Twilight's eyes only found clouds of dust circulating a certain area near their path. Her hooves slid forward until she realized that the whole area was the impact site. Twilight and Fluttershy began to inch slowly towards the center. After the dust settled, they saw a speck of light green laying down. Both of them stood in complete surprise, recognizing many known features about it. It was very still, as if it was sleeping. Twilight hovered over the site, searching for a clearer view. She concluded that it was a light green Pegasus mare, its wings slightly singed. With nothing more to think about, Twilight pushed her hoof slowly against the body.
Twilight quickly began observing it. She noticed many things at once. It twitched a hoof, opening its eyelids revealing bright, warm brown eyes that were curved. Slowly trying to stand up, Twilight took notice of how it was a little bit smaller than many mares she knew, but had the look of some pony a lot older than many fillies. She couldn't name an exact age, but she knew the mare was only slightly younger than her friends. The wind barely moved its brownish black mane. It had bangs in the front which dropped more to the right then to the left.
It was dazed, unaware of the situation before her. Her legs quivered and failed to support her weight. It was until she saw Twilight and Fluttershy did she began to react. She tried to sit back on her haunches and dragged herself backwards. She flared her wings until she had no room to move. She was afraid of the foreign company.
"No, no. It is alright. We won't hurt you. We noticed you when you came out of the sky. Here, my name is Twilight Sparkles."
The green Pegasus slowly walked forward to shake Twilight's hoof. Right before contact, a small baby dragon appeared in front of her. It held its claw up to her.
"Hi! I'm Spike! Twilight's awesome assistant."
The mare grunted and stalked towards it, Spike ran behind Twilight.
"No, I'm a baby friendly dragon! I won't hurt you either. Right, Twilight?"
"Spike! She's obviously wary of us! Don't make her have the wrong first impression."
"Huh, sorry!" brushed off the little dragon.
"And, here is Fluttershy." said Twilight.
Fluttershy saw the mare blink and look at her. The mare dropped her ears and slinked down, slightly trembling. Fluttershy felt perplexed. She never had a pony be afraid of her. Fluttershy wondered if if she really did do something wrong. Was she too scary? Or maybe....
"What's your name?" asked Fluttershy. She heard hushed breaths. The mare's eyes were locked on the ground. Its hooves played with the dirt slowly. Hearing hooves go closer to the pony, it hid its face in its front hooves. Fluttershy was wide-eyed. After a brief silence, the green pony felt a hoof on her shoulder.
It was Fluttershy. She was smiling. "It's okay. I know how you feel."
The pony repeated the reassuring voice in her head. She began to grin. With all of her courage, she whispered,"My name is Art. Art Wing."
When Art turned around to face all three of them, Twilight's eyes noticed the Art's blank flank.
Art nestled in a guest bed in Fluttershy's cottage. She burrowed deeper in the soft woven blanket, having her wings completely ease off the pressure. Her legs were together, while her eyes traveled on words off pages from numerous books. Her mane was let loose, letting it rest on her face. At the corner of her eye, she saw Twilight grinning, giving her a new book hastily every time Art finished one. Art felt at ease at this place, trailing off to the sights of numerous furry animals eager to follow every word Fluttershy asked them to do.
It was near dusk. The sky was a darkened blue with all of the clouds taken off. Ponyville was in the normal, having the normal chatter of pony residents and their business.
Twilight wanted to walk to Fluttershy's cottage alone. She encouraged Spike to take care of certain matters in the library. Walking casually on the road, Twilight heard many noises not often heard. The trees near the home had a slight creaking sound. Leaves were blown by the wind, scraping the grass. There was also the feint echo of small animals nearby. There was even laughing.
Everything's been low-key around here, thought Twilight. There was no changelings, no need for the Elements of Harmony, not even some evil being wanting to ruin Equestria.
Her thoughts shifted to one shy pony she always knew. Earlier in the day, she saw the interaction between Fluttershy and Art Wing. Art was very unsure of the situation. Twilight also knew Fluttershy. She would never really open up with a strange pony that literally bursted out of nowhere. Quickly, her focus began on Art Wing.
Why was she here? Where did she come from? Why would she burst out of the sky like that? Is Art a spy? Twilight had an urge to find out. She hit the wooden door in front of her.
"Hello Twilight. I didn't know you where coming." greeted Fluttershy.
"You know, I was just," Twilight hesitated, "taking a stroll."
"Oh, I see. Okay."
Art Wing had her face buried in a book. She was still in a bed, in the same position.
"Twilight! This book. It is awesome! Where can I find another one?"
"Art Wing!" Confronted Twilight. " Look, I need to ask you something."
Fluttershy walked toward Art with chattering animals by her side. Angel hopped behind her slowly.
"So," said Fluttershy as if she stole Twilight's words from her mouth. " Where did you come from?"
Art set the book down, and you can see her eyes dart down and to the side, dragging the ground with her hoof. Her ears flatten not in fear, but showed in a disapproving pose. In a flat whisper, Art said, "I don't know. I really don't."
"Any memories? Subconscious habits? Hobbies you know you like?" added Twilight.
"Only the ones I just found."
Twilight both sighed and pitied her. A life as an adult mare, with all of the memories gone. She has nothing to live for. Twilight saw the green pegasus hugging the book tightly to her face, with her widened eyes secretly soaked in tears. Fluttershy rushed over and saw a leg wipe away something wet . There were silent sounds of sobbing.
"Art?"
"I'm fine, Fluttershy. It is just.... the book Twilight gave me, it is so good."
"Art."
"Fluttershy-"
Art gave a short gasp as Fluttershy wrapped her hooves around Art's shoulders. A soft tear fell from Fluttershy's eye. Twilight's horn gave a purple shimmer, lifting tissues and lightly dabbing Art's cheeks with them.
"Art Wing. You know you can't hide those tears with us." said Twilight. "Besides, do you expect us to not care about that? You may not have any past memories to live on, but now, you will."
Fluttershy and Art were frozen with a purple surrounding them. They were lifted to the alicorn that was smiling. She also began their embrace. After another second, all of them let go. Art let out a small chuckle. Her tears weren't there anymore.
"Thanks," Art yawned, body facing toward the guest bed. Twilight wished them a goodnight as Fluttershy and Angel went to another room and Art going in another direction. The light went out, where the silence of resting ponies remained.
The moonlight glowed serenely in the night, which peaked through one of Fluttershy's windows. Art had buried one of her arms beneath the pillow, staring of what lay beyond the cottage. Her thoughts looped around what happened in the day.
Fluttershy! Art thought. It was so interesting to meet so many of her animals, and Angel! Her friends! Wow. They were so nice too. Pinkie Pie was so funny. Rarity made awesome hats. Applejack and her apple pastries. And after that, it was so fun watching Rainbow Dash fly soo fast. That sonic rainboom.. If only I knew how to fly like that...or at all.
Art was suddenly conscious of her curled wings, its green feathers sprawled out. "Why don't I try now?" Art said in a low whisper. Her hooves felt the floor, trying to wake themselves up. The blanket was spread and tipped over. Art blinked a few times, yawning after the last one. The door never creaked when being pushed outwards, revealing the grass that felt soft and pleasant on Art. The trees were so tall, the branches were as if they hid something. She walked briskly, letting the cold air whip her face gradually. After sprinting to the fullest, her legs moved like a spring, her wings beat as quick as a drum. She thrust more power into her wings, only met by the ground below her. She followed up by an exasperated sigh and yawn. A slight wobble went through her body. A wave of heat flashed through, knocking Art's balance off and hitting the ground.
Art opened her eyes. The moon was still in the same place, but the wind picked up. Art heard a soft whimper that was not of her own, and saw a small movement in the leaves. The leaves sifted and showed a small puppy with bright yellow eyes. It had a silver color that balanced the night light. It barked once and leaped out of the leaf pile. Art was awestruck. She grinned at the playful puppy and how it ran and barked around her. It lightly nipped her hoof that kept on nudging the tiny beast. The puppy then licked Art. Art picked it up, rubbing its warm body against her neck.
Fluttershy woke up from her sleep. She heard a shuffling of steps that was close to her. She squeaked in fear, until quickly realizing it was of another pony. She followed the sound. Fluttershy discovered the empty bed, pausing a few times to search for that green pegasus. Fluttershy wandered to the open door leading outside. Her head inched out, seeing the familiar brown eyes in the blackness.
Fluttershy tried to call her, not knowing of her barely audible "normal" voice. "A-Art Wing? Come inside now."
The brown eyes didn't move, but was rather fixed into a stare. It was still. Fluttershy's voice raised louder until she saw the eye color change. The brown went to a light orange, slowly morphing into a glowing yellow color. Fluttershy, with widened eyes, rushed inside. The door resisted against Fluttershy's attempts with solid winds and battering leaves. A pony was shown in the light, arching her wings. The wind began to pick up around the pony.
Art Wing chased the little wolf, hearing its yelps for joy. She laughed until she was out of breath. The puppy was still standing, but more tired. Its ears lay aloof and tail loosely hung.
"Do you have a name?" Art asked, sucking in air.
Its ears pinpointed toward Art and with sudden interest.
"Name?" She repeated. "You do have a name?"
No reaction.
"Silver. Spot. Paw. Thorn. Wolfe. Gem. What is your name?"
Art stood back up from the relaxed position she was in and walked toward the puppy. The puppy uttered a sharp whimper, stiffening its body rigid. Art paused, but continued on her direction. The puppy cried out and bolted away from the confused mare.
"Uh....Figgles! Why are you leaving?"
The silver pup slowly decreased in size, when as a speck in the distance, vanished in the bush.
Art became aware of the cold solitude inside of the trees. It was like an empty pit, going out in darkness. Art tried to look for Fluttershy's cottage. She wanted to go back, but the feeling became worse upon the realization of the no evidence there was of the house.
"Wait! I saw it a few minutes ago! I've just walked out of there! How could it be gone?" Her voice was met by an empty echo.
The trees seem endless. Art's legs dragged automatically. The forest was completely silent. Art felt like as if she was pulled down unto the dirt. Her eyes almost closed.
The air was heavy and thick. The oxygen wasn't relieving. Art began to breathe more air in panic, despite her exhaustion. The ground was trembling and felt warm. Art's throat started to burn. Her shoulders sagged. Something not yet solid yet so heavy was felt on Art's shoulders. It gave her a feeling of fresh flowers and her in peace forever with her friends. The power overwhelmed her.
Her knees hobbled, straining to still stand. Finally, she collapsed on her front legs, as If she was broken down over time. She forced her head on her cramping neck to look up. The fire almost burned her face as Art saw the enormous Phoenix flaming the patches of pine trees.
An easy breeze swept through the warm dirt path. Twilight glanced eagerly from side to side, pausing a moment to call her assistant.
"Spike!"
"Yes, Twilight?"
"Did you find any herbs here? I can't seem to find any!"
"Nope, no progress here. So, why did I agree to come with you again?"
"Because once we get to that certain place, you can find more jewels nearby."
The baby dragon's pupils diluted at the thought as his tongue dropped out.
"Oh yeah, right."
Twilight's eyes rolled.
Near to the side of the path, a small fluttering butterfly flew across their way, followed by a pony humming a song.
"Oh hey, Fluttershy!" greeted Twilight.
"Hey, Twilight."
"Sooo, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I was just helping this baby bird to fly, until I saw a beautiful butterfly. I thought I just wanted to watch it just for a little bit, but the baby bird got stuck in a branch."
Twilight thought for a moment as Fluttershy looked at her.
"Don't you need to be saving something?"
"I would, but now that I'm thinking about it, could you help me?"
Twilight didn't answer but instead made her horn glow in magic. A branch from a nearby tree was lifted, followed by a cheerful chirping of a baby bird. Fluttershy looked satisfied.
"There. That should do-"
Twilight's horn glowed a brighter aura; the bird was stopped suddenly, being frozen in thin air.
"Wait, what am I-"
The tree opened a gap, having a bird being stuck carefully in it. It didn't close, but now the bird stopped chirping gleefully and looked confused. Same with Fluttershy.
"Thank you Twilight?"
Twilight's horn was still a purple until it was stopped very forcefully. Twilight had gone slightly done on her knees, gasping heavily and unable to talk. After a short breath, Twilight felt better, slightly ruffling her wings.
"That took a long-"
A boom was heard in the sky. A green explosion rippled through the clouds where nearby, the ground trembled. A comet shone like emerald. It sounded like fire shredding through wood. Twilight called Spike again, annoyed at his concentration focused on a bunch of crystals stuck in a rock. A third time followed calling Spike, who finally responded hurriedly.
Twilight felt bothersome at the green fireball and bolted towards it. Fluttershy slowly crept behind.
