//------------------------------// // Chapter 18: Rescue // Story: New Beginnings // by Black Alicorn //------------------------------// Twilight couldn't believe her eyes. She thought he died long ago and there she was standing right in front of her. She knew what she was going to do and didn't hesitate at all. Wolf got up from being knocked over by the Cutie Mark Crusaders in vain. She lunged forward at him. His lightning fast reflexes caused his arms to jump up to receive the incoming blow. She hit him softly enough to not hurt him, but hard enough to knock him over. She burst into tears as she pressed her face into his shoulder. He responded by tightening his grip around her. He closed his eyes as tight as he could as he fought to hold back his own tears. He inhaled sharply a few times while Twilight cried in his shoulder. He gently stroked her mane. He didn't care where they were, he hadn't seen Twilight in a month, and he damn sure wasn't going to let her go. Nothing could get him away from her and nothing could get her away from him. "Um...Where's Applebloom?" Almost nothing. His eyes shot open as Twilight's head snapped up at Sweetie Belle. "What do you mean 'where's Applebloom'?!" He yelled. "She's not here!" Sweetie Belle responded. Both him and Twilight leaped up and frantically searched the clearing for any clues of where Applebloom was, while calling her name at the same time. He was about to run off into a random part of the forest when a set of tracks caught his eye. "She went this way. Twilight, get them out of here." "What?!" "You heard me, I'm going after her. Get them out of the forest." "No!" Her horn glowed and Wolf was brought down to the ground. A glowing purple chain appeared and bound his legs and arms. "I'm not losing you to Everfree again!" "Would you rather lose Applebloom?! Huh? Would you?!" "I...." She didn't know what to do. The last thing she wanted to do was let him run off into the forest to possibly get killed. But she couldn't leave Applebloom out there. Defeated, she slumped down to the ground, ready to cry once again. The chain around Wolf's arms dissipated first, followed by the one on his legs. He jumped over to Twilight's side. "Listen to me..." She turned away from him. "Damn it listen to me!" He put his hands around her head and forced her to look at him. "I promise I'll come back. But I need you to get them out of here. It's not safe..." She didn't answer. "Twilight, please!" A loud roar could be heard in the distance. She finally looked into his eyes. "All right. I'll get them out." She turned her head around. "The forest ends a kilometer that way. I'll wait for you there. Be there..." "All right!" He got up and tried to run into the forest after Applebloom. He stopped dead in his tracks when he began to glow purple, and was brought right back in front of Twilight. She was dead serious about what she said next. "Be there." "Okay." He tried to pull away again. He couldn't. "Uh...Twilight?" Her mind was racing. She had let him ride off to meet Death face to face twice. She wouldn't let him go a third time, not without letting him know. - - - - - Not this time... - - - - - She lunged forward and pressed her lips against his. He jumped back a little in suprise, but otherwise didn't move. He wanted this as much as she did. A few moments passed, and they finally broke apart. "I'll be back. I promise." He got up and ran off into the forest. Twilight lifted herself up, and took the three staring filles out of the forest, certain that he would be back. * * * * * "Applebloom!" He stopped in the forest for a moment, thinking about what happened minutes ago. - - - - - What the hell are you doing Wolf? What was that back there? Don't make that mistake again... - - - - - He heard sniffling in the distance. A glimmer of hope. "Applebloom!" "W-Wolf?" He ran towards the voice. He found her sitting on a log, crying. "Wolf? You-You're alive?" "And kicking. Come on let's get you out of here." She got up. All of a sudden, the sound of trees being ripped apart, as well as rumbling footsteps. All they could do was stare in the direction of the noise. A large head came out of the trees, followed by a second, then a third, and finally a fourth. The Hydra's massive body came out, causing both Wolf and Applebloom to step back. It came to a screeching halt as it saw them. All it's heads began hissing at Wolf. He managed to get a glimpse of the creatures backside. A huge scar lay there, like a grenade had exploded on it. Wolf realized all of a sudden. "Oh shit..." He began to backstep, followed by Applebloom. "Hey big guy, long time no see..." As they both retreated, it advanced. A few steps later, and it let out a thundrous roar. "RUN!" Applebloom turned around and ran. Wolf's hands glowed a deep blue, and two glowing blue spears materialized right below them. He 'threw' both of them at the Hydra. All they did was make it angrier. He debated on what to do. He looked around to all the trees. - - - - - No, not here... - - - - - He turned around and ran, trying to catch up with Applebloom. He ran as fast as he could, with the Hydra in hot pursuit. Not even a minute later, he was out of the forest, and running after Applebloom, who was scurrying up a hill to meet Twilight. A smile appeared on her face as she saw him running toward her, only to dissapear as she saw what was following him. She yelled as loud as she possibly could, fear taking control of her: "RUN!" He sprinted up the hill quickly. - - - - - Now... - - - - - Before he reached the top of the hill where Twilight was waiting, he jumped, turned around midair, and with a wave of his hand, set a large line of grass in front of the Hydra ablaze. It roared in fear as it got up on it's hind legs, and came crushing down on the fire. It turned around and ran into the forest. Twilight jumped towards him, expecting him to embrace her. She felt the warmth of his arms, only for that feeling to be cut short. She looked up concerned at Wolf, who began to walk away. She was dumbstruck. What the hell just happened to her? She just stared at him, as he walked away. She called his name. No response. She called him again, louder this time. She could barely make out his response. "Just...Stay away from me..." She just stared at him in complete confusion as he walked in the direction of the Red Dawn's crash site. End chapter 18.