March 23rd, 15 ATD
I don't know what happened. Just yesterday I was in Cloudsdale talking to Rain Cloud, and now, somehow, I ended up in the Everfree Forest, a place I was afraid of when I was little. I don't remember coming here this morning, or last night, all I remember is writing on my journal when I heard laughter, then some kind of music, but I must have fallen asleep afterwards.
One of my wings got damaged when I tried flying out of here, so I tried to find another way out. Walking through the forest, I started remembering tales about it. Most of them were mostly rumors, cautionary tales for little fillies, like the one about the zebra Zecora. I remember I once met Zecora during one of her frequent visits. Most ponies seemed to have a thing against zebras, but not me, as a matter of fact I always admired other cultures, so Zecora was something like a celebrity in my eyes. I couldn't help but wonder what happened to Zecora with the war.
The forest isn't a place for jumpy ones, there are beasts everywhere, and I think it was luck that I've found none...yet. When the sun set I came across a wounded eagle. Normally I would have left him there, but seeing the poor creature in a state so similar to mine, not being able to fly, made me feel the need to help. I tried to use a piece of my cloak as a bandage for the poor bird, and though reluctant at first, he stopped struggling and let me help him. Maybe it was because the pain was so much for him, or he was tired.
I heard rumors from other slaves at Canterlot and from some pegasi and gryphons in Cloudsdale about ponies living in the forest, referring to them as "those Everfree savages". The name isn't very friendly, but if they live in the forest, that might be my only way to find the exit, and to help this bird. I will try to find them in the morning, for now I will find somewhere safe to sleep, which won't be easy. If I sleep out here in the open, I don't think I'm going to wake up tomorrow.
***
March 24th, 15 ATD
I woke up today to find Timberwolves outside my poorly made shelter. I was afraid I was going to have to run for my life, but before I could, they moved aside to make way for a group of zebras and...ponies. I don't know, they did seem to be ponies, but they also looked so...different at the same time. They looked at me and demanded to know what I was doing in their sacred forest. I tried to explain how I ended up here, but they didn't seem to believe me. I then tried to ask for the way out, but they simply said there is no way to leave the forest. I could tell that it led nowhere, so I instead asked for someone to help my feathered friend. They were losing their patience with me, but a single zebra came up to me and asked if she could see the eagle. After a quick look she told the others to take me and the eagle to their village, and let "Lady Fluttershy" decide my fate. Lady Fluttershy? I couldn't believe my ears...
A while later, we arrived at the ruins of the old Royal Castle, now looking like a fortified settlement. I was really amazed by the way it looked. More zebras and ponies, along with some beasts and even minotaurs, came to greet the group that brought me there. The zebra that made the others spare me left with the eagle and I was told to keep moving.
Moments afterwards, I was surrounded by everyone, as if they were waiting patiently to come at me and rip me to shreds. And I don't exaggerate, more than once I saw a beast or one of the feral ponies looking at me with a vicious face. It was then when I saw 2 figures approaching from the ruins. One of them was Zecora the zebra, and the other one...was Fluttershy.
After so long, I would have cried out of joy to see that the Element of Kindness, Fluttershy, was alive, but after seeing her I was...petrified, to say the least. She looked different, like if she no longer was Fluttershy. My time to think about her appearance was short, as she fiercely demanded to know why I was in the forest. I repeated my story but she didn't buy it. She looked at me with furious, penetrating eyes and asked once again. I said the same thing but with the added detail that I came from Cloudsdale, though I still don't know why I said that. It was at that moment that I felt I was going to die, and it would have happened were it not for the eagle I helped yesterday coming in and landing on my head, making noises. It was hard to believe it was the same eagle, he looked so small and helpless when I found him and now he was big, healthy and full of energy, that zebra must have done something great. I realized he was trying to communicate with the others, though I'm not sure what he said. After he finished, Fluttershy looked at me, while Zecora said something I still remember freshly:
"The one before us is no outsider spy I'm sure, helping nature's creatures is something pure"
Still not sure of what was going on, I simply waited for Fluttershy to say something. She finally said to let me stay in the forest until my wing was well again, and then told me not to return afterwards unless I wished to "embrace the forest". It was then when the zebra from earlier appeared and offered to keep an eye on me.
Just like that, I became a "guest" in House Everfree. My eagle friend stayed with me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. After all, he saved my life. I decided to call him Guardian.
***
March 31st, 15 ATD
Life in the forest has been both enjoyable and frightening. On one side, I seem have befriended Hadiya, the zebra who helped me days ago and now makes sure my wing is properly healed, and others around here now look at me with somewhat friendlier eyes. Me and Guardian have become best of friends, he even keeps an eye on my belongings when I'm not around to ensure no one takes anything from there. I have also learned a lot about Everfree, things I would have never thought about before coming here. Nature is really fascinating.
On the other side, however...the "savage" part of the name others call these ponies is not there to be there. I have an idea of how vicious these Everfree members can be. Ferocious, unpredictable, beast-like, they form warbands to attack and repel intruders. I have seen many warbands go, and then return with fresh blood on their hooves and faces. I even saw a...questionable ritual involving cannibalism. Hadiya told me that nature is not always peaceful, and I agree. House Everfree is, quite literally, a force of nature. They want to expand the forest and take over what civilization has destroyed, through brutal force if need be. I wonder what would become of me if I were to stay here with them.
However, I must leave the forest. My wing is now well and I think I can find a way out on my own. Hadiya said that if I ever return as an ally of the forest, she would welcome me again, and then we said our goodbyes. Guardian is coming with me as well, I don't think I could ever leave him, and I'm sure he thinks the same way. We will be gone from the forest tonight.
Sweet heavens, again I'm hearing somepony laughing...maybe so much time in the forest is making me lose my touch with reality.