The Green Room

by Toodle Flip

Rating: everyone
Tags: Other, Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 11656

What started as a simple hike turned into a disaster. Now alone, Ginger Snap must use her Filly Scout training to survive in the Everfree and await rescue from ponies who may never come.

Ginger Snap had waited for this day. Waited for the opportunity to earn her next patch. She could feel the adventure in the air. She might even get her cutie mark to boot. A short tumble changed all of this. Now trapped in the Everfree, Ginger Snap must figure out how she is going to survive in the wilderness with an unknown chance of rescue. Her dreams of adventure became all too real...

Thanks are given to Scintillance for editing.

Published 2013-04-22 21:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-04-30 15:44:57 UTC

Prologue: The Green Room

Trotting along the street, Ginger Snap, readied herself for the big Filly Scout hike for the day.

Today is the day, thought Ginger, as she moved past Sugarcube Corner, taking in the sweet aroma of the bakery. Today will be the day I will get my Cutie Mark. I just know it!

She spots Featherweight and Pipsqueak and waves to them. The two stop talking, and turn towards Ginger. She stops for a moment, thinking about Featherweight. Feather looks different. He almost seems smaller. I wonder when he will start growing?

Collecting her thoughts, Ginger noticed the two were waving to her, and she was only able to catch the last few words losing the rest of the sentence, “Hope you do well today!”

Smiling, and on her way Ginger trots along until she reaches the Carousel Boutique, where a large group of fillies, and one stallion waited. Ginger thought as she continued down the dirt road, Odd, the clock at home said I was on time. I didn’t spend that long with Pips or Feather, so I wonder what happened?

Quickly adjusting her sash, she moves towards the group and asks Archer, “Am I late or is everypony early this morning?”

Archer, flipping her cobalt blue mane, turned her head around and addressed Ginger, “We all came early because the Crusaders said we needed to start early if we wanted to get our patches.” Archer shifted, “I can barely contain myself, I mean, we get to hike up on a mountain near the Everfree! Think of the adventure, the opportunities!”

Ginger responds, “Always to the point, are we, Archer? Who knows, the CMC might get their cutie marks. Doubtful though, none of them seem like hiking would be their special talent.”

All the fillies quiet down as Magnum, a large white stallion with a brown mane and three hoofballs as a cutie mark, speaks, “Alright Filly Scouts, we are beginning our hike today. Any questions?” Three zealous fillies raise their hooves. “And no, I can’t guarantee a Cutie Mark coming from this hike. You do however, get another badge for your sashes!” Magnum holds a small badge in his hoof showing an earth pony with a walking stick.

Ginger thinks for a moment, ‘With this badge, I might finally be able to move up in rank!’ She begins to dance in place, and the others begin to stare. She looks at the others and sheepishly smiles at them saying, “I’m really excited?”

Magnum laughs for a moment, “I remember when I was young and enthusiastic. I’m glad to see you are too. Before we go, remember to check your equipment and buddies!”

The fillies pair up, leaving Ginger alone. She doesn’t speak however, thinking, this is my chance to prove myself and show the world who I am! Who knows how far this could get me?

Ginger checks her saddlebags, seeing a canteen with water and some trail mix. Looking up again, she sees the other with an assortment of things, ranging from walking staffs, to even a small tent or sleeping bag carried by Scootaloo. Ginger thinks for a moment about the Orange Crusader, I wonder why she has a tent? Maybe she is going camping afterwards… Scootaloo begins to hum with excitement, her wings beating like hummingbirds, and for a moment, she achieves flight. She looks and notices, but crashes into the ground, causing her purple mane to become covered in dirt and dust.

Magnum states, “We’re moving now,” and begins walking towards the mountain. Time seems to fly for Ginger as soon the town fades into the distance, and the looming mountain where smoke once came from grows larger by the second.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders are jumping around, asking Magnum questions about whether or not they will get their Cutie Marks. Ginger thinks and giggles to herself, They probably won’t get it if they keep asking…

The soil turned almost suddenly to rock, and turned uphill. The sheer rock face was intimidating to Ginger, who, without a partner, had only herself to talk to.

Ginger thought back to the time when the dragon lived up on the mountain, and the Elements of Harmony went up there. She thought, I wonder if the dragon left anything behind? Who knows what I might find? I think that is an adventure for another time though…

Magnum eventually stops and says, “We need to be careful here, as rock slides are very common. Keep an eye on your buddies.”

All the fillies move closer together, looking out for danger, while Ginger hops along. The rocks begin to skitter, and most of the fillies freeze, looking for falling boulders. Ginger looks over the edge of the mountain, looking deep into the Everfree.

Magnum turns his head towards the group and whispers, “Let’s keep moving, we can’t finish the hike if we sit here.”

The fillies murmur amongst themselves, eventually calming themselves and following magnum down the path. With that, the clouds became larger, and seemed almost like cotton candy. The danger had passed.

Ginger, following at the back of the group, decides to take a small break, drinking some of her water. After fiddling through the saddlebags, she drinks from her canteen and replaces it. She can still hear the CMC talking to Magnum. She takes a step closer to the edge, to get a better look at the forest. To her, the forest looked a carpet of green spreading across the world. The greens all coming together into a beautiful pattern, until her cream and orange mane drops in front of her eyes. I think the wind must be getting pretty strong up here.

Her hat becomes aloft, and she moves towards the cliff edge to grab it. She places it atop her head, and sighs. If only I could go on an adventure. Like something out of a Daring Do book.

At the top of the mountain, a wind blew. It had not started there… No, it had been moving for thousands of years; it was an end. It had seen many things in it’ days, so many strange things from the Mountain of Mist. At the last leg of its journey it did the unthinkable, it made a change. Instead of flowing freely like some, having indirect changes on the world, it decided to do something different and challenge the Earth itself. It only had enough strength to push a small rock. The rock tumbled down, deep into the earth, and a crack was made.

A lone filly scout, standing on the edge of the cliff was this change. One life, changed forever. A crack spread behind Ginger Snap. It grew in size, and when she saw the crack, she could only gaze in fear. No scream was made, just silence. The world a passing flow of colors until black strikes her eyes.

Time passed, and after the wind’s battle with the earth, a great fall, and sheer luck a small filly makes a comment, her eyes spinning in circles like a certain grey mare from around Ponyville, “Why am I in a green room right now?”

Author's Note

I would like to thank Scintillance for proof-reading and editing the story. Without Scintillance, I might not have published the story,

Keep Calm

Inside a tree, a small filly dreams of adventure. She dreams of dodging death, running through jungles, and finding the treasure. Whispering in her sleep, sometimes yelling she stays there. Ginger Snap lies in equilibrium on a branch in the tree, but with her dreaming came a change to that equilibrium. Attempting to roll onto her back, she slides off the branch.

An eye cracked open, pleading for it to end. Ginger Snap screamed as she fell, falling into several branches. The colors whirred by her face, and the reached out, trying to slow or stop her descent. Ginger could not even think, only acting on instinct since she was disturbed from her slumber and dumped into a deadly situation.

Her body fell onto a steep hill and she began to roll. Still panicking, she tried to stop by forcing all of her legs out. Sliding a few more feet, she came to rest just before cliff’s edge. Getting up, she looked at her proximity to the cliff and screamed, backing up from it as fast as she could thinking all the while, I’ve had enough of cliffs today!

Taking a look around, she attempted to peer deeper into the Everfree, but light was scarce and only darkness, with the occasional speck of light painted the canvas of the forest’s floor. However, to the little filly’s eyes, these specks of light grew into something else. Pairs of eyes, glowing yellow with hate and malice slowly formed along the forest’s edge.

Doing as any filly would do, she panicked. She ran screaming from the forest until her senses told her that the cliff was just as bad, and swerved 90 degrees running along the side of the cliff. The adrenalin pumped through her as she could begin to hear howls, and cries, and shadows twisted into the form of monsters. For Ginger, the nightmare seemed to go on forever, and was all too real. The hill began to decline, and she could not stop herself. Her hat flew off into the forest, carried off by the wind that was renewed again by the chilly mountaintop, moaning as it drifted through the forest, driving the filly’s fear more.

Ginger closed her eyes at that point, only waiting for it all to end. It was a strange sight for all the animals of the forest, predator and prey alike, stopping to notice a filly rolling down the hill. As the filly passed, they resumed their lives trying to survive in the Everfree. Ginger eventually reaches the bottom of the hill, where a stench unlike anything she had encountered wafted through the air, and assaulted her.

Having just finished falling for the second time that day, Ginger laid there, trying to ignore the horrible stench that seemed to be coming from in front of her. She tried to think of when the others would find her, if they would. She could still hear things, soft whispers, but that was ignored for fear of her sanity breaking. Eventually deciding she has to know where she is, she tries to look at her surroundings.

Ginger forced her head up and almost immediately regretted it. Ahead of her was a bog unlike anything she had ever seen. It was soggy, filthy, and filled with who knows what. The trees seemed to be rubbery, and there was barely any ground to be seen. Most of it was water, and any rough patches of land seemed to be only comprised o mud. Looking back behind her, she no longer saw the eyes, or heard the howls, instead seeing that it was instead a nice forest, with light shining down from the treetops. It was quiet, with the occasional sound of the wind rustling the leaves on the forest floor.

Ginger tried to collect herself, and act as a Filly Scout should. Alright, what do I remember from the wilderness survival course? I know there are seven steps to surviving. The first is… What is it? I know it has something to do with panicking… I know! It was keep calm. She looks at her dirtied sash, and her lack of a cap. I know I haven’t been doing that well. I should calm myself. I know the forest is dangerous, but I have much more of a chance in here than in the bog. I remember Pinkie telling the Scouts that things like her pet alligator Gummy live there. Only, they have teeth and are much larger. Plus, I heard from Snips and Snails that a Hydra lives in the bog! I think I am much better off here in the Everfree… I never thought I would say that.

Marking a spot on the ground, she backs into the forest, looking out for any strange animals or predators. She bumps into a tree, and she jumps, screaming again. I really need to watch where I am going. Keeping calm is the only way to make sure predators don’t find me. But it means it will be harder for the rescue party to find me otherwise.

Ginger kicks the dirt with her hoof, and collects her surroundings. There are several trees, all types that she cannot identify, but she labels it as simply being “Everfree trees” She speaks softly, calming her nerves, “I need to keep calm. I need to keep calm…”

A howling noise pierces the forest yet again. Her eyes widen to extreme proportions, her ears swivel, looking for the source of the noise. “I need to keep calm, I need to keep calm, or at least, keep calm while running away!” Near the verge of panicking again, she runs, her mind making noises seem like dangers. She slows down, and the howling, and the hooting, and the roars dimmed and sputtered out once she collected herself and slowed to a trot.

Her escapade was not without consequence though, as she was covered in dirt, scratches, and bruises. Alright, I have completed the first step. I am now calm, and can carry the list out effectively. Now all I need to do is think about these scratches…

Author's Note

I would like to thank Scintillance for the large amount of help when it came to editing.

First Aid

Finally realizing she was safe for the moment the pain of her injuries set in. Ginger clenched her teeth trying not to scream. Ow! It may only be a few cuts and bruises, but that is what the next step is for, first aid. I could just let the scratches heal, but I will want to treat it before… I wish I had listened to the class a little more. I was too busy thinking about what Daring Do would do at that moment. Probably jump out the window after the treasure. Ginger slaps herself, Need to focus! Alright, where can I find something to help me?

Looking around in the forest, she spots several kinds of trees but is unable to identify them. I know that I might want to find something that can help get me clean or make sure that the wounds are clean. I won’t last very long if I become sick. I will probably have to settle with a bath. The water might not be clean, but it is better than nothing. Besides, my mane is full of dirt now. How sad would I look if rescue came and I didn’t look great? I’ll show them! But first, I need to find some water for a bath. It won’t do me any good if I stay here.

Leaving the area, Ginger walked through the forest. It was dark for the most part, but the occasional bit of sunlight told her that it was still at least daytime, and that made her start moving a little faster, I don’t want to be out here when I can’t see… Who knows what lives in the Everfree at night?

The forest was full of different plants, all of which reminded Ginger of different ferns, vines, and willow trees. The trees weren’t too tall, but their tops seemed to absorb light, making some of the plants turn brown. Ginger was careful to avoid any plants that seemed painful or colorful. Just because colorful ponies are alright, doesn’t mean a colorful plant will be.

Seeing a small purple flower caught the attention of Ginger, as she moved towards it and promptly ate it. Finally, some food. I have been waiting for hours for something, and this flower will fill me up. It at least looks familiar compared to some of these other ones. As she moved away from the seemingly innocent flower, her face began to burn. What was that? Ginger looked closer, and saw that the leaves were lightly saw-shaped. Wait a second... Stinging nettle! How could I have not noticed this? Maybe because most of the other plants would only eat me or something!

Her pace quickened as she tried to find a way to relieve the pain from the stinging nettle. She kept looking at plants, but all of them seemed so dangerous. There were plants with thorns, sharp edges, and sometimes upon approach, covered in ants or other small insects. All the while, Ginger’s face kept burning from contact with the nettle.

Reaching a small clearing with a large pond of water, Ginger jumped in as soon as she saw the pond. Finally relieved from the pain, she also notices the dirt is gone. However, upon looking around, she sees that sleeping manticores surround her. Why are they hanging around here? Hmm… wait… I know this one. Some animals tend to stay around things called watering holes. They must be waiting for prey to wake them up…

Ginger takes note of the sun’s position, a little past midday, and slowly backs away, towards the forest edge. She keeps moving until she bumps a solid object, but it doesn’t feel like a tree or a thorny plant. Her head turns slowly, and she spots a large scorpion tail.

Quickly closing her mouth, she limps on three legs into the forest before breaking into a full gallop away from the watering hole. Why do I seem to have the worst luck? The survival class didn’t teach me anything about this!

Ginger hears a large roar in the distance, from where she just was, and strains to run faster. She leaps over a very large bed of blue flowers, and attempting to learn form last time, does not eat them.

The manticore runs into the clearing, ignoring the blue flowers, and jumps, landing in the patch intending to eat Ginger. However, once the manticore landed in the patch, it began convulsing. The manticore slowly gains composure, and tries to fly out of the patch of flowers, but fails as its wings shut tight. It runs into the forest, and all falls silent again. Ginger looks at the plants, then all around herself, and notices she is surrounded by the blue flowers, with no way to get out without touching them.

Alright, how am I going to get out? It seems they are extremely dangerous if you come into contact with them… Ginger looks at her sash, which is surprisingly whole after the entire ordeal. I’m sorry Sashy, but I guess you have to go. It was a pleasure serving with you. Ginger takes her sash, using her teeth tears it along one point, and tries to make a bridge out of it. It isn’t the best bridge, but it will have to do.

Using her sash, she slowly walks across the patch, being careful not to go off her sash, for fear of what happened to the manticore. At the end of her sash, she jumps. The flight for her was exhilarating, and frightening. She could feel almost as if she was the adventurer from her dream, soaring through the air reaching for her goal. She was fearful however, of the strange blue flower that caused a manticore to run in fear.

You learn something new everyday. Well, my cuts have been dealt with for the most part. I don’t think anything will come from it. Now, for the third step, finding help. I won’t get out of here if I don’t find a way to find others.

As she moved to look for help, she turned her head to take one last look at her sash. The last vestige of her home was trapped within a patch of blue flowers. She shed one tear, and she left. The tear hit the floor, and after a few minutes, once Ginger was long gone, a small blue bud sprouted from the ground. A small hope that a joke would brighten someone’s day and turn that frown upside-down.

Author's Note

I would like to thank Scintillance for his patience. I may be able to write several chapters per day, and try to force them, but I shall wait. Anyways, the story should have about 8 chapters, and a sequel of requested. If you have any questions or thoughts on how this could go, put them in the comments below. For anyone asking (probably nobody but I'll tell you anyway) I have more story ideas to expand and publish so expect more in the future.

Shelter

It’s getting dark now. I really want to find somewhere to stay. At least some sort of roof over my head would be nice. Ginger continued wandering through the forest, looking for potential spots to sleep. All of the trees provided little shelter, and the forest was getting darker by the second.

Great… It’s getting worse. It’s dark now. At least it won’t rain. After all, that would improve my day. She looks up to see if there was indeed any rain, and none came. Alright, I can’t sleep in a tree mostly because I can’t climb up there. Maybe a cave would work, if I could find one. I don’t think making a shelter would be good. I don’t know what nasty things are around at night, but from what I learned in class, caves are usually empty this time of year.

Eyes seemed to sprout from the forest walls as the darkness closed in around Ginger. The distinct sound of a hooting owl was audible, but otherwise, the cries of dozens of animals mixed together into the noise of the true Everfree. Ginger slowly lost confidence in her abilities to stay alive. It’s dark and I still haven’t found a place to sleep. I really don’t know what I will do now. I know there are owls here, but they are unlikely to help me. They have their own problems to deal with. I need to find a cave.

Ginger watches some of the plants, which seem to glow and brighten the forest, making it a world she had never seen before. She could almost see as well as she could in the day. What is this? My classes never taught me about this… And Fluttershy was one of the ponies who went into the Everfree. I guess they didn’t go deep enough…

Looking at one of the plants, she sees that it is a small black bud with a glowing tip. Not wanting to touch it, she breathes in and blows on the flower. The bud bends a bit but returns to place. She drops a leaf on it, to see if it will close or explode. Yet again, nothing happens. Why am I so strangely attracted to this flower? It doesn’t act like any of the other flowers, which use such sweet smells to bring me in… no, this is more like magic. Maybe I need to touch it to send a signal home! I knew they would find me I just knew it! They probably weren’t able to send a search party on the ground because I am too deep in so they got a couple unicorns to make these flowers! I’m ready!

Ginger touches the plant, which stings her hoof. Ginger cries out, “Ow!” Alright, alright, it was necessary; it might just need to make sure it is me. Don’t want some clever manticore getting a free meal do we? No matter the pain, so long as it gets me home. Back to my friends… Whispers begin to emanate from the forest. Ginger cannot make out what they say, but they increase her worry. She shifts her eyes from between the growing bud, and the edge of her vision, where the whispers seem to come from. The bud eventually reaches the size of a large flower, and bursts, leaving a large green orb in its place. The orb floats, and beckons to Ginger to follow.

Okay, so it doesn’t shoot in the sky and tell them where I am. I guess they don’t want other animals to find me too? Staying still in the forest can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing… Ginger looks as if she had just realized something. I must follow the orb because it will lead me back to town! Or at least the closest one where ponies are waiting for me to come out of the forest!

Ginger runs after the orb, which is now whizzing through the forest. With her new-found confidence, the whispers die out. Ginger struggles at times to keep up, but that is because of the occasional root. The sounds of animals slowly die out as she follows the orb father and farther. By now she is sporting several more bruises, but is fine otherwise.

In front of her, and where the green orb had entered, is a large cave, wide enough for a couple of ponies to go through. She enters without a doubt. Well, I guess the orb doesn’t want me wandering through the forest… hehehe… I know they are coming to get me… they wouldn’t leave a filly in the forest. They know I have to be here. Where else could I be?

Moving through the cave, things get weirder and weirder. The walls seem to become covered in some strange green slime. Strange clicking noises seem to come from deeper in the cave. Fear begins to crawl up Ginger’s spine. She shivers for a moment, trying to dispel the fear, thinking that this is where she is supposed to go. A voice calls out, her friend Archer whispers to her, “Come deeper, we are all here… waiting for you. We’ve missed you so much. Come back…”

Ginger smiled, “Yes! I am finally home! Archer! Where are you? I’m coming!” She gallops deeper into the cave, the clicking increases in volume getting louder and louder until Ginger cannot even hear herself think anymore. Strange eyes line the walls, which follow her movements. She sees Archer, sitting at the end of the cave, on a small throne.

Archer says, “Sleep now Ginger. You are safe. You have gotten everything you desire, you are home now. Sleep, and your wildest dreams will come true tonight.”

Ginger’s eyes seemed to grow heavy, her weariness catching up with her. The clicking died down until it sounded like the ocean. She could hear her friend, and that was all she needed. I can sleep now. I am finally home. All I could ever want. This was a great adventure.

Just before closing her eyes a final time, she hears the roar of a fire, and sees her friend turn into some sort of monster from her nightmares. The thing was cloaked, if only for a second in green fire, in the same color as the friendly orb that brought her here. It had holes in its hooves, and it was completely black. The fangs seemed to curve like knives to Ginger. Her eyes shot open, and she looked around the room in fear. Fear had awakened her senses to this nightmare.

Countless ponies trapped in green cocoons, squirming, made Ginger wet the floor. She almost began to scream, instead turning around and running. She could hear her friend’s voice calling to her from behind, “Don’t leave, we can be together forever, just like you wanted. They won’t look for you. I am the only one who cares anymore… I… I love you. Please don't leave. We only want what you want: peace. They are happy now. They live their wildest adventures, their greatest desires... We only want you to be happy. That is what we can make you”

Ginger could no longer hear the monster with her friend’s voice as she screamed. Hooves and other monsters like the one on the throne shot out of the walls, shambling towards her, asking for love, demanding it.

The end of the cave was in reach, the monsters gaining on her, changing into her friends, family, calling to her to slow down, to wait, and to sleep. She kept galloping, her heart broken, and her fear at a maximum.

She broke out of the cave, into the night. She stumbled through the forest, only seeing more glowing green buds, beckoning her touch.

Moving through the forest, she hid at times, waiting for the sound of her friends to pass. She was beginning to cry, leaving a path of blue buds in her wake. She could eventually hear the sounds of the forest again, the cries of many different animals. She tripped on a root, and fell under a tree.

She climbs out, and cries. I almost fell for it. They were so like them. All I wanted to do was go back home. What did the monster say though about them not caring? I know they care, they will find me, I know they will.

Her tears finally dried, and a small patch of blue buds grown where the tears had fallen, she moves back to the tree. This could make decent shelter. It was pretty roomy down there. I can gather sticks to make it seem as though the tree is whole, and there is nothing underneath it.

Gathering sticks, she sets about her work creating her home away from home. The sticks were leaned against the open spots, and eventually her work was finished.

Now, is the next step… fire. It is kind of chilly outside so fire would be nice right now… Or maybe a fireplace like back home. I know that they are looking for me… but what did the monster mean? Is there truth in the thing’s words?

Fire

No… It can’t be true. It wanted me for something… I don’t know what, but the monster had to be lying. I need to get started on the next step… fire. I may want to start with materials for it.

Looking outside of her shelter, Ginger saw a myriad of tinder and kindling, but not much firewood. Looks like I will have to look elsewhere for that.

She gathered the initials supplies, making sure not to stray from running distance from the camp. Grabbing small bits of tinder first, she moves them into the shelter, which is large enough for a small fire pit. She also moved several stones into the shelter, assuming that striking several together at one time would work to start a fire.

Setting a small fire circle in the shelter, she looks at her work. I guess this is what I am supposed to do. I know that all of the teachers tell us that fire safety is important, and I don’t want the tree burning down on top of me. I should finish getting what I can, and then… Ginger yawns. I should go to bed soon. Maybe they will find me when I sleep and I will wake up in my bed!

With renewed vigor, she sets about her task, gathering more small sticks, occasionally finding a somewhat larger one, but nothing big enough to sustain a fire.

I’m nearly finished. I can feel it. Then I can sleep, and everything will be alright. She crawls back into the shelter, dragging her pile of sticks and tinder with her.

Outside the shelter, a blue flower blooms, and another patch of blue flowers forms. It grows slightly, until it touches the tree, which begins to wither.

Ginger lies down in the middle of her shelter, and falls asleep. Hush now quiet now it’s time to go to sleepy head, hush now quiet now it’s time to go to bed… I only want the nightmare to end…

Ginger lies atop her bed and opens her eyes. I’m awake now? It was only a dream? Ginger looks around her room, and everything looks the same as it was before leaving on the hike. Mom? Are you there? Failing to hear a response, Ginger attributes the silence as her mother being at work. I guess I can go outside and say hello to my friends…

Ginger gets out of her bed and goes downstairs. She doesn’t see anypony, and again thinks that it is simply because everyone else is gone doing something. Did I miss something? I must have hit my head and lost a few days…

Leaving the house, she wanders around Ponyville, again not seeing anypony. I guess I should go to school to get my missing assignments. I hope Ms. Cheerilee isn’t mad with me…

Ginger moves along the streets, and as she goes, the town seems to darken behind her. Shapes peer out the open windows, whispering to her. She would turn on occasion, but she would see nothing, and think, it is probably Pinkie Pie just trying to prank me.

She reaches the school, which looks a bit worn down, I think Ms. Cheerilee forgot to paint the school again… It is probably just my imagination though. Maybe it was those three fillies who ran that club. I can never seem to remember what it is called.

She enters the school, and sees all the fillies and colts in her class sitting in their chairs, with Ms. Cheerilee facing the board. She says, “Hello Ms. Snap… You are late.”

I know Ms. Cheerilee, but I just woke up this morning from a horrible nightmare where I was trapped in the Everfree forest, and nopony was looking for me, but I had hope, and I woke up in bed.

Whispers rise among her classmates, and Ginger looks at them with a mix of fear and apprehension.

Ms. Cheerilee states softly, “Who said you ever left? They won’t look for you. They never had, and they never will.”

What was that? You sounded just like one of the monsters in my dream. What do you mean, never left? I am here aren’t I?

Ms. Cheerilee speaks to the class, “Class, quiet down… Ms. Snap made a mistake. Can somepony care to correct her?”

Snips and Snails speak in unison with the voice of the Diamond Dog from eariler, “Pony never leave forest. Pony enter, but Pony never leave. Whether captured by us, or by monsters, or by manticore, Pony enter, but Pony never leave.”

Snips? Snails? What is going on? Archer, you know the truth, what is going on? Why is everypony acting this way? Why is everypony sitting there, staring at the board? I don’t see anything!

Archer says, “I don't know what you are talking about. This is normal. And what you see… is your rescue party. I believe our teacher has something to say. I shouldn’t interrupt any longer.”

Ms. Cheerilee smiles, “Ms. Snap, shall we play a game? It’s called Hangpony. It is two words, ready to play? If you win, we’ll end class early today. Otherwise… well class continues and you will take your seat.”. Ginger couldn't see her smile, but she could feel it. It was off, like the mare who only barks. It was twisted. She didn't have to see it to feel it.

Alright… ‘E?’ Ms. Cheerilee draws an “e” at the end of the second word. s? Ms. Cheerilee sighs and draws a noose. Ummm… o? Ms. Cheerilee writes two o’s, one at the end of the first word, and the second is the second letter of the second word. Alright, the first word is probably no. n? Ms. Cheerilee smiles again, and draws an n, spelling out no. She says, “Very good Ms. Snap. Can you figure the rest out?”

Ginger thinks for a moment. Alright, there aren’t many words that are four letters and only have an o as the second letter and e as the last. I wish I had studied vocabulary more with Sweetie Belle. I know this word though… No… It can’t be…

The class and teacher speak in unison, “You know the word, speak it, revel in it, accept it, and you will be free”. Archer turns her head, spinning at an unnatural angle towards Ginger whispering, “Speak the words that will set us free. Do it for my sake. Do it for your sake. You know the word. It has been whispered to you since you landed. The Forest knows Ginger... The Forest knows...”

Ginger, on the verge of tears now says, No hope. At that point, all of Tartarus breaks loose as the students turn around with strange wooden muzzles and yellow eyes, and run towards her. Ginger could still hear the sad voice of Ms. Cheerilee saying, “Don’t leave, we can be together forever, just like you wanted. They won’t look for you. I am the only one who cares anymore…”

Ginger screams, and she sees all around her the town turning to the jungle, and the barking of the students behind her.

Ginger leaps up, and hears the barking, the screaming of the wooden muzzles trying to claw at her, and gain reach. What are they? They look like wood in this pale moonlight.

She begins to panic. Was she right? No hope… No hope. Pony will enter, but Pony will not leave. I don’t think so… No! I know they will find me. I know it. They would never give up on me!

Looking around she tries to figure out how she can deal with her problem. Maybe fire would work. It isn’t safe, but I must do something!

Ginger begins piling up tinder and kindling in a rush, and grabs two rocks. She begins striking the two together, and after a few rocks eventually gets a spark. The faces draw closer, and so do the claws, and she tries harder. A fire spurts out of the tinder as a spark connects, and one of the timber wolves leaps in, and into the growing fire. The fire flares, rising up to the bottom of the tree, which begins to catch fire also. She scrambles out where the timber wolf came in, and watches as they all burn.

This night is turning out worse than I expected. But I did get rid of the problem… She sees a flash of blue before the tree crashes down on it. What are they doing here? That must have been the cause of those… wooden wolves.

Well, I have completed the next step I guess. Now I need to sleep, and probably get something to drink in the morning. I don’t want to dream though… All I want now is silence. But what did Archer mean by the Forest knows?

Water

Light spilled from a hole in the canopy. It moved towards the sleeping filly, who had gotten her silence in the night, and in her dreams. The light had reached her eye, and when Ginger opened it, light flooded her pupil. The filly licks her lips, feeling that they are dry. The next step is water… Now, where could I find water that isn’t surrounded by scary monsters or manticores? It can’t be a pond, or a lake for that matter. Wait… Isn’t there a river that flows in the Everfree? I don’t think it leaves the forest though, but it is a large source of water, and that is the important part.

Moving away from her destroyed shelter, she sets about looking for a river or stream to drink from. The forest seemed brighter and friendlier since it was morning, but Ginger was still on edge. Even if it looks nice or might help me… it always seems to want something back. Something I am not willing to give up.

Moving deeper through the forest, there almost seemed to be music playing. Barely audible, but it could be heard through the forest. A slow beat, being the very forest. It feels… caring… almost like it is a heartbeat. It doesn’t seem familiar, but it feels alive. The melody is the rustling of the leaves, and the chirping of the occasional bird. Ginger smiled as the music continued, but once the vocals came in Ginger halted.

Something was singing. Something. What is that? I don’t think it is a pony, because it is way too loud.

Ginger moved cautiously, moving towards the voice. I have learned from my past mistakes, and am going to see if it is friendly first before confronting it. If it is friendly, maybe it can show me the way home!

Ginger smiles at the thought. She creeps towards the singing, which seems to be different from the song she hears in the forest. What is it singing? Something about a mustache? What is with this world and mustaches? First, there was Spike, then Snips and Snails going on about it and finally Pinkie! Ugh! I was stuck with a mustache for a week after that prank. I am liking this thing a lot less now.

She begins to hear the roar of a large river, increasing in strength like the Friendship express as it comes closer. This is a pretty fast river. Not many things will want to be near it, for fear of falling in… Ginger licks her lips again, only to find they are even dryer, and have begun cracking. I need to get a drink soon because this is pretty uncomfortable. It seems like thins being uncomfortable are worse than being in pain. The bruises don’t even hurt anymore… whereas my lips are in agony!

She peers out of the tree-line, and sees a white-water river. This reminds me of the time those three fillies went white-water rafting. They sure avoided extreme sports after that. Of course, they didn’t crash… they were stopped by the store owner, who refused to give them the equipment… Ms. Cheerilee wasn’t happy when they decided to use desks instead.

Thinking of Ms. Cheerilee caused Ginger to shudder. I will never look at her the same way again… Or the rest of the class for that matter.

Turning her head from left to right, she fails to spot the source of the singing. Feeling safe, seeing nothing along the edge of the river, she moves closer to the roiling water. She looks closer, and begins to drink, when something catches her eye.

It is difficult to see in this river when water keeps splashing my eyes! Although, that strange shadow… Oh no… What could possibly live here, in this kind of water?

Ginger peers closer into the river, trying to discern what it is. I have to know. I must know if I can come back here. It will be difficult to find another place to get a drink. If only I could reach a little closer…

Ginger leans farther forward, and unceremoniously falls in the water. Ginger begins to sink into the water. Ginger forcibly shivers, as the water begins to steal her heat, and she resists the urge to scream, which would surely drown her.

So this is how it ends… I drown in a river. After accomplishing so much, after surviving so much, I drown… No! I won’t end like this! I have so much to do! So much to live for!

Ginger struggles to reach the surface, her vision slowly going black from drowning. She hits a large rock, and is tossed from the river to the top of it. Ginger begins coughing, spurting up water, and trying to breathe. Well, I got the view I wanted… Now I need to find that thing.

Ginger looks around the river, trying to spot where the purple monster had gone. She doesn’t notice it slithering up behind her, exiting the water and looking down on her.

The water serpent speaks, “Why hello there! I’m Steven Magnate, and what are you doing in my river? You know, you are so cute I could just gobble you up.”

Ginger turns around, and looks at Steven. Hearing the word gobble, her eyes grow extremely wide, and she decides the river is a better chance of survival than Steven. Nope, nope nope nope! I do not want to deal with this. The water seems much nicer, because at least in there, I won't get eaten, and have a smaller chance of surviving. I don't think it can look for me in there anyway.

The river seemed warmer than last time, as she struggled to reach the shore. The river was strong, but Ginger’s will was stronger, and despite being pushed down river, she eventually made it to shore.

She turns around, and sees that ‘Steven’ is still looking around the river for her calling for her to say where she is.

Ginger looks at her soaking body, and begins to shake herself, trying to get dry. Feeling satisfied with her work now that she was a little warmer, she looks around, trying to figure out where she is. Well this is pointless since everything looks the same here…

All that is left now is one step. One final step to solving my problems. I need to find food. From what I can tell, this may be the one that gets me home… or on something’s dinner plate.

After entering the forest, Steven says, “I wonder if that was the filly making all that ruckus about the forest… a shame that she drowned though. I know some of the ponies would have liked to know that a filly was wandering around the Everfree. After all, there are far worse things than timber wolves and manticores around the forest…”

Food

Hearing her stomach rumble again, Ginger thinks, I need to find a steady supply of food. The occasional flower just won’t do it. It seems like almost everything here is either painful, or I can’t eat it. I know there is a castle ruin somewhere in here, so maybe there are ruins with food, or edible grass. Ponies that lived there are sure to have something I can eat… All I need to do is find those ruins, wherever they are.

Ginger moves through the forest, looking for ruins. She spots the blue flowers, waterfalls, giant caves, and even a rope bridge at one point. Coming back to the bridge by luck, she thinks about what to do. I haven’t seen anything that looks remotely pony built, except this bridge. Since there is nothing on this side, something must be on the other side that is pony built.

Moving closer, she inspects the bridge, which is falling apart. I know it could barely hold a big pony, but a filly like me is sure to get across. This might actually be fun. After all, at least nothing is trying to eat me. That is always an improvement. Ginger peers through the fog that lingers on the bridge. For a moment the fog clears giving Ginger a brief view of the other side. On the other side of the bridge is a large set of double doors leading into the Castle of the Everfree.

The bridge wobbles as she takes her first step, and Ginger begins walking across, with a look of concern on her face. I don’t think this was such a good idea. It is much wobblier than the bridge back in Ponyville… of course, that one is made of stone... I have to keep looking up no matter what. I will do this!

In her focus, she begins to gallop across the bridge; being the only way she can avoid looking down. At the last plank of the bridge, she jumps, and makes it to the other side. For a split second, she feels exhilarated, having made it across an unstable bridge like Daring Do would have. She looks back at the bridge, expecting it to have fallen, but sees it intact.

Ginger looks at the entrance to the castle, which is surprisingly still open. Well, here goes nothing… Ginger enters the castle, and begins checking to make sure it is safe. I can still hear animals around and that is a good sign; I don’t see anything that would say that this place is evil or full of monsters. I guess it is time to look around.

Ginger begins climbing the stairs, her stomach grumbling louder. I know stomach, but I need to look around. You never know where we might find food!

After searching through the entire castle, she returns to the front gate. Alright, there is nothing save a couple of flowers above ground. I cleared those out, but I need more. Maybe there is something underground.

She spots an entrance, and peers in. There is no noise, but there are strange floating orbs of white light, dotted throughout the area she can see. Alright, so long as I don’t touch them, I should be fine.

Moving through the underground of the castle, Ginger looks at the suits of armor, and eventually reaches food. She looks around, to make sure that nopony is home, and begins eating. Eventually satisfied, she continues exploring. While it is probably safer to leave, this might be a good place to stay for now. Besides, if a real pony lives here, they might be able to help me. I know the monsters don’t live here. It isn’t gross enough.

Ginger continues wandering until she reaches a well-lit library, where she can hear chanting. Looking inside, she sees a strange stallion chanting in an even stranger language around a circle. What is he doing? It looks like unicorn magic, but… I need to find out more. Maybe there is a book nearby? Ginger creeps into the room, using the sound of the ritual to mask her movements, and she looks at an open book on the desk. Alright it says… Silly children like you should know when to stay at home. What kind of message is that? Oh right… it is a trap… and I fell for it didn’t I?

Ginger turns around, expecting somepony to be there, and simply sees the ritual continuing. I think that silly fillies would probably have spoken that… Ginger notices a dark cloud begin to form in the circle and the unicorn begins chanting louder. A sickening laughter that would only come from nightmares begins to emanate from the circle. The stallion moves closer to the circle, and enters it, still chanting in his strange language. Ginger panics, and throws a random book off the shelf into the circle, and with a flash of light, the strange unicorn was gone, and only a book was left. Where did he go? Where is that scary cloud? Well, it’s gone now so I everything is good. I wonder if I can find some new saddlebags in here? I could use that.

Ginger looks deeper into the castle, and eventually finds a bedroom. It only has one bed, a diary, and a wardrobe. She opens the wardrobe and takes a small pair of saddlebags. Why is it that he liked black so much? I mean really? This would make Ms. Rarity have a fit! Well, time to gather useful supplies. I can grab some food, and look around the library for a book or two. It will be some form of entertainment...

Ginger moves back to the food, and sees that the orbs are slowly dimming out. I think the stallion was keeping them working. I guess I can’t stay here after all…

She grabs food and fills one of the bags with it. This should last me a while. Now to get to the library for a book. The library seems darker, despite the light filtering from the ceiling. Ginger is careful to avoid the book in the center, and decides that the diary is bound to be more interesting than all the magic books in the room.

She looks again at the book in the center of the room, and something begins to press against her mind. A force seemingly telling her to grab the book and take it with her. The book whispers to her, and for the first time, Ginger listens. Ginger walks over to the dark tome, and places it in her saddlebags. What was that about? Well, time to leave. I don’t want to hang around in the dark!

Ginger leaves the castle. I’ve finished this portion, but I need to find shelter. Maybe there will be some ruins nearby… I will probably be able to see them from the higher part of the castle. I don't want to stay here in case the scary unicorn has scary friends...

Ginger looks out from the castle tower, and spots some ruins. It looks oddly familiar. I will have a look. But, I need a plan. Every other time, I have gone in, and simply hoped for the best, unaware of the true danger. Alright, there are some other ruins nearby. If something goes wrong, I can go there. You know what? I am learning! Soon, this place won’t be a threat, and I can leave once I learn all it’s secrets. But rescue is coming. I know it. I don’t care that they haven’t found me yet. I know they are looking. They will find me before I finish here.

Climbing down from the tower, Ginger begins her plan. Making sure to take in every detail of her surroundings, Ginger noted how the forest looked almost the same. Strange how the noises are different. I don’t hear the occasional roar or howl here... Maybe the chasm is too large and prevents them from coming here. But what could stop them? The manticores could probably fly over...

Ginger notices the forest thinning, and the tree-line break, as she moves into the ruins. overgrown structures and odd machines dot the tree-line. I wonder what happened here? It looks like there was a large fight...

Ginger moves tentatively towards the ruins, and upon entering them, the ruins seem to brighten, almost welcoming her. Yet again, a force presses against her mind, and unfocused, Ginger couldn’t resist. Shapes began to form all over the ruin, and Ginger began to hear the whispers. She sees strange figures in what looked for a short while like dancing... until one stallion lost his head. To Ginger it all began to seem real, as she moved closer towards the head, the level of detail increased, and the murderer moved off, as if he couldn’t see Ginger.

A form approaches her, taking the shape of a pony, it’s eyes deep pits of black. It’s mouth opens and closes, as if whispering to her. As they move closer, within thirty feet, they begin to look like ponies she know, and ponies she doesn’t. Among the dozens that have gathered, one who looks like Archer whispers to her, “Welcome... we knew you would make it here. But stay, join us... We need you. Please, help us. We are so cold here... so very cold. You are warm, like a fire. Long ago, while the fires were still burning, we gathered, but they were not warm. No, they were cold. We saw those who were fighting, and they were warm. Please help us become warm... We are so very cold.”

Ginger asks, her voice almost feeling awkward after being silent for so long, “What happened to the warm ponies?”

The ghosts reply, “Make us whole, make us warm. Embrace us.”

One of the ghosts gallops next to her and says assuredly, “Come with me! I want to help!”

Ginger follows the ghost, trying to get away from the horror of familiar, and demonic. She follows the spirit to an old home, where one of the walls had caved in. She enters, and looks around for a way to escape. Ginger says warily, “I don’t see any way out of here... Now what? They are right behind us...”

The ghost smiles, and tells her, “This is for your own good. If the others had gotten you, you would have been torn to pieces. At least with me, it will only hurt for a moment. It will all be over soon. You don’t have anything to worry about” The ghost moves closer, and it’s jaw unhooks as if it was going to swallow Ginger whole.

Ginger turns away from the ghost, not wanting to see her end. The ghost slams against her saddlebags, and is stopped by an invisible wall.

The ghost shouts, “What have you got in your bagses, little filly!? What have have you got in your bagses? Only another spirit could stop me... But it can’t stop us all.”

Ginger cries, “I’ve got a book! That is all! Leave me alone!”

A voice cuts through the screaming, “RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” A large stallion wielding a ball of light gallops through the assembling crowd of ghosts. The ball blinds Ginger for a moment, and the ghost screams angrily at the interfering stallion. Following behind him is a seafoam green mare.

The large stallion hits the ghost with the ball of light, and once the flare of light dies down, Ginger can see the stallion, and the accompanying mare. Is that Lyra? No, it can’t be. That orb... it must be those monsters... they have come for me. If I panic, they will surely get me. Besides I am still trapped here, if I can get outside, and attract more of those ghosts, they will probably be more interested in those two monsters.

“Wha-wait! We’re just here to help out!” said Lyra’s imposter.

The strange stallion called out second, “there’s something really wrong here... come on, we can’t let her wander off!”

Ginger moves around the two in their moment of distraction, and begins to run towards the castle. I can lose them in the castle! Using her agility and small size to her advantage, she begins galloping towards the forest, and towards the castle, while the two other pony’s figures followed suit. Buildings began to blur by, and Ginger watches the sad faces looking towards her, begging for her to return.

The forest was much harsher, and Ginger was careful to avoid tripping on roots, though behind here, the stallion failed to avoid the roots, and toppled over, while Lyra’s body tripped over him. Ginger could not hear if anything was coming because of the blood pumping in her ears, and the protests of Lyra’s imposter and the stranger went unheard. The castle door was still open, and she rushes inside. She hides in the darkness of the basement, waiting for the two to leave. She makes sure to peer outside, so that she can see what they do, and if they will follow her into the darkness. Of course, they were back on the hooves, and on her tail, though farther behind than they were before.

The two ponies enter the castle, and look around hoping to find Ginger. I won’t let them take me. I will do whatever it takes to keep out of their hooves. If I am caught by them, rescue will never find me...

“Lance... I think that was the Filly of the Forest I came for...”

“The filly of the what?”

“Filly of the forest.” Lyra’s doppelganger slowly trotted towards the basement’s entrance. Ginger backs deeper into the basement, fear plastered on her face. “Legend has it that there was a filly, long ago, who ventured into the Everfree forest, and became lost, and alone. she never found her way out... and she eventually found her way to the old Canterlot Castle, after fleeing from the ghostly spirits that haunted the ruins. She made the castle her home, and continued to live there until she died. Nopony knows how she died, but they say the spirit is still around, haunting the forest, looking for a way home... Waiting for the search party that never came. That was... a couple hundred years ago, as the legend tells. There’s a memorial to her somewhere in the basement. some ponies would come here and leave her offerings of food, so that her spirit would be better at peace...”

The doppelganger and it’s accomplice moved into the basement, with the latter summoning an orb of light. Ginger moves into the library, and hides in the shelves. She watches as the duo move up to the small table where the food was located. Lyra’s form removed a few apples from her saddlebag, some berries, and a couple of carrots, adding them to the previous food. “Rest In Peace, sweet filly...”

The stallion spoke up, “I think... I can feel something. Again. just one this time. it’s... in this very room... angry... and full of sorrow...”

“Then... it’s true? I definitely need to tell this to Bon Bon... you’ve been really helpful, Lance...”

“Um... you’re welcome, I guess? But... can we please get out of here? You might get the rattles, but dang, these spirits are freaking me out!” a silent nod of agreement from the seafoam green mare, and the two made their way out of the castle.

Ginger begins to shiver and says, “So very cold...” Outside, the two hear this, and begin to run, wanting to avoid the angry spirit that lay within the castle.

Ginger notices that the two have left, and she goes to investigate the statue again. She stumbles on a strange glass ball, and upon touching it, the basement lights up. The orbs begin to glow, and eventually return to the strength like from when the mage was living there. Ginger looks at the statue, which resembles her. She looks and sees an article. It is a recent paper from Ponyville. Ginger looks through, and sees a small article towards the end of the paper.

Obituaries:

The filly Ginger Snap, age 10 died after disappearing on a recent Filly Scout hike. She is presumed to have fallen off a mountain, and into the Everfree forest. Ginger Snap was an example to all Filly Scouts representing what one should be. She is missed by all of Ponyville. She lives on in our hearts.

Ginger looks at the obituary with her hooves shaking, her confidence broken. They think I am dead? They... they aren’t looking? She begins shaking more, a new emotion coming to mind, screaming to be released.

Ginger looks up and begins to scream. A scream that hasn’t been heard in centuries in all of ponydom. One of sadness and rage. Ginger lays on the stone floor, hugging the paper, crying. I’m alone here... No way out. Abandoned. I can never leave can I? I dreamed of adventure. I dreamed of finally getting my cutie mark, and now all I dream of is silence, and hope not to be eaten by monsters... Now, I have to find my way home.

Ginger didn’t even hear the pressure against her mind, or the cackling in the back of her mind, a whirlwind of darkness, looking to be released...

Author's Note

Thanks to Scintillance for the collab and brief crossover! This I am afraid is the end, and a sequel is optional. If I find the time, or anypony other than Scintillance asks, I will write it earlier.

Calling for Help

The main concern of Ginger Snap now was finding help. She didn’t know who she could find out in the forest. Maybe I would find Zecora, she seemed pretty friendly, if reserved. But, there also has to be a search party. A foal can’t go missing without a search party. I know they will come for me. All I need to do is call for help.

Ginger looks up, towards the canopy and frowns. I’ll never be spotted in here. I need to move to a clearing without the danger of more manticores. I don’t want a repeat of last time. Which way to go though? I can’t see any hills, those are long gone, and I can’t climb to the tops of these trees. I guess I just go where I haven’t gone before.

Walking into the forest again, Ginger looks around trying to figure out where there was an empty clearing. For the most part, the forest looks the same; save for the occasional puddle, or the increasing sense of that terrible smell from the bog. Not wanting to go back there, Ginger goes left, wandering into another random part of the forest. Small clearings with blue patches of flowers, and other strange plants that didn’t look so friendly anymore after her encounter with the stinging nettle, despite their sweet smell and Ginger decided to avoid those too.

The air slowly became dryer, and the trees more sparse as the landscape slowly became more arid and desert-like. Ginger crossed the tree-line and she was in a desert with strange mounds of dirt all over the field. The grass did not grow, and there was a solitary tree. Taking shelter under the shade of the tree, she looks and sees that there is a strange, long hole in part of the branch.

Her stomach rumbles, and she looks at it with a frown. We will have lots of food soon once the search party finds us. I just know it. All we need to do is get their attention. It will be easy to find me here. The colors may be a bit hard to find, but it is hard to ignore a filly yelling. I know they are out there… I feel so lonely here. So alone. I wish I was home, I wish I had Archer here with me. Even Diamond Tiara would be an improvement.

Preparing to yell, she looks around and sees that there are plenty of rocks which could be arranged to make a sign. I think a sign will do me better, because pegasi would see my need for help, and a ground search party will notice the unnatural formation of rocks. It is fool proof!

Using her limited artistic vision, Ginger sets about gathering the stones. Placing them is hard work, and the sun moves overhead, moving towards the horizon, making the day cooler. I hope I actually spell out what I mean. Eventually finished, Ginger looks at her work. Well, it might be what I need, but only time will tell. I am not high enough to see the message but I think I got it though.

Ginger had managed to spell out, if a bit sloppy, “Help”. Ginger looks around, hoping to see help and in the shimmering on the horizon, sees a moving shape. Ginger had finally found a way home.

“Hey! You over there! I need help! I have been stuck in the forest for hours, and I need to find a way home!” The shape turns, looking towards Ginger, and it begins sprinting. Ginger smiled, and ran towards the shape, until she heard the baying, and that the shape didn’t look like a search party.

The ground beneath Ginger began to shake and she stops. A fountain of earth erupts in front of her, and out of it, a bipedal dog appears.

“Pony!” The dog begins shaking with happiness, “This pony is small, cannot whine like other one did. Plus, Rover have cloth to cover pony mouth in case pony try!”

Ginger looks at the—in her eyes—horrid creature. Its teeth were sharp, it smelled terrible, and its claws were sharp. Her face contorted into a silent scream. She backed away, falling on her rump.

The diamond dog, an eldritch horror to Ginger, turned around to speak to his companion, “See! Pony does not even run. Pony is so scared, will probably jump into hole if Dog ask!”

Ginger decides to turn around and leave, and begins galloping back into the forest. She tries to weave as more mountains of dirt erupt around her, the barking of the dogs like demons from Tartarus.

She moves closer and closer to the edge of the forest, while the Dogs edge closer, some racing along the surface. Just before Ginger could reach the forest, and safety, she was grabbed by one of the diamond dogs. They had caught her back right leg, and she could not struggle free.

I have to do something now! Otherwise who knows what will happen? They might eat me for all I know! As she continued to struggle, her other back leg struck the diamond dog in the nose, causing it to yelp and let go. She ran into the forest, losing sight of the Dogs. That was a close one… I know that calling for help won’t pan out here…

Having failed his mission, the Diamond dog reported back to Rover, “Sorry, but me fail… Pony kick me in snout!” The Dog pointed towards his nose, which was bright red from the kick.

“First Pony whine, which hurt Dog ears, then Pony kick? Starting to think that using ponies is a bad idea… Let’s try donkey. Rover think that donkey less likely to complain.”

Ginger Snap waited a few minutes, watching the Dogs retreat back into their holes. She also saw that her rocks were scattered, and no message could be seen from them. Looks like rescue will have to look for me the hard way. Ginger took one last look at the sun, seeing it was very close to the horizon.

I think this leads me into my next step, Shelter. I don’t think I want to be outside when night falls here… After all, if manticores and those strange dog things are what is out and about during the day… Meeting whatever lurks around in the night sounds terrible!

Author's Note

I would like to thank Scintillance for helping with edits (I am slowly getting better) and the patience of my audience of... well, you know who you are. I am just starting out and can't expect my first fic to be featured material. I have more in store later. It is my goal to finish before my IB exams start.