Keep Out of the Everfree Forest

When Sapphire opened her eyes, all she could see were trees. Emerald was right next to her, firing off expletives.
“Damn it to Discord, I didn’t shut my eyes!” Emerald said under her breath.
When Emerald’s vision cleared and the two pegasi turned around, they saw a large, old looking house built into the base of a tree. Totem poles were everywhere, strange masks hanging from every branch.
Emerald took a deep breath and knocked on the door. A zebra opened it and looked closely at the two mares.
“Come in, my dear ponies. I’ll make you some tea. Tell your story of why you have come to see me,” she said with a thick, African accent.
Emerald and Sapphire walked in and sat down at the table.
“I’m Emerald Fire and this is Sapphire Lily,” Emerald said. “You’re Zecora, aren’t you?”
“Emerald, dear filly, that is correct. From this visit, what should I expect?” asked Zecora.
“Twilight Sparkle told us to come here,” said Emerald. “She said you’d be able to help us with something.”
“It is likely that truth has been told,” Zecora said. “Does it concern this book you hold?”
Emerald gave the book to Zecora. Sapphire told the zebra her story. Afterwards, the two mares waited patiently while Zecora read the book.
When Zecora finished reading, she put down the book and gestured towards the photo of the Slasher.
“There is no doubt in my mind; he’s the pony you want to find.”
“But where do we find him?” asked Sapphire.
“He likely resides near the place of his thrill. The obvious guess would be Ponyville.”
“Do you know who he’ll kill next?” asked Emerald, picking up the book.
“He preys on those who walk under this canopy. That’s why I’m leaving before he gets me!” said Zecora, pointing at a suitcase in the corner of the hut.
“At least we know now that he only kills those in the forest,” said Emerald thoughtfully. “On that note, we’d better go, Zecora.”
“That would be wise, my new friends. We’ll speak more once this nightmare ends.”
Emerald and Sapphire thanked Zecora and flew out of the hut, up through the trees and into the crisp, morning sky.
“Well, we know two things,” said Emerald. “One; the Slasher only murders ponies that go into the forest. Two; he lives somewhere in Ponyville.”
“We could tell everypony not to go into the forest, but who’d listen?” said Sapphire. “For now, I say we go home and have breakfast.”
Emerald nodded and the two ponies flew back to their apartment. Ponies below them whispered amongst each other as they watched the girls.
The two friends bumped into Slash on his way to work. The three ponies had a brief conversation, during which Slash asked the girls if they’d like some company that night for dinner.
“It’s just I’ve got nothing else to do tonight and I thought you’d like someone else to talk to,” he said.
“Sure, Slash,” said Emerald. “That’d be nice.”
The group went their separate ways; the girls into their apartment, Slash outside into the warm, mid-morning sunshine.