//------------------------------// // A Dire Encounter // Story: The Rise of a New World // by SilverwingPegasus //------------------------------// It was a nice, and sunny day in Ponyville. Princess Celestia had done a wonderful job raising the sun, and Rainbow Dash was on top of the weather. There was a pleasant breeze in the air to compensate for the hotter temperature on account of it being summer. Every time the breeze blew, ponies would stop and take it in to help cool off. However this is Ponyville, and Ponyville is known for its unexpected events. Just outside the town, and deep inside the dreadful Everfree Forest lies a silver pegasus, unconscious. Unsuspecting. Unaware of what was watching nearby. Yellow eyes glowed in the shrubbery, as they watched their target, never breaking the line of sight. A horrible stench was in the air. A stench so powerful that it could wake the dead. Which it did so to speak. As the silver pony coughed and gagged on the smell, she woke up, dazed. Now was the perfect time for the creature to make its move. As Silverwing tried to gather to her hooves, she staggered. A bit dazed from the transportation, she tried to collect her senses. Then as she turned around to survey her surroundings, two large claws, followed by a large wooden body came flying her way. Her training kicked in, as she dodged the attack, jumping backwards, as the claws swiped the air. She materialized her daggers, and got in her combat stance. Knowing she has no armor on, she’ll need to take extra care not to take damage. She knew she couldn’t be making the first move. She waited there, staring down the Timberwolf until it made its move. She could see it’s wooden body twitch, a sign that it was going to charge. She’d studied these creatures in her world. She knew their ins and outs, how they planned out their moves. Their body language. Even though they were all extinct in her world. The wolf then charged, making a b-line for Silverwing. Perfect timing, too. As it charged, she stood there, waiting until it got closer. Then, when it was just a few feet away, she dashed under it, slicing it’s neck with one dagger, and gutting it’s belly with the other. It was done. As the head of the wolf fell off, the body collapsed, breaking into wooden pieces. Silverwing stood up, de-materialized her daggers, and took a breath. “What a great way to be introduced to this world,” she said to herself. “Now let’s see if I can’t find out where I am.” She’s scanned her surroundings, trying to determine where she was located. Around her was trees, flowers, and bushes that she did not recognize. Almost all of which had some type of thorn, or barb on it except for the strange blue flowers that grew in large clusters. She’s knew of these. Poison Joke. She’d read about them, and knew to stay away. But she was curious what they’d do to her. Though she didn’t have the time to play around. She needed to get to Canterlot Castle as soon as she could. As she was busy observing the area, a lavender alicorn burst through the bushes. Silverwing jumped back in surprise, and got in a low stance. With the noise she was making, Silverwing was surprised she didn’t detect her sooner. “Is everything alright!? I’m here to help!” the purple pony exclaimed. But upon taking a look around all she saw was a silver pegasus, unharmed, and a pile of Timberwolf pieces. The purple pony was relieved, but curious as to what happened. “Did you do this?” the alicorn asked. No reply from Silverwing, she asked again, “Did you do this?” Still no answer. “Uhh, can you speak?” she said tilting her head. Silver then noticed that this pony as not a unicorn, as she then saw her wings with that last question. She was an alicorn. A princess. Realizing what she was, Silverwing bowed down. “Forgive me your highness. I did not know you were royalty as first.” “Uhh, okay?” the princess said, shocked. “As for your earlier question, yes it was I. I was attacked by this creature upon my arrival to this forest. I had, but no choice to defend myself. Such a dreadful place. Which begs the question, why are you here, your highness?” Silverwing continued. “Uhh…” the alicorn was speechless. “Majesty? Are you alright?” “Uhh, yes. I’m fine. Just startled a bit.” “Do you require assistance, your highness?” “Um, no, no. I’m fine. Also, can you stop addressing me as highness, majesty, and all that, please?” the royal pony said. “But that would be disrespectful.” Silverwing, replied. “Please, just call me by name.” “Yes. Though forgive me for asking, but what is your name?” Silverwing asked, as she stood up. “Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Twilight Sparkle. But right now isn’t the time for introductions. Come with me to my friend Zecora’s house. She’s not too far from here.” “Yes Twilight.” A little bit later they came to a hut looking structure located deep in the Everfree Forest. Why anyone would live here is unknown. As they walked up to the door, a grey and black striped zebra opened the door. “Ah, Miss Twilight Sparkle. What a pleasure. I see you brought a guest as a safe measure,” the zebra says in a rhyme. “Hi, Zecora. I’ve come for that experiment we talked about. I just happened to meet this pony on my way here. Apparently she took care of a nasty Timberwolf all on her own. So, I was curious, and decided to bring her here.” “Ah, yes quite. Such a curious thing to see a pony like this handle herself so well in a fight.” “Yes exactly! “Well what are we waiting for? Come on in and close the front door.” As they walked inside, Silverwing could see various things scattered about the hut. Most interestingly of all, though, was the huge black cauldron in the center of the room. She sensed no ill will from the zebra, but she still stood ready just in case. They all sat down at a table off to the side. Zecora had brewed some green tea, which Twilight had loved. Silverwing sipped at it, not exactly being her choice drink, but she couldn’t complain. They all just sat there until Twilight speaks up. “So! We never properly made introductions. I’ll go first. I’m Twilight Sparkle. While yes I am a princess, as you may have guessed, I prefer being treated as a normal citizen of Ponyville as this is my home. But enough about me. Who are you?” “My name is Silverwing. Captain of the Canterlot elite royal ga-“Silverwing stopped herself. She had just remembered that she couldn’t reveal her true identity to anypony until she met with Princess Celestia. “Elite royal what?” Twilight askes after Silverwing’s pause. “Elite royal gatherers…” Silverwing made up as she couldn’t think of anything else. “Uh-huh… Well at any rate you’re here now. What were you doing in the Everfree forest? “I was, uh, heading back to Canterlot castle as my assignment was unsuccessful. Then I was attacked by that Timberwolf. Then you came along.” “And what exactly was your assignment?” Twilight continues the interrogation. “Um, well I was supposed to, um…” Silverwing couldn’t think of anything else. As good as she was at most things, lying wasn’t one of them. Far from it. “You’re not who you say you are, are you?” Twilight asks sternly. Silvering sighed. “No. I’m not. Sorry…” “Then tell me who you really are, please.” “You wouldn’t believe me if I did…” “Try me.” Twilight said with a smug smirk. “As you wish. My name is Silverwing. Captain of the Canterlot Elite Royal Guard, Celestia Division. I’m from the year 25XX, and have been sent to this time frame to correct a dire disaster from happening. Princess Celestia of my time, and Starswirl the Bearded have sent me here. I am to talk to the Princess Celestia of this time immediately, as receive new orders from her.” Twilight had a blank stare on her face, almost as if she was petrified. She gathered her wits after a few moments, and thought to herself. ‘Hmm… If this pony is who she says she is, then I must get her to Canterlot. However, I can’t just bring some strange pony claiming to be from a different time to Canterlot, without making sure she’s truthful. Only one pony I know of can truly tell if she is being sincere, and that’s Applejack.’ Coming out of thought, she looked at Silverwing, then to Zecora, who gave a nod, then back to Silverwing. “Alright. I must say I don’t know if you are being truthful. As such, I must make certain you are. I must ask you to please comply with everything it is, I tell you to do. I can’t be too careful with ponies making claims like you. Is that understood, Silverwing?” “Yes, Twilight,” Silverwing nodded. “Good. Now, for my first task, I must cast a spell that will prevent you from flying, and using magic. Before you protest, I know you’re a pegasus, but the spell is one in the same. If you do object to this, then I shall have to take measures I don’t want to have to take. Is that understood?” Silverwing knew she needed this pony’s help, so without a second thought, she agreed. “Good. Now stand still.” Twilight’s horn began to glow a bright pink, as she cast the spell. A bright light had engulfed Silverwing, as she lifted up into the air. When she was fully suspended in the air, a hoof like swatch of magic pushed into her chest, entering her body. It then pulled out a glowing silver and green orb like object, and placed it in Twilight’s hoof. Silverwing’s body then began to lower to the ground. As she was placed on the ground, and the magic field faded, her cutie mark disappeared. She tried to stand up, but was too weak to do so. “Do not worry. This orb contains your power and energy. I will keep it safe with me until I determine you are not a threat to Equestria. When that decision is made, you will gain your energy back. All I ask if for your co-operation. Understood?” Silverwing weakly nodded. “Good. Zecora, if you will please prepare the potion for our guest here.” “Yes my Princess. I will prepare the potion to help this pegasus.” Zecora walked over to her alchemy table, and began to mix reagents to make a purple potion. She walked back over to Twilight who had placed Silverwing in a bed, and handed her the potion. “Here is the potion. It will surely put this pegasus back into motion.” “Thank you, Zecora. Here Silverwing, drink this and rest. It will help you regain some strength back. Enough to walk normally for sure, along with a day of rest.” Twilight then held the potion to Silverwing’s mouth, tilting it as she weakly drank the purple liquid. Silverwing quickly grew sleepy, and closed her eyes. “Good. Rest. Tomorrow we will go to Sweet Apple Acres, to meet a friend.” As she drifted off to sleep, a female voice entered her head. “You are doing well my child. Keep at it.”