fLuTtEr

Carrot Top didn't like that thought. She was optimistic. She didn't think like that.

<I wonder how much it would hurt if one were to fall from this height. Would they even feel the impact with the ground? Or would they hit the roots and vines on the way down, feeling every blow, every break.

She knew now, these could not be her own thoughts. “What's going on. Who's there?” She looked around, then spotted a white coated pony, further up the tree.

A young stallion. He smiled and dashed up the tree.

“Wait. I'm lost...” She chased after this pony. “Please, you have to help me.”

She watched as the pony jumped across a small gap, not even slowing down. Carrot Top made the jump too, not even thinking to look down as this chase was taking her higher up into the tree.

Another gap jumped, and still they went higher.

This young stallion moved with unusual grace, but his movements were both haunting and beautiful to watch.

Carrot Top could see his blank flank, even though he looked to be nearing adulthood. She ignored that strange fact and pressed on.

At one point, she lost sight of him, and looked out over the forest, toward the slowly setting sun.

She was so high over the forest now, it looked like a lush green blanket down below. This tree didn't look that large from below, but it was still looming overhead, the branches spreading out impossibly far.

“This tree... It's beautiful... but I've never seen or even heard of anything like it before.”

“Up here.” A young, hansom voice called out. “There's a place up here you can rest for the night.”

Looking up, Carrot Top spotted the pony. She trotted forward and hopped from vine to vine till she reached the opening.

The pony was nowhere to be seen. He must be inside.

Carrot Top entered, noticing the small glowing crystals that seemed to grow from the inside of the tree. They shed a soft, almost comforting white light.

Ahead, she saw the 'tunnel' slope upward. She caught a glimpse of a white tail and followed.

The passages within the tree were labyrinthine, and Carrot top knew she was good and lost.

Still, her 'guide' kept leading her forward, and ever upward.

This finally ended when she saw an opening above. It looked well lit, and the climb was easy enough.

Carrot Top entered into a large 'cavern' of sorts.

The walls were all thick and solid wood, like the interior of a tree home. The whole chamber was lit from a huge crystal high above the center of the chamber.

She looked down at the smooth, polished floor. It was a dark, rich red wood, quite unlike the walls, which was odd.

“Hello? Where did you go?”

“Right here.” Came a whisper in her right ear.

Carrot Top spun around, coming face to face with the white face of the pony.

No, this was no pony.

The face shared an oddly attractive mix of feline and pony features. Those green eyes did not look threatening, but rather friendly. Even the grin filled with sharp teeth did not look dangerous.

“Who.. Who are you?”

“My name is Whisper Wing.” He stretched out a pair of wondrous wings. They were dragon wings, but they were feathered, like that of a Pegasus. “What's your name pretty mare?”

Carrot Top blushed and stepped back. “Um... Carrot Top.” She could see his features better now.

He sported a Unicorn's horn, those wings, a long, slender tail.

His (gulp) claws looked thin and sharp, and his body was sleek and beautifully muscled.

“Hello Carrot Top. I bet you must be tired and hungry.”

“Um... thirsty too... Thank you Whisper Wing.”

Whisper Wing smiled a rather cute smile, even if his fangs did still protrude slightly from his mouth. “Stay here and I'll be back. You like Carrots I take it?”

“I love carrots.” Carrot Top beamed, then blushed. “I mean, yes, I do.”

Whisper Wing turned and waked toward a fair sized entrance. “Stay here, I'll be back soon.” He spread his wings again and jumped through the entrance.

Carrot Top trotted over and looked out. Directly outside of the opening was a large, wide branch, large enough to build a nice sized home on. Staring in wonder for a few moments, she shook her head and returned inside.

She smiled as she walked up to a shelf, then froze at the sight before her.

A skull.

Not a pony skull, and it looked really old, but it made her shiver slightly.

This shelf was covered with many old skulls, but not a single pony skull anywhere.

(Of course... He's a meat eater, but he looks part pony. I guess he doesn't eat ponies)

If only she knew.

“I'm back Carrot Top.” His voice called from the entrance.

Carrot Top turned and saw the bunch of large tree carrots. “Those are for me?” She asked nervously, glancing at the shelf, then noticing that there were many, MANY shelves, all lined with skulls.

“Of course. Come, eat.”

“What about you?” She asked nervously.

“I'm good. I won't have to eat for another day or two.”

“What do you eat?” She asked nervously.

“Meat. What else did you think?” He smiled a friendly smile.

“You don't eat... ponies, do you?”

“I've never harmed a pony in my life, well, once, but she wasn't badly hurt, and I was really scared at the time. She recovered without even a scratch.” Whisper Wing was perfectly honest. He had only hurt one pony, and that was his mother when he had injected his genetic material into her.

“Oh...” Carrot Top glanced at the carrots, her tummy grumbling a little. “You don't eat vegetables?”

“I can if I want, but they're not my preference.” He shrugged and walked off to the side, hopped up on a small ledge and lay down. “Eat up now.”

Carrot Top nodded. Whatever this creature was, he seemed... nice. She kept an eyes on him as she ate. She was really hoping she could get out of here, with some of these to plant.

After eating a couple of the filling veggies, she sat down. “I feel so much better.”

Whisper Wing lifted his head. “You'd best stay the night. Some of the things out there are very dangerous, even for me.”

Carrot Top nodded and looked around for another sleeping ledge. There were none.

“It gets chilly this high up. I have my wings to keep me warm.” He lifted a wing. “Come and lay next to me.”

“I... I don't know. I just want to get home.” She rubbed her screaming shoulder.

“You don't look so well.” Whisper Wing hopped down from the ledge and approached.

Carrot Top watched him pad closer. He was not moving like he was stalking her. She then though back. “Who's your mother?”

“My mother? She is the sweetest and kindest creature in the whole world. She does not live here though, and I do miss her very much. She visits often though.”

“And her name?” Carrot Top took a step back. (Please don't say Fluttershy... Please don't say...)

“Fluttershy.”

Carrot Top's blood ran cold.

“Oh please, I'm not going to hurt you. I have never killed anything.”

“But... Fluttershy... How can she be your mother? You look nearly as old as she is.”

“I grow fast. I'm not even six months old.”

Carrot Top raised an eye. Somehow, her nerves were starting to calm down. She didn't notice the slight red flicker to his eyes as he came closer.

“Let me see your shoulder. I'll clean it up for you.”

“I... I don't know... It was Fluttershy who hurt me.”

“Are you SURE it was Fluttershy?”

Carrot Top tilted her head. “I... I don't know. I've known her for awhile. Never really well though.” She sat down and tilted her head to the side.

Whisper Wing came up and examined her neck. “You were bitten. Those teeth marks are certainly no pony teeth.” He licked at the wound.

The licking sent shivers down Carrot Top's spine. She felt the injury go numb, the pain fading away.

“You're covered in scratches. Let me tend to them.” Whisper Wing continues licking at the multitude of scratches, savouring the flavor of her blood.

Carrot Top was starting to feel aroused by this attention. She could feel herself getting hot, almost like she was going into heat.

(Oh no... What's going on?) She worried for a moment.

“I'm sorry, is this too much for you?” Whisper Wing asked, grinning in an oddly cute way.

Her breathing was a little deep, and her voice a little husky. “I'm good... Please, continue. It feels really good.”

Whisper Wing nodded and resumed, even as Carrot Top stood, and lifted her tail.

“Is this an invitation?” Whisper Wing chuckled.

“I... I don't think I can handle it anymore. I don't understand. My mind is all fuzzy.”

Whisper Wing grinned as he moved in behind Carrot Top.

Her scream of delight was heard for miles.
...

Twilight read through the latest of her filled notebooks. The secrets written within were amazing. Magic she had never before dreamed of learning.

“Two more weeks, and I can find the thing in the woods...” Her grin was somewhat dark, and twisted.

Silence Grave stood nearby, watching his mistress.
...

Celestia watched through both her student's eyes, and Silence Graves as well. She smiled softly. (Soon my dear Twilight. Soon...)
...
To Be Continued...
...
Author's Notes:
One length is equal to about 5 feet.
One hoof is 4 inches.
Hope that help you get an idea of the size of the tree.