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[Chapter One]~ A Prologue Prolonged2,001 words
[Chapter Two]~Meeting The Locals2,644 words

[Chapter Two]~Meeting The Locals

I'm not sure what I expected when I broke the tree line but a group of what appears to be wooden wolves chasing ponies around in a burning town was not it. If i'm gonna be able to help I'll need to be careful

Now out of the incessant forest I looked up and down the treeline trying to get a sense of where I can use it to get into town. Lucky for me it looked the town actually had a section than was (at least partially) surrounded by the trees. perfect Looking around making sure I wasn't spotted by the wooden abominations. I quickly made my way back into the thicker brush of the forest and made my way to my planned entrance.

Attempting to navigate through a forest is hard enough but add on creatures that can tear off limbs. Well your certainly more cautious but your also not looking where your walking.

"Ah ahhh!" Thump/Crack The cracking of a large stick breaking under my weight echoed off the various trees. I freeze all concentration on listening ti the world around me.

Silence...dead silence. I swallow if I know one thing it's that that silence is very very bad. Relieved I bring myself to my knees.
As I put one leg underneath myself a swath of warm air brushes against the hair in my neck.... okay Athena...don't move it doesn't want you it's curious. It won't eat you it's got a buffet running around town.

Just DON'T MOVE

The creature is so close I can almost feel it's teeth. A growl reverberates from it's throat sounding more like a branch being knocked against rock than air on flesh. I peered right seeing three more creatures appearing to be large wolves made of tree roots. As I slowly peak left I see nothing there. I adjust my legs slightly. Okay time for some classic human ingenuity. Whirling around I smash my arm into the wolf within kissing distance before bolting towards the other three. These three threw themselves back at me which I responded to with a low roll. A very painful poorly executed low roll.
Owowow that's my spine! I think I hit a root! Attempting to ignore the pain shooting in the middle of my back I run from the three wolves.

It seems the forest provides a double edge sword. Keeping the wolves from catching me but giving them extra cover from my sight. Another piece of bad news...i'm running out of tree cover. A wolf jumps from my left. I duck down avoiding the tackle but this slowed me allowing the fourth behind me to make ground and nip at my heels. Breaking right I weaved between trees keeping some distance in an attempt to get time. This causes two of the four to collide and hit a tree causing them to shatter.

Okay there is only one following. Hopefully I can outpace it when I break the treeline. My legs are starting to disagree with my plans I need to make this quick.

Looking ahead I see the light of the treeline. Yes my savior! I...just..need....to...get there!

5.....

....4

3...

2..

I break through the trees at a dead sprint trying to gain as much ground as I can. If only I'd paided attention to what's in front of me.

"Shit" I shout as I run dead into a fence causing myself to summersalt over. Landing on the other side I clutch at my gut. The pain making me forget what I was doing. The smash of wood and rain of splinters reminded me as I looked up to see my growling pursuer. Rising trying to bring my body into a crouch a weight hits me from behind as the second wolf arrives. Seeming to have looped around to catch me. It gives a snarl in my ear as I keep trying to shift. It's weight concentrated on my lower back.

A set of jaws clamp down on my shoulder. "Ahh...Ahhhh! My grunting turns to yelling as the wolf starts to tear into the top of my left shoulder. It's claws ripping into my lower back. My shifting becomes bucking as I try and unbalance the wolf. I succeed in getting the wolf off my back. Rolling onti my back the second wolf now has other ideas. It takes my right hand in it's mouth and clamps down. I feel is the bones bending under the pressure. My yelling turns to screams.

Now in a better position the first goes for my throat I raise and block it with my left arm. Blood is now bubbling from my left shoulder. I want to reach for my knife but I can't! Pulling at my left arm the grip of it's jaws only get tighter.

"Get off that creature!" I here someone yell before a yellow and blue blur slams into the wolf holding my arm. The two slam into the second wolf and both explode causing the blur to tumble. Grabbing my knife I stand and hold it to somehow defend myself. God what now!! my thoughts scream. I can feel myself shaking my hand is slippery and throbbing deeply with my racing heart but all my focus is on the pony in front of me.

Wait did it just talk? I think as my vision starts to go fuzzy as I feel myself wobble. Unfocused I feel my body hit something but all I see is the smoke obscuring clouds above...

I... I'm tired I think I'll take a nap.

Beep..

....

Beep...

"Do you think it'll wake up?

Beep....

Beep..

"Don't worry Twi the doctor-" Beep...

"It lost quite some blood..."

...Beep.....

"The wound to her appendage was poisoned-"

....

... She'll be out for some time.

She?

....

Beep....beep...beep That sound is getting annoying. Someone shut off that damn alarm. I start to raise my left arm only for pain to shoot through my muscles making my gasp. My eyes reflexively open to which I'm flashed with seering light. I groan and flop incurring another bout of pain. "Ahhhggrrrr" Through the pain a voice called out causing the pain to receed.

"Shh sh sh shh it's alright, you are alright. Just take this and sleep...."

I felt something poke me and my mind began to drift."Sleep, yes that sounds that sounds nice... with that I was out.

I don't know how long I slept for but when I woke again it was dark. Looking around the room my body felt heavy and it feels hard to focus. How long have I sleeping? Adjusting my body I brought my arms up. Flexing, rolling, bending, and stretching. Happy with the movement (dispite some tension) after a minute I moved for my next step. I came to a stop however when I took notice of an extra addition to my chest.
There using my chest as a pillow was a cat. Though I can't tell what color in the darkness of the room. Deciding I could stand to wait a little longer I put my left hand on the cat and settled back content to let the cat sleep longer. I felt comfort knowing I wasn't alone.

'Meow'

"Huh?" Looking down I saw the eyes of my new fluffy friend open looking at me. I smiled and gave it a scratch behind the ear with my left hand. "Thanks for being here bud" as if understanding me my new friend begins to purr against me lulling me back to a calming rest.

Waking again I raise up slightly before I'm blinded by a ray of light from my right. I try but for some reason I still can't block the light completely what is-! That's when I see my hand. Although it's particularly obscured by the sunlight there is no mistaking what my eyes see.

"What the fu-?!" The dry flesh of my throat made itself known as I wheeze and cough attempting to clear and moison it. The fouth digit ended halfway from my hand via bandage. I start to bring my left arm forward when It locks up. Looking I see two differences with my left arm. One is the gauze covering the lower half. The second is my shoulder is strapped up. Moving it back and fourth I feel the stitches irritate the skin underneath. Shit I guess I was hurt worse than I thought Looking around the room I didn't see the cat that had cuddled with me so the owner must've came and taken them.

Flipping the blanket off I turn right only to feel a sting in my arm and burning in ny back. Looking down I see an iv. Not unexpected but more advanced than I thought. It appears so far I have many preconceptions about...was it Equestria yeah Equestria to fix. Slowly I pull the iv out trying not to destroy my vein. Glancing to the tray table next to the bed. A single glass of water rested. I reach for it slowly trying not to hurt myself more. After I down it all I clear my throat again. Feeling better I speak. "Okay now time to find out how long was I out?" My legs feel stiff and sore but their are no tingles racing through

Before I could bring myself to attempt to stand I here a commotion outside the door. That thing destroyed ma family fence!

Miss your not allowed down there! Please I must insist-! with the commotion outside I giess I'm in some sort of medical building. At least they have such a thing and it's not like a stable.

"Not happening that no good...!" At least two coming from down the hall they're getting closer and the first doesn't sound happy. Before I could try to process any further the door explodes inwards showering me in splinters.

"There ya are! Ya own my family-!" The dust in my room clears and I see a orange pony with a cowboy hat on. I guess it's a she on the voice. Stops her yelling dead apon seeing me. I guess she wasn't expecting a sight like this.

I was not expecting this. The creature that had damaged her families property sat on the white bed staring at Applejack. Bandages covering various parts if it's form. It's shoulder, leg, belly, and arms. The sight was enough to clear the anger from the front of her mind.

"Wha.. what-?"

This pony in front of me went from angry to confused in a matter of seconds apon seeing me. It was about to speak but was quickly interrupted by a very angry nurse looking pony entering the room.

"Miss Applejack what in the name of Equestria do you think your doing?!" Yelled another pony who stood in the doorway.

The orange pony who I now know is Applejack starts stuttering as this new pony bears down on her. The new arrival seems to command respect.

"Do you have any idea how long it will take to clean these wood splinter off my floor? Oh! Not to mention if any animals~"

As the two bickered back and fourth the nurse assistant joined in. As things started to rise in volume I found myself growing agitated.

"LittlemissWe'vebeenpatientabout your grievancesI'm-!" ....The two ponies voices become one in the tirade annoying me further "I'm about this farfrom simply throwingyouout the window justtobe donewith you!" "Missfaunas please there is no need-" the ponies just kept going

Alright I've had enough of this. Clenching my fist I slam a hammerfist into the wall beside me shaking the room.
"Stoooppp!!!" my voice strained from the sheer volume I screamed. I coughed into my fist to clear my throat. The three ponies were frozen. All staring at me in shock. Seeing that I had there attention I slowly stood up.

"Now... I started planting my hands on my hips. What the fucks the problem?" The three didn't move seeming to not know how to respond. It's probably because they didn't expect us to understand each other

"Ahem..." I say crossing my arms trying to grab there attention. Wait something feels off... Looking down I see what feels wrong. And it's very wrong...

I'm completely naked....

"Ahhhh!" I rip the sheet off the bed "Why am I naked and where are my clothes?!" I yell looking at the three ponies. They however were confused with this bout of anger and anxiety.

"What's wrong dear?" asked the late pony with light blue hair. What kind of question is that they brought me in here fully clothed and now are shocked when I freak because I'm in the nude!? I take a breath calming myself as much as I can.

"Look just...just get me my clothes, let me change and we'll talk alright." The pony nods and tells her assistant to fetch my coverings.

..... "--"

That was probably the most embarrassing few minutes of my life.

After getting dressed in a conveniently unnoticed restroom it seemed everyone calmed from the intelligent unknown being moment. Introductions were made names were learned. The three infront of me were Dr Fana local veterinarian. Angel Dust the good doctors assistant and lastly Applejack. I was told Applejack runs a farm just outside town with her family. A family who did not appreciate the fact I'd damaged there property.

I of course introduced myself as Athena Frost and offered to pay off the damage. Applejack asked how I was gonna do that since I'd just gotten to town. That is when I remembered something. I started rummaging through my belt pouches. What I found had me asking questions again.

"Uhhh what u looking for there?" Applejack asked I opened the pouch on my left side to find a variety of small coins.

"I never checked these pouches when I going over what I have in the forest. I just remembered they are there so.. ya know." Applejack and the other made a noise of understanding at the explanation. I pulled out 3 stacks of coins and layed them on the small end table next to the bed.The three ponies stood shocked at the amount of money Athena pulled from her belt. So how much you need? A bright smile gracing my face.

As it turned out I had alot of money on me. The way the three explained it to me there were three different coins used in the Equestrian economy copper, silver, and gold. Copper was the most common being used in everyday transactions such as food shopping. Where silver is used for more expensive purchases with 1 silver coin equalizing to 100 copper and 1 gold equals 10 silver or 1000 copper.

Needless to say I was shocked. I decided I would need to count all my money later.

When I was alone.

Applejack offered to house me until I found a place in town. And Angel told me she wanted to speak to me when I was able. Something about a potential opportunity with some friends of hers. She left later in the evening a smile on her muzzle. Later that night I ate at the clinic as Dr Fana wanted to keep me one more night. The worry was I was still at risk of having some delayed reaction to any of the timberwolf poison still in my body.

As the moon rose into the night sky I counted out the money I pulled from each of the 2 small pouches on my belt. I found myself with was alot to say the least. A total number of 2 gold, 15 silver and 55 copper. A decent amount even if by no means am I rich. Putting my money away I watched the night sky shimmer wondering what the future held for one like me as I fell to the comforts of sleep.

Author's Note:

For simplicity sake here is ya go. And because I sometimes suck with descriptions

1 gold = 10 silver = 1000 copper

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