Wish upon a wishing star: A Bronies Tale
Chapter 2
“Time to change”
I am aware of the jump between Chapter 1 and 2. Might be wondering "well, how did he become a pony?" well don't worry all will be revealed in chapter 3! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
I awake from my peaceful slumber and open my eyes only to discover that I am unable to see. I quickly realize that I am … blindfolded. I attempt to remove it but then I discover that my hands are tied! “What the hell is going on”! I say to myself frantically. I feel myself become weightless and carried somewhere. I then get thrown through the air and hit a hard cold floor followed by a slam. Once again I cry out “What the hell is going on”. A very deep and loud voice speaks assertively “Silence”! I feel the thing in which I am on begins to move as I slide slightly.
Another deep, rough but friendly voice speaks to me and says “Hey! Try to keep calm and try not to panic. It only makes things worse!” The voice calms me down a little, probably due to the fact that I know I’m not the only one stuck in this mess but I am still in a state of shock. I am completely confused as to why this is happening to me and well… what is happening to me! “Who are you? Are we being kidnapped? Why are we here?” in a panicking manor. The voice replies with “I said stay calm! And I am the one who is going to get us out of this mess!” I reply calmly this time with “What is going on? Why are we here?” There is a short pause before he replies to me. I assume this is due to him thinking or he is just as nervous as me.
“We have been foretold of you arrival. The stars said that you would come but they didn’t exactly say where you were going to arrive or when you was going to arrive. Because of this they sent out scouts and mercenaries like me all over the land. We were told to bring you back no matter what. Unfortunately for me it was right in the middle of enemy territory! Fortunately for you, you’re with me. So you have the best possible chance!” after hearing this I am even more lost and confused than before. “S… Stars? Scouts? Enemy territory? ... What? And why me? What is going on?” “Ok it’s nearly time for us to move!” he said rather softly. “Now, I’m going to take off your blindfold and untie you and we are going to get out of here ok. Now please try to stay calm and not panic… you promise?”
With what little choice I had I just decided to agree with him as he seemed like my best chance of escape from wherever we was. He sits me upright and slowly removes my blindfold whilst saying “you may have to get used to what you are about to see” as my eyes leave the blindfold a flood of light hits me and my sight is all fuzzed for a few seconds. As I slowly regain my focus I realize that my surroundings are far from what I expected. They are all… cartoon? I sit there for a moment… speechless. I have no idea what to say or what to do as I’m in a cartoon iron carriage that has rusted edges and tiny mail box windows that not even my han… hoof could fit through.
I just slur “c… cartoon… huh” then the puzzled and slightly worried scout asks “are you ok? Is it… normal for you to stare at iron doors back where you came from?” I shake my head violently but the cartoon colours remain. My eyes and head are aching slightly trying to get used to the fact that everything is cartoon. I rub my eyes for a few seconds and then stare at the floor for a few more seconds. “This is a dream isn’t it? Just another dream that is going to end in a few seconds” I say in a saddened voice.
Then the mercenary puts his hand on my shoulder and tells me “I only wish it was flash… but this is as real as it gets. Now look at me in the eyes and promise me you will help us” I am confused by why he called me Flash? But I turn my head towards him anyway and look into his eye. My eyes grow wide as I realize he isn't human… he is a… pony? I just stare at him with wide eyes and try to take in the fact that he is a pony. He is a male stallion earth pony with a scar next to his left eye and has a brown coat with a beige black mane and his cutie mark was a compass facing north.
I gaze in awe into his brown eyes as he says to me “you need to promise me that you are going to help us without you we are lost and we will lose all. We already have lost so much and many good friends and allies. You are our last hope… please” I stare at him for a little while longer to absorb everything that is going on at the minute and then take a deep breath. And with the exhale I say “sure! Let’s do this! I've been waiting for an adventure all my life and now here it is and I’m not about to just chuck it away! Dream or not! What’s the escape plan then! Ow and why did you call me Flash?” the mercenaries face lights up and his eyes widened as I agreed to help and he says “that’s your name Flash. Flash Thunder the princess of the night chose yours. And now, the plan: hold on tight! It’s about to get rough!”
as I stand up I feel incredibly strange as now I have four legs instead of two but I feel like I have been doing this for years and It comes as second nature to me. I heed his warning and prop myself against the carriage wall and grip anything I can. “So what now?” I ask. “Now? Ha-ha? Now it’s her turn. And here she is right on queue!” I look through the window that he was looking through and see a huge unmanned… unponied carriage! I grasp for the nearest grab-able item to me which is an old rusted chain and shackle that was hanging from the roof. I wrap it around my hoof and hold on as tight as I can and hang on for dear life. I can hear the carriage hurtling towards ours at an alarming speed. Just before the out of control carriage smashes into the side of ours, I close my eyes and wait… just like I did with the street kids. I waited…
The force of the thud was incredible, overwhelming me and the mercenary. We get thrown around the carriage like rag dolls in a washing machine. It takes a while for the carriage to stop rolling as it was hit with so much force. The carriage eventually hits a very big and old oak tree that shudders violently as the carriage punches into it. Once stopped me and the mercenary land on the roof which in now the floor of the carriage. We are both very dazed and incredibly dizzy. The mercenary and I cough and force ourselves to our feet. We look towards each other and nod to tell each other that we are both ok. One of the doors to the carriage is missing and the other forced open. This was part of the plan that he and her had all along.
We make our escape out of the wreckage and check the drivers but they are not even attached to the carriage anymore. I look at the mercenary out of breath and slightly beaten and ask “Hey… you never told me your name…” in which he gives a slight chuckle and says “Forest… Forest Chaser… Are you hurt at all?” I have a few slight pains here and there but I don’t tell him as I assume that he is feeling the same. “No, I’m good thanks, you?” he cracks his back and neck and with his rough voice he growl’s “ I've had worse”. I just give him a smile and a little giggle. “She should be here any second” he mumbles. In which I ask “Who exactly is… She?” he turns his head towards me and says “She is my wing ga’l, the only pony I will truly trust, she is Bullet Rose”. At that moment a unicorn pony leaped over the wreckage and landed in front of me and Forest. She had a dark brown flowing mane with a sand color coat, hazel eyes and a feather and sword crossed over as a cutie mark. She faces me and Forest and says “Forest! Good work. I see you managed to get him and be right on cue, I’m impressed. But we are running out of time if we want to get this little pony back to the princess before sun down. Come on! Pip pip! Let’s go!” she has a very assertive and well-spoken British voice and is certainly eager to get on with her mission.
“As you can probably see she doesn't like to time waste. Come on we don’t want to keep her waiting. She isn't the nicest of ponies when she is kept waiting.” Forest catches up to Bullet and they start discussing tactics whereas I take a few seconds and look around to get used to my surroundings then I start to accept where I am and realize that being as though I am already here I had best make the most of it! I mean how often is it you get pulled into your favorite cartoon and get saved by two awesome ponies! Not that often. With this in mind I shout out “Hey guys! Wait up!”
Bullet is the first to break the ice with me “So, I am informed that your name is Flash Thunder?” I have a quick pause and think for a minute and say “Yea, I guess it is! I like it” Bullet lets out a little giggle and says “I’m glad you do” but as soon as she finishes the sentence she turns back into serious mode “Forest, have they located the others?” she asks Forest in a rather sharp manor. He replies with “I’m not too sure communications are fuzzy. But I do know that we are near Ponyville, unfortunately the wrong side of Ponyville, as we are in the Ever-free Forest” in a concerned manor. Bullet just sighs. “Very well then, we must keep moving forward and keep a good pace chaps! Maybe if luck is on our side we may even bump into the others. Let’s get moving then.” Bullet trots on the spot and then power walks in the direction in which she presumes is the way to Ponyville but we trust her judgment.
The Everfree Forest is a lot different to the forest near where I come from. As the one back home doesn't growl or have glowing eyes in the dark but I kind of prefer this one. It feels more… daring; more adventurous. I want to go deeper but I know I can’t. While I was lost in my thoughts about the Everfree Forest the pony forest grabs my attention “Keep your wits about you kid! There are some right nasty’s in these woods not just the eyes between the trees.” I look at him and nod. I look forward and see something like I have never seen before. I tell the guys “What about trees that have eyes in them?” Forest replies with “Huh? This is no time for games kid.”
“Umm… you guys… look” I point in front of them with my hoof towards an 8 foot monstrous wolf that is made completely out of wood, has large red glowing eyes with a red aura covering its huge body. It’s puffing out hot breath at us causing our manes to blow back and forth and it just stands there. Bullet and Forest just turn their head’s slowly towards the timber wolf with wide eyes and open mouths. Suddenly the huge beast lets out a huge roar that is louder than anything I have ever heard! Bullet and Forest get blown back but manage to stay on all four hooves. Whereas I get lifted off the ground and roll across the floor like a bowling ball until I eventually get stopped by a Pine tree. I shake my head violently to regain my focus.
When I look up I see Bullet and Forest turn their head towards each other, nod slowly and give a little smirk. Bullet leaps into the air towards the timber wolf, lands on his snout and jumps off again this time clearing the wolf. The wolf merely snorts to clear his nose and swings for Forest but he leaps into the air, lands on the wolfs arm and runs up his arm, leaps, bucks the wolf in the face and skids on the ground on all fours. The timber wolfs wooden face splits slightly and he lets out another roar! Bullet shouts “Over here you big oaf!” The Timber Wolf turns to face Bullet who launches a rock at its face.
The timber wolf roars at Bullet who struggles to stay on all fours this time but just about manages it. The Timber Wolf charges towards Bullet, who dives out of the way at the last possible second only just, avoiding the charging load of timber. The wolf suddenly realizes that he has fallen for her trap and tries to stop with all his might but it’s too late as he goes head first straight into two trees and gets his head stuck between them. “Take that you big beast!” says Bullet trying to taunt the wolf. “Nice going there Bullet” shouts Forest. Bullet smirks and stands proudly. I am still sitting there in awe trying to take in what just happened. But I hold the thought as I see the Timber Wolf grab between the two trees and pull with all its might! One of the trees give way and snap to release the wolf from its tight grasp.
This has merely angered the wolf, he swipes Bullet before she even has time to react and she soars through the air and plummets to the ground with and almighty thud. She attempts to get up but she is unable and she is too exhausted. Forest see’s bullet and becomes very angry as his face turns from surprise to ultimate anger! He puts one hoof back, tilts his head forward and snorts. “Ow it. Is. ON!” he says to himself psyching himself up. He starts to full sprint towards the wolf getting faster and faster as the wolf also charges towards him too.
My eyes widen as these events unfold! I can’t believe what is happening in a way it’s awesome but at the same time it is terrifying! Forest gets incredibly close to the wolf, spins around and bucks the timber wolfs leg with an almighty “Narrrrr!” the Timber Wolfs leg gets completely obliterated. Hundreds of shards of wood scatter into the air. This causes the Timber Wolf to fall and slide across the floor. Forest the runs over to Bullet and aids her to her feet. “Thank you Forest … I must say … I wasn't … expecting … that” Bullet speaks while trying to regain her breath. “Are you ok Bullet? You’re not hurt too bad are you?” Forest asks in an anxious manor. “Haha, it takes more than that to get rid of this old gal!” Bullet says jokingly with a comforting voice. “But we still have a problem it appears” she adds. Forest just laughs and says “I think I've dealt with him enough, he should leave us alone now.” Sure enough the Timber Wolf lets out a little whine and hops away on its three legs into the dark part of the forest.
This is my cue to meet back up with the two action heroes! “You guys Rock!” they just look at me and smile “they are just easy moves kid” boast’s Forest. “We can’t just leave him with 3 legs though can we?” I ask curiously. “Oh, I forgot you haven’t heard of a Timber Wolf before have you? Its fine, it will just get it back from fallen branches and dead trees.” He explains. “Ow, that’s pretty awesome!” I say eagerly. “Haha, not when they don’t give up its not!” jokes Bullet. “Come on then chaps let’s get to the princess.”
With that said we carry on with our journey to see the princess, I hope that we don’t bump into another one of those Timber Wolves. But I spoke too soon because as we were walking down the old stone and dusty road we heard a rustle from the bushes we all change our stance to defense mode! Forest approaches the noisy bush and pokes it with his hoof. A wolf ejects from the bush and knocks Forest to the ground. The wolf lands in-between me and Bullet. It has grass and leaves all over it! “Is this a … leaf wolf or something?” I ask panicking. “ I've never seen anything like it before!?” Bullet said in astonishment. Then it spoke “I am not an IT! I am a He!” “Gah! It spoke!” said Bullet puzzled. “IM NOT AN IT!” it exclaimed.
The pile of talking leaves then shook aggressively in doing so it shocked Bullet, so she ran into it, took it down and pinned it to the floor. After the dust and leaves cleared I give out a little cough to clear the dust out of my throat. I see Bullet back off of the… wolf? Why are there so many wolves! Bullet speaks to the wolf “Ow, sorry… it’s you” “You? Who is… you?” I ask. “Flash this is one of the others and his name is Kumo. Saying that … where is your guardian?” says Bullet. Kumo answers with “… he’s back there…” some more rustling is heard from the bushes and out stumbles a grey pony with a brown mane, brown tail, a stone sword as a cutie mark and some extra hair around his mouth that resembles a goatee.
He also has a rather humorous accent “Eye! I’m ere now! Ey lad! Were’d ya go? I was fiten that Tember Wolf bey me self! Bat I showed em a thing er too!” Bullet and Forest smile as the Scottish pony tells his story. “Well now there are more of us it should be safer to get to the princess. Come on chaps, pip pip! Lets go!” says Bullet enthusiastically. Then the Scottish pony speaks “Eye! You and yer pipin and yer chapen, don’t ye evar give et a rest?” “Haha! Not with you around chap” answers Bullet. After a long hike through the Ever-free Forest we eventually make it to the outskirts of Ponyville. But it no longer looked like Ponyville instead it just looked like a ghost town, it was just… empty.
The streets were filled with dust, gathered debris and rubbish. Some of the buildings were scorched, broken and destroyed. The clouds over the town were large black and full of sorrow. The statues were defaced and broken. “W… What happened here? This isn't the Ponyville I was expecting. Where is everypony? Why is it all destroyed? I ask as my heart slumps into a deep abyss of disappointment.
My back legs give way and I fall to my back legs and just stare at the broken town. “Flash, didn't you know? The whole of equestrian is at war. For some time they were overruled by a dark force and were made to do its bidding no matter the task. But a group of ponies took a stand, fought back and created a resistance. That’s why we are here! To help them. I know it’s grim but it’s the truth.” Explains Kumo.
I feel like I know the voice but I say nothing as I am too saddened by the town that once was filled with life and happiness which has now become a town full of depression, misery and destruction. “ OK” I say quietly. The sadness suddenly turns to rage! And I get to my feet, put my head up and say “OK, Let’s get to the princess and put a stop to this… this… utter atrocity! I can’t just sit here on my flank and sulk like I always do! It’s time I got off my flank and do something to actually help instead of wishing for it to happen! This is it! This is where I help! This is where things change! This is where I make a mark on the world! This is where I am going to make a difference!”