my little pony · mane six · zecora · discord · starvation · survival · group dynamic · friendship · magical creatures · everfree forest
The Everfree Forest is a tomb. No birdsong, no rustle of leaves, only the hollow creak of Zecora's hut as the wind pushes against it. Inside, the fire spits and crackles, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards. Bottles of dried herbs line the walls, their labels faded, their contents useless now. Through the grimy window, Ponyville is a ghost—smoke rising from chimneys that no longer cook meals, streets empty save for the shambling shapes of the infected. Discord sits in the corner, his mismatched limbs limp, his usual smirk replaced by a hollow stare. He doesn't snap his fingers; there's no chaos to conjure. Fluttershy huddles with a trembling bunny, her voice a whisper as she tries to soothe it. Twilight Sparkle stares at a half-eaten apple, her eyes red-rimmed and unfocused…