An unusual portion of sky above the Everfree Forest was covered with insidious clouds that turned the already overcast evergreen strewn forest even darker. The forest below, usually filled with the sound of life and activity, was currently devoid of that life save for the sound of hooves on dirt, the crackling and snapping of broken branches, and thin trees.
She ran through bushes and leveled small shrubs in her haste. From behind, the sounds of heavy breathing and the faint smell of putrid rot pursued her as she ducked under low branches and weaved between narrow trees. Branches breaking akin to the sickening crunch of bone compelled her already fast heart rate to race even faster. She thought of how a similar fate might await her.
The Timberwolves that pursued her were the size of small houses and were made of wood hence the name. They cared not for the obstructions the pony ran through; they demolished the forest in their dogged chase.
Fluttershy only got more uncoordinated with every thicket she forced her way through and stumbled more frequently, allowing her pursuers to gain on their potential meal. Flying wasn’t an option in these close quarters as she wouldn't be able to gain enough altitude in time to escape the Timberwolves jaws. She thought of her six closest friends and how they would grieve for her. As well as the poor animals in her care that were awaiting the medicine she carried in her saddlebag.
As Fluttershy imagined their distress she pushed on through the undergrowth and foliage with renewed focus and determination into bright rays of the sun in from of her.
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Kadin's eyes drifted open as the barest of sunlight filtered in through the trees and danced across his face. The sounds of the forest returned to him, but there was something strange about them. His daze was interrupted by a memory of a bright flash followed by a vast darkness.
Kadin quickly got to his hooves and looked around in panic for Nora, but she was nowhere to be seen in the small clearing he found himself in. Kadin readied himself to call her name. The sound of something large crashing through the trees stopped him. He started to turn away from the sound and prepared to bolt when the sound of hoofbeats caught his ear.
"Nora?" he called as he turned and squinted into the murky darkness of the forest.
"Oof!", a cream and pink colored blur crashed into him and yelped as the impact carried them both further into the clearing, their momentum flung them over a short cliff near a fast moving river.
The three Timberwolves, once in hot pursuit, now slowed to surround their prey. The river behind their quarry should leave them with nowhere to go.
The cervid and equine shakily got up from their brief tumble. The Pokemon and pegasus appeared no worse for wear, although the pegasus had garnered a few scratches from her mad dash through the forest. They glanced at each other briefly before focusing on the immediate threat warily.
"Ugh, what's that smell", the Deerling recoiled as the acrid stench of the Timberwolves' reached his nostrils.
The pony beside him was silent; she stared at the biggest of the three wolves as it stalked closer growling and snapping as it got closer.
Kadin could see from how the equine next to him stood rigid, likely with fear that it wouldn't be much help. The Timberwolves positioned on either side of them were blocking any attempt at escape. The bigger leader in front of him closed in menacingly.
He got over the offending smell invading his nostrils and stood at the ready.
Kadin wondered what he should do. He had learned most of his attacks from his family but they favored hit and run tactics. Even if escape was an option he didn’t want to leave the creature next to him to such a demise. So, what would Nora do? he pondered. . .
Kadin unguardedly strode up to the big timberwolf in the center. It looked down at him in confusion. Kadin then swiftly jumped up and headbutted the underside of the wooden creature’s maw. Kadin had used Feint Attack. After landing Kadin jumped away as the Timberwolf’s lower jaw fell and hung crookedly off its face.
It looked surprised for a moment before throatily growling in rage. It used a paw to fix its jaw, its glowing green eyes never leaving its attacker who stared back in turn.
Kadin watched as it fixed its jaw and noted how it responded in annoyance and not in pain. After fixing its jaw the timberwolf barked and growled before charging him. Kadin glanced at the other two wolves in case this was an attack order.
This was not to be the case as they stood their ground while the leader charged. Taking time to do this however proved to be a mistake, for when Kadin attempted to dodge the charge it was delayed and he was grazed by the rough beast.
While the blow did little to injure him, it did stagger him briefly and allowed the wolf a second attack.
Kadin recovered as it charged him a second time.
This time he dug hoof into the ground below and threw a Sand Attack into the wolf’s eyes before jumping away at the last second.
The beast whined as it shook its head about, but couldn’t quite get all the sand out its eyes as a result its vision was slightly impared.
The pony spectator looked on in awe at the battle before her, fear still in her eyes, now afraid for her savior who she knew could have run away and left her by now. She looked on worriedly from where she stood and hoped the young deer fighting for both their lives would be ok.
The beast huffed in annoyance before charging once more.
Kadin prepared to jump out of the way again.
The Timberwolf was ready this time and managed to bite down on his elusive target.
Kadin screamed as his back left leg was caught between the Timberwolf's jaws.
He was lucky the gap between the fangs was significant otherwise he wouldn't have that leg anymore, but the pressure was terrible.
Kadin kicked the beast in its mouth with his one good leg twice, but it barely fazed the creature. He was slammed into a nearby tree for his troubles. With the pain and adrenaline keeping him conscious Kadin tried to use Double Kick, as before, the first kick did nothing. Kadin closed his eyes and tried again.
The second kick knocked the top half of the big monster's skull clean off! Critical Hit!
The rest of the beast stood in the same position for a few seconds before crumbling into a pile of twigs and leaves.
The subordinates who were still on standby jaws dropped in shock as their leader's head or what was left of it slid to a stop in front of them. They looked at each other for a brief moment before looking at the recovering deer and began to advance menacingly.
Kadin watched the two advancing monstrosities wearily and used Synthesis on himself, he appeared to glow briefly as he regained his footing. Some of the pain in his chest from being slammed into a tree and his wounded leg subsided as well as a bit of energy returned to him. However the forest canopy obstructed the sun's rays from reaching the forest floor thus impeding the full effect of the restorative move.
Kadin began to sway and his vision blurred. The leg in which he had just healed began to throb with renewed vigor. Confused, he glanced at his leg to see a large splinter embedded within his calf. It oozed a sickly green color. He didn't have time to think about it let alone pull it out, the wolves were almost upon him. He turned to face them head on but his vision swam and his legs gave out from beneath him. Whatever that green ooze was doing to him it was working fast.
The wolves began their pounce to finish him off . . .
Suddenly he felt himself being pulled backwards, off his hooves. The wolves missed and crashed into each other instead. Kadin looked up and saw the strange Pokemon from before carrying him while flying. She had a panicked look in her eyes and stared straight ahead towards the rushing river.
By the time the Timberwolves recovered the two quadrupeds were nearing the river, but they wouldn't make it. The cream colored pegasus was too slow while carrying him. Kadin saw this but simply couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. His last thoughts before succumbing to his fatigue was that he hoped Nora was ok and that maybe this stranger could drop him and make their escape.
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HHRRRGGGYYYAAAHHH! CRASH!
One of the wooden constructs exploded into bits. The other wolf stopped and turned around to see what had demolished its packmate. The dust settled and a small pony- no a zebra stood within, stomping on the leftover remains of the Timberwolf she had just turned into tinder.
"Come here you stupid tree mutt lemme show you what happens when you mess with my friend!"
The now lone Timberwolf looked confused and almost scared at the creature standing upon where its former ally had been moments before. It looked to the retreating prey flying across the river and into the trees on the other side. The construct then started snarling while getting into a crouching stance to attack.
"Still got some fight left in yah, I see. Come at me pine face."
The Timberwolf jumped into the air and prepared to swat this pest with its paw.
Nora smirked as she looked up at the descending beast as her mane brightened significantly.
Flash
The creature fell on its face and stumbled into nearby trees. As its vision returned it looked around the clearing for the zebra but it was gone. It looked confused before yelping in surprise as its head was slammed into the ground. Dazed, it looked up at the zebra standing over it.
"Yea that was Bounce. Neat move huh? Didn't see that one coming."
The Timberwolf gave no response.
"Well that what you get when your a big dumb bully."
Nora lifted her hoof. "This ones' called Stomp. Night Night.
Crack!!