Tales of the Forest

"So how long exactly have we been going in circles?" I furiously asked Red. "About three days, two hours and ten minutes" she responded quite
calmly from my backpack. "This doesn't make me feel better now how the hell do we get out of this forest since your maps have been ineffective to put it politely". Even though she was in my pack I could imagine the frown on her face as she responded "My maps are not wrong they just got input correctly by some stupid U.E.R programmer.

I stopped there and turned "don't speak of U.E.R like that Red" I said shakily. "Relax Asimov it's hardly like they're liquidating the both of us for insulting them across hundreds of years". "I stepped back shaking my head replying "why'd you bring me into this"?! "Red laughed as if this was something funny but I couldn't seem to get the joke. "Well we could just make camp for the night or how about". "Captain I'm detecting a life coming from 800 metres away west of here" interrupted Red.

"Damn, ok are they coming this way?" I said dropping into a crouch. "No they seem to be staying around one area" said Red quietly.

I dropped into a crouch and began moving forwards slowly. "How big" I asked as I checked the lock on my rifle. "Slightly smaller than your average pony but their DNA sequences are like nothing in my list of organisms" said Red sounding slightly confused. "Right I'll try to confront it and go with standard procedure if it attacks" I said now slowly approaching. "I'm assuming standard procedure is..." That's right shooting it in the head" I said as I approached the targets.

However as I stepped out of the dense ferns of the forest I came to the familiar sight of a certain Manticore cave. "Red why the hell am I back here" I asked irritably. "Something is inside and by its life signs it is very weak" she said quietly.

I thought back to saving Rainbow Dash and made a decision "we'll look into it but let's not waste time" I said as I entered the cave.

However as I went further in I began to hear soft calls like some sort of wounded or sad animal. I reached the back of the cave at the sight of lots of dried blood and the Carcass of the Manticore which was already starting to decompose. I coughed lightly as I neared it and thought I heard a small growl from the Carcass.

"Captain, I know procedure 342 is to not startle the commanding officer but the creatures are less than a metre from you" whispered Red.

At that moment something pounced into my side and tried to claw my armour (with little success). I responded by activating my jets which quickly threw the creature off, I landed and turned back to see a poised tiny Manticore a little smaller than me standing in front of a smaller one who was looking at me in fear.

Now I am no professor but I can put two and two together. "She was the mother" I said as I gazed at the Manticore cubs in a slightly saddened way. I remembered how I earned my second brand of failing to follow orders for exactly this situation minus one thing. I had a choice.

"I killed their mother and now they have no one left to look after them". "I see no problem Asimov just put them out of their misery" said Red a little too coldly for my liking. "Red I am the commander here and although I would save an immense amount of time just killing them I cannot do that" I murdered as I pulled a small tube from my belt. "Article 8647 of the U.E.R states quite clearly that any enemy". "The U.E.R doesn't exist dammit now shut up and follow my damn orders!" I yelled angrily as I placed the tube over my rifle.

"Look Captain I read the report from Hooftown, what they asked of you was against war humanitarian article 12, but as you said back in the forest-the U.E.R program's need to be kept and although the small exceptions like Rainbow Dash was bad enough you now want to take care of two animals when our mission is to protect Luna at all costs and save Equestria".

I looked down as I aimed the rifle at the two little Manticores "I don't intend to keep them Red, just make sure they're safe" I whispered as I pulled the trigger and the rifle erupted in a flash of blue.

The two Manticores mewled and
keeled over as the burst of electric energy incapacitated them and they fell to the ground Unconscious.

Their standard shape was that of a lion except for its wings jutting from its back and I had absolutely no idea what was going on with the tail.

"It's like no animal I've ever seen before" I murmured as I gazed at it in a new light. "That's because the Unicorn alliance (U.A) exterminated them all in 2590, and a smart move would be for us to do the same and move on" said Red quite annoyingly.

"Look Red I'm not leaving them here alone to die so, tell me where I can take them safely and then we'll be on our way" I said as I knelt down to pick up a cub. There was a long pause as Red processed the fact I wouldn't give up and finally, sighing she said "the legends of the name six say that kindness or Fluttershy was a keeper of woodland creatures, I don't know how she'd respond to two Manticores but then I'm sure we'll find out hey".

I grunted as I picked up the other Manticore and slung it over my shoulder "well let's go then, run a scan on the forest floor for their footprints and we'll find the trail back to Ponyville". "Already done, just follow my directions and we'll be at the town you love do much again in no time" Red sarcastically said.

I could only grunt as I carried the two little Manticores through the forest to a winding path, then from a winding path the a junction in which I was told the middle led to Ponyville and a lot of scared, angry and questioning ponies. Or the right path which should lead to Fluttershy's house. "How can you tell?" I asked taking the right path. "Well considering the tracks are three days old and are very light just like a Pegasus when walking" she explained.

I shook my head as I walked down the little path which stopped in the middle of a much more alluring forest with loads of wildlife and a small hut.

I put the Manticores down outside and considered leaving for a brief moment when I realised that Fluttershy would have a fit seeing baby Manticores at her door.

So I took a deep breath before knocking on the door. Although she was a light hitter I could still feel the slight bruise on my chin. She opened the door quite welcomingly but upon seeing my face seemed to have a tiny nervous breakdown and spam the door in my face bashing me in the nose as well.

"That went well" commented Red as I stood up slowly. "Shut something" I grumbled as I knocked again. "Please go away" came a very soft voice from inside and as I peeked in the window the curtain seemed to shut instantaneously.

Now I've blown buildings apart, bust in doors and entered one unpleasant time through the sewage system but this was something new I could add to the list... I was trying to talk my way in. "Miss Fluttershy I realise my attitude towards ponies and your friends is a little difference than others and I'm sorry if I might have hurt or upset you in anyway, the fact is that the Manticore I killed was a mother to two cubs and they are very weak and need instant help". I know I can't do it but I heard that you like animals and have a way with them so I'm just wondering if you could...h". I tried to say the word but it seemed sticky and awkward in my mouth "can you h...h...help me" I asked.

The door stayed shut and my efforts had been wasted, I put my hooves on my head and I rubbed my eyes. "Red isn't there anyone else who'd take these Manticores" I asked somewhat pleadingly.

"No Captain, there is no one else" she responded. I sighed as I looked at the two little cubs, "I'll take them back into the woods and dispose of them, then we can be on our way".

Suddenly the door to the cottage flew open and Fluttershy rushed out, promptly giving me a smack whilst shouting "how dare you consider harming these little darlings you senseless brute, I'll take them but you'd better get out of here right now" she said quite forcibly considering I towered over her slight frame. "Yes ma'am" I yelled as I suppressed my relief and started walking away from the cottage. "You see Red it all turned out just fine" I said as I walked. "Yeah we'll I did as you asked me and there's a different path to Canterlot" she responded all business tone. "That is if you're willing to stop messing about and go save a princess". "Just tell me the damn route and I'll go" I grumbled my good mood now ruined by the prospect of the following journey. "Just head back to that junction and take the left road which should eventually lead to Canterlot and the mission" said Red.

"You mean to say Luna" I said. "No Captain I was correct in what I said, the mission".