I continued to run, almost gliding across the landscape as the sound of gunfire and angry shouts ringed from all around me. I could see my shadow ahead on the trees as the constant bark of gunpowder sounded off a terrible symphony of death and pain. I knew that I could use my own weapons to return fire, but I made sure to hold back as many of the angry mob on my heels were but children misled into hating my kind, those who looked human but became a wolf by night as they said, the lot of fools. All humans knew of my kind was the writings of hateful beings that held no trust for anyone but their own kind...
*CRACK!!!*
Snapping quickly to attention I was forced out of my thoughts by the loud sound of metal biting into wood, giving me a clear reminder of where my attention should be held. Sparing a quick glance behind I could see that the mob had grown to include 50 humans, and while it would be simple enough to kill them and be on my way, I refused to bloody my hands with the blood of the young and innocent. Picking up my pace I weaved between the trees of the forest, my forest, the one these fools attempted so catch me in. The small smirk that had made its way onto my face from their mistake quickly fell as I smelled the sickening stench of smoke long before I saw it, and when I did I stopped and stared in abject horror at what lied before me, the forest... was on fire.
I didn't blink as I felt a stinging tear fall from my eyes and roll down my face as I watched the flames hungrily lick at the trees and bushes, eating away at the forest that my family had defended for generations. Behind me I could hear the sound of footsteps growing closer, but I paid them no mind as I sunk to my knees in sorrow, watching as the thing I cared for most in my life burned away to ashes, knowing that even I could not hope to save the forest with how far it was gone, and knowing that it was too far from any cities for any humans to bother saving it. Finally, the footsteps stopped roughly twenty feet behind me, and I heard the clicking of guns readying to fire.
In that moment I couldn't contain my hatred and anger any longer, standing to my feet I let my stetson block my eyes as I let out a saddened and aggravated growl. Looking up I focused my sight through the tears as I beheld the group, and I saw that they were no longer quite as confidant now that they had my attention. Stepping forward I didn't bother to transform or use my own guns as I moved faster than any of them could hope to react in their surprised states, and tore my hand through the chest of the human closest to me, holding his now fading heart in my grasp behind his back as I glared into his terrified eyes. I heard the humans shift to fire at me, so in defense, I held up the body of my victim and used him as a meat shield as bullets rained down onto his flesh rendering it to the consistency of ground meat by the end.
Discarding my kill to the side as they moved to try and reload I rushed the group and began ripping them apart with ease as they panicked to refill their guns with silver bullets. The fools didn't even realize that such items only killed one such as myself if hit in the heart or brain. Having finished ripping one human in half I turned around and was met with a hailstorm of silver into my stomach, the wounds releasing smoke that wafted up through the collar of my duster.
I leveled my rage-filled gaze onto the young man who had shot me and was now cowering in the utmost terror. I knew him of course, he had always been a nice child but had always been so afraid of that which went bump in the night. Instead of killing the misguided fool, I sent the back of my hand into the side of his head, quickly sending him to the ground unconscious.
The very one-sided fight continued for several minutes as I killed 40 of the humans who had chased me, only sparing those who I knew were just misguided by those that came before them. With the main body of the group disposed of I collected the other ten left alive and began to ferry them back out of the forest at full speed. Within five minutes the ten were safe and I was back at the fire, watching helplessly as it burned beyond control. Taking a seat I accepted my fate, as I had no plans to leave this forest.
Slowly the fire made its way to me, the heat growing almost unbearable, though I gave it no thought as my tears began to turn to steam upon my face and my hair began to burn away. As I felt myself burn I found something strange enter my mind, a single realization that something was off with the sensations I was feeling. Looking down I noticed that my body was not burning, but was instead beginning to fade in an almost ethereal manner wherever touched. I watched in morbid fascination as fire licked at my arm, causing my flesh and muscle to be forced away to reveal whatever muscle and bone was underneath only for those to meat the same result. While most would have left at this turn of events, I stayed in place as I thought that the fire was still doing its job of ending my life along with the forest.
It took several minutes but I finally began to feel darkness creep into my vision, a welcome sight as I knew I was no longer going to be within the land of the living. Laying back I stared at the sky through the burning branches, with only one wish on my mind as I faded, to see the beautiful glow of the moon one last time. Unfortunately that wish did not come to pass as I slipped further and further, the smoke and glow of the fire making it impossible to see far into the sky, and leaving me with only the horrible sight of my beloved home burning away as I died to be the last thing I would ever see. Or so I had thought.
Silence... such a beautiful contrast to the barking sound of gunshots and the crackling of fire. All around me there was nothing but darkness and silence, no feeling of anything. There was neither cold nor heat, there was no feelings of thirst nor hunger. I did not hear anything not even the sound of my breaths or of my heart beating in my chest. It did not dawn on me for quite some time however, the fact that while now aware of why or how, I was in fact breathing and my heart was in fact still beating in my chest. I felt as though in a void, my body shiftless and floating, at least that was how I perceived it as I could feel nothing in that moment, just the faintest spark of thought returning from the recesses of my mind.
For what felt like days, though could have been any stretch of time I remained in this place of darkness and nothing before as though an explosion of sensation I felt my senses return to me. The first of these senses to return was smell, filling my nose with the scent of trees and foliage surrounding wherever my body had taken place. Though this filled me with some hope that perhaps I had passed on to the final resting place, free of the prejudice of humanity where I could forever remain under the soft and pale light of the ever full moon.
Next to return was my sense of hearing, with it bringing the sound of birds chirping overhead, bushes being rustled by creatures around me moving around them. I could also hear the swaying of branches in a wind that I couldn't yet feel. Third was taste, something I found odd that it would be of the quickest to return though from this I could gather an old taste, the kind that one gets when they wake from a long sleep, telling me that I had most certainly been stagnant in a location for quite some time, though how long I still wasn't sure.
Next came touch, leaving me with but one sense left to return to me. Finally regaining the feeling in my body I could at last twitch and move my fingers and toes. Though as I moved them I could tell that like with the fire, where I had perished, I was resting on a ground of dirt, grass, and random foliage. Once more this struck a cord to give me hope that I had passed on and as my sight finally returned to me and I looked up towards the sky I... was surely disappointed... above me was not a beautiful night sky stretching on over the horizon forever, filled with countless glittering stars and the most majestic moon shining bright and full in this night sky... what I beheld instead was an inky void with but a few starts struggling to remain bright in the sky as the moon present almost seem splotched with an odd shadow, though as I tried to look at the shadow closer I felt as though it was a trick of my eyes as I blinked, and it was gone.
Shaking my head I tried to push the thought from my mind and just try to figure out where I was and whether I had all my belongings. I had already gathered my duster was still on my body, and looking over I could see the rest of my clothing present, and although I could also feel my stetson missing a quick look around my immediate area showed the object resting near where my head was. While crouching to pick up my hat I felt with my other hand for my weapons, finding my two guns and my silver dagger, as well as the spare magazine I kept for the guns, I didn't know where I was but I could hope that I could pass myself off as a traveler or some wannabe monster hunter to help hide my identity.
Gazing around the forest currently surrounding myself in that moment I contemplated the thought of remaining within the confines of the trees, much more comfortable in a forest than among other beings as trees did not judge. However as quickly as the thought crossed my mind it left with a foreboding feeling. The very forest itself seemed to close in around me with disdain at the thought of remaining, as though the forest itself was alive and did not want the presence of those it did not welcome within. Shaking the thought away I decided that I would leave then and there, upon that point finding that the threatening feeling departed, catching my attention, though I did not stop to survey further on the off chance the forest got the wrong message.
From my position I left, taking deep breaths through my nose to try and find the quickest way to be out of the forest before eventually stumbling upon a fairly large trail, leaning down to sniff I could pick up the scents of a large number of creatures, none of which were human, though they mostly seemed to travel down the trail to the right and were the scents of animals, leading me to assume that these were the creatures that called the forest their home. Deciding in my head that the path to the right likely led deeper into the forest I turned and tread down the path to the left, finding once more that the forest did not try and discourage me, leading to a sense that I had been correct in my choice of which path to follow.
Not long into my travels, I was passed by a wisp of purple mist that gave me pause, though whatever the thing was either was simply traveling particles or had no interest in myself, so I paid it no mind in return as I continued, only to feel as though the forest itself was in a state of agitation. Sighing deeply I chose to then make my way quicker, using my physical abilities to jump into the nearest tree before making large leaps to try and get out of the forest as quickly as possible.
Although even with my efforts to leave quickly the trip still took several minutes of travel, during which I saw an odd splash of color through the trees, though paid it little mind as I finally saw an open field ahead of myself, and further yet a stream of sorts followed by what almost looked like a small village. This did intrigue me from sight alone, though as I landed just outside the forest I still could not pick up the scent of any humans, making my lips fall in a slight frown as I looked towards the structures in the distance once more.
I knew I could have been wrong, but every house I could see looked taken care of, as though there were still plenty of others to look after the buildings, and further yet I could even see lights in the village leading me to further believe it was inhabited. "Odd..." I whispered under my breath while looking over the sights. I had contemplated the idea that perhaps I was merely upwind of the village, though quickly dismissed the idea as I felt the wind occasionally flickering across my face from the direction of the village. If there were humans in that place I would know.
There was one scent I could pick up, one that seemed strongly equine in nature though... it also seemed to differ slightly. Besides that the second strongest, by only a small portion, was the scent of baked sweets that filtered through the air, making my stomach growl in hunger to remind me of the possible long rest I had just woken from without any sustenance. Moving forward swiftly across the field a deep sigh would escape my mouth in annoyance, I had been hoping for at least somewhere I could have some form of knowledge that I could use to make my way around or get information, but it seemed I was just as lost as I was before, although I was lucky enough to not have to deal with humans, so there was at least a silver lining to this whole situation.
Upon arriving in the town however my thoughts of a 'silver lining' faded away within mere moments, seeing a few frightened-looking multi-colored equines moving around and glancing up towards the sky as though expecting something to happen. Although as the sound of my footsteps approached the equines would turn their direction from the sky towards myself, their eyes widening and ears flattening to their heads in a gesture of fear and alarm to combine with hurried steps away from my presence.
"What an odd sight, a bunch of... ponies? I believe that is what you'd be called wouldn't you..." I'd mutter under my breath, tilting my head slightly in curiosity. There was something... odd about them, beyond their coloration, something that tugged at my mind that they weren't just simple ponies. That was until I took note of something, my eyes tracing over some of the ponies that seemed to cower more at the deepness of my voice and how I continued to advance, noticing that one of the ponies had a pair of feathery wings. "Intriguing... you have wings" I'd once more be in a state of intrigue, pushing back my pangs of hunger as I wasn't sure what the case with these equines was. Not knowing that they were actual thinking creatures such as myself I'd move towards one that attempted to fly away, plucking it out of the air by a rear hoof before it could escape arm's reach and pulling it back as the creature's small wings attempted to propel itself away.
The pony appeared to be rather skinny with thin limbs, at its head and back was a light brown mane and tail that held a more tan brown streak in it, and oddly buck teeth were prominently seen in its mouth. The pony would to scream in an almost human fashion while trying even harder at their futile attempt to fly away, though after a moment longer of study I would let the creature go and watch as it darted away and smacked into a nearby wall. The other ponies in the area still look frightened, though after a moment of contemplation on whether or not any of them would taste good I was struck with a rock to the side of the head, cutting off my line of thought. Leaning down I'd pick up and brush off my stetson, which had been knocked off my head by the impact, and looked to the side to see a pony of some sort looking at me with fear, yet their horn was aglow with several more rocks at the ready. Another thing that struck me was they weren't alone, several other ponies next to them with their heads lowered showing off bodies clad in golden armor, snow white fur, while those with wings had the occasional scorch mark. "Even if the Princess is missing, we won't allow some random monster to terrorize this town!" The pony with the horn would shout before shooting the rocks at high speeds towards myself once more.
Being aware of the objects this time I would bat away the rocks headed for my face again, and would take the hits from the rest. They did sting but otherwise left no damage that lasted more than a second. "Talking ponies? Well that makes you seem far less edible..." Their ears would fold back at the mention of how edible they seemed while what sounded like a child screamed from the rest of the ponies.
"THE MONSTER'S GONNA EAT US! RUN!!!" Looking around my position I'd almost feel the thundering stampede of hooves through the ground as all but a few ponies ran further into the village. Looking back around once more I'd see that there were now 5 ponies left. 4 of which were in golden armor, while the other that remained was an impressively large red stallion with a work horse collar, hay blond hair, and a short cut tail. The stallion seemed to almost be at my chest, rather impressive given the other ponies had seemed to come to my lower stomach. We did all appear to be at a stand still however, the 5 glaring intently at me while I stared passively back, the wind rustling their fur, as well as what appeared to be a wheat stalk in the red one's mouth. I was hungry, that was for certain, but unless they proved to be genuinely evil creatures I had no intent to eat them in that moment. Despite the fact that the red one looked like he'd make a plenty filling meal.
Finally I'd sigh after several moments of silence. "Alright, this has been swell, but I think I'm good here, now if you'll excuse me..." I'd move to walk back away from the town, only to find my path blocked by one of the winged ponies.
"You're not going anywhere monster, once the princess is freed and returned you'll face judgment and punishment for attacking this town" The pony would seem to assert despite the shaking in its legs. Narrowing my eyes I'd lunge forward, shocking all the ponies as I slammed a fist down on the winged one's head, knocking it to the ground unconscious before standing with a low growl. Looking over my shoulder the ponies would be shocked to see the brown irises they had seen before were now a deep amber.
"One last chance, let me leave, or else I'll render you all unconscious" My voice would rumble out with a deep growl while I turned to them, though as I cast my gaze side to side another rock would impact my face, this one causing severe pain as it would manage to hit my eye. Leaning back I'd let out a howl of pain, gripping my head to stem the flow of blood coming out. During this time one of the ponies seemed to take advantage of my agitated and distracted state, running up and rearing back, though I couldn't see it I felt an incredible force impact my stomach sending me flying back and to the ground shocked by the pain. I could hear the ponies approach, though they'd stop as I finally dislodged the rock from my socket and opened my eyes to glare at them, allowing them to see the injured eye healing. "Big mistake" My voice would rumble out far more animalistically as I stood to my full 7 foot height.
The ponies seemed to tremble a bit, yet still stood their ground. Baring my teeth with enlarged canines I'd lunge forward, grabbing the stallion with the horn that had been tossing rocks by his neck while still running forward, slamming his body into one of the nearby walls to the sound of the wall shattering, as well as some of the pony's bones. After the slam I'd feel a pair of hooves meet my back, though they felt nothing like what hit me in the stomach, so turning I'd see the last two winged ponies looking at me in surprise and anger. They'd then try and fly away, but were stopped as I jumped into the air after them and grabbed their hooves before spinning and tossing them both to the ground, the first impacting hard enough to crack it, and the second hitting the first hard enough to cause both of them to lose consciousness and break several of their own bones. There was a mistake in doing this though, as I realized upon falling and seeing the red stallion pulling his legs back. That realization was that if none of the other ponies had inflicted the pain to my stomach, then it was the larger stallion, which was then confirmed upon two back hooves backed by powerful muscle impacting square into one of my knees upon landing, shattering it and forcing me to howl in pain once more. Some of the ponies would peek out behind the corners of buildings and begin cheering for a "big mac", though I paid them no mind from my position now knelt down on a knee.
Looking up I could see the pony preparing another kick, though moving forward I'd push myself under the stallion's kick and onto my back beneath his barrel, startling the large stallion as he suddenly found equally powerful arms wrapped around his body. Leaning to the side I'd roll us over so I was on top of him, my knee already healed as I barred deadly teeth and growled in feral anger. This gave the stallion the opening to slam a forehoof into my face, turning it to the side, though it bared far less power than his kicks it was still rather impressive. Turning my amber eyes once more on the stallion with bloodied lips he'd seem to lose some of his bravado, moving a hoof as though ready to strike once more, though was halted as my own fist met his muzzle. Once more the stallion impressed me by not losing consciousness and attempting to raise his head despite blood now flowing from his nostrils. Raising my fist back the stallion would glare deeply into my eyes and I'd glare back, a silent challenge between us as I studied what I saw within his own green orbs.
I could see anger, fear, desperation... but also I could see the drive to protect. I already knew why they attacked from the beginning, that was why I spared them their lives and rendered all unconscious with no more than broken bones. Though I could understand the urge to protect I had also warned them that I intended to leave and would retaliate should they press the attack, but staring into the stallion's eyes I couldn't help but admit to myself that I respected the strength to deal such damage to my body while facing such odds to protect his home. So placing a boot on his stomach to keep him on the ground, the force causing the stallion to gasp, I'd stand and walk towards the field I had come from, after all I figured I could follow the edge of the forest or the stream for awhile until I could fine a more suitable place to be. "I didn't want to hurt any of you, but since you're all unable to fight back, I see no need to continue this" stopping for a moment I'd call back to the ponies now looking worriedly at the stallions that were beaten downed, as well as to the red stallion that had fought against myself. "As for you... I hope you continue to protect that which is dear to you with such strength and dedication." The stallion seemed shocked by my words, as well as by the sight of a bloody smile come to my lips as my eyes changed before his own back to a dark brown. With that I'd depart from the village, brushing myself off while my stomach roared in protest once more.
