The 2nd Human

Chapters

Chapter, The 1st
Chapter, The 3rd
Chapter, The 4th
Chapter, The 5th
Chapter, The 6th
Chapter, The Prologue
Chapter, The 2nd

Chapter, The 1st

Cold was the morning, since the fire died in the night. Not even the embers could be stirred back to life. With a grumble and a grunt, the young man rose from the pile of cured furs, rubbing the sleep from his eyes with the palms of his hands. A loud yawn, a back scratch, and some lip-smacking were the only sounds in the cave.

He made his way outside, grabbing his fur-lined leather clothes, a spear, and his bow and arrows on the way. Though the forest outside was free of snow, it was still bitterly frigid. The wind whipped by, and he felt the cold through his cloak, down through his bones and even, to him at least, into his soul.

Following the old deer trail, he made his way to the first of his traps, a small wooden cage meant for rabbits, squirrels, and such. He moved on since it was empty, quickly, surely, and quietly, towards the next trap. Also empty. Down the list he went, spending over three hours checking all the various ‘surprises’ he’d hidden throughout his portion of the forest, finding all of them like the first: empty. All save the last one.

As he neared, the sounds of coarse laughter reached his ears, along with yelping and crying. His bow was strung with practiced ease, and an arrow came notched as he angled around the trees, searching through the gaps for the source, and a good vantage point.

Just my luck, he thought. Those dang diamond dogs. I’m gonna hafta make my point again!

As the trio of dogs continued toying with whatever was caught in the trap, they failed to notice a figure step out from the shadows cast by the numerous trees. They did not, however, fail to notice the arrow that embedded itself in a tree next to the head of their leader, the dark-grey furred one with a red vest. Nor did they fail to hear a voice speak in a deep, growling, menacing tone.

“Hey there, fellas. Ya know, it’s weird. I could’ve sworn I told ya to stay away from my traps! Now, are ya gonna leave, or do I finally get myself a diamond dog fur coat?”

Rover spoke up, his trembling voice splattering his fear, “H-h-hunter! We-we-we was j-j-j-just-”

“Leaving.”

Rover’s ear twitched, a nervous tic developed from a notch he’d gotten from their last run-in with the hunter. The three disappeared in clouds of dust before he finished speaking, a set of dirt mounds where they once stood.

The man spat to the side. “Lousy mutts.”

“Hey! Thanks for scaring off those jerks, but could you get me down?”

He looked up to his ironwood-vine snare, finding a small diamond dog hanging upside down. A dark green vest covered the corgi lookalike as if it were a dress, while a cherry red gem hung from the ring on the collar.

“Nope. Ya wanna get down? Get yourself down,” he spoke, not even looking back as he walked away.

“Hey! You got some nerve leaving me hanging up here! This is your trap! You're responsible for this mess! You're-”

He continued walking even as he interrupted her tirade, “-leaving you behind, Miss Priss.”

“Wait! Hold on!” she whined.

Lousy diamond dogs. Can’t leave me alone. Nooo, that’d be too easy! Why the heck weren’t they trying to get her down? Ain’t she a packmate or something? Looks kinda young, talks different. Mayb-

His ears grabbed hold of his feet, freezing him in place as he listened to the sound of suppressed crying. As fingers clenched into a fist around his bow, his arm trembled in exasperation, teeth pulled into a grimace, and eyebrows scrunched so close together they became a unibrow. Hunter turned back around, snarling various vile curses under his breath.

The little diamond dog tried to stop her tears as she watched Hunter step out of the shadows. She still couldn’t see his face, hidden in his cowl, but she got a really good look at his eyes when his hand snapped out and gripped her collar like a vice. They were a deep blue, so dark they were almost black.

He could feel her tremble through her collar as he growled out his words through clenched teeth, “Listen, and listen hard, runt. This place’s got a small timberwolf pack roaming ‘round. Unless ya wanna paint the grass red, ya better git!”

She was pushed back with his last word, and ended up swaying back and forth. He turned his back and broke into a lope that carried him quickly through the darkening wood, and before the little dog could respond.

The cave came into view faster than he expected, until he noticed how hard he was breathing. Hunter went into the back, setting up another fire with some of the logs he’d been collecting, as well as some dry grass. As he washed up in the small spring down the only side passage, Hunter heard the telltale sound of timberwolves on the hunt, and rolled his eyes.

I told her to git, he thought grumpily.

He dried off, dressed for bed, and was almost asleep when the sounds of labored breathing and four quickly moving feet run down the cave’s entrance, stopping when a newly familiar figure came into the firelight.

He glared at the miniature intruder, “You.”

The little diamond dog solidified the retort in her mind, took a deep breath, and then promptly passed out in a ragged, bloody and torn mess, her eyes having rolled up into her head. Hunter groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose ‘tween his thumb and forefinger, until he heard the timberwolves’ hunting call sounding very, very close by.

Couldn’t’ve been a manticore. Nooo. Couldn’t’ve been a bugbear. Nooo. Couldn’t’ve been a hydra, a worg, or even a chupacabra. It had to be timberwolves! It’s gonna take me weeks to get that smoke-stench outta my stuff!

***

Why're my eyelids so heavy? Why does everything hurt? And why do I feel… warm?

She struggled to open her eyes, intent on knowing what had happened. All she could remember was running, fear, anger… and then passing out. Her eyes snapped open as a memory flashed through her mind: the hunter!

He was frowning as he looked down at her, arms and legs crossed as he sat. She gasped, tried to sit up, and failed, groaning as every muscle ached and burned. Parts of her felt as though a red-hot iron had been pressed to them.

“Moving around’s a bad idea, runt. Lie down.”

She turned her head and glared at him. “I am not a pet, you… whatever!”

He rolled his eyes. “Way to talk to the guy who saved your fluffy tail. Three times.”

She narrowed her eyes in disbelief. “Explain.”

He did, holding up a finger for each point, “One: I got those mutts off ya. Two: I took care of the timberwolves ya led right to my home. Three: I doctored ya up. You’re welcome.”

Her lip curled in a snarl. “Why?”

Frustrated, he quickly stretched a hand and flicked the tip of her nose, making her yip cutely as she wiggled it back and forth.

“I don’t hunt folks that talk, much as I’d like to sometimes. Far as I know, ain’t a thing I could use outta ya, ‘cept maybe the bones, and I ain’t hassling myself with throwing away the rest.”

One of her eyebrows quirked up, confused and curious. “You mean to tell me the only reason you saved me was because I'd be less inconvenient?”

He nodded once, and she closed her eyes and furrowed her brow. “It would've been easier to just let the timberwolves eat me.”

She turned to stare at him, raised herself up on an elbow, and he snorted, “Nope.”

“What do you mean nope?!”

He gave her a searching look before answering, “Ya ever seen a timberwolf die? They don’t. The more they kill, the stronger they get, and they ain’t alive. Magic? Yeah. Natural? No. Hydras, manticores, bugbears, blah, blah, blah… Half magic, half nature. Timberwolves… ain’t right. Can’t even use them for firewood.”

The diamond dog tilted her head. “I thought you said they couldn’t be killed?”

He took a deep breath and sighed, feeling like a professor with dim student, “Even though ya can’t kill them, ya can destroy them. But the smoke that comes outta those things can make ya sick, and the stank can last for weeks if it gets in your stuff.”

She laid back down with a huff. “Good explanation, but your grammar sucks.”

He shrugged a single shoulder. “Don’t rightly care, Miss Priss.”

She growled as her pupils narrowed into feral slits, ears down in anger, “That's not my name!”

He stared into her purple eyes just as intensely as he leaned forward, almost nose-to-snout. “’Kay. What’cha called?”

The staring contest went on for a full minute before she blinked, and turned her head to the side, ears down and back, “I'm… Sage. Sage Halfblood.”

The human nodded once, leaned back, and reached out a hand. “Hunter Knighte.”

Sage looked sideways at his hand, before leaning over and giving it a sniff. Salty from sweat… leather and wood from his equipment…fresh blood from his injuries… and… what is that smell? I can’t quite put my claw on it. Frustration, distrust, curiosity and… something…

After she finished sniffing, Hunter rose to his feet, and walked over to a small box near the cavern wall while Sage watched him.

“What're you doing?” she asked, curious.

“Getting supplies. ‘Bout time to clean your wounds,” he replied without turning, returning with three vials full of liquid: one a dark red, one a milky white, and one clear, as well as a small square of cloth, a cotton swab, and a small handful of leaves.

Sage looked down as her blanket was removed, to see her collar and vest had been removed. She blushed, making her red fur stand out even more against the white.

“Where're my clothes?!” She shrieked.

Hunter rolled his eyes as he scratched his beard. “Drying by the fire.”

“Why?!”

“They were wet.”

“Why?!”

“Washed ‘em.”

“Why?!”

“Dirt and blood stains mess up sewing. Now hush, puppy,” he scolded, removing the leaves packed around Sage’s upper right arm, exposing the patch of furless skin to the air. Three red, pencil-thick lines ran diagonally around it.

Sage looked as he uncorked the clear vial. “What’s that?”

Hunter pressed the cloth over the vial, upending it once and quickly. He brought the cloth close to her nose. “Water.”

The little diamond dog only winced once as he cleaned off her wound. After corking the vial, he opened the milky one, and dipped the cotton swab into it.

“What's tha-”

Her question was interrupted as Hunter applied the swab to her wound, which caused her to hiss and whine out in pain.

It feels like salty, electric lemon juice!

As much as she wanted to move, Sage caught the look he was giving her, and did her best not to. She clenched her eyes shut as a few tears fell, and her breathing quickened its pace.

Finished with that, he opened the final vial, using the other end of the swab. Sage felt a cool, refreshing breeze blow across the gashes as Hunter applied the red liquid. Her eyes, both angry and thankful, caught his after he stoppered the small bottle.

“What was in those bottles?”

Hunter gave her a small, slightly satisfied smirk as he replied, “Manticore venom and hydra’s blood.”

The blood drained from her face as she screamed, “Are you insane?!”

He looked up at the ceiling for a few moments, tapping a finger against his jaw, before his eyes returned to Sage. “Kinda, yeah.”

“Why'd you even think using those things was safe?!”

Hunter winced at her volume as he clapped his hands over his ears. When Sage had calmed down, he removed his hands, and gave her a pointed look.

“Manticore venom's like iodine. Cleans cuts, stops bleeding. Hydra’s blood makes ya heal faster.”

Sage looked at him as if he had made fish noises, “What idiot told you that?! Those things could kill me!”

He gave her a look that spoke volumes. “Learned it from a zebra. Stuff’s only bad if ya drink it, or get a shot. Long as ya don’t take sip or get poked with the stuff, it’s good in small bits.”

“Where're you going?” Sage asked as she watched him walk towards the fire.

“Getting breakfast,” he replied without turning around.

“What is it?”

Hunter let out a loud sigh, then returned with two wooden spoons and steaming bowls. “Chicken, carrot, and potato soup.”

“I’m not hungry,” she huffed.

Hunter shrugged. “Don’t care. Ya got hurt pretty bad. Sooner ya eat, sooner ya get better, sooner ya leave.”

One of Sage’s ears perked up, as the other went out to the side. “And where, exactly, am I supposed to go?”

“Where ya were headed, or back where ya came from. Don’t matter which to me.”

“How do I do that when I don't know where I am?” she sneered.

Hunter just stared at her with an expressionless face. “Ya want breakfast or not?”

Sage rolled to her side and stared at the cave wall, ears flat against her head as she pulled the blanket up to her shoulders.

“Fine,” he muttered, placing the bowl and spoon within her arm’s reach. Sage listened to the sounds of packing, and footsteps that faded into the distance.

I can't trust that thing. Using that stuff… what was it thinking?

***

Hunter was thinking how much of a pain the runt was, as he mentally complained while he checked and reset his traps. Can’t even say thanks. Grumpy little Miss Prissy Pants. “That stuff could kill me!” Kill her my aunt Zelda! Things work just fine. Sure, the venom’ll give ya nightmares for a few days, but still! Least I caught some rabbits.

After finding nothing more in the last trap, Hunter made his way back to the cave, hunger gnawing at him like a dog with an old bone. He froze as he neared the entrance, having heard the sound of unfamiliar voices mingled in a cacophony of noise.

As silently as he could, Hunter crept into his home, an arrow nocked to his bow and ready to fly free, as he began to discern the differences in dialogue.

“You’re going to tell us!” said a strong, masculine voice

“No I won't!” Came Sage’s almost girlish voice.

“You will!”

“I won't!”

“Will too!”

“Will not!”

“Will too!”

“Will not!”

“Will-”

The banter was interrupted by the sound of a pimp-slap, promptly followed by, “Ow! What was that for?”

A raspy-voiced, irate female answered, “Oh, gee, let me think… Maybe it’s ‘cause you’re acting like a dweeb!”

Wait a sec! I know that voice…

Hunter rounded the corner, and confirmed his suspicions.

Sage huddled in the back, maybe forty feet away, cornered by a male lion/eagle griffon who towered over her, with a female version standing next to him, giving the male a look of irritation.

Hunter could not believe his eyes, as he stared. “Gilda?”

The griffon turned at his voice, and her eyes widened. “Hunter?!”

His eyes grew darker, his bow coming up to aim at her chest, as he snarled out, “What're you doing here?!”

Gilda’s eyes widened further in surprise and confusion, before narrowing in anger. “Looking for you, you dweeb! Why else would we be in the Everfree Forest?!”

Hunter arched an eyebrow slightly. “We?”

Gilda thumbed her claw at the male griffon. “This is my cousin, Garrett.”

Garrett turned and gave Hunter an indifferent look, “’Sup.”

Hunter nodded to him, then turned his attention back to Gilda. “Why are ya looking for me?”

“’Cause I owe Rainbow Dash a favor, and she decided to cash in. You know she’s been looking for you, right? The others too?”

Hunter pulled the arrow back farther as his voice dropped deeper. “Now why would The Six be looking for me?”

Gilda’s eyes softened just a bit. “They’re worried about you-”

She was interrupted by an arrow whizzing by, just inches from her face, as it shattered against the cave wall behind her. Gilda looked to the broken remnants, then to Hunter, a retort on her beak, which faded as she saw his face, rage blazing across it like a wildfire. Garrett roared out, and charged. Hunter’s teeth ground against each other as he reached behind, and grabbed his spear.

Just as Garrett pounced, Hunter whipped his spear around and broke it across the side of the griffon’s head, and knocked him into the nearby wall, out cold and bleeding from both sides of his noggin, but still breathing. He turned to look at Gilda again, his breathing heavy, unleashing the pent-up anger he’d been holding back for months in a roaring voice that echoed throughout the cave.

“Worried? Worried?! Those mares ain’t worrying ‘bout some… thing like me! They even tell ya why I left?! No? Then let me. I left ‘cause not even Pinkie Pie wanted me ‘round!”

Gilda took a step back in surprise, but strengthened her stance as she spoke firmly, “Dude, I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m not leaving here without you. Even if you are acting like a dweeb.”

Hunter only stared at her as he trembled in anger, but deflated as he sighed, nodding to Gilda. “Fine. Ya win. I’ll go with ya. Just… lemme pack up some stuff, ‘kay?”

Gilda nodded, and watched as he packed what few belongings he had into his beat-up, dark green backpack. As he packed up the medical supplies, he left one jar out, filled with a bluish-lavender colored powder.

Hunter grasped the jar in his hand as he shouldered the hefty backpack, then held out the jar to Gilda as she approached.

Gilda raised an eyebrow in confusion, as she took the jar in her talons. “What’s this?”

He gave the griffon a resigned look. “Ya wanna know why I left. Answer’s in the jar.”

Curiosity prodded Gilda, caused her to open the jar, and take a sniff. As confusion stumbled into her mind, she took an even deeper sniff.

Her confusion grew as she handed the jar back to him. “I don’t smell anything.”

Hunter gave her a sad smile. “Ya ain’t supposed to.”

Gilda tilted her head to the side, and raised an eyebrow. “Waddaya mean… by…?”

The griffon couldn’t finish her sentence as she slumped to the cavern floor, unconscious.

Hunter’s smile grew less sad, if only a bit. “Like I said. Ya ain’t supposed to.”

Sage, having been quiet the entire time, looked at him in horror. The blood drained from her face, her heart hammered in her chest, as she began to hyperventilate, and quickly passed out.

“Great,” Hunter grumbled. “Now I gotta carry her and my stuff. Just... great.”

Chapter, The 3rd

Hunter rested on his back and stared up at the shadowed joining of the four trees barely a yard from his face. His eyes smiled at his mind as the two wandered, even if they took separate paths.

What am I gonna do now? Ain’t got a plan. Need a plan. Down south? Check the map. Maybe Sage’s got an idea? Better weather, less ponies… way less. Gonna need a book. Twili- No. No, no, no! Not going back. Bad idea. Might get stuck in jail. Worse, prob'ly. Places that got books? Big cities, libraries, book stores… more ponies. Check the map. Talk with Sage. Make a plan. Together. Right!

He sat up, reached for his backpack, and rummaged around until he came across a folded square of paper, two inches on a side. The creases had worn away at the ink in their grid-like pattern, evidenced by half-eaten or even missing letters, as his dark blue eyes beheld the simple calligraphy of mountains, forests, deserts, jungles and swamps, even while his fingers passed over them all in a slow, whispered touch.

A sigh escaped through his nose, before he turned his attention to the diamond dog who napped within arm’s reach, as her ears twitched at the sounds their sharp hearing uncovered. Her shoulder was gently shaken, which caused her eyes to snap open. Her viewpoint changed as she sat up, and looked to Hunter as he held a weathered map in his hands.

“Got a minute? Need help.”

She tilted her head to the side, one ear up as the other went sideways. “Figuring out what to do next?”

He nodded.

“What're you thinking?”

Hunter frowned down at the map as he brought carefully to the ground between them. “Thought ‘bout going south. Ain’t got much on it, though. Like to get a book on it. Maybe decide then?”

Sage’s right paw cupped her chin as the left pointed a claw to the map, stopping at different cities without touching it. “We'd have better luck at a library, bookstore, or a local who knows the area. Bigger cities would give better chances, but we could get… spotted. With the ponies after you, and me being a diamond dog, we're sure to get noticed for bandits, or something.”

Hunter snorted as he covered his grin with a hand. Sage watched him with a raised eyebrow.

“Sorry. Ya ain’t much of a criminal, Sage. Too fluffy.”

She narrowed her eyes as her hackles raised, a huff escaping her. “Much as I hate to admit it, I'm an awesome thief. Besides-” she grinned, mischief twinkling in her eyes just a smidge “-since I don't look it, they don't expect it.”

Hunter rolled his eyes away from her, then rolled them back. “Loud and clear. Where ya think we should go?”

Sage shrugged. “No idea. I don't know much about pony-cities, and most diamond dogs hate books. Why south, though?”

Hunter rubbed his nose with his thumb before he answered, “No winter, and ain’t as many ponies. Win-win.”

The diamond dog bobbed her head in agreement. “Good points. I think we got some time before we should decide. Any idea where we're going, for now?”

The young man pointed towards a small depiction of ruins on the map, as excitement made him smirk.

“Yep.”

***

Sage walked casually beside Hunter as they made their way through the forest, while the shadows around them grew deeper, darker, and colder. The odd pair made almost no sound as they trekked on, intent on reaching the ruins before the night claimed them itself.

Hunter looked at what little sunlight he could, as it grew faint with twilight encroaching. “Got maybe light for an hour. Two to the castle, three at night. Ain’t good. Guess we’ll-”

Sage looked over to Hunter, who had stopped in his tracks, frozen in mid-step. Her head tilted to the side as she raised an eyebrow in question. He brought a finger to his lips, signaling for silence, pointed it at her, and then cupped his hand around his ear. She nodded in response, and closed her eyes to more intently focus her hearing. At first, her brow drew together in confusion, but then in concentration as she listened more intently, just to be sure. She was right. There was nothing to be heard in the woods around them.

Sage opened her eyes to look at Hunter, and her mouth to question him, when her pupils shrank to near non-existent levels. She had heard nothing. Not the sound of animals sleeping, not the sound of crickets chirping, not even the wind blowing. Were it not for her and Hunter’s breathing, she would have sworn she had gone completely deaf.

Hunter noticed her confirmation of his fears, and nodded as his lips set into a firm line. He took a cautious step forward, the light crunch of grass sounding like a falling tree in the dead silence. After twenty-three snail-paced steps, he let out a breath slowly, and watched the steamy mist float away. He rolled his shoulders, easing out the stiffness, as he began to walk at a brisker pace.

Twelve steps more and he fell through the ground.

Sage’s eyes were a hairsbreadth away from dangling out of their sockets and into her open muzzle as she watched Hunter struggle, his body having passed through the ground as if it were an illusion. His arms scrabbled for a grip on the loose soil, even as his feet did the same, but both met with similar results: he continued to slip into the unseen hole.

As she saw Hunter desperately reaching for something to hold onto, Sage leapt over to him, and grabbed one of his arms. Tried though she did, she too began to slide with Hunter into the unknown. With one paw on his arm, the other shot out behind her, and dug into the soil, as she tried to anchor herself, to no avail. Her claws scored shallow furrows into the dirt, before Hunter’s weight pulled her in. She remembered seeing leafy canopy of the forest, heard Hunter scream out her name, and then…

***

The wall was uninteresting. Just bland, beige, and unadorned. And yet, for some strange reason, a pair of eyes stared at it, almost as if they could see more deeply into it, into the small cracks and sections where the paint had dripped before it dried, and these were, somehow, the gateway to paradise.

But such was not the case. The eyes only stared because the body had not moved, and only blinked rarely. What they saw was the same scene that had repeated, over and over again, for the past three months: an empty room, an unmade bed, and a missing backpack. The eyes stared, ignoring the cries of the stomach, the ache of the joints, and the constriction of flesh across the ribs. They cared not for the incredible effort it took for breath to be drawn into the lungs. They only cared for an answer, and continued to stare until it was found.

The pair of ears heard the sound of wings as they flapped up the stairs, before a knock came at the doorframe. Since the staring had begun, the door had remained open. A familiar, raspy voice broke the silence like a cannonball fired through a glass house, even though it only whispered.

“Hey, Pinkie. We found him.”

One of the ears twitched, ever so subtly. The eyes blinked slowly; the head turned away from the wall, loud pops echoing into the room for each joint screaming in pure ecstasy. The sight of a rainbow mane and magenta eyes caused the mouth-corners to tremble upwards, moving like molasses in slow-motion, and the jaw creaked with the motions of creating the grin. A single word escaped the lips, sounding like a whispering snake, vocalizing a single word:

“Whhherrre?”

Rainbow Dash smiled as her eyebrows drew down to form a ‘v.’ “Gilda found him in a cave in the Everfree Forest. Twilight wanted me to tell the gang, so I thought I’d tell you first. Well, gotta tell everypony else. Later!”

Pinkie’s grin widened by inches, even as her pupils shrank, after Rainbow Dash flew back down the stairs. Her straight mane began to fill up, though not to its previous volume, and instead became wavy. She rose from her haunches, moving slowly as she stretched unused muscles. One of her back legs stretched out behind her, then the other, and she repeated the process with her front legs before she rolled her neck around. Pinkie’s eyes were shut tight, her teeth bared in discomfort, as she loosened up.

Slowly, her legs moved forward, their memories of walking slowly returned with each clip and clop of hooves. As Pinkie took the stairs a step at a time, her legs steadily increased in their speed and surety, though they trembled as she reached the bottom. Her breath came in short, labored gasps as the sweat trickled across her shaky frame. Pinkie wiped the sweat from her head, and made her way to the kitchen.

The bread, accompanied by the tomatoes, lettuce, and daisies, were helpless against the onslaught of chomping, chewing, and gnashing of molars. Their silent cries were drowned out by the satisfied sigh of a being they had named, ‘The Pink Menace.’ Pinkie Pie, oblivious to the massacre that had taken place, gathered a new group to join their brothers in her gullet, with the addition of a poor, innocent apple.

Again, and again, and again, the ingredients were brought together, but would not share the fate of their predecessors. At least, not yet. No, their fate was to be worse, to be contained in some form of clear, flexible barrier, and made to wait in silent dread for the unknown hour of their imminent demise, bunched together in a wicker prison.

The refrigerator was raided for five gallon-sized jugs of apple cider, and a small note was taped to its front to explain their absence as well as the disappearance of two dozen strawberry cupcakes, a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, and a lemon meringue pie, in addition to four dozen chocolate chip cookies.

All were nestled securely into Pinkie’s little cart, which she hitched onto herself. She made slow but steady progress through Ponyville, smiles and waves were doled out as she passed or was passed by the residents, and even a few faces who had come in just for a getaway weekend from Canterlot.

Many tried to stop her to talk, but she gave them each a small smile, whispering, “Sorry, can’t stop, on a mission, talk later.”

The sun shone bright, the air coolly whispered by. Hoofsteps coupled with the rolling cart as it creaked along struck a harmony to the song of her harsh breathing. But onward Pinkie went, her destination known only to herself. Past Sweet Apple Acres, past Fluttershy’s cottage, and past Zecora’s hut, deeper into the Everfree Forest. Not a sound she could hear nearby. Not the frantic leap of prey as it fled, not the subtle step of a predator on the hunt, not even the lazy hum or buzz of insects. The silence only made her grin grow longer, wider, taller, and deeper; and though her body shook, though her muscles screamed in protest, though her smile twitched from the effort of keeping the head-splitting grin, she only paused to heave breath after steaming breath once she could see her goal:

The Castle of the Two Sisters.

He’ll be here… soon… and then…

“… eh-he… eh-he-he… eh-he-he-he-he. Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

As her mad cackling echoed off into the heart of silence, Pinkie crossed the worn, rickety wooden planks of the rope-bridge, while thrumming a tune softly under her breath,

“I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad
I got sunshine, in a bag
I’m useless, but not for long,
The future, is coming on
I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad
I got sunshine, in a bag
I’m useless, but not for long,
The future, is coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
Yeah, Ha-ha!”

***

Page.

Not here…

Page.

Not here either…

Page.

Interesting… but not what I was looking for

Page.

Ah-ha! There you are. “Moonblossom: a rare flower that only blooms under the light of the full moon, the petals are usually pressed for their liquid, which can be distilled and used as a powerful anesthetic before surgery. It can also be ground into a fine powder to be used as an inhalant sleeping aid to induce a dreamless sleep. In this form, it is commonly referred to as lullaby dust. Moonblossoms are most commonly found in forested areas, such as the Everyfree Forest and Whitetail Woods.”

This must be how Hunter’s been able to avoid Luna for so long. But, how did he find out about this flower?! It’s taken me weeks to find this out!

A pair of purple eyes looked up from the book as a magic aura closed it shut, and they glanced the title once more.

Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and Cure-Alls that are Simply Super.

“More tea, Twilight? Your eyes look a fright.”

The head housing the bloodshot eyes looked up from the book at a concerned, striped face framing turquoise eyes, a quirked eyebrow, and the mouth turned down at the corners. Twilight’s smile was small, but gratitude shone through like a lighthouse in the dark at the tray, as well as the steaming teapot and cups upon it, balancing on her friend’s hoof.

“Thanks… Zecora. Haven’t… slept well,” she spoke in a scratchy voice.

The zebra's smile reached her eyes as she poured the tea, before offering it to the alicorn. “What friend would I be, to not offer tea?”

Twilight’s aura encompassed her horn and the cup of tea as she giggled, which descended into a small coughing fit. The tea slid warmly, welcome, soothing down her throat after the sudden irritation. The cooling aftertaste of peppermint, coupled with the honey in the dark liquid, brought enough comfort for Twilight to let out a small sigh as she closed her eyes with a large smile.

“Much better. Thank you, Zecora,” she whispered, not wishing to strain her throat more.

Zecora closed her eyes and smiled, but opened them with a small frown, “I’m happy to help, in any way I can. But tell me, for Hunter, what is it you plan?”

Twilight stared into her tea through droopy, half-closed eyes, and yawned before she answered. “Well… to be honest, I’d just like to know why he left. I mean, I know things were tense after his… arrival, but it seemed as if he was settling in just fine.”

She paused to sip at her tea before continuing, though her gaze went back to the cup as her hoof tapped at her chin. "What was he thinking?”

Zecora closed her eyes, sighed, and slowly shook her head back and forth before looking at Twilight once more. “Not a unicorn, pegasus, or pony is he. Compared to that, I believe, he sees things much differently. Understanding, you say, is what you desire. But in your eyes I see a separate fire.”

Twilight’s head shot up, her puffy eyes large as dinner plates as she looked from side to side. “I, uh, what do you mean?”

The zebra gave a smirk as full of confidence as Rarity was full of drama. “Your Element is not honesty. Your eyes and lips speak two things, you see.”

A sigh escaped Twilight’s lips as her head bowed low, but her gaze gained resolve as she looked into Zecora’s eyes. “Okay, I’ll tell you. The truth is-” her eyes were drawn towards the window “-is that Pinkie Pie?”

Zecora turned around, looked out her window, and saw the pink mare pulling a cart. “Pinkie Pie I believe it to be. Though why does she travel through Everfree?”

Twilight coughed, and finished her tea in one large gulp before she answered, “I don’t know. But I’m going to ask her and find out.”

Zecora watched as Twilight cantered out of her home, sighed, and put a hoof to her jaw as she frowned at the floor, “There’s more to this than meets my eye. What reason caused Twilight to lie?”

***

Twilight moved at a brisk trot, intent on catching up to Pinkie Pie, but slowed upon noticing that Pinkie’s hair was not its regular level of poofiness. In fact, it was only slightly wavier than when she’d been kept in the dark for her own surprise birthday party. And, for some strange reason, she was hauling a small food cart. She followed at a distance, but always kept Pinkie in sight.

As they reached the bridge spanning the chasm before the ruined Castle of the Two Sisters, Twilight’s hoof came up to capture the gasp that escaped her, though Pinkie seemed not to notice, preoccupied with her song as she was.

Why did Pinkie come here!? This isn’t the best place for a picnic… but, then again, Pinkie never does anything without a reason.

Through the crumbling skeleton of a castle Twilight followed Pinkie, past the decaying tapestries, broken doors, and piles of rubble strewn about from collapsed ceiling sections. Up a flight of stairs, Pinkie hauled her cart, wheezing from the effort it took to pull the wheels over each step. Finally, she cleared the last step, and fell to the floor in a sweaty, trembling, gasping heap.

Pinkie lay on the cool stones, her breath steamed in the gentle breeze, and her eyes looked around at the roofless tower; a broken, low wall surrounded her on all sides, barely a stone’s throw away from the stairs. She grinned through the pain in her teeth from the cold air, even as she panted.

She giggled as she dragged herself across the floor. She giggled while she unhooked the harness. She giggled as she leaned her back against the wall, and tilted her head back to rest on its top. Her hoof reached out and opened the cart, retrieving a sandwich. The hoof returned to the cart, and fished out a gallon of cider. Pinkie’s giggling never stopped as she devoured the delectable morsel, and sent it to her gullet on a river of liquid apples. As it all hit her stomach, Pinkie patted her belly with a loud sigh, and closed her eyes, still giggling.

Soon…

Twilight slowly came up the stairs, her ears pointed in the direction of a curious mixture of sound: giggling and snoring. Her head came up above the edge of the tower’s floor, and she found Pinkie to be the source of noise, napping against the wall to Twilight’s right. The alicorn sighed and shook her head with closed eyes, before opening them again and staring at Pinkie’s unconscious form.

As much as it might hurt my brain to think about it… what’s going on in that head of yours, Pinkie? Why did you come out here?

A few hoofsteps and Twilight stood next to Pinkie’s cart, taking stock of the various foodstuffs and deserts contained within. Oddly enough, there was also a sleeping bag that served as a cushion beneath everything. Twilight’s aura gently took hold of the food and levitated them around her in systematic order, before she took the sleeping bag in her own hooves. Her eyes remained focused on the bag while she unzipped it as the food was organized back into its previous arrangement.

A yawn escaped a pair of lavender lips, followed by them smacking a few times, and a trio of sluggishly slow blinks. The sleeping bag was an adequate makeshift blanket as Twilight settled next to Pinkie Pie, and nestled her back against the earth pony’s leg, as the unzipped bag floated to cover both of their forms. Her eyes took in the fading light that cast a shadow on the stairway’s entrance, before the darkness behind her eyelids claimed Twilight’s vision.

I didn’t realize just how tired I am. Then again, the past few weeks have been kind of crazy. Is it the fourth? Or… the…

Pinkie’s eyes opened halfway and beheld Twilight, asleep at her side, with the alicorn’s horn pointed towards the stairs. A small smile inched itself to the unseen halfway mark on Pinkie’s face, as her rear hoof softly stroked the sleeping princess’ mane. Twilight let out a murmuring sound of content as a smile formed on her face. Pinkie let out a silent giggle.

“Thanks, Twilight,” she whispered.

***

Pain.

Burning, stinging, stabbing, incessantly throbbing pain.

Everywhere.

Everything hurt everywhere.

Ugghhh… why’d a dragon tap dance on me? Got nothing against dragons, but I ain’t a dancefloor. Don’t wanna move. Gotta try, though. Right big toe… okay. Right foot… okay. Left big-

“Hnnggrrgg! Ah! Ah! Sss! Ishkabibblin, marzipanzus grazzerfriggim! Left foot bad! Left foot bad!”

The growls echoed softly in the cavernous space, bouncing off the rough-hewn walls like whispers. A pair of clenched eyes rode out the waves of thought-blocking pain, before being able to relax. Like a sloth reaching out for a leaf, they slowly trembled their way towards vision. What they saw was most unpromising: a large cave, its limits unknowable outside of the faint moonlight that shone through the open shaft overhead. With no inclination to move, the eyes picked out what they could amidst the gloomy shadows.

Rocks. Rocks. Stalagmite. Big rock. Backpack. Rock. Wait…

Perhaps twenty feet away lay the scattered remains of Hunter’s gear, shattered, splintered, and sundered. There were perhaps two arrows that were salvageable, but they might as well have been knitting needles for the fractured state the bow was in. The vials had released their contents to intermingle, creating a cocktail of sludge that oozed out of the shredded remnants of the backpack’s bottom. Two halves of a spear had been separated by a small cluster of stalagmites.

Despite the grip of his teeth, Hunter’s lip quivered. Despite how tightly he closed his eyes, hot tears leaked out. Everything he had made… everything he had carefully stockpiled… the bow he had gotten for his last birthday… gone.

And on top of that, the throbbing in his head had started to make his ears buzz.

Hunter’s eyes snapped open to stare blearily into the darkness as a frown crossed his brow, before they rocketed into his hair at the epiphany.

The buzzing ain’t in my head…

Chapter, The 4th

Try as he might, Hunter couldn’t pinpoint which direction the buzzing originated from as it bounced from one wall to the next. Desperation and fear frantically clawed at his mind in tandem and ushered Hunter to scrabble forward as he shimmied on his hands and good leg. He had to hold his breath to stop the screams that would have exploded out of him, every time his bad leg bumped or got scraped on a stray rock. Sweat poured down his face as he inched across the cavern’s uneven floor.

The buzzing had grown louder by the time Hunter closed his hand around the broken arrow, though the feel of the wood did gave him a slight bit of comfort. He brought the broken projectile under his chest, and focused on controlling his breath, as he waited.

Barely half a minute later, the buzzing stopped, but was followed by the sound of hooves hitting the ground. After what sounded like sniffing, the hooves made their way towards Hunter’s position. They stopped nearly a foot away, and Hunter could almost feel the creature move its head closer to inspect him.

With a roar and a burst of adrenaline, Hunter whirled around, managing to stab the creature in the eye with a loud pop. Though the exploding chunks of eyeball and what felt like snot were disgusting as they landed on Hunter’s hand, arm and face, the stench was much, much worse. The combination of wet dog, rotting skunk, and burned hair was enough to trigger his gag reflex, as he pushed the corpse away and unleashed his stomach’s contents upon the unsuspecting floor. After three minutes of vomiting what felt like an entire week's worth of meals, Hunter wiped his lips and rubbed his eyes clear with his unspoiled arm, before he stared at the creature.

Though the moonlight bleached out most of the color, he could still make out the fading glow of a single, bulbous blue eye, the glint of a chitinous hide, and the subtle death-throes of the beetle-like wings as they twitched.

A changeling?! How’d a changeling get here?!

Before his thoughts could spiral into complete pandemonium, and before he could catch his breath, Hunter’s ears were assaulted by a head-splitting screech that seemed intent on ripping his skull apart. His hands clapped over his ears, but they did nothing to diminish the bone-rattling wail. Curled into a fetal position, all he could do was clench his teeth together and his eyes shut, as he tried to ride out the increasing wave of pain.

It was as if every hair on his head had become a white-hot screw, and were being drilled through his skull and into his brain. He felt blood begin to leak out from his eyes, ears, and nose. Heedless of the pain in his leg, Hunter rolled onto one side, then the other, repeating back and forth until he screamed. The sound of his own primal, anguished cry overrode the howls in his mind, before his lungs gave out, and his eyes rolled back behind the darkness imposed upon them.

Hunter’s body went limp, and his breathing gradually slowed to a rhythmic rise and fall of his chest.

The buzzing came again, but he couldn’t hear it. He didn’t see the pair of changelings descend into the cavern. His unconscious mind barely registered that he was being moved, though he did groan as his bad leg was jostled by the impromptu flight. Down through the mazelike passages they flew, closely followed by a pair of purple eyes.

***

Throughout the trip, Hunter dreamed of being surrounded by countless electric razors. The clicks and buzzes set his dream-self on edge, as they drew closer and closer to his left leg, before diving into it like a school of starving piranhas. Meanwhile, back in the waking world, he had been unceremoniously dumped onto the ground. And onto his bad leg, no less.

“Blisskarkling majinga! Owowow!”

As Hunter balled up his hands into fists, he heard a soft, discordant voice begin chuckling. The laughter continued in pace with the echoes of hoofsteps as they drew nearer to his prone form, face down in the dust.

“Well, well, well. My brood have told me much about you, human. But I must admit I didn’t expect you to be so… frail. Though I suppose that’s what happens when you have no exoskeleton, after all.”

His eyes shot open so wide Hunter was afraid his eyelids had permanently retreated into his sockets. A pale green light afforded him the means to see what stood a few feet before him. As slow as molasses in winter, he drew his gaze from the floor to the grayish black, chitinous hooves. Upward he went, taking note of the numerous holes that seemed to puncture the legs, before resting on the face of the statuesque figure.

Her horn was twisted, jagged, and menacing. It seemed less an implement for magic and more one for torture, especially with the green light it was giving off. Her long, teal colored mane and tail were like disheveled lengths of weeping willow moss. Though multiple shades of green, from the pupil to the ‘white,’ her bloodshot eyes held a beckoning smile behind their alien coloration. The downward-facing fangs only served to add a sense of thrill to her overall appearance, as opposed to a threatening one.

Hunter gulped. “You… you’re Chrysalis!”

Her left eye twitched once, twice, thrice. “That’s Queen Chrysalis to you, human. Should you forget, I shall have to… remind you. Now then, we’ve wasted enough time here. Allow me to show around you around my domain. Drones, carry him. He’ll be a hindrance otherwise.”

Once again Hunter was lifted into the air, grasped by his arms and hauled forward into another tunnel as the drones followed their queen. Sounds and smells became all he could register, as Chrysalis had extinguished her light. The buzzing became stronger and stronger as they continued down, deeper into the depths of darkness. Scents of rancid meat, potent mold, and damp earth assaulted Hunter’s nose, and though he tried holding his breath, the uncaring grip of the changelings bumped his leg against wall and stalagmite alike.

After nearly passing out four or five times, his escort stopped, but continued to hover in mid-air. The light Chrysalis’ horn emitted before returned, showcasing her manic grin in the eerie glow.

“As a proper Queen, let me introduce you to my newest subjects.”

The light grew brighter, and illuminated the entirety of the large cavern. Including its newly revealed inhabitants. Their roaring set the walls to shake, even managing to knock loose some cracked stalactites which crashed to the floor, and shattered like lightbulbs.

Sweat began to ooze from every pore Hunter had as his breathing quickened.

Sweet Celestia… what are these things?!

All the while the purple eyes watched on, though now laced with a sheer coating of horror.

Author's Note

Hi ya'll! Sorry for the major delay of game. Like, seriously sorry. :twilightsheepish:

And although a certain someone's comment about the length of chapters does make a good point... I'm going back to doing these shorter ones. They just work better for me. Hate them or like them, that's up to you guys, and it's okay either way. I've left ya'll without an update for waaaaaaaaay too long. So, I hope you enjoy it, as well as the next chapters to come.

-Ru

Chapter, The 5th

Chrysalis grinned, the light from her horn casting a sickly green glow on her teeth. “After my defeat at the wedding in Canterlot, I decided a more aggressive approach was in order. Which is why I opened the cocoons of my hive to embrace the manticore, chimera, and cockatrice. With such abilities infused into my drones, they’re unstoppable!”

Hunter winced, panting, “Why… show me?”

Her grin grew to manic lengths as she drew closer, almost touching her snout to his nose. “Two reasons, really. The first is to show you how powerless all of Equestria is before my creations. The second, well -” she gently caressed his face with a hoof “- imagine how easily this nation will fall once your abilities are added to my hive!”

His face lost all color. “What?!”

A sharp blow to the back of his head prevented any retort he had in mind.

Chrysalis’ grin shrunk down to a smile as she nuzzled his cheek. She closed her eyes and moaned softly, “Soon, my prize. Soon.”

She raised her head to stare down at the drones with a hardened expression. Take him to the nursery. Prepare him like the others.

They nodded. Yes, your majesty.

Hunter unwillingly rose into the air before being carried to a tunnel angling downwards. Once out of her sight, Chrysalis turned to stare at her newest generation, feeling the urge to laugh rising in her throat.

The sound of scrabbling rock stopped it just behind her tongue.

Her head whipped around to stare with narrowed eyes at the numerous tunnels around her. Seeing nothing, and hearing only the sounds of the hive, she unleashed a soft hum before relaxing her stance.

***

Okay that was way too close! I gotta be more careful where I put my fat paws or I’m ending up like Hunter. Can’t exactly save the guy if I need saving, too.

Sage removed her paw from around her mouth and let out her breath slowly once, twice, thrice. Once her breath had gotten back under control, she gently padded back down the tunnel to where it split off in three directions. A quick sniff was all she needed; the left tunnel smelling more of ponies.

Probably where they’re keeping prisoners. Or leftovers.

She gulped, making sure not to scatter any stones as her bounding leaps carried her down to where, she hoped, Hunter was going to be.

***

It was easier not to move, and the light from beyond his eyelids was hardly inviting. Any time his leg shifted, it jolted a surge of bright pain up his spine to behind his eyes.

Smells like a men’s room got puked up through a toilet.

The buzzing was softer, though there were more squishes and squelches than before. Like sponges lazily slurping across the stone floor. Every now and then, a harsh hiss would reach Hunter’s ears.

Great. Leg hurts, head hurts, bow’s broken, and I’m gonna be a changeling. Second worst day ever.

“I know you’re awake.”

He opened his eyes, not needing to move his head to see her face. “Figure that out on your own, Queenie?”

Chrysalis smiled. “Quite easily. And while I could spend hour upon hour extolling my superior mind, sadly I have a schedule to keep. I trust you’re comfortable enough?”

Hunter looked left and right, seeing his hands in a tight-fitting, stone pillory angled upwards to the ceiling he couldn’t see. “Nope”

Her smile reached her eyes as she lifted a hoof, shrugging. “Oh well. There’s only so much that can be done with stone, at any rate.”

“Shall we begin, then?” she asked, eyes widening with her grin.

Before Hunter could respond, Chrysalis’ horn lit up in a sickly green light. Immediately, he felt a slight pressure on the hinges of his jaw, just below each of his ears. Second after second, it pressed more firmly. Try though he did, it was not long before his mouth was forced open.

And even then, she did not relent.

Her magic pushed further, causing Hunter to groan out in pain. They came out with each exhale, escalating into screams. His eyes squinted shut, leaking tears as the pain grew, and grew, and grew.

Until his jaw popped free.

His howls echoed from wall to wall, through tunnels and crevices, and could faintly be heard for a full minute after they stopped. Breathing raggedly was all he could do, even as Chrysalis walked up and sat in front of him on her haunches.

With half-lidded eyes she smiled down at him, stroking his head. “Shh. Shh. It’s all right, little one. You’ve made it through the worst. All that’s left is a little snack, and then you can rest.”

A jagged gurgle mixed with a coughing sob was his only response.

***

Where the bark is he? I didn’t think I was that far ahead of the guards. Took me ten minutes to get here, and I’ve been waiting a whole hour!

A faint buzzing reached her ears.

She went still as the stones around her, eyes closed as breathing slowed. The buzzing grew louder, and soon enough a pair of guards flew by.

Their wings are moving faster than normal, but their speed hasn’t gone up. And I can smell…

Hunter!

Sage’s eyes remained closed, hearing the buzzing stop, and clank of a cell door. The clop of hooves started, faded, and stopped before repeating the process in reverse. A clang resounded.

She waited a full minute before opening her eyes just a crack. Two guards stood at attention, silently keeping watch, and as unmoving as the rocks around them.

Ohhh… woof.

***

He’d been tossed into a hole, and landed on his bad leg. As much as he wanted to scream, Hunter could only muster up enough strength to groan. The darkness seemed to suck away his energy as he shakily crawled on hands and knee, feeling around with his fingertips.

Rock. Wall. Pebble. Dirt. Moss.

…

Bone?

…

Skull. I’m touching a skull. A skull with a…

Horn?

Teeth are all flat, not a changeling.

Unicorn?

And…

More than just a skull here.

More than just one skull.

…

Gramps always said, “Make do with what you’ve got, boy.”

Grasping it by the horn he raised it above his head, bringing it down sharply to the ground. Again he repeated the action, time after time until all he held was the horn. Once more he swung through his previous course with another skull.

Upon the final strike a shard of bone flew free, slashing him across the face before landing some feet behind. A hand darted to cover his right eye, his breathing quick and harsh against the burning sting.

Hunter fell to the floor, curling up like a snail into its shell. The face his tear ducts were dry only aggravated the pain. Though he could feel the blood slowly seeping through his fingers, he rose to a sitting position, leaning against a nearby wall.

He reached under his jacket and ripped off a piece of his shirt. Pressing it firmly to the wound helped ease the discomfort despite the smell of sweaty, unwashed human, vomit and dead changeling.

Switching hands, his right began to roam until it came upon one of the horns.

Don’t know how much time I got. Need to hurry.

As quickly as he could manage, Hunter began to sharpen the bone against the unyielding floor.

***

Seriously? These guys have been standing here long enough for my legs to start cramping! When are they going t-

As if on cue, Sage heard two sets of wings hum to life, fly over her hiding place, and down the tunnel she had originally traveled.

Well it’s about time! A few stretches, and then me and Hunter are outta here.

After making sure she could walk without her muscles twitching like a squashed cockroach, Sage padded over to the cell door. The thing was nearly solid metal, save for a small flap at the bottom. A large deadbolt was the only thing holding it shut. Carefully, she lifted the handle, and pulled it out of the wall. She swallowed just as it came free, and gently let go, letting a smile spread across her face.

As she pulled on the handle, the hinges whispered a groaning creak.

Sage did not move, straining her ears to catch even the slightest hint of flying bugs. One minute passed, then two. By the fifth one she took a deep breath, letting it out at a controlled – if shaky – pace.

She opened the door all the way, and was faced with a foot of ground that ended at the lip of a large pit. One step in and she leaned her head down, whispering, “Hunter. Hunter? Hunter! You okay?”

A weak ‘mmm’ was all she heard.

“I’m coming down. We’re getting out of this crazy cave before Queenie McBuggy-Brain finds out.”

Without waiting for a response, Sage turned around and began her descent into the pit. She touched the floor about ten feet down.

“Hunter?”

The ‘mmm’ came from her left.

She crept forward, inch by inch, until her paw came across his hand.

He flinched.

“Easy, easy. It’s me, Hunter. It’s Sage. What happened?”

His hand drew her paw to the side of his face. Sage’s head tilted to the side, one ear pointing up as the other went out to the side.

“Uh… you got something sticky on your face.”

Hunter rolled his eyes in the darkness. Once more he guided her paw, touching his throat and lips.

“Is this… some kind of gag made of changeling goo?”

All it took was one nod for Sage to yank her paw away, repeatedly saying ‘eww’ under her breath.

Though the gag held his lips in place, Hunter could not stop the urge to smile.

After viciously rubbing her paw against the wall, she turned back to him.

“Okay, time to leave now. By the way, I’m so going to get you back for that. Can you walk?”

He took her paw and ran it down his left leg.

She gulped. “Uh… that’s a bone trying to poke through your leg. So, no walking. Good thing I’m stronger than I look. I’ll try not to make your leg worse, but no promises. Come on.”

Hunter lifted his arm, allowing Sage to sling it over her shoulder. She made it to the wall, and had him wrap his arms around her neck, before starting the trek upwards. Once she reached the top, Hunter carefully twisted his body so as not to hit his leg against the ledge.

If her green face was any indication, dragging him by his hood was not a favorable option. As Sage sat on her haunches and stroked her chin, the entire chamber became lit from the glow of a hundred green candle-flames.

Chrysalis stood not ten feet away, grinning like a madmare and flanked by a horde of changelings.

Both Sage’s and Hunter’s eyes darted to the other tunnels around them, only to find the glowing horns of more changelings.

“We’re gonna die, aren’t we?” she whimpered.

He nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

Author's Note

Don't forget to check out the rewritten Prologue, which is now Chapter, The 1st. :pinkiehappy:

-Ru

Chapter, The 6th

Time had let slip whatever meaning it held during the flight down the tunnels. Everything flew by in blacks and greens, eerie light and secretive shadows. Finally after soaring down a menagerie of paths, branches and switchbacks, Chrysalis and her guards landed to walk.

Hunter and Sage were dragged down a long corridor, the stone worn down and polished to a marble-like smoothness. A faint glow lit the end, growing subtly brighter as they pressed onward. Once they exited the hall it opened up to a small viewing platform. A large throne covered in luminescent moss stood proudly in its center, the light at the end of the tunnel. The entire space, no more than ten feet on a side, was ringed by an earthen bannister.

Chrysalis took her place, seating herself as the guards took up positions; two flanking her and one to each corner ahead of her. Hunter was brought to her side and Sage to the railing, where she was promptly tossed into the darkness, yipping in fear. A thud and ‘oof’ followed soon after.

Hunter tried to move but a hoof pressed down on his head, holding him in place.

“How sweet,” came Chrysalis’ voice. Hunter trained his eyes on her. “You’re worried about her, aren’t you? Perhaps if it wasn’t so dark…”

She clapped her hooves together, twice. Green flames sprung up on the guardrail’s top, quickly spreading to the left and right. In a matter of seconds, the outline of a massive colosseum could be made out, its stands packed shoulder-to-shoulder with changelings.

In the arena some fifteen feet down sat Sage, who was wincing as she rubbed the side of her arm. She gawked at the sight of her massive pen, lit by the unusual fire.

Chrysalis grinned. “Release the Alpha!”

A silent pause followed her words, only to be interrupted by the sound of stone grinding on stone. Sage looked over her shoulder to see part of the wall was being lowered slowly, and felt the vibrations shake her small frame.

By the time she had risen to her feet, the shaking stopped. Staring at the yawning darkness only served to heighten her apprehensive mindset, causing her breathing to quicken.

She stopped panting when the eyes appeared.

A low rumble filled the arena, and for a moment Sage thought another wall was being opened. Until it grew stronger, and stronger. Her body was thrumming in tune with it, before becoming numb as a deafening roar echoed across the underground colosseum.

Sage’s heart started back up when it stopped, only to have a case of frantic panting.

Massive, dark paws padded out of the shadows, followed by the horrendous head housing the glowing eyes. Its flat face, devoid of any muzzle, only accentuated the mouthful of foot-long fangs. The paws moved forward, bringing its mane, like a headdress made of quills, into the light. Tattered dragon’s wings appeared in the next step, and as it finally escaped the confines of the wall, a scorpion’s tail the length of a sea serpent uncurled from behind its back.

The crowds of changelings shouted, stamping their hooves in applause, as the beast slowly stalked towards its latest snack.
Sage managed to gulp once. Can’t feel my legs. Head’s getting woozy. Need to run, move, something, anything!
Warmth began spreading down her legs to her toes.

Oh come on! Now I wet myself? Ruff me with a sandpaper-

Her thoughts were interrupted as a paw was raised, aiming to smush her into a diamond dog pancake.

Move-move-move, move you leg-wetting runt!

The crowd cheered as the paw came down.

And then laughed as Sage sprinted for her life on all fours, all the while screaming, “I’m not a mouse you stupid cat!”

Hunter’s eyes had widened until he thought they would pop out of his head. Chrysalis had started laughing along with her subjects, the hoof which had kept Hunter’s head in place having gone to in front of her muzzle.

His eyes hardened, hands quickly reaching behind his back beneath his jacket. Hope this works!

The sound of ripping cloth attracted the guards’ attention, as Hunter shot up to stand on his good leg with a unicorn horn in each hand. Chrysalis barely noticed he had moved, until one of the guards had bucked him in the chest, sending him over the rail and into the ring.

Right onto the back of the beast.

With a muffled scream of curses, Hunter bounced off its armored spine and face first into the segmented tail. On reflex, his arms tried to wrap themselves around the monstrous appendage. It bounded forward, each stride taking it closer to a slowing Sage, who was gasping for breath.

With a surge the Alpha leapt forward, landing in front of her. She squeaked out a high-pitched yip, slid to a stop and was batted to the side like a cat with a ball of paper. After rolling, twisting and tumbling across the floor, Sage came to a stop in its center, unmoving.

The monster stopped moving long enough for Hunter to turn his head, and see Sage get hit. He could feel it purring with each step it took towards her.

Still got the horns, but this thing’s covered in bug armor! How am I-

…

Is that a butthole?

Without further thought, Hunter reached around and underneath the Alpha’s tail, repeatedly stabbing it in the anus. An ear-shattering yowl pierced the air, causing every changeling to cover their ears. The sound woke up Sage, who groggily raised her head to see Hunter continue his handiwork.

Before it bucked him off, sending him sailing higher than the arena’s rim, and towards Sage.

In her semi-conscious state it did not register she was on her knees, with outstretched arms, until Hunter landed in them, sending them sprawling towards the far wall. After a menagerie of ‘oofs,’ ‘ows’ and ‘ughs,’ they came to a stop a few yards from it.

Hunter coughed, tasting blood in his mouth. From his prone position, he could see Sage had curled into a ball and was crying her eyes out. Though he couldn’t hear her, or anything for that matter, he could feel the Alpha’s steps as it slowly limped towards them.

Leg’s broken. Sage’s got a bone poking through her arm.

…

I’ve got nothing.

Tears streamed down Hunter’s cheeks as he sniffed. He bit his lip to keep it from trembling.

Don’t have an earth pony’s strength. Can’t fly like a pegasus. No way I was ever gonna do mag… ic…

He raised his head, blinked away the tears.

The horns were half a step away from his hands.

… so. Death, or a gamble?

With shaking arms, he pulled himself forward. His leg and chest screamed with each inch he took, making him scream with every effort. With trembling hands he grasped the horns once more, pushing up on his knuckles to a kneeling position. Hunter took a deep breath before bringing his good leg up, and groaned until he stood upright.

He looked at the Alpha, a snarl twisting its face into an even more grotesque mask.

With one last, desperate yell, he raised the horns high-

-and jabbed their bases into his forehead.

Chapter, The Prologue

He was prodded forward, both sets of manacles jangling with each step. The stone walls on either side were bare, save for a few light-stones embedded every few feet. Their frosty glow did little to warm the hall.

Ahead he saw a pair of large, wooden doors, bare of any decoration or detailing. The dark mahogany was smooth and well-polished, however. A guard stood on either side, each holding a spear in their classic, stoic pose.

Beneath his hood, he smiled. Some things never change.

They stopped ten feet away, as the right guard knocked three times. A feminine voice called from within, “Bring him in, please.”

As one, the two near the door opened it outwards, while the two behind him nudged him on. He trudged through the door, was steered towards the only chair, and promptly sat down. While one guard locked his chains in a manacle set into the table, the other set a spearpoint to his neck.

He grimaced. Least they’re smarter, now.

“That will be all, guards,” the voice spoke again. He kept his head low, eyes glued to the table.

“Look at us, Hunter,” she asked, softly as goose down.

He snorted, “Fat chance.”

A magical aura wrapped itself around his hood, swiftly pulling back with a clump of his hair. As his eyes were brought to see straight ahead, they met with four other pairs, each set into faces of the four alicorn princesses.

The teal set, glowering at him, belonged to a dark blue alicorn in obsidian jewelry. Her horn was also surrounded in a wavy, star-ridden aura.

“We are not amused, Hunter Knighte,” she growled.

“Ain’t a party over here either, Luna,” he quipped, rolling his eyes.

The one sitting to her left, resplendent in gold jewelry with a mane like a flowing aurora, put a hoof to Luna’s shoulder. Luna looked down to the alabaster-coated hoof, took a deep breath, and released her magical hold on Hunter’s hood.

As it fell behind his head, Hunter took a moment to scan the princesses from left to right, stopping to look at the last one more closely. “Princess Cadence, right? Ruler of the Crystal Empire?”

She nodded, her tricolor maned bouncing slightly with the motion. A small smile popped onto her face as she spoke. “I’m also Twilight’s sister-in-law.”

Hunter let his head fall into an open hand. “And you’re here because…”

“She’s here as an unbiased perspective,” Twilight interjected. “In any legal proceedings, there must always be-”

“Let me cut you off right there,” he said, causing Twilight to frown. “What do ya’ll want? My letter was pretty clear.”

Celestia stood to her full height, her horn less than a foot from the ceiling. “What we want, Hunter, is the full story. Why you left Ponyville, what happened in the Everfree Forest, how you managed to escape Discord, where you’ve been for the past two years-”

“Rockapulco.”

She blinked once, then twice more. “You were in the largest diamond dog city, known across multiple countries as Party Central, and is the third most lucrative gem mining operation in existence. Why would you go there?”

He held up a finger for each point. “One, no ponies allowed in the city. Two, no winter to stock up for. Three, that’s where Sage’s family is.”

“You speak of your travelling companion?” Luna asked, eyebrow quirked.

“One of ‘em, yeah. Speaking of companions” – he smiled – “where’s the rest of the gang? Figured the rest of the Elements of Harmony would want to be here for something like this.”

Celestia, Luna and Twilight decided, as one, that the ceiling needed their personal attentions.

Hunter shook his head. “Unbelievable. Twilight, a pencil and piece of paper, please.”

She tilted her head to the side, one ear going off to the side. “What for?”

“To save time. You mind?”

She shrugged, enveloped her horn in a billowing pink aura, and floated the requested items into Hunter’s waiting hands. He quickly wrote something and set the paper down, idly tapping the table with the pencil’s eraser.

Twilight levitated the paper over, squinted at the words, and then passed it to Cadence. Her brow was furrowed as she read the page aloud.

“The 2nd Human, by Whispering Pine. What’s this?”

“Everything you wanted to know and a lot more you don’t. Not gonna waste my breath when you can read and find out. How I escaped Discord, what really happened in the Everfree, the time I saved Appleloosa, as well as why I bit the three of them on the butt.”

Twilight and Celestia winced, shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

Luna cheeks flushed a deep red. “It is a book?”

“Yep.”

“Why have we never heard of it?”

“Me neither. And I’ve got both ears to the ground for any and all published works in Equestria!” Twilight piped up, waving her forelegs in the air like wet noodles.

Hunter grinned. “Part of the deal. Only sold outside Equestria. Nearest copy’s in Whisper’s hometown.”

“Would you mind telling us where that is, Hunter?” Celestia asked.

He shrugged. “Ask Fluttershy. She probably knows how to find deer.”

Luna unleashed a frustrated groan. “Enough of this! You will tell us what we want to know, unless you-”

“I’m not telling you jack-diddley-else about my life, you glorified dream-leech. Not unless I go home and invite you to visit. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Each of the princesses bore the same look: bulging eyes, shrunken pupils, and gaping jaws.

Twilight propped her forelegs on the table, dropped her head onto them, and sighed. “Fine. I’ll ask Fluttershy.”

Hunter leaned forward, still grinning. “Tell Whisper I said hi.”

Chapter, The 2nd

She was running, again.

The trees sped by in blurs of gray and black, shadow and light. It was behind her, she could feel it. The sound that repeated itself over and over was not her panting, nor was it her pounding strides as her paws dug into the soil underneath, leaving clear signs of her passage. It wasn’t even her blood, hammering like a blacksmith on a drum, which echoed in her hearing.

It was the sound of crying, of a pup wailing brokenheartedly, its high-pitched howls bouncing back and forth between her ears. She did not know why, but the sound terrified her, and sent her running like a frightened animal every time. Not once, not ever did she look back, but not because she knew what lay behind, no. She never looked back because she didn’t know what she would see, or what would happen if she did.

With each step she loped, each cry she heard, she was tempted to stop, to turn around and face what it was that tormented so, and had for so long. But fear overrode everything, as it is wont to do. It had leashed her mind, her heart, and even her spirit, to do one simple, easily accomplished task:

Run.

And so she did…

Every time…

Until she woke up.

***

“Hey! Wake up, pup!”

Sage heard a familiar voice, and whined in her sleep.

“I ain’t joking, runt! Wake up!”

She remained unmoved by the pleas as her whimpers grew more pitiful.

“I’m gonna regret this, ain’t I?”

Hunter reached into his backpack, and placed what he had pulled out in front of Sage’s nose, waving it back and forth like a metronome. Her nose twitched, and followed it even in her unconscious state, before she sprang up and latched her jaws around whatever it was that smelled so delicious.

“Gahhh! Brickabrakka sassafrassin darghbuckle!”

Sage’s eyes flung open to find Hunter sitting in front of her, his face contorted into a monstrous mask of pain. As her eyes trailed down his arm, she found the reason:

She had his hand between her teeth. And she could taste something metallically familiar, and wet. Sage blinked twice, and quickly removed her jaws from about the human’s fist, which clutched a strip of bacon jerky. Hunter stared down at his hand, counting the eleven holes now embedded on the top and bottom of his fist, as blood slid down, striping him like some morbid candy cane.

Sage’s paws came up to cover her snout, as Hunter took the strip of meat with his other hand, and presented it to her, covered in drool. She looked at him, then back to the hand, back to him, and again to the hand.

Frustrated, Hunter lightly swatted her nose with the delicious morsel. “If I’m gonna get bit ‘cause of this, then you’re gonna eat it.”

One of her ears went up, as the other went to the side, and exasperated him further. Hunter placed the treat on the tip of her nose, got up, turned around, and walked towards the nearby stream, where he washed his hand.

The little diamond dog took the bacon in both of her paws, alternating between looking at it and looking at herself.

I can almost see my ribcage, she thought, before scarfing down the salty slice of pig.

As she licked the leftover grease from her toes and claws, Sage felt multiple emotions rise up as the bacon went down. Satisfaction, fear, regret, anger, and… security?

Why would I feel secure? This… thing... hasn't been anything but a… grumpy, stubborn, unhelpful jerk … but… even though he left me, even though I led the timberwolves right to his home, even though I hurt him… why is he still helping me?

...

I need some answers.

After a deep breath followed by a sigh, Sage carefully made her way to a spot a few feet to Hunter’s left. She watched him as he sat, like a cross-legged statue as he stared into the water. He didn’t even seem to blink as the flowing water carried his blood downstream.

Sage cleared her throat to catch his attention. He ignored her. She cleared her throat a bit more loudly, and still he made no sound or movement of recognition. Annoyed, Sage gave her best imitation of coughing up a lung, which made the young man roll his eyes.

“Heard ya the first time. What?”

She bit back a retort, and stared at her reflection in the water, before she replied, “I… I’m sorry.”

Hunter’s gaze drifted over to her mirror-self in the water, curious. “What for?”

Her eyes closed as her ears went back, “For... being all mean, and stuff. Granted, some of it was justified, like you when you left me in that snare, but the rest? Not so much. You didn't deserve it. Mostly."

A smile so faint it almost passed out twitched at the corners of Hunter’s lips. “Fair ‘nough.”

Sage’s right eye opened, and she looked at him sideways. “Hunter? If it's okay, can I come with you?”

His back went ramrod straight, eyes turned towards her in wariness. “Why?"

She turned her head, looking at him with both eyes, her ears still down. “Because I have nowhere to go, and I can't go back.”

Hunter cocked his head to the side, and raised an eyebrow as he brought his hand out of the cooling wetness. “Why?”

Sage sighed heavily, feeling tired and older than she was. “I'll make you a deal, Hunter. If I tell you about me, then you have to tell me about you. Deal?”

Hunter crept forward on his hands and knees, stopping almost nose-to-snout with Sage, and looking through the purple-colored windows, and into her. He looked, long and hard, until he nodded.

He leaned back, sat down and offered his hole-riddled hand. "Name’s Hunter Knighte.”

Sage’s smile almost made her eyes disappear as she took his hand in her paw. “I’m Sage Halfblood, Mr. Knighte.”

Hunter rolled his eyes. “Just Hunter.”

Sage took a closer look at the tawny-bearded young man sitting before her. “Before we get started, Hunter, I think we need to lay down some rules for the questions.”

Hunter’s confusion was as obvious as a purple elephant. “How do ya mean?”

She looked at the ground as she crossed her eyes in contemplation, before she uncrossed them and focused back to him. “Well… maybe just three questions each a day? We'd have to think harder about the questions, and wouldn't get all frustrated from getting asked too many. Sound good?”

After he scratched his beard for a few moments, Hunter nodded, “’Kay. How ‘bout turns? Sound fair?”

Sage smiled, “Just what I was thinking. Who’s first?”

Hunter snapped his fingers, and dug through his belongings. He fished out a copper bit between his thumb and forefinger.

“Shoes or grains?” he asked.

Sage blinked a few times before she tilted her head to the side. “Huh?”

Hunter’s eyes rolled as he smirked, showcasing each side of the circular currency. “One side’s got a horseshoe, other side’s a wheat grain. Pick one, I flip, winner goes first.”

“Oh. Okay then, I pick... grains.”

With a nod, Hunter flipped the coin into the air, and let it fall to the grass with a soft thud, grains-side up.

Sage and Hunter locked eyes after seeing the result. He shrugged, and gestured for her to go first. Sage scratched the side of her neck, before she began.

“Why were you living in the Everfree Forest? It’s not exactly well-known for being... well, safe.”

With a grimace of unease, Hunter groaned and sighed, “That’s a… story.”

She nodded, “Take your time. I got plenty.”

Hunter gave a thankful nod. “’Kay. Started ‘bout a year ago. I ain’t from here, got sucked into some kinda magic-portal-thing by some kinda demon. Got my life saved by a real-life hero. Last life he saved. Anyways, I get here, and there ain’t no way to send me home. Princesses already looked.

“I’m sent to Ponyville, and… gotta be honest with ya. Wasn’t expecting a warm welcome, but… lemme just say I’ve been warmer in a blizzard. Nobody liked me, didn’t want me there, neither. Much as I tried, just couldn’t hold a candle to the hero. Had one friend, and she tried her darnedest, too. Least, before I find out she’s just acting.

“Couldn’t take it anymore. Every time I looked in a pair of eyes I saw disappointment, and… had enough. Packed up, ran off. Three months, and I meet up with ya. The end.”

Sage’s eyes were wide in astonishment as her jaw worked awkwardly, and she tried to find the words, “You… they… ponies are like the nicest of the races! But, just because of things you couldn't control, they shut you out?”

Hunter nodded with a small, wry smile. “Yep.”

Sage took on a thoughtful look as she stared at the ground. Her paw came up and, without thinking, began to massage the back of her neck.

Her line of sight brought Hunter back into view. “You got a question for me?”

He stroked his short beard as he held his elbow in the palm of his hand, and was about to reply before his stomach growled, and Sage’s stomach responded in kind, which caused her to blush.

Hunter chuckled. “How ‘bout we eat? Questions later.”

***

The sound of a chainsaw being revved was what finally kicked Gilda out of Slumberland like an angry, sleep-deprived security guard. She sat up with a squawk, and breathed heavily through her beak. The embers nearby were a short ways away from being dead, though the morning light outside did more than enough to-

“Grahhh! Hunter! When I find you I’m gonna break your stupid nose so much it’ll-”

“Snrrrrkkq!”

Her roars were interrupted by the chainsaw. Gilda’s beak was open in mid-shout as her eyes darted towards the source of the sound: a small pile of furs that covered her cousin, still enjoying the various attractions of Slumberland. His beak was open, and he drooled contentedly onto the rolled-up deerskin pillow.

Gilda smacked her face with the palm of her talons, rubbed her eyes with two, and padded over to her blissfully unconscious cousin. Her eyebrows, rigid with indignation, relaxed slightly upon the sight of bandages wrapped around Garrett’s head.

She poked the side of his face. “Hey cuz. Wake up.”

He scratched his chest feathers and snored again.

Gilda poked a little harder, and spoke more loudly, “Seriously dude. Get up or I’ll make you.”

Her threat fell upon slumbering ears.

Gilda sighed, closed her eyes, and shrugged as her talons went out to the sides. “You asked for it.”

She flung furs off Garrett, and easily found his tail. After taking the end of it in one clawed hand, she brutally pulled out three of the hairs from the tuft. Garrett’s eyes shot open, went wide, and his pupils narrowed to almost invisible smallness. He rocketed to the ceiling, his “Yee-owch!” echoing for three seconds after he returned to the cave floor, and clutched his tender length protectively in both sets of talons.

His tear-filled glare didn’t faze Gilda one bit as he grumped. “Not cool, cuz! Soo not cool!”

Gilda rolled her eyes dramatically so he’d get the drift, then glared as she growled out, “Ya know, I wouldn’t do it if you’d just wake up when I tell you!”

As Garrett softly stroked his abused tip, Gilda went outside. Despite the cold, the sun shone bright, just like on a certain day. As she breathed in the chilly air, her mind drifted to the island of a memory, almost a full year old...

She had decided visiting Rainbow Dash wouldn’t be a bad idea, ever since the incident in the Abysmal Abyss. Maybe-

Her thoughts were interrupted as a roar sounded nearby. Gilda’s eyes looked left, and widened at the sight of a manticore as it barreled through the sky like a battering ram, headed right for her. Its eyes were bloodshot, and though continued to stare her down, the irises seemed to visibly shake back and forth, like some kind of hyperactive metronome. The cloud of foam on its lips was enough of a warning to shift the griffon’s wings into high gear.

The flight from Griffonstone had taken a toll on her, however.

Fear had given her enough of an adrenaline boost to quickly dash away, but it just as quickly went as it came, and Gilda could feel the manticore’s breath behind her even as she gasped for breath. A claw had snipped off some hairs from her tail’s tuft, and the next swipe was poised to tear into her hindquarters, but was stopped mid-swing by an arrow through the paw.

Gilda saw a hunched figure in a tree bordering Ponyville and the Everfree point to the ground as it shouted, “Get him here! I got the rest!”

Despite her suspicions, she ad few good options left. She dived down, despite the slaps and scratches of branches. While she had had more experience flying than running, Gilda’s lion half served her well. The manticore, after seeing its prey get away, unleashed a roar that shook the trees within a hundred feet of it, and followed Gilda in eager pursuit.

Thankfully, the arrow slowed down the beast’s lumbering charge across the forest floor. Gilda had widened the gap between them, but the manticore was quickly closing it. Ponyville seemed so far away as the griffon zipped past the last of the trees, and whoever had tried to help her had apparently run away.

Until she heard the sound of a snapping branch, followed by a growling mewl. Gilda turned around, and her beak dropped at what she saw. Some strange creature had pulled back a large branch on one of the trees, and had waited until the manticore had come close enough to release it, sending the limb swinging directly into the beast’s face, which sported a black eye and a lump on its forehead large enough to dwarf most unicorn’s horns.

Before Gilda could catch her breath for a question, a yellow blur shot out of the corner of her eye, headed towards the defeated manticore. It was the same pegasus she had roared at her last time in Ponyville, and she… cuddled the manticore?!

After she had made sure the beast would be fine, the mare turned her Stare towards Gilda’s rescuer, and chewed him out, up and down, about irresponsible he was, how he could’ve killed the poor thing, and how that wasn’t how he would’ve handled the whole thing.

The tall biped’s face was hidden inside his hood, but his head was angled towards the ground. Five minutes had passed before the irate pegasus stormed off in a huff, and threatened something about telling Pinkie.

Gilda walked up beside the tall thing, and rubbed the back of her head. “Uh, hey. Thanks.”

It shrugged, still staring at the ground, “No sweat. Long as ya don’t yell at me, I figure we’re square.”

Gilda coughed to cover the chuckle that successfully escaped. As she pounded her chest to continue the ruse, she notice the thing was staring out at the Everfree Forest. She followed its gaze, watched the trees for a moment, and then looked back at it.

“What’cha need?” it asked.

Gilda rolled her eyes and looked away from it. “Name’s Gilda.”

It turned in place to look down at her. “Name’s Hunter.”

The griffon swiveled her head back to it, and took in his small smile, along with the mischief that danced about like an uncoordinated monkey, behind his magenta eyes.

Wait… Hunter’s eyes aren’t-

Gilda’s mind sped back to the present, and her eyes widened as she gulped, put on a face that only the dimmest of bulbs would find reassuring, and found herself beak-to-muzzle with a set of eyes she was familiar with. Very familiar with.

Her smile, and voice, trembled, “H-hey there, Dash-sh! What’re y-you doing here?!”

A snort came from the mare as her eyes locked onto Gilda’s and held them in a stare strong enough to give Fluttershy a run for her bits. The pegasus mare only growled out three words through her gritted teeth:

“Where… is… Hunter?!”

***

The sun shone clearly through the cloudless sky, piercing the canopy of the Everfree Forest like so many spears of light, into the untamed floor below. Sage walked along her human traveling companion, who’d kept silent for the past three hours after a he’d seen a peculiar rainbow-colored blur fly through the sky at incredible speed. Ever since, she could definitely smell, and even almost see, the tension radiate through his entire being. Each of his steps seemed to be consciously, deliberately placed.

Finally, they reached their unspoken destination: a quartet of trees, so old and close together they had wrapped around each other as they had grown. At their roots opened a gap, barely big enough for Hunter to squeeze through without a grunt every now and then. Sage followed closely after.

She found herself in a space almost ten feet on each side, though domed and three feet at its highest, like some kind of arboreal tent. Hunter wasted no time, as he’d set up two sets of bed rolls, and was chewing methodically on some jerky and dried fruit, his back to the root-wall as he faced the entrance, hunched.

Sage slowly crawled over, sat down by Hunter, and waited. The creak of the trees as they swayed, the wind, and the soft munching of dried foodstuffs were the only sounds she could hear, until Hunter broke his self-imposed silence.

“Got a question.”

Her ear shifted in his direction “Ask.”

“Why ain’t ya gotta place to go back to?”

“Kind of like yours. It’s a story. Short, though. I’m only half diamond dog, on my dad’s side. My mom was a kitsune, a forest spirit. Dad raised me as best he could, and boy did that tick off the clan. They would’ve killed me on the spot when I got dropped off on his doorstep, if he hadn’t stopped them. Okay, I lied about one thing. Diamond dogs don’t actually have doors.”

Hunter chuckled lowly and shook his head. Sage smiled, glad to see him come back, even if not entirely, from wherever he’d gone.

She continued, “Life wasn’t easy, but I won’t bore you with the details. My life was like yours, but with more diamond dogs and less ponies. When a tunnel collapsed on dad, I left. Real quick. I only lasted so long because dad was around. That was about six months ago. I’ve been going from clan to clan, hoping that maybe one of them would let me join. Last one I tried chased me into that trap of yours. So… that’s it, I guess.”

Hunter could only grimace at the sheer absurdity of it all. “I come from a whole different world, and things don’t change. Still a buncha jerks and jokes ev’rywhere I go. Least I ain’t alone.”

Sage tilted one ear up and the other down as she looked at him, “Huh?”

Hunter looked at her from the corner of his eye. “Was getting tired, being the only one in the boat. Least now, I got company.”

Sage rubbed her eyes, but a hiss of pain made her stop. As she looked down to see the pack of leaves around her upper arm, she found Hunter had seen as well. He reached into his bag, and brought forth a set of familiar sight: four jars, some leaves, a clean cloth and a cotton swab. Sage grit her teeth and held her breath as Hunter applied the manticore venom, but released it as he softly spread the hydra’s blood. She also noticed that he’d left out the same bluish-lavender powder that he’d given to Gilda.

Curious, she pointed a claw at it. “My next one needs two answers. How do you know so much about plants, animals, and how to use what? Like that powder?”

A corner of Hunter’s mouth quirked up in wry amusement. “’Nother story. Hah! Well, ya know there’s a zebra in the Everfree? No? Well, I learned a lotta stuff from her. Name’s Zecora. I think she’s here for the plants. Anyways, I learned ‘bout her from Twilight Sparkle. She’s the princess living in that crystal-treehouse-castle-thingy in Ponyville. Heard a few stories about this crazy horse living in the crazy forest, thought I’d take a look-see. Glad I copied those books. Wouldn’t’ve gotten far as I have if I didn’t.

“See, zebras don’t talk much like ponies, so their writing’s different, too. Twilight’s a bookaholic, so I copied down a pony-to-zebra book. Took the notes, started spying on Zecora soon as I hit the woods. Weren’t easy, lemme tell ya. Almost caught me a few times. Managed to get her notes copied down, change them over to pony-speak, and bam! Instant know-how on survival in here.

“The venom, blood, and” - he held up the powder-filled jar - “this? All outta her notes and mine. This is lullaby dust. Dried and ground up flower, only opens on a full moon. Sniff it, and it puts ya in no-dream-land. Most ponies use this stuff in hospitals to knock out folks. That’s why I use it and the venom, cuts out the nightmares, see? Keeps Princess Luna off my back too. Just don’t eat it. Might put ya in a coma.”

Sage stared at the jar with a newfound sense of respect, and an increased sense of fear, as she gulped and gave Hunter an uncomfortable smile, her ears splayed out to the sides

***

The only sound that could be heard throughout the crystal-lined hallways was furious scribbling. Page after page, line after line, word after word all blurred into a constant stream of unstoppable parchment-scratching. At least, until a certain somepony burst through the set of double doors leading into the map room.

A set of bloodshot, purple eyes angrily lifted themselves from the final piece of paperwork to glare at the offensive intrusion, until they went wide at who they discovered. Rainbow Dash hovered quickly over to Twilight, barely even breathing hard from her flight over the Everfree Forest.

“Twilight! I found him!”

Her eyes went wider, as she gently released the quill and paper from her magical grip onto the table. With a furrowed brow, she pointed to the holographic map on the giant crystalline construct.

She spoke in a strained voice, whispering hoarsely, “Show… me.”

Rainbow flapped her wings once, vaulted into the air, and landed on the section of the Forest. She pointed to a large rock on the map as she triumphantly grinned. “Here! Gilda saw him here!”

Twilight took note of the landmarks nearby, looked to Rainbow Dash, and nodded.

“Tell… the girls.”

As she hopped down from her seat, Rainbow Dash could only stare at her friend in worry

“What’re you gonna do?”

She smiled tiredly, but full of determination, through her half-closed and bag-laden eyes.

“Get-” she coughed “-information.”