The Hunter and the Hunted
Chapter 8:
After the final bell, Sunset attended a short meeting with the committee in charge of planning the upcoming summer dance. When she finally did leave the school she was surprised to see Hunter sitting on the brick wall that bordered the school grounds. He was staring at his phone and running his thumb over the screen repeatedly.
“Hey, Hunter!” She called as she started over to him.
Hunter looked over his shoulder, raising his legs and spinning around on the wall to face her. “If it isn’t the Pancetta Porcupine herself.” He said with a broad grin.
“How many more nicknames for me do you have?” Sunset asked with a curious smile.
“You’d be happier if I didn’t tell you.” He put his phone back in his pocket.
“Anything yet?” She hopped up beside him on the wall.
“No.” He shook his head. “That’s the thing about wild animals, they don’t keep schedules.”
Sunset looked back at the school. “So how was your first day back? You didn’t get called to the office so it must have been pretty good.”
He laughed and nodded slowly. “Yeah, it was. Which was a really odd feeling.”
“I’ll bet.” She chuckled.
Fluttershy’s car pulled up in the bus drop off zone. Rarity leaned out the passenger window and waved to them. “We’re here darling, ready to go?”
“Be right there.” Sunset called back. “We’re doing a movie and mini golf tonight, want to tag along?”
“That’s okay.” Hunter politely declined as they jumped down and walked over to the car. “I’ve got some work to do.” He opened the rear door for her and she slid in next to Applejack. “If I want to check in I’ll just use the satellite imaging.” He closed the door and patted the roof as he walked off.
As Fluttershy pulled away from the curb, Rarity twisted around and peered over the back of her seat. “He… was joking about the satellite, right?”
“I have no idea.” Sunset laughed as she put on her seatbelt.
They met the others at the theatre and were able to unwind as they took in the movie. By six o’clock they were teeing off on the mini golf course; at the fourth hole the girls stood idly by while Rainbow Dash went for her fourth, consecutive hole in one.
“Watch in awe, ladies.” She said as she pulled her club back. “Annnnnd boom!” She knocked the ball and it ricocheted through the first curve and rolled smoothly through the second, ultimately passing through the raised obstacles and moving down the green until falling into the cup. “Aw yeah!” She pumped her fist. “They’re going to have to make a new course because this one isn’t even a challenge anymore.”
“Awesome job, Rainbow!” Pinkie cheered.
“Yes, we’re very happy for you, darling.” Rarity dryly toned as she shooed her over to take her own shot.
“That jealousy I hear, Rarity?” Rainbow Dash snickered as she moved over to the sideline with Applejack and Twilight. “I can’t help it if I’m a champ at mini golf.”
“Sure that’ll come in real handy on your résumé.” Applejack poked her in the ribs with her club.
“Quit it.” Rainbow dash batted the club away as Twilight giggled at their back and forth.
The night carried on as the girls worked their way across the course. While Sunset waited her turn on the tenth hole, her phone began to buzz. Checking it she saw a message from Hunter; she immediately opened it and gasped at the information. “Hey!” Sunset called their attention. “I just got a message from Hunter, he got a hit at the theme park and he’s headed there now.”
“Oh my.” Fluttershy held her hand to her chest. “We need to get there and help him.”
“Most certainly, let’s get moving.” Rarity agreed.
“Hold on.” Rainbow Dash stopped her. “How are we supposed to get there? Twilight, Pinkie and I took the bus.”
“We’ll just have to make due with Fluttershy’s car.” Sunset concluded. “Hurry.”
Leaving their clubs on the course they sprinted back to the parking lot. The piled into Fluttershy’s modest car as best they could. Applejack sat in the back left with Rarity on her lap, Rainbow Dash sat in the back right with Twilight atop her and Pinkie was squished between them all. Sunset leapt in the passenger seat and as Fluttershy got in she began her usual pre drive check.
“It’s the dri…”
“Fluttershy.’ Sunset cut her off. “Monster, Equestria Land, now please.” She begged.
“Oh, right.” She nodded and sped out of the lot.
“Whoa.” Rarity struggled to steady herself as they took a turn. “Applejack dear, could you hold me a bit more securely.”
“If I hold you any tighter I’m gonna have to propose.” Applejack mumbled, her cheek pressed against Rarity’s back.
“Fluttershy.” Rainbow dash poked her head out from behind Twilight. “You might want to think about getting a bigger car.”
“Keep it down for a second.” Sunset rapidly waved her hand as she answered her phone. “Hunter? Yeah, we’re on our way.” She listened for a moment. “Okay, be there as quick as we can.” She pocketed her phone. “He said to go to the rear gate you were at before.”
“Got it.” Fluttershy nodded.
With some gentle encouragement from the peanut gallery, Fluttershy rushed them to the park grounds. As the car pulled into the lot they saw Hunter waiting by the rear wall. She parked close to him and the girls spilled out of the car.
“Ok, we’re…” Sunset paused as she saw Hunter. His casual wear was gone, replaced by a black, custom tailored ACU with carbon fiber reinforcement and steel toed boots. He held a caliber 13, compressed air dart gun in his hands and had a M17 modular side arm strapped to his right leg. A pair of flashbangs hung from his hip and an M11 EOD knife was holstered to his arm.
Hunter saw her surprised stare and offered a calming smile. “Hey, I don’t have magic so I need all this stuff”
“Sorry." She centered herself. "It's just easy to forget that you're actually a soldier."
“You do look pretty awesome though.” Rainbow Dash gave him the once over.
"Oh stop." He feigned embarrassment. "If you make me blush it'll ruin my camo."
“So is that ail-a-whatchamacallit in there?” Applejack asked.
“Yeah.” Hunter nodded. “It’s wandering the park near the boardwalk.”
“So what precisely is the plan?” Rarity inquired.
“Well, I’ve already incapacitated the security guards, so the goal is to put the big guy to sleep.” Hunter gestured with his tranquilizer gun. “We need to wear him down though so the darts can take effect, otherwise it’ll just burn through the sedatives. Normally that would be difficult, but I’m hoping your magic will give us the edge.”
“Alright, let’s get him.” Pinkie started for the gate.
“Slow down, G.I. Jellybean.” Hunter blocked her. “You need to be careful, this thing eats magic remember? As soon as you activate your abilities it’s going to target you. We can use that though, keep your distance and pull its focus in multiple directions. I’ll stay on top of it in close quarters.”
“Okay.” Sunset nodded and checked with the others who relayed their understanding of the tactics.
“Let’s move.” Hunter took point as they followed him into the park. Keeping low, they made a beeline for the boardwalk. As they neared the location, they could hear growls and chuffs bouncing off the steel of the silent rides. Entering the long hallway of games, they finally saw the beast as it investigated the ring toss booth. Standing near thirteen feet tall, the hulking mass of muscle and fur lumbered about. Its body resembled a bear but its movements were more akin to a gorilla’s. The creature’s head bore many similarities to a coyote, made all the more fierce by piercing orange eyes.
“He’s a lot bigger than I estimated.” Twilight whispered.
“I’m sure he’ll be flattered to hear that.” Hunter said as he pulled a flashbang from his side. “Cover your eyes.” He whipped the canister across the ground and at its feet; instinctively turning towards the sound, its curiosity was rewarded with a blinding light. Releasing an angry roar, the blinded animal began swiping at air. “Go!” Hunter ordered as he ran out; firing two darts into its chest to get the ball rolling.
As the creature’s sight returned, it zeroed in on Hunter and charged. Hunter ran at it and rolled between its legs as it clawed at him. A giant, diamond construct slammed into its side as it started to turn. Staggering back a few feet, the beast braced its claws on the barrier and began forcing it back.
“He’s so strong.” Rarity said as she pushed back for all she was worth.
“I gotcha covered.” Applejack ran to the strength tester and took up the sledge hammer. Magically enhancing her strength, she started to spin on her heels until launching the hammer like a bullet. It collided with one of the trunk-like legs and as it lost balance Rarity was able to force it to the ground. Hunter rose and fired three more darts into its flank before falling back. Further enraged, it went to all fours and targeted Rarity. The advance was interrupted by a barrage of baseballs fired from a pitching machine manned by Sunset and Fluttershy.
“Over here, ugly!” Sunset shouted, getting it to begin heading in their direction.
“Go for its eyes!” Hunter signaled to Pinkie Pie.
“Righty-o.” Pinkie ran alongside it and tossed some of her volatile confetti in its face. As it blew, the creature was blinded yet again and she somersaulted away as it furiously pounded the ground.
“I’ve got him!” Twilight used her magic to envelop the struggling animal, yanking as hard as she could she brought it to the ground once again. Hunter ran in and fired another three darts into its left arm. In a reflex action, its claw lashed out in response and slashed Hunter’s side; his clothes tore and he was sent careening across the ground.
“Hunter!” Sunset ran to his side and pulled him back, worriedly observing the trail of blood he was leaving on the ground.
Noticeably more sluggish, it started to rise again and pursue Hunter. “My turn!” Rainbow Dash ran over to the wall climb and snatched up the ropes; using her unmatched speed she wrapped the ropes around its arms and tied them together. “Aj!” She tossed the end of the rope to Applejack who engaged in an epic game of tug-o-war.
“H…here.” Hunter handed the dart gun to Sunset. “Keep on him.”
“Go, I’ve got him.” Fluttershy knelt beside Hunter.
“Right.” Sunset charged and began firing darts into its exposed side. Hunter watched it stumble towards the large junction box that distributed power to the boardwalk. He pulled the firearm from his leg and fired at the main line that fed into the box; it severed and went limp over the beast’s shoulder.
“Hit the primary breaker!” Hunter pointed to the nearby control.
“Right.” Twilight ran over and pulled the red lever. A massive surge of electricity was sent through the weary animal, it let out a pained roar and collapsed in a smoking heap. Twilight shut the electricity off again and everyone held their breath in hopes that the battle was over. The exhausted creature's head rolled to the side, its eyes glazed over and its breathing became rhythmic.
"We got him!" Pinkie jumped in celebration.
"Nice." Rainbow Dash high fived Rarity.
"Girls!" Fluttershy called them over.
“Hunter.” Sunset ran back to them with the others at her heels.
“We need to call an ambulance immediately.” Twilight reached for her phone.
“No.” Hunter shook his head. “I’m fine, you need to get out of here.”
“We’re not going to leave you like this.” Fluttershy refuted.
“You have to.” He grabbed his side and struggled to his feet. “I have to call the extraction team and you can’t be here when they arrive. I’ll contact you later.”
“Alright.” Sunset nodded reluctantly.
“Hey, that was some impressive work.” He smiled. “Good job.” He balanced himself on the wall of a booth as the girls ran back towards the parking lot. Once he was sure they were far enough away, he pulled out his phone and put in the call.