As the Mane Six headed deep into the forest, Derpy told the gang how amazing it was that Raindrops saved them from being trapped in that cave.
“...And just as we thought we be trapped here forever, Rainy stepped forward and helped us escape! Derpy said, finishing the story.
“Yes, Derpy, we were there, and we’re very grateful, but we gotta-“ Radiant Hope started before a manticore blocked their path.
“Oh no! It’s a manticore!” Hope told the others. The manticore roared, and the girls knew that they got to get past him. “We've gotta get past him!” Hope told the others.
Derpy stepped forward and was ready to fight. The manticore swung at Derpy, but she dodged and gave a swift punch to the manticore. “Take that, you meanie!” Derpy told the manticore.
Just then, the manticore took another swing at Derpy, but this time, it hit her. Derpy was sent flying and landed on the ground with a big bruise on her right hoof.
“Guys, stop.” Vinyl told the gang, but they didn’t listen.
Limestone was up next. She ran up to the manticore as he roared at her. “I ain’t afraid of you!” Limestone told the manticore. She then tackled the monster and gave him a few punches before the manticore tossed Limestone to ground.
“Guys, stop.” Vinyl again told the gang, but once again, they didn’t listen.
“He’s all yours, Raindrops.” Limestone told Raindrops. “I’m on it!” Raindrops said, bravely. She flew up to the manticore and flew around him, trying to get him dizzy. It worked and Raindrops flew in for the punch, but that’s when the manticore regained his composure, and punched Raindrops right in the face! That punch sent Raindrops right to the ground.
“Raindrops!” Hope said in shock. Raindrops stood up in pain. “That guy’s so powerful!” Raindrops told the gang. That’s when they have to go full force on the manticore.
The girls looked at the manticore, the manticore looked at them back, and the five charged at the manticore, ready to strike him down. But just before they could do that…
“STOP!”
Vinyl’s scream stopped the girls. She then turned to the manticore, and walked up to him. The manticore started to lift his paw at Vinyl, and the girls looked away from what’s about to happen.
But somehow Vinyl calmed him down. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not here to hurt you, I’m here to help you.” Vinyl told the manticore. The five ponies were confused. “What is she doing?” Coloratura told Limestone. Limestone only shrugged.
The manticore looked at Vinyl. “Don’t worry, I’m here to help you with whatever problem you have.” Vinyl said happily. The manticore then showed Vinyl his paw, which had a thorn in it.
“So there’s the problem, a thorn stuck in your paw. Wow, whoever did this to you really hates your guts.” Vinyl told the manticore.
“Wow, I never knew that Vinyl was so good with animals.” Derpy said. “Yeah, me neither.” Raindrops said.
Vinyl grabbed the paw. “Alright, hold still. This might hurt a little.” She then yanked the thorn out of the paw, which makes the manticore immediately grab Vinyl and roar at her.
“VINYL!” The five girls screamed. But then, the manticore started to lick Vinyl. She laughed and he licked her. “Stop! That tickles!” She said, laughing.
After that, the manticore set Vinyl on the ground and walked off. “Bye, manticore!” Vinyl said waving at him.
Hope walked up to Vinyl. “How did you know about the thorn?” She asked Vinyl. “I didn't. Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness.” Vinyl said.
With that, the Mane Six headed deeper into the Everfree Forest. With the manticore now gone, the girls knew that getting to the Elements of Harmony will be easy.
Oh, how wrong they were.