Night in the Everfree is usually quiet.

Not because it's a safe or a tranquil place, no. It's the opposite. If you were to make a sound, well... Let's just say that you'd either need to be strong or fast. After all, predators like Timberwolves, Ursas and many more were inhabiting it. However, recently, something has changed...

The Wolves seemed to act more careful now, the cockatrices were constantly hiding, and even Ursas seemed to act off. Nopony knew the reason for those changes.

Nopony but Chrysalis.

Right now, the Queen was trying to stop her bleeding with magic. Due to some recent event, she had to learn how to use he rmagic to heal, and had to do so fast. Luckily, it wasn't THAT hard for Chrysalis to teach herself. After all, she IS the Queen of changelings! Obviously, learning some new magic tricks isn't a challenge for her...

..However, losing a limb is quite a challenge, even for someone on her level. Chrysalis hissed, as she winced and saw her bleeding appendage slowly growing back. This process required quite some time, magic and nutrients from her body. After all, she didn't have enough love to instantly regrow it as she usually did.

Ever since Chrysalis has stumbled upon those two weird creatures, one of them begun to pursue her. That... Thing, was absolutely relentless. It gave her very little time to recover and find nutrients to continue the run. It's been a month already, and she had learned a lot about surviving against it. Exactly. Surviving, not defeating...

No matter what Chrysalis did, no matter how much energy she used... All her magic seemed to just phase through that thing. The only way she was able to utilize her magic on that beast, was by throwing stuff at it. Luckily, Chrysalis had a good telekinetic grip, which saved her several times by now.

As for her wings... Well, she tried flying away, once she thought that she was far enough from it. Now she has to deal with her missing hoof and damaged wings. Who would have known that such a huge and heavy looking thing could jump so high... So, yeah, flying was not an option.

Finally, her magic begun to take effect. The injury begun to close, and Chrysalis could now focus on her surroundings. After all, that thing never let her take a breather before. Luckily, she is an immortal being, so she doesn't require any nutrition in order to survive... Still though, Chrysalis would give everething to have a small nap and a bit of love to recharge. But with that beast constantly around-

...

"..Where the buck is it?"

...

After standing still for a few more moments, Chrysalis made a run for it. She wouldn't dare to miss this opportunity to finally get a chance to escape this place. Chrysalis knew well where the ponies lived, and maybe, just maybe, if she TEMPORARILY surrendered to them, she would be able to get to the safety.

She would be able to get away from that thing!

And so, she ran. Even with her lost limb, she was still running faster than ever before. Chrysalis didn't care about her surroundings. Trees, leaves, grass and flowers flashed before her eyes. All that didn't matter. All Chrysalis had to do, was run forward, towards the weak light. Desperation within her body has begun to dissipate, as she was getting closer and closer to her goal. She didn't even care about the huge shadow above her-

Chrysalis' eyes widened, as she looked up "WHAT THE BU-"

A huge boulder has crashed down onto the ground, destroying nearby trees and sending dust, pebbles and wood in all directions. Luckily, Chrysalis was able to dodge that just in time, by jumping to the side. After rolling for a few seconds, she quickly recollected herself and lit up her horn.

"GET AWAY!"

She didn't even know where that thing was. In a burst of panic, Chrysalis used the remnants of her magic, grabbed everething she with her telekinetic grip and threw it in all directions around her. After that, she continued to run towards the light, adrenalin rushing through her entire body.

"I can't let it catch me. Not when I'm so close!"

Every single bit of her energy, Chrysalis put in this last push towards the town. For some reason, she felt that thing wouldn't follow her to the crowded area. Even if she was going to get captured, it was still better than staying in this accursed forest. It was still a better fate...

Her head hurt like Tartarus. Her breath was a mess. Her eyes were watery.

Chrysalis was in fear.

...

Why?

"Boris, I already told you that we need her alive. If I didnt stop you you would have left nothing but a pile of mushy substance from her"

It escaped.

"I know, I know, but worry not. She seems to be heading towards the nearby settlement... However, the locals are quite different from our subject. Perhaps, there are several tribes inhabiting this world. Most curious."

What now?

"..Aren't even goung to ask me how I know all that?"

No point.

"And that, my friend, is exactly why I simply love working with you. Well then, I highly suggest that you come back. We haven't run any diagnostics sinc eyou left. I wouldn't want to miss out in this data."

Got it.

"See you soon!"

...

Berserker stood up, with a somewhat loud metal noice, die to his 'skin' being damaged here and there. It wasn't problematic, though. Other than that, he didn't sustain any damage. As Berserker was about to get going, he froze in his place.

I wasted a lot of time.

He paused for a few seconds.

For nothing?

His monitor flickered, as his hands twitched.

All this time, all this progress... Just to let that bug escape? Is this a [GARBAGE] joke?

Slowly, Berserker's hands found their way towards his metal head. He breathed heavily, as his mind begun to boil.

This entire [FUCKING] time, that I could've spent to myself, I had to waste for nothing?! Just to hear his [PATHETIC] voice tell me to retreat?!

Finally, Berserker growled and, after winding up, slaed down onto the ground with his hands. As he slightly opened his jaws, a small amount of steam left his body. Berserker couldn't keep his composure anymore. He had to blow off some steam, or else...

Despite the order, he stood up and slowly turned towards the direction where the bug has escaped. He didn't care about the objective anymore. Berserker slowly lowered his torso to the ground, like an animal preparing to pounce, as he prepared to chase it again, this time with all of his speed.

After tensing all of his muscles, he-

"Not. A. Step. Further."

Instantly, Berserker froze in his place. The entirety of his body felt as if it became hundreds of times heavier. He couldn't move a single muscle, as the words echoed in his head, resonating with his very Soul. Slowly, Berserker got back up, as he obediently turned around and slowly begun to walk.

He was the very thing most people, and not only humans feared. Berserker was the strongest being alive, and yet, right now, he felt as if all of his strength got siphoned away from him. Only 4 times before, has he experienced this feeling. he didn't want to admit it, but...

Berserker was in fear.

Author's Note

You should watch No Guns Life!!!!!