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"Zizzy! Are you ok? It's ok! Everything is going to be ok!"

Pony's voice was frantic in the darkness, causing a shiver to rush up Zizzy's spine. She couldn't tell what it was that had been chasing them, but the zebra could tell it was big by the heavy footsteps that followed behind them. Lucky for them, it seemed that they'd managed to escape its clutches. For how long, she couldn't be sure. But for now, at least, the sound of the footsteps had disappeared. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of Pony's heavy breathing and the thundering of her heart rushing through her ears. In the distance, she could hear the echoing of what sounded like dripping water and even as she strained and flicked her ears this way and that, she couldn't hear anything further from the monster that had been chasing them.

An audible squeak slipped past her lips as she tensed at the sudden brush to her arm. Fingers curled around her arm and she felt herself being pulled into a tight embrace. Pony. She couldn't see him through the extreme darkness before them, but she could sense him, and she could smell him. This feeling had always felt like home to her. Despite everything that had been happening in the world and despite losing her sisters in the chaos, she felt her fears and worries melting away. Even if only for a moment. The hug ended far too quickly as the horse pulled back from her. However, his fingers trailed over her arm until they reached her hand, and she felt a shiver rush up her spine. She wasn't sure if that shiver was from the sensation of his fingers brushing over her fur or if it was because of the silent fear she felt. Whatever the case, Zizzy felt a sense of relief rush over her as Pony's soft-gentle voice filled the deafening silence around them.

"Don't worry. Just stay close to me and we will get out of here, I promise."

"Pony..."

Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...

A sudden and rhythmic beeping sounded through the air, causing Zizzy to jump. She instinctively tightened her own grip on Pony's hand and found herself moving a little closer to him. However, his hand suddenly disappeared and Zizzy found herself desperately trying to reach out to where the horse had been standing. Nothing. Her heart sunk in her chest and panic swallowed her whole as she frantically moved forward, the horse's name escaping from her lips again and again and again.

"Hello again, brave warrior..."

Oh no... She had heard that voice before... She knew exactly who it was. But she still never did find out exactly what it was that this creature wanted. She cautiously turned on her heels to see nothing more than the glowing orange eye of the stranger who had called for her before, after the scratch she had taken to her arm. Subconsciously, her hand reached up to brush over the soft fur that now covered the old wound. "What do you want? I already told you no! I don't want any part of your plan and any part of your deals! I-" Her words were cut short as a scream slipped from her throat. Violet eyes squeezed tightly closed and her body tensed up, prepared for full impact as a growl of anger slipped past the strangers' lips before he came running full speed at her.

"NO!"

Violet eyes shot open, but were immediately met with a bright, bright light that caused them to wince. The lines between reality and slumber still felt very blurred as she struggled to regain her full consciousness. Where was she? What was she doing here? How did she get here? Beep beep beep beep. There was that rhythmic beeping again. It was enough to drive her crazy. What was that? She pulled herself up as much as her aching body would allow her. What happened? Why was she in so much pain? Why did her muscles and joints scream at her to lie back down again? What happened that she simply wasn't remembering?