//------------------------------// // Chapter 27: Show Me The Way // Story: The Pony Who Embraced The Darkness // by Zurvan //------------------------------// Chapter 27: Show Me The Way Shining Armor sets a hoof on grass. He looks behind him as he does. His rear hooves are still in the snow, they’ve finally made it out of the Frozen North. He takes a few steps forward and flops onto the grass. “Finally made we it through that snow!” Sweetie sits down in the grass near him and pulls the magical compass out of her saddlebag. “It’s still pointing southwest.” “This may not have been the best thought out idea.” Ash says. “I really thought that with the magic of the crystal heart we’d be moving faster than this.” Shinning says. “It’s almost like that Faust forsaken compass is leading us the longest way imaginable!” “Don’t look at me. I didn’t create the thing.” Sweetie says. “I’m just using it.” “If I remember my lore correctly Star Swirl the Bearded the made them.” Ash comments. “That makes a lot of sense.” Shining says. “Everything he made seems to work in the most inconvenient way possible. I mean who makes a portal that only opens once every 30 moons?” “A very bored lunatic?” Ash suggests “What’s sad is you’re probably not that far off.” “Too bad we can’t just teleport to where we’re going.” Sweetie says. “Wait! That’s it!” Ash says. “What?” Sweetie asks. “We can’t teleport exactly where we need to, but we can certainly get closer.” Ash says as he unfolds a map. “Here is Tall Tale, me and you have been there before we can use the magic of a couple of other unicorns to open a portal there. Then you can use the compass and we can go from there.” “I know the spell you’re casting.” Shining says. “And I’m almost as powerful as my sister was before she ascended, we should be able to do it with just the 3 of us.” Ash nods. “Alright, let’s do this then.” All three of their horns light up, Sweetie and Shining’s magic arches to Ash, then he focuses the energy and a portal opens up. “Go through, quick.” The soldiers quickly rush through, followed by Shining, Ash and Sweetie all at the same time. The portal collapsing behind them. Shining looks around.”It worked, impressive.” “I’ve used it before in practice, never over such a long distance.” Ash says. “Let’s see if we’re even close now.” Sweetie says as she pulls out the compass. “Well, we must be fairly close the compass is pointing almost due west.” “The Undiscovered West, terrific place to hide.” Shining says sarcastically. “Quartermaster, how are our supplies?” Ash asks. “We have plenty of everything for the time being.” One of the crystal ponies answers. Ash nods. “I suggest we keep moving, I don’t want Rarity waiting any longer than she has to.” “I agree.” Sweetie smiles trying to encourage the soldiers. “You heard the Commander.” Shining Armor says.”Let’s move.” “I’m not a commander you know.” Ash says. Shining grins. “Congratulations on your promotion, now move out.” Ash sighs. “Come on dear, we’d better move it.” Sweetie quickly follows after him. ========== Discord stops and looks east. “Did you feel that?” “Somepony unleashed a massive amount of power to the east, it didn’t feel like any of the alicorns.” Winter says. “You wait here, I’m going to investigate.” Discord says before vanishing, “Right.” Winter says then turns to the troops “Company halt!” ========= “Ash Fall is that you?” Discord asks as he appears beside the colt. “Discord! What are you doing here?” “I was just about to ask you the same thing.” “We heard the Rarity was taken, we’re here to get her back.” “And that lead you here how?” “This!” Sweetie answers as she holds up the compass. “One of Starswirl's compasses?” Discord asks. “Impressive.” “Now care to tell me why you are here?” Ask asks. “This pony who calls himself Lord Umbra attempted to harm Fluttershy, I’m here for revenge.” “Why does that name sound familiar?” Sweetie asks. “If I remember right that was the name Nymeria gave to her father.” Ash answers. “That’s right, they are one in the same.” Discord says. “And I’m going after him.” “Then we’ll help you.” Ash says. “Ash, what about my sister?” Sweetie asks, “You think I’ll let your sister suffer?” Discord asks. “I’ll help save your sister, then we can deal with Umbra, unless the two happen to coincide.” Sweetie hugs Discord. “Thank you, thank you.” “Whoa!” Discord says as pries her off him. “Ease up a little. Fluttershy would not like it if I did it any other way.” “Can you use your magic and make this go a little faster?” Sweetie asks. “I can bring your forces together with the ones that the princesses gave me, something here limits my powers.” Sweetie nods. “That must be very tough on you.” “I’ll do what I can with them.” “There you two are.” Shining Armor says. “What’s keeping...Discord?” “Ah, Shining Armor, that explains Sweetie’s new outfit.” Discord says as he taps Sweetie’s crystal armor. “And here I thought it was the latest in fashion accessories.” Sweetie says in her best imitation of her sister. “You’re making jokes?” Shining Armor asks. “We need to get moving so we can find Rarity.” “Oh Shining Armor, I’m here to help.” Discord says. “Round up your troops and I’ll teleport them a little further into the forest and then we’ll use the compass to go from there.” Shining nods and motions for his troops to gather around him. “Alright troops, Discord’s going to move us all again.” The troops all get into formation. “That was very quick.” Discord says. “So let’s go!” He snaps his fingers and they vanish. ========== Winter is waiting with Discord’s troops when Discord suddenly returns and speaks. “Hello.” “Uncle, you’ve returned!” Winter says then sees the others. “And you brought friends.” “Winter Spark, nice to see you again.” Ash says as he steps forward. “Ash Fall! Sweetie Belle!” Winter exclaims as he moves forward and hugs Ash, and then Sweetie. “I’m so very glad to see you both.” “We’re glad to see you too.” Sweetie says. “Where’s Nymeria?” “I’m right here.” Nymeria says as she steps through the soldiers. Sweetie goes and hugs her tight. “How did you two end up in the middle of all this?” Nymeria hangs her head. “I… I’ve been a very, very bad pony.” “Nymeria! Why would you say something like that?” “Because I was a spy for Lord Umbra until recently.” "All that matters is that you're on our side now." Sweetie says. "I couldn't have said it better." Ash nods in agreement. "Come on ponies." Discord says. "We got marching to do." The all sigh and start marching.