A/N: Writer's block and school finals, I hate you both.
Now on with the story!
After a heart-warming group hug (Yay! Friends now!) and a great deal of apologizing (mostly to me, about time too), we all headed back to the library to try and have a peaceful discussion without anyone trying to kill each other.
Surprisingly enough, no one did.
As we all got situated, Twilight re-summoned her quill and parchment (got to learn how to do that) and cleared her throat. She looked kind of giddy, as though it were her birthday, Christmas, and the last day of school all at the same time.
“Well, now that we have all that unpleasant business out of the way, we can return to what we were doing before.”
“And that was?”
“You answering my questions.”
“Fair enough. What do you want to know?”
“Absolutely everything.”
“...
Wait, what?”
“You heard me. I want to know everything about you, and you personally.”
“...I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to narrow it down a little bit.”
“Very well. Let's start off with the most obvious one, how are you a pony?”
“Magic. *Snort* *Snort*”
“Impossible. Dragons can't use magic.”
“Clearly you are an expert then, based on how much experience you've had with dragons.”
“But even if you could use magic, how could you possibly have enough power to shape-shift? And how are you holding it?”
I shrugged. “Dunno. It's not that hard really.”
“Aren't you feeling any stress by holding the spell?”
“Nope.”
“What?! None at all?!”
“Not really. I mean, I can feel it, but its not stressful or anything.”
Twi looked lost for words. “But...but...”
“Hey, I don't pretend to understand it. I just use it.”
“But to be able to hold a shape-shifting spell without any extra stress would require a huge amount of power, even more than I have! Just how powerful are you!?!”
“Again, I honestly don't know. I haven't had these powers for very long, so I'm still experimenting to see what I can do.”
“Well, if what you did on the mountain is anything to judge by...”
“You mean when I totally owned those guys? Now that was fun.”
She looked at me reproachfully. “Was it really necessary to resort to violence?”
“Probably not.” I admitted.
“Then why did you?”
“I didn't. If you recall, he threw the first punch. I just encouraged him. A lot.”
“Ugh, what is it with stallions?! Always so eager to fight!”
I grinned. “Assuming the term 'stallions' basically means 'guys', I blame hormones.”
“Anyway, we're getting off topic. How is it that you have so much power?!”
“I'm pretty sure I've answered that at least twice.”
“'I don't know' isn't an answer.”
“Well it's the truth! I literally don't know. Can we move this conversation along now please?”
She gave me a stare down. “Fine. But don't think I'm just gonna let this go.”
“Perish the thought.”
The next hour or so was spent answering question after question, most of which were about dragons. I answered them to the best of my ability, but sadly I didn't really know that much. My study of A Guide To Dragons had only progressed through stuff concerning abilities, and I still hadn't touched the history. I covered this up by saying that I had left the dragon community some time ago to become a traveler, so I wasn't very up-to-date. I also didn't tell them about A Guide To Dragons, preferring to keep that a secret. It was my book after all.
When the hour was up, Twilight had run out of questions (About fricking time too) and the ponies were now discussing what to do next. At least, Rarity and Twilight were. Rainbow Dash had fallen asleep (Kinda wish I could follow her example) and was now curled up on top of a book shelf. I was reading that Daring Doo book, and while it wasn't bad it was more or less what I expected. That is to say, an exact copy of Indiana Jones.
Okay, wait a sec. She was tied up, in a room with spiky walls that were slowly closing, there were spiders on the spikes, quicksand was slowly filling up the room, AND there were poisonous snakes. And she managed to escape everything using her HAT. Her FRICKING HAT.
And that is the biggest load of bullshit I ever heard.
“Rainbow Dash! Wake up! We're leaving!”
“Muh...five more minutes...”
“No Rainbow, now.”
“Ugh.” She rolled over. “Where are we going anyway?”
“I second the motion, where are we going? I'm at a good part here.”
“Well...” Twilight smiled. “Since you meeting us went over so well, I think I should introduce you to the rest of my friends.”
“Oh, well in that case-
...
Wait, the REST of your friends!?!”
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
“Okay, remind me who the hell talked me into this?!”
“That would be me.”
“I hate you Spike.”
“C'mon! It won't be that bad! These guys have no idea that you're a dragon. It'll be just like meeting another new pony! And trust me, we get those all the time. And besides, Fluttershy is the sweetest pony ever. She is a little timid though.”
“Oh, I just know this will go along perfectly.”
“Y'know, for a guy that can befriend a manticore you aren't very open to new friends.”
“Sorry, but when a guy's house looks like it's been pulled straight from Bambi, it makes me question as to whether or not we'll get along.”
After dragging me out of the library to go and meet the rest of her 'friends', Twilight, along with Rarity and Rainbow Dash, led me out of town to a small wooden cottage. The cottage itself looked inviting enough, but the fifty or so animals living practically right next to it killed the mood.
Now, I have nothing against animals, but you can learn a great deal about someone by looking at his home. The cottage had flowerpots in all the window sills, and a little bridge over a flowing creek lead to the front door. Oh, and there were animals literally everywhere. Birds in the trees, fish in the river, chickens in the coop, you name it, this place had it. I'm pretty sure I even saw a couple of flying squirrels.
It's like Snow White, except...more deranged.
Twilight and her friends were at the door already and were gesturing impatiently for me to join them.
I grimaced. “I dunno Twi. The town was bad enough, but this...”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Flame, just get over here.”
“But-”
“No buts! Get your flank over here before I sic Rarity on you!”
“To clarify, I'm faster than her, so-”
“JUST GET OVER HERE!!!”
“Okay okay...”
I hesitantly started walking towards the door.
C'mon Flame, you can do this. Like Spike says, you're friends with a fricking manticore. If you can befriend that, than you can befriend whoever lives here. Just don't mention anything involving Dead Space.
Before I knew it, I was at the door and Twilight was knocking. The door opened, and in the doorway stood...
...a rabbit.
...
Well that completely ruined the suspense. Not that there was any.
I looked from the bunny, to Twilight, to the bunny. “Ummmmmm...soooo...Fluttershy?”
“Yeah, Fluttershy's here. And just who are you?”
It took me a moment to realize that it wasn't Twilight who had spoken. I looked around for anyone else, but there wasn't. Just tons of animals and the rabbit.
“Twilight, did you say something?”
“No, why?”
“Because I thought I heard...never mind. So, this is Fluttershy?”
“No.” She laughed. “This is Angel, one of Fluttershy's pets.”
“Angel?” I looked closer. “But this looks like a guy.”
“He is.”
“She named a boy rabbit Angel?”
“She thought it sounded cute.”
Said rabbit had his eyes fixed on me, made twice as creepy by the fact that rabbit's eyes are almost completely black. He was also glaring at me (I didn't know rabbits could do that) and looked as though he would like nothing better than to tear my head off and use it as a battering ram for the rest of my body.
“Yeah, because cute is totally a word I would use to describe this bunny.”
“Well nobody asked you.”
“Okay, I definitely heard something that time! Who said that?!”
“Said what?”
“That! The 'nobody asked you' thing!”
“What 'nobody asked you' thing?”
“You seriously didn't hear it?”
“Hear what?”
Okay, this conversation's getting old quickly.
I looked around. I saw nothing except animals. Big surprise.
“For the sake of my mental stability, will whoever just spoke please show themselves?”
“I'm right here. Look down.”
I looked down. I saw the rabbit.
“All I see is a bunny dude.”
“Good.” the bunny responded using the same voice I had heard. “At least your eyesight works.”
…
Ooooooooooooo-kaaaaaaaaaaay...
I rubbed my forehead. “Man, this day just keeps on getting better and better.”
“I don't know how you're understanding me, but lets get one thing clear: I will fight you if you piss me off.”
How the hell am I-oh. Right. Chaos magic. Got it.
“Hey man, I'm not looking for a fight. I just want to meet Fluttershy.”
“Well I'm afraid you won't get to her that easily. You'll have to come through me first.”
I blinked. “What? What are you-”
“What are you really planning? You just another one of those punks that comes here to make Fluttershy cry by making fun of her until she bursts into tears?”
“No, I just-”
“You figured she would be an easy target, just like everybody else.”
“What are you-”
“Well I've had enough of you guys. Thinking you can come here and make fun of her just because she's timid.”
“Dude, I just want to-
“I know what you wanna do! You guys are all the same. Stuck-up, pompous, assholes.”
“The hell do you think I-”
“I'll have none of it, you hear me!?! If you so much as touch Fluttershy-”
“DUDE, SERIOUSLY!!! FRICKING CHILL!!! I'M JUST HERE TO MEET HER FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!”
…
“Oh.” If a bunny could look embarrassed, this one did. Only for a few seconds though. “In that case, I'll go get her. But only because your with Twilight Sparkle and her friends. I trust them. Not you.”
“Yeah yeah yeah, I love you too. Now PLEASE go get Fluttershy. I feel like I'm about to turn to stone here.”
During the whole exchange, Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash had all been looking at me with 'WTF' all over their faces. Spike looked shocked too, but since he had seen me talk to Manty the shock had worn off. Not so true for the ponies.
“Ummmmmm...Flame? Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah. But that bunny needs some serious anger management.”
“Uh... you do know the bunny wasn't saying anything...right?”
“No. You just couldn't understand him. Me, on the other hand, being the awesome magic-wielding dragon that I am, could.”
When they still looked confused, I elaborated. “My magic allowed me to understand him.”
Twi's eyes widened. “You can do that?”
“Yeah, and-”
I was interrupted (Fricking AGAIN) by the arrival of a yellow pegasus with a pink mane. Her cutie mark was a picture of some butterflies, and as soon as she saw me, she let out a small *epp* and hid behind her mane.
Wait, a yellow pegasus? I remember this from somewhere...
“O-Oh...er...hello Twilight...”
Twilight managed to overcome her shock enough to realize she had been spoken too. “Hello Fluttershy. I just wanted you to meet the new colt in town. His name is Flamesinger.”
“H-h-h-hi...”
“Please, call me Flame. It sounds better. Now, can I ask as to what you feed your pet rabbit? I met him right when I got here.”
She looked surprised. “O-oh. Y-You mean Angel Bunny?”
Whatever God created this world must have been bored out of his mind when it was naming time.
“Yeah, that guy. Short little white furry dude.”
“J-Just fruits and vegetables. W-Why?”
“Because he seemed rather paranoid.”
Angel appeared next to Fluttershy. “I'm not paranoid.”
“Do you do what you did to me to every new guy in town?”
“Maybe.”
“Yeah, you're paranoid.”
“No, I'm not. Almost fifty percent of the guys that come here are like that.”
“Fifty percent? Really?”
“Yep.”
“Oh...well, I think I can see where you're coming from with that...”
He glared at me again. “I swear, if you try anything-”
“DUDE! Just get off my case already! You're acting like I have a fricking pipe bomb strapped to my chest!”
“What's a 'pipe bomb'?”
Fluttershy was looking at the two of us, wearing a confused expression. Then, as if what was happening finally caught up with her, her eyes widened and she stared at me.
C'mon, c'mon, think! Where have I heard of a yellow pegasus before?
“You can understand him?”
“*Sigh* Yes, I can understand the crazy bunny. Is he always like this?”
“Oh, no. He's in a very good mood today, actually.”
“...uh huh...”
Her eyes suddenly widened. “Oh my goodness, Twilight! I almost forgot! You remember the manticore we caught about a week ago?”
*Time stop*
Ah shit. Manticore...captured? Oh, PLEASE tell me this isn't what I think it is.
“Ah yes.” Twilight suddenly looked much happier. “The day before we left to...er...” She glanced at Spike, who rolled his eyes and urged her to continue. “...to follow Spike. I assume the guards have arrived and already shipped it off to Canterlot?”
“Um...well...not exactly...”
“Just think: a real live manticore to observe and study! I'll have to go there as soon as I ca- wait, what? What do you mean?”
Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit...
“Well...I was feeling horrible for the poor thing...being cooped up in that net and all...so I brought it some fish a couple days ago, and...it wasn't exactly...there.”
“WHAT!?! But that's impossible! What about the net?!”
“That was the strange part. There was a big...s-slash across it, making a hole big enough for a manticore.” She looked terrified just thinking about it. “I d-don't think a m-manticore could have done s-something like that.”
“But that net was enchanted by Princess Celestia herself! She only had it sent down here when I told her how much trouble I was having catching a manticore! It was supposed to be impenetrable!!!”
Shit shit shit shi- wait, what? Impenetrable? That means, like, really durable, right?
As in, very hard to break, right?
And I broke it, like, easily, right?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
…
…
...I don't know what that means...
Twilight turned to us, looking frazzled. “Everypony, I'm sorry, but I have to go check this out! Rarity, Rainbow Dash, could you introduce Flame to Applejack and Pinkie Pie?”
“Of course Twilight.”
“Fluttershy, is the net still in the same place?”
“Y-Yes.”
“Thanks.” And with that, she galloped off, leaving a trail of dust behind her.
I blinked away the dust. “...huh. That girl doesn't screw around, does she?”
“Oh, it's probably nothing.” grumbled Rarity. “Beast probably got bored and started to put that tail of his to good use. She just gets so nervous whenever anything happens that she didn't anticipate.”
“Yeah, now we gotta-hey wait!” Rainbow looked at me, suddenly excited. “Flame, how good are you with those wings?”
“I can levitate myself off the ground and propel myself in any given direction.”
“That's good enough for me! Race you!”
She took off like a bullet, ruffling everybody's hair and scaring some of the animals. By the time I had finished blinking, she was gone.
I stared off in the direction she had disappeared. “Ummmmm...go?”
Rarity sighed. “Well, looks like you're walking with me. Come along Spike, let's show our new friend here Sweet Apple Acres.”
We said goodbye to Fluttershy (as well as to a very non-caring Angel) and set out for this 'Sweet Apple Acres'. As we walked, I managed to contact Manty.
Yo Manty!
Ah, good, you're still alive. I was wondering what kept you. How fairs life with the pony folk?
Crazy as all hell, but that's not what I'm here for. Did you ever get a good look at the guys who put who in that net?
No. I was asleep, remember?
Yeah, that's what I thought. Well I think I'm standing right next to them.
…what?
I heard these ponies talk about a manticore they captured about a week ago that had escaped. They described the same net, as well as the huge hole I put in it.
Rip their lungs out and shove them up their asses.
Sorry, no can do. It would blow my cover. But I do have some information that might interest you.
Go on.
One of the ponies, a purple unicorn by the name of Twilight Sparkle, is heading out to the net to get a good look at my handiwork. It would be the perfect spot for some light revenge.
'Light' revenge?
Just...try not to physically harm her, okay? She's kind of important. Princess Celestia's personal protegee or something like that.
And why are you hanging around her? I thought you were trying to avoid contact with the Princess.
I didn't really have a lot of choice in the matter, plus she's cute.
WHAT!?!
Nah, just kidding. Seriously though, if you want to do that, than you should head out there right now. She took of at a full gallop about five minutes ago.
Many thanks Flamesinger. My revenge shall be slow and painful.
Just...yeah y'know whatever. Do whatever you want.
Really?
NO!!!
You are Mr. No Fun. That's what I'm calling you now.
Goodbye Manty.
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
As Twilight raced across the field, her mind was in turmoil. Thoughts kept racing through her head, questions that she had no answers too. And if there's one thing Twilight Sparkle hates, it's not having the answer to something.
Princess Celestia assured me that this net was unbreakable. She placed about five different durability spells on it! How could it just break?!
Her thoughts stopped when she saw it. A huge metal net, laying in the middle of a valley, secured by metal spikes hammered about a foot into the ground and sealed with a locking spell. She slowed down and began to approach it at a more leisurely pace, scouting the area as she did so.
Seeing the big thing again reminded Twilight of how much of a pain this had been to set up. Simply moving the net had taken the work of Rainbow Dash and several other pegasi, and keeping it out of sight as they had followed the manticore was even worse. When the manticore had finally fallen asleep, the pegasi team had had to slowly and carefully maneuver the net over him, then drape the net over his whole body without waking him. That had been a nightmare. The simplest twitch from the sleeping beast was enough to make everypony's heart stop.
Then came the spikes. They couldn't use a hammer, for obvious noise reasons, and so they had to settle for slowly forcing each spike into the ground with either hoof power or magic. Rainbow had been a big help with that, as the athlete was able to handle a whole spike herself.
Come to think of it, Rainbow Dash helped out with nearly everything. And now look what's happened. All that work for nothing.
As she got closer, she saw that Fluttershy hadn't been joking. There was indeed a huge gash in the side of the net, every metal strand neatly cut by some sort of blade-like...thing.
Fluttershy was right, there's no way a manticore could have done this. It isn't strong enough. So what did?
She was also sensing something. Curious, she reach out with her magic and felt the surrounding area. Then immediately recoiled.
DISCORD!!!
But nothing was happening.
Hesitantly, wary for what well might be a trap, she reached out again. What she felt was traces of a power that felt similar, oh so similar to Discord's, and yet she knew it wasn't his. She knew what Discord's power felt like. Hay, she had spent a whole day in his messed-up upside-down version of Ponyville, and it had positively reeked of his energy.
No, this wasn't his power. But it was similar. VERY, VERY, similar. Similar enough that it might be a threat. Whatever it was was powerful enough to break through several warding spells with apparent ease, and that was reason enough to be careful.
Princess Celestia needs to know about this. Ohhh...if only Spike was here! He could-
A low, ominous growl sounded right behind her.
Oh, horseapples.
She slowly turned around, hoping against hope that what she suspected was there wasn't.
Sure enough, it was.
Standing right behind her, glaring at her, was the manticore. She recognized it immediately. It was the same manticore that she had coordinated the capture of not a week ago. What was it doing back here? Wouldn't it's instincts tell it not to come back, seeing as how sleeping here had ended in it's temporary imprisonment? What possible reason could it have for returning?
...R-Revenge?
She quickly batted aside those thoughts. This was a manticore. It didn't have a big enough brain capacity for complex concepts such as revenge. It had probably just returned because it had spotted her and dubbed her easy prey.
Not that that makes it any better...
The manticore suddenly raised its claw. Twilight tensed, preparing to threw up a force field or teleport away if need be.
It pointed at the net.
She blinked. Wait...
Then it began a series of motions. After the net, it pointed at itself. Then it pointed at her. Then it mimed a cut-throat gesture and bared its fangs.
Then it stopped and looked at her.
She stared right back, uncomprehendingly.
It rolled its eyes and repeated the series of gestures.
Inside, Twilight was going nuts. This was a manticore! A wild animal! It wasn't supposed to be capable of complex thought! HOW was it DOING this!?!
Unfortunately, when Twilight goes into deep thought, she kind of spaces out, so the manticore ended up performing the same set of motions five times in a row (which didn't seem to improve its mood) before Twilight was able to respond.
“Y-Y-You...d-don't like...t-the net?”
The manticore gave her a look that clearly said 'No, really, I've just been trying to tell you that for the past ten minutes', then bared its fangs again.
She shrank back, behaving very much like Fluttershy. “O-Okay...I-I get it...no more nets. I-I'm sorry I tried to capture you...just p-p-please don't hurt me...”
The manticore grinned, which combined with its barred teeth made quite a creepy image. Then it roared. Loudly.
The unexpectedness and volume of the roar was too much for Twilight's already battered nervous system. Her eyes rolled into her head, and she fainted dead away.
The manticore came over, sniffing and nudging her a few times. Satisfied that his work was complete, he turned and headed back into the forest, singing a low song under his breath that was neither from this world nor could be understood by it. Even he wasn't sure what the words meant. But it seemed fitting for this situation.
“Trollololololllllolololllllolololllll...”
- End of Chapter 8 -