//------------------------------// // [1] Follow the Trail // Story: Fate Sealed in Ink // by DeadlyKDPonys //------------------------------// It was another day in Ponyville. Today Twilight Sparkle and her best friends was spending the day in her castle, suggesting some things they could do afterwards. They were currently in the libRary. Twilight was sitting on the floor with a pile of books beside her. Rarity was also sitting on the floor, with a pillow underneath her, she kept suggesting either go to the spa, go shopping or go to her shop to try on some new outfits. Of course some pony didn't quite agree with that. Pinkie Pie Kept bouncing around the room, she didn't care what they were gonna do, Because she knew it would be fun and make her friends smile. The rest didn't do anything other then sitting and suggesting stuff. Suddenly Pinkie's 'Light Bulb' Lit up. She had an idea. "I know! I know what we should do! Go to Sugercube Corner!" She yelled out, Her bouncing stoped. The ponies looked at their friend unsure, since they always go to Sugercube corner when they have nothing else to do. "We have a sale on Cinnamon Rolls! Trust me, They're Delicious!" She said, her mouth drooling when thinking about the Cinnamon Rolls. The ponies started to giggle. "I'm sure that would be fun, Pinkie" Twilight said, standing up. "Maybe a visit to Sugarcube Corner isn't a bad idea, I don't know about you but i'm hungry" She said, smiling. A blue sky trail quickly went by as Rainbow Dash Quickly got up into the air. "Yeah, I would love to taste some of those Cinammon Rolls!" She said. Without listening if anypony else wanted to go, Rainbow had already flewn out the door while yelling "COME ON, GIRLS!!" Down the hall. Everypony rolled their eyes playfully. The rest got up and started their way out of the castle. However they quickly came to a halt when Rainbow suddenly came back, with a serious face. The others were curious. "Dash, Something wrong?" Twilight asked. She could tell from the sudden Change in Rainbow Dash that they probably wern't going to Sugercube Corner Today. "Zecora is outside. And she seemed Concerned" The Blue Pegasus said. That got the others to share worried glances, but turned into more Neutral as they started their way to the Castle doors. On their Way Twilight kept thinking about what is wrong, Zecora isn't usually Concerned, She lives in the Everfree Forest for crying out loud, she deals with strange stuff everyday. Maybe there is something worng with the Forest? They had finally reached the doors and Twilight opened them Revealing Really a Concerned Zecora. The Zebra quickly came in. "Oh Princess Twilight, I'm so relifed, what i'm about to tell you have to belive" She said. Was Zecora worried that Twilight wouldn't belive her? "What is wrong, Zecora?" Twilight asked, Hoping the answer won't be so bad. She didn't know why she was worried though, she has faced much worse in her Opinion. However she wouldn't know. Zecora look at Everypony. "Just this Morning i went outside of my house, then i heard a noise quite strange and loud. I went to check that way, then i came across a strange black trail" Zecora explained. Everypony was curious yet concerned. "Do you know where, what or who it came from?" Rainbow asked, floating above her friends. "I am not aware of its origin, so i don't know where to Begin!" Zecora said. All the other ponies were more concerned now. A strange Black trail of unkown Origin. Twilight thought about a question. "Do you know what type of element it is? Like what version of Substance" She asked. Zecora didn't even need thinking for that one. "It is Liquid, for when i thouched it, it felt wet yet Thickend" She said. Twilight started to ponder. 'Then that Trail must have been there for a while' She thought. "So why did you come here?" She asked. Zecora was silent for a moment and started to tell. "For i didn't want to go in there without assistance at least, in case the trail came from an Everfree beast" She said. That caused Fluttershy to panic and started shivering. "A-a-an Ev-E-Everfree beast?!" She stuttered, scared out of her mind. Twilight nodded to Zecora in understanding. She looked over at her friends who understood what to do. "Ok, Zecora, Lead the way" Twilight said. The zebra nodded, then began to head her way out with the 6 ponies, although Fluttershy was a bit hesitent. The 7 kept walking deeper into the forest until they came across the black trail Zecora spoke of. Twilight Lit up her horn to get a clearer look. She touched the trail, it did indeed feel thickend, but she could still feel some remaining liquid. She lowered her head and then sniffed the substance, wich kind of suprised and confused her friends. However they would be suprised that Twilight reconized this smell. "This is...Ink" She said. Everypony's eyes widden "What does a ink trail doing here in the Everfree forest? I'm certain here can't be an animal or beast that Leaks ink?" Applejack said. Fluttershy nervously added her own Opinion. "I don't know most of the Everfree's creatures, but from my animal knowledge there are no Animals in Equestria that leaks, drools or produce Ink, at least not on land" She said. Everyone was starting to get more curious and concerned, but they kept on following the trail carefully. Everypony was starting to think what creature can be out there that would cause this. Then they noticed that trail went through a patch of bushes. When they walked through the bushes, they let out a gasp. The trail had stopped and in its place was a black and white looking creature. It looked to be uncouncious. The mane 6 went closer to the creature while Zecora stood behind. Twilight looked more closley at the creature. She noticed it has two black horns on the top of its head and a tail. She carefully put her hoof on the creature, it was difficult, but she could tell the creature was still alive. Even though she doesn't know if it's dangerous, she would feel bad if it died. She then noticed that it's skin felt alot more....Squishy then other creatures. She then started to put small pieces together and her face turned from thoughtful to frighten. Evrypony looked at her confused. "I have a concerning feeling that this trail..The ink...Is this creature's blood" She said. Her friends gasped realizing it. Fluttershy suddenly spread her wings and flew towards Twilight. "We need to bring it back to Ponyville, it might be dying as we speak!" She said, really concerned. The others nodded. Twilight looked over at the creature. "I agree that we need to bring it back, but probably not directly back to Ponyville. All the ponies might start to panic seeeing a strange creature like this so suddenly. Perhaps we should bring it to your Cottage, Fluttershy" She said. Fluttershy understood what her friend meant and nodded. Twilight used her magic to carefully pick up the creature and everypony was then on their way to Fluttershy's Cottage. While on their way Twilight kept staring at the creature in her magical grasp. Where did this creature come from?