The Animal: Inside and Out.

by Mick0339

Chapter 4- Peaceful days of Infiltration Galore.

I laid there, yawning with the mid-day shine bearing down on my exhausted face. I took care of everything for the whole week. I had managed to fasten a neat spear from friction on a local boulder, then found a nearby pond in the forest. It wasn't too large, and not too small; the perfect goldilocks size for two humans. Well, one full grown, or in the case of this world overgrown, and one child. The girl stood at 3'7", confirmed by some rudimentary and very estimated measuring.

I wasn't a fisher, not at all. But, when the world is so vastly different, apparently the fish are as well. Either that or my reflexes have heightened as I was able to stab multiple fish on their first passing. Of course, with that, the job wasn't over, but I decided it was time to take a break. So, with full hope no parasites infected them, I handed the girl a decently sized trout for consumption. She dug in greedily, almost ripping out the bones and tendons. The fish probably wasn't the happiest to see his corpse being mutilated in such a manner, but the small girl was hungry.

Then my mind snapped; she didn't have a name. Or at least, a name I knew or could address her by, which I still have to figure out how to do besides whistling. It was very complicated, as I treated the girl as if I would treat a little dog. It felt wrong, but under the circumstances that humans, or more accurately human-like neandrathals, didn't have enough brain power to be considered anything much different.

I exhaled as I chucked my fish's bones into the lake where it crashed and sank like a stone. I then slowly rose to my feet, simply doing the correct call of a whistle to signal we were leaving. I needed to gather up wool supplies and such to somehow make clothes. Or maybe, well, might as well. I suppose it would be fine to steal clothes. It's not like I'm a part of society, so the normal laws don't apply. I would just have to wait till dawn, plus it was getting very annoying walking around nude, same with the fact the little girl was as well.

I let out a scream of frustration however as I slowly bent down from a dissipation of strength in my right leg. I clenched it as the pain slowly spiked up to its height and then subsided back down. The girl gave me a concerned face surprisingly. She slightly twisted her head to the left. I chuckled at the dog-like movements and tapped her on the head as I slowly stood back up. I needed to get in more shape it seemed; that or the other day really did take it out of me.

We slowly made our way back to the cave, with me still taking in the surroundings, trying to mentally map out the forest. It was a memorization game, but as many people have trouble with it, I can usually memorize fairly quickly, or at least everything but foreign languages. That, well, I'm glad that the intelligent species talk the same language as me, or I'd have gone insane back in that cage. I noticed a rather snuggly looking tree of trimmed spikes and claw marks from a creature I'd rather not come in an encounter with. It looked like the bear would have trouble even moving the creature who had claws like that. Who knows, though, I'm not the same human I was. I could feel it; just as I could feel my muscles almost growing over-night back in my glory days, I could feel them doing it again, but it felt slightly stronger and almost artificial.

So I had a list to do: Explore more of the surrounding area; Map out and mark the area to the town; then "ask" for some supplies; I guess I would have to add thief to my hobby list. I really hoped that the tools they used were human-compatible.

---

"Heya Twilight!" The pink menace yelled down from the road. Twilight held a crooked smile as her hair slowly twitched up. Pinkie had that look: she was bored.

"Hey...Pinkie," Twilight lightly scratched her head.

"You look a little weird! Are you using a new perfume to get the stallions?" Twilight stuffed her hoof in Pinkie's mouth.

"Shut up!" Spike, who up till that point was eerie on what Pinkie wanted, burst out laughing, while some of the stallions walking by looked over Twilight. She huffed in defeat. "Why?!" She moaned.

"Why what?" A stout victorian voice summoned courage behind the mare.

"Oh, Rarity!" Spike yelled in infatuated enthusiasm. He lightly got red cheeks at her next words.

"Spikey-wikey!" She put him on edge with a crushing hug. Then she laughed to see his cheeks turn a darker shade.

"Hey, Rarity!" Pinkie yelled and began to jump up and down, "are you guys here for the screams?"

"What screams?" Twilight asked, just as they came into audible range.

"SOMEPONY HELP!" A scream in the distance sounded as every pony stopped in their tracks and looked at the edge of town. 6 ponies came into view; they were not walking normally, to say the least. Some limped while being supported by their comrades. A mare screamed again, "Please! They're hurt!"

Ponies gasped as the ponies approached closer with leaking wounds, heavy bruises, and broken bones. All in all, they went through quite a scuffle.

Rarity was about to hurl as she turned her head away.

"What the hay happened?" A pony asked while whispering to his mare friend. Whispers continued to happen as the six walked closer and closer into the town and then into the center. They were panting, decrepit and about to pass out.

Guards rushed to assist the practically dying ponies. Twilight rushed to the most stable pony.

"What happened? Who did this to you?"

The pony slowly turned her head to Twilight and gulped. "It was a human; but not any of those," she pointed to the practically docile and carefree humans wandering with their owners. "This human, it was something else. He..." Then she saw her friends, and leaders face and went pale again. Twilight looked at well to see the unicorn's horn completely torn off and held in a comrade's hands. The unicorn in question was almost lifeless and shaking up a storm. Even a whisper frightened the pony. The guards slowly began to escort the completely brain-dead pony to a hospital, all the way he looked as if he was in the arctic. Every pony understood when they saw the horn being held by a guard pony now, who was almost about to throw up as well. All in all, ponies were not only scared but sympathetic for the crippled and now mortally magically-wounded pony.

Twilight thought of how that could happen. What could've done that to a pony; made it like that. A manticore would've just killed the pony and had it for lunch, but it was a human. Then she remembered that human, who had miraculously escaped a few days ago in Canterlot. The one who went berserk in town and almost killed ponies, and her. She shivered at the prospect. That human wasn't just strong, but also perhaps the scariest and most intimidating creature she had seen in a long time. The eyes, they held true intimidation; the way they glared and showed the beast's surperiority.

"Twilight we shou--" Spike was forming out as Twilight formed up a quill and paper. The princess, no the princesses needed to know. She quickly jotted down the details. Names weren't important, but ponies were almost killed, and as much as Twilight hated to annoy the princess, this was important. Twilight knew Celestia, and Luna loved their subjects, so it was important for them to know this. She almost hit Spike getting him to teleport it to Canterlot.

---

I slowly looked up at the rising moon. Tonight would be the night. I would go on a mission; Yeah, no I was just gonna break in and steal some stuff. As much as I made it sound cool, I really didn't care, plus it was getting slightly colder in the forest after every passing day; winter was coming.

The girl yawned and I could tell she had dozed off and entered the realm of sandman. I lightly smiled at her cute little face; it was truly innocent; I don't remember the last face I had seen like that. People didn't kill, yeah, but no one was innocent. Some bullied, some terrorized, heck some even did unspeakable things, and the others, they let it happen. I was no different. No one had such a peaceful face, it was human nature not to; violence was always in the human gene, some could just repress it better than others. It's part of the reason why I always laughed when people said civilized; that word was so contradicting.

I slowly stood up and ventured out of the barely lit cave from the robust fire which took too long to make. My hands were slightly bare from having to gather wood bare-handed.

The crickets screamed in unstoppable banter and chatter. It was calming though as I took off to the lights in the distance. I trucked my way through the brush, taking care to place hand under my abs to protect that area from the thorns I might encounter. I heard the cracks of twigs under my feet, and the slight agitation it caused as I did, in fact, pass the thorns. Needless to say, if it wasn't for the momentum, I would've been cursing out loud in pain.

I saw the lights from the outgoing brush. I stretched my head to make sure the head was clear as I noticed a bridge with a cottage from my right. I ignored it though as I didn't have time. I slowly picked out the more visible thorns as I slightly rested from the trek. I looked behind me to see the smoke rising in the distance. I just hoped it would stay that way for some time longer.

Then, with adrenaline pumping, I sprinted across the open field, praying not to be spotted from the floating city above or any on-going ponies. Or to be hollered and barked at by humans. I let my air echo in the air as I took in the complete cleanliness of it. It still gave me goosebumps at the difference in quality, but I needed to continue on, so I put on more speed as I dashed to the nearest building, almost tripping over my own weight as I ran. I hoped that no tracks were left behind, but with the mud stuck on my soles, I knew that it was probably a false hope.

"Come along, Max dear," a pony mare, which I could see having rosy red hair said as she tugged on the leash with her magic. I huffed and with the eyes diverted off moved my form into the shadows of a nearby alley. I needed to find a clothes shop. I couldn't sew, but at least I could find some cloth or something. Another pair of ponies walked by.

"Oh, you're so naughty!" The mare, which was most likely with a male, said with a high-pitched chuckle. I could only face palm. But it was my chance as I maneuvered to the next dark spot. But, it was taking too long. I needed a better way of movement, especially due to the fact that there were tons of guards patrolling. It might've been due to what I did to those other ponies. I did kind of act like a complete monster.

I looked behind me to spot a tight railing leading up to the top of the building. The colors were starting to slightly annoy me, but I climbed my way up to the top and stood up as the wind blew by. I was a good two stories up as I glanced down on the ponies returning to their homes below. I began to hop my way across buildings, just searching for any kind of clothes tailor shop, hoping to find my prize.

Then I saw quite a large tree inhabiting a cozy spot in the town. It peaked my curiosity. Then I saw a carriage, surrounded by guards and regal signs encrusting it, outside of the structure. I decided it was probably better to pass on by and not investigate, but well, that wouldn't be fun. So as the guards looked in the other direction I jumped onto the balcony on the outside, slightly cursing my luck as the boards creaked with my sudden weight. The guards could only yawn in exhaustion, wishing to be rid of the job. I thanked the world's god for laziness. Then I slowly peeked into the second-story door, only to be introduced with an inhabited bedroom. A small snoring reptilian.

It was purple, or well, had purple scales, had a tale, exhaled fire, oh well, dragons. The world had magic, so it shouldn;t have been a surprise, but I couldn't help but marvel and approach a little too close.

"Twilight?" The little dragon asked as his eyes slowly opened, only to be greeted by my sight. He practically screamed or would of if I didn't have him in a hold, keeping him from calling for backup. I slowly shushed him as the dragon continued to struggle. He was slightly shaking, and I felt so bad, but it had to be done. I would at least make it quick as quickly put as much force as I could into the back of his neck. I could only hope he would be put out. I was surprised when he did and his eyes keeled over in sleep. I slowly placed him back in the bed he once in, mentally spelling out sorry to the little dragon. He was a heavy little thing though for sure, or well dense is the better word. He was practically as heavy as one of the ponies.

I took a few seconds to observe the room till I moved on to the hallway and near the stairs.

"--and are you sure it's him?" A regal voice sounded. I could identify it as the nightly-regal pony.

"Yes, I'm sure. The pony said it was human. He is the only one it could be."

"Twilight's right sister, that human is the only documented case of escape into the Everfree." So now I knew where I was. I wanted to get a look downstairs. I slowly, very slowly descended the stairs to see a warmly lit fire and three ponies. The same three from the mountain-side city. I screwed up. A creak made its presence known on the stairs and I visibly squeaked in frustration. I could see their eyes glance towards me, luckily the darkness prevented me from being seen immediately.

"Spike, is that you?" Twilight asked. She slowly got up and began to approach. I quickly back-pedalled. She came to look up the stairs, where my form was no longer located and shrugged.

"I should see if I could get new stairs," she whispered to herself as she returned to the regal sisters. I exhaled in complete relief. "It was nothing." Then the conversations continued on. Obviously, I couldn't hear more than murmurs as I returned to the bedroom.

I didn't want to leave without truly apologizing to the dragon, though. Then I saw my key. A piece of paper, and a quill. It was a start at least. I quickly etched out my message, making it quick as I still had a job to do.

I'm so sorry about knocking you out Mr. Dragon. Forgive me.

Don't judge me, there was nothing much else to say. I got out to the balcony and sprinted. Then I began to continue my search.

---

It took way too long. I managed to find a moving carousel building, which suited my needs of clothes cloth. Only problem way, I needed to get in. I hated intruding, but when a window is open, a window is open. I quickly hopped in only to find a familiar sight. The little pony who "adopted" me. I couldn't help but chuckle. She was so peaceful in her bed, though. And so cute; I couldn't decide if a puppy dog was cuter or not. That also meant that the victorian unicorn was here as well. She must be the owner then.

Either way, I didn't have money, it was dark, and I was perceived as a wild animal, so stealing was the better option. I slowly creaked open the door and made my way out and down the stairs into the huge gallery of clothes. Everything was for ponies. Although I did find a blanket, which I quickly gobbled up into my hands.

I continued to search in vain until I found a secluded section for humans. And there was my answer. Mission successful. I found the jackpot. I got appropriate clothing for me and the girl; me having a semi-rag style of clothing for my pants. Nothing fit my upper body. For the girl I got her a fitting, or as well as I could predict, fitting pink and purple clothing. To be honest, she wouldn't care either way.

Then I saw the door and advised to see if I could get out from the door. I quickly unlocked the door, and with haste doubled my way out and down the street. Slowly moving into a sprint as I cheered in victory. Almost every pony was asleep and so I just continued to run with immunity. All the way up to the forest. Although, I wondered what that cottage was about. Perhaps I should investigate it if only to see if I could find tasty food there.

Either way, I had clothing, and so did the little girl. No more awkwardness, and fewer chills in the night. It may not have been cool, but it was a win in my book.

Author's Note:

Also for the breaking off of the horn. Consider this.

A good punch from an expert can give out about 5000N of force(Not superhuman strength induced; I.E. not under a completely stressful situation which creates hyperactive strength) . Now a punch is strong, but a concentrated force pushed inwards can give out even more. And well sadly the closest comparisons to a Unicorn's horn's strength, well, would be cruel to obtain(as in like an Elephant's tusk or Rhino's horn; and I'm pretty sure there is no information to get on how much force it takes to break them; and I'm not surprised there isn't).

So for now, just roll with it. Trust me, the strength it takes to break that horn probably wasn't that much, especially due to the fact that ponies have less bone mass than humans and less need for strong bones due to magic helping to support their bodies. So all in all, yes, you could crack a bone like a horn in half given enough force. And considering that a person could give out probably upwards to 20k newtons of force when under complete stress and pressure, so yeah. (One story had a 120lb girl lifting up a five-ton pickup truck to save her father)

Anyway, enjoy and tell me if you see any mistakes, or if you'd like to constructively critique.

Comments

[Rape Radbury]

Nice. 65.media.tumblr.com/e89e4f4659b331457ba6e6e56bfbe2f2/tumblr_nmq5vse6Gf1rllf0lo1_500.png

[nighters]

i wonder if there a deep history of the tragic tale of humankind suffering and downgrade of their species to animals to ponies like maybe the original humans lived perfectly fine with the world be nomadic before the ponies came like maybe the ponies back then tried to enslave them or tried to run them off but it didn't work long term and they were surviving the windigos winter pretty good so maybe the ponies decided to do something worse or drastic? like stealing the children for breeding stock and experimenting after maybe banishing the adults like the mirror a good example of that or they hex them pretty hard to displace them in time like the empire had for example.

[Mick0339]

7747795 This takes the concept, but it's not a YHaY verse. I plan to have many differences, but of course, there will always be gaping similarities.

[Mick0339]

7747889 That's deep.

[nighters]

7748116 is it a good theory?

[Mick0339]

7748381
I mean, it's a theory, but it might not be the best theory.

[nighters]

7748858 ah ok