Chapters Carrot Top ran as fast as she could, screeches and screams reverberating behind her. They had attacked.
Those dreadful creatures had attacked, and now they were hunting her. And all she could do was run. She tried to double her running speed, her hooves almost flying over the grass. She could see the forest edge; she was almost there. Many had said the Everfree Forest was a danger, but at this point, it was better than being in town.
She hit the forest brush at breakneck speed. The trees and bristly plants scratched against her fur and slapped against her face. After going through the brush, she came to halt, looking around at the dark and horrifying forest. She glanced up at the trees that stretched out far in the air. Finally able to catch her breath, she listened, listened for the horrible shrieks and the sounds of their approach.
Nothing. Not so much as a bird call could be heard. The only thing to greet her was the darkness that seemed to be dancing along the ground, in a battle with the small patches of sun that managed to sneak through the canopy.
She walked over and sat down at the base of a large tree, pausing to regain her breath and look over her situation, thinking back to what brought her here in the first place.
The Royal guard had been sent across all of the town to warn of the oncoming danger, to take the foals out, and then they said they would come back for the rest of them. However, by then, they were too late.
She had begun the day like any other, watering her garden and talking to the few of her friends left in town including the Cakes. I hope they got out safely, she thought for a moment. While they were in town, she and her friends were hoping they would get out in time.
But then she had heard the screeches and the cries of ponies all over town, and she knew it was too late.
She trotted as fast as her legs could carry her, but one of those beasts must have caught her, and chased her into the forest. Carrot Top just wanted it to end, hoping it would be just a dream. Nothing like this ever happened in Equestria, ever. Surely, this was some sort of nightmare.
She began thinking, Where could I go? Who lives in th- Wait! I heard the zebra called Zecora lives here. Maybe she could help me, Carrot Top thought, a spark of hope in her. She tried to get her bearings, attempting to spot land marks that could point her in the right direction. She was a gardener, not a explorer; she was not used to or prepared for any sort of situation like this. She didn't even know which way Zecora's home was!
After a moment, she chose a random direction. Looking back and forth, she decided to go more to the right, where it didn't look as covered in thicket and thistles as the other directions.
Taking a breath, she began her walk down the path that seemed to be getting darker with every cautious step she took. She began to flinch at every sound or shadow. She was getting nervous. She didn't know what was wrong with her; her paranoia had increased with each second. Unbeknownst to her, three sets of eyes were watching her every move, waiting...
An entire hour went by, and Carrot Top had been walking with no idea where she was going. For the whole hour, she wandered, feeling like she made a wrong move. She thought she would have been at Zecora's by now. By that time, the forest seemed to have gotten used to her, and the birds and animals now continued to make their calls out to each other. They seemed to have accepted her into the forest community. It was beautiful, now that she wasn't completely scared out of her wits.
Perhaps this is why the timid Pegasus, Fluttershy, spent so much time here. Too bad I had to come here under these circumstances, she thought bitterly. But something caught her attention.
Do I smell smoke?
Looking up, she scanned what she barely saw of the sky for the source of the smell. She could barely make out a small smoke stack rising out from the forest about a mile off to her left. Now that has to be Zecora's! she thought, becoming simultaneously excited and relieved. All of her survival instincts that the adrenaline resulted in seemed to have disappeared with the hope of another's company. She broke into a run, ignoring the branches and thorns that smacked her as she galloped into and or by them. She just wanted to know she wasn't alone in this ominous forest.
It took a few minutes, but soon, she came crashing out of the dense trees into a clear area, in the middle a nice, humble hut. Lanterns hung across the edges, and posts with masks spread out. She had no doubt it was Zecora's house; who else did anypony know that lived in these woods?
Running up to the door, she knocked loudly, shouting, "Zecora! I need your help. Ponyville has been attacked and-"
She stopped when the door slowly creaked open. Stepping in, she immediately felt something was off. She froze, every limb in her body shivering at the same time as she knew her worries were confirmed.
Walking on blood soaked floor, a pair of blood red eyes stared out from the darkness.
________________________________________________________________________________
“Come on, Lyra!” Bon-Bon called out as they ran through the forest at full speed.
“We really should exercise more!” Lyra said, panting, obviously beginning to tire as sweat ran down her face.
“Well, maybe if you would quit sitting on the park benches all the time, we could!" Bon-Bon said. She, too, was beginning to tire, though she still had her sense of humor, even when being chased by flesh eating creatures.
Lyra glared at her, her look reading, This isn't the time. She looked back to where they were running.
During the attack, they had gotten separated from a few of the others, including the Cakes. Several of these creatures broke off from their group to chase them. They both hoped the others made it, because it looked like this would not end well.
A loud, blood-curdling scream that echoed out from their left made them stop in their tracks. It was then cut off, followed by a even more terrifying screech. They were about to take off, when a chorus of screeches sounded from all around them. They were surrounded.
In front of them, a creature stepped out into their view. They faltered, almost becoming petrified with terror.
The creature was pitch black, with blood red eyes. It stood about the size of the Princesses. Its mouth was four folds of flesh that, when they opened up, revealed multiple sharp teeth. Its claws looked like they could cut through dragon skin. The creature tilted it head, its eyes almost reading them while they were so busy staring at this abomination of nature.
So distracted were they with this beast, that they did not realize the two other coming from the sides. Before they could even realize this, it was too late.....
"Move quickly!" One large well built stallion yelled out to the squad of 20, Royal Guards stationed inside the train car. Obediently they exited, quickly looking around all too aware of the possible dangers lurking in the poor town. Ponyville Once a beacon of peace to travelers now a burning fire of ash and smoke. Dinky Hooves looked out from around a large barrel in the cargo car of the train, waiting until all the Guards had exited. She had stowed away from Canterlot, to get here with the help of her friends. Slowly she eased over to the door of the train, Looking out she was shocked at what she beheld, a horrible scene burnt buildings and bodies all over.
But that didn't matter right now, her Mother Derpy Hooves had stayed behind in the town. She had to find her mom. Ignoring the scene and the calls of the few guards that spotted her she dashed out from the train car running through the chaos and horror. Glancing to her right while she ran she saw the town Library, although is looked more like a burnt out tree now. Books torn to shreds on the street and giant scratch marks of a large beast adorned the side of the library. Then she finally came to a stop, at her house. A burnt mess just like the rest of the town, her heart sunk with horror and sadness.
Her mother.
She ran into the house swinging the half intact door open glancing around worriedly, shes not here. Her eyes rested on a piece of paper untouched by the flames or mess that was all over the house. Slowly she walked over to it, her breathing becoming quicker for fear and hope of what was on the paper, maybe her mom escaped? That glimmer of hope ushered her to pick up the letter and read. She closed her eyes, herself full of hope but an equal portion of dread at what she would find. Could her mother have gotten out in time and left a note for her? Or maybe it was a goodbye.... No! Her mother must be alive. She looked down and read.
Dear Dinky my daughter,
I am writing to say I'm sorry. It has gotten a lot worse since the first trains left for Canterlot and took you with them. They have not returned, and the town has been quarantined and I fear I will not be meeting up with you in Canterlot. They came from the shadows and now scour the town, looking for us ponies. Carrot Top was one of the first to go, then the Cakes—it was horrible. I am glad you were not here to see it. I am sooo sorry. I love you dear, with my whole heart and my whole soul. I just wish I could see you again. I know I have not been the brightest mother, but I will miss the fun times we had in the park together and our days baking muffins. I now look over our pictures of us together, playing in the sunshine. It fills me with happiness in these last moments.
But sadly, by the time you get this, I fear I will no longer be here, but as long as I draw breath, I shall not stop until I am with you again, sweetie. I am living off my muffins; my dream, right? But I would rather be with you, for a thousand muffins would not replace you. You are my happiness and my life.
Oh, no! They are breaking down the door! I am so sorry, honey, but I shall not see you again; just know that I love you.
Goodbye, honey. I love you.
Your mom, Derpy
I'm so sorry. I just don't know what went wrong.
Dinky looked over the letter, straining not to cry, but it was a losing battle. The letter itself was covered in dried tear stains from her mother; she must have been in tears writing this.
And now... she was gone. Her mother was gone, forever.
Dinky could not hold back her pain and sorrow any longer, and so she wept. "Mother!" she cried out in agony, collapsing and weeping on the floor, the letter held tightly against her chest. Why? Why did it have to be her?
She continued crying her heart out until she could weep no more. Recovering, she sat up, looking down sadly. She read over the letter again.
"For a thousand muffins would not replace you," she whispered. Looking over that sentence, tears welled in her eyes once again.
She managed a smile. Her mother was obsessed with muffins, and still she was worth more to her mother than them! She was always by my side, when I was sad, and when I was angry, my mother stood by my side... she thought but now that she's gone. I miss her... I love my mother... more than the sunlight. I would give it all up to see you again mother.
Dinky looked around the house, not wanting to look at the letter again. The place was a mess. Shelves destroyed, tables turned to splinters, dishes shattered and a whole portion of the house smoldering. Unusual scratch mark that cut deep within even the stone was all around the house, leading to the kitchen. She didn't dare go into the kitchen, for that was where her mother was last, and she knew what she would find.
She walked over to the fireplace. There was only one picture still left standing on it. She just managed to reach up and grab the picture. It was a picture of her and her mother laughing and sitting on a grassy hill, with the picnic basket open filled to the brim with muffins. The smiles on their faces were as bright as Celestia's sun. Dinky grinned, but it pained her to look at it any longer.
She turned away; she couldn't look at it any longer. Walking out the door and into the streets, letter in hoof, the smell of soot and ash overwhelmed her. She looked around.
She had come home with the Elements of Harmony; they were in Canterlot when this horrible chain of events happened. There were several guards walking around the town, weapons at the ready. Over to her left was where Sugarcube Corner once was, but now it was just a pile of ash. Pinkie Pie was a mess, her mane deflated and literal streams of tears coming from her eyes. She was crying on the shoulder of Applejack, her friends looking equally as grim. Fluttershy was a shriveling mess, tears in her eyes on the ground crying over the destruction and intense moment.
Dinky sighed and sat down on a patch of grass—or what was left of the grass. She finally fully noticed most of the town was burnt to ashes. Houses still smoldering, poor ponies about covered in soot and ash. It took the Elements and the guards too long to get here, and they were too late to prevent or stop the tragedy.
A single guard walked up to her, putting his hoof on her shoulder for reassurance. She needed it bad. It was almost as if she was just plunged deep into a dark abyss.
"It's okay," he said, glancing around at the destruction that surrounded them. Obviously, he appeared distressed as well, but he managed to keep totally stoic, except for the small smile on his face glancing down at her.
It didn't help much, but it gave her some comfort. She shed another tear, clutching the letter tightly. Sadness wasn't the only thing she felt. There was also anger—anger for the monsters that did this horrible crime, they where creatures that in legend even made the Changelings fear them. And even the Dragons supposedly avoided them at all costs. But at this moment, it didn't matter. The letter was one of the few items she had left of her mother, and she would keep it with her always.
But what would she do now? She was only a filly, now an orphan. Where would she live? She clutched her eyes shut, the weight of the situation crushing down on her. "I just don't know what went wrong."
Thump!
"What was that sound?"
"I don't know, sir."
"Rrrraaaaawwwwwwrrrrr!"
The Everfree Forest rested peacefully in the outskirts of Ponyville, all of its creatures roaming in silence and tranquility. Only a hum of ambient noise resonated, giving the forest a serene feel.
It was broken, however, by a loud scream. “Ahh!”
The mare who screamed dived away from something, weaving through the forest's many vines and stumps. Her heart pounded as she picked up the pace. Many animals clearing the area hid in their homes. The sound of leaves crunching and the thumps of her assailants pursuing her was all that could be heard.
She again dived toward a log with speed that even surprised her. She scurried under the large log and waited, holding her breath, hoping she was completely hidden.
The vibration from her pursuers inched closer, but then they stopped... right by her. Fluttershy felt as if her heart would burst out of her chest. Her breathing was erratic, fear shaking her down to her core. She could only see the ground, so looking at her pursuers was not possible.
However, she could hear it hunting her. It growled, low and of contemplation. She heard it circling the area.
She hoped her friends and innocent ponies like Dinky got out alright. Tears rolled down her cheeks, crashing in silence to the ground. Her friend's welfare was all that seemed to be on her mind.
Snapping leaves from behind her snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned her head to find herself face to face with the creature.
“Ahhh!” was all she could get out before it rammed into the log, sending her flying. She crashed to the ground with a thud. Before she could get back on her hooves, the log crashed down on her leg, and there was a sickening snap; the sound of breaking bones.
She screamed a third time, pain wrenching her body as spasms of agony shot through her leg and up into her lower back. Attempts to pull her leg out were useless. She was trapped.
Yet the creature was nowhere to be seen. She looked in a panic, knowing those monsters never gave up in hunting its prey. She saw too many to believe otherwise.
Then she saw it. Standing about eight meters away, staring at her, its four folds that made up a mouth opened, revealing saliva and teeth. So many teeth. Fluttershy froze, frozen in horror. I'll never be able to see my friends again... she thought, tears coming out in streams.
Once more, she tried with all of her might to free her leg, but to no avail. She saw blood seep out from her wound, sliding down her leg until it dropping onto the dirt. The creature let out a shriek, a horrible sound flying through the trees like a bird does with ease.
It lowered its head towards her, charging straight at her. It closed the distance very quickly before rearing up, readying its long, sharp claws to deliver a final blow. Fluttershy closed her eyes, preparing herself for the end.
Before it could strike, a loud, deep roar echoed through the forest as a large body slammed into the creature, sending in and its attacked tumbling. The roar was distinguishable. She then saw the tail and the body, and knew.
A Manticore.
The Manticore stroke the creature across the face, biting at its neck, hoping to hit its jugular. The creature in response snapped back with its rows of teeth, slashing desperately to get its attacker off. Blood already began to soak its pelt from the gashes caused by the bite.
Determined, the Manticore slashed back. The creature managed to roll off, jumping up to prepare itself for the next attack. The Manticore dodged quickly, landing and readying its tail. It swished it out with lightning fast speed, striking and then returning just as fast. The creature yelped as the Manticore's tail went straight through its sin, barely missing anything major.
Before the Manticore could deliver another blow, the creature jumped onto one of the trees. It climbed up and vanished into the canopy above. The Manticore searched, scanning the area with intense, observing eyes. It found nothing but trees.
Growling, it made its way over to Fluttershy. Her chest heaved, her breath becoming raged. She could not stop shivering. Why couldn't she stop?
She stared up at the animal, surprised. It lifted the log with ease, setting it to the side. It looked down at her with soft eyes, the eyes any animal would use when gazing upon its children. Fluttershy managed a weak smile.
“Thank you,” she managed between breaths of pain. She sat herself upright.
The Manticore nuzzled her softly. Immediately, though, it backed off, eyes up and hair on end. It heard something...
Fluttershy's eyes shot around, realizing they had forgotten the creature.
It came from the side, ramming straight into the Manticore. Latching onto its beck, the creature's teeth dug into the Manticore's tough hide. The Manticore let out a roar of anger and swiped furious to get the creature off.
Blood began pouring down the creature's mouth as it drew more and more blood, despite the Manticore's attempts. Blood was now gushing forth, dripping onto both of them. The creature started to lose its tight grip. Both had tired out rather fast in their fight.
The creature tore a chunk off as it broke off the Manticore, tumbling to the ground. The Manticore, using the last of its strength, charged up. It sank its teeth into the creature's neck and with a jerk of the head, snapped its neck.
The Manticore stood there, blood running down its neck, before collapsing, its strength and will gone. Fluttershy managed to crawl over, looking over the poor animal with teary eyes.
“Thank you,” she choked out through sobs. She could not repay this soul who had helped her and saved her life. “You didn't deserve this.” She kissed its forehead softly.
The Manticore then shut its eyes, life flowing out of its body, until it moved no more.
