Running... For as long as I can remember I've been running for my life at something I can't even remember. My entire body is in excruciating pain but I keep running anyway. There was nothing pursuing me in the immediate vicinity but my very being screamed to run and run until I collapse to my death, fearing whatever it was that I'm trying to escape might catch up with me.
Trees, trees, and more trees. I've been seeing trees ever since I can recall. Funny how I can't remember anything else aside from the scenery of trees...
Like something was hearing my thoughts, the trees gave way to daylight piercing out to what looks like the end of this forest path. To my relief I dashed towards the light. That light seems to put my mind at ease, all my fears momentarily calmed at the sight of its bright glory.
The scenery of trees gave way to a breathtaking sight. A wide valley stretched itself into a village farther in. I looked behind me and grasped my surroundings. The path of trees ends here and this valley stretched about ten miles from my estimate before the silhouette of a village. Some kind of boundary from the looks of it that separates this land from the forest.
The sun, the breathtaking view and the relief that I'm finally out of that forest, however, didn't prevent my pain and exhaustion from catching up with me. After a momentary respite, unimaginable pain got hold of my body. I screamed at the top of my lungs, until exhaustion finally settled in, and as I'm beginning to fall unconscious, all I can see is darkness...
-----
Valiant Heart is well-known by everyone in his village as the most hardworking and compassionate creature in the entire village of Arvington, maybe even in the entire land of Fantasia. He is a brown coated earth stallion with a black-colored mane and golden yellow eyes. He possesses a woodcutter axe chopping a wood into two for a cutie mark, and is Arvington's resident lumberjack.
That particular morning, Valiant trotted his way at the end of the valley towards the dreaded forest of Everfree, carrying with him an empty wagon and his trusted lumber axe. The forest, as always, gives him a foreboding feeling that warns him not to come deeper into its boundaries lest he wants to get himself killed. The Everfree forest is known to be a dangerous and cursed place full of creatures from the fabled land of Tartarus, the gates of Hell. Not even the bravest creatures he know, the gryphons, want to come near the place. For everyone in the land of Fantasia, the world ends at the Everfree Forest, and nothing but hell awaits beyond it.
Even though Valiant fully knows the story, he still steadfastly trotted his way to the edge of the forest. So far nothing has come out of the forest ever since the village can remember, although those brave and stupid enough to prove to the world that there is nothing to be afraid of, ventured inside, never to be heard of again. Valiant believes that the forest is some kind of protection, a shield that prevents whatever is from the other side to cross over the boundary. This knowledge, followed by recklessness and the need for more lumber, prodded a young Valiant Heart into chopping some trees and gathering some tree saplings from the place for him to start growing sturdy trees to be used as lumber for the village, and some time ago, for the other villages as well.
This is where he got his cutie mark, a lasting reminder of his brave yet reckless efforts of long ago. He never went near the forest after those tree saplings grew into sturdy and young birches though. For reasons he cannot quite understand yet, something compels him to come to the edge of the forest yet again.
He noticed something lying on the ground further up and, concern disregarding cautiousness, galloped his way towards it. Upon getting nearer, he noticed what the thing was, a pony, a same breed of species as him, collapsed to the ground a few meters beyond the edge of the forest. He doubled his speed and soon found himself a few inches from the pony.
From the size of the pony, he quickly assessed it to be a unicorn mare, unconscious and from the looks of it, severely injured. She is covered in dust, scratches and burnt marks surrounded her body but he can distinctly recognize her original coat color to be a darker shade of lavender, her mane a mess of deep purple with moderate violet and brilliant rose streaks, her cutie mark a large pink star bursting into little white ones dotting around it. Wasting no time, Valiant carried the mare and gently placed her at the back of his wagon and galloped his way back to the village, this mare needs medical attention as soon as possible.
-----
Her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia, mover of the sun and moon, gave out a deep comforting sigh as her royal rump touched the soft bed, genuinely happy to have finally returned to her bedchamber in the royal castle of Canterlot. Gloriously raising the sun for the thousandth year Summer Sun Celebration took quite a chunk of her energy, although she have no complaints on doing so just to see her little ponies happy and full of renewed vigor. No. That was not why Celestia is totally exhausted that morning.
Yes, that may be a part of the reason, but Celestia's concern on the events that happened... or rather, did not happen during the last few hours is the real culprit. Yes, she fully knows her most faithful student was right, that Nightmare Moon was supposed to have escaped her thousandth year banishment from the Moon that night. And most likely did. Princess Celestia mused to herself. She planned it out well, even sent her beloved Twilight to Ponyville to make friends with the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and with the Elements in their command, finally cleanse her dearest sister from the evil inside her.
What she did not expect, is Nightmare Moon outsmarting her. She didn't plan on Nightmare Moon changing tactics, but a thousand years is a long time after all. Celestia remembered her as more of a show-off, a sadistic mare that enjoys seeing thousands upon thousands of ponies suffer under her. She fully expected Nightmare Moon to come straight into Ponyville the moment she was free, to disrupt the Summer Sun Celebration and quickly start on her long overdue torture session.
What happened, much to Celestia's chagrin, is quite the exact opposite of what she expected to happen. Nightmare Moon is free yes, but instead of letting everypony know she is back, she instead opted to hide herself, concealing her presence perfectly that not even Celestia can detect where in Equestria she is hiding. Probably regaining her strength as we speak. Already one factor that doesn't bode well in the long run.
Another thing she greatly worries more than Nightmare Moon herself, was that massive surge of magical energy shooting up to the heavens that came from their old castle in the Everfree. Only a few noticed it as the light only lasted a couple of seconds, but Celestia can sense great power like that quite easily. What was worse is the familiarity of the magic that came with it. But after sending her best flyers, the Wonderbolts, followed by herself teleporting to the ruins, they arrived at what is a perfectly ordinary and still abandoned castle. She even checked the throne room, where she found the stone pedestals of the Elements of Harmony safe and sound, the stone spheres perfectly untouched.
That would've been all well and good but when she returned to Ponyville to quell her suspicions, her greatest fear came to life when she realized her dear Twilight's familiar warm magical presence was simply gone. Outsmarted twice in one day does not bode well with the fate of the kingdom.
Celestia gave a long, drawn-out sigh.
The signs are ominous... I must be ready.
Celestia glanced at the sun shining through her window with much trepidation.
-----
Darkness... all I can see for miles and miles is the infinite void of darkness. I can't remember how I got here or for how long I've been here. It feels like I've been here for my entire life, but that can't be right. This must be a dream... or a nightmare...
"Wake up..."
The lavender unicorn moaned as her consciousness is slowly returning.
"This isn't the place and time to laze around you idiot! The real world out there isn't waiting for you. Wake up!"
She slowly opened her eyes and observed her surroundings. She's lying down a soft bed made of hay, inside a small tent of some sort. She spotted a small wooden chair near her and a tray containing some wheat, a big juicy apple and a glass of water. Nothing else of importance was inside the tent she was in.
Trying to get up proved to be a very taxing effort as her entire body is still in pain, but she can't remember how she got severely injured that way.
"Oww... I feel like I just went from hellfire and back," the purple mare groaned to herself.
"From where I found you, I believe that's exactly what you did."
The lavender unicorn, startled by the voice, jumped despite the numbness of her body as a stallion entered the tent.
Valiant Heart smiled as he silently observed the distraught unicorn.
"You have quite a sturdy body for those injuries to heal that fast. Most ponies I know that suffered lesser wounds would wake at least three hours later than you would, and not be able to move at all for a day or two. Then again, unicorns have magic that can speed up healing and I don't know that much unicorns," he mused.
The unicorn's soft turquoise eyes gazed at the earth pony's golden yellow ones. They look hardened and weary, yet she can sense a soft, compassionate glow about them. For some reason, even though he is a complete and total stranger, she can't find a reason to fear him, and was she feeling a slight hint of trust for this stranger as well?
"W-who are you?" the lavender unicorn managed to voice out.
"Oh, a thousand pardons for not introducing myself yet. My name's Valiant Heart, Arvington's resident lumberjack, and also the one who found you beaten and unconscious outside the forest and dragged you to the nearest medical aid in the village." The brown stallion gave a heartwarming smile. "I hope I didn't startle you," he added as an afterthought.
"It's... it's fine. I guess I owe you for saving my life then," the purple mare replied. "T-thank you," she whispered softly.
"Don't mention it, I would be killing myself if I didn't come to your aid when I could, Miss..." he trailed off.
"Oh I... I'm sorry, it is quite rude of me to not introduce myself to my savior outright. I'm..." she stopped dead in her thoughts and gave a frown.
Nothing...
She gathered her thoughts to try and remember what her name is but all she can see is a thick fog of darkness blocking those memories.
"You alright?" Valiant's voice was full of concern.
"I-I'm fine... just having a headache, is all. Thanks for worrying, Sir Valiant Heart, my name's... Moonlight," the lavender unicorn answered after giving a bit of thought. Huh... that name came quite easily to her for some reason, not that it is an uncomfortable name and she needs to be called by something for the time being till she can regain her memories back.
"Call me Valiant, Miss Moonlight." Valiant smiled. Just like that, all of her worries and fears disappeared at the sight of that heartwarming smile. Moonlight blushed a little.
Stop thinking foolish things! You just met him for Celestia's sakes!
"Then just call me Moonlight too, Valiant." Moonlight fixed a smile in return. She can't help but feel a little awkward at the moment.
Sensing the unicorn's distress, Valiant shifts his attention at the food tray lying in the floor nearby, and lifts it with his muzzle.
"Doctor Summers would have my head if you didn't consume these the moment you woke up and I beg you mercy, I like my head where it belongs, intact to my body." Valiant giggled a bit as he placed the food tray directly in front of Moonlight.
"I don't think I'm that cold-hearted," Moonlight replied as she took a rather large chunk of wheat into her mouth.
They both laughed a bit at that.
"Yo Valiant, is she up?"
Valiant and Moonlight turned their attention towards the third pony who just entered the tent. An earth mare with wavy blonde mane, white coat and wearing black-rimmed glasses looked at them with pink eyes. She also have a stethoscope for a cutie mark.
"Doctor Summers!" Valiant exclaimed as he quickly stood up.
Summers glared at Valiant for three uncomfortable seconds.
"I get distracted for ten minutes and you move in on the girl like a hawk. Shame on you, Valiant," Summers teased.
"W-what?" Valiant blushed. "You honestly believe I'm that kind of a stallion? I just wanted to check, with good intentions, if she's okay! Besides, if I wanted to... you know... do stuff to her, I would've done it instead of immediately seeking your professional help!" Valiant blurted out, getting himself more flustered by the second.
"And how do I know these injuries weren't because of your attempts in raping her?" Summers asked as a matter-of-factly.
"R-rape?" Moonlight gasped.
"WHAT? ARE YOU SERIOUS, SUMMERS? Stop spreading ridiculous rumors about me! I am NOT that kind of stallion!" Valiant lost all his cool under one minute of talking with Summers.
Doctor Summers gave a hearty laugh.
"Valiant, you are so painfully straight and serious. Honestly, you are the most boring stallion I ever have the pleasure of knowing. You should relax and learn to take a joke." Summers patted Valiant's back.
Valiant backed away from Summers.
"And you are the most craziest mare I ever have the displeasure of talking to. It isn't funny at all, Summers," Valiant growled.
"Why thank you." Summers replied back with a smile.
Valiant's growl intensified by two.
Moonlight stared at her savior and his odd companion, a look of confusion strewn perfectly in her face. Were they friends or bitter enemies, she cannot figure it out. But from Valiant's earlier statement, she deduced this mare is a doctor, mostly the one who made sure she's still with the living and possible owner of this medical tent. Also the stethoscope cutie mark was kind of a dead giveaway.
"T-thank you Doctor, for saving my life." Moonlight managed to interrupt the two before their heated argument turn into bloodshed.
"Hmm?" Doctor Summers shifted her attention to the lavender pony in front of her. "Hey I'm a doctor, it's what I do. Although, full credit would come from this tree-hater right here." She patted Valiant's head much to the latter's annoyance. "If he didn't found you when he did, you might've died out there."
Moonlight smiled at Valiant. He replied with a smile of his own.
"Although, his uncanny timing was too much of a coincidence..." Summer trailed off. "I highly doubt he's all clean. I bet fifty bits he is part of the reason you're in this mess," she laughed.
"That's it! I'm going to buck you to next Tuesday, Summers!" Valiant raged.
"See what I mean. He's a dangerous criminal I tell you!"
"Lies! All lies! Stop lying for Lygatto's sakes!"
Doctor Summers's laughter intensified.
Moonlight gave them both her honest-to-goodness best confused look she can ever remember of giving.
"On serious matters, I highly recommend you stay and rest up for at least a week. Limit exhausting yourself until you can fully recover from your injuries, Miss Moonlight," Doctor Summers spoke up some moments later after a short introduction of each other, "in that regard, you are free to use the tent until then."
"Thank you," Moonlight replied, "that is really kind of you, Doctor Summers."
"Meh, don't mention it my dear. Besides, if I let you out, Valiant will no doubt offer you a place to stay in his home and I won't let that happen until you are recovered well enough to defend yourself," Summers mused.
"I am still in the tent you know!"
"I know, that's why I'm telling her this in front of your face so you won't get any ideas." Summers giggled a bit.
Valiant debated if he should fall into a brink of tears or go through with his word on bucking Summer's annoying face.
"Valiant..."
His attention shifted before he can decide though. Valiant smiled at the lavender unicorn who called him.
"What is it, Moonlight?"
"If it isn't too much trouble, could you show me around the village for a bit? I'd like to know where I am," Moonlight asked, her face a mixture of excitement and confusion.
"I don't mind. I plan on showing you around anyway when you feel willing enough." Valiant gave her a reassuring smile.
Moonlight brightened at the positive response.
"Not till you chow down the remains of that food tray first," Summers replied with a strict tone. "I don't want you collapsing in the middle of the road," she added with gentleness this time.
Moonlight nodded at her and pursued to finish her edibles.
Ten minutes later, Moonlight and Valiant Heart vacated the medical tent. Valiant, true to his word, proceeded in showing Moonlight the village of Arvington in all its glory.
"This is the northern village of Arvington, Moonlight," Valiant began, "it doesn't have famous landmarks like the capital city of Krysantine but it has its perks as a serene place to live in." They walked around the village as Valiant showed Moonlight the village square, marketplace, weapon and armor shops and other residential houses. "Arvington is also famous as the last village on the northern edge of the world," he stated after showing Moonlight his own place, a quaint little hut at the edge of the village, surrounded by a plethora of healthy trees.
"Edge of the world? Like, the world just cuts and ends there?" Moonlight asked with a spark of curiosity.
"No, not really. It is because after Arvington is the Everfree Forest, and from there on lies Tartarus and the gates of Hell where demons and other monsters live," Valiant explained.
"So it isn't really the edge of the world then. It's just the general populace deemed the world ends there because no one has really gone farther than the Everfree Forest to check the places beyond it," Moonlight deadpanned.
"In a way, yes. Many must have tried over the years, I even know a couple who ventured into the Everfree Forest, never to be seen or heard of again. Killed by those creatures from Tartarus from my guess," Valiant replied, a hint of remorse in his voice.
"By the way, where you found me... it's..."
"Yep, at the edge of the Everfree forest," Valiant finished for her.
Moonlight gazed at the forest at the horizon. Her turquoise eyes fixing into a death glare as her face took on a rather serious look.
From what I can remember, I must've came through the forest, where I collapsed at the edge of it till Valiant found me. In that case, I didn't come from here but rather from the other side. If that is the case... Moonlight frowned as she tried to remember more of her memories, but unfortunately for her, the thick fog of darkness clouding it is unrelenting in its efforts.
Moonlight sighed. She has a lot of questions that needs answering but doesn't know where to begin. Or wait... maybe she does know where to begin...
Valiant gazed at the horizon. The sun is setting. It will be night soon.
"I think it's time we head back to the village, Moonlight. It will be dark soon, and Summers will no doubt blame me if I didn't get you back before then."
Moonlight can clearly imagine how that fiasco would turn out and smiled.
"Yeah, we don't want that to happen."
The two ponies made their way back to Doctor Summers's fine abode.