Apple bloom, Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo rummaged through Zecora's hut looking under and over everything for the zebra. They had wanted to try out potion making especially since Apple bloom was really good at it.
"Where could she have gone?" Asked Scootaloo staring at the masks on the wall. "Why does Zecora need all this creepy stuff again?"
"Maybe she's out picking flowers and stuff for her potions."
"Yeah and we probably should've warned her ahead of time before coming here." Applebloom looked at the cauldron in the center of the room filled with a thick, brown liquid with several things potting out of it. Those things included but were not limited to carrots, flowers, weird brown chunks and a few chopped onions. It smelled like the literal definition of death incarnate and Apple bloom couldn't imagine it tasting any better than it looked and smelled. "Does she eat this stuff?"
"Girls? I was not expecting you, but I see you do dislike my brew." Giraffe walked into the hut and stared down the girls. She immediately turned behind her and looked around frightfully. "But I do believe it is time fo-"
*CRASH
"What was that?" Yelled all three of the cutie mark crusaders with worry in their eyes.
"It sounded real big!"
"Came from outside ah think?"
"What if it's a monster or something?"
"Oh no. You must go, now." Zecora started to get a little bit frantic as she shoved the cutie mark crusaders into a nearby closet before jumping in herself. "Silence is key, if you wish to survive these three." Zecora was not expecting them to find her this quick and if this kept up she might have leave right away to warn Twilight.
However Zecora's thoughts were interrupted as she soon heard voices outside. "This is Kappa three reporting in. We have located the strange hut one of the retainers observed. No signs of life, over." Soon footsteps were heard and through a creek in the closet she saw the things that made moving around the everfree even dangerous. "Control, we're getting readings on nearby experiments. Unsure as to which ones though, but we know they've been here or are still here. Over."
Their green camouflaged coats pulled over most of there bodies and black metal masks covered the entirety of their faces. In their hands lay the dreadful metallic tools that had made Zecora fear for her life like never before. The things made a rapid terrifying boom when activated and made small chunks of dirt rise up around her. But she seen what it did head on against a lone timber wolf that got in their way. It never stood a chance as it was ripped to shreds and reduced to a pile of broken branches.
Three pf the creatures enter the area with the first two holding out the 'boom sticks', as zecora had come to call them, and searched throughout the area before finally dropping their weapons and yelling out, "Clear!" After that the third one walked in with a strange hand held device emitting a low hum before beeping as it was pointed throughout the room.
"Control we're gonna have to get out of here, the air around here is coated in a thick layer of chemical X." He stood still for a moment before once more speaking. "Confirmed, we are falling back now and our retainers are on route." The creatures made their exit quickly but Zecora remained in the closet with the girls just a little longer to be sure.
The group of five step out of their hiding spot cautiously but soon becomes bewilderment and amazement. "Whoa, what were those things?! They came in like royal guards or a wonder-bolt!" Scootaloo's amazement soon infected apple bloom and the two started to faun over the new creatures.
"Yeah ah guess they were pretty awesome but what were they? Maybe they're monsters?"
"Maybe we should probably be more concerned that they broke into here." All three fell silent as they realized they had just witnessed a break in. "I mean they didn't look to friendly and Zecora doesn't seem to know them, right Zecora?"
Zecora cared less for the conversation as she made a range of faces at her own shadow. It seemed like she wasn't even paying them mind. "Zecora?" Finally Sweetie Bell managed to knock Zecora from her entrancement. "Zecora are you alright?"
"Yes... We need to leave. Now." For the first time in forever Zecora had not rhymed and a more serious tone adorned her voice. "Follow closely, the everfree is no longer safe for me or any pony."
Mimic zoomed back to the clearing he had left Night in. 'They could track us...' He ran with all the might his young muscles could carry him. 'A high rank was in there, a strong one too. Almost as strong as Night...' Fear started to overwhelm him as he found himself not remembering the route correctly and taking a few wrong turns but he eventually found himself in the clearing. 'Shes still here, she has to be!' He leaped into the den and collided with the sleeping ball of fur known as Night Leaf. 'Please wake up soon, I won't be able to fend off retainers or humans.
Retainers. The traitors who had abandoned the rest of there kind for a better chance at living next to the humans who tortured us for years. 'If it were up to me, they'd wouldn't be a problem anymore.' Why Night Leaf shows them mercy is a mystery to Mimic but he still cuddled deeper into her warm fur.
He had time to think as day turned to night and soon the morning came around again. 'Dawn, Cadisk, Ivy, I hope all of you are okay...' Despite his lack of sleep he felt fully rejuvenated and ready to patrol the forest once more. He hopped up and made his way to the entrance of the den however a voice stopped him right as he was about to leave.
"Mimic, I swear. I'll keep you safe. No matter what." Night was still asleep but her overall condition had gotten extremely better. "And we'll all... We'll all be one big happy family.." Mimic stopped and stared at her before turning away without a thought or an expression on his face. However the little skip he performed every now and then conveyed how he felt perfectly.