Author's Notes:

Welp, another chapter. Sorry for the time it took to upload it but... oh well rhymes are just not my thing Sorry if they aren't good.

Wait do these words even rhyme? Ugh sorry if they are poorly made xD

Now another thing I notice is the repetition of words, for my part I thing I use the same words too many times. Please if you have the same problem tell me I will try to see if I could correct them, or gave me your corrections that would help too.

Now without another further word, the story.

Oh, before you read! SPOLER ALERT! READ AFTER YOU READ THIS CHAPTER OR NOT.-is your decision after all.

The spiders aren't the same as the ones on the past chapter. The ones from before where demons, those where summoned and could search for their prey without them touching their webs. Spiders too see where their prey resides needs you to touch their cobweb, so using that logic I made a different kind of spider that is giant get not like the ones from before and didn't attack Gray until he made a move, summoning his swords made them 'feel' where he stood for the threads hanging on the air and so they jumped on him.

P.S. Is it just me or the chapter moved way to fast? Eh well it isn't edited yet. If you didn't like it please tell me, and criticism is always received with open arms.

"It... it wasn't real?" How? She was right on my hands... she was here not just moments ago...

My eyes where looking straight ahead, locked in an unfocused gaze towards the wooden floor. I couldn't register anything happening around me, my thoughts where running wild from the revelation that came with the knowledge of my daughter.

I left her alone... I broke my promise... Pain cursed through my chest. Forcing the air to escaped my lungs in a silent scream, my hand shoot to grasp my chest where the pain was coming from but it was inside of me, the pain was unbearable. My body fell and began convulsing, the pain was just too much. There was a feeling of a pair of hands grabbing me by the torso and turning me so I could face towards the ceiling, a voice was shouting things but my brain didn't register the words.

Suddenly something was forced on my mouth, silencing my screams of pain. Someone was on top, pinning me down with a hand over my left shoulder and shoving something on my mouth, then a feeling of some sort of liquid came an it began to force its way down my throat. It was some kind of jelly, the flavor was horrible, but the need of air forced me to drink the foul thing.

My stomach was twisting in pain when the... whatever I drank reached it, it twisted and burned for a few seconds and then it stopped. The pain on my chest lessened and when my teary eyes flashed open, the sight that greet me was of a pair of brilliant blue eyes looking down at me in concern. Whatever I drank was making my body numb, all the pain began to disappear slowly and so did the feeling of my arms, legs, and then all my body. Leaving me completely motionless and so all I could do was see.

Looking at the person on top of me, I notice that it was a female zebra. Her clothes where just a brown bra that came from her waist and connected under the golden rings that hide the fur of her neck, and a brown loincloth. Her mane was styled just as how the zebras of the past used to, a mohawk. She got up and my eyes began to feel heavy, her mouth was moving but no sounds reached my ears.

My vision began to turn black but forcing my mind to stay awake I could see the zebra grabbing many things from around the room she gave me one last look and came over again. She used her left arm and put it over my eyes before lowering my eye lids.

""Rest..." Came a female voice, and without questioning my mind began to fade into the realm of the unconscious.

Slowly but surely my body began to stir, my mind was foggy yet the memories from before falling asleep began to made its way. With a jolt I sat upright, flinching slightly as my muscles cried against such action. Biting my lips to stop from myself from groaning I open my eyes slowly, but all that I saw was a foggy room. My vision was in lack of better words, worst to wear. Looking at my right palm I needed to skint my eyes to see its details.

Before I could question my sudden lack of view my mind began to numb, my mouth was dried and my muscles where burning as if million of ants where biting through my skin. This time biting my lips didn't help to stiff the scream of pain that escape my mouth.

There was a rustling sound and glass being broken, then a door close to me was threw open as somebody approached me. Opening my left eye slightly all I could see was a white blur. It was talking but it sounded very far away, it tried to push me down on the bed. Using my left hand I tried to pry the stranger away but it was like trying to move what cannot be move. My hands where too weak and my gut wanted to throw whatever was inside out, my eyes where burning, my body was hurting, and my mind was foggy. So reluctantly I decide to lie down and closet my eyes.

There was a distant sound of a female talking, then something was put on my forehead. Opening my left eye I saw the same white blur leaving something dark brown on my forehead, then as I was opening my mouth slightly. Whoever was in front of me put something hard on my mouth feeling some kind of juice being poured on my mouth and without questioning the intentions behind of it my body began to drink the vile juice, anything to take away the dry feeling of my mouth.

The liquid emptied on my mouth and the blur said something that I couldn't quite hear, but nevertheless let a tiny smile on my face before closing my eyes.

The blur gave one last look at my body and raised the bed sheet to cover my whole body before leaving the room.

My eyes began to open slightly as conciseness began to return to myself. Groaning a little my body began to raise slightly, my eyes began to adjust the dark of the room and looking around all I saw was confusing me a little.

Looking around me with tiredly eyes I could make the faint form of a room, many flask and masks adorned on the walls and some even on the floor, the room in itself was pretty dark but the wooden architecture was pretty easy to recognize even in the dark. The sound of hoovesteps took my attention away from the inspection of the room and towards the door at the far side of the bed I lie on. There was a faint glow of light coming from the other side, the hoovesteps began to grow closer and closer and then a shadow could be seen under the door frame.

The door made a clicking sound before being pushed slightly, and in came a a shadowed figure as my eyes began to scrunch under the sudden light that came with the opening of the door.

Raising my left arm slightly I began to rub my eyes, the sound of a female gasp made me stop and lower it. Looking upwards again the sight that greet me was of a female Zebra, her body fur being white with some black stripes. Her clothes where just a brown bra that came from her waist and connected under the golden rings that hide the fur of her neck, and a brown loincloth on her waist. Her mane stylized as a mohawk, it covered all of her head and back.

Her dark blue eyes where looking at my soul, they where filled with wisdom and care. Without much as opening her mouth she made her way towards me with a wooden tray. On it a wooden plate could be seen and what seemed to be a sandwich over it, at its side was a wooden cup filled with water. She let the tray on a wooden table at my right before using her left arm to check my temperature, putting it on my front head before opening my mouth with both hands. My mind was a little foggy so it didn't register the action until after she took her furred hands out of my mouth. But when it did I began to split stray fur out of my mouth on the ground at my left side, the Zebra didn't open her mouth and just mumbled things to herself before walking towards a shelves filled with glass flasks. Taking a very tiny flask she made her way towards my bed again and poured the flash on the water cup as the tray on my bed side.

"Eat young one, least ill comes to your body." Said the female, she without as much as looking back at me made her way out of the room without even closing the door.

..What? The growling of my stomach made my decision for me, and so I took a glance at the tray at my side. My arms froze a few centimeters away from the sandwich as questioning if it could be poisonous or even edible.

Grrrrrrr

My questions died as my hunger silenced them, taking the sandwich I didn't even question what type it was or what was inside. What happen to the sandwich would win me some looks of disgust or awe as it was eaten in three bites. Taking the cup of water with green goo floating inside of it I began to drink it as if life depended of it.

With a slam the cup meet the table at my side, a happy sigh escaped my mouth while my tongue licked my lips. Savoring the fruity favor that the water left behind, whatever the Zebra put on my food seemed to made my body's ache disappear and clean my thoughts.

But just as my brain could process thoughts again my body froze, the memories of Snow Drop and the Crystal Empire came back. This time I didn't yell, there wasn't pain, or even tears.

Just acceptance...

While growing up my family always have the policy of 'What is done is done' and here on Equestria the old ponies always liked to stick their sayings to me, and one important saying stuck above all others.

Don't look back and cry, don't feel bad at the present time for it is a disgrace from those that left us. Look for the future that is uncertain, with a smile. So those that have left could look down upon us and smile with pride.

My shoulders fell, it was easier say than done. Tears threatened to fall but I refused to let them go, biting the inside of my cheek and drawing little blood from it. Silence predominate on the room as my mind began to come with terms with reality.

I was in Equestria, frozen, death. For a thousand if not hundred of years. The New Hope Castle's nothing more but a memory of the past, filled with debris and plants, broken beyond recognition.

Snow Drop, Lance, Starswirl, Clover, Whisper, Quake, Shield, everyone I once hold dear... are dead.

But even with the knowledge of those that died a little flame of hope began to grow inside of my heart, hope to find and do right on those that continue alive.

Hope of finding my family, my nieces...

But would they even forgave me? Or would they turn their backs on me?

No!

Anger made its way on my heart. How could I even ask that!? Those are Celestia and Luna we are talking about! They wont turn their back on me, sure there would be yelling and slaps. But they would never push me away.

With new resolve I threw the bed sheet out of me and stood up, twisting my body side to side a crack of bones came to my ears. Letting a satisfactory sigh I began to stretch my body, more cracks came. After my body was refreshed I decide to dress up, the only thing left on my body was my pair of boxers. Looking around myself I caught sight of my clothes on a wooden chair. Putting my coat, jean, and t-shirt. Adjusting them until I feel confortable.

Looking towards the open door I saw an hallway, a tree root seemed to grow on its side as I made my way towards the far end of the room where all the light was coming from. Not even half way to it a humming noise could be hear, making me walk slowly as the little song stuck on my head. Without notice I began to hum the song too, and then came towards a great room where the same Zebra from before was twisting a giant spoon on a cauldron with closet eyes. Letting a cough escape my lips the Zebra jumped a little and almost threw her cauldron to the side, after making sure that nothing escape from it she gave a cute snort and looked at my way with narrowed eyes. Once they lied on me her eyes grew as bigger as dinner plates.

"Good morning ma'am... are you by any chance the one that nurture me back to health?" Outside I seemed confident but I was struggling to talk with her, talking with stranger was always difficult and more or so when they where of the opposite sex. The Zebra seemed to ignore me as she began to murmur things under her breath, eyes never leaving mines.

"Ho-how can you be standing? The blend I made to tend your illness time would have taken to made effect, ho-how?" Was what she said with shaky voice, but her voice was long enough for me to hear.

"Well... that would be because I'm not any pony, my body works... different than the others." Was the answer to her question, she gave a deep intake of air before making her way towards me, and without a care for my personal space she began to inspect me again, my temperature, under my clothes, and my mouth much to my displeasure. But doc's the doc and you shouldn't lash at them.

At least she isn't putting shit in my mouth or trying to strip me out of my cloths and tie me to a chair to see if anything was wrong with me.

...

The Equestrian doctors of old got problems okay? Go to see why your finger hurts and they try to see if a parasite made their way to your head... by using shock therapy and inspecting your body, all of it.

Yeah. Compare to that this is like a walk to the park.

"You have heal, the darkness in your blood have been cleanse." She took a step back and a smile came to her face before her cheeks burned a little from embarrassment.
"My apologies for my actions young one, being alone would do that to one self." She said with a gentle smile, she put a hand over her chest. "My name is Zecora, local shaman of the Everfree. "

"Well Zecora, thanks for well... taking care of me and nursing me back to health. By the way how long was I out?" I asked while looking towards the window where the sun came through.

"Two days since I found you lying on the Everfree, alone with a severe case of fever. But if my I ask, why where you roaming this forest of danger unarmed ?" She said. My gaze changed from the window to the Zebra, she seemed to be searching for something on a wooden desk. I could see that she got a dark brown mortal with a pestle on her right hand and the other was searching on the cabinets.

"I'm... on my way to find my family, I need to pass through this forest because it was the fastest way." Testing my hand by opening and closing it I couldn't believe how well they felt, they weren't tired or hurting like before waking up on that cave.

"I see, well young colt, where does your family resides? Help I may give you so your quest would be safety fulfilled." Said Zecora, pulling a violet flower from the cabinet and throwing it on the mortal before she began to smash it with the pestle. Then she made her way towards the wooden stands at the other side of the room, taking a vial filled with light yellow powder and another with red liquid she poured both on the mortal. Then she used the pestle to mix the ingredients and made her way towards me. Taking my right hand she put the mortal with a estrange brown liquid inside of it on my hand.

"Before I can help you, for your fever this is a reliever. Drink it and your pain shouldn't be a problem." Said Zecora, looking at her in the eyes I tried looking for a sight of deceit, but found none. Trusting in my gut I drank the disgusting mixture and almost spit it when it touched my tongue, the favor was worst than anything I tasted before but with share force of will I began to chuck it all. After a few seconds the mortal was empty whiles my body was resting on the ground drinking from a canteen that Zecora gave me.

"That... was awful. Please Zecora don't make me drink things like that again." I said from the ground, the Zebra was busy making something on her cauldron and just raised a eyebrow at my direction.

"Foals..." Said Zecora with a shake of her head and returned to her work. Raising from the ground and trying not to puke from the leftovers that reside on my mouth of the the strange mix I decide against asking what she made me drank. Looking around I let a sigh escape my lips and made my way towards the closest window, looking outside I could see that it continue to be day time yet there wasn't a clock nearby to tell me how much time have passed or how much I have till night fall.

"Well... Zecora can you point me at the closest town? Surely I would find a lead to my family from there." I said while looking at the dark forest, I didn't wanted to create another ice pillar just to see where the town reside. It would call to much attention if somebody was to saw it, and attention was something that I didn't wanted.

"Hmm... Indeed I could but a price you should pay for my help. Seen as your body is on shape and your health is okay. Three darkwood vines would be adequate, they reside at the north of my hut. Finding them should be fine, for problems tend to ran from where they reside." Said Zecora. Thinking about it, it would be a good way to pay for her help. It wont take too much time and there shouldn't be any problems if her words where true. Without another word I gave a nod to Zecora and made my way towards the door.

"Thanks Zecora, I will be returning shortly." I said before making my way towards the north.

If it was up to my pride then I would just find the way alone. But she helped me, and so I shall help her even if it takes time. But just before entering the forest I froze, with a silent curse I made my way towards the hut again. Opening the wooden door I gave a sheepish smile at the Zebra who only raised a eyebrow at me and asked. "Ehm... how does those vines looks like? Hehehe..."

... Really?

In front of me stood a path filled with giant spider webs, and behind the webs was what seemed to be darkwood vines, filled with dark blue needles. Yet around the whole tree where giant spider webs that engulfed the whole tree. Every place my eyes fell there was an spider web, navigating without touching it was a little complicated at first cause even I didn't want to see what made them.

And Zecora said that there wasn't any danger around these parts! Ugh, did she lied to me? No... Maybe whatever made these webs move here recently? Hm... yeah that seems like a good explanation, whatever taking this risk should be enough to pay for all the problems I caused to her and helping me. Without talking I began to try and find another way to get those vines, for an hour I began to maneuver on the forest without touching the webs. But in the end there seemed that there wasn't any way for me to get them without touching them.

The forest surprisingly changed the more I seemed to walk into it, it was dark before yet now it was at a whole new level. The sun was hidden from view and dark predominated on the area as the branches of some trees hided the sky. My way towards this area wasn't the most pleasant one as the mud patches and sand traps where common on my way towards this place. The bugs on the area where surprisingly calm and didn't molested me after reaching the part where the cobwebs started, not that I blame them even I feared them.

Please whoever is watching over me, let my fears be false. Creating an Ice sword, I made my way towards the webbed darkwood tree where the vines reside. It wasn't a big tree. It seemed like any other dead three except that this one got vines on its branches that where black with blue needles, the ones that I needed.

Holding my breath I raised the sword and in one swift movement cut the webs blocking my way to the vines.

...

Eh... nothing happen. It seem like my fears where for nothing. With a smile I began to cut the vines and slowly with care began to bind them together. With a sight I let the vines rest on my shoulder taking care of not piercing myself with the needles.

Taking a step backward my back hit something, it was like hitting a wall yet this one moved with me.

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii- That is as far I got before a shriek came from somewhere around me, without thinking I ran away from the tree towards the way I came from, cutting the cobwebs that where on my way making more shrieks escape from the forest. The ground began to tremble as I ran towards my destination, swearing loudly at my luck.

Slowing myself until I reached to a stop, I threw the vines towards the closest tree that surprisingly didn't have any cobwebs, then proceed to take my coat off, throwing it to the floor. The cobweb would restrain my movements greatly if I was to face what made them. Looking forward I took a battle position, letting one hand close to my gut and the other raised in front of me with my ice sword while crouching slightly. My skin could feel the blow on the wind coming from ahead, as the thunderous steps of many monsters began to close to where I stand.

With my anxiety taking the best of me, I began to pour more magic on my sword making its glow stronger. Raising my sword it seemed to touch one cobweb thread that was hanging on the air. That was a bad move for my part, a web shoot from the trees towards my raised sword, I jumped backwards and then proceed to swing my sword towards the incoming web with the idea of cutting it. Yet after my sword made contact with the web, it got stuck. Before I could pull my sword again it was forcefully yanked away from my hand. Looking around me I could see many, if not million of red eyes watching at me from the shadows.

My sight before the sword was taken from my hands made me see that the spiders where big, bigger than me by four heads at most. Their head where red and the rest of their body white whiles their legs where black with needles sprouting from them.

Taking a deep breath I began to ponder my options.

Dammit, since when does the Everfree have giant bucking spiders inside of it? Ugh, calm down Gray. You have fought worse foes than those giant bugs. Looking around me I could see the shadows began to move, expecting me to made the slightest move so they could jump on me. Looking below I noted that the spiders's webs where spread on the ground around me but surprisingly I wasn't standing on it. Touching it would result on my end. At least they aren't frozen spiders like those on the norhtlands. If they where I would have been dead long ago. Moving my arms slowly as to not alert the monsters that where searching for my persona I began to pour magic on my hands.

This will take a stroll on me later... I just know it. Then proceed to put both hands behind me, closing my eyes I began to focus on what I was about to do.

"Ice-Make Unlimited: One Sided Chaotic Dance!" I shouted, pushing my arms forwards I separate them. With a blinding flash of blue light the spiders gave a shriek and jumped at me. Blood splattered on the ground around me as a ring of million of ice made swords formed around my body shielding me from those giant bugs that blindly impaled themselves. Many threw webs at me but got caught on the swords.

Before those spiders could pull I hug myself with both hands and crouched more. Then stood straight and spread both my arms wide, sending all the swords at random directions at an incredible speed. The sound of shrieks and wood being impaled made a smile came to my face. Opening my eyes I was greeted by a dark blue glowing forest. There wasn't a clear view of the sky, it made this scene more epic in my eyes.

Looking around I saw many impaled spiders and green blood on the floor with some organs that i couldn't name or cared for. Half spiders twitching and shrieking in agony. With a satisfying nod I made my way where I threw my coat and the vines.

My left eye began to twitch as I saw my beautiful coat, it was nothing more than a giant rag with an impaled spider leg and blood. Rubbing my temple I made my way towards the vines. Grabbing it and pulling them on my shoulders I looked behind me at the poor piece of clothing. With a frown I ran and yanked the leg away from the coat and began to fold it until it could be carried easily. Trying to clean as much spider blood from it as I could.

Finally after a few seconds I made it so no more spider blood felled from it and was dried enough so It wont accidentally let drops fall on my pants while walking.

One of the many few connections that I have with the past... dammit I need a tailor to clean it from blood and patch it up. Ugh, where was Zecora again? Looking around again, I saw where I presume was where I came from. Raising from the floor I made my way towards the Zebra's hut with a frown.

Safe my balls! This was a bucking suicide mission! If she knew about the spiders then I would be forced to made a living ice pony.

"So... I went... west?!" YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING MEIndeed, after coming back to the hut I began to try scold Zecora for sending me on a suicide mission only for her to bonk my head and then gave me an earful. It seemed like not only did I went a totally different direction than I was supposed to, but went by accident towards the most dangerous part of the forest and as luck have it. I didn't got deep inside that part of the forest.

"Foal- Stubborn- Nut Head-" Where things I hear from Zecora as she was giving me the once over to made sure that there wasn't any cuts or punctures on my body. She took upon herself to made sure that I didn't move too much for I recently recovered from fever and got into a almost suicide situation in least than an hour.

"Look I'm FINE! They didn't hit me, bit me, spit on me, or even scrap me. My body is perfectly fine! Now can you PLEASE show me where the closest town is?" I was getting irritated, if you where on my situation you would too. I'm not exhibitionist by any means and was pretty shy around the opposite sex unless they where close to me as friends. Right now my face was with a growing blush as the Zebra got me almost star naked if not for me threatening to froze my boxers to my body if she as much tried take them out.

"Pointing direction wont be needed after my inspection, for I will be leading you towards your destination." Said the Zebra with a tone that made it clear that it wasn't up to me.

Letting a sigh escape my mouth I resigned myself to my future. Damn mares, and my morals. They abuse that I cant say no to them most of the time, it was just so hard to do so.

I blame my nieces for that.

...

At least I could have time to ask more question on our way towards Ponyville. First thing first, finding Twilight and Spike. If I could send a letter to Celestia then I should just have time to rest until they come. With a silent nod towards the Zebra, she got up and made her way towards another room.

"Snow Drop... I'm sorry..." I said weakly while clutching my chest.

I need to see you, your grave at most. I though grimly with tears on my eyes.