Fluttershy's Nature Show

The camera pans around the tent, showing how spacious it is. Fluttershy is squatting next to a camping stove, stirring a large pan of sizzling vegetables with a wooden spatula. It seems to be mostly zucchini and peppers, and is quite vocal about it's doneness.

"Just in time," smiles Fluttershy, removing the pan from the heat. "How is everything holding up?"

"Well, the cows have all been ushered into the next pasture for the night," says Twilight, moving to a chair and sitting down. "That'll hopefully keep them safer than having them right where we're expecting these new creatures to show up."

"Are you sure we can expect them to approach us?" asks Fluttershy, dividing up the contents of the pan into two wooden bowls. "I mean, if there's a new tent and no cows, what if they think it's too scary and they don't approach?"

"I put out some old wood, as they've been shown to eat that, and a sign that says 'creatures welcome.' If you can think of anything else that might invite them to this exact spot, I'd love to hear it."

"Well, that's just it. It's very inviting, but I have to wonder if it is perhaps too inviting?"

"What do you mean?"

Fluttershy sits down and gives Twilight her bowl and a pair of chopsticks. "I mean, if you were terrorizing a town somehow, and all of a sudden there's a line of books going down the street, leading you to a brand-new building that was hastily constructed, with a sign out front that says 'free knowledge,' what would you think?"

Twilight pauses for a moment. "I'd wonder whether or not it's a trap."

"Exactly. It's a bit unnerving, but we definitely shouldn't do any more, lest it be too obvious that we're trying to draw them over here. I mean, we are, but we don't need to actively tell them that."

"I suppose not." Twilight sets the camera aside and takes the bowl, eating the coarsely-chopped fruits with gusto. She makes it a few bites in before her face begins to turn red, and she starts fanning herself. With a forced swallow, she turns to Fluttershy. "Those are really spicy peppers!"

Fluttershy nods. "I picked them specifically to keep us on our toes all night. They're absolutely packed with electrolytes, and we're going to need those. Plus, it's a kick in the teeth, so take an extra bite if you feel yourself beginning to doze off." She reaches into her bag and pulls out a pint jar of pickled peppers and a fork. "I have more if you want them."

"NO!! I mean, no thank you. I think this is enough to keep me awake for a time." Twilight continues to eat, but regularly pushes the peppers aside. Even with only eating the zucchini, she's still sweating by the end, and has to drink a lot of water.

Fluttershy, on the other hand, is powering through the peppers with little issue. While she does shudder and shake with every swallow, she's keeping them down quite well. Despite the warmth of their tent, she finishes her food and releases a sigh that seems to distort the air around her with heat. She leans back in her chair and rubs her stomach. "Good stuff."

"Yeah, it's certainly tasty," agrees Twilight. "What parts of my tongue aren't burnt are very pleased."

"Oh, come on. There was more sweet in those than there was spicy."

"Still a lot of spicy."

Fluttershy sighs, and the image almost indicates steam venting out of her nose. "Fine. I'll let you recover while I take the first watch. You can help yourself to some peanut butter, too. That should stop the burning." She pulls out a jar of peanut butter and gives it to Twilight, along with a spoon, before picking up the camera and exiting the tent.

The image is dark for a few seconds, then suddenly goes green and brightens up as the night-vision mode is enabled. The moon shines incredibly brightly as the camera turns around to the trees. Sure enough, there's a sign, but with everything just being a different shade of green, it's hard to read. Fluttershy makes her way toward the trees, grunting and shaking the camera every time she stubs a toe on one of the pieces of wood that Twilight left out as bait.

After about a minute, the camera picks up an image of one of the creatures, hanging upside-down on a tree branch. Much like the hummingbird in torpor, its back feet are wrapped tightly around the branch, with the tail drooping down between its legs, ending near its face.

Speaking of its face, it's now clearly visible. The skull structure seems to be three large plates, between which are two wide compound eyes that extend over the top of its head. Beneath that is a set of four mandibles, with jagged, craggy teeth. They are clearly capable of independent movement, as they do exactly that as it sits there, watching from above. Finally, at the bottom if its face is a large, jointed labium with a plate that exactly matches the contouring of the bottom of its lower mandibles.

The camera moves away from it, which is odd considering that it wasn't ever in the center of the frame, as if Fluttershy hadn't seen it.

"I really hope this isn't just some hoax," worries Fluttershy. "I doubt Twilight would prank me, but if she did, she'd absolutely be able to do it this way. Exceptionally elaborate, deftly intricate, and she probably has enough editing knowledge by now to make that creature and put it to film." She shudders, shaking the camera. "But then, how did she convince the cows? It's probably not a prank. Twilight wouldn't do that." She sounds unsure, as if she's trying to convince herself.

The snap of a twig causes her to turn around. There's nothing in her line of sight, but she backs away, regardless. She moves the camera from side to side, hoping it would pick up something, but she doesn't see anything. The buzzing of wings, loud as a lawnmower whizzes behind her, and she turns again, beginning to whimper. She takes a few steps back, and with a snapping hiss, she squeaks and drops the camera, which falls to the ground. A few seconds later, she falls in front of it, a bite mark on her neck and her eyes glazing over.

In the next moment, the creature is on all six of its legs, running its antennae all over her face and chest, sniffing at her body. As if it smells something it likes, it picks her up and carries her off. Another picks up the camera and follows along.