In a voice that frightened her, Pinkie asked as she knelt in the dirt, "Rarity. Do not move. Do not even think about touching anything. No matter what happens, stay right there."

Rarity was slightly terrified. Her friend just stopped doing everything and took off her belongings and her sweatshirt. Now she was kneeling in the dirt. What was going on? Rarity looked around and saw nothing. But the state of mind she slipped into...she was so focused and ready for anything. As if she awaited the cold touch of death that came from an executioner. Rarity looked around again to analyze or find anything she missed.

They had stuck to not being on the main road, or what was left of it at least. To make sure they did not wander upon any patrols. Harder to track that way too. But really it was only Zecora, Rarity and her friends that ever dared to wander in the Everfree. But, that changes once you kill someone. They wandered into a small clearing. But the shadows of the woods did not cease, killing all light that tried to beam from the heavens.

Rarity's heart raced. She could feel something bad happen but she did not know what it was. It scratched at her. It bit her. Telling her that anything and everything could go wrong. She watched as Pinkie sat there in pure utter silence. No sound but the eerie rustle of a light breeze. Rarity heard no breathing coming from her friend, she looked as if she was a kneeling statue. She held in her hand what looked to be a bone knife, shining slightly in a few strands of sunlight that shone through. The blade itself was curved and looked as sharp as a sword. Rarity felt her heart beat increase once more as she waited for something bad to happen. After about a minute she was about to gather back her friend when after that, it happened.

Pouncing from the shadows were three large cats of some kind, but they were as black as night with shadows rolling off their wild fur. Rarity rushed a hand to her mouth as she feared for her friend's life. Pinkie knelt facing Rarity. In the split second before the feral cats connected, Pinkie shot her eyes open and they were filled with malicious and protective intentions. Dark pink mist came out of the corners of her eyes.

Faster than anything Rarity had ever seen, in one swift motion she raced her body along one of the shadowed cats. As her outstretched arm went along the cat's thick neck she quickly moved along the cat's body and mounted on its back. Pinkie pulled her knife back and thrust it deep in the cat's throat. A rising tide of blood spilled over Pinkie as she cut a large circle around the neck of the animal. Pinkie was in such a state of calm that it frightened Rarity.

Pinkie jumped off of the cat and did a back flip in the air. As she landed on the ground she knelt briefly in the ground. She quickly got back up and dashed towards the closest one that landed upon its long gone prey. The two remaining growled and cried in vengeance towards the girl that killed one of its pridemates. The two rushed towards Pinkie. The large cats bounded towards the killer.

Rarity slowly turned her head as she heard a deep vibrating growl emanate from her right. Rarity slowly turned and saw that twenty feet away was a large shadow covered lion. It's fur coat was a pale grey and its large and voluminous mane was as black as night. Rarity saw its predatorial stare that was transfixed on Rarity. She feld her pride quickly run away from her and slowly let fear settle in her heart. The lion was large and stood five feet tall on all fours. The largest cat Rarity has ever seen.

Slowly it circled Rarity, making her feel scared as she waited for it to pounce. Rarity slowly lowered to her bag and slowly pulled out the Colt. She did not take her gaze away from the lion as she did so. She readied the weapon at her side, her chest rose and fell with sharp and anxious breaths. The lion growled out a low reverberating tone. A sound that promised a malicious and painful death. This was not a kill out of desperation for food. Nor was it protection out of their hunting grounds. It was going to be a kill merely because the lion was higher up on the food chain than the seamstress. For two long minutes they stared each other down, the lion daring Rarity to make the first move.

Finally unleashing an earth shaking roar it bounded towards Rarity. She raised the Colt and held it tight in her hands. She looked down the dark grey metal barrel and shakily aimed towards the lion. The lion was a few feet away, when Rarity heard a sound of crashing thunder. Rarity kept her eyes closed and waited for her to be maimed and swiped into millions of shreds. All that came was the resounding thud of a large form falling to the ground. Rarity shakily opened her eyes and they went as wide as dinner plates.

The large lion lied lifeless on the ground, blood oozing out into a pool. Rarity knelt down and lifted the lifeless head of the large cat and saw where the bullet pierced through the leader of the pride. Shock filled Rarity as the entrance wound was the lion's right eye. Blood ran down the now empty crater of the lion's eye. Rarity had never shot a gun before and her first shot was a lethal blow. An instant kill. The bullet ripped through the eye and made contact with the lion's brain, killing it instantly. Rarity dropped the head of the lion, it was heavy and the fur felt thick and coarse like she had expected. If the bullet shot the lion in the shoulder or in the chest. It would barely get past the thick fur hide. But that shot...a one in a million.

Rarity stared at the lifeless form and flooding in her vision was last night, when she killed Bon Bon. She watched the steady flow of the blood that came out of its empty hole. It slowly dripped down over the bridge of its nose and collected in a puddle that slowly grew in width and volume. It spread over the dirt and created a puddle of crimson red blood. Rarity wrenched back as she felt a stinging pain rise in her back.

Red hot pain rose on her back and she fell to her knees. She cried in excrutiating pain, howling for the pain to subside. It felt as if someone took boiling hot water and spread it across her back. She shivered as she felt something ooze and drip down her back. She fell to her hands and knees, she turned her head and saw another male lion. It looked like the one she had killed but it was much smaller and more lithe, the lion's son perhaps.

The vengeful son reared up and let loose an angered roar. It raised its monstrous paws and swiped down at Rarity, to land the killing blow on her unscathed pristine skin. She turned swiftly, her back pressing hard against the dirt letting the pain rise once more and let a whine escape her resentful lips. She raised her firearm, letting another rip of thunder across the cold autumn air.

Only the strong survive, in the wild or otherwise. And it appeared to Pinkie that these Shadowcats thought her weak. But she had quickly shown that she was not easy prey. Pinkie still had her dagger reversed, even though it was more of a short sword. She held it close to her face and kept her hardened focus on the remaining two Shadowcats.

Pinkie growled loud enough for them to hear, "Come on you pathetic waste of pridemates. Is this the best you can do?"

As if it was her answer, the one on the left growled a deep vibrating hiss. They slowly advanced on Pinkie. She still sensed five, but the other two were going over to Rarity. No doubt because they thought she was easier prey. Pinkie hardened her killer gaze focusing on the two large cats in front of her. She needed to get to Rarity and fast. She would not last very long if she was caught by these lions.

Rolled her fingers over the linen hilt of her bone knife and still kept it close. The blood stained on her white tee shirt was drying from the freshly killed Shadowcat behind her. Over her shirt and her arms and neck. The blood hardened somewhat and clung tightly to the fabric. One of the lions growled and then roared as it charged Pinkie. Pinkie tightened her grip on the dagger and put more weight in her feet to keep herself from flinching or falling away.

The lion came into range and with a quick swipe of her dagger she cut along the cat's shoulder. The wound pierced deep and a crimson flood spilled out. The lion roared and stopped its charge to slightly regain its strength. Pinkie quickly pulled her attention back to the other one, just in time as she was tackled to the ground by the cat.

Her knife fell out of her hands as it tried to clamp down on Pinkie with its monstrous jaws. Pinkie caught the gaping maw and pushed against the cat's strong push towards its prey. Some saliva dripped down onto her chest as she pushed back the cat. She clenched her eyes closed and strained with all of her might against the Shadowcat. It was within that moment that she felt her spirit lighten. It was in that moment that she felt determined to push away the cat to save the woman she loved. Pinkie grumbled as she pushed against the Shadowcat.

As she defiantly pushed against the cat she heard a blast of thunder and knew that it was a gunshot, followed by a large thud. Pinkie prayed to Celestia that Rarity was okay. Then her heart and soul sank as she heard a sound she never wanted to hear again. She heard a sharp screech of pain that ripped through the air and came into Pinkie's eardrums. The sound repeated itself in her mind again. She would never forget that soul crushing sound. Hearing her best friend cry out in pain, it was a cold feeling.

A vengeful fire sparked in her stomach and she opened her eyes letting pure anger and hatred loose. Gripping tightly on the cat's jaws Pinkie felt an electric feeling cacade over her body and looked and saw that crackling ove her was bright pink lightning. Pinkie felt her strength increase and with more ease she opened the cat's maw wider. She pumped more strength into her arms and swiftly with a an ear splitting crunch of bones and meat, she ripped apart the lion's jaw. Blood spilled from its now open and unhinged maw. Pinkie felt the adrenaline rush mix with her killer instinct and her mind was brought to a certain level of focus that she could never leave. She pushed herself back up and stood firm.

As she stood up she heard another blast of thunder. She prayed to anything that Rarity was okay. She looked around and found she was alone. The last one either left or is lurking in the shadows near her. Pinkie kept her senses open and slowly picked up her knife. She steadied her breath and raised her dagger, ready to slice through flesh. Her heart rate slowed once more as she tried to sense the injured cat.

She could smell the blood in the air, filling her mind with a familiar smell. One that she knew all too well. The smell fo iron mixed with a sort of innocence. It filled her senses with deep longing. She felt Pinkamena push into her and attempt to break free but Pinkie remained adamant. She was not going to allow that side of herself show ever again. Her form rippled with power and energy as crackles of bright pink lightning, she scanned over the dim lighting of the forest. It was quiet, eeriely so. Not a sound pierced the air or the quiet solemnness of the forest.

Pinkie closed her eyes and before she could sense where the cat was she felt a force hit against her back. A powerful swipe against her lower back. This caused a grunt of pain to escape from Pinkie. She had been through worse pain than a simple slice against her back. She had suffered through living hell for nineteen years, she was not going to let some cat take her away. She felt the energy ripple across her back and healed wound, but the pain was very much still there. Pinkie growled and turned to face the cat. It raised a paw to maim her once again. Pinkie stabbed her dagger deep into the cat's paw, blood slowly spilling out of the wound. Pinkie took out her dagger and faster than lightning she slashed along the cat's throat interrupting its vengeful roar. The cat's eyes was laced with fear as it stared at its death dealer. It stared long at the pink killer and finally succumbed to the blackness of death.

The cat fell limp on the ground like its brethren. Pinkie calmed down and the pink lightning dissipated. Her heart beat slowly sped up to a normal speed and her breathing became ragged. She coughed and wiped the back of her hand over her mouth and spat on the ground as she said, "Welcome to the pride."

Pinkie cleaned the blood off her blade and put it back in its scabbard which was now hooked to her waist band of her jeans. She controlled her breathing only for a brief moment until she realised something. She turned to her left and after a gasp she whispered shakily, "Rarity..."

She rushed over and saw two limp dead Shadowcats. The pride leader and his son no doubt. Pinkie looked around and did not see any sign of her friend. She saw their belongings lying on the ground so she did not leave. Her heart increased in speed as she felt anxiety wash over her. She took in a few breaths and opened up he hearing. She listened into the silence and tried to hear the warm heart beat of her closest friend.

After a few seconds she heard it.

Thump...thump...thump...

It was not regular heartbeats. They were slow and uneven, suggesting that she was losing blood. She followed the beating of her heart and found herself at the son of the prideleader. She heard he beating loud in he ears now, she focused once more and the heart beats died in her ears. She shoved over the Shadowcat with a grunt as her pain in her back and her exhaustion overtook her. But she got the Shadowcat off and saw a horrific sight.

Rarity's eyes were closed and her face, torso, and arms stained with blood and dirt. Dripping into a steady pool was blood from her back. Her clothes ruffled, and being held loosely in her hand was a Colt .45 Revolver. One of the best pistols ever to be invented. Pinkie slowly picked her up and nestled her head in her lap and said, "Come on Rares...stay with me...don't close your eyes..."

Rarity coughed as she rested her head in Pinkie's lap. Mucus spat up with her coughs. Her eyes slowly opened and they looked to be almost depleted of all energy and life. They were half open, she let out a low cough and looked lazily over at Pinkie and a smirk came across her face as she weakly stated, "For...future...reference...I did what you...told me."

Pinkie held the back of her head in her palm, her hand just below where the roots of her hair started and made way for her soft skinned nape of her neck. She was uncharacteristically warm and it radiated off of her, showing her body was working so hard to keep her from unconsciousness. Pinkie ran the back of her fingers over Rarity's stained cheek and said softly, "I know. I know..."

Rarity grunted in pain and pressed her hand to her back trying to ease the pain. Rarity said with a grunt of pain in between her words, "We need to get...to...Zecora's."

Pinkie nodded and saw the blood that spilled from the three slashes along her back. Pinkie guessed that she lost maybe a half pint, maybe a whole pint. Pinkie leaned over and picked up her sweatshirt. Pinkie laid it next to her and lifted Rarity's head once more and said looking into her sapphire eyes, "I know it hurts, but I need you to hold yourself up for a little bit. We need to put pressure on those wounds. Okay?"

Rarity simply gave a hurtful nod. Pinkie picked up the sweatshirt and rolled it out long, like she was ringing it out of water. Her head was now resting on Pinkie's thigh and she pushed her hand on the ground and weakily lifted her upperbody, she clenched her eyes shut grunting out a weak cry. The painful cry hurt Pinkie's heart but she woven her sweatshirt over the now crimson stained light blue top. She pulled it tightly around the wounds, once it was tightly wound over the gashes Rarity's arm gave out and fell into Pinkie's ready arms. Pinkie held her back and her other hand on Rarity's side.

Pinkie saw hurt in Rarity's eyes. She averted her gaze as she uttered apologetically, "I'm sorry that I...yelled at you before...I don't know what came over me...I...I just..."

Pinkie replied with great heart, meaning every word, "It is quite alright Rarity. You were still mourning the loss of Bon Bon. As everyone does with their first kill, and I do not doubt that you had flashbacks of last night when you killed these lions."

Pinkie moved her hand to Rarity's neck and felt her soft skin against her coarse fingers. Rarity moved her gaze lazily back to her friend and Pinkie finished, "The important thing to remember is you don't dwell on it too much. Otherwise you will end up like me. And I refuse for that to happen."

Rarity smirked and coughed again. Rarity inspected Pinkie with a careful eye and said raising an eyebrow, "How are you unscathed? Truly you must have gotten some form of wound?"

Pinkie grunted as a pain shot through her exhausted body, as if to answer her question. She could not reveal what she could do though, she feared what Rarity would think of her. Pinkie Pie smiled half heartedly and said in reply, "I...guess I'm just lucky."

With that Pinkie helped Rarity stand but she quickly fell back, only to be caught by Pinkie again. Pinkie slung both of their packs over her shoulders. She then picked up Rarity. One arm holding her back, and her other arm underneath her knees, like a husband would carry their newly wed wife. Despite her exhaustion she held Rarity well. Pinkie turned and found the dirt road once more.

As they began their journey once more Rarity laid her head against Pinkie's shoulder. Rarity said, "You were very good back there darling."

Pinkie kept her focused gaze on the path that laid before them and responded, "Thank you...years of practice..."

Rarity must have sensed the darkness of her tone and quickly said, "I'm sorry if I brought up any bad memories dear. I was merely trying to congratulate you on your abilities."

Curses were more like it. She loved that the most about Rarity, the way she was able to pick up on someone's mood just with a quick glance and the way she would aplogize if she thought she offended someone. Pinkie always admired Rarity for her confidence, not only in herself, but also in other people. She just saw something that no other people saw. Perhaps her greatest gift, her unquestionable amount of benevolence. Pinkie smiled warmly at the complement and replied, "Yes. But nothing will compare to your accuracy with that gun."

Which was now stowed away back in Rarity's pack. Rarity held her hand gently on Pinkie's shoulder and the other supporting, to keep some weight off of Pinkie's arms. She nestled her head in Pinkie's shoulder and replied, "They were merely lucky shots darling. Nothing to fret about."

"No," Pinkie said quickly, "You were seriously good with that gun. If this was the first time you shot a gun I would not believe it if I did not see it myself. You were awesome!"

Rarity half smiled and her somber tone became more drowsy as she said, "Please. They were...one...in...a million..."

With that she succumbed to unconsciousness. Pinkie Pie was not worried, as the humble tree hut of Zecora's came into view. She humbled at seeing the dark skinned witchdoctor again. But as she neared the hut the pain rose high in her lower back and felt as if someone filled her veins with red hot lava. Burning and sizzling as it travlled over her.

She fell to her knees and strained with all her might to stay awake. Only to finally succumb to her exhaustedness. Slowly her vision becam blurry and she started seeing spots, then her eyes shut and she fell to her side.