Post by Jewel on Dec 22, 2003 15:31:37 GMT -5
The cold winter air swirled around the golden pegasus as she trotted along the quiet, snow-covered path that led home. Bony arms of leafless trees reached up to the empty canvas sky, and a few lingering birds drifted on a chilly breeze. Jewel moved in a methodic rhythm, hooves muffled by the soft snowfall. Her breath came in short puffs, making small clouds before her mouth and nostrils. The ice of winter was upon Ponyville, but the consistent movement kept the winged one's blood flowing through her body.
As Jewel neared her small home in the depths of the Outer Edges, her heartbeat quickened in anticipation. She hadn't been there in over a week, and this was her first chance to return to it since the battle. Here, the battle hadn't happened. Here, in the forest, she could live as if it never happened, with no remnants of it around her. But here… she would always remember it. No matter where she traveled... she would remember.
Finally arriving at the old wooden door, Jewel stopped still. Hoof half-raised to push it open, she stared into space for a moment. The amulet turned cold, then burned, then was cold again. Jewel felt the word creep into her consciousness… " Death." A shiver ran up her spine, and the pegasus turned and hesitantly pushed deeper into the forest. After only seconds, she heard a piercing cry. Her throat tightened and tan-gold ears swiveled around to catch the sound again. Hearing the shriek-like moan return, she cantered in its direction, warily watching for danger. The cry subsided into a soft clicking coo, and the sound seemed to originate from a big tree near a clearing. With careful steps and alert attention, Jewel crept slowly around the large trunk.
On its other side, Jewel gasped softly at the sight of a large, badly wounded adult griffin. The half-bird half-beast lay broken, attacked by something it couldn't contend. Wolves, by the look of it. Jewel stepped a little closer, her purple eyes meeting the marigold-colored ones of the griffin. She felt a pang of compassion for the pain and bewilderment within the other, and wished there was anything she could do to help. Slowly, the air escaped less and less frequently from the form's big lungs, and eyes fought to stay open. The crimson stains shone in contrast to the pure white snow like corruption in the mind of an innocent child. Murmuring softly, Jewel gave the dying griffin a simple prayer… and shortly after, the sides of the animal stopped moving... and it was gone.
After closing her eyes for a brief moment, Jewel began to step away. Now, if ever, there was nothing she could do other than to leave the griffin at its peace. As she turned her body back toward home, she heard a sound, like a small squeak... barely audible. Jewel jerked her head back to the griffin, though she knew it was dead. However, a few feathers of its wing were moving. Jewel looked sideways at the strangeness of the situation without a clue as to how a deceased being could still be moving and making noise without being a ghost or spirit. It was then that she noticed the tiny beak and matching pair of eyes.
Little by little, pawing its way through the blood-covered snow was a tiny, griffin baby. Jewel's heart contracted in her chest as she watched the small creature wobble and crawl out from under its mother's wing. It obviously didn't understand what was going on, and besides that, was nearly half-frozen.
In the distance, a wolf howled, sending alarm into the heart of the pegasus. Jewel knew they wouldn't normally attack a pony one-on-one, but a pack could easily take a lone one. Stepping forward, the pegasus took the baby by the scruff between its tiny wings and lifted it onto her back. The griffin settled and gripped her mane as if used to the idea of hanging on for a flight. One look at her surroundings, and Jewel galloped for home.
As Jewel neared her small home in the depths of the Outer Edges, her heartbeat quickened in anticipation. She hadn't been there in over a week, and this was her first chance to return to it since the battle. Here, the battle hadn't happened. Here, in the forest, she could live as if it never happened, with no remnants of it around her. But here… she would always remember it. No matter where she traveled... she would remember.
Finally arriving at the old wooden door, Jewel stopped still. Hoof half-raised to push it open, she stared into space for a moment. The amulet turned cold, then burned, then was cold again. Jewel felt the word creep into her consciousness… " Death." A shiver ran up her spine, and the pegasus turned and hesitantly pushed deeper into the forest. After only seconds, she heard a piercing cry. Her throat tightened and tan-gold ears swiveled around to catch the sound again. Hearing the shriek-like moan return, she cantered in its direction, warily watching for danger. The cry subsided into a soft clicking coo, and the sound seemed to originate from a big tree near a clearing. With careful steps and alert attention, Jewel crept slowly around the large trunk.
On its other side, Jewel gasped softly at the sight of a large, badly wounded adult griffin. The half-bird half-beast lay broken, attacked by something it couldn't contend. Wolves, by the look of it. Jewel stepped a little closer, her purple eyes meeting the marigold-colored ones of the griffin. She felt a pang of compassion for the pain and bewilderment within the other, and wished there was anything she could do to help. Slowly, the air escaped less and less frequently from the form's big lungs, and eyes fought to stay open. The crimson stains shone in contrast to the pure white snow like corruption in the mind of an innocent child. Murmuring softly, Jewel gave the dying griffin a simple prayer… and shortly after, the sides of the animal stopped moving... and it was gone.
After closing her eyes for a brief moment, Jewel began to step away. Now, if ever, there was nothing she could do other than to leave the griffin at its peace. As she turned her body back toward home, she heard a sound, like a small squeak... barely audible. Jewel jerked her head back to the griffin, though she knew it was dead. However, a few feathers of its wing were moving. Jewel looked sideways at the strangeness of the situation without a clue as to how a deceased being could still be moving and making noise without being a ghost or spirit. It was then that she noticed the tiny beak and matching pair of eyes.
Little by little, pawing its way through the blood-covered snow was a tiny, griffin baby. Jewel's heart contracted in her chest as she watched the small creature wobble and crawl out from under its mother's wing. It obviously didn't understand what was going on, and besides that, was nearly half-frozen.
In the distance, a wolf howled, sending alarm into the heart of the pegasus. Jewel knew they wouldn't normally attack a pony one-on-one, but a pack could easily take a lone one. Stepping forward, the pegasus took the baby by the scruff between its tiny wings and lifted it onto her back. The griffin settled and gripped her mane as if used to the idea of hanging on for a flight. One look at her surroundings, and Jewel galloped for home.