Heres chapter 4! I am SOOOO sorry that it took forever. Also, do you like the new cover? Pretty cool, huh, its still in work in progress. Anyways, I hope you're excited because I'm excited as well. Well, you know the drill. Leave and never come! (It's a joke, let me guess not a big laughter… right...)
Ch4: The Everfree Forest
We managed to escaped the Titans, but Twilight nearly drowned due to the rushing current. Both of us are soaking wet. As I was helping Twilight out of the water, I looked to my right over the river, up the cliff where's it's about a couple miles away to see the Titan's gone which I'm relieved and smirked in response. Good riddan-
Before I could finish my thought, Twilight starts coughing. Looking at her, but her hair is in the way preventing me from seeing her face. She collapse on me, but I ease her to the ground. She breathes heavily. I became concern with her well being, I ask her, "You ok?"
Twilight nods and says, "I'll be alright. (sniff) I just need a moment. (cough)." I nod in response. I looked up ahead to see a log giving me an idea. Perfect!
I look back at Twilight and help her up onto her feet as I said, "Come on, up and attem." I ease her up and guided her to the log where she sat at. I crouch down in front of her, , placing my right hand on her shoulder. Still concerned, I ask, "Are you sure you are alright?"
"Yes… (pant) just exhausted… (cough)." I sighed, but I'm still concerned though, not with her heath, her safety. She looks up at me confused. "How come (pant) you're (pant) not exhausted?"
"Endurance," I said. By her expression, she doesn't believe me, but to my relief she lets it go.
"Well (pant) you have (pant) my thanks, Joseph." Offering an handshakes.
I stare at it for a moment, I refuse. Instead I rose up and crossed my arms. Then said, "Don't thank me just yet, not until I get you home." She retracts her hand and nods.
I asked another question, "How long will it take to regain your mana full strength."
"Hours, if not (pant) at least a day." Must been a really powerful spell then.
Cough
Twilight caughts a bit harder and clears her throat. "Here," getting her attention, I handed her my canteen of water. "It's not much, but it'll help."
She takes it, swallowing the liquid. After drinking it, she hands it back to me, leaving a quarter of water left in it. "Thank you. (pant)" I nodded in response.
Despise in her current state, I need some answers about the Titans. "The Titans, what are they?"
Getting her attention, she takes a breath before speaking. "Titans are (pant) extremely dangerous rock creatures that wonders Equestria. They live within the mountains ranges in the far the north, at the Yakyakistani and Equestrian border. Away from any civilization."
"Any idea why they are way out here?"
"I'm afraid not, (pant) but they never venture this far from their home territory. Never." That last statement, she's puzzled, confused. Looking down, she ponders the spell she used against the Titans. Whispering, mumbling to herself, "Why didn't the spell work…"
Hearing what she just said, I responded getting her attention, "The books only get you so far - hell evening the things you been tough and train for. Sometimes, you just have to experience it first hand."
"(pant) You don't understand, Illume Lu Luminous spell should have destroyed the Titans!"
Crossing my arms, "Well it didn't and here we are."
"(sigh) Right…" She looks down, pondering.
I crouch down again and removed my helmet, "Hey." Getting her attention. "Are you sure you are ok?"
"Yes - well, no. I'm worried about my friends." She starts rubbing her left arm slightly.
"Hey," I said as I place my hand on her shoulder and smiled. "I'm sure their alright. You gave them time to escape. Most likely they made it back home and so will you." She smiles as well.
I take a look around my surroundings to see mostly tall trees, a small clearing around us, and a cliff just barely poking above the tree lines. Where the fuck are we… Looking up at the top of the trees. Hmm… let see if I can figure out where we ended up at.
"Wait here," I said as I stood up and place my helmet back on.
She asks me, "Where're you going?"
"To see where the hell we are… hopefully we're not too far away from Ponyville," I said as I walk up to a tree. Like last time, I quickly jump into the trees, jumping from branch to branch. Once I made to the top, I looked down seeing Twilight in a state of shock and awe.
Looking back up to my surroundings to find myself in some kind of a valley being splitted by the river, a steep hill behind me, a vast forest to my left, and mountain ranges in the distances poking above the tree lines. I notice to my right a bridge at the cliffs in the distance, possibly a wayout. But I don't see Ponyville or any other civilization in sight. Time to use a map.
I pulled out the map which I compare it with my surroundings. Looking up at the sky to see the Sun slowly setting to my right with my previous knowledge on constellation, indicating that its East. With that in mind, I determined where we are on the map. Alright, we are about… here. Pointing at the middle of the map. And, Ponyville should be about four clicks north of here, over the river. I looked at the bridge again which I smirked at the idea. And that bridge is a ticket out of here.
Crack!
Turning instantly to the left, grabbing my sword but not pulling it out just yet. Then I hear a short, high-pitched sound so I glance at my radar, seeing a dot and heading towards us. Taking my eyes off of it and squinting my eyes at the source. As I stare I see nothing, but I know I heard something. Using my visior, I zoom in the area so a few seconds later I see a tree fall over for no apparent reason. This concerns me. It's either two things, one: more Titans or two: something big. Either way it's heading right toward us and fast. I zoom out and jump down landing on my feet with ease, getting Twilight's attention. "We need to move, now!"
"What why!?" She looks at me confused.
"Were about to have company," I said, serious tone. Before she could respond, I pick her up causing her to yelp and started to sprint like hell.
She looks at me. "What is it?"
"It's either Titans or something big." This frightens her and causes her to shake slightly.
"Are you sure?"
"No, I don't. What I do know is that it's heading towards us and I'm not gonna take any chances." As I ran, I could hear trees snapping and crushing behind us so I kept pushing past my limit as usually without breaking a sweat.
"Joseph…" Twilight spoke, sounding afraid indicating that its close behind, confirming that it's not the Titans but something else, something really fast. Or the Titans is just on fucking steroids which is highly unlikely. Then again, the shit I saw and done, anything is possible.
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
A sudden roar caught my attention and she tightens her grip around my neck as she spoke, "Hydra…" My eyes shot wide open. For the love of christ, please don't be what I think it is…
I glanced behind me, it's a massive lizard like creature. It looked like a dragon, but has no wings, has two tails, two thick legs, along with four long neck heads. It has golden scales and no arms. To my relieved it's not the hydra I have faced many years ago.
Twilight said, "Oh, Celestia! What is it doing way out here!"
"Who knows! It's probably hungry!"
She looks at me, "No! You don't understand! They inhabit within a large swamp called "Froggy Bottom Bog," on the outskirts of Ponyville! South of Everfree Forest! Which they don't genuinely leave their home territory until mating season! Which is four months from now!"
"Then how come its out here? Care to explain!"
"I… I don't know! I never read anything about this!"
"Sometimes you just can't rely on the books you read! You just have to experience it to know! And trust me - you're not the first and certainly won't be the last!"
CREEK
Suddenly, a sound of a tree comes crashing down. I glance behind us to see it coming down on us. Twilight as well, notice this and screams. "CELESTIA!" Without thinking, I quickly dodge it as it lands to our left. Then I jump over a log and landed with ease which I continued to run.
"I hope you have a plan because it's getting close!"
"I do - it's the same plan as last time."
"How that suppose to help us?" As she said that, we go through thick vines and bushes, we reached to another small clearing, but narrow where we see a steep hill covered in gravel. Fuck, I wish I had a jetpack right about now.
"Easy, we go up."
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
Looking behind us, the hydra emerges from the forest. Without hesitation, I began running up the hill, but each step I took causes some of the gravel slid under me which causing Twilight to tense. I glanced behind us to see the hydra attempting to climb but having no luck, having the same problem as I do.
Looking ahead of us, we find ourselves almost reaching to the top. Twilight tightens her grip even more and brings her head closer to my head.
"Joseph!" Shouted Twilight, getting my attention. Then a shadow surrounds us, she hides her head at my neck, bracing as I glance behind us to see a head going right for us. SHIT! In reaction time, I quicking dodge it. It hit the gravel which causing debris flying and cause itself a short landslide or a gravel slide causing the hydra to fall and slid backwards.
"HA - Take that you ugly mother fucher!"
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
Finally, I manage to reach to the top but I stop and looked down seeing the hydra climbing back up again. Do they ever fucking quit! Looking around I see a old military camo open roof humvee with no doors, at least 5 feet away. Thank god for cliche. This gives me an idea so I place Twilight on her and said, "Come, quick, I have an idea!"
"What is it?"
"I'll tell you on the fly! Now come on!" I sprinted to the humvee as Twilight follows.
I take a quick glanced at the car's tires to see it somewhat in decent shape to be able to moves at least and looking inside of it, I see 3 large oil cans at the back and I can smell it from here. Twilight crings at the smell. As I reach over putting the vehicle in neutral, Twilight is next to me and said, "Twilight I'm gonna need your help pushing this car over that ledge over there, got it!" She seems unsure with this buts nods anyway. "Good!" I could hear the hydra getting closer. I headed to the back and said, "I want you keep the wheel straight as I push it, ok." She nods.
As we pushed, she spoke up, "How would this help our situation?"
"Simple, this lizard climbing up a steep hill which it has two legs. Sending this vehicle at it, forcing it to collapse and fall, giving us enough time to get away and losing it for good. If that's doesn't gonna work - I'll be packing a surprise for it."
"What if it doesn't work?"
"It will work, one way or the other - I'll work." She's unsure with this plan, but continues on.
After pushing what it feels like a interinity, for Twilight though. We finally made it to the ledge and before we could finished it, the hydra heads pops over the ledge. For some reason, it looked like it was grinning or maybe it just looks fucking ugly, either way, I don't give a shit. Me and Twilight both look at each other and nodded. With one finale hard push, it goes over the ledge hitting the hydra chest, but the four headed fuckin lizards manage to hold it. Twilight is frighten causing her to froze in place. Damn, this is one tough son of a bitch! Smirking, I pulled out a grenade. But not tough enough.
Then I said, "As an old saying goes. (Pulled the pin) What goes up. (Tossing it) Must come down." Newton's first law - bitch. It lands in the humvee with the barrels. As this was happening Twilight notice this and before she could ask, I quickly tackle her to the ground, using my body as shield against the blast.
BOOOOOM!
…
…
…
Nothing, I felt nothing. I clearly heard the explosions but I felt no shock wave. Looking up, I find us surrounded by a small deep pink shield. I look at Twilight to see her horn covered in aurora, having the same color as the shield, her eyes are close shut, and panting but not as hard as I expected. I know that she hit her head hard, but not enough for a concussion. I ask, "Are you alright?"
Opening her eyes and looks up at me, "I think so-"
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
A sudden roar caught our attention so we both look up to see nothing there. Quickly, I got off Twilight and approach the cliff, making sure it was not gonna try again. As I stood at the edge of the cliff, I see the hydra leaving in agonizing pain. I'm relieved. Taking note of my surroundings: we're cornered to a cliff and surrounded by thick trees. It doesn't take long for me to pinpoint our position.
Groan
A groan gets my attention, looking back at her. I see her rubbing her head and then got up. Before I could ask, she suddenly shouts with anger, "When your gonna tell me that thing was gonna explode!"
I spoke calmly, "First off, that's a grenade and second of all, I told you it was gonna work."
"But you could have at least gave me a warning!"
"True, but your alive - right?"
"Yes, but-"
Crossing my arms. "Then that's all it matters - right."
She was unsure and sighs, "But-"
I interrupted her, "Look, I would love to argue with you all day, but we're losing daylight. I would prefer getting you to safety. And I'm sure you would agree with me as well. Now, got anything else to say or shall we get the hell out of here."
"(Sighs) No…"
"Good. Now come on - there's a bridge other side of this forest. We will be able to get to Ponyville through there." We approach the forest, but then I realized that it will not be easy to get through. Its covered in thick vines, black roots covered in thorns forming a wall, and thick bushes making it hard to see. Basically, a machete will be having a hard getting through this.
Twilight said, "We're gonna have to find another way through. It's too thick."
"I know…"
"What about we go around?"
"That take too long. We're gonna have to go through it." I pulled out my sword as I said that.
"How, your sword is not capable of cutting through this. But I know a spell that is more capable getting us through than your…"
CHOP!
She went silent as I started to swing and cut my way through like it was nothing. "…sword." Twilight stands their in awe and shock. She's amazed, realizing that it's the same sword use against the Titans.
I noticed that she wasn't following and said, "Are you coming or what." She snaps out of it and follows.
As I cut our way through, Twilight said, "How? I doubt that your own strength are capable of doing this. What kind of sword is that."
"You'd be surprised what humans can do. After all - you know jake shit about my kind."
"That may be true, but like I said before, it's highly unlikely. So what is it?" We come across log, blocking our pass.
"A sword," I said as I cut a log in half, making collapse onto the ground, creating a v shape. Then we continued onwards.
She rolls her eyes and sighs, "I know but what is it - I never seen anything like that before."
"It's classified." Before she could say anything else, I spoke loud and clear. "And that's all you need to know." Thus, I hear her sigh in defeat.
Soon, I notice an opening ahead of us. After making a few swings, we find ourselves through, but our surroundings just became much different. I found a path. It's more darker with ray of sunlight passing through the openings causing like a pathway like tunnel for us to see. Surprisingly, in the far distance head of us, I see the bridge. We are almost there. And to our right is another pathway, but leading somewhere else.
"This way." With that I place the sword back to its sheath and we continue onward. But I couldn't help myself but notice that everything around is unusual. There are many different plants I never seen before, having different varieties of shape and sizes. Of course this does not surprise very much so I simply ignored them, but I kept my hand on my swords handle because I couldn't help myself, but I'm getting a feeling that we're not supposed to be here. Hopefully, we get the hell out of here before something bad happens as they usually do. Twilight on the other hand is quite fantasized with this and appears that she has no idea what they are.
Twilight said to herself, "These organisms are quite fantasizing."
I ask, "What can you tell me about this forest."
"Well, the Everfree Forest is a wild wooded area on the outskirts of Ponyville that is home to a variety of creatures and animals, and it possesses a quality that allows plants and animals to thrive without pony intervention, which ponies consider 'unnatural.' Because of this, they're all dangerous and even some are extremely dangerous. Especially at night."
"Hump - Do you know this particular area?"
"No… I never been this part in the Everfree Forest before or even this far."
"I see…"
As we walked, I couldn't help myself but feel like we're being watch. Then, out of nowhere, I step on something that made me a bit unbalanced. I looked down and notice a metal object poking out of the dirt and leaves in front of us.
Twilight takes notice and asks, "What is it?"
I cround down, removing dry soil and leaves, revealing a beam. I don't understand, why would there be a beam in the middle of nowhere. There's many possibilities why the beam is out here. I investigated further and found a plank of wood but its attack to the beam. I realize that this is a train track. By the looks of it, it appears it hasn't been used for a very long time.
I stood up and siad, "Train tracks."
"Train tracks?"
"Yes. Are you sure you don't know anything? Anything about this at all?"
"No, I don't. Maybe my friends or the princesses might know." In the conorred of my left eye, I saw something in the trees. Before I could get a good look at it, it disappear without a trace. I couldn't make out what it looked like.
"What is it," said Twilight.
"I don't know… It's probably nothing. We should keep moving. We're almost there." I didn't want to concern her, but I know I saw something. But right now, I need to get her to safety.
Silence fell upon us once more. I notice something following us. It's keeping its distance and only observing us. But it's hard to keep track of it because the radar doesn't seem to detect it. I have to rely on my senses. But as time moves on, it becomes bolder, getting closer and closer. I was able to get a glimpse of it, it appears to be a small dark figure. It appears to be able to blend in with its surroundings.
"Joseph." Getting my attention, her eyes widened and trembles. "Above us." Looking where she was looking at, I see on the tree branch it just barely peeks out its head, seeing only its outline.
"I see it."
"How long its been following us?"
"Not sure…"
"It's… observing us." As we walked past it, it changes it position and now is on our left side, crawling like an animal. Sticking to the shadows.
"It would seem so…"
As we been talking, I notice that we are almost out of here. I could see the bridge, it seems stable enough to cross. Probably find out more once we're there.
"We're almost out of here!" Twilight is thrilled. I gave a small smile, but I couldn't help the feeling that something bad might happen.
After taking the last step out of there, I notice right away that the bridge was actually a trestle, a train bridge. Before we continued on, I take one last look behind us to see that it's gone. I couldn't help myself but wonder: what the hell is that thing? It could potentially be a threat.
I just continue on, but then I heard a faint voice coming from behind me. Instantly, I stop in my tracks, turning around, and aiming my assault rifle to see a dark figure. It was hard to make out what it looked like. It appears to be wavy like oily shadows. And its voice… its voice sounds like a whisper, speaking in a different language I don't understand but it sounds familiar, very familiar but where?
"Joseph!" Twilight shouts at me, getting my attention. I look at her then back to the forest to see nothing there. I'm puzzled, confused. What was that… She looks at the same direction as I am then back at me. "You okay?"
Looking back at her and said, "Yes I'm fine." I turned away from the forest, heading towards the bridge.
"You sure?" She says sounding concerning.
"I'm sure - now come on, we got to keep moving. Sooner I get you home the better." She makes no response.
As I approach the cliff, seeing in full few its looked different than I expected then again, I wasn't that surprise either. The cliff is much farther apart and as for the bridge, it seems unstable. Its missing blanks of wood and missing couple support beams. On top of it, the material is rotten and covered in mold. Twilight is uneasy with this, "This appears to be unstable, we should find another way."
Going through my options. Finding another way would take too long. On top of that, there's unknown lifeforms I have yet to faced. I couldn't see another way out. "There isn't."
I attempt to cross, but Twilight stop me and said, "Wait! We can't cross this!"
Crossing my arms, "Well we certainly can't go around - gods know how long till we find another way. Unless you can miraculously fly or we can just cut down a tree and turn it into a bridge."
"Have you seen the condition of this bridge, it will literally fall apart each step you take." Looking at it, knowing that she is right. She does a have a point. Sighing in response.
Looking back at Twilight. "I assume you have a better idea?"
She smiles. "As for matter of fact, yes." Before I could ask, she approaches me while her horn glows and engulfing us in aurora.
~poof~
Light flashes us, teloparting us to another location resulting different surroundings. Noticing her horn still glowing which it slowly tims out. She wobbles a bit, nearly collapsing but she quickly regains her balance and then takes a deep breath. Placing my left hand on her right shoulder blade. "You okay?"
Feeling weary, Twilight says "Yes, I'm fine just is exhausted all."
"Are you able to walk?"
"Yes, I believe so."
"Okay then." Immediately, I couldn't help the feeling like I been here before. Looking down I see a large depression in the mud before us, forming a some kind of a foot and there's more ahead of us forming tracks heading towards us. "Twilight, where are we?"
"Were just outside of Ponyville Outskirts." As she spoke, I crouch down and examining the tracks. It appears to be fresh, something went through here not too long ago. "Are those tracks," she declares.
Looking at her, she gives a fear expression of knowing what they are. This means one thing only - Titan! "We should get going."
"Agree." As I stood up, she takes the lead and says, "Ponyville is this way."
"I'm assuming you know where you going."
"Yes, I been here before."
"Hmm..."
Soon after, I started to recognize my surroundings. Were close to Ponyville. Then suddenly Twilight takes a turn to the right and said, "Ponyville is at the other side of this path, pass the field." She points straight ahead, where I see a clear path with a open green at the exit.
"Looks like your almost home."
"Well no thanks to you." She says as she smiles and looks at me. I couldn't help myself but smiled under the helmet.
"Just doing my job, ma'am. Now - shall we." She nods in the agreement so we walked onwards.
As we walked, I notice that there's small patches of flowers blooming along our path which most of them I recognized: Roses, Dandelions, and Iris. Its peaceful, but how long till the next danger shows up, thankfully we are close getting out of here. Along the way, I couldn't help notice Twilight body language, she appears that something's bothering her, probably still tense. Soon after, we finally reached the field with a clear view of Ponyville and Sweet Apple Acres. We're just stood at the entrance of the Everfree forest.
"Finally," said Twilight, feeling exhilarated. Breathed heavily for a shot moment. I smiled in response.
"Let's move out." I took the lead which she followed beside me, heading towards Ponyville I notice she was smiling, thinking that she accomplish something. Once we reach a safe distance, about 200 feet, I stop and said, "This is where we part ways." I spoke serious, which this surprises her.
"Wait your not coming?"
"No."
"But- why?"
"Your safe and out of harm's way so there's no need for me to be here."
I attempt to leave but I felt something on my shoulder blade. "You don't have to go, you could stay."
"(Sigh) Like I said before - the answer is still 'No.'"
Walking towards the Everfree Forest, only to be stopped. "I can't let you go out there - it's not safe." Your testing my patience.
"Then why did you went out there if it wasn't safe."
"Because we just couldn't leave you out there!" She raises her voice slightly.
"Well you should have because what you and your friends did was irrational!" Her eyes shot wide open. "Now would you excuse me." I walked past her.
"Irrational. Irrational! We risk our lives to save you!" That I stopped at her responses. Now your getting on my nerve
I marched up to her as I said, "And that furthers my point!" I stood over, making a foot difference. "Why would anyone would risk their lives for a stranger - let alone a alien!"
"And what - let you die!"
"Yes!" This answer shocks her completely. I continued to walk away from her, again.
She gets in front of me again and this time, she's shock and confuse. Can you just leave me the hell alone. "I can't let you go or I'll-"
"Or you what - stop me!" I took a step further close to her, she held her ground. "Like your friend tried to stop the Titan." She froze at the response. "If you girls have listen to me earlier, none of this would have happen and Applejack would have not been injured at all, and I would have been miles away by now from you girls."
"You mean-"
"Yes, it was a plan but a plan that went wrong. I admit that I… miscalculated your and your friends responses."
That last statement piss her off, "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT!"
"I wanted to be left alone!"
"My friends risk their lives! I risk my life to save you but you were just pretending in the hopes of us abandoning you! So that you'll be alone! What kind of somepony does that!"
I crossed my arms and then said, "Me."
Filled with anger, "Then why were you kind to us when in the first place!?"
"I was being polite."
"Polite! We showed our kindness and you risked our lives!"
"Your alive, aren't you."
"Me and Applejack nearly got killed!"
"I saved your life. Twice!"
"What about my friends! What about Applejack! Did you save… her…" She stops suddenly, her ears flops down, starts to shake, breathes heavily , and her pupils shrink, she's frighten.
"What?" She struggled to answer, couldn't talk only muster a sound. Then I noticed a faint reflection off my visor so raise my head and my arms dropped as I figure out what she been trying to say. Something came out of the Everfree Forest, three large figures stood in plain sight out of the forest.
"You got to be fucking kidding me!"
She turns around and faces them and spoke, "The Titans!" At that moment, she takes couple steps backward. As we stand there, they stood there watching us and then I notice them having black marks on it, similar to an explosive marks. Realizing that these are the same ones that we fought early today. And by the looks of it, they extremely piss off. This is gonna be a long fucking day... again.
You made it! You might be wondering, "what took me so long to finished this god damn chapter?!" I'll tell you why, but it's not an excuse (well some of them are). Here's a list I made: lazy, video games, corrections with the last few chapters, again corrections (mainly fixing error-corrections), life, college, this chapter, this is just a hobby, and loss of motivation.
At least I took my time because I had many ideas on approaching this chapter, but most of them would not work for various reasons. Basically, this chapter went through several stages until it was finally completed. Well anyways, I hope you like this chapter and I'll see you in the next one.
P.S. If you guys have some awesome ideas for spells that would be much appreciate because coming up word 'Illume Lu Luminous' wasn't easy. And i'm making a list for myself to use for the main story.