It was Twilight who heard galloping. Her ear twitched to the Everfree forest, she raced towards the sound to see if Zecora had finally been found. 'Maybe she had been looking for something important' Twilight thought, but her heart faltered at the sight.
A tall mare with silver fur, with warm large brown spots was covered in dirt and twigs. She was panting from carrying the local zebra, who had a branch piercing her leg. The stranger's uncombed golden hair was flipped away to show her hazel eyes. She heaved, " She'd tried to save me, and I ran as fast as I could, Timberwolves," The mare collapsed, still awake but weak. Her wings fled out, her left one was dented and bloody.
Twilight carried Zecora with her magic," We'll go to Ponyville's hospital, please just hang on," The mystery mare looked up with a tired look, but ran once more with Twilight. They passed by Rainbow, and she carried Zecora, well Twilight started to walk with the other mare.
She had a closer look at the pony who carried a beloved friend of hers what must have been miles. Her hair had streaks of slightly browner aspects, and her eyes had striking pieces of green. Her cutie mark was a Honeycomb on top of a twig with a single leaf attached, inside the honeycomb some of the hexagons were green and others were gold. 'When she isn't trying to save lives, she must have plenty of suitors' Twilight thought.
Then the pastel pony bit her lip 'I hope that Zecora is okay' The stranger looked at her with worry. The more striking green in her hazel eyes went through Twilight with such intensity it didn't take long before blush bloomed on her face.
The mare started to gently talk,"I guess we haven't introduced ourselves yet, my name is Honey Hive, I have hivemind abilities, they tend to be the strongest with smell and emotions, people tend to smell honey, maybe a hint of mint when under the effects"
Twilight smiled," Well I'm Twilight sparkle and me and my friends are the holders of the 'elements of harmony' and I am a student of Celestia's student, I know a lot of magic, but right now I'm learning on how to be a good friend, and a friend I made is hurt, and the pony who brought them should probably rest her voice,"
Honey Hive chuckled," But silence is boring and I want a distraction, this wing really does hurt"
"Then I'll read you a StarSwirl the Beard book" Twilight retaliated. Soon they had finished the walk and Honey Hive had been giggling. They trotted in until they saw Rainbow Dash with a look of grief.
Twilight silently came to a conclusion and her voice matched her fear," Where is her room?!" Rainbow had started to hover, well fidgeting fast.
"level 2-A16," She breathed, before she started fidgeting harder. Twilight left Honey Hive with Rainbow before galloping up the stairs. She reached the Zebra's room, Zecora looked panicked, crazed, and like she had seconds to deliver bad news.
She forced out her words," Twilight, please listen, I don't have much time," Twilight started to break into tears, Zecora went on,"Please don't-" A long "Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep" rang in the tiny room. 'She's gone, Zecora is gone.. Nononononononononono-' Twilight repeating those words in her head.
By the time Honey Hive came in, she'd started to mutter. A softly stretching grin grew on her face. Just enough to alert a pony in a clear mind that something was off but Twilight was not in a clear mind,"Are you alright?"
Twilight muttered," No, Zecora had been trying to tell me something- she said 'Please don't- but now she's- No she can't be-"
Honey Hive looked Twilight straight in the eyes, Twilight was looking for recurrence. Something to stop herself from choking in her suffering. She found that the green in the mare's eyes started to spread like ink. Eventually her eyes had to layers of green, Twilight knew she should be shocked, but she felt so numb, and tired. Maybe this was her hivemind magic.
Of course it was. Honey Hive's voice gently ended her thoughts," She said 'Please don't cry, stand tall for me' and you will, right?" Twilight nodded. Yah, she did and of course she will stand tall as her dear friend's dying wish.
She whispered," Of course I will," She realized a hoof was on her cheek, she smiled as she leaned on it. Softly resting.
Then that honey sweet voice came piercing through," Trust me and relax, you had a hard day, you don't even have to remember that I said a word," Twilight nodded. Slowly drifting away. Then she was asleep in the stranger's arms.
Rainbow came in," Wow, you were right about being able to help her, I mean she was there- I can't even imagine someone"
Honey Hive grinned her strange grin, but now so much more clearly sadistic, before turning her head with a soft expression" She really needed to rest, why don't you tell your friends, it's better if they hear it from you," Rainbow nodded and left. Then the real eyes of Queen Chrysalis were revealed. She whispered in the sleeping pony's ear," Your mine,"