Izzy Moonbow pushed against the wooden lighthouse door and stepped inside. Although the main exterior walls had been repaired, the lock remained broken. Wooden floorboards creaked beneath her hooves as she approached the centre of the living room. Much work had been done to fix up the ceiling; mounds of fresh sawdust fell through the air and onto her nose.
“Sun-ny Staaarscout! You hiding up here? Nopony’s seen you for a whole day!”
She stepped onto the newly fixed hexagonal platform, pulled on the rope, and brought herself up to the top level. Inside the sunlight-drenched chamber, she saw Sunny, surrounded by towering stacks of books, loose papers littering the floor, and rolls of parchment. To Sunny’s right stood an antiquated but well-maintained telescope, its lens fixed toward the sky. On her left was an equally old work desk: sheets of paper, pens, and books lay scattered across its surface.
“Aha! Found you!” Izzy thrust out her hoof.
“Oh, hi, Izzy! Come over here! There’s something I want to show you.” Sunny beckoned at Izzy to follow.
“Oooh! What is it?” Izzy skipped over to her elusive friend, where a mountain of open books and scrolls with faded, curly writing teetered on the edge of the desk.
“Look. Notice anything particular about this pony?”
Izzy thrust her nose into the closest tome. Inside was a gorgeous, full-page illustration of a pink mare with a white and sky-blue mane, and a pair of majestic wings with a regal horn to boot. Her eyes darted from the mare depicted in the drawing to the pony beside her. The resemblance was uncanny.
“Whoa! Another pony with a horn and wings? Are you two, like, secretly related? Because that would be kinda awesome if you were.” She winked and playfully nudged Sunny with her elbow.
Sunny giggled and shook her head. “No, nothing like that. This book calls her an alicorn. According to this, alicorns are extremely rare and powerful ponies. They sport the physical and magical attributes of all three pony races.”
“So, like you!” Izzy extended out her hoof.
Sunny grinned and nodded. “Like me.”
“So who was she? Some kind of magical princess?”
“I'm not entirely sure. All I've been able to work out is that her name was Dazzle Glow and that she apparently had some sort of magical amulet. I don’t have any proof or reference to back this up yet but… I’m thinking the amulet is related somehow to Dazzle Glow being an alicorn.” Sunny flipped through the book, suspended before them by her magic. A light breeze fluttered from the cascading pages.
Izzy rubbed her chin; she noticed Sunny glancing at her own wings when she’d spoken that last word. Alicorn.
“So do you think this amulet thingy might help you better understand your transformation?”
“Yes! It could be incredibly useful for my research. However, there’s a couple of obstacles in my way.”
“Oh?” Izzy cocked her head as Sunny replaced the open book onto the desk.
“First, I’ve found a map, but it has no markings or landmarks except this one name here – ‘Isle of Mares.’ Second—” Sunny drew Izzy’s gaze with her hoof to the bottom corner of the map “—there's this riddle. It's left me stumped for the past few days.” Sunny cleared her throat and ran her hoof along with the words.
"To be worthy of my most dazzling treasure,
You’ll need some help, and more for good measure.
A fire that burns through wind, rain, and snow,
A light in the darkness that will ever glow.
It cannot be taken, can only be earned,
Cannot be taught, can only be learned.
Richer than the wealthy with it,
Poorer than poverty without,
In a glimmering grotto where nopony will hear you shout."
“‘In a cave where nopony will hear you shout.’ That’s kinda ominous, don’t you think?” Izzy asked, placing a hoof under her chin.
Sunny nodded. “A little, yeah. The first line is easy enough—it’s clearly referencing Dazzle Glow’s amulet. But look at this line here. ‘Cannot be taught, can only be learned.’ What do you make of that?” She turned her gaze back to Izzy.
“Hmm… maybe they mean to learn as in, outside of the usual schoolhouse. Something that can only be learned by doing, instead of reading.”
“You might be onto something there, Iz. But how can we know for sure? It’s not like any of these books here can help us. I’ve been through them all.” She gestured at the stacks towering around them. “Unless there’s another hidden secret library Dad never told me about—”
Izzy chortled into her hoof. “See, Sunny, this is exactly why you shouldn’t hole yourself up all the time. Have you tried, y’know, asking around instead of relying completely, totally, hundred-percent-ly on books as old as time?”
“I mean… maybe I would, but—” Sunny shrugged “—who alive today could possibly know anything about ancient and powerful… magical… artifacts… oh.” She facehoofed.
“See?” Izzy put a hoof on Sunny’s shoulder. “You need to hang out with your pals some more, or you’ll forget we even exist! Now pull your nose away from these dusty scrolls and let’s go see our friendly, neighbourhood magical artifact aficionado!”
~ * ~
“Hey, Alphabittle!” Izzy waved to him as she and Sunny galloped toward his new tea cart; enterprising stallion that he was, Alphabittle had seen a great business opportunity in the “new” Maretime Bay, and set up shop in the town square.
“Well if it isn’t my two favourite customers!” Alphabittle boisterously greeted the pair from afar. “I’m guessing you heard about my new blend of tea? It's made with cherry blossom petals, you know.”
“Oooh, cherry blossoms?” Izzy grinned widely. “Yes, please! Are they fresh? Who’s your suppli—”
“That sounds great, Alphabittle,” Sunny cut in, “but while we’re here, I have some questions for you. You see, I found—”
“Sunny found another alicorn! She's really pretty too.” Izzy squished her cheeks together, her eyes lighting up.
Sunny pulled the book from her bag and held the drawing up to Alphabittle. “This is Dazzle Glow. She's an ancient alicorn who wielded some kind of magical amulet.”
“Magical amulet, eh?” Alphabittle leaned forward, scratching his chin while the kettle began to sing.
Sunny nodded. “Yes, but I have no idea where it's located. The only clues I have so far are a map and this riddle. Hang on.” She flicked through to the map page.
Alphabittle slipped out from behind his tea cart for a closer look. “This map… I recognise it from one of my old atlases. These are the Griffish Isles.”
“The Griffish Isles?” Sunny narrowed her gaze, eyes darting across the page.
Alphabittle nodded. “Yes, the land of the griffons. They have sharp beaks and sharper talons, part bird and part lion.”
“Part lion?” Izzy called out, clutching Sunny for safety.
“Right, and they're not known for being particularly friendly. You should be cautious in any dealings with them.”
“So if you’re right, we have the location. Although that still leaves the riddle.” Sunny pointed at the words. “Can you make sense of it?”
Whispering to himself, Alphabittle brushed a hoof through his scruffy white beard. “Hmmm… can’t say I’m a super-sleuth here, but I will say this: it makes sense that this ‘cave’ might just be located somewhere on the Griffish Isles.”
“You reckon?” Sunny asked.
Alphabittle nodded. “It's a strong possibility. Why else would the riddle be on the same page as the map?” A loud screech caught his attention. “Water’s done. One minute, Izzy,” he said, shimmying back behind the cart to prepare Izzy’s cup. “Cherry Blossom Blend, Sunny?”
“Uh, sure, yeah. Sounds great.”
Izzy breathed in the scent of petals. “Mmmm, I feel like I’m in a fairy garden.” Bringing the cup to her lips, she looked over at Sunny’s sudden sigh. “Hey, what’s wrong, bestie? Don’t you want your tea?”
“Oh, no, I’m sure the tea is lovely but—” Sunny closed the book “—if the Isle of Mares is among the Griffish Isles, I’ll have to leave this alone for now.”
“Whaddya mean?” Izzy drained her modest serving, smacking her lips. “Don’t you wanna go find that amulet, like, right this minute? Oooh, are we going on another adventure? The last one was so much fun!” She waved her cup toward Alphabittle. “Tea was delish! More please!”
“That’ll be two bits.”
“Huh? But this one was free! I thought we were friends!”
“We are friends, but that was just a sample. I’m running a business here, remember?”
Izzy snorted. “Okay, but only because we’re friends.” She turned to Sunny while passing over the bits. “Hey, why the long face? I’m packing our bags the instant Whitebeard here satisfies my tea craving!”
“That's just it, Izzy,” Sunny said. “I don’t have time for another adventure. There's still so much work to do here. After all, Hitch has designated me as the new town leader. I can't just take off on another whirlwind adventure and leave everypony behind.”
“Aw, c’mon! Hitch would be totally cool if you were only gone a couple days,” Izzy replied, rubbing her hoof up and down Sunny's foreleg.
Sunny shook her head, bits of mane covering her eyes. “I would mind. If I went, I wouldn’t stop thinking about the ponies who need me here.”
“Awww, that’s so sweet of you.” Izzy perked up. “Well… why don’t I go? How hard can it be to find this magical amulet thingy?”
“You’d go all by yourself?” Sunny asked.
“Of course not, silly! He’s coming too!” She gestured at Alphabittle.
Alphabittle shook his head and waved his hooves in front of him. “Hey! I didn’t sign up for this!”
“Come ooon, it’ll be fun. Izzy and Alphy on the high-stakes adventure of a lifetime!” She threw a foreleg around his neck, pinning his head to the counter, and waved her hoof in the air. “You said you had a map of the Griffish Isles, didn’t you?”
“Well, it’s not exactly a modern edition—”
“And don’t you also know, like, way more about griffons than anypony else?”
“A fair bit, sure, but—”
“Then that settles it!” Izzy clapped her hooves together. “You’re totally coming with! Sunny needs us! This could be her only chance to learn more about her fancy transformation.”
“Just hold on a sec, would ya?” Alphabittle cried, extracting himself from Izzy’s grasp. “Look, suppose this treasure hunt does happen, there are still details to work out. For starters, how do we even get to the Griffish Isles? There ain’t exactly a direct airship from Maretime Bay.”
“You don’t need an airship,” Sunny said. “We could always rent a good old-fashioned regular boat.”
“Oooh, sailing could be fun!” Izzy clapped her hooves rapidly.
“Fine, say you rent a boat. Then what?” Alphabittle asked. “Do you know what this ‘legendary amulet’ looks like? Can you get there, find the cave, somehow solve the rest of the riddle, and on top of that, make it back to Maretime Bay without any problems?”
“Puh-lease!” Izzy scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You forget who you’re talking to here? Only one of the Bay’s great heroes! Do you even remember what Sunny and I did not too long ago?” She giggled. “We’re practically masters of adventure now.”
She walked next to Sunny and squeezed her tight. “I’m gonna find the secrets of your transformation if it’s the last thing I do, and nopony is gonna stand in my way!”
~ * ~
Alphabittle yawned, loud and open-mouthed, toward the purple-reddish sunrise over the dock. Few boats sat in the azure waters girting Maretime Bay, relics of a bygone era when sailing was more commonplace.
“Can’t believe you really talked me into this,” he grumbled at Izzy, now filling his vision after vaulting off the side of a nearby-moored sailboat.
“Come on, grumpy!” Izzy grabbed Alphabittle’s cheeks and spread them so his teeth reflected the sunrise. “You get to explore the open seas with none other than yours truly, with the promise of a great treasure at the end. How are you not totally chomping at the bit right now?”
“Well… I just hope it also makes me a whole lot of bits while we’re at it. Tea doesn’t sell itself, you know.” He tapped the wall of the boat, smiled at the solid thunk, and stared up at the mast. “At least this old gal seems keen for an adventure. Surprised she’s in such good nick, seein’ how few ponies actually use these anymore.”
“Seems I’m not the only pony interested in keeping town history alive,” came Sunny’s voice, then face, atop the deck. “The owner’s an old stallion whose family has kept it for generations. He was happy to let it out on a real voyage after so many years.” She trotted down the ramp which Izzy had earlier forwent. “I’ve packed for your trip. Inside is everything I have regarding the amulet.” She took off her saddlebag and handed it over to Alphabittle. “There’s food, water, a compass, telescope, and the map. I’ve even packed you a hundred bits, just in case.”
Izzy threw her hooves around Sunny. “Wish you could come with us!”
“Me too, Izzy. But you two have got this.” Sunny broke the hug and turned to Alphabittle. “Thanks for everything. I know this is all so sudden. Succeed or fail, I wish you both well and await your safe return.”
“Don’t you worry, Sunny. I’ll keep this one out of trouble.” Alphabittle rubbed Izzy’s mane. “Well, let’s get going, or it’ll be noon by the time we leave.”
They stepped onto the sailboat and stored their bags below deck. Alphabittle pulled on the rope around the mast to set the mainsail free, allowing it to flutter in the morning breeze. As he hoisted up the small anchor, Izzy loosened the spring line. The tide slowly pulled the boat, for the first time in decades, toward the vast ocean that stretched out before them.
Izzy waved. “We’ll see you real soon, Sunny!”
“Good luck!”
Alphabittle gave her a quick salute before turning back to the mast. “Thanks, kid,” he mumbled. “We’ll need all the luck we can get.”
~ * ~
Izzy ran toward the bow, chasing a flock of overhead seagulls calling in the day. She turned around; Alphabittle had already laid out the map, quill in hoof.
“I think it's time we work out our heading.”
Izzy approached and studied the map. “Wow, how old is this rag? Maretime Bay isn’t even on it!” She looked ahead, noticing they were sailing toward the morning sun. “And hey, uh, aren’t the Griffish Isles north? Shouldn’t we just point that way and, y’know, full steam ahead?” She thrust out a hoof with a whoop.
Alphabittle grunted. “Yes, theoretically, but you’d be amazed how much of the voyage a ship spends facing away from the next port. Don’t fret, our journey shouldn’t take more than about two days.” He scrawled some lines onto the map.
Izzy flopped down onto the deck. “Two days? That’s sooo looong.”
Alphabittle laughed. “I’ve heard that voyages in ancient times used to take months. Consider yourself lucky.”
“Months? Wow. I guess a couple days isn’t that long, then.” Izzy sighed. “I hope we can find the amulet. It would be a shame to come back empty-hooved.”
“Aye, it would. I’m already thinking about expanding my business.”
Izzy rolled her eyes. “Hey, this isn’t just a treasure hunt. We’re trying to find answers for our friend too. If Dazzle Glow’s amulet helps her at all, that knowledge will mean more than any amount of bits ever could.”
“Sure, but knowledge doesn’t pay the bills, kid.” Alphabittle looked up from his edited map. “Anyway, before we even think about finding the amulet, remember where it is we’re going.”
“Uh, yeah, Griffish Isles? We’ve been over this already.”
Alphabittle raised a hoof to his face. “Yes, Izzy. Griffish Isles. Where griffons live. The most territorial, temperamental, and downright stingy creatures in Equestria.”
“You worry too much, Alphy! How bad could they be?” Izzy stood on her hind legs and held her front legs bent in front of her. “Rrrrawrrr, get off our land, pony whippersnappers, we hate friendship, so give us all your bits or we’ll eat youuu!” Cackling loudly, she rolled on the deck.
Alphabittle’s right eye twitched. “I need a drink,” he murmured, descending into the cabin.
“Hey, wait up!”
~ * ~
The cabin, although cosy, was at least the right size to accommodate no fewer than two sea-faring ponies. A pair of bunk beds, a tiny kitchenette, and enough space to sit down were all Izzy and Alphabittle had. Nevertheless, it was enough.
“You know I came down here for some alone time, yes?” Alphabittle said as he filled the kettle.
“Yeah, and I came down to keep you company!”
“Hooray, company.” Alphabittle waved his hooves around in mock celebration. “I suppose you want—”
“Yes, please!” Izzy parked her rear on the lower bunk and began humming to herself.
Alphabittle placed a log into the old range with a lit match and opened the flue. “Might take some time to warm up. So maybe you could cut the humming and make with some thinking?”
“I think better when I hum.”
“’Course you do.”
Minutes passed; finally the kettle sang, ready to supply two cups of adequately-heated tea.
“Smells fancy,” Izzy said after a deep inhale.
“Jasmine. Helps calm my nerves.”
Izzy laughed. “What are you nervous about? This adventure’s gonna be great!”
Outside rumbling entered the cabin.
“What was that?” Her ears perked as she stepped outside the cabin door. “Oh, looks like we’re in for a little rain,” she called back down. “I love rain. It’s so calming, so peaceful, I just love how it sounds on the roof when I’m in bed.”
Alphabittle poked his head out at just the right instant to watch a virtually solid wall of water immediately flatten Izzy’s mane and tail toward the deck.
“Wow, where’d all this come from?” Izzy asked. “I swear the sky was totally clear a few minutes ago.”
“‘A little rain,’ you said!” Alphabittle yelled, as a much louder rumble shook the boat. The skies were darkening by the second, and dark clouds rolled in with frightening speed. “You’re absolutely right, Izzy! I’ve got nothing to be nervous about!”
Crack!
“Izzy! Lash down that mainsail and get below deck! We’re going to ride this storm out!”
“Aye aye, captain!”
Alphabittle raced over to the starboard front side, horn glowing. Combining his still-novice magic with his muscles, grunting from the exertion and against the elements, he heaved the anchor over the edge. Rain pummeled his body as the wind picked up, howling all around. Screwing up his eyes, he could just make out Izzy struggling with the rope as the wind tore it from her grasp.
“Izzy! Use your horn!”
“What?”
“Your horn! Grab the rope!”
“Oh yeah, I forgot!”
Alphabittle and Izzy tethered their magic to the end of the rope and fought the wind. Straining together, they finally won the vicious tug-of-war and secured the mainsail.
Boom!
“Into the cabin, now!” Alphabittle yelled. As the pair sprinted to safety, a huge wave rocked the boat, causing them to slip; Alphabittle clutched Izzy with his magic, preventing her from sliding over the edge.
“Whoa, thanks!”
“Just move it!”
With another thunderclap, the pair found sanctuary and slammed the door.
“Hopefully, the boat holds out long enough that we can get sailing again soon,” Alphabittle said, shaking water out of his mane. “Nothing else to be done about it.” He moseyed over toward the lower bunk.
Crunch!
“What the—”
Izzy gasped. “Oh no, your teacups! And the tea too—everything’s all over the floor.”
Alphabittle sighed, lifting his hoof off a porcelain fragment. “With all this rocking, I’m not surprised. Don’t worry about it, kid.” He sat on the bunk and checked for smaller shards. The wind howled, only slightly deafened by the cabin doors.
“But your cups were so pretty,” Izzy said, sitting next to him.
Doesn’t matter.” He placed a hoof on her shoulder. “They’re replaceable. Ponies aren’t.”
Boom!
Alphabittle and Izzy shot up at the same time, thumping their heads hard against the upper bunk.
“Ouch!” Izzy rubbed her head, blinking stars out of her eyes. “That’s gonna leave a mark. Ooohhhh.” She glanced over. “You okay, Alphy?”
No response.
Izzy looked down. Alphabittle lay on the floor in a puddle of jasmine tea, surrounded by broken porcelain.
“Hey! Wake up!” She grabbed and shook him with both forelegs.
Unable to withstand the bluster any longer, the old cabin doors flew open, flapping and crashing, adding to the cacophony. A torrent of rain flew in, like so many hornets invading a beehive. Seawater flowed in from the deck, brought up by the angry ocean, washing away the tea and fragments.
The boat rocked again and Izzy stumbled to the floor with a thud. She watched in horror as the ocean began gushing in from a fresh hull breach.
Her eyes widened; she shook Alphabittle harder. “Get up! You gotta get up!”
With a low groan, Alphabittle lifted his head out of the pool. “My horn… eurgh, head feels… split in two.”
“Can you stand? We gotta get off this boat!” Izzy dashed over to the storage compartment and began pulling out their saddlebags. Her canter kicked up water with every step.
“Grab your bag, quick! Oh gosh, where are the life jackets?”
Alphabittle groaned, still rubbing his head as he stood up. “Under the bunk.”
Izzy looked; the bottom bunk was already submerged, and gallons of seawater relentlessly rushed in; the water was visibly rising by the second.
“Oh no! There’s no way I can grab them now!”
“Son of a swindler…” Alphabittle gritted his teeth. “We’ve got to make it to the safety ring float. Come on, before we take an unscheduled trip to visit the seaponies.”
Out of the cabin they struggled, pushing against the water streaming in from above. Just as they made it on deck, a blinding, deafening bolt of lightning shattered the mast.
“Look out!”
Alphabittle shoved Izzy to the side just as the mast and sail crashed down, sending splinters everywhere.
Izzy sat, stunned, staring at the spot she’d been standing. “Th-thanks… That could’ve… I—”
“Thank me properly later. It’s time to abandon ship.”
“O-okay, yeah.” Izzy stood clumsily as the deck began to tilt. “This is really happening, isn’t it? Oh my gosh.”
Together they leaped off the side into the churning water, aiming for the red-and-white ring. Gasping from the effort, they clutched it as firmly as they could in the wild conditions, bobbing up and down violently with the waves. They watched on as the ocean finally claimed its prize, mercifully without them.
“Well… that could’ve… been worse?” Izzy said with a half-hearted chuckle.
Alphabittle tapped her shoulder.
“What?” Izzy’s heart sank as she stared up at the towering wave rushing toward them.
“Hold tight!” Alphabittle yelled.
Together they clutched the safety ring float, took a deep breath, and braced for impact.
The wave’s force tore the ring from Izzy’s grasp, pushing her far beneath the surface and knocking the wind from her lungs. She tried to swim up, but her legs were too weak. On the edge of consciousness, her mind raced, overflowing with thoughts of her friends. With lungs screaming for oxygen, she thought she heard singing, or somepony calling to her.
Then everything went dark.
~ * ~
The first thing Izzy noticed was how warm she felt. Why was she warm? The ocean was dark, wet, cold… smothering.
The second thing was someone calling her name.
“Alpha… bittle?” Izzy opened her eyes to a bright sky. The splash of waves and seagull calls reached her ears. The air smelled like salt and seaweed. But that meant—
“We're alive! Omigosh, we're alive! Alphabittle, can you believe it? We're aliiiive!” She sat up quickly and almost overbalanced on the sand. Jagged cliffs surrounded the beach, making a large natural horseshoe formation to create a secret bay. Looking over, she met Alphabittle’s concerned gaze.
“Alphabittle! I'm so glad to see you!” She threw herself onto him with a hug that any Ursa would fear to receive.
“Oof! I'm relieved to see you as well, Izzy.” Alphabittle endured her bone-crushing hug for a few seconds, then slowly stood up, brushing the sand off his shoulders and chest. “That was some ferocious storm. I reckon we're both lucky to be alive.”
Izzy ran a hoof through her mane, brushing several strands off her face. “Yeah… about that. How are we alive? The last thing I remember is my lungs filling with water, and I thought I heard voices…” She shuddered. “I really thought that was it. I was so scared, and I kept thinking about Sunny, and Hitch, and how—”
“Hey, now. We’re okay. And lucky for you, I can answer your question.”
Alphabittle pointed over to a nearby rocky corral. Basking in the sunlight, a small herd of winged creatures looked over to them and waved. With a screech, the largest of them, covered in glossy pink and blue feathers, flew into the sky. The others, all different sizes, fell into place behind the leader and, one after another, performed a graceful, coordinated dive into the sea.
“Wow!” Izzy gasped. “What are those?”
“Just watch.” Alphabittle winked.
Izzy stared at the ocean with her head tilted. All at once, the flying creatures leapt above the surface, but now they were different; their wings had been replaced by fins, and their glossy feathers gave way to shining scales, gently reflecting the afternoon sun.
“Oh woooow! Actual seaponies!” Izzy’s eyes sparkled. She stood up and ran toward the water’s edge for a better look, but they had already dipped below the water. “Awww. I just wanted to say hi. Wait—” She turned back to Alphabittle “—you don’t seem at all surprised to see them.”
“Trust me, I felt the same awe as you just now. I’d only heard of them in old legends before today.” Alphabittle stood up and began walking away from the beach. “They’re the ones who plucked us from the briny depths. They sheltered us with their magic. They even managed to salvage our gear and dry much of it out for us.”
He stopped and bent down, pulling out their saddlebags. “Sadly the map was lost, along with some of our food. And there was no saving the boat. But we have our bits, a few snacks, and most importantly, our lives. Best of all,” he added with a grin as he passed her bag, “want to guess where we are?”
“No way. Really?”
“Really.” He pointed to the north. “Look over there.”
A tall, natural stone arch the colour of rust jutted out from the surrounding bushland. As they walked toward it, a less-natural pathway welcomed them. Overgrown, deteriorating statues depicting fearsome creatures lined the pathway. Rotting signs pointed further down the path.
Izzy squinted at one of them. “Fun and… something ventures await… uhhh, something natural glory and splend… splendour?—of—”
A piercing shriek interrupted her. Jumping back toward Alphabittle, she looked up; a grey creature similar to the statues with a long brown mane flew into view and hovered above them.
“Ah, some new customers!” it said, the raspy voice identifying it as female. “Please tell me you’re here for the tour—we could really use the bits!”
“Uh, b-bits?” Izzy stammered. “You aren’t gonna ea-eat us?”
“Eat you?” The griffon laughed, almost falling out of the air. “Now why would I do that? What would happen to our business if we ate all the customers?”
“Customers?” Alphabittle stepped forward. “You have a shop around here?”
“Silly ponies,” the griffon said. “This whole archipelago is a shop! The grandest tourist attraction in all of Equestria!” She flew ahead and parted some overgrown vines ahead, swinging her claw for them to follow.
“Welcome to the Griffish Isles.”
A wooden bridge extended to another island over the river. Stalls and wagons dotted the cleared-out land beyond. Facing the water were displays of various wares, with a few curious ponies milling around. Every stall was attended by a griffon, each with sharp talons and sharper faces. The sound of bartering ponies filled the air, some slamming bits down before wandering off.
“Awesome, right?” Their guide landed on the bridge’s far side. “My name is Galena, by the way. If you want to know anything more about this spectacular place, my tourist information booth is on the east pier. I sell souvenirs and postcards for you to spread the good word about us back home, as well as answers to further questions.”
“Wait a minute.” Izzy scratched her head. “Did I hear wrong, or did you imply you sold ‘answers to further questions’?”
Galena thrust a single-eyed, piercing golden stare at her. “Everything I’ve told you now was a generous free sample. You wanna know anything else, you gotta cough up, lady.”
“Uhhh—” Izzy stepped back.
“You got it, ma’am,” Alphabittle interrupted. He shook his head at Izzy, lips tight. “You’ll be our first port of call if we need anything.”
“Wonderful!” Galena leapt backward into the air and spread her wings. “Don’t be a stranger, now!”
As Galena flew away from the setting sun, Alphabittle gave Izzy a grave look. “Griffons, remember? Sharp talons, sharp beaks, sharp wits, and most of all, sharp tempers.”
Izzy gulped and nodded. “Okay,” she whispered. “Got it. Don’t upset the locals.”
“Good.” Alphabittle sighed. “We need to stick together, watch out for one another. I reckon we’ve exhausted our miracle allocation on this trip, personally. Now let’s move it before we run out of daylight.”
~ * ~
“What about this? Or this? Oooh, shiny! Sunny would love this!”
“No.”
“But it’s a good luck charm! Maybe it would help—”
“No.”
“But—”
“Izzy…”
Alphabittle groaned. Every stall they’d passed, he had to pull Izzy back from swooning over the endless piles of sub-standard griffon junk relentlessly being peddled to them.
“This mood ring is so cute though,” Izzy said. “I could give it to Sunny and I’d always know what she’s feeling!”
Alphabittle facehoofed. “You don’t need some obsidian piece of junk to know that about somepony.”
The griffon behind the ring stall glared at him.
“I mean, uh, we don’t quite have the budget for that right now. Let’s keep moving.”
Izzy’s stomach rumbled. “Well can we at least grab a bite from somewhere? I haven’t eaten since breakfast!”
“Fine. Get me something too.” Alphabittle passed her the bit pouch. “Meet me up ahead in—hey! No more than ten bits!” he called after her rapidly vanishing form.
“Okay!” came her voice from behind another stall.
Alphabittle took a slow breath in and out, then walked further north. Another pier stretched out ahead, where a small fleet of colourful—if somewhat patchy—boats were moored in a harbour. A fraying rope stretched from one end to the other, barring entry beneath a slightly tattered banner under which a small queue of particularly well-dressed ponies waited, looking somewhat impatient.
“Flashstone Tours, eh? Bingo.” He looked down and read the writing on a wooden pedestal near the start of the line.
“Legend says that a powerful amulet known as the Flashstone is located in the middle of the Isle of Mares. Come see for yourself if the legends are true…”
“Oooh, sounds spooky.”
He jumped; Izzy stood there, holding what he judged to be a half-eaten deep-fried carrot sandwich in one hoof, and a complete one floating in front of her.
“Here you go!” she said cheerfully as she stuffed the entire thing into his waiting-to-question mouth.
“Mmmph!” Alphabittle spluttered, struggling to chew the unexpected mouthful. “Hey, not bad,” he managed to utter in a muffled voice after a few seconds of chewing. Swallowing, he looked at the bit pouch. “How much?”
“Ten bits each, just like you said!”
Alphabittle blinked twice, then closed his eyes. “Izzy. When I said ‘ten bits’ I meant total, not each.”
“Uhhh… oopsie?” Izzy smiled half-heartedly as Alphabittle snatched the pouch from her and returned it to his bag.
“Never mind. Look—seems we’ve found passage to the Isle of Mares.” Alphabittle gestured to the line of ponies. “Let’s line up.”
“Oh…” Izzy stared at the worn-looking ferry, emblazoned with faded labels marking its destination. “Do we… really have to get on another boat?” She began to shake and take a step back.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” Alphabittle patted her shoulder. “Look how still the water is. And if I remember from the map, that island just ahead should be the one we want. Quick sail, just a couple minutes. Promise. We’ll find the amulet, then a place to spend the night, and we’ll figure out how we’re getting home in the morning after a good night’s rest. Sound good?”
Izzy looked at the boat, then Alphabittle, took a deep breath, and nodded. “Okay. I can do this.”
“We can do this.”
“All aboard the Isle of Mares ferry!” a griffon called out, lazily swinging a bell around. “See the legendary Flashstone! Be awed by its mysterious power!”
“We’re up,” Alphabittle said, following the line of ponies in front. One by one the tourists sidled onto the rusty boat. Finally they reached the conductor.
“We’re here to see the Flashstone. Two tickets for the ferry, please,” Alphabittle said.
The elder-looking griffon stood there, glassy-eyed. “Forty bits per ticket.” He held out a tray expectantly.
“Forty bits?” Alphabittle choked out. “The Isle of Mares is right there! The ride will only take a minute! Two at most!”
The griffon’s expression remained unchanged. “Forty bits per ticket.”
Alphabittle stared into the griffon’s unblinking gaze. Beside him, he could sense Izzy fidgeting nervously.
“Fine,” he relented. “Eighty bits.”
~ * ~
Five minutes after departing the main island, the old ferry slowed next to a pier with a few too many missing slats for Izzy and Alphabittle’s liking. The sun had almost completely set; frogs croaked, dragonflies and fireflies buzzed around, and the very air felt as thick as it looked.
“Wow, what’s up with all this mist?” Izzy asked the ferry captain, a brown male with a spotty eyepatch.
“Legend says that powerful magic protects the Flashstone, lass,” the captain replied. “This mist always appears as we approach. Might want to breathe through your mouth around here.”
“Why?”
“You’ll find out.”
Thud!
Izzy swayed as the boat bumped against the wooden dock.
“Welcome to the Isle of Mares. You may now disembark. We return in thirty minutes for the night leg of the tour. Don’t be late.”
The ponies disembarked, following their guide toward the jungle. Wooden torches illuminated the path; clouds of insects hung around the flames.
Izzy waved away a mosquito. “Hey,” she called to the griffon in front. “You got anything to keep these bugs away?”
“Ten bits for a spray.”
“Oh.” Izzy looked sheepishly at Alphabittle. “Sorry, I’ll pass.”
One minute of bug-swatting later, they were greeted by another griffon, standing at the edge of a cliff-face and barring a dubious-looking rope bridge.
“Welcome to the Isle of Mares!” he said, waving his claws in the air. “As you can see, this is a wonderful and mysterious place. We hope you’ve enjoyed the tour. Please come again soon.”
“Wait. What?” Alphabittle asked, rubbing his forehead.
“We hope you enjoyed the tour,” the griffon repeated. “Please enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Izzy’s mouth hung open; behind her, the other tourists were already leaving, snapping photos as they went. “You’re kidding,” she finally managed to utter. “We came to see the Flashstone, like the sign said. So where is it?”
“Oh, you don’t actually get to see the Flashstone itself.” The griffon chortled as if from some inside joke. “What we offer is the chance to see the place where legend says it lies. It’s far too dangerous for any creature to go beyond this point.”
“What?” Izzy stepped forward. “But we need to cross!”
The griffon shook his head, his work smile vanishing. “No customers beyond this point. No exceptions.”
Izzy opened her mouth to argue, but stopped when Alphabittle touched her shoulder.
“I’ve got this,” he whispered to her as he stepped forward. “Hey, if you don’t mind my asking, how many bits does an upstanding gentle-griffon like yourself take home a day? I used to be in the tourism industry myself before I retired, so I know all the tricks they try to pull to swindle you out of hard-earned cash. Mayhaps I could help you out, if you’re so inclined.”
The griffon’s expression softened. “Oh you know how it is. Could always be more, but for what I do it’s pretty easy money. I make fifty bits a day on this gig.”
Alphabittle whistled. “Nice. Not bad at all. But what if I told you—” he paused and turned away “—nah, you wouldn’t be interested.”
“Interested in what?” The griffon flapped over next to Alphabittle.
“Oh, it’s just that your, uh, associate back there… gosh, I don’t know if I should be telling you this.” Alphabittle covered his mouth.
“What, what?”
Alphabittle looked back as if to check for eavesdroppers, then leaned in close to the griffon and lowered his voice. “You know he’s got this side-hustle going on? He’s charging ponies fifty bits a pop just to spray them with bug repellent so they don’t get nibbled to death on the way here.”
The griffon’s eyes shot open, pupils shrinking. “That absolute con-artist! We agreed the price would be ten and we’d split it fifty-fifty!” With a cry of outrage, he leapt into the air and soared down the jungle path.
Alphabittle clapped his hooves together as if dusting them off. “That takes care of that.”
Izzy stared at him. “But… you just lied to him.”
Alphabittle rolled his eyes. “Don’t feel sorry for him at all, kid. These griffons would pilfer their best friends’ graves in a heartbeat.” He looked over his shoulder as a sound like two angry birds arguing reached their ears. “Now move it before he comes back!”
~ * ~
Across the bridge, tall trees wrapped in vines and unusual plant life sprouted up all around them. The moss-covered ground was damp and sticky beneath their hooves. The thick, humid air clung to them like a weighted blanket. All across the jungle floor were the remnants of fallen trees. Huge branches lay across their path. Cries and calls of unfamiliar birds filled the air and the beady eyes of lizards watched on as they treaded through the overgrowth.
“Coo-coo! Coo!”
“What are you doing?” Alphabittle asked.
“I’m talking to the birds!” Izzy said. “Coo-coo! Coo-coo!” she called again, her voice echoing through the treeline.
Alphabittle chuckled at her antics, before whistling out loud himself. A few seconds later a bird called out in response.
“Hey! You didn’t tell me you could talk to birds as well!”
Alphabittle shrugged his shoulders. “It’s just a skill I picked up a long time ago.” He winked at her.
A sudden, grotesque stench filled the air.
“Eurgh! What is that?” Alphabittle screwed his nose up; Izzy followed suit. “The captain wasn’t kidding when he said to breathe through our mouths here.”
They trudged through the thickening mist, trying not to let the scent overwhelm them.
“We’ve gotta be almost there by now,” Izzy gasped. “You remember the riddle, right? Shame we couldn’t save the map.”
“Don’t worry, Izzy. The riddle’s safe up here.” Alphabittle tapped his head, wincing. “Ah… horn still hurts.” He looked around. “Now where would a secret cave be around here?”
“Pssst. Alphabittle.”
“What?” He looked at Izzy. “What’s with the whispering?”
Izzy raised a shaking hoof and pointed behind him.
Three snarling, snapping timberwolves stood in a triangle formation. Saliva dripped from their jaws, their golden eyes glowing with fury. They growled, expelling more of the foul-smelling, dense mist. The central and largest one stepped forward, lowering its centre of gravity.
“Izzy! Run!” Alphabittle shouted.
They sprinted through the jungle, swatting huge leaves as they rushed through off the path, the wolves’ growls and snarls following close behind. Around tall trees and over thick branches they leapt, hearts racing.
Izzy could almost feel the teeth snapping at her heels. “They’re still gaining on us!” she cried, looking back.
“Izzy! Watch out!”
“Huh? Whoa-oh-ahhh!”
Izzy scrambled to stop her hooves; vainly, she scrabbled at the cliff edge, but found no purchase in the rock and tumbled down the sheer slope. She grunted and gasped with every bump and scrape along her uncontrollable descent. Finally, she fell through a thick canopy and onto the damp jungle floor.
“Owww…” she groaned, lying on the damp but mercifully soft ground. She winced, battered and bruised all over. Her head swam, and a ringing filled her ears. She shook her head and tried to clear her senses.
“Izzy!”
Izzy looked up in time to see Alphabittle carefully making his way down through the treetops. With a final leap he landed on the detritus near her.
“Good gracious, girl! Are you okay? Does anything hurt?”
Izzy groaned. “Maybe my leg a bit. Actually, my whole body. Hey, would you mind helping me up?” She attempted a half-hearted laugh but hissed as Alphabittle touched her hoof.
“We need to lay low somewhere for a while. It’s dark and you’re hurt. Here, lean on me.”
Izzy nodded and surrendered to Alphabittle’s strength. She made it to her feet, resting most of the weight of her injured right foreleg on his shoulder.
“What about those monsters?” she asked.
“They’ve stopped chasing us,” Alphabittle said. “Maybe they’re afraid of heights, maybe they’re just territorial—who knows? They aren’t following us anymore, and that’s the important thing.”
He set her down against a giant boulder not far away, and Izzy breathed slower and deeper as she began to relax and her heart settled. A small stream trickled nearby, seemingly from inside the nearby mountain. The air smelled cleaner. Flowers of different varieties and colours bloomed around, luminescent in the few moonbeams that pierced through the canopy. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the welcome floral scent.
“Sorry to be a burden, Alphy,” she said with her eyes closed. “How many times have you had to help me out of trouble on this journey already?”
Alphabittle sat next to her with a sigh. “Hey, that’s what friends do. Don’t worry about it.”
“But I am worrying about it!” Izzy insisted, looking at his concerned face. “I thought this would be a nice fun adventure for us, just to help my friend going through an identity crisis. But we’ve lost all our gear, our boat, our money, been chased by ravenous beasts… I just—” she pummeled the ground with her uninjured hoof. “I’ve been so naive, and I dragged you into it too.”
She started to sob. “I’m so sorry!”
Alphabittle put his arm around her and squeezed gently. “Hey, you saved me earlier up there. If you hadn’t said anything about those wooden wolf things, I’d probably be in their bellies by now. Besides, I might have acted like you were just annoying me a lot, but even through everything, you kept your spirits up and you’ve even made me laugh a few times.”
“Awww.” Izzy leaned into Alphabittle and exhaled deeply. “You’re like my light in the darkness right now, and I hope this fire in my heart burns forever. Your friendship means the world to me.”
Her horn lit up, illuminating the boulder.
The boulder moved.
“Huh?” Izzy lost her balance and fell sideways. She turned and stared, slack-jawed and wide-eyed, at the rolling boulder; Alphabittle stepped back, eyes following the blue light now lighting up the boulder in different places.
The boulder finally came to a halt, exposing a cave entrance lined with shining gems.
“Izzy, that’s it! You solved the riddle!”
“Uh… I did?” Izzy cocked her head. “But I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes you did!” Alphabittle jumped up and ran over to the boulder; upon closer inspection the blue light illuminated a series of etchings in the stone. “It’s right here, look: ‘To be worthy of my most dazzling treasure, you’ll need some help, and more for good measure.’ The entire riddle is carved into this rock!”
He looked at her confused visage and smiled. “You just expressed it to me now. The answer to the riddle is: Friendship!”
“Well done. Finally, two ponies worthy of my most dazzling treasure have come to me.”
Izzy jumped, for the voice seemed to come from inside the cave: soft, but clear, friendly but with an air of authority.
“Hello?” she called down the gem-lined passageway.
“Hello, my friends. Come to me. I have awaited this day for so very long.”
Izzy turned to Alphabittle and swallowed. “Do you… wanna go in there, together?”
He smiled, again accepting her weight. “Together,” he said.
As they walked somewhat awkwardly down the passage, different gems lit up at their approach, and dimmed when they passed. They rounded a corner and gasped.
An ethereal glow radiated from the holographic image of an alicorn standing before them: tall, pink, with a white and sky-blue mane and tail to complement her dazzling smile.
“Welcome to my sanctuary, and my final resting place… I am Dazzle Glow, and this is my Glimmering Grotto.”
Stunning crystals illuminated the entire space, creating a soft, gentle light that looked so natural Izzy could’ve sworn it was daytime. Tall cherry blossom trees swayed in a breeze of unknown origin. The same stream from outside ran throughout this grotto. The grass they stood on was mauve in colour, and soft to touch.
Alphabittle cleared his throat. “We should introduce ourselves. My name is Alphabittle, and this is Izzy Moonbow. We’re unicorns from Bridlewood,” he said, gesturing at Izzy who smiled and waved.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Congratulations again on solving my riddle. You who understand the nature of friendship—you have shown me, beyond any doubt, that you are deserving of this. I know it will be put to good use in your hooves.”
With a warm smile, Dazzle Glow aimed at a small alcove between two cherry blossom trees. A bright flash filled the cavern; Izzy and Alphabittle both averted their eyes and lifted a leg each to cover their faces.
As the flash faded, Izzy lowered her leg and looked at Dazzle Glow. Floating just in front of her was a small, purple box.
Dazzle Glow beckoned. “Come, my little ponies. This belongs to you now.”
Izzy looked at the box. Emblazoned on the purple cover was a vivid pink, six-pointed star surrounded by five smaller white stars.
“Hey, I’ve seen this cutie mark before,” Izzy said as she approached. She grabbed the floating box and gently opened the lid. Inside the box was a gorgeous silver amulet, depicting the same star configuration. “Yeah, my friend Sunny Starscout has an action figure of a purple pony in her room with this exact emblem on her flank!”
Dazzle Glow chuckled softly. “I am glad that the memory and deeds of the great Twilight Sparkle and friends have not completely faded from your world.”
Another flash lit the room, and when it cleared, Dazzle Glow sat at a shimmering table between the same cherry blossom trees, with three chairs, three cups, and a steaming pot.
“Now, why don’t you tell me all about your journey over some tea?”
~ * ~
“So, the Flashstone takes the form of the cutie mark of the last pony who wielded it?” Izzy asked, taking a sip from her cup.
Dazzle Glow nodded. “That’s correct.”
“And the last pony to wield it was an alicorn princess named Twilight Sparkle?”
“Yes.”
“And she and her friends went on countless adventures together, defeated mighty foes, and saved Equestria a whole bunch of times?”
“Yes, indeed. Twilight Sparkle and her friends are some of the most important ponies to have ever lived.”
“Wow. No wonder Sunny has figurines of them all. They sound like they would have all gotten along swimmingly.” Izzy took another sip, enjoying the gentle unseen breeze. “There’s just one thing I don’t understand. If you’ve been gone for thousands of years, and Twilight and her friends only came here after you left… how do you know all of this?”
“While I may not be able to leave this grotto, I am seen by those who visit. Twilight was the last pony to visit me, when she returned the Flashstone. She and her friends sat down to have tea with me just like you are now. In fact, she sat right where you are now, Izzy.”
“Really? Wait ’til I tell Sunny! She’s going to be so excited!”
"I must say, Dazzle Glow,” Alphabittle said between sips, “these cherry blossom petals aren’t like the ones back in Bridlewood. They have a, let’s say, magical taste to them.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it so much,” Dazzle Glow said. “Cherry blossom trees were my favourite in life, and this recipe my mother passed down to me was my single favourite indulgence.”
“Excuse me! I have just one more question.” Izzy waved her hoof in the air; wincing, she brought it back down.
“I’ll endeavour to answer of course, but more importantly—you’re hurt. That simply will not do.”
Dazzle Glow’s horn glowed, and with a flash, Izzy felt the cuts, bruises, and scrapes fade from her body.
“Hey, thanks!” Izzy looked at her hoof and waved it around. “Wow, it feels great!”
“My horn, too!” Alphabittle said. He set his cup down and picked it up using his magic instead. “Ahhh, so much easier. Thank you.”
“You are most welcome. Now, your question, Izzy Moonbow?”
“Okay.” She set down her cup. “I never asked Sunny about this before we set out. To be honest, I kinda just rushed off on this quest, and dragged Alphy here with me. So, what I want to know is, what do we even use the amulet for? What makes it so special in the first place?”
Dazzle Glow smiled widely. “I’m so glad you asked. My amulet, the Flashstone, contains the essence of my spirit. Thousands of years ago I made it my mission to spread the joy and magic of friendship to as many ponies as I could. And so, the Flashstone brings out the best of ponies with pure intentions, and strengthens their resolve to make the world a better place.”
“So what’s the point of keeping it hidden away in this cave?” Alphabittle asked.
“The Flashstone returns here, to me, when the pony who wields it to spread the message of friendship has no further need of it. Thus, when the ponies of the world forget the lessons of their ancestors, it will always be here for another pony worthy of its power to find and to aid them in rejuvenating the world when it needs it most.”
“Wow…” Izzy stared at the box. “I know Sunny will definitely make great use of this. Mark my words, Dazzle Glow, she will make you proud! Oh, but…” She slumped in her seat. “How are we getting home?”
“You know, I haven’t even thought of that myself,” Alphabittle said. He rested his chin upon his hoof on the table. “No money, no boat… and how are we getting out of this jungle?”
“Have no fear, friends.”
Dazzle Glow’s horn lit up. A swirling, circular sky-blue portal appeared near the trickling stream.
“I can send you home, but know you both—this will be a one-way trip.”
“Oooh, a magical portal!” Izzy looked back at Dalle Glow. “Thanks for everything. I’ll never forget you!”
“Likewise, Miss Glow,” Alphabittle added. “Thank you for your gracious hospitality and for the best cup of tea I’ve ever tasted.” He walked over to Izzy and tousled her mane. “So, you ready to go, kid?”
“I think so. It sure was nice to meet you, Dazzle Glow. I’ll never forget you, and…” She sniffed, holding back tears. “I know you would have loved Sunny too. She’s the reason magic returned to our world, and the whole reason we even came here.”
"Izzy Moonbow, you and Alphabittle did this all on your own. Your friendship led you to me, overcoming all obstacles together. Between you two and your friends, there is nothing you cannot accomplish together. Farewell.”
Izzy nodded and turned to Alphabittle. “Ready?”
Alphabittle chuckled. “Let’s go home.”
With a final flash from Dazzle Glow, that gorgeous, mystical place vanished from sight.
~ * ~
Clutching the Flashstone box, Izzy landed gently in front of some familiar scenery. A gentle thud told her that Alphabittle had also made it back. Dusting herself off, she looked around and smiled. She could see the stars, feel the night breeze, and taste sea air on her tongue. She heard the rolling of waves, and knew she was where she belonged.
She helped Alphabittle to his hooves, then set off up the never-more-inviting lighthouse steps.
“Sun-ny Staaarscout! You hiding up here? You're not gonna believe this!”