//------------------------------// // Aaroclict // Story: Beasts and Beings - Stories of Equestria's Inhabitants // by Strongbolt Stonewing //------------------------------// An encounter with an Aaroclict (A-Ro-Clic-T) is like a date with an eighty-year-old: you hope neither happens in your life. Why? Well, firstly, eighty years is way too old... Strongbolt! Oh, right, the Aaroclict. What I meant to say was: Aaroclicts are devious creatures, they have faces like baby pandas with gigantic blue eyes, however, their bodies are serpentine and covered in poisonous thorns. The first time we met an Aaroclict was in the outskirts of Baltimare when we were eating lunch. Yes, I remember, we believed we had spotted a baby bear hiding in a bush, eyeing our food. Intrigued by such an odd occurrence, we proceeded to investigate. When I attempted to offer it a peanut, it snatched my entire lunch from underneath me with its snake-like tongue. It then proceeded to charge at us, flailing its lizard-like body about. A single touch from the toxic thorns of an Aaroclict can send a pony into unconsciousness for up to twenty-four hours and is rumoured to have other side-effects, such as: temporary amnesia, severe dizziness and a splitting headache. It's like an unintentional hangover... from a baby bear. But don't you worry! We'll tell you exactly how to deal with one of these furry little blighters. Firstly, if you do happen to see a baby bear's head protruding from a bush, make sure you examine it closely before approaching. One of the most obvious signs of an Aaroclict is the unmistakeable shape of its teeth. If you can clearly see a set of curved fangs beneath the 'bear's' lips, then I would advise you to either run, or find a blunt object and... well... Quick warning, it's a lot harder to hit a baby bear than you may think. Yes, wait, what? Um, nothing. If you are unable to identify the Aaroclict before it attacks then I would advise running or fighting, preferably the first option, because it's very difficult to fight a creature that you can't touch. Indeed, although, as threatening as this beast may seem, it does have one very embarrassing weakness: raspberries. Aaroclicts go bonkers when they catch sight of the seemingly innocent fruit. As far as pony knowledge goes, we're still unsure as to why Aaroclicts are so unbelievably terrified of the small pink berries, yet, it is a useful trait to exploit, especially if you happen to have raspberries in your lunch. Yes, got away with that one with the skin of our teeth.