Chapter 3
 
>Twilight let's out an annoyed grunt when she sees the tall hill in the distance.
>"I knew it!"
>You, Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie Pie had been travelling off road to avoid being followed.
>Twilight was using the stars to navigate until the sky clouded over and she lost her sense of direction.
>"We've been going too far South! We would have completely missed Ponyville if I hadn't seen that."
>She points her hoof towards the hill, which you notice has the ruins of an old tower on top.
>"It's an old unicorn watch tower from the early days of Equestria, before the three pony races learned to coexist. We'll be able to see Ponyville from the top."
>You cut a path through the tall grass that surrounds the base of the hill, then make your way up the side.
>"Do you think we could rest for a while at the top, Twilight?" asks Pinkie Pie.
>"Of course, Pinkie. We'll take some time off to eat. I'm starving!"
>At the top you see a stone slab with fancy letter carved into it:
>WEATHERCLOP: outpost of the royal equines of Unicornia
>"There's Ponyville!" Pinkie points to a distant village of thatched roof cottages on the opposite side of a thick forest.
"Is that the Everfree forest? I don't feel like being eaten by a manticore."
>"Don't worry, we'll go around."
>"Twilight!" Applejack says.
>"Although, it would be a lot quicker to go through..."
>"TWILIGHT!"
>"What?"
>"Look!"
>Applejack gestures to the bottom of the hill.
>A group of masked unicorns are following your path through the long grass.
"Shit."
>"Follow me! Quickly!"
>Twilight leads you down the steeper side of the hill, slipping a few times on loose rocks.
>Once you reach the foot of the hill you look back to check if they've noticed you.
>They have, and they're giving chase.
"RUN!"
>The four of you flee in the direction of the treeline.
>A magic laser blasts by your head, the intense heat scorching your hair on the side.
>"Oof!"
>A look back over your shoulder reveals that Pinkie has collapsed from exhaustion.
>Ignoring the obvious risk, you sprint back and scoop up the trembling pony in your arms, then race to catch up to Twilight and Applejack.
>They're too fast; they disappear into the woods before you have a chance of following.
>You dive behind a tree to avoid another bombardment of lasers.
>Your pursuers are very close.
>Your legs ache, your chest burns.
>You would give up right now if you didn't hold the life of this little pony in your arms.
>More fucking running.
>You've never worked so hard in your life.
>You're losing your vision.
>Run.
>Trip.
>Fall.
>Roll.
 
>You're at the bottom of a small slope.
>Your vision's still fucked up, but you can see Pinkie on the ground close by.
>You see other things too. Pale yellow lights in the darkness, getting closer.
>Aawww shit.
>They're wolves made entirely of sharp branches, with glowing eyes.
>What the fuck kind of magical pony universe is this.
 
>One of them goes for Pinkie, and you promptly kick him in the face, breaking off a piece of his ear.
"Go away, you fucking shit."
>Intimidation failed.
>The wolf pounces, knocking you onto your back.
>His claws dig into your chest.
>Some kind of tree sap/blood drips onto your face from his injured ear.
>The other wolves approach Pinkie Pie, hungrily.
>The motherfucker sitting on your chest decides to let you watch.
>You're shouting at the wolves, but they ignore you and prepare to rip the pony to pieces.
>BANG BANG BANG BANG
>They freeze.
>BANG BANG BANG
>All of the wolves run off into the trees and leave Pinkie unharmed.
>All of them except this relentless motherfucker presently crushing you under his weight.
>He considers fleeing from the loud noise, but decides he'd rather eat your face.
>You stare into his sharp mouth, but before he can tear your face off, a flaming arrow strikes him from the side.
>He jumps off of you and, being made of wood, he quickly catches fire.
>That burning motherfucker stares hatefully into your eyes before running off after his companions.
>The one who shot the arrow has come out behind you.
 
>"Concealment and protection, I can give.
>Come with me if you want to live."
 
>A zebra.
>Your life was just saved by a rhyming zebra.
>She puts her crossbow into her saddlebag and trots away, motioning for you to follow.
"Are you okay, Pinkie?"
>She's smiling.
>"I'm good, Anon."
>You pick her up again, and follow the zebra deeper into the Everfree Forest.
 
>"It's good to see you, Pinkie Pie.
>I was wondering when you'd be dropping by."
 
>"It's good to see you to, Zecora! I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to visit since your last birthday. There's been a lot going on."
 
>"Understandable, my pony friend!
>These troubles, it seems, will never end."
 
>Zecora takes you to her house hidden away in the forest.
>The inside is filled with weird masks, potion ingredients, a bed and a large cauldron.
>"Have you seen our friends?" asks Pinkie. "We were with Applejack and Twilight."
 
>"I'm afraid I have not seen them about.
>I found you two when I heard you shout.
>I'll go and find our two good friends
>And won't return 'til the search ends."
 
"Thanks so much for your help, Zecora. But, be careful out there. There's a group of ponies who chased us into the woods. They were trying to kill us."
 
>"Those ponies are not welcome here!
>I will give them something to fear."
 
>Exit Zecora.
>That was interesting.
>"You saved my life, Anon." says Pinkie.
"Don't worry about it-"
>Pinkie kisses your cheek.
>"I am going to bake you SO many cupcakes when we get home! Unless you don't like cupcakes! I can make muffins, or regular cakes, or cookies, pancakes, pies- or a bit of everything!"
"All of that sounds amazing, Pinkie."
>"Or instead of just a bit of everything, I can make A LOT of everything! And you can help!"
>You put Pinkie Pie in Zecora's bed, where she falls asleep within minutes, still mumbling about the baked goods she'll repay you with.
>Pinkie Pie is best pone.
 
>On seeing your reflection, you're looking slightly rough.
>The timberwolf's blood-sap is sticking to your face.
>Your hair is uneven now that it's been burnt off on one side.
>Your clothes are torn and dirty, and you've been wearing them for at least 72 hours, and you need a shave.
>You look like a fucking badass.
>Or maybe you just look homeless.
>Nah, you're a badass.
 
>Admiring your reflection when Zecora returns.
>"Pinkie! Anon!"
>It's Applejack and Twilight, and they look unscathed.
>Suddenly Pinkie is wide awake.
>Group hug.
"Did you happen to see the unicorns that chased us?"
 
>"I found them near the forest's borders,
>This one, he was shouting orders."
 
>Zecora drags in a bound unicorn pony with a bag over his head.
>Finally some fucking answers.