//------------------------------// // The human and the Bat-pony // Story: The Mechanic // by Clintr //------------------------------// The road to Sweet Apple Acres. 9:00AM We all soon rushed to Sweet Apple Acres by the sound of an alarm bell. "Attention! This is a Sweet Apple Acres code red! I need all hooves, claws and hands on deck!" Applejack exclaimed. "Calm down, Applejack." said Rarity. "Calm down?! How can I calm down at a time like this?! Vampire fruit bats are attackin' Sweet Apple Acres!" "Vampire fruit bats?" I questioned. "But I thought the fruit bats usually stayed put in the west orchard." Twilight said. "The fruit bats do, but these aren't just your everyday ordinary fruit bats. They're vampire fruit bats! I'll be darned if they think they're gonna sink their fangs into my blue ribbon apple." Applejack soon removed a tarp to reveal a huge apple. Big enough for the tree to bend. The rest were in awe I for one was shock as well. "God damn Applejack, what's this huge apple for anyway?" I asked. "This here's our entry into the Appleloosa State Fair's produce competition." she then polished it "You know how much TLC goes into getting an apple to grow like this?" "Applejack! When you go big, you really go big!" Rarity said as she looked at her reflection. "Them vampire bats want to shrivel it up like a raisin!" Fluttershy soon spoke. "Oh, I'm sure if we just let them know how special that particular apple is to you, they'll leave it alone." "Yeah, right. Be my guest." We soon came to a apple tree that was infested with Vampire fruit bats. Fluttershy soon walk forth. "Um, excuse me, Mr. Vampire Bat--" A rotted apple soon was tossed in front of her. "We were just wondering if maybe you wouldn't mind leaving that really big apple alone?" However, the bats responded by hammering Fluttershy with apple seeds. Fluttershy soon rushed back towards are position. "Well? What'd he say?" Apple jack asked. "Um... yes." "Huh?!" Applejack gasped in excitement. "But... it could've been a no." "Oh." Applejack groaned. "This is the first vampire fruit bat I've ever met and, well, it might take some time for me to really understand their language." "Uh-huh. And in the meantime, this pest and his vermin friends are gonna go after my prized apple! And while they're at it, every other apple in the orchard! These vampire bats are nothin' but a bunch of monsters!" "Monsters?!" Fluttershy gasped. "Oh, that's a bit harsh, don't you think?" "No, I do not." http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=djw7dvrWYtc Those vampire bats will give you a fright Eating apples both day and night. They rest for a minute, maybe three. Then they're eatin' every apple in your apple tree. They don't care about nada, not zilch, no, nothin.' 'Cept bringin' about an orchard's destruction! Now wait just a minute, there's another side to this. And if I did not defend them, then I would be remiss. These bats are mamas and papas too. They care for their young just like we ponies do. Oh, give me a break, you're bein' too kind. These creatures have a one-track mind. The orchard is not their restaurant. But do they ever think what others may want? No! They don't! And that is just a fact These bats, they simply don't know how to act. That's where I have to disagree. They're loyal to their family..Spreading seeds both far and wide- You see one comin', you'd better run and hide! They're big and ugly and mean as sin. Will ya look at the state my trees are in? They help your trees, they'll grow stronger faster- They've turned my life to a total disaster! Well, I for one don't have a doubt. These vermin must be stamped right out! I second that, they've got to go! These bats, they've got to hit the road! It comes down to just one simple fact. They've crossed the line, it's time to fight them back! They all started circling both me and Fluttershy. Stop the bats! Stop the bats! Make them go and not come back! Stop the bats! Stop the bats! Make them go and not come back! Stop the bats! Stop the bats! Make them go and not come back! Yes, it comes down to just one simple fact. They've crossed the line, it's time that we attack! I soon help Fluttershy off the ground then Rarity spoke "I'm sorry, Fluttershy, but I believe Applejack has made the better argument. These vampire fruit bats sound downright dreadful." "So let's get to roundin' them up so they don't destroy the rest of my orchard." Applejack demanded as she walked pass Fluttershy. "Fruit bat round-up, fruit bat round-up!" Pinkie Pie sung. However Fluttershy suggested a different way "Um, excuse me, but, um, what if instead of rounding them up, we... let them have part of the orchard?" "Have you lost your pest-lovin' mind?!" AppleJack whined. "They're only here because they're hungry! If we build a sanctuary for them, they could have their own apples to enjoy! After a while, they could even help the rest of your orchard! The vampire bats don't eat the seeds of the apples, and when they spit them out, they grow into even more productive apple trees!" "Listen, Fluttershy. That sounds real nice 'n all, but every second we spend buildin' this so-called 'sanctuary' is a second they'll spend destroyin' orchards! You don't know what it was like the last time there was an infestation! But Granny Smith has told me enough stories about it that just the thought of it gives me nightmares!" Flashback "Granny says we lost a huge section of orchard that year. They had to ration out apples all winter!" Present "What about the cider? There was still cider, right?" Rainbow questioned AppleJack. "Not. A. Drop." "No cider?! No cider?! We need to round up these monsters, and we need to do it now! Torrent you build stuff right, don't you have anything that could get rid of them?" "Well, I have been working on something ever since I moved to Ponyville, but the problem is that I don't think that it will help in this matter." "If Granny Smith wasn't with Apple Bloom an' Big Mac checkin' out our produce competition in Appleloosa, she'd be here tellin' us to do just that!" AppleJack said. Twilight soon walked towards Fluttershy "I'm sorry, Fluttershy, but I think Applejack is right. I just wish there was another way we could convince them not to eat them in the first place..." Twilight soon made an expression as if a lightbulb clicked on above her head "Maybe there is!" Golden Oaks Library 10:00am "So, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that I found a spell that can get the vampire fruit bats to stop wanting to suck the juice from the apples. But in order for the spell to work, I need the bats' full and complete attention." Twilight said. Fluttershy soon then gasped "Oh no." "What's the matter Fluttershy?" I questioned. Twilight walked up to Fluttershy "Fluttershy, I need you to do your Stare on the bats." "Oh, gosh, I don't know." "What's the problem? You've used the Stare plenty of times before!" Rainbow questioned Fluttershy. "Yes, but it's not something I take lightly. I've made a vow not to use it except in dire circumstances." "This circumstance is plenty dire to me!" AppleJack added. "Me too!" Rainbow added "Think of the cider! Won't somepony please think of the cider?!" I soon groaned then face palmed. "I'm sorry. I just don't like the idea of taking away the thing that really makes the vampire fruit bats" Fluttershy soon took a deep breath "vampire fruit bats! It just feels wrong!" "But if we don't do this, there won't be any apples left for anypony here in Ponyville. Doesn't that feel wrong, too?" Twilight asked. Fluttershy soon then hesitated. "We'll leave you alone for you to decide, come on everypony." Twilight said then they left, leaving me and Fluttershy. "I should go too." I said then head to the door. I soon gripped the door I was soon stopped by Fluttershy's voice. "What do you think that I should do Torrent?" "What I think that you should do is, do what you think is right Fluttershy." I soon left. Sweet Apple Acres 30min later. Fluttershy soon walked towards us. "So what's it gonna be, Fluttershy? Will you do your Stare on the bats or not?" AppleJack questioned. "Um... Um... Okay, I'll do it." "Good choice. I knew you wouldn't side with those icky bats!" Rarity said then whimpered. "They're not icky." Fluttershy protested. "First round of cider's on me!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Hold it right there!" AppleJack said to Rainbow "We've gotta round up these beasts with wings first. Time's a-wastin'!" We soon headed out into the orchard to catch the bats. I've decided to go old school with a wooden crate, a stick, rope, and a bucket of apples. It didn't take long for a group of bats to take the bait. I soon pulled the rope, trapping the vampire fruit bats. I soon lug the crate to the tree that the others have set their catch. I soon released the bats from the crate then the perched themselves on the tree. "Good work, everypony! I think we got 'em all! " AppleJack exclaimed then turned to Fluttershy "Now all we need is for you do to your Stare." "Oh, um, are you sure I really need--" Fluttershy was cut off by the rest nodding their heads "Okay. I really, really, really hate to do this to you... I just hope you can forgive me..." Fluttershy's eyes soon widen causing the bats to hiss but soon stopped when they looked at Fluttershy. Applejack soon smiled. "Good... Now you go, Twilight!" "Alright." Twilight soon lit up her horn, encasing the bats in a magical aura, a pink sheen of light soon revealed but something was telling that something wasn't right. The light soon faded. "You can stop staring, Fluttershy." Twilight said to Fluttershy. Fluttershy's eyes soon stopped then she landed back on the ground. "Did it work?" Spike questioned. "Only one way to find out for sure." Applejack soon signaled Dash to give an apple. The bat soon rejected it then flew off. "Ye-he-heah, whoo!" Rainbow cheered. "My crop is saved! Yee-haw!" Applejack exclaimed. "We'll be drinking cider all winter long!" "I wanna thank you for your help. I couldn't have done it without you." "Aw, don't mention it, Applejack. It was my pleasure! Really!" Spike said. I soon then groaned again. "Now all we gotta do is sweep up these cores so I can start buckin' fresh tomorrow mornin'!" Applejack said then the others followed her. I soon followed them but I was stopped by sniffing noises. I soon looked back and saw Fluttershy looking at an apple. "Hey, you ok Fluttershy?" I asked. Fluttershy soon tuned towards me "Huh? Oh yes, I'm feeling ok thank you very much." "Then come on we're fallin' behind." - That Night Golden Oaks Library. I soon let a sigh of uneasiness on what has happen today as I laid on the bed. Twilight soon noticed my expression. "What's wrong Torrent?" she asked. "It's just a theory, but my gut's telling me that the spell will not work somehow." "What do you mean?" "What I mean is, oh nevermind." Twilight soon said nothing then turn off the light. - Sweet Apple Acres The next day. We all soon found ourselves back at Sweet Apple Acres standing over an apple husk. Twilight Sparkle spoke in shock "The spell didn't work!" "You're darn tootin' the spell didn't work!" Applejack said in agitated tone "I think we're gonna have to take more extreme measures!" Rainbow Dash soon agreed "I hear ya, Applejack! C'mon, everypony! Let's track down those vampire bats!" We all soon rushed towards the vampire bats location. Rainbow soon offered a bat who was reading a book, but the swat it away the it landed on Rarity's horn. I soon took the apple from her horn than tossed it aside. "Thank you darling." "No problem." Applejack soon got suspicious "Wait a minute... I don't think these bats are the ones that sucked my apples dry." "But if the vampire bats aren't eating your apples..." Rarity started. Twilight soon finished her sentence "Who is? Fluttershy, you're our animal expert. Do you know of any other creature that might be capable of this?" "I'm sorry. I don't." "Well, there's only one way to find out. We'll have to catch whoever it is in the act." "And how do you propose we do that?" Rarity questioned Twilight. "A stakeout!" - Sweet Apple Acres that night. We were all walking through the fields to try and find the culprit. "The witching hour..." Rainbow said in a spooky tone. Fluttershy soon spoke next "Maybe we should just call this off. Not sure about the rest of you guys," she soon entered in an entrance-like state when she looked at the apple on a far tree "but I'm really hungry..." saliva soon began to drip from her mouth but she the swallowed it. "Oh, Fluttershy, it'll be okay. Don't forget, darling, we're all in this together." Rarity consoled her. "That's right. Nopony leaves this orchard until we've solved this mystery. Agreed?" Twilight said. The rest of us soon agreed. "Does everypony have their pony signals?" AppleJack asked. Twilight and Rarity lit up their horns like spotlights with a shadow of their cutie marks however Pinkie Pie pulled a flashlight from her man then held it by the curls. It too casted a shadow of her cutie mark. "What about you Torrent?" AppleJack asked me. "I'll signal you guys with this." I answered then pulled this out of my bag. "What in the hay is that?" "A 37mm launcher." "That thing won't hurt anyopony will it?" Fluttershy questioned. "Relax, I've made custom bullets for this operation, it won't fatally wound anything, but I'll just be using flare rounds." "Alright, now remember, Pinkie Pie, only use the signal if you see somethin' suspicious." AppleJack said to Pinkie. "I got it. Something suspicious..." Pinkie Pie soon spot Fluttershy sniffing an apple. "Whatcha doin'?!" Pinkie Pie questioned catch Fluttershy off guard. We all soon walked to the entrance of the orchard. Applejack soon spoke "Alright, now everypony split up. We'll each patrol our own row of the orchard. Whoever or whatever's destroyin' my apples has gotta be here somewhere." Row of the orchard A few hours later. "Yeesh I've gone up and down this orchard and I haven't seen anything that's suspicious. Might as well take a breather." I soon leaned up against a tree. I soon spotted an apple on a low hanging branch, I soon took it off. "Well, Bottoms up." I soon brought my teeth down onto the apple, but bit nothing. I looked at my hand and saw that the apple had disappeared. "The hell." I soon heard a splatting sound, I turned to the direction on where it came from only to find a silhouette hanging from a tree and judging on the position, it was hanging upside-down. I soon got the launcher then attached a tactical light "So you must be the one destroying the orchard, cease this now or I'll have to use force!" I shined the light upon the creature but I was shocked on what I have seen. Her body color was yellow her hair was pink and messy just as was her tail (which was keeping her suspended) she soon unfurled her bat-like wings to reveal the clothing she was wearing were tattered, she soon opened her eyes to reveal a blood colored iris she soon let out a screech. I immediately recognized her. "Fluttershy!?!" She soon dropped from the branch then landed on her feet then started walking towards me. Which I soon started to backup. "Fluttershy what happen to you?" I questioned. She said nothing but continued walking. "Say something!" She soon launched at me. "Crap!" I dodged to the left, loaded a flare round then shot it to the sky. The flare gave off this light. However, Fluttershy (or Flutterbat) soon took hold of me. I found myself pinned against a tree by a Bat-pony. She just stared at me, not moving a muscle. About another minute of silence she then leaned in closer till her muzzle touched nose. 'Getting too close.' I mentally said uneasy. "TORRENT!!!" I heard someone screamed causing Flutterbat to fly off. I looked to see the others coming my way. "Are you ok Torrent?" Twilight asked. "Yea, but the question is that how did Fluttershy became like this?" "I think this was actually our fault." "Our fault?" Rainbow repeated. "And how'd you figure that?" Applejack questioned. Twilight soon lit up her horn then created a holographic diagram on what happened. Twilight soon spoke "Okay, so this is me, these are the bats, and this is Fluttershy doing her Stare. The spell was supposed to go right onto the bats like this, but somehow the spell must have backfired. It took the vampire fruit bats' desire to be vampire fruit bats and transferred that desire into Fluttershy. C'mon! We'll reverse the spell and make it right!" Pinkie soon emerged from the ground "Then what are we waiting for? Let's save Fluttershy before that thing eats us all!" Flutterbat soon charged at us. "Hit the deck!" Rainbow said then ducked. "Follow that bat!" Pinkie said as we race in the direction on where she flew but lost her. "I can't believe we lost her!" Rarity said. "Oh, Fluttershy, where are you?" Twilight questioned. Flutterbat soon charged at us, Spike took off running then tripping over an apple. She soon took the apple then started spitting seeds at us. "Look out! Whoa!" AppleJack exclaimed. "If she keeps this up, your whole crop will be gone in no time!" Rainbow said. "That's the least of my worries. I just want my friend back." AppleJack said. "We'll never get her back unless we corner her and catch her so I can reverse the spell!" Twilight said then we rushed to find her. We walked for a good five minutes until we spotted Fluttershy in the distance. Twilight soon spoke in a hushed tone "There she is!" Fluttershy soon spotted us then flew away. "There she goes!" AppleJack said. "Oh, this is no use. I think the only way we're gonna catch her is if we find a way to lure her closer to us." "But even if we can lure her to us, how're we gonna get her to stay still long enough for you to do your reverse spell?" AppleJack questioned Twilight. "Aww, if only we had Fluttershy to do her Stare on the Flutterbat." Pinkie added. Twilight soon gasped "That's it!" - Orchard entrance 10 minutes later. Twilight soon levitated the big apple to the entrance then Rainbow Dash removed the tarp. "Okay, let's get our friend back. Action stations!" 'I think you mean battle stations.' I mentally corrected Twilight. Me and AppleJack held up our knives. "So much for having the winning apple in the Appleloosa State Fair, huh?." Rainbow asked. Applejack soon let out a sigh. "Dash your not helping." I said. "Heh, sorry." We soon cut each end of the apple, allowing the juice to leak out. Fluttershy soon caught the scent of the apple then started heading towards us. Rainbow soon spoke in a hushed tone "She's coming!" As Fluttershy neared us AppleJack kicked the apple aside to reveal Spike holding a mirror. Fluttershy soon cover her eyes then try to fly away but she then flew towards another mirror with Pinkie standing behind it. She tried flying away again but towards another mirror that was held by Rarity. Twilight soon lit up her horn then encased Fluttershy in magic, reversing the transformation, Fluttershy soon regain her senses. "Oh... where am I?" Fluttershy asked. But the rest of us respond by cheering. "Thank goodness you're okay!" Applejack said in relief. "But... what happened to me?" Fluttershy questioned. Pinkie soon landed in the middle of Applejack and Fluttershy "You turned into a vampire pony!" Fluttershy soon let out a gasps "I tried to eat ponies?!" "Of course not!" "So I wasn't a vampire?" "Yes!" "Yes I was, or yes I wasn't?" "Yes, you were!" "But I didn't try and eat ponies?" "Yes!" "I did?!" "No!" "I'm confused..." "Me too... and I was there!" Rarity added. - Sweet Apple Acres the next day 9:00am I was hammering a sign down on in front of the orchard. Applejack soon spoke "Fluttershy, I'm real sorry I didn't take your suggestion in the first place." "And don't forget, now you'll get seeds that will grow into even bigger and better apple trees." Fluttershy said. "Does that mean what I think it means?" Rainbow asked. Applejack knew the answer "Yup! More cider too." "Yea-he-heah, whoo!" Rainbow hollered' - Fluttershy's cottage. 9:30am Spike was writing in the journal "Okay, got the part about the spell, Fluttershy turning into a bat, building a sanctuary..." "Be sure to put in there that I came to see that my short-term solution was a little short-sighted." Applejack reminded. "And that you shouldn't let anypony pressure you into doing something that you don't think is right. Sometimes you have to tell even your closest friends 'no'." Fluttershy added. The rest then nodded in agreement. "Now how about we celebrate our stronger than ever friendship with a nice, ripe, juicy apple?" Applejack asked as she held a red apple in front of Fluttershy. But then, Pinkie appeared wearing fake vampire teeth and stated speaking in a fake accent "Stand back! I vant to suck its juuuice!" Pinkie then bit down on the apple but the teeth got stuck in it, she then smiled. We all responded by laughing.