Rainbow Dash landed in the cool shade of an ancient oak tree, the dappled sunlight filtering through its thick canopy. She stretched lazily, her wings rustling softly. Nearby, Fluttershy was delicately grooming Angel, her beloved bunny, whose snow-white fur gleamed in the light. "Hi, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash called out with a chuckle, settling down beside her friend. "You're the best friend any pony could have, but I hope I won't have to save you from another animal again."Fluttershy remained silent, focused on Angel's fur. Rainbow Dash's laughter echoed in the serene clearing, but it was abruptly cut short by a chilling voice from the shadows. "Too right," sneered the unfamiliar voice. Rainbow Dash jolted upright, her muscles tensing. Her eyes darted toward the source of the voice, searching the dark underbrush. "Who's there?" she demanded; her voice steady but laced with caution. From the depths of the shadows, a pair of glowing yellow eyes emerged, piercing through the gloom. Rainbow Dash instinctively placed herself protectively in front of Fluttershy, her wings flaring slightly. She would defend her friend with everything she had.
"Come on out!" she challenged, her voice ringing with defiance. The eyes blinked once, then a creature emerged into the light. It was a wolf-like being with sharp claws, sleek black fur flecked with silver spots, and a bushy tail. Its long, graceful body was adorned with dark feathered wings, and its slim muzzle and ears gave it an eerie elegance. Rainbow Dash took a cautious step back but kept her stance firm. She studied the creature, her face a mask of calm determination. "What do you want?" she demanded. The creature paused, seemingly thoughtful for a moment. "Oh... Hello there, little pony," it replied, curling its lip to reveal long, deadly fangs. Rainbow Dash snorted, puffing out her chest defiantly. "Little pony? I'm not little! I'm Rainbow Dash! The fastest flier in all of Equestria! And I'm not afraid of you!" She boasted, her voice brimming with bravado. "I don't know who you are, but I'm not afraid of you! I'll have you know that I've faced some of the most fearsome foes in all of Equestria! You're just another in a long list of bad guys who didn't stand a chance against me! "Really," the creature scoffed. "Then why don't you meet my pack?" With a flick of its bushy tail, the creature summoned its companions. One by one, a group of thirty to forty similar creatures stepped into the light, their eyes glowing ominously. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight of the pack surrounding them. This many! She tried to mask her surprise, but a hint of fear slipped into her voice. "Erm... well, I've fought worse than this... I can handle a small group like you on my own!" The creature smirked, its eyes gleaming with malevolence. "Ha! Can you?" it taunted. "There are forty of us and only one of you." Rainbow Dash puffed up her chest and tried to act confident. "Of course I can! I'm Rainbow Dash, I could take on a thousand of you at once!" The creature surveyed her with ruthless, cold eyes that seemed to pierce through her bravado. "Then what about your friend there?" it said, its voice dripping with malice. At the mention of Fluttershy, Rainbow started to worry. She placed a hoof back slightly in front of Fluttershy to protect her. "Fluttershy? What about her?" "She looks weak," the creature hissed, its tongue flicking in and out like a serpent's. Rainbow Dash bristled at the comment. "She's not weak! Fluttershy is kind and gentle, and just because she doesn't like to fight doesn't mean she can't defend herself!" "Ha! Try me," the creature barked, its voice echoing through the clearing like a sinister promise. Rainbow got into a fighting stance, trying to look as intimidating as possible. "I'm ready for you. Bring it on." "Oh, before we fight, my name is... Menace," the creature said, stretching its wings as it introduced itself. Rainbow nodded in acknowledgment, though she was starting to regret her overconfidence. She was going to go out fighting like a true hero. "Menace, huh? You should have named yourself 'Easy Victory,' since that's what I'm about to give you!" Rainbow Dash sneered, trying to maintain her bravado. Menace snorted and flicked its tail. Two creatures from the pack lunged forward, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Rainbow was kicked away, stumbling back and caught off guard by the swift attack, but she quickly regained her balance. "Hey, that's cheating! Two on one? Unfair!" "So?" Menace shrugged, a cruel smile playing on its lips. "I don't care." Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes, taking a second to evaluate her situation. She couldn't take on two enemies at once, and more might join in at any moment. As she strategized, Menace strode over to Fluttershy, its claws glinting menacingly in the dim light. "No!" Rainbow cried out, but it was too late. Menace's long claws slashed across Fluttershy's wings, leaving deep, painful gashes. Fluttershy screamed in agony, the sound tearing through the air. Rainbow's eyes widened with horror as she took in the sight of Fluttershy's injured wings. Her heart raced with fear and anger. She stumbled forward, torn between the desperate need to help her friend and the overwhelming urge to fight off the attackers.