The morning sun could be seen creeping over the Everfree, not a pony-sized soul to be seen. So it marked a good day compared to W's latest ventures to that Gods-forsaken town. She was bitter about it, extremely so, but she at least had the comfort of knowing not everyone was deluded into believing she was this demonic monster that crawled out of the pits of hell.

So instead, she focused on her newest problem... as part of the ceiling to her room crumbled at her feet, followed by the Sarkaz clicking her tongue. "Yeaaah, this isn't OSHA compliant... tch, gonna need some serious maintenance if I'm gonna be stuck out here for... however long," Panic briefly crossed her eyes, but she dashed it away for a scowl. "Focus, I need supplies, stat, and before nightfall... wood's a good start, gonna need fortified areas first and foremost, work my way from there..."

*Boom!*

Not even five minutes after leaving the Castle of the Two Sisters, W watched with satisfied glee as one of the trees swayed and soon tore from its stump, crashing to the forest floor, spraying leaves through the air. She flicked her launcher, rummaging through her dufflebag to retrieve a new impact grenade.

"Hypothesis was right; whatever type of grenade I need, the bag just spits it out, and I tinker with them too," How W knew exactly what she was doing with explosives was beyond her, but she wasn't complaining for the free intel imprint. Breach-loading, she gave the launcher a quick flick and fired, gouging out another hole through the closest tree, it too starting to sway and buckle. "Timberrrr!"

Looping the strap of the launcher around her right shoulder, she gave one of the logs a tug, finding her grip, as well as her strength, far greater than the scrawny girl she used to be. Hoisting it into both arms with ease, she gave a sharp whistle. "Damn, girl, you're one helluva upgrade!"

All was well and good, until she heard a distinct growl behind her. Dropping the log, she spun on a heel and drew her launcher high toward several pairs of pale, green eyes. Keeping calm, she rummaged through her bag, finding what she needed to load into the weapon without breaking eye-contact.

Large, canine-like creatures emerged, all made from literal wood, sticks and leaves, bark making up their hide and structuring their bodies. W didn't need Captain Obvious to tell her what they were, after all, what Displaced hadn't tussled with the pack hunters of the Everfree in their Isekai lives? Timberwolves.

For a moment, she felt a flat stare fall into place, lowering her weapon. "Honestly, I thought I was in trouble there... what? Pissed I'm wrecking your home? Sorry, pups, I'm setting up shop now, so scram before I turn you into firewood." Then her head tilted, she did need firewood...

Her mistake was believing these were smart creatures, if even the 'sentient' ponies were hive-minded to seeing things in only black and white, suffice to say, the wild animals of this world were even less perceptive. That's right, as W adjusted her posture, her fangs beginning to show. This was the wilds, she was in their domain uninvited, just like this whole world.

No, no she needed to make an example or she'd never have a moment's peace, even in some dusty ruins. These wolves... the whole forest would bend the knee to her whims, she didn't need to enslave the masses, all she had to accomplish was a simple show of dominance. And with that strength at her fingertips, hell, who could blame her for feeling a little bit unstoppable?

The first wolf lunged, fangs dripping with sap, but it didn't make it very far, having left itself open whilst airborne. Pulling the trigger, the grenade tore through the back of its throat, exploding into a fiery inferno, consuming the rest of its body in a frightening explosion that startled the pack.

"One down, who's next" Through the descending embers, W's eyes burned like hellfire.

Stalking around the trees, a second Timberwolf dove forward, claws inches from the Sarkaz who disappeared from sight, only for the wolf to yelp as her right foot shot upward, striking from below and sending it higher. Only for her to snap her fingers, setting off the C4 glued to its bark, scorched splinters showering the lot.

The rest were hesitant to move, but with only three remaining, they instead fought as a group, circling the devil who loaded a new round and held a grenade in her left hand, dancing on a heel to evade a lunge, tossing the grenade high as she ducked, evading another pounce whilst firing at the ground ahead, the grenade erupting with hundreds of pellets, splitting the Timberwolf's hide with numerous cuts and dents, leaving it reeling.

Above, the grenade went off, releasing a blinding flash of light, paralyzing the two at her sides long enough for W to throw two grenades at their feet, reducing them to piles of bark and splinters. When the remaining wolf's eyes adjusted, it growled as it was kicked onto its back, pinned down by a strong boot, and staring down at it were the eyes of a monster wearing a devilish smile.

"Last one standing, lucky you- so I'm gonna play nice..." Leaning down, she pointed the muzzle of her weapon straight into its snout, seeing those eyes of its flicker in fright. Good, it learned already. "Come near this castle again, and I'll wipe your species off the face of the forest. Got that?"

She kicked the wolf aside, watching it growl quietly, but ultimately choose to back away into the woods before it too was reduced to burnt chunks of tinder. Exhaling with a slight, nervous shiver, W slung her weapon back into place, looking around at all the free firewood and the carnage she had made, the area had been flattened out a little.

Giving the area a quick sweep, she pursed her lips. "...maybe a minefield? Bet Sparkle Butt's never seen those before, hehehe..." W had a lot more work to do... she needed to steal a notebook when she went into town later.

End

Author's Note

W's early days in establishing her home in the Everfree, and... meeting the locals. I might do more on her starting days, getting the castle modified to her benefit. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya next time, Renegades!