//------------------------------//
// The Hunt is on 
// Story: A New Begining 
// by Emeris Moonglade 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 4: The Hunt is on

Applejack paced back and forth across her front porch. She was still unsure about John, but she still thought about what Twilight had said earlier. She stopped pacing and began staring off into the night. Maybe she was right, maybe she was just worrying about nothing. Ah mean, Zecora wasn’t evil. Everypony thought she was somethin’ she wasn’t. She continued her pacing. “Ma, Pa, what do ah do?”
A twig snapped, Applejack gazed into the blanket of darkness. Then began to hear the faint trumpeting of hooves on the road, coming closer and closer. Her look of curiosity turned into one of confusion. It was Fluttershy, her golden coat glistened in the soft moonlight rays. She had the look of worry and fear painted in her features. She was panting heavily when she skidded to a halt, kicking up dust.
“Fluttershy?” AJ trotted down to her. “What wrong sugar?” 
“I-It’s Rarity.” She collapsed, strands of hair stuck to her forehead. “T-There were d-diamond dogs. The same ones.”
“Oh no.” she gaped at the at the blackness, hopping Rarity would come trotting up, saying she was alright. “Common, let’s get inside.” She helped Fluttershy up to her hooves, it was a struggle, but she managed, and led her inside. 
“I-I couldn’t help her.” She stammered. “There were s-so many. She told me t-to go get h-help. I h-hope Twilight and J-John are ok.” She stumbled into the main room and laid down on the leather couch. She began sobbing. “I should have stayed.”
“It wasn’t yer fault sugar. Ah’ll go get ya a drink.” Before she made it halfway to the kitchen the front door burst open, and standing in the doorway was John. Fluttershy jumped and hid behind the couch and AJ, startled began to get furious. But then she noticed the look on his face. It was the same as Fluttershy’s.
“What’s goin’ on?” she said slowly, “And where’s Twi?” He dropped to his knees and for the first time she notice blood staining his shirt. “You didn’t.” She backed away.
“Twilight was taken, by some things that call themselves diamond dogs.” He looked up at her, and saw the horror in her eyes. “Ah took down one of them, but...” his voice trailed off.
“But what?” she eyed him intently. 
“But they got away, ah tried ta follow, knock a couple more out in the process. But before ah could get to her they filled up their hole.” He got up, his fatigue instantly gone. How does he do that? She thought to herself. “Ah came back ta see if Rarity was gone too. Though seein’ she ain’t here, ah’m guessin’ they got her too.” He strode across the room to the coffee table and set his bag down. He put his guns down too but kept his sword. “Ah’m gonna track them down. If ah get lucky ah should be back in a couple days. Don’t let anyone touch mah stuff ya here.” And as soon as he came he left, shutting the door behind him.
“I hope he finds them.” Said Fluttershy as she sat back down on the couch. 
“You trust him?” AJ asked, her voice almost as emotionless as John’s. 
“Yes I trust him. He’s our new friend, he may not be yours but that doesn’t mean I can’t be his friend.” She sighed, “But what I don’t understand is why you don’t trust him. In the day he’s been here he has saved our lives and is about to save more. I just don’t understand.” AJ stared at her hooves, then at the door. Ya don’t know nothin’ ‘bout him.

~*~*~*~*~

The small mound of dirt still remained from when they were attacked. John crouched down, searching for some sort of clue that could lead him to them. His eyes scanned over the ground, but there was nothing that could tell him where they had gone. Ah suppose if ah used just a little ah could... What am ah thinkin’? Ah made a promise, an oath, not to ever use it again. But Twilight... He gave in, just a little wouldn’t hurt. He began slowly reaching for the ground but hesitated. Ah can’t do this. But you must. He place his palm on the cold ground, then it started. A trickle of black emanated from his skin, engulfing a small area of dirt around him. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Moments passed, and the inky blackness subsided. He opened his eyes, smiled, and uttered, “Ah’m commin’ fer ya.”

~*~*~*~*~

The iron bars clanked as the cell door closed on them. The cell was dank and wet, the splashes of dripping water echoed throughout the hollow room. Twilight and Rarity were underground, by the looks of it, under guard by two diamond dogs, one wearing pure golden breastplate and helmet, the other wearing nothing but wielding a spear.
“Excuse me...sir.” Rarity made her way toward the cell door. “But, are we going to go through this again. You know, I escaped once I can escape again, oh, with you, of course Twilight.” 
“You’re not getting out little pony.” Said the guard in the golden bordered armor. “This cavern is deep within’ the Everfree, and protected by ancient enchantments. And if that doesn’t stop them, we’ve got a couple hundred dogs down here. All from different parts of Equestria.” 
“But ancient spell and enchantments are banned, who knows what they’ll do.”
“Like what pretty pony, they’ll protect us.”
“You’re not going to get away with us. We already have one friend who”—she gulped—“killed, one of your dogs.”
“Oh, so that’s who killed Dirugby. You know, he was formally in charge, but since his death we had to rely on second in command. Berug.” Twilight scowled at him, then a radiant purple glow encompassed her horn and the lock on the door. 
The other dog chuckled, “You’re not going to break out. Remember, the enchantments.” He laughed again, it sent chills down both ponies spines. “First thing in the morning we go rock collecting, so you better rest up.” Rarity and Twilight scooted over to the far corner, they curled up into balls.
“It’s ok Twilight, they’ll get us out.” Rarity nudged Twilight with her snout.
“How could they, no one is able to undo the ancient spells. There’re even older the Princess Celestia herself, and the other gals aren’t unicorns, and posses no knowledge of spell or incantations.”
“They’ll try, and if they can’t break us out, we can’t blame them.” They scooted closer together, trying to contain body heat. “They’ll try their hardest to get us out.”

~*~*~*~*~

There was a sharp rap at the door. “Coming.” Called out Fluttershy’s harmonic voice. She trotted over to the door, then slowly opened it. It was John standing there, he looked just as tattered and dirty as yesterday. But this time he was smiling, it was only the barest of smiles but it was still a smile.
“Ah know where they are.” He walked inside and Fluttershy closed the door. “Ah’m gonna need some food, it’s at least a 2 day journey.”
“Where ever is this...um...if you don’t mind me asking?” she hid behind her mane.
“The Everfree.” She gasped and stared at him. “Where’s AJ? What, don’t tell, ah don’t wanna know.” Fluttershy gave him a confused look.
“Do you want us to come with you?” she asked eagerly, “I mean, for the company, and so we can help you.”
“Miss Fluttershy,” he said slowly, “do you know how ta fight? And are ya willin’ ta kill ta save yer friends?” he crouched down so he was eye level with her. “There are nearly two hundred diamond dogs in there, probably not willin’ to give up their prizes that easily. Their den is enchanted so nothing can get out unless given permission.” He sighed and stood back up. “Unless yer a master swordsman, than there’s no need fer ya ta go.” She began to whimper, “It’s alright, ah’ll get them back, ya can’t count on tomorrow, but ya can count on them comin’ back. If ya want ya can tell Applejack the situation, after ah’ve left.” 
He went to the kitchen for a few moment, then came out with a hand full of food, mainly apples though. After dumping the contents of his bag which was still sitting on the coffee table, out on to couch. He then began carefully placing the food in as so not to bruise the apples. When he was finished his slung his bag over his shoulder, then headed for the door, but paused before opening.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy, ah’ll get them back.” And he left, leaving her alone in the empty room. She fell back to her haunches. 
“I have faith.” Was all she said.
The path that they took yesterday to the Everfree seemed different in the dark. It had one of those qualities that unnerved people, or ponies, either one. The leaves whipped around with the sharp breeze that passed by. It seemed unnatural in a way. He had experienced something like that before, but he couldn’t remember when, all he knew was that there was going to be more, that was all he knew.
He kept an even pace, he jogged briskly, kicking up little dust and giving off little noise. He was a shadow in the night. Though he was cautious, he always kept his hand close to the hilt of his sword, you couldn’t be too careful. 
Several hours had gone by since he departed. The Everfree brier engulfed him in its depths. Ignoring the unseen dangers he pressed on. His feet were sore, and he thought they were blistering, but he ignored the pain. He would keep running until it was almost dark out. He had to get to the diamond dog’s lair as soon as possible. Beads of sweat coated his face, his shirt was drenched in both the humidity and the and sweat. It was just barely first light, he still had all day to go.
He stopped, “It never easy is it?” Before him stood a large canyon, a good twenty paces across, and deep, very deep. How was he going to make it across? Ah suppose if ah use it again ah could get across. No! Ah already used to much as it is. He searched his surrounding, looking for some way that he could cross. His sight then rested on a large tree. It was dead almost falling as it is. He walked over to it, examining it. There were few cracks in it, but it should hold his weight. No normal human could knock the tree over, yet he wasn’t normal. There were no ponies around to see him, it was safe. Just as long as ah don’t use it. 
He circled around behind it, so as the canyon was on the opposite side. He planted both feet firmly on the ground, bent his knees, then place both hands on the trunk. He did some practice breaths, than with the might of thirty men, he pushed. Some snaps and pops came from the base of the tree, but it held true. The tree began leaning further and further towards its destination, till finally, the old roots gave way and the entire thing fell, making a bridge across the gorge. Honestly, he didn’t think it would reach all the way to the other side.
There was a rustling in the trees. He ignored it, proceeding to cross the bridge he had just made. The rustling continued. He turned around and looked about, but nothing moved. Everything was still. “Ah better get across before mah curiosity gets the better of me.” Doing just that he advanced across the unstable log. Carefully placing his foot, he stepped onto he log. It creaked under his weight, but it would hold.
He was nearly across when he heard the rustling again. He knew there must be something in the trees.  No, he needed to focus, one wrong step and he would plummet, or be forced to use “it”. He kept his gaze on the log, he was almost across and it wouldn’t do make a slip up yet. Just a few more steps. He was across, he hopped down onto the ground. 
Ignoring what had just happened, he continued on to his unbearable pace. Still the rustling continued, following him through the trees. He’d have to take care of it later, right now he needed to get to Twilight and Rarity.
He had kept up the grueling pace just as before, he only ever stopped to eat and sleep. He had been running for days, but he still wouldn’t quit. The rustling continued to follow him, it was actually starting to annoy him. Though he kept on ignoring it. Nothing would stop him, he stopped.
He crouched down low and hid behind some underbrush. He had found it. The den of the damned creatures that had taken his friends. A few of them stood guard at the entrance, which was just an opening in the side of a cliff face. He had only one opportunity to get past the guards and break the enchantment. Thank goodness the others weren’t here to see. He would only use “it” one last time. Only once more, then ah’m done fer good. 
He stepped out from behind the bush, the diamond dogs spotted him, lowering their weapons at him. “Halt, you’re not allowed here. If you won’t leave, were just going to have to chop you into little pieces.” His eyes went wide. “Wait, you’re the one who killed Dirugby. He was the best of us.” They backed away slowly, their weapons shook in their grasp. “We won’t let you past.” His voice wavered a little. John unsheathed his sword and held it at his side.
“Yer gonna pay, at least in blood that is.” In one quick move he closed the distance between them and himself, flashing his sword across their torso. The sword pierced their armor with ease. Each fell within a second of each other, clutching their wounds to stop the bleeding. They lay on their sides, breathing heavily, they tried to form words but the blood filling their mouth prevented them from doing so. “Wait, what was that.” John leaned down closer to the diamond dogs mouth. “Please repeat that.”
He chuckled, then moaned. “You can’t get past the enchantment.” He coughed blood on the ground beside him. “Not even the Princess herself can break a spell like that.”
“Oh is that so?” John stood up and walked to the entrance of the den. He reshiethed his sword, he tried to walk through it, but a wave of red shot out waves, pushing him backward. “So it is protected.” He place both his hands on the surface of the barrier. One last time, that’s it. He sighed, then closed his eyes. Black tendrils of darkness shot out of his finger tips, encompassing the entrance of the den in an inky blackness. The barrier started to give way. It was a tough one, but it seemed almost familiar. Losing his concentration the barrier took control and knocked him backward, he landed on his back. He was confused, he had it, if only he would have stayed concentrated. But what was it about the barrier. He had seen, or at least felt it before.
Unfortunately he didn’t have time to take the barrier down quietly. Looking within himself he looked for the power he had used earlier. Black flames formed in the palms of his hands. Blackness crept up his arms and black wisps of smoke emanated from his person. He smiled, it felt good to use the power again, but he couldn’t he still made that promise to never use it again. Clapping his hands together, joining the two flames, a ray of pure dark energy shot out toward the barrier. Upon contact, barrier faded and sent debris high in the sky. It showered on him, but at least the barrier was now broken. He heard the faint shouts of hundreds of diamond dogs below. He walked through the entrance and into the caverns below.