The Art of Organised Cheating Part 1

Spike yells in horror as the Manticore rears up to strike with its massive claws. Your eyes widen, when you think of an obvious solution.

You concentrate your magic for a split second, and find yourself right next to Spike. You repeat the mystical maneuver and suddenly find yourself in the sanctity of the library.

You’ve successfully teleported Spike to safety. You feel light headed, and assume you’ve used up all your energy teleporting. You scan your surroundings, and find that you’re on the floor in the center of the library. It’s dark, since you left before you’ve lit any candles. It’s still raining outside, but not as hard as it was in the forest.

“That was a close one, Twilight! Thanks!” Spike says joyfully.

For some reason, you cannot find the strength to reply. You try to stand up, but you don’t have the energy to do so. You feel cold.

Spike goes around lighting the candles in the library. Green light flashes for a second every moment or so as the room illuminates progressively. You remain on the floor, feeling everything become slightly more… distant.

Spike continues to light candles upstairs. You’re only company at this point is the pitter-patter of the rain that you can faintly hear, and Owlowiscious, who’s just awakened from his morning sleep.

Spike returns downstairs with a candle in his claw.

“Sorry about being out so late, Twilight. Pinkie and I-”

Spike’s abrupt end to his story caught your attention. You try to turn and see what his deal was. Spike is staring right at you. His eyes are wide enough to catch the reflection of every candle in the room. His pupils have been shrunken from grapes to raisins. Owlowiscious seems to be perplexed by something as well.

You wonder what they could possibly be gawking at. By tracing their gaze, it becomes clear to you.

During your escape, the Manticore must’ve caught you. Its massive claws could tear through a pony of your size with ease.

“Where are the rest of my legs…” you choke out. You find yourself coughing up coagulated blood.

It seems you weren’t able to teleport fast enough.

Now you’re half the pony you once were.

DEATH BY TERRIBLE PUN

Retry, retry!