Chapters The effect of the Wooden Heart
It was midnight in Ponyville when an earthpony with brown coat and a green mane in a cloak arrived, with him a little cub. The Pony looked at the village and then to the moon.
"Finally we are here Bite but I think it is too late to find somepony outside. I would say we should rest here until morning." He pet the little cub. The cub in returne gave him a big yawn, the Pony couldn't do other but smiled.
"It looks like you could use some sleep too. Go, you can choose were we sleep."
The cub ran instantly to the next tree and laid down falling asleep immediately. The pony could only laugh at this and started to build his camp. After that he laid his saddlebags next to his sleeping mat, lay down and slept as well.
A loud growl woke him up.
"What the ...! Bite! Why? How often do I have to tell you that you have to stop waking me up like this?"
The cub only looked at him with big puppy eyes.
"No don't look at me like this, it won't work! ...ok I am sorry but already stop looking at me like this. Anyway why did you growled in the first place?"
Bite look in the air and growled again. The pony follows his eyes and saw a purple pony flying away.
But the cub didn't stop looking until the pony was out of sight. The brown Pony sensed some distrust form the little one. 'What is with this pony that Bite shows so much interest in it? I don't sense any anger from him, so it its probably nothing bad.'
"Anyway, I go now to the town and try to find somepony who might now something about your origin, you will stay here until I came back! Do you understand that?" Bite nodded and barked happily.
"Good I will probably come in one or two hours back until that stay quiet! See you then!"
As he entered the city he looked around and begin to walk along the street to find somepony until he saw a white unicorn mare ran right towards him with her eyes not looking were she was walking. 'Sometimes I hate my live.'
"Oh I am so sorry. I didn't mean to bump in to you. I was in such in hurry because I have to bring this fabric to my shop and I am already so late for my meeting with my friends."
'Wow this mare must be really in hurry. I should help her.'
"It is no problem, maybe I can help you bring this fabric to your shop. Oh and my name is Spirit Wood by the way. And yours?"
'With help I didn't meant do everything. Well okay a bit morning sport can't be so bad.'
5 minutes later
'I and my big mouth!'
"We are there you can wait here while I bring this in the storage and please don't make anything dirty."
While waiting he saw a white cat and wants to pet her but she hissed at him.
'Hm she seems very annoyed but I think I can help with that.' As he through this he send her positive feelings instant the cat started to purr and let him pet her.' And that is the advantage to having this talent.'
"Spirit are you still here? Ah there you are. Ah I see you meet Opal, I am very surprised normally she don't like new people. Also you can put the cloak away you don't have to wear one inside a house darling ,although it seem very old and dirty."
'Darling?' "Other ponies say I am good with animals and it´s seems to be true. And to the point with the cloak I have not planned to stay long inside also it's not as old as it looks." Spirit say with a small smile.
Rarity looked at him once but then turned around and took one big crystal out of one of her saddlebags and held it out. "This is for your help with carrying the fabric."
Spirit looked at the crystal with big eyes. "No I can't take this for the little help, but you can help me if you can said were I can find an expert for animals instead."
"Oh if this is want you want you can come with me and meet a friend of mine her name is Fluttershy. I can introduce you to her this noon I was going to eat together with my friends anyway so I can introduce you to everyone. Is that okay?"
"Okay I think?"
"Excellent. Meet me at the castle at 13 o clock."
'I hope her friends are not all like her or I go crazy!' "See you!" With that Spirit walks out to go back to tell Bite what happens and that he might find someone who knows more about his race.
Bite smiled after Spirit told him the story and Spirit only rolled with his eyes. "As long as you have fun! Anyway as you can image I will go in the next minutes to meet these other ponies as long I am away you have to stay here and hide. I am Sorry."
Bite gave him sad look but go back behind the log to hide. "Don't worry I come back s fast as I can but I must go now."
'I think this is the castle. No it must be the castle it is the biggest and probably the most expensive building in this town'. He waited a few moments in front of the door and looked at it. After a minute he decided to knock on it.
Some seconds later he heard some voices from the inside. "Maybe it is Twilight or the guest that I mention earlier." With that the door opened And he saw Rarity's face in front of him.
Spirit bowed a bit to apologize. "Hello, sorry for being late but I must take care of my pet first."
"No problem darling, you missed not much we didn't started eating yet because one of our friends didn't came yet so we waited but it seems that she comes later so, you can have her food."
"That is good to hear. I haven't eat today!"
"If it's so you should come now, so that I can introduce you to everypony."
So he followed her the a large entire hall to a room with a big table and four other pony's. Rarity pointed at them and said "These are Rainbow dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Fluttershy. Everypony this is my guest. I think you should introduce yourself."
"Alright My name is Spirit Wood and ... oh how rude from me, I should take the cloak of first."
With that he takes his cloak off and know in front of them A earthpony with brown coat, a green mane cut to an irokese, similar to Zecoras mane, green eyes also he have a ghost wolf as his cutie mark.
"So again my name is Spirit Wood and it's nice to meet you all." He said with a small smile. "Anyway I don´t want to interrupt you in your meeting I can wait until your finished your lunch..." He wanted to excuse himself but was immediately interrupt by Applejack
"Ah say it is no problem for me if you eat with us there is also one plate with food that was original for Twilight but it seem she will not come in the next time so..."
"If you all okay with it?" everyone nodded so he walks towards the empty chair but was interrupted as Pinkie Pie jumps between him and the chair.
"WHAT? YOUR NEW AND I DIDN'T KNEW ABOUT IT? I must make a welcome party for you and-" She started to jump around but was stopped from Rainbow Dash.
"Relax Pinkie it's not like he is going to die if you not throw party instant!"
"Rainbow Dash is right darling, you can throw a Party AFTER we ate, okay?"Rarity agreed, after that Pinkie Pie sat down again.
They started to eat in silence until Spirit asked a question. "Who lives in this castle? One of you?"
All look at him with confusion a moment till Rainbow Dash answered him."You don't know? Everypony knows but to answer your question, Twilight and Spike live here."
"Why I should know her and Spike?"
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in response. "Because she is the princess of friendship who defeated Tirek with us and Spike is her number one assistant."
'Princess of friendship? This must be the new princess I wasn't told about and who is Tirek? Nah I don't think he is important'
Rarity chuckled at his embarrassment. "No problem darling, we will introduce you too Twilight one other day and Spike will come in the next minutes when he finished the desserts." As she said that one door open and small baby dragon with plates with ice-cream comes in.
"Perfect timing I would say. Spike this is Spirit Wood. Spirit this is Spike."As she said that Spirit analyzed Spike with his eyes.
"How interesting an baby dragon. Here!"
Spike rolled his eyes. "Nice to meet you too!"
"Oh I am sorry I didn't mean to be rude but I have never seen dragon so far away from the dragon lands!" Spirit apologizes quickly.
"No problem, really you don't have to apologizes for this. Also I bring the deserts you can have Twilights if you want."
"Before we start eating the desserts I am curious what your cutie mark means, darling?"
"Ah yes my cutie mark, I already ask myself when you would ask. To answer the question it means that I am good with animals but it gives me also the power to make a connection to one animal or sense the feelings of animals and I also can send them feelings to calm them down but..."
As he wants to finish his sentence he was interrupted by Applejack. "Do ya mean ya can calm every animal easily down?"
"No if you hadn't interrupt me I was about to say that, first it's only possible if the bad feeling is not to strong, second I must know what the reason behind the feeling is and at last it must listened to me."
"I have another question, what do you mean with you can make a connection to an animal? Did you do that with Opal, is that the reason that she did allow you to pet her?"
Spirit smiles to this question. "No I didn't connected with her completely I just made a weak bond and send her good feelings, also I only have a connection with my pet. I don't even know if I can make another connection like that or how!"
"Ah that you mention your pet you said that you want to meet Fluttershy to ask here something." Rarity pointed at him and Fluttershy.
"Ah yes your right I want to ask you if can come with me and look at my pet, tell me if he is healthy and what do you know about his race! Is that okay?"
Fluttershy whispers something and ducked her head deeper down.
"Oh I don't wanted to make you uncomfortable, if you don't want to come with me I can go and search for another pony that might know something." With that Spirit stand up and walks towards the door. And again no luck well more luck in the next city.
"...no..."
Spirit stopped surprised as he heard something. "What? Did somepony say something?"
Fluttershy blushed and ducked her head in embarrassment. "...No I want to help you with your pet."
Spirit eyes widen in surprise and looked at her. "Really?! Great thank you."'Whoa first time ponies don't judge me because of my appearance.'
Before he could say something more Rainbow cut him off. "But I come with you both!"
"Are you an animal specialist too?"
"No, but I want see this for myself and also I don't let Fluttershy go with the first strange pony that comes across the street!"
'I take my through back then' "You can come with me to if you want. When do you have time to look at my pet?"
As Spirit looked at Fluttershy she ducked her head a little again. "I have time now if it is no problem for you?"
He waved his hooves and smiled at her while turned around and start walking. "That would be great! Follow me I say everything on the way what you should know about him."
With that Spirit, Fluttershy and Rainbow Start walking of the castle and the streets down.
5 minutes later-
While walking Sprit started to explain. "First of his name Bite Wood, where I come for its normal to give his pet the family name. Second the reason why I came here is because his appearance don't match the appearance of other of his race where I came from."
Rainbow turned around while flying so that she fly backwards now. "You said you came from far away from how far we are talking about?"
"Haven't I told you? I am sorry. I came from the east behind the ocean, from the lands of the zebras." He simply stated while the other both stopped and look at each other and Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in disbelieve. Fluttershy makes a quiet noise what makes Spirit turn around.
"Do you want to ask something Fluttershy?" He asked her with a friendly smile.
"Oh um I don't want to annoy you with my question so ..."
"Ask everything you want to know I will try to answer everyone of them!"
"Ok if it doesn't bother I wanted to know if there are some special animals were you came from?" Fluttershy ask so quiet that Spirit had listen careful.
"Where I lived there are not much other animals then here, but there live a bigger amount of the wilder animals like Manticores or other like them."
Rainbow Dash stopped again her eyes widen in surprise. "WHAT?! You want to tell us that you lived with things like Manticore groups next to your door?"
Spirit didn't stop walking and says simply. "Were I lived we tried to make peace with all living creatures, anyway right in front of us I camped last night. You stayed here I want first to warn Bite that you two are friendly and wants to help, okay?"
"Okay." say both so he begun to walks towards his camp.
"Bite I am back and I brought somepony with me!" He shouted until he hears some happy barks and saws Bite running towards him. Spirit Held his front hooves out and Bite jumped at him and starts liking his face. "Bite stop. I wasn't away so long!" He protested but instead of holding him back he hugged him.
But suddenly Bite stopped and sprung behind him in fear as they both heard a scream.
"ATTACK!"
Spirit instant jumps on his feed. "STOP!"
Rainbow and Fluttershy looked at him as he walks of. "What do you think Fluttershy? Do you believe that he comes from so far away and that he lived aside from Manticores and another monsters?"
"Ähm I don´t know, maybe? But I think we should give him chance to ..."
"Did you heard that? Can you see what is there with Spirit?"
Fluttershy looked at the animal that jumped at Spirit. "I don´t really know but I think it is a ... a Timberwolf!"
"WHAT?! We must help him!" Rainbow started to fly in the air
"B-But I think it´s only ..." Butt Rainbow didn´t hear anymore she started to fly towards the wolf and screams. "ATTACK!"
"... it's only a cub" Fluttershy finished her sentence quietly while thinking down and covering her eyes with here wings "I can't see this..."
"STOP!"
Fluttershy set her wing down again and looked at Spirit and Rainbow. Rainbow raised an eyebrow in surprised. "Why should I stop? The Timberwolf was attacking you!"
"Because he wasn't attacking me, he was only happy to see me!"
"Why should this monster be happy to see you?"
Spirit rolled his eyes. "Because this so named monster is my pet Bite!"
Author's Note
This is my first Fanfiction.
The effect of the Wooden Heart
"Because this so named Monster is my pet Bite!"
Rainbow stares at him with disbelieve. "You want to tell us that you have a pony eating monster as your pet?!"
At this Spirit shut his eyes took a deep breath to stay calm. "First he is no monster, second as far as I know Timberwolves do not eat pony's and at last he is only ..." He stopped and turned round as he sense sudden the feeling of confusion mixed with happiness from Bite. As he turned around he saw Fluttershy petted the Timberwolf. Seeing him right in front of a pony it shows that Bite was only one head smaller than Fluttershy.
Looking at this scene made Spirit smile as he finished his sentence. "He is only a cub and also Fluttershy seems to agree that he is not dangerous!"
While caress Bites wooden head Fluttershy starts talking to the cub. "Oh you are a cute little wood wolf, aren't you? Yes you are. You don´t want to hurt anypony right?" Bite in response start barking happily and jumps around her.
After a while Fluttershy stops pet Bite and looked at Spirit. "I don´t think that Bite is dangerous. But why do you want me to see over him? I don't know much about Timberwolves or the magic that there use!"
"You might be right but I don´t search for what kind of magic they used, don´t misunderstand me it would be nice to know about that but it's not important to me! Bite might be made of wood and magic but in his soul he is wolf or at least a dog!"
"An flesh eating wood log that's what he is!" Rainbow Dash shouted at him.
Spirit rolled his eyes 'What an stubborn!' "Timberwolves don´t eat flesh!"
Rainbow Dash wanted to reply something but Fluttershy was faster. "I don´t want to question your reasons, but well it looks like you already know more about them than we know!"
Spirit, happy to go to another topic, smiled again. "Oh yes I must excuse about this little confusion but I through you wouldn't come if I say he is a Timberwolf or even hunt him down. The real reason why I came to this place is because my teacher gave me the task to search for somepony who might help me research and to bring other ponies to understand creatures like Timberwolves more!"
"Wait, slow down! I also mean you said something about from where Bite comes?"
"Ah right, you know where I come from there are not much Timberwolves and there look much different not so green and dark, I heard from a traveler that the Timberwolves in Equestria look more like Bite, so I decided to travel till I find somepony in Equestria who might help me."
He took a deep breath, glared at Rainbow and continued. "But it seem you don´t want to help so I will pack my stuff and go! Don´t worry you will never see me or Bite again!"
"S-stop!"
Spirit stopped and turned his head around surprised to see that Fluttershy held her hooves out. "What?"
"I uhm I would like to help you with learning more about Bites race!"
Spirit eyes widen in surprise. "Really you would like to help me? No joke? Why?"
This outburst of questions makes Fluttershy ducked her head al little bit. "Because I don´t think that any creature that can be so cute is evil!"
Spirit smile grew even bigger at this."This is great you don´t know how great this is!"
Rainbow dash interrupted him in his joy. "Anyway, I go to tell the other that we have now a Timberwolf in the village!"
His eyes widen in shock "Please tell not everypony that I have an Timberwolf, somepony might fear Bite and want to hunt him!"
Rolling her eyes Rainbow answered. "I will only tell the other about Bite and let them decide what to do, okay?" With that she flew of not waiting for an answer.
As Rainbow was away Spirit started packing his items in his saddlebags but Fluttershy interrupted him." Do you have a place where you can live while you here?"
"Why should I need one? I can stay at my camp here!"
"Well I don´t think you should stay here. I mean you are near the entire road, what if somepony want to come to Ponyville and they find Bite while you're not around?"
He looked down as the truth hit him. 'Oh that would be probably bad.' "Yeah I think you´re right but I have no place to stay!"
"Well you could ask Twilight if you could stay at the castle."
Spirit paused a bit but shook slowly his head. "No, that would not be a good place for a cub like Bite and it´s be better if we don´t stay where he must hid only because she have guests!"
"Oh, then tell me how should the place should be that you can stay there?"
'Good question' " Hm, I think it should be near the forest, not to near the village and it should be quiet so I can research properly."
"Well I don´t think that there is any hotel with that attribute but you could stay in my home."
"That would be great till I find a better place where I can stay I can sleep in a tent next to your house, so that you can watch over Bite easily. But only if it doesn't bother you!"
"Oh no it is no problem really I am happy to help..."
Spirit looked at her as she quiet "Is there something? If it´s problem for you I will search for another place to stay!"
"No, no it´s only, what does Bite e-eats?"
Hearing that Spirit turned around and search something in his saddlebags. "Give me moment! ... Ah here it is "
He turned around and held an strange plant in his hoof " This is a rare plant the blossoms of it contains a great amount of natural magic, you must know Timberwolves doesn't really eat because of hunger, instead they only need energy to restrain their magic that hold them together. If a Timberwolf don´t get enough magic they fell into pieces!"
Fluttershy looked at the plant in interest. "So, Bite isn't going to eat any of my animals?"
"No he will not, he never ate flesh anyway so I don´t think he will even get the idea!" Spirit said as quickly as he could.
Fluttershy looked at the blossom again. "Is this plant harmless?"
Spirit put the plant back in his saddlebag. "For Timberwolves yes but for ponies, no there are not harmless for us! From this plant you can get a magical illness, it's a disease that results of magic overloud. Except unicorns they can eat the plant when they have no more energy but they have to exhaust this magic quickly or they can get a magical illness too!"
"Oh okay, well I think I should lead the way to my home so you can build you tent.." Bite and Spirit both yawned at the same time. "... and rest for today" Fluttershy said with a smile.
Spirit rubbed his back head and laugh weakly "Yeah I think your right, Bite and I didn´t sleep much the last days."
Fluttershy looked as they both started to pack their camp in his saddlebags and was surprised how much Bite help without Spirit need to say anything. Finally Spirit put his saddlebags on his back. "So we are ready!"
Fluttershy looked at Bite for a moment." I think Bite should hide since were re going through the town!"
After a quick look at Bite Spirit response. "Bite play dead!" Bite instantly fall into pieces. Spirit searched a bit in the bunch and then grabbed a strange shaped piece of wood. "I teach him this trick. When know somepony look in my bag they only see a piece of wood! Clever hm?" Spirit smiled at her.
Fluttershy seems little confused about how to react at this trick and ducked her head a little. "I think it´s nice but don't you need the rest of the wood?"
"No the wolf need only the core to survive and then some new wood to rebuild himself. It is indeed easier to use the same wood every time but it is not necessary!"
"Oh I didn't knew."
"I didn´t knew it at the beginning to but after a while I noted while I taught him this trick. But I think that is for now enough about me and Bite, could you please lead the way?"
"Oh I am sorry I didn´t want to let you wait."
"No problem."
With that the two started walking in the direction of Fluttershy´s Cottage. As they walk through the city Fluttershy showed Spirit some buildings like the town hall, the Sugarcube Corner, the cafe and the Day Spa, what was very confusing for Spirit because he never heard of things like spas or cafes."You must know where I lived there we had no things like that!"
Fluttershy looked at him with confusion. "Sorry but didn't you came through some city's already?"
Spirit smiled weakly and rubbed his back head in response. "Well I was in two city's but in the first they ran all as they saw Bite and in the second as one pony saw me in my cloak they ran off and closed all doors."
Fluttershy nodded and start explain. "Ok well, a cafe is where you meet other and drink things like coffee and a spa is where you can get a massage or relax in a sauna."
"Ah okay now I get it!" 'What is a sauna?' Instead of asking he closed his eyes and used his bond to Bite. "Bite do you have a plan what a sauna is?" Spirit ask Bite but only got confusion in response. 'I will ask Fluttershy some time but not now I don't want to stretch the trip for too long'
As he open his eyes again he saw Fluttershy staring at him. " Oh sorry I didn´t mean to stare I only wonder what you´re doing?"
"I only use my bond to Bite to talk to him, but we can go on now."
"Oh ok, well then we are almost at my home."
As there both started walking again they saw four carriages pulled by six Pegasus and the last by some dark creatures, there were all golden expect the last one, the one who was pulled by the creatures, was black. Spirit looked at them as there flew in the direction of the castle . "Is it normal that so many carriages fly to the castle at the same time?"
He looked back at Fluttershy who was still looking at the carriages and start shaking her head. "No, it happen not often that there come so many carriages to the castle, I think I should ask Twilight tomorrow. But I think we should go so that you can finally build up your tent and rest some time!"
"Ok, I think your right!"
So they both turned again in the direction of Fluttershy´s Cottage and started walking again.
"So this is my house, I live here and take care for animals, that reminds me I have to feed the animals! You can start build you tent."
"Thank you very much, again!"
"And I think you can let Bite out, at this time no one should come to visit." Fluttershy let him alone and went feeding the pets.
For a while he searched for a good places for his tent. "Bite you can come out now." Spirit set his saddlebag down and put the wood out of it.
Instant Bite set himself together and starts to scan everything. "Okay I think we should build our tent next to this bridge so we are not too close to Fluttershy´s home ,so we don't bother her!"
Bite already garb his saddlebags and brings it to the place where Spirit was talking about."Good boy! Now I can start build the tent."
After some time build up his tent, until Bite jumps at him because he was bored and wanted to play with Spirit so they crashed in the tent so that Spirit have to build it up again.
"Ah your back Fluttershy as you can see we finish build up the tent. And again thank you for helping me find new things out about creatures like Timberwolves and give me a place to stay!"
"Oh it´s nothing I will help you as much as I can but I think you both should rest now!"
"Good night Spirit! See you tomorrow!" With that she headed her home and closed her door.
Spirit stayed al little while longer awake with Bite an look at the sunset. "What a day! We find somepony who wants to help me and doesn't run away or want to hunt you as they saw you! I hope we find finally something out about animals like you and from where you come from."
Bite only yawns at him and start sleeping. "You are so lazy!" Spirit said with a smile and caress Bite´s head. Soon he fall asleep too.
Author's Note
So here is my second chapter hope you liked it.
The effect of the Wooden Heart
The morning at the next day was very quiet until Spirit fell sudden pain on his back what wakes him immediately up.
"I am awake! I am awake! ... Bite how often I said you don't wake me like that!"
Bite only run circles around him, and barks happy. "Ok! Bite we can play later, but be a bit quieter we don´t want to wake Fluttershy!"
Bite stop barking and sat down in front of Spirit down looking at him in confusion.
Spirit rolled his eyes. "I don´t want to disturb her only because you want to play, also I don´t want to make a bad impression. We finally found somepony who wants to help and I don´t want to make her regret this!"
Bite only response with a small nod. "But I think you can look if Fluttershy is already awake, while I meditate a bit ok?" Bite jumps happily to his feet's and run across the bridge towards Fluttershy´s home.
Spirit meanwhile sat down closed his eyes and start focus on the noises around him.
As Bite enter Fluttershy´s home he saw her awake and feeding some birds. Bite hastily ran towards her and barks. Fluttershy turns around as she heard Bite´s barks and saw him sitting right in front of her. Fluttershy starts pet his head.
"Oh it seem you are awake already. Well then ,Spirit is awake probably too!" As bite heard this he runs out back to Spirit with Fluttershy following him.
Sprit opened his eyes slowly as he heard something from behind him and turned his head around. Fluttershy instantly started to apologizes. "Oh I am so sorry I didn´t want to disturb you! I am sorry!"
"No problem, I was only meditating until you were awake but it seem you´re awake already so it's good that you interrupt me!"
"Well if that's the case! Anyway I was going to feed the animals do you want to help?"
Spirit smiles friendly at her. "Of course I want to help I love animals and also is it the least I can do for helping me!"
"Well then follow me I will show you were the food is and which food for which animal is."
With that she start show him around until there walks near the forest were Bite and Spirit stop and look at it. "Is this the everfree forest? Were timberwolfs live?"
"Ähm yes it is but I don't think we should go inside it!"
Spirit looked down a bit. " Yeah I think your right it would not end good if we meet Timberwolves or other creatures until we know more about them! "
"So now you know where everything is and thank you for helping me feed the animals!"
"No problem, like I said it´s the least I can do!"
As they three are back at FLuttershys house Bite started to ran towards the other animals to play with them. Spirit couldn't do other but smiled sawing this.
"Ähm Spirit I must go now help Pinkie pie for the party she also said you should come in a hour to the Sugercube Corner and wait there till somepony named Bright Side take you inside together with another pony named Fallen Dark."
'Well okay these must be the ponies who came yesterday with the carriages wait...' "When Pinkie Pie told you this?"
"Oh last night she say she saw you two already sleeping so I should tell you when to come!"
"Ok well I think I should tell Bite about that he will be here alone for some time!" With that he closed his eyes and connected to Bite. "Bite I will be away for the next time you will be alone here, please try don´t to make too much trouble and make sure that nobody see you I will ask Fluttershy if you can stay in her house!"
The only thing that Fluttershy saw meanwhile, was Spirit with closed eyes and Bite stopped playing and looked at Spirit who now looked at her. "Do you mind if Bite could stay at you house until I am back?"
"No, he can stay in my house until one of us is back!" As Spirit heard this he turned his head to Bite and nodded. Bite only response with start playing with the other animals again.
"So I must go now, see you on the party!"
"Yes see you there!"
With that FLuttershy fly away. Spirit watched her flew way and star walk to his tent. 'Hm I think I should check my notes before I go to the party. I wonder who these other new ponies are?'
After some minutes Spirit looked at the sun to check the time. "I think I should go now I don´t want to be late!" He closed his eyes "I go now you´re alone Bite, see you later!" So he starts walking in the direction of the Sugercube Corner.
When he reached the bakery he saw nobody near 'The other two are not here right now, I think I am too early. Well at least I can look after Bite some last time' He sat down next to the door closed his eyes and focused strongly on the connection to Bite.
Now he saw through Bite eyes and it´s seem that he was playing catch with Angel but He doesn't seem really happy about this "I see you found someone to play with Bite but be careful we don´t want upset Fluttershy because you nearly killed Angel" Bite stop chasing Angel and Spirit sensed a bit sadness. "But I don´t think some more minutes playing would kill Angel" Bite start chasing Angel again and the feeling of sadness was gone.
"Hi, you must Spirit Wood " as Spirit heard this he open his eyes and saw two pony in front of him. One was wearing a black cloak so Spirit couldn't see much of him the other one was female unicorn with a dark yellow coat, her mane had an golden color and nearly goes to the ground. She also had blue eyes and her cutie mark was an bright yellow pony with rays of light coming from the heart of the pony. 'These must be the other new ponies!'
"Yes I am Spirit Wood and you two must be Bright Side and Fallen Dark. It's nice to see that I am not the only new one!"
"That is high mage Fallen for you!" The pony in the black cloak gave him a death stare with red eyes.
"Fallen! Be nice and take your cloak off!" Bright said to him with bit anger in her voice
"Fine."With that Fallen took his cloak off so that Spirit could see what Fallen looks like. He was an unicorn like Bright but his coat was dark grey and his mane was dark red and short. His cutie mark was a black crystal surrounded by dark purple flames. As he looks at Fallen Spirit the most notable was that his right front hoof was replaced by an dark crystal and that his horn was curved and red.
'How strange crystal as an replacement for an hoof, but who am I to judge over someponys appearance!' "Well it´s nice to meet you anyway but may if I ask the question, from where do you know each other?"
"Well he is my big half-brother, we have the same mother." Bright gave him a big smile while saying this. 'Well that was unexpected!'
"Is it rude or may I ask you what with your fathers is?" He immediately regret this because he saw Bright Side winced.
"This is nothing of your concern and I would recommend you to not ask again, but now I have a question. Why do you have such a strong magic aura?" 'Magic aura? He probably means the bond between me and Bite'
"I think you mean the bond between me and my pet Bite, well it´s part of my special talent and it allows me to speak with him through my thoughts and if I concentrate on the bond I can see through his eyes! And also, I don´t know about here but where I came from we believe that everypony has magic even earthponys and pegasus!"
"I know that, I am not an high mage because I can levitate stuff. I was only curious because normally a magic aura of an earthpony is much weaker. But what you told me sounds interesting. Maybe you agree to some special experiments?" 'Something in his voice say I should say no'
"No I don´t think I have time for an experiment, sorry!"
"What a shame. But I think we already wasted enough time. Where is that party I want to get this over with. I still have some experiments to work on."
"The party is right inside." Bright Side said to them both.
So they three walks inside, a crowd of ponies screams "WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!"
As he walked around he decided to look out for Fluttershy or her friends. Not long and he saw the five sitting on a table together with n purple alicorn 'An alicorn? Well I didn´t expect that I thought there were only three princess and non of their descriptions match the appearance of that one. I think our knowing about equestria is outdated maybe this is this Twilight princess of ...'
"Hello you all nice to see you all again and you must be Twilight this new princess I was told I am sorry I don´t remember of what you re princess!"
The purple alicorn smiled at him. "Yes I am Twilight and I am the princess of friendship and it is nice to meet you."
Spirit wants to ask something but stopped and looked around first. "Did Rainbow Dash told you about my pet?" He whispers to her
"Yes she had and I am not very happy that you have bring a so dangerous creature that near the village but I trust Fluttershy and she said that Bite won't harm anypony . Anyway she also told us that you came from the lands of the zebras you must tell me some time how it was there living!" Twilight said with a big interest in her voice.
"I am happy to tell you stories but I think it is a bad timing for thing like that! I was nice to meet you but I think it would be better if I don't bother you anymore and I will go introduce me to the ponies who don´t meet me till now! See you all sometime!"
"See you!" They all said together.
It doesn't take long that Spirit was interrupted by someone who was calling out for him.
"Hey Spirit dose you remember me?" As Spirit turned his head around he saw the baby dragon Spike walking towards him.
"Yes I remember you Spike! Nice to see you again!"
"It´s nice to meet you too again, but I wanted to ask you if I should introduce you to everypony?"
Spirit chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Well yes I would be happy if you introduce me to everypony here!"
Spike gave him a big grin. "Then follow me!"
So Spike starts to introduce him to everypony, in view that Pinkie nearly invited all ponies in Ponyville it take the full rest of the day. The last pony that Spirit meet was a big stallion named Big Mac.
"So you are Applejacks brother?"
"Yup!"
"You work together with her on the farm?"
"Yup!"
"You don´t talk much?"
"Eeyup!"
"Then see you again some time!"
"Yup!"
With that he walks with Spike to the food to get something to eat. 'Well that was a strange conversation!'
"Hey Spike do you think that was everypony?" 'please let that be the last!'
"Yes I think that was the last pony on this party! You should get something to eat, I will go back to the other, see you!"
"See you Spike!"
With that Spike walks off and Spirit headed the food counter. He grabbed a plate and took a piece of one of the cakes. While eating he looked around. 'I hope this party don´t go to long!'
After the first hour he tried to meditated but that was very hard, because the music distract him and if he could concentrate somepony bump into him or wants to talk to him.
After some minutes much ponies are already gone but there still some. Spirit was still looking and waiting for the end, till he saw Fluttershy walks forward him. "Hey Spirit. Why are you sitting here?"
"Well because I spoke with everypony that is on the party and I now I wait till it ends."
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. "Why do you wait here you could go?"
"Because it is a tradition where I came from if somepony throws a party for you have stay till everypony is gone."
"Oh ok but if you don´t want to stay you can go. I mean there still Bright and Fallen so I don´t think somepony would say you have to stay!"
"Really, I wish I had knew that earlier! As it seems to be ok I will go then."
Fluttershy smiled at him. "Well then, see you later I stay a little longer with my friends!"
Spirit smiled back. "Yes I think I will go but at least I will say bye to everyone!"
With that they both headed the other they and Spirit said bye to Spike, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity. He also wanted to say bye to Twilight but as he found her, he saw her talking with Fallen he didn´t want to interrupt them and as they walks past them Spirit catches some word ".. battle ...mages... " These word made Spirit a little nervous 'I hope there is nothing bad going on I probably misunderstood and there talk about history or something. I hope!"
As he was finally outside Spirit gave a sigh of relive. 'The party was fun and all but I am not a fan of big people groups to be honest. So I think I will go directly back to my tent I hadn´t check Bite the last time!'
With that he walked in the direction of Fluttershy´s home.
"BITE I AM BACK!" Two seconds later Bite ran out of the house towards Spirit and the feeling of happiness nearly blew him down. Bite jumps at him and bark happily.
"Bite I will go feeding the animals for Fluttershy. So come and help me a little!"
Spirit fed the animals Bite helped a bit but mostly played around. After a while they had feed all of them, it was already getting dark so Spirit decided to meditate a while and Bite was already asleep.
As he finished he grabbed a wooden necklace from his saddlebags on it was an image of a glyph from his home.
As he was distracted he didn´t realize that Fluttershy´s was back.
Fluttershy saw him looking at his necklace and was curious about it. "Where do you have this necklace from?"
Spirit put the necklace back in his bag and looked away. "I have no necklace! What necklace?" He looked at her and saw the disbelieve in Fluttershy´s face so he gave up. "... ok you know this necklace symbolizes my rank in my home and from which teacher I am the student."
But the confusion in Fluttershy´s face didn´t leave. "I think I understand this but why do you try hide it from me?"
Spirit took a deep breath before he speaks again. "Because my teacher says I should show this nopony because it´s a symbol of my tribe and only people that I fully trust are allow to see it. Not that I don't trust you all but still my teacher would kill me if he know I showed my glyph to 6 ponies who I only know for two day!"
Spirit looked nervous at her and wait for an response. "It is ok if it´s a tradition I understand that!"
"You won't tell the others about that?"
"No if it is so important that nopony knows about this necklace I won´t tell them!"
Spirit gave a big sigh of relieve. "Thank you very very much. It is nice somepony understand my traditions!"
"Well, no problem."
"Anyway what was with Fallen and Twilight I heard something about duel and mages. They haven´t duel, right? They only talked about it? Right?"
Fluttershy shacked her head and took a breath. "No they have actually a duel Fallen said it is a tradition so Twilight accepted. It wasn't long, it took Fallen only 10 minutes to beat Twilight!"
While he thought Fluttershy looked at the sleeping Bite. "I think you we should rest too, it was a long day!"
Spirit walked to his tent and yawned. "Your right. Good night Fluttershy!"
"Good night Spirit."
Author's Note
So here is my next chapter!The dark brother of the Bright
The effect of the Wooden Heart
"Good morning!"
Spirit opened his eyes slowly and immediately regretted it because he looked directly in the morning sun. He blinked with his eyes till he could see again. As he opened them again he saw Fluttershy.
"Good Morning Fluttershy! Where is Bite?" He looked around but didn´t saw him.
"As I saw him the last time this morning, he was playing with some of the other animals!"
"Ok, I don't really like it when he walks around alone.But as long as he stayed on the cottage it is okey, I think. So can I help you with feeding the..." He was interrupt as he saw Bite running towards them, he could also sense very chaotic feelings from him. He decided to ran towards to him, Fluttershy after him. "What is it Spirit?"
"I don't really know but I think somepony saw Bite!" He turned his head to Bite who was now standing in front of them. "Bite go behind me and play dead! Quickly!"
Spirit turned back to Fluttershy. "I will do as if I bring this wood to your house and you are walking with me and showed me the way, ok?"
Fluttershy was a bit overwhelmed at this reaction but nodded. So Spirit grabbed the wood from Bite and put it on his back. They started walking, slowly ,back in to Fluttershy home till they heard noises behind them.
"I think we´re too fast Scooterloo!"
Spirit turned his head around only to see three foals who are about to crash into him. 'Oh no!' It was too late to go out of the way so they crashed into him.
As he slowly opened his eyes again he saw five faces looking at him, one was Fluttershy, another he recognizes as Applejack but he did not recognize the other three. "Hello Applejack. I didn´t expect you to visit. What happend?" He said and stand up again slowly.
"Oh good ya ok Spirit you were out for ten minutes, these three bumped into ya really hard! Apple Bloom, I told ya three that you should not drive too fast with your wagon!"
"But we were following a Timberwolf!"
"I don´t want to hear that, ya all say sorry to Spirit Wood here!"
"We sorry Mr. Wood!" They tree said at once.
"Apologizes accepted but who are you three and why are you three bumped into me in at all?"
The yellow spoke first. "Ma name is Apple Bloom. I am Applejacks sister"
Next the white filly spoke up. "My name Sweetie Belle, I am Raritys sister !"
"And I am Soocterloo! And we drove so fast because we saw a Timberwolf and wanted to catch him but he ran of in this direction, so we followed him."
'Bite! Where is Bite?' Spirit looked quickly around and searched for Bites wood but only saw a small wagon with a scooter next to it. He turned back to them all and spoke as calmly as he could. "Where is the wood I was carrying?"
He was very tensed but Fluttershy could calmed him down. "I brought it to my home while you were passed out!"
'Thank you Fluttershy!' Spirit gave a big sigh of relive and looked back at the three fillies. "So why does you three try to catch the Timberwolf?"
They looked at each other before Apple Bloom answered him. "Because it was a Timberwolf and we tried to get a monster hunter cutie mark!"
Spirit scanned the three with his eyes and shook his head 'A monster hunter cutie mark?' "Before you explain me why do you think you should have a monster hunter cutie mark, answer me this question: What did the Timberwolf do that he deserved to be hunted?"
They looked in confusion at each other, then they looked back at him. Sweetie Belle was the first how spoke up. "Because there dangerous!"
Followed by Scooterloo. "Because there evil!"
And at last Apple Bloom spoke up. "Because three of them attacked my sister and Spike!"
Spirit looked at them. "First of, you three bumped into me. Should I now say all ponies bump into the newcomers, in ponyfillie?" As they heard that they all lowered their heads. "And second if Timberwolves were so evil and dangerous how can you think it is a good idea to try to catch one of them?"
Scooterloo looked at him with a little anger and rolled her eyes. "It was a small one! So we thought we could catch him!"
"So it was a small one but what if his parent comes to protect their cub? What if his pack attack because they think ponies capture their cubs? What do you think would they do?"
They stayed silent.
"They would come and try to rescue their cub! And they wouldn´t be very happy if they see somepony nearby them." Spirit continued as nopony said anything.
At this they all looked at each other and then to the ground as there realized they could brought other ponies in danger. "We are sorry!"
Spirit smiled at them. "Nothing for being sorry, nothing happened but don´t do things like that again! And if you see something like an Timberwolf or a other creature from the forest again, get an adult first before do things on your own!"
They looked at him and smiled. "We don´t do things like that again!" With that they walked off but Spirit could hear something from them. "When .. cub again ... excuse." "cutie mark ... excuse!" "CUTIE MAKR CRUSEDERS EXCUSERS YAY!"
Spirit smiled and turned his head back to Applejack and Fluttershy again. Applejack looked at him with disbelieve. "Whoa, I didn´t thought they would listened to ya!"
But Spirit shook his head. "That's because they didn´t, maybe they won't try to hunt a Timberwolf again but they will do other things like that and when they see another Timberwolf they will try to excuse to it and I don't think the wolf will listened to them!"
"Guess ya right but thanks anyway don´t be too harsh to them, maybe they could excuse to Bite when it´s save to tell the other ponies about him!"
Spirit smiled a bit. "That could be sooner as I thought if all the ponies here are like you two and your friends are."
Spirit and Fluttershy waved with their hooves at Applejack as she walks back to Sweet Apple Acres. Spirit didn't lose a second and went back to looked after Bite. As he opened the door from Fluttershys home. He found that Bite was still in his pieces.
"Bite you can rebuild yourself now, they are gone. " Spirit waited patiently as he watched as the green magic build Bite up again. As he was completed he started ran to him but slows down and stopped completely as he saw the serious expression on Spirits face.
"Bite! You must be more careful when you're alone? Do you know what could happen if there was somepony else than these three fillies? If this would have been an adult pegasus or unicorn they could have got you and you could be captured or even dead! Even if they would only capture you it wouldn´t be esasy for me to get you back."
"Don´t do that again! Please." He knew that Bite was sorry and that he wouldn't do that again. 'What if somepony sees him before they knowing who he is? It wouldn´t end well.'
Fluttershy saw this scene from the door and she could swear to saw a tear in Spirits face after some time she spoke up. "I think it went all well out but we should let Bite not walk off around like that again."
Spirit stood up again and Bite lowered his head. "Yes you are right, from now on should at least one of us must stay near to him, if I want to make possible that ponies live with creatures like Bite I cannot afford that they think that Timberwolves want to invade them. But anyway what happened happened... but I think if I want to let Bite walk alone I must speed my work with other ponies! But I think I will do this another time... so do you have something planned?"
"Oh yes I actually planned to visit Zecora, you didn´t meet her so far. Maybe she can help you with Bite."
"How can she be able to help me is she a animal expert too or is she good with other ponies to bring them to understand other points of view?"
"No she but she lives in the Everfree Forest so she might know something. And I don´t know if its matter but she is a zebra."
'A zebra? Here? Interesting, I think I can show her Bite as a zebra and living in the forest she should be, in compare to other ,used to live with other creatures .' "Do you think it is save to show tell her about Bite?"
Fluttershy thought a moment about it then nodded. "I can´t promise you that she will understand it but I think if somepony in Ponyville she will."
Bite immediately jumps on his feet's and runs around them. Spirit laugh a bit and explained. "He always like to see new faces. So don´t waste more time lets go."
So they walked off into the forest in the direction of Zecoras home.
As they arrived at Zecoras home Spirit stops. "Bite I think you should stay outside till I call you in, understand?" Bite barked once and sat down next to the door.
Spirit turned to Fluttershy and asked a little worried. "So should we knock now?"
Fluttershy nodded and turned to the door to knock. First nothing came but then they heard a voice.
" You can come in if you want
Fluttershy opened the door and walks in, Spirit on his side stopped as he heard the voice but followed her slowly. 'She talks in rhymes does that mean...'
"Hello Zecora it's me Fluttershy I brought a guest who you might can help. Spirit this is Zecora. Zecora this is ..." she turned her head to Spirit to see that he was bowing. "... Spirit"
Fluttershy looked at him in confusion till Spirit spokes up but in a different language.
<"I am sorry elder I never would dare
Spirit looked up with his eyes to see Zecora smiled at him.
<"No need for formal speak my friend
Spirit stand up but was confused 'She is a elder so I should respect her decision!' He looked at Fluttershy who seemed a bit uncomfortable. "Oh sorry Fluttershy but Zecora here seems to be elder, that is the highest rank where I lived. I was talking to her in our language with the traditional rhyme. You must know elder always rhymes, my teacher said it should help to think of what want to you say before you said it twice!"
He looked back at Zecora who nodded simple. "So Zecora, Fluttershy said you might can help me with the task my teacher gave me!"
" For that you must help me to understand
Spirit nodded and went outside and as he came back he brought Bite with him he waited a moment to see if Zecora would say something but she only waited for him to explain.
"Zecora this is Bite. The first point of my task was to find somepony who wants to help me understanding Timberwolves and show other ponies that they aren't as evil as they thought this part I already done." He said while nodded in the direction of Fluttershy, who blushed a little because of being in focus.
"And the second task is to find more things about Timberwolves out and FLuttershy thought you could help me with my researches. So can you?"
"I wish I could but I must fear,
Spirit and Bite sank their heads down as they heard that but Spirit wanted to know something else. "But they live near to your home you must know something to hold them back!"
"That because as I first met some of them they attack
That was the only encounter with them
Spirit was not happy to hear that. "Well, thank you anyway for your time elder one. It was nice to meet you."
"One last thing, to bring the ponies to understand
Spirit looked at her and nodded slowly .They say goodbye and walks away from Zecoras home.
As they arrived again at Fluttershys home Spirit gave a big sigh. "That wasn't very helpful!"
"Don´t say that maybe she couldn't give new information's about Timberwolves but still she gave you a good advice about to bring the ponies to understand Timberwolves." Fluttershy replied to him as he was about to sigh again.
"What do you mean."
"About saying the truth." SHe left him with this answer and went feeding the animals.
'She could right maybe I should tell somepony other then Fluttershy and her friends about Bite before somepony see him like this morning happend. If an adult sees him it could end very bad!' He winced as some memories came up. "What do you think should we tell somepony about you and if yes do you know somepony?" As he sensed the reaction from Bite that he counted as a yes to the first question but didn´t got an answer to the second one, Spirit tried to reminds himself of the ponies on the party which one of them would be suitable for this.
It took a while but then he got an Idea. "I think I know three ponys who are just perfect to meet Bite!"
The effect of the Wooden Heart
"Do you think this is a good idea, some of the parents might not be happy if they hear that you want to brought Bite to the kids." Fluttershy ask Spirit as they ate.
"I am not hundred percent sure but I am here now for more than a week and I only research and didn't do anything to bring the ponies to understand and second I already sing in for the school visited today!" While he said this while threw a magic plant to Bite, who jump and caught it with his mouth.
"Well if you say so, but be careful!"
"It will went out well! And remember, Twilight will be right after me so if anything went wrong she will be in there nearby."
They ate the rest in silence and after and that Spirit went back to his researches until Fluttershy interrupt him. "When was your visit at school you said?"
Spirit didn't look up from the book he was reading at this moment. "It was this afternoon I have much time left before we must go!"
"Um, no it's afternoon already. "
"Yes yes... WAIT! WHAT? BITE COME WE HAVE TO GO. BYE FLUTTERSHY! THANK YOU!" With that he ran off not hearing Fluttershy.
"No problem. See you I think."
After some minuets Bite and Spirit waited in the floor of the school for Cheerilee to let them in.
"So Bite, this is our first step to bring the ponies to understand other creatures! So show your best side Bite!"
Bite jumps in a circle and barked happily. 'Or just pretend to cute. That will works too I think.'
He took a deep breath. "Ok then let's make a good impression!" So Spirit walked behind Cheerilee into the class.
"Listened class, here is the next one who has signed up! Everypony say hello to Mr. Wood "
"HELLO MR. WOOD!"
"Alright class listened to what Mr. Wood has say. " She turned to Spirit. "I will go and sit down in the back." Cheerilee walks to the corner of the room and sat down.
As she left the room Spirit started.
"Well, hello everypony. Nice to see you all. I am here for the visit day, what you should probably know since I am not the first. ... so first of all I have a question who of you don't know where I come from and why I am here in Ponyville?" He watched as some of them raised their hoofs.
"Well ok the short version is I am from very far away land and I am here to help ponies understand other creatures!"
They all looked at him but nopony said anything so he continued. "I also brought my pet with me maybe he helps to understand. Bite come in now!"
With that Bite walked in and as Spirit heard some of the foals whimper a little. 'Hm, not really a good start.'
"So you see he does not look like a normal animal but he is as normal as all other animals and that's why I am here." Waited for response but it didn't came so he decided to change the topic. "So who want to pet Bite?"
He waited to let his words sink in. Then first the three hooves rose up, exactly how Spirit expect, were Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. But didn't want them to be the first because the most know that they already met him so he waited. Suddenly another hoof slowly rose up. "You there, come here to me and Bite."
The foal stood up and walked over to Bite slowly but stopped a little before him. 'He seems a little unsure about this. What should I do?'
He tried to calm the foal. "No need to fear he won't hurt you. And also he is only a cub." They all looked at him in disbelieve. They looked to Bite who was almost twice big as the foals in front of them. 'I don't think they believe me.'
Spirit pushed the foal a little in Bites direction, who first looked to him and then tuned to Bite and slowly walked in his direction and held his hoof out, Bite on his side held his head down so that the foal can patted him on his head. After some time both of them relaxed more,Bite laid down and the foal started to pet his back.
Spirit smiled as the foal petted Bite now with more enthusiastic. "Hwo want's to be the next?"
He turned his head back to the class were now the most hooves in the class are raised. He laugh a bit. "Well I think you can come all now and pet Bite but not all at once! Four at once is the maximum we don't want to make him uncomfortable, right?"
As he finished his sentence the foals ran towards Bite all wanted to pet him, Spirit through tried don't to let Bite out of view. He trust Bite but he is still twice big as the foals so he could hurt one of them unintentional.
After a while they all had their time to pet Bite so sat in a circle and Spirit spoke again. "So now that you all have some time with Bite do you have any questions?"
"What does he eat?"
"That's simple, he eat a special blossoms what give him the magic he needed to hold together, actually I brought some of them with me does one of you wants to feed him?" Again nearly everypony raised their hooves and Spirit pike randomly one of them. "So are there any other question? They don't have to be about Bite!"
"Where did Timberwolves come from?"
"That's a good question I must say I don't know exactly where they come from but where I lived there was a old story about that, do you want to hear it?"
"Yes please." They said but Spirit could swear he heard a "please not" in the group. He ignored it because never the less the most wanted to hear it.
"Ok if you want so but I should mention it is not a really happy story."
"It was long ago in a land far away, near the crystal empire. There was a pony with a black heart who makes fun of torturing innocent creatures, he was a dark one or you would call it a dark mage. One day this pony wanted to make some experiments with a group of wolves their weren't a very ... harmless experiment. As he tested on the wolves, some magicians found him and discovered that he was a dark mage. They wanted to rescue these wolves and take him to account for his misdeeds. But before they could get him he killed the wolves and flee. The mages saw it as there task to restore the balance of the nature..."
He was interrupted by one of the foals. "How can be two wolves important for the balance of the nature?"
Spirit thought about this for a moment. "Well that is quiet complicated but let try me to explain. See the mages saw a vision of these wolves who meant to set up a new pack in new places but as I told there all were killed by the follower of the dark path so many generations of wolves would be never born."
Spirit waited for some questions as they didn't came he continued his story."Where was I? Ah right the mages! They wanted to make a very rare and powerful spell. The problem was this spell works only on two conditions the first was they had to give up an magical artifact: The Wooden Heart. And the second condition was that they all had to gave up their lives for it but they accepted both conditions. With that spell they try to resurrect the wolves and it worked but in a different way they thought. The wolves were resurrected but now they were made out of wood instead of flesh. But as I said the mages had to gave up they lives for the wolves so nopony was there who could correct that mistake. So there were now some wolves made of wood who went to fulfill their purpose. They split up and went in different directions where they build up their new packs. Some of them even where able to get to the zebra lands!"
"But how could they get their it is on the other side of the ocean!"
Spirit nodded. "I asked that question too. I was told that somepony might brought them over per ship. I don't know if it is true but what I know is that two of the Timberwolves stayed in equestria and guess where they went!"
"In da Everfree Forest right?"
Spirit nodded to Apple Bloom. "Yes you are right, they went to that forest near this village but at this time it was a normal forest. So that was the end of the story do you want to ask something?"
He looked at them but no them raised their hooves or said something. "Well if you don't have any question. I would said you can take a break outside and play with Bite, I think?" He looked to Cheerilee who slowly nodded and so he turned to Bite and nodded.
Bite immediately jump on his feeds and runs out followed by the foals. As they left Cheerilee walks to him and they turned to the window to watch over the foals.
"So how do you think how I made myself with them?"
"I think you did quite well there but you should had prepared yourself a little more!"
Spirit laugh weakly and rubbed his blackhead. "Well I wanted to prepare myself but I ... well forget the time." Cheerilee laugh a bit.
"But I must say you did a great job bringing these foals listened to your story."
"Thank you. I think I grab something to drink do you want something too?"
Bite ran out followed by foals as they were outside they played with him. They mostly played catch or throw things and Bite bring it back. As Bite wanted to bring back a stick that Apple Bloom throw but there were two Foals blocking his way. He wanted to walk around them but they keep blocking his way. He didn't knew what they wanted so he sat down and laid the stick before them.
"BITE WHERE ARE YOU?" Bite turned his head to the left to see the three he already know. The two ponies in front of him walks over to them and they started talking Bite didn't catch much only some words "... blank..." "... stupid..." "...monster.." "... let alone.." They began to argue and as Bite saw that the two ponies shouted at his friends Bite jumped between them and growled. He continued growling at them until he heard a voice.
"What is going on here?"
Spirit looked up from his drink and in the direction of a group of fouls with Bite in the middle. "Cheerilee do you know what they are doing?"
"It seems they argue we should go between them!" Spirit nodded so they both walked to them as they walked he saw that Bite had walked between the groups on the one side stood the cutie mark crusaders on the other side stood two filly that Spirit didn't recognized. 'Bite please don't do something stupid!'
"What is going on here?"
"This monster wanted to attack us for no reason!" Spoke the filly with the tiara. 'I think her name was Diamond Tiara. Didn't Apple Bloom mention her once yesterday?'
Cheerilee opened her mouth but was interrupted by Scootaloo. "That's not true he only wanted to help us!"
"Stop! Spirit you talk with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo since you know them, I will talk to the other two! Ask them what happened tell me later then we will diced what to do!"
Spirit nodded and he walked over to the crusaders and Bite and Cheerilee went to talk with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
Spirit turned his head to them. "So what happened there and I don't want to hear excuses, tell me the truth."
So they told him what happen.
As they came to the part where Bite growled at the other fillies Spirit looked at Bite, who lowered his head know that he had done something wrong.
As they finished Spirit shook his head at them. "Why did you do this? I know you wanted to help Bite but you could just get him and walk away or tell me earlier about this!"
"We know!"
"And Bite, you should know better, we want them to understand Timberwolves not fear them or anything like that!" All four of them lowered their heads.
"I will say Cheerilee what happens I try that you won't get punished or something. Now to you Bite, I will think of something when we're back home."
"OK class back to the room!" Cheerilee standing in the door counting the foals.
As they were all in the room again the foals sat down and Spirit, Bite and Cheerilee stood in front of them. Spirit walks one step and begun. "I and Bite say goodbye now, I hope you enjoin the day and maybe understand Timberwolves a bit more. So goodbye. And thank you Cheerilee!" With that they walked out off the room. 'That went better than I expected. This all could end much worse!'
As they were outside the room he saw somepony sitting on a chair in the floor. 'That must be the next one, I thought that would be Twilight!'
"Hey, you must be the next ... oh it´s you Fallen, long time not seen!"
"Yes." He raised an eyebrow at the Timberwolf-cub beside Spirit. "Interesting pet."
Spirit raised an eyebrow. "Thank you, I think. What are you doing here I thought Twilight would come after me."
"She is in Canterlot at an meeting with royals of other lands and I replace her."
"Ok then I wish you luck with them. I must go now." He didn't expected an goodbye so he walked away. After leaving the building he turned his head while walking.
"Something is strange about him." In response he sensed very much suspicion. "Yeah I hope he won't do anything to the foals but I don't think we need to worry. I mean Cheerilee is there and Twilight send him so he can't be that bad!" 'I hope!'
So they both walked back to their tent more or less confident about Fallen in front of foals.
Author's Note
If you want to know what Fallen does at the school look at the story from my brother.The dark brother of the bright student
The effect of the Wooden Heart
Bite and Sprit arrived at Fluttershy´s cottage. Fluttershy was feeding her animals but as he saw Spirit and Bite, she waved her hoof to them. "Hey you´re back, how went the day?"
"Well it could went better but at all the foals listened to me and even petted Bite, but...." He looked to Bite.
"What went wrong?"
"Well ... Bite came to a little confrontation with two ponies and ended growling at them, he didn´t hurt anypony but still this won't help us." He looked to Bite who looked to the ground.
"As long he only growls at somepony I don´t think it is that bad!"
Spirit took a deep breath and wanted to protest but as he saw her expression and felt the sad feeling from Bite he stopped. "Yeah I think you are right. But still, even nothing bad happened you should still don´t growl at them that's rude, so ... I would say for the next week no snacks between food!" He looked at Bite which ears hung down.
Spirit smiled again. "But that doesn't mean you get nothing at all!" He turned to his saddlebags and searched for the magic plants. "Hm I think I should go in to town and look out if somepony sales this plant."
Fluttershy looked at him with confusion. "Why? I thought you had seeds or something?"
"Well I only packed a bunch of them as I left, my teacher told me I should find and earn the seeds if I need them."
"OK then, you could visit the flower shop tomorrow."
"Yes but for today I will mediated the rest of the day and then go to bed. Good night Fluttershy!" With that he walked off and sat down right before his tent.
"Goodnight Spirit." She turned to Bite and gave him a cookie and whispers to him. "Don't tell Spirit! Goodnight Bite!" Bite started jumping happily but stopped as he saw Spirit looked curious to him.
Fluttershy petted Bites head and walked to her house to feed the last animals and then went to bed too.
The next day
"Good morning Bite!" He looked to his left to see that he was still asleep. Spirit stood up and walks away quietly. 'Ok I think I go to visited the flower store today'
So he walked to the flower shop and looked around if he could find the plant as he couldn't find them he asked for the plant.
"Ah sorry but I never saw a blossom like that before. I am sorry!"
"No problem and thank you anyway." He walked outside and stopped there to think what to do now. 'What now? Maybe Twilight know where I can find these plants. As I heard she knows much about magic.'
He walked to her castle and knocked at the door and waited till Spike opened it. "Ah Spirit what can I do for you?"
"I was looking for Twilight to ask her a question. By the way do you know where this plant grow or where I can get seed from it?"
"No I never saw a plant with blossoms like these! But didn't that work with the spores or something?"
"Well no, I tried but the result was a bunch of poison joke. My teacher told me that the plant grows two different blossoms the one conation the magic and the other the seeds!" He explain to him.
"I still don't understand how that work but if you say so, anyway come in I bring you to Twilight. She is teaching Bright in healing magic at the moment." He waved him in and went in.
Spirit was a little confused but quickly followed him. "If she is teaching her student I can come back later!"
"I don't think it is a problem. So I must go cook food. Twilight is probably in the library."
'If he say so, if somepony would interrupt my teacher in his lesson it wouldn't end good.' He waved goodbye and walks to the big library in Twilights house. He both searched a bit before he found them. Bright was sitting in front of some book and Twilight stood before her and it seem that she was explaining something to her.
As Spirit entered the wing Twilight turned around. "Spike who was at the door? Oh it's you Spirit. Nice to see you."
He looked to her. "Good day, Twilight!" Then he turned to Bright. "Hello Bright."
Bright looked up from the book she was reading and smiled at him. "Hello Spirit." But turned immediately back to the Book.
"So what brings you here Spirit?"
"Well, you know that blossom I feed Bite with? I don't have much of them left. Do you know where the plant grow or where I can get the seeds so I can grow them myself?"
"A this plant I think I read about this plant give me a minute." Her horn glows and levitated a bunch of books and read the titles of them but stop as she reached green book. "Here it is .... hm ... I am sorry but it only says that the one blossom contain magic and the other seeds. Nothing more. For what does Bite need this plant anyway could he not just eat normal things?"
"He gains the magic that holds him together from it and normal plants does conation very less magic so he must eat very much, the only things that contain enough magic are living creatures and I don't think that is an option."
"You're right. I am sorry but I don't have anything about this plant. But you could ask Zecora, she knows much about plants and potions."
"Well ok I try. Bye Twilight. Bye Bright." He walks off.
He left the castle and turned to the direction of the Everfree forest. 'Hm what I should do now! I think as much as I don´t want to bother Zecora but I should find this plant.'
10 minutes later
Spirit knocked on the door of Zeroras house. After some moments the door opened and Zecora greeted him.
"Ah my fiend it´s nice to see you again
Spirit followed her inside and bowed before her. "I am sorry elder I didn´t want to bother you but I have some questions!"
"Please for me this formal is only a distaste,
"If you say so elder ... I mean Zecora. The reason why I am here is because I don't have much left of the plant I feed Bite with. I asked Twilight if she knew where this plant grows or where I can get the seed to grow them myself. She didn't knew but told me you could know more about the plant, so do you?" He grabbed the blossom of the plant and showed to Zecora.
She grabbed the plant and looked at it closely. Then she turned to her shelf and grabbed a jar with green shining powder.
"Yes I know this plant very good
"Well since he does not eat because of food but to regenerate the magic that holds them together. By the way how do you processed it into powder, as I tried that but after some seconds it lost all magic!"
"It's not easy Indeed,
Spirit held a hoof under his chin and thought a moment. "Let me guess the powder is more efficient than using only the plant, right?"
Zecora nodded and put the jar back in the shelf.
"Since you have powder made of the blossom and the leaves you know where the plant grows or where I can get the seeds?"
"Yes and I will show you the way
He pulled out a map out of his saddlebags and gave it to Zecora and she pointed him the way to the plant. 'Wow that is far away maybe some days or even a week by walking, some days I wish I would be a Pegasus.'
"When you get some of the seed I would ask
He bowed before her. "Yes I will do this Zecora, since you´re a elder it is my duty to fulfill this task!"
"As I said before no need for the elder thing
And also this wasn't a command
'She don´t want to be treat like an elder but still speaks in the way of one. I don´t understand this.' "Even if you don't command this I will bring you some nevertheless! I must go now, bye Zecora!"
He leaved and went back to Fluttershy´s cottage to told her and Bite, that he has to travel far to get the seeds of the plant. FLuttershy was very quiet as he told her and Bite.
"So, you are saying you and Bite will go to find this plant for some day?"
Spirit shook his head and earned confused views from Fluttershy and Bite."No, only I will go. I don't know how long it will takes or what happened on the way. And I don´t have many blossoms left, if Bite get hurts on the way I might don´t have enough of them to restore his magic."
"So you will go alone?"
"Yes I will go tomorrow morning, so I will prepare myself for the rest of the day." With that he walked to his tent and started to pack his things for the travel.
Fluttershy followed him. "I could ask Twilight if she can organize an carriage for you. With that the way would be much shorter!"
Spirit tapped on his chin but nodded then. "Yes that would shorten the way much but say her only when it doesn't bother her."
Fluttershy nodded and flew to Twilights castle.
The next morning
Spirit was checking is stuff one last time before he wanted to go. "So, I think I have anything I need! Oh and Fluttershy I have something for you."
With that he gave her a stone with a symbol scratched on top of it. "What is that?"
"This is a contact rune you see I have one too. Normally you need magic to activate it but you can strew some of the powder onto it, you can contact me with it, if Bite makes problems. If you gave me a signal I will use my bond with him to look over what happen here."
"How do you know to make runes?"
"Back at the zebra lands my teacher showed me how to make some of them but I am pretty bad at making these."
"That's interesting but do you think I need that?" Fluttershy ask a little worried.
He laugh weakly. "I don´t think but..." He looked a bit to the left were Bite runs circles. "just for the case."
"I don't think that he will cause any trouble."
Two hours later after Spirit is gone.
"Oh no Bite be careful!" CRASH
"Please slow down a bit you might..." BANG ".. break something."
Fluttershy stopped chasing Bite. "Bite! Stop now!" Bite slowed himself shortly before he crushed in a vase.
"Bite you shouldn´t run like this around indoor. You could hurt someone!"
He looked at her but then saw the fly he was chasing behind her and started running again and tries to catch it.
Fluttershy took a deep breath and said more to herself. "I am sorry but you don't let me a chance." She closed her eyes and concentrated. As she did that she didn´t see that Bite had hits the shelf with the connection stone and the phial with the magic powder and as he hits it the phial broke and some powder fell on the stone who stared to glow.
Meanwhile far away stood Spirit with two guards before a plant.
"Ok then as I told you I need at least eight from each Blossom and some leaves!" The guards saluted and started searching for the right blossoms.
Spirit was about to cut one of the blossoms as his saddlebag started to heat a little. "What is that? Oh right I gave Fluttershy the connection-stone... Oh I should look what happened."
Spirit sat down and concentrated as hard as he could on his bond. Since they so far apart the bond seems very stretched. It took him very long to follow the bond as he finally reached the end he saw through Bites eyes and he saw that he was running inside of Fluttershys home. As he followed Bites view he saw that he had broke some things from her
"Bite what are you doing? Stop it now!"
Bite looked at the fly and Spirit sensed some shame from him. "You ran through Fluttershys home because of a fly? When I am back we have to talk. Now got to Fluttershy and excuse!"
Bite turned to FLuttershy who had her eyes closed but opened them and looked at Bite with an angry glance.
'What the ...' Before knowing what happened he was kicked out of Bites mind and lost the connection with him. He searched for the bond and found it but was unable to follow it this time.
"What was that I think I should go back as soon as I can." He called out the gourd and they put the blossoms and leaves in the carriage and went back in the direction of Ponyfillie.
As he arrived he quickly put the plants next to his tent and runs to the house. The guards didn´t know what to do so they flew back to Twilight.
Spirit opened the door. " What happened?"
"Whoa, Spirit I thought you would be away for some days."
"It takes much less time if you have two pegasus who are trained in flying fast and long ways. But I want to know what happened while I was away!"
"Well um Bite was running around and broke some things. As I tried to stop him he didn´t listened so I used the stare. I am sorry!"
Spirit raised an eyebrow. "The stare? What is that?"
"Well it is a special talent, I can stare at an animal and it will listened to me. I promised to use it only if there is no other way."
"Ok but why did you call me if you were about to use the stare?"
Fluttershy ducked her head and blushed. "I didn´t wanted to call you Bite hit the shelf and some powder fell on the stone. I am sorry I didn't want to bother you."
"Ok but if I must let the next time alone with Bite and he do something dumb, call me instantly. It doesn't bother me , I mean I don't have the ability to see through Bites eyes and to talk to his mind without a reason!"
"Well ok I will do this. So how does your trip went?"
He winced and Fluttershy looked at him a bit worried. "Is something wrong?"
"No nothing, um yes my ... trip. It went very well the guards were very fast and helped me a lot!"
"Does that mean you have the plant?"
"Yes I have enough blossoms some weeks, so I can grow the plant till I need more."
"That´s great!" Fluttershy smiled at him.
He nodded. "Yes but I think I should go to the flower shop tomorrow, to look if there is some plant fertilizer and give them some of the seeds as I promised it, but..." Then his face turned serious and he looked to Bite. "now we talk about you!"
Knock. Knock.
Sprit turned his head around to the door. Fluttershy walked to the door. "Coming."
She opened the door and the cutie mark crusaders fell in.
Apple Bloom was the first who stood up again. "Hello Fluttershy did ya saw Spirit. Oh there ya are. We wanted to ask ya a question!"
"Then ask!"
Apple Bloom opened her mouth but Sweetie Belle was faster. "We want to know how did you got your cutie mark?"
He closed his eyes and reminisce "Oh that is a long story and it is already late so.." He looked at them and saw their big eyes. He closed his eyes again. "But if you really want to hear that you should sit down. " AS opened his eyes again, he saw that they all sat down on Fluttershys couch Bite right next to them.
"Well okay then. This is also the story how I met Bite. It started all ten years ago...
One day Spirit played with his best friend, Leaf, tag in the forest near the village. She was much quicker so she won most of the time. It was no difference this time.
<"Oh come on Leaf that's not fair.">
<"Of course it is fair what can I do if you are so slow.">
<"Can we play something different. Tag is bori...>" Leaf held a hoof up and interrupted him.
<"Did you heard that?">
<"Heard what?">Suddenly Spirit could hear the strange noises from deeper in the forest too. <"Let´s look what it is!">
They both walked slowly deeper inside the forest. They stopped as they saw something behind a bush. They pushed some of the boughs away and looked through. They saw a Griffon with a red neckerchief. He stand before a small creature while holding his claws out.
"I hope you are the money worth! You caused more trouble than anything else."
Spirit leaned a bit forward to see what this creature was. As he leaned more forward he could see that the creature was a strange looking wolf, only the half big as Spirit.
He remembered so read something about his race but realize that he was not from here since he was too green. But Spirit didn´t cared much because he saw the expressions on the face of the Timberwolf, it was fear and reminded him of his situation one day long ago.
He winced but turned to Leaf. <"We must help him."> And he started ran towards them.
<"Spirit no. You're so stupid. I will go get help."> She ran in the direction of the village.
The griffon there while turned around as he heard some noises behind him and saw green earth pony running right between him and the Timberwolf cub.
"What? Go way kid!"
"No!"
"That wasn't a request. Go! Now!"
"If I go you will hurt him!" Spirit said and nodded in the direction of the small cub.
"Yes I will but this is none of your business. So go before I must hurt you too. And I already have enough problems. Thanks to this thing."
The Griffon walked forwards the cub but Spirit walked in his path once again.
"I have enough." He hit Spirit with his claws but suddenly screamed in pain. As Spirit stood up again he saw that the cub had jumped at the griffon and bite him in his right wing.
The Griffon shacked his wing to get the wolf off and tired punched him. Ashe hit him, the cub flew away and hit a tree and fall into his pieces. As Spirit looked around he saw that the griffon walked towards the pieces. Spirit didn´t knew why but didn´t want to let the griffon win so he stood up again and sprinted to him and ram him in his side.
But the Griffon quickly stood up again. "You small little... I will..." He stopped as he heard some voices. He turned quickly away.
"This is the money not worth. Hope that we never meet again!" He flew off.
Sprit slowly walked towards the pieces and saw how they rebuild them self back together to the cub. "Whoa I read about this but this."
<"Spirit where are you?"> He heard his mother shouting.
<"I am here!"> He shouted back.
<"Oh, thank you wise one, you are alright. ">His mother, Sinder, ran to him and hugged him.
His father, Cero, walked behind her followed by Leaf.
<"I only want to help him!"> He pointed to the cub to justify himself.
Leaf walked towards the cub. <"What is that?">
Cero walked to her. <"That is a Timberwolf. There are very rear here but he don´t look like he is from here.">
<"Can I keep him he looks so alone!">
His mother looked at the cub and then back to Spirit <"Yes you can.">
<"But only if you take the full responsibility for him!"> His father added.
Sprit nodded and looked to the cub who was looking at them with big eyes. Spirit could swear to feel something coming from this cub but was interrupted by Leaf. <"How do want to name him?">
Spirit thought for a moment and looked at the cub who stated biting a root from a tree. He smiled. <"I name him Bite!">
<"Let´s go home now. It is already dark!"> Cero explained.
<"Can you make some light dad?">
<"Sure!"> He pulled a small stone out of his saddlebags and rubbed it and it started to glow.
<"Look Spirit you got your mark!"> Leaf said aloud.
Spirit turned his head and looked at his mark. <"Cool a ghost wolf!"> He looked at his parents and leaf who looked a bit mad. <"Is something wrong?"> And suddenly remembered what that means.
At the Zebras, when a kid get his cutie mark the seer of the tribe interpret the meaning and they send the kid to an adult with an similar talent to learn from them. They will live with them in their home. They are allowed to visited their family and friends but it is up to the teacher how often they will met.
"... this was my story."
They all looked at him speechless. After some seconds Scootaloo spoke up. "You wasn't happy that you got cutie mark."
"I was happy to get it but still I had to leave my family. Yes I saw them sometimes but as I older I grew as less I saw them. And Leaf ... after a week she got her mark and we both had no more time to meet." Spirit looked down.
The cutie mark crusaders left after some time playing with Bite. After that Spirit walked immediately to his tent and went to sleep.
The effect of the Wooden Heart
After some weeks went, the days went slowly for Spirit. He had to work much since the magic plant is very sensitive and die quickly. Spirit had to try it three times till he succeeded. The days went on without many big events with one exception, Spirit heard that something with Bright happened but he didn´t paid much attention to it.
This morning Fluttershy was playing with Bite while Spirit was watering the plant. 'This plant grows really fast, with this speed it should only take two months before it is big enough.'
"Mail for Mr. Wood!"
Spirit turned his head around and saw a mailpony. "That is me!"
She flew to him and gave him a letter. "Here is your letter. The post office apologize that the mail came so late but we didn´t knew your address."
He looked at the letter and then back to the Pegasus. "No problem. Thank you." 'Who should send me a letter?'
"No problem it is my job after all!" And with that the mailpony flew off.
"Thank you. From who is that letter?" He looked at the address.
As Spirit read the sender as Fluttershy came to him. "Spirit I will go visit Rainbow in the hospital. Oh you got a letter. From who is it?"
He opened the envelope and read it quickly. "It is from my teacher! He will visit me and look how my work went."
"Oh, when will he arrive?"
"... tomorrow."
After some minutes they all went in the inside of Fluttershys home. Fluttershy sat on the couch with Bite and looked at Spirit who walked in circles.
"This is bad. But no panic Bite. I said no panic." He nearly screamed at this moment. He was about to go on till Fluttershy had enough of that.
"Sprit stop. You are the only one who panic. So I will go visit Rainbow, you will sit down and think what to do!"
Spirit was a bit surprised but gave a sigh of defeat. "You are right, thank you Fluttershy."
She smiled. "No problem." And she walked away.
After some minutes of silence Spirit asked Bite."Do you have an idea?"
Bite looked at him and send him a picture of Twilight.
"Twilight? Good idea, she was a student of a princess after all. She probably knows how to handle stress."
He stood up and pat Bite on the head. "Thank you. I go visit Twilight! You stay here and clean up our tent. And don't even try to shirk around that!" He left the building and walked to Twilights castle.
As he reached the castle he walked inside and searched for Twilight, as he finally found her she was in the library reading.
"Twilight I need your help!"
Twilight was very surprised and dropped her book. "What is it?"
"I need your advice my teacher will come tomorrow afternoon to judge how far my work had gone!"
"Why did you came so late? Since when do you know about his visit?"
Spirit started to walk in circles again and speaking quicker and quicker. "I got the letter today I was suppose to get it five days ago, probably so late because my teacher didn´t knew the address, but know my teacher will come tomorrow and I didn´t prepared anything! I came to you to ask you for an advice, so will you help me?"
"I will help you. We could made an summery what happened since you arrived so you can show him around and show him what do you have achieved so far."
"That would be great! Thank you! You would really help me?"
"Of course but for that you must tell me the exact task your teacher gave you!"
He rubbed his back head. "Well ok but it was more an conversation than an exact task. It was on an normal day..."
Volg, Spirits teacher, interrupted him in his work. "Spirit the day has come I will give you the final task as my student. You will go to another place and bring the ponies closer to animals like your friend Bite!"
"So I will do my work at another tribe. That will be interesting."
"Well no, you will do that in a whole other country. You will take a trip to Equestria."
Spirit winced but his teacher ignored it. "I remember reading about this place. It seems very similar to our culture."
Volg shook his head. "No it is not. First of it is most populated with ponies and their behavior is much different!"
"How different?"
"Well the ponies are very different from each other and it is all more ... happy you could say."
"I don't think I understand."
"You will!"
"Then I will go and pack my things and get ready for travel."
"One last thing. You will not be able to fulfill the task without the help from some local ponies."
"... And then I went on to fulfill my task." He ended his story
"That is everything? It was very vague. It wasn't really a task at all!"
"Well Zebras always gave task in that way. You learn to interpret them correctly after some time."
"Ok then let's go through all what happened and made some notes so you can show him around."
So they started to go through all events that happened and write some notes.
At the end it was near afternoon. "Thank you again Twilight! I will see you later."
He went back to his tent and prepared everything for the next day and ordered his notes about his research.
Later this day Spirit was still sorting his notes. Fluttershy and Bite were a bit worried so they walked over to him. "I think you should rest now if you go on like this you will break down tomorrow in front of you teacher and that is not what you want, isn´t it?"
Spirit looked between Fluttershy and Bite and sigh. "I guess you are right. Good night!"
Fluttershy smiled to him. "Good night Spirit. Good night Bite."
Fluttershy walked away while Bite lay down next to Spirit and started sleeping instantly but Spirit on the other side pretend to sleep, till Fluttershy was in her home and Bite was asleep, and looked over his notes again.
The next morning Spirit woke up with the sun rising and helped Fluttershy feeding the animals and watering his plant as quickly as he could because he wanted to over read his notes one last time.
Fluttershy tried her best to calm him down. "Calm down Spirit no need for panic it is only your teacher visiting you and remember I will come with you."
Spirit took a deep breath. "I guess you are right and thank you for come with me meeting my teacher but I must warn you he can be a bit rude!"
Fluttershy smiled. "It will went well. Now we don't want to be late!"
"Ok but wait, I have to get on last thing?" He turned to his bags that laid next to his tent, he searched a bit but after some moments he turned back to now wore his necklace. "Now we can go."
"You want to wear the necklace in public? I thought your teacher would not like it if you wear it in front of ponies?"
"Yes that's right but I trust you all here in the village and I want to show him that you are trustable and friendly!"
"That's nice to hear that you trust us but I hope you know what you do."
He nodded. "I hope so too."
So they walked to the east entrance of the village and waited for Spirits teacher. As they waited Bite got bored and wanted to play with Spirit so he barked at him.
"Bite! Ok. Ok. I got it." He turned around and searched for something to throw and grabbed a stick and throw it in the direction of the entrance and waited for Bite to bring it back. After some minutes Bite came back walking backwards and sat down.
"Is he there?"
Bite nodded.
"Ok, Fluttershy he is there." Fluttershy flew over to him and sat down on his left side and waited with them.
After some seconds they saw a Zebra coming in their direction he was a bit bigger than the most ponies he wore a cloak with some symbols on it and some gold rings around his right leg and wore an necklace with bones hanging on it and an wooden rune in the middle of it.
Spirit walked a bit to him and bowed.
<"Greetings my teacher it´s been long
Volg rolled his eyes. <"Drop the formal speak, yes you are my student but that doesn't make me an elder! And it is rude to speak in front of others in another language!">
Spirit laughed weakly. "Oh yes sorry FLuttershy, so Volg this is Fluttershy, Fluttershy this is Volg!"
Volg walked to her and leaned a bit over. "So you are a Pegasus I haven´t seen much of them for long. You seemed kind of weak in compare to the few Pegasus I met!"
Fluttershy sunk down and whispered. "Hello."
'Whoa I expect him to be a bit rude but that.' Spirit step between them. "That is because she doesn't fly much, she is an animal caretaker and helps me with my task you gave me."
He raised an eyebrow. "Is it so? I am sorry if I was rude but it is an easy way to learn more about other ponies."
"N-no problem!"
Volg smiled to her. "So you are an animal caretaker that is similar to what I do back in my tribe! And you also help my student with his task. So you must be good with some ... different animals, is that right?"
"Well yes."
"That's great I brought my house pet with me and I think he is a bit tired from the long travel so would you mind take care of him?"Spirit opened his eyes wide. 'Oh no!'
"Well yes of course."
Volg nodded and stomped one time with his hoof. After some time they heard a growl and after some seconds later a Manticore flew over to them and sat down next to Volg.
"This is my Manticore. You don´t have to take him in just make sure he doesn't get too bored." With that Volg walked a bit in the direction of the village and left Spirit, Bite and FLuttershy a bit behind.
"But I thought I would go with you during this day, I don´t want to disappoint you or your teacher!"
"It is no problem I think he knew you would be here and also you seemed very uncomfortable, I think it is better if you go with his Manticore and wait till we come to you."
Fluttershy looked a bit surprised. "Ok if you say so, I will o that." She flew back to her cottage with the Manticore following her.
"Volg I knew why you did this but I think you was a bit too harsh."
He looked at Spirit. "So it took these ponies only some weeks to make you forget about my methods? And yes I think you are right but anyway I came here for a reason, so what do you have for me?"
"Ah yes I have planned to show you a bit around and then show you my results!"
"Ok then lead the way." Volg started walking and petted Bite on his head. "He had grown well, do you have still blossoms left?"
"No I had to grow one of the plants!"
They started walking towards the village. "That's good to hear that you manage to get one but how?"
"Somepony you will meet later this day showed me where one of them is so I got some of the seeds and planted them. She also showed me how to make the magic in the plant more efficient by mixing the blossom with some of the leafs from the plant. She could show you too how to make that!"
"Oh no she won't because I already know that method!"
Spirit stopped and looked at Bite. "Why didn't you tell me about that?"
Volg continued walking. "Because you didn't asked!"
"But..." Volg simply ignored him and Spirit had to follow him quickly with Bite right behind him.
"So you wear your necklace in public. How comes?"
"Well I trust them with Bite and so I think I can trust them with my necklace and also you wears yours too."
His teacher looked to him and smiled. "Because I knew if you find somepony who wants to help you, they would be trustable."
Spirit first showed a bit in town like sugarcube corner the main hall and the day spa. But his teacher seemes not very interested in all this so Spirit decided to lead him directly to Twilights castle.
As they both walked to Twilights castle and Spirit explained. "This is the castle of the newest princess, Twilight Sparkle princess of friendship!"
Volg just nodded so Spirit decided to knock. After some minutes Spirit turned to his teacher. "Hm they seemed gone maybe they are in the arena."
They turned and headed to the arena, that Fallen had made, and entered they saw a blue unicorn that hit Twilight with an rapier and she fall down.
Immediately they heard a voice. "This duel is over and the winner is high mage apprentice Trixie!" Spirit looked where the voice came and saw Fallen. He also noticed some ponies he never met before sitting on the bleachers.
Volg turned to Spirit but used his native language. <"Who are they? I thought I would only meet the princess!">
<"I don´t know either. I expected only to meet Twilight and maybe Bright and Fallen. So the purple Alicorn is the princess, the pony with the golden mane is Bright Side and the unicorn with the black cloak is Brights brother and high mage Fallen Dark.">
His teacher tapped his chin and said an last thing in their language.<"High mage interesting! Never heard of them.">
As Spirit wanted to reply something he but was interrupted by Bite, so Spirit turned his head. Bite nodded silent in the direction of the middle of the arena and Spirit saw Twilight quickly walking over to them.
"Oh I am so sorry I almost forgot about you Spirit."
Now the other ponies walked over to them.
Fallen turned to Twilight and looked at her. "So you have forgotten other things besides everything I taught you about fighting too."
Spirit looked to Bite, who simply waited for somepony saying anything, then to his teacher who seemed a bit curios.
So Spirit spoke up. "Anyway Twilight if you don´t have time at the moment we come later."
Twilight quickly shook her head. "No! No! No! It's ok!"
Before he Spirit could say anything a pony spoke up he wore a cloak with the night sky on it and Spirit could swear to see the stars moving. "I think we should let you alone with your guests for a moment. Apprentice follow me."
With that everypony left expect Twilight.
"So Twilight this is my teacher Volg. Volg this is Twilight Sparkle the princess of friendship."
Volg bowed a bit. Spirit slightly rolled his eyes. 'Don't be too nice or she will get a wrong image of you.'
Twilight was a bit unsure about what to do but started speaking. "I happy to meet you Volg."
"I am honored to meet one of the princesses of equestria. But I am very surprised to see you fighting in front of a crowd and losing."
Twilight looked to him a bit unsettled. "I can explain. You know the ponies from before were the high mages and there apprentice. One of them challenge me to an magic duel .. and beat me."
Volg raised an eyebrow. "One of the high mages?"
Twilights head sunk a bit in shame. "No, one of the apprentice."
Spirits teacher smiled only. "I haven´t expect anything different."
Twilight looked confused at him. "What? Why?"
"That´s because I didn´t expect you to be a fighter, you may have much energy and know many spells but I don´t think you have learned other fighting spell expect an energy bolt, right?"
"Well yes but..."
"Then there is nothing to be ashamed of! It was nice to meet you Twilight but I think we have taken enough of your time." With that Volg walked of quickly followed by Bite and Spirit.
As they left Volg looked around but stooped as he saws Fallen, he looked at Fallen for some seconds then quickly turned away and walked again. As Spirit saw this he quickly catch up to him.
He saw an serious expression on Volgs face. "Is something wrong?"
Volg looked quickly to Bite then whispers to Spirit. <"Fallen is a dark one.">
<"Are you sure?">
<"Very sure but better keep that for yourself. I have the feelings he will play a important role in the future.">
Spirit nodded but looked at Bite worried. 'A dark mage pony? I didn´t knew that they still exist these days! I hope my teacher is right.'
"Ok then next stop is Fluttershys cottage and then you will meet Zecora. She was the one who help me find the magic plant."
Volg nodded and they walked to the cottage. Where they met Fluttershy and Volgs Manticore.
Volg walked over to his Manticore and petted him under the chin. "Did he made any trouble?"
"No he listened to everything I said. I must say you trained him very well, would it bother you to tell me how?"
He turned to Fluttershy. "Well you know I have a similar talent to Spirit and you. I am, like you, good with animals but in a bit different way." He turned back to his Manticore.
They all were silent before Spirit spoke again. "Fluttershy we go to Zecora I will let Bite here with you if that is ok."
"Yes of course see you late this day!"
Spirit leaded Volg through the forest and he explained a bit about it. Like the multiple creatures that lived here and the variation of flowers. Volg was very surprised by all the variation and admit his unknowning about this forest.
"I am surprised how can live somepony here?"
"You will find out. We are there." The reached Zeroas home and knocked on the door.
"You can come in my home
Volg raised an eyebrow. "Why does she rhyme?"
"Just go on."
They walked in and as Volg saw Zecora he instantly bowed.
<"I am sorry elder for my unknown
Zecora smiled to him.
"Ah I see you are the teacher I heard about
Volg bowed still some time till stood up again. "As you say Elder."
He looked at her. "So you showed my student were this magic plant grows and how he can mix it with the leafs?"
Zecora only nodded.
"I am very honored to meet you elder but I have a few questions if I am allowed to ask."
"Ask me if you want
Volg looked to Spirit. "Spirit leave us alone I will come back later I want to talk with the elder alone."
"I will do so my teacher." He bowed shortly and left the two alone. 'He send me away like a child! He probably ask her about how good I did my job so far.'
He walked back to Fluttershys cottage and prepared his notes to present them to his teacher. Fluttershy was feeding the Manticore at this moment till Bite came to her.
"Oh is something wrong Bite?"
Bite turned his head to Spirit, who ordered his notes for the third time, and looked worried at him.
"Oh you are worried about Spirit. Did you try to talk to him?"
Bite raised an eyebrow.
"Ok I will try it!"
She walked over to Spirit followed by Bite. Fluttershy laid an hoof on Spirits shoulder. "Spirit! Calm down! It will all end well. I am sure."
Spirit looked at them and saw the worried look on Bites face. "Oh I am sorry if I made you worry. But yes, you both are right I should not worry too much."
"Worry too much about what?"
Sprit jumped up and turned around to that Volg had come back. "Volg you scared me."
He rolled his eyes. "Oh come on didn´t I taught you to listened careful that you can't be surprised so easily! Anyway you showed me around. What now?"
"Well I have prepared all my notes of my research so that you can overview them."
He gave his teacher the papers. Volg on his side looked curious at the papers. "I will read them now. Wait here for my judgment!"
Volg walked off and started reading.
As they waited Spirit tried to relax by meditating with little success. After Volg had finished reading Spirit sat down before his teacher.
"Spirit I must say I expected more information. This is not much more than we already know!"
Spirit hung his head down."I know."
Volg smiled. "But I must say I am proud of you!"
"I am sorry ... wait! What?"
"If I wanted information I would send one of our researcher. But I send you to bring ponies and Timberwolves more together and in that point you had more done than I thought. Also what I am the most surprised that you actual found somepony who wanted to help you!"
"Really?"
"Still You have much work to do. You are far away from fulfill your task! But now I will go on my way back home!"
"You already want to leave?"
"Yes I only wanted to look what you already had done, what I did. So yes I will leave now!" He stomped on the ground and instantly the Manticore walked behind him.
"See you again Spirit, Bite and Fluttershy it was nice to meet you." With that he walked off and the other just stand there as he left.
They remain like this till Bite jumped at Spirit. "Oh Bite. I am happy too but Bite you're too big for this you hurt me!"
Bite let him go and Spirit took a breath. "That ended very well! But I think I had enough stress for the next weeks!"
The effect of the Wooden Heart
The visit from Spirits teacher is now several weeks ago and the days had been normalized. One day he was practicing some mental exercise.
"Come on Bite. You can do it! Concentration! " Spirit could sense Bites thoughts more and more clearly.
"Um Spirit?" And with that Bites concentration was gone and Spirit could only sense the feelings but clearer than before.
He opened his eyes and saw Twilight. "You know, sometimes your timing is very bad. " He looked to Bite and saw that he was staring right behind Twilight. He followed his eyes and saw two other ponies. 'Who are they? Wait they are alicorns! They must be the princess sisters!'
Twilight pushed him in the side and whispered. "Bow."
'Oh right.' He quickly bowed down.
"No need for bowing my friend you are no citizen from us .You are a guest of Equestria!"
Spirit stood up again and looked at the princesses. "To say the truth, I originally came from Equestria."
Everypony looked with big eyes except Celestia. She smiled at him. "Then I am happy to welcome you back."
Spirit quickly tried to change the subject. "So what brings you here?"
"We originally came to overlook Twilights progress with her student. But as she told us that we have an visitor from the Zebra lands with an Timberwolf as his company, I wanted to meet you."
Spirit rubbed his back head. "Well I am honored but it is nothing special."
Clelestia smiled at Bite. "I think different but I we must leave now. Goodbye Spirit Wood." With that Celestia followed by Luna walked away.
As he looked at Fluttershy and Twilight, who are still staring at him."Oh it is already late, I should go feed Bite!" He quickly walked inside and got some of the magic powder cookies, he made at the previous day together with Pinkie Pie, and fed Bite with them.
Fluttershy and Twilight followed him and Twilight interrupted him. "You never told us that you came from Equestria. Why didn't you told us?"
Spirit gave a sigh of defeat. "That is because it is not really happy story and I repressed it for a long time." He looked down and sunk down in his memories.
He looked up again as he felt a hoof on his shoulder. He saw that Fluttershy stood before him. "You can trust us! If you don't want you don't have to tell us your story but I think it would be better if you do."
Also Bite walked to him and looked at him sadly.
"I think you're right I will tell you my story ..." He took a deep breath. "So it started all 16 years ago...
16 years ago in Spirits old home.
"Please mom, can I go with grandma and grandpa, please?"
Spirit mother looked at his father. His father nodded and his mom smiled at Spirit. "Of course you can, they have planned the trip for six months and we already spoke with them. So yes you can go with them through your school vacation."
"YAY" Spirit run in circles around the eating table.
His mother held her hoof up and stopped him. "But only if you eat all your vegetables!"
Spirit looked at his mother with big eyes. "Oh please broccoli tastes awful."
"No you don't have ..." His mother wanted to say but was interrupted by his father. "No you don't give in this time if he wants to go on this trip he can eat his food up at least!"
"You heard your father." Spirit hung his head down and sat down again and started eating the vegetables with only the trip in his mind.
The next day
"Are you ready?"
Spirit nodded to his grandparents and his grandmother smiled at him. "Ok then go and say bye to your parents when you come back we will go on the trip."
Spirit ran towards his parents and gave them a big hug. "Can you two not come with us?"
His mother shook her head. "No honey, we must work but your grandparents will go with you remember? I have an Idea, why don't you tell us everything what happened when you're back?"
Spirit smiled again. "Ok I will do that! Bye!"
He ran off but heard one last words from his father. "And listened to what your grandparents say!"
"Yes I will."
His grandparents and Spirit entered a carriage and stated their trip to the land of the Zebra. They first traveled to the Horseshoe Bay where they will enter their ship.
On the travel with the train Spirit got bored so he wanted to talk with his grandfather. "Grandpa did you travel to this lands before?"
"Yes, your grandmother and I traveled very much when we were younger, we were explorer back then! That includes some stops in the Zebra lands!"
"Cool! But why is it called Zebra lands?"
As he ask this question, his grandma entered the room. "That's because it is populated mostly with Zebras and some Griffons."
"What are Zebras?"
His grandpa rubbed his chin. "Well they look a bit different from us but the biggest difference is their behavior with others and their language."
Spirit looked confused at the explanation and his grandma tried to enlighten him. "You will know what we mean if you see them and anyway we will stay in a Zebra village while we're there."
"Yeah I will be the first in my class who saw a Zebra!" Spirit stated to run around in the compartment and his grandparents looked at him and smiled.
But much to Spirits disappointment they had still to travel a long way till they even reach the ship the most of the time he asked question and walked around.
Finally they reach the ship and they all went to bed. As Spirit awakes again it was noon and he started searched on the ship for his grandparents. He found them after an half hour on the boat hull looking at the horizon.
He walked between them and looked in the distance. "What is there?"
His grandpa turned to him and smiled . "We are waiting till we are able to see the land."
"I think I can see it!" His grandma looked through binoculars and put them down and gave it her husband.
"You're right, come kid look if you can see them." With that he gave it to Spirit.
He quickly grabbed it and his grandparents helped him on a box from there he looked through the binoculars. "I don't see it .... Wait! I see it! I see it!" he put the binoculars down and looked at his grandparents. "How long will it takes till we reached it?"
They both smiled and his grandpa grabbed him on his shoulder. "We have much time left and I think you haven't eat till know. How about we eat something and after that you get an ice!"
"YAY!"
After one hour they finally reached the land they were greeted by some griffons some even some in amour. Spirit looked at the armored and seems very impressed. His grandparents seems a bit confused to be the only ponies who left the boat.
Spirit turned to his grandfather and whispers . "Why do they wear amour?"
He lowered his head to Spirits head level and whispers back. "You must know there some dangerous creatures but normally they let you in peace and this almost the twice as many than the last time!"
He turned to one of the griffon guards who seems to be the leader. "Why all this guards?"
The general turned around and took his helm off. "Well we had some trouble with some outcasts, we will escort you all till the village."
Spirit grandmother came to them. "Ok it seems we are the only one, so let's go."
They all walked together with the armored Griffons in the direction of the next village. It was silence and Spirit was very uncomfortable surround by big grim looking armored and armed Griffons and walked close to his grandparents who seemed a bit worried too.
His grandmother turned to her husband and made sure that Spirit can't hear them. "What do you think about all this?"
"I don't know to be honest. But I think it's save I mean with so much guards! But I think we should shorten the trip down to a week!"
His wife nodded and looked down to Spirit who seems a bit scared. He tries to smile to him to light his mood. "How is the trip for you till know?"
"It is soo cool!" With that he smiles again.
After some time the Griffons stopped. "We will stop for today we will reached the town tomorrow!"
So they build up the tents and went to bed. Two of the Griffons stayed awake and kept watch. Spirit went together with his grandparents in one tent they offered him an own but he didn't wanted to stay alone. Spirit fell asleep quickly .
In the middle of the night something waked him up. He stood up and noticed that his grandparents are gone. He opened the entrance of the tent and walked out as he looked around and saw that the griffons were running around.
Spirit wanted to know what's going on. "What is happening? Where are grandma and grandpa?"
The captain stopped as he noticed him. "We are under attack, quickly follow me!" He immediately grabbed him and walked in the direction of a tree.
The captain pointed to a small hole under the tree. "Quickly get under there and stay there till this is over."
"But ..."
"Now!"
Spirit crawled under the tree and looked at the Griffon. "Good, now stay there till someone picks you up!"
With that he walked away and Spirit observed the scene. First he saw notching but the armored griffons running around. Between them he saw the not armored and his grandparents escorted by some gourds towards an big tent what was guarded by four guards in the front. Then the next seconds nothing happened. But suddenly other griffons came, they all seem very run-down and they were all armed with crossbows and knives . As they ran in the direction of the big tent the guard ran to them.
Spirit wanted to see more but as one of the griffons flew near, one off the branches of the tree broke off fell down and knocked Spirit out.
As Spirit opened his eyes his eyes again it was noon and everything was over, the tents are collapsed and there were some of the Griffon guards laying dead on the ground. He crawled out off the hole and turned around in the direction off the big tent. But it didn't stood anymore they were some pieces of fabric and ash.
He slowly walked towards the rest of the tent but was stopped by some strange noises. He turned around to see two strange ponies. Spirit quickly got that they were Zebras on female and one bigger male one. but after the last encounter with stranger he walked a bit back.
"No fear for us we are not with the Griffons." The smaller Zebra said with a soft voice.
The soft voice calm him a bit down but he still walked a bit back.
Know the bigger Zebra spoke up with a more darker voice. "You have to follow us it is too dangerous alone!"
Not listening, Spirit turned back to the burned tent and starts walking towards it. As he was only two feet's away from the tent the Zebra with the darker voice stopped him. "No, I can assure you that you don't want to see that! Just come with us. If you stay you will end like them."
The other Zebra held a hoof out. "Come we must go now."
Spirit had no idea what to do he didn't want to stay but he also didn't really trust them. He walked a bit back again unsure what to do.
The bigger one spoke up again. "Listened. If you don't follow us it won't end well for you! So come now, please."
The Zebras turned around and walked slowly away and Spirit thought about the situation. He didn't really trust them after what happened the night but he didn't saw other thing he could do so he followed them quickly.
The female turned her head around while walking and smiled warmly. "What's your name?"
"Spirit Wood." He answered quiet.
"My name is Sinder and this is Cero my husband." She looked at Spirit and saw that he seems very exhausted. "No worry it is a short trip to our village."
As Spirit heard the word trip he it reminds him of the previous day, on the last words he heard from his grandparents. He quickly shoved the images from the night away and just concentrated on following the two Zebras.
As they arrived at the village Spirit walked right between the two Zebras. They finally reached the house in the mid of the village and stopped in front of it.
Cero turned around. "I am sorry but you must wait till they call you in."
Spirit simply nodded but as they closed the door behind them he tried to listened what they talking about but since he didn't understand their language he gave up and sat down before the door.
After some minutes the door opened and a very big Zebra stood in front of him. "The elder will see you now." He took a step beside an let Spirit in.
As he entered the room he could smell many different thing who probably came from the plants and phials who filled the shelves. As he looked around he could see Cero and Sinder and some other Zebras covered in cloaks. Right in the middle of the room sat an Zebra with golden rings on his legs and even some around his throat but it didn't seem to bother him.
"So you're the one who survive
Spirit was very confused about the rhymes but he stayed silence.
"Please don't think that we are cruel
He looked at Spirit who know looked down reminded of the events last night.
"As much as I hate it to say
It is too dangerous to send you back
Spirit didn't puzzled slowly what that mean and then opened his eyes wide in shook. "Does that mean you can't help me back home? Why?"
One of the cloaked Zebras stepped forward. "We are sorry but we can't help you at the moment, Griffons outcasts are walking free around and we are about to travel to another place, deeper in the lands."
"Does that mean I have to go alone?"
Another Zebra stepped forward and spoke with a broken voice he also wore a skull over his hood. "If you want to return yes, but our seer think it is foreordained that you came to us and think you should stay with us."
The first Zebra spoke up again. "You also can stay till you are old enough to travel alone home!"
Spirit couldn't believe that. "I can't stay! I want to go home!" He hung his head down.
Sinder stepped forward. "We understand that but if you go now alone you won't survive alone as long the bandits are on free hoof but we promise when you are old enough we help you going back!"
Spirit looked to the ground realizing that it was the truth and he had no choice. As he thought about his parents he collapsed and started crying because he wouldn't see them for the next years till he is old enough.
After some time he stood up again. "I will stay."
The elder looked down to him with an friendly smile.
"Then I welcome you to my tribe my friend
Spirit didn't knew what the last sentence mean so he simple thought that he only say that so that it rhyme.
The one with the skull hood stepped to him. "You will stay with Cero and Sinder they volunteered to teach you everything you had to know and watch over you."
Spirit looked to them they smiled warmly to him but Spirit hung his head again and said a quiet."Okay."
Sinder and Cero walked to him and held their hooves out. "Come Spirit you can help us prepare for the trip." As he said that Spirit winced a bit.
Cero looked at Sinder and whispers. "I think this event yesterday might traumatized him we should not speak about that or use the word trip it seems to trigger something."
She nodded and turned to Spirit. "So now come we have to pack things."
So they walked to their hut and packed everything Spirit tried to help a bit but didn't know how so he decided to just watch after some hours all Zebras meet at the middle of the village. As all there were the begun to travel in the opposite direction from where Spirit came.
As the sun is almost went down the elder stopped and dug a small hole in the earth and nodded immediately the Zebras spread and started to build up their homes again. Spirit walked with Sinder and Cero but as they saw how tired Spirit was the gave him a blanket and send him to sleep and they build the house.
The first months were hard for Spirit, not knowing anything about how to act or speak. Sinder and Cero taught him as much as they could about how to act. First Spirit didn't wanted to learn their language because it seems unnecessary but after one day the other childes talked and always looked at him Spirit decided to learn their language to understand them.
"As I finally spoke the language I was able to make some friends but longer I lived there more memories I lost about my live in Equestria subconsciously."
Twilight interrupted him. "But why did you stayed there for so long?"
Fluttershy took a sip of a tea she had made. "And is that the reason you winced every time somepony says the word trip?"
He winced. "Yes this is one of the last words my grandfather said to me and to your question after two years I almost forgot my whole past back in Equestria. Back to the story I lived there now for two years and I made a decision..."
It was noon and Spirit was eating with Sinder and Cero.
Spirit stopped eating and took a deep breath and looked at the both Zebras <"I want to be part of the tribe!">
Both stopped eating immediately and looked each other. Cero spoke up first.
Spirit nodded. <"I don't remember much from my live back and here I learn so much new and have a new live!">
Sinder smiled to him. <"If you really want we can go to the elder right after eating. But first eat your vegetables.">
Spirit smiled to them both. <"Okay"> He sat down and ate his food.
Later that day they went to the elder to ask him.
Spirit bowed and started.
<"Elder I came here for request
<"Ah so the day had finally come
You are still a child remember
Spirit was very surprised. He ignored the fact that the elder allowed him to talk normal and simply accepted it. <"Finally come?">
<"Yes I ask my seer after you arrive
He was surprised he already knew that they had seers but didn't really believed them. <"So it is possible?">
<"Yes it is but you must be part of a family here
Spirit turned to Sinder and Cero. <"What does that mean?">
They seemed a bit surprised too. Cero spoke up the first. <"That means someone has to adopt you.">
Spirit looked at them. <"You would do that?">
Sinder smiled at him and nodded. <"Yes we would but you have to stay with us learn our culture and stay to our rules. If you are okay with that we would be happy to be your adopt family.">
Spirit jumped for happiness having a family again. <"Yes I will do everything to be one of the tribe and have a family again.">
<"So it is official you Spirit
He turned to Cero. <"Merit for what?">
<"I am not very sure maybe because you showed so much attention to our culture already.">
The Zebra from Spirit first day in the village with the skull walked to him. <"Tomorrow we will made the ritual for your joining. Your adoptive family will tell you everything you have to know.">
On the next morning Spirit was very excited that he would be a part of something. He was a bit disappointed about the ritual because they only met the elder and the other high Zebras who said some word but Spirit didn't really understood what they meant so he did not pay not much attention to it. The only thing he had to do was bowing and let the elder hang him the necklace on.
At the end of the day Spirit walked to his home with his new parents.
"... and this is the story how I ended at the Zebra lands as an member of a Zebra tribe."
Sprit hung his head down and Fluttershy walked over to him. "I am sorry for you that lost your family!"
"No don't be sorry. It was my decision to let my past behind me! And I have to live with that." Bite walked to him and Spirit hugged him.
Twilight walked over to them. "I can't say I understood everything you said but I think it was good to tell somepony. I have to go now. Good night Sprit and Fluttershy."
Twilight walked out of the house and left them alone. There were silent for some moments till Fluttershy brought Spirit a tea.
"Thank you!" He took a sip of the tea.
"I am sorry..."
"No, as I said don't be sorry about what I almost forgot! But I must say thank you for listing!" Spirit drunk his tea and leaved without another word. Bite first stayed a little inside but followed him later.
Spirit meditated the rest of the day the only things that Spirit notice that Bite came back and also Twilight came and got Fluttershy and flew to her castle but Spirit didn't ask why he was to deep in thoughts about his past.
The effect of the Wooden Heart
The next day Sprit walked through the town with Bite, after the story yesterday he wanted to get on other thoughts. As he walked he heard a strange noise and as he followed it he saw Rainbow Dash who was kicking a cloud.
Spirit looked at her with a confused expression. "Hey Rainbow! What are you doing?"
" I only trained a bit extra because of the fight we had yesterday with Fallen."
"A battle? With Fallen?" 'They battle against a dark mage? Why?'
Rainbow nodded. "Yes Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity Fluttershy and I fought against him and he defeated us all!"
Spirit opened his eyes wide. "How?" So Rainbow started to explain.
After a long explanation Sprit nodded. "Ok I understand how he beat you but why do you wanted to battle with him in the first place?"
"We wanted to show him that friendship is stronger but as he defeated us. I wanted to train harder to beat him!" She kicked the cloud again for a few times then looked back to Spirit.
"My teacher always said you shouldn't train fighting alone. If you do, you would only make more mistakes!"
Rainbow looked at him in disbelieve. "You teacher showed you how to fight?"
Spirit slowly nodded not liking where this was going. "Well, yes but I wasn't very good. I only know some tricks, nothing more!" 'And hated it!'
And Rainbow ask the question he didn't wanted to hear. "If you know how to fight why don't you show me this tricks in a battle?"
"I could but..." He looked to Bite, searching for help, but he just nodded in the direction of Rainbow. "Ok but where?"
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "In the arena of course!" And she flew off.
"But I have... to get my stuff first." Spirit sigh and he walked slowly back to the cottage as he reached it he walked in his tent and searched for his fight equipment. 'Been long since I used them!' He put his weapons in his bags together with a few fighting elixirs. 'I don't think I need them but always better to have them around.' He put his saddlebags on and walked in the direction of the arena.
As he reached the arena he saw that Rainbow was already ready to fight.
"Why did it took you so long?"
"If you want to fight with me I will use my weapon." With that he opened his saddlebags and pulled two wooden claws out of it and laid the bags away.
Rainbow chuckled. "This is your weapon? Some claws made of wood?"
Spirit ignored the chuckle form her and nodded. "Yes it is. So first of I am not a good fighter and second, you should know that I always fight with Bite." As he said that Bite walked next to him and stretched his back.
Rainbow protested. "Hey that's two against one! That is not fair!"
Spirit shook his head. "No it is not but do you think that the battle against Fallen could be called fair? My teacher taught me very early that you shouldn't ask for fairness in a fight! You know, in my first fight, my teacher fought with his Manticore against me alone!"
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Fine! I trained so hard I can't lose!"
'I can't believe she did not protest any further!' Spirit walked in the middle of the arena and stopped there. "If you say so. Anyway get ready!"
Rainbow flew in the air and pointed with her spear to him. Spirit puts the claw on and closed his eyes. "Bite watch out she is very fast so wait for her to attack so we can counter. But don't be too hard on her, I think she doesn't know what it means to fight against two at once." He waited and opened his eyes and saw Bite nodding.
Spirit turned to Rainbow. "Ok we fight till somepony of us is disarmed, is struck down or one of us gave up! On three! One... two... THREE!"
Rainbow instantly rushed at him as he said three. Spirit jumped a bit to the left and Bite rammed Rainbow as she landed. As she stood up again she saw them both charge at her so she jumped in the air but Bite jumped too and Spirit jumped on the back of Bite and attacked Rainbow. She tried to doge but he did not aimed at her, he aimed at her spear and his claw hooked at the end.
Spirit used his weight to pull her down. She tried to free her weapon but his claw didn't gave in. As they landed on the ground Spirit let her weapon go, she instantly tried to get in the air again but didn't saw Bite jumping at her. He stepped on her wings and hold them down, Rainbow on her side tried to hit Bite with the end of her spear but it was blocked by Spirits claw. He grabbed her spear with both claws and twisted it so she had to let the spear go.
Bite let her wings go and Spirit threw the spear before her hooves. "Not bad Rainbow but if you fight against two you have to be more defensive." 'Be happy that I am not my teacher, or it wouldn't end so painless.' But he kept this thought for himself.
She rubbed her hoof who hurt from the twisting. "But you said you were not good at fighting!"
"Yes I did but I have still more experience in fighting than you do. I have fought more battles than you did but I lost every single one of them till now. "
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Against who did you fight before?"
"Well the most of them were against my teacher except one. In which I fought against Leaf." He stopped. '...No you did this to come to other thoughts.'
"And you lost all of the fights?"
Spirit first didn't response but then nodded. "Yes I did. Also my teacher used a similar fight style so I was able to learn much from him. In comparison to you, I don't think Fallen is able to teach you any pegasus techniques and even if he could, only knowing how to fight doesn't mean you can fight. That takes much work!""
She rolled her eyes. "Ok ok I get it! You are the better fighter."
"This is not what I meant. For example I know how I should fight but my physical abilities are not enough for that but for you, you should ask Fallen to fight against the Pegasus shadows more often for starters... and if you want I can show you some tricks."
"Ok let's go but I want a rematch after that!"
He tapped on his chin. "Ok I will train with you a bit but you have to listened! And for the rematch, I will do it when you have learned more about how to fight."
Rainbow nodded.
"Good now, stand in front of me." As he said that Rainbow instantly stood before him.
"I will try to attack you and you just have to doge! Understand?" She nodded.
Spirit attacked her with one of his claws. Rainbow tried to doge by duck her head but Spirit didn't aimed for her head but for her spear. He grabbed it with his claw and disarmed her.
Spirit rolled his eyes. "You did the same thing again if you want to doge you have to keep you're weapon as near to you as you can or you can be disarmed easily. We do it again."
They did that for a few times till Rainbow was able to doge him without being hit or disarmed. They also did some other doge exercises but they were all done quickly. As they finished the last Rainbow wanted to go on immediately.
But Spirit shook his head. "I only wanted to show you how to doge somepony who want to disarm you, instead of hurt you but still, Fallen is your teacher not me!"
"Oh come on! Let's do the rematch at least!"
"No we trained the whole day! We both are too exhausted for a proper fight and I said that we do a rematch when you learned more! Also I am hungry."
"You three can eat with us!" Spirit turned around to see Twilight.
Spirit smiled. "Yes that would be great. But only if it doesn't bother you!"
"No it is no problem. Spike is making pancakes."
"Alright, do you want pancakes Bite?" He turned around to see that Bite nodded and barked a bit.
He chuckled a bit and turned back to Twilight. "I think he wants to come too. What about you Rainbow?"
"Sure! I am in!"
They walked to the castle and Twilight brought them to the dining hall. They all sat down except Spirit. "I will go help Spike a bit!"
He walked into the kitchen where he found Spike already cooking the first pancakes. "Hello Spike. Can I help you?"
"No thanks. But could you say me did Twilight brought somepony expect you with her to eat?"
"Yes Rainbow and Bite are also here."
Spike turned to the pancakes and nodded. "Good to know so I have to make some extra! Does Bite also eats some?"
"Yes he dose but could you give me the batter for his pancakes, so I can add the blossom powder to it?"
"Of course." Spike turned around and gave him a bowl of batter. Spirit put it on the counter and grabbed a vial with powder from his saddlebags. He opened the vial and pour all of it in the batter. He mixed it for some time and gave it back to Spike.
"Here is the batter for Bites pancake. Don't mix it with the other!"
Spike grabbed the bowl and started making the last pancakes. "As you say! Tell the other the food is finished in three minutes."
Spirit nodded and walked back to the other. As they waited Bright joined them. "Hello Spirit and Rainbow. Oh and Bite! What brings you all here?"
Twilight answered for them. "They are going to eat with us, did you told Fallen?"
She nodded. "Yes but he won't come he is still working on an experiment."
Sprit petted Bite on his head while listening. "Is that normal for him?"
"Yes sometimes he left out a meal to finish his experiments." Twilight stated him, while Bright walked over to Bite and petted him.
Rainbow smiled. "Well more for us!"
Suddenly Spike opened the door with two plates of pancakes, one with normal ones and another with pancakes with green points. Bright quickly walked over to Spike and grabbed the seconded one for his back with her magic. "Let me help you Spike. Why are there green points on it?"
"These are the pancakes for Bite I put some powder in it. Just lay the plate over there!" Spirit pointed to one corner of the room, then walked over to Spike to help him carry the other plate to the table.
Bright laid the plate down but turned to Spirit. "Why does he have to eat different one?"
Spirit raised an eyebrow and turned to Twilight. "She doesn't know about magic plants?" Twilight nodded and looked a bit ashamed. "Well for the short version, Bite has to recover his magic and I use a magic powder from a plant to do this."
Bright turned to Bite who already ate one of the pancakes. "Interesting, when will I learn about magic plants?"
"Later, first we finish your other studies. " Bright seems a bit disappointed for a moment.
"I could show you something about magic plants and nature magic!" At this Bright got big eyes. "But only after you finished your other studies and Twilight has to give her ok!"
Bright nodded happily. Spirit wanted to say another thing but was interrupt by Rainbow. "You can talk later, I am to hungry to wait any longer!"
They all nodded and so they started eating. After a while Twilight spoke up again. "So how does it come that you two trained?"
Spirit looked to Rainbow. "You can explain!" Then turned to Bite. "And how do the pancakes tastes?" He felt an big amount of happiness. "I take that as a good." Turned smiling back to his food and listened.
"So I wanted to train to beat Fallen. Then Spirit found me, we talked and I challenged him for a battle. He accepted so we went to the arena but suddenly he said I had to fight against him and Bite."
Spirit interrupted her. "I never said I would fight alone and also it has been long we fought together and Bite grew much since then!"
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Anyway we fought for some time till Spirit disarmed me. He told me I should doge better. He showed me bit how to doge and then you came."
Suddenly Bright spoke up. "If Spirit and Bite can fight so good how about a match against Twilight?"
Spirit was so surprised that he choked on the pancake. Rainbow punched him quickly on his back. Twilight nodded to Spirit. "Yes we could do a small fight for training. If you want Spirit!"
Spirit chough heavily. "Well we could but I don't think the match would be long. Bite what do you think." He turned to him and waited.
Bite thought for a moment but then nodded so Spirit turned back to the others. "Ok then we can fight but I will use some extra tricks so I have at least a chance!"
They all seemed a bit surprised but Twilight nodded. "Then let's go to the arena!" With that they all went back to the arena. As they three make them self ready for battle Spirit didn't put his saddlebags away this time.
Spirit turned to Bite. "Bite remember I won't be so fast with these bags we have to be more defensive this time." Bite nodded and Spirit turned to Twilight. "Good we are ready! The rules are if someone of us is disarmed, struck down or give up the battle ends. Bright count down from three!"
"Ok then THREE... TWO... ONE... GO!"
Spirit grabbed instantly in his bags to pulled out a black bottle and threw it right before Twilight. As it hits the ground the bottle broke and black smoke instantly covered a big area of the arena. Bite instantly ran into it and disappeared but Spirit stayed outside. Meanwhile Twilight tried to find a way out of the smoke but when she tried to flew out of the smoke something hit her several times and then suddenly was grabbed by something, she swung her sword around and heard something break. As she was free she quickly flew in the air.
Spirit saw that she flew out of the cloud so he threw another bottle in the cloud and it quickly cleared and he could see that Twilight had cut one Bites wooden paws off. While he was rebuilding it Spirit turned back to Twilight who was shooting several bolts to him. First he didn't knew what to but then got an idea and threw several bottles to her. Everyone of them was hit by one bolts they all broke and a big cloud of green smoke flew to Twilight. She on her side started flapping quickly with her wings and blew the smoke to Spirit.
The smoke covered him for a second then disappeared but he got it in his eyes so he closed them. 'No, that is bad! Quickly I have to lose this bags!' He dropped his bags and he took a deep breath started concentrating on his bond to Bite. Twilight now attacked him with more paralyze bolts but Spirit doge everyone of them. She was surprised how he managed to do this without seeing anything and decided to try it in melee fight. She attacked him but he blocked every attack from her and counterattacked her every time but she could block every one of them.
After some time she looked around and saw that Bite was only sitting and looked at the fight. She got an Idea and turned away and started attacking Bite and as she did Spirit stopped instantly and Bite started fighting just like she expected she was able to hit Bite on one leg and he broke down. Instantly Bite stopped and Spirit attacked her from the side. With furious attacks with his claws he was able to disarmed her from her sword.
Twilight shot a bolt that Spirit have to back up to doge. Twilight saw that he was running towards her again. She thought quickly then threw her shield in direction of Bite and it hit him right at his head and he broke into pieces. Twilight turned back to Spirit who stopped in the middle of his attack and she was about to shot a last paralyze at him. But Sprit stopped her.
"You won! You don't have to paralyze me."
Twilight stopped and instantly the others came down. The first who spoke was Rainbow. "That was awesome! You beat Spirit! He had no chance! Oh sorry no offence."
"No problem but could someone give me a wet rag for my eyes!"
Bright levitated one over to him. "Right here!"
"Thanks!" He rubbed his eyes clean and then turned to Bite who was fully repaired now. "Good fighting my friend, it was my fault that we lost!"
Twilight walked to them. "You fought very good but did I got it right that you watched yourself through Bites eyes when you were blinded?"
He nodded. "Yes it is a bit hard to aim like this but we trained this a lot back in my homelands. But my mistake was to try blinding powder in the first place. It only gave you an opportunity to separate us. I lost the battle as I tried this."
They looked confuse at each other till Rainbow turned back to him. "Why did you fight on if you knew you would lost?"
"Because this battle wasn't about winning I just want to see how good Twilight is, this never was a competition or anything like that!"
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "It was not? Anyway do you will train with us or not?"
'When did she got that idea?' "Bite what do you think?" He turned to see that Bite was thinking for some moments then nodded. "Ok then but not every day, I will tell you when I will train you!"
Rainbow instantly flew into the air. "Oh yeah! Spirit will train me and then I will beat Fallen!"
He turned to Bite. "She did not get that, I meant only once a month or so? And also did she forget that I am not a pegasus?" He turned to Twilight with a confused expression.
"She is just happy to train with someone how doesn't remind her of her mistakes all the time!"
He raised an eyebrow but then shook his head. "Anyway I have to go if she comes down again, please tell her that I will tell her if I train with her but she shouldn't expect that very often."
"I can do this."
"Lets go Bite!" Spirit walked away closely followed by Bite.
The effect of the Wooden Heart
Meeting with a royal pair
The next week Spirit trained once with Rainbow but they didn't came very much further than some basic exercises. Also he talked with Zecora about his plant and they did some experiments on the plant from Zecora. Spirit stayed there long to make his notes and came back very late.
Spirit walked directly to his tent and went to sleep but shortly after he laid down he heard someone walking outside. "Is that you Bite?" but he could sense that Bite was already asleep. Then some moments later he heard the pony walking in the direction of Fluttershys house and the doors opened and closed again. Spirit doesn't thought much about it and fall asleep.
The next morning, Spirit was watering the magic plant and cut some of the blossoms of.
After some minutes Fluttershy interrupted him. "Morning Spirit!"
"Morning Fluttershy! So what was it yesterday what you wanted to ask me?"
She was a bit surprised but continued. "What do you mean?"
He continued collecting the blossoms while talking. "I heard somepony walking outside, then turning away and entering your house!"
"How did you know that it was me?"
He turned back to her. "Well my teacher said I should train to listened careful, I did that the last days and so I was able to identify your steps. So what was it you wanted to ask?"
Fluttershy pulled out a letter. "Well Twilight got a letter that Cadence and Shining Armor are visiting and she invited you to meet them. So do you come?"
Spirit looked at the letter and read it quickly then nodded. "Of course. I always want to see reactions to Bite from other ponies. When do they arrive?"
"As far as I know they should arrive tomorrow."
Spirit nodded and turned back to his plant. "Ok then. Oh I remember, do you know if the flower store has some fertilizer?"
Fluttershy laid the paper away and nodded. "Well I think so."
He put the blossoms next to his saddlebags and looked to the town. "Then I go visit the shop. Do you want to come with me Bite?"
Bite nodded, so they both went into town to the flower store. On the way Spirit noted that almost nopony reacted to Bite only a few made a small circle. 'It seems that my work is making progress.'
As they entered the flower store he heard a scream. "TIMBERWOLF!"
'So much about progress.' He walked over to the back doors from the shop and knocked on it. "Hello? It is me Spirit, the pony with the Timberwolf!"
"Oh it is you, I forgot about you." The door opened. "So how can I help you?"
Spirit shook his head. 'Some of these ponies.' "I was just wondering if I could buy some fertilizer?"
She turned around and showed him some bags with different types of fertilizer in them."Of course, for what kind of plant do you need it?"
"Do you remember when I ask you about a stranger blossom? I found the plant and I am raising one of them so do you know a good one for magical plants?"
"I don't know anything about this kind of plant but I would recommend you this one it is the best we have!" He grabbed one of the bags on the highest shelve and laid it on the counter.
Spirit reached in his pocket and raised an eyebrow. "How many bits does it cost?"
She shook her head. "Nothing! See it as my support for your work!"
Spirit was very surprised but grabbed the bag anyway. "Well thank you!"
She chuckled and looked at Bite. "It's nothing! So tell me after a week or so how good the fertilizer worked!"
Spirit turned around and walked away. On the way Spirit talked with Bite. "Well that was strange, I hope the two we are meeting tomorrow will not start like this and also I hope she was just overreacting or my whole work wasn't as good as I thought! So what do you expect from the two?"
Spirit waited and got a huge wave of emotions from him.
Spirit shook his head and smiled at Bite while walking. "Ok I think we should work on your mental communication a bit. I would say the rest of the day we work on that and then everyday at least one hour!"
So they went back and started some mental exercises for Bite and Spirit fertilized his plant a bit. After finishing that they went to sleep.
The next morning
Bite woke up early but Spirit was still asleep so he decided to walk to Fluttershy, to see if she was awake. As he entered her home he saw Fluttershy preparing the food for the other animals and he walked over to her.
She turned around to him. "Oh good you are here we must hurry feeding the animals or we going to be late for the meeting with the others! Could you help me?"
So Bite helped bringing the food to the animals and even helped her making breakfast for them all.
"Come Bite, lets wake Spirit up!" They walked outside and saw that Spirit was awake and balancing on the edge of the bridge with one hoof.
'Concentration! Feel the earth. Listened to the Wind.' "Um Spirit?"
"What?" Spirit lost his concentration and began to struggle and was about to fall. Bite saw this and ran right under him and caught him.
Still Spirit still fall on the wood from Bite and it hurt. He groaned and stood up to feel a pain in his back. He sat down and rubbed his back. "Thank you Bite but I think I hurt my back!"
Fluttershy instantly walked over to him. "Did you got hurt Spirit? Is everything alright? I am so sorry!"
He rubbed his back and pointed to his bags. "No problem but the next time let Bite contact me first if I am meditating. Could you give me some of the white leaves and a bandage from my bag?"
"Of course!" She reached in his bag and grabbed some small white leaves "What kind of leafs is that?"
He grabbed the leaves and grated them with his hooves. Then he put the powder on his back and wrapped the bandage around his back. He tied it with his mouth then turned to Fluttershy. "This are some heal leaves the mostly works like painkillers but also speed up the healing process a bit!"
"Still I am so sorry! It was my fault that you got hurt!"
"On my travel I got hurt several times. I don't carry these leafs because I didn't expect things like these!" He stood up again but still felt some pain in his back.
Spirit turned to Bite and patted him on his back and raised an eyebrow. "Did I miss the breakfast or is there still something for me?"
"Oh of course, I prepared everything." Spirit nodded and they walked in and ate their food. They stayed in till it was noon.
Fluttershy looked at her clock. "We should go now. We don't want to be late."
"Ok then let's go." They went through the town but they had to stop sometimes because of Spirits hurting. After they had walked the half of the way, Spirit stopped. "Wait I will renew my bandage. You can go ahead Fluttershy!"
He reached in his bag and expected Fluttershy to go on but she didn't. "No I help you this was my fault after all!"
So she helped him change his bandage, it took a while because the liquid from the leafs made it difficult to remove the bandage. As they finally finished it they went on to Twilights castle to meet Cadence and Shining Armor.
Before the doors Spirit reached in his bag and put his wooden necklace on. He noticed that Fluttershy looked at him. "I am going to meet another princess and I want to show respect to the empire." Fluttershy nodded and so they opened the doors.
As they opened the doors no one was inside so they walked on to the dining room. They saw the other already sitting.
The all looked at them and Spirit explained the situation. "Sorry for being so late I had a little... accident."
Bright looked at his back. "What happened? If you want I can try to heal you."
"No no, you don't have to I already put some medical plants on it! And also I don't want to bother you!"'And also my teacher would not approve it if I let myself be healed.'
Bright protested a bit but sat down again. "It wouldn't bother me but if you don't want. Maybe you should sit down Spike is about to serve the food."
He nodded and sat down on one of the last free chairs. To his right sat Twilight and Fluttershy sat down to his left. Shortly after that Spike brought the food there were three different kinds of salad and everyone got a bowl even Bite. Spirit couldn't identify the different types so he grabbed the nearest bowl and put a bit in his bowl. Then turned to Bite.
"Which one do you want Bite?" Bite looked at the different bowls but it just confuse him. "I don't know the difference either. Here I give some of the same I eat."
Spirit filled Bites bowl with the same salad then grabbed a phial of his bags and mixed the powder in the salad. Bite instantly started eating. Spirit looked a bit at him and smile. "There you go."
He turned back to the table and looked at his salad and tasted it. 'Nothing special.' He turned to his left and saw that Twilight talked with Cadence.
Twilight noticed that and turned to him. "Ah yes Spirit you didn't met Cadence yet. Spirit this is Cadence the princess of the crystal empire and my sister-in-law and that to her right is her husband and my brother Shining Armor the captain of the royal guards. Cadence this is Spirit Wood, he comes from the Zebra lands and is here to bring ponies and Timberwolves together!"
Spirit bowed a bit. "It is nice to meet you princess of the crystal empire."
"Please, drop the title, a friend of Twilight is my friend."
'Why does no one in Equestria want to be called by their title?' "Of course. So since you are from the crystal empire the travel should have took some time?"
"Oh yes it was but it is always worth if I get the chance to visit my sister in-law and also met somepony form a different land."
"It is quiet an honor to hear something like that. But may I ask you a question?" She nodded so he continued. "What did you thought as you saw Bite came in with me?"
She stopped and thought about it a moment. "Well first of, I was surprised how big he is since Twilight said he would be only a cub."
"He is but at the last time he grew very much." He looked around to see that Bite sat there with his head high proud full. "So what was the other thing?"
"The other thing is that he seems very normal beside his appearance, just like every animal. Timberwolves can be wild but also friends from the ponies!"
Spirit over thought her words for some time then nodded. "Very wise words, the elders couldn't say it better. Now to another subject, I noticed that Shining looked a bit ... damaged, why is it so?"
Now Twilight answered him. "As they arrived he and Fallen argued a bit then Shining Armor challenged Fallen to a battle."
'What does Fallen, that everypony challenge him?' "And how did the fight end?"
"My brother lost!"
'Interesting a dark mage who is seems very strong in battle spells. I would be more concern if there wasn't her sister.' He looked over to Fallen who was talking with Shining Armor. His sister sat next to Fallen and she looked sometimes over to him.
Spirit turned to his salad. "Anyway, we should eat now before the salad gets bad!" They all chuckled and turned to their bowls.
After the meal Twilight said that she had planned something but Fallen said he had to do some research and as Twilight asked Spirit he refused. "I am sorry but I have to do my concentration exercises but I will come with you till the town hall!"
Bright looked at him now as she heard that he won't follow them. "But you still come to dinner?"
He nodded and they left the castle. On the way Spirit turned to Shining. "So you are the captain of the royal guards and Twilights brother?"
"Yes I am! And you are this new pony from the Zebra lands, Spirit right?"
Spirit nodded. "Yes I am but I have just a question!"
"What is it?"
"What do you think by looking at Bite?"
Shining stopped and looked at Bite for one moment. "I think he is just like every other animal, he can be trained like the most others as it seems."
Spirit nodded and they walked to further into town on the way Spirit continued talking with Shining Armor, Cadence and the others. As they reached the town hall Spirit turned to the direction of Fluttershys cottage and went to his tent.
He put down his bag and took off his necklace. He turned to Bite. "What do you think about this princess and her husband?"
From his feelings Spirit guessed that he liked them both. Spirit nodded and threw a small cookie to him. He smiled a moment but after some time it faded. "Bite, I don't know what I should think about Fallen. It seems that he is a very strong dark mage."
Bite looked at him and his ears hung down. "I know you don't like it but I think we can trust him, his sister seems very trustable, so...."
For the rest of the day Spirit and Bite trained on their bond and Spirit noticed that it seemed to grew stronger. 'I think what my teacher told me about our bond would grow stronger when Bite is getting older was right.'
As the time went on Spirit changed his bandage a last time and went back to Twilight castle for the dinner with the other. The dinner went very quiet, Spirit told them a bit about his live in the tribe and they told him bit about the Crystal Empire.
After the dinner Twilight said she had planned something for them but without Spirit, Bite, Shining Armor, Fallen and Spike so they went to another room and left the five guys alone.
Spirit raised an eyebrow. "So, what now?"
Spike took a stack of cards from somewhere and asked. "How about a poker game?"
All nodded and Spike shortly explained the rules. After that Spirit turned to Bite who was now sitting next to him. "Do you understand the rules?" Bite shook his head. "Me neither."
Spirit started. "I bet twenty. So you two battled this morning?"
Shinning Armor was next. "Yes and I raise to thirty."
After that it was Fallens turn. "I call. It wasn't much of an battle but still the best I had in this town." After him Spike laid the next card on the table.
After that short talk they were all silent while playing. After some rounds Fallen and Shining had the same amount of chip but Spirit was almost out.
Spirit suddenly felt a pain in his back. "I am sorry I must change my bandage, Bite will continue for me!" He stood up and walked out of the room.
As he was outside he took a deep breath and went to change his bandage and put some new leafs on the mark of his pain. As he walked back inside he saw that now Bite had all the chips on his side and the other two not a single one.
Spirit shook his head. "I won't even question that!"
"How did you do that?" But from the feelings he could read that Bite had no idea.
Some seconds late Twilight followed by the other came back. "It is really late. I think it is time that we all go to bed."
He bowed bit before Cadence and Shining Armor. "It was a pleasure to meet you princess of the crystal ponies and also you, captain of the royal guard!"
Spirit walked out of the castle followed by Bite and Fluttershy. They walked home together. After some time Fluttershy spoke up. "And how was it?"
"Cadence and Shining Armor are nice as far I could tell but I must say the poker game was a bit awkward. Its look like Fallen and Shining don't really like each other. And I was also able to hear another two opinions about Timberwolves. So I would say it was a good day."
Bite jumped a bit and bumped into Spirits side how jumped a bit. Fluttershy looked at him with guilt. "Why didn't you let Bright heal you?"
Spirit groaned a bit from the pain before answering. "Because my teacher would not tolerate if I let somepony heal me if it was my fault."
"But he is not here and it was my fault!"
"No I should listened better even when I try to concentrate and to the point with my teacher, I did the mistake to underrated him once!"
"What was it?"
"Nothing much I didn't listened and it ended I am sleeping outside with no food for the day and ten extra hours training." Bite chuckled. "And Bite slept at in my bed."
Fluttershy looked at him very confused. "As I meet him he didn't seem so bad."
"He isn't, he is actual a nice guy but he takes tradition very serious ."
The effect of the Wooden Heart
After some days, Spirits back was almost healed but it still hurts. He put a new bandage on as Twilight and Fluttershy came to him and Bite.
They both greeted him at the same time. "Hello Spirit!"
He looked up but then turned back to his bandage. "Good day Twilight. Hello Fluttershy. How can I help you?"
Twilight smiled at him. "Actually I was wondering if you could come to the castle?"
Spirit finished tying his bandage and turned to Bite and was about to go. "I am sorry but I have to train my concentration, sorry."
He walked a bit till Fluttershy got in his way. "Spirit, I think you should go to the castle, you want to see that!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Ok then but what is it?"
Twilight turned around and started walking. "You'll see!"
Spirit looked to Fluttershy who just nodded. Spirit first turned to Bite and signaled him to wait here. "Wait here try to do some concentration training! I will tell if you have to come."
They walked to the castle and were silent on the whole way. As they reached the castle Twilight stopped and slowly opened the doors. "The reason is that I found somepony you should see."
Spirit walked in but still looked at Twilight . "Who could that be? I don't know anypony that lives any near here!" He turned around to see two faces, a stallion with a green mane and yellow coat, he also wore a pair of glasses, next to him stood a mare with a long blue mane and a brown coat. First Spirit didn't recognize the faces then it hit him. He was totally silent.
They stood there for some time till Twilight walked between them. "Mr. Lens Wood and Mrs. Insight Wood this is why I brought you here! This is Spirit Wood."
Insight spoke first. "W-What? Our son got lost on a trip to the Zebra, together with his grandparents!"
Spirit winced as he heard that and let his head hung down. "Yes I got lost and I wasn't able to find back."
His mother walked to him. "Is that really you Spirit?"
Spirit nodded and looked to the ground. "It is been long but yes I am Spirit!"
Now Lens Wood, stepped forward. "How is it possible? You were lost for sixteen years! Does that mean your grandparents are alive too?"
Spirit turned away with head. "No they aren't!"
His parents looked at each other. Then they both asked the question. "But how?"
He took a deep breath. "You deserve the answer, so I will you tell you the story! But we should sit down."
They all went to the hall and he sat down and took a deep breath. He told them the story how they got on the trip, how he lost his grandparents and how he ended at the tribe. At the end they all sat silent looking at each other.
His mother stood up and walked over to Spirit but stopped as she saw his expression. "We are sorry about what you had to went through! But at least we are together again!"
"No."
His mother and father looked a bit shocked at Spirit, then his father stood up. "What, no, how could you say something like this? We were worried sick and now we are together!"
Spirit stood up and looked at them. "Yes I was your son and yes we meet again! But we are far away from being together! In my story I told you everything I can remember from my past and since then much changed!"
His father protested. "But you are still our son!"
Spirit hung his head down and walked over to the door. "No I am not. That was my past and that ended for me." with that he walked out of the castle.
Twilight walked to the both parents. "I am sorry I didn't expect that. That was my fault, it was a bad idea."
Lens Wood stepped forward. "No it was not but we should give him some time, he lost his family once, he didn't expect this! Maybe somepony should talk with him instead of us."
Twilight nodded and she walked out of the castle. As she was outside, she flew to get the others.
Meanwhile, Spirit went to a lake near Ponyville and sat down on a tree stump.
He closed his eyes but suddenly felt Bites mind. "Bite? How... so you know what happened? I know I was rude but I lost my family once if I accept them I will lose them again when I go back to the Zebra lands, to my tribe! No you don't come and don't tell anypony where I am!" But Bites mind was already gone and Spirit knew he was on his way to him probably with Fluttershy. He opened his eyes, took a deep breath and closed them again. As he did this one tear fell down his cheek.
As Twilight found all of her friends except Fluttershy, she told them about everything and they searched for Fluttershy and Spirit. As they went to the lake they saw Fluttershy sitting a few feet away from Spirit. She looked very sad.
Twilight immediately walked over to her. "What is it Fluttershy?"
"Well Bite suddenly started to run around as I ask him about what happened he leaded me to Spirit! As I saw him, I ask how the meeting with his parents went but he said he just visited two ponies from long ago. I wanted to ask further but he didn't answered."
Twilight brought Fluttershy to the others and they thought about what to do. Finally they diced to try it together.
First Pinkie jumped to him. "Oh Spirit why the face? We should make a party! A family-got-back-together party!"
Spirit still doesn't opened his eyes. "Pinkie you can throw a party if you want but I think you should choose another theme."
"Come on darling you met you family! You should be happy!"
"The only I met were to ponies I met long ago."
Now Rainbow flew to him. "How can you say this? They are your family!"
Spirits tone started to get a little angry. "Yes they are were my family but I lost them once and I will not go back only to leave them once again!"
Now Applejack spoke. "Ah can't hear this any longer! They are your parents! Yes Ah know ya lost them but know ya have the chance to met them again. Not everypony get this chance and if Ah would be in ya place Ah would do it!"
"Yes but... but at my tribe I ended with my past. I would act against my tradition I..." Spirit was interrupted by Fluttershy.
"Spirit, they may were once a part of your past but even when you saw them a long time not, you are still their son. We all know this may be difficult but if you don't do this you will regret it!"
He took a deep breath but then looked at the faces of each ending with Bite which ears hung down and looked at him with big eyes. "Ok I will try to talk to them but I promise nothing!"
They all walked back to the castle everyone looking that Spirit didn't ran away. As they reached the doors Spirit took one last deep breath, then opened the door. His parents saw him entering and walked towards him.
"I m sorry I was rude ... but that doesn't change my words. I still have no memories about you two but I will try at least come to a friendly relation!"
His mother walked to him. "We didn't expect it to be easy or neither that you would accept it instantly. For us it was a big surprise to see our son again and even if you don't call yourself our son we just want you to be happy. So who about you ask some questions?"
Spirit nodded, they walked in the meeting room and sat down.
"Oh okay then let's start easy. What are your jobs?"
His father straightened his glasses before answering. "I am a biologist and I search for rare plants and your mother is a animal trainer."
"Then you two should be going be friends with Bite!"
His mother looked curios. "Who is Bite?"
Spirit turned around and instantly Bite ran inside the room. "He is it. I met him as I got my cutie mark."
Bite ran over to them and stood right before them. They seemed very unsure but they both looked at Spirit who waited for their reaction. His mother putted slowly a hoof on Bites head.
Insight pets Bite now but his father turned back to Spirit. "So he is your pet?"
"Well yes you could call him my pet but for me he is more. His is a part of me!" Spirit looked at his parents for a moment. They continued with the question round and as they answered his last question they started questioning him.
"How was living at a Zebra tribe?"
"It was ok I guess, I don't really have anything to compare it. At the start it was very hard but with the time, my family there and my friends helped me. Later with my teacher I had a hard time with much work and learning but sometimes it was also fun!"
He answered some more questions from them till they had no more questions. Spirit showed them a bit about Bite and Timberwolves in general. After some time his father looked at the clock. "It is already late we must go, we have to catch a train but first I want to know what do you say!"
He took a deep breath and looked at Bite than back to his parents. "You are my parents that is a fact but don't wait for much more because one day I will return to the Zebra lands and I don't want to make this much harder than its already is. But still, I will call you my family back here in Equestria." Spirit hugged them both and then went with them to the station.
He waved them as the train left and had a small tear on his cheek. "Bite thank you! Thanks to you and my other friends I was able to finish with my past."
He wait till the train was out of sight and took a deep breath. "Did you all spied on the talk I had with my parents?"
He turned around and just as he expected he saw Rainbow, Pinkie and Twilight hiding behind a tree. Pinkie Pie instantly ran to him. "How do you knew we were listing to the conversation all the time?"
'Well now I know for sure!' "Well, Bite smelled you."
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "He smelled us and you instantly knew it?"
Spirit now was also surprised. "Now that you mention it you are right. Also Bite was for the first time able to contact me all by himself! I guess this day was more than seeing my original family again. But now why did you spy on me?"
Twilight stepped forward. "Well Pinkie Pie was just curios and persuaded Rainbow to follow her and I went with them to make sure that they don't disturb you."
He raised an eyebrow. "Well ok but I think we should go back to the others they still don't know how this all worked out, so let's go back!"
They walked back to the castle were the rest of them was waiting for him. He explained them how the rest of the meeting went.
Applejack punched him friendly on the shoulder. "Ah think ya handled that quiet well."
Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yes but one thing I don't understand you said you would call them your family but aren't there it anyway?"
"Well that is hard to explain, at the Zebras there is a difference. Let just say it is a Zebra thing." He smiled and hoped they accept this excuse.
Twilight looked a bit down. "I am sorry that I didn't told you before inviting them, I should ask you since it is your family."
"Oh it is no problem, I can't deny it would be better to told me in the first place but still it was good idea and now I can say I cleared everything from my past." He turned around and walked out of the door.
Back at his tent Spirit removed his bandage. He started balancing on his left front hoof and doing his concentration exercises. Bite laid before him and started his exercises too. For the next days Spirit stayed like this, without any break even for food. Fluttershy was getting a bit worried but Bite calmed her down so she let Spirit alone.
After three days past Spirit opened his eyes again and walked to Fluttershy just at breakfast time. She on her side was very surprised. "Oh Spirit I didn't expect you. What did you do the last three days?"
"It's been days? I must apologizes but it is a tradition to go in a deep meditation after something personal important happened. Like that I met my parents again!"
"But why Bite only stayed at the beginning and left you alone?"
"Because I told him he could leave. This was something for me not him. And I am sorry if I worried somepony with my actions!"
"So um I wanted to ask you what do you planned about your family?"
"Nothing. They are my parents and where once my family but I don't share much with them beside my blood and I have a family at my tribe and other responsibilities there! Don't misunderstand me they are still my family but I don't know when I will go again and I don't want them to feel more pain because of me!"
"I think I understand what you mean. I can't say I would do the same but that is your thing. And I believe your parents are happy."
"After all the meditation I think I will do some sport at the arena maybe do some training with Rainbow if she is there."
He walked out and Bite, who quickly finished his meal, followed him. Fluttershy gave a sigh. "It is good that you were finally able to finish with your past!"
The effect of the Wooden Heart
"Ok Bite once again concentrated." Bite shut his eyes and start to control his breathing. "Focus your mind on our bond." Spirit suddenly felt something at his bond. "Yes Bite like that!"
"Mail for Spirit Wood and for Fluttershy!" And Bites concentration was gone. 'Oh come on! Wait... a letter for me?'
He turned around and saw a mailpony. He had two letters in his hooves. Spirit walked over to him. The mailpony gave him the letters and then flew away. Spirit put Fluttershys letter aside and carried the other to Bite. "Bite could you please give me a paw?" Bite held his paw in the air and Spirit used the claw to open the letter. "Thanks!"
He looked in the envelope and he saw two golden tickets and a letter. "Ticket for the Grand Galloping Gala. Name Spirit Wood. Plus one ticket. What is that?" He looked the letter. "... official invitation to the gala... you and a guest..." He looked away from the letter and looked at the golden tickets. "So these are the tickets but what kind of gala is that?"
Bite leaned forward and sniffed on the ticket. "Do you have an idea Bite?" Bite sniffed again but then shook his head.
He saw Fluttershy carrying a basket with food. "Hey Fluttershy, you got a letter!"
"Oh that is probably my ticket for the gala." She grabbed the letter from Spirit and opened it carefully and pulled a ticket out.
"What is this Grand Galloping Gala, I never heard about that!"
"Well to make it short it is a gala in canterlot, that reminds me I have to go to Rarity and ask her about my dress, do you want to come with me?"
Spirit nodded. "That would be good if I go to a gala I should repair my cloak I don't want to look to out of place."
The three walked in the town and as ever, observed Spirit the reactions to Bite and he was happy to see that the most just continued their doing. A few even greeted Bite. After some minutes they reached Raritys boutique and Fluttershy knocked on the door.
"Coming! Oh it is you Fluttershy. You probably came because of your dress I just finished it you can take it with you darling!" She walked inside followed by Fluttershy and behind her Spirit and Bite.
Rarity grabbed a dress with her magic and gave it to Fluttershy. "Here is it! Oh Spirit, I didn't saw you there. What brings you here?"
He reached in his saddlebag and pulled his cloak out. "Well I got a ticket for the gala and I was wondering if you could repair my cloak?"
She looked it for a second. "This old thing? No I could better make you a new one! I would be happy to do it and since this is your first visit I do it for free of course!"
She started to look for a good fabric but Spirit stopped her. "No! Please, this cloak is a symbol of my tribe. Do you see these small symbols, they show which status I have in the tribe. So could you just restore it?"
She looked closely at his cloak and was able to see some symbols. "Of course I do that. If it is what you want. When I m finished it will look better than before!"
She grabbed his cloak and stated to stitch the holes and remake the symbols. Fluttershy left him after she tried her dress on. Spirit and Bite waited so they tried to do their concentration exercises. They closed their eyes. "Ok Bite concentrate! Reach out for the bond and follow it! Good go on go on go..."
"Spirit I finished your cloak!" Spirit opened his eyes.
Spirit stood up. He rolled his eyes and whispered to Bite. "Sometimes I think they do that on purpose."
"What was that?"
"Oh nothing, nothing." He looked at his cloak and was surprised, the symbols were now clearly to see and he wasn't able to spot any rips. Spirit noticed also some stitches on the hood and the edge of the cape. He looked at Rarity and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh I am sorry I couldn't hold myself. A I saw the symbols I just had to add this!"
Spirit smiled. "It is ok. It looks amazing but just tell me you didn't changed any of the symbols!"
"No I didn't."
"Then is everything ok. And thank you by the way!"
"Oh it was nothing my dear! I am always happy to help a friend."
Spirit nodded and grabbed his cloak and went back to his tent he laid it carefully in his bag and turned to Bite. "This gala could be a great opportunity to meet ponies from a whole other city! We can observe how there behave by seeing you!"
Bite barked in agreement then closed his eyes. "Right! The concentration exercise." Spirit closed his eyes too and took a deep breath. "Good Bite from the beginning. Focus on the bond. Follow it. Stay focused. Control your breath. Concentra..."
"Spirit! Hey!"
'This is getting ridicules!' He opened his eyes and saw Rainbow Dash. "Hello Rainbow, how can I help you?"
"Do you know where Fluttershy is?"
"She is probably inside. By the way did you got an invitation like this?" He showed her the golden ticket. She looked at it for a second than nodded.
"Of course I got one! Oh I see you got a plus one ticket who are you going to take with you?"
"Well Bite of course, I want to continue my work there and therefore I need him!"
"If you say so but you shouldn't expect too much from that night. Anyway see you!" She flew over to Fluttershy and Spirit looked at the sun, then turned to Bite.
"Well I guess to start again doesn't make much sense, the sun is already going down!" So Spirit started to do at least some meditation.
Everyday the gala came nearer and as the day arrived Spirit put on his cloak and his necklace. As he was ready he catch up with the others at the station, the only who was missing was Twilight as he asked where she is answered Rarity him. "She went there earlier to help with the organization." They all entered the train and traveled in the direction of canterlot.
As they drove Bite started to sat down nervous and putting his paws on his head, Spirit meanwhile tried to relax. As Fluttershy saw this she asked him. "Is everything alright? Bite seems a bit stressed."
"This train travel just makes him uncomfortable, he will be alright when we reach the station. But I must also admit that I don't really like train rides either and I don't think my feelings help him much at the moment!" He smiled weakly to the other. They all laugh and so the ride went on till they reached the station in canterlot.
As they left the station noticed Spirit that everypony looked at Bite but no one did something only a few asked him who Bite is and he did what he always did, he explained it and tried to left a good impression.
As they reached the opening of the castle the guard looked over every invitation one by one. Spirit was the last who got checked but as he was about to enter one of the guards hold him back. "I am sorry mister but your company is not allowed to enter!"
"What! Why?"
"I am sorry sir but that are the order!"
"But he goes as my plus on dose he not count because he is no pony?"
"Again I am sorry but these are our orders. I must insist that your pet stays outside!"
Spirit was about to get really angry but luckily Twilight came just in time. "It is alright his friend is allowed to enter."
The guards instantly stepped aside and let him and Bite in. "Thanks Twilight! So who does this whole gala thing works?"
"Well you can talk with other ponies. You said you wanted to try to make a first contact with the ponies in Canterlot and Timberwolves if I remember right!"
"That is a good idea! Bite are you ready?" He turned around and looked for Bite but he didn't found him. He closed his eyes making ready to use his bond as he heard something.
"You overgrown living stick! Go away from the food!" Spirit looked at the food table and a group of ponies looking at Bite who seems to reach out for food.
Spirit starts to ran to them. 'That doesn't sound good!' He ran between the ponies and Bite. "Hello! What is the problem, if I may ask?"
One of the ponies looked at him with a very angry face. "This monster tried to eat the food! Can you explain this?"
Spirit raised an eyebrow. "He wanted to eat something. What is the problem?"
"What is the problem? What is the problem? You can't be serious, that thing dared to go close to the food. He could poison it!"
Spirit tried to cool down the situation. "Timberwolves don't have poison or anything and also Bite cleaned himself this morning very careful! You should know Timberwolves aren't that evil they..."
He was interrupted by another pony in the crowed. "I know you, your that idiot from Ponyville who talks with monsters and pretend that they would be nice!"
'Stay calm. Stay calm. An outburst will not help.' Spirit spoke up as calm as he could. "They are no monsters they are animals like every other they just look a bit different."
"Just cut that stupid talk! They are monsters, nothing more!" This was too much for Spirit he looked angry at him and Bite started growling.
Spirit to a deep breath and wanted to continue argue with that group of ponies but some guards interrupted them. "What is going on here?"
"Good you came. This pony here brought a disgusting monster in here and let him walk around alone! Arrest him!" The crowed mumbled in agreement.
That was too much for Spirit. "Enough I tried to be polite but I have enough. You didn't do anything else than insult and offend him. You..."
The guard stepped forward and held a hoof between them. "Stop! Mister follow me, we talk separately!" Spirit nodded and he followed the guard aside and the other guard took the group away. "So what happened?"
Spirit started to explain how Bite was insulted and that he just wanted to eat something. At the end the guard nodded. "You sound very reasonable but first I will look what the other side said. Just wait here for a moment. " The guard walked away and spoke with the other guard for a few seconds, then they turned back to Spirit and Bite and spoke to them.
"I m sorry mister I don't think your ... friend did something wrong but we can't help you. Don't worry we won't arrest you or something like that but neither we can do anything against the ponies since there is no evidence for your story. We would suggest that you leave before anything happened."
Spirit and Bite were silence for some moments, then Spirit nodded. "I'll do that. Also I think every chance for a good first contact is ruined..."
Suddenly Twilight interrupted him. ""What is going on here?"
The guard bowed. "Just small confrontation, your highness."
Twilight turned to Spirit. "Did somepony cause you any trouble?" Spirit took a breath and explained the situation. At the end Twilight nodded. "I could do something about that!"
Spirit shook his head. "No it wouldn't help. You even could arrest them but that wouldn't help much. I will try change their opinion on Timberwolves but not today. I will wait at the train station for you."
Twilight was about to say something but than just nodded and Spirit left. He and Bite walked to the train station and sat down to wait for the train. "This all doesn't went how I had planned. We shouldn't had go there in the first place. Someday we will come back and try it again." Bite nodded and looked down in shame. Spirit put a hoof on Bites shoulder and smiled at him. Bite laid down and took a nap, while Sprit started to meditate.
As the others arrived finally too and they ask why Spirit left so early and he explained what happened while they were waiting for the train.
The train arrived and they went inside and Spirit continued. "It was a bad idea from the beginning. Just go there and try to explain everything doesn't seemed to work always. For now I think I should keep it in Ponyville but I think I will try it on another way from now. I will show other ponies the other side of the forest."
Twilight looked at him. "How do you want to do this?"
He hung his head down again and looked to the ground "I have no idea!"
Fluttershy looked at him. "Well you could start with showing one pony bit about the forest and the creatures."
'That's a good idea!' He tapped on his chin "But who? I had to find somepony who would want to walk around the forest and encounter wild creatures!"
"Hm that reminds me you promised Bright to teach her a bit when she finished her studies and I gave you the ok. "
"Oh right I could do this, I mean it is a step in the right direction." Spirit thought about that of a moment then turned to Bite. "She is not new to you that could be helpful and she knows a few ponies in Canterlot so... what do you think?"Bite instantly started nodding so he turned to Twilight and smiled. "You can guess my answer."
She smiled to Bite and chuckled bit. "Ok then but you should tell her and me at least one day before it so I can add it to her study schedule!"
"I'll do it!"
They walked back and as Twilight was about to go to the castle shouted Spirit quickly something at her. "Could you tell Fallen that I will take his sister to a dangerous forest and show her dangerous animals? Thank you!" 'She is probably hating me for this.' Spirit and Bite quickly ran off before Twilight could say anything against it.
The next few days Spirit and Bite set up a lesson for Bright. As they finally finished they went to Twilights castle. After a while Twilight came to the door and let him in. "I spoke with Fallen and he said it is ok but I didn't told Bright yet!"
'Oh good thank you for telling Fallen Twilight.' They walked down the hall and Spirit nodded. "Ok then where is she I will tell her anything she need."
Twilight pointed at another hallway. "She is in the library studying." Spirit nodded and walked down the hallway followed by Bite as they reached the library where they found Bright sitting on a chair with a bunch of books to her left.
She was reading a book and making some notes. "Good day Bright."
She looked up. "Oh, hi Spirit and hi Bite!"
"Bright you remember I promised you to teach you a bit when you finished your current studies and Twilight gave her ok?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Well it seems Twilight has given her ok and I have some time so how about a lesson tomorrow staring in the noon is that good?"
"Of course I will be there in time!"
"Excellent! Now what you have to bring with you. First of something to make notes or not if you think you can keep everything in mind, next two magic crystals, two rocks, both things at least hoof size, a knife and food."
She looked a bit surprised but then slowly nodded.
Spirit immediately turned around. "Good I see you tomorrow." As he left the room he turned to Bite and raised an eyebrow. "Too much like my teacher?"
The effect of the Wooden Heart
Spirit looked at the sun and turned to Bite. "Any longer and Bright is going to be late." Bite raised an eyebrow. "I know! I know! Too much like my teacher but with me his methods seemed to work. After all I learned much from him."
He Spirit closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He stuck a stick in the earth and started his balance meditation on one hoof. "Bite could you please warn me if somepony comes so I don't fall like the last time! Thanks."He mediated a bit till Bite gave him the signal that Bright had arrived.
He stayed balancing and kept his eyes closed and took a deep breath. "You are a bit late! care to explain?"
He opened his eyes and saw a very surprised Bright before him. He jumped from the stick and raised an eyebrow. "So?"
"Oh right I had to clarify something with Fallen. I am sorry!"
He smiled to her. "No problem, you don't need to apologize. So did you got everything ordered?"
She nodded and pointed at her saddlebags. "Yes, right here!"
Spirit grabbed his own saddlebags and went right in the direction of the forest. "Good. Well then, let's start your lesson!"
They walked slowly in the forest and Spirit started. "So why do you think I ordered these things?"
She look at the ground and thought for a moment. "Hm I don't really know it all seemed quiet random."
They reached a clearing and Spirit stopped. "Well than I show you why. Please lay the stones, the crystals and the knife on the ground!"
She did as he said and Spirit sat down in front of them and pulled a phial out of his bag and showed it Bright. "What is this?"
She looked at the phial and recognized the green glow but she wasn't sure. "The powder you feed Bite with?"
"Is this a question or an answer?" For that he earned a angry glace from Bite. "Yes. Yes. I know too much teacher. Understood!" Bite happily laid down again.
He turned back to Bright."It is a answer!"
"You are right, it is. So to explain it, this powder contains much magical energy but the for the most species it is dangerous because a normal body cannot handle this kind of magic. Now what do you think will happened if I strew it over the stone?"
She looked for a moment at the stone than at the powder. "Nothing?"
He nodded. "Correct!" He opened the phial and strew a bit on the stone, and nothing happened with the powder. "But what do you think will happened if I strew it over the crystal?"
"Hm as far as I know are crystal able to contain magic so could it be that the powder transfer his magic to the crystal?"
"Again you are correct." Like before he strew a bit of the powder on the crystal but this time the powder stopped glowing and the crystal started to glow a bit. "The crystal absorb any magic and now I show you a bit about runes." He pulled a stone with a light rune from his bag and showed to Bright.
"What does this rune? It looks different from the runes I saw in the books!"
"That is because this rune comes from my lands, they have more curved lines than yours. Your runes are made with mathematics methods if I recall correctly but ours are symbols, this one means light by the way. So try to copy the rune on the other crystal and stone with your knife! No need to hurry you have all day!"He laid the stone before her and sat down next to Bite.
He watched as she started to copy the rune one line by one. He helped her a bit by correcting if she was going to do a mistake or don't knew how to continue and as she was finally done Spirit overlooked the runes. Bright waited nervously for his judgment. "And? How good was I?"
"Very good I would say but runes aren't really my field! But they should do their work so what do you think will happened if I strew over them?"
"I think the stone will not react but the crystal will activate the rune!"
"That was a guess wasn't it?" he strew power on the stone with the rune and the rune started to glow. "A rune doesn't care were you draw them but what do you think will happened with the rune on the crystal?"
She thought for a moment before answering. "It start glowing too."
"Yes you are right but..." He strew the powder on the crystal with the rune and it started to glow very weak. "You see the rune still tries to work but the crystal absorb the energy so the rune is very weak!"
He grabbed the crystal without the rune and held it up. "As you see they are good at contain magic but not good for runes. They are some runes how actually work better on crystal but as I told I don't know very much bout runes. My father was much better in this he knew even a few tricks to activate runes without the powder!"
Spirit garbed the crystals and the stones and shoved them aside. "Next step, a bit alchemy!" He reached in his back but Bright interrupted him.
"Wait you aren't going to show me more about runes and we just go on with the next topic?" She seemed very confused by this.
"I will only show you some basics and if we have some time left you can choose on which topic you want to go further!"He turned back to his bags and pulled out a blossom, some leaves, a bowl and a brown, thick stick.
"So to the powder, it is not so easy to make. To keep the explanation short, you need the leaves because the blossom is able to contain magic but it cannot hold it if it gets damaged, the difficult part is to make the mixing ratio correct. Too much leaves and it is just a waste for the leaves but not enough and you could lose a big amount of magic! I have two blossoms and a bunch of leaves first I will show how to do than you will try!"
Bright nodded and looked with big eyes as Spirit started to mash the blossom and adding from time to time a few leaves. As he finished he filled the powder in a phial and showed it to Bright. "Now it is your turn! A last tip it is better more leaves than less!"
She smiled and grabbed a bunch of leaves put them together with the blossom in a bowl and started mashing it. After some minutes she finished it and put in a phial and walked to Spirit who was meditating. "I am done!"
Spirit opened his eyes and looked at the powder closely then nodded. "Very good you seemed to have a hoof for this!" He smiled and added. "It is much better than the first time I tried it! Do you have any questions so far?"
She looked at the leaves and blossoms behind Spirit. "How does this plant work as a whole?"
Spirit looked very happy as he heard this question. "Good question. I must admit, I don't understand this plant completely but what I know is that the roots of the plant can absorb natural magic from the earth, the leaves hold the magic and transfers it to the blossoms. The first blossom contain magic and give it slowly to their surroundings and the other blossom contain the seeds for the plant. The wood also seems to react to magic but I don't really know in which way."
"So this plant absorb, use, contain and spread magic?"
"Correct. So do you have another question?"
"Yes, why should I brought food with me?"
Spirit laugh a bit than reached in his bags. "To eat of course! It is already lunch time so I think we can make a break!"
Bright turned to her bag and pulled out some food for herself and Spirit laid a bowl for Bite down than grabbed his own food. The ate a long time without saying anything till Spirit was reminded of something. "Bright, now I have a question! Fallen is a dark one, right?"
Bright choked on her food and immediately stopped eating. She looked very surprised at him. "No he is not! How did you get this idea? That is just silly!"
Spirit stopped eating and looked at her and shook his head. "You are a bad liar. So am I right or not?"
She hung her head down. "Don't tell him I told you but yes he is an Umbrum!"
Now it was Spirit turn to look surprised and now even Bite started listening. "An Umbrum? I just meant that he is a dark mage!"
Bright seemed to noticed her mistake. "Oh no. That was just stupid! Please don't freak out! How do you even know about Umbrum?"
Spirit stood up and started walking in circles. "Of course I know what an Umbrum is. They are the reason that Timberwolves do exist!" 'How is it possible that I didn't knew it?'
"Fallen is not evil like them! I promise but please don't be angry at him!" Spirit took a deep breath and turned back to her.
"I believe you. My teacher told me he would be important and I trust him so I believe you. Also I won't tell anypony about it, that is yours or Fallens job not mine." He sat down again and looked at Bite. 'I trust my teacher on this.'
She looked at him and raised her eyebrow. "And you're not angry that I or Fallen didn't tell about him being an Umbrum?"
He took a deep breath and looked at Bite. "No I am not. I came here to create a bond between ponies and Timberwolves and I hide him for some time too! Also I believe in the good in everything so maybe even an Umbrum can have something good in the inside."'At least I hope.'
Bright smiled at him with big happy eyes. She was about to say something but Spirit interrupted her. "But enough of this, you came here for a lesson so let's continue!"
He stood up and walked next to Bite. "Let's go on with Timberwolves magic structure! You know the spell to see magic auras?" She nodded. "Good then but we first had to find another animal!" He turned away and they left the clearing behind them. It took them while till Bite smelled something.
"It is a Manticore! Bite lead the way!" Bite started to go faster and the both ponies had to run to keep up. As Bite stopped was Bright completely puffed.
They saw a Manticore who was dirking from small lake. Spirit turned to Bright. "You stay here till I call you this could be dangerous if he think we want to attack him!"
She nodded and duck a bit down to make sure the Manticroe doesn't see her. Spirit nodded to Bite. "You stay here too please, I think this is easier if I do it alone." Bite nodded and Spirit turned to the Manticore he stood up and slowly walked towards the lake.
The Manticore suddenly turned around as he heard Spirit and growled. Spirit just sat down and took a deep breath. The Manticore walked slowly towards Spirit and Spirit started reaching out in his mind as he touched he felt the anger from being interrupted while drinking. Spirit quickly send him positive emotions and tired to talk with him. "No need to be angry I just want to show somepony something about magic you can just ignore us! We won't hurt you!" The Manticore first looked at him surprised than turned around and continued drinking.
He stood up again and turned to the others. "You can come Bright and you too Bite!"
The both came out there hiding place and Bright looked very impressed at him. "How did you do this. It just looks like you talk with him in mind!"
"Well you are not so wrong. But first I calm the animal that it even listened to me, than I can send them some messages. The thing is, it is for me only possible to communicate correctly with Timberwolves, one time I talked with one back at the tribe that was able to answer me in small sentences, my teacher said it had something to do with my special talent. With other creatures it seems to be impossible."
"So you can talk with animals through your mind and they understand?"
"Yes they understand but not listened always. Anyway back to the lesson, activate the spell to see magical auras!"
Bright closed her eyes and opened them shortly after that. "Done!"
"Good now look at the Manticore. What do you see?"
"I see a weak aura nothing special."
"Now look at your own aura."
She looked down to one of her hooves. "It looks a little stronger, like any other unicorn."
Spirit nodded. "Now look at my aura."
She looked at him then blinked with her eyes a bit."Your aura looks very strange like it is stretched away in all directions."
"Yes that is because of my special talent but now look at Bite."
She turned her head a bit to left to Bite who stood right next to Spirit. "Wow his aura is very strong ... and it looks like it is different in the middle."
"Exactly. You see the difference comes because the Timberwolves used the magic they gain from food to strengthen their aura. They add the extra magic to their aura which hold them together the difference is a normal animal aura like from a dog compromised to small point. So, so much about Timberwolf auras, to the next thing." He walked back to his saddlebags but was stopped by Bright.
She looked curios in the air between Spirit and Bite. "Um Spirit what is that between you and Bite?"
"Ah right that is another thing of my special talent I have a bond to Bite which is always active. I can use it to see through his eyes and he through mine, we can sent emotions and at last talk I can talk with him but till now he wasn't able to answer me without just sending feelings."
Bright closed her eyes and opened them shortly. "So your special talent seems to have a big influence on your aura!"
"Well yes but that is normal. The talent of a pony always change the aura in my case it is just a bit more obvious since I use my aura to make the connection to other creatures."
"Ok what comes next?" She followed him as he walked back to the clearing.
"I think for the end I will show you a few things about Timberwolves. For example a Timberwolf has a very sensitive nose." Bite eyes opened very wide as he got what Spirit was about to do. Spirit reached in his bag and pulled out small bottle and opened it.
He held it to Bright. "Here sniff on it."
He sniffed and grimaced. Spirit chuckled and Bright hold her nose closed. "What is that?"
He smiled. "You don't want to know! And anyway..." He held the bottle up and blew. Bite instantly hold his nose with his paw and duck his head and after a few second he fall into pieces.
Bright looked worried at Bite but Spirit laughed. "Oh come on Bite this is just cowardly but ok I close the bottle but before that I got an idea. Bright use the aura vision again!"
Bright closed her eyes and did the spell and looked than at Bites heart. "Wow it looks like a big glowing orb."
Spirit nodded. "Good, now look carefully. Bite go on and rebuild yourself." And as Bite started to rebuild was Bright able to see that his aura started to reach out for the wood and literally building a wolf from the pieces.
As Bite was done Spirit turned to Bright and saw he amazed expression and Spirit pat Bite on the back. "I know it looks really impressive."
"Wait how could you be able to see his aura?"
"Oh I almost forgot to explain. Back at the tribe we used rune glasses or some even painted the rune on their head that have the same effect but needs more energy and the rune is much more difficult."
Bright looked again to the bottle. "Wait! If Timberwolves have such a sensitive nose how does it come that they have such a bad breath?"
"First of only adult Timberwolves breath stinks, Bite here is not that far but it could come every day now. In answer to the question it is the normal smell for them to identify another adult, so it doesn't bother them! The smaller don't have that so it is easier to hide them for enemies. " Spirit turned to the sun for a moment. "Well it seems your lesson is over. I am sorry we didn't even as quiet as far as I wished but you are not my student."
Bright smiled to Bite and petted him on the head. "No problem, it was much fun and I learned much today. Maybe you could show me some more!"
"Yes maybe but first want to do this with more other ponies everything that show them the good side of the forest is a good thing!" Spirit started to collect his things and put them back in his bag.
They both walked back to the cottage and as Bright was about to o stopped Spirit her one last time. "Oh and just that you know, I will let Twilight know what you learned today. She will probably make a test so I would overlook my notes, which you of course didn't forgot!"
The effect of the Wooden Heart
"How did your lessons went the last days?" Asked Fluttershy him as they sat together for breakfast. A few weeks passed since the lesson with Bright.
Spirit grabbed the bread he made for Bite and gave him a slice of it. "Very good after the lesson with Bright a few other ponies wanted a lesson I even made one with the crusaders. And to Bright, I told her I will let Twilight do a test about my lesson. She did the test last week and I corrected it, she made a few mistakes but overall a very good result!"
Fluttershy sipped at her cup of tea. "Did you gave it back or told her the result by now?"
Spirit also sipped on the tea and gave Bite another slice of the with powder mixed bread. "No not yet I was about to tell her today and with that result I may do another..." Suddenly Bites head went up and Spirit also stopped and listened carefully.
Fluttershy looked worried at them both. "What is it? Is something wrong?" Fluttershy listened for a moment than heard a strange noise.
Spirit quickly stood up. "I have not much time but I think something is going on in the forest, you still have the contact stone, right? I will send you a signal if I need help!" He ran outside followed by Bite. While walking he grabbed his claws and put them on. He also grabbed his contact stone and a phial powder and put them in a small bag on his back.
They both ran deeper and deeper in the forest orientating by the noise they heard. "Bite is it what I think it is?" Bite sniffed shortly then nodded while running. 'These noises doesn't mean anything good!' They both started running even faster.
As the noises started getting louder they slowed down and tired to be quite they searched for something to hide and found some bushes to hide in.
And as they expected they saw a Timberwolf lying on the ground trying to defend himself form someone, Spirit noticed that he was much bigger than a normal Timberwolf. 'He is probably an alpha.' .Spirit looked to the left and saw a group of Griffons, all armed with crossbows. One of them gave commands to the other.
The boss walked a bit left and right. "Hurry! Keep that thing quite! We are wasting much time!" Spirit looked at the Griffon and saw something familiar, he was wearing a red neckerchief. 'This can't be!' He looked at Bite."Bite is that him?" He nodded and growled quietly.
The Griffon spoke again. "Come on we have to bring these monsters away before someone notice us!" As Spirit heard that he turned to Bite and nodded to him. They slowly walked around them, making sure not to be seen, they counted at least ten Griffons and saw a few cages with different animals in them like a Cockatrice with a blindfold, a Cragadile and even a Manticore.
As Spirit saw the Manticore he was able to identify him. 'This is the Manticore from the lesson with Bright. That could be helpful!'
The Timberwolf howled again and the Griffon with the neckerchief shouted. "Just make him quiet! Do I have to do everything here?" He walked to the Griffon and kicked the wolf in the face.
As Bite saw this he instantly jumped to him. "No Bite..." Spirit opened his bag and quickly activated his rune and then quickly followed Bite.
The Griffon seems very surprised and looked at Spirit and Bite. "What? Where do you came from? Wait a second I know you! Didn't we met back in the Zebra lands?"
Spirit and Bite nodded. "Yes we did! And just like back then I don't let you hurt the Timberwolf!"
The Griffon looked angry at them but then quickly calmed down. He started to load his crossbow with a grin on his face. "Don't you remember my words. I told you not to cross my way again! This time there is nopony near to help you and also I am not alone anymore. You there help me with this scum! The other make these cages ready to leave!"
Two other Griffons grabbed their crossbows and aimed at Bite. The boss chuckled. "Now go down maybe than we won't be too hard!"
Spirit thought quickly what to do and got an idea. "Why do you do this, there are just poor animals!"
The boss chuckled again. "Because I can get much money! Do you know how much you can get for the monsters of the Everfree? And also no one would miss them! If my clients wouldn't pay so much they all just be worthless scum!" Spirit used his monologue to went in the direction of the cages but the Griffon stopped him. "No, you stand still! Do you think I am stupid? Now lay down or I will shoot you!"
"Bite I have a plan when I give you the signal you attack the left griffon then go back to the Timberwolf and try to defend him. I get the one on the right side and try to open the cages! "
The boss raised his crossbow. "Go!" Spirit and Bite jumped at them and while Spirit quickly knocked the one Griffon out was Bite already back at the other wolf to defend him. Spirit started to run to the cages on the way he knocked two other Griffons out and as he reached the first cage he looked at the lock. It was made of wood with a bit metal to strength it, Spirit started to attack the lock. But as he did so, he didn't saw that two Griffon approaching from his back with spears.
Just before the Griffons attacked could him warned Bite him and he was able to dodge to the left and kicked them into the cage in result the lock gave up. The Manitcore was free and the boss was raging. "Stop him! Kill him now!" He turned back to Bite with two other griffons and attacked. Meanwhile Spirit send the Manticore a short message. "Please. Help. Open cages!"
The Manticore turned to the other cage and opened them while Spirit guarded him. Spirit did his best to hold the spear fighter away and block the bolt with his claws but in the while doing so he got hit multiple times.
As the Manticore finally opened the last cage, Spirit waved him away and so did the Manticore ran away. Spirit was very exhausted from all the dodging and blocking from bolts but still he reached out with his mind to see that Bite wasn't in much better conditions.
Spirit grabbed all his strengths and ran back to Bite who stood right before the other Timberwolf who seemed to already gave up. Now all the Griffons surrounded him and Bite. The Griffon with the red neckerchief pushed two of them aside and looked angry at Spirit and Bite.
"Do you two know how much this will cost me? I swear I will kill you! And your wooden friend will end as my trophy! Or maybe I sell him, I bet that I can get many bits for him!" He grabbed a knife from his belt and walked over to Spirit who could nearly stand on his hooves.
"Not so fast!" Everyone looked up and they saw Rainbow with a spear in her hooves, followed by Twilight and some guards. Shortly after that Spirit heard a noise from behind the griffons and saw more guards and the rest of his friends.
The guards position themselves around the poachers and pointed with their spears to them. "Surrender! Now!"
The boss of the poachers turned to Spirit his eyes wide opened with much anger in them. "You! This is your fault. I will kill you ,you little...!" He jumped at Spirit with his knife first. Spirit just closed his eyes, waiting to be hit.
Just before the Griffon could reach him, teleported Twilight between them and fired a paralyze bolt at him. The poacher fell down and the other Griffons slowly lowered their weapons and held their claws up.
The guards grabbed their weapons and brought them away. One by one was led away and as the last Griffon was brought away, one of the guards spoke with Twilight then turned away and followed the other guards.
Spirit was lying next to Bite and the other Timberwolf who growled at everyone who came too near except, Spirit and Bite. After the last guard left, Twilight and her friends went over to him. As the Timberwolf saw them he started growling with his last strengths. As Spirit heard the growls he reached for the wolfs mind and tried to calm him.
"Don't come to near! He is afraid enough! How did you all found us so quickly and where did these guards came from?" He was about to stand up but stopped as he felt pain on his side.
"Careful darling, you may hurt yourself!"Rarity was going to help him up but was stopped by the Timberwolf who growled at her.
Twilight stepped a bit forward. "To answer your questions, these guards were following the group of poachers till they reached the forest, where there lost the trails. They came to me and ask for help and if somepony heard or saw something. That was when Fluttershy and Rainbow came to me, Fluttershy showed me the stone and said that you would need help! I followed the magic connection from the stone and with that we found you."
"Thank you! But I need to medicate my wounds. Bite could you help me?" Bite instantly ran over to him and helped him up. Before they went turned Spirit to the other Timberwolf "You should come with me, your core had take some damage I can take care of the it!"
The Timberwolf didn't answered first then and Spirit was about to go as the wolf answered. "I come with you!"
Spirit turned to the others. "Could two of you help to transport the wolf to my tent, the rest should go home, I don't think you can be much help from now."
"But I wanted to throw a Spirit saved the animals party!" Pinkie wanted to continue but Applejack stopped her.
"Ah don't think it is the right time for a party we should let Spirit rest for today!"
Spirit wanted to add something but was too exhausted so he just let Bite carried him away. The other looked at each other and they decided that Fluttershy and Rainbow helped carrying the Timberwolf while the rest walked home. As they arrived at Fluttershys cottage Spirit immediately started to put the white leaves on his wound and bandage them.
As the painkillers started to work he turned to Rainbow. "Thank you but you should go now too! I want to talk with the Timberwolf and that will be much easier if there are less ponies around!"
Rainbow wanted to protest. "But... ok it is your thing but next time call us before running to the bad guys!" She flew of not waiting for an answer.
Spirit turned to the Timberwolf. "So tell me your story!"
Spirit reached out with his aura and created a connection. "I followed you that you can heal my wounds not to tell you my story!"
Spirit rolled with his eyes. "Ok , Fluttershy please go and get a bowl of water." She nodded and came back after a few seconds. "Thank you!" Spirit grabbed a few of the white leaves and a phial of the magic powder and mixed it with the water.
He shoved the bowl to the wolf. "Drink that. It will help you and now tell me what happened!"
He started to drink but didn't let him out of his sight. "You are strange, you helped me, risk your live and it seems that you have a bond with that other Timberwolf."
He smiled to the wolf. "Yes you are right and also he can hear every word you saying or should I say sending?."
The Timberwolf didn't answered, so Spirit decided to introduce himself. "My name is Spirit the Timberwolf is named Bite and the pegasus is named Fluttershy. What is your name and how did you came in this situation?"
"We don't care much about names. But I will tell you what happened before I was caught, I am the alpha of my own pack and we were traveling and searching for food as we were surprised by these Griffons, I saved them by sacrifice myself. I fought long with them but there were too many of them!"
Spirit could fell that he was very proud about that he wanted to ask further but then got an idea. "Was that your first encounter with them?"
"Mine? Yes! But I heard about another pack who was fully killed by them except a few, the cubs, these where kidnap by them and probably sold or killed too but your firend... he was one of them I recognize his type of aura."
He turned to Bite. "You know what that mean that was probably your pack. I am sorry Bite!" Bite first took a few moments then shook his head.
The alpha looked at Bite. "I am sorry for you young one but it seems you already have found a new home." Bite nodded weakly and laid down.
Spirit turned back to the alpha. "So to your wounds they will need a few days to heal so you have a few days to stay then we can help finding your pack!"
"I don't need help I know where they will be and I will only stay here for so long till I can go back!" She alpha drank his bowl completely empty than laid down to sleep.
Spirit stood up and walked to Fluttershy. "He is very weak but I think one or two days while getting the powder should be enough that he can go again. But know I should rest myself so that my wound can heal. If somepony wants to see me tell Bite but don't send them to my tent ,ok?"
Fluttershy nodded. "I can do that for you! What is with Bite shouldn't he rest too?"
"He only got a few scratch but his core wasn't damaged. Maybe he should change his wood but nothing more." With that Spirit turned around and laid down in his tent. It took a few seconds till Fluttershy could hear his snoring.
The next day Spirit woke up in the noon. He stepped out of his tent and saw that Fluttershy, Bite and the alpha eating together.
"Hello everyone! Oh I see you decided not to growl at everypony else except me! Anyway let's see how your wound are going." Spirit closed his eyes and searched for the aura from the alpha and checked his core.
After a while he opened his eyes again. "Your wounds healed much quicker than I thought! Did you gave him a bit of the powder and the white leaves, Fluttershy?"
She nodded. "Yes, I didn't knew if that is ok but he looked like he had much pain! So I made him another bowl of that water. Was that ok?"
He looked at his reserve and saw that he only had one phial left. "It is ok but I think I have to borrow some phials of the powder from Zecora, I don't dare to cut more leaves and blossoms till the plant has produced more! I don't want to kill the plant."
Spirit now turned to the alpha. "So back to you, as far as I see it, you can leave if you want! I give a bottle of the medical water with you. Just drink it if you feel that the pain returns! But I think we should go with you till you reached your pack to be save."
The Timberwolf bowed his head forward with respect. "Thank you for your help. I am in your dept! Maybe I have someday the chance to clear it!"
Spirit turned around and mixed the medical water. Then turned around and held him the bottle out. "No problem!" The Timberwolf bowed again then grabbed the bottle with his mouth and they walked in the forest.
On the way Spirit got an idea. "What do you think of the ponies?"
The alpha thought for some. "I have nothing against them, as long they don't enter our territory without permission!"
Spirit looked at the alpha. "Would you mind if I brought a few ponies to your pack to show how you live?"
The alpha seemed surprised by this. "You would trust us not to kill them? But yes I wouldn't mind it. I think that it would be good to come on better terms with the ponies too."
"How about this, you know the Zebra that lives in the forest? I will send her every time before I will bring somepony to you. So you know that I am coming and you can prepare everything you want!"
The alpha nodded. "That is ok. I still can't believe you trust us this much but it is your decision. I hope I can help you with reaching your goal, that is the least I can do! "
They walked a few minutes silent till the alpha stopped. "We are there."
Suddenly they are surrounded by Timberwolves. They growled at Spirit and Bite but went silent as their alpha stepped forward. He talked with the them and the wolves turned around and let Spirit and Bite alone.
Spirit bowed before the alpha. "I am happy that I met you and I hope that we can create peace between your race and the ponies!" The alpha nodded and walked away. As they were gone, turned Spirit around and he walked back together with Bite.
As they were on the way back, talked Sprit with Bite while walking. "That is a good sign. They will give the ponies at least a chance! Maybe I will do a travel to the pack with the next pony on the list!"
As they were back at the cottage started Spirit to look out for Fluttershy as he found her was she feeding a few squirrels . "Did anything happened while I was asleep?"
"Yes a few ponies came to ask if you are ok and I told them you were asleep!"
Spirit raised an eyebrow. "Did nopnoy saw the other Timberwolf?"
"Yes a few noticed him and wanted to look at him but the first he growled till they left again but after a few he gave up growling. He just laid down and let the ponies check him!"
Spirit was very surprised as he heard this. "Really? That is great my lessons with the ponies seems to work better than I thought!" He rejoiced for a few minutes and as he stopped he looked at the other two. "Anyway I will go visited Zecora to ask her for a few phials and tell her about the progress!"
The effect of the Wooden Heart
The next day started very peaceful, Spirits wounds healed very quickly and he and Bite started with their mental exercises early in the morning. Later at this day, went Spirit in the town to buy some food for the animals, a few ponies stopped him and asked what happened. He explained everyone of them what happened and how he got the wounds.
Because of that it took a bit longer than he expected but as he was finished telling everypony what happened. He went back to his tent. Just as he reached the cottage saw he that Fluttershy was talking with Bite.
Spirit laid the basket with food down and walked over to them. "Hello I am back! And what is so interesting to discuss."
"Well I was making breakfast as I noticed a strange smell and I decided to followed it. I ended up in front of Bite and started looking for if he had ate something bad."
Spirit first nodded than opened his eyes wide. "Ah if it is nothing more... wait Bite open your mouth!"
Fluttershy looked confused but Bite seemed to get what he was up to. He opened his mouth and Spirit smelled Bites breath. And what he smelled, confirmed what he thought. "It seems that Bite is now an fully adult!"
Fluttershy looked at Bite and smiled. "I am happy to hear that but Bite looks a bit thinner than the most Timberwolves I saw. Are you sure he is full grown now?"
Spirit looked at Bite and noticed the same. "Yes your right, maybe that's because he lived the most of his live among Timberwolves at the Zebra lands, they are thinner as the Timberwolves here and he probably adopted that!"
Fluttershy nodded than pat Bite on the head. "And how is your mental communication going?"
Spirit looked at the sun. "Not much better but he just reached his adult age so I think it won't take much longer! Anyway I go visit Zecora I still need some phials of the powder. Bite do you come too?"
Bite nodded and jumped up. Spirit turned to Fluttershy. "See you later!" Then they walked directly to Zecoras home and knocked on the door.
"You may enter my home
Spirit greeted her formally. "Good day elder..." Zecora raised an eyebrow. "Right Zecora. Anyway I came here to ask if you have a bit of the powder I could borrow?"
"Of course you can
Zecora pulled a box full of phials of a shelve and shoved it over to Spirit. He grabbed a few of them then started to explain. "Well I had a encounter with few poachers and I got few hits. But now big deal it is just that I have to give another Timberwolf some of the powder and I doesn't wanted to damage the plant so I need a few phials from you and I also wanted to tell about my progress so far. Wait what is that kind of plant? I never saw one like this!" He pointed at a small plant with one blossom hanging down.
"I experimented with the magical plant
Spirit looked closely at the plant. "So you mean you are raising a transportable version of the magical plant? That sound practical! Could you show me how you made it but first I wanted to tell you about my progress.."
As he wanted to started held Zecora up.
"I already know about your lessons
Spirit was very happy to hear that. "Really they did? And also I wanted to tell you that..." Spirit stopped and Bite sniffed in the air and Spirit closed his eyes. After a short moment he opened his eyes again. "There are Changelings and there on the way to the town!" 'Why did I not took my claws with me? I have to do it without weapons!'
Spirit and Bite walked outside before Zecora could say anything, she turned to her shelves and searched for a bottle. Meanwhile outside searched Spirit for the Changelings. As he found them he shouted. "Hey you, what do you want here?"
The changelings turned around walked to him slowly. Suddenly Spirit heard a noise behind and jumped to the left to dodge the attack of another Changeling. Spirit quickly hit the changeling on the back head and knocked the Changeling out. As he looked up again he was now surrounded by Changelings and they started to copy Spirits appearance. Spirit smiled and made himself ready to fight. "If they would knew that their changing nothing changed for us!" Bite sniffed again and nodded.
Suddenly five of them jumped at Spirit, who jumped to the right to dodge them and they crashed into each other. Instantly another group walked to Spirit but he ran forward to them on his way he grabbed a branch with his mouth and used it to hit them all. Bite meanwhile was attacked by a group of them but was able to shake them off. After that he turned to another group and jumped on them but instantly six other attacked Bite and pushed him back. Spirit was fighting a small group but was also pushed away till he was back to back with Bite. "There are too much of them! We need a plan! Fast!"
Then Spirit heard a door opened and as he looked at his left he saw that Zecora stood in her door with bottles in her hooves. She threw a few before the feeds of the Changelings and they exploded in a big smoke cloud. The Changelings back off and coughed. This gave Zecora the chance to walked to Spirit and Bite and gave Spirit few bottles. He nodded and made himself ready to throw them.
As the smoke cleared there stood even more Changelings who were about to attack so Spirit and Zecora started throwing the bottles every time the smoke cleared and Bite hold everyone of them back who came through the smoke. They did this for a few minutes till they had no bottles left to throw.
As they saw the amount of Changelings Spirit Zecora and Bite just sat down and waited. "When they attack we can try to defend a last time but this time it doesn't look good for us."
The Changelings slowly walked to them but stopped suddenly and started to back up and flee. Spirit looked confused at Zecora. "What happened?"
"I can't say why they flee either
Spirit thought for a moment. "That could it be but I should go back now and look if everypony is ok! And also thank you for helping me!"
He was already far away as Zecora said a last thing.
"You should use your time wisely now
As Spirit reached the cottage he saw Applejack and Flutterhsy. As they saw them they seemed very relived. "There ya are, Spirit! We thought the Changelings might got you!"
Spirit felt a bit sorry for his friends worrying. "I am sorry I was at Zecoras home and we defend us from the Changelings. That brings me to a questions, why did they flee suddenly?"
Fluttershy looked down. "Fallen did it."
Spirit looked worried at them expecting the worst. "He did what?"
Applejack spoke up. "I will explain it ,sugarcube. Ya get yourself a tea!" Fluttershy nodded then walked inside.
Spirit now turned to Applejack already fearing the answer. "What he does Fallen did?"
And with that Applejack started to explain what happened while Spirit was away. At the end he stood there with his eyes wide opened. 'I expect much from a follower of the dark path but he seems more powerful than I thought!'
He pulled himself together and spoke again. "No wonder that Fluttershy seems so distraught. But I believe that he did it with good intentions, after all he saved the town! My teacher told me he would play big role maybe that was what he meant!"
She looked at him in disbelieve. "Hold on a sec, ya wanna tell me that ya already knew about him being an Umbrum?"
"Well my teacher told me that he was a dark mage and in the lesson with Bright she confirmed that he is a Umbrum! I promised her and my teacher to keep it for myself! But back to the attack got anything damaged?"
Applejack pointed into town. "A few buildings but we can repair them in no time. Did something at Zecora get broke we can help her to fix it."
Spirit shook his head. "No nothing. I stopped them a bit away from her home but I must say I am surprised to meet changelings here. I didn't knew they came from here."
"Wait ya wanna tell me that you met changelings in the zebra tribes. Did they tried to infiltrate ya tribe or what did they did there?"
"No they didn't also it was just one." Spirit looked at her and nodded in the direction of Fluttershys house. "Why don't we go inside so I can tell the story. It is also the story how I learned that I can communicate with Timberwolves and I think Fluttershy would interest that too."
So they all went inside and sit around a table and Fluttershy gave them tea. "So it was four years ago at the tribe..."
Bite and I were collecting a few plants for a potion as I heard a strange noise, we followed it till walked over a hill and we saw a strange creature surrounded by Timberwolves. The creature looked like a fuse of a bug and pony with holes in the legs. Both the Timberwolves and the bug like creature seemed ready to fight. I noticed that the Changeling had green fire similar energy around his hooves. I guess it was some sort of spell.
I tried to calm the wolf with stretching out with my mind but as I reached the alphas mind he overwhelmed me with his mind. As it didn't worked Bite and I ran to them before they could attack each other.
I shouted. "Stop!" And they both stopped and the Timberwolf looked at me."You was the one who tried to calm me."
I was very surprised hearing a voice in my head. "Why can I hear you?"
The alpha rolled with his glowing eyes. "Of course you can hear me! Didn't your teacher told you. Your aura is very similar to ours and you are able to connect your aura with the aura of other creatures!"
Now I recognized the Timberwolves they passed through our village two days ago and my teacher gave them a bit food on their way. But I thought to myself I would ask my teacher about that later. I turned around to the Changeling. "But what is happening here? Why are you fighting?"
The changeling looked at me with open eyes. "Hey! It wasn't my fault I was just passing through!"
"You know this is Timberwolf territory. You have to ask for permission before entering it."
"You guys should put up a sign or something!"
"Could you take him to your tribe and give him a identification from your tribe!"
To be honest I didn't wanted to but there stood a Timberwolf together with his whole pack so I agreed.
The Timberwolf let us alone and the Changeling turned to me. "Thanks for the help! It was nice to meet you but I have to go. I am late for a meeting!"
He turned around and was about to go but I stopped him. "No you will not! You will come with me, my teacher will give you a emblem. Then you can pass through if you want."
"I don't think I will need it, the Timberwolves are gone so..." He wanted to go away but Bite jumped in his way. "Ok I come with you."
So I brought him to my village on the way I introduced myself. "So, my name is Spirit Wood. What is yours?"
"I am Switch!"He didn't say much else so the most of the walk was silent.
As we reached the village he stopped. "Give me a second." Green flames surrounded him for one second and suddenly there stood a Pegasus with a grey coat and a green mane and wings with a green raining could as his cutie mark.
"What? Oh right, you probably never saw a Changeling before. Let me just say that the most ponies don't like my race! So I disguise myself."
I didn't understood what he meant but I didn't question it. I turned to the door and knocked.
<"Just come in the door is open! But be quiet!"> I led Switch in middle room. My teacher sat at a table while wearing a pair of rune glasses to study a leaf.
Switch turned to one of the shelves and reached out for a jar but I stopped him by whispering to him. "If you touch one thing my teacher will do much more worse to you than any Timberwolf could do!"
He quickly stopped and walked back next to me and my teacher stood up and looked down at the disguised Changeling. "And who is that?"
I step forward to introduce him as it was tradition. "That is ..."
As I was about to say his name he cut me off. "Green Wing!"
My teacher started walking around him. He looked at his green wings and chuckled. "I wonder how you got this name! So what brings you here "Green Wing"?"
I spoke quickly so that he couldn't say something wrong. "Well a few Timberwolves stopped him and I said he would need a identification that he can pass through."
My teacher turned around and opened a box and reached in it. "Of course give me a moment I get you one. With it you are allowed to travel through every region in the Zebra lands without problems and everyone knows that you are a guest!"
My teacher gave him a necklace with a symbol on it which meant guest. "So here if that is everything, tell my student where you want to go and he will show you the way!"
I waved him to follow and we left the building. "Good. Where do you want to go?"
He shook his head and dropped his disguise. "I now the way, you don't need to show me the way. It was nice to meet you and let me give you a last information, if you ever see other Changelings be careful. The most time there are not friendly! See you maybe!"
And he walked away and I went inside to ask a few question to my teacher about my special talent but he interrupted me. "Before you say anything. The next time you find a changeling say him he doesn't have to disguise himself!"
He surprised me with this and I was only able to say one word. "How?"
He simply pointed at his rune-glasses.
"And that's how I met a Changeling and how I learned that I can understand Timberwolves through their mind."
"Ya wanna say that ya met a Changeling and he was just going through?"
Spirit nodded. "Yes he was and he also gave me this warning and without it the Changelings probably would have get me. Anyway this was my first and, till today, only encounter with Changelings. If you have time later I would like to know from when you met Changelings before but now it is already late and I didn't done my meditation yet so bye." Spirit walked outside and started meditating for the rest of the day.
The effect of the Wooden Heart
Days passed and the most ponies forgot about the attack of the changeling and everything got back to normal. Spirit and Bite still worked on their communication and Spirit continued with his lessons. He even brought a few ponies to the pack and they responded quite good.
One day Spirit and Bite were wandering through the forest to collect some flowers as he heard a loud noise.
As they walked on they saw a few Timberwolf in the middle of them a bigger one. Spirit reached out with his mind and instantly recognized the alpha. Spirit walked over to them and greeted them. "Hello. Nice to see you again!"
The Timberwolves turned around ready to attack but stopped as they saw Spirit. The alpha stepped forward and rolled with his eyes. "You should not surprise a group of Timberwolves from behind! Still, I am happy to see you without any pony who stared at us all the time!"
Spirit chuckled. "Oh come on they are just curios. And also it helped thanks to the visits we make much progress! By now I get requests to guide ponies to you and show them around in your pack! That reminds me. Would you allow somepony else to show ponies around your pack. Like Fluttershy and Zecora, I think with that we can reach more ponies!"
The alpha thought about that for a moment then nodded. "I trust you and if you say it will help I will do so. But still I must insist that it stays by one pony at once! I don't want that these ponies mess anything up because of ignorance!"
Spirit nodded. "Of course and thank you for the trust. So you can expect for now that from time to time Fluttershy and Zecora will bring a few ponies to your pack."
The alpha nodded then turned around and left with the other Timberwolves. As the Timberwolves were out of sight turned Spirit to Bite. "That is great, they trust the ponies or at least me, Fluttershy and Zecora!"
They walked back to the tent and Spirit checked his notes about the next pony. As he did that it reminded him that he still hadn't give Bright her results about the test. 'Hm I should give it back she had to wait long enough for these results!'
He grabbed her results and looked over them a last time. After that he put them in his bag and before he left he turned to Bite. "I go to give Bright her results. You can wait here."
He knocked on the door and Twilight opened it after a few moments. "Hello Spirit. Nice to see you how can I help you?"
He pulled the results out of his bags and showed it to Twilight. "I wanted to give Bright the results from her test."
"Oh right she hadn't got her results yet. She ask me the last weeks everyday about the results but I think she forgot them by now."
She walked inside and Spirit followed her. "I know I wanted to give it back earlier but then the poachers and the Changeling attack happened. Also the last days I had much to do with catch up with the promised lessons but know I have a few days of."
"Good to hear that you got a bit more free time after all what happened. So Bright is in the library, you will find her!" She walked away and Spirit walked in the library.
As he found Bright was she reading book about advanced magic. "Hello Bright. Long time not seen."
She look up and stood up as she saw him. "Oh hello Spirit. Nice to see you again!"
He reached in his bags and pulled out the paper with the results. "Here I have your results from the test. Sorry that you get them so late but I had much to do the last days."
She instantly grabbed the paper and read it than jumped happily. Yay, I got an B!"
Spirit smiled about her enthusiasm and nodded. "I would give you an A but your explanation about runes on crystals was too short. Anyway that was everything. See you!"
He turned around but Bright stopped him. "Wait I wanted to know if you go to the Summer Sun Celebration? You didn't saw it before right?"
Spirit let out a sigh before he answered. "Ah yes that is tomorrow if I am correct. And yes I didn't saw it before but no I won't go, for me this day is simply nothing special. Also I have a few free days and I want to relax! So no I won't go!"
She nodded. "Ok then I hope that you can relax. You really deserved it after that thing with the poachers and you really worked much for the last days. So see you."
"Thank you and have fun at the celebration! Goodbye." Spirit walked out of the library, left the building and went back to his tent.
As he reached the cottage, he was greeted by Bite. Spirit pat him happily on the head. He made them both something to eat and they ate together.
The rest of the day Spirit did nearly nothing and just relaxed and meditated. This day Spirit decided to go early to bed to get a bit more sleep than usual but he was interrupted.
"Spirit!"
Spirit was immediately awoke and looked around. "What? What is it?"
He walked out of his tent and saw Fluttershy and Applejack. "Spirit we need ya help! The animals gone crazy! They come from the Everfree and attack the town!"
He was now fully awake. "What how did that happened?"
Flutttershy pointed in the sky. "We don't really know but we think it has something to do with the sky."
Spirit looked up and saw that the moon and the sun were both in the sky. 'What is happening? Maybe something bad happened at the celebration?' "You may be right! But it is not the time for theories, bring me to the animals. I will try to calm them down." He turned to his right and saw that Bite was lying on the ground.
He reached out with his mind and sensed that Bite felt something strange . Bites feelings started to went crazy. So Spirit tried to calm him down and looked back to the other. "I don't think it is the sky! It seems something is not right with the natural magic!"
The ran into town and Spirit followed them after grabbing his bags with potions and pulling his claws on. As he ran into town and saw a Manticore and a Cockatrice. Spirit turned to the other. "Applejack, Bite go and try to distract the Manticore but be careful that you don't hurt him. Fluttershy use your stare at the Cockatrice, the last time, you told me, it worked so try to hold him in place. Meanwhile I try to calm them!"
They nodded and did what he told them. Spirit closed his eyes and reached out for the mind of the both animals. As he reached both he could feel a chaos of feelings. 'They are just confused but not because of the sky something else is going on. We have to get them under control!'
"Calm down, nopony is going to hurt you!" He tried his best to calm the animals down but it was very difficult since the animals weren't willing to listened.
Spirit noticed that he couldn't do both at the same time. So he concentrated on the Cockatrice since he was under the stare. "Listened, if you go home now we will let you in peace!" He did this for five minutes till the Cockatrice finally calmed down.
Now he turned to the Manticore. "Calm down. We won't hurt..." But as he tried to calm him the connection was cut by the anger of the Manticore. He tied it another few times till Spirit realized that it won't work he decided to go to his second plan.
He opened his eyes and reached in his back. "Fluttershy you can let the Cockatrice go he should go back to his home! Applejack try to bring the head of the Manticore down!" Fluttershy stopped staring at the Cockatrice who just shook his head then flew in direction of the forest.
Applejack threw her lasso and got the head with the first try Bite instantly helped he to held the head down. Spirit finally found the right bag with powder. He ran to the Manticore and blew the powder in his face. The Manticore blinked a few times than fall asleep. "Ok. I think you can let him go now!"
The other three walked over to him and Fluttershy spoke up first. "The Cockatrice headed back to the forest but what do we do with the Manticore?"
Spirit looked at the Manticore. "We have to bring him near to the forest, from there he should go back too!"
"But there are other animals around too and we need ya help with them!"
"Bite do you have a plan? We need help and I can't help every were at once!" Bite thought for a moment than howled loud.
Spirit looked at Fluttershy and Applejack. "Ok I will give you both a bunch of sleeping powder so you can go alone but have to get help from the other ponies or we get a problem when they awake again. "
As he said that the both walked in different directions and Spirit knocked on some doors to get ponies to help him. He ran from door to door and waved the ponies to follow him, as he had enough ponies they brought the Manticore away. As they finally reached the edge of the forest heard Spirit a howl he turned to the forest and saw the alpha Timberwolf.
"What are you doing here?"
"We are here to help we all felt the magical abnormity and as we heard Bites howl we knew that you would probably need help so we came to help you!"
Spirit nodded and smiled. "We could use all help we can get! If you want to help go through the town and look if you can find rampaging animals. Try to keep them under control or help to bring them out of town!"
The alpha nodded and the other spread and ran in different directions. The alpha and two other Timberwolves followed Spirit. First he walked through the town and searched for animals and till Bite suddenly stopped.
As Spirit noticed that he stopped and looked at Bite who stared at the town middle. Spirit nodded and they ran to the town hall were a Cragadile was attacking everything in front of him.
The wolves instantly jumped at the him and tried to hold him back. But they had to back off so that they wouldn't be eaten. Spirit reached out with his aura and made a connection. As he felt the emotion he felt mostly confusion so he just tried to send him calming emotions not risking to confuse him even more.
It didn't took him long to calm him but in that time the Cragadile was still able to cause much damage to the town hall. Finally the Cragadile started to move slower and slower till it completely stopped.
It looked a bit around then started to walk in the direction off the forest. Spirit pointed at one of the Timberwolves. "Go with him and contact us if he gets angry again!"
The wolf nodded and followed the Cragadile. Spirit turned to the other. "Ok, to the next!"
The did this thing with three other Manticores, a Cockatrice and a another Cragadile. As they finished the last one, Spirit tried to take a deep breath but was interrupted by Rainbow Dash. "Spirit, we could need your help. There is a Hydra coming in the direction of the town!"
"But there are still some animals in the town!"
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "The other can do that with the help of the Timberwolves but we have a serious problem if that Hydra get into the town!"
'We have already a serious problem!' Spirit nodded then waved the wolves to follow him. They ran to the south of the town and Spirit could see already the Hydra.
They began to ran quicker and as they reached the Hydra, the Timberwolves instantly started to distract the Hydra and Spirit sat down and took a deep breath. He reached out for the Hydras mind. "Calm down! We don't want to hurt you!"
He tired this severally times but the hydra only got angrier and went even wilder. He wanted to try it again but was interrupt by somepony screaming. "Stop it Spirit. You are only making it worse better help us fighting to get this thing KO!"
Spirit tried it again but stopped as he heard another scream. He opened his eyes and focused his concentration on the bond with Bite. Bite jumped next to him and they jumped at the Hydra. "We need to knock all heads out! Try not to hurt him too much it is not their fault!"
Spirit quickly put some of the powder on his claw and held one bag with sleep powder ready. Bite distracted one head and Spirit instantly used it to cut a wound in the cheek of first head who immediately started to sway forth and back. The other heads now noticed Spirit and Bite and started to attack them. Spirit saw that one of the head started to roar and threw a bag with sleep powder in the air.
"RAINBOW!" She looked at him and instantly knew what he meant and grabbed the bag out of the air. She threw it right into the mouth of the hydra. The last two heads charged at him and he had to jump backwards. The first head crushed on the earth and was knocked out. The second changed his attack line and hit Spirit and Bite.
Spirit laid on the ground and was too exhausted to get up again and he looked to his left and saw that Bite had fallen into pieces and was rebuilding himself. The Hydra was about to attack again as the alpha jumped in front of him. He grabbed a bag of sleeping powder from Spirits bag and as the Hydra attacked the Timberwolf threw the bag in the face. The Hydra went slower and slower and then stopped completely. Now the whole Hydra fell down and slept.
"I think we are quits now!" He leaned forward and helped Spirit up.
Rainbow flew down to them and started celebrating. "That was awesome! But what do we do now with the Hydra?"
"We have to get it back to the swamp but we have much time. He got enough sleeping powder for at least three hours."
They ordered a group Timberwolves and ponies would transport the Hydra back to the swamp and Spirit and the rest returned back to town.
On the way stopped Rainbow him them and pointed in the sky. "Look the sky is normal again. I think it is over!"
Spirit looked t the sky and Rainbow was right the moon was gone and only the sun was in the sky. "That is a good sign. Whatever happened it is over! And I must say your fighting got much better as far as I can tell!"
Rainbow gave him a big smile and they went through the town. On the way they saw that the Timberwolves helped tidying up the town together with ponies. The other started helping till the sun was going down again.
Spirit sat with Bite on a branch at the cottage and he took a deep breath. "Seeing ponies and Timberwolf working together that is something I didn't expect to happened."
"And it meant more than you believe
Spirit looked to his left and saw Zecora. "Oh Zecora I didn't expect you. And yes it is good to see that my work actually changed something."
"As happy as I am for you but I fear
He opened his eyes wide. "Wait but this is only a start it will take much longer to create pace. I still have much work to do!"
"Yes it will take quiet long
'My emblem?' "Of course, here it is." He was still very confused and gave her his necklace. The grabbed it and added two wooden marks, one with a hoof print and the other with a wolf paw print. Zecora hung him the necklace around his neck.
"You reached your next level
She gave him a letter. It was written in the traditional writing from the Zebras.
Spirit, if Zecora gave you this it means you have done everything I expected from you and that you have reached higher rank in the tribe. Congratulations for that. But now I have a task from our elder for you. He sends you too find a group of ponies, Griffons and Zebras.
Your former teacher,
Volg
He read the paper over and over again. "I don't understand which group he meant? And how I am suppose to find them?"
"He meant the druids you should know
Spirit stopped and looked in the town. "That means I have to leave and go to search for them without any clue? And when did they contacted my tribe, why didn't they told them where I can find them?"
"They have much fate in the destiny
He looked at the letter again and shook his head."Still I have to leave but I just came forward with my work. I can't just go now!"
"But I think you should do it." He turned around to see Fluttershy."You should do that it your elder gave you this task and don't worry about your work. I think Zecora and I can continue it."Zecora nodded and Fluttershy smiled at him.
He looked at Bite. Who nodded at him. "But ... You are right it is my duty to do this. I will start my journey tomorrow!"
"Then I wish you all luck on your way
"Before I go
Spirit looked at the plant. "Is this the transportable version of the plant?" Zecora nodded. "And you give it to me?" She nodded again. "Thank you I will hold it in honor!" Zecora smiled one last time then turned around and left them.
Spirit looked at the plant for some time till Fluttershy put a hoof on his shoulder. "You did a great job here and I think we can end it for you while you go to the druids!"
Spirit turned to his bags and his tent. "Thank you! I will pack my things so that I can go tomorrow without losing anytime!"
Fluttershy nodded and walked inside her house. "Good night Spirit. Good night Bite."
"Good night." Spirit started to collect his stuff in packed it in his bags. He turned to Bite. "Ok we will dismantle the Tent tomorrow before we go! But we should rest now!"
They both went to bed knowing that this will be their last night in Ponyville.
The next morning Spirit woke up very early, even before the sun went up. He walked outside his tent and saw Bite still sleeping. Spirit turned to his tent and started dismantle it and packing it in his back.
As he finished that he turned to the sleeping Timberwolf. "Wake up, Bite! We have to go. We will travel to the west."
Bite stretched his back shortly then looked at the sun who was rising right now. He turned back to Spirit and raised an eyebrow.
"I know it is early but I don't want to waste any time ... and also we have nothing else to do." Spirit grabbed his bags and put them on. "We should go now."
They walked through the town what was still completely quiet since it was still early in the morning. Spirit remind himself about what all happened. As he left the town he turned around one last time and saw his friends standing at the entrance of the town, waving him a good bye.
He waved back then turned around and took a deep breath. "Ok Bite. We will find theses druids! Are you ready?"
"...Yes."
Author's Note
So this is the end of my first story. I hope you enjoyed it and if you want to see what happened at the celebration just go to the story from my brother.The dark brother of the bright student .
The effect of the Wooden Heart
This day begun very slowly for Spirit, he meditated till it was noon.
At noon he went with Bite through his plan one last time. "So if they react positively to you, we will tell the other ponies here in town about you, if they don´t react good we might have to go! So Bite do you want to risk that?" He waited some minutes for an reaction after some moments he sensed a weak feeling of agreement. Spirit opened his eyes slowly and saw Fluttershy sat in front of him waiting for an last statement .
He took a deep breath and explained. "We will do it, if we don´t try it like Zecora said we will never be able to change something!"
"Well then, let´s go meet Rarity and Applejack at her farm."
With that they went off to Sweet Apple Acres to met the two.
As they reached the home of the apple family Big Mac let them in and they saw that Applejack and Rarity were already waiting for them.
Applejack welcomed him. "Howdy Spirit nice to see you ya again but why do you want to meet us again?"
"Right, I don´t want to be rude but I have work to do my dear!"
Spirit and Fluttershy sat down at the table while Bite laid down in the middle of the room. "You can sit down then I will explain, it won't take too long!"
After they both sat down Spirit starts to explain that he wants to show Bite to somepony to see the reaction and if his task is possible.
As he told them who he want to show Bite Applejack interrupted him. "Wait what hold on a second I can understand why ya want to tell somepony but why them?"
Rarity nodded in agreement to Applejack. "Right what makes them suitable for this thing?"
This time Fluttershy spoke up. "Because they are good at looking things from a different viewpoint, also I think them they won't ran off and tell everypony about Bite."
Spirit nodded. "And I want to ask you, if you think it would work?"
First Applejack and Rarity looked at each other and thought a moment about it. But then turned back to him and both nodded. "A think ya are right they are probably the best to test a reaction to Bite."
"I must agree they seem very suitable for your plan but if you want to catch them all at once you should go now darling!"
Spirit rubbed his back head and laugh weakly. "Well I must confess that I have no idea where they are. Do you know where I can find them?"
Applejack smiled at him and nodded. "They are on the Farm but a little away from the house, I will show you were it is!"
"Good to hear that you have a plan to do but I think I must excuse myself I had some work to catch up!"
"Bye!" They all said at once as Rarity left but Spirit saw that she made a small circle around Bite. 'She might not hate Bite but she seems still uncomfortable with him nearby. I think I should give it time.'
After Rarity left they walk to the fields and through a small forest. After a while they arrived at a small tree house.
Applejack stopped and explained. "This is the clubhouse of the cutie mark crusaders! I will go to them and say them you.. "
But she was interrupted from Spirit. "No, I think it would be better if they don't know you two are here. Because if they know, they might get the feeling that Bite is not dangerous because you are here. I want to know there honest opinion about Bite!"
"Ok it´s ya thing so do what ya think. Ah think Ah go back to work Big Mac can´t do everything alone!" With that Applejack walks of and Spirit turned to Fluttershy.
"You can go too if you want?"
Spirit expected her to go as well but she shook her head. "No I promised to help you maybe I can´t help with that but I will stay just in case."
Spirit nodded and turned to the tree house. "Thank you!" And walks toward it, as he reached the door for the door he turned to Bite "You will stay here till I call you!"
He turned back to the door and took a deep breath and knocks.
"... come in!"
So he entered and saw the tree fillies from the previous day . Apple Bloom stood behind a desk and the other two in front of her.
"Hello Mr. Wood!"Sweetie Belle welcomed him.
"What is it we´re in the middle of a meeting!" Scooterloo asked him.
"First of no need for things like Mr. Wood, just Spirit is ok. And I am here for a very important thing! But First how much did your sisters tell you about me?"
Apple Bloom spoke up first. "They only told us that ya are a new pony and ya name."
Spirit nodded and took a deep breath. "Ok then from the beginning. First of I am not from Equestria. Do you know from where Zerocra is?"
They nodded. "Well, I am from there too. So when I lived there I got a pet and this pet is the reason why I came to you!"
Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow and looked at the other. "What is so special about ya pet that ya think it is so important to show us?"
Spirit opened his mouth but was interrupted by Scooterloo. "And why us?"
"Ah ok I knew that question would come. But first to your question Apple Bloom, yes he is a bit special. For the ponies most he would not count as a pet. And know to your Scootaloo question, I want to make public what my pet is but I want your opinion about him. And also your sister said you were good at looking from another perspective, and seconded you kinda already know him!"
Spirit ignored the confusion on their faces and turned to the door. "Bite come in!"
As Bite heard he walked in the room and looked around as he saw the crusaders he slowly walked to them but stopped a bit before them. The cursader on the other side just stand there silent and stared at the Timberwolf.
'Ok that is exactly what I expected. I hope they don't start screaming or something!' "Well that is Bite!" He said while walking next to Bite and patted him on his back.
Bite stood now in the middle of the room and lowerd his head to the eyelevel of the fillies.
The Cutie mark crusaders on the other side still stood there a little shocked of the sudden Timberwolf cub standing in front of them. As they didn´t move after some moments the wolf interpret that as fear, what was the worst reaction they had expected. He slowly turned around and was about to go back to Spirit.
But then Bite stopped immediately as he felt a hoof on his back. He turned around to see that tried Apple Bloom caressed the his back. He was very surprised first but then laid down so that Apple Bloom could reach them better.
After some seconds the other two walks slowly towards him to pet him too.
First Spirit only looked at them but after some time he took a deep breath and ask his question. "So what do see if you look at Bite?"
It sounded like a very dumb question but Apple Bloom knew what he means. "Well ah see a bit big animal cub who just wants to play!"
"So you don't think he is a monster?" This time Scooterloo answered. "I have seen scarier things than him!" The other two rolled their eyes.
Spirit gave a big sigh of relive. "That's good to hear, you know I want to show Bite to everypony in town but I first wanted to know how a small group reacts to him! "
"Ah see but why now?" Apple Bloom brought up.
"That is because first of I took an advice from Zecora and you three wanted to apologize to him anyway." Spirit said the last thing with a smile. "And also if somepony would found him alone like you three it could end that they hunt Bite out of town. So I decided to do the first step for my task." 'So it´s settle, I will ask Twilight if she can announce that there is a Timberwolf running through the city.'
Spirit let them pet Bite for a few minutes but then he break the silence. "If only the others react half good as you there will be no problem." 'I hope!'
As he leave the cutie mark crusaders he saw Fluttershy still waiting for him. "And how was it?"
"They reaction was more positively than I thought, they said they do not fear him and even pet him."
Fluttershy smiled to the news. "That is great, so do you want to make it official that you let a Timberwolf live here in Ponyvillie?"
"Yes, I think if I wait it would only make it worse and it seems that the most I have meet till know have no problem with him. I will go to Twilight and ask her if she can make an announcement, do you come with me?"
But Fluttershy shook her head. "No I am sorry but I have to feed the animals. Sorry."
"No problem can you take Bite with you? I don't want to go through the city with him before I have made the announcement. "
She smiled."Of course!"
With that he walked off in the direction of Twilights castle and Fluttershy walks with Bite back to her cottage.
Soon he arrived the castle and knocks on the door. It took a while but then Spike opened the door.
"Oh hello Spirit I didn´t expect you! What brings you here?"
"Well I must ask Twilight something!"
"She is in the arena."
"Arena? There is a arena in Ponyvillie?"
"Yes the one made of crystal next to the castle!" He pointed to the side were indeed stood a arena made of dark crystals.
'Wasn't there yesterday a wide field of grass on the right side of the castle?' "I must have been lost in my thoughts! But that wasn't there yesterday, right?"
So Spike explained. "Yes, Fallen made it today to train Twilight."
Spirit looked at him still confused. 'He made it? This unicorn must be very powerfull.' "Well then thank you Spike. See you!"
So he walked to the arena. 'Train her? In what?'
As he go through the opening he saw a Twilight and Rainbow Dash sitting on the and drinking water, as Spirit looked at them they seemed very exhausted.
He walked over to them."Hello Twilight and Rainbow!"
Both of them turned their heads to him. Twilight stood up and walks to him followed by Rainbow. "Hello Spirit."
"Hi."
"It´s nice to see you two again. But that isn't the reason why I came. I came because I want to ask you something Twilight and also I want to know where and when did this arena came from?"
"You might heard that Fallen beat me in a magic duel. As he said I was easy to beat I want to learn how to use magic to fight and Rainbow Dash wanted to learn something about fighting as she heard Fallen would train me. But enough of that, what brings you here?"
He was a bit surprised. "I didn´t know you had battled with Fallen. But anyway I want to tell all ponies in town that I have an Timberwolf. I still want to help ponies live with Timberwolves together and after an advice from Zecora I thought if I didn´t even risk to tell them about Bite, I will never be able to bring them to give creatures like him a chance."
Twilight nodded. "It is your choice I can make everything ready for an meeting for everypony this late afternoon in the main hall. Then you can tell them everything. But are you sure? I dont know what could happen if they don´t want to listened to you!"
Spirit nodded. "Yes I am sure! Everything that could happen if somepony found him alone is worse than that what could happen at the meeting. Now I go to prepare myself."
With that he ran off and Rainbow turned to Twilight. "Do you think that is a good idea?"
Twilight gave a sigh. "I don't really know but this is Spirits task. I only hope he has plan if it get out of his hoofs!"
Later Spirit was with Fluttershy, Bite, Rainbow Dash and Twilight behind the stage. They went through his plan one last time.
"So I will announce you Spirit. Then you will held your speech and if something happen Spirit stomps two time on the ground and Rainbow will pull the lever for the trap door that you can bring Bite away. Did erveypony understands?" They all nodded.
Twilight went on the stage. "Hello everypony thank you for coming. First of I am happy to see that so many ponies could have made it but for now to the topic of this meeting. As you might know we had a guest for the last days and he wants to say something."
With that she walks off and Spirit was about to go one stage but Fluttershy stopped him and said quick. "Good luck!"
"Thank you! I will need it."And he walks on stage.
Spirit took a last deep breath and begun. "Hello, everypony for them who don't know my, name is Spirit Wood. First of as you might see I am not from here, I am from the far away the land of the zebras and I am here to help you with the Everfree Forest and the creatures that live in it." some ponies starts mumbling but Spirit didn´t stop. "I am not here to fight against them! I am here to show that you can live with them. I have also a proof that it is possible to live with one of them." Now everypony in the room was silent.
Now Bite walked on stage he made himself as small as he could as he saw all the ponies looking at him. Spirit walked over to him and petted his head. "As you can see ponies can live together with them!" Spirit stopped to let the word sink in. He wanted to speak again but was interrupt by some ponies.
"Are you crazy?"
"You brought a monster a our town!"
"Ponies can´t live with that kind of monsters together!" Hearing this Rainbow made herself ready to pull the lever anytime but Spirit still didn´t gave her the signal.
"Ponies I can understand your fears but look at him, do you think he will attack you? No, he won't and you shouldn't judge him because of his appearance or what other of his race did before. Anypony who is not willing to give him a chance is free to leave know and the one who want peace with the creatures of the forest can stay. I will answer them any question they have!"
Spirit looked at the crowed and waited for the ponies who want to leave and after some seconds about ten percent left the room. And Spirit smiled because he had expected more ponies leaving.
"Thank you all who stayed and want to give other creatures a chance. As I said will answer all question you have."
It took a while but after that some hooves goes into the air, so he begun to answer their questions. Some of them were easy like what is Bites name or what does he eats and more specific ones like how long a Timeberwolf live or where they live. After some minutes answering question they came to the question that Spirit feared the most.
"How do you want to bring peace?"
"Well I must say I don´t exactly know how but as I told you I have the special talent sense the feelings of animals and calms them down. I wanted to use it to talk to them but first I want to do more research about them!"
The ponies however accepted his explanation half hearted and asked some other questions till it was late.
After everypony was gone Spirit and Bite walks over to Twilight, Rainbow and Fluttershy.
They all congratulated him for his victory but Spirit only said.
"Thank you but this was not my work it only worked thanks to the citizens they were the one who decided to listened first before judging Bite! In the end this was one small step in the right direction."
Author's Note
Here is my next chapter hope like it and if you want to read the training from Rainbow Dash and Twilight go to my Brothers story The dark brother of the bright student