The Everfree Forest had always been a mysterious entity. It is said that somewhere in it's dark and twisted woods lies the slumbering body of Discord, master of Chaos. Yet more rumors state that there are treasures yet to be found. Yet, no matter what the rumors say, there remains three true facts. One, it is full of untamed magics. Two, It is full of dangerous beasts, anywhere from Timber Wolves to the dreaded Everfree Hydras. And, three, to enter is to tempt the patience of Lady Fluttershy and her house, for the Forest is the realm of the House Everfree.
And the forest seems to enjoy the houses presence.
In fifteen years, the forest has doubled in size, conquering all of Old Equestria. Yet, with the mountains blocking its expansion to the east, there remains only one way to go- south.
Right into the open arms of the militaristic forces of the House Earthborn.
Major Sword Scar had seen better days.
He had served for over ten years, leading his troops against the forces of Whitegold (who were, in is opinion, a bunch of sissies- albeit some certainly were beautiful), Moon and Sun (traitor stuck-up unicorns), and the nightmare of the Cult of Laughter (he tried not to think about it). He was proud to lead his regiment to wherever he was needed. But his body... not so much. Don't get me wrong, he was still a fighting pony, but I guess my above statement was perhaps the best. Sword Scar had definitely seen better days.
And, right now, he was bored.
He was itching to get stuck into a real fight, but General Applejack thought that it was best if he took a year or two off, especially after the last campaign with the Cult of Laughter. At first he agreed, but as he was sent to Fillydelphia to watch the gem mines- in case Whitegold tried another assault into them- he slowly got more and more, for a lack of a better term, bored. He decided that the only medicines to the horrors of battle are three things- counseling, retirement, or more battle. Sure, he liked the break, but he was bored- and so were the troops under his command.
ONe of his captains approached him as he put down his pen from writing yet another report to the General. He looked up. "Hello, Quick Shot."
"Hello, Major."
"Another slow day?"
"I'll say. But the fellows made an interesting discovery."
"And that would be?"
"Would you think that I am crazy if I said that forests move?"
The major chuckled. "I would probably send you in for some counseling. But I wouldn't blame you, six months ain't enough to get the horrors of... that... out of your mind." And it was true. It took him three months to begin to recover the small amount of his sanity that he had lost. Honestly, he still wasn't one hundred percent. "But I assume that's what you wanted to tell me? The forest moved?"
"Yes, sir. Come and see."
He stood up. "Well, at least I can stretch my legs."
The moment he saw the outskirts of the Everfree, he knew something was wrong. A forest doesn't grow fifty feet in six months. And he was right. Suddenly, all of the stories that he had heard as a kid came to his mind. All the ponies killed by the Everfree Forest. How only the pure of heart made it out alive. And, hell, he didn't exactly have the cleanest record.
He then spotted something. Something that made his heart jump into his throat. And the howls to accompany them.
"BATTLE STATIONS!!!" he yelled, leaping back. "Everfree side!"