Day 1: A Run for Curiosity
For some time now, I have been wondering: Do sloth critters understand how annoying it is to try EVERY DARN TRICK IN THE BOOK and fail to drift toward the stars?
Even worse, would a normal critter understand how utterly irritating it is to be called Catnap but be unable to, catnap? Funny right? I don't think so, it's horrible! Just like when my brother keeps my stuff on the top shelf because he knows I won't be able to reach it - it's unnecessary, a waste of time, and horrible! You know what?! the line of horrible has long been jumped, burned, thrashed, eaten, and spat over! It's beyond horrible! It's torture!
I'm inclined to believe that my existence has become a cosmic joke. A cat that cannot sleep? Hilarious!
....
Alright, that checks venting out, next is.. rambling.
Ahem...
This is my predicament. Cursed to blankly stare at the ceiling of my friend's house- well castle. Crafty parents are well-known mages and have quite the library downstairs too, it's a shame that we cannot go there due to magical shenanigans, according to Crafty, besides that, the castle is surrounded by a lake with crocs living in it, like those medieval movie castles! That's so cool! It's, like, you know what that means? It means Crafty's rich!
That left me and the others with gaping mouths when we arrived here. Since she frequents public school and all.
...Rambling is crossed out too. What didn't I try- Oh, counting sheep!
One sheep... Two sheep... One Sweetsheep selling lemonades... One dollar and fifty cents in my pocket...
Never mind, all I got was a headache - not one that would make a critter want to sleep though.
Next, is to try and think of something that I hate, such as Catbee's addiction to chocolate chip cookies and her audacity to attempt framing Dogday of eating her homework, lucky her that Miss Delight put her in detention.
Still, with the sheer audacity of that hybrid, I accompany Dogday every weekday - watch him eat to make sure he's healthy, before waiting outside his house so that we can walk together to school, I knew he had eaten two portions of beef, lettuce, carrots, and drink grape juice that day.
~Grumble~
Ugh... Now I'm hungry! Hate brought no sleep, so something that made me bitter instead should work..? Let's see, Catfeine's ability to drink coffee. If I drink coffee, all I get is hospitalized for a week. Absolutely unfair. All cats should have been equal.
"Haaa." For the thousandth time, I roll over to the side and face Hoppy, who has a peaceful smile while sleeping. For a bunny so energetic, she sure sleeps like Bobby.
...
What did I accomplish doing all of that? Nothing!
This will not do, I grumbled and rolled back sitting on the sleeping back, gently brushing aside the blankets, and stood up, shivering slightly at the smack of the cold of the night gave me.
Crafty's room has some art material, canvas, paintbrushes, and ink buckets carefully put into a corner while her bed was a fancy canopy bed you'd see in a medieval play. Either way, Crafty has bed privileges since it's her home, we all agreed on that. Nonetheless, I feel that is a bit unfair, so, to even out, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I took a minuscule gaze at the 'forbidden' library and organized a few books for her.
Ah, the prospect of exploring forbidden places has quite a thrill. My tail could be wagging like that of a dog right now!
Focus Catnap, you are doing this to help your friend and get some sleep!
I looked over to the door and at those between me and marvelous secret books, which were Bubba, Bobby, Dogday, Picky, and a sleeping Kickin' lying in my way. However, there is nothing to worry about thanks to my arduous jogging and gymnastics done with Hoppy every Monday morning, this will be easy game.
I take a few steps back before bursting forward, jumping, and doing a flip before perfectly landing in front of the door, a smile dug into my face. Learning about doing flips was pretty fun! Got it first try, and Hoppy reaction was golden!
Before opening the door, I take in a deep breath as my spirit feels obliged to say this, "I'll see you all tomorrow," to the best friends in the whole world.
The wooden door swayed gently inwards with a slight pull, once fully opened a small drawing of a unicorn revealed itself with a big smile plastered on its surface glowing with creativity on the door.
The door closed without a hinge, outside a dark hallway lit by torches burning with majestic purple flames, this fire had already captured my attention for the first five times, and now a sixth. The coloration comes from igniting mana dust, don't know what mana is but it sounds fancy.
With the purple flames being my only company, I moved to the right and began my descension through the spiral staircase, the cold carried by the night felt like gentle strokes from Mom, that and the ambient itself were soothing, so much so I don't even notice arriving at the ground floor! In front of me, there's a doorway that leads to the main hall which further leads to the exit, kitchen, or other of the four towers, but the staircase continues downwards, at the rock bottom is where my curiosity resides.
I take a last glance upstairs before staring downstairs where hidden and mysterious knowledge resides..! Forget walking, I rushed down like lightning, skipping a step or two but careful enough not to fall, thanks once again to Hoppy's morning jogs improving my endurance, there are barely any signs of exhaustion taken from the other minutes of descending, and those 'barely signs' turned redundant at the sight of a golden shining wooden door five times my size, its absolute glamor rendered my eyes incapacitated from looking anywhere else but at the awesome door. Never in my life, would I have thought that entering a library would be so exciting!
Wonders and wonders, so much ancient forbidden knowledge that could be behind that door! Like the guide to beat up your older brother! However I wouldn't take anything, it's Crafty stuff after all.. But surely she would appreciate it, if, let's say a friendly critter put a few misplaced books in order. My paw is itching for some organizing, ohoho... Ahem, I mean, itching to pull the door knob! And I was about to but halted, as for once, a sign was roughly nailed on the door written, 'Do not enter,' and, 'Push!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Well, what an exaggeration of exclamation points.
Therefore, feeling rebellious, I pulled first. Then pushed, the door opened leaving me flabbergasted, my expectations were a dark room lit by the same purple fire torches with a few shelves here and there, not a golden radiance that brightened the whole room ahead.
Azure and crimson butterflies flew around, leaving a trail of white sparkling glitter that dispersed on the ground, oak shelves filled with knowledge. Besides that, just by opening the door, I could smell home, Mom baking one of her strawberry cakes, the dusty old sofa we had, and... My friends. When I stepped inside it felt like a cozy picnic with Bobby and the others... It took me a second to realize I was inside, shelves occupied all of my vision, the occasional butterfly even flew was the prettiest thing I have ever seen... Why did Crafty say this place was forbidden? This place is cool!
Now... to organize a few books! I approached the nearest shelf, with paws itching for books to organize, the first book was snatched with lightning speed, and it was: 'Nekonomicon,' However, as I flipped the pages my face cringed, the book is filled with swirls, circles upon circles, and stars. I placed the book back and picked another book from the same shelf, 'Guide to Creating Your Very Own Pocket Dimension' This time it was written in cuneiform. What a bummer.
It felt like my curiosity was jumped by five critters and beaten down to a pulp. What a letdown, I would've explored further however, my expectations were more demolished than Playcare. Books with random pictures and ramblings, I don't think even Bubba would want them. At least this place is nice.
"Yawn~"
Wait..! Yes, yes, yes! I'm cured! Bed here I come!
gleefully turning around, ready to go back to my bed and sleep like a rock, but.. The door's gone? It was just right there.
I did not take any turns and just grabbed the nearest book from the nearest shelf, it should've been here.
It could still be there though, illusionist are a thing. Maybe Crafty parents are very good illusionists!
Maybe if I approach the wall slowly, it will reveal a door? Hmm, no, how about rubbing my paw against it? Feel as raspy and Stoney as any concrete wall should be.
...
Oh, oh no.
I looked behind and the sea of shelves flourished for what seemed forever... A way out must be out there somewhere!
Right?
Right! I have read this in a few fantasy books, the door should've changed locations or something.
Calm down, breathe in, don't panic, there should be an easy solution... Bubba would've already known a way to find the exit by now, and it would be a way so under the nose and simple that anyone could've done it.
A simple solution for escaping an enchanted library... Dogday always threw all his ideas on the writing board and picked the best ones and Bubba always told me to think outside my litter box...
Aha! I could.. Search for a teleportation spell book! No, no, that won't work, these books are only mumbo jumbo. Then, jump on top of a shelf to have a bird's eye view? That would work if it wasn't dangerous, plus my terrible streak of being stuck on top of branches has yet to be broken, without Kickin' to pick me up I would be stuck... Maybe just following the wall..!
Yes, follow the wall! If I go around the wall, then eventually I will find the exit! Thank you, Bubba, Dogday!
Now a direction.. Hmm, the only direction to go is the right direction of course! Let's go.
While traversing the library, I briefly took glances at the shelves which were like grains of sand in a desert - of course, it is a library you dum-dum - a seemingly endless one, Though, occasionally I grabbed a book from a nearby shelf, and read its title, then put it back, as so far, nothing readable was found.
'Quick & Easy Catnapping Spells!' Hey, that's my name! This was amusing enough to open to steal a look, however, it was just multiple images of normal cats sleeping with some mandalas, I sighed and put back the book.
Back to the wall then.
...
The sun might rise before I rise away from this pleasureful-wretched library. At least the book titles are a nice pass-time, 'Basics on Surfing and Wave-Lenght Spells.' Huh.
It was a shame most of the books were unreadable gibberish. Or maybe a made-up language to hide powerful magic! Crafty should know something about it, maybe I can ask her after-
~Tud~
I'm sure Crafty wouldn't mind if I left a book on the floor, but what was in front of me was like a surprise gift from a friend, receiving chocolate eggs before easter, or early Christmas gifts! After walking who knows how long, An exit finally emerged!
So, without much thought, I rammed into it with a smile and with enough force that no sane critter would dare to use at night, needless to say, the big strong me rammed open the door and fell(That's a lie, cats never fall) head first into stone.
I got up after my impromptu falling sketch, rubbing my itching head whilst looking forward and I was met with a dark corridor.
A corridor that seems to be stretched for multiple apartment blocks or just a few steps. I haven't descended that far underground, if it stretched too much it would hit the lake that surrounded the castle, but it hasn't, probably. Therefore it was just the corridor that gave the idea of forever-stretching and the golden radiance gone replaced by torches whose brilliance was as reliable as pre-ordering triple-A games. Something my brother would know.
Bam!
My spine shivered, instinct kicked in and my head turned to the source.. or lack of source from where the sound came. The door, once again, was gone and with it the light.
I wiped my eyes and hoped the door came back. I blinked multiple times hoping it was some form of.. of..
Stupid, stupid! Why I didn't think of looking before coming in- Why I didn't turn back the moment I noticed that this place was no exit! Why-why... Why can't I do anything right?!
I-I.. L-later. I can think later. Keep those thoughts grounded.. The only way is forward, don't look back.
Darkness covered with multiple blankets, each step I took became heavier than the other, the only way to know that I wasn't going to bump into a wall was the flames that danced and swam on the brink of growing into a blazing inferno and snuffing out like fragile candle-fire, however not sharing its radiance with their surroundings. Each torch was about the same distance and mirrored at the other side of the wall - all in all, they were more decorations than sources of light.
Each step echoed soundlessly throughout the walls, my ears pressed against my head and my long tail wrapped around my waist as an assurance I won't trip on it.
Darkness and the lack of sound weren't the worst, it was just like my room, however, it grew colder as I ventured deeper - so far my fur could keep me somewhat warm, but it was still shivering cold, I kept my arms close to keep whatever warmth they had from leaving... Just by breathing the air, my throat felt prickled by needles.
The lack of ambiance is a bad thing, it leaves room for thoughts, and no positive thoughts will come out of my lack of hindsight. Nonetheless, the cold can keep my head from sailing through the storm clouds.
My tail shifted unsteadily around my waist I tried to shrug off the cold thinking of beaches and warm places or my friends waiting me up there... Even so, no matter how much I tried to copy Bubba's tenacity, my guts twisted and churned, this cold is not natural, I looked at one of the torches greedily keeping the fire for itself, 'If only any these torches were actually useful- wait, is that?' Ahead, two torches broke the pattern, staying relatively close side-by-side.
Once in front, or rather, in the middle of both torches, a small glass cube hiding amidst the shadows barely showed itself with the limited radiance the torches released.
My paw reached and rubbed the glass, it felt humid and cold, not unexpected-
~Cling!~
Something fell and hit my feet, the sudden pain made my tail untangle more out of a small spook than actual pain, nonetheless, I was curious and reached for what had struck me.
As it was still on my feet, it wasn't hard to retrieve and put it against the embers of the torches, if only to barely illuminate something recognizable.
It revealed to be a metal plate, the torches barely made some words legible on said plate. 'Mana Classification F: Misfortune Amulet' This.. is what is inside? So there is some sort of artifact depository inside the library? This is a tad bit more interesting... If only the way out didn't play hide-'n-seek and it didn't feel like hiking Everest.
Using my tail as a belt will do, even if the metal plate is a little cold...
The cold did get worse as I moved deeper, to the point it felt like burning, but not painful - just uncomfortable. It took me a hundred steps - I think - to get to the other artifact, 'Mana Classification B: Future Glasses' then a few more steps, 'Mana Classification A; Writer's Pen,' It's becoming more frequent... And cold, 'Mana Classification A: Book of Imagination,' If there is an exit, will I be able to reach it? 'Mana Classification S: Hour of Joy.'
Many artifacts of different shapes, forms, and utilities seem to be stored here, therefore an artifact map that could guide me out is not an out-of-the-world idea. Still.. The worst that could happen is having to wait for someone to pick me up... Or, or... No, finding an artifact is more safe than waiting.
There was a misfortune amulet, so there could be a fortune one also, if I can find an S-rank one, it might be my ticket out.
Among the plethora of unique but weird artifacts, one of them begs me to hit the brakes, 'Mana Classification S: Almanac Of Worlds.' An almanac is usually a calendar containing important dates n' stuff, however, I have already picked up an almanac with a map before...
Now, if only there was enough light to ease my life... My paws reach for the glass, but out of expectation a current of pain charges through my arms when I touch the glass
"Shit-" My paws came off immediately and covered my mouth, Each hair strand from my body tensed up as I quickly glanced at both sides only to remember that I'm alone, nobody besides myself could hear anything, thank 06.
That was a close one... Phew. Once that was done, my attention drifted back to the glass, when I touched it, it felt like touching the mouth of a shower, but more painful and less... Grabby?
Now, this is a problem. What would Bubba do?
Well, first Bubba wouldn't invade her friend's private rooms.
Ugh... Alright, I got this. The tip of my tail wrapped around the metal plate and hurled the metal plate at the glass like a slingshot. Sometimes I wonder how my tail got stronger than my arms...
The cries of electricity and shattered glass echo through the corridor... The list of apologies owed to Crafty just seems to keep growing...
But at least, I will be able to apologize! Now show my way out..!
My paws stretched for the now broken glass cube, though something unpleasant pricked one of my beans - ouch. Of course, I immediately sucked on the finger and stretched my tail, reaching at the generally thrown directly and slowly pressing to feel where the crack was, some moments of prodding aaand my tail is safely inside. Now, I don't know how it is for other critter cats, but for me, grabbing things with my tail is second nature.
Welp, with the stressful bit done, I pulled back the Almanac then took it from my tail, with my paws trembling- Ahem, firmly getting a hold of the almanac, Its cover felt old and fragile, on the verge of crumbling much like wet paper however, contradictory to that, it also had a softness and warmth.
Finally, a way out on paws. I caress the almanac's cover before opening it with the care that a gardener would have with a delicate flower, then a golden glow breached outwards, and - it's empty. Why? An artifact shouldn't need magic knowledge to use, right??
...
C'mon, work! Alakazam! Abracadabra! Boom-shaka-laka!!
Do something... Please!
...
W-what would Dogday do- What would any of them do?
'They wouldn't have broken into their friend's private room.'
Rip~
The book! I-I didn't mean to rip it! What will Crafty think of me now? This shouldn't be expensive, it's an old book so..;
I turn around and lift the book against the torch to see the damage, half the page is falling off with small drops of blood at the corner. It's bad, it-
~Boom~
~Gasp~
The sudden burst of light forced me to shut my eyes, this is bad- wait huh?
~Weeeng~
W-where's the ground?!
Air, I need air!
"Cough- Cough, cough!" I attempted to get another serving of air, yet the bitterness rising from my stomach forced me to... Release the dinner precociously.
"Blergh- Cough-" My lungs expanded and drew in all the air they could obtain, "Cought-" However my stomach stopped the process again.
This is the worst. This acid taste is all over my tongue, and nose, if it wasn't for my partial suffocation, then, instead, I would've been spitting to clear my tongue. On the plus side, there shouldn't be anything else to regurgitate, on the negative side, I need water. A lot of water. Ugh, my eyes are still burning.
A running river shouldn't be far, a few birds are chirping nearby- wait, birds?
Grass?
Morning breezes?!
Leaves dancing?!
Sun?!
It worked!
This is the best!
Wait no, I blacked out for too long- Does fainting count as sleep? Doesn't matter, the sooner I find Crafty Castle the better.
I stood up and stretched all of my body until I heard a pop, "Pitui!" At that, I'm finally free from the horrid taste of digested dinner!
Hum, where to find Crafty's castle now? I don't remember it being anywhere near a swamp though.. Ew. But I do remember the castle having crocs on their lake, so this should be where they got 'em! Therefore, the castle is nearby-
~Swivel~
~Rustle~
The whole bush swayed violently, just my luck. However, with the craftiness of the fabulous cat that I am (Still need to thank Kickin' for the self-esteem classes), I took a deep breath and immediately concocted a new batch of Dream Gass™ and held it within. This should be enough to take care of a bear. Hopefully no Bobby relative.
~Rustle~
Not yet.
~Rustle~
A bit more, it's close, from the rattles and leaves crunched, it should be right about..
~Rustle~
Now! Without a second more, I exhale all of my gas, covering the bush and a tree bit further behind.
After a few seconds, the gas began to die down to reveal...
~Squeak!~
A squirl? "What?" It looked like a drunk old critter swaying around until at last it spun falling on its back, snoring peacefully. That's weird, I could've sworn that the sound was made at least by a bear-
~Kaboom!!!~
Multiple wooden splitters flew out as two arms, black and white, tore through it, then swept the WHOLE FRICKIN TREE to the side, the perpetrator of this pure display of power was a flying bear with four arms, half of its torso black with two black-furred arms, its head white furred but with his eyes struggling to keep open, and lower half white furred with two white arms, there a huge wasp stinger leaking droplets of, probably poison, accompanied with two short black legs.
Besides the sheer strength that thing had, the fact that it could fly was already impressive.
I took in another breath, but by the time I was done, I had to let go of everything prematurely to avoid decapitation.
Plan B then, turn around and blitz as fast as I can!
~Kaboom~
I look behind to see the thing hurling - holy 06, ITS THROWING THE WHOLE FRICKIN' TREE! I jumped to the side, avoiding possible... No use thinking, keep running! It took me a while to build up bravery to look back but when I did, the whole thing was almost catching up to me!
Now, besides, let's say, Hoppy, Kickin, and Dogday, no critter would win a race against me. Well, sure there are critters faster than them but-
My ears flicker and I hastily throw myself to the ground and let it pass above me, crashing- No, tearing apart the tree with its sheer weight. I gulped down and ran the other way as fast as I could.
After I stop hearing the sound of beating wings, I sit down behind a tree, my lungs burning and my legs aching. That was a close one-
~Rustle~
~Kaboom~
Just in time, I leaped away avoiding being Impaled by two arms as the tree had become a donut. The bear didn't bother taking its arms back as it swiped, again, the whole frickin' tree away!
But, how did it find m- Oh, sweat. Great.
Hiding won't work then, and I would need a minimum of five minutes of rest before using Dream Gas effectively again.
There should be a way-
Once more, I ducked just in time as a few strands of my fur were cut. Run, think later. My legs screamed bloody insults at me but were promptly ignored as adrenaline ran through my veins like racing cars. It can't catch me yet as my gas still is in effect, but for how long will it stay that way?
~Kaboom~
Avoiding the local flora proved somewhat difficult, bushes and branches had already filled me with scratches, each step I took made my legs feel more like weights than actual legs... Nonetheless, resting isn't an option, that thing is hot on my tail.
Actually.. I took a brief look back to see that the bugbear thing was slowing down, which prompted me to flip him off, that sucker must be tired. But its mouth slowly forms a grin of his own. Well, a sore loser for sure. I turn back to face the path and- Oh no.
A ravine.
Alright, great. It's fine. Just... Jump over it. Hoppy did make me go through some jumping to 'reach the moon,' so a ravine is fine. Absolutely, fine. Absolutely jumpable.
Cats have nine lives, right?
Each step taken put weights on my knees, sweat nearly drenched my being, and finally, when I was a few steps away, I noticed how far apart the other side was, stopping was not an option, not because of my speed but rather because I don't know if I could start to run again. Turning around would have me get tackled by the bugbear, that's why that fffffricker slowed down, to laugh at me falling!
But I won't fall! Even if my legs felt like the heaviest alloy!
However, I won't make it with this speed. If I turn, it will be the same as trying to jump... If only there was a way to get more speed...
More speed! I got this, this might be a little humiliating, but nobody is around... Alright!
I threw my upper body forward and began to run like.. a cat. It's not that a critter body isn't built to walk on all fours, but, it's considered childish. Even if it provides more benefits to the back in the later years. Most critters forget how to walk like this too, as only toddlers do. But me and Dogday do this when we play fetch, it's our little secret.
Now, all I can do is pray that this is enough.
Until the very edge, I didn't know if I had enough speed but I leaped anyway, the greatest leap of my life. It took only a few seconds but each second felt like waiting for the dentist or doctor to call, my sight was tunneled to the other side as I didn't stare down, I dare to say even my heart stopped beating in anticipation.
At last, after hitting the grass at the other side and rolling for a few meters before hitting my head in a tree, I was happy to still be able to feel pain, be it from my legs feeling like pudding, my lungs burning, begging for air, or my throat burning from the cold air. I took a second of rest before looking back, the bugbear flying over the chasm like it was a walk in the park, its toothy smile shined brighter than the sun with a deep animalistic desire for flesh.
Immediately I got up, only to fall back to my knees halfway. I looked back once more, he was getting closer and the signs of drowsiness are all almost gone too coupled with no signs of fatigue. My gaze shifts to my knees, should have gone out with Hoppy more... No time to cry about it!
A plan to lose him is a necessity now, I can't outrun him and neither outlast him... Bubba and Dogday are the brains of the group, but if the topic is coming with something on the fly, then...
Alright. I can do this. Just keep quadruple and think of something while running.
What began with a crawl, became a walk and then a jog. My legs can't do any more sprinting, so that thing will inevitably catch up. Hiding is out of option as my sweat is a clear giveaway. Now, a distraction, something either bigger or more numerous would do.
As much as I hate using scapegoats, I don't want to die here. I can't die here.
My ears perked up and began to search the sound of any animal to use as bait, although that was proved useless as even in this dense forest, everything seemed quiet. Now contrary to my ears, my nose did pick up a strong smell. A heavy amount of it. What I do notice is the scent of iron, it was so perceptible that it was poisoning the air, which made worse with my lungs constantly demanding air.
But I ignored that, after all...
A way to live is right there, thank 06! My continuous draws of air mixed in with the scent, I turned left and kept at it for a few moments, until in front of me there was a... critter, pony-like. Gutted, intestines spilled on the ground with blood like a spilled soup, I wasn't sure if its fur was naturally red or.. My whole body froze, disgust and fascination consumed me but were briefly broken by the perpetrator, which was five wolves, four of them devouring the corpse. The five of them have odd skin with swirls and branch scars... Like wood.
But my eyes were still drawn to the mutilated corpse. It was something to hear about murder on the news, however, to get to see an actual body.. It's.. tantalizing. No, no, don't think that. It's just, curiosity, morbid curiosity.
~Awoooo~
The wolf that was not eating howled to the skies, the other wolves stopped and glared at me, their mouths still drenched in blood and their teeth being even redder, dripping blood with.. sap. How did a wolf fu- copulated with a tree for this hybrid to exist?
~Kaboom~
I closed my eyes briefly before opening them again, the bugbear stopped right behind after it entered with its signature move. Everything became silent, both parties analyzing each other while I took this time to rest and concoct a plan to use the incoming chaos in my favor.
The first move made by the wolves, as they spread in a U-formation. Next came bugbear that landed on the ground and unleashed a glass-shattering roar that had me folding my ears down and gritting my teeth.
For the plan to work, the first move must be mine, furthermore, the bugbear was too close to me, and the wooden wolves would take this as an advantage. So, I broke the viscous tension around us by rushing forward, followed by the Bugbear and then the weird wolves.
Each step taken made me see each of my friends - I'm too tired to worry about that, yet, a voice struck me.
'Don't look at your feet, it doesn't matter! Try again! To leap further, and hop the highest, you need to release the weight you put in yourself! Nothing matters when you jump, just where you will land!'
Finally, the bugbear caught up and readied a swing, however, I halted, falling and rolling over barely avoiding the strike, and with even less time to get up, but enough time. The second strike missed as I had regained my footing and leaped to the left, four of the wolves took the opportunity and mauled down the bugbear arm.
Where is the fifth?
It was a blur, the moment I turned my attention from the skirmish behind me, the wolf had already lunged at me, pinning me down.
With its mouth open to show his teeth salivating sap, it aimed for the neck but my paws acted quicker taking hold of his muzzle to push back - only to realize I couldn't, "Shit." This wolf's strength might as well be worth ten Bobby's. What the hell do I do?!
My head turned around, and sure enough, his paw was just by my side, briefly, I contemplated biting it, but it was made of wood. What else? There has to be something I didn't use- My tail! I wrapped around one of his back paws and tugged.
It didn't budge. Please, let me go!
Please... I want to see my friends again, please!
With his mouth a few inches from my throat, in desperation, I slid my arm inside, and it chomped - my mind went blank briefly from my blood now covering half of my face, "Ah-" and the pain, "Ahhh" My paw tried to pry open the jaw but it didn't budge. I tried to push him away, kick his belly, or whatever, but it just didn't budge.
The wolf stared at me like I was a steaming bun, my screams, my tears, my struggle meant nothing.
His eyes gleamed, I could swear that the corners of his jaw turned slightly up.
Wait, is he..?
No, don't!
Then it pulled "AAAHH!" Slowly tearing part of my arm off, my skin tore like old paper, bursting with deep crimson blood. I-I could see my bones while my veins, even if I escaped, what was there to do? I urged my body to do anything, but it all fell flat unresponsive - I needed to do something, anything while it was chewing! Crafty has a medkit in her kitchen, it should help, I just need to find the castle and, and- I- I can't feel anything
No! Stop!
I can't give in! I need to go back!
But there's no way back now.
There is!
Did all of this happen to me, just because I was curious?
I don't know...
It's so dark.
~Bang!~
"Seems we found it, with a guest even," I said recharging my spell.
Two disheveled earth pony stallions, twice larger than me with brown coats and leather armor came from my sides with animalistic grins that would scare any child, animal, even ponies away, they were the Hunters of Everfree: Strong Left and Strong Right.
It was a hustle hiring them for the search- we should be taking care of demons not looking for gutted fillies on the other side of the country. How far has the Insurgence fallen... Whatever. My job was to bring back the filly, whole or not.
But of course, it wouldn't be easy. "By Celestia!" A stallion, Falling Star, hid behind me, another baggage from Fillydelphia to 'legally' enter Everfree. He was the stereotypical, white-coated do-right unicorn who was a greenie, never left the office, its only worth was answering phone calls. He also hails from a snob family, being a bastard son. Figures.
By the time of my short categorization of assets, the sound of the blast spell scared the Bugbear, however, the Timberwolves still looked confident. Four to go.
"You two take care of the Timber Wolves, Star will take the corpse and I will take the Fellian." Strong Right and Left nodded, and Star scrutinized his snout in disgust. He might as well shove his horn up his ass if he won't do anything.
Both stallions galloped towards the Timberwolves with animalistic grins plastered on their face, once within range Strong Left reached forward with his mighty hoof, and the air crackled at the impact at the wooden wolf mouth with a sound almost as loud as a Blast spell, meters away leaves gently swayed from the sheer force of the impact, - the wooden wolf head blew away, cracks also had formed throughout his body only stopping midway through the sternum, however, that was not the end as the exchange launched the wolf several hoofs backward, rolling and breaking the now fragile wooden body even more. From the wolf launching itself to its now deteriorated state, the fight has not even ended in an instant.
At least not all of my companionship choices were bad ones.
Three to go.
A few seconds later than his brother, Strong Right did the same with his Timberwolf, however, the wooden wolf ducked and dodged left, just in the nick of time as the ground broke in a spider web. This brings back to an old article theorizing all Timberwolves are hive-minded, which is accurate even if most mages swear on their horns that said theory is arcane. A second Timberwolf came in trying to flank Strong Right, while I did say I would get the Fellian, useful companions come first.
My telekinesis reached another lead ball and after a quick adjustment of my spell circle and raising it four feet above the ground angled downwards, the lead ball was thrown into the circle followed by another loud explosion, the Timberwolf had as many holes as cheese. Scattershot, is a quaint yet effective variant of the Blast Spell.
Meanwhile, Strong Right threw a second punch that the timberwolf dodged, and further lunged forward for a counterattack, only for its head to be blown to splinters by Strong Left that slammed down on the poor creature.
One to go.
The last Timber wolf looked less assured at his companions not rising. That little confusion was quite adorable, the ignorance of the limitations of his kind. And look at that, Blast spell ready once again.
Its head was blown before it even realized.
"Star?" The stallion was frozen staring down at the filly. I should have picked somepony more capable.
Bright Star turned to me, his white face plastered with pure disgust and tears, "I-I-I.. I can't! Miss Dust Powder, I can't do it!" Unbelievable. I knew I should have picked his partner instead, he had a stronger stance than this mule. He shouldn't have become a police officer in the first place if he couldn't take a bit of guts and blood.
The Strong brothers and I turned our snouts away from the man child, "Strong Left?"
He growled, and he had the full right to do so. "I better get an extra for doing his job."
I rolled my eyes, "You will get double." Now that put a smile on his face, unceremoniously he scooped up the filly with his mouth and dropped it at his back like a half-filled bag of potatoes, a few guts spilled out but whatever, at least it was not me.
I approached the Fellian with pigmentation disease and cast an Effective Halt, his bleeding stopped as well as his breathing and heart, a Flesh growth potion and Blood potion should fix him. Tsk, tsk, if we had less baggage this civil could have suffered less, and I not wasted a pre-prepared time spell. But whatever, this is just part of the job.