//------------------------------//
// The Dark Side 
// Story: All Over's Unique and Fantastic Life. 
// by BronySquidiness 
//------------------------------//

~The Everfree Forest~

I stalked around the undergrowth, knowing that one would be close. Damn Manticores, couldn't ever just lie down and die. Nooooo, you have to kill them in at least two ways. I readied my hoof-held crossbow and my wing blades. I glance over the bush, and see a Young male in his prime. Perfect specimen, and not too hard to bring down. THUMP, SMACK my crossbow goes as I shoot the manticore. It roars in pain, looking all over for its attacker. I waited until it's gaze passed me, then charged it. "Aaaahhhh!!!" I bellowed as I ran. I dodge it's claws and stinger, stabbing it in the chest with my wing blades. While it roared again, I caught it in the throat, ending it's call abruptly. I tipped it over, making sure it was dead. While I started to  remove the barbed tail, I hear a scream. "Shit." I audibly think as I turn around. I see Twilight, staring at me in shock. As she turns and runs, I start following.

She got about 70 feet before I caught her. 
"Let go of me." She said while I held her to stop her from running.
"Why should I?" I ask.
"Because you're a monster!" She screams. 
"What did I do?" I ask while she still kicks at me.
"You..... You....... Killed that manticore." She says shakily.
"Twilight, have you ever seen a manticore attack?" I ask firmly.
"No." She says quietly.
"Have you ever seen what a manticore can do to a untrained pony?" I ask louder.
"No." She says quieter.
"Well, I have. I've seen manticore attacks, and I won't ever see one again." I reply .
"What?" She says puzzled.
"I've learned how to kill. I use that skill to defend myself and other ponies. I feel no mercy against merciless creatures. I have been working towards a cure to keep manticores away from towns, but I need manticore specimens to study. I know it's gruesome, ugly work. I've given up on trying to figure it out passively. Whatever you think of me, remember that it is for the greater good." I finish grimly, knowing quite well what she thought of me. 


~Weeks later, All Overs workshop~


I wake up in a daze, hearing familiar yet unfamiliar sounds. I hear a earth shattering roar. "No." I say while I run over to the weapons table. Heaving on my armor and grabbing several potions, I gallop out to the street. Frantically turning my head,
I see the manticore. It was easily the largest I had ever seen, standing at 15 feet tall. Gripping my incendiary potion in my teeth, I ran towards the first royal guard I could see. 
"Sir, where are the other two guards?" I ask, dreading the answer.
"They are dead, Moon Chaser and Honeycomb tried to spear it but the hide was too thick." he replied grimly.
"Well then, let's handle it." I tell him, hauling him off his hooves.
"Let's not let them die in vain." I continue.

Running towards the Giant, I notice Twilight nearby the monster. I toss the potion at the Manticore as I tackle Twilight, covering her from the inferno. Then it all went black.