open 1x1 The World they once knew

[Mr. Critical 434]

Aaron and Trixie saw some of the trees shifting and moving. They were not tree, but they were more of those creatures. But, they did not pay attention to the group. "Stay quiet. They seem to be blind." Ditzy heard Trixie's warning and heard Stahl. She was happy he was close to her. Keeping her safe. Aaron had his wrench close in hand, in case shit went south. One of them crossed the path. Its jaw was hanging by a string of green flesh. Ditzy turned away at the beings mangled body.

@@Commander Tangent

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

Stahl pulled his rifle in close, and moved silently, being sure to keep Ditzy close to him as he kept on walking. He payed attention to all of his surroundings, being very careful not to make any noise at all.

 

Stahl was scared, but this was a LOT better than crossing no mans land. 

[Mr. Critical 434]

The beings were getting thicker as they went on. More active as one bumped into another. Trixie looked off to the right and saw a gruesome sight. A group of the creatures were surrounding what was once a manticore. Chewing at its meat and bones. Aaron saw as well. But he was a scientist, so the smell of decay didn't bother him. Trixie, looked like she was about to gag. "Ugh, lets just get out of here." Ditzy was focusing on the carcus. Utterly mortified. Suddenly, a sound was heard. Someone had stepped on a stick, letting out a loud crunch. Everything paused.
 

@@Commander Tangent

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

The smell barely phased Stahl, as did the sight. He had smelled rotting flesh many times, and had seen the rotting corpses of allies and enemies alike to be affected by them.

 

He gently turned Ditzy away from the carcass, trying to get her to focus on him. Suddenly there was a loud crack, Stahl froze and held Ditzy close. 

[Mr. Critical 434]

@

 

The beings froze and shifted to look at Trixie. Trixie looked at her hooves to see the stick that revealed them. She looked more terrified than Ditzy and turned to the rest of them. "Run... run very fast." Aaron saw them staggering towards them. Their bodies appeard stiff and had difficulty moving. It was like a scene from a horror movie.

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

Stahl was quick. He took Ditzy's hoof and sprinted off, making sure she could keep up with him. He looked to her.

 

"Just keep running and look at me, we will get out of this, I have been in worse situations" He says hoping to keep her spirits up as they ran away with the others/ 

[Mr. Critical 434]

The group ran for their lives. The creatures staggering after them. Some fell from the trees, but Trixie blew them away with a fireball or a lightning bolt. Ditzy stayed close, using her wings to propel her and to keep up with the three. Her wing was a bit injured after the fall, but she was motivated by fear and the sight of Stahl. They ran for what seemed like an eternity. Collapsing to the ground, Trixie was utterly exhausted by the constant use of magic. Aaron stopped and went back for her.

@@Commander Tangent

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

"Aaron, can you carry her and run at the same time ?" Stahl says to the scientist.

 

He really hopped he could, he was already looking after Ditzy, he couldn't have to worry about both Ditzy and Trixie at the same time, not in a situation as dire as the current one.

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Commander Tangent

 

Aaron stood over Trixie and picked her up with ease. Startling Trixie with his display of strength. Turning around, Aaron began t run with Trixie over his shoulders. The creatures were following them. Stahl and Ditzy followed close behind. As they ran their journey came to a halt as the road ended with a incredibly thick wall of brambles. They turned around to see the horde of beings staggered closer and closer. But something happened. One of them that was closer than the others just stopped. It was just a few feet. Trixie and Ditzy looked utterly stunned with fear and confusion. Before they could react, they were surrounded by the creatures. Their bodies were mangled and how they could function was impossible for Aaron to understand.

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

"Ditzy get behind me. And not matter what, dont panic. There is always a way out" Stahl says.

 

He knew this could very well be his end, but he had accepted that fact many times. With each wound......with each barrage of shells.....each sloe crawl across the no mans land. 

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Commander Tangent

 

The four were pinned against the thick brambles. No where to run or hide. Ditzy held onto Stahl, trying to find comfort. Aaron sat Trixie down and began to tend to her leg. She said nothing. No smarmy quips, no boasting, not even an attempt to bring up their spirits. She looked like she had given up. Aaron had her leg wrapped up with medical bandages he keeps on him. He had burned his arm a few times so he keeps them on hand at all times. Without warning, the bramble wall grabbed Ditzy, she let out a yelp of fear. Before Stahl could react, some of the brambles wrapped around him. Then Aaron then Trixie. They were dragged through the wall and brought to the other side.

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

 

Stahl heard ditz be dragged away from behind. In the split second he had to panic, he felt something wrap around him as well.

 

"What the FU-" He yelled as he was pulled through the thick bushes onto the other side, no idea what was awaiting him on it. But it was better than their previous situation 

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Commander Tangent

 

The group was dragged through the wall of brambles. Though, the brambles did not sting or scratch. Eventually they were dragged and dropped onto the ground. They moaned as they tried to get used to the pain. They got up and saw what seemed to be the source of the black plants. It was seemed to be a tree of crystal. At its base was the source. IT was a huge black mass with green veins glowing and sending its glow through the brambles. Trixie got to her hooves. "Ow... Trixie's leg is in pain. But... Trixie will be fine for now." Ditzy rubbed her arms and went to help Stahl up and to see if he was okay.

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

Stahl shook his head. He was mostly OK, other than a nice sized cut on the side of his left cheek, more than likely from when they were running. He rubbed it a bit and pulled it back, revealing a small trace of blood. He shook his head and stood up, and looked to the approaching Ditzy. 

[Mr. Critical 434]

Aaron and Trixie went to investigate the black mass. Ditzy looked at Stahls wounds. "Are you okay?" She seemed worried about him. Trixie and Aaron saw the mass move as it began to move. Inside was a face that only Trixie and Ditzy were familiar with. Trixie looked stunned. "Chrysalis?! H-How..." There was a face and a body. She seemed thin, as if she had not eaten in a long time. Her breathing was heavy and the brambles grew from her body.

@@Commander Tangent

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

Stahl smiled to Ditzy.

 

"Yeah mostly, just got to be careful not to get this wound infected" He says, before looking up, :Chrysalis....like the thing caterpillars go into ?" He asks, looking up at the creature oddly.

 

It looked odd....and seemed quite malnourished.

[Mr. Critical 434]

The creatures breathing was heavy and looked up to see the others. "Well... visitors." She let out a cough. "Its been so long." She brought her hands out of the mass. Her hands were covered in a viscous liquid. She gave them a smile. Trixie finally realized whtas going on. "Guys. Those things in the forest. Their her children. She and those things are changelings." Chrysalis looked saddened. "They were my children at one point... but they have changed due to malnourishment... I've been able to stave them off for so long. The tree is the only thing that's keeping me from turning into them."

 

@@Commander Tangent

Edited April 26, 2014 by Mr. Critical

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

"Hmmm sad. I have seen such things like this happen. Starvation will turn the best of men, the best of friends, into wretched beasts fighting for whatever they can" He says looking over to chrysalis, " Hmm, you look like something 935 would make..." He mumbles, then looks to Ditzy.

 

"You OK Ditzy ?" 

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Commander Tangent

 

Ditzy gave Stahl a smile and nodded. "I-I'm fine Stahl." Chrysalis began to shift in her prison. "They... have always been adorable. My children. I would... always find a source of food for them to feed. Their praise was the only happiness... I could find. The only thing else was seeing them emerge from their pods for the first time." Tears began to flow from her eyes. Aaron placed his hand on her shoulder. "I feel... so much in you, stranger. So much in all of you. Especially those two." She points to Stahl and Ditzy. "I feel... a connection. Something I have not felt in a very long time." She looks to Aaron. "Stranger. If you seek the exit to this place, there is a gondola not far from here. It will take you far from my prison." Trixie looked happy, but she fell to a frown when a thought occurred. "And what of you?" "My place is here. Imprisoned to the forest for eternity." Trixie's brow furrowed. "Who is responsible for this?" Chrysalis gave a skoff. "You know full well who did it." Chrysalis seemed angry at the mere thought of him.

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

Stahl looked to Ditzy. He knew exactly what she meant. He blushed a bit and looked back at the creature. It would stay here. Locked in here , possibly forver.

 

It was a sad though, but Stahl shook it off. 

 

"Thank you for your help back there" He says to it, gratefully.

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Commander Tangent

 

Trixie stood up as she stood by Aaron. Chrysalis gave a weak smile to Stahl. "Now be gone from my prison. You four have a journey ahead of you I can tell." Before they could leave. She grabs Aarons lab coat and pulls him in close, whispering into his ear. Keeping her words private. He listened closely and nodded as she spoke. She let him go and a small opening in the wall appeared before them. The group could leave the ever free and away from the changelings. Ditzy stood next to Stahl, blushing slightly. "I-I uh. Guess we should be moving on."

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical, 

 

Stahl smiles to her and walked over to the new exit.

 

"Yeah I think we should get going" He smiles to her, lining up with her eyes for a few seconds. While they were crooked,, he still found them beautiful.

 

"farewell Chrysalis, I wish you luck" He nods to the disfigured being

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Commander Tangent

 

Chrysalis gives a giggle. "Wish me a colt friend. Then I'll wish you guys luck." She says before they leave. The tunnel was dark, except for Trixie's light magic. They walked through the narrow corridor. Ditzy holding on to Stahl, though Aaron could swear that she was smiling. Within minutes, they had reached the other side. And awaiting them was a blue gondola. "Aaron. Check it and see if its operational." he did as he was asked and began to inspect it. Trixie sat next to the gondola and pulled out some snacks. "I guess you two are hungry after our... endeavor." She hands them some snacks. Ditzy takes one and sits down. She pats the ground, asking Stahl to join her.

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

Stahl happily sat down next to her and nibbled on the snack he had been given. Whatever it was it tasted a bit ... odd ... and a bit stale, but it was food none the less so he took it.

 

He looked over to the mare beside him and smiled to her. He reeally was falling for her now, and he was happy to

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Commander Tangent

 

Trixie, Stahl and Ditzy ate the food as Aaron inspected and repaired the gondola. It was rusty, but it was operational. Trixie ate her food remaining silent. Ditzy, was happy as can be. She was by Stahl and she sat next to him. She occasionally gave him a smile. Trixie just ate in silence. After a while, Aaron banged the side of the Gondola. Alerting them that it was time to go.