My limbs were heavy, and my heart pounded in my ears while my instincts screamed at me to move. My very blood urged me to find my blade and butcher those that had dared attack me. Stumbling backward I gripped my dagger tightly while using my other hand to hold my pounding head, trying to will away the pain that robbed me of my focus. Blood flowed down my right arm, matting my fur and making my nose twitch as I detected the metallic aroma that now hung heavy in the air.

Shaking my head I ducked back behind a tree, dodging a cone of pressure that ripped through the bush I had just emerged from. “It's behind that tree, flank it!” Someone yelled, my necklace automatically converting the strange horse language of my attackers into something more discernible.

A low growl escaped my throat and I looked down at my long fury limb, noting that though the gash in my arm was quite long, it wasn't deep. Or life-threatening for that matter, though that came with the assumption that I could bandage it soon. Something that I didn't believe my attackers would just up and let me do.

“Goddamnit,” I growled to myself. “How the hell did I end up in this mess?”

The crunch of a hoof stepping through the underbrush alerted me to the fact that I was being surrounded once more, and I narrowly managed to roll out of the way before my cover exploded into a shower of splinters. I continued through a bush and slid behind another tree, my nearly eight-foot bulk only barely slipping behind the young birch that was now my only saving grace.

“Fuck, they are really out for blood,” I muttered to myself.

A peak from behind cover told me that the duo to my right was lagging behind, leaving the left open, while the shouty horse at the front was doing his best to back her up. My trap had left his leg injured, and the white-coated stallion was forced to use his magic to keep himself upright as he chased me through the woods. Knowing my opening wouldn't last long I threw myself to the left, hefting my dagger up and baring my pointed teeth as I charged the lone mare.

The golden armored horse stopped her spell casting the instant she saw me weave through the tree cover, dagger raised and jaw dripping with blood and saliva. I couldn't blame her for silently freaking out, as I was easily twice as tall as the diminutive horse people that I was now facing off against. Between my sheer size and the fact that I was covered in not only my own blood but the blood of my enemies and I would probably freak out too if I was still human.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I was definitely not human, as if the spotted furry limbs, massive lanky stature, long teeth, claws, and hyena-like muzzle didn't already give that away. There were also other changes, but those were less pronounced and far more unpleasant, but I digress.

Instinct and skill mixed, and though the horse reacted quickly, I was already upon her, dagger thrusting towards her horn. The defensive spell she was about to fire fizzled as she was forced to jerk backward as I planned, allowing my free hand to close the distance and sweep down, grabbing her forehoof and lifting her completely off the ground. Using my newfound strength I whipped the horse thing back at her allies, offering a silent prayer to whatever deity was around that she didn't land on her head or something. A thud followed by a groan told me she was at least alive, though I dare not look over my shoulder to confirm that assumption.

Instead, I put my head down and threw my weight into a large bush that was out of the way of a bolt of force that tore through the air. The magenta magic zipped past me close enough to singe my tail, making me yelp and bring the appendage out of the second and third bolt that would have seen it removed entirely.

A glance back told me that more of the guards had arrived, one of whom had placed the injured white-coated stallion on his back, allowing him to fire bolts of magic without having to worry about his injured leg. Something that seemed to irk the prideful male, but not the larger, musclebound grey guard that he was now using as a ride.

I barked a quick, hyena-like laugh before turning and continuing my mad sprint into the forest, my instincts making me unable to resist the urge to mock an embarrassed enemy. I like to think his face got all blushy and he ground his teeth together like some sort of cartoon villain, but I didn't stay and check, instead using my superior stride to put ground between me and my pursuers. Something that normally would have been a simple matter for me, seeing as I had made these woods my home for almost a year at this point. That, however, was not the case today, as with pegasi now coming up on my rear, I knew that simply outrunning them was no longer a possibility.

With those eyes in the sky now right behind me, my ability to simply avoid detection was also pretty much nil. My surprisingly good hide skill was not nearly enough to conceal my bloody form on such short notice. With few other options, I began to wonder if this was going to be it and if I would die having been cut down by some errant magical bolt after I had taken down a dragon, a manticore, and every other threat that had come my way without help.

I shook my head, causing my long black mane to nearly smack me in the face. “Never give up,” I murmured in my native abyssal, before putting my dagger in its holster and freeing my hand up.

With more range of motion now opened to me, I bounded through the bush at a breakneck pace. Dodging out of the way of low-hanging branches, poisonous plants, and thorn-filled bushes with ease. A sniff from my powerful nose alerted me to the fact that the unicorns were falling behind, the distinct scent of the white-coated unicorn dulling despite the backwind that carried the scent to me. Thinking quickly, I poured on the speed, though the sound of wing beats could still be heard bearing down hot on my six.

I looked around frantically, hoping against hope that luck would grant me a boon after first getting me into this entire mess. Sure enough, whether it was karma, fate, or my luck coming back around, what I was looking for popped up at the edge of my vision.

Breaking hard, I skidded across the ground, pawed feet tearing through the underbrush and kicking up a furlough of dirt. With carefully honed muscles I lurched to the right, accidentally dodging a bolt that would have found my neck had I not been slightly faster. I made a note to offer another prayer to the deity that apparently heard me earlier, and put everything I had into reaching my target as fast as possible.

The beating of wings resumed at a frantic pace, the pegasi turning in order to catch up with me before I got away. Escape, however, was not my goal and I dashed through the underbrush, pushing hard toward my real objective, and the low-hanging branches that would assist in my designs. Without stopping or slowing one iota I leaped straight up, my impressive vertical giving my already gigantic form more than enough lift to enable me to grab the bottom branch of the tree.

Heaving myself up and onto the branch was a painful process, prompting a fresh gush of blood to course down my arm as I ascended into the treetops. Shouts of alarm and confusion alerted me to the fact that my little feint had worked, and they hadn't noticed my getting into the tree. I could hear whoever the commanding officer was ordering them to pass directly over me, assuming I was hiding behind the tree, rather than in it. With a smirk on my gnarled, nearly non-existent lips, I restrained the urge to laugh and waited patiently for my prey.

As expected, the trio of pegasi came right over me, only noticing my presence when it was too late, and I was already airborne, leaping directly at the pony in charge. Though I was heavy and about as aerodynamic as a brick, I had more than enough raw strength and dexterity to make up for that shortfall. By the time the pony knew what was happening I had already torn the crossbow from his grip and grabbed him by the throat.

Gravity reasserted itself quickly, pulling me out of the way of one of the pony’s subordinates, who loosed a bolt, the shot going wide and flying off into the distance. All the while I fell back to earth, though fell wasn't exactly the right word, as I had calculated my jump well enough that I landed on a branch, and came to a quick stop. Looking down, I noticed that the pony was looking back at me with wide, terrified eyes, a short dagger in its hoof.

For a second we maintained eye contact, neither saying anything until he raised the dagger, and I squeezed, telling him what I would do should he stab me without ever saying a word. I felt the pony gulp and drop the dagger, allowing me to ease my clawed fingers off his neck slightly. A whizz told me that his fellows either didn't know they almost hit their commander or that they didn't care. Either way, I had enemies left in the air, something this little pony was going to help me with.

“Careful you could have hit Captain Steel Sky!” One of the ponies yelled.

“If that thing has him he's as good as dead you idiot!” Growled the second pony. “Now do you have eyes on the target yet or-”

Whatever she was going to say was cut off when their commander was shot put directly in her face. Sending them both crashing through the treetops and leaving only a terrified stallion against me. An enemy that didn't last long, as I leaped back up, surprising him with how high I could jump and enabling me to grab a handful of his face. The stallion screeched and thrashed, and though I winced a little when I felt his blood begin to cascade down my clawed hands I knew it wasn't deep enough to be fatal.

Me and the stallion came back down from the treetops with significantly less grace than the first time. As now I did not have the chance to properly look for a landing spot, leaving me scrambling as I came down hard. Somehow, I managed to angle myself towards a large tree branch, one that came up and hit me directly between the legs. Despite the fact that my enemy had blood trickling down his face from a trio of scratch marks, he still winced at my apparent pain.

“Doesn't that hurt?” He asked, pointing between my legs.

With a sigh, I rolled my eyes and squeezed his head tighter, making him squeal and shut up. “I’m a girl you idiot.” I growled, knowing full well that ponies didn't speak abyssal. “At least sort of,” I added under my breath.

Looking around, I felt my grin vanish, as the clear skies I had expected were not what greeted my gaze. Instead, I could see that over a dozen of the winged ponies being led by a prismatic pegasus were now making their way towards me, guiding the unicorns I had briefly managed to lose, towards me. Cursing under my breath I looked down at the stallion whose eyes peeked out from between my furry fingers.

He grinned weakly and waved, somehow looking absolutely adorable despite the fact that he had just tried to kill me and also had nearly his entire face covered in his own blood. I would have sighed if I could, but I could show no weakness here, not with my enemies so close. So instead grabbed him by the neck and bellowed as loud as I could into his face, raining spittle and blood all over him.

For a second he merely hung there, terrified out of his mind before all of a sudden falling slack as he fainted. I sighed and tucked the stallion under one arm after carefully tossing away his dagger and the extra bolts he had on him. Though I didn't want to have to kill him, a hostage would be useful, as the ponies were a caring, generous folk who were unlikely to potentially harm one of their own just to get to me.

Plus, I was going to need a translator.

Looking down, I swiftly slid down an embankment and leaped to a patch of grass, landing in a roll and hastily springing back up and making my way toward town. Having noticed that they had left their right flank open, clearly not expecting my sudden shift in that direction several minutes ago. I paid the distant sound of crashing hooves no mind as I bolted towards the pony town, putting every ounce of my newfound skill and experience to the task of getting me there before my pursuers caught up.

I knew it wouldn't be long before the pegasi were on me, and the unicorns were close enough to offer a few wild shots of magic before I was able to get back out of range. Something I was immensely thankful for as I heard the distinct crack, boom of a fireball exploding somewhere to my left, sending dirt and scorched wood through the air in all directions.

I growled, wanting to warn the fools I had a hostage but was unable to, due to both the language barrier, and the fact that my translator was still unconscious under my arm. The tree cover was growing denser, however, lending some aid against the pegasi who were now closing in on me and beginning to rain bolts through the leaves. The wild shots were too desperate and haphazard to hit me, though a few landed close enough to tell me that they must have had a bat pony with them, as they were the only race I knew which were capable of flying through the dense tree tops that usually made flight impossible.

Growling to myself, I grabbed the pony and lifted him up, trying to display the fact that I had a hostage without having to speak. The close shots stopped, and I could hear the ponies yell at one another, passing the information around. Though not quick enough as a bolt whizzed through the air, missing me, but not missing my little hostage.

Blood dripped down my fingers and I brought the pony before me and allowing me to see that several feathers had been torn off, and a part of his wing was now severely injured, muscle and sinew flapping in the breeze. Pushing down the hunger that surged at the sight of fresh meat, I sighed, noting that at least he hadn't woken up yet. Meaning I didn't have to deal with a thrashing pony as well as a desperate flight through the forest.

Something that may be ending soon, as the tree cover was clearing once more. By then we were nearing the town, and thus the end of the help I would get from the only home I’ve known for the last year. Fear surged through me, and my instincts all but demanded I turn around and fight, as it was my forest, my home. Growling to myself, I forced one foot in front of the other, resisting the call of my blood and clinging to the hope that I could maneuver my way out of this without either dying or having to take another’s life.

Looking around, I noticed that I was near the one structure that lay near the border of the Everfree itself, and though I didn't like it, I made a beeline for it anyway, knowing that it may very well mean the difference between life and death. Turning slightly to the right, I noted the changes that started within mere seconds of my angling towards the cottage.

The forest began to feel less random, less savage, and altogether tamer, with most bushes having been cut down to more manageable sizes and allowing the trees to grow tall and strong. Each young sapling had guide rods to keep it upright in the worst of the many storms that raged frequently through the Everfree while birds in wooden houses looked down from on high. The animals that usually fled at the first sound of trouble lingered at the edges of my vision, peering at me with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

Even the large brown bear I passed made sure to keep its distance from me, though it kept its teeth bared as it glared at me. Despite my best attempts to keep my instincts in check I couldn't help but growl right back at him, flashing my own large teeth, my mane standing on end and making me appear larger than I was.

The bear’s lips fell into place and it nervously backed up, fear filling its gaze. Though it again, kept its gaze locked on me, wary that I may attack it.

I had neither the time, the energy, or the desire to do such a thing however and I sprinted towards the cottage, noting that although the pegasi were close on my heels, they were keeping a good distance, no doubt scared that I would execute the hostage if I were startled. I laughed my usual barking laugh at that notion, as I knew I didn't have the heart to do such a thing, though they didn't have such knowledge.

Up ahead I noticed that there was a light on in the cottage, something I assumed was impossible as they should have evacuated everyone given the scale of this little operation. Shrugging off the strangeness of it all, I leapt over a small ravine that ran around the cottage and bounded up the slight incline that lead to the small structure.

Normally entering a pony dwelling would be either impossible, or just stupid, as the structures were tiny and the doors smaller still, but this one was different. The door was easily large enough to allow a full-grown brown bear through, and thus a full grown gnoll as well, albeit with slight difficulty. Putting my shoulder down, I plowed straight through the wooden portal, tearing the thing almost entirely from its hinges and sending it slamming into the wall behind it.

Inside were dozens upon dozens of animals, as well as a single butter pegasus who were all looking up at me in abject terror. For a moment nothing happened, only for a bunny to suddenly scream in its tiny bunny voice, as if yelling a battle cry, causing the rest of the creatures to stampede out of the open window, or around me and out the door behind me.

Birds flapped past my head as all manner of rodents and other tiny furry creatures ran around or through my legs. Leaving only a single disappointed-looking bunny and a still terrified pegasus in the room with me. Lifting my dagger I grunted towards the curtains and made a closing motion with my hand, waving my weapon around and causing the already terrified creature to shake harder, eyes watering.

With a resounding sigh, I placed my hand on the creature’s butt and pushed it against the couch it was sitting on, letting the pony know what I wanted in the absence of actually being able to speak her language. Sure enough, the pegasus trembled madly, but remained in place, allowing me to reach towards the curtains and pull them shut. I did the same with the curtains in the kitchen and ended by placing the door back into its spot while nearly banging my head on the ceiling several times in the process.

With the room now more or less secured I flopped down onto the couch and dropped my first hostage in front of my second hostage. Though the pegasus remained terrified for a moment, the second she saw the guard’s injury her eyes went wide and she looked up at me. “Why are you showing me this? Did you do it?” She asked.

I pointed to the injured wing and grunted, making a wrapping motion with my hand, trying to pantomime the act of bandaging the injury. Something that the pegasus didn't seem to understand, as she continued to stare at, her bunny companion standing firmly in front of her, paws raised as if ready to fight me.

Rolling my eyes at the bunny I placed my dagger on an end table nearby and pulled off my necklace before slowly slipping it around the pegasus’ neck. Something that nearly made her pee herself, and for the bunny to actually try and fight me, though when nothing bad happened, that terror and anger seemed to vanish. All while I ignored the punches the bunny was delivering to my outstretched hand.

“He was injured by a stray arrow fired by his allies, do you have medicine or bandages of some kind? Infection is possible, and he has been bleeding heavily,” I exclaimed in abyssal.

The pegasus’ jaw hung open and she said something back to me in that weird horse speech of theirs, making me roll my eyes once more and open my clawed hand. For a second she just looked at me, before realizing I was pointing at the simple silver necklace from which half a jaw bone hung. Realizing my intent she lifted the necklace from her neck and placed it on my hand, allowing me to place it around my own neck.

“I do, would you like me to go get it?” She asked again.

Nodding, I handed the necklace back to her, already knowing just how irritating this was going to get. With the necklace around her neck, I spoke again. “Yes, but remember that we will be remaining here, and waiting eagerly for your return.” I announced patting the head of the bunny and the stallion, ignoring the frustrated animalistic squeeking.

She nodded and handed back the translator. “Are you sure you wouldn't want me to patch your arm up first?” She asked, pointing to the gash in my arm before gasping when she noticed the numerous other cuts, bruises, scars, and other damage that covered nearly every inch of flesh that was not obscured by the patchwork armor I wore.

Trading the translator back I merely smirked. “I’ve got a lot more blood than he does. I’ll be fine,” I announced, making the pegasus screw up her face and frown.

I waved the pegasus away, prompting her to slip off the couch and trot over to the stairs. A second later and the butter mare was gone, leaving me alone with the scowling bunny and the still-unconscious guard pony. Sighing heavily, I relaxed on the couch, trying to ignore the fact that I could hear hooves and wings all around my location. My ears were easily able to pick up the sound of dozens of ponies gathering nearby.

They were obviously establishing a perimeter of some kind while they no doubt waited for whitey to catch back up and take command of the situation. Something I was definitely not looking forward to, as he was both remarkably clever, and surprisingly brutal for a pony. Which probably had to do with his weird shield cutie mark that had a star within it, and three stars above it.

Whatever that nutball’s deal was I had to deal with it, something I put out of my mind the second I heard the sound of hooves returning from upstairs. The shakey, and clearly terrified pegasus I had seen earlier apparently never returned as the mare I now saw was strangely calm, and collected, making a beeline to the guard and opening the box. Looking into it I noticed that it was indeed all medical supplies, allowing me to release the grip I held on my dagger.

“When you wear that you can understand me then I presume?” She asked as she deftly twisted the top off some container and deposited a wad of some greyish goop onto her hoof.

I nodded.

“Strange, I can't understand your language but I can speak with any animal in Equestria.” The mare remarked as she spread the goo all over the guard’s wing, uncaring to the fact that her own limb was now covered in blood.

I growled, eyes narrowing at the pegasus. I may not have chosen to become my dungeons and dragon character, but I was going to be damned before someone thought I was a mere animal.

The mare winced, my growl apparently getting my point across. “S-sorry I s-s-said that wong.” She gulped, wiping her hoof off on a towel before pulling out a bandage. “I mean your barking language, it should be animal-like enough for me to understand at least some of what you're saying. But your words are strange, it makes my skin crawl just to hear it, and no offense but it sounds horrifying.” She winced again, looking up at me fearfully.

Rather than be irritated, I merely sighed and hung my head slightly, knowing full well how unpleasant abyssal sounded to those unused to hearing it. My words sounded like English in my head but came out like a mix of loud barking, and subtle whines mingled with the barely contained violence of a swarm of angry hornets. Though it didn't bother me, I also didn't hear it as abyssal, but rather as proper English.

Looking down, I noticed that the guard’s wing was bandaged and he was beginning to twitch in his slumber, signifying that he was about to wake up. Lifting the necklace I placed it over the pony’s neck again. “Again, please.” I half demanded, half asked, lifting my right arm and indicating the long gash that ran from my shoulder almost all the way to my wrist.

The patchwork hide and leather armor that clad the arm had done much to soften the blow, but could not completely stop the blade itself. An injury that would need to be tended to for weeks before it healed completely, though even then the scar would be as impressive as it was unpleasant to look at. Under my watchful gaze, the pony began to spread more of the grey goop on my cut after gently padding it with the now completely blood-soaked towel. I grimaced as the grey stuff met my flesh, though I made sure to not reveal my teeth or growl, I didn't want to startle the mare while her hoof was against my injury.

Sure enough, the mare applied it quickly and deftly, her hooves shaking only a little bit as she applied it. “I assume this is an anti-infection agent of some kind?” I asked, pointing to the grey goop that now covered my cut.

After passing the necklace back, the mare replied. “Yes, it's also a coagulant so it should help with the bleeding, though you should still use a potion or get someone to heal it with magic, or else it will scar quite badly.”

Switching the necklace back again she deftly slipped it over her neck. “You are Fluttershy correct?” I asked, prompting the mare to raise an eyebrow and look at me curiously. “I know of you through reputation, and an unfortunate near meeting a year ago.” I chuckled darkly at that and was about to take the necklace back as it looked like Fluttershy wanted to speak, only for a voice to suddenly boom from outside.

“Gnoll! You are under arrest for over a dozen counts of assault, fleeing lawful arrest, and over thirty other offenses I don't have the time to list right now.” The distinctly male, distinctly angry voice yelled. “You will release your hostages and lay face down on the ground or face the full might of the royal guard!”

Man, that white dude was pissed, what was his name again? Shining Buttocks, I think? I sighed and looked down at Fluttershy who looked nervous, and was glancing through a crack in the curtains at the large force no doubt arrayed just outside. It took me snapping my fingers in front of her face to bring her attention back to the nearly eight-foot tall gnoll in her living room.

Grabbing the necklace I decided to try something new and simply pressed it against the pegasus’ chest and spoke. “Do you understand me?”

The pegasus looked up at me and nodded, and I continued to hold the necklace against her chest. “Good, I want you to tell them to send in a medic, no offense, but I don't want to trust your nursing abilities and I would be quite sad if he died or got crippled because of my actions.”

Placing the necklace against my own chest was all the prompting Fluttershy needed to begin speaking. “I don't suppose you would mind letting me go?” She asked nervously, gulping and pulling the bunny close to her chest. “My friends are outside and-”

I interrupted her by raising my finger and pressing the necklace against her chest. “Tell him I will trade both of the hostages for someone else after both of our injuries are taken care of.”

That seemed to alleviate some of the worries she felt, and the pegasus looked over to the window, asking me if it would be alright. I nodded, prompting the mare to open the window slightly, only to recoil when over a dozen crossbows all swiveled at her. A second later and they all pointed away, allowing Fluttershy to continue opening the window.

“He is demanding that you send in a medic to care for the wounded, after that he will trade both hostages for a negotiator,” Fluttershy yelled, her voice wavering for a moment. “I think.”

I grumbled silently to myself. “I’m not even male anymore. Stupid gnoll anatomy.”

I could hear a hushed conversation occur just outside the range of my hearing and a second later Shining whatever returned with his bull horn. “A medic is on her way,” he replied, though he sounded distinctly unimpressed with someone.

Shrugging off the strangeness of the statement, I looked down in time to notice the guard wake up, take one look at me, one at his wing, and then immediately pass out again. I sighed, running a clawed hand down my face. “What a wuss,” I muttered.

Fluttershy chuckled at the male and ran a hoof down his cheek. “Someone is a little young to be in the guard,” she whispered.

I groaned, having already deduced that he was too young, or a little small for such a physically demanding job.

The front door to the cottage opened, prompting me to grab my dagger in one hand and the guard in the other as I turned to the entrance, expecting to see a medic and instead seeing Twilight wearing a medic’s outfit. My face betrayed no emotion, but I felt bile and anger welling in my chest, as I had clearly been lied to, the ponies hoping I didn't know any better. The medic outfit hid her wings, but the fact that she was taller than the other ponies and smelled much different gave away her alicorn heritage as easily as the horns and wings combo would have.

She hadn't moved an inch since first stepping inside, merely staring at Fluttershy who stared back. Placing the guard down on the couch, I put my dagger to his throat, and used my free hand to thrust the necklace against Fluttershy’s chest. “Tell her I know she is not a medic, and that she had better not try anything,” I growled before putting the necklace against my own chest.

Fluttershy’s eyes went wide and she quickly spun back to Twilight, who looked at her expectantly, hope evident in her eyes. “He says he knows you’re not a medic, and that you better not try anything,” Fluttershy announced quickly.

Something that made the alicorn stumble a moment, looking up at me with wide eyes. “Can it understand us?” She asked, turning back to Fluttershy.

I shoved the necklace back into Fluttershy’s chest with a little more force than I wanted to. “Tell her that I am not an it, or a he, but am in fact a she.”

Fluttershy recoiled slightly and gulped. “She says she's a girl and not an it.”

Twilight cocked her head slightly. “That's odd because-” My glare harshened, a low growl building in the back of my throat. “Oh right, she can understand us.”

I nodded slowly.

“Well uh, crap.” The alicorn frowned, realizing that her plans had already been thrown out the window. “I don't suppose you wouldn't mind just giving up, huh?”

I growled and was about to speak when I remembered the necklace, and shoved it against Fluttershy’s chest, meaning I missed the weird whinnying noise that Twilight made when I did that. I pulled it back hastily, hoping to catch the tail end of whatever she was saying. “-that out, you're hurting her you, you, ruffian!” Yelled the alicorn.

I winced and looked over to Fluttershy, who was rubbing the spot on her chest I had accidentally punched. Sighing to myself, I gently placed the amulet against her chest. “My apologies, Fluttershy, I’m afraid this is all rather stressful and my nerves are getting the better of me,” I replied in as even a tone as I could manage. “Please forgive me.”

“It's okay, it's just a little bruise is all,” Fluttershy replied when I pulled the necklace back, obviously hiding just how much it actually hurt.

Putting the necklace back against Fluttershy’s chest I spoke once more. “Tell her that I…” I frowned, only now coming to grips with the fact that this likely wasn't going to end well. With an alicorn so close it wasn't likely I was going to escape, and if she knew I wouldn't execute the hostages, she would likely end this fight before it began. “As a sign of good faith, I will allow you to remove the guard, but no magic, understood?”

I put the necklace over my neck and waited patiently as Fluttershy relayed my message.

Once complete, Twilight nodded and I lifted up the guard and gently placed him close to the alicorn, allowing Twilight to grab him by his forelegs and pull him up and over her withers. With the guard secured, she trotted to the door, giving us only a single glance over her shoulder before pulling the door open and disappearing.

With the door closed once more, I placed the necklace over Fluttershy’s heart, being extra careful this time. “I want you to be honest with me, but I know that starts with being honest with you, so to begin, my name is Fareeah and I have no intentions of harming you or anyone else for that matter. This entire thing is a misunderstanding, one that I hope we can work out. If you can help me to leave here with my head still attached to my body, I would agree to leave in Twilight’s custody, but only Twilight’s custody.” I announced before placing the necklace back on my neck.

The pegasus stared at me for several long seconds, her lips pursed as she considered what I had said. Then, she nodded slowly, relaxing somewhat, despite the fact that I still held the knife near her. “You're telling the truth, I think.” She sighed. “I will speak to Twilight for you, provided you put the sword away.”

I looked down in confusion, only to remember just how small ponies were, and that my dagger, was their version of a longsword. “Err right.” I looked down at the dagger and maneuvered it over to the end table before reluctantly dropping it.

Looking up, I noticed that Twilight was back and had ditched the medic outfit. The alicorn, having noticed that my dagger was away, smiled and trotted across from the couch, looking up at me with wide, hopeful eyes. I grunted, and gestured to Fluttershy, prompting her to speak on my behalf.

“She is willing to give up, provided it's into your custody,” Fluttershy announced suddenly.

“I er… really? That makes things both more complicated, and less complicated.” Twilight stuttered, looking from Fluttershy to me and back again. “I’ll have to talk to my brother.”

A low growl held her in place long enough to place the necklace back against Fluttershy’s chest. “I will not agree to enter into his custody, only yours, and you must swear on your life that you will honor this bargain and treat me as you would a pony prisoner,” my grip tightened on the necklace, my eyes flashing dangerously as I peered down into Twilight’s much smaller eyes. “Those are my only demands, and I will not accept any secessions on this.”

Fluttershy gulped, and relayed my words exactly, much to Twilight’s chagrin, who frowned up at me, staring long and hard into my blood-red orbs, surprising me with her bravery. Normally ponies quailed at the sight of me and fainted when they stared into my eyes when I was angry, but it was both intimidating, and nice to know that I wouldn't have to worry about that with Twilight or even more surprisingly, Fluttershy. Though I suppose they had faced down threats far worse than I, but none were quite as capable of slaughter as I.

After a long staring session, she sighed and placed her hoof against her chest. “I swear, that if I am allowed to do such a thing, I will honor your demands to the letter.”

I nodded and gently wrap a hand around Fluttershy’s shoulder, flashing the alicorn my long claws before motioning towards the door. Twilight frowned, but did as she was told, trotting out the door and closing it behind her.

Now alone, I pressed the necklace against Fluttershy’s chest one last time. “I apologize for this Fluttershy. I did not intend for this to happen, nor did I wish harm upon you or whomever that stallion was. I was very much okay with sitting in my forest and protecting my tribe, but alas, it seems as though fate and that cruel brutish stallion have other ideas for us both.”

Placing the necklace on my chest, we sat there in silence, my hand falling from her shoulder, and even allowing her to put some distance between the two of us. Looking back, I tugged the curtain closed completely only to frown and pull the entire couch away from the window, my paranoia getting the better of me.

Now away from the window, Fluttershy laid a hoof on my leg. “I must thank you for your kind words, and though I cannot forgive you right now, I know one day, I will.”

I nod solemnly, having expected as much, though I dared not hope for better.

With the room silent, my ears swiveled on my head, picking up a distant heated conversation through the thin walls and even thinner glass of the windows. Though I could only hear snippets of the back and forth, it was obvious that Twilight and her brother were going at it, and for a moment I feared that I may very well have to make good on my threat. A thought that aroused my instincts and made my mouth salivate, but my logical mind recoiled, wanting nothing to do with the senseless slaughter that would inevitably lead to my unpleasant end.

After several minutes of this back and forth the conversation reluctantly died for a moment before becoming much, much quieter, and far more respectful. My nose twitched, and I leaned closer to the window which was still open a crack, having detected the faint scent of something that smelt close to Twilight yet was not her. I frowned, glancing towards the window, knowing full well that another alicorn had entered the scene.

“Just great, I hope it's not Celestia,” I muttered, drawing a curious gaze from Fluttershy, who had edged even further away from me, something I was fine with.

I sighed, and motioned for the pegasus to move a little further away, knowing that there were two things that might happen. Either they accept, and we leave peacefully, which means it's fine that Fluttershy is further away, or they come in hot, and I wouldn't want to get Fluttershy caught in the crossfire.

Either way, it felt good to know that Fluttershy was safe, as it was clear that although she seemed calm, under the surface she was terrified, my nose only now picking up the heady aroma of fear that clung to her. Though I knew not how she had contained the scent or obvious tells, I put that thought from my mind for now.

A second later, the door opened to reveal a smiling Twilight, whose expression only faltered somewhat when our eyes met. “I have negotiated for your release and am willing to accept you into my custody with the expectation that Luna and I will be allowed to interrogate you with the intention of discovering what happened to the daughters of Eve.”

I sighed, nodding solemnly, having assumed something like this was coming, as it wasn't like they would just believe me if I were to say they were in the heart of the Everfree living peacefully and safely. Standing up, I turn my head so as to not bang it against the roof and raised my hands, expecting cuffs.

Sure enough, the alicorn produced a pair of steel manacles that glittered with numerous enchantments. Though wary of the magic, I keep my arms extended and allow her to secure them around my wrists. Once that happens I felt my senses grow dull, and the bloodlust that burnt eternally at the back of my mind flickered and faded, though it did not disappear entirely. Still, though the event was an unpleasant one, I had assumed far worse would happen, and with a nod, Twilight turned to Fluttershy.

“Proceed outside, she can't hurt you anymore.” Twilight declared, making me grit my teeth in anger.

“Actually she never actually hurt me other than accidentally punching me that one time.” Fluttershy corrected. “Though if you don't mind I think I’ll skip the debriefing and go find Rainbow Dash.”

The alicorn nodded, stepping aside and allowing Fluttershy to scamper out the door, leaving me alone with the clearly irritated mare who looked up at me with a strange expression. “Now then, what in Equestria are we going to do with you?” With one last sigh, she took another step back and motioned towards the door. “After you, would you kindly?”

I felt the compulsion return, and though it irritated me to follow it, I did so regardless, knowing full well that there was little reason in resisting at this point. Cursing in abyssal under my breath, I walked out the door, Twilight close at my heels.

“Well Fareeah, let's see how you make it out of this one,” I muttered, bracing myself for the rows of armed ponies as well as an angry goddess that was no doubt waiting for me just outside, ready to blow my head off if I so much as twitched.

Author's Note

This is part of the 12 days of christmas, head over here to keep track of all the cool stuff coming down the pipes. If you want to ensure I can afford to keep doing stuff like this, consider backing me over on Subscribestar or Patreon.