Searching for Answers

Twi's POV

I had just finished searching the kitchen to make sure he wasn't hiding there in hopes of tricking me again, when I heard something, "EGG!" That was definitely Sanguis, and it came from outside! I leave the library in hopes of catching him in time, only for him to be no where in sight. A number of ponies are standing around in a confused manner, so I assume they saw where he went. I ask the closest one what they know.

"Excuse me Carrot Top, do you have any idea where the new..." Only now do I realize, I have no idea what Sanguis even IS! I never got a chance to ask in the sheer chaos of his actions, so I continue as best I can. "individual went?" Talking about him is going to get awkward really fast if we do not come up with some proper information.

"Actually yes, just about everypony did. He ran laughing into the Everfree while carrying a sack over his shoulder."

"Wait just a second. THE Everfree Forest."

"Well, yeah. Why?"

"How did he get there so fast!? I know it is close and all but it isn't THAT close, and there is no way someone in his condition can move that quickly, and definitely not while carrying such a heavy load!"

"It was kind of confusing, but he moves pretty fast, especially for a sick guy."

"And no one tried to stop him?"

"Most where... dissuaded."

"What do you mean by that?"

As a response, she points behind me. When I turn around I see a number of ponies helping an unconscious Rainbow Dash. They were busy trying to get... an egg out of her hair... There was also a damaged dictionary lying next to her.

"He blinded her with an egg before throwing a dictionary at her didn't he."

"Yeah... He even yelled "book" as he threw it, and kept throwing books at anypony who got too close."

I sigh as I look around, noticing the plethora of books scattered across the ground. Those are all going to need to be checked for damage and reorganized, and that has to wait until after I make sure Rainbow is alright, then there is the matter of finding out what books Sanguis stole and what he might be after.

This is going to be a long day.

Nightmare's POV

We had finally made it into the forest. I had given my new host directions to the old castle. We were currently resting in the old throne room, but I doubt we can stay for long. If the princesses get wind of either of us, this will be the first place they look. Luckily, there is one little detail that could buy us time, but I need to deal with something first.

You are fucking insane!

"I get that a lot!" "Sanguis" responded with a tired laugh. "Thanks for the boost though!"

What part of "your body is fragile" translates to "lets see how quickly we can break it"! What on Equis were you thinking!?

"Hey, having you disable my bodies built-in inhibitors for a speed boost was a wonderful idea!"

And that fact that you started wheezing and coughing up blood worked in our favor how? Not to mention those inhibitors have a purpose! I was paying close attention to your inner-workings while you were running, and you could have torn the muscles in your legs to shreds!

"It worked didn't it? Now then, I have questions, and you have answers. I want those answers before we do anything else."

Normally I would have pushed the issue about him nearly killing himself needlessly, but this sudden change was not something I expected. Gone was the silly fool, the tone he used was... cold, almost emotionless if not for a underlying hate and rage that promised bloodshed. What could have caused such a rapid change to his personality? Maybe I can get a few answers of my own in this exchange.

What do you wish to ask?

"For one, why should I trust you anymore than the ponies?"

A few reasons; Your kind have a fierce reputation, and having your aid could be beneficial to me, as well as allow me to have revenge against my enemies.

"Surprisingly honest, why?"

The last time I met a member of your kind, he could always tell when someone was going to betray him, no matter how skilled an infiltrator they were, they could never fool him. When I asked his secret he said "Never trust an honest person, for there is no way of telling when they would do something dishonest, and no way of telling if they are being honest about being honest. Instead, you can always trust a dishonest person to be dishonest, and that they will be loyal to their own interests. As long as you know what their interests are, you will always know when you are no longer among them." Now you know what interests me, and why I will not betray you for as long as our goals align.

Now, I have a few questions for you as well. For instance, how did you enter this world?

"I was summoned by some unicorn."

What was the summoning process like? Any strange sights? Did you pass through the void? And did you feel a sensation of being dragged to your summoner?

"Nope, it was just a sudden flash and I was there. Why?"

A few more questions, then I will be able to explain. How did you get free of the protective circle, and were you bound to the unicorn in anyway?

"There was no protective circle, and the summoner failed to complete any form of binding that I would have noticed. Now can I know what this is about?"

I'm... not sure how to tell you this, but he failed the summoning completely. From the sounds of it, he overloaded the spell with no protective charms in place, and it has... altered your biology.

...

"How?"

The sudden flash was due to an unstable portal, and there was no protective circle to keep out any contaminants. The result is that you were, shall we say, 'mixed' with your surroundings. Another way of putting it is, you have become... part tree, in a sense.

"What? What is that going to mean for me exactly?"

Your body is reacting badly to the sudden shift in anatomy, and has turned on itself, which is likely part of the reasoning behind your sudden fragility, along with some odd tumorous growths that appear to be made of wood. In short and simple terms, you have tree-cancer.

............

"MOTHER FU-"