Fluttershy hummed a soft tune as she trotted through the tall grass. She held a covered wicker basket in her mouth. Her mane snapped into her eyes from an errant breeze, but she flicked it aside with her wing.
She stepped under the shadow of the first tree and ventured into White Tail Woods. Birdsong drifted through the leaves and Fluttershy continued with an extra spring in her step. A butterfly fluttered past her nose, a mouse scurried around her hoof, somepony screamed, and the scent of flowers tickled her nose.
Fluttershy blinked... and she galloped into the trees. She slid the basket's handle over her head and leaped over a fallen log. The trees blurred past as Fluttershy wove through the underbrush. She skidded to a halt in a small clearing and looked up.
A brown and green net was suspended several meters above the ground, and Fluttershy could see something squirming inside and rocking the net like a pendulum. Fluttershy stepped forward and a crunch made her flinch. Crumpled parchment, stained black from a broken ink bottle, was pinned beneath her hoof. Fluttershy looked up at the net and squinted.
“H-hello?” Fluttershy yelled softly, “Is somepony up there?”
“Fluttershy?” a familiar voice replied. “Is that you?! Help!”
“Twilight?!” Fluttershy gasped. “Ohmygosh! Hold on, I’ll be right up!”
Fluttershy placed the basket on the ground and flew up to the net. Twilight was dangling upside down from the trap. Her legs were tangled in the netting and her face was pressed into her saddlebags at an uncomfortable angle.
“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked as she hovered at eye level. “How did you get up here?”
“I don’t know! I was just, uhh… out taking a walk when the ground just exploded out from underneath me! A-and, and, I think I have a cranial injury!”
“Let me see…” Fluttershy reached for the saddlebag.
“My horn hurts, and I can’t see!” Twilight slapped her away with a flailing hoof.
“Twilight…” Fluttershy scowled.
“Oh Celestia, I think I’ve gone blind! How will I read? How will I learn new magic? What if Celestia decides to replace me as her student?! What if--”
Thwap!
“--ow!”
“Oh, I’m sorry Twilight…” Fluttershy whispered as she lowered her tail, “How clumsy of me. Are you okay?”
Twilight blinked as the net stopped swaying. Her saddlebags were dislodged, letting Fluttershy see the bemusement and embarrassment on Twilight’s swollen face. The area around her eye was red and inflamed, and Fluttershy thought it gave her a half-finished Neighponese look - if not slightly more purple than usual.
“Oh dear!” Fluttershy gasped. “Oh my… Hold on, let me try to get you down.”
Fluttershy hovered to the net‘s anchor on the tree. She inspected the knot that held it firm and frowned. It was too taught to untie, but her eyes lit up as an idea came to her.
She wrapped the rope around her foreleg and bit it at the knot's base. Fluttershy tasted the tanginess of reeds as she tore through the fibers. The rope broke with a snap and Fluttershy was yanked through the air by her forelegs. Twilight screamed, and Fluttershy beat her wings like a hummingbird.
They slowed to a crawl, and Fluttershy heaved through gritted teeth. Her wings burned, but her friend was no longer free-falling to the forest floor. Fluttershy lowered Twilight to the ground. She landed beside her with an exhausted plop.
“Ugh. Thank you, Fluttershy,” Twilight groaned as she untangled herself.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all. I couldn't just leave you up there."
Fluttershy sat in front of Twilight. She stretched her aching wings as an awkward silence congealed between them. Twilight pawed the ground and averted her gaze.
“So…” Twilight rubbed the back of her head. “What brings you out here?”
"Well, I was just bringing Lyall some food. I thought he might need a little something extra while he's still getting settled."
“Really? What did you bring him?” Twilight leaned forward. She levitated a crumpled parchment and broken piece of charcoal up to her face.
“Mostly dried fruits and veggies. I also packed some of my supply of dried fish. He seemed to like that.”
“I see… Go on.”
“It was kind of odd, really. He had a strange word for it. I think he called it ‘lutfusk’ or something like that?”
“Can you spell it for me?”
“Uhm… L, U, T,... Err, Twilight?”
“...U, T,... Yes?”
“What are you doing out here?”
Twilight paused and looked up from her parchment. She blushed and forced a laugh.
“Funny thing, actually. I was just on, uh, a nature walk. Bird watching! And I got caught by this net! This is probably somepony’s awful excuse for a prank!”
Fluttershy fought to keep her eyebrow from doing its best Applejack impression. She drew a long breath and smiled.
“Oh, I’m glad to see you taking an interest in my animal friends and nature, Twilight, and I’m glad this visit of yours has absolutely nothing to do with a member of a completely unknown species living an hour or two’s walk away, but if you wanted to know more about local wildlife you could have asked me to introduce you.”
Twilight flattened her ears and kicked the ground. “But… I… Thanks, Fluttershy.”
“Now, why don’t you join me while I go visit Lyall. I can introduce you two. Just remember to be on your best behavior.”
“R-right! Of course!”
Fluttershy trotted into a small clearing with Twilight drudging behind her. Dirt and a few foxtails clung to Fluttershy’s legs, but Twilight stumbled out of a bush like something a cat rejected on a midnight stroll.
Twigs and leaves poked out of Twilight’s tangled mane. Fluttershy saw that though the swelling in her face had gone down, it had been replaced by several cat-scratches caused by thorn bushes. Mud also caked her barrel and forelegs.
Fluttershy felt terrible for her friend’s mishaps, but it wouldn’t do to fix her up now. They still had to get back to Ponyville, after all, and anything Fluttershy did would be futile.
It’s not her fault. Fluttershy reminded herself. Twilight’s not used to this kind of hiking. I’ll clean her up when we get home. Just have to give her a supportive smile.
“Alright.” Fluttershy grinned. “I think we’re almost there. A little bird told me he saw something new move in around here. I’m pretty sure it was Lyall.”
“Okay.” Twilight panted. “Good. I could use a break.”
“Wait.” Fluttershy wrinkled her nose. “I… think I smell smoke.”
“Is that what that awful smell is?”
“... And something else. Uhm, wait here, please, Twilight. If you don’t mind, that is.”
Fluttershy crept forward like a cat, taking care not to scratch herself on any twigs. She moved past a copse of trees, and she scrunched her face at a familiar stench.
Lyall sat in front of a fire with his back toward Fluttershy. He stoked the flames with a long branch while rotating a spit with his other hand. Fluttershy's ear twitched as he hummed a low tune. She closed her eyes and focused on the sounds. Though she couldn't understand the words, the rhythm reminded her of rolling waves.
“Ye gonna skulk back there listenin’ to me ballads, lass, or are ye gonna join me?”
Fluttershy eeped. She didn’t realize he had stopped humming. Lyall remained at his spot by the fire, facing away from her, and completely at ease with her presence.
She slinked forward, ears flat and tail between her legs, and stopped a few paces behind Lyall.
“Umm, h-hello,” Fluttershy mumbled.
“What brings ye out here, Miss Fluttershy?”
“Err, well, I was just bringing you that extra food I promised and coming to see how you were settling in. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Ahh, is that what I smell? Come closer an’ let me see it.”
Fluttershy stepped beside Lyall and avoided looking at whatever was cooking on the spit. Her nose wrinkled instinctively from the scent, but she kept focused on her companion. Lyall took the offered basket and inspected the contents.
“Yes, this is good. It will keep. Who’s yer friend, by the by?”
Twilight squeaked from her hiding spot in the bushes. Fluttershy gaped as Lyall met her eyes. He smirked at her surprise, his facial hair wrinkling from the movement.
“H-how did you know she was there?” Fluttershy asked, head tilted curiously, as Twilight extracted herself from the foliage.
“Ya smell like the wilds, lass, an’ I got a whiff of parchment and ink comin’ from the brush. Last time I checked you don’t find that stuff growing out here. Twilight, I presume?”
“Yes. How do you know my name?” Twilight asked as she squinted at him.
“Your name’s been mentioned ‘forehand. I just put two an’ two together.”
“Rainbow and I mentioned you yesterday when we were talking.” Fluttershy looked at Twilight. “We, well, thought that if anypony could get Lyall home... it would be you.”
“Oh.” Twilight blinked. “Well, I’d certainly welcome the challenge. I’m afraid I can’t promise anything, though. Frankly, we still have no idea what you are or where you’re from.”
“There’s no reason to be hasteful, lass. Methinks I am the first of mine kind to travel these lands, and I don’t believe I would be able to accurately describe mine home in relation to yours.”
“Okay, then. Would you be willing to answer a few questions I have?”
“I suppose,” Lyall replied as he shifted some of the coals.
Fluttershy sat between them as Twilight pulled out her stack of parchment and stick of charcoal. She failed to restrain her grin while she made herself comfortable and levitated the supplies in front of her.
"So, I've done some research and I can't seem to find any records of creatures that match your description. Can you tell me what you are and where you're from?"
“Well, considering I’m an anomaly to your lands, I doubt knowing what I am will help ya much, lass, but I’ll indulge ye. Mine kind refer to ourselves as Man, little unicorn. We are as united as we are fractured - as noble as we are savage. Woodlands and mountains are as much our home as desert and plains. We build cities, sow fields, make families, an’ kill each other over greed and ideas.
“As for who I am. Well, I’m just a traveler of sorts. I go places, see things, and learn new skills. I seem to have found myself here in this land, so I suppose I’ll stay here for a spell. You can call my Lyall.”
“I see... “ Twilight hummed as she scribbled. “And what is your current occupation?”
"Well, recently I got into the business of being an independent courier and investigative consultant. Now, as ya can see, I'm more of a woodsman. Suits me better, methinks. Nice an' quiet."
“That’s actually really interesting!” Twilight beamed. “Can you tell me more about that?”
“Simply put, I was good at finding things, and finding out things, that are hard to get.”
“Oh, like Daring Do?”
“Aye, let’s go with that.”
“Okay, next question!” Twilight paused to flip her paper. “Does your species have any innate abilities or magic?”
“Depends who ya ask,” Lyall began. “Men are both physical and spiritual creatures, though most of us have deadened ourselves to the latter part of our nature. We’re an industrious race - always building things to make our short and hard lives a little easier, and the occult is nothing more than a flight of fancy to most. Those who do stay attuned, however, know that the supernatural is more than myth and legend. The magic of mankind is ancient, primal, and often sinister. People who delve into its secrets are most often servants of some higher power or are seeking power for its own sake.”
“And what about you?”
“I’ve seen some things, but I am no sorcerer, if that’s what you’re wondering.” Lyall chuckled.
“Haha, okay. Next question…”
Luna trotted down the well-lit sidewalks of Baltimare. Her two guards, much taller than her now, stood at her side as she navigated through the crowds. The two thestrals had foregone their armor, favoring matching pairs of Haywaiian shirts, straw hats, and sunglasses.
She marched between them, wearing the disguise of a unicorn filly, while carrying a saddlebag full of flyers. Luna’s short-cropped mane was dark blue, almost raven black, and her coat was a sleek and silvery cerulean that matched her eyes.
“Your Highness?” whispered one of the thestrals.
“Yes, Sergeant?” Luna glanced up at the guard.
“I’m afraid I must voice my concern over this plan. We have no armor and weapons, and you are vulnerable.”
“Nonsense. This is naught but an illusion, and Our magic and strength are fully accessible - even now. Your concern is noted, but We have full confidence in your abilities. Methinks that these streets are safe enough, but you would be more than a match against any petty vagabonds or bandits that waylay us. Now shush, you art meant to play the role of the doting uncle taking thy niece on a holiday.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Now let’s tarry!” Luna shouted and galloped forward with her guards on her fetlocks.
Luna skidded to a halt beside an earth pony stallion. “Greetings, galla-Ahem. We-I mean… Hello, mister!”
The stallion blinked and looked down at Luna with a smile. “Well, hey there, hon. What are you doing out this late?”
“I’m working on a project for school, and my daddy’s brothers offered to help me out. So we’re running around town handing out these!”
He leaned down and squinted at the flyer.
“Ahh… Princess Luna, huh?” He looked at Luna. “Isn’t she that new alicorn that appeared after the Summer Sun Celebration last year? I was wondering what happened to her.”
“She’s not a new alicorn! Princess Luna is Celestia’s younger sister, and she was gone for a thousand years!”
“Ain’t that right? I remember the papers saying something about that… Didn’t she try to conquer the world or something?”
“Not… exactly.” Filly-Luna diverted her eyes. “She and her sister made up, though, and she doesn’t want eternal night anymore!”
“Well that’s good, hon, but why is she coming here?”
“The Princess wants to get to know her subjects, so she’s been traveling around Equestria and visiting all the big cities. She’s gonna be here at midnight! Please, mister, won’t you come? It’ll mean a lot to her… and me!”
“Well… I’ll have to think about it.”
“Thank you! Make sure to tell all your friends!”
Luna galloped away from the stallion with her disguised guards quick on her heels. There was a spring in her step as she handed out several more fliers. The ponies of Baltimare weren’t overly excited, but they were at least curious, for which Luna was thankful.
A large crowd caught Luna’s attention, and she stopped in front of what appeared to be a large amphitheater of sorts where ponies milled about in strange costumes. There was also a long line in front of the entrance with several dozen ponies waiting anxiously to get in. Luna pursed her lips and prodded a unicorn in line.
“Excuse me, miss, but what’s going on?”
The unicorn turned, and Luna eyed her strange attire. She was wearing a full-bodied suit made of brown fur with a layer of rubber skin along the belly. Her hooves were covered in boots shaped like clenched fists, and a paper monkey mask covered her face. A red beret completed the eerie ensemble.
“Oh, hi!” The unicorn shouted over the noise of the crowd. “You mean you don’t know? It’s Apecon!”
“Prithe- I mean… What’s that?”
“Huh… You must be really out of touch!” The unicorn pulled up her mask, revealing cyan fur and bright golden eyes. She wore a jubilant grin. “We’re all here in support of our favorite comic book series. See?”
She levitated a booklet from a saddlebag and floated it to her. Luna took it in her magic and examined it with a critical eye, and sure enough, there were several apes on the cover. Two gorillas, two orangutans, and two chimps. They were all dressed in camouflage jumpsuits and riding in some sort of mechanical chariot. Each one carried a black metal stick that shot fire from the tip, and the one in front was biting a thick cigar between his teeth while wearing a stylish pair of sunglasses and red beret. At the top of the page were six angry red and forest green words:
Our Macho Gorillas: Freedom is Firepower
“That’s Commander Jon Johnson!” The unicorn pointed at the beret-wearing gorilla. “He leads his team across the world fighting irredeemable evil with his ingenuity and his gun Ripper. That’s Borris, the one with the big muscles, and Serge, the suave-looking one.”
“Aren’t you a little old for comic books?” Luna flipped through a few of the pages.
“Pfft. Maybe, but then so are all these ponies! Comic books are just a medium. What really matters is the story it tries to convey. Yeah, on the surface it does seem excessively violent and dripping with testosterone, and you might think only colts might enjoy this, but dig a little deeper and you see a lot of great storytelling, compelling characters, and usually some sort of moral at the end. The stories about the Freedom Six might contain a lot of action, but the elements and messages are universal… Never give up in the face of overwhelming odds, protect those who cannot protect themselves, and sometimes you just have to get rough in order to solve a problem. Yeah… Friendship and harmony are preferred, but there are times when diplomacy just won’t work…”
Luna nodded, but she started to tune the unicorn out. The idea was compelling, if a bit avant-garde, but it was something Luna could agree with. It was a sentiment that modern Equestria seemed to lack - and sometimes reviled - but she remembered a time when the realm was young and threats lurked behind every shadow.
“... Mind if I keep this?” Luna finally interrupted the unicorn’s tirade.
"... Huh? Oh, sure! No problem. I'm actually planning on getting a signed copy tonight! You should totally check out the convention when you can."
“... I might.” Luna smiled and floated a flyer to the unicorn. “Only if you promise to come to this, too!”
“Princess Luna, huh? She sounds pretty cool. I’ll be there!”
“Cool! Bye, and thank you!”
Princess Luna paced nervously behind the curtain. She was glad she had gotten permission to use this amphitheater for her event, and that she didn’t need to make the manager cancel any others. While it was nice being respected, Luna didn’t appreciate the groveling; it reminded her of too many bad memories.
She took a few deep breaths and stepped onto the stage. The murmurs stopped and several dozen pairs of hooves stomped politely as she approached the podium.
“Good eve, mine subjects!” Luna projected her voice. “How farest thou?”
A few ponies in the front relaxed their grimaces and unflattened their ears, and a few ponies replied positively. Luna opened her mouth to speak again, but her train of thought ground to a halt. She had no idea what to say to these ponies. There were so many staring at her, and the lump in her throat threatened to crack her practiced smile. A fire engulfed her stomach and made her queasy.
“Umm… We are glad you are all are having a splendid evening. Verily, mine hast been quite gay!”
Luna’s ear twitched, and she thought she heard a few snickers in the crowd.
This is going to be a long night.