Chapter 3. Chat, Family, Giga on the loose.
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Applejack sat on the beach watching the waves move back and forth.
“Here, I figured you would be hungry.” Amber said handing her some stew.
“W-What is this?” Applejack asked sniffing it.
“It’s called Amber Stew.” Amber said with a big grin “Has cooked meat, some rockarrots, some savoroots and some other secret ingredients.” Amber said taking a bite of her soup “It’s sooo good.”
Applejack looked at the bowl and took a sip. She blinked as the flavor was amazing.
“See, told you it’s good.” Amber said eating some more.
“Hey Amber!” The two heard a voice causing them to looked to their right. They saw Matthew coming towards them.
“Hey! You're just in time for lunch!” Amber said getting up.
“Let me guess, Amber stew?” Matthew asked walking up to Amber.
“Yup.” She said with a proud smile.
“You're gonna have to pay me back for the meat and the other ingredients since I know you didn’t fly back to the village and get them from your house.” Matthew said.
“I’ll pay you back.” Amber said giving Matthew a bowl.
“Hopefully Amber here hasn’t been too much of a bother.” Matthew said walking up to Applejack.
“I didn’t mean to be rude earlier, I was in a hurry and didn’t get to greet you probably.” Matthew said “Names Matthew, one of a few traders on the island who will deliver items to other tribes or trade goodies with passing strangers.”
“Names Applejack, apple farmer from Equestria.” Applejack said.
“Equestria, met a few of your kind around here. I know there are three of them at Drayo’s Cove working at the docks last time I was there.” Matthew said “Think the guy’s name was Night something.” Matthew said “It’s been awhile since I spoke with him but I know he still at the docks as for the other three I don’t know their names since they only really speak with Night.”
“Amber told me ya there are many type of creatures around here from other worlds.” Applejack said.
“There are, most them are humans, no true aliens from other worlds besides you ponies.” Matthew said “I didn’t believe them at first till we went through their implants and found out they weren’t human.” Matthew took a bite of his stew “I was checking your health so I didn’t pry into your speice.”
“Has anyone found a way off this island?” Applejack asked.
“I’m afraid not Applejack.” Matthew said “Some people have gone missing over the years trying to find some way off this world but we can’t claim they found a way out of here.”
Applejack sighed “But I may have a way off this world.” Amber said “If that trader from the center is correct then there might be a key.”
“Don’t get her hopes up Amber, you have been trying for seven years now to find a way out of this world and yet this could be like the time you thought there was a secret cave hidden somewhere under the village and you remember how that went.”
“This is different Matthew, this map matched the symbol.” Amber said huffing.
“I’m not saying your wrong Amber I’m just saying don’t get your hopes up.” Matthew notices the sun “Alright, if you still want that ride your more then welcome to join me on my way to Drayo’s Cove.”
“If it’s not too much trouble.” Applejack said.
“Like I said before not at all.” Matthew downed his stew “Amber if you're tagging along you better hurry and pack up your gear as I’m leaving.” Matthew walked over towards the wagon “You can sit here and keep an eye on Trace for me.” Matthew said making sure Trace health was alright.
“Is this creature yours?” Applejack asked.
“I’m borrowing him from a friend for this shipment.” Matthew said as he walked over towards his Parasaur “As for Sarah here, she was injured when I found her and I nursed her back to health and since then she hasn’t left my side.” Matthew patted her head and Sarah made a happy noise. They started to move down the beach.
Amber quickly packed her things and got onto Pete’s back and took off after Matthew.
“You can be such a jerk you know that!” Amber said huffing as Pete hovered over Matthew.
“It keeps you on your toes Amber.” Matthew said as Amber landed Pete onto the wagon as she hopped off and sat down next to Applejack “Thought you were gonna fly?” Matthew asked.
“Pete has been flying all night he needs a rest and so do I.” Amber said closing her eyes and relaxing on her seat and Pete laying down as well on the crates.
Matthew sighed “You're lucky those crates are heavy duty and can take your over side bird’s weight.”
“Shut up Matthew, I’m trying to take a nap.” Amber said.
Matthew rolled his eyes as they moved down the beach.
Hours had past and Applejack was beginning to worry about her family. Would she be able to get back to them or would she be stuck here for the rest of her life. Her mind needed to to focus on something else and that’s when she notices the rifle handing off of Matthew’s saddle “Ah take it there is a lot of dangerous creatures.”
“There are some creatures like Dilo's and Carno’s mostly roam the beach side. The bigger carnivores stay in the deeper jungles and hunt bigger prey.” Matthew said “This longneck rifle is good at taking down some Carno’s from afar if they seem like a threat.”
“How big is this island?” Applejack asked.
“Pretty big, it can take you days to get across this island.” Matthew pulled out his book and opened the page of the map “This is Ark. One of two islands so far.”
Applejack took the book and looked at the map “Have you explored this whole island?” Applejack asked.
“No, my father was the one who explored everything.” Matthew said “That book was all he left me, I use it as a trail to make my way to the tribes only.” Applejack handed Matthew the book back and he put the book back into his bag “I don’t explore like Amber as I’m more happy meeting people then looking at old ruins.”
“How long have ya been here?” Applejack asked.
“Since I was six.” Matthew said.
“Ya been here since you were six?” Applejack asked shocked.
“I was the youngest one to be brought here, most children are born here with their implants somehow already fused into their wrists, however I remember the pain and I remember hearing voices.”
“W-What did they say?” Applejack asked.
“It was faint, I couldn’t make out what they were saying, I just remember hearing them and lots of pain.” Matthew said as he notices the marker up ahead “Alright first marker.” Matthew pulled out his book “Alright the sun is going down so we shall be making camp just out here.” Matthew said getting off of Sarah “Amber wake up we are at the first camp site.” Matthew yelled as he unloaded the tent from Sarah.
Amber yawned and sat up “Are we there already?” Amber asked stretching.
“No, we are at the first marker and it’s getting late.” Matthew said “I need your help setting up a fire so be useful and gather some drift wood for a fire.”
Amber got up “Jeez make me do all the hard work.” Amber said getting up and started walking away from them.
“Anything Ah can do?” Applejack asked.
“You can gather some berries for these two if you want, just don’t go too deep into the tree line and stay where I can see you.” Matthew said moving over towards Sarah and pulling out a machete “In case something does attack you here’s this.”
Applejack took the machete “How do Ah know what will attack me?”
Matthew pulled out his book and opened a page “This is a Dilo, they spit a venom that can make you go blind for a short while and weak allowing them to kill you.” Matthew showed a picture of the Dilo “They are mostly around the beach side and in some area’s.” Matthew said “They are the only real danger around here.”
“Are there any berries Ah shouldn’t pick?” Applejack asked.
“Just don’t eat the blackberries or the white berries, the blackberries are called narcoberries they will knock you out, and the white berries are called stimberry, they come in handy if you get knocked out as they will wake you up but you’ll be very thirsty.”
“Is that it?” Applejack asked.
“Yup, that’s really all there is to watch out for in the berries.” Matthew chuckled as he handed Applejack the book “Here, if you're unsure of something just read this and it will give everything you need to know.” Matthew went back to working on the tent “I’m in earshot and Sarah is watching so she’ll warn you if there is danger.”
Applejack notices Sarah on her back legs looking around and watching for danger. Applejack saw Amber picking up wood and figured she would be fine. She made her way towards the treeline and saw some bushes with berries growing from them.
As she picked the berries she notices a small creature looking up at her “Now what are you?” Applejack asked.
Three more small creatures stepped out and started to attack her, Applejack used the machete to cut one of the small creatures in half. The two attacking her jumped away and took off.
Applejack grabbed the book from her bag and flipped through the pages and found the page she was looking for “One of the smallest predators on the island, Compsognathus curiosicarius can be seen as a pet, a pest or a threat. While alone, Compsognathus is not dangerous or aggressive. In larger packs, however, it remembers its carnivorous nature. After a group of Compsognathus grows to a certain size, their pack mentality always seems to embolden them to attack.” Applejack placed the rest of the berries in her bag and made her way back to Matthew.
Matthew had finished putting the tent up and was working on making a fire pit. He notices Applejack and saw the scratches and what looked like bite marks on her arms.
Matthew quickly rushed over towards her “Are you alright?” Matthew asked.
“A-Ah ran into one of these.” Applejack showed Matthew the picture of the creature that attacked her.
“Compy, those little ones are tricky but they will stay away as long as we keep the fire going.” Matthew walked over towards Sarah and got some items out of his bag “Alright, let’s clean out those wounds and wrap them up.” Matthew said walking over towards the fire pit and getting a small fire going as he started cooking some of the herbs. He placed the herbs into a mortar and pestle and mashed them up.
Applejack took a seat next to the fire pit and watched Matthew work “What are ya mashing up?”
“Some herbs that grow deep in the swamp, it’s supposed to help heal wounds and keep people from getting sick.” Matthew took the paste and lightly rubbed it on the cuts on Applejack’s arms and then started wrapping it “The herb is called the dragon apple root, yet it’s not a root more like a flower.” Matthew said finishing up “My dad found the flower hidden in the swamp and since then people have been growing them for healing.”
“Why did ya dad name it dragon apple root?” Applejack asked.
“The flower has scale like petals and has a apple shape roots if take out of the ground right.” Matthew said “Just don’t remove them for about at least an hour and the scratches should be healed.”
“Alright, Ah got those berries in mah bag.” Applejack said.
“Alright, if you want you can feed them to Trace and Sarah, Trace loves the purple berries and Trace also likes the purple berries.” Matthew said stretching “I need to catch dinner.” Matthew picked up a fishing pole that was laying next to the tent and made his way over towards the ocean.
Applejack picked up her bag and got the purple berries out and started feeding Sarah and Trace the berries.
Amber came walking back with enough firewood to last them the night “Woah, what happened to you?” Amber asked placing the wood down near the fire pit.
“Ah was attacked by these little creatures called Comp somethin’.” Applejack said “Ah think I scared them off when Ah chopped one in half.”
Amber notices Matthew by the ocean “First kill here on Ark, I’m so proud of you.” Amber said with a smile making Applejack chuckle.
Applejack finished feeding the two dinosaurs and took a seat near the fire pit. She notices the book sitting next to her and decided to read it.
Matthew walked back with a big fish in his hands “Amber, can you get me the stone knife out so I can gut this?” Matthew asked placing the fish down on a rock that had a blanket on it.
“Sure.” Amber went and got the knife and gave it to Matthew.
“What in the world is that thing?” Applejack asked.
“It’s a Coelacanth.” Matthew said as he started carving the Coelacanth. Applejack had to look away as it was gross seeing him cut into the fish.
“I’ve got the veggies for the fish stew.” Amber said with a smile.
“Makes sure you use the spices I packed.” Matthew said getting the bones out of the meat.
After getting the bones and guts out Matthew placed the meat in a pot. He then tossed the guts and boons out into the water and that’s Applejack saw something big moving towards the shore “Watch this Applejack.” Matthew said as a fin moved up from under the water.
The creature jumped into the air causing Applejack to fall backwards as she saw what looked like a whale had jumped.
It came back down and splashed Matthew “Megalodon, you don’t wanna be in the water when that’s around.”
“You don’t wanna go in the water at all!” Amber yelled walking back with the veggies and spices.
“I-Is there a lot of them in the ocean?” Applejack asked.
“There are a lot yes, there is also some other dangers that lurk in the ocean.” Matthew said walking back over and putting his hands in a bucket and washing his hands “Alright, dinner should be ready in about an hour or so.”
“Why can’t we just go to the village?” Amber asked.
“Because I don’t wanna deal with my sister and have to pay her for a room.” Matthew said walking over towards the wagon and pulled out some torch stands “I’m gonna set these up around so the animals will stay away.” Matthew left Applejack and Amber alone.
“Does he not like his sister?” Applejack asked.
“They don’t see eye to eye when it comes to how things should be, one of them being him being apart of her tribe and taking her side when it comes to how to fight the bosses.” Amber said stirring the stew.
“Bosses?” Applejack asked confused.
“You see this red obelisk? There is a terminal in the center that allows us to access three bosses, I forget what they are called but each one is very big and very powerful. In order to even get to these bosses you need artifacts that are hidden in caves, most of the tribes that risk their lives don’t come back.” Amber said remembering the people who tried to beat the bosses.
“Has anyone beat them?” Applejack asked.
“Just one tribe.” Amber said “The Targaryen Tribe, they fought the toughest boss, the dragon.” Amber looked at Applejack “They were the only tribe to defeat the dragon bring back its head back as a trophy, they bare the flags of the dragon and now they have become even stronger.” Amber notices the sun going down “Matthew’s sister is the leader of the Targaryen tribe, she is the one that lead them into battle and Matthew was right there with her.”
“He fought?” Applejack asked.
“Matthew fought alongside his tribe and after the dragon was defeated the lost of many tribe members weighed heavy on his heart, over sixty people were killed in the battle.” Amber notices Matthew placing torches around “When they returned his sister wanted to fight the dragon again and see what else the creature dropped. Matthew fought his sister on this as they lost people and it only gave them a flag and it’s head. He didn’t want to lose more people to these creatures.”
“Is that why he doesn’t want to see her?” Applejack asked.
“That and the fact his other sister and brother both have been trying to recruit him into their tribes and every time Matthew has to even go near this place he had to deal with family issues.” Amber said checking on the stew “His sister Kate is the leader of the Targaryen tribe, as for his other sister Rachel, she isn’t a leader but more of a healer, and for his brother Daniel, he is a leader of the Light tribe, he is called the iron bear of the tribe as he tamed Direbear’s without knocking them out.” Amber said as she check on the stew.
“Does Matthew have a nickname?” Applejack asked.
Amber chuckled “I call him the loner but everyone call him the trader Matthew, as he brings all the goodies for tribes.”
Matthew came walking back “Alright, torches are lit, dinner done?” Matthew asked.
"Still gonna be a bit.” Amber said looking at the stew.
“Well I’m gonna take a nap.” Matthew said “Wake me when dinner's ready.” He walked over towards Sarah who was laying down and layed down near her.
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Later that night the group went to sleep. Applejack and Amber were to share the tent while Matthew slept outside next to Sarah. As the night went on everyone was sound asleep, however their night was about to become one to remember. The sound of a gun shot going off caused the group to awaken.
Applejack and Amber both rushed out of the tent to see Matthew on his knees with his hands behind his back as masked people were around the group.
“Now is this anyway to treat your brother?” Matthew asked.
“When you don’t send word you're gonna be camping just outside the first check point of my territory I always come and make sure they aren’t a threat.” A woman said taking off her helmet and her long red hair fall down “What brings you to my neck of the woods brother?”
Matthew got onto his feet “I’m being paid to transport some fur hide to Drayo’s Cove.”
The woman placed her pistol into her holster and walked up to Matthew “In the future inform me your camping out here so we don’t get worried about attacks.” She said “Alright boy’s, head back to the checkpoint, I’ll be there soon.” She said. The men left the group alone “You could have came to the tribe and rested there and not deal with the creatures on the beach.”
“I felt it would be fine to rest here since it didn’t have a lot of animals besides the compy’s.” Matthew said looking at her “I would have to still head to the tribe for resupplies anyways Kate.”
“I swear.” Kate said sighing “You're a stubborn person you know that? New reports of a gigia have moved from the Grand Hills and have it’s way down the river and we believe it’s somewhere around the southern jungle.”
“A Giga moving from the mountains? That’s weird.” Matthew said as he knew that wasn’t normal.
“We agree, one of our members believe it’s moving to find a partner to mate with.” Kate said “We can handle a Giga, you cannot.”
“Alright you two.” Matthew looked at the two “Let’s get the gear packed up, we are heading to the village.”
“Who is this?” Kate asked looking at the young woman with blond hair and emerald eyes.
“This is Applejack, she is new to the island.” Matthew said looking back at Kate “I’m taking her to Drayo’s Cove.”
“How much is she paying you?” Kate asked.
“Doing it for free, I’m already heading there anyways.” Matthew said “Why don’t you end back, we will be there shortly.”
“Fine, I’ll make sure you all have a place to stay when you show up.” Kate said putting back on her helmet and walking back to her tribe.
“What’s a Giga?” Applejack asked.
“A Giga is a carnivore. It’s one of the most dangerous creatures on this island, if I knew it was out this way I would have went to the tribe as fast as I could.” Matthew said as he started getting everything ready.
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Kate stood near the gate waiting for her brother to show “Kate, two of our men spotted the Giga, it’s near the red obelisk, its resting.”
“Send six of our people to Matthew now, I want him at our checkpoint now.” Kate said walking back inside “Send word to Grant and tell him we might need his best fliers in case the Giga moves towards us.”
“Yes Ma’am!” The man ran off leaving Kate to walked through the village.
“Alright everyone, weapon up! We have spotted the Giga, if it decides to head this way we will stand our ground and take it out! Be on alert!” Kate yelled heading towards her hut. Kate entered her home and looked at the map “Alright, we have escape routes ready. Let’s just home the Giga doesn’t come this way.”
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To Be Continued.