Ponyville, Afternoon

Twilight was walking in the streets of Ponyville, closely followed by Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“I’m telling you Twilight, there is something in the Everfree! It knows how to use weapons, and it killed a bunch of bunnies!”

Sighing, Twilight replied for the fortieth time. “I understand Flutters, I’ll go check it out, subdue it, and write to the Princess about it.”

“Did we mention that massive manticore that almost killed the Cutie Mark Crusaders? Aren’t you going to do something about it?”

“RD’s right Twi. Ah can’t sleep at night knowin’ there’s a filly-eating monster out there. If it survived gettin’ hit by Rainbow and being crushed by a tree, ah don’t want it roamin’ ‘round mah farm.”

“I promise you girls, I will send a letter to Princess Celestia asking her to send a group of guard to hunt down the manticore. Which is why we are heading to Zecora right now, to warn her about the half-dead pony-eating manticore and try to convince her to move into Ponyville for the time being.”

As they came into view of the Everfree forest, they saw a sight that almost made them retch.

Zecora was lying on the ground, unconscious. She had three deep cuts on her back leg. Minor scratches over her body, a black eye, and was missing most of her mane. A blood trail was seen leading into the Everfree, but most importantly, there was a pack of timberwolves, right at the forest’s border, no doubt attracted by the scent of blood. Slowly, they came out of the brush, treading carefully as this was pony territory, and at any moment they could be outnumbered.

’There is the zebra!’

‘But there are four ponies with it. They must be reinforcements!’

‘Warn the rest of the group to spread out and cover escape routes, we need this kill for the rest of pack..’

All the ponies heard were growls, and five of the timberwolves started to advance towards them. Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Applejack jumped in front of Zecora, ready to protect their friend. Fluttershy on the other hand was trying to move the wounded zebra out of harm’s way.

A bolt of purple magic slammed into the first advancing timberwolf, causing it to collapse onto the ground, headless.

Shots were fired, and the assault began.

Two timberwolves leapt at the offender, trying to negate the unicorn’s long ranged attacks. Applejack however, was having none of it, so she smashed into one of them, knocking it into a pile of sticks. The orange earth pony’s move was not without risk, as she was quickly beset by more timberwolves, who kept scratching at her and waiting for a mistake to be made.

The prismatic-maned blue pegasus was not fairing well either. Right as the fight started, a bulky timberwolf jumped onto her backside, and while she knocked it off, it managed to sever a wing tendon, grounding the pegasus.

’Good job Log, one less advantage to deal with!’

Fluttershy, who managed to lift the zebra onto her back and was slowly making her way out of the fighting zone, was the only one timberwolves were leaving alone. Or so she thought. Three were stalking her behind bushes, blending in perfectly. They would wait for either more of their brothers and sisters to be done with the annoying ponies, or would attack when her friends wouldn’t be able to help her.

’Just a bit more,yellow one. It would be preferable for you to deliver our meal closer to us.’

‘We promise we won’t hurt you. Much.’

Twilight, while being the one with the most raw power, was tiring herself with how many shots it took to kill a timberwolf. One could not simply sever the head. The entire beast had to be incinerated thoroughly in order for it to stay down. This was because the heart of a timberwolf, called heartwood, was quite hard to hit, and as long as it would beat it would constantly regenerate the wolf’s body. So Twilight’s solution was not leaving a body to regenerate in the first place.

Setting up a barrier would be pointless, as the sheer amount of timberwolves would quickly wear it down. She had to think of something quick, or her friends would certainly die. Suddenly, she had the bright idea to reduce the amount of timberwolves drastically.

“EVERYPONY GET DOWN!”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack did as told, just in time too as a massive fire nova erupted from the purple unicorn’s horn, expanding rapidly in a circle, and igniting every timberwolf caught in it. It was not enough to kill them, but it was enough to make them flee to the nearest pond, with many dying on the way there due to their heartwood heating up and stopping to beat.

With that threat over for the time being, the three ponies went to help Fluttershy carry Zecora, and all of them rushed to the hospital.

Everfree Forest, Evening

’DAMN THOSE PONIES! TWO THIRDS OF THE PACK BURNT TO DEATH, AND THE LAST THIRD IS LEFT CRIPPLED FOR LIFE!’

‘I can’t believe it. One pony killed over 25 of our brothers and sisters in one go. I saw it, and still can’t believe it.’

‘We couldn’t even get that zebra.. The entire pack will die because of the last failed hunt.’

The three timberwolves unaffected by the fire spell were the ones stalking Fluttershy, and they were the ones grieving the loss of most of their able pack. They didn’t notice a figure sneaking up to them, and were certainly surprised when they heard it speak.

’I know of someone who could save your pack.’

The timberwolves leapt to their paws, looking for the owner of the voice.

’Save our pack? We’d do anything at this point. Name your price.’

‘The price I know not, but I have a feeling he’d help you for free after hearing your story, timberwolves.’

A large manticore appeared at that point. It had a two hoof marks on it’s muzzle, a cast on it’s wing, and bandages around it’s legs and torso. It’s mane was missing in points, it's tail was dragging behind it, and a green-eyed bunny was hopping next to it.

’Name’s Mann. Let's make a deal..’

Author's Note

It's been a while, but think of this as my Christmas gift for you guys.
I hope you enjoy reading it, and stay on the lookout for a new story coming soon.