Back in Ponyville, Celestia and a team of royal guards had arrived as well as Twilight's other friends. Celestia's face was grave.
"My faithful student, you must find this dark alicorn and discover his true intents. Your friends should go with you, as I sense he is somewhere within the Everfree forest, and that is not somewhere you should venture alone."
"Of course princess!" Twilight replied. "Are you girls up for this?"
Varied yes's came from her friends and they set off together into the Everfree forest.
Although he had not fully recovered his strength, Loki began making his way deeper into the forest. Soon the thick green canopy above him had blocked out all the light, but as he was a creature of darkness, this didn't bother him unduly. However, after a while he realised he was being followed. He waited until his follower was right behind him, then suddenly spun around, shedding light ahead. The brilliant green light caused the large pack of timber wolves following him to yelp as the sudden light blinded them. Loki cursed and began blasting the creatures and occasionally pushing then through the canopy to stop them reassembling. One over-energetic push dislodged a large branch from the tree tops above, hitting him on the head and causing him to lose concentration. This opening was all a wolf needed to rip a gash in his flank. Loki screamed in pain and lost control in one giant blast of energy that flattened the nearby forest and timber wolves, causing a loud boom.
Covered in mud, small cuts and blood from his own wound, Loki dragged himself from the crater with an expression of fury and determination.
"I only ever wanted to be your equal!"
The mane six were trotting quietly through the forest when suddenly they heard a loud explosion.
"Rainbow Dash! Lead us to that explosion; I am sure we'll find the dark alicorn there!" Twilight shouted.
They galloped or flew as fast as they could, passing a crater full of splinters and stopping in front of the princesses' old castle.
"Look," cried Rarity. "There are spots of blood here, and they lead inside the castle!"
He must be injured, thought Twilight.
"Come on, we have to find him!"
They all nodded, though their experiences with this castle hadn't been the best. Then, they began to quietly trot into the castle.
Soon, they could hear the alicorn's ragged breathing echoing through the halls. However, this made it hard to tell where he was and they reluctantly agreed to split up. Each took a different tunnel, promising to be back in a flash if any of the others found him. Twilight crept down a hallway, sure that the sounds of his breathing were getting louder. She rounded a corner and found herself staring at the throne room. She saw him in ahead, his face creased in pain as he hauled himself onto the throne. As he turned, he gave an exasperated sigh and collapsed back into the throne. Then he gave a dark chuckle. "What do you want?" He snarled sitting up once more.
