In the ever dangerous Everfree forest, deaths and destruction is about the minimum for life. In this environment, prey and predator are mostly alike, with only a single difference of what you could use to kill something.

*Rustle, Thud, Thud*

Though, there's always a hierarchy.

A deer with blue antlers was currently frantically running through the woods, breaking down bushes and low hanging branches alike as it heavily panted from exhaustion. A few cuts visible on its snow white fur, evidence of a fight it had recently had.

*Growl*

Hot on its tail was a truly big threat, standing about twice the deer's size.

The deer, sensing the threat, made a split second decision as it swung its head to the side as clusters of ice broke down the trees behind it. Those trees fell rapidly, yet it only slowed its pursuer by a small margin.

The deer ran as fast as it could, eventually meeting upon a river. With another swing of its head, its antlers glowed a light blue as a bridge of ice was created over the bridge. Destroying it right as it crossed over, the deer continued to run. Not daring to look back, it kept and kept running.

Feeling until it could no longer, it panted as it finally decided to rest, at least for a little bit. Its hooves hurt and its lungs burned from the chase, feeling like it was about to die, it took refuge amongst the flora, hidden from sight.

But not from the scent.

*Gurkh*

Without even a second to think, the deer was caught between the maws of a beast. An open neck with blue blood pouring out, a sense of fading life in its eyes as wooden fangs tore away the flesh. And it died.

Chewing and swallowing what he had in its mouth, Harkon stood tall and turned around.

Daydrin approached with a happy gait, proud of her son for being such a natural hunter. Even if he did make a few mistakes and let the deer flee, it was a usual sight even amongst the most elite of her previous pack. Though, one thing did bother her to a certain extent.

The fact that her son, who was currently jumping around excitedly around her, was glowing in certain parts of his body. In normal circumstances, this wouldn't bother her much. It was what came with the glowing.

Harkon took a bite of the deer, and fire spewed out from his mouth, effectively roasting the flesh inside his mouth as he happily chewed.

She had taken her son out to train him, and she was successful. But she couldn't help but feel like she should bring them back to the camp.

*Arf*

She was woken from her thoughts by Harkon looking at her with a questioning gaze.

Giving a simple growl as a response, she started to dig into their lunch.

Waking up with a pounding heart, I hastily opened my eyes and looked around. Slowly calming down from the peaceful surrounding.

Shit.

*Snore*

Moon was still knocked out from the earlier scuffle.

I sighed and held my head in my hooves.

Ever since that visit from Princess Luna in my dream, I feel like I've been having shittier nights. It's not like it's her fault either, since she didn't come again after that night, but shit did I want to blame her.

My past. I know I can never fully separate myself from it. As much of a victim I was, I was also a cause of despair for many others. I couldn't even be counted as a pony during those times, just a bundle of pure anger in the shape of one.

I thought, that I could at least, live quietly after that night. Even with all my wrongdoings, I thought I could stay away, and never even approach the idea of becoming a monster again.

I gulped some saliva, my face tensing from remembering those murders. So many deaths, bringing utter destruction to those who didn't deserve it. After all, they didn't even know about Nightmare Moon then, let alone the atrocities she committed. Those innocents only relied on a pillar of strength to live, a pillar of hope. Yet I ruined that because of my blind rage, giving it false grace by masking it as justice.

But vengeance was never a good thing.

And I only hurt those who didn't deserve it whilst chasing after it.

"You don't look well, why don't you share. What troubles you? I'm here to care." I was surprised by a familiar voice.

A bit worried about why I couldn't sense her, I turned to the voice. "Zecora, where have you been?"

"I was dealing with a personal plight, A part of my faith, guiding me right." She said whilst taking a seat next to me whilst putting her bags down.

"You're religious?"

"It’s not quite religion, but part of my culture. A personal issue I had to handle and nurture." She answered and brought out a single apple for me. "Would you like an apple, just for a taste? It might brighten your day and help you feel great."

I gave a single chuckle and took it. "Thanks." Culture huh? "I never went to Zebrica. What's it like there?"

"In my country, life’s simpler than you might know. Yet the ponies there are as happy as can show. Though, trains and travel here are quite a delight. Making journeys smooth and easy, day and night." She explained calmly as she brought out her own apple to chew on.

"Mhmm, sounds delightful." I commented and thought on her words. "What's a train?"

There was silence for a few seconds, making me look at her. She held a slightly shocked face before finally grinning in realization.

What happened? What did she get out of that?

"I always thought you were a bit unique, but I truly didn't realize how different you'd be." She commented with a playful tone.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked back intrigued.

"I just realized why you have that special flair. The unique aura you always wear."

I didn't have an answer to that.

"Has no one else seen it yet, that dangerous flare? The intense anger you hold in the air? Though I can guess it shows up only in tense times, when stress and anger mix in your mind's rhymes." She said as she stared at me with a slightly amused gaze. "Well, seeing how friendly you are, it's clear to me. You've moved beyond that, and found your peace."

I was shocked, I never even noticed it. Plenty of questions and answers went through my mind. Wanting to know what I should do from this point on.

"I'm not quite sure I've found it." In the end, I only gave that simple sentence.

"You've found it, of that I'm sure. A way to peace that helps you endure." She said with a calm smile and looked at the sleeping Moon.

"You really think she did that?" I asked.

She gave a soft smile and looked at me. "Those who seek to protect are always more strong, than those who seek revenge and right the wrong."

I simply stared as I tried to find the words.

"Thank you." I gave my gratitude and continued to eat the apple.

Time slowly passes in serene silence, a comfortable time away from my thoughts.

"So what actually is a train?"

"It's a new form of travel, faring on grounds made of gravel."

"I see." I guess Equestria would still be thriving without my presence.

Well, not like I actually had a huge impact in the first place. Most of my actions took place outside of it.

"How about you brew a fresh cup of tea? You make them taste just right for me." She asked simply.

Letting out a weary sigh, I groaned as I got up. "Alright, it's about time I should make some breakfast anyway."

"A steak of wyvern meat is quite the griffon’s treat. Try making some for her, it’ll be a hard meal to beat." She commented casually.

"It's been dead for a day."

"Wyvern meat is fine, with skin tough and divine. Its magic keeps bacteria away, so it’s safe every time." She happily explained as she brought out a few small bottles. "Season well with these to try, a medium rare is your best design." She said and placed the items where I was sitting.

"Thanks, I'll try it out." I responded and started on breakfast.

Walking up to the giant wyvern I killed the day before, I climbed up and stabbed into the rib area.

The morning went by quite fast as Zecora left. It was quite nice to talk to a friend I haven't seen for some time, though, I wish our meeting was under more, simpler circumstances.

The dagger worked wonders as it cut through the wyvern's tough skin like butter, though my hooves tell me how hard it actually is.

"It would be pretty impossible for flies to get into it." I muttered.

Unable to tell exactly how much I should use, I roughly cut out shapes of hay steaks a bit deeper in, just in case. Since this corpse will be filled with a crap ton of everything bad, I decided to get three. Any more than that and she won't be able to eat it before it gets rotten.

The walk back was uneventful as I carried the cut steaks in a pot.

"Agh." Moon was groaning in her sleep as she squirmed around a bit.

She should wake up about now.

"AH, FUCK! THAT HURTS!" She suddenly sat up whilst screaming only to groan in pain and lie back down.

Putting the pot down, I sat down next to her. "What's wrong?"

"Ugh, Remedy?"

"Yeah, it's me. Where's it hurting exactly?" I asked and removed her hooves around her chest.

"It's around my chest." She said through gritted teeth.

Placing a hoof above her heart, I asked. "Here?"

"A bit lower."

"Here?" I softly pressed her fourth rib.

"Fuck, yeah, that's the one." She had a scowl as she tried to breathe slowly.

"Hmm, try to hold in the pain." I advised and pressed around the rib a bit harder.

"OH SHIT, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"

I took away my hoof. "Well, it's not broken, but I'm pretty sure it's fractured." She seemed to calm down a bit with that. "You'll have to take it easy if you want this to heal, for about six weeks."

"Ugh, I thought you didn't know shit about bones." She complained and put a hoof over her eyes.

"I only said I didn't how to realign a broken bone, not that I was clueless." I answered and went to retrieve water from a bucket. "Here, a single cup should be fine. Drink it slowly."

She grabbed the cup and started taking small sips.

A, somewhat peaceful day went by. Thankfully no more attacks as I took care of the daily chores around the camp. Basically just brew some tea and check our equipment.

*Sizzle*

Carefully flipping the steak on the searing hot pan, I held the pan a bit higher and added in some butter. Swapping the spatula I used to flip the steak with a spoon I held in my mouth, I used the spoon and started to baste the steak.

I think I'm doing pretty good so far.

I put in a clove of garlic and crushed it lightly with the spoon.

"Dude, that smells amazing." Moon mumbled from the side.

"Get a plate." I said as I started to see the edges of the steak starting to get a darkish color.

She quickly grabbed a plate, letting out an 'ow' in the process as I carefully brought the steak out.

"Here it is, a wyvern steak. I cooked it the same way I would with a hay steak, just altered it slightly." With that, I placed it on her plate.

Before I could get her a knife, she had already dug into it with a fork. I would've asked it if was good, but her big smile told me everything.

I let out a soft chuckle and started on my own lunch. A simple stir fry this time. Potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, an onion and a clove of garlic. Though, my peeling was quickly interrupted by an excited Moon holding up an empty plate.

"Seriously?" I asked with a laugh.

"What? You said you brought two more." She answered as if it was the most obvious thing.

"Alright, alright, but I want to eat something too. I'll just mix it in with some vegetables." I said back.

Dice the meat and fry it together with the vegetables. I won't gain much nutrition and such from it, but it'll work. Filling two plates, I finally sat down with cups of tea for the two of us.

"I'll admit, this wyvern meat definitely tastes a bit better than the fish. Or maybe that's just the seasoning talking." I commented as we ate.

"I don't know what you're complaining about, there shouldn't be any differences in taste buds." Moon was still scarfing her food down.

"I guess, it's something about growing up in a different culture. Also, slow down, nopony's gonna steal it from you." I told her and drank my tea.

"Yeah, yeah." She swallowed and quickly drank emptied her cup. "I don't know about you, but I was starving when I woke up. How long was I out for?"

"About a day. There's plenty more left in the pan, if you want some." She quickly stood up to fill her plate.

"Guess that explains the hunger." She continued to eat.

"I guess so." I said back as I kept staring at her.

She finally caught on and stared back. "What? Something on my face?"

"Have you checked your teeth?"

"What?"

"Your teeth. I kind of just accepted that you were a carnivore, but have you actually checked?"

She blanked and kept staring at me.

"I, assumed, since I was one before." She answered drily.

I stared with my best 'are you serious' face.

"Could you open your mouth?" I asked and got close.

She just silently opened it as I took a close look.

"You have molars." I finally said.

"What now?"

"Molars, only creatures who eat plants naturally have those. It means you're an omnivore."

"Oh." She accepted with a blank face. "Oh shit."

"Yep." I sat back down.

She sat down next to me and stared forward. "Does that mean I need to eat more vegetables?"

"Yes, because omnivores need vitamins and minerals to live. Good thing you've been having some along with your fish as a snack." I answered and tried to remember that book dad had in his library. "Didn't you learn this from your princess things?"

"Uh, they did. I was just focusing on something else at the time alright." She explained with a higher pitch than usual.

I stared at her in the eyes.

"Ok, in my defense, that biology class was boring as fuck."

I chuckled at her excuse as I tapped her once on the head. "Idiot."

"Fuck off."

"Sure." I replied and finished my tea. "Bring the whiskey over, I feel like having a drink."

"Ugh, fine." She complied, albeit annoyedly.

I took a small stretch and heard a pop from my back. "Finally, a calm day."

Author's Note

Hey guys.

I hope you don't mind the simple chapter this time. One big reveal at the start, and not much else. I felt like I should finally make one that didn't have a bunch of deep stuff throughout. Just simple bonding and interactions.

And as always, thanks for reading.

Edit: I managed to mix up wyvern and hydra. So, I fixed that.