The Life and Trials of Autumn Moon

by TraumaLane

Fight or Flight

Chapter 9: Fight or Flight – Waning Gibbous

The Grand Junction Hospital of Bray Valley was no stranger to treating patients from all walks of life; whether ponies had minor injuries, moderate illnesses or needed immediate treatment for trauma they could receive the care they need from the medical ponies on staff there. The large brown and tan building looked over the town square from a large hill, the glow from the hospital doors and windows made the intimidating building seem like a more welcoming place; a large mosaic of a Pegasus carrying a red cross brandishing the side of the building distinguished the hospital from the rest of the town. The normally peaceful clinic had turned into an organized hive of medical pony’s moving in a beautiful synchronized dance of chaos as they received the two adolescent ponies that had been recovered from the rarely traveled Razorback trail.

The young unicorn colt was rapidly taken by team one to the emergency room for evaluation, x-ray and to operate on the fractured right leg. Tall Tale's right leg was severely damaged; the doctors worked quickly to treat the open compound fracture in the colt’s tibia, and the oblique fracture in the first phalanx. Serious looks covered the muzzles of the nurses and surgeons as they worked feverishly to save the colt’s leg; meanwhile Autumn was taken to a separate wing to receive treatment before being moved to observation.

As night turned into day the chaos faded and a sense of calm came over the hospital as Tall Tales was removed from surgery, as the colt was moved into a room to allow for visitors a satisfied but tired smile came over Doctor Manner’s muzzle. As the champagne colored unicorn stallion walked the familiar hallway leading the waiting room, he felt a sense of accomplishment and happiness come over him as he prepared himself to address the cornflower colt’s parents. A sea green aura covered his horn as Doctor Manner carried Tall Tales chart reviewing the information before he walked up to the two weary adult unicorns awaiting the news of their son’s condition.

Rising Legend sat with his hoof over Sweet Sonnet’s withers as they sat side by side comforting each other; they were not yet aware of Doctor Manners presence in the nearly abandoned waiting room. Legend’s dull dark gray coat was a stark contrast to his wife’s much livelier pale raspberry coat, his neatly combed mane was a pale yellow with gray highlights that seemed to be covering more of his mane due to the stress they had experienced today. Legends normally bright turmeric eyes were drained of most of the life they usually carried with them, as he looked down at his wife with exhausted eyes Legend nuzzled Sonnet hoping to bring his mare some form of comfort to aid her through these trying events.

Sweet Sonnet’s cyan eyes were red and puffy due to shedding tears into the early morning; turning her head she looked past her tousled mid-length cornflower mane into the eyes of her husband. Sonnet smiled tiredly but appreciation for Legend’s efforts were clearly reflected in her face and a small timid smile upturned her lips as she feebly returned her stallion's nuzzle.

Doctor Manners eyes softened, and he smiled at the sign of affection between the loving parents. However, Doctor Manner knew he still had a job to do and thank Celestia this report would be one of the good ones. Lifting his hoof to his mouth Doctor Manner loudly cleared his throat causing both Legend and Sonnet to jump in slight surprise, at the unicorn that had seemingly appeared out of thin air.

Tales parents released each other from their brief embrace and both unicorns stood as gracefully as they could manage on all four hooves to greet the respected stallion. Legend stood as straight as he could manage and stuck out his hoof offering to give a hoof shake to Doctor Manner in greeting; seeing the gesture Doctor Manner gripped Legends dark gray hoof and gave the fellow stallion’s hoof a firm shake before he began to address the parents once again.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Bard… My name is Doctor Bedside Manner; I worked on the surgical team that treated your son… ‘Tall Tales’ is that right?” asked Doctor Manner as he looked for confirmation that he had the right patient before giving his report.

“Yes Sir, Tall Tales is our son… p-please… Doctor Manner, i-is our son… wi-will he be o-ok?” asked Sonnet, her voice timid and breaking, her cyan eyes were sad yet hopeful as she looked toward the medical pony who looked at her kindly. Legend nodded his head as if he wanted to support his wife’s question, Legend looked at Doctor Manner a serious look covering his muzzle, his dull gray body becoming guarded as he prepared himself to hear the news, whatever it may be.

“Tall Tales right leg was severely damaged from what we could only guess as a fall based on the angle of the fracture; we had to work quickly to treat the open compound fracture in the colt’s tibia, and the oblique fracture in the first phalanx. Normally these injuries are quite severe for any pony, much less a colt only thirteen years of age,” Doctor Manner watched as horror filled the parents' faces, his eyes widened and thinking quickly he continued his report before Legend or Sonnet could continue their panic.

“Thankfully, your son received care for his injuries in the form of an improvised splint, this kept any more damage from occurring in the leg and prevented any additional internal hemorrhage. After an extensive surgery we were able to reconstruct most of the tibia and reform the fractured phalanx straightening his crooked hoof. Because of this we were able to save his leg,” said Doctor Manner, his voice staying level as he saw relief and happiness fill Sonnet’s and Legend's eyes, grateful smiles covering both of their muzzles.

A soft smile appeared on Doctor Manner’s muzzle as he continued his report “It will take time for Tales to heal completely and with physical therapy the odds are good that the colt may be able to walk again. However, he may have a slight limp, or his leg will be weaker than the others later in life. But your colt Tall Tales is a fighter, and we will do our best to care for him until he is ready to return home; he should be able to return in three to four weeks, with regular appointments of course,” Doctor Manner finished his report and watched as Legend hugged his wife happily as Sonnet trembled her legs becoming weak before she sat on her haunches relief seemed to radiate from both unicorns as they received the news.

“Thank Celestia…my baby is going to be ok,” thought Sonnet as she brought a hoof to her eyes attempting to wipe away tears of happiness. Sweet Sonnet sat a little straighter as she returned her husband’s embrace, a shaky smile on her lips, she kissed his cheek multiple times, her tears soaking his dark fur. Releasing Legend from her embrace she backed away slightly and looked up to the sky sending her silent thanks to whatever greater force may be listening.

Despite feeling the cool chill from the combination of his mate’s tears wetting the side of his face and the hospital's air conditioning, the happiness that warmed Legend from his very core only grew as he felt Sonnets lips against his face before she backed away slightly. Legend was the first to recover, tears of joy in the corner of his turmeric eyes, he turned to Doctor Manner and reached to shake his hoof more strength in the dark grey unicorns shake this time “Th-Thank you so much Doctor Manner, for everything,” Legend said his voice thick with emotion as he smiled appreciatively at the medical stallion.

“Of course, Mr. Bard no thanks necessary,” Doctor Manner began to walk away before another thought ran through his mind and the champagne unicorn couldn’t help but reflect softly to himself “though I do hope that filly wakes up soon. I’d like to complement her work, she may make for a fine nurse someday,” chuckling Doctor Manner, walking away the satisfaction of another job being completed spread through him as he turned to go to his office. He had charts to finish after all, though in his distraction Doctor Manner missed the thoughtful looks that overcame Legend and Sonnet as they watched him walk through the hospital’s double doors.

Just as they glanced up a familiar elderberry mare was walking by, heading in the direction of the hospital’s cafeteria, her own body reflecting her exhaustion, Sugar Beet moved slower than usual however it seemed like she held her head slightly higher as she passed the surprised unicorns. Sugar Beet’s emerald eyes focused on the path in front of her, but a small smile on her muzzle betrayed that she had heard what Doctor Manner had said. A small bit of pride reflected in Sugar’s tired eyes as she continued her journey to retrieve the life-giving nectar that was coffee.

Legend’s bright orange eyes widened and jumping slightly the dark grey unicorn scrambled to stand upright and walk towards the elderberry earth mare. Just as Legend had opened his muzzle to call out to Sugar Beet, Sonnet had already beaten him to the punch as she had stood and quickly approached the matriarch of the Moon family.

“Mrs. Moon! Mrs. Moon, p-please wait,” said Sonnet her eyes wide as she galloped to catch the farm mare, the sound of Sweet Sonnet’s hooves hitting the linoleum floors caused Sugar to look up in slight surprise at the pale raspberry unicorn mare who had called out to her. A weary but warm smile covered the wheat farmer's muzzle as Sugar stopped walking to face the pale raspberry unicorn who was approaching her with a semi-frantic look on her face.

“Well Howdy there Missus Bard, how can ah help ya,” said Sugar Beet, her voice warm with kindness, her emerald eyes reflecting the warmth in her voice as she reached out a friendly hoof to Sonnet in the hope of calming the unicorn mare. Sweet Sonnet looked at Sugar Beet with a grateful look taking over her muzzle, though ironically the Bray Valley’s resident poet seemed to be at a loss of words as her mouth opened and shut as the unicorn mare thought of what she had wanted to say to Sugar Beet. Sonnet jumped slightly as Sugar tapped softly on her right wither and continued to speak.

“Ah couldn’t help but overhear, Ah’m glad that Tale’s will be aright’ yer colts a good an’ loyal friend, an I know Autumn will be happier than a pig in mud to hear tha he’s gonna be ok,” Sugar saw that her words had caused the corners of the raspberry unicorns lips to turn upward and wanting to assure the mare farther Sugar continued “ Now ya listen ta me, Yer colt’s a good one, stronger than an oak an a heart more golden than tha wheat we grow. He’ll be up on all four hooves quicker than a Wonderbolt with freshly preened wings, jus ya watch,” said Sugar encouragingly, her eyes glossy as she saw tears begin to form in Sonnet’s cyan eyes.

Taking a breath, Sonnet reached her left hoof up and wiped her eyes clear of tears, a thankful look overcame Sonnet’s face as she looked at the kind elderberry mare “Yes… Legend and I are s o relieved…But that is not what I wanted to say… I wanted to thank you, and your family. If your daughter hadn’t splinted Tales leg… If your husband had not found them. I feel like this story would have had a much sadder ending,” Sonnet’s cyan eyes narrowed as the thought of what could have happened caused her ears to flick back and she looked down slightly shaking her head in defiance of the bitter thoughts. Sonnet lifted her head once again to look once more at Sugar Beet, hopeful that her words had been received well by the strong earth pony mare. Sonnet’s eyes widened in surprise as Sugar Beet pulled her into a comforting hug, nuzzling the fellow mother softly in order to comfort her and accept the unicorn’s thanks.

Pulling away Sugar watched as a much happier Legend came to stand next to his mate and place a hoof over her withers once more “Autumn has always been a good friend to Tales, she’s a good filly. If you ever need help, the Bard’s will be there. Please, thank Shadow and Autumn for us, will you?” asked Legend hopefully warmth returning to his turmeric eyes.

Sugar Beet looked into the stallion’s eyes and saw the same kindness and strength she saw in the young unicorn colt who had stood by her daughter, smiling her ears flicked back in bashfulness “Thank ya kindly, both of ya… I’ll tell ‘em everythin ya tol me, sure as sugar. Ya’ll take care now, an give tha colt o yers our best,” said Sugar, a kind smile still on her muzzle as returned to her previous quest to retrieve coffee for herself and Shadow from the cafeteria. “I just hope we won’t need to ask for your help so soon,” thought Sugar Beet as a serious look took over her muzzle.

---

Shadow Snare sat in one of the hospital's uncomfortable arm chairs, his unruly onyx tail draped over the side of the chair flowing onto the cold linoleum floor twitching in irritation; his amber eyes focused on his sleeping daughter’s form as she slept. The familiar sound of Autumn snoring and the steady beat of her heart on the vitals monitor filled the otherwise silent hospital room with some form of noise to break the monotony that had come as the day turned into night once more. Shadow took a deep breath through his nose scenting the stale cleanliness of lemon cleaner, linoleum floors, plastic and metal mixed with the bitter scent of illness that most hospitals carried; another reminder of where Shadow and his family were.

An unsettled look crossed Shadow’s face as his thoughts raced, going over the events of the night that had led his family and himself here, “Those stallions were Crypt Hunters… there’s no doubt about it. But what are they even doing here! I thought most of disappeared after the Onyx Act was put in place to prevent those atrocities from occurring...,” Shadow shook his head snorting as the very thought of that sad chapter of cryptid history past through his mind.

“If those bastards are here, we’re all in danger…and if they’re showing their ugly mugs in town there’s no telling what they’ll do to Autumn or Sugar if they find out about them. There’s no telling how many colt’s, fillies or families will be at risk if they’re back… how many will disappear, how many will suffer... how many of them may still be out there hiding,” thought Shadow angerly, his upper lip curled exposing his fangs as a deep growl escaped his broad chest. The mere thought of those sorry excuses for stallions threatening his family, causing them harm filled him with rage and hatred.

Shadow’s eyes flashed blood red as he narrowed them in defiance of the horrible images his traitorous mind had conjured, his breathing became more rapid and his entire body tensed. Shadow’s thickly furred ears twitched as the sound of bed springs creaking broke his train of thought, glancing at the source of the sound his scarlet eyes rested on Autumn as she moved in her sleep. Shadow Snare closed his eyes and calmed his breathing, feeling his heart rate decrease Shadow opened his eyes gradually as they turned from a bright scarlet color back into their warm familiar amber.

“I won’t let that happen, not while I’m breathing,” Shadow nodded his head slightly and returned his gaze to Autumn. “I won’t let them hurt you or your mother, little one, I promise,” Shadow’s face softened as he made his silent vow. The sound of hooves echoed throughout the hallway as doctors and nurses made their rounds, checking on the other mares and stallions who found themselves under their care, the sounds of a hospital coming to life filled the hospital as the night shift retired for the day.

Shadow’s ears flipped back as the door behind him opened, scenting the air he smelled a familiar sweet wildflower scent that calmed him even farther combined with the strong bitter scent of cheap hospital coffee. As Shadow’s golden eyes rested on Sugar Beet softly walking into the room carrying a container with two cups of steaming coffee in her mouth, a fatigued yet loving smile covered his muzzle as the silver stallion went to help his mate. “Welcome back love…here let me take some of that off your hooves,” said Shadow, his rumbling voice making a grateful smile form on Sugar Beets face as he took the container with his powerful jaws.

Shadow took the container from his wife and brought it to the small table next to Autumn’s bed, once it was settled, he took one of the cups in his hooves and presented it to his wife. Sugar sat on her haunches and took the cup from her mate, a peaceful smile growing on her lips.

“Thank ya hon,” said Sugar as she glanced at the life giving brown liquid, Sugar’s face took on a contemplative look as she rotated the cup in her hooves, adding sugar to the bitter fluid before she continued “I ran in ta Tall Tale’s folks, they wanted ta thank Autumn an ya for savin’ their colt,” Shadow snorted a warm grin forming on his muzzle as he shook his head slightly before he took a sip from his own Styrofoam cup.

Sugar wrapped her curly olive oil tail with Shadow’s wild onyx tail as she glanced at her mate her emerald eyes filled with love and pride as she continued “I overheard tha Doctor, he said that the colt will make a full recovery, thanks ta Autumn’s quick thinkin’ with the splint,” Sugar watched as Shadow looked at her before smiling at their sleeping daughter across the room happy to see her husband’s mood lift she continued “Our filly really is somethin,” said Sugar the pride in her voice growing more prominent as her emerald eyes gazed at their daughter lovingly.

“Yes… She certainly is,” said Shadow, his voice reflective as he moved to sit closer to his mate, wrapping his tail tighter around Sugar’s. Shadow rubbed his silver coat against Sugar’s warm elderberry one as he moved into a comfortable position. Shadow gazed at Sugar lovingly before he rubbed his cheek against Sugar's; a soft moan escaped his lips as he bumped his nose against hers before he gazed at their daughter, her silver mane almost glowing in light of the sun. “She must have gotten all that cleverness from her mother,” said Shadow chuckling as his wife’s bright green eyes narrowed playfully before she bumped his muscled shoulder.

Sugar giggled as Shadow exaggerated how much force she had used to push against him, the silver stallion pretended to fall for a second before he gently placed his massive unshorn hoof over her more delicate one squeezing it comfortingly. Sugar Beet watched carefully as that second of levity that they had shared faded; Sugar noticed as the happiness that had been on her mate’s face disappeared along with it.

A worried yet curious look came over Sugars face as she watched Shadow’s mood change before her eyes “Hon, ya never did tell me wha happened out there,” Sugar said gently her voice holding a question as she looked at her mate with love, as her eyes looked slowly at the gash in his shoulder she touched the area gently with her hoof.

Shadow flinched slightly, the frown forming on his lips marred a deeper trench on his muzzle; Shadow’s body grew tense, his onyx tail bristled, and his amber eyes burned as if he were facing an enemy Sugar could not see. Sugar watched patiently as Shadow drew in a deep breath sighing deeply, the silver stallion turned his face towards Sugar a mix of despair and anger clear on his face as Shadow gripped her small hoof harder as if to draw enough strength to tell Sugar what he had encountered on his mission to find Autumn and Tales. Shadow's eyes snapped shut as he shook his head, his amber eyes opening slightly as he looked up in despair of what his family would now have to face.

“I never wanted this… I never wanted to bring any more trouble into our lives love… and here we are again. Because of what I am… ponies want to destroy me and everything I care for... Everything we care for, and anypony…This is going to be Tartarus… but I swear Sugar I’ll protect us,” Shadow looked at Autumn before turning his determined amber gaze towards Sugar “I’ll protect our family,” thought Shadow, some of the tension leaving his body.

Looking into his mate's loving emerald eyes Shadow felt nothing but support and strength exuding from Sugar Beet; he nodded slowly as he looked back at Autumn watching to see if their daughter would hear what he was about to tell her mother. Shadow’s thickly furred ears perked listening for any signs that they were not speaking privately, hearing a pair of hooves pause at their door. Shadow's suspicion faded after the hooves continued to walk down the hall.

The metallic brimstone smell of magic permeated the air but the silver werepony passed it off as a unicorn on the medical staff conducting his duties. Hearing no changes in the adolescent fillies breathing or movement he felt safe to tell the strong mare the whole story including the monsters that were hiding in the open among them.

Shadow calmly told Sugar of all the events that led up to them being in the hospital with their daughter, he told Sugar of Autumn’s quick thinking with the splint…of how it seemed that Autumn had fended off a pack of Timberwolves to protect Tales before he arrived to fight off the last Timberwolf and finally of how they had found their way out of Razorback trail. Sugar Beet’s face took on a terrified look as Shadow told the story and she would look over at Autumn in disbelief as he told her as much as he could of their daughter’s epic adventure. Shadow knew that despite his wife being distressed he had yet to drop the proverbial horseshoe “The Timberwolves weren’t the only threats out there, I was seen by Crypt Hunters, they took a shot at me,” Shadow said his voice tinted with anger as he growled out the name of the cruel stallions that had pursued him.

Sugars emerald eyes nearly flew from their sockets as horror and realization covered her face “Di-Did they see ya shift sugar? Did…,” Sugar’s voice broke off as she fearfully glanced at Autumn before her emerald eyes returned to Shadow’s face “Did they see ya carryin Autumn an Tales?” Sugar Beet asked warily her voice shaking despite her best effort to appear unaffected by the news. Shadow’s head lowered as he shook his head silently answering his scared mates’ question, Sugar could not help the small amount of relief that his answer gave her.

“No love, I was already shifted when I fought off the last Timber… and I managed to keep the unicorn colt and Autumn tucked close to my chest as I ran. I don’t think they saw Autumn or Tales before I hid them in some nearby bushes before I faced the cowards head on,” said Shadow, his voice grave and steady as he reviewed his memory looking for any way he could have given away his family's location forfeiting their safety. Finding none he looked at Sugar before he continued to recount his encounter with the infamous “hunters” seeing her face take on a serious look as she absorbed the information her husband had given her.

“How many were there?” asked Sugar Beet her voice just barely above a whisper as she asked the question that had been bothering her since she knew that these brutal murderous ponies were out there waiting to kill her husband and daughter. Sugar took a deep breath as she looked at Shadow, nothing but seriousness consuming her face as she sat up straighter waiting to hear how many of these brutes were running loose in Bray Valley.

“No more than five, all of them stallions. One earth pony with scars across his muzzle, along with three other stallions and one pegasus that seemed like he had more feathers in his head than brains. I managed to get one of the bastards to run into an Ursa trap, and trapped the other four in a net floating down river,” Shadow said seriously, though the silver stallion couldn’t help chuckling at the memory of the angry looks on their faces as they were washed plot over heads down river. Shadow flinched as Sugar’s deadpan look killed any of the remaining laughter he had about the deadly hunters that had nearly taken his head off with a crossbow.

Sugar took a deep breath and an understanding look took over her face; her burning emerald eyes softened at seeing her husband shrink from her gaze. Sugar Beet closed the distance between her and Shadow Snare getting close she nuzzled her stallion’s cheek before resting her head underneath his chin. Sugar Beet closed her eyes as she took this moment to comfort Shadow and listen to the powerful sound of his heart as it beat steadily against his thickly furred chest, reminding her that he was still there… he was safe and this familiar sound provided the elderberry mare comfort in its own right.

“Thank the Two Sisters that he’s ok,” Sugar cracked her eyes open and looked at Autumn “they both are,” thought Sugar a small smile finding its way on her muzzle as Shadow rose his hooves to hold her “But if we ain’t careful we may not be alright fer long, we need ta come up wit a plan before those rotten no good snakes in tha grass catch hide o’ hair o where we are,” Sugar thought pessimistically as her smile ran away from her lips being replaced by a straight line as she voiced her thoughts to Shadow.

“So, what are we gonna do now sugar? We can’t just sit here like a steering wheel on a mule waitin for those piles o horseapples to show up at the farm wit their knives achin fer ya’lls pelts,” Sugar shuttered in disgust as her mind seemed to betray her and created a colorful image of a sadistic stallion wearing her husband or fillies coat like a sick trophy.

Shadow rubbed his hoof up and down Sugars toned back and breathed in her scent as he sighed, worried about his wife’s valid fear. “We may have to leave the farm for a while…maybe we could find work at Golden Wave acres in Baltimare or maybe set up in Griffenstone. I’ve heard that the griffons are in dire need of good quality flour,” Shadow’s voice sounded like he was asking Sugar for her approval as he spoke trying to sound hopeful despite the gravity of their situation. Sugar Beet nodded her approval of her husband’s thought process and her silence seemed to allow Shadow to continue.

“Do you think you could get your cousin Buck Wheat and his family to look after our farm while we’re gone?” asked Shadow his voice grim as the thought of leaving their home filled him with a necessary sorrow. Sugar's emerald eyes held sorrow and seemed to be calculating before she sighed deeply, pulling away from Shadow; Sugar looked into Shadow’s amber eyes before she nodded softly.

“Cousin Buck was one o’ tha few of tha family tha didn’t disown us… I’ll send ‘im a letter as soon as the sun’s up, it’ll take a few days ta reach im though an at least a month ‘fore they’d be ready to leave,” said Sugar her voice becoming more steady as she entered business mare mode, trying her best outline how long their plans would take. Shadow nodded in understanding and as Autumn stirred once more in her sleep Sugar and Shadow grew silent.

“As soon as Autumn can go home… We have to tell her, she has to know love,” said Shadow as he spoke evenly with his golden amber eyes looking sadly at his wife. Shadow's eyes went to the floor as he sighed closing his eyes hoping that Autumn would not be more traumatized by what she was about to learn. The massive silver stallion flinched in surprise as he felt a loving hoof cup his cheek and his glowing amber eyes snapped open as he raised his head to look at Sugar Beets loving face. Shadow smiled lovingly at his mate and placed his hoof over hers, rubbing his cheek against the bottom of her hoof.

“We’ll do it together sugar, no matter wha happens,” said Sugar as she bumped her nose against Shadows' broader flat one. Shadows eyes reflected nothing but love and appreciation for the strong mare who was his mate, just as he opened his muzzle to return Sugar Beet’s sentiment a tired groan startled the two earth ponies. Shadow and Sugar turned their heads to look at the source of the groan, relief and happiness flooding their features as they saw their daughter’s eyes open.

“Uuuughh… Mo-Mom... Dad,” Autumn moaned out her voice rough due to having a dry mouth. Shadow and Sugar stood and walked over to their filly tears of happiness escaping the corners of their eyes and bright smiles on their faces, hearing their daughters voice once filled them both with relief. Autumn’s thickly furred ears twitched as they picked up the sound of her parents hooves coming towards her, and the dull glazed look that covered her eyes began to fade as her vision became more clear the light coming back into her amber eyes.

“Welcome back hon,” said Sugar Beet, her voice shaking slightly as she placed her hoof gently on Autumn’s wild silver forelock brushing back her daughter’s unruly mane to see her daughter’s lively amber eyes. Sugar Beet smiled lovingly at her filly as Autumn grinned at her and Shadow, Autumn’s own smaller fangs poking past her lips as she saw that her parents were there waiting on her. Sugar’s smile grew larger when she noticed that her daughters’ wild tail had begun to wag, thumping against the hospital mattress and the thin but warm blankets.

“Thanks Mom,” said Autumn, her rough voice gaining more volume as she became more conscious a guilty look came over her face as she looked between her mother and father; Autumn’s eyes widened in surprise as she realized that she was in a hospital. Autumn’s ears lay flat against her ears as her memories caught up with her horror and panic soon flooded the adolescent fillys face; shaking the olive oil filly jumped up and flinched as a sharp aching pain ran up her left foreleg.

Shadow and Sugar both watched in concern as Autumn rose her shaking left forehoof up and saw the two newly healed scars on the back of her left foreleg, appearing bright pink against her olive oil colored fur.

Autumn gasped as she felt the scars and her head shook in disbelief, her heart monitor began beeping more rapidly as she realized that the events of the night might have been more than a fever driven nightmare.
“M-Mom… D-Dad… I think I might be a m-monster,” Autumn’s voice broke pitifully as tears began to pour from her glowing amber eyes, the young wheat farmer turned away from her parents lowering her head in shame as she wept. Sugar Beet and Shadow reacted as if they had been slapped, their ears lay flat against their heads as they looked at each other before they went to comfort their poor filly.

Warm loving elderberry and silver hooves embraced Autumn as her small body shook with heart wrenching sobs; Autumn cried until her body refused to give her any more tears, exhausted her voice ragged she became silent and rolled over allowing the setting sun and the comforting whispers of her mother to lure her back to sleep.

---

The dark silhouette of a skinny male unicorn snuck away from the hospital just as Celestia’s sun began to set, grinning maliciously at the information he had overheard from the room that held that deformed filly and her ugly brute of a father. “I wonder what somepony may pay for this information,” said the cruel pony as he walked away smiling at the thought of the bits he could make if he gave this information to the right ponies… or maybe just one in particular. Heading into town the stallion turned towards home to rest before he went out to find a buyer.

---

Miles away from the center of town the Black Hoof river had turned from raging rapids to a calm flow. The calming sounds of nature could be heard; the rivers current slowed as it curved against the rocks near the coast the sound of the water serenely running was suddenly broken as the sound of angry yells broke the peace. A blue jay jumped in surprise and watched from the safety of a tree as a massive tan stallion with scars running down his muzzle pulled himself out of the river, the stallion screamed up at the sky startling the bird. The large stallions' rough rage filled yell echoed throughout the forest startling various animals and causing them to run from the source, nature grew silent around them.

Author's Note:

Sorry for being a little late on this chapter I've been working late shifts doing medical coverage in the middle of no where so of course no computer. However, I hope you all enjoy the newest chapter and I hope you will continue to enjoy new chapters as they release.

This has not been edited by RandomGuy101 yet so please excuse my grammer.

Until next time... Cheers!

Comments

[Admiral Q Ponyform]

okay if these Crypt Hunters are against the law. TELL THE COPS!

[TraumaLane]

10262247
And if the cops are payed off? no worries good point but the law may be old, or only apply to ponies... sadly not all laws were made for the Benifit of all races... *cough cough* Jim Crow

[Admiral Q Ponyform]

10262286
no hint of that at this point.

[TraumaLane]

10262292
A lot of lore will be explained next chapter, going over why that law came to be, who’s under its protection, why there are wereponys (lycans/werewolves) and possibly other races and why no pony seems to realize that these creatures live among them. But not for nothing it was great you picked that up if you’re down to proof read I’d love to work with you seems like you catch small details well!

[Admiral Q Ponyform]

10262309
Grammer wise I suck but ideas I am pretty good. As is I can see Autumn's dad going to the cops about him and why he and his daughter are under threat because their ear tufts are enough for these crazy ponies to go after them

[TraumaLane]

10262363
Fair point so is mine, thus I work with an editor RandomGuy101 does great work and has fixed up a few prior chapters. And you’re right on the tuffs but even assassins need to be sure of their targets, and when your on the run you may do a few things to fly under the radar...but seriously if you’d be down to proof read or wanna run some ideas I’m down to collab or I may look towards the proof readers. Anything to make a good story better (or at least readable )

[Admiral Q Ponyform]

10262404
PM me anytime

[TraumaLane]

10262412
You got it dude!

[Timuri]

Shadow doesn't know it since Autumn couldn't tell her story yet, but Tall Tales will definitely be asking questions about his friend, and his parents will likely hear from him first. As bards, they almost certainly know the werepony legends, so I kinda think bringing that whole family in on the secret may be necessary. While having others in the know does increase the chance of discovery, it also provides a haven and safety net.

Not that they're likely to stay unknown if Silver Tongue finds his buyer anyway... And as sleazy as Escape Clause seemed, I have to hope that he would be angry at his son for that. He seemed to know more than he let on before, so he may be involved with that law Shadow briefly mentioned in his narration.

[TraumaLane]

10869056
Sorry for the late reply, but I’m so so glad that you’ve been making so many great comments and I do hope you’ll continue to enjoy this story though I’ve gotten a bit busy with life I do plan on continuing this story and hope to put out more chapters hopefully soon I agree that building a safety net is important and you may be right about them being able to help but it may be in a different way then you expect. As for Silver Tongue he’s not the one selling them out it was a sleazy unicorn janitor in the hospital but his father Escape Clause and him will have more parts to play as well. Though I wonder whether you got the thought on green magic

The pelt wearing stallions are part of something that may be revealed soon. But I can’t wait to hear what you think of the other chapters Cheers!