//------------------------------//
// Thorned Rose 
// Story: Plants are People Too 
// by hccpu 
//------------------------------//

	The early bright seemed avoided by Fay's plight, which is quite alright, and with the forest in sight Fay just might get to avoid a fight, alas the Rainbow returned bringing spite. The antecedent aberrations accord appeared annulled by an agent of animosity. The current velocity would overtake any sprint attempt, likewise sprinting upon sight would squash any attempt of further conflict resolution. A bridge must have been burned as Fay stood upon the wrong side of a canyon, so close yet the short path denied.

Fay turned and awaited, fortify for freedom, well traveled routes are watched by predators the correct path may not always be smooth, " Once more it seems I must greet you good morn, and yet here you return bearing me scorn. I came across as rude I know but still, if you wish to converse let your blood chill." Civility required patience but had gotten better results in the long term if this angry avion was any indication.

Rainbow Dash landed goal side forcing Fay to turn once more. Just like last time it seems, polite as long as things are going your way. "I thought you were odd, but espionage in Ponyville... who sent you? Why did you come here?" 

Accusations of espionage were unexpected. Perhaps a dabble of truth to sate this investigation. "An acquaintance and alumni, Ater, nothing pony in this private matter. At first I thought I might not need go back, but he would seek and I a simple track. Simply mistake brings me here, merely chance, and back I go so that we may enhance. It would be wise not to make him to wait. He would be quite irate if I am late. He is a tad cruel on a good day, as such I would like to be on my way." 

Rainbow had expected Fay to be defensive not give an honest sounding answer. It would help if she knew why Twilight thought Fay was a spy.  Clearly though if she didn't leave when she did Fay would be lost to the Everfree. "While we wait for Twilight to give you clearance for take off, mind telling me why you are heading for the Everfree Forest."

What a glorious name, truly what Fay was hoping to hear. "I do not choose which direction is right. I won't lie that it is to my delight. I find myself at peace among plant life, and you can trust they won't pull out a knife. As for hunters that live in there as well, I can defend myself with a few spell."

Spell... as in magic, like a Unicorn. " I've never heard of anything beside a unicorn being capable of spells."

Twilight had finally caught up, having run after Rainbow Dash not knowing the final destination. "If Fay is to be believed his kind, mostly, are unaware of a different creature being capable of spells. Yet despite this mutual censorship, Fay here, came to me seeking information on how we do magic. Claiming to not know our laws on foreigners so that keeping cloaked won't seem strange when griffins and dragons go about out in the open."

The book keeper had been trying to prevent departure through various means. "You are the source of this, book keeper? I had thought you better. Clearly not learning your culture before approaching your kind was a bigger mistake than I had thought. Your inaccurate conclusion would imply poor logic or assumption much like a student, not an esteemed book keeper. Hopefully this is not the truth and you are simply of darker alignment and lying to this one so that unknown knowledge does not escape your grasp."

While true it still hurt a little, "I may be a student but I am Princess Celestia's number one student."

That adds a lot of perspective to Fay's relationship with Ater. "Ater isn't forcing you to help him is he?"

What an odd thing to ask, "He asked for aide to advance our knowledge. There is no reason to not acknowledge. He may be dark but his path is the same, although my path does not follow his aim. I make no claim to know his final goal, and it does not matter I play my role."

Helping an admitted dark figure complete some nefarious plot is one thing but trying to get Twilight be an unwitting co-conspirator was taking it to another level. Charging up her horn and taking a more aggressive stance, "You are going to come with me until I can contact the Princess on proper criminal proceedings as agreed upon by our nations."

The bookkeeper may not know after all. Take the pace, set the tempo, victory is within grasp. "I am going to have to refuse. I would be a terrible nomad if I was unable to defend myself." Taking out the spellbook, Fay turned to the summon spell as its high activation threshold should allow a semblance of control. "Will you be a student once more and act on assumptions of my capability?" Fear of the unknown is in all but the apex.

Rarity had finally arrived. She hadn't seen which way Twilight had went and had to ask around, which wasn't easy considering how few ponies were out to see her in the first place. "Twilight there is a big misunderstanding here."

Twilight quickly explained so Rarity wouldn't get too close. "Rarity, Fay admitted to helping a shady alumni with plots unknown."

It was as she feared, "And that is exactly what I am talking about. You are assuming that means the same thing to us ponies as it does to Fay."

Rainbow had the least exposure to Fay and hadn't heard any of the questionable phrasing. "Why wouldn't it?"

Rarity groaned as words didn't appear they would be enough and removed Fay's cloak via her magic.

Twilight and Rainbow may have stood stunned if Fay hadn't taken that as a sign of open hostility, "The shadow of the flower falls on the vortex and knows no fear. You have brought this upon yourselves."

Fay's obsession with books made that much more sense seeing as they also served as the spell matrix. Twilight attempted to forcefully remove the book from Fay, while Rainbow seemed to be on the same page going in for a tackle.

Fay was pouring in the necessary mana as the blue pegasus blitzed when there was a surge of power causing the spell to surpass the usual highest threshold. The spell activated and violently summoned an unbound knight fiend. Recognizing it for the rouge it was and the threat it posed, Fay turned and ran for the forest uncaring of the fallout.

Rainbow collided with the creature that had appeared in front of her which quickly focused on the equines who needed to learn their place like the spriggan-like creature that fled. Twilight took a moment to recover from the shock of her magic being repurposed.
They would have to deal with this summoned monster before they could hope to pursue Fay.