As the eight of them entered the Everfree forest, something within the mist watched them with a curiosity it thought it had long abandoned. Three of them do not belong. Was it the overseer's doing? It saw that of the eight, only two had the means to fight. The monsters of the mist did not perish to mundane attacks and magic, it required weapons of power. I see, so that's why she's here. Without the means to fight, even the weakest of monsters would be all that was needed to bring an end to them.
The seals hold, the mist pores, the moon has changed. But the mist stagnates. The overseer doesn't want it to spread, how curious. Still, those eight, they will fall here without the means to fight. It considered the eight carefully, it knew of them, and began to place their names as it saw them. Lost Hero. Innocent Magician. Honest Knight. Summoning Princess. Loyal Warrior. Indulging Fool. Kind Introvert. Generous Healer. He called out to his friend, the only on he had, and she listened to his request. A means to fight for each of them, I will grant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunset Shimmer fell back from the impact. They were attacked by a group of wolves some time after entering the Everfree, and the only ones that seemed capable of harming them was Steiner and Pinkie. Twilight and Rarity's magic had no affect on the wolves, Rainbow Dash was protecting Vivi, while Fluttershy was cowering in the trees, unable to reason with the wolves. This is not what I had in mind when I decided to come help! She thought as she got up, Steiner slew the wolf that had hit her before it could have another go. Just what is going on! Applejack and Spike are trapped in some other land or world, while I'm stuck here, along with Steiner and Vivi, and all that in addition to this mist and the monsters made of it! She thought in frustration, the fight momentarily dispelling her composed attitude.
Twilight teleported out of the way of a charging wolf, and Steiner came in to finish it as well. It had been attack after attack, and only Steiner was able to slay the monsters, all the others could do was distract them. Pinkie's party cannon didn't harm the wolves, but it did confuse them, sometimes causing them to attack each other. As Steiner got into the rhythm of the fight, his hits started taking down the wolves with a single strike. Still, they were outnumbered, the mist seemed more than eager to reveal more of the canines.
“We can't keep going on like this!” Twilight said in a panic, which only got worse as the mist got thicker around them.
"I'm inclined to agree!" Rarity shouted as she jumped over a wolf trying to charge her.
“I knew I should have left to feed Angel.” Fluttershy whimpered out, moving to a different tree as a wolf tried to climb up the one she was perched in. Steiner was looking winded, there was only so much the knight could handle.
“Perhaps we should come back with an army!?” Sunset suggested as she dodged a charging wolf. The wolves suddenly stopped their attack, looked and sniffed the air, then suddenly fled.
“All right! We showed them!” Rainbow Dash declared, who had kept Vivi out of the scuffle by carrying him on her back. A cloud of lime green dust pored out from the forest and surrounded the party.
“Surely, you didn't sway, and it scared them away” Replied a voice from the mist, with a hint of sarcasm. The mist parted slightly, revealing a zebra, she was carrying a large number of things with her and looked surprise when she saw the humans.
“Who are you! Are you friend or foe?” Steiner asked as he placed himself in front of the zebra.
“She's a friend, Steiner!” Twilight replied, making the knight back down. “Zecora! Am I glad to see you're safe!” Sunset, Vivi and Steiner eased up at Twilight's warm greeting.
“Zecora!” Dash said, “Have you been kicking flank in here without us?” She asked enviously.
“Good to see you're alright, Zecora.” Fluttershy said with a smile.
“I'm also happy to see you well, though my home was unsafe to dwell. The beasts of the mist are strange, maybe you should carry weapons for a change?” She turned and beckoned them, “I know of a stranger who can provide, and may even prove to be a guide.”
“A stranger? Is it somepony we can trust?” Twilight asked.
“Somepony to trust, I do not know, but I am not fussed , for my departure was slow. She came and saved my home, where the beasts found me alone. But come, see with your own eyes, and see whether she is to be despise.” Moving forward, everyone followed Zecora, and the monsters of the mist didn't pursue them. The green cloud seeping from an open flask on her saddlebags seemed to keep the monsters away.
“Did she give you that?” Sunset asked, indicating the flask.
“Oh no, this I brewed on my own. Though the recipe I needed to be shown. Causes monsters of the mist to run and trip, and it's all from the magic of what I did equip.” She finished, indicating the bags. Twilight and Sunset shared a confused look.
“So the saddlebags grants you power like the Alicorn Amulet did for Trixie?” Twilight asked, Zecora shook her head as Steiner spoke up.
“Weapons and armor have power hidden within.” He explained, as if talking to a new recruit. “By wielding it, you gain that power, if it suits you.” He indicated his sword, “This blade has an innate focus against beasts. By slaying the monsters, I become use to its property, and I can then wield the beast killer ability with any other weapon I use from then on.”
“Some abilities allow you to attack or call upon magic.” Vivi added, and Steiner let him continue. “I had a staff before ending up in Equestria that let me cast fire. I would be able to help if I had mastered it.” He said, looking a little ashamed that he couldn't help.
“Master Vivi,” Steiner said, putting a hand on Vivi's shoulder, “worry not, my blade is more than enough!”
“Clearly, a fine warrior you are, even if your armor looks subpar,” Zecora commented with a small grin.
“S-Subpar! This is the armor of a captain!” He said indignantly.
“When we have a moment,” Rarity began “you should reeaally let me take a look at it, Mr. Steiner. I think I can work something together to make it look... nice~” She said as her eyes pored over the armor, ideas flowing behind them.
“Er, if we have the time.” He replied, not quite sure what to make of that. It was shortly after this that they reached Zecora's home.
“Fortunate it is I heard you,” Zecora began, “for I just finished my new brew. Inside you can rest, while I go find my guest.” Leading them inside, she scooped up some brew she had in her cauldron into a large number of flasks, and gave most of them away to Twilight and the others. “A brew to heal your pain, more I shall make for your gain.” She moved to another cauldron and stirred its contents, then she hung the flask seeping the green cloud at the door, “I shall return in a moment, for I am lacking a key component. My guest should be close by, I'll send her while I resupply.” And she left them alone in her hut.
“Does she always talk like that?” Vivi asked. It really is impressive, Twilight knows some interesting ponies. Sunset thought.
“Yep, that's Zecora,” Twilight replied with a grin, “We're lucky to have her as a friend.”
“Your friends are very diverse, a boon when enemies approach from all sides.” Steiner said respectfully. Sunset noticed from the corner of her eye that Pinkie had fallen asleep, all that fighting along with her fatigue finally doing her in.
There was a knocking at the door, and Twilight opened it with her magic, revealing a human. She was shorter than Sunset, had short gold hair, green eyes, red and white clothing, and a tail, wait, she has a tail?. She blinked, showing no surprise that no one was directly behind the open door.
“Oh, hello. Zecora told me you needed help?” She asked, unsure how to address the crowd in Zecora's home.
“Yes,” Sunset replied, “Zecora said you could provide us weapons to fight the monsters of the mist.” Being more than useless in a fight would be nice.
“Why would you want to fight them?” She asked, her monotone reminded Sunset of Pinkie's sister, though this girl talked faster then Maud. “As long as you avoid the forest, the monsters won't bother you." She stated, "Do you have a purpose in the forest?” She finished, no emotion hinting at the intentions behind her inquiry.
“We need to reach the source of the mist,” Twilight explained, “but the monsters are making that hard.”
“And despite that, you want to continue forward, knowing you may have to fight your way there?” She asked, getting a nod from almost everyone, minus Pinkie and Fluttershy. Sunset noticed that her eyes were smiling, though the rest of her face was still without emotion, “In that case, let me give you what you'll need to do just that.”
“You're going to just give us weapons?” Sunset asked skeptically. Weapons were not a common commodity in Equestria, only the personal guard of the princesses carried weaponry, and more often than not it was for aesthetic reasons.
“That's why I'm here,” She replied, as if it was natural.
“Wait, you're here to supply weapons?” Steiner asked, he eyes narrowing as if she was some sort of villain.
“That's my job, to provide those in Equestria that are willing to fight weapons to combat the mist.” She admitted.
“But for what reasons? And just what is your name?” Rarity asked, trying to get to the point.
“Oh, I'm sorry,” she said apologetically, “I'm Mikoto, and I do it because I'm ordered too.” Then she added, “But I would do it regardless, I like Equestria, and giving its people weapons helps everyone.”
“And who ordered you to help us?” Steiner asked.
“I'm sorry, I cannot say,” She replied.
“Everyone, that's enough.” Twilight said, stopping the questions, “You said you're here to help, what did you have in mind for us?”
“Ah, my friend actually had something special for you in mind.” She said as she brought in a small wagon caring the items of interest. All of them had a small note tied to them, indicating ownership.
Sunset and Twilight shared a look, well, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, so they say. Sunset moved up to Mikoto first. Mikoto blinked at her, not reaching through the pile as Sunset realized she didn't know their names.
“I'm Sunset Shimmer,” Then she waved to the others and each of them introduced themselves, “And the one sleeping on the blue cannon is Pinkie Pie.”
“Shimmer... Shimmer...” Mikoto said as she looked through the pile, finding what she was looking for, she presented a short sword and a small shield. They looked mundane, made of iron, but looked as sturdy as the blade Steiner had, just smaller. A sword to fight, and shield to defend, perfect! She took a liking to them as she accepted the sword and buckler from Mikoto. Grasping the pair, she felt a power from within the sword, and another from the shield. Moving aside for the others, Rainbow Dash was quick to fill the void she made.
“I'm not taking anything unless it's awesome. So whacha got for me?” She asked skeptically, eyeing the pile as if everything in it was beneath her. Mikoto gave her a set of iron greaves, one for each hoof. They looked like they could do some damage with a solid kick. “How is this awesome?”
“Um...” Mikoto replied, suddenly lost in thought, “You get to be up close and personal?" she suggested, adding “You can look them in the eye when you beat them?” Rainbow Dash seemed to be considering that before replying.
“Well, that's cooler than a sword and shield, but can they like, I don't know, be on fire or something?” An idea flashed across her face as she added, “Or shoot lightning!? That would be awesome!”
“Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said, with impatience, “Beggars can't be choosers.”
“Right right, Thank you Mikoto.” She said sarcastically. Rarity looked concerned as she stepped up.
“And you want nothing in return? It just doesn't feel right.” She admitted as Mikoto gave her a small rod with a opaque gem embedded at the end. It looked plain, and it was obvious she wanted to comment on it. But she accepted it graciously, wrapping it in her magic, her eyes widened. She appraised the rod before letting out a spell, wrapping everyone in a blue light that made them all feel rejuvenated.
“That was a cure spell, if I'm not mistaken.” Steiner observed, bowing down to Rarity, thanking her, making her blush.
“Oh my, I didn't know I could even do magic like that!” She admitted.
“It's the power the 'weapon' provides you.” Mikoto explained, “Use the rod enough and you can cast the spell without it.” When Dash heard that, she immediately put on her iron greaves and shortly after did a somersault that destroyed a part of the wall.
“Uh, oops.” Dash said with a blush, her smile informing everyone that she considered that awesome. “Yea, this'll do, for now.” Sunset wanted to try her weapons ability as well, but didn't want to ruin more of Zecora's home in the process. Vivi overlooked the pile while Twilight was chiding Dash, his eyes fell on a staff a little longer than the rod Rarity got, and was drawn to it.
“Is that for me?” He asked, and Mikoto nodded, he picked up the staff, looking relieved to have it. Leaving two items left. So I'm guessing Steiner isn't getting one since he already has a sword, but that still leaves us one short. There was a sword with a clear gem embedded in the hilt, and a tambourine. Twilight noticed it at the same time Sunset did, and they shared a smile as she levitated it to Fluttershy, who was looking over the hole in the wall.
“Oh, this is for me? It doesn't really look like a weapon. And there's nothing wrong with that.” She said, smiling as she picked it up. Shaking it, it let out a beautiful rattle that drew everyone's attention, making her blush. “Uh, sorry.”
“So, is that for me, or Pinkie?” Twilight asked as she eyed the blade, and picking it up, she saw her name on the label. “Pinkie doesn't get one?”
“My friend told me the others already have a weapon. Maybe she isn't using hers?” Mikoto wondered, “Well, now that you've gotten your weapons, I must go. There are other ponies that will need my aid, I'm sure we'll meet again soon. Slay plenty of monsters with those and I'll provide you with better ones.” As she made to leave, she stopped, remembering something.
“Oh, just so you know, I'm only giving out weapons, you'll have to handle armor and nick-knacks on your own. Sorry.” She bowed to all of them, everyone but Dash and Pinkie returned in kind, caught off guard by her humble gesture.
"Wait a second, Mikoto." Twilight said, making her stop and turn around, "Did you save Zecora? She told us you did," Mikoto nodded.
"I found her trying to fend off several wolves a couple hours ago." She calmly informed, "I aided her, and provided her with her saddlebags for protection. Now she has a spell that wards monsters away. As I said, I want to help Equestria, so I naturally helped somepony that was in danger."
"Well, thank you," Twilight said, "for the weapons, and for saving our friend." And the others thanked Mikoto in turn. Is she blushing? Mikoto bowed again and left.
Twilight eyed her sword while Rarity tried to patch the hole in the wall. Everyone looked at their new weapons, feeling empowered. If this lets all of us fight on the same grounds as Steiner, then reaching the source should be easy. She thought with a smile as Twilight addressed everyone.
“Once Zecora's returned,” She said as she used her magic to aid Rarity, “Let's continue on our way. We need to see where the mist is coming from, where it's thickest.”
“Do you think there's a way back from there?” Vivi asked, “I don't mind staying, there isn't anyone waiting for me back in Gaia.” Which drew unexpected silence from everyone.
“What ever do you mean dear?” Rarity asked, moving to his side.
“My grandfather passed away last week.” Then seeing the sad looks everyone was giving him, quickly added, “I'm fine, but besides him, there wasn't anyone else I knew. You've spent more time with me than anyone else besides him. I wouldn't mind staying here, you're all very nice.” He admitted as he played with the hem of his vest.
“Master Vivi, if you wish to stay, I will respectfully encourage you.” Steiner declared, “I, however, need to return to my queen's side. The princess turned sixteen today, for me to disappear on such a day is a mark against my honor! I must apologize to them both and hope they let me keep my rank.”
“Well, hopefully we'll be able to send you back, once we find the center of this mist,” Twilight assured. Vivi was treated with more care from there, but he didn't seem to mind. Not long afterwards, Zecora returned with a Phoenix on her back.
“I have finally found what I sought, and luckily it wanted to be caught.” The phoenix ruffled its feathers with a whistle, and Zecora caught the down that fell from its body, she walked over to her other cauldron, “Give me a moment please, so I can send you off in ease.” If she noticed the shabby repair job to her wall, she didn't comment on it. Taking some of the material from the cauldron, she blew it on the phoenix feathers, and they glowed orange as she presented them to everyone. “Brought low by great hurt, this down will revert.”
Taking the phoenix down, they thanked her, and after being assured that she was going to be fine, they all went back into the Everfree, after waking up Pinkie.
“What! I'm awake! Who's asleep? I'm not asleep~! That's who! Hey~! Nice toys~!” She sputtered out as she followed after everyone else. It wasn't long before they were attacked by the wolves again. But this time, the fight, well, was still one sided. But this time, in the party's favor.
Rainbow Dash somersaulted from wolf to wolf, turning them to mist with each impact. Steiner and Sunset attacked any that went for Vivi, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Fluttershy had soothed a wolf to her side, and it was fighting for her.
“It's so strange, it's like I can understand them now, but only one at a time.” She admitted with confusion.
“This. Is. Awesome!” Proclaimed the blue pegasus.
“I'll admit, this is sort of fun!” Twilight said as she teleported behind a wolf and ran it through with her sword, carried in her magic. A wolf she didn't see barreled right into her, sending her down in pain. As she got up she was wrapped in a blue healing glow, and she thanked Rarity as she struck down the wolf that knocked her down.
“Think nothing of it dear~” Rarity said as she got behind Steiner, and he slew another wolf trying to get to his charges. A group of three wolves burst into the fray from the forest, but they were all caught in a large blast of fire, and when the smoke cleared, all that remained was mist.
“What power! Truly your magic is beyond formidable, Master Vivi!” Steiner complemented, making the little mage blush. The explosion of the party cannon sounded the cry of another wolf not sure what to attack. As a wolf moved to attack Fluttershy, Sunset slipped in front of the mare, blocking the blow, deflecting the brunt of the attack, and immediately counter attacking, making the wolf perished.
With Twilight and Rainbow Dash disrupting the wolve's formations, and Steiner and Sunset Shimmer protecting their support, the fight ended in short order, the forest seemed unwilling to send anymore wolves towards them, after having so many perish to their strength. There is power in equipment, this is almost ridiculous. Is this how the mist works? Only weapons from another world can slay these monsters? Sunset wondered. With their resounding victory, they continued on, invigorated by the battle, into the heart of the Everfree Forest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunset Shimmer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Items Equipped: *New Item Acquired*
*Iron Sword and Buckler: Cover, Deflection
Lvl Up! Lvl-3 HP 144/144 MP 18/28
AP 11/17
Cover (6) - You take damage in place of an ally.
Abilities:
Counter: Action Command - Counter attacks when physically attacked. Deals bonus damage.
Sword and Board:
Deflection 10 MP - Lowers damage taken for an ally for a duration.