Back and forth, she paced throughout the room. Imprints of her hooves began to sink into the rose-colored floor. The clues were together, but it seemed too simple, almost as if it was planned. Looking to the ceiling, she notices the final clue. Water began to drop from it, right in the one place no one looked.

"Marshall didn't take the Ultima Unicorn Spell Book," she proclaims. Placing her hat onto her head, Marelock looked around the room once more. The grandmaster clock chimes seven times, alerting that the new hour had sprung.
Neighson looked to her in confusion.

"But, if he didn't take the book, who did?" Turning on the heel of her hooves, Marelock spins around to face Neighson.

"It was none other than AAAANNNNNOOOOONNNNNNNN!" You are forcibly removed from your train of thought. The sun shines brightly as you read under the shade of a tree just outside your home. Looking up from your reading material, you meet face to face with a smiling Pinkie Pie. Letting out an annoyed sigh, you bend the corner of the page and close your book.

"What is it Pinkie?" She removes a newspaper from her saddlebag and places it on your lap. The front page displays the newspaper name Appleloosan Courier. In big, bold print, a large wanted is on front. A picture of a Minotaur is displayed, sporting a cliche cowboy hat and a mustache.

"Where did you get this?" Triumphant, she lifts her chin in the air with a smile.

"The Cakes get newspapers from all around to see how the competition is doing. I asked if I can have them when they were done so we could use them." Placing the paper back in her saddlebag, you stand up.

"I'm not doing any bounty hunting. It was a onetime deal." As you start walking back to your home, Pinkie follows alongside you.

"But, Anon! It's an exciting job! It pays well! Think of all the cupcakes you could buy!" Placing your hand to your face, you let out another annoyed sigh.

"Listen. It's dangerous. My life is not worth throwing away for a couple of bits!" She stands between you and the doorway, trying to think of a way to convince to take up this occupation.

"Let me ask you Anon. It's been two weeks since the diamond dog incident. How much money do you have left over?"

Your heart sinks. Money management was not your strong suit. Eating expensive dinners and nights at the bar quickly vaporized the hundred bits you made. You had fifteen bits to your name.

"What does my money have to do with it?" you ask defensively. She lowers her eyelids, almost as if she was staring directly into your very soul.

"You need the money. The job pays for it. You enjoyed it when it was happening. It's the perfect job for you!"

This was true. You had fun piecing the puzzle together to find where the diamond dog was heading next. You enjoyed the thrill of coming face to face with danger. But most important of all, you enjoyed the money. Defeated, you drop your head down and sigh.

"Okay, I'll do it. But only for the money!" Pinkie grins triumphantly.

"I knew you'd come to your senses!" She puts her hoof to her chin and taps it.

"Now the only problem is that disadvantage of yours." You raise an eyebrow.

"What disadvantage?" Pretending to hold a long object in her hoof, she swings towards you head and stops.

"Remember THAT?" Embarrassment fills your face as your cheeks turn a bright red.

"It was a hollow pipe! Of course it wouldn't do anything! I was just desperate." She lowers her lids and grins.

Sweat begins to form on your forehead. You begin to open the front door in a panic, only to be blocked off by Pinkie.

"You need help Anon! Just admit it!" Pushing her aside, you enter the house and lock the door. As you turn around, Pinkie is in your face again.

"Hu- What? How?" Her stare slowly grows into a glare. Raising your hands above your head, you admit defeat.

"What do I have to do?" She smiles, basking in the glory of her victory.

"We're going to see a friend of mine! She should be more than helpful." As you head out, Pinkie follows, hopping alongside you. Her cheerful nature sometimes leaves a sour taste on your tongue. Nopony should be that happy all the time.

"Pinkie." She turns her head and looks at you. "Why are you always so happy?"

She stops for a moment and ponders.

"A failed experiment by my dad. He put an internal endorphin meter in my head so that every time my happiness levels go down I get a kick start in my brain, releasing more endorphin. This one time it short circuited and bad things happened..."

"Really?" She smiles and turns her head to you.

"Nope!" Continuing on her way, you can't help but shake your head. She was such a strange pony. Maybe it was best to just ignore it. As you both advance, you begin to come close to the Everfree Forest. Since the day you came to this town, the ponies always warned you to stay out of there.

"Uh, Pinkie? Who exactly is this pony?"

"She's not a pony, silly. She's a zebra!"

A zebra? That was the first time you heard of a zebra living near Ponyville.

"And she lives in the Everfree Forest?"

"Yep!" Pinkie hops along the trail, heading directly into the dark, shady forest. A little hesitant at first, you follow her. The darkness quickly consumes your sight as you make out a thin path. Bushes rustle as you pass, along with sounds of growls and chirps. You see the faint figure of a pony hopping in the distance.

You begin to run towards it when a sudden small beam of light peers through the trees and almost blinds you. In front of you is a small hut in the shape of tree glowing amongst the dark forest. An impatient Pinkie waits for you out front.

"Come on, slowpoke!" As you approach her, she knocks on the door. The forest goes strangely silent. Hoof steps echo throughout the tree house, progressively getting louder as they reach the door. The door opens slowly to reveal a zebra with strange hair. She smiles as her eyes meet Pinkie's.

"Ah, Pinkie, such a pleasure seeing you." She turns her gaze towards your direction. "Who is this that you bring out of the blue?"

You extend your hand out for a shake. Confused, she looks at your hand and back to you. Pinkie clears her throat in an attempt to clear the confusion.

"Zecora, this is Anon, the one I told you about!" Her eyes widen from this news.

"Ah, the one who needs help from me, if not for luck, he would not be." In almost a flash, anger clouds your mind. You turn to Pinkie who quickly turns away, pretending to be interested in a hanging mask. Zecora pulls out a long object wrapped in blankets from the corner of her room.

"It has been long since this has seen day, I had feared it would meet decay." Unraveling the blanket, she reveals a long, thin wooden staff. It was roughly about five feet in length and had strange writings across it. Age was clearly not kind to this rod. Clear signs of use litter the stick from top to bottom. She places the staff down in front of you.

"With proper care, this staff will do fine to teach you the ways of the divine." You pick up the staff. It's quite heavy for being as thin as it is.

"What do you mean the divine?" She turns around looking at her own staff.

"My kind have worked very, very hard, to ensure the future is bright, the divine are the ones who weed out the dark, to make way for light." This rhyming was getting annoying. You feel it isn't necessary to ask any more questions, so you lift the rod.

"Shall we get started?" She nods and grabs her staff, which is smaller than yours, in her mouth. All three of you exit the house. You and Zecora stand across from each other. A question suddenly pops into your head. How was she supposed to hol-

Zecora stands on her hind legs and holds the staff between the bend of her right foreleg while placing the bottom of her left hoof underneath it. She takes the tip and puts it to the ground to maintain balance. You're actually impressed. Not only did she answer your question, but she was able to hold the staff and maintain a position that was comfortable for her. She sees your amazement and chuckles.

"You are amazed at a simple stance, but nothing will compare to my staff's dance!" She lifts the staff and heads directly for you. In a sudden spur, you lift your staff up and try to defend yourself. She retracts her staff as you lift yours for the block and quickly strikes you in the chest. The force put into the blow knocks you on your bottom. Zecora moves back and regains the same position as before. You wipe the dust off as you get back up and get yourself in position.

"That wasn't exactly fair," you grunt.

Pinkie interrupts.

"Are you going to say that to the bounties when they hit you?" Glaring at Pinkie, you grit your teeth. She's right, but she didn't have to butt in. She smiles and turns to Zecora.

"Hey Zecora! You should give Anon here a reward if he hits you! Like a nice sleepover or something." She winks in your direction. The glare grows thicker now as your gritting echoes through the forest. Pinkie takes the hint and turns her head away, whistling. As you return to the lesson, a familiar feeling hits your chest. The staff has come back to say hello.

As you butt slams on the ground again, you feel your head start to boil. This was getting annoying really quick. Standing up, you dust yourself again.

"Hey Anon!" Pinkie continues to jeer.

Just ignore her, just ignore her, just ignore her, just ignore her, you mutter to yourself.

"If you can beat her, maybe she'll play with your staff!" She bursts into a giggle fit and falls over.

"Damn it, Pinkie!" On your ass again. Zecora sighs and looks down in disappointment.

"Your focus is too low, it will only bring you down, falling so much will only turn your bottom brown." Pinkie's giggle fit turns into uncontrollable laughter. Standing up, you look at Zecora's staff and ready yourself. Focusing on nothing else, you wait for the strike. She makes her way towards you when an idea hits. Quickly sliding your hands to the end of the staff, you swing at the ground towards her hind legs.

Your plan quickly fails as she jumps up and knocks you back again. This time, however, you stand your ground. She smiles as you readjust your position. With no hesitation though, she quickly steps in for another strike. Waiting for her hooves to rear back, you quickly step into her space. Her eyes widen. She has no room to strike.

Pushing your weight into the staff's end, you align it with her chest. She flies back onto her bottom, and beams at you. Pinkie's laughing suddenly stops as she stares at you in awe. Standing back up, Zecora balances her staff on her back.

"To hit a master means you learn well, I expect you to quickly excel." She kneels on one hoof. You return the gesture with a kneel as well.

"Let us start with a simple strike, then my skills you will learn alike." She leads you and Pinkie further into the forest, guiding you to wherever she has planned for you next. Immediately, you could hear something like rushing water up ahead. The trees immediately thinned out, revealing a fast running river running right down off the edge of a cliff.

Zecora makes her way towards what seems like a bush and removes it's leaves. The bush is revealed to be a dummy made of hay. She takes her stance and looks towards your direct.

"A simple trick, is to strike like so..." Without rearing back, she swings her staff horizontally and hits the dummy in the head. The dummy lands on its side and quickly springs back up.

"...Easily knocking down your foe." She steps back and waves her hoof, signaling you to take your place. You walk up to the rocking dummy and station yourself. Zecora quickly stops you and adjusts your position. She takes your right foot and places it forward. Bringing the staff to your left side, she places your left hand on the lower end and the right to the midsection. Pinkie tries to suppress her laughter, but breaks.

"Zecora, is that how he should handle his staff for now on?" She falls to the ground rolling in laughter. Before you can even say anything, Zecora grabs hold of your head.

"Listen closely, focus is key, you must try your hardest to ignore Pinkie!" Taking a deep breath, you look at the now motionless dummy. You strike quickly as she did and watch as the dummy flops over.

In almost an instant, the dummy reclaims in position and flings upwards. The force from the readjustment knocks into your staff, which in turn smacks your side, knocking you over. Zecora sighs and face hooves.

"Much work we have, your balance is weak, we must change that so you will not reek." She grabs her staff and looks to the top of the cliff. Placing in on her back, she begins to follow the path leading upwards.

"Testing your might is important enough, but these conditions absolutely are not that tough. If to it you are not a stranger, you might progress faster through danger." You look to Pinkie who merely shrugs and bounces towards Zecora. Following in suit, you follow the two up the path. As you walk the path of the steep cliff-side, sweat drops down your face. Zecora hasn't said a thing or given so much as a sign of being tired.Pinkie happily bounces alongside you, wearing her signature grin. How in the hell were these two so content with this walk?

You all reach the top and stand before a raging river under the glaring, hot noon sun. Zecora stands in the middle of the river, not far from the edge of the waterfall, on one hoof. She signals you to come and mimic her position. As you make your way into the river, the force almost knocks you over. You regain yourself and slowly make your way to Zecora.

Pinkie begins to playfully roll around in the grass on the riverside. Her squeals of delight can be heard over the rushing water. Trying your best, you stand on one leg. You look over your shoulder and instantly regret it. The fall down to the pool below was tremendous. One slip up and there was no way you'd live. Zecora sees your face and sighs.

"Focus and balance are needed most. If you don't utilize them, you are toast." Taking a gumball sized gulp, you attempt to lift your leg. You begin to feel the rush of the water take over and quickly put your leg back down. Deciding to follow her example, you look over at Zecora. She is completely focused and doesn't move a single muscle. You close your eyes and focus your weight to your right leg.

Slowly, you bring your leg up. The powerful currents attempt to shift you, but they fail. Only two things in your thoughts matter at this point. Keeping your leg down and not falling to your death. You close eyes and continue your focus. The sounds of rushing water leave your ears as you train. Darkness consumes your vision and no sound enters your mind. It's almost as if you're dead.

Your eyes quickly shoot open as you gaze into the setting sun to ensure that you haven't reached certain doom. You look around you to see a now setting sun, Zecora still at your side. She opens her eyes and looks at you before placing herself on all fours.

"Time has flown and left us behind, we shall do this again another time." She begins to walk towards the shoreline. As you place your foot down, you attempt to follow her.

Attempt being the keyword, since your leg had turned into dead weight from the cold water and being in the same position too long. Dragging your leg across, you slowly make your way to the shore line and find a happy Pinkie sniffing some flowers.

"Oh! Are you done? Let's go get our bounty now!" Zecora shakes her head in disapproval.

"Pinkie, his training is not yet complete; the bounties he'd fight, he could not compete." Pinkie gives out a disgruntled moan and raises her front hooves in the air, only to fall on her back.

"Ugh! That'll take forever. Can't you just give him a week-long crash course or something?" Zecora puts her hoof to her chin and thinks.

"A week is short, but much can be learned, if that is the motion that is yearned." She turns to you. Thinking about it, it wasn't best to rush it. A great meal took time to prepare and cook and art was never rushed.

"I think it's best we take our time on this. If we rush it, I feel I won't being performing at my best." Pinkie quickly interjects.

"Anon, we don't have much time. The bounty could be taken by the time you're done, or killed by some freak accident!" This was true. Time was of the essence, and there was no telling when the next bounty would come in.

"You make a valid point. So a week will do?" Zecora nods. Pinkie jumps up and clops her hooves together.

"It's settled then! A week of training and we take on the bounty. Then you can take it at your own pace when we get back!" Suddenly, an unexplained drum begins to play around you all as Pinkie clears her throat.

"Where is that coming from?" Zecora grabs her staff and idly looks at you.

"Do not fret in her singing barrage, it is just a Pinkie montage." As the moon begins to rise, she gets in position for a spar. You are knocked down multiple times and badly bruised as she uses you for easy practice.

Let's get down to business, to defeat the scallions!
Did they send her a filly, when she asked for a stallion?
You're the saddest human, I ever met, but you can bet before we're through...
Anon, she will make a hero out of you!

The next morning the training begins again. Hopping across the raging river on small stones, you slip and hit you head. Zecora grabs you from the water, bringing you to shore with her staff, shaking her head in disapproval.

Plain as a doughnut, but as sugary as a pie, once you find you center, you are sure not to die!
You're a hairless, pale, pathetic ape, and you haven't got a clue.
Somehow she'll make a hero out of you!

Hanging by a mere finger in the dim moonlight, you regain your composure and grab a hold of the cliff-side and continue to climb.

"I'm never gonna catch my breath! Say good-bye to those who knew me! Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym!"

The next morning, Zecora beats you down to the ground again in her sparring. She shakes her head as she walks away.

"She's gonna beat me half to death! Hopefully she doesn't hospitalize me! Now I really wish I wasn't so dim!"

You are almost to the top of the tree where the flag sways in sync with the wind. The branch you grab snaps from your weight and you hurdle down hitting each branch on the way. A disappointed Zecora shakes her head as she picks you up, making sure you aren't badly injured. Booming throughout the forest, a chorus begins to sing as well.

~A hero!~

"Where is that coming from?"

Must be as soft as a muffin top!
~A hero!~

"No, seriously, I'm freaking out now."

With the hardness of a tough guy!
~A hero!~

"Whatever, I'm just going to ignore it."

With all the strength of a jawbreaker! Mysterious as the burnt side of moon pieeeee!

Hitting the dummy in rapid successions, it retracts quickly and knocks you over. Zecora gives a disappointed sigh and walks away.

Time is of the essence until all your money's gone.
Do what she tells you to and you will have won!
You're the saddest excuse of a hunter ever, so pack up, go home, you're through.
How could she make a hero out of you?

Zecora takes your staff and walks into her tree house. The look of disappointment on her face shows she's pretty much given up on you. Looking at the tree next to her home, you see the flag on top fluttering in the wind. As night settles in, you begin to work your way up. Zecora walks out as the sun rises to see you sitting at the truck of the tree, holding the flag. She smiles as she walks back inside and grabs your staff, handing it to you.

~A hero!~
Must be as soft as a muffin top!

You glide across the rocks and quickly cross the raging river.

~A hero!~

As if it were as simple as walking, you climb up the cliff-side with ease.

With the hardness of a tough guy!

Zecora's hits are deflected with ease as you block with your staff. She smiles at your success.

~A hero!~
With all the strength of a jawbreaker! Mysterious as the burnt side of moon pieeeee!

After finishing your meal, you look up from your now empty bowl.

"Thanks again for the training and food, Zecora. I owe you big time." She shakes her hoof.

"It is no problem, do not fret, some of you bounty I will get." A fair trade, if you do say so yourself. She takes your bowl and hands you your staff.

"One last thing, we must test, to see if in battle you are best." You stand up and follow Zecora out of the house. She leads you to the familiar pool where Pinkie waits impatiently.

"Finally! You guys take foreeeeever." Pinkie climbs up your back and wraps her hooves around your neck.

"Pinkie, get off." You attempt to take her off, but she holds on tight. Zecora raises her hoof and clears her throat.

"Your final test is not so small, the trial of the elements is your final call." You point at Pinkie on your back.

"So why does she have to be on my back?" Zecora shakes her head.

"Patience and focus are the key, they surely will be tested with Pinkie." Great, just what you needed. This was probably going to be hard enough, but with Pinkie, it just increased tenfold.

"Isn't this great Anon? We're going to have so much fun!" The headache was just beginning. But, if there was anything you learned this past week, it was to focus on what's ahead. This was surely a test of wits.

"Pinkie, do you know what the Trial of Elements is?" She stretches her neck to your face and looks into your eyes.

"Well, all six of us had to go through the Everfree Forest and get to a castle thingy to find our elements." So it was an obstacle course in other words.

Fun.

Pinkie rolls her eyes.

"I proposed an all night stamina test, if you know what I mean, but Zecora just called me a fool." Letting out an annoyed sigh, you smack her lightly in the back of the head with your staff.

"Damn it, Pinkie."