//------------------------------// // Chapter 8. Deadwood // Story: Lake Iwannagohome // by Scquishiey //------------------------------// As Soarin slept like a log, Rainbow Dash was still wide awake lying down in her sleeping bag with her arms behind her head staring off into the darkness. “Pssst, Dashie!” A hushed voice said. Rainbow Dash’s eyes shot open wide as she shot her head up from her pillow to see who called out for her. Rainbow Dash felt something touch her arm from the inside of her sleeping bag. “WAH– Rainbow Dash exclaimed then was silenced by a hoof covering her mouth. “Shhh! You don’t want to wake him up now do you?” The same voice said. Rainbow Dash moved her eyes down with the hoof still on her mouth. Inside of her sleeping bag right beside her was Pinkie Pie who was smiling while looking at her with her big, blue eyes. Pinkie Pie took her hoof off of Rainbow Dash’s mouth. “Pinkie Pie?!” Rainbow Dash whisper shouted. “Heehee! Come on, Dashie let’s go!” Pinkie Pie said as she sprang up from underneath Rainbow Dash’s sleeping bag and unzipped the tent flap and walked outside. “Go where?!” Rainbow Dash quietly asked as she cocked an eyebrow. Pinkie Pie popped her head back into the tent. Rainbow Dash could now see Pinkie Pie more clearly and noticed that she was wearing a blue and white striped sleeping cap with matching pajamas. “It’s a secret!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. Rainbow Dash looked over at Soarin who was still out cold. Rainbow Dash looked back at Pinkie Pie and sighed. “Fine, I guess I have nothing better to do since I can’t fall asleep.” She said as she got out from underneath her sleeping bag and trotted out through the exit. The two mares were walking along a dirt trail for a while, the sound of rushing water filled Rainbow Dash’s ears. “Where are we?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Wait and see!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully as she darted out in front and grabbed a bush that was underneath a bunch of bushy trees and spread it apart with her fore hooves as she waited for Rainbow Dash to catch up. Rainbow Dash quickly caught up with Pinkie Pie and looked through the bush; her eyes widened in amazement. A large waterfall that seemed to be emitting a warm, rainbow glow splashed into the lake below. The darkness of the night really brought out the colors. “Whoa.” Rainbow Dash whispered in amazement. “I knew you would like it! I found it when I floated away earlier! I just had to come and show you because it reminded me of you!” Pinkie Pie said quickly in her high-pitched voice. Rainbow Dash looked over at Pinkie Pie and gave her a warm smile. “Thanks, Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash thanked her, she was grateful that Pinkie Pie brought her out here. “Nooo problem!” Pinkie Pie said in a singsong voice. Both mares looked out into the falls again, just when a single firefly flew over their heads. “Ooooo! Pretty shiny flying thingy!” Pinkie Pie said and turned around and hopped after the insect, her hops making a springy sound every time she jumped up. “Wait! Pinkie Pie, hold up!” Rainbow Dash called out and flew after Pinkie Pie. “Heehee!” Pinkie Pie giggled, having a great time chasing after the bug. Rainbow Dash looked at Pinkie Pie and shook her head as she laughed. “Oh Pinkie Pie, you are so random!” Rainbow Dash laughed as she followed behind the bouncing pink mare. Both were having a great time chasing after the bug, filling the quiet nighttime with girly giggles. “I’m gonna catch it first!” Rainbow Dash said. “Oh nuh-uh! I am! Heehee!” Pinkie Pie giggled. Rainbow Dash laughed. “Oh, yeah? Watch thi– “AAAAAAAHHHHH HELPPP, HEELLLPPP!!!” A shrill voice cried out. Rainbow Dash’s ears shot up at the ear-piercing scream. “Soarin?!” Rainbow Dash said and quickly dashed off back to the tent which was surprisingly close by after chasing the firefly. When Rainbow Dash saw the tent come into view, she noticed that Soarin was being dragged out of the tent from his back left hoof by a quadruped creature with glowing green eyes. Rainbow Dash knew what this creature was– it was a timberwolf. An animal that looked like a wolf, but instead of flesh and fur, it was completely comprised in wood. Rainbow Dash had a horrified expression on her face, but took no time to think as she darted towards the creature with her left back leg in a kicking position aiming for its head. BOOM! The timberwolf’s head was completely obliterated by Rainbow Dash’s overpowering kick; its wooden head shattered all over the ground as its body collapsed to the floor. Rainbow Dash turned her head to face Soarin who was sprawled out on his stomach, wincing in pain. “Soarin!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she flew over to him. “Ughhh, my leg…” Soarin mumbled. Rainbow Dash looked down at his back leg; it had a large bite mark deeply penetrated on it from the timberwolf. Rainbow Dash panicked, but quickly got the pot by the campfire and flew towards the lake to fetch some water to put inside. When Rainbow Dash returned to Soarin, she landed by his leg and gently poured the water she grabbed on the injured area. “Ow, ow, ow.” Soarin whimpered. “Sorry.” Rainbow Dash quietly apologized as her eyes filled with remorse. “My first aid kit…” Soarin said quietly as he weakly pointed a hoof towards the tent. Rainbow Dash ran inside the tent and found the first aid kit in his saddle bag and quickly ran out with it in her teeth. She opened it, and found rolled up gauze. She quickly unraveled it and wrapped Soarin’s injured leg for what seemed like hours.