Garyx let out a big yawn while stretching his entire body. Suddenly a loud piercing stream of light exploded in his face, causing him to be blinded by its brightness. Feeling disgruntled with his sleep, Garyx moaned for more rest, but the devilish light of the sun begged for justice to win over him. He tried to open his eyes, adjusting to the dim light that shined into his cave.

'How long have I've been asleep?' Garyx thought as he slowly raised himself onto his feet.

He stood there for a minute just thinking before he snapped his neck to the side causing a loud pop while letting out a sigh of relief. That was changed entirely when Garyx felt his stomach growl. When was the last time he ate? No matter. Walking towards the entrance of his cave with Kuroi Ryū grasped firmly in his hand as he stared down at the forest where he was sure a tasty meal awaited for him. Walking towards the edge, he stood there looking down. He leaned his body forward as it slowly fell off. He could feel the wind brushing against his face. The ground was coming closer to him with each second. A quarter of the way down he summoned his fire transforming. Flapping his wings, he flew with only a few inches away from the ground towards the sky.

He loved doing that. The danger, the fun, and adrenaline that kicked in from it. The most important thing about it was that it proved he was alive. Passing over the forest, he slowly brought his wings to his side as he slowly descended towards the ground while trying to make the least amount of noise. When he was all alone hunting those years he had learned a few things. The most important thing was never to be loud. Letting out a breath he slowly turned into his human form grasping his weapon.

'Time for the hunt to begin.' He thought with a smirk as he began walking through the woods while taking in the scents of what he could find.

He couldn't help but smile when he caught the scent of his first prey. Lucky to since it was just a few feet away. His eyes turned towards the bush of where it was hiding. He slowly brought Kuroi Ryū up with one hand while holding it as an Olympian javelin thrower would. He slowly breathed in and out while aiming. He honestly didn't care if he ripped the things head off or whatever body part. Right as he was about to throw it the prey jumped out of the bushes and ran off.

Garyx blinked a few times as he processed what he saw.

It had been a rabbit but was surprising was the two antlers it had on its head.

Garyx shook his head and turned to run after the thing when those wolves made off wood busted from a nearby bush chasing after his prey. Garyx growled. He had not even smelled them or heard them!

'Was it because they are made out of wood that I didn't smell a scent from them?'

That was bad. He could smell the plants and stuff but those wolves bodies scents probably blended in with the forest. He had not even heard them either and only knew they were there after running. Garyx growled in anger as he brought Kuroi Ryū back to his side. Damn. Turning to search after more prey he stopped when he heard what sounded like roar followed by the sounds of what appeared to be children screaming. His eyes widened as he remembered his dream. Letting out a roar he transformed into his dragon form and flew as fast as he could towards the sound.

Getting close he saw who had screamed. Three little humanoid ponies. Narrowing his eyes as he saw the beast or beasts that were trying to hurt them. The creatures all had the body of a lion, a scorpion's tail, and a pair of dragon-like wings. Looking closer he saw that was nine of those things and they slowly approached the children. Garyx roared while he brought his wings to his sides as he dove straight at the ground while spinning causing fire to appear around his body. His roar caused everything there to look up just as he slammed in front of the children causing dust to scatter everywhere making everyone cover their eyes besides Garyx who slowly turned into his human form.

He slowly stood with the dust only showing the shadow of his body. The dust gradually cleared allowing all to see him. The whole time Garyx glared at the things in front of him ignoring the gasps behind him. Garyx stood before the enraged manticores which he gave a death glare that caused the predators to take a few steps back in caution.

"You like to fight children do you?" Garyx asked while flames were licking his lips.

"How about you fight someone who can fight back!" Garyx roared while slamming Kuroi Ryū into the ground for emphasis.

Garyx had always felt protective over children. Perhaps it was all cause of his childhood that wanted him to keep others from having the same fate as him...and Haruko.

The manticores regained their nerve and roared at the dark armored figure in anger to which he did not even flinch or blink. One of them ran at him with claws and tail raised to kill him. Garyx simply swung his weapon downwards in a diagonal slash. Blood flew through the air as the manticore fell into two pieces cut diagonally with its organs falling out of its body while blood had begun to pour from the body.

Garyx simply swung his weapon off to the side flinging the blood off it while bringing Kuroi Ryū back to his side. He turned his attention back to the manticores who were shaking in fear.

"Next," Garyx spoke with a casual tone as if he didn't just kill something big but just squashed a bug.

The manticores just stared at him while also glancing at their fallen comrade. Three of became brave and rushed towards Garyx who watched as they approached him. Garyx brought his weapon up just as they swung their claws down at him blocking their claws though they pushed all their weight down on him intending to knock him to the ground. Garyx didn't budge as they continued their deadlock.

Garyx growled in annoyance and pushed up with Kuroi Ryū causing the three manticores to stumble back. Not giving them time he spun Kuroi Ryū before slashing horizontally with his blade cutting through them like butter. Even as blood splattered across his face, Garyx only had two things to say as the bodies fell.

"GET LOST!"

That's four down. Five to go. He turned back to the other ones only to feel claws slap him in the chest. His armor blocked it, but it didn't stop him from being sent flying backward just to smack into a tree. Garyx stood there with his upper body bent over making everyone think he was hurt by the strike. He ignored the three children gasps of fright. The manticores growled softly as they approached the one that killed their comrades.

"..." He murmured something to himself causing the manticores to stop and stare at him.

"IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO!?" Garyx roared while transforming his left hand into a claw.

With another roar, he rushed the surprised manticores. Not giving them a time to react he swung Kuroi Ryū to the right side and his claw hand towards the other. His claw hand slashed right through the manticore throat causing it to stumble backward while gurgling on its blood. His Kuroi Ryū was stabbed through a manticore chest where the heart was located. Spinning he with the manticore body still on his weapon he thrust it through another one making his weapon carry two manticores. He quickly shoved his claw through a manticore chest while gripping its heart. With a yank and sickening squelch, he pulled his arm out while holding the manticore heart before crushing it causing blood to spray over the ground. Letting a low growl, he pulled his weapon out of the bodies and simply let them fall to the ground.

Four down one to go.

Turning he stared at the last manticore that was shivering in fear while a smelly scent filled Garyx nose. Glancing down he saw why. Underneath the manticore was a yellow puddle. Garyx took a step forward than another. He slowly walked forward as if he was merely hunting a small, weakened animal. The manticore shivering increased as it stared at its death. It commanded its body to move but wouldn't obey. Garyx suddenly rushed forwards while thrusting his claw hand towards the manticore face only to stop an inch away. The manticore stared at his hand before its eyes rolled into the back of its head and collapsed to the ground.

Garyx snorted as he turned his hand back to normal as he stared down at the creature that just fainted.

'Coward.' Garyx thought.

He remembered why he was there or more specifically the children. Turning he stared only to see they were staring at him with mouths wide open. Now he was able to get a better look at them.

One of them was bright yellow, and red colored mane and a tail, with a large pink bowtie on her head. She wore a red t-shirt with a pink skirt and had amber eyes.

The next one was orange, had a messy mane and tail that was purple, and a pair of small wings. She wore a black leather jacket, with skinny black jeans and purple eyes.

The last one was white like that other white pony, along with a horn and blue eyes. She wore a white skirt, along with a short sleeve baby blue shirt.

"That... was... so... AWESOME!"

Garyx and the others jumped as the orange pony spoke. He could see her eyes were sparkling out of excitement and admiration over what she had just witnessed.

"DID YOU GIRLS SEE THAT?! First, it was like *ROAR*, and then it was like *POW*, and then it was like *GASP*, and then it was- OH MY FAUST, THAT WAS SO COOL!"

Despite having just been in a near-death situation, she was skipping up and down around Garyx while he just stared at the weird display though he did find it a little amusing especially with her beating her small wings like a hummingbird as she let her inner fangirl out. It caused him to smirk.

"Since when did you turn into Pinkie Pie?" The bright yellow asked the pegasus, struggling somewhere on the line between smacking her friend over the head and bursting out laughing.

The other one was just staring at him with wary eyes. Garyx lost his smirk as quickly as it came before his usual expression took over. His stomach suddenly reminded him why he was in the forest in the first place. Glancing back over at the dead manticores he couldn't help but lick his lips at how good their flesh might taste.

"Excuse me. Mister."

Garyx blinked a few times before turning towards the orange pony who was looking at him with a small smile.

"Names Garyx. Not Mister." He grunted out.

He was surprised when he felt her tackle him into a hug while he just stood there with a confused expression.

"Thank you. For saving us."

Garyx stared down at the pony hugging him before sighing. Damn children.

"Your welcome."

The pony just stayed there hugging him.

"You can let go now, kid."

The pony released her grip on him though she still had a smile on her face.

"What are you three doing out here anyway?"

The three shared a glance at each other smiling nervously from Garyx gaze.

"Well..."

Garyx eyes narrowed underneath his helmet while he took one step towards them.

"We were trying to get our cutie marks by exploring!" The white pony shouted out quickly causing Garyx to stop.

Garyx eyes relaxed while he stared at the three who looked everywhere besides him.

"Cutie mark?"

Garyx was very curious about this mark now. What could be so important that these three came all the way out here? He also found the name really...weak.

"How can you not know what a cutie mark is!?"

He couldn't but raise an eyebrow at them though they couldn't see it cause of his helmet.

"Everypony knows what a cutie mark is."

There was silence with Garyx merely staring at them.

"Whatever the case you three need to go home," Garyx grunted before turning to walk towards the manticore though he stopped when he didn't hear them moving.

What now?

Garyx turned only to see the three with nervous smiles.

"Why haven't you left yet?"

"We...don't know the way."

Garyx stood there blinking a few times before growling.

'You have got to be kidding me.'

Garyx stared at them. He could just tell them to figure it out themselves but...

With a sigh. He spoke.

"Do you at least remember what direction you three came from?"

The three smiled while nodding their heads with smiles on their faces.

Garyx sighed. Why couldn't he ever be left in peace?

"How long are those manticores are going to be asleep?" Scootaloo asked while pointing her hand at the dead manticores.

So that was what they were called. Wait...what did she ask?

Garyx stared at the three who were giving him curious looks while Garyx stared at the manticores out of the corner of his eyes. Should he tell them they were dead? Glancing back at their faces he knew his answer.

"They will wake up in an hour or two. Now point the way you came from." Garyx quickly talked before they could ask more questions.

The three-pointed in one direction which caused Garyx to motion with his head for them to stay close to him. He didn't expect them to be that close with their bodies almost pressed up against him. Garyx sighed. Hopefully, his dinner will still be here. Yet...why did he have a feeling something was going to happen?