The following is a non-profit fan-based work of fiction. My Little Pony Friendship is Magic and all subsidiaries are owned by Hasbro studios, DMX media and Lauren Faust.
Cheating Death
Written by Wilizin
Edited by AuthorGenesis and Anonymous
Chapter 3 - Rememberance
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Shouck, slop, Shouck, slop. sounded my shoes as I hiked through the Everfree forest. Hiking through the woods is one thing, but shuffling through the woods with soaked socks and shoes is something I’d only wish on my worst enemy. Thankfully that was the only grievance I had with my current situation, the way to the mountain in the distance was uneventful with few obstacles in my way. It was a refreshing change from the tangled mess of branches and bushes that I was experiencing not too long ago.
I stopped to catch my breath as I was still winded from the ordeal of the waterfall. Leaning against a nearby birch tree, I rolled my shoulders and heard both of them sound with an audible pop. I was considerably out of shape for this kind of excursion in the outdoors, years of having a sedentary cubicle job being the blame for that. On the positive side, I did get to watch all those Youtube series on my breaks. Unfortunately, that meant they were also playing in my head while I tried to remember any lessons in wilderness survival I had also watched.
My mind may have been a steel trap when it came to things I’d seen, but that also made it a jumbled mess of everything which lead to some mix and matching at times. Like the smurfs were discussing the best way to dress a wound and clean and gut fish. And that was one of the tamer things rolling around in my skull. After a few minutes of rest against the less than comfortable birch tree, I decided to continue onward. That mountain wasn't going to get any closer by itself after all.
I stretched my legs one last time and began walking at a brisk pace to the mountain in the distance. The easiness of the path allowed my mind to wander. I had certainly been having a heck of a time finding my way out of this forest so far. I knew the Everfree was a dangerous place but they certainly downplayed it in the show. The show… I remembered what it was like back home when it was just a show. It was actually my sister’s fault that I got hooked on it, and she was obsessed with My Little Pony.
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“You really are going to carry that thing for the rest of the day Sophie?” I asked my sister. She was holding a large plushie of Fluttershy in both of her arms that was almost as big as her.
“Of course I yam! I won her and I’m gonna’ carry her.” Sophie responded with an adorable authoritative voice. She was a short little girl at the age of 10, with brown hair and a bunch of freckles all over her face. Sophie was the kind of kid that when she set her mind to something she stuck by it until she was either successful or unconscious. It was a type of stubbornness that mom said we both got from dad, and was one of the few things we had in common. One of those other things had been My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
One day I was babysitting her while mom was out and Sophie was watching cartoons. The internet had decided that day to be utterly boring so I was left with little for electronic entertainment. I sat down with her in the hopes that I could pull the ole “These cartoons are horrible, why back in my day-” shtick. Fortunately I was instead greeted by technicolor ponies and their humorous antics. After I watched one episode my curiosity was peaked. Soon after I was a pretty big fan and sharing some of the stuff I found on the net with my sister. (Censoring some of the stuff, because let’s face it the internet is full of weird things) We would laugh and be amazed at all the awesome work fans around the net were doing with just a simple show about ponies.
Today we were at the state fair and one of the game booths had MLP character plushies as prizes. Unfortunately it was one of those ring toss games that you’d have to have luck that bordered on breaking the fabric of reality in order to win. My mom had a strict two chance policy of games, lest we waste too much money on a fruitless endeavor. I tried my hand at it but every ring I tossed bounced off of the bottles. When Sophie’s turn came she took one ring and threw it as hard as she could. The ring hit the bottle and spun wildly into the air! It bounced off the ceiling and landed perfectly right onto the grand prize bottle.
I was stunned. The game host was stunned. My mom was stunned. And Sophie was jumping up and down cheering “YES!” over and over. The host gave a huge smile and claimed my sister to be “one lucky lady” and that she had a pick of ANY plushy in the tent. She pointed swiftly at the large Fluttershy plush and jumped for joy when it was in her arms. I swear my sister probably broke the world record for the largest grin on a kid right then.
I looked at her now, cheeks puffed out to show how tough she was carrying around her prize. I chuckled, as I felt sorry for mom who was going to have to deal with her in her teenage years. She was going to be one heck of a fireball then.
“You know I would have picked Twilight Sparkle instead, as she is best pony without a doubt.” I said to Sophie.
“Of course you woulda’ picked her. You’re a dork!” She retorted with a smirk. I blushed and shot a look at her.
“I am most certainly not a dork!” I shot back with a pout.
“You are dork! And Twilight is a dork too, which is why you love her so much.” Sophie said making kissy faces at me. My mom laughed at the display of the two of us.
“She’s got you pegged Felix, you are a total dork.” Mom said shaking her head at the two of us. I looked back at mom with despair. Curse those women for ganging up on me, I was drowning is a sea of estrogen and I couldn’t swim!
“Well for you information ladies I am a ‘geek’, we are much more dignified.” I explained pushing up my nonexistent glasses for effect.
“Whatever you say… dork.” Sophie shot in. Mom began laughing again at how I was losing an argument to a 10 year-old. I began to snicker and soon I joined in on the laugher. Sophie just rolled her eyes at the two of us, which caused us to laugh harder.
Since I was introduced to them, ponies became a part of my life. Every day when I got home, I would check the latest news and fan fics to see what entertainment I could find. It was one thing I was exceptionally glad my sister introduced me to, and it was a community that was always changing and improving.
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I sighed as I returned from my remembrances. That was almost 4 years ago, hard to believe I remembered it so well. I guess a wandering mind brings back nostalgia. I had gotten much closer to the mountain and the sun was just starting to turn the sky a brilliant orange with it setting. I’d only have a few hours of light left so I picked up the pace. Thankfully there was a large clearing ahead and it would make getting to the foot of the mountain tremendously easy. Things were starting to look up.
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Fluttershy was out in her garden tending to some rather unscrupulous weeds that had decided to stay firmly rooted to the ground. With one last tug she pulled with all her might as her wings beat to give her extra power. The weed gave way and Fluttershy flew backwards and fell flat on her rump with a thud. She shook her head clearing the dizziness from it and smiled with triumph over the invasive foliage. Walking over to a pail full of the other weeds she had pulled, Fluttershy plopped the last one in and picked up the bucket carrying it out to her garbage can.
Fluttershy walked down the path from her house and to the road where the lone garbage can sat. As she walked up to it she saw another pony walking towards her. Fluttershy set the bucket down and greeted her visitor with a soft smile.
“Oh, hello Twilight.” said Fluttershy in her usual soft tone. “What brings you out this way so late? …if you don’t mind me asking that is…” Fluttershy hid behind her bangs as she said her last sentence, being ever so true to her name. Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes at her friend’s ever so demure behavior.
“I’m actually heading out to Zecora’s. She lent me these books on rare herbology recipes and I promised to return them to her today.” Twilight said motioning to the large amount of books that were stuffed into her saddlebags.
“Oh, you shouldn’t go in this late, what if you get lost? And there’s that… other thing…” Fluttershy said trailing off near the end.
“Oh you don’t have to worry, I’ve budgeted my time and I can make it there and back and still have 10 minutes of daylight remaining.” Twilight reassured her friend with a chipper tone. “But what do you mean ‘other thing’?” Fluttershy blushed at Twilight’s question.
“W-Well, it just that the… timberwolves are kind of in the middle of their… mating season.” Fluttershy couldn’t possibly hide any further behind her hair in embarrassment then she already was. “They are very VERY protective of their territory right now, and I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
“Don’t worry Fluttershy,” Twilight reassured her friend “I’ll be sticking to the path, so I won’t have any problem with those wolves at all.”
“Oh, well you should be alright if you stick to the path. Just be sure to avoid any clearings, they usually prowl around there.” Fluttershy explained. “I would feel terribly sorry for anypony who happened to wander through and encounter a pack of timberwolves.”
“Well I certainly wouldn’t do something as silly as that.” Twilight said with a small giggle. “You’d have to be really dumb to walk into an open field in a forest full of monsters.”
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“FAAAAAAK MY LIFE!” I screamed as I broke through the treeline of the clearing I just passed through. Behind me howls and yips of wolves could be heard as they chased after their prey. And I just so happened to be the special of the day. I sprinted through the trees towards the mountain which was much closer than it was before. The wolves meanwhile, having the advantage of 4 limbs, were closing in on me quickly as their howls got louder and closer.
Darting through the foliage it soon became less dense than before and up ahead I could see why. I stopped right at the edge of a ravine that split the forest right in two. Looking over the edge I could see it would be quite a fall down, maybe even larger than the one that was near the ruins I was at not too long ago. What was with this place and giant holes in the ground? Again the ravine was far too large for me to jump, but with those wolves on my tail I wouldn’t have much of a choice unless I found another way across. Thankfully fate decided to cut me a break and I spotted a downed tree lying sprawled across the ravine.
I ran over to the tree and gave it a quick once over. It looked like it could support my weight, but it also had been lying there for quite a while. It could have been rotten through all the way for all I knew, and it would send me plummeting to my doom the instant I set foot on it. This was not a time for me to be picky as one of the wolves burst through the tree line behind me. I panicked and scrambled over the log to the other side while the log creaked and groaned with every step.
Jumping off the log I safely landed on the other side with a thud. I turned around to see that the wolves were nearing the log and would soon make me their dinner unless I did something about it. Quickly I wrapped my arms around the logs and began to lift it up. For being old and rotten it was really damn heavy. Straining my legs I put every ounce of what I could muster into lifting that log. It’s amazing what the fear of being food for wild animals will do for ya’. Just as the wolves were about to reach the log, my persistence paid off and the log freed itself from the ground on my side. I shifted to the left taking the end of the log with me and threw it only a few inches, but that was all that was needed.
The log now moved from its stable position began to roll on my end, right towards the edge of the ravine. One of the wolves thought he could make it across and jumped on the log and bolted across it right towards me. But his haste was his undoing, as the log’s edge rolled right over the ravine and sent both the log and the timberwolf tumbling down into the depths below.
“HA! Gotcha, ya stupid wolf!” I shouted in triumph as I looked across the ravine to the wolves on the opposite side. They watched their pack mate fall to his doom, then turned their attention on me and snarled. “Oh are the big bad wolfies mad at me?” I teased the timberwolves. “What chu’ gonna’ do about it? I’m right here. And you’re way over therrrrreeee.” With that last line I made silly faces at them and enjoyed my small victory. It was nice for once to be on the winning side in this man vs. nature war I seemed to be a part of. For once since coming here things were going my- why are the wolves backing up?
I was brought out of my egotistical stupor when I noticed the wolves were backing away from the ravine. Not like they were walking away, it was like they were backing up to have more distance so they could… Oh fak me sideways. I didn’t stick around to see what they were doing; I decided getting as much distance between me and these wolves was the best idea at this point.
The forest on this side of the ravine was much more densely packed then on the other side, branches whipped and scratched me as I ran past tearing new holes into my already torn up apparel. I heard the wolves howling behind me again beginning the chase anew. My hope for putting enough distance between me and them was dashed when I suddenly found myself up against a wall. I had reached the base of the mountain much quicker than I thought I would, and unfortunately it was a straight shot up about 10 feet. As soon as I turned around to run in a different direction, the wolves appeared and cut off all means of escape. I was hopelessly trapped.
“Now, you know I was just kidding about the whole, ‘big bad wolfie’ thing, right?” I said hoping that I could appease the wolves. Their response was a loud bark and one nasty growl. They weren’t in a very forgiving mood. The wolves began to close in slowly, one of them even licked its lips. “Now come on, you wouldn’t want to eat me! I’ve been living off a diet of pizza and lean cuisine. I probably taste like freezer burn.” I said panicking. Oh sure I could have said something less stupid, but let’s see you trying to be witty when you are about to be the main dish for a party of 6!
My back pressed up against the stone wall as the pack closed in, sweat pouring down my neck. I never guessed that this would be my end, eaten by wolves… made of wood. Fate is REALLY funny that way. Suddenly before they could turn me into Felix-fondue, a loud roar blasted through the air right above me. I looked up to see a figure that looked awfully familiar. The figure jumped in the air and landed with a large thump right in front of me. The timberwolves looked just as surprised as I did at who joined us, it was a manticore. And if I had to hazard a guess it was the same one who chased me over that waterfall!
The Manticore leapt into the pack of timberwolves with unmatched ferocity and sank its teeth into one of them while swiping another with its massive paws. The other wolves leapt to help their comrades, and a flurry of fur and wood flew through the air in a brawl for the ages. I was amazed at what I was watching; it was like if National Geographic teamed up with the Sci Fi channel to deliver a mythical version of Deadliest Warrior. The manticore ripped through the timberwolves like… well like timber. One of the wolves got behind the manticore and bit hard into one of its legs. Unfortunately for the wolf, the manticore used its large tail to send the wolf flying into a tree with a sickening crack.
The wolf that was knocked into the tree slowly got up, and looked as though it were in a lot of pain and stumbled over its own feet. The wolf let out a few barks and the other timberwolves immediately broke away from the fight. The manticore lashed out one last time at the wolves and they scattered into the woods. I was amazed, here this lone monster came to my rescue and saved me from being eaten alive. Hurray, the manticore saved me! It turned round and looked right at me. Those eyes stared right through me and seemed to glow in the evening light. Then it … licked… its lips. Oh crap, the manticore is going to EAT ME!
The manticore wasted no time and charged. It did a flying leap through the air and sailed right at me. My reflexes kicking in I dived to the ground and the manticore’s claws grazed me as it flew right over me and slammed headfirst into the wall. It may be an unstoppable killing machine, but that apparently doesn’t mean it’s the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Rocks fell down from the mountain; they must have been jostled from the force of the manticore hitting the mountainside. One of them landed right next to me and I grabbed it. It was short only about a foot in length but what was good was that it was extremely sharp at one point. I could easily use this as an improvised weapon!
The manticore began to stir and recover from its self inflicted daze and I took this as a cue to run for it. I scrambled to my feet and ran back into the woods. I had to think quickly though, all this running had still made me winded. There was no way I could outrun this manticore so I would have to find a way to get rid of it. I obviously couldn’t kill it with this makeshift knife, so how could I get this manticore off my tail? Then the answer revealed itself to me as I made my way through the woods, the ravine was straight ahead.
I stood as close to the ravine as I safely could, I wasn’t planning on being the fall guy this time. In the distance I heard the manticore roaring and heading right to me. I braced myself and dug my feet in, knowing I’d only have one shot at this and I didn’t think I could pull it off even then. I took one last deep breath and the manticore burst through the trees sending leaves and branches flying outward.
The beast narrowed its gaze right at me and snorted. Our eyes met and I could feel the intensity of the beast radiating from those golden orbs. We stared each other down for what felt like a year not moving even an inch. Then the manticore leapt forward running full tilt at me. The sudden change shocked me and I felt a surge of adrenaline flow through my body.
Time seemed to slow down as the manticore approached giving me time to shift my weight to the right. The manticore slowly moved correcting his run to meet my dodge, but I wasn’t trying to dodge him entirely this time. My left arm with the makeshift knife in hand swung low and aimed for the front joint of the manticore’s arm as it ran at me. The manticore tried to swipe me with its right paw but I was able to slam my knife into its joint right as it sliced me with its massive claws and sent me hurtling to the ground. The manticore stumbled from the injury to its large front leg and tried to correct itself, but unfortunately for the beast it had too much forward inertia. The Beast buckled on its injured front leg and skidded to one side, then flipped over its own body and was sent right over the edge of the ravine roaring in pain.
I laid on the ground panting heavily as the adrenaline left my system. I stumbled to my feet and in a daze walked over to the ravine where the beast fell. I could still hear its roar as it fell, the reverberations off the walls of the ravine were chilling, but I stood triumphant over the manticore’s doom.
“HA. Hope you enjoy the long time to wave goodbye you overgrown housecat!” I shouted down at the manticore that was now out of sight in the blackness of the ravine’s bottom. I stumbled back laughing at what I had just done, it wasn’t often that an out of shape dork gets to outsmart a killer mythological beast. Then pain shot through my chest from my laughter and I groaned in pain. My hand felt… damp and I looked at the palm. It was covered in… blood, my blood.
I looked down to see a large gash that had been sliced into my chest. That manticore got me really good before he fell and I was losing blood. I took off my shirt to see just how big the cut was, and thankfully it wasn’t as deep as I originally thought, but ohhhhhhhh God was that a lot of blood. The cut was about 7 inches across my chest and it didn’t look like it went deep enough to hit anything important. The bleeding was nauseating, I never had to look to that much of my own blood before.
I took my shirt and wrapped it around the wound and tied a knot with the arms behind me tightly. Hopefully that would keep the pressure on the wound while It heals. If I could find a stream I could wash off the blood later. I took a few minutes to catch my breath from the recent tussle and then decided to head back to the mountain side.
Walking back through the woods I had to put my hand to my wound every time I stretched in a way that my body disagreed with. I reached the other side of the small woods and searched for a way up the mountain. I walked along the side of the mountain having to climb over a few boulders and rocks that had fallen. After a good 20 minutes of walking I found an incline that was climbable and began to slowly trudge up it.
By now daylight was in its last moments and soon the night sky would take over the skyline. I had to find some place to lie down that I’d be out of the general sight of anything passing by. Not too far up the mountain I spotted a small alcove that I could use. It was mostly hidden by boulders that had a blocked entrance into it, but thankfully there was a large enough hole for me to squeeze into.
I turned around and looked out into the skyline. Even though I hadn’t gone up the mountain very far I got a lovely view of the twilight sky as it gleamed off the treetops. If I wasn’t in pain from the cut on my chest it would almost be a great sight to enjoy. I slid to my feet against the alcove wall and sighed. I had walked quite a distance and had run for my life on more than one occasion today. I was thoroughly exhausted.
I took one last look out at the view then closed my eyes. I could do with some rest, tomorrow I would find my destination and would be heading towards civilization. It was going to be quite a trip and I would need all the energy I could muster. Thankfully sleep came easily and I drifted off into the blackness of my subconsciousness.
“Soon, Sophie…”