//------------------------------// // Carnivorous Pride // Story: Earning Freedom // by Daxisle //------------------------------// Carnivorous Pride Walking a little ways behind her associates in the calm, cool of the early spring morn, Scootaloo contemplated her life and her latest decisions as she took in the luscious and aesthetically pleasing green of the trees, grass, and brush around her. She was happy now, happy that she'd finally made some kind of resolution to end her time away from her friends and... Macintosh and Annabelle. Though, a thought continually pestered her happiness, a nagging feeling of irritation and frustration that just wouldn't leave her be ever since Islander had asked her about it. Why couldn't she remember what was said before she was taken away? She thought back to the wedding day. The recalling of the even sent her mind into a frenzy of terror and pain, barring her efforts to find the truth time and time again. She remembered the growing sense of dread, upon seeing the approaching guards from the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres, she remembered the churning of her stomach at hearing her name called by the pink pegasus pony. She remembered with vivid clarity the anger and hatred she felt slamming her hoof directly into the mare's face, and she remembered the feelings of urgency and adrenaline that pushed her through to the Everfree. And yet, despite all of her remembrance, she could not recall all of the details of what had happened. First her and the girls were having a good time, and then the guards came, they ran behind the house, and Macintosh found them first, with Applejack next and the guards soon after. She clung to her almost-adoptive father, saying she didn't want to go, and then... nothing. Nothing until she found herself being taken away. She knew time had passed while she was in his forelegs, he was yelling, and then he spoke to her, kindly, gently. The filly didn't know what he said, but he said alot. Pushing past her fears, Scootaloo crinkled her brow in concentration. "What did he say?" She chanted, over and over, desperate to re-hear his words. Her companion was right, what he said was important, but no matter how hard she tried, her emotional connection to the event would viciously scramble her train of thought. With a resigned sigh, Scootaloo gave up on thinking on what she couldn't remember and turned her gaze to the far off river. They'd be leaving soon, Krystal and Islander had promised her that much. Scootaloo was happy to go, despite her knowing it was wrong, seeing the rock family together brought her feelings of longing and jealousy. It wasn't their fault that they were happy, of course, but even so, the filly couldn't deny her resentment, and she didn't care for the way it made her feel about her friend. Though, if there was one memory that Scootaloo could take away from this place fondly, it was the image of a soaking wet Islander being chased down by a trio of mares to give him a bath. Scootaloo couldn't keep the smile from her face as the recent memory played over and over again in her head. It was simple at first, Krystal told Islander that she was going to preen his wings, Islander said no. The rock farmer mare tried anyways, calling in the assistance of her mothers once the stallion's strength proved too much for her, resulting in the pony being wrestled into the tub and scrubbed down by all three of them. He put up a fight all the while, but eventually resigned himself to the cleaning, promising Krystal retribution for her plot and ploy, as well as the filly for laughing at his expense. The filly broke through a tree line and found Islander sitting in place on the beaten path, patiently observing Krystal as she rolled around in yet another patch of grass. This was the primary reason Scootaloo had taken to falling back and allowing her companions to go forward. The rock farmer gone traveler had taken to pointing out everything new to her as if it was new to them. Trees up-close, red wood, woodland creatures, all things that Scootaloo had taken for granted for years, Krystal acted like a foal seeing it all for the first time, with the emotional maturity to match. "She's rolling around again?" Scootaloo asked blankly to the stallion sitting besides her. "Yep." Islander replied. It really didn't help that Angel Bunny would continuously commanded the mare from time to time, seeing as Scootaloo had placed her hoof down against him. Though, his tactics of aggression and anger were used sparingly, as his fluffy cuteness was all he needed to bend Krystal to his every whim. He wanted to stop, she stopped. He wanted to go, she went with him on her back. It was actually kinda sad, but Islander made it a point to let her suffer for her decisions when Scootaloo brought it up a few days ago. This was an issue that he and Scootaloo had clashed heads on, one being of the mind of the proponent of the behavior suffering for the consequence of said behavior while the other advocated education and introduction of alternative choices to the rabbit's aggression. Though Angel might be rolling in the grass with her, Krystal didn't need any goading or encouragement for the expeirence. Scootaloo was tempted to join her, the grass felt soooooo good to roll around in. The small tickles of the blades against her pelt, the fresh smell of morning dew that clung to her nostrils all throughout the day, the small dampness that cooled her skin in just the right way. Honestly, it was a morning ritual for her ever since they'd escaped the badlands, but Krystal took it to an extream, stopping almsot every hour to indulge the itch. "Miss Melody, must you stop at every clearing we reach?" Said Islander, his patience obviously waning. "But it feels so goooooood." Krystal purred, rubbing her back into the grass with vigor. With a silent sigh Islander turned to the filly and gave his tell tale shrug of defeat. Ever since they'd returned to the rock farm, Krystal had changed. Where once she was submissive and overly eager to please, she'd grown a little more stubborn and selfish when it came to the cloaked stallion. However, she'd also become much less over bearing in regards to Scootaloo, allowing the filly to be much more independant of her doting. The two found a tree and leaned back to take a break, Scootaloo deciding to break into her newly purified water while Sin broke out one of the books he'd bought from Fleet Springs. Where once the stallion would advise her to steady her drinking pace to conserve water, the orange pegasus found he didn't need to. The naturally purified water tasted absolutely disgusting to her, the small, sandy taste made her want to gag, with loose remnants of charcoal that made it past the cloth filter making the liquid almost unbearably potent. It was a necessary evil, though. Krystal had, against their guardian's advice, tried to drink water straight from the stream. The poor mare spent the better part of two days complaining about stomach problems and throwing up enough to drive her to tears. Islander, being the oh so merciful sort, allowed whatever germs and parasites to plague Krystal for a few hours before giving her some medicine and lecturing her on listening to him when he told her not to do something. She was fine after that, but there was a few verbal skirmishes about his with holding of the medicine and letting her suffer. Sinbad saw it as a learning experience, while Krystal saw him as being unnecessarily cruel. Of course, it didn't help that the Scootaloo would catch the stallion snicking at her illness from time to time, so Scootaloo would always take her side in the debates. Taking another swig, the filly forced the water down her throat and grimaced. "It'll get easier when you get used to the taste." Islander said absently, turning the page in his book. "I guess." Scootaloo shrugged. "Hey Islander, why do you keep reading that book? Every time we stop, you've always got your muzzle in it." Sin looked up at her. "We're running low on food," he explained, "trying to figure out which plants around here are edible, and I'm looking to see pasterns of dangerous predator siting and alternative routes to avoid them." Scootaloo thought on the logic for a moment and nodded in understanding. That made sense, the next town wasn't going to come until they were out of the Hayseed Forest. It didn't sit well with her that what she was drinking would likely mirror what they'd be eating, but she wasn't about to complain either. Hunger wasn't a foreign concept to the foal, and she knew just how desperate she'd become if push came to shove, though, she held little hope for their other female companion, nor the small rabbit who traveled with them. "Yea, well don't read too much. You're pretty cool and all, but reading like that is fore egg heads." Scootaloo teased, feeling a little brave. "Egg head?" Sin smirked, though his smirk turned contemplative for a moment. Scootaloo pressed her lips, him thinking like that after she spoke was never a good thing, it usually ended up with her having to do something. To her dread, he pulled out another book and handed it to her, decrying how it was a crime Scootaloo hadn't had any proper education in the basics during their travels. "Crap." The filly cursed, reaching out and taking the book. Apparently her first lessons would be in the form of geography, since the tomb was titled Maps of the Western Sea-bored. "Language!" Krystal chided, walking up to them, her entire back covered in a mix of white and green. "Honestly Islander, I don't know why you allow her to speak with such vulgarity!" Islander regarded for a moment and gave his trademark smirk. "Personally, I guess I just don't give a shit." With barely enough time to give the pony the stink eye, Scootaloo felt herself snatched away and held aloft with Krystal chiding and lecturing him for his words. Of course, the stallion took everything she dished out with a dismissive apology. That was the game, she'd insult or tease Sin, he'd wait until an inopportune or surprising moment, and then say something to make Krystal snatch her away and give her a five minute lecture about how inappropriate the language was and offer alternative words to express displeasure. Of course, she'd play annoyed and irritated, but Scootaloo actually liked it. It was one of the few bits of fun she had that included the two of them, and the only time Islander was ever any fun at all. Yea, the two would often gang up on Krystal and tease her own delicate sensibilities, but the mare just didn't take the joke as well as Sin did. "So, how far are we from the coast?" Krystal asked, beaming with excitement. Islander flipped a few pages in the book and then closed it, informing the others that they were only another few days walk. "That's the good news, the bad news is we're almost out of food." Krystal's smile drop and she asked if he was joking, to which Sin replied that he was not and that they would need to find food along the way. Luckily, the book told him that the Cattails they'd been seeing around weren't poisonous and that, when boiled correctly, the roots of the plants tasted somewhat sweet and tolerable. "Plus there is amaranth and dandylions all over the place, enough so that I didn't even bother gathering any past the first few bushles I saw. May taste pretty bland, but it'll hold us over until we get to the coast. Kinda wishing I'd restocked on seasoning back in Fleet Springs." Of course, the reason they didn't was due to how broke they were. Islander tried to hide it, but Scootaloo could tell their funds were running low. With the break over, the trio plus a pet, continued on. Islander walked with a purpose at a steady pace reminding Krystal to keep close and not to stray to far ahead and for the filly herself not to fall too far behind. She wouldn't, Scootaloo never fell far enough behind for Islander to get out of sight, but wanted some space to herself for a while. Scootaloo's mind began to trail as she walked again, pondering how things were going very everypony back home. She wondered how school was going for her friends, or if Rainbow Dash made any strides to more awesome tricks yet or not, or if Applebloom and Sweetie Belle had either gotten their cutie marks yet. It was a bit of a melancholy thought, but with time, Scootaloo began to let go of her depression when thinking about home in favor of curiosity and anticipation for when she went back. When she went back... She smiled at the thought. There would be plenty of catching up to do when the time came, she'd share her stories of adventure, of course. The buffaloo, living out in the wilderness, getting involved with a plot to overthrow Celestia... how did any of that not sound awesome? Of course it wouldn't all be good and happy, she imagined how everypony would react to her return, especially if she was thought dead. Crying, hugging, giving thanks, lectures about how terrified and... Suddenly her thoughts darkened to guilt and shame. What was she going to tell them all when she went back? Oh, sorry guys, didn't feel like coming back for a while, hope nopony's too upset about you all thinking I was bucking dead. Wow, what a piece of work she was. "OH! Islander look!" She heard Krystal yell from ahead. "It's a kitty!" "Krystal, don't move!" Scootaloo stopped midstep and waited, she saw both ponies standing frozen stock still for some reason, the stallion of the two whispering something to the mare about keeping as still as possible. Scootaloo didn't know what was going on but followed their lead, making absolutely no motion what so ever. Her ears twitched as a sense of dread began to permeate through her form, her breathing grew shallow, and muscles tensed. Suddenly, a small rustling came from the bushes that lined the pathway. They parted, allowing a giant, black, cat like creature with sharp, pointed fangs jutting out of it's closed maw a good foot and a half passed it's lower jaw. It's jet black coat sleak and shiny, catching the sun in a way that nearly blinded Scootaloo upon sight. Eyes a deep shade of green that trailed over the two ponies infront of her, casting a terrifying glance to the filly enough to almost make her lose her bladder then and there. Those eyes... that glare... it was familiar to her. The eyes of a predator, taking in it's prey, analyzing, judging, determining the best way to kill. It was the same stare the timberwolves had given her when she'd almost been mauled back in the everfree. A small bit of movement caught everyone's attention. Not the movement of anypony, but that of a horrified white rabbit who was just as bad at listening to directions as Krystal used to be. "Angel." Scootaloo whispered, eyeing the rabbit as if her stare would shield his quivering form. Though, there was no such protection she could offer, the black cat slowly began to circle around Sin and Krystal, making way to the rabbit. "Islander, do something." Krystal whispered in pleading. Scootaloo felt the entire area around grow a little heavier, a lingering sense of impending doom similar to the predator's gaze washing over her in a much more concentrated and crushing sense as Sin called upon whatever magic he had to intimidate the beast. The cat stopped and lifted it's head back to him, eying the stallion in a show of intimidation. Scootaloo felt hopeful, all Islander needed to do was raise his crossbow and shoot. Problem was, he wasn't wearing the crossbow, and what was worse, the panther like beast wasn't terrified. If anything, it acted intrigued by the power Islander was using, approaching the stallion with it's sharp ears pressed forwards in a mockingly slow circle. It wasn't working?! Why wasn't it working! It worked on the timberwolves, so why wasn't it working on this... thing? "Islander, what is... this..." Krystal whimpered, her voice on the verge of tears. "Some kind of saber tooth panther." The cloaked pony whispered calmly, his mind working a mile a minute to find a solution to the problem. Scootaloo grimaced, she wanted to do something, she wanted to help them, to save them, but what could she do? She was a flightless pegasus with no weapons or combat training. If she tried to rush forward and attack, she'd be torn apart in no time. Hay, if she even tried to run away, she was certain that the panther would catch her and rip into her like a freshly cooked apple pie... She knew what the best course of action was, but it injured her pride and sense of loyalty to adhere to it. She hated feeling so helpless, especially when her friends were in danger. Critic! What the fuck is going on!? 'How the fuck should I know?! It's not working!' The saber tooth had done a full circle around the three of them, leaving Scootaloo out of its line of sight for the time being. A small pink tonge licked the dagger like teeth protruding from the feline's mouth, a gesture quickly followed up by, what the stallion could only describe as, a delighted smile. Kicking himself for leaving his crossbow on his hip, Sin contemplated the options. The aura, even nightmare enhanced, wasn't working on this thing. Why didn't matter, as much as the question tore at his chest, what mattered was all of them escaping the beast alive. He knew she wouldn't listen to him outright, but hopefully appealing to Scootaloo's safety would make Krystal more compliant. "Krystal." Sin said, the panther locking onto his eyes. "Listen to me, the aura isn't working, and I don't have my bow. I need you to take Scootaloo and get out of here the second I rush him." "What?!" Krystal barked in a harsh whisper. "No, I'm not leaving you." "Dammit mare you'll do as I fucking tell you." Sin shot back, taking a slow step forwards to maintain the creatures attention. "I don't plan to die here, so relax." A second circle was completed, the sabertooth's path narrowing closer and closer, causing Sin to slowly begin backing his way to Krystal's flank. His gaze shifted to Scootaloo who was paralyzed in fear. Down to Angel, who's hind foot was thumping in anticipation, to Krystal who's terror filled face did little to comfort him. "Grab Angel and Scootaloo." He growled. Though, his order went unheeded yet again. It was frustrating how rebellious she was being, but Sin should have expected as much, considering her prior displays of loyalty as well as what her mothers told her right before they left. "Stand by your friends, even if it means getting hurt." Great in theory, not so great in practice. The panther did a third circle, his attention no shifting a little between Sin and the white ball of fluff he was slowly resolving to be the things true pray. It wasn't stalking them for the ponies, it was stalking them for Angel. Now Sin was torn. On one hoof, he could simply appease the feline and hand the rabbit over, but on the other, Angel, despite him being an overly pushy and manipulative little shit, was worthy of his protection. If it hadn't been for the rabbit, Sin would have lost Scootaloo to fates worse than death. Suddenly, the panther stopped mid step, it cold, calculating eyes slowly glossing over Sin, then Krystal and settling on Angel. It licked its fang, eyes narrowing in casual attraction as it locked onto it's soon to be meal. "No." Krystal begged lightly, standing over the bunny. "Please, you can't..." Though, the feline didn't seem to agree, beginning to circle in the opposite direction, it's body much lower to the ground as it skulked, much more ready to pounce than the casual walking it had done before. Sin watched with a growing feeling of dread, between the foot long, jagged and render inflicting fangs, the undoubtedly razor sharp claws, and the ineffectiveness of his aura he didn't see any of them walking away from this... without a sacrifice. No, no he'd need to think of something else. He'd need to find another way to beat this thing without putting himself or the others at risk, he'd need to- A small, soft humming interrupted his thoughts, bringing a small sense of peace and calm to the ponies mind and muscles, a calm that was the absolute last thing he needed at this point in time. "Krystal!" He barked in a harsh whisper. "This is no time for singing!" Though, the mare continued her song, humming a soft, soothing tune from her place besides him. Sin was just about to smack her to get her to stop, but then noticed that the panther had stopped moving. To his egregious shock, it was now looking at the singing beauty, it's head slightly bobbing at first, but going more and more in depth as time went on. It's predatory eyes now growing placated and sleepy. 'Clever girl.' Critic complimented. Sin was a mix of awe, sleepy and a little bit peeved. Krystal was singing to the panther, and she was slowly putting it to sleep with her soothing melody... Her magic was succeeding where his had failed. Turning his attention, the stallion watched as the sleepy eyed feline's hind legs began to shake from under it. It put up an impressive fight, though it's efforts were ultimately futile as it succumbed to the tune, slowly lowering itself into the sitting position and finally resigned to lie down. Seeing his chance, Sin slowly reached for his crossbow. Careful to make no noise, the stallion strapped his Ragnerok to his forleg and loaded an arrow bolt. Just as he was about to take aim at the beast's head, Krystal stepped forward to protect the creature. Her eyes, as well as song, grew hard and harsh, demanding that Sin stay his weapon. He saw the beast's ear flick in irritation and an eye open at the sudden change in Krystal's tone. "Alright, alright." Sin conceded, lowering his bow. The act pleasing Krystal enough to return to her former soft and calming melody. Sin, feeling his body relaxing a little too much now, turned to find both Angel and Scootaloo passed smooth out on the trail. He rubbed his eyes to regain his bearings and cautiously crept to the filly, picking her up and placing her on his back before collecting the rabbit as well and gesturing Krystal to follow him. The beast was now sound asleep, but he wanted to make sure that they were all as far away as possible before she stopped. With Scootaloo on his back, Angle on Krystal's and a sleeping sabertooth panther a good mile behind them, Sin finally felt he could allow himself to relax a little. The amber eyed pegasus beside him walked with a tranquil smile and a sense of grace that betrayed the mare she was before. He'd steal a glance here and there and find it absurd that it was the same pony who was rolling around foalishly in the grass, exposing herself to the world, not ten minutes before singing all of them out of a dangerous conflict. It was as astonishing to him as it was frustrating, especially with that smug look of satisfaction on her face. How was it that he was useless in a situation and she wasn't? How was it that Sin: The Inquisitor, Survivalist, Ruiner of Ponyville City Council, Destroyer of Movements, Tamer of Star Shade, The Trotski Slayer, had been rendered all but insignificant? Yet this... sheltered little upstart managed to save them all? 'Wow... does your ego need a bandied?' Said Critic, more so as a criticism than a joke. Fine, alright, it hurt his pride. Sin could admit that, but seriously! Anytime there was an issue, especially a life threatening one, it was usually he who found the solution! That was his thing! Since when was he relegated to the sidelines letting others handle the problem? Not only that, but she stopped him from fixing the problem outright! Who knows if that fucking monstrosity would find them later on again in the forest? What if it tracks them down and kills them? "So what do you think?" Krystal asked, small bits of arrogance breaking through her trnaquility. "I think we handled that situation very well, if I do say so myself." Sin, not wanting to let his ego create tension, pushed a smile to his face and nodded. "Yes, very well done. Ms. Melody." Krystal beamed at the praise. "Really? You mean it?" "Yes, Ms. Melody. You acted calmly and in a manner that incapacitated a threat in a peaceful manner. Tapio knows how you did it, but you did." Barely able to contain herself, the off white mare giggled. "See, not all problems need to be solved with violence." Great, and now she was rubbing it in his face with rhetorical questions? YES! You succeeded in soothing the savage beast through song! Give it a rest! Instead of saying that, though, Sin nodded and despite himself, humbled himself to gratitude. Krystal's chest puffed out with pride and her her trotting turned into prancing. The display of ego filling Sin's heart with rage and irritation, but he wouldn't speak, he wouldn't let his petty ego get the better of him, no matter how badly it screamed to knock his friend down a few pegs. Krystal succeeded where he could not, things may have been different if she wasn't there, sure, but that didn't change the fact of the matter. The mare deserved to feel a little proud, she'd just subdued a dangerous carnivore and saved the lives of her friends, risking drawing attention to herself and being killed. She was ready to sacrifice herself in order to save his life, and what kind of stallion would Sin be if he met that with anything but humility and appreciation?