Pain, once again all this one felt was utter pain. It however had only itself to blame for this, underestimating it's prey. The yellow one seemed like an easy target, but the cyan one was a much different story. The Scout looked down at it's abdomen, which was beginning to form a bruise. Perhaps, it was better off back with it's brothers, as if it couldn't survive on it's own without it's pack.
No.
This one wasn't about to let it think like that about itself. It had a new life here, and if so, it had to forget it's past grievances. Even from the pain in it's side, it would have to learn to cope in this new world and it's surroundings, not to mention the local fauna. The first creature it had encountered was a dark brown in color, and almost the size of a Rhino, and it hurt like one as well. It seemed like a fair challenge, but it had underestimated those around it. The second creature it met, the yellow one, seemed like much easier game. It bared wings, but they were unlike that of a Gargoyle's, but were more like a bird, feathered. But the last it had met, the blue one, was far different. Though they shared similar physique, this one was much more feral, and counterattacked without warning.
The one thing the Scout had running for it against this alien species, was they lacked any sort of armor, or weapons like the humans from Earth. Even with this, they seemed to be rather capable of putting up a fight.
The Scout shook it's head, attempting to shrug off the dull pain on it's side. Judging by the sun, night would be soon to fall over the forest, as the sky was already taking on a orange-red glow from the sunset. The forest grew darker by the second, and the Scout took to the trees, jumping up onto a branch to rest for the night.
*****
Twilight looked through her now expanded collection of literature. The new castle did have it's perks, including an expansive library, much bigger than the one in her old tree.
"Hey Twilight? It's getting late, don't you think you sleep?"
The purple Alicorn turned from her books, to find her Number One assistant standing in his sleep wear behind her. "I suppose so, still getting used to the place I guess."
At that moment, Rainbow Dash shot through the door, carrying a rather shocked-looking Fluttershy underneath her.
"Twilight!!"
Twilight barely had time to react, ducking down as the Pegasus nearly slammed into her. "Yes, Rainbow Dash?"
The rainbow pegasus dropped Fluttershy onto the ground, giving a small squeak. "Do you have any books on the things in the Everfree Forest?"
"I have several in my collection, why? What did you two see?" Twilight replied, dusting herself off.
"Well, I just got into a fight with a monster from in there." Rainbow said, flexing her imaginary muscles. "I kicked it's tail, as if there was any doubt in that."
"Of course, could you tell me what it looked like?" Twilight inquired, rolling her eyes.
"Uhm, it looked like a dragon almost, except it had no wings, and it had a really long tail," Fluttershy chimed in quietly. "Oh, and it was glowing."
"A dragon like that..I don't think I've heard of anything like that. Have you Spike?"
The little dragon just shrugged, rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah, and it had big claws and teeth too!" Rainbow interjected.
Twilight's horn glowed a soft purple, as multiple books levitated off their shelves, as she set them out on the table in the center of the library. "Let's see here.." She said to herself, flipping through the pages of her books. The minutes ticked by, and Rainbow quickly grew impatient, hovering over Twilight's shoulder. "I don't think there's anything in here that matches what you're telling up, I guess the only way to find out is to see it myself, right Spike?...Spike?" The dragon had fallen asleep, laying on the table.
"I guess that's a sign we should all get some sleep." Fluttershy said wearily, muffling a yawn.
"You two are free to stay here if you'd like." Twilight suggested, carefully levitating Spike onto her back.
"Oh, why thank you Twilight." Fluttershy replied, nodding ever so slightly.
"Yeah, it'd be better than flying back to the cloud home."
Twilight smiled, as she walked back up the stairs to her bedchamber.
*****
Morning came more as a nuisance to the Scout, as it slowly opened it's eyes, one at a time. It tilted it's head back, letting of it's trademark call, as a few birds flew off the trees from it. The Cryptid thought of attempting to catch one, but shrugged off the idea, knowing it would more than likely just miss. This brought up another thought; it was going to need food. The fauna it had met yesterday proved a challenge, perhaps there were other creatures it could try...
As if on cue, a small brown rabbit hopped out from it's burrow, directly under the waiting Scout. The Scout pounced down onto it, biting straight down onto it's head, gulping it down almost instantly. It would serve as a snack, but it would require something of real sustenance soon. It climbed back up into it's tree, jumping from branch to branch, trying to find it's way around the dense canopy of the forest, to return to where yesterday's fight took place, and also to find it's next meal.