Heartfallen Ch. 6


                                            Ch. 6


                                            >The light of the noonday sun trickles through the treetops.

                                            >Birdsong fills the air.

                                            >A light breeze caresses Anon’s face.

                                            >Laying on his back, he slowly opens his eyes.

                                            >He takes in the natural beauty of the forest, breathes deeply the fresh, sweet, air.

                                            >A slight grin creeps upon his visage.

                                            >In this brief moment, all worries are forgotten.

                                            >He lets out a satisfied sigh.

                                            >Then he realizes…

                                            >He’s alone.

                                            >He sits up, and looks around.

                                            >All is quiet, aside from the birds.

                                            >The ever-present mist of the Everfree hangs lazily among the trees.

                                            A: Where…?

                                            >Anon’s mind jumps back and forth between possibilities.

                                            >He feels as though the trees are closing in around him.

                                            >He starts to stand, but a vine shoots from the mist and wraps around his left wrist, pulling him down.

                                            A: What the-!?

                                            >Another vine binds his right wrist as he attempts to free himself, and yanks his hand to the ground.

                                            A: Urgh!

                                            >He struggles against the impossible strength of the vines, and with all his might he makes it to his feet.

                                            >Then another lunges outward.

                                            >The vine slams into his throat and twists around his neck in an instant.

                                            >He is pulled down to his knees, the vine barely allowing him to breathe.

                                            >He tries his best to free himself, but nothing works.

                                            >Fear and anger fill his mind, his instincts scream at him.

                                            >The forest is silent.

                                            >The mist around him thickens.

                                            >All becomes dark.

                                            >With one last surge of effort he fights against his bonds.

                                            >To no avail.

                                            >He hangs his head in defeat.

                                            C: Why do you struggle, Anonymous?

                                            >A flash of green light pierces the unnatural gloom.

                                            C: It’s too late to fight.

                                            >A pair of eyes approach him, followed by the black body of their owner.

                                            C: You’ve already given in.

                                            >The beautiful, terrible creature leans in, close to his face.

                                            C: You’re already mine!


                                            ~


                                            >Anon wrenches forward, panting.

                                            >A cold sweat upon his brow, panic in his mind, he looks at his hands.

                                            >His hands.

                                            >Unbound.

                                            >The vines are gone.

                                            >The forest is calm.

                                            >It is morning.

                                            >He sighs.

                                            A: A nightmare…

                                            >He looks to his side, to see Chrysalis is still there.

                                            >She is sleeping peacefully.

                                            >”So weird…”, he thinks to himself.

                                            >He shakes the grogginess from his head.

                                            >Then he looks back down at Chrysalis.

                                            >A creature he knows he shouldn’t trust. A monster who is clearly evil.

                                            >”But why is she so…”

                                            >He stares at her.

                                            >His eyes trail down her form, from the tip of her jagged horn, to the slender chitinous frame of her chest, to her thin black haunches, to her strange holed legs.

                                            >”It doesn’t make sense. She’s some freaky bug monster. So why…”

                                            >He reaches out his hand.

                                            >Her diaphragm gently rises and falls with her breathing.

                                            >”Why is she…”

                                            >He hesitates as his fingers hover above her face.

                                            >Her odd, blueish hair dangles messily.

                                            >”Why do I…”

                                            >He touches her forehead, lightly brushing her hair from before her eyes.

                                            >A slight grin creeps upon her expression, but she does not move.

                                            >”Is it magic?”

                                            >His fingers slide down the side of her face.

                                            >She softly, unconsciously, leans into his touch.

                                            >”Am I under some kind of spell?”

                                            >He pulls his fingers away as they trail over her chin.

                                            >”The curse. It’s messing with my head.”

                                            >She lays still.

                                            >He sighs again.

                                            >”I’ve made some kind of mistake, haven’t I?”

                                            >As quietly and gently as he can, he gets up.

                                            >”Some horrible mistake.”

                                            >Standing, he observes the treetops, and then looks around.

                                            >A bird flutters its wings as it alights on a nearby branch.

                                            >A bee buzzes past towards a small patch of red flowers in the distance.

                                            >Through the mist he thinks he sees the outline of a deer, walking slowly.

                                            >He closes his eyes, and breathes in deeply, stretching his limbs.

                                            >A slight pain pulses in his head, and he winces.

                                            >”That dream…”

                                            >He remembers the ethereal mare, wrapped in starlight, who spoke of his curse.

                                            >”That must have been Luna.” He ponders.

                                            >The Princess of the Night.

                                            >He never met her in person. But he knows she enters the dreams of others to assist and guide them.

                                            >He tries to remember her words, her warning.

                                            >His thoughts instead go to his nightmare.

                                            >Of being bound, helpless before the will of Chrysalis.

                                            >”No.” He thinks. “I won’t be controlled.”

                                            >Luna is right. He must resist temptation.

                                            >He has to find a way to break his curse.

                                            >To undo the damage he’s already done.

                                            >”Poor Twilight…”

                                            >Taking in the scenery, he is struck by the realization that he’s lost.

                                            >He has no idea where in the Everfree he is, exactly, so getting out isn’t going to be easy.

                                            >But at least now he knows where he must go.

                                            >A whisper escapes his lips.

                                            A: The Crystal Empire.

                                            C: Is that where we’re going, Anon?

                                            >The voice startles him, but he manages not to flinch or show any sign of it.

                                            >He turns around to face her.

                                            >Chrysalis is still laying on the grass, her legs folded beneath her body.

                                            >Her head is raised, and with wide eyes she stares straight at Anon.

                                            >Waiting for an answer.

                                            >He doesn’t immediately respond, instead taking in the sight of her emerald eyes.

                                            >”I should think she’s horrifying.” He thinks to himself.

                                            >She leans her head slightly sideways in a curious manner, a thin smile growing on her visage.

                                            >”But I can’t. Every time I look at her…”

                                            >He finally answers, with a firm and serious tone.

                                            A: Yes. We’re going to the Crystal Empire.

                                            >Her smile widens.

                                            C: Such ambition!

                                            >She stands.

                                            >Her long, thin legs stretch and her petite frame creaks slightly.

                                            >She steps closer towards Anon.

                                            C: Ah, it’s been so long since I’ve seen that glittering city…

                                            >She closes her eyes and seems to think of some fond memory.

                                            C: So full of love.

                                            >Then her expression quickly contorts into one of anger.

                                            >Kept by that blasted pretty pink Princess!

                                            >She looks back up at Anon, and just as fast her expression changes again.

                                            >With a wicked grin and sultry eyes she steps close and looks him in the eye.

                                            C: You know it won’t be easy, right?

                                            >Anon maintains a stoic stance.

                                            A: Of course.

                                            >She licks her lips.

                                            C: What are you thinking, Anon?

                                            A: We need to head there first, before we go anywhere else.

                                            >She shivers, a strange pulse that goes from her head to her toes.

                                            C: Ooh, I just adore that determination. You’re right, if we go there first…

                                            >She walks around Anon as he stands, circling like a predator circles its prey.

                                            C: And deal with that *Princess*...

                                            >She stops when she’s in front of him again.

                                            C: Nopony will be able to stop us!

                                            >Chrysalis faces away from Anon and looks back over her shoulder.

                                            >Her grin widens into a mad smile and her eyes flash with green.

                                            C: We’ll need an army to topple the Empire, Anon.

                                            >She sways and her voice takes a song-like tone.

                                            C: A new hive! Oh to be Queen again!

                                            >She flicks her tail before his nose, and arches her head back.

                                            C: Come, Anon! Pour your love into me! Make me your Queen!

                                            >She leans forward, keeping her hindquarters raised.

                                            C: Sire a new generation of changelings and let us conquer Equestria!

                                            >Anon stares at her, his blank expression unfaltering.

                                            >In his mind he is taken aback, shocked by this sudden outburst.

                                            >It takes all of his willpower not to focus his sight on the subtle, hypnotic sway of her hips.

                                            >”She’s crazy.” He thinks, “I can’t tell why I really want to go there.”

                                            >He narrows his eyes.

                                            >His silence seems to offend Chrysalis.

                                            C: What’s wrong, Anon? Hurry and mount me!

                                            >Silence.

                                            >”I have to resist.” He says in his head.

                                            >He sighs.

                                            A: No.

                                            C: What!?

                                            >Her eyes blaze with green flame as she turns around in an instant to face him.

                                            C: What do you mean, ‘no’!?

                                            >Fury and confusion are plain upon her face, but there is also a tinge of pain.

                                            C: Don’t you want to love me!?

                                            >The pain in her voice is obvious.

                                            C: Are you repulsed by my body!?

                                            >But the pain is slowly replaced by more anger.

                                            C: I can change into a pony for you! I can change into whatever creature you want!

                                            >She’s practically screaming now.

                                            C: I would change into a human, but I… I’ve never seen a human female…

                                            >A look of disgust takes the place of her confusion alongside her anger.

                                            C: Is your species incapable of mating!?

                                            >Anon simply sighs.

                                            A: No, Chrysalis, it’s not that. You’re beautiful the way you are, and I’m perfectly capable, it’s just...

                                            C: Then what is it!? Why won’t you love me!?

                                            A: We can’t do this now. Not here.

                                            >She looks more confused than ever, and almost seems like she’s about to cry.

                                            A: It’s just… We can’t go in there with an army.

                                            >Anon wracks his brain for a way out of this mess.

                                            A: We have to think about this carefully. If we mess up here it’s all over.

                                            >Chrysalis’s expression fades, replaced by a knowing look of disappointment.

                                            C: You’re right, Anon.

                                            >She falls back onto her haunches.

                                            C: So then what would you have us do?

                                            >Anon looks up to the sky, obscured by the trees, and thinks in silence for a moment.

                                            A: We need to infiltrate the Empire and get close to the Princess.

                                            >”So I can ask her about removing this curse.” He thinks to himself.

                                            A: Once we have the Princess the Empire will follow.

                                            >She turns her nose up.

                                            C: Hmph, I’ve tried that before. It won’t work.

                                            >Chrysalis huffs and turns away from Anon again.

                                            A: You didn’t have me before.

                                            >She stops and her ears prick up.

                                            C: What are you saying, exactly?

                                            A: I’m saying that with both of us together, we can’t fail.

                                            >She raises an eyebrow.

                                            A: If Twilight Sparkle is anything to go by, it’ll only take a little bit of love for the curse to drive her crazy.

                                            C: And how do you plan on making her love you?

                                            A: I don’t have to make her love me. I just need to trick her into thinking I’m someone she loves already.

                                            C: Oh? An interesting idea. If you could change your appearance. But unlike me-

                                            >A wave of green light washes over her body.

                                            >Black is replaced by white, and before you Chrysalis now stands in the body of a white unicorn stallion.

                                            C: -you can’t do that. Do you know who this is, Anon?

                                            >He nods.

                                            A: Shining Armor. Cadance’s husband and Twilight’s brother.

                                            C: Yes. Have you met him?

                                            A: No.

                                            >She shakes her head as green washes over her again, returning her to her original form.

                                            C: This won’t be easy, you know. Shining is a rather powerful unicorn in his own right, and you don’t exactly bear a strong resemblance to him.

                                            >Anon smirks.

                                            A: I won’t need to.

                                            >She looks at him, puzzled.

                                            C: You won’t?

                                            A: I remember a little something from one of Twilight’s books. A potion that can temporarily change someone to look like someone else.

                                            C: I’ve never heard of such a potion.

                                            >”That’s because I just made it up.” Anon thinks.

                                            C: And it’s some*pony*, Anon, not some*one*. Your strange dialect will get you caught if you’re not careful.

                                            >He laughs.

                                            A: Guess I need to practice.

                                            >Suddenly, his stomach growls.

                                            A: But first, we’ve gotta find something to eat.

                                            >Anon turns to look through his bag, and then remembers.

                                            >He doesn’t have his bag.

                                            >He doesn’t have any supplies at all.

                                            >Not even a knife.

                                            >In the middle of nowhere in the Everfree of all places, without even a knife.

                                            A: Damn.

                                            C: What is it?

                                            A: I’m so used to having my things, my bag. I forgot I left it behind.

                                            >She looks him up and down, a curious grin growing on her face.

                                            >Anon sighs, then chuckles.

                                            A: I don’t even have a shirt. Or shoes.

                                            C: I rather prefer you without your body covered.

                                            >She says this in a very matter-of-fact way, then her grin turns wicked.

                                            C: Did you mean what you said earlier?

                                            A: What did I say earlier?

                                            C: Don’t play coy, Anon.

                                            >She flutters her eyelashes as she leans in closer.

                                            C: Do you really think I’m beautiful?

                                            >Anon suppresses the urge to turn away from her piercing gaze, and keeps staring at her.

                                            >He reaches out and brushes a lock of hair from the side of her face.

                                            >She leans into his hand, but doesn’t break eye contact.

                                            A: I think…

                                            >His heart beats fast inside his chest.

                                            A: You’re the most beautiful creature in Equestria.

                                            >Her face twists in a predatory smile, as she moves to whisper in his ear.

                                            C: Good.

                                            >She pulls back and takes a step away.

                                            >Her body shimmers as green light washes over her.

                                            C: Now let’s do a little practice, shall we?

                                            >Before Anon can respond, Chrysalis’s appearance has changed.

                                            >Standing in front of him with an innocent smile is the visage of Cadance, Princess of Love.

                                            C: Well? Aren’t I just the prettiest pony you’ve ever seen?

                                            >Anon knows anything he says likely won’t be taken well, so he remains silent.

                                            C: Don’t be shy, Anon.

                                            >She does a little twirl, showing off her body, looking back over her shoulder at him as her tail waves in front of his face.

                                            C: This is the Princess I despise the most, you know.

                                            A: Oh?

                                            C: I lived her *perfect* little life for some time. I learned a lot about her.

                                            >She steps towards Anon again.

                                            C: Her magic controls love. Makes it grow.

                                            >She places a hoof on Anon’s chest, and pushes him gently.

                                            >He allows himself to fall, back onto the grass.

                                            C: She feels so much love for her subjects. For her husband.

                                            >Chrysalis leans in, Cadence’s sparkling pinkish purple eyes staring daggers into Anon’s soul.

                                            C: You only need to make her feel a little love for you. Then-

                                            >She whispers.

                                            C: She’ll be yours.

                                            >With a wicked grin, she raises her head and stands over Anon as he sits on the grass.

                                            C: The problem, Anon…

                                            >She trails a hoof down his chest.

                                            C: Is that the love must be reciprocated.

                                            >She lays into him, pushing them both to lie down.

                                            C: If you don’t feel any love for her, your curse won’t affect her. So…

                                            >Her weight on his chest is less than he would have expected. But even still, it’s a weight he couldn’t hope to move.

                                            C: I want you to say it.

                                            >Their faces are close. Her breath is heavy.

                                            >She raises her hooves to rest on his shoulders.

                                            C: Tell me you love me.

                                            >Her voice is needy with anticipation.

                                            >For a moment he forgets his plight.

                                            >The world seems to fade away.

                                            >All that exists is the temptation before him.

                                            C: Anon…

                                            >Anon places his hands on her flanks and pulls her closer, eliciting a soft happy squeak.

                                            >She pulls her head back just enough to look into his eyes.

                                            >Her emerald gaze sparkles like a pair of stars, showing the truth of her self through her illusion.

                                            >He can’t take it anymore.

                                            >He pushes his lips into hers, and immediately his body is filled with a surge of magic.

                                            >Chrysalis moans into his mouth.

                                            >Their tongues intertwine.

                                            >Anon’s sight begins to fill with flame.

                                            >He breaks the kiss and pulls away, panting.

                                            >She stares at him with eyes full of hunger. Full of lust.

                                            C: Say it.

                                            >She pleads. Her body quivers.

                                            A: I love you.

                                            >She moans loud, arching her back.

                                            >On her face is an expression of orgasmic bliss.

                                            >After a moment she collects herself.

                                            >Anon can do nothing but stare.

                                            C: Well. I suppose that will have to do for now.

                                            >She speaks between heavy, steamy breaths.

                                            C: I’ll go and find you something to eat, too. But when I get back…

                                            >She leans in again and gently bites his ear.

                                            C: I want more.

                                            >Awash with green flame her body shifts and color changes.

                                            >Gone is the pink Princess, and in her place is a brown-feathered gryffon with sharp claws and a wicked beak.

                                            >With a flap of wings and a flurry of movement, she ascends into the treetops.

                                            >After a few moments, he can no longer hear her.

                                            >All is silent again.

                                            >Anon is alone, lying on the grass.

                                            >A bead of sweat drops from his face.

                                            A: Crazy…

                                            >Anon rises to his feet.

                                            >He takes a deep breath.

                                            >The magic from their earlier kiss still courses through his body.

                                            >He feels potent.

                                            >Dangerous.

                                            >He looks at his hand, and tentatively curls and uncurls his fingers.

                                            >”How does this work, exactly?” He ponders.

                                            >”I should test it.”

                                            >He looks at a nearby tree.

                                            >It’s smaller than most of the others around him, but is still wider around than his torso.

                                            A: You’ll do.

                                            >He raises his fist, and strikes the tree with all his might.

                                            >CRACK

                                            >Splinters fly, and the tree comes crashing down.

                                            >On top of him.

                                            A: Ah!

                                            >Anon barely moves out of the way, avoiding being crushed.

                                            >As the dust settles, he regains his composure.

                                            >Anon takes a closer look at the tree, where he hit it.

                                            >There’s a huge chunk missing where his fist made contact.

                                            A: Woah…

                                            >He starts to walk around the tree, when suddenly he hears a growl from behind.

                                            >He turns, and sees a shambling mass of sticks and vines, crudely assembled into the shape of a wolf.

                                            >The timberwolf stares at him with vicious intent.

                                            >Anon confidently steps forward.

                                            >Two dozen more timberwolves appear from the misty treeline to join the first.

                                            A: Ah… Fuck…


                                            ~


                                            >Chrysalis flies above the forest, unable to hide the joy she’s feeling.

                                            >She giggles.

                                            >She’s never felt like this before.

                                            >Not long ago she thought her life was over.

                                            >That she would never taste even the possibility of returning to her former glory.

                                            >But now…

                                            >With this handsome, terrifying monster at her side…

                                            >With Anon…

                                            >She feels like she can do anything.

                                            >His love is so potent.

                                            >Like a drug.

                                            >She knows on some level that his curse is affecting her, but she doesn’t care.

                                            >The power she’s already received is incredible.

                                            >Even with these few short feedings she’s already recovered from her battle with Twilight Sparkle.

                                            >No.

                                            >She’s more than recovered.

                                            >A soft moan escapes as she thinks about how much more power Anon has to give her.

                                            >She wants another taste.

                                            >She needs another taste.

                                            >But not just yet.

                                            >No.

                                            >His love can be made richer.

                                            >Fuller.

                                            >More savory.

                                            >All she has to do is keep building him up.

                                            >To stand behind him, pushing him forward.

                                            >But to think!

                                            >He’s already thinking about the first nation he wants to conquer!

                                            >Oh, the thought of it drives her wild.

                                            >She couldn’t have dreamed of anything better.

                                            >But he can’t conquer the world on an empty stomach.

                                            >She’ll just have to find him something to eat.

                                            >It’s the least she can do, after all.

                                            >And…

                                            >It’ll make him want to give her more of his delicious love.

                                            >But what kind of food do Humans eat?

                                            >He was happy with the chestnuts she brought. And he foraged for berries and mushrooms.

                                            >His palette must be similar to a ponies, after all.

                                            >That makes this simple, then.

                                            >She’ll just steal some food back in Ponyville and bring it back to him.

                                            >No…

                                            >It’s too dangerous to go back so soon.

                                            >Another town then.

                                            >No, that will take too long.

                                            >She’ll just have to find something in the forest.

                                            >Her feathered wings outstretched, she flies high into the air.

                                            >Then, she tucks them close beside her, and dives.

                                            >She bursts through the treeline into a small clearing.

                                            >With but a few strong flaps of her wings her momentum is halted.

                                            >Her body shimmers green as she changes from a gryffon to a deer, and alights lightly on the tips of her hooves.

                                            >Yes, she’ll bring him back a veritable feast from the bounty of nature!

                                            >He’ll be so grateful…

                                            >Give her so much love…

                                            >Maybe he’ll even give her a few little changelings, too…

                                            >Oh, to be a real Queen again!

                                            >It’s finally within her reach!


                                            ~


                                            A: COME ON! WHO’S NEXT!?

                                            >Broken branches and scattered leaves lay strewn about all around Anon.

                                            >Blood drips from a bite wound on his left shoulder.

                                            >A trio of red lines streak across his chest.

                                            >His fists are clenched.

                                            >His eyes are full of madness.

                                            >Several Timberwolves encircle him, waiting for a chance to strike.

                                            >One leaps forward, snarling.

                                            A: RAARGH

                                            >Anon’s fist strikes true, and the timberwolf’s head is obliterated, leaving the rest of its body to scatter into simple sticks and twigs.

                                            >Just then, two more attack from behind.

                                            >He’s able to catch one before it bites him, holding it aloft, but the other’s fangs sink into his right leg.

                                            >The pain doesn’t even register, but he howls in anger.

                                            >With a swift motion, he slams the timberwolf he’s holding down into the one biting him, bursting both into their component parts.

                                            >Anon can feel it.

                                            >These strange monsters only feel one thing.

                                            >Hate.

                                            >Hate for those who disturb their forest.

                                            >Hate for all creatures of flesh.

                                            >Anon can feel it.

                                            >It courses through his body.

                                            >Hate.

                                            >The power inside him burns.

                                            >His sight is red.

                                            >The other timberwolves step backwards as their fellows are defeated.

                                            A: Is that it!?

                                            >The sound of wind spiraling behind him makes him turn around.

                                            >Sticks and leaves spin through the air in a whirlwind, gathering all the bits and pieces of the fallen timberwolves.

                                            >The pieces coalesce, and the other timberwolves surrounding him are drawn in by some unknown force, flying through the air to join the congregation.

                                            >In but a moment, the mass of wood takes shape.

                                            >Before Anon now stands a massive timberwolf, nearly as tall as the trees around them.

                                            >The monster raises its head to look down at Anon, wooden joints creaking under its own weight.

                                            >Anon, blinded by rage, stares back upwards in defiance.

                                            A: RAAA-

                                            >Anon yells, and is slapped away by a huge wooden paw.

                                            >He crashes through the trees, and tumbles to a stop in the dirt quite a distance away, landing in a small clearing.

                                            >With a grunt he clambers back to his feet.

                                            >The giant timberwolf is already rushing towards him.

                                            >As quick as he can, Anon braces himself.

                                            >The wolf’s jaws open wide, and slam closed around him.

                                            >Anon pushes back against the force of the wooden maw with each hand, barely managing to keep it from crushing him.

                                            >”No.” Anon thinks in his delirious anger. “I won’t die here. I can’t…!”

                                            >He stomps his foot with incredible force into one of the timberwolf’s fangs, breaking it out of the jaw.

                                            >In the same motion, he lets go and stops pushing back with his arms, folding them against his body.

                                            >He falls through the opening made by the missing wooden tooth just before the beast’s maw slams shut.

                                            >With a thud, he lands on the ground.

                                            >Not missing a beat, Anon snatches up the broken fang and chunks it at the monster’s head.

                                            >It rams into the timberwolf’s eye, and the beast let’s out a terrible howl of pain and rage.

                                            >It swats at Anon again with its paw.

                                            >But Anon catches the blow, and is only moved a few inches as his heels dig into the soil.

                                            A: RRRRAAAAAAAAGHHHHH

                                            >Anon grabs tight onto the wooden paw, pulls, and twists his body.

                                            >With unnatural strength, the timberwolf’s entire limb is ripped from its body.

                                            >Sticks and splinters fly through the air, as Anon spins around with the beast’s arm before its weight carries it to the ground.

                                            >With the added momentum of the spin, he bashes the timberwolf in the face with its own severed limb.

                                            >The arm is completely shattered by the impact, and the monster’s head slams to the ground, followed by the rest of its body.

                                            >Anon drops the wooden paw, all that remains of the arm, and walks forward.

                                            >Heat and steam rise from the bare flesh of his chest, back, and arms.

                                            >He looks down at the defeated timberwolf, eyes wide with madness and contempt.

                                            >He places his foot on its muzzle.

                                            >The monster whimpers.

                                            A: I should kill you.

                                            >He presses his foot down harder.

                                            >It whines.

                                            >Something snaps inside Anon’s head.

                                            >The beast’s emotions have changed.

                                            >Hate has been replaced by fear.

                                            >Anon’s own hatred and rage begin to fizzle away, clearing his mind.

                                            >For a brief moment pain flashes through his head, his sight goes black, and he feels like he’s going to pass out.

                                            >But he fights against the magical backlash, and regains his composure.

                                            >He takes a deep breath, and sighs.

                                            A: No. No, I won’t kill you.

                                            >He takes his foot off the timberwolf’s muzzle.

                                            A: I have a better idea.

                                            >He crouches down, and looks into the monster’s remaining eye.

                                            A: I’ll let you go. If you take me out of this forest.

                                            >He has no idea if it can understand him or not, but it makes a short huffing noise in response.

                                            >Anon stands.

                                            A: Good.

                                            >The timberwolf’s entire body shakes, leaves and sticks falling away from it to the ground.

                                            >Anon takes a step back, watching as the beast shrinks to about the size of a horse from his world.

                                            >The timberwolf, smaller but now restored in body, stares at him.

                                            >Anon takes a step closer, and the wooden beast kneels, then lays on the ground.

                                            >It looks up at him with pleading eyes.

                                            >Anon smirks, and crouches down beside it.

                                            >He reaches out a hand, and the timberwolf winces, but then relaxes as Anon simply pats it on the head.

                                            A: Good boy.

                                            C: ANON!

                                            >Anon stands quickly, wrenching his head around in surprise.

                                            >The timberwolf, too, stands, growling beside him.

                                            >A strange deer with glowing green eyes has approached from the treeline.

                                            C: Anon, what happened? How did you get all the way over here?

                                            >Anon recognizes the voice.

                                            >The deer’s body shimmers with green and shifts, as Chrysalis returns to her true form.

                                            >Anon notices two very large leaves, folded over into a sack-like ball, hovering behind her.

                                            >Anon laughs.

                                            A: Nothing, it’s all good now. I’ve got us a ride out of this forest.

                                            >He places a hand on the timberwolf’s head again, and it stops growling.

                                            >It looks at Chrysalis intently, and she gives it a glance of confusion and amusement before returning her sight to Anon.

                                            C: You tamed a timberwolf?

                                            A: Something like that. What’s in the leaf?

                                            >Chrysalis smiles brightly, a strange sight compared to her usual sultry or scheming visage.

                                            C: I brought you a feast!

                                            >She trots over, and the folded leaf floats in front of her, landing gently at Anon’s feet.

                                            A: Oh, awesome! I’m starving!

                                            >Anon plops down, and sits cross-legged.

                                            >The timberwolf folds its legs and lays beside him.

                                            >Anon opens the folded leaves, and a large pile of berries, nuts, and mushrooms comes spilling out, with a single odd-looking blue apple atop it all.

                                            >Anon does his best to stifle another laugh, coughing instead.

                                            >”Most of this stuff is poisonous…” He thinks.

                                            C: What’s wrong, Anon?

                                            >Chrysalis sits just across from the pile of mostly inedible food.

                                            >She stares into his eyes.

                                            >She’s trying to keep a stoic expression, but is obviously giddy with anticipation.

                                            A: Ah, it’s uh, it’s nothing.

                                            >He picks up a raspberry from the pile and pops it into his mouth.

                                            A: Thank you.

                                            C: You’re welcome.

                                            >She beams, and then her expression turns to a haughty, smug look.

                                            C: Go on. Devour your meal. And afterwards…

                                            >Her eyes flash with green light.

                                            C: I’ll devour more of your love.


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