The tents where packed up and stored into Loophole’s wagon, The sky was completely dark and Trixie was scared, but she knew she had time. She gulped as she watched streaks of lightning flash through it.
“Guess we’re heading to where your journey started,” Loophole responded.
”Tiny Yak be with Blue Pony all way,” Tiny nodded.
Trixie nodded, “Yeah, now it’s time to be extra great and powerful!”
Sunrise sighed as she watched Loophole attack her wagon to herself and Trixie’s to herself. She watched and sighed, she felt sad, once the danger’s been banished what will come of them?
”Is something the matter, Sunny?” Minty asked.
”Kinda... I mean- what will happen after we defeated the baddie?” She asked.
Minty shrugged, “Trixie has no clue either, she doesn’t even know what will happen,” Minty levitated Sunrise and put her on her back, “I think it’s possible the jewels will blast the darkness away or make some sort of magical beam, but that’s only a guess,”
Sunrise nodded, “Well, the pink one has healing powers, and well... you’re pink, do you think...”
”Hmm,” Minty responded,“I think I know what you mean... a jewel suits each one of us, perhaps it’s destiny here each of us gets a jewel’s power,”
Sunrise smiled, “Yeah, it just makes sense,”
Trixie shouted, “Hey! Slowpokes, you coming or what!?”
”Sorry!” Minty called out as she ran to catch up after the others.
The gang walked a while. Minty watched Trixie drag her own wagon, she felt like she needed a break, she was pulling it for a long time, every day for more than a week from what she knows. Sunrise was napping in Trixie’s wagon.
“Trixie!” Minty called as she caught up to her and walked with her as she pulled her wagon.
”Yeah, what is it, Minty?” Trixie asked, sounding a bit tired.
Minty looked at her wagon, “You know... I don’t think it would hurt to let someone else pull for a while, I could pull it for a bit if you’d like?” She asked.
Trixie shook her head, “I’m fine, it’s only a five hour walk away, well... three since we have been walking for two...”
”Actually...” Minty responded a she took out a map, “Five hours if we cut through north Everfree forest... Six hours if we go around,”
“Oh... oh- um... The ever free is dangerous so we are going around, I don’t want to lose anyone!”
Loophole laughed as she dragged her wagon next to her, “We’ll be fine, not a scratch on me!”
”Or me!” GC added proudly with Sapphire yapping on her back.
Minty looked at Trixie with a big smiled, “So... can I pull your wagon?”
”Never had a fan this big...” Trixie kidded, “Hmm, alrighty until we get to the Everfree forest...”
They both stopped so Trixie could put the wagon strap onto Minty. Minty has a huge smile, like this was an amazing thing. She smiled happily as she started to pull. She grunted and strained a bit, not used to pulling heavy things.
”Too heavy?” Trixie joked as she walked ahead.
”This is fine...” Minty responded as she pulled, soon to get used to the weight and catch up.
As the group walks through the forest, the Everfree Forest they hear howling. Trixie gasps in shock, she steps back knowing what kind of creature made those noises.
”What’s the matter, Trixie?” Minty asked.
Sunrise nodded, “Aren’t those just wolves?”
Trixie shook her head and looked around her, “N-not just any wolves,” Trixie gulped, “T-timber wolves!”
GC gave a chuckle, “Dude, timber wolves, pfft, ain't the like a legend of somethin’?”She asked.
Everyone stood and stared at the bush she was standing in front of, she was facing them so she didn’t see two yellow glowing eyes. Sapphire nuzzled GC’s claws, unaware of the bush too.
”Uh, GameCube?” Trixie said with worry, “Behind you.”
”I think it’s behind you...” Sunrise whispered as she hugged Minty, shaking in fear.
”Seems like it,” Minty responded with concern.
Snowflake rolled her eyes, “Rid of your ignorance and get away from there!”
”Tiny agree, bush eye bad,” Tiny nodded.
GC laughed, “Please! This is Sapphire,no way she can harm me! C’mon, there’s nothing behind me,besides Sapphire and this bush!”
Trixie watched with worry as Sapphire sniffed the bush, Trixie felt a shiver go down her spine. Minty was petrified with fear. Sunrise was shaking. A timberwolf howled, GC looked at the buss. Right when she looked at the bush she saw a Timberwolf jump out, she jumped out the way quickly, feathers all puffed up and wings open ready to fly, the Timberwolf had some of her feathers in its mouth.
”Oh-“ GC squeaked, scared to say anything.
Trixie started running, “Run!” She shouted.
Everyone ran after her as a pack of thimberwolves chased them.
”They really need to brush their teeth, losers!” Loophole called out.
Snowflake had take to the sky, they group didn’t know where she was at that moment but she knew she was safe. Loophole laughed as she jumped over a log.
”These guys a joke!”
Minty scolded, Trixie’s wagon was left behind so it didn’t slow her down, “This is no laughing matter!” She jumped over a bush, “They are vicious beasts and are very strong!”
”and big deal!” Laughed Loophole, “Just like in a video game,”
“And... you guys call me the careless and reckless one...” GC responded, unimpressed before crashing into a tree.
”GC!” Trixie shouted as she stopped, she saw the timberwolves gang up in GC.
”Trixie!” Shouted Sunrise as everyone stopped, “Let’s go!”
”Trixie is not leaving a friend behind!” Trixie shouted as she ran towards the timberwolves, scared. The others would have joined but they were chased by more.
GC got up, rubbing her sore beak, “Ouch-“
She turned around to see multiple timberwolves ready to pounce, each one snarling. GC was petrified she shook in fear.
”Uh oh...” She gulped, “H-hey guys, I don’t taste good okay? Y-you can have my supply of soda if you just let us mind our business-“
She breathed heavily as they came closer, jaws snapping hungrily. GC tried to open her wings but couldn’t, she only stared at the wolves, she felt this was it, she closed her eyes and she curled on the floor. Soon a peddle flew past the timberwolves muzzles and hit the ground in front of GC. Her eyes open, and she looked around and saw Trixie nearby.
”L-leave my great and p-powerful friend a-alone!” Trixie shouted, trying to sound brave.
The timberwolves looked at her and snarled, GC saw the an opportunity to escape so she dashed away from the tree, grabbed Trixie in her claws and flew through the air! The timberwolves didn’t give up, they chased them both through the forest.
”Dude! What were you thinking?!” GC scolded.
”Trixie was saving you,” Trixie responded as GC flew through trees and found and opening to fly over the forest.
GC sighed, “But why!? Why do you think I’m so special!?”
”Because you... you are my friend,” Trixie responded as GC flew over the trees, “I don’t wan’t to lose you like with Stardust and...”
”That rose coloured griffin that resembled a pink and grey galah?” GC asked.
Trixie nodded, “Yeah... Gumdrop... and don’t nall her that, remember that you’re named after an- oh?” Trixie noted GC’s annoyed expression and that she started flying towards the river.
”Uh GC?” Trioxide questioned as GC moved her claws and held Trixie by the ends of her forelegs, “What are you doing?”
Before she knew it GC dipped her in the water before flying up at a fast speed and moving her claws to being around her torso. GC continued to fly with a smug smiled, the great and soggy Trixie grumbled as she crossed her forelegs.
They couldn’t see much, just trees and small openings, GC kept an eye out for the others.
“I see them!” Called out Trixie as she pointed towards a large opening near a cliff.
It was them! In a clearing, looking around. Tricia’s wagon and Loophole’s wagon was no longer buckled up to them. They seemed to have found a safe place to wait. GC dropped Trixie on the ground quite harshly.
“Ow!” Tri is exclaimed.
”Bruh, is everyone oka-“ GC then gasped, “Where is Minty!?”
”I dunno! We were running and she disappeared!” Exclaimed Sunrise, brink of tears.
GC looked like she was in a moment of panic, “We have to find her!” She looked around, “Where’s Sapphire?”
Minty was alone, running for her life! A manticore was chasing her, roaring as I crushed smaller plants. She ran into a hallowed out log and breathed heavily. A deep cut was on her cheek, bleeding. Heart was racing as she heard the manticore approach the log and sniff it. It was horrifying, she was shaking in fear, hoping it wouldn’t smell it. Hoping it would lose interest and leave.
She couldn’t take it. She didn’t want to die! But with her luck it seemed it had lost interest as she heard the stepping get further and further away. Just to be safe she decided to remain in the log a little bit longer. That was a mistake as the manticore easily slashed through the log and her back causing her to cry out in pain.
It was the loudest scream she had ever made. Her back stung badly as she tried to get up only for the manticore to swipe her in the side. As a result she went crashing into a tree and flopped on the ground. Blood rushed from her wounds as she laid on the hard diets ground. She tried to get up but flopped again.
She heard the manticore get closer to her as she tried to move. It hurt to breath, her breathing was heavy as she laid there, weak. The cuts were deep and gushing with blood. As she helplessly wheezed, the manticore lifted its paw for one more strike. Minty hoped it would be quick. She wanted this to be over!
A loud screech filled the air, then something hit the manticore in the head, causing it to flinch. Minty tiredly lifted her head to see something dark moving in the dark sky. It wasn’t night but the sky seemed that way. In fact Minty saw a deop of rain hit the manticore.
Angrily the manticore roared as it looked around, only to be hit in the head again. It swiped at something but seemed to miss. Minty gasped as a familiar figure landed in front of her and looked down at her.
It was the bat pony. But what was he doing here? That’s what Minty wondered as she groaned from the pain. The manticore swiped at the bat pony angrily but missed only to be bucked by it in the nose. It screeched angrily as it rapidly bucked at it only to be knocked violently away by another paw swipe. It let out a pained screech.
The manticore was distracted! Minty took this as her chance and started to slowly crawl away, trying to ignite the pain on her body, it was all stinging. She stopped and gasped as she heard some yapping, she turned her head to see Sapphire being a brave puppy. Nipping at the heel of the manticore that was far larger than her!
”Sapphire, no-“ Whispered Minty.
But the dog did not obey, it desperately tried to take the manticore down but she was no match against it. The manticore brutally crushed slashed it in the face and crushed down onto it with its foot.
Minty’s heart hurt as she heard the pained yelps and whines. She heard the batpony go into for another attack, tho time biting the nose making the manticore shake its head to try and throw him off. Bat pony was furious, he bit down harder until the manticore grabbed it in a paw and threw it at a rock, finally knocking it out.
It was terrifying! But Minty kept moving as quickly as she could, her wounded leg and back stung. She needed to get out of here. As she moved she mentally begged the manticore to not attack her. It didn’t do anything, as fast as blink something struck her in the side, sending her crushing into the tree.
It was the manticore’s scorpion-like tail! The venom can kill in less than two hours! This was bad! This was really bad! Manticore venom is far more dangerous and painful than a normal scorpion's. There was a sharp stinging pain in her side, she also started to sweat a little. At this point she was even struggling to breath!
Minty needed the antidote! But if Sapphire was here maybe, the others weren’t too far! She was right!
“Hey you!” A familiar voice shouted, it was Loophole! Flying almost as fast as a Wonderbolt. She zoomed around the manticore, circling around it. Trying to make it dizzy. “Leave the curly horn-headed Minty alone!”
The manticore visibly got angry before hitting at Loophole, batting her at a tree.
”Ack!” Loophole groaned, the tree now cracked in half. About to fall over
Minty watched in shock, now feeling dizzy as result of the venom. The stung area was starting to feel numb and her hooves had a tingly sensation. Loophole got up, rubbing her head. “That didn’t stop me, you sucker!”She shouted at it before zooming into the air. The manticore gave chase using its own wings, it roared as the dashed above the trees.
”Minty!” A familiar voice exclaimed.
Sunrise and GC rushes to her side.
“D-dude, are you gonna be okay?” GC’s voice shook as she approached her.
”I-“ Minty found it hard to talk. She felt Sunrise hugging her on the side.
”P-please don’t g-go!” Sunrise stuttered with tears ing her eyes. A few fell into Minty as she slightly shook her.
GC held her hoof in her claw, D-dude-“ She spoke, choking on tears, “P-please tell me you’re going to be okay!”
Loophole landed nearby, out of breath. She hovered in the air slightly, “Got it lost...” She wheezed.
Trixie gasped, hearing something, “Loops! Lookout!”
”Huh?” Loophole questioned before being brutally punched into a tree by the manticore. Enough to snap that tree in half. She ragdolled on the ground, limp.
”Loophole!” Screamed Sunrise, Trixie and GC.
Minty was panting, her head felt light as she laid there, about to close her eyes. A drop of rain fell from the sky as GC and Sunrise stared at her. They were both saying things but she couldn’t work it out.
”M-minty?” Sunrise whimpered, tears going down her face. “Are y-you gonna be okay?”
”D-don’t close your eyes- c’mon!” GC shouted, “Y-you’re gonna be okay!”
Minty wheezed a bit. GC was staring at her weakly as she sat by her side trembling. Slowly, GC gently held Minty in her claws, ignoring the blood.
“M-Minty?” GC sniffled
Minty tried to speak but no words came out. She slowly closed her eyes before going limp in GC’s claws. GC’s heart dropped as she held her unmoving adopted sister in her claws. Tears started to form as she tried to speak. Sunrise was already a mess of tears and screams, plus trying to shake Minty awake. Words struggled to come out, believing Minty was dead.
“N-no...” GC squeaked, “This- T-This is- dude, wake up!” She shook her slightly as she whimpered, fearing the worse.
”GC! Run!” Trixie exclaimed as the manticore approached them angrily. Trixie was able to stall it with illusions but now it was interested on GC. It slawly walked over to the three, growling.
“D-duke, what kind of sick beast are you?” GC asked as tears ran down her cheek. Her gut hurt as she briefly spotted Sapphire’s and Loophole’s unmoving bodies. She hoped they were both okay, but it seemed unlikely. Rain fell through the trees as GC decided to accept fate, she laid Minty on the ground gently.
”Fine! If you want to fight, let it be!”She exclaimed, heart pounding in her chest.
The manticore roared at her angrily before lifting its claw, ready to swipe! Just before GC met her end, a loud screech filled the air, allowing the claw to miss GC. Whipping it’s head around wildly, the manticore searches for who made that noise. Then seemingly out of nowhere it exclaimed in pain as a creature bit a chunk from its ear.
It was a bat pony! GC watched it land on the ground and screech at the manticore. Bat pony had a deep fresh scar in its wing. “Dude?” GC questioned, choked with tears. “Who are you?”
The batpony made small noises as it slowly approaches Minty, squeaking. He nudged her leg slightly. “You know her?” GC questioned, wondering how she never knew about it. She would have shooed him away, but her heart wretched s she stared at Minty. “Dude... be careful-“ She was about to grab him but he hissed loudly at her.
”Hey!” GC shouted before seeing him desperately wake her up by nudging her and squeaking.
GC sighed as rainwater soaked through her body. “Dude... she’s” Tears tried to stop her from talking as they ran down her cheeks, “She’s g-gone-“ The words hit her hard. Her heart ached as she looked down at Minty.
The manticore exclaimed in pain as something exploded in its face, letting out a putrid smell. Clearly it hated it as it stapled back, hissing and marking. Another ball of that putrid stuff hit it in the face, causing it even more disgust. It hissed as its eyes watered, it angrily flew away. Everyone looked around confused. GC gasped when she saw it.
Snowflake had a expressionless face as she stood next to a zebra. The zebra had large golden earrings and rings around her back, plus she seemed to have some saddlebags. Before GC would ask anything Trixie gasped loudly.
“Zecora!?” Trixie shouted, “Trixie could have totally shooed that manticore away!” She shouted, annoyed.
Snowflake stared down at her, “Actually, you would have ended up like Sapphire, Loophole and Minty...”
”Shut it you- you-“ Trixie was about to interrupt her but saw Loophole, Sapphire and Minty. Her heart hurt as she saw them. “Trixie could have saved them, clearly!”
“Yo-you sure?” Asked GC.
Everyone looked at Minty. Their stomach aches as they watched. Tiny looked down at Loophole sadly, “Green feather pony see no moving,” He said sadly. He was referring to the face that Loophole wasn’t moving at all, no breathing. No life. Same with poor Sapphire who didn’t stand a chance.
There was a moment of silence as the rain fell, soaking everyone. Sunrise was hugging GC tight, sobbing into her chest. Zecora noticed Minty twitch a bit. No one else did.
”Come with me with your friend. She hasn’t quite met her end,” She informed.
”Huh?” Everyone responded in confusion.
”Just listen to her!” Snowflake scolded.
They nodded, GC Picked up Minty and quickly flew behind the group as they curiously followed Zecora.