Chapters “I wanted a Satyr costume from ‘The Magma Cone’ not this!” I gave a loud groan aloud from inside the old beat up beige van outside ‘Fanta Con’ a large get together for the fans of fantasy.
“Oh c’mon, Elliot! It can’t be that bad.” Brigit gave a soft giggle to the door, her delicate hand tapping upon the hot metal frame. She was dressed much like Bianca from the Spyro series, complete with a slicked down pair of rabbit ears.
I sighed knowing I had no way out of this mess and I wasn’t about to let my tickets go to waste either. I gave a loud growl and swung open the door allowing the bright sunlight to shine upon me, dressed in a pair of light brown goat pants with soft white dots on my flank and topped with a fluffy copper tail, tipped with snow white fur.
Black hooves clicked the ground gently in annoyance, wearing a forest green sleeveless top with a cute single strap hanging on the right shoulder. The outfit screamed with feminine pride while the tail swished in place adorably as I shuffled in place annoyed. Brigit as well as Shaun exploding into laughter.
Shaun was dressed in a cheetah like attire, holding an oversized archers bow slung across his shoulder proudly. He made a good looking Hunter even as he chuckled aloud at me, this was his first Con and had never even played Spyro Two let alone know about the characters.
“Sorry dude, I told them I wanted a goat thing at the costume shop. The one from Spyro I said...guess I got the wrong one.” Shaun chuckled sheepishly.
“Elliot, you make an adorable Elora.” Brigit just gave a squee aloud, reaching inside the van and grabbing a copper wig before plopping it upon my head firmly.
“You owe me big time!” I gave a soft huff, brushing the bangs out of my eyes in growing anger.
The large Con already in full swing ahead of us, I might look like a goat's ass in this get up but at least good times were ahead of us soon. I reached into the van grabbing my nearby guidebook for the convention, I had our trip planned to the letter yet felt annoyed when I turned around to nothing.
My friends rushing off to the building ahead of me in a wild haste, the crowd quickly devouring them into the rush to get inside. I gave a loud groan quickly chasing after them, copper strands of hair falling in front of my eyes as hooves clicked loudly down the scorching hot road.
This was going to be a rough day.
I gazed up from my tattered guidebook in defeat, the convention was packed this year and I still could not find hide or tail of my friends. I thought they might be near the ‘Avalar’ Q&A for the upcoming release of the Spyro Trilogy Remastered, yet I was having a hard time trying to check it out.
“What do you mean I still have to pay ten dollars! The sign says Fantasy characters enter free!” A guy with a styrofoam shark head and a lion body yelled at the door man.
“Fantasy characters from a certain genre.”
“Chimera's are from fantasy!” The shark head slapped a fin on the large man's chest angrily.
“MUST be from a certain game.”
“Final Fantasy has chimeras!”
“They don’t have shark heads…”
I could only watch in awe as this asinine ceremony went on for an eternity, a loud sigh escaping my lips before I shuffled off into the crowd, I wanted to spend the day with my friends but found myself abandoned on the first hour.
They always used me for my intelligence, never really giving me my time of day. Just once I’d love to be the one in the spotlight, not just a stepping stone used to get places or have things done. My mind sinking into an abyss of despair before a large shoulder knocked into my chest hard, causing the oxygen to escape my lungs in a loud gasp.
I looked up snapping back into reality as a group of guys dressed like knights pushed by, causing me to drop my guidebook as they trampled the pages to shreds before me laughing aloud. Telling me to watch out while calling me a loser, vanishing as soon as they came into view inside the crowd my book nothing but pieces now.
“Aye! Those who give of themselves are rarely given their due.” A sinister yet calming voice of a stranger spoke up from my right side, gazing up in interest I spotted a small black booth lined with various memorabilia of all kinds.
“Tell me about it, my friends just bolted off without me…”
“Even though it was ye’ who secured the tickets.” The stranger gave a raspy laugh aloud.
“How did you know that?” I asked with a bit of intrigue, gazing across the various objects before me spotting a rare MLP comic based on Spike near the center.
“Cause just like Spike here, you hold a power as bright as a hero! Though are never given a chance to shine, the heroes of their own tales merely passing you by.” He gave a toothy grin to me, as I scooted back a little in disgust the stale stench of his breath wafting over me.
“Yeah. I guess Spike and I are kind of alike huh?” I gave a slight eye roll, thinking this weirdo might just be teasing me if anything.
“Perhaps so, though that comic isn’t meant for you. Elliot my friend you are a guide, take this instead…” He quickly dashed under the booth like mist, his oversized black cloak and hood a sudden blur.
Popping back up in a hastey fashion he clutched an old but pristine ‘Guidebook’ in his hand the title written in cursive and gold trim, holding it out to me the brown leather book almost glowing in place.
“Take this little lass. Help a hero find his path, then perhaps find your own along the way?”
I was in awe at this object as it almost seemed to call out to me from his hand, my heart was racing wildly in my chest as I heard him call me a lass finding it quite odd. Though against my better judgement I reached out, taking the 'Guidebook' in hand feeling a sudden tingle rush over me like a tsunami.
I wanted to ask so many questions, but instead the world around me faded away into a bright light. I could only gasp in shock and horror, clutching the book close to my chest as I let out a loud scream before falling into the abyss below.
My scream echoing around me in a elegant but sweet soprano tone of a young woman, the world being twisted into something beyond the normal. My body on fire as the costume I was wearing tightened beyond belief, the feeling of my feet suddenly becoming numb.
I let my eyes gaze down to my lower half in horror, the fake loose costume I was wearing becoming taught and firm in shape. the light brown fur becoming a shimmering silken hue, suddenly feeling the fur soften and connect with my body.
Once strong legs becoming smaller and longer in shape, softening as my thighs expanded like balloons swelling out thick and firm. Legs soon slender and very elegant, the tail springing to life on my backside as I could feel it swishing side to side on its own.
I gave a soft moan aloud my butt spreading out slowly, gently like a young flower in bloom blossoming out into a round plump shape. My tail lifting up in a adorable arch, my feet crunching inside the boots I once wore, hardening like diamonds while I felt bones shrink and squish down.
Hooves a shimmering umbra hue, soon brought to life, a soft white underbelly stretching up my body slowly much like a snake covering my midriff. The book pressed against my toned chest firmly as I winced in pain, feeling twin mounds pushing forward as breasts grew out slowly and firmly before me.
My whole body was shrinking smaller as I curled up into a small ball in the void, falling deeper into the blank canvas of this world. My lower back arching sweetly into an S shape, waist a narrow hourglass shape and shoulders narrow yet thin.
My arms were slender, dainty hands clutching the book for dear life. How could this be happening to me I thought as I began to whimper out in pain. The wig turning a softer copper hue, bangs showering over my eyes innocently. I knew it was my own hair now, a wig no more even as my ears began to shift and grow outward, moving to poke out from my hair on the side of my head cutely.
My sight seemed to increase as eyes grew larger, the scent of nature around me growing and becoming so potent threatening to overpower me. Trees towering above me like mountains, the grass so soft and full on my backside.
The void was fading away, my new small and soft body crashing onto the rough ground below. A delicate groan escaping my lips and wafting into the pale blue sky above, I was now in a world not my own.
The sun was so bright above burning my eyes like fire, yet even though I was in such pain all would soon fade to black.
Followed by silence.
The Everfree : Timber-tantrum.
Everfree Outskirts.
A small filly was super excited to be able to join her brothers on a camping trip this weekend, sure it was just in her backyard with a healthy amount of smores on the horizon but it was with her family and that was the real adventure.
Her Daddy had told her to collect some sticks for the bonfire tonight, yet even with an abundance of sticks in her yard she wanted something special. Colts at school had told her the Everfree sticks were cursed, if lit on fire would never cease to burn. Such sticks would be perfect for a night of sweets and treats, her red bouncy pigtails swaying side to side with each step she took.
The small beige filly spotting a small stick near an old bush, she quickly dashing over and snatching it up. A small saddlebag on her backside bulging with fancy sticks, her lime green eyes sparkling brightly spotting another branch off in the distance.
It was quite large for a twig and would burn nicely, the filly gave a proud saunter over and bit down on the stick with her teeth. It seemed to be stuck inside a large overgrown bush, the filly pulled and tugged with all her might.
A loud snap filling the air as she fell backwards onto her flank softly, the large stick in her mouth proudly as she stood up. Only to gasp in sudden horror, the large twisted shadow of a Timberwolf standing up from within the bush, eyes glowing a devilish yellow.
His tail was missing from his backside, snapped off from the base while his eyes were locked onto the child in attack mode. The filly sheepishly giggling held out the tail to the monster, only to have it snap mighty jaws towards her.
She dropped the tail on the ground and made a dash for it, too bad it wasn’t in the direction of home. But instead deeper into the twisted woods of horrors, only known as Everfree Forest.
“Owww my head!” I gave aloud groan aloud, delicate slender fingers running through copper locks of hair in a daze.
The world was spinning out of control at the moment, I was at what seemed to be a large opening within a forest of some kind. The trees towered like mountains high above, though not filled with lush green growth but twisted nightmarish branches that blotted out the lovely blue sky.
The damp grass was a mixture of moss,dead leaves and dirt as if nature wanted to make home here, yet felt too frightened to do so. The air held a heavy sense of dread that wafted high above, simply being in this place was sapping away my will to live.
I gave a soft soprano cough aloud my throat on fire from being so dry, I crawled on my hands and knees towards a faint sound of pouring water. Large puffy tail swaying on my backside with each movement, I could feel small but strong deer like ears twitch atop my head.
The sound of crisp flowing water so close now, I felt as if I could hear it pouring back into the earth for miles on end. I felt myself lift my head gently into the air, my nose felt flat but sensitive the scents of this world pouring into me swiftly.
The scent of fresh water was near, I clutched a beaten book under my arm and lifted up to wobbly hooves. Dragging myself across a thorn filled path I made my way deeper into this forest, spotting a large boulder overgrown with moss near a dead tree. A gentle moan escaping my lips as eyes spotted a trickle of fresh water pouring from underneath, creating a small puddle of drinking water before me.
I pulled myself to the puddle falling to all fours again, gazing deeply into the clear water before me. Large green eyes batted long dark lashes, freckles softly caressing the bridge of my doe nose and spreading across apple shaped cheeks. Copper hair framed my soft features like a photo while full pouty lips were dry and cracked from dehydration, I kneeled to the cool puddle swiftly before my tongue gently began to lap up the nourishment.
It was almost like my private paradise while I lapped, eyes closed enjoying a cold drink given freely by mother earth. The sudden sound of a rustling in the bushes catching my attention and breaking me away from my drink, green hues kept an eye out for any danger while I clutched the book near to my heart.
Under a small patch of dead brown leaves I spotted rustling, I could feel my strength returning to my body though my mind still felt like a misty haze. I gently clicked hooves across the earth and gazed down to the leaves, kneeling down before it with a loving smile across my lips.
“You don’t have to hide, I won’t hurt you.” I spoke in a sweet tone of voice, trying my best to sound soothing.
“You are friendly?” A small pink pony like creature spoke up in such a tiny voice, poking out from under the foliage cutely with delicate features.
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” I asked with a gentle tilt of the head, my smile giving off a glow of warmth.
“Forest is full of monstrous creatures! The breezies must hide, no creatures usually can understand us!” The tiny breezie gave a soft squeal aloud in anxiety her antennae twitching side to side, fluttering up to the air on clear delicate wings.
“Oh! Well I can hear you just fine, how about we find a way out of here together?” I asked yet instead of a reply was given a quick flutter towards myself, the breezie gently darting into my hair hiding away.
“Be swift odd one, The Timbers be angry today!” She gave a soft shudder as I let out a surprised giggle, looking towards a crooked path wondering what a Timber could be.
Memories were still fuzzy as if I were walking through a dream, I remember a bright light and a feeling of floating before the haze set in my mind blocking off flashes of the truth. Though the flashes were swift I did have a growing memory of a land full of summer flowers, where the streams were clean and the skies always a pure baby blue.
Yet other memories set inside another world were slowly pushing out of the abyss.
I held the guidebook under my arm waiting till a clear path to look it over, this forest was full of twists and turns the sense of being watched strong sending a shiver down my arched backside.
“So where is the odd one from? You not a pony but something else.” The breezie gave a sly question, poking out of my hair as her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Avalar, It’s a world far off from this place...far from home.” I gave a soft sigh aloud the name coming to me like a light in the dark, the world of eternal summer becoming more clear as memories were washing over me.
“Avalar? Sunny Breeze never hear of it.”
“You’d like it, it’s always summer in my homeworld.”
“Homeworld?”
“Well my land is split into three areas, each based off a season of nature. My home was in the land of the summer, though I do have family from Autumn Plains.”
“Wow! Sounds really lovely odd one.”
“Elora, Sunny.” I gave a soft giggle, the small creature giving a beaming smile of joy. Her tense little frame becoming calm, nestling deep in my hair.
“Well Elora I’m...a TIMBER!” She gave a loud scream as I blinked in confusion, a large wooden wolf pouncing out from behind a moss ridden tree.
“A Wolf?!” I gave a squeal aloud in a girlish tone, this wicked monster snapping wooden jaws at me in blind anger.
It stomped forward as I flashed a weak smile to the creature, a part of me hoping it might calm its tortured soul. Yet deep inside those burning yellow eyes were a dark abyss, I wasn’t sure it could feel anything beside anger.
“Aroooo!” The monster snapped jaws and bared fangs, I gave a loud scream before galloping off down a open path to the right.
My hooves stomped across branches and dead leaves of this wicked place, my legs though graceful were moving me faster than I thought. That was a godsend since the wolf was on my fluffy tail, snapping the air around its snout in a frenzy.
“Good wolf! Please leave me ALONE!” I gave a loud scream spotting a old stump up ahead, pouncing onto the wooden base with power flinging high into the sky and grabbing onto a nearby tree branch.
The monster running up to the base of the tree I bounced into, my slender body pulling itself onto a large rotting branch. My heart was racing wildly in my chest, eyes gazing down to the wolf desperately clawing on the tree shaft.
“Serves you right! Now shoooooo!” I gave a soft squeal while standing up on the branch, the wood giving way below me as I smashed down to the world below.
“Arooo!?” The wolf yelped aloud in shock, my round plot smashing onto the head of the creature. The body of this odd wooden wolf exploding into many pieces around me, I could just blink confused sitting atop the pile of wood that was once my attacker.
“Hehehe, oops?” I stood up and shook off my tail gently, the fur poofing out into a cute bouncy style.
At least the chase was over now as a sigh of relief escaped my lips softly, green hues gazing around the silent but still forest. My heart was picking up pace swiftly as a sense of dread began to sink into my soul, the small creature in my hair poking her head out in trembling terror.
“Timbers are surrounding the goat…” Sunny gave a soft whisper as the air suddenly became stale and the world around us switching to that of an ice cold chill.
“I know...I know.” I gave a soft giggle aloud nervously while my mind raced for an answer to this predicament I found myself in.
I took a simple step backwards my hoof crunching against a dead twig upon the grass, a sharp crunch lifting high into the air as it almost seem to echo around myself. The scenery exploding to life with no warning at all, I could just release a shrill scream in horror before five Timbers came rushing towards us.
I was quick on my hooves to pounce against a nearby rock, doing my best to leap towards the tree branches once more. The clash of wood echoing with a pop as the creatures collided yet swiftly swung back up, my own luck fading as I missed a tree branch and smashed into a nearby bush.
I could feel the snap of jaws at my bushy tail as I galloped off deeper into the woods, the clash of wood chasing me filling the once silent forest. My lungs were on fire as the howling of these monsters grew ever closer, my mind was growing blank as a sudden wall of trees came into view ahead.
“C’mon!” I gave a loud scream in horror, the path blocked off by towering wood and twisted brush that showed no sight of clearing up.
“Goat is dead! Sunny must live!” My small friend exploded out of my hair and high into the sky, catching a ride upon a soft updraft into the leaves above.
“HEY! Come back you coward!” I screamed out in defeat as I slid to a stop in front of a large oak tree, the five creatures growling in union as they formed a circle around me.
I swallowed hard as my back was soon against the wall of wood, my eyes catching no glimpse of escape at all. If I was going to escape this it would be by my own wit and valor, I clutched the book tightly in my hand and gave these monsters my best warrior glare.
“Leave me be or be destroyed...your choice!” I screamed at the top of my lungs in a girlish tone of voice, the Timbers simply licking their jaws and continuing forward.
“Nothing ever chooses to just leave…” I gave a lighthearted giggle as the Timber on the right lunged forward at me like lightning.
My scream echoed around the empty space as I swung my book blindly at my foe, popping him upside the back of the head before he went tumbling to the ground in a loud thud. The far left monster gave a large pounce, my body doing a quick spin as my hind hooves lifted and bucked him back behind his friends.
“I’m doing it! I’m actually doing it!” I gave a loud squee in the sky as all five suddenly lunged at once, catching me off guard as I fell back to my butt.
I winced in pain a pair of jaws biting deep into my arm as I let out a scream, a second monster clenching horrid jaws down on my thigh and pulling side to side wickedly as I howled in pain. I could feel these monsters tearing me apart as a third bit down on my shoulder, blood trickling down my chest as I could feel tears running down my cheeks.
“Help!” I gave a loud scream knowing I had to fight back, I used my strength to fling the Timber off my shoulder sending it crashing into a tree.
My leg twitching to life as I used my spare hoof to kick the second one off me, he swiftly lunged again in reply only to have my hurt hoof to lift up and crack his skull open. An explosion of wood showering onto me as he met his end, the one on my arm snapping for my neck before I stuffed his mouth full of old book.
He quickly spit it out only to have a headbutt to the face, muzzle and skull exploding to pieces around the cramped clearing as he collapsed to the dead grass with a thud. The last three full of rage and vengeance, forming a kill position before me as my body felt weak.
I gently collapsed down to the grass in defeat, bleeding from open wounds as my new found power left as quickly as it had come. I was open for a swift killing, my tail wrapping around my slender frame ready for the end to come.
Two of the Timbers rushed forward in hunger, I winced in place for the attack to start. Yet instead could feel a blaze of wild heat explode before me, I opened my eyes to see a mighty purple dragon smash down to the ground in front of me.
By mighty I mean small, like really small with cute tiny wings protruding from his little backside proudly. I could just scrunch my nose up in confusion as a torched Timber fell to the ground in a pile of ashes, his friend pouncing onto the dragon who swiped a powerful tiny claw upward.
The Timber flopping backwards like a wet fish before lunging blindly forward, the dragon smirking and stepping to the side just as it smashed powerfully into the largest tree in the forest. Twigs spilling onto the ground in pieces as a loud chuckle escaped the dragon’s lips, his large green eyes locking onto me.
“Hey! I’m…” He gave a loud scream as I flung my book at top speed towards him, the dragon ducking just in time as the old tome crushed the last pouncing monster in the face. His head exploding into a mixture of twigs and branches, the body falling to the ground in defeat.
“Spike.” He spoke from his belly on the ground confused, I could only fall to the ground with a large thud my energy spent.
“Spike! Is everything ok?” A soft spoken intelligent voice spoke up as I could feel the world fading away around me, the tiny dragon gazing to me in interest.
“Yeah I’m ok Twilight, I think we found a goat?”
I wanted to call him a dork so bad, yet could simply find the world fading to black once more.
Ponyville.
The filly was shivering in fear beside the large bonfire in her backyard, she had been chased through The Everfree for what felt like hours this afternoon. That was until Twilight Sparkle herself had saved her, using her magic to make quick work of anything chasing her.
Though several had been destroyed, she knew the tailless one was still out there waiting for the right moment to strike and claim her tail as his own! She clutched a small stick in her hooves alone, a marshmallow topping the tip as she waited for her brothers to return with the chocolate for the smores.
Unknown to her the yellow eyes watched her from the shadows, she was far too lost in her thoughts to hear the soft wooden steps of paws on the grass. A towering shadow of a Timber soon behind the helpless child, she could only turn around once feeling warm breath upon her neck.
The filly screaming aloud in horror at the beast behind her, The Timber opening its jaws wide ready to strike swiftly. A large wooden tongue licking the child on the cheek playfully, the filly simply blinking in confusion at the moment before handing the wolf her stick.
He held it between his paws near the bonfire and gently sat down beside the small pony, toasting his marshmallow over the flames before panting cutely in place. The filly shrugging a small bit in place, picking up a new stick and topping it with a new white mallow.
The chocolate couldn’t get here soon enough.
The abyss was being torn between worlds as I seemed to float in and out of reality, I could feel the crisp breeze of Avalar, I could smell the stench of my hometown Addison and even feel the damp grass of Equestria.
Where was I?
Who was I?
Why did I feel so alone?
Addison
Brigit stood below me leaning against the cool metal frame of the park jungle gym, her eyes locking upon me in silence as if trying to get a read on me. I just gave her a soft shrug in place, eyes gazing out to the glimmer of the town before me. I wasn’t in a talking mood tonight, though that did not matter to my friend, she had her ways to get me to chat.
“You’ve been quiet tonight?” She gave a soft spoken reply as I simply rolled my eyes.
“What can I say? I just don’t feel too hot.” My voice gave a loud scoff.
“Is it because of Shaun?” She would drape her arms elegantly over a nearby bar, the pale blue moonlight showering upon her softly.
I would never admit it was, he was the cool guy of the group. Brigit had slowly become head over heels for him, I just couldn’t stand a chance being the smart one in the group. I was once at a time the go to guy for all types of stuff, be it conventions or even small D&D get togethers. But since Shaun decided to get closer to us, he had taken the spotlight and absorbed all the attention.
I could see the way Brigit gazed to him, I was just a second rate chump in this growing facade. One I’d rather not be apart of, I could still be of use somewhere I just needed that chance to prove myself.
“I’m fine, just need some air.” I spoke through my teeth as Brigit giggled aloud, gently climbing up through the gym to the top beside me.
“I can support that dingus, just tell me we are still on for Fanta Con next week?” Her eyes locked on mine, her hand placed atop my own as I could feel my heart race.
“Of course!” I gave a small smirk, missing these times we used to have together.
“You are my total BFF!” She gave a loud squeal aloud, her slender arms pulling me in for a hug.
My whole body tensing up with a sense of dread, that one phrase causing the whole world to slip away.
The Present.
Flashes of ice grew around the corners of my vision, horrible pale yellow eyes pierced deeply into my soul from within the darkness. A sly smirk curling over pouty lips, sending a chill down my lower back side. It was growing closer towards me from the darkness, the grass around me withering and dying.
The ice growing upward from the soil, stretching wickedly ever taller. Soon trapping me within a frostbitten prison, my teeth chattering out of control as I could just watch helplessly before a clawed hand grabbed my Guidebook. A howl of laughter ringing into the bleak grey sky, the winter had come and was never going to end.
I let out a soft moan as my head rang loudly, dark green hues flashing open as I lifted upward in a trance. My head overflowing with various memories causing a wave of nausea to cascade across my body, I ran a delicate hand through my mane while in search of a clue as to where I was.
The nightmare still echoing through my mind, never had I been more grateful to be awake.
My tail swished to the side softly as the light of a elegant palace room shimmered before me, the door to this place closed tightly with twin diamond frames. The room decorated in lace and satin as it screamed aloud with a woman's touch, the large window open to my right allowing a lovely breeze to flow within.
“You’re awake!” The small dragon exploded out from behind a small fort of books to the side, the bookshelf behind him a total mess.
“Where am I?” I gave a soft flaunt of the hand his way, my eyes having trouble focusing at the moment.
“The Castle Of Friendship!”
“Oh! Twilight’s Castle…”
“You’ve heard about us?” He spoke up with a interested tone, quickly dashing over to my side with a smirk.
I just gave a soft smirk myself, knowing this place from the show . Being a huge fan of MLP I could name all sorts of stuff, but now being here was different the once small world now wide open.
“I uhh...read about it in my Guidebook.” I gave the dragon a small smile, memories locking into place while some were fleeting and others were more clear.
I knew his name started with an ‘S’ yet could not place it in my mind, yet I could recall Twilight and a world of Winter. A strong flash of ice hitting me like a truck as I yelped aloud, falling off the silken bed covers and crashing to the floor.
“You ok!? So that is what the book is…” He rushed over and placed a gentle claw on my shoulder, I gazed up to his kind muzzle and felt an odd tingle.
I was quick to push his claw away before swinging back up to my hooves shakingly, the world was spinning around as if on a weak axis my steps growing wider and swaying.
“Why would you say that?”
“Well it looked blank, not that I was checking it out.” He gave a soft snort, followed by a nervous grin.
I rolled my eyes while I leaned up weakly against a nearby table, my Guidebook opened wide before me as I could make out many pages of writing. Though what had caught my attention was the newest chapter, details about those wolves and The Everfree now outlined within.
Green hues slowly lifted to the crystalline mirror before me, eyes were large and soulful now with long delicate lashes. Large doe like ears sliding back ever so slightly, as I scrunched up my muzzle in slight confusion.
This was indeed a huge change from the ordinary, I should be freaking out that I wasn’t human anymore. Scratch that to be honest, eyes gazing down to the firm full bust hidden behind a lush leafy dress. That I wasn’t even a male anymore, the world around me feeling far more larger and open.
Yet something was anchoring me into a sense of calm, I knew this wasn’t my world anymore. I knew this was a world of a favorite television show of mine. But other things were missing, I felt like two people fighting over one mind, while slowly but surely these two realities felt as if they were merging into one.
“You look lost?” The dragon spoke up from behind me, as I held up the open book for him to see.
“I could say the same dragon, this is far from empty.” My tiny hand pushed the old tome against his muzzle.
“It’s Spike and that is still empty, also what are you some kind of goat?” Spike gave a roll of his eyes to me, pushing the tome back against me firmly.
I just gave a stern glare in a small huff, cheeks puffing up as my eyes could make out many items within the tome. Perhaps it was only I who could see it? , if so then was I brought here for a reason?
“Hmmm, I’m a faun you dork!” I gave a soft twirl away from the dragon, flipping ahead a few pages to see if I could spot anything out of place.
“Oh! Well sorry, I never have seen a faun….” His eyes gently lifted up from my hooves to my fluffy tail hiked up, checking out my backside.
“Ahem!” I gave a glare catching his gaze from the corner of my eye.
“BEFORE! Hehehe…” His cheeks burned brightly a warm red hue, his claws dashing across the room towards the door.
I could hear the door suddenly swing open as Sunny flew within, her tiny delicate frame dashing over to me happily. I could just gasp in surprise as the small breezie jolted back into my hair, her tiny head poking out again.
“Sunny?”
“Elora! I’m so glad you are okies, I had barely found help when I flew off!” She gave a soft squeak aloud, my heart melting slightly as I felt myself smile.
“So you were the one who got help?” I spoke aloud in a sweeter tone.
“Yep! She found me, good thing I speak some Breezie!” Spike did a slight backup, flexing his small muscles towards me in pride.
“Lucky me…” I gave him a scrunched muzzle in reply.
“Indeed quite lucky, miss.” Twilight slowly trotted within the large open room happily, her eyes locking onto me as I gave a sheepish smile.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been a bother.”
“Not at all, though your kind is quite rare around here.” Twilight was soon very close to my side, her eyes taking in every detail as if I were a painting of some sort.
“Uhh, how rare would that be?” I gave her a stern gaze, her own violet hues lighting up with excitement.
“Try extinct.” She gave a slight snort aloud.
“WHAT!? Did she fall from the sky?” Spike gave me a intrigued gaze, his jaw nearly hitting the floor for a second.
“Maybe...” I spoke under my breath, the way I was tossed here still a blur.
“Fauns were lovely creatures, able to communicate with nature while some were even able to control it!” The cute violet pony bounced around me in growing excitement.
“Control nature?” I gave a soft stammer, heart picking up pace within my chest.
“Mmhmm! Fauns vanished around the time, The Everfree had begun to grow...darker.” Twilight gave a small frown, her eyes gently lowering to the floor.
“You think she might be able…” Spike started to speak up, yet was cut off by Starlight Glimmer quickly rushing inside with a look of fright.
“Glimmer?” Twilight gave her full attention.
“I hate to interrupt, but word is coming that The Everfree is going out of control!” Starlight bit her lower lip, the sound of screaming from outside the window filling the air of the room.
“I should…”
“No! Spike keep her here, I’ll check this out with Glimmer! So EXCITING!” Twilight lifted a hoof to me as she smiled brightly with adventure in her eyes, Glimmer casting her an odd gaze.
“Twilight.” Glimmer’s gaze was cold and serious.
“Heehee! I mean I hope everything will be alright.” Both ponies darted out the door, Sunny flashing me a look of awe.
“This can’t be a coincidence, I need to check it out!” I felt an urge to follow fill my body, hooves delicately clicking towards the door.
“Nu-uh! Not going anywhere madame goat!” Spike swiftly flew across the room on strong wings, blocking my exit as I cast him a glare.
“Well Mr. Lizard, you can try and stop me!” I gave a huff in return, my arms crossing over my chest in annoyance.
“Don’t make me give you the hot hoof!” Spike narrowed his dark green hues towards me.
“Oooo! I’m shaking in my dress…” I merely pushed the young drake aside, as he gave a glare spitting green flames at my hooves before I let out a loud girlish scream jumping back.
“You should be, I’m a strong powerful…” His eyes locked onto me, as I fell to the ground shivering in fear while tears ran down my cheeks in distress.
“I...I’m burned.” I gave a soft frail sob.
“I’m sooo sorry! I didn’t mean…” He rushed over as I quickly rolled onto my backside, a loud buck of the hooves sending him flying back outside the open door into the hallway.
“Who has the hot hoof now, hmmm?” I pranced out into the hallway, gazing down to him cutely sticking my tongue out in a teasing manner.
“Don’t you dare!” He tried to speak up as I galloped at top speed down the hall, vanishing with my breezie friend out of view.
I was quick to dart out of the castle doors, the crisp cool winds of the outside caressing my slender frame. The sun was setting in the sky as all around was turning a warm orange, The Everfree was calling me.
I could just pray it wasn’t even more dangerous…
At night.
Ponyville : The Cocktastic Voyage
Broken Mold was the perfectionist of Ponyville.
The orange earth pony undoubtedly a truly gifted sculptor.
Her tiny claustrophobic studio overflowed with various ribbons, certificates, and trophies of her masterful skill. Yet even with all the praise of the past surrounding her, she wasn't able to come up with a single original idea for her newest project.
She promised Mayor Mare a perfect sculpture full of emotional heartache and passion. Yet at the moment she just had an empty pedestal before her. This idiotic project due in the very near future, to be placed as a centerpiece on the new park fountain.
With a feminine brush of her pink mane to the side. The artist pony humored the idea of a blank pedestal passing off as abstract modern art. She couldn't very well give back the bits, she spent every piece in a matter of hours.
“Think, I must have a new idea!?” The mare howled out in uncertainty of her predicament.
Suddenly the haze that clouded her mind had begun to lift. Her large green eyes widened out in awe as, within her mind, the silhouette of a true masterpiece had begun to take shape.
“Bawk!!” The head of an annoying chicken poked its head out of the shrubbery outside her open window.
Her masterpiece simply fading back into the obscurity of her mind. Dissolved into fragments of a fleeting thought, never to be seen again.
“Grrr, stupid chicken!” Broken Mold stomped her hooves much like a frustrated child, climbing up atop her statue's pedestal in anger.
“Bawk!?” The idiotic creature tilted his head to the side in confusion.
“I said beat it!” Broken picked up a piece of clay, flinging it across the room as it pelted the creature on the head hard.
Hissing in fiery anger a cockatrice lunged out of the shrubs. Long razor-sharp talons digging into the windowsill, its eyes turned blood red cursing the horrified pony with petrification.
“A Cockatrice!” Broken shrieked in true terror, both hooves lifted upward to shield herself.
Yet within a few seconds, it was completed.
Standing upon the pedestal with tears running down both eyes, stood the statue of a terrified mare. Her face truly capturing the passion of fear, sorrow, and heartache.
Ponyville was in an absolute uproar!
Ponies of every type darting in all directions at once. The wicked sounds of Cockatrice hisses filled the air, more than a few pony statues littering the immediate vicinity. All except for one grey pegasus hiding behind an abandoned trading booth, her mane a golden bubbly blonde.
“What's happening!?” I ran over to the saddened little pony in worry, her off-center honey hues looking up to me with despair.
“I just don't know what went wrong!?” The pegasus bit her lower lip sheepishly.
“I believe it must be connected to this cocky mayhem!” Sunny poked her head out of my hair with a sarcastic snort.
“Maybe a little?” The pony gave a shrug.
A group of mares running towards the mayor's office suddenly petrifying into a couple of new statues. I knew this was going to get much worse if somebody didn't do anything quickly, so with a loud groan, I reluctantly volunteered.
“What's making these things all wonky tonk!?” I asked in a stern but collected voice crossing my arms across my chest annoyed.
“I was delivering supplies to Zecora in The Everfree, but on my way dropped a package…” The pegasus could hear a loud crash in the background, her ears folding back gently.
“It contained Cockatrice Essence, didn't it?” My lips pursed in a deadpan manner.
“Just a smidge! But lucky for us I was also delivering the repellent, I dropped it somewhere in town along with all my other packages.” The tiny pegasus lunged out towards me surprisingly fast, her eyes pleading for help.
“Then go get it!” Sunny growled down to the pony in a huff.
“I would, but my insurance doesn't cover petrification! Only incineration…” The mare lowered her head in shame.
“What color package was it in?” I sighed kneeling down to the pony, giving her a gentle hug of compassion.
“Blue.” She sniffled sadly.
“Stay still I'll go and grab…” I was suddenly cut off by this odd grey pony nudging my arm with her muzzle.
“Actually it was definitely Red…” Her ears perked up high a few seconds later.
“Nope, I'm a hundred percent sure it was Yellow! Scratch that it's pink…” I could just narrow my eyes flabbergasted by her uncertainty.
“Whatever.” I took a deep breath before pouncing out into the open bravely.
Only to be just as quickly tackled back into a bundle of bushes. I hit the ground hard with a loud thud and whimper, Spike growling as he pinned me to the ground with anger burning in his eyes. I struggled in place but found his grip surprisingly strong for his size, soon huffing as I went limp under his strength.
“What!?” I blew a loud raspberry.
“I can't let you fight a bunch of Cockatrice! Are you crazy goat!?” Spike snapped in frustration, letting my wrists go as he rolled off my chest.
“Well, I need to get to The Everfree! Even if it means I have to beat off a few cocks!” I arched my thin brow towards the little dragon nonchalantly.
“Are you always this persistent?” He groaned under his breath, poking his head out to survey the area.
“Only around dorks.” I curled my lips into a playful smirk.
“Grrr, I see two boxes over in the park.” Spike took a calming breath as my head poked out of the bush next to his.
“Nice, one for each of us!” I giggled.
“I'll take the one near the trees, you grab the one near the fountain.” I could tell he was nervous just by his voice, yet he still had the courage to face his problems head-on.
It was quite admirable if I was totally honest.
“Aye! Look at you taking charge!” I nudged his shoulder with my elbow.
“We're so dead…” Spike rolled his dark green eyes exploding out of the bushes as he flew over towards the Ponyville park.
I waited for the hissing cockatrice swarm to start rushing over towards Spike's direction. Smoothing out my leafy dress, I darted swiftly towards the park myself. My hooves clicking delicately across the cobblestone walkway of the empty market.
It must be nice to fly over to places I thought. I'd like to see him run wearing a breezy little dress like mine. Performing a rolling cartwheel I hid amongst the bushes of the park, glancing over to the distance to see Spike flaming an off guard cockatrice.
The creature squealing loudly as it ran off into the horizon with a butt full of green flames. I couldn't help but giggle at the crazy sight, spotting the pink package laying on the grass near the large marble fountain.
“Sunny?” I shook my head gently to summon my friend.
“Yes, Ms. Goat?” She quipped with a tone of innocence, poking her head into the open.
“I'm a, never mind…” I grumbled.
“Need to break for the box, can you be a distraction?” Green eyes glanced up to my Breezie friend.
“I suppose, but how!?” She replied quite uncertain.
“Easy, like this!” I snatched her out of my hair, chucking the tiny creature screaming hard as I could into the distance.
Several Cockatrice easily darting after her in an annoyed rage. I had my opening, front flipping out of the bushes I made my way to the box, easily snatching it up.
“Yes!” I giggled opening the lid, an explosive wave of confetti nearly blinding me as I stumbled backward and fell into the fountain with a splash.
Spitting out a stream of water from my mouth, I felt myself huff aloud. My fur soaking wet from head to hoof, a crushed birthday cake in the pink box mocking me. Before I could collect my thoughts a loud hiss screeched across the late afternoon sky.
A straggling Cockatrice leaping towards me insanely. I screamed clutching my eyes shut as I held the box in front of myself like a shield, the dumb creature accidentally jumping inside with a dull thump.
You didn't have to ask twice. I slammed the lid shut and doing the first thing which came to mind. I stood up and punted the hellishly made Cock-in-the-box far off into the horizon as I could. Collapsing back onto my rump with another wet splash, my sanity being tested today.
I glanced over to Spike, as I lowered into the fountain out of view. The tiny dragon being chased by three angry little monsters, his claws dug deeply into the red box in his grasp. I felt myself gasp in worry, a Cockatrice dashing head-on towards Spike.
To my surprise he lowered his body headbutting the creature with a thunderous clack, I found myself giggling as I watched it hit a tree before passing out. A second monster trying to flash a red gaze to the dragon, only to be burst into wild green flames.
The cockatrice squealing as it ran off into the nearby woods, nearly nude missing every feather on his body. Collecting my strength I darted out of the fountain, narrowing my eyes to the last attacker sneaking up on Spike.
Taking out my Guidebook, I flung it at full strength into the distance. The oversized tome crushing the cockatrice in a flurry of feathers, Spike merely turning around with a hearty chuckle.
“Ha, thanks!” Spike opened the red box slowly, frowning as it was full of broken toys for a colt.
“I was really hoping that was arghh!” I felt a few sprinkles of bath salts hit me in the eyes.
“Never throw me again!” Sunny fluttered over towards us pouting, my eyes burning as if I just gazed into the sun for an hour.
“You threw her!?” Spike scrunched his nose confused.
“Kinda?” I glanced to the dragon with tear-soaked eyes.
“At least I found the blue box, it was full of bath salts!” Sunny blew me a raspberry before flying into my hair.
“That just leaves yellow.” I wiped my eyes with a feminine wrist.
Spike gulping as his head turned towards the market. A truly oversized cockatrice stood his ground proudly, at least double the size as the dragon himself. Long razor-sharp talons clutching the box in its grasp, waiting bravely for anything to dare challenge it.
“I'll take him on!” I spoke up with a deep breath, everything in my vision just a bunch of grey blotches.
“As if blindy!” Spike snorted.
“I'm not ahhh!” I squealed girlishly as the dragon tail swiped me, I fell on the grass beside my book flustered, watching as the little purple firecracker darted off to his newest foe.
How could something so tiny, be so full of courage?
Though I had to admit, he could handle himself way better than I could. My strongest attack being to kick something and run away.
“BAWK!” The massive foe threatened as it stood under a nearby flower shop.
“Show no fear.” Spike shivered in anxiety walking ever closer to what surely would be his doom.
“Hiss!” It roared out in a frenzy.
“Bring it chicken butt!” Spike screamed with a large stream of flames exploding from his mouth.
“BAAAA…” An oversized pot of flowers suddenly came crashing down on top of the poor creature, crushing it into oblivion with ease.
I watched the yellow box tip over, a tiny snow globe rolling out towards a confused Spike. Derpy blushing a bright pink from embarrassment, the clumsy little pegasus accidentally having knocked the pot off the edge of the shop’s roof.
Part of me relieved that no fight would take place, I wasn't sure he could handle something like that. Galloping over with a light giggle I placed a reassuring hand atop the dragon's shoulder, it didn't need to be said that he did an excellent job tonight.
We waited for the pegasus to flutter down to the ground and greet us. In her hooves she clutched a tiny violet box, her muzzle scrunched in a look of absolute shame.
“It was Violet. I remembered dropping it atop The Florist Shop earlier, my bad.” She popped the lid open removing a vial of Cockatrice repellent.
To my surprise the book in my hands reacted to the tiny bottle, the guidebook glowing a bright turquoise blue as it shot a stream of magic into the vial. Lifting it up above our heads we watched in awe, the vial exploding into an elegant shower of golden sparkles.
Ponyville being coated in a warm shield of protection. The remaining creatures hidden around the vicinity turning docile and harmless, the many pony statues littering outside regaining their vibrant colors and returning to life.
“Now that's good repellent!” Derpy squealed in satisfaction before cantering off to check on her neighbors and friends.
“How did you?” Spike locked eyes with my own.
I wish I could answer his questions.
Yet this guidebook was indeed hiding many secrets.
Secrets I intended to find!
“I'm not sure, but I feel the answer might be…”
“In The Everfree?” The little dragon sighed feeling exhausted.
“Spike, I'm…” I wanted to apologize for acting a tad sarcastic earlier.
“Save it, this is going to be a long night.” Spike shook his head in dismay, both our gazes falling to the danger ahead of us.
“Bit to the left.” Mayor Mare squinted her eyes to the lovely statue of Broken Mold being positioned in the center of the park fountain.
This piece of art absolutely dripping with true passion and emotion. In fact, it seemed almost as if it could be alive, two stallions gently aligning her in the perfect spot for the whole community to enjoy.
“Absolutely perfect!” Mayor Mare chirped with glee, after tonight's fiasco she needed something to go smoothly.
The group of ponies leaving the park after a few minutes of idle chatter. Broken Mold left to enjoy the eternal silence that was the fate of any art piece.
A tiny blue jay landing atop her muzzle from a nearby tree. Chirping a melodic song annoyingly, with no sign of stopping anytime soon.
With nopony around, a single tear rolled down Broken Mold’s cheek.
Meanwhile In Dragon Shores...
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