The Root of the Problem

The Root of the Problem is the tenth story arc of IDW Publishing's, spanning issues #27 and #28. In the story, the Mane Six investigate the Everfree Forest to find out what is causing its inhabitants to flee.

Issue #27
The Mane Six and Spike are having a picnic in the park when Zecora is suddenly chased out of the Everfree Forest by Timberwolves and living vines. The ponies get rid of the Timberwolves and save Zecora, but the vines spread all over Ponyville. Zecora explains that the vines raged through her home and drove her out of the forest, and she doesn't know how to stop it.

Twilight Sparkle has Spike send a letter to Princess Celestia about the situation, but a response letter states that every town on the Everfree Forest's border is facing the same situation and that Celestia and Princess Luna are trying to contain it in Canterlot. Celestia tells Twilight and her friends to seek out the "Heart of the Forest" for help. Despite Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie's stories about this fairy-tale creature, Twilight and her friends set out.

Immediately after entering the forest, the ponies are confronted by numerous ferocious creatures. They run away and use the nearby trees to block their path. Farther into the forest, they meet a deer named Bramble. He tells the ponies to leave the forest, stating the Heart of the Forest will be displeased by their presence. They ask him to lead them to the Heart; Bramble refuses at first, but he changes his mind upon learning it's a request by Princess Celestia.

The group comes to a large hole in the ground. Twilight uses a tree to make a bridge, but this greatly upsets Bramble. He defends the animals living in the tree and berates Twilight for knocking over their home. Using water from the small cask around his neck, Bramble magically restores the tree and creates a bridge of vines across the ravine. Another deer named Blackthorn appears to escort the ponies the rest of the way.

Blackthorn leads the ponies to the forest city of Thicket. There they meet the Heart of the Forest himself: the deer leader and Bramble's father, King Aspen. He turns the ponies away, saying they are not welcome and that the deer's magic is responsible for the Everfree Forest's plant invasion. Aspen explains that the forest's delicate ecosystem is out of balance; the deer are using their magic to expand the forest toward the towns on its borders because a construction crew of ponies and minotaurs are cutting down the forest's trees. Despite Aspen's efforts at negotiation, the minotaur in charge refuses to stop construction.

Twilight and her friends meet with the crew manager Well-to-Do, who says he's clearing the land to make room for an amusement park and had even offered to make new homes for the deer—all in the name of "progress". When Twilight and company say he's progressing too fast and inform him of what his actions are doing to the forest and surrounding towns, Well-to-Do is less than sympathetic and kicks them out of his office.

Defeated, the ponies return to King Aspen. Twilight asks for another chance to change Well-to-Do's mind, but Aspen resolves to replant the destroyed trees and expand the forest outward, regardless of how many ponies are affected. Twilight and her friends are determined to help Aspen save his home, and Spike sends a letter to Celestia to inform her of these recent events.

In Canterlot, vines have overtaken the city, and Celestia and Luna are trapped in vines as Twilight's letter arrives.

Quotes

 * Zecora: HELP!
 * Rarity: Zecora!
 * Rainbow Dash: Well, that didn't rhyme.
 * Fluttershy: Is now really the time for that?!


 * Applejack: This'll be easier than cow tippin'!
 * Fluttershy: Those poor cows...
 * Rainbow Dash: Is now really the time for that?!


 * Applejack: You know... running away would probably be a great idea right now...
 * Rainbow Dash: I second that plan. Let's go.


 * Bramble: A tree is not just a tree, you reckless ponies! Look what you've done. That tree was someone's home. You just evicted dozens of animals from their home.
 * Fluttershy: Oh no! We're monsters.


 * Twilight Sparkle: We have to ask you about the vines and trees that are spilling out of the forest! They're destroying our homes!
 * King Aspen: That is called "tit for tat," young princess. Ponies have broken the golden rule. Ponies have shown their true colors... You can be just like them.


 * Well-to-Do: Equestria doesn't need trees and fluffy bunnies...
 * Fluttershy: You're horrible.


 * Princess Luna: Hey, Celestia...
 * Princess Celestia: Don't say it.
 * Princess Luna: Hey, Celestiaaaaa...
 * Princess Celestia: Don't say it.
 * Princess Luna: You can reply back that we'd love to help, but we're too busy hanging around! Ha!
 * Princess Celestia: You said it.