//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Secret Revealed // Story: Equestria V.S Tartarus: Battle Of The Century // by Whooves235 //------------------------------// "The map wants us to go The Storm King’s Castle," Rainbow said, still shocked by Twilight’s comment. "The map works in many mysterious ways," Celestia said, "but we can't just ignore it." "Indeed," Luna said. "The last time the map called all of you was for Starlight’s Village and the Pony Of Shadows." "And Starswirl did say that the map could call on you six to protect Equestria from danger," Celestia said. "Well, if the map wants us at the Storm King’s castle, then we have to go," Applejack said. "Um, who is the Storm King?" Sunset said. "The Storm King is a conqueror of lands beyond Equestria. He launched an invasion on Canterlot and captured Celestia, Luna, and Cadence. We defeated him with the help of his former lieutenant, Tempest," Twilight said. "When he was defeated we invaded his castle and took everything we found necessary to study," Celestia said. "So why does the map want us back there?" Fluttershy said. "Whatever the map wants us for it must be important," Rarity said. "Then let's go," Pinkie Pie said. "Now just hold on," Applejack said. "Me and Dash have a son that we need to take care of, and since we all are going on this mission we have to know who can take care of him." "Oh, um, my parents can take care of him," Fluttershy said. "They would be more than happy to do it" "Are you sure Fluttershy?" Rainbow said. "Zap can be a real handful." "I’m sure they will be up to the task," Fluttershy said. "Then it is settled. We head off to the Storm King’s Castle in the morning," Twilight said. Sweet Apple Acres "Do you have to go?" Zap said in a frustrated tone. "Now sugarcube, you know your mother and I love you," Applejack said, "but when the map calls, we need to go." "But can’t one of you just stay and the other go?" Zap said. "If that were possible your mother would have already asked to stay," Applejack said. "Hay, I’m right here you know" Rainbow said. "I Know," Applejack said with a grin on her face. "When will you guys be back?" Zap said. "Once we kick the newest threat to Equestria in the flank," Rainbow said. "Rainbow, language," Applejack said. "But your mother’s right." "Ok," Zap said as his ears flopped down. "Hay, we love you," Rainbow said. "I know," Zap said. "Now, Mr. and Mrs. Shy will be here in ten minutes to get everything ready," Applejack said. "Ok, bye moms," Zap said as Rainbow and Applejack walked out the door. "Bye, Sugar" Applejack said. As Rainbow closed the door to the barn she looked at Applejack with a devilish grin. "The last one to the Friendship Express is on the bottom tonight...if you catch my drift." "Oh, it's on," Applejack said. The Friendship Express As Twilight along with Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie, Celestia, Luna, and Sunset walked to the friendship express she got extremely nervous. She had been to the Storm King’s castle before, but she was worried that she might have forgotten something when clearing the castle the first time. "Are you ok, Twilight?" Celestia asked. "Ya, it’s just..." Twilight said in a nervous tone. "You and Luna would not have been called by the map if there was something that we could take care of. So does that mean we are about to go up against something that we may not beat?" "Twilight," Celestia said, "you defeated the Pony of Shadows, Tirek, The Storm King, and Nightmare Moon. I think that you will do just fine. As the group boarded the train to Mount Aries, Fluttershy looked over at Rainbow in worry. "What’s wrong, Rainbow?" Fluttershy said. "Are you not feeling well?" "No, I’m fine, Flutters," Rainbow said. "Then what’s wrong?" Fluttershy said. Then Rainbows face turned as red as the apples on Applejack’s cutie mark. "I lost the race," she said. "I’m bottom tonight." Then Fluttershy had a blush on her face as well as they both walked into the train. "Did you girls forget about me?" Discord said as he flew in holding an umbrella and wearing what appeared to be a wig. "Oh, Discord, I was wondering when you would come," Celestia said. "Celestia, why in Luna's name would you invite Discord?" Twilight said. "I thought he could help us with the mission," Celestia said. "And Fluttershy is here, so he won't be doing anything too rash." In the background, Fluttershy and Discord were hugging each other passionately. Twilight immediately forgot all of the anger she had. "As long as my friends are happy, I’m happy" Twilight said. Then she looked over at Pinkie Pie, who was packing her party cannon. "Well, almost happy," Twilight said with a tiny blush on her face. "Hey guys, the train is about to dep...." Sunset said, running into Discord. "AHHHHHHHHHH, WHAT IN CELESTIA’S NAME IS THAT THING!” "I'll be right back, Twilight. I have a lot of explaining to do," Celestia said, walking over to Sunset. Mount Aries Train Station "So why did we have to take the train to Mount Aries again?" Rainbow asked. "There is a boat tour of Aries Ocean," Twilight said. "And the Storm King’s Castle is right in the middle of it." "And as princesses, we get access to the boat to go there," Luna said. As Twilight walked over to the dock she could see the boat that they rented, and they walked over to the Hippogriff that was running the boat. "Welcome ah Princess Twilight, how can I help you today?" the hippogriff asked. "We need a lift to the Storm King’s old castle," Twilight said. "Ok, and how many will be coming with?" the hippogriff said. "Four princesses, two pegasi, two earth ponies, one unicorn, and one draconequus." "Ok, welcome aboard! Next stop, Storm King’s Castle," the hippogriff shouted. The Storm King’s Old Castle As the group made their way into the hallway of the old castle they could see how enormous the hallways were. Most of the paintings and artifacts that were located in the castle had already been moved into the Canterlot Archives and were being studied for further purposes, but still, it felt like the walls were watching them. As they moved closer to the castle, Twilight turned around to address the group. "Alright everypony, I have a plan," Twilight said. "We should split up to cover more ground. So Applejack and Rainbow Dash can go East. Fluttershy and Discord can go West. Pinkie and I will go South. Celestia and Luna can go North. And Sunset and Rarity will search this area.” "Alright," Applejack said. "Let's do this" Rainbow said. "Right with you" Discord said to Fluttershy as she hid behind him. "Oh, this is going to be fun!" Pinkie said, immediately hugging Twilight and causing her face to blush. "We will meet back here when Celestia uses the spell I taught her" Twilight said, nodding towards Celestia who then used her magic to suddenly make everyone’s cutie marks glow. "Ok see you later," Twilight said. Team Appledash "So do you think Zap is doing ok?" Applejack said. "Jackie, you have to stop worrying so much," Rainbow said. "Did you just call me Jackie?" Applejack said with amusement. "Well you always call me Dashie, so I thought I would call you Jackie." Just then Applejack and Rainbow Dash came upon a room marked with what appeared to be a bottle with bubbles coming out of it. As they opened the door they came across a room that could only belong to a captain. The bed was neatly made along with a map of Equestria with several flags on top of it. On the floor were several attack dummies that hadn't been used in over 11 years. "Come on, we should keep looking," Rainbow Dash said. Just then she heard the door close behind her. She turned around only to find Applejack locking the closed door. "Umm, what are you doing?" "Well, we haven't gotten some "alone time" in a while, and there just so happens to be a bed and a locked door," Applejack said seductively. "And you have a bet to live up to." "I Love you," Rainbow said as she went in to embrace her wife. Then the couple started to kiss each other passionately until Applejack pushed Rainbow onto the bed. "The safe word is Wonderbolt." Team Fluttercord "Um, Discord, are you sure you know where we are going?" "Well..." Discord said. Then, snapping his fingers, he immediately had a map in his hand and was wearing a flank pack and glasses, followed by a sudden growth of his two front teeth which now had braces on it. "According to the map the throne room is right down this hall, and the Storm King’s bedroom is right next to it." As the two came across the throne room they immediately were awe struck by the size of it, it was a massive dome. Right in the center of it was a circular object with a hole which could only be the staff holder that held the Storm King's staff. On the right next to the throne was a miniature throne which could only belong to his commander in chief. And then on the left side of the throne was a door which was about the same size as the throne that led into a room marked by the Storm King symbol. "Um, ladies first," Discord said. "Oh Discord, how gentlemanly," Fluttershy said, then a blushing Discord followed her in. As they walked into the room they saw that it looked like a regular room except books were all over the floor, a map of Equestria had been posted on the wall, and a framed picture of the Storm King was above the bed. As the two wandered the room and sorted through the wreckage, Discord noticed a dusty plastic case in the middle of the dresser. He picked it up and dusted it off, then immediately dropped it in shock. "Discord, what’s wrong?" Fluttershy said. "We need to find Twilight and the others and get out of this castle NOW," Discord said, grabbing Fluttershy and running out the door, slamming it behind him and leaving the broken plastic container sitting on the floor. In the middle of the broken shards, however, sat a necklace. This necklace had a brown string attached to it, and was a gold triangular amulet. In the center of it were three triangular holes and a tiny inscription on the back reading "To My Best Brother and the Future of our Rule”. Team Twipie As Twilight and Pinkie Pie walked/bounced down the hallway Twilight was extremely nervous. "Should I tell her now?" she thought to herself. "We are alone and she is so cute right now." "Hay Twilight," Pinkie said. "Oh..Um yes Pinkie?" Twilight said. "Do you think that we might find what we are looking for?" Pinkie said. "It depends on what exactly we are looking for," Twilight said. As the two kept walking, Twilight knew what she had to do. "It's now or never Twilight. Just ask. The worst she could say is she does not feel the same way," she thought to herself. "Hay Pinkie, can I tell you something?" Twilight said. "Sure, what is it?" Pinkie said with a smile on her face. "Pinkie I like..." Twilight said before getting interrupted. "TWILIGHT!" Discord shouted. "Was that Discord?" Twilight said. Then out of nowhere Luna and Celestia popped out. "Did you hear that too?" Celestia asked. Then Discord and Fluttershy came running to Twilight and Celestia. "We need to leave this castle at once!" Discord said. "Why, what’s wrong?" Celestia said . "Me and Discord went into the Storm King’s room while we were searching. Discord found something and now he is all spooked," Fluttershy said. "What did you find?" Luna asked "It’s a necklace! I found a necklace!" Discord said. "Umm, don’t you think Rarity should be here for this?" Twilight said. "That's the thing! I know why he has it, and more importantly, who gave it to him." "Why, who gave it to him?" Pinkie Pie asked. "I did," a mysterious voice called out in the distance. "I know that voice," Celestia said. "But it can’t be..." Twilight said, frightened out of her mind. "Princess Twilight we have some unfinished business to attend to," Lord Tirek said.