//------------------------------//
// Ch 4 Everfree Forest 
// Story: Run of the plague 
// by reader8363 
//------------------------------//

I woke up the next morning to what smelled like waffles, I walked into the kitchen to see Spike, making waffles, lucky guess, and Twilight reading a book. I sat down, accidentally bumping the table and startling Twilight. She jumped and fell back in her chair, me and I ran over to her and I said, “Twilight, you okay?

She got up and said, “I’m fine, just forgot you were here. So, how did you sleep?

I said, as I sat back down, “I slept okay.”

Then Spike said, “Do you want some waffles, Timber?”

I turned to Spike and said, “Yeah, just one.”

Spike gave me a waffle and said, “Yesterday, Twilight said that you were freaking out about everything, why weren’t you freaking about me, do they have dragons where you’re from?”

I took the waffle and said, “We do have dragon, but they are just lizards. Don’t get me wrong, I was freaking out a talking dragon, but when I saw you crawling away, it made less scared, but I was still freaking out.”

He said, “Oh, that makes sense.” Then he walked back to the stove. I finished the waffle and said, “I'm going to walk around Ponyville, is there any places I should check.”

Twilight said, “You should go see Applejack, She lives on the apple farm called Sweet Apple Acre. She might be working. Don’t forget, your party is tonight.”

I said, as I exit the building, “I have pretty good memory.” I walked around Ponyville, until I reach the apple orchard, when I got to the opening, I read the sign, Sweet Apple Acre. Then I walked in.

I been in an orchard, but none this big, must’ve been here hundreds of years. Then I heard something that sounded, like an ax hitting a tree. I walked to it, being careful not to knock of baskets of apples that were everywhere, and the sound louder, until I saw an orange pony, with yellow mane and tail in a ponytail, no comments, and a hat, running up to a tree and hitting with her hooves. I walked into view and said, “I take it you’re Applejack.”

She jumped and said, in what I think a country accent, “You scared me, yeah, what can I do for you? I take it that you are the human that came yesterday

I said, “Yeah, name’s Timber, I’m just checking out what Ponyville has to offer, Seeing I’m going to be here awhile. This is a  really big orchard, must be old”

She said, “Pleasure to meet you, Timber. Sure is, it’s been around since my grandma was young.”

I nodded, and said, “It was nice to meet you.”

As I was walking away, I heard someone say, “Hey there mister.”

I turned to the voice, I saw Applebloom, running towards me, with a grin. I turned my full body and said, “Hey Applebloom, did you and Sweetie Belle get Scootaloo to the hospital?”

Applebloom said, “Yeah, she just sprained it.”

I sighed, “That’s good, I guess I forgot to give you my name, It’s Timber.” Then I saw Applejack was between surprised, shock, and confused. “I met Applebloom and her friends in the park, yesterday.”

Applebloom said, “Sorry, sis, was going to tell ya, but I forgot.”

I said, “So. you two are Sisters.  It was nice to see you, I have to go see about my office building.” I walked out of the orchards, and headed to town.

As I got to the Twilight’s castle, I was greeted by Twilight coming out. She said, when she saw me, “So, did you meet Applejack?”

I said, “Yeah, Just found out Applebloom and Apple are sisters. Could you show me my new work place, so I can get started on repairing, or make it ready for me to work.”

Twilight nodded and said, “Follow me.” Then led me to a building that looked like it went through a fire, holes through the roof and the walls, the shutters were hanging off, basically in need of repair.

I said, as I walked into the building, “How long has it been like this?”

Twilight shrugged, and said, “I don’t know, it was like this before I got here.”

I sighed, at least I had a class on woodworking, where I build stuff with wood. I said, is there a place where i can get tools to get started on it?”

Twilight said, “I’ll get you the stuff you need.”

I said, “Ok, I will talk to some ponies around Ponyville.”

Twilight said,  “Okay.” Then walked off, as I finished looking over the building.
I walked around Ponyville, some ponies stopped and said hi, some just stared and/or whispered, and others just ignored me. After a while, I decided to go into the forest, it might have some clues on what I’m going to be facing. I was about to walk in when I heard a pony say, “Um, Timber.”

I turned around to see Fluttershy standing there. I turned fully around and said, “Hey Fluttershy, what are you doing out, I mean that in a good way.”

Fluttershy lowered her head, and covered half her face and said, “I was getting some stuff, then I saw you heading to the Everfree forest. So I came over to see what you are up to.”

I said, as I leaned against a tree, “I was just going to see if I can find something that might help me understand what I will be dealing with. You are welcome to come, if you like. “

Fluttershy took a step back and said, “No thanks. I need to get back to my poor animals. I just came to warn you that the Everfree forest is scary. Once I ran into Twilight frozen by a cocktrice, and got chased by a hydra, well, my friend got chased as well.” 

I placed my hand on her head and said, “I get it, you’re warning me about what’s in there, but don’t worry, I going to be fine.”

Fluttershy flinched, when I placed my hand on her head, but didn’t pulled away. She became surprised when I started rubbing her ear. Then I left and head into the forest. After a while I heard a crack of a branch and I turned around to see a zebra standing there. The zebra said, “Hello, I know why you are here, You do not need to fear.”

I said, after realizing that she was rhyming, but I didn’t question it, “Hello, may I what your name is, and do you know what plague will be coming?”

The zebra said, My name is Zecora, pleasure to meet ya. I don’t know what it will be, but it will begin almost immediately.” Then she walked off. 

After I couldn’t see her, I heard Twilight say, “Timber, there you are. Fluttershy told me you came in here to see if you could find any information on the plague. So, did you find any?”

I was about to answer, when I heard a terrible roar, I spun around to a big lion with wings and a scorpion tail. I screamed, as I realized it was, and said, “You gotta be kidding me, a manticore. Twilight, run.” I ran the opposite way, but the manticore blocked my path and took a swing at me. Then I felt Twilight push me out of the way and saw go flying into a tree. 

When I saw her body slump to the ground, something inside of me snapped. I stood up and said, “No one, or thing hurts my friends.” Then charge at it. It took a swing at me, but I jumped/flipped over the paw, and when I close to it’s face, I punched it in the nose. It reared back, let out a roar, then walked away.

After it left, I sat down and took a breath, then I walked over to Twilight, and looked for a pulse. I sighed with relief as I felt a pulse. Then I noticed there was blood coming from a big gash on her forehead. I picked her up and ran to the castle.

When I got there, I sat Twilight down and opened the door then I picked her up. When we were in, I kicked the door shut, which brought Spike. When he saw Twilight in my arm, his mouth dropped open. I said, “I don’t have time to explain, I need some bandages, a rag, and a some water, hurry.” Then I ran to Twilight’s room. I didn’t any attention to how the room look, I placed Twilight on her bed. Then Spike came into the room and placed a basin filled with water and a rag hanging out , then I handed me the bandages. I took the bandages, and set them down, then I grabbed the rag, and got it wet. Then I washed off the blood, dirt and grime. After I was done, I grabbed the bandages and started wrapping her head. After I was done I placed a hand on her hind leg. She gasped and opened her eyes. I said. “Twilight, is there something wrong. Are you hurt anywhere else?

She said, “No, but could you remove your hand, it's cold.” Then she sat up, after I removed my hand, and said, “What happened to the manticore?”

I said, with a shrug of my shoulder, “It walked off. After it left, I carried you here and  bandaged a nasty cut on your forehead. You get some rest, you lost a lot of blood.” 

I was about to close the door, when Twilight said, “Timber, wait.” I turned to her, then she said, “Thanks.”

I smiled and said, “You are most welcome.” Then I shut the door, to let her sleep