//------------------------------// // Unexpected guest // Story: Burnt inside // by MetalBlade //------------------------------// Thick bushes around barely visible path through the forest were moving, as if something was crawling beneath them. The only source of light was that of the moon, lurking from the gaps between branches along with some raindrops. A yellow mare following the patch and observing the surroundings wasn't sure where it leads to. She was tired and unable to fly with her left wing hurt. She knew she can't go back where she came from. The moment she leapt from that cliff ruined it all, now she was probably on the opposite side of the forest. It took her a while, but after some time she started to recognize this part of the Everfree. She came across some landmarks she knew from her childhood, when she used to wander around the forest. The mare went further to look for other landmarks and calculate where she is. A giant dead tree that fell down years before I knew this place. I remember coming here with our mother for the first time. She stopped, looking at the fallen tree and recalling some good memories from the past, when her mother showed her this part of the forest. A rock with some ancient symbols carved on it's surface. I never got to know what these carvings mean. The pegasus stood by a rock lying few hundred metres from the fallen tree and looked around, searching for something. Her gaze stopped at remainings of what seemed to be two stone pillars and a more visible patch between them. She immediatly ran towards it. There it is! I remember that patch, it's rather long but it leads straight to... Her face expression changed from excitation to sadness as she realized situation she's in. ...Ponyville She stood there, as if not sure if she should choose her only way out of the forest or not. I guess I have no other choice than to pay somepony an unexpected visit... If I won't die on my way there, that's it. With her head lowered she took a slow pace along the path. After fifteen long minutes of nervously looking around she found something lying in the middle of her path. As she came closer, she identified the object as a piece of wood. A very characteristic piece of wood. She noticed few more similiar pieces, along with some sticks around the path. I only hope it's not what I think it means... Despite her hopes, few minutes later she felt a nasty smell, followed by few growls. A wolf made out of wood jumped onto the path in front of her. She stepped back, seeing as more of them appear from darkness behind the first wolf. One, two, three, four. Four wooden wolves. I don't think they're going to leave me alone, but this time I might be able to actually defend myself. They aren't that dangerous, and besides that they're really dumb. The idea of fighting in her condition wasn't very smart, but she couldn't risk getting lost another time during the chase. She slowly walked to a nearby tree, so it would be just behing her, and bent her legs, crouching close to the ground. "Come on, you monsters!" She yelled in their direction, provoking one of them to attack. He charged straight at the mare, he was just about to jump when she evaded to the left, back on the path. The wolf slammed into the tree with enormous force, falling apart into pieces. The pegasus took a nearby rock and prepared for the next attack, which came sooner than she'd expected. Another wolf leapt to her and swiftly attacked with his claws, leaving a bloody trail on mare's coat. She groaned in pain, but also managed to smash the wolf's head with her rock, effectively disabling him from further fight. In the meantime, remaining two wolves decided to surround her from two sides and attack at the same time, which she already predicted. The pegasus unfolded her healthy wing and jumped into the air, flapping with it and gaining minimal height. However, it was enough to escape from beetwen two wolves, which smashed into each other, sharing same fate as their comrades. She landed, looking around for any other threat, but to her relief there were no more wolves. Ooh, that was close... Just when she was about to continue, the remainings of her enemies started to glow, and after a while they arose from the ground, forming into a huge creature. "Ooh my, why it must happen now!?" She said to herself frustrated and started to run along the path. The creature started to chase the mare, taking large steps with it's legs and getting dangerously close to the wounded pegasus. I can't stay on the path, it can easily outrun me She made the right decision and jumped away from the path just before the beast leap. She jumped straight down the steep side, rolling down from it and hitting a tree at the bottom. Her vision blurred as she was looking through the fog. She could hear trees breaking under something heavy coming into her direction. She was lying there, feeling her consciousness drift away. Giant wooden beast landed with a powerful impact before the helpless mare. She couldn't do anything but look as the beast raises it's giant claws into air, preparing to deliver a blow. Her vision almost completly dark, last thing she could remember was a stream of purple beam, which destroyed the whole beast just before it stroke, and somepony shouting to her. "Fluttershy!" Somepony... Saved... Me? Is she calling... Her? "Fluttershy, are you alright? I'll use my magic and try to heal you, you'll be fine, I promise!" What is this feeling? It's... Nice A purple aura surrounded the wounded pegasus, healing most of the wounds. The yellow mare slowly regained her senses and raised her head towards her saviour, who was a purple unicorn. "Fluttershy! Thanks Celestia you're alright!" "Ohh, umm... Thanks for help." "Fluttershy...?" The unicorn looked on her friend's flank and noticed something weird "Wait, what's with that cutie mark? You're not Fluttershy?" "uhm... Well, actually, I'm her sister..." "Wow, really? She never told us she had a twin sister, you know. What were you doing in the forest in the middle of the night anyway?" "Umm, I got lost and then that monster attacked me. I was going to visit my sister." "I see, so you went to the forest at night and almost get killed to meet your sister here, in Ponyville? You know, it sounds suspicious..." "Ohh, b-but I would never... I-I would never do-" "Geeez, calm down. I was just joking. You are just like Fluttershy, really." She said with a warm smile "What's your name by the way?" "My name's Moonlight Dancer, and you?" "I'm Twilight Sparkle, nice to meet you." They both shook their hooves, smiling. "Thanks again Twilight, You saved my life." "Oh, don't mind it. By the way, your wing's still hurt, are you sure you don't want to go to our hospital?" "Thanks, but I can handle it. I should meet with Fluttershy now." "Alright, I can show you where she lives, follow me." After a while they came to the Fluttershy's cottage, to their surprise, the lights inside were still on. "Should I go with you, Moonlight?" Twilight asked curiously. "Thanks Twilight, but I'll go alone" I must go alone "Well, I understand. See you soon, then." Twilight left and Moonlight was now standing in front of her sister's door, hesitating for a while. *Knock Knock*