//------------------------------//
// 10. The Farmer's Viper 
// Story: Nation Shall Speak Peace Unto Nation 
// by Dan The Man 
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8.    Scene – Fluttershy’s Cottage

 
·Rarity: Be still, or else he may come around.
·Fluttershy: Oh, don’t be like that, Rarity. Look at him, he seemed so poor and helpless…
·Rarity: That ape is twice your size! What makes you think he was helpless?! And apart from that; the only thing “poor” about that one is his sense of fashion!
·Jane: *coming around; tired and numb’* What the…
 
(Jane wakes up to notice that he is lying on the floor of a cottage house. He first thinks that his whole day was a bad dream, no matter how real it seemed. He then notices that he is lying on the floor. Then, he notices with shock that his leg is still pumping and feels incredibly sensible. He opens hiseyes further, trying to look around. At first, he barely notices Fluttershy and Rarity standing a few feet away from his head, surveying his grimaces with interest. But then he turns his head towards them)
 
·Jane: *stares at them with widened eyes. The sense of jolt forbids him to speak*
·Fluttershy: *a bit unsure now* Oh oh. Looks like he is waking up now.
·Jane: *without further adoo, he tries to get up, but falls back to his knees, writhing in pain*
·Fluttershy: *in her natural conversing voice when talking to animals* P-please don’t be afraid… We just want to help you…
·Jane: *he attempts to crawl away from both of them, and gets to a nearby wall. He turns around and reaches for his holster; then he notices that his gun has been stuck back into it. He stares at them awkwardly*
·Rarity: Oh, great. What is he trying to do now?
·Jane: *weighing the situation* Segreant David Eyre, Royal Australian Air Force. Who… are you?
·Rarity: *appaled* It can speak?!
·Fluttershy: *smiles mildly* Yes, I told you I heard him shouting for help.
·Jane: *impatiently* Who are you?! Where am I?
·Fluttershy: Pssssssh… don’t be afraid, you’re just hurt.
·Jane: *takes a look at his throbbing knee; It has been neatly bandaged* I… I know. *he is confused. Creatures like that have attacked the Chinook earlier* Where are Flying Officer Kinsman and Flight Sergeant Mallard? Are they narby?
·Rarity: Who? Talk sense, will you?
·Jane: My superiors, they came down with me… did they survive it?
·Rarity: Survive what? What in all of Equestria are you talking about? You just… kind of dropped out of the sky, Fluttershy said.
·Jane: Yes, I know… *recollecting nervously* my helicopter crashed. I made it to the ground, my parachute got stuck. I jumped, and broke my leg. Then… *he stops* I don’t remember.
·Rarity: Well, you got frozen by a cockatrice for one. Fluttershy had to save you!
·Fluttershy: *modestly* Oh, it was nothing. I didn’t really save…
·Rarity: Yes, you did! You sent that monster on your way by just clapping your hooves!
·Jane: What is that monster? What monster? *glares at them* And what are you? Why do you speak English?!
·Rarity: *imitating* ‘What what what?!’ Just listen to yourself, overcooking with ignorance! *rapidly listing* We are ponies. We are just outside of Ponyville. This *acknowledges Fluttershy* is Fluttershy, friend to all living things and my modelling compeer, and I am the marvelous fashionista Rarity (you should have heard of me). Does that answer your questions?
·Jane: *confused and nervous* Yes… no… *looks around* You don’t have a telephone around here, do you?
·Fluttershy: Maybe… I am so sorry, but I don’t really know what it is. Should I bring you to a real doctor instead?
·Jane: No… no. Not necessary.
*he tries to stand; it is very painful; he then jumps into action nevertheless, taking out his gun, looking around the room*
My helicopter has been attacked by horses with wings. *acknowledges Fluttershy’s wings* Similar to your’s there. But they had armour. They may come back looking for me. No need in jeopardising you, too...
·Rarity: *appalled with realisation* You put up a fight with the Royal Guard?!
·Fluttershy: *very afraid now* Oh my…
·Jane: What? Royal Guard? *shrugs it off* Whomever. We were attacked. And now, I would have orders to avoid capture. My little own Mrkonjić Grad… my weekend is complete now.
·Fluttershy: Please… we do not want trouble…
·Rarity: *protective* Get out of my friend’s house, criminal scum!
·Jane: What? Why?
·Rarity: You should know why! Running from the guards, eh? Not when we are around, fugitive! What ever dungeon you crawled forth from, you better get crawling back!
 
(Rarity quickly uses her horn to levitate one of the chairs up in a menacing manner as Fluttershy gets behind her in panic. Scared by the floating chair and Rarity’s strange powers, as well as the fact that both are on “their” side, Jane points his gun on both of them: He knows he should have been more reserved with these strange civilians)
 
·Jane: Whoah! *keeping both at gunpoint as he tries to espy the exit alongside the wall he leans against* No step further, you two!
·Rarity: *unaware of ‘firearms’* You better put that bludgeon of yours away, you oversized, ill-tasted monkey! Threatening us in our own homes, now? You better get out!
·Jane: *having noticed the door, and dragging himself alongside the wall* No problem, you two just stay riiight there! Or I’ll shoot!
·Rarity: *completely enraged* Out, I said! *thrusts the levitating chair into his direction. It crashes before his feet* Take that, scoundrel!
 
(Jane jumps up in shock at the flying furniture; he quickly aims and fires over both ponies’ heads. The burst is loud, sudden and unforgiving, especially inside such a small confined space as Fluttershy’s cottage. She gives a shriek of alarm as she covers her head with her hooves. Also Rarity flinches forcefully to the ground at the unforgiving crack and the buzzing sensation above her head. Even Jane reacts with retraction and safeguard s his face with his free hand as he creeps on alongside the wall. He is very nervous about that ‘Rarity’ creature)
 
·Jane: You just stay where you bloody well are!
·Fluttershy: *to Rarity; scared to tears* Make him stop! Please. Let him go…
 
(Meanwhile, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Octavia walk alongside the Everfree Forest Range towards Fluttershy’s Cottage. They know that Rarity was also there, trying on a few new outfits with her. They want to call them both over. Perhaps, they think, they might make use of the bracelets of Harmony later on. Then, they hear the shot)
 
·Applejack: Wut in tarnation?!
·Pinkie: Whoa, Fluttershy is doing fireworks? Rarity must have a bombastic new look!
·Applejack: Pinkie, plees concentrate. You know how … shy Fluttershy is. She won’t ever burn faherwurks!
·Octavia: Maybe there is something wrong. It came from inside the house. Should we maybe call fireponies?
·Applejack: Let’s look furst.
 
(The advance upon the remote cottage. It seems very lifeless; most of Fluttershy’s pets have fled or are hiding due to the boom. Just as they consider going around the house rather than through the front entrance, Jane storms out, dodging a flying stool on his way out. He does not immediately notice Applejack, Octavia and Pinkie behind him)
 
·Jane: *gawking at the stranded stool* Bloody hell! Stop it!
·Applejack: *gruffly* Hey! You! Wut are you doin’ here?
·Jane: *freezing in shock* Who?
·Rarity: *peeping through the entranceway, shouting to Applejack* He put up a fight  and is now running from Royal Guards! Do something!
·Fluttershy: *peeping through behind Rarity, adding* Ruuuun!
·Jane: *regaining his instincts, totes with his gun at both parties* Stay away, you!
·Applejack: *furious* Ah knew dem ‘umans were up to somethin’! First ringin’ at de gate, then kicking doun de back door! *charges Jane head-on* You! Stuhp!
·Jane: Stay away! *fires his gun at Applejack while skipping towards the forest range*
·Octavia: *finding cover behind the great oak in the front garden with Pinkie; to Applejack* Run away, Applejack! Come back!
·Applejack: *gets her hat shot off by the stray bullet; she instantly reaches for her head* Wut de…?! Don’cha ‘urt mah hat , mister!
·Pinke: *being Pinkie Pie* Aaaaaw… those weren’t fireworks after all. 
·Applejack: Pinke! Quick, help me catchin’ ‘im. Ah donno find mah lasso!
·Pinkie: *motivated* Oh… Okey Dokey Lokey! *jumps and sprints forward*
·Jane: *reaches a tree and leans against it exahaustedly; he reaches for his walkie talkie another time* Hello! Locon! Flogg Off! Gale! Gale! Respond, damnit! The bird goes to the market! The bird goes to the market! Eight Five!
·Pinkie: *with her head popping up mere centimetres behind Jane* Hey, mister! Who are you talkin’ to? Can I join in?
·Jane: *swings around and pulls the trigger reflexively, but fortunately it turns he had already wasted his clip*
·Pinkie: *giggling, the empty gun only centimetres from her mussle* Whoah, easy there, mister. You could hurt somebody with that thingy!
·Jane: *taking root in her words* No problem! *he skillfully rotates the weapon by it’s grip and quickly decks her with its bottom on her forehead*
·Pinkie: *growing cross-eyed* Those rainbowcakes are spicy… cupcakes… *she slumps down unconciously on the floor*
·Applejack: Pinkie! Nooo!
·Fluttershy: *prepares to fly to Pinkie, with a voice nearly hoarse of worrying* I’m coming, Pinkie!
·Jane: *quickly reaching for the next magazine, he struggles finding it quickly* Let’s see who is… faster! *with trembling hands, he inserts the next clip; he looks around, and sees Applejack furiously growling at him from a distance, who now knows that she she should keep her distance from the gun* I told you to stay back! I will not kill any civilians!
 
(He quickly holsters his gun and keeps moving, deeper into the forst. Fluttershy instantly flies Pinkie, and turns her on her back)
 
·Fluttershy: Oh no. Pinkie, please say something! *Pinkie remains absent, and Fluttershy massages her forehead* Dearie me, that ruffian must have hit her very hard.
 
(Applejack and Rarity rush to the scene to aid Fluttershy. Octavia follows them worriedly. She is silently panicking)
 
·Applejack: Quick, we must’ brignin’  ‘er into yer house, Fluddershy!
·Rarity: Yes, I wil help to carry her. *painfully* That criminal scum! What did she ever do to him?
·Octavia: *buries her head in her unconcious sister’s neck, holding back tears* No, Pinkie, no. You will be alright, you can struggle through this!
·Applejack: *holding Octavia back softly* Don’t wurry, Octavia. She ‘ad been thru worse.
·Rarity: *helping Fluttershy holding Pinkie up by levitation* Stay back, everyone. Give us room.
 
(Fluttershy and Rarity, slowly carry Pinkie back to the cottage. Applejack follows them, comforting a silent Octavia with a determine voice)
 
·Rarity: *curiously trying to calm nervous Octavia* So… do you and Pinkie know each other?
·Octavia: *not wishing to talk* Yes. We are sisters.
·Rarity: Oh, really? I didn’t know she has a sister.
·Octavia: We are very different.
·Rarity: I see. Ah, well, my name is Rarity, by the way. I am a good friend of Pinkie Pie. And this *acknowledges Fluttershy, who keeps silent* is Fluttershy, she lives here. She is a bit… silent today, forgive her.
·Octavia: Yes, I know you. You both were at the most recent Grand Galloping Gala too, weren’t you? You caught that apple pie and you released the animals into the ballroom.
·Rarity: *a bit annoyed* Yes, ‘catching’ is putting it rather mildly.
·Applejack: *talking to herself* Ah knew dem ‘umans had some kahnd’a scheme prepared. *to Octavia* Don’t be sad, Octavia. We’ll show them wut we ‘defensless’ ponies are made of.
·Octavia: *resisting* No please. I… I don’t want any fighting! I want to stay out of this!
·Applejack: Even after dey swadded yer own sister?
·Octavia: Yes! *faint voice* I know it seems heartless, but I wouldn’t bear arms against them. I would stay with Pinkie Pie. She needs me… and… we… haven’t seen for such a long time…
·Applejack: Lissun… Ah know yer not used to any of dis. But we need as maneh ponies ready for dem ‘umans as pussible! Dey try to take over Equestria. To pud uhs all in chains an’ make us work all day! Dat’s wut they tried to make wid Great Grandpa and Great Grandma. They sent ‘em fancy guys to distract de princesses, and then sent armed grunts to attack us!
·Rarity: That monster said that he was a soldier. And that he put up a fight with Princess Celestia’s guards and was now running from them. It makes perfect sense. They may be many more out there!
·Octavia: *with a concerned voice* But where? Where did they come from in the first place? We don’t know anything about that man! But the diplomats, the said they were only interested in peace.
·Applejack: *sarcastically* Oh, did dey say that? How do ya know dey weren’t lyin’?
·Octavia: *sadly* Then how do you know they were?
·Applejack: Bah Celestia, Octayvia: Ah joost knew it! I saw it in deir faces- Deir politeness, deir smugness, deir interest! It seem’d so unnatural. Dey simply had more in mind.
·Octavia: Or was it just all those ponytales you have been told?
·Applejack: *protestingly* Ponytales dat turn’d outta be true!
·Octavia: *thinks* Then why can’t we just warn Princess Celestia? She would believe you, I am sure. You are the bearer of the force of truth.
·Applejack: Bu dere’s a difference between believin’ and thinkin’ crazy, Octavia. She may believe it was just ponytales!
·Octavia: But… but what about Nightmare Moon. It was only a ponytale, too. And it came true, especially for Celestia.
·Applejack: But onleh because Nightmare Moon was Princess Luna, Celestia’s own sis, and Celestia ‘erself banished ‘er. But here, we’re nuht even sure she ever saw em ‘umans before.
·Octavia: *appeasingly to Applejack, but determined* Then I will tell her, before the humans can talk to her. I will gallop to Canterlot, on my own if I have to…
·Applejack: *blocks her way* It’s too dangerous t’be alone out there, Octavia. Stay wid us, we’ll go as a group!
·Octavia: *steps out of Applejack’s way* Leave me, Applejack. I will do it for Pinkie! No more harm!
·Applejack: *seemingly giving up, coming back to accompany Pinkie* It’s never dat easeh, unfortunately… *reaches the door and holds it open for Fluttershy and Rarity* Bring ‘er in.
(They lay Pinkie on the living room’s carpet. She is slowly regaining her senses, and moves her head around distress.)
 
·Fluttershy: *to the others* She is coming around. Oh, thank goodness. *to Pinkie* Pinkie, don’t worry, you are safe now.
·Pinkie: *mumbling* Safe… from cupcakes?
·Fluttershy: *beat* Of course. Now keep still until you feel better, aou have been hurt very much.
·Pinkie: Crazy, huh?
·Fluttershy: You have been hit on the forehead by that… human.
·Pinkie: How much of me did he gobble up?
·Fluttershy: Ehm, oh fortunately, he gobbled up nothing of you at all. *lays a wet blanket on her head* Now, I really hope that this is going to help. Your sister can maybe bring you home afterwards, if it is okay with you…
·Pinkie: Aaaaw no, the fun part just started.
·Fluttershy: *uncertain* Oh, then you can stay here… although I personally would not call being hit on the head “fun”.
·Rarity: Don’t worry, Fluttershy, she is still a bit out of her senses. We may have to bring her to a real doctor, though. She is a pony, after all, and not just a critter.
·Applejack: Agreed. We have to go extra-super-safe in ’er health. Octavia here can stay with ‘er there… *turns around for Octavia* Octavia? *she is not there anymore*
·Rarity: Where is Octavia? Wasn’t she standing there just a minute ago?
·Applejack: Oh… no! *storms out of the cottage* She di’nt even come in! She headed for strait’ for Canterlot! *she halts behind the door, skimming the garden*
·Rarity: *peeps outside* Oh no! You must stop her, Applejack. It could be dangerous.
·Applejack: Ah, ts’no use! Now, she’s in fact priddy headstrong. She ain’t as intimidated now…
·Rarity: Then we will better move out as quickly as possible. For Octavia, and for Equestria!
·Applejack: Agreed!

(Concluding Music Cue)