Four Ponies Go Into The Forest, How Many Come Out?

[Fade]

Frostwire had accepted the challenge to the race by Thunderbash; which pony would get to Everfree Forest first? Well, since it was actually only her and the goofy pegasus racing, she had quickly passed Rocky Road and Firestarter. She wasn't watching for her flying opponent, she was just focused on using her long legs to reach the forest first.

When she finally arrived she was completely out of breath; she wasn't usually one for silly things like races. She also found out she was the first one there, and would now have to wait for the others.

Frostwire stood by the entrance of the forest, silently staring back out towards where the other ponies would be coming from. She just waited.

[Split]

THUNDERBASH !

Thunderbash was a bit slower at flying. It was true. When Frostwire passed her, she pushed, hoping to move ahead again, but it was no use. When she finally made it to Everfree Forest, Frostwire had already landed. Stretching out her legs as she landed, she shook, trying to get away some of the aches of pushing too hard while flying. "You didn't do a horrible job in that race!" Thunderbash chided excitedly.

She then looked around. "I don't hope Rocky Road and Firestarter get here later." She said, her eyes worriedly glancing from the path and the forest.

[autumn!]

FIRESTARTER

Firestarter walked slowly into the clearing in front of the forest, eyes trained on the two other ponies. The forest ahead was certainly dark and intimidating, but the red pony barely twitched at the sight of it; her apathy was too great.

"So, this is the Everfree Forest," she remarked. "I hope you're a good writer, Frostwire, since you're the only unicorn here. You'll be best at putting together a report for the rulers... My tooth-writing is terrible."

[Onyx Leo]

(So sorry for the wait! ><)

Rocky's stomach began to churn as he neared the forest's threshold. He was trotting a steady pace behind Firestarter, not exactly eager to rush into the intimidating forest that loomed ahead. Both Frostwire and Thunderbash were already waiting for the couple by the forest's entrance. At a glance he couldn't tell which pony had won the race, but either way they both seemed exhausted.

"Hope we didn't make you wait too long." Rocky called out as he approached the rest of the group. "Alright, is everypony ready for this?"

[Fade]

FROSTWIRE;

Frostwire had been fighting back fried nerves from the moment she had reached the woods; however the other ponies didn't look too nervous, so she took a deep breath and decided she would have to be brave. She also quickly acknowledged what Firestarter had said; being the only unicorn in their group, she would have to pay close attention to everything, because she would be writing the report.

And she had to admit, writing with magic looked much nicer than any tooth-writing she had ever seen in her life.

"I think we're all set!" she said bravely, turning away from their little group to look into the forest. "I g-guess, here we go!" Despite her best wishes, she couldn't keep the slight fear from her voice.

Boldly, Frostwire took the first steps into the forest.

[autumn!]

Firestarter followed cautiously after Frostwire, her wings glued tight to either side as she plodded forward. The sounds of the Everfree forest filled her ears, and the fresh, unfamiliar scent was a new and exciting one. But somehow, this place was disconcerting.

"Well, we'd better be watching for any new plants or animals to document, right?" she said dully, glancing around. Despite her jadedness, this forest was getting to her. It was so strange, so new, that there was no way to be completely comfortable with a place so wild.

"Just as long as it isn't some nasty beast, I think I'll be fine."

[NPC Account]

Something is lurking in the forest!

From beyond the pitiful excuse for a path the Everfree Forest offered its visitors came a deep, slimy hissing noise. It was high and grating, even icy, and conveyed little else but dread. Without warning, a pair of angular yellow eyes opened from within the trees ahead, and a large shadow spread its wings.

Slithering out from the shadows came a massive, serpentine beast, its scales shimmering in such a manner as to make it look almost slimy. It had no limbs except for two dark-webbed wings, and its face bore a toothy grin.

The wyvern opened its mouth then, slowly and dramatically, and let out a hacking cough. Whether it was gifted with intelligent speech or not was unclear, but there was clearly something up with the creature. It was in the midst of coughing when it swung its head around, eyes blinking rapidly, and caught side of the ponies.

With no warning, the wyvern let out a shrieking hiss and plunged toward the four ponies, poison-barbed tail flicking back and forth.