Chapters Prologue. (R)
"Jacob, I'm... I'm hungry. So hungry." This was the one sentence I've been hearing these past weeks. Our tribe has been starving for weeks. Frankly I'm very surprised we've made it this long. With the changlings getting restless and the Queen killing more than she needs. It just keeps getting worse. The worst part though is what this entry is about. The invaision that wiped out our race. The stories of the Celestial sisters invasion was told everyday at every time. At breakfast, lunch, dinner, and for the littlest ones as a nap time story, even as a bed time story it was my job to let my tribe know how our people fell. But now the stories don't fascinate this generation. All my tribe now cares about is peace and stupid adventures. I try to convince them of how the ponies are terrible creatures but they won't listen, I tell them we will survive without their help but they won't listen, I try to convince the changelings to help us... But they won't listen. I feel the tribe losing there faith in me quickly. I apologize to my parent for I have failed them. Because tomorrow, I'll have to lead the tribe through the forest. Tomorrow we will try to make peace with the ponies. Each second I think about it, the more I hate myself. Peace!? With the creatures who killed and slaughtered as many as they could!? And when they grew tired of killing they turned millions of us humans into ponies. I hate this... I hate this! But, I must do what I must to keep us alive. Tomorrow, Joey, Jason, Karyn, and Tom, will join me to find the nearest town. Bobby, Thomas, Lain, and Christopher will be staying behind to watch the little ones.
Jacob put the leaders log down on the makeshift nightstand. The nightstand once owned by his father. The log was kept by previous leaders of the tribe and holds a vast Knowledge of the human race before the Celestial sisters invasion. Inside of his worn, smelly and dirty tent Jacob sat, looking at what he had just written down in the book. It was disgusting and horridly wrong. But no matter how badly he didn't want this, it had to be done. Outside he heard the little ones crying and he sighed. It's nap time. Jacob walked outside of his worn and old tent and into the camp center. He looked around at all his "citizens", as his dad called them, and he couldn't help sighing. Everything was going great in the past decade. When jacobs father founded the Human and Changeling treaty 40 years ago the tribe grew exponentially, they provided for eachother food, safety, and a common enemy. It was perfect. Then, jacobs mother died...the only thing is she was healthy at the time. She never travel far outside the territorial boundries. Suspicions of a murder spread like wildfire, and all hate was centered at the changlings. Mainly their queen. Ever since, food supplies dwindled, starvation took its toll on our parents, and the changlings kept letting the beasts of the Everfree get closer and closer. Most of the children's parents died from these horrid beasts. Then jacobs father grew deathly ill, and in his dying breath appointed him as the new leader of the tribe. A mistake he wish his father could take back. jacob shook his head to try to clear his head, though giving him a headache he at least had something else to think about. Jacob walked over to the biggest tent in the camp. As soon as he walked inside the crying turns to screams of joy as the little ones smile at the sight of the one who puts them to bed each night. Jacob loved this part of the day, the end of it. Where he could rest in his dreams.
"It's nap time little ones.". Jacob said as he started to tuck the first child into bed. "Good night Charlie, Sleep tight Tommy, don't let the bed bugs bite Sarah, and sleep well Jake.". Jacob starts to leave but is stopped by Karyn, the second oldest and second tallest. She wore a long skirt that was worn by her mother who was attacked by Timberwolves. It was too big but Karyn insisted that it was her favorite. Jacob looked at her bright blue eyes and shaggy blonde hair and her white teeth and smiled. He always has had a tiny crush on her but it never showed.
"It's tradition to tell the little one the story before a expedition." Jacob raises his eyebrow and Karyn raises hers.
"Is that so? I don't remember reading that in the log."
"Your going into our most hated enemies territory to discuss peace. I believe you should tell them yourself. Just in case.". Karyn says with puppy dog eyes. At least... That's what their parent told him what it was. Jacob frowned and sighed.
"You father warned me about you when they passed.". Jacob turned to the little ones and smiled.
"Hello little ones. Would you like me to tell you the story tonight?". Jacob said with little hopes to get out of this. His hopes were crushed as the everyone nodded and smiled real big. The leader sighed and began to talk.
Earth, the most beautiful planet in the solar system. People were nice to each other. No one stole, no one fought, no one hated, and no one hungered. It was the most beautiful of days. The birds sang almost in a perfect chorus, the animals parched, skittered, and galloped. None, not one human thought it could ever happen. In a city named New York, that's where everything fell apart. As all the humans of New York walked out of there houses the sun began to glow bright, blinding everyone who was out side at the time. Now in the middle of this great city, was the magnificent Central Park. Now when the blinding light stopped everyone who wasn't deaf heard an explosion go off right in the middle. As the dust cleared and everyone regained sight and their hearing they saw Two of the most beautiful and elegant horses any human had even seen. The most unique things about these horses was the fact that both of them had big beautiful wings withe feathers glistened and shined and both had a single horn atop their heads. One had fur of bright white and it's mane and tail were the colors of a nice summer evening. The other had dark blue fur with its mane and tail had the colors of the night. Their manes and tail even flowed in a non existent wind. The two horses were the most beautiful beings any human had ever laid their eyes on. In obvious human nature the people began to crowd around these magnificently and beutifully impossible creatures. They stayed quiet and so did the horses. Finally a human was able to utter a single word.
"They're beautiful.". The white one looked at the human and somehow it looked as if it smiled as if I understood. The horse spread one wing and the feathers motioned for the man to come closer. The man walked slowly towards the horses, as soon as he got just a foot close to them the blue ones horn glowed and the mans eyes widened. The crowd watched in complete horror as the mans bones and body began to morph into something unrecognizable. When it stopped the man was now a horse. He was smaller than the two horses and he possessed only wings. His fur was a dark red and his mane and tail a dark blue. The man turns around in a small circle and looked a every human looking at him. And then the unthinkable happened. The used to be man starts to cry, and scream things in what sounds like complete gibberish. The white pony nuzzles him and glares at every human standing there. She muttered something to the blue one... And both of their horns gl-
Jacob is interrupted when he sees the little ones snoring away. His attention goes to Karyn who at the time was next to the little ones. She is now asleep as well. He chuckled silently to himself as he walked out of the tent he sighs and he towards his tent. Once inside he layed in bed looking at the leaders log. As he stares he is reminding how much he has insulted his ancestors and how worried he is for tomorrow. Soon his eye lids grow ever heavy and he slips into a deep sleep. Where he can rest in the place where one man can get. His dreams.
Chapter Edited By ShadowEclipse123<======== give this pony some love!!!!
Celestia yawned as she raised her beautiful sun. It shined down onto the ponies of Equestria, waking all of her little ponies. She looked of of her balcony at the Amazing landscape that is Equestria. This was her favorite part of the day, looking over the land she and her sister called home. But this thought went into the back of her head where the rest of those memories went. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. 'Centuries she thought 'it's been Centuries.'
"It's been centuries dearest sister. Why does thou think of that now?" Celestia smiled as she turned to see her little sister. She always had a knack for sneaking up on her.
"Good morning to you too Luna.". Celestia hugged Luna who returned the embrace.
"I love you dear sister, but do not change the subject".
"Luna, I would not like to talk about it. It's not important right now and it never will be. Ok?" The princess of the moon sat there looking into her sister's eyes. She kept her stare for a few seconds before walking out of the room.
* * *
Jacob woke to the sound of loud buzzing. The sound displeased him greatly but he rose and put of his cleanest and nicest garment. As he walked out side the changeling army waited. And their queen, which almost never came, hissed at him.
"You're late Jacob. You know I don't like to wait..."Jacob looked over to see Lain's head poking out of a tent.
"I am sorry queen Chrysalis. I will try my hardest not to be late next time. Would you care to sit?". The mighty changeling queen took a seat on the ground and so did Jacob.
"I do not want to be here for long human. So I would like it if we could hurry this up". Her voice was sharp, venomous, and evil sounding. The tribe hated the changelings, and the changelings hated the tribe, but they both helped eachother out. The tribe provided love, and the changelings provided protection. It just worked. Though it wasn't always like that.
"Of course, but if you want any love from us you'll need to be nicer to my tribe. How can they provide love when they are scared?". Jacob said as he tried not to let his voice crack. The queen alone could kill him and his whole tribe at any given moment.
"Do you believe I will be nice to the likes of you? she said, her voice full of venom, The talking hairless ape? I think not Jacob"
"I'm sorry queen Chrysalis, but when I bring out one of the little one you must not scare him. You are to show him respect and also show them that you are not going to harm him, It is the only way." The queens horn started to glow and Jacob felt his throat close. But he did not gasp for air, it would make it worse...
"Bring me the littlest one. Now. Or my army will slay you all" Jacob nodded and Chrysalis let go. He raised his hand to let Lain know to bring Tommy. Just as many times before Tommy was brought and set between him and Chrysalis.
"Now Chrysalis, I beg of you, don't scare him. Show him you will not hurt him. Just say hi." Jacob said in a pleading tone. If she cooperated then the tribe would live.
"Hello, Tommy." Tommy stared at the changeling queen with eyes of adventure and spirit. Tommy,-who's only 3-, stands up and wobbles over to Chrysalis.
"Hellwo." Tommy surprised both Jacob and Chrysalis by hugging the ruthless queen's leg.
"Let go of me you worthle-".
"Your skin smooth miss Chwysalis." Jacob looked at the mighty, ruthless, and merciless changeling queen... And saw her exoskeleton blush. Her minions let their wings unfold and their faces show satisfaction. Jacob looked at the young Tommy who was hugging her leg, he... He really did it.
"O-ok. That's enough. My army is satisfied. It shall last us until I have my new supplier.". Jacob nodded and stood.
"Your last representative told us about that. Hopefully we will establish peace with the ponies then, until then this is our last meeting right?". Jacob hid his worry, if he could not get the ponies to help, then starvation won't be the only thing to kill them... He quickly stood and walked back to his tent ignoring the orders from the queen to come back and get Tommy. He grabbed the leader's log and stared at it, zoning out the yelling of Chrysalis, He didn't even hear them flying off, the last time Jacob would hear that sound...
Through the Everfree. Part 1
Chapter Edited by ShadowEclipse123. Story Editer Is Now Officially ShadowEclipse123
* * *
After the Changeling queen left, Jacob sat around a small fire with the whole tribe. They sat awaiting their leaders orders, if he had any. The silence dragged on for sometime before Jacob spoke
"If you all heard, the changelings will no longer serve protection to our territorial boundaries. So instead of a small party, the whole tribe shall pack only what they need. All story tellers will hold hands with the little ones. Lain and Karyn will stay with me, Joey, Jason and Tom will protect everyone else. Now go, we leave in an hour.". The tribe stood and walked slowly towards their tents and Jacob walked into his. He saw the horror and doubt in their eyes, he'd rather fight a manticore than lead his whole tribe through the forest. But like most things... It had to be done. In the corner laid his bag. Small enough the use a makeshift spear while carrying it, it was big enough to carry only a few items. The first thing Jacob grabs the leaders log. Never will he ever part with it. The second is the old rusted mechanical masterpiece, the pistol. The strange machine frightened many creatures who were near it when it worked, and obliterated most enemy's, he watched his dad take on a manticore with it before he perished. Jacob held back the tears and kept packing. Tears were worthless now, neither ponies, changelings, or even the two horses will stop him from continuing the human race. After he had packed only what he needed he walked outside and stopped by the fire.
'How in hell am I supposed to lead the whole freaken tribe through here?!'. He thought to himself. He threw a log into the fire and watched it burn. He heard footsteps behind him but he didn't look behind him.
Someone spoke "So the leader finally broke?". It was Karyn
"If by broken you mean not knowing what to do than yes. Are the others packed?". Jacob said standing up and turning around. The whole tribe was behind her waiting for his orders.
"We're ready to go." Jacob nodded and pulls a stick out of the fire. One side burned like a torch.
"Let's go" Jacob starts into the dark and impossible forest and the tribe follows with heads waving from side to side and the little ones hugging the story tellers. The forest smelled of moss and damp bark, sounds that could not be identified were heard from every direction, and the stick was already starting to go out. He looked behind him to see everyone nervous and afraid. Lain saw him looking behind and put his hand on Jacob shoulders.
"I'm sure we'll make it out ok Jacob, if we just keep moving forward we should be outta here by morning." Jacob looked ahead through the forest and smiled. He really needed the enthusiasm.
"Yeah. I bet your right Lain. This is why I chose you to be with me, so you can cheer me up.". Jacob said patting the 10 year old on the head. He knew Lain would be right for the job, and he is the Tribes number one cook. He probably packed the food making him the most important asset beside the guards. The one thing the tribe needed, was food. The problem with this forest is the lack of animals, and none of the plants are edible. Jacob took one final look at the camp as vines somehow covered the only view.
>Four hours later<
For the first time in a while Jacob smiled with his tribe. It was four hours since he left so many memories back at the camp. He didn't really care anymore and he was really surprised how well the rest of the tribe had been taking it so far. Sure the forest still unnerved them all but not as bad as before. This part of the Everfree wasn't so bad. It had birds and little animals even sun poked though the thick trees and vines. Of course the blue flowers that killed Sarah's parents were everywhere but the tribe knew to steer clear.
"Ok everyone. Let's stop for lunch here.". Jacob said as he pointed to a tree. It was tall and looked different from all the others being the only one not dead looking and didn't have a face. Jacob sat down next to it and so did the tribe. Lain handed out the food and they everyone started to eat. Jacob let his mind wader as everyone talked amongst themselves. He saw a bird perched on a branch of the healthy tree. It looked at him and chirped. Jacob couldn't recall the last time he felt... happy. It was weird that he could be happy at this time, and in the forest even.
"Hey!". The bird flew away thus releasing Jacob from his trance. He looked at who ever snapped him out of it.
"Welcome to the real world I'm Karyn.". She said smirking at him. Before her parents passed they told Jacob to watch for her attitude.
"Thanks, you just scared away something beautiful."
"Good, then your back to normal."
"What do you mean by that?". Jacob said raising an eyebrow.
"What do I mean? Look at yourself. That right there, was not you. Looking at a pretty whittle bird defiantly ain't you Jacob. You making peace with the ponies, I know that definitely is not you."
"Then who the hell am I Karyn?! Ever since my father died I have failed as a leader! I mean look at us Kayrn! I'm a failure! A disgrace to my family! I won't be surprised if my parent are looking down at me shaking their heads in disappointment! We've been starving for months, and now the changlings left thinking we'll be dead soon!". Jacob cringed at his outburst, now the whole tribe stared at him, wondering what got into their 'leader'. He stood and grabbed his bag.
"Come on everyone, we should get going. The log says not to stay in the same spot for too long. Shouldn't even stopped in the first place..." He didn't listen to any complaints and he started down the path he was on earlier. He didn't really know why he got so mad at Karyn. It even seem very unnecessary to him now. Jacob is supposed to be a leader, ever since his parents died the tribe was falling apart. He just hoped the tribe could make it out of the forest soon...
* * *
Fluttershy listened to the Mr. Red chirpingson as he ranted on about strange creatures in the forest.
"Oh that doesn't sound very good Mr. Red. I've never heard of a fur-less ape. Are you sure they're in the Everfree forest?" Mr red nodded. What ever kind of creature or critter was in there, it sounded like it needed her help. She packed her medical supplies and food and took a deep breath as she trotted into the forest.
Through the Everfree. part 2
Through the Everfree part 2
Four more hours later.
As the sun set, energy, excitement, and worry died down. Ever since Jacobs outrage he insisted to be alone and not talked to during the rest of the trip. He was alone with his tribe watching him from behind. Again his thoughts wandered to places he'd hoped not visit again. The tribe, his tribe, were almost starved. His dying father, the last piece of his family, handed over the leaders log to him. He trusted Jacob to lead and he was failing to do so. Jacob grabbed the log from his bag and open it to his fathers last entry.
"Leaders log, as the leader of my tribe it is my job to help the tribe survive. It is obvious that I will die soon. My only son Jacob is the last of my heritage, he is the only one who is ready to do so. I just hope the queen will acknowledge his new title and be able to cooperate with him. I know her well enough to know what she can be like. Jacob I know you will read this so here is my final message to you. Stay strong my son, the forest will throw many challenges your way, starvation, anger, sadness, and if you break the treaty between us and the changelings, war. I know you will not fail me. Stay happy my son, even though I leave you, I want you to stay happy. Sadness can and will break a stone heart. And finally my son, remember the invasion, remember how the the Celestial sisters destroyed our kind. Never ever make peace with those monsters. ". Jacob read the last request over and over in his head. It drove him crazy but the ponies were his only chance to save this tribe. He closed the precious book and shoved it back into his bag. If he wanted to keep his dads promises then he'll have to break the most important one. Sure it wasn't a good life lesson but it's what he had to do. He looked up into the forest trees and through the thick leaves he watch the sky darken and the moon and stars took the suns place in the sky. It was probably time to stop. He held his hand up signaling the tribe to stop. He turned and smiled to the rest of the group.
"Ok, we may not have gotten out of the forest yet but I have a good feeling we are close. Well sleep here for the night and be out of here in the morning!". Jacob said enthusiastically. He may not believe himself but he needed to keep sprits high! They tribe set down there sleeping bags and settled into bed. Jacob did the same and as soon as he slipped into his, he drifted off into a deep sleep.
Somewhere nearby.
Fluttershys ears swiveled to the sounds of rustling just a few hooves away from her. She heard something speaking but she couldn't understand the language. It didn't sound like any animal she had taken care of before. She quietly moved closer to the voices and sound. With ever step fear pounded through her veins, she didn't know what creature it could be, for all she knew it could be mean and violent. She slowly poked her head though the bushes and hoped for the best. She opened one eye slowly and she saw a campsite of some sorts full of... Well she couldn't tell what they were. But some were in sleeping bags and some were walking around with sleeping bags. There were little ones and tall ones. Whatever they were, she had to inform Twilight!
In the dream realm.
Luna looked all over the dream realm and the dreams of all of her subjects. All the same and all peaceful. Seeing the nice dreams of her subjects enlightens her spirtis immensely after such a long day. Her gaze shifted to a dream that was never there before. It was new, could it be a new Foal? Luna floated over to the dream and slowly stepped inside. The air in the dream was damp but she could not tell where she was, mainly due to the fact that it was pitch black.
"Just another trapped in the dark dream.". She powered her horn and the dream lit up like the morning sun.
"Who's there!". A voice in the dream said. Luna turned and the creature before her gasped.
"The dark horse.".
Dreams of nightmares
Luna
Luna did a double take. There before her, was a human colt, or boy as the humans called it. Now Luna was no stranger to humans being in dreams before, the pony Lyra always had one dream a week about them. But this, this was real. This was his dream. The human fell on his back and started to scoot backwards.
"S-stay back you!". It yelled. It eventually his the dreams edge and stood using the wall as support. Luna then felt another presence behind her, she turned and saw something she never wanted to see again... Her. Century's before Equestria. Her hair was not as long and her height was half the size of nightmare moon. Her teeth were sharp but not like fangs, they were shattered and jagged like broken glass. Her blue coat was dirty and weathered and her armor was pitch black like the dream was before. She had eyes that showed chaos, destruction, and anger and she smiled menacingly with fangs stained red and yellow. Luna started to back away slowly from the monster before her. She could not fathom why this was here
"Oh, look what we have here. A snack, ripe but young, oh well, beggars can't be choosers. I'll add your corpse to the pile.". Her horn glowed and another part of the dream light up and what Luna saw terrified her.
Jacob
Body's, human body's , stacked atop one another. Red from blood and there limbs ripped, torn, and chewed. Thrown on the stack like a pile on clothes were children. The dark horse spoke something else in its language and took a step towards him. It's saddle bags opened revealing a French sword and a large kitchen knife. The dark horse tossed the knife and it landed I front of him and the dark horse spoke to him in its language once more. With its magic it raised the French sword and Jacob pick up the knife as the dark horse brought the sword down. He rolled to the side and readied himself for the dark horse. It growled and jabbed and Jacob but he swatted it away. It then shot a beam of magic that hit Jacob in the chest, the beam filled him in fear for what was to come. Terrified he started to run. He ran not looking but like the tale on the headless horseman. He could no longer hear hooves galloping behind him, he stopped gasping for air but it would not come. He looked up to see the dark horses horn glowing. It was strangling him. He started to swing the knife wildly as the horse laughed as his petty struggle. It threw him against a nonexistent wall and Jacob dropped the knife. He closed his eyes waiting for the sword the end him. The horse laughed as he heard its hooves clip clopped closer. It's laugh grew louder as it stood in front of him. Jacob braced himself for the sword............... CLANG!! the sound of metal against metal mad him jump and he opened his eyes. In front of him was two Dark horses. But the other one was different. It wore no armor and it's fur was blue and it's mane wall taken care of. On its hooves were glistening horse shoes that fit on like shoes. It had a sword like his fathers and it was clashed against the other dark horse. The new horse shoved the other one away and the monsters sword was broken in two.
Luna
Luna raised her sword and brought it down missing the beast by a mere centimeter. The beast before her rose and scowled.
"Pony! Why do you protect this child! This filthy, worthless, good for nothing human child!? You know what they're like!". It said, angered and enraged by Luna's actions. Luna had always been in realistic dreams, but this was almost too real.
"He may be a human but thou art a monster!". Luna replied. She then slashed at the nightmares flesh and it screamed in pain as it started to fade away.
"Y-you will regret this pony. This w-will come back to bite you in your pathetic Flank. Don't think this dream was only the child's. Things are changing princess. I'll be back. And as long as that child lives all always be back. And so will my sister. You can't stop us! You never will!". She spat at Luna's hooves and dissperesd in a puff of blue smoke. Luna let out a sigh of relief. She turned to the human child and held her hoof out to him.
"Hello child, art thou hurt?" She said softly. The humans hand reached out to grab her hoof but he jerked it away.
"H-how do you know English.". He asked. Luna lowered her hoof with a sigh.
"Thou should sit down, tis a long story.". She powered her horn and the child rose and was placed into a chair
"Who are you?". He asked scared after being lifted by magic, the only magic humans were used to was the levitation and... The ponyfication spell.
"I am princess Luna. The princess of the night.". The human boy then threw the chair at Her.
Jacob awoke with sweat covering his body, he sat and looked at the rest of the tribe. They were all still sound asleep, Karyn was even snoring. He quietly climbed out of his sleeping bag and stomped out any ember left in the fire that centered their temporary campsite. He opened the leaders log and started to write.
"I fear my actions will effect the whole tribe, I threw a chair at the dark horse of the pony present. Of course it was only in my nightmare, she saved me from the past dark horse using the magic only capable by her. I really regret my actions, I don't know why I did what I did but I it was instinct. My body caught up to my mind and it reacted to seeing a pony, the hatred I was supposed to feel just exploded. I only hope is that I can apologize later, she knew English but I fear she ndt the horse of flames will be the only ones to know our language. It seems ponies now have changed, I'm only guessing, it may not be a good thing to guess like this but I have no choice. We must make has te towards our destination.".
Satisfied, Jacob, with swift motion, put away the Leaders Log and pulled out his spear. He smiled as he walked over to Lain's bag and pulled out a pan. He always loved being the first one awake. Carefully he placed the pan onto a low hanging branch. He then readied himself by turning the spear around so the point faced him. He brought it back letting out a small chuckle. He took a deep breath and..
"RISE AND SHINE AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY GLORY, RISE AND SHINE AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY GLORY RISE AND SHINE AND, GIVE GOD THE GLORY GLORY CHILDREN OF THE LLLLLLLLLLOOOOORRRRRRRDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!! THE LORD TOLD NOAH THERES, GONNA BE A FLOODY FLOODY, LORD TOLD NOAH THERES, GONNA BE A FLOODY FLOODY, GET THOSE CHILDREN OUTTA THE MUDDY MUDDY, CHILDREN OF THE LLLLLLLLLLOOOOORRRRRRRDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!! RISE AND SHINE AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY GLORY, RISE AND SHINE AND, GIVE GOD THE GLORY GLORY, RISE AND SHINE AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY GLORY, CHILDREN OF THE LLLLLLLLLLOOOOORRRRRRRDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!! ".
Jacob continued singing as the tribe moaned as there minds and body's came back into consciousness. It was weird, he felt like the song flowed through him, coming out of his mouth like a waterfall. It wasn't a peculiar feel, far from it in fact. He like singing this song now. Jacob felt he could keep on singing from dawn to dusk and repeat. The rest of the tribe stared at him with looks of surprise and disbelief though he didn't care. It felt like his purpose was to sing this song. Alas the song came to an end and everyone stared at him, silent and dumbfounded.
"What? I like to sing? Is that weird to you guys?". Jacob said with a small chuckle. Karyn pointed behind him silently mouthing the words, behind you. It was at this time he heard the stomping of paws and the smell of dirty fur. He turned around with his bones shaking with each step he heard. Behind him was a full sized manitcore. And it looked hungry.
"K Karyn, get everyone in the trees.". He said trying to hide his fear. He gripped his spear as the manticore huffed in Jacobs face. It stared down at Jacob as if to say, try me. It then looked to the rest of the tribe who was still climbing the tree. It licked its lips as it started to walk towards them. He needed to get it away from them, and fast! Jacob threw the spear and the Manticores paw and it screeched in pain with enough force to knock Jacob on his back. The mighty Manticore leaped at Jacob but Jacob rolled out of the way at the last second. He quickly stood and ran for his bag. He would have gotten there too but the angry beast said otherwise. It jumped in front of Jacob blocking his path and swiping at Jacob with his claws sending him back a few feet and leaving a gash all over his chest. He winced in pain as he stood and grabbed another spear that a tribe member left. He threw it and it hit the Manticores righ bat wing. Jacob saw that it's eyes were only filled with rage now. The beast charged at Jacob but he dived out of the way as the manticore triped on a root and hitting Jacob across the face with the non lethel side of its tail. Jacob scrambled to his feet and ran as fast as his injured body could. He reached his bag as the mighty manticore stood up again. Clumsly jacob reached out and pulled out the pistol. His hands shock as he shoved the bullet in the powerful weapon. The manticore charged at Jacob with a final blow. Jacob only had time for one shot. He waited for the manticore to get close and... BANG!!
Five hours earlier.
Rainbow dash laid there snoozing away in her cloud house without a care in the world. Suddenly there was a single knock and her door. It didn't continue until a few seconds later when it happened again. She groggily rolled out've her nice cloud bed and warm blanket. The knock came again and she groan as she lazily walked to the the door. It took her several tries to reach the handle but she slowly but surely opened the door and opened her eyes only to glance that nopony was at her door, she instantly shut them due to the light from Celestia's sun. She shut the door and walked back to bed, she didn't even get half way when the knocking started to happen once more.
"Oh come ON!". She yelled in frustration. She walked slightly faster to the door and swung it open. "What do you wa-". She was interrupted by a stone hitting her between her eyes. She screamed in pain and instantly put her hoof up to the spot where the stone struck her.
"Oops! Sorry about that Dashie!". Rainbow dash, or Dashie, opened her eyes to see the mare that struck her with the stone.
"Pinkie! Why would you throw rocks at my house!". Dash said angerliy.
"To wake you up silly billy! I couldn't use the pinkie powered flying mubober cause it's in the shop, my trampoline broke, and the author thought the party canon would break the readers mind though I don't know why!?". She said happily. Rainbow dash decided not to question the last part.
"Well I'm up now pinkie! Want do you want!". She asked slightly annoyed.
"Twilight told us to meet her at the castle and she gave me the job to come wake everpony up!". Pinkie excitedly said as she bounced up and down. Rainbow moaned and rubbed her temples. Why couldn't she just let her sleep
"Ugh, tell Twi I'll be there in a bit!". Rainbow said before she slammed her door. She heard Pinkie go, okie-dokey-loki before bouncing off.
"This is going to be a long day.". She said out loud
Help
"Jacob! Jacob wake up! I sweeeeaaaaarrrr..." Jacob heard Karyn's voice as he started to slip away into an endless void of unconsciousness. He tried to open his eyes but was met with darkness. His body was num and he felt as if he was floating in space. in the distance he could see two glowing figures. no matter what he tried he couldnt see who it was.
"Jacob... it is not your time, your story does not end here." The ethereal voice and rang in his ears and its words burned their way into his brain. The only sound other than ringing was a mixed sound of feet, crying, buzzing and a strange clicking sound... like the sound of his fathers typewriter that he left behind at the lost camp. He was confused and wanted answers but the only movement he could preform was blinking and the only sound he could make was a low moan. The glowing figures started to walk closer and a new sound rang in his ears... the clip clip sound of hooves and soft pitter patter of feet. As the figures stepped closer he tried his hardest to move but alas he could not.
The figures were now visible. A pony and a human... the pony before him was very tall and boar both wings and a horn and its valiant glow came from its flowing ethereal mane of flames. The human was as tall as the pony and wore valiant robes of white and had brown hair and a beard covered his chin. He smiled at Jacob.
"Who are you?" Jacob asked. The pony and the human looked at each other, then back at Jacob, then back at each each other. Finally the human pionted towards the pony and spoke.
"This is Celestia, or as you like to call her, The horse of flames. She is only but only one sign in the dream. My name can not be reavealed to you my son, at least not yet Jacob. I have very specific instructions for you Jacob, when you awake you must find Celestia. It must be your number one priority. She needs your help.". Again the words painfully forced their way into his brain.
"Why? She destroyed us all. A whole peaceful and thriving community. Why would I help her ?" The words Jacob spoke seemed to flow out of his mouth rather than by thought. The humans words burned their way into his head again As he spoke.
"She hold the truths of our race, truths She wont want to give you. Now... Wake up.".
"But what abo-" Jacob was inturupted by the pony suddenly start to yell.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" the horses voice was familiar, loud, obnoxious, and rude. It's voice wasn't its own but someone else's.
"Karyn." Jacob felt his body awaken as he was violently shook into conciousness.
* * *
"Wake up you idiot! Come on wake up!". Karyn shook Jacob as hard as she could. He had to wake up. She... She couldn't go on without him. She felt tears start to well up denying her demand to stop.
"Karyn you have to stop shaking him! Your making it worse!". Lain shoved her aside letting her weakly fall to the ground sobbing. He felt bad for it but she was out of control.
"Jason! Get my backpack.". Jason who was calming the little ones down followed the order immediately. Lain opened the pack and pulled out his medkit. As he started to treat Jacobs wounds he noticed something horrid. Though minor looking on the outside, Jacobs wounds cut deep. Lain didn't have the skills or supplies to treat them either.
Unbenounced to Lain, Jacob opened his eyes slowly and weakly reached out for the crying Karyn.
"K K Karyn..."If only he could reach her...
Not far away.
"Fluttershy darling, are you sure you can hadle going this far into the forest? At least, so far off the path?". Rarity didn't even try to hide her dissatisfaction of this mission. Fluttershys discription of these apparently hairless chimps, as she named them, was very abnormal but at the mentioning of ragged, torn, and obviously worn clothing bothered Rarity so much that she just had to come. Though she was now almost cursing her immense generosity.
"I'm so sorry if I was asking for too much. You can go back, if you want to that is." Rarity couldn't resist the call of a friend. It was ok, she just had to endure that's all.
"Besides, we need you Rarity. I brought the elements just incase and they need all of us to power it." Twilight said levitating them out of her saddle bags. Despite their incredible usage Rarity, no pun intended, rarely saw the mystical artifact she was compared to.
"I doubt we'll need them though. It's just some hairless monkeys with clothes and wooden toys. How much harm could they do." Rarity scoffed at the arrogance of Rainbow dash. She overheard pinkie whisper something along the lines of 'if only she knew'. She shook her head not wanting to question pinkies antics.
"Uh, does Anypony else hear that?" Applejack asked. Rarity listened closly and heard yelling in the distance. The speech was unrecognizable but it defenitly wasn't some animal.
"Girls? I think we should head back. I... I feel a doozy coming on. I don't know what to expect." That really made Raritys fur stand. She remembered all the other times pinkie had a doozy.
"If pinkies right then maybe whatever it is we can use the elements to prevent it but we need to hurry.". The team galloped in the direction of yelling and as they got closer the speech became even more bizarre and strange. The yelling became stomping, screaming, and smacking until it all suddley stopped.
"I'm not the only one who thi-" rainbow dash was inturupted by the loudest BANG she ever heard in her life. The bang was followed by something large meeting with the dirt and lots of whooping, hollering, screaming, and then silence once more. The six friends came to a very think bush.
"So this is where they'reat Fluttershy? Besides all the yelling telling us where to go?" Twilight asked. FLuttershy noded and stepped through and was followed by her friends. Rarity could never resist the call of a friend in need. She would never give up no matter what the problom is. She stepped through the bush... And was imediatly met with spear touching her neck.
Rarity didn't know what went wrong. One minute she was walking through a bush, the next she was thrown against a tree. The savages tied her up and started yelling at her and her friends. She couldn't tell what was happening, it was utter chaos! One of the savages suddenly came up to her.
"Vegoyuopoy, fxi mhi fxi mhi!" The savage pointed to the wounded savage and then to a dead manticore. She could understand a word it said but she had a few ideas on what happened
"I don't understand you!" She yelled back. The savage scowled and walked away barking orders at the others. The savages took all of their saddle bags and even the Elements of Harmony. One, obviously female, even wore hers... As a bracelet! It's clearly a necklace! These creatures were truly savages. Rarity looked over at the wounded savage, claw marks were clearly visible and it started to cough up blood. Then it looked strait at her. Her blood ran cold as ice. It's facehad been beaten but their was something in its eyes. Something she hadn't seen since Pinkie thought they didn't like her party's. A true sadness. Why this was she didn't know but it made her feel sorry for these savages. The feeling would have been stronger it she and her friends weren't tied to Everfree trees. Again the same savage came up to her this time holding a craving of a unicorn horn and an addition sign.
"Revitopfti, uhhhh, hletha sllep." The savage again pointed in the direction of the wounded creature and the manticore. Rarity just shook her head slowy she didnt understand. Again Rarity glanced towards the wound savage who never took its eyes off of her. It suddenly moved and pointed somewhere. Following the creatures arm she saw an open worn bag filled worn, horrid looking clothes. The creature then made an opening motion like it was opening a book. It then brought it's, well she didn't know what it was called, up to its head mimicking a horn. Again Rarity was confused, why was it so hard to understand these creatures.
Twilight, who was tied next to her, nudged Rarity.
"There's a book in that bag Rarity. I think he wants it."
"How did you get that so quickly? He wasn't even talking to you."
"He was obviously looking at me."
"Girls! Stop arguing and keep quiet. Pinkie says she has a way outta here." Applejack said from the other side of the tree. "Hey! Get yer dirty mits offa me! Wooooah now, k- keep those flowers away from me!".
* * *
Jacob looked in horror as his tribe tortured the Ponies. He was helpless to stop it even if he tried. His insides burned as he felt his wounds slowly get infected. Even if the fight didn't last but a minute, the manticore was stronger, faster, and more confident than Jacob and spared no time to injure Jacob as much as possible. Now he was helpless to save the ponies in his tribes useless ploy to make the ponies heal him. Jacob looked over at the pony with the white coat and purple main and tail. Her mane was ruined by the tribes sudden savagely hands. The pony looked him the eyes and its expression changed from anger to pity. Jacob wouldn't blame the pony he felt pitiful.
"Please, uhhh health spell." Jacob heard Lain talking to the white pony who in return shook its head. Jacob wanted to yell at his tribe for what they were doing but he fought so hard just to stay conscious. The white pony looked at Jacob again and he pointed towards his bag filled with clothes. At the bottom was the leaders log. In one of the entry's was a translation of the Ponies launguage. The pony tilted her head as Jacob made a motion like he was opening a book but the pony tilted its head in confusion. He saw that Lain had ordered something else but Jacob couldn't hear it. Something about blue menaces. 'they arent going to... No... No th they can't! ' Jacob turned to the right and saw Tom and Jason stabbing the Blue Menaces with their spears. Jacob felt anger well up inside of him, giving him new strength. He weakly pushed himself up using this newfound strengh. He made it too his feet and took a step towards his bag. Nobody noticed this, they were all too busy torturing their only hopes of surviving. Ha mustered up his wits and took another step forward and tripped over himself. A wave of pain blasted throughout his body and he almost lost conciousness. It wasn't all for naught though because he was close enough for his hand to scrap away the clothing revealing the precious book. He reached out for it but it was just far enough out of his reach. He had used up all of the strengh he had somehow gain and was not able to reach it. Again he fought for conciousness.
The book suddenly was enveloped in a light blue aura and it was nudged forward into Jacobs outstretched hand. He looked over at the white pony whose horn was glowing. The tribe noticed this too and Jacob saw Tom about to strike the pony with a broken branch. Again Jacob felt anger well up inside and strengh exploded through his body.
"STOOOOOOOP!" Jacob yelled as loud as his injuries let him and finally everyone looked at him. Jacob violently coughed before contiuing.
"You ruthless savages. Do you not know what you are doing? What you probably have caused? These six ponies were the key to our survi-" Jacob coughed again this time coughing up some blood. "T-these ponies were the key to our survival. Now look what you have done. Throw you spears away. Drop your weapons and smash them. We're going b..." Jacob struggled to stay awake again but he managed. "We're going back to the encampment, we've lost our only chance. Cut them loose you savages." Nobody moved an inch Jacob pushed himself off of the ground and made a small crawl over to the white pony. He opened the book and read.
"[truly sorry am I... Tribe needed survive, monster attack, sudden savages... Help we needed but now lost chance.]" Jacob again coughed up more blood making sure to not ruin the pony's white coat. "[My name Jacob, do not tell horse of flames about tribe. She hunt and turn us. Sorry am I...]" Jacob saw the pony start to tear up but he could not tell why. He heard yelling but everything started to fade away again. He saw the rope the tied the pony to the tree fall down before falling into the pony's hooves and surrendering to darkness.
* * *
Celestia felt something was wrong even before Twilight sent a letter saying she and her friends were going to investigate something in the Everfree. She and her Luna had started to feel magical energy. Her worry strengthened after Cadance sent a letter about feeling strange magic wash over the Crystal Empire. The only ponies who acually knew what these magical surges were was Celestial and Luna. Her memory's before Equestria started to rise out of the depth of her mind as she pondered what to do.
"Sargent golden heart!" A day guard peaked through the door and removed his helmet revealing an earth pony with blue fur, silver mane and tail, and a golden heart cutie mark.
"Yes Princess?"
"Gather a small party of troops. We leave for the Everfree in 2 minutes."
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Confrontation of the Horse of Flames.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. 