//------------------------------// // What Lies in the Everfree // Story: A Challenge for Fleur // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// Fleur was deep in the forest, a large fire ruby floating before her. She eyed it carefully, tapped it with her hoof. Her first guess had been that the energy source of the fake town was running low, and now her suspicion was confirmed. This was the third magical battery she’d inspected, and it was just like the others: almost completely drained. There were two more out there, but by now she was confident of the situation. The magic had drained surprisingly swiftly, yet as she thought on the problem she realized that she should have predicted this. She’d activated and reset the illusionary town frequently for testing purposes, and that had to have put a strain on the gem batteries. She should have replaced them right after finishing the place. No matter, this was an easy fix. She’d made sure to store plenty of extra gem’s at Fine’s house. She just needed to trade them and bring these in for recharging. If Fine had learned about gemstoring he could have saved her the trouble of coming out here. Then again, magic wasn’t his forte. Fleur shivered as a breeze blew her mane about her face. It was getting close to dark, and she had no interest in staying out here once night had fallen. Forget the things that lurked out here, it was going to be freezing. She decided to take the ruby with her; the town wasn’t working now, anyway, and maybe she could use it to explain things to Fine when she got back. She was barely walking for five minutes when she heard something moving through the brush, and her guard shot up. She couldn’t be that close to the real town, so it had to be an animal of some sort. She waited patiently, ears perked as the thing moved somewhere beyond her sight. What might it be? Timberwolves? A manticore? Something else entirely? She was not afraid; one didn’t work in Fine’s business without having lethal self-defense abilities. Whatever it was, it wasn’t moving for her. Her head slowly turned to follow the noise. It was headed in the direction she knew the real town to be. She pursed her lips and wondered if she shouldn’t just ignore it. After a few seconds she shook the thought away; what if it doubled back? She should at least investigate to see what it is. This in mind, Fleur closed her eyes and concentrated. Her horn tingled just a touch as she directed the spell towards herself…and the darkness faded. Her spectral vision zoomed forward through the forest, ethereal and fast as a falcon. Barren trees blurred by as she followed the sounds, until her vision at last found and focused on something running through the— She gasped at the sight of Big McIntosh. He had an expression of genuine worry, and looked as though he were chasing something. A moment of fear crept up on her, and she quickly moved her spectral eyes to follow along just over his shoulder. Her fears were confirmed when she spotted the silver mare fleeing in the distance. She released the spell and opened her eyes wide. The distraction town was gone, it couldn’t keep him occupied. That meant he would reach the real town, and if he did… Fleur bolted through the forest, the forgotten ruby dropping to the snow. She had to stop him, he would die if she didn’t! She cursed herself over and over again for neglecting the gem batteries. If her town had been working, Big Mac never would have made it so far! If he died it would be on her hooves. She liked to think she was a good pony. Her jobs under Fine had hurt many, but they were all crooks, villains and monsters. To her knowledge, Big Mac was an innocent civilian. Fleur couldn’t let him die, she’d never live with herself if she did! She tore through the brush, ignoring the clawing limbs that tugged on her mane and tail. Her legs pounded the moist earth like they hadn't done in ages. She had to catch up, she just had to! Minutes passed as she weaved her way through the thick forest, hooves kicking up half-melted snow. She prayed to Luna that she might make it in time. Just how far ahead was he? He was such a big stallion, surely he couldn’t move that quickly through this place. At last she spotted a flash of red in the distance. She pushed her legs a little harder, glad that she was in such good shape. She gradually caught up to him, and noted that he was barreling directly through the underbrush! He left a wide trail of crushed bushed and snapped limbs in his wake. She made for that path and, once free of obstacles, was able to double her speed and quickly catch up to him. “Big McIntosh!” He looked over his shoulder, his face covered in scratches and twigs. His eyes went wide as he saw her, but he didn’t slow down. Instead he looked forward once more and called out, “Help me!” “No!” Fleur was right behind him, now. “Big Mac, stop! She’s not what you think!” He ignored her, tearing after the silver mare that was just beyond their vision. Worry touched upon Fleur’s mind; how close were they to the town? She had to stop him, but there was no way she’d be able to hold back a stallion of his size. Mind working frantically, she focused on a spell. A tree abruptly burst from the soil, right in his way! Big Mac let out a surprised cry, but to her surprise he was able to run right around the tree with only a small drop in speed. How could a pony that big move that quickly?! She growled and jumped right through the wood, the tree fading like a mirage as she let the magic drop. If one tree wasn’t enough… She concentrated again, and soon trees were bursting up all over the place! The thick wood grew much more dense, and now Big Mac was scrambling for some sort of path. Fleur slid to a stop in the moist grass, sucking in sharp breaths as she glared at him. “Come back to Ponyville, Big Mac! You’re going to get yourself killed!” “Nnope!” And he was gone, managing to jump between a real tree and one of her fake ones. Fleur let out a curse and followed, the trees once again fading. Goddess, was he stubborn! She couldn’t let this continue. The sun would be gone soon, the temperature was going to drop precipitously, and that was on top of what was hiding in these woods! She had to change tactics. There was one trick she had that always worked, and it was time she used it. Her horn flashed, and trees began to rise once more. Big Mac dodged and weaved through them, but he was slowing down. She ran through her illusions to catch up, and soon was running beside him. “Big Mac, she’s not worth it!” “Ah can’t ignore her,” he declared, eyes locked on the supposedly endangered mare ahead. “Wah are ya tryin' ta stop me?!” A tight bunch of trees grew up right in front of them, and this time Big Mac had no choice but to stop or run into them. He sneered and turned to move around…and Fleur was in his way. “Big Mac, stop! You have more important things to worry about!” His lips dropped to a dark frown as he observed her. He tried to run around her. She moved to block, and they collided, dropping to the moist ground in a tangle. Which was exactly what she’d been after. She found herself lying on her back, covered in water and snow. Her moist mane lay across her face, a few strands remaining plastered across her muzzle as she pulled it back. Big Mac was leaning over her, and for once there was no subtlety in his glare. “Wah won’ ya let me help her?!” he snapped in her face. “She probably jus’ got away because o’y—” Fleur leaned up and kissed him. Right on the lips. The massive stallion fell back to a sitting position, eyes wide and jaw loose. His cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as he gaped. Fleur offered her most sultry smile. She didn’t bother to wipe away the strands of mane from her face; she knew a seductive look when she had it. More importantly, she had him. Young stallions were so easy to manipu— Big Mac shook his head violently – “Nnope!” – and was off running once more. Fleur’s breath caught in her throat. She sat up and stared after him. He… He rejected her! No stallion had ever rejected her before! She was so good at her job because she was irresistible! How could he have just turned away, like that? Her mind was so muddled with shock and disbelief that it took several seconds to remember why she’d made the attempt at all. When she did remember, her heart slammed into her throat. “W-wait, stop! Come back!” She scrambled to her hooves and gave chase, mind frantic. “Please! I’m trying to save your life!” Big McIntosh had no idea why that crazy mare was going to such lengths to keep him from saving a lost pony, but he refused to be distracted! He scoured the forest for any sign of the silver mare. He wished she hadn’t run in the first place. Now they were so deep in the Everfree he couldn’t be certain of how long it would take to get back home. But he wasn’t going to ignore a pony in need, it just wasn’t right! Bright yellow flashed in the distance. He peered and saw the pony sitting in the woods and watching him. Breathing a sigh of relief, he gradually slowed down until he was moving at a slow walk. He studied the blonde-maned mare, who returned the look with a wide-eyed gaze. She seemed almost…emotionless. He stopped a safe distance away, not wanting to scare her into running once more. He took a moment to recover his breath before calling out, “Hey there. You okay?” No answer. Big Mac eyed the woods around them. It was such a strange place, what with trees popping up out of nowhere. It didn’t seem safe. He leaned forward to address the pony once more. “Are ya lost?” Nothing. Just that unblinking, bright stare. “Big McIntosh!” Fleur had been running so fast that she couldn’t stop, and ended up slipping onto her side as she moved past him. She leapt up, soaked and covered in dirt and twigs, and pressed her forehooves to his shoulders. “Please, we can’t be here! We have to go, now!” She was wide-eyed with panic. What was her problem? He reached forward, lifted her right off the ground and deposited her at his side. She stared with shoulders slumped as he shot her a scowl. Hopefully she’d finally take the hint! He turned to the silver mare once more and gestured. “We’re not gonna hurt ya. Are ya lost?” Fleur let out a frustrated cry. “We’re not going to hurt her?! Do you have any idea what you’ve gotten yourself into?!” He gave her another dark glance before taking a few tentative steps forward. He put on his most comforting smile. “Ya gotta name?” “Why won’t you listen to me?!” Fleur gave him a surprisingly hard hit on the shoulder. “Please! The sun’s…going… Oh no…” Big Mac glanced to the West, but the sun was impossible to see for the trees. But it was pretty dark. He gestured to the silver pony, who didn’t move. Fleur grabbed his tail. “Idiot!” Tug. “Simpleton!” Tug. “Brute!” Tug. “What do I have to do to get you to listen?!” She wasn’t helping matters! Big Mac knew it was going to get very cold very quickly, and that poor mare was going to…to… He gaped as the silver mare started to fade before his eyes. “Big McIntosh,” Fleur snarled from behind him, “if we survive this night, I am going to kill you!” The silver mare’s body was gone…but her eyes were still there, glowing brightly in their ever-unblinking gaze. He took a step back, not sure what was happening. As he watched, black forms began to rise from the earth all around him. What in Celestia’s name…? Fleur was in his face, trying desperately to push him back. “What are you waiting for? Run!” “But…” He looked around as the black forms began to take on distinct pony-like shapes. “What are they?” “I don’t know,” she admitted, wide eyes darting from shape to shape as she kept pushing him. “I don’t care!” They were ponies…but not like any ponies he’d ever seen. They were thin, skeletal. Their bodies where wholly black and dripping with something he couldn’t fathom. Big McIntosh’s uncertainty began to shift into something more primal at the sight of them. He was feeling cold...anxious... Fear. He was feeling fear. His ears tucked as hoarse, thin whispers reached them. “Cuuuurrrrse…” “Theeeey arrre cuuurrrsed…” Fleur turned to face them and backed up. Her horn was glowing dimly, but when she slipped by Big Mac he could see the terror in her eyes. He backed up with her, heart hammering as dozens of black, skull-thin heads turned on them in one creaky, hard motion. “Cuuurrrssed…” “Stooop the cuuurrrse…” Big McIntosh’s breath stopped as red eyes opened in unison to stare into his soul. “Kiiiilllll….” Fleur grabbed him and cracked a hoof across his jaw, knocking him from a reverie he hadn’t even been aware of. “Stop staring and run!” They scrambled in unison, running back in the direction they’d originally come. Big Mac’s hooves pounded the soft, moist soil as trees began to fade like mirages, gradually being replaced by dilapidated buildings. Terror filled him at the sight of more of those black…things peered out from the windows. They were all over! Crawling out from beneath foundations, shambling on broken legs from around corners. A building loomed over them, red eyes peering from its dark recesses. Big Mac tried to stop and slid to the ground on slick snow and ice. The more fleet-hooved Fleur helped him stand, pushing him frantically. “Get up, go!” They darted amongst the hideous creatures, which closed in with skeletal grins and creaking bodies. “Stooooop theee cuuuurrrsse…” “Kiiiillll, kiiillll…” “Proooteeect thee viilllaaaagge…” “Kiiilll theemmm…” “Leave us alone!” Fleur screamed, dodging a feeble lunge from one of the things. Big Mac’s heart pounded as hard as his hooves. He saw a group of the things blocking their path to the edge of this…this ghost town, and lowered his head to charge. Fleur screamed. “No! Wait!” He was moving at full gallop, ready to barrel the monsters over, when a stone wall abruptly appeared in his path. He locked his legs and slid to a stop, just avoiding a collision. Fleur was in his face, horn shining bright in the darkness and eyes wide. “Don’t touch them! Whatever you do, don’t touch them!” She grabbed and pulled him away from the wall, which began to fade with the glow of her horn. “Come on, stop standing there!” The wall disappeared, and three pairs of red eyes gazed unblinking from right behind her. “Kiiiiilllll…” “Nnope!” Big McIntosh grabbed Fleur, who let out a surprised cry as he set her on his back. Then he ran, as fast as his muscular legs could manage. He was filled with fresh horror as more red eyes, more black shambling bodies and more husky, eager voices surrounded him. What had he gotten himself into?! But he kept his resolve. He’d started this trying to save a pony, and he’d end it doing the same!