The Everfree forest was a dangerous place. Ask any pony and they tell you this. With a wild life that could render you petrified, envenomed or worse, you would do well to not doubt the truth. But despite all the cockatrice, manticores, hydras, dragons, serpents and scary-faced foliage, never once did any pony believe that the place was evil.
Until now that is.
The sound of galloping echoed in the night air of the forest as three ponies ran for all their worth in the dense undergrowth, in the deepest, thorniest parts of the Everfree forest. Further and further in they went where no normal pony would dare hope to tread. It was a small wonder no creatures of the night had taken them for a late night meal.
"We need to hurry." Emerard Glow galloped into the forest, his horn aglow with the green light of his magic. In whispered tones people spoke of how green magic was such an evil. The changelings used it, even demons and evil dragons. Now he understood why, it was all that person's fault. This green coat and mane he was born with was all because of the hex that hung over his family. A hex he had brought low on him.
"Don't worry. I'm right beside you." A grey pegasus cyclops flew low and close. His focus was straight ahead, looking with his one good eye, his other lazy eye hiding within his eye patch. He was now ahead of Emerald by a few hoofs signalling to him with his golden tail where to swerve and turn in the dense forest.
"I won't let you down." A lilac coloured earth pony followed close behind. He galloped with two legs to make up for the deficiency of his wheeled-chaired hind ones. His forelegs burned with the effort but he kept up, making utterly sure the glow of the unicorn was ever within his sights.
For my family...
For my brother...
For my sister...
They ran and refused to stop.
"This is where they went then, pupil?" Scarlet Rose cantered to the edge of the forest. Her red mane flowing about her like an angry crimson flame. And in this darkness, her black coat gave way even more to the idea.
Letting her apprentice's horn glow she let the mare move ahead. The way she wore her hat and cloak of moon-stars directed the light downwards and forwards into a focused beam. She illuminated the path the three colts took. In the mud and dirt a set of glowing hoof prints and a pair of smooth grooves marked their way.
"These grooves confirm my brother's involvement, mistress." Lilac Dreams was scared to believe it but mayhaps the truth did speak to her. Mayhaps her brother was a cultist of Discord. She looked back to see if her mistress acknowledged her words but already she had turned away, barking her words. Lilac looked just in time to see Scarlet's twin tailed cloak kick up with the sudden turn, revealing the infamous bloody red rose on her flank.
"Guards. On formation. If we encounter trouble on the way, I want a series of two-pony rear guards ready so that we are not to be delayed." Scarlet spoke and the guards saluted in answer. Lilac stood beside her mistress while the guards formed an loose encirclement. They would swerve and turn in the woods like starlings, breaking and reforming formation when needed as they made their way to the ritual grounds. They were ready to go, a look from Scarlet's crimson eyes told Liliac what to do next.
"Horns aglow! March!" Lilac commanded with uncharacteristic authority. The six other unicorns in the group ignited the light in their horns and without losing a beat they all began their gallop.