Tale of Two Tyrants and the Eternal War

Twilight stood atop the tallest balcony in castle harmony as she scouted out her route through the dark and mysterious Everfree Forest. The moon hung high overhead, marking Nightmare's territory. She adverted her eyes down to the supplies spread out before her. She had her saddlebags, an empty matchbox, a thin blanket, a torn up scarf, a water canteen, a map, 5 necklaces, and a tiara. She would need to locate and bring together her friends, the bearers of the other 5 elements; Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and Loyalty. Twilight threw her scarf around her neck, letting it hang loosely. She then affixed her saddlebags to her back and placed the remaining items inside.

A cloud of dust and leaves swirled as the princess descended, alighting before a crumbling stone staircase.

"It's now or never." Twilight slowly descended the staircase, weary of the castle's decaying state. She at last reached the bottom, the dirt frozen beneath her hooves. She began to trot towards the dark forest until she stopped. Come on body, move! She thought. She tried to open her wings, but they were clasped tight to her quivering body. Then she tried moving a leg, but they were planted firmly in place.

"The Everfree is alot darker then I remember…maybe I could use a light spell…?" Twilight's horn began to glow, then stopped when a growl sounded from the forest. Twilight you IDIOT!! You know that using magic in Nightmare's territory is suicide! Any form of light in here will get you killed! Twilight finally managed to move a leg so she could hit herself for being so dumb.

"Alright, let's try this again. And…MOVE!!" Twilight's legs suddenly snapped into overdrive, propelling her as fast as they could manage. The wind pinned her ears and mane back as she galloped along the narrow forest road. Then she tripped. She flew into the air and came down with a thud. Surprisingly, her saddlebags stayed on, but their contents were scattered.

"No no no no no no!!" Twilight rose to her hooves, cringing at the throbbing pain in her back left leg. She turned around, her tail brushing against an object on the side of the road. "What's that?" Twilight turned to the object and felt around a bit before her hoof came in contact with it. And it rattled. Twilight jumped back, poised to strike. But no attack came. She went back to it and felt it again. It was long and round, with many grooves. It was also hollow, like a skeleton.

"Is this…a ribcage?" Twilight moved her hoof to the side and felt a round object with 2 large holes in it, as well as rigid pieces, like teeth. "And a pony skull!!" Twilight screamed. She then felt the ground around it and came in contact with a metal object. She picked it up and examined it in the very dim light. It was a lantern. She shook it, and heard the sloshing of liquid. It had very little oil, so she would have to use it only when necessary. Now was necessary. Twilight needed to find her supplies, and fast. Who knows what kind of creature would come after her? She turned the knob, and a small orange flame sprung to life.

......................

"Saddlebags: check. Scarf: check. Blanket: check. Elements: check. Map: check. Canteen: check. Matchbox: check. Lantern: check." Twilight ran over her mental checklist to make sure she had collected everything. She had even found a half-full matchbox to replace her empty one. Now that she had everything, she needed to keep going. The Everfree was no place to linger in: she knew that from experience. Thinking back to her last journey, she instinctively brought a hoof to her cheek, where a long scar ran down her face and along her neck. Twilight blinked her eyes and shook her head, returning to her main goal: getting out alive. Twilight once again rocketed down the path, this time using her wings for balance as well as additional speed. Over logs and creeks, around bends and through tunnels, she didn't stop running.

Twilight skidded to a halt when she heard a twig snap behind her. She whipped around to see a creature lumbering towards her. It's massive paws were tipped with huge claws. It had the fur and paws of a Griffon, the build and size of a large Timberwolf, the wings of a Parasprite, and the eyes of a Dragon. It snarled, showing off its razor sharp teeth, which were tinted red from the blood of other creatures. Like all of the creatures in Nightmare's realm, it had her eyes. Teal, with the pupils of dragons. Twilight stood, paralyzed with fear. It let out a fierce roar, then began to charge. Twilight barely had time to move before its claws sunk into the tree where she used to be standing.

Twilight bolted and began to sprint blindly down the forest path. The creature was gaining on her. She used her wings to weave in between the trees bordering the road, being careful not to stray far. The creature paid no heed and continued to run in her direction. Twilight darted back onto the path. It was right behind her now: Twilight could feel its hot breath running down the back of her neck. Twilight bucked with all her strength, causing the beast to stagger. Now was her only chance at escape. She rounded a bend only to feel a pair of legs wrap around her and pull her into the shadows. A hoof clamped over her mouth, muffling her cries. She watched the road, and saw the beast slink back into the forest. With that threat gone, she already had a new one to face: her captor.

..............

Twilight awoke, yawning and stretching. She slowly sat up and observed her surroundings. She appeared to be in a small, windowless room. It wasn't much in terms of furniture: She sat on a bed made of wood and hay with animal pelts as blankets. A wardrobe stood next to the bed and a door was positioned at the opposing end of the room. A couple pieces of bent metal hung rom the ceiling, candles burning on the ends. It was then she realized: she had just been kidnapped. She needed to find a way out. She hopped off the bed and threw open the wardrobe doors. Her saddlebags were inside, their contents untouched. Twilight noticed something rather perculiar as she gathered up her saddlebags: the back of the wardrobe was slightly ajar.

Twilight gingerly slid the back to the side, revealing a simple staircase. Twilight descended it. The stairwell led into a tiny kitchen where a yellow Pegasus was peering into the brick oven. Something about this mare spoke to Twilight; she looked so framilliar. Her butter yellow coat, her long pink mane, and…her Cutie Mark. It was of 3 pink butterflies. Could it be? Was this…

"Fluttershy?"