“Hiiya!” Rainbow Dash cried, bringing her sharpened shovel down on a vine that was grabbing Rarity’s leg.

The spiny length of plant now no longer attached to the rest of itself spasmed and flailed before falling still. With the loss of another limb, the other tentacles that had been reaching out and attempting to grapple the fashionista recoiled. Free of the plant’s grasp, Rarity sprinted away, all but throwing herself into Applejack’s hooves in a dramatic fashion.

“Oh my goodness I thought I was a goner!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Another win for Rainbow Dash and her awesome sword… thing,” Rainbow Dash proclaimed.

“Is the leg still there? I feel blood!” Rarity shrieked, the mare unable to look at her own leg out of fear.

“It's barely bleeding. Relax,” Applejack replied tiredly.

“Here,” Fluttershy offered, applying a small bandage to Rarity’s leg. “That should help ensure it doesn't get infected.”

“Oh thank you, darling,” Rarity exclaimed.

The fashionista wrapped Fluttershy in a tight hug. Fluttershy smiled faintly and patted the frazzled mare’s back a few times before gently ending the embrace.

“And you said I shouldn't bring a sword, ha!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed.

“You can only say I told you so once. After the tenth time, it's just annoying,” Twilight retorted.

“Whatever. Where are we anyway?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“The Everfree forest ya silly goose,” Pinkie Pie shot back.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “I knew that but where exactly in the Everfree are we? Spike’s little fire thing keeps pointing in weird directions,” Rainbow Dash replied.

“I think we got a bit turned around crossing that last creek,” Spike murmured. “Or it could have been that sudden surge of rain that sent us in the wrong direction.”

“Feels a bit like this durn storm’s got a mind of its own,” Applejack remarked, glancing up at the swirling, mass of black clouds occasionally broken up by spots of clear blue sky. “One minute it its trying to pelt us with hail, the next it's a clear summer day.”

“And I’ve felt spatial anomalies sending us wildly off course a few times now,” Twilight murmured, her horn glowing faintly. “Normally I’d say it's just the Everfree being the Everfree but this is different.”

“No kidding,” Pinkie Pie agreed, pausing briefly to shiver. “My Pinkie sense keeps giving me weird signals. I don't even know what a hoof shake, plus body quiver on top of a hot hoof even means and I thought I’ve felt them all!”

“That is strangely terrifying,” Rarity murmured.

“No kiddin’,” Applejack agreed.

“I’m not the only one that hears that weird thrumming by the way right?” Spike asked. “I didn't wanna mention it earlier.”

“You mean that itch that's kind of behind your ear and you can't seem to scratch? I thought that was just me!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“I can feel it too, only it’s a bit like a horn tingle, almost like I’ve miscast a spell and received an unpleasant bit of backlash,” Twilight murmured.

“It feels like something is calling us,” Fluttershy muttered, her eyes closed. “I can sense some kind of energy rippling over my feathers like there’s been a distant explosion. It's scary.”

“I kinda feel it too. Maybe that's where the boss is. We should head that way!” Rainbow Dash offered.

“Why do you keep calling this ork fellow your boss?” Rarity asked.

“Here we go again,” Spike murmured.

“I told you before. I said Ghuzrod, I don't know why you think I said, boss. You should really get your hearing checked Rarity,” Rainbow Dash shot back, flying up into the other mare’s face.

“And you should get that tongue checked,” Rarity exclaimed. “While you're at it you could get your complexion checked as well. I swear you are getting greener with each passing hour.”

“That's just plant blood,” Rainbow Dash declared, wiping her face free of a splatter of dark green ichor.

“Um, plants don't have blood,” Fluttershy pointed out.

“Whatever,” Rainbow Dash dismissed.

“Spike, would you please send up another signal? Maybe that will help,” Twilight offered.

“Okay, but I can't do this much longer. We’ve been at it all day and I’m running on steam at this point,” Spike exclaimed.

“Just a few more times. I’m sure we’re close at this point,” Twilight assured him.

“We better be. This wild goose chase has cost me a whole productive day and if I come out of it empty hooved I’m gonna be madder than a three-legged dog trying to bury a turd on an icy pond,” Applejack declared grumpily.

“What does that even mean?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“It means I’ll be angry, you dunderhead,” Applejack retorted.

“Girls, focus,” Twilight interrupted.

All eyes turned to Spike, who was doing a quick neck stretch while taking a series of increasingly deep breaths. Once limber enough, the dragon breathed a hot blast of bright green fire. The moment it passed his lips, the flames leaped into the air and turned into an arrow that pointed in a southward direction.

“South, again?” Applejack murmured.

“At this point, we must be close to the border of Zebrica,” Rarity remarked.

“Ooh, boy. I’ve always wanted to go there,” Pinkie Pie offered.

“I don't think we’re actually that far south,” Twilight shot back.

“Either way we got a direction, so let's get moving,” Applejack stated.

“Right. You heard her girls. Let's go,” Twilight proclaimed.

The group picked themselves up and, though still slightly damp and disheartened, set out again. Tromping through the deep, wooded area, the six mares and one dragon, did their best to avoid the clawing grasp of the many trees and bushes. Forced to walk two at a time in a short line, they eyed their surroundings with fearful eyes, at least most did.

Rainbow Dash kept her head held high, and her neck perpetually swiveling one way or the other. In her hoof was the makeshift machete she had wielded all day, its sharpened edge covered in the viscera of various plants. Though unbothered by the storm, and the woods themselves, Rainbow Dash was still slightly unnerved. Her fear stemmed from a deep worry centered around the friend who had saved her life not long ago. Concern for his safety urged her forward, and she flew slightly ahead of the group, eager to spot any sign of the green giant they were all searching for.

“Look like we’re comin' up on a swamp,” Applejack remarked.

The group all glanced ahead and down to where the flat, uneven ground gave way to shallow, muddy water. The thick, many-limbed trees they had seen until then vanished, and were replaced by wiry, towering plants dripping with moss and vines. The ever-present underbrush was gone, replaced by the occasional small grass-covered hill or burm that rose above the water line.

“Augh, how unpleasant,” Rarity murmured. “Thank goodness I packed my galoshes.”

“What a fun word, galoshes,” Pinkie Pie added, repeating the word over and over in a sing-songy voice.

“I know it won't be pleasant but we have to keep moving,” Twilight encouraged, stepping out from the group and splashing into the swamp. “Besides, at this point can we really get any wetter?”

“I suppose not,” Fluttershy murmured, following after Twilight.

“Hey uh, A.J. You mind if I catch a ride? That water looks like it comes up to my chin,” Spike whispered.

“Sure, hop on pardner,” Applejack offered, extending a hoof.

Grabbing the limb, Spike found himself all but tossed onto the mare’s sturdy back. Perched high above the water, the dragon breathed a sigh of relief, glad to finally have a chance to relax, if only for a moment.

Though Rarity held a disgusted expression on her face, she followed as well, but only after everyone else had already stepped into the swamp. Splashing up to the rest of the group, Rarity glanced around nervously.

“You don't suppose we’ll run across any beasties do you?” Rarity asked hesitantly.

“I don't think so,” Fluttershy replied after a pause. “We haven't seen many for some reason and those I have spotted seem to avoid us.”

“Wait, you saw monsters checking us out and didn't say anything?” Rarity gasped.

Fluttershy winced. “I didn't want to alarm you and most critters know better than to attack ponies for no reason,” Fluttershy answered. “Though it is still strange that they wouldn't at least try to scare us off.”

“Seems like some bigger critter is keepin' em in check,” Applejack pointed out.

“That's the boss for ya. I bet he’s got the whole forest respecting his authority by now,” Rainbow Dash proudly proclaimed.

“Rainbow you did-” Rarity began.

“Don't bother sugar cube,” Applejack interrupted.

Rarity sighed dramatically and put her head down.

Together they continued to make their way through the swamp, swatting the occasional bug as they did so. Though careful to avoid any nasty beasties who may cross their path, the adventurers saw none.

They did, however, feel the odd thrumming increase in its intensity. The pegasi of the group could feel their feathers twitch, while the unicorns felt an increasing pressure on their horns. Pinkie Pie and Applejack both felt as though the ground was pulsing every few seconds as if there was a distant sound system playing something with a lot of bass.

Despite the strangeness of it all, they pushed on, gritting their teeth and bearing it. That was until Twilight suddenly cried out and fell to her knees, a hoof going to her sparking horn. Rainbow Dash was the quickest to react, flying down to her friend and holding her up so she didn't fall completely into the tepid water.

“You alright Twi?” Rainbow Dash asked hesitantly.

“It's nothing I just…” Twilight winced and shook her head. “Just saw something strange for a second there.”

“What did you see?” Rarity inquired.

“A flash of what looked like a skeletal creature only it was made out of metal,” Twilight muttered.

“But you’re alright now,” Rainbow Dash declared.

Twilight nodded slowly. “It's passed. I’m fine,” Twilight assured her friends.

“Alright but don't you go fainting on us again,” Applejack remarked.

“I’ll try not to,” Twilight replied with a chuckle.

With that, the group set off once more, though they barely made it more than a few minutes before Rarity cried out. Falling to her knees much like Twilight had not long ago, she was caught by the deft hoof of Rainbow Dash, who kept the unicorn from falling completely. Like Twilight, Rarity’s horn sparked a few times before seemingly passing, leaving a dazed fashionista to rise back to her hooves.

“Let me guess, more metal skely boys?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“No,” Rarity replied, her face scrunching up in confusion. “This time there were monsters. Horrible creatures with too many mouths and far, far too many limbs.”

“That sounds terrible. We can go home now right?” Fluttershy half stated half asked. “I’m pretty sure that means we should leave.”

“Well hold on. Clearly, this means that this Ghuzrod fella is in trouble,” Applejack interrupted.

“I don't know. I think I’m on Fluttershy’s side for this one,” Spike intruded. “Such heavy-handed foreshadowing surely means we are going to have to fight those things you guys saw.”

“And you know this, how?” Twilight asked.

“Well from playing O and O with the guys of course,” Spike replied.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Thamauturgical feedback like the kind we received could be the cause of a dozen different things,” Twilight began, gesturing above them. “Like that cloud for example. It's clearly picked up some sort of mana-dense water.”

“How would you know that just from looking at it?” Applejack asked. “Looks a bit like a regular storm cloud to me.”

“I think Twilight's onto something,” Rainbow Dash murmured. “That cloud hasn't moved one inch the whole time and doesn't seem affected by the wind. In fact it seems almost like it was creating this weird breeze we’ve been feeling.”

The group paused and looked around to find that Rainbow Dash’s assessment was true. Branches swayed in the breeze, and small waves lapped all around them, all seemingly originating from a point not far in front of them.

“That's no natural wind…” Fluttershy muttered nervously. “Look at the waves, they are all going away from that cloud.”

“M-maybe we should turn around,” Pinkie Pie murmured. “I’m no scaredy cat but this has spooky written all over it in big red letters.”

“I thought you liked spooky,” Rainbow Dash shot back.

“This isn't a kind of ghostly I can giggle at,” Pinkie Pie replied.

“Look. We’ll just check it out, and see what's going on up ahead. If Ghuzrod isn't there, then we’ll just go home, okay?” Twilight offered. “Does that sound fair?”

“I would hate to go home empty hooved after all this time,” Applejack rumbled.

“Then it's decided,” Rainbow Dash proclaimed. “Onwards!”

“That wasn't a complete vote! Come back so we can- and she's gone,” Fluttershy muttered with a sigh. “She really should learn to slow down some time.”

“No use worrying about it now darling. Onwards and upwards as they say,” Rarity remarked rather halfheartedly.

“If it helps you can hold my hoof,” Pinkie Pie offered.

“Yes please,” Fluttershy replied.

The two mares locked hooves and trotted forward, joining the rest of their friends as they approached what looked like a wall of trees. The thick, wide-trunked trees with the towering canopies grew strangely close together, creating an almost impenetrable wall of wood. Upon getting closer it was discovered that it was more of a labyrinth with the various ponies needing to maneuver around the natural blockade to peer within.

It took a few tense moments of sloshing through the almost chest-high water before suddenly emerging onto dry land. Glancing upward, the group found themselves on the edge of a clearing, in the middle of which was a hill. At the very top of this rise lay what appeared to be a black, metallic pyramid still half-buried in the earth.

Around it were four monoliths, three of which had recently been knocked over, revealing a sparking mass of wires and strange gears. Green flickering lights adorned the odd structures, while unrecognizable symbols flashed as if in warning. The most common of these symbols was a circle with a line through it which supported a half circle at the top and four rays coming off it, two on either side. It looked almost like a sun to the ponies, but unlike Sol above, the light of these symbols was sickly and unnatural.

The group only had a few short seconds to look up at the cyclopean monolith before a bright flash of light lit up the space. The bolt of lightning bent towards the cap of the pyramid as if drawn in through some alien means. The moment it struck the metal surface, a resounding roar was heard and the form of a great, many-headed hydra appeared.

The creature was enormous, easily eclipsing nearly every monster the small group had ever fought before. Sporting numerous electrical burns over its body, the beast had clearly been injured by the unnatural storm overhead and was venting those frustrations on the last remaining monolith still standing. Its enormous heads swung down and forward, battering the metal construct with earth-shaking blows. Each impact was like a thunderclap, yet despite that, the structure stood, somehow withstanding the strikes with little apparent damage.

“What the hay is going on here?” Applejack exclaimed.

“Nothing good, that's what,” Twilight replied.

“No kidding. We need to get the H E double hockey sticks outta here!” Pinkie Pie proclaimed.

“For once I agree with you guys. The boss ain't here anyway,” Rainbow Dash remarked.

“Yes, I agreeeee!” Rarity screamed in terror shaking her leg vigorously. “Get it off get it off get it off!”

“Hold still, and be quiet, you shrieking banshee. It's just a leach” Applejack muttered.

“It's biting me! It's biting me!” Rarity screamed.

“Shh, Rarity you’ll alert the hydra!” Fluttershy hissed.

“Oh, it's sucking my blood I can feel it!” Rarity cried.

Twilight lit her horn and held Rarity in place, allowing Applejack to reach over and pluck the leach from the fashionista's leg. Once gone, Twilight released her hold on the mare.

“Honestly, you act like you’ve never had a leach before,” Applejack remarked.

“Well unlike some people. I don't go swimming in leach-infested waters,” Rarity shot back.

“Um, girls. Maybe you should look at this,” Fluttershy whispered.

All eyes turned to the hydra, which had stopped its attempt at destroying the monolith and was staring at the small group with hateful eyes.

“Maybe it didn't see us,” Rainbow Dash remarked.

The creature roared suddenly and started to sprint directly at them.

“You just had to jinx it!” Twilight complained.

“I didn't jinx it. But if anyone did it was Rarity!” Rainbow Dash shot back.

“That's enough out of y'all. We got bigger fish to fry!” Applejack interrupted.

“Actually the hydra is an amphibian and not a fish,” Fluttershy murmured.

“This ain't the time Fluttershy!” Applejack shouted back.

“Right, everyone, retreat!” Twilight exclaimed.

Author's Note

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