You decide to investigate the small cave to the west. After walking up to the entrance, you cautiously enter, and your eyes slowly begin to adjust to the darkness.
 
Inside, you find a young pony sitting against the far wall of the cave. He appears to be around Moonflower’s age, and fits the coast guard’s description of Apple Basket perfectly.
 
You notice the colt’s eyes shifting nervously between you and your sword scabbard, so you friendlily introduce yourself and the party behind you to him, and say that you came searching to escort him back to Amblerta.
 
Apple Basket: “U-uh… hey. Um, that’s fine, I was jus’… gettin’ ready to head on back myself— ow!”
 
You take a few steps forward to better see the colt’s condition, and find that he is covered in mud, and that his right legs look injured.
 
Apple Basket: “I’m fine! I just, uh, got attacked… by… a spider… b-but it was a big one! Like a bear! A spider-bear! And, uh…”
 
Apple Basket trails off as he meets your knowing eyes. His brave face falters, and he sighs defeatedly.
 
Apple Basket: “Look, I… I don’t get to leave the farm much, alright? I jus’ thought I’d go on a fun lil’ adventure on my way to my uncle’s house, but then I fell an’ got myself hurt.
 
I crawled in here to hide from wild creatures, but now I-I don’t even think I can move my legs, and I’m hungry, and… and goin’ on adventures sucks!”
 
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