A New Life

The cold winter breeze blew as I walked down the path. Snowy forest all around me. Sometimes I think woodland looks even better with the white flakes piled up everywhere.

How long till I reach Ponyville now? Maybe less than ten minutes.

I sighed and reached into the bag sitting on my back, pulling out a photo.

On the photo were three ponies, my father, my mother, and a five year old me. My green coat looked exactly the same as it does now, but my brown mane was fairly longer. Now my mane is cut extremely short, in a neat buzzcut. I don't know why, but I like my mane like this.

I looked at my father, and began to wonder what would happen if he didn't die that day. How different would my life be? I'd probably still be living in Ponyville, and I wouldn't have to move to that village where I spent most of my life.

I realized that I was getting off track, so I stuck the photo back in the bag, and continued walking.

After some more walking, I noticed the path was shifting direction. I looked up and thought I saw a colour that didn't blend in with the white Everfree Forest.

A couple more steps and I got a great view of my destination. Ponyville.

The town looked very much the same as I remember, except now, white decorated the rooftops of the wooden buildings.

I followed the path down the hill I was on, picket fences sat nearby.

I crossed a bridge and found myself in the familiar town. The houses had wooden frames and thatched roofs, very different to the glass buildings ever present in Manehatten.

The ground was also decorated with snow, and ponies walked around wearing scarves and boots.

What should I do now that I'm finally here?

I decided somewhere to sleep would be the first thing to do. Thankfully, there was a hotel building close to the entrance to the town, probably so any visitors know instantly where to go.

I walked up the stairs, four rooms were present, mine was room one.

I opened the door and looked inside, a bed was in the corner, and a small room sat in the other corner, which I assumed was the bathroom.

I threw my bag onto the floor, along with the jacket I wore.

I sat on the bed, deciding what to do.

I need to find my mother, I don't even know if she still lives here.

There were a couple of fillies that I can remember from before I had to move. I bet if I asked any of them they could tell me.

I stood in front of the large building. The Carousel Boutique? I didn't realize a boutique needed to be so big.

I knocked on the door, and a second later I heard a response.

"Come in!" I heard in a mare's voice.

I opened the door and walked in, my eyes widened as I was greeted by a large room with bright purple walls and curtains. I looked around and noticed various mirrors, manequins and a yellow table.

I shifted my gaze to a mare walking towards me, she was a few inches shorter than me, her coat was pure white, and her purple mane was styled in curls. She looked familiar, she was the mare I remembered!

I stopped walking and let her come to me, she stopped about a metre away from me and smiled politely at me.

"Hello and welcome to the Carousel Boutique, my name is Rarity, may I help you?"

Rarity! That was her name!

I hesitated before I answered, "Um, I'm looking for somepony who lives here, and I would like to ask you a few questions".

She looked suprised for a second before she answered, "Somepony who lives here?" gesturing to the room.

"As in somepony who lives in Ponyville", I explained nervously, "I was looking for somepony who is a local to the area to ask a couple questions".

She quickly shifted her gaze to the table and then back to me, "I suppose if it doesn't take too long", she said, smiling again, "If I may ask, what is your name?"

"Green Forest, but just call me Forest" I answered

Once we had sat down I undone the bag's straps at my chest and the ones at my stomach, I set the bag on the floor next to me. I looked back up at Rarity to find her staring curiously at me.

"I haven't known any ponies that use a bag like that", she stated, "Everypony I know uses a saddlebag, where did you get a bag like that, if I may ask?"

My bag was known as a backpack, a design not very common in Equestria, this is because saddlebags tend to have more room. I don't know why I really prefered it, perhaps because of who gave it to me.

"My father had given it to me when I was a colt", I answered. Not really explaining where it came from.

She raised an eyebrow and looked like she was about to say something before I cut in.

"Um, anyway, I'd like to ask you about this mare", I asked, grabbing the family photo from my bag and placing it on the table, "Her name is Winter Breeze".

Rarity looked at the picture for a couple seconds before looking back up at me, she lost her smile instantly.

"Yes, um..." she hesitated.

I tilted my head in confusion at her hesitation, she noticed my confused expression and looked away from me.

"I'm sorry, but she passed away a couple months ago", she finished.

I could imagine the look on my face, mouth agape and eyes wide, my mom's dead? It took a while to process the information in my head.

Rarity noticed my shocked expression and sighed.

"I'm sorry" She said. For what?

I closed my mouth and looked away, "Uh, T-Thanks for telling me.."

She smiled weakly, "May I ask why you were looking for her?"

I looked at her again and answered,"If you'd like," I started, "I... I'm her son"

Rarity's smile went to a face of alarm.

"I used to live in Ponyville when I was younger, but dad died and mom couldn't look after me, so I lived near Manehatten for a while with some foster parents", I explained, "I only just got enough bits to make a travel that big". "That's how I knew you were a local actually", I

gestured my hoof to her, "I remember a few ponies".

She looked at me with a look best described as pity, "I see, well, I feel sorry for you", she stated, but her gaze shifted to a more curious one,

"What are you going to do now?"

I stared at her before looking away, What am I going to do now?

I looked back at her and answered, "I guess I'm moving to Ponyville, my mom dieing doesn't really change that", I answered nonchalantly.

I got out of the chair and stood up, "Anyways, I'm thankful for your help, but you're probably busy, so I'll let you go back to work".

She sighed and stood up, "Yes, I probably should get back to it, I have to find my sister and the ice skates she borrowed".

"Heh, yeah", I spoke softly, I turned around and started walking towards the door, within a metre of the door it suddenly slammed open.

A pink mare walked in, she walked in the door and let out a gasp as she saw me, then next thing I knew she was two inches from my face.

"Hi! My name is Pinkie! Who are you?", she asked in a loud and fast voice, "Are you moving here?".

My face must have been a look of suprise, before I answered, "Yeah, my name's Forest, and I'm planning on living here now".

She let out a gasp, before jumping into the air, "This means we're gonna have a party!!" "Ooh, this is gonna be the best party ever! There's gonna be cake, and balloons, and music and hundreds of ponies! I don't know where we'll have it, but I can figure that out no problem!"

I just stood there blank faced, I turned around to Rarity, Rarity noticed me looking at her and spoke up, "Pinkie!"

Pinkie looked at her friend still smiling, "Yeah Rarity?"

"I'm certain that Forest isn't in the mood for a party right now, he just had some bad news", Rarity explained.

Pinkie focused all her attention on Rarity, "That's only more reason to throw him a party! Everypony new to town gets a party for them, and if he's sad then a party will cheer him up!"

As she was distracted, I slowly backed up to the door and opened it as quietly as I could, then slipping outside unnoticed. What should I do now? Maybe a quiet walk in the forest will calm me down, It usually does.

I walked on the path, the ground below thick with white snow, I wish I brought my jacket, It's freezing!

How long have I been walking? Maybe half an hour?

I looked around me and noticed something behind the trees, A light?

I stared for a moment before deciding to investigate, moving at a faster walking pace.

I arrived at a large tree, but at the base of the trunk was what appeared to be a hut built into the tree itself.

I stared in awe at this glorious creation and I couldn't help but to inspect it.

I walked up to the door, and was about to open it when I stopped, Wait, if there's a light on inside that means somepony probably in there!

I stepped back and took another look at the door and thought to myself, Do I really want to talk to anypony? Celestia knows I'm terrible at

coming across as friendly.

I considered it a second before I turned my attention back to the door, and I slowly knocked on it.

The door opened and a zebra stepped out, she had a friendly smile on her face.

"Hello, can I help you at all? I don't see many ponies after Fall".

I was somewhat suprised at her friendly reaction, but tried to hide the suprise from my face, "Um, I was just walking and saw your hut, I didn't think many ponies liked the Everfree", I tried to explain.

"Ah, yes, this is my hut, from the ponies I keep myself shut, although that is for their own safety, I find myself helping them out lately".

Then she turned her attention back to me, "If your answer could be honest, why are you in the forest? The Everfree is not safe for ponies to travel, the safest path is one of gravel."

I thought about it for a second then answered as honestly as I could, "I just like forests, that's what my cutie mark is for," I turned around to show her my mark, a single tree.

She looked suprised for a second before going to a more relaxed look, "A unique talent, I've never seen before, but you like the forest, and you seem pretty sure".

I looked up as I noticed something, and noticed many little white snowflakes falling from the sky, Just great, It's starting to snow.

She looked around behind me, and then back to me, "Winter is harsh, and it's getting cold, warmth can get as valuable as gold, please feel free to come inside, as it should stop snowing before the night."

I looked at her with a slightly suprised look, "Are you sure?" was the only thing I could get out.

She nodded, and I started walking to the door as she headed in.

I had been in there for a while, and she asked me various questions, like about how I was new to town, or why I had moved here. I answered all of them as quickly as I could, I was never much of a talker.

I looked out the window, I noticed that the colour of the sky was darkening.

I turned to Zecora, "It's getting dark, I think I should be heading back to Ponyville"

She took a sip of her tea, and looked at me, "Yes, The Everfree gets more dangerous at night, best to go and find some light. Well Forest, it's been nice talking with you, but you should go, before a Manticore makes you stew."

I got off the chair I was sitting on and looked at her, "Thanks for the Tea. Goodbye Zecora," I turned to the door and walked out.

I broke from the trees and found the path, I started to follow it.

Still snowing, I noted, following the path with my head down.

I wonder how far to Ponyville, It took about a 30 minute walk to reach here so this might take a while.

After about five minutes later I looked up and noticed something on the ground in front of me.

What is that? I questioned in my head.

I walked up closer, and started to get a better look, I saw pink and purple.

I froze as I was a meter away, my eyes were wide and my mouth open, my face a look of horror.

In front of me on the ground was a filly, lying in the snow, body seemingly limp and lifeless.

Her eyes were closed, she had a pink and purple curly mane, she was a unicorn, with a white coat. She was wearing a deep purple scarf, and had on snow boots a slightly lighter shade of purple.

A second later I put my ear to her chest and I heard a light thumping, Good, she's breathing, and her heart's still beating

I lifted my head off her and looked at her, "Can you hear me?" I asked in a worried voice.

No response, Unconscious.

I crouched down low next to her, I slid my foreleg under her stomach and lifted her out of the snow, onto my back. She lay on my back, limp,

She's so cold...

I tried to think of what to do. What should I do? Oh, I know, I'll take her back to Zecora, I heard Zecora mention that she knew a lot of medical stuff.

The filly suddenly gave a light groan and I turned my head around to face her, she opened her eyes tiredly, her eyes widened as she saw me looking at her, "Who... What?" she said alarmed.

"You're in the Everfree Forest, your going to freeze to death if we don't get you warm!" I told her.

She just stared at me, eyes wide and then looked around and then screamed.

I turned my gaze around to where she was screaming and saw as three timberwolves came out of the forest. They approached us slowly, growling and eyes glowing.

The filly stopped screaming and looked terrified at the wolves, but I narrowed my eyes and let out a visous growl.

The Timberwolves stopped moving towards us, but kept growling, they looked ready to attack at any second.

I kept glaring at the timberwolves, "Okay, I'm gonna run to Zecora's hut, hold on very tight"

I felt the Filly hold on tighter around my neck.

I turned and ran as fast as I could, deeper into the forest, towards where Zecora was, I was aware of the wolves chasing us.

We were about a dozen meters away from the hut, "Zecora!! Open up!! We need help!!" I yelled out.

The door opened quickly and I jumped inside, with the little filly on my back. Zecora slammed the door shut after I came in. I heard the scratching and pounding at the door.

Zecora turned around to face us, but I spoke first, "Zecora! Please help her, I found her unconscious in the snow!"

Zecora had a serious expression on her face as she walked up and inspected the filly, the filly looked wide awake now, "Zecora", the filly said, "I'm so cold".

"I think she has hypothermia", I interupted.

Zecora backed away from the filly spoke to her, "I have a potion that will warm you up, I'll just go and get a cup".

The filly just lay on my back, shivering.

Zecora came back with a cup full of an orange liquid, and walked towards the filly on the filly held the cup in her hoof and took a sip, she let out a happy groan afterwards.

Zecora smiled a little and spoke to the filly, "Sweetie Belle, do you think you could walk? I think we all should have a talk."

The filly, Sweetie Belle, answered, "Yes, I-I think I can walk".

I lowered my self to the floor and felt the sudden weight change as the filly jumped off. She looked at me as I stood back up, "Thanks for saving me", "Um, who are you? I've never seen you in town before", she asked.

I smiled gently at her, "My name's Forest, and I just moved to Ponyville today, and your name is Sweetie Belle?"

She smiled, "Yep, and I live in Ponyville"

I turned to Zecora, "I think we should head back there, It's not completely dark yet".

Zecora responded in her rhyming ways, "It will get dark soon, so you need to be quick, take her to the hospital, the cold could make her sick".

"Yep, just let me out first, the timberwolves might still be near", I said

I walked towards the door and opened it, checking left and right and then walking outside.

After a couple seconds I heard a loud growl, and I instinctivly turned my head, I got a glimpse of green glowing eyes, right before I was knocked over.

I was lying on my back and a timberwolf on top of me, I had my forelegs around it's neck, trying to push it away as it tried to bite into my throat.

Acting purely on instinct, I set one hoof under it's jaw, and set the other on top of it's head, all the while it's trying to tear my throat out.

And then I twisted it's head around with a loud snapping noise.

The timberwolf went limp, and I pushed it off me. I got up as quickly as I could.

A dead timberwolf lay on the ground next to me, It's neck at a strangle angle. Then the timberwolf's body suddenly burst into a puff of smoke.

I turned away and looked around to make sure there were no more timberwolves.

My eyes caught the door and I noticed Zecora standing at the door, Sweetie Belle beside her.

"I think the rest are gone", I said

Zecora and Sweetie Belle walked out towards me, Sweetie had a look of concern on her face, "You're bleeding!" she said.

"I am?" I responded confused, I looked behind me and noticed three claw marks on my back left leg. The wound was bleeding somewhat freely but I didn't think it was a big deal.

I turned back to them and said, "Oh, that's nothing, anyways I think the timberwolves are gone, we should heading back to Ponyville now".

I layed down and shifted my gaze to Sweetie Belle, who looked confused, before I spoke, "Do you want to get on my back again? It'll be quicker and you need to keep warm".

Sweetie Belle hesitated before climbing on my back, wrapping her forelegs around my neck.

I turned to Zecora, "Thank you for everything Zecora", I said.

Zecora smiled happily, "To help somepony who is my friend, I will go to many ends".

A friend? I'm her Friend?

"Thanks", I repeated, not really knowing what to say.

I turned away from Zecora and walked away, as I was walking I turned to the filly on my back, "Hold on tight okay? I plan on getting out of here as soon as possible, so It's gonna be a lot of running", I warned

Sweetie Belle nodded, "Okay".

Then I broke into a run.

I had stopped running after a good ten minutes.

I turned to the filly on my back, "We're almost home, just stay awake a little longer okay?"

She had her eyes closed but she was shivering, "I'm too cold to sleep anyway, when I get home, I'm going to bed with fifty blankets on top of me", she replied.

I gave out a soft chuckle, "Sorry, but your going to the hospital first, I'm gonna make sure that you're healthy enough before you can go home", I told her.

Suddenly we both heard a loud noise and both our eyes widened, I looked behind me to see three timberwolves running towards us, mouths open and panting.

I looked ahead and started running and I heard Sweetie Belle scream somewhere on my back.

I looked behind me and noticed one of the timberwolves pounce at us.

It knocked us flat on the ground and I got back up as quick as I got knocked down.

I looked on my back on noticed Sweetie Belle was not there. I looked around and saw Sweetie Belle on the ground, with the timberwolf that pounced us slowly walking towards her. Sweetie's eyes were as open as they could be, and her face showed terror and horror.

Without thinking I ran up and pushed the timberwolf away from her, I scooped Sweetie up with a foreleg and placed her on my back. I started planning in my head as I ran, I can't keep running, I have to do something else! Then I spotted a tree that was small in comparison with the others.

I ran towards the tree with timberwolves in hot pursuit.

I climbed up the tree as quick as I could, and stood in the crown of the tree, I took Sweetie Belle off my back and deposited her next to me.

The timberwolves stood at the base and waited patiently for us to come down.

Sweetie Belle turned to me, a look of fear on her face, "What do we do now?"

I didn't look at her, and kept staring at the timberwolves, who looked like they could wait all day, "I'm gonna go down there and try to kill them", I answered somewhat bitter.

Her face shifted to horror as she listened, "You can't go down there! What if you die?"

I kept looking towards the wolves, their glowing green eyes staring into mine, "Honestly, I've got nothing to live for", I answered, my expression saddened.

Sweetie Belle looked shocked and horrified, but I interrupted her before she could say anything else, "If it looks like I'm losing, run away while they're busy with me, at least if I die, you'll be alive", I turned to her, my expression hardened again.

Her face was of pure horror but I ignored it.

"No!", I heard her scream as I leaped out of the tree, I landed with a loud thump behind the timberwolves.

The three timberwolves turned around and slowly approached me. There was a second of silence before the one farthest to the left leaped at me.

I rolled onto my back as it was in the air above me, and held all of my legs up, and just as I planned it landed on my legs, then I pushed my legs forward and sent it flying somewhere above me. I quickly got back to my feet and waited for the next attack.

The next timberwolf ran towards me and I was ready for it. I used a front foreleg and punched the timberwolf in the head, knocking it it into the ground, I raised my hoof and sent it into the timberwolf's skull, crushing it's head and sending chunks of wood in different directions.

I looked up and glared angrily at the last timberwolf, waiting for it's attack. But it just stood their waiting patiently. What's it waiting for?

"Watch out behind you!" I heard Sweetie Belle scream from somewhere above me, I glanced up to look at her.

Then I felt extreme pain, my eyes widened and I shouted out in agony as the first timberwolf jumped onto my back, clamping it's sharp teeth around the back of my neck, teeth sinking into the flesh on both the sides of my neck.

I thrashed my neck and body and sent the timberwolf to the side of me, it landed on the ground and got back up to its feet, but before it could attack again I stood on my front legs and used my back ones to buck the timberwolf’s head clean off, sending the head flying.

It's headless body just flopped down and promptly burst into smoke.

I turned my ferocious, cold glare to the last one, still standing by the tree. It was watching me, It's eyes widened in fear as I walked towards it menacingly.

I punched the timberwolf hard in the face, spinning it's whole body making it face the tree.

Then I grabbed the back of it's head and pulled it back before smashing it into the tree.

It's head was crushed, and sprayed wooden chunks around.

I watched as the timberwolf burst into smoke. Then I remembered the filly still in the tree.

I turned to look up at Sweetie Belle, the filly was sitting in the tree.

Her face was horrified. "You alright?" I asked, my voice sounding tired.

"Yeah", she said.

"Do you need help getting out of the tree?" I asked

She climbed down and ran up to me, her face concerned. "Your neck is bleeding, really bad".

"Don't look at it, cmon, jump on my back, we need to get you to hospital", I asked.

"We need to get you to a hospital! Your neck is torn!" she said sounding concerned,

I crouched down and she got onto my back, and we walked away.

"Does it hurt? It looks really painful." She asked

"Yeah, It hurts, but not probably as much as it should", I responded

Ugh, I'm losing a fair amount of blood.

"It's okay, we're nearly at Ponyville", I told her.

It was dark when we reached Ponyville, we had just crossed the bridge.

I turned to Sweetie Belle, who was still on my back, "Where's the hospital?" I questioned.

"Um, I think it's this way", she said, gesturing with a hoof to the east.

"Okay, just tell me the directions as we walk", I requested.

It took little time before we reached the hospital, It was a large building. We walked in the front door and a nurse was behind a counter, she looked rather bored. The nurse was a mare with a light pink mane and a white coat.

She looked up and noticed us when the door opened. Her eyes widened and she ran up to us. "Sir, do you need medical attention?", she asked.

"Probably, but can you check Sweetie Belle first? I found her unconscious and lying in the snow", I answered flatly.

I lowered myself to the ground and felt Sweetie Belle get off, I stood back up.

Sweetie Belle turned to the nurse and looked  up at her, "I'm fine, but Forest got bitten by a timberwolf, he's bleeding pretty bad".

The nurse looked away from Sweetie and instead looked at me, her eyes widened as she noticed the large wounds on both sides of my neck, they were bite marks, six clearly visible holes, the flesh around was all torn. Blood flowed freely on my left side, and flowed down to my stomach and then onto the floor, leaving a trail as we walked. The right side wound wasn't bleeding anymore, so it most have clotted. She looked at my legs and saw three claw marks on my right foreleg, and three more on my left back leg.

She shifted back towards my face with a stern, determined look, "Right, now please come with me so we can get your wounds treated".

"Sure, but Sweetie Belle's been missing for a while, her parents are probably worried, can you get somepony to find them?"

"Of course", she said, "We will send somepony to find Rarity and her parents".

I was surprised for a second, then I turned to Sweetie Belle, "Rarity's your sister?" I asked.

"Yep! And she's the bestest sister ever!", she declared happily.

"Ahem", the nurse interrupted, "You're bleeding pretty heavily, now would be a good time to get that fixed up", she said impatiently.

"Oh, yeah, right", I snapped my attention back to her.

I opened the door and walked out into the hallway, with the nurse, who I now knew as Nurse Redheart, following me to the hallway. I had bandages wrapped around my neck, covering the sores on both sides, and some bandages wrapped around my legs, covering the cuts from the timberwolves claws.

"Okay, you should be good to go, just please don't go wrestling with anymore timberwolves", she said with a smirk.

"No promises", I said, mirroring her smirk.

She let out a light chuckle, and I walked down the hall towards the waiting room, I wonder if Sweetie Belle is okay.

As turned around a corner into the waiting room, my eyes widened in suprise as various ponies were suddenly in the room.

Sweetie Belle was sitting in a chair, with her sister, Rarity, sitting in the chair next to her.

There were two fillies standing in front of Sweetie Belle, focusing their attention on her.

There was an orange mare standing nearby, she had on a big brimmed hat, listening, but focusing her gaze at the small pool of blood and the dotted trail that led out the door.

Sweetie Belle turned around and noticed me,

"Forest!" she exclaimed happily.

At the sudden exclamation, everypony turned around and put their attention on me.

I walked towards the group, feeling self-conscious as I felt many eyes staring at me.

When I got close enough I stopped and sort of spoke to everypony.

"Um, hi".

Sweetie Belle got up out of the chair and gave my foreleg a light hug, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just, um, they needed to stop the bleeding", I said nervously.

Sweetie Belle let go and turned around and spoke to everypony.

"Everypony, this is Forest", she addressed.

One of the other fillies, came up to me, she had a somewhat short, purple mane, her coat was orange and she had wings.

"Did you really take out four timberwolves by yourself!?" she asked in awe, before collecting herself and looking away, "Um, I mean, nothing that Rainbow Dash couldn't do".

The other filly walked up, she was yellow and had a red mane.

"Uh, hi! Ma name is Apple Bloom, this here's Scootaloo-", she gestured with her hoof to the orange filly next to her, "And over there is ma big sister Applejack." she gestured over to the orange and blonde mare with the big hat. I looked up to where she pointed.

"Nice ta meetcha", the orange mare, Applejack, said.

"And ah think ya already know Sweetie and Rarity", Apple Bloom caught my attention again, and gestured to the two ponies.

Sweetie Belle had a giant grin on her face as I looked down at her, and when I turned to look at Rarity, she stood up and was walked towards me, and stopped very close from me, I was surprised when she used both forelegs to give me a hug, "Thank you so much for saving my sister, she means a lot to me", she said as she held onto me.

I gently pushed her away, "I didn't.. really save her I just...." I trailed off, not remembering what I was going to say.

Rarity looked at me with a warm smile, "Of course you saved her! If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't be here right now", Rarity said.

I looked down at my hooves, "I just did what anypony else would have done", I tried to reason with her.

I don't deserve the praise I'm getting, and I sure as hell don't like it.

Rarity had a light smirk, "I doubt anypony would dispose of four timberwolves by themselves", she said.

I didn't answer and looked back at her.

I turned back to Sweetie Belle, "Um, what did you tell them?" I asked nervously

Sweetie looked confused and tilted her head, "Pretty much everything, why me and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were out in the forest, you taking me to Zecora, fighting off the timberwolves."

Wait, Cutie Mark Crusaders? What the heck is that?

"Sweetie Belle made you sound like a sort of hero", I heard from Rarity, interrupting my thought.

"Nah, I'm not a hero, I just did what anypony else would have done", I explained.

Before the conversation continued, I heard a yawn from Scootaloo.

I used that as an excuse to escape from the conversation, "Hey, It's, um getting pretty late, maybe we could talk about it tomorrow or something?" I asked gently.

Rarity's eyes sparkled though, "Yes! What a splendid idea! Tomorrow we could all walk around and show you the town.", she exclaimed rather happily.

Applejack spoke before I could though, she walked up to Rarity and put a hoof on her shoulder, "That sounds fine sugarcube, but it's gettin’ late, best talk bout it tomorrow", Applejack said.

"Tomorrow then, come by the Boutique around 10", Rarity seemingly ordered.

They walked towards the exit, trying to avoid the blood on the ground. Sweetie Belle waved to me as they walked

I stared after a while, and then sighed, following them after they had gone, Tomorrow’s gonna be a long day.

I knocked on the Boutique door, "Come in!" I heard a second later.

I walked in to the room, Rarity was sitting on a chair, holding a cup of tea in her hoof.

"Ah! Forest great to see you again, please have a seat", she asked.

I sat down and looked at her, "Where is everypony?" I asked

"Well, I believe that they are coming here, but first I wanted to talk to you." she said

"Okay?" was my only response.

"I wanted to ask you about what happened, Sweetie Belle told us most of it, but I wanted to hear it in your words." she asked

I figured she just wanted confirmation or something, "Well, If you want", I started to recount the story, "I was walking in the Forest, and I found Zecora, we had tea and I left, I was walking home when I saw Sweetie Belle lying in the snow.." I trailed off.

Rarity looked sad but I continued, "Anyway she woke up and timberwolves chased us, we ran back to Zecora, Zecora gave her a potion and she felt better."

"We left Zecora's place and more timberwolves chased us, we jumped up a tree, I jumped down and killed them", I continued.

I gestured to my neck, "One of them bit me pretty bad, but the doctor said it's gonna be fine."

"I'm sorry my sister caused so much trouble", she said, expression saddened.

"No, you shouldn't be sorry", I assured her.

"Anyway, I want to make it up to you, your new to town no? So I decided to walk you around town with some of my friends, Sweetie and her friends can come too", she finished.

"Thank you, you're very generous to do that for me", I said.

She smiled, "Well, I am the element of generosity, I'd be happy to do it"

'Wait, what?' I thought, "The element of generosity?" I asked confused.

"You know, the six Elements of Harmony?", she said.

"You're an Element?" I asked suprised

She looked at me with a smirk, "You didn't know? All of my friends are elements".

"So you're Generosity?"

"Yes, you'll probably meet some of the others soon, they're coming to walk with us", she explained.

There was a moments silence, before I spoke again, "Um, I have a question", I asked

"Yes?" she answered curiously.

Best to just be straightforward, "I need a job, I was hoping you knew somewhere I could work", I asked

"Hmm", she put a hoof under her chin and inspected me carefully, "I can think of a few jobs that would suit you, would you consider working at Sweet Apple Acres?" she asked

"The old apple farm? Sure", I responded casually.

"Applejack and her family run the farm, I could ask her to give you an opportunity", she told me.

"I would be grateful if you did", I said.

She smiled, "It's the least I could do, after you saved my sister", then her eyes widened, "Oh! I forgot, my friend Pinkie Pie, the one you met before, was planning on throwing you a welcome party, she is a professional party planner, and she throws a party for everypony new that comes to town", she said.

I gave a nervous laugh, "I'm not really big on parties", I said nervously.

Rarity gave a light laugh, "Don't say that to her though, she thinks everypony likes parties."

We laughed a little, before stopping, "I'll just go get Sweetie Belle, she's upstairs in her room", Rarity said. She walked away and I saw her climb the stairs.

There was a silence before I heard a knocking on the door, "Rarity? It's me!" I heard somepony shout.

I walked towards the door and opened it, a purple mare stood at the door, she had a surprised expression, as I was likely not what she expected.

I decided to explain myself before she could jump to conclusions, "Um, Rarity's upstairs, she'll be down in a sec", I explained, trying to keep my face straight.

She still had surprise on her face, but shook her head, and looked at me with a friendly smile, "Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Rarity's friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle", she explained.

'Princess?' I thought in my head, I looked at her closer, noticing a horn and wings.

"Oh!, I'm sure you would like to come inside", I assumed, and I moved away from the door and she came inside.

"Thank you, I assume you're Forest?" she asked politely.

"Yep", I answered.

I turned my head to notice Rarity coming down the stairs, with Sweetie Belle behind her. Rarity was now wearing a blue scarf, I was confused until I remembered we going to for a walk.

Sweetie Belle raced past Rarity and up to us, "Hi Twilight! Hi Forest!" she said turned to both of us.

"Hi Sweetie", Twilight said

Rarity came and stood next to Twilight, "Twilight, this is Forest", she said as she gestured to me, and then turned to me, "I already told all of my friends about you", she said to me.

Twilight nodded and looked at me, "What you did was fairly impressive", she said.

I looked down at my hooves, "I just did what anypony else would have done", I said embarrassed. I looked back up and noticed movement at the door.

Twilight, Rarity and Sweetie Belle all looked at the same time.

The door was open and a yellow Pegasus slowly walked in, "Hello, sorry I'm late", her voice quiet and soft.

Her head turned and she saw me, as soon as she did she let out a gasp and quickly ran up to me, "Are you hurt? You're covered in bandages,

oh you poor thing," she asked worried.

My eyes widened, she looked up and noticed my expression. She let out a squeak and jumped and flew over to her friends.

She had a blush on her face and she looked embarrassed, "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to suprise you, I just, um don't like to see anypony or animal in pain, sorry." she squeaked out.

Everypony looked surprised, especially Twilight Sparkle.

Rarity laughed though, "Forest, this is Fluttershy, usually she's a lot more, well, shy", Rarity explained with a smirk.

Sweetie Belle suddenly started up beside me, "Um, can we go now? I wanna go get the other Cutie Mark Crusaders and show Forest around

town", she asked.

Everypony turned their attention to Sweetie Belle.

"Uh, right", said Rarity, seemingly remembering why I came here in the first place.

We had walked outside of the boutique, I was walking in the lead, with Sweetie Belle next to me. She said she wanted to find the Cutie Mark Crusaders and show me around, whatever they were. Rarity was behind me, talking to Twilight, I didn't know what about. Fluttershy was last, idly following along.

After less then a minute, we found Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, walking in our direction, probably trying to find us. When Sweetie Belle saw her friends, she ran forward and greeted them. I kept walking slowly, looking at my surroundings, a few ponies gave me friendly smiles, a couple gave me concerned and confused glances, from what I can only assume was because of either the multiple bandages covering me, or because I was somepony they had never seen before.

Or maybe it was because of who I was walking with, three Elements of Harmony, one of whom was an Alicorn princess. I looked back again at my companions, Twilight was still talking with Rarity, they were both smiling, so I assumed it was a happy conversation.

I looked at the yellow Pegasus behind them, she seemed sad and lonely. I knew she was a very shy pony, and I could relate to that, I didn't like attention focused on me either. These ponies were giving me attention, and I didn't really like it.

I slowly came to a stop and looked behind me, waiting for Fluttershy to reach me. Twilight and Rarity gave me confused looks as they walked past, but I ignored them.

Fluttershy was looking away from me, focused on her surroundings. She was walking towards me, not aware I had stopped. She looked back towards the rest of the group and noticed that I had stopped, and was looking at her.

Her eyes widened, and her face had a look of fear, I knew that look too well.

I tried to smile gently at her, "I uh, just want to talk for a second", I asked softly.

Fluttershy hesitated, before slowly walking up to me, once she was beside me, I gestured for her to keep walking. Rarity and Twilight faced forwards again and started walking again.

Once I made sure she was walking beside me I turned my head to her, trying to keep up my gentle smile, "Um, hi", I tried to speak gently to her, "My name's Forest, but you probably already know that".

"Yes, Rarity told me about you, um, it's nice to meet you", she said, giving a weak smile.

"Hey, why are you all the way back here? Why aren't you talking to your friends or something?" I asked gently.

She hesitated and looked away, then looked back to me, "It's just um..." she started, "Rarity told me about the timberwolves and well..".

"You're afraid of me." I answered gently for her.

She looked back at me, sadness in her eyes before looking back at the ground,"It's not just the timberwolves, I'm scared of everypony that I don't know, I'm not trying to be mean."

"I don't blame you, I just want you to know that I won't hurt you, okay?" I asked, still trying to be gentle.

She looked into my eyes for a second, her expression seemed unsure, before she relaxed.

"I believe you."

I nodded, "Thank you".

When she didn't say anything in return, I looked ahead again. Sweetie Belle sat with her friends, all waiting patiently for the four of us to catch up.

I picked up the pace up, and walked next to Rarity, she had finished talking to Twilight, and turned to me with a curious expression, "What did you two talk about?" she asked curiously

I didn't meet her gaze, and kept looking to where we were walking, "I just wanted to introduce myself to her", I explained.

Through my peripheral vision I saw Rarity look back at Fluttershy for a second, then back at me, "Just be very gentle with her please, she's a very shy mare", Rarity requested politely, everything Rarity says sounds rather polite and proper.

"Of course", was my response, I didn't really speak much.

I turned around to face her, "Listen," I started, "Um, you don't have to to all of this for me, I know you're thankful that I helped your sister, but it's really not necessary", I explained.

She looked at me and smiled, "It's not necessary no, but I want to help you", she said, "You saved my sister, and I want us to be friends", she admitted.

A friend. There's something I didn't expect to have this quickly. Although, now that I think about it, I guess Sweetie Belle is my friend. And Zecora said we were friends. If I'm friends with Rarity, does that mean that all her friends are now mine? Eh, I'm probably thinking too hard, best to let things just happen.

I looked back at Rarity and noticed she was looking at me expectantly, probably waiting for a reply. "Oh! Sorry, um, I want us to be friends too, but I don't want you to think that you owe me anything. Cause you don't owe me anything Rarity". I explained.

Rarity smiled at me, "I'm not doing this because I feel I owe you anything Forest. I'm doing it because friends help each other", she finished.

I smiled at her, happy with that answer. I looked forward again and saw the fillies about two meters away, still waiting for us to catch up. We approached the fillies and stopped walking once we reached them.

The rest of the group stood beside me as the fillies started talking.

"Howdy again", I heard Apple Bloom greet me.

"Sup", I heard from the orange filly next to her.

"Hey", I greeted to both of them.

"Sweetie Belle want us ta show ya around town", Apple Bloom told me.

"Uh, thanks, but you don't have to if you don't want to", I responded.

"No! We want to! It'll be fun!" I heard Sweetie Belle exclaim.

"Yeah! We don't get many ponies who move here ta Ponyville", Apple Bloom said.

Scootaloo had an impatient look on her face, "Can we go now? Or are we just gonna sit here and talk all day?", she said grumpily.

Apple Bloom turned to Scootaloo and gave her an annoyed glare before she quickly turned away and looked up the road, the direction where we were walking before, and the direction I assumed we were going.

"All right Cutie Mark Crusaders, lets go!" she exclaimed.

Sweetie Belle walked over to me and tapped my foreleg, "Um, can I ride on your back again?" she asked, giving me puppy-dog eyes.

"If you want to, just don't touch my sore parts, alright?" I asked. Lowering myself so my stomach was on the ground.

She gave an excited squeal, and climbed on my back, the feeling was familiar, and I had gotten used to it. I stood up and turned my head behind me to face her, and gave her a nod.

"Sweetie Belle! Get off him, he's injured!" Rarity shouted at her sister from somewhere beside me, she walked up to me and gave Sweetie a disapproving glare.

"Aw! But he said I could!" she protested.

Rarity turned her glare to me, and I saw the annoyance in her eyes, "Forest, you're injured, you shouldn't be carrying around fillies", she declared sternly.

I looked behind me at Sweetie, who was looking at me with pleading eyes. I turned back to Rarity and shook my head, "She's not heavy at all, and I'm not sore anymore", I tried to defend Sweetie.

Rarity raised an eyebrow at me, but I looked back at Sweetie Belle, "Besides, she's showing me around town, If she's sitting on my back, she can get a good look at everything around us", I tried to explain, I turned back to Rarity and gave her a sheepish grin.

Rarity sighed, seemingly giving up, and started walking up the road. I started walking too, with Apple Bloom walking next to me, with Scootaloo on the other side of her.

Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy started walking as well. I turned my head left and noticed Twilight had appeared beside me, she was giving me a warm smile, "Uh, hi Forest, we haven't really had a chance to talk, Rarity told us about you this morning", she said.

I gave her a nod and turned my gaze back forward, "Yeah, she's making a big deal about the whole Timberwolf thing, I mean, It's nothing compared to what she's done, and what you've done."

She looked confused, "What I've done?" she asked.

I kept looking at the road, "Yeah, a while ago I heard about the new Princess of Friendship, and a couple weeks later I heard of how she and the Elements of Harmony defeated an evil Minotaur named Tirek", I explained.

She looked slightly embarrassed as I turned to her again, I smiled a little at her expression, "I can imagine what you and your friends have done, you've probably saved Equestria dozens of times, what I did is nothing in comparison", I finished.

She didn't say anything and I looked forward again, "So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked.

"Oh, right. Well, if we're going to be friends, then I wanted to know more about you", she started, "Rarity came into the castle this morning and she told me about how you saved Sweetie Belle", she said gesturing towards the white filly resting on my back, she gave a light giggle, I looked back to see what was funny to find Sweetie Belle was focused on me, mouth grinning.

"Don't mind me, just listening to the conversation!" she said happily.

"Anyway, she didn't really explain much more than that, so I'd like to hear more about you", she asked politely.

I thought about what I should tell her for a second, "Well, when I was I colt I used to actually live here in Ponyville, with my Parents."

Twilight looked surprised, "Really? What caused you to leave?" she asked

I guess I'll have to tell her, "Well, my Dad died, and my mother couldn't look after me, so I moved to a small village near Manehatten with some foster parents", I explained, trying to keep all emotion out of my voice.

Twilight looked at me with pity, "I'm so sorry", she apologized.

I cleared my throat, "Well, I lived in the village for a while, deciding what to do with my life, I decided that I would move back to Ponyville and see my mother, but when I got here yesterday I found that she had, um, passed away", I explained.

Twilight looked at me with even more pity, and her ears folded down, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to bring back painful memories", she apologize.

"No, it's fine", I tried to assure her.

"That's so sad!" I heard Sweetie Belle comment from behind me.

I didn't respond immediately, instead I tried to change the conversation. "Anyway enough of that stuff, Sweetie Belle, can you show me some of the buildings and places?" I asked

Sweetie Belle recovered quickly, "Sure! Um, over there is the Town Hall", she said as she pointed towards a large building in the center of the square.

We spent maybe two hours walking around town, with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom pointing out most of the sights around town, The Town Hall, some shops and cafes.

We were in a small group, Sweetie Belle on my back, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo walking on the ground. Rarity was walking next to me, occasionally giving glances to her sister, probably to make sure she wasn't bothering me. Twilight walked next to me, just happy walking.

Fluttershy was on the other side of Twilight, likely not happy being near me yet.

I noticed where we were, "Hey, I live up the road here", I said to nopony in particular.

Rarity looked at me, but Twilight spoke first, "Do you live in a house?" she asked as we walked.

"Uh, no a hotel room actually", I answered.

We kept walking, after a couple seconds we reached the hotel. We all stopped walking and looked at the building, "In there", I simply stated. I looked beside me, Twilight just nodded, Fluttershy was just smiling shyly, averting my gaze. Rarity looked at the building wih a raised eyebrow, as if critiquing it.

I turned to them, "Hey, do you mares want to get some lunch? I have some bits, and I could pay for it", I asked politely.

Rarity looked at me, "Forest, you shouldn't pay for-" she said, but got interupted by her sister.

Sweetie Belle shot up behind me, "We could go to Sugarcube Corner!" she proposed happily.

I looked behind me, "If you want, just let me go get my wallet", I said.

I crouched to the ground and felt Sweetie Belle jump off. I stood up and walked at a fast pace to the hotel room. I climbed up the stairs, there were four rooms in total, mine was 1. I assumed that there was no other ponies in the other rooms, most ponies in town probably had their own houses, and I know the owners lived downstairs.

I came back to the group holding a wallet in my mouth. 200 bits were in my wallet, hopefully that could be enough till I get a job.

I held out a hoof and placed the wallet on there so I could talk, "Uh, which way's Sugarcube Corner?" I asked to Sweetie Belle.

"Um, it's this way!" she pointed to the left.

Twilight moved next to me, and tapped my shoulder with a hoof, I turned to see what she wanted.

"Forest, you don't have to pay for us, we can pay for ourselves". she said calmly.

I shook my head, "No, I want to pay for everypony, It's the least I can do to thank you all", I responded with a smile.

I put the wallet back in my mouth and walked in the direction that Sweetie was pointing, I was aware of everypony else following me.

I looked up at the building in front of me, the words Sugarcube Corner written.

Twilight Sparkle walked in first, followed by Fluttershy, then the fillies. I walked in, then Rarity followed me.

The room was simple enough, there were wooden tables around, and a counter with a blue mare behind. I looked to my left and noticed two mares sitting by one of the tables, one had a white coat, her mane was a combination of pink and a dark colour. The mare next to her was light blue-green in appearance. They were talking to each other, having lunch I guessed. Nothing special.

Twilight walked up to the counter to the mare, who was probably the owner. I saw them talking happily to each other, so they're probably friends.

I looked at the table that was closest, It had four chairs, all of the tables had four chairs.

I turned my head around, holding my wallet with the very corner of my mouth so I could talk. "Hey Rarity?" I asked

She was focused on something else, but turned to me at the mention of her name, "Yes Darling?"

Darling? I'd never thought anypony would call me that.

"Are.. Is everypony sitting together? Or two separate tables?" I asked casually.

She considered it, "Um, well how about the fillies have their own table, and the grown ups have their own", she proposed.

"Sure, if that's what you want", I told her, then I remembered something, "Oh, I forgot!" I said.

She looked surprised, but I turned to the fillies, they turned when they saw me, "Hey, what are the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" I asked curiously.

They all smiled at me with big grins, "We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Apple Bloom announced.

That didn't really help, "Um, what do you do?" I asked.

"Well, we used to be a group dedicated to getin' our cutie marks, but about a week ago we got them!" Apple Bloom explained cheerfully. As she spoke, the fillies turned and pushed their rumps together, showing me their cutie marks. Now that I looked, they all looked similar. They all appeared to be the same sort of badge, with something different in the middle.

"They're all the same", I pointed out.

"Not exactly the same, but similar", Rarity pointed out beside me, I turned around in surprise, I didn't know she was watching.

"Yep! It means we're gonna be friends forever!" Apple Bloom declared cheerfully.

I nodded in understanding, "Um, what do you do now that you have your marks?" I questioned.

"We help other fillies and colts find their Cutie marks", Scootaloo spoke up for the first time.

I nodded in understanding, "So, It's just you three?" I asked

"And ma cousin Babs Seed! She lives in Manehatten, and has a branch over there", Apple Bloom answered, never losing her smile. I guess she likes to talk about their group.

"Ah, ok thanks, I was just curious", I thanked them.

"No problem! Any questions, and ya can ask any of us", Apple Bloom answered.

"Alright, um are you girls right sitting by yourselves? There's not enough chairs for the one table" I asked.

"We're not babies Forest, we can handle sitting by ourselves", she responded, with a little additude in her tone.

Woah, wasn't expecting that, but alright. I ignored her tone, "Alright then, uh, are you three alright with a muffin and a milkshake?" I asked.

Scootaloo looked surprised, I bet she was expecting a retort.

Sweetie Belle looked at me and smiled, "That would be fine", she responded

"Alright then", I answered.

I turned to Rarity who was still listening to the conversation, she turned her head to me when I looked at her, "Muffin and Milkshake?" I asked.

"Um, yes that should suffice," she answered, seemingly unsure.

I didn't ask why, and I turned to Fluttershy, "Is a muffin and a milkshake alright?" I asked.

She looked down at her hooves, "Um, yes, that's fine", she answered, voice barely a whisper.

So, that's everypony except Twilight, I turned to the counter, Twilight was still there, and so was the blue mare. I walked towards them,

Twilight must have heard me, cause she turned her head around to look at me.

"Ah, Forest, this is Mrs Cake", she announced happily.

I smiled and held out my right hoof to her, she looked at it and hesitated.

I looked at my hoof and realized that was the one that had bandages around it. I quickly put my right hoof down and raised my left instead.

She looked at it and relaxed again, she held out her hoof and we shook.

"Nice to meet you," I greeted

We put our hooves down and she looked again at the right foreleg again, she looked up at my face, I was suprised by the amount of concern on her face, and just a hint of curiosity.

"What happened to you?" she asked.

"Um, uh.." I hesitated, "Timberwolves", I tried to answer as matter-of-fact as possible

She gave a slight smile, "Your first day in Ponyville, and you get attacked by Timberwolves, that's some real bad luck", she said.

I didn't really know know what to say, so I just replied with a nervous laugh.

I turned to Twilight and asked, "Um, would you be alright with a muffin and a milkshake?" I asked.

She looked at me with slight annoyance, which surprised me, before she sighed, "That would be fine, I wish you didn't insist on paying", she told me.

"It's no big deal really", I tried to assure her. I turned to Mrs Cake, "Um, can I get 7 Raspberry Muffins and 7 Chocolate Milkshakes please?" I asked

"That's 42 bits" she told me. I put the wallet on the counter and undid the strap.

After some bit sorting, I had 42 bits on the counter. I looked up and nodded, "42 bits", I told her.

She smiled at me and used a hoof to scoop up the bits into her hoof, then into the register.

"Thank you, It'll take a couple minutes", she said.

I nodded and turned back to the tables. Everypony had sit down, Fluttershy was talking to Rarity, Apple bloom was talking to both Sweetie and Scootaloo.

I walked over to my table and sat next to Rarity, giving her a nod as she looked at me. They both stopped talking as I sat down, so I assumed It was a private conversation.

"So, um, what's your element Fluttershy?" I asked.

The question must have seemed random,because she looked slightly startled, before collecting herself, Fluttershy looked at me, "Um, Kindness", she answered.

Rarity started beside me, "Oh! Sorry, I must have forgotten to tell you. Well, I'm Generosity, Fluttershy is Kindness, and Twilight Sparkle is Magic", she explained.

I just nodded as she continued, "Applejack is the Element of Honesty. Our friend Rainbow Dash is the Element of Loyalty, you haven't met her yet, have you?" she asked.

I shook my head, "No", I replied.

"And Pinkie Pie is the Element of Laughter, you remember her? She's planning on throwing you a party", she smirked.

"Hi again Forest!" came from somewhere beside me. I turned around to find the familiar site of a pink mare's face inches from mine.

"Um, hi, Pinkie Pie right?" I asked nervously.

"Yes sir! You're new in town, so I have to throw you a party! And you're friends with Rarity and Twilight? That means you're also friends with me! And Fluttershy and Applejack and Rainbow Dash!" She let out an excited gasp, "They can all come to the party too!"

I just stared at her blank faced, not really knowing what to do. Luckily I didn't have to do anything.

"Pinkie darling, I'm sure they'd be happy going, but may we discuss it after lunch?" she requested.

"Sure Rare!" Pinkie said. Now that she wasn't inches from my face I noticed plates balanced on her mane, holding our food. Eh? Does she work here?

Using her mane she placed four plates down on our table, each holding a muffin and a milkshake. She then hopped over to the fillies' table and did the same.

I looked to my right as I heard a noise, Twilight came to the table and pulled out the chair with her levitation, or was it Telekinesis?

She sat on the chair and gave me a tired look, "I wish you didn't pay for this, you haven't even got a job", she said.

I tried to say something when Rarity spoke first, "Actually Twilight, he asked me about any jobs, and I told him Sweet Apple Acres might be a good job for his particular...skills", she said, hesitating on the last part.

Skills? I don't know what particular set of skills she was talking about. Like killing Timberwolves? Now that I think of it, a guy with a particular set of skills for killing things sounded pretty cool.

Twilight’s eyes lit up a little, "Actually that sounds like a good job for him, we could ask Applejack to give him a chance tonight", she finished, happy with the idea.

Then I heard a voice behind me, "Yeah! Bucking apples would be a good job for him! Sweetie Belle told me he bucked a Timberwolf's head clean off!" I heard in the familiar voice of Scootaloo. Huh, so they were listening to our conversation. Scootaloo had stood up on her chair and turned her body in our direction.

Scootaloo kept rambling on though, "It would've been so awesome to watch! Sweetie said he snapped one of their necks! And he also crushed one's head with a single punch!" she exclaimed.

There was a silence as Scootaloo finished shouting, Fluttershy looked at me wide eyed, it looked like she was going to scream in terror. Rarity however had probably heard this before, and instead looked at Scootaloo with an annoyed look.

"Scootaloo! Do you think everypony in Equestria needs to know about that?" she asked sarcastically.

Scootaloo must have just realized how loud she had just said that.

"Sorry", she said nervously.

Now everypony was staring at me, even the mares that sat on the table on the other side of the room. I just sighed and took a bite out of my muffin.

After the silence they started talking again, but I just kinda listened, not that I had anything to say anyways. I kept thinking about the previous conversation, hopefully I could at least get a good impression on Applejack tonight. Wait, tonight?

I waited until Twilight had finished talking to ask, "Hey Twilight?" I asked.

She looked at me curiously, "Yes?"

"What's happening tonight? You said we could talk to Applejack tonight", I asked.

Twilight looked confused, "Your party. Didn't you know It was tonight?"

It was tonight!? Where?

"No, had no idea." I tried to not let my surprise show.

"I hope you don't mind", I heard Rarity say.

"Nah, I don't really mind, um, where is it being held?" I asked. Hopefully not in my hotel room, that would probably get me kicked out. Besides my whole room is like, the size of anypony else’s bedroom.

"Pinkie asked if it could be held in the castle, I found no problem with that, so I said yes", she said with a gentle smile.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes, the castle has a lot of spare space, even with four libraries", she added. Four Libraries? Wow, if I need a book, I'm looking Twilight up.

"If you want help cleaning up afterwards, I'll be happy to do it", I offered.

After a little more talking and eating, we were finished. Sitting by the table behind me was three very happy fillies.

After I looked around to make sure everypony was finished, I got up and started collecting plates with a hoof. I collected all the plates and walked over to the counter, where Mrs Cake was standing.

She looked at me as I walked up, "Uh, where can I put these?" I asked politely

She looked at the plates, then back to me, "Pinkie will take those", she said smiling.

I nodded, then suddenly the weight on my hoof had lifted, at first I thought I dropped them, but a glance to my left and I found Pinkie balancing the plates on her muzzle. She gave me a grin, and then walked behind the counter to where I presume the kitchen is.

"How does she do that?" I asked in awe to Mrs Cake.

She let out a chuckle, "Nopony knows, if I'm being honest, I don't even think she knows", she said.

I nodded, "Okay, well, thanks for the food", I said.

"Sure, anytime", she said.

I walked back over to the tables, Rarity turned to me, a look of realization on her face.

"Oh Forest, you haven't seen the castle yet have you?" Rarity asked. I shook my head

"We should go see it then! Then you'll know where to go tonight", she told me.

"If you're ready to go then that be fine", I replied.

"I actually have to stay and talk to Pinkie about the party", I heard from Twilight Sparkle.

"Um, I'd like to stay with Twilight too, If that's alright with you", Fluttershy said, barely a whisper. I can safely assume that her hearing about the Timberwolves in detail had probably made me seem scarier. And it probably made her think twice about what I said earlier, how I wouldn't hurt her.

"That's fine, I can go show him, I'll bring the fillies too", Rarity declared.

Twilight nodded, "Okay, I'll see you all tonight then," she smiled gently, Fluttershy stood next to her, and looked at the floor. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't come to the party, both because of me, and because I could assume she didn't like parties. Hell, I didn't like parties either, although I wouldn't say that to Pinkie Pie, if I did, she might turn me into a cupcake!

"Okay girls, let's go!" Rarity ordered to the three fillies sitting at the table next to us, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom got out of their chairs eagerly, while Scootaloo slumped out of her chair and let out a moan.

"Ugh, more walking, I can't wait until I can fly, then maybe Rainbow could take me flying", she complained.

I looked at the table that had the two mares, to find that they had gone. Probably uncomfortable with me being in the same room. Ugh, I'm overreacting, It's probably not a big deal of how I killed the Timberwolves, Fluttershy was the only one scared, and I could imagine it's not hard to scare her.

We walked out of the shop, and the mares I was thinking about were sitting on the dirt nearby, the mint blue-green coloured one was looking at her hooves, as if ashamed of something, and she was talking rapidly. The other mare was just listening to her, expression hard to read. I wasn't interested in what the conversation was.

I suddenly got a chill up my spine, I suddenly got the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

As if on cue, a dark shape appeared suddenly in the sky above, it was moving at a pace probably faster than what it should be. It appeared to be shaking unsteadily. I took another look and realized it was a large pallet of wood. With several large wooden crates resting on top. A Pegasus looked to be pushing it while flying.

Ah, so it's one of the delivery ponies. A little bit of magic, and you could have one of those wooden pallets floating in the sky. My eyes widened as one of the crates fell of the pallet.

The crate was descending at a rapid speed, at that speed it could probably be lethal, considering if something moderately heavy was in them.

I looked down and tried to find the place that the crate would land. A large shadow was now on the ground, right above the two mares. Uh oh.