//------------------------------// // One way to leave a forest // Story: Just a kid from Texas // by Funkierparty //------------------------------// “BRADY!!!!!!” I jumped up out of my chair hearing my grandfathers voice calling me. “SIR?” I called back wondering what he could be yelling at me about this time. “GET DOWN HERE I NEED YOUR HELP BOY” “YES SIR” I yelled back hoping I wasn’t in trouble. I put on my shoes and ran downstairs slap my hat on my head and headed outside. Running up to him I could see he was standing next to the big dump truck I’m assuming for the pond he was digging out back. “Yes sir” I asked wondering what I did this time really hoping I wasn’t in trouble. “Did you eat breakfast” looking me up and down making sure I didn’t lie by reading my body language. “No sir” I answered honestly knowing not to lie. it’s never a good idea to lie to the old man. “Well you’ll be hungry in a minute boy. I need your help getting the starter replaced on this big truck. Going to have to use your young man muscles for this one. “Yes sir” I answered proudly ready to help the old man with whatever he needed. Crawling underneath the dump truck I saw what parts and tools we would need to get the starter taken out. After a bit of tinkering I finally finished helping the old man replace the starter and the dump truck was already to go back to work. “Do you need anything else sir” I asked hopefully being able to be helpful with anything else you needed. “Nope I don’t but you need to wake up boy.” “W..what?” “Your in a heap of trouble boy you need to WAKE UP” He seem aggravated And then worried I never saw him worried about anything unless it was money of course. “Wait what do you mean” I asked getting a bit scared. “What did I tell you if you ever get yourself in trouble” He walked to me slapping both his hands on either side of my shoulders. “I....I...” “You need to wake up you got to move.......so get up.....NOW!!!” I guess for air as my I shut up. Unfortunately I slammed my head up again so hard I fell back down holding both my hands to my forehead. “Ouch!!” I look Around at my surroundings realizing that I was......inside a tree. I started to remember almost instantly what happened and I kind of just sat back up slowly trying to come to terms of the prior events. Looking forward at the opening I slowly made my way out of the hollowed out tree wincing in pain from my side and from my arm. I realize that I was more hurt then I thought. I kind of just sat down in the grass staring off into space as the prior events just seem to play on repeat in my head over and over again. I realize this was the first time I was really able to just sit down and think of the situation I truly was in. realizing this was the first time I was really able to just sit down and think of the situation I truly was in. The entire time I entered this..... New World? I was in fight or flight mode acting mostly on instinct. But now I was really able to come to terms and I just began to cry. I didn’t like crying. especially not around people but at this point I kind a wish I was around people........I was...... Alone and All by myself. I quickly snapped myself out of it. Knowing that crying like a child Is NOT going to help me. I took a deep breath and try to focus on something. I looked over my clothes and noticed my jacket only had a few scratches and holes but for the most part he did his job keeping me warm. However my left pant leg was all tore up exposing my left calf and knee allowing cool air to blow up my pants which send chills throughout my body. I ignored it knowing there wasn’t much I could do about it. I brought my focus to my left arm. I could tell it was bruised and a bit swollen while rubbing it. I guess from when I got hit. It stung a bit but at least it wasn’t broken it should go down after a couple of days. My thoughts were cut off from the sound of rustling in the bushes next to me. I am mediately reached for my Last sword I had left but was stopped once I recognized it was one of the little critters that I had met earlier. I lowered my guard and knelt down to my knees feeling a bit happy to see this little guy again. It was the all white fox like creature that I have never seen before. It’s slowly approached me With its head tilted off to the side. “Hey little buddy. It’s nice to see you again” I called out calmly watching It approach closer. It Just simply sat down in front of me And I was able to approach it gently patting the top of a it’s head.It calmed me down a bit to be honest. It’s sort of had the personality of a cat it even purred like one as well as it rubbed his body up against my hand. I stood back up looking off into the trees in front of me preparing myself to move forward. I couldn’t just stand around all day. “ You don’t happen to know where I could find help do you little guy” I looked down asking my new little friend not really expecting much of an answer. It’s just simply licked it’s pause not paying much attention to me. I simply just put my hands on my hips as I stared off at the ground. My hair got my eyes a bit and I brushed it off to the side. I haven’t gotten a haircut in a while my long brown hair was beginning to get in my way. “Man I really wish I had m-“ I Cut myself off realizing I had exactly what I wanted. I took off my backpack and opened it up and dug around in it immediately pulling out The exact item I was looking for. “My hat!” I don’t know why I gave you so much joy to see my hat. I guess because it belong to my grandfather and it was a bit special to me. It was now a faded green but used to be camouflage with an American flag on the front. I laughed a little bit looking at it realizing how silly It was to have such a joy over something so simple. I placed my hat on top my of head And looked forward with a small sense of determination. “I’ve been through shit in these damn woods there’s no way I’m going to stop now” I spoke as I try to motivate myself a bit more to move forward and start walking. As I begin my journey deeper within the woods I noticed the little white friend of mine was following me. I smiled and turned around kneeling before it. “ I guess if you’re gonna follow me around I should at least give you a name“ I spoke to it Softly as I gently pat the top of its head. “ I guess I’ll call you......gabs” I laughed at myself knowing that my grandfather would be mad at me for naming something that could turn into food. but I’m not expecting to kill this little guy it was too small to even provide any meat in the first place. About the size of a cat. I stood back up and started walking forward. for the next few hours I just slowly made my way through the trees. Trying to stay on high alert so I don’t have any more surprises. Eventually realize that gabs was running off on its own I simply said goodbye to it and continued moving hoping that I could one day see him again. probably will to be honest he seems to find me pretty easily. I eventually stopped to make camp resting for a bit and pulling out the leftover fish I cooked earlier so I could eat away at it. I simply sat there looking at the small fire I made just lost in my thoughts until they were cut short by rustling of the bushes next to me. I got scared a bit but realize it was gabs and he looked a bit on edge running up to me frantically. “Well hello again buddy” Immediately ran up to me and started tugging on my pants with its teeth. “Wow what wrong gabs” I was wondering if it just decided to attack me but it seemed let go of my pants turn around and pointed its head in a certain direction and lifted it up it’s leg as if a guard dog pointing at something. “ are you trying to show me something” I asked actually wondering if it could understand me gabs seem to be a bit more intelligent than I originally thought. I was a bit surprised but not as freaked out as I would originally think I’d be but after what I’ve been through nothing really shocked me too much. He slowly started to move forward and I picked up my backpack and started to follow him. He quickly picked up the pace and so did I as much as it hurt my wounds. I ignored the pain as I followed knowing that this could either screw me over or save my life. We quickly approached a clearing and...... I could hear voices in the distance. Immediately picked up the piece thinking that there could be people nearby. I could finally be saved from this crazy unbelievable forest. I soon as I got to the clearing I saw something that truly shocked me and I hid behind the closest tree. I peaked around the edge and realize that those weren’t people they look to be.......giant lizard people? And they were laughing about something. I slowly made my way around the clearing creeping ever so slowly closer to the group of lizard people I could see they were five in total ranging in different colors and sizes. Three of them were about my size one was a bit smaller and the other one was about twice my size. “Bro where did you even find it” I could hear one ask out of the group Seemingly laughing out of excitement. “I found it wondering in the ever free forest when we were flying bye“ The black and purple one said as he walked around the builder they were all looking at. ‘What where they looking at?‘ I wondered as I slowly try making my way around to try and get an angle on what they were looking at. “What are we going to do with it? Are we going to eat it!!! I never had pony meat before” The smaller one asked in excitement. “Mabye but we will need to cook it first” The black one said laughing as he put his clothes together almost evil like. “NO.....PLEASE..... LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!” I wipe my eyes in shock I could hear a girl a little girl and she’s sounded terrified. Started to panic I wasn’t too sure what to do. ‘Shit brady what do you do now......you can just lea-‘ My thoughts were cut off as my instincts just checked in and I charged full speed. I noticed that the black one seem to be leaning back his cheeks expanding as if he was about to spit something in the direction of where I heard that Voice around the Boulder to my left. I didn’t think my body just acted on its own with as much force And strength as I can muster and punched the big black lizard right in the face and it seemingly exploded whatever It was in his mouth. flames coming out of its nose and mouth while blowing us both backwards away from each other. “WHAT THE HEACK WAS THAT!!!!!” It yelled as it leaned up trying to look around while holding its nose. “I..... that thing!!!!!” One of the dragons pointed at me Seemingly shocked at the Site site of what I was. I force myself to stand up smoke admitting for my right arm. sleeve of my Jacket was a bit scorched but my arm was OK. But to be honest I’m not sure if I will be OK. From the looks of it I just started something i’m not too sure I’ll be able to get out of. “What the heck are you? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE PUNCHING ME!!!!!!” “ leave this girl alone!” I growled as I slowly position myself in front of where I think she was from when I heard her voice. I brought my fists up and got myself in a fighting stance. I was so unbelievably terrified the tears slowly started to fall down my face and I was beginning to shake seeing that I was completely surrounded by these lizard monsters that seem to be able to breathe fire.... dragons maybe? But it didn’t matter I have to at least try This protect.....pony? I seen the corner of my eye was a little pony with a white coat and a......Horn coming off her head. “Look dude this thing seams like I it’s trying to fight us hahahaha and.....and it looks like it’s crying WOW” One of the dragons called out Seemingly mocking me for my reaction to facing certain death but I just ignored his words as best I can. “WELL IT MADE A BIG MISTAKE!!” The black one that I originally punched earlier seem to be in raged and charged right at me. ‘Oh shit here we go’ I charged forward right towards him. It seemed like he was about to use his claw to strike me. While picking up speed immediately stopped and slid on the ground slamming my left arm into its legs. He was unprepared for me to do this and flipped right over me slamming his face into the ground. At that moment and memory kind of a locked itself and I could hear my father‘s voice in my head. “ If you’re ever in a fight with someone that’s bigger and tougher than you just use their strength against the bigger they are the harder they fall.” That’s what pa said...right? I was never really able to stand up for myself but this time is different. someone’s in danger... I-I have to fight! I spun around and stood back up getting myself in a low stance. The black one shot his head back up angrily and look back at me, then back at his buddies. “DO SOMETHING!!!!” He yelled at the other dragons as they all seem to scramble around. I guess trying to do what there boss or leader was telling them. One of the skinnier ones proceeded to try and punch me but I fell planting my right hand Onto the ground and smashed my left foot into its stomach. I could hear the air get knocked out of his lungs. With that same momentum I pushed myself away trying to gain a bit more space from the other two that were approaching me fast. The first one tried punching me but I managed to lunge forward dodging it. Sadly the second one slammed its arm onto my back sending me straight to the floor face first. The big one seem to come out of nowhere and kick me right stomach sending me flying to a tree. I struggle to get back up. That kick really did Hurt me. It hit me right where I was impaled and I can feel blood running down my leg. I brought my fist back up ready to keep fighting. I maneuvered dodged in weave as best I could but they were too strong and too fast and whenever I did manage to punch them it felt like I was punching a wall and it didn’t seem to do much to them but make them mad. “ Wow hairless monkey...you seem to be putting up a good fight Just to protect some pony...too bad you’re wasting your time.” The big dragon of the group charged at me ready to swing it’s Klaus right at me I took a step back and pulled out my sword and swing around slamming it right into its hand drawn blood. It took a few steps back holding his hand In pain and looking back up at me angrily. I took a step forward slamming my foot onto the ground kicking dustup and bringing my sword up ready for whatever attack they threw at me. “JUST LEAVE!” I shouted to put the smallest bit I hope that they would go away They would go away before it gets any worse. I was pretty sure that wasn’t going to happen. I wasn’t too good with the sword but I was gonna figure it out on the spot whether I liked it or not. They charged at me from all directions I swing my sword around trying to keep them at a distance. I took a step back trying to stab one of the dragons behind me but it took off into the air another one tried striking me I managed to dodge it but moving right into another dragons claw that struck my left shoulder throwing blood on the ground. I tried blocking a few more of their strikes close until one of them breathe a fireball at the ground blowing me away. I laid on the ground in front of the little pony that i was going all through all this trouble for to protect. She was covering her eyes with her hooves out of fear. I don’t blame her at all. I force myself to try and get back up falling back down on one knee I didn’t even notice but I had a large cut on my right thigh. It doesn’t hurt as bad as I thought it would it was difficult to stand on it I think it was because my adrenaline. I slowly reached Ford put my hand on the top of her head. She slowly looked at me with tears running down her face. “It’s going to be ok” That was all I could really say. I turned and gave her a warm smile. “Aawww would you look at that the hairless monkey is trying to make friends with the pony. Well if you want to be scorched with it so much...THEN BE MY GUEST!!” I tried standing up but I could tell I wasn’t be able to move to good. But I couldn’t just sit there and let them hurt this little thing. so with whatever strength I had left I stood back up and just started swinging my sword I brought my sword up and swing it down trying to scare them away but luckily I managed to cut his fireball that he had shot at me right in half without even realizing it. The ball of fire split into Two and spun around before exploding causing smoke to develop the area around me Knocking me back to the ground. I realized I couldn’t see anything from all the smoke but then I realized neither could they. I took this opportunity put away my sword picked up the little pony and ran into the trees as fast as I could. as painful as it was I did not stop running. “WHERE DID IT GO!!!!” I could hear one of them yell off in the distance behind me. I kept running as fast as I possibly could in the condition that I currently was in but Then quickly slowed to a limp before I knew it. I was desperate looking around frantically as I went through the forest holding the little pony in my arms but it hurt my left arm to do that. Ignore the pain I had one goal and that was to protect this little thing as best as I could nothing else matter to me. I don’t know why something just told me. After a while of maneuvering I finally fell to the ground onto my knees breathing heavily. I slowly sit down the little pony onto the ground and just looked at her for a minute. She seem to be in shock I could see the fear in her eyes that she looked up at me. “It’s ok your safe..... for know at lest” I slowly looked around realizing I’m just as lost as I was before but now with this little pony next to me. “ Th..... thank you“ I heard her whispered to me through her sobbing. It made me feel bad saying how scared she was there wasn’t much I could do all I could do now is make sure she stays safe or try at least. “What are you?” She asked me about a bit of a shaking Voice that caught my attention again. “ well I’m a human. You have never seen anything like me before have you” Wasn’t too surprised when she’s just simply shocked her head no. I lowered my head In defeat. that kind of answer the question that I had in the back of my head. I looked back to her hoping I can get a few answers if I start asking questions. “ so if I mean ask what exactly are you? And what is something as small as you doing out here in this crazy forest” She seem to brighten up a little bit After I asked this I guess getting her mind off of what happened was beginning to help her calm down. “ well I’m a pony A unicorn to be more specific and......well me and my friends where trying to get are cutie marks for Greatest explorers ever greatest explorers ever but.......I got lost And then out of no where I got snatched up by those Scary scary dragons” She kind of froze for a minute I guess really thinking about what happened. “They where going to eat me!!!!” She seem like she was about to cry at the thought I wasn’t too sure what to do at this moment I can’t really think straight I was starting to get lightheaded do to the blood loss. “Hey I didn’t catch your name” I asked trying to get her mind off of the ‘scary dragons‘. “Oh um it’s sweetie Belle” “Well sweetie Belle that’s a very pretty name” I tried complementing her to make her at least a little happy as best I could. “Oh um thank you” She smart a little looking up at me and I just simply return the small back. “Oh I grabbed this. You dropped it” She then proceeded to...... Float my hat towards me. I just kind of stared at it for a moment as I slowly picked it out of the air. One of the most bizarre things I have ever seen in my life but I’m not really that surprised anymore. “Well Sweetie Belle I’m Brady It’s nice to meet you I just wish we were In A bit safer environment. but don’t worry I’m going to get us out of here........do you happen to know where your home is it at?” “Well I believe it’s this way” She looked around a moment before pointing in the direction that we were heading originally. in the distance I think I could see a trail. “Well we better get moving“ I said I said not back down and Picture of back in my arms. I struggled to stand back up but eventually got myself moving forward. She looked down and seen the bit worried as we were walking I guess noticing how injured I really was. I don’t think I even know how I did I was. “Oh my gosh your.....your really heart!” Concern filter Voice as you continue to look down at my legs and back up at me. “ It’s OK I’ll be fine I just need to get you out of here“ “ well you don’t have to carry me I can walk” She seem like she was about to tear up again it’s kind of hurt my feelings but caring her was actually keeping me awake giving me a task to do to focus on so I don’t pass out. “No it’s ok let’s just moving” We made it to the trail and I’m assuming lead to her home. “So......whats the name......of the place where going to” I struggle to ask as I Continued continued limp forward down the trail. “Its ponyville and I think we’re almost out of the forest just a little further” She reassured me As I just kept on moving forward my vision was beginning to become blurry I can’t really hear anything at this point I think she was trying to talk to me but I just couldn’t hear anything just sent like echoes in my head I could hear was my own breathing and my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I eventually made my way out of the trees to an open field and off in the distance I could see the town of ponyville. I was finally out of the forced almost to safety. But my bodies finally shut down. before I fell over I sit down sweetie Belle on the ground before collapsing to my over to my chest. I can feel sweetie Belle pushing on my arm I guess trying to get me back up. “Go i’ll be OK just....ga aaaaa” Darkness consume with me and I eventually just passed. I just hope that sweetie Belle gets to safety at least I would’ve done something useful.