Story of the Blanks (GrimFic)

Part 3

Art by:
Vertigo and nausea overtook Apple Bloom as she was peeled away from the vision. Just as she was regaining her composure she saw the mystery pony duck her head behind the flowers, disappearing. Apple Bloom leaned forward, almost coming in contact with the Joak. She stamped her hooves in frustration, wanting desperately to pursue her quarry. It was only as she turned to go did she see that the entire Joak field had parted to reveal a path just big enough for Apple Bloom to walk through. Apple Bloom hesitated at first, her curiosity starting to get the better of her.

"Hey Twilight..." Apple Bloom called out to her companion.

"...Not now Apple Bloom." Twilight yelled back as she started levitating another hefty tree away. Apple Bloom looked to the path again, then back to Twilight. With a deep breath, she stepped onto the path and crossed deeper into the woods.

The Ever Free Forest began to take on a much darker appearance once Apple Bloom had passed through the Joak. The light from the setting sun had been blocked out by the thick canopy of this new area, and Apple Bloom could barely see five feet in front of her. She looked around this new thicket for her mystery pony.

"Hello? Who are you?"

No answer...Apple Bloom looked back the way she came; shocked to see the path had been enveloped by thorn bushes and briars. The only other way out now was through a new path she spotted to the south. Apple Bloom steeled her nerves and pressed on, the new trail bending and curving through the forest. The deeper Apple Bloom traveled the darker the forest became. Soon all of the trees were shrouded in shadow and only her path was left with increasingly sparse illumination. She paused again, listening.

....            ....            ....            Heh heh heh        ...

"Hello!? Are you out there?"

Still no answer... Now Apple Bloom was getting worried. She contemplated turning back as she walked deeper, but something kept driving her forward.  Apple Bloom's entire world was plunged into darkness as her path wound through another thick patch of underbrush. She could hardly see her own front hooves as she stumbled over some outreaching roots. Something to her side stirred, rustling the bushes. In a panic she galloped forward, tripping over briars and branches. She yelped as she barreled through a particularly nasty patch of thorns, only to find herself barreling into a large clearing. Everything was dark save for one spot. There, right in front of her, was a light on the edge of the forest. It was bright, so bright it illuminated the area around it. Apple Bloom ran forward expecting an exit. She jumped through the light with glee.

The little earth pony did, in fact, exit the forest, but not into the rolling fields of Ponyville like she had expected. Instead, to her surprise, she had stumbled directly into a new town; one that was completely surrounded by the borders of the Ever Free forest. Apple Bloom stood there, dumbstruck by what she was seeing. The entire town was illuminated by large pink party lanterns strung all over. To her left were multiple garden plots filled with vegetables and wheat. On the right was a long line of tables overflowing with all sorts of confections and drinks. Right in front of her stood a stallion. He was colored grey with black mane and tail. Apple Bloom trotted up to him, immediately noticing his eager smile at her approach.

"Hah ha...Well hello there little filly. Welcome to Sunny Town!" The stallion greeted her cheerfully, Apple Bloom forced a smile.
"Umm, thank you but...just who are you anyways?" Apple Bloom asked, thinking she should at least learn the pony's name before continuing.
"Ah, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Grey Hoof, party planner extraordinaire! You've arrived just in time actually, the party just started! Feel free to help yourself to anything, make yourself right at home." Grey Hoof replied.
"A party?"