SEASON 1: THE ADVENTURES OF ALEX IN EQUESTRIA
Chapter 7: Timberwolf Season
It all begins in the Sugarcube Corner store. After all the trouble I had caused the Cake family, I decided to look for a job to be able to live on my own, and now that I work part-time on the Apple family farm, the time has come for me to leave.
Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Pinkie Pie, and I were at the entrance of the store, as my sad farewell was taking place there, and surprisingly, of the four of us, the Cake couple was the saddest (I thought it would be Pinkie).
-Alex: Well, I guess this is it, now that I have a job I must leave.
-Mr. Cake: But you still don't have a place to stay, you could continue lodging here for as long as you want.
-Alex: I'm sorry, Mr. Cake, but I decided that as soon as I got a job, I would go look for a house.
-Mrs. Cake: We only knew you for a short time, and it's very hard for us to forget you... *snif*
-Alex: You don't have to forget about me, as soon as I find a place to live I'll come to visit you, and I'll also come to eat here from time to time.
-Pinkie Pie: Oh, that reminds me of something - she entered the store and came back with a bag in her hooves - this is for you
He handed me the bag, and when I opened it, I could see it had a dozen chocolate chip cookies.
-Pinkie Pie: Just in case your search is long.
-Alex: Thank you, Pinkie, I really appreciate it - I took a cookie from the bag and ate it - mmmm~ it's delicious~
The Cakes and Pinkie looked at me somewhat sadly, it was clear they would miss me.
-Alex: Well, the time has come.
I turned around and started flying in search of a place to live; Mr. and Mrs. Cake and Pinkie Pie returned to the store.
-Thought of Alex: "Well, now I won't cause them any more problems... but now I'm the one with the problem, where the heck am I going to sleep?!"
I stopped on a cloud and sat down to think more clearly.
-Alex: Phew, now I don't have a house anymore (though that's my fault), and there are no places for me to stay here in Ponyville, so I really have a problem. Hm, maybe I should try in Cloudsdale, after all, I'm always on cloud nine hehehe (I know, bad joke, very bad joke)
But curiously, thanks to that bad joke, a brilliant idea came to mind, and a light bulb appeared shining above my head.
-Alex: Or I could build myself a house here, on top of a cloud - I looked at the cloud I was sitting on - I have the skills of a pegasus, so it wouldn't be a bad idea, but I will need a lot of materials to make it, and also some help because I don't know how to build, especially with clouds.
I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly someone pulled me out of them; Rainbow Dash flew very close to me, which reminded me that she was a pegasus and also lived in a house made of clouds, surely she could help me.
-Alex: Speaking of the king of Rome... or queen - I stood up, leaving my bag of food on the cloud - Alright, wings, don't fail me now
I ran at full speed on the cloud to gain momentum and dove to take flight and start following Rainbow Dash. She was faster than me, but I still made the attempt to catch up with her.
The pegasus stopped to move some clouds, so I took advantage of it until I finally caught up with her. When I got close to her, I greeted her and started talking to her.
-Alex: ¡Hey Rainbow Dash!
-Rainbow Dash: Hey Tools -we fist bump/hoof bump- What's new?
-Alex: Well, you know, everything's normal, but hey, I need to ask you a favor. You see, I'm thinking of building a house with clouds, but I don't know how. Could you help me?
-Rainbow Dash: Sure, sounds simple. When do you plan to do it?
-Alex: I would like us to do it today, before it gets dark.
-Rainbow Dash: Oh, I'm sorry Alex but it's not going to work out.
-Alex: What? Why not?
-Rainbow Dash: There was a problem with the rains and we need to create a big storm cloud to compensate, so we won't be able to use clouds for another 3 days.
when the storm passes and the clouds replenish
-Alex: It takes me... well, isn't there something else I can use to build on a cloud?
-Rainbow Dash: I don't think so, common construction materials are too heavy to be used on clouds.
-Alex: Common materials, huh? Then I'll look for something "uncommon"; thanks for everything, Rainbow.
-Rainbow Dash: It was nothing, Alex.
I said goodbye to her by bumping my fist against her hoof and started flying towards the library. If there's a place that can help me research something, it's the library (or also the Internet, but I didn't bring my phone, hehe).
After a while flying, I finally reached my destination. I began to descend in front of the library entrance and approached to knock on the door. Almost immediately, I was greeted by Spike, Twilight's dragon assistant, and a good friend of mine.
-Alex: Hi Spike
-Spike: Hello Alex, it's great to see you again.
-Alex: Hehe, yeah, I'm also glad to see you, buddy.
-Spike: Are you coming to pick up Twilight?
-Alex: More or less, actually I need to research something on a specific topic, I plan to build myself a house in the clouds but I can't use clouds for now.
- Spike: And why don't you build it on solid ground?
-Alex: There's not enough space in Ponyville, and I don't plan on living in the Everfree Forest after seeing what it's like. I need you to help me find a book on special construction materials or something like that, please?
-Spike: *sigh* Alright, come in
I entered the library while Spike closed the door behind me. Once inside, I could see a large number of books very well organized on quite tall shelves, apparently divided by colors depending on the topics they covered.
-Spike: Better get comfortable, Alex, this usually takes a while.
-Alex: I found it!
I flew to the middle-high part of the shelf and took out a green book with a cover featuring various houses.
-Alex: "Ancient pony constructions," this should help, maybe it will tell me something about a construction in the clouds.
I opened the book and started skimming through its pages, at first I didn't find anything useful, until I came across a page titled "The Ancient Cloudsdale." In that part, it told of an old city built in the clouds that both pegasi and earth ponies and unicorns could go to, as it was made of a solid yet light material, cumulus wood...
-Alex: "...This ancient material was used a long time ago by pegasi to build structures in the sky, until the correct way to use clouds as a material was discovered. After that, it was no longer used due to the danger involved in obtaining it..." But where did they get it from? - I kept reading - Oh no...
-Spike: What's up?
-Alex: "...Cumulus wood can only be obtained in what is now known as the Everfree Forest, and that's because cumulus wood is made from the remains of timberwolves."
-Spike: Timberwolves?! - he ran to his bed and hid under the sheets - don't mention those things, they have been my greatest fear since our last encounter - he said, scared and trembling -
-Alex: Even so, I need to go get some cumulus wood. If Twilight comes back, tell her I stopped by to say hello; see you, Spike.
I left the book on ancient constructions on a small table and left the library. I spread my wings and flew towards the Everfree Forest, the place where I would get the cumulus wood (or at least I would try).
LATER, AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE EVERFREE FOREST
I was standing in front of the fearsome forest, ready to throw myself into danger, when suddenly I heard a voice calling me in the opposite direction from where I was looking.
-Twilight: Alex! Wait!
-Alex: Twilight? - I turned to look at her - What are you doing here? It's dangerous.
-Twilight: That should be me telling you; Spike told me everything and I came to stop you.
-Alex: I'm sorry, Twilight, but I've made up my mind. I'm going to hunt some timberwolves to get cumulus wood or die trying...
-Twilight: Die? - she shook her head, coming out of a fantasy she was having of me being dead - It's not necessary for you to go that far, Alex. If you don't have anywhere to stay, you could live in the guest room we have in the library -s aying that, she blushed a little, once again having a fantasy, this time of her and me living together in the library -
-Alex: No, I do this to stop causing problems for others...
-Twilight: But you're causing trouble right now.
-Alex: I didn't say it was a perfect plan, but anyway, it would be better if you go back to the village, I don't want you to get hurt - I started to walk towards the forest, but I was stopped by Twilight's magic -
-Twilight: I'm not going to let you go.
-Alex: And I don't plan on sleeping on the street.
We looked at each other for a while, both determined to keep our word.
-Twilight: I'll go with you.
-Alex: What thing?
-Twilight: I'm going to accompany you to prevent you from getting hurt, since I see that you won't listen to reason.
-Alex: Ah, I don't know, Twilight - I started scratching my neck as a sign of insecurity - I'm not very sure, the last time we came here we barely got out and I don't want to risk you (because I have a feeling something bad will happen to us inside).
-Twilight: Don't worry, I've been reading and practicing some spells to defend myself since our last adventure, don't think I'm so defenseless, Alex - she looked at me playfully -
-Alex: Alright, in that case, let's go hunting!
We walked together into the depths of the Everfree Forest, ready to kick off timberwolf season.
A LITTLE LATER, INSIDE THE FOREST
(P.S.: I forgot to clarify, but by this point, you must have already noticed; when something appears in parentheses during the narration or a character's dialogue, it is because it is a thought of theirs, not something they say out loud. End of P.S.)
We kept walking in search of timberwolves, but curiously, we couldn't see any.
-Alex: Ugh, what a hassle, last time the timberwolves were popping up as ads on the internet and now we can't see any, and besides, I'm starting to get tired of walking.
-Twilight: The last time we came, it was at night; it's likely that the timberwolves are nocturnal.
-Alex: Yes, it could be (but in the series, I remember seeing wolves during the day, how strange)
He was lost in thought, and just like a while ago, without any warning, a very strange noise nearby pulled him out of it; it was something like the sound of thunder.
-¿?: *Trummmmmm*
-Twilight: And that sound?
-Alex: I don't know, but it sounded very close...
-¿?: *Trummmmmm*
-Alex: There! - I pointed to some bushes -
We went into the bushes to see what was making that sound, and as we crossed them, we were greatly surprised to find a small hawk trapped among several vines in a tree, the poor thing struggling and biting the vines trying to free itself but it was useless. I decided to approach to try to help it, but it started to look at me threateningly.
-Alex: Calm down, I just want to free you, okay?
I got closer to try to free him, but the hawk lunged at me, and luckily I reacted in time and stepped back.
-Twilight: Alex, are you okay?
-Alex: Yes, I'm fine, luckily I dodged it in time. - turns to look at the hawk - Hey, take it easy, little buddy, we just want to help you.
-Hawk: *Trummmmmm*
-Alex's thought: "Ah, so that thunder-like sound comes from that hawk, quite curious, but well, I have to think about how I'm going to release it without it biting me."
-Alex: Hm... oh, I know *snap* Twilight, use your magic to free him
-Twilight: Okay
She began to concentrate her magic at the tip of her horn, and when she had enough, she started to wrap the vines with it.
-Twilight: Now I will try to loosen the vines that hold him.
He began to remove one by one the vines that had him trapped, everything was going well until a couple of not-so-welcome intruders appeared.
-Alex: Timberwolves! -I get on guard-
-Twilight: Ahhh!
The scare made Twilight lose control over the vines, the hawk was still trapped, and now we had to fight a couple of wolves.
-Alex: Finally, you show up, I was starting to get sleepy - he said somewhat excitedly - alright Twilight, I'll take care of the one on the left and you take the one on the right, okay?
-Twilight: Huh?, y-yeah - trembling a little, he got into a defensive stance, looking at the timberwolf -
We were ready to face them, the beasts looked very calm just like me, which made Twilight uncomfortable.
-Twilight: Alex, how can you be so calm?
-Alex: To be honest, Twilight, being in this situation terrifies me inside, but I don't show it because having you by my side calms me. I know that together we can defeat them.
-Twilight: Ah yes, about that... I might have exaggerated a bit about my combat skills.
-Alex: So you don't know any combat spells?
-Twilight: Yes, I know... some... I only had time to study the basics.
-Alex: Well, I'm sure that will be enough.
-Twilight: But I haven't been able to apply it in a real fight, Alex, I'm not sure about-
I approached her and looked her in the eyes, our gazes met in a very dramatic way.
-Alex: Twilight, calm down, don't forget that, no matter what happens, I will be here to support you.
-Twilight: Alex...
-Alex: Now, let's finish off these beasts once and for all, shall we? Now, let's finish off these beasts once and for all, shall we?
My expression changed, I smiled at her and looked at her full of determination.
-Thought of Twilight: "I don't understand, I don't understand why... when I'm with him, my fear disappears..."
After looking at me for a moment, Twilight's expression also changed; apparently, I managed to instill some of my courage in her. She nodded at me with self-assurance, and we returned to our positions.
-Twilight: Alright, let's do this - he gets into a defensive stance, looking at his adversary -
The unicorn's hooves were still trembling slightly in fear, but she continued to look at her rival with determination.
-Thinking of Twilight: "Alright Twilight, I know you're nervous, but you can't back out at this point, just remember what you managed to learn..."
ON ALEX'S SIDE
I looked the wolf directly in the eyes, those bright green eyes stared at me with hatred and contempt.
-Alex: Oh my God, that look is killing me... still, here I go, timberwolf!
I ran straight towards the wooden wolf, and the wolf did the same. When we were close, it lunged at me with a bite, which I dodged by making a small leap onto its back. I sat on it and started examining it closely.
-Alex: Hey, these marks... I know you!, you're the same wolf I rode that time we were looking for the elements of harmony.
The wolf looked at me and growled, apparently he also remembered me; he started shaking and kicking like a runaway horse trying to throw me off, but I held on tightly with my legs and hands.
-Alex: Yes, I definitely remember this! Yija!
ON TWILIGHT'S SIDE
The wolf began to circle her, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce, but Twilight remained calm with her eyes closed as she spoke to herself.
-Twilight: Step 1: Concentrate magic
A glow began to emerge from Twilight's horn, growing larger and larger; the timberwolf looked somewhat embarrassed, so it lunged at Twilight from behind her, but she simply sidestepped to evade it without losing her concentration.
-Twilight: Step 2: Visualize the path
She opened her eyes and looked at the wolf, which stepped back a bit to start circling her again, but this time Twilight didn't take her eyes off it.
-Twilight: Wait for it... wait for it...
The wolf lunged at her, its jaws wide open, with the intention of devouring her.
-Twilight: Step 3: Free it!
He aimed his horn at the mouth of the forest wolf and unleashed a beam of magical energy, destroying it into many pieces, which fell to the ground inert. The wolf I was riding and I just stood there watching what had happened.
-Alex: Wow, that was incredible!
At that moment, I stopped holding on because I got distracted, and the wolf took the opportunity to knock me down: he pushed me with his hind legs and I fell backward in front of him. Our eyes met.
-Timberwolf: Grrr - he opened his mouth -
He was getting ready to attack me, but he was stopped by a magic bolt cast by Twilight. The timberwolf fell to the ground in pieces, and Twilight approached me to help me up.
-Alex: Phew, thanks Twilight - I stand up - you're not as helpless as I thought
-Twilight: Excuse me?
-Alex: I mean, at first I thought I would have to help you, but in the end, you helped me...
The Timberwolves started to rebuild slowly, too bad we didn't realize it.
-Twilight: Yes, now I suppose we should take their remains, right?
-Alex: Yep, but first we need to free the little "storm throat."
Twilight nodded and with her magic finished freeing the hawk, which flew away as soon as it could.
-Alex: Heh, how curious the fauna of Everfree is, and speaking of that, I feel like I'm forgetting something about the timberwolves...
While I was thinking about that thing I couldn't remember, the first timberwolf finished assembling itself and positioned itself behind Twilight, ready to attack her.
-Alex: *snap* I remembered! These things... - I looked at the wolf behind Twilight - Twilight, down!
I threw a spinning kick towards Twilight's head, to which she reacted and ducked, causing my strike to hit the timberwolf's head. While the beast was dazed by the kick, I lunged at it and smashed it to pieces in one blow.
-Alex: *gasp* That was close...
-Twilight: What happened?!
-Alex: These things are very fragile against attacks, the problem is that they can be reassembled.
-Twilight: So, how are we going to get the cumulus wood?
-Alex: I don't know, maybe we should go back to the library and investigate these things a bit more...
It seems we couldn't get cumulus wood so easily, sure, the timberwolves are fragile but they keep getting back up, they're like zombies. The only thing we could do now was retreat; unfortunately, the other timberwolf had already gotten back up and started howling at the sky.
-Alex: And that? - I turned to look at him -
-Twilight: That howl... I read about it: "The timberwolves howl when they are in trouble, as it is the way they call their pack."
-Alex: In that case, it would be better to leave...
I turned around and found myself face to face with the timberwolf I had just destroyed.
-Timberwolf: Grrr - starts to unleash his foul breath -
-Alex: Ew - I cover my nose - how disgusting
-Thought of Alex: "This time it took less to rebuild, if this is the situation then we have to flee immediately."
Just when it seemed like nothing could get worse, the situation went from bad to terrible: From the surroundings, several timberwolves began to arrive, encircling us and blocking all escape routes.
-Thought of Alex: "Damn!"
The circle they formed was getting smaller and smaller, and we kept retreating until we were back to back in the center of the circle. The wolves were only watching us furtively, waiting to attack us.
-Thought of Alex: "Damn, if I had come alone I could escape flying right now, but Twilight is here, and I can't fly if I'm carrying her..."
While I was thinking about how to fix our situation, a couple of wolves jumped at us. Twilight stopped one with a magic bolt, and I stopped the other with a kick, but they quickly began to rebuild themselves.
-Thought of Alex: "...And to make matters worse, these beasts won't stop attacking, this was a very bad idea. Unless some unexpected but predictable ally with some strangely specific quality appears, I don't think we're going to make it."
The situation was getting worse and worse, we had no way to escape, and the wolves kept throwing themselves at us with the intention of eating us. We defended ourselves as best we could, but every time we destroyed one of them, another would rise up; at that rate, we would end up exhausted.
When out of nowhere, a timberwolf came to where we were and jumped just when we couldn't see, I moved to protect Twilight by putting myself as a human shield, but mysteriously, the wolf disintegrated just a few centimeters from us. When I opened my eyes, I saw the hawk from earlier right where the timberwolf had been.
-Alex: You? But I thought you had left.
At that moment, another wolf appeared behind the hawk and it quickly turned around, and from its mouth, several sound waves followed by the thunderous sound it usually makes came out; the wolf fell apart, and for some reason, it was no longer reconstructing itself.
-Alex: Wow, Twilight, we made it!
-Twilight: Alex, down!
Upon hearing his warning, I immediately crouched down as another wolf lunged, but this time it was to bite the hawk. When I saw that the wolf wasn't planning to attack us, I stood up and gave it a hook to the stomach, the wolf was torn to pieces and the hawk looked at me in surprise.
BACKGROUND MUSIC: Ponyvania: Order of Equestria Intro
-Alex: Hehe - I smiled - now we're "winged," right?
I extended one of my wings in a greeting gesture, which he reciprocated and perched on my right shoulder.
-Alex: Let's take care of some timberwolves... Twilight, we'll take care of it, you find a place to cover yourself.
-Twilight: You won't be able to handle all of them on your own, I'll help you.
-Alex: Trust me, I don't want them to hurt you.
I looked at her in a way that immediately made her look for a place to hide; apparently, she quickly understood the message.
She went where the immobile remains of the timberwolves were and hid behind a tree; while we prepared ourselves and launched towards the pack of timberwolves.
The beasts tried to defend themselves in any way they could; I stopped them and blocked their attacks with my hands and wings, while the hawk destroyed them with its sound waves. One by one they were falling, and thanks to the sound waves, they never got back up. In the end, only one was left, and due to its very different appearance, it could be assumed to be the alpha wolf.
-T. Alpha: Grrr... - runs towards us -
We avoided its attack, but we could feel a horrible stench invade our noses; apparently, the wolf didn't leap to attack but to poison us. It looked like the beast was smiling before jumping towards us.
-Alex: *cough* *cough* Damned...
-Hawk: *cough* *cough* *cough* *Thud* *cough* *cough*
The wolf pounced on us and lunged at the hawk, but it didn't reach it; in fact, it stopped abruptly.
-Twilight: Alex! - she shouted using her magic - Finish him off!
Apparently, Twilight stopped him. We took advantage and launched the biggest sound wave of all, making it fall apart.
-Alex: - I stand up - It's *cough*... It's over
Twilight came out of her hiding place and rushed towards us to hug us, filled with happiness.
-Twilight: You did it!
-Alex: No, we all did it, otherwise it would have been because you stopped the wolf at the last moment, this hawk wouldn't have made it.
-Hawk: *Trummmmmm*
-Alex: Speaking of him, that sound he makes is very curious, I've never heard another hawk do it.
-Twilight: The fauna of Everfree is quite varied... I think I read something about this type of hawk in a book from the library.
-Alex: Really? Let's go then - I said excitedly - I would like to know about this little winged thunder, but first we need to gather all this cumulus wood.
We got to work and piled the cumulus wood in one place, then Twilight lifted it with her magic and we headed to the Ponyville library.
AFTERWARDS, AT THE LIBRARY
The unicorn and her dragon assistant were searching through the piles of books for one about the fauna of Everfree; we had left the pile of wood outside the library so it wouldn't get in the way.
After reviewing several books, they finally found the one we were looking for: it was a green book titled "Beasts of Everfree: History and Relationship with Ponies."
-Alex: "Relationship with ponies?" - I asked upon reading the title, as it seemed strange to me that ponies would have a connection with the creatures of the forest they fear so much -
-Twilight: If I remember correctly... - searches for a specific page in the book, when he finds it, he shows it to me - in ancient times, the pegasi allied with a race native to Everfree to obtain cumulus wood more safely and effectively, this race is... this - points to the book with his hoof -
What the book said was something like this: "Storm Hawks:" An ancient race discovered deep within the fearsome Everfree Forest. This breed of hawk is unique for the singular storm sound they emit to communicate, in addition to being able to use this song to generate very powerful sound waves for defense. Some experts believe that these birds are related to the Phoenix due to their long lifespan... In ancient times, the pegasi and storm hawks had formed an alliance to hunt the natural enemies of these hawks: the timberwolves, at least until their race went extinct... Weakness: The foul breath of the timberwolves from the Everfree Forest. According to some unicorn researchers, the gas emitted by these wolves suffocates hawks to death.
There was also a write-up about timberwolves right next to the one about hawks, so I decided to read it too: "Timberwolves: Also known as forest wolves, as their natural habitat has always been the Everfree Forest." The peculiar thing about these wolves is that they do not have a defined lifespan; this is due to their "necronucleus," a unique organ in timberwolves that allows them to reconstruct their bodies after being destroyed... These beasts are natural enemies of the storm hawks, as their song is the only thing known, to date, that can break their necronuclei..."
-Alex: - stopped reading - So that's why the wolves showed so much interest in you, you're the only one with the ability to kill them.
-Twilight: I can't believe this... a race that was thought to be extinct... right in front of us! This must be the scientific discovery of the century! I must run tests on it!
She looked very enthusiastic when, out of nowhere, she pulled out a large syringe with the intention of taking a blood sample from the hawk. The poor thing got scared when he saw the size of the needle and you could hear him swallow.
-Alex: Hehe, it seems like he is also afraid of needles - he said, somewhat surprised and nervous at the same time, I was scared just looking at the needle -
-Hawk: *Thud*
-Twilight: Come on, Alex, let me run some tests, it's for the sake of science.
-Alex: Ah... well... - I start to back away slowly - if it's for the sake of science... heh... heh... - I turn to the hawk and whisper - let's run before he wants to experiment on me too
The hawk nodded at me and we flew away like cowards, taking the wood and fleeing towards Sweet Apple Acres, while Twilight shouted at me:
-Twilight: Alex, wait! We don't even know what it eats!...
Too bad I was already too far away to hear her.
MEANWHILE AT SWEET APPLE ACRES
A large pony with a red coat and an orange mane was kicking some apples with his hind hooves, making the apples fall into some baskets below; when, in the distance, he spotted a small cloud of dust coming towards the farm.
-Big Mac: Nope
He ran and stood in front of the entrance to the farm to defend it from whatever was approaching. When the cloud was close enough, Big Mac stood on his hind hooves and put his front hooves in front of him, stopping the cloud dead in its tracks. When he stopped it, several pieces of wood flew towards the barn, but luckily they didn't harm the barn nor did the wood get damaged.
-Alex: MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
-Big Mac: Alex?
When he said that, a hawk emerged from the cloud of dust and created a gust of wind, dispersing it, revealing how the pony's hooves were deeply embedded in my face; I fell to the ground with a sore face and a large red mark shaped like two horseshoes while the hawk flew away.
-Big Mac: Are you okay?
-Alex: Yes... - I put my hands on my face - ouch, how it hurts
-Big Mac: What brings you here?
-Alex: Well, I was bored and wanted you to hit me in the face - he said sarcastically with his face still sore - ouch, it still hurts
-Big Mac: In that case, I'm going back to work - he turned around and walked a bit, but I stopped him almost immediately -
-Alex: Wait! It was just sarcasm. You see, I need to turn all that wood I brought into planks, and I thought that here at Sweet Apple Acres you could do it, so what do you say, buddy?
-Big Mac: *sigh* Fine, I guess I can do you a favor, but in return, you have to cover for me by collecting apples.
-Alex: Sure, sounds good, and how many apples do I need to collect?
He didn't say anything, he just pointed to an apple tree on a hill in the distance.
-Alex: - I looked at the apple tree somewhat puzzled - Just one?
-Big Mac: You should harvest all the apples up to that apple tree.
-Alex: What?! But that's more than 20 kilometers!
-Big Mac: It's only three and a half kilometers to be more precise, and it shouldn't take you much time.
- Alex: Ugh, fine, I'll do it.
Resigned, I approached that cart Big Mac had left and began to pull it; with so many apples, the mere act of moving the cart was quite a big effort.
-Big Mac: If you finish before me, go and look for me at the workshop, Alex, and good luck.
He started picking up all the pieces of wood he had brought and carried them on his back towards an old building somewhat away from the barn; apparently, that building was like his workshop.
After he left, I got ready to start harvesting, I stepped back a bit and ran towards the tree, and when I was close, I kicked it with all my might trying to knock the apples down, but all I managed to do was make a few fall and cause a great pain in my leg.
-Alex: Ouch! My leg! - I started shedding some tears while rubbing my sore leg - Ouch, it hurts a lot... this is harder than it looks, and to think that the Apples make it seem so easy, ouch...
I sat down for a moment on the ground to rest my leg, and in the meantime, think about how to throw the apples without becoming disabled.
-Alex: Let's see, this won't work, I only knock down a few this way, maybe if I had some kind of support...
I scratched my head with one of my wings since my arms were crossed, and it was at that moment that the light bulb went off.
-Alex: Aha! The Apples have strength and practice, but I have something they don't, wings - I stood up and stretched my wings - let's try it again.
I flew into the tree's canopy and started shaking it, the apples began to fall, the vast majority into the baskets, although a few fell to the ground. After throwing all the apples, I flew down, collected the baskets, and emptied their contents into the cart, which I moved to the next tree by pulling it while flying, and repeated the process with the next one.
After a while (that is, half an hour), I had managed to harvest half of the section that Big Mac had entrusted to me. I was very tired, so I decided to rest under the apple tree that I was going to harvest after resting a bit.
-Alex: *with heavy breathing* Ugh... this job is quite exhausting... the Apples must have a lot of... strength if they can do this... every day... ugh - wipes the sweat from his forehead -
It wasn't long before Big Mac was already coming back from his workshop, but I didn't notice because of the exhaustion. The farmer pony approached me from behind and positioned himself behind the apple tree, lifted one of his hind hooves, and lightly tapped the tree, causing an apple to fall on my head.
-Alex: Ouch! - I rubbed my head - What the thunder?!
I looked in all directions searching for the culprit but I couldn't see anyone. Suddenly, another apple fell on my head, this time I stood up and continued looking for the prankster.
-Alex: Let's see, who was the funny guy?!
-Big Mac: Relax, Alex - comes out of hiding - I was just playing with you.
-Alex: Big Mac? - I turned to look at him - so it was you, but wait, if you're here it's because you already finished, right?
-Big Mac: Eeyup, I left the planks at the entrance of the farm.
-Alex: Thanks, Big, you're the best
I extended my fist in a greeting, which he reciprocated with his hoof.
-Alex: Well, in that case, I'd better get going. I need to finish my house before it gets dark. Let me know when I have to scare away the pests.
-Big Mac: Eeyup, speaking of which, I left you a surprise along with the planks that will be very helpful for your work.
-Alex: Really? Thanks Big, and what is it?
-Big Mac: Find out for yourself - he starts to walk away -
Excited to know that it was my surprise, I flew to the entrance of the farm. When I arrived, I saw a large number of wooden planks, which looked quite ordinary; in addition to the wood, there was also a toolbox and a box of nails.
-Thought of Alex: "Thanks, Big, I had forgotten to ask you for that hehe, but what about my surprise?"
I turned over the pile of wood, and behind it, I found something quite unexpected: A sword and a wooden shield, surely made from cumulus wood.
-Alex: Wow! Thanks, Big! You are seriously the best!
I took the sword and the shield and put them on my back, I looked like Link but a little less heroic, and less green.
After putting on my new gear, I took the wood and carried it to where my new house would be; I left the tool where it was to come back for it after dropping off the material.
AFTERWARDS, IN THE FUTURE CLOUD-HOUSE
I was standing on the cloud that would be my home and I was about to place the wood on it, which it didn't pass through, that gave me quite a bit of joy since I could use it for work.
-Alex: Alright, now let's go for the tool.
I turned around and got ready to fly back, but before taking off, I saw something carrying the toolbox with it. When I looked closely, I noticed it was the same hawk I had saved in the forest.
-Hawk: *Trummmmmm* - arrives and gives me the toolbox -
-Alex: Hey, thanks, you saved me a trip, buddy.
I took the box and placed it on the cloud, but it immediately passed through and started falling towards Ponyville. Fortunately, the hawk flew through the hole left by the box and caught it before it could hurt anyone. He immediately returned to the cloud and placed the box on a cumulus wood plank, which prevented it from sinking again.
-Alex: Phew - I wiped my forehead - that was close, thanks buddy
-Hawk: *Thud*
-Alex: Alright, now that the scare has passed, I'll get to work, and you can go back to the forest, little buddy.
The hawk was just looking at me, I don't know if it could understand me or not, but it didn't seem like it had any intention of leaving.
-Alex: Don't you understand? A while ago you understood me well, you can leave now, I'm sure you have family waiting for you.
The hawk shook its head, which reminded me of what the book said, the storm hawks had gone extinct a long time ago.
-Alex: Oh right, you're the only one of your kind... well, you've lived alone for a long time, you must surely miss going back to your home.
I was trying to make him return to his home, but it seemed like he wasn't listening to me. The hawk approached me and rubbed against me near my neck as if it were a dog that had taken a liking to me, it just lacked barking and sticking out its tongue.
-Alex: Oh hehehe, stop it, you're tickling me - I push him away a bit - alright, alright, I get it, fine, you can stay with me, for now, I don't have a home to give you but when I do, I'll gladly accept you.
He looked very happy to hear that I would let him stay with me, so much so that he took a hammer out of the toolbox and handed it to me.
-Hawk: *Thud*
-Alex: Do you want to help me build my house? Alright, the more the better, it will be much easier that way.
The hawk perched on my right shoulder, just like in the forest, and I stroked its head, to which it responded with a gesture of happiness.
-Alex: You know? I just remembered that I haven't given you a name, and now that you'll be my pet, I should give you one.
-"New name in progress": *Trummmmmm*
-Alex: Hm, what would be good for you... How about Storm?
-Storm: -shakes his head-
-Alex: No? And how about Noiser?
-Noiser: -he's denying me again-
-Alex: Ok ok, so how about Thunder? You know, because of the sound you make when you talk.
-Thunder: *Trummmmmm*
-Alex: Hehe, I'll take that as a yes, alright Thunder, then let's get to work
I took the hammer and some planks while Thunder took the box of nails. He handed me what I needed while I was building the house.
A FEW HOURS LATER (9:00 P.M., hour of Ponyville)
We had already finished our work, wiped the sweat from our foreheads at the same time, and saw the fruit of our effort, which, upon closer inspection, were just nailed boards trying to look like a house; we hadn't even put up the walls, just the edges and the floor (which was the only thing that turned out well).
-Alex: And? What do you think? - I asked him with a smile on my face -
He just stared at me, and after a few seconds, I got depressed and sat on the cloud.
-Alex: Hey, I did the best I could, don't judge me, phew, maybe I should read about how to build a house, or ask someone who knows about these things for help *yawn* but for now, I'm sleepy, let's sleep now and finish tomorrow.
Thunder nodded, and then I took a piece of cloud and improvised a pillow and a blanket to sleep more comfortably. I lay down on the ground, rested my head on the cloud pillow, and covered myself with the cloud blanket. Thunder, on the other hand, flew to a part of the cloud where there was no wood and snuggled up there, as if it were his nest.
-Alex: It seems that once again I'll be sleeping outdoors, but at least it will be in my future home.
-Thunder: *Trummmmmm*
-Alex: Sorry, our future home
We both closed our eyes and quickly fell asleep, because we knew we were home.
TO BE CONTINUED