Tales of a Traveling Pup

The faint cry of a distant rooster scratches upon the glass of the small farmhouse. It is time for working ponies to get up and start their day.

"C'mon partner! Don't wanna be late!", shouts the golden-coated stallion.

"Please give moment to myself.", mumbles Scuff. "I come down shortly."

It had been a restless night for poor Scuff. Although it seemed as if things were better than they had ever been before, the pup could feel a gaping hole in his heart. Trying his best to ignore it, he found himself tempted more and more to drink from his father's metal flask. Even though it tasted terrible, it brought memories of warm, summer fishing trips to the little dog's mind. These melancholy echoes of a time long past seemed to linger in the strong smell of the malt liquid.

Scuff hops down onto the cold, wooden floor. His paws are jolted with an icy sensation. He takes his precious, checkered quilt and stores it away safely inside the chest resting at the foot of his bed. Stroking it one last time before leaving, he turns to proceed down the hallway. "Be safe, Mama. I be back soon."

The weather today has taken a turn for the worst. In the distance, he can see the orchard dancing under the dark, menacing sky. Although there is no rain, the threat of a storm feels imminent to the young pup. It made him very uneasy.

"Looks like we might end up goin' home early today.", Braeburn mutters as he gazes into the twisting clouds.

Scuff nods in agreement, not entirely sure what had just been told to him.

After a brisk walk through the sleepy town, the two arrive at the apple orchard. The trees are raving wildly in the breeze, as apples prematurely plunge to the rich, grassy earth. Scuff knew that today wasn't going to be easy. On top of the loose branches hurtling towards the ground to look out for, he had been encountering trouble from some of the other apple buckers ever since his first day. As much as he wanted to talk to Braeburn about it, he knew it was impossible. Even if he could tell him, he feared that it would only result in him being hurt more.

SMACK! "Hey Spot, fetch!"

Scuff winces as a bright, red apple plows straight into his wet nose. Once the sharp pain subsides, he turns to find a posse of three snickering ponies looking at him. They are the same ones who had been troubling him since his first day. It looks like today is going to be no different than those that had come before it.

"Hey, you gonna bring it back or what?", spouts one of the vicious colts.

"Don't make us get the newspaper!", jokes one of the others.

Unable to formulate any coordinated comebacks, Scuff simply lowers his head and walks away. Before he can make it five steps, however, he is struck in the back of the head with another crimson fruit. This one was noticeably heavier than the previous had been, as the beaten dog rubs the back of his skull. Holding back his fury, he continues to walk further from the three ponies. If he could not talk them down, he would surely show them his apathy. As fate would have it, however, they would not get the message. Without any warning, a cold, sticky splash pelts the back of the dog's neck. Reaching back to retrieve the projectile, Scuff comes to find a flat, rotten apple dripping from his paw. Having lost his last fragment of self-control, Scuff throws the fruit to the ground. Breathing heavily, he turns to glare at his bullies. The beast within had been unchained.

"You gonna cry, doggy?", taunts the eldest colt. "Maybe you should go back to where you came from."

Eyes glowing red with hatred, Scuff finds himself growling uncontrollably. "Leave. Alone. Me.", he grunts lividly.

The three ponies begin to laugh at the enraged dog, antagonizing him further. His last attempt to stop them had failed.

"No wonder your ma and pa abandoned you.", the youngest colt jeered.

A bone-chilling flame engulfs the dog's insides. All thoughts of reason and mercy had evaded the hound's furry exterior. All that remained was the animal within. Before anyone can shout or run, the dog's strong jaws latch onto the small pony's front leg. It had been many weeks since the dog had last tasted blood. Its salty essence fills Scuff's chomping jowls. Several seconds go by, as the canine's jaws continue to grasp onto the screaming colt.

"Let him go, you stupid animal!", the oldest of the three yells as he kicks the dog several times in the side.

As the adrenaline begins to disappear, Scuff's clarity starts to return.

"Scuff! What in the hay are you doing!?", shouts a familiar voice.

Scuff's ears twitch, as he loosens his vice from the crying pony's blood-covered hoof. Suddenly realizing what he had done, the dog feels as if a hole had burned through his stomach. There was no getting out of this one.

"I... They...", Scuff stumbles.

The dog finds himself pushed to the ground, as Braeburn darts to examine the victim's punctured leg. Scuff was so disappointed in himself. His parents would be so ashamed of him right now. He could think of nothing else but the temporary escape that rested in his bottom pocket.

"Can you walk, partner?", Braeburn asks the injured colt.

The foal sniffles. "I... I think so."

The yellow stallion glaces to the two other ponies. "Did ya'll see what happened?", he asks.

"N-no... He... He just attacked us.", lies the oldest colt.

Filled once more with rage at this fabrication, the dog struggles to hold in his emotions. Not only did they push him past his limits, but then they lied about it. Never before had Scuff encountered such heartless malice.

"Ya'll take him to Doctor Fuji's right away. He needs to have that leg looked at.", commands Braeburn.

"Yes sir.", shouts the oldest pony, as they help their wounded friend into town.

Unbridled terror now fills the dog's heart, as his only friend glares straight into his soul. He had let his anger ruin everything for him. Making no attempt to explain himself, Scuff simply lowers his head in shame.

"I don't know what happened here, but I'm very disappointed in ya.", mutters Braeburn.

"I... I so sorry.", whispers the mutt.

Saying nothing, Braeburn simply turns and walks away.

A small drop of water hits Scuff's snout. "I sorry, Mama...", he chokes under his breath, as the rain lets his sorrow fall unnoticed.