“He’s not with you?” Star said over the phone.

“Nope… Why?” Derpy said.

“Never mind… Have a good day.” Star said, hanging up.

“He’s not with her?” Pinkamena asked.

“No…” Star said.

“Well I’ll help look for him.” Fluttershy said.

Star’s expression turned hopeful, “Pinkie.”

Pinkamena’s hair shot up to it’s normal poofy self, “Present!” She said.

“Get everyone. We’re going on an adventure.” Star said.

“AAAADVENTURE TIIIME!” Pinkie shouted.

-----------------------------

J sat quietly in a clearing. “I wonder how long it will take them to come…” He said quietly.

He looked around picking out where he had set up traps.

“Even if they do come… they won’t come here easily.” He said. He heard a branch snap and quickly turned to see who it was.

“That net was hard to get out… But honestly, what are you on about?” Zecora said.

“So… you made it through the traps I have set up? Okay… who are you?” He said looking at her.

She grunted, brushing the dirt off her, “I’ll take it you trapped me on purpose… But alright, Zecora at your service.” She said with a bow.

“No I didn’t trap you on purpose. I set them all up last night. I wanted to be alone so I came out here. I didn’t want to get mauled to death while I slept… but that never came.” He said, “But, it’s nice to meet you Zecora. Since you’re here why don’t you come here and sit?”

She walked over and sat down, “I’m guessing you came here to hide… Tell me why you sit there bug eyed.” She asked kindly.

He laughed a little, “If anything I was hiding from everything… now I’m accepting it finally. If it’s not to much to ask why are you out here? I mean…” He began as he looked at her up close. “I wouldn’t ever think someone like you would be out here hiding from everyone.”

“Get this past that thick dome.” She said, knocking on J’s head, “I’ve learned to call this place my home.”

J smiled, “Well it feels like a lost home for me… but I haven’t ever seen you in Ponyville… that’s more of what I was talking about.” He said.

“Leaving this forest I usually can’t, for I must tend to Everfree’s plants…” She said.

“Well… that’s really time consuming… you must do something else… this is a forest… it’s a lot of plants… and the Everfree is massive.” He said with a chuckle.

She put a hand up, “Enough of me… You look quite tough, tell me what has your life so rough?” She asked.

“I just feel like everything that’s happened recently has been my fault… The hospital incident was… I know that.” He said with a sigh.

“Don’t look so sad, I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.” She said placing a hand on his arm.

He sighed, “If… my best and closest friend becoming crippled isn’t bad… and almost dying twice isn’t… then what is?” He asked looking at her sadly.

“That is quite the mess… But have you asked for forgiveness?” Zecora asked.

J looked down, “How can I?” He asked, “What caused it was… a choice I made a long time ago. One that… even with what happened I wouldn’t change in the slightest.” He looked at her, “I guess… I can’t really ask for forgiveness when… I can’t be forgiven.”

“I’ve heard enough, your situation I do feel… But these wounds, they will heal.” She said sympathetically.

He smiled a little, “Yeah… I’ve talked enough about it… so… what do you do out here?” He asked looking at her.

“Collect ingredients and make concoctions and brews… Those are the things I do.” She giggled.

“That sounds like fun.” He said. He saw a blue flower nearby, “Oh… great wolfsbane grows here… my worst allergy… I guess it could be called.”

She picked one and sniffed it, “This is must disagree… It makes quite the herbal tea.” She said.

“I’d love to try some if it wasn’t poisonous.” He said. “Sometimes… there’s a lot I’d love to try but can’t… because of what I am.”

“I do not wish to exasperate… But please elaborate?” She said curiously.

“Yeah…” He said sadly, “It’s better that you just leave… it’ll save me from the pain of someone running from me.”

“Don’t make me laugh. Please tell me, stop being chaff.” She said.

He shrugged, “Well… I’m a werewolf.” He said looking away from her.

She looked at the flower in her hand and quickly threw it away. “I did not mean to put you in danger…” She said, looking at the flower on the ground, “But… I’ve seen stranger.”

He smiled lightly, “Wolfsbane only affects me if I ingest it. Smelling it our being close won’t do anything.” He said.

“I’m sure a taste, if not swallowed… Nothing bad will follow?” She said.

“I wish that were true…” He said. “But… thanks for offering it.”

“Not that I want to lead you astray… But is there anything I may do to brighten your day?” She asked, grabbing his hand, a kind smile on her face.

He lightly wrapped his hand around her own, “Sure…” He said smiling happily. “I really want to continue talking with you. Unless you want to do something else.”

“I have no where I need to run… Let’s just stay here awhile and bask in the sun.” She said.

“You said you’ve seen stranger then a werewolf… what’s out here that could be that strange?” He asked.

“Aha… You’re just a number on the scale. Relax and let me tell you a tale…” She said.

-------------------------------

“Hey mate… Why are we looking for him?” Lemmy asked.

“Because he’s a friend. And YOU are helping because you decided to abandon me back in the basement.” Star said.

“So… any ideas where he could have gone?” AJ asked looking at everyone, “I don’t like it that he hasn’t come back at all… something… coulda happened to him or… No he wouldn’t have...”

“He’s probably fine…” Star said.

“I don’t see why we have to go after that cack-handed git.” Lemmy said.

“Do you need another timeout?” Star said.

“What’s he saying?” Dash asked. “It’s possible that Lemmy knows something and just doesn’t want to tell us. Seeing as… from what I’ve heard they went at it yesterday.”

“At’s a load of codswallop!” Lemmy said hesitantly.

“Lemmy… What do you know.” Star said.

Everyone looked at Lemmy.

“Come on Lemmy. We need to know where he could’ve gone!” Dash said.

“I um…” Lemmy mumbled.

“Please Lemmy…” Fluttershy said. There was a long pause.

“Oh blimey… Fine.” He groaned. “He’s faffin about in the Everfree.”

“He said J’s in the Everfree…” Star said.

“Well he is J… It can’t be that bad.” Dash said quietly, “Unless… Fluttershy… is it that time for the manticores yet?”

“Um… I don’t know.” Fluttershy shrugged, “The Everfree isn’t under my um… jurisdiction. Maybe we should ask Zecora?”

“Haven’t you taken care of any manticores?” Dash asked. “Never mind… shouldn’t it be in a book when breeding season is for those kinds of creatures?”

“Enough of this gobshite... Let's take that forest down a storm. I'm sure we'll be back in a fortnite.” Lemmy said.

“Yeah what he said.” Star said, heading to the door.

“What did he say?” Dash asked.

“You want a summary?” Star said.

“That would help.” Applejack said.

“Long version… Let’s go find him.” Star said.

“W...What’s the short version?” Fluttershy asked.

“Allons-Y!” Star shouted.

---------------------------

“So… not only vampires as fugly as they are live out here but there’s a medusa wandering around?” J questioned.

“Mmhm…” Zecora mumbled, taking a sip from her drink.

“Well… if I see a vamp I’m going to tear it down a few notches…” He said drinking from his canteen, “It’s great finally having a friendly conversation with someone that doesn’t end in some… weird fashion.”

“The pleasure is mine… We should do this another time.” She said with a laugh.

He laughed a little, “Yeah… that’d be great. So… after they get here do you want me to show you my house first or would it be yours first?” He asked with a smile.

“OI WHATS WITH ALL THE BLOODY PITS!” Lemmy yelled.

“Wait for it…” J said with a smile.

Star came flying through the trees tied up, in a net and landed in a cage next to J, “Hi!” He said.

“And…” J said.

Four screams where heard followed by laughter.

“I was wonder would it be deer or one of you that I caught in that net.” J said, “So Zecora I’d like you to meet Star.” He said looking back at Zecora.

“Hi.” Star repeated.

“Hello.” Zecora said.

“Not that I don’t enjoy all the natter… But I’m a bit miffed at the moment!” Lemmy shouted.

“Very smooth… Who’s the stooge?” Zecora asked, motioning to Lemmy.

“That’s Lemmy. And be glad you aren’t coming in from the air.” J said.

“AGH!” Dash screamed as she got covered in tree sap.

“That was a great idea Zecora.” J said with a smile. “I wouldn’t have been able to come up with that myself! I never thought to set up an anti-pegasus trap.”

“Mmhm…” Zecora mumbled again, taking a sip of tea.

“Wait… The bloak can understand me?” Lemmy asked.

“Oh and before I forget Star’s a werewolf too.” J said taking a small sip from his canteen. He offered it to Star, “Honeydew, it’s really good.”

“Thanks.” Star said, grabbing it from the cage and taking a drink.

“You know… Lemmy could break the cage.” J commented, “It’s only made of wood.”

“Right because you’re too chuffed to help.” Lemmy said as he broke through the cage, “Ya damn git…” He muttered.

“Mmhmm…” J mumbled taking a bit out of his food. “Want something to eat? Caught a large deer running through. To sick to keep going.” He pointed to the deer roasting just beside them.

Applejack flew out of the trees and into the deer, knocking it off the rack, “SOMEONE UNTIE ME GOSH DARN IT!” She shouted.

J got up and untied the ropes, “There you go AJ.” He said helping her up. He hauled the deer and put it back on the rack. “Well… anyone else going to come flying through?”

“Ey where’s Fluttershy?” Star asked.

There was a loud scream in the distance.

“Wait… it’s… oh no.” J said standing up and transforming into his wolf form. He charged off towards where the scream came from.

When he got to her she was on the ground crying, he saw the blood running down her neck. “Oh God… Fluttershy…” He said as he approached her.

“Fluttershy!” Star yelled, coming in right behind J.

Fluttershy jumped up and wrapped her arms around Star, crying hard into him.

“Are you hurt?” Star asked, looking at the blood.

“I’m… Fine.” She mumbled, “Something bit me…”

“It’s alright… We’re here.” Star said, holding her tightly as the others came through the trees.

J’s lips curled back into a snarl as he sniffed the ground eventually shifting to sniffing Fluttershy’s neck.

“What’s wrong J?” Star asked, “Whatever attacked her is long gone…”

“Vampire…” J growled, “And I’m going to tear him apart…”

“But… vampires regenerate when attacked…” Dash said.

“Not when a werewolf in any form attacks them… that’s why they hate us so much. We can kill them.” J said looking up at her.

“Let’s just get her home...” Star said.

“Not her house… not safe he’ll come back.” J said, “Get her to our house. He won’t be coming back until night fall…”

“Alright… Let’s get moving.” Dash nodded.

-----------------------------

“I think she’ll be fine… But she’s getting a fever.” Star said.

“I have a very important question. Did you ever do anal with her?” J asked.

“What…” Star and Lemmy said simultaneously.

“Ugh… if not then she’s still a ‘virgin’. Then… we have a problem.” J said. “Oh nevermind… I remember that restaurant episode… so… we don’t have a problem! Thank God I hate vamps.”

“I’ll take her up to my room… Stay here.” Star said as him and Lemmy brought her upstairs.

“Not… a great idea… windows… Vampires aren’t bound by not entering the building their prey are in…” J said.

“Alright… How about the basement?” Star asked.

“Okay… that only has one entrance.” J said, “I’ll stay up here and end the vamp if he enters.”

As Star went downstairs with Fluttershy in his arms, there was a loud banging at the door.

J got up and walked to the door. Before he grabbed the handle, the door came off its hinges and knocked J to the floor.

“DA FUCK!?!?!” He shouted.

“Who...Set...This one...Up.” Pinkamena said standing in the doorway with a bear trap around her foot.

J smacked his lips and smiled, “You went into manticore territory didn’t you?” He asked.

She limped towards J slowly, blood trailing the floor where she walked.

He pushed the door off of himself and stood up, “Look Pinkamena… I didn’t know you’d go there…” He said looking at her.

She stopped in front of him, staring at him silently.

“I’m sorry that you got hurt. I’ll help if you don’t attempt to kill me.” He said.

“Oh don’t worry silly! I’m not angry.” She said, placing a hand on his shoulder with a smile.

“That’s what I’m scared off… I did… sort o-” He started as her grip tightened painfully.

“No harm done…” She said with a smile as J fell to his knees.

He closed his eyes, “Fuck… me… I just… go over… it all…” He said quietly.

“Pinkie?” Star shouted from the basement, “That you?”

Pinkamena’s hair shot up to its poofy self, “Yeah it’s me!” She shouted back.

“Good I could use you down here.” He said.

“Okey dokey!” Pinkie shouted. She looked back down to J, “Have fun you guys!” She said before running off down the stairs.

J fell over gripping his shoulder, “Need… help…” He groaned. “Badly…”

“Jeez what happened to your foot?” Star called as Pinkie descended the stairs.

“Just a little accident! Nothing that can’t be fixed.” She said as the basement door shut.

“Fuck… no… one… to help… me…” J stammered as his head hit the floor, “Of… course…” He looked up his phone out of reach he gave the counter a few good kicks causing his phone to drop into his hands. “Yes!”

He dialed a number, “Rarity… you asked if I wanted to go to the spa tomorrow… I’ll go…” He said.

“Yeah… just can you also come over here… I need a little help… shoulder dislocated.” He said. “Thanks…”

“Oh stop whining.” Dash said, grabbing his arm, “I’ve dislocated my arm plenty… You just gotta…” She quickly twisted it back into place, “Pop It back.”

J gritted his teeth against the pain, “Never… mind…” He said weakly into the phone.

“All better.” Dash said with a laugh, patting him on the bad shoulder.

“Fu… Wrong… shoulder Dash… don’t… too sore…” J stammered rolling himself onto his stomach and pushing up weakly, “A little help? Still a little painful…”

“You know what my mom always did when I got hurt playing sports?” Dash asked.

“What?” J questioned looking up at her.

“Ice cream!” She said.

“Not… now.” He said. “I want to get onto the couch first.”

“Not that kind of ice cream…” Dash joked.

“Help me up… I’ll get it out.” J said.

She helped him to his feet, laughing a little.

“With all my meditation out there I finally realized something… well more then I knew before at least.” He said gently kissing her neck.

“What’s that?” She asked.

“Just how much I love you.” He said rubbing her wing. “Come on let’s get some ice cream… finally I’ll be able to eat some without being forced into a bathroom.” He laughed.

“That sounds great!” Pinkie said from behind the two of them.

J glanced at Dash, “Why not there’s plenty of it.” He said.

The basement door open and Star came out, “Okay Fluttershy is all patched up and under covers.” He said.

“What… the… hell?” J questioned looking back at Pinkie.

“Is there a problem J?” Pinkie said, her smile slowly turning to a frown.

“No… just… I thought only I could blink like that.” J said.

She didn’t reply, just staring at him.

“Anyways… Ice cream?” Star said.

“Yeah… just… I want to survive the night.” J said walking into the kitchen with Dash.