For over 600 years werepony kind have been extinct washed out by the non-werepony kind, hunted down and killed mercilessly.
Why? Because it was told by a wicked old stallion with a black mane and a black coat that the werponies were planning on stealing their souls so that they could use it for their own evil uses.
Foolishly these ponies followed what he said even when princess Celestia forbade them from doing so, and one by one the werepony kind were wiped from the face of equestria.
Or so thought...
Screams of terror could be heard in the night as fillies and colts huddled closely around the fire, their nervous eyes scanning the black terrain as if though something was going to jump out at them, I stay quiet as I watch them from afar ''Why do ponies do this, bring their young out near the forest knowing they will be terrified, their screams are always waking me from my rest.'' I think to myself quite annoyed with this strange behavior.
"Now class there's no need to be afraid." an older mare said reassuringly, "How about we tell a story.", that brightened her foals spirits as they sat around the campfire patiently waiting to hear a story, as she begins I notice three fillies sneaking off into the forest.
''Mmmm." I mumble under my breath as I stop listening to her story and lay my sights directly on the foolish fillies, crawling out of the bushes I watch them closely as they trot noisily through the forest.
"Geez are they trying to wake the whole forest?!" a voice rang in my head, rolling my eyes I jump into a tall tree my body covered by the leaves of the tree, "Scootaloo I - I think we should go back I mean Miss Cheerilee-" a shaky voice said but was cut off as another voice chimed in abruptly "Don't worry Sweets we're just looking for that flashlight I dropped an then we'll be on our way back to camp in no time."
"Heh..." I merely mumble as I keep in step with them jumping from tree top to tree top, just then the branch that was supporting my weight creaked loudly as it suddenly snapped off luckily though I jump to the next tree rustling the leaves and birds fly out their nests at my presence, "what was that?!" one of them says wearily, just as the others were going to respond a growl filled the air along with a foul odor.
Lifting my head up I sniff the air and growl lowly as I mumble "Timber Wolf." carefully sliding down from the tree I was in I silently jump into a pile of shrubs my damson optics scan the vast terrain as luna's moon coruscated off the leaves of the trees speckling the forest ground with the dim yellow light, narrowing my eyes I glance back at the trio who were currently basking in the still of night.
I perk my auditories though as paw steps were heard hitting the soft muddy earth, emerging from the shadows a timber wolf trotted out, it was slightly smaller than many timber wolves I've seen but though it lacked size it seemed even more menacing than the bigger ones, the rough scratches and teeth marks against it wooden physique told that it had been through many battles and won.
It growled aggressively it's repulsive breath emerging from its mouth as it snarled, it eyed the three morsels looking for one to take out first, the yellow one looked plump and so did the white one then it's puke green eyes averted towards the last filly, it licked it's lips as it chose her to take out first because animals with wings usually carry more meat.
It lunged forward and snapped it's powerful jaws down onto his prey, the salty copper taste of blood trickled down onto his tongue and he practically purred at the familiar sensation, but he wasn't satisfied there was no scream of pure agony and the meat was firmer then he thought, opening his optics the timber wolf locked eyes with me.
I snarl, my fangs bared as I punch the wolf straight on the nose making it yelp and I quickly wretched my arm out its putrid mouth, regaining it's posture before I could it snarled snapping it's jaws as it charged straight at me, I tried evading his attack as he tried to bite me again but it ended with me being chest butted by his powerful head.
I grunt gasping for air as I land hard in shrubbery, standing up weakly I hiss at the twinge of pain that shot through my left leg and down my spine as thick crimson fluid dripped down it, shaking my head I snarl again the timber wolf does the same as it tries to charge at me again.
This time I successfully evade the attack and glide behind it letting the unsuspecting wolf hit a tree face first, gritting my teeth I watch as it recovers to early for me to attack as it turned back towards me I could see pure rage in its eyes as it snarled baring its teeth, completely forgetting about his three little meals he rushed me.
Just as he swung his head to bite me a large stone hit him square in the eye making it wretch backwards pawing at its eye, looking behind me I merely smirk as I see the three fillies with rocks, stones, and even pebbles in their hooves.
"Chaaaaaarrrrrrge!" they all say in unison as they begin to throw sticks and stones at the timber wolf, it didn't do much damage but it kept the wolf occupied for a while, looking back down at my wounded leg I could see their was still blood dripping out of the torn flesh and it didn't look like it was going to stop any time soon.
Grunting through gritted teeth I noticed that the trio's ammo was running low and the wolf was regaining strength, I perked my ears as I hear it growl again and before I knew it he was charging at them.
Sighing inwardly I run towards them shoving them out of the way just as the wolf ran by, unfortunately for me his massive paw swung at me hitting me in the jaw as I land in on the hard ground I grunt wearily every where hurt, but I clenched my teeth in resistance as I force myself to stand up.
Looking up I smirk at the timber wolf before spitting out a glob of blood onto the forest ground "Is that the best you've got!" I shout towards the wooden beast taunting him to come closer, the timber wolf snarled accepting the challenge and within a heart beat he came running at me again, looking at the ground I find a medium sized rock and hold it steadily in my hoof waiting for the right moment to throw it.
Inhaling deeply I look at the wolf who was merely a foot away from me and throw the rock thankfully the wolf opened its mouth to snarl as I did so and unluckily for him swallowed it and began to choke on it immensely, after a few minuets trying to spit it out and some dry heaving the timber wolf collapsed into a pile of rotting branches and sticks.
I sighed as I fell down my jaw hitting the soft mud like ground, the last thing I saw were three distorted figures approach me before I blacked out.
"Look ah think she's wakin' up!" someone says as I begin arise from my syncope, cracking open an eye I nearly jump as an orange filly with a bright mulberry mane and dull violet colored eyes popped up blocking my view, "Awesome you're awake!" she said as I began to sit up.
"Yes very." I mumble rubbing my temples the three fillies looked at me in awe and I raised a questioning brow "What?" I ask, "Wow I didn't know you could talk!" the orange Pegasus piped in jumping up and fluttering her wings, "Of course I can do I look like some kind of animal?" I say my temper rising, "Well ya kinda do." the yellow earth filly said, that was the last straw standing up I growl "I do not need your insults young ponies." I spit out at them clearly annoyed.
I rub my temple again feeling a headache coming on, mumbling to myself I begin to excuse myself from the trio's presence but immediately stop as the red maned filly runs in front of me blocking my path, I kiss my teeth as I say "Move please."
she doesn't budge though and gives me the stern look of a mother lecturing her foal sighing I give in "These fillies are so annoying I swear." I think to myself, "Look we're...um... ah mean ah'm sorry fer callin' you a animal or somthin' like that back there, ah didn't mean to hurt yer feelings." she said giving me puppy dog eyes.
I fight back the urge to simply roll my eyes and groan letting my expression soften I say "Thank you for the apology young one." she brightens up at my words I simply knit a brow as I continue "But I know there is something you want from me." I say flatly.
"Not really." a voice says from behind craning my neck I see a white unicorn filly with a dull pink and lavender spiraled mane and emerald green eyes smiling at me.
"Hello." she says still smiling at me "Hi." I say blandly before turning back to the yellow earth pony with that incredibly large bow in her mane, "How does she even keep balance with that damn thing on?" "We just wanted to bandage you up before we left, to pay back our debt." the orange filly says as she runs up to the farm filly's side with a cocky smile on her face, my eyes widen as I remember the laceration on my foreleg without hesitation I look at it and wince at the sight.
The wound was still open but the blood had stopped coming out a while ago, skewered skin hung lifelessly off my leg I knew if it didn't get treated soon it would get an infection so looking back up at the fillies I sigh accepting their offer and almost immediately they get to work.
The unicorn filly slumps onto her haunches as she takes off the saddle pack she was wearing on her back and digs through it and soon pulls out a pack of bandages, a small roll of gauze, and some rubbing alcohol, "Geez Sweetie Belle why'd you bring all this stuff?" the orange filly asks as she takes the items from the other filly's hooves.
Blushing slightly the small unicorn answered 'Well you never know what's gonna happen something unexpected could come dashing your way." she stated, which got her a look from her friend, sighing she fessed up "Fine... my sister went all crazy about the whole camping field trip and made me pack every thing I'll need. Oh darling I just simply can not let you leave this boutique with out proper equipment." she said mimicking a fancy accent which got her a few chuckles from her friends.
Walking towards me the orange filly accompanied by the unicorn filly instructed me to sit before preparing to work on my leg, grabbing the alcohol the unicorn filly dug into her bag again and produced a few cotton balls, putting some alcohol onto them she said softly "Brace yourself this is gonna burn...a lot." but before I could ask why she place the alcohol covered cotton ball onto my wound, I merely hiss at the pain though I felt like throwing out every swear word I knew, she kept doing this for a few more minutes before stopping.
Grabbing four bandages she placed them on the lesion covering up the whole thing before getting the gauze and wrapping it tightly around it before placing some bandaids on the gauze to keep it together, ''There all better." she said I look down at the covered sore and mumble "Not really." before standing up, looking up at the sky I find that barely any time had passed looking back down at the three fillies I groan and say "You three should probably get back to your camp, or where ever, all I know is that you can not stay here its far too dangerous for three little fillies like you."
"Hey! we are not just three little fillies!" the Pegasus filly said fluttering her wings and making that weird annoying buzzing noise, "We're!-" she paused for dramatic effect "The cutie mark crusaders!" they all said jumping up and giving a triple high hoof but I didn't see because I had already turned away from them rolling my eyes, "Well whoever you are I don't really care all I really need- No all I want you to do is get out of the forest and go back to where you came from, I believe you've caused much more trouble than help to me." I say cutting my teeth as the wind blew through my silver mane.
"Alright then, but at least let us tell you our names just in case if we happen to bump into each other again.'' a voice says from behind which obviously belonged to the Pegasus filly "Well that was a no brainer I could sense her cockiness from miles away."
turning to them I shrug my shoulders "Fine but then after this you leave the forest...Understood?" they all nod before the Pegasus filly talked again "I'm Scootaloo best scooter rider in Ponyville." ''Ponyville? where have I heard that from?'' I ask myself but my thoughts were interrupted as the yellow filly spoke up "Mah name's Applebloom." and lastly the unicorn filly "And I'm Sweetie belle!" she said her voice cracking.
"Alrighty then now that that's over you'll be on your way out." I say nudging them away, "Uh- wait but you didn't tell us your name!" Scootaloo pipes in and I sigh annoyedly 'So um... what is it?" she says her elbow prodding at my side.
Looking down at the filly she shivered as my eyes filled with hatred powered by the weight of a thousand suns burned deep into her very soul, licking my fangs I kiss my teeth as I break contact and say-
"My name is Nightjar..."
I sigh a breath of relief as the trio exit the forest but not without their good byes "Bye Nightjar!" Scootaloo calls out waving at me I simply ignore her though as I flick my tail aggressively and begin to walk off, my damson colored eyes watch as black birds fly off into the night the flutter of their wings and their raspy sqwaking breaking the peaceful silence.
The leaves of the trees rustle in the cool gentle zephyr of the night my breath was slow as I limped across the forest, mumbling under my breath constantly. I stop at a small dingy hut deep within the forest grunting I walk up the rickety wooden steps and nudge the door open with my nose, it creaks and moans out of old age and lack of usage walking inside I sigh looking around.
It was a small room barely enough to fit four grown ponies in, the walls were rotten and made the hut look as if it were to collapse at any moment, as I walk towards the staircase something cracked under my paws.
Looking down I lift up my paw and see a broken picture frame, glass was shattered everywhere and laying in the middle was a old yellowed picture of sompony, dusting away the broken glass I pick up the image, studying it.
In the photo there was a tall stallion with a black mane and silver coat with a wide goofy smile on his face, and leaning almost all the way on him was a mare with a burgundy mane and a fallow coat, they both were looking up and smiling at something, dusting off the top of the photo I find that whatever they were looking at was not there anymore, mold and mildew made it rot away.
"Someone must have lived here long before me."
I stare at the photo almost curious about what that rotten piece was, or use to be.
Bang Bang I nearly jumped in surprise as the front door hit the cabinet repeatedly, setting the picture aside I limp towards the door shutting it with my right paw I sigh though as it gets stuck in the threshold just merely inches away from the strike plate, I continue to push the stationary door that refused to close.
I growl as I mumble " Forget it. " giving up on trying to close the door I walk towards a set of stairs, walking steadily my ears pick upwards at every weary moan and grunt the steps made fearing one would break under me, I stop at a slightly weathered door and push it open as I walk inside, the room was slightly smaller than the other room and instead of pictures and large wooden cabinets this one had a small bed and a few dressers but nothing but vermin were in them.
I sigh in relief as I hop onto the bed its semi soft mattress literally felt like a cloud on my sore tense muscles, relaxing a bit I grab the coarse cover that lay on the ground and wrap myself into it the fatigue of the day finally weighing down on me, yawning lazily my eyelids droop close and before I knew it I was fast asleep.
***
I suddenly jolt upwards as a large BANG was heard from the lower room, standing up (or at least trying to) I grunt angrily as the covers I were wrapped up in immobilized me making me trip and land on my face each time, snorting I finally break free from my bounds and rush down stairs to see what was causing all the ruckus.
Nearly tripping over each step I stop as I reach the main room and sigh as I see the wind blow the front door open powerfully making it hit the cabinet behind it, yawning tiredly I stand in the front door soaking in the warmth of the sun as it shined down on the small hut.
Stepping outside I shut the door behind me, I look around seeing the leaves of the trees rustle noisily in the powerful wind and small forest critters scampered across the forest ground.
It was a relatively beautiful day as celestia's sun shined upon the forest, the grass's dew gently reflecting the orange and yellow rays of light, jumping down from the porch I suck in a deep breath pulling in all the day's scents.
Yawning again I stretch momentarily cracking my neck with a satisfying pop, shaking my head I brush my mane out of my face, "Nightjar!" a shadowy voice yells out from the trees making my ears perk upwards, surveying the trees I cock a brow there was no sign of significant life in any of them.
My eyes searched quickly trying to spot who or what called me, whoever it was could hide, and really well at that which made me feel uncomfortable, backing up a bit I hit something hard thinking I hit a tree I turn my head and what was behind drained all the color out of me.
Standing behind me was a tall shadowy black stallion with long spindly legs, and a snow white mane and tail, his face was expressionless,or that's what it looked like because he wore a white mask that only covered his eyes and from the looks of it he lacked a mouth, "Wha- who are you?!" I ask jumping away from the eerie stallion ''Nightjar." he repeated walking towards me "That- you didn't answer my question." I say standing up straight as he approached me, he didn't respond as he continued to creep towards me gritting my teeth I let out a growl of annoyance "I said who are you." I repeat, the stallion stops pursuing me flicking his ear lightly "I am Nightwalker." he says slowly, flicking his long tail back and forth, the stallion stared at me as if he were studying my whole figure but I couldn't tell exactly and it gave me an uncanny feeling about him.
"You know I would've thought you'd remember me." he said almost sounding playful, I rose a brow as he circled me "What do you mean?" I ask my eyes following his every move, he stopped in front of me again "Well duh... we use to be best buds back in the days.'' I frown at Nightwalker, I just meet a random stallion calling out my name and now he's saying that we use to be 'buds' that's really hard to believe, "What do you mean we were 'best buds'?" Nightwalker looked at me as he sighed lightly " We use to be friends, pals, companions, whatever they call it now, but I guess it makes sense if you don't remember." " And why wouldn't I remember?" I ask curiously, the stallion shook his head "Not important." "Why is it not important." I ask as he walks behind me, he was dead silent so I took that as a 'I don't wanna talk about it' turning to face him I saw he was staring blankly out into the distance "I wanna show you something." he said not even looking at me.
"Oh really?" I say raising my eyebrows "Yeah really just follow me." Nightwalker said before quickly sprinting away "Hey wait!" I yell giving chase, I watched as he ran his movements were surprisingly agile and lithe like the wind I wondered how that was possible he looked too lanky to be half as graceful as he was showing, my mind wandered off that I didn't even notice Nightwalker stopped and ended up hitting his side.
Falling onto my back I cried out in anguish as I pawed at my reddening nose Nightwalker barely seemed to notice or just didn't care, getting back onto my paws I whimper quietly still holding my throbbing nose as I trotted to Nightwalker's side who just now looked at me "Oh wow are you okay?" he asked, I growled at him narrowing my eyes, he took a step back as he said "What?" I rolled my eyes as I trotted in front of him "What did I do?!" he asked catching up to me, ignoring his question I turn my head to him "Aren't you suppose to be showing my something?" I say with a slight frown, "Oh right!" Nightwalker said remembering why he led me, here walking past me he pushed past a mound of vines holding it open for me walking inside I rose a brow at what I saw.
"A pond?" I say with a 'you can't be serious' expression, Nightwalker walked to the far side of the shallow looking pool " Its not a 'pond' its a gateway that separates the living from the dead." he said looking down at the pond, "It looks like a pond to me." I say with an un-amused look, taking a closer look at the pond I just see my reflection, looking back up I find that Nightwalker had left shrugging I continue to look at my reflection, after a few minutes I grew bored of studying myself and placed myself onto my stomach feeling the prickly grass caress my underbelly.
Scooting forward so that my head was above the pond I took in a deep breath of air before plunging my head into the water, I could feel the cold liquid surround my head, peeking open one of my eyes I gasped but immediately closed my mouth thinking water would come rushing into it but to my sure surprise it didn't, actually it stopped feeling like water and more like air opening both of my eyes I was completely astonished, below me was a snowy landscape seeming to be endless were tall mountains, it was beautiful never had I seen such serene beauty in my life white birds flew past having a strange glow to them but I barely noticed.
I cracked a smile as I suddenly began to feel drowsy my vision became blurred as my eyes began to close I felt slightly at peace, I closed my eyes all the way feeling my body begin to fall into the pool and unconsciously I let it, My eyes popped open though as two powerful hooves wrapped around my torso and tugged me out of the pool, gasping for air I pant slightly my drenched mane flopped in front of my eyes as I regained full consciousness "What the hell do you think you were doing Nightjar?!" Nightwalker exclaimed a hint of worry mixed in with his angry tone, I barely noticed though as I brushed my mane back wiping my eyes the upper part of my body was soaked my midnight blue fur was slightly matted with dirt and pebbles "Why'd you take me out?! It was so peaceful down there, I think that actually would have been the best slumber I ever had." I say looking directly at Nightwalker "You weren't sleeping you were dying!" Nightwalker shouted pacing in a circle "Look... Its a portal that keeps the living from the dead, so a mortal is not suppose to go in, or even touch the portal at that fact unless they have a death wish!" he said as he picked me up and placed me onto my feet.
Knitting a brow I shake myself dry before asking "How come you know so much about this portal thing anyways?" my tone had a hint of annoyance I was still a bit angry that he had pulled me out but it was for a valid reason, Nightwalker shrugged "I never said I was alive." he said quietly, that shut me up "But i'm not fully dead either, I can still feel pain whether its physical or mental, I can be touched, I can feel love, basically all the things you can do." he said, raising a brow I ask "so what happens when the soul gets sucked in here anyways?" cracking his neck Nightwalker answered "The guardians of the soul world...thing... they uh take the soul and make them into small spirit birds, then they put them into cages until they get released into a new body." "Confusing, but that does explain why I saw those glowing birds." I say "How is it confusing?" Nighwalker asked, "Well, why do the guardians release the souls anyways?" "Second chance?" Nightwalker said a bit unsure "That sounded like a question-" I begin but I'm cut off as I hear the trampling of hooves on leaves from a short distance away.
"That better not be them." I mutter a hint of annoyance in my voice "Who?" Nightwalker asked, and as if to answer somepony yelled out loud, well three fillies yelled out to be exact.
"Cutie Mark Crusader mythical being finders YAY!"
Author's Note
Sorry for taking forever just to come out with the chapter my laptop was in the shop for a week so I had to use my slow desktop, and then I rushed through the chapter so its not the best, and I was also working on a new story that I'm planning to post pretty soon.
Also thanks for all the favorites who would've known this story would get so popular so quickly! :)
