//------------------------------// // Chp. 25 - Secluded Valley // Story: Indomitable // by Slendy //------------------------------// By the time daybreak arrived, the train had finally come to a complete stop in what I was about to comment it was more sand but the words died with my chipper mood like an anvil tied to my gut, more so than when Bloodbath Diablos had used me like a chew toy dragged through said sand. While helping Topaz's Guard unload the supplies we had brought I felt... cold. It was bloody warm don't get me wrong but the fact was that the energy in the area felt strained, thinned to a veil that a simple spell could break. The land had twisted and jutted from the wasteland, formed irregular horns of rock that tents and scaffold attached themselves to like magnets. Ponies guarded and worked around the clock, inspect the tips of the spires now draped in a grey shredded fabric, like dead branches in the silent breeze. The ground slopped further down, entering through a large fissure in the earth. Many plateaus crossed the horizon, indicating at the valleys Princess Luna informed me of briefly. Actually, she should be-- "Ah, you have arrived safely I assume?" Her voice caused some of the workers to freeze as they bowed their head, even Yui looked nervous as she kept her head low out of respect. Luna shook her head, lifting her hoof. "Come now, formalities at a time like this can't be so formal -- Topaz, is it?" The unicorn in question slipped out of the cart, saluting the Princess "Princess, I brought the supplies you requested and the... two that skipped out on the meeting a while ago and had an innocent Guard nearly have her head chewed off." She made it very perspicuous, clearly, she wasn't going to let us live that down I flashed her a toothy grin. "Come oooon, we're buddies, and I said I was sorry." She just snorted and sat the last box down for another two ponies to pick up, that leer could freeze a soul I tell ya. "Pleasure to meet you in person, Princess -- As you can see we couldn't stick around for a meeting due to... complications." Yui sighed. "We up and refused a summon from the monarchy, really starting to regret that now." It was fine, Luna didn't seem to care Her eyes looked to gloss over that fact casually, "It is fine, speaking, technically, with you now is... interesting," Luna smiled then drew her attention to us. "Zen, and... Yui as I've been informed, while I explain the situation, do you three mind following me to the site, I'd rather avoid tempting fate at a time like this." She was stressed, the whole area felt uneasy and flooded with worry for whatever lay under our feet. "I-I don't really know how much help I can be, P-Princess." Yui trembled like a leaf beside me, tucking her head further into her hood as we walked through the campsite, a number of eyes on me as we walked "I have done my research while conducting this investigation personally while my sister maintains the political side of the situation, so I have looked into your work," I smiled as I heard Yui squeak slightly, and from the budding light in Luna's soul it was obvious she found it amusing too. "Your extensive work in the field, coupled with your findings in only two years is astounding, and the ability to harness the very same magic I learned long ago," Turning to look at the meek Bad-Pony with a smile she added, "I could not have asked for a better pair of hooves to accompany our research into this... darkness." It was adorable watching Yui hide under her hood further due to the praise from the very monarch her kind respected most. Given all Yui's been through in her life, she deserved the respect and acknowledgment of her skill. Luna continued to lead us through the camp, these leathery shreds draped everywhere gave off a faint aura themselves, they're dead obviously, but no single shade of blue stayed consistent enough for me to properly compare. "The energy around here is either weak or completely ambiguous," I voiced my concerns while we stopped before a large overhand marked with a table, notes, charts, etc. The kind of equipment and material used for meetings. The situation was bad enough but now even I started to have doubts "Fighting a Ratholos wouldn't be such a bad idea." Luna nodded to a Night Guard, trotting back over to us with even eyes. "A field team recently reported signs of more devastation across the western jungles," She visibly paled. "Just... horrible, the land was either dead and barren, the animal life too, some of the lands had been scorched too." Topaz mirrored Luna's appearance, mortified. "What kind of monster could do something so atrocious?" "An Elder Dragon." Yui said it perfectly, and my heart shuddered -- Then my ears flicked to the new sensation in the air, faint under all this growing anxiety Oh boy, I feel a great disturbance. Spinning around we were greeted by that of a unicorn with a blue mane and white coat, and he looked important seeing as Topaz was rigid on the spot, anxiety swelling as I noted the chiseled frown on his muzzle. He soon inspected me fully, grasping my appearance before meeting my eyes, Yui standing a little closer to me. "Hello there." He greeted as I smiled "General Kenobi." I gave a wave of my paw as Topaz and Yui slapped a hoof to their muzzles and Shining Armor was left utterly perplexed. Either by my greeting or the fact I was already beaming my words into his mind, probably a little of both "What?" Hrm, uncultured. Rolling my eyes I craned my head to Luna "Luna, my disappointment is immeasurable and my day has been ruined," A solemn sigh and soon Captain took now as the time to make a rebuttal to my disrespect, meh, the whole 'earn it not give it' is kinda implied right now, so far, not feeling good vibes from this guy, though I'm not tempted to vibe-check him at all less I have an army chase me down with their pointy sticks and laser horns "So you're one of the creatures I've received word of," Again with that ire, guess he also heard about mine and Egghead's not-so-subtle dispute. I really know how to make good impressions, don't I? Besides, he lost me when he said, 'creatures', what came next nailed in the coffin. His brow raised to Yui, "You're Yui Fox, his... hmm, owner?" In response, Yui wore a faked smile, eyes wide while tapping her forehead with her wing. "Wow, you're right Zen, today has been ruined, completely," She stepped forward. "Captain, much as I'd love to correct you, and believe me when I say the choice words I have would most certainly hurt more than a blade," She prattled almost mockingly. "There are bigger things going on than some pointless suspicions just because Zen chewed your sister out for borderline mistreatment of his closest friends and older sister," I just blinked, even Luna and Topaz were left star-struck as she looked to me from behind her hood. "Ready to go, Zen?" "My God I love you..." I murmured to her then nodded. "If you don't mind, Luna, we'll get to work." "...Of course, I will brief Captain Armor of what you've informed me of." She gave a bow of her head as I did, leaving Shining completely caught out of the loop. Disrespecting the title of both a Royal Guard Captain, a Monarch, and my girlfriend just shut him down, yep, today's a fifty-fifty "U-um, right so... yeah, they aren't... the most formal." Topaz just fell apart and I felt bad for her since she'd have to endure alot of ranting shortly "Hold on -- You can't just -- Hey!" By then we had already made our way toward the valley pass. This place felt cold, and I hadn't the time for pointless drama with some side-character As we traversed the valleys below, the sunlight barely reached us say for a dry wind passing through the many levels of the ravines. It was only I, Yui, Luna who had caught up with Topaz and a silent Shining Armor as I took a few steps forward and immediately stumbled back, a sudden rush of emptiness filling my chest. "Zen!" A hoof pushed against my lower back, keeping me steady while I put my paw to the ground, closing my eyes. "What is it?" "What's wrong with him?" Topaz asked suddenly but I was too fixated on the land, searching far and wide across the levels of rock and dust for signs of life, anything that remained I felt the feelers on my head rise as I sensed through aura, and... it was all grey, usually, things highlighted certain hues of blue to indicate both aura and life energy. With a grave look in my eyes as I met Yui's worried one, I shook my head. A dry lump tugged down my throat as I pointed ahead to the darker crevasses of the valley. "There's... nothing left, the ground, the air... everything is dead, lifeless husks." "How can you be so sure?" Shining questioned, and while rising to my feet I turned, a shaken expression on my face that caught him and the Princess by surprise "I can sense aura in life," Picking up a stone to emphasize my point, I crushed it gently, seeing it turn to dust in my paw. "It's been completely drained on purpose, even a Black Dragon can't do this, they destroy, sure, but there's always some form of energy left in the earth, like the life-force of the planet, but this... sucked dry in seconds." "Something of considerable power can do this?" Luna was struggling to believe it, and I did too, I can't remember any monster capable of this feat... or is there? "Then perhaps I should show you this, maybe then you can piece together this mystery." "With all due respect, I don't think I want to know." Yui gulped, but I stepped back and let her lead us, Yui's wing wrapped to my paw as we traversed the valley across its ledges, watching our step as edges crumbled to dust at the lip, the hiss of sand-falls dotting the cracks above. I don't know the length of time we walked, taking longer routes to avoid any unnecessary falls, but from Luna's careful steps its clear she's ensured a safe route down into the hollowed land ~---~ "Princess, what are we going to find down here?" Topaz requested, yet the ever-so-stoic monarch remained on course, directing us through a narrow crack in the wall, over a large, earthly bridge "Princess Luna's been the only pony down here, guess we'll see firsthand," Shining added, the Lunar Princess nodding while the walls opened up into a massive cavern, the light of day beaming through a large hole in the ceiling "We're here," Luna declared, my eyes noting the black, webbing-like vines cocooning the right side. Down here the energy was still present though far less than it was above ground. And the rocks surrounding us were wrapped in the same fabric that surrounded the many cliffsides down here "Wow!" Yui awed while trotting over to one of the rocks with me, the two of us sharing a passive look of interest. She picked it in her hooves, feeling the material as I saw it semi-translucent face shimmer dully. "This texture, it's like... shedded skin, or maybe webbing? Both feel very similar." No... I winced, a sharp presence subdued my own, another memory surfaced as I felt it, a sweatiness in my paws, how my heart trembled. This wasn't new, rather, I remember it because I've faced it before. "No way...!" I spun back around, seeing the trio watch as I inspected the earth again, my hand tracing the remnant energy stored up in the surface. "Energy absorption... the massive change to the ecosystem and the skin..." If there was a gong to sound the impending doom or a melody to accompany the realization it would summarize this horrible feeling. "We need to go, now!" "Have you figured out the monster that--" I stopped Luna with my arm out "No, this isn't just a monster, it's-!" Shining's head had turned to a mound of rock up high, his jaw dropped to the ground while his eyes remained pained and stained with terror, the very icy chill from his form resonated to us as our heads craned up gradually to meet his view. I and Yui jogged closer, the light seeping through the ceiling to illuminate the dead skin blanketing the back wall The husk of a monster larger than any so-called dragon of Equestria slumped over the podium of rock, mouth agape as the skin peeled and curled in the wind, but the head remained recognizable to me, it wasn't obvious at first but this monster had the very capabilities needed not to just drain but harness the energy, to grow and mature. Large, hollowed horns with an almost extraterrestrial appearance. "Xeno'Jiiva!!" My words felt heavy, and all eyes were on me while I struggled with the idea of a manifestation that could replicate its maturity into the one monster I hadn't fought yet because it was never released before I arrived in Equestria. "This is... it's already shedded its skin countless times here." "Does this mean -- Zen...!?" I couldn't even make a simple acknowledgment to Yui as the harsh reality struck me across the face, my eyes locked to the now humming ruby in my paw, and the light grew brighter and brighter like a heartbeat resonating to the source Luna grimaced, rubbing her chin. "As you suspected Captain, the situation has escalated exponentially, the source of the rifts is here." Her expression darkened like the sky above briefly by a cloud. "We must return to discuss this further." There was a unanimous agreement while Yui's comforting hoof rubbed my side, keeping a shaky smile on her lips "Come on, we can figure this out together." Since when did she become the optimist? Confidence afloat in this sea of anxiety, we turned to make a hasty retreat back to the surface, staying far too long in the den of this Elder Dragon wasn't how I'd like my final moment in life to incorporate, it would certainly be a once-in-a-lifetime event though The ruby, now tucked under my scarf, hummed against my fur and spike, my ears flared to its siren song. "Everyone move!!" My telepathic cry muffled out the scream of the wind as it threw us back, a deafening roar breaking apart a few of the rocky protrusions as a massive, dark figure soared from above, crashing through the floor with enough force to destabilize the region around us, the spined tail whisked back to swipe at our feet "Everypony stand close now!" Luna rallied us together even as the harsh downdraft forced us back, and the echoes of that unearthly roar rocked the underground to its core. With a sharp ringing in my ears, the world flashed a veil of midnight blue as started scattered in the darkness. She had teleported us, snagging us from the threat of the beast lurking in the darkness [Yui's POV] Not much time passed since our abrupt exit from the valleys, and from whatever that monster was, an Elder Dragon... it really was a terrifying marvel, it did all this damage to the world, turning the forests outside the Badlands into empty husks of rock and shrubbery. Zen knew it by name, so there was a chance to beat it, right? I don't know, I don't think Zen knows either. He just... sat at the edge of the camp, alone, he passed on whatever he knew of this, 'Xeno'Jiiva' then left to recluse by himself, it was as if that spark in his eyes was snuffed out. I wasn't just going to let this be his breaking point, Zen always fought headfirst, it didn't matter how dangerous or how scary the monster was, or how much he resented the choice he made, he followed through with every action to the end, willing to give up his old world, his real home... for me. I don't deserve all the time I've spent with him, but I wouldn't forsake any of it. Finding a bipedal black and blue wolf wasn't as easy as one may think, but eventually, I narrowed down his location, watching the Badlands from up high on a ridge. I couldn't quite tell what his expression was, unlike him I'm no mind reader. His eyes were shut, and face all scrunched up with a sad frown. Those feelers of his weren't rising so it must have been a meditation form. Stopping just behind him, I sighed. He already knew I was here before I spotted him. "In a game, I fought every monster countless times... I knew their moves, their weaknesses, and strengths, the strategies, everything..." His head dipped, "I know what's waiting down there... but I don't know -- I just..." His words fell apart as my hoof rubbed his shoulder, brushing my mane from my left eye. I still said nothing, he needed to let it out, he knows I'll listen. "...I know what I have to do but I don't know if I have the strength to do it... if everything will be okay," His voice broke, trying to maintain his composure with his fangs bear. "I don't want to lose anyone else, but I can't stop shaking." There's no telling how long he burdened himself with this knowledge, selflessly doing what he could to support me when trying to recreate some form of bond between my brother, keep the shattered pieces I left that day together all while wearing that dorky smile of his. At the end of the world, I get it, Zen hasn't just forgotten who he was before, deep down, buried under the Zen I know is the cold, pessimistic person who I never met, a person who lost something dear to him as I had. Supportive words were never my strong suit, it came out like a tangent or jumble of words without meaning. Just sitting here and listening isn't going to help him -- Luna above, he's breaking down in front of me and I'm just staring!? I don't need to think or make up some false illusion, we're at the very end, the epicenter for Trinity summoning Zen here, right now, what I say has to be real, feel real. "...It's... okay to be scared," His head tilted gradually so I didn't force a smile. "I'm afraid that the moment you triumph over this impossible task, that Equestria is saved! That... you won't be there, and I... won't be able to reach you again, that scares me, selfishly I want to hold onto you, but I know that, even if you're gone that," I took his paw, placing it on my heart with a shaky smile. "-Right here... right here I know you'll still be here." I tugged his paw in my hoof, locking my eyes with his. "You're Zen Amadeus, you never needed some new body or powers because you are already so smart, cunning, fast, strong in a way no monster, no stupid manifestation can replicate," It took time, my heart was racing, any sense of logic that attempted to divert my words with thought quickly dissolved. "Your soul can never be replicated. So get up," I pulled at his paw again, hardening my gaze as he continued to search mine. "Stand tall and don't ever look back." I kissed him gently, pulling away to see something spark in his eyes, flickering, and dancing in his irises Looking down at our joint hoof and paw, he tightened around me, a feeling of revitalizing energy course to my leg like a heartbeat. "I'm still scared," A voice as strong as any armor rang in my ears hopefully. "But I'm not alone... anymore." That was the Zen I knew and loved. "Sorry for making you worry." A snort broke from my nose, "Need I remind you of who's family dilemma you helped to solve?" His child-like grin returned and stupidly made my heart tick faster "...Safi'Jiiva, The Red Dragon," That sounded ominous as heck. "If he wants a fight, then he picked the wrong world to mess with," Zen stood tall, proudly with his paw out to my hoof. "I have an idea... several in fact! But I need the expert eye of the greatest Treasure Hunter to accomplish it, think you know the pony?" I giggled, a smooth talker with cheesy lines to the end -- Screw it, I love it "I may know her," I gave a wink, curling my wing for his fist to tap against. "What do you need, Partner?" "Mind stealing a bunch of weapons and armor from the guards for me?" Oh? Another for criminal bingo, cool! To Be Continued...