Nix: Collision

A lone statue in the Canterlot garden began to shake tremendously. Cracks appeared in its grainy structure, revealing the fleshy form of the imprisoned. First there was a dragon-like red snake tail at the back, waving slightly. Then the right leg of a lizard, and the left leg of a goat. A bat’s right wing and a pegasus’s left came after. A lion’s right arm and an eagle’s left claw appeared, followed by a goat beard and white bushy eyebrows. Two yellow eyes with red, differently-sized pupils peeked through the stones, followed by a long snake tongue.

        The figure glanced around, testing his body. He raised his claw, and snapped; the ground melted into chocolate. He snapped again, returning it to normal.

        He stared in shock at the ground, before his lips morphed into a sinister grin. “I’m free,” he realized. “I’m freeee!”

        He glanced up, and saw a white flash in the sky. Seconds later, he saw what appeared to be creatures falling from it. One of the creatures fell towards the Everfree forest.

        He grimaced. “Ugh, awake for only a few minutes and already Celestia’s messed something up.” He sighed. “Well, I might as well go out and investigate what’s going on over there.”

        He stretched, beating his wings and flying into the air. He zoomed towards the forest where the creature had fallen.

***

        Shadow awoke, groaning as he rubbed the back of his head. Where am I? he thought, glancing around. All he could see were dark trees and grass. The sky was completely blocked out by the dense canopy. He heard no sounds, no signs of wildlife.

        No one else had landed with him, and he was unsure if anyone else even landed in the same land he did. He pressed a hand to the communication device in his ear. “Hello? Can anyone hear me?”

        All he got was static. This forest must make it hard for us to communicate, he reasoned. I have to get out of here.

        He began racing in a random direction, his Jet Shoes easily pushing him forward. Trees and foliage roared by him, but nothing seemed to change. He ducked under a branch, and found himself in another clearing that seemed little different to the one he had landed in.

        “My, my,” a voice suddenly called. Shadow glanced around, fists clenched. “Are you lost?”

        “Who are you?” Shadow demanded.

        A dragon-like creature suddenly popped in front of him. “I could ask you the same thing,” he said, smirking.

        “Sorry, I don’t give my name to strangers,” Shadow growled. “Now, unless you want to become a pile of mush, I suggest that you tell me who you are and how to get out of here.”

        “Well, now, making demands, are we?” The draconequus smirked. “You’re in the Everfree forest. Home of the most dangerous creatures in the world!”

        Shadow narrowed his eyes. “I haven’t seen any signs of life in here.”

        “Well, it was home to the most dangerous creatures.” The draconequus sighed. “The name’s Discord, if you must know. I’m—”

        “Strange looking,” Shadow commented.

        Discord huffed. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion.” He floated down to the ground. “Follow me. I’ll show you the way out.”

        Shadow hesitated, but conceded to follow. He had no idea if this Discord could be trusted, but as he was his only way out of here, he had little choice but to walk with him.

        “So, tell me about yourself,” Discord said jovially as they walked. “Where are you from?”

        “Not from around here.”

        “Oh, that was obvious.” Discord faced him. “You did fall out of the sky, along with a few others.”

        Shadow’s eyes widened. “Have you seen them? Where are they?”

        “Easy, there, buddy,” Discord said. “You’re the first thing I saw. I don’t know where the others fell.”

        Shadow sighed, slightly disappointed.

        “You still haven’t told me your name,” Discord pointed out.

        “And I’ve already told you, I don’t give my name to strangers.”

        “Well, we’re hardly strangers now, are we?” Discord flew around him. “I gave you my name. You are technically obligated to give me yours.”

        “And what makes you think that I’d willingly tell you that?”

        The draconequus smirked. “Not very trusting, are you?”

        “It’s a wise policy.” Shadow’s eyes grew slightly distant, as if remembering something. “An… ally of mine has a similar conduct.”

        “Great minds think alike, don’t they?” Discord chuckled. “Trust is never a good thing. You should never trust someone just because they say to. You’d do well to remember that.”

        Shadow didn’t say anything, choosing instead to nod slowly.

        “So, what brings you here? I mean, besides falling from the sky?”

        Shadow sighed. This guy just doesn’t let up, does he? “What do you mean?”

        “No one simply falls out of the sky with no reason.” Discord eyed him curiously. “What was the white flash about, anyway?”

        “What makes you think I’d tell you?”

        “I’m just curious, man.” He flew towards him, looking at him closely. “You’re definitely a hedgehog. Though no hedgehog I’ve ever seen wears gloves or shoes. Or moves fast, for that matter.”

        Shadow smirked. “Like I said, I’m not from around here.”

        “Oh, so like from another planet?”

        Shadow grinned darkly. “You could say that.”

        Discord eyed him for a moment. “… you’re not going to tell me anything, are you?”

        “You’ve got one thing right.”

***

        Newt Glint was by no means a good pony. He got around in the world the old-fashioned way: by lying, stealing, and kicking away the trash. He was the best at his trade, stealing from the helpless, the weak.

        He smirked as he made his way through the Everfree Forest. Many a pony had gone through these woods, and had often fallen to the creatures within. He had made this journey many times, always coming back with something new. His customers were always astounded at his findings, always asking where he found them.

        He always answered, “A friend gave it to me.”

        It didn’t matter that the friend had nearly always been departed. As long as his business was booming, he was happy. Even if he had to pick through a few corpses now and then.

        Newt found himself in a clearing. He smiled at what he saw. Some sort of blue creature lay on the ground. He seemed to be knocked out, as his eyes were closed.

        Newt walked over, seeing that the creature was some sort of hedgehog. What kind of hedgehog wears shoes and gloves? He figured it was just another creature of the Everfree.

        He was about to walk on by when something caught his eye. Glancing back, he saw something glowing next to the creature. Curious, he trotted over. There was a green jewel next to the blue creature, absolutely brilliant in quality. He licked his lips; it would definitely draw up a nice profit.

        “Sorry, blue thing,” he murmured, pushing the hedgehog to the side and grabbing the emerald. A few quills flew up and landed on him, but he didn’t notice. “But Newt’s gotta do what Newt’s gotta do.”

        Satisfied in his findings, he began walking away, humming to himself contentedly.

***

        “You’re telling me you rule this land?” Shadow asked Discord.

        “Well, of course!” answered the draconequus. “What did you think I was, a peasant?”

        Shadow gave him a shrug. “You don’t look like a ruler.”

        “Since when did appearance’s matter?” Discord sighed. “But, in a way you’re right. I used to look like a ruler; until they took over.”

        “They?”

        “They call themselves the Princesses. Though they’re more like tyrannical dictators than members of royalty. I used to rule this land in complete harmony; but then they overthrew me, usurped my throne, and plunged the land into chaos!”

        Discord resisted the urge to burst out laughing at his lie.

        Shadow crossed his arms. “So? What does that have to do with me?”

        “Well, you see, I want to take back my kingdom. And I want you to help me!”

        The black hedgehog shook his head. “Sorry; sounds like a personal problem.”

        “Oh, but come on, my hedgehog friend!” Shadow flinched at the last word. “You’ve definitely got a heroic attitude! I mean, you haven’t attacked me yet; and only a villain attacks a random stranger!”

        “You’re point being?”

        Before Discord could answer, Shadow spotted something out of the corner of his eye. “Get down!” he whispered, dragging the draconequus behind a bush.

        Shadow saw what appeared to be a horse walking past. He carried with him a large jewel that Shadow instantly recognized. A Chaos Emerald?

        “Discord? Who is that horse?”

        “Hm?” Discord looked at the pony. An idea formulated in his mind. “That’s one of the Princesses spies!” he quickly said. “He must be on the look out for me!”

        “That’s not all,” Shadow murmured, pointing at the jewel. “He’s got something that belongs to me.”

        “Well, what are you waiting for?” Discord said, tapping the side of Shadow’s head. “You have to stop him!”

        Shadow winced slightly when Discord tapped his head, but shook it off. He nodded and, after waiting a moment, took off after the pony.

        Discord smiled as Shadow left. The moment that hedgehog leaves the forest, he thought, he’ll be in for a surprise.