Strength Beyond Strength

Chris ran as fast as his legs would carry him. Twilight followed close behind with Spike. The sprint carried them all the way to the other side of town near the everfree forest. Twilight was correct. It was a young filly; about six years old.

"Are you okay," Chris asked as he tried to catch his breath.

The filly pointed into the grove of tress with a terrified expression. Chris examined it closer. There were two yellow eyes peering out through the darkness.

"You didn't tell me there were monsters here!"

"It's a timber wolf! Get out of the way!"

"The hell with that. Watch and learn."

Chris stood directly in front of the grove.

"You're not fooling anyone. Go back to the forest and leave them alone."

"Don't antagonize it, Chris!"

The wolf jumped out immediately after Twilight's warning. Chris moved to the side to avoid injury before it landed.

"It's your funeral."

The beast charged at Chris. Right before it commenced a second strike, he cocked his fist back and moved. Giving a loud yell, he struck the wolf dead center, exploding its head on impact. The townsfolk could only gawk in awe at the impossible display of power they were witnessing.

"There've been too many casualties already. While I'm around, this'll be the last."

"Chris...Just how strong are you?"

The crowd slowly began dissipating. After some time, only the filly, Twilight, Spike, and five other mares remained. The filly in particular was starry-eyed. Her life had just been saved by a hulking giant she'd never met before. Chris knelt down to meet her gaze.

"It's alright, now. You should go home. There might still be more of them out there."

The filly complied and moved away inch by inch. Her heart was racing, and her face felt flushed. Something told her she'd remember this for a long time. Twilight made her way over to where Chris was standing.

"I guess my friends are here."

"That's them?"

"Mm."

Chris, Twilight, and Spike joined the rest of the team.

"You must be Mr. Redfield," Rarity spoke sheepishly.

"Chris is fine."

Rarity gulped. She was visibly shaking.

"You look scared. Are you okay?"

"Chris, you just crushed a timber wolf with your fist. Of course they're scared!"

"I'm sorry about that. I wasn't going to be able to reason with it. It would've killed her if I hadn't done something."

"O-oh," Rarity stammered, somewhat relieved by the justification.

"Hey, Chris," Rainbow Dash wondered, "how did you get that strong?"

"I've been training for a long time."

"Can you show me how to do it, too?"

"Maybe."

"I expect ya' know what's going on at this point," Applejack interrupted.

"Yeah. Now I just need to find out why I'm here."

"Ooh, ooh! Chris, is that a big knife strapped to your back!? Do you use it for baking," Pinkie questioned.

"I guess it could be used for that."

"Pinkie's a little eccentric," Twilight admitted.

"We've all got our quirks."

Fluttershy suddenly stood before Chris with a meaningful look in her eye.

"Hey there."

"Um...Hi..."

"Forgive me," Rarity remembered, "We haven't introduced ourselves yet. I'm Rarity. They are Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all."

"For a brawler, you seem like a proper gentleman to me."

"Cooperation skills are part of my job. You know what I do, right?"

"Zombie hunting."

"I actually wanted to ask you a few questions about what went on here before Leon showed up."

"Of course, darling, but not here. We wouldn't want to cause a public panic."

"I get what you mean."

"Come. We shall speak at the boutique."