Rainbow stumbled through the alley as she tried to push anything she could to block the path of whatever it was that was chasing her in the darkness. "I swear. If I wasn't in so much pain, I'd kick your flank." She spat as she stumbled over a broken pipe, hitting her head on a rock. As she slowly blacked out she watched as its yellow slitted eyes got closer. The last thing she heard before darkness took her was a threatening growl coming from further down the alley.

Twilight and her friends sat in the garden with Fluttershy as she held one of the animals. After hearing what she found out, there was little question about what was happening. But she still needed to know one more thing.

"Fluttershy?" Twilight asked softly. "What are the chances somepony is controlling these animals?"

Fluttershy gasped at the implications and held the bunny tighter. "Oh. I don't even want to think about something like that happening." She whimpered. Rather she wanted to or not. Fluttershy knew she needed to give it a great deal of thought. Looking back at what she learned about the attacks and her own knowledge about animals, there was no doubt in her mind. "Twilight… Please save those animals. They don't know what they're doing."

"Wait!" Applejack gasped. "Are ya telling us that somepony is behind this?"

Fluttershy nodded as Rarity turned to a nearby guard. "Look into the victims. And this time. Go as deep into their life as possible. There has to be a connection."

Twilight put a hoof around Fluttershy. "It's ok Fluttershy. We'll find a way to help as many as we can."

Several hours later, a guard came over with a nervous expression on his face. "I… have bad news." He gulped before pulling out a bloody blue feather.

In a dark alley, a shadowy figure stood over a mare as a creature covered in smoke ravaged a unicorn mare. "Let's hope that you have a better chance than our last subject. But don't worry he won't eat you. That's what your husband is for."

Turning he glared out the window. "Perhaps my associate will have luck with getting our prize specimen." He laughed before hearing a snap. Letting out a sigh he looked back at the mare. "Pitty. Looks like he still hasn't learned not to pull so much. Maybe your daughter will survive longer." He laughed before motioning for the thing to stop. "Let's get ready for tomorrow. Ditch the body at that fancy dress shop. See if we get any bites."

Discord paced back and forth in his living room, rubbing his chin. "I don't get it…" Stopping for a moment and blinking. "Wow… so that's how it feels… anyway. Why did it happen? He should have appeared with me… unless…" glaring out the window he thought. "What is he up to?"

Luna walked along one of the back streets of the town before spotting a blood covered creature that stood as tall as a normal pony. As they looked at each other it growled softly before slowly stepping back as it looked past her and vanished into the darkness. "What are you?" She asked before looking back at her guards as they rushed to her side.

"We came as soon as we could. Rainbow has been taken." The guard announced. "What are your orders?"

Luna looked back to where the thing was. "Keep up the good work. And pray that the elements can pull off another miracle."

Author's Note

Short chapter. Didn't want to spoil to much and show how chaotic the events are right now for everyone involved. But don't worry. Things will slow down as the story advances.