Chapters Chapter 1: Farewell, Radiant.
Outside, on the withering forest of the Dire, stood a bear. A tired bear. A broken bear.
He sat on his haunches, staining them from the charcoal ground. His topaz eyes whizzed about, searching for any imminent danger. His elongated ears twitched at the smallest sound, notifying him of his surroundings. His chest rose and fell, his breathing as calm as the river beside him.
He was an Ursa warrior, a general to be exact. His brethren had been called by the Radiant to fend off incoming evil, and fend off they did.
He was the last one to remain fighting, his motive never changing as he fought day after day under the name of the Radiant. The rest of his brethren had either fallen or returned to their homes, returned to their mates.
Returned to their families.
He had no kin, none that could call him when in need, none that would welcome him home if he did, none that would give the affection he so desperately needed. He had no mate, none to bear his progeny, for the dilemma was that of his desire to find one. Not once has he ever returned to his lands after he had been called by the Radiant. He stayed true to his word, vowing to protect the Radiant from evil, for if he failed to do so, his land and others' would be targeted after the fall of the Radiant.
The opposite sex had their sights set on him, for they loved a male who could protect them and their young. But alas, their interests waned day after day, becoming frustrated at his arrival that had yet to come. Soon enough, they settled for lesser males, especially those who had returned from the battlefield.
What cowards they were, to claim their mates from their false guises. The females saw them as battle-worn, savage beasts who would mate with them 'till their season of heat had ended or until they bore their cubs. But in truth, they were nothing but deserters, dastards that scattered upon the first injury. They weren't heroes. They were lesser beings that took advantage of the job that they failed to uphold.
And there they were, holed up in their den, furiously mating until the sun ended. They never deserved it, they never did.
All that was left was the lonely bear, forced to fight until his bones broke and his body shredded. He soon forgot the concept of love the longer he stayed. His mind became flooded with anger, bloodlust, and most importantly:
Regret.
He wanted to return home, to be back with his kin. But his mind called him a coward whenever such thoughts came.
He idly sat, thoughts running across his mind until a presence made itself known.
"I see to it that you have accepted my proposal,
Outworld Devourer."
The bear's voice was gruff, the kind to make any female swoon in his masculinity. His formality had engraved themselves onto his words. He no longer spoke simple sentences like his brethren, as it would be a dishonor to speak so brutishly towards another living being.
"Your intentions interest me, Ulfsaar." The being replied. He, or rather it , spoke with a scattered voice, his words repeated a second longer, as though there were two beings that talked. It's sound was similar to that of a voice inside one's mind.
"Please, call me Ursa, like my brethren called me."
"As you wish."
The guest appeared from a dense grouping of dead trees. The Dire's forest was one that bore no leaves, for the eternal moon in the sky was not enough for its trees to grow properly, forcing it into a state of purgatory, where they are dead, yet alive at the same time.
The creature flapped its verdant wings as they glowed softly. It's structure was similar to a griffin's, save for the head. Obsidian scales and rocks adorned it's back and it's shoulders, the spaces and lines that were left unfilled glowed cyan with a tinge of green. The lights that it emitted pulsated like the stars. It's torso was cream all the way until it stopped at the bottom of it's body as the brown mane surrounded the cream torso's sides and took over the creature's barrel and paws.
It's head was unlike any other, It was as black as space as holes where it's eyes and mouth would be glowed the familiar color. Jagged spikes around it's mouth were it's 'teeth' as the small slits that it used for eyes emitted a sense of fear to those who saw dared to look at it.
Outworld sauntered over to Ursa, it's expression neutral as it held the wand/staff that can knock down it's foes: Celestial Bane.
"I trust that this meeting was meant only for two?" He asked.
"I am true to my word. I have notified the others that I was to roam the top of Dire's landscape."
"I only wished that your brethren were as neutral as you, for it was a shame to annihilate many of them."
"I hold no grudges for your doing,for they died in a war, like any male of our kindred should."
"I only wished that you would have taken the cowards that left their duty as males, for they bring dishonor to our name."
"I sense a feeling of abandonment, do I not?" He inquired.
"You are correct." Ursa stood upwards on his hind legs, similar to the humans that he had met on his battles. His stature quickly grew, revealing his bare-toned chest as he leveled with the winged creature.
"I wish to be removed from the face of this battlefield, for I care not to return to my own kin. I trust that you know an incantation to remove a creature from this plain?"
Without needing another answer, the Outworld Devourer slowly nodded.
"I do, but I can only send you away for a short time, as it has been my overall preference."
"I beg of you to use all of your power. To send me away permanently. I do not wish to fight this battle anymore."
Outworld nodded once more.
"Are you sure that this is what you desire? I have no means of returning you once your being have fully traversed through the veil that boxes our celestial plain."
"You will be alone, in another universe that may or may not be hospitable. Do you not have kin that would miss your untimely departure?"
"I have no need for them, for I have none." Ursa faced the charcoal floor as he sadly averted Outworld's unwavering gaze.
"I see."
Needing no more information, Outworld lifted his staff. The top-most part had been carved into a jagged 'u'. It glowed as an orb of pure light, grew in size within the head.
"Ulfsaar, the ursa warrior. I hereby banish you to another universe for reasons that you have made clear. I wish the best luck for you and your new life, for you shall disappear from this celestial plane, and your position for the Radiant shall disappear."
"The Dire thank you for relinquishing your job to protect the radiant."
It enveloped his gargantuan stature, a small portal littered with stars appeared on his head.
"I thank you, Outworld Devourer, for accepting my wish." Ursa replied.
"Farewell...Radiant." Was all he said until his entire body, broke into pieces, all flying towards the starry portal that would transport him to another universe.
Chapter 2: A Mare in need
The poor bear's fragmented body whizzed through the confines of space and time, breaking barriers that no being could ever see with the naked eye.
Pain wracked his body in more ways than one. His head felt as though it had imploded internally time and time again as the seconds passed by. He felt his limbs get ripped out one by one, only for them to be re-attached to him to repeat the vicious process once more. His topaz eyes were blinded by the amalgamation of colors that covered every inch of his sights.
His body was essentially pain incarnate.
His torture was short lived, (un)fortunately.
The starry portal opened up on the new land that stood below it, spitting out it's contents. The white pieces of the suffering bear instantaneously formed him once again in quick succession. Outworld Devourer's portal quickly shut itself them moment the bear's feet finally felt the ground after his short trip past the stars.
Ursa stood on the earthy floor, wide-eyed and dazed as he failed to take in the scenery in front of him.
All of the pain that had been flung onto him had instantly melted away, leaving him to question whether he actually had experienced pain at all. His senses slowly returned to him as the sounds of the mysterious forest invaded his lengthy ears.
His navy fur bristled as the wind collided with him, blasting a a cold feeling on his pale blue chest that bore no hairs. His round feet dug the soft, grassy earth as he stood still as a statue, observing his surroundings.
"From the looks of things, this place seems hospitable at the most." He whispered to the wind.
The rays of light shone on Ursa as he admired the forest that he had been sent to, looking at the trees in wonder as the emerald leaves donned their branches like accessories. Familiar sounds of creatures entered his hears as he is entranced by the beauty of the forest.
Suddenly, a sharp, distant shriek snapped him out of his stupor.
"Another being?" He wondered.
He waited for another sound, which confirmed his assumptions.
"Please! Leave me and Angel alone!" A feminine voice pierced through the forest, alerting the bear of another soul that was within this realm. His body worked overdrive as he immediately set foot upon the direction of the noise.
"Fear not fair maiden, for I come to your aid!"
-Character switch: Fluttershy-
My hooves softly back up a tree as Angel clung to my back, shivering violently as a group of Timberwolves form a half-ring around us.
My wings became petrified as fear controlled them. There was no use flying with stiff wings, it would only lead to me losing balance and falling down to them, making their job easier.
"Angel, baby, please don't wander out on your own. Look what you've done! Mama's gonna have a talk with you when we get back home!" I quietly scolded my dear Angel as the ring of timberwolves shrunk ever so slowly. Frankly, I'm starting to doubt if we will ever get back home in this situation.
I cry out for help one more time, hoping for anypony, maybe even Zecora, to help me in this dire situation.
I could only close my eyes as I resigned to my fate. The foolish mare who loves animals, to be mauled by animals, or worse...
The growls grew ever louder, the smell of old bark invades my nostrils as I feel their presence near closer and closer.
Then I heard it.
A roar.
A mighty roar.
A roar louder than a timberwolf.
A roar...of a bear.
Character switch: Ursa
I puff out my chest as I stood tall and proud, splaying out my ruby claws to the strange, wooden threats. My eyes fired tendrils of orange magic as strength powered through my arms and towards the ruby-colored claws.
My claws were never ruby.
They were permanent stains. Stains of those who fell before my power.
I release a majestic roar which attracted the wooden wolves' attention. They snapped back their heads at me, glaring me with an emerald light from the holes that they call 'eyes'. They bared their teeth at me, briefly showing the sharp, jagged teeth that were somehow made of bark.
I slowly advanced towards them, the orange tendrils of magic flailing outwards from my eyes as I barely contained the urge to release my rage upon the pitiful creatures. They spread out, revealing the damsel in distress.
She was a small mare, with a mane that was of a similar color to the pink corals along a reef. Her buttercup coat gleamed with sweat as two small wings ruffled nervously. A small rabbit rode her back as it shivered uncontrollably, eyes shut.
The wolves had time to circle me as I observed the mare that shouting her pleas. By the time I had snapped out of it, one had already lunged at me, sinking it's teeth along my thick arm.
Pain and rage coursed my body as I prepared for what would be a hard battle. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, supplying the energy I needed to inflict as much pain as possible to these monsters.
"I'll rend your bark, degenerate!"
Character switch: Good ol' Narrator.
The enraged bear slashed his free arm towards the attacker, splintering it's wooden face as the claws dug deep inside. He pulled the timberwolf from his arm with reckless abandon, tearing more of his flesh as he held it out to his face.
The hands of his injured arm formed a fist and was sent crashing through the poor creature's head, obliterating it in the process. The glaring emerald light from it's eyes quickly faded as it's pieces of it's head fell to the ground, it's barky body falling limp.
Ursa looked at the other wolves, there were 3 others, all of whom were fuming anger from their mahogany ears at the bear's actions.
2 of them jumped at his legs, sinking their fangs on his muscle-clad thighs.
"Poor choice, wooden cubs." He bellowed ominously as he sent both his arms and one of his legs crashing down to the earthy floor, causing it to give way as he summoned the strength to do a simple skill that any bear of his kind could do.
The ground beneath Ursa gave way from his immense strength, reverberating painful shockwaves that cracked the bark of the two enemies on his legs, who were sadly at the epicenter of the miniature earthquake.Their frail bodies broke apart in one quick succession as their lifeless heads remained on Ursa's legs, their fangs still inside him.
The bear grinned devilishly, chuckling grimly at the fate of the two attackers.
His enjoyment was short lived as the last of the timberwolves leapt onto his chest, clawing and tearing his vulnerable chest as his legs and arm were entrapped in the rubble of the earth.
Howls of pain echoed the forest as the timberwolf mercilessly exacted it's revenge on the killer of it's family. It's entire body latched itself onto the bear, trying to inflict as much damage as possible before it's untimely end came.
And came it did, as Ursa used his only free hand to pull out the wooden devil. It was just in time too as it was about to aim for his neck, which Ursa tried so desperately to protect. His ruby claws held the timberwolf's back as it flailed about, gnawing and swatting the air.
Ursa's hands slowly formed a fist, crushing the timberwolf's torso as he did so. Ursa gave one last smirk to his final opponent as it split in half, it's movements falling limp.
"May you meet your brethren in the higher lands, mindless beast." Ursa panted.
He faced the terror-stricken mare, who had her eyes wide and her mouth agape at the scene that quickly unfolded within her eyes.
"Y...you..saved me...." She silently whispered, shivering violently as she maintained her gaze on the blood-lathered bear.
"The threat is gone, fair maiden. Though, I may not be able to see you any further. My reckless decisions have left me in grave condition."
"I fear that our meeting has been cut rather short." The entrapped bear groaned as he sighed heavily.
He was an entire mess.
There were various claw marks on his front. Thankfully, none were deep enough to cause a scar due to the thick hide on his bare chest. Two wooden holes on his arm expelled blood as they lay unmoved under his skin. Blood stained his light navy fur, matting it. The leather bracers that he wore were completely shredded, leaving it beyond repair. The only piece of armour that survived was the partial leather hood that valiantly defended his throat and most of his head, only revealing his eyes and muzzle for others to see.
He lightly panted, eyes slowly dimming as he slowly accepted his fate.
The buttercup mare abandoned her stupor and rushed to the injured bear, touching his navy muzzle with her soft hoof.
"Don't worry Ursa Minor, I'll get some help. It's the best that I can to do repay your efforts." She lightly nuzzled him.
"Unless you know of any magic, then I believe that it is the end for me."
"I don't know any magic, but some of my friends do."
Chapter 4: Recuperation
Ursa entered the home of that belonged to the mare he first met.
The living room was rather spacious, yet cozy at the same time. A large, orange rug with a dark flower on the center covered the entrance and an assortment of green seats were at the far back, one of them being a sofa. Multiple bird cages were hung on the wall of the door entrance: one pink, one lavender and one that was a bird cage. A bookshelf was situated under the staircase which was to Ursa's left.
The injured bear sat on his haunches on the rug, partially staining it from the dirt that had accumulated on his feet.
"Stay here, um..." Twilight pondered the bear's name. She couldn't name him an Ursa Minor, since he has already proven that he wasn't one, both in speaking and his appearance.
"Ulfsaar, but you may call me Ursa." He replied.
"Ok, stay here Ursa, Fluttershy and I will get some bandages for you." She nudged her head to the pegasus and they trotted away on the doorway to the left.
The room was filled with a deathly silence as Ursa and two mares sat/stood, neither species were daring enough to break the veil. Ursa looked at the mare who tried to hit him. Her ears had folded and her beetroot irises stared down the sickly green floor. Initial thoughts suggested that she was still hung over from what just happened, due to the sudden change in her behavior.
Ursa's view shifted to the alabaster mare with the magenta mane. Her eyes had widened with curiosity, staring at the alien in front of her eyes, it shifted positions every once in a while, taking up more notes on the bear that Fluttershy brought home. Her mane shifted on one side as she tilted her head, studying him to no end.
"May I ask for your name, m'lady?" Ursa bowed his head as he questioned the awestruck mare, who seemed to be surprised at the words coming from his mouth. He waited patiently for her composure to straighten as she readied her answer.
"M-mistress Rarity."
Ursa bowed his head once more before turning to the cyan pegasus, waiting for her reply. Her reaction was moot. Like a statue, her movements ceased of any reaction to his question.
"Come on Rainbow Dash, he is obviously not worried about your actions earlier. Just tell him your name!" Rarity admonished her friend.
With a slight turn on Rainbow's head, she faced the mare who revealed her name without her needing to reply.
"Well, at least he knows now." Rarity forced a smile as she shut her eyes, partially embarrassed at the situation. Ursa shuffled over to the cyan mare, a look of pity on his muzzle surfaced.
"There is no need to sulk for something that you did for the wrong reasons." Ursa ruffled her technicolor mane, earning a blush from the element of loyalty. He gazed at her cerise irises, searching for the lively mare he saw earlier. Rainbow Dash reciprocated the action, staring at the gentle creature in front of her, and not the terrifying bear that she assumed him to be.
"We're back!" Came the voice of Twilight. Her lavender magic held a towel and a bucket from the doorway whilst Fluttershy sauntered over with a roll of bandages in her mouth. She settled beside Ursa, with Rainbow on the other side of him. She dropped the roll of bandages from her mouth and began to nuzzle Ursa as she reassured him.
"Don't worry, you'll feel better once we're done. Rainbow Dash, have you apologized to him?" Fluttershy spoke.
"Not yet..." Rainbow muttered.
"Well, you'll have to do it soon, because you'll be leaving to take care of the weather soon, right?" She replied. Dash nodded simply as her sights returned to the floor once more.
Twilight faced Ursa as she placed the bucket and the towel beside her. She pondered for a short while, presumably from trying to think of the healing spell. Her face brightened as she found out how to do it.
"Alright, Ursa. I'm going to use a simple healing spell that I learned from the few medical books in my library. Now, this might hurt a bit, what with it forcefully closing your wounds and all, but you'll feel more relaxed after that."
Ursa nodded as he braced himself for the magic that would be thrust unto him for healing purposes. Twilight's horn glowed as she shut her eyes. The same lavender aura that Ursa saw earlier now enveloped him.
He felt sharp, hot stings as his wounds burned off the black, infected scabs. Smoke emanated from it's remains as Twilight gritted her teeth, suffering over such a simple spell. Slight sounds of sizzling are heard, and a particularly undesirable odor infiltrated the surrounding mare's nostrils.
The stinging soon ended as was immediately replaced with a numbing feeling as Ursa stared at the glowing wounds. A green glow came from them as he felt the presence of ice on them. Ursa cooed , elated that the unbearing pain has quickly subsided. He smiled at the unicorn who healed him, before proceeding to nuzzle her muzzle.
Twilight blushed at his actions. "I-it was only a simple healing spell, you know." She stuttered as she smiled at him.
"It was amazing no less, your talents have saved me, Twilight Sparkle." Ursa replied. He looked at Fluttershy, who was already bandaging the sites where his healed wounds were. He was thankful that a world like this gave him such helpful creatures. There was no doubt in his mind that this was the right decision for him.
However, there were some thoughts that still lingered on his mind. Thoughts that pestered him to no end. What they were could only be known by him, and only him, for it was too embarrassing to speak about it with such kind mares.
Half an hour passes by, and the the bandaged bear was now happily sitting on the rug, conversing with Fluttershy. The bunny that he saw earlier was now being petted by her as they spoke about their lives.
The others had left a few minutes ago: Rainbow Dash leaving for the weather team that would be taking action in a few hours; Twilight Sparkle teleporting back to her library to continue with her studies, and finally Rarity doing the same as Twilight (albeit for reasons other than 'studying').
"Does anyone miss you?" Fluttershy asked.
"Sadly, no." Ursa replied.
"Well, you don't have to worry about that from now on. You've got 6 new friends that are going to help you in this world!" Fluttershy squeed, projecting an elated face at the bear.
"6? I have only seen four of your kind so far." Ursa tilted his head in confusion.
"Oh, you've yet to meet Applejack and Pinkie Pie, but I'm sure they will warm up to you. You're a kind creature after all."
"If you have ever seen me in battle over in my world, you'd realise that I would be anything but kind." Ursa frowned.
Fluttershy scooted closer to him, sitting on his lap as she stared at his eyes.
"You are kind. If you weren't, then you wouldn't have saved me and my little baby here." Fluttershy hugged Ursa, sandwhiching Angel between their furry bodies, much to his dismay.
Ursa felt her warmth as she hugged his large size. Her head gently rubbed on his bare chest. Her silky mane tickled his fur as he felt the air of the Everfree forest from it. Such kindness has never been presented to him, and for some reason, strange feelings emerged from deep inside.
He felt...a strong need to return her actions.
He felt...a strange attraction to her kindness, like a moth to a light.
He felt...as though he had feelings for her.
"Let's go to sleep, shall we?"
"Mmm."
Ursa held the little mare in his arms, cradling her surprisingly soft body with ease. He was especially careful with his crimson claws as they slid along her coat, applying little pressure to the mare as if a small poke could easily penetrate her butter body.
Fluttershy smiled as she closed her eyes, sighing with content as the bear carried her upstairs. She could feel his heart pounding his chest like a drum, the very sound piqued her interest in the male. Her body was handled softly by his paws, the sensation tingled her senses, reviving an long-forgotten desire.
Though, being the polite mare that she was, thinking of such indecent things chipped away at her self-esteem. She was brought up by her parents to be a kind, polite and courteous mare. Her family tree has had a long-running tradition of being the purest ponies in Ponyville (asides from the act of procreation), and she was expected to uphold and continue that tradition for the stallion that she has yet to meet.
But those imperative matters soon faded away as she became a caretaker for her own animals. They somewhat filled the void of longing, but not to the full extent. Seasons of heat were handled appropriately, as in locking herself in her home with no living being inside but her, not even her own baby 'Angel' was allowed near her, for he too was of the opposite gender.
Alas, this is no time for a mare to think of such things, she has a creature to tend to!
"Where will you sleep, Ursa?" Fluttershy asked.
"Wherever you place me." He replied.
"That's no way for an animal to sleep!"
Ursa looked in confusion, his ears flicked, as if they didn't believe the caretaker's words.
"I have no need for soft bedding, I'm comfortable with the floor. You need not worry for my sake."
"Well, I'm not going to let you do that, Mr. Bear!" Fluttershy pouted.
This time, Ursa's head tilted, still confused at Fluttershy's words. He entered the room which was supposedly Fluttershy's, assuming from the board hanging on the front of the door to confirm it. Ursa was hit by a blast of nature's scent, the fresh and seemingly grassy air invading his nostrils as he inspected the room.
A small bed occupied one side of the room, with a fireplace in close proximity to it, which was on the other side. A circular, red carpet covered the floor, parts of it were hidden by the chest which was at the end of Fluttershy's bed. Spots of hay and bird houses littered the ceiling, supposedly containing a sleeping bird or two.
Ursa chuckled softly at Fluttershy's bed sheets, which was white with orange diamond patterns. In addition, butterflies were held inside each diamond, which made the bear chuckle as he matched the resemblance with the butterflies on the mare's flank.
'She seems to be related to butterflies perhaps? even her name closely resembles it...'
"What's so funny?" Fluttershy asked.
"Tis nothing you need to be concerned with, my fair maiden." Ursa replied.
"Oh, okay."
Ursa placed Fluttershy upon the bed, petting her mane as he did so. She cooed as his palm collided with her head, ruffling her pink mane with such care from his claws. She settled herself, worming inside the covers and into the warmth the bed and her body heat could provide. Ursa settled beside her bed, backing himself on it with his azure fur.
He positioned himself comfortably so that he wouldn't get cramp on his neck, then removed his head armor and placed it nearby. The fireplace roared quietly with a dying flame, filling the empty room with the sounds of crackling.
Fluttershy couldn't help but stare at the bear's arm which was poking out from the side of her bed as he slept sideways. The way the strands fur rose from the weakest wind hitting it and the way it glowed in the moonlight had mesmerized the mare. Yet pangs of guilt struck her heart as she came to realize the way her guest was residing in her home.
'This poor bear is sleeping on the floor of my home for Celestia's sake! He's a guest in my home, and he needs this bed more than me.' She thought.
"Hey, Mr. Bear." She whispered.
"Mm?" He mumbled.
"Do you want to sleep on my bed for tonight? You're my guest, after all and I don't think this is the right way to treat them."
"But-"
"It's fine, I'll sleep on the rug, it can keep me cosy and it's near the fireplace."
"I suggest that we meet halfway."
"What do you mean?"
"How about we both sleep on the bed. You get what you want and I don't have to force a lady to sleep on the floor of her home."
Fluttershy rubbed her chin to contemplate his proposal, and promptly agreed right after. She scooted her body to the side, flipping over the duvet for Ursa as he groggily stood up. He turned around to face her, showing his bare chest and helmet-less head as he scratches it. Fluttershy couldn't help but to giggle at his weary state, for his drowsy eyes and flickering ears were able to melt anypony's heart...atleast, that's what she thought.
Ursa slowly shuffled himself inside the covers, filling the bed more and more as three quarters of his own body fill it. He finally stopped as he reached to Fluttershy, pushing her body closer to the edge after he recognizes that he has reached the bed's limit.
"It looks like my theory won't be able to work out, judging from your position on your bed." Ursa spoke as he looked at Fluttershy.
"Well what are we going to do?" She replied.
As a response, he carefully lifted the barrel of Fluttershy's body with one hand, carrying her own weight with just the strength of his own palm. Next, he placed her ontop of his own body, freeing up the space she held prior to lifting her up.
"This could work." He said.
"Agreed." Fluttershy replied.
They both shared a short laugh before settling down. By this time, the fire had already been burnt out as it has expended all of its fuel.
The night lingers on, the moon is in it's highest stage before dawn strikes, but the two have yet to sleep. Their eyes are closed as though they have fallen to the dream world, but they serve as a facade.
Ursa's paws hold onto the buttercup mare's back, gently caressing them and her mane so as to not wake her up. His eyes shut themselves but his actions remain true. Unbeknownst to him, Fluttershy had opened hers, staring deeply at the seemingly comatose bear. Her cheeks flush and her body tingles as she feels him gently fondling her.
Her underside touches his own, skin to skin. Both their hearts beat strong and fast at the situation they have gotten themselves into. She could feel his own warmth mixing with hers as though she was wrapped up by his fur and body.
As if through instinct, she placed her head down on his chest and began to nuzzle it lovingly. Her ruby cheeks swelled more, her wings ruffled erratically, her legs splayed out and her body burned intensely. She kept looking at the bear, hoping that he wouldn't open his eyes to see her in such a state.
Her body wanted to resist everything, to quit this abnormal behavior, but she felt no need to. He is her savior, her strong and handsome savior. Strange desires forgotten long ago arose as her small hoof grabs hold of Ursa's paws and directs the base to her supple cherry cheeks, keeping the crimson claws away from reach.
'He's so soft and furry...his body feels like a warm oven and I can feel his heartbeat. Who are you and how did you manage to enter my life?'
'I've never felt like this in front of my own pets, so why is this happening?'
'Oh right. You aren't my pet, but rather a kind bear who can talk to me. You must miss your home so much, and here I am nuzzling you and letting you touch me as though you were my coltfriend. I don't even know if you already have a mate or not.'
Ursa could do nothing to stop her strange behavior, for he himself was experiencing his own troubles.
His paws no longer moved themselves, but rather through Fluttershy's own strength. He felt like removing them from her grasp, but another side of him wanted to keep it fondling the soft surface it rubbed upon. His heart raced and his body heated up as the mare's body felt his own. Sweat piled between the two blisteringly hot skins despite no movement occurring whatsoever. He could already feel a certain warmth emanating from the mare in a place he could easily recognize as it placed itself just above his own, right above his leather garment.
He could feel her gentle nuzzling and the short breaths she took, the sounds and touch all felt intoxicating as he wanted to reciprocate his actions to the same magnitude as hers. His eyes desperately wanted to pry themselves open to see the beautiful mare he rescued, to be in such a lustful state that it would be enough for his own desires to take over. But alas, his will remained strong, crumbling all the while.
Slowly, his other paw, which had not been grasped by Fluttershy, grabbed hold of her body. She squeaked lightly as she felt his grasp. Ursa dragged her body across his and moved her closer to his face, quickly releasing Fluttershy's grip on his other paw in the process.
Her head was an inch away from his own, and with it he moved his forward, blindly diving straight for her face, eyes closed.
Ursa brought her body close and hugged her gently, his body moved to its side and his head brushed passed Fluttershy's. He groaned through his throat, growling as though he was still asleep and in a dream, and continued to affectionately attack her cheeks.
'This....This'll do.' Fluttershy thought as she closed her eyes.
And so, the night ends as Ursa, who is sleeping on his side, holds the mare close as they share one of the many restless nights they will have with each other.
Chapter 3: The Journey For Respite
Grunts and wheezes came from the buttercup mare as she valiantly attempted to remove the bear from the rubble he had caused. The afternoon day soon turned into the twilight evening as Ursa was entrapped in his rocky tomb.
Angel had left the scene as he was instructed by Fluttershy to find one of her friends, leaving her with the 'ursa minor'.
The injured bear chuckled softly at Fluttershy's attempts to free him. She had been going at it until evening, trying her hardest to free the poor creature.
He knew very well that he could easily get himself off from the situation that he had caused, but he admired the mare's efforts to free him, so he decided to not suddenly free himself, which would render Fluttershy's efforts naught.
"I'm sorry if I can't get you out, Ursa minor. I'm not as strong as earth pony, nor do I have the magic of a unicorn, but I'm trying my best! As you can obviously see." She smiled sheepishly as she held Ursa's paw, her wings flapping furiously as she attempted to free him once more.
Taking pity at the persevering mare, Ursa decided to help her out a little bit. The leg that had been concealed under the earth pushed his body at the direction Fluttershy was pulling him from, allowing his body to suddenly 'jerk' forward.
Fluttershy, seemingly ecstatic at the sudden motion, beamed a happy face as she had made progress in freeing the bear.
"It seems as though you have managed to move me." Ursa praised the elated mare.
"Goodness gracious! I managed to move you! I'm surprised that I could do it, after trying for so long." She replied.
Ursa grinned a weak smile at her. For a moment, all of the pain that he had endured throughout the day seemed to fade the moment Fluttershy smiled. Either she was using some magic to dull his pain, or his brain was lacking oxygen. Possibly both.
He examined himself as Fluttershy continued her quest to free him. Short, thick scabs filled the wounds he took in from the afternoon battle. Globs of dried blood matted and littered his light navy fur. The smell of moldy bark and blood invaded his nostrils as his sight began to waver.
The reality of the situation had finally hit him.
He had been gravely injured for more than a few hours and he has not been medically treated as of yet. The wounds that he had taken bravely could possibly be infected for all he knew. His interests in the mare trying to free him had clouded his sight and the thoughts that were screaming at his mind.
He knew, that if this continued, he might as well die before the buttercup mare could make him move once more.
Immediately, Ursa began to plan for the right time to release himself from the rocky tomb. He was slowly dying, but he still couldn't bring it to himself to immediately free his entire body without the mare's help, for he didn't want to hurt her feelings.
Fortunately for him, Fluttershy was going to prepare for her last pull. Her body was in contact with his paw, letting it feel the sweaty coat as her wings prepared for one last flap.
"One more time! I know I can do this!" Fluttershy spoke.
"Then give it your all, fair maiden." Ursa muttered, his strength fading.
And, in one sudden motion, Fluttershy shot back from Ursa's paw, pulling with all her strength. Ursa used his feet to propel himself from the rubble as Fluttershy closed her eyes in determination, her muzzle scrunched up in pain. She felt a sudden jolt of release as the paw she held felt weightless for a few moments. A 'thud' followed soon after as her Ursa's body encompassed hers on the ground.
Fluttershy felt the overwhelming weight crushing her small body before it quickly receded. She opened her eyes to see the bear gazing at her, her eyes in particular.
Ursa was currently on top of Fluttershy, propping his stronger arm up on himself as his body levitated over hers. The duo gave soft pants: both of them were extremely tired.
"I..I..freed you?!" Fluttershy asked incredulously, her eyes widening at the sudden feat she had accomplished.
"Your strength surprises you. Be glad that a strong mare as yourself can bring a large creature like me out of that rocky prison." Ursa praised his 'savior' with a white lie.
"Th-thank you." Fluttershy smiled, sporting a noticeable blush.
The bear and the mare trudged along the Everfree in comfortable silence. Fluttershy was supporting Ursa's bitten arm as he limped slowly.
A symphony of sounds echoed around them, most of them being the sounds of a cricket, though every once in a while they could hear a howl from a Timberwolf, or even a roar from another creature that Ursa could not recognize.
So far, in his opinion, the day has gone very well, better than he'd expected.
He finally met another being who wouldn't dare to stab him in the back or even impale him with a flaming spear, not to mention that it was a female, of all possibilities. He also managed to get into a fight for reasons other than protecting the Radiant, which was a sight for sore eyes. Back then, it was just senseless killing in the jungle and then amassing powerful items (three of which were his favorites: A Skullbasher, Vladimir's mask and his lucky Blink dagger) to fight against the Dire. But now, he could live freely once more, devoid of any violence if he so wished.
He could live in this (near)peaceful forest for the rest of his days, enjoying the relaxation he so desperately needed. If possible, he could even visit the mare in his arm on some days if she let him, since he needed some living being to socialize with, after all.
That mare...that mare who he rescued.
That mare whom 'rescued' him.
"Fair maiden, may I request your name?" Ursa broke the veil of silence that had fallen over them. A look of curiosity on his face made itself evident as the mare shuffled around, ever so slightly hiding behind her mane.
"U-um..Fluttershy.."
His ears twitched, barely registering her sounds.
"May you repeat that? My hearing is terrible." He chuckled.
Noticing the bear's laughter, Fluttershy straightened herself once more. She inhaled with her mouth as she tried to speak once more.
"haaaaaaah Fluttershy." Her tender voice increased in volume, barely though.
Seeing it as a little game she's decided to play, Ursa played along with the pink-haired mare as asked her to speak again, expecting her to talk a bit louder.
"haaaaaaaaaaah Fluttershy." Her voice was now easily audible to the bear as she made her name known, but he didn't want to stop there, and neither did Fluttershy.
"One more tiiiime ." Ursa trailed his blunt ruby claws under Fluttershy, gently tickling her barrel. Fluttershy giggled in response as she spoke for the final time, her voice being as loud as it can be without anger or rage fueling it.
"Fluttershy!" She giggled as she squirmed under Ursa's barrage of the tickles.
Ursa laughed raucously with his new friend as they neared her grassy-roofed cottage. A faint light can be seen inside as the two neared the bridge.
The top half of the hazel door was ajar as a technicolor mane popped under it. Ursa eyed the cyan mare who was glaring at the 'threat', which w as him, sadly.
"Twilight! A giant bear has taken Fluttershy hostage!" She spoke, voice seemed to be that of a tomboy's.
"What!?" A scream from inside the peaceful home hit Ursa's twitching ears.
"No! No!, he's just an injured Ursa minor" Fluttershy lost her volume as the cyan mare darted towards the already-injured creature.
With dexterity and ease, Ursa held out his free paw at the charging pegasus. His reflexes were astronomically better than hers, for an ursa warrior must have them to be able to dodge the swiftest of strikes.
One such individual crossed his mind.
Darkterror, the Faceless Void. His agility was like no other, able to dodge attacks and even the strongest magic with the knowledge of time. His hits were so strong that it could freeze his victims in time for a second, preventing them from running away or even acting.
But he wasn't facing Darkterror.
Ursa was facing a pegasus, a mare to be exact. He effortlessly caught the mare's body, softly gripping her without harm. She thrashed around his grip, banging her hooves on his paw and even biting it on occasion, much to his dismay.
"Get off! Get off! Get off! Don't eat me!"
"Rainbow Dash...Stop." Fluttershy's silent pleas fell on deaf ears as a purple pony barge out of her door.
"Don't worry Dash! I'll save you!" The purple mare's horn glowed as a purple aura surrounded it. Ursa's eyes widened at the sight of the unicorn. If he knew anything about magic, then he'd know that it would hurt, no matter how strong it would be. And with the look of anger on the unicorn, the incoming blast would be enough to incapacitate him, or even kill him in the weakened state he's in.
"Cease your fire! I mean no harm!" He reasoned with the cyan mare's friend.
The unicorn widened her eyes, a look of shock and awe present on her face. Her mouth went agape as she tried to register what the bear said.
"Y-you can speak? " She spoke.
Nodding, Ursa released his grip on the pegasus. Immediately, she aimed a hoof at his muzzle, only for it to be blocked by the buttercup mare. Fluttershy gave a stern face to her friend as she scolded her.
"I suggest that these friends are yours?" Ursa asked his friend, who momentarily stopped her scolding. She nodded simply before returning to face her apologetic friend once more.
"H-how can an Ursa Minor spea-" The purple unicorn was cut off as the bear sauntered over her.
"We shall deal with this later, for I am in need of medical attention, as you can plainly see." Ursa waved his paw over his wounded body, fully defining his current state.
"May I ask for your name?" He questioned the speechless pony.
"Tw-twilight Sparkle.." She observed the 'Ursa Minor's body.'
He doesn't look like the Ursa Minor that Snips and Snails brought in before....
Ursa took a knee (on the one that caused the least pain, of course) to level with the mare. His topaz eyes gazed at hers, his throat groaned as he voiced that he was in pain.
"Twilight Sparkle, friend of Fluttershy..."
"If you know of any being who can heal me, then I beg of you to find them, for my strength is quickly waning." Ursa's ears drooped down in sadness as his eyes began to dim.
"I know a bit of medical magic, but it's only basic. I can heal the cuts you've got at best, but that's all I can do." She replied solemnly.
As a sign of affection, Ursa nuzzled the dumbstruck mare, his velvet fur brushed and tickled her cheeks as he thanked her. Twilight Sprakle silently cooed at the sudden jolt of pleasure that struck her.
Wow...his fur....so soft...
"My thanks." He spoke.
With a determined smile, Twilight the purple unicorn ushered the bear towards the cottage, with Fluttershy and Dash following suit.
All of the individuals slowly motioned inside the buttercup mare's home as the moon's rays cascaded over the land.
"So, where did you come from?"
"From a land you've never seen."
