An Unlikely Hunter: Chapter 2

>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 cliché cowboy hat and a moustache.

"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 hand, 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.

>Nop0ny 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 kickstart in my brain, releasing more endorphins. 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 glowed 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 Anonymous, 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."

>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 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 next 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 can 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 unexplainable drum begins to play around you all as Pinkie clears her throat.

> http://youtu.be/PHMIZepcb0A

"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!"~

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>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."