*~Somethings wrong in ponytown~*

Safety in sight

As the battle raged on in the distance, the unicorn guard turned to Michi with a sense of urgency.

"The pegasi need to get to Cloudsdale, it's the safest place right now," he said, his voice firm yet compassionate. "Your friends need to get up there as quickly as possible."

Michi nodded, understanding the importance of their friends' safety. "Alright, I'll let them know," she replied, her heart racing.

The guard offered her a reassuring nod. "Good. I'll stay with you and we'll find the others. We need to move quickly, though – the monster is still out there, and we can't let it reach Cloudsdale."

Without another word, Michi and the guard turned and rushed away.

As Michi and the guard rushed through the twisted, blackened streets of Ponytown, the young unicorn couldn't help but feel a growing sense of dread. The further they ventured, the more the effects of the monstrous creature's presence became apparent.

The once vibrant and lively town had been reduced to a nightmarish landscape, the ground and buildings covered in a thick, viscous goo that seemed to ooze and shift with a life of its own. Michi shuddered as she caught glimpses of the creature's tendrils snaking along the path, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked nearby.

"I didn't realize it had grown so large," Michi murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she ran, staying close to the guard.

The guard's expression was grim, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a practiced, vigilant gaze. "Yes, it's become a formidable foe," he replied, his voice low and serious. "We must make haste to retrieve your other friends and get you all to safety."

The journey felt like an eternity, each step filled with tension and the ever-present threat of the monster's looming presence. Michi's heart raced, her mind consumed by worry for Aimi and Enzos safety and the well-being of her friends who had already fled to Cloudsdale.

As they approached the house, Michi's breath caught in her throat. The door hung open, an unpleasant surprise as Michi had left it shut when she departed the house that morning, promising the kids she would be back soon. The guard's horn began to glow, ready to defend them at a moment's notice.

Cautiously, they entered the dwelling, the air thick with the lingering scent of fear and desperation. Michi's eyes scanned the room, desperate to find any sign of Enzo or Aimi.

"Aimi!" she called out, her voice laced with a mixture of hope and dread.

As Michi and the guard made their way through the darkened house, the air was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant, raging screeches from the ongoing battle.

Michi's heart pounded in her chest, a sense of dread weighing heavily upon her. She had been entrusted with the care of these children, and now they were nowhere to be found. Her mind raced, filled with worry and the weight of responsibility.

The power had been cut, plunging the house into an unsettling darkness. The guard's horn glowed, casting an ethereal light that illuminated the shadows, his vigilant gaze sweeping the area for any sign of danger.

Michi hurried towards the children's bedroom, the guard close behind her. As she pushed the door open, her eyes landed on a small, trembling form huddled beneath the bed.

"Enzo!" she cried out, relief and concern mingling in her voice as she rushed to his side.

Gently, she reached out and pulled the young unicorn colt into her embrace, his small frame shaking in her wings.

"Enzo, are you alright?" she asked, her voice soft and soothing. "Where's Aimi?"

But Enzo remained silent, his eyes wide with fear, his lips quivering as he struggled to find the words. The distant sounds of the battle echoed ominously, only serving to heighten the young colt's distress.

Michi's heart sank, a knot of worry forming in the pit of her stomach. She had grown to care deeply for these children, having spent countless hours watching over them. The thought of Aimi being in harm's way filled her with a sense of dread.

The guard stood vigilantly at the doorway, his horn glowing brightly, ready to defend them should the monster's tendrils breach the safety of the house.

Michi held Enzo close, her own body trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. She had to find Aimi, no matter the cost. These children had become like family to her, and she would do whatever it took to keep them safe.

Michi burst out the front door, Enzo trembling in her embrace, her eyes frantically scanning the deserted streets of Ponytown. The sky above was a foreboding shade of grey, not a single pony in sight.

The guard stepped out beside her, his horn still glowing, his gaze sweeping the area for any signs of danger.

"Where is everyone?" Michi asked, her voice laced with concern.

The guard turned to her, his expression grave. "The Queen's orders were to evacuate all unicorns and earth ponies immediately," he explained. "They've been taken much further from Ponytown, for their own safety."

Michi's heart sank as she realized the implications of his words. Aimi had likely been rescued and taken away, far from the raging battle and the monstrous creature that threatened to consume the town.

A deep, heavy sigh escaped her lips as she held Enzo closer, the young colt clinging to her desperately.

"Then Aimi is safe," Michi murmured, more to herself than to the guard. The weight of responsibility that had been pressing down on her seemed to lift slightly, but she couldn't shake the lingering worry for her friend's well-being.

The distant, eerie screeches from the battle echoed through the empty streets, a constant reminder of the danger that still loomed. Michi's grip on Enzo tightened, her protective instincts kicking in as she scanned the area, ready to shield him from any harm.

The guard's horn continued to glow, his vigilant gaze ever-watchful, ready to defend them if necessary.

Michi took a deep, steadying breath, her mind racing with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. Aimi was safe, but the rest of Ponytown remained in peril. She knew she couldn't rest until the monstrous threat had been eradicated and the town had been secured.

With a renewed sense of determination, Michi turned to the guard, her eyes filled with a steely resolve.

"We need to find a way to help the others," she said, her voice firm and unwavering. "I won't leave until this town is safe."