I barely slept for the remainder of last night, I had trouble falling asleep, instead opting to mostly just watching the gem glowing eerily in the cold darkness of the early morning hours.

It unsettled me, I could remember the dream.

Oh how I remembered the dream, Luna, the wolf, the blood, all of it.

And the screams.

If somehow I fell asleep again before the breaking of dawn, it must of been a dreamless sleep, because time had passed me by in a blur, and soon the night had ended and the sun had began its rise, slowly lighting up the vast sky and canyon outside. But I still laid here in the near complete darkness from the shade my cave provided me. Here I was still sitting next to those three wooden wolves, their yellow glowing eyes staying open, watching me.

I didn't want to trust them, yet maybe they were the ones that ended in my dream somehow.

They were wolves and Luna had been driven off by a wolf.

But there was the inconsistencies, the black fur coat and glowing blue eyes the wolf in my dream had been not at all like the
wooden structure and unsettling yellow eyes these beasts had.

Even so, if it had been them, that was all reason I could have to now trust them fully.

I reached out to pet one of them with my free hand, the flesh of my hand rubbing against hard and splintered wood. It was a weird feeling for me, yet the wolf acted as if he liked up, moving his head against my hand in a very dog-like fashion before closing his eyes, making it as if he was going to sleep back to sleep. After this happened, I stopped my petting.

As if a switch had been hit, the two other wolves then followed the example of the first shortly afterward, closing their eyes and settling down.

The sun had continued its rise, slowly encroaching into the darkness of my home and dispelling it.
Still tired as hell from my interrupted sleep, I could already tell that this day was going to be tiring as hell.

______________________________________________________________________________

Twilight Sparkle looked around at the area of ashed wreckage that had torn through the everfree.

Ash, burned foliage, and at the end of it all was the remains of what had been a chicken.

She recorded all of it down in her notebook. Every single last detail of it all.

Any patterns the ashes made, the residual magic still hanging in the air, even the bite marks on the chicken. She recorded it all with her trademark zealously she had towards anything newly discovered.

Well, save for the chicken, she decided that it didn't need as much studying as everything else, mainly due to personal reasons. Although the bones did prove that “Keith” was a predator.

The more information she had on him the better, because this could become it: the moment that would define the rest of her life as a princess.

She had responsibility now, and one of them was defending Equestria, defending her friends.
She would make Celestia proud. She would track the villain, confront him with her friends, and subdue him.

….

But what if Celestia would have wanted her to tell her first? What if something went bad without the elements of harmony? What if she succeeded just for Celestia to be disappointed in her because-

Twilight breathed in, then she breathed out.

She could figure this out later, she had a job to do now in getting as much info as she could.

______________________________________________________________________________

After finally getting completely up, I ended up spending a good amount of the rest of the morning out in the area above my home, playing fetch with one of the wolves with a stick.

Another one of the wolves just continued to sleep in the sun, while the third went in the woods and did.. something.
I'm not sure what that thing he was doing just was, although it was later revealed nearly hour later as he proudly strutted back to where I was carrying a rabbit in his maw.

Weirdly enough, he just gave the rabbit to me, looking at me expectantly, with neither him nor any of the other wolves making motions to eat it, let alone looking interested in it.

Seeing no harm in eating it, as I was getting hungry again, I quickly cooked the rabbit with my fire magic before picking it apart and eating it.

Strangely enough, when I offered pieces to the wolves, they all just look disinterested in it.
Maybe they don't eat meat? I mean, they are sorta made of plants, it makes sense I guess.

______________________________________________________________________________

"Signed: Your faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle" Spike finished, speaking each word he wrote aloud back to Twilight.

Thankfully, he had somehow convinced her to send the letter to Celestia, and that not pursuing Keith immediately would not result in the world as they knew it crumbling down around them.

She didn't have her "moments" as much as she used to, but the stress still got to her, and he always would be there to help her.
"Alright Spike, now its time to gather the girls up!" Twilight said, opening the door, waiting for Spike to follow her out.

And follow her Spike did, although he did think it was not a good idea to go chasing after him. Nevermind that he surprised him that one day in the library.

No way did he scare him, Keith just caught him off guard, thats all.

But still, he had did quite a number on Twilight, and even gave Rainbow Dash a minor Concussion.

And with a frying pan of all things.

Maybe he should invest in one for himself...

______________________________________________________________________________

I was slowly getting more and more bored.

I'm just sitting here, on the edge of the canyon, legs dangling down over it. Not the most safe position I guess, but then again was inviting three wolves made of wood into my house safe? How about setting out to steal an apocalyptic artifact from the home of the literal goddesses of this realm?

Yea, thought so.

By this time the sun had risen to the apex of the sky, and was baking the forest below; it was too hot to do much besides lay around and practice a bit of magic. Maybe if I still had those books I had stolen I could instead be reading them again.

Granted I still had the one on artifacts, but you can only read over a book so many times before it just stops interesting you.
Maybe if I hadn't decided to hide my books before leaving I could be reading the magic lesson book but now with the ability to do everything in it this time. But no, I ended up hiding my books and campsite so well when I left that even I couldn't find them now.

Ridiculous.

Those books exist for a reason, you know, so you don’t have to rediscover an entire field of magic in order to use it, because someone else already did. Like the fact that I eventually decided to try and learn lightening earlier today, but it did not work out, for I had not in the slightest clue how to do it, evidenced by the fact that all my previous attempts have just either resulted in fire or a whole lot of nothing.

Besides more of the basics, it was starting to look like my magic career began to reach its apex.

Upon hearing growling and yelping from behind me, I turned my head to looked at the wolves.

One of them was still sleeping in the sunlight, the other two were play fighting, one of them currently holding the disconnected leg from the other one in its mouth, while the first one was trying to get it back.

The wolf literally stole it’s friend’s leg.

These things got weirder every second.

Turning my attention back to my brooding, I decided to try to once again try to figure out how to use lightning, again.

Holding my free hand out in front of me, the attempts at casting electricity began anew.

______________________________________________________________________________

Celestia finished reading Twilight’s letter.

She quickly wrote a response using the paper and quill on her nearby desk, urging Twilight to avoid direct confrontation, and to perhaps wait for Celestia herself to come with them.

It’s not that Celestia didn't believe in them, quite the contrary. The friends had saved Equestria together on multiple occasions before, even facing against opponents that were infinitely more powerful than Keith.

Then again, they mainly faced off against enemies that were instead trying to take over control of the nation, rather than Keith’s goal which only seemed to be obtaining magical power.

Plus, before the friends had the Elements of Harmony in their possession as well.
Even so, Twilight was now a Princess as well, proof enough of her competence in overcoming any threat to Equestria, with or without the Elements.

Celestia reminded herself that she had to give Twilight faith, she wasn’t the vulnerable student she once was.

Besides, it was certain that they would do fine, even if they confronted Keith, she knew it.

With that thought she ignited her response with the green flames of the delivery spell.

Now it was just a game of seeing what the friends did.

______________________________________________________________________________

Twilight finished reading Celestia’s response to the rest of the gathered Elements of Harmony.

“Well girls, what do you say?” Twilight said to the assembled group of her closest friends “Do we go after him?”

After a good moments pause, Rainbow Dash replied: “Well duh, first he comes here, steals from Applejack and you, before attacking us with a frying pan, THEN he goes and steals a stone from Canterlot. We can’t just let him like not go punished.”

“I agree with Rainbow, this ‘Keith’ feller is just a no good varmint.” Applejack added in.

“I too, agree with Applejack and Rainbow Dash, this brutal ruffian deserves no less.” Rarity chimed in.

Twilight turned to the remaining two ponies:

“Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, do you two have anything to say?”

“Weeee-el, since you asked, I was at first disappointed by the fact that I wasn’t able to throw him a welcoming party, but I thought maybe he just needed some time to think over why he was such a big meanie to you and Rainbow, but then I learned he got caught in Canterlot try to steal but he broke out, so I thought maybe I could try and help him stop being a meanie by throwing him a ‘happy breaking out of jail day’ party, but then he went and did all those mean things, and so I’ve decided that I shall not throw him a party until he makes up for what he’s done.” Pinkie Pie finished, her face looked stern and assertive.

Rarity nearly fainted from the severe cruelty Pinkie Pie’s words held.

“Well, I don’t think we should go after her.” Fluttershy said in her quiet voice.

“Fluttershy, c’mon, I mean seriously he eats chickens, what if he ended up eating one of your friends?” Rainbow Dash responded, getting excitable at Fluttershy.

“Well thats not a problem, many of the animals I care for are also predators-” Fluttershy started before she was interrupted again

“Not to mention all those guards ponies he harmed”

“But he must of been-”

“Not to mention those vegetables and books he stole”

“But I just think that maybe-”

“Plus the fact that he went and stole the Sapphire stone, the same one Daring Do worked her awesome butt on trying to secure.”

The friends stopped and looked at Rainbow Dash with various look, mostly being ones of ‘Are you serious?’.

“What?” Replied Rainbow Dash, looking around.

“Nothin’ Sugarcube” Applejack said before turning to face Fluttershy

“Now Fluttershy, we all agree that this Keith needs to be caught, except for you. Do you really want a murderer out on the loose?”

“Well no, but”

“Exactly, suger cube, you don’t.” Applejack said before turning to Twilight

“Twilight, I think this means we all agree we should go after him.” Applejack said, turning to her friend.

______________________________________________________________________________

A SPARK! I GOT IT! FINNALLY!

After untold hours of working on it I finally managed to create a measly spark of electricity that had arced instantly between his hands.

Now I just had to repeat the same procedure as before, only this time with more power.

Untold hours of trying would now pay off.

My hand cackled with energy, sparks coating it, arcing between my fingers and palm, giving off a distinct hum all the while.

It was glorious, the epitome of power, pure electricity, it was perfect. Now, I just had to cast it.
Shifting my body and standing up to look more epic, I moved my hand out, palm facing the opposing side of the canyon, imagining using my magical power to shoot the electricity out.

With the great boom of thunder, my lightning shot out of my hand, and with power that would make Zeus envious, my bolt struck.

Well, it struck the ground right next me, in fact the bolt was pretty small when I think of it, and it was completely vertical. I think it made one of the wolves stop sleeping and put their head up, probably worried I’d gone crazy.

That was pretty anticlimactic.

But, it was a start, I’d just have to keep trying casting it different ways until I got one that worked.

I’d get there, eventually.

Proud of my progress so far, I turned to face my three wolf companions, eager to perhaps convince one of them to go catch another rabbit for me to cook.

Getting up, I walked over to the three of them before beginning to poke one of them.

“C’mon, Tobi, wanna go catch Master another nice plump rabbit?” I asked as I prodded the wolf that had gotten me my rabbit earlier in the day.

Oh, guess I should mention I named them: Tobi, Mizzy, and Chrissi.

Don’t ask why I made them all half-rhyme.

Seeing as Tobi was just being lazy and sleeping, I then decided to proud Mizzy, being the lazy wolf she was who had spent the entire day sleeping basically. I began shaking her a bit, trying to get her to stand up, but she basically ignored me.

Deciding maybe I’d get lucky with my third wolf, I went to shake them awake.

But, as I turned my attention towards him, I realized Chrissi had already gotten up, and was staring across to the other side of the canyon. That’s when he started growling, prompting the other two to get up from their sleeping and look over to the other side of the canyon, before beginning to growl too.

Following their gaze over to the other side of the canyon, I didn’t see anything.

About to stop them from growling at nothing, it was then I noticed movement on the other side of the canyon. A shimmer of purple translucent light removing branches in front of a band of six ponies who walked obliviously into the clearing before the canyon.

“C’mon girls! The spell is getting strong now! He must be nearby!” Said Twilight.

Thats when Rainbow Dash noticed me, and with an instant look of hatred on her face, she alerted the rest to where I was.

They just all stared at me, some with faces of determination and hate, others with the look of a deer caught in the headlights.

I just stared back, the wolves next to me doing the same while maintaining their growl.

My anger rose to a whole new level.

They had the tenacity to come to my home?

I couldn’t control myself nearly, my blood boiling, I wanted their blood, they needed to suffer.

And so, I fired the first shot, slicing my hand through the air and casting my ‘air blade’ spell that barreled quickly through the space
between us, set to hit the group dead center, and hopefully provide a quick end.

Twilight saw it coming, quickly conjuring a spell, she teleported the six of them to the other side of the canyon, barely twenty yards away from Keith.

As soon as they landed, the Timberwolves at his side began running at them, barking their intent to do them harm.

Very quickly, Twilight issued orders to her five friends

“You guys handle the TimberWolves, I can deal with Keith”

Then, not wanting to have her friends protest, she teleported to the other side of Keith

‘All I have to do is get that statue out of his hand’ She thought, as she began to prep her first spell.

My wolves went after the five other ponies as Twilight Sparkle teleported away.

Fine, I was confident that my wolves would be able to hold those five off, now I only had to deal with the princess.

Turning around slowly, I faced Twilight Sparkle, my face involuntarily turning into a large grin from the upcoming prospect of fighting. I could feel the shudders, the waves of energy pulsing through my body originating from the Sapphire Statue. It loved to be used, I knew it, and the pleasure the fighting gave me ensured there was no backing down.

Still smiling at the princess, I spoke to her:

“What an honor, having you visit me all the way out here. Hate to end it so fast though-”

I quickly moved my hand out of the way of the beam originating from her horn. Enraged, I began yelling at her:
“You fired a freakin laser at me, and in the middle of a freaking dialogue? The hell girl, you just don’t do-”

I moved the Statue out of the way of her second shot.

“Okay, screw this”

With that I began running at Twilight, my hand coating itself with magical flame. Expecting her next shot, I dodged her volley and followed it by jumping at her, hand full of fire and heading straight to punch her square in her jaw.

Only to have her teleport another ten feet back, and fire another shot.

Dodging it, and enraged, I extinguished the flame around me hand and instead casted a wind blade at her. She dodged the rip in air by flying above it and then followed by changing her direction and flyed at me, her horn letting out several rapid fire lasers at me.

Infuriated, I jumped back out of the spot I had been, and casted a wave of power at her, hoping to push her out of flight and mess her up. Instead she casted a shield spell over herself, deflecting the push.

Then I broke.

With a scream of rage I began casting spell after spell at her: Fireball, push, blade, fire, more fire. The whole effect started creating a fog of ash and dust between us, as I began running at her, continuously casting spells at her the whole time, her shield deflecting each in every one.

Then I got close enough to her to do it; using my magic push as a way to propel me up, I jumped up before casting the spell underneath me, sending me flying at Twilight.

In an instant I collided with her shield, and phased right through it.

Catching Twilight off guard, I collided with her mid-air, before managing to force her underneath me as we began obeying the laws of gravity.

We both fell like a rock, me landing on Twilight, causing her to cry out in pain as we collided with the ground. Pulling my arm back, I coated my fist with flames once more before punching Twilight on the snout, breaking it and creating a continuous stream of blood from it, pulling back my hand, I was then stunned by Twilight teleporting away from underneath me.

Damned pony, just give up already!

Standing up, I looked around before spotting her above at least twenty feet, charging a spell.
I went to once again jump at her, when her horn let out a small white flash.
And she spoke a single word:

“Boom”

Everything around me ignited in magical flames, every spot on the ground she had shot her lazer at now exploding in a fiery display a purple force. My body was hurled between the waves of energy, like a ragdoll, each one sending an arc of energy coursing into my body, making it seize up and stop moving. As the waves ended, my body stopped its forced flailing and fell to the ground, completely limp.

I could only stare defenselessly as Twilight landed upon the ground and began walking up to me, a smile on her face.
I screamed internally, trying everything to get my body to move, yet it would not obey me, my entire body beginning to feel as if it were solid stone.

“I’m surprised that it worked actually, a remote detonation spell combined with a laser spell and a paralysis spell, quite the combination if I do say so myself” Twilight said, walking up next to my limp body, looking nothing but prideful.

“Now then, first to deal with that Statue and then with you.” Twilight began, using her telekinesis, she force pulled the Statue out of my limp hand, before setting it down a distance away from me.

“Now, all we should have to do is release the magic that has been stored in here, and the Statue should be rendered useless” Twilight said, half to herself and half to me, the glowing of her horn indicating the beginnings of a spell being casted.

I could move my fingers a little bit now, every part of my mind willing me to get moving, to get the damned statue back!

Twilight’s horn descended towards the statue.

I internally said every curse I could think of.

The horn connected to the Sapphire of the Statue, the spell flashing into the statue.

Twilight stood back, expecting something to happen.

A moments pause, still nothing.

Looking frustrated Twilight began casting the spell once more.

Then the howling started.

It began with my wolves that had been fighting the other five ponies, they stopped where they standed and began howling, the ponies whom they had been fighting before hand just standing around in confusion, still in the positions they had been in order to fight the wolves. Then, like a wave, more howls came, from all over the forest, a crescendo of noise echoing through the canyon to a deafening volume as hundreds of voices raised to the sky, as if every wolf in the forest heard the cry and joined their voices to it.

Running at Twilight, the five other ponies quickly caught up, Applejack yelling at Twilight over the howling in order to be heard:

“TWILIGHT, WHAT THE HECK DID YOU DO!”

“I DON’T KNOW APPLEJACK, THIS SHOULDN’T BE HAPPENING!”

Then the pulsing of the statue began, as if reacting to the howls, the jem began glowing dark blue, making the space around it begin to seem almost darker, slowly extending across the area as if a cloud had begun to cover up the sun.

The statue pulsed faster, beginning to look as if it were now violently vibrating in the air. It was then that cracks began appearing across it, quickly spreading to cover the entire object.

Then it exploded, projecting its thousands of pieces in every direction, leaving behind only a floating orb of complete blackness. Then the darkness began pouring out, coming from the orb and endlessly flowing like a thick oil, sludging as it hit the ground and began taking shape.

First the paws, then the legs, then the body, all the shape of a wolf with a coat black as the void of the night.

Then its eyes opened, and they glowed a deep blue filled with an ingrained hatred of all that lay before it.

Staring at the ponies, the wolf then let out what was a mix between a bark and a roar, the ferocious sound of a predator that had been the death of countless prey before hand and would be the death of countless more. The effect was instantaneous, sending the ponies running for their lives, screaming their fright and nearly tripping over themselves as Twilight eventually managed to use a mass teleport, sending the six away.

I could only watch, unmoving as the wolf stood there, unmoving, the roar having the instantaneous effect of silencing the howling emanating from the forest.

The the wolf then turned its head, and looked directly at me, its deep blue eyes boring into my soul, seething the very feeling of fear, that of a predator on the hunt.

If I could of ran away I would of. If I could of screamed I would of. Yet, my body still lay motionless, paralysed upon the ground and unresponsive to me.

The wolf turned its body to me, slowly walking to where my body laid.

I could feel its unnatural gaze, across my body, as the wolf came to stand directly next to me.

All I could do was stare at it, fearing what it would do and completely at its mercy.

Author's Note

Well, here's chapter two.

As always, any critique, criticism, or grammar mistake you have/see, I would love hearing them!

Otherwise, I'll see you soon for Chapter 3.

Also, If you haven't seen it already, Keith has been featured in a massive cross-over fic called "The League of Humanity," you should go check it out and totally graffiti the comment section with stuff like "Keith is best villain ever" because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside