Written as Moon, but Red as Light

Moon, Zecora, and the timber pup trek on through the forest. The forest started looking less foggy, but vines were still there but some of the trees was looking less of a jungle and more of a forest. As they kept walking Moon couldn't help but ponder on his recent situation.

'Hmm, what have I seen and learn so far? Woke up with little memory of what has happened, learned that I have some abilities that seemed to be classified as "superhuman", fought an adult wolf made of wood, had a strange dizzy spell, and found that animals can talk. Quite a predicament I am in here, but I guess this just makes things a little more interesting from here then on.'

Moon looked at Zecora from behind and started doing another one of his analysis.

(Analysis Mode)

'Subject in sight: Zecora. File no contingencies, codename: Shaman

Species: Zebra

Gender: Female

Zecora seem to speak in a rhyme. Guesses could range from natural speech functions or a sort of oral custom. Accent seemed to be African, possibly originated from a land similar to the people of Africa, except with zebras. More evidence of similar behavior to Africans, mane is style in a Mohawk fashion, eyes seemed are in a calm state when meeting me indicating a wise mind set, residence in a hut in a forest surrounded by nature away from civilization, Gold ear piercings and bracelets worn in a certain fashion which means she seem to care little for style, certain pattern on the flank seemed unknown, must ask about that to Zecora when we get to our destination, and finally, the directions to her hut of the Everfree seemed to say that she has experience in many wild habitats and saying that she could give some medical care to the mother shows to have a wide experience and knowledge of medicine and plant life.

With these traits, Zecora could be more of a help to me for the time being. Must get some questions answered from the looks of it and possibly I can try to learn more of the place I am in.'

(Analysis completed)

"Moon, are you alright? You seem to be quiet after your fight." Zecora asked

"Oh, I'm fine Zecora. I'll tell you when we get to your home."

With that answered, they continue walking in silent. It had been only a couple of minutes before the Timber pup speaks up.

"Say Moon, I notice that when you and mother fought. There was a small crater that was on the ground where her head was and now your carrying her without effort. Are all... hyoomans are like this?" The Timber pup said with curiosity.

Moon looked down, "well, actually no. You see, my species are not really this strong as average. Although if a human were in at a peak condition, he or she could lift up to at least 1000 lbs."

The Timber pup looked in amazement as his eyes got bigger. "Wow, that's neat! So does this means you're one of those types of people?"

Moon shook his head. "No, even though I can remember my name. I can't remembered what or who I was like before all of this happened and I'm pretty sure I didn't have this ability since then."

"Oh, if that's the case then why are you this strong then?" The Timber pup said

Moon shrug, "well, that I'm not sure, but it looks like I have develop some kind of enhanced strength of some kind if I could beat your mother into submission and made a crater in the ground which that'll take somewhere around 300 lbs of force and carry her around as light as a feather. It seems somewhat of a mystery, but kind of makes sense once you ponder about it."

As Moon mention about the mother, he immediately felt the guilt flowing in his head. "Oh and... sorry what I did to your mom, she must have some resistance if she was able to withstand my strength."

The Timber pup's ears dropped, and spoke softly. "At least you didn't kill mother. She may have seemed aggressive to anyone she meets whether pony or animal, but I always know deep down she only did that to protect me from harm."

"A reasonable thing for a parent to do when taking care of their offspring while living a life where the only thing to survive is to "kill or be killed". It seems that's the same everywhere now and then."

"Yeah", the Timber pup replied

"But, you know what kid." Moon said to the Timber pup with a warm smile. "I just want to say you got a good mother here. As much as I known about the history of the human race, there have been those who abuse their own flesh and blood and even disowned them and claiming that they're not their children. But, you want to know something?"

The Timber pup look up and  with his ears perk up. "Yeah?"

"To me, family isn't about blood related. It's about caring for those who are important and dear to you. Those who you want to protect and make sure they're happy." Moon said as he turn his sight at mother that he is carrying and looked back at the pup.

"They're those who are blood related, but have different views and personalities that might conflict, but seemed to share a connection no matter what. Then there's those who do care for others as families, but lack of sharing genetics that doesn't seemed to give a stronger connection. But with you two, that's different." Moon close his eyes softly and continue. "You two share the same the blood, the same flesh, the same DNA, and you cared for one another very much with a strong connection. Your mother will always love you no matter what the outcome. May it be getting enemies or getting herself killed to save you or even if you hate her. Cause that's what mothers are for." Moon said to the Timber pup with a smile.

"You really think so?"

"I know so"

The timber pup stare at Light with a sense of awe. Here was someone who was getting attacked by his mother and got nearly killed. Anyone would hold a grudge and felt hatred toward those types of beings. But here was a creature who forgave and understand the ways his mother was following and even though his mother was quite bad to other's eyes but to Moon, when finding out about their life, he instead saw the good in his mother instead of the bad and understand her predicament. Maybe... maybe he could give his mother a new sense of hope, pull her from the shell that had she had harden herself, and show her ways that will help her find her way home. As of this day forth, the timber pup will always remembered Moon's kind words.

"Thank you, Moon. Maybe you can help my mother in a way that might change both of our lives for the better. I'm very glad we got meet you." The Timber pup said genuinely.

Moon smile, "I was thinking the same thing."

As the two finish talking and continue to walk, Zecora couldn't help but to listen to their conversation. Although she couldn't understand the Timber pup, she could hear Moon's words and sense that they were genuine. She did had doubts in her mind about the human, but those words have erased those doubts and reminded her of what the other ponies thought of her when she first came to Ponyville.

'Maybe there's more to this human that meets the eye'

With that said the trio finally reached to Zecora's hut.

"Here we are at my humble a bone, but inside will be quite nice to prone". Zecora said as she went to the door and open it leading the two inside.

Moon and the timber pup went inside and were quite astonished by the decorations in Zecora's home. There many masks ranging from big and small and some of them very detailed in facial features. In the middle of the room there was large black pot full of water, which is boiling at the moment and Zecora lit a candle to illuminate the area and started pouring in some herbs and other plants in the water. Over by the far left of the decorations is a bed with a leopard skin blanket.

"Zecora, can I put her on this bed?" Moon asked

"Of course, and please wait while I find the bottle of force."

Moon walk toward the bed and gently laid the unconscious mother on it. Moon then took a seat near the bed. The timber pup walk to Moon's side and hopped on his lap. He then looked at his mother with a worried expression.

"Moon... I was wondering, do you can't really remembered who you were?" The timber pup said

"I'll be dying if I'm lying my friend. I really can't recall the events that happened to me other than today." Moon reply

The timber wolf ponder on what to say next.

"If that's the case, how do you know about my mother's intentions. You're like an alien to this world and have no memory of who you are. How do you know this things if you can't remembered if you experience them?" The timber pup said.

Moon think about the pup's claim, and spoke in a quiet and gentle voice.

"That's a good question, but you see... that's how I truly feel about your mother in a way. Sure I may or may not experience about intentions to protect your family, but what I do know is that during in the middle of the confrontation, I was in anger, I only thought of surviving and after your mother manage to crunch me, I snapped. The next felt like desperation and I just let her have everything. I was going to do it until you came and stop me. I saw how you reacted to your mother's unconscious state and watching you being so sad and so scared, I felt this emotion, I felt guilt, regret and sorrow for what I was about to do. And I know I said this two times already but, I'm truly sorry for what I was about to do. For almost taking the only family you have in this world at a young age."

The timber pup's ears drop and his expression seem sad. Even though that this stranger was about to kill his mother, he couldn't help as his mind to tells him to hate and resent Moon of his unforgiving actions, but deep down, he felt that he could trust Moon. There was something about him, like almost that he knows him for a long time. It was confusing for the pup, but maybe one day he'll figure it out.

"I know that I already say this and I'll say it again. Thank you for not killing mother and thank you for understanding her intentions." The timber pup said as he looked at Moon.

Moon smiled, "I may be an enigma, I could be even a bad person, but I am not a heartless bastard. Cause that's not me."

The timber pup chuckle. "Yeah... that doesn't seem to be you at all."

As the two finished their conversation, Zecora came to them holding a green bottle.

"In this bottle that appeals, is what your mother needs to heal" Zecora said as she went to the mother's body and carefully pour the liquid in the mouth. But unfortunately, the mother choke a bit.

"She can't drink while incapacitated. Let me try it Zecora." Moon said

Zecora obliged and gave Moon the bottle. He bring the bottle to his mouth and drank the liquid without swallowing. Moon put the bottle aside and brought his mouth to the mother's on physical contact to let her drink better. Zecora and the timber pup were surprised by this. Zecora just stared at the scene while the pup stated to blush a bit and feel kind of awkward that a different species seem to be kissing his mother. As Moon finished letting the mother drink better he turned his head and looked at the Zebra and the timber pup in confusion.

"What?"

"Uh... Moon, did you just kiss mother?" The timber pup said feeling a bit uncomfortable of Moon actions.

"I am surprise at this beguiled, and so seems the child." Zecora said

"Oh you mean what happen now? She couldn't swallow the liquid on her own so I mouth to mouth fed her to make it more easier for her to drink." Moon said unfazed by the bewilderment of the two.

"Uh... alright." The timber pup said still a bit unconvinced. "Say Moon, do you think you can explain to us about your abilities?" The timber pup said.

"Sure, just get comfortable and I'll explained about it." The three of them gather around in the room at a small table with a few cups, a pitcher of tea that Zecora has whipped up and with Moon about to explain.

"Before I begin my explanation, I should tell you that my condition isn't what the humans always have and I only know about the powers I have now.

First off, my strength seems to be at a certain point where I could lift over a 1000 lbs and make deep craters with my hands. I feel like I could lift and break anything on as long as I'm careful of my surroundings."

The timber pup raised his paw, "Moon, if you're this strong, does this means that you manage to defeat mother?"

"Yes, if I didn't have this strength, I would be your mother's dinner." Moon reply as he remembered the battle between them. She was quite strong and experience in killing her prey. He should be lucky for the newfound strength early on today.

"The next one is my skin. I seem to have some sort of durability that prevents me from taking very bad injuries. In fact, during the confrontation between me and your mother, she manage to hurt me by gnawing at my right shoulder. It seems like she was strong enough to tear my arm off but, it wouldn't budge as she kept on gnawing on it." The timber pup and Zecora looked astonished. "And another thing is that the pain from the bite wasn't that bad as it felt only like a couple of bees stinging me. My endurance is rather amp up as well.

"I noticed that from your torn clothing, but where of the wound that's been bothering?" Zecora said as she notice that the wound from the bite on Moon shoulder was gone.

"That's another mystery, I can heal very fast. Look..." Moon took out his knife and cut his hand. Zecora was a bit surprise and became even more surprised as the cut that Moon made has healed in a matter of seconds. "...see that?"

The timber pup was in awe. "Wow that is cool! Compare to the average timberwolves, it takes longer for them to heal."

"Timberwolves? Is that your species called?" Moon said

The timber pup nodded. 'Quite fitting' Moon thought and Zecora raised her hoof for a question.

"Moon, I don't mean to protrude, but how can you understand the child?"

"Hmm... that's what I was thinking for a while now. But it seems that I can understand other animals like some kind of Zoolingualism, meaning the ability to communicate with animals. The nature of this power isn't fully understand but maybe later on I'll figure that out." Moon explained

"Okay then, is there anything else?" The timber pup said.

"Yes, all five of my senses, such as "sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing" have been boosted as well. During the fight between your mother and I. I was able to smell her very well, her breath was so revolting I could tell where she was. No offense to your mother of course." Moon quickly said after explaining.

"None taken", the timber pup said.

"For sight, I was able to see the entrance of the Everfree forest from at least 35 ft of a distance when I awoke. For the taste, when I fed your mother the healing elixir through my mouth I was able to taste different types of meat and even her spit."

The timber pup is still perplexed by the scene where Moon kissed his mother and still feel quite uncomfortable.

Moon noticed the expression of the pup, but deal with that later. "For the rest you should know how it goes." Moon said and noticed it was now dark and raining as he turned his sights at the window.

"Anyway, I think that's enough about that for now. Zecora do you have anything we could eat?" Moon asked

Zecora was sipping some tea. "Of course, we would be feeling quite famished after the ensource." Zecora said as she got up and head to the boiling pot. She put three bowls on the floor and grabbed a ladle with her teeth and pour some sort of a soup in it. She then handed each of the bowls to her two guest.

The timber pup smell the soup and quickly dig in. Zecora grabbed a spoon with her hoof and started to drink the soup as well. Moon simply stared at how Zecora was able to hold something with no fingers, but ignore that and took his messenger off and unzip it. He took out a bag of consommé flavored chips and opened it. He grabbed a handful of chips, crushed them in his hands and sprinkle them in the soup. Moon then took his spoon and started to eat the soup. As Moon tasted the consommé bit soup, it was heavenly, the flavor of the soup and the chips clashed with each other greatly. Quickly, Moon put the spoon down and drank the entire bowl. With a satisfy sigh, he noticed that Zecora and the timber pup was looking at him in curiosity.

The timber pup was the first to speak. "Moon? What did you put your soup that make it seems that it taste so good?"

"Hmm, oh I just sprinkle a handful of consommé flavored chips in this soup. Man, you got to try this!" Moon exclaimed as he brought the bag of chips onto the table. He gesture the two to bring their bowls to him. Zecora and the timber pup obliged and Moon sprinkle the chip bits into the two soup bowls. He handed the bowls back and Zecora and the pup took a small sip. Their eyes quickly became widen and the two quickly drank up. As the two finished their meals, Zecora and the timber pup sigh deeply by the great taste of the soup.

"Oh my deblah, Moon this delectable meal is quite the thrill." Zecora said with praise

"Yeah Moon! What are those crunchy things?" The timber pup said

"They're consommé flavored chips, try some." Moon offered

The three then ate the entire bag of consommé chips, savoring the flavor and Moon then brought out the box of pizza. He opened the box and it revealed to be pepperoni on one side and mushrooms on the other.

"This here is pizza, back in my world, the word originated from 997 AD in Gaeta. Then this food was made as it with bread, cheese, and many toppings of your choice." Moon explained

"Pepperoni? Is that meat? Does that mean you eat meat Moon?" The timber pup asked

"Well yes, humans are omnivores. Omnivores are creatures that eat both meat and plants. Although, we don't really need meat to survive as long as we get protein from other foods." Moon explained

"Does that mean you could eat.... timberwolves?" The timber pup said with a bit of uneasiness and fear.

"No, well wolves that are made of meat we can, but not ones made of twigs." Moon said to assure the pup that he won't eat him and his mother.

"Oh, alright," the pup said as he breathed a bit easier.

"I for one, knew that you eat meat, but would also eat beet." Zecora respond

"Well, since that's cleared up let's eat." Moon said as he and the timber pup ate the pepperoni side with delight and Zecora only eating the mushrooms side with the same feeling. As everyone finished, Moon closed the box, put it and the empty open bag of consommé flavored chips in his bag. He began to feel somewhat tired.

"(Yawn) It seems that I'm feeling quite tired, let's turn in for the night." Moon said

"Aww... but I wanted to know more about where you're from...(yawn)" The timber pup said tiredly and quickly slept.

"I'm feeling quite worn as well, it's time to we fell." Zecora said as she gently picked up the sleeping pup and placed him next to the mother's body.

"Zecora, will the mother be healed by tomorrow?" Moon asked

"Of course" Zecora said

"That's good, and thank you for your help." Moon said with appreciation.

"There's no need to thank me Moon, For if I don't, the regret and guilt, I will not be immune." Zecora claimed

"No really..." Moon said as he gently took one of Zecora's hoof into his hand. "...if you hadn't we wouldn't be in a better predicament." Moon finished with a soft tone while staring back at Zecora's sky blue eyes with his gentle crimson red ones.

"Um...." Zecora was a bit lost of words

She started to blush a bit. The way Moon is holding her hoof and staring into her eyes seemed quite intimate to her at the moment.

Despite the way Moon was acting, he couldn't helped but thought Zecora was somewhat attractive. She was a zebra and he was a human. Somehow, he didn't care about that. Moon then slowly leaned his face to Zecora's left muzzle and gave it a peck. Zecora gasp a bit and her muzzle started to glow even more redder. Moon let go of her hoof and turned to the corner.

"Good night", Moon said gently and unfazed about the moment.

Zecora was still a bit stun by the kiss to her muzzle, but quickly said good night and blow out the candle.

The rain was pouring down as Moon review the entire day through his mind that somehow feels like processing through a super computer.

'Now what is today's findings? Waking up in a strange new land, discover about superhuman attributes, meet a talking zebra and wolves that are made of twigs. Although it would make any normal person go nuts, I'm handling this quite well. Another strange phenomenon that I must look into. For tomorrow, I must ask Zecora about the basic knowledge of this land and the markings on her rump.' As Moon thought of Zecora's rump, he immediately felt fluster and wonder about his actions to the zebra not long ago.

'Did I really just... kiss a zebra? Why did I felt that.... certain attractiveness about her all of a sudden, it was suppose to be a appreciation. But, it felt somewhat more passionate than that. Oh well, I think things will be cleared up by tomorrow.' Moon thought as he felt the drowsiness and fell asleep.