Chapter 12
I return to the center of a busy and now shocked town. Rainbow Dash immediately lands in front of me as I collapse to my knees, then collapse completely. Dash just stands there, not quite knowing how to react. "Uh, come on," she says, "the others are waiting. Hey are you okay?" Waiting? For me? How long had I been gone? I now realize it is after midday. I had been gone for hours. She helps me to my feet again, then flies up to my eye level. "Come on Agroth. Please get up."
"Thank you. I'm fine" I say.
"Where were you? What happened?" She begins to question.
"I'll explain later. Where are we going?"
"To the library, that's where they're waiting for us." I see a grey pegasus leave the library door and then we knock. We enter and I immediately feel too weak to stand. I collapse onto the floor in front if everyone, too tired and fatigued to care. "I found him" Rainbow says.
"Indeed you have." Arthur states. Joshua doesn't leave Fluttershy's side. Arthur gives me his estus flask and I take a drink and give it back.
"Much appreciated" I say, feeling better. "I suppose you're all wondering where I was all this time then?" They all nod in response. "First, allow me to apologize for leaving so suddenly and unannounced. Especially to Rarity, who was kind enough to allow me to stay at her home. I am very sorry for how rude I was to all of you by doing this." I bow.
"Where were you? I was worried sick about you darling." Rarity looks as though she may begin to cry at any moment. I didn't know how much I had hurt her until now. I suppose I didn't think about it at tw time. I take out my Blue Eye Orb.
"I use this to invade the worlds of those indicted in the Book of the Guilty. My brother is a notorious sinner and a Darkwraith. Since I knew where he was I had decided to invade his world to repay the deeds he did."
"Like attempting to kill us?" Arthur says.
"Or like hurting Rainbow Dash?" Twilight says.
"Or for bringing demons to this land." They stared at me with puzzled looks. "The presence of a Darkwraith is like a beacon for other creatures. Especially demons. What's worse is now we may be infected by the Gravelord Servants."
"What do they do?" Fluttershy asks from the couch.
"Hopefully you'll never have to find out. The undead know well what they do," Arthur and Joshua nod, "and I think I speak for us all when I say I never want you to experience it."
"Agroth, may I speak to you privately for a moment?" Joshua asks.
"Of course, I suppose." We walk outside.
"I must go back to Lordran."
"Go back? Are you hollow? Absolutely not!" I whisper.
"I must! I'm the weakest of us three, I want to become stronger. The only way to do that is to speak to Quelana and the Fair Lady."
"How soon will it be? You know how distorted time is in Lordran."
"Exactly, as do you. Therefore, you know as well as I that I could return at any time." I sigh. There will be no changing his mind about this.
"Do hurry, please. And speak to Fluttershy about this, she seems to have taken you as quite a friend."
"I have spoken with her about it. She did not take it well. However she knows I have no choice if I wish to ensure her safety."
"Then good luck friend."
"Thank you. I will need it." He says.
"When do you plan to leave?"
"Tomorrow, before dawn."
"We should go back into the library."
"I agree."
We walk back into the library.
"Shall we stay with the same ponies tonight as well?" Joshua asks to none in particular.
"I suppose," Rarity says,"unless there are more invasions to take care of Agroth?" she asks jokingly. I laugh along.
"All taken care of, don't worry." I say.
"Maybe today we can teach each other spells Twilight." Arthur says.
"Sure, I'd love to!" Twilight says excitedly.
"I'll stay with Fluttershy again tonight." Joshua says with a smile.
"I mean, that's fine. I-If you want to that is." She says quietly.
"Excellent, let's get going then." Arthur says. "It is almost evening after all." He walks over to the letters on the table. "Wait a moment." He examines them. "These are addressed to us."
"From who?" Twilight asks.
"Princess Celestia!" he responds.
"That's strange, usually she sends mail to us via Spike. Strange, but not unheard of." Arthur hands the letters to each of us. We read them.
"She's inviting us to somewhere called Canterlot for the..." I'm not sure if I'm reading this correctly, "Grand Galloping Gala?" I hold up a small golden ticket that was in the invitation.
"I have one too." Joshua says.
"As do I." Arthur says. The ponies all gasp in envy at this. I suppose this is a big deal then. Suddenly Spike releases a large belch of green fire with a letter addressed to the Elements of Harmony. We stare at the small dragon in confusion.
"Never seen a dragon do THAT before." I say.
"Do what?" He asks.
"Vomit mail" Arthur says. "We've seen dragons' breath before, and they are all very different. The cursed breath of Seath, black breath of Kalameet, toxic of the gaping dragon, even the fiery breath if the Hellkite Dragon."
"Don't forget the drakes and their lightning breath." I remind him.
"Never before have we seen a dragon breathe something not life-threatening" Joshua states. "Forgive us if we seem surprised."
"What are the Elements of Harmony by the way?" Arthur asks.