Tales of Equestria

                                                     Chapter 2: The Alicorn, The Changeling, and a Stick

I turned around slowly at the sudden noise and looked up. Creeping up on me from a higher ledge, was what was easily the creepiest looking critter I've ever seen. It looked like a cross between a bug with a pair of wicked sharp fangs, and an equine. And...were those holes in its legs? I also noticed what appeared to be some feathers stuck almost fashionably in its "mane" behind one of its strange ears, but I didn't think that was important. It jumped down from the ledge and began to circle me, speaking with a strange raspy voice that only boosted its creepiness. "Well well well" It hissed rather menacingly, "What do we have here? A poor lost pony, and an alicorn at that!".

I did NOT like its tone nor the way it said that! I frantically looked around for an escape route, sadly there wasn't one. All I found was my sturdy branch that was laying on the ground not to far away that had somehow made the strange and sudden journey with me. I decided that seeing as this PROBABLY wasn't going to end well, that stick was my best and only means of defending myself. I started to inch over to it while attempting to distract it with random chatter. "What in the world ARE you?" I asked trying to sound brave, "I'm going to be the one that drags your body back to the hive!" It hissed back, "Our Queen would be most pleased with you as a trophy! But the question is, where are all your little pony friends?" I took a minute to conjure up an answer, I was soooo close to the stick, and I needed another moment to contemplate how in the world I was supposed to pick the stupid thing up! "There...um...close." I said trying to sound confident but failing horribly at it. "Well, your loss!" It said suddenly, "Times up pony, your mine!" It suddenly charged and pounced at me. Thinking quickly, I picked up the stick in my mouth (UGH! It tasted like dirt and sweat from earlier!) and swung with all the force I could muster. A rather satisfying "THUD" was heard the weighty branch connected with the creature, effectively stopping it mid pounce and grounding the thing. I backed away from its still form rather shocked that I actually hit it. I slowly inched back up to it and poked it with the stick to see if it was alive and HOLEY SWISS CHEESE IT WAS STILL ALIVE! (Albeit with a MASSIVE headache most likely) It slowly picked itself up and shook its self off, then hissed at me "Ugh! You got lucky this time! I must go inform HER about you!" With that, it (possibly a female judging from the pitch of her raspy/hissy voice) started up its wings and took off. Feeling rather cocky at that moment, I yelled after it "Yeah! Fly away coward!" Unwise? Probably. But I was feeling rather good suddenly forgetting my present predicament. I suddenly spotted a feather where I had downed the thing. It was one of the more pretty ones that she/it had stuck in its "mane". The feather was pure white, somewhat sparkly, and rather large, larger than my own wing feathers, and seemed to almost glow. I decided to take it as a souvenir. (*)

After resting for a second or two, I decided it would be wise to get moving. Fortunately, there seemed only one direction to go in currently, eliminating the possibility of me getting lost (More than I already was anyhoo). The cave that SHOULD have been behind me wasn't there anymore. So, picking up my trusty stick, I struck off in search of...someone, ANYONE who could help me. After several minutes of walking (Trotting?) I began picking up random noises. Curious yet cautious, I followed the sounds until I could make out what they were. Soon, the noises turned into sounds, that turned into sounds of a scuffle of some sort. I slowed and peeked around a corner. There, taking place in a large crater-like area, was a MASSIVE battle. There were THOUSANDS of those bug-like critters attacking a group of ponies with an...alicorn? The alicorn that was fighting back ferociously with a large glowing sword and...was that magic? was pure white like the feather that I had found, her long literally flowing mane shimmered in several different bright colors. They were fighting valiantly, but they were heavily outnumbered, and looked like they were reaching their limits. I stood there trying to decide what to do. I couldn't just LEAVE them here! 1. I couldn't stand NOT helping, and 2. A ton of these insect things were blocking the way out. "ugh, I can't fight these guys!" I thought, frantically trying to come up with some sort of plan, "There are entirely to many and all i have is this stick." I was looking around, trying to take it all in. When suddenly my gaze fell on a rather large one that stood apart from the swarm and seemed to be giving orders. "Brilliant!" I thought coming up with a good and REALLY dumb plan. "If I can somehow knock that dude out, the rest would most likely run off without anybody to receive orders from!" I picked up my stick and started sneaking over to him. Praying that I wouldn't get myself killed in the process.

*Danny gained a new Title! "Newbie Warrior" - A newbie to this whole "Combat" thing, A title given to one who has somehow survived his first battle.