Quick Learner's Adventure: The Beginning of the End

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1: The Awakening
Chapter 2: The Journey Begins
Chapter 3: A Strange Encounter
Chapter 4: Actions and Consequences
Chapter 5: Patches
Chapter 6: Talos

Prologue

For many years of Princess Celestia’s and Princess Luna’s reign on Equestria, peace and harmony kept the country organize and happy. But on one fateful night, chaos wreck havoc throughout Equestria and to other countries as well. From the pits of eternal darkness from above, descended great dark entity that brought nothing but suffering. The entity divided itself into four separate physical being and spread throughout the world for chaos to run wild.

These physical beings dragged the world into the pit of darkness. The land of the zebras, griffins, buffaloes and ponies suffered the brunt of the chaotic storm. But the will of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna did not dither one bit by the destructive acts of these beings. They wanted the ponies to be freed from the act of cruelty but first they have to confront Discord, one of the physical entities of the great darkness that descended to a world that once was a peaceful one. With the power of Elements of Harmony, Discord was imprisoned in stone and once again the land of Equestria was saved. But, other the zebra, buffalo and griffin countries did not.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna tried to save the unfortunate countries from the chaotic entities but both of Princesses felt that it was not their destiny to save them but somepony else. They could not do anything to save the others but to wait for the right time and for the right pony to act. A year had passed after Discord was imprisoned in stone. An unexpected news caught the Princesses of Equestria attention that the country of the buffaloes have been freed from chaos. Unfortunately, they did not know who the mysterious savior was but one thing was for certain, there is hope.

Another year passed by after the buffaloes regained their freedom, another news caught the Princesses attention as the land of the zebras had been freed from their suffering. As much as they wanted to meet with the pony that helped to free the zebras, but the pony herself had turned into stone. The pony stood proudly with a flagpole in her grasp with a tattered cloth that had three diamonds shaped symbols on it. The Princesses asked the local zebras to know the details of what might happened but the zebra only knew that the earth pony kept murmuring under her breath and when she confronted with a three headed canine that wreck havoc on the land. The flagpole she held glowed brightly across the country and when it subsided, the earth pony turned to stone. One of the zebras heard her name to be “Victoria”.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna asked permission to let them to take “Victoria” with them to let her rest in peace at her homeland. The zebras kindly agreed for they know a hero should be respected as much.

Years went by after the third of the dark physical entity had been banished from the world. Yet, the land of the griffin was still suffering by the evil chaos that had reigned upon them until they got a news. A news that the griffin had finally crumbled. Most of the griffin population had serve the last of the dark being known as “Galistar the Light Destroyer” as their leader. This news only brought sadness to the Princesses. After that unwanted news, both of the Princesses kept on hoping. Hoping that one day, another of their precious little ponies would rise up against the tyranny of evil and finally defeat the last dark entity before there shall be no hope for the griffins.

~~ooo~~

The winds of the Forgotten Forest blew gently on her light pink coat. The sun peeked over the horizon and birds started to chirp cheerily above her, flying freely into the big blue yonder. Her eyes were still streaming with tears while she was looking where he had been. Now, it was nothing but an empty grassy clearing in the middle of the forest and in the middle of the clearing was an old bell tied with a pink string. The bell jingled every time as the cold morning air blew.

Gawldy, a loyal griffin friend of her slowly approached her from behind. “Here,” Gawldy said as she lowered her left talon to meet with the pony’s gaze. She was holding a rolled up letter that was tied with a red ribbon. “He wanted you to have this.” She continued with sadness already crept in her own voice and gently put the letter down.

The pink earth pony said nothing but only nodded as her yellow eyes focused on the rolled up letter. Gawldy gave a little sigh of exasperation and looked up to the rising up over the horizon. “We should get going.” She said as she tightened the straps of her armor. “The manticores should be awake now.” She looked at the pink pony whose gaze was still fixated at the rolled up paper and sighed again. “I’ll give you a few minutes and then we’re leaving.” She stepped away and stopped. “You should read it. It might explain a few things.” She said, looking over her shoulder and walked away.

The lone pony sat quietly as the letter rolled slightly by the morning breeze. She felt comfortable by it and yet she felt… hollow. She slowly untied the ribbon and cautiously opened the letter. The letter starts; Dear my sweet, sweet Pink Cotton. Her tears started to stream again as she felt a pang of sadness in her heart. The letter continues, If you are reading this then I have something to tell you...

Chapter 1: The Awakening

I let out a relieved sigh as I finished the last chapter of ‘Xuri’s Adventure in Zebrabwe’. It’s a good book but Daring Do’s series are much better, I thought. I levitated the book slowly and set it on the nightstand next to my bed. I lazily slumped on my bed and closed my eyes. Come on, Quick. You need to stop reading books, I thought. If you want to be on an adventure, go outside and walk around. There’s a lot of things you can do outside like playing sports, visit the park or meet somepony else. You just can’t stay in your room every day.

I opened my eyes again and stared at the ceiling. The night breeze blew gently through my opened window and the candle that lit my room flickered every time the wind caressed it.

“Quickie, it is dinner time.” My mom’s voice called me from downstairs.

“I’ll be down there in the moment.” I called back. I hopped on all four hooves and slowly trotted downstairs. Before I could reach the doorframe, I saw a figure standing sideways in the mirror. I stifled a scream as I noticed it was my reflection. I gave myself a snort. I looked at the pony in the mirror. I saw he had a brown coat, dark silver mane and an open book with brown cover adorned his flank as a cutie mark.

I stared at my cutie mark long enough for me to remember the day I got my cutie mark. When I was a foal, I often got tease by my classmates as I was the only colt who was a blank flank. I also often hide in the library whenever the school bullies wanted to pick on somepony.

One day, while I was hiding in my usual spot in the library, I saw book that was different from the others. I slowly levitated it and read the title, ‘Advance Spells for Junior Unicorns’. I got curious and opened the book. Strangely enough, even for a beginner in magic like myself could understand the whole book. So, I tried to perform one spell once I finished reading.

I took one of the theories from the ‘Conjuring Spells 101’ and practiced it. In my surprise, it worked! I focused every bit of my magic into my horn and imagined the object that I could think at that moment. With a bright light, a lantern popped in front of me. I smiled victoriously and slumped heavily on the wooden library floor. I took deep breaths and looked at my flank, there it was: my cutie mark. It seems that my cutie mark meant that I am quick at learning new spells. Regardless how fast I could learn them, using the spells themselves took me weeks to perform except the day I got my cutie mark.

“Hey brother, come downstairs already. Dinner is about to start!” My brother called, snapping me out from my reverie. I slowly turned and trotted downstairs. Once I reached downstairs, I saw my dad was grading papers since he’s one of the teachers in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns and my brother was staring aimlessly at the living room’s wall.

“Honey, could you help me get the plates from the shelf?” My mother called to my dad from the kitchen. Before my dad could stand, I raised a hoof at him and said “No worries, dad. I can handle this.” My dad could only smile and nodded.

I turned to the kitchen and trotted over. Once I entered the kitchen, I saw my mother tried to reach a stack of plates on top of the shelf. “Hey, mom.” I greeted politely.

She turned to look and gave a soft smile. “Hello, Quickie.” She replied. “Could you help me and levitate those plates down please?” she asked, pointing a hoof to the stack of plates on top. I returned the smile and levitate them to her. She grabbed them with her teeth and trotted to the sink. Then, I heard a loud thump. I looked around the kitchen and saw an old album on the floor.

I levitated it to my eye level and blew the dust off from it. “Mom?” I gave a questioning tone.

“Yes, dearie?” she replied as she was cleaning the plates.

“What’s this?” I asked, levitating the album to her view. My mom turned around and gave a quick gasp.

“Oh my, this is an old family album.” She answered. “Where did you find this?” She asked, as she inspecting the album’s condition.

“I think it fell down from the shelf after I levitated the plates.” I answered.

“I see.” She said, opening the album. When she looked through the album, a small smile tugged on her face.

“Come here.” She called, waving her hoof for me to get closer. “Look.” She said as she pointed a hoof to a photo.

It was a picture of a family. A black coated unicorn stallion with a silver mane and a scroll as a cutie mark smiling as he was cradling a small brown coated and silver mane foal. It was a picture of me and my dad years before.

“Hey, look at this one.” She pointed to another picture. This time it was a picture of my dad standing next to a light blue coated earth pony mare with a yellow mane with a cooking pot as a cutie mark. The mare was my mom and in front of them were two foals fighting over a ball. It was me and my big brother. In the picture, my brother was a grey coated earth pony foal with a dark orange mane and had a football cutie mark adorned his flank. As for me, I was still a blank flank at that time.

My mother turned to the other page and we skimmed through the album until a certain picture got my attention.

“Wait, mom.” I said as I held my hoof to a page. “Who’s this?” I asked as I pointed a very old picture that almost lost its image but still have a little bit of detail left over the years.

It was a very old picture of an earth pony mare standing victoriously while holding a flag. “Oh!” my mother exclaimed excitedly. “That was your great great great great great grandmother, dearie.” She explained and gave a smile. “Do you know she saved the zebras when she was a young mare?” My mother asked.

“Really?!” I exclaimed excitedly. “I never knew anything about my great grandparents.” I answered. “Do you know what happened?” I asked back with excitement in my voice and a big grin on my face.

“Sadly no, dearie. Even I don’t know the real story.” She answered back with a little frown.

“Oh.” It was the thing I could only say as I felt disappointed and my ears flopped against my head.

“Now, now dearie. Don’t be sad.” My mother said as she lifted my head to meet her gaze and gave a warm smile. “Why don’t we have dinner now, hmm?” she asked. I only returned the smile and only nodded.

~~ooo~~

I finished dinner early and headed to my room. My mother offered my ice cream before I left but for some reason I had a splitting headache. I declined the offer politely with a smile and slowly trotted upstairs to my room.

I began to sway from side to side as my head felt like it was being crushed by a heavy cart. My vision started to blur around the edges as I slowly approached my bed and a loud ringing sound started to whine in my ears. I slumped on my bed as a sack of potato and then my world swirled into oblivion.

--oo--

I opened my eyes and I saw nothing but darkness. I slowly stood up and cringed in pain as the headache was still fresh. I slowly rocked my head from side to side to ease the pain of my head.

I tried to look around but it was an utter failure as the place was too dark. I can’t even see the hoof in front of my face. I tried to illuminate the place by using my horn’s magic then suddenly; a shock of pain spiked through my horns and went into my spine as I used my magic. I unceremoniously slumped back down.

I gingerly rubbed my head and the base of my horn until I heard hoof steps. The sound of the hoof step seems like it was far away and nearby at the same time. It was coming from everywhere but I can’t see anything. Then, it stopped.
I felt nervous and tried to call out. “Hello?” I called into the darkness. “Who’s there?”

“Hello, Quick Silver.” A mare’s voice echoed in the darkness. The voice didn’t sound intimidating at all. In fact, it was soothing.

“Umm… hello. Who’s there?” I called back.

Then suddenly, a white coated mare with an orange mane walked in front of me. For some reason, the darkness seems to light up a bit more. “Don’t you recognize me, great grandson?” she asked with a soft smile tugged on the mare’s face.

Realization hit me. “Y-y-you’re the mare in th-“ I was cut off as she held up a hoof. She chuckled and set her hoof back down. “Yes, I am your great great g- just forget it. I’m your ancestor.” She said again with a smile.

I was stunned and excited at the same time. “B-b-but why are you here? W-where am I?” I stammered questioningly.

“We are in your mind.” She answered.

“My mind?” I asked, perplexed.

“Yes.” She answered with a small nod.

“Then, why are you here?” I asked again slowly trotting closer.

“I am here to give you a path,” she chuckled.

“A path?” I gave a questioning eyebrow.

“Yes.” She nodded again.

“What path?” I asked as I was face to face with her.

She closed her eyes with a smile plastered on her face and chuckled slowly.

I stood there silently as I waited for her to answer. Suddenly, she opened her eyes and it was glowing bright white. “A path to your destiny.” She said as her voice rang in my ears like crystals and then my world began to light.

--oo--

I quickly sat up from my bed and my eyes were wide opened in shock. I was sweating heavily and my bed was wet with sweat. A ray of sunlight shone through my window and I could hear the birds chirping happily outside. I took a deep breath and looked out to the open world. I began to relax a little bit and I muttered slowly under my breath. “My destiny.”

Chapter 2: The Journey Begins

I hopped out from bed and trotted to the open window. I took another few deep breaths to clear my mind for a while. For some reason, there’s something in me that makes me want to go to the griffin’s kingdom and I can’t shake the feelings off. I felt that I have to go there for something important, something that has to be done.

I quickly turned around and trotted downstairs. As I exited my room, the sweet scent of freshly baked bread and freshly made coffee made my mouth water. I always knew that my mom’s cooking is the best in Canterlot and that always makes me happy to wake up early in the morning.

I took a few moments to enjoy the fragrance of a good breakfast and then, I headed downstairs. My dad was sitting on the couch in the living room, reading the newspaper as usual and my brother was stretching his muscles as he always does in the morning.

A little smile tugged on my face and headed to the kitchen. In the kitchen, my mom was setting up the plates on the dinner table and she was humming a lullaby.

“Good morning, dearie.” My mom greeted me when she noticed me entering the kitchen.

“Morning.” I greeted back with a happy smile.

“Could you help me set up the plates, dearie?” she asked.

“Of course, mom.” I answered, nodding.

While I set up the table, my mother was working on breakfast. We didn’t talk during the time but we enjoyed each other’s company instead. For some reason, I had a big grin on my face knowing that I always love my family’s company.

After I finished setting up the table, my mom called the rest of the family to join us in the kitchen for breakfast. We sat around the table with freshly made food presented in the middle. The family thanked Princess Celestia and Luna for the beautiful breakfast then we proceed on eating.

The family doesn’t talk much during breakfast or dinner but we always do like each other’s presence. But there’s always one person who will strike up a conversation every time the family get together.

“What are you going to do today, Bruce?” My mother asked my brother.

“Well, today we have a hoofball competition with Fillydelphia’s team.” He answered while his face was still in the bowl of oatmeal.

“Son, when your mother asks you something. Please don’t answer it while eating. That’s rude.” My father scolded as he levitated a mug of hot coffee.

My brother’s head shot from the bowl and with an apologetic face. “I’m sorry.” He said.

“Now, now, dearie. It’s okay.” My mother consoled and looked at me. “How about you?” she asked, looking at me.

“I… umm… uh…” I swallowed the lump of nervous in my throat. “I-I’m going to travel.” I answered.

The rest of the family stopped eating and looked at me. Their eyes were focusing on me and that always makes me nervous. “Oh?” she said in a questioning tone.

“Y-yes.” I replied, giving a slight nod.

“Where to?” my father asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m… going to the griffin territory.” I answered, cringing slightly.

My family’s eyes opened in shock and my dad dropped his mug as his levitation field suddenly stopped. The mug shattered, spilling hot coffee on the kitchen floor.

“A-a-are you serious?” my mother asked me with shocked expression on her face.

I looked around the table and nodded. “Yes.” I answered, giving a determined look.

“You got to be kidding me, lil’ bro!” my brother exclaimed. “What the hay are you doing at the griffin territory anyway?” he asked and stomped his hoof on the table, causing the plates to slightly jumped.

I lowered myself a little as my brother leaned closer to my face. “I… have… something to do there. Something personal.” I answered meekly.

“Don’t tell me you… have ‘do it’ with a griffin.” My father said with a worried expression.

I felt my face heated with embarrassment and quickly straightened myself. “N-no!” I exclaimed. “I-I’m not into griffin anyway.” I said, looking away with my face still flushed.

“Thank Celestia.” My father sighed in relief. “But what ‘personal’ reason that you have to go the griffin territory?” he asked again.

“It’s… personal. I can’t tell you.” I answered slowly.

“Well, if you’re going. I’m going too!” my brother exclaimed and stomped his hoof again on the table.

“No.” I said, giving him a determine look. “You must stay here and keep mom and dad safe. Besides, would you think mom and dad would worry a lot if two of their sons are gone?” I asked him.

He didn’t answer instead he gave me a sad look. “But, why you?” he asked. “You’re an egghead. You couldn’t survive out there for even a day.” He said with a look of a brother that worries for his sibling’s safety.

“I just know that I have to do this.” I answered him, giving a smile. I looked around the table and stopped to look at my mom. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” I said, assuring them that I would be fine by myself.

My mom sniffed and gave a soft yet sad smile. “Of course.” She said. “I know that you will come back when you are done.” She stood up and walked towards me. We stood face to face and then we hugged. “I love you, son. Be safe.” She whispered into my ears. I only nodded slightly. Then, I felt that my dad and brother joined the group hug. At that moment, I felt safe.

~~oo~~

After breakfast, I quickly galloped to my room and gathered all the things I need for the journey. I made a mental checklist and organized the things I will need. I had my traveler’s saddlebags, a tent, a lantern, 2 canteens of water, 3 packs of dried hay bacon, 2 cans of oil, Survival 101 Spells book, a world map, a compass and 500 bits.

I fitted all the things into my saddlebags and proceed downstairs. As I walked out of the house, I saw my family gathered outside with presents in their mouths.

I was surprised and said, “Today is not my birthday.”

“We know.” My mother replied. “But we wanted you to have these.” My dad levitated the presents in front of me.

I was shocked and looked at the presents presented in front of me. “Open them, bro.” my brother chuckled.

First, I opened my brother’s present. It was a hoofball with my brother’s signature on it. I looked up and I saw he was smiling. “It’s a little souvenir from me to you, for something to play with when you are out there.” He said, giving a warm smile. I chuckled and proceed on my dad’s present. When I opened the box, I saw a combat knife inside of it. I gave my father a shocked look and he gave me a soft smile. “I’m not giving you the knife to hurt anypony or anything but… I wanted you to be safe. Use it only for emergencies and protection.” He said as little tear forming in his eye.

I nodded and said, “Yes, father.” With sadness was starting to creep into my heart.

Finally, I opened the last present which was from my mother. As I opened the box, inside it was a picture of the family when I was only a foal, fighting over a ball and there’s also a knitted sweater.

I felt my mother hugged me tightly and whispered, “Please, Quickie. Be safe.” I returned the hug and whispered, “Of course, mom. I promise.” I felt my mother’s tears on my neck and I sobbed quietly into hers.

She broke the embrace and stepped back. Her eyes were red with tears and yet she was still smiling. I returned the smile and packed the presents into my saddlebags. I turned around and headed north into the unknown. Behind me, I heard my family yelling their goodbyes and at that time, I already missed them a lot and I hope after the journey, I would able to see them again.

Chapter 3: A Strange Encounter

It’s already been a few hours after I left Canterlot to begin my journey. According to the map that I packed for the journey, I have to move towards north to get to the griffin’s kingdom. I already passed Cloudsdale about an hour ago and the sight of the sky kingdom amazed me until I stopped to look at the flying pegasi above from the ground below.

I have two options to get to the griffin’s kingdom and each has its own pros and cons. If I take option A, I have to climb over the mountain region for a shorter route but the map warned that the mountain area belongs to the dragons and it is a dangerous route. Option B states that I have to walk around the mountain region for a safe journey but it may prolong the duration of the journey itself.

I sat on my haunches nearby a stream to take a little break and to give me some time to contemplate on my options. I weighed the pros and cons of each option in my mind. I opened the map to help me decide on which option I should choose. My eyes locked onto the map for a long while until I groaned in exasperation.

“For the love of…. GAH!” I yelled. “Fine, I’ll take option B. There, you happy now?” I asked no one in particular and shook my head.

I rolled up the map, refilled my water canteens and proceed to the journey. I walked in a clear path and I saw tall mountains loom at my left and right side. The mountains looks like a giant dragon’s jaw that emerges from the ground to entrap anypony or anything else in its reach. The thought of a dragon attack made me shudder and quicken my pace to get ahead of time before night time.

~~oo~~

After an hour or two of walking, I found myself standing in front of a thick forest. I rolled up my map to see if I was in the correct path, and according to the map, I am. The forest in front of my does not have a name. The other forests nearby have names except the forest in front of me.

I gulped nervously as I stepped near it. A strong musky scent assaulted my nose and the sound of unknown creatures echoes in the forest. I took a few deep breaths and galloped into it. Even though it was only afternoon, the forest makes it looks like it was already night time. I levitated out my lantern and turned it on.

I heard loud growls from behind me and I jumped around to look. I lifted my lantern to see… nothing. Behind me was an empty path from where I just came and there were only my hoofprints on the ground. I turned around slowly, and continued on the path. But, I constantly looking back over my shoulder as I felt I was being watched.

It has been for a few hours now since I first entered the forest, and the moon loomed above me. Lighting my path with its silver glow but I levitated the lantern in front me to get a better view for what is in front of me.

I jumped in surprise as I heard a soft whimpering sound nearby. I looked around me but there was nopony there. I perked up my ears to listen more closely and I heard it was coming from a hollowed tree. I galloped towards the hollowed tree along the path and what I saw next, shocked me.

Inside the hollow tree, was a little filly in a fetal position, crying. The filly had a light pink coat and a white flowing mane. The filly looked like she was old enough to get a cutie mark. I looked at her flank and saw a puffy cotton candy on top of a paper cone adorned her flank.

I approached her slowly and spoke in a soft voice, “hello?”

The filly jerked her head up and her eyes were brimming with tears. She quickly jumped towards me and hugged tightly on my neck. I slowly knelt down as I stroking the filly’s back. Comforting her to keep her calm and she was quietly sobbing as we still in the embrace.

I whispered quietly again and again, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.” To be honest, I never been in to this situation or travel alone. I usually stayed in the Canterlot library or my room to read adventures stories. Now, that I’m all by myself walking in an unknown forest seems scarier than I imagined.

I felt that the pink filly was getting calmer in every second and then for a few moments later, I broke the embrace. The filly was still sniffing and she kept her gaze on the ground. I knelt lower to meet her eyes and asked, giving a warm smile, “We’ll make camp here tonight and then we’ll find help tomorrow, okay?” The filly nodded.

I levitated the tent from my saddlebags and set it up. I gather a few dry branches nearby while keeping the scared filly in sight. I returned to the tent with a hoofful of branches and made a campfire to scare off any wildlife creatures.

The filly was still scared from whatever might happen before and she looked like she was very tired. I gave her one of my full canteens and she downed last bit of water of the canteen in seconds. It looks like she was very thirsty. I offered her some dried hay strips that I packed for the journey. She was very hungry as she finished a whole pack by herself. I wondered why a filly like her end up deep into the forest?

Both of us were inside the tent, watching the campfire flicker in front of us. I looked at her as she was shivering. I levitated my mom’s knitted sweater to her. “Here,” I said, giving a soft smile. “You should wear this. It’s going to be a cold night.”

She hid behind her flowing white mane and said meekly, “Thank you.”

“No problem.” I replied, giving my best smile to comfort the poor filly. The sweater was a bit too big for her to fit but it was good enough to be a makeshift blanket for her.

I looked at the flickering fire in front of me every time the wind blew pass us. “Hey.” I softly called to the filly. I looked at her and she was staring at me behind her mane.

“Well…” I continued. “Um… what’s your name?” I asked.

“P-p-p-Pink Cotton.” She stammered.

“Hello there, Pink Cotton. My name is Quick Learner but you can call me Quickie.” I said, giving her a friendly smile and extended a hoof.

She squeaked as I extended my hoof but she slowly and gently shook it. I looked at the moon above and it loomed right above our heads. I gave a big yawn and I looked the filly with a soft smile. “Well, it’s time to bed. We should find somepony to help you get back to your parents, okay?” I asked.

She just looked at me behind her mane and nodded slightly. I zipped close the tent and lay down on the far left side of the tent, giving the poor filly a more comfortable space to sleep in. As I almost drift into slumber, I felt the filly lie beside me and closed her eyes to sleep while using my knitted sweater as a blanket.

I tucked her nicely into the makeshift blanket and closed my eyes to sleep. Just right before I lost into slumber, I heard her soft voice saying, “Good night.”

Chapter 4: Actions and Consequences

I opened my eyes and I saw nothing but darkness. I gasped and quickly jumped onto all four hooves and looked around. I was surrounded by darkness. No trees, wildlife or anypony in sight. I’m standing inside the void.

“Hello, Quick Learner.” A familiar voice rang from behind me. I turned around and saw my great great grandmother. I sighed in relief as I remembered that this place in my ‘mind’.

“Umm… hello.” I replied, unsure of what to feel.

“My, my…” she started. “You found somepony in the path of your destiny.”

“Yes, and so what?” I asked her, giving her a questioning look.

“What are you going to do?” she asked me back.

“What do you mean?” I replied.

“Do you take her with you in your journey?”

“I don’t know…” I answered.

“She will suffer, you know?” She said grimly.

“W-w-what do you mean?” I asked her, stammering.

“You’ll see,” she chuckled, turning around and walked away.

I wanted to ask her to stop but suddenly I can’t find my voice and I tried to chase her but my hooves felt like it was cemented into the ground. I gave a pathetic squeak and then in a bright flash, my world swirled into darkness.
--oo--

I quickly sat on my haunches as I returned to the land of the living. I was breathing heavily as if I had run in a marathon. I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths to calm myself down. I looked to my side and I saw Pink Cotton looking at me with a worried expression.

“What’s wrong?” I asked with a soft voice.

“A-are you okay?” she asked me back, slowly approaching me with her expression unchanged.

I let out a small chuckle. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”

“B-because you looked like you had a nightmare.” She answered as she sat next to me.

I felt a small smile tugged on my face and I ruffled her mane. “It’s okay. I’m fine, really.” I said with an assuring smile.

She squeaked when I was ruffling her mane. I looked to the water canteens next to me and noticed that they were empty. I levitated the canteens to me and set them into my saddlebags.

“I’m going to refill the canteens with water at a creak that I saw yesterday. You stay here and don ‘t go outside, okay?” I explained to her and she replied by giving a meek nod.

I unzipped the tent’s entrance and stepped outside. Even though it’s morning, the forest looks a dark and scary but it’s not as scary as yesterday. I casted a shield spell around the tent to ensure that nothing would harm her while I’m away.

I focused my magic in my horn and with a small ‘pop’ sound, a dome like bubble appeared. Giving the shield a slight tap, the shield surface rippled. I was somewhat satisfied and I called to her from the outside, “I’ll be back, okay?”

She replied by giving a small squeaked from inside the tent.

I nodded and headed to the area where I saw a stream of water yesterday. It was not far, and it was west from where I set up the tent. Upon arriving to the stream, the area seems to be quiet. Too quiet. There’s no sound of any wildlife or even the sounds of insects. I quickly uncapped my canteens and refill them as fast as I could.

~~oo~~

As I was casting a water purifying spell on the canteens, I heard Pink Cotton screamed. I felt my blood when cold. I quickly dropped the canteens and galloped full speed to the tent. You stupid pony, I thought to myself. Survival spell books warned you that the shield spell worked effective when the caster is nearby. It’s all your fault. How can you forget the simplest thing? I mentally bucked myself over and over again.

I felt my breaths becoming more ragged. I’m not used to the physical stuff since I usually hang around in the library or in my room. I finally see the tent moments later. I saw a manticore clawing the shield surrounding the tent and cracks were forming on the surface. The shield was going to shatter, and Pink Cotton might get hurt. I quickly remembered a spell from the survival spell book to fend off manticores.

My horn glowed and I focused the magic towards my throat. I inhaled a lung full of air and screamed. A high pitch sound came from my throat and the manticore quickly writhed in pain as its oversensitive sense of hearing was being tortured by the spell.

The manticore tried to roar as loud as it could to scare me away but it was pointless. My determination to save Pink Cotton was far greater than my fear of manticores. Pink Cotton slowly exited the tent to look what was going on. As the pitch was too much for the manticore, it quickly turned around and flew into the air. Unfortunately, as the manticore turned, its tail hit the shield and the shield instantaneously shattered, causing its scorpion like tail grazed on Pink Cotton’s right foreleg. She collapsed right in front of me.

“No!” I yelled and galloped towards to the fallen filly. “Nonononononononono.” I panicked, looking at her injured foreleg. It has a slight cut on it and it was swelling. I felt her touched my chest. I looked at her and saw tears in her eyes. “W-welcome back.” She spoke weakly.

I could feel tears started to stream down my cheeks. “Shhsss…” I shushed her. “You’re going to be fine. You’re going to be fine.” I assured her but I could see in her eyes that she thought otherwise. I levitated the map in front of me and frantically searching for nearby civilization. I noticed there’s a village nearby, not too far from our location. I put on my saddlebags and levitated Pink Cotton onto my back. Without wasting any more time, I galloped towards east.

I felt exhausted as I’m not used to running for a long period of time. My lungs and muscles began to burn and I started to breathe heavily. Even maintaining a simple levitating spell was already hard enough on my weakening state but I’m not letting my weariness to be the cause of a filly’s death. I could hear Pink Cotton muttering on my back but I was too focused on galloping to make any sense out of it.

As I almost ran out of energy to gallop, I saw a clearing in front of me. I quicken my pace and saw a small village of ponies nearby. I let out a relived sigh and continued to gallop towards a building that looks like a clinic.

Many ponies looked at me as I levitated an unconscious filly behind me. I took the chance to ask for help. “Anypony, help!” I yelled. “Please, the filly is badly hurt.” I saw a yellow coated Pegasus mare with a red cross cutie mark flew in front of me.

“What happened?” She asked in urgency.

“Please, help her. She got stung by a manticore. You got to save her.” I explained between pants.

“Sir, but you need to take a bre-“ I cut her off before she could finish her sentence.

“No!” I yelled. I took few deep breaths and looked pleadingly into the mare’s eyes. “Please… help her.”

She only nodded with a worried expression. She rested Pink Cotton on her back and quickly flew into the clinic. I finally had the chance to take a breather. Then, beige unicorn mare trotted towards me.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

I was too tired to answer so I gave a small nod and my legs gave out.I rolled onto my back, breathing heavily and I could feel my heart was beating fast inside my chest. I tried to open my eyes to look around but I couldn’t open them. My eyes felt like they were glued shut. I could feel the world slowly slipping away from me. Voices became muffled, my body went numb and then I fell into the unconsciousness.

Chapter 5: Patches

Am I dead? It can’t be. But darkness was all that I can see. My body felt like it was floating in space. At that moment, I was at peace but it did not last long. A sudden a shock of pain shot into my head and suddenly, I felt like I was crushed under a boulder. It became difficult to breathe, my heart was beating a mile a minute and my body was unresponsive. I panicked.

As I was in a panicked state, a voice echoed in the blackness. “Hello.” I tried to look around but it was too dark and my body was in paralysis. I wanted to speak but I can’t find my voice. I felt that I was lying on the ground, doing nothing. I felt… useless. “It’s your entire fault, you know?” the voice continued. What? I thought and the voice replied as if it knew what I was thinking.

“The filly got hurt because of your carelessness.” The voice spoke. No! I shouted in my mind. I did not meant it to be that way.

“Oh?” the voice replied in a questioning tone. “Well then, I suppose that you can do better to protect her?”

I... don’t know, I thought again. But… I know I can find a way to keep her safe.

“Is that so?” the voice asked in a challenging tone.

I know so, I replied in my own thought.

“Well then, we shall see,” the voice chuckled and the world was blinded by a flash of white light.

--oo--

I gasped a lungful of air and opened my eyes in shock. My body felt sticky under my coat as I realized that I was sweating heavily and I still felt a burning sensation in my chest every time I breathe. I noticed I was in a clinic of some sort as I looked on the right side of the bed I was occupying and saw bottles of pills on a tabletop nearby. I tried to sit up but my body still felt very weak and my head felt like it just had been stomped by an ox.

I tried to call to anypony that might be nearby but all I can elicit was a painful groan.

“Oh!” I heard a meek voice exclaimed from behind a closed curtain in front of me. Then a yellow coated Pegasus mare peeked behind it. She gave a relieved sigh as she noticed I was awake. “Thank Goddesses.” She softly said. “You have passed out for two days now.” She continued as she trotted next to me. “How are you feeling now?” she asked, putting a wet towel on my forehead.

“Useless… and weak.” I croaked out as clearly as I could.

“Now, now.” The Pegasus said softly as she waved a hoof. “Don’t say that. You passed out because you were experiencing over exhaustion. Also, if it weren’t for you, the filly might not make it.” She said, giving a friendly smile.

I quickly sat up, in which I regret as my head ached even more but I couldn’t careless, and hold the Pegasus mare on her shoulder. “How’s Pink Cotton?” I asked urgently, giving the Pegasus mare a small shake.

The Pegasus was not ready for my reaction and had a shocked look on her face. “Y-y-you mean the pink filly?” she asked, stammering a little bit. I answered with a vigorous nod, which I regretted as well. Her face softens. “Well, she is fine now, thanks to you. Without your help, she might not make it.” She said, smiling warmly at me.

I let her go and looked away. Actually, if I didn’t leave her alone in the tent, she wouldn’t be in this situation. I felt guilt was slowly creeping in me and I knew that I am. The yellow Pegasus mare noticed there was something wrong and she offered a hoof. I looked at her hoof and then at her. She smiled and said, “My name is Sunshine Drop but you can call me Patches.”

I slowly took her hoof and shook it. “I’m Quick Learner, but my family calls me Quickie.” I said as I felt my face flushed a bit. I never had a friend before, even in my childhood. This was certainly different and new to me. She put her hoof down and trotted to the tabletop.

“How’s your head now?” she asked me as she trotted next to me with a pill bottle in her hoof.

“Well…” I started and slowly shook my head. “It’s not as bad as before but it’s still hurts a little.” I answered, gently rubbing my head.

“Take this pill, it would help you.” She said as she offered me a pill. I took it and quickly swallowed it. The aftertaste of the medicine was extremely bitter but I tried to make a neutral face and not to grimace. It made my mouth taste like I just ate rotten hay but the medicine seemed to work, my headache slowly but surely starting to get better. “How’s your head now?” she asked again, offering me a lollipop.

“It’s getting better.” I answered and I looked at the lollipop with a questioning expression.

“It’s from that filly you brought. Who was it? Pink Cotton?” she asked.

I nodded and took the lollipop. I unwrapped the lollipop and gave it a test lick. The lollipop was very sweet. It felt like there was a party in my mouth as the sweetness of the lollipop countered the bitter aftertaste of the medicine.

“Are you well enough for a walk?” She asked as she pushed the curtain in front of me. From the bed I was occupying, I saw a bustling village through the window in front of me. The pegasi were pulling chariots of ponies, donkeys and ponies walking around while chatting idly and merchants calling for potential customers. “Well?” she asked again, smiling at me.

“Yes. Of course.” I answered, returning the smile. But for some reason it made my face flushed. I hope she couldn’t see it through my coat. I finished the lollipop as I crushed it in my mouth until it turned into tiny sugary lumps and sucked on them. I slowly got out of bed and stretched my limbs and then I trotted next to her. With a smile, she began escorting me to the front door.

~~oo~~

We were greeted by the sound of merchants calling to attract potential customer’s attention. Like Canterlot, the sky here also free from clouds as the Pegasi did a pretty good job making today a bright sunny day. There were a lot of ponies, zebras and donkeys walking in the village. I looked at Patches and asked, “How come this village could be so active? Even Canterlot is not this busy.” She chuckled.

“Well, you see… this village thrives on the trading business. So, there are a lot of ponies, zebras and even donkeys come here to trade or even sell stuff. Some say this village is the heart of the trading industry in all of Equestria.” She answered, giving a shrug. “Also,” she continued as she spread her fore hooves wide open and standing on her hind legs. With a smile, she said, “Welcome to Hoofington.”

Chapter 6: Talos

The village of Hoofington was filled with life. Ponies, zebras, and even donkeys were walking around in the village’s marketplace. The merchants and street vendors called out to Patches and I as were passed through a line of merchant’s carts. There were a lot of things being sold in the market area. From horseshoes, sweaters, and hats to baked goods and fresh vegetables. The market area was completely crowded but we managed to navigate through it with no trouble.

“So…” I began as we tried to squeeze through the crowd. “Where are we heading?” I asked, looking at her.

“I don’t know.” She answered, shrugging casually. “I guess you just need a little fresh air, that’s all.” She took a deep breath and then let out a relaxed sigh. She looked at me and smile. “See? Just take a deep breath and you’ll feel a lot better.”

“I see…” I responded and took a deep breath myself. The air was cold and fresh even at that current time. I could feel every fiber in my body started to relax and I also noticed that the pounding in my head has also disappeared. And then, I exhaled in a slow but relaxed manner. Even I felt relaxed, there’s something that dwells in my mind. I turned to look at her and asked, “Well, if you don’t mind. Can I see Pink Cotton? I’m quite worried about her.” I said as I looked at her pleadingly.

She smiled and nodded. “Of course you can.” She said as she walked ahead of me. She looked over her shoulder and nodded to me. “Come along.” She said as she walked.

“Thank you.” I replied, letting out a relived sigh and quicken my pace to a trot.

~~oo~~

Moments later, Patches and I reached an old looking wooden house and we stopped at the front of the door. Patches knocked on it and a voice called from inside. “Who is it?” the voice asked in a singing tone.

“It’s me, mom.” Patches answered, sighing a little. She turned to look at me. “I brought Pink Cotton to my home because I don’t know who her parents are. She would not even talk to me. I hope you understand.”She explained with nervous smile plastered on her face.

“I understand.” I replied, giving a single nod. “I also need to thank you for keeping her safe.” I said as I gave her a respectful bow.

Completely taken aback by the sudden gesture, Patches waved a dismissive hoof. “Oh, the pleasure is all mine.” She said as she returned the bow, though she looked a little bit awkward.

The door opened and suddenly, when I was unprepared, I a pink figure quickly lunged at me. The impact was strong enough to knock me onto my back on the dusty ground. As my head slowly cleared up from the sudden event, I noticed a sobbing sound was heard. I looked at my chest as I felt something slightly was on it and I saw a crying pink filly was hugging me tightly. I felt guilty that I made Pink Cotton sad.

She was sobbing quietly and she buried her face on my chest. I could feel the warmth of her tears slowly wetting my coat, and her mane looked like it was unkempt. I cringed a little with guilt and I slowly rub her back and whispered to her softly. “Hush, now. It’s okay. Everything will be okay.”

Patches stepped closer with a tear forming in the corner of her eye. “She missed you a lot, you know?” she said as she wiped the tear away. “She barely eaten anything since I brought her here and she refused to take a bath, knowing you was still unconscious in the clinic.” She explained. Then, Patches lowered her head and gently nuzzled Pink Cotton’s mane, trying to comfort her as well.

“I see.” Was the only thing I could say as I rubbing Pink Cotton’s back. I blinked and I felt a lone tear streamed down my cheek. Why am I attached to the filly that I knew for only a few days? Why would she care so much about me until she refused to eat? Also, why she didn’t go back to her parents? Aren’t they worried? Questions started to flood into my mind as I tried to comprehend Pink Cotton’s situation. But my reverie was cut short as I heard a soft mutter from the tiny pink filly. “Don’t leave me.” She said, with her voice slightly cracked.

I gave her a warm smile like my brother used to give me whenever I felt worried. “Don’t worry, you’ll be safe.” I said softly. She looked up to me and gave a small smile of relief. She slowly got up from me and stood solemnly as she looked at the ground with a hint of worry.

I got onto my hooves and brushed the dust away from my coat. I let out a small sigh and nuzzled Pink Cotton’s mane gently. “Don’t worry.” I said. “Everything is okay.” That did a little work as she gave me a little smile again.

“Patches, is that your boyfriend?” An old looking mare asked. She was a red coated Pegasus with a yellow mane. Some of her mane turned grayish due to age and I noticed her cutie mark was a dark cloud with lightning coming out from it.

“Mom!” Patches yelled, her face flushing brightly. “He’s just a friend.” She said with gritted teeth and her head lowered.

Pink Cotton giggled slightly to the situation which made me happy seeing her giggle but making it more awkward. I looked to the older mare and bowed. “My name is Quick Learner, ma’am. It is nice to meet you.”

She just nodded her head slightly. “Don’t be so formal, dearie. My name is Night Misty, Patches’ mom but you can call me Misty.” She smiled warmly at Pink Cotton and me. “Well, come in and enjoy some freshly baked cookies.” She said as she looked over her shoulder and she walked inside. For some reason, this made me missed my own family back in Canterlot. I wonder if they are doing fine. I guess I should go to market area and buy some ink and paper. I need to write a letter to tell what happened so far. Also, they might be worried sick.

“No, thank you Misty.” I rejected the offer politely. “I needed to go to the market and buy some stuff. I need to send a letter.” I explained, smiling nervously.

Misty turned to look at me and gave a warm smile. “Of course, dearie. It’s fine.” She replied friendly and trotted into what seemed to be the kitchen area.

“Sorry about that.” Patches apologized with her face still flushed, in which made me flushed a little too. She closed the door of the house and turned to look at me but her eyes were glued to the ground. “She’s sometimes like being silly.”

“No problem.” I meekly replied, looking at the ground as well. Then, my ears perked up as I heard somepony’s stomach grumbled. It was Cotton’s. I smiled at her and nodded towards the house. “Go ahead and eat some cookies. You must be hungry.” I said as I looked at her.

Despite she looked that she was very tempted to do so, she shook her head and slightly stomped her hoof. “No.” Her soft voice spoke up.

“Why?” I asked her softly, lowering my face to meet her gaze.

She looked away, blushing. “I-I-I want to stay with you.” She stammered meekly with an embarrassed look on her face.

I smiled and gently nuzzled her mane. “Okay, then. I’ll buy you something to eat when we get to the market place.” I said as I levitated her onto my back. I looked over my shoulder and said, “Let’s go.”

She nodded and held my neck for support. I turned to Patches as she softly smiled at us and asked, smiling a little. “Mind showing me the market area?”

She gave one big nod with a smile. “Of course.” Then we started headed back towards the crowded marketplace.

~~oo~~

After a few moments of shopping, I managed to buy myself a few rolls of scrolls, a quill and a bottle of ink. And for Pink Cotton, I got her a dandelion sandwich and a cone of cotton candy as a treat. She clearly enjoyed it with the big smile beaming on her face while she was licking the sugary pink cotton.

As we walked through the crowded marketplace to head towards a postal office, Patches and I chatted about a lot of things, such as our hobbies, dreams and a bit of our past. It was just to get to know each other a little but I never told her about my ‘destiny’ and the real reason why I was heading to the griffin’s kingdom. She thought heading there was a suicidal and tried to talk me out of it but I assured her that I had my reason that I couldn’t possibly tell to anypony at the moment. She was a bit hesitant at first but later she let it pass.

Pink Cotton in the other hand, was too focused on her treat. This was a good thing because I don’t want her to know any of it and making her to have more reason to worry of me. As Patches and I continued our chat with other trivial topics, I noticed a jiggling sound coming from behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Pink Cotton was wearing a bell tied with a pink string. Before I could asked her about it, we heard a filly screamed.

“Hey, watch it, kid!” A griffin with a gruff voice exclaimed to the cowering yellow earth pony filly in front of him.

“I-I-I’m sorry.” The yellow filly stammered with fear showing in her eyes. She was now openly crying in fear and her knees were shaking violently.

“I’ll show you ‘sorry’.” The griffin said as he raised a clawed paw to pounce the unfortunate filly.

I quickly levitated Pink Cotton to Patches back and galloped towards the griffin. I activated my magic before he could possibly hurt the filly. I telekinetically hold his paw in the air. It took him by surprise and looked over his should at me. This gave the filly a chance, and she ran away. The griffin looked at the runaway filly and grumbled. “I’ll deal with her later.” His head snapped at me with his eyes burning with anger. “Let. Me. Go. Pony.” He said dangerously through gritted teeth.

I tried to keep his paw in a telekinetic hold but my magic imploded as he violently tugged his paw, causing my magic to cancel. I was thrown backwards by the implosion and my head was pounding again. As I tried to stand up, I felt a paw on my chest, keeping me from getting up. I looked above and I can see the griffin was smiling. But his smile was dripping with malice.

“Why are you doing this and who are you?” I wheezed out between heavy breaths.

He was slowly adding pressure on my chest and then he chuckled. “Well, I do this for fun.” He said as he smiled, showing his flesh tearing teeth. “I am Khar, the commander of Talos. I am the commander of the most powerful aerial fighting team in the land of the griffins. Also, we are under the power of our overlord, Galistar, the world destroyer.” He boasted proudly. Then he turned his attention back to me. “Remember that, pony.” He said with a bitter tone.

Pain exploded on my chest as Khar kicked me across the street with a mighty force. He shot me a smirk as he opened his wings to take flight. “If I see you again, kid. You’re mine.” He threatened and took flight. His eagle shriek was heard moments later as a sign of his ‘victory’.

Patches and Pink Cotton quickly ran towards me with worry clearly showed on the faces and the other spectators were slowly circling us. Patches quickly unbuckled my saddlebags that I was wearing and beginning to inspect the damage that had been done. Pink Cotton nuzzled my neck with tears streaming her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Pink Cotton apologized suddenly with a look of fear in her eyes, her voice getting raspy.

I shot her a smile and returned her nuzzles. “It’s not your fault.” I whispered. “It’s… okay…” I returned to the world of the unconscious.