//------------------------------// // Meeting the mystery // Story: The mystery of the Everfree // by Dark Nightshade //------------------------------// Must find its meaning! But how? He probably knows, but I can't let him know I have it! I can't have those......whatever they are attack Ponyville! Ponies could die, judging by what they've done to the Everfree Forest animals. He checked his watch. Ok, I should probably go now. I need food, for myself and for the things. Plus, who knows? I could possible get some info about this thing. The guy looked at the staff one last time, and put his cloak on, ready to get to Ponyville. Fluttershy was searching for some supplies for her pets at the market, when she saw him. Who is he? The only place I've seen him is here, in the market! And he's always wearing that cloak. Is he hiding something? Fluttershy thought as the stallion went up to the information booth. He pulled a medium sized bag of bits a put it on the counter, and nervously glanced around. He looks nervous. Well, I better get back to buying the food and supplies! Angel doesn't like it when I take too long! So Fluttershy continued with her supply shopping. As she paid for the carrots, she turned around and accidentally ran into someone. "Oh my, I'm sorry!" she said as she stepped back. Then she realized who it was. It's him! she thought, and looked around. She realized that the booth she was at was across from the information booth. The one that the stallion had been at earlier. She was brought back to reality a few seconds later when the stallion cleared his throat. "You're standing on one of my papers," he said, pointing to her front left hoof. "Oh! I'm sorry!" she said as she lifted her hoof and backed up a little. The stallion tilted his head. "Are you ok?" he asked. "Yes! I'm fine!" Fluttershy squeaked. The stallion took a step closer. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Yes. I have to go now!" Fluttershy said, as she turned and ran home. What an interesting mare, he thought, and glanced at the sky. She might be in danger know. I must learn who she is to protect her if she is. When Fluttershy got home, Angel was waiting by his food bowl. "Sorry I'm late!" Fluttershy said. "The lines were longer then expected!" And that guy kind of threw me off, she mentally added. She filled the bowls up with food (Angel was first, of course) and otherwise just tended to the animals, when there was some nocking on her door. Who could it be? No one was going to stop by to adopt a pet! Fluttershy thought as she opened her door and gasped. It's him! "What? Is there something wrong with my mane?" the stallion asked. "No, sorry, I just wasn't expecting anyone to stop by!" Fluttershy said. "I hadn't originally planned to stop by," he said, examining the house. "How well protected is this place?" Fluttershy was confused. "Um, I'm not sure? I've never really wondered. Why?" she asked. The stallion shrugged. "You may need it," he said. Fluttershy frowned. "Are you planing on attacking my house?" she growled. The stallion took a step back, a shocked look on his face. "Me? Never!" he said. "I can think of some certain things that would." "Um, ok. So, is that all?" Fluttershy asked. The stallion nodded. "Yes, that is all. Oh, by the way, do you live here?" the stallion asked. "Yes. If you're going to ask why I live so close to the Everfree Forest, it's because of the animals," Fluttershy said, starting to get creeped out. "Hm. Ok. Thanks," he said, turning and started walking towards the Everfree Forest. What is he doing? she wondered. He walked into the forest, and didn't come out. He must be one of those Everfree ghosts that ponies are always talking about seeing, Fluttershy thought with a shiver. Still, just in case, I should see Twilight about this. "Hey Fluttershy! Looking for Twilight?" Spike asked. Fluttershy nodded. Spike opened the door so Fluttershy could get in. "Twilight! Fluttershy needs to see you!" Spike shouted up the stairs. "OK!" Twilight shouted down from wherever she was. A few seconds later, she appeared, using a teleportation spell. "Hey Fluttershy!" Twilight said. "What do you need?" "You have books with info about the ghosts of ponies that have been reported near the Everfree Forest, right?" Fluttershy asked. Twilight sighed. "Yes. You do know ghosts aren't really, right? Don't listen to whoever has been telling you about these 'ghosts'," Twilight said. They headed to the library and Twilight picked out a book and handed it to Fluttershy. She headed to a table and opened it. After skimming thru it, she looked at Twilight. "Is this the only one?" she asked. Twilight nodded. "Yeah. Why? What are you looking for?" Twilight asked. "Have you ever heard of a ghost that had blue skin and yellow hair?" Fluttershy asked. Twilight frowned. "No. However, he is from a story that Zecora told me. It was quite interesting." Twilight said, then frowned. "You're not saying that you actually saw him, did you?" Fluttershy nodded. Twilight sighed. “Fluttershy, I think you’re just imagining things,” Twilight said. “This guy is just a myth!" "But he's not! He's real! He actually spoke to me!" Fluttershy tried to say, but to no avail. "Fluttershy, try not to believe everything you hear, ok?" Twilight said. "But I've never heard of this legend! He's real!" Fluttershy said. There was some knocking on the door, but that wasn't heard by anyone but Spike. He opened the door to see the stallion from earlier. "Hi! What do you need?" Spike asked. "Just some information," he said. Spike nodded. "Ok! Try to ignore the girls upstairs. Fluttershy's trying to convince Twilight that she saw some stallion from a myth," Spike said. "Hm. Let me guess, Fluttershy is kind of cream colored, pink hair, has three butterflies as a cutie mark?" he asked. Spike stared at him. "Yes. Have you met her before?" Spike asked. "Sort of," he said. "So what kind of info do you need?" Spike asked. "I need to know how to properly defend a cottage," he said. "I have a.....friend, and I'm worried that she might be attacked or otherwise affected by a curse that follows me."