The Ashen Wolf

P.O.V. None

The sun was rising on another day, shining through the windows of the Hospital. The hospital staff were preparing for the long day of work they had ahead of them.

*Beep….beep….beep…*

To the doctors, nurses, and certain patients, it was just another day. Another day of saving lives, and attempting to save lives. But to one teenager, it was his last

*Beep…...beep…...beep…*

He had two tumors...both were inoperable, and both were killing him. Chemo did nothing to them, and there were no other treatments he could qualify for.

*Beep……..beep……*

To say he was prepared to die would be a lie. No one, not even a solider, is prepared to die. He had merely accepted that his fate was inevitable, and went on living his life as normal as he could.

*Beep………beep……….*

His friends were...downtrodden...at first. They tried their best to pretend nothing was wrong, but as time went on and he began having difficulty even lifting a plastic spoon...well, they cried. He had made a pretty big impact on their lives, cheering them up when they were sad, helping them with everything that he could, and yet they could do nothing to help him.

*Beep…………...beep………….*

He felt his time coming, but he had no last words. A nurse passing by saw the heart rate monitor was close to flatlining. Panic quickly ensued, with doctors trying to save him. They either didn’t know, or didn’t care, that his time had come. Well that and his terminal condition.

*Beeep………..*

He knew his end was aproaching, so he prayed to the gods he worshiped. He prayed to the Father of Time, Nox, and the Mother of Creation, Vex. He prayed, not for a better life, but for a life filled with challenges and hardships...more so than in his current. Unbeknownst to him, Vex and Nox were listening, judging his worth as compared to his request...and as fate would have it, his worth far outweighed it.

*Beep…….Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-*

As his final second in the realm of the living ended, so did end his bindings to his physical form. His soul was carried into the cradle of life, the spectral plane, and there he spoke with Nox and Vex. They asked him many questions...but one they asked carried more weight than the rest. They asked him why he would want a life with more hardships, rather than one without. His response was simple, respectful, and confident.

“So that I may again learn all that I have learned, and more.”

The gods shared a look of surprise, and respect. Many a mortal had asked for a harder life after theirs...but no mortal had ever answered that question in a way was not self loathing, or saddened. They decided they would grant his request...but with toexception. He would remember his previous life, and would be placed in an adults body. After that, he would be on his own. He, of course, agreed to the terms. That was the last act in this life.

He opened his eyes to a forest, small rays of sunshine coming through a thick canopy of leaves..and Rainbow apples. After learning how his now quadruple, wooden, body moved, he used a small creek running nearby as a mirror. He was a wolf...of sorts. His body was comprised of wood, white ashy wood, red leafy ears, and orangish-red eyes. His only thought was...well it was more of a question

“What do I even eat?”

P.O.V. Ash

After I questioned my idiotic first comment, I examined myself extensively. I decided to call myself Ash, half because of the nature of my appearance, and half because I loved The Army of Darkness.

‘So, I am plantlike in every aspect physically...as far as I know...yet I have the shape of a predator. I don’t feel hungry, so chances are I have either already eaten or I photosynthesize.’ I thought to myself. Before I could question my new form more, I heard voices...faint at first, but steadily getting louder. They were getting closer to me, so I hid amount the bushes. After a while, I saw a mismatched Frankenstein’s monster looking creature, and a purple pegicorn.

“Eris, why are you following me?” The pegicorn asked

“Because Twilight, I feel Chaos in the air...well that and Fluttershy wanted me to keep an eye on you. She’s concerned for your well being.” The mismatch creature said

‘Okay, purple pegicorn is called Twilight, and the other one is Eris. Are the populace of this world talking animals?’ I asked myself, before slowly following after them. After a few minutes, the one called Eris stopped, did a full 180, and stared at the bush I was hiding.

“Are you really going to stalk us?” She asked...me

“Eris...who are you talking to?” Twilight asked

‘She can...how can she...well might as well answer if she can see me.’ I nod

“Very well, enjoy the view from back there then.” She said, before turning and walking again

“Eris! Who’s out there?” Twilight asked, clearly annoyed

“A new species.” She stated

‘So, not only am I in a new world, I am an entirely new speci- Purple Horse Psycho alert’ I thought when I saw Twilight’s face widen into a grin akin to that of Hannibal Lector’s smile.

“New...species?” She said, snapping her head in my direction

I bolted in the opposite direction. ‘And we’re running!’ I thought to myself as I ran. Even when I rammed into a stone wall thing, I didn’t stop. I didn’t stop until I reached the edge of the forest. Upon which I noticed a town, and a cottage next to the forest. The cottage was surrounded by animals of all sizes, and there was a butter Pegasus.

‘Animal lover much?’ I thought to myself. I started to recede back into the forest, but then I took notice of something else. I was leaking sap, and starting to get tired. ‘Must of happened when I hit that wall. What are the chances that Pegasus is a vet as well?’ I questioned before walking limping over to the cottage. I made it to approximately 2 yards away from the cottage before I collapsed and my vision darkened. ‘Damnit me, why do you always have to get hurt within five minutes of arriving somewhere?’ The last thing I heard before I blacked out was

“Oh my…”