POW: Silica
As Silica walked into the main room she saw Mythic cleaning the small cauldron. She was going to go get the spare bed before a passing thought came to her.
"Mythic?"
"Yes?" said the zebra, not bothering to stop cleaning, "What is the matter?"
"You know as well as I do, the town is wary of anything that comes from the forest. Especially after..., the bugs were found. How do you think they will take the news of them?"
Mythic slowed down cleaning, coming to a stop a few moments later looking at Silica.
"Silica, it will be fine. It is too early to worry about this matter. We'll find a way."
"I know... I'm just worried. You know what happened last time."
Mythic said nothing. Silica was looking down so she didn't notice Mythic come closer until she was wrapped in a hug.
"Silica, I'm sorry... For your friend, but you have no need to worry. We will another find a way."
Silica only had tears in her eyes and she stood there. As the sun went down, the final rays of light on the hut, on top of the hill. The tears only came out more.
Though the sun's rays were gone, the light of the moon shined through the windows. In the embrace of the moon's light, three souls cried their hearts out.
Morning came slowly for Star, Mark, and Silica.
Upon finding the two asleep, Silica decided to use the spare bed instead. After last night they all needed to let it out.
'I realllllyy don't want to get up...'
Sigh
As Silica got up she looked around. She saw the Mark and Star were still asleep.
'Guess those two were really tired.'
Going to the main room Silica started stretching. She was finished by the time she reached the door. Upon opening and going into the main room, she saw some sandwiches made on the table.
"Hmm, that's disappointing," said Mythic
"AH! Huuh?! Wha?"
After screaming Silica saw Mythic sit near the table.
'Oh... Yeah, I don't have to wake up practically at the middle of the night since training is on hold.'
"Even after 2 years of training you still wake up late."
'Nobody in the village is up either'
Silica just grumbled and ate a sandwich.
"With the way things are a town meeting would never work out. Nothing we can do about it."
Silica's expression darkened at the news.
"Silica, I'll be in the forest looking for specific items for a special brew, I need you to go to town and get some more items on the list I left on the table. Unfortunately don't think it's a good idea to leave the foals alone. The forest is dangerous so you'll have to take them with you."
"Ok..." Silica didn't even look at the list only replied to Mythic.
Later
POV: Star
'After last night my brother and I fell asleep. We were awoken by Silica who said we were going to go to town to get some supply for a special brew. Now we were on the outskirts of the town heading in. To say I was surprised would be the understatement of the year. The zebras were glaring at us as if we were monsters about to attack. scratch that, they were downright hostile. If Silica didn't tell us to wear a cloak, I'd feel... undefended and exposed...'
"Stay close to me okay?"
My brother and I nodded vigorously.
We soon reached a shopping area in which Silica told us to wait on a bench. To which we did. Waiting was awkward, to say the least.
'Waiting... Waiting... annd more Waiting... Wow when you have nothing to do time feels even slower than slow.'
As Star and Mark sat awkwardly they saw a small young zebra nervously going to them. Star looked at Mark. Mark who doesn't have people skills just shrugged with a, 'I don't know' tone. Sighing Star looked at the Zebra.
"H-Hello... I'm Nuru. Mommy says not to go near anyone but I miss my friends and there's nothing to do."
"Well, would you like to sit and talk with us?" replied Star, "I'd imagine with-... being away from friends would be boring."
The young zebra colt nodded and sat down with them. They began to talk though Mark most stayed quiet and didn't add too much to the conversation. Unfortionitly Nuru's mother came yelled and took Nuru away. Star and mark only sat and waited for Silica while still receiving glares from them all.
The pair could feel eyes burning into them from behind them, but they dare not look. Soon Silica came and they went back to the hut near the hill. The environment was just dead. Emptiness. Just the sounds of others and the cold hard feelings of glares around you.
As the three of them got to the hut and went inside, Star made a decision.
"Silica?" said Star looking Silica directly in the eyes.
This surprised Silica because until now, they had never started the conversation. Looking back she saw Star step up.
"Yes?"
"Why were they all so... hostile?"
Silica's ears folded back as she thought. With a sigh, Silica decided to tell them.
"Well... it's because... Do you know what a changling is?"
When she saw their shake of the head she sighed... again...
"There are mostly unknown. All we know is that they are bug-like creatures possessing wings like pegasi and a horn similar to unicorns as well as the natural abilities they come with, though not to the degree of real Unicorns or Pegasi. They are known to have the power to shapeshift into other equine creatures like the ponies and zebras. Unfortunately, they use the power to shapeshift into pony or zebra society and take someone's place. It's unknown why but they've been labeled as a danger to everyone."
By the time Silica said all that she was out of breath. It takes a few seconds for her to realize she never answered Star's question.
"Anyways, about two months ago multiple changling were found and the whole town was rioting. A lot of people were hurt. Some of the changelings fled, and some of our own were killed by our own kin. The whole town is suspicious of each other and everyone."
"Oh, I see..." squeaked Star ears folded back looking down, "Is... Is there anything I can do to help everyone?"
Silica's ears went up as she thought about Star's wording.
"Oh, well... I'm sorry, I can't think of anything."
"Oh, okay..." replied a dejected Star.
"You know, your the first pony I've ever heard say a species-neutral term. Of course, I hadn't met a pony not from Equestria before but wow... that's a first for me."
"Umm,... Silica? You said there were different types of ponies... What are we?"
' What... they... don't know? What happened to them? Amnesia? or something else...' With alarms going off in Silica's head she responded with a smile.
"Well, I mentioned two types of ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi, however, there are also Earth ponies. Unicorns use their horns and are able to use magic in a more complex form. Pegasi use their wings to fly with magic. While they use magic is subconsciously unlike the unicorns. Earth ponies unlike the Pegasi and Unicorn have no extra limb or appendage. Instead, their magic allows them to be more attuned to nature. This allows them to be stronger, faster, and better with plants witch makes ideal for farming."
Silica paused for a moment making sure that the pair were still listening and didn't get lost doing the information dump. After seeing them eyeing her she continued.
"Now, I've mentioned the three types of ponies, but there is one more. They are called Alicorns. Practically extinct. They are incredibly powerful possessing the abilities of the Unicorns, with their horn, the Pegasi with their wings, and the strength of Earth ponies. They are known the be immortal and have a near endless mana or magic reserve. For the last three millennia, only two alicorns were known to exist. Currently, they rule the nation of Equestria."
When Silica was done, Star and Mark looked at the tip of their horns and then wings. Soon the face of realization showed across their face.
Silica only gave a motherly smile.
"You two are perhaps the most important people in the history of the world. Maybe the most endangered too."
The two just stood there, speechless. Silica quickly embraced the two.
"Don't worry, the princesses will protect you, and until they come for you, were your family."