Walking the Path

Synth was getting tired of sitting and decided that he shouldn’t let his day go to waste. Maybe he couldn’t go to the Everfree Forest, but he could do some gardening before it was too dark. Looking over to his suitcase, he went through the contents. Finding a journal on the Everfree, he quickly scanned through and found his entry.

‘Wildfire Lotus- A dangerous plant native to the Everfree Forest. A dangerous plant that produces seeds with cognitive boosts…’ Synth remembered when he wrote this down. It was when he and Oliver were still fillies. The Professor gave them the seeds to see if they could figure out their properties. They tried everything they could think of.

It wasn’t until Oliver put five of the seeds in water to see how they react, that Synth discovered it. He drank the water while Oliver had his back turned and didn’t notice the seeds until he swallowed them. Oliver was shouting at him the entire time while Synth’s head recoiled. He felt like he knew everything in the world. Synth theorized that ingesting it was the answer, but Oliver was just telling him he was just imagining it.

When the professor came to see how they were coming along, Synth told her what he thought and she smiled. “Very good boys, you finished faster than I expected. I think you deserve a reward.” Synth grinned at Oliver and he just looked angry. The professor pulled out six of the seeds they’d been working with and handed three to each of them.

“These are rare seeds; don’t use them unless you need to. They only grow in the Everfree Forest.” After Synth wrote all of that down, he just dismissed it as a fair warning. Now he started to think that the Everfree Forest was something he didn’t want to get lost in. Turning back towards his suitcase, he felt sad that he used his only seeds on a simple mistake of running into a tree.

Synth resolved that he’d need to get more seeds, even if that meant going into the Everfree Forest and lying to Applejack. But that could wait until after his gardening. Gathering a handful of different seeds, he stepped outside and flinched at the sight of the tree. “It’s your fault” he said to the tree as he walked around to the back of his house.

After he finished planting the first few seeds, he looked up and came eye to eye with the pink pony. “Oooh, are you growing more trees to fight? I think you should focus on beating one tree first…”

“Pinkie, it’s not like that. But what are you doing here?” Pinkie was jumping up and down as she said her next words. “I’m throwing a surprise party for the new pony in town, besides you, and I came to invite you to it. I would have thrown a party for you, but I only had time for one party and she came first so I think she deserved the first one. Not that you won’t get a party, but keep it a secret from yourself okay? I want to surprise you like you surprised me when I first met you because I had a lot of fun, but I didn’t react like I did with Twilight because I was getting used to the new ponies in town. Well anyways see you at the party!”

Synth was just nodding his head trying to understand anything she said. All he could come up with was that he’s going to a party and he should expect a party later.” Pinkie bounded away while his head was still trying to process the rest. He shook his head and went back to work. After a few minutes, he finished and cleaned himself off. Taking in a deep breath, he decided to plan out his next move.
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Synth was wandering aimlessly through the streets. They were now completely devoid of ponies. He was headed towards the tree at which the party was being held, but couldn’t find it anywhere. Walking down a street he knew he went by before, he saw a pony that could offer him directions. She was a mint green and looked like she was headed to the party as well.

He waved at her then asked his question. “Could you direct me to the party everyone’s been talking about? I seem to be rather lost.” She smiled and replied cheerfully. “Ponyville isn’t very big, but you must be the new pony so I understand. Pinkie told me something about you too, something about a tree. I don’t remember what though…” As she tried to remember, Synth decided to change subjects. “So, can I tag along? I wanted to come to the party early but it’s probably too late for that.”

She stopped thinking and looked at him. “The party should be starting any minute, how long have you been walking around?” Synth felt it didn’t harm him to tell the truth. “Only about thirty minutes.” She raised an eyebrow as she responded. “O..kay then… Well we should be going before we’re late. They walked for about half a minute before she stopped.

“We’re here. I’m surprised you didn’t see this before.” Synth was looking around and it took him a while to notice the huge tree with windows and a door. Maybe he wasn’t looking hard enough the past few times he walked by this place, but it sure was hard to miss now. He turned to her and smiled awkwardly, “Thanks, I might not have found this place.” She looked like she was going to respond but the door opened and they were pulled inside.

After getting up on his hooves, he looked around to see half the town getting everything ready for a party. Synth had to admit the sight made him smile, but it increased when he saw the white pony he met earlier beckon him over. “Hello Miss Rarity, you called?” Synth found his stuttering was under control and he didn’t have to force the words out anymore.
Rarity giggled and smiled. “I see you are still quite the gentlecolt as earlier. I also see you’ve met my friends today. They were happy to meet you, I could tell.” Synth didn’t know which friends she as referring to, but he remembered all the weird encounters he had. “It’s been a rough day…” Rarity nodded. “I understand, Pinkie told me all about it.” Synth’s face turned a little red at the memory and shrugged it off.
“Well, I’ve met lots of new faces today but I don’t think I’ve met the guest of honor yet. Is the party starting soon?” Synth was wondering if Twilight was a Unicorn like him. Most ponies from Canterlot were Unicorns, but there were exceptions. “She should be here soon. Fluttershy was her last stop before she was finished. I’m sure Fluttershy would be accompanying her here.”
Synth remembered the meek Pegasus he met and wondered why Twilight would need to see her. He was about to ask but Pinkie stepped in. “Everypony hide! They’re coming.” The lights turned off and Synth jumped behind a tall potted plant following the others lead. He wasn’t very excited about the party; he’s never been to one so it was to be expected. Although meeting a fellow unicorn from Canterlot could be a good thing.
Anytime during the party he could always slip away and go to the Everfree Forest. He was curious though, to see if the new pony went through anything he went through today too. He could ask her later, right now he heard voices on the other side. One belonged to a male and the other was a softer tone… Probably Fluttershy he thought.
The door opened and he saw a silhouette of a Pegasus fly in with something in her arms. He was about to jump out but a hoof stopped him. “Not yet, wait for the lights…” He looked to his left but couldn’t see anything in the darkness. It sounded like... “Rainbow?” he whispered to the darkness. “Yeah, it’s me. Now shh…” He looked back and saw a figure now approaching the doorway with a smaller figure at its side.
“…Without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to be friends all the time… Now where are the lights?” Now the lights were flipped and Synth jumped out from behind the plant to join in the commotion that was happening around a lavender unicorn. He couldn’t see the smaller figure because of the ponies in front of him, but he could clearly see the horn atop the unicorn’s head.
He smiled inwardly; she didn’t seem like the friendly type. I wonder how she’ll do at this party. He remembered what she said moments before. Crazy ponies… Maybe she did go through what he did. But he’s taking it a lot better than her. She was standing at first shocked and then was accompanied by Pinkie towards the refreshment table. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he did notice when she grabbed the hot sauce and started to drink it.
He gagged and wondered if she was as crazy as the ponies he met today. When she ran out with a red face he decided she just made a mistake. He did notice Pinkie eat a cupcake covered in the hot sauce; she was definitely the craziest one. He went to go see if he could talk with Rainbow or Rarity about what happened, but Pinkie grabbed a hold of him.
“Hey Synth, want a taste? They’re delicious!” Pinkie was holding out a red topped cupcake. He smiled; he hadn’t eaten since the last cupcake she’d shove down his throat. “Sure, I’ll give it a try.” When he was putting the cupcake up to his mouth, he was bumped from behind by Rainbow who turned around and broke down laughing.
Synth’s face was covered with the red frosting, some even got into his eyes and he realized it wasn’t normal frosting. It was like a hot sauce substitute. If he’d taken a bite, he’d probably be throwing up all day. Although, getting it in your eyes was no better. His face burned and he felt some humiliation when everyone turned to see what Rainbow was laughing at.
“W-Where’s the restroom?” he nearly screamed with closed eyes; Clawing his eyes to get it out. Someone was pushing him in the direction of the stairs; he knew they were stairs because he tripped over the first one. After a few falls, he managed to make it to the top. When he walked into a door, he heard a male voice say “sorry” as he heard the door open and walked inside.
“Spike! What are you doing?” He heard a familiar voice say. “Sorry, I thought this was the restroom, this guy needs to get his eye cleaned up.” He heard a gasp and felt hooves on his face. “I think I know a spell that should help.” A moment later, his eyes felt warm and the pain was subsiding. “This is going to take a while, but it should feel better soon.” He smiled.
“It already feels great. Thank you miss…” He had a feeling... “It’s Twilight, Twilight Sparkle.” Synth’s brain clicked. “That’s it! I thought I heard that name before. You’re Twilight, the gifted unicorn. You are that Twilight right?” Synth was feeling positive this was the pony he’d heard about. “Well yes, I’m that Twilight. Although I don’t know very many ponies with my name…” It was a joke, but Synth didn’t recognize it. “Well I did read this book with that name, but you’re a lot better than that book.
Twilight was blushing but Synth couldn’t see. He still had his eyes closed while it was being cleaned. She knew that she was special, but she didn’t know that people thought of her like a celebrity. She also realized something he said… “You read books?” Twilight asked knowing how most only read what they have to. Synth was caught off guard. “Of course I do. In my free time I like to read a good adventure. Though I haven’t had time in a few days, what with my studies…”
Twilight brightened up instantly. “Oh, what do you study? I know a lot about everything.” Synth grinned. “I know, you’re all they talk about in Canterlot. But, I don’t study anything really important; Just the plants and nature in general. It’s my special talent to communicate with them. I’m sure you know a lot about it though.” Twilight was still smiling with a hint of a blush showing.

“Well, I do know my share of plants, but you can communicate with them? That’s amazing.” Synth’s smile lessened a little. “Actually, more like they talk to me whenever they feel like it. I don’t get a choice in the matter, but it’s still great to have some company once in a while.” Synth realized how that might have sounded to Twilight, so he tried to continue. “I mean, when I don’t have anyone to talk to at the time…” He probably made it worse, but was cut off before he could continue his statement.

“I understand. I’m more of a social outcast myself to tell you the truth… And the ponies in this town don’t see that. All they see is another face and another party to throw.” Twilight said remembering the party going on downstairs. Synth tried to joke. “At least you got a party.” He realized his eyes were feeling a lot better. “Well, looks like I finished. How does it feel?” Synth opened his eyes and looked into the eyes of the other unicorn. “It’s G-great. Thanks s-so much Miss S-sparkle.” Synth felt the stuttering coming back.

Twilight just looked into his eyes and raised an eyebrow. “Your eyes, they’re purple…” Synth found this weird until he noticed Twilight’s eyes were the same shade of purple and he smiled. “As are y-yours Miss Sparkle.” Twilight looked away and realized what he said. “You can call me Twilight, but you do have good manners. You must have gotten them from your parents.”
Synth forced a smile as his memory returned. “Well I try, but I never used manners in Canterlot. They seemed like useless things to know, but I guess the city must’ve rubbed off on me.” Twilight nodded. “Yeah Canterlot can be difficult to live in at times. But I can’t wait to leave and go back. These ponies are going to drive me to insanity at this rate.” She said this last part as she heard something break downstairs. Synth winced, it sounded like a window.
“Well, I don’t seem to crazy do I?” Synth said putting an innocent smile on his face. Twilight thought for a second before smiling and responding. “Well, you did get hot sauce in your eye.” Synth decided to keep up the humor. “You’re the one that drank it…” Twilight giggled. “You have a point. Maybe we’re all crazy on the inside; some, more than others.” Synth thought of Pinkie and he had a feeling that she was too.
“Pinkie has good intentions…usually.” Synth said remembering how she handed him the cupcake. Twilight had a thought as he said that. “So, how’d you meet them? I’m sure you had a rough day too…”

Synth remembered what he went through today; it wasn’t a bad day really. Although it could have gone better, he at least knew more of the town than he thought he did. “Rough might be the way I’d put it. It could have gone better, but hey I’m not complaining.” Twilight seemed to understand this. “I know what you mean. I did all my tasks for today, but it was…different than how I pictured them to be.” Synth was interested at this.

“Tasks? Did the princess send you here? Is this some sort of punishment?” Synth was wondering what she could have done wrong until she cleared it up. “Actually, I was supposed to be making sure the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration were in order. I don’t even think the princess gives punishments anymore.” Twilight tried to remember the last time the princess punished anypony. Then she remembered the tale she read about earlier.

“Hey, I don’t want to sound crazy but do you know the Mare in the Moon tale?” Twilight suggested seeing as how he was the closest to her actual equal in the entire town. Synth vaguely remembered the tale from when he was a foal. “Actually, I remember some parts of it. Why? Want me to read you a bedtime story?” He joked but Twilight seemed a little annoyed at that.

“No, it’s just that I have a feeling…” Twilight said before the door opened behind him. Spike entered looking at them where he had left them long ago. “You still haven’t cleaned his eye yet? Your slacking Twi…” Spike said before Twilight sighed. “What do you want Spike?” Spike was pointing in the direction of the party. “The Sun’s coming up soon. Don’t you want to be at the Summer Sun Celebration?”

Synth realized what was in front of him. “Are…are you a dragon?” He asked before thinking that it was kind of rude. Spike looked at him like he asked the most obvious question ever. “Well, yeah. Twilight hatched me and now I live with her. Synth started to feel a little intimidated. Not because of his size, in fact that made him feel a little better, but because he had some bad thoughts of dragons from past experience. “Okay then, nice to meet you Spike.” He said at a lower tone than before now taking a step back.

Twilight apparently didn’t notice. “Okay then, I’ll be right down. Coming Synth?” She said going to get some of her things from the floor. Synth knew this was his chance to slip away. “Actually, I’ll catch up later. There’s something I need to get from my house.” He walked a good distance around spike as he walked out the door. He quickly went downstairs and walked out of the door towards his house.
Twilight was thinking about him after he left. He looked a little like he didn’t want to go to the Celebration. He did seem awfully nervous. When he first entered her room and they conversed, he seemed confident and tough. After she finished cleaning his eyes, his demeanor changed and he acted a lot like that yellow Pegasus she met earlier. And now he looked like he was…scared? Maybe he had some mental condition. That would make him as crazy as the rest of the town. He was just so different. And yet he acted a lot like her. She realized before Spike pulled her to the Celebration.
Synth took the path to where he thought his house was. After this, he’d need to get a map of the town before he ended up lost again. After back tracking a little, he made it to his house. In case he was being followed, he used some spy tactics he learned from books he read. He entered his house and grabbed his suitcase. Then teleported to the back of it and walked towards the Everfree Forest. Still feeling dizzy after the spell he performed, he thought that he probably shouldn’t do that again. It took too much out of him, he could barely walk.
As he made his way to the forest, he realized that if anyone looked in his direction, he’d stick out like a sore thumb. His cloak only partially covered his body. He couldn’t run, so he basically crawled a few steps. When he realized that they would all be headed towards the Celebration, he felt a little silly trying to act like the heroes he’s read about. Walking more calmly, he walked to the edge of the forest and looked back. The town looks amazing from here, he thought. Then he saw Twilight with Spike on her back and they were walking away.
He was about to turn around and start looking for his plants, but he noticed Spike look his direction. Fuck, he thought before quickly backing into the shadows and using his magic to grow branches around him to cover the area he was standing in. Maybe, he didn’t see me? He thought, although that was unlikely as he knew Dragons had good eyesight. He shivered at the memory and turned walking even deeper into the forest.
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Spike was enjoying his ride to the Celebration. With his short legs, it always tired him to walk long distances. So, Twilight was used to carrying him everywhere. He was looking around seeing ponies around him from the party. When he remembered how Synth was supposed to be getting something from his house. He remembered how the Princess gave them an option of staying in a house on the outskirts of the town, or the library. Twilight immediately chose the library, but Spike thought that the house that Synth must have gotten was the one they declined.
He turned his head towards the houses; they were all decorated except for one in the end of the street. He looked closer at it and noticed something in the corner of his eye. There was some green where there should have been darkness. He looked directly at it and he saw the green coat partially covered by the dark cloak. He kept staring and noticed Synth looking at him. He was confused at this, but then the green blended with the dark and the trees enveloped where he once stood.
“Twilight? I think I just saw Synth go into the Forest…” Spike said wondering what he could be doing there. Twilight didn’t think of this as unusual. “He probably doesn’t like social gatherings like me. I’m just going because I want to see this for myself. But he probably doesn’t care very much…” Spike seemed to think about this. “Then why’d he come to the party? He didn’t have to…” Twilight didn’t answer instead she got lost in her thinking.
If he was like her as much as she thought, then he might know something about Nightmare Moon. Although he didn’t act like he did. Maybe he had other reasons for sneaking off… She looked up and saw the town hall in front of her. “I have a bad feeling about this…”
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Synth was walking through the Everfree Forest. It was quiet. This would be normal or even scary to some ponies, but Synth enjoyed it. He seemed like he could express himself fully here. He looked at the plants and wildlife around him. They looked terrifying, but he knew enough about most of them that they only looked intimidating for self defense. He was walking past some bushes and picked some of the flowers putting them in his suitcase. They smelt bad, but that was the point. The flowers he picked would discourage predators and help him feel at ease.
Continuing to walk, he kept his eyes out for the plant he was there for in the first place. The red and yellow striped plant was hard to find, but you wanted to find it before it found you. He walked a good few minutes without so much as a rustle of leaves. He even stepped in patches where he wouldn’t make too much noise. The foul-smelling flowers might help keep him safe, but if one of them was hungry enough…
He looked up as he saw a Wildfire Lotus next to a tree. He’d have to do this carefully, his professor taught him how to deal with them, but he’s never had a real experience. Using his magic, he grew the grass around him; his head was still hurting from the teleportation he used earlier. He could only grow it to a certain height before he ran out of strength. Looking up, he noticed that the plant didn’t know he was there.
Crawling low towards the plant, he got within three feet of it. Resting a little to use his magic again, he kept a close watch on what it was doing. Knowing how it was poisonous to touch, he’d have to grab it by the stem, where the poison doesn’t reach. He used up his magic again to lift the dirt around it to form a sort of cone where the flower petals were. Jumping from his position, he grabbed the stem before the flower could break free of its dirt prison.
Pulling hard, he managed to get the roots out of the ground. He didn’t have much time before the flower broke free, so he just opened his suitcase and shoved the flower inside. He could extract the seeds later. Standing up and dusting off his cloak, he looked around. Already he could tell he was lost. Every direction looked the same and the sky could barely be seen above. The moon was casting enough light for him to see though, as he chose a direction and began walking.
After a good few minutes, he decided to take a break and let his horn rest. He was in a clearing and lay down in the middle on his back. Looking at the sky, he could make out the constellations he knew, and there weren’t many, and just looked at them for a while. The night sky was quite a sight… Wait… Why does the moon look a little different? The shape that was normally in the moon was gone…
Now he remembered the story his mother told him, and the same one Twilight asked him about earlier. How did it go? Something about an evil power that was trapped in the moon, He thought. But if the moon looks like it does now, does that mean it escaped? That would explain what he was warned about. If there was a danger to come to Equestria, it would go after the princess first. And today she would be at her weakest point after she raised the sun.
Now he understood, when the sun is raised the evil will attack the princess. He knew he had to get going, so picking himself up he started to a trot in a different direction, hoping he wouldn’t get lost. Although, after a few trips from the low lighting he knew he’d have a hard time finding his way out. “One problem at a time…” Synth said a few seconds before he tripped over some vines.
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Farther away in the library, Twilight was reading from the book that Pinkie found for her. “…located in what is now, the Everfree Forest.” Twilight reread this to make sure she said that correctly. The other gasped around her as they remembered what the forest is like. “T-the Ev-Everfree-“Fluttershy started saying before being cut off by four other voices. “The Everfree Forest?” they exclaimed looking at each other.

Twilight was nodding her head speaking softly, “I see, Synth did know more than he let on. I’ll have to go help him; he wouldn’t make it very far in the dark.” The others being around Fluttershy enough, were used to hearing voices that low. “Twilight, yah can’t go in der. Dat place isn’t natural.” Applejack said voicing the others opinions. Twilight looked up completely forgetting about the others.

“I’ll be fine on my own, besides Synth is already in there. He must have gotten a head start.” Twilight reasoned, but then thought about what she said. “Wait if the Everfree is dangerous, doesn’t that mean that Synth is in danger too?” The others gasped as none of them remembered seeing him since the party.

“We gotta go save ‘em, that colt’s not as strong as you think. He couldn’t take a soft tackle, he wouldn’t last two seconds in those woods.” Rainbow said as she flew out the door. The others followed until they were at the edge of the Forest. Twilight spoke up. “Okay, here’s the plan. We go in, look for Synth. When we find him, you girls bring him back to town while I go get the Elements.”

The others just shook their heads. “W-we can’t j-just leave you in the f-forest by yourself…” Fluttershy said suddenly feeling very scared in the forest’s presence. “Really darling, you expect us to leave you in a place like that?” Rarity added in before Twilight could protest. “Weee! Let’s go!” Pinkie said bouncing into the forest. Twilight sighed, “Fine, have your way. But I won’t be responsible.” She said as she walked into the forest.
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It felt like hours to Synth as his back was on the grass again, letting his legs take a break. He was getting tired of the endless amounts of trees in each direction. When he finally got enough rest, he stood and continued walking in the direction he was headed. Keeping as quiet as he could, he tried not to alert some of the more vicious predators in the forest.

His flowers were keeping most at bay, but some looked like they were hungry enough to eat anything. He tried climbing a tree to see where he was, and all he found out was that there was a path in front of him a little bit. He kept watch of his surroundings and saw some dangerous plants. Poison Joke, some here and there, but overall easily avoidable; if you knew what you were looking to avoid. He almost stepped on one as his left forehoof extended and when he contracted, he bumped into a slimy tree.

The host of the tree was an above average sized slug looking creature. It wasn’t a carnivore, but its look made Synth gag and walk a little faster towards his destination. The visual of the slug and the flower in his suitcase made his stomach feel uneasy. He looked up and saw the dirt trail a few feet ahead. Groggily he walked a few steps and then threw up right before he left the forest. At least there’s no one here to see that. I haven’t thrown up since I was- his thoughts were broken as he heard a scream directly to his right.

He looked up and saw Rarity about to panic at the scene he just had. He quickly wiped his mouth and looked back at her. Only now did he notice the other five watching with clear disgust on their faces. That is, except for Rainbow who was grinning. “Found him.” She said as a chuckle escaped her mouth. Synth was a little embarrassed that they saw that, but he was overcome with confusion before he could explain.

“What are you girls doing here?” Was what he asked and then he saw the looks on their faces all change from disgust to looks of anger, relief, and annoyance. Applejack was the first to speak. “Synth, ah thought yah said yah wouldn’t come ta da Everfree Forest! Ah got half a mind tah break yah jaw. You lied ta us, and ah thought yah was better than that!” Synth recoiled at the sudden change of attitude. He knew he’d get in trouble for coming, he just hoped he didn’t get caught.

Now, the look on Applejack’s face said she wanted an explanation. Synth sighed he wasn’t going to get out of this. “L-look, I can e-explain-“Applejack stepped closer and she looked even more intimidating. “This had better be good.” Synth tried to continue, but couldn’t form a sentence. Instead he took a few deep breaths and tried to calm himself. He must have looked like he was hyperventilating because Applejack slapped him. “Better?” she asked with no emotion in her voice.

“Y-yes, that…helped s-so much…” he tried to sarcastically say but he couldn’t bring himself to use the sarcastic tone. “O-okay, so I r-really needed…some more of t-those seeds I ate. I-I knew that you’d all b-be…busy tonight. So, I-I thought I could…collect them before y-you knew I was gone…” Synth flinched when Applejack went to adjust her hat. Now she felt sorry for hitting him, but that didn’t excuse the fact that he lied to three of them. But she could let it go and just looked at him like she forgave him. The other three on the other hand now had confused looks on their faces. “It’s a long story.” Fluttershy said to the others.

Now, Synth was glad to see them. He hoped he could find a way back to the town with them leading him. “So, here I am. C-can we go back now? This place…It can be scary.” Synth didn’t like to admit it, but without the flowers he would be scared shitless right now. Speaking of the flowers… “Oh Celestia, what’s that smell?” He saw Rainbow and Rarity holding their noses as they were the closest to his suitcase now leaning on a tree. “Yeah sorry about throwing up, I just overexerted myself and the smell was the last straw.”

“We didn’t just come here for you Synth; we’re looking for the Elements of Harmony located in some old ruins in this forest.” Twilight said with magical nose pinchers on her snout , it made her sound different and Synth had to hold back a grin. Until that is, he realized that he’d have to stay in this forest until they found these elements they were looking for. “Oh, I see. By the way, that smell is what I was using to keep the predators at bay.”

When he said this, he saw their eyes go wide. “P-predators!?” Fluttershy said her eyes darting back and forth. Synth knew they couldn’t see them. In fact, he could barely see them and he had really good eyesight. Just outside of the tree line, groups of animals were staying wary of the bunch. They didn’t look like a threat, but that smell made them think twice about attacking. Synth decided not to scare the others lest they scream.

“Let’s just say it’s safe to assume we’re being watched.” Synth said trying not to sound too foreboding. When the others glanced unnervingly at each other, he decided to change the topic. “Well how about we continue then? I believe we need to go this way?” he said pointing in the direction he saw them heading before he stopped them. When they nodded, he followed behind them all as he kept wary of the animals around him.

After a good few minutes, he thought of a question to break the mood. “So, why are you girls after the elements of harmony? Are you girls feeling as shitty as I do? I don’t think the elements can help you there…” He said the last part as a joke but he wanted a response nonetheless. Twilight spoke first, “Nightmare Moon escaped her moon prison and now she plans to shroud the world in eternal darkness. We need the elements to stop her. Celestia disappeared before she could raise the sun, so it’s up to us.”

Synth heard the last part and his mind did a back flip. How did Nightmare Moon overpower Celestia before she raised the sun? If she attacked after she raised the sun, it would be understandable. But, something about this seemed off. Synth didn’t have time to think about it though, as they reached a cliff. Twilight was planning how to jump down to get to the re t of the road, when a purple haze came out of the ground where Synth was standing. It went through him momentarily, but he wasn’t paying much attention as the ground cracked and the cliff tilted. Synth was sent sliding down the cliff.

His feet couldn’t find traction and he barely managed to grab onto a rocky ledge before he fell over the edge. His grip was strong, but he knew it wasn’t enough to last him forever. On his left, he saw Twilight also grabbing part of the ledge. Although, she had a grassy ledge and it looked like she was slipping. Fast. Synth saw Applejack sliding down, but she wasn’t coming down fast enough. Synth knew he had to do something.

He used up whatever magic he had left in his reserves and cast a growing spell on the grass around Twilight’s hooves. It would hold long enough for Applejack to come. He turned to his own predicament. His head was throbbing from using the magic, and his grip weakened. There wasn’t any grass close enough for him to grow if he even did have the magic. Feeling his strength drained, his willpower was at its lowest. He could faintly hear a voice in the back of his head…

‘You are weak. You can’t even save yourself. Why bother with them. They only hold you back. If you just had more power- ‘His inner thoughts were broken by the sound of his name being yelled out.
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Twilight was sliding on the grass now. She couldn’t stop herself and saw the ledge approaching fast. She used a very difficult gravity spell to slow herself enough that she could grab the ledge. It was too much for her though, and she felt like her horn had enough. She hadn’t practiced with it before, and now she cursed her laziness. Now without her magic, she saw the dread of what was happening. Her hooves couldn’t find a good place to grab onto. She reached into the grass and it only made her hoof wet and slippery.

Looking up, she saw Applejack sliding down slowly to help her and- Synth! Now she noticed that he was also on the ledge. He had a good handle though, and looked like he could hold on for a while. She was about to fall, and fast. When she couldn’t hold on any longer, she let go. It took her a second to realize that the grass snaked around her hoof and tightened on it. She sighed with relief. Synth’s magic just saved me. She looked over to thank him and gasped. His face had gone paler and his grip was loosening. His eyes slowly closing and his body was starting to go limp.

She opened her mouth to yell at him, but someone else beat her to it. “Synth!” Applejack now reached Twilight but both were looking at the body of Synth Meadows as he went over the edge. Twilight turned her head to look down but Applejack stopped her. “He’s… he’s gonna be fine.” She said looking at Twilight smiling. “Just have some faith in him…” Applejack reached out and grabbed Twilight’s hoof as the grass holding it loosened its own grip due to Synth’s magic depletion.

Twilight smiled. Of course he’d be alright. This is Synth they were talking about. In the little time she knew him. She could already tell that there was something different about him. Something good or bad, she didn’t know. But she had a feeling that Synth could survive anything. And now, she hoped she was right…
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Synth’s grip released. He began to fall. The air around him slowed down as he began to process what just happened. He had used his energy to save Twilight. Now, he was falling to his inevitable doom because of it. The voice in the back of his head wouldn’t shut up. ‘Don’t you see what’s happening? You’re dying, and it’s all because of those girls. They are the reason you are suffering. Without them, you could be so much more. You had what you came for, why didn’t you just go? Leave them to die in this place and you would be scot free in Ponyville without a care in the world…’

Synth felt like he was going through a mental breakdown. ‘What are you doing in my head? Who are you? You don’t know anything about me.’ The voice came back, more determined. ‘Oh, but I do know you. I am you. I have always been here, I’ve been growing from the pain that you’ve felt. I am the part of you that wants to be free. Think of me as your shadow. I’m always here, but whenever you are most happy, I’m gone. When you let the truth surround you, I’m everywhere. So, tell me. Why are you about to die?’

Synth felt like he had no control over this other voice. He couldn’t tune it out and it just spoke so clearly. But he had a reason, and he hoped it’d be enough to shut this guy up. ‘Because they’re my friends, and I’d risk my life for a friend.’ The voice was soft as it replied. ‘We’ll see for how long…’ Synth didn’t hear the voice anymore and had a calming breath. The ground was getting a lot closer and he could barely keep his eyes open.’ This is it. This’ll be where I die. You know, I never figured out the mysteries of my life. My parents, my cutie mark, this voice, all of them were things that I wish I could have solved.

My parents… Why did they have to do it? My Cutie mark… what was it supposed to mean? And this goddess damned voice that appeared out of nowhere…’ ‘Actually, I’ve been here a while. You just haven’t noticed me until Nightmare Moon gave me strength.’ ‘Well whatever, you’re still fucking annoy- Wait. What did you say?’ ‘I didn’t “say” anything. I just made you think it.’ Synth groaned internally. ‘You’re a pain in the ass you know that?’ ‘I would get yourself checked out. If you think the pain I’m giving you is worse than the pain you’re about to feel, you’re so wrong.’ ‘Fuck you.’ ‘Dude that’s gross, I am you remember?’ ‘JUST SHUT UP!’ he mentally screamed as he closed his eyes to wait for the impact.

Author's Notes:

Please?