//------------------------------// // Enter Everfree // Story: A New Generation: Friendship is Magic // by Sky_Wishes //------------------------------// “Well… Here we are.” Sunny, along with Hitch, Izzy, Zipp, and Pipp stood right at the border between Ponyville and the Everfree forest. The forest almost seemed like a completely different world, with its dark, foreboding atmosphere and trees with long branches that grew like claws. A mournful howl came from the depths, and Sunny shivered. “The Elements are in here, huh?” Hitch said, stepping up to the entrance. “Guess we’d better go in then.” He took a few hesitant steps fowards. “Yep, just going into the deep dark forbidden forest.” another few steps forwards. “Full of timberwolves and manticores and all manner of creatures that could gobble up a pony in a single bite.” he paused, before quickly backtracking. “You know what, before we do all that scary stuff, why don’t we take inventory? Sunny, what did you bring?” Sunny nodded. “I brought my lantern so that we can see the we the way, plus a couple of smoothies and snacks to keep our energy up. After all, it could be a long walk.” Hitched nodded. “Great. Practical. Love it. Zipp?” “I brought all the books I could carry on the Everfree Forest and it’s creatures, plus all the books I already had on the Elements of Harmony. You can never be too prepared, right?” “No you can’t. Pipp?” “I brought... bug spray!” “That’s great Pipp! And...?” “That’s it.” Hitch cocked his head. “We’re going to the one of the most dangerous places in all of the Equestria, and you only brought bug spray?” “I panicked, okay? Plus, I’m carrying the rest of Zipp’s books, so that should make up for it, right?” “Eh, fair enough. Izzy?” “Oh, I just brought the essentials.” She took a deep breath. “Streamers, paint, paint brushes, scissors, glitter, stickers, glittery stickers, and of course, my crafting glasses!” she looked around, only to see all her friends giving her a blank stare. “What? You never know when you’ll need to get crafty!” Hitch regarded her with a blank stare for a few seconds before shrugging to himself. “Okay then!” He said cheerfully. “I brought a first aid kit in case of emergency, along with my trusty multi-tool!” “Great!” Sunny replied. “Now that that’s out the way, it’s time to find the elements. Come on, everypony!” “Yeah...” Hitch said, watching the others trot on ahead of him. “Let’s go inside... I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Zipp gave a mock groan before shoving him forward. “Come on, Sheriff, let’s get moving.” “I’m going, I’m going! You don’t have to push!” The inside of the Everfree was just as welcoming as its outside. More than once Sunny had spotted glinting yellow eyes peering at them from the darkness, only to vanish as quickly as they were spotted. “Um, Zipp? You do know where we’re going, right?” “Sorta. This map is pretty old though. It’s kinda hard to read. If I’m reading it right, however, we should be heading in the right direction.” Sunny open her mouth to reply, only to be cut off by another howl, freezing all five ponies in place as they peered around for the source. Eventually, the noise died down, and after a few tense seconds of waiting for something to leap out of the bushes, everypony heaved a simultanious sigh of relief. “Let’s keep moving.” Sunny simply said, her friends silently agreeing. As they pressed forward, Sunny took a mental headcount of their party. Zipp with the map was leading the pack, with Hitch right behind behind her despite his obvious nervousness. Behind the two of them was Izzy, humming to herself as per usual. And Pipp… Sunny frowned as she looked behind her. Pipp was bringing up the rear, and she was starting to fall a bit behind. Not so far that she was at any risk of losing the group, but far enough away to cause some worry. Concerned, she slowed down her own pace so she was walking alongside her. “Pipp?” “Huh?” Pipp looked up in surprise. “Oh hey, Sunny. What’s up?” Sunny smiled. “Nothing, really. I was just make sure everything was good with you. The hike isn’t too much, is it?” “What? pshaw.” Pipp gave a forced chuckle. “I’m fine! Do you realize how much energy it takes to do all the elaborate dance moves I do on stage and sing at the same time? This is nothing in comparison.” She laughed again, but the sadness in her eyes was still evident. “I’m glad to hear that! Still,” she pulled out a smoothie from her saddlebags. “Wanna a drink? This one’s just for you!” Pipp grabbed the cup eagerly. “Well, you know me. I never say no to a smoothie, especially one of yours.” She took a long sip from the straw before her smile grew wider. “Blood Orange?” “Extra Bloody, just the way you like it.” Sunny said with a wink. “Like you said, I know what you like!” Pipp giggled. “You sure do.” She sighed, her smile morphing into a crowd. “I dunno, Sunny. I know I was all stubborn earlier and insisting on coming with you guys, but now that I’m actually here...” She looked around nervously, shaking some dirt off her hoof. “I’m starting to wonder exactly why.” “What do you mean? Why what?” “Why I’m here. I mean, look at the rest of you guys!” She gestured to everypony ahead of her. “It’s Hitch’s job to protect us all from threats, Zipp’s super smart and knows a lot about this place, you know a lot about Nightmare Moon and the Elements of Harmony and stuff, Izzy’s incredibly resourceful, but what can I do? Sing and dance? Not that those are bad skills, but what use are they here?” She snorted. “I couldn’t even think of anything better to bring than bug spray. I’m just going to slow you guys down.” “That’s not true.” Sunny said with a smile. “How would you slow us down?” Another bitter chuckle. “I mean, I’m already doing it now, aren’t I? You’d be ahead with the others if you weren’t here listening to my rambling.” “Pipp,” Sunny wrapped her foreleg around Pipp’s neck. “I’m back here listening to you because I want to. Because I care about you. Because we’re friends. You know that, right?” “I mean, are we? I know we chat sometimes at your cart, but does that really count as...” Sunny nodded. “Of course it does! Or at least, I’d like it to.” She giggled. “Even if it didn’t, following me into the forbidden forest to find some mysterious gems that may or may not be there has to count for something, right?” Pipp gave a tiny smile. “I guess it does, doesn’t it?” “See?” Sunny snuggled closer to Pipp. “You’re my friend, and the fact that you were able to come here at all means the world to me. Besides,” she winked. “You can do a lot more than just sing and dance.” “I can?” “Sure you can! No one communes with the spirits like you, and I’m sure this place is crazy haunted.” “You think so?” Pipp shot up a foot in the air, wings fluttering with excitement. “Well what we waiting for then? We’ve got to find that castle, right?” Sunny nodded. “Right! Now come on!” Pipp landed down besides Sunny before wrapping her in a hug. “Thanks for taking time to listen to me, Sunny. I appreciate it.” Sunny was just about to reply when she got cut off by Izzy’s piercing scream.