//------------------------------// // Run, Run as Fast as You Can // Story: The Fog on the Other Side of the River // by tastetheRainbowDash //------------------------------// I passed my trees in a blur. How could somepony possibly try to kill me? Maybe it wasn't me that they were looking for. As soon as this thought had passed through my head, I stopped. Dead in my tracks, i cocked my head to the side to listen. No noise. I tilted my head up to smell the air. The scent was still there, very strong. But not as strong as it was when I was staring into the clearing. I turned around. Nothing. Well, nothing unless you count the numerous trees, leaves, and harmless woodland creatures. I heaved a sigh of relief. They weren't hunting for me. The pegasi... I stopped my train of thought. Pegasi... I looked up to a pleasant sight of leaves and branches. What little space was left unoccupied, specks of blue light flittered through. Satisfied that nopony, especially not the blue one wielding knives, was around me, I sat down.I was still hungry, but thankfully, I had sat down next to an apple tree filled with nice, plump, granny smiths. I came to the conclusion to sort my thoughts through before I would do anything else or overreact like I did once again. But before I could think about anything, I was surrounded. Rabbits, deer, and squirrels all ran to huddle around me at once, which was quite odd because they usually ran from me. The animals parted to reveal a great buck, taller than even me, walking towards me. It was carrying something. A letter. But who would write a letter to me? How would they have known I existed? How did they even know where to find me? More and more animals gathered, as if protecting me. I took the scroll out of the large buck's mouth, opening it. I know who you are. And I know how to find you. But there is only one thing that you need to know. Unlike my friend, I am not hunting you. I am trying to save you. I have sent animals to try to protect you. From her. My name is Fluttershy. And try to keep safe. I finished reading and looked up. There were more animals here than there were when I had started reading the mysterious not from Fluttershy. My initial reaction was WHAT. Somepony was trying to save me. From her friend. And I had to guess that the friend was the one cowering underneath the tree. Why would she want to save me? Why would anypony want to save me? I was a monster, a freak of nature. More animals crowded around me. Why? They had never liked me before. To them, I was just a mere nuisance. Was this shy pegasus, Fluttershy, controlling them? Or did she merely just tell them to stay by my side? I sat there, unsure of what to do. If I moved, would the animals follow? Will they stand up and hop out of myway as I walked through? I didn't want to take that chance. So I sat. I just sat and thought. Then it hit me. Ponies were scared of me for a reason, right? A reason some knew not of until they have seen me. I strike fear into their eyes. Fear and hatred. I stood up, confident in myself. I've lived with hunger for acceptance and yearned for its touch. I knew I could end it all today. So, once again, I ran. But this time, I ran toward the mare who was trying to kill me. I also ran toward the mare who was trying to save me. What would I do with her? Would I eat this so-called "Fluttershy"? Or would I just go to kill her rainbow maned friend? I somehow doubted that I would be able to do the latter.Mostly because if murdered her friend, she'd turn on me. My peaceful life in this forest would end. Everypony would be tracking me. Me, the one they call the Slenderpony. Honestly, how could they even consider me a pony? Sure, I held the shape of a pony, though I had no mane. My tail was pitch black and wasn't really a tail, more like tentacles. I wore a suit, which kept its perfect shape and classiness, even when I scraped by bushes. My red tie was bright as ever. The only real difference was my face, that is, if I had one. I thought about this Fluttershy character. She seemed shy, as stated in her name, and she also seemed... What is that word? The word is simple, yet strong. Powerful, yet settling. Generous? No. Loyal? No. Kind? No... Wait. Kind. That was it! She was kind. Why would she even talk to the one she mentioned in her letter, known as "Rainbow Dash"? She didn't seem like she would care. If I took Fluttershy into my custody, would she avenge her captured friend? Would she believe that she was dead. No, I couldn't imagine that. I was not, nor ever was, a bad pony. An evil pony. I merely did most of what I do out of hunger. Everypony has to eat, correct? I was no exception. Unless you consider eating with your mouth, where as I dissolve ponies into my body. And not just ponies. Fruits, vegetables, and many other things. I could practically consume anything. Literally. My thoughts continuously came back to the topic of the two delicious smelling mares. If the one did end up finding me, how would I deal with her? Would I simply kill her? Take her soul, as some say? Or would I consume the mare? Or would I... Keep her? I admit it. This forest was lonely. There was nopony that could be my friend, not that anypony wanted a friend like me. I finally concluded that no matter how good the mares smelt, that I would keep them. Either one, though if I kept that Rainbow Dash I would have to keep a close non-existent eye on her. Fluttershy would be a better choice, but most ponies have lives to return to. Not that I knew too much about having a life. I would actually prefer it if my life ended. Then why was I so scared? I didn't want to die, and I knew I couldn't. Many have tried, and I murdered them in cold blood, sometimes even without consuming their carcasses. I stood up, for once ignoring the little animals around me. Surprisingly, I didn't step on any. I started to walk, walk towards the little clearing the two mares were in. I didn't notice however, the footsteps behind me. Well, I actually did notice, but I didn't pay much attention to them. I kept walking. About a minute of walking had passed, and I stopped my my little Miracle berry bush, to grab one on the go. Then it hit me. Literally. I turned just in time to see a rainbow mane collide with my face and a little yellow face in the distance, crying.