Solum: Arise from Dirt and Ashes

by Solum

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Adventure, Anthro
Length: 6760

A father takes his son to the surface causing the young diamond dog to grow up fast.

My name is Solum Drifter, but no one ever calls me by my whole name, just Solum is fine. I live with my mom and dad in what they call a cave, but I rather call it home. I just turned twelve today and my father promised he would take me to the surface as a birthday favor…

:Story is told in first person:

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-07-14 17:01:11 UTC

Chapter 1: Early to Raise

Oh, today is the day! I've waited for so long, and now it's here! I raced down the hall, my pace slowed when I got to my objective. My run was now a steady walk. Today is finally the day I turn twelve and get to see the outside world! I've only heard talk of the surface from the warriors who guard our cave's entrance. They talked about the wind and sun, the grass and the trees, and how every once in awhile the sun would go away and another cooler, dimmer one would show its face. They also would talk about the dangers of surface, dragons, hydras, lions with wings, tigers with three heads, the list gets bigger each day. I don't know exactly what these monsters are, I haven't been to the outside world yet.

        I opened my parents' bedroom just enough to let me peak into the room. I slid my body past the doorway sliver I made for my self. I crept closer to the bed where two bodies slept. I called to one of them from a distance.

"Dad..." I whispered,"Dad, wake up!"

I watched him stir in his sleep, groaning, and then shifting into yet another slumber. I tip-toed closer carefully, so I wouldn't wake my mother whom slept next to him. I reached out and grabbed his shoulder that was covered by the blanket and shook him. This time he responded.

"Whaddyawant?" he mumbled, still half asleep.

"Don't you remember?" I asked,"Today's the day you promised that you would show me the surface!"

"Shh..." He sat up in his bed, his beard still noticeably jet black, even in the darkened room. His grey eyes skimmed the room and stopped on the side of the granite bed that belonged to his soul-mate. His eyes found their way back to me, he gave me a look signaling his concern of my mother's rest.

"Alright" he continued in a hushed, but friendly tone,"I'll be ready in a minute. Get breakfast going."

I turned and left him to get dressed, closing the door and starting for the kitchen.

Making breakfast wasn't hard, easy enough for me, considering that all I had to open the front door to our dorm-cave and receive the family's daily rations. The food in our tribe's cave low, most due to the fact that there where many families who had to share the space in it. I opened the door and found a bag of nuts, a half loaf of bread, and a small bag of berries of all shapes and sizes. Since we had only a family of three, me, my father, and my mother, we got less food than the others. My dad told me that we had less mouths to feed that the others, so it was only fair. That was a reasonable answer, so I didn't question it further. I plucked a raspberry from the bag and chewed it while I carried the rest supplies into our home.

The air was feeling a little chilly this morning so I decided to wear heavier attire. I wore my worn-out leather boots, baggy leather pants, one of my dad's old work jackets, and my lucky bandanna that I hung around my neck. The reason why we had so much leather clothing was because our tribe had a hard time find anything else. Every once in awhile the surface guards would spot a traveling trader and buy some materials like cotton and silk with the jewels they dig up at the mines. Then when the guards had the materials they would turn around and jack up the prices, so only the rich families would have comfy cloths... but I really didn't mind the duds I had on.

My train of thought was interrupted by the closing of a door behind me. I turned my body toward a stocky, elderly man. His fur was a smoky metallic dye, his underbelly fur opposed both his beard and his primary coat color; stunning white with almost a shiny affect to it. He stood a below average height of five and a half paws, just a paw taller than me... I'm not far from my growth spurts though, I'll pass him. He is only forty-two, but the mines have taken their toll on him, giving him a more wrinkled look to his dirty face, all the miners had this look to them but nopup had wore it better than my dad, he is the oldest of the miners. He wore his usual working overalls with his diamond-tipped glove, to protected his over-worked paw.

"What did they give us today?" he asked while smiling at the food.

"The same thing we get everyday, dad." I stated. I've heard this joke a hundred times before but the old man never seem to get tired of his own joke.

"Haha, That's just great, I never cared for change." He chuckled a little then took a chair next to me,"Are you excited to see the outside world, pup?"

"You kidding me? I've been counting down the days!" I replied lifting myself from my seat a tad.

He laughed again and then reached into his pocket,"I've got something for you." he said with a smile.

"Huh?" He had caught my interest, making me lean forward to get a better look at what he had.

"Happy birthday, Solum." with that he retracted his paw and showed a glimpse of the dark object. He set the present down on the stone table and pushed it closer to me. I picked it up and examined it closer. It was a knife, it's round handle poking out from it's holster. I grabbed for the handle, my paw still a little small to grab the whole thing, and pulled it from it's case. The blade stood at around six inches, the double edged masterpiece shimmered in my paw.

"W-wow!" I choked out.

"You like it?" He gave a smirk, already knowing the answer.

"Of course! But how did you get something like this?" I said, still looking at the blade in awe.

"I won it from a guard in a poker game," he paused to laugh,"He was not the happiest dog in the world."

"This is too much, thank you, dad." I leaned toward him and gave the old man a hug.

"Aww, it's nothing. Here, you can strap it right a crossed your leg." He stood me up and started to tie the straps of the knife's holster around my leg,"Now remember, this isn't a toy. It's very sharp and can hurt you or someone else very easily. I don't want to hear anything about you attacking any of our pack-mates with this, okay?"

"I understand, dad." I puffed up my chest a bit, my chin followed.

"Good." He replied in a low growl.

With that we finished our meals in a peaceful silence. When we were done, we cleaned up the mess of our scrapes and met up by the front door of our dorm-cave.

"Ready?" My dad asked.

"Yep." I replied quickly.

He opened the door and stepped out. I follow after him, shifting my body inward so I could close the door behind us. With a click of the door's handle, we were off.

Chapter 2: Breaching the Surface

The cave's tunnels aren't as busy this early in the morning than they were later on in the day, most of the miners were still sleeping in their dorm-caves. Our pack's cave was split into four levels. My family lived on the fourth level, the lowest of the low. It was always chilly at the bottom, mostly due from being dug so deep into the earth's crust. I was glad I picked a thicker outfit, the temperature seemed to drop from our home to the cave's tunnels. There was mine carts filled with rocks and ore abandoned on the otherwise empty track. I stayed close to my father as we walked, passing a couple of familiar faces by the time we reached the self-operated lift. The vertical shaft is used to move mines and supplies to and from each level.

My dad and I hopped into the rectangular container, he pulled on the roped that dangled in his reach. The container gave lift and then stopped. Father moved one of his hand farther up the rope and pulled on it again, the box raised once again, then his other hand followed suit. He kept the pattern up, smoother once he got a rhythm. I leaned out of the cart to get a better view. We ascended to level three of the cave. I watched the shop owner's light the candles to their front porches, signaling to nearby costumers that the shore was open for business. My view was cut off by the rock floor that separated the third from second floor.

This is where the school and bank were located. My mother said that I can't go to that school because it was out of the family's budget, I was fine with home school though. I could tell if school was in session or not, the building didn't have any widows. My eyes fell on the bank. I did know too much about the place, mostly because I've never been in it before. My line of sight was obstructed again by a stone wall. We reached the top of the shaft.

The air was warmer at the crust but still not warm enough for me to strip any of my cloths. I've only been this close to the surface once before in my life, my dad decided to take me with him to make a delivery of rubies but he just signed them off to a guard quickly, then back down to the core we went. Now I was close enough to the outside world that I could smell the gentle wind rolling in from the main entrance.

I stepped over the lift's railing, taking the rope from my father's paws.  I held the rope tightly as my dad climbed out of the cart. He took a hold of the rope once more. We shuffled our feet to get into a more comfy stance. We began to release the rope from our grip, causing the container to sink back into the ground. We let the rope slide from my claws slowly so the cart didn't land too hard on the bottom floor and break. There was usually lift watch here to do this for us, but I believe he hasn't started his shift yet.

The rope gave away it's pull and became limp in my paws. I dropped it. Father gathered up the rope that laid bundled up on the ground, then threw it down the shaft so others may use it.

"Okay, Solum, let's get a move on." He said turning back toward me.

"Right." I gave him a nod, then started walking toward the entrance of the cave.

The first level was strictly reserved for the ones that had either political power or jewels, mostly both. I've heard stories of shop  owners making good enough investments and moving their shop from the third floor to the first, where there they got even more business. This is also the floor where pups went to train to become warriors and guards. I could hear the shouts from drill instructors from a distance. I was surprised to see how busy the tunnel was, the shops opened only a couple of minutes and already there were dogs hurrying from store to store carrying bags of objects that could only be explained in one word; junk. Most of the shoppers had had expensive cotton and silk clothing on, as if trying to say how rich they were.

After navigating through the rich folks, the crowd died down and the became absent. The sent of the outside air weighed heavily on my snout. Guards stood at attention, their armor glistened and their spears stared at the ceiling. As I got closer to the cave's mouth, I began to see the tips of skinny black trees. I noticed the sky was a light red hue, I quickened my pace. There was a fluffy white object floating in the sky that stuck out against the pink background. I started to jog.

So close

I was stopped a few feet away from the outside world by a muscular tower in standard guard armor.

Damn it.

"What's your hurry, young blood?" He bellowed.

I could see myself staring back at me through his breastplate. I leaned my body to see pass him, to feed my eyes with the sight of the open world that I was so close to being a part of.

"I asked you a question, pup!" He scowled.

He shifted his weight and cut off my sight again. He reached for my collar quickly and pulled me closer to his face.

"What are you trying to pull?" He growled.

"He's with me!" A voice behind me shot back in response.

The guard met the gaze of my father. My dad wore a stern face, which he directed toward the guard.

"Drop him." Dad said shortly after.

The guard smiled, then let go of my shirt. I stumbled back a little due to not having a paw keep me in place.

"If he wants to run off like that, you should keep the boy on a leash." The guard chuckled.

"The pup's just got excited." Dad explained,"He's never seen the surface before."

The guard accepted the excuse. He looked at me and squinted.

"Hmph, keep better track of him next time." The guard huffed, with that he slowly returned to to his post.

"There won't be a next time, sir." My father's met with mine as I looked up at him,"I promise."

The guard didn't respond while he was walking away. Once he was out of ear shot, Dad placed his claw on my shoulder.

"There WON'T be a next time, right?" He asked.

"...Right." I was slow to reply.

My father returned to smiling, then turned my body toward the cave's entrance. I again saw the outside sky, the fluffy object had disappeared. The sky now was an even lighter shade of red.

"Now, come on, we're going to miss the sunrise." Dad said giving me a gentle push where his paw rested on my back.

"Sunrise?" I repeated.

He only gave a smirk at my reaction. We reached the tip of the entrance, then we stopped. I looked up to my dad to ask why he hadn't continued walking, but before I could let out any words, he silenced me by pointing out toward the bright horizon. I watched in the direction that he aimed his paw. I sliver of burning light poked out from the horizon. My eye's widened at its' beauty. As I watched it longer, I noticed that the orb climbed slowly upward in the sky. I looked away from it to see the forest that stretched as far as my eyes could take me, started to brighten up as well. The rays of light felt warm on my face, the breeze clambered up the arms of my jacket, cooling me off. It's beautiful.

"Welcome to the outdoors, son."

Chapter 3: New Experiences

I'm here. I'm outside! Oh, it's everything I imagined and more! All those wasted years! My body trembled in excitement. Why do we hide ourselves from this?

I turned to face the cave's mouth and was met with a structure of rock that peaked up at the heavens. I turned back to the forest, getting a three-sixty view of the new world that sprawled out before me. I saw that our stone structure didn't stand alone, in fact there were many others of all sorts of shape and size. I could see other rock structures, ones that reached into the earth instead of stand out. I shifted to look at the forest, my eyes wandered down to the trees that were closest to me. There was a river that separated the mountain that I stood on and the jungle.

"Dad?" I kept my gaze on the forest.

"Yes, Solum?" He answered.

"I was just thinking..." I paused for a second, "...If the outside world is this beautiful, why do we contain ourselves beneath the ground?"

Father took an audible breath before he began.

"Son, the surface world is a dangerous place filled with much bigger things than us. The pack would not live long if we lived up here." His tone saddened, "We bury ourselves for protection and mining ore and jewels."

"Hm..." I thought about it for a moment. It did make sense, but that did mean liked the facts, "...I understand."

"Good, any questions you have, you ask me, alright?" He asked, his voice had brightened up again.

"Alright, dad." I responded.

I heard the loud hum of a horn from the depths of our cave. My father's ears perked up at the sound. I knew the sound all too much, it signaled the start of the workday. Whenever the horn rang out, all the miners would plunge down into the ground and ten hours later they would collect the day's pay, and get to go home. Most of the miners stayed longer though, to play a couple of games of poker.

"Shoot, I thought I had more time." Looking at me, my dad signed, "Sorry, son, but I'm going to have to cut this adventure short."

I rushed to him and put my hand together in a pleading manner, "Ooh, dad, could I please, please, please stay out longer?"

"Hmm... I don't know." He put a paw on his beard, stroking it he thought.

"Please? I SWEAR I'll be good!" I begged.

He signed again, "Alright." He raised a finger as if he was giving me a lecture, "But only a LITTLE while longer, and stay within sight of the cave." His voice was hard, making sure I understood his demands.

Despite his stern expression, I closed in on him and gave him a hug of gratitude.

"Thank you! Thank you!" I babbled.

I felt his arms return the hug, "You're welcome... and be careful, please."

He released me and stepped back.

"I have to go now, son." He ruffled my hair, "Tell your mother I love her when you get back." He turned and started his way back into the cave, answering the call of the horn.

"Will do, dad, have fun at work!" I yelled, watching him leave.

I heard him laugh in the distance, "YEA, FUN!" I chuckled as well.

When he disappeared from sight I faced the forest again, then started making my way down the mountain side. I shuffled down the steep rocks that piled at the mountain's base, pausing every once in a while to look at the scenery around me. Diamond dogs were well built for climbing, so I easily made it to the bottom. I stopped mere paws away from the ground floor before the floor grabbed my attention. It seemed to be covered in light green hair! All of the floor had a green coat on it. How did I miss this? I inched downward to get a better look at it. Still holding on to the rock wall with one arm I ducked my head closer. The hair looked to be a plant, but I wasn't sure.

I reached down with my leg and placed it on the floor, I quickly pulled it back, making sure it wasn't really a giant, plant, floor monster. I listened and waited, but nothing moved or growled at my disturbance. Hmm...Maybe the monster made of plants was a little far fetched... I boldly placed both of my legs firmly on the carpet of plants. The ground felt soft under my thick boots. I saw  tiny flying animals around me. My eyes skimmed the ground until they stopped on the river ahead of me. I couldn't wait to see all the critters than might be hiding in between the rocks on the riverbed.

I ran toward the edge of the stream, looking at my surroundings as I closed in. It was almost too much to take in, the land outside was breathtaking. I stopped running to notice that I was now ankle-deep in the river. The water flooded my boots, it felt refreshingly cool, not too cold. I lifted one leg and removed my soaked boot and then placed my foot back into the stream. The water rushed through the gaps between my toes. I've been missing so much! I took off my other boot and did the same with my other leg.

"AAaaww..." I breathed out, "That's...that's nice..."

The water was clear as day. I bent over and took a sip of the flowing water. It didn't have any mineral taste to it, like what we got in the cave. Actually it was clean, I couldn't taste anything, purely water. I looked up from where I drank and saw an animal IN the the water. As it slowly swam upstream, my eyes narrowed. This animal was different, it was bigger but that wasn't the only thing. I lifted my snout from the stream. I focused on the creature. It's not coming up for air. It must have magical lungs or something.

I walked back to dry ground, boots in my paws, still enjoying the scenery. I could stay out here forever!

...Only a LITTLE while longer... My dad's words echoed in my head.

Oh yeah, that's right... I saddened a bit, knowing that I soon had to leave this place. Back down into the earth, the happiness can't last forever... or can it? If I could learn the ways of the outdoors, I could survive on my own! I could live on the land! Oh, that would be so cool, but how do I get the information that I need?

"The school, that's it!" I replied to my own question.

Put my boots back on and started towards the entrance of the cave. I hurried my way to the base of mountain. I didn't know when the school opened and closed and it was better to get there sooner than later. I climbed back up the side of the mountain and made my way to the cave's mouth. I looked back at the gorgeous landscape, there was a grim expression painted on my my face.

There is still so much to learn about this place, and I cannot learn it all on my own. I took a moment to imprint the sight of the forest into my mind. I'll be back as soon I learn how to take care of myself out here. With one more sad look, I turned and headed back into the dark place I called home. The air froze up immediately, I buttoned up my jacket again. I saw a guard close to the entrance, I spoke up at him.

"Hey, mister!" He faced me and raised an eyebrow, "How long have i been out there?"

He search his brain for an estimate, "Hmm, I'd say at least forty-five minutes!" He responded after a while.

Damn, I've been out there that long? Where did all the time go? "Thank you!" I yelled to him

He nodded in response.

I walked through the bustling shopping center, business has really pick up since the morning. I managed to get to the lift, the dog who had the lift shift was standing near it, waiting for orders.

"Second floor, please." I said to him.

"Very well, sir." He motioned to the cart, "Get in."

I complied. He then took the rope off its' anchor and began lowering me. The lift stopped on the second floor, as instructed. I hopped off of it.

"Could you wait up for me?! I won't be long!" I called up.

"As you wish." I heard him reply from above.

I jogged over to the school's doors. I raised my paw and knocked. I waited a while when one of the doors to the school opened. A woman stood in the doorway. She looked down at me and smiled.

"Why, hello there, little one. I haven't see you around before, can I help you with something?" She kept her warm smile on her face. Little one?!

"Yes." I rubbed the back of my head, "I was wondering if you had anything that can help me learn more about the surface world."

"Hmm... I think I might have something In here..." She retreated into the school, "Come in, Come in."

I followed her passed the doorway and closed the door behind me. I stepped into the room and looked around. There were about thirty desks in a neat order, they all had a chair that sat underneath them. The desks faced the front of the room, where a big black rectangle was placed on the wall and also where the teacher was located. She was looking in one of the several bookcases. Her fingers stopped on a thick grey book and pulled it out of its' resting place.

"Aha, here we are!" She blew the dust that gather at the top of the book, "Is this what you are for?"

I took a look at the cover. Survival Guide to Equestria: Diamond Dog Edition.

"Equestria?" I questioned, shifting my gaze to the teacher.

"Oh, it's what the ponies call this territory that they live in." She answered.

"Ponies?" I cocked my eyebrow at her response.

She looked at me in indifference. "Tell you what, I'll sell you this book. It's pretty obvious that you have A LOT to learn about the world outside of this cave and nobody has read this book in ages."

I perked up at this news. "Really? How much is it?"

"How much you got?" She said quickly.

I reached into my pockets, searching for anything to pay for the book. I pulled my paws out and opened them. "Umm...String, some left-over blueberries, and a cool looking rock."

"Deal." I smiled and gave her my things. In return she placed the book in my paws. "She's all yours, kid."

"Oh, thank you so much, ma'am!" I bubbled out.

"No problem." She shot back a smile that matched mine. "Now, run along home, pup. My class will be here soon."

"Yes, ma'am!" I chirped, still excited at the newest addition of gifts today.

"Have a nice day, pup." She waved me to the door.

"I will, ma'am, bye." With a skip in my step, I headed to the lift. After I exited the building, I couldn't keep my eyes off the heavy book in my possession. I nearly bumped into the lift.

"Are you ready, sir?" I hear a voice call out from above.

"Yes!" I answered.

"Where to?" He asked.

"Forth floor, please!" I hopped into the cart.

"Yes, sir." The container began to lower. I cracked open the book to the first page and began to read;

So you want to learn how to survive? You want to leave your home cave and live by the land, huh? Well, there is much you need to learn about the land of Equestria. If follow along with this step-by-step guide, you will learn the ropes of pony culture and get the know-how that will help you live through even the roughest conditions of the environment. I'm your guide, BEAR GRYLLS

I turned the page to find the index and looked to the bottom of the table. Wow, over a thousand pages. This book is jammed pack with useful information! Just what I needed!

I felt myself stop suddenly, I was on the bottom floor. I yelled a thank you up to the lift operator and then got off. I started my way for home, the book tucked uder my arm and a mindset that was ready to learn.

Chapter 4: Leaving the Nest

Solum Log #137: Spring

It's been four years since I've gotten the survival guide and I must say the number of things I have learned from it grows with each turn of its' pages. I've read the book three times now, trying to memorize it for when I finally move out of this cave. The book contains all the different species out there, one of them is the "ponies". This creature interested me the most, mostly because the author was one. The book had a picture of him on the back cover, this was one of many pictures the book had of ponies.

A lot has happened in four years. I started working in the mines with my dad, getting some gems myself so I can save them. I try my luck at poker every once and awhile, just to get some extra jewels. I'm building myself up for the outside world, mentally and physically. The book gives me wisdom, the mines give me strength, the poker gives me wit. I need to leave this place, I long for the bright world outside of this hell-hole, it's waiting for me, so full of bliss and opportunity.

I'm going to break it to my parents today. They must know of my plans for the future, they deserve to know...

I put down the quill and signed. I took a look at what I wrote, I nodded. The survival guide told me to write a logs for keeping my mind steady, without it I could become unstable. My brain must be sharp or the world will consume me. I grabbed my log and placed it back into my rucksack.

With the gems I've been getting from work, I was able to get some new gear from the third floor vendors. I got a compass, a heavy rucksack, a machete with a sling holster, thick leather gloves, and a map of Equestria that had a spell put on it to protect it from harsh weather conditions.

I got up from my bed, wrapped the machete across my chest, put the rucksack on my back, and started for the door to my room. I stopped a the door. Well, here it goes... I opened the door and made my way to the kitchen, where my mother and father sat at the table. Their conversation stopped when I entered the room. My mom spoke first.

"Honey, you look heavily dressed." She said while tilting her head. "Do you have work today?"

I wore my bandanna on my head, covering my ears. I had a nice cotton shirt underneath a leather vest I bought, and strong pair of work pants. I was going to wear boots, but I think they were just going to slow me down.

"No, mom." I replied. "In fact I'm never going to go back to work in the mines."

"What? Why not?" My father spoke up.

I paused to gather myself and then exhaled.

"Mom, dad, I'm leaving the cave." I saw hurt strike into both of their eyes.

"I knew this day was coming." My father said in a low tone. He got up from the table and walked past me.

"Why, son?" My mother whined.

"Mom, there's nothing here for me." I explained. "I need to see the world, make something of myself."

"What about us?" She asked. "This is your home!"

"No, mother." I held my glare on her. "I eat in this cave, I work in this cave, and I sleep in this cave. I live in this cave, but it is not my home."

Tears formed in the corners of her eyes, she looked away from me. I bent down and hugged her tightly.

"I'm not happy here, mother." I continued. "I want to be happy."

"You'r not going..." A deep voice cut off my hug.

I turned to see my father standing behind me. I opened my mouth in protest but he spoke again.

"Without this." He laid a long black bow down on the table before me.

My ears perked up in interest. He also dropped a holster full of arrows. I looked up to him and waited for an answer.

"Sometimes you're not fast enough to outrun your prey." He said crossing his arms. "This will help you catch the quickest of food."

"Dad, I can't-"

"Stand up." He interrupted. "Let's get you suited up."

I rose from my mother and stepped closer to my dad. He picked up the holster first and strapped it around my chest. Then he grabbed the bow and handed it to me.

"Now you're ready." Father placed his paws on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. "You must take great care out there, son."

"I understand."

"Good, good." He turned me around and pushed me to the door. "Now go big man, find your home."

  I stopped myself at the door and turned towards my parents. I gave my dad a hug and cried into his fur. His arms pulled me in.

"Thank you, both of you. For everything." I grabbed my mother again and pulled her into the group hug. "Once I find a home to settled down in, I will return and visit."

"That would be lovely." Father choked out, his voice broken from his tears. "Okay, enough with the mush gush, go on."

He broke the hug and opened the door. As I walked through the doorway for the last time, I wiped my tears away. I looked back and waved bye to my parents. I stared at them to soak in their image. Then when I caught it, I turned away.

Goodbye mom and dad...

Hello bright future.

Chapter 5: Taste of Blood

It took me a while to walk through the cave. I took some time and said goodbye to all the familiar faces I grew up with. I even stopped at the school to say bye to the teacher there, and to tell her thank you for letting me buy the guide off her. After all the soppy farewells, I made my way to the top floor. There, I said goodbye to the dog working the lift and gave him a jewel for his service to me before. I carried myself to the exit of the cave, where I waved to all the guards on duty and then made my way out of the cave's mouth.

The outdoors were just as beautiful as when I left them four years ago. I took a breath of the morning air, it smelled the same as well. The survival guide contained a map in the back cover of "Equestria". I opened the book and checked it to get a sense of direction. According to the map, the closest pony settlement was Ponyville.

I could go around the forest, follow the tracks all the way around the Everfree, but I would be back tracking at that point. It would be much faster to cut through the forest, find the main river that runs through the forest, and just follow that north to the settlement. I looked down at my compass then back at the map. North-west was the safest bet. I closed up the book and made my way down the side of the mountain.

My feet touched the soft grass for the second time in my life. The feel of the ground giving way under my weight gave me goosebumps. I continued walking until I reached the river bed. Just beyond the river laid the thick jungle trees of the Everfree. I could smell the musty air of the forest from where I was standing. It had a different taste to it than the light breeze that rolled through the mountain's base.

I took a step into the cold river, then another. The water was still chilly from the winter freeze. I bent down and cupped some of it in my paws. I lifted it up to my muzzle and tried it, it felt refreshing to taste the water again after so long. I didn't know the next time I would be able to drink clean water so I took another hand-full.

After my drink, I moved closer to the edge of the forest. I unsheathed my machete and started clearing a path. As I swung the blade back and forth, I inched one step at a time further into the jungle. I made my path as straight as possible, didn't want to get turned around in here. The atmosphere almost instantly became hot and moist once I cut past the thickets. I continued chopping a path until I came to a clearing. The sun bled through the tops of the trees. I looked up at the gaping hole in the jungle. By the position of the sun, I've been cutting for a half an hour. I decided it was a good time for a break.

The blade of my machete was soaked in plant blood and sap. I wiped it on my pant leg to clean it off, then I slid it back into it's holster. I sat on a nearby rock and brushed the sweat off my forehead.

I've got to be getting close to that river. I took the bandanna off my head and packed it away in my backpack. No need to have it on my head in this kind of heat. A low growl froze me in my place. I twisted around and searched for the source. Movement came from dark colored hedge.

"Don't you know better than to travel alone?" The hedge hissed. "You become easy pickings on your own."

A cold sweat gathered on my palms. I pulled out my black knife and readied myself for a fight.

"Show yourself."  I commanded.

"Hmhmm, it's so cute when they think they can defend themselves." The voice chuckled. "As you wish."

A figure stood up past the bush and quickly towered over me. The figure stepped into the light. There, before me, was a dark red dragon. Once he was out of the brush he went on all fours, he was still taller than me. My blood ran thick in fear, adrenaline was starting to kick in. Fight or Flight.

"You have nothing to be scared of." The dragon grew an evil grin. "I'll make your death quick!" The beast darted toward me and leaped.

Both? I rushed at the monster with new found speed and ducked underneath his pounce. His eyes went wide in surprise when my knife was placed in his thigh. The dragon cried out in pain as I cleared his body and made a dead sprint into the jungle, leaving my blade still stuck in my enemy.

My legs were carrying me faster than I thought was possible. My hands were in front of me, quickly swiping vines and branches out of my way. The beast was right on my tail, the loud cracks of trees being snapped in half gave me even more motivation to run faster.

My feet felt hard rocks beneath them and the trees quickly cleared out.I stopped just short of a massive cliff. I looked down it and saw the river I've been looking for. Before I had a chance to decide on jumping or not, a roar from behind me got my attention.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT! You don't want a painless death?! I'll just roast you instead!" The dragon took in a breath.

I turned to face the beast and was greeted by a blinding light. I brought up my left arm to shield my face and turned my body into the incoming fire blast. The flames poured over my arm and face singeing my fur and melting my flesh. I screamed in agony and fell backwards. Only there was no ground to break my fall, I was weightless and dazed. I couldn't open my eyes. I couldn't brace myself, I was in complete shock. All I could do was feel the warm air brush at my face.

I felt my mind slipping and fading into darkness. The hot wind stopped and was replace with cool water. I winced at the pain of both my new burn wounds and the shifting of my organs from the sudden stop. I needed to surface on my back so I wouldn't drown. With what little strength I had in me, I paddled with my good arm in the water. I managed to flip myself over and surface. I took a breath and my consciousness left me.

Aaw, the pain...

Is this the end?

Is this death?