I woke in a cold sweat. Another nightmare about her. When would they end? I got up and did my daily routine of brushing my teeth and making breakfast for myself. Then, I walked out the door with some clean clothes and a towel and headed to the waterfall to clean up. The trek wasn't very long, and it helped that I knew the way there like the back of my hand. After making it to the waterfall, I stripped amd jumped in, washing my body with a bar of soap that a young girl had given me once. She was a nice girl, visiting me monthly and giving me more soap bars and a few other things. As the water trickled down my body, I couldn't help but sigh in content. Just having this feeling...it remimded me how good of an idea it was to come out here in the first place, despite what others might say. Time passed by as I sat under the waterfall, and I couldn't help but think of what had happened back then. It was my fault. All of it. I couldn't take it, seeing her like that...so I left. I left, and never looked back. At least, not until I started having these nightmares. But I couldn't go back. Not now. Not ever.
After I cleaned myself up, I dried off and walked back to my home to set about my chores. Once there, I grabbed a dirty shirt from the pile of clothes next to my bed, then dunked it into the water filled bucket. As I did the laundry, my mind drifted back to the past, despite the fact that I felt content here, I did have some regrets. I could have done something. Should, have done something. Anything. I sighed and wiped my brow after cleaning another shirt. After finishing the laundry, I stepped out of my house and into the woods, following an old, overgrown trail.
I've walked this trail probably over a thousand times in the past two years. It was the path that I walked every day. Not just for exercise, but to clear my mind. The sound of wildlife was all around me, and it soothed me further. Birds were chirping, bees and insects were buzzing and crawling, foxes were hunting, and flowers were blooming. It was beautiful, as usual. After about an hour of walking, I reached my destination. An old clearing greeted me, a moss covered shrine to an old deity sitting in the midst of it. A few smaller Shinto shrines sat around it. I sat down in front of the main shrine and began my meditation. I don't know how long I sat there meditating. Or at least, tried to. Thoughts of what happened back at home...they kept haunting me, and I couldn't clear my head. Then, I felt something land on my nose. Opening my eyes, I found a firefly on it, glowing happily.
It flew off a moment later, joining it's kin in flight around the clearing. I looked around, noting how dark it was. Must be night. I looked up to find a rare sight. A blue moon. But it didin't feel normal. And the more I stared at it, the sleepier I got. It even looked like it was getting closer, and I could have sworn I heard the sound off numerous clocks going off. Then, I fell unconcsious.
I woke with a start. What the hell was that about? I've never seen something like that before, much less heard of it happening to anyone else. I looked around and noticed that while I was still in a clearing, I wasn't in the same one. It was still night, though. Then I noticed that my vision was obscured somewhat. Like I was wearing a helmet...
Curious, I tried pulling off what seemed to be a helmet and succeeded. What greeted me was a helmet I've never seen before. It had three slits on each side of the visor, and a long feathered plume in the back. It was made of some kind of brownish metal that I couldn't identify. I looked at the rest of myself and noticed I was wearing armour of a similar design to the helmet. In fact, it didn't look too far off from a samurai's set of armor...And upon closer inspection, it was all real...
I'll admit, I freaked out a bit. I mean, you would too, right? Wake up in a different place, with different attire, and...is that a zanbato next to me!? Okay, what in the world happened to me!? Okay, think...I was at the shrine meditating, then there were fireflies...then that blue moon happened and I heard a bunch of clocks and conked out...Did someone just dress me up as a prank and drop me off here? Yeah, that's gotta be it. I mean, it wouldn't be the first time a punk kid has messed with me. Alright, I just have to find my way home and then I'll be golden.
With that in mind, I stood up, grabbing the zanbato and putting on the helmet before heading off in a random direction. As I walked, I noticed that this forest seemed more...wild, then what I remember. There were vines and moss everywhere, and multiple plants I don't remember ever seeing before. What's more, the canopies were much thicker than I recall. Did they just drop me off in a different forest? Hmm...I'll have to think about that later. I chopped through the foliage in my way with my new zanbato, still heading the same way as before. After what felt like hours, I stopped to take a rest on a log.
"Man...this is one big forest..." I noted. Then, I heard growls, not unlike that of wolves. Gripping my new zanbato, I stood up and got in a stance, remembering my kendo training. After a few moments, figures started to come out from the foliage, and my eyes bulged at the sight. There, in front of me, was a pack of wooden wolves with glowing emerald eyes. They growled at me, and sap dripped from their muzzles like drool. They circled me for a moment, before pouncing.
One came at me from behind, but I sidestepped and let it collide with the other who came at me from the front. Two more came at me from the sides, and I reacted in kind, cutting off the leg of one and the muzzle of another. They yipped in pain and backed off, before, to my shock, the twigs started to reconstruct themselves and fix their wounds. How the hell did they do that!? I didn't have much time to contemplate that, however, as the Alpha pounced on me. It was snapping it's jaws wildly as I tried to keep it from biting my head off, and we struggled for dominance. Eventually, I grabbed hold of it's jaws, then jerked swiftly, snapping it's neck with a sickening CRACK.
I lifted the now limp body off of me, and stood back up, waiting for the wolves to make their next move. To my surprise, they didn't do anything but growl. After a number of terse moments, the pack slowly retreated back into the foliage and out of sight. I sighed in relief and sat back down. Then, it slowly sank in that I might not be in just a different forest, but an entirely new world. After all, I doubt that wooden wolves were a thing on Earth. And since when did a blue moon make people fall unconscious and hear clocks chiming? At that thought, I nearly collapsed in on myself. I would never get to say "I'm sorry", never get to put those regrets to rest. I would never get to see those faces again.
I sobbed at that. I sobbed for a while. Minutes, hours, I don't know long, but it felt like an eternity. All those worries, and now they could never be put to rest. And I might never get back home. I cried and cried and cried, letting loose all my feelings to this new world. At least, until I heard the ruffling of leaves behind me. Turning around, I was greeted by the sight of a small zebra with a mohawk, a tan cloak, a staff, and multiple gold rings around their neck and a few in it's ears. They even had the largest blue eyes I've seen.
"Why do you cry, friend? Surely the world is not at an end?" said the zebra. I gawked at the sight. That zebra...just talked! Now I really know I'm in a different world!
"I...I...well...I just...r-realized I'm n-not home a-anymore..." I said after recovering from my shock. As weird as this is, at least I'm not entirely alone.
"Truly? So you are lost? Oh my Faust..." The zebra, a mare, if her voice was any indication, said, ears drooping.
"Um...y-yeah...I am..." I replied shakily. The mare got a determined look in her eyes.
"Well, that won't do. Come with me, to a home anew," she offered.
"Are....are you sure?" I asked, uncertain. The mare nodded. "O...Okay." I relented. And so, she took me through the forest, and to her home. As we walked, I couldn't help but smile. Maybe I wouldn't be so alone.
"With barding so grand, might I ask your brand?" the mare asked as we walked. I took a moment to decipher her words, and a few more to try and remember my name. I know, shouldn't be hard to remember my name, but I couldn't come up with anything but one, and I was sure it wasn't my real name. I sighed before relenting, giving her the name.
"Sir Alonne. What's your name, miss?" I asked.
"Zecora, of the forest and flora," she replied.
"That's a nice name," I complimented.
"I can say the same for yours, though it does not sound very gay," the mare complimented.
"I suppose it doesn't sound very cheerful, does it?" I remarked. We chuckled. I think I'm going to like this mare. It's actually kinda funny though, I haven't been around civilized people for two years, yet I seem to get along just fine with this mare. Maybe it's because she's a hermit too? She sure seems like one. We walked in silence for some time, up until we reached what I guessed was her home. It was a hut hewn from a tree, with multiple tribal masks hanging above the door and standing on wooden poles. That was when I noticed how small the doorway was. And the house in general. Which is funny, because Zecora only looked about four and a half feet tall, and I remember being about five foot ten, yet I'm taller than her by quite a bit more than that. "Well...this is a setback." Zecora looked deep in thought, before she turned back to me.
"I am sorry, friend, but this problem I cannot mend," Zecora said apologetically. I waved her off.
"No worries, I can just sleep out here. I've done things like this before," I assured her. She looked uncertain, before sighing and relenting.
"Very well, friend, just be sure to not meet an untimely end," Zecora relented, before walking inside. I nodded before laying myself down against the hut, settling in for some sleep.
"Sister, do you feel what I feel?" Luna asked her sister, her starry mane waving in a nonexistent wind as she stood upon the balcony with her sibling.
"Yes. Something powerful is in the Everfree. Something not unlike us," Celestia agreed, her mane a rainbow of colors, complimenting her snow white coat of fur.
"What should we do?" Luna queried. Celestia pondered for a moment.
"We should alert the Elements. Something new has arrived in Equestria, and I'm certain it would be a boon to have whatever it is on our side," Celestia said finally. Quickly, Celestia summoned an ink, quill, and sheet of paper to her and swiftly wrote a letter to her faithful student.
And thus, it begins...
Author's Note
Hey guys! Just thought I'd continue the Dark Souls train I've made, so I hope you all enjoy this new addition! Please comment down below about any mistakes or concerns you've made, just keep it constructive! Not really my best work, I'll admit, but the following chapters should be better! Anyway, thanks for reading!
–BlueMoon865
I woke early that morning, just as I always do, and nearly sighed in relief at the thought that the night before was all a dream. Yet, as I took notice of my impaired vision, my sigh turned into a groan. So it was real. With another groan, I stood up and started doing my regular exercises. Push ups, situps, planks, and a few more. After I was done with that, I picked up my new sword, taking in the fact that it seemed lighter than I thought it would. Not by a large margin, but still fairly light. I chalked that up to being drastically taller than before and started doing my kendo exercises. Midway through, Zecora opened her door and saw me.
"An early riser and an exerciser? You are quite unique, to try to keep yourself sleek," she complimented. I blushed lightly and rubbed the back of my helmet.
"Eh, it's not that big of a deal. I just like to stay fit. You know what they say, 'A sound soul, resides within a sound mind, and a sound body'," I quoted.
"You sound just like a wise pony, yet you seem far from an old crony," Zecora pointed out. I blushed harder. Thankfully I had a helmet on.
"W-Well...th-thanks..." I stuttered. Zecora laughed.
"My my, you are just like Fluttershy," Zecora chuckled as she shook her head with mirth. "I have made a brew, though it is only a stew. Would you like some too?" I nodded hesitantly. I don't know what it is with this zebra, first I feel comfortable, then she makes me blush like crazy. As Zecora went back inside to fetch the stew, I thought back to my vow. Specifically, my vow of abstinence. I had heard it was something most hermits did, vowing to renounce all things modern as well as all distratcions, thinking only pure, clean thoughts. Most I heard about either died alone, yet content...or succumbed to temptation. I couldn't let that happen to me, or else I couldn't call myself a hermit. So, with that in mind, I decided that I would set out as soon as possible to make my own home. Else I could fall prey to this cute, mysterious...No! Bad brain! Bad thoughts! No!
"Here you are, hopefully my cooking skills are up to par," Zecora said, breaking me out of my thoughts. I looked down to see the offered bowl of stew, taking note of how small it was. So small, in fact, it could be considered a sake cup. At least, compared to me. For her, it seemed to be a regular size. Still, it smelled delicious. I carefully took the "bowl" in one hand, and took off my helm with the other. Then, I took a delicate sip, nearly draining it in one go. It tasted...pretty good!
"This is really good! Thank you, Miss Zecora," I thanked. Zecora seemed too focused on my face. "Umm...Miss Zecora?" She shook her head.
"Apologies, I was surprised by your visage. It looks as if it should be on a stage," Zecora commented. I blushed, and she giggled. I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"S-So, um...why do you always rhyme?" I asked.
"I like to be mysterious. Though those at home used to think it superfluous. Would you prefer it if I did not? I understand if you do not like the constant onslaught," she offered.
"I don't mind it terribly, but it would be nice to not have to piece your words together," I answered.
"Very well. Might I ask what you are? I've never met a creature such as you before, and I must admit I am quite intrigued," Zecora asked.
"I...well, I think I'm a human, but most I knew of weren't this tall, or this big in general..." I said uncertainly.
"Human? I cannot say I've heard of such beings. And you say you are different from most?" she queried. I nodded. "Hmmm. Well, mayhaps I can look into that for you. I have a good friend outside of the forest, I am certain she can find something to help you."
"Thanks, Zecora, but I'm not gonna be here for much longer," I said apologetically. Zecora frowned.
"Must you leave so soon? It is not often I get such delightful company as you," Zecora pleaded. I nodded slowly.
"I'm a hermit. Living alone is what I do. But...it was nice, being with you," I finished my "bowl", before handing it back to Zecora and putting my helmet back on, then strapping my sword to my back.
"Will you at least visit?" she asked after a long silence.
"Yeah. Yeah, I will," I promised, before striding into the brush and deeper into the forest.
"Alright girls, ready to head in?" Twilight asked her friends.
"Eeyup," Applejack drawled.
"You betcha!" Pinkie chirped.
"As ready as I will be," Rarity said with a sigh at the thought of her hooves being covered in dirt and mud.
"Yeah! Let's find this thing and kick it's butt!" Rainbow enthused.
"B-But didn't the Princesses say it was about as powerful as them?" Fluttershy said with a quiver of fear.
"Fluttershy is right, Rainbow, we don't need to go starting a fight with something that powerful when we can avoid it," Twilight chided. Rainbow grumbled and crossed her hooves as she hovered in midair. "Now, let's go. First stop is Zecora's house." And so they did. As they walked the dirt path, things remained mostly silent between them, mainly on account of them watching for any predators.
"So...what do you all think this thing is gonna be?" Rainbow asked, breaking the silence. "I'm hoping it's gonna be a massive wolf, myself."
"I think it's gonna be a Neighponese samurai!" Pinkie chirped.
"I hope it'll be a great mage like Starswirl the Bearded," Twilight put in, stars in her eyes.
"Oh, if it were a dapper prince from a distant land my heart would soar!" Rarity gushed. Applejack snorted.
"Pfft, Ah bet it's a long lost friend o' tha' Princesses," Applejack supplied.
"I think I would have to agree with Rainbow, s-sorry..." Fluttershy said timidly. The girls continued discussing what they thought the being was as they walked, until eventually they made it to Zecora's house. Twilight walked up and knocked on her door.
"Hello? Zecora? We need to ask you some questions," Twilight called. A moment later the door opened and Zecora greeted them.
"Ah, my good friends! I hope the forest did not trouble you too much with it's bends," Zecora said genially.
"No, we made it just fine, Zecora. Can we come in?" Twilight asked with a smile.
"Of course! No need to coerce!" Zecora said with an equally bright smile as they all took a seat around a table. "What do you have on your minds? You can ask me questions of all kinds."
"Well, did you recently see any strange creatures? Something unusual?" Twilight asked.
"Well, there was one fellow. He was quite mellow. He went by the title of Sir Alonne, and he never raised his tone," Zecora recounted.
"Sir Alonne? So he's a knight?" Applejack asked. Zecora nodded.
"Is he handsome?" Rarity butted in. Zecora chuckled.
"In an exotic way, yes. Although he said he was a hermit, and he didn't seem like one to stray," Zecora explained. Rarity pouted.
"Do you know where he went?" Twilight queried. Zecora thought for a moment.
"Westward, and onward," Zecora supplied.
"Thank you, Zecora! It was nice talking to you. Let's get going girls!" Twilight instructed. And with that, the Elements all walked out in search of the mysterious man.
Author's Note
I'm a bit more proud of this chapter, but just a bit. And holy shit, is Zecora hard to write! I had to keep looking up words that rhymed, and it took foreeeever! But enough of my whining. Thank you all for reading, and please comment down below if I missed something!
–BlueMoon865
