Three Friends

Knocking on the door lightly, he patiently waited for a reply, holding the diamond sword pointing towards the ground. He wasn’t very fond of the style of weapon, though it was a lot less brutish than a simple club. A sword would do for now, but what he really needed was more... mystical tools.

Either way, the door opens and out steps the zebra, who greets Hunter in her usual way, with a rhyme.

“Greetings my friend, what brings you here? Though with a sword like that, is there much you fear?”

It was odd, really, Hunter thought, that she spoke like that, but it did add a bit of an air to her. Hunter smiled softly. “I had a problem with a timberwolf, so I borrowed this for protection. Thankfully I haven’t needed it so far.” He makes a gesture and steps forward slightly, silently asking for permission to enter.

“And from whom did you borrow this? It must have cost you a load of bits.”

“A friend with... a very odd temperament. He is childish, but means well. Anyhow, I’m here because of this.” Hunter fishes out the sample of Deerwort. “I found it earlier and was wondering if you knew more about it.”

“Ah! An herb with powers grand and great; it has many uses when in different states.”

“So you know it,” Hunter replied, glad his suspicion was confirmed. “Do you know where I could get more, or how to care for one to grow more?”

“The name ‘deerwort’ is what it goes by; but it’s very rare, for which I must sigh. Atop ley lines is where they best grow, but finding a safe one is... difficult, you know?”

“Hmmm.. but if I were to somehow locate one of these ley lines, it would grow healthily? Does it... feed on the ley lines like normal plants with fertilizers?”

“It grows on the lines, atop worse things. Hence why solace from spells it brings. It blocks out harmful casting, and prevents mild arcane blasting.” she explains.

“Interesting... It sounds a bit like a Null Catalyst, a powdery substance that is used to nullify magic, by way of separating one’s connection to sources of arcane energy.” Hunter muses, interested.

“Deerwort works much the same; but for cleaning up heftier magic, Poison Joke is to blame.”

“So if I grew more of these, on a ley line, I could potentially make a powerful antidote to arcane toxins...”

“Hey, Hunter, you in there?” Slendy’s voice calls from outside the hut. “Faolon seems to think so!”

Zecora looks quizzical. “That sounds like your rude friend. He annoyed me enough I sent him away in the end.” she informs Hunter. “But something feels off, there’s great magic showing. Something green, ancient... and growing.”

Hunter nods. “His... less-than-reliable, but very impressive power, seems to have summoned some other form of Timberwolf. An... older variety, I assume? I originally thought it was a new development.”

Zecora, curiosity piqued, goes to the window, then gasps and backs away, eyes wide as can be. “A beast like that has not been seen, save in scrolls and tomes of what has been! A guardian of grove and grotto, Primal Timberwolves fill nature’s motto.” she pauses, then says without rhyming. “The land provides for the many, who become the land in turn.”

“As I stated, it was likely an accident on his part, but it has helped another friend, and Slendy has tamed it, so I saw no harm in it. They are... avatars of nature? Or rather, guardians... like Ents?”

“As Ents to twigs are Guardians to ents, writ big. No avatar of nature, you see; the face of the goddess they be.”

“Interesting, that certainly explains its power. Quite a fortunate accident I suppose.” Hunter mused... “It was certainly of assistance when the third of us was hurt... but what, pray tell, caused these beasts to make way for the strange, much smaller and less lively varieties that have been seen in this forest?”

“They are made of harmony, of balance in need. But pure order or neglect, leaves harmony to bleed. Ponies, they try, but are afraid of change; they expand their control over all their range.”

“So... they, the ponies, harmed the natural environment, and forced the timberwolves to mutate to fit their new environs?” Hunter asked, a note of acidity in his voice.

Zecora shakes her head. “No, their actions let the land flourish and grow; but they stifle new forms, let no chaos show. They fear the unknown, as all wise things do; but they shroud it in order and science, blanding life’s brew.”

Hunter shakes his own head in disappointment. “A shame. Why would they keep such a noble beast at bay and make them monsters instead?”

“They did not know the results they faced, and few in the world yet do. It takes a witch to see the imbalance, and bring harmony too. The changes were slow, and took many generations to show. A pity they had lived in such peace and safety; more conflict would’ve taught them... maybe.”

“I’ll just wait out here for you, Hunter, Faolon seems to be a bit tired... or hungry, I can’t tell.” Slendy shouted.

Hunter sighed. “He is a child, that is certain, but he has a good heart. He is off-putting, but it seems your throwing him out made him... change a bit. For one, he’s said he’d stop wearing the mask.”

“To let them grow, all baby birds must leave the nest in time. To have their faults put into the light by another’s hoof; in this case, mine.” Zecora says. “It is better he received a simple request to leave, than face the wrath of one with a lesser leash. My temper is scarce and easy to dodge; it is why I can live peacefully in this living lodge.”

“Also I summoned a bunch of iron golems!” Slendy called.

The sounds of many large things coming through the undergrowth as the derpy golems wandered around met Hunter’s ears. The sound of every living thing in their way being trampled.

Zecora’s eye twitched first.

“He has yet to learn time and place... that has not changed. I’ll see if I can’t get them into town. These golems of his don’t intend harm, honestly. They just... lack.”

Zecora takes a deep, calming breath, her eyes closed.

“Also, the golems kinda came out looking weird, they look like the ponies in town, but really big!”

Nope, too much for Zecora, and she goes to lie down. “Please, bring these ‘golems’ to heel... I, meanwhile, will be restricting how I feel...” she tells Hunter, and puts a pillow over her head.

Hunter nods and leaves the hut, and finds Slendy and the golems who were indeed rather equine. “Come, Slendy, why don’t we introduce them to the town so they can be... appreciated.”

“Sweetness!” Slendy pumps his fist into the air.