The Lost Shy

Chapters

The closed casket
The Skinner
Whats Is He
connection
The Life Blood Alliance
Like Minds and Travels
Assault Part 1

The closed casket

Chapter 1: The Closed Casket

It was another beautiful day in Ponyville, the sun was just starting to peak over the horizon and the ponies of Ponyville were beginning to shake off their fatigue and meet the new day in front of them. Fluttershy had been awake for about an hour making sure all of her little animals were well fed and would be ok on their own while she went out for her bimonthly medical plant trip, into the Everfree forest. She had asked Twilight to set aside a copy of the Newest edition of “The Breakdown of Rare Plants” which was only released two weeks ago, for her. She would be needing it to make sure she only picked the best ingredients to help the animals she loved so much. Her trip to the Library was uneventful, a few hellos her and there as she made the little journey into town.

Twilight was already up and running around, reorganizing the pile of books she had been reading the previous night. Her assistant Spike was caught up in the commotion and was somehow stuck to a book shelf, placing the books he was holding precariously with his tail onto the shelves. Grumbling about how he was woken up way to early and was missing out on an amazing dream about a giant ice cream town with rubies sprinkles, his mouth started to water with just the thought.

A light knock at the door brought them both back to reality.

“Come in” Twilight said as she put several books back into there respective places.

The door slowly creaked open as the shy little Pegasus peeked inside.

“Hello Fluttershy, did you come for the books on plants?” Twilight said with a smile on her face.

“Um.. yes.. is now a good time” Fluttershy whispered while looking at the ground.

“Of course, come on in. Spike can you bring the book over here.” she said while finishing her job of putting away the books.

“Sure thing Twilight” Spike said as he ran off, all to happy to be back on solid ground.

“So your heading into the forest to get some plants right?” Twilight asked

“Yes… I need to refill my supplies or I might no be able to help some poor creature that is really hurt.” Fluttershy said while

fidgeting a little bit.

“Here it is Fluttershy.” spike said as he came into the room.

“Thank you Spike.” said Twilight looking at her assistant. “ you can go back to sleep now I know your tired”

“Thanks Twilight, see you later Fluttershy.” Spike said as he walked up stairs to his bed,

“Thank you Spike” Fluttershy said while smiling. “Thank you Twilight, I need to get going so I am back be for night fall.”

“That’s fine just be carefull out there, the forest he been a little weird these past few weeks.”

“I know the animals have been acting strangely, and a little more territorial then usual.” Fluttershy said while walking out the

door with a little smile.

“Take care of yourself.” Twilight said while closing the door.

Fluttershy’s trip towards the forest was a little more eventful then her trip into town. More ponies were out and about, more

hellos and a little chit-chat and she was on her way, when a bright pink mass popped up in front of her, causing her to jump

back with a little. “eep.”

“Hey there Fluttershy, were are you going? Did you get a new book? What is it about? Oo oo let me guess, bunnies, no cats, hmmm what could it be. O well that is not what I am here for, you see my Pinkie sense had been acting up a little bit so be careful.” Pinkie said in one drawn out breath. Before disappearing as fast as she had arrived, leaving a very startled Fluttershy hiding under her front hooves.

When reality came back to her, she saw the pink party pony doing the exact same thing to everypony on the street. She

blinked a twice then was back on her way.

Upon arriving at her house she took a quick look through the book as she ate a little bowl of oatmeal. The book had more

pictures then words which made it easier to find the right plants without having to read the whole book and wasting time that

might be used to save a life. There were diagrams and a few warnings sings but for the most part it was pictures and recipes.

Finishing her meal she grabbed her pre-packed bags, placing her new book inside and started her journey.

After entering the forest her shy nature started to surface and she wanted to go home but she pushed down those thoughts,

thinking “This trip can save lives of many animals and I need to do this.” with this though she pushed forward deeper into the

forest.

As she pushed through the forest collecting plants in fairly large numbers, filling up her saddlebags, and bringing her closer to leaving the forest. She found several kinds of rare plants she had been needing, with a smile on her face she did one last look at the list, only one plant remained. A very rare type of flower that when used increases healing speed and works as a pain reliever, this flower cost a fortune and she had only gotten her hooves on it once, it was a gift from the princess for trying to help her pet phoenix. Which she had used to save a family of foxes that had been run off a cliff by a cockatrice

“I-I can do this, j-just one more plant and I can get out of the forest and start treating the poor little animals.” stuttered Fluttershy as she looked at the book one last time, it showed a picture of the red flower and a picture of a large Manticore, along with a warning sign.

She took her time getting close to the point she though it would be at, then she saw it a small clearing with several of the blood red flower she was looking for.

“yay” she whispered as she looked around seeing no sings of movement, she moved into the clearing, there were about a dozen flowers each one worth more then a months income if sold. As she picked the last one she realized she was being watched.

Back in Ponyville the sun was shining, and everypony was happily going about their business, that is everypony but Pinkie who was shaking sporadically, even scaring herself. She was rushing towards Twilights house, as fast as her shaking little body would take her. It was mid afternoon and a cool breeze was blowing out from within the forest.

Pinkie burst into the library causing Twilight to crash into a newly formed pile of books. She popped head out with a slightly distressed face, that until she saw the normally happy go lucky pony in front of her with an extremely worried face, and tears forming in her eyes.

“Pinkie what is the matter you look horrible.” Twilight said with an inquisitive look.

“It is really bad, Twilight really bad.” said the still shaking Pinkie

“What happened”

“My Pinkie sense has been of the fritz all day but it just went crazy a minute ago.” Pinkie said with a deflated mane

“Ok calm down what was the signal.” Twilight said in a calming tone.

“It was the signal for pain and fear, Twilight pain and fear, I only had this once before when my sister fell down the loft on the

rock farm, she was there for twenty minutes before help arrived.” said the now crying pony.

“OK tell me where the signal is coming from” Twilight said as she started to take notes.

“From within the Everfree forest” Pinkie said while regaining some of her composure.

Twilights eyes went wide and the quill and notepad she was levitating abruptly fell to the ground. “Fl-Fluttershy went into the forest today to get plants” said the now shaking unicorn.

Pinkie’s pupils shrunk to the size of pin pricks after she relised what this meant.

“Pinkie you start gathering the girls ill contact the princess we will meet at Fluttershy‘s cottage.”

Pinkie nodded and ran off. While Twilight started writing franticly. After which Spike sent her letter.

Fluttershy turned around and was horrified to see an enraged Manticore standing about fifteen feet from where she stood. A realization flashed through her head, as she understood what the warning in the book meant. The flowers grow near Manticore dens.

“I-I’m sorry I came to close to your den, I-I didn’t mean to make you angry.” Fluttershy stuttered as the beast came closer with bloodlust in his eyes.

The beast brought his claw across Fluttershy’s right side, cracking her wing and sending deep gashes across her ribs, up her neck and across her face. Both her eyes still work but blood was starting to cloud he vision along with the pain and blood loss. The force of the bow sent her several feet into the air, she came crashing down, dislocating her left wing and breaking two ribs. The Manticore had a sadistic smile on his face as he closed in on his pray.

The last thing Fluttershy saw before passing out was another Manticore coming out of the brush. “I hope the animals can get by without me” was her last thought as she drifted into unconsciousness.

Pinkie rushed to cottage as the other girls followed, Twilight was already there with two large Pegasus stallions wearing the armor of the Canterlot guard. With everyone there, she gave a quick explanation of what happened. That the Princess had sent the two guards to help them find Fluttershy, and that there was no sign of her around the house so she must still be in the forest.

There was about three hours of sunlight left when they entered the forest. It took about an hour and a half to find the clearing with three sets of eyes in the air. When they did they were all horrified at what they found, blood was splattered across the ground and trees, Fluttershy’s saddle bag was turn and blood coated with its contents scattered around the area. Upon closer inspection Manticore claw prints were all around the area along with several yellow feathers soaking in the blood.

A moment of silence was held by the group as they stared the bloodied scene. One of the guards was the first to speak, in as gentle a tone as he could.

“We can’t stay here much longer the sun will be setting soon and the forest is not safe, we are in charge of your safety, and we all need to leave” he walks over an picks up the torn saddle bag and starts to walk back to the town.

“Your right we need to go back, I will write the Princess and tell her ‘hic’ what we found.” Twilight said while crying over the loss of her friend. She she turned and starting walking, the others followed suit.

The next day a funeral was held and all of Ponyville was in attendance, along with the Princesses and their guards.

“We lost an important member of Equestria, she was kindness incarnate, she would help all of those in need even if it put herself in danger. We should all learn from her and her kindness.” Celestia said in a authoritative tone.

The casket was closed because there was no body within just the tattered remains of her saddlebags.

Fluttershy’s closest friends came one by one towards the casket, each placing something on top of it as their final gifts to a

close friend. Pinkie placed a yellow cupcake, with tears in her eyes. Twilight placed another copy of “The Breakdown of Rare Plants” the first one was not found at the scene. Rainbow Dash brought a clump of cloud she had shaped like butterflies. Rarity had a golden necklace with three yellow gems on the end of the chain. Applejack placed a bottle of Fluttershy’s favorite Cider. After the town said goodbye the coffin was lowered into the ground.

Her eye opened quickly, sending shots of pain through her whole body, her right eye was covered, she looked around, she was still in forest but was bandaged and drugged to keep the pain down. She looked around and saw a fire burning next to her keeping her warm. Horror filled her body as she saw what was sitting next to the fire. A large Manticore was facing away from her eating something, making a crunching sound.

“eep” she was so startled she did not realize she did that out loud.

The creature started to turn.

The Skinner

Chapter Two: The Skinner

The Manticore started turning towards the Fluttershy. She immediately slammed her eyes shut and played dead, before the beast could see that she was awake. After a few seconds she heard a small rustling in the trees behind her, it must have been a squirrel or bird because it sounded high up and small. After a few seconds she heard the creature return to what it was doing.

Slowly she opened her eye to see the world around her, with each movement jolts of pain coursed through her damaged body. She looked at the left side first because only her left eye was left uncovered. Her chest was wrapped tightly and the joint between her wing and chest was swollen badly, because of the recent dislocation of her wing.

Fluttershy slowly and painfully turned to look at her right which only reinforced her horror. Her entire wing was swollen and tightly held in place by two sticks and a length of rope. Bloody bandages were wrapped around her body, from the connection of her tail all the way to the right side of her face. It was all she could do not to scream and beg for her life, towards her still preoccupied capture.

Taking another look at beast she noted something was strange about it, his scorpion tail was curled up and appeared to be stuck that way. His wings lay limp off of his back, looking as though they had been in disuse for a long period of time. Taking in this information she noticed something, blood, the smell of blood was all around her. Not the blood on her side and face, which was log dried, no it was the smell of fresh blood. Another quick glace around brought it to her attention, something that could fuel nightmares for weeks.

The skinned bloody remains of the Manticore that had attacked her were hanging from a tree, his stomach and internal organs were missing leaving a gaping hole in his body. His claws were missing and his teeth were gone from his open mouth. The tree next to the body had the stretched skin dripping down, letting it dry out. A pool of blood was forming below the two horrors, in the center of the pool was another grizzly sight. A large Manticore skull was upside down in the pool being used as a bowl to collect some blood.

She felt the remains of her oatmeal rushing up her through her esophagus forcing her to quickly and very painfully vomit to her side away from the fire, she new her cover was blown and there was nothing she could do to stop her impending doom. She slowly turned to see that the creature was looking right at her. What she saw was not the face of a crazed Manticore, but a concerned look from a creature she had never seen before, who was only wearing the skin of a Manticore.

With the funeral over the ponies of Ponyville started to make the way back to their jobs and lives leaving only the five best friends of the diseased, the four guards two of which were the ones who went into the forest to find Fluttershy, and the Princesses. All but the guards had tears forming in their eyes looking to the fresh grave. One by one the friends left to go mourn by themselves leaving only Twilight, Pinkie and the princesses, the guards had moved out to give them some privacy. Pinkie was full out crying, and blaming herself because she couldn’t save her dear friend. Twilight was looking with pleading eyes at her teacher hoping that she would think up a way to bring her friend back. The princess look back with sadness in her eyes.

“There is no way to bring the dead back Twilight even with my powers.” Celestia said

“But there has to be some way to bring her back, she is an element of harmony, isn’t there anything you could do?” Twilight pleaded while looking into her teachers eyes.

“I’m sorry, I know a zombie spell that reanimates a corpse, but leaves the creature in the immense pain of their death until the spell is canceled. We have no body and could you live with yourself knowing that you will be causing your friend immense pain with no way to escape.” said the sun goddess with sadness and guilt in her voice.

A look of horror flashed across both Pinkie and Twilights face as they thought about what would happen.

“Noooo” pinkie yelled while collapsing, “Why didn’t I see it earlier, stupid pinkie sense you should work faster.” no sobbing into her hooves.

“Thank you princess, she would not… not wants us to worry about her.” Twilight joining Pinkie in sobbing.

The princess stayed with them until their crying slowed until it was just a sniffle. Pinkie stood up slowly bidding farewell to the others and slowly making her way home. Twilight cried herself to sleep, and was carried home be the princess. Spike was still up waiting for her return, and looked like he had been crying as well. He thanked the princess and put Twilight to bed then followed suit in his little basket.

Fluttershy heard several pops and the smell of fresh blood filled her nostrils again, this time it was her own blood. The bandages around her neck started to turn pink then dark red as pain soared through her body. The creatures face contorted for a moment then grabbed a small bag from the ground, and started to move towards her.

Fear overpowered pain, Fluttershy started crawling away from the tall approaching creature. As he moved closer she saw what it had been doing. The skinned remains of a wolf with several chunks of its flesh removed from it was laying on a mat on the ground, and the skin was being dried near the fire.

“POP POP POP POP POP POP” agonizing pain flushed through her body, her side bandages started to bleed profusely. But all she could think about was not being the next piece of filleted skin for this creatures sadistic collection.

The beast was gaining ground on her as she started to lose focus on the world due to blood loss. The pain was subsiding as her connection with the waking world faded, she took one last look at the creatures face it was full of pity and guilt. She passed out believing she would never wake.

To her surprise she did wake up again, with less pain then before, but more rope around her, restricting her movements. Her front legs tied together, and a rope loosely tied around her neck, not enough to choke her but tight enough as to not be removed.

It was day now and the fire had died down, the Manticore body was gone and the skin was laid out like a rug. The pool of blood was dry and covered with dirt, the skull bowl was empty and laying on the grown near her. On top of the skin the creature wearing another Manticore's skin like before but was now asleep. She saw two mounds no far in the distance with two things poking out of the ground, they each were two sticks tied together perpendicular to each other. She could only assume these were the graves for the poor dead animals. She saw the wolf pelt on the ground near her, to her it looked like it was supposed to be worn like a set of clothing.

The creature started to stir, it looked directly at her and smiled. She was still afraid for her life, but at the same time curios, this thing had saved her life not just once but twice, one of which was by her own hooves.

The creature got up towering over her then reached to a bag at his left and pulled out two carrots, one of which he pushed near her. She did not know what to do, did she refuse and try to give him the stare or accept and maybe get a way out of the forest. Her stomach made the decision for her, letting out a loud growl that could rival a large dog. Her face turned red at this occurrence, and the creature laughed, not a mocking laugh but a kind and whole hardy laugh.

She devoured the fist carrot with more gusto then she had ever eaten with in her life, but this was not enough, she looked back at the creature who smiled and brought out several carrots and other vegetables for her to eat. After her meal the creature brought a small crude wooden bowl in front of her filled with a strange red and blue mixture, she eyed it carefully, before pushing it away.

The creature got up and looked at her for a second before turning away to move towards the low fire. Fluttershy thought she had made him angry and cowered a little before he returned with her book. He opened it to a certain page before showing her what was on it. There was a recipe for a healing elixir, he pointed at it then at the bowl in front of her.

Fluttershy finally understood, the bowl was full of medicine, to help her heal. He pushed towards her again with a smile. She started to drink, it tasted horrible, but she was able to get about half of it down before stopping. The creature still smiling, pulled the bowl back before pulling out a large piece of paper from a bag, it was her crudely drawn map of the town and forest. He untied her front legs and then laid the map in front of her.

She eyed him suspiciously as he pointed towards her then flapped his arms a little, followed by him pointing at town. He did this twice before she understood. She wanted her to lead him into town.

“You want me to lead you into town” she scratched out of her dry throat.

He took notice of the dry sound and produced another wooden bowl of full water for her before speaking.

“saln desj igro dehnhaji jefsy” the creature said before shaking his head and shrugging.

Fluttershy was shocked the creature spoke, although I another language, but still he spoke. She had no idea what to think.

Fluttershy spent the next several day being taken care of by this strange thing. He would leave in the morning and return after noon with fresh food and medical plants, he would then check her stitches and bandages. Then he would show her why he did the things he did. The first two day she was still afraid of him but as she learned why he did those horrid things her fears subsided.

She learned that the Manticore skins were to keep him warm because he had very little fur. The blood filled skull had had been used to pant the trees to keep predators away. The wolf had attacked him and he killed it to save his life, the flesh that was removed was in turn eaten by him to sustain his dangerous life in the woods. The claws were used to make a necklace, which could be used as a weapon if need be, and the teeth were used as fishing hooks so that he would not need too hunt.

As the days went by her pain subsided and the majority of her stitches were removed leaving only a few in her face, the bandages that once covered her whole body now just remained on her wing which might take months to heal on its own without magic. And until she could fly they were both lost in the forest, with only each other for company.

Fluttershy had three large scars running across the majority of her right side, they slashed straight through her cutie mark, which was still discernable but it was easy to tell it had seen better days. The scars on her face were the worst of the bunch, two scars running up her snout and a third slashing to the right of her eye and ending at what was left of her eyebrow.

The days passed slowly in Ponyville as thing started to return to normal. Pinkie had returned to a party pony but it was easy to tell that she blamed herself for her friends death. Twilight had been studying nonstop for a way to go back and save her friends life, but to no avail all the spells she found could endanger the world if she used them. The other three were still depressed but trying to move on with there lives.

Most of Fluttershy’s pets had returned to the forest, a few had been adopted, leaving only Angel bunny at the house. He was alone most of the time trying to keep the place livable for he still believed that his mistress would return and they would live together, again. Rainbow Dash would bring him food every few days, out of pity and loyalty to her friend.

About a month after Fluttershy funeral the CMC decided to visit Zacora in the wood to see if she could help then get their cutie marks. Along the way they got lost and started to wonder aimlessly when Apple bloom slipped and fell ten feet into a small creek bed. When she hit the ground a sickening crack could be heard, as she screamed out in pain as she felt her legs snap under the weight of gravity and her body. The other two were freaking out, one of their friends was writhing in pain and they could not help her until they found a way down into the ravine.

All of there hope drained when they saw something that should not be there, a large Manticore was striding down the river bank fairly quickly. Next to it was a medium sized wolf keeping stride with it, then they noticed Applebloom and increased their pace. She saw them and yelled up to her friend to run, but they were frozen in fear, the wolf got there first and received a hoof to the face.

The hit had knocked her hood off reveling a scarred and angry Fluttershy, who looked back and waited for the Manticore to arrive, then looking back at the two up at the top of the hill with a questioning look. Then a smile broke on her face, but not one they had ever seen her wear before, it was more beaming and less like she was hiding behind it to make others feel better. She then called out to the Manticore in some strange language they had never heard before.

The two fillies ran as fast as they could, they hated the thought of leaving their friend behind, but they had to get help for both Applebloom and Fluttershy. She was not dead, her friends needed to know.

Whats Is He

Chapter 3: Whats Is He

Applebloom kicked with all her might at the face of the oncoming wolf, feeling her hooves collide with soft fur and solid bone. She was In pain but she knew that her friends were the only hope she had. The wolf did not look back at her, instead it stared up at her friends for a second before they ran off as fast as they could. The wolf called back to the Manticore in some strange language.

“I’m sorry I hit you missta wolf but you tried to attack me, please don’t hurt me.” Applebloom pleaded to the wolf.

“Now why would I hurt you Applebloom” came a voice that chilled her to the bone.

Three thoughts went through her head. “How can that wolf talk.” “How does it know my name.” and “why do I know that voice.” she stared at the wolf as it turned its head, and the Manticore came up behind it.

“H-How I-I.. you are dead I went to your funeral.” Stammered out the frightened filly. She was looking into the eyes of Fluttershy, after a month of her being dead.

“They had a funeral, how nice, did all my friends show up?” Fluttershy said in her normal voice, except that there was no shyness at all, like she was stating the facts not talking about her own supposed death.

The filly nodded and said. “Everyone in Ponyville was there, including the Princesses”

Fluttershy smiled, then the beast behind her said something she could not understand, she nodded and spoke back then looked at Apple bloom. “He wants to know if you can still walk or need to be carried.”

The shock of the encounter had numbed the pain in her legs, but as soon as she thought about her wounds the pain came flashing back, she screamed out in pain. The Manticore took that as his signal to come over and pick her up so that there was less stress on her legs. After picking up the quivering little filly he pulled a piece of wolf skin out of his pocket and placed it on the ground and drew a simple map on it that would lead whoever found it to the camp. He handed the map to Fluttershy who wrote a quick note on it then tied it to a tree, near the creek bed. Both of them turned around and started walking back to there camp.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle ran as fast as their little legs could cary them, not really knowing the way home, they just ran.

After a long period of time the two broke out of the forest, both breathing heavy, covered in scratches and mud. They had appeared on the far side of Sweet Apple acres, with a quick glance at each other they ran towards the house. They could see Applejack looking around for something as they ran closer.

“Well there ya’ll are ya little varmints, I’ve been lookin for ya all day.” Applejack said in her country accent. “Hey what happen to ya’ll, look like ya been in a fight.”

“Appleblooms in trouble” Scootaloo wheezed as she caught her breath. Applejack’s face got grim when she said that.

“What happened and were is Applebloom.” Applejack was both angry and scared for her sister.

“We went to go see if Zacora could help us get our cutie marks, we got lost and Applebloom fall down into a creek bed.” Sweetie Belle said now that she had regained her composure. “We were trying to find a way down when a large wolf and Manticore came walking up the creek.”

Applejack looked horrified at the thought of another Manticore related death, and the loss of her sister.

“Applebloom hit the wolf in the face, knocking its hood down” Scootaloo said now ready to go again. “It was Fluttershy, she was wearing a wolf skin coat and had some nasty scars across her face.”

Now shocked, Applejack just stared for a second before she started running towards Twilights home yelling back to the fillies. “Go get the others I’ll get Twilight.”

The two just looked at each other and ran off in different directions.

When Applejack arrived at Twilights she saw that the door was slightly open and creaking in the soft breeze. She looked inside to see Pinkie sobbing into Twilights mane, nether noticed the new arrival. Until her hooves hit the wooden floor, sending a “thud” through the room. Twilight looked up in surprise with tears forming in her eyes. Pinkie looked around still sobbing.

“Applejack its horrible, my Pinkie sense is do it again, the same one from when Fluttershy died." Pinkie said while falling to the floor.

“That’s what Im here about, Applebloom and her friends went into the forest and got lost, Appleblooms been hurt.” she said with fear in her voice. “they also saw something..” Applejack trailed off unsure on how to say it.

“What did they see?” Twilight said as she started writhing a letter to the Princess.

“They said that the saw a large Manticore…” the other two gasped at the thought. “…and Fluttershy was with it.”

The room was silent. Twilight and Pinkie just stood there for a moment taking in the new information. Twilight was the first to speak.

“T-That is impossible we all saw the blood in the clearing” she said in disbelief.

“I know but they seemed sure it was her, plus we never found a body just the saddle bags, they also said that she was scarred pretty bad.” Just then Rarity and Rainbow dash bust through the open door.

“Is it true.” They both yelled at the same time.

“I don’t know but we don’t have time to sit around, whether she is there or not ma sister is in trouble.”

“that’s right” Twilight said while tossing a letter to Spike and moving out the door. Spike burned the letter, while they all leave the room and start rushing toward the forest.

After they made it into camp Fluttershy started making the medicine needed to help Applebloom heal, while the creature reset her broken bones and put them in splints. He then ran his claws over her body checking for broken bones. He found that there was a broken rib and another fracture above her front right hoof. When this was done he restarted the fire and wrapped the filly in the Manticore skin that was draped over his shoulders, holding her close to keep the little filly warm.

“Here we go” Fluttershy said while slowly pouring the mix into her mouth.

“Thank you” Applebloom said while still snugly wrapped close to the creatures body. She had stopped shaking after seeing that he was not going to hurt her.

“Your welcome.” she said the looked at the creature and said. “Sinkro fashida”

The creature moved slightly allowing the small pony to get comfortable near the fire before he got up to go get some food leaving the two ponies alone.

“What is that thing and how can you talk to it?” Applebloom asked.

“What it is I don’t know, how it can talk, I guess it is from very far away.” Fluttershy answered.

“You speak his language, what is its name?”

“No, I only know a few words, we have spent more time surviving then talking, you’re the fist thing I’ve been able to keep a conversation going with for a while. As for his name I could never pronounce it so I just call him Skinner.” Fluttershy stated.

Their conversation got cut short when Skinner returned with two bowls of vegetable soup for the ponies. He then went to the cooking fire and grabbed a couple fish that were roasting, and came back to were they were sitting. Applebloom looked on in horror as he took large bites out of the fish, Fluttershy just started eating her soup, she looked at the shocked filly.

“Are you not going to eat, you should it will help you heal, he puts these delicious plants in here that boost healing and energy.” Fluttershy said after finishing here meal and started going back for seconds.

“H-How can you eat while he is tearing into those fish?” stammered Applebloom.

“Oh you get used to it after awhile, at least he is not eating us.” Fluttershy giggled as she finished her second bowl, putting it down and taking off her wolf skin cape.

“That cape wareja get it?”

“Oh this, Skinner made it the day I got here, it is very warn and keeps other predators away, because they fear the wolves. The same reason he wears the Manticore skin.”

Skinner had finished his meal and was preparing the sleeping arrangements for the night. He laid down the Manticore skin that he made into an mat stiffed with fur from several animals and then started to walk toward the girls. He leaned over and picked up Applebloom and motioned for Fluttershy to follow him. He laid down putting Applebloom on the ground next to him while Fluttershy cuddled in next to him. He lifted his Manticore cape and pulled it over the two tired ponies.

The five friends rushed through the forest with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle leading the way. It took the several hours to reach the Creek bed that Applebloom had fallen into. But finally they arrived, they started looking around for any sign of her when Applejack yelled “I found somthin.”

They all rushed over and gasped at what they saw, it was a piece of skin with a drawings on it. At first they were all disturbed by what it was written on, but when they saw what it said they were unsure of how to react. There was a map of the area and two points were marked, one was were they were the other was what looked like a small camp. There was also a note written on it

“Hello, we have Applebloom she will be fine, you should leave the forest before the sun sets it gets very dangerous at night. Come back during the day and we can all return to town together, see you soon.” signed “Your friend Fluttershy”

They were all dumbstruck at the note. They were a couple of hours away from the other marked spot on the map and the sun would set soon.

“What do you want to do Applejack, come back tomorrow or go there tonight?” Twilight asked.

“If she is safe for the night we should go back befer we get hurt and there in no rescue party to come get here.” Applejack said while walking the way they came.

With that they all started walking home except for Pinkie who just stood there.

“You aright Pinkie?” Twilight asked

“She is not dead, she is not dead, SHE IS NOT DEAD!” She yelled then jumped into the air.

Then she started home with here normal smile on her face. She got a few looks from the rest but they left it at that and started walking home.

Applebloom woke up last in the group, seeing that the pelt had been left on her and Skinner was walking around in some strange clothing that he had worn under the coat. she finally saw what he really looked like. He had ash gray skin, that seemed to be made out of thick bone plates that were strong yet flexible. He stood well over seven feet with very thick and long legs that looked like they were designed for running and jumping. His arms were like his legs long and thick, ending in what looked like six smaller appendages, four on the upper half with two thicker ones separated on the lower half. His face had a arrow shape to it, like it was based for speed, two large shining eyes with what looked like gems set into them for protection. His mouth had two rows of razor sharp teeth and a thick green tongue.

“Strange isn’t he?” Came a voice from behind, she turned to see Fluttershy holding two bowls.

“Ya, I’ve neva seen anything like him.” she said while taking the bowl, the soup look different then Fluttershy’s.

“Yours has more medicine to help with your broken bones” she said with a smile.

“W-When can I go home?” she asked

“When our friend get we can all go home” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“Wadja mean when they get here, why not now?”

“Because nether me nor Skinner know how, why do you think we've been out here all month?”

“Ya mean we cant go home?”

“Not until our friend come here or my wing becomes useable again.” she said while looking at her tied wing.

It was early morning and the five were gather along with the princess and her guards.

“Shall we go” Celestia said as she started walking.

Two hours of walking brought them to the creek bed and another hour and they were within sight of the camp, yet none of them dared go any closer, the trees were painted with blood, there were skins hanging everywhere.

“Lightwing” Celestia said

“Yes your majesty.” replied one of the guards.

“Fly over head and tell me what you see”

“As you command.”

And with that the guard left only to return a few minutes later.

“Report”

“There are two ponies in the clearing along with a strange creature, they seem to be in no current danger.”

“Thank you. We should go and meet our long lost friend.” The princess said while she started walking towards the camp. The other started to follow.

connection

Connection

The Princess was walking with her guards stationed at her sides and the five mares following close behind. The air was rank with the smell of blood and charred flesh. The trees had animal skins hanging from there branches and blood painted on there trunks. The group was horrified at the scenes around them, even the Princess and her guards were affected. The closer to the camp they came the less blood, skin and smell was bombarding there senses, when they were about a hundred yards away the horrid smells had all but vanished and were replaced a sweet appetizing smell.

“What do ya recon that smell is?” Applejack ask to nopony in particular.

“It smells like stew.” Rainbow Dash said while her mouth started watering.

“The ponies were in the clearing up ahead near a fire.” Lightwing said.

The group had been traveling all day and it was well passed noon. They kept walking cautiously towards the clearing, until Pinkie yelled.

“FLUTTERSHY!” she rushed over to her surprised friend giving her a powerful hug. She gave an angry stare at Pinkie for a moment, it looked like she was ready to kill her, before she realized who it was and her face relaxed slightly.

“P-Pinkie I-I can’t breath” Fluttershy weeded out painfully.

“Sorry” Pinkie let go and took a step back while looking at Fluttershy, she looked like she was in pain. “D-Did I hurt you.” Pinkie said with sorrow in her eyes

“No you just aggravated an old injury, look.” Fluttershy said while looking at her heavily bandaged wing.

Pinkie was in shock at the damage that had been done to her. The wounds on her face had healed but were a gruesome sight on her kind friends face. The others had made it into the clearing and their mouths were hanging open.

“What’s wrong you guys look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Fluttershy said with a grin.

“W-Well until yesterday we all thought you were dead, why didn’t you come home.” Twilight said with tears in her eyes.

“I couldn’t, I don’t know how to get home from here.” Fluttershy said.

They group did not know what to say, they had let there friend live in the forest for a month because they had given up the search after finding her saddlebags. Applejack was the first to speak.

“Where’s ma sister, your note said that she was here”

Fluttershy cocked her head to one side and said “She’s right over there near the fire…” At this Applejack rushed off. “…getting treatment for her wounds from Skinner.” Applejack had missed the last part, she screamed as she came face to face a strange monster holding her sister.

“You get yer dirty paws off ma sister” Applejack yelled as she spun 180 degrees and bucked the creature right in the chest. As her hooves collided with the creature, it felt like hitting a mountain sending the shock waves coursing painfully through her body. The creature did not react or even seem to have felt the explosive kick.

Applebloom popped her head out from the creatures arms and yelled. “Sister what are you doing laying on the ground?” Applejack had collapsed from the shock waves.

“Applebloom w-what are you doing sitting with that monster.” Applejack stammered out.

“Skinner was rebinding my legs and ribs, Fluttershy said they got broke pretty bad.” Skinner was now looking at the new arrivals that he had been ignoring up to this point.

“It is good to see you both are alive and well but would you please introduce this strange creature that you have been living with.” Celestia said with a little bit of fear in her voice

“I call him Skinner, his real name is too hard to say.” Fluttershy said

“Ya he’s really nice, and he’s a good cook.” Applebloom said still sitting in Skinner’s lap.

“Fluttershy you said that you didn’t know the way home why not fly up and look for a town?” Twilight said and the others nodded in agreement.

“My wing got snapped pretty bad when the Manticore attacked, and without magic it is healing fairly slowly.” Fluttershy said while looking at her side again.

“I have a spell that will heal your wing quickly.” Celestia said to Fluttershy who looked really happy. “Twilight I will need your help with a mind connecting spell in a minute, to help us communicate with him.”

“Ok Princess just tell me what you need me to do.” Twilight said as Skinner got up and started walking to a pot on the fire. Causing the group to step back in fear. He walked over to the pot and started to scoop out portions of the liquid into wooden bowls that were stacked next to the fire.

“flegrin hapgin” Skinner said while looking at Fluttershy she smiled and said.

“He says that food is ready if you want it.”

They looked at each other for a second while Celestia cast her healing spell on Fluttershy. Rainbow dash was the first brave enough to go for the food. He passed it to her and started to eat several types of flowers, while Pinkie came bouncing towards him. He gave her the bowl, then turned to applejack and Applebloom who were talking next to him. He turned his right clawed arm up and moved the muscles to form a bowl shape which started to fill with a strange liquid, which he then poured into one of the bowls. He turned and gave it to Applebloom who started eating without a second thought.

“What did he just pour in your food.” Twilight was the first to speak.

“Medicine that is extremely good.” Fluttershy said after thanking the Princess, for healing her wing. They all gave her a strange look. “What, its true that stuff is amazing.”

“But how did he make it.” Rarity asked.

Fluttershy shrugs and grabs her bowl. Princess Celestia was talking with Twilight at this point, about the spell to help them speak to this strange friend that Fluttershy had made.

Twilight and the Princess had finished the preparations for the spell and had tried the soup that was offered them and they loved the taste. Fluttershy had tried to explain what was going to happen but failed miserably. The group had formed a circle around Skinner and the spell started. Twilights and the Princesses horns glowed brightly and an opaque bubble formed around them. Black streams of energy stared connecting their heads to Skinners and the group blacked out.

Twilight awoke with a start, she looked around and saw her friends and the Princess were beginning to awake. “Is everyone alright.” she said while looking around. She got the nine replies then a tenth voice was heard from the center of the group. The voice was gruff and deep, it caused everypony to look for the one who made the sounds. Their eyes all locked onto the tall bipedal creature that was now standing, his crystalline eyes reflecting their shocked faces.

“Y-You can understand us now.” Twilight said

“Yes isn’t that what you were trying to do?” Skinner asked.

“Well yes but we weren’t sure it would work with your species.” Celestia said as she stood up.

“We were not even sure if were intelligent enough to comprehend basic logic.” Twilight interjected.

“I find that mildly offensive I thought the clothing, cooking and fire make would be good sings of intelligence.” Skinner said in his gruff voice. Twilight and the Princess sheepishly glanced at each other.

“I guess we were still in shock at finding our friend alive, so we overlooked those details.” Twilight said quietly.

“Might we inquire to your real name, it cant possible be Skinner can it?” Celestia asked

“I believe it is more polite to give your name first when asking for another’s.” He replied

The group gave him a strange look, almost one of horror at the way he spoke to the Princess. Celestia gave a slight smile and replied. “I am Princess Celestia Co-ruler of the great land of Equestria.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you Princess.” he gave a slight bow then said. “I am king James, Ruler of the Life Blood Alliance. It has been awhile since I last met royalty.” he finished off with a smile. The group looked at each other then back towards James, not understanding how he could be a king, there was only one country and the Princesses were in charge of it.

“You speak as if there are no other royalty left were you come from, does this hold any connection to why your in this world?” Celestia spoke while the other were still trying to comprehend what they had been told.

“You are very perceptive, the royalty from where I come from lost there crowns several thousand years ago. And no they have no connection to why I’m here, I was just getting bored on the throne and decided on a vacation and ended up here.”

“Wait you said you had met royalty, but that they lost there crowns several thousand years ago, does that mean your are over a thousand years old?” Twilight spoke up.

“Again very perceptive, I lost count of my age a very long time, I think it was 8,231 years, but that was a very long ago.” James said with a hint of sadness. Even Celestia was amazed at his age, she herself was just over two thousand years old.

“Would you mind telling us your story?” Celestia asked, now very curious about this strange new creature.

The Life Blood Alliance

The Life Blood Alliance

“My tale is a long one, it starts at the end of one great age and the start of another.” James started, while the ponies settled themselves down to hear the story.

“The world was In great turmoil, once great nations were reduced to sniveling husk of what the once were. Great economic powers were reduced to begging for scraps that no nation had to spare, great military leaders became nothing more than cowards hiding behind steel doors. Thousands were dieing everyday in pointless wars over nothing more then a few unsavory words, and millions were dieing for what natural resources were left on our rotting world. Clean water became worth more then gold and food became a luxury that few could afford more then once a day or week. Our population once counted well over twenty billion was reduced to a fraction of what it was at its greatest. The population hated what it had become but they had reached the tipping point and were about to fall over the edge.” Most of the ponies had looks of horror on their faces except for Fluttershy who looked on with the same expression she had held since her friends had arrived, a wide smile on her scarred face.

“While the world went to hell all hope was not lost a group of scientist were hard at work trying to find a solution to at least some of the world problems. Living on a self contained floating city far from the chaos of the world a council was called of all of the world greatest minds and military leaders. Hundreds of solutions were proposed but in turn each was shot down because it was likely to fail for one reason or another be it, time, supplies, or the cruelty it would cause. For three days nothing could be decided upon and was to be called off so that everyone could spend the more time with their loved ones. I was at the council as a military adviser, and decided to my voice my opinion, I stood and told everyone in the room the options that were were left unvoiced throughout the course of the meeting. I said 'With all that has been said these last few days I only see three options left the first is is that we could let the world kill itself slowly over the coming years, allow the world to suffer until is its inevitable end. We could end the world before it kills us, the nuclear weapons from all the remaining countries could easily remove all life from the planet.'” Celestia interrupted with an angry look on her face.

“Why would you suggest the mass murder of billions of your own species.”

“Because the world was in hell, rape and murder were an everyday occurrence, kidnapping was the norm in many countries to build up the armies. Just walking out of your front door could lead you to death, enslavement or torture. There was no alost hope left mass suicide was common, dead bodies were littering the streets because no one wanted to waste their strength to bury them. My suggestion was one of mercy instead of letting the suffering continue it would bring peace to the lives that had suffered long enough.” He countered in a stable, bringing a look of pity to the face of all the ponies including the previously emotionless Fluttershy. “My story does not end there do you want me to continue or would you like to stop?”

“I'm sorry for my outburst please continue.” Celestia spoke with a slight tremble in her voice.

“Thank you as I was saying, I had one more option that was left to be voiced, but first I had to wait until the the crowd settled some agreeing with me others condemning me for even hosting the thought. 'There is one more option that we have left unvoiced, we have all seen and heard what has become our once blue planet turned yellow due to our selfish actions, and we have all voted that there is no way for us to reverse the damage we have caused. Why not bio-engineer new plants and animals that thrive and live off the toxins we have pumped into the atmosphere.' I gave the crowed a moment to think about this idea when someone asked the question that I had been waiting for he said 'And what of us do you think we should just up and die off to make room for the new species?' I shook my head and with a smile I said 'We should also us this opportunity to evolve and create a better future, by remaking ourselves so that we can survive on this cursed planet.' this got a few cheers from the crowds. We finished the day with a vote much as we had done with all the other options, meaning that each one would be voted on separately needing a 75% vote for it to be passed if none of the plans won then the meeting would end and a new one would likely be scheduled. The do nothing plan received 5% vs 95% in its vote, the total destruction plan fared pretty well with 15% to 85% leaving both of those plans as nothing more than ideas. And the new race plans won 99% to 1%, meaning it would be put into action immediately, for the first time in our history every country on the planet put all of their scientist towards playing God and create new forms of life to live on the toxic world we had created.”

“Over the five years wars raged and the population shrunk even more and the air and water became unusable without major purification, gas mask were worn by all even while sleeping and eating. But the scientistswere having a large amount of luck in the new life forms they were creating and were starting to spread them throughout the world, new trees, crops, and underbrush started to spread across deserts and dried up farms. New animals were introduced to the population, all of them having thick armored skin to protect them from the acid rain, leaving our species the only mammal left on the planet. But even that did not last long, soon the scientist had perfected the gene splicing process and were looking for the first test subject to try the operation on. I volunteered saying that it was my idea I should be the one to risk the experiment, so they started getting things prepared. The process took three day and was extremely painful but I survived to look like I do now, the celebration was huge and lasted for twelve hours before we became serious and began the test to find out how strong I had become. Time started to fly by as they found out that I was much stronger then they had originally meant to make me, I could learn faster then was originally thought possible, and take hits that could destroy buildings with ease.”

“Three months went by as I learned how to use my new body and my upgraded mind, while the second group of twenty volunteers were readied for the second generation upgrade. The operations were shorter and less painful then the one I went through but the outcome was a weaker version of me, power can go to your head and making a race of first generations would not have ended well. The second generation was still overpowered but getting closer to the desired strength. Plans were set in motion to create the third generation created out of all the scientist and civilians on the island along with 20,000 soldiers from a dozen countries. For the next six months the scientist were operating around the clock to create the army, but finally we were ready I was put in charge as the leader the newly created Life Blood Alliance, the second generation became my generals and the third became my unstoppable army.”

“Wait your used you new found power to create and army.” Twilight was the one to speak up now with a hint of confusion I her voice.

“Yes the world needed a peacekeeper and we took upon ourselves that role.” James returned with a smile. “We did not start out looking for a war, we sent messages to every country remaining on the planet informing them of our intentions. We were going to create the first planet wide country to be lead by an immortal, and all countries who join us will be allowed to maintain a government that would answer to me. A great number of countries small and large joined us over the next year and conversion hospital appeared everywhere to convert the populous into forth generation civilians, but there were requirements for the operations, your mind would be probed to view your history to see if you committed any crimes that were not necessary to your survival. More than half of the population did not meet the requirements and were denied the operation, instead they were sterilized so they could not bring any more suffering into the world. After the first year of conversion and politics each of the countries was allowed to maintain a government that would be led by a hand picked individual who would become a second generation, so that he would be stronger then those under him but would still have to answer to me. The countries that had not joined us from the beginning had spent the year gathering their strength and forming their own alliance against us, but it was all in vain my army had grown and number close to a million third generation soldiers. When our armies collided it was a bloodbath the enemy armies were given two chances every day to surrender at night fall and sunrise. The war lasted 127 days before the world was completely under my control, we only lost thirty-seven soldiers while our opponents lost close to a billion. The countries that fought had their governments destroyed and replaced with governments having my generals as leaders, all of the second generations had there own states to control the third generations were divided among them as police and judges lawyers, fire fighters and other important jobs, leaving no standing army for any state. My castle was carved out of the tallest mountain on the planet it took eight years to complete and filled with the most advanced technology in the world, allowing me and the scientist under me to advance the world for the better. At that point in time we needed a name for our species and we held a vote across the entire planet for a name, and in the end we chose the immortals because we had be ourselves into a race that will be almost impossible to kill off. The number of immortals at the end of the war was just under a billion with a little more then a billion of our original species left to live the rest of their lives.”

“You said that you were several thousand years old how long does your new species live, and can you genetically altered species reproduce?” Twilight asked.

“The forth generation Civilians can for around 120 years, the females can have children with the third and forth generations. The third generation can have children with the third and forth generations and live around 300-400 years depending on their age when they were converted. The second generation cannot have children and must be converted for political office, they will live as second generation until they are voted out of office and downgraded to a lower generation. And I will live for all eternity to watch over my people and allow them to prosper under my rain.”

“That explains how your country was made but not why you are here” Celestia spoke up after a moment of thinking.

“I was getting to that but I will be skipping a few thousand years and only bring up the important events throughout my reign. After its creation the country became an amazing place to live for the immortals, food was plentiful, there was no fear of poison because our bodies could process anything no matter how potent, crime became almost non-existent due to heavy punishment for any crime no matter how small. The economy flourished great cities were built upon the remains of the old world, art resurfaced and filled the minds of the people, centuries passed happily as the world became an amazing place. But at the end of the third century one of the states voted a immortal into office that believed he should take my place as the first generation and called for a vote to pull me out of power, he was the only one that voted against me and hated the idea that he was lower than any other living creature, so he started a war against the rest of the world and used his power withing his state to control the vote to keep his power. Now you need to remember he had the power of a second generation meaning he would live forever and would be almost unkillible. The war was short because his army betrayed him at the fist chance leaving him powerless, he was captured and brought to me for punishment, I chose to remove all of his upgrades and leave him as a week human who would live the rest of his life as a zoo exhibit. After this episode I had my scientist create a new generation, a fifth generation that would be stronger then the second generation but weaker than me, they would serve as the grand council that would help me with my ruling. Time passed quickly for me after that, our numbers grew, technology advanced and we spread out from our planet colonizing our moon which then formed its own council. We spread until our entire solar system was colonized each celestial body had its own council that reported to me. Our numbers hit fifty billion just recently and we still have plenty of room left to grow in our solar system, because we can live on almost any planet or asteroid there is plenty of space for us. After so many millenia holding power over so many I got tired so I started to create and build thing for fun, I also made quite a few advanced items that are in use across all of the colonies. One of which allows for temporary travel to different realities. And that is how and why I am here right now, I just needed a vacation.”

All of the ponies looked dumbstruck at the moment so James went and restarted the fire so that they would be warm for the night.

After about fifteen minutes Celestia came back to her senses and asked the first thing that came to her mind. “So you abandoned your responsibility of ruling over billions of immortals because you got bored?”

“That and I really did not do much except for make a few appearances here and there. The majority of the people worship me as a god and have built temples to worship me, I can't really stop them so I just tell them to live their lives helping others.”

“You said temporarily what did you mean by that.” It was Twilight's turn to speak up now.

“After 365 days of being here I will automatically return home whether I want to or not, but I can leave any time I want to, there is just no promise that the next trip will lead me back here.”

“So what are your plans now that you are in Equestria” Celestia asked.

“Truthfully I have no idea. But for the moment the sun is setting so I think you all should stay for the night.” James said happily.

“I think we might take you up on that offer.” Celestia said with a yawn.

Like Minds and Travels

The Lost Shy Chapter 6

Like Minds and Travels

The night was a rough one for the ponies who were not used to sleeping out in the open but was especially hard on the princess and her guards, the princess while calm still held fear in her mind of this new arrival in Equestria, and the dark tale he had told them all. The guards had it bad because they were still on duty throughout the night due to regulations stating that while in the Everfree Forest two guards must be awake and on guard while the princess is present. But morning still came with the princess raising the sun and the moon disappearing behind the horizon, bringing all of the ponies and one immortal into the waking world.

“Well that must have been the worst night sleep I have ever had.” Whined Rarity who was magically picking twigs and leaves out of her coat and mane.

“Quit your belly acking a little dirt never hurt anypony.” Applejack groaned while stretching her back.

“Now that we are all awake I do believe it is time we should be heading back to Ponyville and announce that our deceased friend is actual alive and well.” The princess said to the group and then turned to James. “Will you be joining us to the town or shall you be residing in the forest for awhile longer?”

“I had originally planned to stay in the forest until I could find proof of civilization or my time here ran up so I would like to join you back to town now that my furry little friend is all patched up.” he said while grinning with his razor sharp teeth. The group flinched back except for Fluttershy who gave him a strange look which flipped into a look of shock causing her to speak up.

“I can not believe that we had not thought of this before but we never properly introduced ourselves.” she said with determination in her voice.

“she is right we got so caught up in his story that we never did give our names.” Celestia spoke up.

“This is Fluttershy element of kindness, Pinkie Pie element of laughter, Rainbow Dash element of loyalty, Applejack element of honesty, Twilight Sparkle element of magic and Rarity element of generosity who are some of our countries greatest heroes. Applebloom sister of Applejack who you have already met, and my two guards who names are unimportant because you will mix them up the moment you look away due to there enchanted armor.” she stated while pointing at each one in turn.

“It is a pleasure to meet all of you... there is one thing I should ask before we move on, we seem to be speaking the same language in till you look closely then you see that we are not actually saying the same thing we are hearing I would like to know if this will apply to all of the ponies in town or just the ones here last night?”

“That will be a problem you see the spell we cast on you allows all of the minds present during the casting to understand the thoughts behind the spoken words even if the words may have no meaning to the other creature who took part in the spell. It is commonly used by me and my sister during meals and meeting with foreign diplomats.” Celestia says as she looks around the clearing.

“I see so only you all here will be able to understand what I am saying once we get into town. That might cause some problems but we will cross that bridge when we come to it, and considering I don’t have more than a month until I must leave that should give us time to get Fluttershy settled back in and allow me to see a city inhabited by ponies.” James responded while gathering up some of his things.

“Last night you made some strange medicine for Applebloom how and what did you so?” Twilight asked nervously as all eyes turned to her.

“That would be a simple question to answer you see because the bodies of the immortals can take in so much poison without any damage we need a way to expel the toxic chemicals through a series of tubes that lead out to our hands. But over the years I learned that I can also that I can collect, condense and purify non-toxic chemicals that can be used as medicine like what I used last night and previously to help heal wounds.” James stated with a scholarly tone. Twilight looked at him for a moment then walked of grumbling something to herself about the implications of such an ability.

“If we are all done here can we go I have cloud duty in four hours and I need to be back into before then.” Rainbow said while floating in the air.

“I agree I must also return soon before my sister get worried and sends an army into the forest looking for me.” Celestia said as she started to walk off only to be stopped by Twilight.

“Um princess the town is that way.”she said while pointing the other way.

“But we walked in towards the setting sun so we should go towards the rising sun, you should know that Twilight it is simple celestial directions.” Celestia said with a frown on her face.

“True in most places of the planet but withing the Everfree Forest strange magics changes the direction of the sunlight that filters through so using the moon or stars in this forest will only make you more lost.” Fluttershy said while putting on her wolf skin cloak, this coarse of actions got strange looks from the assembled ponies. “What, its not like he is going to need it any more plus it is very comfortable and hides most of my scars.” the group decided it was best to leave it at that for now and started to walk towards town.

The trip back to town was anything but eventful with the group completely quit because of the awkward silence that settled at the beginning of their journey and had never left that is until they broke through the forest tree line only to be greeted by a large group armored ponies and a frantic alicorn who was running around saying that her sister needed her and the hole forest would be destroyed if she was not found soon.

The group could only stare for a good minute before Celestia came out of her shock induced stupor and ran towards her sister to comfort her.

“Sister what are you doing here I told you I would be late in returning to the palace and would send a message when I returned to Ponyville.” She said while trying to calm down her sister.

“I know what you said but yesterday evening an assassin was caught in your bed chamber looking to kill you. He is now in the dungeon, we have been trying to get information out of him but he refuses to talk. Do you have any idea who..... WHAT is that thing with the elements?” Luna replied while starring at James.

“That would be James he is the one who saved Fluttershy's and Applebloom's life while they were in the forest. But that can be put aside for later what was this about an assassin after my life?” Celestia repeated with more force then he probably meant causing a gasp to echo through the ponies that had traveled through the forest with her.

“As I said last night a griffon broke into the castle and stabbed a long blade into your bed thinking you were sleeping there and was only caught because he vocalized his confusion about you not being there.” Luna returned with a frown.

“Ok have all of the troops prepare to return to Canterlot me and the Elements will.. “BANG”... “CRASH””

“Celestia!” Luna Shouted

Assault Part 1

The lost shy chapter 7

Assault parts 1

“BANG”...“CRASH”

“Celestia!”

A shower or rocks and debris go flying through the air pelting the ponies that were in the area, while painful were harmless to those affected.........

45 seconds earlier perspective soldier A

We all know that Celestia can take care of herself why did we need the whole army.. hold up what is that. Looking towards the sky he sees a massive group of griffons and a very angry looking red dragon who is holding a very large bolder. Approaching at very high speeds the group descended towards the ponies. Before I have a chance to open his mouth the dragon releases his cargo sending it barreling towards the princess and company. As I makes a move to protect the princess something come flying from the other side of the clearing smashing into the stone and sending the princess flying out of the way.

Present time third person

The elements stand there shocked as Celestia struggled to get to her hooves.

"Battle positions, Shields up, Pagasi to the air, spears at the ready." Luna yells out as the troop make a ring around the princesses and the civilians.

"James are you alright? Thank you for saving me." Celestia said as he waved her off like nothing had happened. He returned to Fluttershy's side sitting down next to while watching the events unfold around him.

"Surrender we have you surrounded, you have no hope little princess the age of the griffons starts now, your ponies will once more fill our stomachs." The griffon leader yells while his troops laugh.

"What is the meaning of this commander we have a treaty with the griffons would you openly break your honor bound oath for power" Celestia returns. In griffon society honor is worth more then your life, she is openly insulting the high ranking griffon in front of his troops.

"You know nothing of honor princess! The old king is dead slain by my own claws, he was weak openly giving up his honor to the lower races his oath is worthless now that he is no longer in the land of the living. Your capital city has already fallen to us without your leadership, and with your army stationed this far out it was simple to bribe your greedy nobles to join our cause." The Equestrian army started to lose its nerve because they had families in Canterlot and their safety was no longer assured with griffin controlling the city. Twilight was looking around frantic her family while low ranking was still nobility, did that mean her brother sold the city out for a few bits. James had no idea what was going on so he and Fluttershy were playing a game with stones and dirt they had made to pass the time while in the forest.

"And if you die here your army loses everything they will be hunted down and slaughtered, of course if you kill us then you and all life on this planet, you really did not think this through did you?" Celestia taunted with a laugh

"Kill me? You can not kill me for I am a god, your lives mean nothing and even with your death the world will live as my playground your words cannot turn me from my true destiny." He yells then starts to laugh manically.

"You really don't know what will happen to the world upon our deaths do you? How much thought did you put into this whole invasion plan. A day? Two maybe? Do you know anything about our culture or our place in the world? How about our history? Or about the last time the griffins tried to invade? How about our military tactics or our magical prowess? You lead your entire army into battle against an enemy you have no real knowledge of..... that is just sad. I mean even Nightmare Moon planned ahead for her conquest of the world and I was not even in the right mind at the time. How about we make you deal any griffin who wishes to live past this fight surrender now and you will have lost no honor in our eyes, there is no honor being sent to your death by a power crazy lunatic who gave up his honor for a brain dead scheme." Luna retorted cause a large portion of the army to rethink their loyalty to the thoughtless commander. Yelling apologies and grabbing their loved ones they fled. About half of the army ran from the soon to be battle field after realizing they really were fighting for a griffin with no idea what he was doing.

"Come back here you fools you will obey your god! fine deserters will be hunted down later to pay for their crimes." he turns back to the ponies. "Your foolish word play will get you nowhere we still outnumber you ten to one, surrender and you may live, I could use some concubines." He started to laugh as his army started to close ranks. James still having no clue what was going on decided to ask Fluttershy whose response was loud enough for all to here.

"Its just some nut job who thinks he is a god and want to rule the entire planet, he also has no idea what he is doing so he is leading his forces to their death....... hey it was my turn." She says while they play their game. upon hearing this the griffin get enraged.

"You insolent whelp i will make you regret the day those words left your mou...." he was interrupted by loud laughter escaping Fluttershy's mouth "You dare laugh at me i am your god and you will worship me." her laughter just gets louder until she is panting for breath. Both armies and her friends are looking at her by this point.

"Your funny maybe I should mount your skull and wings above my fire place once this is all over I'm sure your would look great a fake mustache or maybe a wig for that bold spot on your head." this gets everyone laughing at the expense of the griffin commander.

Throughout the conversation the unicorns within the Equestrian army were busy preparing a massive spell to be used against the griffin the moment they attack. Twilight was infuriated at the thought of her family bowing down to the griffins and looked like she could go on a killing spree at the drop of a hat . Fluttershy was trying to stiffen her giggles as she talked with James. Pinkie's hair was deflated and she had pulled a knife out of her hammer space, ready to protect her friends. Applejack and Rarity were try to protect Apple bloom from the violence. Rainbow Dash was staring down one of the griffin that had stayed for the fight, it was Gilda one of rainbows oldest friends who was now wearing full armor and was holding a large sword. The princesses hoped that they bought enough time for their troops to get ready and were also concerned about the drastic changes in Fluttershy's personality, which had gone from kind, shy, and quite to assertive and loud.

The Griffins had recovered from their laughter before the ponies because they feared what the commander might do if if they were singled out for laughing at their commanding officer. Said commanding officer was fuming over the comments laid against him, you could literally see smoke coming off his head.he give one last angry glare towards the little yellow pony that so openly insulted him them drew his enchanted long sword before yelling "CHARGE". Thus sending all of his troops toward the awaiting outnumbered Equestrian army.