Chapters Twilight Sparkle gazed at the beast, It towered over her at near twice her height with teeth clearly not made to play nicely. How could something like this even exist? She had come to know this monster as Todd. He stood with his lips drawn into a terrifying imitation of a smile.
"So, Todd, I trust you've been well informed of your new role in Equestria." Twilight sheepishly looked up at the hue-man. "I suppose that means it's time to get down to business." Well that was a graceful opening. 'Oh hey, hope you know what you're here for, time to go risk your life for our species.' she thought while awaiting his response.
"Works for me, I've been waiting to get to work for some time now."
Better than I thought. "Okay well, here's the case file. I'd warn you It's a tad frightening, but you know."
"Know what?" His head cocked to the side as his horrifying smile faded quickly to a terrifying scowl.
Oh Celestia! Did I really just offend an animal that could kill me? "Oh- uh- I j-just meant -or I guess I thought, since you're a predator and all, that gore wouldn't bother you."
"A predator? Is that how you see me now, huh?" Tod's amusement was now apparent. Twilight was now more terrified than ever. He thought it was funny that she thought he was a predator --he was, wasn't he? Maybe he found her fear of him humorous.
Either way, I'll have to be more careful with what I say.
CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT: EYES ONLY
CLEARANCE LEVEL: PRINCESS
ON 4 NOVEMBER OF 0002 H.E. ( That's Harmonic Era, human DAISY SHINE, MARE, AGE 23, REPORTED HEARING VOICES DURING WIND STORMS. DAISY SHINE WAS ADMITTED TO THE PONYVILLE REDHEART HOSPITAL FOR PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION. DURING HER DETAINMENT THE MARE EXPERIENCED SEVERE PARANOIA AND REPORTED DELUSIONS OF BEING HUNTED. AFTER A THREE DAY EVALUATION IT HAD BECOME APARENT THAT THE MEDICAL CENTER LACKED THE RESOURCES TO KEEP SUCH A PATIENT. AT THE ADVISORY OF DAISY SHINE'S CASE PSYCHIATRIST SHE WAS TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE CANTERLOT CENTER FOR LONG TERM MENTAL CARE. DURING TRANSPORT DAISY SHINE BEGAN TO SUFFER HALLUCINATIONS AND SEVERAL TIMES PLEADED WITH SECURITY TO ALLOW HER TO LEAVE. SHORTLY AFTER THE MARE ESCAPED BY UN-KNOWN MEANS. TRANSPORT STAFF GAVE PURSUIT UNTIL THE PATIENT ENTERED THE EVERFREE FOREST. SHORTLY AFTER LOSING LINE OF SIGHT WITH THE ESCAPED PATIENT A LOUD SHRIEK WAS HEARD BY THE STAFF AND LOCALS . DAISY SHINE IS PRESUMED DEAD. THIS EVENT IS BELIEVED TO BE IN RELATION TO REPORTS OF A TALL NARROW FIGURE BEING SPOTTED WATCHING FROM DEEP IN THE EVERFREE AND OF SIMILAR SOUNDS COMING FROM THE FOREST. SUGGEST INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE PREDATOR NEAR PONYVILLE.
"One pony went missing, and you assume I need to go into the woods looking for an imaginary monster?" Twilight had never seen someone treat the death of a living thing so non-nonchalantly. In fact, it seemed that he saw Daisy Shine's death as nothing but a nuisance to him.
"I assure you Todd, the Everfree Forest has a lot of terrifying beasts in it. It would be pertinent to come to terms with your new job. As well, I would appreciate it if you could act like life has some value to you, a lot more ponies have gone missing since then." ]That's it twilight, stay strong. Don't let him scare you
"Message reccieved, I'll quit my bitching. So, does your world happen to have wendigos?"
"Well, yeah. Windigos are part of the reason Equestria exists. Why do you ask?"
"Voices in the wind, loud shriek, feels hunted, hallucinations, tall lanky creature in the woods? I mean come on, it's winter for Christ's sake."
"Who's sake?" Twilight knitted her brow. "And, I'm afraid I'm a bit lost on what you're talking about.
"Never mind the Christ thing... its just a human thing. You asked me to look into an imaginary monster and I gave you one. It's a wendigo."
"But windigos are spirits of the winter. They don't shriek they just make bad weather when they feed off of disharmony. None of what you're talking about. Maybe we should go to the library and look into some zoology books to--"
"MAYBE, miss Sparkle, it would be pertinent for you to come to terms with my new job. I say its a wendigo, and until I have evidence to say otherwise I'm hunting wendigo. I'm going to need supplies, do I get a spending account or anything like that?"
I'll ignore your rudeness just before asking me for money. "I was instructed to assess your needs and requisition the funds and equipment that you request."
"In that case, I need a can of hairspray, a length of twine about twelve feet long, a disposible lighter, a windproof kerosene lighter, Styrofoam packing material, a silver plated knife with at least a ten inch blade full tang, a bow preferably recurve, and twenty or so silver tipped arrows."
"What? Why do you need silver? A lot of what you're asking for seems to be fairly arbitrary."
"You're asking me to go into the woods, during the dead of winter, to hunt the demon spirit of the desolate woods, and yet you have the moxy to ask me why I need what I asked for? I could just go home and lay down, and you know, not die."
"Okay, point taken. Do you need anything else?" He does have a good point, I keep forgetting he's risking his life for us.
"No, just get me what I need and we can go innna wood."
He seems to be far too satisfied with himself for making no sense... wait WHAT DID HE SAY? "WE!? What do you mean we?! I thought you were supposed to, do the you know... hunting." Twilight's ears shot down, obviously frightened by the prospect of helping Todd to hunt another living thing. Did he expect her to help him kill?
"Well, I don't know much about your world, so I need a guide. You seem to be pretty bright so I'm taking you. Besides, you're supposed to be keeping track of me so were going to sticking together."
A burning grew quickly in the mare's face Oh Celestia why am I blushing! Twilight get a hold of yourself, It was just a silly compliment. Besides, he's a predator. He's probably just playing at your emotions to get you to go with him.
"Twi, Twi snap out of it. Go get things ready, meet me in the clearing outside the Everfree in one hour."
Twilight tried desperately to retort, but all that came out was a stuttered "O-okay."
"Good, lets get to work then."
"O-okay"
"And stop acting like a school girl."
_________________________________________________________________________________
The snow crunched beneath Twilight Sparkle's hooves. Her legs burned as she tried to keep Todd's impossible pace. Why won't he just slow down? Its clear I can't keep up, he's looked back at me so he knows I'm struggling. I didn't want to come anyways. Why did I fall for his stupid trick. How could I be out witted by such a childish pony-- er human. Besides, everyone knows predators are naturally less intelligent than non predators. And--
"Stop it." the human's sudden outburst caught Twilight off guard.
"Huh? Stop what?"
"Stop thinking about me."
"How could you tell?!"
"You're glaring a hole in the back of my damn head."
"I said stop it."
"
The frozen forest seemed never ending to Twilight. There was nothing but trees and snow, snow and trees, and the occasional cluster of dull gray rocks and boulders. The human moved flawlessly through the snow. Every movement was elegant and calculated. This, in juxtaposition with his weapon created quite the visual irony, at least to twilight. The bow he held with half drawn arrow was ridiculously small in comparison to his large body frame. Considering the bow was made for use by ponies it wasn't quite in his size. He seemed less than happy at the moment.
Maybe he's still upset that I'm thinking about him? Maybe he's just inherently in a permanently in an upset state. It makes sense for a predator. Noticing that the trek could last for hours with the hunter leading her, the mare saw fit to strike up conversation to learn more about the predator, or at least to pass the time.
"So Todd... the woods are beautiful this time of year. Usually its so dark and and mucky, but with the snow kind of gives a lightness to it don't you think?"
"Yeah, I guess Its not so bad out here."
"Do you have snow where you're from?"
"Eh, some places. It did where I grew up. Didn't really care for it."
"Oh, what was it like there?" Twilight had gained a sense of cheerful optimism that such an animal as Todd would be willing to open up to her. Maybe he wasn't so different from a pony after all
"What, my home town? It was just a place I lived. Nothing special."
Well, I guess learning about him is off the table for now. "Are there windigos where you're from?"
"Some people say so. The whole legend is just kind of nuts though."
Oooh! I guess I can ask about his people's ponylore! "Can you teach me the legend? What your kind know about them, windigos that is." Todd let out a sound that lie somewhere between a chuckle and an annoyed sigh. Twilight was slowly forming an understanding that she was vastly different from the human. In fact it would seem as though Todd was so substantially different from a pony that it would be quite some time before she would be able to fully understand him. Perhaps she never would. Get that out of your head Twilight, that kind of pessimism isn't scholarly. Its just like Celestia used to say 'Theres no such thing as never or ever'." She always liked that adage. "I'd love it if you'd be willing, but its okay if you don't want to."
"No, its fine. Well, basically the legend goes that when a human spends too much time isolated, particularly in cold weather and famine, they'll begin to crave human flesh and--"
"You mean they become cannibals!" Todd stopped his fervent trek for just a moment and turned a glare unto the startled mare over his shoulder as he stood horrifyingly still and spoke but one sentence,
"Don't interrupt me again, I mean it." and continued to walk and spin his tale. "So anyways, the belief is that their heart grows cold, and their inside is consumed and twisted by their desire. Eventually the the contortion spreads across the body until all that is left is a horrifying effigy of the human form. The wendigo is cursed to forever consume his brothers and sisters, his youngers and elders, but forever in agonizing hunger. They can be anywhere between eight and fifteen feet tall, they have claws that could tear a man in half without a modicum of effort. I've heard it said that they move with as silent as the falling snow, but when they call out in their unearthly voice its too late for escape."
"C-can they be, you know..."
"Killed? Yes, but often those who hunt them find that they are no match for such a beast. Except none of that is real. Besides, how could it even be a wendigo when there are no humans to become wendigos? On top of that I don't mean to be rude, but you need to toughen up. You can't even stomach talking about death, that isn't going to work if we are going to be hunting together."
"Um excuse me?" The pony spoke with disdain to hunters words, "I am not a preda-- I mean a hunter like you. I don't hunt living things. The most I hunt for is a good deal on quills." Todd again stopped, his back began to shake ever so slightly as he rapidly inhaled and exhaled. Soon he was to his knees, and without sparing a second, he fell to his back in a childlike fit of hysterical laughter. "What are you laughing about?"
"Y-you think you're not hunting," his words broke sporadically with laughter as tears welled in the corners of his eyes "but you're trecking th-throught th-the woods to help me kill a wendigo!" The words stung Twilight Sparkle. It was true, she was aiding a sapient primate in hunting a-- what was she hunting, it sure wasn't the windigos she knew.
Celestia what am I supposed to do?
Todd's laughter stopped as the young mare's head bowed. Well crap, I hurt her damn feelings. There's no way I'm going to get here moving like this. Her being sad is not working for me... but she's kinda adorable when she's crying... good to know for later. As Twilight sat in the snow with a silent tear or two falling gently on the fresh powdered snow. Now that she had been immobile for a while the cold began to sting at her body. Without warning she felt a warmth wrap around her. Twi raised her sight just enough to see Todd sitting, legs out in front him slightly bent. One arm was tightly shawled around her shoulders. He did not return the gaze, instead he looked forward into the snow. His countenance betrayed his feelings without anything distancing the pony from the man. Twilight could tell that Todd didn't understand how she felt, but it became clear to her also that he did not enjoy seeing her in this state. Well, at least not too much.
"Twilight, when I... when I was a kid my father started to teach me to hunt. Well, he took me out into the woods and put a rifle in my hands. It was a Winchester Model 70 he got from his father, and his father from his father. A real family heirloom. Well I looked at my father and I told him I didn't want to hunt, I didn't want to hurt animals. He took exception to that. He grabbed me by the hair and he picked me up and kicked my legs out from under me."
How can he keep the same facial expression while telling such an awful story?
"As soon as I got up he socked me real good. He looked into my swollen eye and told me 'a weak wolf is devoured by the pack', he picked up that rifle, and he put it right back in my hands. I always hated my father, and as soon as I got the chance I left home and never went back. What I'm trying to get at is that I don't want you to be a- a predator. I know you're having a hard time, but I promise you won't have to hurt a fly so long as I'm here. So, what do you say we get going and find us an imaginary monster, huh?" Twilight knew that sly smile. He was trying to get her to do what was good for them both. But there was no way he could make that up, right? He was at least being kind to me.
"O-okay, let's go."
"Good, I was beginning to think that--" He stopped. He looked about as if he had sensed some minute change, as if the air pressure was ever so slightly affected, perhaps even that some usually inconsequential snow flake had fallen wrong. "Get down low, now."
"Todd? Todd, whats wrong?" before he could respond a terrifying and primal howl pierced every fiber of twilight's being. It was here, and it was too late. The human stood strong and seemingly fearless. Little did Twilight know that his bravado covered the horror that welled within him. For a few moments as the wind thrashed violently through the boughs of rustling pines and firs. A pressure was building at the base of Todd's skull.
...Todd
...Todd
...Todd
...Todd
The wind whispered in his ear. And then, silence. No trees rustled, no snow fell. It was an absolute and peaceful science. It lulled the lavender mare's senses. In this moment she was safe, yet the hunter stood resolute.
What happened next could only be described as a blur of sensations. Gray and white streaks, moving impossibly fast over her in attempt to strike down Twilight's protector. Reds and yellows, enveloping the grays and whites eliciting a howl of agony. The human rolled backwards over Twilight's back, as the blur passed over the top of them both. Immediately the hunter was erect on two feet. In her vision fell a snapped bow and a burnt aerosol can of hair spray with a disposable lighter crudely rigged as a pilot light. Fifty yards from Todd stood a juggernaut of mangled pale flesh with a rib cage near fully exposed by rot and tearing of skin to fit it's new body. It was twice Todd's height, with a head resembling the skull of a deer, antlers and all. Scarce tendons and exposed muscles operated the jaws of the behemoth. The wendigo's limbs were elongated and narrow, and hanging from Its throat just under the jaw. Singed flesh and what what little hair there was to burn wafted in the air.
Weakened by the purifying effects of the silver, as well as the horrid burns covering its body. It was clear the creature was unfit now for battle, but none-the-less was preparing for the next strike. Twilight now noticed the champagne bottle filled with a strange fluid. Extending from the mouth of the bottle and bound to the glass neck by twine was a piece of wet cloth. In the other hand was a lighter. As he lit the cloth Todd peered into the eyes, or eye sockets, of his foe. The monstrosity began his charge, and the predator cocked back his arm. With each stride of the wendigo Todd came ever closer to releasing the bottle. When it was ten meters from the unicorn he was to protect the glass shattered against the rotted rib cage.
The flames clung to the mass of sizzling devil as it fell to the snow just beside the pair. It squirmed and violently seized and struck at the air. Decayed and festering flesh blistered, boiled and popped. After a short time the still burning wendigo had become still. Peace again oppressed the chaos of the battle into absolute silence. Todd looked toTwilight Sparkle with a sheepish grin and a pail face. His hands trembled and his lips quivered and spoke.
"How about we go home." It took two steps for the man to collapse into the snow. Rushing to the body Twilight saw the gash in his clothing which secreted a warm, sticky, viscous fluid. Twilight ripped away his jacket and under shirt revealing the massive abdominal laceration which was bleeding profusely.
"Hang in there Todd. We're gonna go home, just hang in there."
Todd sat uncomfortably in the center of the blackened room of his subconscious. Echos jumped from the inky black walls that surrounded him
She needed you...
Failure...
Too weak...
Stick to the pack...
Not strong enough...
Never forgiven, never forgotten...
Not strong enough...
"Go away."
Not Strong enough...
You could have saved them...
Negligent, and incapable...
"I said GO AWAY!"
"Do you fear them Todd? The voices that is."
"No. I'm not afraid, I'm not weak."The clack of Luna's armored slippers echoed as she slowly materialized from the dark. Looking to his feet the human responded with shame in his voice. The clamor in his voice was something that only Luna knew to her knowledge. Still, to see what most ponies would consider a monster, a merciless killer, in a state of such self loathing. It was nearly too much to bear.
"Fear isn't weakness Todd, everypony fears something."
"Pfft, I'm not a fucking pony."
Anger to hide fear, how mature.Though I can sympathize. "Yes, I know that. Perhaps though you bear some similarities to ponydom. Can I ask you something personal?" Todd took a moment and spoke a simple and bemused,
"Sure."
"How do you feel about Twilight Sparkle?"
What kind of question is that? "She's alright, no different than anyone else."
"Then why did you take her with you?" It was clear that Todd was in no hurry to respond. "Are you ashamed that you enjoy her company?"
"I don't enjoy her company."
"Well she enjoys yours. In fact she's been waiting for you to wake, I can't imagine spending days in a hospital just waiting for--"
"Hospital? Why am I in a hospital?"
"You stood between her and the wendigo. You nearly died defending her."
"That doesn't mean I like her. That's my job."
Well this is about as lost as a cause can get. "Fine, If you are unwilling to learn then I will not waste any more of my time trying to teach. It is time you return anyways."
Todd's eye lids cracked weakly to expose the white paneled hospital ceiling. The smell of a hot summer day was replaced with the sterile bleached air of a medical environment. Lying immobilized in the uncomfortable bed the hunter looked over to see a startled purple unicorn.
"Todd! You're awake!" Before breaking out into a fit of coughing he managed to force a ragged
"No shit Sherlock."
"Well I'm glad I could sit here for three days worrying about you so you could insult me for it."
"You're welcome. Are you okay?"
Well that was nice... and a little unexpected.
Todd looked concerned to her and asked again, "How's your face?"
"Huh? My face is fine."
"Well it's killing me."
I wonder if he's always told jokes that no one thinks are funny.
I wonder if she didn't get the joke.
"You know Todd, it amazes me that you can kill a windigo-- even thought that was most definitely NOT a windigo-- but, you can't even pretend to care that you nearly died. I mean, you're in the hospital with some very serious injuries, yet you make a bad joke instead of asking about them."
Bad joke?! I thought it was funny... "My wrist feels funny."
"Your wrist! Look at your abdomen!"
"I know about that, and I'm over it. I want to know whats wrong with my wrist."'
"Ugh! You are driving me cra-zy!"
"Could you just answer me?"
"Fine, its broken, and you suffered massive damage to the cartilage. On the plus side, your tendons seem to be fine."
"Well that's good." She's too adorable to even take seriously! Especially when she's upset. Todd dropped his head back against the pillow and stared at the ceiling. No wonder the moon horse brought me here, they can't even defend themselves from criticism. "So when am I out of here?"
"Probably not for a while. Even if you could leave where would you go? You really don't have a home."
"I'll stay with you."
"I'm glad I was involved in making that decision."
"What, do you not enjoy my company?"
Could you get any more sarcastic? "No, as a matter of fact. I don't."
"Then why did you follow me into the... well I forgot the name, but the spooky forest?"
"Seriously? Spooky forest?"
"Don't dodge the question."
"FINE, you can stay with me."
"It's settled then. Now help me out of this bed."
Three days and he wants to go home! That's completely negligent of his own health! Not to mention there's no way they'll discharge him. "Um, I don't think that's a good idea."
"Oh come on, it can't be that bad." As he spoke Todd made attempt to lift his body from the sweat-logged, overheated hospital bed. Quickly he collapsed back groaning in visible pain. "Okay, so maybe its that bad."
"As soon as you've healed up you can come home with me. Until then I brought some books for you!"
Well, someone likes books. Ah, and I see she's brought twenty of them. "Daring Do and the Wizards Stones, that sounds really gay. Football Star: The Fighting Dogs. Well, well, Michael Vick really is famous. Look, Twilight these really aren't my kind of thing." A look of disappointment spread quickly across her face.
"Did I not bring books that interest you?"
"No, no, Its nothing like that. I can't read."
What? "You just read the titles!"
"Yeah... by can't I meant don't want to."
Ugh...
"A veterinarian, though. They sent a veterinarian!" Since the day Todd was informed that it was not in fact a doctor that tended to him, but instead a veterinarian, every conversation led to the topic. Even now as he was walking back to the Golden Oak Library, subsequent to his discharge.
"Todd, we've been over this already... a lot. No doctor in Ponyville knows primate biology well enough to cast a broken wrist, let alone perform a complex emergency operation. They did the best they could."
"It still pisses me off. I'm not an animal god damn it."
"We're all animals Todd, you more than most."
Well, she's getting better at this.
"Oh I'm sorry I don't walk around spouting bullshit about 'loving people for who they are' and 'tolerating everyone' like some free-loving hippie." The sun was not present, the winter cloud cover shrouded the landscape with an oppressive gray filter. The lessened brightness of Celestia's sun made the hunter look excessively gruff and intimidating. Ponies all around took recess from their lives to stare at the beast that walked through their town. Conversations cut short, work ceased, and the eerie silence was broken only by Todd's rambling.
Maybe if he'd smile more often ponies wouldn't be afraid of him. Complain all you want about vet, you're lucky anyone wanted to care for you. I can't wait to try to find you a dentist. "Well ponies like love and tolerance, and it's your job to protect them, not make fun of them."
"What, you think I can't do both? How long till your house anyways?"
"Well, it's not so much a house as it is a library. But it's a few miles from here."
Oh you've got to be kidding me.
Snow topped the Golden Oaks Public Library, allowing what little light was available to illuminate the mighty tree. As the door opened a gust of soothingly warm air burst forth. Immediately after entering, Todd took time to remove his muddied boots so as to not dirty Twilight's home. I've gotta show her I'm not a complete ass. He had hefted the cumbersome green duffel bag he had been carrying with what Twilight Sparkle had considered an impressive feat of strength. They had walked nearly five miles and to her it seemed he had carried the heavy bag with no effort what-so-ever. He had not groaned, nor grunted, nor given a single complaint to the labor.
At least there's something he doesn't complain about. "So, this is home. You can go ahead and leave your bag there for now."
"Wow, do you ever get splinters just walkning around here?"
"Welcome home Twilight!"
"Hi Spike. Could you help Todd find the guest bed?" The Purple Dragon locked eyes with the human. Gazing back Todd bared his teeth to pronounce his canines and let out a faux growl. Spike recoiled and let out a small shriek.
"Heh, I think the lizard is afraid of me."
"Hey! I'm not afraid! And I'm not a lizard, I'm a dragon."
"Splendid. Now where am I staying?"
"Follow me, I'll show you where Twilight's room is." Perhaps Todd had misheard, perhaps it was simply a mental slip. Twilight had said Spike was a baby dragon after all. As the tour of the home continued Todd began to presume that he would be sharing a room with his handler.
Maybe that's for the best. At least we're not sharing a bed, and besides, this way I can keep tabs on her.
He'd better not lay a hand on Twilight, or I'll roast him good, just like Shining armor told me to!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As Todd and spike left the main hall of the library Twilight felt a cheerful optimism that maybe some day the hunter would become more docile like her dragon stepbrother. She thought that with continued exposure to pony culture there was a chance he could lose his predatory tendencies, or at least dim them.
Maybe he'll even celebrate the holidays with us, and be able to spend time with my friends! At the thought Twilight Sparkle smiled to the point of squinting and let out a gleeful squeal. It wasn't often she had the opportunity to shape the cultural immersion of an alien life. Maybe he could teach me about his world. I'd bet I could write a novel sized research paper on him! After a few more moments of foal-like wonder, the unicorn's attention shifted to the human's luggage. It was an elongated green bag, made of a material unfamiliar to Twilight. Two straps ran along most of then length, she assumed for carrying the massive bag, and was closed at the top by a tied drawstring. In bold, faded black print was a large US. The letters puzzled her, were those the initials of a previous owner, or a brand of bag? Her thoughts were cut short by an exchange between Spike and her house mate.
"Oh get your panties out of a twist, It was just a joke."
"How am I supposed to know that!"
"I laughed after I said it!"
"Well it sounded like a diabolical laugh to me."
Whats this all over?
"Do you think I'm some sort of comic book villain?"
"You think talking about eating ponies is funny apparently, so yes!"
Ah, so that's the problem.
"That's enough!" Having enough of the shouting match Twilight Sparkle saw fit to intervene. If she didn't she may end up with a burnt house and a battered dragon. Todd does have issues controlling himself. "Spike, you have to remember that Todd isn't like a pony. He wouldn't eat me," I hope "and he did save us from that wendigo. We're all just going to have to learn to trust him."
"But Twilight!"
"No buts Spike." The dragon crossed his arms and mumbled his way out of the room. Todd couldn't tell what Spike was saying, but he was pretty sure that he heard 'monkey' or maybe 'monster'.
"Now that that's over, It's about time we get to work." The lavender mare pulled several pressed manila folders from a neatly organized filing cabinet. "While you were in the hospital, Princess Luna sent us some other case files. She said it would be best if you chose which to tackle first." Todd gazed carefully over the files,
Let's see here, bizzare ailment by the Ponyvaina border, vampire, missing persons link in Manehattan, probably gangs, Los Pegasus disappearances, definately gangs, Pesky dragon on the western frontier... fuck that, hallucination educed suicide outbreak in Balkham Asylum, that's clever. Todd pointed his finger to the last file and let loose a confident, "That one."
"What!? You can't just arbitrarily choose one!"
"I didn't choose arbitrarily I--"
"You didn't even open them!"
"What did I say about interrupting me?" Twilight lifted a hoof and folded her ears back in embarrassment.
"Sorry."
"As I was saying, I didn't choose arbitrarily. I chose it because I like H.P. Lovecraft, and Batman."
Author's Note
If no one caught that balking is when a horse is being a pain in the ass and won't move.
I hope to add some more action next chapter, till then, I hope you enjoy.
Wanna help me out with the story? I'd be happy to hear your feed back in the comments or via personal message, and I'll try my best to respond.
Wanna do me a personal favor? Describe how you see Todd's appearance in the comments.
Thank you all for the support!
The rudimentary landscape of the Equestrian interior had long been replaced with the crumbling mountains of the East Coast. As the train chugged steadily along thick black smoke bellowed from the smoke stack into the white haze of fog and snow, like ink pouring and swirling across a blank piece of paper. From Todd's view out of the train car's frozen window, the hazed shrouded the rugged gray walls of these mountains. They appeared ghostly, the remaining supports and broken pillars of a city of long dead gods and giants. Looking on at the human with great curiosity, Twilight Sparkle sat uncomfortably silent on her bed. She was unsure whether or not she should inquire about his thoughts that he seemed so lost in. Just as Twilight had resolved to remain silent the human spoke.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" He took another silent pause, "It reminds me a bit of home."
"Were there mountains where you're from?"
"Yeah, but they were a lot bigger than these. Bit harsher too." All the time, Todd had yet to turn his gaze from the window. In his reflection Twilight could see a smile drawn across his face. It was not his normal smile, there was no intent behind it, and there was certainly no malice. No, this smile seemed gentle, and innocent. "When I was a kid I used to have to spend a lot of time living with my grandparents. When there was a good downfall of snow my grandfather would take me up with him to the mountains to go sledding. He'd pack hot chocolate and kindling for a small fire. But that was a long time ago."
"Would you like to do it again?" her remark elicited Todd's full attention. He turned from the window, his face returning to a puzzled expression.
"Do what?"
"W-well, you know, go to the mountains, sled, the hot chocolate and the fire, and all of that."
"Twilight, my grandfather is dead and I'm in another world. So, I'm not sure how that one would work out."
"No, no, I mean like with friends. During the winter time Rainbow Dash takes us all on trips like that. I'm sure the girls would enjoy you tagging along."Well, maybe enjoy is a strong word.
"I'll pass on that offer, I'm not really sure I'd enjoy their company." With that the human took repose on his bunk with his fingers interlaced beneath his head and stared at the ceiling. "Besides, isn't Rainbow dash the one that dumped a whole cloud of snow on me?"
"It's not fair to hold that against her for this long, that was a complete accident."
"I remind you I still have staples and string holding me together."
Well, he's got a point there. "If you give her a chance she'll grow on you--"
"Like cancer."
It was not long after the train had reached it's destination. Balkham was not a large city, but it was not particularly small either. The buildings were mostly brick and held a somewhat colonial charm. Ponies went about with their day, unknowing of what rising darkness welled withing the local asylum. For that matter, neither was Twilight Sparkle. Only the outlander to this world had the vaguest sense of what evil they were to encounter. As before, this situation bore an uncanny resemblance to those old tales he had read long before.
"Todd, I'm beginning to become concerned."
"About?" Todd's strides were brisk and confident. His heavy boots moved swiftly and silently making only a soft clod against the walkway. He paid no mind to the Balkhamites staring on from window, street booths, and passing carriages.
"Well, it just seems that you know what we're trotting into. Like with the wendigo. You knew what it was before anyone else, and on top of that it was your world's wendigo too, not ours. Now that we're in Balkham you seem to know the city, and you seem to know where to go. Do you know what we're going up against?"
"Arkham is a fictional city in the fictional city from the mind of the late horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. He used it a lot in his work."
It seems his world's legends reference Equestria quite a bit. It's almost like his world was made up by ponies to teach some kind of moral lesson. "So, how did this Love Craft's work describe this 'bat man' anyway? How do we defeat it?"
"I'm not going to lie," Todd's tone was bone chillingly serious and dire, "it won't be easy. First, we'll have to find some kryptonite."
"Kryptonite?" I've never heard of that before.
"Bat Man is allied with Superman, not to mention the rest of the Justice League. If we're fighting Superman and Batman, we're going to need kryptonite." She walked right into that one.
"And what is the Justice League comprised of? Are they dangerous?"
Oh you're killing me here. "Yes, and the only reason they haven't enslaved the world is the mighty legion of doom, not to mention the fact that everything I've said has been complete crap. Huh, you don't seem to find this as funny as I do." Her appearance was one of absolute non-amusement.
Does he seriously think this is funny? Ponies lives are at stake and he's not even willing to act like anything is happening. Does he not care? It was a valid question. Todd had not shown anything but amusement and frustration since his arrival in Ponyville. Perhaps he was unable, or maybe just unwilling to show his feelings. That is, if there were any to express. "Maybe we should just go get this over with."
Oh damn it. Well, not the first time you've disappointed a woman. Usually it's in the bedroom... and really drunk.
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Harsh sand and wind bit at every exposed area of his skin. Were it not for his goggles and the thick shemagh the storm would have near flayed the skin from the soldier's face. To Todd's left and right were the dark shapes of his comrades. His rifle swept in tightly controlled patterns across the sandy plains. The hot polymer could be felt through his weathered gloves. The straps of Todd's web gear dug deep into his broad shoulders.The weight of his own body became slowly more intolerable to move as lactic acid and bodily heat welled in his muscles. It was also becoming much harder to keep pace with his fellow warriors. While he could not see them through the dense haze, he could feel that he was falling behind.
Quickly Todd was losing his bearings. In the depths of the storm he had lost his way. It was evident that he was far separated from his unit. Through the unearthly haze and the demonic howls of these foreign land's wind a series of distinct pops rang out. Every soldier can tell, its that clear and defining sound of enemy fire. Snapping retorts rang out from M16 rifles as yellow flares faded in and out like fireflies on a foggy day. In an act of desperation Todd raised his rifle and began indistinctly firing in the direction he assumed was the enemy. Through the ear piercing thunder ringing out from the rifle's muzzle Todd could hear pained shrieks, terrible shrieks, familiar shrieks. And then came silence.
"Prescott!"
"Mitchell!"
"Parker!"
"Anyone!?" When none responded a feeling of absolute loneliness overtook the young man. As fear grew instinct took over his body. Todd slung his rifle across his forearms and began to jog weakly through the desert. In what direction he was heading, or whether or not he was running toward or away from a fight he was unsure. "Prescott!" the sand mopped away the soldiers energy, "Mitchell!" the pain in his appendages grew, "Parker!"
"T-todd?" The croaking voice stopped his pathetic attempts to run. Looking to the bloody mound that was once Corporal Michael Prescott, Todd moved down slowly and trembling to his knees, speechless.It was not fear that Todd felt. No, fear and terror are entirely different concepts. Fear inspires action, terror stalls the body and the mind, killing logic and preventing the most remedial of action. It had rendered Todd inoperable, he knew now what he had done.
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Author's Note
Well, it's been a long while since I posted anything. Life's been a bit hectic lately and FimFic has been kinda pushed to the side for the last little bit here, but I'm back now. Hope you enjoy the new chapter and don't forget to comment on whatcha like, and if you feel like it describe how you see Todd. Thanks!