If Only, If Only - Unicorn Wars Fanfiction

Chapter Fifteen: Ethereally Disguised Treason

((I'm wakin' up, to ash and dust- I wipe my ass and I slap my nuts.))

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Azulin walked a ways into the forest- his nerves on end as he tried to ready himself for whatever he was going to see. For all he knew, there was going to be nothing more of an array of rotting corpses that all belonged to the Troupe of the Lone Owls

His legs felt a little like jelly every time his body tried to find itself dropping toward the ground due to gravity. He was determined to get there and find any way to stop the bloody confrontation before it even started, otherwise- he just didn't know what he was going to do from there. So many things could go wrong, and not fall into place the way he had hoped.

What if they didn't wake up in time and the unicorns went running in that direction after deciding his life was not worth preserving? What if all of them never got their weapons to defend themselves in time.

Eventually, the smell of rotting had become immensely pungent. Stinging Azulin's nose as he wrinkled it in disgust and turned his head away with a grimace.

He was nearing. He could feel it.

The sound of rustling leaves caught his attention, and he turned around to see what it was. However, the only thing he did see was a white pair of eyes peaking out from some tall shrubs. A curious head peaking around the tall formations of leaves and wood.

There, in it's midst- was a young unicorn.

Azulin stopped, shakily turning around to look at the small creature. It was just barely as tall as he was- seeing as it was one of the little ones. He did his best to not make any sudden moves- as to frighten it off and send up red flags.

The young, horned horse's ears flicked before standing up a bit as the little one completely revealed itself, hesitantly walking around the bush that had been concealing it before.

Based on how this one looked before- he could tell it wasn't the one that Gordi had been trying to heal when he had killed his brother in the last timeline. This other smaller unicorn had a shorter mane and it's eyes looked more like silver pearls. The bear sighs, keeping his hands out in the open as the little unicorn came closer and closer.

It was intrigued by him. Invested in looking him over.

This wasn't the face of a killer or an enemy. It was the face of a child.

The small unicorn let out bit of a whinny, before tapping it's right hoof on the ground a few times, trying to communicate.

Azulin looks at it, not feeling as much animosity as he had before. It was relieving. If he was caught saying it, he would surely be strung from his own bed- but these unicorns were even... beautiful creatures. They weren't all powerful or eternal. They were just beautiful... like flowers...

The blue bear still made no moves forward, tough- he just kept his hands at his side when the small unicorn came up and sniffed at him, its long tail flicking a little bit as it's eye-lashes fluttered.

In a short turn of events, the small creature sneezed.

Azulin had been entertained and at ease enough to relax and laugh a little bit at the small horned-horse. The second he did though, he saw a much bigger figure walk around the bush- and this one was no where near as relaxed as the little one was.

The bigger unicorn was a little bit gaunt and thin- it's ribs visible from the side that it stood for a moment. As soon as it spotted Azulin, it's posture became more battle ready- though it had yet to charge.

Azulin felt himself freeze up a little bit, his body getting tense. Doing his best to remain calm, though- he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath- before slowly lowering himself to his knees- and placing his hands on his lap. He bowed his head and closed his eyes as he was ready to run if the Unicorn made a move to eliminate him. He would have no way of knowing whether or not he could actually get away.

The elder unicorn, puzzled by such actions, took a slow walk forward, it's narrow eyes observing the blue bear as it made a gesture for the one one to step behind.

The young unicorn, of course, was defiant- most children were. The small, curious horse-like creature made a small noise as it shook it's head with a snort. This causing the adult to make a distasteful noise right back to it.

Azulin trembled a little bit. Strangely, he wasn't really afraid. He was just sore and his stomach was starting to hurt from him lurching over so much. He felt himself lean forward more, from his arms losing their firm placement over his leg, gasping for air.

He worried the sudden movement would cause the unicorn to finish him off and he closed his eyes- as he tried to regain his physical composure.

Not even a moment later, he went into a coughing fit, his eyes becoming a little bit bloodshot from his forming tears. Some bile was rising in his throat, quickly expelling itself from him in a mall pile of minimal food and a generous amount of blood. It suddenly felt colder. His stomach felt like it was being kicked in and his head was spinning unlike it was 3 minutes before. The dampness on his stomach told him he had re-opened the wound.

The elder unicorn noticed this- and took a moment to observe before closing it's eyes and leaning it's large head down to Azulin's level. Azulin started to breathe a little faster- a bit disoriented. He didn't make any sudden moves though, still. He didn't need to frighten them or further frighten himself.

He both missed but detested his old form of confidence. He never wanted to be the same version of himself that he was before. Never again.
But where did his spine go? Was him becoming a bit more modest, him becoming weak? If he is weak... he can't protect anyone...
The unicorn closed it's eyes, aiming it's horn down at Azulin's face- causing the bear to slightly spike in his sense of growing alarm. However, it was soon soothed when the unicorns horn glowed a little bit- a soft lavender color. All worries washed away from him and his abdominal pain started to fade.

Within moments, he was physically healed.

He leans his head forward subconsciously, feeling comforted. His head leaned against the bigger unicorns own head, and closed his own eyes as he let out a sigh of relief.

Just out of earshot- he failed to hear the sound of rustling leaves.

((To Be Continued))