Chapter 13
Seeing Red
After about an hour or so we finally made it a good way into the Everfree Forest. Nothing so far seems to be any different from any of my other trips into this death trap. Kick jumped off my back and took the lead.
“Follow me Spike.” Kick then took off into the brush.
I followed close behind him. I am happy I had a guide because I knew I wouldn’t be able to find my way through all of this if it wasn’t for Kick. We kept going deeper in while the whole time I was being smacked by sticks and poked by thorns. Then he just stopped.
“We are here.” Kick was sitting there facing a wall of thorns. The amazing thing was I couldn’t tell where the thorns began and ended. While the tree canopy blocked out all but a few rays of light from shinning down. It was a true wall of nature keeping everything of the modern world out.
“This is the barrier to the ‘true’ Everfree. You have to open it to get to where we are going,” Kick walked up to the wall and stood directly in front of it, “Please open your embrace Mother Forest.”
After he finishes his plea all the thorn covered vines started to shack. I watched as they began to part slithering away like snakes. Once the vines finish moving they left an opening large enough for the both of us to enter through. Kick looked back at me and saw me looking on with wonder. He then hopped off into the opening. I followed him to see what other wild things are waiting for me on this journey.
As we walked through the newly unlocked section of the forest I couldn’t help but feel a difference vibe then when the area of the Everfree I was in before. Where before it felt chaotic and dangerous like evil was around every corner just waiting for you to make one slip up to get you. Here it felt more at peace, there was still a level of anxiety traveling through here but it didn’t feel like I was in Tartarus itself. This felt more like the land was in balance, no good no evil just pure nature.
As we went deeper into the woods I couldn’t help but be surprised by all the other animals running around. There were many that I haven’t ever seems. Some of them I am sure that shouldn’t even be able to live in an ecosystem like this one. With how many fascinating creatures I have seen I wouldn’t be surprise if there wasn’t even a human running around here. But would be the chances they would be there.
It was about two hours into our walk that Kick started to clearly become nervous and antsy. He kept looking around very shifty. This started to raddle my nerves as well. What could have had him so spooked? Then I put it together and accounted where we are going.
“We are in the wolves territory right now aren’t we.” I ask pretty sure my concern was heard in my tone.
“Yes we are. I only hope that we can make it to the den and speak to the pack leader.” Kick clearly did not like being here. I mean who could blame him. He was an appetizer wondering into a pack of stomachs with teeth.
“Why wouldn’t we be able to get there?” I felt like there might be something Kick hasn’t told me. This turned out to be true.
Before Kick could get a chance to explain we got an unwanted visitor. Well I guess in this situation we would be the unwanted visitor. A wolf came walking out of the brush and blocked our path. It was slightly smaller than me; it had reddish tint fur with white highlights and crimson eyes.
“What do you two think you are doing in our packs territory?” He stayed on high alert clearly ready to act at any moment.
“We would like a word with your pack leader. We don’t want any trouble or anything.” I try to sound as least threating as I possibly can.
“No outsider can walk into our den without permission,” He leaned in our direction and began to sniff the air. “Not to mention you stink of those ponies. You aren’t even a native of these lands. Leave before I make you.” He made an effort to sound threating as he made that last comment.
“Look there is no need to get violent here. I am here to just act as a mediator for my friend here,” I point to Kick as he slightly hides behind my leg. “So why don’t we just go to the den and talk like grown up. I really don’t feel like rolling around in the dirt.” I give him a smile as I kick up some dirt to make my point.
“I told you before ether one of you is going to enter our den. Now get out of here before have you and your little cotton ball there as my lunch and then use his antlers as a toothpick.” He drops down into a combative stance starting to snarl at us. Now I don’t mind him picking a fight with me but threating to kill a buddy of mine is not something I take lightly.
“Now listen here cherrycream. Do not, and I repeat do not go threating my friends okay. Now I am trying to be nice since I am a guest here but you and your bad attitude is really starting to rub me the wrong way. Now be a good little guard dog and take us to your leader or I will have to just walk past you.” I start to take deeper breathes to get the blood flowing in my veins. He is much smaller than the Deeproot so I am sure I can overpower him quickly without hurting him.
“How dare you insult me outsider. I am Scarlet Claw and I won’t have some wolf like you dishonor me like that!” Claw then charge at me with reckless abandonment.
Thanks to the little battle experience I have earned the last few days I was ready for his charge. Once he got close enough I was able to sidestep him and get to his left. He clearly didn’t see that coming as he turned to look at me in shock.
I decided to take advantage I started to flex my muscles and I gave him a shove with my shoulders. The difference in weight and power really showed as he went flying into the dirt, not hard enough to hurt him but it made it clear I was far stronger than him.
“Now I told you I don’t want to do this Claw. So how about we forget all of this before it gets ugly and we go talk to your pack leader. I don’t want to fight you if I have no reason to.” As a sign of good faith I go to offer him my paw so I can help him get up.
“You think I will let you dishonor me like this and just forget it ever happen,” He then jumped up and swatted my paw away. “I will take you down and your little rat there too”. He got ready to attack again.
It is looking like I won’t be able to get out of this with my words. I started to get my internal fire going figuring if I give him a little scare or at worst case scenario he will end up with some light burns.
Claw was growling at me and clearly wanted this to turn into a bloodbath. Before our little disagreement could become something bigger we were thankfully interrupted.
“Scarlet Claw stand down this instant!” I heard a female voice shout from in the brush that Claw came from.
From out of the trees came another wolf. This one was roughly the same size as Claw but instead had a stunning silver coat. The way the sun hit it made it look like she was shining in the light. Her eyes were a light blue that look like two sapphires.
The look she gave me reminded me of Celestia though; it was one that was a mix of both power and grace. It I could tell that she was in a league all her own. This also made her slightly intimidating to be around as well.
“What have we told you Scarlet about going into combat with others without permission? You have been warned about not thinking, it is clear this stranger is stronger than you. If you took a second to really sniff him out you would have smelt he is far from normal.” She scolded Claw like he was nothing but a puppy.
“But Silver he said he they wanted to go to the den to speak to the leader. We can’t just let outsiders into the den.” Claw kept his head down and acted like a child that got caught with his paw in the cookie jar. I had to admit I was enjoying it.
“Then you should have signaled me and I would have made the call. You were just a scout your job was to look out for any threats and let me know not to go and send anyone away.” Her glare intensified on him to shut down his counter argument.
“I am sorry Silver. It won’t happen again I promise.” He bowed his head down to her as she then turned and started over to us.
“I would like to apologize for Scarlet Claw’s demeanor. He is still very young and is still learning.” Her apology sounded sincere. It seems that she is the one I will have to convince in order to get my audience.
“It is fine really all we had was a game of tag that is all. My name is Spike it is nice to meet miss…” I give her a smile as I try to come off as friendly as I can to better my chances.
“Silver Moon, my name is Silver Moon. It is nice to meet you. I would also like to thank you for not hurting my page here. But I do have to ask you what business do you have in our territory. If what Claw says is true you want to venture to our den to speak to the pack leader. For what reason would that be?” She was clearly suspicious of our motive to go to her home, not that I blame her.
“In all honest Silver Moon I am here on behalf of the Jackalopes. I am aware that you have pushed into their home and they are now starving from lack of food. I want to find out why you have done this and see if I can fix this.” I am hoping that honesty is the policy.
These seemed to get an interesting reaction out of Silver. She seemed to have a mix of confusion as well as concern. I couldn’t really get a read on how she felt about me wanting to speak about their expansion into others territory.
“Why would you want to speck on their behalf? You are not one of them and this doesn’t affect you.” I didn’t take her comment as a snarky remark but more as stating the facts.
“This little guy here is a friend and he wants me to see what I can to help. I am not here to say who is right or wrong. I am here just to hear your side and to see if there is anything I can do that can leave everyone happy that is all. I want to try to keep the peace.” I just plainly say what I am here for. I figured if I am trying to get them to trust me enough to take me to their home I might as well trust them with my purpose.
Silver and Claw look at each other seemly trying to figure out what to do with the information I have just given them. Silver then walked up to me and looked me right in the eyes. Those sapphire eyes looked right into mine. I could feel she was looking for any hint of a lie or deception in my words. When she saw non she pulled back.
“Okay Spike come with us we will take you meet the pack. I make no promises that they will indeed listen to your plea but it is a chance won’t hurt. I do suggest leaving your companion for his own safety.” Silver then turned and went back over to Scarlet Claw to wait for me to send Kick on his way.
“Alright Kick I will go and see what I can do for you and your kind. Keep your ears cross.” I walk over to him and stick out my claw waiting for him to give it a shack.
“May the mother watch over you Spike and thank you again for doing all of this for us. It really means a lot,” Kick shook my paw before he hoped off. “I will wait for you just outside of the wolf territory just follow this path and it will lead you right to me.” And then he hopped out of sight.
I then walked over to where Silver and Claw are waiting. It sounded like they were having a slight argument. My guess was that Scarlet Claw was unhappy about them taking me to their den. Once they saw me waiting for them Scarlet Claw went ahead as Silver waited for me.
“Are you ready to go Spike?” She asks me not paying attention to Claw going on without us.
“Lead the way Milady.” I do a high society bow being extra dramatic. To my surprise the rigid acting wolf was able to laugh at my antics. Once her small chuckle finish she started to lead me into the brush.