|
Post by eclipse on Jun 15, 2011 11:34:54 GMT -5
Willow was in a foul mood. She wasn't sure why, but nonetheless it was a state of mind she held; maybe it had something to do with being broke? Loneliness? She always had a hard time reading those kind of emotions; it didn't really matter anyway. Sometimes one just felt awful.
From Willow's experience, there was really only one way to clear up a foul mood, and that was to go for a long walk. She didn't really care where she ended up; usually she kept to familiar avenues, but this time around it didn't matter where she ended up.
The sun was low in the sky when she finally paused to look around. After a moment of confusion, she realized she was at the edge of Froggy Bottom Bog. She had been avoiding the swampy area for some time now, hearing a lot of stories about it being the most dangerous place in Equestria. She could immediately see why people would think that; the air was incredibly humid, and visibility was limited even with the sun shining across the land.
The sun was going down soon, and she would be in the middle of a swamp. Willow turned to head back... only to realize she had no idea where she'd come from. She was lost.
"Guess I'll take a look around," she said tentatively, wandering into the evening. She had always wondered what a dangerous place would be like asleep... or if it slept.
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on Jun 15, 2011 16:43:22 GMT -5
~~~ Swamp Squid ~~~
A tentacle lashed out suddenly, managing to grab WilloWisp by the rear hoof, before throwing her straight at a nearby tree. As Willow was crashed hard into the trunk, more tentacles rose up, along with a large head, from which two black eyes stared at her from one of the larger - lake like bogs in the marsh. A swamp squid, and a hungry one at that.
SWAMP SQUID
One of the more dangerous inhabitants of the Froggy Bottom Bog, the Swamp Squid is actually amphibian, it can crawl on land or swim in water freely. It's lighting fast reflexes often aid in catching its prey, which once ensnared is quickly devoured. Fighting this monster alone is a suicide mission for all but the most combative of ponies.
Special Effects:
Ink blast - Swamp Squids can spit ink to blind their prey, lasts for 3 rounds.
Wrap-me-up - Swamp Squids can grab their prey in their tentacles, paralyzing them for a round.
Threat Level - High
|
|
|
Post by eclipse on Jun 15, 2011 17:11:21 GMT -5
Willow slid to floor, moaning with pain. Forcing herself up (Were those cracked ribs? She'd have to find out, later; right now was no time to worry abuot pain), Willow tried to formulate a plan. She would couldn't fight this thing, that was certain; it was too big, too dangerous, and she had just experienced firsthand what it could do to her.
So that left running away. She was still lost, but at the very least she could get away from this thing... with the right distraction. She thought of a fire she had seen a long time ago as a child, something in a book, and focused on the way the book had described the light. Then she focused her magic and...
Suddenly there was a wreath of bright flames around the squid, hopefully blinding it. The weren't real fires, of course; she was trying to imitate her namesake, making phantom lanterns, and hoping that it would last long enough for her to get away. She didn't wait to see how the squid reacted, turning to run and hoping that she wasn't followed.
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on Jun 15, 2011 17:19:23 GMT -5
~~~ Swamp Squid ~~~
Though Willow's spell succeeded, the squid wasn't deterred, it sent a tentacle quickly after her... but missed, As she was now away from water, the gigantic creature could not catch up to her, however, the tree it struck while trying to reach her did, the large piece of it that broke off hit Willow straight in the side, throwing her sideways into a small muddy pit which was fortunately not quicksand.
|
|
|
Post by eclipse on Jun 15, 2011 18:10:32 GMT -5
Well, if her ribs hadn't cracked with the hit before, they certainly were now... she groaned, struggling to get up. She couldn't stay there, not if she wanted to survive this place; she needed to find her way out, or find help, or something. Getting to her feet, she noticed a gash in her side where the shrapnel had hit her. It wasn't very wide, but it was bleeding pretty badly.
It didn't matter; she had to get out of there. She couldn't run without hurting the cut in her side, but she moved as fast as she could, doing her best not to scream as her side seared with pain. She moved away from the squid and unwittingly deeper into the swamp weakly. She needed help if she was going to survive, but she was afraid there was nowhere she would find it here.
|
|
|
Post by Watermark on Jun 15, 2011 18:51:45 GMT -5
It was much later that a small creature, seemingly made entirely of bog water, rushed to her, small though it were, it absorbed water along its path, growing larger and larger with each passing moment. Watermark's Swamp Golems have been hidden all around Froggy Bottom Bog, to deter intruders. It was unfortunate that he had only just now got in range to act, he would have to work further on that spell. Unlike his Water Golems, he did not control them directly while there were no intruders, nor were they active until a presence came nearby. Fortunately, the Unicorn was just rearranging the bogs around the path to the cult's camp, and was able to rush into Willow's aid.
Though the Swamp Golems were usually inactive, this one was controlled by the Hydromancer himself, and while the Swamp Golem was guarding their flank, the tattooed unicorn himself approached Willow.
She was wounded grievously, and considering the infections and bacteria she could get from the bog, Watermark was not optimistic towards her chances. But he had to try and save her, she was a unicorn as well. He couldn't let her die out here... alone.
"I can help." He said softly, "Trust me?"
|
|
|
Post by eclipse on Jun 15, 2011 19:25:47 GMT -5
Willow hesitated for a moment; she hadn't expected to see anyone at all in this wilderness. A million suspicions shot through her head; what if she was imagining things? What if he was really one of those strange ponies she'd heard about, the ones that ate meat? Finally, she had to force herself to accept the reality. She was going to die in this place if she didn't get help, and this would probably be her last chance to get any. She nodded weakly, coughing a little from the pain in her side.
|
|
|
Post by Watermark on Jun 16, 2011 1:34:12 GMT -5
Watermark bent down to inspect her wound, giving her a quick field dressing, also rubbing some anti-infection agent she's never seen, probably his own making. Surprisingly the pains slowly subsided, it must have also been a type of pain killer. When he was done administering First Aid, Watermark stepped back, his swamp golem picking up the wounded mare and placing her on its back, sinking her slightly into its body so she won't fall off.
"My home is not far from here, don't worry, the people there are really nice, just don't fall asleep, stay up, talk to me. What were you doing out here all by yourself?"
|
|
|
Post by eclipse on Jun 16, 2011 12:15:10 GMT -5
It was an odd sensation, being carried by the swamp golem. It was kind of wet, of course, but it was unusually warm. "I was going for a walk," she said after a moment. "I do that a lot... wander off with no destination." She shook her head and continued; it was hard to stay focused. "I ended up getting lost here," she concluded. "And then that... thing showed up; the squid or whatever." She shook her head.
"Who are you, anyway? I didn't think anypony would be in here," she said, twisting around a little to look at the other unicorn. He had a lot of strange tattoos.
|
|
|
Post by Watermark on Jun 16, 2011 16:53:25 GMT -5
"I'm Watermark, I'm a mage, don't worry, we're getting close. Oh, look at you, dear, you're filthy," He said, slowing down for a moment to wipe some of the mud out of Willow's face gently, "Don't worry about that squid, he won't follow us."
"Tell me about yourself, what do you like, what do you do for a living? Where are you from?" Watermark asked, forcing her to think would keep her awake and alert, and that's exactly what he needed. He made sure to keep the swamp golem warm with his magic, so that Willow will not lose core body temperature. Those ponies, going out in the middle of the swamp by themselves, they're crazy! It was truly fortunate that Watermark was in the area, otherwise who knows what might have happened.
Watermark could only hope that Willow be healed properly.
|
|
|
Post by eclipse on Jun 16, 2011 17:43:49 GMT -5
"I guess I'm from Canterlot," she said after thinking about it a moment. "I lost my apartment a few months back, though, so I tend to move around a lot now... I suppose that I'm homeless." she blinked. She hadn't really considered it for some time, but it was true. "I've been trying to sell my lanterns whenever I end up in a town; it pays for my food, but that's about it," she continued, sighing. "No one appreciates that kind of thing anymore..."
"Oh, my name's Willo'Wisp," she said after a moment, realizing she still hadn't introduced herself. "Sorry to trouble you with this mess," she added after a moment.
|
|
|
Post by Watermark on Jun 17, 2011 14:29:29 GMT -5
Watermark hummed with acknowledgement as Willow spoke, "Oh, come on dear, it wasn't a wise idea to come here, but I can hardly blame you for getting mauled by the squid. He's... very aggressive sometimes." Despite what Watermark had said, they were still not close to the camp, it was deeper in the swamp, in the darker areas.
He had to keep Willow talking for now. At least she could think straight and talk straight. Hopefully it will only be a matter of stopping the infection.
|
|
|
Post by eclipse on Jun 17, 2011 14:49:04 GMT -5
"Still," Willow said insistently. "I shouldn't have gotten lost in here at all." She sighed and shook her head. "I'm used to handling myself," she said, trying to explain. "Usually I can get away..." She trailed off, letting her thoughts wander. "Where are we, anyway?" she said suddenly. "I know it's the bog, but... this seems very different from where I got lost. Almost a different place entirely..." She moved to create a small lantern to see if she could see the surroundings better.
|
|
|
Post by Watermark on Jun 20, 2011 6:57:55 GMT -5
Watermark took her chin firmly in his hoof, turning it to face him, "If you waste any energy on spells right now, you will most likely die. I know you don't feel how bad the damage is, but you can't afford to spend your energy at the moment."
His face softened a bit after saying that, and he ruffled her mane with his hoof, "You'll be just fine if you don't fool around though, so just enjoy the ride, we'll be there soon."
|
|
|
Post by eclipse on Jun 20, 2011 8:01:41 GMT -5
Willow sighed. She didn't really enjoy being unable to do anything; it always made her edgy. "I was afraid of that..." she said, shaking her head. "How bad is it, anyway?" she asked, doing her best to look at the wounds without moving too much. She knew that it was painful but she couldn't be sure where the damage was besides that gash she could see, and that hadn't looked terrible.
|
|