Awakening
And here it begins in Ponyville, a town at the south of Canterlot, where ponies of the three different tribes live together in peace and harmony. From the Pegasi who guarantee good weather, to the Unicorns who produce fine items with their magical abilities, and the Earth Ponies who grant great harvests for all to feast in. It is a town filled with the bustling markets and the joyous cheer of the crowds, from little fillies and colts to the stallions and the mares. It is a peaceful town-
~Whoosh~
Well, almost a peaceful town. A loud screech echoed amongst the crowd who are trying their best to evade a scooter with a wagon hitched behind it as it zooms through. Three fillies of different tribes are present within such a contraption, with whatever plan they have for the rest of the day, though, judging by their initial cheers, it must have been something they were looking forward to.
"C'mon Scoots! Faster!" A yellow earth pony filly with a bright red mane, a pink bow, and a saddle bag shouted.
"On it, Apple Bloom! Sweetie Belle, hold on tight!" Said the orange pegasus filly, using her small wings as propellers in order to speed up.
"Can you go slower please? You know the wagon's wheel is a bit dama-" the white filly unicorn squeaked as the wagon bolts upwards due to a ramp that they went through.
And for a moment, they were flying. And then they landed, and with not a single moment to skip, they bolted off yet again.
"What are those fillies up to again?" An older stallion asked, knowing full well that those three are active enough to enjoy their foalhood. He smiles, shakes his head, and then proceeds to go upon his merry way.
"We're gonna miss it! We're gonna miss it!" Apple Bloom called out. "What are we even going to miss? It's just herbology..." Scootaloo asked as she continued to propel the scooter and the wagon. "Come on, Scoots, don't be like that! We already talked about this at the clubhouse-" she said, as she was interrupted by Scootaloo. "Yeah, yeah, but it isn't as awesome as skydiving..." As Scootaloo said that, Apple Bloom interjected. "What if we gone and get our cutie marks wrestlin' a giant Fly Trap? Wouldn't that be amazin' too?" Scootaloo smirked, looked at her friend behind her, and said with an enthusiastic tone, "That's... actually awesome!" The three cheered as they went on.
They continued until they reached a forest, though, this does not seem like a normal forest. It was dark, filled with an aura of danger. "I just hope Zecora's home..."
They got off their mode of transportation and proceeded on hoof. They made sure not to step on the blue flowers, a bit of fear in their eyes. They treaded cautiously, not uttering a single word until they reach their destination. They know what lurks upon this forest. Beings made of wood that howls upon the moonlit night, a lion like creature with wings and a scorpion-like tail, a beast that turns ponies into stone, and large bears with midnight fur. Indeed, this forest is dangerous. Yet, in order for them to reach their friend Zecora, they would have to venture in such a forest. As they do so, a cauldron of bats flew right over them. This encounter scared them a bit, as they shrieked due to the sudden appearance of bats. Something felt off.
"Is is just me, or is the Everfree Forest a bit more... quiet?" Sweetie Belle asked. The other two turned to look at her, only to realize that she was right. Normally, at this hour, many howls and bird chirps can be heard, yet it seemed as if they wandered into a silent zone. "Ah think... we should hurry." Apple Bloom said, trembling. Not far from where they are now was the house of a zebra, their destination. Quickly, they dashed through the terrifying forest in hopes to be in the presence of Zecora. However, as they do so, Apple Bloom tripped. A slight crack underneath her hooves, Apple Bloom stood, she looked at both her friends, who were looking at her with dread.
"Apple Bloom. Stay. Calm. Don't move, okay?" Scootaloo said, backing away slowly as she watches the cracks form. She grabbed a branch and quickly went back to her original position. Sweetie Belle, deciding to help, grabbed some vines and made it as a makeshift rope. "Uhh, girls? What's the matter with ya?" Apple Bloom said, not even noticing the ground below her. However, as she stepped forward, she felt a sudden... jolt underneath her. She realized then that her friends were making something for her. It was a means to get out. Panicking, Apple Bloom tried to run the distance as she screamed, however, it was too late as the ground began to collapse. "APPLE BLOOM!"
Apple Bloom fell. She fell and hit her head, causing her to be knocked out. She woke up at the sounds of water dripping from the ceiling as it echoed around her. She expected a tiny hole, but what she encountered shocked her. It was not a cave. It was a structure of some sort. Strange symbols she has never encountered before filled the only area with light. "Hello? Anyone there?" She asked as she tried to stand, however, it appears that she has sprained her right front fetlock. Still, she does not want to be in the same spot, otherwise, that would make her an easy target. After all, she was still in the Everfree Forest. Slowly, and painfully, she decided to go towards the dimly lit structure. "If there is a safe place, it would probably be there... right?" She murmured to herself as she walked. Soon, however, she felt as if it were a bad idea, as the only light she can see is from behind her. However, she decided to conquer her fears, lest she succumbs and wait in the same position as easy prey for the Timberwolves of this forest.
"Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo?" She called out, hoping, praying that her friends would answer. Her eyes adjusted quite a bit, though not as much as she would've wanted. As she walked, she bumped into a vase. The vase broke, a loud crash can be heard all around. If the Timberwolves didn't hear her asking for help, then they'd surely hear that. Forcing herself, she decided to run. She ran as fast as she can. She ran, evading multiple indents on the ground, tunnel to tunnel. Eventually though, she finally found light, and with that sign of hope, she dashed. At the end of the tunnel was a room with a hole above the ceiling. Perhaps this is her chance to escape. However, her right hoof gave in as she collapsed inside the room. She sighed, she breathed, for she knew she was temporarily safe.
That was... until she heard a growl behind her.
She slowly turned around.
She closed her eyes, and as she opened them, a pair of deep red eyes peered into her soul. She did not move, for she was too terrified. This was not a creature of the Everfree, and she knew it.
Five thousand years, trapped in that void.
For five thousand years, he was alone with his thoughts. His inner demons. He had time to think about his mistake in that final fight. He had time to think about what he could've done. He thought long and hard, making sure to simmer down with the provocation. Should he meet those fools again, he wouldn't be easily caught off guard. He expected them to try and kill him, where all others have failed. And while they tried to at first, they didn't, and decided to simply seal him away. It was not supposed to happen that way. All he wants was a worthy foe that can end his misery and finally find peace. Misery that he long harbored and peace he longed for. Yet all failed. They stabbed him, crushed him, drowned and blinded him. And yet, he lives. Yet for five thousand years, he still had hatred. Hatred for those who did him wrong. Hatred to the races who sealed him. Hatred. A rather small and insignificant word for something so huge. He vowed that he would kill any mortal who comes in his way the moment he is free.
Then he felt a sudden jolt. Where he was floating on a void with not a single lingering light in sight, now finds himself underneath the earth. He could feel it. And then, he saw light. The warm light of the sun, out of his reach due to the chains that bound him. He was feeling the pull of gravity. He knows all too well that he is buried underneath, as he saw dirt and grass fall from the hole above. Perhaps this would be more uneventful.
A few days later, as he stared at the barely visible horizon above, he heard a loud scream. "APPLE BLOOM!" Perhaps someone's pet fell. He could hear them panic and call out to this... "Apple Bloom" being. And then, they left. Strange... Though, they did sound like children. Calling the adults would be the smartest choice. He shrugged and proceeded to take a nap. After all, that is all that he can do. And then, he heard a call. So... this being is awake. This being called out other names, "Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo". Are they perhaps pets as well? At the thought of that, he remembered Lugris. He remembers this Sporekin friend of his naming his pet birds random objects.
"Cherry Wing." He chuckled and returned to his serious demeanor as he heard a loud crash. He then heard footsteps — or rather, ones made of hooves. The being, now tired, collapsed in front of him. He can hear it breathe in and out, calming itself. Perhaps this is the pet. An equine, albeit a small one. Perhaps a foal. He growled, amassing all the attention for himself. He now has a better look at the equine. Short and small, it was indeed a foal, though he was not sure of what species. It was far too small for a horse, really small for a Djinguuran, and really big for a Timisk. Perhaps a pony foal sits in front of him. It squeaked, much like how a terrified little girl does when she sees a large dog. Perhaps this foal is a filly. And since she was the only being with him, he now knows that this being can speak. The filly is scared, terrified even. He noticed that the filly was injured, as he watches her limp whilst backing away.
"Althar uin, sanguine?" Thalion asked. The filly just cocked her head. It was... cute. If there was one species he would spare back at his homeland, it would be the animals. Animals ran on instinct. They do not cause others to suffer for the mere sake of it. Unlike the races he encountered, who would kill for money and toss aside the body, or would hunt prey just for the mere collection and trophies, animals were pure, despite some hunting, and he understood this. Well, at least the filly understood that he was talking. He learned to speak with animals at a young age. He was taught by his mother, after all. So, Elvishkin tongue did not work. This would imply that the filly did not belong to the Elves.
"Dar graan, equus?" He spoke in Dwarvish tongue. This made the filly curious. She gathered her energy, her breath, and her courage, and she spoke. "Uhh... hi?"
"Ah, so she is of Commonfolk. Perhaps her masters are up there, looking for this filly." He thought to himself. He leaned down at the filly, who he assumed can only see his eyes. After all, the shadow that envelops him is strong enough to hide his true presence. With an exhale, he discarded his shadow cloak, allowing the filly to see him in his tattered state. "Who are you, pony?" He asked once more, this time in Commontongue. This gets a reaction from the filly. Albeit scared, she answered while limping towards him. "Ah'm... Apple Bloom. Please don't hurt me, sir." He watches as the filly lies on her stomach and cover her eyes, allowing herself to cry. "What a rare occurrence. A pony filly crying natural tears. This would definitely sell better than those farmed equine tears." He grimaced at the thought. He then leaned in closer, well, as close as he can get, and spoke with a calm tone. "Fear not, little Apple Bloom. You are safe here." She looks up at him, and she got a closer look. He had teeth growing on the sides of his cheeks. His horns were ragged yet equal in height. "Ya have a really long mane!" She chuckled, though short-lived as she winced in pain as her hoof began to ache. Thalion saw this and whispered something. A small circle underneath Apple Bloom appeared. It glowed a warm, yellow light and it healed her sprained fetlock. The look on her face showed it all. Confusion, with a touch of gratitude. She hopped in place before remembering where she was. She looked at the strange creature before noticing the chains. And before she could speak, the creature, as if knowing what she was about to ask, answered. "I was sealed here by my enemies."
She looked at the creature. "Enemies? But why would they do that to ya? Yer a kind creature mister... uhhh... What is yer name?" She asked innocently without any malice, and as such, he gave her his name. "My dear little Apple Bloom, I am he who is known as Thalion," he paused as he thought of different outcomes. If there were indeed Commonfolk above, then stating his name would be disastrous. Those "heroes" might come for him again, and he hasn't found a way to combat that Locking Spell. However, five thousand years have been a long time. Perhaps these Commonfolk do not remember the wars that he invoked. And so, he made his decision. "I am he who protects and vanquish evil. I am he who is feared by the old evils. The utterance of my name sends shivers down their bones." As he said those, the eyes of the filly widen. "Tell me more, tell me more!" He looks at the filly. Perhaps she can set him free. This filly and her family would be spared, should he rise once more. He knows that there are equines trained to be loyal, and would never abandon their masters, so, if her family is still untrained, then they shall be under his care.
Thalion sighs. "I am currently sealed within this place, to which I apologize. In my current understanding, you fell here, little filly, and with that, you hurt your fetlocks." He glances at the now sad looking filly. "All I need to do is to break these chains, though, I am in no power to do so." He looked around at this room. He then spoke once more, "There is a way to break these chains though." Apple Bloom looked at him, and asked innocently, "Can't Ah just break these here chains?" Thalion laughed at this and immediately apologized. "Apple Bloom, while I appreciate your willingness to break these chains, it is not that simple." He glances at the chains that bind him. "These chains are magical in nature. You need to break the seals. Though, judging from the sound before, you probably broke a few of them already. That and you are not yet strong enough to break it physically." Apple Bloom then pondered... "Hmm... So if the seals are located in these here vases... then all Ah need to do to get ya outta there is to destroy all the vases!" She squeaked, knowing that she can break things without getting reprimanded by her sister.
A few minutes later, one final vase remains. Before she destroyed it though, she asked Thalion about it. "Why are ya sealed with vases anyway? Did they think somepony wouldn't destroy the vases?" Thalion smirked and answered honestly. "It's because the seal was not finished." Satisfied with that answer, she kicked the last vase, and the seal was undone. Though, the chains were still on his arms.
"Nothin' happened..." She looks down, utterly defeated. Then, Thalion called upon her. "Apple Bloom. I've seen your kicking prowess, and has such deemed you strong enough to kick these chains." She smiled, and then kicked the chains, causing it to break. And with that, he is free. Free once again. He looked at a now tired Apple Bloom. Though the cuffs were still there, he did not mind it. He will use that once he returns to reclaim his world. He picks up Apple Bloom and places her on his head, a little kind thing to do as he does not want the filly to walk. "Now then, to leave this cursed tomb."
"YEAH!" She shouted, then looked down at Thalion. "Sorry." And with that, they are now walking towards the hole above the ceiling. With a powerful jump from Thalion, the both of them are now outside.
A tiny little ribbon with a bit of blood was left upon the entrance.
Perhaps one would realize that it is of importance.
A sign of struggle, a sign of loss,
Perhaps the little filly is no longer one with thoughts.