Stone
A my Little Pony fanfic
By: U.E.Gonzalez
The Everfree Forest means something different to everypony; to some it is a dark and foreboding place, while to others it is an intriguing scientific puzzle, to others still it is more. A place to live, a home, a land of adventure. There are few ponies that brave the dreaded forest and this is but one such pony: Stone Hooves.
The day was passing its high point, the clouds beginning to once more distend from their seemingly natural resting place. It was a cool spring day and all was quiet for the time, or rather would have been had it not for chase on the forest floor below.
"Crap,crap,crap,crap!" A russet colored pony with mud colored markings was moving as quickly as he could through the dense foliage. Behind the stressed earth pony was a large serpent, moving with ease through the cluttered scenery. More so than Stone would of thought possible, but the thing was keeping up with him none the less.
He had inadvertently come across the creatures den, seeking a place to rest his legs and escape the mid-day heat. Instead of refuge,however, he found a creature with the very same idea. Stone had not realized that the creature was even there, so still it was. Whether lurking or sleeping it could not be said. Something about the cave though made Stone's fur stand on end, and he'd learned through experience to pay close head to his instincts. When he made his way to leave however the creature made its strike. Stone had been quick enough to avoid the brunt of the attack, but the cut on his right hind leg was proof he'd not been quick enough. The serpent had a taste for him now and the scent of blood wasn't doing Stone any favors either. He'd been running for nearly twenty minutes now and his breath was becoming harsh. His options were limited. Snakes to swim, climb, sense heat, and had a strong sense of smell. Then,as though a gift from Celestia he saw it, A mud puddle... A mild inconvenience any other day but this time it came as a welcome sight. "Yes!" He would make a quick turn and dive straight for the mud. A snakes sight was fairly poor right? Maybe it hadn't seen through the trees. It was his only chance. He wait there, the feeling of being enveloped by the thick mass was...unsettling, but given the alternative he'd deal with it. He felt it approaching, the cold blooded creature. The vibrations of the earth from where it moved, it was close....Very close. He had to hold his breath...He had to remain still. The creature was still close by, stopping next to the puddle...he could feel it. But just when he thought that the stress and lack of oxygen were going to give him away the creature began to slither past with a new vigor, either having found something else of interest or trying to pick up the pony's trail anew. He would remain in his darkness for several more seconds. His nose, ears, mouth, all becoming invaded by the sludge, but given the alternative...it was a welcome punishment. When he was certain it was clear he would pull out of the mud, gasping greedily at the life giving air. He stay half submerged, forelegs over the side of the puddle as he cough and gasp for several long moments. A grin would make its way onto the earth pony's face as he'd drag himself out with and audible 'slop' and begin to shake off. "Wooo! For a moment there I thought that was it!" He'd cough up a speck of mud and make a slight sound of disgust. "I'm gonna taste, hear, and smell this stuff for weeks..."
Night began to fall now and Stone had cleaned off a bit. He'd found a stream along his way. He'd had to clean off every item in his saddlebags individual which filled the stallion with chagrin. He couldn't afford to have faulty equipment however and kept to the work. His compass,in particular, had been badly gunked up due to his rendevues with the mud pit. He'd have to get a new one. He thanked Celestia that he'd had the sense to put all the scrolls he'd found in cases and sealing them with wax...He was out of wax too. He was taking close look over his supplies now. They were running low or getting worn. The travel been he'd been using had run out of ink nearly a week ago, his personal map he'd made got lost durring a particularly risky ruins exploration. Food and water were never in short supply in the Forrest but...he did miss a hot meal made by capable hooves...And the fact that his hind leg was starting to numb wasn't a very good sign either...It seemed that, despite how much progress he'd made in his explorations...he was going to have to go back. Luckily his little chase today had wound him back into familiar territory...Just a few days away from Ponyville. He'd pack up his supplies and hurt, wet, and exhausted, Stone began to move out...He was going to need to find a good resting spot though...Timber wolves were going to be out soon.
Morning soon came and with it the sun. He always appreciated the work of the princesses. The stallion had made his way into a tree for the night using a few ropes for a pulley and strapping himself in so he did not fall. Such things had become the norm in the Everfree forest. His eyes would open slowly and welcome the dawn, as well as a new pain. He would sit up with a groan and glance down. His leg didn't look good...The would was moist and puffy and the area around it felt bruised. He'd read into his saddle bag and pull out a bottle, almost empty, with a small amount of clear liquid within. So too would he pull out a small cloth and pour the remainder of the liquid onto it. He would let out a sigh before pressing the moist cloth to the wound with a fore-hoof. "Grrh!" He'd withhold a louder shout. He couldn't afford to be loud here...He kept the cloth in place for a time till the pain began to subside. Pulling a bottle from his saddlebag he'd wash the cloth and put it away. He had to get going now. With no way to continue to disinfect time was of the essence.
The trek was slow after the first few hours. His leg had begun to bother him. He'd lift it from the ground but such left him with an awkward gait. He only hoped that the rest of the trip remained uneventful. He was in no condition to run from serpents of fight off other denizens of the forest. So long as he kept moving during the day and resting at night though the trip ought go without a hitch.
By the ending of the first day he was already wishing he'd kept hold of some of that antiseptic. He'd made due with some of the local flora though using aloe juice as the main ingredient for a salve, held in place by some bandages. It dulled the pain enough for him to trudge on. Night was falling. He had to find rest. Luck was with him for once. He'd found a small cave, just large enough for a pony to slip through. He'd over the entrance with a makeshift door of branches and leaves and stay there for the night. He hadn't wanted to admit it...But his encroaching fever had sapped him of the strength needed to heft himself into a tree
Stone did not awake till well into the morning. He'd crawl from his shelter with a groan and look to the sky. "Horse feathers..." He'd overslept and lost hours of the day. He'd have to walk fast to make up for it. Fevered and exhausted the stallion made way, already panting from pain by the time noon had encroached. He kept going, he couldn't afford to stop. He didn't think he'd be able to move if this persisted for another day. He made but one brief stop at a stream to refill his water and reapply his salve. By the time the moon began to rise his head was low and his hooves only shuffled on. He couldn't stop, wouldn't stop. After all he had been through, the traps he'd survived, the monsters he'd faced, the treasures he'd found...he wasn't going down from a simple infection.
The stars were beginning to appear in the sky by now and the stallion was still moving, but only barely. His breath was ragged and his eyes half closed, a small cough escaping his lips from time to time. He'd be easy picking for most anything at this point. He had to stop...but he couldn't afford to...What a terrible situation...His dragging hoof came in contact with a gnarled root and suddenly it all came crashing down, or Stone did at least. "Ugh!" Try as he might he couldn't get up. He would shift his legs with a groan, try to open his eyes, but they could not see. He'd slam a forehoof into the grass below. "No!" What a way to go down... It was then he heard it...movement in the forest and it was approaching...It was night out...Probably a predator. Well at least it was a quicker way to go than infection. The movement stopped just near him, he could feel somethings gaze upon him. "On this night most superb, I come to find a special herb...And once again I find you, being on Deaths list of things to do." There was only one pony he knew who spoke like that! "Ze....cora..." He'd smile to himself. It seemed death would have to wait on him once again. At the moment of his relief his body would slip out of consciousness, leaving a somewhat unamused Zebra to carry him back to safety. She would grunt as she'd heft him onto her back. "Ugh!" Once he was secure she would begin to head back to her hut. "It seems history continues repeating...Every time I find him his life is nearly fleeting."
Stone began to feel his senses returning to him. A slow process as all the energy slowly made way back into his form. The first thing he notices was a dull ache surrounding his body. He attempted to remember what had happened but he could only gather his thoughts through one flash at a time. A snake,running away,mud,pain. As hid mind began to piece itself together so did his body. As the pain began to subside he'd feel warmth, comfort. He was somewhere soft and warm. Zecora. She'd saved him. The last memory he could pull forth was of her. Stone's eyes began to open and the bright light of day greeted him with a moment of pain. "Ugh...." As soon as he made his pathetic sound he heard a familiar voice. "It would seem you're finally awake. I was beginning to fear that your life was at stake." The zebra made her way over to the resting stallion, staring him directly in the eyes. "I do not know what I'm going to do. You always have me worrying about you." She would shake her head and make way to the large cauldron in the center of her hut. "It seems that there is more medicine to make, lest your pain become more than you can take." Stone raised his head slowly with a groan. "How...long?" The Zebra raised a hoof to him. "Hush now Stone. You must not speak. Right now your body is much too weak. I'll be busy cooking now, A thick and tasty stew. Just relax. I'll take care of you." He wasn't in position to argue, a fact that annoyed him to no end. He hated to admit it but he was in no condition to do things on his own. "And as for the question that you asked me? The number of days you have been asleep is three."
Dawn came quickly for stone. He'd slipped in and out of slumber the entire day and night. When he felt the sun he became more energized. It seemed that the food and medicine offered by the zebra had done the trick. He could feel something beside him and upon inspection he saw the mare, sound asleep...She'd hardly left his side the entire time. And now that he'd shown signs of recovery she finally had the chance to rest herself. She really had been worried about him. Stone began to feel guilt now. He'd put her through an awful lot, he always did. He had to prove to her his appreciation. He set to work gathering the ingredients about the hut, he knew well enough where most things were due to how many times he'd stayed with her, usually due to injure. He set about to the task at hand, making a dish befitting his savior. Eggs, cheese, onion, tomato, and petunia petals. Before long the earth pony managed an omelet.
In the midst of cleaning the mess he'd made he hear the sound of movement and glanced over his shoulder. A pair of teal eyes watching him. "How long were you awake?" The mare offered a smile and crawled out of bed."For as long as you were in my pantry looking. Now tell me. What is it that you have been cooking." She'd take notice to the two plates set aside. "Ah...Well I wanted to do something special for you since you saved my life....again. I wanted to show that I was grateful for everything that you've done." The Zebra made her way over and gave his cheek a nuzzle,which earned an immediate darkening of Stone's cheeks. "This was a gesture most sweet. Come and bring it to the table so we might eat."
The meal was soon finished and the dishes cleaned off. Stone was putting the last of them away when he heard the sound of shuffling paper. Upon the table were several envelopes that Zecora had set down and was sorting through. "Mail came for you while you were away. It seems your sister had much to say." The stallion was curious now, making his way to the table. "Why did they get delivered here? I have a mail box set up in Ponyville." The Zebra shook her head. "When was the last time you gave that old thing a peek? You're never in town so another option she had to seek." It was true...He didn't stay out of the forest very long these days. He was so busy exploring the old world and ruins in the jungle he'd forgotten what wait for him back in civilization.
Looking over the envelopes he couldn't help but smile. Each one had the date upon it, Zecora had even been so kind as to separate them for him from oldest to newest. His sister had been sending a letter every week from the looks of things...and there were more than a dozen letters present. He really had been gone too long. It was going to be quite a task to read them all. There was little else to do but get started.
Each letter was only lightly detailed. She was merely going over certain things about her life each week: Her job at the postal service, her friendships,her daughter, but most importantly, or so the letters stated, she missed Stone. Every one ended the same way: 'I miss you Stone. Hope to see you soon'. Every letter weighed heavily upon him. He felt guilty. Her letters always made him feel guilty about leaving her behind. But what caught his attention the most was the last letter.
Drear Stone
Can you believe how much time has passed? It's been nearly four months since I last saw you.
I'll admit I've been a bit lonely without you around...You must be tired of reading that right?
Life has been going as it always does. I make Dinky breakfast, wake her up before I go for a kiss,
then go to work. I always end up breaking something. I've been better about not breaking things
at work though. My boss is happy about that. I can't afford to lose this job. I think dad would be
disappointed with all he had to do to get me this job. I always start thinking about him again at this
time in the year. You haven't forgotten that my birthday is next week have you? You probably have.
It's okay though! I know you've been busy. I don't mind at all. In fact I'm proud of you! You're doing
things that nopony else can and you're doing it for a good reason. Dad would be proud. Well I'll
put an end to this letter before I start talking about the past again. I miss you, I love you, and I hope
beyond hope that you'll make it to my birthday this year. But I do understand if you can't.
Love: Derpy
"Crap...." Stone glanced out the window. It was already mid day. "It's...not the twenty-fourth today is it?" The stallion glanced to the zebra in curiosity. "Have no fear, and quell your sorrow. Your sisters birthday is not until the morrow." Stone immediately perked up. "Wait...I made it!? I actually made it! By Celestia miracles do happen! Quick! I need quill and parchment! I need to let her know I'll be in town come morning!" Zecora went to work gathering the items he needed. "Hm...Geeze...what do I get her....?" The exotic mare placed the parchment before him. "You ought to know that a gift you need not bring. Being there alone will make her heart sing." With the quill held in his mouth the earth pony began to write. "Yeh yr 'ight'" The zebra simply shook her head. "You sound completely absurd. Spit that out before you say another word."
It didn't take long for him to finish a quick letter telling her he would be in town around noon but another problem made itself apparent. "Now...how do I make sure she gets it today...?" It was at that moment a knock came to the door. "Ms. Zecora? I'm here!" It was the voice of someone young. A filly by Stone's guess. "Who...?" Zercora simply smiled to herself. "That his the filly Applebloom. And I am certain that in her saddlebag there will be room." The zebra made way to the door and let her little guest in. "Sweet Applebloom do come in. I currently have another guest as it would so happen. He is a stallion who's name is Stone. Would you be so kind as to deliver a letter for him on your way home?" The young one immediately perked up. "Sure will Ms. Zecora! But first....what're we gonna do today?" The zebra tapped her chin tentatively with a fore-hoof. "I have an idea of what we might do. I'll teach you the herbs for the creation of a numbing brew. It will help those ponies in a large amounts of pain, and may even prove useful if Scootaloo gets another wing sprain." The young one bounced up excitedly. "Oh yes please!" And darted for the door. "Outsourcing your work to fillies now? I know you want that potion for me." The zebra merely let off a shrug. "Her cutie mark she desperately wishes to earn so of potions and herb she wishes to learn. And if in things I genuinely need we train...Then I see it only as a mutual gain." Stone sighed and made way back to the bed as she left. He couldn't argue with the logic of it...And his hind leg was beginning to bother him again. Some more medicine before he left in the morning. It could only be a good thing.
