//------------------------------// // Escape from Sting-Ra // Story: The tale of Writing Glory // by storiesatrandom //------------------------------// Act 1: Escape from Sting-ra. In a dark cave at the top of a large mountain that was shrouded in darkness, lived a malevolent creature, a flying serpent with huge, vulture-style wings. It had a long serpentine neck, viper-like face, huge fangs, and scorpion tail. His eyes were filled with malice, and his cold, reddish orange eyes were that of a snake. This creature was so cruel, so malice-filled, so merciless, so selfish, so hate-filled that even Discord would kiss the ground which upon this monster slithered. This creature was known as Sting-Ra. Sting-Ra held a powerful secret: he had enslaved an Alicorn. His plans for the Alicorn were simple—to make the poor creature grant him immortality and act as a personal story teller for him to cool his ever so collapsible nerves. Sting-Ra smiled at this dream, for he had an Alicorn that could make it happen. Celestia and Luna refused to help the beast sometime ago, even threatened him. He slithered towards the deepest part of his lair. He looked down, seeing his prize, the Alicorn that would make his dreams come true, a white, red mane and tail Alicorn. In size, she's shorter then Celestia, but is slightly bigger than Luna. She had a feather quill pen and ink for a cutie mark. She clearly seemed unhappy. She looked up at the towering menace before her. She tried to offer a smile, in hopes to hide her sadness, knowing her sadness irritates the heartless beast. She said: "Hello, m-matser….. How may I help you?" Sting-ra said: "Have you learned the immortality spell yet, Writing Glory?" Writing Glory, the weakened Alicorn, whimpered, and her false smile faded. Writing Glory said: "Please, Master. I tried so hard, I really did. I try, but, without proper guidance, I…I can't learn the spell." The beast was angered, then roared! It frightened poor Writing Glory. Sting-Ra’s shouting almost sounded like he was snarling. "You useless mare! I granted you everything! Books, paper to write your stories, poems, or whatever, a grand cave above your head, and yet you contributed nothing to me! USELESS!" His scorpion tail whacked Writing Glory! Fortunately, the stinger didn't get her. Writing Glory was tearing; she was sobbing. Writing Glory screamed: "WHY TORTURE ME SO?" Sting-Ra said nothing. He simply slithered off. Writing Glory wallowed in self-pity and despair. She couldn’t handle it anymore. She decided that, when Sting-Ra was asleep, she would escape. Later, at nightfall, Sting-Ra fell asleep. With a careful flutter of her wings, she gently glided across the cave. She neared the entrance, and, to her joy, left without interruption. She landed at the very bottom of the mountain. She sighed in relief; she didn't think she was going to get away so easily. Suddenly, a roar echoed from the cave. She ran towards to the forest. (The forest might be thick enough to prevent Sting-Ra from finding her quickly.) Writing Glory hid in one of the a hollow stump. Writing Glory was seriously terror stricken. As the roars were heard, Writing Glory flinched with each sound. It lasted hours. Writing Glory was in a weakened state, but strong enough to crawl out of her hiding place. Writing Glory was hungry, and went deep into the forest, knowing Sting-Ra couldn’t be able to see her out in the forest. Because of Sting-Ra's old age, his vision is fading, no longer possessing a hawk-like view. Writing Glory went on for days and nights, getting weaker and hungrier. She flew, but dared not to fly too long, to avoid possible attention from Sting-Ra. She continued to walking, hoping she could last long enough. Meanwhile, at Twilight Sparkle's library, Twilight Sparkle studying, as usual, with Spike organizing the books in the proper order. Owlicious stood by Twilight's side. Spike climbed down from the ladder and said: "All finish-" Spike suddenly burped of flames, which formed a letter with the royal Celestial seal. "Hey, Twilight, it's a message from the princess!" Twilight placed the book down, with a gleeful smile. She always loved it when Celestia sent a message. Twilight said: "Oh how slightly unexpected! But great!" Twilight used her magic, and opened it. Dear Twilight Sparkle; my most faithful student, Upcoming soon is the Celebration of Peace, and I have decided that it shall be held in Ponyville. Ponyville has never had a celebration of peace before, so, I thought it seem appropriate to have one now. I trust all your friends will be attending. Applejack would be able to serve food, Rarity might get business with visitors from other cities, Pinkie Pie will certainly get a chance to eat new types of festival pastries, Fluttershy will just adore the pets of visiting royalty, and I bet Rainbow Dash will leap at the opportunity to meet the Wonderbolts for an autograph sighing. Luna will attend as well, and this will all occur in a few weeks, so I advise you contact the Mayor about this to set up Ponyville. It's first ever Celebration of Peace; I'm sure she'll be delighted to hear the news. Offerings of Goodwill, Princess Celestia Twilight almost didn't believe it! Twilight screamed with glee. Spike gaped, and dropped the next stack of books he was going to put away. Spike said: "WHOA! Where's the fire?" Twilight giggled with excitement. She could not control herself. Twilight shouted: "READ FOR YOURSELF, SPIKE! I'LL BE OUT TO TELL MY FRIENDS AND THE MAYOR!" Twilight ran out, shouting with cheer. Spike picked up the note and read what was in it. He grinned! "AWESOME!" *** Writing Glory was still struggling to find a way out of the forest. Writing Glory said: "Ok, I know there's a city or even a small town, or, even a village here someplace! I need… a home, a place where I can feel safe, happy, and, and, and free, things Sting-Ra never offered! All he was doing was, cruel, relentless torture! Well, no more!" She ran. *** The mayor was resting, enjoying a peaceful day after completing some boring paperwork. She sighed peacefully, knowing she earned her moment of rest, when Twilight burst in, summersaulting on the floor and jumped on the Mayor's desk. This got the Mayor's attention. Twilight said: "MAYORMAYORMAYOR!" The Mayor said: "Yes, yes, yes? "OHMIGOSHOHMIGOSHOHMIGOSH!" "What, what, what?" "CELESTIA! CELESTIA! CELESTIA!" "Yes, yes, yes?" "SHE SAID! SHE SAID! SHE SAID!" The Mayor was getting a little bit annoyed. "Miss Sparkle, could you calm down and say something sensible!" "CELESTIA AND LUNA ARE COMING TO PONYVILLE, WHICH HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR THE CELEBRATON OF PEACE!" The Mayor was full of glee. "GET OUT!" "I AM SERIOUS! SHE WROTE IN THE LETTER SHE SENTED ME! IT'S THE TRUTH!" "THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS! I'LL GO FIND MY SECRETARY AND TELL HER THAT I DECLARE A TOWN MEETING!" "GREAT! I AM GONNA TELL MY FRIENDS; THEY'RE GONNA BE SO EXCITED!" "I BET SO, THOSE LUCKY DICKENS!" Twilight screamed with joy. She back-flipped out of the office. The Mayor began to run like a maniac to fine her secretary! There was a mare who looked like Rarity, but with Valentine's Day colors of pink on her body, and she had a pink mane and tail. She was about to finish a report when the Mayor pounced on her secretary. "Secretary, declare a town meeting! TODAY'S PONYVILLE'S FINEST HOUR!" Twilight was hopping like Pinkie Pie. This got notice and concern from passing Ponyvillians. “Is she going be like Pinkie Pie too?” they thought. Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity were having a picnic. Pinkie Pie said: "It’s too bad Applejack had to do farm-work right now; she's missing out!" Rainbow Dash said: "Hey, more for us!" Twilight suddenly appeared. She was screaming like crazy. Rarity said: "Twilight?" Fluttershy said: "Oh dear, do you think she's overworked again?" Rainbow Dash said: "Either that, or we're in a ‘Psyco Twilight’ fic." Pinkie said: "Well, at least we know it ain't another ‘Cupcakes’ fic." Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy shouted: "OH, DON'T EVEN GET US STARTED!" (A/n: Look! I broke the fourth wall! How post-modern of me!) Twilight shouted: "GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!" Rainbow Dash pounced on Twilight, Rarity got out some water, Rainbow Dash grabbed it, and poured it on Twilight. Twilight shook her head. She sighed as Rainbow got off. Twilight said: "Sorry about, it's just that CELESTIA IS HOLDING THE CELEBRATION OF PEACE HERE IN PONYVILLE!" Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash screamed in excitement. Twilight said: "I KNOW! I'LL GO TELL APPLEJACK!" Twilight disappeared as the four friends were left hopping around. *** Writing Glory was still trying to find a town. She was on the verge of giving up. "I haven't eaten in days! I am starving. I don't know what to do anymore." Suddenly she smelled something like apples. Writing Glory said: "That smells good! Maybe I’m near a bakery! I have to follow my nose!" Writing Glory ran in the direction of the smell! Writing Glory said: "It must be food! Nothing smells better then a potential meal." *** Applejack was checking on all the apple trees to see if they were all healthy. Applejack said: "Landsakes, might take me awhile before dawn to finish checking all these trees." Twilight shouted from afar: "APPLEJACK!" Applejack said: "Huh?" Twilight pounced on Applejack. Applejack said: "Now what in tarnation, Twilight? Ah expect this from Pinkie, or maybe Rainbow Dash if she's feeling rough, but you?" Twilight said: "Forgive my out of character actions, Applejack, but guess what?" Applejack said: "Kindly get off of me first? Ah think Ah might be a better listener if there ain't smart pony right on me." Twilight complied, and Applejack got up. Applejack said: "Now, what's got you riled up, sugar-cube?" Twilight said: "CELESTIA CHOOSE PONYVILLE TO HOLD THE CELEBRATION OF PEACE!" Applejack shouted: "WHOO-WEE! NOW THAT'S WROTH LOSING YOUR COOL!" Twilight said: "Shall we see the Mayor about her speech for the preparations?" Applejack said: "Why, Ah be delighted, Twi." Suddenly, they both heard Wionia barking. Twilight said: "What's with your dog, Applejack?" Applejack said: "Must be raccoons again, better chase them out." Applejack shouted: "Ok, you bandit oversized bushy tailed varments, I thought I asked Fluttershy to tell you critters to A-A-ALICORN!" Twilight said: "What did you mean—ARGH!" A barely crawling, skinny to the bone, dirty, Writing Glory stood before them. Writing Glory was too battered to recognize. She tried to reach for the lowest hanging apple. Writing Glory said: "Al-most…there." she stuck out her tounge, trying to get the life giving fruit. She collapsed. Twilight gasped as she ran towards the fallen Alicorn. Twilight's horn glowed with a purple aura, and a similar aura enveloped Writing Glory. Applejack came up. Applejack said: "Is she..?" Twilight said: "She's fine, but she needs urgent attention. She's not only starving, but also has several broken ribs." Applejack said: "I'll keep her company; go and warn the Princess!" Twilight said: "Your right! But first…" Twilight's magic took the lowest apple from its branch, and gave it to Writing Glory. Writing Glory barely opens her eyes and, slowly but surely, took a bite from the apple. "Thank you…" "Just eat, try not to talk. Now, my friend will watch over while I go to contact Celestia. She can help you." Writing Glory tried to ask, but Twilight said: "And before you say anything: yes, I promise I will be back." Twilight ran off. Applejack came closer to the Alicorn. "Worry none, your grace, y'all in capable hooves." Writing Glory was too weak to be confused. Her attention was more focused on the apple. "When you’re done, I'll get you some more." Writing Glory smiled. *** Twilight burst in through the door. "SPIKE! Take a letter!" *** "Now send it!" Spike went to the balcony, breathed fire on it, and turned the letter into iridescent dust! *** Celestia was overviewing her royal garden, glad to know the Celebration of Peace was coming up. (It is among her favorite times of the year.) Suddenly, a letter appeared. She opened it. Dear Celestia. It's another Alicorn, but she's weak, starved, and injured. I need you and Luna to come down and see this. She needs urgent care. Please hurry! Your worried student, Twilight Sparkle *** Applejack got more apples for the Alicorn. "Thank you." Applejack said: "Save your energy, Sugercube, your still a mess." Suddenly, Twilight, and the rest of the Mane six arrived on the scene. Twilight said: "Thank you for helping, Applejack." Applejack said: "Did you get the Princess?" "I just had Spike sent the letter." There was a blinding flash. Everypony turned to see what it was! Twilight said: "Celestia! Luna!" Writing Glory couldn't believe her tired, bagged, red eyes. Two other ponies, just like her, only one taller, one shorter, both regel and beautiful. Writing Glory was so amazed, she fainted. Celestia and Luna approached the Alicorn. Twilight said: "Princess, is it a private matter, or can we-" Celestia said: "I will keep you posted, but you cannot become too involved." With that, they flew off, carrying Writing Glory! Twilight said: "I hope she'll be fine." Rarity said: "I am sure that Alicorn, whoever she was, is in capable hooves." *** Sting-Ra was staring angrily. "I don't care what it takes, as long as I find you, Writing Glory. You can run, but you can't hide. MINIONS!" Three Cyclops bats appeared. "I want you three to spread out, and find Writing Glory, then return to me to reveal her location, so we all can take her home! NOW, POST HASTE!" The Cyclops bats flew off. Sting-Ra only brooded over his lair.