Fluttershy's Nature Show

When the camera clicks back on, Fluttershy is fully dressed with her hair brushed and with no manticore fur anywhere on her. All evidence of her night with the manticore has been erased, save for the reel of video tape. After checking all of the settings on the camera, Fluttershy turns it on herself.

"Hey, everyone," she smiles. "I promised that the second reel would be the manticore flying and playing and stuff, but it seems to have already been filled. That's really more of a behind-the-scenes thing, but that's okay. I've replaced the reel, so we can continue on."

She turns the camera around and points it up to the sky. There flies the manticore with his tiny wings, flipping and diving through the air as she records him.

"Manticores are spectacular creatures. I really love their manes. This one in particular has a very dark mane, which is very highly valued by the females. He's also big and strong, which again makes him the pick of the litter for manticores. That said, even the weaker ones are beautiful. Actually, hang on."

She puts the camera down and whistles loudly. The manticore turns and flies down to her. She grabs the camera and climbs onto his back. As he takes off, she clings to his mane with one hand and holds the camera in the other. The recording takes them up above the trees, showing a bird's eye view of the world. They don't stay in the Everfree forest, either. They show a view of Ponyville, Whinnyapolis, and finish their fun with a view of Canterlot.

A long and entertaining flight later, they land back in the Everfree forest. As Fluttershy rubs his mane, she kisses his forehead. "Who's my big, fluffy kitty?" He purrs proudly, rubbing his face against her. It's a very sweet scene, and it's clear that the two care very deeply for each other, which would only be new information if you hadn't seen the second reel.

After a few more minutes, Fluttershy says goodbye. She makes her way out of the woods with the camera still on. It's possible that she doesn't know that it's still on, but she makes her way effectively through the woods. It's easier to see everything in the daylight, except for the timber wolves that manage to sneak up on her.

Fluttershy is surrounded by the hungry timber wolves, and is backed up against a cliff. "I don't have anything I can give you here," she whimpers, trying to placate them, "but if you'll let me go back home, I'm sure I can find something for you to snack on."

The wolves growl and take a few steps closer, sap dripping from their teeth. They clearly aren't listening to her, and are instead focusing on the free meal that seems incapable of running away. She tries to move, but at every turn, she's cut off. She's utterly trapped here.

As the lead timber wolf pounces on her, he's knocked out of the air. The manticore roars as he comes into the frame. His mighty tackle shatters the wolf's body, and he turns his attention to the others.

They all leap on him at once, attempting to take him down, as he poses a greater threat than Fluttershy, who has not moved, and is presumably just sitting on the ground, as the camera is shaking and her whimpering yelps with every hit confirm that she's still there, unable to join in the fight, and unable to stop the timber wolves.

As she had promised previously, the manticore was no pushover, and manages to take out enough of the timber wolves with his sharp claws, powerful jaws and poisonous tail. By the end of the fairly short but frenetic fight, what few wolves aren't in pieces scattered around the clearing are either running or limping away.

The manticore turns back to Fluttershy, limping over to her and licking her face. In tears, she throws her arms around his neck. "I'm so glad you're okay," she sobs, dropping the camera to the ground. She's on her knees, though unharmed. The fighting had gone by so quickly that the camera had missed a few injuries on his end, that the more stable shot is now picking up.

When she pulls away, he presents to her his paw, which has a large, jagged timber wolf tooth sticking out of it. "Just like old times," she chuckles, wiping a tear from her cheek. She puts her hand against his paw, grabs the tooth firmly in her hand, and with a good yank, pulls it out.

She picks up Twilight's camera, and with the manticore at her side, the two make their way to the edge of the forest, near to where Fluttershy's house is. As she steps out of the forest, she turns around. The manticore is not moving from the trees.

"Come on," urges Fluttershy. "I can help you with those wounds. I have a first aid kit at my house."

The manticore shakes his head and begins licking his wounds right there at the edge of the trees. He isn't going to her place for first aid, but rather staying behind.

"You know, there's a fine line between being being strong and brave, and reckless and foolhardy. You're really badly hurt, and it's my fault. At least let me clean your wounds so you don't contract some kind of infection. I promise, nothing invasive."

The manticore raises himself up on his hind legs, extends his claws, puffs out his wings and chest, and roars as loud as he can. Birds fly away, small critters dash to the tallest grass they can hide in, and Fluttershy seems unperturbed.

"I understand that you're very proud, of both yourself and your accomplishments. You've certainly made a reputation in the forest, and you are a credit to your kind. You're the toughest, strongest, most powerful manticore I've ever heard of, let alone seen. But timber wolf bites are still venomous. No matter how thick your skin is, once it's entered your bloodstream, you're fucked. I'm not asking you to lower yourself so I can help you, I'm asking you to let me help you so you don't have to lower yourself. Please, Fluffy. Let me help you. I want my big, strong manticore to stick around. Will you let me heal him?"

With much reluctance, the manticore lowers his head and walks to Fluttershy's side. They continue on, making it as far as her back porch before the battery for the camera dies.