//------------------------------// // 11 - Whoop de doo // Story: Owlowiscious The Immortal Owl // by sunnypack //------------------------------// Chapter 11: Whoop de doo A few minutes after our near-death experience, Zecora spotted a manticore and sighed with relief. I know that's usually not the usual response, but heck, after watching two creatures that could literally rip trees apart almost kill you, a manticore seems almost normal. Instead of making our life more difficult, the manticore glanced at us with disinterest and loped away. “These herbs are still of great use, but they do us no good when Bites are loose.” I didn’t reply to that. I was still trying to swallow back a heart that wanted to exit through my mouth. “You are right my friend, time is of the essence, a hoof we must lend.” We caught up with Twilight as she was herding the last of the Who’s. Every time she asked them to do something, the Follower would bow ridiculously low, and things would often spill out of the backpack or saddlebag they were using. I think that was frustrating her more than anything else. When she spotted us, she heaved a sigh of relief. “Zecora, Owlowiscious, you’re both safe!” She gave each of us a hug. I eased myself away and perched on her shoulder before she squashed a few more of my primaries. “Twilight Sparkle, I have received your letter, I wish our circumstances could be better.” “Me too. Zecora, do you know anything about these Bites?” “Ah you are familiar with their name? Then you must know they are not so tame. Apart from fangs and teeth so sharp, I would not know where to start.” That’s still not a perfect rhyme. Twilight nodded, not seeming to notice. She gestured behind her. “We found these… Followers setting up camp in the Everfree for some reason.” Twilight took in the forest with curious eyes. “I don’t know why everything seems to happen here.” I tapped Twilight on the shoulder with a claw. “Maybe they’re attracted to the hotspot too? Seems like an innate sense you ponies have.” Twilight considered the statement, looking surprised, as if the thought had never occurred to her. “Hmm, could be possible, but we’d never be sure unless we’ve had tests done.” She turned to me. “Have you checked the area for smaller Bites?” “For little baby Bites?” I shook my head in disappointment. “I haven’t had the opportunity, two big Bites came out of nowhere and attacked us.” Her eyes widened. “Are you alright?” I shrugged, wincing as that motion sent a twinge of pain through one of my wings. “Could be better,” I answered, motioning to the zebra. “Zecora was amazing, she threw a bag of poison and charged at a Bite like it was nothing.” “Wow that must be—” Twilight abruptly stopped in the middle of her sentence when she realised that Zecora, and the rest of the Who’s were staring at her. “Perhaps an explanation is in order.” Zecora glanced back at the Everfree. “But maybe not while we are still at the border.” Twilight nodded, signalling to the rest of the Who’s standing around. “We need to get to Ponyville. You, what’s your name again?” “Geneva, Most Excellent Princess Prophet.” “Okay, thank you Geneva.” Twilight frowned. “Also, don’t call me that.” “Call you what, oh Most Excellent Princess Prophet?” “The Princess Prophet thing.” Twilight heaved a weighty sigh. “Just call me Twilight. Or Princess, even.” Geneva bowed lower. “Yes, uhh, your Most Royal Highness, Princess Twilight.” From the sound of the smack, Twilight’s facehoof must have been painful. She took a calming breath and licked her lips. “Geneva, I’m just Twilight.” Geneva nodded. “Yes, oh Magnificent Twilight the Fair and Just.” Twilight’s eyes shot to the sky as if trying to extract patience from the sun above. She shook her head and sagged her shoulders, probably deciding that it would be best to put the issue of their deification to a latter time. “Okay Geneva, we’ll discuss titles later. Right now, I have a friend that lives close to the Everfree. Her name is Fluttershy, a pegasus that lives in a small cottage and tends to the animals nearby. Can you go over there and explain there are dangerous Bites around, and that she needs to come with you back to me?” “As you command, Princess Prophet.” Twilight groaned. “Can we not use Prophet?” “Forgive me, Princess Prophet, addressing you in any other way would seem just… too disrespectful.” Geneva hesitated, then gave a timid bow. “If I may humbly add an apology for threatening you earlier with that stick…” Twilight smoothed her expression, giving the stricken griffon a slight smile. “Oh don’t worry, I know you were doing your job. I need to ensure the safety of all of your Followers.” Twilight shifted uncomfortably. “I know you’re technically not citizens of Equestria, so consider this a favour to me—” Geneva bowed lower. “Your boundless mercy and enlightening forgiveness speaks for itself, Princess Prophet. I swear to carry out your orders.” “You don’t have to go that far—” Geneva flattened herself to the ground. “O-Of course, Princess Prophet, if you find me unworthy, after all—” Twilight hastily picked the griffon up by her shoulders. The griffon looked mortified that Twilight would even touch her and stood much like a petrified cat in the arms of a grabby foal. “Okay, okay, please carry out my request. You’re perfect for the job.” “Thank you, Most Excellent Princess Prophet, I will not fail you!” As Geneva left, I whispered into Twilight’s ear. “I think you’ve made a friend, Princess Prophet of Friendship.” She smacked me. I winced, but split into a silly grin. “Worth it.” ———————— Zecora was silent on the walk back to Ponyville, and I was beginning to get concerned about the surreptitious glances from the Zebra. Ever since my little chat with Twilight, Zecora had taken to observing me when she thought I wasn’t looking. “You know, I think Zecora is suspicious of me,” I said finally. Twilight glanced back at Zecora. She appeared to be having a conversation with one of the Followers that I saw back at the campsite. I recalled this one near a cauldron when we were there, and it suddenly occurred to me that instead of food, the Follower could have been concocting a potion. Twilight gave me a look. “You think she might be up to something?” I stared at the zebra, feeling a little dimwitted for bringing it up. “No. I mean she probably thinks it’s strange that you’re talking to your pet owl.” Twilight bit her lip, a faint blush seeping to her cheeks. “I would have explained, but it’s really your secret.” I blinked at her in surprise. “I thought friends didn’t keep secrets from friends.” Twilight sighed. “I get the feeling this is different. Besides, she hasn’t asked me about it yet.” “Okay, I guess that makes sense. You can tell her, I don’t think my secret is going to stay a secret for very long.” I cocked my head as a thoughtless idea occurred to me. “You know…” “Mm?” “I’ve always wondered why Zecora rhymed?” Twilight nodded, her face splitting with a wide grin that shared my sentiments. “I know, right? I’ve always wondered but I’ve always been afraid to ask.” “Yeah, I thought it’d be rude.” Twilight clicked her tongue. “Exactly, but I really want to know.” “Maybe we should ask her? We could find out later.” We both turned to look at Zecora… and found her staring straight back. “On second thought…” I mumbled. Zecora made her way to us, trotting a little faster to walk abreast. “I know from those looks you have a question, is there anything both of you would like to mention?” “Zecora…” Twilight trailed off, as she tried to grope for a tactful way to put it. “We were wondering…” Zecora gave her an encouraging smile, bobbing her head. Twilight did a sort of shrugging hunch as she walked, which was impressive, since she was a quadruped. “I… really want to know why you always speak in rhymes.” She blushed at Zecora’s look. “If you want to, of course.” Zecora considered this for a moment, then gave Twilight a slight smile. “One reason that I may impart, is that rhyming keeps the mind sharp. My words are considered most tactfully. Thought clearly, spoken dearly, communicated accurately.” Her smile turned devious. “Or perhaps the reason could be a cursed vine, having stolen normal speech of mine? Maybe, you may voice, these rhymes are simply a fleeting choice this time? It could be this, it could be that, it could be gossip ponies have found. Maybe Zecora likes the sound of words in rhyming couplet bound.” Zecora grinned somewhat ruefully. “The truth of my rhyming, I wish to confess, is a tale I would not think would impress. I used to be brash and harshly spoken, it was too late to see what was broken.” Zecora grew pensive as she continued. “As a young zebra I had thought I was strong, but the loneliness finding out I didn’t belong….” Zecora shook her head and gave a sad smile. “My mastery and craft did me no good, and in a bout of foolishness I thought I understood. I brewed a potion to cure my sharp speech. In the end, nothing was mended, and my friends were out of reach… I could not cure this ailment of my own, born from seeds I myself had sown.” Judging by Twilight’s look, it seemed like the thought had never occurred to her that Zeocra’s rhymes were the tragic result of her own troubles in dabbling with dangerous magic. “Are you, alright?” Zecora’s lips twitched into a smile. “Though I’d found a rhyming cure, time had moved on, I was not sure. I was once a mare without a care. Too much to bear, I had fallen to despair. I keep the curse to remind me so, do not treat lightly those from below.” Twilight walked on ahead, unable to think of what to say. I stayed silent, for once, not knowing what I should add to the conversation. Zecora saved us the trouble of thinking up something to say. “Now that I have revealed my troubled past, I would like to know why Owlowiscious has followers amassed?” “How’d she know it was me?” I muttered. Twilight repeated the question. Zecora glanced at me. “An eye within a feather? It is as clear as the weather. You may talk with the owl, true, but from far lands I have come from, too.” Ah, that explains it. She must have heard about the Followers of the Who from travelling from one land to another. Twilight shrugged uncomfortably. “You’re not surprised I could speak with Owlowiscious?” Zecora cocked her head. “Many things in Ponyville defy explanation, I have learned not to question causation.” Seeing Twilight’s look, Zecora added. “I cannot hear what he has to say, I am deaf to what he has to convey.” I ruffled my feathers. Well, it was worth trying. This mystery of Twilight being the only one to understand me was perplexing. Maybe she should talk to Winona, if she can talk to her, maybe we could find something out. I perked up. That’d be a great idea, except we need a way to deal with the Bites first, we can’t just leave them alone. ———————— We were only a few steps into town, before ponies instantly swarmed the congregation. “Princess Twilight, what is happening? There are more than a hooful of ponies, griffons and even dragons in the town!” Mayor Mare stumbled to a halt in front of Twilight. “Is something wrong?” Twilight greeted Mayor Mare with a wobbly smile. “You can say that, though these aren’t the real trouble. Ah, just in time, Griselda?” “Princess Prophet, your Excellency.” Twilight sighed. “This is Griselda, the Who of the Who’s.” “The Who?” “Yes. The Who of the Who’s. Look the titles will be a little confusing but their organisation spans over a hundred thousand followers.” Mayor Mare straightened, her eyes widening. “And are they all coming to Ponyville?” “Yes.” “No.” Twilight shot a look to Griselda who merely blinked back. “Now that we have located the Great Owl,” she said. “It is duty to follow you to the end of the new era.” Mayor Mare reared her head. “Twilight…” “No. Hold on, Mayor.” Twilight turned to Griselda. “I would like you and the followers to stay out of the Everfree forest, among other dangers, the Bites aren’t something you can casually address. In the meantime, Ponyville cannot possibly support your population. Please leave the main group of followers at the border. You may keep what you have inside Equestria around for now, but they must be outside Ponyville’s town limits and most of you should keep your distance from the town’s residents unless absolutely necessary.” “Is that a command, Princess Prophet?” Twilight pressed her lips tightly together. “If need be.” Griselda gave Twilight a graceful bow. “It will be as you command, Princess Prophet.” She gave a nod to Mayor Mare. “We will respect your laws and make sure there is as little disruption as possible. You have my word.” Twilight nodded. “Thank you, Griselda, now I think you two will have lots to discuss. Mayor Mare, there is a dangerous creature in the Everfree so I will try and contain the situation before it blows out of proportion.” Mayor Mare’s eyes widened. “Are we in any danger, should I order an evacuation?” Twilight shared a glance with me. I slowly shook my head. “No… not for now, but I think the town should be on alert.” “Thank you…” Mayor Mare trailed off as Griselda took a few steps forward with a somewhat disarming smile. She indicated with an open arm to her side. “Would you like to discuss how we may be incorporated outside the town limits? I assure you we will be out of your mane as much as possible…” As the two strolled off, Twilight heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s one thing out of the way…” “Princess Prophet!” Twilight turned around. It was Geneva. “Oh, hello Geneva.” Twilight scanned the skies. “Where’s Fluttershy? She should have come with you.” Geneva alighted with a stumbling half-bow. “I told her of the Bites and as soon as I did, she disappeared back into her home yelling something about saving all her animals.” Geneva bowed lower. “I’m sorry, Princess Prophet, I tried to get in, but she locked the doors and the windows and wouldn’t answer my hails.” Twilight clicked her tongue. “Ah no, it’s not your fault, Geneva, I should have known that Fluttershy would place the safety of her animals first, I will go and help her, you should join back with the rest of the Followers.” Geneva shifted on her paws. “All the same Princess Prophet, I think we should send you an escort.” Twilight shook her head. “An escort? I’m flattered, but you are not Equestrian citizens, nor militarily trained. Bringing you, or any other Follower along would endanger us both.” Geneva wrung her claws. “Princess—” Twilight held up a hoof. “Thank you, Geneva, I’ll be fine.” We left Geneva while she was pacing, pausing only to let Zecora know that we were heading to Fluttershy’s cottage. Zecora told us she’d keep an eye on the Followers of the Who, but from the way Geneva perked up and rushed off, I had a bad feeling that something Twilight had said, might have tipped Geneva off to doing something drastic. The poor soul was eager to please, but that fervour was a little disturbing, she was willing to put herself in danger simply because Twilight had been able to speak to me. Luckily, another pony might have been tempted by the sway of absolute obedience and the willing sacrifice of over a hundred thousand members of an ancient cult, but Twilight just seemed uncomfortable. Clinging onto her mane as she took to flight, I was suddenly optimistic as to how this little rodeo might turn out. ———————— Then again, maybe not. “YOU WHAT?!” Fluttershy cringed under Twilight’s heated gaze. She made a visible effort to calm herself. “Sorry, sorry, with all that’s going on I didn’t expect…” She shook her head. “Although now a lot of things are starting to make sense.” “I’m sorry, Twilight, but I couldn’t just leave her…” Twilight sighed. “No, no, of course not. I just… our luck is just really bad.” I stared at the cooing little mess of the creature. It was kinda cute, but sorta knowing that it would grow up into, it lost a little of its vulnerable attraction. “Gees Twilight, that’s a…” “Yes, I know, a baby Bite, I don’t know what we should do.” “Get rid of it!” I shot back. Twilight pursed her lips. “We can’t do that. Besides, Fluttershy wouldn’t give it up just like that.” “Her,” I said with a sigh, “and I think she named her, so it’s not going to be easy.” “Wait,” Twilight said, turning to Fluttershy. “You named it?” “Her name is Streak, and she’s hurt, we can’t abandon her.” Twilight held up her hooves. “Of course not!” She blinked at Fluttershy’s reaction. “What?” “Oh… uhm, I thought you might be against me keeping her.” “Well not for now, we just need a way to do it safely. Can’t you return it back to her parents?” Fluttershy considered the thought, then shrugged. “I don’t know if she could survive being hurt like this.” I glanced down at the bandaged foot and the thick gauze that covered the side of the baby Bite. That was pretty hideous. “What did that?” I asked. Twilight repeated the question. Fluttershy shrugged. “I found her in the middle of a clearing, there wasn’t much around, but I think she had somehow crawled away from whatever caused this.” Fluttershy shivered. “From the wounds, it was either claws, or…” “Or…?” Twilight prompted. “Or an animal trap.” Twilight’s frightening visage sent a prickling sensation through my primaries. “A trap? Are you sure?” Fluttershy shook her head. “I’m not sure, but they’re regular, and unevenly spaced. Claw marks or teeth marks tend to be roughly even.” “Do you think there might be trappers around? Anypony from the outside?” Fluttershy shifted on her hooves. “I’ve heard that there were a group of poachers spotted nearby, but I didn’t think they would be, uhm, crazy enough to go into the Everfree.” Her jawline set into a disapproving scowl. “Those poachers should be ashamed of themselves, going after animals, and especially as little and defenceless as this one.” She hugged the baby Bite protectively to herself. The Bite squirmed a bit and nipped Fluttershy on the ear. Though she winced slightly, the Bite didn’t draw blood, and she merely smiled in response. “There, there, we’ll get you back as soon as you’re all better.” The baby Bite seemed to nod. “Okay.” That nearly knocked me off the perch in surprise. “Did you hear that?” Twilight was gaping at the Bite. “Yes! It spoke!” Fluttershy glanced down at the Bite, then back at us. “Really?” She looked disappointed. “I didn’t hear anything.” Twilight cocked her head. “Do you think Bites are sapient?” I shrugged. “I don’t know, we don’t know much about them.” “If I can hear them… what does that mean?” “I don’t know,” I admitted, “but I’m just as shocked as you.” Angel signalled at me. “What?” He thumped his foot and made a few waving gestures, then pointed out the door. “Hey, I think Angel might have an idea,” I said. Twilight quickly related this to Fluttershy. From her envious look, I think she really wanted to know what we were saying first-hoof. As we came outside, Angel started hopping towards Sweet Apple Acres. “Hang on,” I called out. “Now?” “What?” Twilight said. “He wants to hold a meeting, but like I said, now?” Angel crossed his arms, looking impatient. “We can’t bring a baby Bite into Sweet Apple Acres, I don’t think you noticed, but Bites can destroy trees and that’s an apple orchard.” Angel considered this for a moment then shrugged and pointed to Fluttershy. Fluttershy took a couple of steps back. “Me? Go there?” Angel nodded, then mimed a dog, barking and sniffing. It would be hilarious if I didn’t have context for what he was talking about. “Winona?” Angel nodded as Fluttershy bit her lip. “But I can’t leave—” “It’s okay, Fluttershy, I’ll take all three of us.” Twilight rubbed her forehead. “It might be good to see what Applejack thinks anyway.” She glanced towards the forest. “If a Bite comes out looking for its young again, you need to give it up.” Fluttershy glanced uncertainly at the baby Bite and back to her friend. Her eyes were round and pleading. “Fluttershy,” Twilight said gently. “I know it’s hard, but you know it’s the right thing to do. We can’t afford to get you hurt.” For a moment, we both waited with bated breath, as Fluttershy tensed. Then she sagged, giving a slight, but resolute, nod. “Okay,” she said quietly. “I will keep an eye on it, but Twilight?” Twilight paused, her wings already outstretched to begin takeoff. “Yes?” “I hope you’re around if I find the poachers… because I might find it hard to be kind to them.” That’s when I saw it, a flash of steel hidden beneath the placid ocean of Fluttershy’s eyes. A hardness that could stare a cockatrice down, frighten a dragon, or stand up to frightening odds but for the act of saving a friend. For a moment, I saw Fluttershy, not disappointed, or testy, or even angry. This time I caught a glimpse of Fluttershy furious. I was glad I was on the right side. On Twilight’s back, that is.