Fluttershy groaned awake, a hoof going to her eyes as she slowly regained consciousness. The next thing she knew, a flurry of voices filled her ears and pair of hooves were wrapped around her body. Her eyes opened to see the dreadfully concerned faces of her friends. She took a moment to look around, her mind not fully comprehending her surroundings at the moment. White walls, sterile air, an uncomfortable bed. She was in a hospital. But how did she get here?

“Fluttershy, what were you thinking!?” Was the first thing her ears picked up, forcing them to splay against her head. She turned to her left and saw Twilight with a panicked expression, her mane all frizzed out and her eyes dilated. “When you said you were going into the forest this morning, we didn’t expect you to return covered in blood and unconscious!!”

“Now, now Twilight dear.” Rarity began, trying to defuse Twilight’s private bomb. “You cannot get angry at her for something that was probably out of her control.” The Alicorn nodded and sighed, looking to Fluttershy and shaking her head.

“Sorry, Fluttershy, it’s just... When Rainbow found you and brought you to the hospital, she told us and we all... Well, we all panicked.” Twilight explained, resting her head into her hooves and slowly trying to calm herself.

“We all thought we might of lost you!” Rainbow piped in, hovering in the air and crossing her hooves. A rush of anger filled her face as she looked out the window, glaring in the direction of the forest. “I swear if I ever find out what did this...”

“Rainbow, please. We don’t need any more excitement today.” Applejack spoke up before trotting over to Fluttershy and gestured to her wings. “And to be quite frank, I am just glad Fluttershy is here safe and sound.” The rest agreed with her, nodding and stating how happy they were she wasn’t more injured, or worse.

“Fluttershy, you doing alright?” Twilight asked the butter colored mare. The pegasus blinked and looked to Twilight. “I mean, you haven’t said a word. Are you sure you are okay?”

Fluttershy stared at her for a moment before looking out the same window Rainbow did, her eyes locking with the forest. A few minutes passed before she sighed. No pony would believe such a story. Turning back to Twilight, she smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I am fine. A bit sore, but I’ll be alright.” She said, gaining a look of relief from her friends. “I am a bit worried though.” She began, once more gaining the worried looks of her friends. “Did that mother fox ever find her kit?”

[*T*]

It had been two weeks since Fluttershy had ventured into the forest, and her wings were healing nicely. She was released from the hospital today, the doctor telling her to stay off her wings and not strain herself. With the help of her friends, she made her way home quickly and safely. After being tripled check by her friends to see if she was alright, she bid them a good day and entered her house. She found all of her little critters and animals skittering with glee to see their caretaker home and well, filling her with laughter and warmth. Even the lost kit had returned to its mother, only furthering her joy.

In the distance, hiding in the shadows of the forest’s tree line, stood a lone figure. It was tall, wrapped in the woven hide of a fallen Alpha Wolf, and carried a long silver blade. It watched Fluttershy return to her normal life, free of danger. Nodding approvingly to itself, it turned on its heels and walked into the forest, disappearing into the darkened enclosure that was its home.