//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6: RedXParasite 
// Story: The Random Adventures of Seth 
// by Marioland1 
//------------------------------//


EQD


Paul led Seth out of the tent. As they traveled through the encampment, Seth could see how demoralized everyone was. Many were hanging their heads, while others were pacing. The tension was palpable. Their walk eventually led them to a tent marked “EQD”. Paul held open the flap, and ushered Seth inside.

The people inside turned their heads as Seth and Paul entered the tent. Seth counted three in total, two guys, and a girl.

“Everyone, meet Seth, he’s going to be joining your team.” Paul gestured toward Seth. Paul continued, “Seth, this is Phoebe, Cal, and Cereal.”

“Cereal?” Seth scoffed incredulously, “What kind of name is that?”

“Don’t ask me!” Cereal defended. “My parents gave it to me. I obviously wouldn’t have chosen it myself.”

“Seth’s pretty talented at magic.” Paul said, putting the conversation back on track. “He’ll be an invaluable asset to the team.”

“If you say so,” Phoebe commented.

“I’ll leave you guys to work out a plan.” Paul said. “You should have at least 3 days before Shining Armor and the Canterlot Royal Guard attack again. Please try to do something before then.”

“As you command Captain.” Cal replied. Once Paul left the tent, everyone went silent. Seth could feel the looks he was being given. After a few minutes, he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Why are you guys staring at me?!?” He exclaimed.

“So, can you really do magic?” Phoebe questioned.

“Yeah, what about it?” Seth responded.

“Can you do some for us?”

“I don’t really see that point.”

“Pretty please?” Phoebe put on a sad face, with her lower lip protruding so much a bird could land on it.

“Fine.” Seth concentrated. He reached into that far recess of his mind, where many would dare not go, and summoned forth the flow of magic. To his observers, nothing seemed to happen for a few seconds.

“Is that it?” Cal asked skeptically. His mouth dropped, however, when flames shot out from Seth’s hands and nearly lit the tent on fire.

“That might not have been the best spell to use in here.” Cereal laughed.

“Yeah, didn’t think about that.” Seth chuckled. Then everyone burst out into laughter. The tension between the team members had melted away like butter.

“I’m the team captain,” said Cereal. “Cal here’s our techie and Phoebe’s in charge of medicine. In reality, our positions don’t mean much. We’ve been assigned to stop the war through peaceful means, but we have no idea how. As Paul told you, the ponies did not take kindly at ALL to the death of their Princess. We’ve tried to negotiate, but their resolve will not yield.”

“It’s looking pretty grim.” Cal added. Silence filled the tent.

“It’s getting pretty late.” Phoebe lifted up the tent flap. Seth could see the setting sun through the folds.

“So, uh, where do I sleep?” Seth asked.

“Luckily for you, we’ve already got four cots set up over there.” Cereal pointed to the back of the tent. “That’s where we’ll hitting the hay for tonight.”

“Shall we?” Cal queried.

“Eeyup.” Cereal replied. Everyone got ready for bed. Seth had to be given provisions, as he had forgotten to pack anything when Paul had rushed him into Equestria.

As he laid down, Seth fidgeted uncomfortably. The cot was a far cry from the bed he was used to. Try as he might, Seth couldn’t fall asleep easily. He couldn’t seem to find a position that was comfortable. After what seemed like a very long time, Seth eventually drifted off to sleep.


* * *


Seth woke with a start.

“Wha…? Who’s there?” He mumbled. No one responded. Seth sat up in his cot.

What time is it? He wondered. Seth checked his watch. It read 3:14 am.

Cripes, he thought, I’d better get back to sleep. Just then, he heard a rustling outside of the tent. Curious, Seth got up, slipped on the slippers that he’d been given, and made his way outside.

Right as he exited the tent, Seth caught a glimpse of a cloaked figure disappearing between some other tents in the distance.

“Hey! Wait!” He shouted. Seth gave chase to the mysterious figure. Seth ran at full force to where he had last seen the figure. They were no longer there, but Seth could hear footsteps heading away from camp. But, were they footsteps? He paused and listened to the rhythm. It sounded like that of a horse. A pony!

Seth dashed after the mysterious stranger once more. Suddenly, the galloping stopped. Seth kept on going, and found that the pony had stopped on the hill outside overlooking the camp.

“Who?” Seth gasped for breath. “Who are you?”

The mare lowered her hood and spoke.

“You may call me the Great and Powerful Trixie.” Trixie answered.

“But why were you in the human encampment?” Seth asked.

“To find you of course.” Trixie said with just the slightest hint of seduction.

“Why me?”

“Because you and your team are the only ones who can help Trixie stop this war.” Trixie continued. “Trixie is no fan of humans as much as the next pony, but even Trixie has to admit, this war is foolish. It’s a waste of both human and pony lives. Plus, just imagine how beloved Trixie will be for saving Equestria!”

“Of course it’s for the fame.” Seth noted.

“What?” Trixie was taken aback. “The Great and Powerful Trixie trying to become more popular? I have only the best interests of the citizens of Equestria at heart!”

“Somehow, I don’t quite believe you.” Seth smirked. “So why do you want our help?”

“Yes, that.” Trixie’s eyes darted back and forth, as if she were checking that the coast was clear.

“Trixie believes that the spell to close the portal between the human and pony world is kept in the Canterlot Archives. However, Trixie is not allowed in. Usually the security around the archives would be no match for Trixie’s unparalleled abilities, but since Canterlot is at war, the security is much higher.”

“So how do we play into all of this?” Seth wondered aloud.

“Trixie will aid you in finding and implementing the spell.” Trixie replied. “Tomorrow morning, bring your team and meet with Trixie so we can plan our attack.”

“But where are we going to meet?” Seth asked.

“If you keep moving east along the beach from the camp, you’ll eventually find a large boulder. Trixie will be waiting there.”

With that, Trixie summoned a giant cloud of smoke using her magic and galloped off. Seth rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of the situation. What he had seen was real, right? He walked back to his tent, entering quietly, so as not to disturb his teammates. He would make sense of it tomorrow, Seth decided. He checked his watch again and groaned; it was 4:04 am already. Being as tired as he was, Seth had no problems falling asleep this time. He slept soundly until he was rudely awakened by a blaring trumpet at 7 o’ clock in the morning.


* * *


Seth jolted awake. He felt tired. Perhaps his excursion last night was responsible for his fatigue. Seth, not willing to put the effort to wake up, attempted to doze off. Phoebe shook him,

“Come on! Get up you lug!” She slapped him. Seth sprang up.

“Oww! You didn’t have to hit me!”

“Trust me,” Phoebe whispered in his ear, “I did.”

Cal and Cereal were already up.

“I guess I’m the only one not used to waking up early.” Seth rubbed his eyes.

The EQD team retrieved their breakfast rations, and started chowing down. In the middle of their meal, Seth stuck up a conversation.

“You guys will never believe what happened to me last night.”

“Pray tell.” Cal said mockingly.

“No seriously.” Seth retorted. “Last night, I got woken up at, like, 3 in the morning by someone outside the tent. I chased them, and it turns out they were a pony!”

“Yeah right,” Cereal scoffed. “Like a pony would actually venture into this camp.”

“Come on guys!” Seth exclaimed, “I’m telling the truth!”

“Uh huh?” said Phoebe, “Prove it.”

“Actually, I can.” Seth replied. “She’s going to meet us nearby.”

“Oh really?” Cal chuckled. “Show us then.”

“Fine.” Seth replied. “I will. Follow me.”

The group finished their breakfast and made out for the large boulder Trixie had described last night. It took Seth a little longer than he had expected. Then again, Trixie had to choose a spot that was far away, right?
Finally, the rock came into sight and with it, Trixie.

“Ah, Trixie is glad that you came.” Trixie said.

“See? Told you guys!” Seth exclaimed.

“So how is she going to solve our problem?” Phoebe asked.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie plans to break into the Canterlot Archives.” Trixie responded.

“What’s in there that’ll help us?” Cereal queried.

“Trixie says there’s a spell that can close the portal between our worlds hidden somewhere in the archives.” Seth explained. “We need to break in and use it.”

“Ah, I see.” Cal was pensive.

“So, what’s our plan of attack?” Cereal questioned. “We can’t just knock on the front door and get in.”

“Trixie can teleport us into a remote section of Canterlot.” Trixie replied. We’ll have to sneak around the city until we get close to the citadel. That’s where the guards will be the most concentrated. Luckily, the Canterlot Archives are towards the rear of the citadel. We’ll make our way over the wall, and sneak through the garden on the south side. From there, we can throw a grappling hook through a window and get in. Trixie can handle it from there.”

“So why do you need us?” Phoebe asked, “Why couldn’t you do this yourself?”

“As competent as Trixie is, even she does not have the power to close a portal of such size.” Trixie answered. “Trixie will need Seth’s help to cast the spell. Plus, Trixie only has two eyes, so she can only search for the spell so quickly.”

“Wait, you don’t know where the spell is?!” Seth yelled.

“Trixie doesn’t even know if such a spell exists.” Trixie looked away from the group.

“Hold on, you don’t even know if there is a spell to close the portal?!?” Seth was getting very irate. “What kind of plan is this then?”

“Calm down Seth,” Cereal interjected, “It’s the best plan we’ve got at the moment. Anyone have any other disagreements before we set this plan into action?”
No one spoke a word.

“Okay then.” Cereal continued. “We’ll break into Canterlot, get into the archives, and hopefully find a spell to close the portal. We’ll have to wait until tonight to do it, we wouldn’t dare risk a break in during the day. Trixie, will you meet us here at 10 pm sharp?

“Trixie supposes so.” Trixie replied.

“Alright, it’s a plan,” said Cereal.

The EQD returned to the encampment, waiting for evening to fall and for them to be able to make their next move…