Frosty, the CMC, as well as Pharynx and the Zombie-Commander were walking through the Everfree forest, in search of a place to stay. The poor girls almost died of shock, when they saw the Changelings again, but Frosty managed to calm them down. However, since the guard knew the cave and would likely be searching for him there, if they were searching at all, Frosty decided that it would be better to move deeper into the forest.

That was easier said than done, seeing as none of them ever ventured very far into it before and thus had to turn around multiple times because the path was blocked.

“Frosty, I am hungry!” Sweetie Belle whined and the other two joined in: “Me too!”

Frosty stopped his march at that and turned around to them with an understanding smile. “That’s okay. We can take a little rest here. Good thing the changelings brought quite a few supplies, so we won’t be running out any time soon.”

“It is only logical that our hosts brought extended supplies if they were planning on capturing hostages from the beginning, my lord.” Pharynx commented.

“Yes, I was aware. No need to bring up bad memories.” Frosty chastised.

Pharynx immediately bowed and apologized. “I beg your forgiveness, my lord. I failed to remember what our hosts did to your slaves.”

“For the last time, they are my herdmates, not my slaves!” Frosty chastised again, a bit angrier this time.

“Why not? I mean, sometimes when Rarity brings a stallion she really likes, I hear her call herself a slave… and then I usually hear the bed creaking, whatever that means.” Sweetie Belle commented.

“Yeah, well, that’s not really—wait a second, what?!” Frosty half-screamed, but before Sweetie could say any more, they heard another voice come from the bushes behind them.

“I hear a voice I haven’t heard far too long.” Zecora said, as she stepped from the bushes. “Good day my friend. I hope you are healthy and strong.”

Pharynx and the Zombie-Commander immediately went into combat-mode, but Frosty signalled them to stand down.

“Zecora. It is… quite surprising to meet you here.” Frosty greeted coldly.

“That is quite a cold way to greet a friend… although, to not know why, I cannot pretend.” Zecora said sadly.

“If you know why, I am actually quite surprised that you haven’t fled yet.” Frosty commented.

“I do not know why such reaction should be shown, but you are right in that the details remain unknown. I have been told you’re misguided and have been punished in a way. However, when I inquired further, they refused to say.” Zecora clarified.

“Oh really? Well, it might be better that way anyways. I advise you to stay out of this, or you might end up losing all of your progress in befriending Ponyville.” Frosty told her.

“Why you act so gravely, I cannot see. I just want to help you like have helped me!” Zecora said back.

“That would drag you down as well, you know? And I bet they won’t let you off the hook as easily as they did with us.” Frosty cautioned.

“I doubt that it will bring me the wrath of the sun, but still I must ask: Frosty, what have you done?”

Frosty hesitated with the answer. Partly because he actually didn`t want Zecora to get targeted because of him and partly because he feared that she might turn on him if he did.

“Frosty?” Applebloom poked him from the side. “Why ain’t ya tellin’ her? Ah mean, she’s yer friend ‘n all, right? And friends tell their problems t’ each other!”

“Maybe, but this is… different.” Frosty tried to evade.

“How? If anythin’, ah’d say that this’s a problem that ya can’t solve without tellin’ her!”

Frosty gave a tired look over to Applebloom, before breathing in deeply and sighing. “I suppose… but before I tell you, I must ask you to promise to not think any less of me afterwards.”

“I promise, after you tell me, no matter how deranged, my view of you shall not be changed.” Zecora promised.

“Good. Well… the crime that I’ve commited is that… I’m a necromancer.” Frosty said slowly.

Zecora showed no reaction at first, but slowly the corners of her mouth crept upwards, until she suddenly burst out in laughter.

“Oh dear is that really it? Excuse me, but sure this isn’t all that you did?” Zecora asked, unbelieving of the first answer.

“Uhhh… yes, it is?” Frosty said, unsure of how to interpret Zecora’s reaction.

“I can hardly imagine that crime to be really that grand. After all, Soul magic is quite common in my homeland!”

Frosty gave her a mixed look of shock and concern. “Zecora, I advise you to never, EVER, tell anypony about this. It may be common in Zebrica or wherever you come from. Here in Equestria, however, it is a capital crime.” Frosty cautioned. “Furthermore, Celestia seems to be quite hell-bent on killing all necromancers she encounters. The only reason I am still alive is that I managed to tell the citizens of Ponyville what happens to them if I am killed, which forced her to change her plans.”

“I cannot believe she would commit such a sin! She must have known she would kill her own kin!”

“Oh, believe me, literally the first action she took in this whole ‘trial’ she had set up was to blast me with the power of the sun. The only reason I managed to endure was because I had… quite the feast during the whole foalnapping-incident. She claimed that she didn’t know in the end, but that sounded a lot like a lie to me…” Frosty assured.

“It’s not like you would believe her, even if she was saying the truth anyways.” Scootaloo commented.

“Maybe, but I don’t think anypony can blame me for that.”

While Frosty and Scootaloo lightened their moods, Zecora seemed to be frozen still. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open in an expression of utter shock.

“That’s horrible news!” She the suddenly awoke again. “If that’s really true then that could mean war!”

Frosty and his companions stood still for a moment, awaiting more to come since there was no rhyme. Zecora noticed that mistake and forced herself to calm down.

“I am very sorry, but this is so grave a matter, when I started talking my words just seemed to scatter.” She apologized.

“Understandable. It isn’t a nice thought to be had, not to mention the implications it brings. I assume I don`t need to say, how much you’re putting yourself in danger just by talking to us.” Frosty pointed out.

“And yet, no matter what they would do, I am still very willing to help you.” Zecora said firmly.

“… Really?”

“Yes, for when you helped me you also risked termination. Yet, your help was what finally brought me salvation. Even if this might result in my ban, I will still try and do what I can.” Zecora affirmed. “The first thing to do would be to find a place to stay. Afterward we can return to what is left to say.”

“Yeah, shelter is a good call. We had a cave, but the guard knows about that one and I was afraid that they might come knocking on our door one day. Also it had multiple entrances and thus wasn’t really and ideal place to defend or to hide in.” Frosty said.

“If defence is a concern then I might have an idea and the place I have in mind might actually be near.”

“Okay. Lead the way then. Nopony knows this forest as much as you do, after all! Oh yeah and… thank you, Zecora. Really, your help means a lot to me.” Frosty thanked.

“There is no need to thank for you, as helping each other is what friends do.” Zecora said, as she led the party further into the forest.

After an hour of walking, they reached a mountainous region, in which Zecora led them to a U-shaped indent in the rock wall. It lay just on the edge of a larger mountain and was covered by a line of trees that separated the mountain and the forest from each other.

“As a hiding place, I hope this is enough, although without a home, living here will be rough.” Zecora said when they reached the new hideout.

“That ain’t a problem! Ah can build a house fer us!” Applebloom immediately said.

“Really? Wow, that would be quite impressive if you could.” Frosty commented, making Applebloom blush slightly.

“Yeah, that ain’t a problem… although, ah’d need help, ‘cuz ahm just a filly an’ ah can’t really do the heavy liftin’ and such.” She admitted sheepishly.

“That’s alright. Pharynx and the Zombie will assist you.” Frosty said, signalling to Pharynx and the Zombie that this was an order.

“Hey, I wanna help too!” Scootaloo chimed in.

“Me too!” Sweetie Belle agreed.

“It would seem you will be busy for the time to be. I shall take my leave, but I look forward to the next time we see. I wish all the good luck to you, I just wished there was more that I could do…”

“Oh, but there is!” Frosty said. “In all honesty, it has been plaguing my mind since you brought us here. Truth be told, the changeling supplies might be plentiful, but they still aren’t infinite, so… would you mind helping us get some food?” He asked.

“Oh, I would be delighted to give you supply! It would give me good reason to regularly stop by!” Zecora said delightedly.

“… I actually thought about something like teaching us herb lore and such, but if you’re really willing to do that then that would be even better.”

“Fear no more about this basic need, for I shall return and I will bring something to eat!” Zecora declared half-jokingly, before waving goodbye one last time and vanishing into the forest.

When Zecora was gone, the others immediately went to work and, under the direction of Applebloom, they laid the foundations of what was to soon become their new house…

Author's Note

New base in the Forest. Let's see how long it lasts :D