My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
"Adventures into the Dark Oak"

By Black Pony of Death

Disclaimer:

	This story is a work of fan fiction is a parody in the vain of Hasbro's My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic appearing on the HUB. All respective copyrights belong to Hasbro and the HUB. This fan fiction is intended for Mature audiences only. Please use discretion where reading. Enjoy!

PART 1

CHAPTER I
"Twitchy-twitch!"

	Pinkie Pie was a carefree pony who lived in Equestria. She had 5 best friends and was an Element of Harmony along side them, each friend representing her own Element and defending Equestria with the "Magic of Friendship" when need be. Pinkie Pie, or Pinkie for short, represented Laughter and was by far the most jubilant of the bunch. Her jubilance rubbed off on everypony she ever crossed paths with, even the most grumpy and cantankerous. Her friends loved her, though they didn't always understand her. Her random behavior baffled them all, even the most analytical pony she knew, Twilight Sparkle, and after a while they just chalked up to just her being "Pinkie Pie".

	Though she was genuinely full of joy, toil and fear were not unknown to her. Her childhood had been spent on a rock farm, engaged in back-breaking labor, yet her child-like wonder remained uncrushed by the brutal labor all the way to adulthood. With the advice of her Granny Pie, telling her to stand up tall and face her fears, she seemed to have an unbreakable spirit. To top it off, she had a peculiar... let's call it a "helpful quirk" ? one which gave her super hero-like powers. She called this quirk her "Pinkie Sense" and whenever it would act up it meant danger was not far off. It would come in the form of maybe a twitchy tail, or fluttering eyes and ears. Sometimes she'd end up shaking like a leaf and that meant something - usually something big - was bound to happen. "A dousey!" She'd call it. This power of hers had saved more ponies than just herself time and time again.

	There was one little part of Equestria Pinkie had discovered while on her way from her friend Fluttershy's cottage to Applejack's farm that set off her Pinkie sense in a funny way. Having once had too much tea at Fluttershy's, Pinkie discovered this area when she went off road for some privacy to do her business. This one little area under a dead willow tree by some oddly grassless dunes obscured her enough, yet made both her tail twitch as well as her shoulders creepy crawl... something she had never experienced. The area felt odd, and was devoid of life, much like a small patch of barren desert. No animals were in the Willow tree... no birds to sing pretty songs. It was silent. She then noticed this willow tree had a dark yet inviting hole down its center much like a door. Large enough for an adult pony to stick his or her head into. Putting her head against the trunk, she heard this strange, faint humming sound coming from within the tree, yet it was impossible to tell what was inside without sticking her head in. Despite the tree's menacing appearance, the strangely warm hum enticed Pinkie. Welcomed her. It felt... hypnotic.

	Though tempted to stick her head in, she decided being so far from the road wasn't the best place to get stuck in a rotten old tree, so she continued on her marry way to AJ's farm putting the weird tree out of her mind as she trotted along, saying hello to all the ponies she passed along the way.

	She forgot all about the incident until a few months later... she had to make the same pit stop in the same location on her way to Ponyville. This time, however, she noticed there were 3 other ponies, two local colts and a filly, by the dead tree. She shuttered as her ears and shoulders twitched violently the moment she saw them.

	"That creepy ol' tree!" She gasped, looking at the hole which, at this distance looked kind of like a hungry mouth. "They're my friends! You can't eat 'em!"

	She knew she must get the three away from it, but despite the fact that she could feel why she couldn't explain why. The filly was seconds from sticking her head into the dark crevasse, when Pinkie bellowed to her with a certain apprehension in her voice that was uncharacteristic of Pinkie Pie:

	"Dinky! Snips, Snails! No, no, no, no, no..." She approached the three, thinking of what to say next. "Go play someplace else... you'll get your lil noggins stuck in there and I'll have to get AJ and Big Mac to come pop you out! It'll be no fun, I can totally Pinkie swear to that!"

	"I just wanted to see what was inside..." said Dinky, looking at the ground in sadly as if she'd done something to disappoint an otherwise nice and happy pony she loved dearly.

	"Yeah!" Said Snips. "We want to know what's in there. It's making a cool sound!"

	Snails nodded his head in agreement, just going along with the other unicorns while in his own little world.

	"Hey, what's wrong with your back?" Snails asked, noticing Pinky's rippling shoulder muscles. "Sometimes that happens to my mom's eye when she's got a headache!"

	"It's nothing," said Pinkie Pie, as she thought up a lie and thought it up quick. "Just some muscle fatigue from helping Applejack buck apples earlier today!"

	"Is that your Pinkie sense acting up?" Asked Dinky, noticing her ears and tail twitching as well.

	"A lil..." Answered Pinkie Pie, hesitantly, with her eyes fluttering. "It's telling me that mean ol' Mr. Willow is no place for three lil fillies..."

	"Hey! We are colts!" Snips snapped indignantly.

	Being stuck in the predicament of knowing something was trouble but being unable to explain it other than it made her Pinkie sense act up, Pinkie had to think fast. Telling them wouldn't be enough to deter their young minds, though she wanted to say something cautionary like Zucora would say, something along the lines of "somethings are better left undone, sticking your head in there will lead to a lack of fun," but she decided that would just make them laugh so instead she promised to meet them at Sugar Cube corner in an hour for a small party if they went home to wash first. No little pony ever said no to Pinkie's parties unless they were in a super, duper bad mood. All three of the young ponies were very much their cheery selves that day. They agreed and trotted off... quickly away from the willow. Pinkie was relieved.

CHAPTER II
"Twilight's Library"

	Memories of the tree and the mischievous foals quickly melted away as Pinkie Pie contacted all her friends about the last minute party she'd be throwing. Everybody showed, the three from earlier (Pinkie thanked Celestia for that and finally put it out of her mind) as well as all five of Pinkie's best friends, plus Big Mac, who came early to help set up; then there was Derpy, and of course Spike. A few games of pin the Tail on the Pony, some dancing, and a bit of Applejack's stash of cider for all put smiles on everypony's face.

	A couple hours later it was dusk and things were winding down. The three left tuckered out as Pinkie and her friends were cleaning up.

	Clean up was always a snap with her friends there to help - Rainbow Dash's wing power generated a tornado with %20 more efficiently than any other Pegasus Pony and that worked for Pinkie's clean-up much like a vacuum cleaner, cleaning up the confetti. Twilight and Rarity organized the remaining supplies, while Apple Jack and Big Mac helped Pinkie Pie move a few tables back where they belonged. Even Fluttershy and Derpy's abilities were put to good use... Derpy pulled some remaining decorations off the ceiling before leaving while Fluttershy called on  her animal friends to help. A small group of blue jays took the piles of confetti RD had made and used them to make their nests more bright and colorful. Cleanup, which would have taken the pink pony an hour, took only minutes.

	When all was away, Pinkie Pie's friends departed. All except for Twilight Sparkle, who followed the pink pony, helping her look things over before closing down shop for the night.

	Twilight didn't always understand Pinkie, yet they shared a special bond.   Twilight knew something was wrong and Pinkie didn't even have to tell her. So, in a very non-nonchalant way, the purple pony told Spike that she'd meet him back at the library a bit later. Once he was away, she took a lil stroll with Pinkie Pie through the empty, star-light streets of Ponyville. Her objective: to find out what was going on with her special friend.

	At first the two just chatted about how their week was going, until Twilight got on the subject of the night's party. She asked Pinkie why she chose to throw it that night, with the three little ponies present. It was unusual for Pinkie to make last minute plans for foals... in fact, she never had! Pinkie got quiet and stopped dead in her tracks. Twilight knew something was definitely up at that point:

	"What's wrong Pinkie?" She asked, stopping beside the pink earth pony.

	"It's... nothing." Pinkie said, lowering her eyes.

	"You can tell me Pinkie." Twilight said, beaming a smile at her dearest Pinkie Pie. "Is one of them moving away to another part of Equestria? I won't spill the beans."

	Pinkie shook her head.

	"Fighting parents?"

	Again, Pinkie shook her head.

	"I found a willow tree..." She said, after taking in a deep breath. "It was strange. Like Derpy's muffin's strange... and a bit scary! Twilight, I know it sounds silly, but it felt super out-of-the-ordinary, weird, funny - but not ha-ha funny, not supposed to be here, bizarre, creepy, not of this world, terrible, funny, strange..."

	Pinkie took in a breath as Twilight put her arm around her dearest friend. She could tell Pinkie was trying to tell her something horrible about the tree, but was having a difficult time, so she asked the most objective questions she could think of:

	"Did it set off your Pinkie sense?"

	Pinkie nodded:

	"Twitch-a-twitch."

	"Would you be able to describe it to me and, if I find it in a book, point it out?"

	Pinkie nodded again, smiling.

	"Thank you, Twilight!" She said, playfully kissing the unicorn on the cheek.

	Together they cantered off to the library. Pinkie bounced like a spring alongside Twilight. Twilight thought "ah, looks like she's back to normal!"

	At the library, Twilight sat down in front of the massive, wall-to-wall book shelves. She had entire sections devoted to the occult to go through with her dearest Pinkie Pie. Twilight was determined: anything to put the pink pony's  uneasiness to rest. If it meant being up all night, it meant being up all night. Since Spike was catching some Zzs by the time they got home, Owlicious was there to help the purple unicorn as the two went through the books. Pinkie Pie was happy to be doing this, but exasperating Twilight as they went through book after book:

	"No... Nope! ... Nuh-ah!"

	In the wee hours of the morning, as the sun was coming up, it was time for rest... Twilight's normally straight mane was almost as frizzled as Pinkie's and the normally hyperactive Pinkie Pie could barely keep her eyes open, which were going back and forth despite the fact that there was no book in front of her to look at. Twilight's determination had kept them going through the night, wanting to find this thing in a book before either reporting it or going to it together. They'd found NOTHING even resembling what Pinkie was so shaken by. Plenty of cursed trees, but nothing as unsettling as that willow. Exasperated, Twilight and Pinkie agreed that they'd go off to this willow that afternoon for a look and get Zucora if Twilight thought the tree was going to be a problem... after getting a few hours of sleep, of course.

	They'd decided to make a sleepover of this failed late night with the books... together they crept up to Twilight's bedroom. Spike was sleeping soundly in his little bed in the corner, suckling his claw. Pinkie started to say "D'aww..." but realized it was better for her not to wake lil Spikie-wikie, so she whispered it.

	They lay side-by-side in Twilight's bed and cuddled up together, beaming smiles at each other.

	"Thanks Twilight... I'm sorry we couldn't find that tree." Pinkie sleepily said.

	"Don't mention it, Pinkie." Twlight responded, nuzzling the pink ponies neck. "Anything for you."

	"I love you, Twilight."

	Twilight planted a wet smooch on the earth pony's lips.

	"I love you too, Pinkie Pie."

	Pinkie was more sleepy than Twilight that night. Twilight told her to relax, that she would take good care of her. Her objective: to make the most wonderful pony in her life, Pinkie Pie, feel good, since she spent most of her energy doing exactly that for every other pony she'd ever met. However, Twilight wanted to make Pinkie Pie feel good in a different way than she was known to make other ponies feel good.

	Pinkie Pie sleepily laid on her back and shut her eyes as Twilight positioned herself so that her steamy breath was felt on Pinkie's thighs and pink nether regions. Twilight then, tenderly parted the earth pony's legs and proceeded to eat Pinkie's moist pie. For Twilight, it tasted divine (as always). For Pinkie, it felt divine... Twilight knew her body well, and she knew this was just what she needed to expend the tension she'd been carrying around all evening. This wasn't her first time down there, after all.

	As said before, the two shared a special relationship, and only the mane 6 and a few family members knew about it. Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack shared the same relationship... as did Fluttershy and Rarity. The mane 6 were paired together and this bond just strengthened the magic of their Friendship. This was, however, one of the main reasons Spike would never get the attention of his secret crush, the lovely Ms. Rarity... that way, anyway. He was too young to know about such things, yet, though.

	Muscled tightened as their intimacy came to a close. Sweet fluids became ample, and there was a stifled cry of pleasure into a thick blue pillow... then silence. Twilight and Pinkie nuzzled for a bit in the afterglow, kissing each other tenderly (and sleepily). They then fell asleep under the fading stars and dim morning light in a warm embrace.

	? and perched across the library the whole time, staring at them with his beady yellow eyes, was Owlicious. He had seen it all, but... he would never tell a soul. All he could say was "who" after all. What he had seen, though, would make any jaw drop. He was fairly unphased... desensitized from months of it, and fading fast as the sun came up.

END OF PART 1

PART 2

Chapter I
"Disappearing Ponies!"

	The two ponies arose from their slumber late the next morning. They'd had their fun... now it was time for action.

	Twilight Sparkle was all business from the moment she bolted awake. While Pinkie Pie was just rolling out of bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and smelling the sweet breakfast Spike had made for her, Miss Sparkle set out to assemble the Mane 6 post haste, skipping breakfast entirely. With the help of Rainbow Dash, who was found napping on a cloud not far from the Library, Twilight ordered the Mane 6 assembled in Applejack's barn at 3:00 that afternoon. Rainbow Dash was speedy in her delivery of the message and all the ponies, scattered throughout Ponyville, got it in less than 5 minutes. Given a task, Twilight got it done.

	When all were together, the purple pony gave a synopsis of the problem - they were to investigate a strange tree giving off unpleasant vibes close to both Fluttershy's Cottage and Applejack's farm. Both AJ and Fluttershy were surprised to be hearing this, since they were both the type of pony to have throughly explored the land surrounding their homes. Nevertheless, they were all determined to get to the bottom of it.

	With a couple saddlebags filled to the brim with snacks and books to identify unusual magical flora and fauna, the six set out on yet another adventure. Fluttershy, who could handle most things save dragons and black magic despite her timid personality, was lagging in the back of the group speaking in a hushed voice about the possibility of danger. Pinkie Pie, who was normally bouncing in the front, was right along side her, muttering similar reservations. Twilight Sparkle reassured them the best she could that the tree was most likely harmless - an irritable, spooky old willow tree at worst. Pinkie had laughed away mean-looking trees before. This one couldn't be that much different, could it?

	"I sure hope so..." replied Pinkie, turning her frown upside down.

	Spike, who was frequently with them, was sitting this adventure out. Twilight asked him to catalog some new books for her in her absence (her plans for that day). He rolled his eyes and complied, like a good little assistant. In reality... that chore was just busy work. She saw this mission as potentially dangerous and didn't want to bring along a baby dragon. Not until she knew what was up.

	It didn't take them more than 10 minutes of trotting before they found the dead willow. Unfortunately, some other ponies had gotten there first.

	Snails, Derpy, and Applebloom were by the tree examining it closely. Pinkie  already figured out Snails had come back with some friends. Applebloom and Snails had their ears up to it, listening to its soft hum, while Derpy was just sticking her head into the dark hole of the tree.. tempting its dark secret to come out and make itself known.

	"I don't remember that tree--" started to say Apple Jack. "Applebloom! Get away --"

	Twilight Sparkle cut her short:

	"Derpy, please don't do that! We don't know what that tree is about yet..."

	They were too far away. Applebloom waved happily when she saw them. The 6 started racing, since even at that distance the tree didn't seem like a good place for ponies to be playing. This old willow had, after all, even made Pinkie Pie most uncomfortable. Despite their frantic galloping, they were too late. Derpy had stuck her head in and what the tree was really about finally made itself visible.

	There was a radiant blue glow that encompassed a ten foot radius around the tree. It scanned the grounds swiftly like sonar over a battle field and all ponies close to the tree - Derpy, Applebloom, Snails... once crossed over by the beam - simply vanished into thin air. Gone without a trace. The light faded seconds after it had come on, and all was still by the old tree once more.

	"No!" Cried Applejack, dashing to the decrypted willow before collapsing in front of it's twisted body. "Applebloom... she ain't here no more! She's dead!"

	Twilight approached her distraught friend and tried to comfort her:

	"I don't think they've been disintegrated," Twilight said, opening her books. "That glow... I've read about that. I think she was just teleported away."

	"Teleported!?!" Cried Applejack. "To where!?"

	"I... don't know," said Twilight, rapidly turning the pages in her book with her magic. "Where was that... where was that page... A-ha! Blue magical scans. It's a teleporter. This tree is a pony trap set off by anyponies foolish enough to stick their heads in!"

	Pinkie remembered how close she was to sticking her own head in there a few months earlier.

	Twilight showed the 6 the page she was on: it displayed a diagram of a similar blue aura around a lone gym locker with a half dematerialized pony in its midst. She spoke up: "beneath the picture it says that the incantation for the aura can be used so that it appears within any everyday object - a mailbox, a closet, a cave - anything with an entrance. That entrance would then, once breeched, trigger a teleportation spell and whisk the pony away before he or she even knew what was happening. They've all been hoof-napped!"

	"We have to go after them!" Said Apple Jack, preparing to stick her head in.

	"No!" Said Twilight, as both Rarity and Fluttershy's combined strength barely restrained her. "We have to have a plan first. We don't know what's on the other side yet, and we don't even know if we'd be able to come back! Let me research a bit first, for our own sake."

	"We don't know what's through there and that's why I want to go!" Thundered AJ, struggling against the two other ponies. Rainbow Dash held Applejack back too at this point and she was still almost free from their grasp. "Applebloom's just a filly... I'll go to save her by myself if you won't come, too."

	"I think maybe since this is a teleporter it... it might be a good idea to inform Princess Celestia first," said Fluttershy, cowering away from the berserk AJ.

	"Good idea," said Twilight, turning to the star speedster of the group, Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash! You're the fastest pony here. Please go to Canterlot and tell the Princess about this turn of events. It is of paramount importance that you hurry, since we have no idea what's on the other side of this thing!"

	"I'm on it!" Rainbow said before disappearing high into clouds, leaving behind a rainbow-colored vapor trail. Pinkie Pie took her place guarding AJ along with the other two.

	"Apple Jack," said Twilight, calmly approaching the enraged orange pony. "I know you want to save Applebloom, but I think your time could be better spent fetching both rope for the expedition as well as your brother Big Mac. We're going to need muscle for this trip and he would want to know what's going on, too!"

	"You're... right, Twilight," Applejack said, as she was released by her friends.

	"Let me come with you, Applejack," said Rarity.

	"I don't need no guard!" Applejack snapped, trotting off towards her farm. "I'll be back in ten minutes! We'd better have a plan by then."

	"Oh, I think we will," said Twilight Sparkle, confidently. "I think we will..."
	
Chapter II
"Drawing Straws"

	Twilight Sparkle had a plan nearly realized for execution as Applejack approached with another saddlebag full of supplies and an uncharacteristically bewildered-looking Big Macintosh. By the time Applejack was just barely visible on  the road back to the group, Rainbow Dash came back with information and a saddlebag of her own containing the Elements of Harmony. Rainbow had shared her news and was there with the rest at the ready. The Mane 6 meant business.

	"What's going on, Twilight?" Big Mac asked in his usual relaxed voice, though his eyes showed both concern and readiness for action.

	"Applebloom, Derpy, and Snails have been kidnapped!" Twilight exclaimed, still examining her book. "This tree is actually a pony trap and the way to set it off is to stick your head in this hole." She pointed at the gaping space in the tree with her horn. "Do that and bam, it'll teleport you away in an instant!"

	Big Mac approached the tree, looking at the hole:

	"'a don't recognize this tree at all, AJ."

	"It's news to me, too, Big Mac." Replied his sister.

	Big Mac put his head closer and closer to the hole.

	"No! Not yet!" Exclaimed Twilight, using her magic to gently tug on the red pony's blonde mane.

	All ponies turned to the learned unicorn:

	"The Princess has already been informed of this illegal teleporter and has asked that we, the Elements of Harmony, investigate if we all agree to venture into the unknown for the sake of our friends. If anypony is scared, she doesn't have to go, but we need all 6 for the Elements to work! A second rescue party of her finest ponies are now being assembled and will be here led by Shining Armor in just shy of 2 hours." Twilight looked at Applejack and Big Mac directly, then at everypony else. "A lot can happen to the missing ponies in that time therefore, I think it's in the best interest of all ponies missing that we all go in together once I finish reading about to how get back... it's tricky, but I think I can do it provided we have the rope like I asked for."

	"Right here!" AJ exclaimed, removing it from her bag and setting it by Twilight's hooves. "This rope's lightweight and thin, yet it's strong enough to hogtie a dragon and long enough to lasso a beluga whale!"

	"Just what we need," she said, looking around. "There are other good trees nearby... tie it around the strongest one you can find, then pray to Celestia the next part works..."

	Applejack and Big Mac tied it tight around a good-sized oak, having Rainbow Dash fly towards the heavens to pull the knot tight as tight as she could. When all was set, they gathered around Twilight and prayed.

	Twilight's horn glowed a brilliant purple hue as she approached the disguised teleporter:

	"This spell should make it so that once we go in, the way stays open allowing for the rope to guide us back into Equestria. We'll have about 2 hours before the portal closes again... once we go through the resistance keeping us on the other side will be tremendous, since the teleporter is only meant for one-way travel. That's where you come in, Big Mac, with the rope tied tightly behind you, please stay on this side and  bear the brunt of the force and pull us all back into Equestria once you get my signal - the aura will turn purple instead of blue once we're all ready for you to toss the rope in."

	"I reckon I can do that." Big Mac said with a stone face, staring at the black tree. "I won't fail you, Applebloom. I promise."

	"Then it's settled... unless the rope fails, we'll be okay. Worst case scenario is we'll get stuck on the other side and forced to do battle with whatever evil stole the three away until Shining Armor shows up and reopens the portal. Girls, we vanquished Nightmare Moon together... with the Elements we can take on anything with the Magic of our Friendship!"

	The 6 put on the Elements as Twilight's horn shone bright and an impressive light shot from it's tip. All ponies were blinded by the light as she touched the tree and...

	A surge of electricity was sent through Twilight Sparkle's body as she was hurled directly into the Mane 6 by a sadistic anti-tampering spell. Strike! They all went down.

	"Oh, Twilight," said Pinkie, who was in the back of the group. She slowly rose to a standing position. "Are you okay?"

	Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow were all seeing stars for a moment. Pinkie and Big Mac helped them all to their feet and as they regained their senses something happened to the old oak tree.

	It gradually began to glow in a reddish hue. It pulsed brighter and brighter, every pulse seeming to suck the energy from the world around it with evil intentions. Once Twilight saw this she had a very frightened reaction:

	"Oh no!" she exclaimed. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no!" Twilight used her magic to speedily turn the pages of her book. "This is bad!"

	"What's wrong?" Asked AJ.

	"The tree was defended against magic. We've only got a few minutes to go through now and there's a chance we won't even make it to the other side!"

	"What do you mean not make it?" Asked Applejack.

	"The more of us go, the more likely it is to view us as intruders! The maximum safe number is only 2! Oh, I don't know if I'll be able to get it open again without the Princess's help, and even that spell will take a couple of days of perpetration!"

	"Darling, you're positive the princess will be able to open it again?" Asked Rarity.

	"Yes, I am," answered Twilight. "My only concern is that the only reason somepony would put a spell like this on a teleporter is if they had a nefarious reason for having it active in the first place!"

	"So only two of us will go then," said Rainbow Dash, lifting herself off the ground with her powerful wings. "I'm up for it. I'm not afraid!"

	"We should draw straws," suggested Big Mac, pulling up bits of earth with his hoof. He had 7 straws in his hoof. "I say shortest two go."

	"It's really the only way," said Twilight, pulling a straw with her magic.

	"Oh, alright," said Rarity, also drawing a straw with her magic, while watching the red glow. "That crimson glow... Of all the worst possible things that could happen this is the... worst... possible... thing!"

	All ponies then drew a straw of their own and looked at them. Even though some were scared and others were eager, they'd all go in a hoofbeat if they got the shortest straw.

	In the end Twilight and Rarity got very long straws and were out... Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash got slightly shorter straws but were still out... Applejack thought she had the shortest straw but Pinkie's was shorter... as was Big Mac's.

	"Eeyup." Said Big Mac, staring into the dead oak, ready to go.

	"This is going to be an adventure..." Said Pinkie Pie, hesitantly, looking at Twilight and thinking about all she'd be leaving behind. "If I don't make it back take care of my lil gator Gummy for me, Twilight."

	"You're going to make it back just fine, Pinkie." said Twilight, her horn glowing purple again as she stared into the oak tree.

	She knew Pinkie was strong, as was Big Mac, but was hesitant to let them go.

	Twilight continued, "probably best this way. Brute force and Pinkie sense sounds like a good combo. You guys don't have to go if you don't want to, but if you're going to go, please go now. I'm doing my best to keep the tree active still, if you don't hurry it may be days without any type of rescue and something horrible may to those two foals and sweet, innocent Derpy!"

	Even though they knew it probably wouldn't have done any good, Rainbow tied the other end of the rope tight around Big Mac with Apple Jack's help. Pinkie removed her Element and approached the tree as Big Mac, with saddlebags on his back, came up from behind.

	"It's on us," he said, getting ready to stick his head in. "Don't have time to wait on Shining Armor any longer. Twilight says it may make little difference. Let's go!"

	"Let me," said Pinkie, sticking her neck out.

	He conceded and she stuck her head in, ready to see what Derpy had seen a split second before she vanished with the rest.

	As Pinkie stuck her head in she heard Applejack's voice, sounding like she was making a dash towards the tree, hooves thundering against the ground. "I can't let them go alone!"

	"Rainbow! Stop her!"

	"It's too--"

Chapter III
"Hitchin' a Ride"

	Time seemed to slow down for Pinkie once her head was in the dark tree. She heard those voices, but it all seemed so distant now. The tree was hallow on the inside, big enough for the entire Mane 6 to fit inside... they'd be cramped, but there was room enough.

	On the outside the tree pulsed red, yet on the inside it flickered and pulsed a relaxing lime green. It was soothing to have her head in there... everything became quiet and relaxing. Distant. Warm. Safe. She felt her heart begin to slow to a snail's pace. Thump-thump... Thump-thump. For the first time ever Pinkie Pie didn't feel hyper. She felt at peace... She never wanted to leave. She knew she had to, though... especially since all the tree was doing was making her feel at nice. She wasn't a selfish Ms. Meanie pants... especially when three ponies needed her!

	She was ready to take her head out and declare the tree wasn't working anymore when she just barely saw something in the shadows of the hallow trunk... Maybe 7 feet or so into the top of the hallowed trunk she could make out a shadowy mass embedded above her. Despite the bright glowing on the inside, she couldn't make it out. It seemed for a brief moment to be moving very slowly, but she couldn't tell... the light wasn't constant enough to be able to detect movement, but it did seem to be dropping lower and lower each time the tree pulsed, down the  inner trunk like slime... then to the floor... towards her. Pinkie wanted to remove her head and tried to, but then she realized that she couldn't move. There was nothing to move... all Pinkie Pie was at this point was just perception... she along with Big Mac had dematerialized without even knowing it. She had no eyes to close, no hooves to bat away this very threatening presence getting closer and closer... no mouth to scream.

	"What are you?!" she'd have shouted at it if she could. No sound at all was present but a faint, relaxing hum accompanying the green, pulsing light.
	
	She saw definite pony shapes to this mass as it silently crept closer, yet she still couldn't make out who or what it was for sure. Finally when it was within a few feet of her it stopped and Pinkie Pie then felt eyes on her. All around her.

	"What do you..." she could have said.

	Suddenly the presence came towards her in an instant and she saw briefly in the green light a bleached white pony face with deep black eyes... a skull.

	Then silence.

END OF PART 2