He was in a dark forest within an equally dark temple structure. There upon a pedistal stood a strange statue that had five strange stone orbs adorning it. For some reason he couldn't help but approach the statue. But before he could reach it, there was an evil presence in the room. Before him was an amorphous black-as-night form that had an erie similarity to it. Before he could do anything, six lights of various colors entered the temple. The darkness then said some undissernable things and vanished with the orbs. He was then in the forest again, though he was in control of his body now. Before him now was a vaguely famililar pony among three other pegasi that were wearing darkened, twisted versions of what the Wonder Bolts wore. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he found out soon enough when all four of them attacked. He tried his best to fend them off but he was eventually overwhelmed. As they reared for the final blow, he began to scream. Everything became a blur as their hooves came down on him.
Lightning bolted up with a cold sweat expecting the worst but thankfully he was safe. Though he doesn't remember having the dream before, he couldn't help but feel like something was haunting him, tracking his every move. He sat still in the bed for several minutes before finally calming down. After all it was just a dream, right? He looked over at his father's bed but he wasn't there. Though he heard voices outside the inn room. He looked over at his friends, who were still peacefully sleeping. After ten minutes of deliberation, he decided to finally get up. He carefully got out of bed and trotted quietly to the door, not wanting to disturb them. He slowly opened the door and slipped through, the door only making minor creeking noises.
"You're going to leave so soon?" The innkeeper asked.
"Yup!" Thunder answered. " We need to get an early start to get as much ground covered as possible by nightfall."
"Wouldn't just be easier to do a flyover?" The innkeeper inquired.
"The ruins won't likely be visible from the air. Besides if we fly we might attract a dragon or something. And we definatly don't want that." Thunder said.
Lightning trod down the stairs and approached his father. "When are we leaving?" Lightning asked.
"Very soon actually, Please go get your friends up. We leave in a half an hour." Thunder said.
"OK Dad!" Lightning responded. With that he trotted back up stairs and opened the door to find Derpy in his face.
"Do you have a muffin?" She asked, clearly still half asleep.
Lightning anticipated this and had a muffin ready. Before he could even brandish it Derpy's eyes shot open, her ears perked up and her eyes focused as her nose caught a whif of muffin on him. Without warning she jumped Lightning and wrestled the muffin from under his wing. Content with her prise she dove into the muffin, completely obiterating it. The commotion woke Rainbow Dash as she stumbled out of bed. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Lightning on the floor with Derpy perched upon his back munching on a muffin.
"OK kids time to go." Thunder said to the trio.
The three got up and nodded as they then got their stuff together. It was very early as the small band of adventurers left the inn and made for the edge of the Everfree. The sun's light barely coming over the trees, casting long shadows over the road that stretched before them. The Everfree only seeming becoming more ominous as they approached it. The road seemingly consumed by the wild forest's gapeing maw, ready to consume the ponies that stood before it. Lightning however, felt compelled to go in, as if something were calling to him from deep in the forest's heart.
"Are you alright son?" Thunder asked. "You've been very quiet all morning."
"I'm fine...just...fine..." Lightning trailed.
"You don't look fine to me." Rainbow said.
"I'm just thinking is all." Lightning assured.
"Well then we better get started then. awe have alot of ground to cover between here and Ghastly's Gorge, so lets get to it." Thunder said.
With that they entered the forbidding horrorscape, taking extra care to avoid the poison joke that often grew close to the edge of the forest. The last thing they needed was ridiculous 'jokes' plaguing them on this journey. They navigated the tough terrain for hours, avoiding ravines and pits with thorn covered vines in them. They heard an occasional Timberwolf but thankfully non showed up. They eventualluly made it to the ruins of the old kingdom's castle, which used to be home to the princesses along time ago. Thunder motioned them to cross the rickety old bridge before crossing himself.
"This is as good a spot as any to camp for the night." Thunder said, taking off his saddlepack. "I'm gonna cut the bridge loose. That way we won't have to worry about some of the predators tonight. Son, can you please get my dagger?"
"One minute." Lightning replied, digging out a sheathed blade out of his dad's bag. He trotted over and hoofed over the blade. Thunder took the blade from him and hovered to the flimsy old bridge, drew the dagger in a hoof, and swung at he rope. A satisfying snap resounded as the bridge fell and came to smack the other side of the ravine. It swayed for a moment before coming to a stop.
"Kids, Get the camp stuff unpacked. we're staying here for the night." Thunder said. The foals started to unpack as the sun started it's descent in the sky. Thunder kept vigil, even with the bridge destroyed he knew they were still in danger. Both Cockatrices and Manticores had wings, but it was Timberwolves he was most worried about. The sun finished setting as the forest came to life.
to be continued...