Chapter 3
It was looking to be a beautiful day as the first ray of sunlight began to shine onto Ponyville. Animals were awakening to the new day as the morning chirps of birds floated through the air. But at the edge of Ponyville, within the Everfree Forest, the dark inhabitants began to take shelter. Sleep in the hours of day, and roam freely by night, that was the order of things within the unnatural forest.
Despite the forest's reputation as well as the common fear most ponies had towards it, that did not stop one brave mail carrier from doing her duty.
The light gray, blond maned pegasus landed in a grassy clearing, the Everfree Forest only a few paces away. She had been carrying a package, which she set down with relief. This mailmare was wall eyed. While it effected her flying somewhat, she managed to get around just fine from her view point.
"Okay." She spoke in a sort of sing-songy, care free voice before leaning close to the package, trying to read the delivery address.
"0001 Open Field, Everfree Forest Trees, Ponieville." She read aloud. A frown came upon her face as she looked at her surroundings in confusion. "...I don't even see any street numbers."
Sighing in frustration she sat. This was a defeat for sure. How was she supposed to deliver a package to an address that didn't even exist? She'd have to come up with an idea, so she started tapping her chin with a hoof to help herself think.
"Let's see, l could just leave it here, but that'd mean it didn't get delivered. Oh, I could just give it to the first pony I see! ...but I don't want to carry this heavy box back to town."
It was truly a dilemma. Torn between her oath to deliver the mail and not wanting to keep carrying the box with no true destination, this hard working pegasus was stuck without a solution.
"I know!" She exclaimed, jumping to her feet with revelation. "Where does all mail with no home go, the river!"
It was so obvious really...well, to her anyway. It was a plan she'd of carried out too, but as she was ready to left the box again, the sound of somepony clearing their throat could be heard from the tree line.
Pausing, the mailmare's head tilted, confused.
"Umm...is that the package for 0001 Open Field?" The unseen pony asked, their voice sounding deep, maybe even sinister. But the uncertainty and shyness lacing the voice took away just about all intimidation that could of been there.
"It sure is!" The mare said with a smile. "Do you know where that is?"
There was a moment of hesitation before her question was answered. "It's right here actually. This is an open field, the Everfree Forest right next to it...we're technically in Ponyville. I guess I thought the address was pretty self explanatory."
"So I AM in the right place." She was relieved to learn that. "So is this a business or a residence?"
"Uhh...if you could like, just leave the package by the tree, that'd be great."
Shrugging, figuring this mystery pony to not be much of a talker, she pushed the package forward, leaving it by the closest tree. Then instead of flying off, her job being done, she just sat, looking into the forest with an absent smile. It was hard to see into the forest and she couldn't be too sure, but it looked as if a pair of dark blue eyes where watching her.
"What are you waiting for?" The voice asked her after a few minutes.
"A tip!" She explained matter-of-factly.
"A ti-but...no one tips the mailponies! Do they?" The voice was unsure and clearly flustered.
"Not always, but sometimes, when I have to carry a heavy package. I like tips in muffins."
As she smiled at where she thought she had seen the dark blue eyes, a groan could be heard, which made her giggle. Whoever this shy pony was, she sure found him to be quite silly.
"Fine, here." He finally gave in, a cupcake being tossed out from the forest, landing at her hooves.
"...that's a cupcake." She frowned, very disappointed.
"Oh...well what's the difference?"
Gasping with disbelief, the mail mare's wings actually fluttered a bit, causing her to go into the air a couple feet, before stopping and landing back on the ground with a thud.
"What's the difference! Only everything! Plus they're not as sweet as cupcakes, so a diabetic can eat more of them before a coma."
The eyes blinked, their owner being at a loss for words. "Uh-hu...so you're diabetic?"
"No."
Silence filled the air, the mailmare just smiling and the blue eyes just looking on in confusion.
"Can you please just go away." The unseen one finally pleaded.
"Sure, but I'll be back tomorrow! Unless you don't have mail, then it'll be the day after. Maybe then you'll have muffins." And with a final giggle, she took off to the skies.
A sigh of relief came from the forest, the dark blue eyes watching as the mail mare flew farther and farther off. Once she was out of sight, a hoof reached out from the cover of the trees, resting on the package and pulling it into the forest.
A deep, ominous laughter filled the surrounding area, along with sounds of cardboard being torn open. A red and black glow of magic light could be seen within the forest as the laughter went on.
"At long last, the Bands of Power have returned to me."
When Twilight Sparkle awoke, she felt much better then she had upon going to bed. Regardless, the very idea of having pancakes or anything else made with flower for breakfast made her want to vomit.
As she went through her morning routine of brushing teeth, mane and tail, she decided to let Spike sleep in a bit. She had no need of his assistance for now and baby dragons needed more rest than grown ponies.
Once on the first floor of the tree house library, she had planned to make a bit of tea to start the morning off with. However, her plans quickly changed when she spotted that old book, laying open on the floor.
"That's, odd." She frowned, taking a couple hesitant steps towards it. "I know I left you in my saddle bag."
Giving no answer, the book only laid there, lifeless and being very unhelpful. Twilight decided to just try and ignore it, until the page that it was open to caught her eye.
"Impossible." She mutter, her horn lighting up. The booked raised into the air, getting pulled closer to Twilight's face.
This was a page she hadn't seen before. In fact, she'd of sworn that yesterday, it hadn't been in the book at all. Getting more drawn into this strange book's mystery, she read allowed.
"While the Broken Unicorn has forever lost his unicorn magic, it is believed that magical bands of power could restore part, if not all of his magic. Though the bands were lost centres ago, if he was to ever find them, Blood Scythe could bring his full revenge upon Ponyville, making it apart of the Everfree Forest forever!"
Twilight's mouth dropped open. This had to be a warning, somepony was trying to warn her. Yesterday she had been willing to dismiss the whole thing. But now, the book had revealed more of it's story, indicating that a threat from this Broken Unicorn was imminent.
What was to be her course of action? Warn the Mayor? Inform Celestia? Gather her friends together and try and find the location of Blood Scythe and maybe hopefully talk to him and convince him to not extract his revenge upon Ponyville for causing him to loss his horn!
But, there was that nagging feeling, that rationality embedded in the back of her mind she couldn't ignore. Blood Scythe wasn't real! But then, Nightmare Moon hadn't been real ether.
"Come on Twilight, think, you can figure this out." She said aloud, trying to put the peaces together.
Nightmare Moon had been a well known story that everypony knew about. The Elements of Harmony could be found in a number of source books. Blood Scythe on the other hoof, she had never heard of until the other day. And now these Bands of Power, she knew she'd never heard of those.
"AHH!" She finally cried out in frustration. "This is driving me crazy! Why am I so obsessed over some stupid story! It's clearly just some made up local legend unless...unless somepony has gone to efforts to keep the story hidden!"
Yes, that could very well be the case! What if Blood Scythe had prevented his story from getting out so he could plan his return without fear of anypony trying to stop him. But somepony did know, they had to, that's why they were trying to get this information to Twilight.
But regardless, she needed to remain calm. Flying off the hand wouldn't solve anything. Twilight would just have to do what she always did best. Study!
"Spike!" She yelled loudly, darting up the stairs to his basket. Her yell had awoken the sleepy dragon, but he was barley self aware.
"Spike, you have to get up. I need you to help me go through every book. We need to find anything, even the smallest hint on Bands of Power or the Broken Unicorn."
"...hu...uhhh, stupid alarm clock." Spike mumbled to himself, throwing a small gem stone at Twilight, hitting her in the face.
Twilight indeed was stunned, not just from the fact that Spike had been eating in bed again, when she had made it clear he couldn't. But he was sleeping through a major crises! Well, a potential crises. Maybe more of a, potential crises that could one day happen but Twilight wasn't totally sure yet.
None the less, it was a crises of some kind.
Lowering her head, Twilight tipped the basket over. Spike came rolling out, losing his blanket and pillow in the process. He sat up, dizzy, alarmed and not at all happy.
"Hey! What's the big idea?" He demanded in his cranky, sleepy voice.
Twilight couldn't help but look apologetic. "I'm really sorry Spike. But I need your help. We have to find some clue as to what the Bands of Power are and wither Blood Scythe could really return or not!"
Spike wanted to argue. If he protested, maybe he could get Twilight to see how she was over reacting. But by the determined look she had, the little dragon knew it would be pointless. With a heavy sigh, he got to his feet.
"Do you even know where we're going?" Scootaloo challenged.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders had awoken early, meeting up for their grand crusade. But now, having spent more than an hour wondering through the Everfree Forest, morale had gotten low.
"Of course I do!" Apple Bloom shot back. "We're going to Zecora's"
"I think she meant, do you know the way?" Sweetie Belle explained, causing Apple Bloom to blush slightly with embarrassment.
"Oh, right. Well yeah I know the way. I have been to her place before."
The two crusaders following Apple Bloom had doubtful looks. She may have been to Zecora's before, but it didn't mean she remembered the way.
"Eck! This is so boring!" Scootaloo announced dramatically. "Everything in here is just dark and looks the same. If we had gone to see Rainbow Dash I bet we'd of had answers by now."
Rather exasperated, Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "This was your idea Scoot. Besides, I bet we're getting close."
Minutes passed by in silence, eerie sounds could be heard from the trees and behind rocks. The crusaders paid little attention to these things. They had brought a mirror with them for their journey, if any monstrous creature showed up, they'd simple scare it off with it's own reflection. Or so was they're logic.
Just as Scootallo was contemplating complaining again, a tree came into view in the distance. It had bottles hanging from the branches and creepy masks surrounding it.
"That's it!" Apple Bloom exclaimed as she began to gallop towards it.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both went wide eyed. Zecora lived here?
"Well, I guess if you live in the EverFree Forest your taste in decorating would be...different." Sweetie Belle commented.
Scootaloo on the other hand was getting a huge grin. "This place is so cool! I wonder if she'd let me have one of those masks!."
The two fillies quickly caught up with Apple Bloom, who was waiting at the front of Zecora's door. She gave a gentle knock.
"Now let me do the talking." Apple Bloom said. "Zecora talks a little funny so I might have to translate."
The door creaked open and the zebra came into view.
"Well, if it isn't little Apple Bloom and her crusading allies. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?"
Sweetie Belle did her best to not giggle, though it was hard. She had never met anypony who talked in rhyme before. Scootaloo on the other hoof looked on dumbfounded. This was getting...weird.
"Hi Zecora." Apple Bloom greeted politely. "My friends and I were wondering if you could help us. We got some questions we thought you'd know the answers too."
Zecora smiled warmly. "Of course my little ponies, come inside. Ask your questions, perhaps I can be a helpful guide."
The three walked in together, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looking around in wonderment at Zecora's home.
"Now you three, what have you come to ask of me?"
"Why does she keep talking like that?" Scootaloo whispered, earning a nudge from Sweetie Bell to silence her.
"Be polite." The unicorn warned.
"Well, you see." Apple Bloom started to explain. "We just heard this story about a unicorn."
"A scary evil unicorn!" Scootaloo added.
Apple Bloom continued. "Right. And, well, apparently he's supposed to live in the Everfree Forest. Now I'm pretty sure he ain't real, but Scootaloo thinks we saw him."
"We did see him!"
"And well, we figured if anypony knew if a unicorn was living out here it'd be you."
With a soft smile, Zecora chuckled lightly. She was clearly amused by this.
"Oh silly children who's minds are at play. Listen to my words and perhaps your opinion I can sway. Many things live here, it is quite true. But a neighboring unicorn is information I find new."
"...what?" Scootaloo questioned, finding none of that helpful.
"It means no." Sweetie Belle explained, finding Zecora's rhyming easy to understand.
Smileing smugly, Apple Bloom glanced at her friends. "See, I told you he wasn't real."
Not willing to give up so easily, Scoolaloo spoke up. "Are you sure! You've never seen a unicorn that has a smashed horn and has the faces of lost souls for a cutie mark?"
Zecora raised and eyebrow a bit taken back buy the description.
"Such a story of woe and gloom, you can only be describing Blood Scythe I assume?"
"Yeah!" Scootaloo said with excitement. The other two crusaders now wide eyed with surprise.
"A pony folk I've seen before, though its been a number of moons since he knocked on my door. Where he lives I do not know, so it is not information I can bestow. If you truly wish to find him, simple search around. Though be warned, he terrorizes those who walk these grounds."
None of the crusaders spoke, they were all speechless. If what Zecora was saying was true, then it meant a strong possibility they had seen Blood Scythe the other night. It meant that the Broken Unicorn, was real!
Author's note: First off, I'd like to apologize. Both for this chapter taking more than a week to update and for it being sub par. I'm not happy with this chapter, for a number of reasons. But lacking the inspiration and ideas to fix it, I've decided to just post it and move on to chapter 4, a chapter I'm excited about and am truly hoping will be far superior to this one.
As always I am eager for feed back, both positive and negative. What did you think, what'd you like. What could of been better and what made you shake your head, lol.
Until next update readers
- Heart of Blades