Lost in Translation - Chapter 2

Lost in Translation
Chapter 2

>Food…
>The pink pony takes a few steps backwards, her eyes wide as you close in, towering over her.
>The other ponies are just as colorful; it may just be the climate of the forest changing their appearances.
>Doesn’t do them much good for camouflage, though…
>You quickly lunge forward, trapping the equine in your grip; the fact that these ponies aren’t much larger than 3-4 feet definitely helps in this regard.
>The pony struggles under you and lets out a whine, and the others quickly run up to you, all in combat stances.
>Funny, you didn’t expect that ponies were the kind of animal that would protect other members of their herd; you always assumed that ponies were always the first to run when it came to danger.
>You hesitate for a split second and the pony starts struggling under you again.
>Best to get it over with quickly, then. Maybe if you killed one, you would be able to intimidate the rest into retreating.
>While dealing with the little bit of struggling she could manage, you bring your hand to the pony’s snout, closing it off, and then the other to the back of her head.
>With a swift move, you twist both around in a circle, snapping the pony’s neck.
>However, you didn’t expect what happened next.
>…
>…Was that a *squeak* noise that came from her?
>Why isn’t she at least unconscious?! You were positive you did that correctly, you even saw her neck twist!
>The pony manages to use your shocked state to wriggle her way out of your grip, going back with the other five before shaking her head quickly.
>You step back up to full height again, and that’s when you notice it.
>The purple and the white one… they have horns. They could easily do some intense piercing damage to you if they were so inclined.
>You have long legs, but you doubt you could run with enough stamina to outlast six ponies.
>You hesitate for a moment, taking a step back. If they decided to charge you… it wouldn’t end well.
>And then those other two… the blue and the yellow one, they have wings…
>Things aren’t looking too good for you in this situation, Anonymous.
>You take a second step back, and that’s when you notice that they begin to converse with each other, using some kind of method you can’t interpret.

>”It’s… falling back?” Twilight mutters, her head rising from its battle-ready stance. “But why?”
>Rarity turns to Twilight, nudging her with a hoof. “Do you think… it’s afraid?”
>”It could be…” the purple unicorn mutters, turning to her curly-maned friend, before returning her gaze to the creature before them. “It isn’t from any book I’ve ever read before, that’s for sure…”
>”Yeah! It’s did a weird thing to my neck, too!” Pinkie exclaims, leaping into the air and spazzing a bit before returning to the ground. “Still, I don’t know what it did, really…”
>”What if…” Fluttershy mutters, taking a few steps forward in front of the group, standing between them and the creature.

>What is this pony doing? Why is this one suddenly approaching you out of nowhere?
>You ball your hands into fists, placing them in front of you; one out further, one protecting your face. You’re not sure if it will do anything, but hey, it’s worth a shot.
>She doesn’t seem to be charging, though… could it be she’s just curious?
>Hm… maybe you can win this over in another way…

>”There there…” Fluttershy whispers, walking slowly toward the creature. He had stopped retreating back, and had reduced his height a bit. He definitely didn’t seem nearly as intimidating as before.
>”Fluttershy? What are you doing?!” Rainbow exclaims in an angry whisper, flaring her wings up. “Didn’t you see what that thing did to Pinkie?” she asks, glaring at the creature.
>”I know, Rainbow… but look, he doesn’t seem to be attacking now, does he?” she asks, turning to the blue pegasus, smiling.
>”But Fluttersh—” Rainbow begins, but gets cut off by Twilight’s hoof.
>”Fluttershy, we haven’t seen that thing before; we don’t even know what it is! What makes you think it’s not just trying to lure you into a trap?” Twilight asks, stepping forward and pointing her horn at the creature again; if it tried anything, she would be the first to act.
>”I don’t think we have anything to worry about, girls…” Fluttershy mutters, turning to the creature again, approaching until she was just a few meters away from it.

>You consider your options. On one hand, you have a helpless animal in front of you. Should be easy to kill and finally get some food. You don’t think you can last much longer out here…
>On the other hand, though, if you do try to attack, the others may charge you. You can take on one, but six will be too much for you.
>…
>Fuck you, hunger. Not risking death because of you. Not today.
>You get down on one knee, bringing her eye-level with the bottom of your neck. You force a smile, holding out an open hand, palm-to-the-ground. That always seemed to calm down animals back home.
>She hesitates for a moment, before walking forward, closing the distance between you two.
>When she’s within reach, you slowly reach your hand up to her, brushing your fingers behind her ear and scratching them lightly. She lets out a few approving sounds before bending her head down and to the side, letting you continue.
>Huh. That was easier than you thought.
>She turns to her friends, and they hesitate for a moment or two, before approaching as well…

>”Girls… you have to try this, it feels sooooo good~…” Fluttershy mutters, her eyes very noticeably rolling up as the creature scratched her ear.
>The others hesitate for a moment, before slowly approaching the creature. “Are you sure, Fluttershy?” Twilight asks, raising an eyebrow cautiously at it.
>”Uhhhh huuuhh…” Fluttershy responds, curling her head around so the creature can reach behind her other ear.
>”Hm… this is strange; they aren’t claws, but they’re separated…” Twilight mutters, observing the creature’s odd appendages. “Could this be a new species?”
>”Who knows, Twilight… it definitely seems to have taken a liking to Fluttershy, though…” Rarity mutters, eyeing the creature up and down. “It’s a lot larger than us, I suppose it’s better that he not be aggressive…” she smiles, walking a bit closer to the creature. “Fluttershy, does it really feel that good?” she asks, turning to her yellow friend.
>”Yeeeeesssss~…” Fluttershy coos, before bowing her head away from the hand. “You should try it, Rarity, it feels wonderful…”

>Hm. It looks like they are starting to warm up to you.
>Wait! These ponies don’t look like they would last long in this forest; maybe there’s a farm somewhere nearby?
>You reach slowly over to the white unicorn, performing the same routine you did with the yellow one. She seems to react similarly, though is a bit less receptive of it at first.
>…
>Around ten to fifteen minutes have passed.
>You are now surrounded by six ponies, all taking turns being scratched on their heads with your hands.
>Either this is a very elaborate hallucination, or you’ve just gone batshit insane due to lack of food the past few days.
>...Probably the latter.
>…
>You need to get out of this forest soon. This is getting way too weird for you.

>End Chapter 2