> Adventures of Shasta > by veteranbrony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Running. It seemed that was all my miserable life had come to. Running from those I cared about. I used to call family. Friends. None of that mattered anymore. In fact, I was not even thinking about this at the time. I was aware of a few things only at the time: The crunching of the autumn leaves underneath my paws. The howling of furious wolves in the distance. That's all... well that and the constant fear of being caught and torn to pieces by the pack. Now I was just running, running from a place I called home for so many years. This was the sixth time today I had to leave my little temporary hiding holes that were by now all over the forest. I knew it was no use, though. Taka had my scent down pact. Of course that was to be expected... he was my only brother after all. Well... not by blood... He raised me after my mother died. He taught me the ways of the pack. He showed me how to hunt. How to survive on my own. I bet right now he was wishing he hadn't. His survival skills he had so graciously passed onto me were the only things keeping me alive right now. Oh no... I heard a howl from up ahead. I immediately recognized the howl as none other than Taka's. He had me surrounded, I just knew it. There is no way he would have passed me by like that. He had to have the rest of the pack behind me. I stopped for a moment, collected myself and immediately ran to the left. Maybe I wasn't surrounded. Maybe the rest of the pack only was behind me.... Nope. My heart sank. In front of me stood the three greatest warriors of the pack.... Taka didn't count. He was the pack leader. Sharma, the one in front, snarled. She was Taka's sister... I could definitely see the family resemblance. Same piercing eyes, same menacing teeth... yep... she growled and gave me a final warning: "Shasta! You. Betrayed. The. Pack. I will give you ONE last chance... tell us... WHAT did you DO to the FOAL!?" I took a deep breath, and said: "I told you. I don't know what happened to the foal. ask Taka. As for betraying the pack, I have no idea what you are talking about. I am simply a hunter on a hunting trip. now if you would pl-" I was cut off by Sharma, "LIAR! You ran off with the foal and never came back." I responded, "Am I not allowed to go on long hunting trips anymore?" She just about lost it. "YOU JUST ABOUT KILLED HATHOS! NOW YOU MUST PAY FOR YOUR TRAITOROUS ACTS!" She and the others lunged in unison. I remembered back to a lesson with Taka. "Bears could attack at any time. You need to feel your surroundings. Find everything and anything you could use to your advantage and think of how you could use it. Take this hole, for example." Taka said, pointing at a small hole in the ground, "it is much too small for a bear to fit in. But with the some effort-" he struggled, going into the hole, "you can fit in. See?" I quickly snapped out of the memory. The wolves were pouncing at me as if in slow motion. I felt a branch beneath my paws. Hoping it had proper leverage, I shifted all my weight onto it. It did just as I had hoped. The back end of the branch stuck up. It swung through the air, effectively taking out Sharma and the others. They were knocked to the side. Sharma's eyes were shining with hate. I did what anyone in their right mind would do. I turned and I ran. Again... I was the fastest member of the pack by far. I could easily outrun them to... I then remembered... I have no where left to run... I couldn't afford to think like that. Not right now. I put that thought aside and ran like I had never run before. I ran through the forest dodging branches and trees. I was a good distance ahead of the three crazed wolves. A wave of confidence rushed through me as the wolf to the left of Sharma got whacked in the face with a branch. I shouldn't have been looking backwards. I slipped and fell. Sharma beamed hate at me. She was coming at full speed now. I looked around, but saw nothing I could use to my advantage. I tried getting up, but by that time she had already pounced. A wave of pain seared through my body as her claws made contact with my back. I rolled on by back, desperate to try to buck her off me. It worked. I got to my paws as quickly as possible, and ran again. I only got a few feet distance before a new searing pain rushed through my body going from my hind leg and vibrating to my head. The wolf on the right had bitten me in my hind leg. I kicked him in the throat and kept running, though slower than before. I looked back. Sharma and the other wolves were knocked out cold. A tree to the head, a head to the ground, and a kick to the throat will do that to you. Looking forward again, I saw a light and remembered that I DO have one place to run. Ponyville. I had seen one of the ponies taking care of many animals. even bears. It was a long shot, but it was my only chance. Surely if she could take care of bears, she could take care of me. Perhaps I could even join her pack. I could be a "pony". I could start my life over. I ran towards the light and never turned back. > Shasta's new Home > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I paused before the wooden fence in front of the small little tree cabin at the edge of the town. I read the name on the mailbox: Fluttershy. A nice name. Especially when compared to mine. I hesitated, wondering if this attempt at a new life was even worth the shot. Most likely she would think I was there to conduct a raid on ponyville and alert the others. That would be the end of me. A howl from not too far behind me decided for me. I would much rather meet my maker through the hooves of ponies, than give Taka the satisfaction of killing me himself. I jumped over the wooden fence, and was immediately met by the gaze of hundreds of eyes. Little critters where everywhere. Bunnies, Birds of all kinds, Cats, and almost every animal I had ever heard of in my life. They stared at me for a moment, before darting hurriedly inside. "Dangit!", I said as I quickly dove behind a bush next to the front door as to not be seen. I laid my ear against the wall to see if I could hear what was happening. I couldn't make out what she was saying, but I do know that she had the most amazing voice I had heard in my life. It was as soft as silk, and smooth as butter. The voice was coming closer, and next thing I knew, the door swung open carefully. "Hello?" Said a light yellow pegasus with light pink hair. I assumed she was fluttershy, the one on the mailbox. A bunny came out and tugged at her tail. Once he had her attention, he pointed straight at... Me... In a panicked attempt to stop her from alerting the others, I leapt over the bush. I was pouncing at her, all the while wondering, "What am I doing? Yeah this seems like a good way to earn someone's trust and protection." My sarcasm never failed to amuse me. I quickly changed the angle of my jump so that I would land in front of her, not on her. She flinched, curling up into a fetal position. Great. She already hates me. She thinks im going to kill her. Good going, Shasta. After what seemed like an eternity, I finally landed on the ground, my paws almost silently making contact with the ground. I stared at her for a while, wondering what to do about this. She looked up for a second, and quickly tucked her head back in, her face covered by her pink hair. I felt so stupid. Here I was trying to find my new life, and I had just pounced at my only chance of it. I don't remember what I said next, probably something stupid like, " Hi. I like you" or "Don't be afraid, I wont tear out your jugular..." Im just kinda a genius like that, smooth as a mountain. But, to my surprise, that actually helped, because she looked up, her eyes huge, and said in her sweet, innocent voice, "You can talk?" I don't know why, but I felt kind of angry at that remark. She acted as if I were an animal, not an equal. This anger didn't last long though, because I remembered what my pack had done to their kind. I replied, once again, with the perfect answer. "So can you." That was like... facepaw to the max. oh well, what's passed is passed. She replied, "Yes, but- you're a wolf." I said, "And you're a pony. What's your point?" she responded by saying, "But i thought tha-" "A common misconception." i cut her off, "Wolves are very intelligent creatures. And I am no exception." she squeaked, "So you're going to k...kill me n...n..now? I tried to give her the kindest face i could, and said, "No way. I won't hurt you. I would never... I... I just want to be friends." Smooth, Shasta, smooth... "I don't want to hurt anyone, much less you. I abandoned my pack. Now I am at risk of death." she asked, "why did you abandon them?" I replied, "Have you seen the news lately? The raids. All over Equestria. Thats why I left. I was hoping to join another pack, a kinder one who doesn't kill innocent, defenceless, ponies. I was hoping to join your pack." She looked puzzled. " We don't really have a pack... its more of a family." Family. I liked the sound of that. family is what my mother was. Family is kind, loving, always looking after each other, no matter what. I almost broke down in tears right then and there. By now, the yellow pony was standing up again, seeming more comfortable in my presence. I wanted to prove myself. But how? How could I prove I wasn't a bloodthirsty, maniacal wolf who was tricking her into thinking I was her friend. The answer to my problem came immediately. Almost as immediately as the sharp, stinging pain in my neck as Taka chomped down on it and threw me to the ground. Fluttershy ran inside, as I struggled against his grip. He didn't care about fluttershy. All he wanted was me. I escaped his vice and backed up quickly, preparing for a fight. We fought tirelessly for minutes, as i struggled for an opening. I couldn't find one. It was surely the end. Then, he was off me. I was confused, until I saw the pink and yellow pegasus beating Taka soundly. He struggled to his feet and ran off. I couldnt help myself. I burst out laughing. The little, shy pegasus had just beat the wolf pack's leader in mere seconds. It was hilarious! Fluttershy looked at me with kind eyes and invited me inside. I knew this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. > The Wind Beneath the Wing > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I couldn't believe this was actually happening! I had a family! I was so caught up in the moment that I didn't hear the rushing sound rapidly approaching. WHAM! I felt a dull, pounding pain on the side of my chest. Assuming it was Taka, I instinctively turned around and bit. Then, as if it were in slow motion, I realized the mistake I had made. How quickly can you break a promise? Sheesh, must be a new record. I was not biting on to a vicious, maniacal wolf, but the leg of a light blue pegasus with rainbow hair. I let go, and the force of the kick sent both me and the pony across the yard. I yelped as I felt my head slam against the wooden fence with a loud THUNK! The pegasus got off me, staring at her injured leg. I fled. As I bolted towards the house,a thought raced through my mind. Had Fluttershy not trusted me at all and raised the alarm? Did I not have a family? My suspicions were proved incorrect, however, as when I turned around, I saw Fluttershy yelling at the rainbow pony. I didn't even know that she could yell. Even as she was yelling her voice was as beautiful as ever. I saw the other pegasus point at me with a hoof, and Fluttershy yelled some more. I was too far away to tell what they were saying, but one thing is for sure. They were talking about me. Fluttershy beckoned me over. I didn't want to, but I did anyways. But not before going inside and grabbing a package of gauze. I slowly but surely walked over to where the two pegasi were now talking instead of yelling. I caught the name, Rainbow Dash. I don't know how, but I somehow just knew that was the rainbow pony. I'm just psychic that way. I came over, and handed the gauze to Fluttershy, who immediately started wrapping Rainbow Dash's wound. "Thank you, Shasta." She said after she was finished with Rainbow Dash. I didn't feel like talking. I didn't even make eye contact with the new pegasus. After a while, Rainbow Dash spoke up. "I can't believe it. You are friends with a WOLF! Haven't you seen the news lately? They are bloodthirsty, vicious creatures! And when I try to save you from your imminent death-" "He would NEVER hurt me!" Fluttershy said. "See? You care more about a wolf than your friend!" Rainbow Dash responded. "Shasta is my friend too, you know! And you attacked him first. Now, apologize to him." Fluttershy explained. Rainbow Dash kind of just stared at me for a while, occasionally looking at Fluttershy. After a while, She said, "Thats it I'm outta here. I always knew you were obsessed with animals, but this is just crazy." with that, she flew off faster than I had seen anything move in my life. I had a sudden realization, and felt very guilty. "I... I just lost you a friend..." She looked at me and said, "Oh. She is always like that. She can be very moody sometimes. But she will come back." I wasn't too sure, but then I looked in her eyes. I saw nothing but complete and total truth in those big, round eyes. I smiled, and she said, "Its getting late. We should probably head inside." We went inside, and went to bed. Well, not exactly bed. Fluttershy offered me the bed, but I told her it was her bed, and i would not sleep there. Then she offered me the couch to which I said, " I don't know, Fluttershy, your bunny looks pretty happy there." She looked over to the couch, where the bunny, (Who now I know to be Angel), was fast asleep on the couch. We both shared a laugh, and I told her I would be fine on the floor. She wasn't too happy about it, but eventually she let me sleep there. And that was the first night of the rest of my life. > Swimming Pool Fun > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay now I was just plain confused. How did I end up back in my hiding hole by the lake? Was all that just a dream? I was too stunned to do anything. I just sat there, looking up at the moon. I didn't have a family did I? I was still just a wolf on the run. A loner. I climbed out of my hole, and tried to get a sense of direction, but it was too dark to see a thing. The only light was the moonlight from the large, full moon. I suddenly felt better. I couldn't figure out why I was so happy, until I remembered. It was only supposed to be a half moon! (Wolves rely on the moon to tell time, so That is why Shasta realizes this.) I must have been dreaming. I started walking around, feeling much safer now that I knew it was only a dream. I came upon a stream and stopped for a drink. When I looked up, a terrifying sight met my eyes. Two amber yellow eyes stared at me with hate. Oh come on! I can't even avoid Taka in my dreams!? He lunged and thats the last thing I saw. I woke up panting. It took me a second to remember where I was. I was in fluttershy's house in ponyville. The sun was just on the rise, so I decided to go out for some fresh air. As soon as I opened the door, I was hit with a blanket of heat (metaphorically). It was Hot! I looked around in the humid morning air, as sunlight crept across the yard. I was going to need a way to beat the heat of the day. I spotted a small pond at the edge of the yard. It was easily big enough for me, but how fair was that? Before I knew it, I was digging. I dug a deeper, wider hole. By the time the sun had risen fully above the horizon, I had a hole about a quarter the size of the entire yard! The problem was, there was very little water. As i pondered how to fill the hole, I heard the door open behind me. I turned to see Angel bunny, who also seemed stunned by the heat. I had a great idea! I went over to Angel and said, "Hey angel, um would you mind... could you go get a few weather pegasi to bring some rain clouds over here? I can't do it. They would freak out if a wolf came up and talked to them." Angel seemed to ponder this, and finally agreed. I got the feeling, however, that he didn't do it for me, but more for the fact that he was burning up in this heat. I went inside and waited. In a few minutes, I saw angel come with two pegasi with rain clouds. They filled the hole, and flew off. I came out, and immediately jumped in. The coolness of the water was unlike anything I had ever felt before. I surfaced, to see Angel jump in with a tiny little splash. This was how you beat the heat. Fresh rain water in a freshly dug hole. Angel seemed to be a natural swimmer. He flipped over on his back, perfectly executing master swimming strokes. I felt myself blush. I had just got shown up by a bunny. I stayed to the side, as I have never been the best at swimming. I could cross a river if needed, but nothing like what the tiny little furry bunny was doing right now. I stared and laughed. He looked at me, and splashed me with water. I was about to splash him back, when the door squeaked open behind me. I turned around to see a very surprised and confused Fluttershy. I hadn't even considered that it was her yard. I felt bad. I tore up half of her yard and turned it into a giant swimming pool. I opened my mouth to apologize, but got a mouthful of water as Fluttershy plunged into the water. We laughed for a while, another animal joining us every so often in the makeshift pool. After a bit, Fluttershy said, "We should invite the others!" I looked at her, skeptically. "Others? Like who?" She looked at me with excited eyes. "My other friends! Oh you'll love them! they're the nicest, most kind-" I interrupted, "Like rainbow dash?" She stopped, and said, "Its okay. I'll make sure they know you're my friend." I wasn't too sure, but I agreed, not wanting to hurt Fluttershy's feelings. I waited patiently in the house, pacing back and forth, thoughts racing through my mind. Will they like me? Will they attack me? What are they like? I decided I would find out for myself. I went outside and hid in a bush next to the swimming hole. A few minutes later, Fluttershy arrived with five other ponies. I noticed, to my dismay, that one of them was indeed rainbow dash. Other than her, there was a pink earth pony, who looked as if she were bouncing instead of walking, A purple unicorn who appeared to be... reading a book? An orange earth pony wearing a dark tan cowboy hat, and a white unicorn wearing a scarf? In like 100 degrees weather? She must be crazy! I backed up further into the bush where no one could see me, and listened. Ponies were laughing, discussing many different topics. Then I heard Rainbow Dash speak up. "So this 'friend' of yours, Fluttershy, Is it the same one who tried to kill me yesterday?" A multitude of voices said things like, What? Who would do that? How did that happen? I started to lean in closer to hear what they were saying, and then, twip! I fell through the branches of the bush out into the open. Six pairs of eyes met my gaze, five of them utterly terrified. "Uhh... Hi?" I said stupidly. > Apple of my eye > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well I felt like the stupidest person ever. I'm such a charmer, too. I stood there waiting for something- anything to happen to wake me from this nightmare of stupidity. Finally one of the ponies spoke up. The pink earth pony who had been jumping around said, " A wolf!" Okay I know I'm not one to judge, but no duh. Then the purple unicorn spoke up and said another obvious fact. "And it can talk!" Thank you captain obvious and captain obvious junior. I was thinking of some clever yet sarcastic remark to say, when I heard Rainbow dash say "Don't worry girls, Stay back. I'll save us!" with that the cyan pony flew towards me at top speed, her multi color hair flowing in the wind. Next thing I knew, I was on the ground with rainbow dash above me. She raised her front hooves in a rearing position. I was wondering what she was doing, and was totally oblivious to the fact that her hooves were rapidly approaching my face. I realized what was happening when her hooves were about 5 inches from my face. I moved my head to the side and heard a loud THUD. I looked at her hooves, then at her face, then back to the hooves. I finally finished processing things. That would have killed me. Rainbow dash was trying to kill me! I looked at her in horror as she reared again, ready to strike for a second time. My fight or flight instincts kicked in. I got to my feet and moved my paws as fast as I could. I knew it was no use, though. I had seen her fly. She was FAST. If her goal was to kill me, she was going to succeed. I dismissed all my thoughts and focused on running... running to... umm... WHAM! I stopped, closing my eyes immediately. But... there was no pain... was I dead? I opened my eyes and turned around to see rainbow dash and fluttershy on the ground. I could not figure out for the life of me why they were, though. I ran over to them, and the other ponies started to, but when they saw me, they backed off, not wanting to be killed. I went over to examine the damage. They were alive. Slightly bruised, but alive. Fluttershy opened her eyes and I helped her up. "Thanks, shasta", she said. I nodded and asked, "What happened?! I was running and I turned around and you were on the ground!" "I-i well umm" she stuttered, "WHAT THE HECK, FLUTTERSHY!?!" rainbow dash yelled. "Why would you do that! I was Trying to protect us from that monster and you just jumped in and-" "He's no monster, he is my friend! That's what i've been trying to say!" Fluttershy interrupted. A third voice came from behind rainbow dash. "That... Thing... is your friend?" I looked behind rainbow dash to see the white unicorn, a look of disgust on her face. I... I was angry. Even after fluttershy said I was her friend, they don't like me. I was Angry. I was Mad. I was... Interrupted by southern voice. "Now hold on there, rarity." Rarity is the white, Snobby unicorn. Duly noted. "If he is Fluttershy's friend, I trust him. He can't be that bad." "Applejack is right." came yet another voice, this one coming from the purple unicorn who had been reading the book. "Fluttershy would never hang out with somepony that is not trustworthy." "But Twilight, He's not a pony" the Pink earth pony said with a little giggle. "I can see that, Pinkie." said Twilight, the purple book loving unicorn. "Why don't we go back to the swimming pool? Shasta, do you want to come?" asked fluttershy. Rainbow dash And rarity looked completely disgusted, as Applejack, Pinkie, and Twilight agreed. "No way in Celestia's name am I swimming with that freak!" That did it. Everypony broke into an argument, while I just stood there like a sitting duck. They argued for a good while, and I decided to speak up. I had enough. "You know, I'm still here" I said as Rainbow dash shouted Something about me to Pinkie that I shall not repeat. All eyes turned to me. I was no good under pressure... or under normal circumstances. Then I heard a growl. My first instinct was that Taka was back and I would have to defend Everypony. Then when everypony was still looking at me more quizzically, I realized It was my stomach. I was starving. I hadn't eaten since... Well I can't remember the last time I had eaten. And then another more pressing thought crossed my mind. What Was I going to eat? Wolves are carnivores... And there is no way I could eat meat without Everypony hating me all over again. Well... wolves are carnivores under most circumstances, but... We eat berries too! That's It! I would eat berries!. I realized how awkward it was. I had gotten their attention and not said anything for a good 30 seconds. "Umm... Got any berries to eat?" I said with a pained expression from how stupid I was. Applejack's ears perked up and she seemed to get really happy. "Well I don't know about berries, but over at sweet apple acres, We got all the apples your heart desires!" Hmm... Well it was better than nothing. I decided I would go and try it. If it didn't work, I would have to go in the woods looking whenever I got hungry. "That sounds great. Is it okay if I go, Fluttershy?" I asked. She laughed and told me "Shasta, I'm not your mom. You don't have to ask me if you can do things. Treat me more like a friend. Or family." Oh celestia she was amazing. So nice, and Kind and... My stomach growled again. I followed applejack out of the wooden fence and through ponyville. Oddly enough, I didn't see anypony there. In fact, windows were barred. It looked deserted. I wondered what had happened until we came across a lavender colored unicorn(who I now know as Fireheart), Who ran inside immediately when she saw me. I was known. Everypony was hiding inside. Rainbow dash must have warned everypony about me and they were too scared to even go outside. That sure raised my spirit. We kept on walking until we came across a huge orchard of apple trees. In the center, there was a pink barn, with a house next to it. "Welcome to sweet apple acres." She said. > Epilogue (don't be sad, just read) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well it seems that our little game has come to an end, viewers (If you get that reference, you are awesome). Don't be sad, however, for there is still hope for this story. I have been kind of, no not kind of, I have not been active on my account. School work was piling up, Pokemon X and Y and GTA five have been keeping me pretty busy as well #huge_gamer But I feel the need to resume my writing. I have, sadly, lost inspiration for writing adventures of shasta. You all are awesome, and I feel terrible to do this to you, but the story is being shut down. WAIT. DONT STOP READING YET. KEEP GOING. I Am, however going to be writing a few smaller fimfics. Some that are only one chapter, so I dont have to worry about updating it. But after those, I will begin ADVENTURES OF SHASTA 2: PONYVILLE ADVENTURESventures ventures ventures ventures ventures ventures ventures. That was an echo by the way... Back to the impending doomsday- I mean... Upcoming topics. so umm... apology... excuses... explain... smaller fimfics... AOS2... um.... wait.... uhh.... OH YEAH. I know that the location has yet to be announced, but i WILL be going to BronyCon 2014. Anyone wants to meet me there, contact me via email. I think it would be amazing to meet some fans, and besides, we are all family here. After all friendship is magic.... ha.. haha.... ha.........ha.... no one? okay. Whelp thats it in a nutshell, folks. Im terribly sorry to those who like this story, and for those who like my writing style (Sarcastic, Completely not serious style) you should watch me. As i said i will be posting new stories. Until then, This is VeteranBrony Signing off, PEACE!!! > Final Notes and Updates > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As of today I am beginning to write Adventures of Shasta 2. I have had a stroke of inspiration that will hopefully last me a while, so keep your eyes peeled for that. This story will now be "Complete" and will not be updated... i think... but yeah other than that I would just like to apologize for the wait on the story. Have a nice day and OMG I CAN'T WAIT FOR SEASON 4!!!