On the Hunt

A cold draft of air was the first sensation to greet me as I awoke. My body shivers slightly as I pull myself out of bed, glancing out the window to see gray clouds forming overhead. Winter must be on its way. And that meant the running of the leaves, Nightmare Night...lot coming up.

I leave Lyra wrapped in the covers and on the floor as I head downstairs. When I reach the living room, my eyes immediately gaze over at the couch, where all I can see of the human is her hair sticking out from a cocoon of blankets. I walk over to her and pull the blankets back slightly. The moment that I found she was still breathing, I left her alone. Last thing anypony needed this early in the morning was a kid screaming at the top of their lungs.

"How does this always happen to me?" I mutter to the chilly air as I head into the kitchen. First, there was when Fluttershy asked me to look after her python. Guess how that ended? Then, when Lyra invited every member of her fandom that lived close to Ponyville to my house. Nearly got arrested that day. So I have a bad history of bringing things into this house that only cause trouble. I didn't expect the human to be any different.

Have to take my mind off of these negative thoughts. Pancakes, that'll do it. I lose myself for the next ten minutes in the simple task of making breakfast. That was until I hear a faint yawn coming from the entrance to the kitchen. I glance over my shoulder to see the human standing in the entrance, eyes practically shut and hair disheveled like you wouldn't believe. Oh right, we have another mouth to feed.

"You eat pancakes?" I ask her while also moving the pan towards her. She didn't understand my words of course, but I read the hunger in her eyes perfectly when she saw the cakes. "Go sit at the table then. I'll have food for you soon. And if you can understand what I'm saying, go wake up Lyra or else she'll sleep through the day again."

The imp ran out of the room, but whether or not she understood I had no idea. After cooking the pancakes, I also gathered up a few bottles of water for her as well. According to Lyra, humans did drink water. I balance the tray of food on my back and exit the kitchen, only to find the girl sitting on the couch instead of at the table in the other room.

"You listen as well as Lyra," I say. She gives me a look of confusion in reply and I simply sigh. "Here ya go, eat up." I place her plate of two pancakes in front of her before resting a bottle beside her as well. "Well, aren't you going to-?"

Dear Faust that thing can eat. I didn't even have the chance to sit down before she was already tearing into one of her pancakes. By the time I did get to my seat, she had already chugged half of the bottle of water. She must have been really hungry. She's been through a lot recently too. Can see it in her eyes. Of course she has, Bon. She woke up in a new land with no idea where she is. That would take a toll on anypony.

Seeing as neither of us could understand the other, I elected to remain silent during my meal. That was until Lyra came crashing down the stairs and wakes up the neighborhood with her antics.

"Sorry about that!" she apologizes as loudly as possible. I shrug in response, but with the human in the room I might as well have been invisible. In a heartbeat, Lyra was beside the girl with a huge smile on her face. "And good morning to you, little one. How did you sleep last night?" The human girl giggles in reply.

Ding-dong.

Somebody at the door this early? Guess they came here to complain about the noise. Seeing as Lyra was far to distracted with the human to get the door, the task fell upon me.

"Yes, can I help-" I began as I open the door, but when I saw who was on the other side I stop talking at once. It was a mare I knew well. Yellow coat. Green mane. Missing her left eye. Wildfire. "Wildfire? What brings you to these parts? I thought you left for Manehatten and never looked back?"

"That was the plan, Bon. But recently some things have come up. Old job things," she says in a whisper. That couldn't be good. "Can I come in? I don't want to talk about this outside." I glance back into my house to see Lyra wiping the food off the human's face with a napkin. I didn't feel like explaining that right now. Especially not to an old colleague.

"Sorry, but my friend is sleeping. But I do know a place we can go."

X|X|X

"Things have started to heat up again recently," Wildfire began as she pulls out a small suitcase. One that we used back in our old monster hunting days to carry the most valuable of information. Even though we were completely alone in the woods, I found myself moving in closer on sheer instinct. "Monsters have been springing up all across Equestria. And not too good kinds."

"What does that matter to us? We retired. We're done." The look she gave me in response sent chills up my spine.

"Yeah. Because Equestria got Twilight and her friends. They deal with the problems now. Leaving us to go off and live our own lives. But even though I'm out, I still like to keep up on monster news." She did that too, huh? Guess some things never change.

"That's why I figured you'd want to know about this," she continues as she reaches into her case and pulls out a single picture. She then offers the picture to me. I wasn't sure what I was looking at. In the picture was a large creature with a yellow and blue...outfit? Its skin was clearly visible on its arms and lower face, so I guess the rest of it would have to be a costume. In fact, with the way it was shaped...

"It's a human".

"That's what I thought at first. Until I read eyewitness reports of how this creature grew metal claws from its hands and sliced apart six members of the guard stationed in a small town." My head snaps up to look at Wildfire, whose face was grim. "According to the reports, it was a gruesome scene. It tore through the guards like they were paper. Some of them are missing limbs now. And nothing they tried could stop it."

"That is really bad," I agree. But then I glance back at Ponyville and remember who was there. "But that has nothing to do with me. Not anymore. If the creature continues to be a problem, I'm sure Celestia will either deal with it herself or send Twilight and her friends after it. I don't fight monsters anymore. Here." I try to offer her the picture back, but Wildfire refused.

"Keep it. Add it to your monster scrapbook. We all got one." The both of us stood up at the same time, this time with smiles on our faces. "But since I came all the way out here to see you, it would be rude of you not to show me around. Going to be here a few weeks and I'd like to see the sights before I go home."

"Sure. I can show you around. As long as you promise not to attack the local wildlife."

||X||

"Sure are a lot of forests on this godforsaken world. Must not have discovered deforestation yet." This is the third forest I've found myself in since I've arrived here. And all of them are around the same area in size as each other. Ponies must be a bunch of tree huggers.

Got to admit though, it's easier to sleep in a forest than it is in an open field. Less dangerous too. So far I haven't seen any patrols or parties sent out to hunt me down, but after my little incident in that town I'm willing to bet that they'll be after me. Nothing I can't handle. Being hunted is a part of me.

What I am having trouble with is this map that I snatched. In another vain attempt to figure out where I am, I open the map up. But once again the words are all gibberish to me and the picture is way too large to be of any use pinpointing where I am. At least I have a point of reference in case I come across any of these strange places. Time to keep moving. I roll up the map and start running through the trees, while also keeping every sense on alert.

Moving through the trees is something that I'd never forget. For years it was what I did every day, hunting with my pack. Back when I was far wilder...focus Logan, you've got a job to do. Let's recall what I'm up against. These ponies can use magic, at least the unicorns can, and back at that town I saw a few with wings. Pegasi too, huh? But if those guards are the best they can offer, then I don't have to worry about them getting in my way. Just got to find the girl. But I wish I knew more about-

'Logan.'

SNIKT. SNIKT.

Instinct and reflex brings the claws out, but I know that voice well enough to know that they won't be necessary.

"Chuck. Wondered when I would be getting a telepathic visit from you," I mutter.

'I am sorry that it took so long. We had trouble locating you after you went silent during your recovery of the mutant girl,' Charles responds from within my mind. 'I had Beast build me a machine that would help in locating your mind. It seems that you are no longer on Earth or any of the known worlds. But I take it you already knew that?'

"I figured as much when I came across the local populace."

'Really? And what sort of creatures are they?'

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Back to the mission, I lost the girl. She...did something weird with her powers and the both of us ended up here," I explain. "Ever since then I've been trying to track her down, but so far I've had little luck. Doesn't help that the idiots that live here keep attacking me."

'I hope you haven't done anything to anger the locals. As I am not sure where you are, I doubt that we could send you help...even if you wanted it.'

"Relax Chuck, I haven't killed anyone if that's what you're asking. Only mauled a few of them."

'Logan...I know that with your personality it can be hard for you to avoid...doing what you do, but I ask that you-'

"I'm a killer Chuck. Let's not try to pretend I'm anything better," I cut him off. "So how about instead you tell me more about this girl and why both the government and Magneto wanted to get their hands on her?"

'Her name is Alicia and she is five years old. She is a mutant and we discovered her only a few days before we sent you in to retrieve her. The orphanage that she was in is sympathetic to mutants and they have documented her abilities and sent them to me. Alicia's powers are still being studied, but from what I gathered from the minds around her, she has the ability to teleport and has telekinetic powers.'

"Not that special. We've got guys that do that."

'Yes, but what makes her so special and so sought after is that there seems to be no limit to where she can go and who she can bring with her. If what Beast has discovered is true, then you are in another reality entirely, Logan. And that was but a small taste of what she can do. And it seems that she can also teleport as many people around her as she wishes.'

"The ability to send whole armies through reality. Now I see why you sent me to get her in such a hurry. It's easy to see why the government or Magneto would want that power so badly."

'Indeed, Logan. I am not usually the one to say this, but the entire survival of both mutant kind and mankind depends on her being brought to us. If Magneto or others got their hands on her...it could mean the end of the world as we know it. Do whatever it takes to keep her out of their hands.'

"Whatever it takes, Chuck? Sure you don't want to put a few restraints on me to make sure I don't do anything crazy?"

'...I trust you Logan. I trust your judgment and your ability to know what you should do in which situations. So far it seems that no one besides us knows what happened to you and Alicia, but I doubt that will last for long. Time is of the essence. We will do what we can to support you on this side, but I ask that you please hurry. Also...did any of the other children survive the attack?'

"...Sorry Chuck, but Alicia was the only one I managed to get out. The others were taken or worse. I did all I could."

'I see. All the more reason to get Alicia back here where she'll be safe.'

"Don't worry, Chuck. I'll have her at the mansion in no time at all. Any advice on dealing with the locals?"

'If you can, be patient with them. They did not ask to be a part of this and I believe it would be best if we left them out of it as best we could. I wish I could talk more, but to even speak this much is a great strain on my mind. But if you ever need to speak to me, simply call out and I will do my best to answer.'

"Thanks Chuck, but I don't think I'll be needing any help. This'll be a slice of cake."

I felt Chuck's mind leave mine, leaving me stuck with the same old rage and pain that I always felt in my mind. No time to think about that though. I dig my claws into a tree and rapidly climb up it, reaching a point where I could see across the landscape.

Now that I knew how valuable Alicia was, I needed to move fast. If there is anything that's stuck with me in my wild life, it's that power attracts the wrong kind of people. Her power has already attracted me to her and I'm one of the "good" guys. Who knows who else comes after?

The ponies will be no help to me. My little skirmish with them showed me that much. So to complete this mission, I'll need the help of others like me. Outsiders. But I don't care how peaceful or perfect this world looks, even it has to have its share of rejects, outcasts and downright jerks. It'll be like I'm home once again.

So I tilt my nose to the sky and take in a deep breath. I smell the trees, the ponies...and also something that I've never smelled before, even in this weird land. That's as good a place to start as any. I leap down from the top of the tree and hit the ground running, letting out a curse to the sky as the pain rapidly comes then rapidly goes. I'll find that girl, no matter what this world throws in my way. Because I'm the best there is at what I do.

Let's just hope this world doesn't make me finish the rest of that sentence.