Tonight was the most important night of Rarity's life. The outcome of which would either make or break her. She's given her blood, sweat, and tears for years to be at the party of her dreams.

Fashion week in Prance, the largest, most luxurious fashion show of the year. Of the entire world!

Only the best of the best are invited to attend the event, and just a few moons ago she finally got hers. Fashionistas and clothing designers from all over Equestria were showing off their best work, and now it was Rarity's chance to show hers.

Rarity exited her alabaster carriage pulled by six white stallions all wearing gilded golden armor, and entered the ballroom. It's beauty and décor far out-shined that of the Grand Galloping Gala.

The flooring was made of black marble with striking white veins, like lightning arcs across a pitch-black sky. The walls and ceiling were made of pure gold, which shined with a faint pink hue. Five platinum and diamond chandeliers arranged in the pattern you'd find on the five-side of a die--the middle of which was half as much larger than its already over-sized brethren--all looking like wedding cakes turned upside-down with a single large diamond hanging below each of them. The windows were made of pure crystal, which shone the light from outside in a brilliant spectrum.

The trumpeters played their instruments, before the herald kindly added the title of 'Lady' in admiration of Rarity's own beauty, despite not being an actual noble on record.

DOOT DOOT DE DOOO

"Now entering, Lady Rarity of Ponyville, Equestriah."

Rarity held her head high, relishing all the attention that came her way, and was giddy with excitement; admiring all the high-class apparel around her. Through it all, she kept her grace and composure as she strode down the velvet runway.

Rarity wore her ruby red lipstick and baby blue eyeliner with glitter-dust on her cheeks. Her ensemble consisted of multiple gold bands in each of her ears, along with the Fire Ruby--that Spike so generously given her--adorning her neck, and finally a set of golden slippers.

Rarity's attire was an enchanting red gown with same colored sequins that sparkled like a million tiny stars. The sequins would pulsate and fade as the she trotted across the ballroom, every movement sent shimmering waves of starry light around her. The gown was styled in a fiery motif, with the right shoulder and left flank flayed to resemble flames. While leaving the other sides exposed for others to view her delicate hide, and was made to enticingly show off her right flank; displaying her cutie mark and talent for the world to see.

Others watched with great interest as the hemline of her dress moved in an ethereal wind. The dress itself was quite literally enchanted and was definitely shimmery, and showy.

It was part of her latest line, and it was her greatest achievement. She did what nopony else has done before, many have tried and all have failed to accomplish what was considered the Holy Pale of fashion. A seamless blending of magic and artistry the likes of which the fashion world had never seen before!

Rarity channeled more magic into the spell, causing the otherworldly wind to billow her gown, thrashing it around wildly! She then reared up, while using her forehooves to push down the wayward frill of her dress, futilely trying keep it from exposing her thin red lingerie, which barely concealed her supple breasts and alluring buttocks. It was quite the seductive presentation, giving the crowd a taste of what's to come.

The other ponies "Oooh'd" and "Aaah'd" at her innocently lewd display. The stallions of the crowd paid closer attention to certain specific aspects of her attire more than others, along with some of the mares too. Who all put on looks of desire, while staring at her with lusty eyes.

Rarity felt naughty, and wondered if she'd gone overboard with the act. It was crucial for her to make a good impression, but she also couldn't afford to waste time sorting out suitors from potential business partners.

This was business after all.

Rarity milled about, while shaking hooves and socializing with the other elites, until it was time for her real show to begin.

Copper Pipes, Flywheel and Broken Gasket were all machinists turned fashion designers after their popular Steam Hooligan line took off. It looked interesting in a sense, but totally impractical and it looked quite uncomfortable, but Rarity could certainly appreciate their complicated designs. Despite others opinions, they were here, and that spoke volumes. They appealed to a younger generation.

Photo Finnish was cantering around taking pictures of everything and everpony. Hoity Toity and Prim Hemline were busy assisting the other judges. Canterlina Ferrier was most notable among them, being one of a very few group of ponies to personally attire the Princesses themselves! She got her start after inheriting and working her family's blacksmithing business, before she got into horseshoe design and other fashion ventures later on. Platinum Cuffs was present as well and specialized in stallion-wear, his suits and undergarments are the most sought after among the male population. He was most famous for being the first and most successful stallion in fashion history.

Rarity felt it would be the apex of her career if she could be counted among them, and after tonight she knew one day soon that she will be!

"Lady Rarity. Lovely to see you as always, enjoying the party?" Fancy Pants along with Fleur dis Lee greeted Rarity after she finished her little parade.

"Oh, yes, everything is just divine! It's been my fillyhood dream to attend this event." Rarity swooned as she twirled around, looking love-struck at all the fabulousness surrounding her.

"She's come a long way from that little filly we met in Canterlot; hasn't she, darling?" Fluer hinted while nuzzling his ear and giving it a nip. Fancy Pants, unfazed by his wife's ministrations, kept his posture squared directly at Rarity. A gesture which showed his full attention was solely on her.

"She has! I knew I had a good feeling about you, Rarity; I could feel it the moment you bumped into me," he reached down and held her right hoof in his. "And dare I say you look..." He kissed her hoof, while keeping his light blue eyes locked onto hers as he did. "Ravishing." He finished with passion in his voice.

"Oh, oh my..." Rarity's cheeks were burning, and fanned herself off with a hoof.

"I suppose you could say you've made quite an impact on me, yes? Perhaps, Fluer and I can return the gesture later tonight?" He said with a devilish smile. Fluer gave her a coy one as well, looking at her with bedroom eyes while licking her lips.

"Well, I- I- buah-" Rarity's cheeks flushed at the forwardness of her two high-society friends, before suddenly jerking out her hind hoof with a surprised yelp. For a moment she blacked out and was someplace else. The next moment, a poor unaware caterer was stuck neck-deep into the horderves.

"Oh, oh, dear I am so sorry!" She apologized over and over to the poor stallion. Even offering to make him a new custom suit of his liking at no charge if he'd come by her shop. Rarity continued to feel a tightness around her hind leg, but chalked it up to her nerves getting to her.

The lights dimmed allowing the light of the full moon to illuminate the stage, before the bright searchlights shone on the curtain, highlighting a stylized 'R' with a pair of cerulean eyes in the middle of the loop. The music played and the floor models trotted out, one by one. Each was adorned with one of Rarity's latest attire.

One had nature motif with an ethereal pair of orange butterfly wings on a layered green gown, worn by a yellow-blonde Earth pony mare.

A navy blue colored Pegasus, with a maroon colored mane, was wearing a bright frilly pink dress that had some semblance of cupcake frosting piled high. With a veil around her mane, tail, and wings which released sparkles and glitters of various colors as she cantered up and down the stage.

Behind her was a dark-pink unicorn wearing a light purple dress with an amethyst gem inset within a gold socket on her breast. The gem was the focal point for an array of other amethyst gems eerily flowing around the enchantress like tendrils! It made her look powerful and not one to be trifled with.

And the last was a simple Roam toga dress that shimmered with multi colored hues, and a hemline that had actual clouds doling around the Pegasus model's hooves. Nopony could tell where the gown ended and the clouds began! It was the most shocking of the line, and received the highest praise worthy of such a feat. Except... there was one in the crowd who disagreed.

"Those are my clothes, I'm the one who should be here, not her!" an angry mare called out above the crowd.

Rarity heard the ruckus behind her, and turned around only to be soaked by a deluge of spiked punch. Another black out, the air smelled musty with a distinct earthen aroma. She was back and completely soaked, watching her former 'friend' being dragged away by security ponies while kicking and screaming her claims to Rarity's dresses.

"Those are my dresses, MINE! Let go of me, it's her! She's the one you want, not me! She stole from ME! RRAAHH!" Was the last of what was heard of the sad pony, before Rarity regained her wits.

"Oh, my goodness, miss Rarity, are you okay?" Coco Pommel rushed to Rarity's side with a handkerchief, and dabbed it around her face and neck.

Her beautiful dress was completely ruined.

"Wha- what just happened?" Rarity asked in shock while Coco continued to wipe the damp cloth around her head and neck.

"I'm so sorry miss Rarity, I told security to keep a watch out for her; she must've found a way to slip in. Suri's been really unstable since she heard you were going to be featured in Prance's fashion week," Coco Pommel continued to wipe down Rarity's chest and shoulders; while gradually moving down her body to dry off the punch.

"I- I can't believe it, my dress... My big night... All ruined by a petty grudge and a- Ooh! Coco!? What are you doing!? Don't wipe there, that's not even wet! What are you- Stop that- What's gotten into you?!" Rarity squeaked and squirmed as Coco stroked her more sensitive areas with the soft cloth.

"Please, Mistress Rarity, I only want to help you. We all do!" Coco pleaded with big puppy eyes as she held Rarity's fore leg wrapped in the cleaning cloth, begging to give her assistance.

"I- wha- d-did you just call me 'Mistress Rarity'!? And who is this we-" Rarity was about to continue her tirade until she noticed the crowd of ponies encircling her, before they rushed in pulling off her dress, and systematically licked, nuzzled, and kissed all over her exposed body.

"AH! What's going on?! Why are you doing- Stop this at once- AH!" She shrieked, while being picked up by the crowd, and body surfed over the sea of 'helpful' ponies. Then was suddenly dropped to the ground without a pony in sight, save for the models on stage.

They looked at her with hungry eyes and toothy smiles, their normally flat teeth molded and transitioned to long sharp fangs before her very eyes. Their ears elongated along with their muzzles, which became more pointed at the ends. Their ears and hides became fuzzier as their bodies grew too large for their dresses, tearing out of them with their massive size. Ripping them to shreds when they burst forth.

Rarity felt pain and heartache wrestling with fear for what happened to her hard work, and from witnessing the monstrous abominations of pony and beast transforming before her.

The four were-ponies bellowed out the same haunting sound as their wolf brethren. The howls sent Rarity back into the dark forest where the wolves were chasing her.

Rarity tried running away, but tripped over her own gown. When she looked back, the imposing figure of the black wolf was charging straight for her. The ebony wolf pounced with its maw wide open and razor-sharp teeth bearing down on the vulnerable little pony; coming straight for her face.

AAAAAAaaaahhhh!

Rarity screamed as the black wolf consumed her forever into darkness.

---

Rarity's legs twitched as she slept. Trying to run away from the phantom wolves who plagued her subconscious, before violently jerking herself awake.

"Buah! Huff! Huff, huff!" Rarity breathed heavily as she took in her new surroundings; looking around the dark, dusty smelling room with wide frightened eyes, and her heart racing. She took deep heavy breaths, trying to calm her frayed nerves left by the nightmare. Her thumping heart and breathing slowed as she calmed after a few moments, while blearily looking around the room from her- bed?

Rarity could feel the silky-soft fuzzy blanket she lay upon, made of a material she could not place in all her expertise. When Rarity moved she could hear and slightly feel the familiar rustling of grass beneath her, taking a quick whiff of it confirmed her suspicions. The room itself was too dark for her see other than the few shafts of light coming from the far entrance.

Rarity knew somepony cleaned her, the ever-present itchiness from last night was gone, along with the thick layer of dirt with it. Though Rarity felt she could use a good brushing. Thinking about her brush made her realize that her saddlebags were gone too, and her hind leg was wrapped tightly in a cloth. There were also several smaller bandages covering the numerous cuts and scrapes she suffered the night before.

It took a moment for her to remember how she got there, which only served to remind herself of the terrible trials she recently suffered. Rarity trembled at the memory of the terrible black wolf stalking her, of their howls and their sharp gnashing teeth. But most of all, she remembered the stranger who fought for her and came to her rescue.

What was that? I remember but he, or was it a she? It was a Minotaur, wasn't it? No It didn't look right... You know what? It doesn't matter, I must thank whomever it is for their assistance!

Rarity smacked her pasty mouth, her throat felt dry and scratchy on top of being incredibly thirsty. Not to mention starving.

Though I do hope that nice stranger comes back soon, I'm practically dying of thirst! But I'd hate to just leave after all the care he's given me and- hey! What's that?

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could make out a large wooden bowl full of crystal clear water sitting half-way between her and the entrance. Its life-giving liquid was virtually glistening within the dim light of the cave.

'Lucky me! Perhaps I won't have to leave after all, and I bet that nice stranger left that here just for me! How kind and considerate of him, surely he won't mind if I help myself.'

Rarity moved to get up only to be suddenly stopped and dropped back down on her side, after feeling something choke her when she rose, and noticed the crude rope tied around her neck.

'W-why would he tie me up! Gasp! Oh, no! It's going to keep me as its personal slave! I'm going to be forced to find valuable gems for it, and plow fields, and be its little comfort horse! I have to get out of here NOW!'

She jerked her head in panic, turning and twisting her body to chew on the rope tied to the wooden bed frame. It's fibrous strands tasted bitter as she nibbled on it, her dainty attempts were doing little damage to the binding around her neck.

Just as she started to gnaw her way to freedom, she heard a commotion coming from outside. Her heart sped up, and eyes went wide, while waiting on her captor to enter his domain. Not a moment later, light flooded into the small cavern, stinging her eyes from the sudden brightness. Her eyes adjusted, and what she saw... was decidedly not a Minotaur.

It had long lanky limbs, a broad torso, and it was huge like a Minotaur! It moved like a lumbering giant, almost too large for his burrow. It also had a pair of wings on its back, and clothing on its hind legs. Rarity was frozen stiff and couldn't make hide nor hair of the alien creature, because it had no hide or hair, save for the patch on its head.

The creature milled about, while muttering something to himself, and placed Rarity's saddlebags down in the opposite corner from where she lay. The creature then slowly turned its body towards her. Rarity didn't know what else to do; so she quickly laid down and pretended to still be asleep. She could feel the presence of her captor coming closer, and finally stopping next to her bedside just a hoofstep away.

It took a breath and let out a sigh, but to Rarity's panicking mind it sounded just like the wolf's sniffing! Her anxiety doubled as she felt the large, lanky beast looming over her. More frighteningly, it spoke softly in a low gravelly voice to another that remained completely silent.

"I know this is stupid and pointless, but... I could swear I heard her talk."

'Huh?'

"Doesn't matter if she can't, what matters is the fact that she belongs to someone. They have their brand on her and the bags, and if there's bags like that, then there must be people somewhere."

'What's this he saying about me belonging to someone? Are there more creatures out there having other ponies enslaved and doing their bidding too?'

"We jus' have to wait until she wakes up, and then we'll know for sure."

'What!? He doesn't know that ponies can speak? Why would he even care, if he's just going to enslave me. Does he think I'll tell him where others are?'

"Well if she can't... then... bah! We'll figure something out for 'er. We always do, don' we?"

'What are you planning to do with me?'

"It's a freakin' unicorn, what makes you think I'm gonna to let 'er go?"

'There it is! He's not going to let you go Rarity! You have to get away. You have to get back home! Everypony is worried sick about you!'

"If she's dangerous then we'll do what we have to, like we've always done... Just like with everything else..."

'I'll show you dangerous, cretin!'

"Would be nice to have a pet unicorn don't you think? Assuming I can break 'er? Haha...heh-huff... Maybe it is just an animal after all, I dunno, we'll see."

'Oh, Tartaros NO! You're not going to break me, and I am not going be your little pet you monster!'

It took all of Rarity's strength, will, and resolve to remain perfectly still, while the foul beast touched her with its blunt digits; scraping them across her soft coat. She tensed under the beings contact, but remained unmoving despite the violation of her personal space.

"Hmm. She'll wake soon, after last night I wouldn't doubt that she's exhausted.

"Welp I'd better check the traps for the day before she does. One less thing to take care of... Hopefully."

'Please, just go away... Pleeease.'

Rarity cracked an eye open and watched as the unchivalrous 'hero' stepped outside his dwelling and covered the entrance, plunging the cave once again into darkness. She waited for the other to leave as well, but after a few moments nothing happened. She took a careful look around the room and could find no place for such a large being to hide.

'Was he talking to himself that whole time!? He must be completely unstable and dangerous considering how easily he handled the wolves. What kind of... being talks to themselves when they're alone... I don't count! I was in a very stressful situation! Whatever, it doesn't matter. He said he was going to check on his death traps, the vile beast, he could be gone for a while. Now is my chance to escape.'

Rarity tried for the rope again, this time with more fervor and tenacity poured into her gnawing, not caring if the fibers of the twine were getting stuck in her teeth. Rarity bit and ground at the rope, lighting her horn so she could see her work, bathing her little corner in a cerulean aura. Once it was thin enough, she pulled at the rope with her magic and neck until it snapped. Leaving only the loop around her neck, and a bit of twine hanging below.

Rarity picked herself up causing her muscles to stretch achingly, and hobbled over to the bowl of water drinking it all down greedily. She channeled more magic into her horn, brightening the room with blue light and what she saw made her sick. She had lied upon the fur of some large, unfortunate animal that must've crossed her captor, for now it was being used as the monster's blanket.

The rest of the décor was disturbing. The walls had crude paintings of a strange symbol with five points layered over each other, and of various other creatures in the Everfree. Rarity recognized a cockatrice. It had beams coming out from its eyes. A Manticore, its form unmistakable, and a dragon in flight. The last one was of a large bird with lightning shooting from its plumage, while carrying a boar in its talons. There were scratches and carvings into the walls that Rarity couldn't begin to make sense of save for one which chilled her blood.

'NEVER GOING HOME' was carved above what looked like a chimney place.

Rarity had enough of the creature's 'art' and disturbing words of oppression. She hobbled over to her saddlebags which were full of fruits and vegetables.

'I may be the Element of Generosity, but I don't feel like I'm breaking any rules by taking these. I mean look. They're already in my bags which I own. So it wouldn't be actual stealing if I wasn't the one who put them there, right?'

Rarity still felt a little sickness in her stomach from taking her saddlebags back with food that didn't belong to her. A quick bite from the corn stalk that was sticking out of the flap solved that problem. Rarity levitated up the saddlebags and strapped them on looking around. Only to be startled by the decoration sitting on a shelf across the door, a dragon's skull!

"Gah!" Huff! 'A monster who keeps its victim's skull as a trophy is definitely not one to be trifled with, especially if that victim was a fire breathing dragon. I need to get as far away from this place as possible!

Rarity pushed opened the 'door' made of thick sticks woven together with twine, out and to the side. The light of Celestia's sun blinded her for a few moments, but Rarity wished it'd been permanent as she looked upon the grisly sight before her.

The three wolves from the previous night were flayed open. Their pelts laid stretched out on wooden racks, while their corpses lay cooked and butchered nearby.

Rarity vomited from the smell permeating the air, her snack tasting worse coming up than it did going down. So she ran straight ahead, while holding her breath. Her eyes tearing from the smell, after taking only a moment to see if the barbarian responsible was in the vicinity. Her eyes moistened further after witnessing the results of what was sure to be her fate. She trotted lamely passed the treeline and into the forest.

'Oh, my, Celestia! He was going to do... that to me! No wonder my bags are so full of food. He was going to fatten me up and wear my hide around like some sick, perverted freak! Goddesses protect me...'

---

Rarity traveled until feeling like she'd put enough distance between her and that dreadful place. She took a break sitting on a log and floated her saddlebags off her back. Opening them looking to see the additional contents inside, taking a peach and a few nuts out for a snack.

Rarity sat there wondering what she should do next as she chewed her food. She still had the same two problems, to find a suitable rescue spot, and a shelter for rest and protection from the beasts plaguing the forest. Her other three problems were solved for a good while, given how much food supply was in her bags. Though water was still an issue, she would need to find a steady supply.

But now there was a fourth problem that was completely unavoidable, considering how much she ate and drank in the last half day.

She desperately needed to use the little fillies room.

Rarity rocked herself up on her hooves from the log, leaving her bags behind, before slowly trotting a short distance away. The binding on her leg, while helpful in relieving the pain, forced her hind leg to stick out. Making her gait a bit troublesome.

Rarity squatted down with her hind legs spread awkwardly apart, while raising her tail and using her magic to pull the loose strands of hair away. She bit her lip as she relieved herself, then relaxed her face in ecstasy as she released the liquid inside her overfilled bladder. Rarity smelled her urine, and felt a little disgusted at herself for using the bathroom like an animal, but let the thought slide as the pressure in her groin abated. The stream beneath her trickled down to nothing, and felt a few warm drops stray from her slit to the bottom of her vulva. She tried to wipe the moisture away using her magic, except in doing so, she managed to spread it around her mare lips; making her feel wet and unclean.

Magic was no substitute for good ol' toilet paper.

The feeling of uncleanliness was too much for her to bear, and looked around for anything she can use to wipe herself with. Rarity found a vine growing against a nearby tree with large leaves in groups of three, and proceeded to pluck a few from their stems with her magic. She brought the leaves in front of her and arranged them into the shape of a fan in hopes that it'll cover the entirety of her 'fanny'.

"Wouldn't use those if I were you," a male's voice called out.

Rarity dropped the leaves from her magic before they could be used, and whipped her head around looking for the source of the voice. She couldn't see anypony around, but at least they sounded friendly.

"W-who's there? Please, I need help, please!" she called out to the voice.

A large, dark, imposing figure stepped out from behind a tree a several yards from her.

"I knew it! You can talk!" The figure bellowed as he walked towards her.

It was the monster who tied her up!

"Ooh, noo!" Rarity cried as she backed away from the imposing beast, scuttling her hooves over the moist earth.

"Whoa, whoa, easy girl, easy!" The monster commanded, while moving towards her with its limbs and digits out-stretched.

'He's going to grab me!' Rarity thought in her panic.

"Please, just go away; leave me alone!" Rarity pleaded as she tried to make a break for it. Only to be cut off by the able-bodied beast.

"Look, i-if you'll come with me I can-" the beast started to say, only to be cut off by the cornered mare.

"I won't go back with you!" Rarity resisted angrily, while lowering her horn and scraping a hoof at the ground in a defiant stance. Rarity tried to put on an aggressive display, but the beast wasn't having any of it.

"GAHH!" Rarity squealed in fright, as the hunter quickly drew out a contraption the likes of which Rarity had never seen before. However, the arrow he notched she did recognize, and the beast was pointing it right at her!

Rarity flinched and raised a forehoof to protect herself from the unfired projectile, and could no longer meet her captor's face as she adopted a more submissive posture.

"I just wanna go home!" Rarity cried, shaking in fear. She couldn't run, couldn't hide, much less fight after seeing what the monster could do.

"You and me both." The hunter muttered, before dropping his weapon and charging at her.

"AHHHHH!" Rarity screamed as she braced herself for what was to come.

The villain picked her up and flew a couple yards away before tackling her to the ground. The impact of the landing was lessened with her laying halfway atop the monster's torso.

Rarity fought to get away from the hunter's grasp, and just barely caught sight of a large black blur streaking by in the spot she was standing just moments before.

A wild Pegaboar had appeared!

The fiend who tackled her jumped to his hind legs, and started running around while waving his limbs; trying to get the beast's attention.

"Hey! Hey over here! C'mon pig, pig, pig, here pig!"

The Boar flew up and around, pumping its wings like a hummingbird, before coming in for another dive. Her captor stood still until the very last moment, then rolled forward into the Boar's charge! He dodged it as the pegaboar swooped over him at a wide angle.

Fwip!

The hunter picked up his bow during the dodge-roll, while turning and narrowly missing the shot when the Boar veered off course at the last moment. The hunter stood his ground as the Boar charged in again, bellowing out an angry squeal. The hunter took aim and waited for the perfect moment with the Boar closing in on him at five dozen feet, then three dozen, one dozen! The hunter loosed his arrow, and pivoted around a moment later, dodging the heap of dead boar plummeting from the sky. The Boar impacted the ground with a loud 'crunch', and flipped end-over-end before a tree finally halted it.

Rarity laid on the ground in shock, watching as the hunter checked on his kill. The Pegaboar had mostly black skin and thick wiry hair you'd normally find on a wild hog. Except that a Pegaboar has wings and ridiculously long sharp tusks, as you very well may have known. They'll attack anything without provocation in the pattern Rarity just witnessed. Swooping in at full speed to gore whatever is in their path.

'Oh, Goddesses, th-that beast would have impaled me if he hadn't- H-he saved me... Again! I don't understand, I can't tell if- Is he good? Or evil? O-or what!?'

The hunter retrieved his arrow from the Pegaboar's chest. A crunchy-slurpy sound permeated the silence as he pulled it out, then shook the blood off its shaft. The hunter eyed the Unicorn mare from where he stood by the boar, while Rarity watched him the whole time from where she lay, her heartbeat quickened as he started to approach her, slowly.

"Please, don't!" Rarity flinched away, her voice and body were shaking in fear of the killer before her.

He stopped, and she calmed, but only slightly.

"Easy girl. It- it's okay." the hunter spoke to her gently.

"Okay?! Like that Pegaboar, or those wolves back there? I heard what you said, you were going to make me your slave!" Rarity yelled disbelievingly. The hunter balked and looked confused at her words.

"What?! Slave? I- I wasn't gonna make you a slave. I- I mean..." the hunter hesitated, and looked away.

"I- wha- You- You're not? B- but, all those things you said, about figuring something out for me, and making me useful to you, and taking care of me; if I wasn't!" Rarity argued.

"I- I wasn't completely sure if you were dangerous, or just an animal. I promise I won't hurt you!" the hunter pleaded.

Rarity thought for a moment before shaking her head in disbelief. "How can I be sure you're telling the truth?"

The hunter looked at the ground in thought, before looking back at her. He kept his eyes on her, while laying down his bow and taking off his quiver, then approached her slowly with his forelimbs and digits outstretched.

Rarity's heart sped up as he drew closer to her, slowly and carefully. Rarity lifted her hoof to protect herself once he stood before her. She watched him intently as he slowly knelt down beside her, then carefully reached behind himself and drew out a blade.

"Don't hurt me!" Rarity tried to jump to her hooves at the sight of the blade, but failed, landing on her side with a thump. The hunter moved swiftly to pin her down. Rarity was hyperventilating and started to panic. Only the giants gentle voice and light touch stopped her from thrashing.

"I'm not going to hurt you! Just... be still for a moment and let me help you." He finished in a calm voice, while looking at her in the eyes.

Rarity tensed and shook at his touch, then tightly shut her eyes, and tried to pull away while lying on her flank. The hunter gently petted her shoulder, until she calmed a little, before taking his knife and cutting off what remained of the twine around her neck. Rarity flinched after hearing the small 'shick' of the cut. Then flittered one eye open, then the other as she felt him pull away, while holding the twine up for her to see before tossing it aside.

The hunter backed away a step, allowing Rarity roll onto her belly and slowly sit up, still unsure of the beast's motives. Once she was up she almost made it to his eye level, while he remain kneeled and bent over before her.

Now that she could get a better look at him, he wasn't as scary as she first thought. His dark brown eyes could easily be mistaken as all pupil. A small button nose and reddish-tanned skin. His long hair, also dark brown-almost black, went just passed his ears and was slick and shiny with sweat and oil. His facial hair was thin and patchy, and he also had a distinct earthen scent about him, along with a secondary smell Rarity could barely make out.

The hunter smiled and chuckled. He was looking at her just as much as she was him. It shocked her to see that he had some pointy teeth. A given, considering what he had done to the other animals. It was thrilling to Rarity to be so close and converse with such a dangerous killer.

"Heh. Sorry I don' mean to stare, I jus', never seen a unicorn before. Never thought I'd actually see one out here." The stranger's country accent wasn't as thick as her friend Applejack's, but the familiar twang was present in the some of the words he spoke. The sound of his voice made her feel a slight more at ease.

"And I've never seen anything like you." Rarity said in awe of the discovery of a new race of Equestria.

"Y-you don' know what I am?" the stranger asked in a discouraging tone, and Rarity shook her head. "And you never seen or heard of anything like me?" Rarity shook again, and he closed his eyes, looking dismayed.

"I'm sorry if I upset you, but I swear there's nothing like you in Equestria that I'm aware of." Rarity tried to console him.

"I- it's okay, I jus'... I just hoped that maybe, if there were others... Forget it. It's not important." he sighed and whispered 'Equestria' to himself.

Rarity could tell it was important to him, whatever it was, but she kept that to herself.

"Yes, well, thank you for your help. I don't mean to be rude, but I must get back home to my family and friends." Rarity stood, and was about to walk away, when the hunter spoke with distress in his voice.

"H-hold on girl! Wait, jus'; please, i-it's been so long since I last just talked to anyone." He begged her with pleading eyes.

"You mean to say that you're out here all alone?" Rarity said in concern.

The hunter nodded. "And you? Yer out here by yourself too, aren't-chu?"

Rarity nodded slowly, looking somber.

"M' sorry about that. I know what that's like, prolly better than anyone..." He muttered."Listen. Why don't you come back with me? We can talk an- We'll figure out what to do from there."

Rarity looked away from him, while shaking her head, unsure of what to do. The hunter put a 'paw' on his chest and spoke softly with determination in his voice.

"I swear, I won't hurt you, or make you do anythin' you don't wanna do. Besides, you're already hurt; I cleaned you up as best I could with what I had left, but you need to give that leg some serious rest. If you go out there now, like this." He motioned to all of her. "You aren't gonna make it. Believe me, there's worse things out there than flyin' bacon." He finished with a nod towards the Pegaboar lying dead on the ground.

Rarity listened to his words carefully, and thought of her friends and family.

'I won't make it... He's right. All I've been doing is bumbling about without a plan or a direction to go in. Perhaps I should take his offer. He seems genuine... But I need to be sure he's not going to try anything.'

"Do you Pinkie promise?" she asked earnestly, while looking him in the eyes.

The hunter blinked and cocked his head in confusion, and took a quick look at his smallest digit.

"Cross your heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in your eye?" Rarity said while making the gestures.

"I- uh, I- I promise, I swear!" The hunter said while trying to mimic her movements.

"Okay, you Pinkie promised that you aren't going to hurt me, or make me a slave; and you can never break a Pinkie promise. So, alright, I'll trust you!" Rarity said with a stern face. "But if you break your promise, bad things will happen." she warned.

"Right. Right. Don't want anymore of that... Do you have a name, girl?" he asked curiously.

"My name is not 'girl', it is Rarity , and I am a Lady, a Princess!" she stated regally.

"You're a Princess!?" he blurted in shock.

"I-I wh-w-why YES! Yes, I am a princess and I wish to be addressed as such. You may call me 'miss', or Rarity, or Miss Rarity, or Lady Rarity, or Princes-"

"Okay! I think I get it, um, Rarity." He interrupted, while holding up both of his paws to stop her, and putting on a strained smile.

"And you? Do you have a name?" Rarity asked curiously as she stepped closer to him, genuinely interested in her new friend. She was starting to feel more comfortable being around him, though she still felt trepidation because of his large size.

"My real name may be a little hard for you to say, sooo you can just call me Atchmon." The hunter said with a half smile.

"Nonsense! I have to know the name of my rescuer. I'd be quite rude not to Ashmun." Rarity chagrined, looking at him with puppy eyes and a tiny pout.

"Well... My real name is Shahnkamo Okahahvmma." The hunter said.

"I'm sorry, but what?" 'What a strange name, it sounds alot like buffalo speak.'

"Shahnk-amo Oka-ha-hvmma." he mumbled slowly, looking a bit embarrassed.

"I... didn't quite get that."

"You know what, it's fine, just call me Atchmon. I prefer it anyway." He finished while scratching the back of his head with an embarrassed grin.

"Oh, well... Thank you again Atchmon. I really do appreciate your help. It's been a rough couple of days for me." she said while sticking out her bandaged leg.

"I can tell." Atchmon nodded while taking a glance at her leg as she lifted it.

"Yes, and thank you for this as well. I'm sorry you had to go through so much trouble on my account."

"Don't worry about it, not a problem." Atchmon said with a half-smile, and seemed to visibly relax the tension Rarity didn't notice he had as well.

The two new acquaintances looked at each other for a few moments before the hunter stood and cleared his voice. Rarity watched him stand, unsure of what else to say; she was too shocked at his size, and of how well he balanced himself on his hind legs. He stood a good two and a half pony heights up compared to her, making Rarity feel very tiny having to look all the way up to his face. Her head barely made it up to his waist.

"I see you've been enjoying some of my food." Atchmon said motioning over to the saddlebags still lying by the log.

"To be fair you took my bags and put your food in them, which makes it my food now." Rarity said trying to be funny. She was worried she had offended him after seeing the look on his face. Until he laughed, putting her at ease.

"Haha! Touche Princess! Well it was all for you anyway, hope you liked it. I wasn't sure what you could eat so a packed a little bit of everything." He grinned at her showing some teeth. It scared and excited her seeing his fangs. So kind, considerate and dangerous.

"Oh, I did enjoy it, very much so! And if you don't mind, I'd like to head back now and rest. And maybe have a little more if that's alright?" Rarity asked in the most polite, ladylike voice.

"Are you okay to walk, do you need me to carry you?" he offered.

"No, no, I'm fine thanks to you." She said showing off her bandaged leg again, blushing at his offer. 'Such a gentlestallion helping a lady in distress! Oh, this is like a dream come true! Perhaps I was completely wrong about him...'

Rarity walked over to her saddlebags, while Atchmon picked up his bow and quiver. When he looked over he caught Rarity levitating up her bags, who was about to put them on before she heard Atchmons excited voice.

"H-h-how did you do that!?" Atchmon stuttered, while taking a half-step back from the unicorn's unexpected power.

"D-do what?" Rarity asked, and wondered if she did something wrong.

"Th-th-the floating thing!?" he asked excitedly, while shaking a paw in the air. As if trying to mimic the magical aura.

"Oh! It's just basic Magic. All Unicorns learn Levitation at a young age, it's the easiest spell to grasp. With a bit of practice, some Unicorns can lift heavier objects, or manipulate multiple smaller ones." Rarity explained, while mimicking Twilight's lecture voice. Rarity felt a little giddy teaching him about magic, and could see the appeal having your own pupil could bring.

"Amazing." He breathed.

"You've never seen magic before?" she asked curiously.

"Nah..." Atchmon shook his head, yet kept his eyes on her, as if waiting for more magic to appear.

"You're not from around here are you? Where are you from?" she asked.

"I'm from... someplace else. I'll tell you about it later." Atchmon said as he kept glancing at the dead boar by the tree. "In the meantime let me carry your bags for you." He said hurriedly while grabbing them, and throwing them over his shoulder, before hissing loudly in pain.

"SSHH, MMMph! ...Aw dammit!" Atchmon grumbled, while removing the bags, and dropping them to the ground. He turned away from Rarity, who was surprised at his sudden profanity. She cantered around him and saw that his arm was bleeding from a gash below his shoulder.

"Gasp! Oh my goodness! Are you okay?! Do you need help?!" Rarity was shocked she didn't notice his arm dripping blood.

"Meh, I'll live." Atchmon shrugged. "Tsk! Stupid boar.." Atchmon whispered to himself, before putting the bags back on his other shoulder.

"Are you sure you don't want me to-" she said, attempting to lend her assistance.

"I'm sure! Now let's go, we need to hurry." He interrupted, taking another look at the boar.

"T-That's very kind of you, but you've done so much for me already." Rarity pleaded. Atchmon closed his eyes taking a breath.

"Don't worry about it. I been through worse. Now c'mon it's this way." He replied with finality, motioning her to follow.

Rarity worried she had done something wrong to irritate him. She only wanted to help; and felt uneasy as she watched the blood dripping from her wounded warrior. Atchmon left without saying another word and she followed.

---

Atchmon would occasionally check on Rarity, who struggled to keep up behind him as they walked. He'd give her a half smile whenever they made eye contact. Rarity would widen her eyes while perking her ears at him, giving him her full attention. She always expected him to say something, but he remained silent until they made it back to the meadow without further incident.

Rarity gagged when she smelled the stench of death in the air. Her eyes watered as she put a hoof over her muzzle trying to block out the smell. Atchmon noticed her distress and only shrugged in response.

"I need to take care of this first." He said while rolling his shoulder with the gash, Rarity only grimaced trying to bear the smell. Atchmon led her to his den holding the stick flap open for her to enter, then nodded his head, beckoning her inside. Rarity wasted no time, quickly hobbling inside to get away from the deathly aroma. She stopped short of the furry bed that lay on the other side, not too eager to rest on it just yet. Rarity was content with sitting off to the side seeing her friend tend to his wound.

"Pff, 's not so bad." Atchmon whispered to the dragon skull, before setting the bags on the floor, and rummaging inside. He pulled out the sewing kit Rarity kept there for goddesses knows how long, then tore open the packaging and pulling out a spool of thread.

"You aren't thinking about stitching that yourself, are you?" Rarity gasped, covering her mouth in shock after realizing what he was about to do.

"You got anything better, Princess? I told you I used everything I had left on you." Atchmon said nonchalantly.

Rarity looked at the bandages on her, and felt bad being the one to use up the last of his medical supply. She didn't say anything, and could barely watch as the hardened survivalist sterilized a needle with a device that produced fire. Then washed the wound with the water in his canteen, Rarity had to look away when he stuck the needle into his skin. His hissing and grunts were the only indication of his progress as she listened.

"Whew! Done!" Atchmon sighed in relief.

Rarity still couldn't look as he put the finishing touches on his wound by using more water to wash off the dried blood, leaving the floor tinged with red splotches; then smearing a pleasant smelling paste he kept in a gourd container on one of the shelves.

"Are you going to be okay, Atchmon?" She asked worriedly.

"Yeah, it wasn't that deep. This stuff is good for small cuts and scrapes like the ones you've got." She looked at her belly when he said that. The scratches did look much better than they did yesterday. "It'll be good for this too." He finished putting the gourd away, before getting Rarity's attention.

"Hey, I'm going back to get that boar, hopefully it's not too late, but I'll be cutting it under the wire as it is. A thing that size can feed me for a good week. I- what? Why are you lookin' at me like that?" he asked confusedly at Rarity with a raised eyebrow.

"D-did you say you were going to eat that boar?" Rarity gulped, looking at him warily.

"Umm, yeah? Why, is that a prob- OH! Oh, Rarity no you don't need to worry about that, I- I promised you, remember?" he reassured her, kneeling down to her level and placing an appendage over his heart.

"You did..." Rarity didn't know how to feel about that, sharing a room with somepony who was dangerous, a killer, and a carnivore. 'I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Considering everything I know about him thus far. It was foolish of me to hope otherwise... But, what if he gets hungry!'

"Look, can we talk about this later, um, please? I'm just going to assume your diet right now, so you don't have to worry about what to do for your food, since I've pretty well got'chu covered, but the wilds are an unpredictable place and I can't pass this up. Jus', please, don't leave again, at least not yet. Please." He pleaded with her, placing his paws like ponies would do in prayer.

"Very well, I understand." Rarity sighed in admission. "Ah- Atchmon! Before you leave, if it's not too much to ask, but could you remove that, mmph... fur off the bed, please?" Rarity asked uncomfortably, still repulsed by what she lied upon a short while ago. The bed itself was exceptionally comfortable, despite what was covering the grass.

Atchmon looked a little miffed at her request, but did as she asked, folding the pelt up quickly and making an inferior bed for himself.

She admired the simple craft her guardian had made, which was superior to her foreponies before her. Ponies centuries ago once slept on the ground, before adding piles of dried grass beneath them. The grass also doubled as food if times were lean. It wasn't until three hundred or so years ago when the first bed frames were mainstream. This bed was made with thick limbs as a frame, with dozens of smaller bendable sticks that were woven together with twine, forming a wide net in the frame. The stick netting would keep the grass from shifting around without the need to add more.

"You sure you're comfortable like that?" he asked, watching her as he placed the hide on the floor. Rarity stood on the bed and twirled around a couple times, before laying on the grass to get some rest.

"Oh, yes! I just don't like the idea of sleeping on something's... skin. Ick!" Rarity shuttered at the thought. "This may not be better than my bed at the palace, but it's much better than nothing. Thank you very much." Rarity finished, emphasising her gratitude.

"Where did you get that thing anyway?" She asked, watching Atchmon finish folding up the pelt.

"The previous occupant." He answered simply, not taking his eyes off his work.

"Ah." 'I should have known.'

Atchmon was about to make his way out, before a thought struck her.

"Wait! Are there any other monsters I should be worried about while you're gone?" Rarity asked nervously, her eyes shrinking as she looked warily around at how trapped she was in the small space.

"Well, you've already met the neighbors." Atchmon shrugged nonchalantly, while motioning to her leg. "They must've wanted you bad, 'cause they usually never go passed the creek. Other than that, I haven't seen anything come into the meadow in a good long while. I've got my scent all over this place, and the smell from my kills- sorry, umm, 'quarry' usually drives everything else off. So you should be safe here... but just in case-" Atchmon went outside for a moment and came back with a spear that had a sharp stone blade at the tip. "Jus' give 'em a goood poke." He chuckled, his dark sense of humor did nothing for Rarity.

She floated the spear over to her while looking at its tip. The thought of having to hurt something to defend herself disturbed her and served as a reminder of how much danger she was still in. Atchmon gave her a confident grin and a nod trying to reassure her.

Rarity had another question, one that's been gnawing at her now that she had time to think. She thought about everything Atchmon had told her. That he was alone, and how he knew about it better than anypony. About being from someplace else, and witnessing his expertise in the wilds. Knowing he must have been the one to dig the pit that wolf fell in. Building something like that would have taken a considerable amount of time.

She looked at the paintings on the wall, the bed she lay upon, and the spear in her magic. All these things would take time to create.

Time.

"Atchmon? I hope it's not to bold to ask, but... How long have you been here?" She asked, while looking him in the eyes from where she lay.

Atchmon stopped at the question, and stood bent over about to exit the entryway when he heard the inquiry. He turned back, and looked at her, then his gaze was directed upward to the cave ceiling before he finally answered in a somber tone.

"I dunno...I just ran outta room a few days ago." Atchmon answered solemnly, while still looking at the cave ceiling.

Rarity followed his gaze, her eyes taking a moment to adjust before she saw them. There were hundreds of them! All of varying size, yet many were consistent. Rows upon rows of tally marks were carved into the ceiling. A tarry of an uncountable number of days spent alone, afraid, and angry.

'NEVER GOING HOME'

"There's one more outside... on a tree." Atchmon muttered, before leaving Rarity alone with much to think about.

Next Chapter: Learning Curve Estimated time remaining: 13 Hours, 58 Minutes