//------------------------------// // Paths Selected // Story: My Little Mages: Amicitiae Tempestate // by Foxhelm //------------------------------// About half an hour later, downstream of the waterfall, an extremely drenched Applejack dragged herself and almost waterlogged Rainbow out of the river to a small beach in the river that was covered from above by a canopy of trees. “There you go, Sugarcube.” Applejack said as placed Rainbow down before she took to her own knees. “Next time, give us a heads up when yah plan to destroy a bridge.” she playfully scolded. Rainbow mocked saluted, “Yes, mom.” she falsely moaned. “But thanks for helping me out.” the elementalist said as she gave a sincere smile as she got to her feet as they joined the others. Rarity, Twilight, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were all just as soaked as the two, as Spike was setting up a fire for everyone to dry off and warm up. “Thanks, Spike,” Twilight said as everyone sans Fluttershy gathered around the fire. “What do we do now?” Fluttershy asked as she temporarily took the form of a fire elemental and returned to her normal form her clothes, hair, and skin completely dry. “That’s better.” Rainbow looked at the buckler that Flash threw to her still on her left hand. A tear formed but she elected to not cry and snorted to physically show her shifting her mental gears. “I say we go back and kick that Tempest’s butt,” Rainbow suggested as she looked back to the capitol. Applejack turned her gaze back to the city before she turned back to Rainbow in less than a second, “How?” she asked, “There are seven of us, an army of them, and they have those orbs that after they shatter on one of us can petrify us.” Applejack pointed out, as if Rainbow forgot what happened. “We could call in one of our remaining favors Discord owes,” Rainbow suggested in haste of thought. Everyone turned to Fluttershy only for her to sigh. She then reached into Pinkie’s hair and pulled out a phone. “Hello operator, I’d like to make an interdimensional call to the pocket of Pure Chaos.” Fluttershy stopped as she listened to the operator, “Yes, I am aware of the cost. I still want to place the call.” There was more from the operator. “Now with that settled, I’d like to reach Discord’s cottage.” There was another pause as the phone rang. In Discord’s house, the Erisadies was in his ‘normal’ form but his skin, fur, and feathers were all blue and his body was swollen as each part of him also seemed to try to pull from the rest of his body to make a separate creature based on that part. As he groaned a human size green blob came into the room with a tray with an assortment of what could be assumed to be medication. “Oh, Smooze, thanks for doing this, I’d ask Fluttershy but she was looking so forward to this festival of friendship thing Twilight planed…” Discord said but was cut off as the Smooze put some medication into his mouth and started to babble. Discord nodded as if he was agreeing to a scolding parent. “Yes.” The Smooze then seemed to sigh and shake his head before he turned the phone rang. The Smooze answered it. Back with Fluttershy et al, “Hello Discord…” Fluttershy started but was cut off by what sounded like babble. “Oh, Smoozie, it’s nice to hear from you. Listen, I need to speak with Discord.” Back in Discord’s home, Smooze turned to look at Discord and after he saw the master of chaos sneeze gave a sigh before he babbled into the phone. Back with Fluttershy, “Oh no, Orderits, is it because of when he tried to make everything in his home ‘normal’ for me?” the druid asked in extreme concern like a wife hearing that her husband fell ill. She heard some babble. “Well, thank you for taking care of him.” She waited as there was some more babble from the Smooze. “Good to hear that he’ll bounce back for Midsummer’s Eve. But do take care of yourself too Smoozie. Let Discord know I said hi.” there was some more babble from the Smooze. “Thank you Smoozie. Goodbye.” Fluttershy then put the phone back into Pinkie’s hair ending the call. “Okay, so we can’t get help from Discord.” Spike pointed out, “And going back into the city is going to get us all captured, so any other plans?” Spike asked. After about a minute of silence as everyone was in serious thought, before Twilight started to speak, “Queen Novo.” Everyone turned to her, “Princess Celestia told me to find her, and that she lives to the south beyond the Badlands.” Twilight tried to explain while it was clear to them that she too doesn’t fully understand. Rarity then spoke up, “But certainly Princess Celestia told you about her at some point.” seeking a means to help Twilight show that she knew what she was talking about. Twilight groaned as she shook her head, “It might have been in political studies class, but I don’t truly recall where or what she is the queen of.” Twilight stated as everyone looked at her, granted they all got her not recalling much from a political studies class, but if anyone was going recall anything from those classes it would be Twilight. Twilight could tell that they all understood why she didn’t recall that much from those classes, but she had to recall something. She sighed as she tried to recall something. “All I remember is part of the name of her people, the ‘Aa’.” Twilight explained. “Aa?” Spike asked in utter confusion. “Kansas!” Pinkie sang with a massive grin on her face. Everyone one looked at Pinkie in utter bewilderment before they all groaned as they realized who they dealing with. Applejack then raised her hand, “On the count of five, anyone with a better idea than seeking out this Queen Novo please present it. Five.” After a second she started to count as she bent her thumb,“ four”. After another second she bent her index finger and counted “three”. After another second passed, “two” she said as she bent down her middle finger. Just as another second past she bent her ring finger before she counted “one”. After one last second passed. “Well, then it’s settled. We’re going south to find Queen Novo and the Aa.” Applejack said as she got up. “Wait you made you the leader?” Rainbow asked as she got up to challenge Applejack. “Oh for the love of… Ah ain’t the leader of this here five-man band.” Applejack countered. Pinkie seemed to pop right between the two, “Technically there are seven of us.” Applejack facepalmed herself. She then pointed to herself with her right hand as her left hand still covered her face, “The big guy,” then to Rainbow, “The lancer.” then to Fluttershy, “The heart”, then to Rarity “the smart guy” then to Spike, “the tag-along kid” then to Pinkie “a heart-smart-big guy combination” and finally to Twilight “ and the leader.” She then took a breath and removed her hand from her face. “Ah ain’t calling the shots, Ahm following through with them, now do you have a better plan then Twilight’s plan of going south?” Rainbow raised her hand, only to bring it down after a second, “no.” she admitted. “So how do we get there?” she asked as they all turned to Twilight. “We could try teleporting.” Fluttershy offered as means. Twilight shook her head, “I would have to know or see where I am going.” Twilight informed. “We could try teleporting to your library and get a book about Queen Novo and find out more about the Aa and your spellbook and get your recommissioned skyboat?” Rarity suggested. “With that, we can fly and know where to.” Twilight gave a nervous laugh, “Well, I lent Starlight my spell book because there are a few spells in that she wanted to bind as part of an act she’s doing as Trixie’s assistant.” “And you can’t teleport the book here because you don’t know or have an approximation of where the tome is?” Rarity asked rhetorically. Twilight gave a weak smile. “And you don’t have any books on the subject of nations south of the Badlands,” Rarity added only for Twilight’s sad nod to confirm the enchantress’ subscriptions. “Fluttershy, can you transform into a dragon?” Rainbow asked. Fluttershy took a breath, “I don’t know if I could and if so, I don’t know how long I can hold that wild shape and I don’t think I’d be large enough to carry everyone, or if I can wild shape into any creature that can fly of that size.” she replied reluctantly. After about a minute of thought, Twilight took a breath, “It looks like I’m going to have to go on fo...” She said as she stood up. “Oh, not this again.” Applejack groaned as she facepalmed herself. “You’re going to the ends of the world, we’re going with you.” Rainbow declared as she and the paladin walked up to Twilight. “Well, I haven’t packed, but time is of the essence.” Rarity agreed as she joined the trio. “A Save-Mystica-World tour, why would I miss out on that?” Pinkie asked as she jumped onto Applejack’s back and hugged her from behind as if she was expecting the paladin to carry her. Applejack only shook her head and carried the jester, like she was Apple Bloom. Fluttershy then walked to up the group and gave a silent and confident nod of agreement. Everyone turned to Spike who was stomping out the fire with his bare foot. “What?” the dragon asked as he looked back. “Have to put out the fire before we go and try to make it look like we weren’t here. Also, dragon. Pretty much fireproof.” “Let’s kick this off with a road trip game?” Pinkie asked. “Why not?” Rainbow asked before she realized what she just did. “Whoops,” she muttered to late. “I spy with my little eye, something that is orange.” Pinkie said as she jumped off Applejack turned around and skipped backward as everyone walked. “Ah’m going out on a limb here and say ‘me’ due to my brazen and leather armor.” Applejack guessed with a slight smile. “You’re right. It's you, Applejack!” Pinkie replied with a giggle. “This is going to be fun.” About an hour or so after Twilight and company started their track south, Tempest was in the throne room as she watched the beast-men place the petrified Celestia, Luna, and Cadance in a square formation. The ones with the petrified Cadance were trying to pry her from Shining and Flurry. “What are you doing?” she shouting which caused them to stop. “They are a complete set, leave them as they are.” The beast-men grunted to signify their obeisance. Just then the doors of the throne room open as a dozen of the beast-men pulled behind them a series of carts that had other petrified individuals, Thorax, Ember, Rockfoot and Flash Magnus. In another cart were Mistmane, Somnambula, Meadowbrook, Prince Rutherford, Star Swirl the Great and a male harpy with a dead eye that looked to be older than Mistmane, all of them chained together. “Thank you for your assistant...” Tempest said as she walked towards the chained people directing towards them as she seemed to mock them, but was cut off. “Release us, you…” Star Swirl started before Tempest literal shoved a sock into his mouth. Tempest then turned as she walked away, “Let’s try this again.” She turned back to the chained individuals, “Thank you for your assistant. The Storm King will be very appreciative of your contribution to the cau...” “Go f…” the old harpy cut her off before he was cut off in turn, by an electric bolt from Tempest’s right hand that started from a charged crackle from the scar on her forehead struck him. Tempest then sighed, “I’d hoped that I wouldn’t have to do this.” Tempest then took out of her pouch a lime green orb and nobbed to the beast-men. The creatures then took the chained lot and separated them and forced them to kneel. Tempest then threw the orb and it shattered in front of them and the remains of the orbs spread to hit each of the captured and petrifying them as Celestia and Luna were. Tempest then shook her head and turned to look around to all the festival decorations all now in disarray. “All this power wasted on parties. She said as she then turned to where Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were placed, “when there are far greater uses.” Just then her left pauldron started to glow and vibrate. She tapped the horn-like mark. She then genuflected with her head dipped as from both marks on her projected a transparent full rendering of the Storm King with a black staff with a blue crystal at the top. “I hope the whole Mystican invasion is tracking well.” Tempest raised her head and stood up, she then gestured towards the beast-men as they were placing the petrified figures around a magic circle drawn with a square in it with Celestia, Luna, and Cadance in three of the four corners. The Storm King then whistle with a clearly impressed smile. “Well, color me impressed.” The Storm King then turned to Tempest and raised his hand as an inquisitive expression starting to form. Tempest walked to the statues, “These are several of the Princesses of Mystica, the leaders of their neighboring allies and others.” Tempest started she walked to the statue of Cadance, Shining, and Flurry, “This is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza the Princess of Love and Family, the ruler of the autonomous city-state of Krystalopolies, her husband Grand Marshall Shining Armor and their daughter Princess Flurry Heart.” She then walked to Princess Luna’s statue, “Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night and one of the true dirachs of Mystica.” Tempest then walked to Celestia, “Princess Celestia of a thousand and six titles, the true ruler of Mystica.” Tempest then walked among the other statues and listed them off as she touched each one, “King Thorax of Caer Sith, Dragon Lord Ember, Prince Rutherford of Yakyakistan, Grampa Gruff the village elder of Gryphonstone and finally the Pillars of Legend; Star Swirl the Great, Rockfoot the Strong, Flash Magnus the Brave, Mistmane the Beautiful, Mage Meadowbrook the Healer and Somnambula the Hopeful.” The Storm King whistled again, “Quite the collection you got there.” he commented very much impressed with his herald’s accomplishment. Tempest, however, knew that the Storm King had his own reason to call, “Your Excellency, if I may be so bold to ask why you called?” she asked. The Storm King’s eyes then shot wide and his pupils constricted as he recalled why he called, “Oh. Right.” he said before he turned to face Tempest. “Here's the deal.” he started. “I have a bit of a big branding problem here,” he stated. “‘The Storm King’ is tracking well as ‘intensely intimidating’,” he said as he smirked as he stroke his chin with pride in himself. He then stopped as he seemed to show that he was in thought, “but you know what? I need to back it up.” he turned his focus to Tempest. “You know what I need to back it up with?” he asked rhetorically. “A storm!” he shouted with his voice thundering through the hall. “That would be great!” he said as he started to calm down. Before he challenged, Tempest started to explain, “That will not be a problem in seven days, as the sun starts it’s decent on Midsummer’s Eve, the Staff of Sacanas, which you hold, will be able to channel the magic of the four ruling princesses of this land and these other beings and will grant you the personal power greater than a thousand and six armies, and as you can see Dragon Lord Ember still holds the Bloodstone Sceptre, which would allow you exert your will on all dragons you come across.” The Storm King smiled with a wicked grin and chuckled. “Well done,” he commented with a great about of pride in Tempest. He then started to scowl slightly, “Remember, Tempest. Only I know how to make you whole.” the Storm King stated. “Make this twig work, and you'll get your reward,” he said as he pointed to the staff. “Fail me, and that embedded focus gem in your forehead won't be the only thing of yours that's broken.” The Storm King then brought the Staff down to the floor of where he was in and it gave a thud that sounded like a cross of a resounded thunder roll and the breaking of bones. The project then ended, Tempest’s confident demeanor which she had throughout her exchange with the Storm King then dropped as she placed her hand on her chest and started to pant as if she was having a panic attack. As she tried to collect herself, one the beast-men brought a fan, another brought a towel, and other brought a glass of water. After Tempest collected herself she took a deep breath and shook her head dismissing the items, but it was clear that she was thankful in her silence. She then turned to see Grubber come in. She started to open her mouth to ask about Twilight. “I got good newth and bad newth.” Grubber said as he rubbed the back of his head. Before he could say any more, a crackle of lightning formed in the embedded focus gem and shot to her left gauntlet and then bolted to Grubber shocking the hedgehog. Grubber was shocked and fell to the ground screaming. After the spell was over, “What good news?” Tempest asked gritting her teeth as stepped to look down at Grubber. “I need all four adult demigoddesses for the Staff of Sacanas to work. And our lord and master will kill me if it doesn’t.” She said as she grabbed Grubber by his shirt and made him look at her square in the eye. She breathed her nose in an attempt to contain her ire. “Now you’re going to have to hear me out fully.” Grubber said as he raised his hands. Tempest grunted but she seemed to accept the terms. Grubber then cleared his throat. “During the cleanup, we allowed therveral otherth to get of the city, they will give uth a meanth to figure out where the princethth ith heading.” Tempest was about to raise her other hand, “We have a few of them bugged.” Grubber then pressed his shirt and a project of a heavily injured Flash Sentry was being partially carried by a humanoid that looked like he was Thorax’ older brother, but was dressed in dark cyan long sleeve shirt and pants with a grayish blue breastplate in lue of the toga-like clothes and pants Thorax wore. “Let’s attend Twilight’s festival of friendship, Thorax said.” the projected elf groaned, “It will be fun, he said.” “With all due respect, Prince Pharynx, if you’re going to berate Trixie for her complaining about having to levitate Starlight, you will have no grounds to bemoan that fact that you elected to attend the festival.” Flash countered. At that moment in a small cave in the mountain Chantalot was built into, Pharynx leaned the heavily injured Flash against the wall as they were joined by Sunburst, Stygian, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, the harpies Gilda who had a broken wing and Gabby who had a broken leg and finally Trixie as she levitated behind her a petrified Starlight. Pharynx took a look at everyone present. “Let’s see, what I got to work with, a half-dead warrior, an egotistical subpar illusionist, a petrified binder, a dropout wizard, two injured harpies and three little girls.” “Excuse, your grace, but you forgot about me,” Stygian said in an attempt to recall Pharynx’ attention to him. “No, I did.” Pharynx countered, “I just don’t pretend that something without value to me is worth the time me to list it.” the elf compounded. Trixie panted as she leaned against the Starlight statue, “Well, even a prince who begs can’t choose what he’s given.” the illusionist retorted. “Now that’s something I can work with.” Pharynx chuckled at the sass Trixie gave him. “What’s the plan, we can’t go charging back in, look at Gilda, Gabby, Flash, and Starlight, we barely made it out.” Sweetie Belle asked as she pointed out the state of the others. “The brat got a point,” Gilda commented, “And all the dragons that would help are either petrified or chained up.” the harpy pointed out that there was no real aid to come from the neighboring domains. Flash grunted as he pointed to Trixie and spell book at her waist, “What you think there’s a spell we could use?” Trixie asked. Flash nodded, “Like a stone to flesh for Starlight and some healing spell and limb mending spells for Gabby, Gilda and myself.” Flash added. Trixie then opened the book and started to look through it randomly before Sunburst took it and pointed to the table of context before he started to look up the spells that Flash suggested. “Even with us all with clean bill of health, what do we do?” Scootaloo asked. Flash tried to stand up, “We try to find Twilight and help her on her mission to find whoever Princess Celestia was seeking aid from.” His legs, however, could not support him and fell to the cave floor before anyone could catch him. He then groaned as he then tried to crawl and set back up. “Where?” Pharynx asked utterly befuddled, “We just ruled out the dragons, and all of Caer Sith is back in Chanterlot.” As Flash righted himself, “Twilight was heading towards the southern gate, I think she was heading south.” Before anyone could counter, Apple Bloom pulled out a clear disc with three buttons on it, “Ah got a tracker in one of AJ’s pauldron, Big Mac ’s, and Granny’s staff.” Apple Bloom informed. “Ah got a lot of free time and AJ and Big Mac need their armor repaired quite frequently.” Apple Bloom then pressed a button on it and a small map was projected with Applejack’s aura mark heading southward. “Does anybody know what’s south?” the artificer asked. “Caer Sith, but all the elves, present company excluded, is in Chantalot,” Stygian explained. Pharynx shook his head, “There’s the Badlands, but the only reason to risk a track there is to get to Kludgetown, but there is no way the Klugetowners will come to help.” “But Twilight could get a lift to where she’s heading,” Gabby said weakly. “I think.” the last bit was an admittance of her ignorance. Gilda only groaned in response. Trixie sat down next to the harpy, “She right. So the plan is to fix ourselves up and try to meet them there?” the illusionist offered. Back in the throne room Grubber pressed the mark on his shirt ending the projection, “Ath they thaid, the’th heading thouth, we can find them in Klugetown.” Grubber said as Tempest released her hold. “Told yay, I had good newth.” Tempest turned from Grubber and a smile formed before she started to chuckle. “Looks like my faith in you was well placed,” Tempest said as she turned back to the hedgehog. “It will take them about three to four days for them to reach Klugetown and we need to make sure this city is fully locked down.” “I’ll get your thip ready for when you’re good to go.” Grubber said as he left the throne room. Tempest chuckled before she walked to the restored stained glass window showing Twilight’s ascension to her current state as a demigod. “Not even you will deny me my restoration, my little princess.” As she spoke she raised her hand as lightning crackled from her forehead to her right hand. She then sent the lightning to the window shattering it.