//------------------------------//
// Act 1 Part 4 [Boss #1] 
// Story: Destined Stars Act 1 - Of Stars and Runes 
// by Velvet-Fresh 
//------------------------------//

[Young Manticore - level 12]
Twilight floated up her spell book, flipping it open to a random page, as both AJ shifted her stance defensively while Rainbow Dash's stance remained the same aggressive ready to take off position, glaring at the young manticore "Whats the a matter tough guy, all bark and no bite" she teased with a confident smirk, but was cut off as she jumps back as a scorpion tail smacked her spot "Whoa!" she yelped. Twilight groaned "Rainbow Dash! Don't provoke it!" she chastised the Pegasus as she growls and steady her gaze at the manticore. "Dash, trust me on this.. fly up and wait for my signal and dive bomb" the mare smiled and nods "Gotcha!" and with that they both raised their hooves, glowing giving off a bright glow as Dash shot up high into the air while Twi charging up her spell. "Rainbow Dash, Now!" she shouted and with that cue, Dash dived bomb, as soon as she nears to connect with the beast, she felt magic surge hitting the manticore at the same time as she impacted, the blow of both did significant damage to the monster as it gave a loud roar of pain as Dash quickly bolted back to her spot. "Mah Turn!, yeehaw!" Applejack shouted to jump forward turning around and giving the manitcore a buck to the face causing some more bruises and an angry roar from the manticore
The beast struck and its paw connects smacking Applejack in the jaw, causing her to yelped loudly "Ghhaa.. Danggit!" she moan in pain "Applejack!!" both mares looking at her with concern "Cornsarnit, he got me good, But ah'll be fine!" she winced as she only suffered some damage but not major as Dash growls she lunged herself and smack the manticore hard, causing a critical as she flown back to her spot and snorts out from her nose "That's right, thats what you get for hurting my friend you big jerk!" she raised and shake her fore hoof aggressively. Twilight too fired a strong magic bolt, smacking the beast again causing it to roar and stumbles back "Yeah, Nothing, nopony hurt my friends!" she glared intensely as they are more now determined to win. 
The Manticore roar loudly a sit lunges forward again, swinging his claw at the farmer once more. "Gah!" she screamed, but before it could connect. "Hold on!" Rainbow Dash flew forward and skids infront of her friend, holding her hooves up in a crossed manner as she took the blow for Applejack "GrraaaH!!" she yelled in pain as the beast retreats back, Dash wobbles back to her spot shaking off the pain "Crud! His bite is worse than his bark" he gives a weak chuckle as she wince in the pain "Dash, thanks and ah'm sorry you took that for me" AJ tips her hat in thanks, the pegasus simply wave it off "yaaah, it's nothing. Just a flesh wound." she smirked back. Twilight look concerned "Applejack he was aiming at you, you may look more hurt than you claimed. Hold on" she raise her hoof up, using another medicine, a green glow surround the earth pony as she stood back up straight, shaking her fore hoof "whoowee.. that's mighty strong potion, well time to return the favor! Dash, lets go!'" "Right!" they both raised their hoof up and use their unite attack on the manticore, damaging it severely afterwards 
The beast gives a weak growl as it shake its head, glaring intently as it give out a loud roar, reeling up as giving off a glow/ "What in tarnation is it doi-?" her question was cut off when the monster stomps ifts paws down as it swings his tail hard, slamming it infront of them sending a shockwave, causing them to yell out in surprise and sudden pain, they all stumble back, winching, staggering to get back up on their hooves, the monster let out another roar as it eye them all.

"No, no no no. I .. I can't move..I can't use my magic..I'm paralyzed" Twilight struggled to break free from her ailment, watching onward with fear and dread as the beast slowly approaches them. "Darn it, G-gga.. i can't move, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash growled in frustration as she simply glare forward, trying to hide her apparent fear.  "Cornsarnit.. it can't end like this.. it just can't.." applejack fought back with a choke as she looked away seemingly accepting their fates. "I'm.. so sorry girls" Twilight give a weak sob as she shut her eyes tight as the monster raise it's paw up ready to finish them off. But it never came, Twilight shakily look up and gasped for blocking the claw with a sword is Princess of the night, Luna. "Hah. Begon foal beast!" she pushes the monster back to his spot as Luna looked back at the paralyzed ponies "Twilight, it seem I was on time. Thank mother." she raise her hoof and a glow surrounds all three, healing them completely. "whowee.." Applejack fall onto her haunches as she wipes a sweat from her brow "thanks.. thought we were a goner for sure.." Luna only looked forward, holding her sword "Think nothing of it, now stand back and let me finish this beast off". "No way, i want a piece of him too! Let me at em!" Rainbow Dash flew up and land on her spot, growling aggressively, Twilight slowly stood up, floating her book up "Let us help you Princess."  Princess Luna only could smirk "Huzzah, admirable determination. Verily well, we shall all defeat this fiend. Together!" she grinned as the battle starts a new.

Luna stood infront of the girls, protectively "Surely you jest! Fighting this beast with not a blade on your person? I think either you a fool, or brave" she chuckles, as she gives her sword a casual swing about. "No offense princess, but we got no weapons to use, or didn't think we need any." the farmer replied as she stood ready next to dash behind the princess. "Why do we need weapons Princess?" the lavender bookworm inquired "It only logical to wield a blade or stave against the foal beasts such as this my little ponies. It gives you the edge to survive, this is the real world now. Survival of the fittest. Defend thyself of be killed. " she explained "Now watch, how to truly cross blades with monsters!" she teleported forward, reappearing infront of the Manticore as she gives a quick slash, damaging causing a critical hit, the beast let out a pained roar as it reels back only to drop to its sides, it's tail going limp. "That's it?" the princess sighs in disappointment "Hardly even a challenge!" she pouts. "Princess, no offense but I think we already weakened it before you arrived." The unicorn gives a sheepish grin as she toy with her fore hooves. "Really? Hark, you are a brave and strong bunch indeed. Well then, Huzzah for victory i suppose." she raise her sword in victory before sheathing it. "Still say you three need to be better armed for the battles ahead. But for now shall we proceed to the castle, my sister is already there awaiting your arri-.. Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?" she raised her eyebrow upon noticing the pegasus looking around the body of the manticore, she grins as she lifts up a small chest, opening it "Oh, nothing much. Just looting" she snickers as she rubs her forhooves as she looks at the bits inside as well as two items "Hey Twi, he got an anklet and an potion bottle too. And about.. holy smokes 120 bits!" grinning widely at their price. Twilight only sighs and rolls her eyes. "Hoof em over." "What? Really, awh come on!" she pouted back, only for Twilight to give her a deadpanned look with her hoof outstretched, causing the pegasus to grumble in her breath as she shove the chest forward "spoilsport." she whispers to herselff and cross her forehooves in frustration and pouting. 

Twilight pockets the bits and checking the anklet out "Hmm... this looks familiar." Luna approached and peer over "It's a mana anklet. It Helps the wielder a slight boost in their magic prowess." she explained easily by just glancing at the accessory."Oh. how fascinating" she smiles as she puts it on her right forehoof, feeling a light tingle "Say, i can feel it, I can feel better control over my magic now. This is amazing" she grinned as she eyes the anklet on her hoof. Luna urged them "Come, we better go, let us not keep sister waiting." Twilight looked at her and smiles "Right, sorry Princess. Come on girls" with that they walked into her again, this time Luna followed suit, conveying Twilight's party as she walked around the Manticore's body and across the bridge, walking towards the main entrance past the open courtyard.