Farewell My Friend

Author's Note:

I'll try to re-edit this in order to improve on the grammar part, but I hope you all stay safe out there, darlings.

I called him, Spawn. Spawn was a wild one when he was still just a pup. Curious, silly, and always persistent to the end. When Granny Smith brought him in, Winoa treated him like her own pup and barely gave me time to spend with the lil’ guy. Applejack told me that, ‘mother dogs always stuck by their pups until it was the right time to let the owners near them,’ I guess it is better off being assumed that ma and pa did the same to me when I was still little. But let’s continue further about Spawn here.

When I finally had time to spend with Spawn, I never bother thinking about the fact that he was still just a puppy since I was still just a growing foal at my time. The two of us were almost similar, just thinking about having fun and playing around. Ball was our favourite game, mainly his since he always slobber on my red big ball, barely ever letting me get it back. It was by the time I never knew what Spawn truly ever was or what purpose Granny Smith brought him here and gave him to me as the sole caretaker.

I remember when Winoa was still small, or growing up at least, Applejack shown me her family and where Winoa came from, she was originally an Apple of the bunch, but what about Spawn? Of course I would ask Granny Smith at this time, but when I did, she smiled and told me, “Soon, when the time is right, you will know everything,” and that was it. So much for exciting stories that would expand my curious mind further. You could imagine how frustrating it was to figure out what Spawn was and where he came from.

Eventually, the time to think of Spawn’s origins started to fade away when I started my next year of school with the others, Spawn started to grow and so did I, and by the time I was only a teen, he was bigger than me! ALMOST PONY SIZE! I had a chance to introduce him to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, and boy their expressions were amusing, but also funny. Scootaloo was on top of a tree like a cat, and Sweetie Belle hid in a bush with her tail sticking out. Though it was kind of mean, Scootaloo did cried out and warned me of a giant monster, but Spawn was no monster…he was my friend.

Now I was told by Applejack to always keep an eye on Spawn and never bring him around to school, but I kind of…never listened. You see, Spawn loved taking me to school, looking out for me, and pretty much hiding from the adults while keeping an eye on any danger nearby. Just then, I almost fell down into a pothole, Spawn came into the rescue and pulled me out. When a big stray dog came out of nowhere ready to tear me up, Spawn came from the bushes, towering high, and scaring that mutt off with his tail in-between his legs. I’m telling you, it was not just awesome and amazing to have a friend like Spawn, it was a miracle, because still today…I question it a lot to myself, but…what if Spawn was never in my life.

When we progress further in life, we begin to look back at the things that occurred for us in the past. Like when we were young and scraped our knees, maybe in the future we will question ourselves why we fell and what we could have done to have prevented it. I asked Applejack what she would have done if she never gotten Winoa or if Winoa was never really part of the Apple Family, it was answer with her having a difficult time finding happiness. Pony’s best friend…without those lil’ guys with wild waggy tails by your side, who would know what anypony would be like today without them.

It was a terrifying thought I tell you.

When it came to Spawn growing…I noticed that comparing him to Winoa, he was growing a bit…bigger than even Big Mac and Applejack told me he was still just a pup so it was natural. However, they couldn’t keep him in the house all the time, only on some occasions if it was going to snow a lot or if it was raining and he was all alone. It surprised me how he was still just a pup. His size, you would think he was just a big grown dog. I think…

Before I head off to school, I always snuck into the field to snag an apple and feed it to him. Aware that he didn’t eat meat, instead ate only soil…which must taste nasty, and fruit, Applejack and Granny Smith told me that was Spawn’s main diet, but to not underestimate his diet with his size. He was still a big dog, puppy—yes—but still a big dog. His size could crush me if he were to collapse on me. Last time when he tackled me and started covering me in his drool, I could feel my lungs closing up…it was shocking to see such a great friend hurt you with one tackle. I think he would fit the Ponyville Football team as a Tackler or Quarterback, even receiver, or maybe BOTH!

Life with Spawn was just memorable and spectacular, but there were those moments…that would only ruin the light that shined in our darkness. When I was sitting down at the Yard behind my school, eating lunch, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon thought it was smart to pick on me while Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were not around. I told them to stop, to leave me alone, and many things that would cause them to get bored or scare and walk away, but they persisted. It was getting worse by the second. When Tiara continued to verbally assault me, Snips and Snails ran by and accidentally bumped her into me, my lunch fell to the ground, along with me. I knew it was an accident, but as I looked up from the ground to her…I became pale.

Spawn was there before them, towering high as his shadow blocked out their sun. Their hues were shrunk and their bodies were shaking, I could feel only something that Applejack once told me about whenever Spawn was on high alert. Danger. These two weren’t the danger, they were the ones in danger. I had to act fast, I did, so I went in front of them, yelling at Spawn to calm down.

He eyed me, his glowing orbs carrying an inner beast that was untamable, and as reach out to pet his head hoping it ease him, he snapped at me. I could feel a sharp pain as his teeth punctured my hoof causing me to cry out and fall back. Diamond and Silver Spoon were hiding behind a swing set as the towering beast glared down at me. I could feel tears stream down my eyes as I looked up in shock and terror. This was the first time in my whole life Spawn bit me.

And from his shocked expression, it was the first time he bit anypony. He was no longer alert, but scared, his tail lowered down to the ground, while he backed away from me. He regretted what he did, realizing he was not at the state of mind and acted on instinct. Spawn turned around and ran off into the woods, leaving me alone when Cheerilee finally came out with few of the students to check on me. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon reported what happened, while I was still stunned, gazing at the forest Spawn ran into.

He didn’t mean it…

My family was alerted about this, becoming nearly heart-stricken to find out I was bitten. Big Macintosh out of Applejack and Granny Smith was the calmest of all, but something was harboring in his eyes, a gloomy look that read only grief. I told them he didn’t mean it, that Spawn was only scared and just didn’t know better, but because I said that, it did not change the fact he bit me. They would not drop it. Granny Smith soon caused Applejack’s panic attack to cease when she asked to speak to Big Mac and Applejack alone…leaving me in the dark.

Remember when I said…that there were still moments that would ruin the light shining in our darkness? When the family came out from the kitchen they stood together and allow Applejack to come up to me, with tear stains on her cheeks and a weak frown that read only trouble. She was a horrible liar, so it was easy to read that off of her no matter how hard she tried to hide it. She told me that since Spawn attacked me, which I objected with a yell that he only nipped me, she continued and told me that it was going to cause a town panic. Ponies were going to be nervous and question them what I was doing with him in the first place, it was by then that I asked them…what was Spawn? He was a normal dog like Winoa, so why would they be so scared?

It was then that Granny Smith spoke, her tone was calm, but if you could read through that old mare’s voice you could hear that sorrow dancing in her words as they came out her mouth. Spawn was a Timberwolf…a wild one found abandoned when he was a pup. Applejack accidentally picked him up along the way from her visit with Zecora, delivering apples of course, and it was out of the sheer fact she felt bad for the pup she decided to take him in.

I was stiff as a rock. Maybe back then I would not have understand, but now I did. I read about Timberwolves, I knew their habitat and lifestyles, but how did I not see Spawn as one…how? But while my flurries of questions bounced back and forth in my head, Big Mac brought down the ice upon me…they had to put down Spawn. It was the first time the room ever grew silent. I stared at him and his stoic expression, he meant every word of it. I demanded that we left Spawn alone and bring him back home…that putting him down was just too cruel. He did not mean to do it!

But they didn’t listened to me…or maybe they did, but knew…it was only going to cause trouble. Not for me, but to the entire family. I couldn’t blame Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, I couldn’t blame the possible fact that the small town of Ponyville would panic, and I really couldn’t blame them. But I’m sure that even you might agree, we all become some hostile and in denial for the fact is…we are afraid of losing that thing that helps us get through the worse of life.

I couldn’t help but break down, begging Big Mac, Applejack, Granny Smith, and silently Celestia that they spared him. Let him run free, but the town would most likely demand a search party and knowing Mr. Rich, he would bring a hunting party along to take Spawn’s head. It was stressful enough…constraining my thoughts and clouding me in the depths of sorrow. I was crying too hard and crying not just for Spawn, but for the fact I knew I could not save him.

I was not strong enough, weakened by the fact I could not have just listen to my family and leave Spawn behind.

I hated life…

Late at night…on a rainy day where the winds blew hard against my window. I snuck out into the bittering cold and made my way into the Everfree. I had to find Spawn and make sure he ran as far as the road could take him. Perhaps to Applepolosa and be raised by Braeburn, or maybe Manehatten and visit our other cousin. I had to get him away from the Everfree, away from the darkness…I had to be his only light. It was difficult, but I could not give up.

Sadly, I was facing the worse of problems, the winds were just too strong, the rain felt like hail, my cloak that Sweetie Belle’s sister made me was drench and flapping along with the wind, and even then, some dirt flew by and smack me across the face. The forest at this time was muddy, my hooves were messy and it was becoming difficult every second I walked.

I couldn’t let this storm prevent me from finding Spawn…I just couldn’t. Would you give up on your friend? Would you let something this strong stop you from saving their life? It was hard, but I did not give up…no Apple gives up. I knew they didn’t see it that way…no one in the family did, but Spawn was an Apple…he was family! He was my responsibility!

The winds howled, the thunder soon revealed itself in the crackling spectacles of lightning, and the rain poured down harder. I was shivering cold, feeling numb from my cheeks, but I did not dare halt. For when I was only proceeding further into the woods, I heard a howl. One that had to be Spawn’s, but when I looked up ahead, my eyes widened when a large branch was flying straight at me. I panicked and ducked, dodging the projectile, but as I ducked, I accidentally slipped, unaware that there was a hill beneath my hooves. I try to grasp anything that would hold me up, but sadly nothing was there to help catch my grip.

I cried out for Spawn to save me, but I felt gravity force me to drop backwards, causing me to roll down the muddy hill as the world spun around and around in my eyes. My heart was racing as I finally was caught by something to cease my fall, only to find out it was wooden branch just about to break off as it caught my cloak in a tight grip. I looked down in what was waiting for me below and to my horrors was a massive running stream that crashed into the rocks below, just waiting for me as if Death stood there with his arms open. My heart sank, hope was becoming hopeless, and the only thing I could think of was my family.

I couldn’t help but cry…nopony was going to find me. I was all alone…

I held the slick muddy hill’s sides the best I could, but it was too steep and my hooves would only slid down. The branch cracked and my heart started to race faster. I knew it was inevitable to avoid this, so I saved my energy, shut my eyes, and only looked down…waiting for it all to end.

When it snapped in half, I gave off a loud cry, keeping my eyes shut, but becoming unaware that I no longer was sliding down. When it came to me about this, I reopened them slowly gazed at the stream still below. My heart started to beat vibrantly, while I then moved my head upward to see a massive timberwolf, gripping my cloak by the end, before holding me up. Not giving me a second to speak, the timberwolf’s strength was immense as he quickly carried me up the hill fast onto dry land.

It was then that I realized that…it was Spawn. He was much bigger now than before. Taller and immense than me. I looked up at him and felt a bit startled in how he looked down at me, it was as if mocking me lightly when I looked down at him when he was a pup. I was speechless, unable to figure out what to say, however, my mind was beginning to become dull as my vision started to fade out. I have exhausted so much energy that the cold air found its way and was beginning to put me to a deep sleep. I tried to stay awake, but sadly was unsuccessful. My mind shut down, putting me into an unconscious state where the darkness clouded my vision in a pitch void.

When I started to wake up, the sun was already out, the trees gave off that weird wet smell, and I could feel a radiant heat engulf my body, keeping me warm. Looking up, Spawn was cuddled into me, keeping me warm from the blistering cold, saving my life…once again. It felt good being near him, even when it would be the last time it would be for me to see him. I am sure the others in Ponyville, even Rich, won’t forgive him for what he did, but I sure will and maybe even Celestia. So I stood there cuddle in his rough wooden branches and leaves and started to smile softly, enjoying what moment I had left with him.

Spawn looked down at me and gave me a playful lick, causing me to giggle a bit before becoming grossed out when he drooled on the floor, a typical trait he always carried from his puppy years. It was good while it lasted, but it had to end now. I backed up from him…looked up at his eyes as he was still curled up, looking at me curiously almost as if wondering what I was about to say.

My words were clear…driven with sadness and sorrow, “Spawn…you need to leave this forest. This place…maybe this entire country. You have to run as far away as you can and never look back. What you did…was an accident, and I blame myself for it. Believe me…I know. Spawn, I have learned a lot since I spent time with you, raising you from your puppy years, until now. Now it’s time to let you go and allow you to be free. You’re a timberwolf and surely enough you know this by the heart than mind. You have no master…you have no collar…you are free. And will always be free…so you need to leave.

“When we ponies grow up, there are times where we need to let things go for the best of us or those we love. But when we do, we hold them in our hearts because honestly, we should never forget them. Spawn, I will never forget you…I will never abandoned the moments we had together. You’re my friend. My companion. My family.”

Spawn was silent, getting up on his fours, towering over me once more. He leaned down as I flinched a bit with my ears flattened on reflex and earned a warm and soft lick to the cheek. I looked at him confused, but deep down in my heart I knew what that lick was for. The Timberwolf…no…the Apple knew what I meant, he knew what I felt, and he knew what the right thing to do was to obey me one more time and be free. When Spawn turned around…he ran.

I never imagined it be that fast, but as he ran I could feel this overwhelming sadness swell up inside of me, however, it was fought back by the deep feelings of relief and confidence. Spawn was no longer a puppy…he was a grown wolf. He was at a grown age, but there was something he would not let go and that was loyalty. It was a driven loyalty to the end that he would leave for my sake…to protect my family from any harm. A part of me wanted to cry out for him to come back, but I resisted that, knowing the only logical reason to ensure his safety was to make sure he ran away.

I didn’t tell the others where Spawn went, but that I was looking for him. I knew it was a bad thing for an Apple to lie, but I’m sure ma and pa would only use one lie if it meant protecting the very life you know and love. I can’t forget Spawn…I can’t say it would be possible at all to. Sure, I have a scar that would remind me of that time at School, but it was something I would consider it regrettable nor evidence to hate him. I would never hate Spawn…he was special in my heart.

He was…special.

-Fin-
Credits