>>3839 >It had been several hours. >The green grass had given way to the brown and gray rock of the mountain, which they where now just beginning to ascend. >She felt downright exhausted. The conversations had been scattered and everything had been in a haze. >She looked wearily at the mountain. >"How long is this gonna take?" >"Not too much, the Mare in the Mountain lives in the Mountain, she's only like a quarter the way up in the caves." >"Look, it's Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle said excitedly. >Apple Bloom turned her gaze to where Sweetie Belle looked. >She saw a small dot of orange with a tiny splash of purple color a fair ways up. >As Sweetie Belle called enthusiastically the orange object rolled down the mountain side. >Scootaloo just seemed to roll on down the mountain in a ball shape with her tail and colors being the only things that were still distinct. >It confused Apple Bloom, but perhaps not as much as it should have. >"Hi, Apple Bloom. Hi, Sweetie Belle. Glad you could finally make it!" >Scootaloo had finally reached them and now looked to be a normal preteen filly. >Something seemed off but Apple Bloom couldn't put her hoof as to why.
