I hurry into the Everfree Forest as fast as my hooves can take me. While it caught me off guard, if only a little, that my swear wasn't censored, I've shaken the thought out of my mind, focusing instead on what really matters right now... knocking some sense into my idiot friend's skull!

"Stupid, stupid Lyra! What in the Gates of Tartarus am I going to do with you?! Running away like this... if you told me you were feeling this way, then maybe I would've given you a PROPER scolding, and... and..."

I blink, as my pace slows down. The darkness of the woods begin to cover my vision, forcing me to play it by instinct, at this point. With a slower pace, I begin to sneak through the woods, while another thought occurs to me.

"... I guess I COULD'VE been a little less of a bitch about it, though. Sure, she might've made this last month a living tartarus, but... well, actually my whole life, and... still, though, she's always been my best friend! A lazy, dim-witted friend, sure, but a friend! And... well, I'd be lying if she didn't help keep me strong in both, body and soul. Her laziness meaning I had to do a lot more than usual to handle my work, but it didn't really bother me. Especially since she still uses her magic to help out with the hard-to-reach places.

"Plus it's not like she doesn't do ANY work around the house. She tries her best to clean up her messes, at least... even though it usually results in her screwing something up, and making an even BIGGER mess...

"... Come to think of it, how exactly ARE we friends, with such contrasting personalities, anyways?!"

Suddenly a mental image of Lyra lying on a bed shaped like a heart pops up in my head. Her golden eyes would wink at me, and she'd be wearing a black-laced saddle, while offering me a whip using her magic.

...

"And now, I'm going to have to buy Brain Bleach when we get back."

I look around the surrounding area, and rub my chin in thought.

"Anyways, back on subject... it appears that she remained somewhat close to the road, until she reached this point... which then, she ran off track. Pursuers? Most likely. Attackers in question..."

My blood goes cold the moment I recognize the tracks that don't match hoof-prints...

"... Oh, no... Timberwolves!" I whisper, before following the tracks.

"SHIT! Lyra, you BETTER not be dead!"

My ears fold back, and panic now starts to fill my mind.

"... PLEASE be alright!"

After following the tracks for what feels like an hour, my ears twitch at the sound of something snapping. I quickly sneak into a nearby bush and pull a small spray bottle from my bag, and mask my scent with the contents within. Then I close my eyes and steady my breathing, as I listen deeply into the darkness... letting my years' worth of training come into play.

Echolocation... I pick up a tall figure lurking nearby. Branches for legs, yet too tall to be considered an ordinary Timberwolf... no, this is an Alpha.

And when there's an Alpha, there's either a pack of regular Timberwolves nearby, or an even stronger opponent defeated said pack to turn them into the Alpha.

Considering the scenery resembles a battlefield, I'd say it's the latter.

And yet, there's no signs of said opponent nearby. This means that, whoever this mysterious hunter was, they likely have Lyra right now!

It's then decided what my next plan of action will have to be. I'll need to look for tracks for this mysterious figure, if I hope to ever see Lyra again...

...

But first, I'll have to deal with this Alpha Timberwolf.

I stood nervously still, as the massive wooden creatures swarmed me. I was only a filly, and couldn't stand up against these kinds of creatures!

They growled as they approached me, ready to pounce. With my hooves trembling, and the mud and scratches from the forest coating my whole body, I could only curl in fright, as my fate almost seemed sealed right there...

... until...

As the memories flash before my eyes, I recall the things my father taught me that fateful night. Drawing a pebble from the ground, I lean over and toss it across the field.

Once it lands in the leaves, the Alpha turns and growls towards the source of the noise, before crouching into a pouncing posture and tiptoeing towards its supposed "prey". Its eyes fixated on the bush where the pebble landed; it's far too focused on the empty space ahead to notice me shifting my posture. Carefully coordinating my next shot, I toss another pebble behind another bush angled to the side of the current one it's focused on, emitting another sound behind the particular spot.

My ears twitch, as I echo-locate its location from the sounds its paws make.

Finally, it leaps!

I make my move quickly. Pulling a grappling hook from my saddlebag, I launch it into the air and latch it around a nearby branch.

The timberwolf turns and growls at me, before lunging towards my direction. I'm already mid-sprint, and circle around the tree, stretching the limb outward. I then wait for my chance, and...

BAM!

I let go of the branch once it's close enough. The branch knocks the timberwolf into pieces on impact.

I sigh in relief, for multiple reasons. One, I defeated the creature, and two, there isn't any signs of a dead body within it, meaning Lyra's still alive somewhere.

Pocketing the hook back into my pack, I make my way even further, following the trail of, what I assume to be, Lyra's doing.

It doesn't take long before I start to recognize a few runic symbols splayed across the ground and the trees. Wards meant to repel creatures of varying species.

I take a sniff of one of them and scrunch my nose.

"Still a fresh mark... someone is here."

I then look over, and notice something off about the clearing... like a trail where hooves constantly trotted about.

"Ah, another mare I see. What, exactly, brings you into the Everfree?" I hear an accented voice echo from above.

I look up and notice a robed zebra observing me from within the shadows. From the looks of it, her eyes are glowing a bright yellow color... but something tells me that's just from my perspective.

"I'm looking for my friend. Likely that other mare, who came into these woods. Mint-colored unicorn, with a lyre for a Cutie Mark?" I reply casually, hoping to hide my unease around this stranger.

To my relief, she nods her head. However, the look on her lips tells me there are no good news ahead.

"Indeed, your friend is at my home, but in her condition, she can not roam. Her injuries are too much to ignore, so please return home, I implore! Under my watchful eye, I assure you she will be fine. The medicine will do the trick, her recovery shall be quick." she speaks without missing a beat.

But it doesn't sit well that Lyra's injured. "Can I at least see her?" I ask.

The zebra's frown only deepens. "I'm sorry, friend of my guest, but a careful distance would be best. She warned me of your recent spat, and time can be the only cure for that."

I glare at her and take a single step forward. "You might wanna rethink that, lady. Until I see that my friend is at least alive, I'm not gonna give up my mission to save her!"

Suddenly, green smoke begins to surround me. Her golden glowing eyes, however, still appear to be visible.

She leaps down the tree, landing a few meters away from me.

"You dare to threaten the Everfree Witch? I-"

I interrupt her, however, and spit on the ground between us.

"DON'T CARE! I'LL SAVE MY FRIEND FROM YOU, BITCH!"

I immediately swing my hoof in her direction... but in the blink of an eye, the mist fades, and I find myself standing right back at the entrance to Ponyville.

Blinking once, then twice, I look around, and back towards the Everfree Forest.

How the... but... why... what...

"... What the fuck?!" I finally stammer.

Author's Notes:

Still got another nine chapters to go before I can consider this particular arc complete, but figured I'd post THIS little one here to prove I'm not dead yet!

Expect more sometime later, but maybe not tomorrow, due to holidays and what-not! Hooves out, My Little Bronies!
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