EVERFREE FOREST
Three Creatures were runing to their hideout, all of them grinning for the great news they had for their boss, this creatures were. . . . Manticores.
FLASHBACK
It’s been a while since that day, that fatefull day when this creature by pure luck managed to kill the previous King Manticore Alpha and take the tittle for himself. When they found his corpse, they couldn’t believe it, no creature, Manticore, dragonchicken, even the big sea serpent would ever dare to challenge their King, but this creature, even though he was almost shorter than them, he managed somehow to kill him.
Since that day, no manticore dare to touch this new creature or threat him, as the King, he deserved respect, besides no creature really liked the previous King, in fact, many were even gratefull to the new creature, the previous King was a tyrant, always taking food or preys from the others, walking like he was the King of the whole world, looking down at them, many manticores wanted to overthrow him, but, he was King for one reason, he was the strongest of all, and by decree the only way to strip him for his tittle was by killing him in a duel, but always in a one on one battle, they may be wild animals, but even so, they had their pride and rules.
For 30 moons, things were great, but as many manticores didn’t mind having a quiet and almost unexistent King, one particular Manticore saw this as a chance, when he saw their new King, he inmediatily deduced he beated the previous by luck, maybe the last King understemated him, maybe he had overconfidence when they fought, allowing this creature to take him by surprise, who knows, but one fact remained, he would never ever dare to challenge the previous King, but. . . . . this creature was one he could kill and take the Crown from him.
He planed this fight for a lot of moons, taking his time to study this. . . new King, at simple sight, he was harmless, indeed he was fast and agile, but aside from that he didn’t have any weapon to use, like his scorpion tail, paws or even fangs, but he had “tools”, like those bows or swords some hunter ponies use, he also had two big needles that came out from his “paws”, deducing the injuries of the past King, he could asume these was the weapons he used to kill him.
After 30 moons of studying and training, he finally felt ready to challenge the creature, he gathered every manticore in the everfree to be witness of how he became the new King, he had everything planned, this days would be great, many manticores were concerned, why would he want to do this, this new King didn’t bother them, he wasn’t a Tyrant, things were perfect, why ruin them, of course for this manticore that didn’t matter at all, he wanted to be King, he didn’t care about no one but himself, wanting to have the respect and control of the everfree, and who knows maybe at some moment organize an attack to Pony town, a plan that no Manticore, event the previous King didn’t have the balls to do, and why not? Pony meat was the best, he still remembered when a daredevil pony who wanted to prove himself being brave, entered the forest, he inmediatily got him and proceded to have his feast, since that day he craved for more, but his King was weak and never dare to attack them, (saying their ruler was really powerfull to such degree, there were proofs that she even was be able to move the giant fire ball in the sky during the day and replace it for the other gray ball during the night), but he would, Manticores were indeed by nature inmune to magic, there were at least 100 manticores in all Everfree forest, more than enough, there was nothing to fear, they only needed a Ruler to motivate and order to them to do it, and this day they will have it.
Slowly, everymanticore followed this tyrant, wishing for his loss except for a very few (his lackays), they finally arrived to the old Castle (it was no secret the King lived there), they proceded to look for him to accept the challenge, but. . . . they didn’t find anything, they searched for the whole day, it was strange, he sometimes abandoned his Castle but not for so long, they searched everywhere, the River where he took showers and gather water, the cottage of his Zebra friend, but nothing.
Starting to lose his patient, he sent his few comrades to see if maybe he was in the Pony town, he waited for hours, but the only news he got from his spies were that the whole town was atacked by the diamond dogs, but somehow they managed to win, but still no sign of the King, but strangely almost everypony was staring at the “place where ponies go when they get sick” with fear in their eyes, but even so, still no sign of the King.
Frustrated and feeling humilliated, he only roared to the sky, the coward ran away!!, maybe he saw it coming, and now there was no way he could be King, at least not soon, since according to their laws, Only after 300 moons of a King missing, the tittle would be available again, he didn’t want to wait, he ordered his comrades again to search again with no rest, to keep their eyes open everywhere and even make some trips to the pony town again, in case maybe he was indeed there, and if they ever see him, they would come to tell him right away, the manticores nodded and resumed the search.
They kept the searching, and at the 3rd day, they finally found him, he was in the plain lands, next to the Apple trees área, he was there, it seems he was making some excersises with a dragon friend, a green unicorn, and three little ponies were watching them, after a while, one of the little ponies, the white one climbed in the King’s head, then according to the direction they were taking, it was obvious they were returning to the pony town, with this great news, the three Manticores returned to their boss with the great news.
END OF FLASHBACK
The 3 manticores finally reached their hideout, a cave, there he was, the Boss, it was obvious he was not exactly happy, he wanted to be King as soon as Posible, so many Pony meat to enjoy, he was lost in his thoughts when he finally noticed his 3 lackays entering his cave, he stood up and said
“I was having happy thoughts, this better be important”
“BOSS!!, we found him, we finally found him”
“REALLY??!, WHERE IS HE!” he said excited
“In the Pony town, it seems he now is living there, he is now friend with them”
“ .. . . . . I see!, HAHAHAHAHA, excelent, EXCELENT, this is perfect, ok, now that we know where that coward is hidding, we can reunite all the Clan again for the deadmatch, spread the word, tell that in 2 days at the afternoon, we will invade the pony town, but we will not harm anypony, the only one I want for now it’s him, His Lackays noded and proceded to tell the news to every manticore in the Everfree.
Once alone, he started to laugh again,
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, once I decimate him in front of all those. . . . ponies and my soon to be subjets, and proclaim my self King of the manticores, my first inmediate order will be, decimate everypony of that lame town, HAHAHAHAHA, it will be a feast, and once my subjects see we are indeed superior of them, we will gather more manticores from every forest in the world and finally conquer every pony town or city, HAHAHAHAHA, AHAHAHAHAHA, be prepare creature, in 2 days, you’ll be DEAD!, enjoy them the best you can”
Oblivious to him or any of his already gone lackays, a kind Manticore who was hidding behind the rocks, friend of a certain cute yellow pegasus in ponyville heard everything this Tyrant just said, he as many other manticores never liked this crazy manticore since the begining, they knew he was up to something but this. . . . he didn’t just want to become King, he wanted to. . . . eat everypony in that town, granted manticores were carnivorious and yes many of them already tasted pony meat from poor souls that dared to enter their forest, but. . . . that’s how it was, they invaded their territory and pay for the consecuences, but this. . . mad creature, his plan was beyond barbaric, and yes, as a King, no manticore would dare to say no, no matter what, because. . . . as he did, any manticore would have to wait at least 30 moons to challenge him for the crown, damn Manticore rule, he thought.
He knew what he had to do, this creature and the ponies neededed to be adviced, his chances were already low, not to mention a surprise attack, but how? The creature didn’t speak their lenguage, how. . . . yeah, his pegasus friend Fluttershy can understand every kind of animal and . . . even him, he inmediatily and silently proceded to run to find her.
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FLUTTERSHY COTTAGE
Fluttershy was ending her workday, she treated a couple of sick pets in Ponyville and sucessfully gave two kitties in adoption, for her it was a good day, she also managed to spend sometime with her friends, except with Alex who was spending some time with Lyra and CMC, it sadened her a little, she wanted to show Alex what her job was about, no matter how insignificant it was, after feeding the last of her little animals, she proceded to return to the confort of her cottage, she was about to open the door when she suddendly felt somepony behind her, when she turned aroung, she saw him, a Manticore, but she didn’t freak out, because she inmediatily recognized him, he was his friend, the one she made that night she got her Element of Harmony and since that day, sometimes he visited her, of course when nopony was around, (they would freak out or even would try to attack him), they hugged each other and he even lick her in the face.
“Oh hello my Manticore friend, are you her for some meat?? I think I have some fish stored in the fridge, would you like some?”
“Normally, I would Fluttershy, but right now. . . I need to tell you something, it’s really serious”
“What is it??”
“Well, you see. . . . “
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CAROUSELL BOUTIQUE
After spending some quality time around Ponyville, eating cupcakes and then saying farewell to Lyra, Spike and the crussaders, Alex and Sweetie Bell finally proceded to enter home, Rarity inmediatily greeted them
“Hello Sweetie bell, Alex, did you have a good day?”
“Yes!!! Sweetie bell screamed, Oh Rarity you should had seen them, Spike and Alex, they are so cool, all the things they can do, wow, guess what sis?, we and Twilight have like our own personal Royal guards in our homes, maybe even better”, she said while hugging Alex leg.”
“Ohhhh, is that so?, well, I’m glad to hear that, I already feel safer, (Alex and Rarity both chuckled)
“Gee, thanks Rarity, but I think Sweetie bell is giving me so much credit, I don’t think I’m that awesome, but know this, even being an average human, as long I’m here, I will do anything in my power to protect you, Sweetie bell and everypony.”
Rarity only smiled at him, deciding to ignore that “as long I’m here” comentary, then she said
“Thank you dear, ok, now why don’t we have some dinner shall we”
Alex and Sweetie noded and alongside with Rarity proceded to enter the kitchen to cook something, after another veggie dinner (Alex noted to go fishing later as a priority), Alex proceded to take Sweetie bell to her room, read another story to her, Rarity by her part returned to continue to make Alex’s clothes, she wanted to at least have the first ones the next morning, she wanted to surprise him.
Just at the time Alex was walking down the stairs, he and Rarity heard knocks at the door, not wanting to interrupt his host work, Alex proceded to answer to whoever it was, when he saw it was Fluttershy, his face inmediatily showed happiness but was also inmediatily changed to a concern and worried one when he saw her worried face before she inmediatily tackled him to the ground,. Then without any warning, with a high voice he could swear he never ever in his dreams believed he would hear from her, (like the one she used when Rainbow made the Sonic Rainbom)
“Alex, Alex, you are ok?? You are ok??”
She inmediatily proceded to study every inch of his body, when she found no harm, she sighed in relief and let him stand up.
“Wow, Fluttershy, What is going on?, why are you acting like this? Did somepony do something to you?
“No, no, nothing like that, and well. . . Hi Alex (damn Fluttershy, even worried you are so cute). . . . , I need you and Rarity to go to my cottage right now, please!!!, and in the way if you can. . . advice Pinkie and Twilight to come too, I. . . will go get Rainbow Dash and Applejack, we. . . . have a big problem.”
“Uh?. . . . . ok Fluttershy if you say so, ok, I’ll go get Rarity and the others, see ya at your home”
Fluttershy noded and inmediatily flew to get the rest of the mane 6, Alex then told Rarity everything just happened, she reluctant, left her work and proceded alongside with Alex to get the other two, finally the three ponies, Alex and Spkie arrived at Fluttershy cottage and wait for her and the others, a couple of minutes later, Fluttershy, Rainbow dash, Applejack arrived as well. Fluttershy let them in her house, everypony, dragon and human proceded to sit in the living room to wait what Fluttershy had to say, finally and with everypony and else ready, she started
“Ok, girls, before I start to talk, I need to show you a friend of mine, he is the one who inform me the things I’m about to tell you”
Everypone noded, then Fluttershy looking at the dark room behind her, made a nod, indicating the creature he could come out, then after some seconds, the manticore finally showed himself, everypony just gasped, Rainbow, Applejack and Twilight were already taking battle poses, but were inmediatily stopped by Alex raised hand.
“What in Tartarus are you doing Alex, we need to take him down”
“Easy Rainbow, Fluttershy alredy told us he is a friend, besides, knowing you are a fighter, tell me, do you really feel any thirst for blood” (she shooked her head), figures, just sit down, and let Fluttershy tell us what is going on ok?”
Rainbow, Applejack and Twilight took their sit positions again and let Fluttershy to continue talking
“Ok. . . you see, my manticore friend here told me something, something that involves everypony in Ponyville but most of all. . . . you Alex”
Everypony, dragon and human gasped by that commentary, then Fluttershy proceded to tell them everything her friend told her, about the Tyrant, why he needed to kill Alex by himself, what he was planning to do after, the Rules to become king, when she ended the story, everypony just stayed there, trying to asimilate every word she just said, then Rainbow said
“Wow, just wow, to think you would be so. . . Lucky Alex. . .the manticore you killed was the King of the everfree, and now you are. . . . I don’t have to bow to you now right??”
Alex only chuckle at her, (Jesh Rainbow, even in this predicament, you manage to make it funny, he thought)
“Well, I have to say, I never expected this, I’m glad I freed them from a Tyrant, but I didn’t want to become their ruler, even though, this explain why I never encountered any other manticore after that day or why they never attacked me again, I had some theories but. . . ., I have to say, it was really convinient for the time being”
“Indeed darling, but now we really have a really tough predicament here, they will be here in two days, if there are really 100 of them, maybe even more, they have more than the necesary power to destroy the town or even defy Canterlot itself”
“What?, Really? I have to admit, I took down with a really lucky shot, but, you have magic, I mean, with the diamond dogs I understand the darkness stone armors repelled it, but why are they a problem??”
“You see sugarcube, Manticores race had been existing even before our Princesses ruling, and by all that time, they somehow by the time, got inmunity to magic, they don’t need darkness stone to have advantage againts unicorns, and trust me, you need at least 2 well trained Royal guards to take down a manticore, not to say 100 of them”
“I see, then, I will just go to the Everfree and face him myself , I wont involve Ponyville in this”
“You can’t do that darling!!!”
“Why not Rarity, is much better than wait for them to come here to Ponyville, think all the chaos and panic it will provoke to this town, besides they just want me, me going there its a win win situation, even if I lose and get killed, and I’m sorry saying it like this, but it’s the truth”
“No Alex, (Twilight started, choosing to ignore about what Alex said about dying), for what Fluttershy told us, this Manticore once he becomes King is planing to kill us all, if you go, you will face him in his own field, your chances are worse there, remember, if he manages to kill you, we are next, we are already involved”
Alex was speechless, true, maybe his actions one month ago helped a little the manticores, but even so, he may had killed a Tyrant, but at least he was a Tyrant that didn’t want to order his subjets to attack his ponyfriends, he felt guilty, granted it was for saving Sweetie bell, but he also could have choose to run away with her, maybe drag him away very far from her, but he decided to kill him, he. . . he. . he in some kind of way felt like he broke the most important Assasin’s rule, HE COMPROMISE HIS FRIENDS!, he fell to the floor and stared at it.
“I’m. . . I’m sorry girls, I’m really sorry, I never thought this would ever happen”
He was fighting really hard to surpress his guilty tears with no success when he felt a hoof in his shoulder, it was Applejack
“Easy Sugarcube, this isn’t yer fault”
“Yes it is Applejack, the manticore I killed at least didn’t want to eat you alongside with every manticore in the Everfree forest”
“Cmon don’t say that, think about it Alex, as Fluttershy friend said, it seems that nasty manticore had been planing to do this from a long time, who can tell yah, maybe just maybe he would manage someday to kill the one yah killed, right now, we at least have time to figure what we need to do, and we need to be at our fullest, even yah partner”
Alex thought everything Applejack told him, it. . . made him feel better, he wyped his tears and huged her
“Thanks Applejack, I needed that”
She returned the hug and said
“Anytime. . . . sugarcube, now tell me, maybe, just maybe, do yah have something in mind?”
Alex thought for a second, then he asked Twilight
“Twilight, you think we can evacuate everypony out of Ponyville? or even better, I can run away very far away.”
“Well maybe we. . . .” she was inmediatily interrupted by Fluttershy
“No we can’t do that”
“Why Fluttershy? At least if I lose, they will not find anypony here, they can make to Canterlot and have more time, they will be safer there”
“Yes. . . but if you do that, they will know we were alerted, as my friend said, some lackays of that minnie manticore may be watching Ponyville right now, Even if you or many ponies try to flee, at that very moment they will know and get suspicious, and maybe will start the attack at that very moment, no matter if everymanticore isn’t here yet, you or anypony will not reach very far, and. . . they will know some creature told us, my friend (she pointed the manticore) and his friends could be in danger”
“But. . . I don’t get it, why doesn’t he just come here and challenge me, I mean. . . It’s not like many Manticores were there and saw me when I killed the last King!!”
“Well. . . .(Fluttershy started), my friend also said. . . . when you killed the previous king. . . .you didn’t know, but you and Sweetie bell in fact were surounded by at least 6 Manticores hidding in the bushes, but the King decided to take you down for himself, you after all. . . was a never seen before creature and his pride. . . well, he wanted to be the one to kill you and prove himself, not to mention to taste your meat and Sweeties (Rarity shrudered after hearing that), no manticore imagined you would emerge victorius, the only reason the other 5 didn’t attack you was because you became new King at that very moment, and now this manticore, he is even worst than him, he wants to kill you in front of everypony and manticores to feed his ego, not to mention to attack us right away if he manages to do it”
“I. . . . see, then. . . (Alex thought it for some seconds), there is no other choice I guess”
“No. . . other choice, what do you mean Alex??” Rainbow said
“I will face him here”
“WHAT????” Everypony and dragon screamed, then Twilight said
“But. . but. . . .No!, we will not let you do that, granted you took down one, but as we know, it was luck most of all, this time, this one will come prepared, you have no chance”
“Gee, thanks Twilight, but it’s true, even so, remember, It’s me who he wants, nothing happens if he can’t kill me right? and according for what our friend Manticore told us, he has to kill me himself, so I will face him, with everything I got, and trust me, sorry Fluttershy, but if I have to, I will kill him, (everypony gasped, Fluttershy most of all), sorry, but, that’s how it is, I really don’t want to, but. . . It’s necessary, finally, If there is any sign I would lose, I will. . . . use my own Hidden blades and strike my . . . . . own throat, killing . . . . myself inmediatelly”
The gasp from everypony was even higher this time, Rarity and Fluttershy seemed they wanted to faint.
“Pinkie hugged Alex, crying loudly and with her mane flat, then she said
“Whyyyyyy?? Why would you do that Ali??
“Because for what he told us (Pointing the manticore), if nomanticore kills me, the Tittle will be available for I believe. . . 300 moons. . . almost one year. . right?, you will have enough time to strengh your forces, tell the princesses to be. . . . ready, Pinkie please, don’t make it any harder than already is”
Rarity then joined the hug
“Sorry darling, but you can’t ask us for that, we care for you, please never say something like that again, and. . . if you have to face him, for what Sweetie bell and Lyra said, I’m sure and believe you can beat him, but in order to do that, you need to believe it too”
“Yeah, sugarcube, ah’d like to say ah have a better plan, but ah don’t, but I’m with Rarity in this, ya have to believe in yourself, . . . . Ah believe in yah as Rarity does”
“Me too, I. . . don’t like the idea to kill him, but. . . . do what you must Alex, you are not doing it by choice, so. . . . I’m with you. . . . this time ” Fluttershy said, also joining the hug.
“I’m also with you, you can take him down Alex, you have to, you promised me to answer all my other questions next week remember?”, Twilight said, huging him too. (he smiled and noded)
“Yeah dude, show us all those fancy weapons you have are not for nothing, let me still believe you are cool, and who knows, maybe as cool as me. . . nah, not really” Rainbow also joined the hug while everyone else shared a laugh
Spike didn’t say anything inmediatily, he just joined the hug, everything that needed to be say was already said, except one thing
“Don’t you dare to die”
Once again Alex was speechless, he really wanted to keep everypony safe, and he though killing himself could be a choice?, how wrong he was, he didn’t think about his friends, his partner, his. . . new sister, his renewed promise, what. . . what in Hell was he thinking, having his faith back, he broke the hug, stood in front of them and said
“Girls!!, thank you, and I’m sorry, I will, I will believe, even though my chances are not great, practically 0%, I. . . . will believe, and the idea to kill myself in the fight, don’t worry, is already discarded”
Alex then looked at Pinkie who was still crying, he aproached to her, started to stroke her mane and said
“Sorry Pinkie, I promise you I wont do something like that, please cheer up”
“sniff, Just with one condition Ali”
“Anything Pinkie”
“Pinkie promise you will win and live, please please, Pinkie Promise me”
Alex only smiled at her inocence and said.
“. . . . . Ok, Pinkie Pie, I promise I will not die, Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye”
Pinkie smiled after this, with her mane back to normal she hugged Alex again and said.
“And remember, you can’t break a Pinkie promise, EVEEEEEEEEER”
“I know Pinkie, and trust me, I wont”
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The next day, Alex and everypony proceded to tell the Mayor the news and their plan, also to ask her to spread to news, the way she reacted didn’t dissapointed them, she freaked out, wished Alex good luck and proceded to order to the Mail ponies to send letters to everypony to know what to do, the plan was simple, the next day, everypony, EVERYPONY, would stay in their homes doors and windows closed, They didn’t want anypony to get hurt as colateral damage.
Twilight by her part managed to alert the Royal guards from Canterlot, even if princess Celestia or Luna wasn’t there, for being her Faithfull student, she at least could get 50 Royal guards to be prepared outside Ponyville in case Alex lost, also she contacted Princess Cadance, even though, she and her husband had to prepare the Crystal Empire in case the manticores decided to attack them as well, they sent at least 50 Cristal guards to help them, also, they agreed to host all the fillies as a “schoolar visit to the Cristal Castle” much to everypony relief, the guard would be placed outside Ponyville (they didn’t want the manticores to get suspicious and attack by instinct), but even with that as well, the chances to defeat 100 or more manticores were really low, not to forget the plan was to prevent a war and bloodshed, the guards were only to reduce the casualities.
When Lyra recieved her warning letter, like a bullet she trotted to find Alex and started scream to him if he went nuts, that she didn’t want to lose him, Alex and the rest, explained her the situation, there was no other choice, he caused this (he still thought), and he had to solve it, Lyra reluctant accepted but said that alongside with the Elements, she would be there to watch him kick the Manticore’s ass, and she would not take a no for an answer.
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Later that night, After visiting Twilight for a little request, Alex was in his room, pulishing his Tomahawk, hidden blades, arrows, (one special arrow most of all), etc, examinating his bullet proff vest after Twilight and Rarity fixed it, he examinated his darts, unfortanelly he only had 4 sleeping darts left, until Zecora come backs, it was all he had, the poison ones were useless, after all, Manticore have their own, so obviously they are inmune to any poison, after a while and with everything ready, he joined Rarity and Sweetie bell at the table, Everything was silent, when finally Sweetie bell said
“You. . . know, I’m really excited, tomorrow everyfillie will go to visit the Cristal Castle, we even are going to spend the night there, it’s great isn’t it?”
“Yes Sweetie, it’s great, have some fun ok?”
“Oh, I will big brother”
“Please, try to see everything to tell me later with much detail ok”
“Ok, now I must finish eating early and go to sleep, will you read me another bed time story pleaaaaase?”
“Of Course Sweetie”
After that, they continued their dinner, Alex only thought to himself
“There is no way I’m losing you too little sister, Angela. . .God, please. . . give me Strengh”
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It was finally the day, every royal and cristal guard were already in place, Every fillie in their way to the Cristal Empire, everypony else in their homes, praying to Celestia and Luna for their safety, It was obvious they didn’t trust Alex very well, and they were right to do not to, Ponyville now looked like a ghost town, even worst when they feared Alex or Zecora, the only ones outside were, Alex, The Elements, Spike and Lyra next to him
Spike then noticed something odd with Alex Equipment and said
“Alex?? That arrow? you know you are not facing a Timberwolf, I really doubt it would be of any use”
“Well. . . . Spike, remember he indeed have a lot of fur, who knows maybe it could come in handy or maybe not, that’s why I only brought one”
“. . . . . Ok, whatever you say bro”
Then, they proceded to wait a little longer, It was already afternoon, they had waited some good time and started to have hope maybe they backed off but. . . some minutes later, they felt how the ground started to tremble and they finally saw them, it was like a parade, but made by only manticores, some bigs, some smalls, there were even kid manticores (jesh, shame on you tyrant, Alex thought), Every manticore was about to start wrecking every house to try to find the King, they didn’t even start when they finally noticed him, just in the center of Ponyville, where a Princess Celestia’s statue was placed some hours ago, it was the most larger space available in Ponyville, so much place to run and dodge for Alex.
The challenger then emerged from crowd, when Alex saw him, he noticed he indeed was a littler taller and muscled that the rest of the older manticores, (eventhough, shorter than the previous King), he had some kind of “armor” made by tree bark and tided by vines, (wow, they are not so mindless creatures, but. .this. . . in some way. . . was very convenient), covering his elbows, knees, chest and head, (. . . . . hey!!, now that I notice, he copied me!)
When he finally was infront of him, with everymanticore behind him, he roared something and seemed he would start his attack, at that moment Fluttershy with guts she very very few times showed before to anypony, stood infront the manticore and using her stare. . . said
“I will traslate what you said and what he will say to you”, she turned to Alex and said
“he said “I challenge you for the Crown”
“Ask him what he will do if I refuse the challenge” she did
(I will continue as if they were talking directly to each other)
“I get the tittle automatically, and you will have to be executed for cowardice”
“I see, then why you bother to ask then??”
“It’s the custom, but, you can also give me the Crown Voluntary, do it and I will spare your life, and I wont touch your pony friends”
“Fluttershy, he can’t understand me right?” (she shooked her head)
“Ok. . . . Applejack!!!!, he is lying right??”
“Like cristal sugarcube!!!!, or in this case, like mud!!!”
“I see, ok, then, I accept, right here right now”
The manticore only grinned, “Ok, we start in 1 minute, it’s obvious somemanticore warned you, so you prepared yourself, no matter, I’ll find him later, it even is better this way, when I kill you and eat you fighting at your best, every creature will know I indeed deserve to be King!, please try to be a little challenge at least, your Crown will be Mine!!!”
“Over my dead body”
“Sounds good to me”
Then he started to walk away to take his position and battle pose, Alex after telling the girls and Spike to get far away from the battle ground (which very reluctant they did), proceded to to walk at some distance. it was a really tense moment, everypony from their houses, looking from ther barely opened windows and almost every single Manticore wanted Alex to win, The Manticores unlike everypony thougth, weren’t brutes, As long as they were left alone, they would not harm them, less invade them, the forest was their place as the town was pony place, if you invade a place, that’s different, it was harsh, but It brought harmony.. . . . why ruin that, this manticore was crazy, and he had to dissapear, but their rules were their rules, they only could hope the creature king emerged victorious.
Then only stared each to other, waiting, neither of them dare to make the first move. . . not yet, finally, getting impatient the manticore in four legs charged to Alex in a ferocious tackle, (just like the previous one), Alex managed to dodge it, but it was more dificult this time, this manticore was shorter and less muscular, so it was more agile and fast, so fast Alex didn’t even have time to take his bow from his back, it tried again and again, the strategy was so obvious, he wanted to exhaust Alex, he knew he had more stamina than this creature, after all they were natural hunters but for his bad luck so do Humans.
After few more tries, Alex finally managed to get his bow and an arrow and aim to the manticore, it inmediatily stopped his charges, now it would be very stupid to try a direct attack, he knew that strange weapon could shot that pointed proyectile at long distances, so he knew what to do, he extended his batwings and proceded to take flight,
Alex facepalmed (damn, of course he can fly, he has wings for God Sake, just because the last one didn’t do it, doesn’t mean they can’t, stupid, stupid, stupid me), the manticore tried to charge him again from the air, he was even faster charging from the air, Alex shot his arrow but he dodged it with ease, he tried to hit Alex with his full body again, but again Alex speed didn’t fail him yet, he jumped to the side and rolled to inmediatilly get a combat position again, the manticore without even touching the ground, flew again to try again, the process repeated a couple of more times, Alex tried to strike him with throwing knives and a couple of sleeping darts without any success, Knowing he was wasting his ammo, Alex again took his bow, but this time he took 3 arrows at the same time, this creature was fast, but maybe he could trick him, he didn’t want to use three arrows, besides those, he only have 1 more, the special one he was saving for the right moment, to be honest he didn’t think he would use it, in this circunstances, it wouldn’t do any good as Spike said, but considering this beast Wood armor, it. . . . became maybe a triump card , but in order to use that one, he needed to slow down this Monster at least a little, Alex then only waited, and there it was, the Manticore charged again
The Manticore once again tried to charge him full speed again from the air, waiting for the creature to shot his proyectile to dodge it again, he noticed too late this creature shot not one but three pointed proyectiles at him, he inmediatily move aside in a desperate move, but, he only managed to dodge one, the other two. . . .one hit his chest and left wing, making a hole in it, with it, the manticore lost his focus and fell to the ground while Alex again jumped aside to dodge him, but this time it saw it coming, in a desperate move, in mid air, it managed to roll and using his tail like a whip, he striked Alex in his ribs, Alex was sent one meter to the air and fell in his back, while the manticore continued with his falling, hitting the ground full face, thanks to it was a desperate and improvised, he didn’t recieve the hit with full forcé, but it was enough to get Alex to try so desperate get some air and cough some blood, no ribs were broken by luck, but the pain was there, that will make a hell of a bruise, the manticore wasn’t doing any better, his wing wasn’t useless yet, but the pain in his chest really was getting to him, it if werent for his armor, maybe now one of his breathing organs (lungs) would be critically hit, he was trying very slow to stand up again and try to take flight again, but by his bad luck, Alex was faster than him, with two throwing knives in hands he hited his already bad wing (making the hole even higher and making it totally useless now), and one to his left leg, finally he graved two sleeping darts and managed to hit his right leg, unfortunely, Alex got too close to him and then, with a closed fist, the manticore swinged one brutal hit to Alex, who managed to cover with his two arms, it did help to minimize the hit, he still was sent flying away, it hurt a lot, but what hurt more was. . . . his both hidden blades were now completely destroyed and pulverized, they protected his arms to be broken, but the pain was still there.
Everypony and manticores gasped at this, it was so brutal but at the same time they were really impressed, this creature managed to stay alive until now, but how much would it last?, the mane 6, Spike and Lyra wanted so badly to help, they felt so impotent, so useless, they could only watch, by this point, all of them were already sharing some tears for their friend, but they knew they had to keep believing.
Alex was now spating blood, those two hits, even if he managed to not recieve them directly, they were really strong, looking at his now useless hidden blades, with anger in his voice he said:
“You son of a. . ., look at what you’ve done!, you crazy tyrant. . .. .”
He was cut in the middle of the talking when his right leg and right arm were pierced by his own throwing knives. . . . he screamed so loud, then he noticed these were the same he used against his wing and leg, the Manticore took them off and throw them back to him, he crouch, hishing in pain, he didn’t remove the knives, it would worse the bleeding, but he knew somehow, it didnt hit a nerve, then he saw the manticore now very angry, in a crazy frenezi, tried to hit him with his scorpion tail, swinging like a whip again or trying to pierce him, thanks to the deep cut still in his leg and Zecora sleeping darts in the other, he was considerable slower now, too bad it wasn’t enough to make him sleep, by his part, the manticore knew that one little touch of his poison, and this match was over, he only had to hit once, and then like the coward he was, just run and getting away from him and wait for it to do it’s job, it wouldn’t work with another manticore, lucky for him, this creature wasn’t one.
Alex managed to dodge almost every hit, but one hit his already bad leg, making him lose his balance and fell to the floor looking face down, but the worst part was. . . he lost his bow as well, he let it go to have his hand free to protect from the fall, and the manticore just stepped on it, braking it to pieces, he started to laught like a maniac, while he was laughting, Alex managed to stand in a kneel position, showing his back to the enemy, he then grabed his “special” arrow and from his pocket a. . . lighter? Aproaching to him, the manticore was already tasting his victory, he knew, without his big needles and throwing piercing objects, this creature was far from dangerous now, he stood in front of it and raise his tail to pierce his back, he then licking his lips. . . attacked.
At that very moment Alex turned around and recieved the hit directly to his stomach, Every pony gasped, Fluttershy and Rarity even fainted, Spike looked horrified, it was over, when they saw Alex spating more blood it was obvious that he managed pierce him, no matter if he was wearing his “armor”, not much to make it a lethal blow, but enough to let the poison go in.
Like the last one, this manticore felt the pain of his needle shattering, but unlike the previous manticore, he managed to get through the armor, granted, it would take some time for his needle to grow again, but he did it, he only had to take it back and back off, looking at the sky grining for his victory, he tried to take it back a couple of times, but with no success. . . then he noticed the human was grabing it with one arm, but not only that, he had something in his other hand, it was one of his pointed proyectiles but this. . . was diferent, it didn’t have just a sharp end, it had some kind of ball that smelled. . . strange, and. . . . it was. . . . on fire??. . . . oh NO!!!!, Alex only raised his head, smiling, with a maniac face and said
“Te tengo Hijo de Puta!” (Got you son of a Bitch!)
Then Alex, using all of the strength left in him, jumped to the manticore and pierced him with the flaming arrow in the chest so deep it wouldn´t come out that easy. The manticore could only watch how his Wood armor along with his fur started to get on fire, he backed off, and tried to take it off, but he couldn’t, the previous arrow along with this new one, (the other one who was still inside his chest) was preventing him to take it off, the rest of the body began to burn, unfortanelly for Alex, (who was searching for something in his ninja bags at the moment) the manticore wasn’t a timberwolf, so. .. . after a lot of work and rolling on the ground, managed to turn off the flames, even so, the damage was done, by the time the smoke dissipated, the look of it was unbearable, burned flesh, almost all his fur gone, his batwings and scorpion tail, literally melted.
After throwing something to the distance, (the manticore didn’t bother to see what it was), Alex with his tomahawk in hand (his only weapon left) only stared at the manticore who even in his poor condition, was still chuckling, granted he was a mess, but even so, a mess that still will become king, and what no many creatures knew, was that they had an incredible healing factor, by the time of two weeks, his fur would be back, his wings and scorpion tail would grow up again, he would be back to normal, but the human wouldn’t. The manticore roared something, of course Alex asked Fluttershy to tell him what he said, she in tears after hearing what the manticore said, responded
“He. . . he. . . he said. . . . “are you starting to feel the effects of the poison yet, worm?, I won, just die already as the freak you are”
Everypony gasped again, Spike only stared in shock. It couldn’t be happening.
Alex then, just started to collapse, mumbling something and finally fell to the ground, with his face looking at the sky not showing any expression. . . . he just laid there. . . . dead.
Applejack began to cry like a fillie in Fluttershy shoulder who was crying as well, Rarity was still unconcious, Lyra just stared for a moment and then fainted too, Pinkie pie mane went flat and just kept staring at Alex’s corpse, she thought (you. . . . . pinkie promised), staring as well was Twilight, but she wasn’t crying, just staring, like if she was expecting something, Applejack and Fluttershy deduced she was just in shock, in denial, but now was not time to cry, they had to wake up Rarity and Lyra, because in some minutes, they probably will have to fight for their lives, without them noticing, the manticore was already walking to where the fallen king corpse was, he wanted to taste his reward, starting from his horrible face.
He only stayed there, just a minute to proclaim himself the winner, finally licking his lips he opened his mouth to start digging, who would say the only thing he would taste would be the piercing pain of a Tomahawk striking his forehead with a direct hit, he backed away, but it was too late, he was already bleeding and losing consiousness, he was dying, but. . . how?, the poison failed?, not. . . . possible.
Everypony and Manticores were shocked, how?, Alex was alive, was he inmune to poison, was he inmortal. . . how?, Everypony including Lyra and Rarity who just woke up, stared at him with disbelieving eyes, their friend was alive, but how? not that they really cared how, they were beaming in joy in the inside, Pinkie pie mane even went back to normal, no one dared to go there yet, they knew it wasn’t over.
Alex stood up in a kneel position and stared at him, his face covered in mud, blood in his stomatch, mouth, arm and leg, Alex grinned and pointed to one object on the ground at the distance, the one the threw away, the one the manticore decided to ignore, it was. . . . a little empty bottle.
“In. . . case you are wondering. . . . That bottle had the. . . .antidote for your poison, I asked my beloved friend Twili to make it last night, (he looked at Twilight at the distance and noded to her who was smiling as well), you failed to realize something, you knew I was prepared, tell me. . . how in hell you never thought that maybe just maybe, I wouldn’t have something to counter you poison? You really are not very clever are you?”
The manticore only stared at him roaring things, Alex didn’t need to be a genius to understand he was cursing him, some seconds later he finally collapsed to the ground. . . . . Alex had won.
Everypony, the main six, Spike, Lyra even the Manticores just stared for a few seconds, trying to process what happened, he won, the human won, in a blink of an eye, every creature proceeded to run as fast as they could to congratulate the winner and true king, Spike was the first to arrive, he inmediatily huged Alex like a bear, crying, but this time those were tears of joy and relief.
“Wow dude, you really did it, as expected from my partner”
“Thanks little dude, I’m glad to still be here”
Then Pinkie pie proceeded to hug him.
“Ali, you won, you won, you kept your promise, thank you so much for keeping your promise”
“Uhg, Pinkie pie. . . . I’m glad you are happy, but please, . . . . cuts, bleeding, remember?, please. . . .”
Pinkie pie was inmediatily floated by Rarity and Twilight, who after let her land a little away from there, proceeded to hug Alex as well, but unlike Pinkie, they were carefull to not extend the wound.
“Darling, you really did it, I must say, you were amazing, not only used brute force like that nasty manticore.”
“Yeah, that was incredible, Twilight said, I mean, I knew you were going to use the antidote but not like that, that was just. . . you are a genius.”
“. . . . Thank girls, can you please help me stand up”
They started to help him with their magic when they were interrupted by 3 more fur balls, a green, a cyan and a yellow one who pinned Alex to the ground again.
“Alexis, omigosh, omigosh, you, you, omigosh, thank you, thank you, I. . . . I don’t know what to say”
“No need Lyra. . . I love for you too my friend” She only noded and proceded to hug him
“Wow dude, I really have to say, you are a tiny little more closer to be as cool as me”
(Rainbow said patting his back, then not being able to help herself any longer, she finally follow her feelings and huged him too, sharing some tears in the process)
“If you ever tell anypony you saw me crying, I will negate it and you will fear me even more than this manticore”
Alex only chuckled, “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me”
Finally Fluttershy started to inspect the wound, she was really worried, after the inspection, she sigh in relief
“It. . . seems you are not in danger, the cuts are deep, but it seems no internal organs or nerves were touched, (she started to cry). . . . I’m glad, I’m really glad”
“Thanks Fluttershy. . . . and. . . I’m sorry I had to kill a creature in front of you, I’m so sorry”
She stared at him, and while kindly huging and nuzzling him she said:
“Don’t be sorry. . . . Alex, he . . . . . brought it to himself, he was willing to hurt you. . . to hurt us, I can only hope. . . if there is really another life, he… could reborn kínder.”
“Shesh Fluttershy, you really are kindness incarnated, well I guess it’s time to. . . “
He was stopped by Fluttershy hoof on his chest
“Wa. . . wait, the check-up isn’t over”
“Uh?, what do you mean? You already checked my cuts . . . .”
Alex was interrupted by the most amazing thing that had just happened since he arrived to Equestria, much to his pleasure, even more amazing than Sweetie Bell kissing his cheek, or hugging everypony, Fluttershy was. . . . kissing his forehead,
“That’s was. . . . for being a good patient and for not crying during the check-up and this. . . (Fluttershy kissed his cheek as well), is for still being with us. . . .(with me)
“Hey!!, not fair, me too, me too”, Pinkie pie said and also proceded to kiss him on the other cheek.
Alex could really die in that very moment and don’t mind at all, not even in a million years, he was really close to faint, but he couldn’t, at least not at that moment, with the help of Fluttershy and Pinkie pie, he managed to get near every manticore, once in front of them, everymanticore started to cheer for their King, Alex inmediately stopped them with raising his bruised arm and proceeded to make an important speech with Fluttershy as a Traslator.
“Manticores from every age, as you could see today. . . there was a fight between two creatures who gave everything, one. . . . a misscarried manticore who wanted to hurt many inocent lives and was willing to order you to help him. . . and an average human. . . me. we cannot allow this to happen again (Everymanticore noded), you deserve a kind King, one who guides you to live peacifully in the forest, therefore everything will be as before, the Everfree is your territory and you are free to live or do whatever you want in there, just some new decrees, no other King or even I am not allowed to nullify these, EVER! (Everymanticore noded again)
1) The Manticores will not hurt or kill anypony unless they would be a threat.
2) No more deathmatches for the Crown, the way to decide a new king now will be by friendly competitions, it’s up to you to decide, but without blood.
3) Order to Attack Ponies or cities without any provocation is forbidden, just like the first rule, if any King dares to even mention the idea, he or she will be stripped of the tittle. (Every manticore smiled when they heard this particular decree)
“And finally (Alex asked Fluttershy to call her Manticore friend from that night, he came and stood up in front of his king).
4) I declare this Young fella, NEW KING OF THE MANTICORES, because for his advice, we were able to prepare for the fight, even if it looked like he was bretaying you, but far from that, he did it for your well being, to avoid having another tyrant as your leader, he is the true hero here, a good King always does what is right, and you need a Manticore to Rule the Forest, therefore, please Everymanticore, BOW DOWN TO THE NEW KING!!!”
Everymanticore and Alex bowed to the new king, the manticore was Speechless, he by instinct did what any other manticore would do, he licked Alex’s face, it was gross, cute, but gross, Alex thought.
After that, glaring at Alex one last time, everymanticore took their fallen brother and returned to the Everfree forest. Once they were gone, Everypony proceded to go out their houses, they inmediatily surrounded Alex, Everypony was cheering him, some taking pictures, they were stopped by Mayor Mare.
“Citizen of Ponyville please, Can’t you see he is wounded?, we need to take him to the hospital, please allow his friends to take him there”
Everypony noded and let the Mane Six and Spike to take their friend to get some medical attention.
Alex only chuckled inside, man, he defeated another Manticore, again he had to use the surprise element to win, after all. . . . that and trolling are the humans best weapons.
Looking at his current state Rainbow Dash couldn’t help herself.
“Wow dude, you really are messed up”
“Yep, and now I have to go back to the hospital, and maybe for some more Needl. . . puahgg”
At that very moment, Alex was interrupted when he spatted more. . . black and red blood?. “What the. . .?” then he fainted.
Twilight and Fluttershy gasped when they saw it.
“Oh no!!!, Twilight said after seeing the black blood, oh no, oh no, it wasn’t enough, I know I’m not Zecora but I was sure I made it perfect, we have to take him to the hospital FAST!!!”
“What is it sugarcube? What is happening”
“No time to explain, please we need to get to the hospital now”
Everypony noded and proceeded to take their friend there as fast their hooves let them”
“Stay with us Alex, please, please, Stay with us, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry” Twilight managed to say while carrying Alex to the hospital with her magic.