Missing Pieces

I ended up helping Applebloom wash the dishes that stood in a large pile. I could see the stars glinting through the window; they were absolutely stunning. The Everfree Forest fails to reveal such a beautiful sight through its enormous trees. I wondered if Zecora was able to see this.

“Wow, the princess has outdone herself tonight,” the yellow filly started as she stared through the same window.

“Who?” I questioned. Applebloom stood there unmoving. I could see the reflecting of the starry night through her eyes.

“Princess Luna, of course. She uses her magic to bring the night upon Equestria.”

“Sounds like a difficult job to me. I mean, she has to make the moon rise and fall; in the process she decorates the dark skies with all these stars,” I smirked.

“Ya may be right, but ya can’t make a delicious apple pie without gettin’ the right ingredients.” She smiled at me before putting away the last pate. She was right; you can’t get something great without working hard. I rubbed my temples as I walk towards the door. Applebloom bolted in front of me. “Don’t tell me yer goin’ back t’ the hut alone.”

“Yeah it’s been a long day so I’m going back to get some rest.” I started to open the door before she spoke up again.

“Well how ‘bout ya stay here fer the night, Mr. Charger?” she suggested. I froze as I pondered my thoughts. It was a good idea, Zecora’s place is a long walk away from here. I shut the door and nodded to her. She ran upstairs cheerfully. “C’mon then, yer room is this way.” She gestured off to a direction as I followed her up the stairs.

We stopped at a vacant room. The place was cozy and welcoming; an empty dresser stood next to the door, across from it was a green bed, aside from it was a bright lamp, releasing its bright rays across the room. The bed was decorated with a few apples and leaves.

“Wow,” I awed. “This is a nice room.”

“It’s just one of many,” Applebloom gloated. “Ya can stay here fer the night, as long as ya want.”

“It’s just for tonight, Applebloom. But I can hang out with you again tom-” A burning sensation entered my body. It felt like someone was biting at my sides. I turn to look over, but no one was there. Instead, I saw an aberration appearing before me…

Zecora ran for her life. Her heart was beating wildly, lungs were aching, and there were scratches and bite marks around her body. I took a glance at what’s behind her; they were wolves, three of them. They looked savage and out for blood with their glowing green eyes fixated onto Zecora as they tore through bushes and vines just to get to her. It looked like their fur was brown, almost like they were made of wood. One of them took a slash at Zecora as she screamed for help, I could feel the pain one my back side where that wolf slashed at. Zecora was gasping for air as she ran away from her predators. It didn’t take long for the wolves to catch up to her whenever she gets away…

My vision blurred out as I start to come to my senses, gasping for air. Applejack was standing over me, trying to get my attention yelling my name. “Charger! Yer okay!” she cried in relief, hugging me with all her might. “We were so worried that ya could’ve died in front of Applebloom. Yer heart stop beatin’ fer five minutes.”

I took a look around for my surroundings. It was just Big Macintosh and Applejack in the room. It took me awhile for my mind to catch up. “Zecora’s in trouble!” I shouted out loud before Big Mac pinned me to the ground.

“Wait a second. Calm down fer a moment,” said the big stallion keeping on a straight face.

“I can’t wait. Zecora is being attacked by a bunch of wolves. We gotta go save her now,” I cried out.

“Now yer soundin’ just like Applebloom,” Applejack said cocking her head in confusion. “If Zecora is in trouble, ya can’t go out there on yer own. Lemme go get Twilight and the others; you stay here ‘til ah get back.” She ran out the door and heading into Ponyville, looking for the others.

Big Mac just stared at me as though he knows I’m going to do something stupid. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking from the expressionless look on his face. I couldn’t wait for the others; every second passes by Zecora is getting close to her death.

For a moment of silence we stood there in the room until he finally spoke, “You should go.”

I was confused. “What?”

“If she really means that much to dash into danger, alone, then you should go.” I didn’t have a second thought and galloped passed him at a break-neck pace.

I quickly dash into the forest as fast as I could. Once I arrived at the hut, I grabbed a few bottles that said ‘cure all’ and rushed into the bushes. I am one insane pony, I thought. I have no idea on where I’m going; all I see are giant trees blocking my way. I guess I’m going to have to go with my gut feeling. I took a deep breath and jumped into a general direction. The place I have to look for was Timber Pit. I heard it was very dangerous and infested with monsters so I must get there soon before any more monsters attacked her.

It took me a few hours, but I think I’m finally here. The place was treacherous and creepy. I could tell there were eyes on me in the shadows, so I pulled my sword out and held it ready between my teeth. I saw shadows move from tree to tree, bush to bush, even shadow to shadow. My heart was racing with fear, I didn’t know what was here but I must save Zecora. I knew she’s still alive; I could feel her heart beat close to mine. It was faint, but she’s still here. I sucked in my gut and trotted into the darkness.

I could barely see, I could only imagine what was around me. I heard a loud crunch once I stepped on something; it was a skull. Of course, I’m walking into a cave-like forest of death, why wouldn’t there be a skeleton or a dead body; how cliché. I could only giggle for a moment before I was interrupted by a large number of green eyes surrounding the room. The same eyes like the wolves I saw in my vision. Only one got closer in front of me, I held my sword up high and ready for anything. A large wolf appeared before me, snarling its yellow, rotting teeth at me.

“What do we have here?” the alpha wolf spoke. “A stray?” The monster paced itself around me, circling me like I’m prey.

“I’m here for the Zecora,” I growled. “And don’t lie, I know she’s here.” The wolf chuckled loud enough the rest of the wolves laughed with him.

“I have no idea on what you are talking about, unless you’re meaning that zebra that we played with, not too long ago.” He continued to laugh out loud, but in one second, he threw his enormous body at me. I didn’t flinch and reacted quickly; with one leap to side I took a swing at his nozzle. With his quick speed, he dodged it and jumped away and laughed some more. “You’re fast for a small pony. Maybe faster than that zebra.”

This guy was ticking me off. I am not getting anywhere with all this laughing. “I don’t have all day,” I snapped. “Tell me where you, wolves, have Zecora.” I pointed sword straight at the brute.

“What are you going to do if we don’t give out such information?” he says pointing his paw at me. Before he could react I sliced off a few of his razor-sharp nails. The wolf howled in anger, stomping around the darkness. I noticed the eyes that surrounded me were fixated on the alpha wolf, so I quickly ran out the nearest opening. “Get him,” he commanded to them. With that single order, fifty wolves emerged from the dark in pursuit. “Bring me that colt. He’s going witness the zebra’s execution before I have his head.”

I could hear his commands echoing throughout the cave. I had a few encounters with one or two wolves along the way, but I was able to take care of them. After a few minutes of running away, I’ve finally lost them. The funny thing about it was…I am completely lost. My muscles ached for running and resisting those bastards, it hurts to move. If anyone wants to try tossing seven wolves across the room, then be my guest; they are heavy.

I couldn’t figure out how long I was in here wandering in the darkness. Being the prey to fifty wolves sucks, I guess it wasn’t supposed to be fun. I finally saw a light at the end of the hallway. I quietly drew closer to the light and glances around the corner. I saw a large gathering of the wolves, Zecora was there. She looked horrible; she was tired, beaten, clawed at, and bruised up. She lied in the center of the room with a wolf on top of her, his strong teeth rested on her neck, ready to chomp. The alpha wolf was also in the center of the room, circling the two. He looked extremely angry.

“Would any wolf like to tell me why that pony hasn’t been found?” the alpha roared to the crowd, the wolves quivered. “He made you look like sloths. Here he is, in OUR home and yet he knows how to escape a bunch of buffoons. He’s a pony for Luna’s sake.” He turns his attention to Zecora and stomped on her side as she howled in pain. “Your coltfriend’s going to make you the main course if he doesn’t give in soon.” He licked his yellow chops and laughed loudly. “You hear that colt?!” his voice echoed throughout the cave. “Show yourself or your zebra becomes food for the pack.” The entire group howls to the roof as the cave rumbles and shakes from the vibrating voices.

I waited for the gathering to die down a bit before entering the room in the shadows. There were half of the wolves still there with their eyes on Zecora and their mouths watering. The alpha wolf became extremely impatient, stomping around the room. A wolf entered the room, and whispered into the alpha’s ear. The news gave him make a large grin and gave follower an order. The wolf bowed and ran out the room. The giant wolf turned to his audience. “My subjects, it seems we are all going to have a buffet tonight, because six mares have arrived on our door step.” The crowd roared in excitement, howling throughout the cave.

Oh hayseeds! I thought to myself I totally forgot about Applejack and the others. I gotta save them first before they get to this room. I quietly left the room and followed the messenger. Easily, I made it outside without being seen. The wolf went deeper into the forest and grouped up with his friends. I couldn’t tell what they were saying, but they kept glancing over the cliff; I took a look for myself. There they were, Twilight was leading the group up the hill. I had to stop the ambush, so I was going to ambush the ambushees. I found a bunch of boulders, higher up the hill. After I climbed up there, I tackled the boulders with all my strength, they barely move an inch. I backed up farther and bashed into it even harder, but the attempt failed again. Frustrated at myself, I bucked a tiny rock at the boulders. Miraculously, they shifted around and began falling onto the pack. The wolves were disoriented and confused as I jumped down and knocked out the remaining survivors with my sword.

The Mane 6 finally made it to the top and gasped at the sight of the knocked out and pinned wolves. “What in the hay did all this?” Rainbow Dash began in shock as she flew around and found me sitting on top of a boulder. “Girls I found Charger, he’s right over here!” The rainbow mare tackled me with a hug, followed by the others joining in.

“Ah thought ah told you to wait fer me at the barn,” Applejack broke her hug and hoofed me in the arm.

“I know, I know. I really wanted to save Zecora,” I explained. “She’s still hostage, but at least I bought some time.”

“What did you do?” everyone asked me with a concerned look.

“I pissed off the leader and escaped. Now he won’t execute Zecora until I’m found. Now with you girls safe, I’m going to end this right now.” I got up and started to walk inside, but they stopped me from going any further.

“Whoa there, Nelly.” Applejack said. “Ya can’t be goin’ in there alone, it’s too dangerous.”

“I could say the same. Please, it would be easier if I went in alone,” I begged to Applejack. “I can use the shadows to my advantage.” She stood there silently; she saw the determination in my eyes.

She drew up a big sigh before she answered, “Fine. We’re gonna give ya ten minutes, so be careful now Charger, ya hear.” They let go of me and I left. They watched me disappear into the dark, as they sat outside.