//------------------------------// // First Night // Story: Peace among Warriors // by arkman575 //------------------------------// First Night ‘Well, haven’t we screwed things over’ called the ever annoying tant of Seth’s subconscious. The wolf had just ran from town in a panic as well as rage. On the way, he was met with confused, but more frightened stairs from the passersby. After running blind through the unfamiliar streets, he eventually was able to follow a path that lead to the outlining forest. Now he was resting next to a deceased pheasant he had ‘ran into’.The next few minutes were occupied by Seth regaining himself while realising what he had just done (with the help of his dim witted voice in his head), as well as dine on the deceased bird. “Well, I doubt you helped,” Seth vocally remarked to himself. ‘You literally ran away from your own job! how could I help?’ “They tied me up!” ‘You were captured once or twice in the war, and even earlier today,’ “I was tied up by girls! You have to admit thats wierd!” ‘Point taken. But still, you were chosen for this task for a reason and you let your emotions get the better of you.’ “And it’s only after these things happen that I ever talk to you,” Seth reminded, not wanting to continue this pointless debate. ‘Fine, tonight you can sleep here. But when tomorrow's dawn has risen, you are going back to that unicorn. Deal?’ “Alright, deal” Seth mumbled. “anything to get you to shut up.” At that moment, a twig snapped to the left of Seth, earning his full attention as well as a warning growl. “Oh, I’m so sorry for disturbing you mr. wolf, I just saw you run by my house and I thought something was wrong.” Out of the trees came a yellow pegasus with a pink mane. She seemed rather confident in approaching Seth, if anything, she was truly apologetic. And it worked. Seth couldn’t explain it, but all his anger was slowly being defused by the little pony, which left him as speechless as a mute. “I heard some commotion from around here. And so when I found you, I was only curious to see if you were ok.” The mare said, approaching the wolf with a heart-warming smile. ‘Heart-warming smile, what is wrong with you Seth? You are a wolf, not some lap-dog’ Seth chanted to himself. But to his utter bewilderment, he not only let go of his defensive posture, but actually sat down at attention. But he just couldn’t help it. Those celestial blue eyes could make you melt. “That’s a good boy. How about a scratch behind the ear.” ‘No. No. No. Why am I wagging my tail!!!!’ “Aw, look how happy you look! You're just a cuddly little thing, aren't you?” ‘Cuddly? That tares it.’ “Look, I’m sorry, but this is not working” The now free Seth began. “I know you were meaning good and all, but I have been having a really bad day and I just want to get some sleep, so if you don’t mind-” “Oh my Celestia, a talking wolf!” The pegasus chimed. “Please, come over to my house, I insist. It’s the least I can do for interrupting your night. I don’t mind having company, especially from a nice fella like you.” the pony jived, fluttering her eyes. “Well, I just want some time alone... and, well... today has...” Seth kept losing himself to those hypnotic puppy dog eyes. “Oh, well, if you really don’t want to-” “Ok, fine. I’ll go.” Seth sarcastically admitting defeat. “Oh, this is wonderful! My own talking wolf in my home!” the pegasus cheered “On one condition” Seth intruded, “You can't tie me up” “Why in the world would I do that?” she asked, taking it as a joke. “Trust me, I wouldn’t know why either” Seth half-heartedly laughed as the two began their walk out of the forest. “So, you just run into a forest, just because you see a wolf go in before you?” Seth had been debating this fact with the pegasus for the entire journey to the cottage. At the moment, the mare was heating a kettle for what he assumed from the aroma was an herbal tea, while Seth adjourned himself on the nearby couch at the pony’s request. “Well, like I said, you looked distressed. It’s in my nature to help other animals” she answered, still in her ‘heart-filled’ tone. “Fine, I’ll let it go. By the way, I never got your name.” “Oh, I’m sorry, my name is Fluttershy” “Nice to meet you, I’m Seth.” “Thank-you. You know, you are the best wolf I have ever met.” “You’ve met a wolf?” Seth asked with a slight laugh. “Well, no. You are the first I’ve ever seen close up!” “Brave pony” “Thank-you.” “Your welcome, and you’re probably the nicest pony I’ve met.” It was true of course, but the more Seth realised it, the more he figured that this moment was probably the best time he had in Equestria. “You must not have met too many ponies then.” Fluttershy replied, trying to sound modest. “I’ve met a dozen ponies already, and you still take the cake.” Seth chuckled to himself, remembering his day. “Oh, you're too kind.” “Well, In your defence, I was tied up by three of them.” “W-what?” “Don’t ask.” As the tea started to boil, Fluttershy moved the kettle to a tea cosy and took out two cups. While she poured the first beverage, as knock came from the door. Seth joined Fluttershy in the kitchen to avoid being seen from the common room. Fluttershy understood the silent message and trotted over to the door. Seth could hear her open the door and greet the guests in her usual happy tone. However, the voices of the guests caught his attention. “Hi Fluttershy, I’m sorry to bother you this late in the evening, but I was wondering if you have seen anything or anypony odd as of late.” Twilight. The last pony (well, maybe third) Seth wanted to see right now. He just wanted one night’s sleep before returning to talk with her and that rainbow one. “Well, I haven’t seen anypony most of the day,” Fluttershy began with a tone of discomfort. “Why, is somepony lost?” “Well, not exactly. I was supposed to have a diplomat over to negotiate some peace treaties, and Dash... sort of drove him out.” “Oh, what does he look like? I could keep an eye out for him, if you like?” Twilight hesitated at the question, earning a concerned look from Fluttershy. “Well, he’s not a pony...” “Is he a griffin, because I haven’t seen one since Rainbow had Gilda over.” Fluttershy interrupted, slightly less concerned. “No, I just don’t know how to say it. He’s a wolf.” A moments pause filled the air. “That's all you're worried about? A wolf?” Fluttershy was now laughing (well her version of laughing) as Twilight just got more and more annoyed with the lack of seriousness. “Fluttershy, this is serious! Of all the ponies I was going to ask, I thought you were going to be the most level headed!” Twilight half yelled. “Oh, I’m sorry Twilight. I promise to listen and take this as seriously as you want” Fluttershy said, retreating into her hair. “I’m sorry for barking at you, it’s just... he’s probably not dangerous by nature, but he’s gone through a lot today. That’s why I want to find him before... anything unexpected could happen.” “I understand Twilight” Fluttershy responded, acknowledging her friend's dilemma. “So, have you seen anything?” It was now Shy’s turn to hesitate, which lead a stressed Seth on the edge of his seat, metaphorically. “Well, I did see a wolf...” “Where?” “He went into the forest...” “Did you see which way he went?” “Ya, he didn’t go too far, just beyond the first tree line” “Thanks Fluttershy, this makes everything a lot easier!” Twilight said before departing for the forest. ‘Well, first pony friend I’ve met and she has already given me a day’s rest from those insane friends of hers-’ “And then I went after him.” Fluttershy called out to Twilight, who took a 180 at the new information. “You WHAT!” the unicorn stammered. “And now he’s in my kitchen.” Fluttershy said, once again retreating into her mane. ‘- And immediately backstabs me right after that. Just my luck’ Seth thought, immediately face-pawing. Twilight pushed past Fluttershy, horn ablaze, charging for the kitchen. What met her was a less than enthusiastic wolf casually sipping on a cup of tea. “Hi” Seth greeted with a half smirk. Twilight opened her mouth as if to say something, but ended in a state of confusion. Evently, her horn’s energy faded as she slowly closed her mouth, although she still held the concerned look. After several moments and half a cup of tea later, Seth finally broke the silence. “We should probably talk.” “That would be good.” Twilight said, dropping her head in exhaustion. The three walked over to the den (at Fluttershy’s urging request to know more about the wolf) and sat separately. Again, silence filled the room, as the three waited for one of them to break the figurative ice. “Look, I’m sorry about earlier,” Twilight finally began. “It’s just that I was stressed over you coming over and Dash tying you up, things just got out of hoof.” “Look, I get the whole ‘wolf’ thing gets to ponies. Frankly, I got tied up earlier this morning,” Seth said. “Oh, sorry to hear th- Wait, tied up earlier?” Twilight stammered. “Canterlot guards, pestering jobs, long story.” he half laughed. “I won't ask,” Twilight replied. “About Rainbow Dash, she can get a little hot headed when intimidated” “Am I that intimidating?” Seth laughed “Well, you are a wolf. No offence.” “And I am a good half a foot taller that you.” “Are all wolves this big, or is it just the alphas?” Twilight jived. “Oh, Twilight?” Fluttershy called from the couch. “You do know what alpha wolves are known for, right?” “Of course, Seth told me everything.” Fluttershy’s eyes grew beyond their ordinary large size at the news, as well as her cheeks reddening. “He even gave me a few examples” Twilight continued, graceful as ever. The pegasus was now darting her eyes, unsure of what to make of this. Seth was only facepawing at every comment. ‘Well, time to end this trainwreck early’ “Uh Fluttershy, do you mind getting us a bit more tea?” Seth called, trying to defuse the awkward conversation. In less than a second, Fluttershy had taken both teacups and dashed to the kitchen. “By the way, wolves are known for a little more than just fighting and knowledge.” “Oh?” Twilight delightfully replied, still oblivious of the hints. “And what exactly are they known for?” “Well, as an alpha wolf... oh Pterolykos help me out here” Seth moned. “Pterolykos?” Twilight repeated. “Pterolykos, the winged wolf. Basically our god.” Seth answered. “So what are you maskulin alphas about?” the unicorn scaler insisted, edging closer to the embarrassed Seth. “You are not making this easy for me, are you?” Seth said, shaking his head. “Well, as alphas, we have certain roles amongst our fellow canines. Certin... reproductive... roles.” “Oh. Oh...” Was all Twilight could say as her cheeks turned a deeper shade of purple by the second. After a few minutes of silence, Seth assumed that Fluttershy was not returning to the conversation. Truthfully, he couldn’t blame her in the least. Finally, Twilight gained the courage to speak.  “There is one last thing I have to ask though,” “What was with that blowout earlier?” Twilight only nodded. Seth hesitated as he turned to face one of the walls. He was trying to think how far this should go, losing all emotions other than a sullen look in the process. “You're a historian, right?” Seth began. Again, she nodded. “Good, it will help explaining a few things. First, how far back in pony history do you know?” Twilight pondered the question for a few seconds then replied, “Probably a little beyond the first hearth's warming eve.” “And how far back was that after or before the war?” “W-war?” Twilight began, obviously lost by the question. “The great pony war, roughly a thousand years ago.” Seth continued in his ever dark tone. “There hasn’t been a war since the days before the three tribes united.” Twilight corrected in an unsure tone. Seth mulled over this news. ‘A historian, let alone the princess’s pride student, doesn’t know about this? Twilight must know. Although, she’s too innocent for such things. The biggest news she probably gets is that a new pallet of books are being delivered for her to sort. I can't destroy her like this. “N- never mind.” Seth finally said looking to the ground. With a quizzical look, Twilight was about to protest before a wall clock chimed. “Wow, nine already? I should probably head back home. If you want to join me, you can, or you can stay the night here if Fluttershy likes.” “Oh yes oh yes ohyesohyesohyesohyesohyes” the pegasus bluted out from the kitchen, running towards the two, only silenced when an annoyed unicorn glared at her. “That's probably for the best. I still haven't even introduced you to Spike and- Oh Celestia, I forgot about Spike! Gotta’ go Fluttershy.” And with that, Twilight was out the door. “Wait!” called Fluttershy, running towards the door. “So that's a yes for me keeping him...as a guest?” [hl] As Twilight walked in the the library's door, a waft of burning daisies impaled her nostoles. “Spike!” “There you are Twilight, where have you been?” the dragon called from the kitchen, douching a pot with a hefty amount of water. “Never mind me, what did you do!” pestered the annoyed unicorn rushing over to her kitchen, horn lit. “Well, since you weren't home when I got back, I thought I would get a head start, thats all.” Spike replied in a defensive tone. After several cleaning spells were cast, Twilight placed an apologetic hoof on her assistants shoulder. “I’m sorry for blowing up like that. It’s just this foreign affair thing still.” “By the way, where is that king guy anyway?” interrupted Spike, cracking a smile. “First, he’s not a king,” Twilight corrected, earning an eye rolling from the dragon. “Second, not too well to say the least.” Twilight sighed while pulling out some gems and tossing them to Spike. “And what would you say if you were to tell me the most?” Spike inquired, needing to know more on the subject. “Well, lets just say he and Rainbow didn’t hit it off to well...” “Come on Twilight, I need to know more. None of this hiding behind the bush stuff.” “Fine, I’ll tell you about him tomorrow. He probably will stop by to pick up his things anyway. Right now, I just need rest.” The unicorn said before climbing the wooden stairs. “And you need to clean the last of your cooking.”