//------------------------------//
// Flameheart Prologue 
// Story: Special Talents 
// by InkFathom 
//------------------------------//

Silence took hold as the last pony drifted off to sleep in the quiet town. The only sounds to be heard were the faint, steady breaths of the citizens as they slept. 

Suddenly, one pony’s breathing became uneven. The shuffling of covers and hoof steps on a hardwood floor could be heard over the silence. The door to a cottage on the edge of the town opened and shut, the sound seeming as loud as a thunderclap.

An amber pegasus with a fiery orange and gold mane looked to her left and right with icy blue eyes before sighing. “Okay, Flameheart, the coast is clear,” she muttered to herself. She then took off into the darkness without a whisper.

Flameheart flapped her wings and hovered over the town, assessing her location with a birds-eye view. She hopped onto a nearby cloud and looked around. The town held a number of buildings, some for living and others for entertainment. But what she was looking for was the shopping center, which would lead her to an eerie forest on the outskirts of town.

Finally spotting it, Flameheart muttered under her breath, “Lived here for seven years and I still get lost.” Extending her wings, she launched herself off the cloud, effectively dissipating it, and headed towards the forest.

As she sped across the night sky, Flameheart’s mind began to wander. Why am I still doing this? What’s the point? I’ll only get caught and then where’ll I be? She landed in front of the forest. It was too dangerous to fly through at night. She always had to walk.

Within the forest, massive trees with gnarled limbs seemed to glare at her, watching her every move. Mysterious plants popped up here and there, innocent petals and leaves disguising their true identities as toxic poisons. The pegasus shuddered as she heard Timberwolves howling in the distance. She imagined horrible creatures of all shapes and sizes sizing her up for their meals, and the awful things that would happen if they were to attack.

Lost in her imagination, Flameheart tripped over a hidden root. She crashed noisily in the underbrush as she fell. Quickly regaining her balance, she looked around, paranoia seeping in as she searched the thick vines for signs of predators. Surely she had alerted them to her presence?

Her head snapped to her left. Was that a twig cracking she just heard? Or was it just her imagination? Preferring not to take any chances, Flameheart bolted. She panted, sweat pouring over her face. If there was a bloodthirsty beast trailing her, she had to outrun it. Otherwise, she knew, the consequences would be dire. She looked over her shoulder trying to find out if she was racing away from nothing.

She accidentally ran headfirst into a tree.

Shaking her head, she crawled behind the offending arbor. Her breath quickened. Was there an animal at all? She slowly peered out from behind the tree.

Nothing.

I have got to stop doing that! she thought. Angry with herself, Flameheart continued her voyage through the dark forest.

Soon, Flameheart came to a rest in her usual spot. She looked around, making sure that she hadn’t been followed, and began her nightly practice.

Maybe I’ll get it right this time, she thought.