It was a very warm summer day near Gastly Gorge. Aether Lightshine (The Dark gray Unicorn stallion with a black shaggy mane), Jackal Rock (the Large Black Chaos Pony with a green Mane and purple tail), and Felix Floetry (the bright orange anthropomorphic Fox who wears a green t-shirt) were all on the search for a mysterious and powerful artifact that was somewhere in the wilderness according to the map that Aether had found.
"Guys.... According to this map, the Chest of Enigma is approximately ten more miles Northwest of here..."
Said Aether as he looked at the map that he was levitating in front of him.
"Um.... Do any of you have a compass?"
Said Jackal Rock to the other two. They both shook their heads.
"Greaaaat...... I guess we can always just follow the Sun..."
Jackyl Rock said sarcastically.
"Hey don't need to worry jackal, I have a very good Keen sense of direction"
Said Felix, looking up at jackal.
"By the way Aether, I'm honored that you asked me to come along with you but if I may ask, why did you need both Jackel and I specifically for this journey?"
Felix said to Aether, who still had his nose in the map.
Aether put the map down for a moment and look at Felix .
"W-Well.... I needed Jackal rocks immense strength in case an obstacle required it, and I needed you to assist me if extra magic is required. And since you are a Celestial Kitsune, I figured that you would be a very good choice"
Said Aether with a small nervous smile before looking back at the map. He then mumbled quietly under his breath,
"Also, I wanted you guys here just in case we ran into some dangerous creatures...."
Felix chuckled and shook his head slowly then got down on all fours to walk a bit faster. The three companions continue walking for about an hour longer before they arrived at a dense forest and set up camp for the night. Aether set up the tents, Jackel gathered the firewood and Felix started the campfire as well as prepared a meal for them.
"Hey Aether..." Said Felix. "what exactly does the chest of enigma do? I mean, what is it about this artifact that compels you to want to find it?"
Aether looked at Felix, who was serving dinner amongst the three.
"I heard that it was connected to my family's ancestry and I guess I really wanted to see if it was as Actually real"
Felix Smiles a little as Jackel emerges from a rift portal. Aether had Felix look at him in confusion. Jackel nonchalantly pulls out a large sack full of gormet food. Felix and Aether's jaws hit the floor in disbelief.
"Jackel, where and why did you get all of that food?? Especially since we already brought plenty with us!"
Said Aether who was visibly irritated.
"Oh, I be got hungry and simply went to a couple of my favorite restaurants for a snack hehe!" Said Jackal rock with a grin.
"A SNACK?! You have enough food for like 12 Ponies!! Why in Equestria would you just casually warp into town like that?!" Said Aether then he quickly Facehoofs.
Jackel just shrugged and continued to devour his meal with a happy Smile. Felix Chuckled to himself and relit the first with some fire magic.
"Well, no matter what food we eat, the most important thing is that we continue our journey in the morning."
Said Felix as he eats some cooked vegetables.
The 3 friends finished their meals and prepare to sleep for the night. Aether was up for a while studying the map and charting out potential shortcuts. Felix was doing intense meditation and his continuous attempts to align his Ki. Jackel was surveying the immediate area to keep an eye out for potential hostile creatures.
Upon returning to the campsite, Jackal notices Felix meditating and giving off a slight Golden Glow. Intrigued, he watches him for several minutes. Felix's eyebrows twitch as a bead of sweat runs down his forehead.
"Ah, damnit!" Felix shouted out in frustration as he stopped glowing and opened his eyes.
Felix noticed Jackal Rock staring at him and he looks away and scratches his ears trying to pretend like he didn't notice. Felix then started searching around in his backpack and pulled out a ripe, delicious-looking Peach. He rubbed it gently against his fur then started cutting it into pieces one of his claws. Jackyl Rock flicked his ears and curiosity.
"Hey Felix...?" He asked.
Felix turned and looked at him.
"Yea? What's up?" Felix replied.
Jackel looked at the peach, and then at Felix before rubbing his head with his hoof.
"There is something I've been wondering for quite some time now... It's nothing major, just simple curiosity" said Jackel.
Felix blind a couple of times and then took a bite of his fruit before responding.
"Ok, ask away"
Aether hears them talking but continues to study the map as well as the information regarding the artifact that they are searching for.
"The one thing I've been wondering is, if foxes are carnivorous, why is it that you happen to be vegetarian? And I am only asking out of curiosity if that is okay with you."
Said Jackal Rock in the very polite manner.
Felix scratched his whiskers and smiled a little bit and finishes his peach.
"I don't exactly know, I'm afraid. I... can't really explain it. Sure, Most foxes eat small rodents, but I never really liked the taste of meat Personally. I'm rather unique in that way. Although, I'm not exactly ordinary to begin with."
Said Felix as he prepared to lay down for the night.
Jackel rubbed his chin with a fascinated look and layed His head down. Jackel was the last to fall asleep and His large body took up a lot of lay space.
The next morning, the Three companions were woken abruptly by a loud roaring sound deep within the woods. Aether looked around nervously as he moved closer to Felix and Jackel, igniting his horn with magic.
"guys, W-What was T-That...?" Said Aether.
Felix manifests 4 tails and Jackel surrounds himself with a magic aura.
"It came from deep in the woods... let's check it out." Said felix as he senses the Creature's Aura.
"Wait, why do we have to check it out? Shouldn't we just leave?" Said Aether.
"Normally I would agree, but I can sense another Creature's Aura.... and it feels.... familiar...." Said Felix.
"Plus, his magic feels rather familiar too..." Jackal Rock added.
Aether sighed and shook his head with his ears folded back.
"Fine...lets go check it out...." Said Aether reluctantly.
The 3 began walking in the direction of the roaring sounds. As they drew Closer, they could hear what sounded like fighting and a pony's voice. They sped up their approach up they reached a large clearing. In the center was a large Chimera that was just blasted back by a Bright Green and Black metallic unicorn stallion with a Radioactive symbol for a cutie mark.
Felix, Jackal Rock and Aether Lightshine all had astounded expressions on their faces as they watched the battle. The pony Finished off the Chimera with a powerful magic blast then turned around to face the three travelers.
"oh Hi Guys! What are you all doing here? Hehehe!"
Said the green Pony as he waved his hoof at them.
----END OF CHAPTER----