//------------------------------// // The Everfree Forest // Story: Seeking Truth // by Razorcat //------------------------------// Seeking Truth – Prologue - The Everfree Forest This story takes place between S:1-EP:11 & S:1-EP:12 Zecora was no stranger to the howls and roars of the creatures of the Everfree forest. She had been there long enough to tell the difference between roars of anger, screams of pain, and howls of pleasure. But when she heard these roars, roars coming just a few yards away from her well hidden home, the kind of roars and howls a predator made when it's food fought back, she had a horrible thought enter her mind that somepony had been looking for her home, but found a new 'friend' instead. She quickly grabbed some supplies, then hurried outside to render aid. Zecora was surprised by what she saw when she ventured outside. She had expected to find somepony about to be eaten by whatever horrible creature it had called attention to. Instead, she saw a silhouette of what she believed to be a Pegasus, fighting a Manticore. She wasn't entirely sure it was a Pegasus she was seeing. It was the middle of the night, and the figure was far away. Still, whoever it was had wings and was moving fast, so it made sense for her to think that it was a Pegasus, especially since she lived so close to Ponyville. The Pegasus was fighting off the Manticore with a shield and some other kind of weapon. Zecora was impressed by the pony's fighting skill and It looked like the silhouetted figure was going to win. Unfortunately though, he failed to avoid the Manticore's final swing, and the beast grabbed him in it's claws. Before Zecora could react, the Manticore threw the Pegasus right in her direction. The figure flew by her, and hit a tree with loud 'crunch'. The Manticore leaped after him, intent on finishing off its prey. Zecora knew that now was the time to act. However, before she could intervene, the Pegasus, who she couldn't believe was still conscious after an impact like that, rolled from his side over onto his back, and pulled something from his hip that made a 'thwack' as it propelled something shiny & metallic at the Manticore. The creature froze, then started wobbling around drunkenly. Eventually it stumbled backward and fell, the Pegasus followed soon after, finally succumbing to his wounds. Zecora, still not quite believing what she had just seen, trotted over to inspect the damage. The Manticore wasn't dead. Zecora could still hear the creatures heat beating. A slow beat, but it was there none the less. However, the Manticore was not her main concern right now. In the faint light from her home, she saw that the figure who had been fighting the Manticore, was not a Pegasus, but a Gryphon. The Gryphon was severely injured, he was covered in cuts, bleeding, and breathing heavily. Zecora gently touched the side of him that hit the tree, and discovered It was hot, tender, and starting to darken, confirming her belief that his ribs were broken. Zecora looked over the strange Gryphon. It was definitely a he, she could easily see that. He had dark gold fur and black feathers. He was also wearing what looked like assassins equipment. A belt with holsters for his weapons. A side pack, an ammo sleeve with pouches for darts. He even had a shield around his left arm. Zecora was suddenly very weary of this Gryphon, she didn't want to bring an assassin into her home, but at the same time, this Gryphon may simply be some pour soul who was unprepared for the dangers of the forest. Eventually her conscious got the better of her, and Zecora decided to help the poor Gryphon. However, just because she was helping him, didn't mean she wouldn't take measures to protect herself.