Corvo kept on running. Running through the dark and gloomy woods of the Everfree forest. Barely any light reached him as the leaves covered him. After what seemed like hours of running, the assassin stopped. His hands were on his knees, and panting.

Corvo wasn't just hurt. He was brutally injured by such a shock wave. He barely escaped that last explosion by blinking, though burning out his mana and damaging his body severely. Corvo quickly ripped his metal mask from his face, throwing it on the dirt, and pushing his hood back.

Just after that, he coughed out blood, the red liquid dripping on the dirt and grass. Corvo just fell down on his bum. Gritting his teeth in anger, he shouted.

"DAMN IT OUTSIDER". He took a slow breath from that outburst, his brain becoming very foggy. Corvo had no clue where he was, just having the instinct to stay alive.

The forest became all to quite, the only sound was heavy breathing, but even that faded away. He heard soft foot steps coming his way. In the distance, the grass shook. Out of the bush, a zebra came out.

"You again"? Corvo was confused, seeing that same zebra, but in the Everfree forest. It gave him a soft smile.

"Hah, Corvo. So good to see you here. I heard screaming, and I knew I could trust my ear". She then looked at the small blood puddles underneath the assassin. He looked worn out. "Are you okay my friend. I have some medicine that I can let you lend". She then started searching through her saddlebag, and in her mouth, pulled out a small glass bottle. A blue liquid shined inside.

"It's alright, I just-" Corvo passed out, falling to the ground due to body failure. Zeribe came and lifted his arm with her mouth, throwing him on her back. The zebra carried the human back out of the Everfree. She was there to meet an old friend, a zebra just like her, but that can wait.

--

Corvo grunted, his body not responding very well. He heard ringing in his ears, though his vision came back quick. He was on a bed, looking around to see many shelves. A body came close to him, putting a wet cloth on his forehead. He saw that zebra, Zeribe.

"Where am I"? Corvo asked right away, though staying laying down. The zebra put down the cloth on a near by table, and gave a small sigh.

"You are in my my, I took because you fell unconscious. But something around you, seems very suspicious". Zeribe walked back, arranging some supplies.

"Sorry". Corvo apologized in what seemed like years. He licked his lips, just having a helpless face.

"What are you sorry for? After all, we can all use more". She stayed next to him.

"More what"? Corvo asked, confused by what the zebra was getting at.

"Help". She simply answered in a calm tone.

"Zeribe, was it"? He asked the name. She nodded. "I need to get back there". He slowly lifted his back, getting up. Corvo still had all of his equipment on. He turned his head to see his mask right on that near by table.

"Are you sure you want to go back? Your life was in danger, but maybe caused by something you lack". Zeribe's eyebrow went up. Corvo got to the floor, flipping his hood back on.

"I don't lack anything. It's just something ok"? Corvo grabbed his mask and went through the front door, walking outside. He recognized this place. It was that beach, the one he washed up on. But, that zebra lived here. He turned back, to see Zeribe had followed him outside.

"I know why you're here. Your entire mission, is to do what no creature would ever do, not this year". Corvo was surprised, but that was the least of his worries. But something she said didn't make sense.

"Wait, this year? Are you saying others have came on other years". Zeribe nodded.

"Yes, but their business was not what you do". Corvo looked down, then back at the zebra.

"You mean assassination don't you? What are you gonna do, tell on me"? Zeribe looked interested, but that passed away.

"The things you creatures do here is none of my concern, but after all, what you do, is make your mana burn". Corvo put on his masked, and through those glassy lenses, looked at his mark.

"You said that I lack something. What is it"? He asked as he put his hands down, looking straight into the wilderness.

"What you lack is not something physical, but an emotion that is quite critical". She looked at him, like she was telling him something without speaking.

"I'll figure it out sooner or later". Corvo spoke his final words, and with that said, he blinked away, vanishing in this air.

Zeribe looked up at the sky, thinking. "May the Outsider revile it to you".

--

The elements of harmony slowly awoken from the floor. They all grunted. Rarity shot open when she noticed the huge smoke cloud in the air.

"Oh my goodness, girls get up quick"! She glanced back at her friends.

"Oh, what happened"? Pinkie asked as she spun her head around.

"Girls"? Rainbow Dash got her friends' attention, as she pointed to the huge pile of destruction. "I think that we have been out for longer than we thought". They all looked worried.

"Ah reckon Twilight somewhere 'round here". Applejack looked across the clearing. Nopony could be seen anywhere.

"Girls look"! Fluttershy pointed at what appeared to be two ponies slowly walking towards them.

"Twilight"! Rainbow yelled as she flew to her friend, only to stop in mid air. Twilight was with Cadence. They were both holding onto each other, and they looked horrible.

All the girls rushed to the unicorn and the alicorn.

"My, what happened? And where is princess Celestia"? Rarity asked. They just stared at each other.

"Princess Celestia is"... Twilight started to get teary. "Gone". They all gasped.

"And princess Luna"? Fluttershy asked of worry.

"They're all gone". Cadence answered. Her tone a lot darker than usual.

"A'm sorry Twilight". Applejack lowered her hat as her ears fell flat. "We really wish 'w could 'f been there".

Pinkie just put a hoof on her shoulder. She looked sad. They all did.

"That thing is dead". Cadence spoke up, causing Twilight's jaw to drop. She has never seen Cadence act this way.

"B-But Cadence, that thing killed my brother. It killed the princesses. We can't just let it go like that". Her voice became louder.

" Twilight, This creature took princess Celestia and princess Luna. It took Shining Armor. There's not much we can do now". Twilight only looked at her friends who had worried expressions. "But we still need to make sure. Do one quick search". Twilight seemed very worried now. She really wanted to believe that the creature was gone. A search could prove other wise. She thought, but came to a conclusion.

"Already then". Twilight's mood went from 'not sure about this' to 'lets do this'. "You girls need to head back to Ponyville and Canterlot to see if help is needed there". She ordered.

"Twilight, are you nuts"? Rainbow blurted out. "That thing is too dangerous. Your gonna need us if you wanna have a chance of winning this. And even if it might be dead, we can't be too sure". Her friends just nodded.

"Listen to Twilight, please". Cadence stepped forward. "We need you ponies to make sure Equestria is safe. Me and Twilight will go for a search just to make sure of it". The other elements just looked at Cadence, but only nodded as they quickly took off.

"Do be careful". Rarity nearly whispered as she took off with the other ponies.

"Come Twilight". Cadence got the unicorn's attention.

"But Cadence, where are we supposed to go"? Twilight wasn't even sure what was to become of this.

Cadence looked at the sky, for some reason, the clouds all seemed to be floating to one direction. "The Everfree forest. That's a start".

Next Chapter: Determination Estimated time remaining: 8 Minutes