>You both shared a laugh at her impersonation of Auntie Bon Bon.

 

>"So what'cha drawin'?" asked mom.

"Nothing."

>You had your free arm wrapped around the side of the paper your mom was on to hide it.

>A green aura covered the paper and it slipped out from under you.

"Hey!"

>You reached for it, but she held it away from you with a hoof in your chest to hold you back.

>"D'aww... Anonymous! That's so cute!"

"Give it back!"

>"Hey, Bon Bon! Come in here!"

"No!"

>You manage to snatch it out of the air as Auntie Bon Bon opened the door.

>Auntie Bon Bon raised an eyebrow as you scrambled to hide the picture.

>”Do I even want to know?” she asked.

“NO!”

>”Aw, Bon Bon! It’s so adorable! Our little Anonymous is-“

>You throw a pillow from your bed and hit her in the face.

>She's stunned for a second and slowly turns her head with a menacing look overcoming her face.

>A green aura envelopes the offending cushion as it raises level with her gaze.

>"So that's what it's come to, isn't it?" she asks with a serious tone.

>You grab your second pillow and hold it in front of you.

>You gulp with the ensuing standoff.

>Your mom runs at you, pillow flying beside her.

>"En garde!"

"No mom, no!"

>Her pillow swings around and nails you in the head, knocking you onto your bed.

>You hold your pillow to your head to cushion the blows.

"Auntie Bon Bon! Help me!"

>She laughs and leans against the door frame.

>"Hey, you started it."

>The proceeding pillow fight doesn't last much longer, but it's hardly a fair fight.

>When it's finally time to lie down, your mom helps you fix the bed and tuck you in.

>Auntie Bon Bon appears in your doorway.

>"Did you two brush your teeth?" she asks.

"Yes."

>"Totally."

>Auntie Bon Bon rolls her eyes and leaves.

>With a kiss goodnight, your mom shuts the doors and leaves you to sleep.

--

>A knock on your bedroom door rouses you from slumber.

>Your mom pokes her head in and frowns.

>"Come on, Anon. Time to get up," she says walking to your window.

"Mrrph," you grunt unintelligibly.

>Your mom throws the curtains open, unleashing a torrent of bright sunlight right into your face.

>Even with your eyes shut tight it blinds you.

>You roll away and cover your head with the blanket.

>"Anonymous," says your mom sternly.

"It's Sunday," you mutter from under your covers.

>"You're not sleeping away the day."

>Your mom bites the end of your blanket and rips it off the bed, leaving you exposed.

>You curl up and hug your knees with no blanket to snuggle with and keep you warm.

>Suddenly, a poke to your backside causes you to jump and roll off the bed with a crash.

>Your mom falls onto your bed with a laugh.

>You stand up and fume.

"I hate when you do that!" you shout at her.

>"I know. That's why I did it," she says with a smirk. "Now that you're up, come eat breakfast. You know how Auntie Bon Bon gets when you pet her food get cold.

>She trotted out and shut the door behind her.

>You stood there in just your shorts.

>You contemplate lying back down in bed before finally deciding to just get dressed.

>There's no need to bring about the wrath of Auntie Bon Bon this early in the morning.

 

>Meeting them at the table, you take your seat and Auntie Bon Bon serves you your plate.

>Two fried eggs, biscuits and country gravy, and buttered toast.

>It looked amazing and smelt even better.

>You would drool but Auntie Bon Bon might smack you.

"Thank you, Auntie."

>"You're welcome, Anonymous," said Autie Bon Bon as she served your mother and then herself.

>When everyone was seated, you dug in.

>Your auntie makes the best food.

>Without question.

>You swear she could be a chef for the nobility, but she would rather stay in Ponyville.

>"Your two would be lost without me," she would say, referencing you and your mother.

>With breakfast concluded, you help clear the table and wash the dishes.

>Then it's shower, brush teeth, and tell Auntie Bon Bon you're off to Applebloom's house.

>"Be back by dark," she said. "Or else."

 

>The walk there finds them already on their way to Ponyville to pick you up.

>Exchanging greetings, the four of you set off for a full day crusading.

>Already being at Sweet Apple Acres, you do the obvious and first get started by kicking some trees.

>When it becomes apparent you can't get the apples down, you move on to various other activities.

>Scootaloo suggests riding the old bull penned up with the cows.

>"But he ain't much for rodeo," said Applebloom. "That old bull can't run far, much less buck."

>"That makes it all the easier to get our cutie marks!" replied Scootaloo.

>"I suppose," said Applebloom, leading your group to the bull pen.

>The old bull was casually grazing near the fence when you walked up.

>"First!" exclaimed Scootaloo.

>She ran up, jumped on top of the fence, and then leaped onto the bull's back, straddeling it.

>"Woo! Ride 'em cow- ...pony?"

>Scootaloo looked down at the bull, annoyed.

>The bull was uninterested and ignored her presence as it continued to graze.

>"Come on..." groaned Scootaloo.

>"Try spurring it," called Applebloom.

>"Come on!" shouted Scootaloo. "Buck!"

 

>She brought her hind legs out and spurred it hard in the sides.

>The bull's head shot up, it's pupils contracting into pinpricks.

>It snorted and let out it's roar as it reered back before it started trying to buck Scootaloo off of it.

>"Go Scootaloo!" cheered Sweetie Belle and Applebloom.

>Scootaloo screamed in terror as the old bull kicked and bucked.

>It finally got in one last hard buck, launching Scootaloo off of it's back.

>You three spectators ducked below the fence as Scootaloo flew past you and crashed into a large pile of hay.

>You all traded a glace before rushing over to Scootaloo.

>Scootaloo managed to dig herself out of the hay pile, rolling down from tge top and splaying out on the ground.

>You, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle hovered over her face, just staring at her.

"Well then. I don't think anyone else will be riding the bull," you comment.

>"Did I win?" asked Scootaloo.

>"Uhh... I don't think anyone was even counting," said Sweetie Belle.

>"Did I at least get my cutie mark?"

>You look down at her still-blank flank.

"Nope."

>"Well there goes that idea..." groaned Scootaloo. "Your turn, Sweetie Belle. I'm just gonna lay here for a few minutes..."

 

>Sweetie Belle pitched her idea for your next cutie mark venture.

>When that didn't pan out, Applebloom pitched an idea.

>And then it was back to you.

>You kept going round robin for much of the rest of the day.

>One particular thing rested on your mind all day.

>After many failed attempts at earning your cutie marks, you were trying on last thing before giving in for the day.

>Currently, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were teaming to try to get their marks.

>Scootaloo had her helmet on and was racing full speed across the field on her scooter.

>The CMC wagon was hitched to the back where Sweetie Belle, also wearing a helmet, was standing with a kite tied to her back.

>You were trying to get your cutie marks in parasailing.

>Lacking a proper boat and parachutes, this was the best alternative.

>While your friends were busy, you and Applebloom sat on the sidelines watching and awaiting your turns.

>You mostly keep to small conversation, but not much else.

"Hey, uh... Applebloom."

>"Yup?"

"I was, uh... I was thinking about something. It sounds like fun and possibly a cutie mark idea."

>"Really? What's that?"

>"Go faster, slowpoke!" called Sweetie Belle as they raced past the two of you.

>"I'm trying! Maybe you should lose some weight!" retorted Scootaloo.

"Well... I've always thought it would be kind of fun to go camping or something."

>"Like scouts? I suppose we could try to-"

"Kind of," you interupt. "I was thinking more along the lines of intentionally getting lost."

 

>Applebloom sat silent for a moment.

>"What?" she finally asked.

"Like, in the woods. Or something."

>"... What?"

"Yeah."

>"So what's that, a wilderness survival cutie mark or something? Or camping?"

"I'm not sure. I was still thinking about it. Maybe it could be exploration or something."

>Applebloom sat in silence.

>Maybe you shouldn't have said anything at all.

>Or at least thought of a better way to explain it before trying to tell her.

>"How long have you been thinking about this?" she finally asked.

"A long time."

>"And you said you've been planning it?"

"Well... No, I didn't say that. But yeah, I've written some stuff down."

>That fact that she didn't outright say know leads you to believe she's really considering it.

>"Look out!" shouts Sweetie Belle.

>Your attention is diverted to your friends as Scootaloo wrecks into a small rock.

>Sweetie Belle launches over Scootaloo's head and actually maintains flight for a second before crashing into a bush.

>"So..." started Applebloom, redirecting your attention once more. "How would all four of us just get lost?"

"I was actually thinking..."

>You nervously run your fingers through the grass beside you and starting slowly tearing it from the ground.

"Just the... two... of us..."

>"Why? Why not Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo?"

"Well..."

>How can you explain this without sounding like a real jerk?

>You don't think you can.

"I just don't think they would be very good partners. I've thought long and hard and I figure you would be the best one to handle it. They might actually slow us down."

 

>"Anon, that's-"

>"I told you that wouldn't work!" shouted Scootaloo at Sweetie Belle as they walked over.

>"It's okay, Scootaloo," said Sweetie Belle. "It's not like your scooter is broken."

>Sweetie Belle held up the remains of her kite.

>"Although..."

"So I take it me and Applebloom aren't getting a turn today?"

>"I'm afraid not," said Sweetie Belle. "Sorry, you two."

>"That's fine, I guess," said Applebloom. "I'm all pooped out for the day anyways."

>"Me too," said a sore Scootaloo as she stretched and popped the joints in her wings.

"Ow," you comment.

>"Well then I think I'll go home for now," said Sweetie Belle. "Rarity will probably have a fit if I get home too late."

>"I'll walk back with you," said Scootaloo. "You coming, Anon?"

>You shook your head.

"I'm gonna stay a bit longer."

>"Alright then. See you later, Anon."

>"Bye, Anonymous!" said Sweetie Belle.

>Scootaloo jumped on her scooter, Sweetie Belle too a seat in back, and they sped off.

>When they were a fair distance out, Applebloom spoke up.

>"So about that plan of yours."

 

>The two of you started walking from the fields to Applebloom's house.

"What about them?"

>"You want to go get lost in the woods and try to find our way out?"

"Yes."

>"Just us two?"

"Yes."

>"Will he have any supplies? Like food and stuff?"

"Well... yeah. It'll be like camping. Except we don't know where we are."

>Applebloom thought for a moment.

>"Well I do like camping..." she muttered. "Where would we go? There's nowhere we can actually get lost in."

"I-"

>You stopped.

>You hadn't thought about that.

"Uh... Whitetail- no there's too many ponies around..."

>"The only place I can think of would be-"

>"The Everfree Forest."

"The Everfree Forest."

>It caught you both by surprise you were thinking of the same thing.

>That little fact alone scared you to the point where maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

>You just wanted to go walk around in the woods for a day.

>It never occured to you it would be dangerous.

 

>You reached her house and stepped up onto the front porch.

>"When were you thinking you want to go?" she finally asked.

"I don't know. Like I said, I was just thinking about it. I didn't think you would-"

>"How about tomorrow?" she asked quickly.

>You nearly choked.

"T-Tomorrow?" you asked.

>"Yeah, why not?" asked Applebloom. "Would you rather go to school?" she asked with a smile.

>Good point.

"Not really, no."

>"Well I want to think on it a little more, just in case. How about tomorrow after school? That way we can still think about it during the day."

"Oh... Okay then. I'll be sure to bring some stuff anyways just in case."

>"That's good. I'll do the same."

>You nod your head and you both stand there in awkward silence.

>"Anon."

"Wha-"

>She leaned over and gave you a quick peck on the cheek.

>"Thanks for picking me," she said with a blush.

"Y-Yeah... No problem..."

>"We'll talk tomorrow then?" she asked.

"Yeah."

>"Okay. Good night, Anon," she said as she retreated into her home for the night.

"Good night."

>You touch a hand to your cheek to wipe it off, but just held your cheek instead.

>After a minute you finally turn and start your way home.

 

>The walk back was long and slow.

>A bunch of things running through your mind.

>You might as well chicken out.

>You only just realized how scary this little camping trip sounds.

>What if you meet a bear?

>Or a dragon!?

>The more you think about the dangers of the Everfree, the more you want to back out.

>It's still not too late.

>You get home and walk inside.

>"Do you know what time it is!" shouted Auntie Bon Bon who was waiting at the door for you.

>You turn around and check the sky.

"It's not even dark yet!" you moan.

>"The sun is still down," said Auntie.

"But it's not dark," you argue.

>"Are you giving me lip?" she asks in a threatening tone.

>Mom walks up from behind her.

>"Well in al honesty you did say dark. It's still light out," she said.

>"Lyra! Don't contradict me in front of Anon," said Auntie.

>"What? I'm just saying. You said 'dark'. Not 'when the sun goes down'."

>Auntie Bon Bon looked back from you to mom.

>"Well, yeah. I suppose I did, didn't I?" she said. "Anon. Go wash your hands and eat."

"Yes, Auntie."

>You make haste without waiting around in case she flips a switch.

>They soon join you at the table.

>You eat, wash the dishes, brush your teeth, and go to your room.

>You pack up a new shirts, pants, socks, and 2 pairs of underwear, just in case, into your school bag.

>When your mom and Auntie Bon Bon weren't looking, you snuck into the kitchen and grabbed a few cans of beans and a can opener.

>You also fill up and pack a small jug of water.

>You lock your door and reach under your dresser to check the list.

>Minus Applebloom, you believe you're all set.

>You go to bed early, but the anticipation and anxiety of potential events to come the next day keep you up a while longer.

>You finally clock out and drift off to sleep.

 

--

 

>You kiss your mom and auntie goodbye as you walk to school that morning.

>You couldn't stop smiling, something your auntie found a bit wierd.

>Your mom just passed it off as a good dream that night.

>You carry your backpack full of the stuff you packed last night.

>Applebloom and your other two friends meet you at school when you arrive.

>Applebloom also has a saddlebag, but the contents are yet unknown to you.

>It was her idea, so you can only assume she has the same stuff you do.

>Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo question the two of you about why your bags are full, but the simple reason of "It's for our cutie marks" is enough to satisfy them and make them giddy as well.

 >The four of you take your seats as class begins.

>You don't really pay attention to the lesson Miss Cheerilee is giving as your mind wanders.

>You doodle on the back of some homework about some cool stuff you can build.

>You can put some logs up and build a small house!

>This is going to be the greatest thing ever!

>You've got this so well-planned out, there's no way you aren't going to get your cutie mark from this.

>Applebloom trades glances with you all morning.

>You begin to scribble a note into your doodles as a knock on the classroom door interupts Miss Cheerilee's lecture.

>Answering the door, the class sees Applejack walk into the building.

>She trades low chatter with Miss Cheerilee, both of them looking to the class occasionally.

>The children all look around in curiosity, also speaking low to each other.

>You look at Applebloom for an answer, but she just shrugs in your direction.

 

>"Applebloom," Miss Cheerilee calls. "Grab your things. Your sister says she needs you for something."

>"How come Applebloom gets to cut school?" moans Scootaloo.

>Applebloom, just as confused as everyone else, puts her pencils into her bag and walks to the front of the room.

>"Don't forget," she whispers to you as she passes.

>You nod and she gives you a sly wink.

>Applejack doesn't appear to happy with her, but she doesn't say anything in front of the class.

>She holds the door for Applebloom as they both leave.

>Come recess, Applebloom still isn't back.

>You were supposed to talk to her at lunch but she's nowhere to be found.

>Where could Applejack have taken her?

>Did she find out?

>To occupy your time, you play ball with some of the other school children, occasionally looking around to look for Applebloom in case she came back.

>She never did.

>Recess is over and you take one last look around outside, but you still can't find her.

>You feel extremely disappointed that you may not follow through with your plan.

>The day goes on, but her words linger.

>"Don't forget."

>She was talking about the plan, right?

>You rack your brain trying to decifer the message.

 

>Before you know it, the school day is over.

>You walk outside with your remaining two friends and talk about possible plans for the day or tomorrow.

>They both seem to have things to do today, leaving you alone.

>Tomorrow will be good though as even if you leave tonight, you'll be home tomorrow.

>You say your farewells, but you remain at the school house.

>Giving Applebloom's words some thought, you make your way to the big tree you had planned to meet at.

>If "Don't forget," meant anything about your adventure, surely she would meet you there, right?

>As it turns out, that doesn't seem to be the case at all.

>As you approach your meeting place, there's no one here.

>Just dust and echoes.

>You stand around for a few minutes just to be safe, but after a while you figure that it's not going to happen today.

>With a heavy sigh, you hang your head in disappointment and turn to start home.

>You kick a rock away in frustration as the wind picks up.

>A distinct sounds catches your ear and your look back at the tree.

>The white corner of a flowing sheet of paper barely catches your eye on the opposite side of the tree.

>You walk back around the tree to inspect.

>It's a note from Applebloom that she had stuck to the tree.

>You tear it down and read.

>'Anonymous. If you're reading this, then I am probably late. If you wait for me, I promise I will be there as soon as I can. Applejack is making me work the apple stand as punishment since we ditched her last time. It could take a while, but I promise I won't let you down. We had a plan! And I want to see it through just as much as you do. Until later, Applebloom."

>You turn the paper over to check the back, but it turns up blank.

>Wait here for her, huh?

>You fold the letter up and put it in your pocket.

>You suppose you can do that.

>You take a seat by the tree and lean back, your backpack between you and the tree.

>Your eyes close as time passes.

 

>"Hey."

>A rough but well-meaning hoof on your shoulder shakes you from your nap.

>You crack your eyes and squint up at the yellow filly before you.

>"What's up?" asked Applebloom.

"Napping."

>"Well... Are we gonna do this thing or not? Because otherwise I'll have to go home before dark. It's a school night after all."

"Have you ever seen my auntie Bon Bon when I come home late? Sometimes she beats my butt with a wooden spoon."

>Applebloom flinches at the thought with an audible "Ooh".

>"Well then we should probably go before they catch on," she says, extending a hoof to help you up.

>You accept her assistance and stand.

>The weight of your backpack causes you to lose balance and you fall back onto your butt.

>You slip your arms through the straps and stand once more.

>You pick up your pack and re-sling it.

"Let's do it."

>With Applebloom at your side, the two of you start walking.

>"So what are we gonna do when we get there?" asked Applebloom.

"Uh..."

>You have read a book on this, so you know what you should do for all situations.

"We need to build a house. Or a fort or something."

>"Can we even do that?"

"Of course we can. We just need to find some sticks and logs."

>"Oh. Okay. And then what?"

"We eat dinner and go to sleep."

>"That sounds like a mighty-fine plan, Anon!"

"This is going to be so much fun."

>"I think so too."

 

>Thirty minutes or so of hiking down the dirt road out of Ponyville finally reveal the edge of the Everfree Forest.

>The two of you slow you pace as the withered trees come to tower over you.

>You stare up at the canopy.

>There isn't a canopy.

>It's just... dead.

>The skies over the forest become clouded and the air itself felt heavier the closer you came to the tree line.

>You gulp down the lump in your throat as you enter the shadows of the twisted and gnarled trees.

>Applebloom walks right in without flinching.

>She being the more experienced with these woods, you follow her lead.

>"You've met Zecora before, right?" asked Applebloom.

"Once. She came to town and wouldn't stop staring at me. She gave me the creeps. I think she wanted to eat me."

>Applebloom laughed.

>"Of course not, you silly. She would never do that. She's great once you get to know her."

"I would imagine."

>The fog and thick undergrowth hindered your movement.

>It made it easy to get turned around, but you made it a point to go straight.

>You can't go in circles if you only go straight.

>Applebloom didn't mind, but you had to watch your step, lest you sink your shoes into some murky puddles.

>It's not going to be much fun if you have to walk around in muddy and soaking wet shoes.

>There's some sharp sticks and stuff on the ground so going without would be worse.

 

>Night falls faster in the Everfree than it does in Ponyville.

>But you and Applebloom make great time.

>You find a grassy spot with some tall trees around to stop for the night.

>The both of you take off your packs and stretch, grateful to lose that weight.

>You start checking things off of your mental checklist.

>"I think we should get a fire started," suggested Applebloom, looking up at the small hole in the trees to the sky.

>You follow her gaze and nod to nothing in particular.

"I think you're right."

>You set out to find rocks, and Applebloom goes to look for wood.

>A few fist-sized rocks should be enough the a small circle, you think to yourself.

>"Anon," called Applebloom. "What are we gonna do? This wood is all wet."

>You scan the ground at your feet, and sure enough, the ground was soaked.

>Any tinder is damp beyond use.

>Your sight drifts upwards and you spot some low-hanging tree limbs about your height.

>Grabbing hold, you break off the dead wood with ease.

"Hey, Applebloom," you call. "I found-"

>"Nevermind!" Applebloom called back.

>When you turn around, you see her dragging a small branch from a nearby bush.

"Oh. Nevermind," you say to yourself.

>Your tasks completed, the two of you now sit around a ring of stones and some tented sticks.

>"So do you know this works?" asked Applebloom, her face hovering close to the sticks.

"I thought we just rub two sticks together to make fire?" you inquire, also leaning in close.

>Applebloom walks back to her saddlebags and pulls out a small bow-like instrument.

"What's that?"

>"Watch this."

>Applebloom instructs you to hold the stick while she takes the bow in her mouth.

>Coiling the stick inside at the top, she turned her head side to side, causing the string to rotate the stick.

>You cock your head for a better view.

>After a short time, a small pillar of smoke began to emenate from the sticks.

>Then a tiny flame.

>After letting it build for a bit, you had a cozy little fire burning.

 

>You just sit across from each other, and bask in the glow and heat of the dancing flames.

"That was really cool," you finally say.

>"Thanks," answered Applebloom. "My sister taught me how to do that."

"Oh yeah. About earlier?"

>"Oh. She wasn't happy about the other day," said Applebloom with a laugh. "And plus they were short on ponies so I had to work the stand while they worked the orchards."

"So what is she going to say when you don't come home tonight?"

>"I told her I was staying at your house," Applebloom replied, looking away with a blush.

>Your cheeks turned cherry red.

"O-oh. Yeah, I said the same thing."

>Applebloom raised an eyebrow.

"About the staying the night thing," you say quickly. "No wait. I mean, me staying at your house."

>Applebloom laughed as you stumbled over your words.

>"That was probably smart," she said. "They'll never suspect a thing, and we get to go camping on a school night!"

>A realization hits you.

>You need a tent.

>You stand and walk to your bag and start sifting through it's contents.

>Aaand... nothing.

>You poke at the bag and move some things around.

>"What are you looking for, Anon?" asked Applebloom.

"Hey, uh..." you scratch the back of your head. "You wouldn't happen to have a blanket or something, would you?"

>"Why? You forget one."

>You look to the ground and nod ashamedly.

>This is your plan, yet you're forgetting everything.

>"No problem.

>Applebloom went into her saddlebag and found a small quilt, big enough for the both of you.

>It looked really warm.

 

>You run an idea past Applebloom of a tent you could build.

>In mere minutes, the two of you had a small lean-to built out of 5 sticks and some string.

>Some leaves from bushes on top could protect from the rain.

>Building it near and facing the fire created enough warmth for the two of you to sleep on top of Applebloom's quilt.

>Night was already upon you, and with nothing more to do, the two of you broke out dinner.

>You brought over your packs and laid out everything you had.

>Applebloom brought apples and some of Granny Smith's fritters.

>You just got beans...

>Way to make you look like a jerk.

>As if you haven't already made yourself look the fool several times already.

>Applebloom was willing to share half of her apples and 1 of 2 fritters with you.

>In a fair exchange, you opened a can of beans for her as a main meal and handed it over.

>The two of you just talked and exchanged chatter and gossip about family, classmates, and ponies around town.

>It didn't take long before you were both fat and happy with 2 cans of beans and 2 apples leftover.

>Feeding the fire a bit more and placing some dry wood nearby for the middle of the night, the two of you yawn with exhaustion and decide to bed down for the night.

>The quilt kept the two of you warm from the cold, moist dirt of the forest and the fire kept you warm from the cold, moist air.

>Applebloom lied down on one side of the quilt, leaving room for you.

>You bed down right next to her, backs facing each other.

>You take a deep breath in through the nose and slowly exhale through the mouth.

>This was fun.

>After a little bit of not being able to sleep, the sound of the soft, slow breathing of Applebloom behind you told she had fallen asleep.

>It was quiet, save for Appleblooms slow breathing and the crackle of the wood on the fire.

>You were just about to fall asleep too, until in the distance, you heard the faint howl of a wolf.

>Your eyes opened wide like saucers.

>You didn't hear it again for the rest of the time you were awake, but before you fell asleep, you made certain to clutch Applebloom tight.

 

>Morning came with the caw of a distant cockatrice.

>Applebloom noted how they must act like roosters on the farm.

>You have heard stories of the creatures before.

>They sounded scary, but the fact that they were just chicken lizards made you laugh and shrug it off.

>The fire had slowly burnt out in the middle of the night, leaving nothing but charred cinders that occasionally popped as it slowly burnt out.

>You crawl out from your little hut and stretch, Applebloom right behind you.

>She asks your help to shake and wipe the quilt of the dirt before folding it and putting it back in her saddle bag.

>She tosses you an apple and you both eat one for breakfast.

>You take your time, but kept in mind that you needed to get to school.

>It was only a Tuesday morning.

>You probably won't get back until after lunch.

>You will save your last cans of beans for then.

>All packed up, you decide to leave your fire pit and lean-to erected.

>You know, just in case either of you decide to come back.

>You step off back to Ponyville with Applebloom.

>As you walk, you start talking about excuses and alibis for when you get questioned for being late to school.

>You decided on just being sick that morning.

>That sounded believable.

>"Hey Anon, hold on a second," said Applebloom.

>You stop and face her.

"Yeah?"

>"Are you sure we're going the right way?" she asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"I'm positive. We left camp the same way we came in. And we've just been walking straight."

>"Yeah, I know. But I just have the strangest feeling we got turned around somehow.

"Why's that?"

>Applebloom points past some bushes and trees.

>In a small clearing, was a stone circle with some burnt up sticks and a little makeshift lean-to.

"Uh oh."

 

--