Peace

      Chapter Edited by ShadowEclipse123. Story Editer Is Now Officially ShadowEclipse123

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After the Changeling queen left, Jacob sat around a small fire with the whole tribe. They sat awaiting their leaders orders, if he had any. The silence dragged on for sometime before Jacob spoke

     "If you all heard, the changelings will no longer serve protection to our territorial boundaries. So instead of a small party, the whole tribe shall pack only what they need. All story tellers will hold hands with the little ones. Lain and Karyn will stay with me, Joey, Jason and Tom will protect everyone else. Now go, we leave in an hour.". The tribe stood and walked slowly towards their tents and Jacob walked into his. He saw the horror and doubt in their eyes, he'd rather fight a manticore than lead his whole tribe through the forest. But like most things... It had to be done. In the corner laid his bag. Small enough the use a makeshift spear while carrying it, it was big enough to carry only a few items. The first thing Jacob grabs the leaders log. Never will he ever part with it. The second is the old rusted mechanical masterpiece, the pistol. The strange machine frightened many creatures who were near it when it worked, and obliterated most enemy's, he watched his dad take on a manticore with it before he perished. Jacob held back the tears and kept packing. Tears were worthless now, neither ponies, changelings, or even the two horses will stop him from continuing the human race. After he had packed only what he needed he walked outside and stopped by the fire.

     'How in hell am I supposed to lead the whole freaken tribe through here?!'. He thought to himself. He threw a log into the fire and watched it burn. He heard footsteps behind him but he didn't look behind him.

     Someone spoke "So the leader finally broke?". It was Karyn

     "If by broken you mean not knowing what to do than yes. Are the others packed?". Jacob said standing up and turning around. The whole tribe was behind her waiting for his orders.

     "We're ready to go." Jacob nodded and pulls a stick out of the fire. One side burned like a torch.

     "Let's go" Jacob starts into the dark and impossible forest and the tribe follows with heads waving from side to side and the little ones hugging the story tellers. The forest smelled of moss and damp bark, sounds that could not be identified were heard from every direction, and the stick was already starting to go out. He looked behind him to see everyone nervous and afraid. Lain saw him looking behind and put his hand on Jacob shoulders.

     "I'm sure we'll make it out ok Jacob, if we just keep moving forward we should be outta here by morning." Jacob looked ahead through the forest and smiled. He really needed the enthusiasm.

     "Yeah. I bet your right Lain. This is why I chose you to be with me, so you can cheer me up.". Jacob said patting the 10 year old on the head. He knew Lain would be right for the job, and he is the Tribes number one cook. He probably packed the food making him the most important asset beside the guards. The one thing the tribe needed, was food. The problem with this forest is the lack of animals, and none of the plants are edible. Jacob took one final look at the camp as vines somehow covered the only view.

                                                               >Four hours later<

     For the first time in a while Jacob smiled with his tribe. It was four hours since he left so many memories back at the camp. He didn't really care anymore and he was really surprised how well the rest of the tribe had been taking it so far. Sure the forest still unnerved them all but not as bad as before. This part of the Everfree wasn't so bad. It had birds and little animals even sun poked though the thick trees and vines. Of course the blue flowers that killed Sarah's parents were everywhere but the tribe knew to steer clear.

     "Ok everyone. Let's stop for lunch here.". Jacob said as he pointed to a tree. It was tall and looked different from all the others being the only one not dead looking and didn't have a face. Jacob sat down next to it and so did the tribe. Lain handed out the food and they everyone started to eat. Jacob let his mind wader as everyone talked amongst themselves. He saw a bird perched on a branch of the healthy tree. It looked at him and chirped. Jacob couldn't recall the last time he felt... happy. It was weird that he could be happy at this time, and in the forest even.

     "Hey!". The bird flew away thus releasing Jacob from his trance. He looked at who ever snapped him out of it.

     "Welcome to the real world I'm Karyn.". She said smirking at him. Before her parents passed they told Jacob to watch for her attitude.

     "Thanks, you just scared away something beautiful."

     "Good, then your back to normal."

     "What do you mean by that?". Jacob said raising an eyebrow.

     "What do I mean? Look at yourself. That right there, was not you. Looking at a pretty whittle bird defiantly ain't you Jacob. You making peace with the ponies, I know that definitely is not you."

     "Then who the hell am I Karyn?! Ever since my father died I have failed as a leader! I mean look at us Kayrn! I'm a failure! A disgrace to my family! I won't be surprised if my parent are looking down at me shaking their heads in disappointment! We've been starving for months, and now the changlings left thinking we'll be dead soon!". Jacob cringed at his outburst, now the whole tribe stared at him, wondering what got into their 'leader'. He stood and grabbed his bag.

     "Come on everyone, we should get going. The log says not to stay in the same spot for too long. Shouldn't even stopped in the first place..." He didn't listen to any complaints and he started down the path he was on earlier. He didn't really know why he got so mad at Karyn. It even seem very unnecessary to him now. Jacob is supposed to be a leader, ever since his parents died the tribe was falling apart. He just hoped the tribe could make it out of the forest soon...

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     Fluttershy listened to the Mr. Red chirpingson as he ranted on about strange creatures in the forest.

     "Oh that doesn't sound very good Mr. Red. I've never heard of a fur-less ape. Are you sure they're in the Everfree forest?" Mr red nodded. What ever kind of creature or critter was in there, it sounded like it needed her help. She packed her medical supplies and food and took a deep breath as she trotted into the forest.