//------------------------------// // Chapter 37 - Seperated // Story: Wherever the Light Shines: Part 2 // by MLPSolarDash1907 //------------------------------// The morning sun crept up as Sunset walked through a bit of a swampy area. The unicorn stayed away from the river banks due to spotting some crocodiles. She noticed that the environment is getting drier. She spots some acacia trees that led into more of an open area with green grass, red rocks, and dirt in various places. Sunset’s eyes lit up at the sight of it, happy to be in a more open landscape instead of that thick rainforest. Sunset shuddered, and tried to omit the memories of walking through the blackened rainforest, in torrential rain, and continuously calling out for her friends, never knowing if danger was right around the corner. The unicorn wiped the sweat from her brow. She didn’t know how long they’d been carried along with the flash flood. It felt as if it would never end. They did their best to stay together, only for the flood to send another wave “I need to find my friends,” she muttered. She gazed at her surroundings and spotted a plateau in the distance. She made that her destination to go because if she could get a better vantage point, she might be able to spot them. Rainbow Dash laid on her back in the small cave she and Rarity had taken shelter in. The pegasus was sore from being pushed around by that flood. You couldn’t reach both Sunset and Pinkie because you had to crash into a tree! Rainbow winced, the memory of landing in some thistle bushes never left. Rainbow looked at the bandages on her forelegs, amazed that Rarity has some medical knowledge and experience. “Oh, dirt! Stupid, horrid dirt!” Rarity shrieked. Rainbow smirked, “You might want to see about the thing on your head.” “Good Celestia! This place is not my kind of place!” Rarity stated, stepping onto dry grass. A little annoyed that she didn't hear her, Rainbow repeated the question. “Oh, and what about that thing on your head?” “Thing?! What thing?!” Rarity panicked, “Is it a spider?!” “Oh, maybe it’s just you with your drama crown on,” Rainbow chuckled. “What?! I...” Rarity stopped and glared at Rainbow. Rainbow laughed, “Oh, Rarity!” “That’s not funny, Rainbow Dash!” “I sure as hay thought it was!” Rainbow giggled. “I’m still in my mindset that I’m supposed to look fabulous because of you know what! How dare you!” Rarity stomped her hoof, not caring about the dirt kicking into the air. “You shouldn’t have told your friends about your process,” Rainbow winked. “I am seeing why I shouldn’t have!” Rainbow cleared her throat, standing up. She took a few steps out onto the dry grass and gazed out. From what she can tell, they’re in a semi-arid climate, surrounded by shrubs, smaller trees, and golden grass. She gazed to her right to see more of the same stuff leading out to an open savanna with tall, waving golden grass. The sky is beginning to clear and the sun’s rays streamed onto the grass. “Rainbow, darling!” Rarity cried. Rainbow inwardly groaned, “What Rarity?” “I think we need to start making a plan to get back to the others!” “What do you think I’ve been trying to do?” “What? Make fun of me and looking out onto the landscape? Yeah, I think you are helping!” Rarity spoke in sarcasm. Rainbow gave her a smug look, “I can multitask.” “Wh-” Rarity’s eyes popped wide open, “Was that another shot?!” “Maaaayyybeeee,” Rainbow smirked before she began hovering in the air. “Where’re you going?!” “I’m gonna take a quick look around. See if I can spot Pinkie and Sunset,” said Rainbow, getting a determined look. “You’re not gonna leave me here, are you?” Rarity asked in slight nervousness, not wanting to face this dangerous place alone. “Of course not,” Rainbow replied, “I’ll be close by! Stay here and don’t let anything jump out!” Leaving Rarity, Rainbow bolted off to the sky, ignoring the pain she has around her torso and her legs. She flew higher and higher until she came to a stop. She breathed in and began scanning the environment. “Whoa,” her eyes widened. Now in the air, she’s seeing a beautiful golden savanna, she also saw luscious trees in the distance, the river they were on, and mountains far off in the distance. She took in her surroundings as she flew. She turned around and looked back to see the thick rainforest they’d come from, which led into the swampy areas and into the semi-arid climate they’re in now. She flew higher in the air, wanting a better vantage point. Turning away from the rainforest, her eyes widened, and she’s that the land of Oogundaa isn’t all flat savanna as she’d assumed when they were in the rainforest, it’s got uneven terrain, steep hills, some chasms, and plateaus. It looked as if you weren’t careful, you could easily get lost in the seemingly endless wilderness. Some smaller forests were in the distance, trees scattered in and around the savanna. She gazed to the north, seeing an even thicker rainforest. She remembered Twilight telling her not to go to the north, but she believes it’s something that unicorn told her. She brushed it off and continued to fly, somewhat to the north, after all the river is going this direction a bit. Pinkie was hopping along the open plains, humming a merry tune to herself. “La la la la la!” she sang, “Gosh I wish I could’ve enjoyed my swim more, but I should really look for my friends and hold a flash flood pool party back home!” After being washed away, Pinkie bounced throughout the night looking for her friends. She didn’t know exactly where she is, but how could she be scared when she has faith in her friends? “This place isn’t so bad! Maybe a little brutal, but seems as if it could use a little improvement with some,” she began zipping around the area’s she’s in, “Balloons! Streamers!” She hung up balloons and streamers, “A pinata! And some cupcakes!” She giggled, “While I’m at it, I can spread a little cheer as I look for my friends!” She began bouncing along, tossing around some confetti with every hop as wild dogs observed her invading their area. They began to growl. Meanwhile, Twilight and Applejack have been discussing what the plan will be but they haven’t been able to agree with how the plan should go. Twilight and Applejack glanced over, shook their heads, and looked back at each other. “So, we’ll head west and find our friends,” said Applejack, “That way we can get back on track. “I know,” said Twilight, holding her head, “But we need to find Starlight, that’s our top priority.” “What about our friends?” Applejack asked skeptically. “We’ll find them, we always do,” said Twilight, “But Starlight is more vulnerable out here.” “We can’t just ignore our friends, Twi!” “We’re not ignoring them; we just need to get our priorities straight!” “Priorities?!” Applejack said, aghast, “Our main priority is to get back together!” “Applejack, we’ve been through so much lately, and it’s up to us to put the pieces of this chain of disasters happening lately!” said Twilight. “Ah ain’t ignoring it! Ah’m jus’ saying to...” “Sunset is strong!” Twilight reasoned, “She’ll find a way to get back to us!” “What if she’s injured, Twi? What if she can’t use magic?” “She isn’t!” “How do ya know?!” “Because I know Sunset! She’s capable and strong!” “And Starlight isn’t?!” “Of course, she is!” Twilight got right into the farmer’s face, full-on glaring. “She a meltdown with Sunburst and vanishes without a trace?!” “She’s got more magical experience than Sunset! We know where she’s been!” “Sunset and her friends face dangers there! She tells me all the time!” “Twilight, Ah know yer worried about Starlight, but not finding our friends is not the way to go.” “We don’t know where they are! Neither do we know where Starlight is!” “We’re obviously closer to them!” “Girls...” Fluttershy said, trying to get them to stop arguing. “We’ve been in tight situations before! We’ll get through this!” “We do it together!” Applejack snapped, prodding Twilight in the chest, “Rarity and Pinkie are probably shaken up by now!” “Oh, you don’t think they can get back to us?” “Ah never said that!” “Girls!” Fluttershy shouted. “Oh, you don’t think they can handle themselves when all they’ve got is their party cannons and makeup?!” Twilight bellowed, “Just because they’re not as strong Sunset, doesn’t make them weak!” “Quit talking about our friends like that!” Applejack roared. “Girls! Stop!” Fluttershy pushed them apart, but they were not phased. “Cannit!” Applejack scolded, causing Fluttershy to step back wincing. “Cut me some slack, AJ!” Twilight demanded, “I’m so stressed that I can barely think straight!” “Exactly! Yer jus’ too focused on one thing!” “I am not!” “Are so!” “Uuuuggh! Just somehow get us to find Starlight and our friends if it’ll make you happy!” Twilight began stomping away angrily, having enough of this, “And leave me alone while I collect my thoughts!” “Fine!” Fluttershy rubbed her temples and spotted Mystic had walked down from the hill and is heading over to one facing south. Mystic looked at Twilight walking away and Applejack with an aggravated look on her face before locking eyes with Fluttershy grinned sheepishly. Fluttershy grinned sheepishly. “They’re... just working out things?” she offered weakly. “Whatever you say,” Mystic deadpanned. Fluttershy watched Mystic leave before facehoofing. “Really Fluttershy? Really?” she berated herself. “Woof!” Sunset panted, reaching the peak of the plateau, “Man, I need to work out more.” She breathed in and out, regaining her composure. She gazed around to see the hilly savanna. She had a 360-degree view of a wide area. She squinted her eyes, turning very slowly to spot anypony, but only seeing the local citizens beginning to wander around. She searched hard but didn’t see any signs of her friends. “I guess it was a bit of a long shot,” she said, drooping her head in slight defeat. However, she’s not deterred, picking her head back up, she said, “I guess it’s time for another flare.” Sunset closed her eyes, lighting up her horn. She felt magic surge through it before she shot a beam into the sky. Mystic, getting her bearings is still facing south. She knew the cape buffalo love to make their home down that way, but roam the land as if they own it. The chief there is very territorial but the lions have kept him at bay back in the wetlands. He shouldn’t be a problem if they stay out of there. Twilight is hovering in the air, looking in the same direction as Mystic while Applejack and Fluttershy worked together to get necessities for their trip. Everypony she failed to notice a magic flare rise high in the air. It fizzled out just as Twilight and Mystic turned around. “All right, everypony,” said Mystic, “Are you all ready?” “I’m ready,” said Fluttershy, packing up some grass they can munch on later. “I am,” said Twilight, “I still can’t believe we haven’t found Starlight!” “And your other friend too, Princess,” said Mystic, walking down the hill. “Right, right,” Twilight tapped her forehead. Applejack looked anxious and ready to move, not wanting to waste any more time or being separated for too long. “The citizens will be moving in their routines as the sun continues to rise,” said Mystic. “So Mystic,” said Applejack, “Now that we’re here, is there any specific route we need ta follow?” “Nope,” said Mystic, “I’m finished leading.” “Right,” said Twilight, “You told me that you’d stop leading. So, we deterred to head west for now.” “It’s pretty much just a guessing game as to where your friend will be,” replied Mystic, “I will provide info if you ask and when it’s needed, but be warned,” she gave them a serious look, “Not even I know everything about this land. Stay on guard at all times.” “We know the dangers of the Pride at least,” said Fluttershy. “That’s why I advise we stay close,” said Mystic, “We can spread out a little bit because of the open spaces, but don’t wander off.” She began walking forward and the others followed. Walking in shorter grass leading to the open savanna, “Mystic, I’ve been meaning to ask, but are there any villages or towns in Oogundaa?” Fluttershy asked curiously. “I have seen village remains, and there are a few around, but to my knowledge, they don’t last very long,” replied Mystic. “Because of the hostility of the citizens and animal attacks,” said Applejack. “Right.” “Why do citizens here even continue to fight? I know this isn’t like any other place we’ve ever been,” said Twilight. “I recall that they wander the land and fend for themselves,” said Fluttershy, “But for what? Freedom?” “That kind of freedom doesn’t sound like the freedom I’d want,” said Applejack. “Me either,” said Twilight, “If Mystic is right about villages being run down or destroyed, then it means citizens keep trying to ensure things for themselves.” “Ah wonder if it was like that fer ponies back in Equestria,” Applejack wondered. “I don’t know about that,” said Fluttershy, “We might’ve hated one another, but I don’t think we’d be like all this.” “But they did fight and caused the windigoes to descend upon them.” “They had civilizations though, there doesn’t seem to be much if any here.” “Freedom is great, but we need to keep everything in an orderly fashion for everycreature or it’d be chaos,” said Twilight. “Of course, Discord wouldn’t have a problem with that,” Applejack bluntly stated. “He likes to have chaotic fun, not cause chaos in malicious ways,” said Fluttershy. “But the point is, it’s dangerous for them ta try an’ pursue freedom like this.” “Creatures do all kinds of things for freedom,” said Mystic, “Even when it doesn’t seem right to others.” “But just taking out those in yer way just isn’t right.” “Exactly what I just stated.” “I know you don’t like hearing it, Mystic, but we could do something to help this land,” said Twilight. “I’d cut my losses, Princess. It’s a land long gone,” Mystic stated bluntly. Twilight’s eye twitched, and again with the “lost cause” stuff. “Mystic, you might not get it now, but friendship is truly a wonderful feat as many come to know. It’s a privilege, a real gift for those. It can even bring the most unlikely allies like the changelings and dragons as you’ve seen back at the School.” Mystic sighed, having an “I’m tired of this” look on her face. “I know I’m not in the proper place to demonstrate friendship, or am I truly able to think straight with everything going on, but I promise you, it is truly magic.” “That’s nice, Princess,” said Mystic, “But for now, we need to keep pressing on.” “Please just try to accept it someday. It gains you great freedom with others.” “I am free, Princess. I am to keep it that way.” With that, Mystic just closed everypony off from her again, the mare seems impenetrable, she’s tired of them insisting their worldviews onto hers with the same content over and over when she’s made it clear that stuff won’t work here. “Let’s get back to finding Starlight,” Twilight simply stated. “What about the others?!” Applejack demanded. “I am worried about them!” Twilight cried, suddenly changing her attitude. “Y’all don’t act like it!” “Can we please stop getting at one another’s throats, please?!” Fluttershy screamed, fed up with the situation. Twilight and Applejack glanced at one another, then at Fluttershy, back at one another, snarled and looked away from one another. Fluttershy frowned, she tried to keep her friends from arguing, yet she couldn’t break them up. She hated them like that. Glancing at Mystic, the unicorn just had a neutral look, slightly angering Fluttershy because she doesn’t seem to care so much. Rainbow was unable to spot Pinkie or any of her friends. She did fly north a bit and hasn’t seen anything dangerous. She gazed at the thicker rainforest Its greenery is truly impressive, almost a jade color. She gazed back in the direction she’d come from, spotting the hilly savanna. She began to realize just how dynamic the landscape is for Oogundaa. Suddenly remembering something, her eyes widened in horror. “Oh, shoot!” she exclaimed, “I probably wandered too far from Rarity!” She made a beeline back to where she’d left Rarity. However, she failed to notice that vultures have seen her and began flying back to the mountains in the far distance. “La la la la la!” Pinkie continued to sing, she hopped along the ground, avoiding a ton of Driver ants making tunnels. But they shouldn’t be concerned, since the African wild dogs are closing the distance. Even though she’s separated from her friends, she does do her best to keep herself happy and hopeful. After all, they’re capable! They’re strong and can always find their way back to one another! “Gosh, I wonder what kind of wildlife would love to make friends someday,” she wondered as she hopped along, “They might be meanie pants and probably been for a super-duper long time, but I believe I can spread a little cheer once I find my friends!” A wild dog lunged at her, but Pinkie jumped higher, avoiding him. “And while the dogs closing in on me are trying to get me, I don’t mind moving a little faster or jumping higher to play the game of tag! Hee hee hee hee!” She heard barking behind her, she looked back and saw five wild dogs running right at her! “Eeeee! Hee hee hee! Catch me if you can!” Pinkie leaped off the ground and began leaping from tree to tree, going “Boingy! Boingy! Boingy!” The dogs continued to chase her. “You can’t catch me!” Pinkie sang before landing on the ground. The dogs caught up to her, lunged at her, but she ducked right under them, causing them to crash into a ditch. “You’ve gotta be faster than that!” The lead dog got back up and charged, his mouth slightly foaming, Pinkie giggled and sang “Too slow!” before throwing a party grenade at him, exploding in front of him, sending confetti flying everywhere. Stunned, the dog stood there with a blackened face and wide eyes, watching Pinkie jump across a small chasm and wave from the other side as if she weren’t in any danger. Rainbow landed firmly on her hooves, looking around vigorously, “Rarity?! Rarity, are you around here?!” She didn’t see her; Rainbow’s heart began hammering. Did she go too far? Why isn’t Rarity around? She began trotting and stepped into an impression in the dirt. Looking down, it was rather large. Looking to her right, it continued looking as if a large animal had slowly approached something and then began charging. Eyes widening in horror, Rainbow took off in the direction of the trail, “Rarity!” She followed the trail, panting and heart racing faster. “Gah! Get back and stay back you awful beasts!” a voice squealed. “Rarity!” Rainbow called, spotting the unicorn’s purple mane in the tall grass. “Rainbow?! Is that you?!” Rainbow landed in front of her, “Are you okay?!” “Look out!!” Rarity shrieked. Rainbow whirled around- To find a huge crocodile lunging right at her, its mouth wide open. Rainbow screamed before falling onto her back, instinctively sticking her hooves out onto the crocodile’s mouth, stopping it from snapping its jaws right into her torso. Rainbow struggled against its powerful jaws, feeling as if they could snap onto her at any minute. “Get...back...you monster!” she strained, sweat pouring down her forehead as she slowly slid along the muddy ground. “Back! Back!” Rarity shrieked, firing some magic at the crocodile. The crocodile winced, and Rainbow took the moment to shift, get her hooves out of its mouth and kick it in the chin. It stunned the crocodile and Rainbow did a backward roll away from it. She grabbed Rarity as it began charging again. Another hiss came from behind them. Rarity shrieked, “The second one!” Rainbow gasped in horror, looked to her right and spotted the second crocodile, both had looks in their eyes to kill and eat. A second hiss came from behind them. “Oh, this is just ridiculous!” Rainbow shouted. The pegasus grabbed Rarity and shot into the air just before the first crocodile lunged. Now safe in the air, Rarity and Rainbow looked down to see the crocodiles hissing angrily at one another. Then two of them lunged and began fighting, clawing and biting each other. The second one bit down on the first crocodile and soon it became a war between the three crocs. Rarity and Rainbow had horrified looks as they fought. “Let’s get out of here,” said Rainbow. “Let’s,” said Rarity. Rainbow looked around and spotted a rock outcropping they could land on. She flew over, holding Rarity tight so she wouldn’t fall. She set her down and the unicorn began examining her bag’s contents to ensure they have their supplies. “Didn’t I tell you to stay put?!” Rainbow chastised. Rarity looked at her, wide-eyed, “Well, yes, but I went to get water for us...” “You went to a riverbank?!” Rainbow scolded, “Who knows what’s down there?!” “Give me a break! I was thirsty!” Rainbow knew she and Rarity were yelling out of concern, love, and stress because of being separated from the ponies they love. When they are separated, they just don’t feel as strong when they’re together. “Then why didn’t you call out to me?!” Rainbow demanded. “I did when those notorious beasts jumped out!” “Well, I didn’t hear you!” “I was shrieking dramatic like I always do!” Rarity paused, “Oh, you went too far!” “No, I did not!” “Oh, shut up!” Rarity scolded, “You’re starting to sound like Mystic!” Rainbow’s eyes widened and nostrils flared, “Don’t you dare compare me to that ghastly unicorn!” She let out a shout, “Honestly, unicorns can be so difficult and stuck up!” “I beg your pardon?!” Rarity seethed. Rainbow blinked, “I-I mean you’re awesome but-“ “But! But! But!” Rarity held up a hoof, “Honestly, some of you pegasi can be rather rude, other than pegasi like Fluttershy!” She “hmphed” sticking her nose up at Rainbow, and began trotting away. “That wasn’t a reason to shoot an insult at me again!” Rainbow protested. Rarity didn’t answer, she just kept going, soon followed by an annoyed pegasus. Outside of Clawdius’ Palace, vultures landed on a wooden perch, spotting several lions in armor. One let out a cry that alerted some nearby patrollers. They came to a stop. “Scout? You’ve come back with some intel?” one of them asked. “Intruders in Oogundaa!” the lead vulture screeched, “Ponies!” The lions’ eyes widened and looked at one another. The first one took off and ran through the kingdom to deliver a message to the Captain, then the Captain began running to the Palace. Soon, he arrived and spotted Leandra walking down the Palace’s stairs. “Madam Leandra! Madam Leandra!” he cried. “What is it?!” Leandra snapped, “This had better be very important!” “It is, Madam!” said the Captain, coming to a stop at the base of the stairs, “There has been a rainbow hair pegasus spotted along with some other ponies in the land of Oogundaa!” “What?!” Leandra cried, taken aback. “Yeah! We need to do something about them!” Leandra growled, remembering how she and her army faced a humiliating defeat and the death of their beloved General Amra. “I will let the King know about this right away,” she said, “Get our troops ready and set out. Our elite troops will remain here in case the others failed.” “Yes ma’am!” “I’ll be joining you, and if you see any orange pony with black hair,” she growled deeply, her lips curling up, “She is mine. No exceptions.” “Yes ma’am!” The Captain bolted off. “I will avenge you, my love,” she growled to herself before walking back up the stairs. The next few hours saw everypony in different scenarios. Twilight and company devised a plan to look high, low, and cover a good distance. Twilight took to the air and tried to spot the lost party, only to be met with beautiful views of the savanna, spotting some giraffes and elephants not too far away. Applejack covered most of the groundwork, staying in open terrain and avoiding the tall grass to keep...uh, oh, some puff adders later tried to bite her, only for her to avoid them and run off. Mystic scared off any smaller predators that came close by, including a pack of jackals that wanted the ponies for lunch. As they ran, they didn’t speak, but yiped and yelped in fear of the fierce unicorn. She’s somewhat annoyed because Applejack and Twilight aren’t being too careful without drawing some attention to themselves with the Pride in mind, but she later figured that eight ponies scurrying around the savannas would stick out like sore hooves. They will soon have fights on their hooves. Fluttershy discovered or figured out that there are animals that can speak and talk like them, but some that do not and act like any other animals. The jackals were an example. She knows that there are species back in familiar regions do, like Capper, who’s a cat and Opalescence, there were fish in Klugetown that talked while in Equestria there are just regular fish that don’t talk. She figured that it was like that, but Oogundaa makes them stand out even more. It’s a strange design, but it’s fascinating to her. Rarity and Rainbow Dash watched a gazelle herd leap across the plains, some of them were larger and spoke to one another, meaning they saw the difference between speaking and non-speaking animals in the lands. Then zebras approached and some began bullying the gazelles away, talking how weak and pathetic they were, more racism issues emerged. Pinkie doesn’t know how long she’s been hopping but has been mostly doing it to keep herself cheerful, optimistic, and hopeful they will pull off this mission. “We’ve been in stickier situations before, haven’t we everypony?” she asked to nopony in particular. “What do you mean, you’re here, aren’t you?” Anyway, moving on, Pinkie has been keeping a close eye out for her friends but hasn’t been able to find them. She’s spotted all kinds of trees, bushes, scrubs, and a weak, old, log bridge across a chasm that she bounced across, the log not breaking under her weight. “Oh, it’s just been so much fun even though this place is supposed to be dangerous!” Pinkie exclaimed, Hey, I’m telling the story! “Oh, sorry!” Pinkie apologized, “Please continue to tell!” Yes! Thank you very much! “You’re welcome!” Pinkie, quit arguing with me, the narrator! “I’m not!” Pinkie giggled. Ugh! Anyway, Pinkie’s had a lot on her mind despite finding her friends being the main objective. She has a lot of faith in her friends and that they’re doing their best to find her. Pinkie noticed that she’s coming upon a thick tree trunk with a sign on it, smelling a very odd, gross odor, but she didn’t pay it mind. She continued past it and noticed that the land has some ponds, rock formations that seemed hoof built. One looked to be of an animal with a horn on its snout, and there seemed to be wooden structures in the distance. “Oooohhh! A village?!” she squealed. She continued to hop, but she recalled Mystic’s words about Oogundaa’s citizens. She stopped hopping and knew she probably wandered into somewhere she’s not supposed to be. But she smiled again, she would just be passing through! She began hopping along again and made it about 200 feet before noticing something. Several large, heavy light-colored creatures with thick skin, large horns above their snouts. She blinked, “Rhinos?” Getting a bit closer, they are rhinos! They look so impressive and wilder than ones she’s heard of back in Equestria. She giggled, happy to see them, but probably should respect them and get moving as soon as she can. “Who are you?” a loud voice called out. Pinkie quit hopping as her eyes flew open. She whirled around to see a darker rhino having a defensive look on his face. “Oooh! I’m sorry!” Pinkie apologized, “I was just passing through!” “What are you doing here?” the rhino grunted, “You should not be here.” “I’m not staying here long; I’m just looking for my friends!” Pinkie beamed. “What are you?” the rhino squinted his eyes, trying to get a good look at Pinkie. “What’s going on here?” said another voice, Pinkie spotted a few more rhinos approaching, defensive looks on their faces. “Eee hee hee! Silly rhinos, I’m a pony! Haven’t you heard of ponies?” Pinkie giggled. “A po-nay?” a third rhino asked, “You seem alien.” “No, I’m no alien! Me and my friends got separated and I’ve been looking for them throughout the night and today!” The first rhino leaned forward a bit, “You don’t seem scared. You should be.” “Oh, I’m not scared! I know my friends and I can find each other again! We’re connected like icing on a cupcake! Or cement and bricks! Or sticky sticky sap!” The rhinos looked at each other with confused looks. “What do you make of this foreign, strange creature?” the first rhino asked. “I don’t know,” said a fourth rhino, “But she should not be here.” The first rhino looked at her, “You need to leave this land at once! This is sacred land!” “Oh, land is just land!” Pinkie laughed, “Anypony can trot along it!” The rhino’s eyes flared, “Pardon me?” “I mean, Equestria is home to a bunch of ponies with their own land but they let others come across it!” “Get out of here!” the rhino lunged, trying to poke Pinkie, but she jumped to the side. “Oh, there’s no biggie, Rhinos! I’m gonna leave!” The first rhino turned around, “Get out!” He charged at Pinkie, but the party pony avoided him. Pinkie began hopping along, away from the rhinos. “Go back the way you came!” a second rhino demanded. “I’ve already searched that way! No point! I’ll be in and out!” The first rhino began running after again, followed by the other rhinos, all had angry looks. “Our territory spreads for miles you little fool! Get out before we hunt you down!” Pinkie yelped as the rhino caught up to her. The rhino charged right into her. Or so he thought, Pinkie was on top of his back. “She’s on top of you!” one of the rhinos shouted. “What?!” Pinkie came eye-to-eye with him upside down, surprising him. He screeched to a stop, sending the mare flying off his back. She landed on her hooves and bolted away. “Got to go rhinos! Great land you have!!” She was gone like a bullet, surprising and angering the rhinos even more. “Get back to the Chief!” the first one shouted, “He’ll want to know of this pony!” “And of her friends! There are more out there if she mentioned friends!” another added. “Indeed! Move rhinos!” “I’ve been wandering for hours!” Sunset complained, she’s frustrated nopony had spotted her flare. How had they missed it?! She’s been climbing the plateaus and hills to see if she could spot her friends, but no such luck has befallen the bacon headed unicorn. She would send more out, but she’s been trying to preserve her magic because she’s had to defend herself from spotted hyenas, a leopard, and some aggressive monitor lizards. Mystic was right, this place is hostile! She hasn’t been able to seek any kind of help from anycreature here. She does believe in the magic of friendship, but she’s not seeing how it could help anycreature at this time. She sat down on a ledge overlooking a flatter part of the savanna, she began using her magic to cool herself down. “Shoot, and I thought Canterlot High’s gym could get hot,” she said. She’s growing worried and desperate. Were her friends captured and bound? Is that why they haven’t found her yet? She’s been assuring herself over and over again, but surely, they’d find one another already, right? Some small rocks tumbled down from her right. She perked up and whirled to look, thinking it was danger, but instead, she spotted, overlooking the savanna, a tall grey antelope with stripes going down its back with majestic curved horns. She recognized it as a kudu, a Lesser Kudu, smaller than its larger twin, the Greater Kudu. Every other animal seemed hostile, but this one looked friendlier. However, don’t trust looks, they can be deceiving. Not wanting to bother him, Sunset slowly stood up, but accidentally knocked aside a small rock, causing the kudu to perk up. Sunset gasped lightly before he looked at her. They widened when he laid eyes on Sunset. “A pony?” he asked, tilting his head curiously. “I don’t mean to intrude,” Sunset said softly, trying not to scare him. “You can talk?” the kudu asked, surprised. “I... of course I can talk.” Sunset took a tender step forward. “Wow, how interesting,” the kudu’s eyes lit up with fascination and interest. Sunset’s gaze darted to the left and right, feeling awkward. “I’ve never seen a pony in these parts before,” said the kudu, sitting down, “Sometimes I wondered if they were legends.” “Legends?” Sunset scoffed, smirking, “No, but our magic can be.” “Magic?” the kudu gasped, “You have magic?” “Yes?” “Oh, this is awesome!” he said, standing up, trotting in place a bit, “I thought we kudus were the only ones!” Then his demeanor turned serious, “Aside from others here in this Holy forsaken place.” Not bothering to ask why Sunset decided to say something else, “I would believe ponies were a bit of a legend around here since we’ve almost never come here.” “That’s why it’s so fascinating to see one in real life!” the kudu beamed, “I am Amare, scout for the Chief and one who helps build things around the Tribe.” Deciding to be courteous, Sunset spoke and extended a hoof, “I’m Sunset Shimmer,” said Sunset, “Nice to meet you.” Amare raised a curious eyebrow, but he just shrugged and nodded, “Nice to meet you as well. And that name of yours,” he smiled, “That’s unlike anything I’ve heard before.” Sunset giggled awkwardly, “Well, it’s just a name back home.” The kudu smirked, gaining a bit of a devious look, “You know...my Tribe could possibly learn so much from you.” “Really?” “Yes, provided if you’d love to visit.” “I’d love to, but I can’t,” said Sunset, looking around. “Aw, why not?” the kudu frowned. Sunset looked at him in the eye, not trusting him much, “I’ve got to keep some details discreet; I don’t know who he is.” “My friends and are on a mission looking for some other friends of ours that came out here after an argument they’d had,” said Sunset. “You’ve got others out here?” Amare’s eyes lit up. “Yes, but my friends and I got caught in a flash flood in the rainforest to the east and were separated. That’s why I can’t visit.” “Oh my,” said Amare, frowning again, “That’s terrible.” “I know,” Sunset sighed. Amare began thinking again, believing this mare can be a real opportunity for his village and give them a real advantage. “Hey, how about I make you a deal?” Amare smiled. “A deal?” Sunset inquired. “My tribe is good at finding their targets and they’d love a chance to find your friends.” “You’d help me find them?” Sunset’s eyes lit up with hope. “Yes,” Amare’s smile grew, “I believe it’d be beneficial for both of our kinds to get to know one another more.” Sunset isn’t fully convinced that he’s on her side, but if he could help her get her friends back, it’d make things easier. “What’s in it for you?” she asked suspiciously, thinking this was probably too good to be true. “Nothing, it’s just somekudu looking out for others.” Sunset didn’t buy it, she recalls what they’d gone through already in Oogundaa, she did notice some slight twitching in his face and he seemed to step nervously once in a while. “Are you sure I can rely on you?” Sunset asked, feeling some on how Mystic must feel about creatures. “I assure you; I won’t let you down,” said Amare. “How can I be certain?” “Because I just think being alone in this environment is a bit scary for a new arrival,” he said, bending forward, “Even ponies.” Sunset didn’t look convinced, “And you’re not like the rest of the creatures I’ve seen so far?” “No no,” Amare shook his head, “Creatures around here are very untrustworthy and some even want to kill others.” He sighed, “Besides, I just wish that we’d resolve things rather than continue fighting.” Before the skeptical Sunset could say anything else, the smell of smoke caught their nostrils. “Oh no...” Amare muttered, walking off to the edge of the plateau. “What? A fire?” Sunset asked, following him. She and Amare came upon the edge of the plateau. Amare gazed out into the distance, Sunset followed suit and spotted a few clouds of smoke in different areas of the savanna. “What is going on?” she asked, a little surprised, “Is somecreature in danger?” “No,” said Amare, forming a glare, “Citizens across the land are burning the savanna.” “Willingly?” Sunset’s eyes widened, “Why?” “They believe that this land is cursed and that dark forces are the work of a demon,” Amare looked at her, “The Kaftar. They say he’s a shapeshifter, half beast, and some kind of bi-pedal thing.” “The Kaftar?” Sunset asked, “What’s that?” “Many stories are surrounding the beast,” said Amare, gazing back onto the savanna, “Tales surrounding him stretch back thousands of years. They differ from him being a demon, a mutated animal, or a being summoned by a witch to prey upon the land.” “Gosh, that’s awful,” said Sunset. “It is, but details about his past and the land are vague,” said Amare, “The villagers have been told to burn the savanna to purge the Kaftar’s evil.” “That’s ridiculous,” Sunset said with a glare, “They’re destroying the land!” “That’s what we said,” said Amare, “But creatures hearing of the tales never bothered listening and only care about protecting themselves since the fallen government in power failed them...” He growled, “And us...” He gazed at Sunset, “Everything they try failed; from traps, poison, hunting him down, and fighting him.” “He’s...he’s real?” Sunset gulped. “Unfortunately, so,” said Amare, “Though I’ve never personally seen him or encountered any evidence, the stories from our tribe, the distant past, and the surrounding stories are too much for it to be just a fairy tale.” Amare sighed, looking back onto the smoke, “Our only hope is for us kudus to stick together and one day get this land back to the way it should be.” Sunset felt bad for the kudus and the land going downhill because of this ‘Kaftar’ creature. Maybe, just maybe, if she can get her friends back, the kudus could possibly form a friendship and work together on resolving everything. “Maybe you helping me find my friends will help both of us,” she said. “You mean it?” Amare’s eyes lit up again. “Yes,” Sunset nodded. “Oh, this sounds wonderful!” Amare beamed, “We can get back to the village right away and get underway to find them!” “Great!” Sunset beamed. “Follow me,” said Amare, walking away, “The village isn’t too far from here.” After wandering through the thick, twisted labyrinth of wilderness, Gunnolf and Accalia emerged onto a muggy, wet, nasty wetland with trees twisting around, some merging their branches around one another as frogs croaked loudly. “Gah!” Accalia wheezed, collapsing on her stomach. “On your feet, soldier!” Gunnolf ordered through a pant. “Excuse me, we spent a lot of time and energy fighting through vegetation and avoiding a humongous flash flood!” “Not my fault the rain came out of nowhere and the jungle’s thick!” Gunnolf turned back to the rainforest, spotting his Pack coming out, a bit worn down. “I had to maneuver us through and clear some paths! Where were you?!” “I was ordering my wolves and keeping track of them, Accalia! Now quit your bellyaching!” Accalia snorted as she sat up, brushing herself off. “All right everywolf!” Gunnolf shouted, gaining the attention of the Pack. “I know it was rough in that rainforest to pursue those ponies, we might have lost them and had to take a few breaks to heal you and keep venom from spreading through some of you! But we are here now! Stay safe according to the plan!” “We’ll be splitting off into ten teams,” said Accalia, her heart filled with trepidation, as it’s been since helping the ponies, “We won’t wander too far from one another and we might’ve lost the ponies in the rainforest, but we WILL find them again and bring them in for justice!” “That’s right,” said Gunnolf, “Now, all of you, pull yourselves together! This place is supposed to be much more wide opened! We’ll see most dangers long before it hits us! Stay sharp! Stay strong! Stay with me!” “Yes sir!” the wolves said in unison. Accalia’s heart began running again. She knows Gunnolf will soon find out about her betrayal and has no doubt he’s still questioning the sudden command to come out here. She has come up with ideas on what to do, but she doesn’t have a solid plan as she thought she would. I’ve got to help those ponies, we could both benefit from one another, she thought. Imagine the look on Tokuta’s face when he knows of this too, the one who sustained his delicate system throughout the years. But she believed this would be the best for her kind to know something much better for themselves and the ponies to find their friend. “Spread out everywolf! Do not stop until you find those ponies! Do not fail our Majestic!” Gunnolf commanded. “Yes sir!” everywolf answered. Accalia observed as the Pack dispersed into ten four-by-four teams, two have their noses on the ground, the others have their noses in the air. Gunnolf and Accalia stayed in the middle, observing the teams as they tracked their targets.