Chapter 6: No One Likes A Spoor Loser – Full Moon
For a moment no other sound was heard besides the small sniffles of French Butter as she struggled to settle her breathing. The frigid wind of the fall night howled past the humble Moon family farm; the wind sounded sorrowful as if trying to reflect the emotions of the ponies who had heard the news of Tall Tales disappearance. The old farmhouse creaked and groaned, settling around the group of ponies. Autumn’s ears seemed to buzz as they did in her nightmare, she continued to weakly rub her hoof up and down French Butters back still trying to comfort her friend.
Sugar Beet shook her head attempting to process the news that French Butter had told her, but looking at Autumn she saw that the news had impacted her daughter, “Tha colt stood by Autumn like a true frien’, this aint no time to stand aroun’ shakin’ like a scarecrow in winter,” Sugar shook her head assuming a strong stance reflecting the determination she felt running through her as she met with the distraught teachers gaze. “Miss Turner, how long has Tale’s been missin’?” Sugar Beet asked her voice fueled by purpose startling the fillies out of their stupor.
“He went missing earlier today, after the hike with the rest of the class,” said Miss Turner, her voice becoming steadier, her bright yellow eyes meeting the determined fire of emerald ones. “After returning to the campsite we saw Tales was missing at the headcount, I gathered the other chaperones and began to look for Tales. We looked for hours and could not find hide or hair of him, we gathered the rest of the students and returned them to their parents. French and I came here as soon as we could hoping that you and your husband would aid the search,” the prussian blue unicorn finished her explanation, her gaze hopeful at the possibility of more ponies joining the search for the lost colt.
“I’m sorry ta say mah husband ain’t here, Shadow’s on a delivery an’ won’ be back until tomorrow, an’ Autumn ain’t been feelin well. Now, I wan ta help ya’ll but Autumn needs me here, Ah’m sorry…truly” Sugar Beet said regretfully informing Miss Turner and seeing despair begin to enter the teacher’s eyes. Sugar’s ears flattened against her skull and her eyes became downcast, a sad frown forming on her muzzle as she saw Miss Turner nod her head in understanding.
French Butter backed up looking at Autumn “I didn’t know you were sick Autumn, don’t worry we’ll find Tales,” Butters said sniffling she hugged Autumn trying to put on a brave face for the other filly trying to keep the worry from her eyes. “I hope you get better soon,” said Butters sincerely as she began to follow her teacher out the door.
Autumn watched as Butter’s and Miss Turner turned to leave, she began to shake her head as if to deny what her mother had said and what she was seeing. Before the two mares could take another step out of the Moon’s door Autumn dropped her blanket and stood determined as her mother had not too long ago.
“W-wait!” Autumn said wincing at the pain she felt in her throat resulting in a rumbling growl in her voice. Autumn raised her hoof as if to try and stop her friend and teacher from leaving, her eyes looking sympathetic as she looked between Miss Turner and French Butter.
Miss Turner and Butters stopped in their tracks jumping in surprise at the sound of Autumn's rough voice. “I’m feeling a lot better… we could go; I wanna help find Tales,” said convincingly turning her glowing amber gaze to her mother “please mom?” asked Autumn pleadingly, her thickly furred ears falling to the side of her messy silver mane as she sat on her haunches and turned her golden eyes up to her mother’s face.
“Jus as stubborn as her father too, I wish ya were here Hon. You’d be able to find tha’ colt faster than a hot knife through butter,” thought Sugar as she turned her gaze from the sky back to her daughter sitting before her, a warm motherly smile taking over her muzzle. “I bet she’d be able to fin Tales too but it’s too soon, she was barely able to stand earlier,” thought Sugar as she began to shake her head looking at her daughter with understanding but authority in her emerald eyes.
“I’m sorry Sugar, but ya jus got better an’ runnin’ aroun’ in the woods may make ya sick again. An if ya passed out or got hurt we may have two missin ponies out there instead o’ one. We wouldn’t be much help ifin we had to take ya home,” said Sugar as she watched her daughter’s eyes lose a portion the fire that was stoked moments ago as she spoke the elderberry mares mouth set in a straight line.
“B-but Mom I’m feeling better honest, please” Autumn said sincerely as she straightened her posture but as soon as she stood Autumn felt woozy and stumbled on her hooves. A fierce piercing headache ran behind Autumn’s eyes and her vision became blurry as the pain ran through her head and body. Autumn could not hold back the whimper that escaped past her lips as she placed her right hoof on her temple rubbing the area hoping to ease the pain.
“N-no not now, why now..” thought Autumn in frustration, her eyes narrowing at her body betraying her, her tail twitching in annoyance and her ears flicking back. As the pain faded and Autumn’s vision became clear again, she saw that her mother and the others had seen what had happened and had appreciative, but pitying looks on their muzzles. Autumn watched as her mother slowly approached her and placed a steady hoof on her withers, her stomach sank as she saw the look on her mother’s face and the set line of Sugar’s muzzle.
“I’m sorry hon, but we’re gonna have to sit this out an let the others handle this, I’m sure they’ll find Tale’s. Tha colt’s brave an I bet my last bit that he’ll find the others searchin for im ifin they don find im first,” said Sugar Beet sincerely as she rubbed her daughters shoulder, her eyes reflecting sadness as she felt Autumn's shoulders slump at her response.
Autumn's head fell and shifted her eyes to the floor, her tail drooped to the floor as she looked back towards Miss Turner and French Butter before she looked at her mother. “Fine…” said her voice straining Autumn as she turned to head up the stairs to her room “Sorry French, Miss Turner I hope you find him,” said Autumn in a defeated shaking voice. Autumn looked away before they could see the tears in the corners of her glowing eyes, and she galloped up the stairs slamming the door behind her.
Sugar Beet’s eyes followed Autumn as she ran to the second floor and flinched just slightly as she heard the farm's old bedroom door banging against its hinges at the force. Sugar sighed before turning to the other ponies who had watched the entire scene in sympathetic silence. “Ah’m real sorry we can’t help ya’ll but I truly hope ya find Tales, if hes still missin tomorrow my husband an I will try ta join the search,” the elderberry mare said, her voice calm and sincere as she addressed Miss Turner.
“Thank you Mrs. Moon I hope your husband returns safely, and Celestia willing we will find Tales soon. I’ll be joining the search after taking French home,” Page Turner said as she placed a comforting hoof on Butters shoulder guiding her to the door. “We’ll let you know as soon as we find him, I hope Autumn finds some solace in that,” Miss Turner said as she nodded to the farm mare hoping to give her some comfort before departing. The prussian blue unicorns horn lit up in a light blue aura as she cast a simple lumos spell making a small bright orb to light the way to Bright Pear Orchards.
“Thank ya kindly Miss Turner, an don’t ya worry none Butter’s I’m sure they’ll find Tales soon. For now jus’ get home safe and give yer family our best alright,” Sugar said as she shifted her attention to the pea green filly who was finally beginning to stop shaking. French Butter nodded her head wild curly orange mane bobbing as she confirmed her understanding. “Yes ma’am,” said Butters as she and Miss Turner left the farmhouse and descended the steps on the humble porch, the wind howling past them as if to morn their departure.
Shutting the sturdy front door of the farm cutting out the warm light that the house provided, Sugar Beat turned her troubled eyes up to the staircase. “I best go check on er,” thought Sugar as she walked up the stairs and down the familiar hallway of the family farmhouse as she rose her hoof and knocked her ears perked up listening for her daughter’s response.
“Come in,” came her daughter's mumbled response through the thick door. Sugar opened the door and saw her daughter wrapped up in a cocoon of blankets on her bed, her wild bushy silver tail sticking out slightly as Autumn tucked herself further into the blankets not facing her mother as Sugar approached her in the dimly lit room. The only light was of the full moon giving the room a sad blue glow, a pillar of light falling on the blankets and casting a shadow over Autumn’s face hiding her expression.
Sugar Beet walked up to the side of Autumn’s bed and placed a soft hoof on her daughter's side, feeling the olive oil filly jump underneath the covers “I know yer probably sore about not bein able to help yer friend sweet pea, but ya jus got back on yer hooves an I don’t wan ya getting hurt or lost yerself….do ya understand?” the older farm mare asked her daughter in a consoling voice rubbing her hoof on the Autumn shaped lump under the thick comforter, her emerald eyes glowing in the low light shining with concern for her daughter.
Autumn nodded her head, the comforter crumbling with her movement “I know mom,” said Autumn her voice still strained and slightly growling as she answered “I think I’m just gonna get some rest, I’m not really hungry anymore,” said Autumn her voice sounding tired and defeated, Autumn sighed and rolled over as she spoke hoping her mother would understand her want to be alone for a while.
“I understand sugar, you go ahead an rest as best ya can, If they find tha colt I’ll tell ya straight away. But fer now I hope ya sleep well, Love ya lil one,” Sugar Beet said, stealing her husband's nickname for their daughter as she gave Autumn a small nuzzle under the covers, feeling her daughter return the gesture. “I love you too mom,” said Autumn, her voice a small whisper as she turned her head and placed her head on her pillow and forehooves.
Sugar Beet left her daughter to rest and went downstairs to clean the remainder of their meal. True to her word she put a bowl of soup away for Shadow upon his return, and she went up to her room tired from the strain of the day. Sugar began to fall asleep as soon as her head hit her pillow, the scent of her husband still on the sheets providing her with comfort as she drifted deeper. The light of the moon traveled across the floor of the matriarch’s bedroom as the hours began to pass, suddenly Sugar’s eyes shot open and she was gasping for air as if she had been drowning.
“What in Celestia’s name was that?” Sugar thought as she placed her hoof on her chest trying to steady her heart. It was as if something was wrong, Sugar’s eyes widened in fear as she realized what may have caused her reaction “Autumn!” the thought caused terror to run through her body, the hair of elderberry coat standing on end as she jumped to her hooves and walked quickly to her daughter's room. Sugar’s hoof was shaking as she opened her daughter's door peeking inside, but as her eyes saw the shape of her daughter still resting in her bed under the covers her heart began to slow. Sugar took a deep breath and sighed in relief. “Ya silly ol mare, she’s fine. Ya got all riled up fer nothin,” Sugar mumbled quietly to herself as she shut the door behind her and returned to her room falling back into a peaceful sleep, however she couldn’t help a lingering feeling in the pit of her stomach.
A small stage and tent had been set up in the town's market, a group of forty ponies had gathered in warm clothes to fight the chill of the wind as it blew across them. The crowd mumbled in worried tones as they discussed the reason they had gathered there as a local sheriff walked up to the stage the chatter grew quiet.
“Fillies and Gentlecolts of Bray Valley we thank you for coming out tonight to aid in the search of a lost colt!” a brash sounding earth stallion known as Sheriff McColt addressed the crowd of ponies who wore bright orange vests and team badges. A unicorn mare stood next to him and held up a picture in her yellow aura to aid the stallion as he briefed the volunteers. “The colt in question is named Tall Tales, a cornflower unicorn colt with a dark dray mane and yellow eyes. His cutie mark is a pony silhouette with its hoof held out and holding a book, he was last seen on Hurricane’s hiking trail at eight in the morning, the colt hasn’t been seen since then,” said the sheriff in a sturn voice to the crowd as he looked at the ponies he was addressing moving his head from side to side in an effort to be heard by all the ponies present.
“You will all be broken into teams and we will branch our search out from the hiking trail, to the campsite and even back to town, after this brief you will report to the tent to receive your maps, flashlights, and whistles. If you find any clues or the colt notify your team leaders and we will have a pegasus fly to the tent to get medical ponies to your location and spread the word to the other teams. Stay in groups of four and travel together, there have been reports of predators in the area, be safe and lets go out there and find that colt,” said the sheriff in a strong voice hoping to motivate the ponies who came to help the local guards and police. A small sound of stomping hooves followed his speech and he stepped down to join the teams.
Unknown to the sheriff or the well-meaning ponies a shadow watched from the sidelines staying quiet as they heard the information the sheriff had given the crowd. Waiting in the foliage nearby the creature crouched low staying in the darkness waiting until the teams headed to the trail; as soon as teams began their trek the figure followed closely behind the ponies staying just out of site.
The hooves of the shadow moved quickly and quietly as the campsite team and hiking trail team began to split from each other to perform a police call around the surrounding area looking for any sign of the missing unicorn colt. The shadow crouched low to the ground scenting the air and the soil of the campsite, its wild mane catching the moonlight for a second as fangs poked past lips as they grinned in silent victory.
They had found what they were looking for even though it was old… the scent was faint, but a familiar sandalwood scent pushed through the scent of the forest surrounding them she could have sworn she could see it, “Tales,” thought Autumn in happiness and relief as she turned her head to try and locate a volunteer to see if they were on the right track.
Looking up from what she had found amber eyes widened in horror as she saw that the teams were heading in the wrong direction “w-where are they going, that’s not the right way!?” thought Autumn as fear and panic ran through her as if to add to her terror a menacing howl rang through the air. Autumn’s glowing amber eyes became even more horrified and her ears flipped back as she shivered in the crisp night; it was as if she could understand the howl it sounded cruel, desperate but mostly it sounded hungry.
“Th-There’s no time, Tales needs help now,” thought Autumn as she shook her body trying to warm herself and get rid of the shaking idling her body despite her thicker coat of fur sweat covering her coat. Autumn took a deep breath through her nose and scented the air once more, following the scent she found herself on Hurricane’s trail her only companion was the mare in the full moon watching as the filly sniffed at the ground and glanced up trying to follow the scent of her lost friend. As Autumn looked up she saw something, her furry ears perking up as her face questioned what she was seeing, and she doubted at first if it meant anything.
There just near the trail she saw some of the branches by the deer trail had been bent, as if some creature had passed by there. Autumn’s stance became determined, her eyes narrowing as if looking for something, Autumn followed her gut. “Maybe,” thought Autumn, hope sparking deep in her chest. Autumn went by the broken branches and crouched low looking in the light of the full moon, her amber eyes flashing she saw it, just there next to the branches almost invisible was some tail hair and small clump of cornflower fur taking a deep breath through her nose it confirmed the hope that began to burn through her.
“I-it is! Tale’s he passed through here,” Autumn nearly shouted in her joy and her eyes lit up. She nearly jumped up in the air bucking in her victory as the forest seemed to be telling her that she was going the right way. “I just need to look, it.. it’s like finding critters… look for the signs,” thought Autumn as she continued past the bent branches it was like magic her hooves carried her for hours over the forest farther and farther into the thick foliage surrounding the intermediate trail.
Each clue she found led Autumn closer to Tales, she stepped carefully as she continued to track her friend. Autumn’s eyes glowed in determination as she continued to follow the trail the unicorn had left behind; a broken branch, torn grass, old hoof prints in mud… even the slight smell of urine near the trail stood out to her as if they were neon signs pointing to her goal. Autumns eyes crossed and she stuck out her tongue in disgust almost gagging as she tried to get that particular smell out of her nose “Didn’t need to know that smell,” thought Autumn as she shook her head trying to erase that part of her journey from her mind in an effort to raise her spirits in the cold air of the night.
The scent of sandalwood grew stronger as Autumn continued moving with purpose through the forest, her ears were straight at attention swiveling at the sounds surrounding her, trying to focus her sharp hearing listening for the sound of hooves moving through the forest. However, Autumn never went too fast as to miss any spoor that may lead her to Tales, she felt as if her fever was returning and fought against the dizziness she had felt. “No, not again,” thought Autumn as she did her best to push through her illness nausea causing her to almost vomit.
Raising her head as the wind picked up Autumn closed her glowing amber eyes scenting the air once more, however her heart sank she smelled a thick bitter scent, iron mixed with the Tale’s natural scent… blood.
Autumn’s heart began to pound in her chest, suddenly she felt nauseous for a whole new reason… her hooves began to tremble as she saw dark spots on the lavender flowers of wolf’sbane, the stems were snapped; the dark red blood standing out on the bright purple petals. “No, no…” whispered Autumn her voice shaking as she confirmed her fear, that blood belonged to Tales… the same hungry howl she had heard before cut through the air causing Autumn to jump in surprise the hair on the back of her neck began to stand on end, her bushy tail bristling as she realized she wasn’t the only one following the trail. Taking another breath through her nose Autumn’s eyes widened the scent was recent, stronger than what she had been following.
In her panic Autumn sat on her haunches and rose her hooves to her mouth and shouted as loud as she could into the night “TAAALLES, WHERE ARE YOOOOU?!?” screamed Autumn her voice carrying through the biting fall air, Autumn placed her hooves on the ground and pearked her ears straining to listen for any sign of her friend. “Come on Tales…please,” thought Autumn the cold fear that had run through her causing her to shiver as silence seemed to answer her, then just faintly she heard something that sparked the hope she had felt before melting the dread in her heart.
“Ugghhh, Hel..p..a..any pony there?” asked a tired weak voice carried by the wind. Autumn’s eyes snapped open and she turned her head towards the direction her ears had heard Tales, he was alive and nearby. “Tales keep talking I..I’ll find you,” Autumn said her joy leaking into her voice as she began to smile, her fangs glowing in the moonlight as she got closer to her friend.. as she continued, she noticed her hooves striking hard stone as she climbed higher up the ridge.
Autumn continued to gallop towards the scent of her friend as it grew ever stronger, never failing to follow the spoor, droplets of blood leading her on though Tales failed to continue speaking.
Just as Autumn opened her muzzle to shout into the night once more the ground fell off into a steep rocky cliff! Autumn’s eyes widened in fear as she struggled to slow her gallop, her hooves skidding against the rough stones of the ridge coming to a stop just before going over the edge. Taking short shallow breaths Autumn’s eyes shook as she tried to calm her pounding heart, she swallowed the saliva that had gathered in her mouth gulping as she saw how close she came to falling, looking over the edge she saw a shadowy lump laying on a shelf of stone. As the clouds moved past the full moon lighting the forest she saw Tales laying on the rocky shelf, his rear right hoof was badly twisted and he had several cuts and a piece of bone stuck out of his right leg but he was breathing. A camera lay shattered far below on the hard stones at the bottom of the cliff.
Autumn’s eyes widened in worry for Tales but relief also flooded through her “I..I did it,” thought Autumn, her tail wagging as she realized what she had done “Tales I’m right here! I found you,” said the olive oil filly, her voice filled with emotion as tears began to fill her eyes. Suddenly an amazing warmth passed through Autumn filling her with a pleasant feeling as if she was running through flower petals tickling her coat, she felt as if she was flying as her hooves left the ground, her eyes closed shut as a bright light began to emanate from nowhere surrounding her. A mysterious wind flowed around her but unlike the cold wind of the fall night the cut into her as she ran this one felt like a welcoming spring breeze calling her to something wonderful, despite the terrible circumstances it was beautiful.
As Autumn’s hooves touched the cold ground she felt as if she had lost all strength in her legs, her head felt fuzzy and she shook her head placing her hoof on her head “W-what was that?” thought Autumn cautiously as she looked around to see if one of the unicorn volunteers had found her. She began to smile but as her eyes glanced around the landscape the only unicorn she saw was Tales who was mumbling, not strong enough to cast a spell. Autumn’s brow rose in curiosity as she began to look over her body lifting her still tingling hooves, as she looked at her flank, she noticed something amazing there was a mark there!
Autumn’s mouth dropped exposing her fangs as she took a second to see a crescent moon on her flank reflecting a broken stalk of wolf’s bane. Autumn felt more tears form in the corner of her amber eyes as she felt more happiness running through her “I c-can’t believe it,” thought Autumn but she shook her head realizing that there were more important things to do than stare at her flank.
“Tales’s,” Autumn went to the edge of the cliff and called down to Tall Tales “Tales buddy can you hear me, if you can please try to get up,” pleaded the olive oil filly as she saw her friend begin to move. Her eyes lit up as she saw Tales weakly lift his head, his yellow eyes dull as they looked up at Autumn… As soon as he saw her some light came back into his eyes.
“A-Autumn is that you?” asked Tales his voice strained his voice sounding dry as a hopeful smile covered his muzzle. The young unicorns tail began to twitch weakly in happiness as he tried to attempt to stand “OOOOWWWWW BUCK that hurts!!” Tales shouted as loud as his movement caused his numb hoof to shoot a sharp pain through his spine. Blood continued to ooze onto the cold rocky ridge covering the colt’s side causing him to shiver even more when he saw the blood.
“D-don’t move Tales! I’ll get something to pull you up ok just try to stay awake ok,” said Autumn concern in her voice trying to remain calm as she looked around trying to spot anything she could use to pull her friend up. Autumn’s eyes widened as she saw Tales camping pack laying close to the woodline, rushing over to it she tore the bag open with her hooves hoping to find something she could use… dumping the bag onto the ground it seemed as if someone was listening to the fillies silent prayers.
“Yes! Hang in there Tales I’ll have you out soon,” shouted Autumn there laying on the ground was a thick blanket. Autumn tore the blanket into strips with her sharp fangs, holding the edges down with her rear hoof as she used her earth pony strength to tear the cloth as if it was tissue paper. Autumn felt as if she was burning up and she wobbled slightly as she finished the strenuous work quickly panting slightly, shaking it off she began to tie the strips together forming two loops at the end to wrap around the stranded unicorn.
“Tales, you still up,” Autumn shouted to Tales to see if he would be able to wrap the rope around him. “Yeah bud still here,” Tales responded tired and weak but still awake. “Thank Celestia, at least I don’t have to lasso him,” thought Autumn as she grinned slightly, she gathered the rope in her mouth and saw a tree close enough to the edge of the cliff. She wrapped the rope around the base and tied the other end of the rope to herself before she went to Tales.
“Alright Tales, try to wrap this around you once you’ve got it I’m gonna try to pull you up try not to move too much alright,” asked Autumn her voice strong trying to hide the uncertainty she was feeling at her plan. Tall Tales nodded his understanding and began to wrap the rope around himself wincing in pain. As soon as Tales was done Autumn began to pull the unicorn colt up the side of the cliff, as slowly and as carefully as she could using the tree as a pulley to help her with the weight.
Tales groaned slightly as he felt nausea from the pain in his leg and did his best not to look down at the fall that had shattered his leg and camera his heart pounding against his ribs as he was pulled up. Before he knew it Tales felt fangs wrap around the scruff of his neck as his body was pulled over the edge of the cliff a shot of fear overcoming him as his body quickly changed directions “A-ahhhhhh!” shouted Tales as his eyes widened and his body started shaking. Tales ears perked up as he realized he wasn’t lying on a hard rock ridge but had been caught by Autumn, a grin broke out over his muzzle in appreciation for the friend who had found him, his eyes gained more brightness as he realized he had been saved.
“Ooof… Sorry Tales I-“ said Autumn her voice cut off as Tales wrapped his hooves around her with as much strength as he could manage leaning on her due to the pain in his leg. Autumn wrapped her hooves around her friend, she felt the unicorn colt shaking.
“Autumn, T-thank you! Thank you so much, you’re the best friend a colt could have,” said Tales, his voice shaking as he hugged his friend, feeling relief and happiness fill him with warmth despite the cold he had felt for hours. The pain in his back hoof pulsed through him throbbing as he moved but in that moment Tale’s could care less.
Autumn shook her head and rubbed his back as she comforted him “Tales, you had my back… and I’ll always have yours,” said Autumn as she chuckled slightly pulling back she looked at her friend illness forgotten her eyes shining in happiness and pride “You can bet your last bit on that,” said Autumn winking at her friend. Tales eyes widened in surprise at Autumn’s joke before he too began to laugh at his words being used on him, as his body shook with laughter a sharp pain ran through his leg.
“Ahhh… horsefeathers, my leg,” cursed Tales, gritting his teeth together as the pain of his twisted hoof and broken leg came back full force. Autumn jumped and looked at her friend’s leg seeing the shard of bone poking through his distal left thigh covered in blood and torn sinew she lowered him slowly to the ground.
“T..that looks bad, I helped my dad splint a cow’s leg before… Maybe I can try to splint your’s,” Autumn asked cautiously as she gauged Tales' reaction to her idea. Her amber eyes reflected concern for her friend and her ears were pinned back knowing that it’d probably hurt Tales to splint it but knowing it’d be worse if she left it as is.
Tales eyes widened in fear for a split second and he took a hard look at his twisted swollen leg, he almost vomited at the site of the bone poking through his skin. Turning his head away from the injury he turned his bright orange eyes to look into Autumn’s glowing ones and he felt the fear and nausea melt away as she saw the concern in the warm amber eyes as she waited patiently for his answer. “I trust her, Autumn can do this,” thought Tales as he nodded before opening his muzzle grinning slightly “You know most hero’s do have to patch up their friends in legends, looks like it's your turn Autumn. I trust you..j-just try to be gentle.. please,” said Tales his voice filled with mirth as he saw his friend roll her eyes and smile at him before nodding at him hiding her eyes for a second with her wild silver bangs.
Looking back up Autumn had a face splitting grin forming exposing her fangs to the unicorn, however Tales felt no fear, this was Autumn and she was his friend. “You got it,” said Autumn as she held up her hoof for a bump from the cornflower unicorn, after feeling a tap against her hoof she looked up a serious look covering her muzzle. Autumn's eyes scanned the area and nearby she saw a tree with medium sized branches and she looked down to the rope she had made from the thick blanket, her ears perked up and her eyes lit up as she set to work.
Tales watched as Autumn walked quickly to a nearby tree and tore off some stiff branches with ease, tearing off the leaves before she drug it across the ground to him. He tilted his head in a question before he realized what she had in mind.
“I’m gonna measure the branch on the leg that isn’t injured ok, then I’m gonna tie it off with some strips of bandage and tie the splinted leg to your uninjured one ok? I’ll carry you back to the campsite and they can call for help from the medical ponies at the market,” Autumn said calmly explaining what she was about to do to Tales as best as she could “Just try not to buck me in the face ok, my nose is flat enough as it is,” Autumn said jokingly hoping to ease the worry on Tales face.
“No promises,” Tales said jokingly as Autumn placed her hooves on his leg she pushed against it moving it slightly, her eyes laser focused on the leg as if looking for something, her ears standing at attention listening for any strange sounds. Suddenly he sat up straight hissing through his teeth as pain shot through him. Autumn's hooves had found a break and he struggled not to shrink away from Autumn as she seemed to be noting where the break was despite her eyes widening and her focus shifting to his reaction.
“Tales! I’m sorry!” shouted Autumn her voice filled with guilt as she moved back slightly trying not to move her friends injured leg. “It’s fine keep going” growled out Tales as his breathing became less shallow and he started pawing at the dirt with his front hooves. Autumn nodded and quickly continued examining the leg, his fetlock and his twisted hoof. Finding what she needed she took the branch and measured it against Tale's good leg before snapping it the appropriate length and tying the branch to this injured leg. Autumn did her best to work quickly to splint the leg despite Tales shaking and flinching as she finished tying the leg to the other.
“All done Tales, sorry I know that probably felt terrible,” said Autumn her voice laced with guilt at hurting her friend, but she felt a slight sense of pride at the splint she had made. Tales shook his head and waved a hoof at her as if it had been no big deal. Autumn smiled and grabbed the remains of Tales saddle bags and tied them to herself before turning towards Tales and lifting him onto her withers.
Glancing behind her Autumn looked at Tales as he adjusted himself to lay comfortably on her back, she started to grin at him as he looked at her sheepishly “So if I’m the hero does that make you the damsel in distress?” asked Autumn in a taunting tone as she started to laugh at the indignation that covered Tales muzzle as he snorted at the fanged filled smile covering the filly’s face.
“Hardy Har Har…very funny Autumn,” said Tales as he refused to look at her rolling his eyes at her amusement. He shook his head and couldn’t help the grin growing on his face as she turned around and began to walk them both back to the campsite though how she was doing so he had no clue. Autumn took a deep breath through her nose and opened her eyes a happy grin on her face as she walked deep into the forest doing her best not to jostle her injured comrade.
“But you know this will make an awesome story to tell everypony when we get back, I just hope Butters isn’t too worried,” said Tales wistfully as Autumn grinned at the soft look on the unicorn’s face. As Tales saw that he had been caught with his hoof in the cookie jar, he quickly looked away from the warm amber eyes now burning a hole in his head as Autumn grinned smugly. Just as Autumn was about to open her muzzle to retort Tale’s reaction a deep menacing growl cut through the night silencing the two adolescent ponies, the hair on both their necks stood up and a chill ran up their spines causing them to shiver, their blood freezing at the sound of branches breaking behind them.
As Autumn and Tales slowly looked behind them toxic green eyes glowed back at them, the sickening smell of rotting roadkill covered the area in a thick humid mist. The creature's body blended perfectly with the thick oak and pine trees surrounding the two ponies, as the huge wolf narrowed his toxic eyes it growled deeply its throat vibrating as thick slimy saliva covered the sharp shards of wood that formed its teeth, globs of the foul smelling fluid hitting the forest floor.
Autumn and Tales' eyes nearly popped out of their heads as they both looked at the size of the wooden wolf’s fangs and saw that they were it’s next target. Tales started taking small shallow breaths as his heart began to beat against Autumn’s back in panic. Autumn took a shaky breath through her nose gagging at the sickening smell of rotting carrion and the bittersweet smell of fruit that pierced the air smelling the Timberwolves breath and their fear.
Autumn felt a cold dread fill her stomach and her own glowing amber eyes looked deep into the creature’s cruel hungry green ones. Autumn's fuzzy ear flicked back as she felt Tales tap her on her withers, she refused to take her eyes off the huge predator, carefully watching for any changes in its movement.
“Au-Autumn w-what do we do?” whispered Tales his voice shaking as he asked Autumn all of the happiness that they had felt moments ago long forgotten. Before Autumn could respond the timberwolf lowered its huge lumber body to the ground in a very familiar pose to the silver-maned filly, her eyes widened and she dug her hooves into the ground before whispering past her clutched fangs “We run...hold on,” said Autumn baring her fangs as she turned as fast as she could kicking dirt and rocks into the Timberwolves toxic slime green eyes trying to buy them some time to get away.
Tales squeezed his terrified orange eyes shut and held back a whimper as his leg shifted; Autumn turned quickly as her hooves beat hard against the ground as she galloped across the forest floor. The unicorn colt wrapped his hooves tightly around Autumn’s neck and held on for both of their lives as the huge creature shook its head pawing at its eyes trying to clear out the dirt that the brave filly had kicked up, snarling as it began its chase, its paws pounding against the ground close behind them.