Wish Gone Awry. Enter Equestria! Enter New Life!

"So ready to get Zecora?" Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy as they stood before the edge of the Everfree Forest. The vague path Julius led her and Luna out of right before the pair.

"Well, not really, Fluttershy shuttered. "I don't think I could ever be ready to go into the Everfree Forest," she told Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy looked deeply into the forest, it didn't look back, but it still tested her resolve.

"Fluttershy, we have to go in, both of us," Rainbow Dash told Fluttershy. "I would go in alone, but I don't know the way to Zecora's place. I need you with me, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash reassured Fluttershy. Smiling at Rainbow Dash demurely, Fluttershy breaths deeply.

"I know Rainbow Dash. Let's just go in and get this over with," Fluttershy says through deep breaths.

"Attagirl!" Rainbow Dash exclaims. "Lead the way, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash smiles. Fluttershy takes a few more deep breaths before walking into the Everfree Forest. Fluttershy had to look for the incredibly vague well-hidden signs while walking down the extremely ill-defined path. A branch broke here in such a specific way. Aquamarine flowers pointing the way, ignore turquoise flowers and avoid at all cost flowers with bright blue petals. Lookup for flowing lime green moss growing up the tree, not wavy neon green growing down the trees. The signs were nearly impossible to spot unless you knew them and actively looked for them.

"You see Rainbow Dash, these are the signs," Fluttershy giggled as she explained, the lime green moss slightly tickling her fur. Rainbow Dash's head spun; all the signs looked the same.

"Yeah, I'm not getting any of this," Rainbow Dash sighed. "Maybe Rarity or Twilight would but not me. Is there any water around here? I'm getting thirsty," Rainbow Dash stated. Sure, when Julius led them out, it only took a little over forty minutes, but he knew the forest better than anypony, other than Zecora. It took Fluttershy nearly an hour just to get roughly halfway to Zecora's tree hut.

"Here, try this," Fluttershy told Rainbow Dash as Fluttershy gave Rainbow Dash some forest green moss. "Julius said there's drinkable water in the moss. He often drinks from the moss while training in the forest. Just squeeze the moss, and water should flow out," Fluttershy explained as Rainbow Dash took the moss. Looking at her oddly, Rainbow Dash took the moss and squeezed water from the moss.

"Fluttershy," Rainbow asked as she drank the mossy water, "why does the water taste like grapes?"

"Well, Julius did say the water from the moss tasted odd. Apparently, there is bright pink moss with water that tastes like carrots and oranges," Fluttershy laughed. "When Luna asked about it, Julius just shrugged and said 'I stopped trying to apply logic to this forest,'" Fluttershy explained.

"That's pretty neat," Rainbow said as she drank the water. Finishing her weird mossy water, Rainbow Dash breathed a very refreshed breath. "Alright, Fluttershy, I'm ready to move on," Rainbow Dash told Fluttershy as she tossed the now dried moss aside. Resuming their trek through the Everfree Forest, Rainbow Dash tried to make small talk with Fluttershy, but she was so focused on spotting the vague signs that she barely responded. Rainbow Dash perked up slightly as a slight hunger set in thanks to spotting all kinds of different berries and fruits of all different colors.

"So Fluttershy, do you think any of these are edible?" Rainbow Dash asked while sniffing at some bright pink berries with large lime green dots.

"If I remember, Julius called those cackleberries. He said you could eat them, but they make you laugh for a bit if you do," Fluttershy told Rainbow Dash as Fluttershy examined the berries.

"Cool, I'm going to try some," Rainbow Dash said as she ate a few of the berries. Chewing them, they tasted like candied apples before fizzing and popping. "Hehehe. Ahahahaha," Rainbow Dash started giggling, barely being able to walk. Looking back, Fluttershy held a hoof in front of her mouth as she stifled her giggle. The rest of the way had Rainbow Dash asking about all kinds of fruits and berries they passed.

"Those there are fluberdubs," Fluttershy said, pointing at some large spiky-looking apple-like fruit. "You have to boil them before eating. Otherwise, they bounce all over the place. Those are dyerimes," she said, pointing to a cluster of multi-colored berries. "They dye your body different colors until you wash the color out," Fluttershy cautioned Rainbow Dash. Stopping and trying nearly every edible fruit and berry only added to the pair's travel time.

After nearly another two hours of following vague signs, accidentally taking wrong paths, just getting turned around, and stopping to try new fruits and berries, the pair finally stood before Zecora's hut.

"Well, we're finally here," an exhausted and slightly frazzled Fluttershy exclaimed, twigs sticking out of her mane.

"Finally," Rainbow said, spitting out a few leaves, "I thought we would never get here," her mane equally frazzled and filled with twigs. "Well, let's go on in," Rainbow Dash exhaustedly said as she took the lead. "Hey, hey, is Zecora in there?" Rainbow asked as she knocked on Zecora's door.

"Such a direct question. Please, my dear mare, heed this suggestion. When using aggression, use your discretion. It gives off a bad impression, but this time I shall allow your indiscretion," Zecora lightly admonishes Rainbow Dash. Opening her door, Zecora stands before Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

"We're sorry, Zecora, it's been a long journey here," Fluttershy softly apologizes.

"It's quite alright. Come in, please take my invite," Zecora ushered the pair inside.

Walking into Zecora's house, Fluttershy sat down on the couch. Rainbow Dash, however, looked around. It was amazing how much it was like The Golden Oak. If it wasn't for the odd decorations and furniture, it could nearly be mistaken as an empty Golden Oak. Sitting down next to Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash eyed Zecora, who was stirring a cauldron.

"You caught me at an awkward time. I'm making lunch; could you please pass me the thyme?" Zecora requested as she added a few diced carrots. Passing over a jar of thyme, Fluttershy sat back down. "So dear Fluttershy, who is the rainbow mare? Those of her coloration are quite rare," Zecora asked as she added the thyme.

"I'm Rainbow Dash, and we came to bring you to Ponyville," Rainbow Dash briskly explained.

"Our friend Twilight Sparkle wants to apologize to you and welcome you to town," Fluttershy adds when she notices the concern on Zecora's face.

"I am glad to hear. I can guess that with this party, Twilight plans to endear," Zecora observed. "I see Julius is not with you. I can take it that his relationship with the Princess of the night grew?" Zecora asked, tasting her stew.

"They did seem a lot closer this morning than when we left. We did see them asleep together by a lake," Fluttershy confirmed.

"I see; thank you for your answer. It would seem Julius's mind has been made to be a lancer," Zecora chuckled softly. "We can leave here in a bit. Lunch is almost done; it's quite good, I'll admit," Zecora lightly boasted as she added a few more herbs to her stew.

"Smells good," Rainbow Dash remarked as a herby scent filled Zecora's house. "So after we eat, we'll head off to Ponyville then," Rainbow Dash stated as the scent of the stew makes whets her hunger.

"I'm fine with that. After we eat, we shall leave my habitat," Zecora confirmed as she poured herself a bowl of stew. Pouring another two bowls for her guests, the group started to enjoy their lunch. Taking a bite, Rainbow Dash sighed a bit. The hearty, earthy flavor was accented with just the barest hint of spice. A flavor that danced on her tongue long enough to be pleasant but left before it became oppressive. Nice, filling, and warming, the stew seemed to caress her body in a teasing warmth, as if a plush blanket covered her. Savoring their lunch, the group took a bit longer than they usually would, but the food was worth it.

"Alright, I'm finished eating," Rainbow Dash exclaimed, licking her lips as she placed her bowl on the counter.

"Great, can you start cleaning up? If you do, our departure will be sped up," Zecora pretty much tells Rainbow Dash.

"Fair enough, I suppose," Rainbow Dash sighs as she starts cleaning up. Finishing their bowls shortly after Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash get ready to leave, with Zecora leading the way behind them. At the head of the group, Zecora swiftly leads them through the Everfree. Much like Fluttershy tried, Zecora tried to point out the signs to Rainbow Dash. Much like Fluttershy, Zecora had no success. A short thirty minutes later, the group stood at the edge of the Everfree forest near Fluttershy's Cottage. Walking up to the cottage's door, Fluttershy sees a note stuck on her door with bubblegum.

'Dear Fluttershy

I need more time. Avoid Ponyville and go to Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight and Julius are there. Do not go to Carousel Boutique, trust me.

Pinkie Pie'

"I see. Girls Twilight and Julius are at Sweet Apple Acres," Fluttershy tells the pair while giving the note to Rainbow Dash. Swiftly reading the note, Rainbow Dash destroys it swiftly.

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get going!" Rainbow Dash energetically exclaims as she starts towards the long path to Sweet Apple Acres. Sharing a giggle, Fluttershy and Zecora followed after. Slowing down enough for the other ponies to catch up, Rainbow Dash trots very slightly ahead of the pair. "So Zecora got any stories to tell?" Rainbow Dash asks.

"Oh, I have many to tell. One of a snake under a horrid spell. Another of a winged dog. It was patrolling the smog-filled bog. Perhaps a tale of a wizard. He was a mighty lizard. His roaring was the cause of many blizzards. Or mayhap you wish for a story not of this world. I have heard a few where the end has unfurled" Zecora offers several stories.

"The otherworld one that one sounds interesting" Rainbow Dash practically leaps at the story.

"Very well this tale I shall tell. Where gods do battle with demons most fell. This tale, however, is not mine. It's Julius's, but I can tell it just fine," Zecora explains. "This is the tale of Ragnarok where the gods face their twilight. Where they fall, and their world ends despite Odin's foresight," Zecora starts telling the pair the tale of Ragnarok. Rainbow Dash gets invested nearly right away, listening to every word with growing investment. Fluttershy, meanwhile, tries to block out the story hiding slightly under Rainbow Dash's left-wing. Wrapping up the story, the group enters Sweet Apple Acres.

"Is that really what they believe?" Rainbow Dash asks shock and awe.

"Well, that's one of many believes of his kind. His people have many beliefs bare in mind," Zecora tells Rainbow Dash before looking at Fluttershy. "Don't worry, Fluttershy. They have more peaceful beliefs to that I can testify," Zecora reassures the shaken pegasus. "Though his practice of Eucharist is odd. His own belief is something I still have to prod," Zecora said, looking off in the distance.

"What do you know of it?" Fluttershy asks as the group walks down the path to the farmhouse.

"Sadly not much. Julius has been tight-lipped about such," Zecora says as the group walks down the tree-laden path, glossy apples glistening in the sunlight. "All I know is the Eucharist, and he sometimes prays. Alas, I know no more of his ways," Zecora shrugs as the farmhouse comes insight.

"Doesn't matter right now. There's the house. They should be inside, right?" Rainbow Dash asks as she flies ahead to the doors, the other two mares trotting behind her.

"Really, Applejack lying led to that?" Rainbow Dash hears Julius laughing from inside the house.

"Ok, ok, it's not that funny," she hears Applejack shyly say.

"They're inside," Rainbow Dash says, smirking while looking back at the pairs.

"You nearly got your brother pruned by your grandmother while trying to sell alcohol," the mares outside hear Julius laugh.

"Sounds like quite a story. I'm guessing from the laughter the story isn't gory," Zecora remarks hearing the laughter.

"It's not, but it is embarrassing for Applejack," Fluttershy tells Zecora as Rainbow Dash knocks on the door.

"Hey Applejack, I'm here with Fluttershy and Zecora," Rainbow Dash shouts in.

"Oh, sweet Celestia, thank you," Applejack can be heard saying in relief. "One moment, I'll be right there," Applejack says briskly cantering to her door. Opening the door, Applejack eagerly welcomes the group in. "I take it you're Zecora," Applejack states as she looks at the zebra.

"That is my name. I take it you're glad we came," Zecora responded, smirking.

"That's an understatement. Follow me. There are still snacks on the table," Applejack says, leading the group into the kitchen. "Hey, y'all, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Zecora are here," Applejack tells the group as the kitchen gets filled up.

"Oh, hey, Zecora. Sorry about not coming back last night. I kinda fell asleep by a lake. In my defense, her fur was plush and warm," Julius says, rubbing the back of his neck while Twilight lightly blushes.

"It's ok Luna told me in a dream. So you slept with a mare, does that mean you're on our team?" Zecora asks, smirking while Twilight blushes harder.

"Zecora, I did not sleep with Luna in that way. I am on your team, though," Julius says, rolling his eyes. Spotting the red-faced Twilight, Julius looks right at her. "Wait, why are you blushing? What do you know?" Julius asks, stepping closer to Twilight.

"Ummm ahhh welllll," Twilight stammers as Big Mac whispers something into Applejack's ears. Blushing slightly and stifling a laugh, Applejack quickly responds.

"Big Mac here was just saying that Twilight was jealous it wasn't her," Applejack relays while Big Mac and Spike giggle. A very thoroughly embarrassed Twilight dropped her face into the table.

"I knew it. Honestly, I can't fault your taste in guys," Julius smirks while lightly petting Twilight's head. "I'm getting used to it. I seem to have that effect on mares," Julius reassures Twilight as he runs his fingers through her fur.

"I know," Twilight laconically replies. "Can we please change the subject" Twilight begs? Seeing her friend's embarrassment, Fluttershy steps in.

"Well, Zecora mentioned something of your beliefs on our way here. Can you tell us more about them?" Fluttershy asked, trying to turn the conversation a different way.

"Oh yes, please tell us more about them," Twilight quickly almost pleadingly supports.

"That's a long story. It's a chaotic mess that has been abused by so many. With so many branches over things that seem small, it's insane," Julius sighs. "A reasonable summary of every belief from my world is 'God save us from half the people believing they're doing God's work,'" Julius shakes his head. "Are you really sure you want to know?" Julius asks.

"Yes, please," Twilight begs, face still bright red.

"Very well, sit down. This is going to be a long story. I'll summarize, but we'll still probably be here until sunset." Julius says, sighing, rubbing his eyes at the long, messy story he was about to tell. "Well, at least I can clear up some things in that book, though I wish it were here, it would make this easier," Julius thought to himself as he started the history on one of the messiest, most convoluted religions to grace his world.