Conflict of Interests

The bitterness of the cold stung Silverwing, assaulting his already weakened muscles. His memory was clouded, where was he ? He could feel the charred mud and leaves on which he lied, the surprisingly clean air flowing along his black mane. What exactly happened ? The pegasus mustered the strength to open one of his crimson eyes for the first time since what seemed like an eternity.

A forest ?

Bits of memory returned slowly to his mind. He remembered overwhelming beasts decimating his ranks, a magic spell. The events floated scattered around his mind. He decided to try to make sense of all of this later, for now, wherever he was, he was weak, hurt, and an easy prey.

Silverwing painfully managed to stand up. His left hind leg was badly hurt, if not broken, but he walked on worse. It's his wings that worried him most. He looked at his dark gray feathers, his left wing was missing more than a few and his muscles were wounded, it looked worse that it really was, but he couldn't really remember all of the details nor fly in that condition.

Still, he had to find shelter, and judging by the quickly lowering sunlight, he had a maximum of an hour before not being able to see at all in this dense forest. How long was he knocked out anyway ? He couldn't remember the time the battle took place, but it was during the night, for certain. If only this dumb Amethyst was here, she'd be able to light the way with magic. Where did everypony ended up anyway ? The earth around Silverwing was charred and displaced ; whatever spell brought him here was poorly controlled, or backfired. Maybe the unicorn Captain got badly hurt – or worse – while casting her spell to mass teleport his troops to safety.

''Well done then'' Silverwing muttered to himself, half sarcastic. At least he was not getting eaten by bloodthirsty beasts.

The pegasus started walking in a random direction, hoping he'd find something before sundown to increase his chances of survival.  After about 20 minutes of wandering he finally heard voices afar. His first reaction was joy, but he quickly remember that not knowing exactly where he was, he had to consider the voices hostile until proven otherwise. Silverwing rummaged through the tall grass and trees, silently walking around twigs and leaves, closing in on the voices.

''Are you sure of what you saw, Fluttershy ?''

''Yes.. Well I think so.. I was trying to get Angel to get back home and I say a huge flash somewhere around here, whatever it was, we should at least make sure nopony got hurt''

''Fair enough, but we'll have to turn back soon, I wont carry you both if we have to fly out''

Silverwing could hear them talk very well, If they were hostiles, they surely didn't expect resistance in those parts. Either that or they had a death wish speaking out loud like that. He had trouble however imagining that sweet voice being a soldier's. The other seemed a bit young and he couldn't quite tell if it was the voice of a colt having over-tensed vocal chords or a very weird pitched mare.

His own thoughts made him chuckle. He was glad to see that despite all his other wounds his weird sense of humor was still intact. Not that he needed it right now.

''Shush ye two, we still have to be careful 'bout this all, this forest is darn creepy''

This was definitively a strong mare speaking. Silverwing kept listening, trying to decide the best course of action while closing in. These ponies seemed harmless enough, but then again, he could not see them to confirm if they were also unarmed.

Silverwing lost his focus a moment, out of exhaustion, his bad leg flinched and he fell on the ground with a soft sound, brushing leaves along the way. The three mares reacted.

''W-What was that ?'' Fluttershy asked.

''Is anypony there ?'' Applejack spoke out loud, barely hiding her worry.

Silverwing cursed silently for his stupid mistake. But hearing the tone of the voices, he figured he might as well take his chances. Whoever the were, he needed food, shelter and care, even prisons provided those, he'd manage. He also needed to locate his troops, if any survived.

''Sorry, didn't mean to startle you all,'' He shouted, waiting for an answer.

''Who is this ?'' Rainbow Dash asked.

Silverwing clenched his teeth, hating himself already for the risks he was about to take. He mustered his most formal tone.

''I'm First lieutenant Silverwing of the 7th Steelmare air division, I-

He paused a second, gauging his words.

''I'm hurt and I wish to surrender under the Cydonian Conventions of War.''

Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at eachother's best puzzled faces, trying to make sense of what this pony was saying. Fluttershy squealed at the imposing tone of Silverwing's voice.

Applejack spoke first.

''Surrender for what exactly ?''

So they really were clueless, Silverwing thought. But he had to be sure.

''From which faction are you ?'' He asked, his voice more neutral.

The three mares looked at eachother again, not knowing what to say. Rainbow dash broke the silence.

''Well, I'm weather control...''

''And I guess I'm with food production or sumthin'' Applejack added.

''I- I take care of animals'' Fluttershy winced.

Silverwing let out a sight of relief. The couldn't be hostile. Not if they were that clueless. Maybe he had ended in a small neutral settlement south of Steelmare. In any case, he was pretty sure they wouldn't attack him on sight. He painfully stood up and walked through the leaves and grass, finally reaching what seemed like a path, before him stood three ponies. He could not distinguish exactly their traits in the growing darkness. But he certainly didn't spot any weapons.

The gray pegasus decided to break the ice a second time.

''I.. Like I said I'm hurt and frankly, I'm very, very lost, I'd appreciate if you could provide me with shelter and food, at least since tomorrow morning.''

Applejack glared at the gray pony.

''What in tarnation are you doing in the middle of the Everfree forest at this time all armored up like that anyway ?''

Oh, right, the armor. Silverwing decided to be somewhat honest. He was too tired to lie, and after what he already said, it's not like he could still try to play dumb.

''Honestly, I can't remember exactly, I'm pretty sure I was on scouting duty somewhere around Hoofsake, not sure what happened for me to end up here.''

The battle was really taking place around Steelmare, of that Silverwing remembered too well, but he didn't feel the urge to be too careless about details.

''Speaking of which. Where exactly is 'here' ?''

''The Everfree forest, it's on the outskirts of Ponyville'' Fluttery quietly mentioned

Ponyville ? Silverwing never heard of any Ponyville, It was certainly not a major city not any village near Steelmare, so he was at least a couple of days of walking distance from where he previously was.

''Ponyville ? Sorry, I never heard of it, where is it located, I mean, compared to major cities ?''

Applejack winked perplexedly

''Ponyville IS a major city, well, somewhat, Its just south-west of Canterlot''

She thought a moment before adding the next part with a touch of mockery.

''You know, the royal capital of Equestria ?''

Silverwing's heart missed a beat.

''I'm.. I'm in Equestria ?''

''Yeah, where else could you have been ?'' Rainbow Dash casually remarked.

Silverwing's eyes widened. He was teleported to Equestria. To the real, actual, Equestria. The Forbidden  Land. The place only books still talked about. How much failure could one unicorn imbue into a damned teleportation spell to have him cross whole oceans ?!

Maybe he was a bit more than a couple of days from home finally.

***

''You okay mister - wa'wus'it – Silverwing ? Can you still walk ?''

Silverwing recovered his spirits and realized he sat down from the revelation.

''I'm... Yeah, sorry, I was just a bit shocked, I'm farther from home that I thought'' He tried to claim calmly.

Rainbow Dash still wasn't convinced about this all.

''So, where did you say you came from ? And you mentioned a battlefield. What is this all about ? Is there some sort of great pony war somewhere and no one got informed ?''

Silverwing suddenly regretted his previous honesty.

''I- Like I said my memory is a bit blurry, I'm pretty sure I have been babbling nonsense, I can't remember where I was, I just need some rest, please'' he pleaded, hoping his exhausted-and-confused act would be enough to convince them to stop asking questions.

''Yeah all right', just follow us we'll get ye someplace to stay.''

Applejack nodded towards the path and started walking, Silverwing and the rest followed.

''The farm is a bit far for you to walk to in that state, Rarity is out of town''

''And those wings won't get you to Cloudsdale anytime soon''

Silverwing tried to take another look at them, but the darkness prevented him from discerning anything.

''What about your cottage Fluttershy ? Got any room ?'' Dash asked.

'' I-, hum, I'm not sure if, I- I don't have any spare bedrooms and- sorry..''

''And Pinkie's place isn't what one could really call favorable for rest'' Applejack remarked.

Rainbow Dash nodded.

'''Guess we're headed to the library then''

***

After a short walk that seemed an eternity to Silverwing they started seeing lights from the forest's exit. It was really a stroke of luck he stumbled on these ponies. He'd never found such a small opening in the dense trees on his own. The walked out from the forest and Fluttershy broke off from the group.

''I'm headed home girls, good night''

The two mares exchanged salutations with the pegasus. What was her name ? Fluttersky ? Silverwing didn't catch it too well when they dropped it earlier. That made him think.

''I don't think you told me your names yet'' He casually remarked.

''Oh right', sorry 'bout that. Your attire made us forget our manners it'd seem'' Applejack winked.

''I'm Applejack, I own Sweet Apple Acres, just south of town''

''And I'm Rainbow Dash. Totally awesome weathermare and fastest young flier in Equestria !''

Silverwing didn't quite catch if the tone was bragging or just confidence. Maybe a bit of both. But she dropped that name again. Equestria. So he didn't hallucinate earlier. He really was there. The stallion looked at the sky. He recognized the star patterns, so at least he was on the same planet. That was a relief.

In the distance the trio could see the dim lights of sparse streetlights and a couple of houses still lit up. Fortunately, the library was one of them. Twilight was never an early sleeper. A good thing too, it was now approaching eleven on the clock according to town hall, not quite the ideal time for a visit, but these weren't exactly normal circumstances

As they entered the city, Silverwing looked nervously around, trying to reassure himself this was not just a very well staged ambush. Everything seemed just calm enough. There were voices afar, some faint music, maybe young colts relaxing in a tavern after a day of work, if this was an ambush, it was a very believable one. The night was cold but comfortable. Silverwing noticed the lack of a coastal smell. He must have been fairly inland then. It'd make it harder to get back home unnoticed. If he could get back at all.

Silverwing was looking all around and finally crossed Rainbow Dash's own stare.

''Woah dude, the eyes on you !'' She exclaimed. ''What's that color ? Badass red ? This can't be natural can it ?''

Silverwing raised an eyebrow.

''Yeah, it is. Were I'm from it's pretty common, we call it Crimson'' He stopped looking at Dash saying that, a bit embarrassed

Then it struck him.

This mare had a powder blue coat and a rainbow mane ? He didn't notice it earlier because of the darkness. But just now his brain seemed to register the information. He looked at his other escort, the mare had deep green eyes and sported a pale brilliant orange coat. What was with those colors ? He looked around, trying to spot other ponies, he caught glimpse of many hues of pink and purple, some yellows and rare greens. Almost no deep colors, grays or brown. Everypony in this damn town sported pastel coats and they all had some sort of marking on their flank.

Something was off, something was really off.

''Are...'' Silverwing wasn't sure on how to construct his next question.

''Is coat dying some sort of widespread fashion around here ?''

He tried to make his question as casual as possible.

Rainbow Dash looked perplexedly at the gray pony.

''Well, not really. I mean, someponies do dye their coat and mane, but most of us don't go through all the trouble'' She said this as if it was obvious. ''Why ?''

Silverwing tried once again honesty. Surely being honest about coat colors wouldn't get him any trouble would it ?

''Where I'm from its rare to see light colors like that. Its usually deeper colors, grays, browns, sometimes blue.'' He nodded at Rainbow Dash ''But not powder blue..'' His voice couldn't decide between shock and curiosity.

Applejack frowned perplexedly at Rainbow Dash over Silverwing's back. Awkward silence ensued.

''Oh look'' Rainbow's enthusiasm was obviously exaggerated ''We're there''

The rainbow colored pony pointed at a giant house built within a tree, in the middle of a small park It was hard to tell in the dim light, but even that seemed extremely light-colored.

Applejack knocked on the door.

''Coming !''

It was another mare voice. How much of this town was female ? Silverwing was going to ask himself questions again but his brain refused to cooperate. All of the shock was taking its toll on him.

A purple pony soon opened the door magically, smiling at her guests.

''Applejack, Rainbow !''

She was obviously happy to see them. Her look finally stopped on Silverwing.

''Oh hi !''

Silverwing nodded.

''We found him in the Everfree forest, he says he's hurt and needs someplace to stay. You have the only available house right now. Would you mind ?'' Applejack asked.

''Oh, not at all'' Twilight gently said.

''But shouldn't you get him to the hospital if he's hur-

''It won't be necessary, thank you'' Silverwing quickly added. ''I'm not badly hurt, I just need a bed and maybe some food.''

He had trouble keeping his eyes open. Sure, he was not hurt that bad, but the mix of pain, exhaustion and sheer shock was getting overwhelming.

''No problem, come in, I'll get you something to eat''

She looked at the girls

''We'll see eachother tomorrow ?''

''Not likely'' Applejack answered. ''I've got a lot of work on the farm.''

''And I got afternoon shift'' Rainbow Dash added ''Big storm planned, you better not be out by 4.''

''Oh all right, thanks ! At the very worst we'll see eachother at Pinkie's birthday then !''

The two mares agreed and left. Leaving Silverwing standing in the hall with Twilight.

''So, I think my friends forgot to make proper presentations, I'm Twilight Sparkle''

Her smile brought comfort to Silverwing, he felt at ease here.

''And I'm First Lieutenant Silverwing, pleased to meet you Miss Sparkle.''

He didn't know why he felt the need to drop rank. Maybe to impress ? He could have sworn he was about to blush. He really had to go to sleep soon.

''Lieutenant ? That would explain the attire, but please, call me Twilight'' She smiled and turned away, heading towards the kitchen.

''I got an extra room just behind you, other side of the door. Just make yourself comfortable, I'll bring you some food and drink''

Silverwing looked behind him.

''Thank you very much. Miss Twilight''

The purple pony dropped a giggle before disappearing in the other room. Silverwing headed through the door and started to remove his armor. His muscles were tense and the pain was making this a colossal task. Once he finally removed his last hoofboot he let himself fall on the bed.

A soft bed. He closed his eyes.

Twilight entered with a glass of apple juice and some bread, only to discover Silverwing already fast asleep. She smiled lightly. Poor thing she thought. He must have been trough a lot. Her questions certainly could wait until the next day.

She left the plate on the night stand and dimmed the lamps, leaving the room silently to go finish her own research.

Memories of the disastrous scouting mission came back to Silverwing as he was slowly falling asleep. Was he the only one to have landed this far ? Probably not. At least he hoped. Maybe some of his unit were still out there, somewhere, but he couldn't begin search and rescue just like this. Especially not in the middle of a whole other land of all places, and not until his wing healed.

As much as he wanted answers, Silverwing could recognize an useless uphill battle when he saw one. He'd get used to the place, heal his wounds, and in one week top he'd be off. Maybe even in the meantime some ponies from his unit would find their way here too.

He could only hope.

But at least he was safe here. Far from death and war.