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# Anon - Rotten (WIP)

By: mothpone on Mar 24th, 2014 | syntax: None | size: 31.97 KB | hits: 70 | expires: Never
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1. Chapter I
3. >”Hearth? Is mommy going to be okay?”
4. >A little ball of white fur is cuddled up against you, her large green eyes imploring you for an answer.
5. >You are both sitting on a small bench beside your mom’s bed.
6. >Your mom is currently asleep.
7. >Her breaths are pained and short.
8. >The doctors have already seen her, and you know there’s little hope.
9. “Flitter Lite… You should get some sleep. You've been up all night. I’ll watch over mom. A little filly like you needs her rest.”
10. >”But what if I don’t get to say goodbye?” Flitter Lite asks you, as her eyes begin to well up with tears again.
11. >She had been crying all night, and you don’t really have a response for her.
12. >Things were bleak, not much was left to say.
13. >But all you cared about at the moment was to help your poor little sister through this.
14. “Flitter Lite, do you want me to sing you a song?”
15. >There was no response.
16. >Then you feel a slight poke as Flitter Lite buries her head into your side and gives a small nod.
17. >So you start humming the melody softly, just like mom had every night to you.
18. >This lullaby was a special one that had passed through your family for generations.
19. >Or so you've been told.
20. >It doesn't really matter anyways, and so you begin to sing.
21. “Hush child, sleep child.
22. The sun is tucked away.
23. Have no fear,
24. we’ll soon be there.
25. Night falls over Day.
27. Hush child, sleep child.
28. We are finally home.
29. There is a light,
30. at the highest height.
31. Where evil cannot roam.
33. Hush child, sleep child.
34. The moon watches over us.
35. The rot is gone,
36. sing this song.
37. Sleep well,
38. without a fuss.”
39. >It’s a simple lullaby, and you aren't exactly sure what it means.
40. >But after a few renditions of it you notice the sounds of little filly snoring.
41. >You smile despite yourself.
43. >Even in times this difficult and trying, she looks so peaceful.
44. >It gives you hope that you will be able to work through this.
45. >You carefully get up.
46. >Gently you lift her with your snout and unto your back; just the same as when she was much smaller.
47. >She’s extremely soft and light, so you have no problems maneuvering her.
48. >You carry her out of the small room and into the hallway.
49. >The cottage your family lived in was tiny and dilapidated.
50. >Your Father wasn’t the most sociable of moth ponies, and being a woodcutter decided to make his own cabin deep out into the forest.
51. >This cabin was far away from town, but the trip could be made in a couple hours if you didn’t play around too much in the woods.
52. >When Father had lived, he usually made the repairs to keep the cottage in working order.
53. >But he had passed a few years back, long enough for you to remember but not Flitter Lite.
54. >Now the cottage was a mess of splintered, cracked, and rotten wood that leaks when it rains out, has a terrible draft, and does not keep any small life form out.
55. >You still check your bed for mice before sleeping sometimes.
56. >Making it to Flitter Lite’s bed in her room, you lay her gently on top of the sheets.
57. >You grab the blanket from the floor.
58. >She really needs to learn to make her bed.
59. >You tuck her in, and give her a gentle kiss on the forehead.
60. >She remains in a deep sleep, and you almost think you see a smile form on her cute little face.
61. >You love her so much it hurts your heart.
62. >Making your way back to your room, you decide it might be best to get some sleep as well.
63. >You land on the bed with a muffled thump and your eyelids grow heavy.
65. >Plans form in your head as think about what is going to happen next.
66. >You worry about being separated from your sister.
67. >From not being able to support both yourself and her.
68. >From how she’s going to grow up without any parents.
69. >You worry about all these things until you wear yourself out mentally
70. >Then the lullaby plays softly in your head as you sink deep into the hay mattress and sleep overtakes you.
71. >Complete darkness.
72. >And then you hear the screaming.
73. >It’s coming from Flitter Lite.
74. >You’re confused, why would she be screaming?
75. >She can be so annoying sometimes, and you’re so tired.
76. >Very tired.
77. >You try to get back to sleep but then you hear Flitter Lite calling your name and you feel like you’re being shaken.
78. >Everything seems like it’s a million miles away, and you’re alone in this slothish abyss.
79. >Flitter Lite is just disturbing your peace, and you can’t figure out why.
80. >”Hearth! Hearth please! Please wake up Hearth! I need you, come on wake up!”
81. >What is she saying?
82. >You’re having trouble making out the words.
83. >Then you feel what can only be little filly legs buck you in the side.
84. >The pain was sharp, but it did the trick.
85. >You shoot up, suddenly your senses and reality come crashing back down on you.
86. “Flitter! What is it? Are you okay? Did something happen?”
87. >You begin to panic.
88. >The filly is absolutely frantic, she’s hyperventilating and tears are coming out like waterfalls from her eyes.
89. >”It’s mommy!...” she begins.
90. >Oh no, she must've passed while you were sleeping, leaving poor Flitter Lite to find her.
91. >You begin to try and comfort her, but she interrupts you to finish her statement.
92. >”She exploded!”
93. >What?
94. >What does she mean… exploded?
96. >You make a rapid dash to your mom’s room, and the sight is truly terrifying.
97. >Inside the room that had previously held your mom was now plastered wall to wall with this strange plant formation.
98. >Long strings of gooey matter hang from ceiling to floor.
99. >Spores float around freely within the room, being accented by the sunlight shining through the windows.
100. >What looks like fungi is now growing furiously from the epicenter of the bio explosion, which appears to be where your mom was lying previously.
101. >Flitter Lite is at your side sobbing.
103. “Flitter, we need to go. Now.”
104. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106. Chapter II
108. >The trees blur past you in streaks of green and brown.
109. >You know the path well, letting you move through it without hesitation.
110. >Flitter Lite is on your back between your wings.
111. >She is currently crying deeply into your fluff.
112. >You can feel the wetness of her tears soaking through to your skin.
113. >But now isn’t the time to stop, you need to get to town.
114. >You aren’t a strong enough flyer to carry her and yourself.
115. >It doesn’t help that you have only gotten your wings this year.
116. >You can barely fly a hundred meters, much less all the way back to the town.
117. >There’s someone extremely important that you need to see.
118. >Your mom was a herbalist, but she learned everything she knew from the Seer Moth Wilder.
119. >They call him, “the Pony Who Sees All.”
120. >When you were young you thought it was some cruel joke because he was completely blind.
121. >But once you went with your mom to her herbology lesson and you met him.
122. >Then you realized he sees more than anybody because he doesn’t use his eyes to see, but his mind.
123. >That doesn’t mean he can actually “see” see, but he can know a person better than they themselves do just by talking to them.
125. >There’s hardly anyone wiser than Seer Moth Wilder, so that’s why you are going to him.
126. >But why did he have to live so far away?
127. >Already your legs are burning and you’re panting from not only running full speed but from carrying the weight of your sister.
128. >But you don’t dare slow down.
129. >Even the forest now seems menacing, if at any moment a vine will trip and entangle you.
130. >A branch might reach out and grab you.
131. >Timber wolves will be stalking you and your sister like prey.
132. >Lying in the shadows, waiting for you to falter and then striking.
133. >You clear your head of these nasty thoughts.
134. >You need to push through the pain, for both you and your sister’s sake.
135. >Besides, the forest is no different now than it was before, and you know this forest well.
136. >”Hearth, what happened to mommy?”
137. >Flitter Lite had calmed herself down enough to finally be able to talk.
138. >Her voice was shaky and full of misery, but at least this hasn’t traumatized her into silence.
139. “I don’t know Flitter-bug, but you be good and hold on tight. I’m taking us to the Seer Moth Wilder.”
140. >”Is he the one with the weird eyes?” asked Flitter Lite quietly.
141. >His eyes were weird, even by moth pony standards.
142. >They were full of cataracts, discolored, and the pupils that could barely be made out often stared in different directions.
143. “Yes. But don’t tell him that, it would hurt his feelings. He’s a very good friend of mom’s. He can help us.”
144. >Flitter Lite starts sniffling again once you mention mom and buries her head back into your fluff.
145. >You don’t blame her, right now you’d want to hide from the world too.
146. >It isn’t long before the village is in sight.
147. >You wager you probably got here in an hour.
148. >A feat you’d normally be impressed with, under different circumstances.
149. >You go to an old looking hut on the outskirts of the town, thankful that he doesn’t live deep inside the town instead.
151. >There’d be too many people asking too many questions.
152. >You have a lot of questions yourself, questions you intend to find answers to.
153. >You walk up to the door and knock on it with your hoof.
154. >The old wood of the door gives a hollow thud each time you knock.
155. >There’s no answer at first, and you begin to wonder if he’s even home.
156. >Then the door opens, seemingly by itself, with no one in sight.
157. >Creepy.
158. >You take this as an invitation to come in, so you cautiously trot in, and take a second to behold the sight before you.
159. >This hut was just as amazing as you remember it.
160. >Various plants and fungi line the shelves of the walls.
161. >Potions and elixirs fill the cabinets and were spread across the tables.
162. >Instruments such as crucibles, mortar and pestles, along with a bunch of weird looking vials you couldn’t name were scattered about the workplace.
163. >The middle of the room held a huge cauldron above a simmering fire.
164. >You were so busy admiring the room, you didn’t notice the door shut behind you.
165. >You could have sworn that you heard the quick shuffling of hooves shortly after.
166. >You ignore this for now, attributing it to your current state of paranoia.
167. >You take a couple steps towards the cauldron and peer inside.
168. >You wonder what sort of magical potion with limitless potential the cauldron could be containing.
169. >”That, my dear, is vegetable stew.”
170. >You practically jump ten feet in the air from surprise.
171. >You don’t know how this blind old moth pony had mastered the art of stealth, but he did seem to come out of nowhere.
172. “Master Seer Wilder!”
173. >You bow, which throws Flitter Lite who’s still on your back off balance.
174. >She looks up because of the disturbance and sees the Seer Moth Willder.
175. >Giving out a small shriek she jumps off your back to hide behind your flank.
176. “Flitter Lite, it’s okay. This is him, the stallion who’s going to help us.”
177. >”Ah dear Hearth and Flitter Lite. It has been a long time. You sound so much older now.”
179. >He pauses and a look of curiosity crosses his face.
180. >”Your mother is not here. Where is she?”
181. >You hear Flitter Lite start whimpering again.
182. >”Oh dear…” the Seer Moth Wilder bows his head.
183. “Our mom passed away last night Seer Moth Wilder. She was sick, and the doctors said she would have a couple of days before she left us.”
184. >”My condolences children, your mother was a very close companion of mine. It saddens this old pony’s heart to hear such news,” the Seer Moth Wilder said.
185. >”You said you needed help dear child, anything within my power I will do for you,” he continued.
186. “My mom, her death wasn’t natural. When she died this… this… fungus had sprouted from her body. It was all over the room, and it looked like it came from her.”
187. >The Seer’s face lifted and grew grave.
188. >”Fungus you said? Tell me dear child, were there spores drifting about in the air?”
189. “Yeah, there were also weird clumps of-”
190. >”Please tell me child that you did not breathe these spores in,” the Seer Moth Wilder interrupted you with urgency.
191. >There was a serious tone to his voice that scared you.
192. >He did know what did this though, you could tell.
193. >You had to recall very quickly about whether or not any of the spores were close to you.
194. >You didn’t think they were, your memory is blurry.
195. “No! Well… I didn’t. It was Flitter Lite who found her. But I don’t think she did, did you Flitter-bug?”
197. >You turn to see your sister.
198. >Her eyes are opened wide with terror.
199. >Her mouth was open, as if to reply, but she was speechless.
200. >”Child. Tell me. Did you breathe these spores?”
201. >A moment of silence passes before your sister finally utters:
203. >”Y-yes…”
205. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
207. Chapter III
209. “Flitter Lite, are you sure?”
210. >You’re panicking.
211. >You don’t know what it means yet, but judging from the Seer Moth’s reaction it wasn’t good.
212. >”I… I went into mommy’s room after I opened the door. I didn’t know what happened so I went in,” she begins slowly.
213. >”After I went in I saw mommy blew up. I screamed and I went and got you,” she says.
214. >”Child, there is great danger in inhaling rot spores. You would have suffered the same fate as her, were you not to come to me,” the Seer Moth Wilder says.
215. >He starts to move towards his back room behind the counter and beckons you two.
216. >You keep Flitter Lite close and follow him.
217. >He trots at a steady pace as you discover the ‘room’ behind the counter was actually a long hallway with many doors.
218. >He approaches a door near the end of the hallway.
219. >It is large and metal, on each side of it there are plants in pots that you have never seen before in your life.
220. >These plants have many leafy coils that wrap around in convoluted knots.
221. >It kind of reminds you of a labyrinth, the way the frills intertwine and tangle.
222. >He lightly lifts his muzzle and touches a single frill.
223. >Suddenly the plant springs to life and starts to move.
224. >You give a quick jump back from shock and Flitter Lite lets out an, “eep!”
225. >The leafy frills retract and unwind to reveal a key deep within the plant’s depths.
226. >The Seer Moth Wilder grabs the key and smoothly inserts it into the door’s keyhole.
227. >You’re a little impressed that he’s able to move so fluidly without sight.
228. >The door opens.
229. >You, the Seer Moth, and Flitter Lite, enter the room.
230. >It’s dark in here, very dark.
231. >Then suddenly you see little spots of light.
232. >They start out as a few specks, but gain in intensity quickly.
233. >Soon the entire room is illuminated by this mysterious light.
234. “What is this?”
235. >Then your surroundings come into focus.
237. >The entire room was covered in the same weird plant formation that was back at your cottage.
238. >The door closes behind you.
239. >Again, there seems to be no apparent force that is doing that, as the Seer Moth Wilder is in front of you.
240. “What’s the meaning of this?”
241. >Then you open your eyes in shock as this realization hits you.
242. “Flitter, hold your breath!”
243. >Then you hold your breath as well, hoping it’s not too late.
244. >You look towards the door, it seems like a safe bet to say it’s locked.
245. >There’s no escape.
246. >”It’s quite okay children, this strain of rot is quite tame,” says the Seer.
247. >Rot?
248. >Tame?
249. >Your lungs start to burn.
250. >You were running out of breath anyways, so you decided to trust him.
251. >But you had a few questions first.
252. “What do you mean ‘rot’? What is that?”
253. >”Long ago in the deep forests of Equestria there was harmony and peace. Moth ponies inhabited these woods safe from any threat of the outside world.”
255. >”Legend says this society was a utopia for the moth ponies where they were safe from harm, hunger, and poverty.”
256. >”Their great success was largely attributed to the presence of the Great Tree Saturniidae.”
257. >”But one day, the Great Tree grew sick, the leaves started to fall, bugs feasted upon its flesh, and a foul odor permeated the air.”
258. >”This was the beginning of the rot. There are many theories why it started. Some claim that the moth ponies’ greed stained the purity of the land.”
259. >”Others say the God of Disharmony himself came down and tainted the tree.”
260. >”Regardless of the cause, the origin of the rot is irrefutable.”
261. >”The Great Tree Saturniidae grew hollow and corrupted. Spores fell from it, spreading its taint across the forest.”
262. >”Many fled and many died during this time, fragmenting into tiny clans far away from their homeland.”
263. >”These clans grew into towns and eventually have settled into the villages we see today. Nobody dared to venture back into the forest, for fear of their life and spreading the rot even further.”
264. >”That was a long time ago, and many have since forgotten the tale of the rot. It is only us Seers that remember the true danger out there.”
265. >”Many think we entertain stories of fantasy and myth. But these things I tell you are as true as your two hooves in front of you.”
266. >”You have seen the rot, and its effects. Your sister falls ill from it, but we can help her.”
267. >As he was saying this, he had grabbed multiple plants from the surrounding walls, sniffing and tasting them occasionally.
268. >You watch as he takes his ingredients and grinds them to dust.
269. >He proceeds to take the grindings and pour them into a cylinder with some solvent.
270. >He mixes the solution vigorously and says, “Flitter Lite, please approach.”
272. >Flitter Lite looks up to you for approval.
273. >You give her a small nod and she slowly proceeds towards him.
274. >He gives her the newly mixed potion.
275. >”Please, drink. This will not cure you, but it will prolong the rot’s effects.”
276. >She eyes the solution suspiciously, but eventually drinks it.
277. >She makes a face.
278. >“It tastes icky,” she says as she scrunches her nose.
279. >You smile despite yourself.
280. >”I know child. It’s not pleasing. But it will keep you alive for what’s to come.”
281. >”Please Flitter Lite, leave me and your sister here to discuss something. If you look under the cabinet under the front desk you will find some treats. Help yourself.”
282. >Flitter Lite perks up at this news, and eagerly rushes out of the room.
283. >Turns out the door wasn’t locked.
284. >”You have a quest of great peril before you child.”
285. >You look back to the Seer Moth Wilder.
286. >”The tree is still there. It isn’t just a story. And within Saturniidae holds the key to curing your sister.”
287. >”I would go with you but I am too weak and frail to make the trip.”
288. >”No one else believes the story of the rot. Even if you were to show them no one would risk their life going that deep into the forest.”
289. >”However this quest is too dangerous for you to embark on alone.”
290. >He is making multiple bottles of the potion and packing them in a saddlebag as he speaks to you.
291. >”Gray Scale, please enter,” the Seer Moth commands.
292. >The door opens and a grey moth pony enters with his down.
293. >”Yes Master Wilder,” he replies.
294. >”Gray Scale, meet Hearth. She’s the daughter of a great friend of mine.”
295. >Gray Scale looks up, and his eyes meets yours.
296. >You have a feeling you now know who has been shutting and opening all the doors.
297. >He quickly looks back down again, “p-pleased to meet you Miss Hearth.”
298. >What a peculiar moth stallion.
300. >You can’t say you’ve had much experience with them, on account of being deep in the forest your whole life.
301. >You decide to return the greeting.
302. “Hi Gray Scale, pleased to meet you too.”
303. >He doesn’t look up.
304. >Strange.
305. >Maybe he doesn’t like you?
306. >You suddenly feel super self conscious and cross your front hooves.
307. >It’s a nervous habit of yours when you feel embarrassed, guilty, or inadequate.
308. >Why are you thinking about this right now?
309. >”Gray Scale will serve as your guide through the rot forest and to the Great Tree Saturniidae,” the Seer Moth says.
310. >Gray Scale ears lift up at this.
311. >”You mean I’m finally going? To the rot forest? To see Saturniidae?”
312. >Gray Scale now has a burst of energy as he rushes up to the Seer Moth Wilder.
313. >”I’ll get to see the rot beasts? The glow of wild rot? The plains of decay and the trees of light?”
314. >He excitedly went on and on, meanwhile the Seer Moth finished packing the potions.
315. >Then the Seer Moth silences him, and begins to speak in a serious tone.
316. >”The answer to all those questions is yes. But this is not a game. Hearth’s little sister Flitter Lite has been affected by an aggressive strain of the rot.”
317. >Gray Scale’s excited state falls to a melancholy.
318. >”I am leaving you in charge of the voyage, you are to guide Hearth and Flitter Lite to Saturniidae.”
319. >”You are to protect them to the best of your ability, and ensure the survival of young Flitter Lite.”
320. >Gray Scale nods his head and says, “I’ll go pack.”
321. >And off he goes.
322. >It comforts you to know you have somebody else to go with you on this trip.
323. >You weren’t sure if you could have made it just with you and Flitter Lite.
324. >The Seer Moth Wilder approaches you.
325. >”Hearth, you must understand there will be many hardships and obstacles to come. Pure determination and drive will not see you all the way through.”
326. >”You need to be strong, swift, courageous, and above all keen, to make it to the Great Tree.”
328. >”I know you possess these traits. I may not see a lot, but I can see this within you.”
329. >”There will come a time where you will need protecting, and you will need to protect.”
330. >”A time where you give up all hope, and a time where hope is all you have left.”
331. >”A time to be strong, and a time to be weak.”
332. >Gray Scale enters the room again.
333. >”I’m all packed, and ready to go,” he says.
334. >The Seer Moth Wilder goes to the saddlebag full of potions and adds a few extra supplies.
335. >He then beckons you to come retrieve it.
336. >Once you do, he says to you, “Have her drink a full potion once a day, I’ve included twenty. This will stave off the rot, but not prevent it.”
337. >”Near the end of the journey, she will come to be in bad condition. Therefore the quicker you can get her to the Great Tree the better.”
338. >”She should be well enough to walk for another ten moons. But after that she will quickly become malnourished and deteriorate.”
339. >”The rot will have begun to feed on her.”
340. >”I have included a map and compass in your supplies. Gray Scale also has these along with water.”
341. >”You should have little trouble in finding edible plant life. But always consult Gray Scale before you ingest any foreign plant.”
342. >You give a nod.
343. >”Go now, the both of you. Bring Flitter Lite to Saturniidae, then return to me. There is much I can teach you, but for now, time is of the essence.”
344. >You and Gray Scale leave the room.
346. >There you find Flitter Lite casually nibbling on what looks like some sugar cookies.
347. >But that’s not the only thing you find.
348. >That heart gnawing fear returns to you as you look upon her.
349. >The tip of her normally snow-white right ear has gone black.
350. >The rot has begun its course.
352. “Flitter-bug, we’re leaving. Gray Scale let’s go! We need to hurry!”
354. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
356. Chapter IV
358. >Flitter Lite was ahead of you skipping on top of the stones that lined the path.
359. >She loves the forest.
360. >She did grow up in it after all, and being in the forest seems to help clear her mind.
361. >It doesn’t do much for you though.
362. >She can’t see the black spot on her ear that marks the rot.
363. >She isn’t reminded of it constantly.
364. >You are, every time you look at her, every thought you can spare, every moment when you close your eyes.
365. >This fear is ebbing away at you.
366. >You swore to protect Flitter Lite, and up until this point you were confident you could do that.
367. >But you weren’t sure you could protect her from this.
368. >The cloud of fear begins to surround you again.
369. >You weren’t sure you could protect her from anything.
370. >You can barely protect yourself.
371. >Your legs feel weak.
372. >Your joints begin to buckle underneath you.
373. >Before you know it you’re on the ground, breathing heavily in and out.
374. >You can’t seem to pick yourself up, you don’t have control of your muscles.
375. >”Hearth? Hearth are you okay? Flitter Lite come here!”
376. >You hear Gray Scale’s voice but it seems distant.
377. >Your breathing only increases, yet you still feel like you’re being suffocated.
378. >”I need your help, I think she’s having a panic attack.”
379. >Gray Scale’s voice has increased in urgency.
380. >Your senses are rushing at you tenfold and all you want to do is hide.
381. >You feel hooves lift you up and then the feeling of being carried.
382. >You don’t know how long passes before you are put down again.
383. >Everything is not going to be okay.
384. >Everything can’t be okay.
385. >Flitter Lite is going to die slowly, and you’re going to watch her do it.
386. >You’re weak.
387. >You’re nothing.
388. >Your consciousness is replaced by darkness.
389. >Suddenly something wet is placed on your chest.
391. >Relief immediately ensues.
392. >You open your eyes and see Gray Scale and Flitter Lite looking at you worriedly.
393. “W-what happened?” You ask shakily.
394. >”We were walking along the path and you suddenly collapsed and started hyperventilating,” Gray Scale is the first to speak.
395. >”Hearth you scared me, don’t do that again ok? Promise?” Flitter Lite pleads.
396. >You look into her great round green eyes.
397. >Though they were full of worry, they calm you a great deal.
398. >Gray Scale then begins to speak again.
399. >”Once you collapsed, I picked you up and brought you to this cave. It’s safer than the road.”
400. >”You had passed out, but your heart rate was still accelerated and you were fidgeting in your sleep.”
401. >”I gave you a sedative salve to help calm you down.”
402. >You look at him and then look down.
403. >Your entire chest was covered in this gooey substance.
404. >You look back up to him and he sheepishly looks away.
405. >”Sorry if I did anything wrong. I was just trying to help…”
406. >You get up and give him a hug.
407. >He’s warm, and this is the first time you’ve ever hugged anyone outside of your family.
408. >You decide you like hugs.
409. >Flitter Lite lets out a little, “Awww…”
410. >Once you let go he is staring at the ground intently drawing little circles in the dirt with his hoof.
411. >Oh no, you did it again.
412. >You’re definitely sure he doesn’t like you now.
413. >Why were you so stupid?
415. >Why did you have to hug him?
416. >You decide to quickly change the topic.
417. “So did you already have that salve packed? Where did you get it?”
418. >He looks up a little.
419. >Flitter Lite gets bored and starts exploring the outside of the cave, but keeping close.
420. >”Oh that? Well once I found this cave, I went to the edge of the rot forest. We’re not that far away.”
421. >”Master Wilder taught me about the different kinds of rot, how to extract what you want, and what to mix together to make a whole bunch of things.”
422. >”To make a sedative is honestly one of the easiest things to do. I… I can teach you sometime if you want,” he says while looking back down again.
423. “I’d love that. My mom was a herbalist and she taught me a few things. But you can use the rot to help people?”
424. >”Master Wilder once told me that the rot is like a sentient being. That it feels and has behaviours similar to our own.”
425. >”Some strains are passive, some are aggressive, some he even described as devious and cunning.”
426. >For that last part Gray Scale rolled his eyes.
427. >”I don’t know about all that. But I think I know what he’s trying to say. Approach the rot with the same level of regard as you would a pony.”
428. >”He cultured the rot in his garden for so long, selectively breeding it generation after generation that he said it was impossible to make the strain anymore passive.”
429. >”In my opinion, I think he treats the rot like a friend or child. It’s weird I know but the discoveries he’s made in research have saved a lot of lives.”
430. >”I know you probably hate the rot, because of what it did to your sister. But while it’s capable of destruction, it’s also capable of great things.”
431. >He got so passionate when speaking about the rot.
432. >You smile, it’s kind of adorable.
433. >He smiles back.
434. >You feel hot all of a sudden.
436. >You’re not sure what it is, but it’s weird.
437. >You get up and cross your front hooves.
438. “Well thank you, I appreciate that you want to teach me. Maybe when this is all over.”
439. “For now, I think it’s best we get going. We don’t have a lot of time.”
440. >Gray Scale nods, and you pick up your saddlebag.
441. “Flitter-bug! Come on lets go, we’re leaving!”
442. >No response.
443. “Flitter Lite, come here!”
444. >Nothing.
445. >Suddenly you hear Flitter Lite screaming off in the distance and the roar of some beast.
446. >You’re sprinting towards the noise before you realize you had reacted.
447. >You find Flitter Lite in a clearing.
448. >But standing opposite to her is some monstrosity of massive proportion.
449. >It’s not pony, chimera, timberwolf, or anything you’ve ever seen before.
450. >It looks like a bear with no fur and an abnormally large mouth.
451. >Rot has formed around its back like a cloak.
452. >Its maw is dripping a thick black gooey substance that kills the ground where it lands.
453. >Gray Scale has caught up to you.
454. >He isn’t as fast as you are.
455. >”Oh shit… That’s-”
456. >He is cut off by the roar of the massive beast.
457. >It begins to charge.
458. >Without thinking you begin to run into the clearing.
459. >You had to protect Flitter Lite.
460. >”Hearth wait!”
461. >You ignore Gray Scale.
462. >The beast was big, but it was slow.
463. >You were exceptionally fast on your feet.
464. >It was from all the times you would run through the forest and down the paths when you were younger.
465. >You’ve always loved to run, and now you were thankful for it.
466. >You reach Flitter Lite first and quickly kneel beside her.
467. >”Hearth!” she exclaims as she jumps on your back.
468. >The beast is still charging.
469. > You make a dash to the left, but turn too quickly and your hoof slips.
470. >Pain jolts up your hind right leg.
471. >You’re not sure what you just did but it hurts to put any pressure at all on it.
472. >You try to continue running but as soon as your right hoof makes contact with the ground the pain is there again, inhibiting you.
474. >The beast is almost upon you.
475. >Your struggle is in vain and you brace for impact.
476. >But then suddenly the beast roars out again.
477. >You peek up and see Gray Scale has flew himself into the beast’s face and is currently beating at its head with a rock.
478. >He gets a couple good shots to the beast’s right eye before the rot bear swipes him off.
479. >Gray Scale lands with a hard thud several paces away.
480. >He’s not moving.
481. >You can’t tell if he’s breathing or not.
482. >The rot monster turns its attention to Gray Scale.
483. >It begins to approach him at a menacing saunter.
484. >You feel a weight shift on top of you.
485. >It’s Flitter Lite.
486. >”You. Don’t. Hurt. My. FRIEND.”
487. >She grabs the closest thing to her with her mouth, which happens to be one of her medicine bottles full of the Seer Moth’s solutions out of your saddle bag.
488. >She does a quick twirl and tosses it at the enraged beast.
489. >The concoction hits the beast in the damaged eye and the glass shatters with force, spilling the contents all over the rot bear and into its open wound.
490. >You have never heard such sounds of pain before in your life.
491. >Everywhere the potion had landed on the beast now looked as if it were boiling its skin.
492. >It has an acidic effect on the beast as the liquid eats away at its flesh.
493. >The screams of pain turn into whimpers, which then turns to silence.
494. >The rot bear is no more than a pile of smoking bio mass at this point.
495. >You manage to pick yourself up.
496. >Slowly limping to Gray Scale’s side you check his breathing.
497. >It’s labored, but it’s there.
498. >You can’t move him in your condition.
499. >Flitter Lite isn’t strong enough, and currently she is so shaken up you don’t even know how she’s standing.
501. >>16923410
502. >You look up to the sky.
503. >The sun is setting.
504. >You collapse by Gray Scale’s side, physically and mentally exhausted.
505. >Flitter Lite is soon by your side, laying next to you.
506. >”Hearth?”
507. “Yes Flitter Lite?”
508. >”I’m scared.”
509. >She hides herself into your fluff.
511. “Me too.”
513. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Chapter I >”Hearth? Is mommy going to be okay?” >A little ball of white fur is cuddled up against you, her large green eyes imploring you for an answer. >You are both sitting on a small bench beside your mom’s bed. >Your mom is currently asleep. >Her breaths are pained and short. >The doctors have already seen her, and you know there’s little hope. “Flitter Lite… You should get some sleep. You've been up all night. I’ll watch over mom. A little filly like you needs her rest.” >”But what if I don’t get to say goodbye?” Flitter Lite asks you, as her eyes begin to well up with tears again. >She had been crying all night, and you don’t really have a response for her. >Things were bleak, not much was left to say. >But all you cared about at the moment was to help your poor little sister through this. “Flitter Lite, do you want me to sing you a song?” >There was no response. >Then you feel a slight poke as Flitter Lite buries her head into your side and gives a small nod. >So you start humming the melody softly, just like mom had every night to you. >This lullaby was a special one that had passed through your family for generations. >Or so you've been told. >It doesn't really matter anyways, and so you begin to sing. “Hush child, sleep child. The sun is tucked away. Have no fear, we’ll soon be there. Night falls over Day. Hush child, sleep child. We are finally home. There is a light, at the highest height. Where evil cannot roam. Hush child, sleep child. The moon watches over us. The rot is gone, sing this song. Sleep well, without a fuss.” >It’s a simple lullaby, and you aren't exactly sure what it means. >But after a few renditions of it you notice the sounds of little filly snoring. >You smile despite yourself. >Even in times this difficult and trying, she looks so peaceful. >It gives you hope that you will be able to work through this. >You carefully get up. >Gently you lift her with your snout and unto your back; just the same as when she was much smaller. >She’s extremely soft and light, so you have no problems maneuvering her. >You carry her out of the small room and into the hallway. >The cottage your family lived in was tiny and dilapidated. >Your Father wasn’t the most sociable of moth ponies, and being a woodcutter decided to make his own cabin deep out into the forest. >This cabin was far away from town, but the trip could be made in a couple hours if you didn’t play around too much in the woods. >When Father had lived, he usually made the repairs to keep the cottage in working order. >But he had passed a few years back, long enough for you to remember but not Flitter Lite. >Now the cottage was a mess of splintered, cracked, and rotten wood that leaks when it rains out, has a terrible draft, and does not keep any small life form out. >You still check your bed for mice before sleeping sometimes. >Making it to Flitter Lite’s bed in her room, you lay her gently on top of the sheets. >You grab the blanket from the floor. >She really needs to learn to make her bed. >You tuck her in, and give her a gentle kiss on the forehead. >She remains in a deep sleep, and you almost think you see a smile form on her cute little face. >You love her so much it hurts your heart. >Making your way back to your room, you decide it might be best to get some sleep as well. >You land on the bed with a muffled thump and your eyelids grow heavy. >Plans form in your head as think about what is going to happen next. >You worry about being separated from your sister. >From not being able to support both yourself and her. >From how she’s going to grow up without any parents. >You worry about all these things until you wear yourself out mentally >Then the lullaby plays softly in your head as you sink deep into the hay mattress and sleep overtakes you. >Complete darkness. >And then you hear the screaming. >It’s coming from Flitter Lite. >You’re confused, why would she be screaming? >She can be so annoying sometimes, and you’re so tired. >Very tired. >You try to get back to sleep but then you hear Flitter Lite calling your name and you feel like you’re being shaken. >Everything seems like it’s a million miles away, and you’re alone in this slothish abyss. >Flitter Lite is just disturbing your peace, and you can’t figure out why. >”Hearth! Hearth please! Please wake up Hearth! I need you, come on wake up!” >What is she saying? >You’re having trouble making out the words. >Then you feel what can only be little filly legs buck you in the side. >The pain was sharp, but it did the trick. >You shoot up, suddenly your senses and reality come crashing back down on you. “Flitter! What is it? Are you okay? Did something happen?” >You begin to panic. >The filly is absolutely frantic, she’s hyperventilating and tears are coming out like waterfalls from her eyes. >”It’s mommy!...” she begins. >Oh no, she must've passed while you were sleeping, leaving poor Flitter Lite to find her. >You begin to try and comfort her, but she interrupts you to finish her statement. >”She exploded!” >What? >What does she mean… exploded? >You make a rapid dash to your mom’s room, and the sight is truly terrifying. >Inside the room that had previously held your mom was now plastered wall to wall with this strange plant formation. >Long strings of gooey matter hang from ceiling to floor. >Spores float around freely within the room, being accented by the sunlight shining through the windows. >What looks like fungi is now growing furiously from the epicenter of the bio explosion, which appears to be where your mom was lying previously. >Flitter Lite is at your side sobbing. “Flitter, we need to go. Now.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter II >The trees blur past you in streaks of green and brown. >You know the path well, letting you move through it without hesitation. >Flitter Lite is on your back between your wings. >She is currently crying deeply into your fluff. >You can feel the wetness of her tears soaking through to your skin. >But now isn’t the time to stop, you need to get to town. >You aren’t a strong enough flyer to carry her and yourself. >It doesn’t help that you have only gotten your wings this year. >You can barely fly a hundred meters, much less all the way back to the town. >There’s someone extremely important that you need to see. >Your mom was a herbalist, but she learned everything she knew from the Seer Moth Wilder. >They call him, “the Pony Who Sees All.” >When you were young you thought it was some cruel joke because he was completely blind. >But once you went with your mom to her herbology lesson and you met him. >Then you realized he sees more than anybody because he doesn’t use his eyes to see, but his mind. >That doesn’t mean he can actually “see” see, but he can know a person better than they themselves do just by talking to them. >There’s hardly anyone wiser than Seer Moth Wilder, so that’s why you are going to him. >But why did he have to live so far away? >Already your legs are burning and you’re panting from not only running full speed but from carrying the weight of your sister. >But you don’t dare slow down. >Even the forest now seems menacing, if at any moment a vine will trip and entangle you. >A branch might reach out and grab you. >Timber wolves will be stalking you and your sister like prey. >Lying in the shadows, waiting for you to falter and then striking. >You clear your head of these nasty thoughts. >You need to push through the pain, for both you and your sister’s sake. >Besides, the forest is no different now than it was before, and you know this forest well. >”Hearth, what happened to mommy?” >Flitter Lite had calmed herself down enough to finally be able to talk. >Her voice was shaky and full of misery, but at least this hasn’t traumatized her into silence. “I don’t know Flitter-bug, but you be good and hold on tight. I’m taking us to the Seer Moth Wilder.” >”Is he the one with the weird eyes?” asked Flitter Lite quietly. >His eyes were weird, even by moth pony standards. >They were full of cataracts, discolored, and the pupils that could barely be made out often stared in different directions. “Yes. But don’t tell him that, it would hurt his feelings. He’s a very good friend of mom’s. He can help us.” >Flitter Lite starts sniffling again once you mention mom and buries her head back into your fluff. >You don’t blame her, right now you’d want to hide from the world too. >It isn’t long before the village is in sight. >You wager you probably got here in an hour. >A feat you’d normally be impressed with, under different circumstances. >You go to an old looking hut on the outskirts of the town, thankful that he doesn’t live deep inside the town instead. >There’d be too many people asking too many questions. >You have a lot of questions yourself, questions you intend to find answers to. >You walk up to the door and knock on it with your hoof. >The old wood of the door gives a hollow thud each time you knock. >There’s no answer at first, and you begin to wonder if he’s even home. >Then the door opens, seemingly by itself, with no one in sight. >Creepy. >You take this as an invitation to come in, so you cautiously trot in, and take a second to behold the sight before you. >This hut was just as amazing as you remember it. >Various plants and fungi line the shelves of the walls. >Potions and elixirs fill the cabinets and were spread across the tables. >Instruments such as crucibles, mortar and pestles, along with a bunch of weird looking vials you couldn’t name were scattered about the workplace. >The middle of the room held a huge cauldron above a simmering fire. >You were so busy admiring the room, you didn’t notice the door shut behind you. >You could have sworn that you heard the quick shuffling of hooves shortly after. >You ignore this for now, attributing it to your current state of paranoia. >You take a couple steps towards the cauldron and peer inside. >You wonder what sort of magical potion with limitless potential the cauldron could be containing. >”That, my dear, is vegetable stew.” >You practically jump ten feet in the air from surprise. >You don’t know how this blind old moth pony had mastered the art of stealth, but he did seem to come out of nowhere. “Master Seer Wilder!” >You bow, which throws Flitter Lite who’s still on your back off balance. >She looks up because of the disturbance and sees the Seer Moth Willder. >Giving out a small shriek she jumps off your back to hide behind your flank. “Flitter Lite, it’s okay. This is him, the stallion who’s going to help us.” >”Ah dear Hearth and Flitter Lite. It has been a long time. You sound so much older now.” >He pauses and a look of curiosity crosses his face. >”Your mother is not here. Where is she?” >You hear Flitter Lite start whimpering again. >”Oh dear…” the Seer Moth Wilder bows his head. “Our mom passed away last night Seer Moth Wilder. She was sick, and the doctors said she would have a couple of days before she left us.” >”My condolences children, your mother was a very close companion of mine. It saddens this old pony’s heart to hear such news,” the Seer Moth Wilder said. >”You said you needed help dear child, anything within my power I will do for you,” he continued. “My mom, her death wasn’t natural. When she died this… this… fungus had sprouted from her body. It was all over the room, and it looked like it came from her.” >The Seer’s face lifted and grew grave. >”Fungus you said? Tell me dear child, were there spores drifting about in the air?” “Yeah, there were also weird clumps of-” >”Please tell me child that you did not breathe these spores in,” the Seer Moth Wilder interrupted you with urgency. >There was a serious tone to his voice that scared you. >He did know what did this though, you could tell. >You had to recall very quickly about whether or not any of the spores were close to you. >You didn’t think they were, your memory is blurry. “No! Well… I didn’t. It was Flitter Lite who found her. But I don’t think she did, did you Flitter-bug?” >You turn to see your sister. >Her eyes are opened wide with terror. >Her mouth was open, as if to reply, but she was speechless. >”Child. Tell me. Did you breathe these spores?” >A moment of silence passes before your sister finally utters: >”Y-yes…” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter III “Flitter Lite, are you sure?” >You’re panicking. >You don’t know what it means yet, but judging from the Seer Moth’s reaction it wasn’t good. >”I… I went into mommy’s room after I opened the door. I didn’t know what happened so I went in,” she begins slowly. >”After I went in I saw mommy blew up. I screamed and I went and got you,” she says. >”Child, there is great danger in inhaling rot spores. You would have suffered the same fate as her, were you not to come to me,” the Seer Moth Wilder says. >He starts to move towards his back room behind the counter and beckons you two. >You keep Flitter Lite close and follow him. >He trots at a steady pace as you discover the ‘room’ behind the counter was actually a long hallway with many doors. >He approaches a door near the end of the hallway. >It is large and metal, on each side of it there are plants in pots that you have never seen before in your life. >These plants have many leafy coils that wrap around in convoluted knots. >It kind of reminds you of a labyrinth, the way the frills intertwine and tangle. >He lightly lifts his muzzle and touches a single frill. >Suddenly the plant springs to life and starts to move. >You give a quick jump back from shock and Flitter Lite lets out an, “eep!” >The leafy frills retract and unwind to reveal a key deep within the plant’s depths. >The Seer Moth Wilder grabs the key and smoothly inserts it into the door’s keyhole. >You’re a little impressed that he’s able to move so fluidly without sight. >The door opens. >You, the Seer Moth, and Flitter Lite, enter the room. >It’s dark in here, very dark. >Then suddenly you see little spots of light. >They start out as a few specks, but gain in intensity quickly. >Soon the entire room is illuminated by this mysterious light. “What is this?” >Then your surroundings come into focus. >The entire room was covered in the same weird plant formation that was back at your cottage. >The door closes behind you. >Again, there seems to be no apparent force that is doing that, as the Seer Moth Wilder is in front of you. “What’s the meaning of this?” >Then you open your eyes in shock as this realization hits you. “Flitter, hold your breath!” >Then you hold your breath as well, hoping it’s not too late. >You look towards the door, it seems like a safe bet to say it’s locked. >There’s no escape. >”It’s quite okay children, this strain of rot is quite tame,” says the Seer. >Rot? >Tame? >Your lungs start to burn. >You were running out of breath anyways, so you decided to trust him. >But you had a few questions first. “What do you mean ‘rot’? What is that?” >”Long ago in the deep forests of Equestria there was harmony and peace. Moth ponies inhabited these woods safe from any threat of the outside world.” >”Legend says this society was a utopia for the moth ponies where they were safe from harm, hunger, and poverty.” >”Their great success was largely attributed to the presence of the Great Tree Saturniidae.” >”But one day, the Great Tree grew sick, the leaves started to fall, bugs feasted upon its flesh, and a foul odor permeated the air.” >”This was the beginning of the rot. There are many theories why it started. Some claim that the moth ponies’ greed stained the purity of the land.” >”Others say the God of Disharmony himself came down and tainted the tree.” >”Regardless of the cause, the origin of the rot is irrefutable.” >”The Great Tree Saturniidae grew hollow and corrupted. Spores fell from it, spreading its taint across the forest.” >”Many fled and many died during this time, fragmenting into tiny clans far away from their homeland.” >”These clans grew into towns and eventually have settled into the villages we see today. Nobody dared to venture back into the forest, for fear of their life and spreading the rot even further.” >”That was a long time ago, and many have since forgotten the tale of the rot. It is only us Seers that remember the true danger out there.” >”Many think we entertain stories of fantasy and myth. But these things I tell you are as true as your two hooves in front of you.” >”You have seen the rot, and its effects. Your sister falls ill from it, but we can help her.” >As he was saying this, he had grabbed multiple plants from the surrounding walls, sniffing and tasting them occasionally. >You watch as he takes his ingredients and grinds them to dust. >He proceeds to take the grindings and pour them into a cylinder with some solvent. >He mixes the solution vigorously and says, “Flitter Lite, please approach.” >Flitter Lite looks up to you for approval. >You give her a small nod and she slowly proceeds towards him. >He gives her the newly mixed potion. >”Please, drink. This will not cure you, but it will prolong the rot’s effects.” >She eyes the solution suspiciously, but eventually drinks it. >She makes a face. >“It tastes icky,” she says as she scrunches her nose. >You smile despite yourself. >”I know child. It’s not pleasing. But it will keep you alive for what’s to come.” >”Please Flitter Lite, leave me and your sister here to discuss something. If you look under the cabinet under the front desk you will find some treats. Help yourself.” >Flitter Lite perks up at this news, and eagerly rushes out of the room. >Turns out the door wasn’t locked. >”You have a quest of great peril before you child.” >You look back to the Seer Moth Wilder. >”The tree is still there. It isn’t just a story. And within Saturniidae holds the key to curing your sister.” >”I would go with you but I am too weak and frail to make the trip.” >”No one else believes the story of the rot. Even if you were to show them no one would risk their life going that deep into the forest.” >”However this quest is too dangerous for you to embark on alone.” >He is making multiple bottles of the potion and packing them in a saddlebag as he speaks to you. >”Gray Scale, please enter,” the Seer Moth commands. >The door opens and a grey moth pony enters with his down. >”Yes Master Wilder,” he replies. >”Gray Scale, meet Hearth. She’s the daughter of a great friend of mine.” >Gray Scale looks up, and his eyes meets yours. >You have a feeling you now know who has been shutting and opening all the doors. >He quickly looks back down again, “p-pleased to meet you Miss Hearth.” >What a peculiar moth stallion. >You can’t say you’ve had much experience with them, on account of being deep in the forest your whole life. >You decide to return the greeting. “Hi Gray Scale, pleased to meet you too.” >He doesn’t look up. >Strange. >Maybe he doesn’t like you? >You suddenly feel super self conscious and cross your front hooves. >It’s a nervous habit of yours when you feel embarrassed, guilty, or inadequate. >Why are you thinking about this right now? >”Gray Scale will serve as your guide through the rot forest and to the Great Tree Saturniidae,” the Seer Moth says. >Gray Scale ears lift up at this. >”You mean I’m finally going? To the rot forest? To see Saturniidae?” >Gray Scale now has a burst of energy as he rushes up to the Seer Moth Wilder. >”I’ll get to see the rot beasts? The glow of wild rot? The plains of decay and the trees of light?” >He excitedly went on and on, meanwhile the Seer Moth finished packing the potions. >Then the Seer Moth silences him, and begins to speak in a serious tone. >”The answer to all those questions is yes. But this is not a game. Hearth’s little sister Flitter Lite has been affected by an aggressive strain of the rot.” >Gray Scale’s excited state falls to a melancholy. >”I am leaving you in charge of the voyage, you are to guide Hearth and Flitter Lite to Saturniidae.” >”You are to protect them to the best of your ability, and ensure the survival of young Flitter Lite.” >Gray Scale nods his head and says, “I’ll go pack.” >And off he goes. >It comforts you to know you have somebody else to go with you on this trip. >You weren’t sure if you could have made it just with you and Flitter Lite. >The Seer Moth Wilder approaches you. >”Hearth, you must understand there will be many hardships and obstacles to come. Pure determination and drive will not see you all the way through.” >”You need to be strong, swift, courageous, and above all keen, to make it to the Great Tree.” >”I know you possess these traits. I may not see a lot, but I can see this within you.” >”There will come a time where you will need protecting, and you will need to protect.” >”A time where you give up all hope, and a time where hope is all you have left.” >”A time to be strong, and a time to be weak.” >Gray Scale enters the room again. >”I’m all packed, and ready to go,” he says. >The Seer Moth Wilder goes to the saddlebag full of potions and adds a few extra supplies. >He then beckons you to come retrieve it. >Once you do, he says to you, “Have her drink a full potion once a day, I’ve included twenty. This will stave off the rot, but not prevent it.” >”Near the end of the journey, she will come to be in bad condition. Therefore the quicker you can get her to the Great Tree the better.” >”She should be well enough to walk for another ten moons. But after that she will quickly become malnourished and deteriorate.” >”The rot will have begun to feed on her.” >”I have included a map and compass in your supplies. Gray Scale also has these along with water.” >”You should have little trouble in finding edible plant life. But always consult Gray Scale before you ingest any foreign plant.” >You give a nod. >”Go now, the both of you. Bring Flitter Lite to Saturniidae, then return to me. There is much I can teach you, but for now, time is of the essence.” >You and Gray Scale leave the room. >There you find Flitter Lite casually nibbling on what looks like some sugar cookies. >But that’s not the only thing you find. >That heart gnawing fear returns to you as you look upon her. >The tip of her normally snow-white right ear has gone black. >The rot has begun its course. “Flitter-bug, we’re leaving. Gray Scale let’s go! We need to hurry!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter IV >Flitter Lite was ahead of you skipping on top of the stones that lined the path. >She loves the forest. >She did grow up in it after all, and being in the forest seems to help clear her mind. >It doesn’t do much for you though. >She can’t see the black spot on her ear that marks the rot. >She isn’t reminded of it constantly. >You are, every time you look at her, every thought you can spare, every moment when you close your eyes. >This fear is ebbing away at you. >You swore to protect Flitter Lite, and up until this point you were confident you could do that. >But you weren’t sure you could protect her from this. >The cloud of fear begins to surround you again. >You weren’t sure you could protect her from anything. >You can barely protect yourself. >Your legs feel weak. >Your joints begin to buckle underneath you. >Before you know it you’re on the ground, breathing heavily in and out. >You can’t seem to pick yourself up, you don’t have control of your muscles. >”Hearth? Hearth are you okay? Flitter Lite come here!” >You hear Gray Scale’s voice but it seems distant. >Your breathing only increases, yet you still feel like you’re being suffocated. >”I need your help, I think she’s having a panic attack.” >Gray Scale’s voice has increased in urgency. >Your senses are rushing at you tenfold and all you want to do is hide. >You feel hooves lift you up and then the feeling of being carried. >You don’t know how long passes before you are put down again. >Everything is not going to be okay. >Everything can’t be okay. >Flitter Lite is going to die slowly, and you’re going to watch her do it. >You’re weak. >You’re nothing. >Your consciousness is replaced by darkness. >Suddenly something wet is placed on your chest. >Relief immediately ensues. >You open your eyes and see Gray Scale and Flitter Lite looking at you worriedly. “W-what happened?” You ask shakily. >”We were walking along the path and you suddenly collapsed and started hyperventilating,” Gray Scale is the first to speak. >”Hearth you scared me, don’t do that again ok? Promise?” Flitter Lite pleads. >You look into her great round green eyes. >Though they were full of worry, they calm you a great deal. >Gray Scale then begins to speak again. >”Once you collapsed, I picked you up and brought you to this cave. It’s safer than the road.” >”You had passed out, but your heart rate was still accelerated and you were fidgeting in your sleep.” >”I gave you a sedative salve to help calm you down.” >You look at him and then look down. >Your entire chest was covered in this gooey substance. >You look back up to him and he sheepishly looks away. >”Sorry if I did anything wrong. I was just trying to help…” >You get up and give him a hug. >He’s warm, and this is the first time you’ve ever hugged anyone outside of your family. >You decide you like hugs. >Flitter Lite lets out a little, “Awww…” >Once you let go he is staring at the ground intently drawing little circles in the dirt with his hoof. >Oh no, you did it again. >You’re definitely sure he doesn’t like you now. >Why were you so stupid? >Why did you have to hug him? >You decide to quickly change the topic. “So did you already have that salve packed? Where did you get it?” >He looks up a little. >Flitter Lite gets bored and starts exploring the outside of the cave, but keeping close. >”Oh that? Well once I found this cave, I went to the edge of the rot forest. We’re not that far away.” >”Master Wilder taught me about the different kinds of rot, how to extract what you want, and what to mix together to make a whole bunch of things.” >”To make a sedative is honestly one of the easiest things to do. I… I can teach you sometime if you want,” he says while looking back down again. “I’d love that. My mom was a herbalist and she taught me a few things. But you can use the rot to help people?” >”Master Wilder once told me that the rot is like a sentient being. That it feels and has behaviours similar to our own.” >”Some strains are passive, some are aggressive, some he even described as devious and cunning.” >For that last part Gray Scale rolled his eyes. >”I don’t know about all that. But I think I know what he’s trying to say. Approach the rot with the same level of regard as you would a pony.” >”He cultured the rot in his garden for so long, selectively breeding it generation after generation that he said it was impossible to make the strain anymore passive.” >”In my opinion, I think he treats the rot like a friend or child. It’s weird I know but the discoveries he’s made in research have saved a lot of lives.” >”I know you probably hate the rot, because of what it did to your sister. But while it’s capable of destruction, it’s also capable of great things.” >He got so passionate when speaking about the rot. >You smile, it’s kind of adorable. >He smiles back. >You feel hot all of a sudden. >You’re not sure what it is, but it’s weird. >You get up and cross your front hooves. “Well thank you, I appreciate that you want to teach me. Maybe when this is all over.” “For now, I think it’s best we get going. We don’t have a lot of time.” >Gray Scale nods, and you pick up your saddlebag. “Flitter-bug! Come on lets go, we’re leaving!” >No response. “Flitter Lite, come here!” >Nothing. >Suddenly you hear Flitter Lite screaming off in the distance and the roar of some beast. >You’re sprinting towards the noise before you realize you had reacted. >You find Flitter Lite in a clearing. >But standing opposite to her is some monstrosity of massive proportion. >It’s not pony, chimera, timberwolf, or anything you’ve ever seen before. >It looks like a bear with no fur and an abnormally large mouth. >Rot has formed around its back like a cloak. >Its maw is dripping a thick black gooey substance that kills the ground where it lands. >Gray Scale has caught up to you. >He isn’t as fast as you are. >”Oh shit… That’s-” >He is cut off by the roar of the massive beast. >It begins to charge. >Without thinking you begin to run into the clearing. >You had to protect Flitter Lite. >”Hearth wait!” >You ignore Gray Scale. >The beast was big, but it was slow. >You were exceptionally fast on your feet. >It was from all the times you would run through the forest and down the paths when you were younger. >You’ve always loved to run, and now you were thankful for it. >You reach Flitter Lite first and quickly kneel beside her. >”Hearth!” she exclaims as she jumps on your back. >The beast is still charging. > You make a dash to the left, but turn too quickly and your hoof slips. >Pain jolts up your hind right leg. >You’re not sure what you just did but it hurts to put any pressure at all on it. >You try to continue running but as soon as your right hoof makes contact with the ground the pain is there again, inhibiting you. >The beast is almost upon you. >Your struggle is in vain and you brace for impact. >But then suddenly the beast roars out again. >You peek up and see Gray Scale has flew himself into the beast’s face and is currently beating at its head with a rock. >He gets a couple good shots to the beast’s right eye before the rot bear swipes him off. >Gray Scale lands with a hard thud several paces away. >He’s not moving. >You can’t tell if he’s breathing or not. >The rot monster turns its attention to Gray Scale. >It begins to approach him at a menacing saunter. >You feel a weight shift on top of you. >It’s Flitter Lite. >”You. Don’t. Hurt. My. FRIEND.” >She grabs the closest thing to her with her mouth, which happens to be one of her medicine bottles full of the Seer Moth’s solutions out of your saddle bag. >She does a quick twirl and tosses it at the enraged beast. >The concoction hits the beast in the damaged eye and the glass shatters with force, spilling the contents all over the rot bear and into its open wound. >You have never heard such sounds of pain before in your life. >Everywhere the potion had landed on the beast now looked as if it were boiling its skin. >It has an acidic effect on the beast as the liquid eats away at its flesh. >The screams of pain turn into whimpers, which then turns to silence. >The rot bear is no more than a pile of smoking bio mass at this point. >You manage to pick yourself up. >Slowly limping to Gray Scale’s side you check his breathing. >It’s labored, but it’s there. >You can’t move him in your condition. >Flitter Lite isn’t strong enough, and currently she is so shaken up you don’t even know how she’s standing. >>16923410 >You look up to the sky. >The sun is setting. >You collapse by Gray Scale’s side, physically and mentally exhausted. >Flitter Lite is soon by your side, laying next to you. >”Hearth?” “Yes Flitter Lite?” >”I’m scared.” >She hides herself into your fluff. “Me too.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------