The white wolf laid forlornly underneath the branches of its shelter, feeling the occasional water droplets falling from the leaves above, and patter against his damp body.

A curious pup approached the white wolf, one so young it still couldn't walk straight. The pup received a vicious growl-bark for its intrusion.

White watched the frightened youth scamper back home to the main den, before resting his head against his paws, and try to take a nap.

This wasn't where White imagined to be. Ostracized by the pack, demoted to the lowest rank of Beta, and forced to lay alone under the unrelenting rain. That thing which plagued his whole life did this. This was all its fault!

The White wolf dreamed of its youth - of being taken - and brought to the monster's lair. The little pup cautiously approached the monster with innocent curiosity and sniffed at the stranger, memorizing his odd scent. A smell he still knew to this day. The white wolf pup soon realized the monster didn't want to eat him, it only wanted to play!

White and the creature quickly became friends as they made their fun together.

Then the lessons began. White's friend wanted to teach him things. Learning wasn't as much fun as when they'd wrestle together. Though, White didn't like that he'd always lose to his much older friend. The pup didn't want to learn; he wanted to play! But his friend always had food, and White really liked food; but his friend wouldn't just share it unless White did something for it, and his friend always asserted his dominance over the pup.

The pup knew that was his friend's right, being older and stronger than the pup. White knew this from watching his older brethren behave, but even they eventually shared; and didn't repeat the same noises over and over again.

Soon White learned how to 'sit', before his friend would let him eat. Then he learned 'down', and to 'speak'. It wasn't all boring, 'geddit-boy' was his favorite game, his friend would throw a stick, and White would chase it down and chew it up! But his friend always yelled at him to 'bring-it-back', or 'c'mere', or make strange noises that tickled his ears. White never understood what it was his friend wanted, and kept chewing away anyhow.

They became the best of friends. His friend liked it when he'd howl, and they'd howl together, letting everywolf know where they were. The little pup could hear his brethren howl back, and then he realized how alone he was, and didn't understand why the others couldn't come and play too.

He tried to tell his friend, but he only moved White inside their new home. And then his friend would yell at him to 'shut up', whenever White called out for his mother. His friend never howled with him again after that.

White missed his family, and his 'friend' wouldn't let him see them.

Soon White's mother and father found him, and others came too while his friend was away. It wasn't nice that his friend tied him up so he couldn't play with the others, nor eat the food stashed under where he liked to nap. But he'd always let him go, and they'd play again whenever he got back! But his mother and father weren't having any of it, and the others helped themselves to his friend's food.

White tried to stop them, and told them they had to wait until his friend came back, that they didn't do what was needed to earn his friend's food. They needed to 'sit', and 'lay down', and 'speak' to get food. It wasn't the funnest game to play, but the others only growled in anger, and his mother and father took him away.

White was free, carried away in his father's maw, while his mother fretted the whole way back to their home.

The other pups wouldn't play with him, and avoided him most of the time, saying that he smelled funny. Others made fun of him, saying he was 'marked' by the monster. But they just didn't understand, until his friend came back for him.

White was going to show the whole pack how great his friend was! But White's mother intervened, and chased his friend up a tree.

White tried to plea with his mother, to get her to stop, then the unthinkable happened. His friend killed his mother with his magic!

White's father, the alpha, stepped forward and ordered the others away.

Soon, hunting the beast, his former friend and 'master', became a right of passage among the Pack. Even just entering its den and bringing back spoils proved one's own worth and bravery.

White's memories became a torrent of nightmares, as each memory flashed within his subconscious. Memories of fallen comrades, and overzealous friends wanting to prove themselves by hunting down the monster. Only to end up hunted themselves.

So many... too many.

GRRRAH!

The white wolf awoke with a vicious growl as hate consumed him. He was through with living in the shadow of his enemy.

White stormed up and through the pack's cave home, suffering jeering growl-barks from his brethren along with nips, and teasing whimpers as he marched onward through the deepest part of the den where the Alpha resided.

The old ashen wolf rose up, and growled long and low at his progeny; reminding him that his punishment for losing young so carelessly wasn't over.

White growled back, demanding to know why they don't hunt the monster.

His sire howled, 'makes us stronger'.

White growl-barked angrily, 'makes us food'!

Vengeance drove White forward and he initiated the challenge for pack alpha against his Sire.

The old, ashen grey wolf accepted.

A few days earlier...

Rarity stayed near Atchmon's side for hours on end, listening to the steady hiss of rain from outside, punctuated by rolling thunder.

Rarity looked her human over. For the longest time she believed him to be the epitome of strength and endurance, but now, seeing him like this... She could finally see just how weak and emaciated he truly was from the subtle gauntness in his face.

She checked the scar on his well toned back, only to wince at the ugliness of her work. Only the thought of Atchmon's backwards opinion on scars kept her from weeping outright. Knowing it was just the proof of one more adventurous story for him to tell.

She looked at his gently sleeping face. He wasn't all that bad looking when she actually thought about it. Rarity knew she was a bit of a deviant. Considering how much she debated waiting on Spike, and other species that nearly took her heart away.

Rarity almost forgot to breathe as her thoughts deepened further, and snapped herself out of it with a deep breath. She looked Atchmon over one last time, before something felt... off.

Rarity became concerned with how still Atchmon was laying and placed an ear near his face.

He wasn't breathing...

Rarity was beside herself, and readied herself to give Atchmon mouth to mouth.

"Ah!" Rarity yelped and jumped back when she felt something grasp her leg. Only to find Atchmon reaching out to her.

"Rare, don't go outside, 's not safe." Atchmon whispered groggily, then moaned and winced in pain.

"Oh, thank goodness you're finally awake!" Rarity reeled when she realized she spoke much louder than she meant to. Causing Atchmon to wince again and cover his exposed ear.

Atchmon smacked his dry lips and tried to speak again, while trying to clear his gravelly throat.

"Here drink some water." Rarity poured him some of the refreshing liquid by floating the canteen to his lips. The angle was awkward, forcing him to drink sideways and causing the water to run freely through the gap between his lips and the canteen's opening. The cool water felt good on his warm cheek, as it ran down his skin and soaked the bed underneath his chin.

Atchmon didn't seem to care, and swallowed what he could, before wiping his chin and laying his head down in the wet spot; further soothing his warm, aching head.

"Rary," Caff! Cough! "Ooh, my head," Atchmon groaned and rubbed his temple with the palm of his hand. "How long was I out?" he questioned, after clearing his throat.

"You've been in and out the last couple of days," Rarity gave him one last drink before putting it away.

"What happened? Wa'n't I jus'..." Atchmon trailed as he blearily looked around at where he was, realizing he was back home in his bed.

"Do you remember anything?" Rarity asked softly, as she magicked some of his oily hair out of his face.

"I r'member fightin' that huge bird, but after that it's jus' flashes. Sort o' like a dream... How'd I get back here?" he looked to her for answers.

"After you were knocked unconscious, I carried you on my back." Rarity explained, while dabbing a wet rag on his head.

"You did?" Atchmon looked the small unicorn over, and couldn't believe she managed such a feat all on her own. The little white mare was easily half his size. "What about the bird? What happen to it?" he asked, trying to piece together the scenario, despite his inflated mind.

Rarity smiled proudly. "I blasted that awful bird with my magic. I never knew I had it in me, but I managed to drive it off all on my own." Rarity laughed proudly, yet still halfheartedly.

Atchmon raised an eyebrow. "Whoa... wish I'd seen that."

"Me too." Rarity whispered soberly and took a breath to calm herself.

Atchmon noticed the stain coating the Rarity's horn, and licked his thumb to try and wipe some of the mess off. The tip of her spire was stained with dark coating of something, but the stubborn stain wasn't going to come off, and so he gave up, before trailing a finger down and along her cheek.

"I'm sorry, Rare. I didn't mean them things I said to you. I think it's really cool what you can do." Atchmon apologized sincerely despite the tiredness in his voice.

"I know." Rarity smiled sadly at his compliment.

"You know I'd give up both my arms to do half of what you can do." Atchmon continued. "I'd love to be able to float things around without touchin' them."

Rarity half-laughed. "How would you ever give me those amazing massages without your arms?" she joked.

Atchmon paused a moment before smiling. "Guess I'll jus' have to use my teeth like you ponies." Atchmon started playfully gnashing his sharp teeth at her. "Nom, nam, neighn!"

Rarity shifted away from him and laughed at his playfulness, but still felt that bit of hollowness within her chest.

Atchmon watched the melancholy pony as she stared silently at the ground.

"Hey, where's Monty at?" he asked, thinking the little horned bunny could cheer her up.

"He..." Rarity sniffed as she teared up, and struggled to tell him. Her broad purple hair hid her face from his view, but her emotions betrayed her, as her shoulders started trembling, while she tried to futility hold in her sorrow. "He saved me, right before you--sniff--c-ame, and the bird..." she squeaked, and started to sob.

"Ooh, Rare... c'mere," Atchmon cooed sympathetically, and reached out with his long arm to beckon her over. Rarity welcomed his embrace, as he held her underneath the pony's neck. "I'm sorry." he apologized and hugged her while caressing her cheek as she nuzzled against his for comfort. "He did good... he did real good." Atchmon didn't know what else to say. "I was jus' startin' to like the lil shit." he muttered, though he didn't mean for Rarity to hear.

Rarity made a sound half way between a guffaw and a snotty sob, and soon started to laugh heartily; because if she didn't, she wouldn't stop crying. Laughing was better than wailing her eyes out. Atchmon and Monty got along fairly well, so long as Atchmon didn't find any wasted foodstuffs that were halfway eaten and left behind the gluttonous critter.

Rarity sniffed. "I didn't mean what I said to you either. It's all my fault; I just wanted to go home, and I didn't mean for you to get hurt, and for Monty...' Rarity's thick tears fell from her cheeks. "I just wanted to go home."

"It's not yer fault." Atchmon disagreed with a gravelly tone.

Rarity looked at him, hoping he would explain how something like this couldn't be her doing. Despite him laying on the bed in his condition, Rarity could see the resolve in his words as he looked right at her even with a single eye.

"I'm the selfish one, 'member? I never once considered yer feelin's, and now... I jus' realized what I'd be doin' to you... You'd hate it there... My world would use you up and spit you out soon as it didn't need you anymore."

"It's alright, I'm actually not against visiting your world; I would like to ride around in one of those 'trucks' you mentioned before," Rarity smiled at the idea of riding in a self propelled wagon. "So long as there's a way for me to come back to my home." she added.

"Yeah, it'd be fun. The Portal-Tree ain't goin' nowhere; long as that's around I think we can make it happen." Atchmon smiled too, only his didn't seem to have much mirth. "Wonder if my sis kept our old truck after all this time." he muttered.

"I'd hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but there's one other thing I need to tell you." Rarity started after taking a calming breath.

Atchmon rolled his eye. "Lay it on me." he waved his free arm nonchalantly, as if things couldn't get much worse.

Rarity looked to the side and illuminated her horn, filling the small cavern in a soft, blue hue along with the subtle chime of magic. The unicorn turned as she brought over the mangled heap of his bow.

Atchmon moved to get up then flopped down on his face; feeling a resistance and pain lance through the left side of his back.

"Arrgh, son of a-mmmgrh." Atchmon growled into the furred bed sheet. He breathed heavily until the pain subsided enough for him to try again. This time much more carefully.

Rarity winced, and tried to offer him aid, but he waved her off.

The human sat straight up on the edge of the bed and cradled the remains of his closest companion.

"I'm sorry." Rarity apologized. "I think the bird stepped on it."

Atchmon gave a heavy sigh. "It's fine... I don't think it was goin' to last much longer anyway. I guess, I should be glad it happened now; rather than while I'm being attacked by another monster." Atchmon tried to cover his anger, though that didn't stop the feeling of loss from welling from within. The hunter laid his bow next to him as respectfully as he could; leaning it against the cave wall by his bed.

Atchmon looked up to see the cave entrance. It looked as if it were barricaded by a detritus of wood, grass, and mud. Like some beaver decided to dam up his home.

Rarity kept her horn lit to give them some light within the near pitch black cavern.

Atchmon noticed how much roomier the cave felt, and a moment later saw that Rarity's bed was gone. It didn't take long for him to piece together what happened to it.

"Where've you been sleepin'?" he asked while knitting his eyebrows in concern at the pony.

"On the floor." Rarity answered simply.

Atchmon never minded her sleeping next to him on his bed. Sure, there were times he wanted his space back, but hearing that just made him feel bad for her.

"Where's the mirror?" he asked while looking around for it.

"Here." Rarity levitated it from her little nook and gave it to him.

Atchmon took the mirror from her magic, and struggled to get a good look at his wound. Once he found a decent angle that didn't feel like his skin were tearing itself apart; he examined Rarity's work.

"Huh, kinda looks like a baseball thread." Atchmon muttered interestingly, and placed the mirror to his side.

"Sorry I didn't do a better job." Rarity apologized, and layed her ears back and waited for the berating to follow. Rarity could take an irate customer any time, but now she wasn't sure if she was ready to hear Atchmon's judgement.

"Jus' one more to the collection." Atchmon murmured.

Rarity relaxed, but felt she deserved more than Atchmon's nonchalant attitude. Then again, she's not surprised he wouldn't be mad at gaining another scar.

"Can ya help me get my shoes?" he asked.

Rarity backed away to give his legs some room. "Shouldn't you be resting? I don't think it's a good idea for you to be moving around so soon." she voiced in concern.

Atchmon grunted as he shifted position. "I gotta go Rare, unless you feel like lettin' me pee in your canteen, and you can go dump it outside." he smirked to her.

Rarity paused at the mental image. "Point taken; and saying you need to 'use the restroom' would have been more than sufficient." Rarity deadpanned. "I've already gone far outside my comfort zone for cleanliness since I arrived here, so I don't need you giving me anymore mental images of any more nastiness."

"Okay, I got ya." Atchmon chuckled at successfully frazzling the little pony once again.

The human felt around underneath the bed using his bare feet. "Where's my..."

"Here, let me help you." Rarity offered, and levitated his moccasins over from another one of her little nooks. "They were getting wet, so I had to move them, and most of your food too."

"My fish?"

"It was starting to smell."

"Probably went rotten anyway. Thank you." Atchmon caressed her cheek, then patted her shoulder in praise.

Rarity knew it was how he showed his appreciation, even though he was treating her like a pet again, she still welcomed his touch.

With little strain, Rarity levitated away the wad of debris plugging up their home.

The light outside was pretty dim with the clouds covering the entire horizon in their light, grey fluff. The rain had nearly ceased; the occasional fat water droplet could be seen like a glint of light, before it disappeared into the soil.

The grass was wet and shimmered with thick dew, the foliage seemed to have gorged itself on the desperately needed rain, for it looked greener than it did just a day ago. To the right, the garden was almost completely gone. Corn stalks and wheat grass were stuck yards away within the underbrush by the tree line. The straight line winds flattened most of the other plants like an imperfect crop circle.

Small colored orbs flitted around over the remains. A trio of Parasprites were picking over whatever was left. A yellow one must've found enough food to reproduce, for it hacked up a brown ball of ick. Then a smaller, blue sprite spawned forth before it could hit the ground and flitted up to join the others in the feast.

Rarity followed Atchmon out to the treeline to do his business, only this time, she was the one standing vigil for him, and kept a keen eye out for anything which may disturb them.

The human finished his business and zipped up his pants as they walked back together. Rarity wasn't going to comment on his bad habit of doing that in front of her this time.

Rarity watched Atchmon slow to a halt in front of her, and looked up to see what he was doing.

The human put on a look of confusion as he looked around; then spread his arms out as he twirled around in place, almost as if looking for something he lost.

"Atchmon?" she questioned him in concern, and watched as the human took off at a quick pace. "Where are you going?" Rarity called after him in worry.

The injured human ignored the stinging and stretching he felt in his back, even as the forest tried to hold him at bay with its resistant branches and thick grass stalks.

"Please talk to me so I can help." Rarity tried to plead with his as she tried to follow, but was slowed and had to dip, duck, and push her snout beneath the undergrowth just to keep up.

Atchmon stumbled over an exposed root, and Rarity rushed to help him, but the stubborn human ignored her assistance and pushed on.

On and on they marched, until Atchmon slowed his pace and finally stopped in his tracks.

"Oh, no..." Rarity whispered as she looked around the familiar grove.

Atchmon shambled forward a few more steps, before collapsing to his hands and knees.

The Arc Tree was destroyed.

The massive trunks were cracked, and jutted out from the ground like a pair of horns. The left of which was half as much longer than the right, and both were broken near the apex of what once formed a near perfect circle. The bark looked charred, indicating that it was stuck by lightning. The remains of the titanic trees cut a clear furrow through the forest, and replaced the canopy with its own dying branches. The main trunk of both trees were cracked down the middle, yet neither parted from the other in their spiraling embrace.

Chunks of wood and splinters littered the ground before them, and some had stuck into the nearby trees, either from being blasted out by the powerful lightning strike, or flung from the weight of the titanic crash.

Atchmon grasped a handful of charred bark as he rose up and sat on his legs. Then ground them up in his grip; letting the granules of char fall from his hand like the sands of time. The time he wasted on waiting, and hoping.

All for nothing...

"Atchmon? It'll be okay." Rarity tried to console him, as she approached his side.

She stared up at him, but he didn't look as though he was there.

Rarity worried for her friend. He wasn't angry or sad, which scared her. Him shouting or bawling would've been a welcome emotion rather than the empty, lifeless void she saw in his glazed eyes.

He looked hollow, and utterly defeated.

"I can't help you, if you don't talk to me," Rarity tried again to get him to look at her. Atchmon just sat there, looking through a nonexistent portal with his unblinking dead eyes fixed in a thousand-yard stare.

Rarity trotted in front of him, hoping to force him to look at her, and spoke firmly. "I'm sorry, Atchmon, I really am; but now there's only one direction to go and that's forward," Rarity hoped her words reached him. "Maybe it's time to let go." she finished sympathetically.

Atchmon barely gave her a sidelong look, then struggled back to his feet and turned from her, before lumbering off in the direction of home without a word.

Rarity hung her head, unsure of what else to do or say, and trotted after him.

Tink!

Rarity paused at the foreign sound, and removed her hoof to examine what she stepped on. There was something metallic and wiry sticking up from the wet soil.

Rarity levitated out the small metal object, only to find a pair of broken spectacles. A piece of glass fell from its socket as she examined it, leaving one side with a cracked piece of glass, while the other was completely missing its lens.

The deformed frame of the lenses didn't look right, and were far too small for a pony to use, but maybe just right for a...

Rarity looked in the direction Atchmon had gone. The human's form was nearly lost to the forest as he shambled through the growth.

Rarity tried to find what little comfort she could within the confines of their abode, as she shifted positions on her portion of Atchmon's bed, while another torrential downpour of rain fell outside.

Another day passed.

And another.

Atchmon had barely eaten anything since seeing the Arc Tree, and never spoke; which left Rarity to entertain herself in anyway she could.

Any attempt to cheer Atchmon up proved to be futile. He would always turn away from her; never leaving the comfort of his bed. He slept most of the days away. Sometimes with Rarity by his side, but mostly without.

Today, Rarity was watching the sheets of rain wisk across the forest. Rarity closed her eyes and felt the subtle spray of mist on her face. Rarity knew not to sit like that for too long, lest she catch her death of cold; but it was already cold and dark inside the cave, so to her it didn't matter. Rarity didn't feel like running her magic just to have light inside the cave, not only that, but Atchmon was starting to smell unpleasant. His depression was starting to affect her as well.

Rarity heard Atchmon murmuring and unconsciously swiveled and ear in his direction. At first it didn't sound like anything until Rarity focused on the sound he was making. His voice had a certain melody to it; but it was slow and somber as she listened to him sing.

"Jus' a simple... kind o' man... Oh, won't you do this for me son... if you can?"

"Forget the rich man's gold. All you need... in your soul... You can do it... If you try... All I want you to be... is satisfied."

"Times are strange... it seems to be.... you couldn't have been a better friend to me..."

'He switched lyrics in the middle of a song again...' Rarity thought, and couldn't stand to hear anymore. 'I have to do something!' Rarity's thoughts and feelings were so strong she nearly clopped a hoof on the ground in frustration.

Rarity looked to the horizon; she couldn't see Canterlot Mountain through the rainy haze, but she knew where it was after staring in its direction for days on end. Imagining the time when she'll be rescued and could trot down the grand city streets of Canterlot once again.

"...took me in... gave me life... I can't stand to say goodbye... m'ma I'm comin-..." Atchmon was silent a long time before Rarity heard a snotty sniff and depressing sigh come from him.

"Selfish love... both alone... before the fall... got to have it all..."

Atchmon laid silent for a long time after that. Rarity, having gotten her fill of fresh air, went to nuzzle him for both their comfort.

Almost immediately she could feel the sweltering heat Atchmon's body was giving off.

He definitely had a fever, and his wound wasn't looking so good either.

'One more attempt, Atchmon... You've done so much for me, but it's time I lived up to my Element and give something back to you. It's time for me to mare up.' Rarity stood and started gathering supplies for her journey.

"Atchmon?" Rarity started, to get his attention. "I'm going." she said simply.

The light from Rarity's horn hurt his eyes; he squinted and struggled to see her near silhouette. She had her leather barding on again; along with her saddlebags full of supplies. Atchmon turned his head and faced the wall again; breathing a tired sigh.

Rarity felt hurt, she expected a little reaction, but never none altogether. It was like Atchmon didn't care anymore. Rarity knew that wasn't true; her friend was truly without hope, and so now she needed to be the strong one.

Just like she promised to be.

"I'm going to try and get some help. I'm going through with my plan; I believe following the river upstream and moving northwest will be my best chance of making it back to pony civilization." Rarity spoke with confidence in her voice, but in her heart there was nothing but doubt. "I know I should probably wait for the rain to pass... but you said so yourself it could last for weeks."

"What's the point," Atchmon whispered.

"I promise I'll come back for you." Rarity waited a moment longer for him to say something.

Once out the den she wanted to break down right there, a part of her was so sure he'd come with her. So sure he'd beg her not to go, or anything. Rarity held strong in her resolve to find help.

Back in the cave Atchmon turned his head to see if Rarity had really gone. He could've swore he felt her presence a moment ago. He didn't even hear her little hoof clops on the floor; or maybe he just couldn't remember.

'Get up... Get up... Get up. Get up. Get up. Get up you loser!' he shouted inwardly, and grit his teeth as he struggled against the the mental chains shackling his body and will.

But he still didn't budge.

Atchmon scanned his eyes around at all of his past accomplishments, the paintings on the walls, the treasures he collected. All utterly worthless to him now, save for one. His gaze landed on the newest mural to his grand collection. The one Rarity made all on her own, which outdid his others in quality talent by miles.

He stared at the bottom of Rarity's painting; where the two stood together, hand in hoof, as friends.

Atchmon moved like a man possessed, completely ignoring the stinging in his back as he bent over to put on his boots and latched the blade to his belt. Even as his mind went at war with itself; one side fighting to do the right thing, the other wanting him to give up and go back to bed.

The former side was fighting an uphill battle and somehow was winning; while Atchmon thoughts caught up to him.

'How long had it been since she left? Was it moments or hours ago? Was she ever there at all? It was all a dream, wasn't it? It didn't happen. NO. It was real and it did happen; she was real, and she's out there alone. Just a little pony all by herself. She left because of you. You deserve this. She's gonna get eaten. Something's going to get her. She's my responsibility! I told her I'd keep her safe! She's my... she's my...'

Atchmon felt like a force was carrying him across the meadow; he couldn't feel his steps along the soggy ground, much less his own legs as he frantically looked for his little pony.

"Rarity!" he called out to her.

Then he spotted her. Like a faithful companion returning to its master, the little white unicorn easily bounded out of the thickets towards him. Rarity's white face stood out like a beacon among all the greens and browns of the forest.

Atchmon shambled forward and collapsed to his hands and knees before the Unicorn mare.

Rarity came up to nuzzle him, but Atchmon preempted her and cradled the pony's head in his hands, before pulling her in for a tight embrace.

"Ah, god! Don't- don't go. You're the only thing I've got Rar-ty; I don't wanna lose you too! Please don't go," Atchmon's voice hitched as he bawled like a baby in her hooves, while thick, hot tears streamed down his face.

"There, there, darling. It'll be alright," Rarity didn't know what else to say as she tried to calm the inconsolable human.

After a couple minutes of incoherent sobbing, Atchmon finally calmed down.

"I'm sorry; I'm so sorry, Rarity," Atchmon's voice hitched as he apologized to her over and over.

For some reason Rarity got the sense he was apologizing for so much more, but let it slide as warm feelings filled her heart. Knowing her friend was going to be okay.

Atchmon sniffed. "I can't go home, but I can at least make sure you do," he petted Rarity all over her cheeks and neck, as if making sure she was really there. Rarity didn't complain and let him get his fill of comfort from her.

"Of course you can," she whispered. "Somehow I just know this is going to work out for both of us. Will you join me? I can't do this on my own, but if we work together; I know we can make it," Rarity held both his hands in her hooves and waited for his answer.

Atchmon gave a halfhearted chuckle, before he made a pained face. "Listen, there--sniff--there's something--sniff-- something I have to tell you," he breathed, trying to gather himself enough to speak clearly. "Rare, the other day, I saw-" he started to say, until he noticed the fearful look on Rarity's face staring passed him.

"Wolf," Rarity said idly at first.

"What?" Atchmon cocked his head in confusion at her interruption.

"Wolf!" Rarity shouted and pointed a hoof behind him.

Atchmon turned to look, then stood to his full height; and there, atop the mesa of his home, stood the great white wolf. The wolf's ivory fur looked dirty and ragged, as the Dire beast gazed regally down on them.

Atchmon knitted his eyebrows in confusion at the strange event.

Rarity moved to see around the human, but was blocked by his protective reach. She could see the white wolf baring its fangs through the gaps between Atchmon's digits.

White saw his enemy and wanted to take something precious away from the monster, just as it took something precious from him. It infuriated White to see the weak prey by the monster's side. Why hadn't the monster eaten it? Why did it protect the prey? Why did it only kill his pack?

White swooped his head down, then back up, bellowing out a massive howl towards the ominous cloud covered sky. White's eerily deep howl penetrated their souls, and all the forest could hear his war cry.

The pony, beast, and human stood motionless as they all stared at each other across the deathly silent meadow. Until the pair saw movement behind the white wolf.

A muddy-brown Dire wolf appeared next to White Fang's right; baring its massive canines, and growl-barking viciously at the pair in the meadow, while sending slings of drool everywhere.

Then another, an orange-rust colored wolf appeared next to White's left, looking down on them with menacing hate.

Another wolf appeared around the bend of the cave's hill, and another on the other side.

The human and the pony both took a step back at the movement along the entire tree line behind and around their home, as a semicircle of wolves appeared out of the thickets. Some of the oldest of the pack bore fangs as long as a saber tooth tiger; and all were fully grown, all were experienced in the hunt, and all were growling, panting, and looking at them!

"Atchmon? What do we do?" Rarity was no stranger to being in the presence of so many predators. But, instead of being unnoticed within the safe confines of a costume or camouflage, she was now out in the open, and feeling completely exposed as fear gripped her.

"Run..." Atchmon whispered, and turned to shoo Rarity away. "Rare, RUN!" he shouted.

Rarity turned and nearly stumbled over the thick grass, but caught herself in time before Atchmon could assist her.

"Where do we go!?" she shouted behind her.

"The waterfall!" Atchmon answered back, and struggled to keep up on his two legs. Fear and adrenaline masked the lethargy he felt in his body from not eating well the last few days.

Rarity's lithe form bounded through the forest like a deer; a far cry from the clumsy, bumbling mare she was a month ago. She looked back to check on Atchmon; he was so far behind, and couldn't possibly run any faster. A moment later she saw something else bounding through the thickets. It didn't take long for her to know what it was.

Rarity watched as Atchmon tripped and flailed out his arms to keep himself upright and running, but the effort proved futile as he fell to the ground. The dire beast quickly closed the gap; there was no way Atchmon could pick himself up in time to run or to defend himself. The downed human was struggling to draw out his blade, but could not unclasp it fast enough with the beast charging towards him just feet away.

In the moment as the beast bounded to land directly on top of him; he witnessed Rarity kick the cur away.

Rarity rounded herself away from the beast, and with great agility and strength; she jumped off the ground using her forehooves and delivered a mid-air buck to the beast's flanks that would've made both Applejack and her old Ewe-jitsu Master proud. The dire wolf was knocked off its course enough to miss pouncing on Atchmon, and in a happy twist of fate; found itself falling into one of Atchmon's death traps.

The pair met each others eyes, and a moment of wordless thanks passed from Atchmon before he scrambled back to his feet. Both the human and the pony were on high alert for any more wolves. Their dread grew the longer they went without seeing another.

Rarity wanted to move faster, but it was impossible in Atchmon's condition, and she couldn't simply leave him behind.

"Why don't we climb a tree like you always do?" she asked breathlessly.

"Not this time; there's too many," Atchmon panted back. "I don't think we can wait them out," he added.

"I see one!" Rarity shouted while looking to the left.

"I got one too!" Atchmon said; looking to the right.

"They're gonna flank us!" Atchmon tried to kick it in high gear, but his sides were beginning to hurt and his head felt like he was about to pass out. But with Rarity at his side he couldn't afford to be weak, and pushed through the pain like he'd done many times before; only this time it was easier, because he wasn't doing it just for himself.

But no amount of motivation could help them out run fully grown and experienced dire wolves. Soon, two more joined the hunt and together the four wolves worked to bring down their prey. The first two ran ahead while the others lagged behind; cutting off any chance of their escape. While those two stayed behind, the newer pair ran far ahead and rounded on them in the front; now they couldn't go forward, and they couldn't go back.

It was over.

Atchmon was sure Rarity couldn't see what was happening due to her short stature, but he could see over the undergrowth. He watched it play out like a picture show on an infinite loop. It didn't matter that he could think ahead of their moves, there was nothing he could do to counter it.

Atchmon gripped the handle of the blade at his side, and took that moment to admire Rarity for one last time.

It was amazing how elegantly she cantered over the forest ground. How little she bobbed with every step. Their eyes met, but instead of concern, worry, or fear; Atchmon only saw resolve in her beautiful big blue eyes. She saw him clutching the handle of his blade, and nodded to him.

Rarity dipped her head down; ready to gore anything in her path, while Atchmon let out a war cry of his own. Rarity joined him, and in a surprising turn of events, both dire wolves diverted from their course towards the pair; and running straight past completely ignoring them.

Rarity and Atchmon were both bewildered as they watched the wolves shoot passed them to aid their comrades who were already engaged with a yellow-colored beast with huge bat-like wings.

A young manticore battled against the pair of wolves before the other two joined the fray. The agile yellow beast used the trees to cut in and out of the fight; using its stinger to envenom and annoy the equally large predators.

"Thank you, darling! I won't soon forget this!" Rarity laughed hysterically as her and Atchmon continued running.

Atchmon looked back at the young manticore; it seemed the clever beast would win without much injury, if any at all.

There's no way. There was just no way that couldn't have been a coincidence. It couldn't have been the same one Rarity fed just days ago.

The tired pair finally made it to the creek, but they could already hear the thundering patter of oversized paws coming for them. The water flowed faster than Rarity had ever seen before.

Atchmon was the first to step into the creek and was nearly carried away by the current. He quickly angled himself against the force of the flow; then turned back to help Rarity slide down the gentle slope to join him. Rarity hesitated a moment before joining him. Immediately she could feel the force of the cold water try to whisk her away; it came up to her belly and soaked into her saddlebags, making them feel heavier.

Atchmon grabbed Rarity by her barding and trudged through the water with the unicorn close in tow. There was nothing Rarity could do, but trust him not to let go of her withers.

Together they moved with the current.

Moments later more wolves appeared. Three this time, with more on the way. The first three were fighting over themselves to get at the pair. But none of them were eager to test the depths of the large creek. They weren't deterred for long before one jumped in after them.

In the chaos they forgot to check where they were, and didn't realize how close to the waterfall they actually were. Rarity watched as Atchmon suddenly dropped beneath the surface with her following after him. The rain had completely flooded the waterfall with a few feet to spare!

The water rushed into Rarity's ears; muting everything but the gurgle of flowing rapids. Immediately she kicked out to stay afloat. She could feel her hooves make contact against something with every hard buck. The fresh water stung her eyes while she tried desperately to find the surface before she ran out of air. Rarity could feel herself sinking; her overloaded supplies were going to drown her!

Rarity felt something grab ahold of her mane, and in a moment she was painfully pulled back to the surface where she gasped for air. Atchmon was struggling to keep them both above water, while trying to swim away from the beast paddling towards them.

Rarity couldn't see much as her head constantly dipped underwater. On the first bob there was Atchmon trying to keep her afloat, on the second she could see a half a dozen wolves pursuing them along each side of the steep banks on either side of the creek; on the third she noticed how quickly the trees were moving passed them, and soon they found themselves in open water.

They had made it to the main river.

Many of the wolves pranced back and forth along the bank; neither one of them knew for how long that would last; both only wanted to put as much distance between them. Rarity tried to help pony paddle herself to the shore, but Atchmon wasn't about to let go of her while she was still loaded down.

From the mouth of the creek the river carried them further downstream than Rarity had ever gone. Atchmon lost sight of the one that followed after them long ago. After a long while they both made it to the other side before the river turned into harsh white water rapids. The pair held onto exposed roots growing out from the bank and caught their breath while listening to the howls and growl-barks of the pack pursuing them.

Atchmon helped push Rarity onto the steep riverbank, even as the rapids threatened to pull them away again. His knuckles were white as he tried to keep a tight grip on any exposed roots; saving their lives from a watery grave.

Rarity turned to lend her assistance, while struggling to keep herself from falling back in. The mare reached out to Atchmon with a hoof, a moment later Rarity saw the water explode as a wet matted fur and gnashing teeth pulled Atchmon away; and in a flash of foamy water he was gone!

"Atchmon!" Rarity shouted, after seeing his head and the assailing Dire wolf resurface several yards from her. The man and beast were struggling to get the best of each other, but before either could do the other harm, the white water rapids dragged them under once again.

Rarity couldn't keep up with them, the wet soil broke under her weight, slowing her down as she watched helplessly along the sheer steepening bank.

They resurfaced again; Atchmon had the wolf by its neck, but the beast managed to claw at his face and chest. Rarity feared his grip failing, and the monster's maw would close around her friend's face.

Rarity couldn't do anything but watch as the rapids swept Atchmon further away from her. Both he and the beast disappeared under the foamy white waters again. Rarity waited for them to resurface, but it was futile; Atchmon was just too far away for her to do any good.

Rarity's heart thumped in her ears as she waited.

They never resurfaced.

Despite everything that happened, despite everything she tried to do; she still lost him.

Even the rest of the pack had a moment of silence; none howled nor barked as they all stared at where the member of their pack had disappeared with their quarry. Eventually they dispersed; each one vanishing back into the forest.

Rarity moved to leave as well, until the lonely mare felt a presence across the flowing river.

On the other side the White wolf was watching her. Rarity could swear the wolf's eyes glowed a cold, icy blue; while others of the pack ran upstream, no doubt looking for a way to cross. Rarity climbed her way up the steep bank and looked back once more to keep an eye on her pursuers.

The great white wolf had disappeared once again like a ghost.

A chill ran down Rarity's spine before she hopped up over the outcropping; finally placing her on flat ground where she could think.

"Atchmon, please be okay." Rarity prayed quietly, and started looking for a way to follow the river downstream.

EDIT: This chapter resonates with me about some advice I heard during a pep-rally. "Find your motivation, before your motivation finds you." That always stuck with me.

This was a depressing chapter. This part of the story was another one of those that; in your mind is like BOOMboomboom, but writing it all out it feels like it takes forever to get there; ya know?

I hope my editing looks a little better this time around. I tried to correctly incorporate more semicolons, but just like regular colons; I'm not sure exactly to best to use them. I'm still of the opinion that all colons are assholes. (Get it? Because colons are also... awe just forget it.)

First lyrics are from Lynyrd Skynyrd's song Simple Man. Second Lyrics are from Ozzy Osbourne's song Mama, I'm Coming Home
I know some of the words don't match exactly what the lyrics actually are. That was intentional. Remember, Atchmon has been alone for over half a decade, and hasn't heard these songs in all that time. So I imagine his memory would be a little broken. In fact, studies in prolonged isolation and sensory deprivation prove that without interaction or outside stimulants a person's memory will deteriorate. Fascinating stuff.