Authors note: Greetings new and old readers. This is an updated RoseThorn. After my severe writers block back in the earlier years I have finally hit a resurgence of ideas. What I mean is that I am going to finish this story after it has sat around for so long. The previous idea of a romance is no more and a new one has/will take its place. I hope you all enjoy reading and feel free to constructively criticize and share ideas.
Chapter 1.
It was a dark and breezy, and an unusually silent night in the Everfree forest. As though every creature and tree were waiting for something to happen inside this dark place. The stars shine brightly through the few translucent wisps of grey clouds being carried slowly on the cool current, providing a beautiful and ominous night sky. Luna's moon was a waning crescent, the lower half partly cloaked by a small cloud which was being pushed away slowly by the supernatural wind. Shining through the sky, providing what little light it illuminates to whatever creature that may be awake lurking in the dark forest below. It will be a new moon the next night, an ever more dangerous night when there is no light in the Everfree.
The clouds were hovering high, moving slowly with the wind. Disappearing into an invisible vapor after some distance to have another take its place and move further along, repeating the endless cycle. A slight Fog had arisen from the dew that rested on the grass, the weeds, and the assorted bushes and even trees, hovering up a few hoofs high from the wet grass. The dark green trees and bushes quivered nearly noiselessly from each breeze.
Most of the animals were sleeping cozily within small makeshift dens. At the same time a few nocturnal animals roamed about, keeping a look out for the predators who prowl in the bushes at night, who are waiting, and watching for their next meal. The animals had to be very careful with everything they did, or they would be the next on the list. Being careful with every movement they made as to not cause noise and be heard by something un-wanted. Creating between themselves a type of code of conduct, one of stealth and silence.
An alicorn, Who looked as though he possessed great strength and capabilities, with the expression of an experienced veteran, while also having a calm, collected, graceful nature. Made his way swiftly through the ominous, dimly lit forest. Some spiked vines grab ineffectively at the black armor he wore. It was obviously made for night time engagements. The darker obsidian colored armor covered his full torso and much more of his body. Centered on the torso piece was a group of roses.
The armor appeared to have a light reddish hue as well, hardly noticeable unless the light hit it right, as if enchanted with an unknown effect. His helmet was basically a royal guard helmet, only all black rather than blue and gold. His wings were white, Like his long mane and tail, and were covered on the top by a layer of scale armor. The metal scales each looked like feathers. With how master crafted it is, the armor could easily be mistaken for the real wings underneath were the armor not black. The real wings could be tucked inside of the armor, for when folded against the body, the armor around the wings and the body armor itself look as one. As though the feathers were meant for simple decoration. His wings were out and stoic right now.
He scans and studies all of the forest creatures for signs of a threat. He listens intently, turning his head sharply. As though he could hear what most could not. He almost appears to be looking for something specific, rather than just something out of the ordinary. But all that was seen were the few roaming deer further away in the forest and the occasional small rodent, who would appear to greet him happily. A neighborly and friendly greeting which he would reply with a warm smirk and a simple nod. The noiseless quivering of bushes and leaves from the wind or nocturnal rodents and night crawlers may have been the only thing heard around him with normal ears. The sky occupied by the night hawks and owls along with a few scattered bats. He continues on with his search for danger, or his unofficial search, as there was nothing happening there.
The forest was indeed unusually quiet, the alicorn has already taken notice of this and has taken precautions with his patrolling. Making sure to be just as quiet as the woods around him and being very vigilant. Keeping note in his mind of surroundings and noises that do occur. The forest goes completely still, but instead of the still it was experiencing it goes into an even more ominous still as a wolfs' howl sounds in the distance. He stops immediately and listens to the echoing to determine the direction of the howl. Everything listens and waits for the eminent sounds of more howling as the selected prey is overtaken. But this alicorn wasn't going to wait for a possibly innocent animal, or a friend, to be slaughtered. It was his self appointed duty. After depicting where it came from he makes a swift sprint through the dense forest. Swiftly dodging trees, spiked vines and other obstacles. Making little to no sound. Using his wings to help glide over uneven terrain. His breathing remained slow and controlled despite his speed and strength being exerted. His eyes focus on what was ahead. His mind concentrated on saving the animal from a terrible death. He reached an opening in the forest and halts swiftly, never losing his vigilance, he peers around quickly for signs.
He spotted a trail where damage and tracks could be seen that led into another section of the forest. There he smirks victoriously and begins his heroic sprint as he thought to himself, *they haven't howled again. Hopefully it either got away or they haven't caught it yet. Please by Celestia don't let it be any pony.* his expression becomes that of more determination as he pushes on with his great speed. His hooves lightly hitting the ground was the only noise as he galloped fearlessly upon the path that had been disturbed by the wolves that pursued the animal. He reaches a point where the trail forks into three directions, with a quick assessment, *they're going to corner it, I must be close...* as if on queue he spots a wolf just ahead of him, continuing to pursue the animal as its pack closes in from the sides. The unicorn quickly surveys the situation. He has spotted the two wolves that had broken off and began to go around to herd the helpless creature to where it cannot escape. There was a cliff closing in ahead. He knew that means the chase was close to an end and he had to do something. He spotted the animal that was running now, he couldn't get a good view of it due to the trees and lack of light as well as the high speed running. He simply saw a small figure, but he knew the shape of the figure.
The cliff was too wide for the fleeing creature to go around and by-pass by running. He focuses again to the fleeing creature from where he is. *what thoughts of fear that may be passing through that little guys head. I must hurry, I may be able to stop them before they lunge in for their final blow* They may take the luxury to tease and play with it before they go in and kill it. The alicorn has had enough experience with these wolves to know how they are. To know the dark magic that possesses them. He knows they won't pass up this chance of pleasure. But he will deprive them of that chance with extreme prejudice.
What he doesn't know is the intention of the wolves. They are a crafty bunch, and are capable of all sorts of mischief. Of course he sorts through scenarios in his mind to be better prepared if anything was premeditated or staged, or if it was coincidence. It didn't matter what they planned. He was ready for anything, or is he?
He smirks and a mixed look of determination and concentration breaks upon his face as he slows down slightly and prepares himself for the fight ahead. He may have spotted out three different trails, but knowing the wolves, there will always be an extra one or two in the outer boundaries of the chase for in case their prey successfully escapes the main hunters. The howls are to alert those outer wolves, or the inner ones in the case that the prey happens to escape, that it has either been caught and the slaughter has begun, or to inform the other hunters where it is. The alicorn wasn't going to allow the worse case scenario to happen for the thought of that prey possibly being one of his close and only friends. The thought of it being his close friend makes him quicken his pace. The alicorn devises an attack plan as he quickly approaches a thicker wall of brush just recently unsettled before the cliff.
Authors note: There you have it. What will happen next? Again, feel free to criticize and or share ideas even though I will be posting the next chapter at the same time as this one.