“I mean you no trouble, I’m only passing through. Let me leave in peace, and I’ll do the same for you.”

The rustling never stopped drawing closer to the shadowy figure, close enough to hear the heavy grunts of intense breathing.

Despite how close it was, however, the cover of night and density of the forest made it impossible to see where the noise was coming from. So, as a sign of trust, the shadowy figure removed the hood of the cloak to reveal the lady zebra pony, Zecora, searching with her eyes and rotating her ears for the source of danger.

A tall bush shook in the dim moonlight, seen faintly through the tree line, nearly impossible to see if not for Zecora giving her eyes enough time to adjust to the low light now with the fire out.

“Come no further, you wicked beast! I’ll be no prey, nor your feast!”

The creature continued without slowing and broke through the brush just off to the side of Zecora. A chupacabra tumbled and stood in the clearing, panting desperately to catch its breath.

Zecora drew her staff and pointed it toward the creature.

“One last chance for you to flee. You will not enjoy a fight with—”

Zecora stopped her warning when her eyes properly adjusted to the dark, allowing her to see the creature more clearly.

It was exhausted and bore markings of a violent struggle. A simple glance revealed matted fur and scratches crisscrossing over its body. Looking further as the creature began to paw at its lips, showed that its limbs, as well as its face, were filled with splinters. Clearly, whatever battle this creature had seen had not ended in its favor.

Despite her presence, the beast only gave Zecora a single glance before it limped away in the direction it was originally headed, disappearing into the brush and leaving the zebra shaken.

Zecora dropped her staff and threw on her bag with the supplies, stopping short of taking down her tent as soon as she heard more rustling off in the distance.

She knew what was coming, and there was no time to save the tent. If the chupacabra was being hunted already, her best option was to run perpendicular to its path and hope her scent trail would be too small for the pursuer to notice.

There was no time to waste, and Zecora broke off into a sprint to a path she could only hope was free of danger.

“Tonight, this forest is filled with strife. And if I stay too long, I will lose my life.”

Rainbow Dash was still searching over the treetops, looking for where she could safely enter the forest.

“We can’t tell yet if Cerb and the others were traveling faster or slower than they were yesterday. They didn’t make it to their first checkpoint before I left, but that still leaves a lot of area to cover. I think the best thing we can do is stop at the first checkpoint and split up. I’ll take their primary route, and you both take the alternate. If they’re not there, fan out farther and call out for Onyx’s squad. If you can’t find either one, break out above the trees and wait for us there. That’s going to be our—”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Rainbow Dash immediately recognized that noise and what three consecutive shots meant.

“Forget that! That’s the emergency signal! Cerb’s in trouble! That takes priority!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!... Boom!

Thunderlane, a charcoal-colored stallion with a two-toned mane and Wonderbolt trainee, saw fit to ask a valid question, “What does the fourth noise mean?”

Rainbow Dash veered hard toward the direction of gunshots.

“It means he’s already kicking ass! Hurry up!”

Stormwalker, real name Cloudchaser, another Wonderbolt trainee pegasus mare with a persian blue coat, light blue mane and tail with white highlights, veered hard and followed in close behind.

“You keep saying that word! What does ass mean?”

“It means butt!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she broke through the top of the canopy and steered herself towards two more gunshots. “Now get moving. Thunderlane, you take left. Stormwalker, you take right. Seven wing span interval. Call out any targets you see. Don’t engage anything unless necessary.”

Veering left and right through the trees, Stormwalker called out the first target.

“Timberwolf!”

Rainbow Dash looked ahead, but all she saw was Cerb running with Fluttershy flying beside him and—

“What the shit? Is he carrying a pony in his bag?”

Fluttershy sighed in relief as Rarity ran out of the tent without waking Cerb. Another potential crisis avoided, plus, now extra alone time to cuddle up with her man and… having Cerb on top was a nice feeling. Nice enough that she imagined what it would have been like had she not gone to sleep with her pajamas on.

What would it have been like if she rutted with Cerb in her sleep?

It would have been amazing. Plus, she could have claimed it was an accident.

A quick mental slap to the face immediately brought some sense to her. In truth, unlike her, that would never fly. Then again, now that he was on top, well, that could be looked at entirely differently.

Big, strong Cerb, overpowering her in their sleep and their bodies rubbing up against each other. Maybe he accidentally rutted her instead? Then when he wakes, and they were essentially married, say it was meant to be, and… Why were the dumbest ideas getting her excited? That idea was far too stupid to actually happen.

Then again, how deep of a sleeper was Cerb? How deep of a sleeper was she or Rarity? Every night they were practically crawling all over each other and never woke up. Even this morning, she found herself riding Cerb’s lap, and the one to wake up was Rarity? How did any of this make any sense?

However, it was a welcomed break from the world she used to know and understand. In a lot of ways, that’s what she realized what Cerb was to her.

Out of nowhere, he dropped in and changed her world forever. He was so unlike any creature, pony or otherwise, she'd come to know. From his looks to his dangerous scent that teased her with the temptation of… that’s right. He had awoken her desire to love and start a family. Yet, how far had she actually come?

Laying on her back with Cerb practically smothering her, she had time to contemplate their relationship.

They were nearly always at each other's side now, and their mutual trust was impossible to describe. He had admitted and confided so many dark secrets, even allowing himself to be exposed and examined by her. Now they were even sleeping together.

True, Rarity was added to the mix, but whatever.

Moreover, he claimed that he loved them both. Yes, he likely didn’t mean in love with them, but he wanted to stay close to them. Close to her, just like they were now.

Maybe...she could convince him to stay close like this for a little longer once he woke up. Maybe they could make it a thing when they get back and go to the Crystal Empire together? Stay up late, cuddling with each other. Waking up and having him hold her in his arms. Maybe saturating him with affection and having him sandwiched between her and Rarity.

...Wait? Rarity? Wasn’t she thinking about her own relationship?

Then again, how could she? Rarity was one of the reasons she was able to get this far. They were each other's wingmare, working together to get Cerb to someplace comfortable with the idea of dating one of them.

No… they first have to help him become better adjusted to his situation, then they could take things further.

But what if they were to rut before that? Would that be better or worse? Could it even happen? Would he even want to?

Breaking her train of thoughts, Cerb moaned and readjusted his hold on Fluttershy in his sleep.

“Mmm,” His voice hummed so sweetly.

Fluttershy was melting, thinking that it was because of her he made such a pleasing sound.

Such a simple act in Cerb’s sleep was all Fluttershy needed to change from dwelling on her thoughts to just reveling in the moment. So safe and warm in his arms, his muscular chest pressed against hers as it rose and fell, his legs now entangled with hers, his eyes staring into hers, his fingers curling into her wings, his eyes still staring into hers…

“Good morning,” Cerb welcomed her into the day.

“Good morning,” Fluttershy returned the gesture, still lost in the moment and taking in everything so wonderful about— “Oh, my gosh, you're awake.”

Cerb snorted at her delayed reaction.

“Yeah, where’s Rarity? It’s kinda weird not waking up sandwiched between you two.”

Fluttershy blushed at what had to be some indirect flirt.

“She had to, umm… you know. She couldn’t wait, but this isn’t so bad. Just you and me, I mean.”

Cerb lifted his hand off of her wing and moved the hair out of her face, “Yeah, this ain’t so bad.”

Rarity’s scream pierced through the morning air.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Fluttershy’s ears shot up, and her body went stiff while Cerb jumped up on his hands and knees and shouted, “Rarity!"

Rarity must have only taken a break from screaming long enough to get one more breath in before, “Ooooooooooou! Oooou!”

Cerb made a loud grunt as he combat rolled out the tent’s open flap and rushed to find the mare in danger.

With his ax, still in its sheath on his belt, gripped in his hand as he sped away.

“Rarity! I’m coming!”

It was about that time Rarity realized she was probably louder than she should have been.

“Awe, shit! False alarm! I stepped on a stick!”

Fluttershy went limp and flopped on her bedroll, pawing the empty spot next to her, still rich with the scent of citrus, spices, and a hint of sea salt next to her.

“Fuck,” she angrily grumbled, now alone in their bed.

She could understand not being able to wait to tackle her urges, as she had also been like this since she learned to embrace her Wonder Rush. However, having essentially been cock-blocked thanks to another pony having a Wonder Rush, wasn’t helping improve her mood.

“I’m not that loud when I Wonder Rush,” Fluttershy mocked Rarity’s voice to herself.

Cerb must have felt some kinda way about that declaration and shouted out to Rarity from a safe distance away from the tent.

“All that for a fucking stick?! I thought you were dying!”

Fluttershy grumbled angrily, “Dying for dick.“

Now frustrated and defeated, she sat up and felt the slick fluids that made the lining of her pajama bottoms slide against her in the most inappropriate ways.

“Just like me…” She painfully admitted before her pleasantly conforming panties triggered a curious thought. ”I wonder if Rarity would let me chance a night without these pajamas on when we get back.”

Rarity called out from wherever she finished clopping.

“Oh, Fluttershy deary! Could you be so kind as to grab a shower cloud for us?”

Cerb managed to make it back to the tent just as Fluttershy was stepping out of the tent, and he nearly tipped over, sidestepping and turning to avoid a pony face-to-dick head-on collision.

“Shit-Goddamnit! Sorry!”

Fluttershy again went stiff with her ears perked straight up and squeaked. Something about that almost happening drove a new level of excitement in her she didn’t recognize. Unfortunately, she had to play it off nice and cool.

“I’m sorry.“ She had to think quickly, and only one thing came to mind on such short notice. “Um... I know you're still embarrassed about your body, but honestly, it doesn't bother me. I mean, we keep waking up on top of each other, and just like with your hands, every part of you feels nice against me.”

How could Cerb take that as anything other than a sexual advance toward him? But then again, he couldn’t deny how good it felt pressed up against them. Still, maybe she was just being honest. That or his lack of a sex life and desire for opening up to having love in his life again was overlapping with his affinity for these two.

Then again… things were different now.

“I, uh....“

Whatever part of him didn’t want to now sound like a pervert or a deviant wasn’t stepping up to the plate to find the words to say. He was at a loss for how to reply.

“I guess I’m just not used to it. It-you know-kinda… “

He was now flustered, trying to think about what to say and how to keep what they had going without sounding like he was enjoying it for all the wrong reasons. Sniff could have pulled this off; surely, he could pull something workable out of his ass.

“It goes against a lot of social norms for us, but… I think it helps with the whole trust and openness thing we’ve got going on. And if you don’t mind, then…”

Fluttershy giggled, relieved that somehow her off-the-cuff plan to salvage the situation actually worked.

“It’s fine, Justin. If you’re worried about Rarity or me saying something, we won’t. Your situation isn’t like what your friends are going through, so the ways we can help are different. But just like with everything else, we’ll keep this private. We won’t tell anypony anything you don’t want us to.”

Cerb started to wonder again if what he was feeling for them was legit or if he didn’t have control over his thoughts. Was it really him actively trying to encourage this kind of behavior?

“I appreciate it.”

On second thought, perhaps giving up some of the control he thought he had is what helped him come this far.

“When we get back... “

Maybe if he was to get better, that meant he would have to let go of his fears and mental restraints.

“Maybe we can do more?”

…or maybe he had his inner strengths and weaknesses bound so tightly together he couldn’t tell them apart. Now, however, it seemed they were both telling him to give in.

Contrary to Cerb's self-doubts, Fluttershy felt something inside. It was from what he said, though not from the words he spoke or even the tone of his voice. There was something more to it than something so subtle as his posture or the hopeful smile he wore to mask how scared he was for asking. She couldn’t put a label on it, but it was still there.

“I’d like that,” she answered calmly and with a smile that spoke of all her appreciation before she flew off to fetch their shower cloud.

It was hope.

“Terribly sorry about that again,” Rarity’s voice sprang up from behind. “Seems it was my day to be the one to cause the scare as well as step on the stick.”

Cerb laughed quietly and then turned, walking to where the shower would be again.

“It’s fine. Let’s all shower and move out as soon as we can. I’m looking forward to being back home tonight.”

That morning they all shared the shower, though despite how that sounded, nothing actually happened. It was just a pleasant moment shared where they all could clean up, relax for a few minutes, and gain a little more familiarity with each other.

After that, it was one quick examination and flex test.

Fluttershy lowered Cerb's leg and pondered.

"I dunno. The muscles are fine as far as I can tell, and even the flexibility in your leg is workable without much pain, but it feels like there's more swelling than there was yesterday. I think we should lighten your load for today and not push too hard. After that, you should be fine. However, I'm growing more concerned about your injuries if the long hikes with the extra weight is normal for you, why is it aggravating your old injuries now?"

And this is where Cerb had to come clean about his own failure to share important information.

"Uh… well, to be fair, I haven't done anything like this since I was still in the service. Which has been more than a few years."

Fluttershy's right eye twinged in shock and frustration.

"You… What?! Why didn't you say that earlier? You can't go lugging around that kind of weight with these kinds of injuries without working your way up to it!"

Now it was time for Cerb to call the kettle black.

"I dunno? Why didn't you give me the heads up about your chupacabra stalker friend?"

And now the ball was back in Fluttershy's court, and as expected, she immediately dropped it.

" …That's… Fuck."

She threw her head back and surrendered her moral superiority.

"Fine, I can't really hold that against you after I did the same thing. But maybe you could have told me that after we’d finished getting the supplies at the top of the hill?

And now Cerb laid there without a good answer.

"How about from now on, we be upfront about these things so we can cover each other in the future."

Fluttershy, satisfied, extended her hoof.

"Deal."

Rarity gave a sigh of relief, seeing how these two were only creating more opportunities for dependency for each other, and decided to invite herself in.

"Well, then, if that's settled, I'll send up the signal and put as much of the extra supplies in my bags as I can carry."

Cerb was helped back up to his feet and said, "Hold up, we might need some of that stuff."

Not stopping what she was doing, Rarity pulled out a kite and answered sweetly, "Of course, darling. That's why I'll be carrying them for you."

Rainbow Dash and her team flew in with the challenge and pass for the day and got the rundown of the new plans for returning.

“You sure about this, Rarity? You hate the Everfree Forest.”

Rarity saddled up her gear, taking the question in stride.

“Yes, well, be that as it may, I’m just as responsible for taking care of Justin as Fluttershy is, and this seems to be the best way to carry the extra gear right now. And besides, with Justin around to ward off any nasty beasts that may be so foolish to come after any of us. Well, I pity the poor brutes that find out what a forty-five feels like.”

“Ha!” Rainbow Dash laughed like she should have known better. “Okay, you got me there.”

Fluttershy smiled but still had mixed feelings about any conflicts.

“I don’t think that would be necessary. He doesn’t even have to actually hurt them to scare them off. And if not, I’m sure he could still toss them around and wrap them up like he did with me.”

Rainbow Dash grinned, “Yeah, I’d bet you’d like that.”

That comment came off so nonchalantly, Fluttershy didn’t catch the double entendre.

“Well, of course I would. I don’t want to see any creature get hurt.”

Cerb raised an eyebrow, catching the comment’s double meaning one word too late, but then convinced himself that couldn’t have been what she meant.

“Anyway, we’ve got some leftover rations. That’s what we’re gonna eat on the way if Twilight isn’t going to join us. If your team can pack up the rest for us, we’re going to head out right now.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled, deciding not to push further, and turned back to her team, already breaking down the tent and rolling up the sleeping gear.

“Sure thing, Big Guy. Don’t have too much fun out there. Remember, I’ll be watching you, and I don’t just mean your six. ”

Before she got too far away, she looked over her shoulder and shouted, "I'll let recon know you're moving out when we take off. They're still covering your rear a half mile out. Unless you want them to move closer so they can hear Rarity scream again."

Watching her prance off, Cerb had to think again if maybe Rainbow Dash was, in fact, insinuating exactly what he thought she was. Although, why would she know those kinds of dirty jokes if virtually every other pony was clueless?

Regardless, it wasn’t important as all he wanted to do was get home and back to everyone waiting for him. Also, he thought how strange it was that he called Ponyville home.

Rarity was still harboring some harsh feelings towards Rainbow Dash for calling her out.

"Seriously, though. I'm not like you, Justin. You clearly have a high tolerance for pain. I, however, happen to have rather sensitive hooves."

Fluttershy rolled her eyes and fluttered over a downed tree.

"We know, Rarity. It doesn't take much to have you cry out like that."

Rarity’s nostrils flared, and she hopped over the tree with her nose held high.

“I can’t help it if I happen to have passion behind my expressions. Unlike some ponies who squeak and whimper through any kind of intensity.”

Cerb snickered at the not-so-subtle jab… wasn’t it a double entendre?

“You two gonna be alright?”

Fluttershy turned with an almost passable smile, “We’re fine. Rarity just gets cranky when her saddle isn’t strapped on properly. You mind giving us a minute so I can help give her the adjustment she needs.”

Little did Fluttershy know that Cerb knew enough girl talk to understand that she meant Rarity needed an attitude adjustment, and so he answered the way any sane man would.

“Sure, let me scout ahead a little. Take as much time as you need.”

Rarity posed stubbornly and watched Cerb march off ahead while Fluttershy fiddled with her straps, waiting til the coast was clear to finally voice her complaints.

“Am I getting the adjustments needed? Or maybe you might show a little support for-Hack “ She suddenly choked.

Rarity immediately jumped away from Fluttershy, who had wrenched down on the straps. She also slapped the offending wings off her saddlebags, more aggravated than ever.

“What’s the matter with you?” She vented through her grinding teeth.

Fluttershy stood unphased by the aggression.

“What’s the matter with me? Oh? I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you won’t keep your mouth shut about screaming bloody murder as you Wonder Rushed? Which, by the way, made Justin rush out of bed after he just woke up and was reeeeeally warming up to me. And by warming up to me, I think he’s reeeeeally starting to warm up to both of us.”

Of course, Rarity huffed, not dignifying the alleged injury of her wingmare.

“Well, I couldn’t help it. Thinking about him rutting me proved much more of a powerful—”

“He wants to do more,” Fluttershy grumbled, finally grabbing Rarity’s full attention. “That’s what he told me after he came back from running after your, what I imagined happened to be, messy rescue. But if you keep bringing attention to what we’re both doing and what we want to do with him, you’ll make him uncomfortable, and he’ll probably start wearing his clothes to bed again. He might even want to go to get help from Cadance without us.”

Fluttershy was getting heated and doing her best to restrain herself, but she needed to make Rarity understand exactly what was at risk.

“And I don’t know about you, but I’d like for at least one of us to get to the point where wearing our pajamas to bed with him isn’t needed because he’ll be rutting one of us full of fillies and colts. But until then, I’d like the opportunity to see his dick a few more times, and I’m sure you’d like to feel him wake up and not shy away when he’s rubbing it between your legs or over your tummy.“

She gave Rarity an angry glare and stared her down, muzzle to muzzle.

“That’s what happened this morning, and we’re not going to get any more chances if you—“ She pushed Rarity back farther, making her cower. “—Screw. This. Up.”

Rarity gulped and put on her most apologetic smile.

“Right. Of course, my dear. More is better. So long as it’s not more of me complaining and drawing unwanted attention to our Wonder Rush activities.”

Fluttershy snapped back to her happy, perky self and backed off.

“Good, now let’s hurry back. The sooner we’re back home, the sooner we can get all the medicine organized for when Zecora gets back. I still need her help preparing some of the ingredients. Then I can hopefully get more help on finding out what else has to be done to start a family.”

Rarity blinked a few times, wondering what she was missing.

“I thought you remembered already?”

Fluttershy grinned and shrugged.

“I remember only what I saw. I didn’t stay and watch to see what else they did. I still don’t know where the baby comes from or what else needs to happen to make us pregnant. It can’t be as simple as him thrusting his dick in us from behind.”

Rarity nodded with a vacant expression, trying not to form another...detailed mental image.

“Right… obviously… but if that’s the case and the rut isn’t enough to make us pregnant, what’s stopping us from only taking things that far now?”

Only one thing was going through Fluttershy’s mind as she thought about that, and it was thinking of Cerb going into her.

“Justin did say he wanted to do more.”

They both shared a devious grin, and Rarity asked, “How fast can we push Justin to get back without injuring his leg?”

Up ahead, Cerb was looking over his map and compass, trying to get a fix on where they were based on what few landmarks he could see.

“If we’ve been walking for an hour, we should be at least this far.“

He looked to his right and could see part of a hillside with a unique rockface.

“And if that’s probably no more than two miles away and facing east… Fuck yeah. We’re making good time.”

Fluttershy flew up from behind, “Okay, we’re good to go again.”

Rarity galloped in close behind, “Yes, we most certainly are, and my apologies about before. Sometimes these straps bind in the most uncomfortable places and start to chafe. I can be quite the bother when I’m uncomfortable like that.”

At the very least, that had to be a half-truth, but Cerb didn’t mind. Although, it was still too funny to address them face to face, so he pretended to continue examining the surrounding area as he stowed his map.

“Glad to hear it. We’re making good time, though. Let’s get a—“

Cerb noticed an unusual silence hush over the forest and motioned for the two not to speak.

“Get behind me.”

Rarity backed up with Fluttershy behind Cerb and whispered, “What is it? Did you hear something?”

Cerb reached behind into his waistband, pulling out his pistol, and whispered back, "No, but if the birds and everything went quiet, it’s probably for a good reason.”

A rustling of underbrush broke through the still air to the south, and Cerb took aim. He couldn’t see anything but listened closely to the sound of branches snapping. Then, a faint shadow darted between the gaps of the branches and trees.

The possible threat promptly came into the light. It was fast, a dingy brown-colored mass, moving through the forest near them.

Cerb clicked off the safety.

“Flutters? What are we looking at here?”

Fluttershy slowly fluttered up to Cerb’s eye level and searched for the creature that was approaching them.

“I don’t know? I can’t really see what—“ She finally caught a glimpse just long enough to recognize what was crossing their path and gasped. “Justin! Quick! Follow me!“

She started to fly off towards where she saw the last movement.

“Zecora!”

Rarity popped up in surprise.

“Zecora? What’s she doing out here?”

Cerb cycled through the list of names and faces as he took off to catch up with Fluttershy.

“Which one is Zecora? I don’t think I met her yet.”

Rarity galloped alongside Cerb.

“Zecora is our Zebra friend. She lives in the Everfree Forest, but not this far out. She’s been away gathering ingredients for her potions, last I heard.”

“Zecora!” Fluttershy screamed, finally getting her friend's attention.

Zecora stopped upon spotting the frightened pegasus and nearly collapsed.

“Fluttershy? No, this mustn't be. It isn’t safe. You have to flee!”

Fluttershy landed and trotted up to Zecora in shock.

Her cloak was ripped and dirty. Her fur was matted and missing patches. She had a bruised eye, and her staff was busted. Her whole appearance was in shambles. She looked haggard and beaten. This suddenly got Fluttershy really starting to panic, and immediately began to assess the damage.

“Zecora? What happened? Who did this to you?”

Cerb caught up, and the sight of him frightened Zecora into a fighting stance.

“Creature! Leave my sight! I am injured, but I can still fight!”

Cerb stepped back and holstered his pistol.

“Oh right… the one that rhymes.”

Fluttershy tried to calm Zecora and lowered her broken staff.

“No, Zecora, that’s Justin. He’s our friend, and he can help you. Tell us what happened?”

Zecora was too exhausted to question anything and took Fluttershy at her word. She lowered her weapon but still kept on guard.

“Timberwolves. So many they covered the landscape. If not for the hidden guard, I could not escape.”

Right away, that told Cerb everything that was wrong with the situation.

“Hidden guard? Shit! That’s our recon team. Holy fuck they must be close. Shit!“

He dropped his bag, pulled out the two extra magazines for his pistol, and put them in his pocket.

“Zecora, I need a number. How many were chasing you?”

Zecora dropped her staff, it was useless at this point, and mournfully, she exhaled all hope she had been holding onto.

“For the families of those poor soldiers my heart still suffers with grief. Their numbers were like looking at the tallest tree, and asking me to count every leaf.”

Cerb reached into the bag and tossed the water bottle along with a damp medkit to Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy, Rarity, you to get her patched up. Throw up a red, purple, green, and blue signal. Make sure she gets out of here. I’m heading back to get the recon team.“ He pulled out the kites and screamed. “Fuck!”

The sudden scream made all three mares cower.

Cerb threw the smoke charges back in the bag.

“They’re all soaked!“

In a haste, Cerb reached out and took back the water bottle. He looked under the rim to see the half-empty bottle had cracked under the cap and leaked in over their supplies.

“Shit! We got no way to signal them. Okay...“

He stood up and paced around, trying to think of a solution.

“We gotta… Shit. Why didn’t we waterproof these damn things? You two need to get her to the next checkpoint.”

Fluttershy eyed his gun, remembering what they first told Twilight.

“Can’t you shoot three times to signal for help?”

For a moment, Cerb contemplated doing just that but realized the flaw in that plan.

“We have no idea where the Timberwolves are or how many of them are out there. If I start shooting off my gun, that could draw them into us. Then we’d be cutting off the Recon Team from escaping and putting all of us in danger. Can’t you fly up and find Rainbow Dash?”

Fluttershy looked up to the thick canopy overhead.

“I have no idea where Rainbow Dash is. What if I can’t find her, or if I can’t find you again? I can’t leave you. If you get hurt, I’m the only one who can take care of you.”

Rarity started to understand how bad their situation was and decided to make a judgment call.

“We’re not leaving you, Justin.”

Cerb turned back to them and pointed his gun to where they were heading originally.

“No, you three head to the next checkpoint. Wait ten minutes for me there. If I don’t come back by then—”

Fluttershy dropped the medkit and stood up in protest.

“Justin, no!”

Cerb didn’t waiver.

“If I don’t make it back right away, then it just means I’m held up with the recon team and I’m going to take longer. Rainbow will be there, and you can have her send the react team to pull us out.”

This time Rarity stood up and shouted Cerb down.

“Get this through your thick skull, Justin! We’re not leaving you to run off and risk getting hurt, or worse! And we’re not going to run off with an injured mare when we have no idea how many other Timberwolves, or who knows what else is out there! We’re all safer together! Now, you’re the military expert. You tell us what we’re all doing, together!”

Rarity stood her ground firmly, turning her head to where Zecora came from, then back to the next checkpoint.

“Are we all going to get out of here together, or are we all going to run back and make sure Onyx Armor can limp back to Canterlot and tell the story of how the biggest, baddest, killer warrior from Earth saved his ass and brought his team home?!”

Fluttershy stomped her hoof in agreement.

“You’re a killer of those that kill the innocent, Justin. Zecora is innocent, and look at what they did to her. Maybe Onyx can hold his own, he’s a trained soldier, but the other two are only volunteers. Rare Find is good at staying hidden when he travels as a merchant, but he’s not a fighter. And Night Watch is just a security guard for the Ponyville hospital! You’re going to need all the help you can get.”

Zecora struggled to stand and addressed them, making the decision clear.

“These beasts are many, I will not lie. But they are spirits of the forest, and cannot die. But if you are going, I will show you the way. They attacked without mercy, for that they must pay."

Onyx Armor held up his spear and jabbed at the approaching Timberwolves, further approaching into the corner of a hillside's ridge.

"Dang it! Night Watch! How's Rare Find? Can he move?"

Rare Find, a brown unicorn with an all-white mane and tail with four emeralds for a cutie mark, currently was moving sluggishly thanks to the large bump on his head.

"I'm fine. It just rung my bell. Give me a second."

Night Guard, a dark grey Earth pony with a buzz-cut mane and cropped tail with a badge for a cutie mark, did his best to keep Rare Find stable. However, he knew how dire their situation was.

"We might not have a second. Get your head straight and bring that magic back into the fight."

Onyx jabbed his spear at another Timberwolf, pushing it back less and less with each threat he cast at it.

“You two, listen to me. As soon as your magic is back up, I’m going to surprise them and make a hole for you…” He swallowed hard, accepting his fate. “Then you run, find the zebra girl, and get her to Cerb.”

Another Timberwolve lunged forward, and Onyx raised his spear, his two allies only looking in horror at their comrade's obvious suicide charge.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three loud cracks exploded overhead, and the lunging Timberwolf was ripped apart by every bullet that struck its center mass.

Onyx looked up at the source to see Cerb standing over the ledge with his pistol drawn and smoke trailing from the barrel. Zecora was currently hanging over his shoulder, carried in Cerb’s bag. Rarity and Fluttershy were standing on either side of him and lowering down ropes.

Zecora pointed a hoof down at the broken pieces of the timberwolf and yelled with a powerful scorn, “Against your new weapon they have no resistance. Shoot them again! End their existence!

Cerb scanned for threats as he looked down to see the other two sheltering behind Onyx and shouted down, “Grab the rope. We’re getting the fuck out of here!”

Rare Find and Night Watch quickly wrapped the rope around their hooves and were pulled up while Onyx held his ground. He only took a moment to look back up at the others and yell, “You shouldn’t be here! Why aren’t you back at the castle already?!”

More Timberwolves, enraged at the sight of a fallen pack member, crept closer, prompting Cerb to fire three more rounds.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Cerb watched each Timberwolf shatter as each bullet found its mark. With this moment, Cerb quickly realized just how brittle these monstrosities were and shouted back to Onyx.

“Too busy saving your ass!“

He saw the other two stallions reach the top, and Rarity dropped her rope back down, “Now get the fuck up here!”

Another brave Timberwolf lunged forward, and Onyx met it with a spear through the eye, ripping his wooden skull open.

“You don’t have to tell me twice!”

Onyx scurried back and bit down on the rope. As he was raised, he aimed his spear towards the other Timberwolves that trampled the shattered remains of their fallen, charging in to reach their prey.

Boom!

Cerb fired the last round in the mag, ripping open another Timberwolf that tried leaping up for Onyx.

Onyx finished crawling up the cliffside to the sight of Cerb, swapping out the empty mag for a new one. The sight of which drew Onyx’s eyes.

“What is that thing?”

Another Timberwolf jumped up, and Rarity reacted by firing off a blue beam of magic from her horn. The beam hit, knocking the beast back, crashing into another rush of Timberwolves that all shattered as they collided.

Cerb started to back away, letting the action slide drop forward, and chambered the next round.

“Everybody move! Overwatch had to hear that! Keep running until they find us!”

Fluttershy led the way and scanned the path ahead for danger or any sign of Rainbow’s team.

“Are you sure they heard your shots? We’re farther from the checkpoint than they were expecting us to be.”

Cerb didn’t immediately answer as he was running as fast as he could with the added weight on his back.

“They had to. If not, we’re still running there.”

Rare Find looked behind to see the Timberwolves gaining on them.

“They’re still after us! Keep running!”

Rarity looked back to see two more barreling in on Onyx.

"Onyx, behind you!"

Onyx spun around and chucked his spear. It stuck in the first Timberwolf’s chest. The sudden blow caused the beast to wince, making the spear dip down into the dirt. The sudden shift caused the pummel to dig deeply into the soil, ripping off a chunk of the creature's torso, making it crumble back to sticks and bark.

Sadly, despite losing another of their numbers, the other continued to dash ahead, lunging for their prey.

Onyx swung his right hoof and the Timberwolf's wooden jaw with an uppercut. It reared up from the force allowing the champ to strike the beast with a left jab, cracking its face. A quick follow-up right cross shattered what was left of its head, allowing Onyx to move to catch up to the rest as the beast fell apart.

Ahead of them, Rainbow Dash was racing through the trees with her team and calling out to him.

"Cerb! You need to get out of here! Something big is heading this way!"

Fluttershy heard the warning and sped up, crossing in front of Cerb.

"Timberwolves, Dash! Get Twilight! There's too many!"

Rainbow Dash slowed down in a small clearing and fluttered in place, zeroing in on the mass of Timberwolves gaining ground behind Cerb and the others.

"Cloudchaser! Stormwalker! I need a cumulonimbus cloud fifty meters to the north with its anvil to the south, now!"

Stormwalker quickly changed course and flew up to the sky.

"Roger!"

Cloudchaser meanwhile broke formation and veered up.

"On it!"

As the cloud was being formed, Rainbow Dash rushed forward head-first past Cerb.

"Keep going! We'll cover you!"

Before Cerb could call her back, she was too far gone and lost in a flash of blinding light. Roars from the Timberwolves being tossed into the air from the Buccaneer Blaze bought them more time, but she was now beyond his help.

He didn’t question the explosion or flinch, too caught up in running for his life and trying to keep the others around him safe.

Fluttershy, however, knew what Rainbow Dash was going up against. She couldn’t ignore the important lessons Cerb tried to teach her.

“Rarity! I’m going back! Keep Cerb safe!”

In a panic for her friend's recklessness, Rarity shouted, “What!? Don’t be foolish! Rainbow can—“ She watched Fluttershy fly up and turn back to the danger. “Goddamnit, Fluttershy!“

Why would Fluttershy do this now? Rarity couldn’t go back alone, and raced up to Cerb.

“Fluttershy went back for Rainbow Dash! She can’t fight them all!”

Cerb looked over his shoulder to see Fluttershy was already too far back.

“Fuck!“ He started to stop and called out ahead of him. “Onyx! Stop!”

Onyx spun and dug in his hooves again, ready for another Timberwolf, but saw Cerb standing farther behind him in the process of pulling off the bag with Zecora.

“Cerb! What are you doing?!”

Cerb wasn’t going to let Fluttershy hang back and fight this battle without him. He reached into the front of the bag, pulling out a small box of .45 rounds.

“Fluttershy went back for Rainbow, and I’m going back for her. You take Zecora and get her to the checkpoint, and for fuck’s sake, get Twilight and the React Team out here.”

Despite the very clear orders, Onyx was in no mindset to leave Cerb behind.

“No! I can carry her but you need to get—”

Cerb dropped the box in his side pocket and screamed as loud as he could, “THAT’S A DIRECT ORDER! NOW STAND THE FUCK UP SO I CAN PUT THIS ON YOU!”

There was nothing Onyx could do. Twilight made it clear how high up the chain Cerb was and did as he was told.

He stood up on his back legs and let the straps go over his front legs. Cerb reached around to snap in a clip around his waist. After it clicked in, he gave the straps all one quick tug to tighten them down. With everything in place, Cerb took a hold of Zecora’s forelegs and put them over Onyx’s shoulders.

“You hold on tight, and Onyx will get you to the next checkpoint! Go!”

Farther back, Fluttershy was closing in on the circle of Timberwolves that were trying to get at Rainbow Dash.

Another Timberwolf lurched out and snapped its jaws at Rainbow Dash but took a somersault kick to the chin, lifting it high off the ground while its attacker opted to taunt it.

“That the best you got?”

Two more dove in, and Rainbow Dash rose up to kick down the first while twirling to avoid the second but never saw the third jump at her from behind. The sudden pounce sent her crashing to the ground as her back was struck by the wooden chest of the abomination. She landed with a thud and the crunch of the timber weighing down on her.

The wooden body lifted up enough for her to start to crawl away, but she rolled on her back to avoid the jagged shards of wooden teeth snapping at the back of her neck. She tried to scoot away again but was stopped by a slab of timber for a paw stomping down on her back leg.

Again the jaws opened and went for her throat. She raised her forehooves and caught the maw open but strained to hold it back as its rancid breath huffed out at her.

“Ahh! Gross! Don’t you own a toothbrush!?”

“Rainbow!” Fluttershy’s voice broke through the chaos as a blur of pink and yellow crashed into the Timberwolf’s side, lifting it away from its prey.

Rainbow Dash jumped back up and avoided another Timberwolf jumping at her, looking for her savior.

“Fluttershy!? What are you—”

Rainbow Dash had to look up to see Fluttershy flapping her wings hard enough to lift the Timberwolf in a headlock while it flailed violently on its hind legs.

Fluttershy squeezed tighter as her anger started to grow the more the beast struggled.

“You want to hurt innocent ponies because you think you can get away with it!? “ She wrenched down hard enough on the hold she could hear the timber start to snap. “I won’t allow it!”

With one last flex down on the Timberwolf’s neck, Fluttershy yanked and ripped the head off its body.

Still enraged, she tossed the decapitated head at another Timberwolf Rainbow Dash didn’t see behind her.

The head flew low and took out the next Timberwolf’s front left leg. It tumbled to the ground just far enough away for Rainbow Dash to avoid it.

“Woah! Fluttershy! What’s got into you!?”

Fluttershy zipped down and tucked in her wings to fly under another timberwolf’s legs and pulled the same maneuver she did on Cerb. With a spin, she dug her back hooves into the dirt and launched herself, taking the wooden back leg in her forelegs and driving forward.

She took the beast down and spun again, wrenching back on the leg, breaking it off.

“What does it look like!?” She screamed, raising the detached leg and swung it like a club to bash the Timberwolf’s head in.

Boom! Boom!

Cerb shot off two more rounds. The first taking out one wolf, shattering its chest upon impact; the other struck another in the throat, taking off its front torso and passing through to another, taking out its back right leg.

Rarity took aim with her horn and smashed apart four more.

“Can you both please hurry up! Justin only has so many bullets!”

They all started backing away, but the Timberwolves had so many joining in that what few they had taken out seemed meaningless.

As the masses of Timberwolves began to pour in, it looked as if their retreat had come to an end. It was slowly turning into a Mexican standoff as Cerb led the slow retreat and holstered his gun to switch to his ax.

“Rainbow… how fast can you get back to Twilight? We really need that backup.”

Rainbow Dash flew behind Cerb and took hold of his shirt to guide him to the clearing.

“I can get there pretty quick, but I don’t want to leave any of you behind, and I won’t need to once my team is ready in a moment here.”

Cerb tightened his grip on his ax and looked behind them to see the clearing wasn’t more than forty yards away.

“I don’t like surprises, Dash.”

Rainbow Dash, even in spite of the situation, could help but chuckle.

“Oh, yeah, I forgot. Spoiler alert, it’s gonna get loud.“

She looked back over her shoulder and shouted as they got closer.

“Friendlies moving in, thirty meters out! Protect the left and right flanks! Make ’em loud!”

Thunderlane flew down from above the courtyard with Twilight’s telescope.

“Princess, something must have happened out there. Rainbow’s team didn’t split up. They all flew into the Everfree Forest together, and there have been no signals sent up, either.”

Twilight stomped her hoof.

“Goddamnit! Why can’t any of this go right!?“

She looked around the few remaining ponies and made up her mind.

“That’s it, I’m not taking any more risks over this. Thunderlane, you and your team escort Bon Bon back to Ponyville. Take the three flowers with you. I’d teleport you all together, but I can’t risk damaging them with my magic. Go straight to the castle and wait for us in the dining hall. There isn’t anything we’re leaving behind here worth worrying about.”

Bon Bon trotted up next to Twilight, many conflicting thoughts of who she should morally be supporting. After all, what if the danger was the humans?

“Princess, are you sure you want to send all of us out? Shouldn’t you protect the flowers or maybe store them somewhere safe?”

Twilight shook her head, knowing how rash these new orders sounded.

“Normally, I would say yes, but we don’t know what’s out there. If things get dangerous, I can’t risk anything happening to them. I trust you four to get these back safe.”

A series of flashes broke out around them with the backup requested.

Starlight, Luna, Applejack, Midnight Flash, Ralph, Swift Sails, and one other appeared. From the group, three of those arriving were quick to rush to Twilight, Starlight being the first, looking a little winded.

“I got everypony you asked for, and one more who wanted to help.”

Twilight peered over Starlight’s shoulder to see Oven Fresh gawking at the decrepit castle.

“Are you serious?” Twilight practically hissed at the sight of the baker among those present.

Starlight wanted to apologize but gave Twilight the truth.

“She was with Midnight, Ralph, Swift Sails, and Sniff. And… Sniff knew right away something was wrong and begged me to take her along.”

Applejack was next up to force her way into the conversation.

“Where’s Big Macintosh?”

Luna was right up there with Applejack.

“Twilight? You sent so many back? And where is Benny? Did you send him back as well?”

Twilight gave an angry sigh, her mind trying to sort through all the questions before she responded.

“No, Benny was insistent upon joining Big Mac and Thunder Glide. The rest of the team wasn’t trained or ready for whatever is out there, and I wasn’t going to risk them getting hurt, or worse. I was going to stop Benny, but Pinkie joined in and said something about how Benny already proved himself, and she'd explain later."

She mulled over that for a moment before remembering one last party member she wanted to send back.

"Spike, I want you to go with everypony else back to Ponyville. Make sure that the flowers aren't damaged on the way, and when you get back… Actually, you should write this down. You also need to… Spike?"

She turned and saw Spike was nowhere in sight.

"Oh, that sneaky son of a bitch!"

Benny was struggling to hold the rhythm needed to stop from racking himself on Big Mac’s back.

“We should be getting close? Right?”

Thunder Glide held her position overhead and shouted down, “We should be right on top of it.”

Crack! Crack! Boom! Crack! Ka-Boom! Crack!

Cracks and explosions rang out ahead of them like a miniature warzone, alerting the crew, but it was Benny who shouted for an update on the situation.

“What the fuck was that?!”

Thunder Glide started to fly higher, “Sounds like thunder. Hold on.“

She flew up above the treetops for all of three seconds and broke through again to report what she saw.

“It’s a thundercloud! Definitely one of ours!”

Spike shouted from Pinkie’s back.

“That’s got to be Rainbow Dash!”

Pinkie yelled out her take on the situation.

“If Dashie had to bring down a thundercloud, something really bad must have happened!”

Crack! Crack! Boom-Boom-Boom!

The last three booms were different, and Benny knew exactly what they were.

“That’s Cerb shooting!”

Big Mac started to speed up towards the sounds of explosions but slowed at the sight of Onyx carrying Zecora and the other two running alongside him.

“Onyx!”

Onyx stood guard at the checkpoint, just as ordered, ready to pass on the update.

“Timberwolves! Dozens of them! Hundreds! They need backup! Get in there! Cerb has some magic weapon but that won’t be enough! We have wounded and were ordered to wait at the checkpoint!”

Big Mac nodded as he quickly sped up again, charging forward.

“Hang back! We got this!”

Boom-Boom!

Cerb fired two more rounds that ripped through the onslaught of unrelenting Timberwolves.

“Dash! Pull back! Flutters! Two more behind you!“ He fired two more rounds and dropped the mag. “Rarity! Focus on the—”

“Behind you, Justin!” Fluttershy shrieked as she turned to engage the next two.

Cerb turned to see a stray had snuck through and was charging in on him fast. There wasn’t enough time to reload, not at the distance this one was at. All he could do was drop the gun and reach for his ax.

With a firm grip on the handle, he ripped it out of the sheath and swung for the head.

The follow-through was perfect, and the blade struck just past the Timberwolf’s eye.

The next thing Cerb knew, he was spinning out of control, having lost his balance and tumbled to the ground. He sprang back to his feet and went to re-engage his target, but it was no longer a threat. His ax passed through the wooden skull as effortlessly as the bullets had.

There was one passing moment of confusion before Cerb came to a revelation of what was happening and whispered to himself.

“Magic proof… it’s not just...”

He turned to the mass of Timberwolves still closing in and couldn’t ignore it any longer. Cadance’s failed attempt to cast a spell to connect him with Fluttershy and Rarity, how he overpowered Fluttershy and tanked every blow from Onyx. Why he broke the magic chains and shrugged off Helix’s battle magic so easily.

He picked up the pistol, and inserted the next mag before running for the front lines that were about to overtake Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

“Get back!”

Cerb ran up to a group of Timberwolves overtaking Fluttershy, pressing too close to separate her from Rainbow Dash. He swung as soon as they turned their attention to him, the blade cutting through the torso of the first and passing through to the next before the blade arched up, ripping through the neck and out the top of its head.

Rarity took in the sight but was too frightened for Cerb’s safety to process how easily he had obliterated his targets.

“Justin, get back here!”

Another voice shouted from behind, “Rarity, get down!”

Rarity turned to see Benny dashing forward, bringing up his shotgun before taking aim in her direction. She quickly turned to where he was pointing and saw three more Timberwolves she’d lost track of running to where she had dropped her guard.

She leapt out of the way and dove close to Fluttershy.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

This gun was louder, and each round didn’t rip through the Timberwolves as Cerb’s pistol did. Rather, each twelve-gauge round blew them apart like the buckshot was made of explosives. It was only after Benny racked the next round that he noticed the waves of wood chips flying as the pellets tore through the Timberwolves behind the first three like a hot knife through butter.

Benny seemed to understand and even perk up at what was happening and ran up with the rest of the react team.

“Fuck ‘em up!”

Fluttershy heard the shotgun go off and cracked a leg off from another Timberwolf and held it up, ready to swing. Then she noticed Rarity getting up behind her and where her wingmare was staring off in terror.

Cerb had pushed through and had managed to surround himself with Timberwolves

Alongside them, more lightning strikes rained down before the pegasi began to pull more clouds in to recharge their attacks. At the same time, the rest of the react team started to confront the waves of hostile forest spirits.

Cerb wasn’t shaken by his situation. He dashed forward and spun, lashing out with his ax and cutting through every beast he hit, leaving piles of broken timber around him.

He was holding his own confidently while Benny racked off two more rounds into the hoard, ripping columns of Timberwolves apart along the way. Big Mac hit the front line with his mallet, knocking them apart with each blow. Spike held his distance and blew a torrent of green flames between the lighting strikes, setting many ablaze, and securing the right flank in the process. Fluttershy flew up and away from the left flank as the concentration of lighting shifted there, and she looked for the next threat around her.

They seemed to have gained the upper hand, but amongst the chaos, Cerb cried out, “Ahh, motherfucker!”

Fluttershy looked down to see four slashes ripped open in the arm of Cerb’s left sleeve, red starting to stain the fabric.

One of the Timberwolves had managed to get its claws into him.

From higher above, Thunder Glide saw it all happen and raised her sword before she called out to everyone.

“Cerberus is wounded! Everypony! On me!”

No sooner was the order heard, Fluttershy released a war cry the likes no pony had heard before, followed by a crash and the sound of timber cracking. Down below, just behind Cerb, Fluttershy knelt over the remains of another Timberwolf that dared get too close to the man she swore to protect.

As the dust quickly cleared, Fluttershy picked up the log that was that Timberwolf’s spine over her head and tossed it up. As it fell back to the ground, she jumped up and mule-kicked it into the crowd of hungry beasts, toppling them over.

Then, for the first time, the Timberwolves started to slowly back away, howling and roaring into the forest, all the while glaring angrily at Fluttershy.

Thunder Glide yelp from above, “Hey! Let go! No! Give that back!”

Fluttershy glanced up to see Thunder Glide fluttering down with only her halberd in hoof. Then the noise of wood splintering and bursting apart under the clashing of metal with the yelps and cries of Timberwolves crumbling towards them grew louder.

Three Timberwolves started to reverse their retreat from Cerb, but all fell just the same from Thunder Glide's whirling blade. Her blade was wrapped in Rarity’s aura and had stopped less than a foot from Fluttershy and Cerb.

The sword whipped back to Rarity as she galloped down the line, carving and slashing through the Timberwolves that moved to fill the gap. She charged through with wooden maws snapping at her flanks but wasn’t running fast enough as the gap began to narrow.

Spike tried to chase after her, but another wave of Timberwolves closed in behind her and turned to him. Having been cut off, anger snapped across his face; he gasped and spit torrents of flames, torching some, yet more blocked his advance and sealed away Rarity’s ability to retreat.

Cerb shifted places with Fluttershy and drew his pistol.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Cerb fired off the last five rounds from the mag to clear through the Timberwolves enclosing on Rarity but wasn’t able to drop them all and went to reload.

One Timberwolf missing his lower half crawled towards Rarity as another stood ready to pounce behind it. Cerb had dropped the slide forward and took aim but couldn’t take a shot with Rarity just beyond the target.

In her path, the wounded Timberwolf roared but was silenced by the sword piercing its neck. The blade startled the Timberwolf, who could only stare at the tip of the blade that nearly reached its muzzle. It then looked back for Rarity, but she was no longer in front of him. The beast looked higher to see her still high in her jump.

The Timberwolf couldn’t get out of the way fast enough to avoid her coming down, dropping an elbow between the planks of its shoulder blades, severing its lower half from its upper half.

As Rarity rolled into the inner circle with the others, Cerb looked down with a mix of pride and confusion.

“What the fuck was that?”

Rainbow Dash fluttered out beyond the wall of Timberwolves surrounding them, still awestruck by the display.

“That was soooo cool!

Rarity grunted and huffed angrily.

“The Spinning Appleloosa Roll or what I did with the sword?“

She focused her magic on the sword and summoned it back from the throat of the downed Timberwolf, spinning it back and decapitating the other she elbow dropped in the process.

“Because I don’t have a name for that yet.”

The blade spun back and stopped short of the group. It rang with a ting as Rarity held it at the ready, making Cerb grin with a warmth of pride at her display of skill.

“God, I love you girls.”

Fluttershy huffed, her righteous anger evident along with exhaustion.

“We’ll see how much you love us when we drag your ass out of here.”

Cerb looked back for a moment before focusing on the Timberwolves, who had started to close in on them again.

“What? What did I do?”

Rarity sounded off indignantly.

“What did you do? Really!“ She grit her teeth as another burst of lightning strikes rained down. “Charging in here so recklessly and getting yourself hurt! You are so going to get it when we’re done with this.”

Cerb grumbled as he switched the pistol to his left hand and the ax to his right.

“I’m not reckless, I’m magic proof. And it was either this or let Fluttershy and Dash get munched on.“

He quickly popped three rounds into one side getting too close.

“I thought I made it clear I’d do anything to keep you safe. You’re more important than what they might do to me.”

More Timberwolves started to howl and roar next to their defeated kin, making the three in the center cover their ears.

Rainbow Dash immediately recognized what they were doing this second time around.

“We need to get out of here! They’re calling more Timberwolves!”

Cerb started to push Fluttershy and Rarity closer towards their allies still fighting off the hoards of Timberwolves.

“We gotta push through.”

Benny immediately shouted over the roars and growls at Cerb.

“Broken Arrow! Danger close!”

A whistling noise started to grow louder and out from above as Pinkie dropped in, landing next to Cerb. And despite landing into a literal battlefield, she was just as perky and bubbly as always.

“Hi ya, Puppy Boy! Sorry about the lever stuff. Oou! Wanna see a party trick!”

Before he could answer, Pinkie pulled out a white cloth and threw it out in front of her over the ground. Still acting like it was a stage performance, she pulled it back to reveal four party cannons...literally from out of thin air.

Said cannons all of different shapes, sizes, and had names painted over them. HAPPY WAR NOISES, PARTY ARTILLERY, INDISCRIMINATE CELEBRATION CANON, and MANDATORY FUN ENFORCER, all appropriate identifiers.

Pinkie tossed the cloth over the closest Timberwolves and raised her forelegs in celebration.

“Tadda! They may look fun, but you’ll want to cover your ears. These things are probably going to be really loud!”

Benny screamed as Big Mac knocked back the wall of timberwolves, and Spike blew another stream of flames over the exposed flank on their left.

“Pinkie, now!”

Pinkie clapped her hooves together.

“Yay! War Noises! Woo!”

She pulled the cord on HAPPY WAR NOISES, and the overcharged cannon erupted, blowing away an enter swath of Timberwolves as well as the ground they stood on.

” Whoops! Too much powder in that one. Couldn't even see the glitter.“ Strands of burning confetti started to fall in front of them. “Oou! That’s pretty, though.”

Benny pumped out all five rounds from the tube and cleared a wide path in front of him, then started to reload. Big Mac and Thunder Glide rushed in to clear the stranglers while Rainbow Dash swooped in with another buccaneer blaze and wiped out most of the Timberwolves still blocking Cerb’s escape.

Cerb started to lead his two mares out, chopping, slicing, and smashing their way through while Pinkie readied the next cannon.

“I love war parties! Your turn, Party Artillery!"

She pulled the cord and fired off the next cannon.

Another eruption burst out, and the projectiles from this one twirled and clanked as they whistled through the air with a shining brilliance. The glimmering metal pieces ripped through the battlefield, littering the area with dinner forks, knives, and spoons.

Pinkie yelled back to Benny, "You owe me a cupcake! Silverware does work in a party canon!” She looked back to reassess the damage. “Although it definitely won’t be good for setting tables!"

Rainbow Dash swooped in next to Pinkie.

"Uh, we appreciate the help and all, but are you gonna come along with us? They're already leaving."

Pinkie looked back to see Spike on Big Mac's back, bringing up the rear with Thunder Glide.

"Awwwwe," She whined. "But I still have two more cannons."

Rainbow Dash grumbled and pointed at the next rush of late arrivals, barking and howling their way in.

"Fine! Use 'em now. Buy me some time."

Pinkie saluted.

"Roger Dodger, Rainbow Painbow!"

Rainbow Dash grumbled and darted straight up in the sky, leaving Pinkie to do her thing.

Getting ready to do her thing, Pinkie looked out and smiled cheerfully as she hummed a happy tune to herself.

She pulled the parking brake on MANDATORY FUN ENFORCER. Then, with careless ease, she took aim with the cannon and then kicked it down towards the oncoming fodder. The happy humming continued as she readied INDISCRIMINATE CELEBRATION CANON, leading her sights on the runaway cannon.

With her target nearing its destination, Pinkie ended her little tune, sighed, and spoke mournfully to her last war cannon for the day.

"Don't worry Mrs. Indiscriminate Celebration Cannon. Mr. Mandatory Fun Enforcer wanted to go out this way. Plus! We get to see what it looks like when plastic goes—“

She made an explosion noise with her mouth and then laughed as she took aim again.

“Oh, BenBen, you worry too much.”

Thunder Glide had moved up to the front to guide the group back to the checkpoint where the others were waiting for them.

"Where's Pinkie?"

Benny looked over his shoulder as he ran but didn't see her.

"Probably doing something stupid."

Behind them, the sound of a cannon went off, followed by a much larger explosion that they could feel the concussive force from.

Benny shook his head at the blatant display of overkill.

“I fucking told her.”

With perfect timing, Pinkie came running up and joined the group, still smoking with some singed hairs, and started yelling, “Benny! I owe you a cupcake! C4 was waaaaay too much for the cannon to handle! It totally blew up like you said it would!"

Benny could have slapped her for putting C4 in a cannon, but instead, he just looked down at her, paying special attention to her still-smoking hair, and yelled, “Ya fucking think so?!”

Pinkie squinted and turned an ear up to Benny.

“What?”

Cerb looked back, a limp starting in his right leg.

“Where’s Rainbow D—”

Without warning, a shockwave from another ground-shaking explosion struck them from behind. Everyone running was tossed face down into the dirt. Flying along with them, Thunder Glide, along with Fluttershy, and the other pegasi were blown out of control, finding themselves caught among the tree branches.

After the effects of the shockwave passed, Cerb pushed himself up, sounding off to alert the others with his old instincts kicking in.

“Hit! I’ve been hit!”

Benny rolled over and looked up to see the rainbow-colored mushroom cloud rising up between the breaks in the leaves.

“You’re not hit, ya dumb fuck! Dash did her fucking Sonic Rainboom.”

Twilight’s voice called out, not much farther ahead of them.

“Cerberus! Benny! Anypony! Where are you?!”

Pinkie popped her head up, sprinkling dirt and debris from her mane as she shook it clean.

“Hey! Our backup’s here! Good timing!”

Rarity started to sit up and groaned.

“Oh, yes. Perfect timing.“ She shook her mane free of the dirt and then shouted back. “Twilight! Over here, darling!”

Fluttershy managed to free herself from the tree branches before fluttering the rest of the way down.

“Are we done yet? I’m getting tired of kicking ass.”

Cerb chuckled as he pushed himself up to his knees, though struggled to stay up as the old injury in his leg demanded his attention.

“I fucking hope so.”

Big Mac rolled up from his side.

“Cerb… do you have any idea how hard it is being your brother?“ He groaned as he stood up. “I tell ya, it’s no day of bucking apple trees.”

Spike finally sat up in a daze.

“Does this count as mentoring me on how to do man things? Your lessons are a lot scarier than the way Sniff teaches his.”

Cerb laughed again.

“I was gonna start with pushups and maybe a movie or two, but-Contact-Contact!”

Coming out of the literal wood works, timberwolves were flooding in with all the snarls and monstrous noises they could.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Benny started to quickly reload.

“How many of these fucking things are there?!”

One Timberwolf ran in straight for Spike, and he started to draw in a breath to torch the beast.

Then, it was as if time slowed down, and he could see everything move in the subtlest of details.

Big Mac was up and bringing his mallet down on the head of Timberwolf that Thunderlane had tripped up. Stormwalker was pushing back another group of Timberwolves with winds she was channeling down. Fluttershy was slamming another Timberwolf’s face into the ground as Rarity’s sword spun its way out of another one of the beasts while clipping the leg of another. Benny was raising his gun and aiming at another Timberwolf rushed through the trees.

It was in this brief moment Spike realized a chilling fact...there was no help close enough to him. And as fate tends to be so cruel, he could make out the loud sound of growling just behind him.

Out of the brush, another wolf leapt forward, claws extended, fang opened, and eyes glowing with murderous intent. Sadly, while there was a fire building in the young drake's throat… It wasn’t ready and wouldn’t be in time to take down this one mangy piece of dogwood.

“Spike!” Cerb shouted and collided in midair with the Timberwolf, tackling it by driving his shoulder into its chest.

The split second it took for Cerb to push back the Timberwolf was all Spike needed to fill up his lungs.

Primed and charged with enough magic, but he couldn’t spit it out. Not with Cerb wrestling the Timberwolf and everyone else around him. He had to swallow it, and even for a fire-breathing dragon, it burned all the way down.

Spike fell back, clutching his chest.

“Ahh! It burns!”

Cerb heard Spike cry out, but didn’t understand what he was talking about and was too busy trying to deal with the claws digging into his side.

“Burn the mutha fuckers!”

Spike watched Cerb shove the Timberwolf back, and the bloody claws that came with it. Then, like watching a ninja in action, Cerb stepped on the thigh of Timberwolf’s back leg, jumped, and turned his body long ways against the Timberwolf.

Cerb managed to wrap both legs around the beast's neck and curled in with his head swinging towards the beast’s crotch. The change in momentum brought the beast down head first with its snout digging into the dirt. The swing carried Cerb through, breaking its neck as it was flipped over on its back.

Cerb rolled off and scooped up Spike in his bloodied arms but stumbled and fell on his back, reaching for the pistol he dropped.

“Spike! Go to Twilight! Move!”

Spike rolled off Cerb’s chest but didn’t retreat. He had to get rid of the burning in his chest, and he wasn’t going to look weak in front of Cerb. Certainly not in front of Rarity. Not in front of anyone anymore. Not even Cerb’s blood that had smeared over the pristine scales on his face and chest were going to distract him from this fight.

He was tired of being treated like a child and drew in one more breath.

This was the motivation he needed. He could feel how different he was now. His mission was clear, and his mind so laser-focused on being his strongest, he could feel the mental bindings that held him back release.

As the flames grew in strength, the fire inside made his chest glow bright enough to see the shadow of his ribs before the flames left his throat. The fire was so thick he couldn’t breathe it out, he would have to scream it.

Just behind them, Cerb readied his pistol and stood up with his ax. Starlight and the others were right on top of them.

Twilight shouted as she drew the magic into her horn.

“Everypony fallback! We got th—”

“RAAAAAAAAH!”

Spike had reached the frontline and roared with an elder dragon’s intensity, unleashing a massive green blaze with an eruption to rival that of any party cannon. It was grand in size and presentation, but the initial impressiveness of it was short-lived, as it was reduced to a slow-moving ball of flames.

Despite its intensity and red hot glowing teeth it left him with, his best effort was a failure, and he felt his dreams die before it hit the first Timberwolf.

He dropped to his knees. He was done, and what did it matter anymore? Twilight was here, and everypony was holding their own. Even Benny was putting slugs down range. All Spike could do was watch his fireball pass through the first Timberwolf it hit.

And then the second.

Then a third.

As it kept going, whatever it touched was gone. Missing. Incinerated. Burnt out of existence. There wasn’t even ash left behind.

Spike was awestruck and the amazing accident he just created. This wasn’t a failure after all.

“Woah!”

Sadly, while it was impressive, it didn’t last as the fireball started to slow down and drifted to the ground no more than fifty meters out. The last few Timberwolves it fell near smoked and sizzled before catching on fire.

Yet, it was not done, as once it touched the ground, the green flames discharged arches of green magic. In every direction the arches went, they quickly detonated like bombs, sending green flames that burned timber and hostiles alike.

Shining Armor’s shield quickly covered over the retreating ponies and humans, saving them from the burning debris that rained down as he rushed to the front.

“Woah! That’s new.”

Twilight ran over to Spike and picked him up like a frightened mother would her child.

“Spike! You’re bleeding! I was so worr-Ow!“ She quickly dropped him as soon as she felt how hot his body was. “Ow! Spike… you’re burning up! What happened?!”

Spike, in spite of the heat, stood up and dusted himself off, then looked at the burning mess of destruction he created. Secondary explosions of green dragon fire were still igniting and decimating the Timberwolves that had not fled in time.

“Uh.. well, first I snuck off with Benny and Pinkie when I told her that you wanted me to go with them. Uh… sorry about that, by the way. Then I helped save everypony from a bunch of Timberwolves. Then Rainbow did what Rainbow does best, and we all got knocked down. Then more Timberwolves came, and I was gonna burn them too but… I… couldn’t get the flames out in time, so Cerb jumped in and tackled it out of the air—”

Cerb, still bleeding, grunted and gave a shaky thumbs up.

“That hurt a lot, by the way.”

Rarity dropped her sword and dashed to Cerb’s side.

“Justin!”

Fluttershy kicked off the last Timberwolf she bear-hugged to death and quickly followed suit.

“Justin! You’re bleeding!”

Cerb dropped his thumbs up and forced a laugh.

“Oh, yeah? You should see the other guy.” He pointed to the Timberwolf’s head stuck in the dirt, its broken body lying a few feet away.

Spike rubbed the back of his head and looked to be embarrassed.

“Yeah… I guess Cerb is also a ninja, and he did that.”

Cerb likely would’ve offered another snarky comment but was currently being pampered/crushed by a couple of very pushy and paranoid ponies. Thus Spike simply continued explaining.

“But, I had to swallow the flames so I wouldn’t burn him.“ He looked up with sad eyes. “That… really hurt for some reason. But after that, Cerb saved me, and this is his blood, not mine. But the fire I swallowed, it hurt so bad that I had to get it out, and well… that happened.”

Helix was bringing up the rear and instantly went for his missing guard.

“Thunder! You’re alright!... Right?!”

Swift Sails saw Thunder Glide and flew down to her side, dropping her halberd to help her fellow guard up.

”Staff Sergeant! We came as soon as we could. Can you get up?”

Benny finally made it over to Cerb’s side, where Rarity and Fluttershy were both having a panic attack.

“Girls, stop. Lemme see ‘em.”

Suddenly the focus wasn’t on Spike’s story or the ragging green inferno beyond the dome as a circle formed up around Cerb while Benny started his assessment.

“Where does it hurt, and how bad?”

Starlight immediately cringed as she took a closer look, the fatty tissue fully visible under the skin.

“Should I go back to Ponyville and get Nurse Redheart?”

Cerb winced and hissed before anypony could shout down the request.

“Ouchie. I think I stubbed my toe, and it’s definitely a really sad face on a scale of triangle to purple.”

Benny grinned and slapped Cerb upside the head.

“Smart ass.“

Despite earning a few minor glares from some of the girls, Benny stood up and gave Cerb some room.

“Don’t worry, he’s fine…dumber than a box of rocks, but fine. But seriously though, where’s the medkit?”

Luna pushed her way closer, with Midnight and Ralph posting up behind her as she lowered her head down to Cerb’s.

“Justin, we must apologize. It appears even the best-laid plans could not keep you safe from this.”

Suddenly there was a knocking on the top of the dome shield and Rainbow Dash’s voice came through like she was behind a thick window.

“Hey! Prince Tin Foil!" *Tap! Tap!* "You mind letting me in? It’s kinda smokey out here.” She said, coughing hard just to emphasize her point.

Shining rolled his eyes, both at Rainbow’s rather obvious exaggeration...and more importantly, the nickname.

“I’m never gonna hear the end of that, am I?”

A portion of the top of the dome phased out, allowing Rainbow Dash to drop in while having to flap to avoid a crash landing.

“Woah! Ha-Ha. Very funny.“

She finally saw Cerb sitting up and pulling off his bloody shirts. “Woah. What happened? Is he going to be okay?”

With the help of Rarity and Fluttershy, he managed to get the shirts off to get a better look at his numerous scratches and cuts. Of course, though, Cerb couldn’t take such a small injury too seriously.

Laughter is the best medicine after all.

“What? You didn’t hear?... I got into a fight with an oak tree.”

Oven Fresh took a curious peek at the wounds.

“Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry we didn’t make it here sooner. That looks horrible.”

Cerb started to stand up and turned to let Benny get a better look at the claw marks that had left a few good cuts into his side.

“Don’t worry, Oven Fresh. If you can’t tell by the scars, believe me, I’ve had a lot worse.”

Rarity immediately punched Cerb in the hip.

“Not funny, Justin.”

Cerb winced and dropped down to his knees.

“Ow, damnit. Wrong side to hit. Bad side. Very bad side.”

Fluttershy huffed and poked him in the chest with her wing, earning another wince.

“Serves you right. There’s absolutely nothing funny about this.

Twilight shook her head at the bickering trio and looked out at the burning forest and dying flames.

“I don’t understand. Why were there so many Timberwolves out here? I've never seen so many.”

Zecora limped her way over, escorted by the recon team members.

“It is my fault for the battle you all had to fight. They were chasing a chupacabra, but then came after me, late in the night. They chased me for hours, I could not lose them no matter how hard I tried. And with every hungry howl or roar, one by one, they quickly multiplied.”

Before any could address the issue, two giant wooden paw pads slammed down on the shield and rocked it. A giant Timberwolf peered inside and roared.

Cerb turned and rolled over from his knees to falling flat on his ass.

“Jesus, fucking Christ! What the fuck is up with this goddamn forest?! Fuck it… Where’s my ax? I’m chopping this bitch down.”

The ground started to shake and two more giant paws slammed down. Then four more on either side. In total, there must have been at least twenty giant-sized Timberwolves that had pulled themselves together into Timberwolf Kings.

Benny looked at his shotgun and the remaining shells he had in his hand.

“Well… I got a few rounds left. Might piss at least one of them off.”

Applejack kicked the dirt.

“Well, shit. Looks like I’m as useful as an asshole on uh forehead.”

A pack of regular Timberwolves joined the Kings, circling around the far side of the shield, and started to try digging and biting through it.

As soon as Applejack spotted them, she tipped her hat.

“Nevermind. Just say when. I’mma let loose some pent-up aggression.”

Twilight turned to Oven Fresh and tried to sound as cordial as possible.

“Sorry Peter talked you into this. You should stand back and help if any of the little ones get too close and nopony else finishes them off.

Oven Fresh narrowed her eyes, still not trusting Twilight.

“Actually, Princess. I was planning on taking care of two or three of the big ones. I told Peter I would help, and I intend to,” her horn flashed briefly with magic.

Twilight rolled her eyes and chuckled at the thought of this baker trying to step up to her level.

“Oh, please. I know you want to impress Peter but—”

Oven Fresh snorted two thin streams of fire that torched the ground at Twilight’s hooves, making her yelp and jump back.

Staking her claim and standing her ground, the baker sneered, “Sorry, Princess, but if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of my kitchen. And can we wrap this up quickly, please? My kitchen is exactly where I left Peter. He wants to learn how to make dinner biscuits with me.”

Cerb brought himself back to his feet and started to walk away. Two girls, pony or not, bickering over Sniff? That was a bad place to be... between a royal that had a mastery of magic and a fire-breathing unicorn? No thanks.

“Never mind. You girls got this.”

Pinkie giggled, “Don’t worry Puppy Boy. From what I saw, you did just as much work, if not more than what we did. You just sit back, and the professionals take care of this.

Spike, amidst the confusion, finally had the time to check up on Rarity.

“Hey, Rarity. They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

Rarity was busy with Fluttershy catching up to Cerb to say much, only offering the dragon little more than a quick smile.

“I’m fine, sweetie. I was with Justin the whole time. We’re all very lucky to have him with us.”

Spike was about to follow up with something witty or classy to try and get some type of reaction out of her, but then noticed how fixated she was on Cerb. No, not just fixated. It was almost like she was entirely enamored, if not fawning over him. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think she was…acting like he did.

Watching Rarity walk away with her eyes stuck on Cerb, Spike started to hear Sniff’s words of advice from days ago. He decided he would try to apply them.

“Back away.“

He took a step back.

“Look at the big picture.“

He scanned around them to see the mass of Timberwolves and Timberwolf Kings surrounding them and realized that those words weren’t literally what Sniff meant.

He looked back to Rarity, following this mammoth human no differently than he had followed her these last few years. As he started to put the pieces together, the glimmering shine that always radiated from Rarity lost its luster.

“An illusion that I created of some… wow… that’s really depressing.”

Back with the rest of the group, Shining was getting ready to lower the shield so they could put an end to this whole endeavor and get back to civilization.

“Night Watch and Rare Find. You two stay back and watch over our human friends while Fluttershy and Rarity take care of Cerb. Spike, you should probably—”

Spike took a deep breath and swallowed hard, groaning as he felt the heat start to burn inside his chest once more. Again his abdomen started to glow, and a low hiss from the heat searing the soil under his feet alerted Shining that he wasn’t standing back.

Then Spike spoke for himself.

“I know what I’m doing. Real men pull their own weight and aren't indecisive. And I got my own pent-up aggression I need to let out.”

Shining gave Pinkie a confused look, but she shrugged and gave her best stab at that sudden shift in Spike's attitude.

"He's probably mourning the loss of Mr. Mandatory Fun Enforcer. Just give him time and a few Timberwolves to exsploady, he'll be fine."

Meanwhile, Twilight was still bickering with Oven Fresh.

"The forest is already burning, and you want to spread even more fire?"

Oven Fresh wasn't giving an inch and was now openly antagonizing the princess.

"I'm not going supernova. I know how to control my flames, and what's better to take out a Timberwolf than fire? If it was good enough to take out the library in town, I'm sure it's exactly what we need for these giants."

Twilight gasped at the insult, "That just so happened to be my library, and I was in there when Tirek destroyed it."

Oven Fresh, in turn, decided to play it cute with her response.

"Oh? So you know it works? I would recommend you try not to get gobbled up, then. I’d hate to see you get blown out of another tree."

Starlight felt her ear twitch and a sudden desire to get to Chris, which in turn resulted in her self-control going out the window.

"Can somepony lower the fucking shield before I torch the forest?!"

Luna, meanwhile, was simply excited to have a chance for some action after all these years.

"Calm thy selves, fellow warriors. There is great battle to be had. We shall burn them all together." She smiled proudly at Oven Fresh. "Your mother will be excited to hear of your decision to represent your family so bravely."

Twilight took another look at Oven Fresh, now questioning how Luna knew Oven Fresh’s family.

"Your mother? Who's your mother?"

Luna was more than happy to inform Twilight of the baker’s lineage.

"Were you not aware, Twilight? Oven Fresh is the daughter of Sergeant Major Cirrostratus Cutter of my Lunar Guard. Sister is still upset that I was able to persuade her to switch from the Solar Guard. Oven Fresh is also the daughter of my favorite baker in Canterlot. His dinner rolls are so delightful."

Oven Fresh perked up to gloat.

"Oh? You like those? I'm going to teach Peter how to make them. I could send him back to the castle with some if you’d like."

Luna beamed brightly at the near-future prospects. A pending battle, fighting side by side with such amazing warriors, and her favorite dinner biscuits?

"How wonderful. Peter is such a wonderful young stallion, and that would make for a most fitting meal to celebrate our victory tonight. Oh, it has been years since I was fortunate enough to sample some of your own when there were leftovers from—"

That was it, Twilight was going to show up this bread maker who’s in charge and put her in her place… once she got the shield down.

"Shining, lower that sum bitch down, now!"

Everypony went to their battle-ready stances and prepared their weapons or charged their horns to attack. When the shield finally dropped, it was a beautiful display of carnage to everything wooden.

Luna released a blast from her horn that tore through a King's chest and exploded out his back. Twilight ripped out a beam that split another in two and three lesser Timberwolves under it. Oven Fresh blew a river of fire that engulfed her first King, set a second on fire, and torched another three lesser ones behind that one.

Among the displays of power, Starlight let loose a stream of magic larger than Luna's. The overpowered blast vanquished her first King, another behind him, and a small section of the forest surrounding them, and however many whelps were unfortunate enough to be there.

"Well… " She blinked a few times at the destruction she created and finally lucid from her lust-induced rage. "That was unexpected."

Spike huffed, angry to see how much faster the Timberwolves were being taken out, "Show off."

The young drake ran towards the oncoming fray and screamed out his fiery breath with more control this time. He fanned out a concentrated funnel of green flames over a rush of Timberwolves before sending it upwards into the face of a King.

Burning embers and ash fell freely out of the flames with arching snaps and pops of more flames.

Helix, meanwhile, had been standing back to avoid the drama between Twilight and Oven Fresh. With the fight started, he took his opening to fire his self-titled signature attack. The two rays burned through the face of a King rushing the front lines of the Apples and the others joining the fight.

It was an instant lobotomy, if a lobotomy was removing all contents from the skull, and that's assuming Timberwolves even had anything in their heads to begin with.

Speaking of Apples, Applejack charged the front line with her brother towards a tight pack of Timberwolves rushing around a fallen King.

“This might not be the best time, but I was thinking about having Lumberman move into the spare room at the house.“ She turned and bucked the first Timberwolf in the chest, making it crumble. “He’s been doing a lot for the farm and—“

She stomped on a log to flip it up and then kicked into the legs of her next target.

“—Granny just made him an official Apple yesterday.”

Big Mac brought his mallet down on the skull of the downed Timberwolf. Another charged in, and he swung his mallet into the next one coming in and begrudgingly partook in the conversation.

“I uh reckon that’s-Erah!“ He took down another. “—mighty kind uh ya—”

Applejack stomped her front hooves, tossing up two rocks, and turned around to take aim at the next batch of wooden targets.

“Two apple smashers, coming in hot!”

She one, two, bucked each rock at her brother.

Big Mac slid and ducked in time for the two rocks to rocket overhead and take out the first two Timberwolves of the bunch and rose up again as their pieces shattered.

“—but I was hoping we could let Kelly stay with us fer—” He swung his mallet up, catching the next in line under the jaw to take its head off, and followed all the way through to turn around and buck the next two to pieces. “—a while longer. If not, a lot longer? Alley-oop!”

Applejack rushed forward and lept onto Big Mac’s back for him to launch her up into the fray ahead of them.

“You sure that’s the best idea?“ She descended down onto another batch of Timberwolves. “She was scared stiff last time ya brought ‘er there. Not tuh mention ya both—“

She landed on the back of another Timberwolf, crushed it, bucked the next one, and punched the head off another.

“Rah!”

She stepped down off the Timberwolf and shook her hoof, wincing slightly before reaching for her rope, “Ya both share the same bed anyhow.”

Big Mac slung the head of his mallet over his harness and raced up to Applejack as she started to swing her lasso.

“Right now we do cuz how scared uh being alone like she is.“

He sped up as he saw where she was tossing the lasso and slid in on his rear hooves with his mallet ready.

“But it’s not like we can keep doing that without-Huh!“

Applejack roped up and pulled four more wolves in range of her brother. Seeing the setup, Big Mac smashed his mallet into the group, rendering them all back to pieces.

“—raising suspicion,” he grunted out, finishing his concerns.

Applejack pulled back her lasso and turned to her brother with a near-angry expression on her face.

“Raising suspicion?”

Four violet blasts of alicorn magic crashed down, taking out another mass of Timberwolves the two distracted siblings failed to notice.

Twilight shouted from overhead.

“Stop arguing and focus on the Timberwolves!”

Thunder Glide, Swift Sails, Midnight Flash, and Ralph swooped down in pairs on either side of the Apple siblings and fanned out to cut down the next wave charging in.

The forest was a chaotic mess of fire, explosions, thunder, whirling screams of unicorn and alicorn magic bolts, rays, beams, gale-force winds, and whatever other unfathomable acts of destruction ripped, crushed, or incinerated hundreds of Timberwolves. In the center of it all sat Fluttershy, Cerb, Rarity, Benny, and Zecora all lined up in a row, watching the madness unfold.

Cerb held a gauze pad to his side and verbalized an epiphany he had while watching the violence ensue.

“You know… when you get right down to it, this place is fucking terrifying. Who the hell thought this would make for a good kid's show?“

He watched Twilight lift a Timberwolf King with her telekinesis and impale it on a jagged rock formation. At the same time, Oven Fresh forced another's maw open and blew a torrent of flames down its throat, burning it from the inside out.

“Damn, ponies are fucking hardcore. And, shit, you know what?”

Benny looked on in confusion, as well as a mix of entertainment and bewilderment while Cerb pulled something from his bag.

“Don’t you think that’s… I want to say wrong, but there’s so much not right with everything… Fuck it. I got mine.”

After a few seconds of fiddling and taping of his fingers, Cerb raised up his phone and started recording.

“So…“

The camera was currently pointed at Rainbow Dash, who was creating a mini-tornado with dozens of Timberwolves that had been picked up in its path. The perspective then shifted to Starlight, surrounded by her aura, who flew up and fired a beam down the center of the whirlwind, blasting the captured Timberwolves all apart before the two split off to tackle more on their own.

“I have no idea how to even explain this.“

He followed along with Luna spinning in a half-circle and tearing up the ground below with another stream of magic. Not far behind was Twilight, shouting some newly learned obscenities at Oven Fresh for stealing her kill.

“Apparently, the whole Everfree came alive to eat us today,” Cerb commentated in his recording. “That sucked."

Another large explosion sent Timberwolves flying everywhere, and half a dozen dropped down in spitting distance, then Pinkie shouted as the last one landed.

“Sorry! I forgot how big the explosion from C4 was! My bad!”

Cerb reached for his pistol but stopped to record Fluttershy and Rarity leap into action and slice and smash them with violent prejudice.

"On second thought, this shit isn't safe, and I'm down to only three percent battery. I'll save the rest for some pics after this-Shit!"

One stray that had tumbled away, and darted in their direction, only to be taken out by a well-placed round from Cerb’s pistol. With the threat eliminated, he panned the recording over to Benny, who was laughing.

"What's so funny?"

Staring into the camera, Benny flipped Cerb off.

"You're a fucking idiot. Turn that shit off before you get mauled on camera. Come on. Let's go help 'em out so we can get the fuck out of here."

Cerb lowered the camera but didn’t stop the recording for a scolding he was going to get….which was apparently now, as Rarity immediately stomped her way back to him.

“You sit your bloody ass back down this instant.”

Fluttershy fluttered over and shoved him down to the ground, knocking the camera down. It landed just right to capture her standing over Cerb and lecturing him with a hoof in his face.

“You’re not going anywhere but right back where I left you, then back Ponyville where you’re going to get a shower, a hot meal, and then it’s straight to bed for you. And if you don’t do as I say or give me any lip, you’re going to wish you were back with the Timberwolves.”

Cerb tried to sit up but was forced back down by Fluttershy.

“Okay, fine, I’ll shoot the stragglers from here. Just let me turn off my phone. It’s still recording.”

Off-camera, Rarity’s voice was caught asking for clarification.

“Recording? Like recording music for a record player?”

Also, off-camera, Benny answered.

“No, he’s video recording. Like a movie.”

Rarity raised her voice, shocked to find out that was even possible as the camera was aimed at her.

“A movie?! Son of a bitch! How’s my hair look?”

And it was on that note, the recording ended.

So... since chapter 23, Fluttershy has been waiting for Zecora to return. Low and behold, she has made her triumphant return... or introduction, officially. Whatever, and who cares. She wanted sap! (Timberwolves don't have blood.)

Before that, though... what a cluster fuck of a morning. And the crazy thoughts Fluttershy fantasized about? I had way too much fun with that, not even sorry about it. Same for Rarity revealing what was hinted at in chapter 48:

Rarity's voice called out as she peeked her head out of the bathroom across from Sniff's room. "Is somepony there? Hello? Twilight? Starlight? Anypony?"

From further inside the bathroom, Fluttershy asked, "Is there anypony out there?"

Rarity replied with some relief, "It appears not."

"Whoo," Fluttershy sighed in relief. "I thought maybe you were too loud and they were checking up on us."

Rarity groaned as she shut the door and dipped back inside. "Oh, please, Fluttershy. I wasn't that loud."

Even Rainbow Dash heard it.

However, things are looking good for Fluttershy after that morning. Aside from almost getting mushroom stamped. At least Rarity and she got that worked out.

But all of that was a build-up to show how a good day can turn to a very bad day, which it almost was because HOLE-LEE SHIT!

And I'm not sure how many of you caught the call back to Chapter 30, Goodmorning Moon and a Case of Contagious Desire.

Rarity trotted over to her Fluttershy and placed both hooves on her wingmate's shoulders. "You were amazing, darling. Truly you were. There were a few times you almost had him. Even without the Spinning Appleloosa Roll, you put up quite the fight."

Now I need to think of a name for the spinning blade attack. (I'm taking suggestions.)

Then, of course, how many of you were originally confused at the end of Chapter 57. Protection, Lust, and Trust.

Pinkie gasped in joyous excitement.

“Oh! Oh! You gotta see Mr. Mandatory Fun Enforcer!”

Benny gave Pinkie a confused look.

“What happened to your Happy War Noises?”

Pinkie skipped ahead down the hall, just as giddy as could be.

“Happy War Noises? That’s just the first act. Mr. Mandatory Fun Enforcer has the plastics I showed you.”

Benny sped up in a feudal attempt to catch up to Pinkie.

“Goddamnit, Pinkie! I told you that’s too much for them to handle! That shit shouldn’t even exist here! How do you keep-”

Pinkie sped up, keeping just out of Benny’s reach, giggling all the way.

Benny hated how much faster Pinkie was than him and how effortless she made it look. How was a pony who only seemed to eat nothing but cake, cookies, and ice cream so damn athletic?

“Goddamnit, Pinkie! You can keep the silverware if you give up the plastics!”

“Tooooo laaaaate, BennyBenBen! You’re going to owe me two cupcakes!

But all of that led up to so many ponies, and even SPIKE, getting to throw down. Then there was the spat between Twilight and Oven Fresh between the fight became so overwhelmingly one-sided, with Cerb getting put in his place. .. Which apparently is under Fluttershy and Rarity. BOOM! Shots fired!

But yeah, final question: Who do you think gets the final kill of the remaining fighters?

Scratch that. Real final question: How was Rarity's hair?

Anyway! Get ready for a bonus publication, Saturday at 3 PM, with a supercharged Chapter 63.
Make Sure You Hold Her Tight.

Normal publications on Wednesdays will continue as scheduled.