It's been about an hour, time to do something. You grab a broken twig and bite down on it, straining the pain away as you manage to push up onto your feet. A nearby tree supports your agonising chest as you catch your breath. You spit out the stick and break one of the tree's branches off to use as a walking stick. The first one you break off is too short. You discard it by hurling it into the nearby river, hearing a satisfying slap as it strikes the surface of the water. The next one you break off too much, standing straight it comes just past your shoulder. You make do with it though as there aren't any more sizeable branches to pick from. Your new walking stick is a light shade of brown, it feels quite smooth to touch rather than rough and flaky. The bottom part of it is slightly crooked, you figure it would make more sense to hold the crooked part so you flip it around. You test it out by walking the width of the path to a tree on the other side. Each step does send a jolt of pain through your chest, but it's better than nothing. You decide to follow the river and see where it takes you, maybe Ponyville is nearby, you might be able to get some help.
The scenery is more than pleasant. Rolling plains of green stretch as far as the eye can see. In the distance to your left there is a large collection of trees, like a forest. You figure it's the Everfree forest so Ponyville should be nearby. There are only a few clouds in the sky, and the sun shines brightly. You look down at the path in front of you for a few seconds as your neck starts to ache. When you look back up there are only about half the number of clouds there were before. Another one exploding catches your eye, you can just about make out a small rainbow darting towards another cloud. The rainbow clashes with the cloud and destroys it in a puff of white. Your heart sinks a bit when you realise that must be Rainbow Dash. For some reason, seeing this character makes you feel really uneasy, as if she might be a danger to you or something, however there was no sign as to why. You continue walking while watching her do her job, after she smashes the last cloud she dives downwards to the town which is just coming into view; Ponyville. You're currently standing on top of a hill which goes down towards the town, you decide to take a rest so you carefully place yourself on the grass and lean against a nearby tree. You had been through so much today, more than any day in your entire life, you deserve a rest.
"Just grab it quickly Applebloom! That thing's asleep, it wont notice you take the branch." You hear someone whisper. Forgetting where you are you pass it off as nothing so you just keep your eyes closed. There are footsteps coming closer, the clunking sound of wood, and then footsteps leaving fast. You manage to pull your eyelids open, just to see three coloured blurs leaving over the other side of the hill. "This'll make a perfect flagpole!" One of them says. There is an orange and pink one, a red and green one, and finally a white one. You pull yourself up and suddenly jerk with the pain of your chest. That reminds you of where you are and what you're doing. You aren't really sure how long you were asleep for, it's the same time of day, so you either didn't sleep very long or you've been sleeping for over a day, you go with the former. Using the tree, you stand yourself up in the same way you did before. Still half-asleep, you grab for where your stick is. To your dismay, the walking stick has vanished. You check the floor and around the tree but there's no sign of it. The tree you're next to has no low branches to use and you still don't feel strong enough to walk.
After a few minutes of lying there helplessly, you decide you need to move. Struggling into a crooked stance, you carefully release your grip on the tree. There is pain, and it's bad. You quickly grab back onto the tree, surprised by how much that hurt. Now you know what to be ready for, you take a few deep breaths and let go again. You stay standing for about five seconds and then you re-grasp the trunk of the tree. Okay, there is another tree just down the path a bit, You think you can make it. As soon as you let go of the safety of the tree trunk you begin to hobble over to the next tree. Every step sends a similar kind of pain through your chest as when you were using your walking stick, only now it's ten-times worse. You fall just short of the next tree, so you crawl to make up the rest of the distance. 'There's no way I'm trying that again' you think to yourself, now propped up against the second tree. Trees have been very helpful to you in the past few hours, catching you and supporting you.
"Help me someone!" After a few more minutes of pathetically lying there, you decide the best course of action is to call for help and hope whoever finds you doesn't know why you're here. "I need a doctor or something!" You call, after each call you listen carefully for replies. All that sounds is a few birds, possibly in the tree above, but you can't be bothered to look up. After more time has passed with another few calls for help resulting in nothing, you try to walk again. You stand cautiously, ready to stop at the slightest indication that you're going to get hurt. Something in your chest doesn't want you to move however. It attacks you, and the pain that follows in unbearable. You dive to the floor and let out the loudest F-Bomb you've ever dropped. The birds in every single nearby tree fly away in a panic, leaving nothing but total silence. That is, until you hear hoof steps against the path you lay near. Someone heard you!
You look around, clutching your agonising chest. It isn't a pony who has found you, it's a zebra! She is staring at you, half confused, half concerned. You manage to heave yourself into sitting against the tree. "Please, I think I've broken a few ribs! I need medical attention!" You wail, the sting of your most recent fall still dwelling in your chest.
"O-of course, creature, sorry I know not what you are. Come with me back to my hut, it isn't too far." She responds with slight hesitation, obviously still bewildered by seeing a creature she has never seen before.
"I can't walk properly though, it hurts too much." You reply, using the tree to stand once more.
"Ah, yes, just as I thought. Just lean on my side, use me for support." She rhymes again, you are impressed with the way she can just make them up like that. You push yourself off the tree and endure a brief few milliseconds of pain as you transition from tree to zebra. You rest your right arm over her back to take the pressure off of the rest of your body. From here you look around to see if you can spot any other branches that could make a half-decent walking stick. There isn't a single branch in reachable distance, almost as if someone just cleared them all up.
As you limp along, the zebra, whose name is Zecora if memory serves you correctly, seems very quiet. You ask her a few questions, such as "Whereabouts do you live?" she tells you that she lives in the Everfree forest, as that's the only place she can get peace and quiet while still being close to civilisation. Of course, she tells it in her own rhyming way. You also ask her how she is going to help you, she explains that she knows potions which can speed up healing processes. She also explains why she didn't take you to Ponyville, "You are much like me, an outsider, you see? When I first came to Ponyville, I was seen as evil!" She seems a bit disheartened.
"…Because you're a zebra, huh? Seems a bit… racist…" You think aloud, Zecora looks at you with a confused expression, but you tell her not to worry. "So, they'll probably see me as evil or scary or something stupid, right? Wouldn't they trust you?"
"While the ponies have learned to trust me, I still don't think they trust me fully. It would be wise to steer clear of that town for a while, unless you're prepared to be put on trial." She says, almost sinisterly.
"I've been through enough of that recently…" You again think aloud, Zecora smiles, but she seems a bit nervous. "Obviously n-not, like, trials for crimes!" You lie.
"I assure you I was not implying-"
"Good!" You quickly put in, "Look, I have been through a lot today. Too much." You explain, frustrated, but also regretful of your decision to cut the zebra off. "I'm sorry for acting so…"
"Unusual? Given the circumstances, I think it's understandable." She lets you off, relieving you slightly.
The scenery begins to change. Expanses of beautiful, bright green grass are replaced by sinister and looming trees. Their bark seems much darker and rougher than the other trees, the branches look more ropey as they dangle in front of you. Leaves are dark and more abundant in some places while more scarce in others. The foliage is curious too, one of the most notable examples being a glowing blue plant which grew together in large patches. It looked almost alien. The silence of the area stops being relaxing and begins to become daunting, so you decide to break it.
"S-sorry to be a bother but… h-how much further to your, uh, hut?" You ask, nervously.
"Not too far, no need to be sorry. Is the forest making you worry?" She asks, a slight grin spreading across her face. Truthfully, you are feeling very uncomfortable in this environment, but lying to make yourself look better never hurt anyone.
"Of course not!" You reply, masking your distress with a cheerful grin, which then switches to a slight frown. "I'm just concerned about… getting home…" Your voice quietens, but it's still audible since the only other noise in the forest is your footsteps.
"Ah, I see, you are otherworldly?" She asks, you're surprised she accepts that fact so quickly.
"Yeah, my memory's a bit hazy from something that happened earlier, but I know I was taken from my world by someone; might have been a pony." You briefly explain, trying your hardest to remember some key part of the event.
"I see, strange occurrences are not rare around here, but I promise this part of the forest contains nothing to fear." She replies, still holding a grin.
"I told you, it isn't the forest!" You snap, she just chuckles softly in response.
You eventually arrive at the large, old tree that Zecora had fashioned into a hut. The windows are glowing yellow and a creepy looking mask watches you from atop the door. The hut doesn't look like much, but you aren't planning on staying too long anyway. Zecora pushes the rickety timber door open and brings you inside. You are greeted by relaxing warmth coming from the cooking pot situated in the centre of the room. There is a peculiar red liquid bubbling inside the cooking pot. An assortment of coloured vials, jars and pots line the shelves of the room, a few are even hanging from the ceiling. More creepy decorative masks decorate the walls on the inside, almost like they're watching your every move. Something begins to dawn on you a little bit, why is some stranger being this kind to you? A stranger, who lives in the middle of no-where. You can't call for help in the middle of no-where! What exactly is that blood-red liquid? Are you going to be a part of it? Maybe you should leave now…
"By your face I can tell you aren't feeling good. Please, lie down on this bed if you would." She instructs you, taking you into a smaller room. Why should you? You don't need to lie down. Hang on a sec, you're over-thinking this. It's zecora, the show's supernatural-esque character. What harm could she possible bring? Even if she is a stranger… You remember a few kind acts she had performed on the show and accept you're in good hands. You lie down slowly, avoiding causing your chest more pain.
"Why, exactly, do I need to lie here?" You ask, still fretful.
"I need to understand what's required to fix your chest. It won't be completely accurate, but I'll try my best." With that, giving you no time to object, she jabs a fore hoof right into the most painful area of your chest. The hurting sears to a point where you cannot even react. Zecora seems calm the entire time, eyes closed and silent. She moves her hoof around your chest and then takes the hoof away.
"What the fuck was that for!?" You boom, tears forming from the incredible pain.
"Ah, I have the right ingredients for you, do not move, I'll be back in two." She backs out into the main room of the hut, leaving you writhing in pain on the bed. You want to clutch the tender area, but that only makes it hurt more. Eventually, you tire yourself out, and drift into a light sleep. A few minutes later you're awoken by Zecora, and the smell of what must have been the savior of your chest. You open your eyes and glance over at her. She is skilfully balancing a wooden cup on top of her mane.
"This special drink is for you. Your pain should end when you drink this brew." She explains, you haul yourself up, chest never letting you forget you have broken a rib, and take the cup from her head. You study the pink liquid, swishing it about in the cup. It smells strong, with a hint of spice affecting your sinuses. Turning and letting out a sneeze, you go back to the cup.
"I don't want to sound rude but… is this safe to drink?" You enquire, feeling a bit rude. Zecora nods silently in response. You stare back into the swirling pink liquid. You give it a little taste test, finding it tastes like a cough medicine of some description. It also has a spicy kick to it, waking you up. You decide to just chug the entire drink without holding back. It burns as it sinks down into your body, the taste of un-flavoured cough medicine makes you cringe. Finally, it passes through your system and you relax against the wall the bed is by. "How long 'till it does its thing?" You ask. As if right on cue, the broken rib in your chest once again sends you into agony. "What the hell? I thought this was going to make me better!" You yell.
"A healing effect this potion does not lack. What you are feeling is your rib growing back." She explains calmly, still not really bothered about the immense pain you are in. When it finally comes to an end after what feels like hours, you stand up straight and stretch, cracking your back for the first time in ages.
"I am never breaking another fucking bone again." You state, glad that you're finally better. Zecora glares at you distastefully. You apologise for your foul language, which stops her glaring. You notice how dark it is outside and ask for the time. She doesn't know the exact time as she doesn't own a clock, but she tells you it's very late. "Uh, I have a slight problem, you see… I have nowhere to stay…" You feel a bit stupid and you really don't want to seem rude. But you sure as hell don't want to walk out into the forest by yourself and try to find somewhere to stay.
"You may stay in my hut as long as you fancy, in return I'd like you to run a few errands for me." She proposes, since you don't see any alternative you accept. How hard could work for a zebra be? Using a spare blanket and pillow you lay on the floor in the main room of the hut. Zecora bids you good night before retiring to her own bed. In the silence of the night you think over the day's events. It was probably the most exciting day you've ever had. You escaped from prison by jumping through a window. In total you probably fell a height equal to a few skyscrapers. You broke a bone and got it healed in the same day. Finally, you managed to make acquaintances with, of all things, a zebra. What's more, this time you aren't freezing to death.