I awoke with a start, breathing heavy and body feeling ice cold. The shadows of the forest loomed over my form, the green canopy above almost blocking the sun from view. My eyes darted around for anything, something, familiar to me other than green leaves and rough, dark brown bark. A building, maybe? Another human? Anything to signify civilization. That's when I finally noticed them; the midnight black, bat-like wing. I scrambled backwards, landing on my back and eyes clamping closed. When nothing happened, I cracked them open to see two black paws resting above me. Out of sudden instinct, I reached forward and bit into one, pain wracking my body. Shocked and confused, I let go as the pain slowly dulled to a slow throb. Now with the full realization that this was indeed my foot, and I had bit it, I tried to get back up... Only for me to fall back down again. Looking behind me, a bark of alarm escaped me. My coat was a luscious midnight black, two large yet beautiful bat wings sticking out of my back. My tail had curled itself around me for comfort, my legs sprawled out from falling. Two ears stuck out of my head, swiveling from left to right in alarm. Reaching a paw up to where my lips would be, instead I found a skull face. Panic gripped me, my eyes frantically darting around as I desperately tried to climb to my feet and failed almost every time.

I tried screaming, but all that came out was a strangled gurgle as my new vocal chords strained against the words I was trying to formulate. I tried again, breathing rapid, but just with the same outcome. My panic escalated through the roof. I couldn't communicate. I couldn't walk. I was in a place on who the hell knows where. Letting out a sorrowful, dog-like wail, I crossed my paws over my snout as tears freely fell. Why was I here? Where was I? My eyes frantically looked for something, anything, human to latch onto... But found nothing. Nothing! Whimpers welled up in my throat as I cried.

Then, something in me snapped.

I was human. Maybe not physically, but at least mentally. I had to overcome this, no matter what. If not for myself, but for those that where... Somewhere. Taking in a deep breath to calm my nerves, ignoring the fact I wasn't any longer a human, I hoisted myself up and spread my legs to keep balanced. Flexing the foreign muscles in my legs, I took a step small step forward. Then another, until I could walk in a full circle with ease. Once I was confident enough, I succeeded in running with falling on my face. Next came my wings. I stretched them out and fluttered them as a test of control, excitement filling my senses. It was quickly snuffed out at the sound of wailing. Not a siren, but like full on 'oh my god I'm so sad' wailing.

Snapping my wings close to my sides, I took of like a bolt of lightning through the vegetation, the smell of smoke reaching my nose. Twigs snapped underneath my paws, brambles reaching out to try and pull me back by my fur, and the angry crackle of fire slowly descending upon me. The closer I got, the vegetation lessened and I saw more blackened ash and earth. A village appeared, fire lapping at open windows and buildings crumbling to the ground as I burst through the underbrush. The village would have looked ordinary enough if there wasn't fire and smoke blocking out the sky. I could make out the remains of a small market space, a few homes scattered here and there. A little ways away was a burning schoolhouse, walls standing strong, and the roof long having collapsed. My ears swiveled around for the sound again which, thankfully, started back up after a few seconds.

"M-Mama! Papa! Somepony please he-help!"

My eyes darted in the direction of the cry, an alleyway wedged between two building still engulfed in the inferno. I sprinted towards the alley, panic and fear gripping my heart like a snake constricting it's prey. Debris was scattered along the alley, a rather large piece of wall at the end. Whimpers of pain and fear came from the fallen wall, adding to my already rapidly increasing anxiety. What if it falls and crushes the person underneath? I sprang forward, using my wing and the side of my body to push it aside. A scream of terror came soon after from the... Filly?!

"N-No! Please! D-Don't eat me!" She scrambled backwards.

The filly had a cotton candy pink coat and a turquoise mane and tail, which was disheveled and covered in ash. Her bright green irises had shrunk to the size of a marble. I tilted my head to the side in confusion, then realized I had a skull for a face and resisted the urge to face palm. I probably looked like the grim reaper himself, didn't I? Ignoring my stupidity, I brought my muzzle down to her face and rubbed it against her cheek. It felt weird, bone against fur, but it made her rapid breathing decrease a bit.

"W-what're you-"

I picked her up by her tail, earning a surprised squeal from her and she began to thrash around in panic. Sprinting out between the two buildings and dodging debris or fire, I made it back to the forest's edge and dropped the terrified filly on the soot covered ground. She scooted away from me, large eyes watering slightly. With an unamused chitter, something I didn't even know I could do, I sat down and began tearing away at some leaves that had decided to stick to my wings. She stared at me a little longer, calmer yet still confused and cautious.

"A-Are you going to eat me?" I shook my head.

"Why did you-" She swallowed, "Why did you save me?"

I paused in my cleaning, placing a claw into the sooty ground and beginning to write.

YOU WANTED HELP

SO I HELPED

ARE YOU OKAY

She narrowed her eyes at me in suspicion before sighing and nodding her head, her mane falling into her face. Tears slowly began to fall down her face, the soot and ash below clumping together.

Her lip quivered, "W-Why don't you just eat me? Get it over with?"

I huffed, brushing away my previous message to write a brand new one.

I DON'T EAT INTELLIGENT LIFE

WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS

She read it, looking up at me with those big, puffy red eyes, "My parents and the townsfolk were taken by gryphons... Then they set the town on fire.... I escaped after that...." She began tracing circles with her hoof in the dark dirt, more tears beginning to fall.

I thought for a moment about what she had said. I knew a bit about where I was, but not what time period I was in. I knew I was in Equestria, hence the pony, but I couldn't really remember when there were major conflicts between races. Then again, I had never been a huge brony back on Earth so I just... Didn't know. Maybe this was an act of protest or rebellion? No, burning a town was too far... I shook my head. This was no time to be worrying about stuff like that. For now, I had to get this kid's parents back.

I'LL HELP YOU GET THEM BACK

I'LL NEED YOUR NAME FIRST THOUGH

Her eyes lit up at the message as she rushed forward and, ignoring my appearance, hugged me. I put a comforting paw over her as she buried her face into my chest fluff.

"S-Sugar Song. That's my n-name. Sugar Song."

Author's Note

BOOM! Chapter 1 done! I'm proud of myself! If there are ANY spelling errors or mistakes, please let me know! Putting that aside, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'll try to hurry up and write the next chapter for y'all. Anyway, buh bye!