“You know we can’t do this without you,” the stallion said, his Smile not reaching his eyes. “Do you really want to pass up this chance?”
“Some ponies believe the ends justify the means. I’m not one of them,” she said, keeping her focus on the red-stemmed plants she was repotting.
His Smile faltered for a moment. The only sound was the shuffling of her hooves as they packed the dark, musky soil in around the roots. Chancing a short glance at him, the green-coated mare smirked. That little jab might cost me, but it was worth it.
The Smile returned, albeit strained. “Well, not all ponies can appreciate making sacrifices for the common good. For instance,” he said, stepping forward, “I’m sure there are many little plants in the Everfree that could jump-start your research.”
“Well, that’s not really the issue, is it?” Her smirk gradually souring, she stared at the pot before her. “I’m not about to bring back Everfree flora just so they can be used on test subjects. You’ll have to find somepony else, Mr. Filthy.”
The Smile falling for the first time since he set hoof in the small greenhouse, Filthy Rich said in a voice like distant thunder, “Please, Miss Spring, call me Mr. Rich.” He took another step forward, twigs crunching beneath his hooves. “I insist.”
Snorting, Verdant Spring turned to grab another flower from the shelf. “Insist all you want, Filthy Rich. I couldn’t go even if I wanted to at this point,” she said, placing the plant next to an empty pot and starting to prise the mess of roots from the rim, “I need to stay here and make sure the zebras are taken care of. Can’t break contract; you understand.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Contracts get broken all the time, you just have to know the right ponies.” A lopsided smirk began to tug at the corners of his mouth.
Her own smirk frozen, Verdant asked, “What are you talking about?”
Filthy Rich walked over to one of the many flowering plants springing from their pots. He paused for a moment, then inhaled deeply from a white-petaled blossom with azure streaks running down the center of each petal. He blew out a sigh, staring around the greenhouse. “This is a large operation. I haven’t seen this many medicinal specimens in one room since my tour of Eve’s Terrace.”
She glowered at him. As if some money-grubbing scum pile like you could appreciate anything in Eve’s Terrace! she thought.
“Get to the point, Filthy,” she spat.
The smirk splitting into a sneer, Filthy Rich replied, “How exactly is your foundation funded, Miss Verda?”
Verda’s brow furrowed. “Charitable donations, of course.”
“And this project was put into motion due to a particularly large donation made recently, correct?” Filthy said.
Verda’s face fell as she began to comprehend what he meant. “I don’t usually deal with the donations. I head the botanical research we do for hospitals with unusual magical maladies,” she said.
“Aah,” Filthy sighed as if he had just sunk into a warm bath, “I was wondering what prompted you to be so rude earlier.” The Smile returned full-fledged. “Perhaps now we can come to an understanding.”
“You know, of course, that it’s illegal to pull funding you’ve already given,” Verda said, trying to keep her voice even.
“Of course, but it isn’t illegal to stop donating.” Filthy scratched his chin with a hoof, the Smile directed at nothing in particular. “What’s the yearly cost of continuing this research, I wonder?”
Verda lowered her gaze to the floor, saying nothing.
“That’s what I thought,” Filthy said. “The team leaves from Ponyville on the fifteenth. We look forward to having you.” Filthy spun around and, giving the various vines and leaves a wide berth, made his way to the door.
Verda’s face was working furiously as she watched him go. Suddenly, she shouted, “Wait!”
She trotted to a small metal box bearing a red cross. Picking it up, she walked over to Filthy Rich and set it down.
Filthy watched as Verda pulled out a small syringe. Taking a few steps back, he said, “What are you doing? I’m not going to let y—ack!”
With one swift motion, Verda stabbed the syringe through Filthy’s jacket and into his shoulder, injecting him.
“W-what do you think you’re doing?” Filthy squealed. “I’ll have you charged with assault!” His eyes swept over his body frantically, as if he was expecting to sprout extra limbs. “What did you inject me with?”
Verda spat out the empty syringe. “The antidote,” she said. “That flower you took a big sniff from is a Bitterlick bloom. The roots make a great remedy for Neighton’s disease, but the spores can take root in your lungs and poison your blood.”
“I-I… you…” Filthy’s mouth opened and closed a few times. After taking a few breaths, he cleared his throat and said, “Thank you.”
“Any time,” Verda deadpanned. “Goodbye, Mr. Rich.” Deciding not to wait for an answer, she trotted back to her table and continued repotting.
“Ahem… Yes, goodbye, Miss Spring.”
Verda heard the latch rattle for a few minutes before the slam signaled Filthy’s exit. Listening to the rapid patter of retreating hooves, Verda scowled at her work bench.
“I hate that guy,” she said.
The train screeched into Ponyville Station and ponies began to crowd the platform. As the train came to a stop, Verda swept her eyes over the scene. Toward the back of the platform, she spotted a sign marked “Verda”.
The sign was being held by a pegasus stallion. As passengers exited the train in a steady stream, he would smile around the sign, wings flaring whenever he caught somepony’s eye.
Verda chuckled as she tossed a bulging pair of saddlebags over her back. Well, at least I know I’m not unwelcome, she thought.
Making her way off the train, Verda waved at the stallion. Upon making eye contact with her, he began to weave through the crowd.
“Excuse me,” the stallion said, setting the sign down, “are you Verdant Spring?”
“Yeah,” she said, her eyes roving over the dusty saddlebags he wore. “Call me Miss Spring, please. I only let friends call me ‘Verdant’.”
He shrugged, stowing the sign away. “If you say so, Miss Spring. Everypony calls me Ruckus.” He held out a hoof. “Pleased to meet you.”
Taking the hoof, Verda cracked a small smile. “Likewise.”
They let their hooves drop and Ruckus began leading Verda off the boarding platform.
“So, where is our benevolent benefactor?” she said, raising an eyebrow at the thatched roofs they passed. “Atop the highest and cleanest Manehattan skyscraper, I presume?”
Ruckus guffawed. “That would definitely be his style.” He waved a hoof off to his right, keeping his eyes on the road. “I think he lives somewhere over that way.”
“He lives here?” Verda said. “Huh. I never figured him for the down-home type.”
“Yeah, Strick asked him about it a few days ago. Think he said something about country air being good for his kid.” Ruckus leaned in close to Verda. “Between you and me, I think it’s the wife.”
Verda smirked. “Oh really? And what makes you think the wife has anything to do with it?” she said, cocking her head to the side.
Casting his eyes downward, Ruckus furrowed his brow. “Er… well, you know what he’s like. I figure somepony else has to be thinking of the kid, right?”
“Hmm.” Still smirking, Verda narrowed her eyes. “If it were anypony else, I’d have to call you out,” she said, her smirk falling a little, “but in this case, you might actually be right.”
“Heh, yeah,” Ruckus said, his wings rustling. “Anyways, the meeting site is just on the other side of town square. Strick and Windfall are waiting up.”
The two were silent for a time as they approached Ponyville’s town square. Verda’s eyes roamed over the various stalls lining the road. Carrots, cabbages, daisies, cherries… Nothing too exotic out here. I wonder if the merchants selling Everfree plants are secreted away for some reason.
Her ears sagging slightly, Verda instead turned her attention to Ruckus. Lean. Seems fairly athletic. A bit bony, but what pegasus isn’t? she thought, the corner of her mouth twitching. Verda’s eyes passed over the dusty saddlebags as they drew level with his cutie mark.
“See something you like?” Ruckus asked. Verda glanced at him. Ruckus’ half-lidded eyes twinkled over his grin.
Smiling back, Verda said, “Yes, actually. Your cutie mark is a compass rose. Are you to be our navigator?”
“Oh, yeah,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “I have this sense, you know? I just need to get the lay of the land and I can tell exactly where I am and where I need to be.” Ruckus held his head a little higher, stretching his wings to their full span. “So don’t worry, Miss Spring, I won’t let you get lost.”
Verda chuckled. “I have every confidence in you, Mr. Ruckus.”
Ruckus’ wings settled back into their original position. “Thanks, but you can just call me ‘Ruckus’,” he said, his nose scrunching. “Getting called ‘Mister’ all day makes me feel old.”
“Well, don’t lead me astray and maybe you’ll get your wish. Until further notice, however, we are business partners and I’m afraid I must maintain a little professionalism,” she said, the corners of her mouth curling.
“Oh ye of little faith,” Ruckus said, sighing. “You’ll be singing my praises once we get into that overgrowth.” Ears falling, Ruckus’ grin sunk into a half-smile. “I hear there’re some pretty nasty twists in that Forest. Not to mention all the things with big teeth. You ready for that?”
Verda cast him a sidelong glance. “I’m as ready as I imagine any untrained pony can be. Why?”
“Uh...Well,” Ruckus said, eyes still set pointedly forward, “I mean, it’s kinda dangerous for anypony to go into the Everfree. I just kinda figured we’d use a team that could escape if things got bad and, well, you know…” Ruckus trailed off.
Verda could see a bit of redness form in his cheeks. “You mean to say, why would an earth pony be asked on an expedition like this one?” she said, frowning. “Actually, that’s something I’ve been asking myself as well.” Verda stared off into the distance, remembering her meeting with Filthy Rich.
Glancing back at her, Ruckus let out a long breath. “Well, that being said, I wouldn’t worry too much,” Ruckus said, ears rising again. “We won’t be alone, after all.”
Verda bobbed her head in agreement.
Ahead of her, she could see a large wooden building. A sign reading “The Moonbeam Inn” in faded silver lettering hung above the door. Ruckus pushed the door open and strode inside, Verda following close behind.
Inside the inn was a small bar with about a half-dozen simple wooden tables were scattered around. Muttered conversation accompanied the odd thud of mugs being set on wood. One or two of the patrons glanced up as the doors clattered closed, but most were content to ignore the duo.
A pegasus mare seated at one of the corner tables waved to them. Across the table from her, a muscular, white-coated unicorn was hunched over his mug. He glanced up as they approached the table.
Ruckus gestured toward the unicorn. “This is Strick,”—the stallion nodded—”and this is Windfall. You two, this is Ms. Verdant Spring.”
“Verdant Spring, huh?” Windfall said, the corner of her mouth twitching. “Well, you sure look like a plant-lady. Hope we don’t lose you in that Forest, we’ll never be able to find you again.”
Verda grinned. “Oh, don’t worry. If I get lost, I’ll just put down roots. Noflora will notice.”
After sharing a small chuckle with Windfall, Verda asked, “So, what are the specifics of this venture? Am I the last to get here?”
“The idea is to map key areas of the Everfree and get some idea of what future explorers can expect,” Strick said.
Windfall nodded. “Yeah, we were only waiting on you. We needed somepony who could tell what we can bite that won’t bite back.” Windfall giggled into her glass. “I mean, whoever heard of an herbivore being eaten by a plant?”
Verda opened her mouth to inform Windfall just how common it was for pony tourists to be eaten by Zebrican Red Honeypots, but was interrupted by Ruckus.
“Right, that’s pretty ridiculous,” he said, his smile not reaching his eyes, “but what about all the animals in there? I mean, what do we do if we run into a manticore or something?”
Cocking her head in his direction, Windfall said, “That’s why I’m here, of course. I’m an animal trainer for the Las Pegasus Zoo. I’ve worked with tons of manticores and bears and even a baby hydra once.” Windfall waved a hoof as if shooing imaginary flies. “Trust me, I can handle the critters.”
Looking up from her drink, Windfall caught Ruckus’ gaze. “Besides, even if I can’t, Strick here can. He’s an ex-Royal Guard. He’s trained for this stuff.”
Strick took a long draught from his mug. Setting his mug on the table with a thud, he nodded.
“Right…” Ruckus said, glancing between his three teammates. “So… I guess we’re set, then? When are we leaving?”
Strick’s eyes didn’t leave the table. “Tomorrow morning. We get a few days in, making a rough map as we go, then we backtrack,” he said.
Frowning, Verda said, “That’s a little vague. How do we know when to turn around?”
“We turn back on the third day or at the first distinctive landmark we find,” Strick said. “We need a point of reference for the next expedition.”
Verda narrowed her eyes. Why do I have a bad feeling about this? Keeping her voice low, she said, “Not that I don’t have faith in all of you, but doesn’t this seem a little dangerous? I mean, surely an expedition like this ought to have at least a few more guards.”
Silence dropped over the table like a lead blanket. Ruckus’ eyes darted around the foursome and Windfall suddenly became very interested in scratching off a speck of grime stuck to the wood. A few of the other ponies in the room became still, their ears swiveling around.
Strick stood up. “I’m going to pick up a few more things in town,” he said, heading for the door.
Before he could pass by, Verda stepped into his path. Strick met her unblinkingly.
“You haven’t answered my question, Mr. Strick.” Verda’s nose was nearly touching Strick’s. From close up, she could see many small scars covering his head and neck.
Strick held her gaze, frowning. Eventually he let his eyes wander to the floor, sighing. “Well, Spring, if you think this venture is too dangerous, you can leave.”
Verda stepped back, surprised. Is it really only us going in? she thought.
Before she could voice her concerns, however, Strick continued, “I think we’ll stand a better chance if you accompany us, though.”
Verda paused, mouth hanging open. She searched Strick’s face for some sign of what he was thinking, but she couldn’t read him. Finding her voice, she said, “You’d still go? Why not just walk away from this?”
“My reasons are my business,” Strick said, raising his voice. He stepped around her, heading for the door again. “The decision is yours to make, Miss Spring. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
The inn door swung clattered shut behind Strick.
Shaking her head, Verda stepped closer to the table. “Well, he can’t go alone,” she said, glaring at the other two.
Windfall fiddled with her mug, not looking up. “The Forest is going to be really interesting, though,” she said. “They have all sorts of strange animals there. There are dragons with whole caves of treasure and wolves that are made completely out of wood. I’ve heard the ursas have coats that look like the night sky.” She stopped fidgeting for a moment. “I mean, somepony has to explore it, right? It can’t just stay a mystery forever.”
“Yeah…” Ruckus said. He was staring off into the distance, mouth slightly open. Ruckus’ voice gained a little volume as he said, “Yeah, we can’t pass up this chance. Mr. Rich told me the Everfree’s weather is only calm for a couple months. If we pass this up, it’ll be almost a whole year before we can try again.” Ruckus nodded, stamping a hoof. “We’ll just have to be careful, that’s all.”
Verda stared at the two of them. She kept waiting for one of them to crack and realize how ridiculous this was, but they didn’t. “You two are serious,” Verda said, unable to believe what she’d just heard.
“Of course we are.” Ruckus sat between Windfall and Verda. “We’re gonna make history mapping the Forest. We’ll go places nopony’s ever been; discover things nopony’s ever seen.” Ruckus locked eyes with Verda. “Why’d you come if you were just gonna turn back at the first sign of danger?”
Verda opened and closed her mouth several times. Was I just accused of being a coward? she thought. “We’re going into the Everfree Forest—which is packed with things that want to eat us—with a group of four.” Verda fought to keep her tone level. “We’re going in so deep that Ponyville will be days away if we need help and if even one of us gets separated or killed, we’ll have lost somepony with unique, necessary skills to get us out.” Verda crossed her hooves on the tabletop, leaning in. “What exactly are you going to do if I don’t go? Head out on a suicide mission just so you can see some pretty ursas?”
Putting down her mug, Windfall glared at Verda. “It may not seem like much to you, but I’ve waited a long time to be able to do this. I’m not about to get cold hooves.”
Verda could only stare. Her eyes darted between them. Windfall hadn’t moved and Ruckus was staring at the table, his ears lying flat on his head.
The inn door clattered open. Verda glanced up from the table. Her expression soured when she caught sight of the Smile.
Filthy Rich scanned the room. Spying the trio, he trotted over and took a seat on the other side of Ruckus. “So, discussing the trip, are we?” he said. “All questions have been answered, I assume?”
“Mine have,” Windfall said, eyes still boring into Verda. “I have a few things to get in town.” She stepped down from her seat, nodding to Ruckus. “See you tomorrow.”
As Windfall left, Filthy’s gaze settled on Ruckus. Ruckus stared back, ears standing at full attention. A few of the inn patrons began walking toward the door, their clopping hooves the only sound in the establishment.
Verda could feel eyes on her, but she ignored them, still glaring at Filthy.
Filthy sighed. “I think we need to have a little discussion, Miss Spring,” he said, stepping down from his seat. “Follow me outside?”
“Sure,” Verda said, following him out.
Filthy led her into the fairway and down a sidestreet. A few ponies raised eyebrows as Filthy Rich passed, but he just Smiled, returned a few greetings and kept walking. They eventually came to a cul-de-sac. Boxes and crates bearing various symbols were stacked around. Some were drawings of vegetables, others were names of merchants Verda had noticed when she passed through the market district.
Ears turning this way and that, Filthy Rich stood in the middle of the road for a moment. He nodded, turning back to Verda. “I’m told you have some concerns,” he said, his voice brisk.
“Told, eh?” Verda put a hoof to her chin, gazing off into the distance. “Hmm, let me think. Who could have told you that?”
Filthy’s expression was neutral. “You’ll find Strick is rather determined to make this little excursion happen,” he said.
“That so?” Verda leveled a glare at him. “What, are you holding his foals hostage or something?”
“Not everypony is as unreasonable as you,” Filthy said, returning her glare. “I thought the other two would have convinced you this was worth the risk. Clearly, I was mistaken.”
Verda cocked her head to the side. “I must be missing something here. This expedition is clearly understaffed.” She took a step forward. “We need more security. The Forest is too dangerous for just four ponies to go that deep.”
“Really? And how do you know that?” Filthy said, smirking. “Nopony ever goes in. There isn’t an expert you can consult or a book you can read to understand the danger. Ask anypony why it’s so scary; even ponies who live right next door will tell you it just is. Even a zebra who chooses to live inside the Forest makes her home only an hour or two in.”
Rich’s lips fell back into a frown. “Nothing is known about it. It’s been practically ignored by everypony since the Castle of the Two Sisters was abandoned centuries ago.” He snorted. “Now everypony is too afraid to go near it.”
Verda narrowed her eyes. “I don’t care if you think it’s safe, we need to prepare for it not to be!” she said, taking a few more steps toward Rich. Verda stomped her hoof to emphasize each word. “We. Need. More. Ponies.”
“There aren’t any more,” Rich said, scowling at the ground. “Nopony else is willing to go.”
And yet you expect me to just waltz into the Everfree? Verda thought.
“Well, then here’s one more pony who’s unwilling to go,” Verda said. She spun around, thinking she had made her point, and began walking away.
“Before you go,” Filthy Rich said, his voice like silk, “would you like to try a Zap Apple?”
Verda halted mid-step. I don’t like that tone, she thought.
Sighing, Verda set her hoof down. “What’s a Zap Apple?” she asked, glancing back at him. The Smile had returned.
Filthy held a rainbow-skinned apple in his hoof. “It’s sort of a local delicacy. Here, take a bite,” he said, tossing Verda the apple.
Verda caught the apple. Sitting back on her haunches, Verda held the fruit up to the sun. Opaque. The color’s pretty consistent. She rubbed it. It’s not painted. Seems pretty firm. She licked the outside, then pulled away as if burned. It’s definitely magical, but it doesn’t taste like unicorn magic.
She ran a few more tests: tossing it up in the air, spinning it in her hoof, and even sprinkling a little dust from the road on it. Satisfied that it wasn’t dangerous, Verda took a bite.
Verda felt a shock run through her body. The taste was tangy and sweet, not unlike a normal apple, but the taste wasn’t the interesting part. Verda felt like her body was abuzz. Her heart raced as she was filled with energy, sweat already beginning to bead on her forehead.
“Whew.” Verda blew out in one long breath. “That’s a kick.”
Filthy was checking his hooves for dirt. “Well, they’re a bit out of season, so that one’s overripe. They do make an excellent jam, though.”
Verda had barely heard him, still staring at the fruit in her hooves. “What are their properties? How long do the effects last?”
“According to the local expert, they’re the ‘most delicious, magical fruit ah ever did see,’” Filthy said in what Verda imagined to be a heavily exaggerated country accent. “During harvesting time, I believe you can find her singing to pails of water and painting polkadots on the walls, if you care to wait.”
“She… she hasn’t tried to experiment with them or record their effects at all?” Verda said, visibly sagging.
Filthy chuckled. “You give Granny Smith a little too much credit, Miss Spring. She’s perfectly good at growing apples, but she has no need to know the exact magical effects of this fruit.” The Smile was pushed aside by a smirk. “You should hear her tell the story behind their discovery. She walked into the Everfree one night long ago and plucked a few off a nearby tree.”
Verda’s head sank as she stared at the fruit in her hooves. She furrowed her brow, turning the Zap Apple over and over as she thought. She just walked in and picked a few…
Filthy Rich stood still, the smirk never leaving his face. After a few moments, Verda was still spinning the Zap Apple in her hooves. He opened his mouth, but was interrupted.
“I keep them.”
Filthy’s ears twitched. “What was that, Miss Spring?”
“I keep them,” Verda said, meeting his gaze. “I keep the samples I bring back from this trip. That’s my price.”
Filthy winced, but the Smile returned nonetheless. “That price is a bit steep, Miss Spring. As the benefactor of this expedition, I think I should get at least a little out of it.” He took a few steps toward Verda and put a hoof to his barrel. “I mean, try to see it from my perspective. I’m sinking a great deal of capital into this venture. I need to see some return.”
“And what are you going to do with a bunch of random shrubs from the Everfree?” Verda asked, standing up. “You’re going to need somepony to tell you what they do. Who better than me?”
Filthy raised an eyebrow. “There are other botanists with a magical concentration, you know.”
“Yes, but I’ll be the only one to have traversed the Everfree.” It was Verda’s turn to grin. “Another pony would take months to understand their properties, not having experienced them firsthoof. Besides, you need somepony now, don’t you?”
Filthy sighed, shaking his head. “You drive a hard bargain, Miss Spring. However,” he said, holding out a hoof, “it’s good to finally have you aboard.”
“Yeah, well, you better hope I make it,” Verda said, taking the proffered hoof. “If I die, I’m gonna haunt you for the rest of your life.”
Chuckling, Filthy shook her hoof. “I wouldn’t worry too much. I hear timberwolves fall apart with a few well-placed rocks.”
They let their hooves drop, Verda whirling around and cantering back toward the marketplace. There are a few herbs I’m going to need, she thought to herself as she mingled with the bustle of Ponyville once again.