//------------------------------// // Through the Forest (edited) // Story: Prehistoric Equestria // by Dinosaur12 //------------------------------// A few years ago.. A younger Junior was following a butterfly as it flew through the air. The beautiful sight fascinated the Edmontosaurus. Finally, the winged insect rested on a flower, all the while Junior watched it. Unfortunately, this peace would not last long. From the bushes, a predator stalked the Edmontosaurus. This was a Majungasaurus. Majungasaurus was a medium-sized dinosaur that lived in Madagascar during the Late Cretaceous. This dinosaur was also known to have indisputable evidence that it committed cannibalism. The first Majungasaurus remains were found by Charles Depéret in 1896. Its name means "Mahajanga lizard". Majungasaurus was 18-23 feet long and weighed 1,650-2,430 pounds. It fed off of herbivorous dinosaurs like Rapetosaurus and as said before, other Majungasauruses. The Majungasaurus charged out of the bushes and was about swallow Junior whole but Junior's mother, Tulip, got between her baby and the predator. Junior ran behind his mother's leg and hugged it tightly. The Majungasaurus tried to get to Junior but Tulip kept shoving the carnivore to side. Finally, the Majungasaurus had enough and snapped at Tulip. The two dinosaurs roared at each other before charging. As the Majungasaurus rushed towards Tulip, the Edmontosaurus cleverly sidestepped. With the Majungasaurus disoriented, Tulip bit into the carnivore's neck, causing blood to leak out. The Majungasaurus roared in agony as Tulip's beak dug deep into its flesh. Eventually, the carnivore was able to wiggle out of the Edmontosaurus' grasp. It roared at Tulip before retreating back into the forest. Tulip bellowed back in response. "Phew, that was so close." Tulip sighing. "Yeah, that's what ya get, you jerk!" Junior yelled, running in front of his mother before he accidently tripped over. Tulip rolled her eyes and smiled at the display. She went over and pulled him back up. "Junior, are you alright, dear?" Tulip asked, brushing the dirt off him. "I'm alright, Mom." Junior said. "That's good." Tulip said, before getting serious. "Junior, what have I told about wandering off like that! Just imagine what would've happened if I wasn't here!" Tulip exclaimed. "I know, I know! I'm sorry, Mom! It's just-I really wanna get out there, ya know." Tulip sighed but smiled and patted Junior on the head. "It's alright, Junior. I'm just really glad that you're alright. I just don't want to lose you. Like your dad." Hid dad. Junior had only a few memories of his dad before he passed. Tulip hugged Junior tightly, pulling him out of his thoughts. "I love you, Junior." Junior hugged his mother back. "I love you too, Mom." "Mom?" Junior said, slowly waking up. After running through the forest for quite awhile, he had stopped by a tree to rest and had accidentally fell asleep. By the time he woke up, it was already the middle of the night. Junior, despite not knowing where the way back to the underground was or where his mother was, he proceeded to walk through the forest. Despite the ominous noises coming from the shadows, the night was actually quite peaceful. All was peaceful until Junior heard some distant noises echoing throughout the forest. Junior ignored this at first but between two trees, he spotted several pairs of emerald green eyes staring directly at him but when he blinked, they were gone. Slowly getting nervous, Junior began to run through the forest, believing something was chasing him. And he was right. "Hello? Baby animal?" Fluttershy called out into the shadowy forest. Despite searching across the Everfree Forest for several hours, she couldn't find the creature she found rummaging through her garden. Although she didn't know what the creature was, she could tell that it was very young and possibly needed her help. Suddenly, she could hear distant howling in the distance. Fluttershy's eyes widened and her lips started to quiver. "Timberwolves" Fluttershy said, nervously. Junior kept on running away from the wooden animals chasing after him. He didn't know what those things were but they definitely didn't look friendly. Junior kept on looking back that he didn't notice the giant root sticking out of the ground. He tripped over, landing on his back. Before he could get back up, the wooden creatures had already caught up to him. Junior tried to escape but he was quickly pinned down. The timberwolf was about to clamp its jaws on the young Edmontosaurus, until a small rock was thrown at its head. It looked up, snarling at whatever or whoever threw the rock at it. A few feet away stood Fluttershy, eyes widening. "Umm, sorry?" Fluttershy said, nervously smiling. The other timberwolf started to run toward Fluttershy, getting between her and any escape. "Sweet Celestia..." Fluttershy In order to help out, Junior bit down on the timberwolf's paw, causing it to release its grasp. Junior ran towards the timberwolves surrounding the pony and bit down into the second wolf's leg causing it to squeal in pain. It tried to kick Junior off, but he kept holding on tight. The timberwolf that held Junior down before he escaped tried to help the timberwolf that Junior was currently holding on to. It tried snapping at him but accidentally bit down the timberwolf's leg. The timberwolf snapped its jaws angrily at the other timberwolf, allowing Junior and Fluttershy to escape. The two kept on running until they reached the field that led to Fluttershy's cottage. "That was too close." Fluttershy panted. "Are you alright, little one?" "Yeah, I'm okay." Junior replied. Fluttershy immediately fell to the floor when she heard Junior speaking. "Dear Celestia! You can talk!" Fluttershy gasped. "Obviously. Why would you think I couldn't?" Junior explained, rolling his eyes. "That's...so fascinating!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "How are able to talk? What exactly are you? Are you native to the Everfree Forest?" "Whoa, whoa! Easy, miss." Junior said, feeling overwhelmed by the yellow creature bombarding him with questions. "One at a time." "Well, one question I do have is where did you come from?" Fluttershy asked. "Oh, I came from underground." Junior explained. Fluttershy then tilted her head in confusion. "Underground? But how could something as big as you come from underground? Also, how could you live down there? There's nothing but dirt and stone." "What are you talking about? That's not right. There's a whole world down there." Junior explained. "Hmm, interesting. I need to tell Twilight about this." Fluttershy said to herself. "Umm, excuse me, but what is a "Twilight?" Junior asked. "Oh, right. Umm? Sorry, what's your name again, little one?" Fluttershy asked. "Junior." "Well, I think I have a friend you might wanna meet." Meanwhile, in the underground... A lone Edmontosaurus was walking along the tree line. Ever since the earthquake, this Edmontosaurus had been separated for their child. Despite their herd telling them that their child was probably gone forever and even leaving them behind, they didn't give up. Tears started roll down their face, starting to believe that they would never find their son. "Oh, my poor Junior." Tulip cried.