The ground was spinning.
Starlight laughed lightly to herself, “I didn’t know the ground could spin! I’m not even dizzy!”
She giggled again, thinking the whole scenario is silly. When in actuality, she is spinning around herself. She fell onto her side and giggled louder.
“Woo! That was a doozy!” she said, sitting back up. She didn’t have any rhyme or reason, she’s just happy.
Oh, but the search hasn’t gotten any easier! Starlight thought, her gaze darting around the open, dry plains. That’s a major bummie! The search should be peachy and it feels like I’m about to sloop around the horn! Starlight paused. That didn’t make any sense! She stood up and continued trudging through the savanna’s tall grass.
“Savanna savanna savanna!” she sang, “Oh let me find what I’m loooookiiingggg fooooorrrrrr!!!” She paused and giggled, using her magic, she formed a golf club and golf ball.
“Fooooooooooorrrrreeeeeeee!” she screamed before swinging at the ball, sending it careening into the distance. She leaned forward, watching the ball until it vanished.
“Hole in one, baby!” she cried, “Still the childhood champion!”
Suddenly, she heard something.
Whispering voices.
She froze. Her blood running cold.
Her golf club forgotten, she began gazing around, her eyes bulging and pupils dilated. They were voices, but she couldn’t deter what they were saying. It chilled her. Scared her. Disembodied voices?
“You have the taste for something better, wanting vengeance against the natural order,” a voice whispered.
Starlight yelped and looked around vigorously.
“Unicorns can gain things beyond the natural order,” another whispered.
“Nightfall can help you find your way...” a third one said.
Nightfall? As in night time? She continued to hear the disembodied voices, eerily speaking in almost inaudible sentences.
“Who is Nightfall? Or is it a time?” she wondered aloud. She raised her tone, “Voice, are you there?”
She heard nothing.
“Am I supposed to wait until nightfall to do something?”
Nothing.
“And what am I supposed to be doing again?” her mind momentarily going blank.
“And why the hay am I speaking aloud to a nonexistent voice now?!”
The whispering voices faded away, leaving Starlight in the open savanna as the sun’s heat continued to beat down on her. The mare looked up, and her eyes naturally narrowed as she looked up at the sun, she shielded a part of it away and began thinking.
She had what she was doing on her mind for a minute there, but now it’s gone. She can’t have a clear picture without the biggest piece there! She groaned before closing her eyes. Wait a minute. She opened them and looked at the sun again. She shut them and placed her hoof over her eyes, causing her to see nothing but darkness.
She gasped loudly, opening her eyes and looking in front of her.
It all made sense. She couldn’t find what she’s looking for in the day because it’s got to be somewhere and only visible at night. But what is she... oh, her mommy, or somepony else important? She’ll figure it out.
“Ha ha! Starlight, you’ve done it again!” she laughed, “Such a clever little unicorn! Hee hee!”
Okay, time to stop laughing and get serious. Maybe get some pizza on the way. Or pineapples? Pineapple pizza sounds good. Oh, her favorite. She slapped herself. Focus! But maybe find a slice on the way. Dang it. Roughly fifty yards away, she spotted a water hole. Some giraffes were drinking from it.
Time to share, Starlight thought. She opened her canteen to go fill it up. But then she heard water being poured out. She saw she had opened her canteen upside down.
“Oops...” she muttered. The sun continually beating down on her, she made up her mind to go to the water hole.
Her head began aching, feeling as if she had been cast under a spell.
Have to keep going.
Have to keep going.
For her mother.
For her mother.
She thought again of her friends, frowning at the prospect of them disliking or even disowning her for what she’s been doing. Deep down, she knows of the situation she’s been in. She closed her eyes, trying to bottle those feelings down.
“I’m so sorry we lost touch,” came Sunburst’s voice, “Maybe if I’d reached out, you could’ve helped me at magic school and help you-”
“Not become totally evil?” Starlight replied. She growled, “Then why did you never bother to send a single. Darn. Letter. You knew how magical I was and am more so than I was back then.” She spoke those last few words with venom.
Burning anger rose from Starlight’s chest. How could she have started a relationship with that loser no-stallion?! What did she see in him that caused her to first get allured by his stupid hair chin?! He deserved to be lashed at! He deserved to lose her like he did!
Starlight screamed, “Curse you Sunburst!” She kicked the ground. She shook her head.
...
...
What had she just been thinking of? She slapped herself for thinking such ridiculous thoughtless thoughts. She closed her eyes as she walked on, she felt tears beginning to well up.
What is wrong with her?
“Oh, Sunburst...” growing sad over their fallout.
“Mother... Sunburst... my friends... I need to succeed...” she began muttering, and began repeating it to herself. Her mind is swirling with different emotions. She began to shake her head again; she has got to move on. She needs to find what she’s looking for. She’ll remember. She’s totally got this, doesn’t she? Only she needs to ignore more possible hallucinations and whispering disembodied voices.
“Hey, Starlight!” a cheery voice rang out.
Great. Again?
Uninterested, she turned around to see a happy, wide-eyed Pinkie.
“Ohmigosh! Ohmigosh! Ohmigosh! Starlight it is you!” she cried.
More of this seeing your friends huh?
“Yeeeaaaaahhhh,” Starlight droned, “It’s me.”
“Oh, we’ve been looking everywhere for you! Twilight and the others are somewhere! But I haven’t been able to find them, but-” she leaped into the air, flailing her legs excitedly “I found you!”
“Suuuuuurrreeeee...”
Starlight began walking, trying to ignore the hallucination, she hates her mind. She hates it playing tricks on her. But the hallucination began hopping alongside her.
“Gosh, Starlight, you look worn out! You look terrible! No offense, you look like you but only dirtier and look like you hadn’t eaten in a while! And you know how bad an empty stomach can be!” Pinkie gasped. “Ohmigosh! Here!” Pinkie pulled out a cupcake and held it in front of her, she pushed it away.
Great, more hallucinations acting as if they’re really here, just like Applejack when she prodded her in the chest.
“Yeah, just leave me alone,” Starlight muttered. “I don’t need to hear this.”
“But Starlight! Twilight’s so stressed and worried about you! Come back home!”
“I will come home when I am done here...” Starlight muttered, lying and daring not to think about her friends’ disapproving looks.
“No! Wait!”
In a flash of turquoise, Starlight disappeared and reappeared to an area far off but already searched. She looked around to see nopony but herself.
Finally! Away from that hallucination! Now to get her tail back on the trail! She began running off again despite her aching hooves and no desire to rest.
Uh oh! She came to a stop.
She forgot about the water hole.
“Darn it!”
In the middle of a small clearing surrounded by bushes and tall grass, Mystic sat the snake-bitten Twilight down on the ground and quickly looked through her satchel.
“Next time I tell you to avoid walking or trotting in high grass, you should listen,” Mystic said.
“Well I thought I saw a purple mane sticking out and I hoped it was Starlight!” cried Twilight as Mystic pulled out one of her healing potions.
“Clearly you’re not thinking straight,” Mystic opened the bottle.
“Maybe not, it’s a process, okay?!”
“Whatever. Just try and be more careful from now on,” Mystic poured a few drops onto Twilight’s lower left fetlock. “Those black mambas are some of the most poisonous ones here.” She sealed the bottle and levitated it back into her bag. “Without these potions, you would’ve been in huge trouble.”
“Y-Yikes...” Twilight whimpered.
“Gah!” a country accent shouted, “These darn 'squitos and flies!” She hobbled out of the bush and smacked a tsetse fly on her neck, killing it.
“I’ve not seen them out in the day time back home,” said Fluttershy, a frown on her face as she sprayed bug spray on herself.
“Things aren’t like your home, as you’ve been seeing,” said Mystic, standing up and examining their surroundings.
They’re in dry beautiful green grasslands with some grass as tall as they are.
“Didja find any idea where we need ta head next?” asked Applejack.
“No, but I still advise we continue heading this way. Haven’t you and Twilight spread out?”
“Yes, we saw a bunch of animals running in a huge herd.”
“I couldn’t see anything other than hilly terrain,” Twilight added, Mystic turned to see she looked amazed at her healed fetlock as if the bite never happened.
Fluttershy sulked, looking down to the ground, “I’ve tried communicating with the birds and some other animals here...but...”
Applejack walked over and placed a hoof around her friend.
“But... they either ran off, flew off, or just snapped angrily at me,” she sniffled, “I’m so sorry for...” She began to cry, “For being so useless...”
Twilight and Applejack lightly gasped.
“Fluttershy, you’re not useless,” said Twilight, hovering over and placing a hoof on her withers.
“Yes, I am...” she whimpered, wiping tears away.
“Why?” Applejack frowned, “Hon, yer one of the most perceptive of all of us. How could you possibly think yer useless?”
“Really?” Fluttershy looked at her, tears glistening down her cheeks, “I failed to help fight that bear or calm him down... I couldn’t help much when we escaped the Pack... now I’m just constantly running into problems with the wildlife here...” She sniffled, “It reminds me of my first Grand Galloping Gala...”
Twilight and Applejack’s eyes widened. They recalled how much the event shook the animal lover, she had nightmares for days (and this was before Discord).
“I’m so sorry, hon,” Applejack hugged her like a sister, “Ya reformed Discord, ya stood up ta dragons after ya’d gotten over yer fear of them. You’ve grown so much over the years.”
“And what’s that amount to now?” Fluttershy brushed her tears away.
“Fluttershy,” Twilight said softly, draping a wing over her, “Ponies go through bad streaks of luck and have unfortunate timing. I’ve done so before in Celestia’s school and with some of you.” She recalled her outburst to her friends after she attempted to take Queen Novo’s pearl, “But that doesn’t mean you haven’t progressed any.”
“Ya knew this land was gonna be dangerous, ya knew the risks didn’t ya?”
Fluttershy nodded.
“Like every new adventure, there are going to be challenges,” said Twilight, “This is another one. You’re a great pony and a great friend, Fluttershy.”
“Yeah, ya still came because yer worried about Starlight like the rest of us. We’re stressed about everythin’ goin’ on,” the farmer slightly sulked.
“That is true...” Fluttershy whispered.
“So, try an’ push through and don’t let some foreign land get ya down... we’ll try and find ways to help it.”
“I’ll... I’ll try...” Fluttershy whispered.
“That’s our Flutter,” Applejack smiled proudly. When Fluttershy looked to see Mystic, she saw the unicorn only a foot away from them. She slightly jumped and Twilight noticed as well.
“Mystic?” Fluttershy asked.
Mystic’s eyes were soft, not like her usual self. She placed a hoof under Fluttershy’s chin and lightly stroked her mane.
“You’re... a very noble pony, Fluttershy,” she said, her voice surprisingly soft, “For coming out here like you did.”
Everypony’s eyes widened at her sudden gesture. Where in the world did this come from? She let out a light sigh before pulling away and turning back around.
“Wha...” Twilight trailed off. She looked at Fluttershy and a small smile grew on the mare’s face.
A sound like thunder began rumbling across the savanna.
“What’s that noise?” Fluttershy asked as the thundering got louder, sounding more like a bunch of hooves.
“Ah don’t see any thunderclouds,” said Applejack, looking at the cloudless sky.
Twilight took to the air, turning and scanning their surroundings.
She lightly gasped.
“What do ya see?” Applejack called.
Twilight hovered back down to the ground, “Buffalo with curved horns! Heading in this general direction!”
“We need to move, now,” Mystic warned reuniting with them, “Those things are very aggressive and territorial, even to non-threatening creatures!”
The quad of ponies began running off through some thinner grass into thicker cover in the brush and trees as the thundering hooves got ever closer.
Sunset had been following this kudu for the past twenty minutes by her estimates. They’re walking through an area that’s a little more moist surrounding by beautiful green grass and luscious trees. Sunset’s happy to see some parts aren’t as dry as the golden savanna as beautiful as it was.
“So, Sunset, wasn’t it?” asked Amare, catching her a little off guard.
“Oh, yeah, that’s my name,” replied Sunset.
“Kudus and ponies have magic as we’ve talked about before. Do your kind with the horns have magic?”
Just give him quick answers, Sunset thought, keeping her guard up.
“I’m a unicorn, and there are two other ponies; the pegasus, a pony with wings, and an earth pony with no horns or wings.”
“Seriously?” Amare admonished, “What’s magical about them?”
“They have a connection to the earth and have strength stronger than most ponies, and pegasi tend to the weather.” She decided to keep alicorns a secret for now.
“Wait, so these pegasi can control the weather?” Amare looked at her, fascinated, “As in, rain, wind, and sun?”
“Yes.”
“That sounds very interesting. Controlling nature to your will.”
“We follow programs and make it beneficial for everypony.”
“I see, I see. What kind of landmarks or land, in general, do you have there? What’s the land called?”
“It’s called Equestria,” Sunset explained, “And it was founded by tribes that came together after they became friends defeating harsh winter creatures. The land consists of cities, small towns, grassy terrain, deserts, snowy mountains-”
“Snowy mountains?” Amare looked puzzled. “What’s snow?”
Sunset gasped, “You’ve never seen or heard of snow?”
“No?”
“Gosh, maybe I should tell you more about it,” said Sunset, acting like she’s astonished.
“Do you have a capital?”
Sunset sighed, growing tired of his constant questions.
“As much as I’d love to talk about my homeland, I’m afraid I’m a little too tired to think and tell you,” she said, trying to stall.
“Oh, I understand,” Amare seemed slightly disappointed, “I will get you and your friends here where you all can rest up and find who you’re looking for.”
Sunset cleared her throat and managed to smile, “Thank you, my friends will be truly appreciative of your courtesy.”
“No need to thank us, we’re just doing what we do best,” said Amare, looking back ahead, “We are indeed. Just wait until the chief gets a whiff of these naïve ponies. Controlling the weather? Now that’s something to think about.”
“How much further?” asked Sunset.
“Oh, we’re here now,” said Amare as they turned a corner around a boulder.
Looking past Amare, Sunset spotted a tall, thick, bamboo wall that had a door built into it. It’s wooden, colored red, polished and clean, surprising for this country. She gazed at the thick, tall bamboo fence. It’s surrounded by barbwires that went all the way to the top, down to the bottom, and some along the ground about five feet.
“It’s a precaution to keep the predators at bay, as I’m sure you’re aware of,” said Amare.
“I was about to arrive at that conclusion,” replied Sunset.
Amare’s horns glowed a nice green color and he opened the polished wooden gates with gold rims around it, and Sunset lightly gasped at what she’s seeing.
It’s an entire village filled with kudus. The whole village has nice white brick huts with red straw weaved together. Their doors were similar in color to the gate. The huts have substantial space between one another with white dirt roads in front of them. Calves played in the streets as cows (female kudu) did their chores to keep the village clean. The bulls are running some shops; ranging from a fruit stand, a souvenir store, and a dress shop.
Sunset couldn’t believe such a place like this existed in Oogundaa. Did Mystic know about this? Well, she possibly couldn’t have, but she’ll ask later.
Kudus smiled and began greeting Amare and they all froze when they spotted Sunset. When Sunset noticed everykudu had stopped doing what they were doing. She smiled sheepishly and waved awkwardly to them.
“Who is that?” one asked.
“What is that?”
“I like her hair!”
“Where did she come from?”
Amare took notice that the villagers are asking questions about Sunset. He smiled and held up a hoof, silencing them.
“Everykudu, this is Miss Sunset Shimmer, she’s a friend of ours,” he announced.
“Is that a... pony?!” one kudu exclaimed.
“Yes, she is a pony! But we are heading to see the chief to discuss this pony’s problems and work them out together! There will be time for questions and answers later, and believe me I want them too, but for now, let her have her space and let her take in the beautiful sights of our village!”
The kudu reluctantly backed down and began excitedly clamoring about Sunset. Some curious calves got a bit closer and the mare gave them some smiles. Suddenly, Sunset felt something placed around her neck. She looked down to see a pink flower necklace glowing green. She looked to her right and saw a cow kudu in a flower shop smiling brightly at her. Sunset returned the smile as she followed Amare.
The village was beautiful; past the huts was a beautiful luscious field with clear water with some patches of flowers being watered by the villagers. Sunset’s eyes were wide with amazement and her jaw slightly dropped. Compared to the rest of Oogundaa, this place seemed to have everything that was the total opposite of what she’d seen. She couldn’t wait to show her friends as soon as they find them.
“I can see you’re quite taken with the place,” Amare said with a smile.
“It’s incredible!” Sunset exclaimed, “It’s not unlike anything I’ve seen so far!”
“Well, since you’re going to tell us some about your land, I’ll tell you some about our little patch here,” said Amare.
Sunset turned into listen, interested.
“We kudus wield magic, powerful magic that can help the land grow and thrive. Kudus have the most powerful magic in the land, more so than the ghastly impalas,” he grimaced, “We hardly speak of those abysmal creatures.” He smiled again, “The villages all work together to keep this village thriving and safe from outsiders. We desire the best for all, but those who are outsiders willing to be friendly, deserve the best we’ve got because of how hostile things are beyond these walls.”
Sunset took notice that there was barbwire covering the bamboo walls inside the village, but there are high fences about ten feet away to keep everykudu away.
“We’ve got it all,” Amare continued, “From a pool to a hotel for those who do want the luxuries so much, a spa, a play area for all ages, and a place to do star observing.”
“Wow,” Sunset marveled, taking in just how big the village is. She looked ahead to see the road continues on a downhill slope leading to a large, circular wooden hut made of fine wood, coated red with a light brown roof. It’s decorated with all kinds of masks, tikis, and wind chimes.
“And for the building we’re heading to,” said Amare, “It’s the Chief’s Hut where our beloved Chief and his family live.”
“It’s a very fine building,” Sunset smiled.
“Indeed,” Amare sighed, “Too bad we can’t have more like it.”
“I concur,” said Sunset.
While Sunset is taken aback and marveling at the village, she still holds onto her skepticism because being a reformed villain can teach you a thing or two about trusting things that seem too good to be true.
Soon, they arrived at the Chief’s hut, Amare opened the door for Sunset and she stepped in. The first thing she saw was a living room with furniture, a table with a chess set, and a chandelier made of wood. Amare directed her up the stairs.
Climbing up to the second floor, sitting in his throne, Sunset spotted a Greater Kudu with a multicolored robe around his neck and back. He had gold jewelry around his neck and a large ring around his left hoof. His eyes widened when he saw Sunset, but he calmed down a bit when he spotted Amare.
“Chief Zane,” said Amare, “This little pony has come into our land looking for her friends that came out here. However, she and the others she’d come with were caught in a flash flood and separated. I offered to bring her here.” He looked at Sunset and motioned to her, “Chief Zane, Miss Sunset Shimmer.”
Sunset gulped, taking a couple of steps forward. The Chief had a hard look on his face.
“Chief Zane,” Sunset said with a bow, “Sunset Shimmer, pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Zane observed her some more. He rubbed his chin as he looked at Amare. He gave him a look and a nod. Zane smiled.
“Please,” he said, “Call me Zane.”
Sunset stood up straight as Zane stood up from his chair.
“I understand, little pony,” he said, “I know you have had a rough journey, and I am glad to welcome you here.”
“O-Okay,” Sunset stammered, “Pleasure’s all mine?”
Zane chuckled, stepping forward and patting Sunset’s shoulder.
“No need to be wary,” he said, “You’re among friends here.”
“I come from a land that’s all about making friends.”
“Is that so?” Zane’s smile grew, “Then I guess we have a lot to talk about.”
“Chief,” said Amare, gaining his attention, “If I may go look with a search party for her friends.”
Zane nodded. Sunset looked up at him, looking at his eyes. They seemed friendly, but being experiences with not being the best pony, she could see some maliciousness behind them.
“I won’t let you down,” replied Amare.
“As for you,” said Zane, looking down at Sunset, “Let’s get you cleaned up and replenish your strength.”
“That sounds doable,” Sunset said in a steady tone, but inside, she’s wavering.
Zane clacked his two hooves together and two kudu maids came in.
“Get Miss Sunset washed up,” he said, “And get the baths ready for others.” He looked at Sunset, “How many more?”
“Seven if you don’t count the other two.”
“Get the baths ready for nine more.”
“Yes Chief,” the maids replied.
“Right this way, Miss Shimmer,” said a maid.
Sunset saw she’s offering a hoof. She took it and began following them.
Just before she left the room, she swore she saw Zane form a sinister smile.
Rarity grimaced, looking down at her dirty hooves. The savanna's golden grass waved all around her.
“Rainbow! Dash!” Rarity called for the third time.
The pegasus returned, an annoyed and defeated look on her face.
“You don’t have to keep shouting!” she said, “I wasn’t one hundred feet from you!”
“Yes, but I prefer not to stray too far from one another, not even fifty or even twenty feet!” said Rarity, her gaze darting around nervously at the open area, “This place is giving me the creeps.”
“You’ve been overdramatic this entire trip, just take a chill pill!”
“Easy for you to say!”
“Well, unfortunately, I still haven’t been able to find our friends, and some vultures tried to attack me,” she sat down on the ground, “You’re welcome by the way.”
Rarity sighed. She breathed a few times, remembering Fluttershy’s breathing exercises.
“I’m so sorry, Dash,” she said in a calmer voice.
“I know,” said Rainbow, “You apologize a lot.”
“I only wish I didn’t have to,” Rarity frowned.
“If only we could communicate through one another’s minds to tell us where everypony is,” said Rainbow, ignoring Rarity’s comment, “We’ve been at this for long enough.”
“And we can’t get help from anycreature,” said Rarity.
“We’ll be fine on our own. And besides, I think we should head south.”
“I have no idea what to do, so I guess it’s your call for now,” said Rarity.
“Good, now let’s move-”
“Excuse me?” said a masculine voice.
Rainbow and Rarity screamed, latching onto each other with wide eyes, whirling around to see a kudu standing on a nearby dirt hill.
“Wait wait! No need to be scared!” their newcomer cried.
“You scared us half to death!” Rarity cried.
“Who are you, buddy?!” Rainbow demanded, letting go of Rarity, “You’re gonna regret crossing paths with me!”
“Whoa whoa!” the kudu cried, bowing his head, “I mean you no harm! I swear by the gods above!”
“How do we know you just won’t turn on us?!”
“Because I have magic and I could’ve used it without you knowing as with any other being out here!”
“Wait, are you... a kudu?!” Rarity’s eyes widened.
“Yes madam!” the kudu nodded, “Name's Amare, and I assure you, I mean you no harm. I can prove it!”
“You’d better prove it quick!” Rainbow demanded, clacking her forehooves together.
“I’ve been sent to find you and your friends,” said Amare, “One I believe, that goes by the name, Sunset Shimmer?”
“Sunset?!” the ponies exclaimed, causing Amare to cringe.
“Yes,” he said, regaining his composure, “She’s back at our village and recovering because of your hard journey.”
“Wait wait, out of all the hostile beasts out here, you want to help complete strangers?” Rarity asked, skeptical but loving the idea.
“Yes. Besides, ponies and kudus could learn from one another,” Amare smiled.
“And you do have magic indeed, don’t you?” Rainbow asked, trying to verify.
“Yep! And your unicorn friend looks as if you have magic too!” Amare pointed to her horn.
“Pegasi have magic too!” said Rainbow, “We can walk on clouds and magic helps us fly!”
“That sounds fascinating!” Amare laughed, “So, can I take you tired, worn-out ponies to our village so we can help you on your journey?”
“Help huh?” Suddenly, Rainbow’s skepticism dropped “Ha ha ha! Somecreature willing to help us!” She pumped her hoof into the air, “Take that, Mystic, you short-sighted unicorn!”
“Ah, another one that has magic?” said Amare, “That’s great.”
“I have magic, too!”
“Anyway,” said Amare, “Come and enjoy our deluxe meals, spas, and-”
“Spa?!” Rarity shrieked, grasping his chest excitedly, “Why didn’t you just say that sooner, let’s go!”
Rarity bolted off, Rainbow and Amari watched her with wide eyes.
“You don’t know the way!” Amari called out, but Rarity was already gone.
He and Rainbow glanced at each other before bolting off after her.
Meanwhile, in thick underbrush, Accalia led a disgruntled Gunnolf through. Accalia had to ignore the thorns scraping against her coat and piercing into her skin.
“This had better be important!” Gunnolf growled, “We’re burning daylight as it is!”
“The report was urgent and apparently they’d found something that ties to the history of the land,” said Accalia.
“We don’t need to be studying the history of the land, we need to find those ponies!”
“It might be in thick cover, real thick cover, but they believed it would serve as a base for all of us to hide if we spotted danger nearby.”
“Well, that’s good thinking but...”
“It won’t hurt just for a two-minute look, Gunnolf,” Accalia looked at him.
Gunnolf growled, his nostrils curling up, “Fine! But let’s make this quick!” Accalia nodded, “And don’t ask any of your ridiculous questions!”
“The thought’s perished.”
Gunnolf nodded before they came upon the Pack, some already in the thicket filled with some briars, bunched together bushes, and trees. He began pushing himself through, Accalia seeing that he was ignoring the briars and bushes.
“Pbbhat!” Accalia spat, “Gee, they couldn’t have found a place that’s less crowded?!”
“Amateurs,” Gunnolf muttered.
“Over here, sir!” a voice rang out. Gunnolf pushed further into the bush, spotting (through the bushes) the two wolves that had found this place.
“This had better be important! It...” he stopped when he came upon a fifteen-foot-wide opening. The thick brush that surrounded them was almost like walls, forming a circle but the sky is hidden by the thick branches and leaves, almost blocking out the sun.
“What is this?” he wondered as Accalia popped out next to him.
“You might want to look at the ground, sir,” said a wolf.
Gunnolf looked down and his eyes widened when he spotted a concrete, worn down circle covered in some grass, twigs, and leaves. Eight platforms were surrounding it.
“What’s this doing out here?” Accalia asked, brows furrowing.
Gunnolf bent down and examined the circle. Accalia observed his features as she got an awful vibe from it. It was worn down so much, hardly any details can be made out. But strange patterns were stretching from the outer part of the circle to the inner circle, forming a diamond right in the middle with the impression of a symbol that was recognizable back in its day. Gunnolf brushed the debris away from the center but couldn’t make out the smudged figure. Accalia examined further from the circle, recognizing smudged out symbols and patterns that lead from one symbol to another and heading to the outer parts of the circle.
This place barely got any rain, and if it did, it wouldn’t be able to touch this circle. This place is almost too well hidden.
Why was this here? Accalia thought.
She gazed to her right, why was it surrounded by the brick platforms? Accalia watched as Gunnolf brushed more of the debris away and couldn’t completely tell, but was that a red smudge along the rim?
Accalia’s eyes widened as a chill went down her spine and her blood ran cold.
She saw Gunnolf had gone stiff, obviously reaching the same conclusion she had.
“Sir? Are you okay?” a wolf asked.
Gunnolf shook his head. “I’m fine, I’m fine.” He stood up. “This is... interesting. But we must get moving.”
“What about this being cover for us?”
“Too much cover here, we wouldn’t be able to do much against our enemies,” Gunnolf began to leave, “We need to keep moving.”
The wolves briefly glanced at one another before shrugging and following him. Accalia couldn’t believe what she had been seeing, knowing this was definitely Oogundaan history.
“Why haven’t we seen more wildlife around this area?” Mystic asked herself, unable to shake an ominous vibe. Her eyes scanned the trees and dry green bushes, only hearing a few chirps of birds once in a while.
“Did you say something, Mystic?” Applejack asked, walking up to her.
“Oh, nothing,” replied Mystic.
“Ya sure? Y’all look a little uncertain.”
Mystic shrugged, “I’m uncertain about your friends out here.”
“Then why haven’t we seen more than what y’all were expecting?”
Mystic’s eyes slightly widened. She turned to her with a light glare.
“Were you listening in on me?”
“Ah was jus’ under five feet comin’ to thank ya fer what you did fer Flutter.”
Mystic sighed, “I’m just not sure about...” She sighed again, “You heard me clear as day and that’s why you’re asking me.”
“Eeyup,” Applejack leaned forward, “An’ no point of lyin’ Ah can smell a lie from a mile away.”
“Fine...” Mystic muttered, “I was considering telling you the moment I said it anyway.”
“Suuurrre,” Applejack said, “Go on.”
“I’ve been in this part of Oogundaa before,” said Mystic, looking around. “I recall it was always livelier than this.”
“Ya sure?”
“It’s about the same time of day at about each time that I’ve been here,” replied Mystic, taking another look at the somewhat quiet wilderness. “Giant animals, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and many others like to eat the greener parts.” She suddenly tensed. “Uh oh...”
“What is it?” Applejack’s eyes widening.
“Applejack, I think we’re in trouble.”
“Mystic! Applejack! Look out!” Fluttershy cried.
Mystic and Applejack turned and the bushes began to rustle.
Applejack tackled Mystic and a lioness leaped out, barely missing the duo as they crashed to the ground.
Mystic shot back to her hooves. Adrenaline coursed through her system as she pulled out her machete and saw more lionesses piling out of the Bush.
“Surround them! Get them!” one of them ordered.
“Not on our watch!” Mystic shouted.
A blast of purple magic struck the two lead lionesses. Mystic charged, dodged one lioness, and did a spin kick right into another’s jaw Mystic heard Applejack’s grunts and shouts and more magic blasts behind her as she faced down two more lunging at her.
Mystic ducked, pointed her machete straight up, and gutted one of the lionesses, making her roar in pain. She shot a couple of beams of magic at the other one.
Hearing something to her left she jumped into the air just barely avoiding another lioness. She formed a magical rope and pulled herself up a tree to see the battlefield beginning to crawl with about 10 lionesses! She saw Twilight shooting magic and teleporting and Applejack kicking one in the teeth.
“Fluttershy!” she whispered.
She jumped down from the tree determined to find the pegasus. Another lioness lunged at her! The unicorn shot a beam of magic, stunning it and causing it to crash into a tree.
She continued, punching, dodging, and kicking her way through.
“Fluttershy?!” she cried.
“Help!”
That came from her right.
Eyes flaring, she bolted into the Bush to find her. The sounds of the ambush continuing as she searched. When she came to a clearing she gasped when she saw Leandra pinning the mare to the ground!
Mystic’s blood boiled. How dare she pinned such a sweet filly. When she saw Fluttershy’s terrified eyes Mystic felt memories of Sunshine return to her. Scared. Helpless.
“Get off her!” she roared.
Leandra looked up and she grinned with a predatory look in her eyes.
“Perfect,” she said as if she’d gotten the prize kill, “I was hoping that somepony would come and I’d get to you easier.” She stood up, still clutching Fluttershy. “But looks like you foolishly came to me.”
“Mystic! Run! Don’t worry about me!” Fluttershy cried. “Help the others!”
Mystic growled. “Let her go!”
“Oh, I will,” said Leandra, “After all-”
She picked up and threw Fluttershy at Mystic.
“This is between you and me!”
Mystic caught Fluttershy with her magic, levitated her to a tree, and dodged Leandra’s powerful claws.
“I was hoping to run into you a little later!” she said.
“Sorry to disappoint!” Leandra turned back around.
“I was just thinking you’d be slow to pick up on us!” Mystic formed a mocking smile.
“Hey!”
Leandra lunged for her and swiped viciously at the pony but the unicorn worked herself around and struck Leandra in the chest and head bumped her in the muzzle. Leandra roared, tried to pin Mystic only for the unicorn to roll to the side and slice her with the machete.
Her opponent cried in pain and anger, turned around and swiped her great claws again. She hit the unicorn that knocked her to the ground and causing her to lose her machete!
Thinking fast, Mystic pulled out a knife and sliced Leandra in the face. The lioness pounced on her and both got into a tussle. Both had their forelegs locked with one another as they tried to land another attack.
“You killed Amra!” Leandra roared
“Well, he started an invasion!” Mystic stated.
Leandra hissed and snapped her teeth at the unicorn’s neck, only to miss it by a mere inch. The unicorn stabbed her in the torso causing Leandra to drop her. Mystic ran back over to where her machete with Leandra right on her heels!
A sharp pain pierced Mystic’s side.
“Gah!” she cried. She pulled herself up a tree branch (ignoring the pain) and grabbed her machete with her magic.
She looked down at her side and saw her knife had been thrown into her!
The unicorn growled. Leandra began climbing up the tree.
A rock hit her on the side.
Leandra growled and Mystic looked to see Fluttershy with a hoofful of rocks. Fear is present on her angry expression.
“You leave Mystic alone, you monster!”
“Stay out of this, you fool!” Leandra roared.
Mystic kicked the lioness in the head knocking her to the ground. She jumped down and firmly landed considering her wound. Mystic pulled out the knife, pulled out a green potion, and poured it onto the wound.
She felt it healing as Leandra got back up.
“We need to get out of here!” came Twilight’s voice. Mystic gazed to her left and saw the alicorn and farmer running over. Knowing she had it in her to defeat Leandra but she needs to worry about the others’ safety.
She grabbed Fluttershy by the hoof to join them and Twilight teleported them away from the battlefield.
They reappeared in the open savanna. Dazed, Mystic felt her legs turn into noodles and she fell to the ground.
“Mystic! Are you okay?” Twilight asked.
The unicorn held up a hoof. “I’m fine...” She grunted. “Just not used to teleporting...” She looked up at Twilight, “Give me a heads up when you do that again.”
“Sorry...”
“Ah hate to be the bearer of more bad news,” said Applejack, “But one of those felines told me that they have their Pride all over the savanna lookin’ fer all of us.”
“Oh, that’s just fantastic...” Mystic muttered.
Twilight whimpered. Mystic looked up and knew she was stressed out about her friends again.
She glanced over to Fluttershy to assure she’s uninjured. She’s fine but she looks as if she’s been “useless” once again because of that foul Leandra. The poor mare’s confidence she’d seen in her before was gone.
“Thanks,” said Mystic. Fluttershy looked at her. “Thanks for throwing that stone when you did. It was very brave.”
Fluttershy nodded but didn’t have a look of satisfaction.
I was hoping that she’d see she isn’t so useless after all. Mystic thought.
“We need to get to a better vantage point,” said Applejack, “Give us a little bit to come up with a better plan.”
“Right,” said Mystic. Twilight shook her head and nodded.
“I’m sure whatever the others are going through it can’t be much worse than this,” Twilight said.
As they sat down in straw lounge chairs, Sunset, Rainbow, and Rarity chowed down on various fruits and vegetables. They felt right at home.
“Aw yeah!” Rainbow cried, holding up a glass of juice, “I thought we’d be wasting our time here but what better way to have others help us find our friends while we take it easy?!” She slurped the entire glass down.
“I do agree!” said Rarity, wrapped in a pristine gold robe. “The spa was a true delight! Easily comparable to Canterlot!”
Sunset chuckled, “It’s sure quite a place.”
“Not to mention the games and food is so amazing!” Rainbow stated. She shot up from her seat. “I’m going to get seconds!” She took off.
“That’s your third trip!” Sunset called.
“Don’t care!”
Amused, Sunset rolled her eyes. She didn’t blame her. The unicorn caught glimpse of kudus dancing in hula skirts around a fire while others played and chatted with each other.
Despite her skepticism of the chief and Amare, this place is really nice. She’s had a lot of fun with her friends from playing games, hanging out at the spa, getting to know some of the local citizens, and a buffet while stargazing.
It’s definitely a big boost for an adventure that was dangerous from the wolves, the flood, and so on.
It seemed almost too good to be true. When something sounds like it is too good to be true it usually is.
“I’m not letting them seduce me,” she said.
“Did you say something, darling?” Rarity asked.
Sunset perked up. She smiled sheepishly, “Oh, just thinking about our friends and where they might be.”
“Oh, pshah darling!” Rarity waved her off, “I’m sure they’re fine and these lovely antelopes have got us covered!”
Sunset formed a deadpan look, “I’m sure they do.”
She gazed to her right and saw Rainbow coming back over.
“Speak of the devil,” she said.
Zane is right behind her.
“Hey everypony!” he greeted. “How is our humble little village treating all of you?”
“Humble?!” Rarity gasped. “Why you’re the whole beacon of this entire land! I’d say it’s far from humble!”
Zane laughed. “I’m glad you feel that way! But really, we’re just kudus trying to make a living.”
“I bet you are,” said Sunset.
“But don’t be so modest about it!”
Shut up, Rarity.
“I was heading over to celebrate some newborns to our village but I wanted to see how all of you were doing,” Zane smiled.
“Have you found our friends yet?” Sunset asked.
“We told you before that we’ll let you know when they’re safe within our village’s walls. Besides,” he looked over at the well-constructed wall with spikes on top and the bottom, “Nothing from the outside ever gets in here.”
“Sorry...” said Sunset, “We’re all like family here.” She looked at the others, “Right?”
“Oh, right!” Rainbow spoke up from behind a plate of fruit.
“Totally!” Rarity answered. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy this place!”
Rarity, shut up!
“I’ve got to go. Enjoy the rest of the evening! And the whole village will be having a hula dance-off if all of you are interested in joining!”
Sunset watched him. She looked into his eyes and swore she saw the same spark she’d seen when she first met him. She had to say something.
“Zane,” she said, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“Why sure, Sunset, anything,” replied Zane.
“Amare told me that you have the most powerful magic in your land, and can make the land thrive with your magic. Why don’t you use it to help everywhere else?”
Zane gasped, facehoofing, “Oh, how could I have gotten by thinking you wouldn’t ask me that?”
“What do you mean, Sunset?” Rarity asked.
“I’ll explain,” said Zane, “We kudus do want to help the land, but there is only so much our magic can do. While we can help the land, it takes careful planning and effort to help the land grow where we start to plant our magic.”
“Do kudus only help the land?” Sunset asked.
“It’s what we’ve always done throughout the generations, so yes. However...” Zane sighed, “As you’ve seen, nocreature out there bothers listening to one another, wants to kill each other, or downright hate each other.”
“I don’t blame you,” said Rainbow, “Everything outside is pretty awful.”
“Yes, we tried,” Zane covered his eyes, Sunset began examining him closely, “But all our efforts in the past were thwarted and withered away even after months of getting little pieces back in working order. It’s a tragedy.” He stood up, revealing a couple of tears rolling down his face, “So, we just reserved to keeping what patch of land we have here.”
Sunset noticed that his voice hasn’t wavered, and she knows how to recognize fake tears because she’s used them before.
“That’s awful,” said Rarity.
“Yeah,” replied Rainbow.
So naïve Sunset thought, almost facehoofing
“Yeah, I’m sorry to bring it up, but your friend asked and I couldn’t bear not to answer.”
“Only one thing,” said Sunset, “Amare mentioned kudus hate the impalas.”
Zane blinked a couple of times, “Oh.”
“Mind explaining that?”
“I would... but I’ve got to get to the ceremony to celebrate some newborns,” he smiled again, “Enjoy your stay.”
“Sure,” replied Sunset, completely suspicious. Rainbow and Rarity said their goodbyes as he left.
“He’s something, isn’t he?” Rarity asked, smiling.
“Yeah,” Sunset deadpanned, “He’s something.”
Again, Sunset, she thought, Do not be seduced by this place!
That afternoon, Sunset relaxed in a lounge chair as the sun beat down on her.
“I am so seduced by this place!” she cried as she was being fanned by a few female kudus.
It honestly feels as if I’m getting a tan! She thought, And I thought the beach in my world had a great sun!
The mare looked up at the sky as she recalled the previous hours. She and her friends had checked out the hula contest and Rainbow convinced her to give it a try. She wasn’t good but she did have fun. The kudus seemed to enjoy her more than the kudu dancers.
Amare, it turned out, was an astronomer. He had taken them on a tour of his hut, told them stories about the different constellations in the sky and how they ended up there. Some of them were over the top but they were interesting. That was followed by some folklore tales of the kudu, more games, and competitions, which Rainbow excelled at.
Sunset sighed as she sat up.
“Thank you everycreature,” she said to the cows. “I’ve been relaxing for like, forever.” She chuckled, “But I need to go check and see if Rarity hasn’t over-shopped yet.”
“Sure thing, Missus Sunset,” they said in unison.
Sunset bowed as a sign of respect to their culture and turned in the direction of the shopping district. She took in the sight of the village once again and smiled. The kudus living their best lives and...
Then a thought came to her.
How could I let myself get carried away? She thought, chastising herself. Who knows how much I can really trust them?
Even though all seems well, something within Sunset’s gut told her that something is off. Sunset rubbed her chin in thought. She didn’t buy the chief’s story and she wondered if they might be wanting to keep her and her friends for their own gains.
Sunset looked over at the chief’s hut. A glare formed on her features.
Not if I can help it, she thought.
The unicorn spotted a hut nearby and it had several boxes stacked behind it. She trotted over and hid behind the boxes. Ensuring nocreature was around her, Sunset lit up her horn and vanished in a pop of red.
She reappeared just behind the chief’s hut. With a glance around, she deterred that there weren’t any kudus that saw her.
Keep it together, she thought, looking to the second-floor window. I need a ladder.
A few minutes later, Sunset returned with a ladder. The backside of the hut was shrouded in shadow, which should help with keeping her hidden. But to be sure, Sunset held a dark cloak in her magic grasp as she climbed the ladder.
When she reached the roof next to the window, she levitated the ladder up and tossed it into the nearby tall grass. She cringed at the crashing sound it made, so she immediately wrapped the cloak around her body and ducked down.
Slowly, she made her way over to the window and when she reached it, she saw that gave her a clear view of the chief’s throne. She saw Zane pacing around the room, and Sunset made sure she was hidden enough but could get a good view.
“You’re sure you saw them from the southeast?” Zane asked.
“Yes, sir,” replied a voice that Sunset identified as Amare. “They were there but they moved too fast for us to go get them.”
“How?”
“They disappeared in a flash of purple,” said Amare, stepping into view.
“What?!” Zane gasped. “But how’s that...”
“I don’t know, sir. These ponies are more powerful than what we’d thought.”
Zane sighed. “Well, it’s time we took care of them. And their friends when they get here.”
I knew it! Sunset thought. They want to use us!
“Who threw this ladder onto the crops?!” a voice cried from below.
Sunset froze as Zane and Amare turned to the window with very wide eyes.
Crap! Crap! Sunset thought.
Suddenly, her hind hoof slipped on the tile of the roof, causing it to come loose and clatter as it slid off.
“Wait! Is that one of the ponies at the window?” Amare asked.
Without thinking, Sunset disappeared in a pop of red again.
She reappeared next to the shopping district, startling the kudus in the area. She looked around at the markets in the area but didn’t see Rarity.
She looked to the sky in hopes of seeing Rainbow but no such luck.
The unicorn galloped off, entering a store, she didn’t see Rarity anywhere.
“Dang it!” she muttered. Sunset headed back outside, looked at the chief’s hut in the distance, and spotted Zane’s guards had run out the door.
“Time to bail!” she said. Without much thinking, Sunset turned and bolted again. She apologized multiple times as she weaved her way around the crowd while calling out for her friends.
Sunset saw a road leading to an open field. Making a sharp turn, she bolted out onto the view, confusing the kudus hanging out.
“Where are you two?!” Sunset called.
“Hey! Stop!” a voice cried.
Sunset didn’t need to turn around to know that a guard was close by. The unicorn teleported away again, appearing on top of a hut’s roof.
Sunset ignored the clamoring on the streets below to find the elusive pegasus and unicorn. She looked to the sky again and saw Rainbow doing some tricks close to the ground, showing off in front of a small crowd.
“Where’s Rarity?” Sunset whispered as guards headed towards the hut she stood on.
Suddenly, it clicked. The spa!
Sunset jumped down from the hut, allowing herself to roll forward on the ground. When she stopped, the unicorn galloped in the direction of the spa. Seeing a few guards in front of her, Sunset let out a surge of magic, knocking them aside into the walls of the huts.
Sunset took another left and saw the spa, wider and shorter than the huts, but had the same outside design. The unicorn barged through the doors, startling everycreature.
“Sunset?” a familiar posh voice cried.
The unicorn spotted Rarity sitting up in her chair with a mud mask on.
“Gotta go fast, Rarity!” said Sunset, levitating her up and teleporting away again.
When Sunset reappeared outside, Rarity shrieked.
“I didn’t get my mud mask off!” the white unicorn cried.
“Worry about it later!” Sunset said, galloping across the field towards Rainbow.
“What is the meaning of this?!”
“Rainbow!” Sunset called.
As she neared the pegasus, Rainbow stopped mid trick.
“Sunset, what’re you...”
“No time!” Sunset grabbed Rainbow with her magic.
“Hey!”
With no time to lose, Sunset galloped off towards the gate. But slightly gasped when she saw more guards standing there.
Making a sharp right, Sunset forced her legs to move faster as her heart hammered against her chest.
“They were helping us!” Rainbow cried.
“We could be relaxing as the work is done for us!” Rarity squealed.
“Put both of your short-sightedness aside!” Sunset grunted, levitating them.
“Excuse you?!” Rainbow and Rarity exclaimed.
Sunset ignored them, getting ever closer to the wall. She looked over her shoulder to see Zane galloping after them with his guards by his side.
“No!” Zane cried, “Where are you going?! We’re looking for your friends!”
“Yeah Sunset!” Rainbow nodded, “Come on!”
“We’ll find them ourselves!” Sunset cried.
She shot a beam of magic and destroyed a section of the wall. The unicorn charged and jumped over the spikes going through the hole and teleporting away on the other side.
Sunset reappeared in the open plains of the savanna, far away from the kudu village. She and her friends landed in a heap.
“Ugh!” Rarity cried, rubbing the mud mask off. “Sunset! How could you?!”
“Yeah! You took us away while we had others looking out for us!” Rainbow cried.
“You two need to get a grip!” Sunset shot to her hooves, “They were planning to use us for their advantage!”
“And where ever did you hear that?!” Rarity demanded, standing up and brushing the dirt off her coat, “And now we’re back out in this ghastly savanna!”
“I heard them mention our friends! They’ve seen them southeast of us!”
“What?!” Rainbow cried, standing up, “Couldn’t...”
“Be quiet!” Sunset roared. “They were planning something! I wouldn’t have gotten you two seduced ponies out of there if it weren’t an emergency!”
“You were seduced too, Sunset!”
“At least I kept a straight head during the seduction!”
They heard a loud, angry wheeze. All of them turned around and come face to face with an angry rhino.
All of them paused for a beat.
“This is your fault, Sunset!” Rainbow cried.
“How was I supposed to know a rhino would be here?” Sunset barked.
“Ponies violated sacred grounds! Must be punished!” the rhino cried.
He charged for them but Sunset levitated the others and teleported away before he ran into them.
Sometime later, in hilly, rocky terrain surrounded by dried up land that held patches of grass and brush, Twilight, Mystic, Fluttershy, and Applejack stopped at the bottom of one of those hills, catching their breath.
“Never... again, Mystic!” Applejack panted.
“It was her idea!” Mystic pointed to a panting Twilight.
“I suggested we’d check out the cave!” the alicorn heaved. “Not go into it!”
“Ah’m gonna have nightmares of those bats...” Applejack shivered.
Mystic shuddered, “I never knew they’d chase us this far.”
“Well... where to now?” Fluttershy asked. “I could’ve sworn I saw some carts somepony could pull.”
“Where at?” Mystic asked.
“Somewhere near a gorge, I think.”
“Well, let’s try and find them and...
Suddenly they heard clattering hooves. All of them froze, Mystic pulled out her machete.
“What’s that?” Fluttershy meeped.
“I don’t know... it sounds like...”
Out of the corner of her eye, Mystic saw a few ponies turned the corner around a nearby boulder. She whirled to face them and she and the others gasped seeing Sunset, Rarity, and Rainbow about to crash into them.
The trio screamed.
CRRRAAASSSH!
Everypony loudly groaned in pain as they all laid in a heap, tangled up with one another.
“Don’t forget meee!” Pinkie cheered before jumping into the air.
“No! Pinkie!” Mystic cried.
CRASH!
The pink mare landed right on top of her.
Everypony groaned in pain again, especially Mystic.
“Get off me, Pinkie!” Mystic pushed the mare off, sitting up as Pinkie rolled to the side.
Everypony else began scrambling to get up.
“Let go of my hoof!”
“That’s not yer hoof!”
“Whose is it?”
“It’s mine!”
In a mess of tangled limbs and bodies, everypony managed to pull themselves up and back up a short distance to see who’s all here.
“Twilight?! Mystic?!” Sunset shouted.
“Rarity?! Rainbow?!” Twilight cried.
“Pinkie!” Pinkie shouted.
Everypony paused.
“Twilight?! Mystic?!”
“Rarity?! Rainbow?!”
“Pinkie!”
“What’re we doin’?!” Applejack facehoofed. She stood up and wrapped Sunset, and Rarity in a hug, “Thank Celestia y’all are okay!”
“Oh, we’re so glad you’re okay too, AJ!” Pinkie laughed, “I knew we would all find each other again!”
“You would not believe what we’ve been through!” said Rainbow.
“I could say the same thing!” said Twilight.
“We were all so worried!” Rarity cried.
“We had to run from killer bats!” said Twilight, “And to top it off, a landside nearly crushed us earlier today!”
“I had a run-in with lions!” Pinkie said.
“You did?!” Fluttershy squeaked, “So did we!”
Everypony began talking over one another trying to describe what they’d been through only for Twilight to stand up, “Okay that’s enough!” Everypony went silent.
“We’ve got to get to a safer location so we can properly evaluate everything as we continue our search.”
“I agree,” said Mystic, “It sounds like the Pride already knows we’re here and they won’t stop until they find us.”
“I know of a place I can teleport to so we can begin once again.”
“Why can’t we just teleport anywhere?” Rarity asked.
“I’ve already explained this! I don’t know most of the place and I don’t know where Starlight is.”
“Let’s just get to safety,” said Sunset, “You won’t believe what we’ve been through.
Twilight lit up her horn and then teleported herself and her friends away, just as the kudus were coming over the hill.
They reappeared on a hill, giving them a nice view of the evening sun beginning to set. The sun’s red light blanketed the hilly terrain in a beautiful, yet somewhat ominous look to the environment. Everypony looked at one another and took this opportunity to hug, other than Mystic. They’re back together and ready to face the rest of the journey together.
“This is what the simplest form of the magic of friendship feels like,” said Twilight.
Mystic watched as everypony hugged, she felt relieved to be reunited but they’re far from out of the woods. Soon, they broke apart and have determined looks to continue their mission.
“Now that we’re reunited, we’ve totally got this,” Rainbow stated.
“Yeah, how can anything else go wrong?” Sunset asked.
Applejack facehoofed, “Ya had to jinx it...”
“Let’s find a place to get some food in our system and refill our canteens. We’re going to need them,” said Twilight.
“Agreed!” Pinkie nodded before chugging down an entire canteen. The others’ eyes twitched.
Meanwhile, in the still ruined throne room of Canterlot’s castle, Nightfall kept getting amused by these ridiculous ponies. His view of them is perfect. They keep getting wrapped up in situations, it was admirable of them to go into Oogundaa but foolish.
“You had to jinx it indeed,” he said. Dark aura glowed in his claws before he created a portal leading right to the area where they’re located.
“Because I’m going to have to answer the jinx and get more amusement that I need,” he stepped through the portal.