The Art of Organised Cheating Part 1

“Let’s follow the hoofprints!” You yell over the rain. “It’s our only lead, after all!”

Fluttershy nods her head to agree. “Besides, somepony else could be lost in here!” She yells back.

You each decide to gallop along the path of hoofprints, straying dangerously far from the real trail. The rain is doing a good job wiping away the hoof prints. After a minute of galloping, they’re becoming harder to see.

Inevitably, the trail disappears. Without hesitation, however, you and Fluttershy continue trotting where you expect the trail to lead. You continue walking pointlessly until Fluttershy stops trotting.

“I don’t think we’re going to find anypony!” she says.

You look around a bit until you come to the same conclusion. You’re just about to walk back when you hear what sounds like Pinkie Pie’s voice in the distance. She’s screaming.

You and Fluttershy exchange glances before you both take off in that direction with great speed. You each bound over fallen branches and swoop around trees in an almost serpentine fashion. To your left, you see Fluttershy tuck-and-roll under a branch into a slide under another all in one swift move. She gallops back up with ease. You make a mental note that Fluttershy has enhanced ability when somepony needs help.

You were so engrossed in trivial thought that you nearly missed the large, savage creature looming over its prey. Pinkie Pie. To your surprise, you see a startled Spike clinging to the pink mare’s soaked cotton candy tail.

Lightning strikes overhead, illuminating the dark forest. You identify the savage creature to be a large manticore. Its teeth are barred, and its stinger is poised to strike.

It’s a good thing you found Spike, but this scene produces many questions in your head. What was Spike doing with Pinkie in the Everfree forest? Why were they out so late?

It was no time to speculate. Pinkie Pie and Spike were about to become tasty manticore treats. There is absolutely no time to lose. The first thing you think of is the fact that Fluttershy is with you. She’s tamed beasts of the likes of this one with ease. You’re glad she came along.

You’re just about to call out to her when you notice Pinkie Pie taking her off in another direction.

“This is no place for a shy pony like you, Fluttershy!” She screams as she whisks your only chance of saving Spike away. Fluttershy waves at you worriedly, as if to both apologize, and wish you good luck.

You see Spike cower in fear beneath the shadow of the large creature that came from another flash of lightning. He’s not going to survive if you stand idly by.

You have to do something.

CLIMB A TREE AND SWOOP DOWN LIKE TARZAN TO SAVE SPIKE

TRY TO SET THE MANTICORE ABLAZE

CALL THE BEAST MEAN NAMES

TELEPORT SPIKE TO SAFETY