//------------------------------// // Spike/The Capture // Story: The Quest For The Black Cauldron // by Oldtakufanboy //------------------------------// Elsewhere in Equestria, there was a dark and evil castle that would give anypony the shivers. The castle was surrounded by heavy iron gates that were as tall as trees. Those gates would scare anypony that ever dared to think about going inside. The castle stood dark and foreboding - surrounded by boulders, mountains, and a small forest of lifeless trees. Loud booms of thunder were heard overhead as the thunder clapped from the dark clouds that were high above the castle. Inside the castle lived the master and her pack of diamond dogs. Who is this master you ask? She is a queen that could take the form of anypony she saw. Anypony that remembered the Canterlot wedding will know her name. Her name is 'Chrysalis'. Three months ago After her failed attempt to take over Equestria, Chrysalis spent most of her time stuck in her castle. Chrysalis was starving for love to feed on or wishing that there were changelings to be loved. One day when she was brink of losing hope, Chrysalis discovered a hidden door in the castle that lead her to a secret library. She entered the library and was amazed at all of the books that the previous owner of the castle had left behind. In the center of the room, she found a small wooden table covered in dust. On top of the table was a box covered with cobwebs and more dust. Chrysalis sneered at the box and zapped it open, which then created a large dust cloud. Dust flew about the room. As the dust cloud dissipated, she looked over to the now broken box and saw that there was a letter inside. "A letter?! What is this a joke?!" shouted Chrysalis as she levitated the paper closer to her face. Chrysalis read the letter. The letter warned about an evil cauldron that was full of evil magic from a once powerful king that went by the name Sombra. The letter went on to tell the reader that whoever finds the cauldron will have the power to resurrect an army of deathless warriors. Chrysalis put down the letter as an evil grin spread across her face. "Bring back the dead? Hehehehehe. Whoever had written this really should have kept this a secret from me. Well, it's not secret anymore. With this cauldron, I can bring my darling changelings back from the dead. And with them, I can rule all of Equestria! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! First things first, I need to find some servants to do my bidding." Chrysalis thought, "Now where to get some servants?" Then She got an idea "That's it! I'll trick the diamond dogs into becoming my servants. As a ruse, I will tell the diamond dogs that my changelings will help them detect jewels that are hidden in the mountain caves. All those dogs can think about are those jewels and I know they won't be able to turn down a deal like that." After coming up with her brilliant idea, Chrysalis left the castle hand headed towards the mountains. She knew that once she arrived at the mountains, she would find the diamond dogs searching in the mountain caves for jewels. Chrysalis entered the largest of the caves through a large opening and continued down the tunnel until she reached the main chamber. Upon her arrival, the pack of diamond dogs immediately stopped their work and gave Chrysalis their full attention. "Who are you? Can't you see we are busy, you bug-like freak?!" snapped one diamond dog from the crowd. "Hello there diamond dogs, I, Chrysalis, queen of the changelings have a proposition for you. Help me find the black cauldron." said Chrysalis. The diamond dogs muttered and whispered to one another. They then looked back at her. "Why should we help you? What's in it for us?" said a tall and gruff-looking diamond dog. "If you help me, in return, I will let my changelings help you find more jewels. So, do we have a deal?" Every ear of every diamond dog in the area, perked up with surprise. One by one, each of the diamond dogs produced a large toothy grin. They all chattered with one another. "I can see by your smiles, that you are considering my proposition." said Chrysalis. "So, do we have a deal or not?" "Hail Queen Chrysalis! Hail Queen Chrysalis! Hail Queen Chrysalis!" shouted a diamond dog. The other dogs joined in the chant and pretty soon the chamber was filled with the chants of the diamond dogs "Hail Queen Chrysalis!" "Hehehehehe. Piece of cake." thought Chrysalis. "Follow me to my castle and let us prepare for the search for the cauldron." said Chrysalis as she flew out of the chamber and towards her castle's direction. "Quickly everyone, let's go!" shouted a diamond dog as all of the diamond dogs rushed out the cave to follow their new queen. Present time Chrysalis, flanked by two diamond dogs, walked down the dark hallways of her castle. She then stopped to open a door that would lead them to a cold and gloomy tomb. "Leave me be. I'll enter here alone." said Chrysalis as she looked back at her servants. "Yes, your highness." said both diamond dogs as they stepped away from the tomb's door. Chrysalis walked slowly into the tomb. Her eyes scanned the tomb which was littered with the remains of her fallen changelings which were now nothing but dry dusty skeletons, "My poor babies" said Chrysalis as a tear rolled down her cheek. It was only four months ago when the powerful magic of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence had turned the changelings into skeletons. Chrysalis' thoughts turned to the day she had asked her diamond dog soldiers to search all of Equestria and return the bodies of her changelings to the tomb. Wiping away a tear, Chrysalis slowly walked down the stairs to get a closer look at the skeletons. When she reached the bottom of the staircase, she saw a cold green fog swirling around the floor. The fog moved silently around the floor, winding through the skeletons and curling up towards the step on which she stood. Chrysalis felt the cold, damp fog start to swirl around her hooves. She stood there for a moment, thinking about what was to come. "Don't worry my darlings. Soon the black cauldron will be mine. It's evil power will soon be coursing through my veins and I shall make you…Cauldron-born…" Chrysalis walked back up to the top of the staircase. When she reached the top, she paused and looked back down at her fallen changelings. "Yes…Oh, yes then you shall worship me again!!" said Chrysalis with glee. As she stood up on her hind legs she noticed what a powerful shadow her body cast against the wall. She smiled and then paused and slowly went back down on all fours. "Oh, my darlings… How long I have thirsted to be a queen of all Equestria." Chrysalis then walked out of the dark tomb leaving the skeletons to await their revival. Parn and Gummy continued their walk towards the Everfree Forest. Before they passed the borders of Ponyville, some fillies and colts noticed them and waved at them with glee. Parn waved back with a smile across his face and continued along the path. "Hey Parn!" shouted one of the colts. Parn stopped and turned around to glance back at whoever had called him. "Where are you going?!" shouted the colt. Parn smiled and put his fore hooves up to his face. "I'm going on an adventure!" Parn replied. The colt looked at Parn with surprise. "Good luck!" replied the colt as he gave out another wave. Parn waved back in return. He then turned around and pressed on. It had been ten minutes since Parn has passed the borders of Ponyville. As he continued on his walk, he thought about Gummy and his ability to tell the future. "Interesting, Gummy. I never knew that you were so special. I thought you were just a small, useless, brain dead gator. I'm surprised that Cornhusk would put his trust in me to look after you. I can't wait to see how he'll react when I get you to the cottage uninjured. Now Gummy, don't go wandering about. And don't you worry. Keep close to me and you'll be safe." said Parn patting Gummy's head. After walking for such a long time, Parn noticed a lake where he could splash his face with water to keep himself cool. "Hey Gummy, let's take a break near that lake over there." As they got down to the lake, Parn sat down on a log. He then levitated Gummy's leash and tied it to a thick branch so that Gummy wouldn't escape. "I'll be right back, Gummy. You stay here." said Parn as he walked towards the lake's edge. Parn dipped his hooves into the water and splashed his face. "Ahhhhh, refreshing." said Parn with satisfaction. Parn looked back at Gummy who was looking around the area as if he saw a ghost. Parn gave out a smile. "Don't worry, Gummy. I won't let queen Chrysalis near you. I'll protect you." said Parn as he levitated a stick out of the water causing ripples to form on the lake's surface. Parn then looked down at the ripples and saw an image of himself wearing armor just like the soldier ponies wore in Canterlot. He also saw in the ripples that he was surrounded by ponies shouting with glee. Parn even saw Celestia and Luna standing by his side, each with pretty smiles on their faces. Parn shook his head and wondered if he was really seeing this. "Parn of Cornhusk, the greatest soldier of all of Equestria. He's a true hero." said Celestia as the crowd of ponies around shouted even louder than before. "Thank you. Thank you all. But without the help of Gummy I-" Parn was snapped back into reality as he turned around to notice that the leash that was used to tie Gummy, had snapped. "Gummy?" said Parn with worry,"Gummy?!" Parn looked rapidly around the area but couldn't spot the little gator. He was very nervous. Seeing the empty leash shook him to the core. "Great." said Parn with frustration as he got walked back up to the path from where they came. Parn looked along the path area and still no sign of Gummy. He then noticed that about half a mile ahead was the the entrance to the Everfree Forest. Parn walked towards the forest while looking up and down the path hoping to spot Gummy. "Gummy?" said Parn as he continued his continued towards the entrance of the Everfree Forest. Parn finally made it to the entrance of the Everfree Forest. At the entrance, he heard loud caws from the ravens who were perched on top of the dead branches overhead. Parn also noticed that several of the trees were home to large evil looking owls. "GUMMY!" shouted Parn as heard caws and flapping of wings around him. As Parn entered the Everfree Forest, he was getting an eerie feeling that he was being watched. He started to notice that the trees had spooky faces on them. Parn tried his best not to look at them. "Don't worry, Parn. They're only illusions." thought Parn as he tried to keep himself calm. Parn walked along the path of the forest, until he heard a twig snap, which made him jump. He ducked behind a tree to hide from the ravens overhead who were flapping their wings and cawing loudly. Parn slowly peeked out from behind the trunk of the tree. "Is that you, Gummy?" said Parn as he walked towards the area where he thought he had hear the twig snap. Parn then opened up one of the pouches from his saddlebag and took out an apple. "Look what I've got, Gummy. Come on out here. It's a delicious App-" Parn was cutoff as a purple figure landed on his head. "Yahoo!" said a purple figure as it rushed towards the apple that slipped out of Parn's hoof. The tiny, scaly, purple dragon snatched the apple from the ground and smiled with glee. "Such a nice unicorn you are. Giving me, Spike, such a delicious treat." said the dragon as he looked at his reflection on the apple. Parn lifted his head and was surprised to see a living dragon in the flesh. Parn never knew that they could be so tiny like the one in front of him. Parn cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "Oh boy, what a juicy apple." said Spike as he continued to observe the apple withheld in his claws. "Thank you very much, mr. unicorn. See ya." said Spike as he skipped away gleefully with apple. Parn quickly stood up and rushed over to the little dragon and levitated the apple towards himself. Spike noticed a golden aura around the apple and held tightly onto the apple, not letting it go. "Hold it right there you scaly, little thief! I didn't give you that apple! You took it!" said Parn as he held onto the apple with his magic, struggling to not let Spike take it. As the apple got closer to Parn with Spike getting dragged along with it, Spike let of of the apple with one hand and scratched Parn with his claws. "OWCH! Hey! Stop you scaly, little thief! Come back with that apple!" said Parn as the little dragon hid himself behind a bush. "If you don't give it back, you'll be sorry. I seriously mean it." said Parn as he levitated a branch that was close by high in the air. "Come on! Give me the apple." said Parn as he held his right hoof. Spike slowly opened his claws and revealed to Parn that their was nothing in his claws. The little dragon gave Parn a big dumb grin, trying to make himself look innocent. "Where's the apple?" said Parn as he tapped his left hoof. "I don't know where the app-" Spike was cutoff as the apple slipped out from underneath the bush where Spike hid it. "Uh oh." said Spike as he rushed over to the apple covering it up with his body as if Parn didn't see anything. "Come on, give me the apple. I'm warning you!" said Parn with frustration as he held out his right hoof while levitating a branch. Spike got back up to his feet along clutching the apple tightly in his claws. Spike was still fixated by the apple, smacking his lips out of hunger. He then looked back at Parn who was still waiting to get the apple back. Spike then looked back at the apple again and pinched off some dirt that was stuck onto the apple. "Come on! Give me the apple! I don't have time for your games!" said Parn as he twirled the branch ready to strike down the little dragon. Spike then held out the apple towards Parn. Without hesitation, Spike took a big bite out of the apple and placed it on Parn's hoof. Parn looked at the apple with such surprise, he dropped the branch. "You greedy little lizard! You should be ashamed of yourself!" said Parn as he raised a hoof in a fist-like manner. "Sorry mr. unicorn sir. I'm just miserable out here. There's nothing that much to eat. Please forgive me." said Spike as he pretended to act as innocent as he could. "Oh, shut up. I'm not falling for that. Anyway, have you seen a little gator around here?" said Parn with concern. "A gator? Small gator? Small snout?" said Spike as he scratched his head. "Yes." "Looks brain dead?" "Yep! That's Gummy alright! Have you seen him?" said Parn with glee. "Nope. Haven't seen him." said Spike as he looked away from Parn crossing his arms. "Never mind. I'll find him by myself if I have to." said Parn as he dropped the branch and levitated the bitten apple into one of the pouches of his saddlebag. "I wonder what else he has in there. I bet there'll be more food in there." thought Spike as his mouth started to water thinking about what other kinds of food might be inside of Parn's saddlebag. "Oh, mr. unicorn! I remembered now! I did see the gator." said Spike as he rushed in front of Parn to get his full attention. "My clever, sharp eyes saw the gator run right through the forest. I saw it! Come with me, we'll find your gator. Then, we'll be friends forever." said Spike as he jumped onto Parn's back. "Food's gotta be around here somewhere." said Spike as he looked into the wrong side pouch of Parn's saddlebag. "He'll never learn." thought Parn as he rolled his eyes. Then, right out of the blue, Gummy went running past them and disappeared through the forest. "Gummy! Come back!" shouted Parn. "Looks like he was running away from somethin'." said Spike as he climbed down from Parn's back. "From what?" said Parn with confusion. Suddenly, they heard the wind whipping up from behind Parn. They both turned around quickly and caught a glimpse of something up in the sky flying towards Gummy's direction. They couldn't really make out what it was because the tree branches were blocking their view overhead. Parn did however notice scales that were glimmering from the setting sun. "Are those...Dragons?!" said Parn with shock. "Goodbye!" said Spike as he disappeared into the forest. Parn ran towards the tracks that would lead him to the location where Gummy ran away. He passed through some bushes and found more of Gummy's tracks on a pathway towards an open area. "Gummy! Where are you?!" shouted Parn along the pathway. As Parn made it out to the open area of the forest, he saw Gummy running in about as not one, but two dragons were flying around him in a circle. On top of the dragons however, were diamond dogs i full armor. Parn thought this was rather strange, as he had never heard of diamond dogs getting along with dragons. "Get the gator, Garble! The queen needs it!" said one of the diamond dogs riding the red dragon with a sharp toothed grin. "Sure will!" replied Garble. "Quickly now! Catch the little gator!" said another diamond dog riding a green dragon with orange eyes. "Bombs away!" said both dragons as they dove down to catch Gummy. Gummy ran around in a frenzy trying to get away from the dragons. The green dragon was just about to snatch him up, but missed by a few feet. Gummy ran in the opposite direction trying to escape, but was caught by the tail by Garble. "I got him!" said Garble. Gummy's tail slipped through Garble's claws and he fell to the ground with a thud. Gummy ran away as fast as he could. "Darn!" said Garble as he turned around and made another attempt to swoop back down towards Gummy. Gummy kept on running without looking behind him, not knowing that Garble's claws were merely inches away. "LOOK OUT GUMMY!" shouted Parn trying to get Gummy's attention. Gummy skidded towards the left and turned around towards Parn's direction. Garble had missed his mark and his claws were buried a few inches deep into the ground. "Darn! Missed again!" said Garble as he took off towards the sky. Gummy ran towards Parn and Parn began to run towards Gummy. "Hurry, Gummy! Come to me!" shouted Parn as he kept running towards Gummy. As Gummy went running towards Parn, the diamond dog riding the green dragon was suddenly closing in. "Gotcha now, little gator!" said the diamond dog with a toothy grin. "HURRY, GUMMY!" shouted Parn as he was fifteen feet away from Gummy. The green dragon closed in and snatched the gator in its claws. "We got him! Quickly now, to the castle!" said the diamond dog as he and the other rider flew towards the castle's direction. "Give him back!" said Parn as he used his magic to grip onto the green dragon's tail. "Let go, you runt!" said the green dragon. As Parn tried desperately to hold onto the tail, Garble came from behind Parn and smashed him into the dirt. "See ya sucker! Hahahahaha!" cackled the diamond dog riding Garble as he and the other rider flew away behind rocky mountains. Parn quickly stood up. There was a small trickle of blood running out of his mouth. "COME BACK!!" shouted Parn as he ran in the direction that the dragons flew, but all of the branches and dead trees were blocking his way. He desperately pushed onward until he stopped at a rocky hill. Parn climbed to the top of the mountain. He was in pain from the long climb and the cuts an bruises he got from the branches. At the top of the hill, he saw a castle whose mere sight chilled him to the bone. He then noticed the two dragons from earlier in the day heading towards the castle. "Gummy…Don't you worry. I'll get you out of there." said Parn to himself with confidence as he wiped the blood off of his mouth. "Please don't go. Forget the gator." said a voice from behind him. Parn quickly turned around and noticed that it was the little dragon Spike. Somehow Spike had caught up. The little dragon looked at Parn with concern. "How did you get here so fast and what are you doing here anyway?" said Parn. "I've come back to be your friend." said Spike as he rubbed his scaly face against Parn's left hoof. "You're no friend of mine! You ran away when…" Parn stopped and took a breath. "You know what, never mind. I promised Cornhusk that I'll protect Gummy with all my life. I have to go." said Parn as he took a step forward but was quickly stopped by the sound of thunder. "Well…I…Are you coming with me?" said Parn with curiosity. "Going in there? No way. It's a scary place." said Spike shaking. "You're no friend. You're just a coward." said Parn as he walked down the slope and towards the castle. Parn then stopped and levitated the apple from earlier and looked back at Spike. "Here, take it. That's all you've wanted from me." said Parn as he threw it towards Spike and continued towards the castle. Spike grabbed ahold of the apple and looked back towards Parn as he walked towards the castle. Spike let out a sniffle as a tear fell down his right cheek. "If he ever goes into that castle, I'll never see him again. Nope. Never again." said Spike as he looked down in worry as the thunder boomed off in the distance. TO BE CONTINUED...