I didn't just add Zecora to this chapter for the sake of the title. I always had this chapter planned, so ya. And in response to a guest, sorry if I made Snow Flutter look stupid in the last chapter... I was more trying to capture her as a pushover more than an idiot. I mean, Discord is her best friend, and she had just decided that she is in love with him by singing the song, and she did kind of put up a fight when Chrysalis was coaxing her. If this excuse isn't good enough, then I guess just take it as an excuse for the plot of the story XD
The song Snow Flutter sings in this chapter is I Know Places by Taylor Swift- gotten too lazy to write my own poems... wait no, just the fact that the song really suits the theme, and I am in love with the song right now, and I am listening it on repeat, whilst writing this.
• Chapter Twenty-three: Zebra's Words •
…
"Scootaloo... Rumble... is there any chance that now you are with us, you could show us where this gingerbread house was?" Apple Bloom had curiously began to walk alongside the two pegasi.
Scootaloo and Rumble deliriously shook their heads, in a frenzy.
"No way," Scootaloo continued to shake her head like a lunatic.
"Not a chance," Rumble wildly added.
"There's no way I want to go near that place for as long as I live!" They both frenetically declared at the same time.
Babs Seed slowed her trot so she paced alongside Apple Bloom, and muttered. "Sometimes it's like they're the same pony."
"You can say that again," Apple Bloom added, as she watched Rumble and Scootaloo begin to ramble on about all the chilling events that happened at the house.
"Can you at least tell us where the place is..?" Apple Bloom queried, in a scrutinising manner.
"Aww, you know how horrible I am with direction," Scootaloo pressed.
"Hmm..." Rumble paused. "I think it was northwest of the Bogg."
"Yeah, but it was still centred in the Everfree Forest, hidden from any town," Scootaloo helped.
"If only Sweetie Belle were here... she's best when it comes to mapping, and she would have been able to plot exactly where this place is," Babs Seed spluttered.
Rumble and Scootaloo perked there ears, their expressions mirroring each other's, as they both spoke in unison, "you're not thinking of actually going there, are you?"
"Oh, the place was horrible!" Scootaloo cried dramatically.
"We don't want the same fate to come to you guys," Rumble insisted.
Apple Bloom and Babs Seed quickly shook their heads.
"No no no, we're not thinking of going there... we just want to know where it is so we know never to go to that part of the forest," Babs Seed explained, truthfully.
"Oh... okay," Scootaloo sighed. "Sorry for being so alert."
"No problem!" Apple Bloom gave her friend an encouraging glance.
Babs Seed began to murmur. "Now we know what part of the woods not to venture into... but I still want to explore."
Apple Bloom pricked her ears. "That's true..." The cream-yellow filly suddenly gasped. "I just had the best idea! Why don't we try and get our Cutie Marks for exploring?"
"Great idea!" Babs Seed added. "We should go visit Zecora first- she'd probably know where absolutely everything is! I bet she can give us an idea on where to explore next!"
"Zecora?" Rumble tilted his head, turning to Scootaloo, who was grinning. "Who's that?"
Scootaloo hopped up and down. "She's a zebra, and she lives here in the Everfree Forest! When we first met her, she saved us from a plant called Poison Joke, which would have literally destroyed our lives... and she helped us crack the puzzle, to give the wishes to that Twilaura pony."
"We've met her a few times since then... she helped Apple Bloom with a chipped tooth, and saved Apple Bloom from a fatal and contagious disease called Cutie Pox!" Babs Seed shrilled, ignoring the menacing glare which she was receiving from Apple Bloom.
Rumble's eyes widened. "Wow... she sounds like a magician, yet, aren't zebras earth ponies?"
"Ah know it's hard ta understand. None of us really do, but we're just happeh' to have her on our side!" Apple Bloom sighed. "C'mon now... her home isn't far from here."
It took a few minutes, until finally, the four Crusaders found themselves at the mysterious hollow tree.
Rumble, who had never been here before, shivered slightly, as he eyed the unusual ornaments and masks, alongside the spiritual dreamcatcher which hung above the door.
Apple Bloom, who was in the lead briskly trotted up, and knocked lightly on the door.
It swished open, and the zebra appeared before them. She seemed surprised at their presence, but kept a warm smile on her face. "Welcome, Apple Bloom, Babs Seed and Scootaloo. And I assume this young colt here must be new?"
"Yeah, this is Rumble," Scootaloo introduced.
Rumble cautiously stepped forward and peered at the zebra. "Hi."
Zecora smiled. "Hello Rumble, come inside, all of you know well... but I wonder, where is your good friend Sweetie Belle?"
"We decided to grant her a day off," Babs Seed reasoned, as she entered the house.
Zecora slowly nodded, as she closed the door behind the four young ponies, and offered them seats.
"So I wonder, young ones, what brings you here? Any mystery, you want me to help clear?" Zecora glanced at all her ingredients in a cabinet across from them.
"No riddles today, sorry. But we do want to do more exploring," Apple Bloom explained.
Zecora slowly nodded. "The Everfree Forest will take a while to cover. Do you want some beginning places for you to discover?"
"Exactly," Scootaloo piped in.
Zecora smirked. "But wouldn't you need the help of one more? One who's best with mapping for sure!"
Rumble sighed. "She wanted a day off, because me and Scoots have been getting the passed few days off after... the incident..."
Zecora's slowly nodded. "I truly understand... fighting witches is hard. The drama you caused from that sugar-glass shard."
"How did you know?" Rumble gasped.
Zecora only laughed. "Oh, I know quite a fair bit over the years I have grown. But to the subject, the fifth's absence benefits, for I have a mission for you all alone."
Excitement flashed in Scootaloo's eyes. "A mission? Will we need secret names, because I so dibs Pega-Power!" The others rolled their eyes.
"Not that type of mission, but I appreciate your zest. You are to find a place to stay the night and rest."
Scootaloo lowered her gaze. "What do you mean? That's our mission? B-but we always rest overnight at our house!"
Zecora narrowed her aqua eyes. "Your home in the Everfree is at the South of it. You need shelter at the North for a bit."
"Ah don't understand..." Apple Bloom squinted.
Zecora got up, before opening one of the jars from her cabinet. She then retrieved a map, and delivered it to the four ponies. "This is where you currently stay. You are to go up here for a night and leave at the day." The zebra pointed to the spots.
"And this definitely has to be whilst Sweetie Belle isn't with us?" Babs Seed raised an eyebrow.
Zecora hesitated. "For what happens there, she is not prepared."
"It's not... dangerous, is it?" Babs Seed narrowed her eyes, as the zebra wisely glanced down at them. Zecora shook her head.
"Ok... we'll take your decision! Time to travel north, Crusaders!" Apple Bloom trotted to the door. "Thanks Zecora."
"My pleasure young ones, remember to find a place." Zecora waited until all the ponies had gone, before she slyly grinned. "Or perhaps a castle in this very case."
…
Sweetie Belle read through her message a few times, wondering if her old friend was going to reply. There was nothing much to say really, about the two of them... they had went to the same school when they were younger, and Button Mash was the only pony who defended her from bullies Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who had both unusually disappeared for the last two weeks. Sweetie Belle and Button Mash had became best friends after that, and that had eventually found these two books, in which if you wrote the words in one book, it would appear in the other book as well, so they would always be able to communicate with each other. Since Sweetie Belle had been sent to this world, no messages had been passed... perhaps Button Mash had a lot going on in his life as well. She hadn't told much ponies about him or the book, because she had had a tiny... crush... on the pony, although she knew it was ridiculous. She sighed, as she read through the message for a final time.
Dear Button Mash,
Hey, this is Sweetie Belle... I know it's been a while since I have sent you a message, but for the passed six years of my life, so much has happened, and I haven't had the time to communicate to you. Anyway... how are you? Where are you, and what has happened for the passed six years..? I have been doing fine, although I haven't seen my sister in years... Anyway, please reply.
Sweetie Belle.
…
Darkness augmented, as Chrysalis delved deeper into the relinquished crystal mine. The transparent minerals amplified filters of indigo and navy. The further Chrysalis, went down, the darker it got, sending echoes of the changeling's footsteps. Chrysalis let power surge to her horn, and it buzzed a frail light, before intensifying, illuminating the caliginous walls. The walls began to close in, as the passageway squeezed smaller. Chrysalis found, she now had to crawl to get through, the fur on her belly lightly skimming the floors. Most intruding ponies would turn back at this point, figuring the walls were eventually going to crush them alive, or suffocate them with lack of oxygen, but Chrysalis knew what she was doing. Eventually, the walls broadened again, so Chrysalis was able to walk properly again. Finally, she broke through the passageway, into a large, perplexing room. Chrysalis shuddered at the dim light, which even the glow from her horn couldn't brighten. She sat down, before a large cauldron in the centre of the room, and began to look through a book for recipes, just like Zecora did. Eventually, she found the antidote she was looking for, as she began to chant the words silkily.
"The dread of one's haunting fears,
The water of one's painful tears,
The spark of one's greatest spell,
The blood of one who has fell."
Chrysalis cringed, before she began to gather the ingredients. Firstly, she began with the spell. Chrysalis had many incredible abilities with magic, but her best spell was one which only changelings could muster... more a Royal Changeling could muster. Once she had performed the spell into the cauldron, she peered down, and gave a satisfied nod at the magical residue which lingered in the pot. Next, she went onto the blood. She had already taken this ingredient with her, as she summoned a cylinder and unplugged the cap off the top of it. Then, she poured the red substance into the cauldron. She went onto her fears. "I fear that the ponies will begin to fight back, and will banish me and my changelings from Equestria... I fear that my soldiers will starve, and our species will begin to endanger." After her words were spoken, she finally went onto the tears. All she needed to do was think about was her past, and some tears began to plaster her eyes, before slowly leaking into the pot.
Now that Chrysalis had gathered all the ingredients, she read the book again, and began to stir the pot. After a few minutes, the remedy in the pot finally turned to a blue-green colour, and Chrysalis poured all of it into a jug, before sipping up a droplet.
Chrysalis smirked, she she felt a smooth transition, as she shape shifted into an elderly pony, before using the magic of the liquid she had created to unbuckle her plan. She smirked, before changing back to her original form.
"If only Discord had killed Snow Flutter himself... oh well, if you want your plan to work... then you need to do it yourself."
…
Sweetie Belle tried not to feel slightly in pain, at what Button Mash had replied. It made her happy to know he was still alive... but why would he say that? It left her wondering. Was he in trouble? Had something bad happened to him? If it was something, so bad, he couldn't even discuss it with her, Sweetie Belle could only dread what could have happened to her old friend. Sweetie Belle sighed, slouching down. "He probably doesn't want to be my friend anymore. Considering it has been six years since I have spoke to him." She told herself in her head not to cry, as she reread the reply several times, before deciding to cook dinner for her friends as a surprise for when they got home. Before she did that, she tore the page out of the book with her magic, scrunching it up, and tossing it into the bin across the room. The words from the letter still lingered in her head.
I am sorry Sweetie Belle... but we can't be friends anymore. I can't tell you why... I just don't want you to get hurt. Sorry. Button Mash.
…
Snow Flutter woke up, understanding her daily chores. She couldn't help but sniff slightly... it had been unusual behaviour Discord had been possessing, when he had been messaging her the other day. It almost seemed forceful. Her instincts had told her not to say where she lived, but she couldn't help herself... she was too much of a pushover, who was helplessly... in love. But it was definitely unlike Discord to be like that. It was too pushy, and that wasn't the nature he had been showing her throughout the time they had been friends. "Am I too helpless to even keep my cover?" Snow Flutter sighed, as she got up and began to do the chores. She decided not to let animals help her today. She wanted some alone time. She didn't mind if by the end of the day she had no time to rest. She just felt like she had betrayed herself, Discord and the dwarves by saying that. "It could have been him testing me if I would actually blow my cover to where I live. Well I have failed... what was I thinking?" She glanced around. "But Discord wouldn't do that. He doesn't test... he waits and accepts," Snow Flutter narrowed her eyes, and she peered out of the window. "Unless... it wasn't Discord." She felt rage boiling up... she didn't usually get angry, but she had her occasional outbursts. "It was you Chrysalis! Wasn't it?" She stared at the sky. "And I have let everypony down... mainly myself, but at what happens, others suffer." She swished open the door, and began to run through the snow laden grass, whilst thinking of Discord. Finally she halted at a large tree, and images began to flash through her eyes, before fear overwhelmed the pegasi, as the branches began to grasp down at her. Her face paled, and she began to sing.
"You stand with your hand on my waist line... it's a scene and we're out here in plain sight. I can hear them whisper as we pass by... it's a bad sign... bad sign." She gasped, as the tree's branches began to whip at her. She leapt out of the way, and began to run the opposite direction. "Something happens when everypony finds out. See the vultures circling the dark clouds. Love's a fragile little flame- it could burn out. It could burn out..." She whimpered, as she saw flickering yellow eyes blazing through the undergrowth, and piercing down at her. She took flight. "Cause they got the cages, they got the boxes... and guns." Ravens began to surround her, screeching and flapping at her, trying to attack her. "They are the hunters, we are the foxes..." The birds turned into changelings, biting down at her sides, and blood spurted out. She suddenly jolted, making the changelings go flying, as she felt anger boiling out, as she flew faster than light. "And we run!" She narrowed her eyes. "Baby, I know places we won't be found... and they'll be chasing their tails tryin' to track us down..." She was bombarded by vicious changelings, and images of Chrysalis smirking down at her which made her cry. She shook her head, not letting their voices get to her, when she thought of Discord. "Cause I, I know places we can hide... I know places." She flew down to the ground and began to trot, ignoring the spotlight of eyes glaring down at her. "I know places." She almost swore she felt nipping at her heals, causing her to run. "Lights flash and we'll run for the fences... let them say what they want, we won't hear it. Loose lips sink ships all the damn time... not this time." She stood her ground, as she was surrounded by vicious nightmarish creatures, as they began slowly pacing forwards. "Just grab my hand and don't ever drop it... my love." The creatures were unbearably close now. "They are the hunters, we are the foxes..." She shivered, before smirking, and ferociously bucking them all out of the way. "And we run!" She began sprinting further through the woods. "Baby, I know places we won't be found... and they'll be chasing their tails tryin' to track us down, cause I, I know places we can hide... I know places." She felt the creature's sticky breathe on her heals as they gave chase. "They are the hunters, we are the foxes..." She felt tears dripping down her eyes. "And we run... just grab my hand and don't ever drop it..." She spun around, facing the changelings and gave them all the stare, sending them pummelling in different directions. "My love!" She began running again. "Baby, I know places we won't be found... and they'll be chasing their tails tryin' to track us down..." She stomped on the ground, making it vibrate, as she sung at the top of her lungs. "Cause I, I know places we can hide... I know places." She spread her wings out, and whooshed up into the air. "They take their shots, but we're bulletproof!" She smiled, as the thought of Discord. "I know places." She was reaching the tops of the trees, all the creatures below. "And you know for me, it's always you... I know places." All the horrible creatures began to rise, their icky, devilish structures turning angelic. "In the dead of night, your eyes see me... I know places." The creatures all bowed down to her. "And I know for you, it's always me..." They all dropped to the ground, and vaporised, them only being her imagination. "I know places."
She floated down to the ground, and peered around. "Oh no..." None of this scenery she recognised. She cowered, and began to trot along. "Hello? Anyone nearby..?" She shivered, as snowflakes drifted down. Eventually she came across a small hut set up. She gulped, before trotting up to the door. She noticed a dreamcatcher on the door, and unusual masks set up around the place. She swallowed, as she knocked on the door. "Anypony home?" It took a while, until the door was answered, and before Snow Flutter, stood the most unusual pony she had ever seen. It seemed like an earth pony, but it was white and it had darker grey stripes across it.
"Um... hi... sorry if I am disturbing you... I am just lost, and I have nowhere to go... I can leave though..." Snow Flutter hid behind her mane, about to tiptoe away, but the pony halted her.
"Do come inside, I doubt we've met. Don't be afraid, I am Zecora, and I'm no threat." The pony stepped to the side. Snow Flutter gave a grateful nod, and entered the hut, and sat at a table.
"Um... I don't mean to offend you... but... what are you?" Snow Flutter whispered, as Zecora sat across from her.
"I am a zebra, and there's not much of us here. I come from a faraway land, which is nowhere near." Zecora smiled. "And who might you be? Care explain your story?"
Snow Flutter slowly nodded, and relaxed from her tensed muscles now knowing that Zecora wasn't going to hurt her. Snow Flutter explained what had happened for the passed year, of how she had encountered Discord, and how Chrysalis was out to get her. She explained the dwarves, what she did as chores, her communication with animals and how she had told Chrysalis knew where she lived.
Zecora slowly nodded. "I see your situation is quite hard. With Chrysalis around, you have to keep your guard."
Snow Flutter began to softly cry. "I know... and I don't know what to do! Nopony is ever going to trust me again, once they figure out what I so carelessly revealed to Chrysalis. Location was the biggest thing on our side, and now it's gone!"
Zecora sympathetically got up, and received a tissue for Snow Flutter, who graciously took it.
"Thank you..." Snow Flutter prodded her damp eyes. "I just don't know what to do! I want to stay everypony's friend... especially Discord because I have a secret crush on-" she went red. "I said that out loud, didn't I?"
Zecora smiled, whilst laughing. "Your secret's safe with me, don't worry. Now tell what you're afraid of, no need to hurry."
Snow Flutter sighed. "Okay... here's a long list. I'm afraid of: shadows, dragons, small spaces, pain, heights, spotlights, fame, being judged, rejection, falling, flying, the dark, being noticed, being laughed at..." A few minutes later, Snow Flutter finished.
Zecora nodded intently. "Fear's your greatest foe, young Snow Flutter. Channel it out with all you can utter."
Snow Flutter slumped. "Thank you. As to my current problem, I don't know. It's just that I want them to know... but I don't..."
Zecora quietened her. "What do you think will happen if they know? And what if they don't, though?"
Snow Flutter cocked her head. "Speak again?"
"Are they good enough friends to forgive you for your slip? Will they pick you up each time you trip?" Zecora got up, receiving a glass of water to drink, handing one to Snow Flutter as well.
Snow Flutter thought for a moment, as she took a sip of the water. "Hmm... for the dwarves, if they forgave me... they would probably just shake their heads, and enforce some strict rules on me. If they didn't forgive me... it would mean that they really do care for my safety, to the brink that they would be gravely upset if something happened to me... or it would mean they're afraid for their own home's safety. It would be the same for Discord minus the house part." Snow Flutter smiled slightly. "So even if they don't forgive me... it probably just means they love me."
Zecora nodded. "Now that we've cleared the issues you worry about for your friends... what about the issues you worry for yourself? Is there any problems to affect your state and health?"
Snow Flutter gritted her teeth. "Well the queen is going to attempt to kill me now... also, currently, I don't really know my way home..."
Zecora laughed. "I know you will find your way home. You'll find it soon after you roam. As for being killed, I just need you to remember. Those you love, and who love you- every member."
Snow Flutter tilted her head. "That information isn't very direct..."
Zecora shook her head. "This is all I can say for now. The rest you need to find out yourself how."
Snow Flutter gulped. "But Zecora... please? If you know, can't you tell me?"
Zecora shook her head. "By saying too much, it could affect what happens with your new knowledge. My speeches are restricted, I made my own pledge."
Snow Flutter sighed. "Okay, I guess you're right. Thank you for the help so far, Zecora."
The zebra laughed. "No problem for the presence you bring. Before you leave, let me just make you something." Zecora got up, before grabbing a few herbs from over her hut. She laid them down in a pot, and began stirring them. Finally, she finished, and poured the liquid into a jug, handing it to Snow Flutter.
"Take this with you, take a sip if you need. It's a travelling potion, it restores strength at great speed." Zecora smiled. "You may leave when you wish, but I don't mind. And remember, if you ever need any help, you know who to find."
Snow Flutter smiled, taking the potion. "Thank you Zecora. I will go now. Bye!" Snow Flutter left the house, and began to trot to the woods. She remembered what Zecora had told her- that she would eventually find home if she continued to roam. She allowed her hooves to take her wherever they wished, as she just went along with it. After a while, the trees finally began to seem familiar, and she ran through the forest, before she reached her home. She sighed, as she broke through the door, and lay on the floor panting. The dwarves hadn't returned home yet, but she still had enough time to clean up. Snow Flutter trotted down to her room, and put Zecora's jug next to her typewriter, knowing that she would use it when time came. She returned to the main room, to see the draconequus she hadn't seen in ages.
"Surprise!" He threw confetti into the air.
"Discord!" She ran up to him, wrapping her hooves around him. "It's been ages! I've missed you so much!"
Discord was flabbergasted for a second- this was the second time she had hugged him. The first time was when he was about to kill her. "Heh. I was getting a bit worried there, when I saw you in the woods!"
Snow Flutter gaped, as she released her embrace from him. "How much did you see?" She felt colour streaming to her face, when she wondered if Discord had seen her accidentally telling Zecora that she had a crush on him.
Discord shrugged. "I just saw you you coming back from the zebra's hut."
Snow Flutter let out a sigh of relief, before remembering what she had to do. "Discord... were you on your typewriter last night?"
Discord narrowed his eyes at this question. "No- I fled from home for the night. Why?"
Snow Flutter went quiet, as she peered at the floor in guilt.
"What is it Snow Flutter?" Discord bent over, so he was with eye level with the small pegasi. "Tell me."
"Well... I think Chrysalis went onto it... and pretended to be you..." Snow Flutter hid behind her mane. "I might have revealed where I... live..."
"What?" Discord let out an astonished cry.
Snow Flutter peered at his reaction through here mane. It was mingled with shock, fear, anger and... disappointment. "I am so sorry..."
Discord shook his head, and spoke sternly. "Take the typewriter to me. Now."
Snow Flutter shivered, before trembling down to her bedroom, taking the typewriter and bringing it back up to Discord. He tore the scroll from the top, and read the passed few messages, shaking his head. "How could have you revealed this?"
Snow Flutter crouched down, trying to get as small as possible. "I am so sorry..."
"No Snow Flutter! I don't want to hear it! Let me backfire the sentence! This is all my fault!" Discord summoned a hammer in his paw, as he began to bash the typewriter to pieces. Keys, cords and springs went flying all over the place.
"How is this your fault, and what in Equestria are you doing?" Snow Flutter attempted to save her typewriter, but Discord put a spell around her, so she was unable to move a muscle.
"It's my fault! I shouldn't've been so greedy, and decided that even when I'm not here, I could talk to you! If I hadn't made this typewriter, you wouldn't have told Chrysalis this!" He turned to her. "And I am destroying it!"
Snow Flutter felt tears drizzling down her cheeks, as she screamed. "If I hadn't been stupid enough to fall for Chrysalis, this would have never happened!"
Discord shook his head. "Anypony would have fallen for it!"
Snow Flutter attempted to stop him, but she was frozen solid in place. "Discord! Let me go!"
He sighed, before flicking his paw, so she could move again. Snow Flutter pounced forward, barrelling into Discord and sending him to the floor. "You're wrong! Discord, don't blame yourself! It was me!"
"It's not!" Discord attempted to get up, but she pounced on him again, pinning him down to the ground.
"It is! And you know it! Please!" Snow Flutter turned to the typewriter. "Chrysalis is nasty, and she would do anything to get knowledge- even pose as somepony's best friend! The questions she asked were ridiculous however. I mean, I already know that you know where I live, but I still made the most pathetic mistake of my life!"
Discord shook his head. "Don't think that Snow Flutter. She wouldn't have posed as me, if there had been no me in the first place! I should have never met you! Sorry Snow Flutter... whenever you're with me, it just puts you in more danger. We can't be friends anymore. I'm sorry."
"No!" Snow Flutter screamed, attempting to cling to him. "Please! Don't go! Discord!" He pushed her off of him, and she went falling to the ground.
"Bye Snow-" Discord began, but was cut off, as a voice echoed across the room.
"What is this?"
Both Discord and Snow Flutter turned to see all six dwarves standing at the front of the room, staring at the two in shock.
"Did you see that? That horrible monster just pushed Snow Flutter to the ground! He must have broke in and is attacking Snow Flutter! We have to help her!" Cheese Sandwich let out a battle roar, before charging forward, the other dwarves closely following, as they all pounced on Discord.
"We'll save you a Snow Flutter!" They cried as they began to beat up the poor draconequus.
"Guys- wait," Snow Flutter began. Of course, being the shy pegasi she was, her words went unheard, as the six dwarves knocked Discord unconscious.
…
"I still don't understand about this mission," Scootaloo muttered, as she trudged along behind the other three. "I mean, we don't even get to wear camouflage outfits!"
"Yep. You have told us... six hundred and... ninety five times now." Babs Seed muttered.
"Hey, at least it's not no times. Otherwise, 100% of our boring conversations would not exist," Rumble rolled his eyes when he said that.
Scootaloo raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so I'm the boring one now? Just earlier you were all begging me to talk about how I killed Suri."
"I joined in too!" Rumble interrupted.
"Now we've had a boring conversation five hundred and thirty... three times now." Babs Seed grumbled. "Hey, you alright Apple Bloom? You've been being awfully quiet."
"Ah am just anxious," Apple Bloom glanced at the floor. "We've been walking for a few hours now, and it's getting dark. Still no luck of finding somewhere to stay the night."
"Maybe we could camp somewhere? Me and Scoots did that on our first night getting lost," Rumble murmured.
"Ah am still getting used to ya bein' the only pony allowed to call her Scoots, other than Cinderainbow," Apple Bloom smirked, making Scootaloo turn one colour higher than her usual orange self. "Anyways... ah don't want it to come to that. In order to camp, ya need to have a decent clearing. You and Scootaloo got lucky, but here, all ah see is trees and undergrowth."
"Point taken," Babs Seed muttered, peering at the ground.
"You think the zebra did this to us on purpose? I mean... send us into the woods, where we are hopeless of finding any shelter," Rumble questioned, shivering slightly.
"You don't know Zecora like we do. She would never hurt a living soul," Scootaloo confirmed.
"You seem awfully certain," Rumble glanced to the orange pegasi.
"Because I am." She didn't even look at him when she said that.
Apple Bloom suddenly halted. The other three glanced at her in confusion.
"What is it?" Babs Seed appeared at her cousin's side.
Apple Bloom shook her head, before dashing forward unexpectedly, and sprinted through the woods.
"And now we're running," Scootaloo mumbled, as she gave chase, the other two curiously following.
Finally, the three came to where Apple Bloom stood stiff again. They followed her gaze, and gaped, as a huge castle expansed before them.
"Okay... I wasn't expecting that," Rumble murmured.