Friendship is Hope: Book One

Chance Meeting

"Alright, that about does it." Rainbow Dash said to herself as she lay down on her cloud. She just finished her weather duties and was about to have the most important part of the day, napping. However due to the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration, added to the usual noise (noise she was sure was mostly made by Pinkie Pie) was making it nearly impossible to get a second of shut eye anywhere. She should know, she's been on this cloud since 12:00 pm. Sighing, she came to the conclusion that she really couldn't sleep here, hey at least she couldn't say she didn't try. Sitting up, she began to ponder out loud where she could move. "Sweet Apple Acres? No, probably just gonna get bucked off a tree again. My place? Nah too far... Sigh. Ok think Rainbow, where is the closest quietest place you can think of?" She put a hoof under her chin in thought. A moment later, her face became one of realization as she clapped her hooves together. "Fluttershy, of course. Why didn't think of it sooner?" That place was so quiet she couldn't even hear herself think sometimes.

One short trip later

"WHAT!!!" Rainbow shouted as she read the note on the door.

Sorry to those who want to see me, but I need to start preparing the birds for the Summer Sun Celebration. Sorry again.

Grumbling, Rainbow settled for a tree next to the cottage. Laying down, it wasn't the comfiest tree she's slept in, but the silence was worth it. She was about to fall asleep when she heard a rumbling in the forest next to her, the Everfree forest to be exact. As she took a close look she saw outlines of... "things" moving, pretty fast too. Curious, she decided to fly over the forest and follow the strange creatures. The strange creatures led her to a small opening where they met up with more of them surrounding a red cloaked figure. Rainbow hid behind a tree so none of them would be able to see her. Now that she has a good look at the creatures, she can see that they look reminiscent of wolves, however, they were completely black and had some weird smoke coming off them; they also had red eyes. She also noted that the figure had a sword on his/ her back.

The cloaked figure then said in a disappointed voice: "Just ravagers? Sigh. I thought I would be facing something interesting this time." "How is he not scared? He's surrounded by those things." Rainbow whispered. Due to the voice, Rainbow assumed that it was a guy. Those "ravagers", as he called them, just stood there and eyed the stallion before gradually moving closer. "Strange" Rainbow whispered. "Those things look more scared of him than he is to them" Just as she thought that, they all suddenly pounced on the still stallion. Rainbow was just about to jump out and help him when he jumped high into the air a second before they reached him. The sudden loss of their target caused them to crash into each other and leave Rainbow in shock of what she just saw. "Wha--but... how?" she stuttered. In the air the stallion then drew his sword and twirled around like a top creating a red tornado. He then zoomed to the pile of ravagers covering all of them in deep slices and cuts. He then landed and looked at his handy work. This was interrupted however when a single ravager let out a pained whine. The figure then walked up to the dying beast and put it out of it's misery by stabbing it square in the chest.

Rainbow just continued to stare in shock and slight horror on what she just saw. Ten of them... there were ten of those creatures and he wiped the floor with them instantly. She was so shocked that she didn't notice the branch she was sitting on was breaking until it was too late.

SNAP!

The branch beneath her suddenly snapped and caused her to fall flat on her face, dazing her for a second. When she looked up, she saw the figure looming over her and staring at her. She then noticed that his face was covered in a gray wrap and was wearing red goggles that were the same color as his coat. They stayed like that, staring at one another for a few awkward minutes.

Thanatos POV

"Well this is awkward" I thought to myself "Where to go from here...". As he thought of this he remembered something he heard somepony say earlier: "Yah man. Live a little, mingle a bit, make some new friends". I sighed mentally, "I gotta I start somewhere I guess." I thought to myself.

Rainbow Dash POV

I watched silently as the stallion reached out his hoof to me and said: "Hi I'm Thanatos, it's a pleasure to meet you.".