//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Servant of Man // by Timber Wolf //------------------------------// The three alicorns and two unicorns surrounded the violin, all eyes shut in concentration. Their magic entwined as they followed the magical pathways of the violin's. When they came to a crossroad, one of the ponies magic would split away, checking the fork in the road. Once it was figured which was the right path, the group's magic moved on. A fork in the road caused Twilight's magic to go ahead. She stood there, her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth as she focused. Twilight frowned as she came across a wall. There had never been a wall before. Just a fading of the magical trail. Twilight probed the wall with her magic before she pushed harder. Applejack, Appleboom, and Granny Smith watched as the violin sparked and vibrated. It almost seemed angry. The metal body quivered and it's strings screeched. The magic in the air became heavier when there was suddenly a shock wave through the room. Everypony was thrown back, and the entire library seemed to shake. Applejack groaned before she stood up. She quickly went over and helped her grandmother get to her hooves. Luckily, Granny Smith had been in the corner, and was barely hit. Applebloom laid next to her on her stomach, legs splayed out. Her red hair had come out of her bow and was covering her face. The young filly huffed and blew her mane out of her eyes before speaking. "Wha' in tarnation was tha'?" Applejack turned around to ask the same question, but froze at what she saw. There, above the violin, was a pure white swirling vortex. The three alicorns and Shining Armor stood up, the ends of their horns scorched slightly. Twilight struggled to her hooves and turned towards the portal. "Twilie!" Twilight's horn was covered in blood, and the red liquid seeped from her ears, nose, and eyes. Her horn was alight with her purple magic, but it wavered. When her magic wavered, the vortex did as well. Twilight grunted as she forced more of her magic into holding the portal open. The hole in the dimensions strengthened. And so did the blood flow from Twilight's ears and eyes. Celestia rushed to her student and grabbed her face in her hooves. "Twilight! Let go!" The unicorn did not listen to her teacher. Small black spots invaded her vision, but she held her magic against the portal. "Twilight! Jus' let it go! Yer killin' yerself!" Applejack's voice broke through, and Twilight released her magic before collapsing. Big Mac awoke to the sound of hooves galloping. He was instantly awake and looking around. The entire herd was watching the landscape. Mac swiveled his ears as he listened to a small group of pounding hooves came from over the hill. Was there another herd? Several sharp whistles rung through the air. Hope rose in Big Mac's chest. Was it the rescue party? No, it wasn't. Over the hill came seven horses. Each horse had a saddle on, and sitting in the saddle's were the strangest creatures Mac had ever seen. Before he could get a good look at them, they came galloping down to the herd. The herd turned and ran. Big Mac could tell by these strange creature's body language that they had no intention of anything good. Mac turned and ran with the herd. It was better to stay with the herd that he somewhat knew than to go with these strange, scary beings. Living next to the Everfree had taught Mac to trust what he knew. The horses and their creatures ran behind the herd on all sides, pushing the herd forward. Mac caught sight of the rope aimed for his head and was just barely able to dodge it. These things were trying to lasso them! A wave of anger passed through him along with fear. What the hay did these things want?! Several more ropes flew out and the herd scattered around the strange beings and the other horses. Once out of the V style trap, everypony made a run for the hills. They galloped together and did not stop until the could no longer hear or smell the strange creatures. They all gathered up in the hills, hidden by the forest. Big Mac hung his head low before he looked over the herd, searching for River Leaf. River Leaf stood next to the lead mare, who was extremely tired. She had just galloped full speed while pregnant. Two foal stood next to her as well, looking around and crying out for their mothers. Their mother's weren't here. Two mare. . . no, three mares were missing. The mare who had recently lost her filly was also gone. Big Mac looked around and his stomach dropped. Wild Slate was gone as well. The herd all looked over at Mac, looking for guidance. 'Oh buck' Big Mac was in the herd solely for protection in numbers. He could not protect these mares and young foals from the dangers of the wild. He was a farmer. He tended the land and managed the finances. His sister was the one that chased off the unlikely animal that came from the Everfree. Mac swallowed as he looked at the herd. There was only one thing to do. He had to go get Wild Slate. He may not be able to fight, but he could surely sneak in and sneak out with Wild Slate. Big Mac snorted at the herd and pinned his ears back. Hide Stay The herd followed directions almost immediately. Good. Macintosh turned and galloped off, back towards those strange aliens.