-At the start of the Journey-
Laguna found himself lying upon aquatic like flooring. “Okay, this is new.” The man eased himself into a sitting position, the last thing he could remember was the scene of Speed being frozen solid...that was set on a loop for some reason.
“Worry not, we are here to aide you.” A female voice said. Laguna looked around and found a majestic Alicorn with a dark blue coat and a starry mane descending from the sky.
“And who might you be?” Laguna asked worriedly reaching for his gun...which was now gone.
“We are Princess Luna, half of what is known as Nightmare Moon.” The mare said giving a stern look.
“Nightmare, I heard that Celestia had to fight her not too long ago.. How do I know your not here to attack me when I have no weapon?”
“We are the light within...We have come to aid thee with thy nightmare.” Luna said
“Ok then…I guess I don't have to tell you what it is then?” Laguna asked getting a nod from the mare. “So what can you help me with then?”
“Tis not your fault, though you may think otherwise… It's more or less our fault.” Luna said as her ears dropped. “The fiends are a new creed, brought upon by our return…”
“What do you mean?” Laguna had lost all tension, and was now in rather rapt attention.
“When we returned, as Nightmare Moon, the fiends of the moon came with us… If we could of sealed them we-”
“You weren't in control of yourself right?” Laguna asked as he took a seat on the floor. “So it’s not your fault...just like how you said Speed’s death wasn’t mine.”
“You are wise...Maybe we shall visit you more often.”Luna said with a smile.
“Hey, if it keeps you sane, then sure.” Laguna said with a shrug.
The world suddenly grew darker. “We shall meet again, but it seems the demon has found us.” Luna said igniting her horn causing a flash.
Laguna shot right up from his bed. “That was a strange dream…”
“Hey get up! Celestia is holding a meeting and she wants you to be there.” A female voice said that came from the other side of the tent’s flap.
“Ok...” Laguna said with a languid stretch, he moved to put on the shirt and jacket he came into this world with.
As Laguna walked into the main tent, he found Rainbow and the pie sisters were there as well. “Good everyone is here.” Celestia said as she sat right in front of a map as Laguna took a seat next to Maud.
“You seem tired.” Maud commented.
“It’s nothing.” Laguna said keeping his weird dream to himself.
“Anyway, Twilight was able to ascertain the location of a Guardian Force.” Celestia said. She pointed her hoof at the map. “Here, lies the Guardian named Ramuh. It's on the edge of the Badlands.”
“And you want us to go get it?” Rainbow asked.
“Precisely. With all your combined talents you four are the perfect team...unless you think this to much. I could always ask Lightning Dust?” Celestia asked with a wink.
“Like that bird brain could do better.” Rainbow spat. “I’m in.” Rainbow said putting her hoof in the middle...only to look at her companions with mild annoyance. “Hey don't leave me hanging.”
Laguna rolled his eyes before putting is hand on top of Rainbow’s followed by the Pie sisters. “Well then, all of you should get your things ready.” Celestia said smiling at the scene. “Now, my assistant Raven will fill you in on the more finer details.” Celestia made her way out and turned to look back to the group. “I do have other things to work on.”
With confused looks, they left and found that Raven had been waiting for them.
“Now then, due to the storm being as strong as it is, you'll be using the emergency cave systems.” She explained, not once looking up from her clipboard.
When she final looked up she saw that Laguna was the only one still listening. “At least I told the person in charge of the group.” She shook her head in disapproval.
“I’m in charge?” Laguna asked incredulously, pointing an index finger at his face. “Why me and not say Maud?”
Laguna wondered, seeing as Maud was far more grounded then any of them.
“Celestia says she is not yet ready for that task and sees you fit for the role… Anyway just hurry up. I’ll be waiting by the entrance.” Raven said as she began to trot away.
Laguna idly made his way back to his tent so as to pick up his things, only to find that Rainbow was waiting for him, seated on the bed next to his. “You know this is a stallion’s tent right?” Laguna asked as he began to rifle through his foot locker.
“I just want to talk that's all.” rainbow said looking away.
“So? Spit it out.” Laguna said.
Rainbow began to fidget on the bed for a minute before standing. “This is getting a little to nuts don’t you think? Almost a year ago everything was so peaceful and now...” Her gaze seemed lost, as if a mist began to flood her vision.
“War changes pe-ponies...in ways they don’t or won't really understand, its weird that way.” Laguna said as he picked up one of the only things he had left that was near and dear to him. A simple and unimpressive locket. “Anyway is that all?” He asked as he pocketed the locket.
“Well...I kinda...sorta...don’t know where to go?” Rainbow said sheepishly as she scratched the back of her head with a hoof.
With a tired sigh, Laguna made his way out of his tent. “Follow me.” He finished his packing on foot, placing everything in his RPG like inventory.
Upon reaching their destination, the pair had been met by the Pie sisters. “Took you long enough.” Pinkie said
“Good, now that you're all here, head to Ponyville. Twilight will be waiting for you there.” Raven said handing a map of the cavern system.
“Why Ponyville?” Pinkie asked.
“Apparently there was an alicorn mare that looked like her sited in the area, so she went to check it out.”
“Okay then...Maud, you're on map detail.” Laguna said as he relinquished the map. With a nod, the group began their trek through the cave.
The cave had multiple paths which seemed to split every whitch way. “So, where to Maud?” Rainbow asked trying to read the map as she hovered.
“It’s this way but...this marking said a monster may be in that direction.” Maud said pointing at a claw mark on the wall of the path they need to go down.
“Ohh it looks like an Antlion.” Pinkie said holding a magnifying glass to the marking.
“Strange it's way too far from its home.” Maud commented.
“Hey, if it's the only way, we’ll just have to Force our way through!” Rainbow said as sparks of electricity arced along her hooves.
“Only engage in battle if absolutely necessary, am I clear?” Laguna explained as he held his machine gun at the ready.
Slowly and quietly, the group walked down the path with Laguna on point, but as he took one step into a room, the ground under his foot began to disintegrate as he began to sink forward. Maud, who was thankfully right behind, him grabbed one of his arms and pulled him up.
“Thanks.” Laguna said as he dusted himself off.
Rainbow tossed a stone into the pit and a giant Antlion head popped out as the stone went straight into its awaiting maw. “Looks like the only way past is over that thing's dead body.” She explained oh so eloquently, her eyes never once leaving the creature.
Laguna looked around the room. “Rainbow head over there and wait for my signal.”
Laguna said getting a salute from her as she flew to the left. “Pinkie, to the right and Maud stay here.”
“What about you?” Pinkie asked
“I’m going full Desperado on this one.” He took out a grenade cluster from his jacket pocket and tossed it down the hole.
“Fire away.” He took his chain whip and locked it onto the ceiling as he begun to swing in an arc and rained leaden justice onto the now exploding Antlion.
Catching her cue, Rainbow cast Water as both Pinkie and Maud cast Blizzard down at the Antlion. It roared in pain but was able to knock some ground under Pinkie causing her to slide down. “I got you.” Rainbow said as she dived and grabbed Pinkie right before they had become the Antlion’s meal.
“Thanks Dash.” Pinkie said with a smile.
Laguna landed on the other side watching Rainbow put Pinkie down, then down at the weakened foe. “It's still alive...Maud can you-”
“On it.” Maud said channeling energy and forming a giant ball of water over the pit, dropping it. As the sand absorbed the excess water, the Antlion was nowhere to be found.
“I'm running low on Water magic.” Maud commented, Pinkie nodded in agreement.
“Okay then, let's try and ration our magic. That means we take on weaker foes the old fashioned way.” Laguna said as his company slid down the pit and walked up to the other side.
“That may be the only one in our path if we keep right.” Maud said as Laguna helped her up.
“Noted. What’s this?” He asked Rainbow as she handed him something.
“The Antlion seemed to drop this.” Rainbow said.
Laguna look over the orange crystal. “It should come in handy later.” He said, pocketing the gem for later use.