Twilight tried to relax as she trotted through the late afternoon forest, warm sunlight streaming down between the branches, diluted by the cool breeze and blustery leaves. She felt frustrated and confused about the ancient guardian incident, but part of her tried to reassure that she should just enjoy the calm and beauty of her deep green surroundings as they are, in the now.
The two alicorns walked across a rotting log, fallen above a small stream, their hooves thudding on the dead bark, the old wood wobbling only slightly, but holding strong. The melodies of birds and insects gradually became more vibrant and varied, competing for attention, as they moved away from the ominously quiet hill of the forest arachnid.
“I am sorry that our quest has begun with so much premature mishap,” Luna apologized, turning to share a frown with Twilight. “It is my fault for not warning you, for not remembering that the Arachnid Guardian's lair stood between Ponyville and the Plateau of Midnight.”
Twilight caught up alongside Luna, leaning over to nuzzle her gently on the cheek. “And I am sorry for using dark magic so... inappropriately,” she sighed softly. “It is not something I should draw upon at moments of negative emotional energy, I suppose.”
“Then our regrets are settled and discarded!” Luna beamed, embracing her travelling companion around the shoulder. “Let us forge a new path ahead!”
Luna pushed ahead, shoving past the bushy undergrowth on the other side of the stream, pushing into the darker woods of giant elder trees, twisted gnarled ancient tree limbs reaching overhead, often forcing the alicorn duo to duck their heads under grasping branches.
The setting sun crept down over the horizon, and the dusk already having been so short under the dense foliage, shrouding their view of the sky. Fireflies appeared as if by magic, hovering through the shrubs. Crickets creaked out their songs, while frogs called out across even smaller streams that ran alongside the journeying pair, the smell of cool mossy water in their nostrils.
“A moment of magic,” Luna declared with an eager grin, enticing a giggling blush from Twilight. “You are here to experience the forest itself, after all,” she reminded.
The moon princess halted her advance, lifting up a leg before Twilight's chest, blocking her path while staring straight ahead into a mysterious patch of flowers. “Shh. Look.”
The soft pink flowers glowed densely, petals closed to sleep for the night. Suddenly, one popped open, revealing a miniature serpent, bright orange and purple stripes criss-crossing over its finely scaled form. Springing upwards, the little reptile began to rise into air, spreading dainty little gossamer wings that shimmered in the twilight.
The little fairy serpent fluttered over towards the two alicorns. “Play?” it chirped sweetly, swaying to and fro in mid-air, hovering expectantly.
Luna nodded with enthusiasm, grinning widely like a child eager for her prize.
Swinging its tail, the flying serpent lashed out, swatting Luna squarely on the nose! “Tag!” it shrieked aloud, before darting quickly away into the trees, night already falling.
Luna winced and wriggled her nose, a fierce determination in the Moon Goddess' eyes. “We can't let it escape, Twilight! I want to win!” she laughed, folding up her wings and rearing back onto her hind-legs, kicking out at the air before darting forward into the thick undergrowth.
Twilight galloped after Luna, astonished but delighted by her friend's enthusiasm! To her amazement, she realized how strangely easy it was to maneuver between the roots and trunks now, the serpent taking wild twists and turns that always guided the alicorns along a safe path, allowing its pursuers to keep up.
What's more, a strange glittering green glow sprinkled down behind the serpent's coiling mid-air movements, leaving a bright obvious trail to keep track of, even as the faerie beast itself sometimes darted completely out of sight.
Luna's laughter filled Twilight's heart with joy, so happy to hear that ancient creature giddy as a foal, enjoying herself out in the wilds. But what of the venom? Did she not strain herself with so much effort? Again Twilight felt the struggle between contentment and anxiety, wishing she could just enjoy the magical chase!
And then it was over, the pursuers bursting out into a moonlit grotto, small pools of deep green liquid glowing before them. High above bulbous blue mushrooms rose from the earth, their spores wafting on the cool breeze, the moon shining down upon the strange fungi.
Dark purple moths flittered about, perching atop of the mushrooms. The large insects' eyes were aglitter with greed as they dipped their probosces down, sipping from the gooey green pools crowding against the towering squishy mushrooms.
Sure enough though, Luna shuddered before collapsing heavily down upon her haunches with a trembling sigh, pale and weak from the intense chase, the guardian's venom still pulsing through her veins.
Twilight moved to her side, reaching out to touch and comfort. “Don't worry, Twilight,” she urged, with a soft smile. “I can still contain this danger, this sudden renewed pain. It is worth the thrill of the hunt. I have not chased a Pixie Serpent for many, many centuries.”
“Hahaha! You lost! I reached sanctuary! Dumb silly slow ponies!” the serpent shrieked aloud while fluttering its wings rapidly, disrupting Twilight's admiration of the mystical beast, her giddy grin becoming a disapproving pout.
Twirling in midair just to show off, the pixie serpent dived for a strange cloaked figure, sitting cross-legged upon the highest mushroom in the center of the gooey grotto, a gnarled walking stick in its clutches. The serpent coiled up atop of the hood, sticking its silky tongue out at the night princesses. “Mistress, mistress! It is them! It is the fools! The ponies you wanted me to bring! Ha ha ha ha!” it chortles and sneers, glaring smugly at the newcomers.
Twilight tensed up, reluctantly ready to fight this new presence. Luna remained calm, though quite annoyed. “You are a sore winner, little pixie. I have to say, you are the rudest of your kind I've ever chased!” she scolded the serpent, giving a disapproving glare, emphasized all the more by the way her forelegs arched forward daintily together as she sat, regaining her strength.
The serpent blushed and fumed, squeaking in dismay. “H-h-hey!” it stammered. “M-mistress, she is being m-mean!” it whined, hiding its tiny face against the hood's fabric.
All the while the mysterious figure remained immobile, only adding to Twilight's tension and uncertainty. Two moths hovered up onto the large mushroom she sat upon, and finally she took action, reaching out to gently shoo one off with a sweep of her tail. The insect was half the size of the average pony, but extremely docile, willingly ducking out of the way.
The moth's presence seemed to trigger an awakening in the motionless figure, returning from a deep meditative trance. Bright yellow eyes opened up from within the hood, a catlike gaze of intense scrutiny and deep knowledge, the glow fading away, as the creature laughed softly.
“She is right, my little one,
You must be sweet while having fun!
Why crude jeers while you contort?
You're acting just like a poor sport!”
Twilight gasped aloud, blurting out in excitement as she bounced up from her defensive stance with glee, knowing that speech pattern anywhere. “Zecora, it's you! I'm so glad we've found you! Thank you, little faerie creature!” she beamed at the serpent, swishing her tail and smiling in pure delight.
The little serpent blushed all the more, whining irritably at it's mistress' scolding and its pursuer's positive glee, slithering under the hood and tucking in its wings. “Fine! Whatever! Fine!” it hissed petulantly. “I don't care!”
Zecora let down her hood, revealing the serpent to be coiled around her neck, a living necklace against her shoulders.
The medicine zebra stood to her feet, high above her friends, the large central mushroom easily 2 stories tall. The alicorns could see that she carried a bundle of potions and jars wrapped around her cloak, filled with assorted mysterious plants and herbs, tied together with vines.
Beside Zecora sat what appeared to be her heavy cauldron, no visible steam or heat wafting from the vessel of potion brewing. Twilight blinked at the cauldron, wondering how the zebra could've brought such a heavy object up there!
“Do not mind my little friend,
This young one's safety I defend.
He brought you to these sacred grounds,
Alone this grotto can't be found!”
Luna peered intently up at Zecora, craning her neck back. “Tell me, wise seer: how did you know of our presence? Can you aid us in our journey?” she whispered, quite impressed by the herbalist hermit. “You brought us here for a reason, surely?” she coughed, becoming pale again, lowering her gaze with a sigh.
“You can heal Luna, can't you?” Twilight begged, apprehensive and fearful for her safety. “Please, Zecora! It's my fault she got hurt!”
Zecora leapt down from the mushroom, heavy hooves thudding into the soft ground, creating a deep indentation. The nearby moths paid no mind to this sudden descent, their lengthy proboscis still reaching over the edges of blue fungi to sip at green water.
“In the heat of battle there can be grief,
Vengeance may claim instant relief.
But truly only plants can bring,
An end to poison lingering!”
Twilight turned her face away, frowning. Twice now she had felt scolded for her ferocious defence of a pony she loved, and it still didn't feel fair. Yet, she hated to admit, it felt logical, even within the cryptic rhyming pattern of the seer.
Zecora gently touched Twilight's chest, coaxing the alicorn princess to gaze into the zebra's beautiful serene eyes, tears nearly forming in her own.
“It is done, the blood was spilt,
Do not hold your heart in guilt!
What matters is we heal the moon,
I'll give my fresh brew really soon!”
Twilight gave Zecora a big grateful hug, suddenly pulling away as a voice shrieked angrily. “Ahhh! Watch it! Move it!” the serpent threatened, sliding down around Zecora's lower foreleg now, coiling about her calf.
The princess of magic stares as the creature visibly hardens into a shiny metal, safe and secure, yet apparently still sensitive to touch! “Sorry!” squeaked Twilight in embarrassment, not sure if the pixie serpent could hear her though.
“I am in your debt for drawing us here, wise one. Do as you will,” Luna sighed heavily, her legs becoming wobbly, having difficulty even sitting upright now.
Zecora reached out and gently touched Luna on the flank and foreleg, guiding her along to the giant mushroom she was meditating upon, glowing spores drifting down in the moonlight.
“A regular pony would not survive,
Due to your powers you are alive.
Now spread your dark wings and ascend,
Or do you need a lift, my friend?”
“I'll help her,” Twilight blurted out enthusiastically, already hovering in mid-air as she reached out to hug Luna around the waist. Grunting with the weight, she gasped as she struggled to lift the larger mare, surprised and wondering why Luna's mass felt so dense! Or were her wings just not used to this sort of thing?
Luna frowned and blushed heavily, despite the pale tone of the venom. She gave Twilight a gentle nudge aside with her muzzle, earning a grumpy pout from the princess of Friendship. “It's alright,” Luna assured quietly. “I think I can still make it.”
The other two equines stepped back a pace, resting their hooves onto the marshy muck on the edge of the pools, watching as the princess of the Night beat her wings, slowly rising upwards, wobbling and straining with the effort.
Twilight swept over to Luna's side again, smiling. “I can steer at least,” she suggested, gently nudging at Luna's flank, supporting her chest with the other arm.
“Fine,” Luna grumbled, humiliated and yet grateful all the same. Steadily she hovered upwards, finally lifting up over the side of the enormous blue toadstool, gasping as she slumped forward onto its surface with a groan.
The two dark fuzzy moths twitched their antennae towards this new intruder, before finally fluttering off to smaller toadstools nearby, intimidated by Luna's mere presence.
“Thank you,” Luna croaked in exhaustion, closing her eyes as she pressed her belly against the soft warm blue mushroom, its texture soothing and relaxing, somehow ebbing and drawing the pain away.
Twilight gently rubbed Luna's back with a smile, looking up and gasping in surprise, doing a double-take as she stared right at Zecora. “How did you-?” she began to question, when Zecora tilted her tall gnarled walking staff downwards, its wood shining in the moonlight. “Oh,” Twilight smiled, imagining what acrobatic feat the nimble medicine zebra may have performed while she wasn't looking!
“Now this fungus will ease your pains,
Energy ebbing poison from your veins.
Mushroom's crown is safe and secure,
Rest with ease, while I apply a cure.”
Zecora pulled out a clear glass jug from her assortment of flasks along her waist, reaching over to the nearby cold cauldron, dipping the jug inside and pulling it back out, filled now with a potion of a familiar red color.
Twilight stared in surprise, pointing at the mixture. “That's the same color as the bright leaves the arachnid guardian was wearing! Don't tell me that's an anti-venom for its poison?”
Zecora gave a sly wink, a crafty grin on her face as she lifted up her potion, scooping out a chunk of blue mushroom flesh from one of her satchels, and pushing it into the flask, the mixture sizzling and steaming, as it dissolved into a deep purple color.
“The guardian absorbs most poison of red leaves,
Yet traces remain for those who'd otherwise grieve!
Blue mushroom's surface shall help her to bask,
While flesh of the fungus shall fuse in this flask!”
Stooping over, she gently presses the bubbling flask against Luna's lips, nodding encouragingly as the moon princess tilted her head back and gulped down the bitter brew, shuddering as she pressed her belly against the soothing surface of the mysterious mushroom.
“This concoction tastes truly vile,” Luna gagged, sticking out her tongue. “That probably means it will work wonders for me.”
Zecora laughed aloud at that, giving Luna a firm pat on the back. The moths swooped back down upon the mushroom crown, apparently relaxed now that Luna had settled into her healing sprawl. The Moon goddess' breath heaved slowly in and out, steadily focusing on the strong magic energy around her, and the moonlight beaming down upon her backside.
Twilight finally began to relax, smiling as she sat watching the moths, giggling at their cute appearances, fascinated by their feeding habits. That green glop almost certainly would taste terrible for a pony, perhaps even worse poison than that of the tree arachnid. Yet the glowing arching fungi they rested upon gave even Twilight a bit of a relaxing sense of calm and rejuvenation. What caused this reaction?
“I love the magic of this forest, I truly do,” Twilight admitted aloud, as much to herself as to Luna and Zecora. Reaching out delicately, she tried to pet a moth, but it fluttered away from her, gripping at the mushroom's far surface. Twilight frowned in disappointment. “It's just too bad it doesn't seem to love me too...”
“The Arachnid Guardian still survives,
She seems to have dozens of lives!
Still I hope that you have learned,
Of danger and risk and powers earned.”
Twilight turned to face Zecora, the medicine zebra's friendly demeanor suddenly serious, her face set in a frown, her cat-like gaze piercing Twilight. Twilight glared back at her, standing tall. “I have learned much today, yes. However, I refuse to let myself feel guilt over the circumstances,” she took a step forward. “Pain was traded for pain, two lives nearly lost. In the end, however, both parties have come out as survivors, stronger than before, and so have I.”
Luna's steady breathing suddenly halted, staring curiously at the younger alicorn princess, wonder in her eyes, reminded of her admiration for Twilight Sparkle.
Zecora's eyes remained locked with Twilight's for a few seconds more, before they finally closed for several moments. Then the familiar smile reappeared, as though a spell had been broken, the zebra nodding as her mood lightened.
“Much of life is a precarious path,
Easy sometimes to invoke nature's wrath.
I trust your judgement, Princess Twilight,
And the guidance of your friend the Moonlight.”
Luna felt herself giggle a bit at that, enjoying the title bestowed upon her. “So, this mushroom: this is another Guardian isn't it?” the Moon goddess questioned, gently petting its smooth surface. “I have never found this place before, not in all my travels across the Everfree, and yet it feels like another sanctuary of these woods.”
Zecora nodded, tapping a hoof on the enormous mushroom, its crown wide enough to easily carry the rest of Elements of Harmony and their closest relations.
“Ancient magic has a strong embrace,
I could not hope to find this place.
Relying instead on the Pixie's wiles,
Although his shrieks are sometimes vile!”
The little pixie serpent wailed again in frustration, “Hey! Hey! That's just so mean! Meanie! Meanie!” it shrieked and squirmed, glittering with embarrassment as it unfurled itself, whizzing about in midair in a rage, apparently having eavesdropped the whole time while coiled around Zecora's foreleg.
Zecora and her two friends laughed aloud, the medicine zebra lifting up her arm, a signal for the winged serpent to alight upon its surface and coil around, as she leaned forward to nuzzle its snout.
“There, there, my precious little friend,
Your help I always recommend.
Don't stress yourself, it's time to rest,
So we may later rise and be our best.”
Twilight sighed in relief, glad to have found such a beautiful peaceful spot, vaguely listening as the princess of night and the wise mystic began to converse with one another, sharing forest lore. She was desperately eager to listen and learn, and yet at the same time, her mind wandered about, as it often did, calculating and contemplating so much all at once.
How many sacred forest sanctuaries were there, anyway? Would she find any as beautiful as this mushroom grotto or Tree of Harmony? Or would she encounter others as terrible as that Arachnid Guardian's red tree hill? Surely there was a pattern behind all these guardian locations, as well? Some greater purpose? Surely there were deeper secrets to unravel? But would it be too foolish or deadly to try?
Twilight decided to rest her anxious curiosity for now, exhausted after the busy day of flying, fighting, trekking, running. Lying down she gave a soft yawn, and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep atop the glowing blue mushroom, while her friends watched over her, in the darkness of the night, and the shining moonlight.