A sweet milkshake was gently placed on the wooden table before a cyan hoof claimed it for herself. Following this, four more drinks landed on the surface before they too were taken by hooves of various colors. A fifth drink, larger than the rest, never made it to the table as it was already in the grasp of its owner, who had a pink hoof.

The Elements of Harmony were gathered inside a sweets cafe enjoying each others company whilst they discussed personal matters that had transpired recently. The topic would be on whoever spoke first, and this time, the pony of benevolent arrogance opened her mouth first.

“Nothing has really happened recently around here, Ponyville is starting to look dull again!”

Pinkie squiggled her hoof in a teasing yet forewarning fashion, “Famous last words!” She snickered before her eyes shot wide open and smiled formed on her face. “Oh yeah, I’m working on a new pastry!” Pinkie slammed her drink on the table her voice traveling faster than her thoughts. “Its gonna be a cupcake with a cream filling! I’m still trying to work out the filling though, it has to be just right! Not too thick, but not runny either, and it’s also not supposed to be sour, but I’ll…”

Shutting Pinkie out of her thoughts, AppleJack’s ears rose up when a memory clicked in her head, “Speaking of food,” She said drawing the attention of the others, “Ah for one am excited for Apple Bucking Day!” her expression softened in her state of reminiscing, “Oh that is one of my favorite times of the year, plenty of goods ta bake and sell!” Applejack sipped at her apple soda-vanilla float, concluding her announcement.

Rainbow Dash, who sat across from AJ, raised an eyebrow. “Yeah... okay then.” With no comment to build on the topic, she turned her attention towards Rarity as she was placing down her strawberry shake.

Rarity twirled her straw around the cup in mirthful thoughts, “I finally finished restoring some of those chicly decorations from the old castle,” She poked the straw at the air to make her point. “And I do believe it’s high time we really work to spruce that place up a bit!” The straw had a thick shake inside it from which she proceeded to suck clean before sticking it back into the cup.

A quiet voice made itself known, partly hidden behind a banana frosty. “That would be nice, it’s a quiet nearby getaway...”

“But Flutters dear, you already live on the edge of town.” Inquired Rarity repeating the tube cleaning action again.

Fluttershy shrank back into her seat a bit, “I know, but Angel says I need to take a break from the animals every once and a while... They have been getting restless lately, but I can't figure out why…” Fluttershy had barely touched her drink which was beginning to melt.

An empty glass covered in a lavender glow made impact on the wood harder than necessary, startling the few around her. Its owner had wolfed the drink down to the last drop, “Ahhhh…” Twilight leaned back for a moment to let herself breathe before building on the topic, “That sounds like an excellent idea Rarity! The princesses’ diary advocated that there were many secrets built into the castle, so I’m sure we might discover something interesting in the process!” She stood up straight in her chair in an attempt to overlook her companions, but suddenly the downed shake came back to bite her in the flank with a brainfreeze. “Gah! Owww…” With a quick spell, the freeze vanished. But not without her friends chuckling and giggling at the display of gluttony's price. “That said we should probably gather our cleaning supplies and get over there ASAP!”

“Yay!” Pinkie exclaimed with her fourth drink in hoof held up high. “Field Trip!”

The rest of her friends examined the slice of the table which belonged to their pink friend, where three extra large milkshake glasses (each being a different flavor) stood empty and dry.

“Pinkie,” Rainbow proclaimed with her face expressing wonder. “You must teach me your ways of eating...”

“My young cupcake,” She began to bounce out the room with a martial arts bandana on her head. “You are not ready.”

Rainbow pleaded her case. “But I can eat a whole meal in ten seconds flat as is!”

“But, my young grasshopper, that is why you fail!” Pinkie giggled as if something funny was said then disappeared through the door, leaving a disgruntled Dash behind while the others laughed at her.

"Wonder what those three are up to?" Applejack asked while pointing her hoof at the Cutie Mark Crusaders who looked out of breath leaned against the building. The three fillies looked like they just got done running a hundred miles based on how deep their breaths were.

Twilight had her eyes squinted at the three. She took note that they were showing signs of fright. Their eyes were wide with terror and their faces had a look of haunt on them. She was proven right when they kept glancing back over their shoulders towards.....the Everfree? "Twilight?"

"I think those three went into the Everfree forest." Twilight stated.

"WHAT!?"

"I am going to tan her hide!" Applejack shouted as she got up and went outside with Rarity and Rainbow following after her.

Twilight sighed as she and Fluttershy went after them. Pinkie reappeared from the ceiling. "Did I miss something?"

"You....*pant* think....*pant*...lost it?" Sweetie Belle managed to speak out.

"I...*pant*.....doubt.....*pant*....it would come to Ponyville."

"What would?" A voice asked causing the three to jump in fright. Turning around the three fillies saw the mane six minus Pinkie staring at them with each of them having a different look on their faces. Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow were giving them stern look that said they were in trouble. Fluttershy was straing at them with a nervous look while Twilight were giving them a curious look. Probably about what they said.

"Umm nothing." The three quickly replied with an innocent look on their face while smiling and halos appeared on their heads giving them the appearance of sweet little innocent angels. The group didn't but it didn't fool anypony, though.

"What were you three doing in the Everfree forest?" Applejack asked.

The three fillies glanced at each other nervously knowing they were caught. "Well....we....uh.." Applebloom looked for her friends for help.

"We decided to try to see if our talents were really potion brewers." Scootaloo spoke.

"Like the same thing you three used that almost ruined Miss Cheerliee’s and Big McIntosh?" The question caused the three to gag at the memories of two ponies gross flirting.

"Sort of." Sweetie Belle smiled sheepishly.

The group didn't find their answer funny at all. "I'm back!" Pinkie shouted as she appeared while setting down three milkshakes in front of the three fillies.

"Pinkie this is not the time for playing around!"

"Of course not sillies, after all, the three got chased deeper into the forest by timberwolves, almost became their dinner only for a strange new being to show up and saved them where Scootaloo realizing it was male kicked it where it hurts the most!" Pinkie explained quickly but slow enough where her friends understood her.

"How did you....."

"I stole the chapter from the author." Pinkie spoke casually cutting off Scootallo while the  ponies glanced at her with looks of confusion but didn't question her about it.

"Right....anyway.......you kicked a thing that you thought was male right where it hurts?" Rainbow asked looking at Scootaloo with a neutral expression on her face. Scootaloo nervously shook her head yes. "AWESOME! Way to take care of that thing!"

"What was it by the way?" Twilight asked the three.

"We don't know. It was a tall creature standing on its back hoofs with dark clothing and skin. It had glowing red eyes!"

"Any idea what it might be Sugarcube?" Applejack asked while glancing over at Twilight who had a thoughtful look on her face.

"I don't recall anything that says about that.....though it does sound like it is made of something.......dark magic." Twilight spoke with seriousness in her voice.

"Dark magic?"

"Its like how all unicorns use magic. While magic is used by emotions, dark magic uses anger, hate, and fear."

"So you think this thing might be evil? Like Nightmare Moon and Discord?"

"Possibly..." Twilight trailed off while glancing towards the forest.

"You want to go after it don't you?"

"Why not!? Rainbow asked as she did a flip with her wings while swinging her hooves like a boxer. "If we beat Discord and Nightmare Moon than we can handle this being." Rainbow spoke with her usual cockiness as always causing ponies to roll their eyes at her beside Scootaloo who had stars in them. Fluttershy just glanced over at her friend and Pinkie was smiling.

"Well?"

Twilight turned towards her friends who were smiling at her. Taking that a yes the group began walking towards the forest after telling the three fillies that they were grounded causing them to whine hoping they were forgotten.

Dark Link had no idea how long he stayed on the ground. The pain he felt was over so all he did was roll over to his back after taking his equipment off his back. So he stayed there looking up at the sky. It was beautiful. He saw the deep color blue mixed with a white puffy thing that floated through the sky. Sometimes they would block the sunlight before eventually floating away letting the sunlight shine through the area again. He also felt like invisible hands blow through him, pushing his clothes, making them go in one direction along with his hair. He didn't know why these things did this. Perhaps they also pushed those white puffy things as well?

'No point in staying here any longer.' Though where would he go? It seemed there was no place to go. Everywhere there were trees that seemed to stretch on. Also, where was that voice? It had not spoken to him in awhile. He could worry about it later.

Sitting he rose to his feet while strapping his shield and sword back on. Glancing around, he didn't really see a way to go besides just running into more trees. Sighing he just walked in one direction. Why should he go into town? Just for the town populace to chase him with fire and pitchfork or just to hide. He might as well stab himself. He sighed. Mopping wasn't going to do anything for him. Continuing he walked but to his surprise, he saw a house of some kind. In the middle of a forest? He was broken from his train of thought as heard the door opening. Reacting quickly, he jumped into the shadow where he seemingly blended in. He watched as the occupant.....pony? He a pony that had white fur with black stripes and wearing jewelry of some kind.

Staying still, he watched the pony gathering stuff. 'Why would she?'

"The pony folks stay away from this area a lot, for this forest is no place for a leisure trot." Said a voice causing him to jump slightly as he looked around for the owner of the voice but saw nothing. Glancing back at the pony he saw she was smiling at him.....ponies can smile? It also seemed like she knew he was there.

'Impossible.' Dark Link thought as he stared the pony turquoise eyes.

"Come out, I won't hurt you."

Dark Link remained still. Hopefully she would just go away.

Trust her.

'Last time I listened to you I got kicked.'

They were scared of your appearance.

'Right. She might be as well.' Dark Link countered back.

She sees you anyway so why not meet her face to face?

Dark Link was silent as he contemplated the voice question. There was no way the pony knew she was here. Sure enough, the pony continued to stare towards him, her smile never leaving her face. Sighing he began to move out of the shadows getting ready for pain or the scream to follow. If ponies can talk than that might of been one of the small ones yelling.

"…Um…hey there…" Dark Link said since he didn't really know what to do.

"You seemed to be confused to say the least, maybe I can help you oh mighty shadow being." She asked in an African style voice.

Dark Link blinked a couple of times. "I am a bit confused; you're like the first pony that hasn't run away from me. Why is that?"

"First and foremost I am not any type of pony kind; I'm actually a zebra so please keep that in mind."

"Noted…..so got a name?"

"My name is Zecora and it's a pleasure to meet you, may I have your name too?" Zecora asked.

Dark Link was silent at her asking him for a name. He didn't really have a name. He was just Link.....Dark Link. Did that even count as a name.

You can be whoever you want to be.

He stood there before finally answering. "You can call me Dark."

Greetings and welcome to the Everfree Forest, as you can plainly see it's not meant for the local tourist."

"I figured, so you said that none of the ponies in that town come here?"

"Yes, for those in Ponyville have great fear of this place, for they believe those who enter are gone without a trace."

"I see….say why do you do the whole rhyming thing Zecora?"

"It's just something I do, does it bother you?"

"No. So you live out here too? Why not live with the other ponies?"

"Though I have many friends in the town, I have everything here that I need, the forest here has many of the ingredients for my herbs and potions I use I even make use of the seed. So I stay here to not only practice my traditions, I also warn ponies of all dangers of the forest that could cause them many a serious conditions. So you see Dark, I stay here for more than just one reason, it is my duty to help them understand all I know no matter the season."

"So I would assume these ponies won't do well in meeting me right?" Dark asked already knowing the answer.

"Around these parts the ponies have great fear for things unknown such as you, so it would be wise to stay away from them for being near them will cause trouble times two."

"I thought so…but back to my previous question on why you aren't afraid of me?"

"You are more than what meets the eye, from the way you speak and walk. I can tell that you aren't hostel or mean, but a creature that has a good heart and somepony trustworthy to lean. It may not seem like it at the time but a while ago I knew the feeling of being misjudged and being alone for the way I look, it didn't last long as a little filly wanted to know more about me and that was all it took. For after her bravery to know me better had set off a chain reaction, so now I have many friends well above a small fraction. But now that I think about it the brown cloak I wore may have played its part, for when I wear it, it does make me look different so that may have been part of the problem from the start."

Dark just nodded his head.

"I could ask a few questions to answer for me?" Zecora asked.

"Go ahead."

"Why have you traveled to the land of Ponyville?"

"Well, I'm actually new around here so I don't know a lot about this land or where a pony town or city is." Dark spoke not wanting to tell her how he came to be here. Not just he didn't really trust her fully, but because he wasn't sure how he got here either.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah I mean…wait a minute, you're not rhyming anymore? I thought you always do that?"

"Correction my dear dragon friend, I said it's what I do but that doesn't mean I always do it. I normally rhyme to help me with making chants and it's a great way to make a friend smile." she said.

"…wait, did you call me your…friend?"

"Why yes I did. I consider you as a friend now Dark." This took him back. What was a friend? Was that a spell of some kind or a creature named?

"But…why?"

"Like you stated before, it's not the looks that determine the quality of a pony’s character but their actions. You show me that you are not a beast despite your appearance."

Dark was surprised again at her words.

Not everything would fear you. There are those who come to call you friend.

Dark began to feel uneasy. This was all new to him. What was a friend? Why this....zebra would be nice to him. Why? "Zecora I have to go." Without even waiting for her words he ran off into the forest.

He ran. He ran trying to get away from that zebra. He ran away from his cowardice. He ran from the kind voice that kept speaking to him. He ran from being called a friend. Running which he thought was far away, he leaned against a tree. He stayed there taking in breathes. He could feel tears pouring down his face. Why? He was a shadow! He shouldn't even feel these things! Ganondorf had made him from simply hate and shadows. Why did he feel these things? Why? WHY WAS HE EVEN ALIVE!? He stayed there with tears dripping on the ground as he slowly closed his eyes from exhaustion. He felt himself being wrapped in wings again by the same being. He wanted to scream at it to go away or pull away from it but didn't have the strength as he slowly passed out just as lips kissed his forehead.

Next Chapter: Chapter Three Estimated time remaining: 6 Minutes