The mare was scared.

More than anything Vine understood that, unfortunately, it wasn't like she had control over the situation. At least not when they were merely guests in someone's home.

More so the mare than herself.

Regardless she was tasked with showing up at tonight's ceremony. Refusing to do so can create some rather unfortunate circumstances.

Some are more painful than others.

Fortunately, the mare seemed a little more willing than she originally expected. That alone was good since she hadn't been forced to drag her kicking and screaming.

Now all that was left to do was for the mare to keep her head down and observe how things are done around here. The faster she learns the better her chances are at not angering the locals.

Tuip he hto oukt!

Tuip he hto oukt!

Tuip he hto oukt!

The sound of chanting reached Vine's ears as she made her way toward the circle. The mare on her back looked around in amazement around her. That alone was more than understandable. After all who expects to wake up inside a cavern full of warm air, and lush vegetation while also being surrounded by a people Equestria itself barely has any knowledge on.

The deer

A race is so ancient that they were thought to be the first race to have been around Equestria before Discord and much longer than the three tribes.

However, after chaos ended so to did the Deer and all the knowledge that came with them. No pony knows why or how it happened. Some blame Discord while others believe that they simply decided to move elsewhere. The Deer isn't exactly a social folk. From what was documented they purely kept to everyone but themselves. So much so that no one knows the extent of their culture or magical capabilities. Or even if they had magic at all.

The only thing that is known for sure is that when it comes to the Deer if you didn't follow their rules while under their watchful eye terrible things happened.

"Okay, all you have to do is keep your head up at all times and never for any reason move from your spot unless I say so".

Vine's voice was calm and instructive but the way, her eyes moved and her body kept having to move about even while walking told Cherry she was everything but calm.

Looking ahead the pegasus saw a massive open clearing with the color green as far as the eye can see. However what caught her attention the most where the sheer number of individuals there.

Some wore hoods with marking scattered all over their clothes. While others revealed themselves to the fullest and without fear. However, just like their hooded brethren, they also had markings. The only difference was that instead of cloth they used their bodies as a canvas.

The closer they came the more details she noticed. For instance, it seems that foals were more than welcomed. Some having choose to wear skulls of various animals. Some looking to be among their kind.

Cherry wanted to throw up.

However, the looked that the older mare gave her was enough for her to reconsider.

"Unless you wanna end up in a whole lot of pain keep it in your stomach!" She hissed.

Cherry lowered her ears in reply, nodding.

In return, the Earth pony relaxed before trudging forward head held high. Yet she was careful not to make any unnecessary eye contact when among the Deer.

Terrified, nervous, and intrigued the pegasus does munch the same.

Or tries to at least.

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Sweet Cherry unlike most ponies was a very open-minded mare. As such when it comes to something she doesn't know nor understand she tries her best to take the time to figure it out. That especially comes in handy when dealing with anything that wasn't a pony.

Her parents had claimed numerous times that it was her best feature about her. Especially when considering how overly skittish most ponies are.

Cherry has many tactics when it comes to those types of situations.

Well, mainly three.

One asks questions.

Two go with the flow.

Or three combined with a bit of both one and two.

"Stomp Your hooves!"

In this situation? Two seem most appropriate.

Following her advice, Cherry began to viciously stomp her hooves into the ground, munch like those around her.

Tuip he hto ykiqujen!

Tuip he hto ykiqujen!

Tuip he hto ykiqujen!

"Snarl!"

Again the pegasus did as she was told. A second later those around her began doing just the same. Looking more like feral cave dwellers than an intelligent accent race of creatures as told in the books.

Cherry was fascinated.

Still definitely terrified, but the longer this so-called ceremony went on the more her interest and confidence grew. Despite this however she still desperately wanted to go home. To a place most familiar and comforting. Fortunately, her parents always taught her to make do and be grateful for what she has.

She was alive.

She was safe, at least for now,

And above all she had a pony, she can hopefully rely on in times of need.

Sure things seemed a bit crazy right now, but anything is better than being left out to die on a mountain.

As such, she'll take what she can get.

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The mare was listening to her.

Good.

That made things easier to manage.

"JHEM!"

Everyone stopped.

Well almost everyone.

The new mare however was a tad slow and she paid for ir with a hoof to the gut. Thankfully it was one of the youngsters which meant it was more of kindness than anything else.

The pegasus grunted and looked as if she was gonna collapse from the blow. Fortunately, she was quick to recover. That alone was more than impressive considering the state she was in and how hard the punch was.

Tough mare.

A hooded figure stepped forward. Pedal her name was at least according to their language. Behind her was a sort of podium covered in cloth.

Here it comes.

"Hexuch fo jtupp xkinr wkinr wkequ hto zpeex ew eak jugiek unx mukuro in hto viwh to fipp zojhef amen aj upp!"

There was a roar of agreement.

One that Vine and the mare were quick to copy.

Pedal then shushed the crowd befor going over to the podium. Everyone watched including Cherry as the young female Deer stuck her head under the cloth before muttering some words in a soothing gentle voice.

They waited.

Vine held her breath.

Then ever so slowly the cloth began to move before a figure poked his head out.

Cherry gasped.

Only to grit her teeth in pain as a hoof planted itself firmly against her side.

As soon as the pain faded she looked again.

It wasn't a pony.

It wasn't a deer either.

Nor was it a Minotaur, a dragon, nor a zebra.

It was none of those things. Instead, it looked to be a new species altogether. Something akin to an ape but vastly different. Taller, lighter, with a frame that looked unique and alien.

Cherry was immediately transfixed.

The thing slowly moved as if It or rather he judging from a certain area that was halfway covered by leaves was expecting some sort of retaliation. When none came his movements began a lot more confident and relaxed.

Behind said creature were two male deer carrying a pot that looked to be made of stew.

Arriving at the center the brown-colored creature then gestured to place the pot down. Pedal who followed his every move with eyes wide with wonder and affection lowered herself to the floor next to him.

A sign of respect and submission.

The creature muttered a few words no one understood before reaching over and grabbing a sphere-like blade that one deer offered.

He then did something that Cherry didn't expect.

He cut his wrist.

Deep.

Blood immediately began pouring out the wound. As this happened the creature held his hand over the pot.

Once again Cherry wanted to throw up.

Surprisingly however it only lasted a moment before the bleeding completely stopped.

The creature then smirked arms opened wide seemingly in a come-all gesture.

Vine was the first to move.

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I slowly approached the pot and the Savior. Once I arrived I bowed my head in thanks to his offering as one is inclined to do when committing to this act. It was only a minute or two before I felt his digits begin to softly stroke my fur. I hum an old song, my mother used to sing to me as my face leans over the pot. Taking a deep breath I prepare myself for something that simply cannot be explained in a logical sense.

I dip my head in.

Almost immediately I felt it.

What did I feel?

Everything.

Every emotion, action, and thoughts of those around me present and future. I felt the movement of bugs underneath me as well as each blade of grass moved from under my hooves. I felt very dark and twisted thoughts that came into existence whether through the mourning of a loved one through murder or tragedy from a storm. I even felt Celestial's pain and sadness from having to banish her sister away for so long.

All that and more.

My head moves out of the pot and I take a deep yet shuddering breath. The Savior is watching me waiting for the inevitable.

I smile.

Sticking out my hoof I close my eyes and began to focus.

It wasn't long before I felt it.

Heat.

My hoof was on fire.

And I was enjoying every second of it.

Me and the savior locked eyes.

Together we grinned before locking limbs.

The fire didn't even touch his skin.

Author's Note

People seem to enjoy this so and that gave me the push I needed to enjoy lol