Canine Complications

Fight or Flight

There was a tense moment as the pack awaited their commands. "We will submit." Twilight said firmly as she lowered her hindquarters and then chest to the ground. Finally, she closed her eyes in a bow towards the slowly advancing enemy line.

If Bark Back was concerned by her answer he didn't show it, not hesitating to follow her lead. He calmly edged closer to his mistress before prostrating as well. The rest of the Wolves and Zecora followed, leaving only one pony standing amongst them as the lunar unit cautiously closed in.

"Mistress! What are you doing! We can't just give up! We can escape!"

Her enthusiastic shouts were met by Bark Back calmly turning his head, not enough to look at her, but enough to show he was addressing her, "We could, but then what would that do? We came to find the moon-bearer. We have found her. We have no path nor reason to flee."

"But she attacked us! And we were just trying to talk to her! She hurt mistress for no reason! We should fight back!"

Bark Back suddenly turned his head to face her fully, his glowing eyes opening before narrowing dangerously. He opened his mouth again, but was interrupted by Twilight who spoke, remaining bowed and prostrate, "Screwy, I'm fine. It's like Bark Back said, this is what we came here for. Luna only attacked because she's worried about the ponies in the city. If we give up, she has no reason to-"

Whatever she would have said next was cut off as a spell impacted her. Screw Loose saw most of the pack leap to their paws, only for the world to suddenly go black for her as well.

There was an oppressive silence as the mares gathered once again around Fluttershy's table. Only a few hours had passed since their last meeting, so although heads had cooled, tensions were still high.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack conspicuously avoided eye contact, both shuffling awkwardly as they stood. Rarity watched on, calmly considering how to calm the tension between the two mares. It turned out she didn't have to, as in an odd act, both mares took the initiative at once.

"Rainbow..."

"AJ..."

"Oh, you go first." Applejack said, flinching back as if she expected Rainbow's self-conscious frown to dissolve into an angry scowl. It didn't of course, and instead her eyes broke down as well.

"I'm sorry for what I said before... I'm the element of loyalty, not you. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

Applejack looked back, now with her own frown "Now I'm right sorry too, but don't go thinking that just because loyalty isn't my element that I don't feel the same way about my hoof in this..."

Awkward silence filled the room until Rarity gave a petite cough that brought everyone's attention to her.

"We're all upset about what we had to do with this, but apologies should come later, and to Twilight's face. Now, I suppose we should find out why we're here. Fluttershy? What did you call us here in such a hurry for? Did you figure out something we can do to help Twilight?"

Fluttershy fidgeted for a second before quietly responding, "Well... No..." she said meekly, "...but I did, maybe, figure out why she was acting the way she was... "

"We know 'Shy, she's gone predator, explaining it isn't the problem! Fixing her is!" Rainbow shouted across the table, a little harshly considering the recipient if the outburst.

Fluttershy carried on undaunted though, the importance of her message overriding Rainbow's tone, "But what if it isn't? What if fixing her isn't really all that pressing?"

"Go on dear..." Rarity prompted, notably confused, but hopeful.

"Well..."

Twilight regained consciousness as if emerging from a tunnel into the bright sun. As her vision adjusted, she began seeing colors, blurs, shapes, and then finally began to see the forms of ponies before her. Or rather the remains of ponies...