No One Wins
It would be soon that one of the ponies would corner and capture Alex. They were closing in fast and the forest was beginning to thin out making it harder to find hiding places. Each one was trying to get to him before the others did and Alex was running out of ideas to evade capture. It had been a good and fun hunt for the ponies. But not all that fun for him. The only enjoyment he got out of it (if there was any to be had) was hearing his traps go off and hearing the ponies scream or yelp as they got smacked on their flanks. It also let him know, by their outbursts, where they were located in relation to his position. It also worked as a delaying action as well. Now they would have to go slower and be more careful to avoid his surprises thus giving him more time to delay his inevitable capture.
THWAK! Another trap was set off and jumping straight up in the air like a blue bullet and with a very loud, totally not girly sounding, completely cool, could in no way shape or form be misconstrued for a squeak, yell, that slipped past her lips, was Rainbow Dash. She hovered in the air for a bit flapping her wings and rubbing her flank where she got swatted. The other ponies in the party snickered at seeing this.
A moment later another swish THWACK and it was Lunas turn to let out a shriek, inadvertently using the Royal Canterlot Voice to voice her surprise and royal displeasure. This sent some birds, startled by her yell flying up from their perches in the trees up into the sky.
“I swear by the moon and stars I will end him if I capture him first!” she yelled in anger.
Celelstia snickered and said, ”Now now Lulu. Remember this is all in good fun.” She was trying to stifle a laugh but lost it in a fit of giggles when she added, “There is no reason to get all butt hurt about it!
“SHUT UP CELESTIA! THAT’S NOT FUNNY!” Luna growled back at her giggle snorting sister while at the same time rubbing her flank.
The first human hunt ever in the history of Equestria and said human had been proving himself to be very creative and resourceful in evading his capture at their hooves thus far. Each one of them thinking and more determined than ever about what they would do with him once he was caught.
It was thus while during this hunt, that all present suddenly heard a loud shout of startled terror. It sounded like Alex had been surprised and at the same time he had inadvertently given away his position. Everyone present thought that one of the others must have caught him already.
All eleven ponies rushed to converge on the position that they had heard the shout come from.
Rarity had reached the location first and using her magic, sent up a flair to mark her position.
“That’s not good.” Twilight thought. “Magical flares like that one were only to be used for emergencies.”
Bursting from the underbrush, the others arrived seemingly within moments later, the ponies were met with a horrifying sight! They saw Rarity on the ground holding on to some tattered cloth and crying.
There on the ground they found large paw prints pressed into the soft ground and Alex’ jacket splattered with blood!
There had been a twelfth hunter!
A Timber Wolf.
Suddenly the game was over and the hunt began in earnest. Celestia told the ponies to stay together. Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie were told to stay and protect the fillies while the rest took to the skies to see if they could find Alex.
Celestia, Luna, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Fluttershy all flew across the whole area criss crossing above the forest canopy calling out his name again and again assuring him that the hunt was over and that he could come out of his hiding place without fear.
Their cries of concern were only met with silence.
As the time passed, and the silence continued, each one felt a rising panic starting to grow within their chests.
The minutes turned to hours with still no response from their pleas, and with it getting darker, the search had to be called off.
Celestia wanted to keep the sun up a while longer and continue the search, but she had to face the fact that Alex was gone.
The three princesses, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy all returned to their rendezvous point and landed where the others were.
“Any sign of ‘im?” Applejack asked with a voice of concern, but she could tell by the looks on their faces, that she already knew the answer.
“No.” said Twilight, her head down in sadness. “No sign of him. He’s… he’s gone.”
With a sad heavy sigh, Celestia spoke. “Gather round my little ponies. It’s getting late and it will be foalish for us to stay here through the night.” she said.
“NO!” cried Rainbow Dash immediately jumping to hover mode. “We can’t just leave him out here!... I can’t leave him out here! Maybe he just fell down somewhere and is unconscious! We CAN’T just give up on him now!”
“Miss Dash, I really appreciate you wanting to continue the search. You bear your element well.” Celestia said. “And although Luna controls the night, we can’t risk the safety of anyone else here, especially the little ones.” Rainbow Dash fell from her hovering position to plop to the ground on her haunches.
“But I… We…” Finally falling silent. Unable to come up with a valid reason to continue the argument. Rarity was the last to join the circle, still holding on to Alex’s blood stained jacket in her magic. Once her subjects had done her bidding and gathered round, it was with a much heavy heart, she lit up her horn and all present were teleported back to Canterlot Castle minus one.