It's been a month since the funeral. It's not been easy, but we've been getting by. Kara's run into a couple bouts of trouble, causing her temper to flare up, but I've been fine with it the past few times. After all, some of these ponies could use a good temper ridden lesson in respect for the dead. Nobody's been hurt, but a few have come close, and a couple have even been turned into cacti. I did have to put a stop to it recently, however, after word got back to the princesses.

Anyway, Kara and I have also been reconnected with the hivemind. This happened not long after mother managed to negotiate some hunting grounds for us (I don't even want to know what the hive had to give for that). She couldn't score us my favorite area, but oh well... at least we can now hunt inside Equestria's borders without getting in trouble so long as we stay within the boundaries. Today, I would do just that.

Out of all my Equestrian friends, only Rainbow Rash was willing to come and watch how we hunt. I may have kinda severed some bonds with Fluttersky, but I should be able to fix that in time... I hope. Anyway, I'd also invited my old brother, and he actually said yes. Going to be completely honest, I didn't expect that given his reaction when I first brought it up. Even Flurry Heart joined us. Today, we were going after the biggest beast my party has ever hunted: A hydra. We'd gotten most of the Everfree Forest as a hunting ground, and Hydra's are found there. We've never gone after a hydra before, so we had no idea what to expect.

We all met up at the border of the forest. My old brother and Flurry Heart were the last to show, but I didn't mind waiting much. I'd invited them to come along on this hunt, so who was I to determine the speed at which they got here? Anyway, while waiting, I decided it would be best to sharpen my claws. It's been a while since I'd used them, and they'd gotten really dull. I lit up my horn and soon, my claws were uncovered. Taking notice, Rainbow Rash immediately set forth to question why I had claws cut into my hooves.

"They help when hunting," I explained, "Yes, I have a horn, but that's not always good enough. Sometimes you need a little more to make the kill. While Jade normally makes the kill, I've gotten the chance a few times. They're also better for self defense because of how much more easily I can move them around compared to my horn".

"But, isn't that what magic is good for?" Rainbow Rash asked, "I mean, you CAN attack with magic, right?"

"We can, yes," I said, "However, it taints the meat. Regular magic is harmless, but offensive magic uses radiation to deal the damage it does, so it'd be a bad choice for a hunt".

"What about in defense, then?" Rainbow Rash asked.

"Only in extreme circumstances will I defend myself with it," I explained, "I actually prefer a real fight instead because of the challenge it provides. However, if I can't win without it, and my life is in danger, I'll use it, but no other time".

"Fair enough, I guess," Rainbow said.

Not long after, my old brother and Flurry Heart had arrived. They also questioned my claws, and I gave them the same answer that I'd given Rainbow Rash. Flurry Heart also wanted to know why nobody's ever seen them, so I explained that I'd kept them under an advanced illusion spell this whole time. I figured that ponies weren't used to seeing their own kind with their hooves whittled into claws that can actually hurt, or even kill, so I decided to keep them hidden until needed. The answer seemed to satisfy. I mean, it IS true, but still...

Anyway, hunting a hydra was fun. Whenever we first found it, it was actually asleep. I can't kill something without giving it a chance to fight back. One, that's just wrong, and two, it's not fun. How did I remedy that situation? I jumped on one of its four heads. Jade and Swift followed suit and jumped on two of the other heads. I may not have wings, but I learned how to fly really quick. Also, we kinda pissed off our prey. As it got up and started roaring, me and the others got ourselves ready. No backing out now.

I was the first target. As all four heads descended upon me at the same time, I dug my claws in and braced myself. I didn't get to put my plan into action, though, as I was pushed out of the way by my old brother just before the heads came crashing down.

"What in Tartarus was that for!?" I yelled, "I had a plan ready to go!"

"That involves you getting eaten?" My old brother asked.

"Eaten, but not swallowed," I growled, "I know what I'm doing".

I had planned on puncturing through a head or two to start. It'd save us some trouble and I wouldn't be cutting the heads off, so none would grow back. Now, we had a very pissed off hydra with all four heads still completely intact. I'd invited these ponies to WATCH, not intervene.

Anywho, when I looked back at the hydra, Jade was on one of the heads, stabbing it, while Swift acted as sort of a shield by circling Jade and kicking away the other heads. Man, I love our teamwork. I joined them soon after by leaping up towards the head closest to Jade. This ensured that she wouldn't have three heads trying to get to her.

As the beside the one I was on came for me, I reared up. It got me, the poor bastard. Just as I had planned to start, I used my magic to propel myself upward, forelegs extended. I didn't go all the way through, but I made it far enough to cling to just below the brain cavity. I held on with one claw while I used the other to slice away at the bone. Hydra skulls are tougher than you'd think, but I managed. As a large enough hole formed, I used one more jump boost spell and propelled myself through the brain. Ever been inside a brain? It's kind of gooey and sticky.

Anyway, as I finally clawed my way out of the top of the thing's head, I noticed it only had one head left. Jade and Swift were already hacking away at it. I decided to join them. I didn't go to the head, though. Instead, I went for the neck. I managed to hack some nice gashes into it before the last head finally died. As the last head slumped down, Jade rode down, calling out "weeee" the whole time as if she were a nymph on a playground slide.

"Gotta say, that was impressive," Flurry Heart said as she floated over.

"Yea, you guys really work well together," Rainbow Rash said, "Say, Swift, think you could teach me some of your awesome moves?"

"I don't normally give away trade secrets," Swift said, pausing for effect, "But, I guess I can make an exception for one of Twilight's old friends. Besides, having a pony for an apprentice might be pretty fun".

"Twilight, not saying you stink or anytime," Jade said, scrunching up her nose, "But you kinda smell like month old rotten beef that's been drenched in sewage and farmed on by nymphs".

"Awww, gross," My old brother said.

That got a good laugh out of everybody at my expense. Afterwards, we all carried the crazy heavy corpse back to my castle. We had to have others help us as well, and that wasn't easy. Asking other ponies to help carry a dead body like that took some convincing. I owe a lot of favors now, but they'll be totally worth it.

Also, as Spike was preparing a meal for me, Jade, and Swift, Flurry Heart suddenly got a craving for hydra meat out of nowhere. Yea, she asked for a piece out of curiosity. She actually liked it and asked for a full steak. Who knew meat would be approved not by one, but TWO princesses? And yes, Princess Luna DOES still enjoy some meat to this very day.

Author's Note

And so, there it is, the first hunting chapter of the story (Maybe the only one, I don't know just yet). Also, as I promised looterguy, you finally get to see why nobody's noticed Twilight's claws as of yet. Was the explanation sufficient?

Also, "Fluttersky" and "Rainbow Rash" aren't typos, they are intentional. Twilight has a little trouble with names sometimes.