//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: You can talk?! // Story: "Trollen Floggen" // by Odsin Ends //------------------------------// “Um, un-understand?” The creature said with a raised eyebrow. It patted it's chest as if that would make communication easier for them. But after a few seconds of scared silence, the creature grasped it's forehead and sighed. “Of course not Dmitri', horse don't talk. Don't be silly.” “u-um, I can talk.” Fluttershy replied barely a whisper, so low that a pony would probably not be able to hear her. The creature's long slender ears twitched, however, and he looked over to the small pony with a shocked face. “Really? Vell....Um....sorry for almost eating you than.” The creature put his hand behind his head and redirected it's eyes so they looked anywhere but the small yellow pegasus. “I, uh...I try not to eat vhat can talk....uh....vell.....mine name is Dmitri, is.....pleasure?” The creature gave a very toothy very awkward smile. Fluttershy nervously, though admittedly much less nervously than a second ago, returned it, but hide behind her mane a little bit. “I'm, Fluttershy,...” She said through her mane, as quietly as she could. “Dah, vell, vhat are you doin'c here Fluttahshy? Or do you live here an' am I trespassing?” Dmitri said, trying to be as playful as possible. Fluttershy didn't feel the same way. Tears formed in her eyes, and before Dmitri' could say a word, Fluttershy was bawling her eyes out, and speaking at a mile a minute. “IcameheretofindoutwhatwasmakingthebiggrowlingsoundandIshouldn'thavecomeinthecavebutthelightningandthunderscaredmesoIjumpedintofindyoubutyouweremeanandscaryandthecavecollapsedandnowIcan'tfeelmylegsand I just wanna go hooooome!!” she bawled. The giant creature in front of her seemed to be taken a back by this, and wasn't sure how to handle the situation. But after a second, a look of determination blossomed on his face and he came to Fluttershy's side, and patted her on the head. “Shhh shhh shh little von, I vill help you.” Dmitri' said as he moved to her hind legs. “Let's just see vhat sort of damage has been dun, dah?” “Be careful!” Fluttershy shouted, a sharp concern piercing her normally calm demeanor, though it still wasn't a very loud shout. “I can't feel my legs....” “Dah, It's alright.” Dmitri said with a reassuring smile, his booming voice becoming something altogether softer. “I know vhat I'm doing,...now, can you feel this?” “Uh, no.” Fluttershy said sheepishly. “Uh,..... no problem then, 'ow bout this?” Dmitri said with another poke at her hindquarters. There was no movement, and before she responded, Dmitri' knew she would at least be paralyzed for life....well, if he wasn't here that was. No use worrying her. “Dah! You're fine. Mostly shock. I'll dig you out” Dmitri said as he reached a claw up to his wrist. He winced a little as his artery was cut, but he needed the blood to flow freely and for a while. Reaching over, out of her sight, as not to worry this small pony, Dmitri' grasped the rocks crushing the Pegasus to the ground and hefted them to the side in one quick motion. As the rocks shifted, the Pegasus’s blood began to leave her in spurts, and Fluttershy gasped in pain. She was certain her life was coming to an end. Dmitri' however, was ready. In the same fluid motion, the blood spurting from his arm covered her backside, and Fluttershy's body began to heal. The process....didn't start as quickly as Dmitri' would have liked, he must really have been damaged by that fall, but it was happening. Fluttershy's color was coming back. As she shakily stood to her hooves, She looked back at her hind legs with wide eyes. They were just fine. She was just fine. In fact, there wasn't a scratch on her! Though there was a little bit silver on her flank, and Dmitri' was holding his wrist.... “You're injured!” Fluttershy said with a look of concern. Dmitri smiled and waved her off, but her motherly instincts were kicking in. “Oh my, I need to take a look at that!” “No, no, am fine!” Dmitri' said with a deep and throaty chuckle, as he hid his wound. It wasn't healing as fast as he would have liked, once again, and he was beginning to feel lightheaded. He needed to eat soon. “Just cut self on rock. Not bad vound.” “Mister Dmitri'!” Fluttershy said forcefully, even though she was still shakily trying to maintain her balance. “I would feel much better if you allowed me to see that wound, so please, if you wouldn't mind,” Dmitri' took a sharp intake of breath, but eventually allowed her. Showing his arm to Fluttershy seemed to pacify the mare. “Is not real problem, troll heal fast.” “Troll?” She said pleasantly, trying to keep her bedside manner. “Is that what you are?” “Yesin, that is vhat I am.” Dmitri' said proudly as he puffed out his chest. “I am Dmitri', Troll, und holder of sacred artifact of clan.” “Oh my, that's an impressive title.” Fluttershy said with a genuine smile. As she turned his hand over in her hooves. His wound was actually beginning to heal, but she was still not content to leave it be until she had tied it up with bandages from her pack, and poured some disinfectant on the wound, though not necessarily in that order. “So, what is the sacred object of your people?” “It's...vell, not here right now, but is shtick.” Dmitri' said with a shrug. Fluttershy gave him an incredulous look. “Vhat? Is a very good shtick.” “I'm sure...” Fluttershy said with a shake of her head and a smile. She was taking this time to look over her new troll friend, and see if there was anything else visibly wrong with him. “So, I've never seen a troll like you before....normally trolls aren't so.... hairy,.... oh but no offense.” “Oh, not surprising.” Dmitri' said with a grin. “Not from...not from round here.” “Okay then,” Fluttershy said happily. She'd have to question him more thoroughly later. “It looks like you're all set. You really do heal fast mister troll, I...” Fluttershy immediately fell over, buckling under her own weight. Dmitri' was ready for this though, and caught her before she hit the ground. “Hey, take easy. Body still in shock.” “Oh, oh my,” Fluttershy said in a winded voice. Dmitri' smiled slightly at this. “I vill carry you out of here, dah?” Dmitri said with a toothy grin. “Um, but, do you know the way out of here- eep!” Fluttershy was interrupted mid sentence when the troll picked her up and placed her on his left shoulder, which was very broad. Dmitri' kept one hand on her to steady her, just in case, and soon she found herself nestled into the comfy fur. “Have good nose, follow your scent out, und we get out.” Dmitri' said with a nod. “You can do that?” Fluttershy asked, with reverence. Dmitri' managed to puff his chest out a little more. “No problem, Troll nose best in business, home in time for,...vell, home pretty quick.” Dmitri' said with a shrug. “Not sure vhat time is.” Dmitri' said proudly while still smiling like a madman. Fluttershy couldn't help but be infected by his enthusiasm, and soon found herself smiling as well. After all, she wasn't that much worse for wear, she could walk. That was more than she had expected. After about an hour of him backtracking her steps, Dmitri found the way out of the cave. It was light outside now, and Fluttershy realized that she must have been out for quite a while. Dmitri' hadn't said anything while he was inside of the cave because he needed to concentrate on following her scent. But the moment the mixture of star and moonlight greeted the pair, Dmitri' let out a hardy laugh. “See?” Dmitri' said clearly proud. “Is like, von two three.” “That is very impressive.” Fluttershy said sleepily. She failed to suppress a yawn. Dmitri wasn't too worried about her, the healing process could take a lot out of a body. It still expected the nerves to be screaming in pain, or be numbed and dead. The fact that they weren't, well, it was part of the shock. But still, being carried on his shoulder seemed like it might take a little to much out of her. She was just a little pony after all. Fluttershy let out an eep again as he hoisted her up, and then cradled her in his arms. “Oh, no, you don't have to..”Fluttershy was silenced mid sentence as the troll put up one of his clawed digits to her lips. “Am strong troll, don't vorry. Strong take care of veak.” Troll said with a chuckle. Fluttershy seemed to be a little bit offended at his comment, but she was to tired to argue. “Only von question, Fluttahshy,” “Oh, and what's that?” The pegasus said sleepily. “Vhich vay are ve going to?” Fluttershy chuckled softly as she snuggled into his fur, it really was comfortable, and warm, then she pointed halfheartedly in a direction with her wing. The troll nodded, then attempted to hum her a song to lull her to sleep, while rocking her back and forth like a child. Fluttershy hardly even minded at all, to tell the truth. Earlier..... Angel was running through the darkness, his master's scream still fresh in his ears. He knew that Fluttershy shouldn't have gone into those woods alone, he knew it, and her echoing cry of pain and fear was just confirmation of it. But she always had to be so damn kind! Even if would be the death of her. The closest building was the library, and Fluttershy had mentioned somepony new in town was now living there, somepony he should go to for help. Angel arrived and rapped as loudly as he could on the door with his feet. He didn't stop until the door opened up and a small purple lizard man was standing in front of him, a perplexed look on his face. “Uh, hello?” Spike said looking down with a raised eyebrow. Immediately, the small bunny began to motion wildly and make all sort of sounds, something that spike was sure was something of panic. “Um...wait right there. Twilight!” Spike yelled up the stairs. A tired groan answered him, but spike didn't stop. “There's somepon-er someone here to see you!” The purple unicorn descended the stairs, circles darkened under her eyes. She was grumbling immensely. Twilight Sparkle was tired, she'd just saved Equestria for Pete’s sake! She deserved some sleep! And now spike was having her come and talk to a......Rabbit. She gave spike a glare, and the slammed the door shut with her magic. “.....Ha ha, very funny Spike. Don't get me up again unless it's important.” “Uh, actually, twilight, I think....” Spike was interrupted by the sound of loud rapping on the door again. Twilight cringed, rolled her eyes and went to open the door again. The bunny once again began frantically moving it's little paws, and making small audible noises, trying it's best to communicate with the purple unicorn. Twilight brought a hoof to her face and sighed. “I can't understand you, who do you think I am, Fluttershy?” She said exasperated. However, at the word Fluttershy, the bunny jumped up and down as fast as it could. She raised an eyebrow. “Uh, did Fluttershy send you?” The bunny nodded frantically, and Twilight's brow furrowed. “So, uh,......what do you want?....” The rabbit wildly motioned for Twilight to follow him, and she rolled her eyes at first. But then, it looked at her with pleading eyes. She huffed. “Fine, lead the way. Spike I'm going out for a bit.” “Okay Twilight,” Spike chuckled a little bit as he watched twilight and the rabbit run towards the Everfree. But he stopped when a dark chill ran down his spine. Spike shivered and looked around, it was as if someone had breath like Ice water, and they were breathing down the back of his neck. But the feeling left as quickly as it came and spike was left alone in the library, shivering slightly. “Huh,” He thought, “Weird....” Angel and Twilight had just arrived at Fluttershy's cottage. Twilight rolled her eyes, wondering what had been so important that Fluttershy had seen fit to get her up in the middle of the night to see about it, but when she walked up to the door, the bunny grabbed her hoof and pulled her along. “What? Isn't she....” Twilight stopped as she interpreted the situation. The rabbit was motioning wildly to the Everfree forest, not the cottage. He looked absolutely terrified. It was the middle of the night, and Fluttershy wasn't the type to ask for any sort of help when it would put people at an inconvenience. “Did,” Twilight's voice was aghast with surprise. “Did she go into the Everfree forest?” The bunny shook his head yes, barely holding back tears. Twilight's eye twitched for half a second. Her mind raced with the possibilities, but then stopped. Her friend was in danger, probably, and most likely was in need of help. Imagining what could have happened wouldn't be productive at all..... of course that wasn't stopping her from doing it. Angel observed the color drain from Twilight Sparkles face. She immediately bolted backwards towards Ponyville. She needed to get her friends together, and they needed to find Fluttershy yesterday.