The trials of Friendship, and the friendship among warriors
A furious roar called everypony’s attention.
“Look out, a manticore!” cried Twilight.
The two warriors took their swords, and calmly aimed them to the monsters. Kirito chose his trusty Elucidator, and Asuna Lament Light.
Asuna and Kirito exchanged a smile, and they ran to the beast encounter.
The manticore tried to stab them with its sting, but Kirito blocked the attack with the Elucidator, and kicked the monster on the nose. The monster gasped in pain, this pony was stronger than it thought.
Seeing Kirito’s blade approaching at a dangerous speed, the manticore jumped backwards; but Asuna teleported on the monster’s back, and raised her sword ready to stab it on the head.
“No, wait!” shrieked Fluttershy. “Girls! We have to do something!”
“You mean help Asuna and Kirito?” asked Rainbow Dash. “I think they have everything under control!”
“No, stop them! Don’t you see they’re going to kill her?” said Fluttershy.
In the meantime, the manticore have managed to get rid of Asuna, making her fall, and tried to stab her with its sting. But, she rolled out of the way as Kirito charged at her, ready to destroy the monster.
Rainbow looked at Fluttershy in awe, but in the end she groaned, and charged at the black swordsman.
“Oi, what’s wrong with you?” yelled Kirito.
At this point, Asuna was back on her hooves, and looked at the manticore to the eyes.
The manticore roared, and charged at Asuna ready to bite her. She closed her eyes, just for a fraction of a second, and opened ready for combat. And a boastful smile.
But, suddenly, Fluttershy stood before her and the manticore.
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” protested Asuna. “Don’t you see that…?”
She muted when she saw the stare Fluttershy was giving her. This was, by far, the most disturbing thing she have ever witnessed inside a game.
Then, the yellow pegasus turned to the manticore, giving her a warm look.
“Do you mind to tell me what is wrong with you?”
The creature looked at Fluttershy, then at Asuna, and then, back to Fluttershy; and, with tears on its eyes, it showed her its paw. It had a big spike, buried deep inside.
“Aw, you poor thing…” said Fluttershy softly. “You’re just a big baby, aren’t you?”
“Baby?” asked Rainbow Dash and Kirito in the unison.
Fluttershy looked at the manticore to the eyes, and gently approached to its extended paw.
“This will hurt only for a second, alright?” said Fluttershy softly.
Then, she took the spike between her teeth, and pulled it out. The monster roared, making Asuna and Kirito to prepare fight again, when they saw the manticore simply licking Fluttershy’s face affectively.
“Oh, come on!” smiled the shy pegasus. “You’re just a baby kitty, right?”
The manticore made a thankful purr, and nuzzled to Fluttershy before getting lost inside the woods.
Asuna and Kirito looked down at the spike, as it turned into a puff of purplish smoke. They were about to ask if anypony else saw that, but, unfortunately, Fluttershy confronted them with her unnerving Stare.
“You! How dared you to attack that poor creature? It didn’t do anything wrong!!”
The two warriors moved backwards, strangely intimidated by the pegasus’ stare.
Still, Kirito tried to calm her down, as he put Elucidator back on its scabbard. “Okay, in our defense, we had no idea what was wrong with it! I only saw a hungry animal trying to eat us!”
Fluttershy was going to say something, but Applejack interjected for the two of them.
“Flutters’, ya’ have to admit they have a point! They wanted to protect, us that’s it!”
“But… they tried to kill it…”
“It was violent, yeah, but I can understand why they did it.” said Twilight.
“Let’s leave all this on the past, and move on! Like good friends should!” cheered Pinkie Pie.
So, in the end, Fluttershy had to admit she overreacted.
“But please! Next time don’t pull your swords this quickly. You can hurt somepony!” asked Fluttershy.
“Fine, I guess.” agreed Kirito.
“Yeah, we can do that.” shrugged Asuna.
The group continued their journey to the castle, and to the Elements of Harmony, when Twilight turned to Fluttershy.
“Hey, how did you know what the manticore needed?”
“I didn’t. Sometimes, you just need some kindness.” explained Fluttershy.
Twilight smiled, as she engraved those words in her heart.
In the meantime, what got Rainbow’s attention was something else.
“Hey, dude!” she said to Kirito. “Why do you carry two swords?”
“Oh, it’s my specialty.” explained Kirito. “The double blade, but, it’s only in case of emergency.”
“Sweet! But is not too difficult to use the two swords at the same time?”
“I’m used to it!” smiled Kirito.
“It seems like that skill is still gaining you some fans, right Kirito-kun?” smiled Asuna.
“He have fans?” asked Pinkie.
“They know him as the Black Swordsman.” Said Asuna.
“Oh, so awesome!” grinned Rainbow.
Kirito smiled back to his girlfriend. “Asuna forgot to tell you something. She’s famous as well, known as the Lightning Flash.”
“Oh, for real?”
They continued chatting for a while, when a roar in the middle of the darkness called everypony’s attention. Asuna dragged Lambent Light, when suddenly, Kirito raised a hoof. “Ehem, sorry, that was my stomach!”
Everypony looked at Kirito in awe, when suddenly, they laughed happily.
“It’s a shame we came for the Elements in so short notice, if not, I would pack some cupcakes to go.”
“Well, this is a forest.” said Fluttershy. “You can find an edible weed, or even wild berries. I’m pretty sure the forest creatures won’t mind to share with you.”
But then, Asuna gave a sandwich to Kirito that he gladly accepted. “Thanks, Asuna.”
“I’m always prepared, Kirito-kun.” said Asuna, taking her own sandwich.
“You’re an excellent cook, Asuna.” said Kirito, enjoying his sandwich. “No matter if we’re in Aincrad, Tokyo, or in here, your meals have no comparison.” He then offered part of his sandwich to his new friends. “Somepony want some?”
The girls accepted Kirito’s offer. And it was great.
“Whoa, Asuna, this is great! What’s your secret?” asked Twilight.
Asuna blushed slightly, and kissed Kirito on the cheek.
“Let’s just say I have somepony especial to cook for.”
Kirito blushed too, but he kissed Asuna back.
Rarity giggled happily. “Ehem, darlings, if you don’t mind me asking, how long you’ve been together?”
Asuna and Kirito exchanged a playful look, and shrugged. Somehow, these NPCs were very likable. Somehow, they felt more like real people instead of artificial intelligences.
“So? Or am I being too personal?” asked Rarity.
“Well, we met five years ago, and we’ve been together for three years.”
“How wonderful!” said Fluttershy happily. “You do look cute together. At least when you’re not fighting little creatures.”
“If you want to, I can make you the cutest darling outfits!” offered Rarity.
Kirito laughed uncomfortably. “Well, thanks, but unless Asuna starts wearing black, matching outfits are out of the question.”
“Oh, don’t be such a sourpuss, Kirito-kun.” Said Asuna. “There must be a color that matches the both of us.”
Kirito sighed, as the girls giggled. Seriously, these NPCs were a little too interested in his romance with Asuna. Especially Rarity, who was a romantic since foalhood.
“And, tell me, darlings, and please, feel free to stop me when you think I’m asking too much. How far you’ve gone with your love?”
Both warriors laughed, dealing with Rarity was like dealing with Rika, or Lizbeth inside the game.
“Well, we live together, and we have a daughter about…”
“Six or eight, we can’t really tell.” Said Kirito.
Rainbow Dash tilted he head, confused. “What you mean six or eigth? Haven’t you been together only for three years?”
“And, most important, don’t you remember the age of your own daughter?” asked Twilight.
“Yui-chan is adopted.” explained Asuna.
“Yeah. You can say she adopted us.” added Kirito.
“What?” asked the ponies in the unison.
Kirito shrugged, and began to tell:
“There were we, a newly wedded couple, with our recently purchased house. We were walking around a small forest near our home, when we found a small girl, fainted. We took her home, and, when she woke up, she could only remember her name. Yui. One thing took us to another, and ended up as a family.”
Asuna smiled, that was one of the most beautiful memories she had from Aincrad. She remembered what Kirito taught her back there, at SAO. To appreciate their little moments in there, as it was the real life. Since that was life for them, during that time.
“But, isn’t too much responsibility?” asked Fluttershy.
“Believe it or not, is Yui who always help us. Kirito and I have ended up in really compromising situations, and, if it wasn’t for Yui, who knows what could have happened to us.”
Truth be told, Yui was actually an AI, created by the Cardinal System, for the game Sword Art Online.
“But you left her behind?” asked Pinkie Pie.
Kirito shrugged. “She is safe. Believe us. But, as soon as we are at a ‘safe zone’, first thing we will do, would be calling her at our side.”
The girls didn’t ask more. Of course, bringing a small child with them to a place like the Everfree Forest was too dangerous.
They continued walking, getting deep into the forest. It was getting darker at each step.
“Uf, I wish my eyes can have a break of this sight.”
Finally, the darkness swallowed completely. “I didn’t mean that literally!” said Rarity.
They continued walking.
“Hey, I think I stepped on something!” complained Applejack.
“AAAAAAH!!” shrieked Applejack.
“Is just mud!” said Applejack, annoyed.
“No, THAT!” cried Rarity, aiming a hoof to a horrid-looking tree.
And it wasn’t alone, they were surrounded by similar-looking trees.
Asuna looked at Fluttershy. “We can drag our swords now, right?”
The pegasus nodded weakly.
But, when they were about to reduce the trees to splinters, Pinkie Pie began to laugh at the tree’s faces, making faces too, and giggling.
Immediately, the trees went back to normal.
Kirito sighed. “You have to be kidding me!”
“So what now?”
Out of nowhere, they began to listen to music.
“Ehem… what’s going on?” asked Asuna.
Before they could ask what was going on, Asuna and Kirito found themselves in a musical number, along with the others. It was a song about giggle at the ghostly, or something like that.
When Pinkie Pie finished her singing, they all were laughing, lying on the grass.
“This was, surprisingly fun!” smiled Kirito.
“See? A sword is not the solution to all problems!” said Pinkie Pie.
The two warriors laughed at the comment, and the girls soon joined. At this point, they have built a really strong bond among them. Including Twilight, whose personality was a bit antisocial, but now she found herself enjoying the others’ company.
The only thing that worried the two gamers, was that they spotted the purplish fog, but it disappeared before they could tell the others about it.
…
In another point of the Everfree Forest, a new group of ponies materialized form thin air.
It was a brown earth pony, with short red mane, and beard; with a katana at his belt, and a bandana. A red earth pony mare, with pink mane and tail, and she had a war hammer on her belt. The other, was red terracotta earth pony, with dark brown hair tied in two ponytails. She had a small dagger at her belt, along with a dragon on her back. A green pegasus with blue eyes, and blond mane; with a short sword.
And finally, a moss green unicorn, sky blue mane and eyes. She was wearing some kind of brown shorts, a forest green jacket, and some kind of rifle on her back.
“Oi, Sinon-chan!” said the pony with the katana (Klein) to the unicorn. “Isn’t that a pony version of your GGO avatar?”
She took a good look of herself. “I think so. I swear, I didn’t have anything to do with this.”
“Well, we kinda’ look like our SAO versions.” mumbled Klein, examining his new body.
“Leaving that aside, it’s okay we have followed them to this game?” asked the pony with the pigtails, Silica. “I mean, Asuna-san is going through difficult times, we should leave her alone with Kirito-san.”
“Easy, Silica. She’ll be happy to see us all!” suddenly said the dragon at the girl’s back.
They all gasped, and turned to the dragoness.
Now that they noticed, Silica’s virtual pet have changed a lot. In ALO and SAO, she was small enough to fit on Silica’s shoulder. Now she was as tall as them, and now, could talk.
“What?” asked the dragoness.
“Unexpected.” said Lizbeth.
“Yeah, I think we would get used to it, with time.” smiled Silica.
“Anyway, can anyone contact Asuna and Kirito?” asked Lizbeth.
“We don’t have them as contacts in this game. Not yet.” said Klein.
“Then how are supposed to find them?” complained Lizbeth.
Leafa flew over the trees, only to have a better view of their surroundings. “Hey, guys, I see an abandoned castle on the depths of the forest, possibly a dungeon. Knowing them, they’re on their way.”
“Let’s go then!” smiled Pina and Silica.
The group rushed toward the castle, except for Sinon, who was still doubtful about all this. Something inside her was telling her this weren’t a normal game.
“Oi, Sinon-chan! We’re leaving!” called Klein.
The cold-hearted sniper shook her head, and joined her friends. Hopefully, she was just imagining things.
…
Back with the main group, they continued with their journey, until a wide river blocked their way.
“Oi, Rainbow Dash, do you think you can help me to bring the others to the other side?” asked Kirito.
The cyan pegasus raised an eyebrow. “Well, I think we can do it, but it would be exhausting. Especially for you who have to carry those things.”
Kirito looked at his swords. “Hey, my physical stats are at its max. Besides, all I have to do is to put my swords back on the inventory.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what are you talking about.” said Rainbow.
“Well, there must be a solution. For example, Kirito and Asuna can chop down some trees, and I could make a raft with my magic!” suggested Twilight.
“Okay. Give us a minute.” said Asuna as she dragged Lambent Light.
But before the warroprs could start, they heard a cry on the distance.
They all exchanged a look, and went to the source of that noise.
What they found, it was something nopony was expecting. A serpent-like monster, crying desperately.
“Please darlings, put your swords away.” asked Rarity.
“Sure!” said the couple in the unison. They didn’t want to fight a creature looking this sad.
By her way, Twilight approached to the serpent monster, who was really beautiful. With purple scales, well-combed mane, and… half of a mustache?
“Ehem, Mister, can you tell us why are you crying?” asked Twilight.
The serpent looked at them. “Oh, well, I don’t know. I was sitting here, doing my business, when that purple fog came in, and cut my beautiful mustache!”
They all groaned in exasperation, seriously, all because of that?
“Is that really a reason to cry about?” asked Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes.
Rarity stared at her. “But of course! Just look at him! Those shiny scales…”
“I know, I know!” smiled the serpent.
“Your beautifully combed hair!” continued the unicorn mare.
“Oh, yeah!” said the monster, delighted.
Kirito sighed, this was exactly what he feared when he started this game. The first part was kind of fun, but it was getting way too girly for his taste.
“Your perfect manicure!” exclaimed Rarity.
“Oh, that’s so true!” answered the serpent, delighted.
Asuna giggled, as she saw Kirito making a face-hoof. She felt a little guilty for dragging him to this point, but hopefully, something interesting would happen soon.
In the meantime, Rarity continued comforting the monster. “It’s all ruined without your mustache!”
“I KNOW!” cried the creature, as he started crying again.
Rarity frowned. “I cannot allow this! I won’t sit here and see this crime against style! Asuna, can I borrow your sword? It seems lightest than Kirito’s.”
Asuna obeyed. What was she up to?
Rarity used Lambent Light to cut her own tail, and used her magic to attach it to the remaining of the Serpent’s mustache.
“No, Rarity! Your beautiful tail!” said Twilight.
“Don’t worry, dear, everypony knows that short is the new black. Now, what do you think my friend?”
The serpent was admiring its image on the river. “My mustache! So beautiful!”
“I’m glad I could help.” said Rarity.
The serpent hugged Rarity happily, to then offer them their back so they could cross the river safely. “Please, allow me!”
And they all crossed the river, safely.
“Okay girls, we’re getting closer!” said Twilight, leading the way.
The group cheered happily, as they went a little faster. Only Asuna and Kirito were left behind.
“Kirito-kun, have you noticed? The creature said something about a purple fog.”
“We’re being watched. I guess this is part of the challenge.” said Kirito confidently.
“I have a feeling there’s a boss battle ahead us.”
“You don’t say!” laughed the dark blue pegasus.
Finally, they saw it, the Castle towering over the Everfree Forest. As big and menacing as only itself.
Twilight cheered excitedly, and ran toward the castle. However, she didn’t noticed she was leading straight to a cliff. Luckily, Rainbow stopped her on time.
“What’s with you and cliffs today?” mocked the pegasus.
“Great!” complained Twilight. “Now what?”
“Yeah, how are we supposed to cross?” asked Pinkie Pie.
“Duh!” said Rainbow flapping her wings. “I see a bridge on the other side. I’ll repair it!”
Kirito looked to the other side, only to see the purple fog swirling in front of him.
“I’ll go with you.”
“No, it’s easy!” said Rainbow, already halfway through the other side. Where the Elements of Harmony were waiting.
But as soon as she crossed to the other side, the purple fog blocked the others’ vision.
Kirito prepared to go, but he was stopped by Asuna. “Wait! Maybe she can do it on her own.”
“But…”
“Just think how things have been going since we started this game.”
Kirito had to nod, and wait.
The others just looked at them, confused. What they were talking about?
However, they were more worried about Rainbow’s fate.
At the other side of the cliff, Rainbow Dash was about to repair the bridge, when a mysterious voice called her.
“Rainbow…”
She turned, as she prepared to fight. “Who’s there? I’m not afraid of you!”
“We were waiting for you, Rainbow Dash!” said a dark pegasus, appearing from the fog surrounding them. “To the best flyer in all Equestria”
Rainbow tilted her head. “Who? Oh, me!” she smiled. “Hey, do you mind to tell that to the Wonderbolts? I’ve been trying to join that team for years!”
“No, Rainbow, we want you to join us! The Shadow Bolts. The best flyers of the Everfee Forest. We only need…”
“A captain.”
“Not any captain though.”
The three shadow mares began to fly in circles around Rainbow Dash.
“We need the fastest…”
“Yes!”
“The bravest!”
“Yes!”
“We need… you.”
Rainbow smiled. “I’m in! Just let me fix the bridge, and we’ll talk about the details.”
But one of the shadow ponies blocked her way.
“NO! You have to choose between them. Or us.”
Rainbow frowned. “Okay then. Thanks. But no thanks.”
The shadow ponies shrugged. “As you wish.”
“It’s a shame though, we were serious about the offer.”
They grew fangs, and long menacing claws, ready to kill Rainbow.
“It’s been a pleasure.”
“No, wait!” said Rainbow, flying backwards.
Suddenly, a black and blue blur came from the fog, and cut through them with ease.
The three shadow ponies vanished in a puff of purple fog.
“Kirito!” said Rainbow, relieved.
The warrior looked disappointed. “I was hoping for a more challenging fight. Anyway, hurry to fix the bridge.”
Rainbow nodded, and went to fix the bridge, allowing the others to cross safely.
“Rainbow, thank you.” said Twilight.
“For what? I never abandon my friends!” said Dash, winking an eye to Twilight. “But the true hero was Kirito. If it wasn’t for him, who knows what those things would do to me.”
“Nothing, they were illusions.” said Kirito. “But now, I have a feeling that the real challenge is about to start.”
“No, if we find the Elements it won’t!” said Twilight, with confidence.