Secrets

Chapter 1: Newcomer

It was in late night when the thief and his follower arrived at a clearing. Large thunderclouds coated the entire sky a dark gray,  incessant rain and merciless winds kept whipping at the two travelers. Snow whined and shook her recently bandaged hind leg,

"I guess we can rest here a bit." Yelled the caped creature, through a cloak, rain,  and the roaring wind. Snow acknowledged and nearly immediately dissapeared into a bush, only to have her nose poke back out as she stared at her friend. Chuckling at the sight, the traveler put down a bag, and rummaged through it.

"Where is it? Maybe in the back pouch? No, where the heck is- ah there it is." taking out 16 short metal rods, he put them down by his side. Looking back into the bag, he pulled out a large tarp.

"Snow, be a dear and hold this please." The wolf quickly snatched the tarp and hobbled back into the bush, but this time her whole head stuck out as to not rip the fabric. Whistling, the traveler assembled the rods into a triangular shape. Dragging the slender form between the bush and a tree, he grabbed the tarp and started attaching it to the rods. After a few adjustments, the tent was ready, motioning to Snow, the companions sheltered themselves from the elements.

As they were drifting to sleep, the thief cast out his senses, searching for any wildlife. Odd, there isn't anything bigger than a squirrel for at least a mile out. He sent his senses even farther, looking for what might be keeping the animals in check. Sweeping the area, he couldn't make out any fine details through the heavy rain. As he was about to give up searching, he felt an unfamiliar life force at the edge of his radius; looking ever so slightly farther, he noticed a small group of creatures inside a large structure he figured was a home. Carefully examining their features, he concluded that they were most likely mammals. Poking around a little more, he was careful not to make contact with their psyche; out of fear of being discovered. Taking into consideration their physical appearance, he tested out a few illusion spells that would make him look like one of their kind in a snap. Picking out a look, he tried it on, his hands and feet dissapeared and were replaced by hooves. Satisfied, he let the spell die and went to sleep.

"What in' the hay is that?" Asked a small energetic voice.

"Not sure, sugarcube, now how 'bout we go find out?" Responded an older, yet still distinctively female voice. Inside the two intruders were jolted awake by the sudden outburst. Damn, looks like my time's up, hope this illusion works. With a flash of orange, he activated the illusion spell, and waved Snow behind him. Pushing his hat down to hide his face, he emerged out of his tent, facing the newcomers.

Applejack froze when she saw the tiny figure emerge out of it's tent, putting a hoof in front of Applebloom. She pushed her sister behind herself and gave the intruder a good look-over. He was wearing a large hat much like her own, but it was of a darker brown and had a much larger rim, it also sported a single striped feather on it's right side. With the hat sunk down low, Applejack couldn't see the face of the stranger. As he fully emerged out of his tent, a long red cape unfurled behind him, flowing without any wind. Applejack wasn't afraid of many things, but this thing was giving even her the creeps, "Um, 'xcuse me? You seem to be in our land." She tested the caped figure, Does it even speak equestrian?

"Please pardon my intrusion, ma'am. I was only resting for the night here, I do not wish to have any confrontation with your kind." Applejack was surprised to hear the amount of maturity in the small creature's voice. After all, the thing wasn't much bigger than Applebloom.

"That's not a problem, if you were looking' for a place to catch a few winks you should've just came to our house." Applejack was curious to see how the thing reacted, was it dangerous?

"I, umm. Well I knew that your house was nearby but I was kinda hoping that I could pass through unnoticed." Applejack knew he was hiding something, he could see him pushing something back into the tent. I need to get him out of that tent, then I'll be able to see what's in there.

Sis? What does he want?" Applejack's thoughts were interrupted by her younger sister, turning around, she saw Applebloom peeking out from behind her.

"Hold on a minute please."

"Of course, I have all day." Turning to Applebloom, Applejack whispered into her ear,

"Something's off with this fellow, go back home and tell Big Mac where I am." Hearing the seriousness in her voice Applebloom ran towards home.

Now's my chance! The traveler had no idea what eye structure the creatures had, as the orange one talked to the yellow one; he quickly peeked out from under his hat and stared straight into the eye of the smaller one. He noticed that their eye structure had a large oval eye shape, with a large iris and pupil, which was rounded, unlike his; which were cat-like. Quickly correcting the spell, an orange glow could be seen from under his hat. Looking up, he saw that the orange one was just starting to turn back, and the smaller yellow thing was running towards the large wooden house he saw in the distance. Oh great, hopefully she's not getting the military.

"Now, what's your name? Mine's Applejack" Looking up, he saw an outstretched hoof, shaking it, he let out a smile and answered:

"I go by Wildfire. And this is Snow." leaving the tent, Snow poked out her head, eliciting an uncertain look from Applejack. "Don't worry, she doesn't bite. Much." Wildfire reached out and pet the furry creature, which seemed to reassure Applejack somewhat.

"Where did you come from anyways?" Applejack inquired. Wildfire though about it, what should I tell her? She seems friendly and all, but I'd rather not trust her too much yet.

"It's a long story, one I'd rather tell another time." Wildfire decided to play the 'long story' card, hoping to deter Applejack. But Applejack isn't someone you easily brush off.

"Listen, I gotta go work, but I would really appreciate it if ya could move your tent at least. These trees won't buck themselves." Well, at least she's not asking any questions.

"Sure, in fact, could you tell me where the nearest village is?" Wildfire decided he should get accustomed to the locals, if he was here to stay.

"Sure, you can see it from here, though im pretty sure they'll be afraid of, err, Snow; with her being a wolf and all." Nodding, Wildfire packed up the tent and headed towards the gate. With Snow following close behind, he started down the path that led towards the village.

Wildfire was about halfway when he heard something whiz by, looking up; he saw a multi-colored blur fly through clouds, making them dissapear one by one. The blur was so fast it left behind a long trail that looked like a rainbow, clearing the skies of clouds in a matter of seconds. The traveler stood there amazed at what he had seen, then shook his head and continued onwards. He had barely went ten feet when he heard a chorus of birds whistling together. Looking around for the source of the music, Wildfire looked at Snow; who was staring intently at a bush. Pushing through the bush, Wildfire saw a beautiful light yellow creature with pink hair humming to the birds. They seemed to be listening to her voice and repeating it in a harmonious melody. Allowing himself a moment to bask in the delightful sounds, Wildfire found himself smiling. Closing his eyes, he sighed, almost like a signal the birds immediately stopped. Opening his eyes, the traveler saw that the birds were looking at him, the yellow winged creature hiding behind what he recognized as a mane. "Sorry." Wildfire managed to mumble  before pulling his head out of the bush, back onto the road he picked up the pace deliberately. Great first impression there, and to someone that I would like to talk to later.

As he neared the city, he got a good look at the kind of creatures that seemed to inhabit this land. They were of all colors, some had wings, some had a horn; others had nothing. Examining the wings more closely, Wildfire noticed that they were feathery, like his; but were the same color as their fur, unlike his. They seemed to predominantly speak anglican, like the peasants back home. Looking around he saw that the ones with horns were able to use magickae, but he could feel that the others were using some sub-consciously. Oddly enough, they seemed to be predominantly female. Oh dear ancestors, I hope it's not one of those hive species. As he slowly progressed into the village, he was met by stares and the creatures seemed to shy away into the surrounding buildings. Looking back, he shook his head at Snow, who then went and hid among the alleyways. Stopping in front of what seemed like a bakery, he looked around for any other sapient creatures. He leap straight up when a pink one appeared right in front of Wildfire, with a yelp of surprise he scrambled to get some distance from her, unconsciously using his magic to push her away. She was unaffected as she seemed to get even closer instead,

"Hi what's your name? I'm Pinkie Pie ooh are you new here? That means I have to throw you a Welcome-to-Ponyville party, yay! It'll be so fun! Well be best friends!" Wildfire stood clutching his racing heart, gasping for air. Tuning out the chattering pink mass, he tried to calm himself down before he had a heart attack. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his heart, and looked back at Pinkie Pie; who was still chatting to herself about who she should invite to the party. "Ahem. My name is Wildfire, and I w-" Wildfire found himself backed up against a wall as Pinkie Pie assaulted his mind with a barrage of questions. Enough of this! With his eyes glowing a light blue he dissapeared in a burst of blue flames. Reappearing by Snow, Wildfire let out a sigh. Opening his eyes again he shrieked as Pinkie Pie was standing inches from his face, still talking. "Why are you running? You were all like whoosh and then you were here and I found you." Oh no, not her. Looking around he saw a large building with many decorations, looking inside a window; he spotted his target, grabbing onto Snow, they both dissapeared in a blue flame much to Pinkie's disappointment.

Inside the building was a white mare with a purple mane. Happily humming along to the sounds of a sewing machine. The humming was interrupted by a large crashing sound originating from downstairs. Did Rainbow Dash stop for a visit? She inquired, pausing her sewing, she headed downstairs to see what had caused the distraction.

"Oh my!" there was a young pegasi sprawled out onto the floor with a wolf laying on top of him. "Quick! Get away from that wolf before it eats you up!" picking up the confused pony off the floor with her magic, she levitated him away from the foul creature.

"Huh-wha?" The Pegasus stirred, looking around he saw her and looked at the wolf. Much to her surprise, he asked, "Snow? You alright girl?"

"Why of course I'm fine, I'm not Snow, I'm Rarity." the pegasus looked at Rarity as if she were completely bald.

"Well, no duh, I wasn't talking to you, Snow is the wolf right there."

"Y-you actually-. That thing is yours?"

"Yup, dont worry, she doesnt bite unless if you give her a reason to." As he said those words, the pale creature started moving. Getting up, Snow shook her fur, sitting back down, she let the pegasus look her over. "I'm Wildfire by the way."

"Pleasure to meet you, I am Rarity, might I ask why you are in here?" Wildfire looked outside, checking to see if Pinkie Pie was still following him.

"I was running from this pink creature named Pinkie Pie." Rarity chuckled, the newcomer had obviously met Pinkie Pie first. A typical reaction she'd seen plenty times before. Taking a closer look at Wildfire, Rarity saw the muddy cloak.

"Dear Celestia! Where did you get those gastly crimes against fashion!" Using her magic, Rarity lifted Wildfire off the ground and dragged him to the next room.