Expedition

Iron Hoof strode out of the hospital. He sighed. He hated monsters. Which is why he wanted to get this over with quickly. First he needed to set out a order stating the Everfree Forest was forbidden for the future. Next he needed to gather his team. He went over to the Ponyville barracks. Since he was in command, the other Guards saluted him.

He went to his desk and filed a new law-order. They weren't really laws, just orders and notices. Iron Hoof didn't know why they were called 'law-orders'. He levitated a quill over and filled out the law-order. Entrance to the Everfree was temporarily banned. Next he needed to gather his team to venture into the forest. He already had three in mind.

Royal Guards didn't use their real names, instead they picked theirs out. This is why almost all of the Royal Guards had combat related names. Two stallions and a mare would accompany him. The two stallions were named Fire Wave and Rapid Strike. The mare was Obsidian Bolt.

He ordered them to meet in the armory. Obsidian, a mare with a black coat and pale yellow mane and tale, tilted her head, "You needed to see us, Sir?" Her blue eyes stared at him.

Iron Hoof nodded, "We're venturing into the Everfree Forest to reclaim a body."

The mood immediately dropped. Fire Wave, having a red mane and coat but bright green eyes, grimaced, "Do we know who is it?"

"Zecora," Iron Hoof said simply. Everypony in Ponyville knew about Zecora.

"Really?" said Rapid Strike. He had a brown coat and a blue mane. He had green eyes like Fire Wave, but not as bright, "That's surprising, considering she lives in the Everfree Forest."

"I guess she got unlucky," said Obsidian somberly.

More like she encountered something new. The creature Applejack described didn't match any known creatures that lived in the forest, "I want this quickly done. I don't want any more deaths. Gear up."

They did so, the enchanted armor changing their colors to a uniform one. They were all unicorns and equipped themselves with swords. Obsidian brought a body bag. They left the barracks and quickly made their way to the forest. Just like Applejack had felt, the forest made Iron Hoof more uneasy than usual. Regardless, they moved up the trail.

After a few minutes, they found the body. Fire Wave covered his nose at the smell, "Dear Celestia."

Iron Hoof grimaced, fighting to keep the bile down. Zecora's corpse was beginning to decompose. A damn shame.

"Do...do you guys notice something...off about this?" said Rapid Strike.

"You mean besides the fact that something managed to get the jump on her?" replied Obsidian Bolt.

"Look at the body. It doesn't look like anything tried to eat it since she was killed."

Rapid Strike was right. There wasn't any more wounds than the ones Applejack described.

"Hey guys, do you smell something else?" asked Fire Wave.

Iron Hoof sniffed. He smelled something foul that was different than the corpse. He couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from; seemed like it was all around them. It smells real bad. That's when ya know its near. "Weapons at the ready."

They drew their swords and looked around nervously. Nothing happened for a few moments. The forest was silent.

"S-Sir!" stammered Obsidian Bolt.

The others turned to where she was looking at to see orange eyes peeking out from a bush. The eyes flickered to each of the ponies. They lingered on the swords in their magical grasp. Slowly, they drew back, soon going out of sight.

"D-do you think we scared it off?" asked Rapid Strike.

'cept fer its eyes. Th-they were orange. Like fire. A-an' they were hungry. B-but they were smart lookin' too. L-like a pony. Iron Hoof shook his head, "I think it just didn't pick a battle it thought it wouldn't win. Let's get out of here before it changes its mind."

They quickly put the body of Zecora in the bag. They started to trot back. The rotten, musky smell didn't go away. It seemed to follow them. Iron Hoof looked back to see orange eyes peeking out from a bush again, "Double time it, ponies. It's getting braver."

They were almost galloping now. Fear was in the air, palpable. They eventually reached the tree line and quickly exited the forest. Iron Hoof looked back again. The creature was staring at them from behind a thick tree. Something told Iron Hoof this wasn't going to be the last they see of it.