The Cutie Mark Crusaders’ Woodland Adventures

Chapter 3.5

“I’m not feeling very good,” I told my friend Rumble. “Maybe playing Truth-or-Dare isn’t such a good idea…”

“Oh, that’s a shame,” Rumble answered. “But, there’s nothing you can do about it. Hey, how about we just go to bed and sleep it off, okay?”

Rumble’s proposition made complete sense to me. I was just about to roll out my sleeping bag, when he stopped me and told me he would do that for me. He’s nice like that.

After Rumble set up my sleeping bag, I snuggled my way into a comfortable position. I coughed. The night of the game was not a good time to get a head cold. It was going to be so much fun and I knew I was going to regret being sick later.

“Hey, Button,” Rumble whispered to me. “I’m sure you’ll be better by tomorrow, and then you can play a game tomorrow night.”

I really like it when Rumble makes sense.

Anyway, I just couldn’t get to sleep. Every time I tried, another cough will jolt me awake. I tried to talk to Rumble, but he was fast asleep. How could he be asleep when I’m coughing so much? Well, it’s not like we could have any sort of conversation with me coughing every two words. The outside was particularly dark and all the other ponies were snug in their tents. Quite possibly, I was the only pony awake.

He did remember when they all went to bed. Sweetie Belle’s sister was dragging some earth pony, I think her name started with an ‘A’, she was dragged to Cheerilee’s tent and it looked like she was being scolded about something. I really don’t know.

Soon, the other fillies followed them out of the tent and went into their own. Last but not least, Tornado Bolt trotted out slowly. Wow, I never would’ve expected her of all ponies looking disappointed about anything.

That was probably a few hours ago. The only light source was Luna’s moon, looking down on me. I felt a strange, yet familiar, sensation. I had to use the little colt’s room.

Not wishing to wake anypony up, I stepped out of my tent, coughed, and trotted my way to the outside of the clearing.

I heard a wolf howl.

It’s probably nothing. I’ll just do my business and walk back. That’s all.

I heard another wolf howl, this time it sounded closer.

I found a particular tree that wouldn’t mind a little extra water. I answered nature’s call and started to walk back.

I heard a wolf howl.

Okay, did I really go that far away from the campsite? It’s not like I wanted to be this far away. Then, I sniffed the wind and it smelled awful. I couldn’t believe such a horrible smell existed anywhere in this forest or in Equestria in general.

Then, I heard a wolf howl not far from where I was standing. I looked to the direction of the sound and saw a pack of large wooden wolves. What were they called again?

Yes, Timberwolves.

Wait… Timberwolves?

These things were huge. I started a mad dash to the camp, hoping I’ll be safe there, but one of the wolves caught my back hoof.

I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t. Every time I tried, I kept getting a taste of that awful breath. Add that to my already weak lungs from coughing all night, and I couldn’t even get passed a whisper.

No one was coming to save me. I tried, with no success, to scream for help.

“He… help…” I stuttered weakly.

The Timberwolves let go of me and I tried to run towards the camp, but I found it difficult to get very far with only three legs. I tripped on myself and my tears mixed with the blood splattered all over the ground. One of the Timberwolves dug its claws into my back and ripped it open. The world around me began to fade.

Then, I never saw light again.