My Little World: Friendship is Indomitableby RevanChaptersChapter 1: ArrivalChapter 2: EncountersChapter 3: ConfrontationChapter 4: TimberChapter 4: BeginningsChapter 1: ArrivalA swirling purple portal opened in the center of the Everfree forest. The forest was calm and peaceful, with only the regular sounds of forest life keeping it from being silent. But not for long. A massive head suddenly erupted, followed rapidly by a torso and tail as the thing came charging through at over 30 miles per hour. It turned its head, confused by the sudden change in surroundings. As it did so, the portal closed, leaving it trapped. It attempted to walk through the spot where the portal had been. When it failed to transport back, it roared in anger - a roar that reverberated throughout the forest. Birds flew away in panic, and animals fled or cowered in their burrows and knotholes, terrified by the unexpected and loud sound. It calmed itself, and began to sniff around. It smelled a number of animals, some that it recognized, and some that it didn't. It chose a scent, and began to move silently - far more silently than an animal its size should have been able to do... Discord was having tea with Fluttershy, and was relating a tale about how back in the day, he had first met Celestia and Luna. "And so, I was about to- No, that can't be right..." Discord suddenly interrupted himself, a worried look on his face. "What is it, Discord?" Fluttershy asked in concern, as she held a cup of tea in one hoof. "Something that has never happened before," Discord said with an absolutely serious face - which was an incredibly rare occurrence, as Celestia and Luna could have attested. Then he smiled again, as his thought processes began racing. "It will cause a lot of chaos, although..." his face darkened with what Fluttershy could have sworn was worry, "...a lot of deaths could result." He straightened himself, and spoke to Fluttershy. "Get into Twilight's castle, and don't leave unless you absolutely have to." "But Discord, what about the animals?" Fluttershy asked worriedly. "I'll take them with me as soon as I get back from Canterlot - the princesses need to hear of this immediately." While speaking, he tapped the air, and a portal to Canterlot began to open like a camera shutter. "Are you sure that things are going to be that bad?" Fluttershy asked nervously, the teacup in her hoof beginning to tremble. Discord, who was halfway through the portal, paused and looked back at Fluttershy. "Probably worse. Go NOW!!" And with that, he walked through the portal and vanished, the portal closing behind him. Translated from the brainwaves of Terror. I detect an unusual scent that I do not recognize. I debate, then abandon my original quarry, silently swinging around. I must learn as much about wherever I am as soon as possible. I call myself Terror, as many of my handlers called me that as they raised me. There was also my mother, whom I rarely saw. She called me Indominus rex. Fortunately for me, my handlers were unaware of how intelligent I was. There was, however, an unusual incident that occurred not long ago. I was in my paddock when the gate opened. I turned, curious as to what my handlers were introducing this time. I had already killed a pair of three-horns earlier, and was still in the middle of eating my kills. I sniffed the air, and was incredibly confused. The new creature smelled like me, but also not like me at the same time. I went into stealth-stalking mode, and silently shifted into the trees, looking for this new me/not me. I saw a grey-white creature, about half my size, which confidently strode over to one of my three-horn kills, and began to eat. This was more than I could stand. I had killed those three-horns, and they were mine and mine alone. I broke from cover, roaring in challenge. It turned in surprise, and was still turning as I came in and killed it with a bite to the back of the head. It collapsed, and I roared in triumph. But I now had the taste of its flesh in my mouth, and it was horrifying. It smelled/tasted like me, and I grew angry at my handlers for introducing this abomination into my paddock. It was then that I resolved to escape my enclosure, and I eventually succeeded in doing so. I come to the edge of a clearing in the forest, and I see a small, four-legged creature, about the size of my handlers. It is striped in a black and white pattern, with a strange swirl on its rear flank. It is walking along, looking for something, although what I cannot determine. I observe silently from cover, as it grabs a number of roots and places them in a basket on its back. I detect that it is a female, although I still do not recognize a species. I classify this as 'Quadraped Type 1" in my mind, and continue to observe as it walks on. I silently follow. Zecora walked along, collecting the herbs that she would need for her newest set of potions. It is a rather wonderful day here in the forest, she reflected as she grabbed more herbs with her teeth and pulled them up, placing them in her basket on her back. She was unaware of the massive predator that lurked in the shadows, watching her every movement and silently following her. "This is troubling." "Indeed, my sister. Never has a portal to our world been opened from the other side." "And the fact that Discord detects that something large came through is also disturbing." "Have you decided what we shall do?" "I have sent several teams of scouts into the Everfree forest. We should hear back from them soon." "I hope so, sister. I certainly hope so." Author's Note And so it begins... Chapter 2: EncountersTranslated from the brainwaves of Terror. I silently follow the quadraped as it walks along in the forest, collecting various plants with its teeth and placing them in its carrying device. I have deduced that this creature is familiar with the forest, as it picks certain plants and avoids others. One of the plants it detours around has blue petals and an unusual smell that irritates my nostrils. I cannot tell what precisely is dangerous about this plant, though I suspect that it produces some sort of toxin, similar to a plant with shiny leaves grouped in threes that I saw one of my handlers accidentally touch. It had a nasty red-pink rash on its hand for the next few days. I am beginning to grow bored when the quadraped lifts its head and begins to trot away at a brisk gait. I stop and sniff the air, and discover a new scent that I am puzzled by. It smells like trees, yet it contains scents that normally only come from moving creatures. I turn my head, attempting to pinpoint where the scent is coming from, and at that moment, new creatures emerge from the trees. They look like random assortments of parts of trees, and their breath reeks of decaying flesh. There are three of them, and from their current behavior I deduce that these are pack hunters, currently tracking a meal. I am downwind of these creatures, which hides my scent from them. I decide to engage, having not had a good kill since before I arrived here. I suddenly burst out of the trees, my jaws extended, and sweep up the one closest to me into my mouth. The creature shatters easily, but I immediately spew out the remains, disgusted with the taste, which is nothing like meat at all. The other two turn in surprise, seeing their comrade's remnants littering the ground. I lunge, taking another in my claws and stepping on top of the third one. I use my forelimbs to shred the one that I hold into pieces, and the weight that I place on my right foot crushes the last one. Having successfully killed my targets, I roar in triumph. My proclamation of victory echos through the forest, and I hear a challenge in response. I do not recognize the creature that produces it, so I walk towards the sound, eager for a new challenge. Agent 312, codenamed "Sweetie Drops", was heading through the forest, looking for signs of whatever had come through the first portal to be opened into Equestria, when she heard an earth-shattering roar that she had never before heard. She instinctively ducked behind a tree, and she heard another roar in reply, one that she did recognize: the roar of an Ursa Minor. "Well, this just went to Tartarus in a handbasket", the mare commonly known as Bon Bon grumbled, and she grabbed the radio off of her saddlebags. In the forest clearing, pieces of wood stirred, joining together once more. A large set of eyes opened, and the newly-formed giant timberwolf sent out a long, wolfish cry. The bushes rustled, and more timberwolves emerged. They congregated together, and the pack set off, intent on taking down the interloper that had invaded their range. Author's Note I have returned from my hiatus. Enjoy the new chapter!!! Chapter 3: ConfrontationTranslated from the brainwaves of Terror. I move with silent rapidity, heading towards the sound of the roar. I am upwind of whatever produced it, so I do not bother attempting to smell it. I am ready for combat - but I will attempt to observe it without being observed first. Knowing what it is will help me know how to defeat it. The Ursa Minor, disturbed from his afternoon drink at his favorite stream, sniffed the air, attempting to locate whatever had challenged his authority as top predator in the forest. He detected a strange scent, one that he did not recognize. It smelled faintly like a bird, mixed with a hint of dragon. He scanned the surrounding forest, looking for anything out of the ordinary. But the Indominus would not be found so easily... I lurk in the shadows, studying the strange beast before me. It is on four legs, yet has the teeth of a predator. It is about the same height that I am, but is somewhat shorter and more bulky. The skin appears strangely translucent. It also has strange, bright-white marks on its head and body. It scans the forest, but fails to see me, as I have gone camo. It sniffs the air, then lets out another loud, growling roar. At this point, I emerge from the shadows, and respond with my own bellowing roar. The beast looks at me, seemingly puzzled by my appearance. I take the advantage granted to me, charging in for a deadly bite to the throat. The beast turns and snaps its jaws shut right in front of my face, causing me to stop abruptly. It lowers its head and charges, and I barely dodge out of the way. I turn and bite at its left hindleg, drawing blood. But the flesh is not torn off like it should be, as the skin and flesh is tougher than I anticipated. The beast turns rapidly, forcing me to back up a few steps. It then rears up on its hind legs, unleashing another bellowing challenge. I answer the challenge once again, and start circling it, looking for a weakness. It drops down, and also circles, the two of us now circling around a common point. I am puzzled, for I have never encountered a predator that fights this way. Frustrated, I vent by unleashing another warcry from my mouth, and it responds. Then I hear something, something that makes me feel something unfamiliar, full of energy yet ready to flee. It is the call of the beast - but a dozen times louder. I turn and see a massive form reared up against the sky. It looks like the beast but is a translucent purple instead of blue, has much longer teeth, and is larger. Much larger. It appears that the beast has a mother. The mother beast gets back down on all fours and charges. I turn and run away, hearing the smashing of tree trunks as the mother charges, pulverizing them beneath her feet. I suddenly turn, accelerating to my top speed. I hear the mother rush past, and I run, deeper into the forest I hear the mother slow to a halt, and it unleashes a cry that follows me into the depths of the forest. I appear to have made a potentially fatal error. Fortunately, I am not dead. I must reevaluate this place, and determine how I am going to deal with the beast and its mother. Soarin had been reactivated from his reserve agent status by order of the princesses, and was flying over the treetops of the Everfree forest in response to a call from an agent he only knew by the codename "Sweetie Drops". If this thing - whatever it is - is really challenging the Ursa Minor, then it must either be big and nasty, crazy, or both, he thought to himself. He was getting quite frustrated because he could hear the bellows of the unknown and the Ursa Minor, but he couldn't find them among the thick trees. But his frustration suddenly disappeared as he saw a terrifying sight. The ground shook, and the Ursa Major emerged from under the dirt of the forest. Trees snapped, and the Ursa unleashed a bellow of deafening proportions, rearing up on its hind legs. Sweet Celestia, Soarin thought to himself, shaken to his core by the sight. The Ursa Major came back down on its front limbs, then charged towards his position. Soarin turned around and flew madly, streaking out towards the Wonderbolt's headquarters. He went faster than he had ever flown in his life. As he fled, he heard another reverberating cry from the Ursa Major. As he flew, he thought to himself, The princesses are definitely going to want to hear about this. Chapter 4: TimberTranslated from the brainwaves of Terror. I slow to a halt, still somewhat shaken by my encounter with the Beast's mother. How I will deal with her and her son, I do not know as of this moment. But currently I have other concerns. I have not eaten since before I came to wherever this place is. Now, my hunger is rising, and I will need to sate it soon. I sniff the air, and I detect a scent, different from the other strange smells that I have encountered so far. Despite not encountering it before, it smells like food, so with great wariness I set out towards its location, my senses alert for any new surprises. The manticore was sleeping, satisfied by its afternoon snack. It slumbered peacefully in the shade of the forest, unaware of the new threat that now approached... I spot the origin of the scent at last. I briefly pause in order to evaluate it. It appears to be sleeping, but I stay alert, as it seems to be a predator, with blood staining its muzzle. I also view with some unease its tail, which has some sort of claw on it. Nevertheless, I must eat, so I suddenly break from cover, and dash towards it. The manticore had only just begun to wake, roused by the vibrations of footsteps, when suddenly a large mouth closed over its neck, and it knew no more. I taste the poignant taste of fresh meat, and I am elated. Now I have food! Despite the risk of the Beast or its mother hearing me, I roar in triumph, before I proceed to tear into the carcass. I eat, and I am content. For now. The timber wolves heard the cry, and their massive leader swiveled, loping rapidly towards its source. The others followed, and their feet made almost no sound, for they were light of foot and swift of limb. I have eaten the majority of the carcass when I detect a scent that I have encountered before, one that causes me to raise my head and bare my teeth, my blood-stained jaws clearly visible. Somehow, the three living tree animals have survived and returned, and this time, they have company. A number of them surround me, and I smell, pinpointing all their locations. But I am puzzled, for the scents of the three that I destroyed before are intermingled, as if they were now one creature. Then a massive form appears, nearly as large as I am, and my puzzlement has now been answered. Somehow, the three are now all merged together into this form that now challenges me. It howls at me, and I roar in answer. Then It paces forward, and I note that the others sit out, surrounding us in a ring. I am momentarily confused, for this thing is clearly their leader. Then an answer dawns on me. It views me as a rival to its control of the pack, and now challenges me to a one-on-one face-off. This seems absurd, as they should clearly be able to tell from my scent and appearance that I am not one of them. But I cannot wonder about that as of yet, as it now lunges at me, its teeth attempting to pierce my neck. It fails to do so, as my neck is protected with armor plates and sharp quills. I turn my head to the side, and my jaws snap shut on its muzzle. I turn my head, flinging it against one of the trees, and it breaks into pieces. I now look at the rest, awaiting the inevitable rush. But none comes. Instead they surround me peacefully, some even attempting to nuzzle me. It seems that, ridiculous as it may be, they have accepted me as leader of their pack. And now it appears that I have a potential answer to the problem of the beast and its mother. However, long before that final confrontation occurs, I first must learn how to understand their communication, and how to communicate and give commands in return. "Spike?" "Yes, Twilight?" "We've got a new mystery on our hooves." "What is it?" "Well..." Chapter 4: BeginningsTwilight Sparkle flew over the Everfree forest, Spike riding on her back. She scanned the treetops, looking for any sign of a predator. She saw a massive trail torn through the trees, Ursa Major paw prints clearly visible. She descended, landing towards the trail's beginning. Spike dismounted, and they walked in silence over the ground, scanning for footprints. There were two other sets of tracks there. One was readily identifiable as being left by an Ursa Minor. The other, however, was strange. A foot with three sharp-tipped claws had clearly left this trackway. It was then that Twilight remembered reading about creatures that had lived in the distant past on the world of CHS. She paled, and she whirled around to face Spike... I move silently through the forest, questing for prey. The tree creatures prowl alongside me with almost as little noise. I suddenly detect a scent, one that I have smelled before. It belongs to the striped quadraped. I move towards it, and the pack follows... Zecora was sitting at her table, meditating quietly. She opened her eyes as she smelled a very distinctive scent. Timberwolves. She ran with practiced silence over to her stacks of potions, grabbing flame and magic-dissipation potions. She then suddenly flung the door open, ready to engage. But instead of timberwolves, she encountered a giant set of jaws that lunged down at her with surprising swiftness. She dodged out of the way, chucking a magic-nullification potion up into its mouth at the same time. She ran, and heard the thing below in anger. Timberwolves emerged from the shadows, chasing her. She flung all her potions behind her, hearing them go up in a massive whump. She sensed the thing chasing after her, and she redoubled her efforts, accelerating as she ran for her life... Author's Note My apologies for the short chapter. The next one will be far longer than this one.
Chapter 1: ArrivalA swirling purple portal opened in the center of the Everfree forest. The forest was calm and peaceful, with only the regular sounds of forest life keeping it from being silent. But not for long. A massive head suddenly erupted, followed rapidly by a torso and tail as the thing came charging through at over 30 miles per hour. It turned its head, confused by the sudden change in surroundings. As it did so, the portal closed, leaving it trapped. It attempted to walk through the spot where the portal had been. When it failed to transport back, it roared in anger - a roar that reverberated throughout the forest. Birds flew away in panic, and animals fled or cowered in their burrows and knotholes, terrified by the unexpected and loud sound. It calmed itself, and began to sniff around. It smelled a number of animals, some that it recognized, and some that it didn't. It chose a scent, and began to move silently - far more silently than an animal its size should have been able to do... Discord was having tea with Fluttershy, and was relating a tale about how back in the day, he had first met Celestia and Luna. "And so, I was about to- No, that can't be right..." Discord suddenly interrupted himself, a worried look on his face. "What is it, Discord?" Fluttershy asked in concern, as she held a cup of tea in one hoof. "Something that has never happened before," Discord said with an absolutely serious face - which was an incredibly rare occurrence, as Celestia and Luna could have attested. Then he smiled again, as his thought processes began racing. "It will cause a lot of chaos, although..." his face darkened with what Fluttershy could have sworn was worry, "...a lot of deaths could result." He straightened himself, and spoke to Fluttershy. "Get into Twilight's castle, and don't leave unless you absolutely have to." "But Discord, what about the animals?" Fluttershy asked worriedly. "I'll take them with me as soon as I get back from Canterlot - the princesses need to hear of this immediately." While speaking, he tapped the air, and a portal to Canterlot began to open like a camera shutter. "Are you sure that things are going to be that bad?" Fluttershy asked nervously, the teacup in her hoof beginning to tremble. Discord, who was halfway through the portal, paused and looked back at Fluttershy. "Probably worse. Go NOW!!" And with that, he walked through the portal and vanished, the portal closing behind him. Translated from the brainwaves of Terror. I detect an unusual scent that I do not recognize. I debate, then abandon my original quarry, silently swinging around. I must learn as much about wherever I am as soon as possible. I call myself Terror, as many of my handlers called me that as they raised me. There was also my mother, whom I rarely saw. She called me Indominus rex. Fortunately for me, my handlers were unaware of how intelligent I was. There was, however, an unusual incident that occurred not long ago. I was in my paddock when the gate opened. I turned, curious as to what my handlers were introducing this time. I had already killed a pair of three-horns earlier, and was still in the middle of eating my kills. I sniffed the air, and was incredibly confused. The new creature smelled like me, but also not like me at the same time. I went into stealth-stalking mode, and silently shifted into the trees, looking for this new me/not me. I saw a grey-white creature, about half my size, which confidently strode over to one of my three-horn kills, and began to eat. This was more than I could stand. I had killed those three-horns, and they were mine and mine alone. I broke from cover, roaring in challenge. It turned in surprise, and was still turning as I came in and killed it with a bite to the back of the head. It collapsed, and I roared in triumph. But I now had the taste of its flesh in my mouth, and it was horrifying. It smelled/tasted like me, and I grew angry at my handlers for introducing this abomination into my paddock. It was then that I resolved to escape my enclosure, and I eventually succeeded in doing so. I come to the edge of a clearing in the forest, and I see a small, four-legged creature, about the size of my handlers. It is striped in a black and white pattern, with a strange swirl on its rear flank. It is walking along, looking for something, although what I cannot determine. I observe silently from cover, as it grabs a number of roots and places them in a basket on its back. I detect that it is a female, although I still do not recognize a species. I classify this as 'Quadraped Type 1" in my mind, and continue to observe as it walks on. I silently follow. Zecora walked along, collecting the herbs that she would need for her newest set of potions. It is a rather wonderful day here in the forest, she reflected as she grabbed more herbs with her teeth and pulled them up, placing them in her basket on her back. She was unaware of the massive predator that lurked in the shadows, watching her every movement and silently following her. "This is troubling." "Indeed, my sister. Never has a portal to our world been opened from the other side." "And the fact that Discord detects that something large came through is also disturbing." "Have you decided what we shall do?" "I have sent several teams of scouts into the Everfree forest. We should hear back from them soon." "I hope so, sister. I certainly hope so." Author's Note And so it begins...
Chapter 2: EncountersTranslated from the brainwaves of Terror. I silently follow the quadraped as it walks along in the forest, collecting various plants with its teeth and placing them in its carrying device. I have deduced that this creature is familiar with the forest, as it picks certain plants and avoids others. One of the plants it detours around has blue petals and an unusual smell that irritates my nostrils. I cannot tell what precisely is dangerous about this plant, though I suspect that it produces some sort of toxin, similar to a plant with shiny leaves grouped in threes that I saw one of my handlers accidentally touch. It had a nasty red-pink rash on its hand for the next few days. I am beginning to grow bored when the quadraped lifts its head and begins to trot away at a brisk gait. I stop and sniff the air, and discover a new scent that I am puzzled by. It smells like trees, yet it contains scents that normally only come from moving creatures. I turn my head, attempting to pinpoint where the scent is coming from, and at that moment, new creatures emerge from the trees. They look like random assortments of parts of trees, and their breath reeks of decaying flesh. There are three of them, and from their current behavior I deduce that these are pack hunters, currently tracking a meal. I am downwind of these creatures, which hides my scent from them. I decide to engage, having not had a good kill since before I arrived here. I suddenly burst out of the trees, my jaws extended, and sweep up the one closest to me into my mouth. The creature shatters easily, but I immediately spew out the remains, disgusted with the taste, which is nothing like meat at all. The other two turn in surprise, seeing their comrade's remnants littering the ground. I lunge, taking another in my claws and stepping on top of the third one. I use my forelimbs to shred the one that I hold into pieces, and the weight that I place on my right foot crushes the last one. Having successfully killed my targets, I roar in triumph. My proclamation of victory echos through the forest, and I hear a challenge in response. I do not recognize the creature that produces it, so I walk towards the sound, eager for a new challenge. Agent 312, codenamed "Sweetie Drops", was heading through the forest, looking for signs of whatever had come through the first portal to be opened into Equestria, when she heard an earth-shattering roar that she had never before heard. She instinctively ducked behind a tree, and she heard another roar in reply, one that she did recognize: the roar of an Ursa Minor. "Well, this just went to Tartarus in a handbasket", the mare commonly known as Bon Bon grumbled, and she grabbed the radio off of her saddlebags. In the forest clearing, pieces of wood stirred, joining together once more. A large set of eyes opened, and the newly-formed giant timberwolf sent out a long, wolfish cry. The bushes rustled, and more timberwolves emerged. They congregated together, and the pack set off, intent on taking down the interloper that had invaded their range. Author's Note I have returned from my hiatus. Enjoy the new chapter!!!
Chapter 3: ConfrontationTranslated from the brainwaves of Terror. I move with silent rapidity, heading towards the sound of the roar. I am upwind of whatever produced it, so I do not bother attempting to smell it. I am ready for combat - but I will attempt to observe it without being observed first. Knowing what it is will help me know how to defeat it. The Ursa Minor, disturbed from his afternoon drink at his favorite stream, sniffed the air, attempting to locate whatever had challenged his authority as top predator in the forest. He detected a strange scent, one that he did not recognize. It smelled faintly like a bird, mixed with a hint of dragon. He scanned the surrounding forest, looking for anything out of the ordinary. But the Indominus would not be found so easily... I lurk in the shadows, studying the strange beast before me. It is on four legs, yet has the teeth of a predator. It is about the same height that I am, but is somewhat shorter and more bulky. The skin appears strangely translucent. It also has strange, bright-white marks on its head and body. It scans the forest, but fails to see me, as I have gone camo. It sniffs the air, then lets out another loud, growling roar. At this point, I emerge from the shadows, and respond with my own bellowing roar. The beast looks at me, seemingly puzzled by my appearance. I take the advantage granted to me, charging in for a deadly bite to the throat. The beast turns and snaps its jaws shut right in front of my face, causing me to stop abruptly. It lowers its head and charges, and I barely dodge out of the way. I turn and bite at its left hindleg, drawing blood. But the flesh is not torn off like it should be, as the skin and flesh is tougher than I anticipated. The beast turns rapidly, forcing me to back up a few steps. It then rears up on its hind legs, unleashing another bellowing challenge. I answer the challenge once again, and start circling it, looking for a weakness. It drops down, and also circles, the two of us now circling around a common point. I am puzzled, for I have never encountered a predator that fights this way. Frustrated, I vent by unleashing another warcry from my mouth, and it responds. Then I hear something, something that makes me feel something unfamiliar, full of energy yet ready to flee. It is the call of the beast - but a dozen times louder. I turn and see a massive form reared up against the sky. It looks like the beast but is a translucent purple instead of blue, has much longer teeth, and is larger. Much larger. It appears that the beast has a mother. The mother beast gets back down on all fours and charges. I turn and run away, hearing the smashing of tree trunks as the mother charges, pulverizing them beneath her feet. I suddenly turn, accelerating to my top speed. I hear the mother rush past, and I run, deeper into the forest I hear the mother slow to a halt, and it unleashes a cry that follows me into the depths of the forest. I appear to have made a potentially fatal error. Fortunately, I am not dead. I must reevaluate this place, and determine how I am going to deal with the beast and its mother. Soarin had been reactivated from his reserve agent status by order of the princesses, and was flying over the treetops of the Everfree forest in response to a call from an agent he only knew by the codename "Sweetie Drops". If this thing - whatever it is - is really challenging the Ursa Minor, then it must either be big and nasty, crazy, or both, he thought to himself. He was getting quite frustrated because he could hear the bellows of the unknown and the Ursa Minor, but he couldn't find them among the thick trees. But his frustration suddenly disappeared as he saw a terrifying sight. The ground shook, and the Ursa Major emerged from under the dirt of the forest. Trees snapped, and the Ursa unleashed a bellow of deafening proportions, rearing up on its hind legs. Sweet Celestia, Soarin thought to himself, shaken to his core by the sight. The Ursa Major came back down on its front limbs, then charged towards his position. Soarin turned around and flew madly, streaking out towards the Wonderbolt's headquarters. He went faster than he had ever flown in his life. As he fled, he heard another reverberating cry from the Ursa Major. As he flew, he thought to himself, The princesses are definitely going to want to hear about this.
Chapter 4: TimberTranslated from the brainwaves of Terror. I slow to a halt, still somewhat shaken by my encounter with the Beast's mother. How I will deal with her and her son, I do not know as of this moment. But currently I have other concerns. I have not eaten since before I came to wherever this place is. Now, my hunger is rising, and I will need to sate it soon. I sniff the air, and I detect a scent, different from the other strange smells that I have encountered so far. Despite not encountering it before, it smells like food, so with great wariness I set out towards its location, my senses alert for any new surprises. The manticore was sleeping, satisfied by its afternoon snack. It slumbered peacefully in the shade of the forest, unaware of the new threat that now approached... I spot the origin of the scent at last. I briefly pause in order to evaluate it. It appears to be sleeping, but I stay alert, as it seems to be a predator, with blood staining its muzzle. I also view with some unease its tail, which has some sort of claw on it. Nevertheless, I must eat, so I suddenly break from cover, and dash towards it. The manticore had only just begun to wake, roused by the vibrations of footsteps, when suddenly a large mouth closed over its neck, and it knew no more. I taste the poignant taste of fresh meat, and I am elated. Now I have food! Despite the risk of the Beast or its mother hearing me, I roar in triumph, before I proceed to tear into the carcass. I eat, and I am content. For now. The timber wolves heard the cry, and their massive leader swiveled, loping rapidly towards its source. The others followed, and their feet made almost no sound, for they were light of foot and swift of limb. I have eaten the majority of the carcass when I detect a scent that I have encountered before, one that causes me to raise my head and bare my teeth, my blood-stained jaws clearly visible. Somehow, the three living tree animals have survived and returned, and this time, they have company. A number of them surround me, and I smell, pinpointing all their locations. But I am puzzled, for the scents of the three that I destroyed before are intermingled, as if they were now one creature. Then a massive form appears, nearly as large as I am, and my puzzlement has now been answered. Somehow, the three are now all merged together into this form that now challenges me. It howls at me, and I roar in answer. Then It paces forward, and I note that the others sit out, surrounding us in a ring. I am momentarily confused, for this thing is clearly their leader. Then an answer dawns on me. It views me as a rival to its control of the pack, and now challenges me to a one-on-one face-off. This seems absurd, as they should clearly be able to tell from my scent and appearance that I am not one of them. But I cannot wonder about that as of yet, as it now lunges at me, its teeth attempting to pierce my neck. It fails to do so, as my neck is protected with armor plates and sharp quills. I turn my head to the side, and my jaws snap shut on its muzzle. I turn my head, flinging it against one of the trees, and it breaks into pieces. I now look at the rest, awaiting the inevitable rush. But none comes. Instead they surround me peacefully, some even attempting to nuzzle me. It seems that, ridiculous as it may be, they have accepted me as leader of their pack. And now it appears that I have a potential answer to the problem of the beast and its mother. However, long before that final confrontation occurs, I first must learn how to understand their communication, and how to communicate and give commands in return. "Spike?" "Yes, Twilight?" "We've got a new mystery on our hooves." "What is it?" "Well..."
Chapter 4: BeginningsTwilight Sparkle flew over the Everfree forest, Spike riding on her back. She scanned the treetops, looking for any sign of a predator. She saw a massive trail torn through the trees, Ursa Major paw prints clearly visible. She descended, landing towards the trail's beginning. Spike dismounted, and they walked in silence over the ground, scanning for footprints. There were two other sets of tracks there. One was readily identifiable as being left by an Ursa Minor. The other, however, was strange. A foot with three sharp-tipped claws had clearly left this trackway. It was then that Twilight remembered reading about creatures that had lived in the distant past on the world of CHS. She paled, and she whirled around to face Spike... I move silently through the forest, questing for prey. The tree creatures prowl alongside me with almost as little noise. I suddenly detect a scent, one that I have smelled before. It belongs to the striped quadraped. I move towards it, and the pack follows... Zecora was sitting at her table, meditating quietly. She opened her eyes as she smelled a very distinctive scent. Timberwolves. She ran with practiced silence over to her stacks of potions, grabbing flame and magic-dissipation potions. She then suddenly flung the door open, ready to engage. But instead of timberwolves, she encountered a giant set of jaws that lunged down at her with surprising swiftness. She dodged out of the way, chucking a magic-nullification potion up into its mouth at the same time. She ran, and heard the thing below in anger. Timberwolves emerged from the shadows, chasing her. She flung all her potions behind her, hearing them go up in a massive whump. She sensed the thing chasing after her, and she redoubled her efforts, accelerating as she ran for her life... Author's Note My apologies for the short chapter. The next one will be far longer than this one.
