//------------------------------//
// 2 Heroism 
// Story: Not Your Average HiE Story 
// by Aegis Steelshield 
//------------------------------//

	I've been in the forest for who knows how many days. four, maybe five? I couldn't quite tell because of the forest canopy.

At least my identity was still safe. If they did take a look at me when I was out, all they saw was a mass of cuts, scars, and blood. I hope.

But I couldn't dwell on it. I was being followed by something here. I'd outrun it if I wasn't sure that would reopen more of my various injuries. I'm amazed that I can walk at all. Whatever it was, it was big. I don't think it's smart either, because it wasn't doing much to hide itself.

With a roar a strange winged lion crashed out into the clearing.

With a roar I charged it.


*	*	*	*	*


"Okay girls, we're not trying to scare it. We just want to make sure it gets any medical attention it needs," the purple unicorn known as Twilight Sparkle said to her assembled friends.

"He. It's a boy." said the cream colored Element of Kindness.

"How can you be certain? It was unconscious until it fled." Rarity fanned herself, "I wish we could of waited for a cooler day for this dears, this heat is dreadful."

"This was the only day I didn't have chores, Rare. And a lil' heat won't kill ya." The orange mare adjusted her saddlebags, "And how are you sure, 'Shy?"

The pegasus blushed and looked to the ground. "Um... I-I took off his clothes so I could put the bandages on him."

After a few seconds of silence, she looked to her friends. "What? Bandages don't put themselves on."


*	*	*	*	*


The... Thing ran off. Okay, it limped off, whimpering. Now, I'm not mean to animals, but I have no qualms about hunting it down for food. It's lucky I'm not hungry. I totally didn't let it go because I was bleeding badly. No way.

I readjusted the bandages on my shoulder, and checked to see if my face was still covered. Then I started to head to a different clearing, closer to the edge of the forest. I was in no mood to get attacked again today.


*	*	*	*	*


The search yesterday went badly from the start. They got lost almost immediately and lost a good portion of their food, canceling their plans to camp out. Not to mention Rarity was terrified of most of Fluttershy's forest friends. To be fair, they were rather big.

She was back in her clearing when she heard the beating of wings above her. A glance up and she confirmed that Rainbow's bully of a friend, Gilda, was landing. Fluttershy tried to hide behind her mane, but it was useless.

"Hey Fluttercry! Still afraid of your own shadow? Pathetic. You're a disgrace, dofus. How'd you learn to fly? From an Earth Pony?" The mare lowered herself as Gilda insulted everything about her, hoping she would leave.

Gilda had pulled back her clawed fist, when the voice spoke out.


*	*	*	*	*


"Leave her alone."

Great opening. The... Griffon? Wow, this place has everything. Well, they both turned to face me, and their eyes bulged. Must be the bloodiness that has defined my fashion sense lately.

"Wh-Why don't you make me?"

Big mistake. I used one hand to lift up a rock that barely fit, their eyes following it the whole way. Then I crushed it into gravel.

"Would you like to rephrase that?"


*	*	*	*	*


His voice was like gravel and radio static.

'He probably hurt his throat out there...' Fluttershy thought, 'I hope that he'll let me at least change his bandages. Maybe if I asked nicely.'

Her head turned as Gilda squawked and flew off. When she turned back, only seconds later, her savior was gone.