"This has got to be the longest flight of stairs I have ever been down." Star grumbled as they continued down the long, dimly lit path.

"Yea, ah don't think ah ever been this far underground." Applebloom chimed in as she followed closely behind Sweetiebelle.

"At least our path is still lit. I'd hate to try going down these stairs in the dark." Sweetie sighed softly as the continued to march, only to pause for a moment as Star picked up once again.

"Uh... I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but does anyone else see the light starting to diminish?"

The three looked back up there previous path, and sure enough, the stairs that were once glowing a soft hue, began to slowly fade to black. The path was starting to get darker all the quicker as it crept up to them before the stairs they each stood upon began to dim as well. Their path ahead of them slowly starting to fade as well.

"Time to move girls. Otherwise we're going to be walking blind." Star spoke up quickly as he began a quick trot down the flight.

The path began to get darker and darker as the went, the light dimming to next to nothing, yet they continued to hurry faster until finally having to stop as the light faded from sight.

"Ah can't see nothing now. Star, ya'll got a light spell you kin use?" Applebloom spoke out in a slightly shuddering tone, Stars horn lighting up just as she had finished speaking only to see it flicker slightly before going out.

"Uh... Let's try that again." Star chuckled nervously as he forced magic into his horn just long enough to cast a light spell. Panting as the little orb left the tip of his horn.

"Star?" Sweetie began but paused as he picked up again.

"Somethings wrong, I can't use my magic like normal, how about you?" He asked, looking back to the alabaster unicorn behind him.

Sweetiebelle began to force magic into her horn, only for it to flicker out quickly. After a few seconds she tried once more before the glow ceased entirely.

"Uh, this is bad. I can't use my magic." Sweetie stated in a worried tone. Applebloom looking back and forth between the two ponies she was with.

"Well, at least we've got..." Star began but paused as the three of them snapped their attention to the glowing orb that was now flickering slightly.

"Time to move girls!" Star shouted as he bolted down the stairs, the two mares right on his heels as the light continued to flicker slightly, dimming a little with each pulse.

After a few minutes of rushing down the stairs, they had finally reached the bottom. No sooner than their hooves had hit the floor then the light orb had been completely extinguished. Giving a sigh and slight pant from galloping down the stairs, the three sat quietly in what seemed like a dimly lit room that had various objects strewn about it.

A few shelves and tables littered with books and what seemed like a chemists alchemy setup. Mortars and ingredients in various spots. Even a few dead animals were hung from several hooks that were placed near a small fire pit. As the three ponies looked around the room they paused as the soft clip clop of hooves could be heard on the cobblestone floor.

"Quick, hide!" Star spoke out softly as the three of them looked around the room to find a spot to hide. Applebloom ducking into an empty barrel, Sweetie ducking behind the same barrel, while Star went around the edge of a tall shelf and pulled a weaved basket to in front of him to cover himself completely.

Within a few seconds an older looking pony walked quietly into the room, mumbling to himself as he went. Slowly walking toward a table, he pulled up a seat and sat down, his hooves working shakily as he pulled over a mortal and pedestal. The three ponies peeked out of their hiding spots as they heard a soft grinding and clicking as the pedestal pressed into the bowl, grinding the ingredients within to a fine powder.

This continued for a short time before the old pony got up, placing the ground powder into a small container and placing it on his back as he trotted over to the shelf that Starlight was currently hiding beside.

"Hmm, let's see now..." The old stallion spoke as he placed the small container onto the shelf, then turning and heading back out of the room, closing and locking the door behind him. The three ponies slowly moved from their hiding spots and toward the door the stallion had just gone through. They listened silently at the door, each taking a turn at looking through the key hole to see exactly what the old stallion was doing.

"What's he doing?" Sweetie whispered softly into Stars ear, making him tense up for a moment.

"I... I can't tell." He stuttered, pulling away from the door and letting the alabaster unicorn take a look.

On the other side of the door sat the stallion in an old armchair. Sweetie watched as he seemed to be eating something, but couldn't tell what.

"I think he's eating." She whispered, pulling away from the door to let Applebloom check.

As Applebloom peered through the key hole, the others could hear her give an audible gulp before pulling back with a look of horror on her face.

"AB, what's wrong?" Star asked as he began to peer through the keyhole once again only to halt as Applebloom put a hoof on his shoulder to halt him.

"He's eatin awright. He's eatin a.... rabbit." She finished as she quickly but quietly trotted over to the stairs and nodded for the others to follow her.

"No way...." Sweetiebelle stated in alarm before peering through the keyhole again, then turning green as she pulled away from it. She moving to the stairs as well. Star taking a moment to look through the key hole to see if his friends were telling the truth only to pull away and lurch onto the floor upon seeing the sight before him.

The sound of vomit hitting the floor along with the sound of lurching caused the two mares to gasp softly as a loud shuffle was heard in the other room.

"Is somepony there?" Shouted the stallion, causing the three to stiffen up. The soft clip clop of hooves approaching the door as the shadow from the stallion began to block out the light from the bottom it.

"Midnight, is this the area you were speaking of?" Celestia asked as they circled a large area above the Everfree Forest.

"Yea, let's land through that small opening." Midnight began only for three of Celestias Pegasus guard to bolt down and hover around the opening for a moment, then slowly making their decent through the canopy.

"You know I hate it when they do that, right?" Midnight groaned, hovering there for a moment. After a few seconds had passed by, a loud roar escaped the forest below, as well as some yelling. The other pegasi that were near the two Alicorns bolted through the canopy toward the yelling. Quickly followed by Midnight.

Once the gaggle of stallions had breached the canopy, all eyes lay onto the manticore that was currently holding one pegsus down while swiping at another that was attempting to impale it with a spear.

"ENOUGH!" shouted the dark Alicorn in the royal whee, halting all movement from the manticore and his attackers. The dark stallion strode silently toward the beast who moved from atop the guard he was currently holding down, then backing away slightly as he lowered his posture, read to pounce.

"Now then manticore, I know you can understand me." Midnight spoke out in a slightly annoyed tone, giving the beast the same glare he was getting from it.

The manticore growled softly as its posture became a little less threatening. It gave a loud snort of disapproval, knowing that the being before him held great power within him, and if threatened, could snuff his own life out in the blink of an eye.

"Good, now I have a few questions for you, and I would like for you to answer me honestly." The dark Alicorn smirked as his horn lit up and quickly sending a beam of energy at the Manticore who roared out in a panic as it hit him. The beast halted though as it quickly patted itself all over to make sure that everything was where it should be. Giving a sigh of relief, it turned its attention back to the Alicorn that had just shot him with magic.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!" He shouted out, pausing quickly as he flung his paws over his mouth in shock.

"PFFFT!" One of the guards let out a muffled laugh before putting on a stern expression once again.

"That was to make you you speak in the same language that we do. Don't worry, it'll wear off in about an hour." Midnight chuckled, only to make the manticore gawk slightly at him. "Now then, as I was saying before, I have a few questions." He began as he opened a small summoning portal and began to pull out some recent photos of the three foals that were apparently lost in the Everfree Forest.

"Have you seen any of these three ponies at any time today?" He asked as he floated them in front of the large cat like creature.

The manticore grumbled for a moment as it looked them over, then back to the Alicorn, waving a paw at the pictures to signal he had taken a good look.

"I have, and they would have been a good meal too had I caught them earlier." He snorted.

"Well then I guess it's a good thing you didn't catch them. Otherwise I'd have to kill you." Midnight growled back.

"Stop that this instant you two." Celestia spoke up in a slightly threatening tone, halting both of the males in their tracks.

"Dear manticore, I understand that you were hungry." She paused for a moment as the manticore spoke up again.

"I'm still hungry, and there are skim pickings in this region of the Everfree. Myself and several others have hunted the wildlife to near extinction. I was surprised to see any ponies in this area when those young ones came through. Considering..." He trailed off for a moment giving a sigh.

"Considering what?" Midnight asked, clearly curious.

"Considering most of this area of the forest has a barrier surrounding it, preventing any creatures from escaping once they've entered."

The group of ponies looked to one another in worry, Midnight nodding to two of the guard, giving them silent orders to head out of the canopy and away from their position to verify the manticores words.

"How far from here would you say the barrier is?" Midnight asked, cocking a brow slightly in concern.

"Maybe two hundred acres, I'm not sure. Most of my time is spent hunting to stay alive. Seeing as you're a pony, I doubt you would have anything edible to eat." He sighed slightly, pausing once again as Midnight trotted up to him, leaning down to speak softly to him.

"Listen, I know you think little of us ponies. However, I am not originally one of them."

The manticore pulled back slowly giving the Alicorn a questionable glance.

"Then what were you?"

"A human."

Giving a smirk the manticore chuckled softly. "I honestly have no idea what that is, but I do want to know what that has to do with me wanting something to eat."

"I just so happen to have a bit of hydra meat stored away in my little sash portal. If you'd be willing to show me where you lost the foals, I'd be willing to give it to you." The manticores eyes went wide as his maw began to slightly drool at the thought of some fresh hydra meat.

"Well, i can't say no to such an... appetizing offer." The manticore laughed as he flapped his wings and began to hover a few feet off the ground.

"Follow me, it isn't far from here." With that the manticore took off with the dark Alicorn in hot pursuit.

"I'll return shortly." Midnight shouted as he followed the manticore.

"You highness." A pegasus guard spoke up garnering her attention as he landed next to her. "The manticore was correct, there is a barrier surrounding this area. However, it only seems to affect beings other than ponies. We saw several creatures attempting to flee from seeing us. As they were running, they ran into some type of magical barrier. It is invisible to the naked eye, but our armor helps to barely pick it up when we are within a couple yards of it. On the outside though we were unable to see it. I suggest we vacate the area quickly once we find the prince and his companions. For their safety, and yours."

"Very well, but I want a scouting party to return here to check on this barrier and why it seems to be in the middle of the Everfree. For now though, let us check inside that abandoned house for the foals. I am sure that if they had run from this manticore, they may have sought refuge in there.

A few minutes passed by as some crunching was heard not far from the parties position. The guards all stood stock still while looking to the being that was currently walking up toward them.

"Your.... Highness?" One of the pegasus guards asked in slightly confusion upon seeing Charles walking up to them.

"I'm glad you remember what I look like. Otherwise I might be in trouble." He chuckled, walking toward a slightly stunned white Alicorn.

"Charles? What happened?" She asked seeing him shake his head and sigh.

"Opened my magic portal and pulled out a little gift for that manticore. Apparently this magical buffering field is hindering all magic use and our ability to make it. So don't use your magic unless you absolutely have to." He paused for a moment, waving a pegasus guard over to him. "May I?" he asked, pointing toward the guards lance.

"Yes, of course sire." He stated, letting the king take his lance.

"Alright, now I can protect myself without magic." He smirked as he waved the lance about, feeling its weight. "Did you two find out anything about the so called barrier that out over-sized feline friend told us about?"

After a quick explanation, Charles had been filled in on the barrier. Now however, they were heading into the house to check and see if their foals had indeed, hidden from their predator from earlier. What they would find inside however, would be something that none of them expected.