A Heart's Desire

A Heart's Desire

Chapter 1 - And So It Begins...

I woke up in a daze. Checking myself for injury, I found that I was miraculously unharmed. Looking around, I found myself in the middle of a forest.

Geez, if it's not one thing, it's another. This just isn't my day.

I started walking around, trying to find a trail, or at least something to help find my way out.

It's weird, something feels strange about this forest, but what?

If only I knew...

How the heck did I get all the way out here anyway?

After a few minutes of walking I stumbled upon some tracks.

Finally, some sort of lead to follow.

The tracks appeared fresh, and were unmistakably equine. Aside from the very slim possibility of it being a wild horse, I thought nothing of it beyond that.

Then again, this is a forest. A wild horse being here wouldn't make any sense.

As I knew not where I actually was, I had no reason to ponder it beyond that. Civilization seemed like the only explanation. I was right, but not in a way I expected.

Well, it's not exactly what I was looking for, but it's better than nothing.

I had come across what appeared to be some sort of strange hut carved into a tree.

I wonder who the heck lives in a place like this.

No more than a minute later, I heard someone approaching... or somepony, as I would soon discover.

"Hello, would you..." I began to say, but found myself unable to speak. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.

B-but that's impossible.

I fainted from the sheer shock of it.

I don't know how long I was out, but when I awoke, I found myself resting on a hammock. Sitting up and looking around, I realized I was inside the hut. Inside, it was decorated with a wide assortment of masks and other curios, appearing to be tribal in design.

So was it real? This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

I heard the door open, and she entered. There was no mistaking it now, it was real, for there in front of me stood Zecora.

"Ah, I see you have finally come to. I must admit, I too was surprised when I saw you," Zecora said.

Still astonished to find myself somehow in Equestria, I was speechless.

"I assume you too come from a land far from here. But do not worry, for you have nothing to fear," Zecora said, most likely mistaking my amazement for apprehension.

"I guess you could say that...," I reply, finally able to get myself to speak.

I probably shouldn't let anypony know the truth. I can't imagine how they'd react.

"In any case, I have to thank you for your hospitality... I'm sorry, I don't believe I got your name."

"My name is Zecora, I hope you remember it well," she answered. "Now I ask, what is your name, pray tell?"

"I'm Clay, it's nice to meet you Miss Zecora," I replied.

"It is nice to meet you too, the pleasure is all mine. I'm glad that it appears you are now feeling just fine," she said.

"Well, I should probably get going. Sorry if I was any trouble for you Miss Zecora," I said, getting up and heading outside.

"Do not fret, I do not mind at all. Next to helping somepony in need, any burden is small," she assured me, giving a generous smile.

I began to leave, eager to explore, but most of all to meet the 'Mane Six'. However, I realized that there was a bit of a flaw in my plans, "Umm... I'm kinda lost, you mind telling me where I am?" I asked, trying to keep up my ruse... in addition to the fact that I truthfully didn't know which direction Zecora's hut was relative to anywhere else.

"This is the forest known as Everfree, you needn't travel far before the town of Ponyville, you shall see," she answered, pointing me in the right direction.

"Thanks again, I just hope the ponies in Ponyville welcome me and accept me like you did," I said.

"What the future holds, only time will tell. So for now, I bid you farewell," she replied, and returned to her hut.

I smiled and headed out.

I just can't believe it, I'm going to Ponyville!

It didn't take long at all before I reached the edge of the forest. My eyes widened, for there it was.

Fluttershy's cottage!

It took every bit of willpower I had to keep myself from jumping for joy and cheering like crazy. I couldn't hold it in for long though, so I drew a deep breath and did the only other thing I could to express my unbridled joy.

"Yay..."

Author's Notes

I must admit, I'm surprised I didn't procrastinate this almost at all. XD

Writing for Zecora was a pain, but luckily for me I don't plan on having her appear often. :P

All in all, I'm happy with how it's going so far. :3

I digress, no copious amounts of rambling this time. Please review if you feel like it, I'd appreciate that.

*Brohoofs for you all, and I'll see you next chapter. /)*(*

Part 2 TBA...