MLP FIM Fan-Fiction: Starting from Scratch

Chapter 10

Aaron sped across the dirt roads, avoiding ponies, carts, and buildings. When he arrived, he saw Fluttershy looking nervously at the Forest and AppleJack pacing.

"Sorry about that!" Aaron panted as he stopped at their position, "Foot traffic was nuts!"

"No problem," AppleJack replied, "I was just about to explain to Fluttershy here that we're going to be seeing Zecora."

Good timing, then,"Aaron heaved a sigh of relief, "Traveling in a group is a safer option, and it gives me an opportunity to try my new Infra-red filter."

"Infra-red?" Fluttershy repeated, confused, "What's an Infra-red?"

"It's a type of light that can't be seen by a normal eye that can show levels of heat," Aaron summarized as they entered the forest.

They navigated through the trees from the overgrown dirt path, and eventually made their way to a large tree, decorated with uniquely designed masks, glass bottles, and a door in the tree itself. AppleJack and Fluttershy approached the door and gave it a knock.

"It's unusual to get two visitors in a day," a voice commented, "Hang tight, I'm on my way!"

The door opened to reveal a zebra standing at the door. "Hello Zecora," Fluttershy greeted.

"It's Fluttershy and AppleJack," Zecora noted, pleased to see them, then noticed Aaron, "Who is this in your group, standing at the back?"

"This is Aaron Deltian," AppleJack introduced, as he stepped forward some, "We brought him here, hopin' to find some mental guidance."

"Then come in and don't be shy; if I may ask, what happened to your eye?" Zecora invited the three of them in.

"Simply put, a pencil destroyed it beyond repair, so once I was able to use magic, I used what was left of it with some metal and concepts from my world, and restored my vision," Aaron replied casually, "I'm guessing you are Zecora?"

"Indeed, my human friend; I'm pleased to hear that you've heard of my trend," Zecora acknowledged.

Once they got seated, Aaron brought up a topic that he was hesitant to point out, "Zecora, you're a zebra, correct?"

Zecora had paused for a moment to look a Aaron, "This is a new experience since I came here; how do you come to know that, my dear?"

"The stripes on your coat was my first hint, followed by when you squeezed by me, I saw white skin," Aaron explained, "I know because zebras existed on Earth. They can't speak like anyone here can, though."

"It's good you figured it our so quickly," Zecora confessed, "Saves the trouble of an explanation from me."

Zecora brought a few cups of tea to AppleJack, Fluttershy, and Aaron. They each took a cup, and Zecora sat with them, "You wanted some mental guidance for Aaron?" Zecora confirmed, "Let's see what I can find, then."

After Zecora's guests drank their tea, Zecora looked at each of the cups, "One thing to me is clear, another large threat is drawing near."

"Fluttershy, you should watch your living spot," Zecora continued, "For someone will imitate someone who they are not."

Zecora examined AppleJack's cup next, "Be careful when Starlight stops by, for others you'll want to keep a watchful eye."

"I see your difficult past, my friend, but stick with your beliefs, and something new will come around the bend," Zecora predicted.

"Interesting," Aaron noted, "How are you able to find all that out through the tea leaves?"

"My best guess is through experience," Fluttershy speculated.

Zecora carried Aaron's partially filled cup to her cauldron, "Aaron, there is still something to do," Zecora called him over, "Have a glimpse of your future in the bubbling brew."

Aaron did his best to look, and a stream of smoke burst from the cauldron, showing his future. "What the heck?" Aaron murmured, "I see Discord, a unicorn wearing glasses I don't yet know, and myself facing off against a centaur and a creature I don't recognize..."

"Tirek the Centaur and the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis are two of Equestria's foes to ever been seen," Zecora admitted.

"Why in tarnation would those two be up against Equestria again!?" AppleJack shouted, slamming her hoof on the table.

"There's more!" Aaron interrupted, "I see Twilight in my arms, me in her front legs, and... and... Darn it! The image's faded!"

"That was the last of it?" Fluttershy confirmed, "Well, that was unexpected."

A knock on Zecora's door threw everyone up onto their feet and hooves. "Hang tight, let me have a look," Aaron warned, stepping in front of the others. He used the Infra-red filter, and saw two creatures; one was Discord, due to the silhouette, the other was a unicorn. "Discord, are you at the door?" Aaron queried.

"Yes, it's me!" the draconequus called, a bit miffed, "Starlight is with me; now for crying out loud, open the door!"

Aaron cracked the door open, and seeing the familiar faces, he turned to Zecora, "Though it probably wasn't what any of us expected, thank you for your hospitality, Zecora."

"That's what I'm here for. Come back if you need help once more," Zecora sent them off.

"It's about time," Starlight chastised, "Discord here and Twilight were getting worried."

"Sorry about all this," AppleJack apologized, "I was just trying to help, and I thought a larger group would be safer."

"Fluttershy, go ahead and get home with Discord," Aaron suggested, "I'll go with Miss Glimmer and Miss AppleJack here."

"Be careful, human," Discord warned seriously without hostility, "The Everfree Forest is much more dangerous at night; travel safely." He snapped his claw fingers and disappeared with Fluttershy.

AppleJack, Starlight, and Aaron were out on the trail when they heard rustling bushes. "Ohhh, not now," AppleJack moaned, stepping closer to Starlight, who seemed on edge, despite the tip of her horn lit for better vision.

A snarl came from Aaron's left. "What could we be dealing with here?" Aaron asked.

"Best guess?" Starlight answered, "Timber wolves: magical monsters made of wood."

"Alright then," Aaron growled quietly as he generated three foot-long claws appear on one hand, and an axe on the other out of his magic before shouting, "Come and get some, you walking, rotting piles of logs!"

The Timber wolves charged, and Aaron's magic blades went ablaze. The first wolf ran head first into the claws, burning the creature to ash. The fire ended as soon as the wolf was dead.

"Starlight, I'll need some cover fire!" Aaron requested as he decapitated a second wolf with the axe. Starlight obliged, sending multiple blasts in rapid succession. The pack of monsters saw the firing magic beams and the human wielding fire. They growled in fear of the fire, having seen two of their own perish quickly. "You monsters are nothing but kindling! Show me what you've got!"