The road, with its seemingly endless reach, calls to all hooved folk, an urge as old as time, begging to be obeyed. Most are able to ignore the pleading, not understanding it for what it is. But some do listen and answer the call by setting out from the places of their birth and embracing the unending sojourn. Turning away from a comfortable life in the cities of Equestria, for the constant drum of hooves on dirt, the bite of a harness about their shoulders, the creak of the wagon’s wheels, the heat of the sun upon their bare backs and flanks, and the cool embrace of night within the wilderness, these ponies became known as Gallivanters. These individuals left behind everything that had ever mattered to them, and forged themselves anew upon the trails trotted by their forefathers. While most of the Gallivanters leave their hometowns, some are born on the roads and are raised as vagabonds by their parents. Never knowing anything else, they join in the constant migration on their own personal journeys.
I am a Gallivanter, one of the wandering breed; my eyes were the color of rust, my coat is black as the dusk just before the dawn, although around my legs the coloration is that of snow. My mane and tail the deep royal purple of the night sky just before the very last of the light dissipates, but on the days I journey into town I take the time to highlight a streak of dawn red color throughout the long strands of hair.
I was born a unicorn around the area of the Brumby Brushlands, yet remember so very little about my early life. My family was always on the move so I never knew a place long enough to call it home. My youth was spent travelling from place to place with my parents or on the occasions we stopped, I would fumble with the stringed instruments we had in the cart. Magic never came easily for me despite me being a unicorn, the slightest hint of it reverberated from within me was whenever I practiced with the instruments. My parents were confused by this, thinking that I would have to grow into my powers; both of them being earth ponies and neither had talked with any unicorn about their magic and how it worked.
One day my peaceful, carefree life changed and I seemed to have no control over the press of fate. On this day three highwayponies, ponies that plagued travelers out of spite, for sport, self gain, or because they were just plain desperate, materialized from the foliage around us as we cantered along the path toward Ponyville...
“Stund ahnd dewibber” said the earth pony and pegasus both of which were unable to speak coherently between the daggers clenched in their mouths. The pegasus’ coat was of a shade of green similar to the ferns around us, the earth pony’s coat was a garnet red, both had manes of deep sky blue.
“Idiots” stated the unicorn, and leader of the trio, as he facehoofed. His coat was a dusty brown and he had the same color mane as the other two. He drew a simple sabre from the sheath on his flank using his magic; a translucent aura emanated from his horn as well as surrounded his sword both auras were the color of dust.
“Give us all the bits you have and we won’t have any problems,” He said “or, ya know, don’t, that would be more fun.” As he spoke a wicked grin spread across his face.
“Look we don’t have any bits, let us just go on our…oh sweet Celestia look out there’s a distraction,” Said my father thinking quickly. The two ponies with the daggers, not being all that smart, turned a complete 180 and began looking around for the source of my father’s outburst. The unicorn facehooved for a second time, however while he was distracting himself with the idiotic reactions of his cohorts, my father and mother sprang forward and barreled through them, the wheels of the wagons creaked in such a way as I have never heard before or since, the wagons themself bucked up at the intense acceleration. The combination of fast moving ponies, and heavy wooden vehicles forced the trio of highwayponies to move aside or be trampled. The earth pony and pegasus somehow managed to make it out of the way in time, the unicorn, however, attempted to slash at one of my parents. My mother dodged around the sword, causing the wagon behind her to swing wide almost veering of the road. One of the wheels lined up with the unicorn his eyes wide with terror, and then it ran over him. The wagon jerked up hard and his body was crushed under its weight, however between the wide swing of the wagon and the speed bump the unicorn provided, I was dislodged from my seat in the back of the wagon and thrown into the air, clutching onto the guitar I made myself and a simple pouch around my neck, and plunged into the shadows of the forest that lined the road, branches wiped past some grabbing at me, their touch bestowing small cuts as I flew past. I landed heavily in the brush, just short of hitting a thick-trunked tree; I listened to the creak of the wagons, rapidly diminishing as the distance between us increased. I stayed where I was, not knowing what to do, hoping that my parents would realize what had happened and come back to get me. The forest around me wasn’t very bright and behind trunks of trees shadows seemed to lurk waiting for their chance to grab unwary passersby; the forest itself looked as though nopony had travelled through it for a great amount of time. I waited for what seemed like hours but the no sound came from the direction of the road. I curled up in the shadow of the tree and cried not knowing what to do; I was lost, alone, and still quite young, I had just turned six today, and we would have celebrated when we made camp that night. I pushed the thought aside and cried at the loss of my parents not even sure if I would ever see them again. I cried until I felt my eyelids felt heavy with the tears and I drifted into a deep sleep.
I awoke curled on my bed roll, the campsite had been set up and a small fire blazed in between the wagons. Dawn’s first rays of light were just peeking over the horizon, tinting the undersides of clouds with a rich purplish hue. I saw my parents talking across the fire, their conversation was muffled however so couldn’t hear what was being said. Something seemed odd, but when I tried to think about what that could be the feeling faded away. I yawned and stretched my limbs, letting them know I was awake, and their conversation stopped as mother cantered around the fire, smiling her usual unquenchable smile. She sat down next to me, off in the distance a timberwolf howled only to be answered by some of its fellows. Startled, I jumped toward my mother trying to hide behind her front legs, but when I reached her, she and the campsite vanished. Confused I looked about and saw I was surrounded by an impenetrable darkness at the edge of a tree lined clearing. From within the darkness another howl resounded sounding much closer than the others. A pair of eyes glowed suddenly out of the shadows, and a low growl began to sound. More eyes appeared around me and before I could blink there were eyes all around me, in between the trunks of the trees. One of the beings stepped into the light of the clearing, and began growling. It was a timberwolf, oaken fangs sharpened to deadly points, ironwood claws protruded from its birch wolf-like paws carved to a razor sharp edge, the pine logs that made up its body gave an audible creak whenever it moved, its carved yew head was contorted into a hideous snarl, the low growl that emanated from its maw formed a terrifying din when the others joined in, its eyes burned through me with unyielding cruelty and unmatched animalistic cunning. Its stare and growl paralyzed me, fear forced its way into my thoughts and shattered any plans I could come up with. My father’s voice pushed its way through the fear and confusion that resounded through my thoughts.
It said “Son, me and your mother won’t be around forever, one day you will need to learn how to take care of yourself. Don’t let yourself be ruled by fear, if you do you will find you won’t accomplish much. Fear can only control you if you let it, and remember sometimes all that is needed is a little music to brighten up your day. Remember what I taught you, and that I love you, my son. Goodbye…” the voice faded away into nothingness and with it my doubts melted away; I stood as tall as I could, barely over a foot and a half, and stared down the timberwolf. Magic surged through my body, at least I thought it was magic, I had never felt similar to this before. I felt that I would explode just from the sheer buildup of it. I couldn’t see it but I knew and felt my horn being surrounded by a magically aura. The light it sent out illuminated the forest around me in an orange hue, as if dawn had risen in that forest for what seemed like the first time in centuries, revealing the timberwolves hiding among the trees, all of which seemed larger than the one in the clearing. The timberwolf shifted uneasily unsure of what was happening, it took a few steps back as if driven back by the light. Wind began to sweep through the clearing, the tall grass whipped about making an audible rustling that carried a musical quality to. Certain of what to do, I tilted my head skyward and gazed at the roof of leaves above me, my voice joined in creating a simple melody that possessed all the sorrow and pain I was feeling.
“♪ In the wake of all that’s happened, I tried to find some rest
From all the pain and sadness, that beat within my chest.
But now I realize this was a part of my fate,
So why perpetuate this melancholy state.
But what can I do, where can I go
I’m all alone now, and I’m just a foal…”
While I sang the forest around me seemed to join in as well as if understanding my pain, insects began to chirp and buzz, the trees creaked as if trying to dance to the quickly growing chorus, one seemed to pulse, as if lightning dwelled within its trunk, its bare branches sparked and occasionally would burst making leaves magically appear. I paused to listen as the whole of the forest became a part of the song. The timberwolves in the trees started to shy away from the one in the clearing. As the song grew in complexity, the magical aura of my horn shined all the brighter, as if my horn were the sun at midday, its intensity nearly blinding me. I began to feel the magic slowly draining my strength, but I knew the song had only begun and must be finished. So despite my growing weariness, my voice rejoined the melancholy serenade, adding my confusion to the sorrow I heard echoed by the creatures, and felt resonating within.
“♫ I hear the creatures… join in with me
How can this happen, how could this be
Is this my power, that’s been hiding within?
What can I do, where do I begin?”
At this point the timberwolf in front of me growled anew, obviously over the shock my magic had given it. It took a step towards me and paused, waiting for something to happen. Seeing that nothing happened it leapt toward me, jaws opening wide in anticipation of the morsel I would be. When the beast got within a few inches, thunder boomed from what seemed miles away and the beast was caught inside a magical aura. The beast was suspended in the air for a few moments, but the strain of keeping it there was too much. I lowered it to the ground where it began to growl with even more ferocity. I kept on singing as if nothing had happened, my voice quickly showing the strain of keeping the magic going.
“♪ Now that I know what I can do
I will not allow you to follow through.
I can’t allow myself to die this way
I must survive until the next light of day”
The timberwolf looked as if it was trying to struggle away from the magic, which seemed to be doing a good job of holding he creature in place; its eyes seemed to blaze bright yellow in defiance of what was happening. The lightning tree had full leaves now and on some branches some flowers blossoms appeared just as the leaves had. I paused again to listen to the surrounding forest, and attempted to regain my breath. The forest around us became almost discordant, every creature seemed to sound at the same time; the trees no longer creaked with any rhythm, and amongst it all the timberwolves fled, leaving the one trapped by my magic. The timberwolf hung its head, mortified that it had been abandoned; it probably would have lain down as well but the magic kept it in place. A tear rolled its way down from the beast’s eye and landed in the grass. Its eyes dimmed from bright yellow to a charcoal gray color. I saw how miserable it was away from its brethren. Helpless, alone and abandoned it stood within my spell and seemed to just give up, at that point I realized it was like me in a way. With this realization the magical aura around the timberwolf faded and it was finally able to lay itself down. It looked toward me confused; its eyes shining a little brighter than they had before, as if hopeful. I fell to my knees, the magic having drained a lot of energy from me, but I had to set things right. I couldn’t leave this pitiful creature in its current state, but I knew not how to fix what I had wrought. But I also knew that the song couldn’t end like this, so I gathered the last dregs of my strength for the finale. Weariness clearly evident in my voice now, and my body nearly drained and visibly shaking from the effort, I sang on.
“♫ Forgive me, I knew not what I would cause
You now feel my pain, and that gives me pause
For when I look at you, I see myself in your eyes
And now we both suffer alone and I can’t disguise
What I did to you was wrong, and I don’t know how to fix it
Forgive me for what I’ve done, and let me try to set things right.”
As I sang on the forest fell silent with only the wind being my companion once again. It blew through the clearing, my mane following its touch. The light of my horn had dimmed tremendously, the colors emitted seemed to now resemble the setting sun. As the timberwolf listened to the song, another tear rolled down to earth. It looked at me for what seemed like ages, then tilted its head back and howled. With the howl, a small tendril of light extended from my horn and touched the creature upon the brow; the wolf seemed to glow as if light shone through the logs of its body. The lightning tree had a many flowers at this point and the flowers burst into bright rainbow colored apples. The aura around my horn winked out, and I felt my eyes became difficult to keep open. I let them close, as I fell to the side, and felt myself drift away into another better world of swirling dreams.
My vision was restricted to the small circle of sky visible through the telescope, the stars twinkling cheerfully and welcoming. The telescope swiveled revealing a different patch of stars however they began to blur and my eyelids began closing somewhat. I pulled away from the telescope and wiped my eyes with my foreleg, attempting to wipe away my tiredness. I closed one eye again and looked back through the telescope. Most of the stars in the segment of sky appeared to have disappeared, leaving only the brightest ones to shine. Confused, I pulled my head back and put my hooves on the sill of the window, looking out at the Canterlot night, the buildings were tinged in the silver-white light of the full moon, the mysterious mare shaped shadow watching over the many sleeping ponies. And what I saw drew a gasp from me; I noticed how feminine it sounded. From the horizon a light similar to that of dawn seemed to shine brightly, clearing the sky of the stars I had been observing. I pushed away from the window and began pacing, thinking aloud what was happening. I noticed again that my voice was quite feminine sounding as well as quite young.
“It’s too early for Celestia to raise the sun, and no other pony in Equestria has the power to…” I spoke returning to the sill. As soon as I finished talking, I heard what sounded like a young colt singing although the words were lost to the wind. I tried to listen closer however every animal in Canterlot began making noise that sounded eerily like it was organized into a musical performance. “What in Celestia’s name is going on?”…………..
I pushed a rock along the ground with the tip of my muzzle, trying to collect as many as I could so that the work would be easier tomorrow. The rock bumped into the small pile I had made and I breathed a sigh of relieve, wiping the sweat that beaded my forehead with my foreleg. I sat down and decided to take a break; looking at the “dark-scary-monster-infested-Everfree-Forest” this last part I seemed to say aloud, again I noticed my voice was that of a filly. I was contemplating “what kinds of nasty-big-swallow-a-pony-whole-creatures” dwell within “its-murky-dark-dreadful-spooky-depths.”, again speaking aloud, when the wind began picking up and scattered the pile of rocks. Light bloomed from the depths of the forest and I heard what sounded like a haunting song. I turned and ran toward the house, probably wanting to wake up “my” family. Over the sound of my clopping hooves, I could hear the animals begin a haunting musical ensemble. I didn’t stop to listen, but sped up not wanting them to get me…………..
I stood on my hind-legs, my fore-hooves pushing the fabric through the sewing machine. My face scrunched up in concentration as I worked; I figured I had to get these done by tomorrow, based on how late I was working on these garments. I obviously wasn’t thinking about what I was doing, because I didn’t realize for a while that I had finished. Shaking my head I lifted the garment off the table with my hooves and carefully walked, toward the mannequin pony, on my hind hooves. As I passed by the window I spared a glance outside, and gasped, dropping the object in my hooves. From the Everfree Forest, I think it was called, a light shined brightly, as if the sun had risen in the middle of the forest. I continued to stare as a hoof knocked on the door to my room, a mature feminine voice followed soon after.
“Rarity, you really shouldn’t stay up this late dear, every filly needs their beauty sleep and you don’t want to be sleepy for the dress rehearsal tomorrow.” Said the pony I assumed to be “my” mother. What I said next confirmed my thoughts.
“Mother, you have to come see this!” I said with enthusiasm, my tiredness forgotten.
“I know you’re excited about the costumes you made, but I’m sure I’ll be able to see them when you go to school tomorrow,” “my” mother said, I heard hooves steps as she turned around, probably heading up to bed.
“No, mom there is something going on in the Everfree; I never saw anything like it before!” I said turning from the window about ready to run after her…………..
I sat at the edge of a cloud, far below stretched the ground looking so tiny and insignificant. A tear rolled down my cheek and fell down to the earth below. It was soon followed by a few more, as I put my head in my hooves. I found myself saying some nonsensical things such as “can hardly fly”; everything else was distorted through the crying. I felt the clouds compress a little as if somepony had landed near me. I turned my head upward and beheld a young cyan pegasus with a mane the colors of the rainbow, behind her the lights from Cloudsdale shined softly. I lowered my head and stared back at the ground, noticing for the first time that my right eye was covered with my long pink mane.
“Hey, Fluttershy,” the cyan pegasus said somewhat suddenly although quite despondent, I turned my head toward her again, she brushed her hoof against the cloud sending a small wisp floating away her eyes wandering around, thinking, then focused on me. “I just wanted to apologize for asking you to come with me, I didn’t realize those bullies would be there this late. I thought that…” she looked out and stopped talking as a bright light shone from the distant Everfree Forest. The gentle breeze suddenly became a gale and sent a piece of cloud flying away, with me clinging on it.
I let out a wail as the wind zipped the cloud along, my heart hammering in my chest as I was swept away. I closed my eyes to keep them from watering from the sheer wind. I felt hooves wrap around my stomach and I was lifted off the rampant cloud. I kept my eyes shut until I felt my hooves touch the plush mostly solid surface of clouds. When I finally opened them the light had stopped shining…………..
My wings flapped, which was quite an odd feeling, as they carried me through the city of Cloudsdale. I appeared to be looking for something or somepony since my head kept swinging from side to side looking in every direction. My eyes caught the splendor of the pegasian city; however I didn’t revel in it, as my eyes focused on a lone canary colored pegasus siting at the edge of the clouds. I flew towards her and noticed that she seemed to be crying. I circled around high above her once, obviously hesitant at approaching the figure below. I took a deep breathe of cool, night, high-altitude air and descended, as I got closer I felt myself fidget a little. I landed on the cloud, and she turned to look at me, her eye that I could see was red and tears slid down her cheeks. She turned away and sniffled a little, still quite upset over whatever it was I did.
“Hey, Fluttershy” I said rather suddenly, although I did notice that I was somewhat sorrowful about what I had done as it showed in my voice. I looked around trying to figure out what to say, my hoof nervously rubbed at the surface of the cloud sending up small wisps. My gaze refocused on her when I had found what to say, “I just wanted to apologize for asking you to come with me, I didn’t realize that those bullies would be there this late. I thought that…” As I spoke I began looking around again as a gentle breeze swept our hair about. When my gaze went to the horizon beyond the clouds edge I saw a light grow bright from the distant Everfree Forest and I stopped talking. I must have felt something shift in the air because all my muscles grew tense, just as the breeze became a strong gale. I turned back to Fluttershy but found her being swept away on a bit of cloud, clinging on for dear life. I shouted her name but my voice was lost in the wind. I jumped over the edge of the clouds and spread my wings letting them catch the fast moving air and propel me forward. I quickly caught up and snatched her off the loose cloud, it would be impossible to turn around and fly back, so I flew with the wind toward a well anchored looking group of clouds. I set Fluttershy down and landed drenched with sweat from the exertion. I looked back to the Everfree but the light had already faded and was gone…………..
I was looking out the window of my room, outside was a large main yard which contained a few animals as well as a very old mare running about yelling at the top of her lungs, around her neck daggled two metal pots which clanged together as she ran about.
“The timberwolves ‘re a howlin’, the zap apples ‘re comin’, the zap apples ‘re comin’” she said with a southern pony accent. I looked to the left and saw a young apple red colored colt, roughly looking about my (real) age and size, look in my direction. I looked right and saw two ponies; one was partially hidden behind the other although I could tell it was a custard-yellow stallion. The closer one was a caramel-brown mare; I assumed they were “my” parents. They looked toward me as well and we all spoke together.
“Yay the zap apples are coming” we all said and the mare outside looked around as if confused.
“Tha’s wha’ I said” the mare in the yard stated, then proceeded to clang together the two metal pots. I shook my head and focused my gaze on the Everfree Forest. The forest seemed normal, or at least as normal as it always is, until a light brighter than the rising sun shined out of the forest. The wind picked up and seemed to create a haunting melody as it whispered through the orchard and farm. A voice began singing deep within the forest, it sounded like it belonged to a young colt, the words were unmistakably sad. I looked to “my” parents; they seemed just as surprised and shocked as I was. The animals around the farm seemed to join in the ensemble following suite of the creatures within the forest. Only the mare in the yard seemed disinterested in the spectacle occurring before our eyes, since she was still looking at the pots as she banged them together. I turned away from the spectacle outside, and looked in one corner of the room where a small bag of belongings lay…………..
I was lying upon the leaf strewn floor of a forest; my head rested on something unyielding, its texture reminding me of the bark on a tree, so I assumed it was a tree root that had pushed its way out of the ground. My eyes were closed and I breathed evenly, feigning sleep as I assessed my surroundings. Nearby I heard breathing from some animal. It was then I felt the root move slightly, raising somewhat as if it was filling with air then falling back down. After a couple of these movements, I noticed that the breathing was in synch with the movement of the root. I carefully, slowly opened my eyes fearful of what I would see. Before me I saw the clearing of my horrible nightmare, the Zap apple tree with its burden of multicolored fruit loomed ominously from the other side of the clearing. My eyes wandered until I was looking at the textured cedar logs that I had been using as a pillow. Slowly I followed the logs up, and found staring back at me glowing blue eyes set within a lupine like skull made of carved ash and cedar. The timberwolf opened its jaws wide, it’s sharp oak teeth being shown off clearly, and stretched out its forelegs, the sticks creaking and popping at the joints.
It seemed to speak suddenly, however its voice creaked and groaned like a tree caught by the wind and I couldn’t make out anything it said. I hopped to my hooves at the suddenness of the sound and would have tried to run, however my entire body shook violently and I just ended up falling to the ground. It spoke again as it walked over and sat down in front of me, the words again incomprehensible. It tilted its head to the side somewhat as if confused, then rolled it around as if its neck had gotten a crick in it. It tried to speak one more time; however no miraculous change had occurred since the last time it tried. Putting its paw to its throat, it made a deep growl-like sound, and spat out a good amount of tree sap. The sap stirred and out of it flew a creature; I would have called it cute under different circumstances. It was a bright pink color however there were some spots of tree sap still sticking to it, insect wings were growing out of its ball shaped body, big blue pleading eyes looked out at me, and four small stick-like legs drooped from beneath it as its wings flapped keeping it suspended in the air. It let out a cute little trill of sound, and began to fly off into the forest. I put a hoof to my mouth as I felt my stomach lurch and tasted bile at the back of my throat.
“What was that?” I asked once I was certain I would not empty what little remained in my stomach. The timberwolf’s ears twitched at the noise and turned its gaze back to me.
“Not edible” it said and began licking its paws clean, “Flew into my mouth while I was asleep, the thing seemed to be too squishy to chew so I swallowed it whole. Didn’t think it would cause any problems,” it managed to say between licks.
I was about to say something else, a thousand questioned pressed forward in my mind, when a deep audible rumble came from my nearly empty stomach, scattering my thoughts except one. I realized then just how hungry I felt, and when I looked across at the Zap apple tree that didn’t help matters much. The timberwolf followed my gaze, shook its head a little, then put two paws at its temples; its eyes turned black and its mouth began moving making the same noises as before. The Zap apple tree quivered slightly, one by one the stems of the apples popped with a small amount of static. With nothing to hold them on the tree the apples fell. The timberwolf’s eyes snapped back to their bright blue as he rose, he ran toward the tree and caught the apples as they fell on his balsa tail. He slowed in his pace and walked back to me, the apples balancing on his tail. The tree, once free of its burden of apples, sparked brightly and returned to its barren leafless look.
“Here,” it said the apples rolling from its tail and landing in a small pile in front of me. I carefully lifted one in my hooves, and took a small bite not quite sure what to expect. The flavor hit me like a rampaging wagon filled to the brim with delicious apples, and before I knew it I had eaten four more apples and had a small collection of seeds in my hoof, my odd habit apparently keeping pace with my ravenous speed. I looked at the seeds in my hoof, they seemed like regular apple seeds, then I blinked and as my eyes refocused on the seeds I saw that each one had a small nearly transparent silvery lightning bolt on its surface. I blinked again and the lightning bolt faded from sight, shrugging I opened the pouch around my neck and dumped the seeds in adding to the small collection I had made.
Hunger no longer suppressing my thoughts, questions began nagging and milling for attention. I sat attempting to organize my thoughts against the slew of questions. I looked to the timberwolf and started with what seemed like a logical first choice.
“How are you able to speak, I thought timberwolves were just…” I stopped myself not wanting to get it angry and have it devour me, still unsure of the creature before me.
“Beasts,” it finished for me. “You changed me when you touched me with that vine of light,” it said and looked at me seeing the confused look on my face. “Do you not remember what you did?” it asked “The lightshow from your horn, the song created by all the animals within this forest, keeping me from moving, scaring off my pack and then the vine of light. Tell me you remember that,” its emotions masked and its voice level.
“I do remember what happened, but it seemed too surreal to be anything but a terrible dream. But if that dream happened maybe my other dreams were real as well…” I said, the last part was thinking aloud trying and failing to calm the surge of questions to myself concerning the limits of my power.
“What are you talking about?” the timberwolf asked slightly confused. I explained my odd dreams of the night before offhoofedly still lost in thoughts concerning my abilities, shivering somewhat at the retelling. The timberwolf’s mood grew dark and its eyes seemed to stare unfocused at nothing in particular, being orbs of pure color I couldn’t be certain.
“Quite peculiar, first ‘that’ creature showed up and forced us away from our favorite hunting grounds and now this,” it commented suddenly, sounding as if thinking aloud. This derailed my train of thought and brought me to ask the same question it asked.
“What are you talking about?” I asked looking into its sky-blue orbs. He sighed and shook his head slightly as he chuckled nervously.
“Not too long ago a strange creature, very similar to you in shape although quite larger, appeared from out of only alpha knows where and drove us out of a cozy spot we had found within this forest. We figured we could eat her easily, or at least drive her away, but between her whirlwind-like paws and the stick she carried, she destroyed any hope of us being able to do more than run away, a decision not easily made by us,” it explained sounding quite depressed about the chain of events, “Then while finding a location to settle down in, we found you, and you know the rest,”.
“Can you possibly describe this ‘creature’ better?” I asked my interest piqued by what it had said.
“Let’s see…, it had long strands of hair along its head, standing straight up in a line,” as it spoke its paws acted out what it was saying, lifting above its head, coming close together and swept back in a line. “it stood about… this tall when on all fours, and it’s tail was similar to,” the timberwolf said, his paw reaching up quite high above me, then it looked about for a suitable object for a visual presentation, “this leaf… sorry, where it started it was thin then spread out,” it snatched a leaf from a tree, apologized to the leaf and the tree it came from and held it aloft for me to see. It seemed to stiffen as it looked over me into the trees, the leaf falling to join the many that littered the ground. “It looked just like that,” it whispered nodding its head toward the trees.
“It seems now I have found the source, of the forests odd discourse. It appears to be a young colt; he shouldn’t have been able to cause such a jolt.” A feminine voice spoke from the direction the timberwolf was looking. I rose to my feet and barely managed to turn around to where I could see the new arrival, before I fell to the ground again still quite exhausted. My gaze wandered over her, and was somewhat surprised to see that she was a zebra. She stopped mid-step as she looked into my eyes, her mouth hanging slightly agape.
“Silver eyes…” she muttered under her breath as she continued to stare, “mesmerize, while from their tongues songs are strung. For all to hear they bring forth cheer, but also tears or your fears. They always wander across the land, so we may never understand; these ponies of great power who aid us in our darkest hour. For several years they wait as their powers hibernate; then burst forth in bright displays which alter the world as they say. Never asking for our thanks, they always try to save our flanks; so remember now these great achievers, for they are the Songweavers,” she recited in a foal-like singsong, sounding as if lost in recollection. The timberwolf growled at the zebra expecting it to be casting some type of spell, the sound attracting her attention. Her eyes narrowed and she stared at the creature behind me. The timberwolf let out a sigh and I heard his body creak as he shifted position, then the rasping sound of wood rubbing against wood announced that the timberwolf was licking itself once again.
“Quite an odd thing you’ve done, altering the mind of that one.” she said, I noticed that whenever she spoke it seemed to always be in a rhyme of some form or fashion. “Alas, it was your choice to make, only realize what will follow in your wake.” She said nodding at the creature behind me. “My name is Zecora; I am a mixer of flora.” She stated.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, and began trying to think of a name she could call me by; she however smiled and started to turn to leave. “Wait, I have a few questions to ask you, Zecora…” I was about to start begging when she cut me off.
“I will answer your questions but not here, the creatures are stirring my dear. Come with me without delay, or we will be a beast’s…” she stopped talking and looked about in thought, probably trying to think of a rhyme that would make sense.
“Soufflé?” I offered finishing her rhyme and she nodded her head in response. I heard the timberwolf shift and its jaws grabbed me by the nape of my neck. It lifted me into the air and began following the zebra into the woods. From my dangling position I couldn’t concentrate on anything except the small point where the timberwolf’s teeth gripped my coat. Because of this I missed the view of the forest as we walked down a well-worn path through the trees.
After a few minutes of trekking through the woods, my neck began to hurt from being carried. “Hey, could you put me down, or maybe carry me on your back?” I asked. The timberwolf responded by twisting around and dropping me onto its back, and kept up its brisk walking pace. I let my gaze wander into the forest to our side, at first I couldn’t see all that much just the nearest tree trunks and the shadows they made. But then I blinked, the shadows seemed to melt away and I could make out the forest in much more detail than before. I spotted another clearing through the trees, which before was hidden, and I could just make out the shape of a large winged beast outlined in silver against the greens and browns of the forest.
I turned my gaze to the ground beneath me, and saw that we were following a trail of silver lined hoof-prints. I looked ahead and saw that Zecora’s hooves were silver as well. I blinked my eyes and everything became muted, not as detailed, the silver trail and glow around Zecora’s hooves vanished as if they had never been. Despite not being tired, I was lulled by the non-eventful journey as well as the sway of the timberwolf as it walked. Soon I felt my eyelids close, and I shook my head to stay awake. I looked back out into the forest and was given an idea. I blinked my eyes at the world became much more vibrant, then I blinked again and it returned to its original appearance. I kept on blinking, getting faster with each successive blink. Then suddenly I opened my eyes wide and stared out again. However the world kept flipping from dull to vibrant as if I was still blinking, and it was still getting faster. Soon the shifts became so closely timed that it was impossible to tell them apart. I felt my eyes melt from the sheer overload of it.
My eyes snapped open, and I tried to move however I was still lying on the back of the timberwolf. It looked back as I nearly unseated myself in my panic.
“Something wrong?” it asked its blue eyes looking back toward me.
“My dreams are getting weirder” I answered, “how long was I asleep?”
“Long enough we’re here.” It responded and turned back to the road ahead. Sure enough the trees ahead of us spread out in a wide circle making a rather large clearing, the center of which was dominated by a large gnarled tree. As we drew closer, I noticed that a door had been put into a hole in the trunk and two more holes acted like windows flanking the door on either side. Above the door hung an odd looking multicolored mask, from the outstretching braches hung two bottles of colored liquids there purposes unknown. Zecora reached the door and attempted to twist the knob upon its surface, however her hoof presented very little grip causing no effect to occur. She rested her head against the door, in exasperation at the making of things that can’t be used, and it slowly swung inward.
“Little one, please do come in for your questions will be answered herein.” She said, her hoof made a welcoming sweep as she stood to the side of the door. The timberwolf carried me into the hut and lied down allowing me a good view of the inside. In the center a cauldron, mostly filled with a clear liquid, was sitting in a recess in the floor, wood logs sat around it blackened by the recent fire they supported. Along the walls were a few shelves mostly bare save for a few more odd concoctions strewn about. More masks lay on the floor in a pile next to a large framed pack which had obviously carried the zebra’s belongings. The pack still seemed mostly full, only a few alchemical apparatuses lay on a wooden outcropping nearby, some still bearing chemicals and plant samples waiting to be mixed.
My gaze ceased wandering when I heard the door close with a snap. I turned my head toward her as she went to the other side of the cauldron. Once there she relit the fire under the massive pot and sat down.
“Now that we are here, please ask your questions my dear,” she said. I scratched idly at an itchy spot on my coat, only to find the strap of my guitar was the source having completely forgotten about the instrument in everything that had happened. Ignoring it once again, I attempted to organize my thoughts but something the zebra had sad grated on my mind bringing me to comment on that.
“You said I had silver eyes… but that’s not possible I’m certain that mine are red.” I said hoping that she was mistaken. She shook her head, stood up and grabbed a mirror so I could see myself. True as she had said my eyes were now the color of finest silver unblemished by any other color, including the black of the pupil, only the whites of my eyes remained unaltered. My long mane was severely tangled and draped down over my eyes somewhat. With a hoof a pushed back the locks of hair out of my face, one stubbornly fell back, while a few more stood up. The rest complied, joining the rest of my seven years’ worth of growth which streamed down my neck to reach my shoulders.
“With that first spell your eyes were altered, however I believe that they have been bettered. They should now see with a much higher level of clarity.” She explained.
“Yea I kinda noticed that” I said my thoughts returning to my latest dream. “Do Songweavers usually have dreams that are extremely… random?”
“Every Songweaver was afflicted by dreams that became quickly twisted. Some lost their minds and their dooms they signed, by attempting to make sense of those surreal segments.” She said sounding quite grave, making me wonder whether I was blessed or cursed. Seeing the expression on my face she quickly continued “this shouldn’t worry you, for I know a special brew… that should keep you from dreaming, this alone should keep you beaming.”
“Great,” I said, then thoughts began casting shadows over the idea she had presented me. “Would I need to drink this potion once or every time I went to sleep?” I asked then another thought struck me and I spoke before I had a chance to think “You said ‘you know’ not that ‘you have’ the brew, how long will it take to make…” She silenced me with a wave of her hoof.
“Little one, do not fret, for I have almost everything already set.” She said reassuringly. “I need just a few reagents for the brew; these must be things that are close to you. A few strands of hair or a drop of blood will bond the potion to you, young bud. This potion is just a one night remedy; however I do not have the capacity to make this in great quantity.” She informed me and my spirits fell.
“Is there no way to…” I waved my hoof around trying to come up with the right word “strengthen the potion, or something you could add to it to make it last longer?” I asked worried that I would have to stay within a day’s journey of this hut forever.
“There are quite a few reagents that will do as you say, however to safely add them will cause quite a delay,” she stated “And I’m afraid I don’t have any in here, for those things are quite rare, my dear. Phoenix feathers, precious metals, heart’s desire, gemstones, baby dragon’s tears, a banshee’s laugh, or even Zap apple seeds, none of these I have to make what will suite your needs,” she said apologetically.
I let my gaze fall to the floor, and I let my hooves begin hitting the small pouch dangling from my neck making it swing like a pendulum. My mind had hit a brick wall and knew not what to do. Eventually my thoughts returned to the clearing where I had seen the Zap apple tree, it standing barren and ominous against the surrounding forest. Then I remembered the small pile of apples left behind in the clearing, and then I remembered their delicious taste. Finally I remembered having a hoofful of seeds emblazoned with silvery lightning bolts and where I had put them. Both my hooves caught the pouch stopping its movement. I pulled the string over my head and fumbled with the pouch until I got it open. I slid off the back of the timberwolf and dumped the contents of the pouch on the floor. Two hooffuls of seeds spilled onto the floor, both looking exactly the same as the other.
“Some of these are Zap apple seeds and some aren’t, I need to sort through them. While I’m doing that, Timber could you cut my mane, and Zecora could you please begin making the brew,” I said looking to each of them in turn before turning my attention to the pile of seeds.
I blinked and the world became vibrant, the Zap apple seeds becoming distinct from their regular counterparts. I felt the timberwolf bite down on my mane and pulled it tight, a few moments later his claws sliced through the strands of hair. I shook my head and felt most of the length had been cut off, now my mane barely touched my neck. I looked to the pile of seeds and began sorting them into two piles. Zecora rummaged through her pack grabbed a few plants and began grinding them to fine powders. When I was done sorting she grabbed the seeds pile I pointed to and took it to where she had crushed the other plants.
“I must prepare the seeds individually otherwise the magic outburst will cause much malignancy. This will take some time so please rest, when you awake the potion will be done and you will be at your best,” Zecora rhymed. I found comfortable looking patch of ground, crawled over to it, and lied down. I listened to Zecora rhythmically crush the apple seeds and soon found myself drifting into the quickly shifting world of my dreams.
