//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Virtues of Harmony // by SkylertKlaw //------------------------------// Chapter 6: ...A New War As Twilight and Luna began to talk about how their plans to enter the Everfree Forest to find the illusive Zecora, Applejack and Spike found themselves a spot for the two to talk. The baby dragon was curious to see what it was that his friend wanted to talk to him about. Applejack turned back to him, her usual friendly smile now replaced by a slight frown. "What's up, Applejack?" He asked, wondering if something was bothering her. "Listen sugar cube, we could be embarking on a very dangerous mission soon, perhaps our most dangerous one yet." Applejack said, placing a hoof on his shoulder, "Now if I know Twilight, she'll probably think of some kind of excuse for you to not come along." A frown slightly grew bigger at the end of her sentence. Spike felt a twisting feeling in his gut tighten when he saw her frown. Usually, Applejack would never frown. After the attack that happened hours ago though, everypony in Ponyville must have been feeling the pressure. "Now I have to ask you this very important question, and want you to be honest with your answer now. all right lil feller?" She asked. Spike blinked at her for a few seconds. She had an important question now? What could be so important about it that she had to talk to him privately about if she couldn't bring it up in front of the other ponies. His heart began racing in nerves. A part of him didn't want to answer her, but another part of him had to know what she had to say. "A-Alright." He finally said, the knot in his stomach twisting even more now. Applejack took a deep breath and looked at him straight in the eye. The one bad thing about Applejack? Her honesty would often end up with her asking question most ponies, or dragons for that matter, did not want to hear. "Could you live your life without Twilight?" She asked, her usual cheerful tone now gone. The question hit Spike like a bullet in his chest. Live without Twilight? He could never imagine such a thing to happen ever. His heart felt like it was about to crack in two. Applejack wouldn't just ask that question to anyone. Things must have been even worse if she had to bring the question up. "W-What?" He finally managed to ask, looking down at the ground, "I...I couldn't even IMAGINE a life like that..." Spike clenched his fists tightly. The very thought of someone hurting Twilight was more than enough to make him furious. He glanced back up to Applejack, a strong determination in his eyes. "If that...that SCUM tries to hurt her...I'll beat him myself if I have to!" "Whoa whoa lil feller, not too loud now." Applejack said, putting a hoof on his shoulder, "Now, I have another question that I have to ask you. Would you'd be willing to protect her with your own life?" Spike looked at her dead in her eyes. Even though he was a baby dragon, he could tell that she wasn't joking around with that question. Applejack's smile still hadn't returned as the two looked at each other. "Things will get mighty dangerous along this new path we're all taking." She said, her smile returning again, "I have a feeling that she'd lay down her life for you, lil guy." Spike glanced back to the conversing Twilight and Luna. His conversation with Applejack was making him more nervous then protective. Still, a part of him couldn't deny that he wouldn't abandon Twilight. "And...and I'd do the same for her." Spike said, looking at Applejack square in the face. "For my entire life, Twilight's been my best friend. I may not have had a mother, but she's practically the closest thing I've had to one. I'll do whatever it takes to protect her. That's a promise." "Good," Applejack said, patting him on his head, "Oh and one more thing, some advice for you." Spike raised an eyebrow at her. "Think about those who are the closest to ya," She said, "Rarity's nice and all, but if you're asking me? You already found someone who knows you best." She gave Spike a wink, "That's why I think you need to convince Twilight to let ya come along with us on this adventure after she gets back from the Everfree Forest." Spike glanced back to Twilight and Luna. The two of them looked like they were finishing up whatever conversation they were having, with Twilight heading back to the library. Spike's eyes glinted with determination as he nodded his head once. "...Right." He said, quickly following Twilight back to the library. Applejack sighed as she shook her head. Sometimes, it was hard to hide the truth. Her nature was to be honest with everypony that she talked to. But when it came to matters between her friends? She had to remain silent. "That there is one tough dragon." She said to herself before heading back to Apple-acres. XxXxX Back at Rainbow Dash's cloud house, things were starting to look a bit better. Despite the nasty taste from the tonic Billy made, Sky Fire's wounds began to heal. Rainbow's racing heart was slowly starting to relax as she saw him raise his head up from his pillow. She sighed when he tried to take a step off the couch, forcing her to push his front left leg back in place. "You're no where near ready to get up." She said firmly, "Just lay there and let your wounds heal up, ok?" "I can't stand being in one place for too long..." Sky Fire grumbled, "Can't that tonic work any faster?" "Unfortunately, no." Billy frowned, "I hate to tell you this man, but you gotta stay in one place and let yourself heal." Sky Fire groaned as he laid his head back down on the pillow. Rainbow just smiled as she pat his forehead with her front left hoof gently. "Stubborn as always." She said through a smile, "That's suppose to be my stick you know." Sky Fire just smiled as he closed his eyes briefly. Rainbow glanced to his injured left wing with a worried expression. If the wing was damaged really badly, it was possible that he could never fly again. She gently took one front hoof and rubbed the feathers softly. A content smile grew on Sky Fire's face as she did so. All of a sudden a knock came from Rainbow's door. The three pegasai turned their heads towards it instantly. "Rainbow? Can I come in?" Fluttershy's voice said from outside. "Huh? Oh!" Rainbow blinked, "Yeah sure, door's open." Fluttershy walked into the house. Around her neck was a basket carrying a fresh roll of bandages. She gave a small smile. "I'd figure that I'd check up on Sky Fire on my way back to Ponyville." She said, placing the basket down, "Twilight and Princess Luna are planning to find Zecora in the Everfree Forest." Rainbow blinked in surprise at Fluttershy's words. The yellow pegasus just smiled as she examined Sky Fire's burnt wing before placing bandages on it. "Wait, Zecora's?" Rainbow asked. "Yes." Fluttershy nodded, "You see, Princess Luna is leading a search team to track down and apprehend Storm Rider." She gently ripped the bandage roll once she was done wrapping Sky Fire's burnt wing. "We've volunteered to help her. Zecora might have noticed anything stranger in the Everfree Forest." "Zecora's?" Sky Fire asked, shaking his head in disbelief at Fluttershy and Rainbow. "Things MUST have changed since I've been gone if you guys are talking to her." Fluttershy giggled a little bit. "Oh yes. It turns out she's not anything like we thought she was at all. In fact, she's very nice and helpful." Rainbow just glared darkly at the mention of Storm Rider's name. True to her element, she was loyal to all her friends. Even those she hadn't seen in years. "Well, if you guys are going after that ahole, I'm in." She said, snorting a bit, "I wanna get my hooves on him so badly..." Billy backed away some at Rainbow's sudden change in attitude. He whispered over to Fluttershy and Sky Fire. "Oh boy. Rainbow only swears when she's well and truly mad." He said. Fluttershy frowned. "I know. She must be taking the attack hard." Sky Fire just shook his head as he turned back to Bill. Despite the bandages on his wing, he still forced himself to lean up. "I've been friends with her since I came to Cloudsdale." He said, "It's nothing I'm not use to." Sky Fire grew a slight smirk as he glanced back to his old friend. Rainbow was too busy looking angry to even hear what he had to say. "Besides, she always swore whenever I proved her wrong anyway. You two know that." Fluttershy smiled at him before putting the roll of bandages away. Sky Fire's left wing was not securely wrapped in strong bandages that would keep his wing safe from infection. "There you go. Try not to use that wing too much until the burn heals." She said, standing back up. "Take good care of yourself, because Princess Luna wants to move out of Ponyville as soon as you're well." With that, Fluttershy took her leave from Rainbow's house. She winked at Rainbow before leaving. The light blue pegasus just smiled. Out of all of their friends, Fluttershy was considered the 'mother hen' when it came to injuries and sick ponies. She turned back to Sky Fire, whose eyes were half open. "She's right. Take it easy for awhile tough guy." She gave a small smirk. "We won't go off without ya, so don't worry." "Wait..." Sky Fire said in a drowsy voice, "Why am..I coming...along?" He couldn't help himself anymore. His eyes promptly closed themselves tightly as he drifted off. Sky Fire began to snore a little bit as his face fell into the pillow, finally entering a peaceful sleep. Rainbow chuckled some as she brushed her hoof over his mane gently. "I'll tell ya once you're able to stay awake for man than half an hour." She said, gently nuzzling his face. "For now, just get some rest." XxXxX Back in Ponyville, Princess Celestia is deep in thought as she studies a map alone in encampment outside Ponyville. The thought of what happened to one of her oldest and closest friends had become something she was sworn to fight against. She bit her lip hard. This was the second time that someone in her life had turn to evil. First it was her little sister, Luna, and now it was Storm Rider. She tried to keep it hidden from most of the ponies today, but long ago she and Storm Rider were more than just good friends. A piece of her heart felt like it had been stabbed when the reports from Rainyville came that fateful day when he was driven away. How could someone she cared for allow such atrocities to happen? It didn't make sense. She stifled a tear, sniffling some as she remembered the aftermath with the first battle with Nightmare Moon. It was only a thousand years ago, but to her, it felt like it was yesterday. One Thousand Years Ago Storm Rider walked through the halls of Canterlot's palace. It was the second night since the battle with Nightmare Moon came to an end. All around him, the guards of Canterlot looked remorseful and sad for what happened to their beloved young princess. What happened to her was such a terrible fate. He eventually reached the door to Celestia's royal chambers. Two guards stood outside her room, eyeing him carefully as he approached. Storm Rider shook his head sadly as the two guards frowned. "Let me pass," He said sadly, "she's expecting me to see her." "Very well." One of the guards said, gently opening the door slowly. Storm Rider sighed as he walked into Celestia's chambers. The ruler of Equestria was not laying on her bed however, but staring out at the big moon with tears in her eyes. Apart of him wanted to walk away and not address her. But he stayed where he was. Celestia might have been the mightiest being in Equestria, but she wasn't without emotions. "Celestia..." He softly spoke, "I know it is not my concern, but I came to.." "You wondered how I am feeling." Celestia finished for him, not even looking towards Storm Rider as her head lowers, "I was forced to seal away my OWN sister because...because some THING took hold of her." She glared over at him, "How do you THINK I feel?" Storm Rider took notice of her pink mane flaring up. Unlike most ponies who would quiver at her flaring mane, Storm Rider just seemed unphased by her anger. He shook his head silently as he walked up to her side, glancing up at the moon alongside her. "You miss read my intent," He said, "I know how it feels to lose someone close to you...to do something to someone who means a great deal to you." Storm Rider closed his eyes. He dared not look Celestia in the eyes. He might have known her for all their lives, but he knew never to look at her dead in the eye when she was angered or upset. "You two were the closest of sisters...you feel sorrow, guilt, rage, and betrayed." His eyes narrowed, "All emotions that feed on negativity." "Yes..." Celestia finally said, turning to him, "That...that was NOT her, Storm. It...it was something else. Something took hold of her." Celestia turned her attention back to the moon. Storm Rider glanced over to her as she stared at the mare face in the moon. "I do not intend for her to remain there forever. Once I find a way to free her from that dark force..." "'Once?' What you have done, Celestia, is something that can not be reversed so easily." He sighs, "You have sealed her away, for a thousand years, it will be a long time before any sign of freeing her can return." Storm Rider turned back to the moon. Memories of the Great War with the Dark Ones, Discord's betrayal after the war, and the painful event of watching the two sisters battle still fresh in his mind. He kept his composure though, making sure that he looked strong for Celestia's sake. "And when she does return, it will take someone to ignite the spark of the Element of Magic." Celestia closed her eyes softly as she turned away from the moon. Eventually she leaned against him, a pale blush on her face. "Storm Rider...thank you. Thank you for always staying by me..." Storm Rider turned to her, offering a soft smile as they just stood in silence. Celestia shook her head some as the memories from that night lingered away. After a thousand years, how can you believe that someone you loved would go and commit such horrible crimes. A single tear crawled down her face. "Storm Rider...why..?" She asked herself. XxXxX "Oh COME ON, Twilight!" Spike yelled as he followed her around the library, "There's no telling what you'll face! I didn't help with Nightmare Moon and Discord, let me help this once!" "Absolutely not, Spike!" Twilight snapped, looking through one of her books with magic. Truth be told, she was furious that Spike even came up to her with this proposal to let him help in a dangerous time. "I can't believe that you would want to come on such a dangerous mission in the first place!" "Who?" Owlowiscious asked from his perch. Spike faceplamed at the owl's simple word. "Not now, Owlowiscious..." He said, turning back to Twilight, "Listen, Twilight...all I'm saying is that I just want to protect you! You've done so much for me, and this is my chance to pay you back." Twilight bit her lip at those words. Did he really mean those words? Was he just saying them so he could get out of the library for once? A quick flush of pink came across her face as she continued to read through the pages of her book. "Spike, you don't have to pay me back for anything." She said, closing her eyes afterwards, "I couldn't...I couldn't imagine what would happen if you got hurt because of this. I'd never forgive myself!" "And I wouldn't be able to forgive MYSELF if something happened to YOU!" Spike argued back, he ran in front of face and placed a hand on her cheek. "For all my life I've known you more than any other pony in Equestria. You know I had no family, and you were-" "Twilight! Spike!" Fluttershy said from outside, flying into the library before either one of them continued their argument. Fluttershy blinked as she notices both of them staring at her. "Oh...am I interrupting anything?" She asked meekly. Twilight just sighed as she pulled her head away from Spike's hand. "We're just having a disagreement on the issue on hand because somepony gave Spike the idea of coming along with us on this adventure." "Oh...I..I see." Fluttershy shook her head, "A-Anyway, I have big news. You know how you and Luna were suppose to head to Zecora's? Well the entrance to the Everfree Forest's vanished!" Both Twilight and Spike turned to Fluttershy, shock in their eyes at the news. Spike took a step forward first to Fluttershy. "What? What do you mean?" He asked. "I mean, there's some kind of barrier that's stopping ponies from getting in." Fluttershy explained. "A barrier? This sounds like some kind of magic..." Twilight mused, scratching her chin with her hoof, "We should inform Princess Luna right away." Twilight placed a book in her book bag as she began to walk out the door. She sighed softly as she stopped herself from going any further. Her argument with Spike still bothering her as she became lost in thought. "Why am I so scared about loosing Spike? He has a point but..." She thought to herself. Eventually she dismissed her question and turned back to the library. A soft smile no on her face. "Come along, Spike." "R-Right." Spike said, following after his best friend closely. XxXxX "Hmmm..." Luna mused as she rubbed her chin in deep thought, "Based on Fluttershy's description, the barrier seems to be a...Dark Miasma." "A what?" Spike asked, quirking an eyebrow. Luna sighed as she turned away from the three. "...When I was Nightmare Moon, one of my powers was, as you know, creating monsters of various kinds. Certain types of monsters give off such an offensive and warped presence that their evil literally manifests a barrier to ward off intruders." Fluttershy's eyes grew wide from the news. Twilight swallowed a lump in her throat. Spike looked even more concerned now. "Y-You mean there are monsters in the Forest?" Fluttershy asked. Luna nodded her head once. "Apparently so. Like drawn by Storm Rider's attack, if not summoned outright by him." "T-Then we have to do something!" Fluttershy said, her voice shaky, "Zecora could be in danger!" "Princess, if you would not mind, I shall take a look at this barrier." Twilight said quickly, "My magic might be able to dispel if if I try a new spell I've been learning." Luna turned to Twilight and offered her a small smile. It was nice to see the younger of the two sisters smile. The event of Nightmare Moon had made it hard for her to be more social. Even Spike could tell that the young princess was trying to be more social like her sister. "I'll come with you." She said, "I have knowledge of these types of magics, as you well know." "What should Fluttershy and I do?" Spike asked eagerly, wanting to come with Twilight even more now. "I want you to go back to the library and stay there." Twilight instructed, "Not a word about it, Spike." Spike sighed in defeat as he turned away from Twilight. The purple unicorn frowned at what she had to say, but she cared too much for Spike to just let him be exposed to danger. She turned to Fluttershy quickly before her ward could argue with her again. "Fluttershy, just in case, tell Rainbow and the others about this if we're gone for too long, all right?" "I-I...all right." Fluttershy nodded. As the Spirit of Kindness flew off to find the rest of their friends, Spike just stood in annoyance at Twilight's choice. This annoyance did not go unnoticed though. Luna frowned as she turned to Twilight. "You go on ahead, Twilight. I still have some preparations to make." She said, offering a small smile, "And please, there's no need to be formal if we're working together." "As you wish, Princ-...Luna." Twilight said, nodding once. Spike didn't turn around to even glance at Twilight as she walked off towards the Everfree Forest. Apart of him wanted to turn around and come anyway. However he ignore that part of him, knowing that she would have used a spell to keep him in place. Once Twilight was out of hearing range, Luna turned to Spike. "...Spike." "Huh?" She placed in his hand an indigo gem. Spike looked up at the young princess in confusion. He wasn't feeling very hungry, so he had no idea what the gem was for. Luna smiled as she shook her head. "Hold onto this. I've imbued it with magic connected to Twilight and I. If we're in danger, you'll know." She offered a light smirk, "And I trust you'll know what to do." "R-Right!" Spike saluted quickly. Luna giggled as he ran back to the library. It was refreshing to see someone have some energy in the dark times that they had just entered. Remembering the task at hand, she turned and cantered after Twilight. The two of them walked for what seemed like five minutes as they approached the intimidating woods, but as they approached it, Twilight began to cough lightly. Their main target was now in sight, the Everfree Forest. "As I thought," Luna mused, "This is definitely Dark Miasma." She flew up to examine the foggy black barrier carefully. Memories of being Nightmare Moon shivered down her spine as she examined it. Dismissing the memories of her dark alter ego, Luna landed beside Twilight after studying it. "I still have some power left over from when I was transformed. I can probably dispel the barrier." "A-Are you sure about that?" Twilight asked, "I mean, what if it tries to...take you over again? I don't think your sister can take loosing another important pony in her life." Luna was silent for a few seconds. Her eyes narrowed in determination as she stared down the barrier. "...I'll be fine." She said, "I won't be controlled again. Not ever." Her horn shined brightly, unleashing a silver light from within the princess of night. The fog barrier slowly started to dissipate as her magical spell continued. Twilight was in awe at how much power she had, even if she was the younger of the two. "Come on." Luna ordered, taking a few steps ahead of Twilight, "And stay close, there's no telling what's waiting for us." Twilight just nodded her head silently as she walked after Luna. The forest seemed different than the last time they had journeyed into it. The trees looked much more menacing than they did before. Probably a side effect from the Dark Miasma. She swallowed a lump in her throat as she stayed close to Luna. Being in the forest as it was made her fur stand up. "This place...it feels like everything is being sucked away from it..." Twilight pointed out, noticing a tree branch fall off a dead tree. "You're right..." Luna said, noticing the fallen dead branches that usually were full of life. She came to a stop suddenly, nearly gasping as she pointed to several corpses of green humanoid creatures laying before them. "What...are those?" Twilight asked in disgust. "Hmph...Goblins." Luna scoffed, "Rank and file rabble of the monster world. Of course, this begs the question of who fought them off." Twilight shuddered at the word 'goblins.' She had read about the Monster Kingdoms when she was under Celestia's tutelage. Most ponies wouldn't have known about the outside Kingdoms, only knowing of Equestia usually. But when you're the favorite student of the Princess of Equestria, you're given more insight to the world. "Goblins..." She said, "I remember reading a book of when they wanted to raid Canterlot..." She quickly glanced over to Luna, "What could be out here that could fight them off though?" Luna put a hoof to her chin. Slowly she walked over to the corpses, making sure that they were dead before examining them. She sneezed lightly as the rank smell of death filled her nose. "Looks like a combination of hoof kicks and...some form of magic." She mused, poking one of them with her horn, "Voodoo, I think." "That sounds like Zecora," Twilight said, "You think she might have pulled this Dark Miasma to protect her home?" Luna shook her head no. "I don't think so. That Miasma had a sinister aura to it. Whatever summoned it was...likely unfriendly." Before Twilight could ask another question, a loud scream caught their attention. It was so loud that the birds resting on what tree branches that were left alive flew away. "AAGH! Have you gone MAD?" Zecora's voice rang out. "What the?" Luna asked, looking all around her. Twilight took a few steps back. "That's Zecora!" She yelled, "Something's wrong!" "This way!" The two of them ran as fast as their legs could carry them. As they progressed deeper into the forest, it slowly became darker and harder to see through. They only way they could find her now was following Zecora's occasional scream. Eventually they came across Zecora, being held by some kind of strange creature. The zebra struggled as she was held up by the neck. Her captor was a large, bipedal wolf creature. "Vir...tue...dra...gon...WHERE?" It asked. Zecora struggled some more before kicking the wolf in the chest. "I know not of what you speak! Release me at once, you hairy freak!" Twilight narrowed her eyes as she ran ahead of Luna. She dragged her hoof across the ground as she stood behind the large wolf like creature, her horn glowing with magic. "Hey!" She shouted, a magic missile flew from her horn into the creature's side, "Let her go, you monster!" The attack caught the wolf creature off guard momentarily. With a dark growl, it turned its attention back to her. Twilight noticed that it's nostrils began to flare rapidly as it picked up her scent. The wolf creature threw Zecora to the side, glaring at Twilight. "You...have scent of the one...of the dragon..." Its eyes narrowed, "YOU know where!" "Twilight!" Zecora called out, "Be careful! That's a werewolf!" The werewolf howled loudly as it lunged towards Twilight. The purple unicorn barely had enough time to react to dodge its attack. Before she could counter though, the werewolf's left claw grabbed her by the throat and easily held her in the air. "Virtue...must find him...DRAGON OF VIRTUE!" It roared, slowly bringing her head to its mouth. Twilight clenched her eyes tightly as the werewolf's teeth came closer to her. Before the monster's teeth could cut into her skin though, it dropped her suddenly. The werewolf howled in pain as it eventually evaporated. Just in the nick of time, Luna had fired a powerful silver ray that was more than enough to destroy the werewolf. She panted a bit as she kneeled down on one knee. "Hah..I'm still relearning my powers..." She panted, Twilight ran over and helped her up, "Normally using that attack would not be so tiring." Twilight gave a small smile. Despite what some ponies might have believed, Luna was no longer evil. Zecora walked up to the two of them. She had a small limp, but she wasn't hurt to the point where she couldn't walk. "Ah, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna I see." She said, "You have my thanks for saving me." "What happened here?" Luna asked, her mind now refocused on the mission. "In truth, I am unsure." The zebra explained, "All was quiet until this noon, when suddenly monsters appeared out of the blue. I tried to discover the rook of this dark event, when I was jumped by that hairy pest." Twilight blinked at Zecora's words. If the forest was now under attack as well, Ponyville could be at more of a risk than they thought. The werewolf's last words began to haunt her mind. "Zecora," She said, "What did he mean by...Dragon of Virtue? By smell?" Zecora shook her head. That made Twilight worry even more as she tried to figure out what the monster meant. Then it hit her. "Did he...did he mean Spike?" She asked, her voice now frantic as she took in deep breaths. "Twilight, try to stay calm!" Luna said, "We'll head back to Ponyville right away. I have a feeling that someone's trying to start a war..." "Go." Zecora nodded, "These beasts are no match for my skill and spells." Twilight and Luna quickly began to gallop at top speeds back to Ponyville. Unaware that in their absence that several monsters had slipped into Ponyville under someone's orders. All Twilight could think about was getting back to the library in time to save Spike. XxXxX "Tell me, how goes the plan?" Storm Rider asks through a magic mirror. "It goes well, my lord." The figure in the robe said, "The bearer of Magic and the younger Princess are away from the village. Odds are that they will not interfere with our mission." "You underestimate them, my right hand." Storm Rider said, narrowing his eyes, "A bunch of goblins and a werewolf will not hold them off for long. I want you to head in there now, locate the ones those foolish goblins can not." "As you command, Great One." The magic mirror began to slowly dissipate away. As it did, the robbed figure turned to Ponyville. Under his dark hood, an evil smile grew. "Ah, Ponyville...it's been a thousand years since I last saw this place..." To Be Continued...