Jokers Wild

by blowngasket

The Crazy Thing About The Forest

Chapter 9: The Crazy Thing About The Forest

Perry awoke. Nothing really special to it. No surprises. No random happenings this fine slightly cloudy morning. Just Perry waking up. Slipping out of bed and stretching the drowsiness out of himself, he made his way into the kitchen. He still had on his sleeping mask, wearing his white night outfit, complete with a cone hat, a fuzzy pom pom on the tip, and red and green polka dots completed the bizarre look. He had the sleep shirt opened, preferring cool air over being totally warm, also that he didn't feel like replacing the four buttons that have fallen off a long time ago.

A morning ritual to get the day ready for him, he started up a pot of coffee. Watching the blackish liquid bubble up in the glass top made the perfect morning experience he had received so far nearly perfect. He opened his ice box, grabbing the tray of eggs and butter, and set them aside. He then grabbed a few vegetables and cheese, carefully slicing them up so they would cook quickly. After a few minutes in front of the stove, he finally finished cooking the beautiful looking omelette. The coffee was finished and poured. The omelette was plated and ready to be devoured. As he finished getting ready to be able to relax and enjoy the morning, the slight sound of knocking on his front door pulled him back to reality and out of his perfect morning. He looked at the door, then at his food, and sighed. He walked to the door, opening it up to see who it was. He noticed a familiar young woman standing there, her long light pink hair slightly blocking half of her face.

"I am sorry...if I woke...ummm..." she took notice of what he looked like outside of his normal attire, almost forgetting what she was saying as she spent a few seconds staring at him. Initially, she couldn't help but let out a smile at his childishly adorable outfit, but started to blush as she stared at the opening in his night shirt. Perry only watched, awkwardly tilting his head in a moment of confusion.

"Can I help you, Fluttershy?" Perry finally asked her, laughing lightly as she jumped at his sudden question. "Come on in. I made, successfully this time around, a nice omelette. It's a tad big, so I can split it up for you if you're hungry," he opened the door for her, moving out of the way now. She just stood there for a few seconds before speaking up.

"No...it's fine. I am not hungry... I just..." she was interrupted by a somewhat loud growl from her stomach, quite possibly the loudest sound Perry has actually heard her make. Her blush grew an even deeper red in embarrassment, and without saying anything she walked into his house and towards the kitchen. Perry followed after, holding back his laughter to make her feel better. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed a second plate and another set of silverware. He cut the omelette on his plate in half, slid it onto the extra plate, and set it down opposite to him. Fluttershy stood in a corner, trying to stay out of his way.

"Would you like anything to drink? Coffee or juice, perhaps?" Perry asked Fluttershy politely.

"Juice please.... if that is alright," she quietly said making her way to the seat set for her across from him. He nodded and opened the ice box, pulling out a bottle of apple juice and pouring a glass for her. He set it by her and took his seat now, slipping a piece of omelette under his mask and taking a bite. Fluttershy watched him as he did so, trying not to let herself be noticed watching. Even she was a bit curious at what was hiding behind Perry's mask. "I should have asked this before, but did you use any... meat in here?" she said meekly as she stared at the food in front of her, poking it nervously with her fork.

"No I didn't. I prefer not to eat flesh if possible. That isn't a problem, I hope," Perry responded to Fluttershy's question. "I can make you a new one if that bothers you?"

"No no...it's perfect, actually. I am a vegetarian!" she told him happily. "Working with animals so much, I would never be able to live with myself if I ate one I knew. It's a silly fear... but you never know..." she blushed slightly expecting him to laugh at her. Perry only nodded reassuringly towards the girl. She smiled at him, taking a bite of her food. "Oh my...this is actually really good!" she said with more volume than usual.

"You expect anything less?" he said with a bit of an attitude in his voice. She looked down quickly.

"Well...with what happened when you tried to cook at my house..." Fluttershy said to him. Perry chuckled nervously.

"Oh yes... almost forgot about that. It was a fluke incident!" he exclaimed. "Though all I can really make are omelettes, I do it well most of the time."

"If you don't mind me asking, why don't you like to eat meat?" Fluttershy asked, never actually having met a man who disliked meat.

"Personal lifestyle choice," Perry replied, taking another chunk of omelette and slipping it under the mask. "Anyways though, I am sure you didn't come here to have breakfast," Perry said, taking the last bite of his food. She looked over at him as he got up and placed his dishes in the sink, then taking his seat again and watching her.

"Well...I need to make a trip to a friends house for some homemade medicine, but I am afraid to go alone," Perry listened to her, watching her get nervous. "She lives in the Everfree Forest, and it can be dangerous in there. I was....wondering if...ummm..."

"It would be my pleasure to assist you, Fluttershy," Perry said to her.

"If it is not a bother...Everyone else is busy. Also...I feel... safe with you..," she blushed as she looked up at him. He nodded, thankful that he was wearing a mask, for me just might have been blushing too.

"I just need to change into something a bit more... socially acceptable," he laughed as he got up and headed for his bedroom. Getting changed rather quickly, he was back to his usual look, mask included. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed his untouched cup of coffee. Feeling a bit mischievous, he turned with his back to Fluttershy, removing his mask and holding it out to the side so she could see he was no longer wearing it. He gulped down the coffee quickly and placed the mask back on, turning around to see her staring. Her next words shocked him slightly, as he didn't see it coming from a mile away.

"Why do you wear it?" Fluttershy asked. He looked at her, not saying a word for several seconds.

"Well, Fluttershy..." he started but couldn't finish the sentence. Every time someone asked him that, he was happy to make up an incredible tale about it. He couldn't with her, not for lack of trying, and it bothered him to no extent.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you...please don't be angry at me," she begged slightly, looking at the ground. "I was just remembering what you said that morning... I really don't know anything about you... but I would. I promise not to bother you about it if you don't want to tell me... please... please don't be upset..."

"It is a rare disorder..." Perry spoke quietly. He walked over to the door and opened it, holding it open for Fluttershy as well. She walked over, looking into his face as he watched her. They both walked outside before he continued. "I was picked on quite often when I was younger, so eventually I decided to start hiding it from the world. Time marches on and little things you did as a kid become a habit that forever follows you into adulthood. Now I can't help but feel afraid when I remove my mask in front of others."

"I'm sorry...You seem so confident. It is hard to think you are afraid of anything," she said as they started towards the forest. Perry walked beside her.

"It's fine, Flutters." she smiled and blushed as Perry used her nickname. "...To be fair, it's not even anything really embarrassing. I may be different, but I am no mutant...or am I?" he chuckled and started walking like a zombie, causing Fluttershy to laugh. "I will suck your brain out through a straw."

"I doubt you're a mutant." Fluttershy smiled. "You are you, and that is why..." she started to look away.

"Why what?" Perry asked her, tilting his head slightly.

"No...nothing really." she said. They continued in silence for several minutes, Fluttershy hoping that he would forget the subject in general. Perry, on the other hand, didn't feel like pressuring her.

The forest eventually started to grow in their sights, Fluttershy stopping a few feet from the wooded entrance. "We are almost there, so get ready. It's really scary in there," she said, shuddering slightly. Perry looked at the entrance to the forest. It didn't look all that bad, but Fluttershy was also timid, so he figured it was just her being her.

"Stay close to me, and I promise nothing will happen!" Perry said, walking into the Everfree Forest.

"Umm, I really do appreciate it, Perry...but," Fluttershy started. He stopped and looked at her. "...do you know where she lives?"

"...Lead the way!" he quickly exclaimed, laughing like the fool he felt he was. She smiled, feeling slightly reassured now, knowing he wasn't scared at all. She lead the way as he followed her, keeping an eye open for anything that could pose a threat. He chuckled to himself about actually thinking anything here would be a threat, noting an odd look from Fluttershy. Perry was feeling better than usual today, the prospect of danger was most likely the cause of it.

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The trip was longer than Perry thought it would be, with nothing really interesting happening. Even if he wanted to see some action, he was actually relieved so far to not actually encounter any sort of threat. He didn't have to do anything crazy in front of her, or lose it in the shrill of battle again. They arrived as at the destination as Fluttershy started to call out to Zecora, the owner of the house. It was built into a tree, like Fluttershy's, but it had a more wild feel to it.

"Zecora, I am here. Are you home?" she said quietly. Perry chuckled as he watched her.

"I don't believe she would have heard you, Flutters. How about we try knocking?" he said, lightly laughing. He walked up to the door, and gave it a few solid knocks. After a moment, a dark skinned woman opened the door. She looked almost feral, wearing a simple cloth top and large loincloth. She had what looked like white body paint, giving the impression of stripes, painted all over her. Finally, she had a not so subtle mohawk, with segments alternating in a black and white pattern. She stared at Perry for a moment, before looking over his shoulder to see Fluttershy behind him waving. She opened the door for them both.

"Please come in and have a seat," she said to them, and looked at Perry. "And who is this that I have the pleasure to meet?" Perry chuckled slightly at the rhyme.

"I am Perry O'te, royal jester to the princesses of Equestria," he bowed to the woman. "I was asked to join Fluttershy on her trip here so she could remain safe," Fluttershy nodded to Zecora.

"Here is the medicine you asked for. Let me know if you need any more," Zecora handed a bottle to Fluttershy. Perry chuckled at the rhyming quirk.

"Thank you very much, Zecora. Harry hasn't been feeling well and I was getting worried," Fluttershy said.

"Of course, dear Fluttershy. You are always welcome to come on by," Zecora said to her and smiled. Perry now looked at Zecora puzzled. The first two times could have been flukes, but this seemed deliberate, and he was curious.

"Pardon me for asking, but is the rhyming just a habit, or do you do it on purpose?" Perry asked her. Zecora smiled

"It is the way I am, I promise it is not an act or a sham," she said to him. "Now it is my turn to ask, why do you were that silly mask?" Perry chuckled and looked at her.

"I was a circus freak, and my face was the main attraction. When I ran away, I wore a mask so they would never find me," he told his tale to Zecora, who, by her facial reactions, didn't buy the story. He figured as much anyways, easily being one of the more out there stories he has told. "So, to this day, I hide from that ever searching circus, hoping that I will never be caught."

"Your tale was definitely something new, but I can tell it isn't true," he nodded and looked at Zecora.

"Indeed, but I shall stick to my story none the less," Perry said.

"I respect your right to secrecy. How about we talk again over tea? Not today, though. It is late, and you surely don't wish to become monster bait," Perry wasn't even sure of the time, the travel must have been longer than expected, or maybe he got up later than he thought.

"Another time, then. Are you ready Fluttershy?" he asked Fluttershy, who had been quiet for some time.

"Yes, we should leave so I can give Harry his medicine as soon as possible," she said as she walked to the door. Perry was about to follow when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked behind him to see a very stern looking Zecora looking at him.

"Fluttershy, could you wait outside for a few seconds? I want to ask Zecora about something. It's kind of embarrassing, though," he said, lightly chuckling.

"Of course. Just don't be too long. It is quite scary out there." Fluttershy responded as she went out the door, closing it behind her. Perry then chuckled, his breathing growing slightly erratic.

"Put that knife down, you have no desire to use it on me..."

"Speak, dark filled man...what is your sinister plan?" he simply grinned under the mask.

"Honestly, to have a nice vacation in Ponyville. What makes you think like that?"

"I can feel the evil there... yet I can sense that you do care. What matter of fiend do you be. To hide your wickedness from me," Perry turned around slowly. Zecora continued to hold the knife to him, now near his throat.

"It is a matter best not addressed, shaman. If you can feel my aura, as you say, you should also be able to tell I have no Ill intentions. Otherwise, I am sure you would have tried to kill me when you had the chance. You have been holding onto that knife for quite some time. Truly, it was so sloppy, I am surprised Fluttershy didn't notice," his voice, nearing the end of the sentence, had grown more stern. "If you must know, I do things a lesser person couldn't, sacrificing morality and decency for the greater good...even if I do collect some enjoyment from it," Zecora looked at him for several moments, before lowering the knife. "I will ask you only once. Don't mention this conversation to anyone, Zecora...I am dead serious. I respect you and understand you're simply making sure your friend is safe. I swear on my life she is. But if you do speak of this..." Zecora started to slightly tremble as the air in the room suddenly changed. It had become hard to breath, chills running down her spine as her heart began to beat faster and faster. She almost felt like a cornered prey, struggling to hold herself back from attacking. "I...will...kill...you," each word was like a knife, piercing into Zecora, causing her to start to shake rapidly.

She could feel it. True killing intent, powerful and too real. Suddenly that goofy mask was the mask of the reaper sent to take her soul. A knock on the door quickly broke the trance, as Fluttershy slowly stuck her head inside. Perry looked over to her. "Is everything alright, I suddenly got a bad feeling..." she said to Zecora and Perry.

"I promise you everything is fine. I just wanted to ask about some medicine for a few...issues," Perry replied. Zecora only nodded, finding the words hard pressed inside her to even speak. "I am ready now, so let's head out," he walked to the door, looking back at Zecora. "It was nice to meet you, Zecora. You have a pleasant day," he said to her as he left. She dropped to her knees as soon as they were gone, trying hard to forget what she felt. He was an evil that she never experienced before. Nothing like the evils that has befallen Equestria, because he almost felt like a half to the whole, something that truly did stem from necessity rather than malice. None the less, his display of control over his own desires was still terrifying, and something she won't soon forget.

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The walk back so far was quiet. He was happy to be away from that woman. The less she knew about him, the better. He couldn't help but think the same about Fluttershy, though. Would he ever be able to tell her himself; or better yet, should he? Perry's thought process was quickly interrupted as a sudden silence instilled the forest. He quickly stopped, grabbing Fluttershy and holding her close. She started to gasp, but he quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

"Shhh...something is out there..." Perry whispered, removing his hand. She nodded, fear imminent in her eyes. He pulled her against a tree, watching and listening. He could sence the evil emanating from whatever foul beast lurk. This was bad. Very bad. He didn't want to risk an encounter, but at the same time, it needed to be eliminated, and fast. He peered around the tree, his eyes widening at what he was seeing.

The creature was something he recognized from old legends. It initially looked like a large red horse being rode on my a red man. At a closer look, the two were joined at the back, the horse heads one fiery red eye glaring as it wondered its gaze around. The creature lacked any skin on it, showing its muscular system in full view, black veins pulsing across it. The arms of the torso on the back were long, ending in sharp claws meant for tearing through flesh and ripping its victims to shreds. It looked like something that came straight out of hell, and was now in eyesight of a more than concerned Perry. He quickly pulled his head back behind cover taking a deep breath. He needed a moment to think. Fluttershy, not even knowing what was going on, could only become more scared, feeling the slight acceleration of his heart against her back.

"W...what...is...it?" Fluttershy whispered slowly.

"Nuckelavee," Perry responded in a low whisper. What was it doing here though? It was completely out of place. It had to be stopped though, by all means. If he remembered right, the thing was capable of bringing plagues and famine to any area it traversed in. Foul by nature, it was a dark and twisted being that only brought death.

"Wh...what is that?" Fluttershy asked. Perry only remained quiet as he listened in the area for something. He finally heard what he wanted to hear, though it was distant.

"Fluttershy...I need you to do exactly as I say. To the left is what sounds like a river. When I get out to distract it, run...run fast and don't look back. You have to cross the stream."

"But...what about you...I can't leave you..." Fluttershy quietly said, worried more for him than herself at the moment.

"It's too fast for both of us to outrun it," even if Perry carried Fluttershy, he was nervous that it would slow him down too much and they would both be done for.

"But..."

"No buts, Fluttershy. I made a promise that I would protect you, and I will. I will also promise you that I won't die. We are both going home together."

"...Promise?" she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"I promise," he said reassuringly to her. He slowly looked back out there to see where they stood distance wise from the creature. Unfortunately it wasn't far, as Perry would be greeted face to face by the Nuckelavee's glowing red eye. On an instant, he grabbed Fluttershy and jumped out of the way, its massive arms crushing the tree they escaped from. The tree was knocked over effortlessly as it made a dash at the two of them. Fluttershy was frozen with fear as the death incarnate chased them, forcing Perry to grab her and jump out of the way again, barely avoiding its claws.

"Fluttershy, you have to run!!!" he positioned himself in front of her, readying himself for the next assault. As much as she wanted to, she could only stand there, frozen in fear. her legs refused to respond to what her brain was telling them to do. Perry noticed this, realizing that she was in a petrified state. Even if she wanted to run, she wouldn't be able to as she was. The beast charged, Perry grabbing Fluttershy and jumping out of the way. As nimble as he seemed, he wasn't quick enough this time to avoid its claw, as it scratched along his back, tearing through his shirt and outer layer of skin. Perry winced in pain, but he held himself together from the flesh wound. He ran as fast as he could while carrying Fluttershy, weaving through trees to try and buy some shred of time.

He needed to snap Fluttershy out of this, as he couldn't fight seriously with her there for risk of her getting hurt. He figured the best way to do this was to do something drastic. Something even he didn't want to do. Finally finding the perfect cover from the wretched beast, he took them both behind a large rock. She stood there, shaking in fear as she was only being held up by his grip on her. Not having the luxury of changing his mind, he looked her right in the face, and pulled off his mask...

Comments

[kamachakta]

Oh how I lament this cliff hanger.
The chance to see sir Perry's face.
Could I wonder how he shall fare?
In a struggle at the Nuckelavee's pace.

Oh woe is he to finally.
Show dear Fluttershy how deadly he can be.
To Fluttershy I simply say.
It must be done, no matter which way

You like?

[blowngasket]

2222745 You sir, have made my day. Thank you very much.

[kamachakta]

2223424 And your response, in turn, has made mine

[Carnation83]

Cool, I also thought of having a Nuckelavee show up somewhere in one of my WIP Fimfics. But it was a 'wait and see if you can think of a reason why' situation.