It had just struck midnight in Ponyville, everypony in the town were fast asleep as Luna watched over their fun and imaginative dreams. And as this happened, there was one dream that was different. This dreamer was within the castle of friendship, a certain defender named Flash Sentry. He was asleep in bed with Princess Twilight Sparkle, the alicorn snuggled up to his chest as his wings and hooves were tightly wrapped around her.
But as they slept, Flash's dreams began to play out, the young pegasus now standing in a black void. "Hello?" He echoed into the distance, his eyes darting around as he tried to find anything in the abyss. "This is...way too familiar."
He let out a sigh as he slumped over in the void, his eyes scanning the place over before seeing a speck of light to appear in the corner of his eye. "Hmm?" he muttered as he watched the mite fly over to him, only for its light to grow brighter. As it did this, the light suddenly shot at him like a bullet. Unable to react, the light consumed his body, making him close his eyes.
And when he reopened his eyes, he found he was back in his room. He blinked at the sight, only to find he was floating in the air...while his wings were completely stationary. "What the-" Flash looked down, expecting to see Twilight casting a levitation spell, only to see her still fast asleep while snuggled up to...him. Flash's eyes went wide, scanning over his lying body before trying to touch his body with his hooves, only to for them to go right through. "WHOA!"
The defender flexed his hooves next, now seeing they were transparent before looking back at his body, seeing and hearing air come out of his nose, "Ooookay, I'm breathing, so I don't think I'm a ghost. Is this like Shade's machine?" A certain memory then chimed into his head, making him say, "Well, my body is still there, so maybe its like Zecora's potion. That or-"
His words came to a stop as the world around him move. Quickly looking around, he saw the walls start to get closer, "Hey! What the-" He reached out to the wall, only for his hoof to phase right through it. "Oh. Right..."
The defender then found his body start to float upward, soon zipping through the ceiling before leaving the castle entirely. He then found himself in the sky, the clouds swaying around him. "Now what?!" He growled, only for a bright flash of light to shine in front of his eyes, making him rapidly blink. "Augh!"
And when his eyes reopened, he found himself looking at five lights in the sky, all of them turning into four very familiar ponies...and one jakhowl. It was Springer, Trixie, Soarin, Ruby and Cold, all floating in front of him, "Guys? What's going on? Are the rest of you having an out of body experience as well?!" His question was given no answer, causing him to raise an eyebrow before he stared into their eyes, only to see nothing but a spaced-out expression on their faces. "Guys?"
He then floated in front of them, waving his hooves as he started yelling their names. But as he did this, the world began to move again, this time flying over Sweet Apple Acres before turning into a blur. The landscape swiftly started to change, Flash's eyes staring down as he found he was suddenly able to follow every inch. Before he knew it, he couldn't turn his head as he watched the land burn itself into his memory. Eventually, they reached the edge of the Equestria's western border, only to fly past it. The town he and Cold had saved was passed next, now switching to unfamiliar territory as he continued to watch. But despite never seeing any of these areas before, all he needed was a glance for it to be printed to memory.
The miles flew past in seconds, Flash's brain burning as he watched the mountains go by...only for it to finally come into a stop. All six were now floating over some mountains, Flash flexing his stiff joints as he began to look around, "Finally...that hurt my eyes. Now, why am I-"
His words came to a stop as he saw his answer. It was a city sitting at the base of a mountain. The place was ancient-looking, the designs being some he had only seen in a few of Twilight's oldest books. But the buildings inside looked like they were brand new, no signs of ageing, erosion or weather damage. They didn't have any plants or moss growing, though the area around the buildings were certainly overgrown. The city also had an impressive waterway, a river from the mountains flowing into a series of canals that bled throughout the city and filled several large pony-made lakes.
Flash's mind went blank at the image, unable to do anything except marvel at the spectacle before him. But his attention was soon drawn somewhere else as the corner of his eye saw something else. Turning to his right, he now saw a brilliant flash of...darkness.
His eyes shrunk at the sight, the shadows then splitting into seven shapes, each strangely more different from the last. But as he blinked at the shadows, one stood in front of six others, its form morphing to what Flash could only guess was a unicorn. Not only that, the unicorn was the only one moving while the others just stood there perfectly still...just like his friends.
"Who are you?" Flash asked, only for silence to be the answer. "Hey! Can you hear me?!" Again, there was no reply from the figure, but then Flash saw that the unicorn's mouth began to move...but no sound came out.
Before he could think of another way to communicate, he suddenly felt gravity take hold, yanking him to the ground, "WHOA!" he yelped as he tried flapping his wings, but they were useless. And as he saw his body fling to the earth, he looked up and saw that the figure was also falling with him.
He cried out as he watched the ground grow closer to him, flinching in preparation of the inevitable collision. But as they reached the ground, both suddenly phased through the dirt, darkness consuming them before dropping into a new vision of light. There, their bodies finally slowed down, Flash's eyes reopening before gasping as he saw a new sight.
It was a sight of pure beauty, a chamber filled with reflective crystals, all of them bouncing around the light that hit them. And as his eyes scanned over every inch of the room, he saw that the light came from a single round crystal with rainbow-colored lights spiralling around inside. As for the rock, it was standing on a crystal podium, which went up about ten-meters. Flash couldn't take his eyes off the crystal, feeling a sense of...familiarity while gazing at it.
"--ash." The pegasi's ears shot up as he heard a voice echo through the chamber. It sounded muffled and coupled with the static noise, soon speaking up again, "--ash Sent--, --ur ---tiny a----- you. --me. -in- -- an- ---cover wh-"
Flash's ears tried to hear the last words, only to feel something grab him again. His body was yanked again, this time right through the chamber's ceiling. He wanted to yell out to the voice, asking it to repeat themselves, but before he could even try, he was above the city again.
"Augh! What's going on?!" Flash yelled, only to see his five friends stand in front of him. "Guys?" The five suddenly started to emote, each one adopting a scowl before getting into a battle stance. Blinking at the sight, he saw that they were looking behind him, making him turn around to see the other figure's team also getting into battle-ready positions.
But before Flash could even ask what was going on, everyone except him and the unicorn figure exploded, his body suddenly feeling himself flying back the way he came, "WHOA!" he yelped as he saw the unicorn flying off in another direction.
He quickly picked up speed and soon found himself moving twice as fast as last time. Despite this, he could still make out the world that was zipping past him. In no time at all, he found himself back at Ponyville, his body phasing right back down to the bedroom.
"GYAH!" He screamed as his eyes shot open, his body jerking as he accidentally threw Twilight to the edge of the bed while landing on the other edge. Both ponies felt themselves tip over, Twilight gasping as she woke up before both were succumbed to gravity's cruel grip.
"WHOA!" They both cried as they fell off the bed, two thuds echoing off the floor.
"Owww…" Twilight moaned as she started to rubbing her head, soon picking herself up before looking at the bed. "What the-what happened?" Her eyes squinted as she saw Flash's back legs laying up the side of the bed. "Flash? You okay?" She crawled over to him, now seeing him staring up at the ceiling with wide eyes, "Flash?"
Flash didn't respond, his breath frantic as he just stared at the ceiling. Twilight repeated his name again, reality starting to settle in as he turned to the sound, now seeing the worry on his lover's face, "Twilight?"
"Flash? Are you okay?" Her horn began to shine as she picked him and plopped him back down on the bed. She then started to rub his chest with her hoof as she asked, "Flash? What's wrong?"
"I...I..." Flash tried to talk but his mouth could barely move. But as his breathing began to slow down, he put his wing around Twilight, "Twilight...I..."
"What's wrong Flash? I know that face. What happened?" His eyes slowly drifted over to her, a mix of confusion and worry on his face before he did a small nod.
Twilight was silent as he began to explain his dream, trying to go every detail. She listened with pure intrigue, a mixture of emotions gracing her face before he finished, "Then I...I woke up." He then saw Twilight's face, nothing but confusion in her expression, "Well? What do you think?"
The alicorn just blinked before replying, "This...this was just a dream, right?"
"I don't know," Flash responded before getting off the bed. "It felt like a dream...but at the same time, it felt so real. And...and I remember it. I remember every single detail. I can remember the exact route we took, I can describe every inch of the city I saw, and I remember exactly what those other ponies looked like. How many dreams have you had that you could remember so vividly?"
"None." Twilight instantly replied, "I...can't." She then crossed her hooves as she continued, "Flash...do you think this was a vision?"
"I don't know!" Flash groaned as he spun around and fell back, his breathing increasing again. "I...I just don't know."
Twilight sighed at the sight, cringing at the pain now showing on the pegasi's face, "Flash..." She laid down and put her head on his chest, "It's alright Flash, we'll figure this out. If you think this dream was more than just that, I'll believe you and help you figure it out. But...do you want to think this was just a dream or something more?"
She waited for his reply, listening to his heart's beat start to go steady before responding, "I do. I don't know why, but something in my gut's telling me to not ignore what I saw."
"Then...let's start with telling the princesses." Her horn began to shine, summoning a scroll and quill, "Dear Princess Celestia…"
As soon as the sun was up the next morning, Twilight had Spike send the letter to Celestia before she gathered their friends to the castle. Once there, Flash went over the dream, only to get varying responses from his friends. Those like Springer, Grand and Fluttershy believed him when he said he thought it more than just a dream, while ponies like Iron, Applejack and Rainbow told him it was just a dream and nothing more. Pinkie and Wild also asked if he had just eaten something weird before going to bed, which didn't amount to anything.
But then Celestia's reply came, showing she believed there was more to this dream then meets the eye. She requested for them to come to Canterlot, the decision slightly changing everypony's opinion of the dream. And as they got on the Friendship Express, being all the CMC, the defenders, Mane Seven and Wild, Grand asked Flash to recite the whole experience.
"So who do you think those ponies you saw are?" Scootaloo asked, the rest of the CMC nodding at the question as the defender finished his explanation.
Flash slumped back in his seat, rubbing his chin, "I don't know. I don't think I've ever seen them before...though they were just shadows, so it's not like I could really tell who or what they were."
"Well, what did they look like?" Rarity asked. "Could you tell what species of pony they were?"
Flash hummed as he closed his eyes, biting his lip as he replied, "Three of them were definitely unicorns, maybe a fourth."
"How can you not be sure?" Rainbow responded with crossed hooves, "Didn't you see if they had a horn or not?"
"That's just the thing. They did have what looked like a horn, but I think they were wearing armor."
"Armor?"
Flash started waving his hooves, gesturing to his head and hooves, "Their body was really bulky and had a lot of sharp edges. It looked like they were wearing a full set of armor from head to hoof."
"Oh, I get it," Lightning spoke up, "You can't tell if they're a unicorn because they might either be wearing unicorn armor or just spiky armor. For all you know, they're an earth pony or zebra." Flash nodded in response.
"So what about the other three? Can you tell what they were?"
"Well...one kinda looked like a griffon, but not like Gilda." Rainbow raised an eyebrow at this, gesturing for more details. "They had wings, talons and a beak, but...they were a lot slimmer and seemed to have hooves on their back legs instead of lion paws." Rainbow and Pinkie exchanged glances, neither remembering seeing a griffon like that when they visited Griffonstone.
"The other two?" Springer asked next.
"One was a pegasus, I'm sure about that. But the last one..." Flash paused as he tilted his head back and forth, "They kinda looked like a unicorn, but their horn was way longer...and it was curved backwards. And it was like...in a Y shape at the end."
"Oh my," Fluttershy gasped, "I've never heard of a creature like that."
"Neither have I," Twilight added with crossed hooves, "It's one of the reasons I think there's more to this dream than just that. No offense Flash, but you have a lousy imagination."
"None taken," Flash grumbled, looking away as Twilight continued to talk.
"Basically, I don't think he made it up. I'm sure the princesses might have some idea about what this creature could be." She then looked out the window, "And we won't have to wait much longer. Everypony, get your stuff." They all nodded before gathering their things, soon disembarking as the train came to a stop.
"Princess Twilight!" They turned to see one of the guards standing on the platform, bowing as the alicorn approached, "Princess Celestia sent us to collect you. Your carriages await." Twilight nodded before the group followed him outside, now finding a bunch of pegasi drawn carriages waiting for them. They all got in, Rainbow and Flash deciding to make room by flying themselves as they enjoyed a quick trip to the castle. There, they spotted Trixie waiting at the entrance.
She waved as they landed, soon moving over and pulling Twilight into a hug. "It's so great to see you all."
"It's great to see you as well," Twilight told her, both pulling away as Trixie turned to give Flash a smirk.
"So...I hear I've been showing up in your dreams." She tapped him on the nose, "Naughty colt. The only mare that should be in your dreams is that one," she pointed at Twilight, everypony laughing at this as the two blushed at her comment. Trixie then told them to follow, explaining Celestia and Luna were in one of the libraries.
A few minutes later, they walked into the room, only to see the princesses, along with Soarin and Cold. Everypony's eyes went wide at the sight as Celestia greeted them, "Hello my little ponies." She turned to Flash, "Flash, we were intrigued to hear about your strange dream. That's why we called everypony involved here."
"Hey everypony!" Soarin flew over and landed next to Rainbow, "So what's the deal? Why'd I get called here?"
"It's...hard to explain," Flash replied before turning to Cold. "Surprised to see you got here so quickly. With all your wandering, I figured we'd have to have this meeting without you."
Cold just shrugged, "Actually, your dream had some pretty good timing. I arrived in Canterlot yesterday to give the princesses my latest report. I should have already left, but then we got your letter."
"Well...that's a creepy coincidence," Scootaloo commented, a few others nodding at her words.
"So, we're just waiting for Ruby?" Twilight asked, everypony sitting around a large table the others were already around.
"Not just her," Luna responded with a small smile, "Given the strangeness of this event, we decided it was best to call in a few experts. We sent some guard carriages to Manehatten to collect them, so they should be here soon."
As if on cue, the library doors opened to reveal Ruby alongside Flash's parents. "Mom! Dad!" Scootaloo exclaimed as she hopped out of the seats and leapt into Misty's hooves, both hugging tightly.
"Hello sweetheart," She turned to Flash, a slight giggle following this, "The princesses called us when they got your message. They thought we should be here, in case this had something to do with your Sacred Light."
"Of course," Flash smacked his head. "This has got to be connected to that."
"I can't believe we didn't realize it," Twilight added.
"Well, as long as somepony did, its fine." Trail replied as they sat down. "Alright son, tell us everything."
Flash nodded before for what felt like the hundredth time that day, he went over his unusual dream and everything that happened. While he talked, Misty and the alicorns got up and started pulling books down from the shelves while continuing to listen, soon covering the table with tomes as Flash finished his story.
"You were right to be suspicious of this dream," Trail told him. "I don't think it's just a dream."
"Agreed. This sounds like a type of vision." Misty added. "Would you not agree Princess Luna?"
The princess didn't respond, instead going over some books on ancient architecture. "No...no..." she flipped through several pages, "Not that. Not that either."
"Luna? What's wrong?" Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow as she watched her sister put away another book.
"The city Flash described...I swear it sounds familiar. I know I've seen something similar to it before, but I can't for the life of me remember where."
Celestia hummed at this, reviewing the facts internally before a bulb went off in his head. "Wait, I know!" Her horn ignited, the princess disappearing in a golden flash before returning a second later. And as she reappeared, she held up a small wooden chest, "In here."
"A chest?" Spike asked, Celestia placing the box on the table.
"Yes. You see, this chest has a stasis spell cast upon it so that anything placed inside is protected from the flow of time, preventing it from aging." She stared down at it, a wistful look on her face. "I haven't opened this box in a few centuries."
Her horn shined as she opened it, revealing a small sketchbook inside. Luna gasped at the sight, "Is that-"
"Starswirl's sketchpad, yes." She took the book out, opening it to show everypony several drawings of many different ruins. Twilight's eyes went wide as she appeared to be close to drooling at the sight, unable to believe she had one of Starswirl's actual notepads in front of her.
As for Flash, his eyes narrowed before going wide-eyed as Celestia stopped on a particular page. "There! That's it!" Celestia came to a stop as Flash pointed at an image, "That's exactly what the city in my dream looked like!" Everypony blinked at the design, Flash then asking, "What is that city? Do you know?"
"That's the Lost City of Faust," Celestia announced without even looking. "This was one of Starswirl's life goals: To find the city of the alicorns."
"The Lost City of Faust?" Twilight whispered, turning to Misty and Trail, "Didn't you once say something about finding a reference to it?"
Misty nodded in response, "The city named after the creator of our world. The place where the alicorns called home before they divided into the three races and spread across the land...at least, that's what the legends say."
Luna shook her head, "It's more than just that. This city is where Starswirl first found Celestia and I when we were young."
Everypony went wide-eyed at this, but Celestia continued despite their reactions, "He spent decades searching for it, only to find it and us in the process. Realizing our potential, he returned to Equestria and raised us to be who we are now."
Luna let out a huff as she then said, "However, before you ask what we know about the place...well, when we were older, we tried to take a journey back to the city. But when we arrived where the city had been, the place had completely vanished."
"Vanished?!" Sweetie gasped.
"How does a whole city vanish?" Apple Bloom added.
"We don't know," Celestia replied while biting her lip. "Starswirl spent the rest of his life trying to relocate it, but found nothing before he disappeared. After that, nopony has ever mentioned finding the city again." She then turned to Flash, "Until now."
Flash said nothing as he stared at the book, "The Lost City of Faust...this is the place where the first alicorns lived after they were created by the Sacred Light, right?" He looked up at his parents, both nodding before he said, "If that's true...I have to go there."
Everypony now turned to him, blinking at him while Twilight exclaimed, "What?!"
Flash stood up from this seat. "I have to go to this city. I don't know why...but I think that voice was telling me to come to that city." He glared back at the picture, "There must be something there for me...and maybe I can figure out why I was given the Sacred Light."
"I thought we knew why you had the Sacred Light?" Pinkie asked.
Rainbow nodded in agreement, "Yeah! Didn't your mom like...absorb it while she was pregnant with you?"
"But what if there's more to it than that?" Flash replied as he pointed at himself, "The Sacred Light is alive. It chose to let me use its power...so maybe it also chose to enter me when I was born. If that's the case, it has to have a reason." He stared back down at the book, "I have to know."
Applejack raised an eyebrow at this. "So ya'll wanna take a who knows how long trip to a city yah not even sure will be there, facin' Celestia knows what along da way, out of idle curiosity?"
Flash nodded, "Yes."
Soarin pumped his hooves at this, "Awesome! Sounds like fun!" He got up and moved over to Flash, "Count me in. If I was in your dream, it means whatever's calling for you wants me there too."
Flash smirked back before slapping wings, the knight then turning to the others in the dream, "What about you all? I won't make you come if you don't want to, but-"
"Say no more," Springer replied as he gave him a thumbs up. "I'd be coming even if you didn't ask. Anywhere you're going, I'm going too."
"And don't think you'll be leaving me out of this," Trixie told him while tilting her hat. "If you want Trixie there beside you, then Trixie will be there to help however she can."
Flash nodded at them before turning to the last two candidates, now seeing both just stare at him. Seeing this, Flash spoke up, "Ruby, I know you're not one to spend a large amount of time away from the Empire, but whoever it is calling to me, they must want you there for a reason. So-"
"Enough," Ruby huffed before flashing a hoof, "No need for a big speech. I'll come."
"You will?" Flash asked with raised eyebrows, Ruby nodding back.
"After all the times you've helped me, it wouldn't be very knightly of me to not help you."
"But what about the empire?" Twilight asked, "And Hiveena. If you're not there-"
"While I admit I was hesitant around the changelings at first, I've since grown a bit more comfortable with them, especially Thorax. He is way too kind for his own good. And even if Hiveena acts out, I'm certain Thorax and Prince Shining Armor can keep her in line."
Flash nodded, then turning to Cold. "How about it Cold? Wanna make it five for five?"
Everypony watched as Cold crossed his front hooves, a blank expression on his face before replying, "As interested as I am to see what this is all about, I'm currently in the middle of a mission assigned to me by the princesses. I couldn't stop that to go off on a new adventure even if I wanted to." He turned to Celestia, "Only a princess can grant me that permission."
Celestia did a small nod, "Permission granted Cold. If you wish to accompany Flash, then you have our full support."
Cold shrugged at her words, "Very well. If that's what the princesses wish, then I will accompany you."
"Alright!" Flash cheered.
"Don't forget about us!" Rainbow added while tapping the table with her hoof, "If you all are going, then so are we!"
"That's right," Rarity nodded.
"We're part of the team too!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"I'm...in," Fluttershy muttered while twiddling her hooves.
Applejack let out a long sigh before saying, "Ah still think this whole thing's crazy, but don't think ya'll can leave me outta the crazy."
"Don't think you're leaving the defenders out," Iron added while pumping his hooves.
Lightning nodded in agreement, "No kidding. You'll need some real muscle to stand a chance against whatever's waiting for you."
"I'm in too!" Wild cheered as his puppets flew over him. "Unknown locations and countless danger awaiting? Talk about WILD!"
"WILD! WILD! WILD!"
Grand laughed at the sight, his face beaming at his student and his loyal friends, "I'd agree to go with you, but Ponyville will need somepony to keep the peace. Though I'm pretty sure I have nothing to worry about."
"Of course," Twilight replied with a single clap of her hooves, "When we work together, nothing can stop us." She turned to smile at Flash, "It'll be a long journey, so we better start getting prepared! We'll need lots of scrolls and cameras so I can document everything we find there..." she started vibrating as her grin began to grow, "Oh, I can't wait!" But as she said this, she saw a frown start to form on Flash's face, "What? What's wrong Flash?"
Flash sighed as everypony else looked at him, "I...I don't think you all should come."
Everypony went wide-eyed, Twilight gasping, "What?! Why?! Why don't you want us to come with you?!"
"I do want you to come," he told her. "But...something in my gut is telling me you shouldn't."
"So we should just listen to your gut?!" Rainbow asked in a low tone, "What if your gut told you to jump off a cliff?!"
"Then it probably wants me to fly somewhere," Flash flexed his wings for emphasis. "But that's not the point. I just...have a feeling about this. That dream showed me those five...and it didn't show me you." he gestured to the five standing in a group. "Why would it do that if it wanted you to come with me?"
Everyone exchanged glances at his statement, frowns and uncertainty on their faces before Pinkie spoke up, "It could have just been showing you the ponies it wanted you to bring along that usually wouldn't join us on this kind of adventure."
"Then why did it show me Springer?" Flash asked as he pointed at the jakhowl, "He said it himself that he'd come, even if I didn't ask." He shook his head next, "No, I think whoever's calling out to me only wants me to bring these five."
"So we should just listen to whoever it is that's calling you?" Iron deadpanned, "That's stupid. Heck, what if this is a trap? What if it only wants you to leave us behind cause it knows it can't beat the rest of us."
"Hey!" Trixie barked with a pout, "Are you saying we can't protect Flash if we need too?!"
However, her statement was ignored as Lightning spoke up next, "I agree with Iron. If this is something it wants this group, it may be based on who wouldn't be suited. What if those unicorns you saw can counter ice, illusions or crystals? Heck, they might even have a way to counter aura."
"I don't think this is a trap," Flash replied with crossed hooves.
"Let me guess," Applejack spoke up. "Another gut feeling?"
"Yes. Don't ask me how I know, but...I just know we can trust this thing."
"But you don't know that for sure," Twilight instantly responded, her tone now changed to a low, dark tone. "Flash...this is reckless what you're suggesting. What if this is some ploy to steal your power from you?"
"And what if it's not?" Flash countered, "What if whoever's calling me out wants, or needs, me to bring just them? What if bringing somepony else angers it and causes it to warp the city away?"
"Warp the city away?" Wild asked, raising an eyebrow.
Flash shrugged, "It's possible. If it wasn't there when Starswirl went back, it had to be somewhere, and it had to get there somehow. All I'm saying is, I trust this thing. The Sacred Light's never done anything to put me in danger, as its trusted in me to wield its power...so I have to trust in it."
Twilight's mouth kept opening and closing, her brain showing a bit steam coming off it before turning to Celestia and Luna, "Princesses! Please tell him how crazy this is!"
Celestia and Luna both turned to one another, having a mental conversation before Celestia walked around the table. Flash had to admit in that moment that it had been a long time since he had seen how tall Celestia was. The alicorn stood over him, his form almost shrinking as he looked up at her and saw a stern look on her face. Flash couldn't feel any smaller...till Celestia's expression turned into a smile, "Flash, do you truly believe this is what the one calling to you wants?"
Flash took a deep breath and clutched his element's meaning before nodding, "Yes princess, this is what I believe."
Celestia nodded in response, "Then we shall follow it." She turned to everypony else, "Flash will be making this pilgrimage with only those he saw in his dream. The rest of you will remain behind and await their return." The look on everypony's faces weren't exactly happy, Twilight's face morphing between confusion and anger. As for the rest, they didn't reply, unable to go against Celestia's order as she added, "Now, we have much preparation to do."
Luna spoke up next as she turned to her student, "Come along Trixie. I wish to make sure your battle skills are in top form before you head out. Ruby, please help me with this."
"Yes princess," Trixie and Ruby replied before they followed their mentor out of the library. As they did this, the others all split up into groups, most leaving the library until only Flash and the two remaining alicorns were left.
Twilight had a dark expression on her face, her form looking away from the two. "Twilight..." Flash tried to say as he reached out to touch her shoulder, only for her to suddenly cut into a sprint. And as she ran out of the library, the defender could only sigh as he saw she was holding back tears.
"Give her time," Celestia told him. "She's scared."
"Scared that I won't come back?" Celestia nodded, Flash moaning as he rubbed his face, "Shoot...oh, I hope she'll forgive me for this."
The hours passed with everypony working to prepare for the journey. Applejack and Pinkie were working on a bunch of different foods with the help of the castle staff, Spike and two-thirds of the CMC. Rarity was quickly working on some fashionable, yet effective, travel gear for the group to protect themselves from the weather.
Meanwhile, Rainbow and Soarin decided to spend some time together. It was likely they weren't going to be seeing a lot of each other for a while, so they wanted to squeeze as much time as they could. "Spitfire ain't gonna be happy," Soarin said as they calmly flew across the sky. "This'll probably be the longest leave of absence any Wonderbolt's ever taken."
"Well, it's not like she can stop you from going," Rainbow replied as she flew right over him, "Royal Knights outrank her, and Princess Celestia can always help out with that."
"Good point. Still doesn't mean she won't be mad. Though this does mean somepony's gonna need to fill in for me while I'm gone," he shot her a smirk, making her laugh as they both landed on a nearby cloud. "Why me though? Why'd I get called to this city? I'm not a Royal Knight, or a defender of the peace or even one of the princesses students." He let out a long sigh, "So why me?"
Rainbow let out a hum, crossing her hooves, "I don't know." She then smirked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Maybe they saw how awesome you are and really want to come along so you can show it."
"I just hope I can keep up with everypony. I mean, unlike them, I don't have any fancy abilities. I don't have Sacred Light, Celestic Gears, aura or magic. I'm just...fast."
"Then be fast." She instantly replied, tapping his chest, "Don't keep up with them. Be ahead of them. Be the first one to charge forward against whatever you all face. Don't stop moving, even for a second. After all, having cool magic and aura is pointless if they can't hit their target."
Soarin's face started to show smile, now nodding as he thought about what he could do with his flying abilities and techniques, "I guess so..." He slowly moved over to his lover's side, "Thanks Dashy."
"No problem," Rainbow leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. The two continued to remain in one another's company while staring down at the city, watching as the ponies went about their daily lives.
"HIYAH!" Cold slammed an icy sword into Iron's shield, pushing him back slightly before dodging a swing of Grand's hammer. The three were in the training field, Fluttershy watching from the side as Cold faced off against the two. Following Luna's lead, the Frozen Wanderer had asked the two knights to spar with him and make sure he was in top shape.
Fluttershy stared down at a stopwatch they had given her, watching as it hit the twenty-minute mark. "Time." The three pulled themselves to a stop, their weapons inches from one another before retracting them. Three sighs exhaled from their mouths, all soon moving over to the stands where Fluttershy was holding out bottles of water.
"Thank you," Cold said while drinking his ice-cold water, cooled by his magic.
Iron spun the bottle in his hoof, "No problem. I've been hoping to get the chance to test myself against you after I saw you fight Sentry."
Grand chuckled at Iron's statement, "Eh, always happy to help a fellow knight. Anything to keep you alive."
Cold nodded before noticing somepony trot into the field, turning to see Flash's parents and sister move over to them, "Can I help you?"
"Yes," Misty replied, "First, we want to thank you for agreeing to go with Flash."
"I didn't agree," Cold deadpanned, "I was ordered by-"
"Celestia told you to do what you wanted," Trial interrupted. "You could have said no if you wanted to. The fact you said yes means you wanted to go with Flash and help him."
"Don't be absurd." Cold countered, "According to what discussed, this will involve the Sacred Light, which is something that is part of my investigation of the Corrupted Shadow. That is part of my mission-"
"You can stop acting so high and mighty." Trail interrupted again, this time crossing his hooves, "You're not fooling anypony."
"What are you talking about?" Cold asked, a now completely blank expression on his face.
But before Trail could respond, Grand shook his head as he spoke up, "Mister Trail, I suggest don't bother. Cold here is too dense to figure out what you're talking about."
"Excuse me Grand?" Cold turned to him, his tone and face unchanging despite everypony could tell he was annoyed, "What does that mean?"
"Don't worry about it." Grand glanced back at the trio, "Now, what did you three want to talk about?"
"Right..." Trail said before Cold turned back to the couple, "Anyways, we wanted to say thank you for coming along on the mission with our son...and we want to ask you something."
Cold raised an eyebrow at this, only to see Scootaloo step up to him, "Please, look after my brother." Cold was now raising both eyebrows as she continued, "Flash might have the Sacred Light and be really strong, but he can also be really reckless and usually doesn't care what happens to himself. I just know during your adventure he'll end up doing something stupid."
Misty nodded in agreement, "That's why we're asking you to look after him. And if he starts being reckless, you have our permission to smack some sense into him."
"No offense, but why me?"
Misty giggled at this, "Because after Flash, you're probably the strongest pony in your group. Plus, you've been able to get a point through his thick head before."
Cold did a small shrug, "Very well, I'll be sure to do that. You have my word that I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
The family all then said in unison, "Thank you."
Cold nodded as Grand put his hoof on the knight's shoulder, "I would also like to express my wish for you to watch over him. Thank you."
"Yes," Fluttershy added as Iron nodded, "Please keep Flash safe and bring him back in one piece."
"Again," Luna commanded as Trixie did a firm nod. The light blue unicorn was currently blindfolded, her horn shining as she levitated a rock in front of her. A flash of pink light engulfed the rock, which was soon replaced by a thin sheet of paper that started folding itself. Ruby and Luna smiled as they watched the paper slowly took shape until it looked exactly like a swan, Trixie quickly lowering it onto a table next to twenty-five others.
"Excellent work," the alicorn told her student as she removed the blindfold.
Ruby nodded in agreement, "Agreed. Perfect transfiguration and sightless origami. That takes some serious control."
"Thanks..." Trixie gasped as she sat down around the swan-filled table. "To think, when I first came here I could barely had any magical skill at all."
Luna shook her head, "Nonsense. You had as much skill as any student I've seen at my sister's school." Trixie started to show smile as Luna continued, "But I will admit you've grown much stronger since I met you, though that was all because of your own hard work and determination. I'm very proud to call you my student." Tears started to appear in Trixie's eyes, Ruby giggling as she saw sight of her old teacher showing a proud smile...only to see it start to morph into unease. But before she could say anything, Luna spoke up, "However, I can't deny I will worry for you. Whoever it is you are to meet, and possibly face, they must be of great power if they are able to contact Flash the way they did. That fills me with fear."
"We'll be fine Luna," Ruby assured her, walking over to put a hoof on her shoulder.
Luna turned to her, "I lost you once Ruby, I do not think I can take losing you again....especially not after I regained my memories of the jakhowl." She then turned to Trixie, "And you Trixie, I have grown to see as my daughter...and I do not wish to lose that." Tears started to flow as Trixie got up and hugged her mentor, Ruby doing the same, "Promise me you two...promise me that you will protect one another, and the rest of your companions."
"We promise," the two said as they pulled away, Ruby using her magic to wipe their eyes, "We'll stick together and protect one another no matter what the threat."
"You'll see us again," Trixie assured her.
Luna shined a small smile, "I'd better."
"Don't worry, you will." Ruby added as she patted Luna on the back, "Though uh...could you do me a favor?"
"What?"
"Could you have Princess Celestia assign one of the knights in Ponyville to the Empire while I'm gone? I know I said I trust the empire is in good hooves...but-"
"I understand. I'll gladly do this..." Luna's face turned into a mischievous smirk, "On one condition."
Ruby raised an eyebrow at this, "What's that?"
Luna giggled as she reached out her hoof and yanked Trixie into a half-hug as she responded, "When you come back, we're going out for drinks again."
Trixie's eyes shrunk at this as Ruby's face shined a giant grin, "Oh, yes! I am so down for that!"
"I had a feeling you would." Luna replied as they both started to giggle, Trixie trying to shrink in Luna's grip as fear covered her face.
"Oh dear. Not again."
That Night...
As the sun began to set, Flash was walking down the corridor to the room Celestia had granted him and Twilight. They would be setting out tomorrow, Flash now making sure he settled things between him and his girlfriend before then. And as he opened up the door, he found Twilight laying on the bed while reading a book she had gotten from his parents, one over the lost city. He did a long gulp before saying, "Hey, uh...Twilight?" Twilight said nothing, instead closing the book before glaring at him. "I um...I know you're angry."
"I'm not angry," Twilight instantly replied.
"Okay. I know you're scared-"
"OF COURSE I'M SCARED!" Twilight leapt off the bed screaming, tears now streaming down her eyes. "Why?! Why Flash?! I thought we were past this! I thought you weren't gonna try and push me away anymore!"
"You think I'm pushing you away?" Flash barked back, "You think I want to leave you behind?! If I had a choice, you'd be the first pony I asked to come with me! But I...but I don't have a choice."
"Says who?!" Twilight cried, "You're just following the orders of some strange voice you have no idea about! What makes you think you can trust it?!"
"Probably the same thing that makes you trust a map that sends you Celestia knows where, given to you by a tree you know just as much about as I know this voice!"
"That's different!" Twilight screeched.
"How?! How is that different?! How can you put trust in the Tree of Harmony and not my Sacred Light?!"
"Because you don't even know if this is the Sacred Light! I could just be a trick somepony's playing on you, trying to get you to come to who knows where with barely any help so they could kill you!"
"The Sacred Light wouldn't let that happen! It's protected me from mental attacks and tricks before."
"But it's not one hundred percent effective, is it?" Twilight growled as she walked up into her face, "We found that out the hard way when...when..." She stopped, looking away from the pegasus.
Flash slumped over, moaning as he rubbed his face with his hoof, "You're worried what happened with that flower might happen again, aren't you?"
Twilight's tears were now back in full force, "I thought...I thought the Sacred Light would protect you from anything. But when...but when that happened, it barely managed to keep you alive. If we hadn't been able to find the cure, you..." She sniffed, "It's clear there are things out there that can stop the Sacred Light. If you face it and something happens to you..."
"Nothing's going to happen to me," Flash interrupted as he started to move over to her. "I'll be fine."
"You don't know-"
She didn't finish, as Flash pulled her into a hug. "Yes, I do. I know that no matter what I face out there, I'll beat it and come back to you. We all will."
"How...how can I believe that?"
"Because I never go back on my word. And I promise, I will be back," The sincerity in his voice pierced Twilight's heart, her fear starting to fade as her face embraced his chest. But as she did this, Flash then pulled away and looked her in the eye, the two staring at one another for several long moments.
This destroyed the last clouds of her worries, making her sniff as she wiped away her tear. "Why did you have to go without me?"
Flash let out a long sigh, "Because it's my destiny." Twilight tilted her head as he continued, "Twilight, our fate has been entwined since the day we met. Escaping those bullies, becoming friends, living together, studying in this castle, going to Ponyville and all the insane stuff we've done...we've been side by side the whole time." He sighed again, "But now my destiny is pulling me down a path you can't walk right now...but I know I'll come back. Because even if we aren't together, that doesn't mean we won't be supporting one another."
Twilight sniffed as Flash pulled her into another hug. "Flash..."
"I know that no matter what I'm up against, as long as I know you believe in me, I'll be able to handle it. Even if I'm alone, I won't be alone."
Twilight started to giggle, "You just love your cheesy speeches, don't you?"
"Well, I do like to-"
"Stop. I believe in you. I always have, and always will." She pulled back and put her hooves on his face, "If you're making promises you absolutely have to keep, then promise me you'll be careful. Promising to come back alive isn't gonna cut it. You need to promise me that you'll come back in the exact same state you leave in...that means no missing limbs, no new scars. Not even a black eye."
Flash let out a chuckle and nodded. "Alright, I promise I'll be back in mint condition."
"Oh, you lost your mint condition a while ago," Twilight countered, "Also, I want to hear detailed findings of your experience when you get back. Write down as much as you can about the place, and your cultural and historical discoveries need to be properly categorized and labelled for me to look over. Understood?"
"I understand. In fact, watch this." Flash laughed before he pulled her into a kiss, the embrace soon morphing into a full make-out session before moving to the bed.
The next morning...
The sun was barely rising as everypony stood outside the castle, the quest taking ponies now standing at the train station. Each were wearing stylized travelling cloaks and saddlebags, backpack in Springer's case, that held all the supplies they needed for the long voyage.
"Well...I guess this is it."
The six nodded as Cold spoke up, "We'll try and contact you whenever we get the chance."
"Be sure that you do," Luna replied as everypony else said goodbye to their friends and love ones. Rainbow and Soarin shared one last hug as Ruby and Trixie did the same with the princess of the night. Springer fist-bumped Spike as Flash did his own set of hugs for all of his friends and family.
"Be good squirt," he said as he ruffled Scootaloo's mane. "Don't get into any trouble while I'm gone."
"I'll try...and you do the same."
Flash laughed, "I'll try." He went to his parents next, he and Trail sharing a quick guy hug while Misty wanted a much longer and tighter embrace.
"Take care."
"I will," Flash added as she kissed his forehead before pulling away, the defender then turning to Twilight. "Well, this is it."
"Stay safe." Twilight instantly responded, only for Flash to pull her into a kiss, the others giggling at the sight. And as he pulled away, the group began to get on the train, Twilight yelling, "We'll be waiting to hear from you!"
"We'll miss you darlings!"
"So long!" Rainbow added with a wave.
"Be careful!" Fluttershy continued.
"Ya'll got this partner!"
"We'll have a big party for you when you all get back!"
"It'll be WILD!"
"Wild, wild, wild!"
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Lightning called out.
Iron huffed at him. "Don't do anything he would do either. There's a little grey area, and that's you."
Grand laughed at Iron's statement as he just waved, finding no need to say anything. And as the group disappeared into the distance, the old knight turned to the group and said, "Everypony...don't worry about them. They'll be fine."
"We know." Twilight replied with absolutely no doubt in her heart. "After all, look who they've got on their team. Three Royal Knights, a Wonderbolt, two ponies trained by Luna, and two Defenders of the Peace. It'll take a lot to match a team like that."
A jungle on the other side of Equestria's border...
The standard sounds of the forest were interrupted as squeals of pain shook the ground, the sound of tall grass rustling as something rushed through it. From out of that foliage leapt a Canterlot guard, painted red with drops of blood that wasn't his own. He then pulled off his helmet and threw it away, trying to get any weight off that was slowing him down.
But as he tried to run, his ears spiked as he heard a loud stomp shook the ground again, his eyes not daring to look back. It wasn't supposed to be like this. His squad was made to only patrol the borders, but the more glory hungry ponies wanted to check out what was past the territory lines. They were hoping to find a chance of some great achievement, a singular event that perhaps make them viable for becoming a Royal Knight.
However, that didn't happen. Instead, the guard now found himself running out of the forest, the sounds of trees being ripped out of the ground behind him. As for what was doing this, it was a ten-meter tall minotaur, the creature glaring at the fleeing pony while snorting out a loud puff of air.
The guard looked back and went wide-eyed at the sight, only for another minotaur to appear on his right. A third then showed itself on his left, followed by another. This last one was carrying something on its shoulder, a silver unicorn mare with a white mane and tail that had multicolored tips and a painting pallet for a cutie mark.
A sinister smile graced her face as she stared down at him, "You know, it was very rude of you to run off while your friends were having fun with me."
"Fun?" The unicorn gasped, his eyes glancing down at the blood splatters on his body, "What kind of psychopath would call what you did fun?! You're insane!"
The mare looked away, pouting before clapping her hooves, "And you're mean. I'll just have to teach some manners. Boys...teach him what I mean."
The first three minotaur started to walk around him, the guard getting into a battle stance as his horn began to glow. A quick magic blast fired out of the horn, hitting one of the minotaurs in the chest. And as the blow began to sink into the beast's chest...its whole body suddenly destabilized, melting into a puddle of black liquid.
Seeing the opening, the guard hopped over the liquid and cut into a sprint. But as he did this, the mare sighed while pulling out a sketchpad and pencil, "If you can't play nice, I'll stop giving you playmates." She then giggled as she ripped the page off, "Just kidding." She threw the page up before firing a pink blast from her horn, the page now exploding into a giant cloud of dust.
And when the smoke cleared, a new minotaur now stood beside the other three before they all gave chase.
The guard continued to run, hearing the sound of loud footsteps behind him. And as he ran through some bushes, his escape suddenly came to a halt as he found himself at the edge of a giant lake, which appeared to be feeding into several rivers. This made him smirk as he took off the rest of his armor before diving into the water, swimming a good few feet as the mare and her creations caught up.
The mare saw him swimming out into the lake, rolling her eyes at the sight, "Oh? You think you can escape that way? You poor little boy." A big smile began to grow on her face as she said, "You're up, Wingill."
As the guard continued to swim, he took a glance back to see that the mare wasn't following. But as he did this, a shadow appeared under him, a tug soon gripping his leg, "What the-" He tried to say, only for another tug to happen...which pulled him all the way underwater. He gasped as he tried to hold his breath, his body instantly being pulled twenty-feet below the water.
His eyes began to dart around, spinning around as he felt the water ripple behind him. But as he tried to start going back to the surface, he let out another gasp, this one accidentally letting the air he was holding go as he saw a new creature. It was a half pony half-fish being, its top half appearing pony-like while its bottom half was replaced by a fishtail. But as he saw this, his lack of oxygen hit his throat, making him thrash around before retrying to get to the surface. And as he did this, the creature just laughed at his struggle before swimming around him, moving through the water like it was air.
And as the creature swam around the guard, a whirlpool began to form. The force of the spinning water instantly gripped the guard, making him swallow more water before suddenly being shot up to the surface. He let out a cry of pain as he sent flying, his body rocketing out of the water...and then falling into the lake's muddy shallows, his body eventually sliding up to the edge of the surface as he started coughing up water.
A loud splash was heard next, the guard turning to see whatever had attacked him leap into the air before getting consumed by a cocoon of light. The shell soon broke open, a pony shaped creature with wings and a beak appearing next. Its front hooves had talons on the end of them like a griffon while its body had mostly black fur while its head and chest was colored blue. The bottom half of its head was light blue, flowing from its beak down to its lower jaw and the front of its neck and chest, while the rest of its head and back of its neck were dark blue. Its mane was light blue with dark blue tips while its legs turned from black to light blue halfway down. Finally, its tail was entirely light blue while its wings were black but had dark blue tips. It was wearing a silver collar around its neck, which had a small purple crystal shard embedded in it.
The creature laughed at the guard, now seeing the pony slide himself backward through the mud. "You shouldn't even bother. You have no chance of escape." The guard screamed as he fired another blast, but it simply moved its head to the side to avoid it. "It's hopeless."
Gasping, the guard continued to crawl back, only to feel the back of his head tap something. He slowly turned around at this, his eyes shrinking at a new figure. This one was wearing silver cloak, which spoke in a slow, feminine voice, "Now now, the future isn't always set in stone my dear."
She pulled her hood back to reveal a brown unicorn mare with a purple mane and tail that also wore star-shaped earrings. Her cloak fluttered in the wind, revealing the inside to be colored like the night's sky, complete with stars in it. The inside of the cape also had several pockets, all of them appearing to be filled to the brim. The cape fluttered, revealing a cutie mark that showed a fan of purple cards with an eye on the back of them.
"One can always change their future." Her horn glowed purple before several cards flew out of her cloak's pockets, getting shuffled around until she presented one to the guard.
The pony, barely able to think straight, saw one land into his hoof before he turned it around. The card showed a pair of ponies, one male and one female.
"Though just because you can change the future, it doesn't mean you will." The card began to glow before the light flew off and formed a dome around the guard. "Arcana of the Lovers." The next thing he knew, the guard's entire body felt heavier, his hooves grinding into the dirt as he felt a weigh push him down.
"Wha..." he muttered out as he struggled to push himself up, "What...did you...do to me?"
The mare giggled at his question, "It shouldn't be a surprise, as the card you just received dictated your fate. The card of the lovers halves the stats of anypony of the opposite gender to the caster."
"Terror Card, stop playing with your food! End this!" But as the griffon-like creature yelled this, the guard pushed himself back up, cutting into another sprint as he ran into the woods again. "Hey! He's getting away!"
Terror Card held up her hoof as he tried to fly after him. "Relax. The cards have told me he won't get far. I left Searing Salix there." The griffon-like creature glared at her, "Oh please, its fine. You know how annoying he gets."
The guard ran as fast as his exhausted body could move, his body trudging through the forest. He took a split second to glance back, noticing the two weren't following him. But as he looked back, his hooves came to a halt, gasping as he found a wall of fire now appearing before him, "WHOA!" he yelped as he hopped back, the cinders almost falling on him, "What the-where did this-"
"Hello!" yelled a happy voice, making him look down and see a figure standing inside the flames. The being then walked right through the fire, revealing a red-colored pony that had a kind of shell running from its flank. It had a flame colored lion mane, which ran down its forehead and ending at its nose while its forehead had a long curved horn that split at the end to make a Y shape.
"Hey, nice to meet you! So what are you doing in this part of Equestria? Me, I'm here with the rest of my gang. I probably shouldn't tell you that, but you seem like a nice enough pony to talk to." The figure then saw the guard slowly shuffling backward, making him frown, "Oh, you want to leave. Yeah...I get that a lot. It just seems to be the way it is for me." His body then suddenly burst into flames, the fire consuming him before quickly extinguishing. And as the flames disappeared, it now showed a new creature, this one having a pitch black body while its mane and tail were now actually made of fire. He also had flaming eyebrows over his now pure white eyes. "Most ponies find me too hot to handle."
The guard's eyes went wide at the sight, the creature now spinning around to flick its burning tail. As it did this, several fireballs flew out of the tail, the guard quickly getting up and running as the flames struck the trees. His hooves then scrambled up a few trees, only for the fire beast to strike the tree the guard was trying to get a grip on. A blaze of flames struck his back, making him cry out as he fell off the pillar of lumber.
Laughing at the sight, the fire beast ceased his flames as he saw the guard start to climb again, hopping branch to branch as fire creature said, "He's all yours, Storm Blade."
The now burnt guard continued to jump from branch to branch, his entire body starting to fail him as he continued to climb. "How many of these psychos are there?!" he said to himself as he landed on another tree. "I gotta-"
"Storm Cutter!" yelled out a new voice, a blade of wind instantly appearing before striking the branch the guard was on. The pony instantly went down, his body slamming through from some branches before landing into the dirt, a deafening snap now bracing his ears.
"AAAAAHHHHH!" He cried out, cradling his now broken front leg. The beating of wings made him crack his eyes open, seeing the cause of his pain floating above him.
It was a dark blue pegasus stallion, who's body was covered in yellow streaks with a green mane and tail. His wings had several green tips and his cutie mark was a spear surrounded by a tornado of wind. He was wearing what looked like a pair of headphones with a light blue visor on his head, the shades covering his eyes. In his hooves was a long black bladed staff with a spinning dial on its that was spilt into three sections, one blue, one yellow and one green.
The unicorn rolled onto his back, panting through the pain, "Who...are you?"
The pegasus said nothing as he reached out to spin the dial on his weapon, the blue section now pointing towards the blade. "We are the ones who don't exist." He pointed the blade at the unicorn, "Storm Shot!" In the blink of an eye, a blast of water shot out of the blade, striking the guard and sending him into a tree.
"BLAUGH!" he screamed as blood spat out of his mouth, the water blasting his chest like a hammer. But as he started to cough up more blood, he stared at the sword, "That weapon...is that...a Celestic Gear?"
The pegasus slowly flew closer while spinning the dial, this time moving the yellow section before pointing at the unicorn, "Storm Shot!" Instead of water, this time a bolt of lightning flew out the weapon, striking the guard.
With his body soaked, the force was even greater. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" He screamed as his whole body was deep fried, sparks now flying off his body as the attack finished.
He just lay there now, his body smoking as he was barely conscious. It was here that he felt something sharp press against his throat, his eyes cracking open to see his neck now pinned to the tree by a red bladed black scythe. From around the tree, the weapon's owner stepped out to revealed itself as a pony in black unicorn armor that had a dark red trim all over. The figure just stared at him, unable to see any part of the figure's body, including its eyes, as it was just dark red glass eyepatches.
A low gulp went down the guard's throat, only to go wide-eyed as the four from before appeared out of the clearing, "What do we do with him?" The griffon-like creature asked. "Leave him here? It doesn't look like he'll last much longer anyway."
"We shouldn't assume anything," the brown mare replied while shuffling through her cards. "The future's never what you assume it is. He may look like he's on death's door, but for all we know, he could find the will to survive and find help."
"So do we do it ourselves?" The fire creature asked while wagging his tail, "I'm happy to help if you want. I've always wanted to see how long it takes my flames to burn something to ash. But if you guys wanna-"
"Salix," the pegasus pointed his blade at him, "Shut...up."
"Got it. Zipping the lip. Won't hear another word out of me. Nope, not one more word."
"SALIX!" The others all yelled, the creature now motioning his hoof over his mouth. Sighing at this, the pegasus then turned to the armored pony, "Armalum? What should we do?"
The pony didn't respond, instead turning before bowing at some trees. Following the pony, the other five bowed as well as a lone figure walked into the clearing,
"Master," they all spoke together as the figure walked up to the guard. The injured pony's eyes squinted at the newcomer, now seeing it to be a dark gray unicorn with blood-red eyes that matched his mane and tail. His body was covered in bright red scars, all that looked very old and deep. His cutie mark a black sun with a outline around the circle and the spikes.
The unicorn stared down the guard, the look on his face one many would mistake for pity, "I'm sorry you had to come across our little operation. Please understand that this is nothing personal, but I can't risk leaving any witnesses."
The guard just shook, his eyes glancing back at the collection of strange creatures around him, only to look back at the one they bowed to, "Who...are you?"
The unicorn's face didn't change as he closed his eyes, a dark aura beginning to glow off his body. "My name...is Shadow Corrupter." He reopened his eyes, the aura exploding off his body before spiraling around him into a tornado, a set of dark armor now appearing on his form as the tornado exploded. The armor was black in colors, stationed on his chest and hooves. Covering his face was a black X shaped mask, which ran along the contours of his face. The shadows then flew onto his back, morphing into a pair of bat wing-shaped appendages, "The most powerful pony in Equestria."
The guard could do nothing as the unicorn drew closer, his horn glowing black as a sword with spikes appeared out of thin air. Seconds later, an earth-shattering scream of pain exploded through the jungle, scaring the many birds out of the trees.
And as time began to pass, the group of seven reappeared as they walked through a new clearing in the jungle. The black unicorn was no longer wearing the armor, a blank stoic look on his face as he walked through the foliage. As he did this, the silver mare from earlier appeared, running up and throwing her hooves around his neck. "Oh, that was amazing master." She rubbed her head into his neck, only to feel his magic pull her away.
"Enough Tempera. We have more important matters to deal with." He turned back at the group, "You said nopony would find our base."
They all bowed in response, Armalum speaking up, "Our apologies master. We did not foresee these more foolheartedly guards desire to seek glory. It won't happen again."
"No, it won't." Shadow growled as he turned away from them, "It won't be long before those guards' absences are noticed. We're abandoning the base."
The others nodded and got up, Salix asking the question on everypony's mind. "So...where are we gonna go now?"
Shadow stared up into the sky, a long deep breath escaping his mouth, "We're going on a journey."
"Anywhere specific?" Tempera asked, walking up and patting her tail on his chest. The look on her face was the most seductive thing anypony would see. "Maybe someplace...romantic?"
"Where we're going is none of your concern." Shadow deadpanned, his eyes now glaring at each one, "All you need to know is that you're to follow me wherever I chose to go without question. Is that understood?"
The six all replied in unison, "Yes, master."
"Good. Now come." He turned around before trotting off again, "We have a long way ahead of us, and I want to get there as soon as possible." His eyes looked up into the sky again, "For my destiny may have finally revealed itself."