//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 - The Journey Of PON-E. // Story: Terraria: Friendship Is Magic // by Pomp-Neigh //------------------------------// -EQUUS, CORRUPTION BIOME, OUTSKIRTS OF CANTERLOT, PON-E POV- PON-E slowly flew over the infected landscape below the device, sending all of its camera feed back to those stationed at Outpost #1. The very wood of various trees were turned light purple as their leaves took on a much darker purple coloration. The grass below were no different from the trees as they too took on a light purple color however what was most concerning was the very earth itself. The soil was, to put it simply, devoid of all life and no amount of earth pony care could ever make life sprout in these lands. PON-E lowered itself so it could fly not too far above a road that leads to Canterlot, along this road a horrifying discovery was made. A cart was wrecked beyond any fathomable attempt to repair it as the infection began to grow onto the cart but most disturbingly was the condition of its owners, two earth ponies laid dead however their remains were so twisted and grotesque, rotten and mummified that it would be impossible to tell what their gender was. PON-E hovered over the scene to take it all in likely due to its pilots actions, the device flew around in order to get multiple angles of the deceased ponies before it then turns back to the road and continues its path towards Canterlot. PON-E now found itself just outside the gates of Canterlot but before it could enter its first obstacle arrived, a Devourer. The large worm like abomination could be seen feeding on various bodies of ponies along with what looked like a large red dragon whos body was cleaved in two but from the looks of it something must've dragged the deceased firebreather to Canterlot judging by the drag marks imbedded into the earth. Everything was going rather well, until the worm took notice of PON-E and slithered over to the drone. Now the eyes of the Devourer focused onto the device, its pupils shrunk as if it were to represent the creatures current curiosity. Then, it simply turned back to its feast however the ground begins to shake which takes the Devourers attention away from its meal. The ground shifts which causes the buildings to crumble from the phenomenon, then, a loud roar could be heard: [SCREEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW] Mere seconds after the loud roar was heard the ground beneath the dragon erupted sending a large fog of purple dust into the air, the Devourer that was present bit down onto a deceased pony, took it into the creatures maw, and slithered away from the commotion. PON-E caught the entire affair however with the fog of dust currently present it couldn't make out what had caused the commotion. Therefore, PON-E began to take to the skies in an effort to fly above the fog. The device managed to succeed but what was revealed was quite the sight, whatever was here completely leveled the city of Canterlot and took the dragons entire body with it. All that remained of this once proud capitol of Equestria was the Castle itself, PON-E heads to the castle in question. Finally, PON-E manages to reach the castle and fortunately for the device no one closed the doors to the castle as they made their escape the day Razeem invaded Equus and The Corruption took its hold on Canterlot. Flying through the hallways many pony remains were observed, ponies of all kinds laid dead in a state similar to the two earth ponies that PON-E observed on the road to Canterlot. Pegasus, Earth Pony, and Unicorn bodies littered the castle halls but most disturbingly it was evident that something had moved these corpses here. This was soon answered as PON-E encounters and observes multiple of the flying parasites known as The Eater Of Souls, with them was a fresh kill: A mare pegasus gaurdspony and judging by the armor she wore she was once a guard for The Crystal Empire, likely a latest casualty from one of the outposts. Like the Devourer, the parasites also ignored PON-E as they added their latest kill to the hallway. What happens next was shocking to the device's pilot as one of the parasites bites down onto the mare guardspony but most disturbingly was what happened next, she was still alive. The parasite's bite awakens her and she screams out: "AAAAWWWWWWWWWW!, PLEASE BY CELESTIA I DON'T WANT TO-", The mare was silenced immediately as a white energy was being sucked right out of her body, the color of her body went pale instantly and her eyes began to cave into her skull. The process was finally complete and within the parasites mandibles was the very thing it was named for, it has her soul. The parasite immediately swallows the soul and then flies off in a direction any pony was all too familiar with, The Throne Room. PON-E follows the flying parasite. PON-E and the parasite now entered the throne room which was in an equally tarnished state as the rest of Canterlot was before it was destroyed by the unknown force. Tapestries of a moon and sun insigne were on the floor covered in various debris or still managing to hang onto the walls and ceiling but torn and aged due to The Corruption's influence. There, floating above where the thrones of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna once stood was now replaced by a large floating orb with a dark purple coloration: The Eater Of Souls that had taken the mare guardspony's essence was now hovering just before the orb, then, it spat out the soul of the aforementioned mare which was immediately absorbed into the floating orb. PON-E observed this affair through and through, the device began to back away and head towards the exit but unfortunately a new entity stood, or more accurately floated, in its way. "Did you enjoy the tour mortals?, you think we, The Hive Mind, are contained?. All you're doing is allowing us to... Evolve. The Corruption... We... are a monument to all your sins, a display of our might is in order. We will summon he who shall devour you all, he who will cause your greatest structures to fall, the being whos very movements causes your hearts to go awhirl, behold... The Eater Of Worlds.", The Hive Mind antagonizes with a terrifying voice that echoes throughout the area, many other voices spoke alongside the dominant demonic voice. A purple aura surrounds The Hive Mind which causes the nearby wall of the throne room to bend and open revealing a view of the outskirts of Canterlot. PON-E observed as the landscape began to shake, pieces of the mountains began to crumble. Finally, a large entity erupts from the ground and displays its massive form in all its glory: "The show is over now mortals, we shall see you all... very soon.", The Hive Mind says as it destroys PON-E causing the camera feed to stop. -EQUUS, CORRUPTION BIOME OUTPOST #1- Silence and shock was present as the crowd standing before the outdoor stage, of which Dr. Whooves and Derpy stood on who also had the exact same expressions, remained for a few more moments before the action many would expect to happen took place. Some among the crowd began to run and scream out in horror, Dr. Whooves regained his composer and trots over to a nearby device positioned to the far left side of the large screen on stage. The Doctor activates the device upon which a videotape was ejected, he then turns to Derpy and says: "Get this to The Crystal Empire right now!, we were fools to think we've contained this!.", Derpy immediately heeded his words and took to the skies flying towards the empire. -TERRARIA- It's now mid day in Terraria as Rarity continued to travel along its landscape on her Slime Mount, she took in the beautiful sights of the world before her and taking in deep breaths of the rather refreshing air. She had traveled a bit further then she would've liked but she simply couldn't help it as she says: "Oh this world is quite lovely, it might not be home... and it's dangerous, but I must say the views are divine.", Suddenly, she notices some ruins nearby but most interesting was the fact that these ruined structures had dark pink walls and pink bricks. The fashionista was impressed by this ancient structure. "Despite the age of these ruins everything is simply marvelous, the colors of these walls and bricks are quite lovey oh if only Spikey Wikey were here. Wait, what's that?.", Rarity says as she takes notice of a much larger structure and despite its age it was far more intact compared to the rest of the ruins. Rarity dismounts her slime and trots up the stairs, as soon as she reaches the summit her eyes widen and her mouth goes agape in shock. Standing before her was an elderly man similar in age to The Merchant. The man notices her and says: "Oh?, hello there little pony. Forgive me for saying this but I suggest you leave this place... It's not safe." "Um, w-who are you sir? why are you all alone out here?." "You can talk?, now that's something. As for who I am, I'm nothing but a foolish... Old Man."