The EverFree Forest, a very terrible place. Although for the years and years that i've lived here it wasn't that bad really. Technically I didn't live here, i've just be laying here for a very long while, only being able to see and hear. Clearly I was in a large abyss, cause by my brothers deadly antics. There was ONE bridge here, the one that was destroyed, rebuilt, taken down, and rebuilt again. It was used to get to the old castle of the royal pony sisters, but it's not like they even existed when I was made. Yup, that's right, I was here before the sisters were even born, in fact, thanks to my brother they lived here. I didn't like to talk about what my brother did, so much blood and destruction, I was no match for him of course. He was made after me, although that didn't stop him from growing stronger than I was, what he did caused us both to be "destroyed". I don't know if Sunwhirl spared me on purpose, but I was alive and partially healthy. My brother was obviously dead, Sunwhirl was the ONLY pony who knew about arcane magic. He also knew hoe to destroy or counter it, in fact, he perfected the arcane practices too! I may be thinking to myself, but talking about "dad" was fun. I looked up to him really, he was so talented in almost everything, his assistant was me. He made me to support and protect Equestria, and I loved helping him too. My brother was different, he never... liked...to...have...
"GAAAAH!" I shouted, making some birds fly by, I was finally able to move! "Yes! It's about time! This is perfect, now I can fulfill my fathers dream of me becoming the all around protector of Equestria!" I was covered in dirt, mold, feces, and more dirt.
"Ew, better get cleaned off now, I don't think there is a river down here though... maybe my powers were consereved as well as my life" I tried flying in the air, but nothing happened, I groaned at the sudden realization.
"Well, I can't fly now, or do anything that I used to do, I'm probably just rusty from that loooooong "rest"" I began to run along the inside of the large abyss, I need to get this stuff off of me. The sound of running water caught my ear... well I don't really have any features on my face or head, but I could hear. I had eyes of course, they were just large white ovals, it looked funny compared to the liveliness of pony eyes. I tried to fly once again, but no luck. The river was just above me, maybe a few feet away once of got to the top of the abyss.
"Alrighty then, I guess I'm climbing this time" I put my hand on the cold, damp dirt wall in front of me. I was able to easily sink my hand into the dirt and get a good grip, I used my other hand to pull. I was a little uncoordinated with all of my limbs, but soon I got a good rhythm going on.
"Whew, this is pretty easy actually, honestly, nothing can really go wrong right now" I moved my left hand to grab onto the ledge of the abyss, it was unstable and it caused a large portion of the wall to fall apart.
"No no no nononononono!" I said as I began to fall, I was quickly accelerating and soon I would hit the ground.
"Okay, please please please! I need to fly, focus dude, come on! Fly, fly, fly" I shut my eyes and focused on flying, I could tell I was approaching the ground really fast. The wind stopped blowing against my feet, and I didn't feel anything in particular. I looked at the ground, it was about half and inch away from me, it seems I have stopped just before I hit the ground.
"Uh, wow, this is good" I said, not believing my luck. I focused on flying again, I shot up into the air. "Slow down! Woah Woah!" I bursted through the small bridge and it shattered to pieces, I regained control of my flying. Slowly but surely I got the hang of flying again, it was a relief.
"So, I guess I'm going to have to teach myself everything father taught me again.... damn it! Now that I can fly, where to go? Where to start my journey? How do I get out of this forest?" Multiple questions were going through my mind at this time. I flew up high to try to see any source of water or civilization. There it was, that river, just about 100 yards away. I began to slowly glide towards the river, I had to stop, there was a loud roar.
"Woah, what was that? Better go check it out" I flew down into the forest, I walked passed to bushed and trees to see a manticore being surrounded by 7 timberwolves. I didn't know whether to help or not, I mean, if I helped, the timberwolves wouldn't eat, and if I didn't the timberwolves would eat. I chose the latter of course, helping manticores is just my first step to becoming the protector of Equest- RRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRR!
"Oh, yeah, right" I ran in front of the manticore, blocking the timberwolves from their prey.
"Stand back! No food for you! Back Back!" I stood as tall as I can, trying to look intimidating. A timber wolf jumped at me, I punched it into a pile of scrap. The others weren't very happy, or motivated to continue this battle, but the alpha encouraged them. It seems that the manticore has got my back, it's not attacking me, it's standing defensively behind me. I taunted the wolves, making them angrier, all of them charged at me. Suddenly a large stinger swept through all of them, bashing them away from me. I looked back at the manticore to see somewhat of a small smile on it's face. The timberwolves struggled to stand on their feet.
"Hey, big guy, we should probably go now" I said slowly walking away, I waved my hand towards myself to show that I wanted it to follow me. It walked towards me.
"Alright, it seems that you've got some damage on you, lets go find a place to fix that right up." The manticore gave a small nod and we trekked through the dense forest. Soon, some of it even looked familiar, I wasn't sure how long this forest has been here, but some of seemed familiar. I heard the manticore give a small growl, and it nudged me and whimpered.
"What's wrong big guy?" I looked him over a bit, I saw a trail of blood pouring from his side.
"Oh! You can't walk now! Let me carry you to safety, you should've told me you were bleeding out a while ago" I picked the manticore up off the ground, it seemed surprised at my strength. I held it up with both hands, keeping mind of the wounds. Soon the both of us had arrived at a small town, I looked it over before entering. It seemed peaceful enough, but I don't know how ponies would react to something like me. The manticore was still alive, he took quick, harsh breaths.
"Okay big guy, we're almost to someplace where we could get you healed" I said, moving towards the small town. The ponies didn't notice me, they noticed a floating manticore.
"Gah! A manticore!"
"Everypony run!"
"Oh my Celestia! Run for your lives!" I sighed and continued walking towards the town. The ponies were running around like a bunch of startled chickens. I set the manticore down, I sat next to it and rubbed it's back.
"Hello! My friend here needs help! Anypony!? He's dying!" I waited and waited, no pony came to help. I saw a butter-yellow pegasus minding it's own business, it hadn't seen us yet.
"Hey!"
"Eeep!" The pegasus dropped it's basket and fell to the floor. It scratched my head in confusion, it was like I just scared a sheep.
"Umm, hello? I manticore friend here is dying! I need help!" I shouted, this seemed to catch the pegasus' attention. She ran towards me.
"OH my goodness! What happened!?" She said, checking the manticore.
"Well, I was flying over the everfree forest when I saw him getting attacked by a pack of timberwolves. I helped him defend himself, but he has lots of wounds"
"I see, would you mind taking him to my cottage, that is um, if you don't mind" She asked, hiding behind her mane a little. I really expected a "run away from that weird thing" kind of scene, but it's like she was seeing a pony, and not me. I nodded and picked the manticore up, as the pegasus, the manticore, and I were walking away, I saw most ponies come out of their homes. It was a silent walk, I was used to silence though, being practically stuck in a deep abyss for more years than once can count, silence can grow on you. We arrived at a small cottage, clearly belonging to this pegasus.
"Is this your place?" I asked, looking down at the pegasus.
"Oh um, yes" She simply replied, I opened the door and held it open, hey, common courtesy. I walked inside and lightly placed the manticore down on a soft padded blanket-towel-thing.
"Soooo, you can handle the rest? I mean, i'll be willing to help" I said, stopping at the exit.
"Yes, um, thank you but um, I'm fine from here, thank you very much for your help" She said.
"Alrighty then, by the way, my name's Arcane Weapon!" I said, standing tall and proud. I waited for her to say her name.
"My name is umm, Fluttershy"
"What? I couldn't hear you"
"My name is Fluttershy"
"Just one more ti-" Bang! I was tackled to the ground, something was on me.
"Don't worry Fluttershy! I got him!" Ahhh, that was her name. Now, who was attacking me?
"Hey, whats the big deal?" I easily lifted this cyan pegasus off of me, Fluttershy probably didn't notice any of this because she was inside her house, and the wind made her door shut. "Get off of me!"
"What are you doing at my friends home?! And what are you?" Said the cyan pegasus. Looking just about ready to bet me up.
"Hey, I wasn't doing any harm, alright? I just helped her get a manticore inside of her house so she could heal it" The pony didn't look very convinced.
"Yeah right, now what the heck are you?" I inspected me closely, I gotta give it to her, pretty brave to do that.
"Well, my name is Arcane Weapon, son of Sunwhirl the Knowledgeable, and I was created to protect Equestria form all dangers!" I saluted at the pony.
"Not to crush your…dreams or anything but, Equestria already has protectors… 6 of them" The pony said in a matter-of-fact tone. I was confused, last time I was active in Equestria, danger was everywhere, but now it's died down?
"Pardon? You mean, SIX ponies, protect Equestria, SIX?!"
"Yeah, haven't you heard of the Elements of Harmony before? I'm one of them, the Element of Loyalty! Names Rainbow Dash by the way, the fastest and greatest pegasus in Equestria!" Now it was her turn to stand proud, she began to fly around like a filly on Hearths Warming Day. I somewhat admired the act though, it was cool how she had a rainbow trail behind her as she flew.
"Now, would you mind telling me where I am? I haven'y really been… active lately" The rainbow pegasus stopped and looked at me.
"Well duh, you're in Ponyville! Jeez, for a creature like you, I'd expect you to be more knowledgeable, like you father" I was taken back by that comment, I frowned and grew angry.
"What did you just say!? How DARE you insult me in such a manor! I deserve to be treated more kindly, after all, I AM the strongest being in Equestria!" The pegasus began to laugh out loud, rolling on the floor.
"The strongest, in Equestria! Everybody knows that is Princess Celestia! Man" The pegasus wiped a tear from her eye and sighed.
"You don't have to believe me, I know what I can do!" I crossed my arms, "Besides, I can fly way faster than you" The pony's eyes narrowed.
"Is that a challenge? I'll beat you in an instant!" I gave a positive reply and we both got ready to race.
"You know you don't have wings, right? So there is now possible way you can beat me." She said, pointing at my back.
"Someday… well…. right now, you will learn that you don't need wings to fly" I stretched and prepared, the pony scoffed and shook her head.
"Okay, 3……………..2,1, GO!" Rainbow Dash zoomed in the air at an extremely fast speed, we were going around a circuit of clouds three times before we land and finish. I flew into the air and caught up to her, her eyes widened at the sight.
"H-how? That's impossible!" She screamed, flying faster.
"Magic! MUAHAHAHAHA!" I quickly kicked into high gear and left the rainbow pegasus in the dust, I laughed and continued the race.
Rainbow Dash zoomed by, going as fast as possible. She could feel the wind in her mane, that was the best part, she air drifted and cruised. Every turn was an easier one, she designed this course, she wasn't going to lose. It had a bunch of loops and sharp turns, but the more laps you did, the easier it became. Looking up ahead, she swore she could see Arcane Weapon just a little bit farther than her. She pushed her limits and sped up, accelerating faster than a high caliber bullet. Soon, her final lap was over, and she landed to the ground victoriously, smiling and cheering for herself.
*clap clap clap*
"Congrats on second place, care for some tea?" I giggled at her face, indeed I was making some tea on a table. I poured her a cup and slid it to the other side of the small table, which I summoned. She looked very un amused at my antics.
"You have got to be kidding me…" She walked over and sat down, staring at her tea, as it deep in thought.
"I had fun, hope you did, next time though, you better be prepared" I said, waiting for an answer. The pony smiled and continued to stare at her tea. She began to giggle, which soon turned to extreme laughter, I laughed with her and we continued this act until… a long while.
"Man, you're pretty cool for a …. Arcane Weapon" This caught me off guard.
"Oh, thanks, you too, I guess, seriously though, be prepared for next time" I said.
She smiled at me.
