Witcher of Canterlot: VII


                                            >The camp dining hall is filled with the sounds of various people conversing with one another.

                                            >It reminds you of lunchtime at CHS, which in reality isn't too dissimilar of a comparison. Almost all the occupants inside are students and faculty at the school.

                                            >In one corner of the room you see Flash and his friends doing some sort of reenactment of some movie or something with their utensils.

                                            >Over near the table where the teachers sit, Vice Principal Luna is chatting with Ms. Cheerilee.

                                            >Probably over the disheveled appearance in the former's usually well kept hair.

                                            >Grabbing a plate and serving yourself up a plate of spaghetti from one of the many many aluminum serving trays, you head back to the table your friends are at and dig in.

                                            >Rarity and Pinkie Pie soon arrive after retrieving their own plates.

                                            >"Ouch!" Rarity mutters as she sits down.

                                            >"Butt still sore?" Applejack asks, taking a fork full of pasta and stuffing it into her mouth.

                                            >"Just my luck that I'm the only one to get stung. In the rear no less."

                                            "At least it's just the one sting and not a bunch."

                                            >"True. Still, that doesn't make this any less uncomfortable though."

                                            >The conversation begins to drift onto more diverse topics as you continue eating when Scarlett walks by your table and hands out a flyer.

                                            >"I hope you girls will come out and participate in the camp-wide activities tomorrow."

                                            >You take one and look it over.

                                            >Tug-of-War, relay races, outdoor bingo, and other activities are listed on the piece of paper.

                                            >"Wow, look girls they got a pie eating contest!" Pinkie cheerfully states.

                                            >"Well guess it ain't really a contest if Pinkie's entering." Applejack says with a chuckle.

                                            "This looks really interesting. I'm sure we'll join in."

                                            >Scarlett beams, "That's great to hear. Well I'll leave you to dinn-"

                                            >Without warning the main doors to the mess hall slam open as Gilda appears with a leg up in the air.

                                            >"Yo Scarlett, gotta talk to you about something."

                                            >"Gilda, did you really need to kick the door open?"

                                            >The look on Gilda's face shows she's in no mood to debate her entrance, instead she takes Scarlett by the shirt and pulls her away from you.

                                            >The seven of you wonder what's got Gilda acting so weird.

                                            >"Wonder what that was about."

                                            >"It doesn't look good."

                                            >Watching the two, Gilda explains something to the camp supervisor that causes her wave her hand dismissively.

                                            >This only causes Gilda to scowl and become more visibly agitated.

                                            >Scarlett says something else to Gilda that results in the latter face palming and stomping off towards the door to outside.

                                            >Rainbow Dash looks worried and scoots her chair back, "I'm going to see if Gilda's okay."

                                            >Getting out of her seat, she jogs after her old friend.

                                            >Since you're done with your dinner you decide to follow her for support.

                                            >You two quickly catch up to the forest ranger as she kicks a cabin wall with her boot.

                                            "Hey Gilda, yo Gilda wait up!"

                                            >"Dash? What do you want?"

                                            >"What was that all about?"

                                            >"Nothing. Mind your own business."

                                            >Rainbow Dash folds her arms.

                                            >"Gilda c'mon."

                                            >Sighing, Gilda pulls out a carton of cigarettes. She holds it out towards you two but you decline.

                                            >Taking a match out of her sleeve pocket, Gilda lights the cigarette and takes a puff.

                                            >"One of the other rangers hasn't checked in, they were supposed to call in hours ago but they're not responding to any of my calls."

                                            "Maybe he's lost or injured."

                                            >"That's what I'm saying. I keep telling Scarlett and Brick that but the two morons say I'm just being a "Worry wort".

                                            >Gilda emphasizes the term with a pair of air quotes.

                                            "I didn't know you were so concerned."

                                            >Taking another drag, Gilda leans on the cabin, "Don't get the wrong idea, I don't give a crap about the guy. Only reason I'm concerned is that if he's dead it means I have to cover his shift tomorrow."

                                            >Yeah, that sounds more like the Gilda you've come to know.

                                            >"Plus those two act like I'm their personal bitch. Something goes wrong? Get Gilda. But when I need something they just tell me "Gilda, an AA-12 is a bit overkill don't you think?" or "Gilda, a margarita machine for the break room doesn't qualify for official purposes"."

                                            >"Why don't you just quit?"

                                            >"Because getting a good job is hard to get when they do background checks."

                                            >Suddenly you three hear a loud metallic crunching sound followed by the lights around the camp all going out.

                                            >"What the?"

                                            >"Goddammit, did the fuse box explode again?"

                                            "Again?"

                                            >Ignoring you Gilda heads walks behind the main office and pulls out a small flashlight.

                                            >"The fuck?"

                                            >"What is it?"

                                            >Peering around the corner, instead of what should just be a fuse box instead has deep gashes across the metal surface going deep into the concerned

                                            "What in the world did that?!"

                                            >"A bear?"

                                            >"Those ain't bear claws stupid."

                                            >"Well you're the ranger here, what is it?"

                                            >Gilda looks over the claw marks and goes deep into thought.

                                            >"I don't know I was never good at the identification shit."

                                            >"Gilda! Gilda where are you?" a male voice calls out.

                                            >It sounds like Brick, the other camp supervisor.

                                            >The man comes around the corner with an angry expression, "Gilda what did you do?"

                                            >"I didn't do jack man, I came over here wondering the same thing. Look."

                                            >Pointing out the strange claw marks, Brick huffs.

                                            >"This is going to put a real hamper on movie night."

                                            >"Dude, is that all you and your fucking sister think about?"

                                            >"Gilda, language."

                                            >"No, fuck you and fuck your fucking sister. Oh wait. You already do."

                                            >Brick's eyes go wide, "How did you find out?! You do not speak of that to anyone!"

                                            >All three of you are taken aback.

                                            >"Wait, you actually fuck your sister? Oh my fucking god." Gilda says starting to laugh, "That's gold right there."

                                            >Ew...

                                            >Rainbow Dash is also a bit disgusted as well.

                                            >"That's not right." Rainbow Dash mutters.

                                            >"Hey, there's nothing wrong with sharing all types of love with family." Brick protests.

                                            >You suddenly don't feel all that comfortable at this camp anymore. And it's not due to the circumstances of the power going out.

                                            >"Whatever man. You're gonna need to call an electrician or something, I'm going back to the station."

                                            >Gilda begins walking off, "Yo Dash, other person c'mon."

                                            >"We're not done talking about this Gilda."

                                            >Gilda's only reply is to flip the bird at him.


                                            >The three girls leave as you whip out your cellphone. Better schedule an appointment with the electrical company quickly or else you and your sister might have to cancel some of the camp activities tomorrow.

                                            >Lord knows that you need anything to keep these kids short attention spans occupied while they’re here.

                                            "Gilda drives me nuts sometimes. Why Scarlett would want to invite her over for our date nights I have no idea."

                                            >But as you tap the screen, you notice that your cellphone doesn't have any bars.

                                            "Ugh, stupid forest. Maybe it's the sparks coming off of the circuit board... or whatever this thing is called. Guess I got to use the land line."

                                            >Turning to leave, something smacks him you on the head.

                                            "OW!"

                                            >Looking at what hit you as it lands on the floor, you pick it up.

                                            >Huh, it's a small acorn.

                                            >*CAW*

                                            >You look up towards the source and sees a crow perched on the roof.

                                            "Why hello there Mr. Bird, did you drop your acorn?"

                                            >The crow says nothing as suddenly the phone in your hand is taken from your grasp by a black blur.

                                            "What the?"

                                            >In the darkness you see the rectangular screen of your phone up on a low hanging tree branch with another crow perched next to it.

                                            "What in the world?"

                                            >Going over to the tree, the crow picks the phone up again with its talons and flies off further into the woods.

                                            "Hey get back here! My vacation photos are on that!"

                                            >Chasing after the bird into the dark forest, it takes a while for your brain to catch up and realize how stupid it is to run into the woods at night.

                                            >Turning around, you walk back the distance you came except... the walk back seems to be taking longer than you thought.

                                            >Panic begins to set in as you try running forward but there's no sign of the camp or the lake or even any sort of clearing. It's like the forest isn't ending.

                                            >You keep running as fast as your legs can take you, when unexpectedly a branch catches your foot causing you to trip and go crashing into the dirt.

                                            "Ow..."

                                            >Rolling over, you see that moonlight is pouring onto a small clearing with a stump on top.

                                            >On the stump is a slim black box.

                                            "My phone!"

                                            >You rush over and pick the device up, rubbing the screen of any the bird germs, it doesn't look like anything is cracked as you turn the device on.

                                            >Still no bars...

                                            >Eh, might as well fix your hair.

                                            >Hitting the camera app, you flip the camera for the selfie mode and inspect your hair when you notice something walking up to you from behind on the screen.

                                            >Turning around, you don't see anything.

                                            >Are you seeing things? Or maybe...

                                            >This is a prank set up by Scarlett or Gilda and those two girls with her. Heck maybe all of them.

                                            >The air around you begins to feel cold all of a sudden, and its only now you become aware of a mist rolling in.

                                            "Scarlett? Gilda? If this is a prank it isn't funny. I-I could have lost my vacation photos!"

                                            >You wait for a few moments for either of those two to pop out at you but nothing happens.

                                            "I admit, you got me good with the trained birds and fog machine but seriously, jokes over now."

                                            >There's no response still. Shrugging, you turn around to sit on the stump when you suddenly come face-to-face with a towering figure wearing a skull with antlers for a head.

                                            >For a few moments it just stares at you with those hollow eye sockets, like its judging you.

                                            >"S-Scar-Scarlett?"

                                            >It doesn't respond as you abruptly hear the sound of barking and snarling around you.

                                            >White wolves seem to appear out of thin air from  themist surrounding the forest. All their expressions showing signs of being feral.

                                            >Your body is telling you to run, but your legs won't listen to your brain.

                                            >Falling backwards, you can only watch in terror as the strange figure just points its long wooden arm at you as the wolves pounce in.


                                            >Leading you to the ranger station, Gilda opens the door and sits back on the scruffy looking couch inside.

                                            >"Hey Dash, hand me a beer from the fridge they're no good when they're warm."

                                            >You close the door behind you as Rainbow looks in the darkness for the fridge.

                                            "Aren't you on duty right now?"

                                            >Gilda just scowls at you.

                                            >"What are you? My mother?"

                                            >Propping her legs on the arm rest she just looks at the ceiling when Rainbow finally finds the fridge.

                                            >"Help yourself to the soda in there, not like anyone minds. Well they do, but whatever they're not my drinks."

                                            >Tossing her one of the beers, Rainbow takes two cans of another type.

                                            >"Grape or Strawberry?"

                                            "Straberry."

                                            >Handing you the fizzy drink, you pop the tabs and take a drink.

                                            "So is this all you do here?"

                                            >"Mostly."

                                            >"Lame."

                                            >"I know right. It's gonna be even more lame with the power out."

                                            "You have any sort of light?"

                                            >"Generator out back in case something like this happens."

                                            "And?"

                                            >"And what? That generators ancient. It's got fuel but I ain't cranking that thing. You want power you do it."

                                            >You sigh, taking another drink of the strawberry soda, you set it down and head outside.

                                            >Heading around the shack, you find the generator inside a small mesh cage, likely to protect it from any wild animals.

                                            >Stepping inside, the handle is covered in cobwebs.

                                            >Ew ew ew...

                                            >Bracing yourself, you grab the handle and begin turning it.

                                            >The crank squeaks and groans as the rusty handle turns the gears inside. You begin exerting a massive amount of effort just to do one full rotation.

                                            >If it weren't for Anon's training for the past few weeks you doubt you would be even able to get the crank to budge.

                                            >Eventually after spending around twenty minutes trying to get the generator to work, the device rumbles to life as the inside lights to the shack turn on.

                                            >Wiping your brow with the bottom of your shirt, you head back inside.

                                            >Gilda hasn't moved from her spot while Rainbow has moved onto the tv.

                                            >"Hey you got the power working."

                                            "A thank you would be nice."

                                            >The ranger takes another sip of her beer and laughs, "Yeah, it would wouldn't it?"

                                            >The urge to just clobber her over the head rises.

                                            >A sudden knock at the door draws all of your attentions as Scarlett opens the door and shuts it behind her.

                                            >"Gilda have you seen Brick anywhere?"

                                            >"Not since I saw him at the circuit breaker. Why?"

                                            >"He hasn't come back into dining hall since he left. I was wondering if he was with you?"

                                            >"Nope just Dash and Sunshine over here."

                                            "Sun*SET*"

                                            >"I know what I said." she says ignoring your correction. "Anyway I don't know where your boyfriend went."

                                            >Scarlett blushes a little but retains her composure, "I'm going to go look for him, grab your flashlight and follow me."

                                            >"Me? Why do I have to go?"

                                            >"Because it's your job Ms. Gilda." Scarlett comments as she exits the shack.

                                            >Gilda groans in frustration as you and Rainbow Dash watch this scene unfold awkwardly.

                                            >Downing the last of her beer, Gilda puts on her ranger cap and grabs her rifle and torch flashlight, slamming the door behind her shut.

                                            >"Want to head back to the mess hall?"

                                            "Yeah sure, why not."

                                            >You grumble a little as all the work you put into getting the generator started is now put to waste.

                                            >As you two walk down the path you hear screaming in the distance.

                                            >Running to the source, you see Scarlett and Gilda staring in shock.

                                            >Peering around them a severed arm, itself ripped to pieces as it grasps a phone in a pool of blood that trails deeper into the forest.

                                            >The sight causes both you and Rainbow Dash to reel back in horror.

                                            >Scarlett begins crying hysterically as tears fall.

                                            >Gilda only looks unsure of what to do as she keeps her rifle pointed at the forest.

                                            >So much for a relaxing vacation...


                                            -----


                                            "I know it's not organic like you normally get Angel, but these carrots should be okay..."

                                            >You unzip your bag a little wider as you stuff a carrot inside, making sure no one other than your friends notice.

                                            >Angel takes the food and devours it greedily before moving onto the next.

                                            >"So he plan on visiting his relatives or something?" Applejack asks.

                                            "Oh we hope too, tomorrow we're going on a nature hike that takes us near the burrow where I found him."

                                            >"That sounds wonderful darling."

                                            >"Yeah, he must be SUPER happy to see his mom and dad and brothers and sisters again!"

                                            "We've both been looking forward to it for a lo-"

                                            >Suddenly, without warning all the lights in the dining hall go out.

                                            >"What the...?"

                                            >"Aw come on."

                                            >Chatter amongst all the students in the room begins getting louder as they all wonder what's happening.

                                            >"Everyone, calm down. This is just a simple power outage." Vice Principal Luna announces.

                                            >Standing from her table, she looks around the room for one of the camp supervisors only to begin wondering herself what's happening.

                                            >"Have either of you seen Mr. or Mrs. Sark?" she asks one of the other teachers.

                                            >Both Miss Cheerilee and Mrs. Harshwhinny shake their heads.

                                            >Applejack turns to and leans into the table, "What do you think's going on?"

                                            >"Hopefully it's just temporary." Twilight says. "I don't think this is an isolated case either. Look none of the other cabins or lamp posts have lights working."

                                            "Um... I hope Rainbow Dash and Sunset are okay. It's kind of... dark..."

                                            >The camp looks really scary at night with none of the lights on.

                                            >Normally you don't mind nature at night but that doesn't make it any less frightening.

                                            >You never know what could pop out at you.

                                            >You begin to feel Angel squirming through the bag.

                                            "Are you okay Angel?"

                                            >Unzipping the opening a little wider, your bunny friend pops his head out with his ears standing tall shifting in various directions.

                                            >They lock in place as Angel turns his head in that direction and jumps out of the bag.

                                            "Angel wait!"

                                            >You try to grab him but the critter is too fast for you. He hops around the room between the legs of all the other students causing a few to jump when he makes contact.

                                            >"EEK! Flash you perv!"

                                            >"Wha- *SMACK*"

                                            >"WHOA, what the hell?!"

                                            >"SOMETHING JUST WENT BETWEEN MY LEGS!"

                                            >Every student begins panicking and standing on the tables as Angel weaves through the obstacles and makes it through to the kitchen.

                                            >"Fluttershy? What do we do?" Twilight whispers.

                                            "Oh... I don't know what got into him. Um... You girls stay here, I'll get him."

                                            >You leave your seat and begin to sneak by all the startled students, all too pre-occupied with finding whatever was brushing up against their legs on the floor.

                                            >Entering the kitchen you search the cramped space to see Angel sitting in front of the open door to the outside.

                                            "Angel?"

                                            >He turns to look at you with a strange look in his eyes before turning back and running off into the darkness.

                                            "Angel!"

                                            >Running after him you bump into the kitchen cook returning from the back.

                                            "Hey, you can't be back here." he says.

                                            "Um... sorry..."

                                            >You leave through the backdoor and follow Angel only to stop at the edge of the forest.

                                            >Every instinct in your body tells you to go back to your friends. That its too scary and dangerous to go into the woods at night.

                                            >But Angel isn't just your baby. You can't just leave him there all night, he's been too domesticated to function properly in the wild.

                                            >Mustering up as much courage as you can you step forward and follow.

                                            >You continue to hear the scampering of his feet, but without being able to see very well its hard to tell where you're going.

                                            >Though it might just be your imagination, you begin to feel like you're going around in circles even though you've only been going in a straight line.

                                            "Oh this was a m-mistake..."

                                            >Regret of going into the forest without telling your friends is beginning to build up when you notice that a fog is building around your legs.

                                            >You begin to turn back when you notice a white rabbit looking at you.

                                            "A-A-Angel?"

                                            >You calmly walk over to him. Getting to eye level with him as to not scare him away.

                                            "Angel, it's me Fluttershy."

                                            >He just stares at you with a blank expression.

                                            "Angel, I-I know you're excited b-but we'll see your friends and family s-so-soon."

                                            >It's hard to keep the fear in your voice down but you really want to get back to your friends.

                                            >Angel shakes his head, and looks around curiously. Looking almost like he isn't sure what's happening. When he sees you, Angel scampers to you with what you can only assume is relief.

                                            >Your body begins glowing as you pony up, your pony ears and wings magically popping from your head and back as your hair extends to its ponytail length.

                                            >The transformation illuminates the area around you and causes the fog to recede slightly around you.

                                            >You smile slightly and open your arms and bring him into a hug. His warm fur calms you down as you stand.

                                            >A sigh of relief as the darkness also seems to vanish and you can see the silhouettes of the camp buildings through the trees.

                                            >However, you begin to feel something staring at you from behind. Turning around though, when you look ahead you freeze.

                                            >A large tree like thing looks at you in the distance with what you think is a moose skull for a mask.

                                            >The skull dips slightly to the side as it just stares at you. Almost like it's curious about you.

                                            >You can only squeak out a sound as Angel bunny begins getting restless again in your arms.

                                            "A-Angel wh-what's wrong."

                                            >Angel's expression turns dull again as he tries to break free of your grasp. You hold on tight, not wanting to let the monster take him from you.

                                            >Your little friend freezes as his face is visibly pained, his paws grabbing at his head and his ears tucked all the way back.

                                            >Looking back at the creature, it's gone. You begin to panic again as you look everywhere around for any sign of it.

                                            "S-s-someone please... help..."

                                            >You take a few steps back only for your heel to get caught on a branch bringing both you and Angel to the ground.

                                            >Now out of your arms, Angel's animal instincts take over causing him to flee and leave you all alone.

                                            >Opening your eyes, you reel back in terror as the monster is looming over you.

                                            >You try to crawl backwards but to your added horror, tree roots have wrapped around your ankles. Tears begin streaming down your face as you look into the eyeless sockets.

                                            "P-please... I... I d-don't want to die..."

                                            >Shutting your eyes tight, you brace yourself for the end.


                                            "Gilda? Gilda!"

                                            >"What!?"

                                            >"Wha- what in the hell did this?" Scarlett demands almost hysterically.

                                            >"I don't know we just found it like that!"

                                            >You look back at the dismembered arm and the bloody trail behind it. Unlike finding anything in the wild, this one is just sitting in the middle of the path in plain view.

                                            >It almost looks like a warning...

                                            >But wolves don't leave warning signs like that. Do they?

                                            >"This isn't your doing is it?" the camp supervisor immediately blames Gilda.

                                            >"Why the hell would you think that?!"

                                            >"You've always hated us! Especially after-! And to think I tried so hard to invite you to a goddamn threesome!"

                                            >"Well, I don't think Brick is in any condition for a threesome anymore..."

                                            >"YOU BITCH!"

                                            >A snapping noise comes from deeper in the forest causing you all to go rigid.

                                            "Gilda we should call the police."

                                            >"Yeah..."

                                            >The ranger pulls out her cell.

                                            >"No reception. What the fuck."

                                            >The power going out, the circuit breaker, now the cellphone towers?

                                            >This looks more and more deliberate the longer it goes on. And the situation is putting you all on edge. Visible sweat drops are forming on your forehead.

                                            >Suddenly a mist begins rolling in from the forest into the camp.

                                            >"Why did it get all foggy?"

                                            >Your eyes widen.

                                            >"We're not done talking about this Gilda."

                                            >In the corner of your eye you think you see motion through the haze.

                                            "We should get back inside... like right now."

                                            >Gilda and Scarlett look back at you, the mist when suddenly you all hear growling coming from the forest.

                                            >Glowing yellow eyes begin peering out through the mist as a pack of white wolves slowly move closer.

                                            >You all can't believe what's happening as a flock of ravens suddenly swarm into a ball only to vanish as a towering creature that looks to be made of living wood with a disturbing ornate skull skulks out from behind a tree.

                                            >Before you can even bat an eye, Gilda fires her rifle at the thing.

                                            >The bullet strikes the creature dead center in the chest causing it to flinch slightly, but to your amazement it just otherwise shrugs it off.

                                            >Slowly lumbering forward, Gilda proceeds to unload the rest of the magazine into the thing to little effect.

                                            >Dumping the empty magazine and switching in a fresh one, Gilda lowers the rifle and grumbles.

                                            "Piece of shit! Guess that AA-12 doesn't sound too bad right about now huh?"

                                            >The pack of wolves keep the same pace as they close in on you four.

                                            >Thinking quickly, Gilda pulls out something from her belt.

                                            >She pulls out a red stick that you recognize as a flare.

                                            >Ripping the cap off, she strikes the top bringing the device to life. This actually makes the monster pause and watch cautiously.

                                            >"Quit staring at the thing and run you idiots!" Gilda yells out as she draws the creatures attention with the flare.

                                            >Taking that as your cue, all four of you scramble back to the dining hall as fast as you can.

                                            >Realizing they've been tricked, the wolves chase after you.

                                            >Thankfully you're close to the building that you'll be able to get inside before the wolves are on you.

                                            >But just as the doors within arms reach, you hear someone fall to the ground behind you.

                                            >Scarlett tries to get back up when something stops her from getting to her feet.

                                            >You see that an uprooted tree root is wrapping itself around her right leg.

                                            >"H-Help!"

                                            >You run back over and try to pry the root off of her, but without something to cut through the thick piece of wood all your efforts are in vain.

                                            >"C'mon!" Rainbow Dash yells, "Hurry up!"

                                            "I'm trying!"

                                            >She rushes over to help you but nothing is causing the root to let go.

                                            >Dropping the flare, Gilda fires her rifle again. Killing a few of the wolves and sending a couple away injured but more just keep coming.

                                            >"How many of these fucking things are there." Gilda rhetorically asks, reloading her rifle.

                                            >Pulling the trigger a metallic click is heard as her gun jams.

                                            >"SHIT"

                                            >The ranger tries to quickly clear the jam, a wolf takes that opportunity to pounce on her, knocking the weapon from her hands.

                                            >"Gilda!"

                                            >Rainbow Dash takes the discarded rifle and tries to fire it at the wolf but nothing happens.

                                            >"Its... jammed!" Gilda struggles to shout out trying to keep the wolf from ripping her throat out, "Clear...it!"

                                            >"I don't know how!"

                                            >"FUCK!"

                                            >Without thinking, Rainbow Dash drops the gun and kicks the wolf off her friend.

                                            >The wolf squeals out in pain but quickly recovers and snarls at you.

                                            >Despite your attempts the root won't budge.

                                            >Grabbing her rifle, Gilda looks in shock as the creature in command just watches as more white wolves come out from the fog, each hungrier looking than the last and all craving for blood.

                                            >Looking between you, Dash and Scarlett, Gilda grimaces and grabs you by the shirt collar.

                                            "Hey- no wait! Stop!"

                                            >"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!"

                                            >Tugging Rainbow by the arm, Gilda drags the both of you behind her as you turn and see Scarlett with a look of horror and betrayal in her eyes as the wild beasts pounce.

                                            >You have to turn your head away and close your eyes shut as you hear the woman's screams echo in the night.

                                            >Suddenly, Gilda dumps you on the floor as she opens the twin doors leading into the dining hall.

                                            >Shoving Rainbow Dash inside, she points her rifle towards the outside as you get up and hurry in behind her.

                                            >The coast clear, Gilda slams both doors shut and secures them with the door deadbolts.

                                            >Peering out the window, none of the beasts seemed to have followed you after... after that.

                                            >"That was clo-"

                                            >Gilda is interrupted by a fist to the face.

                                            >"OW! What the fuck!" she cries out.

                                            "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"

                                            >The woman scowls at you, "It was her or us."

                                            "W-We could have saver her! Something! I don't know..."

                                            >"Gilda..."

                                            >Not making eye contact, Gilda looks away. "I ain't proud of that. But it wasn't going to do anyone good if we're all dead."

                                            >"Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, what's all this racket?" you hear the Vice Principal's voice behind you.

                                            >Turning around, every set of eyes are on you three.

                                            >"We need to block the windows now!" Rainbow Dash yells out.

                                            >Miss Cheerilee walks up to your friend with a concerned look.

                                            >"Rainbow Dash what's the-"

                                            >*CRASH*

                                            >Without warning a wolf breaks through a glass window and bites down on Miss Cheerilee's arm.

                                            >"AUGH!"

                                            >The wolf tackles her to the floor as everyone begins panicking.

                                            >"Miss Cheerliee!" Flash calls out. "Yo someone help her!"

                                            >Unfortunately everyone, including you, is frozen in shock and can only watch as the wolf tries to kill the teacher as Miss Cheerilee and the wolf struggle on the ground.

                                            >Despite her attempts, the canine jaw is clamped down tight around her arm and refuses to let go, only receiving cuts from the wolf's own sharp claws in her attempt.

                                            >Gilda clears her rifle and chambers the next round.

                                            >"GET DOWN!"

                                            >Vice Principal Luna darts off to the side as Gilda pulls the trigger at the wolf.

                                            >The shot reverberates in the hall as the wolf's upper head explodes as gore is splattered everywhere with some bits of brain and blood landing on your shirt and face.

                                            >Slumping over dead, the Vice Principal and a couple of students finally rush in to help Cheerilee.

                                            >Her shirt is torn and soaked in blood, and sections of her body are covered in small but deep cuts, and her forearm is bleeding heavily from the bite.

                                            >"She's gone into shock, someone get a emergency kit!"

                                            >"And all you other fucks use the tables and barricade those god damn windows!"

                                            >As everyone begins fortifying the windows, Applejack and the others move through the students not doing anything.

                                            >"Sunset what in tarnation is happening?!"

                                            >You look to her in disbelief of what's occurred in the past few minutes.

                                            "I... think we need to call Anon..."


                                            -----


                                            >Alright, think Sunset. Think!

                                            >All the hall's windows are blocked off by the wooden tables and all the exits are locked. Hopefully they'll hold for the time being.

                                            >You glance over to the makeshift bed that was made for Miss Cheerilee. She's been bandaged, but the teacher hasn't woken up.

                                            >You bury your face in your hands and let off a groan.

                                            >Can nothing just be simple? You just wanted a break to have fun with your friends.

                                            >And now, at least two people are dead with wolves and a monster controlling them outside wanting to kill the rest of you.

                                            >You can't help but wonder if this sort of thing is as common in Equestria now as it is here.

                                            >"Sunset, phone here's dead just like the lights." Applejack reports.

                                            >"Then that leaves the one in the ranger shack." Gilda says. "But that's a good sprint away. If we fuck up we're dead."

                                            "How much ammo do you still have?"

                                            >Popping the magazine out, she counts her shots.

                                            >"Four shots left and it's my last magazine. If we get to the shack I can get some more ammo from the gunlocker as well as give one or two of you a gun."

                                            >You'll probably need as many guns to defend this place as possible. Granted with everyone on edge as it is, it may not be the best decision in the world.

                                            >But who here knows how to handle a firearm?

                                            >Gilda props a chair and stands on it, "Hey, who knows how to at least fire a gun?"

                                            >Many of the students in the room just look at each other.

                                            >A couple hands raise up.

                                            >"And no, video games do not count you dweebs."

                                            >Most of the hands immediately go down; Except a few.

                                            >Vice Principal Luna and Applejack.

                                            >"Ah know my way around a rifle ah've gone hunting before."

                                            >"I'm afraid my experience is only with a smaller gun for self defense."

                                            >"Better than nothing I guess."

                                            >"Alright, since a large group is just gonna draw too much attention. Me, Dash, Sunshine and you cowgirl are gonna make a run to the ranger shack. There are a couple extra rifles and ammo in there we could use."

                                            >As Gilda explains the general plan, Applejack and Rainbow Dash come up to you.

                                            >"You sure this is a good idea? Them wolves don't look particularly inclined to just stand back and watch."

                                            "Do we even have a better idea? Besides, the shack is the only place here to have its own backup power."

                                            >"And it's also the only place with a working phone right now. We've only got one shot at this."

                                            >"Alright, you three ready?" Gilda asks walking towards the kitchen. "We'll use the backdoor. Hey, you lock this door until we come back and don't open it until I give you the secret knock."

                                            >Bulk Biceps nods his head as he follows.

                                            >Placing both hands on the handle, he locks eyes with Gilda.

                                            >You really hope Anon's training will pay off in a situation like this. You would prefer not to be wolf-food.

                                            >The four of you get into a running stance, Gilda in the lead with you in the rear.

                                            >"Let's go."

                                            >Hefting the door, the four of you run out and turn the corner of the rear of the building running as fast as your legs can take you.

                                            >So far so good...

                                            >You're making good distance and it looks like you haven't dra-

                                            >Suddenly the sounds of wolves snarling and barking echos behind you.

                                            >Well so much for that.

                                            >Gilda fires a shot backwards one handed, and surprisingly is able to hit one of the beasts judging by the squeal of pain that follows the shot.

                                            >"Whoa, nice shot Gilda."

                                            >"Just keep running."

                                            >Soon, you're at the station, opening the door you all pile on inside as Gilda kicks a wolf trying to pounce its way in with you.

                                            >Slamming the door shut, Gilda locks the door.

                                            >"Looks like the powers still on, good."

                                            >Looking around the desk, Applejack spots a phone.

                                            >"Ah'm gonna call for help."

                                            >"You do that. Hey Dash, over here."

                                            >Moving a couple of jackets, underneath is a cage locker with a trio of rifles and a few boxes of ammo inside.

                                            >Taking her keys, Gilda unlocks the cage and grabs a spare duffle bag to stuff the boxes of ammo inside. Zipping the bag shut, she hands off the weapons to you and Dash.

                                            >"Each of you take one. Dash, take my rifle too."

                                            >"Then what the heck are you gonna use?"

                                            >"Something I had to get on one of my days off."

                                            >Heading into another room filled with beds, Gilda pulls out a box from underneath the floorboards.

                                            >Opening the case, she pulls out a different gun.

                                            >"Gilda is that...?"

                                            >"Yep, just because Scarlett said I couldn't use camp funds to buy it doesn't mean I don't have other ways to get one. AA-12s are a bitch to get but I like to always prepare for a situation like this."

                                            "You mean you were somehow expecting you would be hunted by rabid wolves under control by some demonic tree spirit?"

                                            >"Hey fuck you."

                                            >Pulling out a drum magazine she loads it into the automatic shotgun and stores a few normal box magazines into her side pouches.

                                            >"Anon, I know you're there; it's Applejack. Ah really hope you pick up right now."

                                            >Applejack's conversation draws your attention.

                                            >Walking back over to Applejack, you contemplate interrupting her.

                                            >"Ah think you need to be here. Some strange stuff is going on at the campgrounds."

                                            >"Yeah ain't nothing like I ever seen or hea-

                                            "Applejack, let me talk to Anon."

                                            >"What's that?

                                            "Let me talk to Anon."

                                            "Okay."

                                            >"Sunset wants to talk to you."

                                            >Applejack hands you the phone and heads back with to the others.

                                            >"What in tarn- Gilda where in the hay did you get that?!" Applejack cries out.

                                            "Anonymous are you there?"

                                            >"Yeah, what's wrong?"

                                            "Two of the camp supervisors are dead."

                                            >"I'm sorry, what?"

                                            "The- the camp supervisors were eat-eaten by wolves..."

                                            >"Is there anything else? Because this sounds like a job for the police. Or a morgue."

                                            "ANON! There's this... thing out there attacking us with wolves! Miss Cheerilee is hurt really badly!"

                                            >There's a brief silence on the line that almost gives you a pit in your stomach that the call got cut.

                                            >"Did this thing... look like it was made of wood and had some sort of skull with antlers?"

                                            >He described it exactly...

                                            >That's not good.

                                            "How did you know?"

                                            >"Make sure everyone stays together inside the camp and stay indoors. Do not enter the forest under any circumstances, do you hear me? And make sure Fluttershy doesn't take in any injured animals in."

                                            >Fluttershy?

                                            >Now that you think about it, you didn't see Fluttershy in th-

                                            >Putting a hand on the receiver, you call out to Applejack.

                                            "Where's Fluttershy?"

                                            "Fluttershy? She went o- oh horseapples..."

                                            >No...

                                            "She's not?"

                                            >"She went out to chase after her rabbit right after you left and hasn't come back."

                                            "Oh dear Celestia."

                                            >"What? What is it?"

                                            "Fluttershy went into the woods."

                                            >"Goddammit. Sunset, where are you right now?"

                                            "The ranger shack... whatever it was out there cut the power to the entire camp and knocked the cell towers out. Anon, what is that thing?"

                                            >"If it's what I think it is. And I really hope that it's just wild animals being very territorial, what's trying to kill you is a lesh-"

                                            >And without warning the power goes out.

                                            "Anon? You cut off. Anon? Anon?! Dammit!"

                                            >You slam the phone down and stomp over to the others.

                                            >When you enter, what you see surprises you.

                                            >Gilda has a pistol holstered to her side and a large knife strapped to the side of her boot.

                                            >On the table next to her are emergency flares, more ammo boxes, another medical kit, some ration bars, duct tape, and cans of carburetor cleaner?

                                            >"What's the spray for?" Rainbow Dash asks taking a can of body spray from the table.

                                            >The woman digs through her pocket and tosses her lighter at Dash.

                                            >"Flamethrower."

                                            >You look at Gilda's weaponry as she double checks her gun is ready to go.

                                            "Gilda this seems like a lot of overkill for a forest ranger to have."

                                            >"Are you really complaining about this now?"

                                            "Well... no but."

                                            >Gilda slides everything in a duffle bag and shoves it into your arms.

                                            >"Then these, and get ready to run."

                                            >Applejack loads her rifle and aims down the sight, while Rainbow Dash just stretches with two rifles strapped to her back.

                                            "But what about Fluttershy? We need to find her."

                                            >"Yeah, we can't just leave her out there who knows what'll happen."

                                            >"Are you two stupid? She's most likely wolf chow right now."

                                            "Gilda shut up! Don't say that."

                                            >"Well we're not gonna be able to search for her, avoid the dogs and monster at the same time."

                                            >"Will you two hush up, we've called for help. The best thing we can do right now is get back to the others and hunker down."

                                            >The both of you glare at each other before huffing and turning away.

                                            >"You dweebs ready?"

                                            >"As I'll ever be."

                                            >"Yeah!"

                                            "I guess."

                                            >"I hope whoever you called can bail us out, cause it's gonna be a long night."

                                            >Kicking open the door and breaking the hinges, Gilda aims outside and pulls the trigger.

                                            >Two gunshots are followed by two wolves dropping dead.

                                            >"Let's go!"

                                            >Leaving the shack behind the four of you run back towards the dining hall. More rabid wolves try to get the drop on you but Gilda proves to be a quick shot keeping you all safe.

                                            >Before you know it, after the sound of gunfire ceases a plethora of dead animals lie around you.

                                            >Unloading the magazine, Gilda tosses it to you.

                                            >"Put it the bag, I'll reload it later."

                                            >The sound of cawing causes you to freeze.

                                            >Looking the sky, a mass amount of black birds circle overhead.

                                            >"That's not good..."

                                            >The birds swarm in and dive into a ball right in front of you and when they scatter, the Lesh thing is standing in its place.

                                            >"Was wondering when he'd show up." Gilda says.

                                            >Loading in another magazine she takes aim.

                                            >The monster looks curious as to what Gilda does.

                                            >"Gilda..."

                                            >Aiming, Gilda pulls the trigger.

                                            >A loud cacophony of noise erupts from the barrel as the skin of the monster explodes and splinters sending it back reeling back roaring in pain.

                                            >"CRAP!" Rainbow Dash yells out taken aback.

                                            >The three of you watch in amazement as Gilda forces the monster back.

                                            >Each shot doing more and more damage to its torso until there's a very noticable hole in its side.

                                            >Almost immediately after another swarm of birds come in and circle around it like before.

                                            >"Oh no you don't you piece of shit!"

                                            >Firing another set of shells, dozens of other birds are sacrificed to block the shots as the beast vanishes.

                                            >With each shot taken, all thats left of the small flyers is blood, bits of burnt meat and feathers.

                                            >Gilda lowers the gun as her target finally vanishes.

                                            >"Fuck."

                                            >Ejecting the magazine, Gilda tosses it to you again.

                                            >"It's gone for now. Let's hurry up."

                                            "Gilda what the hell was that?"

                                            >"High-Explosive rounds."

                                            >"Are those even legal to own?" Rainbow Dash asks.

                                            >No, you're pretty sure its not.

                                            >But you'll think about the reasoning on why she has those aside for later; in agreement the four of you continue on stepping over the dead bird and wolf corpses.

                                            >The activity of the latter seems to have died down a bit as you watch the area.

                                            >Suddenly you notice something in the distance lying in the dirt.

                                            >It looks like a body... with... pink hair!

                                            "Fluttershy!"

                                            >"What? Fluttershy?! Where?!"

                                            "Over there!"

                                            >You run over to your friend.

                                            >Please be okay! Please be okay! Please be okay!

                                            >Kneeling besides her, she looks a little scratched up but otherwise okay.

                                            "Fluttershy? Fluttershy wake up."

                                            >You shake your friend to wake her as you see she's wincing in pain.

                                            >"Oh... ow... my body hurts..." she mumbles.

                                            >"Fluttershy you're alive!" Rainbow Dash excitedly yells.

                                            >The girl's eyes widen in shock before she crawls backwards.

                                            >"NO! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" she cries out in terror.

                                            "Fluttershy it's me Sunset!"

                                            >"Sunset?"

                                            >"Yer safe, calm down."

                                            >Bringing her into a hug, Fluttershy begins crying.

                                            "We thought you were dead."

                                            >"Yeah..." Gilda trails off.

                                            >The ranger eyes Fluttershy suspiciously.

                                            "C'mon, we'll talk when we get back. Can you walk?"

                                            >"I...I think so."

                                            >Helping her up, she sees the carnage left behind you and gasps.

                                            "Fluttershy, I know it's hard but we need to keep moving."

                                            >"O-okay..."

                                            >Holding her by the hand, you and the others finish the journey back to the dining hall.


                                            >"Fluttershy! Oh I'm so glad you're alright darling."

                                            >Rarity walks up a brings Fluttershy in a deep hug.

                                            >Pinkie Pie scoops both girls in and squeezes tightly.

                                            >"Pinkie be careful, Fluttershy looks injured."

                                            >"Oh it's not too bad Rarity. Just a few cuts."

                                            >Rarity begins to fuss over Fluttershy's hair. Seeing them like this makes you smile but it quickly disappears.

                                            >Other students are huddled near each other, some are freaking out, others are trying to keep them (and themselves) calm.

                                            "Fluttershy what happened?"

                                            >Fluttershy freezes, and her expression sours.

                                            >"I... I don't know Sunset. I was looking for Angel then I saw that th-thing. It was looming over me and I thought I was a goner for sure."

                                            >That's strange.

                                            "Twilight, do you know whats doing this? All I got from Anon before the line went dead was that the thing is called a lesh-something."

                                            >Twilight thinks for a few moments and gasps.

                                            >"You know what it is?" Applejack asks, turning a chair around and sitting in it.

                                            >She nods her head.

                                            >"If the thing outside is a leshen. It's an intelligent forest spirit that can control plants and animals, and protects what it considers a threat to the forest."

                                            >Guess that explains cutting the power and getting rid of the cell tower.

                                            >Its cutting you off from calling for help.

                                            >"Well do you know how to get rid of it?!"

                                            >Twilight shakes her head, "Depending on how old it is, simply killing it won't be enough. They like to use warding totems that allow them to come back to life and we would need to go deep into the forest to destroy them."

                                            >Something then occurs to you.

                                            "But Fluttershy said she came face-to-face with it. Why did it leave her alone though."

                                            >Twilight shrugs, "I don't know, Leshens aren't one of the monsters I know too much about."

                                            >Great.

                                            >You really hope Anon arrives soon.


                                            --


                                            >Sunlight peeks through the curtains mounted over the windows, the angle just right to disturb your sleep.

                                            >Letting out a grumble you rub one of your eyes and notice the other individual sleeping soundly right next to you.

                                            >Celestia has an extremely peaceful expression on her face as she continues to dream.

                                            >Checking the clock it's already half past eleven.

                                            >Hmm, later start than you're used to.

                                            >Getting out of bed, you relieve yourself in the bathroom and take a quick shower just to wake you up.

                                            >As you turn the faucet off you hear a knock at the door.

                                            >"Anon?"

                                            "Yeah?"

                                            >"Sorry, I just really need to use the bathroom."

                                            "Just hold on a moment and I'll leave it to you."

                                            >Grabbing the towel on the chrome rack, you wrap the cloth around your waist and exit the room.

                                            >When Celestia notices your body she reels back in shock.

                                            >"A-Anon those scars!"

                                            >Feeling your chest, you gotta admit; objectively it is a bit scarred.

                                            "Lawnmower accident."

                                            >Pretending to guide yourself with the wall, you walk over to your pile of clothes and grab your boxer briefs.

                                            >You don't move anymore after that because Celestia is peeking around the corner of the bathroom door and is waiting for the towel to drop.

                                            >Though you're not facing her, you can bet she's biting her lower lip watching you.

                                            "Didn't you need to use the bathroom?"

                                            >"..."

                                            >The door clicks shut and you begin getting dressed.

                                            >Taking a seat on the couch, you fiddle with the wolf medallion around your neck.

                                            >You hear the sound of a toilet flushing as Celestia opens the door and walks out with her purse already in hand.

                                            >Noting her appearance compared to last night, her hair is combed and her makeup is redone.

                                            "Ready to go?"

                                            >"Yes, as much as I enjoyed our night together I'm eager to leave this motel."

                                            >The two of you leave the room and head to front desk. Settling the bill you two walk over to a nearby diner and grab something quick to eat.

                                            >As thanks for last night Celestia pays for the meal which is sort of a relief, most of the cash you have on you was spent on the cab and motel.


                                            >Exiting the cab, you walk Celestia up to the front door of her home. You take note of the neighborhood she lives in for future reference.

                                            >"Again, thank you for last night. I would have been in real trouble if it weren't for you."

                                            "It's fine. Just try not to get so wasted next time alright?"

                                            >She giggles, "I'll try."

                                            >Unlocking her door, she steps inside.

                                            >"I don't suppose you want some coffee or anything?" she says with an eyebrow waggle.

                                            "Tempting but no, I should get back to the farm. Big Macintosh probably has more than enough work to tackle by himself with Applejack and Apple Bloom gone."

                                            >"You're living with the Apples?"

                                            "Yeah... its a long story."

                                            >"I see. Well have a safe trip home Anon."

                                            "See you tomorrow I guess."

                                            >You turn around when Celestia calls out to you.

                                            >"Oh wait Anon!"

                                            "Yeah?"

                                            >"I left something in your jacket pocket if you ever need anything." she says before closing the door.

                                            >Nodding your head walk back to the cab and get back in.

                                            >Checking your pockets, you pull out a small piece of notary paper from the motel. On it are a series of digits and a kiss mark."

                                            >Amusing.

                                            >Tucking the phone number back in your pocket you relax and enjoy the ride.


                                            >Finally laying in your bed, you just stare up at the ceiling of the Apple home.

                                            >After getting back home, you finished up any chores that Big Macintosh failed to do while he was at school as well as some others left to you.

                                            >Eventually school let out and Big Mac helped finish everything up.

                                            >He apologized for abandoning you last night and told you he would make it up to you.

                                            >Oh he's going to make it up to you alright.

                                            >With some time to relax, your mind begins drifting back over the past couple days.

                                            >Since the girls have that school field trip to the Everfree, other than the night with Celestia, you've just been laying about with nothing much to do.

                                            >It's only been what? Three days?

                                            >Part of you is concerned with Sunset leaving your sight like this. The fact that you're actually concerned isn't lost on you.

                                            >On a whim, you decided to look up Camp Everfree, and it turns out the forest itself has quite the history behind it.

                                            >Quite a few accidents during the seventies and eighties, usually with the unfortunate victim either never found or found dead.

                                            >Most of the bodies that have been recovered were usually covered in bite and claw marks, or decomposed long enough that the birds feasted on them.

                                            >Any other remains were usually found in wolf dens, or even bear caves.

                                            >Apparently the wildlife doesn't appreciate urban life encroaching on its territory.

                                            >Whoever built the camp must either not have done the research or just didn't care. Either way, it does cause you some worry.

                                            >You're not going to get paid if Sunset gets eaten by a bear.

                                            >You could just hitch a ride with Big Macintosh to the campgrounds but honestly, Sunset and Rainbow Dash probably deserve a break.

                                            >Eh, they should be safe as long as they don't go to deep into the woods. So far the training has been paying off and Sunset's making good progress in her lessons from you.

                                            >There was a part of you that was a bit concerned at the slow pace the girl had in the start but thankfully she's gotten pretty decent handle on low level swordplay.

                                            >Rarity's assistance on that matter was somewhat of a blessing.

                                            >What used to be a normal high school teenager is now a slightly more fit high school teenager with bit more agility and sharper reflexes.

                                            >When she gets back, maybe you can try and convince them to try the arrow deflecting exercise again.

                                            >Who knows maybe this time they won't have as many lumps and bruises from those blunted arrows.

                                            >Or maybe not, either way you'll get some enjoyment out of it.

                                            >The fact she's managed to catch you off guard with some old bestiarium info on Fiends and Chorts was interesting.

                                            >Though she tried to play it off, it was extremely obvious where she obtained that knowledge from.

                                            >You're not going to admonish her for that. On the contrary.

                                            >Were Sunset a boy, she'd make a decent initiate right now, but she still would have a lot to learn before she would even be ready to undertake the Trials.


                                            >At some point you've got to address the magic issue with her though.

                                            >Grabbing the candlestick from the training exercise next to you, you inspect the wick and remember Sunset's first attempt at signs.

                                            >The control over her innate power needs work. Her fine control on how much magic she unleashes is so raw that even the simplest sign can be brought to magnitudes greater than normal.

                                            >Though powerful, the energy is so wild that just a simple Igni burst almost engulfed and burned down Big Macintosh's shed.

                                            >Tossing the candle with a flip, you catch it and place the wax stick aside.

                                            >It strikes you as odd though, Sunset explained to you that the portal to Equestria changed her body to what it is now. Her previous form being a unicorn.

                                            >Apparently magic was something that came relatively easy to her there, but is the magic between here and there so different?

                                            >It's hard to say, the Fall Formal, Battle of the Bands, and Friendship Games incidents all utilized the Equestrian magic instead of the already existing magical power here.

                                            >Without a trained Sorcerer to study the two, all you do is speculate.

                                            >You do have a couple of theories; one being that unlike a unicorn, she doesn't have a horn as a foci. Another would be that the laws of magic between these two worlds *are* fundamentally different and that all her previous knowledge and skill are just inapplicable.

                                            >Then there's another issue; how are you going to help her address it?

                                            >By all accounts, in this world Sunset is the equivalent to a Source coming into their powers.

                                            >You're no mage. You understand both basic and complex magical structure as well as curses as part of your work but being able to help Sunset control the intricacies of her powers is rather beyond you.

                                            >To compound the issue, you have no idea if her friends will have the same issues as her.

                                            >Rainbow Dash was completely unable to make even the smallest Igni spark even with her despite the "Pony Up" thing.

                                            >That would account for your latter theory, but that would have to exclude Sunset.

                                            >...

                                            >All this thinking is giving you another headache.

                                            >Speaking of Rainbow Dash, she's coming along decently too.

                                            >The girl is starting to slack compared to Sunset, not too badly, but enough to be noticeable. She’s still taking this seriously but it seems the drive that got her started is starting to fade.

                                            >You can tell it's frustrating her. Her personality isn't used to being second best.

                                            >Can't really blame her.

                                            >Sunset has skill and magic at her disposal. Rainbow only has the latter when she can transform.

                                            >Granted, the wings allow her a lot more flexibility than Sunset and her increased strength and durability is also a bonus.

                                            >If she were more experienced, she could probably develop her own combat style with the flying gimick.

                                            >You'll have to see if she gets any increased perception or other attributes when they get back because apparently all the girls can do it.


                                            >The phone to the house rings in the other room.

                                            >Granny Smith is asleep, and Big Macintosh is out on an errand.

                                            >Apple Bloom also went on the field trip too, so that really leaves you all alone here.

                                            >Should you pick it up?

                                            >The phone continues to ring.

                                            >You'll let the answering machine get it.

                                            >*Click*

                                            >"Anon, I know you're there; it's Applejack. Ah really hope you pick up right no-"

                                            >Getting up and heading over to the phone, you take the receiver and place it next to your ear.

                                            "Applejack what is it."

                                            >"Ah think you need to be here. Some strange stuff is going on at the campgrounds."

                                            "Strange stuff?"

                                            >"Yeah ain't nothing like I ever seen or hea- What's that? Okay."

                                            "What?"

                                            "Sunset wants to talk to you."

                                            >You can hear the phone being exchanged as Sunset's voice comes in.

                                            >"Anonymous are you there?"

                                            "Yeah, what's wrong?"

                                            >"Two of the camp supervisors are dead."

                                            "I'm sorry, what?"

                                            >"The- the camp supervisors were eat-eaten by wolves..."

                                            "Is there anything else? Because this sounds like a job for the police. Or a morgue."

                                            >"ANON! There's this... thing out there attacking us with wolves! Miss Cheerilee is hurt really badly!"

                                            >...

                                            >Oh shit.

                                            "Did this thing... look like it was made of wood and had some sort of skull with antlers?"

                                            >"How did you know?"

                                            "Make sure everyone stays together inside the camp and stay indoors. Do not enter the forest under any circumstances, do you hear me? And make sure Fluttershy doesn't take any injured animals in."

                                            >The sudden urgency in your voice begins causing Sunset to worry.

                                            >"Did you hear that Fluttershy? Fluttershy? Where's Flutter- oh dear Celestia..."

                                            "What? What?!"

                                            >"Fluttershy went out into the woods to get her rabbit..."

                                            >FUCK!

                                            "Sunset! Where are you right now?"

                                            >"The ranger shack... whatever it was out there cut the power to the entire camp and knocked the cell towers out. Anon, what is that thing?"

                                            "If it's what I think it is. And I pray to God that it's just wild animals being very territorial, what's trying to kill you is a lesh-"

                                            >Suddenly, the line goes dead.

                                            >Slamming the phone down, you're already running down the stairs and into your room.

                                            >Grabbing your laptop, you pull up a map of Canterlot and look up the location of Camp Everfree.

                                            >Where's the campground...

                                            >It's almost 59 miles away, and at least an hour drive.

                                            >You'd take forever to make it there on foot. No commercial buses go that route and it'll take forever to organize a cab.

                                            >Fucking dammit!

                                            >Jogging downstairs and outside you realize you don't have many options right now.

                                            >Even though Big Macintosh's truck is till here. He still has yet to put the fucking tires back on from doing a tune up yesterday and filling the tank.

                                            >Then something dawns on you.

                                            >You head upstairs and look through the jacket you wore the other day.

                                            >Digging through the pockets, you find Principal Celestia's personal phone number.

                                            >Going to the phone and dialing it, you impatiently wait for her to pick up.

                                            >*CLICK* "Hello?"

                                            "Celestia?"

                                            >"Anon? When I said give me a call I didn't expec-"

                                            "No time, Sunset and the others, including your sister, are in danger."

                                            >"W-what?"

                                            "I need you to pick me up and take me over to the camp right now."

                                            >"Shouldn't we call the police?"

                                            "Celestia, trust me. This is something the police isn't equipped to handle."

                                            >"Then what do we-"

                                            >You groan in frustration.

                                            "Just get to the Apple farm and I'll explain on the way to the camp. Please, just hurry."

                                            >Hanging up the phone, you get back to your laptop. You open up a file on your computer for your bestiarium notes and bring up the leshen.

                                            >[Leshens dwell in dense, primeval woods. Fiercely territorial creatures, they hunt with stealth and cunning as their only companions.]

                                            >Reading through the notes, you refamiliarize yourself with the tools necessary to combat a creature like the leshen.

                                            >Relict oils, fire, dimeritium bombs are to name just a few.

                                            >Dog tallow and and mistletoe are needed to brew that up but where you could find either ingredient here in a urban area like Canterlot is beyond you.

                                            >You do have a few dimeritium explosives you've been saving for something like this though.

                                            >Once you've made a mental checklist of what you have, you head out to the barn and open a foot locker filled with the most important things that belong to you.

                                            >Opening the lid, you pull out the body armor given to you by your master and the silver and steel swords that are a staple of the Witcher.

                                            >Getting dressed, you slide on the silver lined studded jacket. Making sure everything's in place you slide both swords across your body.

                                            >You grab four dimeritium bombs and place them on the hooks attached to the sword straps, and place potion vials in their respective sleeves.

                                            >Everything in place, you walk down the front path and wait around ten minutes before you see the headlights from Celestia's car pulling up the road.

                                            >Celestia sees you and rolls the window down with a concerned expression.

                                            >"Anon... please tell me you didn't just need a ride to some sort of live action roll playing event, especially at this time of night."

                                            >Drawing your steel sword, you swing one handed at the Apple family mailbox, cleving through the wood like butter and sending the mailbox falling into the dirt with a metallic thud.

                                            >Sheathing the blade, you turn back and face Celestia who has a look of shock.

                                            >"Um... you made your point."

                                            >You'll deal with the mailbox later. Right now you just want to save your... friends.

                                            >Quickly getting into her vehicle, you place your swords in the back seat as she plugs the camps address into her phone's GPS and places it in the holder mounted on the dash.

                                            >She pulls out of the driveway and signals a left turn down the road.

                                            >"So... Anon. I noticed you're not wearing your glasses."

                                            "Yeah, I can see its a miracle."

                                            >Your sarcastic response doesn't seem to amuse her.

                                            >You begin tapping your foot impatiently as you fold your arms.

                                            >"That's not the entire truth is it."

                                            "No. It's not. I had vision the entire time while I was at CHS."

                                            >You're not going to beat around the bush right now.

                                            >Right now, too much is at stake for you to get into an argument. You won't tell her everything but just enough to sate curiosity.

                                            >"We're going to have a long talk about your choice in pretending to be blind when we're done here Anon." she says sternly.

                                            "Is that before or after we talk about that incident in the hallway where you decided it was a good idea to shake your ass in front of a supposed blind student?"

                                            >Celestia's face goes red.

                                            >"You... you remember that."

                                            "I remember a lot of things."

                                            >"Maybe we'll keep this to ourselves for now." she says as the car stops at a red light.

                                            "Sounds good."

                                            >"You do look incredibly attractive though. Even in that strange... getup."

                                            "Bold; you aren't drunk again are you?"

                                            >She giggles.

                                            >"No, but since we're telling the truth now..."

                                            "..."

                                            >"So now that I told you that, why don't you tell me what is going on at Camp Everfree."

                                            >Well might as well, you've got a lot of time to kill.

                                            "It might sound hard to believe, but everyone at camp is being attacked by a monster called a Leshen..."


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