"Why would he just run away?" Flurry Heart whimpered, gazing down at the spot where she sat on the large bed.

Shining was pacing again, his cheeks swelled from mourning in the morning.

"I don't know...none of us know..." Twilight mumbled.

"I'd send some troops out to look for him," Shining began, "but they'd never believe I have a changeling for a son..."

"Well, we have to do something, and just sitting here stating the obvious won't help." Cadence spoke up, walking over to the door.

Spike only chuckled from his spot on Twilight's back. "First you guys were desperate to get rid of them, now it's much the opposite!"

Shining stopped and turned a glare to Spike. "He's my SON!"

Flurry Heart sighed. "I just hope he's alright...a little kid like him out there..."

"Well, if we're going, we're going now. Each second wasted is another second my son could be in danger." Shining stated firmly.

Twilight nodded. "You guys start looking, and I'll get my friends! I know they'll understand!"

"Good idea." Shining agreed.

With that said, Twilight galloped over to the window, and swiftly flew out to the skies.

*****

Night Winger breathed heavily as he ran, the sound of barking and growling Timberwolves gaining on him as he ran past many trees. He dodged bushes and branches, jumped over twigs and logs, tears flying from his eyes.

"Somepony help me!!" he screamed again, for maybe the sixth time.

His little legs were growing exhausted with every step as beads of sweat rolled down his face. He dared to look back. They were closing in fast, demanding their stomachs be filled. Sadly, Night Winger was on tonight's menu.

He saw the evil, yellow glow in their eyes as they followed. Five of them he counted out, probably more, but in the end it wouldn't matter if they caught him. His lungs burned, his throat swelled, and legs ached. Adrenaline was the only thing keeping him going. But, unluckily for him, his juice was running low. He pushed harder just to keep the same pace, yet still too slow for the pursuing canines. Try as he might, he was getting nowhere.

Just up ahead, a tree, a hole dug underneath, seeming just big enough for him to fit into. Harder he pushed, his legs hurting now from being pushed so hard. He'd reached his limit. Just when he thought he'd reach his destination, it happened.

SWIPE, went the Timberwolf's claws against the right side of his flank, causing him to fall. The scratched burned as blood seeped through the cuts.

Night Winger yelped in pain, left only to watch as the Timberwolves neared, growling low through beared fangs and sharp teeth. One stood over him as he curled up.

"I'm sorry mommy...I'm sorry daddy.." he muttered as his last words, and another tear slipped from his eye.

The wolf opened its mouth, ready to strike. Night Winger shut his eyes tight, thinking this was the end for him.

Only, the strike didn't come. Daringly, he peeked to see the wolf had fallen over, unconscious.

"Back I say!" came a voice. "Go now and flee! On this changeling you shall not feed!"

Weak and tired as he was, he turned his blurry gaze. A zebra, waving a torch hollered rhymes and the wolves fled. He wished he could smile. He wished he could thank this character, but he was run dry. He blacked out.

******

With a heavy groan, Night Winger slowly opened his eyes. First off, he noted an unfamiliar face to him. It seemed to be feminine. The face had ocean blue eyes, white and grey stripes and gold rings hang from her ears.

"I see you have awoken from your slumber! Had I not found you, I fear those Timberwolves would have done you quite the number." said the zebra.

Night Winger sighed, the memories coming back to him as he sat up.

"Seeing them chase you gave me quite a fright. It is not normal for them to be out in daylight."

The changeling rubbed his head.

"My name is Zecora. What is yours?" the Zebra asked.

"N-Night Winger..." he replied, taking in his new surroundings. It was a small hut, shelves mostly made up the walls with various bottles with different contents and strangers masks hang from the ceiling. In the center of the room sat an empty cauldron. To his right was the door, with a small round window to either side of it.

"What's a changeling like you doing here? You were out cold for two days, I had much to fear!"

"Really? Two days?"

Zecora nodded.

Night Winger turned his eyes to the floor and noticed bandages around his right hind leg and around his flank.

"The large one swiped you good, even with claws made out of wood," she simply stated, standing from where she sat on the floor. Night Winger then noticed gold rings around the zebra's neck, one around the base of the tail, and a few others.

"Where am I?"

"Where are we, you ask? Why, the Everfree Forest, not a place one would like to bask!"

"Oh...well...thanks for saving me...I guess..." Night Winger muttered, recalling the other night's events rather clearly. "I should get going now..."

"If you wish to leave the Everfree, I simply ask you to follow me." Zecora smiled, heading for the door.

Night Winger shrugged and followed the zebra out of the hut.

*****

"We...we're sorry your highness!" cried the larger of the three rebelling changelings.

Unlucky for them, Chrysalis caught them out of the hive and the tall one spilled the beans.

Chrysalis glared at them as she slammed the cell shut, trapping the trio inside.

"My son is missing now, thanks to you three! He could possibly be dead!" Chrysalis spat. "No, I must go and find him! You've given him reason to hate me! You're lucky I don't kill you now!"

The three lings backed up to the opposite side of the cell, nodding rapidly as to show understandment.

"If he's dead, YOU will be!" she barked, pointing a hoof to each of the three before she took the cell key and locked the door.

She began to walk back, out of the dungeons, smirking to herself, she lets out an evil little cackle.

"My plan is working!"

Author's Note

Yay! Another cliffhanger!!

I hate auto correct.

Also, Chrysalis is not yet finished with her plan. It goes farther in!