Adventures in Equestria.

Being a college student has its perks, waking up in the forest is not one of them. Not being one to quickly panic I quickly got my bearing of the environment I was in. I was standing in the middle of a clearing; the trees around me, looking gnarled and black. Almost straight out of an evil forest from a movie. I could also hear a small stream babbling not far from my location.

Calling out I yelled “hello?”, and with no reply back I decided I would figure this shit out.

Pulling my backpack off I ran through its contents. My notebooks, laptop, chargers, pen, pencils, Bible, constitution (yes a pocket constitution don’t judge man), gloves, hat, needle thread, dinky first aid kit, water bottle, coat hanger, 2 granola bars, but best my leathermen. Putting my knife in my pocket and checking the bottle for water, I saw that I was out.

Talking to myself like any sane person, “I know my first order of business then water and shelter, I’ll figure out food later.” Standing up I threw my bag on and began to push into the trees and to the stream. The trees and underbrush were dense and hard to move through. Bursting out of the tree line I found the stream. While I might be able to start a fire with paper and my knife I had no way of boiling water. Risking it for a biscuit I decided I would try and take water from the stream directly hoping there was nothing toxic in it. Stretching my arms out I held my bottle under the water for just a second to fill it before withdrawing my hand and capping it.

Hearing a growl I quickly look up and standing just across the stream is a towing wooden wolf. A fucking wooden wolf, “I ’m sorry that just isn’t right man”. Straightening up I kept my eyes locked on the wooden wolf hoping this thing wasn’t about to pull a Jurassic Park on me I began to step back. Making the distance grow slowly the beast launched himself at me. That was my cue to bolt, running as fast as I could I ran hard and fast. Pushing through the trees I quickly made it back to my original clearing but not willing to stop I kept running. Branches and thorns cut me as I ran but there was no time to worry about shit so small. I had no clue if I was running deeper into the forest or not I just let my legs pick the direction and go.

As my legs carried me I began to move up a hill, and I realized the trees were growing thinner here, and large rocks began to appear. Behind me, I hear a howl as the wolf gives chase. Spotting a rickety bridge over a chasm I beeline to it. Not worrying about the stability of the thing I slam into the boards with my feet hearing them groan and crack under my weight. Making it across, I take a moment to turn around and see the wolf unwilling to cross the bridge. It just paces back and forth looking for another opportunity to get to me. How is it made of wood just how? “This is some magic bullshit, when are the vampires and witches coming for my ass?”

Not wanting to continue to give it that opportunity I continue to move at a jog. I see the ruins of what must have been an impressive castle at some point so I move that way. Pushing open the wooden doors I step inside while quickly slamming them shut behind me. Grabbing a nearby tree limb on the ground I jam the door behind me. Panting heavily from my mad dash just a moment ago I continued into the courtyard. Stones liter the floor from the walls and grass peaks between the cobbles. Must have been impressive when it was built, but judging from the decay it hasn’t been used in centuries. Seeing another set of doors leading inside I walk over to push them open. They creaked loudly to reveal a large foyer, large arches on either side with stairs on both sides and at the end is a central stairway leading off to God knows where. Hanging from the ceiling are fantastical banners, emblazoned on them are horses one golden and white with the sun the other a deep blue and black with a moon. Talking to myself again “Well I’m in the horse kingdom, what happened to Rohan then?”

Taking a quick break I slumped against a wall, pulling out one of my granola bars, and began to nibble it along with drinking some of my water. Not being willing to eat a whole bar or chug water I leave about half of both.

Musing on this I move deeper into the hall. It isn't sealed to the elements anymore so this isn’t going to work as a room for shelter. Hell, maybe there is a tower that is sealed still to the elements. Walking up the stairs I began to wander the halls, horse armor was everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I wouldn’t mention this if there was human armor around but there isn't. Regardless the horse suits have swords and spears strapped to them.

“Well, suit I’m gonna borrow these”, grabbing the short spear and sword I inspect them. Glancing down the blade there was no rust of decay on the binding. Curious I began to look over the other statues, and no rust or any sign of weathering on them either. Leaving this mystery like many of the others for later, I strap the sword to my backpack and hold the short spear. Feeling relieved at having something to defend myself with as I continue down the hall. Going past empty rooms and locked doors I make my way to the end of the hallway. It opens up with an arch onto the wall. Stepping back outside I look around the castle is large and there are towers still intact, the walls still mostly intact except where a tree or other object has pushed them down.

“Honestly speaking most of this damage looks like it was from decay and not war. Why would anyone leave a fortress-like this undefended or occupied with all this armor still here.” Looking further I see all around me I see a dense forest, with rolling fog that obstructs my view further. “Maybe there is some level of civilization out there, not like I can really do anything about it right now though.” Looking up, the sun was setting and the moon was rising next to it. “Alien world, alien moon, and alien sun, and a sun that sets next to a moon just as alien”

Making my way down the wall back into the courtyard I began looking through towers hoping for a sealed room. One by one I go through them, all being open to the elements though. I did find a woodcutting axe in one that looks like the old tools room. Realizing my hope for a tower that was sealed to the elements might be too hopeful, I walk to the last one and quite literally pull the door off its hinges. Looking in with little hope Was surprised by the fact this one is actually sealed for all but a small hole in the wall just by the ceiling.

Deciding to make do I gathered a little wood and attempted to make a fire. Remembering the book the Hatchet I quickly began striking the stones with the backside of the axe. Being rewarded with sparks I quickly used a bundle of paper and dried grass to catch it. Gently I blew and fed it, until I had a small warm fire, just under the hole. I didn’t want to die from smoke inhalation so I didn't dare make a larger one. Using the axe I gathered a little more firewood from the rogue trees in the courtyard to keep my fire going through the night.

Setting the decayed door back into place and resting back against the wall. I finally took the time to realize the situation I was in. I had no clue where or when I was, no idea where other humans were at. I had no food except my granola bars, and my nearest water source was the stream with wooden wolves that tried to eat me. Holding off a panic attack I began to nibble the other half of my granola bar and sip another fourth of my water. “Fuck, I’m fucked, I’ll midterms and finals over this shit. I didn’t want this”. Fiddling the ring around my neck I took deep breaths and I calmed myself a bit only for the exhausted to hit. I leaned against the wall as I felt sleep steal me away from this reality. The crackling fire gave me the only sense of warmth I had as I closed my eyes.