Forest Fire

The world seemed to freeze in time for a split second as the bridge disappeared from underneath Spitfire's hooves. It made her feel weightless, as she did just before going into free fall. The main problem was that this was not planned. Gravity once more began to exert itself on the pegasus, pulling her down toward the ground somewhere below.

Spitfire could only think of one way to survive. It was going to hurt, but it should work. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath to brace herself.

She flung her wings open, spreading them as wide as she could that would catch the wind. There was a burst of pain from her injured wing as she forced it out, flaring white hot through her shoulder and up into her mind. Flapping it was out of the question. It was able to open though, which meant that she could use it for gliding.

The pain faded slightly, becoming a burning ache, as she kept the wing mostly still. At the same time, each shift of it to adjust for any drafts or to keep from hitting the sides sent needles of pain stabbing into her back. While not able to fly, she was at least able to slow down her fall so she would be able to survive.

The sound of water could be heard as the river below came into view. The cliffs on both side prevented in sort of shore for her to land on. There were also no rocks to see sticking out from the water beneath her. This was good and bad news. Good because it meant not having to worry about hitting them, and bad because it also meant she could not use one to land.

Seeing no other option, Spitfire prepared to enter the water. With a fresh burst of pain, she pulled her wings in close to her body, and allowed herself to fall the last few feet. The pegasus hit the water with a splash.

The aches and pains vanished as everything turned numb with cold as she became soaked by the water. The Wonderbolts suit had been designed with water resistance and insulation, but that was for flying in rain or snow. It was never designed to deal with total immersion in running water. The outfit quickly soaked up the the cold and wetness.

Kicking up, Spitfire made her way back to the surface of the water. As soon as she broke the surface, she gasped, taking a deep breath of air. She had forgotten to hold her breath before going under, and the shock of the cold had knocked what air she did have from her lungs. She took deep gasping breaths, feeling the darkness that had been threatening the edge of her vision fade away.

The pegasus mare kicked to keep her head above the water, trying to get her breathing back to normal. She most just let herself float with the current, moving a little to get closer to the side she had been trying to reach. That way it would be easier to get out on the correct side once the chance came.

It was a relief as the ground began to flatten and grow wider. As the sides of the river began to become level with it, Spitfire turned and started swimming toward the shore. Her lips twitched to the hint of a smile as she felt the solid ground under her hooves. Quick as she could, she climbed out of the cold water and onto dry land. As soon as she reached the soft grass away, her legs gave out from under her. She laid her head and felt her eyes begin to close.

NO! She lifted her head and gave it a shake. You just started traveling. You've barely left the castle and there is a long way to go. Get up. She let out a groan as she shifted. Get up! She managed to get her hooves under her. GET! UP! Feeling her legs wobble, she pushed herself back up to standing.

You are Spitfire. You are a Wonderbolt. I am Captain of the Wonderbolts! I will not die lost in the Everfree Forest. It took more effort than she would like to admit, but she was able to get back up on her hooves and start walking.

She walked through the forest, heading the direction she hoped some town would be as well as back up the hillside. The hope was that there would be a path leading from the castle and she would intersect with it. From there she would have a better sense of where to go to get back to civilization.

Spitfire froze as she heard a roar.