Nightmare Centaurby Foalicon_ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1"Hey sweetie belle. Are you sure that this will get us are cutie marks." Sweetie belle nodded,"of course many ponies have you seen with a manticore as a cutie mark." "none. that's what worries me." Scootaloo crouched down outside a cave next to Sweetie belle and Applebloom. "This seems like a bad idea Sweetie belle. Are you sure that this isn't going to get us killed." Sweetie belle shook her head,"How big is a baby manticore anyway. You girls are being chickens." "Hey who are you calling chicken!" "Scootaloo be quite, Your going to get us caught." applebloom complained "What are we even supposed to be dong anyway Sweetie belle?" Scootaloo asked,her concern getting the best of her. "Yea. You never told us what we're supposed to be doing anyway Sweetie belle." Applebloom agreed with scootaloo. Sweetie belle's eyes widened,"I thought I'll think of something before we got all the way out here." A powerful roar sounded from within the cave and they all froze."I think we woke it up girls." "What are we going to do now, miss Manticore tamer" Apple bloom stared at Sweetie belle, who had backed out of the bushes. "I don't know I didn't think that we would make it into the Everfree forest, much less this cave." "Then why did you decide on this!" The manticore was now stepping out of the cave, it was scanned the perimeter looking for the noises that had woken it it proceeded to the girls bush. "I'm out." Scootaloo backed out of the bush, then bolted. The manticore roared chasing after the fleeing pegasus. Sweetie belle and Applebloom chased after them keeping a safe distance so the manticore wouldn't turn on them."What are we going to do Applebloom we can't let Scootaloo get eaten!" "I don't know! I'm just a filly. aren't you the one who suggested this in the first place?" Sweetie belle turned then did the same."I think I have an idea." Sweetie belle nodded "I think you took my idea." Scootaloo was panting heavily, trying her hardest to keep the manticore away from ducked into a thorn bush inside was just enough room for her to sit , uncomfortably. "Hey ya big chicken!" Scootaloo peeked out the bushes and saw Applebloom staring daggers at the roared and left Scootaloo alone to chase after Applebloom. As they disappeared into the bushes scootaloo crawled out and started to pull thorns out her the suddenly a hoof laid on her shoulder. "Pony." It was a centaur."Do you know where I can find the elements of harmony?" Instead of answering she noticed the spear slung over his shoulder."My friends need help there's a manticore an-" "I asked If you knew the elements of harmony not if you had a problem." "If you help my friends I'll take you to Rainbow dash, the element of loyalty." She shrunk slightly as he pulled the spear off his back. "Hold my saddle please, It holds an important note." He ran the direction toward the sounds of roaring and screams. "Wait whats your name." before she got an answer it disappeared into the bushes. she sighed,returning to the thorns. "Sweetie belle get the gate!" Applebloom turned sharply around a tree headed to the natural cage that they had found. "It's stuck. Take him around again." The a claw raked Applebloom's flank and she went sprawling to the ground. The manticore was now towering over Applebloom when a rock connected to his eye. "You leave Applebloom alone." Sweetie belle yelled picking up another rushed toward her when a centaur came from the bushes to her side." "Has anyone here seen a manticore? I don't really know what one is." Sweetie belle pointed to the manticore who had stopped to see the new arrival."That's a manticore." The centaur dropped his spear "Oh.." he started to back away "Well I have to go find the elements of harmony good luck with...this." He turned and bolted into the bushes The manticore looked at Sweetie belle then back toward the fleeing centaur, it was bigger. It charged toward it crushing it's spear and leaving the girls. Sweetie belle climbed off the cage and ran to Applebloom,"Are you alright Applebloom?" Applebloom was bleeding out onto the ground her color had begun to fade, She didn't answer. "Sweetie belle! What were you girls doing out here?" "We where trying to get our cutie marks when the manticore woke up and chased that thing now Applebloom's something Fluttershy."Sweetie belle lifted the bleeding pony the best she could before Fluttershy came and picked her "Where is Scootaloo now?" Fluttershy asked as she turned to start running. "I.." she thought for a moment,"I guess we got a bit separated." "I'm right here." Scootaloo said heaving along a saddlebag "That thing wanted me to hold it's saddlebag while he saved Applebloom." "Some job he did. Applebloom isn't exactly a hundred percent right now." There was a loud squeal in the distance followed by a low pushed the girls forward a bit "come on girls we need to get Applebloom the hospital." "But what about that thing?I still have his saddle." "Bring it with us." Fluttershy yelled as she took off galloping. Scootaloo shruged "Help me with this Sweetie belle." "Is it heavy?" " shaped wierd..Kinda."Scootaloo opened the bag and looked inside. "Whats in it scootaloo?" She pulled out what looked like a ball made of solid stone."I don't know some kind of ball." "Lets go find that thing." Scootaloo put the ball back in the bag and slung it onto her back. "You mean that weird looking pony?" "yea. you saw him right? He didn't even have a cutie mark ." "I didn't even notice that. Where did that scream come from anyway?" "Come on it sounded like it came from sweet apple must have really been moving to get that far that fast." The two fillies ran toward sweet apple acres. Chapter 2Now He has to be around here somewhere, Scootaloo.I'm sure I heard that noise come from over here." Sweetie belle and Scootaloo were searching the apple orchard for any sign of the Centaur. "What if that manticore killed it?" Sweetie belle shrugged,"Did he tell you what he was doing?" "No just that his saddle bag had something important in it or something. I don't know" "Hey look" Sweetie belle pointed to a trail of blood "Somepony got hurt." Scootaloo nodded. "lets go find out who." The trial led to a large apple tree under it was the Centaur.It's arm had been ripped off in in the fight and it seemed to be unconscious."Well we know who won." The manticore was nowhere to be seen.The centaur's body was scratched up and he had bruises over most of his human half. "What do we do with him Scootaloo?" Scootaloo looked around for a solution. "Hey!" Scootaloo exclaimed,"If we're on sweet apple acres that means Big macintosh is here.He can carry him to the hospital." The Centaur moved ,"I don't need a hospital."he said as he came to his hooves.Everyone looked at his arm including him."That oversized cat ran off with my arm!" "Does it hurt?" Sweetie belle looked at the small nub that used to be his arm. "Of course not! Well not yet anyway. My mom is good with potions and the only other one who was good at potions was a zebra named Zecora, but she left over three years ago. "Hey we know a zebra named Zecora.She lives in the everfree forest." Sweetie belle pointed to the forest."She always talks funny. sometimes it's very hard to understand her." "Oh yes. That would be sing song. A way of speaking that could drive a centaur insane." Scootaloo was looking at the trail of blood for a sign, that the manticore was still around."Suppose we take you to Zecora's." Scootaloo looked at the bleeding Centaur once more. "She might not have the necessary ingredients so It would be a big help If you could help find them." "Alright we'll show you how to get there,I guess. But then I'm going to go check on Applebloom." Sweetie belle stated "Fair enough." They walked along Side the centaur helping him walk so he wouldn't fall ."Do you two know why Zecora decided to stay here?"The Centaur asked "Neh.One day She came to Ponyville and everypony ran and hid because she looked creepy. I guess." Sweetie belle moved from the centar's side "Why did you come here anyway?" It looked down at her."I believe that that's my business." They started to move faster, none of them said a word until they got to Zecora's "That's where she stays." Sweetie belle stated. "This looks exactly like the house she made within, Tribe." "Centaur!?" came Zecora's voice from behind them."What are you doing here, What happened to your arm?" "Nice to see you remember the sing song, But I'm here because a over sized cat tore my arm off." she shook the nub that was once his right arm. "I see. come lets go ahead and fix you up then." "You girls can go see about your friend now." The Centaur flicked his tail. "And give me back my saddlebag " The two fillies left him,"issues much." "Centaur how have you been" I'm doing fine.But my brother is still deafened by the sing song." He smiled knowing that she would feel guilty about it. "Yea.I sorry about that but how was I supposed to know rhymes were a deadly weapon against Centaurs?" Zecora was dropping things into her cauldron, quickly. "So, can you give me my arm back?" Centaur looked at Zecora as she stopped in place. Zecora laughed "No,sorry, but I can make the pain much more bearable when it comes." Zecora's cauldron lit up a bright shade of pink."Put your arm in the pot centaur. and when your mothers potion wears off you should only fell a little pain." "That's reassuring." he said as he hesitantly put his nub into the pot, it was cold."They don't have fire here?" "Would you prefer if I just burned it shut?" Centaur shook his head."Then stop your complaining and just deal with the little cold, that comes with the treatment ." "Fine." "What brings you to ponyville anyway? I thought your mother said you were to young to leave." The cetaur pulled his nub out the pot, moving closer to Zecora."Zecora it's terrible.Some evil pony by the name of nightmare moon has possessed the chief, She claimed to be more powerful than ever and that the only thing that could defeat her was, the elements of harmony.Do you know them, Zecora?" Zecora nodded,"yes they are very good friends of mine and I am positive they will be more than willing to help you with this situation." "Yes!" So when can we leave to save, Tribe?" "You. will be staying here for now centaur.I can't risk you getting an infection of some sort and your still far to young to travel by yourself." "No,I'm not I saved those foals by myself and everything." "No,you didn't. You got your flank kicked by a manticore and nearly died and those aren't foals odds are there older than you." "But there so," he moved his hand down to his waist. "Centaurs are born taller than most ponies but stay that size for about twenty or so years, Centaur." "But." He stopped arguing then looked at his saddle bag,"I have a new element of harmony." he pulled out the stone ball it had what looked like a party hat on it."Stupidity!" He said triumphantly. "That's." Zecora chose her next words carefully,"It suits you well centaur" "So do we all get are rocks and throw them at her or something?" "No.it's a.." She never saw the elements of harmony work together."I guess you could throw the rocks at her." "I knew it!" He placed it back into the saddle bag "I told my mom they should just throw stuff at her." Zecora had been looking at the nub on his arm as the potion sealed it shut. "I hope she doesn't blame me for what happened to your arm." "No one knows where you are Zecora but my mom has already found someone to take you place. So It's all fine now" "Of course it is, Centaur, But I recommend you not tell them you found me." "why can't I. Everyone liked you" "If that was the case, why do you think I left?" Zecora stared at Centaur. "Becaus it was time for you to move on. At lest that's what everyone else said." Chapter 3"Zecora when can we get moving I'm bored already." Centaur laid on the floor covered in bandages. "When you can stand at take ten steps before falling down." She was reading a book sitting a few feet away from him. "But why is it so important that I even get fully healed? It's not like I haven't done this before." "Have you done this before, Centaur?" Zecora looked up from her book and tightened the bandage on his chest, "stop trying to get up it's not going to happen, Centaur." "But,The elements." He tried to sit up again finding whatever Zecora did to him still was holding him back. "I've contacted Twilight, Shes the most powerful of elements, magic. She should be here any minute now.Shes very interested to meet a Centaur and test out some spell." "I hate magic, never does any good for anyone." He shook his head furiously,"What if it turns me into some type of rat or somthing?" "Then I guess it would be best to keep you away from larger pest." Centaur's eyes lit up for a brief moment, brightening the whole room."What was that for!" He shot Zecora a accusing look. "Sorry, centaur.I guess habit's die hard huh." She smiled slyly as he tried to stand again only to fall back down. "You did that on purpose! Admit it." When zecora said nothing, he slammed his good hand onto her book. "I said, admit it." "I have no clue what your talking about, Centaur." "Fine.When is this Twilight supposed to get here anyway." "She has her own life you know. Why don't you just take a nap and when you wake up she should be here." "I don't wanna take a nap," Centaur complained. "But you will." Zecora blew a green powder into Centaur's eye. his head fell onto the ground, "I don't wanna." ////////////// "Will she be alright doctor?" "Applebloom will be just fine, Applejack. That claw just nipped a major artery but she'll be fine." "Alright y doc." The hospital room door opened, "Hey Applejack you want to come with me to see a Centaur?" " Now why would I wanna do that when poor Applebloom is stuck in bed?" Twilight pulled Scootaloo by the tail into the room, "She says, that's the creature that lured the manticore away from Applebloom." "Is that true, Scootaloo?" Scootaloo nodded. "Then I guess that I better go check on him then." "I'm not going." Scootaloo stated. "Of course not, you're staying to keep an eye on Applebloom." "Why do I have to watch Applebloom?" Scootaloo complained. "Don't worry Scootaloo. You won't be the only one keeping an eye on Applebloom" Rarity said pulling Sweetie belle into the room. "I don't wanna stay at the stinky old hospital." "Well you're going to." Rarity dropped Sweetie belle beside Scootaloo."Doctor, make sure that they're the ones who feeds her and makes sure she has everything she needs." The doctor nodded."Can do miss Rarity." "Do you have any problem with that arrangement Applejack?" "Nope. that sounds pretty fair to me, Rarity." "Pretty unfair If you ask me." Sweetie belle whispered to Scootaloo. "Are you girls all set to go?" Twilight asked her friends. "I guess so.I just hate that Zecora chose to stay in that forest rather than in a house in ponyvile." "Well, Rarity.That was her choice now come on I wanna get there before it gets too dark." ////////////// Centaur was flailing about randomly bucking everything that was in Zecora's house. The pain from losing his arm finally hit him and he was having a panic attack. "Zecora what's going on?" Twilight asked the Zebra who was outside her house. "Nothing. he's just having a problem with his missing limb." The girls all walked up and stared into the window. "Centaur's eyes where lit up once more as he turned to the window that the girls watched from. He threw himself into the window and latched onto Rarity's horn with his good hand.Zecora yet again blew green dust into Centaur's eyes. "He's a bit cranky from his nap, miss Rarity.It would be best If we would let him rest." Centaur's eyes lit up once more as he fell to the ground unconscious.his grip loosened and he let go of Rarity's horn. "Well what was all that about Zecora?" Asked applejack "Well I made it so when the pain from losing his arm came it would be much easier to deal with , it didn't work. Not to mention I aggravated his Sing song." "Well that doesn't explain a thing about why he was destroying your house." "I think we was having a panic attack of some sort." Zecora lead the girls into her house. "Zecora, do you plan on keeping him here with you?" "Oh, no.Twilight The only reason I didn't take him back home yet is because he claims nightmare moon has taken over Tribe, his home." "But didn't we defeat nightmare moon with the elements, twilight?" "I thought we did Applejack. It is possible that she just decided to give up on Luna and move on." "Well what sense would that make Twilight?" Rarity asked as she continued to clean Zecora's house, for some reason. "It sounds like Nightmare moon just cut her losses at the lost possible moment." Centaur kicked out knocking several things of the wall. "And why on earth did he think he could beat a manticore." "He didn't, Applejack. Hes not the one who thinks before he does something.Also where he comes from there is a drink called manticore, probably thought that was what the girls where referring to. "That sounds highly unlikely." "Twilight, hes the element of stupidity, The sub element of laughter and loyalty." Zecora said handing Twilight the book she had been reading earlier."It's all in this book." "I've read that book aready Zecora.I just didn't believe it." "So what was that stuff you put in his eye Zecora? It would be plenty helpful to have that stuff when granny smith is snoring up a storm." "It's a knock out powder but it only last three minutes at most." Zecora said backing out of her house slowly. Centaur's head shot up and quickly looked around."Where are they!?" he shouted as he grabbed hold of applejack. "What have you done with Strongheart Appleloosan?" "I have no Idea what your talkin' about." "You and your settler ponies kidnapped Little stongheart, Where is she." he shook Applejack violently, trying to get an answer. "we're not even in Appleloosa!" She shouted pushing off of him. He stared angrily at Applejack. "Thunderhooves was right you appleloosans never change." His head turned to Zecora. "Zecora? What are you doing here, I thought you left." "Seems he has memory loss now." "My memory is just fine you're the one whose mind is all jacked up." He pointed to Twilight. "What do you mean my memory is jacked up?" "I don't know, it just is ok. I'm a element of harmony you better watch your tone." "we're elemens of harmony." "Impossible I'm still miles away from ponyville. Strongheart is supposed to take me ,But you took her."his attention wen't back to Applejack. "I ain't done nothin With Little strongheart." Centaur reached down and grabbed a spear he knocked off the wall earlier. "Centaur." Zecora said from behinde him "What!" He turned around and got a face full of knock out dust. "That's one way to get things done. But why did he think he was in appleloosa? Zecora shrugged,"Tribe is no where near Appleloosa. He must have gotten of track, on his way here." "Whats this ,'Tribe', Zecora." It's a City much bigger than even Manhatten.everything from humans to ponies live there. Centaurs are the result of the two living together peacefully for over a thousand years..."I even found myself living there for a period of time. For some reason Centaurs could be controled or killed by Melodies and song.So after four years of moving there, I moved on." "That sounds like a place I would like to visit, is it anything like canterlot?" Rarity looked at Zecora finally taking intrest in the situation. "Yes. they pride themselves on art and some fashion but getting in is a task of it's own. If your intentions are not pure they'll kill you at the gate not even allowing you the chance to turn around." "That sounds, bad." Rarity's enthusiasm lessened."So one would have to take a chance at death before they could enjoy the city?" Zecora nodded."But with nightmare moon there, the rules sure to have changed." Chapter 4"Centaur. come on centaur wake up, I'm alright." Centaur opened his eyes and was greeted with the sight, of Little Strongheart. He shook his head recalling what happend."I thought told you to wait till I gave the all clear." She smiled, "You never came back. So I sorta, found you." Centaur rubbed his head with his good hand ."Where's Zecora?" "She told me to watch after you until she gets back. I made you breakfast." "Breakfast? How long was I out?" She shrugged "about a week..or two." "Two weeks! You mean to tell me I wasted two weeks? Tribe is in trouble, Strongheart." She laughed ,"I was joking." Centaur sighed, relived "It's been a week and a half." "Strongheart." He got up and started to look around."Wheres my spear?" "Zecora, took it. She said, that when you wake up you might run off." "She was right to. Where'd she go, Strongheart ?" Centaur tried to stand and wobbled to the door. "She numbed your legs.For some reason, I think she likes to do it." He mumbled."I hate that Zebra. Why is she always using things against me?" It's because If I can't get you calm yourself, you'd destroy the house." Zecora placed her hoof around Centaur's back."Lie and say you wouldn't." He shrugged."Give me back my spear Zecora." "No. I'm keeping this until I receive word from, Twilight that evrything is all and well in Tribe." Centaur, grabbed Zecora's neck."Give me my spear Zecora." "Or What.You're going to wait here until the elements of harmony, The main elements, Put a end to nightmare moon." Zecora reached into her pouch, glaring daggers into Centaur's eyes. He dropped her."Fine keep the spear, at least let me go hunting, I'm starving. I also want to get that cat back for running off with my arm." He waved his stump of a arm. Zecora laughed. No need I picked up plenty of things for you , Centaur." Strongheart popped out of nowhere. "What about me Zecora?" "Ah. I have a better Idea, Little Strongheart. Why don't you go into Ponyville with centaur. Now that he's up I'm sure it wouldn't be to horrible for you." "Ponyville? is that that town I saw on the way in?" Centaur sat on all for of his knees,"I was actually wondering about that town.Looks familiar." "Come on Centaur, I've been stuck in this place for a week. Lets go see ponyville." Strongheart said walkng outside. Centaur,followed close behind. "I don't wanna.Lets just go hunt down that Manticore." Strongheart turned around and started walking backward, looking at centaur."What would that solve? All that would do is feed your ego." "Turn around , Stongheart, that's creepy. How do you know If you're not gonna hit somthing?" She giggled,"I guess I don't. That doesn't stop me from enjoying the moment.Cheif Thunderhooves said for me to see all Equestria has to offer, So I am." "Your taking it to serious." He reached out for her mane then hesitated, Pulling away. "What still scared to touch me?" She smiled and jumped at him. He recoiled, falling over. She laughed at him,"You are still scared aren't you?" "NO! I could touch you if I wanted to." She looked down at him, tilting her head."What.I never said you could 'touch me'." she stressed the last two words. "No. not like that like." there was no good way he could make it sound,"Nevermind.You know I didn't mean it like that."he stood upand started walking again. They started,Running, Strongheart still trying to touch him.They slowed down as they went into Ponyville.The ponies stared at Centaur like he was the strangest thing they've seen, half human, half pony.eventually, they stopped. Sitting on a bench were two ponies. "Hey come over here a sec." said the greenish one. Centaur walked up to her, "Is there something you need help with?" She shook her head,"Hi, I'm Lyra this is Bon Bon.I couldn't help but notice how weird you look." "What?" Centaur said confused.You just call everypony you meet weird, don't you? Well I'm sorry for looking weird to you Lyra why don't you just go buck yourself.No. wait why don't you go an-" Stongheard elbowed his side, then pointed at Lyra. "Oh. Sorry, Lyra." he looked at Stongeheart and whispered."What do I do?" She whispered back,"You're the one who made her Cry, you fix it." Centaur put his hoof on her shoulder,"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you,Lyra?" "Yes there is!" She said suddenly smiling, You can come have dinner with me on the address written here." She pressed a piece of paper onto his chest then put a pen to it,Scribbling something down."There meet me here tonight." "Can I come?" Strongheart asked, Shyly. Lyra smiled,"Of course the more the merrier" "I'm starving, Strongheart, can we get moving already?" "Save your appetite for later, we're having...Bon Bon." She giggled."See you tonight." The Centaur and Buffalo walked away from the two mares.Heading back toward the forest. "Centaur. What do you think she meant when she said where having Bon Bon?" Centaur sighed,"I don't even know how i got roped into this."
Chapter 1"Hey sweetie belle. Are you sure that this will get us are cutie marks." Sweetie belle nodded,"of course many ponies have you seen with a manticore as a cutie mark." "none. that's what worries me." Scootaloo crouched down outside a cave next to Sweetie belle and Applebloom. "This seems like a bad idea Sweetie belle. Are you sure that this isn't going to get us killed." Sweetie belle shook her head,"How big is a baby manticore anyway. You girls are being chickens." "Hey who are you calling chicken!" "Scootaloo be quite, Your going to get us caught." applebloom complained "What are we even supposed to be dong anyway Sweetie belle?" Scootaloo asked,her concern getting the best of her. "Yea. You never told us what we're supposed to be doing anyway Sweetie belle." Applebloom agreed with scootaloo. Sweetie belle's eyes widened,"I thought I'll think of something before we got all the way out here." A powerful roar sounded from within the cave and they all froze."I think we woke it up girls." "What are we going to do now, miss Manticore tamer" Apple bloom stared at Sweetie belle, who had backed out of the bushes. "I don't know I didn't think that we would make it into the Everfree forest, much less this cave." "Then why did you decide on this!" The manticore was now stepping out of the cave, it was scanned the perimeter looking for the noises that had woken it it proceeded to the girls bush. "I'm out." Scootaloo backed out of the bush, then bolted. The manticore roared chasing after the fleeing pegasus. Sweetie belle and Applebloom chased after them keeping a safe distance so the manticore wouldn't turn on them."What are we going to do Applebloom we can't let Scootaloo get eaten!" "I don't know! I'm just a filly. aren't you the one who suggested this in the first place?" Sweetie belle turned then did the same."I think I have an idea." Sweetie belle nodded "I think you took my idea." Scootaloo was panting heavily, trying her hardest to keep the manticore away from ducked into a thorn bush inside was just enough room for her to sit , uncomfortably. "Hey ya big chicken!" Scootaloo peeked out the bushes and saw Applebloom staring daggers at the roared and left Scootaloo alone to chase after Applebloom. As they disappeared into the bushes scootaloo crawled out and started to pull thorns out her the suddenly a hoof laid on her shoulder. "Pony." It was a centaur."Do you know where I can find the elements of harmony?" Instead of answering she noticed the spear slung over his shoulder."My friends need help there's a manticore an-" "I asked If you knew the elements of harmony not if you had a problem." "If you help my friends I'll take you to Rainbow dash, the element of loyalty." She shrunk slightly as he pulled the spear off his back. "Hold my saddle please, It holds an important note." He ran the direction toward the sounds of roaring and screams. "Wait whats your name." before she got an answer it disappeared into the bushes. she sighed,returning to the thorns. "Sweetie belle get the gate!" Applebloom turned sharply around a tree headed to the natural cage that they had found. "It's stuck. Take him around again." The a claw raked Applebloom's flank and she went sprawling to the ground. The manticore was now towering over Applebloom when a rock connected to his eye. "You leave Applebloom alone." Sweetie belle yelled picking up another rushed toward her when a centaur came from the bushes to her side." "Has anyone here seen a manticore? I don't really know what one is." Sweetie belle pointed to the manticore who had stopped to see the new arrival."That's a manticore." The centaur dropped his spear "Oh.." he started to back away "Well I have to go find the elements of harmony good luck with...this." He turned and bolted into the bushes The manticore looked at Sweetie belle then back toward the fleeing centaur, it was bigger. It charged toward it crushing it's spear and leaving the girls. Sweetie belle climbed off the cage and ran to Applebloom,"Are you alright Applebloom?" Applebloom was bleeding out onto the ground her color had begun to fade, She didn't answer. "Sweetie belle! What were you girls doing out here?" "We where trying to get our cutie marks when the manticore woke up and chased that thing now Applebloom's something Fluttershy."Sweetie belle lifted the bleeding pony the best she could before Fluttershy came and picked her "Where is Scootaloo now?" Fluttershy asked as she turned to start running. "I.." she thought for a moment,"I guess we got a bit separated." "I'm right here." Scootaloo said heaving along a saddlebag "That thing wanted me to hold it's saddlebag while he saved Applebloom." "Some job he did. Applebloom isn't exactly a hundred percent right now." There was a loud squeal in the distance followed by a low pushed the girls forward a bit "come on girls we need to get Applebloom the hospital." "But what about that thing?I still have his saddle." "Bring it with us." Fluttershy yelled as she took off galloping. Scootaloo shruged "Help me with this Sweetie belle." "Is it heavy?" " shaped wierd..Kinda."Scootaloo opened the bag and looked inside. "Whats in it scootaloo?" She pulled out what looked like a ball made of solid stone."I don't know some kind of ball." "Lets go find that thing." Scootaloo put the ball back in the bag and slung it onto her back. "You mean that weird looking pony?" "yea. you saw him right? He didn't even have a cutie mark ." "I didn't even notice that. Where did that scream come from anyway?" "Come on it sounded like it came from sweet apple must have really been moving to get that far that fast." The two fillies ran toward sweet apple acres.
Chapter 2Now He has to be around here somewhere, Scootaloo.I'm sure I heard that noise come from over here." Sweetie belle and Scootaloo were searching the apple orchard for any sign of the Centaur. "What if that manticore killed it?" Sweetie belle shrugged,"Did he tell you what he was doing?" "No just that his saddle bag had something important in it or something. I don't know" "Hey look" Sweetie belle pointed to a trail of blood "Somepony got hurt." Scootaloo nodded. "lets go find out who." The trial led to a large apple tree under it was the Centaur.It's arm had been ripped off in in the fight and it seemed to be unconscious."Well we know who won." The manticore was nowhere to be seen.The centaur's body was scratched up and he had bruises over most of his human half. "What do we do with him Scootaloo?" Scootaloo looked around for a solution. "Hey!" Scootaloo exclaimed,"If we're on sweet apple acres that means Big macintosh is here.He can carry him to the hospital." The Centaur moved ,"I don't need a hospital."he said as he came to his hooves.Everyone looked at his arm including him."That oversized cat ran off with my arm!" "Does it hurt?" Sweetie belle looked at the small nub that used to be his arm. "Of course not! Well not yet anyway. My mom is good with potions and the only other one who was good at potions was a zebra named Zecora, but she left over three years ago. "Hey we know a zebra named Zecora.She lives in the everfree forest." Sweetie belle pointed to the forest."She always talks funny. sometimes it's very hard to understand her." "Oh yes. That would be sing song. A way of speaking that could drive a centaur insane." Scootaloo was looking at the trail of blood for a sign, that the manticore was still around."Suppose we take you to Zecora's." Scootaloo looked at the bleeding Centaur once more. "She might not have the necessary ingredients so It would be a big help If you could help find them." "Alright we'll show you how to get there,I guess. But then I'm going to go check on Applebloom." Sweetie belle stated "Fair enough." They walked along Side the centaur helping him walk so he wouldn't fall ."Do you two know why Zecora decided to stay here?"The Centaur asked "Neh.One day She came to Ponyville and everypony ran and hid because she looked creepy. I guess." Sweetie belle moved from the centar's side "Why did you come here anyway?" It looked down at her."I believe that that's my business." They started to move faster, none of them said a word until they got to Zecora's "That's where she stays." Sweetie belle stated. "This looks exactly like the house she made within, Tribe." "Centaur!?" came Zecora's voice from behind them."What are you doing here, What happened to your arm?" "Nice to see you remember the sing song, But I'm here because a over sized cat tore my arm off." she shook the nub that was once his right arm. "I see. come lets go ahead and fix you up then." "You girls can go see about your friend now." The Centaur flicked his tail. "And give me back my saddlebag " The two fillies left him,"issues much." "Centaur how have you been" I'm doing fine.But my brother is still deafened by the sing song." He smiled knowing that she would feel guilty about it. "Yea.I sorry about that but how was I supposed to know rhymes were a deadly weapon against Centaurs?" Zecora was dropping things into her cauldron, quickly. "So, can you give me my arm back?" Centaur looked at Zecora as she stopped in place. Zecora laughed "No,sorry, but I can make the pain much more bearable when it comes." Zecora's cauldron lit up a bright shade of pink."Put your arm in the pot centaur. and when your mothers potion wears off you should only fell a little pain." "That's reassuring." he said as he hesitantly put his nub into the pot, it was cold."They don't have fire here?" "Would you prefer if I just burned it shut?" Centaur shook his head."Then stop your complaining and just deal with the little cold, that comes with the treatment ." "Fine." "What brings you to ponyville anyway? I thought your mother said you were to young to leave." The cetaur pulled his nub out the pot, moving closer to Zecora."Zecora it's terrible.Some evil pony by the name of nightmare moon has possessed the chief, She claimed to be more powerful than ever and that the only thing that could defeat her was, the elements of harmony.Do you know them, Zecora?" Zecora nodded,"yes they are very good friends of mine and I am positive they will be more than willing to help you with this situation." "Yes!" So when can we leave to save, Tribe?" "You. will be staying here for now centaur.I can't risk you getting an infection of some sort and your still far to young to travel by yourself." "No,I'm not I saved those foals by myself and everything." "No,you didn't. You got your flank kicked by a manticore and nearly died and those aren't foals odds are there older than you." "But there so," he moved his hand down to his waist. "Centaurs are born taller than most ponies but stay that size for about twenty or so years, Centaur." "But." He stopped arguing then looked at his saddle bag,"I have a new element of harmony." he pulled out the stone ball it had what looked like a party hat on it."Stupidity!" He said triumphantly. "That's." Zecora chose her next words carefully,"It suits you well centaur" "So do we all get are rocks and throw them at her or something?" "No.it's a.." She never saw the elements of harmony work together."I guess you could throw the rocks at her." "I knew it!" He placed it back into the saddle bag "I told my mom they should just throw stuff at her." Zecora had been looking at the nub on his arm as the potion sealed it shut. "I hope she doesn't blame me for what happened to your arm." "No one knows where you are Zecora but my mom has already found someone to take you place. So It's all fine now" "Of course it is, Centaur, But I recommend you not tell them you found me." "why can't I. Everyone liked you" "If that was the case, why do you think I left?" Zecora stared at Centaur. "Becaus it was time for you to move on. At lest that's what everyone else said."
Chapter 3"Zecora when can we get moving I'm bored already." Centaur laid on the floor covered in bandages. "When you can stand at take ten steps before falling down." She was reading a book sitting a few feet away from him. "But why is it so important that I even get fully healed? It's not like I haven't done this before." "Have you done this before, Centaur?" Zecora looked up from her book and tightened the bandage on his chest, "stop trying to get up it's not going to happen, Centaur." "But,The elements." He tried to sit up again finding whatever Zecora did to him still was holding him back. "I've contacted Twilight, Shes the most powerful of elements, magic. She should be here any minute now.Shes very interested to meet a Centaur and test out some spell." "I hate magic, never does any good for anyone." He shook his head furiously,"What if it turns me into some type of rat or somthing?" "Then I guess it would be best to keep you away from larger pest." Centaur's eyes lit up for a brief moment, brightening the whole room."What was that for!" He shot Zecora a accusing look. "Sorry, centaur.I guess habit's die hard huh." She smiled slyly as he tried to stand again only to fall back down. "You did that on purpose! Admit it." When zecora said nothing, he slammed his good hand onto her book. "I said, admit it." "I have no clue what your talking about, Centaur." "Fine.When is this Twilight supposed to get here anyway." "She has her own life you know. Why don't you just take a nap and when you wake up she should be here." "I don't wanna take a nap," Centaur complained. "But you will." Zecora blew a green powder into Centaur's eye. his head fell onto the ground, "I don't wanna." ////////////// "Will she be alright doctor?" "Applebloom will be just fine, Applejack. That claw just nipped a major artery but she'll be fine." "Alright y doc." The hospital room door opened, "Hey Applejack you want to come with me to see a Centaur?" " Now why would I wanna do that when poor Applebloom is stuck in bed?" Twilight pulled Scootaloo by the tail into the room, "She says, that's the creature that lured the manticore away from Applebloom." "Is that true, Scootaloo?" Scootaloo nodded. "Then I guess that I better go check on him then." "I'm not going." Scootaloo stated. "Of course not, you're staying to keep an eye on Applebloom." "Why do I have to watch Applebloom?" Scootaloo complained. "Don't worry Scootaloo. You won't be the only one keeping an eye on Applebloom" Rarity said pulling Sweetie belle into the room. "I don't wanna stay at the stinky old hospital." "Well you're going to." Rarity dropped Sweetie belle beside Scootaloo."Doctor, make sure that they're the ones who feeds her and makes sure she has everything she needs." The doctor nodded."Can do miss Rarity." "Do you have any problem with that arrangement Applejack?" "Nope. that sounds pretty fair to me, Rarity." "Pretty unfair If you ask me." Sweetie belle whispered to Scootaloo. "Are you girls all set to go?" Twilight asked her friends. "I guess so.I just hate that Zecora chose to stay in that forest rather than in a house in ponyvile." "Well, Rarity.That was her choice now come on I wanna get there before it gets too dark." ////////////// Centaur was flailing about randomly bucking everything that was in Zecora's house. The pain from losing his arm finally hit him and he was having a panic attack. "Zecora what's going on?" Twilight asked the Zebra who was outside her house. "Nothing. he's just having a problem with his missing limb." The girls all walked up and stared into the window. "Centaur's eyes where lit up once more as he turned to the window that the girls watched from. He threw himself into the window and latched onto Rarity's horn with his good hand.Zecora yet again blew green dust into Centaur's eyes. "He's a bit cranky from his nap, miss Rarity.It would be best If we would let him rest." Centaur's eyes lit up once more as he fell to the ground unconscious.his grip loosened and he let go of Rarity's horn. "Well what was all that about Zecora?" Asked applejack "Well I made it so when the pain from losing his arm came it would be much easier to deal with , it didn't work. Not to mention I aggravated his Sing song." "Well that doesn't explain a thing about why he was destroying your house." "I think we was having a panic attack of some sort." Zecora lead the girls into her house. "Zecora, do you plan on keeping him here with you?" "Oh, no.Twilight The only reason I didn't take him back home yet is because he claims nightmare moon has taken over Tribe, his home." "But didn't we defeat nightmare moon with the elements, twilight?" "I thought we did Applejack. It is possible that she just decided to give up on Luna and move on." "Well what sense would that make Twilight?" Rarity asked as she continued to clean Zecora's house, for some reason. "It sounds like Nightmare moon just cut her losses at the lost possible moment." Centaur kicked out knocking several things of the wall. "And why on earth did he think he could beat a manticore." "He didn't, Applejack. Hes not the one who thinks before he does something.Also where he comes from there is a drink called manticore, probably thought that was what the girls where referring to. "That sounds highly unlikely." "Twilight, hes the element of stupidity, The sub element of laughter and loyalty." Zecora said handing Twilight the book she had been reading earlier."It's all in this book." "I've read that book aready Zecora.I just didn't believe it." "So what was that stuff you put in his eye Zecora? It would be plenty helpful to have that stuff when granny smith is snoring up a storm." "It's a knock out powder but it only last three minutes at most." Zecora said backing out of her house slowly. Centaur's head shot up and quickly looked around."Where are they!?" he shouted as he grabbed hold of applejack. "What have you done with Strongheart Appleloosan?" "I have no Idea what your talkin' about." "You and your settler ponies kidnapped Little stongheart, Where is she." he shook Applejack violently, trying to get an answer. "we're not even in Appleloosa!" She shouted pushing off of him. He stared angrily at Applejack. "Thunderhooves was right you appleloosans never change." His head turned to Zecora. "Zecora? What are you doing here, I thought you left." "Seems he has memory loss now." "My memory is just fine you're the one whose mind is all jacked up." He pointed to Twilight. "What do you mean my memory is jacked up?" "I don't know, it just is ok. I'm a element of harmony you better watch your tone." "we're elemens of harmony." "Impossible I'm still miles away from ponyville. Strongheart is supposed to take me ,But you took her."his attention wen't back to Applejack. "I ain't done nothin With Little strongheart." Centaur reached down and grabbed a spear he knocked off the wall earlier. "Centaur." Zecora said from behinde him "What!" He turned around and got a face full of knock out dust. "That's one way to get things done. But why did he think he was in appleloosa? Zecora shrugged,"Tribe is no where near Appleloosa. He must have gotten of track, on his way here." "Whats this ,'Tribe', Zecora." It's a City much bigger than even Manhatten.everything from humans to ponies live there. Centaurs are the result of the two living together peacefully for over a thousand years..."I even found myself living there for a period of time. For some reason Centaurs could be controled or killed by Melodies and song.So after four years of moving there, I moved on." "That sounds like a place I would like to visit, is it anything like canterlot?" Rarity looked at Zecora finally taking intrest in the situation. "Yes. they pride themselves on art and some fashion but getting in is a task of it's own. If your intentions are not pure they'll kill you at the gate not even allowing you the chance to turn around." "That sounds, bad." Rarity's enthusiasm lessened."So one would have to take a chance at death before they could enjoy the city?" Zecora nodded."But with nightmare moon there, the rules sure to have changed."
Chapter 4"Centaur. come on centaur wake up, I'm alright." Centaur opened his eyes and was greeted with the sight, of Little Strongheart. He shook his head recalling what happend."I thought told you to wait till I gave the all clear." She smiled, "You never came back. So I sorta, found you." Centaur rubbed his head with his good hand ."Where's Zecora?" "She told me to watch after you until she gets back. I made you breakfast." "Breakfast? How long was I out?" She shrugged "about a week..or two." "Two weeks! You mean to tell me I wasted two weeks? Tribe is in trouble, Strongheart." She laughed ,"I was joking." Centaur sighed, relived "It's been a week and a half." "Strongheart." He got up and started to look around."Wheres my spear?" "Zecora, took it. She said, that when you wake up you might run off." "She was right to. Where'd she go, Strongheart ?" Centaur tried to stand and wobbled to the door. "She numbed your legs.For some reason, I think she likes to do it." He mumbled."I hate that Zebra. Why is she always using things against me?" It's because If I can't get you calm yourself, you'd destroy the house." Zecora placed her hoof around Centaur's back."Lie and say you wouldn't." He shrugged."Give me back my spear Zecora." "No. I'm keeping this until I receive word from, Twilight that evrything is all and well in Tribe." Centaur, grabbed Zecora's neck."Give me my spear Zecora." "Or What.You're going to wait here until the elements of harmony, The main elements, Put a end to nightmare moon." Zecora reached into her pouch, glaring daggers into Centaur's eyes. He dropped her."Fine keep the spear, at least let me go hunting, I'm starving. I also want to get that cat back for running off with my arm." He waved his stump of a arm. Zecora laughed. No need I picked up plenty of things for you , Centaur." Strongheart popped out of nowhere. "What about me Zecora?" "Ah. I have a better Idea, Little Strongheart. Why don't you go into Ponyville with centaur. Now that he's up I'm sure it wouldn't be to horrible for you." "Ponyville? is that that town I saw on the way in?" Centaur sat on all for of his knees,"I was actually wondering about that town.Looks familiar." "Come on Centaur, I've been stuck in this place for a week. Lets go see ponyville." Strongheart said walkng outside. Centaur,followed close behind. "I don't wanna.Lets just go hunt down that Manticore." Strongheart turned around and started walking backward, looking at centaur."What would that solve? All that would do is feed your ego." "Turn around , Stongheart, that's creepy. How do you know If you're not gonna hit somthing?" She giggled,"I guess I don't. That doesn't stop me from enjoying the moment.Cheif Thunderhooves said for me to see all Equestria has to offer, So I am." "Your taking it to serious." He reached out for her mane then hesitated, Pulling away. "What still scared to touch me?" She smiled and jumped at him. He recoiled, falling over. She laughed at him,"You are still scared aren't you?" "NO! I could touch you if I wanted to." She looked down at him, tilting her head."What.I never said you could 'touch me'." she stressed the last two words. "No. not like that like." there was no good way he could make it sound,"Nevermind.You know I didn't mean it like that."he stood upand started walking again. They started,Running, Strongheart still trying to touch him.They slowed down as they went into Ponyville.The ponies stared at Centaur like he was the strangest thing they've seen, half human, half pony.eventually, they stopped. Sitting on a bench were two ponies. "Hey come over here a sec." said the greenish one. Centaur walked up to her, "Is there something you need help with?" She shook her head,"Hi, I'm Lyra this is Bon Bon.I couldn't help but notice how weird you look." "What?" Centaur said confused.You just call everypony you meet weird, don't you? Well I'm sorry for looking weird to you Lyra why don't you just go buck yourself.No. wait why don't you go an-" Stongheard elbowed his side, then pointed at Lyra. "Oh. Sorry, Lyra." he looked at Stongeheart and whispered."What do I do?" She whispered back,"You're the one who made her Cry, you fix it." Centaur put his hoof on her shoulder,"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you,Lyra?" "Yes there is!" She said suddenly smiling, You can come have dinner with me on the address written here." She pressed a piece of paper onto his chest then put a pen to it,Scribbling something down."There meet me here tonight." "Can I come?" Strongheart asked, Shyly. Lyra smiled,"Of course the more the merrier" "I'm starving, Strongheart, can we get moving already?" "Save your appetite for later, we're having...Bon Bon." She giggled."See you tonight." The Centaur and Buffalo walked away from the two mares.Heading back toward the forest. "Centaur. What do you think she meant when she said where having Bon Bon?" Centaur sighed,"I don't even know how i got roped into this."
