//------------------------------// // Mental Fortitude // Story: Sonic: Friendship is Eternal // by VGFanatic20 //------------------------------// Mental Fortitude Metal Sonic kept walking, occasionally making friends with a jolt of electricity as he mapped out the maze. Which after a few minutes he found himself back at the start, all the paths leading to a jolt of electricity. “I don’t get it!” He shouted, which in turn made Mephiles chuckle due to how high Metal’s voice was. “Shut up!” “Sorry, now what’s not to get?” Mephiles asked “Every path leads to a dead end” Metal said “We even tried one path twice to see if the shock would happen again and it did” “Well now would be a good time to try this” Mephiles said before he started to glow purple and the surrounding darkness lit up as he drew it toward him. There ahead of them was a path they took earlier, but there was more path beyond the electric trap. Soon the darkness returned and Mephiles began to pant. “Well that’s just dandy” Metal said sarcastically as he walked forward and jumped over the trap, Mephiles close behind. “So this challenge is about taking a shot in the dark?” Mephiles inquired, Metal stopped before face palming with an audible clank. Gilda was at the exit with Wulok, awaiting the door to open with worry. “I hope they realize the purpose of this” Wulok said. “It would be a shame if they couldn’t” he said “Isn’t it about being blinded by doubt or something philosophical like that?” Gilda asked “Close, it’s about how blind one is without proper knowledge. If they can’t figure it out soon, they’ll be doomed.” He said before a griffon statue nearby shifted, its wings extended and beak opened as the eyes began to shine. “Seems they’ve passed the first hurdle, 3 more remain” Wulok said. “Do you hear that?” Mephiles asked as a sound reverberated through the area “Yeah, turn on the lights would you?” Metal asked, Mephiles nodded before starting to pull it in, only to realize it wasn’t working. “What’s the hold up?” Metal asked, not amused in the slightest. “It’s not working” he said. Metal kept listening, soon realizing the sound was repeating in a cadence. One ping happened every second, after 4 it stopped for 4 seconds and started again. “I see, that sound is a waypoint, we need to follow it” he said before his audio sensors gave him an analysis, the sound was echoing, and due to the way it was he could actually see a path. “Stay close Mephiles, I’ll get us through this” Metal said as he led the way. Another statue began to move, the wings extending and eyes lighting up. Wulok seemed impressed by their progress. “They’re doing very well, let’s hope the third test won’t trip them up” he said. Metal came to a stop with Mephiles, the room still completely dark. The darkness broke as a series of panels on the ground began to glow. Though it was one at a time and the previously lit panel would go dark as soon as the next one turned on. “Memory…” Metal said. “With a twist it seems” Mephiles said, before Metal started going following the panels with his reflexes before missing on and ending up shocked and tossed back to the start. His body limp and crackling with electricity before his eyes lit up as he rebooted. “Dammit all!” Metal said before noticing two glowing red lights on the side looking straight at him. “I don’t like the looks of that” Metal said before flicking his chest to create a ping sound, using his sonar to map out what it bounced off. “What do you see?” Mephiles asked “Something we don’t want to happen” Metal said “There’s statues lining the whole room as far as I could see. Seems each time we fail one of them activates and awaits execution of their purpose” “In English?” Mephiles asked “We fail too many times and those statues will zap and destroy us” Metal explained “Oh…well that’s not so bad” he said. “So what’s the third test?” Gilda asked Wulok, the elder griffon looked over to her. “It is the test of guidance. They must follow the light to the end, however there are lights that stray you from your path. Just like in life, you can be lead astray just because the path looks easier or better. In the end, the right path is the one you must find in a sea of lies” he explained. “I don’t get it, when we step on those lights then bad things happen…” Mephiles said, his fur standing on end from a shocking event. “Perhaps we need to think differently about how this works. The lights can guide us to the end, yet some of them lead to our demise…” Metal said, thinking. “What was different about those lights?” Mephiles asked, wondering if there was a difference. “They were brighter, that much is certain” Metal said. “Why don’t we take the duller lights and see what happens?” Mephiles suggested. Metal had a spark of realization, literally a crackle of electricity could be seen on his head as it dawned on him. “If it’s really that simple…” He thought out loud before going with Mephiles and following the path that was less bright. A door opened after about 2 minutes of doing this, “I’ll be damned” Metal said. The third statue extended its wings as its eyes lit up. “They have reached the last challenge, all that is left is for them to apply all they learned and overcome the final hurdle” For once the room was lit up, and in it was a griffon statue. The room was very roomy and the statue was big. “So do we climb it or?” Mephiles began before the statue moved, revealing it to be a golem. “Aw crap” he said before he and Metal dodged to the side to avoid the swipe of its stone claw. Metal began to glow yellow as his power crackled around him before he dashed into the golem only to be repelled and sent into the wall. “Not good” Mephiles said as he dodged another attack before firing a dark ball at the golem, watching as his power just bounced off it. “What is this thing made of?” he wondered as he was swatted aside. “Okay, so this thing is invincible, how do we beat it?” Metal asked when he regrouped with Mephiles. “Maybe it’s something we can only beat with what we learned in the trials, what did we learn?” Mephiles asked “Things are not as they appear. You can’t trust everything your eyes see. Things can lead you off your path…” Metal listed them. “That means it’s not invincible…” he began to think before flicking his chest and using his sonar to hear the echo. “What’ve you got?” Mephiles asked. If Metal had a mouth he’d be smirking. “Its armor is weaker in the back” he said before moving with Mephiles and going behind it. Mephiles fired a dark ball while Metal rammed into the back of the golem. The golem soon fell apart, the hits enough to break it apart. A door opening afterwards, revealing Wulok and Gilda. “You two did marvelously” he said as the fourth statue extended its wings and its eyes began shining. Gilda ran up and pulled them into a hug, “Oh I knew you guys could do it!” she said happily. “You’re hugging me…” Metal said, a little annoyed. “Now all that remains is your Trial of spirit, follow me” Wulok said as he led them to their third and final trial. Ponyville train station Scootaloo, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Shadow, Applejack, Cream, and Charmy were all at the station, waiting for the train that Applebloom’s cousin Babs Seed was arriving on. “I wonder if she’s nice” Cream said, Cheese nodding. “Don’t ya’ll worry about that, you’re going to get along well with her” Applejack reassured them as a train pulled up to the station, stopping and opening its doors. “Cousin?” Applebloom asked before being met with the sight three birds and a zebra “Jet?” Charmy asked, Shadow turned and saw it was in fact the rogues. “Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise?” Jet asked as he got off the train with his subordinates and Zephyr. “How did you end up here?” Shadow asked “Nice to see you too, Shadow.” Jet replied snarkingly. “If you must know a weird hurricane was giving readings of chaos energy, we got sucked in. We know Sonic and friends are here now we’re here” Wave explained. “You’ll find Sonic in town, or near it. Look for a Pegasus with a rainbow mane and you’ll find him for sure” Shadow said “Well kiddos, this is where we part ways. I’ve got to meet with somepony special, ‘ave fun on your scavenger ‘unt.” Zephyr said before heading off toward the Everfree Forest. “What’s with the cape?” Jet asked Shadow “He’s part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” The girls exclaimed happily. Jet was already on the ground laughing like crazy. “Laugh it up bird brain, you’ll be roast chicken when I’m through with you” Shadow said threateningly. “Oh man, that’s too funny. Could you be any less intimidating?” Jet asked before being lifted by the scruff of his neck and held close to Shadow’s face, those ruby eyes glaring dangerously into Jet’s eyes. “One more word, and I’ll show you how truly terrifying I can be” he said before dropping Jet, who immediately scrambled to put distance between the two of them. “Come on Jet, we’ve got to find Sonic. Nice to see you again Shadow” Wave said before leaving with Jet and Storm. Shadow just huffed before another train arrived, a filly with a brown coat red mane and tail and freckles on her cheeks stepped off the train. Her tail instinctively covering her flank each time she felt eyes on her. Shadow arched a brow, wondering what that was about. “Cousin!” Applebloom said before running over to greet the new arrival with her friends. Meanwhile at Zecora’s Hut A knock on the hut near the entrance told Zecora she had company. “Yes who might you be?” she asked “It’s been a while since I’ve had company” “Sis, just open the bloomin’ door will ya?” Zephyr asked. Zecora stopped mid stride before opening her door and bursting into tears when she saw her brother standing there in front of her. “Hey Zecora, It’s been a while” he said, taking off his hat before getting pulled into a bone crushing hug. “Oh yes indeed Zephyr, my wonderful brother!” She said happily. “Sis…can’t…breathe…” he said before feeling her grip loosen and air return to his lungs. “It is great to see you dear brother, I had worried what happened to you ever since mother…” she trailed off, managing to keep the rhyme. “I see you’ve kept to our tribe’s tradition ‘o speaking in rhyme” he said. “An accent you’ve gained I see. Please come in, tell me more over some tea” she said, letting him in. “Much obliged sis” he said as he entered, setting his hat down before going to sit. Zecora noticed the scar. “What has happened to your eye? It has made my worry high” she said, concerned. Zephyr chuckled, “I work border patrol between us n’ the Griffon Kingdom. One o’ the little feather brains got real antsy, me an’ the boys ‘ad to get physical. Son of a bitch took me eye, let’s just say ‘e won’t be flying much anymore.” He explained “You slew the beast? I’m disappointed to say the least” she said “Relax, ‘is wings are broken is all. ‘e’s in holding, ‘as been for the past few months” he explained. Zecora just smiled, happy he didn’t kill something. “I’m glad, this means you are not mad” she said, glad her brother was still sane, although hardened. “Me too sis, me too.” Sweet Apple Acres “So this is our clubhouse for Crusading” Applebloom said as they entered, Babs was a little reluctant due to the fact Shadow was there. “Don’t you worry about Shadow none” Applebloom said “He may look mean, but he’s very nice” she said. Shadow looked over to Babs and smiled waving at her a little. Babs relaxed and entered the clubhouse then. “I had no idea Ponyville had creatures like them around” She said, referring to Shadow, Charmy, Cream and Cheese. “Well, they aren’t from here” Applebloom said “Where are they from?” Babs asked “Some place called Earth” Scootaloo answered. “What’s Earth?” Babs wondered “Another world” Shadow said “Really?” “Yes” Shadow began before explaining everything about how they got there to her. “Wow that’s incredible.” Babs said, amazed she was talking and seeing an extraterrestrial. “We’ve also got a float for the parade later today” Scootaloo said, Babs looking at it the incomplete float and smiling a bit. “Can I help?” she asked “Why sure ya can!” Applebloom said happily. “I’ll be back girls, I’ve got to do something real quick” he said, hearing disappointed “aw”s from the girls. “It’ll be just a few minutes” he said before heading off. About 5 minutes later he returned to see the girls as well as the other kids completely distraught. Babs was nowhere to be seen, “What happened?” he asked. The girls explaining how Babs basically went full on bully. //great, this is just what Applejack told me too// he thought, knowing why Babs did that. Throughout the rest of the day he found himself unable to explain that to the girls due to them singing, and generally not listening. After the parade however, things were better as the girls and Babs made up and Babs scared off the bullies. “I’ll miss ya cousin” Applebloom said as she hugged her before Babs got on the train back to Manehattan. Somewhere in Ponyville “And that is all of them!” Rainbow said as she busted the last cloud and landed near Sonic. “Woo! What a workout” She said. “I can tell” Sonic said, noticing that Dash’s hair and fur were matted down by her sweat. “So what do you want to do now?” Rainbow asked “Well-“ Sonic began before a voice called out “Sonic! There you are!” Jet shouted as he ran up to the blue hedgehog “Jet? Is that you?” Sonic asked just before the bird trio stopped in front of him. “Took us long enough to find you. You’d figure finding a bipedal hedgehog in a town full of multicolored ponies would be easy” Wave said. “What are you three doing here?” he asked “Simple, we got sucked in by that damned hurricane!” Jet said “I knew you were thrill-seekers, but come on a hurricane?” Sonic said “We had to, emerald readings were coming from it so we dove in” Jet explained “We ended up in some mountains, griffons helped us out until a certain tin can showed up” Wave said “Metal Sonic is in the Griffon Kingdom?!” Dash asked “Who’s this?” Jet asked “I’m Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in Equestria!” She proclaimed with pride before doing a small flip and landing on her hind legs. “I’m Jet, this is Wave and Storm” Jet introduced them. “So why did they kick you out?” Dash asked “Metal Sonic pointed out that we’re Rogues, the griffons didn’t like it. If it wasn’t for a Zebra named Zephyr who found us on the eastern shoreline of Equestria, we’d be dead.” Wave explained. “What would Metal Sonic be doing in the Griffon Kingdom?” Sonic asked “I don’t know, I don’t think any emeralds were there.” Wave said. Dash thought for a minute before gasping. “He’s taking the Trials of Brotherhood there!” “The what?” Sonic asked “Gilda once told me back in flight academy, if you can pass three of their trials they’ll basically help you with whatever you want. He’s gonna use them to find the emeralds!” Dash said. “This is bad” Sonic said. “I could use your help Jet” he said “Sure thing, we’ll help out. However, once Metal is dealt with me and you have a score to settle” he said. “Looking forward to it” Sonic said. Dragon Highlands Garble held the yellow chaos emerald in his claws, his scales already showing more and more corruption. The tribal markings that seemed to shimmer of gold, his blood vessels in his eyes already a bright yellow color. He was currently in a tussle with another dragon, one who aimed to claim the emerald for his own hoard. Garble just had a smirk as the dragon shot a fireball at him, taking the hit and watching as the flames fell off his body. Gasps could be heard all around. “How is he standing? Flambé is one of the most gifted fire breathers.” “Alright! No more messing around!” the one called Flambé said, his blue and green scales shining as he readied his most powerful breath. Taking in all the air he could before unleashing a giant spiraling ball of Blue Fire. Garble smirked before grabbing it with one claw and resisting it easily, before snapping his open hand closed. The fireball broke apart, the flames dying out. “Impossible!” Flambé shouted, the adults now joining their youth in shock once the reality of what happened sunk in. Garble just had a wicked grin on his face as he opened his mouth, blue fire forming with gold sparks crackling around it before he unleashed it. Knocking Flambé over as the ball shot by him, rocketing with incredible speed and colliding with the side of the mountain they were near. The fire exploded violently, taking a nice chunk of the raised earth with it. An Elder dragon was smiling at the display, “The prodigal son is here, the dawn of dragons is upon us” he said to himself. Garble just stood there, smiling confidently. “This little trinket is quite the gem” he said, gripping it, “I’ll be glad to wipe out every pony that I see”