//------------------------------// // House of Everfree: Everfree Wraiths // Story: Equestria Divided Tales // by Grenazers //------------------------------// In the deepest depths of the Everfree forest, a lone earth pony stallion was galloping through the woods. The pony galloping, was covered in scars and his coat was stained with his own blood. The pony was also panting heavily, for he has been trying to escape his pursuer. As he was galloping through the dark forest, he could the screams of his comrades from afar. Their dying screams echoed through the vast forest, for everyone to hear. One by one more screams can be heard, the stallion wished he could go help them, but he dared not to. Otherwise he will share their fate. Far behind him a bloodthirsty creature was galloping after the injured stallion. Despite the great distance between them, the creature can smell the stallion's blood. This made it easy for him to hunt the stallion in this vast forest. Soon enough, the stallion heard the sound of the approaching creature. He tried to move faster, ignoring the pain his body was giving. Despite all his efforts, his predator was already a few hoof away from him. The creature then lunged at the galloping pony, pushing him down on the dirt ground. The stallion tried to buck the creature off his back, but the beast was too strong. He then flipped the pony on his, allowing him a clear view of his soon to be killer. The pinned stallion looked up at the creature, it looked like a pony. But, that was the only thing that was similar. Everything else was totally different. The creature's body was partially covered in scales, there was antlers growing on top of his head, the eyes were reptilian, his face had strange markings, and the once flat teeth have turned into fangs. This was no longer a pony, instead it has been replaced by a savage beast. The beast widen his jaw, showing off his many menacing sharp fangs to his prey. He then proceeds to sink his teeth into the stallion's neck. At this moment the down stallion knew he was going to die, in his head memories flash before him. His most recent one was the memory that led him to this predicament. 4 hours earlier It started off like any other day. A normal day for this brown stallion with white mane. His name was Crackdown and he, and several other ponies were resting around a camp fire. This group of mercenaries is camped near the Everfree forest. In a few moments they will all get up and head into the hostile territory of the House Everfree. Their client has hired them to enter the forest and capture the various wildlife. They are mostly targeting for the smaller ones; such as timberwolves, parasprites, cockatrices, and various other unique creatures. They didn't know why the client want with these creatures, but then again they don't really care. A whistle alert everyponies attention and all eyes are drawn towards their leader, Buck Bronco. Once he got their attention, the earth stallion told everyone that it was time to do their jobs. Before they proceed he asked if anyone had any questions. When no hooves were raised, Buck turned around and lead the group into the forest. Upon entering, Buck told everyone to split up so that they can get this done fast. They all followed his orders and split up into pairs. Crackdown paired up with another earth pony named Cutter. Cutter was a white coated stallion with gray mane. The two mercenaries decided to go deeper into the forest, hoping to find their target quickly and get out. After a couple of minutes passed, the two found animal tracks. They followed it to an open clearing, in this wide area the two found their target. Lying in open, is a cockatrice. This reptile and chicken hybrid was apparently resting, upon closer examination the creature seems to be injured. The two theorized that the cockatrice must have been targeted by a larger predator, it escaped, but not before sustaining an injury. The two smiled at each other, with their target injured it will be an easy catch. Crackdown told Cutter to sneak around, their plan was for him to lure the injured creature to his partner, who will appear out and catch it. The brown stallion waited for his partner to go around, once he saw the gray pony signal him, he dashes at the cockatrice. The cockatrice heard him coming and made a mad dash into the nearby bushes. The brown stallion saw the critter head towards where his partner was hiding. However, instead of a gray pony popping out and nabbing the cockatrice, it just went through the bush. Surprised and confused, Crackdown went in and find his partner. Instead of a gray pony, the stallion found a small puddle of blood. The blood was still wet, indicating that it was recent. Panic started to sink into the stallion, he found a blood trail leading to another bush. Raising his knife, Crackdown slowly followed the blood trail. As he followed the trail, the pony was starting to hear the sound of something behind another bush. The stallion moved through the bushes and came across something shocking. Lying dead on the ground was Cutter, above the corpse was a scaly beast with antlers, eating him. Never before had this stallion seen this creature. He tried to trot away, but the scale covered creature already sense his presence. It let out a ear-piercing screech and charge at the brown stallion. Crackdown turned around and run, but was pushed to the ground. He then felt the beast's fangs piercing his sides. He tried to struggle, but the beast kept him pinned down. It then sunk its teeth again, making Crackdown scream in pain. The stallion rolled face up and faced his assailant, and before it can plunge its fangs into his neck, it was stopped. Crackdown held the beast's head with his one hoof, he then jabbed his knife into its neck. The creature died when its neck has been pierced, its lifeless body collapse on the pony. Crackdown pushed the body off of him. Taking a few minutes to recollect himself, he moved towards the dead creature, to retrieve his knife. It took him a minute for him to pull the knife out, by the time he was done pulling it out, he heard a scream nearby. Crackdown rushed to the source of that sound unaware of the twitching body of dead creature. Crackdown found two of his comrades combating another of those scaly beast. The two ponies circled around the creature, trying to find an opening to attack. The beast in the middle kept its eyes and ears on the two ponies, it watched and listen in case either of them left themselves exposed. Its eyes draw towards one of them and it lunge at him. The other pony watched in horror as his partner's neck was torn off. Seeing this as a good opportunity, the brown stallion came out and plunge his knife behind the creature's neck. After killing the beast, Crackdown turned and faced the other pony. He remembers his name was Strong Back and ask him if he knows where the others are. Before Strong could say anything, they both heard the sound of screaming. Both ponies galloped to the source leaving the supposed dead creature behind. The two found the rest of the mercenaries, battling against a lot of those same creatures from before. The two ponies charged in, joining their comrades in battle. Weapons were swung, flesh was torn, and bones were broken. The battle was long and intense, both sides were gradually losing their members. However, this battle was teetering on the side of the creatures, at this point the ponies made a shocking discovery. The creatures they took down started to get up, their wounds slowly regenerated before their eyes. The ponies were panicking now, some them galloped off into the woods, leaving the few who stayed, dangerously outnumbered. Among them that left was Crackdown, he realized that this battle was a loss and tried to make it out like the others were doing. Unfortunately, Crackdown and the other runners didn't last that long. Present Crackdown lay down on the ground, his killer standing over him. Its jaw open, ready to plant them deep into his throat and tear it out. But, before it can do that, something knock it off the pony. The brown stallion stared in surprise at his savior. It was Buck Bronco, covered in blood and scars. He glared down at pony that deserted them, but nevertheless he told to get up. Now with the company of his leader, they both galloped through the forest while being chased by the terrifying creatures. They both galloped until they made to the edge of the forest, by this time the beast gave up the chase and allowed the two, to escape the forest. Outside the two halted and took a breather. They waited for any others to come out, an hour passed and no pony came out. Realizing that the others were probably dead, the two decided to leave and head back home. Crackdown slowed down and gave one last look at the Everfree forest, deep inside, the yellow eyes of the creatures watched as the brown stallion turned around and rejoined his friend. After the ponies left, the creatures returned into the depths of the forest, patiently awaiting any other foolish enough to cross their turf.