Chapter two: Before the Storm

Many hours before Lachlan’s encounter with Daniel:

“C’mon Dan, you’re almost there.” I groaned, trying to seat myself against a large pine tree in the Everfree forest. Laying on my back, I pushed myself against the tree’s trunk until my back was vertical. It was such an easy task that took so much effort, but I couldn’t blame myself with the huge gash in my chest. I learned my lesson the hard way in not to try and stop an alicorn family conflict when weapons are involved; that’s how I ended up in the hospital. To further the matter, the animosity between the princesses and their mother wasn’t quelled, even after Luna launched a spear nearly piercing my heart. After about a week they all visited the hospital to apologize for what they did to me, especially Luna, whom I could tell was trying so hard to hold back her tears, but even then, they started pointing fingers at each other for my condition. I didn’t really care who’s fault it was, all I wanted was for them to realize is what they would’ve done to each other since they did this to me on accident. However, I knew they didn’t learn their lesson, even after all those messages Celestia read about Twilight's report on friendship and how you forgive one another, and because they didn't learn, magic was used against each other in the same room I was in. Surprisingly, all their magic attacks hit each other at once causing a random spell to conjure, hence why I’m now here because it only effected me.

My situation felt so familiar; if it were just three years earlier I would just sit tight and wait till the cyan pegasus came along. However, I didn’t think Rainbow Dash would be able to spot me all the way down here in the Everfree instead of the floating mountains. I was in no rush though, the wound on my chest was yet to be completely healed, and walking around in the Everfree at night just wearing a patient gown isn’t the smartest of ideas. If anything, I would move on when morning arrived, but what I didn’t know, because I was too focused getting comfortable, was that there was an eternal eclipse dominating the dark sky above.

Sitting in silence as only a few minutes passed by, I began to nod off, but time to time I would open an eye just to view the few feet visible to me.

• Two hours later:

*ROAR!!!*

Cracking my eyes open, I hesitantly scanned my surroundings, though most being pitch black I couldn't really see anything. However, I knew what kind of roar that was; it belonged to, most likely, that of a female manticore. Like lions, female manticores do most of the hunting and providing of the family or pride, and it would seem this one just caught its dinner, the problem is that the roar was a little too close for comfort.

I had to move, I didn't plan on being a predator’s late night snack, so stumbling to my feet I placed my arm out in front of me to use as a guide in order to navigate through the forest. Again the situation was so familiar, but instead of being in a forest I was in a ruin within the Zebhwalli jungle, which had to be one of the most frightening moments of my life because I had no idea where I was, and I kept thinking about…, well actually it was Nightmare projecting images in my mind, flesh eating bugs eating me alive.

Still guiding my way through the dark forest foliage, I tripped over a vine which so happened to be next to the edge of a cliff. Before I could scream or even yelp, I landed in a pine tree as I collided with its branches until finally hitting the ground. “FUCK THE WORLD, THAT HURT!!!”

Just laying on my stomach, I thought my luck couldn't get any worse…, but by just thinking about that I jinxed myself as I listened to another roar, except this time it was much closer…, and it didn't sound like a manticore, but more like a…“I-fucking-hate-bears.” I mumbled to myself.

I continued to lay at the exact same spot I landed, and waited for wherever that big furry behemoth was to move on. Hearing a few snaps from the twigs on the ground, I could easily guess it caught my scent and was coming over to investigate. Hearing its deep breaths as I knew it was on top of me I lay there deathly still till it would go away. The idea was to not move at all because bears aren’t scavengers as they don’t eat dead flesh from a previous time.

Holding my breath, the bear sniffed me, often around the face to check for signs of breathing. I didn’t know how long it would do this, it could take hours, and if that was the case I had better luck hiking myself onto my legs and climbing up a tree while screaming bloody murder because of how bad the gouge in my chest hurt.

I was about to blow because of long I was holding my breath, and when it would happen the bear would be aware that I was still alive, and most likely rearrange that. Unable to hold it any longer, I released and inhaled, but just as I did, yet another manticore roar was heard alerting the bear to retreat. I didn’t know too much about the relationships of animals within the Everfree, but one thing was that all the creatures within the forest feared the swamp’s hydra, and that was the last thing I wanted to see.

After the bear took off, I got up to my feet and cursed as the bitter pain surged through my system. It was wise for the bear to scurry off, I could see how it wouldn’t stand much of a chance against a much larger predator that could see in the dark. However, the predatory observations had to wait; the branches from the pine tree gave me cuts and scrapes across my body that only furthered my misery, and on that note perhaps I should copy the bear and get lost.

-

One hour later:

“I swear to God if I make it out of here I’ll build a shrine in my tower and pray to it everyday.” I sighed, still cautiously navigating. I knew if I kept at this pace I would eventually come to the forest’s edge and follow it till I reached Ponyville. The irony, such a small, cheerful settlement had to be built next to a dreary place like this. Though, my pondering was quick to vanish as the slightest sound of distant thumps and ground foliage being rustled were heard. I didn't think much of it at first, for I assumed it was just a critter in the night trying to do the same as me and navigate. However, as the seconds went by I began to notice something about the thumps, the fact they were getting closer, and that they were constant, almost as if something was running towards me. As it dawned on me, I couldn’t have heard thumps of an animal’s footsteps if it was small, and because I could hear them the assumption was obvious; SOMETHING SAW ME IN THE NIGHT, AND NOW THINKS I’M ITS FOOD!!!

Allowing my fears to get the better of me I was now at a full on sprint, not daring to slow down, even if I was slapped in the face by a few shrubs here and there. It was just the thought of whatever was behind me that caused this quick course of adrenaline to kick in as I continued to run through the forest. The thrill and excitement of my current situation demanded that my muscles not tire, however, it came to endurance running wasn’t my strong point so the adrenaline quickly wore off as I reduced myself to walking and panting. “Where’s Nightmare when I need h-.”

*WHACK!!!*

Something struck my back, and I was sent flying into a tree colliding face first. The excruciating pain from the impact was so intense I thought I ruptured my entire nasal cavity, but oddly enough my face was fine, it was my back that needed attention as three large claw marks scarred me. I didn’t have time to run as again I was swatted like a rag doll, and what followed was my body rolling down a slope until coming into contact with a boulder that stopped me. “Forget the shrine, I’ll turn it into a chapel!”

Groaning as I struggled to get up and start moving, the sound of rocks sliding down the slope indicated my pursuer wasn’t quite done yet. I gripped my chest part of chest cavity to absorb any amount of pain I could, but to my horror it wasn’t the pain that now worried me, but the wound had opened up and was discharging. At that moment I knew I only had two options; I couldn’t run from a manticore in the condition I was in, so either I wallowed in my pain and be easy prey, or stand up and make my undoing worthwhile.

Cursing to the ground, I arose from my worthless position and grabbed a small rock from the ground to use as my weapon, the bitter hatred towards this particular manticore consumed my thoughts as I just wanted God with strike it down with all his might. I was focused and determined as I waited for the monster to come into view, and the second it showed its viscous face I felt as if time became still, because the next thing I heard was the sickening sound of bones and flesh being ruptured…, then silence.

Looking at my hands before me I noticed the rock was gone, only I didn’t know where I threw it. As bizarre as it seemed I really didn’t have a clue of what just happened. One second I saw it, the next it was gone and I was still there, alive.

Not really knowing what to do at that moment, I assumed my plea for divine help was answered so I knelt and did the sign of the cross. “A chapel it’ll be then.”

Though nature’s threat had been dealt with, my chest cavity was still bleeding as well as the marks on my back. It was one problem after the other, only I couldn't escape this one without assistance, because if I didn’t find help soon, I would go pale and die of blood loss.

-

Grabbing hold of a low branch, I bent over to vomit because of how dizzy I felt. I couldn’t control my mind or my sense of direction because of how long I've been wandering with valuable fluid dripping from my patient gown. I had to face the fact I wasn’t going to make it, the sheer thought of my demise made me want to cry because the expressions my family would have crippled my moral.

Leaning against a tree, I waited for the light to shine upon my eyes for I would join the lord in his everlasting kingdom. Clasping my hands together, I inhaled deeply and began my repentance of all the wrongs I've done. “Our father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come…” I began.

Before I finished, the holy light came to view as I wanted to embrace it…, only it was moving away from me. Squinting my eyes, I couldn’t believe it; there was actually someone nearby with a lantern. I clumsily pushed myself off the tree and slogged to catch up with whatever it was.

Whoever was out here must have now known of my presence as it stopped and turned its lantern to my direction. “Praise be I’m saved!” With only just a few feet to go, I felt myself slip away as I passed out onto the ground. If my eyes weren’t deceiving me I could have sworn the last thing I saw was a man.

-

The next morning (the eclipse is still in the sky):

My nose flared to the smell of toast as I began to stir. I missed that smell because the only thing they served me in the hospital were fruits and vegetables, and my taste for those easily exhausted after the first few days.

I sat up on the over sized sofa I lay on and examined the dwelling I was in. It looked just like the inside of Fluttershy’s cottage, just bigger. Rubbing my head, my eyes widened to the sight of my chest wound, for it was stitched up, and along with it I didn't feel the pain of the marks on my back, so I assumed they were patched up as well. “Fluttershy, you are truly an angel.” I whispered to myself.

Getting up and off the couch, I wanted to find and let Fluttershy know I was fine because of her handy work. “Fluttershy!?” I called.

There was no response, but with the smell of breakfast cooking I knew she had to be in the kitchen, however, what I didn't understand was why it was still dark outside…, that is unless it was very early in the morning. Rounding the edge of the living room, I peered into the kitchen only to feel my heart momentarily stop beating as I stared disbelievingly at the image before me. “What the hell?”

Author's Note

Written by Der-Arzt, uploaded by Distorted-Flare