I have heard many stories throughout my life. But the one that always intrigued me the most was a story about the existance of a mysterious magical pearl. It was said to contain an incredible amount of power, enough for any creature to rule the world with. Many had knowledge about this magical artifact. Some thought of it as just a myth while others believed that it was real. The pearl's abilities are unknown, and it's whereabouts had remained a complete mystery for a very long time. Many had journeyed across the world in search for this legendary pearl, but none had ever succeeded.
One day I decided to sail across the seas, hoping to find this magic pearl for my kingdom. It was a long journey, but I eventually stumbled upon a small island on the east part of the world. That's where I found a gigantic cave, shaped like a black skull that looked as if it used to belong to a giant crocodile. Out of curiosity, I entered the cave and walked through a long dark tunnel. Many minutes later I found a small stone pillar in front of a giant stone door at the end of the tunnel. On the pillar laid what seemed like a rock, shaped like a perfect circle. The moment I touched it with my claw, the center of the rock started glowing brighter than anything I had ever seen. The light dimmed down after a few seconds and revealed a pink glowing ball on the stone pillar. I soon realized that I had found the magic pearl that I've been hearing about all my life. I took it with me out of the cave, realizing that leaving it there for the taking could put the world at great risk.
I arrived back home in my kingdom and showed the pearl to the other hippogriffs. I explained how I found it and my reasoning for taking the pearl. Everygriff on Mount Aris was moved and astonished by my act of bravery and selflessness. The hippogriffs decided to crown me as the new ruler of their kingdom, for my noble efforts of keeping the pearl safe with our kind.
The pearl has remained safely with the hippogriffs ever since. And I, Queen Novo, have ruled over my kingdom with kindness, compassion and loyalty for many years.
''The end.'' Queen Novo said before closing the large book. She looked down to her right, where a light yellow hippogriff with a baby blue mane and a small pink flower close to her ear sat next to her. A white hippogriff with a dark pink mane wearing silver armor stood close by their side.
''That was a great story, mom,'' Skystar said with a bright smile, ''You should become a writer one day.''
''Why thank you, sweetheart,'' Queen Novo said with a playful giggle, ''But you must know that I only wrote this book for you as a reminder of what it truly takes to be a queen.''
''An adventurer who travels the world going on epic quests?!'' Skystar asked eagerly.
Queen Novo giggled, ''Not exactly.''
''Then what is it?'' Skystar asked while tilting her head to the side.
''It's about being brave, loyal and kind for your kingdom,'' Queen Novo explained, ''And most importantly, you must be willing to put the lives of others before your own.''
''Wow. Sounds like this whole ''being a queen'' thing is a really big responsibility.'' Skystar said.
''Well, it's like my mother used to tell me,'' Queen Novo said, ''A queen is always given a great power. And with that great power, comes great responsibility.'' She explained in a very regal voice.
Skystar gave a mom a slightly hesitant look.
''Something wrong, sweetie?'' Queen Novo asked her.
''Well, I'm just not sure if I'm ready for that yet.'' Skystar explained hesitantly.
''Awww, Don't worry. There's still plenty of time before that day comes,'' Queen Novo explained reassuringly, ''I understand that it's a lot to take in right now, but I know that eventually you'll grow up into the queen everygriff needs you to be.''
A small smile appeared on Skystar's face, ''Thanks, mom.'' She and Queen Novo both gave each other a warm hug.
Their moment was interrupted when they heard hoofsteps inside the room. Skystar and Queen Novo looked over at the door, where they saw a blue hippogriff walking in. He had a white mane and wore golden armor from around his neck up to his head.
''Sky Beak, what's wrong?'' Queen Novo asked when she noticed the unusual look on blue hippogriff's face.
''Your highness,'' Sky Beak said as he saluted his queen, ''There's a wounded creature at the gate, asking if he may come in. What are your orders?''
''What kind of creature?'' Queen Novo asked.
''I don't know, I've never seen it before.'' Sky Beak answered while still saluting.
Queen Novo got up from the stone bench and looked over to the white hippogriff next to Skystar, ''Feather Wing, watch Skystar for me.''
''Yes, your highness.'' Feather Wing replied while saluting Queen Novo.
''Why can't I come too?'' Skystar asked curiously.
''We don't know if this creature might be dangerous, sweetheart,'' Queen Novo responded, ''Until we do, you must stay here.''
Skystar watched her mom leave the house along with Sky Beak and sighed to herself, ''Okay.''
Queen Novo and Sky Beak reached the entrance to their kingdom. That's where they saw a tall grey bird looking creature standing behind the bars of the gate. He wore a torn blue coat with golden buttons and had a long tail with a big grey feather at the end. His beak was grey, his eyes dark yellow with pupils that were black and grey.
''Are you okay?'' Queen Novo asked the bird.
''No....I'm not....'' The grey bird responded in a huskey, yet weak sounding voice. He struggled to stand on his legs, forcing him to grab a hold of the bars of the gate in order not to fall to the ground.
"What happened to you?" Queen Novo asked again worriedly.
"I....don't know..." The grey bird answered, sounding slightly weaker than before. He tried to remember, but suddenly groaned and placed his claw against his forehead.
''What's wrong?'' Queen Novo asked.
''My head.....It hurts.'' The grey bird responded as he held his claw against his forehead.
''My goodness,'' Queen Novo said before turning her head to the guards close to her, ''We must help this poor creature. Open the gate.''
Two hippogriff guards grabbed the bars on the left side of the gate and pulled with all their might. Queen Novo went over to the grey bird as soon as she was able to walk through the small opening of gate. She grabbed the wounded creature by the arm, placed it over her shoulders and helped him stand up. All the hippogriffs stared at Queen Novo and the grey bird as they both walked into the Hippogriff Kingdom.
''Thank you.'' The grey parrot said as he held onto Queen Novo's shoulder.
''Don't mention it,'' Queen Novo responded with a friendly smile, ''I couldn't just leave you there like that.'' The grey bird gave her a little smile as a response.
''Where exactly am I?'' The grey bird asked when he took a good look at his surroundings.
''You're on Mount Aris,'' Queen Novo answered, ''And this is our kingdom.''
''Kingdom?'' The grey bird asked.
''That's right,'' Queen Novo said in a friendly manner, ''And I am Queen Novo, queen of the hippogriffs.''
''It's a real honor to meet you,'' The grey bird responded, ''And I must say that you live in quite a beautiful place. As far as I remember, I don't think I've seen anything like it.''
''Why thank you,'' Queen Novo responded, ''And what's your name?''
''I.....don't know,'' The grey bird answered, ''I'm not even sure if I remember anything about myself. Something must have caused me to lose my memory.''
''I see,'' Queen Novo said, ''I think I have just the solution for that.''
''You do?'' The grey bird asked curiously.
Queen Novo nodded to the grey bird with a friendly smile, ''I'll show you what I mean.''
Queen Novo led the grey bird to a house made of rocks close to the cave of the mountain. Once inside, she gently placed the wounded bird on a bed, also made out of rocks. Queen Novo walked to a tall shelf inside the house and grabbed a small wooden chest. She opened it, reached her claw inside and revealed a magic pearl.
The grey bird looked surpised as soon as he saw the magic pearl in Queen Novo's claws, ''What is that?''
''That's not important,'' Queen Novo answered while looking hesitant, ''Now, hold still. This will only take a moment.''
The guards stood back and watched Queen Novo rub her claw over the pearl. A bright light began to shine from the center and soon a series of magical strings emerged from the glowing ball. The pearl's magic made it's way over to the bird's body and started circling around him, eventually forming into a bright orb that consumed the wounded creature.
While inside the orb, the grey bird began to see many moving images of armored creatures, a tall, white haired baboon looking thing carrying a wooden staff with a weird crown on his head, and a small purple pony with a broken horn. They all seemed to be conquering a big town located in the middle of a desert, which was inhabited by all sorts of different creatures. The town's inhabitants got overwhelemed by the armored creatures in seconds. Soon he saw himself being confronted by the tall baboon and the small purple pony. He could see the fear in his own eyes and saw himself cowardly running away from the two creatures and out of the town. He reached an airdeck and made his escape via a small flying boat. Right before he could watch himself get away, the small purple pony showed up at the air deck. She shot lightning from her horn and against the small boat, causing it to get electrocuted along with himself. He lost conciousness and fell down on the small boat as it flew towards a big mountain far away in the distance.
The glowing orb that surrounded the grey bird slowly disappeared right in front of their eyes. The hipporgriff guards inside the house all looked surprised at what they saw. The scars had been healed, the torn blue coat with golden buttons was fixed and the burn marks had also completely vanished from the grey bird's body. He opened his eyes, got up from the bed and looked around in a panicky manner.
''It's okay,'' Queen Novo said to him, ''I have healed all of your wounds and restored your memory back to normal.''
The grey bird quickly jumped out of the bed and looked at Queen Novo, ''I need your help!'' He said, suddenly talking in a more huskey voice than before.
''Calm down, my friend,'' Queen Novo asked, taken back by his sudden reaction, ''What's the matter?''
''My name is Callidus,'' The grey bird explained urgently, ''I'm the mayor of Klugetown. And there's a big baboon along with his army trying to-!''
Before Callidus could finish explaining, they heard a loud explosion coming from outside.
''What was that?'' Queen Novo asked. Suddenly another hippogriff guard bursted into the house.
''Your highness, our kingdom is under attack!'' The guard shouted.
''What?!'' Queen Novo said in shock.
''A whole army of strange creatures and a small purple pony with a scar have blown up the gate,'' The guard answered, ''It seems they're following the orders of a giant white baboon with a weird crown and wooden staff!''
''Got it,'' Queen Novo said before looking over to Callidus, ''You stay here where it's safe, I need to go help the others protect our kingdom from this baboon and his army!''
Callidus watched Queen Novo and Sky Beak leave the home in less than a second. He quickly ran after them without a second thought.
A horde of grey creatures with white fur over their faces stormed into the kingdom through the blown up gate. All of them wore the same black armor, marked with a light blue symbol on the shoulders. Their faces were covered with the same pointy masks while blue lights glowed through the small holes where the eyes would be. They had armed themselves with black spears and shields. Every hippogriff guard immediately sprung into action and tried to stop the creatures from entering their kingdom. The spears of the hippogriffs began to clash with the tall grey spears of the armored creatures. Queen Novo and Sky Beak arrived to witness the battle.
''ENOUGH!!'' A female voice suddenly shouted out loud. Many lightning bolts got shot out into the sky from behind the horde of grey creatures. Everyone was immediately silenced and stopped fighting each other to see where the lightning was coming from.
A dark purple unicorn squeezed through the horde of armored creatures. She wore the same kind of armor as the other creatures, a big scar could be seen on her right eye and half of her horn was missing. Following behind her was a tall, white baboon looking creature, also wearing the same armor as the purple unicorn and the grey hairy creatures. He had a small black crown on his head and carried a long wooden staff with a light blue crystal at the tip. Both the unicorn and the tall baboon creature stopped in the middle of the battlefield.
''Callidus went this way, your excellency. I'm sure of it.'' The purple unicorn said to the tall baboon.
''Well well, this is quite a unique looking place,'' The tall baboon said in a suprisingly goofy voice as he observed his surroundings, ''I should keep this in mind if I decide to move somewhere else. Nice work, Tempest.''
''Who are you?!'' Queen Novo asked sternly.
''My my, Is that how you greet your guests?'' The tall baboon asked casually, ''For your information, I am the Storm King. And soon, I will rule this world with an iron fist.''
''And what do you want from us?!'' Queen Novo asked.
''I'm looking for something to power up this staff right here,'' The Storm King answered before noticing the magic pearl in Queen Novo's claws, ''And once I do, I will be the awesome king that this world deserves.''
''Then why did you come here?!'' Queen Novo said after she quickly hid the pearl under her wing, ''We don't have anything you want.''
''Why?'' The Storm king said, he showed a sinister smile and pointed his right finger at Callidus, ''Why, I just followed the lead of that grey bird over there, of course.''
''What?!'' Queen novo said before immediately turning her attention over to Callidus, who was already sweating nervously.
''That's right, your new 'friend' led me straight to your kingdom.'' The Storm King explained.
''Don't listen to him!'' Callidus quickly said, ''That ridiculous creature is just trying to-''
''SILENCE!!'' Tempest shouted as she shot lightning from her horn and towards Callidus and Queen Novo. The lightning only barely missed Queen Novo and hit Callidus instead, causing him to fly a few feet away. He hit the ground and instanly lost conciousness.
''Thank you.'' The Storm King said to Tempest.
''He was helping you this whole time?!'' Queen Novo asked, still in denial about the revelation.
''I guess you could say that,'' The Storm King said while a sinister grin could be seen on his face, ''Now, hand over that magic little pearl you're hiding under your wing and no one will get hurt. But if you refuse.....Well, then I'll still take it from you anyway. So technically, you don't have a choice.''
''I see how this is,'' Queen Novo said, talking with a more serious tone in her voice, ''You and him are just like the ones I've heard about, greedy souls who want to use the pearl's power for themselves!''
''My my, what a rude accusation,'' The Storm King said, pretending to be offended, ''.......But you're right. Storm guards, ATTACK!!'' The storm guards all immediately rushed into the kingdom.
''Defend our kingdom at all cost!'' Queen Novo commanded to all the hippogriff guards.
A chaotic battle between the hippogriffs and the storm guards ensued on Mount Aris. Spears clashed against each other, pieces of armor were getting knocked around and rocks from the houses began to litter the whole kingdom.
Queen Novo gasped when she thought about Skystar still being inside her home. She quickly rushed over to Sky Beak, who just managed to fight off one of the storm guards.
''Sky Beak, take the pearl with you to the cave of the mountain!'' Queen Novo said before handing over the pearl to the armored hippogriff, ''I need to get Skystar, meet us at the pond inside the cave!''
''Yes, your highness!'' Sky Beak shouted. He hid the pearl under his wing and rushed to the cave of the mountain while Queen Novo flew to her home as fast as she could.
''Skystar!'' Queen Novo said out loud when she entered her home.
''I'm here, mom,'' Skystar said, looking suprised at her mom's panicky face, ''Is something wrong?''
''We've gotta go, sweetie.'' Queen Novo said. She quickly grabbed Skystar by her arm and ran out of the house with her and Feather Wing
''Go to where?'' Skystar asked as Queen Novo led both her and Feather Wing to the cave of the mountain.
''To Seaquestria, where you'll be safe!'' Queen Novo answered.
''Safe from what?'' Skystar asked.
''I'll explain everything later,'' Queen Novo quickly answered as they both entered the cave, ''Just go with Sky Beak to Seaquestria and do as he says. Understand?'' Skystar nodded nervously.
Queen Novo, Skystar and Feather Wing ran further into the cave until they ended up at a big pond. On each side was a statue, shaped like the head of a hippogriff. Water flowed down from their heads as if it were a mane. A small water fall streamed down from the wall behind the pond. Queen Novo saw Sky beak waiting for them with the pearl still in his claw.
''Sky Beak, take my daughter down to Seaquestria and keep her safe!'' She commanded. Sky Beak saluted her without saying a word.
''Uh, question. How exactly are going to get to Seaquestria?'' Skystar asked curiously, ''None of us can breathe underwater.....I think.''
''Don't worry, sweetheart,'' Queen Novo said, trying to sound reassuring, ''We got that part under control. Now, get into the pond with Sky Beak.''
Skystar and Sky Beak did as they were told and jumped into the pond. Queen Novo rubbed her claw over the pearl as a series of magical lines emerged from the center, which headed over to the two hippogriffs in the water. The pearl's magic circled around them through the water. Their claws turned into fins, the wings shrinked and became see through. Their back legs merged together and turned into a tail of a fish.
''Wow! I didn't know the pearl could do that!'' Skystar said excitedly while checking out her new fins and tail. She swam around in the water, jumping up and down like a dolphin while giggling playfully.
Queen Novo smiled a bit at her daughter's enthusiasm before looking at Sky Beak, ''Sky Beak, lead my daughter down to Seaquestria, she'll be safe inside the underwater castle. Then come back here to the surface as soon as you can.''
''Understood,'' Sky Beak responded before looking at Skystar, ''Stay close to me, Princess.'' He commanded before he swam down into the water.
''Good luck, mom!'' Skystar said before going after Sky Beak.
''Thanks.'' Queen Novo said with a slightly worried look. She quickly turned around and headed back to the kingdom with Feather Wing.
Queen Novo looked shocked when she exited the cave and saw the violence happening before her eyes. The weapons of the storm guards and the hippogriffs still clashed against each other, their bodies full of scratches and wounds. The hippogriffs seemed to have put up a good fight against the large number of storm guards, but it was clear to her that they were completely outmatched, especially by Tempest, who seemed to be capable of holding her own against at least three of her guards at once.
''Everygriff retreat to the cave! That's an order!'' Queen Novo shouted out loud. Her voice echoed throughout the kingdom.
All the hippogriffs on Mount Aris immediately did as their queen commanded and retreated to the cave of the mountain, all while still trying to fend off some of the storm guards that pursued them. The Storm King watched everything happening with a gleeful smile on his face.
While the hippogriffs were retreating back into the cave, no one noticed Callidus slowly regaining his consciousness. He opened his eyes, stood up and watched the storm guards running towards the cave. He quickly fled to the exit of the hippogriff kingdom without anyone noticing. Outside of the kingdom he was met with a big air ship hovering in front of the mountain. The ship looked noticeably like the ones he remembered from Kludgetown, only this one had the same symbol carved on top as the one on the Storm King's chest armor. With just enough energy to spare, Callidus made a jump to one of the spare boats that hung on a thick rope under the ship. He clinched his claws onto the wooden boat and held onto it with all his might. The wounded bird climbed aboard, untied the rope and held on tight as he fell down on the spare boat. The boat hit the water of the ocean with a big splash. Callidus noticed a small island with something black on it far in the distance. He grabbed the wooden oars inside the boat and rowed in the direction of the island as fast as the big waves of the water would allow.
Tempest shot lightning from her horn at one of the hippogriff guards that was trying to get away. He only barely managed to dodge the attack as the lightning struck above the cave's entrance instead, causing multiple rocks to fall from the tip of the mountain. The rocks crashed in front of the cave, forming a big pile that blocked the entrance and caused the mountain itself to shake uncontrollably for a few seconds.
The Storm King gave Tempest a disappointed look and shook his head, ''You have trained so hard. And yet, you disappoint me at the very last moment.''
''Forgive me, your excellency,'' Tempest responded as she bowed to the Storm King, ''I promise I'll make it up to you.''
''Tempest Tempest Tempest,'' The Storm King said in a disappointing manner, ''It's almost as if you don't want me to restore your horn or something.''
''But I do, your excellency,'' Tempest begged him, still in a bowing position, ''More than anything.''
''Then you're seriously gonna have to step up your game and find something that can power up my staff,'' The Storm King explained while pointing the crystal of the staff at the dark purple unicorn.
Tempest stood back up and looked doubtful for a second, ''I.....I believe there's another way.'' She said hesitantly.
''This better be good.'' The Storm King said as he crossed his arms.
''There are alicorn princesses who live in a city called Canterlot,'' Tempest explained, ''They hold more power than any creature in the world. If we can absorb their magic into your staff, you'll be unstoppable.''
''Ooohhh, I like the sound of that,'' The Storm King said while looking intrigued, ''Very well. If you capture these princesses for me and give me their magic for my staff, then I'll fix that little horn of yours.''
''Thank you, your excellency.'' Tempest responded.
''But I warn you, Tempest,'' The Storm King said as his face got really close to Tempest's, ''If you fail me again, you'll end up with more than just a broken horn.''
''I won't let you down.'' Tempest said, trying to sound tougher than she felt.
''Great! Now, back to the ship,'' The Storm King said before he started walking back to their airship, ''I need to do some stretching back at my castle. Taking part in such an exhausting fight really takes it out of me.''
''Right. Watching a battle, how exhausting.'' Tempest whispered to herself sarcastically.
''What was that?'' The Storm king asked sternly.
''N-Nothing, your excellency.'' Tempest quickly responded. She followed the Storm King and the storm guards back to the airship.
Sky Beak used the magic pearl to turn the last few hippogriffs into seaponies as they sprang into the water of the pond. Together they swam into the depths of Seaquestria and made their way through a series of dark tunnels until they ended up at a big underwater castle, which hung on the ceiling in the middle of an open area.
''I think that's everyone, your majesty.'' Sky beak said as he and the last hippogriffs entered the main room of the castle.
''Thanks.'' Queen Novo responded as Sky Beak handed the pearl over to her.
''Are you okay, your majesty?'' Sky Beak asked, noticing the cold tone in the queen's voice.
''I can't believe I was foolish enough to trust that traitorous bird,'' Queen Novo responded, ''I let you all down.''
''Don't blame yourself,'' Sky Beak said, ''None of us could have known what he was up to.''
''I guess that's true.'' Queen Novo said. She looked down at the pearl in her fins, watching it shine underwater. She couldn't help but ponder about what just happend, how one naive act of kindness could have led to such a disaster.
''But hey, at least we're safe now, right?'' Sky Beak reassured her.
''Yeah,'' Queen Novo responded, still clearly lost in thought, ''I guess you can never know who to trust, besides your own kind.''
Sky Beak looked concerned, ''So, what do we do now?''
''We will stay down here........forever.'' Queen Novo answered strictly.
''Forever?!'' Sky Beak said out loud, ''But what about our kingdom? We can't just-''
''I KNOW!'' Queen Novo shouted before he could finish, ''But it's the only way to keep everyone and the pearl safe from the outside world. From now on, we must only look out for ourselves.''