The morning sun filtered through the cave's entrance, casting a soft light across the group. Wisp slowly opened her eyes, blinking away the sleepiness.

She sat up and looked around, noticing the others starting to stir. Scar mumbled something incoherently, rubbing his eyes. BixBite yawned loudly and stretched his wings. Cherry-Bomb groaned, still half-asleep.

Wisp chuckled quietly to herself, amused by her companions' morning antics. She got up and walked over to the cave's entrance, peering outside.

The rain had stopped, leaving behind a crisp, cool morning air. The forest surrounding them was alive with birdsong and the sounds of small animals scurrying through the undergrowth.

Wisp took a deep breath, relishing the peaceful moment. Suddenly, Scar's voice broke the tranquility. "Are we gonna lie around all day?"

Wisp turned to look at the others, who were now fully awake and starting to get up. She smiled. "No, I guess we should get moving. Any ideas where we're headed next?"

BixBite spoke up, "Well, we can't just wander around aimlessly. We need to find a more permanent shelter. Somewhere safer than this cave."

Scar nodded in agreement. "Good point. We should start looking for a suitable place before it gets dark again."

Wisp looked at the group, feeling a sense of determination. "Then it's settled. We'll continue exploring the forest and see if we can find somewhere fitting."

The group left the cave and stepped back into the depths of the forest, walking at a steady pace. The air was still cool from the rain, making each breath feel refreshing.

As they walked, Wisp, Scar, and Cherry-Bomb occasionally pointed out interesting plants or animals they spotted along the way. BixBite, however, looked lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the ground. As they continued their journey, something caught Wisp's eye through the trees.

"Wait, guys, do you hear that?" she whispered. The group immediately stopped talking, listening for whatever Wisp had noticed. Sure enough, they heard it too - a faint, rustling sound.

"What is that?" Cherry-Bomb asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

Scar tensed, looking around warily. "I don't know, but whatever it is, it doesn't sound good."

The group tensed, preparing for whatever might come their way. The rustling grew louder, and the sound of twigs snapping could be heard getting closer.

Wisp and Scar instinctively backed up, putting themselves between the others and the source of the noise. Cherry-Bomb and BixBite exchanged nervous glances, their bodies rigid with anxiety.

Suddenly, a dark shape burst through the bushes a few yards ahead. It was a large leopard, its eyes fixed on the group.

The group watched in horror as the leopard charged forward, barreling into Scar and sending him sprawling to the ground. Scar grunted, a mixture of surprise and pain.

"SCAR!" Wisp exclaimed, rushing over to him. "Scar, please tell me you're okay," she told him, dropping down to him.

She could tell that he wasn't dead, but just badly injured. She looked down and a tear fell down her cheek.

Cherry-Bomb and BixBite launched themselves at the leopard, using their wings and hooves to attack it fiercely. They managed to drive the leopard back, keeping it away from Scar and Wisp.

Then, Wisp and Scar's gems began glowing. Their bodies turned into a white glow. Their gems aligned in one form. They stopped glowing, to reveal a brand new pony. A fusion.

They had light blue hair, greyish purple skin/fur, and had black see-through socks, like Scar. They also had a horn and wings, like Wisp.

"I feel like a... Crisp." They said. Wisp and Scar's fusion, now known as Crisp, looked down at their new body curiously. They flexed and stretched, getting a feel for their new form.

Meanwhile, the leopard was momentarily stunned by the sight of the fusion. It took a few steps back, its eyes wide in disbelief. Crisp was taller than the leopard, Cherry Bomb, and BixBite.

Crisp, realizing their newfound height, stood up straighter. They looked down at the leopard, now looking particularly short in comparison.

As Crisp observed the leopard cautiously, they gave their wings a flap, making a soft gust. The leopard backed away further, intimidated by the display.

They saw the leopard was afraid and let out a yell.

"NEEEIIIIGGGGHHHH!"

The leopard backed away slowly, before fully turning around and skedaddling out of there. The other members of the group watched in awe as the leopard fled at the sound of Crisp's neigh. BixBite and Cherry Bomb exchanged glances, equally impressed.

Crisp's eyelids drooped before they fell to the ground and unfused. Scar and Wisp laid on the grass, exhausted. Scar and Wisp groaned as they were separated again, their bodies feeling drained from the fusion. They laid on the ground, panting heavily, the adrenaline slowly leaving their systems.

Cherry-Bomb and BixBite rushed over to them, concern etched on their faces. "Are you guys okay?" BixBite asked, his voice laced with worry.

Scar grunted, pushing himself up into a sitting position. "Yeah... just tired," he said, rubbing his head. Wisp nodded weakly, still trying to catch her breath.

Cherry Bomb let out a sigh of relief, glad to see that they were relatively okay. "Thank goodness. You guys had us worried for a second."

After taking a few moments to rest and gather their strength, the group continued on their journey through the forest. Scar, still a bit wobbly on his legs, leaned on BixBite for support. Wisp and Cherry-Bomb walked closely behind them, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

As they pushed their way through the foliage, the group spotted a small cottage nestled amongst the trees. It looked cozy and secluded, a welcome sight after the previous night spent in the cave. BixBite knocked on the door. An old lady answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, may we please spend the night here? We have nowhere else to g-" BixBite was interrupted by the granny.

"Of course you can! Come in, all four of you!"

The group exchanged surprised glances, not expecting the old lady to be so welcoming. With a grateful nod, BixBite thanked the lady and the rest of the group ducked into the cottage, eager to get out of the elements.

The granny was giving them a tour of the big cottage, when two little tan ponies ran across the room. They both stopped and turned to the four.

The two little ponies, a colt and a filly, stared at the group with wide eyes. They seemed to be around seven years old, with short messy manes and curious expressions.

"Who are you?" the colt asked, taking a step forward. The filly hid behind his leg, peaking out to study the visitors.

"I'm Cherry Bomb, that's Scar, that's Wisp, and that's BixBite," Cherry Bomb explained. The granny spoke up.

"I'm sorry, these are my grandkids, Dusk and Whimsy."

Scar nodded a greeting to the little ponies, Wisp smiled warmly, and BixBite gave a friendly wave. The room filled with an awkward silence before the colt, Dusk, spoke up again. "How old are you?"

"We're all eighteen," Wisp told him.

The colt, Dusk, looked surprised, as did the filly, Whimsy. "You're so old!" the filly finally said, her wide eyes still staring up at the group.

The four chuckled and the granny led them to the spare room.

The spare room looked inviting, with a double bed, a window that let in a soft glow from the setting sun, a light pink fluffy carpet, and a small desk in the corner. The four thanked the old lady, and she smiled before exiting and gently closing the door.

The group looked around at the comfortable quarters, all of them feeling weary. Scar flopped down onto the bed with a heavy sigh, making the frame creak. BixBite hopped next to him. Cherry Bomb noted there was only one bed, and laid down on the carpet.

Wisp chuckled at the sight of the two stallions on the bed and Cherry Bomb on the carpet. "Are you sure you don't need the bed, Cherry?" she teased.

"Three's a crowd in a bed," she told her, Wisp laughing softly.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Besides, the carpet looks comfortable enough."

She laid down next to Cherry Bomb and closed her eyes. The four fell asleep on the comfortable carpet and bed.

The silence of the night settled over the cottage, broken by the soft sounds of breathing from the room. The group slept peacefully, their weary bodies and minds finally getting some much-needed rest.

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