For-Everfree

Chapter One

I will not be telling you who I am. I won’t tell you how I came across my sources. Not yet, at any rate. Suffice it to say I am a historian of sorts. This is not my tale, though I know it all too well. Sit down. Grab a drink, and let’s go over how this all began.

This story starts as one would normally expect. A sunny day, a room full of laughs, that sort of thing. If you wanted specifics, one might say that the day was sunny in Ponyville, the pegasus ponies had scheduled a straight week of sunshine to help out the Apple family's orchards. Harvest was coming soon, and the air carried a bit of a bite to it. Twilight was holed up in the library, pouring her mind into ancient tomes; Pinkie was causing good-natured chaos around town with a couple of young foals in tow; and Fluttershy was tending to an injured bird who had fallen from its nest in the park.

But how did all these things come to be? Ponies of course knew the old tales. Celestia had ruled over Equestria for over a thousand years alone, and was now back to running it with her Sister, Luna. Celestia and Luna had come into power by throwing Discord off his throne of chaos, and restoring a sense of balance to the world with the Elements of Harmony. However, disharmony had come between the two sisters, and Luna had been banished to the moon for a millenia.

Looking back into the history of Equestria becomes more and more convoluted. The goddess sisters had ruled for so very long, that it was hard to think of the time before them. But as I stated, they came only when we needed them most: In the rule of Discord. Chaos born from lingering distrust between the pony clans, Discord took shape and power from the havoc of pre-celestial rule.

But what was Equestria like before those fated events? Before the settling ponies came from their winter-ravaged land? What was nature truly like before ponies began to shape it and meld it to their liking? Few, if any, documents survived the thousands of years that have passed since the time before ponies were known to walk the land. Ancient tales told by dragons pale in comparison to the age of the earth, and the mysteries it contains.

The venerable book which Twilight floated delicately in front of her was trying its best to relay its information to her. She had found the old tome in the Starswirl the Bearded wing of the Canterlot royal archives, though he was by no means the author, just the publisher. The author’s name was merely a smudged symbol, time had erased whatever symbolism it had once held. The book was small, but well written from Twilight’s perception of the old language it used. From what she could tell, it told tales of a vast forest far to the south of the pony populace, long before equestria had been settled. The forest was said to have been darker than night, and cursed with an evil that pre-dated any history known even then.

Comparing this with current topographical maps, Twilight was unable to pinpoint the location of this forest. The only area south of where the founding ponies had come from that wasn’t just massive glaciers was Equestria, with its rolling plains and mild forests, and small mountain range. She understood that nature changes over the span of more than a few thousand years, but she didn't think that an entire forest, the size of which is described as, "all encompassing and seemingly without end" could just go away that quickly. Let alone that the book made no mention of mountain ranges, nor of any large rivers.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a banging on the door.

“Spike, can you get that?” She called out, barely glancing over her book at the dragon, who was deep in a mid-afternoon nap. she sighed, gingerly placing a bookmark, she closed the tome and gently set it on a table. Moving over to the door, she opened it with a smile, which quickly disappeared. Rarity was in tears, and could barely breathe from either crying, running, or both. When Twilight quickly began to ask what was wrong, she burst out crying, and collapsed on the ground.

Rushing her friend inside, she hollered for Spike to wake up from his nap and to make some tea. Turning her attention back to her thoroughly distraught friend, she sat down next to her. "What's the matter, Rarity? Did Sweetie Bell mess up a dress you were working on with glitter again?"

"Oh, Twilight.. I know I've said it before, b-but, the worst possible thing has happened..." Rarity burst into tears again and buried her face under her hoof. Twilight refrained from rolling her eyes.

"What is it, Rarity?"

"I was on a walk through the park, looking for inspiration for a new dress line I need to come up with, when I saw our dear Fluttershy tending to an animal. Curious, I went over to help out how I could.” She took a deep breath to calm herself. “She stated that the bird had fallen from its nest, and may have broken its wing. She asked if I had any spare cloth with me that they could use as a temporary cast to get the poor thing back to her house. Naturally, I wanted to help in any way I could."

"Well, it was nice of you to help out, but I don’t see the cause for the waterworks. Fluttershy is great with animals, and I am sure the bird will be right back to normal soon." Twilight said plainly, her gaze flicked to the old book sitting just a few feet away. Knowledge was always so tempting.

"Please dear, let me explain... I didn't have any cloth with me at the time, so I ran back to my boutique. I grabbed a bit of fabric and ran back, only to find that Fluttershy was gone."

"Did you try checking her house to see if she was there? Or did you instantly fear for the worst and come running?" Rarity looked out over some unknown memory and then collapsed sobbing again. By the time Twilight could understand what was being said, she was already halfway through her sentence.

"... and there was so much blood. And the little tufts of hair everywhere..."

"What? What happened?!" To say Twilight was panicked, would be putting it lightly. Her brain began analyzing all the situations which could explain the words Rarity had said.

"Angel was d-dead, Twilight... All of the animals were. Their bodies were in pieces.. Their blood.. it was on the walls, the ceiling... I fainted when I first saw it, and when I came to, I ran next door to Sweet Apple Acres and tried to get Applejack..." Rarity began sobbing again. Spike came in with some tea, but neither of them noticed.

"I don’t even know what could have caused that... that atrocity." Twilight began pacing through the library, racking her brain, and trying to keep a calm tone. “I mean, you didn’t see any... trace.. of Fluttershy did you? She’s safe, right?”

“I don’t know, Twilight. I was just so... Applejack might know more. She wasn’t as appalled as I was, but I think she was just staying calm for my sake.”

“Then we need to go get her. We need to go get everypony!”

“Applejack is already on her way. She went to go get Pinkie and Dash, and to notify the authorities. She told me to run here to tell you what was happening.”

“Don’t you have books on creepy crawlies? Fluttershy does live near the Everfree Forest” Spike said, setting down the tea.

"Do you know where those books on the Genealogy of Everfree went then? I could have sworn they had come in from the library in Canterlot not a week ago..."

"Wasn't it an entire series, with bright green bindings, like the ones up there?"

"Right." Twilight brought the books down, and began flipping through the pages at breakneck speeds. She tossed one book to the side, and then two, and on the third found what she was looking for.

" 'There are monsters without shape, without names, and without words which inhabit the Everfree. Due to the dangerous nature of the forest, as has been its reputation for all recordings of it, the known creatures in the woods are estimated to be but a select few of the greater number. One recurrence of such unknown fiends is a creature which is said to take the guise of any other creature, much as a changeling(see page 35 of book 7) would, but is only a lure for something darker. When around the Everfree, please take note of your surroundings, and forever be on your guard.' is what it says under the category for Mimics."

"What exactly is a Mimic?" Spike asked.

"That's just the thing, Spike. No-pony knows what they are. When we had originally gotten these books, I took the liberty of making a brief note about each of the types of creatures listed, for quick access. It says here that the only ponies who are said to have seen them are the ones whom it devours. Often times, it is said that these creatures will prefer the guise of an injured animal. If that bird that Fluttershy was helping was a mimic, then she is in a lot of danger."

"So Fluttershy is... gone?" Rarity asked, the sadness in her voice was almost overwhelming.

"Not necessarily. No-pony knows how long mimics keep their prey, or even if the mimic is the one who eats them. Our only bet is to launch a rescue mission, as soon as possible.” Just as Twilight had spoken that, Rainbow Dash flew in from the window.

“Applejack and Pinkie are on their way in right now. She told us on the way over what’s going on. I’m going to go do a fly-by of the nearby area, and make sure we didn’t miss her.” with that, Rainbow Dash was gone, a flash of colour the only evidence she had been there. Applejack came in through the door only a moment later.

“We stopped at the police, they’re gonna begin canvassing the nearby woods, soon as their chief gets back at high noon from a meeting in Canterlot. I say we begin the search early, yall never hear anything ‘bout late birds pluckin’ worms.”

“Can I help?" Spike asked.

"Go to Canterlot, Spike. If our mission is a failure, I need a way to go back and stop this from happening. Look in the Star Swirl the Bearded wing for anything that has to do with time."

"But you already used the spell that Star Swirl had made, and it was a one time use!"

"Star Swirl was a pony of many tricks, Spike. I need you to find a spell that is more powerful than that one. If you can't find one, bring me the old one, and I will try to re-write it. It’s a long shot, and there’s no way to tell if that would work, but if it means saving her, then we need to."

"Of course, Twilight. I hope we don't have to do that though..." Spike hung his head, and a few tears dripped off his scales.

"I know, Spike. You need to be strong. Make sure you tell the princess what I am doing as well. We wouldn't want her to worry too much." With that, the girls galloped off to Fluttershy’s house to start the search.

The five friends stood in Fluttershy’s house, and were completely speechless. There was no sign that Fluttershy was ever in the house, but it was hard for them to tell through all the blood. Rarity was being supported by Applejack, who herself was almost going to keel over. Pinkie Pie was silent, trying to find a spot to look away from the horror that was before her...

“If Fluttershy was taken, the closest entrance to the forest is right over there.” Twilight gestured through a window on the far side of the room.

“It don’t look like anything’s changed out there. There’s no blood outside, there’s no claw marks from any sorta critter, and the woods look serene as ever.” Applejack said, eyeing down the forest, eager to look away from the carnage being presented to them.

“The forest protects itself from change, Applejack. That’s why the Princess hasn’t been able to send any search parties in to map the ancient ruins that are in there. The forest steers any navigators away from their target location, and in doing so, ensures itself an undying state.” Twilight said, as they looked into the darkness.
Rainbow Dash landed outside the tree house. Glancing inside, she winced, and turned her head.

“My search didn’t turn anything up. Did you want me to stay sky side, or help you on land?” She directed this question at Twilight, who was leading the group out of the house, gently closing the door behind her.

“Stay sky side. We are going to enter the forest and try to look around, but we need you to keep us going on the right track.

The other four carefully entered, walking head to tail to avoid losing each other. The silence was pressing in around them, even this close to the edge of the forest, the noises from Ponyville were completely blocked out. Not a bird sang its song, nor did the wind rustle a leaf. Twilight lead the way, illuminating the area around her with her magic.

“I don’t remember it being this dark the last time we went to visit Zecora.” Rarity said, shivering. She was at the end of the line, using her own magic for light as well.

“Y’all need to get a grip. We’ve been in here tons of times, and left perfectly fine each time. Us wierdin’ ourselves out over nothin’ ain’t gonna help. We need to focus on details, and see which way that monster took Fluttershy. Ya hear?” Applejack said. Her voice echoed slightly, an unnatural reminder that it was the only hint of anything living.

“Applejack is right. It’s only scary if you make it scary!” Pinkie Pie said. Her voice carried well, and after the high pitched notes subsided, the silence seemed to have increased.

“Fair enough. We do need to keep a level head, if we are going to save Fluttershy from the Mimic. As Prince--” there was a crash, and the four girls screamed as a branch came down right next to Twilight, who screamed in fright. Rainbow Dash fell in a moment later, and the girls all sighed in relief.

Rubbing her head, the Pegasus looked at the group. “You know, if it weren’t for Pinkie Pie talking, I never would have found you guys! Why weren't you answering me when I was calling for you? I must have yelled your names a hundred times!” Rainbow said, shaking the leaves out from between her feathers.

“We couldn't hear you calling for us. It’s the forest’s natural defenses.” Twilight explained.

“Oh.. Yeah... I think I see what you mean.” Rainbow looked up at where she had entered. The forest had already sealed off the hole, and the branch on the tree that she had broke was starting to grow back.

“Man, I really don’t like this place.” Dash said, shivering.

“So were you able to see anything up there? Any clues?” Twilight asked eagerly.

“The only thing I saw was a bunch of lame-o trees. I couldn’t even find the river where we had helped that dragon, but Nightmare Moon probably had something to do with that.”

“The river is even gone? That’s some pretty powerful magic... I don’t think that Nightmare Moon could have done that, I mean, she was already weakened when she made the journey back to Earth and--”

“Twilight, I would love to hear what y’all have to say about ...whatever... but the longer we stay in the forest, the more in danger we are, and the less likely we are to find Fluttershy.” Applejack said, cutting her off. Twilight nodded quietly, and pushed onward into the forest.

The five of them walked for hours. The trees never seemed to change density, nor even shape. The only sound audible was the dull beat of their hooves on the dirt and the occasional slip on a hidden root.

“UGH. We’ve been walking forever. How big is this forest? And where are all the creepy crawlies that we normally see?”

“Everfree is almost a hundred miles across, Rainbow. And without seeing the sun, we might just be walking in circles. I’d ask you to go look for where we are, but I don’t want us to get separated in here.”

“We’re never actually going to find her, are we?” Rarity said dismally.

“Hey, I have an idea! Let’s go ask Zecora if she knows where the mimic lives! She’s lived in the forest for as long as we’ve known her, she’s gotta know some of her neighbours by now!” Pinkie Pie shouted.

“Pinkie, Zecora’s house is the opposite direction than where we were headed,” Twilight said. “We need to keep going this way if we want to get to the inner layer of forest, and try looking there.

“I don’t think it’s THAT far away. I mean, I can see it right there, can’t I?” Pinkie pointed over to the hut, with smoke rising from the top.

“Oh no! If this is Zecora’s hut, then we went the wrong way... We must have gotten mixed up when Rainbow Dash came in through the trees! Zecora lives near the edge of the forest... This isn’t right!” Twilight looked frantically around. Now that they could see Zecora’s house, the style of the trees around them was vaguely familiar, and a little patch of sunlight was visible in the distance down the trail leading to her front door.
“Just calm yerself down. Zecora has always been a big help, if not exactly straightforward with her mumbo jumbo. We can see if she has any info that your books weren’t able to give,” Applejack said, walking towards the house. Pinkie and Rainbow followed suit, leaving Twilight and Rarity to stare out into the darkness. They looked at each other and sighed.
“Applejack is right, Rarity. As much as I hate to admit it, Zecora knows more about this forest than any of us combined. I’m sure that with her help, we’ll find her.” And the two galloped to catch up with the others.

Pinkie knocked on Zecora’s door, who opened it with a smile. “My good friends! Now come right in. To keep you out and in this dreadful dark would be quite the sin.” The five entered the hut. It smelled of various herbs, as always, and the large cauldron was billowing a purple tinged smoke.

“What would bring these five young mares, out to my little forest so full of scares?”

“Zecora, have you heard Fluttershy lately? We think she might have been taken by a mimic, and this forest seems like the only place it could have gone.” Twilight said, glancing out of a window at the trees beyond.

Zecora’s smile dropped. “If a mimic has taken your friend, I fear that may be the end. The creature is with reckless abandon, so sadly, this will be the last day of your companion. I had worried when the birds had quit their song, that something mighty terrible had just gone wrong.”

“There’s.. no hope? You gotta be kidding. There’s gotta be something you know about it.” Rainbow dash said, tears welling up in her eyes.

“My knowledge of this creature I learned from ancient tales. To devour for ever its prey, it just never fails. The legends speak of the creature causing quite a fright, though through my years in this forest I have never seen the sight.”

The five mares hung their heads sadly. Fighting back tears, Twilight lifted her head. “Then there is only one thing left to do. Hopefully Spike was able to find the time travel spell.”

“Wait Twilight Sparkle, do not be so brash! For in meddling with time, you do not know with what you will clash! I hear stories from my people of time travellers gone to waste, for they thought and acted with far too much haste. I do not know with how much truth this story will ring true, but its words of wisdom are all that I have to pass down onto you.” Zecora lifted a small book from one of her shelves, and opened it on a table near the girls.

“Many years ago, before my people knew these lands, there was a powerful wizard who walked on our sands. A shaman he was, the likes of which were unknown, but his profession in essence was much like my own. He had dabbled in drafts, droughts and potions, and was said to have walked across three of the oceans.”

“His most special potion, was a brew of utmost precise design. It was with this that he was able to venture through time. His journey was said to have been through much disaster, as he was never heard from again, even that skillful master.

“His journey caused problems, felt in the very stones, and is said to have been the cause of the ancient shaman tones.”

“Ancient shaman tones? What does that mean?” Twilight asked.

“The way in which I speak is not by my choosing, it is a residual curse, from his power abusing.”

“It’s a chance I have to take, if it means saving Fluttershy.” And with that, Twilight galloped off toward Ponyville, eager to see if Spike had produced anything of use.