After the eventful night, my sister Pipp and I began our journey back home. However, on our way, I saw a forest and started to feel a sudden urge to explore. I turned to my sister and said, "Hey, Pipp, I am going to take a little stroll through the woods." As I turned to head into the woods, I noticed Pipp opening her mouth, but I cut her off, saying, "Don't worry, sis; I will be back at the castle before supper, don't worry."
As I ventured deeper into the woods, the world around me seemed to come alive with vibrant colours and the soft rustle of leaves. Just when I thought it couldn't get any more enchanting, I heard a weak voice calling out, "Help."
Startled, I spun around to find a pony concealed behind the trees. She appeared to be in terrible shape, swaying unsteadily. Concerned, I approached her cautiously. "Can you come out? I'll do what I can to help."
The pony made an effort to walk toward me, but she faltered and began to fall. Without a second thought, I zipped beneath her, catching her before she could hit the forest floor. "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice filled with worry.
To my astonishment, as I examined her more closely, it became evident that she wasn't a pony at all but some kind of mysterious creature. She had striking, glowing red eyes, wings that glistened with an otherworldly crimson hue, and a sleek, shiny body. I laid the creature on her back, putting her saddlebag off to the side.
"Who are you?" I said. The creature didn't say anything, but I think it was trying to tell me something. I kneeled to hear her better. I could see that this creature was in a bit of pain.
"Stay right here, miss. I'll go get somepony to help," I said as I was about to fly away when I heard her speak.
"Don't... go... my... child. You... must... stay," she said.
"Why? You look like you need help, lady," I said.
"It's because... I don't have... time to wait... just tell me your... name, my child," she said.
"Uhh, Zipp is my name. I might as well ask you the same question," I said.
"Zara," Zara said as she then reached into her now visible bag and pulled out what looked like an egg.
"What is that?" I said.
"This... this is my daughter, but I am not going to live long enough to see her," Zara said as she turned to me, then started to give me the egg, "please... take care of her for me," Zara said with tears in her eyes. I was a bit hesitant but I knew it was the right thing to do, so I took the egg from her hooves.
"Thank… Thank... you... my... child," Zara said as her voice drifted off and she closed her eyes, letting out her final breath. I was pretty shaken up by this. I had just been given an egg by a mysterious creature, and now that creature had just died right in front of me. I knew I had to do something to honour the poor creature. I then found a few nearby sticks and grass and tied them up in the shape of a cross. I set it next to the creature as I shed a single tear.
"Well, it's a terrible day for rain, alright," I said as I flew away with the egg in my saddlebag. I was feeling rather nervous to tell the others about this since I had no idea what to do in this case. But if I knew anything, it was that I could rely on my friends, and that is what I was going to do, I thought as I headed home.
After what seemed like an eternity, I was able to get back home with the egg still intact. I walked inside to see Pipp waiting for me. “Zip, what took you so long? I was worried sick”, Pipp said, tapping her hoof impatiently. I was about to open my mouth to tell her what had just happened with the creature and the egg, but before I could respond in time, Pipp grabbed my hoof and dragged me to the dinner table.
"You're late, Zipp," Mom said as she took a sip from her drink. "Sorry, Mom. I... I got a little lost on the way back home," I said, trying to come up with an excuse.
"Then you should have gone with me, Zipp," Pipp said. I rolled my eyes as I replied, "I know, I know," and took a seat at the dinner table, placing my bag down. We then began to eat, and it felt normal, but there was something missing. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get what happened out of my head. I couldn’t help but think what would have happened to the egg if I wasn't there. It felt like a million questions just poured into my mind from that very minute.
While we were eating, I continued to think about what happened and everything. I thought no pony in the room could see it, but I was wrong.
"Zipp, what is that in your bag?" My mother said. I then panicked in my head at that moment. I was so conflicted on whether I should tell her the truth or not.
"Uhh, it’s nothing. Just… a… rock I found outside and wanted to bring it here. Yeah," I quickly said the first excuse that came to my head.
"Oh, okay," my mother said. I was so embarrassed by that as I mentally hoofed and berated myself for that; at least she bought it. That was such a lame excuse, but I went with it anyway.
After a little bit of time, my mother looked out the window and saw that some storm clouds were starting to form. "Well, it’s a good thing you came back as it looks like a storm is coming this way," my mother said.
"True. I don’t think the both of us like to fly in a storm," Pipp said.
"Agreed," I said as I finished my dinner and headed to my bedroom.
Once I got to my room with my bag, I took the egg out as it was fully black with what looked to be the baby inside. It was hard to tell, but this egg looked a bit transparent. It didn’t look like any kind of egg I had seen before, but I continued to study it. Just then, my bedroom door slammed open as Pipp entered.
"Zipp, what happened? I know you didn’t pick up a rock because it looked interesting," Pipp said in a stern voice.
"What are you talking about? That’s the whole reason," I said as I stood up in front of the egg, trying to keep her from seeing it.
"Are you sure?" Pipp said.
"Yes, I’m sure. I made it back here in one piece. No need to be overprotective," I said.
"Well then, if you really mean that, then you will show me the rock or tell me what really happened." I was a bit timid about what I was about to do, but I didn't really have much of a choice. I let out a very big sigh and grabbed the egg and showed it to Pipp. "Here you go," I said. The second I finished my sentence, Pipp rushed over to the egg in excitement.
"It’s an egg," Pipp kept looking at the egg with a big smile. "It’s adorable," Pipp said before she looked at me, giving me a playful wink. "Who was the lucky stallion?" I shook my head with a little annoyance at what Pipp said.
"No, I didn't sleep with a stallion!" I said.
"Geez, calm down, I was only joking, you know," Pipp said as I rolled my eyes.
"So then where did you find this egg?" Pipp asked as she continued to look at the egg that I put on the bed.
"Well, it’s a bit of a long story," I said, trying to avoid talking about what happened.
"We have the time," Pipp said.
Pipp approached me and enveloped me in a warm, comforting hug. Words didn't come immediately, so I began to speak, my voice tinged with remorse.
"I'm truly sorry for lying earlier. I just felt so lost, unprepared for witnessing someone's passing right before my eyes. I'm not usually this emotional," I admitted, my hoof brushing away the tears that had welled up.
Pipp held me tighter and reassured me, "It's only natural for you to feel this way."
After our heartfelt conversation, Pipp and I decided it was time to get some rest. We headed to our respective beds, but I couldn't bear to be separated from the mysterious egg. With great care, I cradled it close to me, feeling its warmth against my body as I held it in my hooves.
As I settled under the covers, Pipp looked over at me with a knowing smile. "Don't worry, Zipp. We'll figure this out together," she said, her voice filled with sisterly reassurance.
I nodded, feeling grateful for her support. Holding the egg close, I closed my eyes, hoping for a peaceful night's sleep, despite the weight of the day's events on my mind.