//------------------------------// // The Sage and the Spirit // Story: In The Late Summer Sun // by Papillon Rose //------------------------------// The presence lifted its shaggy head, snout in the air, and sniffed the wind. Today, and for many days previous it had taken the form of a large bear draped in a thick brown pelt instead of the translucent, star-spangled hide of an Ursa. It found the bear's body more efficient in allowing it to feed. The extra bit of terror the sight of the looming creature sparked in the hearts of its prey was an additional treat. Nothing substantial, but beggars couldn't be choosers. The unfortunate prey it set its sights on that morning was a raccoon. The presence snorted; it had been hoping for something larger, but by now a great deal of the meatier animals had come to avoid its territory. It could barely keep itself fed, much less muster the energy to erase the trail of corruption it left in its wake. Of course, there were always exceptions: young, stupid cubs and kits that strayed from their parents' side, foolhardy males fueled by the chance to impress their female counterparts. Those exceptions sustained the presence, for in its weakened state it knew not to risk leaving its home deep in the forest where hooves no longer trod. On heavily padded paws, it crept closer to where the raccoon crouched, scratching at the ground for some tiny, creeping grub. Such was the symphony of Everfree - eating only to be eaten, in a cycle as old as time itself. The raccoon was obviously very young, for it failed to notice the approach of the hulking beast stalking it until the bear was almost upon it. Only then did the raccoon whirl around, emitting a shriek of terror and turning to run, pushing its short, stubby limbs as fast as it could go. It was already too late. The raccoon's legs gave out of their own accord, leaving it lying prone on the forest floor. It struggled vainly to move, but the presence had it within its grip and it had no intention of letting the small creature go. It could feel the fear coursing through its body, sending its heart rate to fever pitch, and the presence trembled in anticipation. Such rousing fear of death, frustration from the immobility having taken hold of its limbs, and of course, sorrow. The mixture of emotions emanating from the struggling body drove the presence into a frenzy - without further hesitation the bear descended upon the raccoon, savoring its final burst of pain as sharp teeth pierced its hide. The raccoon died without ceremony, and the creature fed. It wasn't nearly enough, it never was. But it would have to do. ------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy stood side by side, staring out at the forest spread before them in awe. Twisted, gnarled tree trunks with lush vines snaking around and throughout their tangled branches loomed high over their heads. The resulting canopy of intertwined vegetation and bark still allowed a fair amount of sunlight to stream through the cracks, forming intricate patterns on the ground. Unfamiliar birds flitted throughout those trees, engaged in a disorganized melody quite different from one of Fluttershy's compositions. Fluttershy sat on her haunches, seemingly overwhelmed by the enormity of their mission, but Rainbow Dash's adventurous spirit rapidly overcame her initial discomfort. "Whoa," she said, flitting from tree to tree like a pony-sized hummingbird and inadvertently startling the actual birds roosting in them."This place is huge!" Fluttershy slowly rose from where she sat on the forest floor. "It's..." her voice quivered, giving lip to the lie, "Not that scary." "Oh, this part of the forest is fine." Dash landed on a low-hanging branch, fluttering her wings excitedly. "We've been here before like a million times. This isn't the scary part." She nimbly leapt to the ground, grinning mischievously as she crept towards Fluttershy, one hoof after the other. "It's the stuff we haven't seen before that's truly scary." Fluttershy's eyes widened. She squeaked, sinking to the ground with her hooves clamped over her eyes. "Come on, Fluttershy, I'm just kidding. Lighten up a little." Rainbow Dash ruffled her tidy pink mane fondly. Fluttershy stopped trembling, peeking up at her friend nervously. "O-okay." The two mares set off, Fluttershy leading the way with her hooves firmly planted on the ground unlike her companion. Rainbow Dash insisted on hovering a few feet above her, deftly slipping between the various natural obstructions in her way. In her mind the whole setup was just one big obstacle course to tackle. "So where are we going, anyway?" Fluttershy flinched; the cyan pegasus' voice was even louder against the tranquil backdrop of the forest. "Do you already know where this lunawort stuff grows?" Fluttershy lowered her head, avoiding making eye contact with her friend. "Um... no, actually." Rainbow Dash froze in mid-air, lowering herself to Fluttershy's eye level. "Wait a minute, hold up. How are we supposed to find one plant in all of this?" She indicated the vastness of the forest with her forehooves. "We can't wander around forever." Fluttershy sighed. "I... I know. We have to go see Zecora first." "Zecora?" "Yes." Fluttershy nodded. "She lives here, so she probably knows about all the plants that grow in the area." "Oh. Good idea." Dash moved out of Fluttershy's way, satisfied with the answer. "At least we know where that is." With a destination in mind Rainbow Dash took the lead, Fluttershy trudging behind morosely. "I hope she really does know where we can find the flowers," The pale yellow pegasus said softly. "The Everfree Forest is really... big." She sounded so miserable that Rainbow Dash couldn't help landing beside her, placing a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll find it, even if Zecora doesn't know. These eyes can spot anything, no matter how small it is. In the dark." Fluttershy smiled, knowing good and well that there was little to no evidence to back up these claims. But Rainbow Dash sounded so confident that it was hard not to take her seriously. "Really?" "Hold on a second." Dash unsnapped one of the saddlebags Fluttershy carried, poking around until she located what appeared to be a blueberry muffin. Even in her panic Fluttershy had had the presence of mind to bring some food along. "It's not a cupcake, but it'll have to do." In a perfect imitation of Pinkie Pie, she launched into the famous Pinkie Pie swear, tossing the muffin into the air and swallowing it in a single gulp. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Dash licked her lips; the muffin was absolutely delicious. "Dude, those are great! Did you make them, Fluttershy?" "Oh, yes." Fluttershy beamed. "The berries are ripe now, so I make use of them while they're still in season. Angel always has to help me, since he's better at collecting berries than I am." She stopped speaking abruptly, as if something were caught in her throat, and after a moment of awkward silence the two mares continued down the path to Zecora's tree. ------------------------------------------ After half an hour of travel, the large tree Zecora lived in came into view. Bottles of various sizes and colors hung from the branches, sparkling in the thin streams of sunlight. The various hollows in the tree's trunk, as well as its raised roots that looked for all the world like claws were unsettling; the entire tree loomed as if it were a creature waiting to ensnare them the moment they approached. Fluttershy's hoofsteps slowed, although she resolutely soldiered on against her obvious anxiety. Rainbow Dash attempted to disguise her discomfort by boasting as usual. "It's not that creepy. I mean, it's creepy, but it's the good kind of creepy." "There's a good kind of creepy?" Fluttershy whimpered. "Of course there is." Dash dropped to the ground, approaching the door as if it weren't connected to the most disconcerting house she'd ever laid eyes upon. "You think she's in?" Before Fluttershy could respond Dash darted past her, rapping at the door heavily. "Hey Zecora, you in there?" Fluttershy pressed a hoof to her face in embarrassment. "Rainbow Dash." "What?" Dash shrugged, seeing nothing wrong with the situation. "How else is she supposed to hear me? It's a really big tree!" She raised her hoof, preparing to knock on the door once more. It swung open without warning, causing Dash to lose her balance and topple over, landing in a heap at a pair of ebony hooves. Zecora's stern striped face gazed down at her. "I can hear you just fine," she said dryly, "Pounding on this door of mine." Dash laughed nervously, flushing. She picked herself up, trotting contritely behind Fluttershy and shoving her forward with a squeak of protest. "I'll just let Fluttershy tell you why we're here." "I... I..." Fluttershy looked absolutely terrified, awaiting Zecora's wrath. "I..." Zecora's stern expression gave way to a kindly, welcoming smile. "Ah, the gentle healer I rarely see." Fluttershy relaxed slightly at her words, although she remained tense. "What is your reason for visiting me?" "Um... well... that is..." Fluttershy stammered. "I needed to ask you about something, if you don't mind. About a plant that grows here." Zecora mulled over this for a second, then gasped, bowing her head politely. "It is not often that I entertain guests, foolish me." She backed away, gesturing towards the interior of her tree. "Would you care to join me for tea?" "That would be wonderful," Fluttershy said gratefully. "Although we can't stay for too long." She glanced back at Rainbow Dash, who nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me." Twilight visited Zecora's tree in the forest more often than any of her friends did. She lacked the natural apprehension ponies that had been raised in Ponyville, and ponies that had been living there long enough possessed in respect to the Everfree Forest. Zecora's presence was more constant in Ponyville ever since the whole 'curse' business had been debunked and swept behind them, but her home was still a mystery to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. They shared a couple of meaningful glance as they followed Zecora inside the tree hut and seated themselves beside the ring of stones encasing Zecora's campfire. The two pegasi and the zebra engaged in light banter regarding recent events in Ponyville while Zecora prepared their tea. There were no major occurrences save for the Cakes announcing Cup's pregnancy and the decree that the year's Summer Sun Celebration would take place in Ponyville to make up for the history-altering event that had interrupted the celebration a couple of years back. "I've stepped up my training just in case the Wonderbolts decide to put in an appearance at this one," Rainbow Dash was saying dreamily as Zecora placed two carved wooden cups full of steaming tea before them. "Excuse me, I wish not to offend, but there is a matter to which I must attend." Zecora left the two pegasi inhaling the mouth-watering aroma rising from their cups of tea; it was clear that she'd been generous with the honey she used as a sweetener. While they waited for their refreshments to cool and the return of their host, Dash took the opportunity to get a better look around than she had the first time she'd invaded the poor zebra's home. The masks were definitely strange, but the sight of them evoked a sense of excitement within her. She didn't know much about Zecora's homeland, only that it was very far away. 'Do Celestia's sun and Luna's moon rise there? Who controls the weather? What are the clouds like?' The thought occurred to her that perhaps they had their own version of pegasi for weather maintenance. A pair of masks caught her eye. The one on the left was fearsome, jagged teeth and long horns curling to a point at either side of its head. The one propped up beside it was the exact opposite, composed of elegantly sloping curves. Its head was decorated with soft white feathers. "See, that's what I'm talking about," she nudged Fluttershy, pointing at the mask with the horns. "That's the good kind of creepy. It's weird, but it still looks really cool." "The one on the left represents brashness, foolhardy bravery. At its side is compassion and wisdom, co-existing in harmony." Zecora explained as she reentered the room, having heard the remark. "Where one is weak, the other makes them strong. Side by side is where they belong." Dash blinked. "Whoa. That's deep." Fluttershy gasped, suddenly recalling why they'd come in the first place. She rummaged around in one of her saddlebags, producing the Supernaturals book and turning to the page displaying the lunawort. "Zecora, have you ever seen this plant before? Does it grow here?" Zecora studied the image thoughtfully. "Nightblooming flowers of blue," she muttered to herself, "In such a calming hue. From root to petal, its medicinal powers abound; among those who practice the healing arts this herb is renowned." She paused for a moment, amidst the sound of Rainbow Dash noisily slurping at her tea in such a indecorous manner that Rarity would've passed out at the sight of it. Fluttershy pushed her half-empty cup away. "One of my animals is sick, and I need the flowers to make the right medicine." "Would you happen to know what ailment has laid your companion low?" "It's my bunny, Angel. He has the snuffles." Rainbow Dash looked up from her cup, licking her lips. "The snuffles? That doesn't sound all that threatening." "Make no mistake, this is a grave illness indeed." Zecora said solemnly. "Many attempt to cure it, but..." she looked at Fluttershy with an expression of pity, "Very few succeed." Fluttershy stiffened and lowered her head, as if she were about to cry, but the pegasus that met the zebra's gaze a moment later had no trace of fear or sorrow in her eyes. "I have to find the lunawort, Zecora, no matter how hard it is." All the shakiness had withdrawn from her voice. Rainbow Dash sat up straight. This was a side of her friend she rarely saw. "I can't just give up on Angel. He's very important to me." Zecora regarded her with interest for a minute, then turned her back on them. Fluttershy fell back, her fighting spirit having fled once more, and Rainbow Dash prepared to defend her friend's decision, as loudly as possible. Before she could say anything, Zecora glanced over her shoulder at them. She wasn't smiling, though there was no trace of anger or disapproval on her face. "A truly kind spirit resides deep within you," she said evenly, directing her attention to Fluttershy. "I shall see what I can do." The zebra walked away, still muttering to herself, into one of the back rooms. With the altercation averted Fluttershy let out a deep sigh and deflated, allowing herself to sink to the dirt floor. Being truly assertive seemed to take a lot out of her. Rainbow Dash stared at her for a moment, glad the expression of surprise on her face had gone unnoticed. They'd come a long way since she'd spent an entire expedition to shoo a sleeping dragon off the top of a mountain berating the least confident member of their party, and through the course of their adventures she'd come to understand that Fluttershy was capable of much more than she'd imagined. Still, it shocked her every time she saw her shy, hesitant friend confront ponies or creatures larger or more aggressive than herself. No squeaking or shying away. 'She's not shy at all when it comes to someone she cares about.' It was a sappier thought than Dash usually allowed herself, but she reached over to pat her friend's mane reassuringly anyway. By the time they'd polished off their tea Zecora had returned with a rolled up scroll in her mouth. She spread it out on the ground, weighting its corners down with stones, and made various marks on it with a stick of coal. Once finished with the crude map, she rolled it up once more and stuffed it into the side of Fluttershy's saddlebag. She gestured for the pegasi to follow her outside, and after gathering their equipment and securing Fluttershy's bags once more they left the tree. Zecora led them a few yards away from her tree, pointing at a light trail that led deeper into Everfree. "The herb you seek grows where the forest is most dense. I ventured into its depths only once, and haven't returned since. It blooms in abundance at the side of a small lake. On this map I've marked the path you should take." Fluttershy had resumed hiding behind her mane, but the gratitude was evident in her voice. "Thank you so much, Zecora." Rainbow Dash came forward then, not quite meeting Zecora's gaze as she apologized for her earlier actions. "Yeah... sorry for almost knocking your door down." Zecora shook her head. "Your devotion makes up for the patience you lack," she informed the cyan pegasus, who couldn't figure out whether to be insulted or pleased at the compliment. "You'll need to rely on each others' strengths to make it back." "No problem. I've got everything covered." Dash flew over to Fluttershy, who was staring intently at the trail. Zecora shook her head. "Noon is high upon us, so you must be on your way. Your journey will proceed smoothly, I pray." With those parting words the zebra bowed politely, as before, and returned to her tree. Rainbow Dash watched her go, then waved a hoof in front of Fluttershy's face. "We should probably get moving." As they approached the trail laid before them, Rainbow Dash tapped Fluttershy on the head with a hoof. "Hey, Fluttershy. How do you think she does it?" "Does what?" Fluttershy looked up at her curiously. "That whole rhyming thing." Rainbow Dash folded her forelegs over her chest, contemplating. "You think she just does it without thinking about it?" "Uh...I'm not sure." "Or does she actually think them up on the fly?" Rainbow Dash ran her hooves throughout her wild mane, mussing it further. "Why am I even thinking about this?" "Well..." Fluttershy paused, smiling up at her. "Whether by instinct or force of will, there's no doubt it requires a good amount of skill." Rainbow Dash's mouth dropped open. She burst out laughing. "Nice one, Fluttershy." Fluttershy ducked her head bashfully at the praise. "You're right, it is a little hard." The two mares trekked along the path with Rainbow Dash attempting a few awkward rhymes of her own while Fluttershy listened appreciatively. However, their conversation slowly died down as they realized that the forest was rapidly becoming very different from the section of Everfree they were used to. The trees had begun to grow more closely together, and the canopy appeared to be thickening. It became harder for Rainbow Dash to slip between the trees as she had been. The trail wasn't very well defined, and from time to time they strayed a few feet from the path. The birdsong was muted, more somber, and the sound of smaller creatures crashing through the undergrowth had become less frequent. "I don't think anyone's been here in a long time," Fluttershy whispered, afraid to speak too loudly. Dash agreed, finally giving up flying and dropping to the ground to walk beside Fluttershy. She too was starting to feel uneasy, but she couldn't pinpoint why. Something about the area of the forest they were entering felt wrong. Her instincts nagged at her, but she ignored them. 'Don't be a wuss. There's nothing here, and if there is, it's nothing you can't handle.' After another half hour of travel they reached the end of the trail; the path beneath their hooves disappeared completely. The unmarked forest lay ahead of them. Fluttershy reached for the map, spreading it out on the ground before them. "Rainbow Dash, you know how to read these, right?" "Of course." Dash positioned herself to get a good look at the map. "It's one of the first things you they teach you in weather pony certification class. Gotta know where you're going." Zecora had sketched out the disorganized stand of forest, and leading through the trees a path marked by various landmarks. She stood up, scanning the area for the first one: a large boulder with a deep indentation in it. "There it is. Okay, you see that rock right there?" Fluttershy nodded. "Is that where the path is?" "There isn't one." Rainbow Dash studied the map for a little while longer, then rolled it up and placed it back in Fluttershy's bag. "She's marked off a bunch of rocks and other stuff, and we just have to keep moving until we reach the next one. So we start at that rock, and move in a straight line until we reach the next landmark. It's a big tree with a weird-shaped hollow in it. We'll check again once we get there." Fluttershy sighed with relief. "I'm so glad you came with me. I don't think I would've made it this far on my own." Rainbow Dash accepted the praise with a proud toss of her mane. "We've got a long way to go, so let's move out." Fluttershy lingered where she was standing, regarding the trail they were leaving behind wistfully. Realizing that Rainbow Dash was proceeding without her she raced off after the other pegasus with a panicked, "Wait for me!" Neither of them registered that the birdsong had ceased completely. --------------------------------------- The presence couldn't have been more pleased. It watched from a branch, having taken the stealthier form of a red squirrel to spy on the intruders entering its domain, and was overjoyed to see two hooved creatures, ponies. Save for the zebra it had foolishly allowed to escape its grasp several months earlier, it had been years since it encountered a such a large creature. It could scarcely remember the taste of ponyflesh. Far more appealing were their heads, capable of processing so many emotions, instead of the simple fear it managed to squeeze out of the smaller animals before consuming them. What tasty morsels could it find resting within these two, it wondered? The blue one with the colorful mane was clearly the bolder of the two, while the pale yellow one visibly quivered with fear. It radiated from within her, to the point that even at a distance the presence got a good whiff. That one, it decided. She was certainly the weaker of the two, and probably the easiest to catch. It would've been ideal to kill two pegasi with one stone, but it lacked the energy to seize both of them. She would have to do. The disguise fell away; the presence would need all its remaining energy soon. Freed of physical confinement, it flowed through the trees, around their trunks, and slithered along the forest floor. Freedom, and the world outside Everfree lay within its grasp once more.