A special request

by chaos2012


Chapter 4: Trip Through the Trees

The forest canopy above the ground blocked out most of the sun from the dirt trail. Strange sounds echoed through the still air, causing a chilling feeling to come over one of the two traveling zebras, making her stop in her tracks.

Applejack felt so afraid having to travel through the Everfree forest. Even the small trek to Zecora's hut always made her nervous. The furthest she had ever travelled through it was to the abandoned castle during the return of Nightmare Moon, but she had all of her friends with her that time. All she had as company this trip was Zecora, which hadn't been the most fun so far.

Neither one of them had said a word to each other in the whole two hours they had been walking together. Zecora walked in front quietly, not looking back to her traveling partner to see how she was doing. They both continued on through the shadowy maze. 

Applejack shot quick glances back and forth through the trees on her sides, always looking for something to come at her. Every small rustle in bushes or the chirp of a bird made her hair stand up on end. She looked up to Zecora, who didn't even seem affected in the least by the darkness. The cloaked zebra walked casually along as if she was strolling through a a park on a sunny day.

Zecora looked back for the first time in twenty minutes to see how the far was doing. She was surprised to see her moving at an almost crawling speed on he path, constantly looking around. She gave a flustered sigh at her companion, "if you are afraid to come through this place, you should head back since you are slowing my pace."

Applejack shot a glare at Zecora, "Ah... Ah ain't scared of this place!" 

Zecora rolled her eyes, "Unless my eyes are wrong at what they see, but your fear is shown by the shakes in your knee."

Applejack looked down to see her legs shaking as she walked. Frustrated, she locked her legs straight and looked back to Zecora, "look, ah said that ah am fi- Ahh!"

A sudden crow flying by made Applejack jump. She dropped back to the ground, covering her head with her hooves. She looked around frantically, but stopped herself when she realized what she was doing. She looked back to Zecora, who was staring at her, a small grin growing across her face.

A small blush of embarrassment spread across Applejack's cheeks, " Alright, maybe ah'm just a little scared."

For the first time on walked, Zecora did not feel any negative feelings; her thoughts were focusing on the humor she got out of the scared zebra pony following her. She couldn't hold back the laughter that built up inside of her.

Applejacks cheeks grew redder after hearing the laughing, "what's so funny?"

"Oh Applejack, you certainly look silly. You are more frightened than a tiny filly."

"Hey, that's not funny! Y'all know what is in these here woods? Ah don't wanna et eaten by some big ol manticore!"

"a manticore is the least for you to worry. Unless you want to sleep in the woods, you had better hurry." Zecora's tone suddenly became more serious after that.

"Of course ah don't wanna spend the night in the darn forest! It's just..." She frowned at the ground below her, "how an ah supposed to help mah sister I ah am too afraid to even walk through a forest? Every pony  knows what ah can do, but what would they think if they knew ah couldn't do this?"

Zecora trotted back towards her and knelt by her side, "you are honest and very strong, but being afraid does not make you wrong. You should never worry what others say, for only you can change your way."

Applejack gave a grunt as she stood up, "Easy fer you to say; y'all walk down this path like nothin's happenin." 

Zecora smiled and began to walk on down the path. Applejack followed en suite, this time staying right by her side. Being able to walk right next to Zecora made her feel a lot calmer as they walked.

"I never used to be brave. It took time and practice before my nerves would behave." Zecora said after a moment of silence.

"but how do ya just get rid of the fear inside of ya?"

"Applejack, you can never get rid of the power of fright. Your choices to face it is run or fight."

Applejack shot a look of surprise to the statement, "wait... So right now y'all afraid to be in the woods?"

"I always feel the tug of fear. I choose to not be its victim, my dear. If terror comes and you choose to hide, that dark feeling will remain inside." 

Applejack went silent after hearing that; she thought back to all the different times in her life When she got scared of something and was too afraid to finish it. 

Applejack then thought of her cousin Braeburn, who always had the guts to face anything that came his way. If anyone was to join her in helping Zecora, she would have chosen him. Then again, she would not know what he would do If he saw her as a zebra, 'ugh, ah bet he would freak if he saw me; although, he is kinda thick headed, probly wouldn't even recognize me' she thought to herself. She was happy they weren't heading towards Appleloosa.

After about ten more minutes of walking, Applejack looked over to her companion, "Hey Zecora, how much further is it till we get out of this forest?"

"No need to worry about time, young one. In any coming minute we should be done." 

Before applejack could yell out in delight, a parting in the trees in front revealed the edge to the Everfree forest. The two zebras walked through the last of the trunks by their sides, coming up to a sight which made applejack's jaw drop.

Set in front of her was a span of rolling grass hills and plains far as her eyes could see. The green ground slowly rippled in patterns by the breeze, giving it the illusion of it dancing with the wind. It was The best thing she had seen all day. She walked out of the tree line and smiled as the air blew through her coat. Zecora followed her out, and also sat for a moment to appreciate the view.

"wow, this is beautiful, Zecora."

Zecora smiled as well, "yes, it is a beautiful sight..." she stopped and looked up to the sky, "oh, and it seems our timing was just right."

Applejack lifted her head up and noticed what Zecora had meant. The sun was beginning to set, starting to turn the sky a slight orange tint as it slowly fell to the ground. Seeing how close they were to being in the forest at night gave her a rush of happiness that she didn't have to spend the night in there. "phew, ah'm sure lucky we are out of there."

Suddenly, several shadows passed overhead, followed by a large body landing on the ground in front of the zebras. Applejack and Zecora jumped back from suprise at the creature in front of them. After a second, they realized it was a griffon that blocked their path. Moments later, two more griffons landed on the ground behind them, getting between them and the trees.

Applejack felt a chill run up her back as she turned back to the griffon to her front. The large male gave an evil smirk through his beak as he walked towards them, "I would say your luck just ran out."