//------------------------------// // Into an Unknown World // Story: True Friendship // by BlazingAngel //------------------------------// Chapter 1 Into the Unknown World Since Red don`t know a things about Ponyville, there only one thing he can do, ask the people. It simple. Just go up to a pony and ask him/her about this pony you`re looking for. There a lot of ponies in Ponyville that would have seen this missing pony. Red then walked up to a pony next to a wagon and asked, "Hello. I`m just stopping by to ask you a question, have you seen or heard a pony wearing a black long cloak and a mask covering his face?" "Umm.. No." answered the pony and walked off. Great, it going to take me a long time to figure out to find him, Red thought and walked up to a next pony. After an hour of no success, he thought he has given up until he was bumped by a pony who was carrying some big packages and dropped its. "Oh, just great!" she said, bending down to pick up her packages. "Sorry." says Red, feeling embarrassed and also picking up the packages. "Its okay," says the mare, " people do that all the time." After picking up the last of her packages and heading it to her, Red says, " well, there the last one. I apologize for bumping into you." "Apology accepted. And, as you should know, my name is Rarity." she said, saying it proudly. " The name Red." he said, not knowing if he can shake her hand if they don`t have one. "Well Red, thank again." she said, "Oh umm.. Rarity? Can I ask you a question?" says Red, again trying to look more serious. "Well, what is it? Please make this quickly because I has to unload all these packages for my costume for tonight." "Have you seen or heard a pony wearing a black cloak and a mask covering his face?" "Well, lets me think." she began, searching her memory. Why these people kept on saying "well" so much? Red thought. "I think I do," replied Rarity, "I happened to stop by a store picking up some ribbons and things for my costume and I saw a `black cloak-masking covering his face pony` you`re were looking for and its took a train heading to Crystal Empire." "Crystal Empire?" asked Red, who never heard such place before. "Yeah, Crystal Empire," says Rarity, " if you want to go there, just go down the street, turn right and there a train station that led to the city." So, that where he went, Red thought. He then looked up at Rarity then said to her, " Thank you for your generosity, Rarity, I really appreciate its." "Anytime Red." she said, being thankful. They both say bye each other and went in opposite direction. Following Rarity instruction, Red went down the street, turn right and, was lucky enough to be there at the exact right time, walked up to the train. As he was getting on aboard, the conductor stopped him from getting in and said to him, "Ticket, please." " Um… I don`t have any ticket." replied Red. "Well no ticket, no ride!" said the conductor, frustrated. After that, the conductor board the train, yelling, "All aboard!" and signal the train and its began to move forward. What he hadn`t noticed is that the young stallion he has told to stay off, has jump aboard the last cart. Suring that no one has saw him jumping on the train, Red went inside the cart and sat down on the seat and enjoy the view as the train was passing some mountains. Next stop, Crystal Empire. ... The train made a sudden halt as it had made it to a station. Red got up with the rest of the passengers and got off the train, away from the conductor. As he got on the street and, not knowing what to do next, went up to the central of the city where a statue was hold at. Red looked around and spotted a castle, 150 yard up front. He though about the missing pony he is going after and knew that this guy is planning something big and he not going to like it. So, Red chose the diamond-looking castle as a target. He don`t know why but he felt sure this missing guy is going after. But why? He thought about it but then shook his head to clear out his thought. He look at the castle again. It looked heavily guarded. With all the guards and lookout. So, he waited for darkness to set in for better stealth. He hope this is the right target. ... As darkness set in, Red looked at the castle again, still not knowing and, as he was about to get up and leave, he saw something next to the castle entrance. He's thought his eyes is tricking him on the shadow but, this is real. Too real. There was movement near the gate that led to the entrance of the castle. The shadow or a pony, went through the gate, pashed a couple guards and went into the castle. This is it, Red thought. He got up and walked toward the gate of the castle. When he got to the gate wall, he was impressed of this pony handiwork. He has cut through the gate steel bar and really went passed those guards. Red then went through the gate and, when the guards turned their heads, ran through the opening and got to the entrance. He easily slipped through the door right before its close and, when got inside, hid behind a vase case holder. Thinking the coast is clear, Red ran to a hallway on his right. He how just realized that there was more guards in here than outside patrolling. After dodging more guards, Red decided to began his search. After checking the kitchen, throne room and even a dungeon, he had to skip the dining room because there was a party going on, he went to a hallway where the bedrooms are and open the door on his left, quietly not to disturb anyone, and peek in. The room is empty except a mare sleeping on a bed. I had seen this mare before, He thought curiously. Then he realized who she is. It FlutterShy. She come here? Red thought, Never mind, I`d have a job to do. When Red close the door, he heard a door opening and closing. He quickly hide behind another vase case holder. When he look out the hallway, it was empty but he sure know where the sound is coming from. He went two door up and stopped on his right. He quietly open the door and there he was, the guy Red is after. Red could clearly see a hand from the guy. But, pony don`t have hand, but Red knew what is was, Robotic hand. When the guy took the crown, Red burst into the room shouted, " Hold it right there buster! You are not taking that crown!" But the guy is too fast to be seen. He knock Red off his heels. Thus waking the mare and a dragon in the room. "Guard, Guard!" the mare screamed. The guy then ran down the hallway, and Red went after him. Two guards came out ahead of them but the guy took them out by throwing punches at them. The chase was heading down to a room. When they entered the room, Red leaped at the guy on which he dropped the crown. Red pulled the mask off him and despite of this, grasp of what he just discovered. It was his brother.