Chapter 1:
It was an evening like any other, set aside the fact that there was dangerous storm raging near the town of Ponyville. This time of year was usually calm, but now all of the pegasi were called to help with the controlling of the weather as to try and keep it from getting out of hoof and soaking Ponyville. They were working as fast and hard as they could, but the storm was slowly gaining. It would only be a matter of time before the first drop splashed down in Ponyville itself. The pegasi Rainbow Dash was quick at her job, but she knew defeat was close at hand. With her decision made, she shouted to the other pegasi, telling them to return to their homes and settle in for the long storm. They followed as instructed and broke away from the greyish clouds, letting them carry on into Ponyville. The clouds loomed over head, as everyone in ponyville locked all of their doors and shutters as to not let any rain or whipping wind in through them. The streets of Ponyville were empty, except for one little pony.
* * *
Apple Bloom had gone to town to run some errands for Granny Smith, seeing as she was far too old to remember what she had to buy, and would come home with large amounts of the incorrect items. Apple Bloom had just finished browsing in Sugarcube Corner when Mrs. Cake looked outside and said in disappointment,“A nasty looking storm is heading this way, I hope those pegasi can slow it down or even stop it entirely.”
Apple Bloom was still browsing but she stopped mid-browse as she realized she still had to make it back to Sweet Apple Acres before the storm hit or she would get soaked, and not long after she was wet, the groceries would get wet and would be useless to Granny Smith.
“Aww Horse apples.” she mutters to herself as she leaves the very tasty-looking cupcake she was staring at for the last few minutes. The chime of the bell that sounds when somepony enters or exits Sugarcube Corner sounded as Apple Bloom made her was outside. The sky was a muddy grey and flashes of lightning could be seen for split seconds, followed by large thundering booms. She looked up as the first raindrop released itself and landed directly on her eyeball.
“Ouch” she said, rubbing her eye free of the droplet, “ I had better get moving then.” she said to herself. A wolves howl erupted from a far off place, rebounding off of the numerous closed up buildings creating an eerie echo as Apple Bloom started cantering home, heavy with groceries.
* * *
Sweet Apple Acres was just out of town so Apple Bloom didn't need to walk that far. The entire trip home took all but 15 minutes, and in those 15 minutes, Apple Blooms life would take a drastic turn for the worse.
“Wow,” she said, “the moon sure is big and bright tonight.” staring at the full moon while exiting Ponyville. The rain had picked up and she started into a slow gallop. The wind was whistling in her ears as she began to near home, seeing the lights of her house just over the next hill. She was so focused on the house she didn't notice the creature moving in on her right, cutting through the field. She kept on the road and was at the bottom of the hill when it attacked. She heard a panting sound and looked to her right, just as the creature reached the fence.
Apple Bloom had no idea what it was or what it intended to do, all she knew was that she had to get home. She started full gallop towards home, which was just over the hill. The creature was far faster than her and leaped, using the fence as spring board, knocking Apple Bloom over, spilling the groceries. It was upon her before she had the chance to get up. It was then that a flash of lightning illuminated the creature.
Apple Bloom screamed.
It's head was that of a wolfen variety and it's body was larger at the shoulders and thinned at the waist, two massive, black clawed hands were pinning her down against the muddy road, the legs looked like enlarged dogs hind legs with glistening claws on the paws. It's entire body was covered in brownish-black shaggy fur. It hunched over top of Apple Bloom like the mountain over Canterlot.
Apple Bloom screamed again.
It saw the terror in Apple Blooms eyes and fed off of it, pushing a large wolfish grin across its muzzle. It licked its lips and howled. It had found it's dinner. The wolf-creature was poised over Apple Bloom as it lowered it head to her throat, ready to tear it out and begin the feast . Apple Bloom was crying, she was unable to move with this thing on top of her, rendering escape attempts useless. The teeth were touching her neck now, she felt the saliva dampen her already wet fur. The creature closed its gaping maw. Apple Bloom let out a scream as the teeth broke skin, then muscle. It was close to her trachea now, one second more and she would be dead.
BLAM!
A gunshot rang out from Apple Blooms left, in the direction of her house. She saw the bullet strike the beast on the side of the chest and exit out near the shoulder blade with an explosion of blood. With a howl the beast released it grip on Apple Bloom's throat and turned to see who had shot it.
Big Mac was standing in the middle of the road with a revolver in his muzzle, the barrel smoking, a flash of lightning showed Apple Jack running from the barn with a rifle in her muzzle, aiming at the creature. The wolf creature realized that facing them would surely lead to death, seeing as it had already been injured, and snarled at Big Mac before taking off through the pasture until it wasn't visible anymore behind the orchards. Big Mac was already at Apple Blooms side before the wolf had vanished from sight. A flash of lightning showed a pool of rain soaked blood forming around Apple Blooms figure on the muddy road
“It's gonna be alright” said Big Mac, holding and caressing the crying pony now in his arms “We're gonna bandage ya up and take ya to the hospital” he said again as Apple Jack galloped over with some bandages from the barn. Another flash of lightning and Apple Bloom blacked out due to shock and loss of blood. The ground was red with blood and littered with groceries. The sky spat thunder again. A wolf's howl erupted from a far off place.
Chapter 2:
The dream was vivid. It was almost real to her, Apple Bloom could feel herself as this thing, but she knew it wasn't her own body or her own thoughts; Even her movements were not hers. She was just along for the ride. It didn't walk on four hooves but springily walked along on two paws, and her fore hooves were split into five fingers all tipped with murderous claws. She saw a muzzle covered in brownish-black fur protruding from this thing's face. She couldn't taste or smell anything, but she could see as well as if her eyes and it's eyes were the same.
She knew this beast. It had attacked her before she blacked out, now having a strange dream from it's perceptive. The wolf beast was stiffing the air for something, Apple Bloom probably guessed dinner. It caught on something and took off in the direction it had ended sniffing in. The lights of Ponyville were seen over the next hill, the beast to stopped and howled. It was close to it's prey.
Apple Bloom had been “following” this beast for a few hours now, starting from somewhere amidst the Evertree forest, now on a lust for blood in the closest place : Ponyville. The beast approached the town at the same time of the storm. It had somepony's scent and was closing in on the pony, waiting for the right time to pounce and snag it's food. The pony it was tracking was heading towards Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom panicked as she realized the beast was stalking her.
The beast closed in when the house was in sight, leaped off of the fence, and rammed Apple Bloom to the ground, groceries went everywhere. Apple Bloom was trying to close her eyes but the beast she was seeing as had no intention of doing so. She watched as the beast pinned her down and moved in to bite her neck. The screams were unbearable as Apple Bloom had to watch herself get her neck torn. Then she remembered, Big Mac shot at this point.
BLAM!
A searing pain ripped through the beasts side also affecting Apple Bloom. The pain was blinding as the world filled with white for a spit second and then...
* * *
The hospital had been empty up until two Ponies burst in the door, carrying another pony on a small waggon. The pony at the desk trying to shoot rolled up paper into the waste basket was startled and fell off of his chair.
“Y'all need ta get us doctor RIGHT NOW!” Big Mac yelled as he approached the front desk. The pony was still recovering from the fall but didn't hesitate and grabbed the phone to dial for the doctor. After a few moments the pony behind the desk put the phone down.
“Down the hall, third door to the left. I hope your friend there gets w...” Big Mac didn't catch the last of the pony's sentence because he was already galloping down the hall with the waggon in tow and Applejack close behind. They charged in the room and put the waggon down in the corner. Applejack carefully lifted Apple Bloom out of the back of the waggon, placing her on the cot prepped and ready for a patient.
“What the hell happened to her!?” said Doctor Whooves in shock as he began to remove the blood soaked bandages around Apple Blooms neck and inspecting the wound.
“She was attacked, by some sorta big wolf thingy” Big mac said in concern.
“Can ya mend her doc?” Applejack asked. A bit of hope in her tone.
“I can try, but I’m going to need space and time. That means you two need to sit down outside so I can get to work.” He tells both Applejack and Big Mac. They both kiss Apple Bloom and tell her they love her before exiting the room, whilst the doctor clicks on a bedside radio.
“Hello nurse Redheart? We need 60 cc of morphine, a lot of bandages and some stitching kits. STAT.”
* * *
Apple Bloom sat bolt upright in her cot. The memory of the bullet piercing the chest of the beast shocked her into consciousness. She breathed in broken gasps as her neck was bandaged closed and movement hurt like hell. She checked her side to see if she had actually been shot, but found no wound. He dream had felt real, like she was the beast, like she was the one being shot. The world suddenly came into focus and the soft humming of the IV machine was heard along with rhythmic beeps from the pulse monitor. The door suddenly opened as Big Mac and Applejack burst in to see what had happened. Their facial expressions turned from that of worry to happiness when they saw Apple Bloom alive and staring back at them.
“Where am I?” said Apple Bloom as Applejack and Big Mac both have her a big hug, but a gentle hug, as to not hurt her healing neck.
“We brought ya to the hospital after ya blacked out from the attack” said Applejack smiling happily.
“ I didn't get a clear look at the beast that attacked ya Apple Bloom, but I think I scared it off with that bullet to the side.” said Big Mac feeling a little proud of himself
“I had a dream just now where I was the thing that attacked me, and your shot, Big Mac, hit the beast and I could feel it. That’s what woke me up!” said Apple Bloom a little to frantic
“Whoa there Apple Bloom! Ya just woke up, I know that doctor gave ya quite a bit o' drugs, so I can see why your dream was so weird but ya need to rest now.” Responded Applejack.
“No I swear! I wasn't hallucinatin' or anythin'! I was the beast!” Apple Bloom shouted before Applejack put a hoof to her muzzle and shushed her.
“Ya need sleep Apple Bloom, me and Big Mac are gonna go home and break the news ta Granny Smith. Y'all rest up now ya hear?” said Applejack as she took her hoof off of Apple Blooms mouth.
“Oh alright.” said Apple Bloom.
She laid back down as Applejack and Big Mac left the room. Why had they not believed her? I guess they didn't see what she had, felt what she had. She knew that beast was still affecting her somehow; Her neck itched, and that crazy dream? Apple Bloom didn't know what the beast was called, but she hopefully had an idea where she could learn from. A place with a lot of books.
Apple Bloom unplugged her IV's and slid off the cot onto the floor. She felt dizzy but regained composure and headed for the door. She slipped by the pony who was flipping a pencil in the air while tilting his chair back behind the counter. She emerged outside and breathed in a fresh breath of air. The Sun was shining bright as it was almost afternoon. She had been out cold almost 10 hours. She began trotting, heading off towards the library, now converted into a house. If anyone knew anything about this beast and what was happening to her, it would be the smartest person in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle.
