Chapter 2: Moved By the Hoof of Fate

The sun rose over the trees of the Everfree Forest. But, the thick foliage prevented any light from piercing the eternal darkness. Trudging through the forest was a young unicorn stallion, devoid of any concern for the dangers that lurked all around him. He appeared to be around 17 years old. His coat was a pitch black. His mane and tail were a metallic silver. His muzzle had a patch of grey. His eyes were the same shade of crimson as the blood that ran down his body.

He staggered through the darkness, inwardly hoping to find a ray of hope that could save his life. But, the more he pressed on, the more his hope was fading. Fear was his greatest enemy at this point.

He still couldn't believe himself. He never learned to properly use his magic; he was barely able to use his levitation as it was. Now what was he supposed to do?

Deeper into the unknown, he continued to press on. His body was burning with intense pain and exhaustion, but he was stubborn. He couldn't give up on himself. Not now. Even with what little he had, he still wanted to know why.

Deeper still, he inwardly questioned himself. He silently questioned everything that had happened. Including now.

And still deeper. His vision was becoming blurred as his wounds and legs burned like fire. No! Not now! He tried his hardest to keep going, but his legs gave out. He collapsed onto the cold dirt.

He tried desperately to get back up, but he was far too weak. He couldn't move anymore. Tears ran down his face as he fell unconscious from exhaustion. As the darkness surrounded his world, the last thing he saw was a figure with a long pink mane approaching him.

It was a relatively quiet morning for Fluttershy. As usual, she tended to her animals and made sure she had all the supplies she needed to make Angel Bunny's special salad. She shook her head when she thought about Angel. She loved the bunny to death, but he could be so stubborn at times. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her leg. Speak of the little one.

Angel was frantically waving and gesturing to Fluttershy. The pegasus had known Angel long enough to know that he was alerting her of a problem. She crouched to eye level with Angel to hear him out.

"What's wrong Angel Bunny?" She asked. He responded with a series of gestures and squeaks. Fluttershy listened and gasped when he finished.

"There's a hurt pony outside!?" She half-shouted. She quickly rushed to the door. Sure enough, there was a young unicorn stallion. For somepony like Fluttershy, this was easy to see. She quickly went to look over his injuries. While he didn't seem to be in danger of dying, he still needed a doctor.

Darkness. All he could see was darkness. This was nothing new to him. But it was still unnerving. But something felt different. Instead of a cold empty feeling, he felt warmth. Like somepony close to him was near. He struggled to find where he felt this feeling before. A vision entered his mind.

He was looking up at a stone roof in an old crib. He felt small, but safe. Smiling down at him was a beautiful mare of purple with a long silver mane. She was singing to him. A soft and loving tune...

Fluttershy set the stallion onto her couch. As she checked over his young form, she frowned. His body height was smaller that the average stallion. What's more, he appeared to be very malnourished.

Just what has this stallion been through? Fluttershy asked herself. It seems like he's been running for hours. Doesn't he know that's not healthy?

Fluttershy frowned. There was no way a monster would attack unprovoked. Her intuition told her that this stallion wasn't the type who'd try to stand up to one. She shook her head as she carefully wrapped up his wounds in bandages. She would have to worry about that later.

Her musings were interrupted as the stallion groaned in pain. Fluttershy's motherly instincts took hold as she gently hugged him.

This feeling. The stallion thought. It's so calming. Just like back home...Grandmother used to do this that when I was little...

He slowly opened his eyes. Everything was a blur, but he could make out a mare's silhouette before him. For a brief moment, he thought it was the mare from his vision. But as his sight cleared up, he found a butter-yellow pegasus with a pink mane smiling down at him, tears of relief flowing from her eyes.

"It's okay." she whispered. "There's nothing to be scared of."

The stallion blinked, regaining his vision. Now that he could see her more clearly, his crimson eyes looked over her form as well as the environment around them. She appeared to be within her mid 20's. Judging by her wings, she was obviously a pegasus. Though, contrary to all he had heard, she seemed to be very sleek and slim. From what he understood, most Pegasus Ponies were more athletic.

His eyes then scanned the room they were in. Many small birds, rabbits, and mice were staring at him. Either she had a close friendship with these animals, or she was in a dire state of infestation. The stallion figured it might be the former. Especially considering her Cutie Mark.

As he took in the details of his surroundings, the mare's smile faded to one of confusion and concern.

Fluttershy stared at the mysterious stallion. His look of confusion was understandable. But, he also seemed very nervous. He looked like he was afraid to speak.

"Uh...hello?" she asked.

He looked at her in response, but said nothing.

"Are you lost?" she asked.

Silence.

"Are you hungry?" she continued.

More silence.

"Are you...um..." she trailed off, eyes darting back and forth anxiously.

For a very long moment, neither of them said a word. Fluttershy herself was scratching at the floor with her hoof, unsure of what to think. In her entire life, she never met a pony who was as quiet as she was. If not more, in this case.

The stallion suddenly looked over his own form. With a hoof, he curiously prodded at his bandages and looked up at Fluttershy.

"You're in a very bad state." Fluttershy said. "I did all I could to make sure you're taken care of."

The mare's words struck a chord in the stallion. If her words are true, then maybe she can be trusted. At least, he hoped so.

"You go out of your way to aid the unknown?" he asked. "Kindess or stupitity is what you have shown."

The mare noted that he spoke in rhyme. Maybe he spent a good amount of his life in Zebrica. On the other hoof, the heat would have probably severely hurt him. Especially with his dark colors. On top of that, he apparently emerged from the forest. There were many things that didn't add up.

"You were hurt." she said reasonably. "How could I leave you there? I could never live with myself, knowing that I'd left you to die."

"Your reason has merit, I will not deny." he began. "But there are times where you must let sleeping dogs lie."

The mare shook her head in disagreement. "I can't accept that." She said. "Even if it's a stranger, it would be wrong to leave them to die."

The stallion's eyes narrowed in thought. As he stared at her, he considered her words. Her eyes alone told him many things. He could see that she was a mare of great experience. Along with that, he could see that her heart was one of pure still remained uncertain if she could be trusted. But he decided to go along with her...for now.

"You don't seem to be one who would lie." he said. "The compassion I see is remarkably high."

The mare nodded. "May I ask your name?" she asked.

"Animus Whiteheart is my name." he answered. "And now, I shall ask you the same."

"My name is Fluttershy." she replied. "Fluttershy Andrea Silverwing."

Whiteheart smiled. Something about her name alone gave him a sense of comfort.

"Now." Fluttershy spoke again. "Regarding what happened last night. What happened to you?"

"Of that, I wish not to speak." he answered. "I'll only say that it has made me weak."

Fluttershy shook her head. "You were running to the point of exhaustion." She said. "That isn't weakness to me."

Whiteheart let out a long sigh. "It is apparent that you've seen too much." he said. "I may have to come clean, as such."

"Before you do, I may know somepony who can help." Fluttershy said. "Can you stand up?"

"With luck, I may be able to." he replied. "But, I'll need help from you."

Fluttershy nodded and held out a hoof and helped him up. She now was able to get a good look at him as he stood to his full height. Compared to most stallions, Whiteheart was rather small, roughly the same height as Fluttershy herself. She also noted the style of his mane. It was rather thick and messy, most of it hiding the left side of his face.

The butter-yellow pegasus came to the conclusion that he was mostly likely a teenager somewhere between 16 or 17. This thought disturbed her. Somepony so young should not be in such a horrible condition. Much less, wandering the Everfree Forest without a guide. Shaking off the thought, Fluttershy inwardly resolved to bring Whiteheart to the one pony she knew could help him make a steady recovery: Twilight Sparkle.