//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 - The Rarest Of All // Story: The Hungry Eyes // by Ammie Kindheart //------------------------------// As the wagons entered the town square, many of the other townsponies gathered there. The stories of what had happened to the Grimes colts had spread like wildfire, and to say that Ponyville’s population was uneasy was putting it mildly. The mares were making sure that they kept a close eye on their foals. Mamie Quarters, the owner of the new Red Hoof Inn, graciously opened her doors to the Grimes family as well as Zecora. Once they were settled in, this made for an excellent set-up, so Zecora could continue her treatment of Troy’s wounds. The trip to town had not been too strenuous on either colt and both were healing. But getting any information from them was impossible, as both colts panicked if reminded of their time in the forest. Many of the stallions, after getting something to eat, broke into groups to resume the search. Each group left with instructions to be back in town before the sun set. Princess Twilight sent a message to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, explaining the events of the last two days. After seeing the wounds on little Troy, Twilight knew that they were no longer dealing simply with missing colts. Considering Zecora’s magic protection spells the night before, they were dealing with much more. * * * Ammie, Peach, and Morgan went to Ammie’s home at the edge of town. While Peach and Morgan quickly unpacked, Ammie fixed them some lunch. They were all tired after spending the night at Zecora’s, but they all felt they could not rest. After lunch, the moving company arrived early with their belongings. This was of great benefit, for among that shipment were items critical for Morgan to evaluate the evidence collected from the Grimes colts. Within a couple hours of working together, the three mares and the movers had not only unloaded the crates, but had arranged an office and laboratory in a small cottage on Ammie’s property. Paying the two unicorn stallions handsomely for all their extra help, Morgan went to work analyzing the evidence. She wrote down her findings as she made them: Case notes as follows: 1. All hair found on both victims’ belongings and bodies tested. All are equine. Some hair belongs to each victim, although there are many samples belonging to two unknown male contributors. 2. Blood samples on each colts’ items match the colts. 3. Blanket brought in with Troy contained multiple hair samples from unknown donor #1. Black and dark grey in color. This indicates possibility the blanket belonged to donor #1. 4. Hair samples light grey in color, belong to unknown donor #2 5. Several samples of the green algae as well as the poultice made from the algae are present on Troy’s blanket. 6. The traces of suspected berries on Buddy’s blanket are indeed Luna Berries. These berries, so named because they only bloom at night, only grow in this area. When asked, Ammie Kindheart confirmed that there are many patches of these berries that grow along the path between the Apple Farm and the Everfree Forest. This path is also the suspected trail the colts took the night they went missing. * * * By the time the sun had set, the weary search parties had returned to town, each having found no clue of Nate Grimes. The evening train stopped at the station, and several stallions stepped off. Seeing the crowd in the town square, the newcomers joined them. Big Mac was the first to notice the stallions. Stepping up to them, he introduced himself. One of the four said, “Hi, I’m Hoops. This here’s my buddies, Dumb-bell and Score. That fella over there is Dr. Cab—uh, how do you say your name again?” he finished, cheeks coloring. “I am Dr. Caballeron,” said the stallion, with a Spanish accent. “My companions and I were taking in the fair town of Appleoosa, and it seems we had a bit of a disagreement.” “I’ll say,” said Hoops as he and his buddies laughed. “Anyway, the four of us had this talk with Sheriff Silverstar. He said we could come over here and help you ponies, or spend the night in his jail. Since we have no real fondness for jails, we volunteered to come help.” He smiled. “The kind Sheriff asked us to convey his well wishes, and he also said he wished he could come help himself, but he was unable to get away at this time,” said the smooth-talking Dr. Caballeron. “I didn’t know word had been sent out ’bout our troubles, but we all sure ’ppreciate th’ help,” said Big Mac with a weary sigh. “At this point, we’re jus’ goin’ ta guard th’ town tonight. We’ve still got one colt missin’, an’ th’ two we have found’re jus’ plumb terrified. Th’ older one was hurt—with some kinda huge claws, I’d reckon by th’ marks. I tell ya, this all’s jus’ plumb puzzlin’. Since we don’t know what kinda creature we’re dealin’ with, we think it best ta stay in th’ safety of town ’til mornin’. Come on over here an’ we’ll see where they need help.” Big Mac led the stallions to Twilight, who was heading up the command center in the town hall. Hoops and Dum-bell were assigned to Bulk Biceps’s guard team. Score and Dr. Caballeron were assigned to Igneous Rock’s crew. Igneous—Pinkie Pie’s father—like every other stallion, wanted to do his part to keep Ponyville safe. * * * The small boat slipped up to the dock in Ponyville. Securing the ropes, the zebra stepped onto dry land. Picking up his bags, he settled them across his back and began to walk from the river to the town square. He had only gone a short way when he was stopped by a stallion walking guard duty, who then escorted him to Town Hall. The guard led the zebra to Twilight, who refused to rest because she felt she was somehow to blame for the whole incident. The guard told Twilight about finding the zebra by the river. Big Mac, who was lightly sleeping on a mattress he had placed in the corner of the room, heard the guard and quickly came to see what was going on. “Ah, the strong one,” said the zebra. “I saw your image in the smoke. You will be the one to find the colt.” Big Mac and Twilight looked at each other, then back at the zebra, suspicion clearly written on their faces. “Yes, you do well to be cautious. The darkness that stalks is closer than the forest,” said the zebra. “I was sent to help for such a time as this. I am Jaberi of the Zebrican tribe Cherica.” Big Mac and Twilight relaxed a little as Jaberi continued, “There are two here that are in great danger, more than any other ponies. The Evil One knows these two have the power to defeat him, so he will make attempts on their lives.” “How do you know all of this?” asked Twilight. Jaberi smiled and said, “You who have magic of your own, can you not sense when others do as well? I believe here in Equestria only the unicorn, alicorn, or Princesses have special magic. In Zebrica, our tribes’ healers and chiefs are rarely given special magic as well. Healers typically have simply the ability to heal. Rarely, some are gifted with the ability to see images in the smoke from the hearth. Others have the capacity to see into the minds of others, though this is the rarest of all. In the last three generations, there have only been three of these: an old medicine mare named Lesede, I am honored to be one, and one other that I believe you know well.” At the same time, Twilight and Big Mac both exclaimed, “Zecora!” * * * Zecora had prepared many more of the small magic bundles she had protected her home with the night before. After explaining what to do with them to Rainbow Dash, she divided the bundles between Coal and Rainbow. The two flew around the town and dropped them in the protective ring. Feeling again the dark forces, although not nearly as strong, Zecora was concerned for all the ponies. When will we find that colt? she thought, stepping out into the yard of the inn. She moved to an unlit area, eyes scanning the darkness behind the building. Hearing the soft rustle of wings, she turned and saw Coal landing. She smiled as he walked up and rubbed against her shoulder, a low rumble in his chest—a greeting. Both of them took comfort in the touch of the other. “Three nights in the Everfree,” Zecora whispered to her companion. “Where could that pony really be? The evil force we both do feel, and so I know the threat is real. If it were simply a creature of the night, would we feel this need to fight? Oh, no, my friend, I truly feel that many more this fiend will kill.” Coal nudged Zecora’s shoulder and growled as he shook his head. Zecora gave a soft chuckle. “Ah, yes, my friend, you’re good for me. You remind me to think positively.” With that, they returned to their room.