i slowly woke up and looked around the tent room. i was still holding twilight who was sleeping soundly with a smile on her face. light seemed to surround the tent and make it glow from the outside. there was an uncomfortable chill seeping around past the blankets covering me and twilight. never before have i ever wanted to sleep in so badly in my life... but we have to keep going. i should probably start waking up the others so we can go. i let out a big yawn and stretched my hooves which was oddly enough to wake up twilight.
"huh wha-... oh... good morning crimson." twilight said confused until she turned her head to see me. she saw me and smiled right off the bat making me smile as well.
"morning twilight..." i said. "ready to get going?"
"yeah... we should get the others up." she said. i just nodded in agreement. we both got up and stretched our hooves before twilight went to go wake up derek and nightflame. while she woke the two of them up i started packing up and getting the camp ready to go. soon enough derek and nightflame came out of their tents and we all packed up and were ready to go.
"ugh... this is going to be one of those days isn't it?" said derek hitching the cart to himself. i would disagree. yesterday was one of those days for me, but i was feeling much stronger now and can say all my strength has returned. i was even glowing and my armor was shining brightly on my body. i don't know about him but i was good to go.
"ah don't worry..." i said. "it's pretty early so we should get there just before it gets dark."
"i wouldn't hold my breath though..." said nightflame. twilight walked over to the exit of the cave and covered us with her heat shield and we got going. we walked away from the cave and started down the rocky mountain range once more. it was still slightly dark outside suggesting the sun hadn't risen yet and the snow was still falling down to the ground, though more lightly now. the clouds still hung high up above, much higher than the clouds above equestria. they were grey and threatening and seemed to dullen the mood of the world.
as we walked the silent and still air was soon filled with the faint sounds of falling rocks. i looked around to see a few small rocks fall down the mountain top and tumble to our hooves. i looked down and then back up at the mountain to see what could have caused this. there was an overlook on top of the mountain, most likely another path or rocky platform. i didn't see anything past the blurring snow but i could see a faint black figure that disappeared past the edge and was now gone. i glared up now sensing eyes on our group... i'm going to have to keep my wits about me. the others didn't really seem to care too much and it might be better they don't know. but i was keeping alert i could feel something was watching us now and i was on guard.
"is everything alright?" asked twilight who noticed i was acting very tense. her question snapped me out of my focused state and i looked at her, still keeping my guard up however.
"yeah... i just thought i saw something." i said.
"alright... well if it's something we should know, tell us." she said.
"don't worry... it's nothing." i said smiling. she smiled too and looked back. we walked for a while longer until the storm had finally settled into just a light flurry of snow. it was now well past noon and we had made great progress. we left the mountain biome a while ago and now we were surrounded by evergreen trees at the end of the mountain. it was well into the after noon now and it was still cold as hell. fortunately we have twilight's heat shield.
"oh god how much longer... my hooves are killing me." said derek.
"a while." i said. "the city is imbedded in a mountainous clearing past this forest... do you need me to take the cart?" i asked.
"that would be great..." he said. i walked over and we both switched places, now i was pulling the heavy cart which seemed weightless to me.. "thanks buddy." he said rolling his shoulder. "that thing is fucking heavy..." he said.
"hmm... i'm sure it is." said twilight.
"don't worry..." i said. "once we get to indigo city we'll rest up and then head out through the mountain passage to oasis..."
"sounds like fun..." said nightflame. i just smiled and rolled my eyes as we walked through the forest. the snow was still just a slight downfall that gently floated down to the ground. like before i suddenly heard a rustle in the bushes and the tree's around us and looked over. i saw a faint pair of glowing eyes then they were gone. i was sure now that we're being followed. i hadn't noticed it myself but twilight noticed that i was constantly staring and looking around.
"what's wrong?" she asked catching my attention as she walked up to my side.
"huh..." i said looking down at her now and taking my attention away from the forest around us. "uh..." i muttered. i might as well tell her. "well i think... that we're being followed."
"followed?..." said derek from behind. "by who?"
"not sure... but they've been following us all day." i replied. "i don't know if they're dangerous... but i'd still keep guard." the others just nodded and we pushed onward.
We kept walking through the rigid and cold Forrest for a few more hours and I kept my guard up. I could sense a lot of energies nearby, some big and some small. Everything was obscured since I am not very familiar with this part of the world so I couldn't tell exactly what was out there. And it was hard to see. It was like the forest around us was surrounded by a cloak of darkness. It wasn't too long ago that me and Nightflame switched positions and he took the wagon for a bit while I rested my arms, which weren't very tired really.
It was starting to get a bit late and the snow had picked up slightly and blew in from the side. I looked up at the grey sky and almost wished it were night. It'll be nice and warm once we get to indigo city and out of this forest. I smiled a bit and let out a deep breath. I took in another breath through my nose and caught whiff of something really nasty and I cringed and started coughing. It was the most disgusting smell ever.
" oh god what the hell is that smell?" I said covering my nose.
" ugh... Oh jeeze what is that?" Said Derek as he too covered his nose along with Nightflame and twilight.
" did something die like a skunk or something?" Said Nightflame.
" I don't know but we should get moving and get away from the smell." Said twilight. So we did, we walked onward at a faster pace but the smell seemed to follow us and it was horrible. My senses were going crazy and I could feel multiple energies all around us. And the fact that my nose was burning now didn't help. We walked and walked and then I felt something... Off.
" wait..." I said stopping the group.
" what is it... C'mon we need to get away from this fucking smell." Said Derek holding his nose.
" something's wrong." I said.
" what is it?" Asked twilight. I quickly shushed her and looked around. Everything was silent and the only thing keeping me from enjoying this beautiful dusk time forest was the horrid smell in the air. Soon there was a growl and a huge beast kept from the dark Forrest and pounced on Nightflame.
"Aahh." He screamed." Get it off me." He said yelling as the beast tore at him with it's claws. I used my magic to pick the beast up and throw it off him. It hit the ground and whimpered before getting back up and facing us growling and snarling. It was some kind of wolf, but it was made out of wood, it had deep glowing eyes and... Oh god the breath, that's what's been smelling. This thing must have been stalking us.
" it's a timber wolf." Said twilight. " that explains the smell."
Out of the forest almost on queue four more timberwolves crawled from the bushes snarling and staring us down. It was a whole pack. I got ready for a fight and glowed brightly as large sharp tentacles of light attached themselves to my back and worked like added appendages. Nightflame started glowing bright with fire and got ready to fight. Derek used his magic to hold up his sword and twilight held her staff close.
And soon enough the fight broke out. They snarled and barked before attacking and pouncing us. I managed to get one and rip it apart before being pounced by two more. The others were handling themselves, but they seemed to reanimate and pull themselves back together after being killed. And as an added boost there were a few more that leapt from the bushes to help their friends. Twilights and night flames fire attacks seemed to work effectively but they weren't doing enough damage.
Two timber wolves hung from my armor by their jaws as they tried to clamp their teeth down on my armor. Derek let out a shout as he was just pounced on by a wolf. He fought to keep the beast away from his face as it bit and clawed furiously to get at him. I used my magic to send up spikes around Derek and hit the wolf which broke apart and flew into the air before hitting the ground. I shot spikes of magic out form my armor and destroyed the two holding onto me. Another one tried coming at me from behind but I shot spikes up from the ground and skewered it.
We fought and fought but they wouldn't stay down and they kept coming too. Soon enough I threw the last timberwolves off of twilight and we were encircled by a group of at least 12 timberwolves. It was hard to fight when they have such horrible breath, and also when they won't stay dead. There wasn't much hope for us. And it's safe to say we were all pretty beat up. We all had cuts and scrapes on us. Some deep and others just scratches. I had a few bits on me. Twilight had a huge bite on her arm when one of the wolves got smart and went for her staff... She's bleeding badly.
" there... There's too many." Said twilight.
" I...I fucking hate wolves." Said Derek. The wolves seemed to react to that and started snarling and barking. They inched closer and closer. I shot up spikes of light all around us to keep them out and it seemed to work for the mean time. They just circled around and tried to get in every now and then, but we can't keep this up forever. Twilight needs he and we're close to indigo city. Suddenly there was another rustle in the bushes and a familiar energy appeared.
From the dark bushes jumped a wolf, a regular wolf. It jumped out and landed down outside of us. I got distracted for a minute and dropped the spikes. Instead of facing us the wolf seemed to look towards the timberwolves. It snarled at them and the timber wolves did the same. It was a large blackish and grey wolf with large paws, sharp teeth, and... Wings? Yes wings. As it growled and snarled at the timberwolves it had large black wings spread out on each side as a show of intimidation. He seemed to keep the others away.
Suddenly one of the larger timberwolves of the pack, probably the alpha male jumped out and pounced of the winged wolf. They both fell to the ground snarling, biting and clawing at each other. I didn't know what was going on and the other wolves didn't seemed to be helping. I just watched and saw as the black winged wolf bit down on the timber wolf and thrashed around and used his wings as an advantage. He flew into the air a bit holding the timber wolf in his jaws by its neck. He flew up a bit and then straight back down slamming the timber wolf into the ground. The timber wolf stopped thrashing and laid still now. The green glowing eyes and cracks on its body faded and it fell still. It didn't reanimate but just laid there as the black wolf removed its grip... It was dead.
The black wolf looked back at the others, wings out and baring his fangs. The other wolves seemed to grow worried now and whimpered before running back off into the forest. The black wolf barked at them as they ran away and when they were gone he let out a fierce howl almost in lay of his victory. The wolf folded his wings back to his side and turned to look at us. The others drew their weapons and I got my magic spikes ready. The wolf looked at us in a not so menacing way and barked at us, but it was more of a playful bark then a fierce one. I was confused and let my guards down, the others didn't.
" what the hell kind of wolf is this?" Said Derek. " it's got freakin wings!" The wolf seemed to slowly walk over and pant with his tongue out. The others kept their weapons drawn. The wolf barked again like before, with a playful yelp.
" wait..." I said making my friendship their guards down. They looked at me in confusion but did so anyway. I started walking slowly towards the wolf.
" crimson are you crazy." Said twilight. " that things is a demon."
" no he's not." I said walking over to him. He seemed to smile at me and yelp a few more times playfully. He looked at me with his big eyes as his tail swung back and forth behind him. "He saved us... He's friendly, look his tail is wagging.". I walked over a bit more until I was right in front of the wolf. I knelt down and got on his level. He sat down panting with his tail hanging out the side of his mouth. I smiled and brought a hoof up slowly. He looked at it and brought his snout over and sniffed it. He barked and rubbed his head up against my hoof.
" I guess... He's not that bad." Said twilight walking over.
" good boy." I said petting him. " thank you for saving us from the wolves... You're a very brave wolf... With wings, whatever you are." I said. He closed his eyes and smiled as I ran my hoof behind his ear and scratched him gently. " where's your home boy." I said. He barked in a neutral tone and seemed to stop smiling. Even though I couldn't hear him or really know what he was saying I had an understanding. Like I knew what he was saying to an extent. " you don't have a home." I said scratching him.
" are you talking with the wolf." Said Derek.
"Do you want to come with us boy?" I asked him. He helped playfully again and jumped up and rested his hooves on my shoulders almost knocking me over. He brought his head over and started licking my face. I smiled and laughed and playfully tried to get him off me. " hahah... Alright alright, down boy..." I said. He yelped awfully again before getting off me and letting me stand up now. He smiled and wagged his tail.
" you're taking him with us?" Said twilight.
" yeah why not?" I said. " I like him... Plus he saved us so its the least I can do... And c'mon... He's so adorable. Plus how awesome is it to say that instead of having a regular dog as a companion I have a wolf with wings as my companion."
"Companion?" Said Nightflame.
" I don't want to look at him like a pet." I said reaching over and scratching the wolf behind the ears again. " companion sounds better."
" well even if... You... Ugh." Said twilight before she seemed to buckle over and almost hit the ground before Derek caught her.
" woah twilight." Said Nightflame as he and I rushed over. The wolf walked over too.
" twilight you're really pale." Said Derek holding her. " she's losing a lot of blood."
" don't worry." I said. I started glowing and little streams of white energy flowed from me and wrapped around twilight. They covered her and she glowed brightly. When the glowing stopped she was fully healed and perfectly healthy. Though she still will be tired and dizzy from the blood loss, but at least she's still alive. She laid there in Derek's arms sleeping and unconscious.
" we should get going." Said Nightflame.
" yeah... Here, let me see her." I said as I held my hooves out and Derek laid her in my arms now. I picked her up and tossed her over my back to carry her. " let's get going, indigo city should be close now." I said as the wolf behind me barked playfully making me smile.
" alright let's go." Said Nightflame. I smiled and got up. I walked over to the cart and placed twilight in the back resting before going to the front and hitching it to myself. It was safe to say that I was the least phased by the battle and I should pull the cart. I could still tell the others were tired. I pulled the cart and we walked along. The wolf walked beside me and would do whatever wolves did normally, he sniffed things and barked every now and then.
" so you don't have a home, huh boy." I said looking at him. He barked. " well do you have a name?" I asked him. He barked again and like before I seemed to understand what he was telling me, like animal instinct. It could just be that I am very in tune with nature given my current... Title. " shadow tail huh... Well shadow tail how about once we're done with this journey you can come home and live with me and my family." I said smiling. He barked and wagged his tail happily making me laugh.
" crimson..." Said Derek.
" yeah." I replied.
" you're crazy." He said. I laughed at his statement.
" I may be crazy... But there's a method to my madness." I said. " besides just look at him... Shadow tail is awesome... And I'm sure he'll fit in just fine... Probably." I said remembering that most wolves I know of are either still decomposing in my yard, or don't have wings. But I think he'll make a great companion, and who knows maybe the others will grow to like him.
We kept walking and luckily it wasn't long until the large towering gates of indigo city soon fell into view and the glow of the city lit up the darkness. And thankfully it wasn't much longer until we reached the gate. We all looked around at the huge city that climbed up the mountain. The others stared in awe and took in the sight, while I took in the memories. I let out a deep sigh and smiled.
" what do we do now?" Asked Nightflame.
" I know a place we can stay." I said smiling and leading my friends through the town. We walked around and all the memories and familiar sights started flooding into my head. All the lights and houses and snow covered objects where a sight for sore eyes. I looked around and soon enough a very familiar sight almost made me stop in my tracks. It was my old house when I lived here a long long time ago. It was empty and deserted. I almost came to a complete stop just to look at it but we need to keep going so I forced myself onward. The others didn't ask me if I was alright if I was acting strange, they weren't even paying attention anymore, just looking around at the huge city.
We kept walking around and the sight of my old house told me we were close to where I want us to be. We walked around a bit and I had to think hard about where to go but I was sure I knew where I was going. Made another turn and we went down a familiar street. We walked down the street until the second I stepped I front of one of the houses I was greeted with all the familiar memories of my past. I turned to the house which was glowing within from the light of torches. I smiled and walked forward and my friends inched over too seeming confused. I lifted my hoof up and knocked on the door.
" coming..." Said a delightfully familiar voice. I heard the sound of hoofsteps and soon enough the door swung open to reveal a large and husky pony with brown fur, white long hair and beard, a hearty voice, and a scar over his eye. " wha-" he said in confusion. He stared at us for a moment then his eyes locked on something and he smiled. " my god... Crimson." He said. I'm surprised he remembers me. I was about to say hello but he rushed past me and grabbed my friend Derek. " crimson you old bastard." He said in a happy and hearty voice.
" ah god..." Said Derek.
" we thought you weren't coming back... Ya should have told us." He said hugging Derek and practically picking him up.
" ah god put me down... I'm not crimson." Said Derek trying to breath.
" hrothar..." I said looking at him and smiling. He let go of Derek and looked at me. " I'm crimson..." I said. He seemed confused for a second. Then I smiled, rolled my eyes and used my magic to turn back into my original colors. Red fur with black and blue striped hair. His eyes widened.
" my god... Crimson." He said. He rushed over and picked me up now instead of Derek who was breathing heavy. He let out a hearty laugh that could life any ponies spirit. " my god miska and Kroger are never going to believe this." He said putting me down. " come in... All of ya... Leave the cart out front." He said. I rolled my eyes and did as he said I grabbed twilight from the back.
" who is this guy?" Asked Derek before we went in.
" this is hrothar... He was my friend while I lived in the city." I said smiling and walking into the house. It was the same as I remember it, warm and cozy with a nice outdoorsy touch to it.
" miska... Miska come quickly." Said hrothar yelling up to the stairs.
" blast it hrothar... It's late, I thought you would be coming to bed by now." Said another delightfully familiar mares voice. Soon miska, hrothars wife walked down the stairs and looked at the group. We looked back and shadow tail sat calmly at my side. " my god... Crimson... Is it really you?" She said slowly walking over. Hrothar was smiling and keeping his excitement in.
" isn't it great..." He said. " he finally came back, never thought he would... Oh I can't wait to see krogers face." Miska walked over smiling and gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
" it's so wonderful to have you back... Oh... Who's this." Said miska as she noticed twilight flung over my back out cold.
" this is one of my friends." I said. " she got hurt badly when we were attacked by timberwolves... These are my other friends thunder rush and Nightflame... And my brand new companion shadow tail." I said gesturing to each friend.
" well have a seat then... Why don't you rest that young mare down in the guest room so she can sleep..." Said hrothar. I smiled and walked over to the guest room while the others walked around and took a seat. Shadow tail walked over and laid down near the fireplace and rested his head. I opened the door to the guest room and walked in. It was nice sight to see after all this time. I walked over to the bed and placed twilight down on the animal fur to keep her warm. I rested her head on the pillow and she looked peaceful.
I smiled and gave her a small pat on the shoulder. For an adventure like this she's holding up pretty well. I'm surprised at her determination and endurance. I'm just glad we're out of the forest now and into someplace more safe and warm. I think it would be safe to say that we should stay here for a few days and rest up before heading out again. At least make the time to say hello to the others and get to know them. I smiled once more at twilight and left the room to join the others. I walked out and sat down at the table.
" so crimson..." Said hrothar." What brings you back to indigo city?" He asked as miska had already put out food and drinks for everypony even shadow tail who ate up the food quickly. I ate some of mine too.
" well..." I said finishing the mouthful of food I already had. " I'm on a quest... This is one of the stops along the trail..."
" ooh, what kind of quest is it?" Asked miska.
" a big one." Said Derek.
" that's putting it lightly... But you wouldn't believe me even if I told you... Hell you wouldn't believe me even if you were there." I said rolling my eyes at the extravagance of the quest I'm on.
" oh don't you worry..." Said hrothar. " I've heard my fair share of tales... Fire away lad."
"'Alright then... Well about a month ago an ancient deity abducted my wife and took her to a cross dimensional land in order to kill me and absorb my immortal soul. So I have to go to stallasia and leap through a portal to his dimension so I can do battle with him and claim my wife back." I took a deep breath after saying so much and sat there. The look on hrothar and miska's faces... My god the look.
"Well... That's uh... That's..." He said stammering before pausing for a second. " that's quite the tale... I'll give you points for creativity."
" you said something about your immortal soul." Said miska.
" a lot has changed." I said looking at them. " I don't expect you to completely understand all of this... Hell it's pretty new to me as well." i said. i can understand this was a lot to take in for them by their awestruck faces. it was kinda funny but i kept my laughter inside.
"alright... so what, exactly, has changed." said hrothar.
"a lot." said derek.
"maybe it would be better if we spoke about it in the morning... it's late." i said.
"oh yes... of course." said hrothar. "there extra bedding in the closet and plenty of space... make yourselves at home boys." he said smiling.
"thank you." i said. the others thanked hrothar too. after a while we finished our food quickly and miska and hrothar went upstairs to their room and i grabbed the bedding from the closet. i passed it out to the others and took some for myself. derek and nightflame will sleep in the main room tonight and i'll be in the guest room with twilight. i grabbed my stuff and walked into the room. i looked back to the two of them and smiled. "night guys." i said.
"see ya crimson." said derek.
"yeah... g'night."said nightflame.
i smiled and walked into the guest room and shadow tail bolted in too making me smile. i set up the bedding which was rather large and laid down at the edge of twilight's bed on the floor. i laid down and rested my head on the small makeshift pillow i grabbed. shadow tail laid down next to me and curled up in a ball. i looked back up at twilight who was sleeping peacefully in the bed. she'll probably be weak for a while but i'm sure she'll recover fast. we just gotta make sure she gets a lot of carbs and calcium so her body can replenish the blood she lost.
i laid back down and rested my head on the pillow and closed my eyes. i started to wander off into my own dream world and think about what tomorrow has in store for me. but i was just glad that right now we're all safe and warm inside the city, and with friends too. but even though i still can't help but wonder what surprises are in store for me in the future. if only i could look to the future... but i don't think that's possible. i guess there's only one way to find out. and boy do i want to find out. i'm itching to get to this place already, but it's going to be a long trip.
but i'm willing to push through it... no matter the cost.
-Authors Note: so yeah... got some action in there... few wolves here and there... nothing crimson and his friends cant handle... well they couldnt really handle it...so. shadow tail to the rescue.
i would like to thank Wolfoftheabyss5 for allowing me to borrow his OC Shadow Tail. i know he's been waiting a while for me to present the OC... since like the near end of dream machine... so i would like to thank him for waiting so long and i would like to let him know that shadow tail is now going to be a permanent and frequent Character in the story.
i remember talking before about how i cant make all the OC's permanent and i would like to change that... i cant make all the OC's FREQUENT. meaning they wont be in the story as much or all the time. but if the chance prevents itself i will use any excuse i can to include an OC. it all depends on the situation and the OC. so yeah, hope you guys liked this chapter, sorry i haven't posted in a while ive been busy with some important stuff. so stay safe, stay sober, and stay shady.-End of Note-