The colt of the everfree

(Twilight's pov)

Twilight let out a weary sigh as she finally released her magical hold on the colt. The moment her magic dissipated, the wild Pegasus thrashed violently, his hooves kicking out as a feral snarl ripped from his throat. His ragged wings flared instinctively, though they were too unkempt and weak to provide any real resistance.

Doctor Stable and the orderlies wasted no time in stepping forward, their movements cautious yet firm. The colt bucked and twisted, his body contorting in a desperate attempt to break free, but the stallions were larger, stronger. His hooves scraped uselessly against the pristine hospital floor as they dragged him toward the back, his growls echoing through the sterile halls.

Twilight watched, her ears pinned back as a heavy weight settled in her chest. What happened to him? she wondered, her mind racing with questions. He was a pony, yet he behaved more like a wild animal, driven purely by instinct and fear. Had he truly lived his whole life like this? Alone? With no language, no family, no guidance?

“He’s in good hooves, Twilight,” Nurse Red heart reassured, her voice firm but not unkind. She had seen countless difficult cases, but even she looked troubled by the colt’s state. “We’ll do everything we can to help him.”

Twilight swallowed, nodding slowly. The logical part of her mind knew he needed professional care, but doubt still gnawed at the edges of her thoughts. Was this really the right way to handle things? Would he ever understand that they were trying to help him?

Still, there was nothing more she could do at the moment. With one last glance toward the hallway where the colt had disappeared, Twilight took a deep breath and lit her horn. In a flash of violet light, she vanished, leaving the hospital behind.

Hours later

Castle of friendship

Six ponies sat around the large crystal table in Twilight’s castle, their voices overlapping in heated discussion. The tension in the room was thick as they debated what to do next.

"I’m telling you, this is a bad idea," Rainbow Dash said, crossing her forelegs with a frustrated huff. "Did you see how strong he was? That’s not normal!" She gestured vaguely toward the hospital, as if the colt’s unnatural strength still lingered in the air.

Fluttershy, sitting quietly until now, finally spoke up, her voice gentle but firm. "I think he deserves to be helped," she said, her teal eyes filled with sympathy.

"I agree with Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie chimed in, bouncing slightly in her seat. "He just needs some TLC—and maybe a big Welcome-To-Ponyville party!"

"And a bath," Rarity added with a dramatic shudder. "Who knows how long that poor foal has been trapped in that dreadful wilderness? The state of his mane alone is an absolute tragedy."

Rainbow groaned, rubbing her face with a hoof. "That’s not what I meant!" she said in exasperation. "I just think the hospital is probably the best place for him right now. They can handle him better than we can."

Applejack had been silent up until now, listening carefully to everypony’s opinions. She finally sighed and leaned forward, placing her hooves on the table. "I dunno, Rainbow. I think somepony other than the hospital should be the one to help him."

The others turned to look at her in surprise. "What do you mean, darling?" Rarity asked, raising a delicate brow.

Applejack hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Look, we all know the hospital here ain’t exactly equipped for somethin’ like this. They do their best, but let’s be honest—they’ve never dealt with a foal who thinks he’s a wild animal. I ain’t sure they’ll be able to get through to him."

Twilight let out a tired sigh, rubbing her temples. "Have you girls forgotten that he acts like an animal?" she said, her frustration evident. "He doesn’t just need a home—he needs real help. We don’t even know if he can be reasoned with!"

Before anypony could respond, the sound of the door opening drew their attention. Spike waddled in, balancing a tray of sandwiches. He arched a brow at the sudden silence.

"Uh... did I miss something?" he asked as he set the tray down on the table.

"Spike! Great timing!" Twilight said, perking up.

"It is?" he asked skeptically. "Why?"

"We were just discussing what to do about the colt," Twilight explained. "We can’t decide whether somepony should take him in or if he should stay at the hospital."

Spike blinked. "Oh, you mean the one that acts like a dog?"

"Spike!" Fluttershy scolded, shooting him a disapproving look.

"What? That’s what he does!" Spike defended himself, holding up his claws. "He growls, bites, and howls at the moon! He’s like Winona, but, y’know... angrier."

Twilight sighed but didn’t argue the point. "That aside, we still don’t know if he can be helped."

Spike tapped his chin in thought before snapping his claws. "Wait, Twilight! What about that new memory spell you were working on? The one that lets you see into somepony’s past? Maybe that could tell you whether or not he can be helped."

Twilight’s eyes widened. "Spike, that’s brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?"

Pinkie suddenly squinted her eyes and glanced suspiciously around the room. "Yeah... it is brilliant. Too brilliant," she muttered.

Every pony stared at her.

"Almost like... it’s a plot device like the author was to lazy to think of something else," she added ominously.

Rainbow Dash tilted her head. "Uh... what?"

"Oh, nothing!" Pinkie chirped, waving a hoof dismissively. "Let’s go get that spell!"

Twilight rolled her eyes but smiled. "Alright, every pony. Let’s head to the library. If this works, we might finally get some answers."

With that, the six friends stood up, determination settling over them as they prepared to uncover the truth behind the strange colt from the Everfree.

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I thrashed violently against the creatures holding me down, my heart hammering in my chest. Their hooves pressed against my limbs, pinning me to the strange, stiff surface beneath me. Panic surged through my veins as I struggled, snarling and baring my teeth at them.

One of them made the mistake of getting too close. I snapped my jaws at him, aiming for his leg, but before I could sink my teeth in, something was forced over my mouth. A thick, scratchy strap tightened around my muzzle, locking it shut. I growled in frustration, my breath coming out in ragged huffs through my nostrils.

I kicked and writhed, trying to break free, but more hooves held me down. Restraints wrapped around my legs, binding them to the bed beneath me. No matter how much I fought, I couldn’t move. I was trapped.

A sharp prick in my leg made me jolt. My vision swam as a strange sensation washed over me, dulling my movements. My body grew heavy, my struggles weakening with each passing second.

No! I couldn’t let them do this! I couldn’t—

My head lolled to the side as the world around me blurred and darkened. The last thing I saw was their blurry faces watching me as everything faded into nothing.