//------------------------------//
// Adventure's Beginning 
// Story: The Terrarian War 
// by TheFabulousWhale 
//------------------------------//


Chapter IV


Adventure's Beginning


Jayk groaned. He wasn't in the cave anymore. Instead, he was in one of many comfortable white beds that lined the hospital's main hall. Next to him sat his mother with tears in her eyes.

"Where am I?" asked Jayk, lifting his head.

"You're in the hospital." Brisk replied, wrapping her hoof around Jayk's claw. "You hit your head pretty hard."

"What about... Lord Argon!" Jayk said, jolting up and looking around the room. "Where is he?"

Brisk ushered Jayk back under the sheets. "He's in his personal recovery room. He suffered a bad concussion and lost a horn."

Jayk sighed. Everything that happened to him recently made his head hurt more than it already was. He and his mother sat in silence for a couple minutes.

"What happened down there?" Brisk said. "Both of you were found unconscious and the Earth Crystal was missing."

"We were attacked and robbed." Jayk paused. "By an elk..."

"Did you see who it was?"

Jayk thought for a second. "I think it was... dad."

Brisk took a step back in shock. "Th... That's not possible."

"I know, he's supposed to be finding new lands in The Echo."

Brisk looked down at her hooves. "About that..."

"What is it?"

"They were declared missing."

"What?!" Jayk exclaimed, quickly sitting up.

"Nobody knows what happened. A team of guards is preparing to leave for Equestria. They'll be meeting Princess Celestia, then searching for the missing team."

Jayk threw his blanket to the side of the bed and turned his body to face his mother. Brisk stood up and put her hoof of Jayk's shoulder.

"I'm going with them." Jayk said determinedly.

"No, no, no. You are not travelling all the way to Equestria. You need to rest." Brisk replied, pushing Jayk back into the bed. Jayk ignored her actions and stood up.

"I have to, I want to figure out what's going on. Nothing's making sense."

"Jayk, it's too dangerous for someone as young as you."

"I've been stuck in this place for as long as I can remember, I need to get out there. I want to find dad, and when I do, I'll find the Earth Crystal."

Brisk took a moment to think. Then nodded. "You're right. I've kept you here for too long."

Jayk slipped out of the hospital bed and gave Brisk a big hug. As he looked over her shoulder, he saw his amulet lying on his bedside table. Brisk noticed it too and placed it around Jayk's neck. He flinched when he realized that the amulet felt heavier than usual. He shrugged it off as just an after effect of his accident.

"You should hurry up to the capital." Brisk said. "The guards should be preparing to leave. I'll pack your saddlebags, so don't worry about that."

Jayk thanked his mother, then left the room.

+=+=+

"As you may already know, The Echo is unexplored land. We may come across anything during our search, so be on your guard. I see ten brave soldiers standing before me, so I expect each and every one of you leaving the unknown territory with at least one of the thirteen missing members by your side."

The amber colored moose clad in golden armor walked back and forth along a line of ten silver armored cervidae, giving each of them a stern look.

"Any questions?" He said, facing away from the soldiers.

"I have one." Someone asked, though the voice was not recognized by the captain. He turned to the entrance of the wooden courtyard where a gryphon stood nervously.

"Greetings, Gryphon." He asked. "What is your business here?"

Jayk approached the large moose with confidence. "I... Would like to join your expedition."

The line of guards began to stifle their laughter. The captain turned to them with an angry look.

"Quit your laughing and get going! I shall meet all of you at the entrance." He instructed.

The soldiers left before their leader could say another word. Their loud chatter could be heard as they made their way down the large steps. The moose turned back to Jayk and looked him into the eyes.

"You must be quite brave to want to come with us." He asked calmly.

Jayk nodded. "My father is one of the missing members."

"I know," The captain said. "He was a good soldier. But I, Captain Woodstock, will bring him back."

"Wait!" Jayk said. "So I can't come?"

Woodstock shook his head. "I'm sorry, but it's too dangerous."

"I can fly above you! Y'know, keep a lookout for anything dangerous!"

"No, Jayk."

"I want to see the world, this could be my only chance."

The moose stared at Jayk, then took a step back and saluted.

"We will be back before you know it." He said, before marching quickly to the stairs.

Jayk opened his mouth to say something, but Woodstock was already gone. He stood in the empty courtyard for what seemed like hours. His only chance to go and see the lands beyond his home was now only a dream. A dream that'll never come true for years to come.

"That Woodstock is such a drag, isn't he?" A voice emitted from the capital building behind Jayk.

Jayk turned to see Lord Argon closing the main doors and limping towards him. He was missing an entire horn, in a hoof was a crutch made of fancy wood, and white bandages were wrapped around his head.

"I heard the whole conversation, and he's right, the world is dangerous. Not to mention unknown lands like The Echo." He said, quietly.

"I know, but-"

"He shouldn't have stopped you from going out there, it is what your heart desired."

"Yes, but-"

"Then go! See the world! Save your father!"

Lord Argon began to push Jayk to the side of the treetop. They pushed through the leaves until the light green colours opened up to reveal a beautiful sunrise. They were on a branch at the top of the tree, high enough to see miles and miles of land. Most of it was dense forest that surrounded the large clearing of ground in which Concordia stood. But past the forest was nothing but fields of grass, a few scattered trees, and an ocean in the distance.

"This is amazing." Jayk said, clearly in awe.

"This is where your journey begins, Jayk." Lord Argon said with a smile.

Jayk turned around to see his mother carrying a pair of saddlebags packed full of supplies for the travels.

"Mum! How did you know where we were?" Jayk asked, giving her a hug.

"Your father and I used to come here all the time when we were younger." She said, putting the luggage on Jayk's back.

Jayk stared into her eyes. "I'm going to bring dad back."

Brisk smiled and gave Jayk an even bigger hug, then at down to watch her son achieve what he wanted to do for so long.

"Jayk," Lord Argon said. "That group of soldiers are going to be walking all the way to Fawntaine, taking a boat to Gallopfrey Island, then arriving at Fillydelphia. They'll be meeting another group of soldiers under the order of Princess Celestia in Canterlot, then will be heading to The Echo." Lord Argon took a breath. "You, on the other hand, will be flying straight to Seaddle, taking a boat to Stableside, then staying in Ponyville until Woodstock and his men leave for The Echo. From there, I want you to follow them, but stay out of their sight."

Jayk took a second to mark points on a map that was supplied, then thanked Lord Argon for the info. He took a couple steps to the edge of the branch and looked down, he was able to spot Captain Woodstock by the shining golden armor he bore.

"Oh!" Jayk said suddenly, then turned to Brisk. "Say goodbye to Gunther for me, okay mum?"

Brisk nodded. "I will."

Jayk gave her one last smile, then jumped off the branch.