//------------------------------// // Chapter 3- Arrival and Departure // Story: Song and Dance of the Desert's Garden // by Renaissance Muffins //------------------------------// Chapter-3 Arrival and Departure The train ride to Ponyville was calming for the most part. Abner slept for most of the ride. Charger and Wrecker switched watch duty for some time before they relaxed. Cuffs tended to Abner's wounds that were missed by the healing spells. Marina and Lark chatted for some time when they weren't sleeping. Whisk ordered food when dinnertime usually came around. They arrived in Ponyville's small and humble train station after the sun set and before the moon would be at its highest point in the sky. Hopping off the train, the light of torches lit the extensive wooden platform. The crackles of the fire could be heard through the glass that contained them. The clacking sound from the hooves of the ponies, from the group and from two or three late night travelers boarding the train, quietly echoed in the calm night. Moving through the quiet and brightly lit interior of the train station, where on the walls hung maps, job offerings, and lost posters for pets. The colt attending the main counter rested his head upon it, half asleep and mumbling sweet nothings. Charger appeared to recognize the colt, tilting his head trying to recollect any resemblance. “Well, I'll be damned if it isn't Lionel” The steel colored and brown maned blue-eyed colt quickly snapped back to his senses with his eyes half blinking and a line of drool hanging from his mouth that he quickly wiped away. “Who, what, when, where, and how?” Regaining a more proper composure his eyebrows raised up in surprise, “Charger, what brings you to these parts? I thought you'd never come back round here after joining up in Celestia's Legion. You really ought to write more.” “Well, you know me Lionel, always busy with something. I write letters when I can. Never thought you'd be tending to a train station.” Charger said wholeheartedly and partially jesting. “You're still starting off your conversations with 'well'.” Lionel squinted at him and lightly punched him in the upper foreleg. “Well,” Lionel mimicked. “you know I've always been into trains. I just got this position recently though, already learning up on my engineer stuff to drive one of those bad boys.” He chuckled. “Anyways, what are you and I presume, your squad of soldiers, doing out in this neck of the woods?” “Well, I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.” Charger joked with a cheesy grin on his face. “Oh, for cripes sake Charger, really?” Cuffs brought his hoof to his face in disgust of the terrible joke. Whisk silently laughed and Marina smirked. Wrecker, stood there like he normally does. Lark and Abner both looked at each other and raised a brow at the unusual joke. “Not one for humor is he?” Lionel remarked. “Well, he used to be but now, not so much.” Charger replied. “Anyways, we're here to gather some information the one of our former squad members left behind in Ponyville and to escort these two some place.” Lionel scratched at is scruffy beard for a moment, “You don't happen to mean Prudence do you?” Charger raised a brow intrigued, “How do you know about her death?” “Death, sorry Charger, she's more alive than a jack rabbit running across a hot greasy griddle. Figuratively speaking of course.” Lionel answered, confused. Charger looked back at the rest of the group then back at Lionel, “Well, for all the years we've known each other Lionel, I hope you're not lying. Where's her place of residence?” He guided Charger over to a large map on the wall that had the current layout of Ponyville stumbling over a chair and some books behind the counter. Pointing first to the train station's location, “We're here.” He moved his hoof further up the map, “At the crossroads of the school you'll make a left...” he moved his hoof again, “...onto a narrow path leading to a small yellow house with an old squeaky windmill that has a small pond in front of it. Her daughter, Tiva, should be there this time of day.” “Well, I suppose we'll get going then.” Charger began heading towards the door. “Prudence was confirmed killed in action fighting against a dragon a little more than a week or so ago.” “I beg to differ Charger, saw her this morning grabbing some flowers for her garden. I've been looking to ask for her hoof in marriage as we've been dating for quite a few years now.” “Well, I would say congratulations, but it appears that we either have misinformation or shenanigans are ahoof.” Charger harshly remarked. “When is your shift done?” Lionel looked at the clock perched above the map, slightly angled from the lose nail. “About negative three minutes ago.” “Well, that's good because you're coming with us.” Charger bumped Lionel's foreleg with his hoof, “Mares first.” Traveling through the still night air and the walkway lit by torches, Lionel led the group to Prudence's home. It was as Lionel said, a tall windmill, small pond, a garden encompassing the fence surrounding the house, and the house was humble. “Never thought Prudence to be one with such a humble home.” Marina complimented. Abner tried to call Prudence up in his mind, to see if she had anything to say about the situation but there wasn't a response. Charger asked Lionel to knock on the door, a filly answered the door, “Mister Lionel, what are you doing here, especially this late?” “Is your mother home, Tiva?” Lionel asked. “She's asleep at the moment.” Tiva answered in a sweet and light voice. “Why?” Lionel turned to Charger then back to Tiva, “Well, some of her friends are here to visit.” “Oh, well, um, can they come back tomorrow, she hasn't been feeling good the last few hours.” Tiva. “Ok then, no need to be rude.” Turning back to Charger, “Charger, she's feeling ill, we'll have to come back tomorrow.” Charger rolled his eyes, “Well, that's fine I guess.” He seemed a little upset that he couldn't just waltz in and figure out what was going on. “Where can we find some lodging?” “There's an inn at the center of town.” Lionel handed him a small map from the satchel he carried. “There should be some rooms available.” Charger grabbed the map and handed it to Marina. “Very well, we'll come back tomorrow.” “Mister Lionel, you're welcome to stay if you like, I'm sure mommy would like to see you.” Tiva said somewhat nervously. “Sure I will.” Lionel answered. “You can find your way to the inn right?” he asked Charger. “Well, I think we'll be fine. Marina can read the maps a lot faster than I can so we should be good.” Heading back to the main intersection of Ponyville, the group found the inn easily enough. A tall two story house with a sign labeling it as The Ponyville Inn hanging from a decorative spiral made of twisted wrought iron. After renting out two rooms both fit for three ponies and retiring for the night, the group set out again to Prudence's home. Wrecker stayed outside as he was much too large to fit properly through the doorway, Marina stood guard as well. Abner and Lark stayed with Tiva in the back yard and watched her play. The young pegasus showed the two of them the many toys she played with and the dances she loved to do. Entrancing movements that bewildered the viewer, the dances had slow movements that were also strong in feeling. All the while, Cuffs kept an eye on Prudence, something that bugged everyone as the conflicting cases between Lionel and Charger both reveal different ends and completely different circumstances. Charger played fetch trying to find Prudence's notes based on what she told him. Charger found a few of the notes of Prudence's study on the Blight, but they were small trivial accounts that revealed little information. He retired to the inn along with Cuffs and Wrecker. Marina went into the back yard to fetch Lark and Abner and bring them back to the inn. “Abner, Lark, we're heading back to the inn. Come-” Marina stopped speaking, stunned by the graceful movements that Tiva preformed without any missteps or poor form. “Oh, hey Marina. I was just showing Lark and Abner my favorite talent.” Tiva said in her adorable and cheerful voice. Her extraordinary large wings lightly dragged across the ground when they folded. “I see that,” Marina commented. “It's pretty graceful.” “Well, you can go ahead and go, I need to keep an eye on mother.” Tiva walked back into the house with her long crimped and folded blonde mane gently poking the ground as she did. “Let's get going, that reunion party starts in about an hour. Don't want to be late.” Marina said as she turned to lead Lark and Abner back through the house and towards Sugar Cube Corner, where Pinkie Pie resides. Approaching a house that looked not unlike a gingerbread house, Marina pressed the tablebell, emitting a high pitched ringing that could be heard throughout the house. A light cyan earth pony with a two tone rose colored mane came through some short batwing doors and her smile gently greeted the group. “I'm Mrs. Cup Cake, how can I help you folks?” Marina somewhat nervously asked, “We're here to meet Pinkie Pie for a party that she's throwing together, a reunion party for someone.” “Oh, hmm...” Mrs. Cake put her hoof to her hoof in contemplation, and then delighted at what she recalled, “I do believe she went over to Apple Jack's Orchard to use the barn for it.” “Thank you Mrs. Cake.” Marina threw open the map she had received before. “You wouldn't mind showing me where it is on the map would you?” “Sure thing sweety pie.” Mrs. Cake answered confidently. Pointing out the small house with its several barns amidst the large orchard on the map, “You can ask Granny Smith which barn they're using when you get there. You may be able to tell by how noisy Pinkie Pie can get though.” “Thanks Mrs. Cup Cake.” Marina said. “Before you go I have a question. I'm curious as to what a dog doing with a horn like that?” She asked. “I honestly don't know, my group of friends and I found him this way about two weeks ago in a village ravaged by a fire.” Marina answered delicately making sure that she didn't include any information about the Legion and the dragon. “Oh my,that's, unfortunate. I do apologize if that brought up bad memories.” Mrs. Cake remarked. “It's quite alright really, what matters is that we're safe and sound.” Marina smiled as she rolled up the map and put it back in the satchel that Abner had attached to his harness. “I suppose we'll get going then, thank you again for your help.” “You're welcome dear.” Mrs. Cake happily waved them goodbye while the three of them left the confectionery shop. Making their way over to the apple orchard, the sound of birds chirping became clearer and the scenery became more green with trees and bushes lining the dirt roadway. Abner gave a look back to the houses that were in Ponyville, most of them had roofs made of straw or wood and were usually beige and color with the light brown crossbeams streaking across their outer walls. A windmill sat next to a small river, the arms motionless from the still air that refused to blow. A mare came into view as they approached the hill that the Apple Jack's family home sat upon. Her light yellow coat and naturally flowing pink mane made her a stark contrast to the red farm house. She was petting a dog that wore a red color with a circular tag on it. She glanced over at Marina, Abner, and Lark who were making their way up the hill, she quickly jumped up and slowly flew over to greet them. Landing in front of them she greeted the party with a shy “Um, hello,” followed by a shakingly nervous question, “Are, are you coming over for Pinkie's party?” “Yes, we certainly are.” Marina answered. “Fluttershy isn't it? The mare's strong cyan eyes widened as she gasped, “How, how do you know my name?” At this point she appeared frightened. “Pinkie Pie told me a bit about you while she was in Canterlot. She loves to talk about her friends. She always seems to be able to cheer up somepony.” Marina replied trying to calm her down. Fluttershy settled down, “Oh, okay.” She said scratching at the dirt lightly with her hoof shyly looking away. Her voice squeaked, “I'll show you the way to the barn she's holding it in. I mean, if that's okay with you.” “Lead the way, Fluttershy.” Marina answered lightly. “Is, is the wolf your pet?”Fluttershy nervous asked. Marina mused the thought glancing at Abner, “In a way I suppose. Still not sure why he has the horn though aside from granting him magic. Picked him up from a burned down village, he was one of the few survivors. Don't worry, he won't bite, he's pretty quiet as well. The sword he carries is something of a heirloom for his family I think.” “Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear that. By the way, if it's okay with you, I mean, could you introduce yourselves?” Fluttershy said, her voice shook from her nervousness, her shyness was something inherit that kept her almost socially inept aside from those she has formed a close bond with. “Sure thing, I'm Marina, the wolf's name is Abner, and this young pony here is Lark. Abner seems like the heroic type to me and Lark I know just loves to sing, shes been diving into books of sonnets and ballads to traditional songs.” Marina was happy to answer Fluttershy's question. They approached a small gray barn standing before a small field of wheat. Chicken coups dotted the outside surrounded by chicken wire. The sound of gentle music muffled by the barn could be heard swaying through the air. Abner smelled something familiar, something that reminded him of home. The small barn doors opened up to them, out came Pinkie with a big smile on her face as usual. “You came!” She exclaimed at the top of her lungs. “We're going to party so much!” She hugged each of them before zipping back into the barn. Abner walked in first just as Pinkie poked her head back out and saying, “Come on in, the party's just getting started!” Abner still was curious as to why it the party was for a reunion. After entering and letting his eyes adjust for a quick moment, all to familiar voices and smells came to his senses. The smell that had bothered his nose came from the lily and rose flowered scent of Nitza whose dull tan fur and jade colored eyes released a gentle aura; his younger sister tended to keep flowers tied to her collar. Kafziel's loud and obnoxious voice conversed with a light turquoise pegasus that had a rainbow colored mane that appeared to have a similar and fitting personality of someone competitive. Kafziel, had several large scars running across his face and upper back, his light blue coat and his sharp brown eyes gleamed with his thirst for adventure. The gray and white spotted fur of his oldest brother Lev, stood beside Nitza, watching over her with his teal eyes. Naamiy, his older sister, slowly approached Abner with her bright golden white and golden eyes. Her naturally romantic voice called out to Abner, “So, you're alive after all, and with some rather odd additions I might say. This isn't a dream Abner, I know you well enough that you can tell the difference.” She turned away, “Mother and Father have been waiting for you. Hello Lark, its certainly been awhile hasn't it.” Abner still couldn't believe his eyes. Pinkie Pie sat beside him, crying subtle tears of joy that she wiped away with a handkerchief. “Such a happy reunion isn't it?” “Come on Abner, I know you're a bit stunned but have some fun, catch up with your family.” Whisk's voice surprised the three of them. “When the buck did you get here, Whisk?” Marina retorted from his sudden appearance. “I've been here all day, I cooked the food. It's my specialty, you know.” He answered with a most upright sense of confidence. “Okay then.” Marina nudged Abner before moving on to the buffet of food and drinks. Lark followed her the same and chatted with Naamiy, the two were best friends after all. Abner wandered around the barn a little bit, trying to find his mother and father. When he did, he saw that they sat on the loft connected by a ladder. He made his way up by bales of hay that were conveniently stacked to allow for it. “Ah, my son Abner has returned from the depths the great fire I see.” His fathers voice was roughened from age and the battles that he fought to protect the village from bears and other hostile creatures that roamed the edges of the forest. He spoke much like a king without the formalities drowning his words. “I also know that you've made a few new friends, that's good to hear.” he said as he hugged him. “Lark, did well to survive the fires as well. As for us, we ran to the forest, several guards and I rounded up what villagers we could and migrated here.” Feeling Abner's horn prick his ear, he drew back slowly, “You've got something new on your head there, doesn't look like a prop either. The horn color is familiar however, it reminds me of a certain pony that came to town before the attack. Says she was looking for a trading agreement with us to trade with Princess Celestia, likes a lot of the stuff crafted with my paws and the hooves of the ponies that coexisted with us. What was her name?” Abner's father mused the thought before asking his wife. “The mare's name was Prudence, dear.” She spoke as if she were wise beyond her years, much like an oracle. Her white fur and ice blue eyes made Abner's father quite proud of her. “She had a silver horn, rose pink coat, red mane, a clock with hands that were rather warped, and pink eyes.” “Hon, I've told several times not to use your photographic memory on everyone who arrives into town.” He joked as he nuzzled her neck. “You know I can't help it, it's part of my talent after all.” She answered him in a bashful manner. “So thats what it was. She seemed quite well versed in magic from what I could tell. I do believe she tried to help defend the village from that dragon. Which also reminds me that another shady pony came in a few days before, asking for the blacksmith and requesting to repair an old sword he brought with him. A sword dusty, rusted, and cracked, specs of sand covered his entire body.” Abner's father walked around him, looking over the sword and his ash colored coat. “I see you've got a couple of battle scars, your ribs were broken along with two of your legs. Something helped fixed all that though. Healing magic, transference magic, and and perhaps sealing magic? Who ever casted this sure left their mark.” “You're rambling on again, Melek.” Abner's mother butted in. His father chuckled, “Right, silly me. We should be enjoying this moment as family. Come on, let us join the others.” Spending the rest of they evening catching up with his family, listening to the tales that Kafziel told about adventuring through lost temples, exceedingly beautiful ravines that he traversed in a small hot air balloon, and his most marvelous venture of traveling through a lush jungle that was frozen over by magic a millenia old from a wizard that sought a rather extreme form of isolation. In one of the temples he sought and retrieved a goblet that was held in high regard by an extinct race, many of the traps they had he outran with great speed. The venture through the vast ravine gave him an adrenaline rush unlike any of his previous journeys as vultures flew circles above them all the while trying to avoid the trees with their outstretched arms. His walk through the unusual icy jungle led him to the wizard's hovel in front of a tower that barely stood over the trees, there he found the wizard's remains and found a book of unreadable texts and symbols which he kept for himself. Lev and Naamiy were like two peas in a pod, figuratively speaking. The two of them kept an eye on the survivors, trying to keep them in good health lest more misfortune befall them. The villagers looked up to them, much like they looked up to his father, Melek. Lev was a good fighter but also a good scholar learning from reading material brought in from all parts of Equestria. Melek was held complete and total trust in his oldest son to take care of the village should it ever occur that he would pass away due to some misfortune or natural cause. Naamiy was much like Princess Celestia, she was held as the beauty of the village, a symbol of fortune, wisdom, and beauty. She learned from the many books that Lev kept in the library he had started up with some of the villagers. Lev managed to steal away some of the rarer books in his possession whilst escaping the fires. Naamiy strived to be a teacher that was able to travel abroad and Lev looked forward to taking over his fathers standing with his people but now he looked to be a librarian in Ponyville. Nitza, the shy one of the family, kept to herself most of the time. She tended to their mothers garden as well as the flower shop that they ran together. Her innocence was also a hefty part of her adorable personality. She was nervous when she was talked to by those she didn't know well, normally hummed quietly to herself when she tended to the flowers in the extensive garden that resided behind their home. It was obvious that the raging fires that separated her from the garden left her heartbroken, she never had much of a chance to make any friends in the early stages of school and even then it was doubtful that she would've made many. Her father and mother loved her though, they kept her well in the time that it took to get into Ponyville. Nitza was known to wear a short gray and white plaid scarf with frayed ends, a gift she received from their late grandmother. Abner's mother, Yiskah, had taken damage to her hind legs and eyes during the fire causing her vision to become shortened and blurry. She looked over the people in the village, and much like her daughter, she was sought out for her great wisdom and knowledge. Villagers often came to her for problems in their personal lives or advice on certain things. Melek, Abner's father, having a light brown coat with dull black stripes much like the bark of an oak tree and dull white eyes. He previously worked as a trader between their village and Ponyville. At one point, the village looked for a new leader, as the older leader became extremely ill. Melek, was called upon to be the new leader for not only his skills in traveling, but the experience that he gained in interacting with the citizens of several other villages and towns. The villagers were all in overwhelming agreement for him to take the position, which he gladly accepted as a natural born leader. Unfortunately his rule didn't last for long, as he accepted the position a few months before the attack. As the evening passed by, Abner stayed his usual muted self. He felt as if he had forgotten how to speak from the ashes that still seemed to choke him. Still he greatly enjoyed the reunion with his family. After lighting a few candles to brighten the darkened barn, Lev, Nitza, Kafziel, Naamiy, and Yiskah had curled up against each other forming an odd multicolored mound of fur. Abner sat outside the barn, by the doors, staring up at the moon. Lark and Marina had headed back to the inn for the night, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rarity, Apple Jack, and the light turquoise colored mare that he later learned was named Rainbow Dash, all turned in to sleep for the night. Abner, while staring at the moon and counting the stars that were vivid and unobstructed by clouds, was joined by his father. Sitting down next to him, quietly spoke to his son, “Son, I know that sword. It was one of our earliest ancestors who delivered it to the home of the guardians. I'm sure you've heard the tale a great many times already from your late grandfather and myself, as well as your mother. Our blacksmith reforged the sword, re-engraved the magic symbols, and replaced the stone that resides in the pommel.” Exhaling deeply, as if he was preparing to let go of something precious. “I know that you have to travel to the desert where our ancestor went and face what lies there.” His tone went on to sound like an old person reminiscing about the past. “Your mother often says I talk too much, she's right and I don't blame her for it. Those magic symbols that are imprinted as tiny marks on your spine, I know exactly what they mean and Prudence is the only one I know that can use those types of spells.” Abner felt ashamed, as if he didn't want his father finding out about the ordeal. “Can you call upon her, I have to know that if she, along with Lark, can look after you throughout your journey.” Abner closed his eyes and called out for Prudence within his consciousness. Feeling the magic course through his veins and softly prick his arteries, he could feel the manifestation of Prudence take shape and present herself before him as an entity that could be seen when his eyes are closed. “What is it, Abner?” Opening up his eyes and looking towards his father, he could feel her look through his eyes. “So, your family survived after all. I suppose I can answer what questions your father may have.” Abner's horn lightly shimmered casting a ghostly projection of Prudence's figure on the ground. “So this is how you appear now.” Melek spoke, anger softly rising. “Tell me, Prudence, why did you choose my son? Why did you potentially condemn my son to death with a journey he may not be able to achieve?” “Where to begin?” Prudence mused. “Let's see, I choose you son out what I saw with my talent, I can foretell ones potential fate. Your son, as you know, got separated from you during the fires trying to find Nitza I believe, unfortunately he got hit by the dragons tail as it made its escape, flew through the fires and into the trading wagon that you brought home earlier that morning. I managed to find him despite my own injuries and after what I saw with him, with his future wielding the sword he would succeed at saving Equestria and more. I merged my magic into his body as well as my conscious, transference magic much opposed by the natural laws. In doing so I also had to transfer the Blight and the seals that kept it in check. The healing spells I casted kept him alive, slowly repairing his broken bones until a detachment of Celestia's legion arrived there.” “And if you didn't cast these spells, what would've happened?” Melek asked the fuzzy image of Prudence. “Simple, the dragon would've continued his rampage, destroying everything that dared attacked him or whatever civilization that he could find. Even if the dragon was taken down, there would've been no way to keep the Blight that resided in the dragon from seeping into the earth and infecting the creatures that thrived off the land. Unicorns are ones to be affected that most as the Blight primarily is a disease that spreads among those who can use magic directly. Essentially a plague that feeds off magic, even sealing magic. The sword likely would rust away in an armory if it was found.” Prudence explained. “How is it that the sealing magic that you've used on it doesn't wither away and succumb to this plague?” Melek quickly asked. “It's a spell that I created after multitudes of trial and error. Precious gems and stones as it turned out, helped to amplify the magic tenfold thus suppressing the Blight further. As it stands now the magic will last for quite a few years before breaking under the Blights power. The sword is made to act as a seal as well and as far as I know there is no way to purify the Blight despite the enormous amount of research I've done.” Prudence said disheartened. “Even killing the subject taken over by this 'Blight' wouldn't get rid of it I'm guessing.” Melek said doubtfully. “It will not. I had a pet rabbit that was infected, that rabbit died and the disease spread to me without much notice from anyone until I started getting severely ill and my magic would go berserk. My parents also got infected by the disease, they worked to seal it, but it proved futile. I discovered some stones that I dug up before I buried them. I came to realize that they were a missing part of a more complex version of the spell that my parents couldn't quite understand or were unable to cast.” “Sounds like you've had it pretty rough.” Melek jested. “I accept that you know what you're doing and will entrust you with my son. Bit of a change of subject here, but my wife seemed to have noticed a change in Abner's soul, something different, as if he had the soul of dragon.” “It's true. Your son absorbed the soul of the same dragon that attacked your village. The beast took its own life using the sword that your blacksmith reforged. The magic within the sword still needs to be reimbursed, as it still gravely deteriorates now. We need someone with an extraordinary amount of light magic, I still have yet to find them.” Prudence solemnly answered. “That's interesting. There's an old temple that's in the forest east of our village, I'm sure you remember the place. The old carvings in the alter depicted the worship of a light based guardian. There might be something there that you can use.” Melek suggested. “I remember the place. We'll go there and I'll find out what I can. Still, I'm not sure what we would do once we get there.” Prudence said with uncertainty. “Anyways, I can't keep this form for much longer, it drains the mind quickly. So I guess this is goodbye for now.” “Understandable, farewell then, Prudence.” Melek said with a small wave of his paw as her projected image cracked and fizzled away with the draw of magic retreating back into Abner's horn and fading away. With a deep sigh, Melek spoke up again, “Come son, you need your rest.” Abner followed his father inside and went to sleep on a pile of hay strewn about in a corner away from the rest of his family. Morning came with the cracking cry of a rooster. Abner traveled back into Ponyville's central square, if it could be called that, and visited the inn where his new friends bunked in for the night. He met Lark, Marina, and Whisk in the inn's small cafe on the first floor. The inn itself was rather square in its overall shape, the front desk a semi-circle with two attendants behind it. Several chairs lined up against the walls next to the doors for those who waited for their friend or family member to rent out a room. The inn's cafe was located in a corner that had windows that looked towards the open dirt roads of Ponyville's central square. Small chandeliers lined the ceilings with a single torchlight to each with gold chains hold them up and short glass panes for decoration. Greeted with friendly hello's from the three of them, Abner sat down next to Lark and listened in on their quiet morning conversation about the party the night before. Eventually Charger and Cuffs joined the four of them. After eating, the six of them went outside to meet up with Wrecker, who went to check on the apparent apparition of Prudence. When they arrived, all was well as it was before. Charger again, went over the notes that Prudence had taken with her. Her health was better than it was the day before, providing much easier communication between the two of them. Lionel stayed by her side when she lost her balance, her illness did leave her bed-ridden long enough to disrupt her ability to walk properly. Before Charger had realized, it had once again gotten late into the evening. Every one went their separate ways except for Abner who was asked by Tiva to stay for just a little while longer. She wore her favorite blue and white checkered handkerchief that her mother had given to her for her third birthday. When she spoke to Abner, she appeared sad and scared. “Abner,” she said with her voice shaky from the cold night air. “My mother wants to speak with you, alone.” Abner assured Lark that he would be fine and followed Tiva back into the house, now dimly light by candles. Abner moved over to the side of Prudence's bed, where she rested with several blankets covering her. She coughed a few times and spat out a few drops of blood that she quickly wiped away with her hoof. With raspy breaths she spoke, “Abner, as you know, I'm an apparition, a collection of thoughts and memories of those I knew well. I had created a spell that would activate in case I would pass away.” She laugh halfheartedly. “Low and behold, it worked. Charger, has all of the notes that he needs to send to Princess Celestia.” She paused for a moment, looking over to her nightstand on the other side of her bed. “The drawer of my nightstand, there are some stones that you can use on your journey, they'll amplify certain magics pertaining to their properties. Pinkie Pie can tell you more about them.” Abner walked around her large bed and grabbed the gems from the nightstand that had a rather simple simple four-legged design. She had a candle lit on top of a stick which stuck in a stand nailed to the nightstand. “As for Lionel and my precious daughter Tiva, I'll tell them I will be passing away soon. The conscious portion that is with you, is keeping this spell going. That's why you couldn't call on me when you were here the first time around.” She stopped talking for a little bit, catching her breath. She glared sharply at Abner as if she were contemplating something. “You'll wake up in the forest tomorrow morning, injured and sore. I can't tell you why, there's some sort void I can't reveal.” She looked towards the ceiling with a smile on her face, “I suppose a part of me will be among the stars and the other down here on the earth. It's a funny thing, life is, so much to do, so little time.” She shed a single tear from her eye, reaching a hoof towards the ceiling as if to grasp the stars beyond. “But I don't regret what I've done, I've always been one to help out.” She said in a sincere voice, bringing her hoof back down. “Go back to your family, Abner. I'm sure they'll want to see you again.” Abner slowly walked out of Prudence's room, and saw that Tiva had been waiting by the doorway. “Abner, what did my mother talked to you about?” Abner simply looked at her and pulled out one of the gemstones that he had stored in his satchel. “She gave those to you, huh. She said they have magical properties, but I never saw her use them.” She seemed mildly upset, as if she had listened in on the conversation and started crying, but hid the tears. “I suppose I'll see you later, Abner.” She waved bye to Abner as he left through the short front door. After passing the fence that stood in front of the garden in the front yard, Abner felt several strong gusts of wind pass him by. He saw golden streaks catch his peripheral vision. Drawing his sword and taking a defensive stance, he waited for the subject to move again. He heard the rush of wind come up behind him and brought his sword to bear. The mysterious subject vanished again. Continuing his walk to Apple Jack's barn, he heard again the rushes of wind pass him by. Once he left Ponyville and began stepping on the road to Sweet Apple Acres, the air felt stiff and the crickets were extremely quiet. Halfway there, he felt a sudden chill down his spine and a quick snap to the backside of his neck. His legs gave out and his body went numb, his vision blurred until everything faded to black. Any sound that caught his ears became heavily muffled and dulled. A familiar voice spoke up, a dull white colored pony with golden hooves stood before him, “Sorry about this, Abner, just following orders.” Waking up to the obnoxious sounds of birds, frogs, and other noisy woodland critters, Abner slowly opened his heavy eyes. His head throbbed and his ears rang, the smell and feel of wet grass tickled his nose. Slowly rising to his feet, he realized that something was missing, his sword had been taken away and his satchel stripped from his harness. Trying to get to his feet, he saw that they were bound together. Whoever bound him and through him in the forest obviously had all intentions to get rid of him. A bear moved out from behind some rather large bushes covering the gaps between several trees. This particular spot in the forest was a circular gap, small and tucked away. The bear slowly approached Abner and he could tell that it was in no mood to be friends. Struggling at first to remove the binds but failing when the tightened with each tug of the rope. He then tried to use magic to disintegrate the rope, but alas this failed as well, his magic had been drained from him. Panicking, he wrestled the rope with his as much as he could with his teeth, barely getting it lose before the bear raised his claw to attack. Abner closed his eyes, scared and afraid of death's approaching grasp. Something stopped the bear's attack, a loud cracking thud and the bear's roar of pain struck his ears until it smashed into the trunk of a tree. A familiar voice he had heard only once before, spoke up, “Come on now, get up and out of those ropes, I already got them cut.” Abner opened his eyes to see a figure encased in an ink like substance that flickered like fire. His figure not entirely conceivable. Rising to his feet, he felt dizzy and his body felt incredibly light without the sword on his side. “Surely you remember my voice, Abner, after all I taunted Prudence a bit.” The mysterious figure morphed in a wolf much like Abner, then into a lion, a ram, and lastly, a colt. “Ah that's better, can never remember which form was my original, at least, not properly. That bear should be out cold if I'm right, not moving terribly much.” He walked over to help Abner steady himself. “You good? I'd really not have to carry you out of here.” Abner nodded yes. “Okay, good. I can't have you dieing on me, or us rather. You need to get the sword back from whoever took it from you, even if you've got to fight Celestia.” He began to walk away when he realized something, perking his head up, “Oh right, I suppose I should properly introduce myself, I'm Drystan. I'll lead up to the village as much as I can, after that, you're on your own. I'll keep myself to your shadow from then on, most sentient critters don't like the whole black fiery ink look.” Following Drystan through the thickest of brush and vines, the suns rays peaked through holes of the canopy in the forest, lighting the majority of their path. Avoiding traps set by fur traders and other commonly hostile creatures until seeing the trees lighten up in their thickness. Abner heard a voice calling out for him in the distance, his ears perked and he looked towards the direction of the sound. The voice became clearer the closer he got, eventually he was able to decipher whose voice it was. It was Larks, her delightful clear and majestic voice rang throughout the forest. Drystan saw where he was headed and merged into his shadow, completely blending in as if he was never there. As he ran he could feel the magic within reimburse his veins, he used it to phase through the multitude of trees and hasten his running. The cast of magic left a streak of light blue from his horn, he could feel the power of the dragon's soul begin to manifest and amplify his magic. He could hear the curing words of Lark's voice clearly despite the noise from the grass and whatever twigs he stepped on that snapped and cracked beneath his feet. Finally finding Lark, he slowed down and approached her, “Abner, you're alive!” She shouted with glee. “I was so worried that you had gotten lost on your way back to your family.” She hugged him and began walking back towards the edge of the forest. “Everyone's worried about you, Charger and all of them have up and left, heading back to Canterlot early this morning, I think I saw them carrying something similar to your sword.” Abner instantly became enraged, he knew that even if Celestia had the sword to keep away the Blight, it wouldn't save everyone. Releasing a massive burst of magic that caused the ground to crater beneath their feet, grass to disintegrate, and trees to become partially uprooted he went from the speed of a turtle to the speed of a bullet. He phased through every tree and house on his way, gratuitous amounts of wind blasting through the center of the town shattering several windows and cracking many more. Wind chimes tangled amongst themselves and what stones were in the road were uplifted and thrown out of place. “Abner! Slow down for a minute,” Drystan's voice called out, “If they've already left this morning, then its better to wait for a train to conserve your magic.” He stopped in front of the train station and ran inside at a normal pace. Lionel was attending the front desk. “Abner he said in surprise, “I thought you left with the others. I saw you leave with them.” Lark trotted inside out of breath, “What's the big rush, Abner?” She was only answered by silence and a look of anger that made her reel back. “Are you okay? I've never seen anyone fly through the town like that, nor release a blast of energy that caused trees to start uprooting.” Lionel expressed a look of shock, “What in the world...If you're really eager to catch up to them, I suggest you leave now or wait for a train to save your energy and take Lark with you.” Relaxing his muscles a bit, Abner turned to Lark and back to Lionel, Lark saw what he was thinking an asked him, “When does the next train leave for Canterlot?” “In about two hours.” He said after scanning the chart he had on his desk. “I was planning on visiting Prudence on my lunch break, her health has greatly declined since yesterday. A doctor checked on her this morning, said she just had an extreme case of magic fluctuations that are messing with her body.” “When is your break?” Lark asked, still catching her breath. “Luckily, in a good five minutes, but I suppose I could leave a little early.” He turned to another pony, a pegasus, “Hey Steam Cloud, I'm leaving a little early, so if anyone asks, let them know.” The pegasus gave him a quick nod and went back to reading her newspaper. Arriving again at Prudence's house for what could be the last and final time, Lark, Abner, and Lionel found Tiva waiting for them in the doorway to the house with tears in her eyes. She approached him and starting shouting, “How could you take mother away from me! Why didn't you just die! Why!” Her voice turned into a murmur as she pounded her hoofs against Abner's shoulders. “Tiva,” Lionel spoke up, “What are you doing?” she didn't answer and continued to sob, slowly stopping her hoofs against Abner. “I'll handle this, Lionel. You and Abner head inside.” Lark spoke up, sadness and confusion in her voice. Lionel quickly trotted inside, Lark pulled Tiva away from Abner who followed Lionel inside. “Lionel, I knew you'd come in my last hours of living, my love.” “Don't say it dear I don't want to hear that, I know you can make it through it, we've always have.” Lionel said with deep concern. “Always the optimist weren't you.” She smiled, she coughed and spat some blood, her voice became more rasped and dry. “Love, you knew this day would come, I told you that since we started dating. I greatly wish that we could've been together for years well past our marriage.” Lionel sigh sadly, his eyebrows raised, “I don't, I don't know what I'll do without you, Prudence. You're the one mare that made such a great difference in my life, but now you've got to go away and it isn't a choice by our hoofs that we can make.” He approached the bed and held one of her hooves in his, “Dear, please say you'll make it through this.” “I'll make it through this, we both will. I've told Tiva the truth about this past month and the main reason behind this illness, it's terribly clear that she doesn't exactly understand all of it. I don't have much longer now.” “Save your breath, Prudence, you need it. I'll find it out myself even if I can't understand it. Tell me again, love, that you'll make it through this.” She softly laughed with a smile on her face, “I'm so happy, yet I can't help but feel sad. We'll make it through this. I love you, I always will” she slowly spoke her last words placing her other hoof on top of his, before finally closing her eyes and tears slowly dripped from her eyes. Lionel remained silent holding his fiance's hooves in his, his head hung low. The air felt suppressed, still, stiff. “I love you too, Prudence.” Lionel choked with his last words to her now lifeless corpse. Abner could feel her soul thrust back into his consciousness, he could hear her crying with such a terribly deep sadness deep from within her heart, it filled him with uncertainty. Her body dissipated into the air. Lionel sobbed quietly, “Dammit.” Lark came in with Tiva quietly sobbing at her side. “Mister Lionel?” He lifted his head up staring at the wall, his voice became heavy, “Lark, was it? Keep an eye on my daughter for a little while, I need some time alone. You too, Abner.” The three of them left the house, Lark said to Abner to stay in the shadows and make sure Lionel doesn't do anything drastic. Lark took Tiva to a nearby hillside, trying to cheer her up. Abner used Drystan to keep himself cloaked in the shadows. Lionel sat in a chair, an unending stare befell his eyes as tears slowly rolled down his face. “Perhaps Luna can tell me, she was her teacher.” Lionel quickly rummaged through her books until he found a book on magic spells to summon mythical beasts, but it did not contain any proper pages. Prudence's physical form she once had gone forever, she would not be able to use such a draining spell again. Lionel kept Tiva by his side for the rest of the day. He allowed Lark and Abner to ride the train to Canterlot for free out of the kindness of his heart. Abner could still feel the aching sadness that resided in Prudence in his mind and he could hear Drystan silently trying to get her mind set straight on their current goal. Waiting on the boarding platform, Lark quietly hummed one of her favorite songs of hope and good luck and Abner quietly slept on a bench against the outside wall. Lark began seeing something in the distance, a train coming from Canterlot, going much faster than what it should. She nudged Abner awake and pointed at it. Lark walked back inside the station and asked Lionel if there was supposed to be a train coming from Canterlot. Confused, Lionel said that there shouldn't be one arriving, the next one from Canterlot arrives thirty minutes after theirs. The train's horn started blowing rapidly as it chugged ever closer. Suddenly, the train lifted itself off the tracks, derailed and began running aground. “Umm, this can't be good.” Lionel said. “Everyone back inside, now!” The bending and warping metal could be heard screeching, ear piercingly so. The train cars bunched up into one another, collapsing in on themselves and contorting in extremely violent manners. Sliding across the ground, the engine peeled the rails up and split them apart. Abner ran towards the oncoming train and set forth a spell to slow the train even further. As he ran alongside the train, he made the spell wrap around the entirety of the train and began treating the spell as if it were a lasso around bull's neck. Eventually he got the train to come to a halt and released the spell. As the dirt, dust, and smoke cleared, Abner and Lark walked alongside the wreckage, listening and carefully looking for any movement from within the train cars. Seeing some boards shift on one of the cars in the back, which had flipped over onto its side, Abner quickly rushed over to the rustle, Lark followed closely behind. Suddenly, the pile boards busted open, exploding outward causing more smoke to fill the air and from it, two ponies emerged from the dust. “That was crazy! Should totally do that again sometime.” A familiar voice exclaimed. “Whisk, that could've gotten us killed! First high jacking the train then derailing it by using a makeshift explosive under the engine, which by the way, is outrageous in its own right.” The other one lectured. “Well, the handle for the brakes broke, how else was it going to stop without completely passing Ponyville? Look at it this way, Marina, there wasn't anyone else on board and nopony got hurt.” Whisk chuckled. “Just be glad I agreed to coming with you in the first place. I still don't know how you got it in your head that Celestia's gonna start going looney.” Marina complained. “I've got my sources, Marina, you know that. Not to mention the heavy increase of guards and security checkpoints that were setup, there's also the magic field around the center tower where Celestia resides. Not to mention I saw a wanted poster for our new friends on the notice board at the station.” Whisk pointed out. “Okay, okay. You've made your point, Whisk, jeez.” Marina groaned. “Anyways, let's find Abner and give him back his sword. I still don't understand why he took it in the first place.” “Whisk, Marina, what happened?” Lark said as she approached the two. “Whisk can tell you, I've got to get this ridiculously heavy sword to Abner.” Marina again complained as she handed the sword over to Abner, out of breath and battered. Whisk told the rather short tale of the two of them hijacking the train and leaving Canterlot, after successfully sneaking the sword away from Charger and then proceeding to hop in a train that was stored away. It was stored away but made to run on the same track during months with higher traffic. As the four of them made their way to the train station, Marina re-equipped Abner with his sword and satchel that had been taken from him. Whisk also explained the reasons of the of them being wanted were treason and conspiracies against Celestia, both things were something that Lark and Abner never thought would be placed on their heads. As they made their way into Ponyville's train station, the group found themselves looking at dozens of the citizens in shock and awe from the display of destruction and heroism to keep the train from potentially destroying the station. Whisk assured them all that the train was empty besides the two of them. “Should we really be attracting this much attention?” Marina asked Whisk. “We'll be fine, besides we're going to leave Ponyville by tonight anyways. We've got a cat and mouse game with the Legion now. As long as we're on the move we'll be good. I know where we should out next anyways.” Whisk explained with much confidence and calm. “Awfully calm about this aren't you?” Marina said as they made their way out of the station. “Better than being stern, quiet, or stressed out about following orders precisely.” Whisk smartly replied. “The three of them will come around anyways, trust me.” Lionel approached Abner before they left, “Abner, before I forget. Rarity dropped this off earlier this morning, asked me to hand it over to you in case you stopped by, it's a new harness to replace your old one, which looks to be rather worn out.” He said as he pulled the folded heap of rough brown leather from off his back. “I have to stay here and make a report on the ruckus you two decided to cause.” When they arrived back to the barn on Apple Jack's farm, Abner received the worriment of his family when he didn't return the night before. His father didn't express too much concern however, he always knew that one way or another, that he would survive his predicaments. Whisk discussed in detail with Melek about the area around Abner's home, in particular the temple that was known to be in the nearby forest. Melek visited the place several times when he was a traveling merchant. Recalling one time when he met a archeologist there, he described it as a place that worshiped a goddess that represented the sun and the heavens. The archeologist was, conveniently enough, able to effectively translate the ancient language inscribed on the alters and tablets that were scattered throughout the small temple. He told Melek that the goddess was called Belisama, her description escaped him. The archeologist noted that the ancient tribe of ponies that dwelled here mostly consisted of earth ponies that were unaware of magics that unicorns possessed, not only that, they coexisted with other tribes, namely intelligent wolves that called themselves the White Strand Tribe and another tribe of griffins that called themselves the River Claws. The temple itself, was a stepped pyramid that had now been overgrown by trees vines and other such foliage. Melek stated that it shouldn't be too hard to find, but he also warned of a cursed creature whose lifespan was far greater than most, that if it was killed, it would release a spell that would turn everything within a certain area into stone. A certain potion could be used to release those that get trapped within its spell, but the ingredients are also extremely rare. Whisk pointed out that a spell to break petrification was discovered, it could be used if it was necessary. As evening drew closer, Whisk, Marina, Abner, and Lark began their long-distance trek following one of the more dangerous routes through the Everfree forest. A path known for its gruesome tales of death and disease brought on by venomous insects and attacks from wildly large predators that took refuge nearby. The route was shorter than the safer paths through and bypassing the checkpoints would be far easier than taking the other routes. The moon rose as a waning crescent, but still bright enough to show the group of friends to find their way to the entrance of the forest. Strangely enough, they found Lionel and his soon to be daughter awaiting them there. The silence of the meeting was accompanied by the churring of crickets and nocturnal birds. “I figured you all would take this route.” he said dimly, his eyes tired and weary. “What brings you here?” Marina asked quietly. “I heard from my daughter about what happened to my fiance. What I loved, who I loved deeply with all my heart so if death came to take it away, my heart and mind would tear each other apart trying to find some sort of resolution.” He said with an extremely heavy heart. “I have but two things to ask of you. Marina, you knew Prudence well, do you believe I was in love with some cruel concoction of her magic, a fake if you will or was I truly loving her for who she really was?” Lionel spoke weakly, confusion in every word he spoke. “Well, she was certainly one to keep secrets of certain things about her past, but she never lied to anyone. Even if the body she left behind was fake, she left behind her personality, not to fool you, but to continue loving you until the day that came to pass that she had to pass away, she could spend it with you and her precious daughter.” Marina answered in an apologetic and sincere voice. “She was one to love what she came to have, not destroy it.” Lionel sadly smiled and closed his eyes, recalling all of the loving memories that she had left behind her. “I suppose you're right, Marina.” He said, slowly wiping away a tear from his eye. “The second question, are you willing to take my daughter with you, her first birthday wish was to explore the world with her mother. I feel that if she spends her time with you four, she'll be able to achieve that wish, that promise the two of them made together.” “If you both agree on it, but she has to be sure to stay close to us. We may not be able to watch her at all times.” Marina replied. Lionel and Tiva talked it over for what seemed to be the hundredth time, whispering to one another until Lionel finished their short conversation with a heavy sigh and a hug that seemed to last an eternity between the two of them. “She'll go along with you. Although it pains me to let her go, as she was just as much of my life as her mother. She has calmed down about Abner essentially taking her life. Harsh way of saying it I know, but I don't have any other way of putting it.” He paused, his voice choked, “Please, don't let her down. I'm going to head back into town, I have a station to attend.” He slowly trotted off back into the town, looking back only once to assure himself that his daughter would be safe. “I'll be fine, Father! Please take care of yourself.” Tiva shouted to him, tears in her eyes.