Title:           Chapter 0.5 Out of the Fire, Into the Forest
Author:          WalleWalle
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/mRQfcsGP
First Edit:      Tuesday 26th of July 2016 03:01:38 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Saturday 30th of July 2016 02:07:04 AM CDT

>The trip through the wormhole was interesting, to say the least.
It was like being flung through space, passing by planets, stars, galaxies, and hell, even a few space stations.
>Eventually, after what seemed like hours of random flying, you were inserted rather violently into a planet, where your faceplate decided to make passionate love to the dirt ground.
>Groaning quietly, you pull yourself off the ground and stand.
"Functioning gravity, that was a good start," you say to no one in particular.
>As you observe your surroundings, you become keenly aware of two things:
>1: You're in a forest, which means trees, which means oxygen.
>2: You have no idea where to go.
>You take a look at the serial number on the wrist of the spacesuit, .
R1000YX2.
>R1000 told you that the emergency transponder went out to 1000 miles, more than enough to make sure that any station in the immediate vicinity was able to pick up on your location.
>Turning on the transponder, you resolve to test the atmosphere of the planet by taking off your helmet.
>After taking a deep breath, you slowly take off your helmet, ready for your head to explode like a watermelon with a grenade inside.
>As you do, your nose is assaulted by many aromas long foreign to your sense of smell.
>Man, how long has it been since you stepped foot in a natural forest?
>Over time, you got used to the sterile and metallic smell of a space station, so perhaps being thrown into an unknown world was a blessing in disguise.
>Seeing that you're on a clear path through the forest, you pick a direction and start walking.
"Well Dorothy," you say to yourself, "you're a long way from Kansas."
 
>As you begin your adventure down the path, you start to ponder what comes next.
>Evidently, the Starlight co. wouldn't take kindly to having an eyewitness of their disposal mission, and would probably kill you given the chance.
>You have no idea if the life on this planet was intelligent, or if there was even life to begin with.
>If luck was on your side, this was probably a planet several million galaxies away from your original location, or hell, maybe even a separate dimension where you could lay low for awhile.
>As you kept walking, you took note of the time you walked, which was probably several hours.
>Strangely, the sun was in the same position as when you got here, a phenomenon you couldn't explain.
>Out of nowhere, the sun started to move at a rapid pace, disappearing over the horizon to be replaced by the soft glow of the moon.
>Strange.
>Shrugging it off, you notice a ruined stone structure in the distance, which confirmed the presence of intelligent life.
>You quicken your pace, setting yourself at a jog, and speed towards your only close area of refuge.
>After reaching the castle, you draw your pistol and confirm it's fully loaded and armed.
>There probably wouldn't be anyone inside given the condition of the castle, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
>As you push open the heavy door, it's hinges creak and groan to signal your arrival.
>You raise your pistol and scan the hallway, ready to dispatch any threats.
>Other than the squeaks of scurrying rats, the entrance to the castle was deathly quiet.
>Slowly, you move through the corridor, passing by a wooden door, rotten by age.
>Two large metal doors sit at the end, handles covered in spiderwebs.
>The doors opened to reveal what you assumed to be the main area, containing nothing more than a marble throne engulfed in dust, as well as an open roof that shined moonlight upon said throne.
>You return to the wooden door, and you give it a good push.
When it refused to budge, you kicked it down, resonating a loud crack that could raise the dead.
>Inside, there was a small library full of books, remarkably well preserved for how ruined the state of the castle was.
>You pick a thick one, interestingly titled "Botany and Species of Equestria."
>Equestria? A strange name.
>Maybe they worshipped horses or something.
>Making your way back to the main area, you dust off the throne and sit on it.
>For being a chair made out of solid rock, it was much more comfortable than it was supposed to be.
>Starting from page one, you begin to read through the first section, which was about edible wild vegetation that could be found in the forests.
>This information could come in handy when you eventually needed to go and forage for food, as well as which plants could be used medicinally, and also which needed to be avoided.
>As you flip through the pages, studying each one individually, you begin to feel your eyes get heavier and heavier.
>Closing the book and setting it down, you shut your eyes and fall into a deep sleep.