They say that when you die your life flashes before your eyes.
They lied.
When she almost died alone, cold, and scared there was no montage of her life playing before her during her last moments of lucidity.
At least none that she remembered.
Instead, of her life, she saw a figure. A being cloaked in cloth and warmth that she desperately desired herself. The being didn't speak or reach out to her in any known form. Instead, they slowly circled her as if determining if she was worth the dirt she laid on. Thief movements were silent despite being on top of several feet of snow.
Sweet begged.
Or at least tried to.
Unfortunately, a mixture of blood loss, shock, and pain made it nearly impossible to let a coherent sentence leave her throat. With this in mind, she stared at the figure. Using her eyes to say what her vocal cords failed to.
The figure merely stared back.
It was at this moment that her consciousness began to fade. With the black spots in her vision growing the pale pink Pegasus tried in vain to reach out with a hoof. Managing only two simple words.
"H-help...m-me".
The world turned black.
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Pain.
That was the first sensation that Sweet Cherry registered before she even regain full consciousness.
Deep, hot, searing pain.
The type of pain that could make even the most hardcore ponies curl into a ball with their tails tucked between their legs
As such the mare did the first thing that came to mind.
She screamed.
That seemed to only make it worse.
Closing her eyes tight Sweet gritted her teeth in pain as tears flowed freely down her cheeks. With each breath, she took her chest flared as if burned by the sun itself. Every fiber in her limbs ached in a way nearly unimaginable. It felt as if a fully grown dragon squeezed them in a way that would surely break a bone.
It was all too much.
It was at this moment that death seemed more of a mercy than she could ever imagine.
"Shhh there, there".
A voice old but kind entered her ears.
A second later she was pulled into a firm, but gentle embrace. Words of comfort and gentle assurances were fed into her ear. Giving an immediate sense of kinship that the mare desperately latched onto.
"It's okay the pain will fade away soon I promise".
As if on que the fire in her chest slowly began to lessen as did the aching of her limbs. When it was all over and Cherry was able to think logically once more she wanted nothing more than to close her eyes and drift off to sleep. She felt exhausted both physically as well as emotionally. Yet the individual that held her shook her into consciousness once more.
"Hey! I wouldn't do that if I were you, not unless you wanna experience that all over again".
As soon as the words left the mare's mouth she jolted awake. The thought of having to endure that type of agony alone triggered a flight or fight response.
Fortunately, the mare seemed to have sensed this coming.
She gently laid Sweet on the ground before giving her much-needed space as the Pegasus quickly tried to gather her bearings.
Looking around Sweet quickly realized that she was in a cave of some sort. A small one with an opening not far from where she lay. Speaking of which she was currently resting her head on a pile that was a mixture of grass and leaves. The types of which that when combined gave off a pleasant aroma. One that can easily lull any creature into a state of restful relaxation. Meanwhile, the cave itself had only a few items here and there. A chair made entirely of wood cloth that seemed to be made out of some type of fur and a book or two all took place near the end of the cave.
Turning her head Sweet Cherry stared at the mare before her. She was a munch older pony in terms of age yet she had more than enough time before she started developing a few grey hairs. The mare herself was a peached-colored Earth pony with a streaked mane that had green as well as a hint of blue. Her eyes were an unusual white color that gave off the possibility that she might be blind. Yet with the way she tracked Cherry as she moved downplayed that possibility. The mare's expression on the other hoof was odd. She looked both warily and concerned with a hint of anxious trepidation.
The pegasus opened her mouth to speak, yet no words came out.
The mare standing before her relaxed a little before offering her a reassuring smile.
"Yeah about that, unfortunately, you won't be able to speak at least for a day or so, but don't worry like everything else you're feeling it's only temporary".
The younger mare frowned before setting her gaze around the cave again.
When she was done and noticeably a lot calmer the began to speak once more.
"So I wanna start off by saying hi the names Vine and before you ask no that's not my real name".
Cherry blinked. Looking more than a little confused.
"I know it sounds kinda dumb but I prefer it then hearing my old name it's kinda like a dead giveaway to who I used to be". Not that im royalty or anything! So you don't have to worry about bowing your head or anything like that. I mean unless you are into that type of thing".
Upon seeing the expression Cherry was given Vine cleared her throat.
'Anyway welcomed to the Cave! It's a place that I've called home for about seven months now".
She gestures toward her right front hoof.
'I ended up breaking this baby while trying to climb up the mountain for something that sounded too good to be true".
She sighed dragging a hoof down her face in remembrance.
"Oh, it was bad that the pain alone had me screaming my lungs out. If that wasn't enough I ended up getting bit by a poisonous snake while climbing back down the mountain. Oh and that snake so happened to be the third venomous snake in all of Equestria!"
Cherry grimaced.
"It gets even worse!"Vine yells throwing her hooves up.
"Did you know snake venom makes you coco for Luna puffs?! So there I was in the middle of the mountain bad-mouthing a bush about the money he owned me in the third grade".
Cheery's lips curled into a smile.
"Then out of nowhere a Timberwolf of all things jumps out and tears a chunk right out of my shoulder".
The older mare paused to show off the wound.
Cherry couldn't help but cringe at the sight.
'So im laying here bleeding and about to die with a Timberwolf eyeing like im dinner when a being wrapped in a cloak jumps out and saves my flank from the game of death".
The mare chuckled before smiling.
"In short I ended up blacking out and waking up here the exact way you did".
The pegasus shivered. The pain that transpired is still fresh and vivid in her mind. However, with everything else going on, she manages to push that out of her mind. At least for now.
With everything that the mare told her and the similarities between them, she realizes that whoever saved her did so based on the fact of how close she was to death. With that said whoever they are must be magical in terms of power. There was no way she could have survived otherwise. To her knowledge, most magical positions would have been useless in assisting her, and yet here she was. Alive and well.
Mostly anyway.
Yet she also knew that certain spells existed that could bring one back from the brink of death. Spells that only a small percentage of unicorns can cast two maybe three.
Suddenly the sound of hoove steps can be heard emulating from the entrance.
Vine's expression turned from smiling to nervous concern in a matter of seconds.
Cherry watched in forced silence as the mare darted towards the foot of the cave before standing stock still. Her body is positioned in a way that was similar to a soldier greeting her commander.
A moment later two figures emerged from outside of the cave. Both of whom were covered in different colored cloths from head to toe.
"Xe chea hitnr to ij ufuro?" The taller one spoke. His voice was old and hitched. The munch smaller one tilted its head before replying.
"Poh'j temo".
Cherry watched as the party of three met with one another. Words were exchanged gestures were made and in the end, Vine nodded before circling her hoof over her heart and chest tapping it.
The taller one left. Leaving the mare and the smaller one standing where they were.
No words were spoken between them.
When he returned he brought with him a bowl that seemed to be streaming hot. Despite this, however, the smaller one wasted no time dipping a hoof inside. When the hoof was pulled out it was covered in a purple-like substance.
Cherry then watched in fascinated horror as the smaller one began dabbing Vine's face with it.
The older mare hissed but did not move.
The smell of burning flesh quickly began to film the cave.
It lasted only a minute or so before the hoof was pulled back.
More words, and gestures, then the trio left. Leaving only Cherry and a still panting Vine.
The mare turned her head. In doing so revealing her face. The pegasus expected blood, scars, and tears.
Instead, she was met with a smile and a pattern of distinct markings.
"Tonight is the night! Of oukt!" The Earth pony squealed running in circles.
Cherry blinked.
The night of what?
"Strap your boots on pegasus because if you think that this is weird wait until you see it tonight!"
Vine grinned almost like a mad mare.
In response, Cherry gulped.
She had a bad feeling about this.
The mare was scared.
More than anything Vine understood that, unfortunately, it wasn't like she had control over the situation. At least not when they were merely guests in someone's home.
More so the mare than herself.
Regardless she was tasked with showing up at tonight's ceremony. Refusing to do so can create some rather unfortunate circumstances.
Some are more painful than others.
Fortunately, the mare seemed a little more willing than she originally expected. That alone was good since she hadn't been forced to drag her kicking and screaming.
Now all that was left to do was for the mare to keep her head down and observe how things are done around here. The faster she learns the better her chances are at not angering the locals.
Tuip he hto oukt!
Tuip he hto oukt!
Tuip he hto oukt!
The sound of chanting reached Vine's ears as she made her way toward the circle. The mare on her back looked around in amazement around her. That alone was more than understandable. After all who expects to wake up inside a cavern full of warm air, and lush vegetation while also being surrounded by a people Equestria itself barely has any knowledge on.
The deer
A race is so ancient that they were thought to be the first race to have been around Equestria before Discord and much longer than the three tribes.
However, after chaos ended so to did the Deer and all the knowledge that came with them. No pony knows why or how it happened. Some blame Discord while others believe that they simply decided to move elsewhere. The Deer isn't exactly a social folk. From what was documented they purely kept to everyone but themselves. So much so that no one knows the extent of their culture or magical capabilities. Or even if they had magic at all.
The only thing that is known for sure is that when it comes to the Deer if you didn't follow their rules while under their watchful eye terrible things happened.
"Okay, all you have to do is keep your head up at all times and never for any reason move from your spot unless I say so".
Vine's voice was calm and instructive but the way, her eyes moved and her body kept having to move about even while walking told Cherry she was everything but calm.
Looking ahead the pegasus saw a massive open clearing with the color green as far as the eye can see. However what caught her attention the most where the sheer number of individuals there.
Some wore hoods with marking scattered all over their clothes. While others revealed themselves to the fullest and without fear. However, just like their hooded brethren, they also had markings. The only difference was that instead of cloth they used their bodies as a canvas.
The closer they came the more details she noticed. For instance, it seems that foals were more than welcomed. Some having choose to wear skulls of various animals. Some looking to be among their kind.
Cherry wanted to throw up.
However, the looked that the older mare gave her was enough for her to reconsider.
"Unless you wanna end up in a whole lot of pain keep it in your stomach!" She hissed.
Cherry lowered her ears in reply, nodding.
In return, the Earth pony relaxed before trudging forward head held high. Yet she was careful not to make any unnecessary eye contact when among the Deer.
Terrified, nervous, and intrigued the pegasus does munch the same.
Or tries to at least.
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Sweet Cherry unlike most ponies was a very open-minded mare. As such when it comes to something she doesn't know nor understand she tries her best to take the time to figure it out. That especially comes in handy when dealing with anything that wasn't a pony.
Her parents had claimed numerous times that it was her best feature about her. Especially when considering how overly skittish most ponies are.
Cherry has many tactics when it comes to those types of situations.
Well, mainly three.
One asks questions.
Two go with the flow.
Or three combined with a bit of both one and two.
"Stomp Your hooves!"
In this situation? Two seem most appropriate.
Following her advice, Cherry began to viciously stomp her hooves into the ground, munch like those around her.
Tuip he hto ykiqujen!
Tuip he hto ykiqujen!
Tuip he hto ykiqujen!
"Snarl!"
Again the pegasus did as she was told. A second later those around her began doing just the same. Looking more like feral cave dwellers than an intelligent accent race of creatures as told in the books.
Cherry was fascinated.
Still definitely terrified, but the longer this so-called ceremony went on the more her interest and confidence grew. Despite this however she still desperately wanted to go home. To a place most familiar and comforting. Fortunately, her parents always taught her to make do and be grateful for what she has.
She was alive.
She was safe, at least for now,
And above all she had a pony, she can hopefully rely on in times of need.
Sure things seemed a bit crazy right now, but anything is better than being left out to die on a mountain.
As such, she'll take what she can get.
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The mare was listening to her.
Good.
That made things easier to manage.
"JHEM!"
Everyone stopped.
Well almost everyone.
The new mare however was a tad slow and she paid for ir with a hoof to the gut. Thankfully it was one of the youngsters which meant it was more of kindness than anything else.
The pegasus grunted and looked as if she was gonna collapse from the blow. Fortunately, she was quick to recover. That alone was more than impressive considering the state she was in and how hard the punch was.
Tough mare.
A hooded figure stepped forward. Pedal her name was at least according to their language. Behind her was a sort of podium covered in cloth.
Here it comes.
"Hexuch fo jtupp xkinr wkinr wkequ hto zpeex ew eak jugiek unx mukuro in hto viwh to fipp zojhef amen aj upp!"
There was a roar of agreement.
One that Vine and the mare were quick to copy.
Pedal then shushed the crowd befor going over to the podium. Everyone watched including Cherry as the young female Deer stuck her head under the cloth before muttering some words in a soothing gentle voice.
They waited.
Vine held her breath.
Then ever so slowly the cloth began to move before a figure poked his head out.
Cherry gasped.
Only to grit her teeth in pain as a hoof planted itself firmly against her side.
As soon as the pain faded she looked again.
It wasn't a pony.
It wasn't a deer either.
Nor was it a Minotaur, a dragon, nor a zebra.
It was none of those things. Instead, it looked to be a new species altogether. Something akin to an ape but vastly different. Taller, lighter, with a frame that looked unique and alien.
Cherry was immediately transfixed.
The thing slowly moved as if It or rather he judging from a certain area that was halfway covered by leaves was expecting some sort of retaliation. When none came his movements began a lot more confident and relaxed.
Behind said creature were two male deer carrying a pot that looked to be made of stew.
Arriving at the center the brown-colored creature then gestured to place the pot down. Pedal who followed his every move with eyes wide with wonder and affection lowered herself to the floor next to him.
A sign of respect and submission.
The creature muttered a few words no one understood before reaching over and grabbing a sphere-like blade that one deer offered.
He then did something that Cherry didn't expect.
He cut his wrist.
Deep.
Blood immediately began pouring out the wound. As this happened the creature held his hand over the pot.
Once again Cherry wanted to throw up.
Surprisingly however it only lasted a moment before the bleeding completely stopped.
The creature then smirked arms opened wide seemingly in a come-all gesture.
Vine was the first to move.
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I slowly approached the pot and the Savior. Once I arrived I bowed my head in thanks to his offering as one is inclined to do when committing to this act. It was only a minute or two before I felt his digits begin to softly stroke my fur. I hum an old song, my mother used to sing to me as my face leans over the pot. Taking a deep breath I prepare myself for something that simply cannot be explained in a logical sense.
I dip my head in.
Almost immediately I felt it.
What did I feel?
Everything.
Every emotion, action, and thoughts of those around me present and future. I felt the movement of bugs underneath me as well as each blade of grass moved from under my hooves. I felt very dark and twisted thoughts that came into existence whether through the mourning of a loved one through murder or tragedy from a storm. I even felt Celestial's pain and sadness from having to banish her sister away for so long.
All that and more.
My head moves out of the pot and I take a deep yet shuddering breath. The Savior is watching me waiting for the inevitable.
I smile.
Sticking out my hoof I close my eyes and began to focus.
It wasn't long before I felt it.
Heat.
My hoof was on fire.
And I was enjoying every second of it.
Me and the savior locked eyes.
Together we grinned before locking limbs.
The fire didn't even touch his skin.
Author's Note
People seem to enjoy this so and that gave me the push I needed to enjoy lol
