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// Ponies Have Peaceful Solutions 
// Story: Fluttershy's Silent Guardian 
// by Z-A-C 
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I was scanning the areas behind the ponies. I had not thought I would see any threat until "Что это, черт возьми!?" I exclaimed as I saw a snake like creature with a chicken head slither towards the ponies. I quickly put the suppressor on the Dragunov and took aim and fired. I waited for a few more moments until I decided that they were getting to far away, and repelled down the cliff.

I followed the path the ponies took. It didn't take long for me to catch up, and when I did they were in the middle of fighting a manticore. The white pony ran away after the manticore ruined her mane (which was beautifully styled). Applejack then jumped onto the manticore! It was...amusing to see, but I was a little concerned for her safety. She started it like western cowboy! It hard to not laugh! The manticore got Applejack off of it and in flight she told Rainbow it was her turn. Rainbow did this weird vortex thing but it only took the manticore few seconds to swat her out of the air. 

"Rainbow!" The purple pony yelled, and then glared at the beast. She and four of the group charged at the manticore (except Pink pony, she just bounced). The manticore looked ready for anything the ponies could throw at it.

Just as they were about to collide. "WAAAAIIIIT!!" Fluttershy shouted at her friends. Everything stopped and the manticore looked as confused as the the five ponies and I admit, I was also confused. Fluttershy looked at her friends and smiled, and the turned toward the manticore and started walking towards it. The manticore growled and raised a paw to swat Fluttershy.

"Я так не думаю, урод природы!" I yelled but somehow the ponies and manticore didn't hear me. I raised my Dragunov and aimed then fire and....I...missed?! "Not good..." I tried to take another shot but somehow my rifle jammed. These things never jam! After I fixed the jam I looked through the scope ready to take another shot, but then I saw Fluttershy nuzzling the manticore. I took my finger off of the trigger and observed the situation. The manticore had a thorn as big as my hand stuck in it's paw. Fluttershy grabbed the thorn with her mouth and then plucked it from the manticore.

At first the manticore roared at her, but then, not even a second later, was holding and licking her. After a few moments of watching the bizarre event, the rest of the group trotted passed them. I looked back at Fluttershy and she looked perfectly content in her current position. I laid there and watched for a few moments. The purple pony stopped and waited for Fluttershy to catch up. I could faintly hear them talking. "How did you know about the thorn?" The purple pony asked.

"I didn't. Sometimes we just need to be shown a little kindness." Fluttershy answered. Try as might I could not help myself from laughing at Fluttershy messed up hair. The purple pony heard me and was scanning the area for the source of my laughter, but noticed she was falling behind and went to catch up with her friends. I then saw the thorn twirl around a few times and then turn into the sparkling blue cloud, and fly away. I wonder if that's the cliff collapsed? 

This time it took me a little longer to catch up with the ponies. The white one was complaining about her eyes being strained by the dirtiness of the forest. As if on que we all walked into a part of the forest where the canopy was blocking the moonlight. This did, however, made it easier for me to follow them. Since the could not see me, I passed them by and scouted ahead. It wasn't long before I heard more screaming. "What now?" I thought and headed back. When I got back I heard laughing. "Make your mind! Are you scared or is this funny to you!?" And then the pink one started singing. I shook my head and went back to scouting ahead.

By the time pink pony's song and dance was over I had taken out about five.... more monstrosities and hidden their carcasses. Something told me that the sight would be upsetting to them. And in Fluttershy's case, I was probably right. I scouted a little bit ahead and saw a rather upset...sea serpent? I do not know what he is and his scales are more then likely to thick to shoot through. I hope he is non-hostile towards the ponies, because there is little that I can do. Pink pony's bouncing came to an abrupt stop when she saw the state of the river. Causing the other ponies to abruptly stop as well. The ponies noticed the crying serpent and trotted over to the bushes where I was hiding. They were too close, I couldn't move without being noticed. So I stayed lying still and hoped they would not notice me. Luckily they didn't and went over to the clearing that was closer to the serpent.

"E-excused me, sir. Why are you crying?" The purple pony asked.

"Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here minding my own business. When this...tacky little cloud of purple smoke just went passed me, and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off. And now I look simply horrid!" And he went back to crying. falling back into the river, splashing all of the ponies. "At least he is not hostile" I thought.

"Oh give me a break." Said Rainbow.

"That's what all the fuss is about?" Asked Applejack.

"Why of course it is!" Exclaimed The white pony. "How can you be so insensitive?" She started walking to the serpent. "Oh just look at him." She laid down in front of the serpent. "Such lovely luminescent scales!"

"I know." Said the serpent after sniffling.

"And your expertly quaffed mane."

"Oh I know, I know."

"I don't have time for this." I said noticing the river has calmed down. I began to silently crawl backwards and began to crouch-walk the back of the river. Once I was far enough away to cross without being seen, I slid into the water. It was a little cold and it stunk, but it was nothing compared to the pool of blood I swan through during my Spetsnaz training. You never forget that. NEVER! When I was about half way across the river, I heard the serpent say he was hideous but I didn't pay much attention to him. I just focused on crossing without being noticed, which wasn't hard because they were preoccupied with the flamboyant sea serpent. I watched a little more and shook my head, turned started walking the other way. I can't take anymore of this.

I reached a bridge that had come loose on the other side, and fallen down. "Well it doesn't look I'll be going anywhere for awhile." I sat down on a tree stump and waited for the ponies. It would take them a few minutes if everything went okay with the serpent. I looked around and there was really nothing to do. No threats this far into the forest is surprising. I took this time to check my weapons. "Ten round magazine. One miss feed, one miss, and six kills. Two rounds left in this magazine. And I haven't shot my pistol." I sighed. "That didn't take long."

After a few more minutes I heard the ponies trotting towards where I was sitting and I slipped back into the bushes. The purple pony (Or Twilight as Applejack called her) got excited and almost ran off of the cliff, but Rainbow caught her, asking what is her deal with falling off of cliffs today. Asked myself the same question.

"Now what?" The pink pony asked.

"Duh." said Rainbow wiggling her wings.

"Oh yeah." Replied pink pony. And Rainbow flew down to the get the other end of the bridge. And disappeared for awhile. It was several minutes before the fog cleared and she reappeared with the bridge back up. They all crossed the bridge and walked toward what looked like a castle ruin. I do not want to cross that old bridge. But it seems that I have too.