I don't know how long we walked. I don't how far we went. I don't even remember what direction we were going. It was dark. The only source of light we had was from the moon and a torch I helped Fluttershy make. "We should stop here and wait for the others." said Fluttershy. Wanting to press on, I reluctantly sat down in front of a tree. Fluttershy joined my side. We both sat looking blissfully through the dark forest. Listening to the sounds. We could hear trotting in the distance. Startled, Fluttershy jumped but I held her down and we moved to a near by bush. The trotting got closer and closer. As it got closer, we could finally make out a figure.
The body was the size of your average pony. Its was all black though. It had wings like a Pegasus, only they were bug wings. It had a horn like a unicorn, only the horn was jagged and shaped like a barb. Its eyes were like that of an insect. It came really close to us. Within feet and stopped. It sniffed around then whipped its head directly at us. Its horn flared a greenish color and the bush we were in disappeared out of existence. Snarling at us and showing its fangs, Fluttershy blurted out loudly in fear, "Changling!" She slipped from my grip and flew away into the woods. Attempting to follow, the changling leaped in front of me blocking my path. Backing away from the creature, I looked for a way to defend myself. Seeing nothing particularly useful, I grabbed a small branch.
Swinging at the changling was a big mistake. Its horn flared and grabbed the branch right out of my hand. The branch was hurled at me but I ducked to avoid it. "You missed!" I said excitedly before feeling a sharp pain in my back. I dropped to my knees. "Ahh!" I yelled as the spike of pain again resurfaced. The sound of the branch dropping told me that i was hit in the back. Attempting to stand again, I was knocked back down by a thrust of the creatures body. Attempting to put my arms out again to stand, a sharp pain over took my arm. In a ripping and tearing motion, my flesh was ripped from its skin. I Grabbed for my arm but felt nothing there. Hopelessly laying there, I turned my head. I wanted to see this creature. I wanted to see my killer.
I watched as the changling inched closer, drooling from its mouth. Panic again consumed me as I tried to get up and move with my one good arm but i couldn't. My body was frozen in place. The thought of never seeing anypony again raced though my mind. There was a scream and then a whimper. The changling then dropped limp to the ground. It took all my strength to turn my head. There was a mix of blood and brain matter strung out along the forest floor. Heavy panting could be heard and the drop of something metallic came next. Feeling light headed from the blood loss I started to hallucinate, inching closer and closer to death each second.
I wasn't afraid of death any longer. As many times as I had cheated it. As many times as I had escaped it, there was nothing to be afraid of. Feeling my self slipping in and out of consciousness, I finally let go. I couldn't hold on any longer. I took my last breath only to realize I was still alive. I was better than alive. I was home. I looked around. Confused as to how these changes of scenery were taking place, I was able to acknowledge the fact that I was home. I got out of the bed. I checked my surroundings. "Its real." I checked my body. "No scars." Puzzled, I ran downstairs. "All the same. Just as I had left it befo-" my thoughts were quickly ended. Standing before me was the same black mass. The one in my dreams. The one that started it all. Smiling at me. I felt a rush of anger go over me.
I lunged for the mass, hitting it with all my might. It staggered, then motioned for more. In a rage, I hit it with everything I had. Every feeling I felt. It all went into my punches. Every hit it shrugged off. I grabbed for a figurine on my night stand, smashing it into the mass. It squealed, then absorbed the figurine. "What do you want with me?!" I yelled as I backed away from the mass. Sticking out a large tongue, it proceeded to lick me. I wasn't gonna let that happen again. I grabbed its tongue and slammed the door shut on it. That did the trick. It squealed loudly, and vanished. Sighing, I looked out the door only to hear rustling behind me.
Spinning around, the mass was reforming behind me. I turned to the door and proceeded down the hall. Every step seemed to lengthen the hall way immensely. A door at the end of the hall opened and light appeared. I heard Fluttershy's voice saying, "Come on Jon. Please." over and over. I start to run at a full sprint, the mass quickly catching up behind me. As I returned my attention to the door, the floor started to crack and fall away from me. Not giving up, I continued sprinting towards the door. After what seemed like an eternity, the door grew near. I leaped for the opening only to feel a burning on my leg. As I turned to look, the mass had caught me. Determined to get away, I kicked at the grip on my leg. The mass let go and squealed in pain as I scurried into the light. The door shut behind me and a locking sound assumed. I had a feeling of relief. A feeling that I was safe. A feeling of no more fear.