"Here you go, little friends."
>As you put down the bowl, the rodents immediately dig in.
>You smile as the critters enjoy their nuts.
>Then you hear a familiar thumping sound behind you.
>Turning around, you see your favourite pet holding a scroll.
"What's that, Angel bunny?"
>You extend your hoof, but instead of giving you the letter, Angel jumps onto your leg and from there onto your head.
>He dangles the sealed parchment in front of your face.
>Chuckling, you take it out of his paws and take a look at the red wax.
>The big 'Z' on the seal tells you that the letter comes from Zecora.
>You carefully break it and start reading.
 
-------------------------------------------------
 
"Oh my, oh my, what do I do?"
>Angel ignores you and continues munching away on his carrot.
>Zecora has invited you to have tea with her, and while you like Zecora and tea, you certainly don't like the Everfree forest.
>It's dark and wild and houses one the few creatures that scare you, timber wolves.
"Maybe I can ask Zecora to come here instead?"
>Angel tosses his carrot stub at you and shakes his head.
>He then hops over and looks at your beratingly.
"No...?"
>The critter shakes his head decisively.
"Maybe we could meet her halfway?"
>The bunny crosses his forelegs and frowns at you.
>It seems your pet won't budge, as usual.
>Maybe a different approach will change his mind.
"Oh, but Angel, we can't go, Zecora doesn't have your favourite carrots."
>He's still frowning at you, but then turns around and hops off.
>Smiling at your own cunning, you look around for a quill to inform Zecora of your idea.
>As you stick your head under the couch searching, you hear Angel's little paws, accompanied by the sound of cloth being dragged over the floor.
>You turn around to see what your pet is carrying.
>The bunny tosses his little bag at your feet, showing you it's contents: his favourite carrots.
>It seems your little Angel won't be fooled that easily.
>But you're not giving up yet; you're confident that your next plan will work.
"I could make you a special treat to go with the tea, but I would have to go shopping first, and we wouldn't be able to make it to Zecora in time."
>You fail to hide your smile completely as your cunning plan fills you with mischievous glee.
>For a second, the bunny looks intrigued, but then he shakes his head, crosses his forelegs and scowls at you.
>A bribe won't sway this stubborn little bunny.
"Oh, Angel, is there nothing I can do to make you change your mind?"
>He shakes his head decisively, settling the argument and making you sigh.
"I-I guess you're right; I should face my fears.
>Satisfied, Angel returns to his vegetables.
"But maybe I should bring some friends? Just to be sure."
>The bunny sighs but doesn't hop over to change your mind.
"Angel, could you get Harry and Fuzzy Legs?"
>The critter looks at you surprised, he must have thought you wanted to bring your pony friends.
>Too surprised to protest, he hops off.
>While Angel assembles your company you start packing your saddle bags.
>A first aid kit, food, drink and warm clothes all fit.
>But now you're faced with a problem, there is no room for your tent.
>You unpack everything, but before you can give it another go, Angel returns with Harry and Fuzzy Legs.
>The bunny stops, looks at you, then at the items on the ground and then back at you.
>His face tells you all you need to know.
"Too much?"
>Angel stings you with an annoyed look, the bear and the spider nod in unison.
 
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"Wait! We can't leave! I need to clean up the mess and say bye to the others!"
>Unfazed by your objections, Harry keeps his arms wrapped around you and follows Angel into the looming forest.
>Your whole body tenses as the four of you enter the wood.
>Anxious, you look into the vast wildness beyond the beaten path.
>A few birds chatter beyond your sight, but none of them sound dangerous.
>You hold your breath as you see a bush shake and a figure emerge.
>You're about to scream, but then you realise it's only a little dormouse.
>The little critter quickly waves at you and then dashes off.
>Even now that you're heading deep into the Everfree forest, it's not as dark and scary as you had feared.
>New-found confidence warms your body.
"Harry, you can put me down now, I promise I won't run."
>The big bear looks to Angel for approval.
>The bunny squints at you, trying to figure out whether you're sincere.
>Convinced, he signals Harry, who puts you down gently with an apologetic look on his face.
>Fuzzy Legs is stationed on his shoulders and keeps watchful eyes on you.
>Now that you're back on your hoofs, Angel decides you should carry him and hops onto your back.
>You resume your journey into the woods.
 
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>You're certain it cannot be much farther to Zecora's hut.
>Though nothing scary has happened, your confidence has slowly but surely waned.
>The forest got darker and darker, your home farther and farther away.
>You try to remember Pinkie's song about facing your fears, but all you can recall are the scary trees that made her sing it in the first place.
>A timber wolf's sombre howl echoes in the distance.
>Letting out a startled shriek, you turn around and run away as fast as your legs can carry you.
>Another howl reaches you, startling you further and activating your wings.
>Airborne, you gain some speed before you are suddenly brought to a halt in mid-air.
>Your panic grows as you find yourself stuck in a giant web, legs and wings held in place by the gluey thread.
"Help!"
>Struggling in fear, you manage to free your head from the web.
>Looking back down the road you see your friends walking towards you.
>Their calmness puzzles you, making you forget your distress.
>Angel shakes his head smugly.
>Meanwhile, Harry cuts some of the strings with his claws and gently lifts you of the web.
>Fuzzy Legs cuts the web loose on one end of the road and swings across.
>You trot over to Angel, blushing out of shame.
"You knew I would run?"
>The bunny nods, quite pleased with his forethought.
>Suddenly, you're picked up by Harry, his soft fur engulfing you as he hugs you tight and grunts apologetically.
>Fuzzy Legs salutes Angel from his position on Harry's shoulder, forever the little soldier.
"Alright, I guess it's safe now, you can put me down, Harry."
>The bear let's go of you, allowing you to continue your journey into the forest.
 
-------------------------------------------------
 
>You've already spotted the outlines of Zecora's hut through the branches and eagerly accelerate.
>Before you make it around the last curve in the road, you hear the soft cry of an animal coming from a nearby bush.
>Angel, Harry and Fuzzy Legs don't seem to notice, as they keep moving towards Zecora's place.
>Kneeling down, you push away some of the bush's branches, revealing a pair of ominously glowing green eyes.
>Your heart starts racing like mad, but your legs have become heavy like lead, keeping you on the ground, facing the beast.
>The foul stench of its breath pierces your nostrils.
>Opening its mouth wide, the timber wolf growls at you.
>You start to quiver in fear and tears wet your eyes.
>To escape the terrifying sight of the beast, you close your eyes firmly.
>The sound of branches brushing against leaves tells you the wolf is moving, but in which direction, you can only guess.
>You hope your friends will notice your absence and come running for you, together you could face the beast.
>But all is silent, save for the beating of your heart and the breathing of the monster.
>Then suddenly, in a moment of clarity, memories fill your mind.
>You've braved the creatures of these woods before.
>The cockatrice required a stern talking to, the manticore just needed some care.
>You open your eyes again and see that the wolf has retreated into its hiding place.
>As you crawl a small distance forward, the creature growls at you once more.
>You extend a shaking hoof towards the wolf's oaken snout.
>At first it threatens to bite you, but when you manage not to flinch, it sniffs at your hoof instead.
>It lets out a confused little howl and moves a few centimetres forward.
>It's your turn to be brave again, so you come even closer and try to comfort the wolf with your voice.
"It's okay little t-timber wolf, I'm not going to hurt you."
>You fervently hope the animal would say the same to you if it could.
>The wolf gently touches your hoof with its snout.
>The wood feels coarse on your coat, but you understand the affectionate intent.
>Now that you've established a connection, the wolf moves back into his makeshift den, you follow, feeling the animal will show you something.
>Sticking your head into the bush, you find the wolf has made himself quite comfortable in there.
>You wonder why it has set up camp in this bush by the road, away from its pack.
>The timber wolf turns its flank towards you, revealing a sight that nearly draws a tear from your eyes.
"Oh my, what happened to you?!"
>The logs that make up the animal's right hind leg have been utterly ravaged.
>Large chunks of wood are missing, and bite marks adorn what's left.
>The wolf picks up a few sticks in his mouth and presses them against his leg.
>For a second, the sticks are engulfed by green magic, but then the magic fades, and they drop to the ground.
>You've heard about timber wolfs magically healing injuries, but it seems this one cannot.
>The wolf tries to fix his leg once more and fails again.
>He lets out a soft, sad and heart-wrenching howl.
>You crawl up to his injured leg and run your hoof along the bite marks.
>The wolf winces, but he doesn't interrupt you.
>You feel the hairs on your leg being pulled toward the injuries, maybe there is something magical to it?
>The animal is clearly suffering, but you don't know what to do.
>Zecora! She lives in this forest; surely she will know what's wrong with the timber wolf.
>You crawl out of the bush and beckon the wolf to follow you; the animal cautiously obliges.
>Back on the road, it turns out the wolf has trouble walking, the damaged branches that are his legs nearly breaking with every step.
>You wrap your wing around his wooden frame and let him lean on you.
>This whole experience reminds you of the manticore again.
>It gladdens you to see how much a little tender love and care can do.
>Just before you start walking, Harry comes into view.
"Harry, I'm here!"
>The bear notices you, but sees the timber wolf as well and immediately grimaces.
>Before you know it, Harry and the wolf are growling back and forth.
"Wait! Harry, don't hurt him, he's not dangerous! And you, don't be afraid, he's my friend."
>The bear and the wolf calm down.
>Harry's eyes reveal his mistrust, but he has accepted your judgement of the creature.
>You then join up with Angel and Fuzzy Legs, who were looking for you beyond the road.
>The spider keeps his eyes on the wolf at all times, stationed on Harry's shoulder.
>Angel lets himself be carried by the bear, too scared to look the wolf in the eye.
>Finally, you reach Zecora's hut.
>"Spider, bear and Angel bunny, that is a company I find funny. Tell me friends and do not lie, where is lovely Fluttershy?"
>Harry moves aside revealing you and the wolf.
"Hi, Zecora, sorry I'm late, I ran into this poor little thing."
>Terror pushes Zecora's smile off her face.
>"Oh my stars, this cannot be, is that a timber wolf I see?!"
"Please, Zecora, he's injured, and he needs your help, don't you have a potion for him in your house?"
>A look of concern flashes across her face, before disappearing behind her steel resolve.
>"I'm lenient from dragon to mouse, but no timber wolf steps inside my house."
>She goes back inside and closes the door, leaving you dumbfounded.
>You had never expected this behaviour from Zecora.
>Liquid despair wells up in your eyes.
>The timber wolf howls softly, surprisingly comforting you.
"D-don't worry, we'll visit Twilight, she'll now what to do."
>You're not sure whether your friend will be willing to help.
>The ponies of Ponyville might not even let you bring the wolf to town.
>How can others be so cruel to animals, you wonder.
>You know wolves are dangerous, but this particular one will hurt no one, you're sure of it.
"Let's go, there is no point in staying here."
>Zecora's betrayal has stung you horribly; you doubt you'll come back here anytime soon.
>Before you turn around and leave the forest, Zecora's door opens and the zebra steps out, a look of shame on her face.
>"Perhaps I was too quick to judge, but now I am prepared to budge. I am now willing to do what's right, so bring the animals inside."
>Once inside, Zecora takes a quick look at the wolf's injuries and starts rummaging through her collection of potions.
>The timber wolf is nervously scanning its surroundings.
"Don't worry, you're safe here."
>Your whispered words manage to put the animal at ease.
>A blue flask crashes to the ground, spilling a yellow liquid.
>It hisses and then suddenly bursts into a green flame.
>You gasp, but Zecora takes no notice, so you hope it wasn't a very important potion.
>Finally Zecora turns back to you, carrying a green bottle.
>"A timber wolf's bite weakens magic, making these wounds so very tragic. This potion might let the wolf heal, but there will be pain for it to feel."
>She opens up the bottle and approaches the timber wolf, who immediately backs away and growls at her.
"Please, you have to drink it."
>"If you have already gained its trust, then apply the medicine you must."
>Zecora gives you the potion and takes a few steps back.
>The timber wolf, grasping the intent, comes forward again, allowing you to pour the potion into his mouth.
>Green and white sparks start to fly off his injured leg.
"It's working!"
>The wolf, pained by the workings of the medicine, lets out a piercing howl, sending a shiver down your spine.
>His leg starts to glow and a few leaves and sticks fly toward him from the floor.
>The latch to the bitten branches, strengthening them.
>But then the magic fades, and the leaves and sticks fall to the ground.
>You gasp.
"Zecora, it didn't work!"
>"I feared it might not do the trick and leave the little wolf still sick. Now there only is one course to take, the injured leg you must break."
"What?!"
>Zecora's word shock you, how can she say such a thing?
>"Mistake me not, dear Fluttershy, the words I spoke, were not a lie. For the wolf to ignite a healing spark, we must rid him of the rotten mark."
>Suddenly the meaning of her words dawns on you.
"You mean we have to remove the leg with the bite marks and then he can heal it again?"
>She nods.
>You look at the wolf, who still seems nervous and slightly scared after the failed potion.
"Maybe we should do it outside, I think he's a bit nervous in here."
>All of you leave the house.
>Angel, Harry and Fuzzy Legs, who have been quietly watching for a while now, are all anxious.
>"A kick to the leg is what you must deliver, but waver not, for I see the wolf shiver. If you do not succeed on the first try, the beast will go wild and we all might-"
>She doesn't end her sentence, she doesn't need to.
>You look at the wolf, his sad eyes, his defeated pose.
>It pains you to have to hurt him again, even if it's for his own good.
>But it has to happen, you know that.
>You turn around, facing away from the timber wolf and prepare to kick.
>The animal lets out a soft howl, breaking your resolve.
>You lift your leg but tremble so badly that you have to put it down, to avoid falling.
>Taking a deep breath, you close your eyes.
>You know you can do this.
>You think of the Breezies that you had to kick out of your house so they would reach their home and of your brother, Zephyr, who needed a push to learn to do things for himself.
>In both cases you struggled, but eventually saw that you had to be a bit harsh for their own good.
>Reopening your eyes, you lift your leg and prepare to kick.
>With all your might you deliver the kick.
>You hit the leg where it connects to the wolf's rump, knocking it off and shattering it in the process.
>The wolf lets out a howl, but one of happiness rather than pain.
>Quickly, branches fly from beyond the road, forming a new leg.
>Before you can react, the wolf pounces at you, knocking you over.
>Zecora gasps, Harry rushes forward, but the wolf just snuggles his snout against your face.
"Aren't you a cute little timber wolf? Yes, you are!"
>You're so glad that the animal is finally healthy and happy again.
>But then you realise the wolf will probably leave now.
>As if he read your mind, the animal gets off of you and turns his head toward the heart of the forest.
>One more time he looks back, his green eyes glowing brightly.
>You smile at him and then he takes off, his new leg carrying him like the wind.
>He howls in excitement and his call is soon answered by others, deeper in the forest.
>A few moments later, he has disappeared into the shadows of the wood.
>Happy and sad at the same time, what an odd feeling that is.
>But you know you've done the right thing, and that's what counts.
>You turn around and face your friends with a smile.
"So, Zecora, let's have some tea."