“Featherjoy, please be a dear and pass me the book ‘Ancient Equestrian Legends and Myths.’” called Researcher Artifact as she stared at three different books leaning on a table, covered in hastily scribbled notes. “I think we may be onto something here.”

“Really? What is it!” the small gryphon asked as she fluttered up to the top of a bookcase, sending a few loose pages flying across the room as she went. “Ahh!” shrieked the gryphon, grabbing the book from the shelf, the extra weight proving too much for her small wings. She frantically flapped them in a vain attempt to stop herself from falling from the book case, nearly dropping the book as she tumbled to the ground, landing in a small pile of books and notes on the floor.

“Oh, do be more careful Feathers, some of these books are over two hundred years old. We wouldn’t want to damage anything now.” said the cream coloured mare as she lifted the gryphon and the book up off the floor, adding the book to the others amidst the chaos on the table.

“Sorry Arty, I didn’t mean to fall. It was just too heavy.” said Featherjoy as she pawed at the floor, attempting to look innocent as her eyes looked everywhere but at the mare.

Chuckling to herself Artifact grabbed the cub and embraced her in a hug “Oh, how could I ever tell off a face like that? Now, shall we get back to work. I think we may be close to something here.” Opening up the book ‘Ancient Equestrian Legends and Myths’ the researcher pushed aside a small pile of old notes and cups of old stale coffee, revealing a massive map under all the chaos.

“Now, according to these books a few thousand years ago, before the rule of Celestia and Luna, even before the unification of the three pony tribes there was a large tribe of earth ponies called the Crail. They ruled over most of the area we now call Chicacolt, even heading all the way north towards what was then land ruled by the Gryphon Empire.” said Artifact as she pointed at the map as Featherjoy jumped upon to the table.

“So, if they expanded all the way around here, how come it was the other Earth pony tribe that went to join with the Unicorns and the Pegasi? What happened to them?” she asked as she sat on the table looking over the map.

“A very good question, but we’ll come to that later. The books point towards the tribe worshipping ‘several ponies of the earth, born with the magic of the ancients and the wings of the immortals’. These four ponies apparently had ‘mythical God-like powers’ at their disposal.” said the mare as she walked around the room, reading aloud to her companion.

“The same description appears in all four books, but they all only list one. Never detailing the other three. In ‘Mythical Myths’ it tells of a purple stallion with a blue mane called Phobos, in ‘Legendary Legends’ it describes a red stallion with a yellow mane named Aithon. In ‘Fictionial Fables’ we have a green stallion with a red mane called Konabos and finally in ‘Ancient Equestrian Legends and Myths’ it mentions a black mare with a white mane called Phlogios.” said Artifact as she pointed to each book in turn.

“Wait, these sound like Alicorns. Like the Princesses, but how come we’ve not heard about them before?” questioned the gryphon as she moved closer to get a better look at the books.

“We’ll, thats what we will have to find out. According to all the legends it says that each one ruled over the tribe alongside the other in perfect harmony, just like the two sister Princesses before the war, and that they brought peace to the region. The legends state that when ‘the four left the world they commanded their greatest to dig deep and return them to the earth’. And I think we may have one of these tombs nearby, if we can locate it just think of what we could learn of our history, of what was lost even before the Great War.” marveled the mare as she walked around the room, a big smile on her face at the prospect of finding something undiscovered for thousands of years.

“But, how’re we going to find these tombs? I guess they didn’t leave a map or anything...” asked Featherjoy as she walked up to one of the books, flipping through a few pages starting to read what was written within.

“That, my young apprentice, is half the fun. We’ve got all the information we need in front of us, we just need to piece it all together. So Featherjoy, what do you say? Do you want to help me dig up the past and see where it leads?” asked Researcher Artifact, a broad smile crossing her face.

Nodding at the mare the gryphon returned the smile “Yeah, lets find this place. I’ll go get Touch to give us a hand!” she said, leaping off the table and gliding out the door as she went off in search of her friend.

“So, what do we know so far?” said the Researcher as she walked around the room, notes covered nearly every wall surface and table space available. It’d been several days since the earth pony, gryphon and smooze began their search for the tomb of the four mythical god like ponies.

“Well, we’ve managed to find out that the centre of their worship happened primarily around this region, judging from what was found before. Just to the south of Arlington was one of their larger towns.” said Finishing Touch as he pointed a purple gloopy hand towards a point of the map. “But, nothing points towards any burial tombs or chambers anywhere.”

“Maybe the books are wrong? Something got mistranslated along the way...” suggested the mare as she flopped down in defeat in a chair, folding her forelegs on the table and resting her head against her hooves. “What’re we missing?”

“Wait, Arty, come look at this. I think I may’ve found something.” said the small gryphon as she leant over an open book, resting upon the table. “It says here ‘And so, on the end of days, when the Sun met with the Moon in the sky the four would rejoin with the earth at the ‘Mountain Of Rebirth’ There can’t be too many mountains around here?”

“Mountain Of Rebirth... No mountains around here by... Wait a second!” shouted Artifact as she jumped up off her seat, dashing over to the other side of the table grabbing a book from the shelves as she went. “There’s a small mountain range nearby, before the war it was famed for it’s population of Phoenixes.” said the mare as she flipped through the book “Yes, here we are. The locals named it ‘Rebirth Mountain’ for it’s high population of them. So that has to be it” she said as she placed the book next to the map on the table.

“So, we’re onto something at least. I feel it’s time to go and have a look at this mountain.” said Finishing touch as he smiled at the two, who nodded back.

Four days later, after traveling the long distance to Rebirth Mountain, the small group of would be explores set up camp at the base of the forest that covered the mountain in search for the entrance of the tomb. “Okay, everyones here, now. How do we get in?” asked Iron Sights, as the earth pony stallion looked around the small tent, his gaze lingering on the smiling face of his sister as she started to unpack a few books with Featherjoy and Touch on the other side of the table

“Right, well from what we know from our research the four ponies were buried somewhere inside that mountain. We’ve got a couple of leads that we can go on, we also know of several paths that the legends tell us the tribe used. So, I feel that will be our best place to start looking in the morning. We don’t want to be out here at night, I don’t trust the area.” Said Researcher Artifact as she placed the books on the small table.

Fluttering from the shoulder of Finishing Touch to land on the table, Featherjoy removed a small notepad from her pack. “Well we know that the tribe buried them ‘at the end of days’ whatever that means” she said as she flicked through the pad.

“It could mean the end of their calendar year? But why would they be buried or leave behind the tribe on just a year change?” suggested the smooze as he approached the table. “Something else must’ve forced these creatures to be buried.”

“Well, the legend said they had themselves buried when the sun met the moon in the sky, right Feathers?" said the cream coloured mare, glancing at Featherjoy as she leant on the table.

“Yeah, but it’s only in one book, it didn’t appear anywhere else.” said Featherjoy as she nodded back at the mare.

“So, a eclipse or some other kind of celestial event may have forced these alicorns to leave?” pondered the mare.

“Or, maybe the sun and moon in your little story are actually the first sightings of Princess Celestia and Luna?” mumbled Iron Sights as he cleaned his shotgun by the side of the tent.

“What was that Sights?” said Artifact as she looked up from the book.

“The sun and moon. Couldn’t they’ve been good old Celestia and Luna appearing for the first time? They could’ve appeared and freaked out the locals or something?” said Sights as he shrugged to the others.

“That’s a good theory, but why would Celestia and Luna appearing cause the others four to leave?” wondered the mare out loud.

“I have a feeling the only way we’re going to find out is when we find this tomb we seek. As to where ever it is, we do not know." said Finishing Touch.

“Wait a second, you say this mountain used to be known for its wildlife, namely the phoenixes?” asked Featherjoy, her beak buried in another book.

“Yes, the local town apparently did tours and studied them before the war. Why do you ask?” replied the researcher.

“Well I’ve been looking into more of the legend’s and one passage in particular I don’t properly understand, it was part of the instructions left by the four alicorns to their tribe. ‘Follow the path of the immortals, their shall you find the place of resting. Seek us here and you shall be given passage.’” read the gryphon as she pondered the meaning, looking up from her book she walked towards the other end of the table, dropping down from the table heading for the exit.

“Path of the immortals? But any path would’ve been destroyed by the war, not to mention the passage of times itself.” said Finishing Touch

“Might be another mention of this path in another book? I’ll start to look, but it’s getting dark, maybe we should get some sleep? We don’t all need to be up.” said Artifact as she walked to the collection of books she brought with her on the trip.

“Wait, everyone look! Up at the mountain.” Yelled Featherjoy as she jumped and fluttered her wings in excitement, hovering in place pointing at the mountain side.

Upon the mountain, the native but now slightly mutated Balefire Phoenixes nestled in for the night. But what they illuminated in their glowing majestic glory revealed the true meaning to the passage that bothered the young cub. Lighting up what appeared to be a winding trail amongst the trees leading to the top of the mountain, the original pathway lost to time long ago.

“By Celestia, that must be the Path of the Immortals, the birds still nest in the same place their ancestors did many years ago. This is amazing, simply amazing. Well, looks like we’ve got a trail to follow tomorrow.” said Researcher Artifact as she walked up to the entrance to the tent, gazing up on the beautiful sight of the nesting birds lighting the trail to the tomb.

Soon the whole mountain side was joined by many more of the irradiated creatures, returning from who knows where. Lighting up the whole area, bathing it in a eerie green glow. The four friends and soon to be explorers of ancient tombs settled down in each others company around a small but warm campfire, trading stories of adventure of days gone by and expectations of the future to come.

What they they didn’t know, is that as they slumbered for the night, they were being watched by the inhabitants of the mountain.

Daybreak seemed to come far too quickly for the group, as the sun rose from its slumber to take over the watch of Equestria from it’s sister the moon, the mountain side erupted in activity and noise. From every nearby tree flew a large flock of Balefire Phoenixes, flying over the camp and out into the Wasteland, what is left of the once beautiful land of Equestria.

“Oh, wow Touch. Look at all of them, aren’t they so pretty.” called out Featherjoy as she jumped around the small camp, eyes glued on the nearest phoenix as it circled the camp a few times, only to stop and hover staring directly at the cub.

“Be careful now Featherjoy.” warned the smooze as he walked towards Featherjoy “these are wild animals, we don’t want to scare them.”

“Why is this one just.. hovering their, what does it want? It after food or something, ‘cause it aint getting any.” said Iron Sights as he stared at the creature, who still flapped its great green and golden wings hovering in place above the camp.

“He’s so pretty.” said Featherjoy as she moved a little closer to the phoenix but with a shriek the he flew off deep into the forest, leaving the group and the camp behind.

“Aww, you scared him off Sights, another fan of your amazing personality it would seem.” said Artifact as she walked up beside her brother Iron Sights tapping him on the shoulder.

“Oh, harhar very funny.” said the stallion as he walked back into the tent “lets get ready to go, we don’t wanna be caught out here in the dark.”

Several minutes later standing at the edge of the forest, ready to go looking for the long lost tomb of the four alicorns were two ponies, a smooze and a gryphon cub. A stranger sight wouldn’t been seen on the mountain side for many years to come, but the group none the less entered the forest in search for the tomb.

“So, we’ve got a good idea of the entrance of the tomb. The trail lit by the phoenixes last night led about half way up the mountain, so if we follow the path that was lit last night we should find it quickly” said Iron Sights as he led the group heading up the mountain, his shotgun in his holster at his side.

Following right behind him was Researcher Artifact and Finishing Touch with Featherjoy on his shoulders, her eyes glued to the tree top in search of any sign of the inhabitants of the forest. The leaves rustled with the activity amongst them.

Several hours of travelling into the forest, a loud screech rang out from the tree tops as a green and golden phoenix swooped down in front of the adventures landing on a near by tree top. Squawking as it landed, staring straight at the gryphon still perched on the shoulders of the smooze.

“Oh hey, it’s the same phoenix as before. The one from the camp this morning.” called Featherjoy, pointing at the phoenix as he rested in the tree.

“What, how can you tell? They all looked the same.” said Sights as he looked back and forth between the cub and the phoenix.

“Well if it’s the same one, what does he want with us...” asked Artifact, scratching the back of her head in slight confusion.

“He’s maybe here to help us?” said Featherjoy as she jumped from the shoulders of Finishing Touch, walking towards the new arrival. As she closed in on the bird, it shrieked in what appeared to be approval and dropped from the branch circling Featherjoy. A single green feather fell from its wings, landing in front of the cub, then flying slowly deeper into the forest.

“He want’s us to follow him! Quick, come on before we lose him!” called the cub picking up the feather and putting it amongst her own on her head quickly, before running off after the phoenix.

“‘Joy, wait!” called the others as they all ran off after her, catching her up as they pursued the gryphon and the phoenix deeper into the forest.

After following the phoenix, the creature flying from one tree to the next leading the group further up the mountain and towards the tomb of the alicorns. They finally came across a vine and moss covered stone archway, leading what appeared to lead to the tomb, deep beneath the mountain of rebirth.

“Well what do we have here.” called Artifact as she came from behind the last of the trees.

“It would appear we’ve found the entrance of the tomb, our little green friend showed us the way after all.” said Finishing as he ruffled the feathers on Featherjoy’s head, the gryphon smiling back at her friend.

“Now for the fun part, lets see how we can get in.” said Researcher Artifact as she walked towards the archway, clearing away some of the vines.

Lighting up her PipBuck, she gazed into the darkness that awaited the group just past the archway, but the light was absorbed by the darkness before it could light anything up. “I can’t see anything down here, It’s far too dark. It’s almost as if the darkness is eating the light.”

“Hey, Arty. Come look at this.” called Iron Sights as he cleared away more of the vines covering the archway revealing some form on writing carved into the stone hidden beneath.

“Oh, wow... This, this is ancient Equestrian. The language that predated what we use today. If I’m reading this correctly.. and I’m not sure if I am. It say’s ‘to be allowed passage to the resting place of the gods, you must first be one with the immortals.’” said Researcher Artifact as she gazed upon the writing on the stone archway. “One with the immortals, hmm.”

“Well so far everything to do with the immortals in the legend has been the phoenixes. But, how do we become one with them?” said Finishing Touch as he moved towards the entrance to the tomb with Featherjoy close behind him.

As soon as the cub got close to the archway the feather upon her head glowed with a green magical light. Another squark was heard from the tree tops as their guide returned, landing upon the archway and spreading its glorious green and gold wings wide, lighting up the stone in some display of ancient magic. The phoenix once again gave a little shriek as it took off from it’s perch and flew around and down into the tomb entrance, lighting the way and several torches as he went.

Gasping in a strange mixture of delight and shock the small gryphon, Featherjoy turned around to the others, a broad smile covering her face. “Come on, lets see what’s in here” she called as she walked on. down towards the tomb.

Walking down the now green lit passageway, down into the tomb hidden deep inside the mountain, the passageway was covered in vines and moss, it hadn’t seen any travellers in many many years lying undisturbed by pony kind since time unknown.

At the end of the passageway lay a grand chamber, dimly lit only by the phoenix whom sat on a perch sticking out the backwall. The walls of the chamber depict a story, showing the arrival of the four god like beings and the expansions of the tribe of Crail under their rule.

“Oh, wow. This is rather interesting, it shows at least part of the story of the alicorns.” said the Researcher as she ran to the walls looking over it frantically “look, we’ve got the expansion of the tribe, looks like they annexed other tribes into their own, by it be by force or not. A bit of a bloody start..”

As Featherjoy walked into the chamber the phoenix feather on a top her head flared a bright green glow, lighting up the remainder of the chamber. At the sight of the cub, the phoenix flared out his left wing, pointing the way ahead and flying off down the passageway lighting more torches as he went.

“Ohh, looks like our friend has shown us the path once again. But, what’s he got with Featherjoy, he seems to only interact with her.” asked Iron Sights as he walked towards the passageway, following their new friend.

“Hmm, well maybe he just likes me?” said the gryphon as she looked up at Touch, making her way after her new phoneix friend with the rest of the group.

Following along after their newfound guide, the passageway that funneled the group along their path towards their final goal of finding the resting place of the four alicorns. The passageway walls themselves continued the story of the tribe, depicting a shadow falling upon the land causing destruction as it went.

“Oh oh oh, look. The stories continued on the walls. It.. it says ‘from the heavens fell a great stone. A great shadow of evil creeped forth from it, spreading and corrupting the land as it went.’ But it doesn’t say what it was...” said Artifact as she ran her hoof over the writing carved into the wall.

“A.. A great shadow... “ mumbled the smooze from the back, fear creeping into his voice as he thought about the ancient words carved into the passageway walls.

“Pardon Touch? What was that” said Artifact, turning to face the smooze

“Oh, ermm nothing. Just thinking over what you said about this horrible creature. It must’ve been some kind of horrible being to do this to the ponies...” said Finishing Touch as he looked around the room, avoiding the gaze of his friends.

“Ermm, okay. Lets see what else we have and where our brightly coloured friend went, shall we?” said the mare as she stared at Finishing Touch, starting to move back down the passageway, searching for the phoenix and what other secrets the tomb held within.

Opening up into another large room, their phoenix guide flared its wings again in greeting to the group as he flew around the room lighting a few torches along the walls and settled on the far side of the room. Squawking at the group and gazing straight at Featherjoy as she walked into the room with the others. As she crossed the threshold of the room once again the phoenix feather upon her head flared a vibrant green, bringing light to the whole room. A large, stone plaque sat in the middle of the room, engraved upon its face it continued the tale of the four alicorns.

“Lets see what this tells us.” said Researcher Artifact as she ran up to the stone plaque, once again running her hooves over the surface “It continues the story.. It says ‘The great shadow stretched across the land, bring destruction and death to all in its way. The great shadow, now a large creature of purple darkness, spoke of its intent to destroy all life to all who dared defy it.’”

“So, the story from the temple was true. This, this creature this tomb speaks of... It.. It’s me, or at least was something like me.” said the smooze as he started to shake in fear at the thought of the story, the story that showed a being like himself nearly destroying the world.

“What, what story?” Said Iron Sights as he moved up towards the smooze, only to be beaten to him by Featherjoy who jumped up to her friend, embracing him in a tight hug.

“No, it’s not true at all Touch! Remember what Star said, It’s up to you to decide who you are. No story or legend can tell you that.” she said as he returned the hug.

“But it tells the same story as the book did in the temple, it told of a creature like me or maybe it was me. That, it attempted to take over and corrupt the world.” he said as he looked away from Featherjoy who was still hugging him, tears starting to drip down her face.

“It... It does sound similar to the story here. But more is told, it tells of the four holding it back for a time.. Until ‘the Sun and Moon arrived, bringing with them the six Lights of Hope. One for each Moon and Sun, four bestowed upon our gods. Casting their light upon the shadow the being was purged back to the stone from what it emerged and casting it back to the heavens.’” said Artifact as she finished reading from the stone.

“Touch, this creature isn’t you. We may not know everything about you but you’re a good friend and a good career to young Featherjoy here. She wouldn’t be the same without you.” said Iron Sight as he walked up to the smooze, placing a reassuring hoof on his shoulder.

“Maybe you’re right..” mumbled Finishing Touch as he looked at his friends, returning encouraging smiles.

Dropping down from her friends shoulder, wiping her eyes as she landed, Featherjoy moved deeper into the room, the feather on her head lit up once more causing a green glow to surround a portion of the far wall as writing appeared on the surface.

“Ermm, Arty. What’s this...?” asked the gryphon as she moved closer.

“Ohh, ohh this just gets better and better!” she called as she hopped over to the new writing, joy almost dripping from her voice. “Hmm. Oh, I do love a bit of magic, ermm sorry.. It say’s ‘Only the one with the Blessing of the Immortals will open the way to the future’... I’ve an idea. So far this place has only responded to Featherjoy, ‘Joy could you please come here a moment.”

Nodding to the mare Featherjoy started to move towards the newly lit wall, as she drew near the surface the phoenix once again flared with wings and taking flight as it circled the room and landing on the stone plaque. Once the young gryphon got close to the back wall the section bathed in the new green light disappeared revealing a small book on a pedestal.

“I thought as much, you my little friend have the Blessing of the Immortals.. Whatever that means.” said Artifact as she patted the head of Featherjoy, walking into the new room and opening the book and reading from its pages. “Most of it tells of the burial of the four and how after they purged the shadow they fell into weakness and left this world. This bit’s interesting ‘After fire rains from the sky an ancient evil shall return to the land, only to be tempered by friendship and kindness.’ Now that sounds like someone I know...” She said, smiling at the smooze.

Touch moved up into the new chamber, the phoenix keeping a watchful eye on the smooze as he did so. “Does.. Does the book say anything else?” he asked as he placed a gloopy hand on the book. But once his hand touch the book a bright green flash of light pulsed out from the book, causing the phoenix to screech and fly around the room attempting to grab the book from the grasp of Artifact.

“Ahh, no you don't!” shouted the mare as she turned away from the phoenix, blocking its attack causing it to squark in anger before flying off deep into the tomb.

As the phoenix fled the tomb itself start to rumble and shake as the green lights surrounding the room started to go out one by one, the tomb crumbling around the group.

“Okay everyone, field trips over. We gotta get outta here, NOW!” shouted Iron Sights as the ceiling started to fall around him. Turning and running towards the rooms exit with the others, as they neared the passageway a door started to slowly slide into place attempting to block their escape.

“Oh crap.” called the stallion as sprinted to the door, attempting to slow it down to little effect. “If everyone would kindly vacate the room, that would be lovely!” he said as the others stared to file out of the room. Grabbing Featherjoy as she went, Artifact placed her on her back as she slid under the door followed by Touch and Iron Sights, ducking under the door as it slammed to a close.

“Lets keep moving, we need to get... “ started Iron Sights as he was interrupted by the sound of loud rumbling and stone grinding against stone as the top of the passageway started to slid back. “Oh what now!” finished the stallion.

“Well, I think it’s unwise to wait and find out, so lets go shall we?” said Finishing Touch as he helped Artifact and Featherjoy up off the floor, taking off down the hallway to escape the horrors now attempting to trap them all inside. A loud thud and a rumbling sound echoed down the passage as a large boulder fell from the newly opened ceiling, rolling towards the fleeing group.

“Oh great, that’s just great! Now a giant rock!” yelled Sights as he ran with the others from the giant boulder that now chased them towards the next chamber, the stone getting ever closer to its goal of crushing the explorers. The door ahead started to close like the one behind it, hoping to trap the group inside, to be crushed by the pursuing boulder.

“Gogogogogogo!” called out Artifact as she and the rest of the group jumped under the door into the next chamber. Landing in a pile made of each other, narrowly avoiding the pursuing boulder as it slammed and the door slammed to a stop, rocking the foundations of the room.

“Come out to the tomb, we’ll get together have a few laughs. Last time I listen to my sister..” mumbled Iron Sights to himself from the floor.

“What’s happening, why is this going on all of a sudden Touch?” asked Featherjoy as she picked herself up from the pile, staring at Finishing Touch.

“I don’t know, this all happened when I placed my hand upon the book. Maybe some kind of protective spell?” said Touch as he picked himself up “Seems like the tribe doesn’t like me very much if I caused all this...”

“Well, we should keep going. We’ve no idea what other little presents this place has in store for us.” said Iron Sights as he stood up from the floor, then moving to help his sister as well. “This always happens when you find some new place Arty, can’t you take me to a place that doesn’t start to fall apart at the end?”

“Well, yes. But then where would the fun be in that?” replied Artifact as she dusted herself off.

A bright flash of green light heralded the return of the phoenix this time joined by three others, flaring their wings they hovered in place in front of the group. The shaking of the tomb stopped as one of the phoenixes flew down, landing directly in front of Finishing Touch, staring directly into his eyes for several long moments.

“Touch, what is it...” asked Featherjoy as she moved towards her friend, only to be stopped as he held out a hand towards her.

“We mean you no harm... I do not mean you or this world any harm, if the tale that this tombs tells is true, then I’m sorry. But as the book we found said I’ve been tempered by the friendships I’ve found.” said Finishing Touch as he slowly lifted a hand up to the phoenix.

The phoenix eventually closed it eyes and leant into the outstretched hand, nuzzling it. The phoenix flew back up to rejoin with the others hovering in place above the group. A moment later several bright flares of multi-coloured magic flooded the room, as the phoenixes spun around bathed in the light and lowered to the ground. In their place stood four tall alicorns. Three stallions, one purple, one red and one green and one mare her coat black as the night.

“We’ve looked into your heart creature and found it not filled with the hatred of the Shadow of aeons passed.” said the black mare as she walked forward.

“But now filled with the kindness and love of those that surround you.” said the purple stallion, walking up beside the mare.

“The prophecy we foretold has come to pass, the creature we fought for so long has returned.” the red stallion said as he walked next to the others

“And has been tempered by the kindness and love of others, stopping his accent to evil.” said the final green stallion as he joined his brothers and sister.

“You.. You’re the alicorns of old. Phobos, Aithon, Konabos and Phlogios.” said Researcher Artifact as she pointed at the four alicorns that now stood before the group.

“Wait what, they passed away and were buried here after they used the Light thingies... How can they... You know what, I’m not even gonna think about it. I’ll leave that to you Arty.” said Iron Sights as he shook his head in slight confusion.

“Yes, Artifact, pony of earth. We are the ones who helped save this land with the ones you knew as the Sun and Moon.” replied the purple coated stallion, Phobos.

“As we wielded the Lights of Hope we poured our essence into the spell, sacrificing much of ourselves to save the world that was.” said the black coated mare, Phlogios.

“We pushed back the shadow, saving the world that was. But we did not survive, we returned our bodies to the earth, our magic to the heavens and our wings to the immortals.” the red coated stallion Aithon said.

“We return now to see that what was foretold came to pass and we may now rest, knowing that our duty is done.” said green coated stallion, Konabos.

“It’s true, I mean this world no harm. I just wish to live and to protect the ones I’ve come to call my family.” said Touch as he smiled at Featherjoy and the others, smiling back at his words, Featherjoy fluttered her wings, flying up to his shoulders.

“Yes, we see that now. The small one who received the Blessing of the Immortals, her heart holds great love for you Finishing Touch.” said Phlogios as she smiled at the two

“As long as she is with you, to temper your heart with kindness then the world shall know no fear from the Shadow.” Aithon said to the group.

“Keep her close and keep her safe, for the Blessed of the Immortals have a lot to give in this world.” said Konabos, staring at the gryphon.

“We must now go, our time upon this world is now spent. We pass our watch now to you Featherjoy of the gryphons, the newly Blessed of the Immortals.” said Phobos as he and the others moved back from the group.

Four bright lights filled the room once again, fully encompassing the four alicorns. The lights started to slowly rise as the four merged into one, bursting at it reached the top of the chamber the small sparks of light fell towards the small gryphon Featherjoy, still perched on the shoulder of the smooze. As the falling sparks reached the young gryphon they fell upon her, covering her in the same light that was the alicorns.

Once the glow faded from Featherjoy she didn’t seem any different, apart from the green phoenix feather that once nestled amongst her white feathers, now were four multi-coloured feathers. One purple, one red, one green and one black sticking out as if they were her own.

“‘Joy, your feathers!” called Artifact from behind the two, approaching them.

“What, what’s happened, what happened to my feathers?” said Featherjoy as she ran her claws through the feathers on her head.

“You’ve got some new ones, it’s the Blessing of the Immortals. The alicorns gave you a gift my friend, what it is. I do not know.” said Touch as he scratched just under the gryphons beak, making her giggle at the touch.

“Maybe the book will have more answers, I’ll have to study it when we get back to Arlington. Oh the Professors going to have fun hearing about this one.” said Artifact as she put the book back in her bag.

“Yeah, I think it’s time we leave this tomb. Let’s head home.” said Finishing Touch as he started to move towards the exit with the others.

“So, anyone care to explain how were they buried here, yet be the Phoenixes? I just don’t understand.” asked Sights as he ran walked with the others

“Well.. It’s all very simple Sights. Magic!” replied Artifact smiling at her brother as he shook his head, the sound of Featherjoy chuckling to herself from her perch filling the chamber.

The journey back down the mountain was a quiet affair, upon leaving the tomb the group found that the mountain side was once again lit by the presence of the native balefire phoenixes. The one’s lining the path leading from the tomb seemed to dip their heads at the group as they walked by as a sign of respect to the newly Blessed of the Immortals.

“So, what does this Blessing mean?” asked Featherjoy as she jumped down from the smooze, landing in the camp.

“We don’t know, but we’ll find out, trust me.” said Touch as he walked towards the tents.

“We’ll see what we can find when we get back. Don’t worry Feathers, we’ll find out what you’ve been given.” said the researcher as she walked past into the camp. “But I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m gonna get some sleep. It’s been quite the day”

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I’m knackered.” yawned Iron Sights, moving towards the tents of the camp.

“Too much thinking for your liking Sights?” joked Artifact from the entrance to her own tent.

“Well next time you come to me asking for help when you go off raiding tombs or whatever, I think I’ll pass. Being crushed by a giant boulder isn’t in my job description.” complained Iron Sights as he walked into his tent.

A few hours later, as the moon hung highly in the sky one member of the group found himself unable to sleep. Sitting alone, gazing upon the tomb that told of how a creature just like himself nearly plunged the world into darkness and death, worrying what the future held for him and his newly found friends.

“Touch, what’s wrong. Why aren’t you asleep?” asked Featherjoy as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

“Oh, ‘Joy. It’s nothing. Just thinking about what happened today. This story, it seems to follow me like a curse. Yet I have no recollection of it myself. If what the alicorns in the tomb say is true, then it was me all those years ago. I was the one who nearly destroyed the world.” said Finishing Touch as he looked upon Featherjoy and her new coloured feathers resting upon her head.

“It may’ve been you all those years ago, but now you’re not like that. And that’s what matters, it’s up to you to make your life what it is.” she said as she moved up next to her friend. “and like the four alicorns said, as long as we’re with you you’ll be fine.”

“Yes, indeed my friend. As always you’re right.” he said as he picked her up in a hug.

“Of cause I am. Now, lets get some sleep.” said the gryphon as she dropped down from her friend and walking back to the tents.

The morning arrived just like any other but the phoenixes this time didn’t leave the mountain, instead they lined the edge of the forest, watching as the group prepared to leave the Mountain of Rebirth.

“You know what, I’ll be so glad when we get outta here and away from the annoying birds! Just sitting there, watching us. I tell ya it’s down right creepy...” complained Iron Sight as he helped break down the camp with the others.

“I think there just watching me, making sure we get home safely. They don’t mean us any harm.” said Featherjoy as she looked at the tree line and the phoenixes inhabiting them.

“Yes, well I think it’s time we headed home” said Finishing Touch as he loaded the last of the packs onto the cart, as the group headed away from the mountain the phoenixes of the mountain let out a final loud squawk as the blessed left the mountain.

“So, that’s when the four alicorns disappeared in a bright flash of light, turning into little stars that fell into me. That’s when I got these!” said Featherjoy as she pointed to the new feathers on her head. Having returned back to Arlington several days later, Featherjoy and Finishing Touch found themselves in the office of Professor Osmosis telling him tale of what happened at the mountain.

“So, you’ve received this Blessing of the Immortals from four long dead alicorns? Well it sounds like I’ve missed quite the trip.” chuckled Osmosis as he sat at his desk.

“Artifact’s going to look into what else she can find out about what this blessing does and what else these four alicorns did, the fact we know so little about them is odd. You think someone else would’ve found out about them.” said Finishing Touch

“Well, sounds like you’ve got some work to do.” said the professor as he smiled at the small gryphon.

With more knowledge of his past, but the future still uncertain, Finishing Touch looked upon what favours he’d been given. A unusual but loving family, a family who cared for him and who he cared for himself. A friend who’d go to the end’s of the earth with him to find out about his past, a friend who would do anything for him, a friend who would risk her own life to protect his. A friend who was now the newly Blessed of the Immortals.

As the three friends sat their, telling of their adventures in the tomb, the soft voice of Sweetie Belle floated out of the radio resting on the cluttered desk of the professor. Singing of a time lost long ago, but a time not unlike their own. A time of uncertain futures where all you needed to get through was a good friend at your side to guide you along the right path.

Well here we go, my second chapter. This has once again been a lot of fun to write, seeing our little band of explorers finding out more about the smooze and ancient alicorns but what’s to follow and what’s this Blessing of the Immortals that poor little Featherjoy’s gone and gotten herself.