The Golden Trail

To say that Gold was familiar with plants would be like saying that water was a little bit wet. With the resources her previous life afforded her and all of the training her family put her through, she was more than capable in that particular field. This also extended to metal, but her talents always found plants to be far more useful. Be it as a medicine or a means to complete a "job", she never found any part of her expertise in floramancy put to waste. Imagine her shock when Applebloom brought her to one of her greenhouses and she couldn't identify any of the plants that called it home.

Said plants sat on massive shelves, in large soil filled drawers, or hung from large elevated flowerpots from the structure's ceiling and walls respectively. Each of them came in various alien color-schemes and sizes, ranging from a massive pink push with green berries to small blue flowers that held a faint glow. Not helping was the odd feeling she got from the plants. While the trees that grew on the orchard had a more civil feel to them, these plants felt more savage to her. They reminded her of the time she had to slay a Manticore one of her targets kept as a pet.

The golden mare nervously stepped into the glass structure, eyeing the plants as if she expected them to bite her while the bow-wearing filly casually strolled in past her.

"What do ya' think?" Applebloom smiled, turning to face the mare.

"It is... quite the collection," Gold nodded, her head slowly turning to take them all in.

"Yeah," the filly beamed, turning to face the fruits of her labor. "This is the only place on the farm Ah can grow em without riskin' the crops."

"I see," Gold nodded, taking a step next to the filly. "So these are invasive."

"Eeyep," Applebloom sighed. "But that's what everythin' from the Everfree Forest is like."

"These come from the forest?" Gold asked, staring down at her.

"Eeyep," she nodded, meeting her eyes. "It's where Ah get all of my potion ingredients."

"Interesting," Gold mused. "Perhaps you could introduce me to some of your crop."

If Applebloom's smile grew any brighter, then it would've removed the need for Celestia's sun. While she loved her friends and family with all of her heart, their lack of interest in her hobby frustrated her deeply. Of course, they would help her in whatever way they could and listen to her rant when a particular potion didn't come out right, but it was always apparent that they had next to no idea what she was saying half of the time. To finally meet somepony other than her teacher that shared her interest was almost too much for her to handle.

"Absolutely!" she cheered, gripping the mare's hoof and practically dragging her further into the greenhouse.

Gold chuckled lightly, the filly's joy all but infectious as she let herself be guided. At the same time, she kept herself at a reasonable distance from the wild plants. A wise decision if even half of the things she heard about The Everfree Forest was true.

"This is Wild Sacletine Root," the filly smiled, pointing at what looked like a yellow lily with orange spots. "It's great for treatin' migraines and tooth aches if'n ya use its leaves for tea! You can also use it to make Twitter Mite repellant!"

"Quite the boon," Gold nodded, studying the plant. "I know quite a few ponies who would sell their left hind-leg for that."

"Ah know what ya mean," Applebloom giggled, then mischievously added, "Too bad its really hard to grow it outside of the Everfree."

"Unless you know the secret," Gold smirked. "Care to share?"

"Enope!" she giggled, guiding the now chuckling mare away from the flower.

"This is Snake Ivy. Ah bet you can guess how it got its name," the filly smiled pointing at the plant in question.

Gold had a pretty good idea how it got that name, what with the scale-like pattered that covered the plant's long green vines and the leaves that looked like cobra hoods. This particular plant was being held in a pot contained within a steel cage, the bars of said cage completely choked by the plant's many vines. What held her attention was the curious energy she was getting from it. As if it were studying her as she studied it.

"What do you use this plant for?" she asked, metaphorically locking eyes with the plant.

"Snake Anti-venom," Applebloom chirped. "The sap from it is great for counterin' most kinds of snake venom and the ones it can't it slows down enough for ponies to get treatment! Had to use some of it on Winona a few weeks ago when she ran into a rattler."

Her good mood dropped a bit at that, but it quickly returned as she guided Gold towards yet another plant not too far away.

The tour was far more interesting than Gold had expected, each plant and shrub Applebloom presented to her brining her back to the wonder her special talent gave her in her youth. It was as if she was being introduced to a knew alien corner of the world, a fact that became all the more apparent each time she came into contact with the wild energies the plants contained. When they came to the final exotic plant in Applebloom's collection, a hint of familiarity brought a sad smile to Gold's face.

Much like the Snake Ivy from earlier, this plant was a mass of vines potted in a cage, but that was where the similarities ended. Said vines clung tightly to the bars of its prison, but instead of being green these vines shined a heavy metallic gold with half-inch long silver thorns. A single orang flower sat at the heart of the mass, filling the scene with a sweet citric smell that hid the dangerous nature the plant carried. A sign that read "Danger! Highly Poisonous! Avoid Spines At All Costs!" sat just outside of the plant's reach in front of it.

Oh what cruel irony.

"That's a Final Breath Ivy," Applebloom said leerily, eyeing the plant with an intense sense of caution. "It's-

"A plant that I am rather familiar with," Gold sighed. "Though I know it by a different name."

"Ya' do?" Applebloom blinked. "What is it?"

Gold nodded, then leveled a small smile at her as she said, "Gold Vine."

Applebloom stared at her in shock for a moment, then stammered, "R-Really? But, Ah don't see it."

Gold raised a brow at that, then pointed at the literally golden vines the plant sported.

"Not that," Applebloom frowned, then pointed at Gold and said, "Ah don't see ya' bein' like that plant. It's poisonous to the extreme and really prickly. Ya'll are too nice and polite for a name like that."

Gold chuckled at that, both flattered by the compliment and ashamed of how well the plant's assessment matched her former self. Perhaps her current self as well if she took what happened at Moonstone Dagger's manor into account. She still had no idea how she was able to do that, but considering how much it hurt to make those vines sprout, she was in no hurry to learn.

"Perhaps," she sighed. "But it's not just the name that makes me familiar with it. It was thanks to it that I earned my cutie mark, after all."

"WHAT?!" the filly gawked, pure horror on full display. "What kind of lunatic would let a foal anywhere near that?!"

Gold raised a brow at that, pointing a hoof at Applebloom then the plant in question.

The filly gave a sheepish smile before saying, "All Ah do is water it. Zecora made me swear not to do anything else with it until she says Ah'm a master Potion Maker."

"A wise assessment," Gold nodded, giving the plant a cautious frown. "A drop of its sap is more than enough to kill a grown Dragon in minutes. The rumor that corpses are found surrounding wild specimens is more true than it should be."

Applebloom nodded, gulping nervously as she stared at the plant.

"What did ya' have to do ta' get a cutie mark workin' with a plant like that?" she muttered.

"Tend to it," Gold sighed.

Worried, yet curious, Applebloom stared up at her and asked, "When ya' say 'tend to', what do ya' mean?"

Gold refused to look away from the plant as she answered.

"Exactly what it entails. My family had very...different standards for its members. We were all required to know how to deal with plants and metals to some degree. I had a particular knack for both, but my skills with plants was slightly higher. As a final test, I had to tend to a batch of Final Breath Ivy and survive the whole process. Pruning, watering, feeding, all of it was my responsibility until it bloomed. When it finally did, its vines filled an entire greenhouse and I had earned my cutie mark. I didn't learn until much later that the plant and I shared a name."

"That's insane!" Applebloom exclaimed, finally pulling Gold's attention away from her namesake.

"My thoughts exactly," she sighed. "Be glad that you will never meet such ponies."

I will make absolutely certain of that, she thought bitterly behind a small smile.

"Okay," the filly said somberly, then with forced cheer asked, "Do ya' want to see my workshop?"

"I would be honored," Gold nodded, her smile becoming more genuine.

The filly scampered merrily away towards the one corner of the greenhouse not occupied by plants. As Gold followed her, she gave the plant one last passing glance, the citrus scent it gave off adding a knowing element to her smile. When she caught up with Applebloom, a careful eye showed just the level of skill and dedication the young mare wielded. In the corner stood a desk covered with all the tools one would need for brewing potions. In addition to the test tubes and stylized mixing equipment more commonly seen in chemistry labs, there were some of the more classic tools found in the more traditionally primal parts of the world. It all was arranged in a pattern that clearly made sense to Applebloom, but looked a step away from organized chaos to Gold. A factor that added to the already large opinion she held towards the filly's abilities.

"Quite the assortment," Gold smiled. "Care to share what you have brewed?"

"Nothin' much," she sheepishly chuckled, scratching a foreleg. "They're mostly duds, but a few of them can help with insomnia or small cuts. I'm currently tryin' to brew a potion to help get tree sap out of a pony's mane and coat, but it's a slow process."

"Oddly specific," she frowned raising a brow.

"My friends and Ah have a habit of getting covered in it," she mumbled, suddenly interested in the floor as a small blush grew on her cheeks.

Gold chuckled at that.

"I suppose necessity is the father of creation," she smiled, placing an encouraging hoof on the filly's shoulder. "Keep at it. I'm certain you will find a way to pull it off eventually."

"Thanks," Applebloom smiled, meeting the mare's eyes again. "Want to help me brew somethin'?"

"Of course," she chuckled.

***

Birds chirped and leaves rustled among the Everfree Forest's untamed greenery. Few places in all of Equestria held this claim, with much of the country's environment under the control of the citizens or crown in one form or another. As such, entering The Everfree Forest was like crossing over into an entirely alien world that only the intensely cautious or recklessly foolish dared to test. The former was true for two ponies that had chosen to do just that, one more familiar with the forest's nature while the other could charge straight into the gullet of the forest's most ruthless monster and still live to see another day.

"Ah can't believe this," Applebloom huffed. "Ah told ya' Ah don't need any protection."

"Say what you will, but I am not letting you wander through this forest alone," Gold frowned, pulling her tattered gray hood up over her head.

"Ah'm just stoppin' by Zecora's to pick up some Stalliondrake seeds. As long as Ah stay on the trail, nothin's gonna happen," she groaned, casting a pointed glance at the mare at her side. "Zecora used all kinds of charms and potions to make sure of that."

Gold smiled at that and said, "Is that right? Then I suppose I should reconsider my arrangement with your sister. If a few potions and charms are all it takes to live safely in this forest, it should be fine for me to live here until spring."

"NO!" Applebloom exclaimed, jumping in front of the mare with pleading eyes.

Gold stopped and continued to smile as she asked, "Is there a problem? I thought you said the forest was safe."

"The path is safe. The forest is as dangerous as it gets!" Applebloom exclaimed, stomping a forehoof for emphasis.

"But I thought this Zecora's potions and charms are infallible. Could I not just ask her to secure a place for me to set up camp?"

"That's not how it works!" she sputtered, frantic. "Ya'll need to make deals with the spirits of the forest and they aren't very easy to work with. Then you need to make sure that you only use the spells and potions on the land you agreed on. One drop or line out of place and the spirits will tear ya' apart!"

"These spirits sound quite dangerous," Gold mused. "It would certainly put a mare's heart at ease to see a young filly not cross their path."

Applebloom sputtered at her for a moment, caught between incredulity and an understanding of where the mare was coming from. Frantically, she tried to think of what she could say in her defense, but nothing came to mind that didn't make her sound like a hypocrite. Eventually, she settled for a frustrated scream as she turned away from Gold and stomped aggressively through the trail. Smiling victoriously, Gold strode behind her, her longer gate easily keeping up even at a relaxed pace.

As they progressed further down the path, Gold mulled over what Applebloom told her. She could feel that The Everfree Forest was different from anyplace she had been prior even with a passing awareness provided by her new form. It reminded her of the time she infiltrated a manor house that was involved with drug trafficking in her past life. The level of arcane energy weaved into the building was so high, Celestia could've found it from the Crystal Empire. The Everfree Forest was several leagues higher than that and a lot less structured. The fact that the forest was governed by nature spirits gave some explanation to this, but it did not fill her with confidence. Spirits were the closest things to Alicorns and operated by their own rules and logic. What may be a harmless prank to them was a disaster of titanic proportions to mortals. Worse yet, she could feel eyes tracking her from the dark.

She kept her ears trained in the general direction of the feeling while she kept Applebloom in sight. The two factors added a cautious rage to her heart, a feeling she hadn't felt since the earlier years of her past career. The thing watching her kept itself well hidden, staying just on the border of being seen past the tree-line at their left. Aside for a pair of glowing green eyes, Gold saw nothing that could give her any specifics as to what was following them. She took careful note of what their options were, most of which involved various means of escape for her charge.

Before she could give said options any detailed thoughts, the feeling started to fade. At the same time, strange tribal masks and totems started to line the perimeter of the trail. While she lacked the knowledge to ascertain the exact meaning behind them, Gold could sense a welcoming energy from them as she passed. The feeling grew with each step, until a rare sense of tranquility washed over her. The same seemed to hold true for Applebloom, the filly's foul mood having apparently evaporated upon entering this space. In time, they came to the end of the path and stood before a massive hollowed out tree. A tree that, in spite of its current condition, still lived.

Tribal masks hung from the middle of the trunk while more totems stood guard at its base. A makeshift door made of some kind of violet wood covered an opening at the tree's base with thin strips of fabric covering smaller holes that functioned as windows. The clattering of cookware and faint light made it past the thin covers, along with a rich female voice humming an unfamiliar tune.

Even with Applebloom's eager stride towards the home and the welcoming atmosphere, Gold remained vigilant, keeping a seven foot distance and ready to spring into action as soon as even a trace of danger raised its head. A bit of shock merged with her caution when the door to the tree opened and its resident stepped out to greet them. Instead of the the pony she expected to meet, a Zebra stood before her. Her mane was done up on a stiff black and white mohawk while her tail hung loose with a similar color pattern. Thick gold ring decorated her her neck and left foreleg while a slightly smaller one hung from each ear. A kind, but knowing smile sat on her muzzle as she divided her attention between Applebloom and Gold Vine. The second the Zebra's cyan eyes met Gold's orange ones, she felt as if her soul was being judged. That feeling doubled when she saw a cautious edge enter the Zebra's gaze.

"Hey Zecora!" Applebloom chirped, beaming up at the Zebra.

The Zebra, Zecora, broke eye contact with Gold, smiled down at the filly, and in the same rich baritone from earlier said, "Greetings Applebloom, I didn't think I'd see you quite so soon."

Smiling sheepishly, the filly said, "Yeah, Ah forgot to ask ya' for some Stalliondrake seeds the last time Ah was here."

"You don't say," she chuckled. "Come on through, you know the way."

Applebloom didn't waste any time letting herself in, but Gold was a bit more hesitant. Half of her wanted to flee the Zebra and her piercing gaze while the other refused to let the mare stand between her and her charge. Said gaze didn't help matters, the feeling they conveyed making her feel as if she had a knife at her throat. It was a feeling she hadn't felt since her time at Moonstone's mercy. Truly, the legends she heard of the shaman from her time as a Unicorn greatly understated the presence the mare commanded. She subtilely gritted her jaw and forced herself to move forward. She swore she saw a hint of admiration in Zecora's eyes as she approached, stoping at a respectful distance from the mare.

"Greetings," Gold forced out, years of training the only thing keeping her nerves from entering her tone. "My name is Gold Vine."

"Indeed," Zecora smiled. "To meet you is quite a pleasure. My student holds you in high measure."

"I am entirely unworthy of it, but it is nice to hear all the same," Gold nodded with a small smile. "She speaks very highly of you as well."

"That is the exuberance of youth," she chuckled. "Though I think she sees the truth."

"Perhaps," Gold sighed, some of her previous dread ebbing out of her. "Though I must say, the rumors I have heard don't do you any justice."

"I spend much of my time inside this tree. Perhaps you could enlighten me," she frowned, raising a brow.

"Nothing foul I promise," Gold chuckled. "Let's just say, the Forest Shaman of Whimsy has many interesting tales about her in Canterlot."

Zecora's demeanor instantly warmed at that, a smile and light chuckle coming out of her a she said, "A name I haven't donned in quite some time. Perhaps you could share some of these tales as we dine?"

"A tempting offer," she chuckled, then sported a knowing smirk as she whispered, "Just be sure not to put my namesake in my soup. It is fairly easy for somepony to confuse Citrus Thistle with Gold Vine after all."

A brief flash of confusion entered Zecora's face only for an understanding smile to take its place a moment later.

"Indeed, but rest assured," the Zebra chuckled. "Such a mistake from I would be absurd."

"I would think so," Gold chuckled, flexing her coded tongue as she added, "A sign of a true master is the ability to tell a poisonous plant apart from their impostors."

A faint razors edge entered her tone as she added, "Otherwise, I fear we would be having a different kind of conversation."

"To this I must agree," Zecora nodded. "A faux pas like that would fall to me. To master my craft, a sharp eye is demanded. But sometimes, other senses can not be abandoned."

"Indeed," Gold nodded with a soft smile. "It is a great pleasure and honor to meet you by the way."

"The same is true, from me to you," Zecora smiled.

Before the conversation could progress beyond that, Applebloom moved past Zecora to return to Gold's side. The small brown bag in her mouth no doubt held the seeds she came for. Seeing that their task was done, Gold and Applebloom traded farewells with Zecora and turned to leave. As they did so, Zecora passed on one last ominous line before she backed back into the shadows of her home.

"To you I feel it fare to warn, Everfree's opinion of you is torn."

Gold looked back at her, nodding just before the Zebra's door slid shut. Making sure to heed the mare's warning, Gold shifted her attention back towards the road and the grinning charge just ahead of her.

"What were ya'll talkin' about?" Applebloom asked over her shoulder around her bag.

"Nothing of any real importance," Gold shrugged. "Just boring adult things that would hold no real interest to you."

"Aw, c'mon! Ah can take it!" she huffed.

"Perhaps," Gold playfully mused. "But I fear it is a burden that master brewers such as I and your teacher must bear. When you reach that level, I will tell you and you will understand."

Applebloom just pouted at that before she turned her head forward with a huff. Gold chuckled at the cute display, only for a concerned frown to replace her smile a second later. It didn't take long for them to cross the barrier Zecora's totems created, but when they did, Gold couldn't feel the presence that stalked them from before. That wasn't the only sign that something wasn't right. The forest was completely silent, as if all of the animals had ran for cover from an approaching storm. Even the trees seemed eerily silent and to be holding their breath in preparation for something.

But what? she mused, eyes and ears taking quick notes of their surroundings.

A sudden putrid smell made her pause and reel back her head, her hoof quickly covering her nose in response. It was a sickly mix of rotting plant matter and tree sap with a faint hint of what Gold could only describe as corpse. Applebloom quickly noticed as well, but where it only brought revulsion to Gold, fear was plain to see in the filly's eyes as she frantically looked around.

She didn't have time to ask what was wrong before a loud creaking thud behind her shattered the silence. She quickly spun around and crouched low for combat. What stood before her was a massive wooden wolf, the beast seemingly formed from branches, bark, and leaves from the very trees that surrounded them. The beast was three feet taller than Gold at the shoulder and glared down at her with glowing green eyes. A deep growl emanated from its maw along with a foul-smelling gray mist. That all paled in comparison to the wild energy she felt poring off of the creature as it surged around her with reckless abandon.

And it was not alone.

More of the beasts slinked out of the shadows and onto the trail in front of Gold, all of their glowing orbs locked onto her. Before long, a pack of seven stood before the mare.

"T-T-Timber Wolves?" Applebloom stammered, slowly backing away from the monsters.

Gold risked a quick look behind her. A small hint of relief filled her when she saw the path out of the forest was clear. She carefully weighed her options as she met the pack's gaze with her own. She could try to fight them off, but that would put Applebloom in mortal danger. She could run, but that would only further encourage the predators. Had it just been her, she would've let the Timber Wolves eat her and left the forest once her body had returned and their bellies were full. A grim smile formed on her muzzle as she made her choice.

As if there was ever any debate to begin with.

In an eerily calm voice, Gold whispered, "Applebloom. When I say go, I want you to run as fast as you can back to the farm. Do you understand?"

"Y-Yeah," she gulped.

"Good," Gold frowned. "And no matter what happens, don't slow down."

"G-Got it."

Gold's eyes never left the pack's, every muscle in her body ready to spring into action the second the need arose.

Then, with little warning, she called, "GO!"

Applebloom didn't even think twice before she bolted with all her might. Not even when the filly's hoofsteps faded away into echoes did she move. She met their glares with one of her own, a single sliver of her past self coming to the front of her heart. Curse or no curse, she would let herself die a thousand deaths all over again if it meant protecting a foal.

"Come monsters," she growled. "Do your worst."

As if to answer her challenge, a single massive Timber Wolf approached her. This one was a good five feet taller than the rest of its breatharian with a thick coat of leaves covering most of its body. Five horn-like branches came up from the top of its head like a strange sylvan cross between a crown and natural growth. The greater wolf looked down at her with the same glowing eyes of the pack, only this one's shined with a wisdom that came with great age.

Gold met the beast's gaze without a shred of fear, prepared for whatever fate it had in store for her.

***

"C'mon! Hurry!" Applebloom cried, frantically prancing in place in the middle of the living room.

The rest of her family didn't spare an instant to respond, each moving with barely contained panic through the house.

As promised, Applebloom didn't stop running until she made it home, confident that Gold was right behind her the whole way. When she turned and found that she was proven wrong, a terror colder than the Frozen North flooded her veins. A scream and frantic explanation was all it took to get her family ready to go to war.

Applejack had armed herself with a heavy timber axe while Big Mac wielded a much heavier sledgehammer in his hooves. Granny Smith held a pesticide sprayer full to the brim with a special family brew of plant killer almost as powerful as the poisons Applebloom had bottled in her saddlebags. It had only taken The Apples a couple of minutes to arm themselves, but to Applebloom, it felt like hours. Before her mind could even consider the kind of bloody fate her friend could be enduring, a scraping knock at the door echoed through the house.

Curious, she made her way towards the front door. Winona, the family's small, brown and white sheepdog cowered by the door as she approached, the sight adding to her already frayed nerves. When she opened the door, her jaw nearly hit the floor. Sitting on their haunches roughly seven feet away from the front porch were four fully grown Timber Wolves. Each were at attention, barely showing any signs of life beyond their glowing eyes. Sitting on the head of one of them was a very sheepish-looking Gold Vine, waving down at the gobsmacked filly like a performer on a parade float. It wasn't long before the rest of the family joined the filly, each of them sporting similar expressions as they stared up at her.

"It would seem that I have made some friends," Gold chuckled weakly. "I...hope this will not be a problem."

The Apples blinked, then let out a collective exasperated sigh. It looked like the adults were going to make a barrel of cider disappear tonight. A task that Gold was all to willing to lend a helping hoof in.