>Day 97 in this strange new world.
>Today has been a good day.
>This morning, whilst out foraging for provisions and supplies, you came across a pleasant surprise.
>A live chicken.
>She was just aimlessly wandering around in a tiny glade, free for the taking.
>While overjoyed at such a rare find, you wonder where she could have come from.
>With all the predators that stalk here, she's obviously not common to these woods.
>Does this mean that there is some sort of civilized settlement nearby?
>You remind yourself not to get your hopes up, if there were people living nearby you would surely have seen more signs of it by now.
>Back in the relative safety of your cave, you salivate as you watch the chicken slowly roast over an open fire.
>It smells simply divine.
>The berries and fruits of the forest taste like ash, and the meat you scavenge from various slain predators just doesn't hold up against chicken.
>Delicious chicken. This is going to be a treat indeed.
>Staring at the chicken with hungry eyes, you suddenly come to a daunting realization.
>In the three months you've been here, this has to be the highlight.
>Almost a hundred days, and a piece of chicken meat is the best thing to happen to you?
>You let out a deep sigh.
>How long is this going to go on for?
>Surely you can't keep living like a caveman forever... right?
>What's the point in that?
>"Elizabeak, come on out for momma!"
>What kind of life is this even--
>Wait, what was that?
>"Elizabeak, the Everfree forest is no place for a chicken, I'm here to take you home."
>Someone is outside.
>Someone who can talk!
>This you must see.
>Ever catious, you grab your crude, wooden spear before heading out.
>Peering out of the mouth of your cave you don't see anyone in the immediate area.
>"Is that you hiding behind that tree, Elizabeak?"
>The soruce of the voice is just beyond some nearby trees; you make haste.
>"Now, now, there's no need to be scared, I'm here now and-- ~gasp~"
>Carefully craning your head to peak out from behind a rock, you survey the scene.
>You don't see any humans around, only a small, yellow horse of sorts stood frozen in fear infront of a towering manticore.
>The manticore lets out a bellowing roar and the the horse yelps meekly.
>Not in a mood to witness the carnage of such a cute little horse, you jump out of hiding.
>You move swiftly and place yourself in between the manticore and his prey.
>Pointing your spear at him, you use the calm before the storm to prospect your opponent more thoroughly.
>Deadly fangs ready to rip flesh from bone.
>Massively muscular arms, the size of tree trunks, guiding paws equiped with deadly, sharp claws.
>Enormous bat-like wings flare out at his sides and his menacing scorpion tail is poised to strike.
>You've never faced a manticore head on before.
>This should prove interesting.
 
>The manticore glares at the strange monkey standing before him.
>He roars again to display his might and to test the bravery of his challanger.
>You don't waver as his bellowing trembles the ground.
>Making sure you have a steady grip of your spear, you chuckle.
>This will be an entertaining experience indeed.
>Perplexed by your calm demeanor, the manticore is caught off-guard as you charge him.
>He sweeps a massive claw at you, but it was a paniced move that you had anticipated and you easily duck under his strike without losing any momentum.
>At full speed as you were, you thrust your spear into his lower abdomen.
>Your spear hits true and pierces flesh, your adversary roars.
>You are quick to retract your weapon again as you roll out of the way of another claw swipe.
>Despite hitting him with such a powerful stab, it seems a futile effort.
>Small dripplets of blood escape the wound, but it's hardly enough to even slow the best down.
>In fact, it appears that all you've managed to do was enrage him further.
>Perhaps you're in over your head?
>Bah! Now's not the time to be second guessing yourself.
>You ready yourself for another charge.
>If only you could get a clear shot at his head, then you'd be able to do some real damage.
>Abruptly, with unexpected speed, the manticore leaps into the air, propelled by his wings.
>You roll to the left as he comes barreling down on you, teeth first.
>The ground shakes as he crashes down just inches away from you.
>You get on your feet and turn to face him once more.
>He wastes no time, going in for another attack straight away.
>You dodge a series of rapid claw slashes while retaliating with swift stabs against his paws.
>Caught up in a wild flurry of slashes, you see something gleam overhead.
>Before you have a chance to react to the threat, his scorpion tail comes down, piercing your right shoulder.
>You cry out in agony as the manticore wrenches his tail lose from your shoulder.
>Dropping your spear you clutch your left hand at the open wound.
>The pain is sharp and burning hot.
>Blood gushes over your hand clasping the nasty injury.
>You stagger backwards in panic and clumsily fall onto your back.
>The manticore closes in on you.
>You see a triumphant glint in his eyes as he bares his fangs in anticipation of the comming feast.
>You try to scramble away from him but it's no use, you're too weak and groggy; that scorpion tail must have carried some mighty powerful venom.
>Well, Anon. You knew that this day was comming.
>It's just in your nature to pick fights with things bigger and deadlier than you.
>You were bound to bite of more than you could chew on of these days.
>Ah well, you had a good run at least.
>Awaiting your doom, regretting that you never got to taste that chicken, you are at least happy that you helped that yellow horse escape.
>At least your death wasn't a complete waste.
>The beast opens his mouth wide, displaying a wide spread of razor-sharp teeth.
>You can feel his tangy breath on your face.
>This is the end...
 
>"STOOOOOOOOOP!"
>Both you and the manticore look up in surprise as the yellow horse, which apparenly has wings, comes flying towards you.
>With a stern look on her she flies up to the manticore, getting all up in his grill.
>"Just who do you think you are, going around attacking those weaker than you?"
>The manticore just looks at her, confused.
>"You should be ashamed of yourself!"
>"I have half a mind to find your mother and tell her what you've been up to young man."
>The manticore looks unsure of how to react, but lifts his paw up into the air to ready a strike at the horse.
>"Oh don't you dare try that on me, mister!"
>The best looks suddenly very embarresed and lowers his paw again.
>"Now I want you to go away and leave us alone."
>"And I don't want to hear about anyp0ny else being attacked by any manticores, do you understand?"
>He nods quickly before scurrying off into the dense foilage with his tail between his legs.
>Who is this talking horse?
>Surely this must a dream. Delirium brought on by the venom, surely.
>She lowers herself to the ground and trotts over to you.
>A worried look on her face, she moves in to inspect your wound.
>"Aww you poor thing, did that big meanie sting you badly?"
>Maybe it's the dizziness, but her soft, tender voice feels like velvet to your ears.
>The innocence of her voice serves to soothe and calm you.
"I think I've been poisioned." you manage to blurt out
>With a shrill shriek she jumps back in fright.
>"Y-you can talk?"
>"Oh my..."
>She now looks positively terrified of you.
>Who is this girl that sends manticores fleeing but is scared of you talking?
>This must be a dream...
>On the topic of dreams, your eyelids are starting to get really heavy now.
>You're having trouble keeping your eyes focused, everything is blurry.
>Seeing your obvious distress, the pegasus horse seems to regain her courage.
>"Don't worry okay? I'm going to help you."
>In a distant part of your mind you register the feeling of teeth tugging at your pants.
>With a firm grip of your clothes, the pegasus strains herself to start slowly pulling your limp body forwards.
>"I have a bottle of manticore antidote at home, you're going to be fine."
>"Fluttershy will take care of you, just you wait and see."
>The last thing you recall before passing out is her sweet cooings of motherlike affection.
>Today was a good day.