“We are all alone, born alone, die alone, and -- in spite of True Romance magazines
– we shall all someday look back on our lives and see that, in spite of our company,
we were alone the whole way. I do not say lonely -- at least, not all the time
-- but essentially, and finally, alone.
This is what makes your self-respect so important, and I don't see how you can respect yourself if you must look in the hearts and minds of others for your happiness.”
― Hunter S. Thompson, The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967.
Grey heard them coming of course. Like branches creaking in the wind. Two coming around the North side of the palace and three from the South. Then they were in front of him as he stood on his rock.
Timber Wolves!
Their eyes glowed green from a source deep in their chest. Jaws of knot wood set with spikes of thorns. Legs of logs and sharp claws that dug into the ground like roots.
The one with the dull bark and scars spoke, “Look what we have here boys, lunch on the hoof.” He looked Grey in the eye. “We’ll give you a sporting chance. He he. Run!”
Grey stood his ground. Calmed himself and smiled.
The one made of thin red branches said, “Why doesn't he run? Come on we know you ponies like to run.”
The old leader replied, “Sometimes they get scared stiff and freeze up.” He spoke to Grey. “If you’re not going to run, what are you going to do?”
A voice came from the palace. “Yes pony. What ever shall you do?” Luna was leaning on the banister of the veranda, head on hoof.
“Night Princess! We didn't know he was yours.”
“But are not all ponies the property of the Princesses? I assure you boys, it’s alright. I want to see how this plays out. Go ahead and eat him. But first I want to make sure he has completed his chores for today. Did you run today pony?”
“Ma'am, yes Ma'am!” Grey shouted.
“Just ignore that boys. He’s been reading war stories. Pony did you do your dances today?”
Maple snickered, “We’re going to eat a dancing pony.”
“Ma'am, yes Ma'am!”
“Did you do your kicks today pony?”
“Ma'am, yes Ma'am!”
“He kicks?”
“I kicked the big oak tree one hundred times per leg in sets of twenty five! Four is my lucky number!” Grey shouted down the field.
“Of course it is dear because four represents death.” Luna explained.
“He kicks trees?”
“That is all. Go ahead and eat him boys. I do so enjoy the sound of crunching bones.”
The old leader could not smell fear. He had never been this close to a pony and not smell it. Even the dead ones smelled of it. He looked up at Luna.
“If he cannot protect me, what use is he to me?”
Willow asked, “He. Protects you?”
The old leader returned his gaze to Grey, “What’s the trick? Ponies are always playing games. What’s the game here?”
“No trick. No game. Everything is as you see it. You see that he is not magical. He is not a flyer. I will not interfere. You know that he kicks. You should also know that he does not like being touched so be careful.”
“How about if I just rip out his throat?” snarled White Oak.
“That would be the most effective tactic. Be warned, he will lash out and you will be left mortally wounded. But the pack will be fed. The pack must survive. That is the most important thing for a leader. I suggest that you call for a volunteer.”
Scrub, “Not it.”
Pine, “Not it.”
Willow, “Not it.”
Maple, “Crap.”
“You are still suspicious. Then know that I am all about the rules. I believe in a fair game and a fair fight. I do not want any deception. The five of you against my one guard pony is hardly fair. Do you understand this pony?”
“Ma'am, yes Ma'am!”
“What?”
“Pony you see that their joints are weak, especially their knees. Crush the crystal that is their heart. When they attack dispatch them quickly so they do not suffer.”
“Ma'am, yes Ma'am!”
“Stop that!”
“White Oak, I can’t afford an injury. I don’t want the pack to leave me behind. ‘A lone wolf dies alone’.” Said Pine.
“Don’t say that in front of them! Everybody shut it! I need to think.” White Oak snorted, "Pardon us Princess, we were on our way to the swamp." He turned his head to the ground snarled and walked away with his pack in tow.
When they were out of earshot of the ponies Willow asked, "But she told him about our joints."
"See it’s always a game or a trick with them." Answered White Oak.
"But what if it wasn't? What if everything she said was true?"
"That’s the trick!"
"I hate swamp meat. Tastes like mud."
"Shut it Maple!"
/]*[\
"Calm yourself now, exhale. Tell me how you feel." Luna was still leaning on the banister.
"Energized, adrenalized."
"Of course, but how do you feel being here?"
"I have never felt so alive. I am content. I am actually happy."
"Understand this. If you would have run, they would have chased you down and torn you apart. And I would have not flinched."
"I understand that there are consequences for failure."
“Perhaps that says something about what kind of pony I am.” An obvious game warning. “Do you fear anything?”
"I fear that the training is making me into the kind of pony that likes to walk down dark alleys spoiling for a fight."
"So what prevents you?"
"I have honour, discipline. And a distinct lack of dark alleys. I wanted to fight them. Um, thanks for showing up when you did."
"You are building self-esteem and self-respect." Luna looked down the field.
"Life's a funny thing. I arrive here for a little solitude. The wind changes. Your sent blows to a pack of hungry timber wolves just as they're passing by."
"Do you mind being alone?"
"No, I've been alone my whole life. It's nice here. I fit in here better than anyplace."
"It must have been difficult seeing all your friends at the party and not talking to any?"
"It was good. I wanted to brag and rub their noses in my new job. But my responsibility to the colonel prevented my ego from coming out and showing me as the jerk I am. I said I was sorry to Ponyville and it's done. I was never accepted. They looked at me like I had two heads. Except Rarity, I think because I'm now close to royalty. That part of my life is behind me now."
"But Are you lonely? Do you need anything?"
Grey looked over his shoulder at Luna, turned back then turned around to look up at her. “I thought you didn't like requests.”
"Not frivolous ones. I'm in an inquisitive mood. My moods change. I say that warning out loud. If you could have anything what would it be?"
"I'm good. I really am."
"Several of us heard your fever dream. Have you heard the stories that I can enter a pony’s nightmare? Do we live as we dream, alone? Care to change your answer?"
Grey swallowed hard, “You gave me life, literally. I am content.”
"All great things, all strong things, all precious things are alone. Leadership is lonely. Friendship is Equestria. What about friendship?"
"Again, I was always on the outside looking in. Don't miss what I never truly had."
"You have air, water and food. You have acquired health and well-being. Safety will be an ongoing challenge for you in this forest. You're brave. You’re strong. You used your words against them. Is that all you are? So you’re done? You've peeked? This is the hi-light of your life? You say you have no needs? Not by a long shot. Your ostracization prevented you from having meaningful relationships with friends and family. You lacked intimacy. My sentry must be the best."
"Princess, you have a real guard. The Royal Guard. The Equestrian Guard. The Wonderbolts. And I have no idea what night guard bat ponies are all about. I'm good here. Thank you."
"You're getting comfortable here in the middle of the Everfree forest. We can’t have that.
Do not pray for an easy life,
Pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.
--Bruce Lee.
"I have plans for you. I know some teachers; they're getting on in years so you will have to be patient with them. They will invest a great deal of time and effort on you as shall I. And at any point, you can simply walk away."
"I wasn't expecting that."