Town Over Yonder

>Well today certainly took an unexpected turn.

>"Now hear this! Now hear this!"

>I just happened to be walking by the Meeting Hall on my way to the forest.

>"We are looking for four to six ponies to volunteer for an expedition to the old village on the far west side of the forest!" announced the crier.

>Hmm...

>Forest hike, huh?

>That actually sounds like fun.

"How far?" you question.

>"Our cartographer reports about a day's walk," replied the crier.

>Wow.

>I know I need to condition myself, but that might be overstepping the boundaries just a bit.

>Nevertheless, I offer my name to the crier, as do several other ponies.

>There were actually more than we needed, acquiring 10 volunteers for this journey.

>We were given a few hours to prepare and meet back here before departure.

>I immediately go back and pack up everything I owned, which isn't very much at all, to be honest.

>My tent was taken down and my blanket rolled up, both being tied to my pack.

>In less than 30 minutes I was ready and go back to the Meeting Hall to await tge others.

>It will be another hour before we're supposed to leave, so I sit down human-style with my back against a nearby tree and try to catch some Zs.

 

>I barely get the chance to doze off before I hear some shouting from a female.

>Opening my eyes, I spot three ponies standing at the intersection.

>A purple unicorn was standing beside a gold pegasus and shouting at a silver earth pony.

>The earth pony held a shit-eating grin on his face.

>"I'm not your whore, Silver!" she shouted.

>"You're right, Nova. You're the town's bicycle. It'd be rude of me to claim you for myself."

>The pegasus stepped between them.

>"Back off, Silver. She's mine," he stated.

>"Aw come on, Bacon. At least hook a buddy up? I'd do the same for you."

>Bacon shook his head at Silver and turned to walk away, Nova right behind him.

>Nova look back at Silver and stuck her tongue out.

>Silver's smile never faultered.

>And then he looked over and saw me watching them.

>"Uh oh," I thought as he trotted over.

 

>"Hey, buddy!" he greeted. "My name's Silver Tongue! But you can just call me Silver, as I'm known to make some cash for others. Especially my friends."

>He extends a hoof towards me, to which I stand and meet him halfway.

"Blue," I introduce myself.

>"Great name!" he complimented. "Hey, if you're looking to make some money, trying to get rid of something, or even if you want to order something, come visit me at my shop. I'm sure we can work out a deal."

>I raise an eyebrow at the sudden... 'friendliness' of this guy.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

>"Anytime, 'friend'," he says with emphasis before walking away.

>I wait until he's out of sight before I simply shake my head.

>There are some true characters in this town...

 

>Trying to doze off again, I'm immediately accosted by a purple, female pegasus.

>"Hi!" she greets.

>I flinch a bit as she plops right down beside me and speaks somewhat loudly.

"Oh, hey," I greet unenthusiastically.

>That wagon wasn't there before.

>"I'm Rain Drop," she says.

"Blue."

>I set my head back against the tree and close my eyes.

>"You're a pegasus too!"

>My eyes snap back open.

>Wait, what?

>I actually look at my side to inspect.

>Sure enough, I have wings attached.

>Oh damn.

>I completely forgot about those things.

>I've never even tried flying, much less try to move my wings at all.

>I wouldn't even know what muscle!

"Oh. Would you look at that..." I muttered to myself.

>Rain Drop frowned.

>"You know, you don't have to be so rude," she said.

 

>My attention once again snapped back to her.

"What? No! I mean, sorry. I got lost in thought."

>She smiled.

>"It happens. How long have you been in town?"

"Only a couple of days."

>"Wow, where have you been this whole time?" joked Rain Drop.

>I give a half-hearted smile to amuse her.

>"So are you excited to go on this trip?"

"Actually, yes. I heard we were going on a hike through the woods. Definitely one of my favorite things to do."

>"You like camping?"

"Yup."

>"Cool! I also enjoy nature. Wildlife too."

"I know a bit about plants and animals as well. I used to hunt."

>"Nice. We should trade knowledge sometime."

"I'm always down to learn something new."

>Rain Drop nods.

>Looking up, she spots a green pegasus walk up.

>"Chinook!" she calls, standing up and taking her wagon with her. "You learn anything more about flying?"

>The two proceed to talk as I go back to lazing around.

 

>Three hours later.

>Most of the ponies have arrived and chat amongst themselves.

>We're waiting on the one who's supposed to have been organizing this whole thing.

>I sit by my tree and watch.

>A grey unicorn stretches himself out, his joints audibly popping.

>Chinook stands nearby and starts jogging in place and stretching his wings.

>Two others nearby are just standing there.

>A bored-looking blue unicorn yawns long and loud.

>Another unicorn standing next to her yawns in response.

>"Dang it, Quicksilver," she says.

>Quicksilver gives a silly giggle.

>My eye catches a female unicorn running up to the group.

>"Sorry guys! I overslept!" she called.

>It's past noon.

>A part of me doesn't buy it, but I've also been napping for a little while now.

>This draws the attention of the others.

>A male unicorn calls out to her, "It's alright!  Had some things to finish up at the inn anyway."

>So that's the innkeeper.

>Rain Drop is standing beside him.

>"That's okay, Lucy! Did you get what you needed?"

>So much for the sleep excuse.

>"Yep, all ready now!" said Lucyne.

>She looks over the crowd of ponies.

>"Wow, that's way more than I thought we were gonna have. But that's okay! Let's get going then, chaps!"

>Standing up, I sling my pack and standby.

>Rain Drop hooks herself up to her wagon and the rest grab their gear as well.

>Soon enough, the group single-files out of the town, following the road to the west.

>After reaching the end, it's all forest and grass from here.

 

>The summer sun isn't too bad today.

>The trees keep us cool for the most part, and there's a decent amount of cloud cover for when we're in the open.

>There is also a gentle breeze running through the leaves of the trees.

>It's actually quite tranquil.

>I never thought I'd ever bear witness to such an unspoiled plot of land before.

>This must have been what Earth was like in it's virgin years while it's forests were still vibrant with life and mystery.

>The air is calm in the forest and the underbrush is just a tad overgrown.

>Nothing too terrible, but progress is slightly hindered due to our unused bodies.

>I follow along behind the others, watching the scenery around me and listening to their conversations.

>I got to learn everyone's name just by eavesdropping.

>"So does someone here actually know the way?" asked Lucyne. "Unlike last time?"

>Wait, what the hell did she just say?

>I thought she was the one leading us!

>"We have a map," assured Rain Drop. "We head northwest."

>The map is one thing, but what about a compass?

>One of the Earth ponies of the group cracks his neck.

>Binbags was his name.

>"Yup," he confirms with confidence. "I've been this way a few times already."

>He takes a peek at the map Lucyne is holding.

>"This is about right... I think."

 

>"Or at least what I remember from the map in the town hall," added Rain Drop, further reassuring the Earth pony.

>"You think?" asked Quicksilver.

>"Close enough," said Cherenkov Light, the innkeeper. "What could possibly go wrong?" he added with a grin.

>"Famous last words," commented Quicksilver.

>"Ugh," groaned Chinook with a facehoof.

>The unicorn by the name of Hidden Glimmer became noticably more worried.

>I don't blame her.

>We're practically travelling blind.

>"W-Well I can think of a few things," stammered Binbags.

>He looks up and down the row of ponies, sizing up the group.

>"But we should be good with so many of us," he continued.

>"I don't know..." spoke up a unicorn by the name of Able Tome. "Will it be fun like the last time?" he said with heavy sarcasm.

>"That was in a bunch of caves," explained Rain Drop. "It's much different out here."

>"I'm just glad there isn't a roof over heads," commented Chinook, smiling up at the sky and spreading his wings.

>"It still sucks..." muttered Hidden Glimmer.

 

>The group finally leaves the forest and comes upon a large, open plain.

>Tall, wild grasses cover the expanse.

>The bright sunlight breaks through the clouds in spots, shining brightly on the land below.

>The fields of gold allow the wind to become visible as it sails through, causing the grass to sway.

>"Look at that," marveled Chinook. "First one to step in rabbit shit buys the first round!" he says quickly.

>Quicksilver, once trotting along merrily, stops and slows down, watching her hoof placement carefully.

>Lucyne checks the map once more.

>"Any idea why these are called the Hunting Grounds?" she asks.

>"I think someone wanted to go hunting for meat here," said Rain Drop. "But they never came back!" she said, trying to sound scary.

>"One of the bat ponies, I believe," added Cherenkov.

>"Because scary monsters hunt here, I expect," suggested Quicksilver.

>"Great... More monsters..." groaned Lucyne.

>"Why did I even come?" asked a male pegasus by the name of Fine Grind.

>This was the first time I've heard him speak since we left.

>"Because a sucker is born every minute," teased Cherenkov.

>"Is the lack of coffee making you choose stupid decisions, Grind?" asked Rain Drop.

>"Adventure and excitement, Fine Grind!" exclaimed Chinook.

>"Like I said..." added Cherenkov.

>"Maybe..." muttered Chinook.

 

>As we walk, I decide to close my eyes and inhale deeply.

>Releasing slowly, a large smile comes across my face as I point my head to the sky.

>"Having fun there, Blue?"

>I snap out of my trance and look ahead.

"Huh? What?"

>Rain Drop was smiling back at me from around her cart.

>A few others followed her stare, curious at what I had been doing.

>"I said, are you enjoying yourself?" repeated Rain Drop with a chuckle.

"Oh. Uh, yeah. It's beautiful out here."

>Satisfied with your answer, she looks back to the front of the column.

>Able Tome's nostrils flare and he begins to look around apethetically.

>Cherenkov notices and sticks his nose in the air and takes a whiff.

>"Oh great. A foul stench to ruin the mood," he said.

>The others, myself included, smell around.

>Binbags takes a deep, long whiff and exhales loudly.

>"Ah~! The great outdoors!" he exclaims. "I love fields like these."

>He picks up the pace of his step.

>"I can't say the same for the atmosphere, though."

>It takes a minute, but I come to recognize the terrible aroma.

>It's the unmistakable stench of death.

 

>It doesn't take much longer before the party happens upon the rotting carcass of a long dead animal.

>Everyone stands in a circle over it and just stares at it.

>"Yeah... Not exactly pleasent, is it?" comments Chinook as he chokes down the fouled air coming off of the carcass.

>Rain Drop pokes it with her hoof.

>"Cripes..." mutters Cherenkov. "Anyone have an idea of what it was?"

>The bones were fractured and the flesh was shred to ribbons.

>There was hardly anything left to identify this mass of rotting meat.

>"No idea, really," said Rain Drop with a shake of her head.

>"You were wondering why it's called the Hunting Grounds?" asked Chinook to Lucyne.

>"Yeah. Now I'm wondering what did this," she replied.

>"Well let's not stay here to find out," suggested Cherenkov.

>I sigh a bit in disappointment.

"I would suggest taking the hide from it. But this..."

>I kick the gored creature with a hoof.

"This is just nasty."

>"It's too decomposed, Blue," said Cherenkov.

>"Agreed, Light," said Fine Grind.

"I know. I'm just saying..."

>I was mostly looking for a warmer blanket at night, but no way in hell I'm touching this.

>I kick the body once more.

>"And stop doing that," said Cherenkov. "You're angering the flies."

>He swats one with his tail.

 

>"Blue, you're the outdoorsy type, right?" asked Rain Drop. "Do you recognize this?"

"Hmm..."

>I look it up and down just to try and figure it out.

>The shape, wounds, and the shred hide.

>Most bones were almost shattered and even the skull was missing.

>"What animal do you think it was?" asked Quicksilver.

>I can only respond with a shake of my head.

"I honestly have no idea. It's impossble to tell."

>Judging by the wounds, I have a feeling a bear may have done this.

>Or any other large predator around here.

>"This better not have been a pony corpse," said Quicksilver.

>It looks too large to be a pony.

>My best guess would be a deer or something like that, but I can't be sure.

>"I think we should move on," suggested Hidden Glimmer, keeping watch around the group while the rest looked at it.

>Quicksilver stands beside me and looks it over herself.

>"Hmm..."

>"I wonder how long it's been dead for?" asked Binbags.

>"I'm going to guess not long," said Rain Drop.

>You would be wrong, I thought to myself.

>The meat is long rotted and maggots are nowhere to be found.

>"It stinks and still has flies around it," continued Rain Drop. "We should move."

>"Yeah, lets get going," said Lucyne.

>"Come on, people," prodded Chinook.

>"Aw, he thinks we're still people," teased Cherenkov as he started trotting with the others.

>"Hey, I ain't forgotten," replied Chinook.

>"Chinook. We never forget," said Cherenkov in a serious tone.

>"Lets just hope we don't end up as a snack for whatever did this," said Fine Grind.

>"Stop wondering at the corpse and stay tight," said Cherenkov.

>As we are all walking away, I can't help but take one last look at that... mauled creature.

 

>Some distance away, everyone seems to have forgotten about the dead animal.

>Quicksilver has even taken to whistling a little tune of her own.

>Her cheery song hits my hears, prompting me to hum along quietly to myself.

>"Hey, guys! Who's up for a race?" called back Lucyne from the front of the group.

>"You're on," challenged Chinook, spreading his wings in anticipation.

>"Sure, but I bet I'll still beat you with this cart hitched on me!" said Rain Drop.

>Hidden Glimmer just rolled her eyes.

>"Why do you guys have to turn everything into a competition?" she nagged.

>"Because it's fun!" replied Rain Drop.

>"Just waiting for someone to say it..." said Fine Grind as he readied himself to run.

>"You're on, Blue!" said Lucyne. "Whoever gets to those trees first wins!"

"Wait, what? But I didn't say anything!" I called up.

>"GO!"

>Instinct takes over as I lower my head and charge past all the others, sprinting as fast as I can possibly go.

>The feeling is a strange one at best.

>It's great to be able to run and feel the warm air breeze past me, but the extra set of legs makes my body feel awkward as hell.

>It also feels so natural.

>Looking up to check my progress, I can't believe what is sitting in my face.

>Rain Drop's cart was blocking my way.

>God damn, that girl is fast!

>I move to the side and chug forward.

>I look over to possibly make eye contact, but something catches my eyes.

>She was using her wings to gain speed!

>I chug on, but she manages to hit the tree line a split second before me.

 

>When the others finally catch up, I see I'm not the only one who noticed Rain Drop's little stunt.

>"That's cheating!" accused Lucyne between gasps of air.

>Rain Drop, who didn't even appear to break a sweat or show any signs of fatigue, just stands there with a large grin.

>"Nope! Just using what Celestia gave me!" she declared.

"I still caught you," I say to her with a toothy grin.

>"By a hair, Blue. By a hair."

>A maintain my smile and give her a respectful nod as she turns to walk away.

>"Damn it!" gasps Fine Grind.

>Looking over reveals him breathing extremely heavily.

>"I guess I'm not in as good of shape as I thought," commented Cherenkov.

 

>The expedition presses on.

>The tree line we raced to was literally just that.

>A small line of trees.

>The fields stretched even farther past.

>The distance from those trees to the next landmark was considerably less distance than that of the previous forest to the race's finish line.

>The party now comes upon a massive hole in the ground.

>Appropriately named by the cartogaphers, "The Big Hole".

>The group stands along the rim and stares down into it.

>"Ayyup. That's big, alright," confirmed Binbags.

>"At least they weren't lying," said Chinook with a shrug.

>Rain Drop kicks a pebble over the ledge as you both watch it fall.

>It disappears into the darkness.

>Strange, as the sunlight seems to fade quickly as it passes by the rim.

>"Hey look! It's Nova's ass!" shouted Quicksilver.

>The entire group bursts into fits of laughter.

>"Quick!" chastised Rain Drop. "That was rude... but funny," she admits with a laugh.

>My memory recalls that purple unicorn from before.

>If what they say are true, plus that one sleezy-looking guy from before, she must tend to get around alot.

>Ah well, not my place to judge.

 

>"Do you think this was a lake at one point?" asked Chinook.

>"Nah," said Hidden Glimmer with a shake of her head.

>"I'm not sure, but it sure is odd to be right here of all places," says Lucyne.

>"I'd go as far as to say someone made that hole," said Hidden Glimmer. "Or something..." she finished with a shudder.

>Something about this particular hole just gives off a very unsettling vibe.

>Everyone is noticably skittish.

>"If this leads to Tartarus, we're gonna have problems later," said Cherenkov.

>I give a short laugh.

"Now watch Nova's soul be sucked in and Bacon has to fight legions of demons just to save her."

>"Blue!" exclaimed Hidden Glimmer.

>"I got that reference," says Rain Drop. "Dante right?"

>I smiled and gave her a nod, not looking away from the pit before us.

"Yeah."

>"How romantic," says Lucyne with an unamused tone. "Now lets get going. It's getting late."

>And whose fault is that, I wonder.

>The group walks along the rim of the canyon.

>Most keep away from the edge, but the bolder ones walk right on the line.

>I am not one of them.

>The sun hangs low in the sky by the time you reach the far side of the canyon and the forest beyond.

 

>"The town is just past these woods," says Lucyne as she stared at her map.

>"Has anyone ever scouted this locale before?" asked the ever quiet Able Tome, looking around at the landscape.

>"Has anyone else noticed we haven't seen that much wildlife?" asked Rain Drop as she checked the trees around us.

>"No, but that is a bit odd," said Cherenkov.

"I thought it was just because we were being so loud," I reply.

>And by we I mean them.

>"Maybe the animals are just shy," suggested Hidden Glimmer.

>Quicksilver looks back past the group at monitors the setting sun.

>"Oh joy. It's getting dark," she says sarcastically."Nothing bad ever happens in the dark."

>"Something about the night and forests just don't sit right with me," commented Chinook.

>Is he serious?

>I can't tell.

>"So," started Lucyne, stopping and turning to face the group. "Set up camp in a creepy forest, or a ghost town?"

>"I say make camp and light a nice big fire," suggested Rain Drop.

>"I'd be for pressing on into town," said Binbags. "At least then we'll have a proper roof over our heads."

>"Or how about we just camp on the edge of the forest?" asked Chinook. "We don't know what's in the village."

 

>Cherenkov votes for the forest on the grounds that the village is still presumed dangerous.

>Fine Grind just wants a house to sleep in.

>Quicksilver takes the same stance.

>Able Tome believes the ruined houses can provide a decent shelter.

>I'm the last to offer my opinon.

>"As much as I love camping, I think the smarter choice would be one of the buildings."

>"Okay. I think the ghost town sounds good," declares Lucyne.

>"Because sleeping in a ghost town always turns out good, right?" said Hidden Glimmer.

>"Come on, guys! It's just a little dirt!" called Rain Drop as the group started walking to town.

>Chinook apprehensively tags along, but still maintains his resent for the decision.

 

>Our party presses on towards the village.

>We eventually come upon an unfinished road, not unlike the one outside Four Cannon.

>Following it a short ways leads us to the center of town.

>"Five buildings?" asks Hidden Glimmer. "How can you call that a town?"

>The houses were all simple, small shacks.

>"More of a hamlet, really," says Cherenkov.

>"Maybe they never got the chance to expand," suggested Chinook.

>"I wonder why it got abandoned?" asked Hidden Glimmer.

"Probably a gold mining town," I suggest. "Like the old west. Did the gold run dry?"

>"Alright. Where's the tumbleweed?" joked Chinook.

>I gotta say, I'm getting particularly fed up with this guy.

>I take a look around and examine the buildings a bit closer.

>The river isn't far off and the docks are almost visible through the coming fog.

>This place is like a fucking swamp.

>Without warning, two sets of screams are heard throughout the village.

>My attention snapped towards the source as several of us sprint to it.

>Binbags and Quicksilver hold each other close, both pointing hooves to the house before them.

>The more curious ponies guardedly walk up to the window of the house.

>Peering inside, we see the source of their terror.

>In the corner of the one-room house lied the dried, dusty skeleton of a pony.

 

>Hushed whispers and panic strike multiple members of the group.

>I also feel a pang of uneasiness as I monitor the unmoving mass of bones.

>Hearing the click of the door, I look over and spot Chinook entering the home followed immediately by Cherenkov.

>Fine Grind, Rain Drop, and myself file in after them.

>Quicksilver stays outside to keep watch along with Hidden Glimmer.

>Binbags also waits outside, but watches through a window.

>There's not much inside.

>A bed, a table, and a fireplace.

>The skeleton lies in bed, the covers ripped and torn.

>The bones themselves, however, untouched from the moment of his demise.

>A decision is made to cover the corpse and carry him outside.

>Rain Drop and Cherenkov volunteer.

>The rest search the home, Quicksilver calling in once for us to hurry up.

>A loud thump hits my ears.

>I look back to find Chinook in the fireplace.

>However, he appears to have procured a small box from somewhere.

>"Guys, take a look," he calls.

>The ones still inside huddle around the box being held in Chinook's hoof.

>He blows the dust and ash off the box.

>Right into my fucking face.

>I heave and cough as he opens it and the others marvel at it's contents.

>Peeking over the shoulder of one of the others, I can see there's a hefty amount of bits in the box.

 

>The room brightens up in delight at their find.

>Even I find my self pleasantly surprised by the cash prize in Chinook's hoof.

>They decide to take the cash and discuss what to do with it.

>Possibly split it between the ten of us.

>I take a step back and shake my head.

"No thanks."

>Instead, I walk over to the window and stare off outside.

>"Anyone got a spare saddlebag?" asked Chinook as he looked around the group.

>I turn my head to answer.

"No, mine's full. Sorry," I say before looking back outside.

>There are still 4 houses plus the river docks.

>Intent on finding more spoils, the group splits to search the houses.

>I partner with Binbags as we search one together.

>We come up empty handed, but not alone as the others find nothing either.

>There's thought of someone else getting here before us.

>Perhaps that poor guy just got stuck here?

>Or refused to leave his home and stayed until the bitter end?

 

>Quicksilver then brings something to the groups attention.

>"Does someone still live here?" she asked.

>"Why do you say that?" asked Rain Drop.

>Quicksilver proceeded to point out the cut plants at our very hooves, later determined to be bite marks.

>Paranoia must be sweeping the group or something, because now everyone is speaking of traps, decoys, prop skeletons, and whatnot.

>I shake my head at the thought.

>That's just silly.

>Rain Drop eventually suggests getting tucked in for the night.

>The rest agree, and we file into one of the abandoned shacks and spread out on the floor.

>A night watch is established just to keep on the safe side.

>First shift is Chinook by his lonesome.

>Why the hell would you not want a partner?

>Being one to stand out, Chinook mentions keeping watch on top of the roof for the night.

"Can you even fly that high yet?" I challenge.

>"I've been practicing for four hours a day since I got here, Blue," he comes back with. "I think I can handle a roof."

"If you say so..."

>Hidden Glimmer passes him a blanket and Chinook steps outside.

>With a graceful upward swing and a short circling, Chinook lands gracefully on the roof.

"Fucking show off," I mutter under my breath.

>I find my own spot in the corner and drop my pack to lie down.

>I dejectedly touch my own still-unused wings with my hoof.

>What's the point of even being a pegasus...

 

>Quicksilver starts having a mini freak out by being confined in a small room with the rest of us.

>I offer her my tent to set up and sleep inside, thinking it might help or something.

>My offering goes ignored by her and she just chooses to lie down in front of the door instead.

>I nestle myself into a comfortable ball with my thin blanket.

>The temperature has fallen, and the thought of lighting a fire crosses my mind.

>Lifting my head to look at fireplace, there is no wood to be had and nothing around the house that can be easily thrown in the fireplace.

>Screw it, it's not that important.

>I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

>It will be my turn to keep watch in a few hours.