I couldn't speak, my eyes had been opened. Fluttershy, the shy and withheld pony, had a heart bathed within a rose ember. The sight of a friend in need sparked an emotional cord that gave her the courage of a hardy warrior. I was utterly distraught by how she could instil fear into a drake just by glaring at it. The cold, indomitable look she gave the drake made it quake and flee in terror. As she looked back I saw that her temper was quickly abolished and she returned to her normal, altruistic state. I continued to stare in awe as she waltzed over to me unharmed. She looked at me awkwardly, laughing and fluttering her eyes as I gawked.
I composed myself and began to speak. "Y-yes I'm fine Fluttershy, just a few scrapes and bruises nothing ma.*ugh*.." I convulsed, a sudden rush of pain piercing my body.
"Oh my, Ripcord, a-are you alright?" She asked as she leaned closer to me, inspecting the few injuries I received in the fight. I swallowed as pain shot through my limbs, my body tensed and my head throbbed. My eyes began to fog, blurring my vision and hindering my perception. The pain became more intense, I let out a stressed grunt and my head fell hitting the floor. It bounced and the world started to fade, becoming more and more caliginous. The last thing I saw was Fluttershy rushing to my side, screaming at the sight of something disheartening.
<<<<<<O-O>>>>>>
The package in my saddlebags weighed me down as I walked towards home. The cool mountain air of Redmane filled my lungs with each breath. It had been so long since my last visit, I was amazed to find everything just as I remembered. For the life of me I couldn’t think of why it had taken me so long to return. There must have been some reason.
“Oh no...” I spun around looking for the source of the voice, it tickled the back of my mind. Unable to place it or find its source I shrugged it off as a trick of the wind.
I turned back to the road that led home, mother was waiting for me and I wouldn’t want to make her angry. As I trotted down the path I admired the buildings that I had not seen in so many years. They always seemed to be untouched by weather or time, remaining as if locked in stasis. Most of the houses were only one story, a molded brick siding complimented their straw thatched roofs. It was lovely yet simple place to live, everyone happy, blissful in fact to greet another day. I continued on, the aphotic sounds protruding from the Canyon district discouraged my entrance. I hesitated before entering. Was it still the same run down pit of thieves that I remember? I wasn’t the little colt I used to be and this was the shortest route home. Squaring my shoulders and preparing for the worst I entered at a brisk trot.
Like everywhere else, it was exactly as I remembered. Every building was wooded, run down, or blood stained. It had an aroma that made your heart sink in your chest. Thieves, liars, and adulterous ponies adorning the discolored black brick walkways. Anxiety filled me at the thought of the place, a dark, decrepit hole filled with disheartening souls. Yet, there was one group I feared most, Dragon Priests, they could be anywhere, or anyone. I paid close attention to the local ponies and soon saw something most frightening. And there they were, the worst of the worst. I did my best to avoid eye contact as I pushed through. My family was not exactly on good terms with the dragon worshiping nut bags. Were it not for the few guards patrolling the streets I had no doubt that they would be dragging me into some ally with murder in their eyes.
I remained to myself, keeping a safe distance between me and their blades. I dared not run or attract any unneeded attention so I walked slowly, diligently placing my steps. The thought of being murdered, dragged away, or used in a ritual gave an uneasy feeling in my stomach. I walked on hesitantly, the gates to my home district slowly drawing nearer. The gates were bronzed, hints of ivory speckled the tips of the old spears used to make it. The spears of the gate symbolized our willingness to fight for our homes. It was a beautiful up close but I mustn't remain here. I dare not anger my mother and trotted quickly on into the Red Rock district.
"Wa....u..!" I spun around to try and find this noise.
"Hello! Is anyone following me? Do you need help?" I asked, but was answered with only silence. I shrugged my shoulders and trotted on towards home. This district, my home district, was elegantly made and the detail on the architecture couldn't be missed. The Red Rock district was home to some of the most famous architects. All the two story houses had red shingled roofs along with the normal ones.The architecture was styled after old Rohnan, but revamped to fit modern styles and used less materials. I continued on, wobbling a little as my head began to ache. I ignored it, pushing the pain aside, and walked on to my home.
The closer to home I got the worse I began to feel. My stomach churned and I felt like throwing up, but managed to hold it down. I fought the spikes of pain and nausea as they tormented my body. Had I eaten some rotten hay? As I fought the growing sickness I tried to remember where I had last eaten.
"Rip....wa....please!" I stopped this time and listened. The voice was foggy but had a familiar tone to it, I shook my head and tried to write it off as the illness growing in my gut. It was a strange day. Ghostly voices, sickness and Dragon Priests are three things that shouldn't be together. I continued on, bracing myself every few steps, my body felt like it was slowly failing me, giving in to the poisons coursing through my system.
"Please, wak.....pl..!" I heard the voice more vividly this time.The pounding in my head worsened, banging around as if something were trying to break through. I began to sway in motion, my movements becoming slower and less frantic. My walk turned into a sluggish, dawdling pace. I pushed on and rounded the corner to my house and immediately regretted it. The sight before my eyes was horrifying, repulsive, and heartbreaking. I pushed through the pain, running to my house, only to collapse in my haste.
"Ripcord, wake up.....!" I was startled this time. It was talking to me. A ghostly voice from beyond the shroud, scratchy and yet familiar. I couldn't shake the feeling someone wanted me to wake up, but I was already awake.
Again I shook my head and tried to rise but couldn't. I wanted to run over and help but my legs refused me. The sight before me, my mother lying beside a dragon with a sword protruding from its skull. Blood staining the walls and tainting the soil, my soul was ripped in half at the sight. I remembered as a foal my mom lived, but now, now I can't believe my eyes. It was too hard to watch, to much to bear as my heart sank with me.
"Ripcord, Wake up please, please wake up!" The voice yelled. Everything crashed around me and my eyes opened. All I could see was the tear stained face hovering before me as recognition flooded my sluggish thoughts.
"F-Fluttershy?" I asked as the world around me began to fade, disappearing before my eyes and soon it was gone. I was floating aimlessly in a black void, desolation and bereavement my only companions. I was dead inside, my body beaten, my soul torn by the sad truth of what happened. And I floated alone in the endless expanse of nothing.
<<<<<<<O_O>>>>>>>
"Rip....R-Ripcord wake up you must, for the remedy mixed you should trust," Zecora said standing over me.
I looked around and saw Fluttershy to my left holding my hoof. She looked scared, tears adorned her face as she whimpered. She was hiding her face, letting the tears dot my coat. I reached over and grabbed her hoof, my muscles protested the movements but my will compelled them to continue. She squeaked in surprise at my sudden movements, but the startled look was quickly replaced with worry.
I smiled as best I could to reassure her as Zecora applied more of the salve to my wounds. I winced and hissed at the sting. I tried to sit up only to be forced back down by a lance of pain. Concentrating I managed to take control of my lungs and force myself to take long deep breaths. The ointment hurt more than the wounds had, but I endured, eventually I managed to speak. "So, Zecora what happened to me?" I asked.
"Your body became encumbered by the drakes poison as you slumbered," she replied in jubilant tone.
I looked at her cock eyed, I still wasn't used to how she spoke, but grateful all the same, "Zecora, you freak me out, but thank you."
"It, of course, was my pleasure, but life from now on, you should treasure," Zecora replied as she collected her herbs.
She was an odd pony, but always nice to have around. A sense a gratitude swept through me and I smiled as the zebra walked away. I was lucky to be alive. I hadn't noticed when it cut me, but if Zecora hadn’t been here... Drake blood is a potent poison, it had an effect similar to a black widow bite. Slowly eating away at the muscles, making you easier to eat. My mind drifted until I felt the soft embrace of a worried pony. Fluttershy held me tight. She was ecstatic by that I was still alive, I felt a warmth overcome me and I grasped her arms as we sat there together, thanking Celestia for a story now complete.