It follows
"did you hear that!" said Berry Crumble, looking around the clearing nervously. They had set up in a small clearing in the Ever free forest that was just large enough to set up two small tents and a campfire in the center.
"What the howls?" said Iron Side, his deep, raspy voice being well heard by everyone. " Probably just some wild dogs or something".
"It's more likely a timber wolf," said Goldenrod, adding some wood to the fire.
"wait what!" said crumble.
" Oh don't worry too much crumble" – Goldenrod waving her hoof dismissively – " you'll smell them long before you see them."
Berry crumble relaxed a little bit, looking up at the night sky. it was a beautiful, quiet night. Luna's moon was shining bright and there were only a few clouds in the sky. A cold wind blows through the trees, sending a chill up his spine. Berry crumble looked around the campsite. The area around the clearing was quite dark, the light of the moon barely able to penetrate the forest canopy.
Iron side leaned back on his saddle bag to try and get comfortable. "So how long are we going to be looking for them?" asked Iron side, seeming a bit annoyed.
"I think we have enough supplies for one more day of searching, so after tomorrow we will need to head back to town to resupply," said Goldenrod. Everyone sat in silence, just listening to the crackle of the fire.
After a while Goldenrod got up rubbing her stomach. "well I need to use the little fillies room," she said, slightly embarrassed. she walked to their supply cart, grabbing a shovel and roll of toilet paper. She put them in her saddle bag and left the camp to get some privacy.
After Goldenrod left, Iron side put some more wood on the fire and spoke "so... you really think we're going to find anyone".
"I hope so, otherwise this will all be a wasted effort," Said Crumble going through his bag for his canteen. " But we got to make the effort" – he found his canteen and began to screw off the cap – " everypony in town is counting on us". Crumble got the lid off his canteen and took a sip of water.
"I don't think we are going to find anyone," said Iron Side leaning back and staring up at the sky.
Crumble choked after hearing that, spit out some water. "How can you say that!" said Crumble emphatically. "Everyone in Ponyville is counting on us, families are counting on."
"Lad think about it," Iron Side started. "we are the fourth search team to be sent out, and we have been out here for eight days now," he got up and started to gesture with his left fore hoof. " In all of that time none of us have found any, and I mean ANY traces of the ponies that have gone missing." he fully stood up now, " so you expect that to change on the last day we search."
"I..." Crumble stammered. he was at a loss for words, Crumble wanted to make a remark of some kind but he just fumbled over his words.
"Lad if we are lucky we will find one of their bodies in two months, at least then their relatives can put their heart at rest," Iron Side sat back down and watched the fire.
They both just sat there in silence. Berry Crumble contemplated the words Iron Side said. He was right on many remarks, but Crumble wanted to keep his spirits high and hoped that they would at least find some evidence to lead the next search team on to the right path. they both sat there for a while when... they heard a loud, blood curdling scream.
Both of the stallions stood up and looked around. "Was that Golden Rod," said Berry Crumble, his ears perched up and the hackles on the back of his neck stood up.
"Sounds like she's in trouble, come on," Iron Side began to run in the direction of the scream with Crumble shortly behind him.
They were running in the dimly lit forest, due to the low light they ran through the brush, getting multiple cuts and scratches on them. They ran as fast as they could, Crumble hoped that it wasn't anything serious. It seems that the weather was not in their favor as some clouds had rolled in front of the moon, making it near impossible to see anything. They eventually found where the scream came from.
Golden was lying on the ground with... what appeared to be a much larger pony leaning over her. The stranger appeared to have been injured, their hind legs were bent backwards, their knees looking horribly broken. Crumble felt that something was off. Who was this stranger and what happened to Golden Rod?
Iron Side Put up his guard, digging his hooves into the ground. Crumble backed up a bit and stepped on a twig, causing a loud crack to be heard by everyone present. The stranger turned around to look at them. the stranger then began to stand up, getting on his hind legs and holding... something in their right hoof.
The clouds then passed and both the stallions were able to get a good look at the scene in front of them. Golden Rod was dead. her head had been bashed in leaving blood and viscera all over the ground, and the stranger.
It's not equine at all.
It was covered in a patchwork suit, made of the hides of ponies... the ponies that have gone missing. Blood splattered on it. The thing it's wielding what appeared to be an axe, made of stone, wood and sinew. It's head covered in the skin of a single pony, the mane still intact.
Where the eyes would be is a glimpse of the creature underneath. It had dark, tanned skin with two small green eyes.
Looking into those eyes caused Crumble's blood to run cold. Both the stallions knew what the other was thinking and they acted on their instincts. They turned around and ran.
They ran as fast as they could, running off of nothing but instinct. They were able to hear footsteps behind them, but as they ran they could hear them getting quieter as time passed. When they couldn't hear it anymore, they stopped to catch their breath.
Both of them stood there panting heavily. " Wha–what the FUCK was" – Iron Side sat down as he entered a coughing fit – "was that."
" You think I fucking know," said Crumble, his legs shaking from exhaustion. "w–we need to get back to town."
"I don't think we can do that," said Iron Side, Wheezing heavily. "Ponyville is at least two days' travel, we need to get back to camp, grab our gear and book it."
Before Crumble could respond he heard some leaves rustling, and then... the creature jumped out of the bushes and planted the axe firmly into Iron Side's skull, killing him instantly. The thing pulled the axe out of Iron Side's head and swung it at Crumble.
Crumble had just managed to get out of the way in time. He got back on his hooves and ran. He ran as fast as he could, the only sound he heard was the thumping of his heart beat in his ears.
He didn't know how long he ran, his legs were weak and his lungs were on fire. Eventually Crumbles legs gave out causing him to roll on the ground for a few feet.
It only took a minute or two for the creature to catch up with him. It stood over Berry Crumble for a moment, just watching him as he weakly tried to crawl away. The creature then kicked Crumble in his side, causing him to roll on to his back.
They both stared into each other's eyes and Crumble couldn't tell if the creature looked angry... or remorseful. the last thing he saw was the creature swinging the axe at him.