Chapters A mare walked onto the stage, her white coat flaring, her light blue eye shadow and freckles glittering, her dark blue eyes shining and her red and pink curled hair well groomed and curly, highlighting her horn, bearing a red aura. A spotlight hit her Cutie Mark, a red quill writing, and it shone like the sun. The crowd to which she presented followed her path onto the stage with many eyes and a few hushed whispers. The mare cleared her throat, and began to speak, and presented a piece of paper floating in front of her, levitated by red magic.
“Once upon a time, there were two sisters who ruled, yet one of the sisters was unhappy. Once upon a time, there lived a chaotic draconequus, and two sisters who thought his ways were wrong. Once upon a time, there lived three tribes who didn’t agree with each other. Those are all stories you may know. But there is one carved into the mountainside of history, so ancient that few know of it. I am telling you of that story today.” She began with a voice like a spider’s web, silk, beautiful, yet strong, and a German accent flowed through her speech pattern. Suddenly, the mare’s horn flared red, and the scene around the audience began to change, matching the words she spoke with realistic pictures.
“At the beginning of time, there was one wild herd made up of pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns. The herd was ruled by a fair beautiful alpha mare alicorn, who treated all equally and nicely, yet her mate was a dark, cruel, and poor-spirited alpha stallion alicorn. One day, the alpha female grew ill with a foal, so she had to temporarily exit her duties as alpha female. That made the alpha male responsible for her duties. He took it too far. He didn’t protect the herd properly, he made them fetch food for him, leaving none for the others, and any stallion who challenged him for leadership was killed before everypony else. Those were cruel, dark times. Anypony who tried to leave the herd was tracked down and murdered by the alpha stallion. All the races turned their backs away from each other. They were too afraid to work together. However, in the herd, three beams of hope sparked up. Three mares were the sparks of hope, but nopony had realized it yet.” Three figures of ponies flared in the scene the audience viewed, blocking their view of the mare.
“The earth pony was honest and cheerful, yet protective and strong-hearted. The pegasus was loyal and kind, yet clever and pure. The last one was the unicorn, who was generous and highly enhanced in magic, being taught by the most powerful pony in the world besides the alpha mare, yet resourceful and creative. One day, the alpha stallion grew bored with ruling over the herd, so he took the alpha mare deep into the nearby woods, and planned to send a pack of timber wolves onto the herd. The three mares discovered this plan and went to confront him. The alpha stallion realized this and sent many monsters to kill the mares. The earth pony protected the other mares as they were attacked. The alpha stallion then sent dragons to burn the mares to a crisp. The pegasus sung the dragons to sleep with a clever plan. Finally, they confronted the alpha stallion. He sent tornados at them, but that did not work. The unicorn then combined their friendship, blinded the stallion, and turned him into a constellation, their power creating the Elements of Harmony. They brought the alpha female back to the herd; she then gave birth to a lovely little colt, whom she named Wild Skies. Most of the herd, relieved they were freed from the alpha stallion, left, however some of the herd refused to leave their ancestral land. The ponies that did leave learned the ways of the earth pony, pegasus, and unicorn, thus becoming civilized. However, some say that the ponies that continued their ways still thrive in the wilds beyond Equestria.” The mare on the stage finished, and the scene fell away. The audience erupted into rapid applause. The mare took a bow, her curled mane falling over her face.
“Red Quill! Red Quill! Red Quill!” The audience chanted. The mare recovered from her bow and smiled apologetically.
“Sorry everypony! But that’s all for tonight.” She apologized to the eager audience. The audience gave a collective disappointed sigh, and the mare named Red Quill trotted off the stage. She went off backstage and set her script down, and swiped away some sweat on her forehead. A crazy fan-colt, with a blonde mohawk-like hairstyle, a slight brown coat, and brownish excited eyes, stepped into the room, holding many pictures of Red Quill, all without an autograph.
“Oh my gosh! It’s Red Quill! Will you please autograph my pictures?” The colt asked while hyperventilating. Red Quill wondered if that was even physically possible.
“Well, were you not listening to my speech? I specifically said, ‘That’s all for tonight’.” She replied, and her horn flared with a red aura. “That means, NO AUTOGRAPHS!!!” She screamed. The colt fled in terror, his falling pictures marking his trail.
“Honestly, some colts today.” She muttered, and turned to a desk with makeup and piles of scripts and books. She picked up the books and scripts with her magic, and put them in a saddlebag she levitated off of a chair. She set the saddlebag on her back, did up the clip, which took the form of a red quill, and trotted outside, only to be greeted by fierce snowfall. She passed a mob of ponies waiting eagerly for her to emerge. She galloped past them before she could get mauled by reporter questions. She slowed her pace past the usual snooty Canterlot ponies of her hometown. She was already used to their terrible attitudes. After all, you’d have to be if you have lived with them since you were a filly. She cantered into the Canterlot spa, her spirits lifting at the sound at the jingling of bells. The room was shaped like a square, a counter at the left side of the room, and cushions at the right side, many occupied by other ponies, a door at the back of the room, and a table bearing newspapers sat in the middle of the room. Red Quill stopped at the counter, where a dark navy unicorn mare with a purple and light blue mane waited, her lavender eyes reading a magazine set before her.
“The usual, Blue Belle.” Red Quill requested. The pony smiled.
“Please wait over there until Golden Stream comes to bring you to your first treatment.” The pony at the counter, apparently named Blue Belle, replied. Red Quill nodded and went to a cushion in the corner of the room. She then took a piece of paper out of her saddlebag, a quill, a vile of ink, and began to write.
“Long ago, there existed a race of ponies completely different from those we have today. They bore incredible power, and supreme rule. They lived peacefully alongside the first ponies, and harmony shone like Celestia’s sun. However, one day, the spirits of evil in our world became unhappy. Especially one, named-” Red Quill read aloud as she wrote, but only to be cut off by another voice.
“Miss Red Quill? It is time for your treatment.” Blue Belle announced. Red Quill stuffed her supplies into her bag, which gave her some weird looks from the other waiting ponies, and went to the counter. There, waited a sight to behold. It was a beautiful white unicorn mare, with long flowing locks of a golden mane, and a Cutie Mark of a blue pony that had a long flowing sunlit stream for a mane. The unicorn mare’s sunset orange eyes flashed and she smiled as Red Quill came within the distance to hear the mare whisper.
“Good to see you, Golden Stream.” Red Quill greeted. The mare smiled and led Red Quill past the door in the back of the room, and into a room beyond it, with completely different size and setting. It was a massive spa room, with a hot springs tub in front of the two mares being the highlight.
“So, how did your presentation go?” The mare named Golden Stream, asked with a British accent as she set Red Quill’s saddlebags onto a nearby cloak-hanger, and Red Quill settled into the tub. The hot water was relief from the cold of outside.
“It went just great. Fans were as crazy as ever.” Red Quill muttered as sky blue magic picked up a bucket of cold water and poured it on her head.
“I know, I know! However these days, you can’t fuel them with just one presentation, unlike in the old days.” Golden Stream commented, as her magic controlled a comb as it went through Red Quill’s mane. Red Quill nodded, lost in her own thoughts. Golden Stream smiled, and drew the comb harshly through Red Quill’s mane. The poor mare yelped, and knocked away the comb.
“Aren’t you forgetting to tell me something?” Golden Stream asked, obvious excitement in her voice. Red Quill frowned, than realized with a pang what she had forgotten.
“Oh yeah! They agreed!” She exclaimed, grabbing a note from her bag with her magic, waving it in front of Golden Stream’s face.
“Where’s the house going to be? And who’s providing it?” She asked, continuing combing Red Quill’s mane.
“The house is going to be close to the Everfree, just as we planned, and the house is provided by my ‘biggest fan’, Twilight Sparkle.” Red Quill replied. “Finally! I’m going to be able to see mum again, without any complications.”
“This is good. You didn’t get much interaction with her at first. Now that you practically live beside her, you can properly take care of her.” Golden Stream commented as she helped Red Quill from the tub, and offered her a towel. “Will that be all?”
“Yes please. Here,” Red Quill replied and offered Golden Stream some bits. “I have to go pack.” And with that, Red Quill left the vicinity.
~~~~~
Red Quill had already packed every single ounce of her apartment’s items in several bags and suitcases. Most of them consisted of writing supplies, but others had the necessities for a home, yet the porter, Atlas, didn’t really care. He just wanted to get the stuff to the train, pronto. Red Quill paused as she noticed something left on the floor. It was a list of spells. She quickly grabbed it and stuffed it into her saddlebag, the only relief for the poor Atlas, who had to carry everything except that saddlebag. Then, Red Quill trotted to the train station, snow biting at her face, and passing her former neighbors, who glared at her. They never really liked her, and were glad to be rid of her. Red Quill felt the same towards them. Soon, she arrived at the train station, the exhausted Atlas behind her path. Pitying the poor thing, she picked up all of the cargo with her magic, and then turned her horn towards the item-carrying objects. The aura on her horn flared, and the suitcases and bags shrunk to no bigger than an apple, and stuffed it in her saddlebag.
“Thank you kind sir.” She thanked Atlas and gave him a fair amount of bits. He beamed, bowed, and trotted off happily with what he earned.
“All aboard!” The stallion at the controls yelled, and the train whistled. Red Quill rushed into a train car, and sat contently at a random seat. She set her saddlebag beside her, and her eyelids grew heavy. It had been a long day, and her face felt like ice. Perhaps a small nap wouldn’t be too bad. She finally stopped fighting exhaustion, and found herself three weeks prior.
~~~~~
She had been invited to a secret meeting by Princess Celestia, taking place inside of the Canterlot Mountain. The first thought that had come to her mind was: “Why me?” But then again, Red Quill knew ancient enhanced magic. Perhaps the meeting had to do with magic. But when she had arrived, she had found she was invited to meeting with Changelings, the Tribe Ponies of legend, the mystical wolfponies, and the ponies of Equestria, yet all under a strict truce, that if not obeyed, would lead to being banished from the meetings. Her mother had told her of the meetings with all of those select species, but she had never taken place in one. She had been placed on the Equestrian side.
“Ah, Princess Celestia. How are the Sky Apples coming along?” A large wolfpony had asked in the front of the wolfponies’ side of the room, who Red Quill remembered to be the Alpha of the wolfponies, Varg, who led them when hunting the monsters of the Everfree Forest. Equestria depended on them to keep the monster population of the Everfree down. Red Quill had noticed that Princess Celestia had given them a look of pure guilt.
“I am terribly sorry Varg, but there just isn’t enough Sky Apples this year to sustain both of our entire populations. We only have enough for your foalpups.” She had explained. Many of the wolfponies had growled in a language I don’t understand at that. Varg had given a grave look.
“Well then, I shall have to leave now, I must hunt for my pack for a month.” She had announced, and turned to her three daughters. “Ulv, Vlk, Varu, I am entrusting you with keeping the pack safe, receiving the delivery for the Sky Apples when they are ready, and feeding it to the pups.” With that, the mature adults of the pack meeting had left for west of Equestria. The young adults had left for their base in the woods, but looks of pure rage and scorn on their faces. Red Quill had hoped that they could forgive.
~~~~~
Red Quill woke to the sound of the whistle, and looked out the window, seeing a homely little town, with small buildings and such.
“This is it. Ponyville.” Red Quill whispered to herself, and grabbed her stuff.
Red Quill hopped off the train at the Ponyville train station, only to be greeted face-to-face with a pair of moderately violet overexcited eyes. The eyes belonged to a purple unicorn, with a dark blue mane, bearing violet and rose streaks. Red Quill slicked back her ears nervously, and sweat began to drip down her forehead.
“Um, hello!” Red Quill broke the tense and just plain awkward silence with a nervous voice. The purple unicorn made a fan girl squeal.
“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness!” The unicorn exclaimed, and she bounced up and down excitedly. “I can’t believe I’m seeing Red Quill! THE Red Quill! I’m your biggest fan!” Red Quill relaxed her frown, and a look a relief replaced it.
“Oh! So you’re Twilight Sparkle, I presume?” Red Quill asked, and put on a lady-like posture and voice pattern. The unicorn stopped bouncing and relaxed her excitement level from one hundred down to five.
“Ahem, sorry about that outburst. My name is Twilight Sparkle. But, you’ve probably already figured that out.” The unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, introduced herself. “Now, your letter, you know, that asked if you could move here, said you haven’t been here since before I arrived?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, Red Quill, I’ll lead you to your house.” She faltered. “Is that all you packed?” Red Quill sensed her confusion, and then remembered that she put everything in the saddlebag.
“Oh, I just used a shrinking spell.”
“A SHRINKING SPELL!? Where in Equestria did you learn it? It’s not in any of the books at the library. Who taught you?” Twilight just had to butt in, and ask so many questions. Red Quill cleared her throat.
“Can we get to the house now?” She asked politely. Twilight realized she was rambling again, and blushed in embarrassment.
“Oh, yeah, sorry. Follow me please.” With that, Twilight set to trotting towards the Everfree forest, and Red Quill followed in step. She then took the moment to gaze at her new surroundings. Ponyville had changed a lot since Red Quill’s last temporary visit. There were a lot less buildings then last time, and the place had a friendlier feel to it. Red Quill also thought about her mother. Would mum have changed much if she hadn’t visited for two years? Well, Red Quill had changed a lot since her last visit. She had earned more money; she had gotten a decent job, and had earned many fans. Perhaps the same wouldn’t have happened to mum. After all, mum was a stickler for tradition, and mum’s tradition never changes. All these thoughts rolled in Red Quill’s head.
“We’re here!” Twilight’s voice interrupted her thoughts, and she found herself upon a fair home. It looked almost identical to the other houses in Ponyville, with its plain straw roof and wooden walls, but this one had three significant differences to the others; and that was its size. It was at least three meters larger then every other house; both in size and length. The second difference; was that it had a lovely backyard, populated with plants and flowers and trees of all kinds. The third was that the house had a second floor. Red Quill was glad she had a proper roof to sleep under now. Although her mum would’ve argued. At least the house was close to the Everfree. That would be useful for gathering some of the plants so that Red Quill could replicate mum’s famous soup.
“Well, I’m going to leave you to settle in now.” Twilight said in a calm voice, interrupting Red Quill’s thoughts, yet there was a big goofy grin spread across her face. She then dashed away, leaving Red Quill to cough in the dust Twilight had disturbed while she ran away. Red Quill shrugged, opened the door to the house with the key she got from Twilight’s letter, and stepped inside. Big mistake. As soon as she stepped in, she was mobbed by the sound of party horns. The lights turned on by themselves, and the scene revealed, made Red Quill’s jaw drop. She was greeted by all the ponies of Ponyville, all cramped into her house. HER house.
“Sur-priiiiise!” Came a happy voice. The first pony she could actually see properly popped right in her face, making her scrunch up her nose in surprise. The pony had cerulean eyes, a pink coat, and a raspberry mane.
“Face. Needs. Personal. Space.” Red Quill ordered. The pony backed up and bounced up and down like a pogo-stick.
“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie, and my friends and I threw this party just for you!” She said, and Red Quill wondered if this “Pinkie Pie” had a huge amount of sweet foods, or just always hyper. “Twilight told me that you were coming, so I had to bring out the Party Cannon to get this party set up, because you came sooner than expected.” Pinkie Pie gestured to Twilight, and a couple other ponies.
“Ok, let me introduce you to my friends. This is Applejack, she’s Rainbow Dash, call her Rarity, and her name is Fluttershy! Welcome to Ponyville!” Pinkie Pie introduced all of her friends, but fast enough for Red Quill to actually comprehend. She was sure she knew who everypony who Pinkie had introduced. Ok, there was Applejack, the orange earth pony with a blonde mane topped with a hat, and three apples for a Cutie Mark. Rainbow Dash was a cyan pegasus with a rainbow colored mane, and a cloud with rainbow lightning coming out of it. Rarity was the “marshmallow” type unicorn, with a nice purple mane and all, and she had three diamonds for a Cutie Mark. Now Fluttershy was a yellow pegasus, with a soft pink mane, and three butterflies for a Cutie Mark. That probably just about covered it.
“Ok! We’re going to leave you to mingle now!” Pinkie Pie announced, and bounded off to attack a huge cake. Red Quill sighed, she didn’t really like being in crowded area. Might as well make some friends, and get used to the house. Red Quill walked over to the living room, and spotted a sight to behold. It was an elegant violet pegasus, with a grass green and light green mane, done up in several small braid-like ponytails, green eyes, and a Japanese nightingale as a Cutie Mark. She was beside a grey pegasus stallion, with a light blue, square-like mane, and a skylark for a Cutie Mark. Red Quill quickly grabbed a hoof mirror from her satchel, straightened up her mane, sighed, and went to go make a friend. She cleared her throat once she was behind the mare. The mare didn’t appear to hear her, neither the stallion. Red Quill let out an irritated sigh, and jabbed the mare in the belly to get her attention. The mare’s eyes dilated and she squealed. Red Quill pulled away her hoof in confusion as the mare recovered from the squeal. The stallion glanced in fear at the unlucky Red Quill. She would very soon learn the consequence of what she’d done.
“WHO DID THAT???” A voice with a Welsh accent screamed. It was the mare, who was standing in the middle of the room, the flame of rage in her eyes. Everypony else in the room had backed against the walls, all except the puzzled Red Quill.
“Pssst!” Hissed a voice among the many ponies against the walls. Suddenly, a hoof grabbed Red Quill by the tail, and dragged her into the silence of the ponies against the walls. The hoof belonged to a light blue pony with a pinkish mane, resembling Fluttershy’s in a way, only there were two locks of her mane that were draped over her withers. Her Cutie Mark was that of three petals of a cherry blossom.
“Hi, my name is Cherry Blossom,” She said with a hushed whisper, and a Spanish accent boasting her words. “What were you thinking!? Everypony knows not to touch Nightingale! Who are you anyways!?” She scolded the still puzzled Red Quill, who lifted a hoof for a chance to speak.
“My name is Red Quill. This is my house you’re all in.” She answered, calm in most of her voice, although a slight tremor of terror in the end of her words. Cherry Blossom’s questioning gaze softened.
“So, you’re the guest of honor? Sorry about the scolding, but, you can’t just jab ponies in the sides!” She replied. “I have no idea what she’ll do to you. Those who did touch her, never come back the same.” Red Quill swallowed.
“You there!” The Welsh accent of the mare was directed at Red Quill, and all the ponies backed away from her, including Cherry Blossom.
“You’re on your own bud! Good luck.” She hissed as she backed away.
“Some help you are.” Red Quill replied with a sharp jab in her tone. She quivered as the mare and the stallion drew near her.
“Are you the one who touched me?” She snarled at the poor Red Quill.
“Well, I didn’t know you were so picky about being touched!” Red Quill sneered back.
“Speak your name now, or else!”
“I’m Red Quill!” The mare’s gaze still held, but her pupils slightly enlarged.
“Don’t you know why she doesn’t like being touched?” This time the stallion spoke, with a Welsh accent as well. Red Quill shook her head, and the stallion leaned in.
“It’s because my girlfriend here is the most ticklish pony in the universe, and hates to be reminded of it.” He whispered in Red Quill’s ear, obvious humor in his voice, and she snickered, earning her a fierce glance from the mare.
“And what do you have to say about it?” The mare snapped.
“Well, I think it’s not bad to be like that. My name’s Red Quill. What’s your name?” Red Quill asked and held out her hoof. The mare’s fiery gaze dimmed and she smiled and took Red Quills hoof, shaking it.
“I’m Nightingale Songlark. And this is my boyfriend Skylark Swanheart.” She then jabbed the stallion with her hind leg, who then gained a respective posture. “Hey everypony, I think this calls for a song!” Nightingale then flew into the center of the room, and everypony tensed against the walls relaxed and sat at the back of the living room. Cherry Blossom joined Red Quill, and Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and even Pinkie Pie came to join them. Nightingale and Skylark then flew to the front of the room, and Nightingale cleared her throat.
“Alright everypony, this is a little song I like to call, the Skylark and the Nightingale.” Skylark said, and nuzzled Nightingale. Red Quill smiled, and for the first time since she left mother, she felt happy.
~~~~~
Ulv, Vlk, Varu, all stood restlessly outside the cave of their banished brother, Dākuurufu. He was banished by their mother Varg for his taste for pony flesh. That was strictly forbidden, since the ponies were their allies. But the ponies were no longer their allies. Not those traitors.
“Are you sure, that we can trust him?” Ulv asked nervously.
“Of course we can trust our own brother.” Vlk spat back.
“Our brother who killed an entire group of Canterlot Royal Guards by eating them alive?”
“We only have so much power with just a couple of fledglings, Dākuurufu is the eldest, and the most powerful, with his Ōshū no kengen. Now will you two quit bickering?” Varu snarled, and the other two sisters fell silent. The three sisters turned to the cave.
“Dākuurufu, we have come to request your assistance.” They all called out into the cave in unison. Their voices echoed in the cave. There was a deep growl within the cave.
“Have you brought Varg?” A deep harsh snarl crept into the sisters’ wolf-like ears.
“We come alone; our mother has left to hunt, for we are in a state of famine.” Vlk replied. There was a stirring within the darkness of the cave, and a frightening sight crawled out. It was a jet black wolfpony, same wolf-like ears like other wolfponies, same sharp teeth like other wolfponies, same long face like other wolfponies, same horn and wings like the sisters; yet, he had a blood red mane, a different color combination from most other wolfponies, which would be grey to amber, and golden to silver. His eyes were a threatening and intense shade of red, causing the three sisters to look away nervously. Yet odd enough for a banished wolfpony, he had the posture of an alpha wolfpony, which was another broken rule.
“Hello girls.” He said.
“Dākuurufu, we need your help. The ponies didn’t keep their promise. They kept almost all the Sky Apples they promised, leaving only enough for the foalpups. We can’t let those traitors hog all the food and leave us to starve without paying the price.” The three sisters explained all at once. The intensity in Dākuurufu’s eyes grew greater, and a little bit of insanity came in his stare, causing the sisters’ eyes to dilate in fear.
“So, you share the same hatred for them as I?” He asked, joy in his voice. The sisters nodded.
“Well then, the first thing we need is their attention.” He began, but suddenly, he lifted his nose to the air, and sniffed. He turned his head sharply, and out of the shadows of the forest, they spotted a spying zebra. Zecora laid her ears back in fear as the four wolfponies ran towards her, and her legs locked, as the biggest wolfpony loomed above her. Suddenly, a black mass surged from his horn, and gripped Zecora’s mind.
“Let’s see what you know.” The biggest wolfpony snarled as shadows took over Zecora’s mind, and her eyes started to turn black.
Red Quill quickly looked over her shoulder before the Everfree, worried that her new friends would be following her. She didn’t want to endanger them with the reality of everything she knew. The consequences would be far too great. She then turned her head back to her path. She inhaled, and her horn flared with her red aura. She opened her eyes as her red aura transformed light blue, and her dark blue eyes swirled with a beautiful light blue. Suddenly, wisps of light blue magic alighted in the forest, setting up a path of some sort. She looked back again, before trotting off, following the path of the wisps. She trotted on for a couple of minutes, at least until she heard a sound that was halfway between a whinny and a wolf howl. Wolfponies. And they sounded hostile. Red Quill quickened her pace to a canter. Shadows moved among the trees, and eyes peered out, however one pair of eyes gleamed an intense red. She quickened her pace to a gallop. The wolf-like pants of the wolfponies quickly followed Red Quill’s hoof steps, and she broke out into a dead run. The bloodcurdling howls of the wolfponies filled her ears.
“Almost there, almost there!” Red Quill reassured herself in terror. The terrifying voices of the wolfponies started to bang at her sanity.
“A pony!”
“An opportunity for revenge!”
“Get it! It will earn us our food!”
Red Quill almost cried out in relief as what she was looking for came into view. It was a dead tree, with scars all over it. Red Quill stopped at the tree, heedless of the growls, snarls, and howls of the wolfponies, and her horn flared with a magical red aura, and the tree glowed white. Red Quill prepared to jump, yet a wolfpony rose above her, and tore its claws into her back. She shrieked and leapt in the tree, disappearing in a puff of smoke. The wolfpony jumped after her, only to crash face-first into the tree.
~~~~~
Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Princess Luna, and twelve Royal Canterlot Guards crept into the Everfree Forest, looking desperately for Zecora. Twilight had received a letter from Zecora, stating that she was in trouble and needed help immediately. Rainbow Dash had stated that it could be a trap, so they had asked Princess Luna to come with a few of the Royal Guards. They couldn’t get Celestia to come because she was extremely busy.
“Twilight Sparkle, I feel in my Royal Canterlot bones that this is a trap.” Luna commented as an owl called in the dark of the trees.
“Me too, but I just know that Zecora is in trouble.” Twilight replied softly. The guards looked anxiously around. Suddenly, a shadow loomed in the tree cover.
“Zecora!” Applejack exclaimed, and indeed she was correct. However, Zecora was lying unconscious on the ground.
“Zecora! Can you hear us?” Twilight asked the zebra, although it was a useless feat, since the zebra was deep in slumber.
“Take them all!” A voice calls from the darkness. Wolfponies suddenly charge out of the nearby vegetation, all intent on attack.
“Attack!!!” Princess Luna screamed, with the added Royal Canterlot voice, would have shattered glass for a span of a mile. The Royal Guards jumped to defend the ponies, and the Mane Six leapt into action. Pinkie Pie used the Party Cannon on three wolfpony fledglings, Twilight shot a beam of magic at two, Applejack and Rainbow Dash bucked four into nearby bushes, Rarity Falcon Kicked five into a tree, Fluttershy pulled one’s tail, yet said sorry, and Princess Luna shot lightning at eight fledglings, all at the same time. But then, a Royal Guard forgot to block after he brought down a blow onto a wolfpony, and suddenly a black wolfpony leapt in the open space, jaws wide open, and bit the Royal Guard on the hoof with his fearsome jaws. The guard cried out in pain, but it sharply ended and morphed to a growl, as thick brown fur began to replace his grey coat, and his muzzle jutted out and grew huge canine-like fangs, knocking out his pony teeth, and causing blood to drip from his jaws. His armour shattered as he began to grow to a fledgling wolfpony’s size, and his horn shriveled and fell off, to be replaced by a simple gem on the forehead. He turned, and the ponies stopped their fighting, and looked in horror at the bitten guard. The guard now resembled the fledgling wolfponies, but his eyes had stayed the same through the transformation, yet they had a bloodthirsty gleam to it. And his eyes locked onto the ponies themselves. Suddenly, all the wolfponies lunged for the Royal Guards, and screams of agony cut through the trees of the forest.
~~~~~
“Focus, Red Quill. Put all your concentration into it.” Hissed an old female voice from the dark corner of the cave, which Red Quill stood as the centerpiece of. Her eyes were squinted shut in focus, her forehead dripped with sweat, her horn swirled with magical aura, as it flickered fiercely between light blue and red.
“Now…release it!” The voice called out. Suddenly, a beam of light blue shot from her horn, which opened up midway, somewhat like a flower blooming, and exploded into a dazzling, spectacular sight of blue, light blue, light green, and aqua as something leapt out. Red Quill opened her eyes, and came face to face with a red fox. Only, it wasn’t red. Instead, it flowed a ghostly swirl of light blue and extremely light green, its skin was slightly transparent, and its eyes were that of Red Quill’s. It tilted its head in curiosity at her, and Red Quill returned the gesture. Then, the fox disappeared in a wisp of blue, and Red Quill’s head dropped, and she began to pant in exhaustion.
“Good job, you held it for longer than last time.” The voice congratulated the tired Red Quill. “You may not be able to hold it as long as your mother can, but the talent runs within the family I guess.” Red Quill looked up and smiled.
“At least it isn’t as hard as it was bringing back your eyesight.” She sighed.
“It only comes back during the night though, because your magic isn’t as strong as it would be needed to make it come back forever.” The voice pointed out. Red Quill stopped panting, and straightened up.
“I’ll come back next week, ok?” She commented as she made her way out of the cave.
“Be warned my dear Red Quill, something bad has happened.” The voice crackled as Red Quill left. She paused, shrugged, and trotted out, only to be met with a sunset orange female dragon.
“I’m ready Flamedance. Fire when ready.” Red Quill told the dragon. It nodded, and flame crept out of its mouth and gently engulfed the unicorn.
~~~~~
Red Quill opened her eyes, only to find herself back at the scarred tree. She glared at the woods cautiously, remembering that the wolfponies had ambushed her there. She would have to tell Princess Celestia that they were now at war with the ponies. She walked down back her original path; joy in her eyes, for she had almost mastered the most ancient spell in all of pony history. Suddenly, the wind shifted, and the scent of blood came to her nose.
“Blood!” She shrieked, and followed the scent. She came into a small clearing, and was greeted by the overwhelming scent of gore. A huge spatter of blood, composed of the blood of twelve ponies, took up most of the clearing, as well as hoof prints. Red Quill pricked her ears as a faint sound came to her ear. The sound of deep ragged breaths. Red Quill stalked over, and under the tree, laid two living creatures. One was a grey pegasus, with a slightly messy golden mane, golden googly eyes, and a Cutie Mark featuring seven bubbles. The pegasus was somewhat injured, scratch marks going down her back, however, the pegasus held gently what Red Quill believed to be a zebra.
“W-who’s there?” The pegasus stammered, fear heightening her voice. Most other ponies would have thought the pegasus to be stupid-looking and sounding, but Red Quill thought she was interesting.
“It’s ok, I’m a friend.” Red Quill reassured, and stepped into the light. The pegasus’s eyes softened.
“Oh, I thought you were one of them, coming to finish us off.” The pegasus murmured. Red Quill frowned.
“Them?” She asked, confusion taking her tone.
“Yes, them. Those weird tall creatures. I was flying overhead, delivering the mail, when suddenly, I heard screaming. I looked down, and I saw them attacking six mares, Princess Luna, and twelve Royal Guards. One of the guards turned into one of those tall creatures, and it tried to attack all the other guards. I dove down and tried to defend them, but I got injured in the fight, as you could guess, and I ended up losing the battle, and ended up next to Zecora, here. By that time, all the Royal Guards had transformed into those things, and everypony surrendered. They left me behind, saying something about: ‘Needing the message of the ponies capture to be spread’. So, here I am.” The pegasus explained. Red Quill lifted a hoof, and drew close to Zecora.
“It looks like they completely took over her mind. I can tear off their Oshoku, their corruption.” She explained. “It could be risky.”
“Do it.” The pegasus encouraged Red Quill, who sighed, and her horn started to glow. It glowed, intensity increasing with every second. Suddenly, it switched to light blue, and the red fox that Red Quill had summoned before, escaped from Red Quill’s horn, and merged into the unconscious zebra. The pegasus just watched in awe, as Red Quill grunted and twisted, as her horn flared light blue. Suddenly, Zecora awoke with a sharp inhalation, and her eyes snapped open.
“Wait, what happened, how did I get here? Last I remember those wolfponies were coming near!” She remarked as Red Quill’s aura on her horn flashed away, and she stood there panting.
“Wolfponies? Is that what those creatures are called?” The pegasus asked, and Zecora turned her head towards her.
“Ditzy! You have grave wounds, my dear friend! Should I head back to my hut to help those injuries mend?” Zecora tried to offer the pegasus, apparently named Ditzy. Red Quill shook her head disapprovingly.
“No, you can’t, it’s already dangerous out there as we know it, plus, we’ll send you an escort as soon as we get to Ponyville. Try not to talk; it could further corrupt your mind.” Red Quill reassured the obviously flustered zebra, who nodded, still a little confused.
“My dear friends, it appears we have a crisis on our hooves.” She whispered, and the three began to stalk cautiously out of the dark woods, their path watched by three pairs of glowing green eyes. The eyes belonged to a pack of Timberwolves, accomplishment coursing through their wooden bodies, and triumph flaring in their eyes. Suddenly, the larger Timberwolf of the pack, turned towards his pack-mates.
“They’ve been found, let us tell the wolfponies. For now, war wages, canines against equines.” It spoke in a growling tone and snarling pattern that only a canine would understand. The Timberwolves turned, and trekked off.
~~~~~
“Ow! Learn to not dig into my flesh when you groom me, you pathetic, lowly, omega!” Śikārī snaps at me as I try to groom his back, which, I appear to not be doing well. I can’t help it. I can’t help I was born with sharper, thicker, and longer teeth then the rest of the clan. I also can’t help that I have wings and a horn either. Only Varg and her daughters and son have wings, and a horn, but, my wings are different from theirs. Theirs are made of feathers; mine are made of a bright energy of some sort, flowing along my back. In the past, fledglings have tried to tear off my wings, and make me normal. It never works, for it just goes through their jaws. My horn is different too. It is transparent, yet magically thick. I can’t help I have paws instead of dragon claws for the front legs and hooves for the hind legs. I can’t help I’m different. Why can’t everywolf else just accept that? Why can only Varg accept me?
Suddenly, there is a sound at the entrance of the catacombs. Then, the group that had left an hour ago stride in, including twelve new fledglings, surrounding strange creatures that I have never seen before. Then again, I have never seen any living thing, other than the prey the clan hunts, and my own clan-mates. The creatures resemble my kind in a way. But where is their Pawājemu, the gem on their forehead that gives them their power? Don’t all creatures, except the prey we hunt, have one? Why are they so much smaller than the wolfponies? Why do some of them have wings, and others only had a horn or even nothing at all? Then, I spot a beautiful sight. It is similar to the creatures, only, with a seemingly never-ending separate fur from its coat color, yet, it has wings and a horn. Like Varg, the sisters, and Dākuurufu. Like me. Is this creature like me? Is it lonely, misunderstood, and different? I just have to know. I’m apparently out to be the first to notice the strange creatures, yet as soon as the other clan-mates notice, they send up a chorus of howls of victory, saying they were now not to go hungry. But I don’t join in. I refuse to mock those wonderful creatures, and the different creature among them.
“Howl, Sutāurufu, join our chant! We are victorious! Do you not appreciate their efforts?” The much more dominant male, Urlo, growls at me.
“It’s just, that I don’t understand.” I answer, fear for a Dominance Fight to break out. His lighter golden gaze than Śikārī's eyes softens.
“You’ll understand when you are older.” He replies, and returns to howling. Suddenly, like fishing from a river during the annual salmon run, I pick up a wisp of memory in my mind. Ponies! Those wondrous creatures are called ponies! But how would I know that? I never knew their names before now. But my thoughts are ended, as the ponies are led into the Pool of Prison.
“What are we going to do? This is bad, this is very bad!” Nightingale panicked in the living room, Cherry Blossom attempted to calm her, while Red Quill calmly sipped tea in the dining room. What else was there to do? All of Equestria have been told of the capture of Princess Luna and those six pony friends, and Princess Celestia was grief-stricken, after all, nopony had ever come out alive of the grasp of the wolfponies. Red Quill was told by Princess Cadence that Celestia refused to come out of her chambers, all the more to panic. The Sky Apples were to be delivered tomorrow to the wolfponies; otherwise the captives would be eaten alive by the wolfponies themselves, slowly and painfully. And yet, Red Quill was just simply sitting in the dining room, sipping tea, and not doing a thing to help! Suddenly, Nightingale’s panicking ceased, and Red Quill turned to look in the living room, confused by the sudden lack of sounds of terror. Suddenly, she was toppled over by a purple missile of fur, and her precious tea was knocked away. Red Quill’s eyes stopped derping in circles for a moment, only for her to come face to face with an angry Nightingale.
“Why are we just sitting here? We have to go and save them!” She complained to Red Quill, who calmly got up, picked up her tea again and sipped.
“Well, you think we’re going to go into the Everfree forest, and try and save a princess and six ponies, against an army of wolfponies?” She replied, slight annoyance in her voice.
“Obviously. After all, nothing is impossible, unless you don’t believe in yourself that it is possible.” Nightingale coos with her Welsh accent and beautiful voice. A spark of memory ignites inside Red Quill. But it fades out all too quickly, too fast for her to fully grasp it. Her mum had said that once.
“Yeah, it’s not fair that they’ll kill them, just because of the Sky Apple shortage!” Cherry Blossom cut in that time. The two new friends of Red Quill began to chant, and Red Quill’s stomach twisted in guilt. They were right. It was unusual that Red Quill would ever even consider leaving somepony for a terrible fate. So why did she say it? ‘Oh no.’ She thought. ‘That was dad speaking. Only he would say something like that.’ She held back a tear at the thought of her father.
“Alright, alright, we’ll go save them.” She replied, her own mind speaking instead. She got up, told the others to pack, and went to pack herself. In the meanwhile, her mind rolled over whom to bring on the adventure. Not a lot of ponies Red Quill could trust, besides the six ponies that were captured. Twilight, her biggest fan… it was hard to think of her being captured for Red Quill. Well, besides Nightingale, Cherry Blossom, and Skylark, all who was left to bring was Ditzy, who had probably at least seen signs of the Legendary Wolfpony Cave.
“Let’s start there, my dearest murderer of a daughter.” Red Quill feels her father’s voice biting at the back of her mind, and tears run down her face.
~~~~~
I wait silently before the entrance to the sub-cave bearing the Pool of Prison. For three days, Śikārī has been going to the pool daily, dropping food off for the ponies, by crawling into the pool. Legend says that the pool was made from a droplet from the legendary Mirror Pool, and fueled with the blood of prisoners, giving one the ability to go into a room crafted in the fabric of reality, explaining the way he gets in. Śikārī doesn’t seem to like having to deliver food, probably because of his grouchy demeanour, which could possibly provide me with the ability to view the ponies myself. Suddenly, the pool ripples, and a grumbling Śikārī leaps out. Now’s my chance. I leap in to sight just as he begins to leave the sub-cave, and he snarls.
“Don’t you dare give me any trouble Sutāurufu! One of those wretched ponies tried to kick me!” He growls, and I lower into a defensive posture. I hold back a snarl at his words of insult to those wondrous creatures.
“That’s why I’ve come. I have come to offer that I feed the ponies instead.” I offer, speaking in the carefully rehearsed words I hoped for. He raises his eyebrow.
“Um, sure. But you’ll have to ask Dākuurufu…” He begins, but is cut off by another voice, with a maniacal touch to it.
“Ask me what?” It booms, and Śikārī looks behind me in horror, only to find the legendary mad brother of the three sisters.
“I ask that I replace Śikārī’s job of feeding the ponies, sir.” I cut in, and Śikārī turns to me, and I can tell by his eyes, that my cut off was uncalled for. Dākuurufu glares down at me, his intense gaze seeming familiar, and eventually it softens, but only a little bit.
“I see. You have full permission to deliver food.” He replies, and I can tell by Śikārī’s eyes, that he was expecting I was going to get a beating (and he was hoping for it). “Begin by harvesting the purple threeawn grass just outside of the cave. Do not leave the territory.”
“Yes sir.” I reply without making eye contact, and I rush to the entrance to the cave. I catch a faint whiff of something off of Dākuurufu’s coat. Admiration? Fancy? Or maybe even…love? I push the very thought away. Dākuurufu’s heart was composed of nothing but hatred.
~~~~~
“Ooh! I should’ve beaten that wolfpony to a pulp when I had the chance!” Rainbow Dash snarled as she dug her hooves into the walls fruitlessly. There was no exit to be seen in that round stone room, the only one being the pool in the back of the room, which, was a grey color most of the time, yet, it glowed blue whenever the wolfpony who delivered their food leapt out. Rainbow Dash had tried to enter while it was grey, only to find it to be a normal puddle of water.
“Um, excuse me-” Fluttershy’s voice tried to enter into the conversation, but nopony paid attention.
“Simmer down Rainbow. The last thing we need is for you to waste your time digging at the wall.” Applejack replied harshly.
“Um, pardon me-”
“Oh will you two stop bickering, this place is already ruining my hooficure!” Rarity complained.
“Um, there’s a-”
“Everything is fine! It’s going to be fine!” Twilight panicked in the corner of the room.
“Anypony want to play hide and seek?” Pinkie leapt into the conversation.
“NO!!!” Everypony hissed at the same time, except Fluttershy, who just cowered in fear. Soon, the room was filled with the sound of arguing.
“QUIET!!!” Luna’s Royal Canterlot Voice boomed throughout the room, and everypony fell silent. “Look there my little ponies!” Luna pointed her hoof at the pool, and everypony looked in that direction. The pool was glowing blue. Rainbow wasted no time, and dashed to the pool, and attempted to leap inside. But, something leapt of the pool, and collided with her in midair. Rainbow fell back into the group of the captive ponies, and the pool turned grey yet again.
“Oh my Lupus! I’m so sorry! Are you ok?” A different voice cried out in surprise, however the voice had a harsh quality to it, and it flowed with a strange series of growls, rough barks unlike that of a dog, and a few whimpers. Everypony looked to see a creamy golden wolfpony; however it had many scars across its body, all deep red; all seeming to be made by either claws or teeth. The wolfpony bore a mane and tail of black with brown streaks; it had a moderately tall figure, meaning it was a female. It looked exactly like the other wolfponies, except for three telling details: It had swirling, flaring wings, a combination of bright yellow, orange, leaf green, sky blue, and light pink energy, and a long, a pinkish nearly transparent horn, and bright magenta eyes. Rainbow Dash charged at the wolfpony, whom immediately sunk into a posture of submission. The blue pegasus paused. Why in the world would a wolfpony, of all things, submit to a pony?
“I’m a friend! I just want your trust!” It whimpered, and Rainbow Dash backed away in confusion.
“You could have told me that earlier.” She snorted, and the wolfpony lifted her head, joy sparkling in her eyes.
“Great! My name is Sutāurufu!” The wolfpony barked.
~~~~~
“Everypony have everything they need before we go?” Red Quill asked all ponies present; Nightingale, Cherry Blossom, Skylark, and Ditzy, whom all nodded their heads in response. “All right, let’s go.” And with that, the ponies turned, and marched off into the Everfree Forest. Yet, three little shadows watched from behind Red Quill’s house, and three tiny filly voices spoke up.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders Pony Rescuers!”
Throughout the trek through the woods, Cherry Blossom kept a watchful eye on the woods themselves, and the rest of the group. Nightingale whispered something like a song softly to herself; Red Quill sipped tea and looked at the map while Ditsy looked around frightfully, reminders of the attack flashing in her mind. Little did they know that little shadows followed in their footsteps. Suddenly, Ditsy stopped in her tracks.
“This is where they were attacked.” She reported. Red Quill nodded, and then her horn flared with aura, as she magically searched the area. Suddenly, Cherry Blossom’s ears pricked, and she stalked towards a rhododendron shrub.
“We’re being watched.” She hissed, and she lowered in a crouch, withers ready to leap.
“Nonsense, I can’t detect any living soul in the surrounding area.” Red Quill replied. But Cherry Blossom’s nose neared the shrub, a grimace of pure concentration across her face. Suddenly, a pair of intense red eyes appeared among the short leaves, and stared straight back at the surprised Cherry Blossom, a growl filling the area. A black wolfpony leapt out of the shrub, and it howled, signaling more wolfponies to jump out of the thick of the dark.
~~~~~
“Are you sure this is a good idea, Scootaloo? It doesn’t really seem safe getting a Cutie Mark in rescuing ponies…” Sweetiebelle’s hushed whisper passed itself to Scootaloo’s attentive ears as they crept behind the ponies who were looking for wolfponies.
“It isn’t, but if I rescue Rainbow Dash from the wolfponies, then she’ll finally teach me to fly!” Scootaloo replied. “And besides, if we follow these ponies, then we’ll be able to find her!”
“AND rescue my big sis.” Applebloom cut in.
“And mine!” Came Sweetiebelle’s voice in turn.
“I have an idea? Why don’t we rescue ALL of them?” Scootaloo snapped.
“Now, is it really safe for three innocent little fillies to be creeping around in such a place?” Came a terrifying female voice right behind the CMC, along with a growl. All three turned in horror as a wolfpony’s face appeared from the darkness of the forest, the wolfpony’s golden eyes glared down at the three blank flanks. Scootaloo barely had time to remember to run before Sweetiebelle’s high-pitched scream filled her ears.