A low bellow echoed throughout the forest, before a deer walked in. A buck, with beautiful antlers branching out of his head, stepped out into the open air. He sniffed loudly, twisting his head to and fro, walking into the suns welcoming rays. His ears flicked as he watched, his eyes scanning the brush and trees. Once he was satisfied, he leant his head down and started grazing on the sweet grass, his tail flicking a bit as he let his guard down for a moment.

A shadow slunk in the bushes, its paws silently slinking around leaves and sticks. A soft sniff told it all it needed to know: its prey was close. It slowly crept forward, sniffing the ground, spotting the bucks tracks in the low light of the forest floor.

The thoughts filled the hidden predator, making it lick its chops, tongue sliding over its fangs. Its thoughts were filled with blood and meat, the deers lifeless corpse strewn on the ground, its entrails in his jaws, its flesh torn and blood spilling everywhere. It grew excited and quickened its pace, eyes hardened on the deer.

A mistake.

A twig snapping made the buck pause and shoot his head up, head twirling to the direction of the sound, ears up and pointed towards the creature. The bucks eyes scanned the bushes and treeline, giving a loud snort as he stared, sniffing the air.

The wind blew away from the buck, to his misfortune, and carried the scent towards his hidden fiend. The buck stayed there for another few minutes, eyes and ears straining as it peered though the forest. Coming back with nothing, the buck snorted and returned to his grazing.

The shape moved again, much slower this time, its claws slowly cutting into the roots it clambered over, its belly aching for flesh, for meat. The buck lifted his head and flicked his ear, unaware of the danger he was in.

Luckily for the buck, fate had other plans.

A loud noise was heard, spooking the buck into bolting the opposite direction, the loud singing of a young man echoing out in the forest. The shadow snarled in quiet anger and twirled around, staring at the boy. Its eyes wandered down the boys frame, its gaze softening as it watched him walk though.

Although its belly ached, a plan formulated in the creatures mind. It slunk after him, far quieter, Spikes doing air drums as he walked. He stopped his singing and smiled, looking around the forest.

After all the adventures he and the girls had, this place wasn't so bad. Sure, it had the timberwolves and the dragonblood who nearly barbecued him as a youngster and...the whole ancient castle stuff, but on the way to Zecoras, it was quite a lovely place.

Peaceful. Quiet. One could really hear themselves think out here. Really think. Think.

That's when Spikes thoughts turned to Rarity, his tail drooping and a frown coming across his face. He really did like her, but...she was happy with someone else. And here he was. Alone. Again.

Now, Spike may not look it, but he was 18 years of age, his dragonblood slowed down his ageing, would make him look this young for a few centuries, if not a few millennia. He wasn't ugly, by any means, but he wasn't drop dead handsome or anything like that. He was just a good looking guy.

Yet, Rarity never gives him the time of day. They are still friends, of that he was sure...but that deep, icy feeling in his chest just twisted its cold grip. He should be happy for her. He was, but that small part of himself hissed angry, hateful thoughts towards the person she was sweet on.

That wasn't who Spike was, and he knew that, but those thoughts just wriggled into his mind. He stopped in his tracks, sniffing the air, his nose crinkling a bit, smelling...rotten meat? He looked around, the hairs at the back of his neck raising up.

He heard a twig snap, twirling his head to the sound, his instincts heightened, a small plume of flame erupting out of his mouth. He covered his mouth, scolding himself internally. An errant flame could set a good portion of the forest on fire, and being scared right now wouldn't help anyone.

He strained his ears, clutching his bag, looking around. He lifted his head and sniffed the air, the wind blowing towards him. He smelt it. A predator. Close...very close. Spike bared his teeth, showing off his fangs and hissed, before slowly backing away, his eyes training one direction.

A twig snapped, making Spike jump and twirl around, roaring towards that direction, trying to intimidate them. He may be raised by pony bloods, but he still had the blood of a dragon, and wouldn't be afraid to defend himself if he needed to.

A bunny jumped out, making Spike jump back. He sighed softly, his tail uncurling around himself. He gave a chuckle, then sniffed the air, not smelling the predator. He brushed his chest, chuckling and letting his guard down. A mistake.

"Hey little buddy, were you the one following me?"

The bunny stared up at him, before suddenly jumping back into the bushes. Spike gave a confused look, before his world was struck with pain. His shirt and bag were ripped away by some massive claws, his shoulder was struck in the attack, the claws digging deep into his flesh and spilling blood.

Spike screamed and unintentionally released a flame breath, striking the beast, causing it to roar in pain and anger. It let go of his shoulder, tearing the lads shirt to shreds, spilling blood on the ground. It howls in pain and started batting its own shoulder, trying to quell the flames.

Spike started running into the bushes, using the precious time he had unintentionally gave himself to make a break for it. The beast finally quelled the flames and snarled as it watched Spike run for it. It clawed into the tree and howled, starting to follow the dragon blood.

Fluttershy sat on her porch, staring off into the forest. She heard a loud howl and grew concerned, her beautiful blue eyes scanning the treeline. Spike should have been back by now, what was taking him so long?

She looked to see the sun slowly getting ready to set, her worry growing more and more with each passing minute. She peered back at the forest, her mind running with thoughts.

What if he got lost? What if he was hurt? What if the Timberwolves found him? What if he was stopped by that mean old cockatrice? What if the dragonblood found him?!

What if Zecora gave him snack and gave him a tummy ache?!?!

Well, that last one wasn't likely, but the first few could be!

She got up and hummed softly, before grabbing a jacket. Her pet bunny, Angel, stared at her and gave an disapproving sound. Fluttershy looked at him, the look in her eyes cutting through his aggressive feelings and cutting his argument down before he could even make it...if he could talk, that was.

"Angel, Spike should have been back by now. I have to go in and see if he is okay. Don't wait up for me, eat your vegetables." She pulled on her jacket, giving a soft, worried hum. "Be good."

She walked out of the door, closing it behind her, and started down the path Spike took, activating her flashlight. Her body was filled with fear, and it almost stopped her in her tracks. Until he heard a roar, then a howl follow after. Her original fear was replaced with a fear for Spikes safety, almost as if an invisible force took her legs and started running with them.

She wouldn't like what she would find.

Author's Note

Went back and rewrote the first chapter cuz I disliked it. It's much better now.