Page 400 – Hydra Hightail

Four hundred.

Milestones are kind of a big deal for me, I’ve come to realize. You have to understand – I have very low self-esteem and esteem for my work, so even when I get compliments, a big part of me doesn’t really believe it when people say that something of mine is good. But when I get this far into something and people are still coming back to take a look and comment on it and keep saying it’s good…

Well, I must be doing something right, I guess.

PM:

<roll> Alright everypony, roll Athletics- AH, SHOOT! Natural 1. The hydra’s foot gets stuck in the mud. You all get a free run.<br/>
Twilight Sparkle: If we run straight behind us, where does that lead?<br/>
PM: Um… Up a pretty big hill.<br/>
Fluttershy: Not back into the forest, towards Ponyville?<br/>
PM: The hydra’s in the way, sorry.<br/>
Applejack: Well, ground is ground when there’s more of it between us and an angry hydra.<br/>
PM: The big hill comes up to a steep cliff. There’s another ridge on the other side, and a bunch of rocky spires make a platform path between here and there. If you get across, the hydra can’t get you, but there’s a 50-foot drop into the bog below. Oh, and the hydra’s coming up behind you.<br/>
Twilight Sparkle: Uh-oh. How big are the platforms?<br/>
PM: About… five feet wide?<br/>
Twilight Sparkle: One square on the map. Not enough room for two creatures at once. We’ll have to go one at a time.<br/>
PM: Hydra coming up behind you!<br/>
Applejack: We need a distraction. Any volunteers?<br/>
Twilight Sparkle: To go up against an overleveled monster with multiple attacks, ridiculous reach, and any number of other nasty effects?<br/>
Applejack: Yeah. Of all sessions for Rainbow Dash to be absent…<br/>
Twilight Sparkle: Hmm… So we need a new Rainbow Dash…<br/>
(beat)<br/>
Twilight Sparkle: Congratulations, Spike. You’re the new Rainbow Dash.<br/>
Spike: W-WHAT?!<br/>
Applejack: I… I was makin’ a JOKE, Twi!<br/>
Twilight Sparkle: Don’t worry, I have a plan!