I moved slowly, ever so slowly. The manticore kept its eyes on me, ready to pounce at any moment. I watched its eyes never move from me, never blink. Just my luck. First five minutes in Equestria and I was already about to be killed. I got myself ready for the dash of my life.

I loosened my muscles and I smiled at the beast. The manticore faltered at my smile for just a moment. It was all I needed. I started running as fast as I could away from it. The manticore soon started after me. I reckoned I had about a good 30 yards between us.

It was strange to feel how natural it was to run on all fours. It felt as though I had done it my whole life. The wind rushing through my mane and the grass below me acting as a cushion for my stomping hooves. If my life wasn’t in danger, this would have been a great feeling. Well if I died, at least I got a good amount of exercise first. I had to dodge left and right around the branches jutting off the trees. I took a quick peek behind me and saw the manticore going straight through the branches as though they were just toothpicks. I looked ahead again and saw the worst thing possible. For this situation.

A rushing river was flowing in front of me. The current was too fast for me to swim through, and even if I could, the manticore would probably catch up to me. I was trapped. If I could just get to the other side… if I knew how to teleport…

Might as well see how good my magic is. I should at least try, since I would never get another chance if I didn’t. How hard could it be?

As I continued to run, I closed my eyes and concentrated. Just envision yourself on the other side of the river. You have to believe you are there. Focus. Focus!! You ARE there. I felt my horn begin to burn and my body started feeling… fuzzy.

I saw a quick flash under my eyelids. I opened my eyes and looked behind me to see the river. It actually worked?

“Aww yeah! I’m going to be the best wizard pony ever,” I said to myself.

The manticore had just reached the river. It stopped before the rushing water.

“Ha! What now you stupid beast! Can’t get me now!” I taunted the manticore. Not exactly my best idea at the time.

The manticore let out a ferocious roar and spread its wings. It began to give chase again as it started to fly over the river.

Ugggh… it had to be a manticore. It just had to have wings. What happened during evolution that gave a lion the ability to fly? Talk about being overpowered. Then again, this was a world of ponies, hydras, and the ability to break the fourth wall. I sighed and began to run for my life again.

The manticore quickly crossed the river and flew straight towards me. It was twice as fast flying than it was running. I sprinted as fast as I could, but it was no use. I was shoved from behind and was sent tumbling on the gravelly earth. I landed on my back and looked up to see the manticore on top of me. It bared its fangs right in front of me. I was going to die… again.

I wonder if Barty will allow me to live a third time? I was only gone for like ten minutes. But with that last comment I gave to him, I highly doubted that. I guess it’s straight to heaven then.

As I watched the manticore go up to take its first slashing bite out of me, a green sparkly mist rolled in. The mist enshrouded me and the manticore and began to take form. I looked up to see a giant clear green bear over me.

The manticore shrank back from the beast and quickly turned and ran away. Well one beast was out of the way, but an even bigger one had me now. I looked up. A manticore and an ursa major on my first day?

But as quickly as the bear came, the bear disappeared just as fast. I looked around to see the mist beginning to clear away. I stood up again and saw a familiar face in front of me.

“A friend in danger is not good to see, tell me, are you ok my little pony?”

Only one person in the show spoke endlessly in rhymes. Zecora. The dark and light gray striped zebra looked at me with worry.

“Yeah, I’m just fine. Was that Ursa… yours?” I asked.

“A mirage made by a sparkling mist, it sure gave that manticore quite a twist.”

That rhyme seemed to be a bit forced. Then again, some of the rhymes on the show also sounded a bit forced.

“Umm…. well thank you. I guess I will be on my way.”

But before I could go anywhere, the zebra began to inspect my body. Her turquoise eyes checking out every part of my body. Her eyes stopped moving when she saw my blank flank. She opened her mouth to ask a question, but it looked like she decided that it would be better not to ask. I gave her a smile as a way to show my gratitude for her politeness. I didn’t have an excuse at that moment on why I didn’t have a cutie mark.

“I see that you came out just fine, now I can leave with a peace of mind. But you are a pony I have not yet seen, what brings you here in the Everfree?” asked Zecora.

“I was traveling here from Manehattan.” You have to go through the Everfree Forest from there right to get to Ponyville right? “My name is Night Rave. I’m just happening to be passing by. I’m planning to go to Ponyville.”

“Night Rave I see. We are by Ponyville, I can show you the way, just over that hill. I can lead you to the edge of the Everfree, and there I will let you be.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you.” As long as I don’t see any more monsters, I will be fine with this.

Zecora began to walk and beckoned me to follow. I was practically jumping in excitement as I grew ever closer to Ponyville. Zecora didn’t say much else during our stroll. Within a few moments, we reached the edge of the forest. I was able to see the roofs of the Ponyville homes from here. I looked to my left and was surprised to see a small cottage there. So Fluttershy was the first pony I would meet? yay.

“We have reached the place where I must go, but there is something I want to know. To me it does not matter the where and when, but will we be able to see each other again?”

I thought for a moment. “But of course! I mean, since you saved my life and all, I would go and visit you every day! You have my utmost gratitude.”

Zecora chuckled. “Daily visits are not needed, but I have some questions that need be completed. Answers I do not need for today though, but there is much about you I would like to know.”

“No problem,” I replied. We smiled at each other and waved good-bye. As I turned around I realized she didn’t show me the way to her house. I turned around again, but she was out of sight, nowhere to be found. Maybe she could teleport too? Anyways…

I turned my mind to the moment at hand. I was about to meet Fluttershy!!! I trotted up to the door. How should I greet her? Will she like me? Will she show me Angel? Oh, I am so excited! I thought to myself. As I was thinking, the door in front of me opened. A canary yellow pony with strawberry pink hair began to walk out. Her blue-green eyes opened in shock and she let out a small shriek. Then she slammed the door in my face. I guess that’s one way to greet her.

She opened the door again. She looked down at the ground and remained speechless. This was getting really awkward. I didn’t even have a real reason to show up to her house. I would ask for directions to Ponyville if it wasn’t for the fact that you could see the town not too far off. I should never have come here. What do I say now?

“I would like to ask… if…” my mind struggled to think of a question to end the silence, “you… know where…”

All of a sudden, a cyan-coated mare appeared next to me. I looked up to see her rainbow-colored mane. It was Rainbow Dash.

“Hey Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash began, “I was just passing by. Who’s your friend?”

“Actually, we just met,” Fluttershy responded. She spoke so softly, almost at a whisper.

“Oh.” Rainbow Dash looked over at me, “So, who are you?”
“My name is Night Rave. I’m coming from Manehattan on my way to Ponyville. I was here to…” my mind became stuck again.

“Ask for directions?” Rainbow asked.

“Yes… but then I saw the town as I approached this mare’s door,” I said, relieved that I would not need to think of a quick excuse.

“Well I can show you the way to Ponyville,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Really? That would be great!” I got to spend time with Rainbow Dash. The day was beginning to get better.

“Yeah, won’t be a problem at all. By the way Fluttershy, the girls are planning to have a picnic by Sweet Apple Acres this afternoon. Wanna come?”

“Oh that sounds delightful. I don’t have anything planned after I finish feeding the animals and grooming my sweet little Angel.” A small, white bunny appeared by her legs. It was the most adorable rabbit I had ever seen.

“Well that’s… cool,” Rainbow answered. “Anyways, I want you girls to see my new amazing trick.”

“How exciting. Well, I’ll see you at Applejack’s.” And with that, Fluttershy closed her door.

“Well are you ready to go?” Rainbow asked.

“More than you know,” I answered.

I was finally on the road to Ponyville. Not only that, but I got to meet both of the Pegasi in the Mane Six. Yay.

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