“Seriously, what twisted mage decided it was a good idea to create a spell that makes bubbles explode?! Ow...” Twilight screamed in frustration as Ralts nursed her battered sides.
Ralts reached up and patted her on the shoulder, carefully avoiding any areas which were still tender. “Don’t feel bad, Twilight. Surskit is the strongest one here, and he thought you did okay.”
“All I did was get knocked around...” Twilight mumbled. “I couldn’t get close with all the bubbles he spat at me, and whenever I did, he’d sting me. That horn on his head really hurts!”
“But when you started using your psychic abilities-”
“Magic,” Twilight corrected.
Ralts tilted his head to the side briefly, then continued. “Then you started pushing him back! I’ve never seen anyone even wear him down. At the end, you forced him to get close!”
Twilight looked to the ground as she thought back to the battle. At the beginning, she was afraid to use her magic for fear of burning out again, and only used her hooves and horn to fight. Her aching side was proof of how well that tactic worked. Eventually though, she allowed herself to use her magic, and the battle seemed to turn in her favor. At least, until Surskit rushed in and skewered her with that glowing horn of his.
Whatever magic he used to make his horn glow also made its hits extra painful.
Still, she allowed herself a small smile. Using her magic had made a difference, though she still lost, it hadn’t gone out of control. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“And because of that, Surskit says you can stay with us!” Twilight peered under Ralts’ hair. His smile reached up into his cheeks, pushing all the way into his closed eyes. It was the sort of smile that infected anyone who saw it, and Twilight was no exception. “Isn’t it great?”
Twilight nodded, though her smile faltered. “Hey, Ralts?”
“What is it? Your emotions just sank a little.”
“Do you think I’ll ever make it home? Will I ever see my family again?”
Ralts put an arm to his chin, then shrugged. “Hmm... I don’t know. But I do know that we’ll be here for you until they find you. The family never abandons one of its own.”
*****
The sentry watched the gathering from her post, concealed by the tall grass. Ever on the alert, she watched for any stray prey to wander away from the group. She had to be careful, as the Stinger was watching everything and wouldn’t hesitate to stab her.
Just then she saw what she had been waiting for: a fat Wurmple which had foolishly wandered away from the safety of the group. Battered and scratched from a recent battle, yet still alive, it would make an easy kill to present to Alpha. She moved swiftly and quietly through the grass, keeping her eyes trained on the juicy bug as she progressed. Soon, she was within striking range.
She heard a slight rustling behind her. Her ears swiveled back, alerted by a sudden *ping* followed by what sounded like a dozen Wurmple all screeching at once. She whirled to face the noise with a growl. “Who dares disturb my hunt?!”
A flash of orange met her eyes, and a searing heat lanced into her chest.
*****
‘What wouldn’t I give for a book right now?’
Twilight sighed as she watched the family members play. They seemed to be having fun, playing games like hide-and-seek and tag or seeing who could find the most berries before lunch. No one ever strayed too far from the clearing, though; Surskit made sure of that. Just a few minutes ago, she had tried to get some water from the pond, but Surskit made her go with two Wurmple. And they were sooo sloooow...
“Zigza zagoon?” Twilight looked over at the loll-tongued, smiling newcomer who was staring at her, then looked around. Ralts was nowhere to be- wait, there he was, playing with the Wurmple that returned with her. They were all piled on top of his laughing form, tickling him with a dozen little feet. It made Twilight smile, but it didn’t help her at the moment.
“Um, h-hello,” she said hesitantly. It turned its head sideways and shut its mouth.
“Goon?”
She shook her head. “Sorry, I can’t understand you... Can you understand me?” Zigzagoon’s tongue flopped out again as he nodded fervently, bringing her to smile. “I don’t know how you do it. My parents tell me I’m a smart filly, but here you are knowing my language and we’ve only talked once before!”
Zigzagoon’s ears perked up. Then he reached up and put a paw on Twilight’s barrel. “Zig,” he said, staring at her intently.
“Uh...”
He reared up on his hind legs and put his paws around her ears, shaking his head. “Zag.” Then he patted her ears and touched her chest again. “Zig!”
Twilight blinked slowly. “I don’t understand. What are you trying to tell me?” He furrowed his bushy brows with a snort and tapped her chest again. “Me?” He shook his head. “My chest?” He shook his head again and thumped her with a rhythmic *tap tap* *tap tap*. “...My heart?”
Zigzagoon nodded and bounced around her happily. She didn’t quite understand what was going on, but his glee was infectious. Then he returned and reached up again, tapping her ears, followed by her chest. “Ears and heart?”
He shook his head and stepped back a step, much to Twilight’s frustration. What was she missing? His paw went from his muzzle, then back to her ears, and finally to her chest. “Mouth, ear, heart...” Zigzagoon stared at her as her face scrunched in thought. “No... Your mouth, my ears, my heart.”
He began to perk.
“...You speak, I hear, my heart?”
His tongue flopped out of his mouth once again as he began to bounce in place.
“You speak, I listen with my heart?”
“Zig!” In an instant, Zigzagoon crashed into her, bowling her over and licking her face repeatedly. Twilight couldn’t help but laugh at his antics.
“Zigzagoon, stop!” she giggled, squirming and trying to get her legs back underneath her. When she finally managed it, Zigzagoon leapt backward and stared hard at her.
“Zigzagoo?” he said.
Twilight’s giggles diminished enough for her to focus. She still didn’t understand what he was saying, but maybe she would figure it out. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I didn’t understand you. Say it again.”
“Zigzagoo?” he repeated.
“Again.” Twilight’s breath slowed. ‘I can do this. I just have to listen with my heart...’
“Zigza me now?”
Her ears shot straight up, and her eyes widened. “Again! Say that again!”
“Can you hear me now?” he asked, a hopeful look in his eyes.
*****
Ralts felt his sides tingling, and his feet felt like he was running through piles of dry leaves. As the last Wurmple hopped off of him, he turned with a smile to see Twilispark and Zigzagoon bouncing in circles around each other.
*****
Alpha growled. None of his sentries had returned yet, despite the sun reaching its peak. “This isn’t normal. I trained my pack better than this!” He stormed out of the den, his packmates quickly getting out of his way.
Just then, he heard a faint whimper. “A-Alpha...” When he turned his head, he watched the first of his sentries to return collapse to the ground. Her sides and chest were riddled with scratches and holes, and patches of her fur smelled strange.
“...Who did this to you?”
His sentry struggled to sit up, but she failed to manage, her breathing labored. “Th-there was... a new...” She couldn’t continue, her fatigue forcing her to sleep.
As quickly as he could without being overly rough, Alpha dragged her back into the den to rest. A moment later, he charged back outside and howled. All activity among his pack, from the playful banter of pups to the training of older warriors, immediately shifted into frenzied preparation.
The call to war was sounded.
*****
“It seems you have a heart after all, Twilispark,” Surskit said, his face emotionless.
“Yep!” Ralts replied happily. “I told you so!”
“That you did.” Surskit looked up at the newest addition to the family. “Ralts, stay here and watch over the Wurmple. You come with me.” Twilight blinked and looked at Ralts. He smiled and motioned her to go after Surskit, so she followed as he skated to the other side of the clearing. When he finally stopped, they stood next to a patch of tall grass. “Twilispark, I want you to see something,” he said, pointing into the grass.
Twilight nodded and pushed into the area. The smell grew steadily worse as she pressed on, until finally she reached her target.
She puked.
“Wh-what happened...?” she asked as she wiped her face.
“There are predators out there who would prey on us, as they did with this poor Wurmple,” Surskit said, looking at the shredded, half-eaten carcass. “This is why I always watch over the clearing. This is why we don’t go out alone.” Twilight forced herself to look away, despite the protests of her scientific side. “Come we should get back to-”
A nearby rustling stopped him. Twilight’s ears also perked at the sound, wary now that she had seen what could be waiting for her. “Surskit...”
“Back to the clearing. Now.” The pair quickly left the grass, keeping an eye on it in case something appeared. But something didn’t appear.
Five somethings appeared, each with grey fur, yellow eyes, and bared fangs.
“It’s the Stinger!” one cried as it charged them, ramming into Surskit and sending him tumbling.
“Surskit!” Twilight cried, moving to help him, but he stopped her.
“I can take care of these! Go protect the others!” Twilight whirled to see another group closing in on the family. She looked back to see Surskit skate around the side of another charging Poochyena and stab it with his horn. “What are you waiting for?! Go!”