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Post by Red Charge on Jan 4, 2012 2:58:11 GMT -5
Whitehoof was pleased, for once. He had pretty much lost his faith in the Equestrian Government about ten minutes after he came to Equestria from the Northern Barrens. They had requested the Governor to send an expert on Winter Ferals, as they wanted to find their lair and Den Mother to remove them from Equestria for good.
Arriving confident in his ability to assist, Whitehoof was greeted by a very cold pair of guards, telling him the situation has already been resolved. Seeing as a trip to the Barrens was not an easy one, especially by turbulent sea, the Earth pony decided to rest in Equestria a bit.
It paid off. More and more sightings of Winter Ferals still came from the caves where the Den Mother was supposedly killed, and before he knew it, he was tasked to lead a group of ponies in there once more. Including the 'hero' who killed the Den Mother himself.
Whitehoof let this Ranger pony take the lead, as he carried a wagon, (which was substantially heavier than he remembered packing it) through the forest. As they were approaching the cave, Whitehoof spotted something wrong with the tracks already.
"Excuse me," He said, his gruff voice commanding the pony to a halt. Living in the Barrens was not easy, especially for a hunter such as he. His physique reflected his fitness, layers of muscles ready to snap at the drop of a hat. Reflexes honed to near perfection, making him like a very heavy, coiled snake, ready to strike.
"These drags are not normal to a Feral's prowl, something's wrong with these tracks." He concluded loudly, pointing a hoof. The Ranger pony quickly offered an explanation.
"When we left the caves I trapped every bit of it in case we missed some. Could this be injury from the traps?" Shrewd and humble, not assertive. Whitehoof didn't know why, but he liked this pony. He knew there was a chance he didn't fully eradicate them, he prepared for there to be more. And he wasn't even confident that the reason he proposed was valid, thus recognizing Whitehoof, as the expert.
"Yes, that just might be the case, though," He inspected the tracks more carefully, "Almost looks like one of them lost half of its paw." He grinned, this might be even easier than he thought.
"Let's go on with it then." the snowy-aqua Earth Pony declared. Icy eyes darting around for any signs of ambush as they continued on their way.
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Post by splatterpaint on Jan 4, 2012 12:04:21 GMT -5
The wagon underneath her hit a bump, and Splatterpaint hit her head against some heavy equipment. Ow! she cried out inside her head as she tried not to make a noise. Splatters was hidden from view, buried under atleast two heavy winter coats, as not to be seen. It's not that Spatterpaint wanted to be stowing away in the wagon. She had to.
She had arrived not too long ago, just before they had left for the trip, wearing a coat, a scarf, and boots. In her pack, she had brought a rope, a pocket knife, and a book on the Winter Ferals and the caverns that they were headed to. There were also some paints that she had forgotten to empty out. When she had arrived, she had been turned down immediately, as she had predicted, by the two ponies. So, Splatterpaint had found that the only way she would be able to go on was to hide in the wagon. When she was found at their destination, which would probably happen, they would probably have no choice but to let her come along. It was foolproof! Well, it was close to being foolproof.
As the wagon bumped along the path, then suddenly stopped. Splatterpaint froze, trying not to breath to heavily or something else that would find her. Luckily, they just started talking about some odd tracks. She moved around a bit, trying to get a look at the tracks. They were odd. As the earth pony started moving again, she got back in position quickly, waiting for them to arrive.
The tension in the air surprised Splatters. She thought it would be fun to go, but it actually seemed pretty serious. Not to mention the fact that Winter Ferals were pretty dangerous. But hey, she got to go on an adventure! Who cares if it was dangerous, it was always fun to have a challenge. She just couldn't let herself get killed or anything.
She couldn't help but wonder how she would be able to defend herself, if she had to.The only thing she knew how to fight with was a pocket knife, and that was because her parents had required her to have a little knowledge about some self defense before they let her go out on the streets of Manehattan alone. She actually probably had the least experience out of this whole group. The only dangerous thing she had ever done was participate in looking for the Grey Menace, and that had been unsuccessful. Well, she would just have to rely on her wits and her pocket knife.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 5, 2012 4:47:04 GMT -5
"Now I know something's wrong," Whitehoof said with astonishment, "You can't have killed as many of them as they said you did, look at all these tracks, and they're pretty fresh too!" Whitehoof said, appalled.
"Then there must have been more of them in there than we thought, I'm telling you we killed scores of them. Maybe it's just the remnants migrating away because the Den Mother was dead?" Ranger insisted, they had killed over several dozens of these creatures, and yet there were so many tracks, even Ranger could recognize the sheer numbers that must have passed through the area.
"No, no, Winter Ferals don't migrate, they stay where there's food." Whitehoof said, puzzled, "At least it looks like you got the majority of them with your traps." He said with some agitation as they finally could see the cavern entrance. Pulling the wagon to a grinding halt, Whitehoof cracked his neck.
The first thing the ponies could smell was the definite stench of death about the place. The same stench Ranger had smelt in the area where the Ferals stored the prey for their youngs. It was revolting to say the least. Looking around, Whitehoof began unpacking his wagon, suddenly noting a suspicious bump in it that there shouldn't have been. One hoof ready to smash the stowaway, Whitehoof pulled the sheet off of Splatterpaint.
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Post by splatterpaint on Jan 5, 2012 20:40:20 GMT -5
Splatterpaint stiffened as she heard someone approaching the wagon. Dear Celestia, please don't let them find me! she thought desperately. Unfortunately, the coats she had been hiding under were suddenly pulled off. Splatterpaint blinked, turning her head and looking up at the pony who had found her.
He was quite intimidating. Splatterpaint looked at the hoof threatening to crush her before speaking, "Hi." she said sheepishly, looking at Whitehoof with unreadable eyes. She didn't know whether to be scared or confident, so she slowly stood up, hopped out of the wagon, and turned to the group. She contemplated on what to say for a moment.
"I...err... I wanted to come along, so..." She hadn't thought it through as thoroughly as she had thought. Splatters never once planned on what she would say. Hopefully no one would yell at her, or send her back.
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Post by kuruka on Jan 26, 2012 22:32:19 GMT -5
Kuruka stood silent at the back of the group, watching, learning. She adjusted the sheild on her back, causing the knives and other weaponry on her belt to rustle ever so slightly. It was evident these were experienced trackers she was traveling with, so she kept her insights on the tracks to herself. They had already been expressed, anyway, although she had no idea of the nature or habits of these ferals, that they had been wounded and were travelling along an unused path were both clear.
They stopped and Kuruka stretched her wings for a bit, wanting to lift off to the sky to warm up. The weather here was unnaturally cold, and Kuruka hated it. She glanced at their leader, Whitehoof, they called him, as he lifted the cover from their supply wagon, but was briefly distracted by a rather unusual pony closing in on them from behind. At first, Kuruka tensed, readying herself to defend the group, but the pony's approach was so obviously friendly that Kuruka immediately relaxed again, releasing her jaw's grip on her boomerang.
"Hi"
Kuruka froze, her heart turning to ice and lodging itself in her throat. Please, Celestia, tell her Amali was not with them on such a dangerous quest.
Completely forgetting to mask her emotion, Kuruka turned and found one type of concern resolved by another entirely. An image of a white stallion floating lifeless in murky water filled her mind. This filly should not be here. It was obvious that both Ranger and Whitehoof felt the same way. Kuruka bit her lip, but still spoke before she could think of the consequences. It was Amali and Aestella all over again. The desperate need to protect her, not only physically, but emotionally from these stallions who were bound to hurt the little one's feelings, overcame all reason.
"She's with me." Kuruka blurted, "I told her to hide in the wagon. I take full responsibility."
Coolly, confidently, she met the group leaders' eyes, daring them to challenge her.
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Post by StormShroud on Jan 27, 2012 22:26:26 GMT -5
Well. If there was one thing he needed, it was a chance to prove himself. Had he expected it to happen in the Everfree Forest? He hadn't until he'd arrived in Ponyville, but thinking on it now, it was the perfect setting. Granted.. How paranoid Ranger seemed to be about losing ponies, he'd have to be extra careful, just for that masked pony. Maybe he'd avoid another hundred lectures if he didn't step on any twigs.
Yes, Storm Shroud was still sore over all the trust Ranger DIDN'T show toward the Pegasus' abilities. He grumped about it, thoughts split between this, and focusing on his surroundings as he trailed silently behind the wagon.
Really, since he'd entered the forest, not a single word escaped him. You might've had to look back once in a while to ensure he was still present, wherein he'd stick his head out to the side, offering a flap of his wings to let you know he was still there, and alive. Ranger was here, and so was Kuruka -- And now, as he watched on, it seems a rather small stow-away had also joined the caravan.
Brow quirking, Storm Shroud picked up the pace a bit, trotting closer to the wagon as he first peered at the pale filly, and then looked to Kuruka with a bit of a confused expression.
"You asked her to hide in the wagon?" He paused, "Why? She looks far too young to be here."
Now paused, Storm Shroud could very vividly smell the stench coming from the cave. His wings snapped, mane standing on end as his eyes shrunk, and he lifted a leg to cover his nose, gagging softly.
"Ugh! The last time I smelled something THIS bad, I found a dead cow behind the McHoofarrel's barn.."
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 27, 2012 23:00:18 GMT -5
"You told her to come here? You asked a small filly to go into a dangerous trek where ponies have died before?" Ranger asked, but the next sentence came not from him, but from Whitehoof.
"I don't know much about your type, Militia Captain Kuruka, but I will make it my goal to have them strip that title of you." The northern stallion said, "Bringing a child to a dangerous assignment, does this catch you as some sort of game? Even in the North we are not so reckless. You've put the entire mission at jeopardy."
Ranger looked at Whitehoof, he didn't like the way he talked, but he agreed with him, "That was a terrible decision to make Kuruka. She'll be hindering us. This may well cost us a life." He said eventually.
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Post by splatterpaint on Jan 27, 2012 23:14:04 GMT -5
Splatterpaint looked up at the striped pony who was helping her in confusion. Who was she? And why was she trying to take the blame? As much as Splatter appreciated the help, she didn't want her getting in trouble for her. "But... she began to protest. As the bigger, scary ponies began to talk. Instead of feeling dread, however, indignation and anger rose up inside her. Little filly? Okay, yes she wasn't very big. But she wasn't a child! She swallowed a snappy retort as they continued talking. But as they kept speaking, Splatter just became more infuriated and horrified It seemed as though the pony who was helping her was Karuka. And she seemed to be a "Militia Captain" too, which sounded quite important. Splatter couldn't possibly let her be stripped of that title. Once they were done talking, she began to speak, her voice shaking with anger and defiance, "Look here, I'm not a little filly! I'm a teenager, I'm just small! And I don't even know this pony, so you can't punish her! It's not her fault, I decided to come along, she had nothing to do with it!" Splatter turned to Kuruka, "Thanks for trying to help, I appreciate it. But I'm not afraid of getting in trouble." she turned back to Ranger and Whitehoof, "I'm not a little kid! I can take care of myself, you know, which means I won't be helplessly weighing you down! Don't underestimate me," Splatter spat, her eyes blazing, "I go out in Manehattan every day on my own to earn money for my family! I helped look for the Grey Menace! I know about Ferals, and those Caverns! I'm not useless!" Sure, she didn't know much about the Ferals or the caverns, but she knew enough. "So like it or not, I'm coming with all of you. And if I die, I die. No one else knows I'm here, so noone would have to know. I want to go on this adventure." She glared at the bigger ponies, her face defiant as she challenged them to order her to go back. |
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Post by kuruka on Jan 28, 2012 0:00:21 GMT -5
Kuruka tensed at the others' accusations. She knew this would come. She'd asked for it, hadn't she? At least the edge of the blame had been taken off the filly. Kuruka smirked as the filly's spunky defiance gave her an idea.
"This had nothing to do with my customs, Whitehoof. She has a warrior's eyes. She was coming in spite of what anypony else said or did to prevent her. I merely tried to keep her as safe as I could by telling her to get in the wagon. Granted, it would not prevent these ferals from smelling her, but she would have at least enough time to get a head start if this mission did wander south. Now tell me, would you rather have her in the middle of the group, where it's safest? Or would you have her trailing behind, following us by herself without our knowledge? As for her safety, I will die before she does, this is my oath."
Kuruka thought of Quillson and tried not to show her uncertainty. Backing from her words now would seem weak. Kuruka's pride would not permit her to seem weak, even if it could be true.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 28, 2012 4:16:43 GMT -5
The northern stallion beat his hoof against the ground angrily, "Let it be on your conscience then if something happens!" He exclaimed, a bubbling rage rising up within him. How irresponsible. Whatever faith he had regained in Equestria's government was lost one more. Surely they could not let such an irresponsible... whatever she was be in charge of an entire town's militia? In such times as well!
If anyone were to get hurt because of the child, it would scar her for life. He knew that firsthand, having been in her place for a mission that cost the life of one of his father's friends. His father never looked at him the same again afterwards, no matter how hard he worked to please him. He didn't blame his father either, because he, Whitehoof has decided to jump in on a dangerous mission against his will, it cost him his best friend. Only recently has his father's attitude started to soften up towards him. But he will never forget that look on his face.
"Look there's no time to argue about this," Said Ranger, "Let's just go in and get this over with shall we?" He looked around at the group, "I'll take point, just in case some of my traps are still around."
Ranger led them through the opening of the cave, where he had set the first trap in case they were followed inside, the last time. However, to his great surprise, the trap was not there. It was not triggered, it was just missing. As though someone removed it.
There was the familiar T junction, left and right. Last time they took a right, Ranger remembered. They probably missed out on whatever was down left... Suddenly he tensed, he heard a noise down right, dragging claws on stone. Looking carefully into the darkness, the group now all in view, he saw it, his mouth fell agape.
The woods pony shuffled backwards into the intersection nervously, as the sound of the creature approached. They could all see it for the horrifying thing it was. Whitehoof's eyes widened in surprise, mouth opening in a silent scream. Even this large, powerful stallion did not expect this, nor was he ready for it. But it most certainly explained the abnormalities in the tracks he saw earlier, and Ranger's account of what happened last time.
It had already spotted them, the feral, though it didn't take an expert to see what was wrong with this specific specimen. The bloodshot eyes, the blood stained fur, the bolt sticking through it's neck... That feral was dead. That fact however, did not stop it from continuing towards them, teeth bared, a gurgle of a growl in it's pierced throat like nails grinding on wood. Blank bloodshot eyes surveyed them without sight, a nose sniffed them without breath. Something was horribly wrong in these caves, and as though a wave of freezing water washed over the group, a cold seeping dread spread over the ponies.
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Post by kuruka on Jan 28, 2012 4:53:34 GMT -5
Kuruka stared at the monstrosity before her, unable for a moment to look away from those dead, bloodshot eyes. If this creature was dead, why wasn't it resting? This was not natural, it gave her chills even more than unicorn magic ever could.
The filly.
Kuruka thanked her instincts and immediately bounded to the younger pony, placing herself almost directly over her.
"You are to listen to every word I say and obey me a thousand times better than you would your own parents." Kuruka instructed, her voice taking on a tone that, until now, had been reserved only for her younger siblings. "For now, you stay right where you are and do not move until I tell you, do you understand?"
Kuruka never lost sight of this enemy. She was determined to overcome it, although how she was supposed to kill something that was already dead was beyond her understanding. Perhaps the group leaders had an idea. Kuruka extended her awareness to her surroundings, but everything seemed only to scream one thing: that monster should not be here.
Why was everypony so silent? Or was she just not listening? "Any ideas? Do we have to rip this thing limb-from-limb or what?"
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Post by StormShroud on Jan 28, 2012 5:26:26 GMT -5
Although he didn't like it, something in his belly told him this was a baaaad idea, Storm Shroud trailed in behind the group all the same, remaining silent as they quarreled and argued about the 'teen's prescense. Her being present wasn't a good idea, but it was too late to turn back and take her back, now. And sending her back on her own was certainly out of the question, too!
Entering the cavern, Storm Shroud's wings folded tightly against his sides, though he desperately wanted to flap them madly and blow the stink of corpses right away from them. He knew that would be making too much noise, if something really was in here, and so he resisted the temptation, instead trying to breath through his mouth rather than his nose.
Then came the T junction. Storm Shroud lifted his head, eyes squinting into the darkness as Ranger stepped forward to the left. He opened his mouth to ask 'what's down this way?' -- However, he blinked, mouth closing and ears perking as Ranger suddenly began to back away. The sound of claws dragging against stone reached his ears a moment later. The chill that ran down Shroud's spine was that which he hadn't felt before, not even after having dove into a vat of ice water in preparation for filling the snow clouds, at the weather factory. And THAT was cold.
The being then came into view. Storm Shroud's jaw dropped, eyes shrinking as his tail lifted, wings instinctively spreading, as if to engage his fog wall to confuse the enemy. But he caught himself -- He could see, by those blood-shot, deadened eyes that a fog wall would only harm his allies. They'd be blind, and at a great fault should this thing attack, which it looked like it was about to do any second now.
His body twitched as Kuruka bounded over to the Filly, let's call her that for now, and it snapped his mind and legs out of the fear--yes, fear--which had gripped them. He came to his senses, exhaling sharply as he half bounded, half glided to the pair whilst Kuruka was giving Splatter distinct instructions. He took them as his own, as well, given what he spoke to Kuruka before she bounded back.
"You have more fighting experience than I do -- I'll make sure she stays out of harm's way." He hastily spoke in a hushed tone, spreading a wing over Splatter, "Just be careful," He spoke to Kuruka, and looked down at Splatter, "And stay with me, no matter what. We're both listening to what she says." He didn't WANT to stay out of the fight -- He wanted to be there, to help them take that thing down, lest anyone get hurt, or worse. But he understood that the filly certainly wouldn't be able or allowed to fight, and if that was the case, he wanted them all to be able to focus on the fight without worrying about the filly. A distracted mare or stallion in the midst of battle could be the one thing that got somepony killed.
Looking to Ranger and Whitehoof, then, he called (though not yelled, still hushed), "That doesn't look very alive... Are you SURE wounding it will do anything?"
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Post by splatterpaint on Jan 28, 2012 22:25:44 GMT -5
Splatterpaint's pelt prickled as they entered the cave, sensing the danger. Although she had never been in the caves before-and therefore not knowing what was normal- she could tell that something was off. One factor was the fact that the others looked scared. "So, wha-OH!" Splatter began, before hearing the grinding noise of claws. Flinching, her eyes widened as she wondered, What IS that? As the grinding came closer, Splatter was startled at the presence of another body almost ramming into her. Turning her head, she spotted Kuruka. As she listened to her instructions, Splatter remained silent, holding back the reply booming inside her head, I can take care of myself! She knew that Kuruka was trying to protect her. The blue pegasus, too-whatever his name was. "Okay." she breathed, staring at the monster before her. What a terrifying creature! However, Splatter wasn't nearly as scared as she was expecting herself to be. She had braced herself for a wave of terror, but it didn't come. Just curiosity and incredulity. How exactly was this thing dead, but moving?
"Well, we can't exactly kill it, can we? Maybe if we restrained it?" Splatter suggested, not knowing whether they would even take her suggestion seriously. She wanted to help, though, so she might as well pitch some ideas. Atleast attempt to help or something. She wasn't exactly good with weapons, not including the pocket knife and being able to fight a bit when it came hoof-to-hoof. So Splatter might not be as helpful when it came to fighting. But she might as well try to contribute somehow.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 31, 2012 3:33:25 GMT -5
The creature moved slowly towards them. The more it approached the more the rotting scent of aged decomposing flesh increased, filling the nostrils of the ponies gathered. The sense of dread that engulfed the ponies became like an iron clamp. Ranger muttered something inaudible to himself. Whitehoof had no advice to offer them, as he stood rooted on the spot, mouth still wide open and eyes wide with fear.
Snapping out of his moment of terror just in time to dodge the beast. Though it's walk was slow, it's pounce was just as fast as it was when it was alive. Instinctively, Whitehoof bucked it hard, the sudden burst of movement kicking in his survival instincts. The buck, a perfect demonstration of northern physical strength, sent the undead creature straight into the wall opposite of them. Though they heard a loud crack from its shoulder, it did not seem fazed at all from the impact and turned back towards them again.
"Kuruka flank it from the left, try to take its legs off so it can't pounce." Ranger called, moving to the right and readying himself to pounce at the creature as soon as an opportunity presented itself. "Shroudy, get back with the filly."
Whitehoof in the meanwhile took point, standing directly in front of the creature to attract its attention until the others could execute their plan.
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Post by kuruka on Jan 31, 2012 14:29:43 GMT -5
Take off its legs??
Kuruka snorted. Removing limbs, especially this size, was no cake walk. Sending only a brief glare in Ranger's direction and a glance back to make sure Shroud had a good position with her charge, Kuruka sped between the monstrosity's legs, her wings fluttering rapidly to propel her forward. She rolled to turn herself, taking in her target.
The legs might as well have been tree trunks for their thickness. So... what to use? Kuruka had no ax or even any experience to wield one. The legs just needed to be disabled, right? Perhaps if they were merely broken enough or in just the right place...
Finally, an idea came to her. It wouldn't be pretty, but it would work. Kuruka removed her shield from her back and spun it at the feral's back right leg, lodging the sharp edging in its hip. Without hesitating, Kuruka took off and landed on the wall of the cavern, using the momentum for both her powerful hinds legs and newly developed muscles in her wings to propel her into a flying kick aimed at wedging her shield all the way through, shouting her battlecry to give the attack more energy.
"AAAAAAAMAAAALIIIIIIIII!!!"[/b]
Perhaps the creature didn't feel pain, but Kuruka was fairly positive it would notice one of its limbs missing. She started planning her next move to avoid the consequences of her attack.
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