The train finally reaches its destination, slowly stopping at a quaint town station.
The feeling that it stops, draws the attention of Sunset Shimmer, she seeing through the window and see that they have arrived at the station, proceeds to shake her head and shake off her laziness, before turning to her companion, apparently asleep.
"Hey, uh, how was...? Rare Icy, Rare Icy wake up, we are here."
The white unicorn gives a slight moan, lifts her head and allows herself a slight yawn, with her eyes still closed she speaks softly.
"My name is 'Rarity'." She corrects while lightly rubbing her eyes and standing up.
Meanwhile Sunset had already stood up and allowed herself to stray from her body, removing the numbness.
Rarity stands up. "Mmh, I don't usually sleep on trains like that... I hope it doesn't hurt my skin."
"Lets go, we have to go down before something else happens."
With that said, Sunset starts walking, but stops as soon as Rarity speaks to himer again.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you. But you should know that when a pony gets off a train, it must present its travel permit, which of course we don't have. So... what exactly are you planning to do?"
At the explanation, Sunset must stop to think, for a moment.
~O~o~O~o~O~
It can see the glow and feel the heat of the flame as the train catches fire. Of course the ponies around them start to run in terror while the guards of the place try to drive them away from the place in a calm way, which they only half achieve.
Rarity sees the fire from the distance, on the road that leads to the town, her eyes reflect astonishment, and some fear, as she turns to her forced partner, who is also looking at the fire, without any real emotion on her face.
"You, have, problems."
"Yes, tell me something I don't know."
The amber fur pony speaks before turning and walking into town.
Outside of a few ponies curiously watching the fire at the station, the town is mostly quiet.
Just like in Canterlot, the ponies come and go through the streets, there are ponies in police uniforms walking, but they are far fewer than the security that was in Canterlot. And Sunset notices that
"Security here is lower than in Canterlot. It will be easier to move."
"But I remind you, that we still have no documentation. So if an officer catches us, we will end up in detention."
"Meh I've already evaded the law for five years. You just have to keep a low profile and know how to move." Almost at the end of her sentence, a growl from her stomach is heard. "... I think all the confusion woke my stomach. ... hey, you don't have any money on hand, do you?"
"Excuse me? You kidnap me, you make me a illegal mare, you force me to leave the place where I live and now you want me to buy you something to eat?"
"Okay okay, I get the hint." There is a momentary silence. "Well, outside of Canterlot I don't need you. You can leave if you want. From here I can continue on my own."
With that said, she begins to walk somewhat hurriedly, entering the town.
Rarity stays in place, watching Sunset lose herself among the ponies...
~O~o~O~o~O~
A quaint little bakery in town, a sign outside names it 'Sugar Cube Corner'.
Inside, it can see the mostly empty space, just a few tables, each with a single occupant.
The ponies that work there, a mare with pastel light blue fur, a little plump, her mane and tail pink, looks like pastry cream, albeit a little droopy, and both look a bit disheveled. She is wearing an apron while using a mop to clean the place. While a dull yellow stallion, orange tail and mane. He looks somewhat older, with a poorly shaved beard, he stays behind the counter. Both are quite tired while working.
On one of the tables is Sunset, a half-eaten slice of banana cake on the table. She takes a spoon into her magic as she chews a bit, and swallows.
The mare while cleaning next to Sunset's table, draws a tired smile and speaks softly. "Do you need something else dear?"
Sunset swallows her bite and thinks for a second before responding. "A cup of coffee, just a little milk and sugar."
"Make it two."
The third voice makes them both turn. It's Rarity, who looks serious, but ignores the gaze of both mares, and sits at the same table as Sunset, in front of her.
"And some cinnamon buns please."
The working mare just smiles and nods. Although when she leaves, her expression of fatigue is seen again.
Sunset just looks at Rarity, with slight surprise, she remains silent, with a somewhat serious expression. "I thought you would go."
Rarity purses her lips and looks away from the amber pony. "I was about to do it, but I realized, that with everything you have done you have made me a fugitive. I have no place to go and even if I tried, I would most likely end up in prison."
Sunset listens to her, but doesn't stop eating her cake as she does so. Close your eyes but still pay attention to white.
"If I go on my own I won't last one day. And although walking with you is by no means a favorable option… it's better than being imprisoned. … Also if I am caught I prefer that they catch you too."
The latter is said as a whisper, but Sunset manages to hear it and far from getting angry, she lets out a laugh that forces her to stop chewing. After swallowing, she sees the other mare with a knowing smile. Rarity cannot help but respond with the same smile, and it is then that the local stalion appears with a tray on his back that brings two coffees and a small plate of buns.
~O~o~O~o~O~
Rarity leaves a few bits on the counter, and the steed takes them thanking her. The unicorn gives him a smile before leaving the store, rejoining her forced companion.
"How much money do you have exactly?" Sunset asks when they meet again.
"Now, just a couple of bits. My money was kept in my room, in the castle. But how a certain pony kidnapped me" She says this looking contemptuously at the other. "I couldn't take any of my belongings. I only have my purse with some emergency bits."
Sunset frowns slightly at him. "Jm, I should have thought better about money before we left Canterlot."
With that said she starts walking, and Rarity follows her.
"Just out of curiosity. If you didn't have money, exactly how were you going to pay for what you just ate?"
"Meh, I was considering using a sleep spell on the owners, and sneaking away. Although it might not have been necessary, those two looked like they could fall asleep at any moment."
As she gives such an explanation Rarity looks at her contemptuously and stops to speak. "You know, I have lived in Canterlot and dealt with quite pedantic ponies for years. But I have never met such a despotic and unscrupulous pony as you."
Sunset also stops and turns her head slightly while giving her a dismissive look. "Yeah, well don't worry, you don't need to put up with me much longer. Once I have the elements of harmony in my possession, I can overthrow that petty princess and fulfill my plan."
"You mention those element things again. Assuming they exist, do you at least have any idea where they are?"
While they continue their talk, they resume their walk through the town.
"Well, if they aren't in Canterlot Castle, there is only one other place they can be. The old royal castle, where Celestia lived before she went to Canterlot."
"Old castle? Is there another castle? And where would it be exactly?"
"Somewhere deep in the Everfree Forest."
Hearing that freezes the white unicorn in place.
"The Ev-erfree Fo-Forest?! Are you crazy pony?! Everfree Forest is the-"
"The most dangerous place in Equestria, yeah, everyone knows that."
"And you're still going there ?! Do you have any idea what you're talking about ?! That place is not natural! Plants grow without the help of earth ponies and clouds move without being touched by pegasus! Besides there are beasts and animals savages and terrifying creatures!"
Sunset gives a tired look. "Girl, I don't need you to give me a first grade class from the place. I already know all that."
"And you still intend to go?!"
"I must, I must find the elements to overthrow Nightmare Moon."
With that, she resumed her walk, heading out of town. Rarity, on the other hand, remains static in her place.
"Yeah? Well, you know what ?! I take back what I said! If you are going there, you will go alone! For no reason will I accompany you to that terrifying place!"
Sunset pauses for just a moment to reply "It's fine by me. You'd be dead weight anyway."
And without further ado, Rarity sees the unicorn with the fiery mane walk away. She snorts, turns around indignantly, but as she does so, she notices a lunar guard squad landing in the middle of town, and immediately the winged and ground guards begin to order each pony around to get closer.
The pearl pony looks terrified, she looks between the guards, at Sunset in the distance, at the guards, at Sunset ...
"Sunset! Wait for me…!"
~O~o~O~o~O~
The darkness of the town, or the city, did not compare with the sinister gloom of the lush forest. The slightly humid earth and the vegetation dull the sound of hooves as the two unicorns walk into the site.
While Sunset remains calm, and somewhat serious, Rarity cannot be calm, looking everywhere fearing each strange shadow, that is, all, that are on the road.
"Su-Sunset ... is it really necessary to go to that place ...? Will there be ... another place where you can look for those magical elements?"
"The only place I can think of is the ancient castle of Celestia. As far as I know, she lived there before her first battle against Nightmare Moon. Battle that had to be in that place, so it is the only place where she could have kept them."
The explanation falls on deaf ears as Rarity is actually not listening. A series of sounds force her to hurry her step and get closer until she almost sticks with the other unicorn, who when noticing this rolls her eyes.
"If you didn't want to come, you should have stayed in town."
"I didn't want to deal with the moon guards.… Although now I think I'm regretting it…"
Suddenly a sound is heard and Rarity clings to Sunset. "what was that?!"
"a bird." Sunset responds
There is another sound and Rarity hides on the other side of Sunset. "what was that?!"
"a frog…"
After another sound the white unicorn hugs the amber's neck. "what was that?!"
"A branch!" In annoyance she pushes the white unicorn away and looks at her with a frown. "For the love of Faust! Can you calm down ?! In case you don't know, the creatures here are capable of smelling fear. And the more afraid you are, the easier it will be for them to find you, and hunt you down."
She says this with a slightly gloomy voice and a severe tone, scaring the other.
"So you have to stay calm if you don't want to be eaten."
With that she resumes her walk, with a bit of a hurry, while the other remains seated on the floor, processing what was said.
"ha ha ... yes, right ... of course! I'm not afraid! no! Why I would be afraid of a dark gloomy forest ... or the murderous creatures that live in it ...? who is afraid ?! I'm not of course not!"
Repeat to herself as she walks behind the amber unicorn. Sunset for her part follows her walk while speaking to herself.
"With that either stop acting silly or run away and leave me alone. Both options benefit me."
~O~o~O~o~O~
The walk continued uneventful, except for the constant murmur of Rarity trying, and failing, to convince herself that she wasn't scared. Sunset managed to ignore her voice and stay focused on the road. That was, until she herself heard a singular sound.
"Well, I was Nightmare Moon's servant, they won't think that I have something left to fear-"
Her sentence is cut short as Sunset basically stamps her helmet on her mouth to shut her up. He even gives her a hush sign while looking at her seriously and then looking around.
Rarity with her mouth covered can only stand still, sweating in fear as her constricted pupils try to see the surroundings for any sign of danger, one that stands out from the already standard signs of a dark and gloomy forest.
There is a deep silence in the place, but very slight sounds, growls, are soon heard. And then you see bright green spots in the bushes.
"Timberwolves."
A gasp is hear from Rarity from Sunset's hoof, and at that very moment, canine-looking beings emerge from the trees and plants, their bodies made entirely of branches, trunks and leaves.
The pearl unicorn manages to exclaim her cry when the amber removes her hoof to land with force on the ground and launch magical rays against the wolves, breaking them and turning them into branches that fall inert to the ground.
"Run!"
Orders the fiery mane one and does the same, being followed by the other unicorn, both followed by the timber wolves from behind, who growl and roar after them.
Sunset frowns and turns, Rarity follows along, and Sunset charges magic into her horn, thus launching a very powerful magical beam that repels several wolves. Ahead Rarity continues running, but suddenly some wolves jump in front of her, that makes her force herself to stop, stumble, and fall to the ground.
"SUNSET!"
She screams for help, the amber unicorn turns to see her, this allows a wolf that was chasing them to jump on her and leave her on the ground. Sunset looks scared when the wooden canine roars in her face, yet she overcomes her fear and gets angry.
"I didn't go through puberty twice to become dog food!"
With that she teleports out from under the wolf, puzzling him, reappears from behind, and this time charges a fire magic on her horn, which allows her to launch a fireball that when hitting the wolf disarms it and burns its branches. .
Rarity remains on the ground being threatened by the approaching wolves. She covers her face with her hooves and trembles.
"I'm going to die I'm going to die I'm going to die..."
A series of fireballs drive the wolves away from the unicorn.
"If you can't attack at least throw rocks or something at them!"
"I wasn't made for fighting! I WANTED TO MAKE DRESSES!"
The amber unicorn approaches and stays next to the pearl one, she is still on the ground without daring to look up from her hooves. Sunset keeps fire magic on her horn as she watches the wolf pack come closer and closer.
Suddenly, from the sky, ceramic jars begin to rain which, when breaking, spill an opaque and oily liquid, then small bags made of leaves are seen falling, which when hitting the ground release a series of sparks that ignite that liquid, creating a wall of fire that drives the wolves back.
Sunset is puzzled, even Rarity dares to look up.
"Come here!"
A voice yells and they both see a strange silhouette behind some trees.
"Don't waste time! Hurry!"
That silhouette yells and then proceeds to run through the trees. Both unicorns are puzzled, but when Sunset heeds the command, Rarity follows her. For a few minutes, the shadowy silhouette runs among the trees and plants of the place, with the unicorns following as closely as they can.
Is Rarity who has the most trouble, tripping a few times and falling behind. So she loses sight of Sunset and the other pony. She walks fearfully around the place, trying to find something, and suddenly a kind of cane comes out of a shadow in a tree and pulls it, making it disappear into the darkness.
~O~o~O~o~O~
Rarity gives a scream that is silenced by a hoof.
"stop screaming."
Sunset's voice commands, Rarity instantly shuts up, and says something, but is not understood by the helmet in her mouth. It is when her mouth is released that she can speak.
"Where we are?"
Sunset narrows her eyes. "I think you have to ask our host."
She turns around, but the darkness of the place makes it impossible to see anything, a hooded silhouette is barely distinguishable in the dark.
Sunset gets defensive. "Who are you? What do you intend to do with us?"
"In silence we must remain, for the wood hunters have not yet left."
The phrase confuses both of them, but they remain silent when they hear howls close to where they are. There is a series of growls and roars around, Sunset remains calm, but very serious. Rarity, on the other hand, trembles with fear and bites her lip to keep from making noise. As for its apparent host, it is impossible to know.
Finally the growls seem to recede, and after being all silent, the host speaks again.
"The wolves have retreated, now we are saved."
Both unicorns look at their apparent host, and is Sunset who takes the floor seriously.
"Very well you owe us answers. First, who are you? Second, why did you help us? And the one that interests me most now, where are we?"
There is a momentary silence before the host responds.
"I will answer what you ask, because I have nothing to hide. As for where you are, that's simple" To the surprise of both ponies, the host moves her hoof, forming a small spark, which lights a candle, and suddenly, many more candles in the place are lit in unison, bathing the place in light. "Because is where I lives."
Already with light it is distinguished that they are inside a large tree, decorations and strange-looking masks cover walls and hang from the ceilings. Shelves and holes in the bark hold bottles and jars each loaded with different liquids, there are objects that resemble furniture, tables and chairs around the place.
"Why I help you is simple too, is that it was the right thing to do."
Both unicorns distinguish their host, an apparently pony, clad in a brown tunic that only reveals its muzzle and hooves.
"And for my presentation to end." It is then, that the hood is removed, revealing her face, a light grayish fur, with much darker stripes and a spot on its snout. Her mane is elongated, combed straight, in white and black. "Zecora, is my name."
The two unicorns are still somewhat lost for the present moment. Zecora completely removes her robe, leaving it hanging from a coat rack on the wall. Without her, her body is distinguishable, her pale grayish fur adorned with stripes along her entire body, on her neck and on her right leg, ornaments of golden rings, combining with the large earrings in her ears. And on its side, a symbol is a spiral that almost simulates a sun.
Sunset is very intrigued to see her. "... what's someone like you doing in the Everfree Forest?"
"My reasons for living here are useless to you. But that I can help you solve your problems I am sure. It's not common to see ponies in this land, if you are lost I can show you the path."
Sunset looks suspicious, but responds quickly. "We are not lost, at all. We came here to find Celestia's ancient palace."
"To what was a castle and now are only ruins, it's not a destination that just anypony seeks. If that's what you want, I won't complain, but it won't be easy to get there"
"Listen, are you going to keep talking like that?"
Rarity takes Sunset's case lightly "oh Sunset will you allow me?"
The white unicorn takes the other one and turns her to speak both without Zecora hearing them.
"Are you sure you want to trust her? I know she saved us but, she lives in Everfree! Nothing that lives in Everfree can be good. She is also a very strange pony, just… look at those stripes. So garish."
Sunset has to roll her eyes at her companion's complaints. "First Rarity, make this clear, I don't trust ANYONE. I don't even trust you."
Such a revelation seems to surprise the white unicorn.
Sunset keeps talking. "Second, she is not a pony, she is a zebra, they are a tribe that lives in lands very far from Equestria. And just so you know, stripes are not a fashion choise, they're what she was born with!"
And that revelation upsets the pearly unicorn to the point of gasping for breath and then passing out. Sunset just shakes her head and turns her attention back to the zebra.
"I can guide you if you want to get to the castle. If you know how to walk the road is safer."
"Thanks, but we don't need you." Sunset responds with some indifference. "Well, surely Rarity needs, but I'm fine on my own." With that said, Sunset walks in the direction of the door that appears to be the exit. "Thanks for your help but I'm leaving now."
Sunset opens the door and is about to leave, when Zecora's voice stops her.
"It's dangerous to be so proud. In that way you will not achieve your goal."
"You underestimate me. I am not like any pony you may have seen before."
"Being different is not being better. And being fearless will not way to a road safer."
"Can you stop talking like that?! It is annoying."
Zecora pays no attention, instead she takes a saddlebag, and a rod decorated with feathers. And with them she goes out the door. "In that direction the wolves have gone, alternating the path is our best choise. Let there be no fear and let's go."
With that said she begins to walk. Sunset moans annoyed but follows her, and murmurs under her breath.
"When I conquer Equestria, the first thing I'll do is ban the zebras."
Both are moving away, while inside the cabin, Rarity reacts, gets up somewhat dizzy, and the first thing she sees is a strange mask on the wall right in front of her face. Such sight frightens her and forces her to run away from the place to catch up with the others. Curiously, the door of the cabin closes by itself behind her.
"Wait for meeeeeee!"
~O~o~O~o~O~
Time passes as the three mares walk past trees and brush. Zecora is the one who leads the trio through the place in an almost natural way, Sunset behind her, it costs her a bit, but she overcomes them by breaking branches and stomping, it is Rarity who has more problem and is lagging behind, forcing herself to hurry the step to reach them.
"Are you sure you know the way? Why does it seem to me that you are stray." Sunset asks her apparent guide, and after about two seconds of asking, she becomes concerned, and frustrated. "Ah shit! It's contagious."
She gives herself a light slap and shakes her head.
"You don't need to torment your mind, if we know how to walk, our destination will come to us."
Zecora responds closing her eyes, and extending her cane towards some bushes, to Sunset's surprise, the plants divide making a path from which the silhouette of that castle can be seen, in the distance.
"How the hell did you do that?!"
"The castle is now in sight, let's continue without wasting time."
Saying this, she keeps walking, the now intrigued unicorn follows her closely, while the other unicorn goes further back, silently still doubting her surroundings.
"Hey hey, explain how you did that in the back. You didn't even touch the plants, they just… they moved by themselves! Do you control plants or something?"
"Using the power within is the skill of your race, but mine uses the magic of every natural piece." Stopping her step, Zecora lifts a rock from the ground in her hoof. "Every plant, animal, even a rock that maybe you can't see, has a source of magic, within it."
To Sunset's surprise, the small rock on Zecora's hoof gives off an ephemeral glow for less than a second, only visible in the gloom of the place.
"You seek to control your inner strength, while I seek the power of the forest with respect. Therein lies the difference between me and your race."
Finishing her explanation, Zecora resumes her walk, and after processing what she seems to have learned, Sunset follows her more determined. Rarity by her side is still confused and scared.
"Is that why you are here? Sunset asks suspiciously. "Did you come to Everfree to master its magic and become more powerful?"
Although she says it as a question, in her tone of voice she seems to be affirming her prayer.
"I didn't come to this land to dominate, I came to learn. It's something that I hope one day you'll understand."
"What do you mean I'll understand?"
Their pace becomes firmer as they advance.
"Your future may be bright, but not if you continue on this side."
"What side?! What are you talking about?"
"I can see in your aura what you seek and want, only misfortune you will find on that path"
"You do not know anything about me!"
"I don't need to know it, just see what you aura show me."
Sunset can't say anything, because Zecora points her face forward, and there it is, turned into ruins, the moss, the cracks, the total lack of brightness denotes the punishment of time. What remains of what was apparently once a majestic castle.
Sunset looks at the place, then at her guide, doubts present in her mind, but decides not to say anything, and just moves on.
"Sunset Shimmer." Call Zecora.
"What now?" Sunset exclaims frustrated.
"Remember my words, a victory alone is an empty goal."
Sunset seems extremely frustrated listening to her. "I DON'T NEED YOUR STUPID ADVICE!"
She yells in growing fury, surprising the white unicorn, but the shaman is unfazed.
"I don't need anyone to tell me what to do! I'm perfectly on my own!"
Not wanting to argue further, Sunset just hurries her trot toward the castle, and enters.
Rarity seeing her can't help but worry, Zecora by her side, closes her eyes, and then turns around and starts to retreat.
"H-hey! Wait! Where are you going?"
"My mission was to bring her here. What happens next doesn't depend on me."
Rarity tries to question, but then a strong wind starts blowing, it brings leaves from the trees that blur her vision, and before she knew it, Zecora had disappeared ...
Seeing herself alone in the place, the unicorn can only continue to endure her growing fear, and trots to the castle to catch up with the other.
~O~o~O~o~O~
Far away from there, in the great city where the queen of this eternal night resides ...
Sitting on her throne, Nightmare Moon appears to be resting, her eyes closed. Her motionless body seems to be devoid of any trace of life.
That is, until her sharp blue eyes widen in slight surprise, and anger. Her cold and sinister voice pronounces.
"... that pony, has reached the Elements of Harmony."