Morsels #3

"This... how is this possible?" Twilight said. As the blaze of light faded, the creature began moving again. Its neck uncurled as it stood on thick, stubby legs.

"Twilight," Rarity said, starting to back away from the beast, "why didn't the magic work?"

Rainbow Dash landed next to Twilight. "Yeah, what gives? It worked just fine on Tirek."

Twilight stood observing the strange creature. Black ooze was beginning to leak from beneath its scales again. A deep rumble shook the ground, coming in waves. It took Twilight a moment to realize the thing was laughing.

"Hmm," it purred, "that was the most pain I've felt in an age." One great, clawed hand reached up from the ground to scratch at its scarred underbelly causing more glutinous liquid to spurt out. "You look shocked. Don't worry, little ones, you will be cared for."

Twilight shuddered involuntarily. "We don't want your caring!" she shouted. "Just leave Equestria in peace and we won't need to hurt you again."

The black tide was beginning to cover the field again. The long grass was pressed down as the tar ran up hills and over small boulders.

"Again? That was quite a burst of magic. Little ones like you shouldn't strain yourselves, you'll only get hurt," the creature cooed as it began putting one leg in front of the other.

Scrunching up her nose, Applejack started backing away from the approaching wave. "Twilight, that gunk is gettin' awful close."

Twilight's head turned this way and that between distant Ponyville and the approaching behemoth. She sighed. "Okay, everypony, hold still. I'll get us back to Ponyville and then we can get a message to the Princess."

As Twilight's horn lit, she muttered to herself, "I hope she has a backup plan..."