The Multiverse Device

"We'll shit" I said out loud. This was going to be fun. Hopefully it wouldn't be like all of the HiE fan-fictions I read a long while ago. When the human would walk into Ponyville and get his ass beat by applejack. And then every pony would feel sorry and welcome him.

With that said, I decided to play it safe and make my presence known gradually. So I wouldn't frighten anypony when I went into town. I figured I could help out ponies and make a hasty escape back into the forest, leaving the ponies questioning what I am. And hopefully they would figure I was a creature wanting too help, and not a savage pony-eating ape.

I chuckled as I started down the path. If I wasn't so lost in thoughts, I would've noticed the beautify of the lush forest. While walking own the path was dark, hints of light creeped through the canopy, creating an admiring glow. Down near the edges of the path, a large variety of flowers dotted the Earth. A slight fog crept in the undergrowth, giving the forest a loomy, but also welcoming effect. Dotting the path were obvious hoof-marks, smashing whatever suspicions I had regarding if I was actually in the Everfree forest.

I continued down the path for a good fifteen minutes before I reached a bend in the road. Jus before I turned the corner, I heard a faint clopping sound, and what appeared to be voices. I stood frozen for a second, debating my options. I snapped out of it and dove into the bushes, just as two ponies rounded the corner. I nearly passed out when I saw who they were. Twilight Sparkle herself, and of course, Fluttershy. As they got closer, I could just make out their conversation.

Twilight was saying something too Fluttershy, an annoyed expression on her face, "...Like I said, Zecora needs us to gather some Poision Joke for her new recipe. And you're the best with animals, so I need you if something goes wrong!" She said, glaring at Fluttershy. "Oh...I-I know b-but what if a Manticore attacks, or a h-hydra!" Fluttershy said, covering her face with her mane. 'DAWWWWW' I thought, from my hideout in the undergrowth, too cute!

"If any monster attacks us, I'm sure I can handle it. I have been getting offensive spell lessons from Shiny lately. He was getting worried about me. I told him I was fine, but he insisted," Twilight assured Futtershy, continuing down the path. I couldn't hear fluttershy's reply, but it was probably something like "Ok". As they started too disappear from sight, I had already decided I was going to follow them, like that was a hard decision. I was really hoping they wouldn't find me, it would be really awkward, getting caught stalking. Well, I wasn't stalking, just 'observing', I thought with a chuckle.

I set my duffle down, thinking I could get too it later, but I kept my M4, just in case. I was turning to coninue following when I heard Twilight squel happily, "Hey Fluttershy! I found some Poision Joke! The faster you help me gather it, the faster when can get out of here!" She chimed happily. I brushed some bushes aside, just enough so my eyes could see through. Twilight stood over a rather large patch of the glowing blue plant, and she was putting it into a saddlebag, with a pair of oddly snapped tweasers. Why she didnt use magic, I didn't know.

The gathering went on for about five minutes, before a rustling sound came from the other side of the clearing. After failing too see what it was, I lifted my weapon too my shoulder, and peered down the optics. I could make out the face of a lion and a scorpions tail. 'Weird combo, I wonder why two animals as Diverse as those are teaming up" I thought casually.

My answer came as the creatures, or creature, burst from the bushes. I mentally face palmed at my error, it was a manticore. That would explain the body parts.

The manticore fiercely roared and rushed towards the ponies. Both Twilight and Fluttershy looked up, eyes wide with shock. Instead of running, or even trying to defend themselves, they stood frozen with fear. Oh shit, here goes nothing. I jumped from the bushes and rushed towards the ponies shouting "Run you ponies! Run!" Twilight spun around and gasped, I figured she had probably never seen my kind before. Not suprising. "Seriously....run!" I said pushing her. The manticore roared, it was only twenty feet away, and approaching fast. Twilight gulped and her horn was ingulfed in a purple aura. With a pop and a flash, she and Fluttershy were gone.

I spun quickly, only too be caught in the jaw by the monsters jaw. I flew back, and slammed into a tree. I felt warm liquid running down my shirt. I looked own, but winched in pain. The flesh on my chin was clean off, and was oozing crimson liquid freely. The manticore rushed me again, but this time I rolled too the side, kicking the beast in the knee. It roared pain and stumbled over itself. With it distracted, I jumped up and aimed at the creature with my weapon. As I pulled the trigger, the beast's tail whipped around, knocking my gun aside. The bullet wizzed harmlessly past it's head, splintering a tree further back. The tail swooped back again. Stabbing my full on in the side. "ARRGGG" I yelled, slamming into a tree once again. I slid my hand down my left thigh, reaching my P226. I have a devilish smile as I upholstered it. I lined the sights up, center mast, and pulled the trigger.

BANG

BANG

The first shot slammed into the creatures shoulder, sending a spray of blood in the sir, the creature tried too recover, but the second round rocketed through it's yellow forehead. It swayed on both feet, before falling backwards onto a branch, moaning the monster in its throat.

"Owwwww" I groaned, trying to stand up. My jaw and right side both hurt incredibly. And both freely letting my blood gush out in waves. I looked down to my side, and gasped. The thought hit me hard. I mentally face palmed again. The tail has a poisonous stinger, which wold explain the green liquid mixed with my blood. I panted heavily, slumping down onto the tree trunk. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I was loosing blood fast, and they weighed a million pounds. 'This is it, two years in the apocalypse, and I get taken by a manticore' I thought with a chuckle. I gasped in pain again. Note to self, don't chuckle when stabbed by a manticore.

I heard faint sounds, like hooves and voices. 'Maybe the angels are coming too get me' I thought. The last thing I saw before slipping into the abyss, was an array of colors, closing in on me. 'I thought they said there was a bright light' I thought. But I didn't question death.