The Everfree Forest wasn’t a place to tread lightly. It wasn’t unnatural, rather the opposite; it was too natural—a territory for all sorts of strange and scary monsters, not for ponies. It could be never tamed and would never be controlled. No document in history has suggested that the forest had been anything otherwise.
The mare standing before it knew all of this, yet she was willing to take her chances for a quick moment. Lately, her music had begun to get stale and repetitive. She needed something fresh—inspiration. The mysterious, foreboding nature of the forest would have served her well to come up with something unique.
Her lyre floated alongside her, caught in the pony’s magical grip. She looked to it, then back at the tall trees in front of her. Was she being too risky? Maybe. But those who never risked anything rarely gained anything. Besides, she knew she’d be quick. A few minutes was all she needed.
In most things, the beginning is always the hardest part. You don’t have a rhythm going yet; you have to make it. A few steps forward was all she needed. She swallowed and went forwardly cautiously, checking her surroundings constantly. Her ears twitched, never stopping. Her breath was light and her tail became stiff.
She spared a quick glance at the sky. Already it was getting dimmer. Branches started criss-crossing above her, blotting out more light. Even the clouds were seemingly gathering—
She stopped herself. Poison joke, right in front of her. Bon Bon had warned her about the properties of this prankster plant.
She had also warned her about coming here in the first place.
Lyra shook her head and went around the flowers. What did Bon Bon know? She wasn’t a risk taker, like Lyra was.
There was a snap. The lyrist yelped and jumped back, hairs raising on her body as her heart started pounding. She held her breath and looked around. Nothing, except for the broken twig before her. With a sigh of relief, she caught her breath, then tried to steel herself. She needed inspiration, not fear. And she’d need it quick.
A few more steps forward and she looked back. The way out of the forest wasn’t visible, but she knew that was the trickery of the trees working against her.
A gasp. Inspiration!
A few notes danced around in her head. Slow, haunting ones that matched the gnarled appearance of the trees around her. She grinned and became determined. Deeper into the forest she went.
Large mushrooms sprouted out from the rugged earth, their tops dark reds, blues and purples. More notes came to her and a spring in her step developed. She looked at the shadows casted by the plant life and gained more ideas from them. The tune in her head sounded almost perfect, she just needed a little more.
There was another snap, but this time, Lyra wasn’t afraid. It was probably just another branch she had broken under her hoof. Soon she would be out of here anyway. But all things considered... this trip wasn’t so bad. In fact, she thought the Everfree had a unique, odd beauty to it. A chilling beauty, sure, but one all the same.
All she needed now were a few more notes. She peered in the darkness in between the trees and saw a few odd glowing spots. She smirked, her new piece now completed.
“Thank you, Everfree,” she said triumphantly, “I’ll be going now.”
The glowing spots growled back.
Lyra went completely still and glanced around. The glowing things weren’t spots. They were eyes, staring right at her. Her lyre found itself floating close to her chest, as her legs began to quiver like leaves in a breeze.
She walked backwards, her movements light and timid. To contest that, a big wooden paw came out from the overgrowth, kicking up dust as it slammed on the ground. Seconds later, a snarling maw came into view.
Lyra opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. More timberwolves revealed themselves, trying to circle her. The sight of more of the monsters forced her limbs into action, as she swiftly turned around and started galloping the way she came.She heard a couple of howls behind her. The hunt had begun.
Cold sweat trickled down her face as her legs moved as fast as they could, desperately trying to outmatch the powerful movements of the hunters’ limbs. Lyra kept looking ahead, yet saw no sanctuary. Just how far had she gone into the forest?! Surely she would have gotten out by now?! She gritted her teeth and pushed herself further. The forest had tricked her.
An eager timberwolf was quickly gaining on her, coming up to the pony’s side. Lyra heard its strong movements, its footsteps causing vibrations in the ground. Hastily, she jerked her head towards her pursuer and fired off a magical blast. The spell blasted out of her horn, wildly out of control, but it still managed to land on the timberwolf’s face. There was a bright flash as the spell made impact. The monster tripped over in a heap, howling in pain. More howls were to follow. And they were angry.
Lyra spared a quick look behind her. Only two more timberwolves. Maybe she could do this. Maybe she would get back home like this never happened. Maybe—
Lyra dug her hooves into the ground as she saw the poison joke coming up to her. Hurriedly she spun and darted into the overgrowth. It was a hasty move, but she really didn’t want the effects of the plant on her later.
But now her visibility was severely dampened. Plantlife blocked both her view and her path. She weaved in between the trees as best she could, full well knowing that the wolves would be gaining. Branches snapped behind her and leaves were rustled. The low lying limbs of the branches scratched her as she teared past them, forming small cuts in her skin.
Breathing heavily, she found herself back in the clear again. Suddenly, one of the timberwolves leapt up and landed in front of her, blocking her exit.
“Oh just go away!” Lyra tiredly shouted, bowing her head and firing off magic at the wooden fiend. Cracks and snaps could be heard as her energy hit the timberwolf, its structure coming apart at the seams as its body and limbs began to fall apart. Firing off a couple more blasts, she resumed her speed, blazing past the injured timberwolf.
And there she saw it. The way out. The brightness of Ponyville’s outskirts. She couldn’t help but smile as she got closer and closer—
There was a swift swipe and sharp claws began to dig into her side, forming deep wounds. Lyra yelled in pain and looked to her right, where the final timberwolf was running alongside her. Instantly she retaliated, but her magic was easily avoided by a fast jump by the timberwolf. Lyra ignored the burning pain in her side and kept running. She started to form a tiny trail of blood as she fled.
Gradually, the area was becoming brighter. The sky changed from a dull grey to a brilliant blue. The forest became thinner. Yet despite all this, the chase was still on.
Through all the aches and sweating, Lyra kept soldiering on. But her pace was slowing down, while the timberwolf’s stayed constant. It came up next to her and sprung at her. Lyra screamed in horror and tried to jump forward, but her wounds slowed her down. The jaw of the creature clamped down on Lyra’s flank, the worn but still ruthlessly sharp teeth sank into her flesh. Its claws dug into the ground as it stayed firm, effectively pinning the pony down.
She let out a painful shout, the pain unbearable. At least, for a small while. Adrenaline filled her system, blocking out some of the horrible feeling of her wounds. Snarling, she outstretched her hind hooves at a deadly speed. There was a loud smack as hooves connected with wood, and the timberwolf let go, with a small whine.
It stumbled back, shaking its head as small twigs fell from its form. Lyra, however, was just getting started. Her horn shimmered and magic sprung forth from the tip in glittering, powerful bursts. Each impact sent the monster back, branches and sparks getting sent into the air with each hit. Whimpering, it turned around and tried to run back into the heart of the forest. Lyra didn’t let up, still firing on all cylinders until she could see the timberwolf no more.
Her chest was heaving when she came to a stop. She checked her surroundings and discovered she was finally alone. What’s more, the end of the forest was in sight. She briskly limped while the adrenaline still had an effect. All the while, blood was practically pouring from her woods.
The daylight almost blinded her when she got out. She kept going, but each step added more pain to her system. Her bite was the most painful, although she experienced a strange, uncomfortable fuzzy feeling in that area.
Ponyville was just in the distance, the thatched roofs of the buildings just visible. Each step now felt like a rupture to her whole body as pain coursed through her body. Her whole body was shaking, experiencing chills. The grass around her was stained a bright crimson.
Then, only a minute later, her forelegs buckled under her weight and she fell forward. Her mouth tasted the dirt, while her nose picked up a metallic scent. The fuzzy feeling at her bite was becoming stronger and stronger. Weakly, she tried to drag herself along the ground, trying to ignore the fact that she could feel the blood soak around her.
It wasn’t long before her vision became blurry and her breaths weak. The magic around her lyre flickered, as did her eyelids. As soon as the instrument touched the ground, darkness covered her vision.
“Lyra?”
Lyra stirred. Everything felt muted. Her body was aching and tired. But everything was warm now. Comfortable, even.
“Lyra?” The voice sounded more urgent.
She slowly opened her eyes and found a pair of worried blue eyes staring back at her. “Bon Bon...?” Lyra rasped.
A pair of cream colored forelegs wrapped themselves around Lyra and squeezed her gently. “You’re okay! Thank Celestia... you’re okay.”
Lyra grunted, the hug—as nice as it was—gave her a dull pain. “Bon Bon? Could you not—”
“Sorry.” Bon Bon quickly retreated. “I just needed to do that.”
“It’s fine...” Lyra said, looking around the room. She was in hospital, a room all to herself. White walls, a plain bed and Bon Bon. Oh, and Nurse Redheart as well, whose eyes looked relieved, but her mouth was forming a small scowl.
“You were found near the Everfree forest with multiple lacerations,” the nurse said in a scolding tone.
Bon Bon blinked at her, then faced Lyra, frowning slightly. “I told you not to go there.”
It hurt a little, but Lyra managed to sit up and fold her forelegs across her chest. “Yeah, but—”
“Had Fluttershy not found you, you would’ve died,” Redheart pointed out. Lyra slumped back and fiddled with the bedsheets. “Thankfully, we stitched you up and cleaned you out.”
Lyra took off the covers and looked down at herself. Stitches were on her side and her flank, the latter of which still felt... odd. It was a tingly sort of feel.
“Yes, and considering such...” Bon Bon raised a hoof, then whapped Lyra on the side of her head. “That’s for being an absolute idiot.” The hospitalized mare rubbed her head and grumbled. She was about to come up with a retort, but Bon Bon cut in with, “You know you deserved that.”
Lyra looked to Redheart, who merely shrugged. “I agree.”
Lyra opened her mouth, then quickly shut it. At the end of the day, they were right and she was wrong. Also injured.
“Sorry,” Bon Bon began. Lyra’s eyes flickered over to her. “I was just so worried that I’d lose my best friend. I saw them wheel you in and... Goddess, Lyra, there was a lot of blood.”
Lyra looked to her side. In all the chaos, she had failed to notice an iv drip standing to her bed, the tube going into her right foreleg.
“Don’t touch it,” Redheart warned.
“Wasn’t planning to, but...” She winced. “It looks weird. Something going into me like that.”
“You’ll get your dinner soon.” Redheart looked out of the window, to see the orange sky. She glanced at Bon Bon, slightly apologetic. “Visiting hours are almost up.”
Lyra heard a soft sigh escape from her friend. “I understand.” She turned to the minty green mare. “I’ll visit every day. And bring my candy too.” Lyra licked her lips, to which Bon Bon giggled. “Don’t get too excited yet. Hospital food comes first.”
“Yuck,” Lyra replied, faking a gag.
Bon Bon smiled, then ruffled Lyra’s mane. Then she surged forward and gave her another gentle embrace. “Don’t do that again,” she whispered into her ear, her voice quivering slightly.
Lyra hugged her as firmly as she could. “I won’t. Promise.” For a while, the two ignored the other pony in the room, just reveling in the fact that they were both together and alive.
A little cough from the nurse prompted Bon Bon to let go. She wiped her eyes. “See you soon.”
Lyra offered her a warm smile. “Looking forward to it.”
Nurse Redheart then led Bon Bon out of the room, who gave Lyra a final wave before disappearing into the hallway. Lyra returned the gesture, then sunk down when her friend was gone. She sighed; now the boredom would set in.
Dinner was, as expected, bland and uncomfortable to eat. The rest of the day had a similar dull tone to it. Then night fell and with it, sleep. The fuzzy feeling in her flank hadn’t disappeared, but Lyra was slowly getting used to it. What she hadn’t taken into account was the fact that it would get worse.
She didn’t awake in a cold sweat. Rather, all things considered, it was rather peaceful. Of course, this was with the exception that the odd sensation was now spreading over her body, intensifying. Lyra’s teeth chattered as she sat up. The room was dark, but Luna’s moon provided enough light for her to just make out her surroundings.
Lyra squinted her eyes and looked at her forehooves. A few seconds later, she was practically quivering like a leaf in the wind. Throwing off the covers just confirmed that her entirety was. She leaned over the side of the bed, trying to scramble for the help button that every patient had in the hospital.
She gripped it, but the shaking made it fall out of her hoof and onto the floor. “D-Damn i-it!” she cursed, trying to drop down and grab it again.
A sudden shock filled her body, making her lurch. She took hold of the railings on the side of the bed, hard enough to hurt her hooves. She clenched her eyes shut, as the fuzzy sensation got even worse, particularly around her stitches.
Then she heard an odd tearing sound. Opening one eye, she looked down at herself. Her stitches were slowly coming apart and with them, so did her skin. It felt like a band aid being ripped off her, only hundred times worse. Her eye snapped shut as she screamed in pain, her cries echoing down the halls of the hospital.
Then the rest of her flesh began peeling off as well. But instead of revealing her blood vessels, a network of twigs and wood was underneath. The movement of her lungs and heart suddenly felt very stiff, as they too turned solid. Out from her hooves came hard, sharp claws. Her teeth turned from cuboid in shape to triangular. Her pupils shrank and the orange color of her eyes consumed them, even glowing slightly. Not long after, her screams turned into roars.
The door swung open, revealing Nurse Redheart. “What’s wrong—” Her jaw dropped when she see her patient.
Lyra was curled up on the bed, her whole body made out of wood. The hair of her mane and tail had fallen out, in their places leaves were growing. The remnants of her skin were scattered on the bed, but there was no blood. The creature shot a look towards Redheart. The transformation was complete.
“Wh-what happened?!” Nurse Redheart cried, stumbling back, cold sweat dripping down her face.
Where pain once was in Lyra’s system, panic was in its place. She leapt off the bed, making a loud thud when her wooden paws hit the floor. Then she took off, without much thought. Only instinct. She needed to get out of here. She wanted to be alone. She needed to run.
She charged at Redheart, whose legs were poised to move, yet they just shook. Lyra raised a paw when she close, then swung it at the pony, effortlessly batting her aside. The nurse was thrown across the floor like a stone skipping across water. She stopped in a heap at the end of the hall, motionless.
Lyra made a left turn and darted down the corridor. By now, the whole hospital was in uproar. Out from one of the doors came a yellow stallion, with a brown mane and a doctor’s coat. His horn glowed a bright green as he fired off a magical shot at Lyra. By the time it got close, Lyra had nearly closed the gap between her and the stallion. She bent her knees then took off, soaring over both the magic and the doctor. She landed hard behind him, then kept going.
“Stop that thing!” the stallion called out.
Patients had been woken up. Some were crying. Others were confused. The panic Lyra held was starting to spread out to the hospital.
Other staff tried to her stop her, but most failed, or were stunned into complete inaction. As a result, in only a short while did Lyra reach the front doors. Three members of staff blocked her path, trying to be steadfast as she could. The wooden monster came to a stop and peered at all of them with her piercing, glowing glare. She sniffed the air. Their fear... she could see it. Taste it, even.
Somehow... she felt oddly satisfied.
She scraped a claw across the ground, then took off towards them. Whatever battle plan they had quickly fell apart as they all dived out of her way. Lyra barged past the doors, breaking a hinge or two with her.
She kept running off into the night, to solitude. She needed a place to think, to assess what the hay was happening her.
Just as she thought that she was free, something wrapped itself around her hindleg. She fell to the ground, a few splinters of wood coming off her, dust being kicked up. Looking behind her, she saw that one of the hospital staff had thrown a magical lasso around her leg. It was a blue beam, extending all the way from the nurse to Lyra.
Lyra jerked her head, trying to fire off a spell in return. But she felt nothing. Blinking, she touched her horn. It was nothing more than a short stump extending from her head. She felt herself being dragged along the ground, so she dug her claws into it. That slowed her down, but the nurse was still reigning her in.
Lyra speedily looked at her surroundings and found her salvation. A small rock on the path. She picked it up before she was out of its reach, then turned onto her back and faced her pursuer. She did her best to sit up, only getting half-way there, before extending her arm back. She narrowed her eyes and counted to three.
Three...
Now she was being dragged along faster.
T-Two... One... GO!
All of her might was put into her throw, the stone speeding through the air like a bullet. The nurse gasped, then quickly ducked down. Her magical concentration broke as the stone flew over her, and the lasso disappeared. Lyra spared no time in getting to her paws and sprinting off into the distance.
She dived into a nearby bush, the plant’s branches brushing against her body. It didn’t hurt. If anything, it was the opposite.
Before long, she had disappeared into the darkness completely.