> The Legend of Zelda: Friendship is Magic
>  by Multi Personas
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Legend of Zelda: Friendship is Magic

Chapter I



	Run. Just keep running and let Link take care of the fighting. Just keep your eyes on your destination; the big black swirly thingy.
These are the thoughts that raced through my head as I ran. There were four goblins in front of me, riding two heavily armored warthogs; one steered the oversized pig, and another shot flaming arrows. The goblins were lousy shots on steady ground, much less on a very mad warthog, but one or two arrows of the fifty they shot actually hit me. Luckily my light armor protected me and the arrows got reflected off the metal.
Shing!
I heard Link draw his sword from it's sheath and I felt his hand leave the reins.
Thish! Thunk!
I heard the sound of Link's crossbow shoot and arrow and saw and heard the arrow strike the goblin who was steering the warthog to the left. The rider pitched forwards and made the warthog trip and fall to the ground right in my path. I took no hesitation as I jumped over the fallen warthog and I felt my hoof smack into the remaining goblin in the head. 
It made me stumble ever so slightly as I landed but I poured on much more speed, getting closer to the last goblin. My light armor covered my chest to my flank, and my neck so it didn't slow me down much; the warthog's armor looked very heavy and it covered it's legs, hindering it's movements and slowing it down, so I had no problem catching up to it so Link can slash at the goblins riding it's back.
As soon as I got close enough I heard Link give a mighty yell and I felt wetness hit my legs. I knew it was blood but that didn't slow me down. Link gave another yell and I saw the warthog veer off away from us from the corner of my eye. I felt Link pat my neck in thanks.
Me and Link have been fighting for most of my years; through Link's actions in battle I could tell what he needed me to do with out him saying so, and it was that that we have won so many battles, may it be pesky goblins or stupid thieves, we never lost.
“Come on Epona!” I heard Link yell, digging his heels into my sides, trying to get me to go faster. And faster I went.
We were racing across a field that had burned and broken trees, it looked as though this was once a beautiful place but the forces of evil have ravished the land, the sky looked like it was stuck in a dark form of twilight. Ahead of us was a very old looking stone bridge that stretched over a very long chasm. That thing swirled overhead, menacingly. It was black with dark blue around it's edges, and it had tendrils whipping across the sky, lightning was erupting from it every few seconds.
We arrived at the bridge and I stormed onto it, but what I saw and Link tugging on my reins made me skid to a stop. On the other side of bridge were many moblins, goblins, and everything in between. I let out loud labored breaths and pain shot through my joint from all the running and jumping. I felt Link lean in close to my ear and I could here his panting.
“Are you ready for this Epona?”
In response I reared back and let out a very loud whinny before taking off towards the dark spawn, who in turn charged for us.
I don't quite remember what all happened in the collide, I know I knocked some away and Link killed many but other than that I was a blur to me. I however felt a large pain on my underside. I knew it wasn't a very large gash, but it did make running and continuing a little hard, but I didn't let it show and I just charged on. Before I knew it we had made it through their (hopefully) last line of defense, however I quickly came upon something else that I feared.
Stairs!
Oh how I hated stairs, especially these kind of stairs; the kind that went down!
But regardless, I clenched my teeth harder and ran towards them. I knew it would be suicide to run down them, so as soon as I got to edge of them I jumped with all I had. Time had seemed to slow as I made my decent. I knew it would hurt like hell landing, but there wasn't anything I could do, and I needed to get to the dark swirly thingy.
I was right with the landing being rough, and the slice on my underside hurt like hell, but I kept on pushing. No one else was left to challenge us as we kept thundering on, the swirly thing growing ever so closer. 
Suddenly I felt a giant tremor shake through the ground and a few trees got ripped up by some unknown force. I felt Link tug on my reigns but I didn't stop and he was yelling something but I couldn't make it out due to the loud sounds the tremors made.
I soon found out what he was shouting because suddenly a large piece of earth erupted in front of me and I just barely dodged it and I kept running. Earth kept coming up from the ground all around me and before I could react, the ground opened up from underneath me and I found myself tumbling downwards into deep darkness.
~~~
The darkness gave away to a very bright light and I closed my eyes trying to shield them. As soon as I closed my eyes I felt everything around me calm down. I no longer felt the weight of Link on my back, nor the slash on my stomach. I suddenly felt very calm.
I found myself remembering the past. From when I was first born to adulthood.
I remember a large ranch and a small red haired girl. I didn't trust anybody back then, but this girl had something about her that made me feel at ease around her, but I was still not going to approach her. That is until I heard her beautiful voice. I approached her cautiously after she had got done singing one day and I felt a type of bond between me and her. She named me Epona after the horse god on that day. I liked it. Soon I found myself playing with this girl, Malon I had overheard, and I was very happy for a while.
Then he came. He just came out of nowhere, but I still felt a sudden connection with him, much stronger than what I had with Malon. Though I still didn't approach him. Malon must have felt this connection we had because she taught him our song. He didn't sing it though. No, he played it on his ocarina. It sounded amazing, it sounded almost as good as Malon's voice. Almost.
Malon called him fairy boy, but his proper name is Link.
Link came often to play with both me and Malon. Though one day, he disappeared. This left both me and Malon saddened. But most of all, this left me feeling betrayed. He had quickly became my best friend and he left. I didn't see him for seven years, and in those years I was trained, harshly. When he did come back, I ran from him, not out of fear, but out of disgust. He asked the ranch hand if he could ride a horse and he let him, for a price. He kept coming for me, but I kept running away, that is until he pulled out his ocarina. I was slightly confused as to this but once he played our song, memories of him playing on the farm as a child came rushing back to me, and I found myself forgiving him, as Malon did long ago. Me and him raced Ingo, the ranch hand, and won, then Link stole me. He had to, or he would have been killed. We jumped over the fence that surrounded the ranch and we rode off. We came back to see that Ingo had been released from his dark embrace and the ranch was back to the way it was meant to be.
Link then took me all across the fields of Hyrule, doing his quests and what not. He often relied on me and for that I was grateful. Soon time had been rewound, but I never did forget our quest that never happened. Link came by often again and stayed many nights. But soon he was called to another quest, but this time I came with. And thus started our many adventures together.
~~~
Suddenly darkness came back to fill the white void as did my senses.
First was hearing and I heard birds chirping and the swaying of trees. Then touch, I felt something very heavy pushing on my body but I was too weak to do anything about it. Then taste, I could could taste the cold metal that was my bit, though my bit felt much bigger than before and I spat them out onto the ground. Then smell, I smelt a lot of good smells, like wild flowers. And lastly came sight. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at my surroundings. Very dense woods that seemed to block out the sun surrounded me. I closed my eyes once again and felt myself slipping into sleep.
~~~
The sleep was restless but once I awoke I did feel more exuberant. The heavy thing was still on me so I quickly started to slide out from under it. My hooves felt very weird as I pulled myself but I ignored it and pulled myself out. Once I was out of it I gave my self a little stretch and turned around to see what it was.
To say I was surprised when I found it was my armor and saddle bags that had obviously grown, was an understatement. I was about to take a step forwards when I felt... strange. It didn't feel tingly or anything like that, but I just felt strange, like I was in a new body. As I stretched out a hoof to take a step, I saw something that made my eyes widen then shrink. I looked at my hoof, however it didn't look like my hoof. First of all it was a lot thicker than my normal hoof, and it was completely covered in brown fur. I instantly froze, my eyes glued to my now weird looking hoof. I slowly lowered my hoof until it rested on the ground. I took a deep breath and gulped before I slowly turned my head around to look at my new body.
The first thing I could tell was I was small. Like extremely small.
Oh Goddesses I hope I'm not a filly again! I screamed in my head. That wasn't the best time for me.
The next thing was the symbol on my flank. It sorta looked like the Triforce Triangle, much like the one on the back of Links right hand.
When did I get a tattoo? I asked myself. I knew what a tattoo was from Link, he got drunk once at a milk bar and got a deku fighting a keese on his back. I’m not sure why.
A quick look onto the other side confirmed that I had one on that side also.
Two tattoos?!
I took a shaky breath, then I realized something very important. I quickly looked in between my legs.
Thank Goddesses, I’m still a mare!
Being a mare is something that I take pride in. Many stallions say that a battle field is no place for a mare and I love proving them wrong.
Another thing I realized when I checked my gender was: I still had that slash on my stomach. It wasn't that big or deep but in a forest it could get infected it could be fatal. Normally Link tends to any wounds on me.
Wait....
“Link?!” I shouted. I was so surprised that I fell on my flank. I quickly looked around to see who had made the noise. “I-I-I can t-talk?” now this had to be a dream. But I felt so real! Taking my new found voice I called out for Link again. “Link? Link!?”
I started to search for him, but I didn't need to search far. “LINK!” I yelled as I rushed to his side. I was no longer taller than him or wider, if anything I came up to his waist, maybe a little taller. He was face down in the dirt, stretched out. “Nonononononononononon....” I muttered as I tried to flip him over. I used my now shortened muzzle to slowly turn him over. And damn was he heavy. I blamed it on my now smaller body.
With him now on his back I quickly placed an ear to his chest. I couldn't hear anything because of his chain mail and the clothing but I did feel his breath on my mane. I could have cried for the fact that he was still alive. But I didn't, now was not the time for crying. Now was the time for action.... but what do I do.
Link was always the one to come up with plans and what not. I would carry him out of the forest, but I am now too weak. Instead I laid down by his side, curling up to him, and did the only thing I felt I could do at the time. Sing our song. Or more hum it, but still.
I knew I should have tried to close up the slash on my stomach but I didn't know how as Link always did it for me. So I just nuzzled up against Link and continued to hum.
~~~
I'm not sure how long I have been humming our song, but I do feel my eyes start to get heavy. I feel my head start to sink but I snap it back up and continue to hum, louder this time. 
Rustle rustle.
I snap my head up to the sound of rustling leaves and squint my eyes, trying to find what made that noise. I’m suddenly very alert and awake. I found myself standing in a crouched stance, looking like I was ready to pounce on something that would dare to come near me. I pulled my teeth back and to my surprise, I growled. Man I was full of surprises today.
The thing that made the noise came out of the bushes and to my surprise, I found that I was looking at another horse. But this horse was strange. It looked a little taller than me, and it was purple. PURPLE FOR GODDESSESS SAKE! 
It's mane was also purple with a little pink in it, right next to it's horn.... HORN!?
This is no horse.
“Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle,” it said. “What are you doing out here?”
> Chapter II
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Legend of Zelda: Friendship is Magic
Chapter II

I said nothing, but I kept my eyes on it, watching it's every movement. The smile on it's face faltered a little when it saw that I am still in attack mode.

Rustle rustle.

The bushes that the thing in front of me rustled again and I tensed up again and let out another growl. I’m still not sure why I growled, it just felt right.

“Yo, Twi! Where are-” the voice stopped when another thing broke through and found itself looking at me. This thing was even weirder than the first; it's mane had every color of the rainbow, and it was a light blue. It didn't have a horn but I could see wings on it's back. Again I tried to hide my surprise. “Um, Twi? Why is she out here?”

This “Twilight Sparkle”, looked over at her rainbow maned friend and shrugged her shoulders slightly, then turned back to me.

“Are you lost?” she asked as she took a step forwards. 

I instinctively stepped back and let out another growl and barred my teeth like I saw other animals do when they try to look intimidating. The purple horse flinched and stepped back, but her friend jumped in front of her and took a fighting stance like me, and tried to put on a scary face, letting out a deep growl. It probably would have worked if she didn't have a rainbow mane. Just something about it made her less scary and made me not take her as serious.

“Rainbow wait!” the purple horse suddenly exclaimed, putting a hoof in front of the one called “Rainbow”. Fitting name I suppose. The purple horse looked at me and put on a kind smile. “It's ok, we're not going to hurt you,” she said in a kind voice. The tone of her voice made me feel that maybe she wouldn't hurt me... then again I would like to see her try to hurt a horse like me, she didn't look that strong and her horn wasn't sharp, but it could probably poke an eye out or something if she stabbed hard enough. “Can you understand me?”

“Yes,” I risk saying. This seemed to brighten up her mood.

“Oh good!” she said with a big smile and she let out a sigh. “Ok, but what are you doing out in the Everfree?” 

“Where?” this put a look of confusion on her face.

“Um, the Everfree Forest?” Twilight said gesturing to the forest around us.

“What part of Hyrule is that in?” this only made her even more confused.

“Hyrule?” she asked, sitting down and rubbing her hoof on her chin. “I've never heard of Hyrule.”

“What?” it was my turn to be confused. “What do you mean you've never heard of Hyrule. It's one of the most improtant countries there is!”

“Really? Well I’ve studied almost every map that had to deal with Equestria and those around it, but I’ve never seen a Hyrule,” Twilight said, putting a hoof to her chin.

“Equestria?” I ask. “I've never heard of the place.” then and idea popped into my head. “Wait! Do you work for Ganondorf?!”

“Who?” Rainbow asked.

“Don't pretend you don't know about Ganondorf, everybody knows about Ganondorf!”

“Yeah? Well I don't. Who is he?” she asked.

“He is the Prince of Darkness and Thieves. Are you sure you've never heard of him?” I ask. Maybe they are telling the truth. Unlikely, but still.

“I don't know who you are talking about, but he sounds like a chump,” Rainbow said with a roll of her eyes as she too sat on the ground. I slowly eased out of my fighting stance, but I kept standing.

“Ganondorf is no chump,” I say. “Furthermore-” I was however cut off by some groaning coming from behind me.

“Link?!” I shouted as I turned around and saw Link moving and groaning. “Link! Link?!”

“Whoa. What is that?” I heard Rainbow ask from my right

“I've never seen a creature like that before,” Twilight said from my left.

I ignored the both of them and nudged Link with my nose, trying to get him to fully come around.

“Come on Link, wake up!”

He slowly opened one eye and I felt a big smile appear on my face.

“W-w-who?” he asked, groggily.

“It's me, Epona!”

“E-Epona?”

“Yes!”

He fully opened his eyes, then closed his eyes and rubbed them, opening them once more. He slowly sat up and just stared at me with his mouth open.

“It's me, Link! I don't know what happened but- GAK!” I suddenly found myself wrenched forwards to Link and I though that maybe Link though that I was an imposter or something and he was going to kill me. But this though was dashed as his grip wasn't near it should be in a killing crush. And the next thing he said helped.

“D'aww! Your so adorable, Epona!”

…

“What.”

I was confused. Very confused.

“Say,” Link said, holding me out at arms length and started to eye me up and down, “when did you get so small?”

“What? I don't know. I just woke up like this!”

“Huh,” Link said as he lifted me up.

“Wah!” I yelped as he started to lift me up and down.

“Excuse me?” I heard Twilight say. Link stopped lifting me and turned his head to the new sound. He slowly set me down and I instantly started to wobble on my feet. I shook my head to clear the dizziness from it. I’m not sure I like being picked up.

“Hi!” Link said cheerfully. “Are you a unicorn?”

“Um, yes?”

“Cool, so that thing spit us in a place where there are unicorns. Interesting,” Link said as he stood up and stretched. I came up a little past his waist now. “I doubt this is Hyrule, right?”

“Um, no, this is Equestria,” Twilight said.

“Huh, never heard of it,” Link said rubbing his chin. “Oh! Sorry, my name is Link,” he said, kneeling and presenting his hand to Twilight.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle,” she said, putting her hoof in Link's hand and shaking it.

“And I’m Rainbow Dash, fasted flier in Equestria!” Rainbow said, striking a pose. “Though, what are you? I’ve never seen anything like you.”

“I'm a Hylian, a close cousin to a human.”

“Human?” Twilight asked. “Huh, I though your body structure look familiar, though your... ears, was it? Darn, it was Lyra who was a human specialist, amongst other mythical creatures,” Twilight said to herself, rubbing her chin with a hoof.

ROOOOOAAAAARRRR!

Upon hearing this ferocious roar, Link spun, drew the Master Sword and took his usual fighting stance, while I also took a fighting stance. Link raked his eyes through the dense forest, trying to spot the great beast who made the noise, and his ears twitched as he listened closely.

“Uh, Twi? I think it's best to get out of this forest,” Rainbow said as she too tried to look for the beast.

“Your right, come on, we have to get out of here,” Twilight said as she started to move to the bushes she came from.

“Wait! Our stuff,” Link said, never letting his eyes leave the forest.

“Oh, sorry, I got them,” Twilight said. I looked just in time to see her horn light up in a purple aura, then all of our bags and my armor also being wrapped up in the aura. Then all the stuff began to float. “Alright, I got them. Let's go,” Twilight said, heading back to the bushes, this time, Link and I followed. Rainbow was just ahead of us, so it was pretty easy to follow them.

~~~

We have been running for a while, the only sounds were Twilight and Rainbow shouting at each other about directions. I pray they don't get us lost. Link has not said a word and the Master Sword is still out. His childish manner replaced by that of a skilled warrior, prepared for battle. His mouth was pressed down into a slight frown and is eye's were cold, no long holding the warmth they usually held. He always got like this when danger was involved, even if it was just a single deku.
I looked forwards once more, watching Rainbow possible get us lost.

“Aha! This way!” I heard Twilight yell as she took a sudden right. I ended up skidding on the forest floor as I tried to take the same sudden right that both she and Rainbow took, but I righted myself quick enough and was back to running.
We ran for a few moments until we broke the forest line, the sun blinded me but I kept running until we were a good distance from the forest.

Twilight just collapsed from exhaustion, panting very heavily. I doubt she ever had to run that much in her life before. Rainbow panted heavily but she still stood, and I panted but not as much as anybody else. I was use to endurance running.
Link sheathed his sword and wiped his brow of sweat.

“See.. I told you... we should have... took a left at the boulder,” Rainbow panted. Twilight just raised a hoof to wave her off, not being able to respond just yet.

Link dropped to the grass and took off his hat, and ran a hand through his messy hair. I walked up to him and sat down to the right of him, close enough for touch, but far enough away so I didn't make him uncomfortable with the amount of body heat I was giving off.

Link raised a hand and set it on me, patting my back a few times, before standing and making his way to our stuff. He dug around in it and he pulled out his water canteen, he walked to Twilight and offered it to her. She took it and drank greedily.

“Gah!” she let out a huff off breath, “Sorry.”

“Drink as much as you need,” Link said with a smile. Twilight nodded and took another mouth full before giving it to Rainbow. 

“So, where are we?”

“About, two miles from Ponyville, which is that way,” Twilight said, pointing off into the distance. I squinted in that direction and sure enough I could see what looked like an impressive sized village.

“Is that where we are heading?”

“Yup. I'm the librarian there.”

“Alright then.”

“Rainbow,” Twilight said, the winged horse looked at Twilight. “I need you to fly to Ponyville and announce the arrival of new ponies, then I need you to gather the other girls and tell them to meet up at the library. Can you do that?”

“Sure thing!” Rainbow said, taking to the air. “You can count on me!” With that, Rainbow took off, leaving behind a rainbow trail.

“Well, we should go also,” Twilight said, lighting up her horn once again and enveloping our stuff with it, though she was clearly straining. She mustn't have recovered all the way from the run.

“Here, let me grab this,” Link said, stepping forwards and plucking my armor out of Twilight's grip.

“Hehe, thanks,” Twilight said. And with that, we set off.

It was quiet for a few minutes, nobody knew what to say. It was Link who broke the silence.

“So... is that magic?” he asked.

“Yup, I assume you have magic where you are from?”

“Yeah, I know a few spells myself.”

“Really? But you don't have a horn.”

“In our world you don't need to have a horn or anything. However I can't just cast them willy nilly. I need to use these special types of crystals. Din's Fire, Farore's Wind, and Nayru's Love.”

“Only three?”

“Heh,” Link said sheepishly, “well you see in my world you need to train as a wizard to be able to cast some serious magic. The only reason I can use those three crystals is because I was blessed by one of the Great Fairies.”

“Huh, interesting. Mr. Link, would you mind if I asked you a few questions about the place you came from?”

“Um, sure I suppose, as long as it's a few questions. Oh, and please just call me Link, I’m not old enough to be called Mr. anything.”

“Oh, sure.”

Silence once again fell. Link then turned to me.

“You seem awfully quiet, Epona.”

“Yes, well I did just discover the ability to talk about a half hour ago. I’m not use to talking.”

“Oh, right.”

“Wait a second,” Twilight said. I looked over at her. “Haven't you always been able to talk?”

“No? I'm a horse, horses don't talk.”

“Horse? But your a pony.”

“Pony?” I ask, testing the word. It felt weird to call myself a pony.

“So is that what you are?” Link asked.

“Yup.”

“Hmm,” Link said, rubbing his chin with his free hand.

“What's wrong Link?” I ask.

“It's just; if you transformed, then why didn't I?”

“Huh,” I said, looking at the ground as if it held the answer. I was stumped.

“Hmm, maybe I should include that in my report to the Princess,” Twilight said offhandedly.

“Princess?”

“Yes, Princess Celestia. She and her sister, Luna, rule over this land,” Twilight said with a big smile. “I'm Princess Celestia's 
personal student.”

“Personal student, huh?”

“Yup!”

“Neat.” And with that, it was silent once again.
> Chapter III
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Right, this had been edited so any mistakes should no longer be there. For those of you who have already read this chapter, skip down to the authors note. I have a question for you.

~~~

Chapter III


We've been walking for about ten minutes. Link and Twilight have been talking, both a few steps ahead of me. I haven't been paying too much attention to them. They kept using very big words that were way past my vocabulary. Though I know that they have been talking about magic, how Link can and how Twilight can. Not really interesting to me seeing as how I can't use magic. Though I had no idea Link knew so much about how he could do magic.

“So what's your input, Epona?” I heard one of them ask.

“Huh?”

“Your input?” Twilight asked.

“On what? I wasn't paying attention,” I said.

“You gotta give her credit for her bluntness,” Link commented with a chuckle.

“Your input on the Hyrulian stock market,” Twilight said.

“...Stock market?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “Is that like the stock you put in soup or something?”

Link started laughing. I felt insulted.

“Um, no it's this thing where stocks and bonds are traded so ponies- er I guess, people, can make money. That is in it's simplest definition,” Twilight explained with a smile. Again I felt insulted. Specifically my intelligence.

“Oh, that makes sense, I guess.” It didn't. I was just hoping she wouldn't get too into it.

“I'm glad that you understand, and it looks like we are here,” Twilight said.

We were no longer in the plains of Equestria but on a dirt road.

“Well, on the road to Ponyville, at least,” Twilight said. She pointed down the part of the road that lead to what must have been Ponyville. “Right down that way is Ponyville, and down that way is the road to Canterlot,” she pointed to the other part of the road that got lost over some hills.

“Ponyville,” Link said, pointing down the road to Ponyville, then to Canterlot, “Canterlot. Got it,” he said committing it to memory. He often times did this when he was told directions. I already had it down to memory.

“Good. Now I think it's best to get to Ponyville and to the library, that is where the others are waiting. After that, we can send the letter to Princess Celestia and wait for her letter back,” Twilight said, already walking down the road. Link and I jogged to catch up.

“Now, hopefully the ponies of Ponyville won't freak out or anything. They kinda tend to do that when they encounter something new,” she said with a sheepish smile.

“Oh I’m sure it will be fine. Everyone loves me!” Link said cheerfully.

~A few minutes later~

“Well, at least nobody is running in fear,” Twilight said with another sheepish smile.

We arrived in Ponyville a few seconds ago. The moment the ponies had seen Link, you could tell they were scared, they were very skittish. They gave us about twelve feet of room on each side of us. Link had a very big smile on his face the whole time, trying to appear as friendly as possible. I’m not too sure it worked. I just sorta shied away from everyone.

“I suppose that is a plus,” I said.

Ponyville really looked... weird. The houses all looked about the same. White walls with straw roofs. All different sizes. There were some buildings, that looked like stores and stuff, that were made from, what looked like, sturdier stuff.
Another thing about Ponyville was the ponies that lived there. They were very colorful. Like extremely colorful. A little too colorful.

“Yeah, I suppose so,” Link said. His smile fell, but not completely.

“Come on, there is the library,” Twilight said, nodding forwards.

The library looked... different as apposed to other libraries I’ve seen. It was a tree. A freaking tree. It had a door, a balcony, windows, an outside lamp and a sign. It seemed... wrong. Just plain wrong. Like mocking the books by putting them back in what they use to be. Maybe like warning the other trees that if they wronged the ponies, they would punish them by turning them into books... Damn these ponies are scary.

“Epona? Are you coming?” Link asked, snapping me from my day dream. They were already at the door and I was still a few yards away.

“Um, sure,” I said, running to catch up. I stood on Link's left, while Twilight stood on Link's right.

“Well, let's go,” Twilight said, opening the door with her magic.

It was pitch black in the room, and of course Link just waltzed in, paying to mind to his well being. I walked in but a little more cautiously. I couldn't see a thing. I heard Twilight walk in and close the door. Then silence. Silence and darkness for all of about one second.

The lights flicked on and I suddenly could only see little bits of rainbow paper.

“SUPRISE!” someone yelled.

I shut my eyes and tried to clear them of the rainbow paper. When I opened my eyes again I saw only pink and only pink.

“Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie I bet you are Epona! Am I right? Of course I’m right! Dashie explained that your name is Epona and wow I love your mane it looks all white and cool what do you do to it to style it like that, it kinda looks like Dashie's do you fly around to style your mane like her oh what a silly question, how could you fly around you don't have any wings well I guess you could fly around in a hot air balloon do you-”

“Pinky, I think you are scaring the poor dear,” another voice interrupted this pink thing in front of me. The pink thing stepped back, but was still violating my personal bubble, and I could see that it was indeed a pink pony. It had a puffy, curly mane that was a darker pink that it's coat. It also had the biggest blue eyes I have ever seen. Then again all these ponies have big eyes and I’m sure that when I get the chance to look in the mirror I will see big eyes also.

Another thing I should clear up right now, I was not scared. And I totally wasn't cowering on the floor, trying to make myself as small as I could while she stood above me. I really wasn't.

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn't know I was scaring you, I know I'll make you an apology cake, that will cheer you right up!” this pink pony said. With the biggest smile I have ever seen. It looked like it hurt.

“Terribly sorry about that, dear,” said the voice that came to my rescue. I turned to look at the newcomer and saw a pure white pony with a purple mane that had big curls in it. She stepped forwards and presented her hoof. “My name is Rarity, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“E-Epona,” I said, I cautiously shook her hoof, wary if she was going to pounce on my like the pink pony did.

“Pleasure to meet you. And hello to you,” Rarity said, looking up at Link.

“Hi!” Link said with a big smile, he held out his hand to Rarity, who took it. “I'm Link!”

“And I'm Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie said again, this time jumping into Link's face.

“Hi!” Link said cheerfully.

“Ahem,” a voice from off to the side said. I turned and saw three other ponies. One of them was Rainbow, one was orange with a blonde mane and tail with a stetson sitting on her head, and the other one had yellow fur and she had long pink hair, which she was trying really hard to hide behind.

“This is Applejack,” Rainbow said, hovering over the orange pony. The orange pony trotted forwards and took my hoof and shook hard. Really hard. I swear she almost broke my hoof.

“Howdy, partner!” she greeted. She sounded like some of the people who came over to the ranch sometimes... I always lost a friend when they came over. She moved onto Link.

“And this is Fluttershy,” Rainbow said, hovering over the yellow pony. The pony didn't move. Rainbow let out a big sigh and started to physically push this 'Fluttershy'. It was kinda amusing.

Fluttershy didn't say anything and when I tilted my head questionably she let out a very adorable squeak. Er, I mean a very, unadorable, squeak. Yeah. Totally unadorable.

“As you can see, she is very shy,” Rainbow said, as she landed next to Fluttershy.

“Well, now that you too have meet everypony- wait. Where is Spike?” Twilight asked, looking around.

“Here I am, sorry I had to clean up the mess you left last night,” a voice said from behind me. I turned around and saw a little purple thing. It looked like it had scales and it stood on it's hind legs, like Link. Only shorter.

“Ah, there you are. Link, Epona, this is my number one assistant, Spike. He's a baby dragon,” Twilight explained.

“Hi!” he said with a big smile.

“A dragon, huh?” Link said. He knelt down to Spike's level “You know I once befriended a baby dragon. He was a Subterranean Lava Dragon, named Volvagia.” Link had a sad sort of smile on his face on remembering Volvagia. I met him once or twice when Link brought him over to the ranch. Mean little bastard, but he still didn't deserve what happened to him.

“Really? Was he big?” Spike asked.

“Oh yeah, I'd say about, ten or eleven, of me long? Probably longer. That is when he was an adult,” Link said with a smile.

“Wow, that is so cool!” Spike said with a big smile. “I hope to be that big when I’m an adult.”

This made the ponies in the room laugh. I don't think I get the joke.

“Right, shouldn't we contact your Princess?” I ask.

“Oh right!” Twilight explained. “Spike, I need you to write a letter.”

“Right,” Spike said, pulling a quill and scroll from behind his back.

“Dear Princess Celestia,” Twilight began, “It would seem as though we have some rather unexpected guests, here in Equestria. They are no threat as far as I’m concerned, in fact they are standing in front of me now. One of them is a pony named Epona who says she use to be a horse, and the other is a Hylian male named Link. A Hylian is a close relative to the human, a fantasy creature that I’m sure you are familiar with. I await for your letter as to what to do next. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. Did you get that all Spike?”

“Yup,” Spike said. He rolled up the scroll and blew fire on it, the smoke escaping out the window. Seeing as nobody reacted differently, I assumed this was normal.

“So, what now?” I ask, sitting down.

“Now, we wait!” Twilight said excitedly.

…

Silence.

Just silence.

“So, how about that weather,” Link said, trying to start a conversation. Ah, Link. The master at small talk.

“It's good.”

“It's nice for the apple trees.”

“Good light for reading.”

“I love it!”

“...”

“Could be sunnier.”

…

Silence again.

Even Link seemed at a loss for words... then again he usually was when he was in a room full of girls. Well, one girl, really. He was always sort of shy around Malon. Seems odd for him.

“Burp!” Spike burped up a letter. I really hoped that was normal.

“Ah, she wrote back!” Twilight said, excitedly. She used her magic to unroll it. “Dear Twilight, I must say that this is a rather curious situation. One that I have never encountered before, though I must say I have read about them in stories about a human coming to Equestria, or a pony going to the human world. All of them seem to be sent by one Lyra Heartstrings, and they range from a rated E story, to a rather, mature, story, like one might find at a 'Night Shop'. You may want to talk to her about that. Back to the Hylian, have him come to see me sometime this weekend. I would love to talk with him and, the once horse, now pony, Epona (love the name by the way). Signed, Celestia.”

“And that's that,” Twilight said, rolling up the scroll. “Any questions?”

“What day is it?” Link asked.

“Wednesday, so that means you have about three day until we can get you to Canterlot,” Twilight said with a smile. The smile soon fell however. “Which means you will need a place to stay until then, huh?”

“Well, if they don't mind sleepin' in a barn, ah'm sure they could say with me us,” Applejack offered after a few moments of thinking.

“I don't have any qualms with it,” Link said with a smile.

“Me neither,” I said. I wasn't too sure as to what a 'qualm' was, but if Link is ok with it, then I am too.

“Great, just let me tell the others and prepare you a bed,” Applejack said.

“Oh, dear, it seems as though I must get going. I have orders I must fill,” Rarity said.

“I have to get back to my napping,” Rainbow said.

“I have to plan the party!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“...” Fluttershy said, putting up a valid argument.

“Oh, well ok, I’ll see you girls later. I'll take Link and Epona to your farm a little later, ok Applejack?” Twilight asked.

“That's fine, bye!” Applejack said as she left. The rest of the mares left also and soon it was just me, Link, and Twilight.

> Chapter IV
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter IV


“So, I have plenty of scroll, quills, inkwells, snacks, and Spike is helping Rarity so we shouldn't have too many interruptions,” Twilight said, putting the items out on a coffee table. We were in the main library, a coffee table and two couches were moved from the basement to the library area. The couches were turned so that they faced each other at an angle, the right arm of one couch touching the left arm of the other. Twilight was on one couch, closest to the arm that was touching the couch me and Link were sitting on, Link was closest to Twilight and I was closest to the snacks.

“Are you ready to get started?” Link asked, he had taken off his armor and was only in his casual wear, which was just his green tunic, his white leggings, and his hat.

“Yup! I am so excited! To think, I will be the first pony ever to learn about a world that is not my own!” Twilight excitedly clapped her hooves.

“Alright, well, fire away,” Link said with a big smile.

“Ok,” Twilight floated over an inkwell, scroll, and quill, “First question: What is the name of the land you two are from?”

“Hyrule.”

Twilight wrote it down. I wasn't too sure why she was asking where me and Link came from, she already knew. Oh well, I saw a snack that had my name on it. I leaned forwards, but I soon realized that I have no idea how to grab it. I let out a silent groan and leaned back against the couch.

“Next question: What is the name of your species, and could you tell me of the origins of your species?”

“The name of my species would be the Hylian, we are close cousins to the Human. As for the Hylian origins, I'm not one hundred percent sure. I had a scientist explain it to me once, but he talked funny so I only understood half of what he said. I believe he said that a human and some other species created the first Hylian. I’m not too sure.”

“Interesting,” Twilight said as she wrote. I turned from them to the snacks again. They looked very delicious. They had a bread like base to them, a whipped cream like topping thing on the bread base, with shavings of orange stuff. And the smell it was giving off; absolutely amazing.

“Next question: How was your world created?”

Link sat up quickly and fixed his posture. He really liked telling this story.

“Ok, this story was told to me by the Great Deku Tree, I don't know word for word what he said, but I can give you the general idea. In the beginning there were three great goddesses, Din the goddess of power, Nayru, the goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, the goddess of courage. Din, with her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red earth. Nayru, poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world. Farore, with her rich soul, produced all life forms who would uphold the law.

The three great goddesses, their labors complete, departed for the heavens, and three golden sacred triangles remained at the point of where they departed. Since them, the triangles have become the basis of my world's providence. The resting place of the triangles, know as the Triforce Triangle, became the Sacred Realm. The names of the three Triangles that make up the Triforce Triangle are known as the Triforces of Power, Wisdom, and Courage. 

And that is all the Great Deku Tree has told me,” Link said, concluding his short story. He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. He had a little sadness in his eyes, but it was there for only a second, then it was replaced by the normal joy.

“So fascinating,” Twilight said, writing very fast. I really wish I could get one of those delicious looking snacks. “So does everypo- er, everyone, believe that?”

“What's not to believe? It's all true,” Link said. “In fact,” Link held up his bare left hand, revealing a small yellow triangle, “I embody the Triforce of Courage.”

“Really? Is there anyone else who embodies the other Triforce Triangles?” Twilight asked.

“Yes, the Princess Zelda, ruler of Hyrule, embodies the Triforce of Wisdom and... an evil man named Ganondorf, he embodies the Triforce of Power.”

Twilight stopped writing.

“This is the second time I’ve heard of this Ganondorf po-, er, person. Who is he?” Twilight asked.

“Uh, well, to be honest, I'm not sure about his whole story. I do know that he was born in a tribe of women, the first born male in a century, I think. The tribe is known as the Gerudos. Anyways, this man, for whatever reason, goes to the Sacred Realm, and the Triforce of Power chooses him to be the next bearer. With the help of this power he hunted for the other two, because if you collect all three pieces, then you get whatever your heart desires. Ganon almost got them but Princess Zelda was stolen away the night Ganon attacked, and I was locked away in the Temple of Time. Ganon used the power he had and basically enslaved the nation of Hyrule for seven years, until I put a stop to him.”

Twilight kept on writing every word Link said, while I still stared at the snacks. Oh the glorious snacks that I can't taste because I have no idea how to pick them up.

“Hmm, anything else important about Hyrule?” Twilight asked.

“Um, other than a few wars that lasted a couple years, or the different races, not that I can think of. I mean I could tell you about a land called Termina, but I have no idea what's behind that world. I mean I have ideas but nothing I can prove.”

“Hmm, perhaps later, would you like to move onto geography?” Twilight asked, switching out the scroll she was writing on with a new one. She looked up and saw me looking at the snacks. “Oh, I’m sorry, Epona. I forgot you are not use to picking things up with your hooves, let me help you with that.” She used her magic to levitate one of the snacks towards me. I awkwardly held it in my hoof.

At long last, I would taste the delicious snack that has been escaping me for the past half hour.

“I hope you like them. I made them myself,” Twilight said with a smile.

“Thank you,” I said before taking a big bite out of it. I slowly chew for a few seconds before swallowing. This snack was... it was... it was just so... bland. Very, very, very bland. Kinda of a disappointment. But I didn't want to be a bad guest so I ate the rest of it.

“Of course. Now then, on to geography...” Twilight said but I zoned them out. I crossed my hooves and set my head down on them and closed my eyes. I knew I wasn't going to get called on to answer any questions. Not that wanted to talk anyways. It was still kinda weird being able to talk, I’m just so use to only thinking. I didn't really realize how tired I was until I closed my eyes.

Link's and Twilight's voices soon blended together and got softer and softer until I couldn't hear them anymore.

~~~

“This tea is really good.”

“Thank you, Rarity told me about this tea a few months ago and I really liked it.”

“Oh yes, it is a very good tea. It reminds me of this tea I once got from this Zora scientist.”

I heard Link and Twilight talking while I felt the most absolutely best feeling behind my ears while my head rested on a very 
soft surface.

“Mmm,” I let out as I nuzzled the soft area under me.

“Epona? Are you awake?” I heard Link ask.

“Hmm?” I asked as I nuzzled the soft thing underneath me again. I let out a sigh and slowly opened my eyes. I slowly raise my head and looked around. I was still on the couch but I was resting my head on a white fluffy pillow and Link was scratching behind my ears. He stopped when I raised my head. “What happened?” I asked as I rubbed my eyes.

“You fell asleep while I was asking Link questions,” Twilight said. “You've been asleep for about two hours.”

“Oh, sorry,” I say sheepishly.

“It's alright, I understand that you would be tired. You've had a very stressful day, and it's only noon,” Twilight said, looking at a clock.

“Noon already?” Link asked, as he put his hand on his stomach. It growled loudly. “Huh, guess I’m pretty hungry,” he said with a sheepish smile. My stomach growled back in response.

“Well if we are all hungry, let's go out to eat. My treat. You two could get to know the town a little better,” Twilight said with a smile.

“Sure,” Me and Link both agreed.

“Great! Let me get my saddle bags and we can get going,” Twilight said getting up and trotting upstairs. A few seconds later and Twilight returned. “If you two are ready, let's go,” and with that, we left.

“So, where are we going?” Link asked as we walked. The ponies again avoided us, though not as much now that Link didn't have his sword.

“I was thinking we could visit Pinkie Pie and have lunch at Sugarcube Corner. Is that alright?” Twilight asked.

“I'm fine with it,” Link said.

“As am I,” I say. I don't care what the place is called, I just need something in me quick or my stomach will eat itself.

~~~

“Here we are, Sugarcube Corner!” Twilight said, stopping in front of the weirdest building I have ever seen.

It had white walls like the other buildings but the roof looked like gingerbread and it looked like it was held together with frosting.

When we went inside I instantly smelt sweets and baking dough. The inside looked like any other bakery, only it was candy themed, which I though was weird for a bakery.

“Twilight! Link! Epona! Over here!” I heard a familiar voice shout from across the room. I looked and saw the pink pony, Pinkie Pie with a huge smile plastered on her face. She was standing behind a cash register, waving like a mad man.

“Hello,” Twilight greeted.

“Hiya!” Link said, with a raise of his hand.

“Hi,” I said with a nod of my head.

We walked over to the cash register.

“What are you guys doing here?” Pinkie asked.

“Well, we were getting hungry so I though we could get something to eat here,” Twilight explained.

“Excellent choice, if I do say so myself,” Pinkie giggled, she pulled a notepad and a pencil out from under the counter. “What'll it be?”

“I would like a large salad with ranch dressing, please,” Twilight ordered.

Link looked up at the menu and rubbed his chin in though.

“I think I will have a salad too, with ranch dressing, also, please,” Link ordered.

I didn't bother to look at the menu.

“What would you like Epona?” Twilight asked.

“I don't know what they have, I can't read,” I said, absentmindedly rubbing my fetlock as I looked around the bakery. I turned back when I realized nobody was talking. When I turned back I was Twilight and Pinkie with their jaws dropped in shock and 
Link with a guilty blush on his face. “What?” 

Twilight snapped out of it first.

“What do you mean you can't read?”

“Um, I was never taught? People don't teach horses to read,” I say. I'm actually pretty sure horses can't read. I'm not sure as I’ve never tried. 

“Oh, right. Sorry I forgot you were from a different world,” Twilight said. “Well, let me read you the menu. They have salads, cakes, pastries, breads, and a few different dishes that have to do with hay.”

One thing stuck out at me... well more than one, but one in particular, and that was the cakes. I’ve had cake before, and it was freaking delicious.

“Can I get some cake?” I ask.

“Sure!” Pinkie asked. “What kind of cake would you like? We have vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, peach, pineapple, carrot, rainbow, blueberry-”

“Whoa whoa whoa,” I say, cutting her off. “Did you say... carrot?” I ask in a very serious manner.

“Oh yes we have just the best carrot cake in all of Equestria!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“Oh yeah! Saria makes some very good carrot cake. She won't tell me her recipe though,” Link said rubbing his chin.

I slowly turned to face Link

“...Link?” I slowly asked.

“Yeah?”

“You've known that there was such a thing as carrot cake?” I slowly ask.

“Oh yeah, it's really good.”

It would be good. You are combining the two foods of the goddesses. The very delicious dark orange carrots, and the heavenly softness of cake! It had to be good! But I was trying to wrap my head around the concept of carrots and cake and why I was never told.

“When were you planning on telling me?” I asked.

“Oh, um. It never really crossed my mind. I guess never.”

…

My hoof shot out like a cannon.

“Ah!” Link yelped, hopping around in a circle while holding his shin.

“That's what you get for keeping me from the foods of the goddesses, Link,” I said with a scowl.

To my slight surprise, Link started to laugh.

“You're right, Epona. I'm sorry,” Link apologized with a smile. I was kinda caught off guard.

“Oh, um. Right, you're forgiven,” I say. I turn to Pinkie. “I would like a slice of carrot cake, please.”

“Okie dokie lokie! I'll have you're order out right away!” Pinkie said with a giant smile. “And don't worry about money, it's on the house!”

“Thanks Pinkie!” Twilight said.

“Yeah, thanks!” Link said.

“Indeed,” I said.

Pinkie gave a salute and with a giggle she disappeared behind a door that lead to, I assumed, the kitchen.

“Come on, let's find a table,” Twilight said, facing an area of the bakery that had a few tables and what looked like cushions on the floor. “Where would you guys like to eat?”

“I don't care,” I said.

“How about over there?” Link suggested, pointing at a table that was close to a window.

“Looks like a good spot,” Twilight said, trotting over to the table. Me and Link followed close behind. 

When we got to the table I looked at the cushions for a second until I saw Twilight sitting on one and I took the hint and sat down next to her. Link however had a little more trouble. He looked at the cushion for a seconds, looking like he was thinking of how to actually sit down. In the end he sat down on the cushion like me and Twilight. He gave both of us a smile as he crossed his legs, and we smiled back at him. Link had just gotten seated when Pinkie reappeared out of nowhere with a silver platter in her mouth. She set the platter on the table and took off the lid.

“Here you are! Two salads and a slice of carrot cake,” Pinkie said. Twilight levitated our food to each of us. “If you need anything else, please, don't hesitate to ask!” Pinkie exclaimed with a big smile.

“Thank you,” me and Link said, bowing our heads before facing our meals. Link took his fork and stabbed his salad with it and ate some.

“Mmm! This I really good!” Link said, chewing.

“Mhm!” Twilight hummed in agreement, her mouth full of her own salad.

I looked down at my carrot cake. It looked absolutely delicious, with it's dark brown cake part, and it's cream white frosting, with a carrot sitting on top of the frosting.

With careful slowness I eased in and took a small bite of the carrot cake. I let it sit on my tongue before swallowing.
The moment the cake touched my tongue I felt my eyes grow at how delicious it was. With wide eyes I looked down at the glorious cake.

To hell with dignity. I shoved my face in that cake and went to town. I’m pretty sure that I was making the same noises that a starved wild cat would make while eating a fresh kill, and I was getting cake everywhere, but I didn't care.

“Now that is how you eat a cake!” I heard Pinkie from the distance let out a giggle.
> Chapter V
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter V


"Urk!” I let out, putting my hoof to my mouth as my cheeks bulged. I let out a heavy breath, deflating my cheeks, and put my hoof back on the ground and continued to walk slowly.

“I told you that third cake was a bad idea,” Link said ahead of me.

“I'm surprised she managed to eat that fifth one,” Twilight commented, looking back at me.

I went a little overboard with the carrot cake. My stomach bulged out and almost scraped against the ground as I walked. My cut hurt a little but other than that it was fine.

“Have you learned your lesson, Epona?” Link asked, looking back with a smile on his face. 

I glared at him but didn't dare to open my mouth unless I wanted to see more of that carrot cake. I don't think I will be having more carrot cake for a while. Or food in general. I let out a deep breath and tried to straighten my back. It help a little.

“So, where to next?” Link asked Twilight.

“I was thinking of walking around Ponyville so you may be able to get use to your surroundings,” Twilight said. I let out a groan. Yay, more walking. Link seemed to pick up on my distress.

“How about we find somewhere to take a rest for a little bit. Epona isn't looking to hot,” Link said. I had half a mind to correct him and tell him I ate too much, not that I'm too cold, but if I didn't want to open my mouth at the moment.

“Hmm, well Rarity's store is nearby. She would let us take a rest there, I’m sure,” Twilight said. Link gave a nod and I sorta did. More of a half nod. I didn't care where we went, so long as I could sit down.

We continued to walk for a few more minutes, Link and Twilight were talking to each other the whole time. I wasn't paying attention, I think they were talking about the weather. Soon we came upon another odd building that stood out from the others. It was a light purple, tall building, that sorta reminded me of a carousel, sorta like the one that came to Hyrule Castle Town last year for the summer festival. 

“Here we are, Carousel Boutique!” Twilight said. Oh, I guess that explains why it reminds me of a carousel. We walked up to the door and Twilight pushed it open, making a little bell tingle. Me and Link walked in after Twilight.

“Oh! Hello, welcome,” Rarity said before turning back to her sewing machine. She had a pair of red glasses on. “Just one moment and I will be right with you.”

“Take your time, we just came here to take a rest from walking, maybe talk for a little bit,” Twilight said taking a seat on a few cushions on the floor. They were much more fancy then the cushions in Sugarcube Corner with embroidered designes and stuff. I sat down next to Twilight and they were much more comfortable than the ones in Sugarcube Corner. Link however, chose to sit down on the floor, next to Twilight.

“And that should do it for this piece,” Rarity said. Using her magic she levitated the piece she was making in front of us. 

“What do you think?”

“It looks lovely,” Twilight said with a smile.

“I like it,” Link commented.

I take a look at it. It was a light purple with dark purple lines all over it in a very complicated pattern. It had a partly poofy skirt and it had a light gray hood.

“It's... interesting?” I offered. I didn't know much about dresses so it's all I could offer.

“Thank you, I had heard that the hooded dresses are in style over in the UK. So I had though if trying to incorporate it with Equestrian dress style. I think it came out quite well,” Rarity said, a smile on her face as she looked at it herself. She used her magic to levitate it to a big white box, where she folded it in and closed the box. “Would you three like some tea?” Rarity asked as she floated off her glasses.

“No thank you,” Twilight said.

“I'm fine,” Link said.

“I don't think I should be drinking anything anytime soon,” I said. My stomach has stopped being all bulged and I felt a little better, but still think that I shouldn't drink or eat anything or it might all come back up. I’m not too sure about how all that worked but I don't want to question it.

“Is anything wrong, darling?” Rarity asked, the sound of concern in her voice.

“She ate too much cake,” Link said with a snicker.

“O-oh?” Rarity asked, uncertainty in her voice.

“I like carrot cake,” I said in my defense with a shrug.

“Well, would you like to go somewhere more comfortable, perhaps the kitchen?” Rarity asked.

“No thank you, I think we should continue with the tour of Ponyville, if Epona is feeling ok now?” Twilight asked, standing.

“I think I’m good,” I said, standing up. I stretched out my legs and I felt mostly fine, but I probably couldn't run. Link stood and stretched also.

“Well, it was lovely to talk some more,” Link said, bowing his head.

“Indeed,” I said as I too bowed my head.

“It was nice seeing you, Rarity,” Twilight said before giving her friend a hug.

“Do be sure to come by again, especially you two,” Rarity said to me and Link. “I can already think of a few new dress ideas based off your attire, but I would like if you could tell me more of the fashion that comes form your world, if you would be so kind?”

“Of course!” Link said. “I would love to. Though I’m not too sure how much I could tell you beyond what I wear myself.”

“Oh, that's quite alright, even a little bit can inspire a whole new line of fashion!” Rarity said excitedly.

“Well, I will tell you as much as I can,” Link said.

“I look forward to it,” Rarity said, waving to us as we left her store.

“So, where to next?” I ask as we begin walking again.

“How about to the schoolhouse?” Twilight suggested. “If we go there then we can hit all the major points there is to see in Ponyville on our way.”

“Sounds good to me,” Link said. I just nodded.

~~~

We had walked through Ponyville and as we passes by certain buildings Twilight would point them out to us. So far I have gotten a decent mental map of Ponyville, I knew the some of the key points. Like, Town Hall, Twilight's library, Rarity's boutique, Sugarcube Corner, the market district, and now the schoolhouse. We didn't go into the schoolhouse, we just stopped by it. I had caught a glimpse of foals peeking out of one of the windows. We had left the schoolhouse about a half hour ago and right now we were on our way to Fluttershy's cottage.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Link asked as we walked down the dirt road to Fluttershy's cottage.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“Well, it's just that the last time she met us she didn't say one word.”

It was true. She shied away from us and hadn't said anything.

“Oh, I’m sure that if she gets to know you firsthoof, she'll open right up to you,” Twilight said. Link just shrugged and kept walking. We were at Fluttershy's door in no time but when Twilight knocked nobody answered.

“Is she not home?” I ask.

“Oh, I'm sure she's home. She just needs some coaxing to come out,” Twilight explained, knocking again. “Fluttershy! It's Twilight! Are you home?”

A few seconds of nothing and the door cracked open and I saw a single blue eye.

“Y-yes?” the eye asked.

“Fluttershy, it's ok. It's just Link, Epona, and I. We came to talk,” Twilight said, a smile on her face.

“Oh, o-ok,” Fluttershy said, opening the door all the way. She stepped to the side. “Y-you can come it. I mean, if you want to.”

“We would love to,” Twilight said, stepping inside Fluttershy's house. Me and Link followed after her. 

The inside of her house was amazing. And I seriously mean it. It was very roomy, had nice decor, not that I knew anything about that, and it had a ton of small animals scurrying all around. I saw a couple gophers, a few ferrets, a couple of birds, a few rabbits, and many more. They didn't seem to mind Link at all, they just scurried around him. A squirrel even ran over his foot.

“They seem to like you,” Twilight said.

“Most animals do,” I say. It was true. Link was able to befriend every animal and person that he met. It truly was one of the most mystical things about him.

“I've always loved animals,” Link said as he reached down to pick up a ferret and pet it.

“R-really?” Fluttershy asked. Link gave a nod and a smile. “I like animals as well.”

Fluttershy seemed to have trouble starting a conversation, but you could tell she was trying. Lucky for her, Link was an expert at talking.

“Well, you have so many of them, one could guess that you do,” Link said with a laugh, he put down the ferret on the couch that was in the room. “I use to have a few squirrels living in my house with me when I was younger.”

“Really?” Fluttershy asked, she seemed to be coming out of her shell. Just a few minutes with Link and the shyest person in the world will come out of their shell. It was kinda cool how Link could do that.

“Oh yeah, I use to live in a forest when I was a kid,” Link said.

“Wow, you must tell me all about it. Er, i-if you don't mind,” Fluttershy said, shrinking back into herself.

“Not at all, we should hang out later,” Link said with a toothy smile.

“O-ok,” Fluttershy said. She perked up suddenly as if she remembered something. “Oh my gosh! I forgot to ask if you would like something to drink or eat. I-I'm sorry,” Fluttershy said, her ears turning back against her head. No matter who you ask, I still say it wasn't adorable. Totally not adorable. Nope. Not one bit.

“Oh it's ok. Though, could I trouble you for a glass of water?” Link asked. Fluttershy nodded.

“May I also have a glass of water?” Twilight asked. Again Fluttershy nodded. She turned towards me.

“I'm fine, I had a big lunch,” I said. My stomach, while no longer bulging, still couldn't hold anything else at the moment.

“Ok, I’ll be right back. Please, have a seat. Er, if you want to,” Fluttershy said. She turned around and walked into the kitchen. 

I walked to the couch and hopped up on it and sat down, Link sat next to me, and Twilight sat next to Link. Link was still still too tall for the couch but he didn't seem to mind. A cat jumped onto Link's lap and Link started to pet it and it started to purr. I didn't like the cat. It needed to get it's own Link to pet it. This was my Link, and he pets me. Only me.

I continued to glare at the cat when Fluttershy came back in. she was balancing two cups on each of her wings. Twilight took them both in in her magic and Fluttershy seemed grateful of that. Twilight accidentally slashed some water on the cat when she was giving the water to Link, making the cat hiss and jump off Link's lap. I let out a single laugh.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Link!” Twilight immediately apologized. Link only held up a hand with a smile on his face.

“It's ok, Twilight. Accidents happen,” Link said, brushing off the water that had gotten on his tunic. “It's not a big deal.” He drank the rest of his water in one gulp and set his empty glass on the coffee table. “Thank you, Fluttershy.”

“Oh, you're welcome. Would you like some more?”

“No, I'm ok. Thank you for asking though,” Link said.

“Thank you Fluttershy,” Twilight said, setting her glass on the coffee table beside Link's.

“Oh, you're welcome also.”

We kinda sat there in silence. It wasn't that awkward but it wasn't comfortable. Well at least not to Link and Twilight. I was ok with it. It was kinda nice. The animals making their animal sounds, nobody talking. It reminded me of a forest. A forest with a couch, and a cute, er, un-cute yellow pony taking care of everything.

“Well,” Twilight began, “we still have to get to Applejack, so I think we should you let you get back to whatever it was that you were doing,” she said, standing up.

“Oh, ok then,” Fluttershy said, standing up. Me and Link stood up also and followed Twilight to the door. “It was a pleasure to have you over.”

“I was nice to be over,” Twilight said.

“It was very nice,” Link said, bowing his head. I nodded and bowed my head also.

After the goodbyes were exchanged, we set off down Fluttershy's road and towards the market to find Applejack.
> Chapter VI
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter VI


“Well howdy!” Applejack greeted us with a big smile as we walked up to her stand. It looked like an apple stand.

“Hi!” Link said cheerfully.

“Hi, Applejack,” Twilight said. “Did you sell a lot of apples today?”

“Yup! Almost sold them all. All ah got left is a bushel, and that'll be gone before too long,” Applejack said showing off a proud smile.

“I'm glad to hear that. Well I think that I have kept Link and Epona for long enough,” Twilight said, “Would you like to take them now?”

Way to make me feel like a common farm animal, Twilight.

“Sure, like ah said, ah shouldn't be for much longer,” Applejack said.

“I don't mind waiting for a little bit, do you Epona?” Link asked me.

“Not really no,” I said. It wasn't like I had much to do today anyways.

“Though I must get our stuff from your library, Twilight,” Link said, turning towards Twilight.

“Oh my gosh! I completely forgot!” Twilight exclaimed.

“It's alright, can we go now?”

“Sure,” Twilight said. Link and Twilight started to walk back to the library and I started to follow but Link spoke up, stopping me in my tracks.

“Why don't you stay here, Epona? Try to get to know Applejack better,” Link suggested with a smile.

“Oh. Um, ok,” I said. Link and Twilight continued walking and I hung back with Applejack. She was currently busy with a customer so I just sat down, off to the side of her stand. The customer was a light gray pony with a bright orange mane that fell around her face. She was trying to haggle down the prices of a bag of apples. I ignored them and looked around, familiarizing myself with what was in the market, and the vendors.

I saw a light yellow mare, with an orange mane selling carrots, a beige mare with a pink and dark blue mane selling what looked like candy but I wasn't too sure. I saw a brown stallion with a dirty white mane selling various fruits and vegetables, I saw-... How odd. I had gotten a feeling running through my spine as if I was being watched. I slowly looked around but I didn't see anybody staring at me. How very odd.

Applejack finished with the customer that she had and looked at me.

“So, Epona, how are y'all doing?” Applejack asked.

“Um, fine I suppose,” I said hesitantly.

“Ah know y'all haven't been in Equestria for a while yet, but how do ya like it here?” she asked, a friendly smile on her face.

“Uh, again, fine I suppose. Not much has happened to me yet that would count for bad I suppose,” I said.

“What about good?” Applejack asked, fidgeting slightly. I wonder what was up with her, she was acting a little weird. Then again I don't know her so maybe she was acting normal.

“I got cake,” I said.

“Er, well ah suppose that's good,” she said, her smile faltering a little. Perhaps she was expecting more?

“Was there something you wanted to ask me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. It seemed like she had something she wanted to say but didn't want to say it.

“No, no, ah suppose not,” Applejack said, she turned back to the crowd of ponies that wandered the streets and I went back to observing the market.

I saw a green mare with a lighter shade of green mane, selling soybeans, I saw a pure white stallion a light red mane and top hat selling what looked like books, a deep purple mare with a deep blue mane selling berries, a-... There it was again! The feeling running through my spine. I slowly look around again. Nothing in the market, but when I looked behind me I think I saw a flash of red duck behind a bush. I'm not too sure I didn't get too good of a look.

I stared at the bush, flicking my tail out of curiosity, for a few seconds before turning back. I spared a glance Applejack's way just in time to see her advert her eyes.

“Was there something you wanted to ask?” I asked again.

“No!” Applejack said in a hurry.

“Ok,” I said.

“Er, well. Maybe.” I let out a silent sigh.

“Go ahead,” I said. I was starting to get a little impatient, but I kept the impatientness out of my voice. And yes that is a real word, at least I’m pretty sure it is. I'll ask Link later.

“Well, now ah don't mean to sound rude or anything, but how evil is your world?” she asked.

That... is a good question.

“I am going to guess that you want to know because of me and Link will be sleeping around your family, right?” I asked.
“
Well, er,” a blush was growing on her face, “um, yeah. Ah did kind of just invite you into mah household without really knowin' ya.”

I think I got what she was saying. She didn't know if me and Link would slaughter her family and decorate the hall with their entrails while they slept.

“In my world there is so much more evil than there is good,” I said. This made her flinch slightly. “Though, lucky for you, me and Link are about as good as they come,” I said with a smile. Applejack calmed down and put on a big smile.

“Well, great! Ah'm sure Big Mac, Applebloom, and Granny Smith will love ya!” she said with a lot more energy than she had before.

“Um, excuse me?” a male voice said. I looked over and say that Applejack had another customer. I left her to it. I went back to observing the market.

Or at least I tried to. My horsey senses were tingling. Er, well I guess that would be pony senses? It was that thing that all horses have that made them know if they were being watched or not. But that's not important. What was important was that I was being watched, and I didn't like being watched. It made me feel exposed. Instead of looking around the market like I did the other times I quickly whipped my head around!

“Gah!” I yelled out as I tried to jump back, but I had forgotten that I was sitting down. I ended up rolling over my back and onto my stomach. I’m pretty sure it looked absolutely ridiculous. I let out a soft “oof” when I landed on my stomach. Luckily I managed to not land on my cut.

“Applebloom!” Applejack shouted suddenly. 

I looked up at what had been spying on me for the past ten minutes. It was a yellow little filly with a red mane that had a big pink bow in it. She did not have a tattoo on her butt. She also had a very big smile on her face as she looked down at me. For a second I feared for my life. But that passed when I realized how adorable she looked.

“Applebloom! What are ya doin', startlin' ponies like that. Y'all know better,” Applejack scolded the filly. Ah, Applebloom, Applejack mentioned an Applebloom in her family. This must be her.

“Ah'm sorry Applejack,” Applebloom said, the smile on her face gone and she was kicking at the dirt a little, her ears splayed back.

“It's not me y'all should be apologizing too,” Applejack said. At this point I was able to get out of the dirt and started to brush off my fur. I looked up when I realized she meant me and I saw the little filly looking quite apologetic up at me.

“Ah'm sorry, Miss.-” she stopped when she realized she didn't know my name.

“I am Epona,” I said flashing a smile of my own, trying to tell her that I wasn't mad. After all I was a child once, I’ve done worse. “And it is alright, it was my fault for falling down. You were just curious, right?”

“Well sure! I've never seen you in town before,” Applebloom said.

“Well I’ve never been in this world before,” I said.

“Huh?” Applebloom asked, her eyebrow raised at the question.

I was about to explain, but Applejack cut me off before I could.

“Why don't you let her explain at dinner,” Applejack said. Applebloom's eyes grew at the words.

“Ya mean she's gonna be stayin' with us?” she asked, a big smile growing on her face.

“Yup! Her and her friend, Link. He should be here soon,” Applejack said.

“Yes, he went back to the library to retrieve our equipment,” I added.

“Wow,” Applebloom said, still in slight awe.

“Say, where are the rest of the crusaders?” Applejack asked, a tilt to her head.

“Oh, uh, well Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both got detention,” Applebloom said, nervously kicking at the ground.

“They did? Why? What happened?” Applejack asked.

“Well, Diamond Tiara kept picking on me at lunch today and Scootaloo told them to stop or else they would have to deal with the consequences. They didn't stop and Sweetie Belle went and tackled them out of nowhere and started to beat them with her daisy sandwich!” Applebloom said, throwing her hooves in the air.

“Hmm,” I hummed. Not bad. Not the most effective way of dealing with an enemy, and certainly not the weirdest I’ve seen. That goes to Malon when a giant skulltula got into the ranch. 

I looked over to Applejack and she just had a look of trying to understand. Like the look on Link's face when someone tells him off for entering their house and breaking their pots. He understands what they are saying, but he can't make sense of the words.

“That doesn't sound like Sweetie Belle at all!” Applejack exclaimed, scratching her head. Applebloom only shrugged her shoulders.

“Scootaloo got detention because she started to yell bad words at them. You know, the words that you put soap in my mouth for,” Applebloom said.

“She did?! Why I 'otta give Rainbow a piece of my mind!” Applejack growled, furiously. She open her mouth to speak again, but the sound of footsteps cut her off.

“Hey, what did I miss?” Link asked. He was dragging all of our stuff in a small red wagon.

“Oh, er, nothin',” Applejack said, fixing the hat on her head.

“Where did you get that wagon?” I asked as I moved to stand beside Link once more.

“Oh, Twilight is letting my borrow it. I have to give it back tomorrow,” he said.

“That was nice of her,” Applejack said. “You're just in time, ah sold the last of the apples, and y'all can meet my sister Applebloom while I pack up,” Applejack said,  pointing to Applebloom. Link's smile got even bigger when he saw Applebloom.

He knelt down to her height so he could properly look her in the eyes. “Wow, you look absolutely adorable.” Applebloom blinked once.

“Uh, thank you?” she said, her cheeks taking a red tint. Link gave a hearty chuckle. Leave it to Link to think everything is adorable. Well she was adorable, but that’s besides the point.

“No problem!”

“Well, we should probably get goin',” Applejack said, I turned and saw that she was now pulling a big wooden wagon that had empty baskets inside. “Big Mac could use some help on the farm, so it's best that we should get back as soon as possible.”

“Right,” Link said, standing up. I walked to Link's side and then we all took off. 

Applejack and Link walked up front while me and Applebloom walk a little behind them. I’m not sure why Link liked to talk so much. When he wasn't fighting he either talked a lot, or not at all. I guess this is his talking day. He might not talk very much tomorrow, as he switches on and off. He use to not talk at all as a child. Well, except when he was talking to Saria, but even then he only gave one or two word answers.

We walked through the rest of town and I was surprised to see the ponies of the land not entirely shying away from us. I mean the still did it, but not as much. I guess being seen with respected members of society does well for our image. 

It didn't take long for us to get out of Ponyville. Link and Applejack talked the whole while, and Applebloom talked to every pony we passed. It looked like she knew every pony in the town. I, unlike everypony else, kept to my thoughts. I thought back to my meeting of the other ponies. Twilight seemed like she was happy to help, Pinkie seemed like she was always having a good time, Rarity seemed like she was more curious of Link's tunic than anything, and Fluttershy seemed very nice, though very shy. I’ve noticed that we haven't meet Rainbow again, and I don't really know much about Applejack other than she cares deeply for her family.

We soon crossed into the country side and then soon onto a dirt road that had a big sign. Link muttered “Sweet Apple Acres” to commit it to memory. We started to walk down that road and for as far as my eye could see, I could see apple trees. There must have been hundreds. Way to much for just a family of four.

“Um, Miss Epona?” a squeaky little voice from my left asked.

“Yes?”

“What is your life like? You know, back on your world?” Applebloom asked.

“Hmm,” I though. How could I explain being a war horse to a filly? “Well, I carried Link around to whatever place he needed to go.”

“How? He's to big to ride you,” Applebloom insisted.

“Well in my world I am much bigger.”

“How much bigger?”

“I was taller than Link with my head raised.”

Applebloom turned and studied Link for a few seconds.

“Does that mean you were as big as the Princesses?” she asked.

“I don't know. How big are your Princesses?” I asked.

“I don't know their exactly how tall they are, but they are pretty tall.”

“Hmm,” I hummed. I didn't respond and kept my eye forwards. Applebloom also seemed like she ran out of questions because she didn't ask any more.

We soon came upon a big barn like house. It had a few shutters missing, but it didn't look bad. It looked homey. Standing by the door were a big red stallion with a yoke around his neck and a dirty blonde mane, and a green old looking mare with gray hair and wrinkled skin.

“Well, here we are! Sweet Apple Acres!” Applejack yelled out.

I think I might like it here.
> Chapter VII
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter VII


“Granny! Big Mac!” Applebloom yelled happily as she ran up to the two ponies standing by the door, hugging the big red stallion, while the green old one chuckled.

Me, Link, and Applejack walked up to the two ponies at a slower pace.

“Howdy all!” Applejack greeted, stopping a few feet away from them. “This here is Link,” she said, pointing to Link, “and Epona,” she said, pointing to me.

“Well aren't you a tall fella,” the green old pony said, eying Link up and down. Link beamed. He liked it when people pointed out that he was tall. He use to get picked on from Mido for being the shortest Kokiri.

“This here is Big Macintosh, we call him Big Mac for short, and Granny Smith,” Applejack said.

“Hello Mr. Macintosh, Miss Smith,” Link said, bowing his head. Big Mac got a smile on his face when he hear 'Mr. Macintosh' from Link, while Granny Smith got a sour look on her face.

“Just call us Granny Smith and Big Mac, there ain't no need to be so uptight,” Granny Smith said, “ain't that right Big Mac?” the proud look on Big Mac's face left him, but he still responded.

“Eeyup.”

Hmm. He must not say much.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Link said, bowing his head again.

“Now there ain't no need for apologizin', you didn't do no harm,” Granny said.

“Right,” Link said with a nod of his head.

“Well, how about you show them were they're goin' to be sleepin' tonight, Applejack, while I get dinner started, hope y'all like soup!” Granny said, turning into the house.

“Sure thing Granny,” Applejack said. She turned around and started to walk around the house. Me, Link and Big Mac followed her to a big red barn. 

The inside of the barn looked like any other barn. It had tons of space, a loft, hay everywhere, and various tools and equipment. Applejack led the cart she was pulling over to the side and unhitched herself. Big Mac started to put things away to where they belong, and Applejack led me and Link to the loft. There was a fairly big space filled with square hay bales and a bunch of blankets and pillows. Me and Link would be able to fit just fine.

“Sorry 'bout not gettin' you a proper bed, but Big Mac got this all set up for you,” Applejack said.

“Oh it's fine, we've slept in worse places,” Link said. I nodded in agreement. Link turned back to the main room of the barn. “Thank you Big Mac.”

“Eeyup,” came the reply.

“Well it's only three, and all the chores have been done fer today, so feel free to do whatever ya like till dinner then we will go off to bed and get up early. I hope y'all don't mind, but you will have to work tomorrow,” Applejack said.

“Nah. Compared to some of my other jobs, this will be a nice break,” Link said, chuckling lightly. It would be a nice break from fighting, but I have no idea how ponies are suppose to pick apples.

“Alright, well ah'm goin' to be helping Granny cook dinner so if ya need anything it's best you talk with Big Mac,” Applejack said, walking out of the loft area.

“Thank you,” Link said. I nodded my head in agreement. Applejack left and soon we were left alone with Big Mac, who was still putting stuff away. Link ducked back into the loft and started to take some of our stuff out, like our medicine and bandages and such. “Come here, Epona,” he said, sitting on a bale of hay. I walked towards him and sat down. He reached for my bandage and started to unwind it.

“Good news, you no longer have to wear a bandage,” Link said, parting my fur to look at my cut. It stopped hurting a long time ago and the magic infused bandages really helped. They didn't completely heal a wound like a fairy would, but they did speed up the healing process. 

Link brought his hand away and started to pack everything away. I bent my head down and brushed my fur to the side with my hoof, trying to get a look at the healed wound. My fur was slightly crusted with dry blood but the wound was healed. I licked my hoof and started to rub the blood out of my coat. I scrunched up my face and spit out the dirt that I licked up. Once I got the dirt out of my mouth I checked my coat and found that all the blood was gone. I gave myself a satisfied smile and straighten up.

“Well, I’ve got to dispose of these bandages,” Link said, carrying my old bandages out of the loft. “You can do whatever, Epona. After this I’m going to unpack,” Link said with a smile. I smiled back and nodded. “Hey, Big Mac?”

I left the barn and stepped out into the apple orchard. I stood there for a second, feeling the wind brush a light breeze over me, brushing my mane back a little. I took a deep sniff, smelling the apples on the trees. It was really nice here. It was peaceful and calm. Different from Hyrule in almost every way. I scanned the area and saw a saddened Applebloom walking around with her head down, kicking rocks. I felt myself start to walk over to her, not because I wanted to, but because I felt compelled to. At least I think that's the word, I’m not too sure.

“Hello Applebloom,” I greeted as I got near her. Applebloom popped her head up when she heard my voice. She put on a big smile when she saw me.

“Oh, hello Epona, what're you up to?” Applebloom asked a curious gleam in her eye. Or maybe a pixie got in her head and is making her eye gleam like that. My mother always told me to be careful of pixies, once they get in your head they fill your brain with nothing by adventurous thoughts. When I first met Link, I ran away because I didn't want to catch the pixies. I knew they were there because I saw the gleam in his eye. But when I heard him play Malon's song, then I knew she trusted him, then I trusted him. And so far as I know, I haven't caught the pixies. But it was too late for poor little Applebloom. She was screwed. Luckily I knew of certain things to do so I don't get the pixies. I was safe for another day! Ha ha!

“Nothing, what are you up to, you seem sad,” I said. Applebloom's smile fell and she started to walk and kick rocks again. I walked next to her.

“It's nothin', ah'm just kinda sad because normally ah would be crusadin' with mah friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo,” Applebloom said.

“They are the ones who said bad language and beat up another pony with a sandwich, yes?” I asked.

“Uh huh, well normally they would be over here, but since they have detention, they can't be here, and now I’m sad because they're not here and I’m kinda bored,” Applebloom said, looking back at the ground.

I felt bad for the little filly, so I did the only thing I could think of at the moment.

“I'll play with you.”

I could hear the glee in young Applebloom's smile that stretched from ear to ear.

“Really?!”

“Er,” I hesitated when I saw the huge smile adorning her face. Perhaps I have made a mistake. “I-”

“This is goin' to be so fun!” Applebloom interrupted me by pulling me away by my hoof. She led me deeper into the orchard, away from the house, and kept rambling on about stuff we would do. I wonder what hang gliding, bungee jumping, and snowboarding is?

~*~*~*~

After a few minutes of her dragging me through the orchard we came across a tree house. It was a nice looking tree house. It was pinkish with a door and windows, and a big ramp leading up to it. Applebloom dragged me up the ramp and through the door. Only when I was inside the tree house did she let go of my hoof.

“Well?” she asked, expectantly.

“Huh?” I questioned.

“The tree house!” Applebloom yelled, jumping a few feet in the air and landing softly.

“Oh! Uh, well,” I was having some trouble coming up with the words to describe the place. It looked nice and all but I didn't really have another example to base my opinion on. “Um, it looks nice?” I tried. Applebloom's smile got even bigger at the compliment.

“Thanks! Ah cleaned it up all by myself. There was a lot of stuff that needed to be fixed, but I managed,” Applebloom said, with a hint of pride in her voice. “It serves as headquarters for the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the Rainbow Dash fan club.”

“Cutie Mark Crusaders?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah! Its a club that me, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo made so we can get our cutie marks!” Applebloom excitedly said.

“...Cutie Mark?” I asked, not really following what she was saying. Applebloom froze, her smile dropped and she looked at me with terror in her eyes.

“...you don't know what a Cutie Mark is?” Applebloom asked slowly. I slowly shook my head. Applebloom's jaw dropped at my statement. She shook her head and put on a smile again. “Sorry, ah forgot you were from whole 'nother world.”

“It's fine, though what is a Cutie Mark?” I asked, I was very curious.

“A Cutie Mark is something somepony gets when they find their special talent,” Applebloom said. She looked at her blank flank and sighed. “Me and the other crusaders have been trying to get our Cutie Marks, but we haven't been able to get 'em yet.”

“Oh, well I'm sure if you keep trying that you'll get them eventually,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile and patting her on her back.

“You really mean that?” I nodded my head. She smile, not as big as before, but it was still a smile. “Thanks, the adults keep sayin' that we just have to wait and it'll come to us.”

“Nonsense. If listening to Link's stories about how he saved multiple lands from evil taught me anything, it's do it yourself and don't wait on destiny. I think. I was a horse and only understood half of what he said,” I said. Now that I think about it, being a horse I was pretty limited with my knowledge, but now, it seems like I know a lot more than I did before. How odd.

“Hmm,” Applebloom hummed, tapping a hoof to her chin. “Ah like that philyosopy.”

“Philyosopy?” I asked. It was a word I was unfamiliar with.

“It's a word Sweetie Belle uses. At least I think it's philyosopy. Ah don't know,” Applebloom said, shrugging her shoulders. “Say, what does your Cutie Mark mean?” she asked, looking at my Cutie Mark.

“I don't know. I know that they represent the Triforce Triangle, but only that,” I said, looking at them. “Now, what about these games?”

Applebloom's smile grew so wide I was sure it would fall off her face.

~*~*~*~

“Epona?” Link's worried voice asked. I didn't see him, all I was focused on was crawling towards the farm house, while Applebloom skipped merrily beside me. When I got close enough I stood up with a big groan and looked up at Link. He was wear his brown baggy pants that he kept tightened at his calves and a baggy white shirt, with it's sleeves rolled up. He didn't have his boots on, but he did have his hat on.

“Ugh,” I groaned, “I was playing with Applebloom all afternoon.” I was so relieved when we heard the dinner bell ring. I really didn't want to jump off the top of the tree house to test out a pair of homemade wings. I heard Applejack chuckling from inside the house and looked to see that she was standing in the doorway.

“Yeah, she and the other crusaders can be a hoofful at the best of times. Well y'all go get washed up, dinner will be on the table,” Applejack said with a smile, turning around and heading into the house.

“Follow me,” Applebloom said, running into the house. I let out a groan but followed her, Link following me. We used the upstairs bathroom to wash up, Link helping me. 

I never washed my hooves before, and it felt weird to wash them. They were just going to get dirty again. But never the less we washed out hooves. Except Link, who washed his hands. We headed downstairs and we each took a seat, and bowls of what looked like turnip soup got dished out.

“Well, dig in!”
> Chapter VIII
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter VIII


“Ah,” I happily sighed. Dinner was amazing, we had tall glasses of apple cider, something that I had for the first time and absolutely loved. We also had turnip soup and for dessert we had ice cream and fresh apple pie, both things that I also haven't had before but now love. Both Link and Applejack took off their hats as a sign of respect. I’m not sure who they were respecting and when I asked they simply said that it was just a polite thing to do.

“I'm surprised you ate as much as you did, Epona,” Link said as he tugged off his shirt. We were in the barn where our beds were. I was already laying down on my back in my pile of hay and my head was resting on the pillow, Both of which were really soft. My blanket was under me so I wouldn't get stuck by hay needles, which was Link's idea.

“As am I, Link. As am I,” I said happily. I was very relaxed. After dinner we sat around the living room and Link told some stories. When little Applebloom started nodding off it was declared to be bed time.

“Ah! Hello Applejack,” Link said cheerfully. My eyes shot open at Link's voice. I must have dozed off for a few seconds.

“Howdy Link, Epona,” Applejack said, tipping her hat at us. “Ah just wanted to come by and see that y'all were squared away.”

“Oh, thank you. We got it all managed,” Link said with a smile.

“Alright, when ah get up in the mornin' ah will come by and wake you up too, we got a big day of farming in the mornin',” Applejack said.

“Sure, whatever you want us to do,” Link said with confidence. 

I'm not too sure I share his enthusiasm.

“Um, look, ah have something that ah didn't tell you guys that ah should have before hoof,” Applejack said, looking like she just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

“Yes?” Link questioned.

“Well, at night these creatures from the Everfree forest like to come out. They are called Timber Wolves. They're these big wolves made out of wood. They only come out around this season, when it’s time to harvest the apples. They come out after midnight or so,” Applejack explained. “But don't worry, all the buildings are enchanted so nothing evil can enter them. So as long as you stay inside, you'll be fine.”

“Ok. Thanks for the warning, but to be honest I have fought worse than some wooden wolves,” Link said with a confident smile.

“Ah'm sure you have from the stories you tell, but these aren't normal wolves,” Applejack warned.

“Don't worry, we'll be careful,” I said.

“Alright, well ah'll let you two get some sleep,” Applejack said, turning to leave.

“Goodnight,” Link said.

“Goodnight, Applejack,” I said with a smile.

“Goodnight,” Applejack said, walking away.

Link stretched then made his bed close to mine. He blew out the lantern that was given to us and laid down next to me. We were only about a foot away. It was a little odd, to be honest. Not the distance thing, I'm used to him being closer, but being so small next to him. It’s bugging me. Only a bit of moonlight was shining into the barn, but it was still enough to make out Links face in the dark.

“Link?” I asked.

“Yeah?” Link replied, turning to face me. I paused for a moment.

“When can we go home?” I asked. To be honest I haven't really thought about how we are going to get back, as Link seemed to always know what to do. I was confident that Link knew a way to get us home. I mean, he does always come up with great plans in seconds.

“I have no idea,” he replied without hesitation with a smile on his face. Well, there goes my confidence. “To be honest, I never know what I'm doing I just go with the flow.”

I am greatly bothered by this new information.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, but the only thing we can do now is wait till morning. So it's best that we get some sleep,” Link said.

“Right.”

“Goodnight, Epona.”

“Goodnight, Link.”

~*~*~*~

My eyes shot open.

The first thing I noticed was that it was still night and Link was asleep. I waited and focused my hearing, listening for what woke me up.

Rustle Rustle Rustle

I shot up and snapped my head towards where the sound came from. Listening harder, I could make out the sound of paws on dirt. Wooden paws if i was right. Applejack did say something about wooden wolves.
I think she called them Timber Wolves. 
I quickly nudged Link with one of my hooves and he shot awake. He opened his mouth but I silenced him.

“Shh, listen. I heard something outside,” I whispered to Link worriedly.

He closed his mouth and listened as well. His pointed ears were good, but not as good as mine. He still had no problem hearing the sound of rustling then a big crunch of an apple though. Silently, Link slipped on his boots and slowly drew the Gilded Sword.

“Stay,” he whispered, looking me in the eyes with a very serious expression.

Link then crept outside. I waited for a few moments in silence, my heart beating hard in my chest, waiting for what was to come. Then I heard Link yell and the sound of wood being hit. Then came the howls. Lots of them. Too many to count, as they started to blend together. I quickly ran to the barn door and kicked it open. I searched for Link, but didn't see him. I did see a group of wolves made out of branches with glowing green eyes start to run at a single point though. It didn't take long for me to figure out who their prey was. I heard more and more yells from Link and theTHWAK of a sword hitting wood. I shook my head to snap myself out of my stupor and quickly ran back inside. I dived for Link's pack, grabbed it with my teeth, and shook it around. Many things went everywhere but I paid them no attention until a silver item fell out and hit the ground. It was a long bladed dagger. I quickly lunged for its handle and pulled , freeing it from its scabbard. It was a dagger that Link was given for rescuing a blacksmith's pet cat. The blade was about 11 inches long and the handle was just long enough that I could hold it in my mouth.

With the blade in my mouth I dashed back outside only to stop, taking in the sight before me. The wolves had been slimmed down in numbers, with only about ten or so remaining. Link was fending one off with his sword when another wolf went to attack him from behind. I abandoned all rational thoughts and dashed with all my might. I sped past the wolves and entered the ring. Using all the strength I could muster, I coiled my back legs and pushed out. I soared through the air and began to fall towards the wolf. When I got close to it, I tilted my head back and swung the blade of the dagger at it's neck, slicing through it with ease. I landed on my front hooves and slid along the ground as my back hooves hit. I looked up just in time to see the wolf explode in a shower of twigs. I heard Link get the wolf off him and then swing at it. A small explosion of twigs hit my hooves. I felt Link at my side and I looked up at him. He must have saw the determination in my eyes because he smirked and got his sword ready. Two wolves ran at us. Link ran to catch one and I ran for the other one.

I ran at it headlong, its gaping maw present to greet me. At the moment before we collided, I stepped to the side and swung my blade. I felt the blade cut along its barrel and I didn't stop. Instead I ran faster, even when I felt the blade leave the barrel of the wolf. I turned towards its comrades, still sprinting. A few of the wolves charged at me but with a thrust upwards, I stabbed my blade into the jaw of one of them and in an instant he exploded into a shower of twigs. Using the momentum of the stab, I spun around and slammed my hooves into the face of another oncoming wolf, this one also exploding into twigs. Spinning yet again, I turned to the last wolf, who was smart and stayed a small distance away. Using the momentum of the spin, I flung the dagger from my mouth at the wolf. It was going too fast for the wolf to react and he soon found himself with a silver dagger sticking out of his forehead. I smiled in triumph but that soon vanished when I heard a deep growling from behind me. I turned around to witness the wolf that I didn't kill lunging for my throat, but before it could leave the ground it found itself with a sword impaling its head. It too met the fate of all its brothers and exploded in a shower of twigs.

A brief moment passed, then something odd happened. From each pile of twigs rose a green orb that had a green contrail. They stayed suspended in mid air for a few seconds, and I could only see how beautiful they and everything else looked in the greenish glow. It was truly a magnificent sight. Then, as if startled, they shot off into the dark part of the orchard. My guess is that they are heading towards the Everfree forest. I looked towards Link and he looked down at me.

I expected anger for disobeying him, but instead I got a cheery smile. I smiled back, although a little hesitantly. Then I heard the clopping of frantic hooves on dirt and saw the glow of a lantern coming towards us. Soon both Big Mac and Applejack came into view.

“Link! Epona!” Applejack shouted when she saw us. “Thank Celestia you're alright!”

“Of course!” Link said with his trademark smile.

“What happened?” she asked when she saw all the piles of sticks and twigs.

“Timber Wolves. Me and Link got rid of them,” I said, puffing out my chest in pride.

“Ah told you two stay inside,” Applejack said.

“That you did, but we felt that you would like to keep your crops from getting munched on,” Link said, resting the Master Sword on his shoulder. Despite being so sharp it can cut through metal, the Gilded will never harm its wielder. Something about enchantments that Link put on it a while back.

“While ah am glad, ah wouldn't have felt too good if either of you had gotten harmed,” Applejack said, with sadness in her voice. She would have continued, but Big Mac put a hoof on her shoulder.

“What she's trying to say, is we appreciate you savin' our crops,” Big Mac said in his deep voice.

“Not a problem. I’ll watch for their return,” Link offered, but Big Mac shook his head.

“They won't come back for a long while if they get chased off, like y'all did tonight,” Applejack said. “Thank you.”

“Of course, I'm the Hero of Time, it's my job,” Link said with a bow and another smile. I also bowed.

“Well, ah think we should get back to sleep. Big day tomorrow,” Applejack said, turning around to leave. Big Mac gave a smile and a nod of his head before turning around as well. I watched them until they disappeared into the house.

“Where did you learn to use this?” Link asked. I turned my head and he had the dagger in his hand, inspecting it.

“Oh, um, well,” I stuttered. How to explain this... “I'm not sure. It just felt natural?” To my surprise, he chuckled.

“Yeah, I know how you feel. I felt the same way when I picked up my first sword,” Link said, chuckling as he walked back to the barn. I followed him. He gave me a smirk and an arched eyebrow at the mess I had made looking for the dagger. I blushed and tried to hide it. “Here.”

I looked back at him and he was holding out the dagger with its scabbard on. I looked at it in confusion.

“You know how to use it, pretty well even. I don't think I’m ever going to use it while we are here, and you need something to defend yourself with if you are ever alone. So here,” Link said, smiling softly down at me. I didn't know what to say so I just took it in my mouth. “I'll teach you how to clean it tomorrow, ok?” 

I nodded. With a smile he turned around and started to pack everything away again. I walked to my bed and laid down. I placed my new dagger at my side, in case I needed it soon.
I looked back at Link and saw that he had everything packed away and was laying on his back.

“Ya know, I don't think I’m going to be able to get to sleep anytime soon, because of that fight,” he said. I nodded at him and turned away from him, but turned right back around.

“Hey, Link-” I stopped when I heard his loud snoring. I had to stifle a giggle and decided that I needed to get some sleep as well. “Goodnight.” I said to his sleeping form. I curled up and nuzzled deeper into my blanket and within seconds I was asleep.

> Chapter IX
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	
Chapter IX


For as far as I could see, I only saw carrots. It was a giant field of them. They were growing from bushes, from trees, and jumping out of the water like fish. I was in heaven, and heaven is glorious.

With a giant smile upon my face I ran through the carrot grass while giggling with glee. I jumped through the air and landed on a bed of carrots. Still laughing, I spread out my legs and waved them through the carrots in eternal bliss.

Then came the tremors. I felt one shake through the earth and I opened my eyes. My peaceful world shattered. I quickly sat up only to see the sky no longer bright blue, but dark and gray. A single drop of rain fell from the sky and hit me on the nose, making me flinch. After the first drop of rain fell, the others came pouring down after it, in big heavy drops.

More tremors rocked through the earth. One after another, growing in power as they made their way closer. Then it was quiet, until something erupted from the ground. Earth flew everywhere, and from the ground rose a terrible beast. It was the biggest, scariest and the fluffiest rabbit I have ever seen.

I felt my ears flatten and my eyes grow wide. It reared up on its hind legs and gave a mighty roar before spewing flames from its gaping maw. Its eyes were black, hellish, depths. It was the single most adorable yet scariest thing I have ever set my eyes upon. I was having trouble determining if I should let out a “D'aww!” or a scream of pure terror. I think I ended up doing both. I'm not sure what I did, as next thing I knew, I woke up.

~*~*~*~

“Epona?”
“Hmm?”
“Epona, it's time to get up.”
“Huh?”
“Epona,” I heard Link say for the third time. “It's time to get up.”

I slowly opened my eyes to see Link's light blue eyes staring back at me.

“Can I have five more minutes?” I asked, rubbing my eyes with my legs. Link only smiled, shook his head, and sat down on his bed. I took the hint as I couldn't sleep in and that he was on one of his barely talking days.

With a groan I sat up and stretched out my legs. With a hiccup, I blinked in confusion. I shook my head, trying to wake myself up. I slowly looked over at Link who had on his green tunic, green hat, white leggings, and boots. He was rummaging around in his pack for something.

“Howdy!”

I turned to the sound of the voice and saw Applejack in the opening of the loft. Link nodded his head in greeting and I gave a short wave.

“Good morning Applejack,” I said as I gave thought to if I should get up or just lay back down and sleep more.

“You two are up mighty early,” she commented. “Ah was plannin' on lettin' the two of you sleep in on account of your help last night.”

Link just smiled at her and waved his hand in a 'Not at all' gesture and stood up, stretching out his back. Applejack turned to me with an eyebrow raised.

“Uh, there any reason he ain't talkin'?” she asked.

“Some days he doesn't talk, some days he does. It's kinda random,” I answer. With no chance of me going back to bed I got up and stretched until I heard a few pops.

“Oh, uh, well there's breakfast on the table if y'all are hungry,” Applejack said, walking out of the loft. Me and Link followed her out and into the open air. I let out a grumble. The damn sun wasn't even up yet.

Don't get me wrong, I’m use to waking up before the sun as Link liked to get a very early start on his adventures. I just never really liked getting up in the morning.

The air was nice and cool, not too cold but still enough to make me shiver. Which was odd, as I never shivered at this temperature before. My new shorter fur mustn't keep me as warm.

Me, Link, and Applejack walked up to the house, but Applejack left us to go do work while we went inside.

“Heya!” Applebloom exclaimed as we were walking in through the front door. Dear goddesses, they have that kid up at ungodly hours too? Though Applebloom didn't look like her normal self. Her mane was a little ragged and she didn't have her bow in her hair, but it was sitting on the kitchen table next to her plate of pancakes. Her eyes also looked tired, almost half-lidded.

Big Mac and Granny Smith were at the table as well. Each with their own plates of pancakes. Two plates were sitting at empty spots so me and Link sat at them.

“Coffee?” Big Mac asked Link, picking up a coffee pot with his hoof.

Link nodded and grabbed it, pouring some in a mug that was waiting next to his plate. I had a mug next to my plate too, so when Link offered me the pot I grabbed it as well. Though it was odd grabbing it. I had to set it in the crook of my leg while pressing my hoof on it to keep it from falling. Pouring it was also a challenge and I almost dropped it twice, but in the end I managed to pour myself a cup of coffee. I even set it back down on the table without spilling it.

I was all ready to eat. My pancakes had butter and syrup on them, my cup of coffee was beside my plate, and the silverware next to me. I was all set and eager to dig in. Only, I didn't know how.

I took a look at Applebloom and saw her pick up her fork with her hoof. Just picked it up. Like, she touched her hoof to it, and it just stuck to her hoof. I was confused. Like, how the hell did it stick to her hoof. I looked back to my own silverware. I slowly rose a hoof and inspected it. It seemed like a normal hoof. Well, normal from what I could tell, I’ve only had this hoof for one day.

I slowly took my hoof and touched it to my silverware, then slowly drew back my hoof. The fork stayed where it was. I tried again. Nothing. Again, still nothing. I slowly squinted my eyes at my hoof accusingly. I looked up in time to see Link looking at me with curiosity. I smiled and nodded at him before looking back at my plate. Then I slowly pinched my fork with my hooves and tried that way. I stabbed my pancake with my fork and lifted it up, but it slid back down to my plate with a sticky “Plop”.

I looked up to see Applebloom staring at me but she quickly looked away. I went back to my pancakes. I picked up my fork again and chopped at them. I looked up again to see Big Mac looking at me out of the corner of his eye, but he looked away quickly too. I turned back to my pancakes. I raised my fork once again to chop at it. Then twice, then I start mutilating the pancakes with my fork. I’m sure everybody is staring at me but it's too damn early to care at the moment. After a minute of mutilating my pancakes they become a mushy mess. With a smile on my face I scoop them up on my fork and bring them to my mouth.

“Mmm,” I say with a big smile on my face and my eyes closed in bliss.

“Ahem,” Big Mac cleared his throat. “Uh, well, after what the you two did last night,” he said to me and Link, “AJ and I have decided to let the two of you off for the day. We appreciate what y'all did last night, and we think you deserve a reward.”

Link started to wave his hands in refusal but he wasn't saying anything so I had to provide the words.

“That won't be necessary, it's what we do,” I said. “Well, what he does.”

“Still, we insist that you take today off. If it makes you feel any better we can work you tomorrow,” Big Mac said. He sounded like his mind was made up on the matter. I looked to Link and he just gave a look that said “Okay.”

“I suppose that we can take the day off,” I said, Link nodding his head. Big Mac gave a nod himself and went back to eating. I went back to eating my mushed pancakes as well. They were still pretty good pancakes.

Applejack walked in a few moments later. She wasn't sweating or anything but I could tell that she had been working because of how mussed up her coat was.

“Howdy,” she greeted us all as she made her way to the kitchen. Big Mac gave her a nod, Applebloom gave her a smile, Granny Smith said a simple “Hello deari and Link gave her a smile and a nod.

“Link, didn't you need to return a wagon to Twilight?” Applejack asked to which Link nodded. “Ah've got to go up to town to sell apples, you can come along if you want.”

Link smiled and nodded once.

“Uh, alright, when ya get done eatin' I’ll be in the barn,” Applejack said, walking away. Link quickly scooped the last of his pancakes into his mouth and rose from his seat.
He walked past me and ruffled my mane for a second before moving on. I quickly scooped up the rest of my pancake mush and shoved it in my mouth. Then I quickly got up and dashed to the door, but I stopped and grabbed my cup of coffee, which was cold, and downed it all in three gulps. Then I raced out the door.

With a steady trot I was able to catch Link. Looking down at me, he smiled then opened the barns doors.

“Y'all wanna grab the wagon?” Applejack asked Link, who nodded. I just stood by the door.

Applejack was hooking herself up to a wagon that had baskets of apples in them and soon she was ready. It didn't take Link any longer to get ready and in no time we were all set. I thought about grabbing my knife, but that wouldn’t help the town like us so I left it behind.

“Alright, let's go,” Applejack said while walking out of the barn, me and Link following close behind. We walked into the apple orchard and saw Big Mac leave the house. Applejack and Big Mac exchanged a nod between themselves and Big Mac headed to the southern part of the orchards while we headed down the dirt road leading to Ponyville.

“So, cat got your tongue there Link?” Applejack joked. Link, being to the good sport he is, just chuckled.

“Sometimes Link doesn't feel like talking to anyone,” I explained. “When he talks a lot it's a good sign that he won't talk the next day. Like how he talked a lot yesterday.”

“Oh?” Applejack asked, casting a sideways look at Link, who just blushed and scratched the back of his head.

“Yup,” I said. We walked a few moments in silence and then I started to feel an ache in my upper left hoof. I just shook it out and it went away.

“Look,” Applejack started but she paused before continuing. “Ah wanna personally thank you for what y'all did last night.”

“It's fine, it's our job,” I said, a smile on my face. It was nice being praised.

“No, it's not fine. If it weren't for you two then we wouldn't have as many apples as we do. The Timber Wolves usually wreck a part of the orchard in looking for whatever it is that they eat,” she said. “So thank you.”

I looked up at Link who had a smile on his face while looking ahead.  I smiled at Applejack. “It's ok. You're welcome.”

Applejack just smiled and nodded her head, before looking ahead again. With a smile I too looked ahead. The dark town now appearing over a hill. It felt good. Like right inside of me. Right in my heart.

That feeling lasted about five seconds and was instantly replaced with an aching in my hoof again. But this time it didn't stop in my hoof but instead traveled to the rest of my body as well.

“Uh oh,” I said. Link and Applejack just kinda looked at me with raised eyebrows. “I gotta run!” I exclaimed before taking off to the town at a dead sprint.

> Chapter X
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter X


“Uhhh,” I moaned into the dirt. I had collapsed on the dirt road, my legs splayed all around me. I felt like a slug. I didn't even want to breath as that took too much effort. It’s weird though, one second I was all full of energy, running through the streets of Ponyville. I even scared Fluttershy as I raced past her, then the next I was laying in the dirt, barely able to move.

I heard the sound of footsteps and hoofsteps approach me from behind.

“You ok, Epona?” I heard Link ask. I just groaned loudly at him. “Drank all your coffee in one gulp?” I groaned again. I heard him and Applejack both chuckle before I felt Link's hands wrap around my barrel and pick me up.

“Nooooo,” I let out weakly as I was picked up and held under Link's arm. “Whatever.” I really didn't feel like arguing right now. So with me held in one arm and Link pulling the wagon with his other, we set off.

We walked through the marketplace, where Applejack left us so she could sell her apples. Me and Link continued to Twilight's library house tree thing. It didn't take too long to get there and this time the ponies that were walking around didn't shy away from Link. Most of them even waved at him. He nodded back to them since his hands were full.

Applejack had explained to Link that Twilight gets up even earlier than she does on weekdays so that she can open the library for those who want to check out books early in the morning.

Link set me down and I was barely able to stand. Though I was a little wobbly.

Link opened the door to the library and we both stepped inside, Link pulling the wagon behind him.

“Oh, hello you two,” Twilight greeted as we walked in. She was sitting on the couch, reading a book. Link nodded so I, once again, had to talk for him.

“Good morning. Sorry if we are intruding,” I said as I walked to the other couch and sat on it.

“Oh, no. You're fine. To be honest I wasn't expecting anypony to be here this morning, but I figured that somepony might swing by for a book,” Twilight said with a happy smile.

“Well Link's here because he had to return your wagon,” I explained as I got comfortable. It didn't take long at all.

“Oh! Thank you,” Twilight said as she jumped up and walked to Link. Using magic she levitated the wagon through a door where it was then out of sight and out of mind. She looked up at Link with a smile on her face. “Would you like to check out any books while you're here? You can read them here as well if you would like to.”

Link got a big smile on his face and nodded. What most people don't know about Link, except for his close friends like Malon, Saria, and Na- er, no. Never mind. It’s too soon to bring her up. Anyways, what most people don't know about Link is that he is well read and loves to read.

“Well, you can go ahead and pick something off of the shelves,” Twilight said. Link nodded and walked to one of the shelves and started to look through the books. Twilight went back to her couch and started reading again.

I was left to myself once again. It was odd, this morning I was ready to go back to sleep, but now that I was able to sleep I didn't want to. And I couldn't even read, so I couldn't entertain myself while I was here. I began thinking to myself about what I could possibly do. Then an idea came to me.

“Twilight?” I asked, getting her attention. She looked up from her book and looked at me.
“Yes?”

“Would you know where Fluttershy is? I scared her this morning by accident and I thought I should apologize,” I said.

“Oh, well she should be at her home right now, would you like me to take you there?” she asked, already getting up.

“No thanks,” I said and Twilight sat back down. “I remember where it is.” I got off the couch and walked out the door. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, and I stopped to admire it for a few seconds. The sunrise looked almost as good as the one back home. Almost.

I set off to Fluttershy's at a brisk trot. As I trotted through Ponyville many ponies, that were actually awake at this time, waved and greeted me. I nodded back to them but I couldn't stay and chat. I had places to be.

~*~*~*~

It didn't take long at all to get to Fluttershy's and as I walked up the path to her house I could see her walk into her home. So I picked up my pace and knocked on the door. I heard a sharp 'Eep!” from inside and after a few second the door opened a crack.

“Y-y-yes?” Fluttershy asked from inside.

“Um, hey. It's Epona,” I said. The door opened a little bit more and I could actually see Fluttershy's face.

“Oh, good morning, Epona,” Fluttershy greeted with a soft smile.
“Good morning, Fluttershy. Look, I want to apologize about scaring you this morning,” I said with a small smile.

“Oh, there's no need. I should have seen you coming, I’m sorry I was in your way,” she said, trying to hide behind her mane.
“What?” I asked confused.

“I'm sorry, I should have made it clearer,” Fluttershy said backing away slowly.

“No! No, you're fine. It's just that none of that was your fault. It was all mine,” I explained.

“Oh, was it? I'm sorry,” Fluttershy said again.

“It's fine,” I said. I had a feeling that she would just keep apologizing if I let her.

“Would you like to come in?” she asked.

“Uh, sure,” I said. It wasn't like I had much to do anyways. Fluttershy opened the door all the way so I could walk in, which I did.

It looked the same as last time I was here, just not as many animals. There were probably sleeping.

“Would you like something to drink?” she asked.

“Nah, I’m fine. I hope I didn't interrupt anything,” I said.

“I was just getting everyone's breakfast ready, but I could do that while you are here,” Fluttershy said. By everyone I guessed she meant the animals.

“Would you like some help?” I asked. I might as well offer, right?

“Oh no, I couldn’t possibly ask you to help,” she said.

“Nonsense, the least I could do is help,” I said.

“Well, if you really want to help, I guess I could use some help getting the food,” Fluttershy said. “Could you follow me?” she asked. I nodded and together we walked through the house and down to a basement.

Fluttershy pulled on a string hanging from the ceiling and a glass ball lit up with a bright light. I saw something similar to that by a traveling merchant, but people called it magic then. As the basement was now lit up, I could now see it was filled with bags of food. Toys, shampoo and more for the animals were there too. Fluttershy walked over to one of the bags of food and tried to lift it up using her teeth, but it was clear that she was having a lot of trouble. I quickly trotted over and helped her out by ducking under it and picking it up with my back. It really wasn't all that heavy, maybe about twenty pounds. But then again, Fluttershy didn't have a lifetime of carrying around heavy barding while running at high speeds. Though now that I had a smaller body I bet I couldn't carry as much as I could before. Maybe a little over one hundred pounds at most. But that's just a guess, and a safe guess at that.

“Anything else?” I asked.

“No, that's all,” she said. I followed her up and out of the basement and back to her living room. Fluttershy quickly flew into the kitchen and brought out a bunch of bowls. She was balancing them on her back, and a had a knife in her mouth. She placed the bowls in a line on the floor.

“Could you set the bag down, please?” she asked around the knife. I nodded and slid the bag off my back.

Fluttershy took the knife and cut the top of the bag and tore it the rest of the way. She set the knife down on an end table and picked up a bowl with her hoof. She scooped out a heaping bowlful of the food. She did this with another one and I picked up the third bowl with both of my hooves and scooped up the food that way. Together we got through the whole thing in only a few minutes. Fluttershy told me to drag the bag of food to a corner and she put a special clip on it to keep the animals from getting into it.

“Anything else, Fluttershy?” I asked. I was ready to work.

“No, that should hold them over until tomorrow. I’m all done for the day, thank you. Would you like something to drink or eat?” Fluttershy asked again on her way to the kitchen.

“Sure,” I said as I followed. “Can I get some water?

“Of course,” she said as she made her way to a cabinet. She opened it and took out a cup and filled it full of water before passing it to me. I sat on my haunches and took it in both of my hooves and  downed it in one gulp. I gave her the cup back and together we went back into the living room.

“I need to go into town for a little bit. You can stay here and play with the animals if you want,” Fluttershy said, putting on a pair of saddlebags.

“Nah, it wouldn’t feel right to be in someone's house without them being there,” I said as I made my way to the front door with Fluttershy behind me. We walked down the path to her house and we merged onto the path to Ponyville. We walked for a few moments in silence, but I tried to be polite and start a conversation.

“So, um. What were you doing in Ponyville that early? If you don't mind me asking that is,” I said.

“Oh, I don't mind. I was getting some medicine for a flock of baby ducks and the pony who sold the medicine said to come by really early,” Fluttershy said.

“Oh,” I said, thinking it over. Things fell silent for a few seconds. I cast a look over to Fluttershy and it looked like she wanted to make conversation but wasn't exactly sure how to go about it.

“D-do you like animals?” she asked. She seemed scared of asking it, like I was going to get angry or something.

“Yeah,” I said after a second of thinking. I was never asked that question before, so it took me a second to think. “Yeah I like animals.”

“R-really? She said. She seemed more confident of her questions now. “Um, which animal is your favorite?”

That got me stumped. I never really thought about it before. I didn't know too many animals, just what we had living on the ranch and a few that I met in the wild or in a stable.

“Um, I guess the cat?” I said, unsure of myself.

“Oh?” Fluttershy asked. Her voice seemed to ask me to explain, though I’m sure she would die from shyness if she ever actually asked that.

“Yeah. Malon had this small kitten that would sleep with her at night and when Malon came to play with me her kitten would follow. It used to ride on my back as I followed Malon around,” I said with a smile as I thought of the fond memory.

“How cute,” Fluttershy giggled, it behind her hoof. I started to giggle along with her. I'm not sure why.

“What about you?” I asked.

“Oh, I love all the animals equally,” Fluttershy said. Somehow I knew that was going to be her answer. “I don't think it would be fair to the other animals if I loved one more than the other.”

“Maybe not,” I agreed with the last of my giggles escaping me.

I was happy. I was having fun and I was happy. It was just me and Fluttershy laughing to some joke that wasn't told in the glorious countryside. I wonder if Applejack would be up for this kind of fun. If Applejack was like her sister in any way, then she would be up for fun that included a lot of running. Don't get me wrong or anything, I love running. But sometimes it was great to just walk around without a care in the world. It was going to be a great day and it wasn't even noon yet!

Then came the screaming.
> Chapter XI
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter XI


Once the screams reached my ears everything stopped, time slowed, and I could hear the blood rushing to my head as my adrenaline spiked. I flicked my ears towards the screaming and heard them coming from Ponyville. Time resumed and I bolted towards Ponyville, while Fluttershy fled to her cottage. I didn't have time to get her and I figured she wouldn't be good in a fight anyways.

From Fluttershy's cottage to Ponyville was about ten minutes at a slow pace. It took me under three to run there. Though upon arrival I slowed from a run, to a trot, to a walk, then I stopped altogether. I was very confused at what was playing out before me.

Running into Ponyville, I had expected to see ponies running from town to the fields. But instead I found ponies running from the fields to town, and those who were already in town towards the center of town. The ponies were screaming, but instead of fear, it was in glee. I was very, very confused.

“Epona!” I heard Twilight's voice ring out from the crowd of ponies running past me. I looked and quickly found her with Link, standing off to the side of a building. I made my way to them, having to dodge and weave my way through the stampeed of ponies.

“Are you ok? Link and I saw you running in like your tail was on fire,” Twilight said when I was close enough.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I paused again to look around, to confirm that the town was in no danger. “I thought that the town was getting attacked because I heard frantic screaming.”

“Oh! No, there are no monsters around. Actually, it’s a special day today!” Twilight exclaimed happily. I raised my eyebrows at her attitude. “Today, Princess Celestia is making a surprise visit!”

“Princess Celestia?” I slowly asked. I had heard the name before but I was drawing up a blank at the moment.

“Yes, she was going to meet with you after the weekend, but she had sent me a letter not ten minutes ago telling me that she would like to meet with you today,” Twilight said as she started to walk away, with Link following her. I followed close behind.

We made our way through the crowd and up to a stand in front of the town hall. The stand was covered by a bit purple curtain. An old looking mare with wavy grey hair was behind a podium and it looked like she was waiting from everyone to quiet down.

“That's Mayor Mare, Ponyville's mayor,” Twilight explained to me and Link. A few more minutes and everyone was there and quiet, the mayor began to speak.
“Welcome ponies! I am sure all of you have heard that a very special pony has decided to pay our humble town a visit on this fine day,” the mayor's voice boomed over the crowd. “So, without further adieu, Princess Celestia!”

The purple curtain spread down the middle and what was behind was... it was... IT WAS... boring. It was a very tall, about the size of a normal horse, white coated with diluted rainbow mane. It also had a long white horn and big white wings. She was also dressed up in golden shoes, a crown, and other fancy items. It had to be Princess Celestia. I didn't like her. She seemed very stuck up and pampered. I had to meet a few pampered princes and princesses in my lifetime and they all looked the same, walked the same, and acted the same. This Celestia looked like them, walked like them, now to see if they will act the same.

“My little ponies!” Celestia said in a motherly voice. It made me cringe slightly. “I am glad to have this chance to talk to all of you,” I rolled my eyes and sat on my haunches. “I am here today, not on a royal visit, but a more friendlier one,” I once again rolled my eyes. She did act like all the others. She was no different, other than being a horse.

I closed my eyes and shut out her annoying voice. I didn't want to hear anything she said. Instead I thought of something good. One of the things that I absolutely love; butterflies, specifically the Silvery Meadow Blue. I first saw one while Link was visiting and we were running around in Hyrule Field. Talon and Ingo were there of course.

It was Malon who found and caught the butterfly, and when she showed it to her father, it was he who identified it. He also told us all the story of how he and Malon's mother met. They were both determined butterfly watchers and they were both trying to find two completely different butterflies. They had met each other while stalking in the same field of wheat. After a very heated argument about making their butterfly flee, lunch, another argument over cheese, they ended up shared notes on the butterflies they had examined from afar. The next time each of them went looking, they went together. After about twenty of these trips they had found the Silvery Meadow Blue, and later that night, they shared their first kiss.

Malon's reaction to the story was to find it fascinating, while Link found it gross. Specifically the ending. I found the story very interesting, not so much the ending but finding out that there were so many butterflies. Sure there are tons of other animals that have so many other kinds of them, but most of them were evil animals, borderline monsters. Butterflies weren't evil and they didn't hurt anybody. At least until they get overloaded with evil magic. I saw a very evil butterfly once. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. But it was also the scariest. I couldn't look at a butterfly for two months.

Whenever me and Link were crossing the land in our adventures, I would always look for butterflies and keep all the information I made on them in my head. I made up my own names for them as well since I didn't have a book for their names. The last time I checked had seen about 200 different butterflies. I remembered each of the names I had given them and where I had seen them.

Goddesses I love butterflies.
“Epona?”
They are just so free.
“Epona?”
And of course they were pretty.
“Epona!”
I snapped my head up in shock of hearing my name. “What?”

“Epona, are you ok?” Twilight asked. I looked around. Most of the ponies had stayed, while a few of them had left. Just enough to be noticed by someone who had just got lost in their own little world for about half an hour. I also noticed that three new ponies were with us. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and... Celestia. Oh boy.

“Where did you go?” Rainbow Dash asked, hovering in the air by our heads.

“I was thinking about butterflies,” I said, casting a glance her way.

“Oh, how pretty,” Rarity said with a soft smile while Rainbow Dash pretended to gag.

“I often enjoy letting my mind wander as well,” I heard Celestia's voice and I looked towards her. She was bigger up close then she looked up at the stand. And she still had that smile on her face. I forced myself to smile with her.

“Good day, Princess,” I said, bowing my head towards her. I was still going to play nice.

“Please rise, Miss Epona,” Celestia said. “There is no reason to bow to me. I do believe a thank you is in order however.”

“Huh? What for?” I asked. I heard Rarity softly wincing. I'm not sure why she did.

“For both yours and Link's brave efforts last night. You had driven away Timber Wolves from the Apple family's orchard,” she said with a small bow of her own. “So I thank thee, for not only protecting one of the Element Bearer and her family, but also risking your lives even though you were under no obligations to.”

“Oh, uhm. No problem I guess. It's kinda what we do,” I said waving my hoof between me and Link.

“So I’ve heard, from what my student, Twilight, has said; Link here is the Great Hero of Time and bears a rare relic himself?” Celestia asked, looking at Link, who blushed and scratched the back of his head. “Tell me, what is it like traveling through seven years of time?” she asked. Link looked alarmed but he kept his cool.

“He sometimes doesn't talk much,” I quickly said, saving Link's butt. “Yesterday he would talk your ear off, but today I'm not sure he said more that ten words.”

“Oh, the strong silent type,” Celestia said in an understanding tone. “Good qualities in a knight.” Link again blushed.

“Link's no knight,” I said with a smile on my face. “He's an adventurer.” Celestia's smile grew even more softer.

“Admirable traits for all vocations,” Celestia said.

“Princess?” Twilight piped up.

“Yes, Twilight?”

“Perhaps you would like to move this to a somewhat more private place?” Twilight suggested.

“I think that would be lovely, I would like to learn more of this world these two come from,” Celestia said, looking at me and Link.

“I guess I could tell you all about our world,” I said with little enthusiasm.

“Wonderful, shall we go now?” Celestia asked.

“Actually,” Rarity interjected. “I was hoping I could steal Epona away for an hour or two, if she wouldn't mind that is,” she asked with a sheepish smile.

“I don't mind at all,” I quickly said. “You wrote everything down, right?” I asked Twilight.

“Er, well yes,” Twilight said. Her face lit up suddenly. “I can show you how much my note taking has improved!” she said excitedly to Celestia.

“That sounds wonderful,” Celestia said. She turned to me and gave me a small bow of her head. “I do hope to talk to you, perhaps later?”

“Sure, how about over some carrot cake?” I asked, bowing as well. Celestia's eyes lit up.

“That would be wonderful.”

“Cool,” I said. I again saw Rarity ever so slightly wince.

“Come along now dear, we have much to do,” Rarity said. “It was a pleasure as always, Princess,” she said, bowing to Celestia.

“And to you, Miss Rarity,” Celestia said, returning the bow with a nod. And with that me and Rarity left.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After navigating through the still rather big crowd we were walking along the roads of Ponyville. I decided to thank Rarity.

“Hey, thanks for that back there,” I said.

“Well of course,” Rarity said. “We can't have you talking like that to the princess of Equestria!”

“Huh?” I was confused. Didn't she save me from talking to Celestia because I didn't like her?

“Your words were too brash to talk to someone of royalty!” Rarity said. “I will not allow there to be another Rainbow Dash.” She seemed very set at that.

“Uh, thanks? I guess?” I said as I walked up next to her.

“Oh there is no need to thank me, darling,” Rarity said with a happy smile on her face. “That and I could tell of your discomfort towards the princess.”

“Oh?” I asked, turning a little red in the cheeks. I thought I hadn't projected it that badly.

“Yes, dear. May I ask why?”

“Well, from what I can tell so far, she's just like all the other royalty I have met,” I said, a certain bitterness in my words.

“What were they like?” Rarity asked, looking at me as we walked.

“Stuck up jerks who used the lower class to do their dirty deeds. They use everybody below them, and take all the credit when something goes right, and push the blame on everybody but themselves. The type of person who's stallion thinks they can mate with any horse they choose,” I said, the last sentence with venom dripping off my words. Rarity winced at my words. She looked like she wanted to press the issue but didn't. I silently thanked her for it.

“Er, well I can guarantee that Princess Celestia is no such pony,” Rarity said with a smile.

“Well, until I get to know her personally, I’m going to keep thinking what I’m thinking, no offense,” I said. I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

“None taken,” Rarity said with a smile on her face. “Now, let's get ready for a very educational two hours!”

“Oh boy,” I groaned. This was going to be fun.

> Chapter XII
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter XII


I was in my own special Hell.
“Dear! I have some new dresses for you to put on~” I heard Rarity call out in her singsong voice that I have learned to hate in the past hour. I was standing on her little stage in a light blue and very frilly dress. Complete with a cone shaped hat. “You didn't hear it from me, but you wear that a lot better than Applejack,” Rarity said as she levitated a few dresses and hung them up on a nearby cart that was filled with all the other dresses she had forced be to try on.
“Thanks,” I said, sarcasm dripping off my words.
“Of course dear!” Rarity said, not noticing my sarcasm. Using her magic she slipped the dress off of me and hung it up.
“Rarity,” I said to get her attention.
“Yes, darling?” she asked with a dress in her magic.
“Shouldn't we start on the proper manners I should have, or something?” I asked, using my hoof to rub my mane back into the mess it was. I didn't mind having my mane brushed, I just preferred it be messy, it made me feel wild.
“Hmm, I suppose you're right,” Rarity said, looking disappointed, the dress in her magic falling a little before being flown back to the rack. “Come along, we shall set up in the kitchen,” Rarity said, walking away. I jumped down from the stand and followed her into a small kitchen. “Go ahead and have a seat,” she said. I sat down while she fiddled with various things a few minutes later and she had a cup of tea in front of us both.
“Thanks,” I said as I grabbed the teacup in my hooves.
“Not a problem,” Rarity said as she used her magic to lift her cup and take a small sip. I too took a sip. It tasted pretty good.
“Now,” Rarity said, getting my attention. “Here are some flash cards that you should probably go over,” she said, floating over a stack of small pieces of paper. She landed them in front of me.
I picked one up in my hooves and looked at it. The “words” looked like squiggles. Fancy squiggles, but squiggles nonetheless. I looked back up at Rarity. “These won't work.”
“Well why not?” she asked, sounding irritated.
“I can't read,” I said, looking at the cards again, hoping something will jump out at me, but alas, nothing does. I look back up at Rarity to see her with a shocked expression on her face. “What's wrong?”
“W-well you can't read!” 
“Uh, yeah. I noticed.”
“Well why not?” she asked frantically.
“Well, I only just became like this yesterday, so...” I trailed off, letting her pick up what I was trying to say.
“Oh, I'm terribly sorry, how inconsiderate of me. It's just that it's easy to forget,” Rarity said, a blush adorning her cheeks.
“It's ok, shall we start on these manners?” I asked, holding up the cards again.
“No,” Rarity said, levitating the cards away. “We have something much more important to learn.”
“Why is it important?” I asked, taking another sip of tea.
“Why is it not?!” Rarity asked. “Reading and writing, are the fundamentals of being a successful and active member of society. Being able to communicate properly with those around you, is a success in it's self. A joy! Prideful even.”
“Wow, is it really that big of a deal?” I asked out loud.
“Yes!” Rarity practically yelled. She stood up and wrapped my hoof in magic. “Come! We must learn!” she yelled as she rushed us out of the room gracefully.
~*~*~*~
I stuck my tongue through my teeth as I held the quill in my shaking hooves.
“Come on. Come on!” I hear Rarity whisper in my ear as she looked over my shoulder. I rolled my eyes and concentrated on the “A” I was currently drawing.
“There!” I yelled as I finished the line I was on.
“Yes!” Rarity exclaimed, using her magic to hold up a single sheet with one word written on it.
“It's not the best hoofwriting I have ever seen, but it's a good start,” Rarity said, looking at the piece of paper.
“Thanks,” I said, beaming. What she said was true, I did feel a little prideful. Not a lot, but enough to notice it.
“And it only took us fifty minutes. Still enough time to get you over to the library,” Rarity said, looking up at the clock on the wall with a smile. I took back the paper and looked at my name.
“What do I do with this now?” I asked, looking to Rarity.
“I have just the thing!” she said as she left to the other room. She came back out a few seconds later. “I made this while you were practicing your lettering. It was quick but I hope you like it,” Rarity said, holding up what looked like a miniature version of my saddle that I usually wore.
“Here, let me help you put it on,” Rarity said as she moved it towards me. It was really simple, the saddle rested on my back and the rest just wrapped around. 
It fitted pretty good. It hugged my body softly, but firmly. It didn't move around much when I did. “Wow, it fits really good,” I said, a little surprised since she didn't take any measurements, to my knowledge at least.
“It even has little pockets under these pieces of cloth,” Rarity said lifting the colored cloths hanging off the sides, revealing little pockets. I folded the piece of paper a few times and placed it in there. “I based it off the saddle that you wore previous to coming here.”
“Thank you Rarity,” I said, bowing my head a little. 
“Think nothing of it, darling,” Rarity said, brushing it off like it was nothing. “It was fun to experiment with a design from a different culture.”
“I didn't think that you studied my saddle, isn't it still at the farm?” I asked, half to myself. We had started to leave the shop.
“Well, I didn't need to have the outfit with me to study it,” Rarity said as we walked down the road to Twilight's. She started to explain it more when she saw my confused look. “I have photographic memory, if I see something once, I will remember what it looks like, down to the tiniest detail.”
“Wow,” I said, amazed. “How can I get photographic memory?”
Rarity started giggling.
“You can only get photographic memory by being born with it,” Rarity said, still a little giggly. My ears flattened and I drooped my head as we walked. “Oh, there's no need to feel so dejected, you can still improve your memory by doing little memory exercises.”
“Dejected?” I asked with an eyebrow raised, a new word that I had never heard of before.
“It means sad or depressed,” Rarity said, with a smile. “I know that Twilight would let you borrow a dictionary, a book filled with every word in the Equestrian language, if you were to ask.”
“Really?” I asked. I guess I could get the book and let Link read it to me.
“Yup, in fact, here we are!” Rarity said. I perked up and saw that we had made it to the library. “I only wish that we could have spent more time practicing proper mannerism.”
Mannerism. Another word that I did not know.
“Well,” Rarity said, “I have to go, someone must look over the shop.” Rarity waved me goodbye and started to walk back. I waved back. Before turning around and walking towards the library.
I opened the door and walked in. I saw Link, Twilight and Celestia all sitting in a sort of circle on the sofas. Twilight and Celestia were on one sofa and Link was on the other.
“Oh, hello Epona,” Twilight said, giving me a short wave to come join them. I walked in and sat down next to Link.
“It is good to see you, Epona,” Celestia said to me with a nod of her head.
“You too, Princess,” I said, remembering the few tips Rarity had told me when I was learning to write my name.
“Link here was just telling me about your bravery last night,” Celestia said, a sort of something that I couldn't place in her voice. “I must thank you for keeping a few of my little ponies safe from harm.”
“It's no problem,” I said, with a smile.
“Did Rarity make that, Epona?” Twilight asked, pointing to my new outfit.
“Yup, she made it while I was practicing my ABCs,” I said, looking over the thing. It truly was great.
“ABCs?” Celestia asked.
“Uh, yeah. I don't know how to read. But Rarity taught me a little. I know how to write my name now,” I said as is took out the paper I had in my pocket. I handed it to Link who took it and opened it up. He had a smile on his face as he passed it to Twilight then to Celestia.
“This is very good for somepony who just learned to write,” Celestia said, and she floated it back to me. I grabbed it and stuck it back in it's pocket.
“Thank you, Princess,” I said, bowing. I felt a sort of pride when she complimented me. “Sorry about not being able to be here when you guys were discussing stuff.”
“It's ok,” Celestia said, “from what everybody here tells me, you two are completely harmless and act to defend those in need.”
“Thank you, Princess,” I said, with a smile. True, I wasn't expecting to have Celestia pass judgment on us, but now that I think about it I assume it would be the right thing to do.
“Please, call me Celestia,” Celestia said with a smile.
“Oh, um, thank you,” I said. I wasn't really sure what happened, since I know for a fact the it's a really big deal to be able to call a princess by her first name. I think Link only got to be able to do that a few times.
“You are very welcome,” Celestia said with a smile.
“Oh! I should get some tea!” Twilight exclaimed as she rushed out of the room and into the kitchen.
Celestia tried to hid her giggle behind her hoof. “She always tries her best and tries her hardest to get everything perfect.”
Twilight came back out a few minutes later with a teapot and tea cups along with little cookies.
~*~*~*~
“Well that was fun, wasn't it Link?” I asked, looking up at him. He nodded his agreement. He was carrying a bunch of left over cookies in a piece of cloth, and a dictionary Twilight let me borrow. She even offered to teach me how to read and write more than Rarity had.
We were currently walking down the road to Sweet Apple Acres with the sun setting in the distance. Celestia had stayed for a few more hours and together we all talked, played games, and told stories. Just regular hanging out. I wasn't really sure what was going to happen, since there was a princess there and all, but it just felt like she wasn't a princess, but a regular pony. I wonder if Princess Zelda was anything like Princess Celestia.
“Hey Link?” I asked. He turned his head towards me and looked at me with a smile.
“Thank you,” I said.
“For what?” he asked. For what was right. I’m honestly not sure why I said that.
“For being my friend,” I said. Again I didn't know where that came from. “For, saving me, back on Lon Lon Ranch, even though it didn't actually happen. For everything, really.” I looked back up to Link and saw him smiling.
“Of course, it has been my pleasure after all these years,” Link said with a chuckle.
“We've had some good times,” I said, thinking back to some of the good memories we've had together.
“Remember the time when we were camping out beside Hags River?” Link asked. I snorted a laugh at he memory. Link had accidentally disturbed a giant bee's nest and they chased him and didn't give up. They only gave up when Link jumped in the river. I tossed him his Zora's Tunic to help him stay underwater because the bees didn't leave. They left me alone, but when Link came back up the next day he was all pruned.
“It was really funny,” I said, giggling.
“Yeah it was,” Link said with a smile of his own.
“We're bound to have many more adventures like that, right?” I asked him.
“Right.”
> Chapter XIII
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter XIII


“Hyah!” Link yelled as he tossed his fishing line into the small river.
“Does he always do that?” Twilight asked me.
“Yup,” I replied. Me and Twilight were sitting under a shady apple tree on Applejack's farm while Link fished in a small river that flowed through the south section of Sweet Apple Acres. “It's a little weird.”
“Hmm,” Twilight hummed as she looked at Link for a few more seconds before looking back at me. “Shall we continue?” she asked.
“Sure.”
“Ok, sweepstakes,” Twilight said, levitating the dictionary in front of her face.
“Uh, winning of stakes and prizes,” I said.
“Correct!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Sweet,” I said with a smile, happy that I finally got that word right.
It's been about a week since Celestia had visited, and Twilight has been helping me read and write. I can read a little better; not much better but still better, but I can't write any better. Today she's been helping me expand my vocabulary by giving me a word list to read and quizzing me.
“That's the last word, Epona,” Twilight said with a happy tone.
“Really?” I asked excitedly. Learning this stuff may help me, but it is really boring.
“Yup, and since we finished early today I can give you your next word list and you can study it now!” Twilight said excitedly, a piece of paper levitating in front of my face.
“Oh yay,” I said through gritted teeth and a forced smile as I took the piece of paper. “Though I was actually hoping Link could help me fight.”
“But, studies are more important than swordplay,” Twilight said, standing and taking a step forwards.
“But if I am to protect others then I must learn how to handle myself in a fight,” I said, standing and taking a step forwards as well.
“You can fight with knowledge!” Twilight said, taking a step.
“I can fight more effectively with a blade!” Another step.
“Don't use the words I taught you against me!” Another.
We were nose to nose and I was about to yell back something, but I was cut off by a scream. The three of us froze with wide eyes, our ears listening.
“It came from over there,” Link said, pointing to an area off to the distance. A little off from Ponyville, but still very close.
“Are there anymore parades going on?” I asked Twilight.
“No,” Twilight said, fear in her voice.
“Damn,” Link cursed, throwing down his fishing rod. “Twilight, get to town and make sure nobody else gets hurt, Epona, with me!” Link said, running towards the farm house. I ran at his heels but stopped when I say Twilight frozen to the ground.
“Twilight!” I yelled, snapping her out of her daze. “Get going!” 
“R-right,” Twilight said, running towards town. She stumbled slightly while running, but I didn't have time to worry.
It didn't take long to catch up to Link but I didn't say anything. Instead I only focused on my goal which was getting back to the barn and getting my knife.
~*~*~*~
“Link? Epona? What's going on?” Applejack asked as we ran into the barn where she was putting back a basket for apples. Link ran into the loft and started to tear up the room looking for his stuff.
“We heard screams from the direction of town, we're going to investigate,” I said, finishing as Link stepped out of the loft. 
He didn't put on his green tunic but he did put on his chain mail that he wore under it, he had the Master Sword and his shield on his back. He tossed me my knife and I caught it in my mouth. I had Link change the sheath so I could fit it to the side of my saddle, which I did.
Me and Link dashed out of the barn and ran down the road to Ponyville.
“'Am coming to,” Applejack said, running behind us. Link just nodded and we ran on, soon clearing Sweet Apple Acres.
I heard a growl from my right from some bushes. The bushes rustled and a great black thing leaped out of it, right at me.. I quickly grabbed my knife and tucked into a roll, the thing missing me by inches. I righted myself and looked at a great black wolf charging at me.
It jumped to attack so I dropped and used my back legs to spring myself up and thrust my knife into its side, drawing a long line of blood. I landed and instantly turned around and sprinted at it, while it was still stunned and thrust my knife into its neck, slicing it's throat. It dropped dead and I let out a huff and looked back to Link and Applejack just in time to see Link pull his sword from the skull of another one, while Applejack looked at the display with fear and disgust.
“Applejack,” Link said, getting her attention. “Get to the library, Twilight should be there.”
Applejack nodded and started to run, steadier than Twilight had earlier. Link flick the blood off of his sword before sheathing it and I did the same.
“Check on Fluttershy, these look like they came from the Everfree,” Link said. I nodded and took off toward Fluttershy's house while he continued on to Ponyville.
I kept my eyes on the road in front of me, and my ears to the side to listen for anymore ambushes. Luckily I didn't have much to deal with on the way to Fluttershy's, a single wolf which fell faster than the first. A single thought kept trying to creep up on my at I ran to Fluttershy's, but I didn't have time to think about it so I pushed it to edge of my mind and ran on.
~*~*~*~
I ran up the road to Fluttershy's but the sight before me made me stop at the bridge. The door was broken in half and the windows were broken, and large claw marks digging out chunks of the outer walls. I pulled my knife and ran into the house. Inside was an absolute wreck; everything was torn up, the couch was in half, the wallpaper was torn and hanging in places that looked like more claw marks, bird cages were broken and nests were scattered, the rug was thrown in one corner, and there was no sign of life, animal or pony. I ran through the house quickly, checking ever room, resulting in the same: no Fluttershy.
“Damn!” I yell as I find myself back in the living room. I ran back outside and checked around the house.
Fluttershy's shed only had a half of a wall left standing, and her chicken coop had blood splattered all over it, but I saw chicken corpses so I didn't think that any of it belonged to Fluttershy. I ran to the pen and saw a large pair of paw prints leading a track to the Everfree Forest.
“Let's go, Epona. You've faced worse things,” I said as I ran to the forest, following the paw prints. Yeah, but I always had Link with me. “Link's not here, and Fluttershy needs you right now, so don't wuss out,” I said, trying to calm my ever growing nerves. My thoughts shut up after that, and I ran in silence.
~*~*~*~ 
After a mile the bloody tracks dried up and I had to slow down and track the wolves by the broken branches and slightly kicked up dirt. After another two miles or so of that I lost track of the tracks. I slowed to a trot, then to a slow trot, then a walk, then finally I stopped moving at all. I let out some huffs and puffs of exhaustion, as I twisted and spun around, trying to find the track again.
“Fuck!” I hissed, sitting down, angrily, catching my breath. I took a few deep breaths, to calm myself down and get my bearing.
“Grrrrr,” a deep growl coming from behind me made me freeze. Through instinct only, I leaped to the side as I felt a wsh of wind behind me. I landed a few feet from the spot and jumped a few more feet away, before turning around to face my opponent, my knife in my mouth, my body positioned ready to fight.
Before me stood another black wolf, but it didn't attack, it stood tall and fearing. I didn't let down my guard, but I did take a better look at it. It had jet black fur, it stood twice my size, it had red eyes, and long yellow teeth. It didn't look any different from any of the other wolves, yet I could tell it was different. Perhaps it was the pack leader.
I was about to strike, when it did something that I last expected.
“I would have thought that they would send someone stronger,” It said in a deep voice, it's gaze never leaving me. I couldn't believe it! Of all the things this wold could have done, it did the thing that surprised me the most. It insulted me!
“What?!” I screamed at it through my knife. “What the hell's that supposed to mean?!”
The wolf only raised an eyebrow. “You are quite small to be a hero.”
That made my blood boil. Sure, I may have been 
slightly
 smaller than Twilight, or Rainbow Dash, or even Fluttershy! But I was hella strong!
I charged at him as fast I could, but he simply jumped to the side, dodging my blade. With my side exposed he rammed me in the side, making me fly a few feet away, but I quickly righted myself up and faced him again. This time he attacked me, coming at me like an arrow from a crossbow. He was diving low so I jumped above him, clearing him. When I landed I spun and ran after him. I swung my blade at his exposed side and I felt it slice into his skin and hit ribs.
He let out a great roar and kicked me away. I landed on my back and in an instant he was on me. His big paws pinned me down and he growled in my face. I swung my knife that was still in my mouth and caught him in the side of the face. He let out another roar and I took this opportunity to kick him off of my and do what he did to me. Only I couldn't pin him down so I quickly stabbed him in the neck. He let out a gasp then he went slack and quiet. I yanked my knife out and wiped it off on his fur, before sheathing it. I let out a pant of exhaustion before triumphantly puffing out my chest.
“And that's what you get for undere-, under-, underest-, fuck it, for laughing at me! Bitch!” I yelled at his dead body as it slowly get covered in a dark wisp. The dark wisp slowly dragged it down into the ground leaving nothing but a blood stain on the ground.
I felt the ground shake underneath me, and before me grew a black stone doorway that lead to a set of stairs that lead underground. I swallowed my nerves and took a deep breath before stepping a single hoof onto the black stone. The moment I did I felt a great disturbance run through my body.
“I hope you're down there, Fluttershy,” I muttered before descending down the stairs.
> Chapter XIV
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter XIV


I dashed down the mossy cobblestone stairs, careful not to trip. At the end of the stairs was an old wooden door, which I struck open with both forehooves
Crash! The door slammed open and hit the wall it was attached to. I landed and unsheathed my blade, ready to strike at anything that moved. However, I saw no threats in the small room. The walls were cobblestone, and wall-mounted torches lit the small room. The floor was just a plain old dirt floor, with a small, mysterious plant growing in the corner. On the other side of the room stood a simple wooden door, I slowly walked over to it, watching for anything to jump out of the shadows. When nothing happened I steeled myself and slowly nudged it open.
I was greeted with the sight of an old rusted metal fence stretching floor to ceiling and blocking off what looked like a large portion of the room, leaving me just enough space to have a small walkway extending to my left and right. It was dimly lit so I couldn't see what was behind the metal bars, I only heard the steady breathing of something in the dark, which made me grip my knife tighter between my teeth.
After looking both ways and seeing nothing due to the poor lighting, I turned left and started to walk, stepping lightly as to not alert anything as I walked. After walking a few yards I saw a wooden door at the end of the walkway, I tried to open the door only to find it locked. I followed a path to my right only to find a dead end.
I swore to myself as I turned around. ‘Goddesses this is creepy’, I thought to myself. I found myself wondering how Link did this constantly. It was very unnerving walking next to an old, rusted metal fence with some unknown enemy breathing (very audibly might I add) on the other side, perhaps it was watching me. I took a deep breath and trudged on, Back past the locked door and the door I came in.
As I walked, I found myself wondering who had made this place. As I was thinking I almost ran into a wall, but a few Keese flew over my head bringing me back to reality. I quickly killed them and they exploded into black smoke that quickly faded away. I looked around to get my bearings and found at the end of the hallway what looked like a raised section of stone on the floor.
I slowly walked up to it, trying to look at it in the low light. It looked like it could be pressed down so I tried pressing it with my hoof. When nothing happened I put both hooves on it and pressed down with the entire weight of my upper body. The switch jolted once then sunk all the way with a Thunk! Then screeching of metal on metal echoed through the room.
Whoosh! A bright fire lit up the middle of the room, revealing three big black wolves, bigger than the ones I had encountered before. All at once they pounced at the metal fence, shaking it and causing small pebbles of stone to fall and shower me, gnashing their maws at me. With lightning quick reflexes I jumped back and slammed my back against the wall, clenching my knife tightly between my teeth.
I dashed back down the walkway, trying to get away from the wolves. They followed along the other side of the fence, they had stopped trying to get past it. They just stalked me from the other side, growling. I ran past the door that I came in through and back to the locked door, trying it again, this time throwing myself at it, but all my efforts were in vain. I whipped myself around and spotted a chest down the hallway that was once empty. I ran towards it, shying away from the metal fence as I did. I got to the chest and I quickly opened it up. I sheathed my knife and picked up the small metal key that laid on the bottom.
Quickly thinking that the key must have belonged to the door behind me, I dashed back to the door and quickly shoved the key into the lock and twisted. There was a loud clink and the door swung open. I yanked the key out and slammed the door closed. I sunk to the ground and leaned back onto the door, breathing heavily. I heard footsteps up ahead and snapped my head up. I couldn't see the source, because the room made a sharp turn to the right and that's where the sound was I quickly tucked the key I had in my mouth into my little pocket, right next to the paper Twilight gave me, and pulled out my knife, standing up as I did.
Whatever was behind the corner slowly crept out. As I saw it was just another wolf, I relaxed and let out a smile; a foe I’ve faced before. It growled at me and I returned the growl. It gave a bark and rushed me; I readied myself for its attack. It pounced and I tried to jump to the side, but the hallway wasn't that big and I hit the wall. It took this opportunity to spin around and hit me with its front paws, causing me to stumble forwards.
I quickly got back to my hooves and faced the wolf. I charged again, but this time I ran to meet it head on. When it got close it jumped again but this time I ducked low and thrust my knife upwards, catching its stomach. It gave a sharp yelp when it landed and it turned around, but I was already rushing towards it again. I swung my knife at its head but it managed to duck in time and I caught the tip of its tail instead. By the time I turned around again, it was already jumping towards me.
It knocked me down and stood over me. It reeled back and bared its teeth before trying to take a bite out of my head. I rolled my head to the left and thrust my knife into its head, hitting its temple. It went rigid before collapsing on top of me. I let out an “Oof!” and tried to lift it off of me. It was much heavier than it looked but I managed. I plucked my knife out of its head and a pool of blood started to form around its head. A little blood got on the handle and it tasted very coppery and gross. I spit out my knife and used the paper Twilight gave me to clean it off a little. I didn't get much off the actual blade but I got most of it off the handle, which I really cared about. I threw the paper on the ground when I was done.
I picked my knife back up and it tasted much better. I slowly started to walk down the hallway and around the corner. I didn't see any more wolves but I did see another door so I tried the knob. It turned with ease and I slowly opened the door. The room was cloaked in darkness, a little light shined into the room when I opened the door but it only showed another door on the far side of a somewhat large room.
I slowly crept into the room, but after a few steps the door behind me slammed shut with a bang and with a whoosh torches lining the walls ignited, lighting the room. Three wolves slowly rose from what looked like a peaceful nap and looked for what woke them. I gulped hard when their eyes landed on me.
I took a step back when one of them took a few shaky steps towards me. One of the wolves that stayed behind let out a loud yawn which set off a chain reaction, making the wolf next to it yawn, then the wolf that was a few steps away also yawned.The wolf closest to me blinked half-lidded eyes at me before sitting down and then fully laying down. The wolves behind it copied their comrade and soon the whole room was filled with the sound of snoring.
I let out a shaky breath that I didn't know I was holding, and as quickly and quietly I moved to the door on the other side of the room and tried the door, cringing as the handle wouldn't turn. I slowly turned back around and I saw, right in the middle of the room was a wooden chest.
‘Goddesses give me strength.’ I thought as I sheathed my knife and slowly crept to the center of the room. I kept an eye on the wolves but unfortunately one was right in the middle of my path. I slowly walked around him, but as I was sneaking around its head I kicked a rock that skidded across the room. The wolf yawned loudly and my breath caught in my throat. Only when it rolled over and continued snoring did I breathe again.
I quickly covered the rest of the distance to the chest and nudged it open, scooping up the key inside. With the key in my mouth I retraced my steps and quickly returned to the locked door. I inserted the key into the lock and slowly turned until I heard the clunk of the lock unlocking. I put the key next to the one that I already had in my pocket and the door opened with a creak. I quickly dashed into the empty hallway and closed the door behind me. Letting out a breath I turned around faced the short empty hallway and slowly walked down it, my knife back in my mouth.
There was little of interest except a door at the very end. I tried the handle and it turned with ease. I opened it carefully but didn’t see any monsters on the other side, only a small room that opened up to another room. I walked to the bigger room which was well lit and I saw a rather large white wolf sitting in the middle of the room. It didn't charge or anything, it just looked at me. There was a golden metal device on its left paw that crawled up to its joint.
Shink!
I quickly turned behind me and I saw long spikes had shot up, blocking the small room that I came from. I turned around to face this alabaster foe and I took a fighting stance. It didn't do anything but blink, so I charged it. It still didn't move until I was close enough to attack with my knife. But with lightning fast reflexes it shot out its metal leg and caught me from underneath. I suddenly felt the most terrible pain shoot through my body as I flew through the air. It only stopped when I hit the wall and fell to the ground.
My eyes couldn't focus until I shook my head. I saw the wolf slowly walk towards me, a sort of cockiness in its eyes. I let out a growl and grabbed my knife from the ground beside me and stood back up to face it. I charged at it again, and again, when I got close it swung its paw at me but I jumped to the side to dodge and quickly raced forward to slash at its exposed back. It let out a loud yelp before jumping an impressive distance away. It lowered its head and growled loudly before charging at me with speed that was much faster than the other wolves. I just barely jumped out of the way in time and instead of hitting me it rammed into the wall, stunning itself.
I took this chance to attack it again, I jumped and ran around it; just as it was starting to stand back up I reached the paw that had the metal device on it and I charged towards it. At the last moment I turned around and bucked it as hard as I could. I got shocked again but not as badly as before. I turned around just in time to see the device, and paw, connect with its other paw, shocking it, and making it yelp in pain. As it fell to the floor again, I gripped my knife even harder and aimed for its neck.
It was still stunned when I plunged my knife deep into its neck. It let out a single yelp before falling limp. I yanked my knife from its neck before falling back, panting. I watched as dark wisps of smoke took over the body, dragging it underground. I started to walk away but I heard something tink against the ground behind me. I turned around and saw the metal device that the wolf was wearing. It had grown large enough to fit a pony’s hoof. I walked up to it to inspect it and it looked like it would fit my hoof quite comfortably.
“What the hell?” I asked myself, something I heard Link say before he did something potentially dangerous. I shoved my hoof inside and I felt it tighten, then there was a sort of electricity in the air. I swung it around to test its weight. My hoof didn't feel much heavier and as I swung I saw a sort of static in the air. With a smile I put my hoof back down.
I looked for a way out of the room and found a set of stairs that lead downwards. It looked well illuminated, so I took a deep breath and headed down.

> Chapter XV
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter XV


I cautiously walked down the stairs, which ended up turning to the left as I kept descending, my knife in my mouth and the strange device on my left hoof, clinking when I stepped with that hoof. I kept myself at the ready, just in case anything decided to try to surprise me. The stairs ended and opened into a rather long room, at least three of me wide-- plenty of fighting room. And fight I was going to have to do because I had managed to stumble upon a sleepy wolf.
He must have heard me coming from the clinking from my device covered hoof because when I reached the room he was getting up and he started to growl before charging after me, however I has more than ready for it.
Just as he had lunged for me I swung my hoof at him, praying the device would shock it. My prayers were answered be I felt and saw a small arch of electricity jump from my device to the wolf, who yelped and was knocked back. The smell of burnt fur was strong in the air. I ran up to the fallen wolf to deliver the finishing blow but just before I could reach the wolf, darkness engulfed the wolf, and in a matter of seconds the darkness left and I was alone.
I smiled at the device as I held it up to inspect it. It had lights on it but a couple of them looked busted when I hit it with my hoof. It probably wasn't as strong as it could be, but it still took the wolf out with a single punch. I placed my hoof back down and headed to the other side of the room, where another set of stairs led upwards. It didn't take long to get up those stairs, but instead of ending in an open area, there was a trap door blocking my path.
I tried to push on the trap door but I wouldn't budge. I pressed both of my hooves on it and pushed with my back hooves and eventually the wood holding the door in place gave out a loud Crack! 
In a single moment I went from in a staircase into another dimly light room. However this room felt very familiar, and I heard loud growling from behind me and I knew why. I turned around as fast as I could but one of the bigger wolves that I had seen in the big room with a big cage, had thrown himself at me and caught me with his shoulder, ramming me up against the metal bars. 
I felt myself crumple to the ground and my vision began to swirl and go fuzzy, but with a quick shake of my head and I set my eyes right and this time I was able to dodge as the same wolf tried to flatten me against the bars again. I quickly countered his attack by striking the top of his shoulders with my electrified hoof. He gave a terrible howl but he shook me off and charged at me again.
This time I was ready for him as I ducked just as he leapt and I struck him in the gut with my hoof, which made him crumble to the ground. I took this opportunity to quickly stab him in the neck. He let out a single struggled gurgle before the life in his eyes went out and he too was consumed by the  darkness. I quickly turned behind me, remembering the other two wolves in the cage. They were watching me, studying my moves as I killed their brother. But now they had both seen that I was watching them now and they both sprung froward, after me.
I tried to dodge the one coming from the right but I ended up getting hit by the one on the left and again I found myself up against the metal bars, only this time I was pinned. I raised my head and brought my blade down, sticking it into the neck of the wolf that pinned me. It yelped and jumped away from me, but I didn't get a chance to get my knife back, so I acted on impulse and ran to the wolf, catching it off guard and I hit it square in the jaw which made it spin back and collapse on it's side. Just as I was about to go after it again I was tackled by the other wolf. I landed on my stomach but when it reared back to get a good hold of me with it's yellowing teeth I turned over and stuck out my hoof so it bit down on the device. 
I felt a static like feeling as the electricity pumped into the body of the wolf, it gave out a gurgle and blood spilled from its mouth. When I felt the static leave I kicked it off of me with my hind legs and I quickly jumped up, ready to fight, but there was no one else to fight. The wolf that I stuck my knife into must have died when I punched it in the face since where it landed was only my knife, the wolf being nowhere in sight.
I picked up my knife and I sheathed it. I took a quick look around the room now that my life wasn't in danger, I saw a set of wooden doors that were very beautifully decorated. Or once had been, since vines and such have taken over the door. I took a deep breath as I started to walk towards the doors, though a sharp pain in my back made me hesitate. I shook my head to get rid of any feelings of uncertainty and pain, and pushed onwards.
The doors swung open with little to no resistance, which surprised me to say the least, but I kept my face as straight as possible. It was dark in the room, and my hoofsteps sounded massive as they echoed through out the room. A few steps away from the door and they slammed shut, and large torch pits throughout the room lit up and in the middle of the room sat a huge white wolf, about three times my size.
“Ah, it would seem that Nickle failed me,” the wolf said suddenly. I almost jumped into the air at the sound of his voice. 
“Where's Fluttershy?” I growled, trying to sound as threatening as possible. The wolf ahead of me gave out a loud deep laugh and rose to it four legs. I had to crane my neck upwards just to see his face.
“She is just beyond that door,” he said, jerking his head towards the opposite end of the room where a very ordinary wooden door stood, seeming out of place in this place of old stone and decaying wood. “My name is Iron, the guardian of under the earth. What is yours, pony?”
“Epona! The pony that will kick your ass!” I shouted as I charged at him, he jumped over me to dodge me and stuck me with a hind paw, knocking me halfway across the room, rolling to a stop. ~Cough~ “Damn,” I muttered as I picked myself back up, pulling my knife from it's sheath.
“Give up, Epona, you can't win,” he said, staring me down with icy eyes. I ran after him again, and again he jumped over me, but I was ready for him this time and dashed at where he was going to land. He landed and I managed to slam my left hoof into his maw, and I saw the electricity arc onto him. I followed up with a quick slash, catching him in the shoulder, and before I could get another slice on him he spun and kicked me with both of his hind legs, knocking me back again but not as far this time because he was balanced on one leg, but he used the force of the kick to move himself forwards, and quickly spin to face me again.
“Huff, alright then, your death wish,” Iron said dashing at me, I ducked and he flew over me, I quickly dashed after him and tried to hit him with my hoof but he blocked my swing with his paw. However he didn't block the slice across the face with my knife or the buck I gave him using the flow of the spin.
He rolled away and landed on his back and I quickly jumped and swung my hoof down, aimed at his head, just missing by a hair when he rolled away and jumped to his feet, but I rushed him and swung my knife at his paw, bringing him to the ground and then I slammed my hoof into his skull so hard that I saw a few gears fly out of the device. 
Iron went stumbling a few feet back and landed on his back. I heard a Shperk! come from the device and I glanced down to see sparks jump off of it.
“Urk!” I heard Iron gurgle, and I snapped my head up. I slowly walked up to him, ready in case he was playing possum, though I highly doubted it. He had a pool of crimson blood pooling around his head and it looked like it hurt to even breath.
“So, you live up to your title, Epona,” he said, chuckling a little, “You have kicked my ass.”
I gulped and put my knife away. A certain feeling was settling in my stomach.
“Go, your friend in through that door,” Iron said, the life fading from his broken body. “Take care, I am only the first of many to fight you.”
“I will, thank you,” I said sort of awkwardly, starting to walk away. I heard a gurgled “You're welcome, Epona.” His voice sounding oddly familiar, though I didn't dwell of it. I ran to the small wooden door and kicked it down. It revealed a long corridor and I ran down in and at the end was a very elegant door, laced with what looked like gold.
I took a deep breath, readying myself for another wolf on the other side of the door. Thankfully I found none, but I did however find a shard of what looked like a mirror sitting on a soft red pillow, which sat upon a white stone pillar. It seemed important so I picked the shard and put it in my pocket, and I was about to leave when I felt a sort of tingling all over my body. My eyesight was filled with white. When the dizziness wore off I rubbed the spots out of my eyes and found that I was back in the Everfree Forest.
“Oof!” I heard from beside me and looked down and saw Fluttershy!
“Fluttershy!” I exclaimed as I rushed to her side, “Are you alright?”
“Huh?” she asked, dazed, “Where am I?”
“Fluttershy, you're in the Everfree, are you ok?”
“I-I'm fine,” she said, standing on shaking legs. Or at least she tried to stand, I quickly helped her and together we started in a direction that I felt was the correct one. I was on guard, but the most that I saw was yellow and red eyes staring at us from the shadows that seemed to disappear the moment I looked at them. Fluttershy didn't talk the whole walk, and when I looked her over she didn't have any wounds that I could see, she just seemed exhausted.
After what seemed like quite a while we came across a small creek, I set Fluttershy down near the water and watched as she drank. I let out a deep breath and looked around. I didn't see much, but it was a nice area to rest, and that's what we did.