Two Sides of One Lie

Ponyville, Equestria

     Lyra walked leisurely beside her roomate and best friend Bonbon as they strode through the peaceful paths on the edge of the Ponyville park. They idly chatted as they enjoyed the tranquility of the warm summer afternoon like many more of Ponyville's inhabitants.

     "- Of course when I got there, I remembered that I'd left the order in the kitchen," Bonbon said, getting her mint green friend to giggle whole hartedly.

     "Ya know, *giggle* That kinda reminds me of the time I went to play in Canterlot, and left my lyre on the train." Lyra smiled and laughed more, recalling the incident. Bonbon laughed with her.

*Rustle*

     Bonbon stopped in her tracks and turned around to face the line of brush that walled the edge of the path, looking over it with sharp eyes. Lyra began to say something else, but noticed her friend was no longer next to her. She looked back to see Bonbon standing in the middle of the path, staring at the bushes and trees as though she were brain dead.

     "Hey, whaddya starin' at?" Lyra approached with a quizzical look on her face.

     "Shh," Bonbon hissed in response. Lyra shot back at the seriousness in her tone.

     "What is it," Lyra asked with a much quieter voice.

     "Didn't you hear that," Bonbon began. "The leaves started rustling. I think somepony's following us."

     At this Lyra simply smiled. "I just think you're paranoid," She happily stated, beleiving her friend to be worrying over nothing.

     "I'm not joking Lyra," She yelled "I heard somethi-!"

*Rustle Rustle*

     "There it goes again," She shouted in a whisper.

     Lyra's smile disappeared quickly. "Y-Yeah, I heard it that time too."

     "Hello," Bonbon yelled "Is somepony out there?"

...

     She was met with a response in the form of complete silence. It escaped her notice that all the small mammals and brids had either left or were now completely quiet.

     "If this is a joke, it's not funny. Please, stop!" Her shout was again, returned with silence

     "Well, I guess there's only one way were gonna find out," Lyra began to walk up towards the edge of the thick foliage, and Bonbon felt a pang of bad vibes run through her spine.

     "L-Lyra I don't think that's such a good idea," Lyra continued forward as though she hadn't heard a word of the warning from her companion "Let's just leave, okay?"

     "What? You're not telling me you're scared, ARE you," Lyra smiled widely.

     "Of c-course not! It's just that wha-" Bonbon didn't get to finish her sentence.

     Suddenly, in a flurry of green, the bushes seemed to come to life as a tall, greenish shape burst through the wall of plants. Leaves flew off the bushes and sticks flung outward as the green figure snatched Lyra with an appendage, lifting her into the air by her neck.

      Lyra let out an ear piercing scream as the beast held her aloft. It responded to her by bellowing an ear shattering roar, crushing down with it's grip on her. Lyra could only stare on in horror as blood began to flow down her neck.

     The beast gripped the side of it's head with another hand, roaring as though in pain. In a rage, it threw Lyra to the ground like a ragdoll. BonBon flinched as she heard bones snapping.

     BonBon glanced over to the creature as it stood shaking it's head. It was thin, but massively tall, with dark, mottled green skin that took on various shades in splotches. It had two large, but blunt tusks protruding from it's bottom jaw. It had a small, solid black eye at the left side of it's face. The other had a patch of skin and flesh molded over it. It stood almost eight feet tall with two long, thin legs, and a pair of forelegs that reached down to it's knees. It looked an awfully lot like the "Humans" Lyra was so obsessed about. She wasn't sure, but she could've sworn the creature was shaking just lightly.

     The creature locked it's rage-filled gaze on BonBon, snarling like a rabid animal. She unconsciously began backing away as the creature threw it's arm into the air, preparing to swat her aside like an insect. She shrank down as it began to swing it's massive appendage down. Before it could connect, a large red blur struck the side of the beast, sending it toppling over.

     Bonbon glanced up and seeing her chance, bolted at the opportunity to help her friend. "L-Lyra," Bonbon screamed as she rushed to her roommate's aid. She kneeled down next to her and pressed her hooves onto Lyra's neck. "Lyra?! Lyra can you hear me?!"

     Lyra's eyes were shut tightly and tears rolled down her face, mixing with the small puddle of blood that was forming beneath her. Bonbon looked up to see Big Macintosh dragging a hoof and glaring fiercely at the beast on the ground. Numerous other ponies rushed over at the sound of the sudden commotion, wondering what had broken the calm of such a peaceful morning.

     Nurse Tenderheart was the first to approach. She kneeled down beside Lyra and took a look at the injury. "Oh my," She said quietly "Somepony, get me a first aid kit and a stretcher, now," She shouted at the group that had gathered. A number of the ponies broke off from the crowd and ran in search of the requested items.

      "Does anypony have a towel or blanket," She looked back to the crowd anxiously.

     As Nurse Tenderheart turned around, the monster rose back onto it's feet again. This times it's eyes were fixed on Macintosh. It swung it's arm upward just as Big Mac ran around the attack, stopping behind it to buck it again.

     The creature fell again but immediately got back up, repeating the same process. Big Mac dodging the attack and bucking it again.

     "'Ah need help! 'Ah can't keep doin' this." Big Mac shouted as sweat poured down his face, anticipating another attack from the creature.

     In response, one unicorn came from the group and began using magic to try and hold it down, but it quickly became obvious she wasn't strong enough to keep it from getting up again.

     Following her example, more and more unicorns joined in to help hold the creature down, forcing it flat against the dirt pathway as it struggled helplessly, finally managing to get it under control.

     BonBon sat relieved that Macintosh stopped it from hurting any other ponies. Or herself. She could only imagine what would've happened had he not been nearby.

     "A-Are you alright?" Big Mac looked over to see a young, tan earth pony mare with a dark blue and pink mane. He'd seen her around town before, but hadn't ever really gotten to know her.

     Big Mac simply stared at her for a moment before responding. "Yep."

••••••••••

Canterlot, Equestria

     Princess Celestia levitated up another bite of her salad. She bit down on the fork and pulled it away, savoring the sweet flavor of the fresh vegetables and greens. She lowered the fork and rose her tea cup. Taking a quick sip and setting it back down.

     The warm light of the sun poured through the windows, illuminating the room brilliantly. Dust shimmered in the air, as it passed through the bright rays of the sun. Red curtains hung upon the walls and golden carpets adorned the floors.

     Outside, the sounds of the castle gardens filled the air; the birds continued to chirp as they bathed in the glorious light of the sun, and the animals frolicked about the flowers and other foliage. Water gently trickled down the center fountain and cascaded smoothly upon the pool below it. The hundreds of goldfish and koi floated near the surface, warming themselves in the bright sunlight. Insects of all shapes and sizes buzzed about the gardens, moving from flower to flower and tree to tree, going about their daily routine.

     And amidst it all the Princess sat smiling to herself, enjoying the glorious sunny afternoon carefree.

Perfect.

     The rhythmic sound of hooves clopping against the stone floor steadily grew in volume until it reached a stop. The door to the dining hall swung open violently, revealing a tired, worn pegasus guard.

     "Your majesty, *huff*" He drew a quick series of breaths and hurriedly trotted to the front of Celestia's dining table. "My apologies... For interrupting your meal. But something has happened toward the town of Ponyville," He looked ahead, attempting to keep a steady composure.

     Celestia's ear twitched at the mention of the town's name. Her smile faded and she slowly lowered her fork.

     "A number of citizens were attacked... and injured by various creatures of unknown species. There was no loss of life *huff* but at least three ponies had to be hospitalized." Celestia's mind went into overflow with questions and worry.

     "Is there any clue as to where these creatures came from?"

     "They are believed to have emerged from the Everfree Forest, although nopony's entirely sure."

     Celestia's heart immediately filled with worry after hearing the name of the dreaded forest. She'd known it to be dangerous, but she felt sure her student could've handled herself inside of it. Especially with her friends.

What? Creatures from the Everfree harming my citizens? But... why? No creature of any kind has emerged from there in decades!

     "And what of the element bearers?" She spoke evenly, attempting to maintain a calm demeanor.

     "They could not be located, your majesty." The guard spoke flatly, but fearing what reaction the princess would have to the news.

     "Go and have a carriage readied to take me to Ponyville, and tell Captain Shining to send a squad of his best with me."

     "Yes, your majesty," The guard turned on his hooves, racing out of the chamber to fulfill his orders.

     "Spotless," Celestia yelled loudly.

     Hurriedly, a young, tan unicorn mare trotted into the room wearing a maids uniform and with a cutie mark depicting a feather duster.

     "Yes, your majesty," She bowed and then stood rigid.

     "Would you kindly clean up my lunch? I'm afraid I have to leave."

     "Of course, your majesty," The mare approached the table and lifted the silverware, plate and cups into the air. Gently carrying them out into the hall.

     Celestia proceeded out the door. Noticeably missing her usual smile. She turned down the hall to her right and followed the maze of paths that she had memorized well. The pristine white marble and stone that made up the halls caused it to be easy to get lost without an extensive knowledge of the lay out. Of course the building was designed as such to disorient possible intruders or tresspassers. She walked for a number of minutes, finally arriving at the large set of double doors that lead to the castle's front court yard.

     "Princess, Your carriage is ready," A guard confronted her and pointed a hoof over to it. It sat on the stone directly in front a wall of flowers and bushes. The bright white color contrasted heavily to the dark green foliage.

     "Thank you."

      Celestia walked ahead to the White gold-trimmed carriage and climbed into it, and sat down onto the soft, red, cushioned seat. She looked down to the guards hitched in the front and stated, "Ponyville please."

The guards nodded and began a quick trot down the stone pavement, heading into a sprint and then lifting off the ground.

••••••••••

Celestia stepped out of the carriage as she looked ahead to the massive congregation of citizens and guards. Nearly the entire town had gathered around the central square, exchanging rumors and words of worry. They were all so caught up in a panic that she had to verbally announce herself.

"My little ponies, please may I have your attention," Celestia's voice boomed over the masses of chattering and shouting. Almost immediately, everypony's attention turned to her as any voices quickly faded.

     Celestia remained still as she looked over the crowd that had formed, being sure she had their attention. "I understand you must all be frightened," She began. "But please, do not panic. I promise you the situation will be handled. I would like for Everypony to return to their daily routines if possible, there isn't any cause for such alarm," As she reached her final words, she looked back over the crowd expectantly. Like flies in a pack, the citizens each began breaking away and returning to their normal work and lives.

     Satisfied, Celestia proceeded forward to where her guards were leading her. She kept a smile on her face, not of genuine happiness but to reassure all of her subjects that everything was alright.

‘Everything is most certainly *not** alright.’*

     As she reached her destination she saw a curious sight: At least 15 guards had surrounded a huge cage that was shrouded by a black covering. The first to notice her was Captain Shining, who was quick to bow as she approached.

     "You may rise. Pray tell, what is this, Captain?" She inquired with a look to the cage that sat surrounded by armed stallions.

     "Your majesty," Shining rose back up, looking noticeably grim. "Some of the civillians were able to capture one of the creatures, but unfortunately not before it injured one of the citizens. It broke a number of her ribs, and leg bones, and came dangerously close to severing her jugular." Shining glanced over to the cage, almost fearful.

     "Fortunately," he said, "Much of the other creatures retreated once my squad and I arrived."

     "Is there any idea as to what this creature could be?"

     "I've had my guards look through hundreds of volumes on wildlife and even legends, but we can't find a match for it anywhere." Shining stopped to look at the ground and sighed. "If my sister were here maybe she'd know, but we can't find her, or her friends anywhere..."

He doesn't know yet, does he?

     Celestia suddenly felt terrible about neglecting to inform him. She hadn't thought it would be necessary. Their expedition should've only taken a dozen hours at the most.

     She sighed and began to speak. "Captain, about your sister..." Shining immediately looked up to the princess, who could barely bring herself to meet his eyes. "I sent her and her friends on an expedition... Into the forest. It was to study a discharge of energy that had occurred. I'm sorry Shining. I didn't know these things were out there."

     "W-what?" Shining looked to the ground in complete disbelief. "H-how long ago?"

     "Almost sixteen hours..."

     Shining armor felt fear course through his veins like adrenaline. He almost couldn't believe what he was hearing was real. "Y-you mean she's out there... With those... those things?"

     "Shining please, there was no way anypony could've known this would happen. Your sister is a strong mare. I'm sure she and her friends are alright."

     "I-I... I know but..."

     "Now," Celestia attempted to take his mind away from such thoughts by changing the subject. "What is this creature exactly?"

     Shining opened his mouth to try and describe it, but simply found himself lacking the words. "You'd better see for yourself."

     Some of the guards took this as a cue to pull the shroud off the cage, revealing the monster that was within. Celestia approached the cage dauntlessly, stopping at it's edge to observe the beast standing there.

     It was incredibly tall, and towered over even herself by nearly double. It's most notable feature was it's lack of a second eye on the right of it's head. The missing eye was covered by a fleshy growth that almost appeared to... Pulsate. And it's skin was a mottled dark green.

     The creature didn't show any more indication toward her presence besides a deep groan and a quick glance that lasted no more than a second. It just stood against the side of it's cage quietly.

     "This is the creature," Celestia inquired Shining without actually looking at him, "It does not appear as hostile as it was described."

     "When we arrived, it was thrashing about everywhere. We needed seven unicorn guards just to get it into the cage, but it's calmed down considerably since," Shining Armor pointed out by holding a hoof toward it, "We don't know why."

     "Perhaps it was distressed," It was the only logical assumption for Celestia. Why else would it go from being completely enraged to as calm as could be?

     "Like I said, we can't know for sure. We don't even know what it is."

     Celestia stood and pondered for a moment wondering how she could acquire more information. There weren't any books on it, and nopony actually knew anything about it... Mabey there was one way she could learn something from it.

     Princess Celestia's horn began to glow as she leaned in to cast a spell on the beast. The creature noticeably recoiled and snarled as she gradually neared it.

   "Princess, be careful! It reacts violently to magic."

     "Calm yourself Captain. I only need to cast one spell," Celestia's horn finally made contact with the being's skin, flooding her vision with white as the world seemed to fall apart.

••••••••••

She felt herself falling as her blackened surroundings suddenly morphed and twisted into existence, painting the environment around her like a picture.

     She saw a dark, thick swamp stretching around her in all directions. Gnarly, twisted trees with sick grey leaves that stretched down on loose branches, like terribly malformed willow trees.

     The sky was hidden under a canopy of the same, and the ground was made of mud, completely devoid of any other plant life aside from patches of moss and piles of dead leaves. Ahead of her ran a small stream, flowing between mounds of mud. Inside of it swam fish, far unlike any she'd ever seen before. They varied in size and shape, some being only barely recognizable as fish.

     One had a pair of strange fleshy growths on each side of it's head, and no mouth to speak of. It stayed still in the mud with a cratered and muddled backside showing up, remaining still until a smaller creature like a tadpole swam by. It sat for barely a moment before it was torn apart by two unnatural tubular growths extending out from the protrusions, quickly dragging the remains under it's immobile body.

     Not far away, by the edge of the stream emerged a strange elongated creature with tannish, wrinkled skin and a large fuzz covered stalk emerging from it's head(?). It sat for a moment before it's head split open four ways, revealing a mouth lined with thousands of curved teeth and the stalk quickly retracted inside.

     From between a pair of trees emerged the creature she had cast the spell on. It lumbered over to the stream and kneeled down, carefully staring into the water with it's eye. The fleshy growth on it's face seemed to begin pulsing, steadily increasing in speed until the creature rapidly drove it's arm into the water, quickly retracting and pulling out the fish she'd observed earlier.

     Like a prize, it held the fish into the air, looking over it as it squirmed and wriggled to escape it's captor. In a moment it brought the fish back and bit down on it's head with a symphony 'cracks', 'pops' and a loud squish. It stared blankly ahead as it proceeded to chew on it's meal, only ever pausing to swallow and take another bite.

     The creature froze and swiveled it's head to the right, noticing something shine under the water of the stream. It stood up and approached the object, kneeling down and reaching into the water to grab the strange artifact. It lifted a smooth, spherical stone that appeared to glow up and out of the water.

     It merely observed it for a moment before tossing it aside like trash, turning away as it hit the side of a tree. Before it could resume devouring it's freshly caught meal, a sudden intense light made it turn around again to observe the stone it had thrown.

     The glow being emitted from the rock had begun increasing in brightness, forcing the creature to shield it's eye from the merciless light. It quickly reached out to hit the rock away, desperately wanting to rid itself of the irritating object.

Just as it's hand hit the stone, the world was overtaken by a flash and the surroundings melted away once again.

••••••••••

     Celestia recoiled from the cage as the spell ended. Forcing her to sit down and rest herself. More questions raced through her mind that she had originally, and none she had before had been answered. It definitely did not come from Equestria, and it more certainly wasn't any place she knew of.

     "Princess," She opened her eyes to see Shining Armor standing next to her with a hoof on her shoulder. "Are you hurt? What's wrong?" He continued to hit her with a volley of questions as he looked her over.

     "Yes, yes... I am fine," She stood up and held a hoof to her head, and took a glance up to the creature to see it doing the same.

     "What happened? What did you do?"

     "Nothing that was of much help..." She kept her eyes closed in hopes that it would suppress her headache. "Captain, I want you to make sure your stallions maintain a strong perimeter at the edge of the forest. I believe there is much more to this than I originally thought."

     "Yes, Princess," Shining looked back at the guards that had gathered around expectantly. "Well, you all heard her. Get going!"

     Without so much as a salute the guards scrambled to their posts to follow their orders, tumbling over each other to get to their positions.

     Celestia turned away from the guards and other ponies, and looked out over the sky as she briefly wondered what had happened to her student. Though she knew there was no way to tell she could only hope that somehow she was being kept safe.

‘Where ever you are Twilight, I hope you are okay.’