//------------------------------// // Chapter III: Reminisce // Story: The Black Cat // by AliceA020 //------------------------------// It wasn’t smart of me to enter the Everfree forest, especially when I had been warned many times to stay away. But something caught my eye, and my adventurous and curious side took over. And right now, I really hate the phrase “Curiosity killed the cat”. If I hadn’t been running for my life, I’d probably have taken some time to enjoy the breeze and nature. Today started off right—I woke up, ate breakfast, and was bored for a while. And then I peered out the window. A simple sparkle, like light reflecting off broken glass. It drew me in somehow. I pushed it to the back of my mind but it kept finding its way to the front again. So, with a glance to Twilight and Spike to make sure they weren’t looking, I slipped out the doorway. And then everything went wrong. Through the corners of my eyes, I can see the glowing eyes of the creatures that hide away, perhaps waiting for the right prey to pass by. I hope I’m not on the menu. I might be for the one chasing me, but I don’t want to add any more to the list. Up ahead, a place where I can possibly hide enters my vision. Of course, I won’t be able to wait there until the creature gives up—chances are he probably won’t. But at least it’d buy me some time. I make a mad dash for the area, running faster than I ever have before. In around a minute or so, I reach the place and whip around, leaning against the tall rock. I’m breathing heavily, and I try to keep it unnoticeable, but it proves to be mission impossible. I see the creature’s shadow, but I hear no footsteps. The creature floats, not walks. I see it continue to move forward and I can eventually see its entire body, which is a mix of a bunch of different animal parts. But I don’t see its face. It’s facing away from me. I decide to take this as my chance to run away, but just as I turn and take a step, the creature says something. “Where are you going, my dear?” I freeze in my tracks, not daring to take another step. It chuckles. “You’re not gonna eat me, are you?” I say after a few moments. I face the creature now. His irises are red. The creature blinks a few times before bursting out laughing. “Eat you? Now why would I wanna do that?” I sigh. “Okay, then who are you? And why are you following me?” “The name is Discord, and I’m following you because I’d like to make a contract.” ~*O*~*O*~*O*~ The second I enter the house, Twilight rushes over to me. “Where have you been?!” she yells. “Sorry,” I say. “I decided to take a stroll.” “Why didn’t you tell me?! You could’ve been hurt! Or somepony might’ve found out about you!” “No secrets were told, nor is there a scratch on me. Calm down now.” Twilight still has the anger and worry in her eyes, so I continue. “I’ll tell you next time, alright?” With a sigh, she nods. “Alright.” She trots over to where it seems she has some notes stashed. “Now, I tried to do a little research about your world and how to return you to it. “And…?” She sighed. “Nothing. I’m thinking about sending word to the Princess about you. She might know what to do.” “A princess rules this world?” “Two, actually. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Princess Celestia is responsible for raising the sun, whereas Princess Luna is responsible for the moon.” “Hmm, interesting. In my world, no one is responsible for the sun and moon.” “Care to tell me about it?” Twilight says, igniting her horn and floating over a notepad and a pencil. I shrug. “Sure. Our day and night is brought because of the Earth’s rotation. It rotates over a twenty-four hour period.” Twilight jots it all down, and I can’t help but give a slight chuckle. “You love learning, huh?” I say. She finishes before looking up and nodding. “I’ve loved it ever since I was a little filly. I remember when I first came to Ponyville to learn about the magic of friendship.” “And how was that?” I smile. She returns the smile. “Great. At first, I was pretty reluctant. I didn’t want to make any friends. I always wanted to bury my nose in a book. But now I have six wonderful friends, including Spike.” “Oh? Care to tell me about them?” She smiles. “Sure. There’s Applejack. She runs a farm just outside of Ponyville with her family. She’s competitive, and loves the applebucking season. She once lost a lot of sleep since she had to do it all on her own.” She chuckles. “But Applejack is honest and pretty stubborn. “Then there’s Rainbow Dash. Now she’s very competitive. And she hates losing. But she’s the first and only pony to ever perform the Sonic Rainboom. Rainbow is a loyal friend, though. Whenever she is put in a tough spot, we can always count on her to make the right decision. “Rarity’s next. She’s a bit of a drama queen, but she is the best at fashion. She always creates the best outfits for anypony. There was one time where she was creating dresses for a fashion show, and all six of us kept insisting on improving the dresses, but they were already perfect. They ended up being horrible,” she says, chuckling at the memory. “But she’s a generous pony. She once cut off her tail! I don’t think even I could do that. “Fluttershy’s name suits her; she’s very shy. I couldn’t hear her at all when she was telling me her name. Fluttershy owns a cottage a bit near the Everfree forest, where she cares for all these animals. She might be shy, but I she’s too kind for her own good. She once stole the Princess’s pet thinking he was sick. “There’s no way to explain Pinkie Pie. She’s so random. But that’s part of what makes her so great. She can always make anypony smile, no matter how down they are. I don’t know how she does it, but she does it. There was a time where she thought we weren’t her friends anymore, and she went crazy. I don’t think anypony could ever stop being her friend, though. She makes anyone laugh. “And then there’s Spike—well, you know Spike.” “Yeah. Speaking of Spike, where is he?” “At Rarity’s. He has a bit of a crush on her.” “Aw,” I say with a chuckle. “That’s kinda cute.” “I suppose it is.” She smiles. I stretch. “I remember when I dropped outta school.” Her mouth hangs open. “You dropped out of school?!” I nod. “Why?!” “For music.” She gives me a curious look. “Ever since that day in freshmen year, I always knew music was my passion and the way I wanted to go.” “May I know about that day?” I hesitate for a few moments, then answer. “Perhaps another day.” She nods in understanding. “Oh, weren’t you gonna write that letter to the Princess?” I ask. “I’ll do it later. I can’t send it till Spike gets back anyway.” “Ah, I see.” It’s quiet for a few moments until Fluttershy quickly opens the door, breaking the silence. She’s breathing heavily, proving she most likely ran here at top speed. “Fluttershy? What is it?” Twilight asks. “Oh, Twilight! It’s just awful!” She says worriedly. I can tell by her voice she’s fighting back tears. “What?” “Angel is gone!”