On a decent sized map was a stick figure currently surrounded by a large forest titled the Everfree. Currently inside the Forest Jordan wiped the sweat from his brow and trudged through the large Everfree. Just a little longer and he'd finally enter the outskirts of the desert. Apparently the desert was called the Red Pan due to heat being so bad that plants would sometimes spontaneously catch on fire.

"This is just a picnic full of fun ain't it?" Jordan asked no one in particular. Swatting at the mosquitoes he quickened his pace, carefully navigating over roots and the nesting snakes that gave off hissing warnings. He sighed once and stopped, leaning against a tree he brought out his phone and connected it to his hoodie buddy earphones. Tossing his hoodie on and placing the earphones in, he put his music player on shuffle and carried on.

Wearing a hoodie in a humid forest probably wasn't the brightest idea that Jordan could of had but for some odd reason wearing warm clothes in the heat kept Jordan cool. After what Jordan assumed was an hour he looked at the map and noticed he was even closer to the desert. As he studied the map something compelled him to look behind him. There was a path of roots that should of definitely tripped him but for some reason he didn't. 'Almost as if the Forest is making it easier...'

This time when Jordan continued forward he watched the ground and his surroundings. He saw a gnarled root and purposely tried to trip over it but surprisingly as he neared it the root itself sunk into the ground. After he passed it he stopped and looked back to see the root rise once more back in its original spot. "That's trippy," he said aloud.

"How so?" asked a voice that belonged to none other then Torva. "Do not the subjects of a king bow before him?"

"Oh, so they're bowing to you, Torva?" he said aloud, not caring if anyone or thing saw. Torva gave a short laugh, "No, they respect me but no longer bow to me, they're bowing to you. Jordan you took my place."

Jordan stopped and took out his earphones, "Wait, what?"

"You heard me, you're the new King of the Wild. Well you're almost there, you haven't fully ascended but Nature knows, she knows all," he said softly.

Jordan slowly accepted the situation, "So I'm not gonna turn into a Pony or something? Like those Princesses?" he asked dreading the answer. "You mean becoming an Alicorn? You won't, you weren't a Pony in the first place so if anything I wouldn't be surprised if you eventually grew wings today or tomorrow. You do remember the changes that would happen to you, well those are just some of those changes."

Jordan rubbed his chin while he watched some more roots recede so as not to trip and injure him, "Will I be immortal?" Torva was silent for a moment, "Yes and no. You won't die of old age and you'll be immune to almost every disease or sickness out there but if you suffered enough magic trauma you'd be finished. But even then your tolerance for magic based attacks have been highly increased. But also you can end your own life if you choose to do so. Also if your body were to experience massive damage you will die."

Jordan stopped rubbing his chin and looked at the map noticing how close they were to the Red Pan, "Huh so basically I just won't age anymore and my immune system is literally Godlike. The thought of wings is a bit enticing but I won't worry about that too much. As long as I don't turn into a Pony or something else I'm cool with it. Oh and while we're talking, do you happen to have any idea where the Corrupted might be hiding?"

"Honestly I have no idea, I could never find out where they hid."

"Can you at least tell me about the head honcho?"

"The what?" asked a confused Torva.

"The guy in charge, the one who wants to kill you all."

Torva was silent for a moment. "He was a friend who became corrupted by black magic and Demons. The fool wanted power and he foolishly made a deal with a Demon and not just any demon but a Glutton Demon. His hunger for power grew each passing day and he soon decided that he deserved the world. I pleaded and tried to reason with him but he wouldn't listen, he didn't want to listen. Eventually he declared war against all living being and with his ill gotten powered raised an army from Hell, literally. Lesser Demons, Imps, the Undead, Shades which were shadows given life, Goblins, and other horrors from the Infernal Pit. He razed countless towns and slaughtered many innocent lives. Overcome by his pride, he made his way with his entire army into my kingdom. You saw what happened, thanks to my sacrifice he was sealed for a time but eventually he was able to whittle the seal down. On the Other Side I found that only an outsider was able to truly destroy him since the Demon that possessed him is not of this realm. Thanks to an old friend I was able to find that Outsider, you."

Slowly realization ran across Jordan face, "This old friend, would his name happen to be Discord?"

Jordan swore he felt the smile form on Torva's face, "Yes, I asked Discord to find me a Champion and he happily obliged. You weren't dropped randomly in the Everfree Forest, home to many deadly creatures of all sizes by coincidence. I had Discord drop you near my temple and we used your curiosity which led you to explore it. The only thing we didn't plan to happen was the pack of Timberwolves and the giant Spider. To simply say, Jordan you have gone far past mine and Discord's expectations."

Jordan put on a shit eating grin, "Ah you're making me blush, honestly I've just been going with the flow. A part of my brain is telling me to freak out and try to find a way home but the rest of it is saying just wing it and so far I've done pretty well. Shit, right now half my brain is telling me to be pissed I was used but the other half is stoked with the powers." He looked at the map and saw that just a few more feet and they'd enter the outside of the Pan.

"Jordan, from what I've seen of your progress since you've entered this World you've become closer and closer to the King I once was."

Jordan couldn't just hear Torva's words but he could feel the emotion behind him. Torva was genuinely happy that someone else would take the Throne. Just as Jordan was about to reply, he immediately felt the air change around him. In front of him were miles and miles of sand, rock, and cacti. The air became dry and he could see the heat waves dancing across the air, waiting to create mirages of all sorts. "This is going to suck,'' he said stating the obvious. "Yep,'' was all Torva said before settling back somewhere inside Jordan's head.

With a heavy sigh he took his first step into the Red Pan. Each step was met with sand, so much fricking sand. He passed cactus after cactus and rocks after rocks. He saw very few animals and the ones he did see seemed to give him a respectful nod and carried on with their business. At one point a trio of Vultures were flying ominously over him but with a few choice words they flew off to harass some other poor creature. By some stroke of luck the heat hadn't reached the point of catching plants on fire or Jordan would of had a heat stroke. He stopped what he assumed was every mile or so to take a swig of water and swish it around his mouth before swallowing. He was in no way about to waste his water which was his life preserver.

"Fuck~ how much further till I hit a damn oasis?" he asked himself as he looked at his map. He estimated that it'd take at least another day and a half till he arrived to the Changeling Hive. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw how close one of the oases was. In fact all he had to do was keep moving forward and within the hour he'd reach it. With renewed vigor he hurried on to his salvation to avoid the heat's wrath. As he made his way across the Sandy hills he looked at the sky and estimated he had around two more hours till the Sun would set.

With a strained breath he finally made his way over an unstable hill made of sand and dead plants. He squinted his eyes to not only minimize the heat's damage but to get a better look in front of him. He saw what he thought were palm trees and the shimmering of water but he was skeptical. Wary of mirages that might throw him off his path, he took a look at his map. There was the stick figure and literally just in front of it was the oasis marker. Slowly a smile began to form on his dried out face and soon that smile became a grin. With a "Fuck yes,'' he tore down the hill, careful not to fall down.

He finally reached the oasis and stopped to admire its brilliance. The watering hole was at least 30 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep he guessed. He dropped his pack and refilled the canteens that needed to be filled. Setting those next to the closest tree he began to take his hoodie and then his undershirts till he was left in his jeans. He knelt next to the pool of clear cold water and cupped his hand. He used his cupped hands to wash his face and to pour some of the water onto his head to remove the sand that was irritating his scalp.

After finishing his ministrations he made his way back to his pack and noticed the sun was beginning its descent. He opened his pack and reached inside for the tent. Again it felt as if it was handed to him and he brought it out with ease. Luckily his father had taken him camping and taught him basic survival or he'd have a tough time in the Forest. The tent was set up fairly quick so he began to look for some wood to burn. Although scarce he was able to scrounge up enough for a small fire that would suffice.

After getting the fire going he brought out his dried food and just sat next to the fire munching on dried fruit. As the sun got lower so did the temperature. Not wanting to catch a cold he put his clothing back on. As he pulled his shirt back on he stopped midway and had the feeling that someone or something was watching. Ignoring the sensation he proceeded to dress himself and resumed his place near the fire. He looked up from the fire and looked at the sky, the stars were shining. "I could get used to this," he said to no one. Poking the fire a bit he stood up and put everything into the tent and entered, deciding a early start in the morning would make the journey shorter.

Unbeknownst to him, a trail of fresh tracks that looked like they belonged to a dinosaur were effectively covered up from a sudden gust of wind.

Author's Note

So yeah, just a little quickie as an apology for my tardiness. I truly apologize for taking so long. I'll try to be more punctual. Also dont be shy to leave a comment on what ya think :D