Out Of The Woods

by Melody_Dreams

Chapter 1: Poems,Pastries and Prophecies

I probably woke up 10 minutes ago, and yet all I've done is stare at the bottom of my sister's bunk bed. There was so much to think about. The animals need to be fed, The floors need to be sweeped, mobbed and polished, the library needs dusting. We need to fold the clothes, beat the rugs, open all the curtains, clean all the windows, wash all the dishes, clean the bathrooms, make the beds, weed the gardens and after that cook breakfast for the master

A lot had to be done between then and now. Checking everything off my mental remembering list, I frowned as I still felt as if something important was coming up.

Sighing I got out from under my warm covers and turned to the bed above me. I had gotten used to Rainbow's snoring many years ago yet I still seem to giggle at the sight of the sleeping sprawled out Pegasus.

Gently tapping on her shoulder I whispered softly," Daaashie.... Dashie, It's time to get up." I smiled when I saw her wake up.

Groaning she said," What *yawn* time is it?" Even though that same question has been answered the same way for years now.

With practiced patients, I answered," It's time to get to work Rainbow."

You'd be surprised with how calm and collected you can become after living with a brash sister and a short tempered master your entire life. I mean it's not like I have a choice.

Groaning once more, The rainbow maned mare lazily slid off the bed and flapped her wings to glide to the floor," What's first Shy?"

Smiling we walked to towards the door to start work," First the animals. We better hurry though, you know how angry Angel is when he doesn't get his breakfast." I said.

Rainbow snorted, "He can live a little while longer." She mumbled irritably.

Walking down the dark corridor, I couldn't help but admire the architecture of the place. The walls where decorated with a deep Maroon colour like the colour of velvet and the floors where made of beautiful mahogany planks.

Furthermore, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and amazing artwork littered the walls. My favourite had always been the painting of the 'Singing Forest Maiden',as the artist had named it. It was a lovely painting of a mare singing to the animals of the forest.

The painting in many ways was the only way I could really see into the forest itself. Taking as we weren't allowed to go outside the mansion walls.

Dash and I walked in silence as we passed the many dark brown doors. We had come to embrace this comfortable silence often in the morning. Whether it was the fact that I didn't talk much or that Rainbow was still half asleep I don't know, but either way it's quite pleasant to just walk in silence.

Growing up I was always fond of the silence through the large house, it only being me, Rainbow Dash and the Master. I had a lot of alone time but it hadn't really been too boring, most of the time we worked and when we did have free time, I would usually read.

This didn't however, stop me from thinking about the outside world. Rainbow Dash is the only pony I've seen in my life, so I've only read and seen pictures of Earth Ponies or Unicorns.Some nights, Dash and I would brainstorm on the fantasy of if we got out of here, what we would do or see.

I solemnly frown at that thought. Even though we had been here for years, as long as I can remember my sister has tried everything to break free. I gave up many moons ago of escaping the monster of with we serve, only to no avail.

I'm not entirely sure of how we ended up here to begin with. Sometimes I get a glimpse of my old life when I'm asleep but the details are very vague. When we were little, I used to tell stories that our parents were these amazing heroes who protected the land.

But as we got older and my exaggerations became apparent, the stories became less and less till the eventually surcummed to the sands of time. So much time has passed, and though I cherish the blessing that I still have my sister, I wish I knew my family.

Finally turning a corner and opening a door we made it to the garden of the mansion. This was about as close to the outside world as we could get. You would think that we could run away from here, but the master put a magical shield that prevents me and Rainbow from stepping foot outside the property.

The sky was still dark as we went forth, as the sun hadn't even risen. Soon We made it too the shaggy old tool shed on the far corner of the garden and took the animal's food.

I'm always happy to help with the animals and provide what they need. After all, my special talent is to take care of them. Rainbow on the other hoof, isn't too fond of them.

"Hey that is not a place to build a nest! Don't scratch me! No! Bad cat! Fluttershy help me!" Rainbow panicked.

Giggling I took our cat Opalescent, and soothingly pet her head. Soon the feline retracted her claws and padded towards me, looking for more attention.

Rainbow shooed away the birds that were crowding her mane and turned to me in a jealous huff,"How? Just how? I know it's your special talent, but I swear that the animals hate me."

Turning towards the treetops I closed my eyes as I felt the wind brush through my rose mane, and tingles run though out my body. Nature had always been my escape. In my free time I would always sit with my animals in complete bliss for hours if I could, soaking up the sunshine and feeling the cool summer breeze.

Soon I started humming a melody as a song came to mind, I usually just call the animals, but I feel like singing today.

Greenery around me,
Through every tapestry
Every twist and turn
No matter the way it churns
It leads us somewhere
Everyway and everywhere

So much to see
And yet so little you may be
So let me teach of all I must
So students be with trust

Mother is watching,
Mother is near
Mother will hold you
If you treat her dear

Yes mother nature forgives our ignorence once
And accepts it twice
She will give us chance after chance
So thank her and let her be your advice

See the all the colours she has brought
Painting the world till blissfully caught.
Ranging creatures from big to small
Mother nature created all.

Hail the queen
Her name you will been
Laugh her playground of life
And forgive all for being blind

Mother is watching,
Mother is near
Mother will hold you
If you treat her dear

Yes mother nature forgives our ignorence once
And accepts it twice
She will give us chance after chance
So thank her and let her be your advice

When I opened my teal eyes I saw all the animals, from rabbit's to bears, or from birds to snakes. Rainbow was also staring in awe.

" You know, no matter how many times you do that everytime Ihear it I still fall under your spell." Dash spoke.

I blushed a little. I wasn't the best at singing but I really enjoyed it so it was fun to sing a song or tune every once in awhile. I had learned many songs from just transferring some of the poems I read into a lyrical form, including the one had I just sung.

"Oh Rainbow, I'm not that good, I just enjoy singing with the rest of nature." I replied trying not to be boastful.

Rainbow simply rolled her eyes in annoyance to my modity, and grabbed the chicken feed and went the coop. Soon my attention was to all the animals,"Why hello everyone, did you rest well?" All the animals nodes their heads.

"Well that's great. I bet you're all quite hungry then." Soon a snow-white rabbit marched out from inbetween the forest life, and strarted tapping his foot.

"Oh hello Angel , sorry we're late, I accidentally lost track of time in the morning. So will you forgive me?" I asked hopefully. He shook his head and looked away

"Please?" I asked with a pleading tone, yet he still turned away.

"Pretty please with a baby carrot breakfast on top?" He finally budged and nodded furiously and hugged my leg. Chuckling, I moved to get started with the work.

After giving Angel breakfast I quickly set out to feed and check on the other animals. Harry the bear's scoliosis is acting up again so he might have to start physical therapy again next week, Mrs. Lark's eggs should hatch within the next couple of days and all the others seem to be doing well.

Satisfied with my work I headed to check on Rainbow Dash to see if she needed help. And of course I find her in trouble.

There in the middle of the field somehow she is tied up with snakes and placed in a large cooking pot with Chihuahuas dancing around her. Smacking my face with my hoof I set about freeing my sibling from the creatures.

"How you manage to end up as a sacrifice to the ancient forest gods everytime we feed the animals is beyond me." I stated, somewhat confused.

"You and me both Shy." Rainbow said stepping out of the pot.

"Well we're about finished so I suggest we start heading back if that's okay?" I asked looking at all we had done.

"Yeah let's go, I want to maybe finish early to finish some of my new stunts!" Rainbow shouted in excitement. Smiling at my sister's enthusiasm, we headed back to the shed, put everything away and headed back into other house.

While it is true I got my cutie mark while taking care of animals, Rainbow's multi-coloured lightning strike spoke for it's self when she flew at her top speed. It was beautiful how she could changed so many ways while flying and still keep aloft.

A couple of hours later and we had successfully completed all of our chores except for breakfast. Laying the pastry for the apple fritters on the counter, I expertly rolled it out, placed the filling and closed it up into its new form.

Dash wasn't much of a cook when they were doing chores so most of the time I let her help by washing and cleaning the kitchen. Most of the time it goes without any disturbances but I couldn't help but sigh when I heard the sound of things falling.

Putting my pastry in the pan with the other fritters, I walked over to the pantry to find my cyan coloured siblings a ghostly white. All over her was flour and she couldn't stop sneezing.

Laughing quitely I was about to fetch a washcloth when something caught my eye. There in the corner of the room where all of the large flour bags had stood was a small button of some sort.

"Hey Dashie? Come look at this!" I said walking towards it. Rainbow quickly shook off the flour and trotted to where I stood.

Looking at each other we both knew what the other was thinking. Rainbow then stretched out her hoof hesitantly, before pressing the button. For a moment nothing happened.

"Oh come on! i wanted to o see-" soon rumbling shook the pantry, and Dash and I grabbed hold of each other for balance. Once it stopped we saw that one of the walls on the side of the pantry had moved to the side revealing a room.

Dash's shock wore off faster than mine and she shouted,"Okay that was AWESOME!"

Finally out of my state I replied,"As exciting it is to find secret rooms, what I would like to know is what it's doing here and why we haven't come across it sooner." I said cautiously.

There were many secret rooms in the mansion that Dash and I had found over the years. We had been so excited to find them. But this one we had never seen before, how could we have missed it?

Before I could say anything Rainbow Dash went inside like she was a filly going into o a candy store. She always wanted to go around the world and be an adventurer since she had read the Daring Do series in the library, I guess this was the next best thing.

Looking around I wasn't sure if I should follow then Rainbow shouted, "Hey Shy! Are ya comin'?"

Sighing, I went inside. At first it was pretty dark and musty, no one has been here in years it seems. Soon, Rainbow found an old torch and lit it with some matches in her apron.

The room lit up in a flicker as the worn brick wall came into view. Rainbow Dash and I grabbed at what occupied the room before us. Books lay in heaps piled up till it reached the roof, artifacts littered the floor like fabric strewn across a boutique and scrolls hung like streamers.

We both gapped at the amazing sight we hadn't ever seen and had yet been right under our noses. Rainbow then exclaimed," What is this place?"

Stepping forward to get a better look I replied honestly, "I'm not sure but it looks like a secret storage room. Master told us he had been places all around but this is...." Drifting off I looked to Rainbow for the right word.

"Mysterious?" She asked.

"Exactly." I was about to look through the books when a certain scroll on the far side of the room caught my eye. I would have just glanced past it like any other scroll, had it not been for the fact that it had been displayed on a pedestal.

Slowly walking towards it I saw Rainbow do the same. When my eyes layed on the words of the scroll I immediately saw that it wasn't in Equestrian, yet I could read it to my surprise.

"Hey Flutters, is it just me or can I read that?" Rainbow said. Blinking in surprise I answered.

"You too?" It was curiouser and curiouser.

She nodded," Yeah, it's strange but I can perfectly understand that." She said pointing towards the scroll. Looking over the aged parchment I resighted the lines outloud.

From their homes the eldest taken two.
By a beast that has known defeat and is revenge.
Weep the Royals for their loss and fight for all.
But daughter lost and bond.
However on 17th year a light arises.
The flight and adventure of the two children will begin.
In life they flew for the others arrogance.
They fight and fight with all else ready to fall.
Friends or sisters revealed.
The battle between light and darkness is waged.
And-

I stopped when I saw the sentence was cut off and unfinished. "Well? What else?" Turning my eyes from the paper I told Dash,

"Nothing, it's like the writer never got to finish it." We both stood there in anxiousness and deadly silence filled the dimly lit room. Something about that made a coldness wash over me and a shiver go up my spin like we weren't alone.

"Hey Dash? Let's get out of here, we've explored enough for today." I said nervously.

"Oh come on Shy just a bit more?" Rainbow Dash pleaded with the biggest eyes she could muster. I was about to give in when I remembered something.

" Breakfast!" Me and Dash shared our horrified looks as we ran back into the kitchen, hoping we could finish in time. Before we left however, I made sure to press the button on the way out and put the flour back so that it didn't seem like we had uncovered the entrance.

Quickly putting the pastries in the oven I was relieved to see we still had enough time. Quickly getting to work I squeezed some orange juice and Rainbow set the table.

Just as the pastries were finished I heard a song from the cooking timer and took them out of the oven. The smell of baked apple fritters drifted in the air finally set my mind at ease and a small smile managed to make it's way on my lips as I set it down to cool down.

Wiping the sweat off my brow I sat down and watched Rainbow clean the kitchen. Soon my thoughts wondered back to the misterious secret room we had found earlier today. Why hadn't we found it earlier? Why did we understand a language we've barely ever seen? And why did I feel such a cold presence?

I was about to think of a thousand more questions when a blue hoof woke me from my zoned out state." Hey Shy? Are ya in there?"

Shaking the thoughts out of my head I nodded and stood as we began walking towards the master's room to wake him for breakfast. Walking down the hallway dash suddenly stopped in her track and slapped her forehead,"That's what I forgot!" Looking at here confused I waited for an explanation.

"Fluttershy! Why didn't you remind me that your birthday is this Friday?" She said and my whole day came crashing down. Now I knew what had been bothering me since this morning. My Birthday.

We continued walking but I barely payed attention to her banks about which gift to get and just gave small nods to act as if I was listening. Dread filled every nook and crany of my soul and I all I could do was not to start crying. However, had I known that a certain creature had been watching us enter a certain room, I would have ran and never looked back.

~Somewhere in the shadows~

"Why thank you dear sweet Fluttershy, for that translation." Tirek said, showing a menacingly gleeful smile.

"So the Legend of the Royal Togue wasn't just a myth after all. I wish I would have known this information earlier. However, this is just a small setback. Two petty pony princesses aren't going to stop me. I've grown far too close to be stopped by two pathetic mares." Tirek sneared. He turned from his magical looking glass and spoke into the void around him.

" It's a shame really, It was quite nice having slaves to do my dirty work, and I think I'll miss torturing the eldest one. Oh well, everything has too die eventually." Be said in mock sympathy.

Menacing laughter bounce of the non-existant walls as darkness shrouded the creature once more.

Author's Note:

Hey guys! After all the support I got from all of you I tried to get the first chapter out as soon as possible! I absolutely love the reactions I got and can't wait to see what comes next. The song I used is called Mother Nature, it's an original song that I made up on the spot and tried to do well. I know it's cringy but I didn't want to risk copyright infringement. I hope you enjoy the chapter and please comment and tell me what you think of this and what you think will happen next.