The first in a series of three possibly.

---

The low rumble of thunder resounded across the dark clouded night sky over Canterlot, the capital of Equestria. Of course this jewel of harmony and peace, would soon have blood running through the cobbled streets. High above a tall tower, a lone door opened slowly revealing an armored and battered man. The man fell to his knees and crawled forward, the door closing slowly on its own. The man breathed heavily, his heart beating in rapid succession.

Suddenly the door behind him was kicked, not just open, but into splinters of wood and even torn off the metal hinges that kept it in place. The man looked back to see a large fully armored figure kneel down slightly and step out into the cool night air. The large armored figure was covered from head to toe in thick spiked plate mail. The helm he wore looked like the head of a four horned demon, the mouth wide open to show the face of its wearer. Thunder boomed again as the figure gave a deep low chuckle of amusement.

"No. No you can't." The man said as he backed away from this creature out of his worse nightmares. The figures glowing yellow eyes clutching his heart with terror.

"I will be the last," the armored figure said, pointing a finger at the man before him, "and you, will go first."

The figure began to take slow steps towards the frightened man who backed further and further away. He seemed to be enjoying the terror he caused as he chuckled once more.

"Th-there are others," the man said as he got up, his back to the iron fence of the towers edge, "I could show you. Please. Please!"

The man turned, knowing his pleads for life would go unheard. He hoped to run, but the iron fence prevented him from escaping. Now trapped and cornered he turned to face his worse nightmare. And was met with a powerful right blow across the face, knocking his own helm from his very head dented where the fist had struck.

The man laid on the ground, half conscious from the blow. The armored figure kneeled down slightly and gripped the man by his throat and lifted him up, his feet inches off the ground. Laughing coldly, the figure slammed his victims back against the iron fence, the force snapping the iron in half and forcing half of it to tear off from the rest of the fence. This now created an opening for the figure to hold the man over the edge of the tower.

The armored figures grip tightened, causing his victim to choke more and more and begin beating against his assailants arm, making weak begging for life. But these did little to deter the figure and with a slightly small and chuckle, he clenched his hand tight around his victims throat and snapped it as if it were a twig. Thunder boomed loudly once more.

His deed done, the armored figure threw the lifeless body from the tower and sending it falling to the ground. The body fell and landed with an audible crunch as it slammed into the cobbled stone streets below. The broken and shattered body laid there, blood flowing into the streets.

---

Twilight yawned as she awoke as the rising sun awoke her from slumber. She stretched and knocked several books above her and down onto her head.

"Ouch!" Twilight rubbed her head and looked around to see that she was inside a small book fort surrounding her desk in the library section of her home. Her back was protesting with pain for sleeping at the desk again for the third night in a row.

'I wonder if Rarity and Fluttershy won't mind if I join their spa trip today.' She thought, rubbing her achy back and neck.

She sighed and with a wave of her hand, the books rose up and reshelved themselves. Giving a smile Twilight walked upstairs to wake up Spike. But as she reached the living area of her home, she was surprised to see Spike already up and at work cooking.

"Morning Twilight." The little dragon called as he turned to wave. He had on his favorite apron, the one with the pink frills and heart in the middle.

"Spike? What time is it?" Twilight asked.

"Its 10:30." Spike said, pointing to the clock, "anyway time for breakfast...well for you anyway."

Twilight sighed and sat down, "Sorry Spike. I had an amazing breakthrough with a spell and I guess I lost track of time last night."

"And the night before that, and the night before that one as well." Spike said as he placed pancakes onto a plate, "I swear you sleep more on a chair then in your bed at times."

Twilight rolled her eyes, Spike just wouldn't be able to understand the delicate intricacies of magic. Seeing the plate of food before her she felt her stomach growl.

"Thanks Spike. Oh this looks so good." Twilight said as she picked up her fork and started to eat.

"No problem. So whats todays-oh come on!" Spike said as he went to cut the grapefruit, only for the blade of the knife to snap.

"Whats wrong Spike! Did you cut yourself!?!" Twilight said as she got up and made her way over.

"Twilight. Tough scales remember." Spike said.

Twilight blinked and blushed, "oh right. But what happened?"

Spike growled and huffed small sparks coming out his nose, "The kitchen knife broke."

"What?" Twilight looked over and saw that indeed the blade of the knife had snapped while half way through cutting the grapefruit.

"Oh come on. That's the third this week." Twilight said with a sigh.

Spike took the blade out of the fruit and tossed it and the handle away in the trash, "I just don't get it. Why is all this happening now?"

In the recent months, iron that arrived from the mines of the Griffon Kingdom was tainted. Anything made from this iron, sword, armor, even common appliances and tools would snap or break like twigs, thus creating a shortage of good quality iron. In Equestria today, good iron was now worth more then even gold. What was worse was that now bandits were pillaging the roads, attacking caravans and robbing them of any bit of iron that it holds, leaving only broken empty wagons and dozens of dead bodies.

All these troubles were beginning to anger the populace, and it was not uncommon to hear rumors of various reasons behind the iron shortage. The most common being a Griffon conspiracy to weaken Equestria for war.

Twilight sighed, "I don't know Spike. I'll pick up another today okay."

Spike huffed and nodded, "Alright. I guess I'll get started on my chores."

Twilight nodded and sat down to continue her breakfast. All the while she could not take her mind away from the troubles in Equestria, and wondered if things would get better....or worse.

---

Pinkie Pie floated only a few inches off the ground, her legs moving through the air in the movements of walking even if her feet never hit the ground. Still some force must be moving her as she gently and slowly moved forward with each leg movement.

"Come on Fluttershy, the party till the party supplies get there." She said with uncontrolled excitement.

Behind her, walking slowly and with legs bent due to the weight of the large stack of party supplies she was carrying Fluttershy said, "Happy to help. But, can I carry the... balloons next time?"

Fluttershy grunted with some exertion and finally straightened her legs out to walk normally, if still slowed by the large pile she carried.

"Look out!"

Pinkie and Fluttershy stopped moving, just in time to prevent a collision with a crashing Rainbow Dash who hit the ground.

"Oh my gosh Dashie are you okay!?" Pinkie said.

"Oh dear! You're not hurt are you?" Fluttershy asked, but eeped as she almost dropped the supplies she carried.

Dash got up and dusted herself off, then tested her wings. All was good.

"Yeah, no problem," Dash said, "just a new trick. Needs some work; what're you guys doing?"

"Oh we're taking some supplies for a party!" Pinkie said with glee, hopping in midair impressively.

"Whats the occasion?" Dash asked, always ready for a party especially one of Pinkies.

"Oh just for a party! I figured it would help everyone take their minds off of things." Pinkie smiled, still hopping.

"Howdy girls."

Dash, Pinkie and Fluttershy turned to see Applejack coming over.

"Hey Applejack. Arn't you usually selling apples at this time?" Dash said.

"I was till I saw ya'll crash into the ground. Honestly Rainbow you should be a little more careful." Applejack said.

"Aww it was nothing, besides I don't crash that often." Dash huffed and crossed her arms.

"Say whats that?" Pinkie said pointing.

The girls looked and saw a single figure on horse back slowly approaching town. The figure was heavily cloaked, with a hood worn low. The horse was breathing laboriously as it drew closer, showing obvious signs of heavy exhaustion.

"A traveller? A rare sight these days." Applejack said.

"Oh I should throw them a party. Oh I could make the party later a two parter!" Pinkie said with excitement.

"Oh dear, the poor horse seems exhausted." Fluttershy said with worry.

People all around stopped and looked at the rider as he drew closer into town, before stopping. The horse stood there, breathing heavily not a few feet from the girls, who moved over to say hello.

"Howdy partner. Welcome to Ponyville." Applejack said with a warm welcoming smile.

The rider was silent. The girls looked at each other for a moment in confusion before looking back to the rider.

Dash flew up close and poked the rider on the head, "Hello. Anyone there?"

The rider remained silent. Tilted to the side a bit and fell from his horse to hit the ground.

The girls gasped, Fluttershy dropped the stuff she carried and flew over with astonishing speed. While she was not usually a fast flier, when circumstances called for it she was able to keep up with even Rainbow Dash.

"Hey are you okay?" Applejack asked.

"Oh man!" Dash said in worry.

Fluttershy pushed the riders hood back to show the face of a young man. Wild and unkempt red hair, but the most striking and worrying feature was his pale skin. Unnaturally pale skin.

"He doesn't look good." Pinkie said.

"Oh dear. Oh dear." Fluttershy checked for a pulse, and sighed in relief when she felt a weak thump of the heart. She pushed aside the heavy cloak so that she could see what might be troubling the man, and gasped when she saw a large burn in the mans leather curaiss. The flesh around it bloody and showed the signs of a cauterized wound. It did not look good and it was by a sheer miracle that the man was alive.

"Oh nuts and shoes!" Applejack gasped.

"Oh no!" Pinkie covered her eyes not wanting to look at the horrible wound.

"Quick we need to get him to Ponyville Clinic!" Fluttershy ordered, losing her usually meek demeanor. Time was of the essence.

"Right! I'll get him there in ten seconds flat." Dash said as she lifted up the man, if with some effort, he was heavy.

Fluttershy helped, and the two quickly flew off. Applejack and Pinkie followed after them, praying that it would not be too late.

---

Character Stats

Fluttershy
Class: Stare Master
Level: 3
Alignment: Neutral Good.
Str:10
Dex:18
Con:16
Int:12
Wis:18
Cha:17
Special Ability(s): The Stare: Capable of freezing an enemy in a terrified and at times crying inducing paralysis until the stare ends.

The clinic was in a minor panic. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had burst through the door, followed by Applejack and Pinkie. The two fliers had been carrying a limp body. When they had told the nurse at the front desk the situation, and when she had seen the wound she wasted no time in calling for immediate help. Several nurses took the injured man away to the emergency room where he could be treated.

Now it was all up to fate and time.

The nurse told the four that it would be sometime before they could be sure if the man would recover, and the four had things that needed attending to. Fluttershy herself wanted to check on the mans horse, but at the same time felt as if she should stay and see if the man was okay. However after some gentle and assuring words from the nurse and Applejack she followed the rest of her friends out. They all agreed to come back once all their work was done, which the nurse nodded and said she would make sure to let them know if anything happened as soon as they returned.

"Dang, what do you think did that to him anyway?" Dash said she flew beside her friends at a lazy pace.

"Probably bandits. They're everywhere now on the road." Applejack said.

"Why would bandits attack him?" Pinkie asked.

Dash rolled her eyes, "Bandits attack anyone Pinkie. Especially anyone with anything even made of iron."

"Oh..I hope he's okay." Fluttershy said with worry.

"He should be fine, the clinic has a good staff. After all they get lot of practice with Dashie." Applejack gave a chuckle.

"I heard that." Dash said crossing her arms.

"Anyway, I gotta dash. See you girls later." Dash said as she flew off.

"Yeah I should hurry up as well. Got to sell apples and make sure no one got sticky fingers." Applejack said.

"Oh how would they do that? Did they stick their hands in jam jars? That happened once with Pound and Pumpkin, and everything got sticky." Pinkie said.

Applejack rolled her eyes with a smile, "Something like that Pinkie. See ya girls later."

"Bye Applejack. Oh we still have to take the supplies to the party." Pinkie gasped and ran off.

Fluttershy took a last look back at the clinic before flying off, 'Oh I hope everything turns out okay.'

---

He was falling, but towards an end just falling. An endless falling through an unending darkness. The metallic scent of blood filled his nostrils. Finally something entered his sight; the shadowy appearance of someone who grew closer and closer. The sensation of falling stopped as he now stood before the figure, whose eyes slowly opened to reveal glowing yellow eyes. The features became more clear and he stood staring....at himself.

Supay gasped as he stood up, causing the nurse that was checking on him to scream.

"What the-aggghh!" He gasped as he held his side. He looked to see that his side was wrapped in a firm bandage.

'Bandage?' He thought and looked around.

He was in a room, a clinic he guessed from the exterior. Did that mean he was in a town? Was he safe?

"Oh, you shouldn't move too much. The wound itself was seared shut, but the burns will still cause some pain till the salves begin to take effect."

Supay looked to see the nurse he had frightened a moment ago walking up to him. She took the time to straighten her hat and skirt.

"Where am I?" Supay asked.

The nurse smiled, "You're in the Ponyville general clinic. You apparently rode into town unconscious and collapsed. Lucky for you some of the local girls found you and brought you here. They said they would be back once they finished somethings, if you want I can tell them you are awake when they arrive if you want to meet them."

Supay shurrged, "Sure, I'd like that." he groaned and rubbed his side gently again.

"I'll go get something to help with the pain. Just try not to move too much. A nurse will come by with something for you to eat in awhile." The nurse said as she walked out.

Supay nodded and laid back against his pillow. The nurse walked out and now he was alone. He felt secure in the knowledge that he was in civilization, but now he was remembering the events before and he felt such pain in his heart as tears welled up in his eyes.

'Father.....'

---

"Thanks again for letting me join you and Fluttershy at the spa today Rarity. I know its usually just you and her, so I hope I'm not intruding." Twilight said as she walked with Rarity to the spa.

"It's no trouble at all darling. Besides you look like you could use a little relaxing and pampering." Rarity said, moving her hat a bit to black the rays of the sun from her eyes.

"Yeah. It was a crazy week of study and I guess I didn't sleep in the most comfortable positions." Twilight thought back to the one time she had ended up sleeping on top of a huge pile of books. It hadn't ended very well when she had shifted and fell into a heap of books.

"Well don't worry darling, when we're done you will feel like a whole new woman." Rarity smiled.

Twilight smiled, "Well I can't wait. So how have things been?"

"Oh all well as it can be. Though business has been a bit slow what with this iron shortage and those simply awful bandits roaming about the roads."

Twilight sighed, "Tell me about it. I've had to replace a kitchen knife again."

Rarity gasped, "Again? My word darling that's the third this week."

Twilight sighed again, "Don't remind me. It cost me almost twenty bits to get a new one."

"Twenty!?! That is complete robbery." Rarity felt disgusted that someone one would force her friend to have to pay such an outrageous price for a simple kitchen utensil.

"Yeah, but I didn't have much of a choice." Twilight rubbed her head feeling another headache come on.

"Well once we get to the spa all that stress will fade away. Ah here we are." Rarity said as the two pushed open the door.

"Ah Miss Rarity. We were wondering if you were coming today."

Rarity looked to Aloe, standing behind the reception desk, "Why of course. Why did you think I wasn't?"

"Well Miss Fluttershy is not here, and she is usually here before you. Still it is good to see you are here; the usual?" Aloe said as she picked up a clipboard.

Rarity blinked confused, "Um yes. Fluttershy isn't here yet?"

"No she hasn't arrived yet. Will it just be you and Miss Sparkle then?" Aloe asked.

"Keep Fluttershy a spot if she comes. I hope she is okay, she is usually here before I am." Rarity said, worried for her friend.

"Very well. This way ladies." Aloe said as she lead them to the changing rooms.

"I hope nothing happened to her. She is usually here." Rarity said, bitting her finger.

"Oh I'm sure she just got held up with one of her animals. I'm sure she'll be here, don't worry Rarity." Twilight said reassuringly.

Rarity was still unsure, but said, "You're probably right Twilight. Let's go, you are going to love the sauna treatment; it is simply marvelous."

---

"He is right this way girls. He seemed eager to meet you when I told him you were here." Nurse Redheart said as he lead Applejack, Dash, Pinkie and Fluttershy to Supay's room.

"How is he doing?" Applejack asked.

"He should be fine, though he will have a scar for the rest of his life." Redheart frowned, she hated having to leave a patient with a reminder of their pain.

"Ah scars ain't that bad," Dash said, "they build character."

The nurse and girls rolled their eyes. Pinkie Pie hopped up and asked, "Oh will he be able to leave soon?"

Nurse Redheart tapped her chin, "He might. We might keep him in for a night just to make sure everything is alright."

Pinkie smiled brightly, "Oh then I have to get planning for a welcome congratulations for getting all better party."

Everyone laughed, leave it to Pinkie to find any reason to throw a party. The bubbly girl was already going off on various items she would require.

"I wonder if he'll tell us what happened?" Dash said.

"Oh I don't think we should ask him that. It must have been really scary." Fluttershy said shivering.

"If he wants to tell us something he will. Let's just give him time to recover first before we start asking him anything." Applejack said.

"Oh alright." Dash sighed.

"Here we are. Try not to strain him now." Redheart said before walking away.

The girls nodded, and peeked into the room. They saw the man they had helped sitting up right against some pillows in his bed. He was staring at the window with an almost melancholy look in his eyes.

Pinkie was the first to react, appearing out of nowhere infront of the man with a big smile. The man blinked before jumping back in surprise.

"Yikes Ouch!" He hissed as the sudden movements.

"Ohmygosh! Are you okay?" Pinkie asked worried. The other girls came over, worried as well.

The groaned and rubbed his side a bit, "Eh I'll be fine. You just startled me is all." He looked at Pinkie then to the other girls around him, "so let me guess, you are the ones who brought me here?"

"That's right." Dash said, "names Rainbow Dash, greatest flier in Equestria."

"Glad ta meet ya pardner, I'm Applejack owner of Sweet Apple Acres." Applejack said, taking the mans hand and giving a friendly handshake.

"I'm Pinkie Pie. Ohweweresoworriedwhenwemeetyou!Ohyou'renewhere,Ishouldthrowyouaparty!Doyoulikeparties?"

"Um...yeah sure....I'm Supay." Supay said, surprised by how fast Pinkie Pie had spoken.

"Supay? Thats a funny name." Pinkie said with a giggle.

Supay rolled his eyes, "So I have been told," he then noticed Fluttershy, who was hiding her face in her hair, "hello."

Fluttershy eeped and hid more, Applejack smiled and said, "That's Fluttershy. Don't mind her sugarcube, she's just a bit shy around new people."

"I see," Supay said, "well it is nice to meet you all. I don't know if I would have survived without your aid."

"No duh, you looked like tatarus. So....how did ya get like that anyway?" Dash asked.

"Rainbow." Applejack said, glaring slightly at her friend.

"What? Come on, we all want to know." Dash said crossing her arms slightly.

Supay frowned and looked away, "Sorry....that's something...I don't want to talk about right now."

"Aww come on-" Rainbow began before Applejack covered her mouth.

"Sure sugarcube." Applejack said, giving Dash a look that said 'shut up'.

"Oh um...we're sorry if we brought up bad memories." Fluttershy said.

Supay sighed, "Forget about it. Anyway, thanks for helping me, if I can repay you in anyway just name it."

"Ah think nothing of it." Applejack said.

"Yeah, we're just glad you're okay." Pinkie said with a smile, hopping with unrestrained energy.

"You..you are okay right?" Fluttershy asked.

Supay chuckled, "Yeah. A little pain, but nothing serious. Oh, do you know what happened to my horse?"

"Oh, I took care of him. The poor creature looked worn out, he's at my house resting up. Umm...I hope you don't mind." Fluttershy said softly.

"Not at all. I was a bit worried about it, I probably would have died if I wasn't riding him. Thank you." Supay said.

Fluttershy smiled softly, "Oh it was no trouble, I love taking care of animals."

"Guess I owe you double then Fluttershy." Supay said.

"Oh no it was my pleasure. You don't have to owe me anything." Fluttershy said.

Applejack nodded in agreement, "Yeah, same goes for all of us. Just get better alright."

"Well if you say so." Supay said.

"Of course. Now just rest up now, the nurse said you should be able to leave by tomorrow." Applejack said.

"Good, I don't want to stick in one place for long right now." Supay said.

"Why's that?" Dash asked.

Supay looked away, "Uh...nothing. Just....nothing."

The girls could tell me was hiding something, but they didn't ask any further questions. Though Rainbow Dash tried to but was silenced by Applejack once more.

"We'll see ya later then Sugarcube." Applejack said.

"See ya tomorrow." Pinkie Pie said with a smile as she waved good bye.

"Take it easy." Dash said before flying out.

"Try to get lots of rest, alright." Fluttershy whispered, just loud enough to be heard.

Supay smiled, "Sure thing. Thanks for visiting."

Once the girls were gone, Supay sighed, 'Father...what am I suppose to do now?'

---

Now Rarity was worried. Fluttershy hadn't show up at all for the spa, and she was finding it ever more difficult to relax.

"She's never taken this long before." Rarity said as she stepped out of the hot tub and wrapped her towel about her.

"I'm sure she is okay. Maybe something came up." Twilight said as she stepped out from behind the changing screen fully dressed. She felt great now, and her neck no longer was bugging her.

"Maybe so," Rarity said as she finished drying off and changed back into her clothes, "still I will go and see if she is okay."

"Alright, thank you again for letting me join you Rarity." Twilight said as the two walked out of the spa.

Rarity smiled, "Of course darling, you should really join these little get togethers more often."

"Maybe, when I'm not busy with my studies." Twilight said.

Rarity nodded, "Of course darling. Now I have to go find Fluttershy, farewell."

With that Rarity walked off swiftly, heading for Fluttershys. Twilight watched her go before heading back to the library, she had alot of studying to get to and she couldn't put it off; everything would be fine.

---

Rarity walked faster, hoping to alleviate her worries for her friend by arriving at Fluttershy's in quick fashion. She hopped that the shy girl had simply forgotten the time due to helping one of her animal friends. As she walked, she saw Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie stepping out of the clinic, and immediatly she went over.

"Fluttershy, darling I was absolutely worried when you didn't show up at the spa today." Rarity said as she approached.

Fluttershy gasped, "Oh no, I'm so sorry Rarity. With everything that happened today, I forgot please don't be mad at me."

Rarity chuckled, "Oh nonsense Fluttershy, it's not big deal I'm just glad your okay. I was rather worried when you didn't show up. Though I have to ask why you are all leaving the clinic?"

"Oh someone came into town, but he was all hurtty wurtty so we rushed him over here to get help. Then we came back later to say hi. His name is Supay, isn't that a funny name." Pinkie said with a giggle.

Rarity gasped, "Oh my, is the poor dear okay?"

"He should be, I reckon he should be on his feet in no time." Applejack said.

"Well that is good, though it must have been simply traumatic." Rarity said, placing a hand to her head in a dramatic pose.

"Well...it was a bit scarey." Fluttershy said.

"Eh it wasn't that bad." Dash said simply.

"Well, it is good that you girls got him to the clinic. Though I have to ask, how did he get hurt?" Rarity asked.

Rainbow Dash shrugged, "We don't know. Though I'm guessing it was bandits. They're everywhere these days."

"Well, whatever the reason he should be fine now." Applejack said.

"I hope so." Fluttershy said.

"Well at the very least I'm glad you're okay Fluttershy." Rarity told her friend.

"I'm sorry if I worried you Rarity. I'm sorry I missed the spa trip." Fluttershy said with a frown.

"Nonsense darling. We can head right back over and relax, I think I'm feeling a pimple come on anyway and there is only one solution." Rarity said as she took Fluttershys hand.

Flutterhsy blinked, but giggled as she followed Rarity back to the spa. Applejack and Rainbow Dash just rolled their eyes as they watched them go.

"Well if that's everything I got napping to do. See ya girls around." Dash said as she flew off.

"See ya Dashie." Applejack called as she waved bye to her friend.

"Well I got ta get back ta Sweet Apple Acres. See you tomorrow Pinkie." Applejack said.

"Sure thing AJ." Pinkie said as she walked off.

As she headed back to Sugarcube Corner Pinkie felt a tingle go up her spine and a twitch in her ear, "Oh a combo. Oh dear, something really really big is gonna happen soon."

Pinkie continued on, trying to decipher just what her Pinkie Sense foretold. This combo was a very very uncertain one.