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Heartfallen Ch. 3

By Luckybuck
Created: 2022-10-03 13:35:20
Expiry: Never

  1. 1.
    Ch. 3
  2. 2.
     
  3. 3.
    >A chorus of crickets and frogsong.
  4. 4.
    >Twinkling fireflies.
  5. 5.
    >A twig snaps underfoot.
  6. 6.
    >Anon marches through the temperate jungle, keeping a steady pace.
  7. 7.
    >He looks back for a moment, but does not stop or slow down.
  8. 8.
    >He must have been walking for hours at this point.
  9. 9.
    >Moonlight filters through the canopy, showing his path as he follows the river south.
  10. 10.
    >His weariness is starting to catch up to him, but he does his best to hide it.
  11. 11.
    >Even from himself.
  12. 12.
    >Whether it’s legitimate caution, sheer cowardice, or hurt pride that drives him forward, he does not know.
  13. 13.
    >What he does know is that he can’t stop moving until he’s out of this forest.
  14. 14.
    >Another twig snaps.
  15. 15.
    >Anon slows down a bit.
  16. 16.
    >Something is close.
  17. 17.
    >Very close.
  18. 18.
    >He’d gotten the feeling he was being followed about an hour ago, but blew it off as paranoia.
  19. 19.
    >Anon resumes his previous pace.
  20. 20.
    >Whatever it is, it’s been getting closer and closer for the last five minutes.
  21. 21.
    >At this rate it’ll overtake him any moment now.
  22. 22.
    >Anon steels himself for this inevitability, grasping his knife.
  23. 23.
    >He walks a little faster, and a chill runs down his spine.
  24. 24.
    >Behind him he hears a low growl, and something whizzes past his face.
  25. 25.
    >Anon ducks behind a large tree, and three thuds resound next to his face.
  26. 26.
    >Cautiously, he peeks around.
  27. 27.
    >Lodged in the bark are three chitinous spikes, each longer than one of Anon’s fingers.
  28. 28.
    A: “Shit.”
  29. 29.
    >He returns his knife to its place, and instead readies his bow.
  30. 30.
    >Knocking an arrow, he prepares to draw.
  31. 31.
    “ROAR”
  32. 32.
    >A blur of brown and red crashes into the tree Anon is hiding behind.
  33. 33.
    >A massive paw swipes at him around the tree, and he falls backwards, narrowly avoiding the beast’s black claws tearing into the bark.
  34. 34.
    >Regaining his footing, Anon takes a few steps back and points his bow at the creature as it lurches around to face him.
  35. 35.
    >A disturbingly human-like lion face looks back at him.
  36. 36.
    >The bow twangs and an arrow flies.
  37. 37.
    >It shoots beside the beast’s shaggy red mane, and pierces the shoulder.
  38. 38.
    >Blood spurts from the wound and soaks into the beast’s brown fur.
  39. 39.
    >It doesn’t even flinch.
  40. 40.
    >Then it lets go of the tree and drops to all fours, the claws of its lionlike paws digging into the dirt.
  41. 41.
    >Batlike wings outstretch, and a massive chitinous tail tipped with a ball of spikes rears forward over the beast’s back.
  42. 42.
    >Anon’s eyes widen, and he darts to the nearest tree.
  43. 43.
    >He barely makes it before a volley of spikes come flying, some whizzing past and others striking the tree.
  44. 44.
    A: “Fuck.”
  45. 45.
    >He raises his bow, then leans out from behind the tree and shoots another arrow.
  46. 46.
    >The beast, with unexpected agility, sidesteps the arrow.
  47. 47.
    “ROAR”
  48. 48.
    >It charges forward, and lunges at Anon.
  49. 49.
    >He quickly moves around the tree, but the beast turns around to face him just as fast.
  50. 50.
    >It swipes a paw at him, ripping his shirt and leaving four trails of blood across his chest.
  51. 51.
    >Anon winces at the pain, but keeps his momentum and begins to run.
  52. 52.
    >As fast as he can he tries to flee.
  53. 53.
    >He can hear spikes whizzing past him.
  54. 54.
    >Just as he is about to reach another tree, two slam into his left arm.
  55. 55.
    >Anon drops his bow.
  56. 56.
    A: “AH FUCK”
  57. 57.
    >The pain is intense as searing venom courses into his veins.
  58. 58.
    >He stumbles, but doesn’t stop running.
  59. 59.
    “ROAR”
  60. 60.
    >The beast is almost upon him already.
  61. 61.
    >It lunges, and anon ducks sideways, falling into a haphazard roll.
  62. 62.
    >He jumps to his feet, and runs forward…
  63. 63.
    >...straight into a tree.
  64. 64.
    >It hurts and disorients him, but not enough to deter his survival instinct.
  65. 65.
    >Anon turns to face the beast, and draws his knife.
  66. 66.
    >The beast growls, and a volley of spikes hurtles towards him.
  67. 67.
    >He falls flat on the ground, barely avoiding them, and each one thuds into the tree behind him.
  68. 68.
    >As soon as he starts to get up, the beast is jumping towards him.
  69. 69.
    >Anon only has time to roll over onto his back before it’s landed atop him, but it overshoots its mark.
  70. 70.
    >Rather than his neck, the beast’s fangs sink into his leg.
  71. 71.
    A: “AHHHH!”
  72. 72.
    >Anon lashes out with his knife, and instantly blood sprays him in the face.
  73. 73.
    >The beast above him howls, and the taste of blood drives all thought from Anon’s mind.
  74. 74.
    >He stabs and stabs and stabs, and the beast leaps from him, furiously flapping its wings.
  75. 75.
    >Covered in blood, Anon jumps to his feet.
  76. 76.
    >Adrenaline courses through his veins.
  77. 77.
    >His pain is a wail drowned out by the screaming primality that has overtaken him.
  78. 78.
    >He yells and rushes the beast.
  79. 79.
    >It knocks him aside with a swipe of its paw, and he hits the ground hard.
  80. 80.
    >Four lines of red streak across Anon’s right arm, but he does not drop his knife.
  81. 81.
    >He starts to get up again, a guttural groan, full of malice, reverberating through his battered body.
  82. 82.
    >Looking up at the beast, his eyes widen in surprise.
  83. 83.
    >It’s limping backwards.
  84. 84.
    >Away from him.
  85. 85.
    >Anon manages to stand up.
  86. 86.
    A: “COME ON!”
  87. 87.
    >His yell is hoarse and ragged, but loud as he can muster.
  88. 88.
    >The beast, leaning to one side, grasping its blood and entrails with a forepaw, stares him dead in the eye.
  89. 89.
    >Its expression is cold.
  90. 90.
    >Unkowable.
  91. 91.
    >Anon feels a chill run down his spine.
  92. 92.
    “ROOOAAARRRRRRR!”
  93. 93.
    >Anon shuts his eyes for a second as beast shakes the trees around him with its terrible voice.
  94. 94.
    >But he does not back down.
  95. 95.
    >He can’t.
  96. 96.
    >At this point he’s too fucked up to run away.
  97. 97.
    >He stares at the beast.
  98. 98.
    >It stares back.
  99. 99.
    >With a fierce determination that he didn’t even know he had, Anon takes a step forward, barely managing to stay standing on his injured leg.
  100. 100.
    >Instantly, the beast’s resolve is broken.
  101. 101.
    >In a flurry of blood and fur and leaves, the beast is gone, hurtling loudly through the trees.
  102. 102.
    >Anon stands, half in schock and half in joy.
  103. 103.
    >A soft chuckle escapes his lips.
  104. 104.
    >His wounded leg wavers, and he falls to his knees.
  105. 105.
    >A pulse of intense pain washes through his body from his left arm.
  106. 106.
    >He looks at his arm, and winces.
  107. 107.
    A: “Fuck.”
  108. 108.
    >He grits his teeth, and grasps hold of one of the spikes.
  109. 109.
    >He pulls.
  110. 110.
    >Immediately he gasps and lets go.
  111. 111.
    >The pain is too much.
  112. 112.
    >For a few moments he just sits there, panting.
  113. 113.
    >Eventually he collects himself, and takes off his tattered shirt.
  114. 114.
    >He wads up a corner and bites down on it, then firmly takes hold of one of the spikes.
  115. 115.
    >He yanks as hard as he can, and it pops loose.
  116. 116.
    >The feeling of relief is indescribable.
  117. 117.
    >Blood oozes from the wound.
  118. 118.
    >He grits down on the cloth again, and grasps the other spike.
  119. 119.
    >He pulls, and this one comes out easier than the first.
  120. 120.
    >Anon pants, then begins to stand.
  121. 121.
    >His leg wavers.
  122. 122.
    >Anon falls back onto his ass.
  123. 123.
    >He laughs.
  124. 124.
    A: “That ugly bastard…”
  125. 125.
    >Anon looks off into the forest, in the direction the beast ran off.
  126. 126.
    >His expression fades.
  127. 127.
    >A dire realization sets in.
  128. 128.
    >He’s alive, but that isn’t going to last. Not like this.
  129. 129.
    >Any other monsters stumble upon him in his current state and he’s dead.
  130. 130.
    >Looking down at himself, Anon takes count of his wounds.
  131. 131.
    >It’s hard to tell which blood is his and which is the beast’s, but he knows where he’s hurting.
  132. 132.
    >Looking closely, he can see that he’s not bleeding too badly, all things considered.
  133. 133.
    >And he doesn’t feel nearly as bad now that he’s pried those spikes out.
  134. 134.
    >He sighs.
  135. 135.
    >At least he’s alive.
  136. 136.
    >Even if it is temporary.
  137. 137.
    >Looking up at the sky, he wonders what he should do.
  138. 138.
    >The sun is peeking over the horizon, and its soft golden rays reach out over the treetops.
  139. 139.
    A: “Okay…”
  140. 140.
    >Anon stands up slowly, and tests his injured leg.
  141. 141.
    >It hurts.
  142. 142.
    A: “Fuck.”
  143. 143.
    >He looks around.
  144. 144.
    >Unfortunately that monster went running off in the direction that Anon was trying to go.
  145. 145.
    >And he can’t go back the other way.
  146. 146.
    >He looks towards the east.
  147. 147.
    >Towards the river.
  148. 148.
    >With a nod, he hobbles forward.
  149. 149.
     
  150. 150.
    ~
  151. 151.
     
  152. 152.
    >Chrysalis stares wide-eyed at this horrible, amazing monster that is clutching its injured arm and stumbling through the underbrush.
  153. 153.
    >She never expected him to actually drive off the manticore on his own.
  154. 154.
    >Her plan was to step in at the last second and save him.
  155. 155.
    >Then he’d fall in love with her and be hers forever.
  156. 156.
    >But he cut it open!
  157. 157.
    >She was so surprised that she forgot her plans and couldn’t do anything but watch.
  158. 158.
    >His body looked so small and frail compared to the chimeric beast, she couldn’t possibly have predicted he’d hurt it like that.
  159. 159.
    >Oh, but he did.
  160. 160.
    >Her body quivers as she remembers the look on his face when he was staring down the manticore.
  161. 161.
    >So serious.
  162. 162.
    >Covered in blood.
  163. 163.
    >Sending the manticore after him was a wonderful idea, if only to have seen that face.
  164. 164.
    >She’s practically vibrating with expectation as she stalks him through the trees.
  165. 165.
    >Her green eyes, full of desire, follow his every movement.
  166. 166.
    >She watches him step out from the forest, heading towards the riverbank.
  167. 167.
    >Curious, she gets a little closer.
  168. 168.
    >He takes a few more steps, then stops.
  169. 169.
    >He looks around.
  170. 170.
    >Did he hear her?
  171. 171.
    >Does he know she’s watching him?
  172. 172.
    >Chrysalis hides as best she can among the leaves.
  173. 173.
    >Something speaks.
  174. 174.
    >Its voice is little more than a whisper.
  175. 175.
    >He seems to hear it, too.
  176. 176.
    >He takes off his backpack.
  177. 177.
    >She stares in anticipation.
  178. 178.
    >He sits down.
  179. 179.
    >She breathes a silent sigh of relief.
  180. 180.
    >After rummaging hastily through his torn and dirty sack, he pulls out a book.
  181. 181.
    >The royal insignia of Princess Twilight Sparkle is emblazoned on its cover, a purple crystal embedded in the center.
  182. 182.
    >A faint purple light spills from the gem, and the voice echoes louder and more clearly now.
  183. 183.
    >It’s Twilight Sparkle’s voice.
  184. 184.
    >Anon holds the book, looking at it quizzically.
  185. 185.
    >Chrysalis still can’t make out what the book is saying, but she catches the words “danger” and “home”.
  186. 186.
    >What’s happening?
  187. 187.
    >Chrysalis almost can’t take it.
  188. 188.
    >He’s right there.
  189. 189.
    >Right in front of her.
  190. 190.
    >He’s in no position to fight back.
  191. 191.
    >Right?
  192. 192.
    >So why does she hesitate?
  193. 193.
    >Why does she merely hide and watch?
  194. 194.
    >She shakes her head, and curses at herself for her weakness.
  195. 195.
    >Then her gaze fixates on Anon once again.
  196. 196.
    >Her unblinking eyes blaze with intent.
  197. 197.
    >A wicked grin creeps across her face.
  198. 198.
    >She takes a step forward.
  199. 199.
    >Anon laughs, and then clutches his chest.
  200. 200.
    A: “Oof… Ow. Thanks Twilight. It’s good to hear your voice.”
  201. 201.
    >Chrysalis winces.
  202. 202.
    >A twinge of disgust and a pang of jealousy resound through her mind.
  203. 203.
    >She stands tall, and huffs.
  204. 204.
    >Anon starts to look back, but before he can turn his head a bright purple light shines out and turns to white.
  205. 205.
    >Blinded, Chrysalis squints her eyes and raises a hoof to block her face.
  206. 206.
    >Then the light disappears.
  207. 207.
    >Along with Anon.
  208. 208.
    C: “What?”
  209. 209.
    >The changeling looks around, confused for a moment, then walks over to where Anon was just sitting.
  210. 210.
    >She freezes.
  211. 211.
    >Rage builds up inside her.
  212. 212.
    >Twilight Sparkle.
  213. 213.
    >She did this.
  214. 214.
    >She teleported Anon away.
  215. 215.
    >Why didn’t Chrysalis move sooner?
  216. 216.
    >Why didn’t she stop it from happening?
  217. 217.
    >She screams in frustration.
  218. 218.
    >A pillar of green flame bursts forth around her, and from the flames a great black dragon steps forth.
  219. 219.
    C: “No.”
  220. 220.
    >The dragon’s wings unfurl, and it launches upwards into the air.
  221. 221.
    C: “I will not be denied.”
  222. 222.
    >The scales of Chrysalis’s dragonic form tremble and quiver.
  223. 223.
    >Green flames spill from her maw.
  224. 224.
    >She stares into the distance.
  225. 225.
    >Ponyville.
  226. 226.
    >Her anger grows as memories flood into her mind.
  227. 227.
    >It had been a long time since she’d been freed from the statue alongside her former allies.
  228. 228.
    >That was the last time she’d been in Ponyville.
  229. 229.
    >She shudders as she remembers the feeling of her body turning to stone.
  230. 230.
    >No.
  231. 231.
    >She won’t let that happen again.
  232. 232.
    >She has to be smart about this.
  233. 233.
    >A wave of green shimmers across her body, and her form shifts again.
  234. 234.
    >From a dragon she transforms into a blue pegasus.
  235. 235.
    >She smiles to herself, then dashes off at incredible speed, little more than a blur in the sky.
  236. 236.
     
  237. 237.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heartfallen Ch. 1

by Luckybuck

Heartfallen Ch. 2

by Luckybuck

Heartfallen Ch. 3

by Luckybuck

Heartfallen Ch. 4

by Luckybuck

Heartfallen Ch. 5

by Luckybuck