//------------------------------// // The Dark Fortress // Story: Fluttershy's First Trial: Years of Memories // by Hikarikurai24587 //------------------------------// Chapter Three: The Dark Fortress     “Are you sure this is safe?” Fluttershy asked looking at the ship in front of them. Sans had taken a good part of the year to repair the ship. He was still working on it but wanted to show Fluttershy the progress. “we won’t know until we test it out. probably a few more weeks until it is ready to fly.” Sans said from on top of the ship, his blue coat resting next to him. “what about you?” “I was going to fly around Tython for a bit, we’ve been here for a while and I have this feeling that something is off.” Fluttershy mused looking around her wings twitching. “I’ll make sure to stay up high.” “good luck.” Sans replied as Fluttershy flew up into the air before flying off as Sans moved off into the temple to take a break. Fluttereshy flew through the air following her instincts finding her way to the place. The darkness was noticeable and heavy in the air. The land was scarred and barren. In the distance was a fortress made of black steel. The closer she approached the heavier the presence was. She got as close as she could before landing trying to catch her breath. A chill ran down her spine and she had wished that she brought Sans with her. She looked around for an entrance and once locating it walked inside. The air was stale and the smell of decay made her gag. She held her hand over her nose and mouth hoping to keep most of the smell out. She moved through the halls feeling sicker by the second. “What is this I see? Another tomb raider? Treasure hunter? Why have you disturbed my resting place?” a female’s voice asked, Fluttershy jumped before spinning around to locate the origin of the voice. “A child? Now this is amusing.” “Why?” Fluttershy spoke her voice trembling and her heart was beating fast. “Who are you?” “I am Dark Lord Belia Darzu of the Sith. This is my domain, not some playground for a child!” the phantom snapped before stepping back and observing Fluttershy. “Although I have never seen one of your species before.” The woman vanished before appearing in front of Fluttershy reaching her hands out causing Fluttershy’s wings to flap sending out a large burst of wind. It seemed to push back the spirit a little causing Darzu to grin maliciously. “No matter, even if you continue to leave the nanogene spores will turn you into one of my technobeasts. What a shame though, you are strong in the Force, little one strong enough to contain me. Your body will soon be mine!” “You bind yourself to this place.” Fluttershy said the wind growing stronger as an ethereal green mist began to swirl around her. The vines crawling upon the walls began to grow bigger trying to burrow into the walls. Darzu snarled as it began to crumble her eyes glared at Fluttershy, her form shifting as she roared. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY LEGACY?!” “Your legacy has already lived on in legends. What is here is a blight upon the land.” there was a restrained anger in Fluttershy’s voice as the building began to collapse. “You believe that the Force will set you free, yet you fear to move on. You cling to this world and refuse to let it and yourself heal, to rest.” “Peace is a lie!” Shouted Darzu reaching towards Fluttershy, her fingers inches away from the Pegasi’s no matter what form Darzu took. “There is only passion!” “Everything must rest in the end.” Fluttershy told her softly as she reached out herself with her wing and brushed it against Darzu’s face. “Let me help you.” Darzu reeled back in shock, she stared at Fluttershy in suspicion but did not say a word as the building started to collapse beneath them. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke with so much venom in her voice it would make a cobra hide in fear. “NO!” She dove for Fluttershy again, yet she was unable to reach her as the winds wrapped around her body swallowing Darzu in their gale. She let out a shriek as Fluttershy began to drop tiredly with the building. Her body fell as her eyes began to close, she felt a skeletal hand wrap around her arm before being pulled into a familiar shortcut. Her eyes were already shutting before she slipped unconscious. “fluttershy.” Sans’ voice spoke causing her to stir, her eyes opening. The small group she had come to know were gathered around her worry on all their faces. She sat up with a groan feeling a hand on her back. “Are you alright?” Asriel asked, causing Fluttershy to look at him, he looked so worried. She smiled before saying. “I met a Sith spirit by the name of Belia Darzu. She resided in a place of much darkness.” “is that what i found collapsing around you. you really must have been mad to destroy such a place.” Sans said as he climbed to his feet. Fluttershy nodded her head saying. “She had created something called the Technogene spore, from what she said it sounds like anything organic that comes in contact with it will turn into a technobeast under her command. I merely allowed Tython to heal and rid itself of the blight that poisoned it.” “I think you did a good job.” Asriel told her and Mir’grok nodded his head. “You should rest a little more, I think Master Satele and Darth Marr wouldn’t object. You look exhausted.” “I’m….” Fluttershy didn’t want to worry them, she didn’t want to disrupt their lessons either. Yet she knew that she needed the rest, she just felt drained. Nodding her head she felt herself return to sleep. Fluttershy opened her eyes momentarily seeing the sunlight peeking through a large hole in the ceiling as pillars towered above her. Golden flowers danced around her as a Gryphon stood over her. Fear did not fill her as it normally would, instead she smiled and lifted her hand touching his face saying. “You’re here.” “I am.” the Gryphon replied nuzzling the hand before walking forward a bit and laying down himself. “Your dreams have been restless. I thought I would do something.” “Thank you Thom.” Fluttershy said as she sat up petting his feathers seeing the frown on the Gryphon’s face. “Is something the matter?” “Just a spirit clinging to you. I’ve kept her under control but she fight at any attempt of me helping her. Where did you find her?” Thom asked and Fluttershy blinked in surprise. “I thought she was banished. I didn’t expect her to be bound to me.” “Well she isn’t fully bound, not yet. It’s like something else is happening. Not sure what it is just yet but I’ll keep an eye on her for you.” offered Thom and Fluttershy smiled as she continued to pet him. He rested his head on her lap as she continued to stroke the Gryphon all throughout her slumber. It didn’t take too long for Fluttershy to recover and she had decided to explore the world for the remainder of her free time. She had offered to go with Sans on the first flight of the ship. It meant she didn’t have long to see the different fauna of Tython. So she chose her next destination well and made sure to give herself enough time to return. She found a location in the archives, Kato Zakar, that she had wanted to see. She read about the Spinner Birds there and wanted to see them in person. Sans had wanted to go with her, especially after what happened the last time she had gone exploring. She told him to just focus on the ship, that this was merely a research trip. The week passed with Asriel worrying and Sans hiding his worry. He did his best to finish the ship and not go to check on her. Satele Shan and Marr didn’t stop their lessons, being the only ones who went to check on her. ‘they have a reason, she’s still learning despite studying the fauna.’ Sans told himself as he moved out from underneath the panel he was working on. Despite the quiet in the surrounding area he could hear the training session between Mir’grok and Asriel. Then it went silent before Asirel shouted. “She’s back!” Sans teleported quickly next to Asriel as Fluttershy landed with a rather confused look on her face. Sans’ eyes narrowed as he asked. “what happened?” “I’m not sure.” Fluttershy replied honestly before opening her bag and a strange looking fire tiger bird hybrid poked its head out purring slightly. “I was researching one of the creatures on the Strafe Plains. It’s like a lizard tiger fire beast. One was actually enjoying the attention and didn’t try to eat me so I managed to get close enough to pet it.” “you what?” Sans couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Fluttershy nodded her head saying. “This was near the beginning of the trip. So I didn’t pay it any mind, I had to tend to a small burn on my hands. Even at its coolest state without it being dead these beasts can still burn you. When I was flying home I heard a rustling in my bag and this little one poked her head out. It’s strange, she’s part Gryphon, part flame tiger. I don’t even know where the Gryphon even came from.” Sans’ rubbed his forehead as he sighed. “i really should have gone with you.” “I don’t think she knew this was going to happen.” Asriel pointed out as Mir’grok stared at the small creature causing it to hiss at him. Mir’grok growled back as the two glared at each other. A quick look from Fluttershy and the two calmed down a bit as she asked. “How is the ship?” “finished for the most part. i still want to test it out to see what else needs to be worked on and to see what was the last thing the ship had been through.” Sans explained as he looked at Fluttershy carefully. “still sure you want to come along? it would be better to stay here and make sure nothing gets burned down.” “I am sure that Master Shan and Darth Marr can keep these two under control.” Fluttershy said setting the strange kitten down. The kitten sniffed around before starting to dig in a spot attempting to make a den. Mir’grok hissed and the kitten hissed back as Asriel said. “Don’t leave me here with them!” “if we get lost, you will be stuck with me and my humerus jokes.” Sans warned, this gave Asriel pause. “i mean we won’t be bonely...” “I get it!” Asriel interrupted before sighing. “Just be careful you two. I don’t… I don’t want to lose anyone else.” “We will be careful Asriel.” Fluttershy promised placing a hand on his shoulder before pulling him into a hug. “I promise.” “Thanks Fluttershy.” muttered Asriel as he returned the hug. She pulled away before leaving to get ready for another trip.