"Are you certain this is the way?" Majesty asked, looking at the deary landscape around them. "It's so dark and dismal around here. If I were a powerful human mage with phenomenal magic, this would be the last place I'd want to live." She carefully watched where she put her hooves, so as not to step in the filthy mud that surrounded them everywhere. "I'd use all that magical power to earn enough gold to buy a big and luxurious mansion... or something."
"Ahhh, but you don't understand how human warlocks think, Majesty." Hollywood explained smugly, fluttering over the unicorn's head. "They love dark and foreboding castles and slimy fortresses, it suits their evil disposition. There are plenty of creepy crawlies here to serve as minions, and carry out their evil whims."
"Well, this place sure fits the bill of being full of icky and creepy crawlies. " The princess replied, trying not to lose her lunch. "I just wish we didn't have to come here at all."
"Don't worry princess, well protect you from all the icky things." Thundercloud said proudly, trotting ahead of the two mares. "We big brother ponies aren't afraid of anything!"
"You got that right, buddy!" Ice Crystal agreed proudly, walking up beside his friend. "There's no monster in Ponyland we can't handle!"
The four ponies slowly climbed the path towards Rugmatot's old fortress, that curved around the towering peak in a swirling spiral. A cold wind blew over the shivering ponies, as occasional lightning flashed across the darkened skies. Occasionally, they would pass a dead tree on the path, each one of which housed a pair of ugly leering vultures, whose eyes seemed to follow the group's every move.
"Okay, this isn't totally creepy at all." Holly added,crossing her hooves over her chest in a desperate attempt to keep warm. "We're lucky we've got less than a mile to go, otherwise we'd catch a nasty chill out here."
"I can totally dig that, Holly." Ice Crystal agreed, trying to pick up his pace a little. "The sooner we get to that wizard's tower, the better."
"Then we're going to have to-" Thundercloud suddenly stopped in his tracks, his ears perking up. "Do the rest of you hear that sound?"
They all stopped for a moment, listening carefully for several minutes. At first, they all heard nothing but the soft moaning of the wind, but they soon picked up the sound of a small hoof breaking a twig on the path behind them.
"Somebody's following us." Ice Crystal whispered. "Girls, get behind us, we'll take care of whatever wizard Wantall has sent our way!"
The two mares zipped behind the stallions, who prepared themselves to tackle whatever came around the last bend. A long shadow was cast over the four equines, as whatever it was came around the side of the mountain path.
"Now!" Thundercloud cried out. "Get him!"
"AHHHHHHH!" The two stallions called out loudly, both jumping towards the intruder.
"AIEEEEE!" a young voice cried out, as the two stallions barely stopped themselves from pouncing on a earth pony half their size. To everyone's shock, they found themselves looking at a little blue colt, with a blue mane and horseshoe cutie mark. The startled youth had covered his eyes with his hooves, and he was currently cowering on the ground in front of them. "Please, don't eat me!"
"Awww, it's just some colt!" Thundercloud rolled his eyes, taking a step back. "Don't worry kid, we're not going to hurt you."
"Oh dear, what's a child doing out here all by himself?" Hollywood asked with concern. "He must've gotten lost out here on the unicorn run!"
"That, or his parents were abducted by the wizard, and this little colt managed to get away." Majesty trotted up to the small earth pony. "What's your name, little one? What are you doing out here?"
"My name's Lucky, and this place is my home." The little colt laughed, a smile crossing his face as his fear melted away. "It's kind of lonely around here, do any of you want to play with me?"
"Sorry kid, we're kind of on a rescue mission." Ice Crystal waved a hoof dismissively. "We don't have time for silly things like playing."
"Awww, you guys are no fun!" Lucky's ears drooped as he slowly began to trot away. "But I understand, I'll go find somewhere else to play, and leave you guys alone."
"Wait a minute, Lucky." Majesty stopped him, putting a hoof around the little colt. "You'd better stay with us, it could be a bit too dangerous out there for a little pony like you."
"Yipee! Thanks, lady!" The eager little boy pony began skipping around them in circles. "So, what you're names? Where are you guys from? Why'd you come here?"
The little colt asked a flurry of question the rest of the way up the mountain, which the other ponies did their best to answer. Majesty swore she had never met a pony child so curious or playful, but he seemed to dodge all of their questions about who he was, or where he was from. It wasn't long before the group found themselves at the very top of the peak, standing just outside the tower's ominous stone wall.
"Well, looks like we made it." Thundercloud stated, looking up at the impenetrable fortress. "So, anybody have any idea about how we're going to get in?"
"Ohhh, I know a secret way in!" Lucky offered eagerly, rushing over and pushing on a stone in the wall, causing the wall itself to swing open. "C'mon, I'll take you to your friends!"
"How could he know the way in?" Hollywood asked, before shrugging. "Huh, I guess we shouldn't look a gift pony in the mouth."
As the others trotted in, Thundercloud stopped Majesty just outside the entrance.
"Princess, you do probably realize this is a trap, don't you?" The stallion asked her. "I mean a friendly colt, coming out of nowhere, guiding us to a secret passage..."
"If we want to save our friends, we have no choice." The unicorn replied with a sigh. "We'll just have to be on our guard..."