//------------------------------// // Celestia's Predicament // Story: The Human and His Lopunny // by Burningbloom78 //------------------------------// Of the recent past is a story of tragedy and sorrow. It was silent as the dead of night. The blood-curdling screams and battle cries had finally died away, only to be replaced with the heavy throng of melancholic rain. The gloaming air was thick with the strong, acrid stench of spilled blood, pervading the sickly atmosphere with a miasmic fog of despair. The faint sounds of dread and dismay came from him as he limped and careened like prey on its last legs. He felt sick and light on his fragile hooves; the putrid stench of blood wafted through the air and assaulted his nostrils, making him emetic. Struggling almost in vain to prevent vomiting, he felt the burning pain flare around his throat. It was slashed and blood slowly pooled out. A pang of fear and anxiety shot through him as he placed a hoof against his throat, clutching tightly in a desperate endeavor to prevent more blood from oozing out. He felt cold to the bone and beaten without mercy, yet he still stood alive and breathing. His eyes dart around, blurry with blood. Then he stiffened. His glazed eyes pierced through the wall of red; he gazes despairingly upon a familiar body. Frantic and forlorn, he plodded despondently toward the body that lay as motionless as discarded carrion, scrunching the blood-soaked leaves that surrounded them with heavy hoofsteps. A sharp pang of sorrow wrung tightly around his heart. "No!" he wailed pitifully, but the painful cry came out as choking and garbled nonsense as he stared stricken at the body. Her once unsoiled coat was drenched in a massive, disgusting clot of blood as it pooled under her belly and made a small puddle. It clung to her coat, bleeding from wherever an eye wandered; she looked like a mutilated corpse. "Silver," he gurgled through his blood-drenched throat as tears streamed down his scarred visage. "Silver, please... please don't leave me; you're all I have!" Grief stabbed at his heart as he fell on the white body in a maniacal attempt to keep it warm, but each breath grew shallower than the last, and he too knew that he'll fall soon. He gurgled and choked out unintelligible words, as if he was trying to say, "Everything will be okay. This is not where we die. We won't die... I won't let us. We won't die. We won't..." They had failed Princess Celestia. The pony they were supposed to safeguard with their lives, vanished in the thick legion of trees, clutched in those bloodied claws of that monster. He could still hear the screams and cries rattling inside his skull, daring to escape. He shuddered horribly for a while as he tried in vain to control the raw memories from threatening to overtake his damaged mind. He knew he would have nightmares that not even Princess Luna could banish; he would not find solace so easily. He knows they cannot perish here. They can't perish here. This isn't their place to die. He has to push through and get them to safety. He has to get Silver to safety: She is everything; nothing else mattered. Clenching his blood-stained teeth followed by a long, agonizing groan, he lifted himself from the sanguine earth with newfound conviction. He carried his unconscious partner with amazing effort and slogged on his shaken hooves, desperate to escape this evil place. A fiery vow escaped his gurgling throat. "I will not forget this, and I will never forgive you." The next day after the visit to Sweet Apple Acres was nice and warm; the bright sun shining brilliantly across the cheeks of those under it. It was morning and everyone was awake and going about their activities. Joey and Nian were spending some alone time together, opting to stay in bed and cuddle. It's been a while, according to Nian, since the two had the morning all to themselves without any interruptions. She missed Joey's warm body in the morning, feeling his strong, naked chest raising and lowering, hearing his calm breathing filling her ears with serene tranquility, and his powerful yet soft hands rubbing and smoothing her body. She didn't care where the hands wandered, she'd let Joey touch her anywhere without protest. She had missed this, and she knew Joey did as well. Nian looked at her beloved human with a gaze of longing. Joey's eyes were closed as he absentmindedly stroked Nian. He had a content look on his face accompanied by a small smile that made Nian's heart flutter. He looked so peaceful, so untroubled, and happy. This is Joey through and through, a happy person surrounded by those he loves, she thought warmly, continuing to watch her human through lazy, half-lidded eyes. That sweet, innocent smile... It should be protected. As Nian watched on listlessly, she suddenly felt a prickle of annoyance edging around the back of her skull. The letter, she thought bitterly. A letter arrived yesterday while Joey was out with Nils. It was delivered by a stallion donned in gold armor, the powerful symbol of the Royal Guard, a legion of soldiers that serves Princess Celestia and keeps the peace in Equestria. The letter instantly sullied her mood; just knowing it came from Princess Celestia was enough to make the rabbit scowl and think dark thoughts, which she invited. Ever since she met the stellar alicorn, Nian didn't like her or the air around her. She felt as if she had to protect Joey from her or not let the alicorn touch him. Nian knew she shouldn't be this way, but her deep feelings for Joey passionately said otherwise and she didn't fight it. Princess Celestia may be a benevolent ruler, but Nian disliked that the pony would dare dump her problems on Joey. Nian's human. HER human. It's as if the alicorn couldn't be bothered to deal with this on her own. Now that annoyed her. The letter detailed a situation that transpired just before Joey ungracefully arrived in Equestria, asking for his aid. It was concisely worded to mirror concern and fear. The end of the letter said that Princess Celestia herself would arrive at Joey's house sometime in the morning. Nian was angry. She didn't want to help that alicorn, all of her instincts going off like blaring lights. If it was up to her, she'd tell Princess Celestia to go drown in a pool infested with famished Carvanha, but the decision was ultimately up to Joey. Nian could only give suggestions and her suggestions isn't what Joey would agree to. Brooding, Nian lifted a finger to poke at Joey's chest. She was trying to make herself feel better. Princess Celestia could be a nice pony, but Nian hated the air around her. She thought that she was treating Princess Celestia like a mini Narros; that she seems untrustworthy and troublesome, and she had. Dumb rabbit, she admonished silently in her mind. Poking Joey wasn't enough; Nian needed to indulge herself to feel better. Huffing, she thrust her face against Joey's neck and greedily drank in his precious aromatic scent. Joey didn't seem to notice, he only continued to stroke Nian as he was lost in some daydream. Little by little did Nian's anger and dark thoughts begin to gradually ebb away, vanishing into obscurity within the depths of her mind. Just being with Joey made Nian so much more bearable and kinder. If she never met him, she might've died in the mountains, unable to make the journey to leave. If she had left the mountain, Nian could've been a force of nature, her unrestrained anger lashing out at whoever she came across. She was willing even to kill. Because of Joey, she became something better. She did save him from giving his life to the cold. She gave him food and cared for him as he cared for her with companionship after they both experienced heavy losses. She needed Joey more than anything in her life, and she would kill for him if it came down to it. Or... she'd sacrificed her own. Eventually, Joey opened his eyes and yawned, smacking his lips slowly. He looks down and sees Nian kissing his neck. "Hey," he said groggily. Nian stopped what she was doing and looked into Joey's limpid white eyes. "Hey," she whispered. "Ready to get up?" Joey nodded. "Princess Celestia will be over soon," he said, groaning as he stretched. "I want some more info on this situation she's in." Nian began to frown but she stopped and adopted a neutral expression. "Are you going to help her?" Joey holds Nian and sits up slowly. "I might, but I want to know more before I make a choice." Joey yawns again. "Alright, let's get ready." After getting ready Joey and Nian head outside to take in the fresh morning air. However, when they did, they were met with a chariot, four royal guards, and Princess Celestia herself landing just past the white fence. Nian scowled as she studied the uninvited visitors with a glare, more directly at Princess Celestia herself. All of Joey's Pokémon were outside and they all, including Narros, watched on, curious as the white alicorn gracefully made her way toward Joey, her guards just behind her with one bearing nasty scars across his neck and face. Nian saw them leering at Joey's Pokémon as if any of them were about to attack their princess. Do something stupid, Nian thought crossly as she watched the guards in fervent silence. Give me a reason to bury you. Joey bows in respect as Princess Celestia does the same. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Celestia," Joey said. He remembered to call the alicorn by her name without the title included. "I got your letter last night and I wanted to know more information before I make a decision." Princess Celestia gave Joey a gracious smile as she sat on the soft grass. "I am glad it catches your interest," she said coolly. She beckoned one of the royal guards, the one with the scarred face, to sit beside her. "I want to enlist your aid in the rescue of a young mare named Orah. She's in deep peril." Joey sat on the grass with Nian following suit. "Orah?" he asked seriously, his eyes narrowing. With a glow of her long horn, Celestia conjures a detailed illustration of the mare in question. Joey stared at it, scanning the image to notice that Orah was a beautiful, amber-eyed earth pony with a long silver mane, and a crimson coat, with long black marks across her legs, chest, and back. Joey saw that Orah's right eye was closed with another long black mark over it, but something was different with this one. While the other black marks seemed to be drawn or painted on, the mark over the right of her eye was jagged and uneven, smaller than the others. It seemed this was a scar rather than some odd tattoo. And if that's the case, then... Orah was half-blind. Joey didn't know what to make of this revelation. How could something so peaceful-looking and cute be stricken with such a terrible and potentially traumatic experience? Only a malevolent creature could have done that. Indola suffered a horrible scorch mark sure, but she protects others and put herself in the way of danger, as is what her important job demanded of her. "Tell me about her," Joey said briskly. Time to rapidly fire some questions."Who is she and where is she from?" Princess Celestia cleared her throat and began to explain. "Orah is a pacifist from beyond the border of Equestria, living in a tribe of indigenous ponies out on a vast, grassy plain. She's an enchantress whose magic is entirely different from any other in Equestria. She was making the journey through the Forbidden Jungle with the escort of two royal guards when she was ambushed by a dragon and was abducted," she explained, her voice suddenly heavy with guilt and sorrow. "One of those guards is right here," she gestured to the one beside her. "I see," Joey said, rubbing his chin with a hand. "Why did the dragon take Orah away and why was she going on a journey?" Princess Celestia looked away for a moment before turning to meet Joey's white gaze. "She was making the journey to Canterlot to provide her skills to my service," she answered verily. "She wrote a letter telling me about her magical skills. From what I had read, it seems that Orah can turn any natural object into something else; plants, rocks, or what have you. I assume that the reason she was... taken is that the dragon must have overheard Orah explain her unique magic to her escorts." "And if it heard about what she could do, then it must've thought that Orah could be useful for something," Joey wondered aloud. "How did you know and what's in it for the dragon?" "After my royal guards returned to Canterlot, I sent scouts into the Forbidden Jungle, and they say that the dragon might be inside a cave around the center. For your second question: Most dragons in this world are obsessed with gems, crystals, or jewels; they are, generally, greedy creatures at heart, as is their nature, and they will do anything to expand their hoard of treasures. "If the dragon did overhear Orah, then that means he could use her to turn ordinary rocks into precious gems. And if that is true... then Orah has become a slave." "Do we know who this dragon is?" he asked. Princess Celestia nodded. "The dragon's name is Lunaris." "Tell me about him." "He was banished from the Dragon Lands, his homeland because he was extremely voracious and covetous of others, often lashing out in violence toward his kin, and even trying to kill them for their treasure. "After making an effort to murder his leader, the Dragon Lord, failed, he was exiled to the Forbidden Jungle and was bound to never leave until he could change his ways, but to my knowledge, Lunaris sadly never did." Joey's face turned grim. "He sounds awful and dangerous," he muttered thoughtfully. Princess Celestia agreed with a brisk nod. "Memory serves that he's been confined to his prison for many years. If you accept the mission, this royal guard will accompany you." At once, the scarred guard stood up and saluted Joey. He was an earth pony with a brown coat, a mane and tail that looked like charred stone, and black eyes. He bore an ugly scar over his right cheek and a terrible gash down his throat. Squinting, Joey could see other scars hidden under his armor. He also had these gauntlets clasped around his front hooves. This stallion has been through a lot to bear those injuries, and he wore them seemingly with pride, Joey reckoned thoughtfully. However... his eyes are dull and faded, almost like they were dead. It's unsettling. "This is Rockfall," Princess Celestia said, introducing the stallion. "Through... much coaxing on his part, he will be under your command during the rescue mission." Rockfall trotted nearly with a limp and stared at Joey for a couple of heartbeats before bowing his head in greeting and saluting. "My name is Joeshur Riverside, but you can call me Joey for short," he said to Rockfall. He gestured to Nian who was standing next to him. "This is Nian, my partner." Nian protectively stood closer to Joey, but she dipped her head in greeting as a grumbling escaped her lips. The stallion didn't say anything, merely saluting respectively at the rabbit. "Tell me about yourself, Rockfall," Joey said, trying to engage in conversation, but as he waited for the stallion to speak, he didn't utter a single word. Joey could see the stallion's eyes glimmer faintly. Princess Celestia stepped in. "If it's okay with Rockfall, I can inform you." Rockfall turned to Princess Celestia and nodded, giving the alicorn permission. "Rockfall is well-known and renowned around the Royal Guard for his staunch and steadfast loyalty," she began to explain. "He grew up in Ponyville before moving to Canterlot to pursue his dream as a Royal Guard. You can find no other like him, and he will follow your orders without question. I trust him with my life." Rockfall did exhume this aura of safety as if you could be as defenseless as a foal with him around. As Joey looked at Rockfall, he studied his scars and saw they were fresh, like he just got them. "If I may be bold," Joey began, "how did Rockfall come across those scars? They look recent." At that moment, Joey noticed Rockfall's stature crack, but only for a second. He saw the faint gleam in his eyes die to be replaced with a cold, listless stare as if he was remembering something tragic. He looked old and tired during that second, and Joey knew those scars told a sad story, and that he regretted asking about them. Princess Celestia stayed silent as she glanced at Rockfall and mirrored Joey's sadness. Rockfall gave the alicorn a hesitant nod to tell Joey about his scars. If he was going to be under his command, Rockfall knew there shouldn't be anything between them. Most ponies in Equestria are trusting and friendly, often wanting to make connections with others. They can be emotional and quite gullible and breaking or hurting any pony is a high offense that could lead to irreparable relationships. "Rockfall is one of the two royal guards entrusted with escorting Orah through a place called the Forbidden Jungle," she explained. "Unfortunately, he was ambushed by Lunaris and a battle took place in which Rockfall and the other guard lost, and Orah was taken away. "Rockfall was badly injured by Lunaris. He arrived in Canterlot with the other guard in a heap of blood, with ragged breath, and dying. When he was rushed to the medical center, he sustained a... gruesome injury to his throat that prevents him from speaking, rendering him mute for an unspecified amount of time." How horrible, Joey thought sadly as he glanced at Rockfall. You've been through much. "Who was the other guard?" Joey asked. "A mare named Silver Mantle," she answered. "She's... Rockfall's wife. Like her husband, Silver Mantle, or Milly as she was commonly called, is a well-known and respected pony. Sadly, she was maimed quite heavily during the fight and lost consciousness. She remains in a catatonic state and... has shown no signs of waking for a... very long time." After a moment of silence, Princess Celestia began again. "I know you must assume I appear to burden you with my dilemmas, but I came to you, and wrote that letter, because I believe you can truly help us, especially in the Forbidden Jungle." "Talk to me about that place," Joey said grimly. Gather more information first. That's all that matters right now. Princess Celestia shuffled her hooves and twitched her wings slightly as she opened her mouth to explain once again. From Her Radiance, the Forbidden Jungle is an extremely dangerous place located south of Equestria in the Mysterious South, past the Badlands and the high-elevated Macintosh Hills. It is ruled by deadly creatures and uninhabited by ponies or any other sapient species. Orah had to travel from the jungle's exit to a chariot that waited at the jungle's entrance. The main reason ponies just don't fly over the jungle is that the location harbors an unexplainable magic seal around the area, rendering all magic useless and the Macintosh Hills are too elevated to fly over because of the thick, condensed air, so most would have to make a long detour around the mountains if they didn't brave through the Forbidden Jungle, which is the most direct route yet filled with dangers. The Forbidden Jungle is traversed by earth ponies since they have the least amount to lose: Pegasi lose the ability to fly, and unicorns can't use magic. Earth ponies lose their attunement to the earth, making them unable to grow anything. It is generally, trained or not, impossible for a pony, even an alicorn, to live there because the pony race relies on their magic to see them through each day. Rockfall will be mostly unaffected since he's an earth pony, and Joey and his Pokémon have no magic at all, so they would be just fine in the Forbidden Jungle. "Alright," Joey said quietly. "How do we get there?" "My guards will fly you there in a golden chariot," she answered. "Once you land at the jungle's entrance, they will wait for your return." "How long do you think this should take?" "Hopefully the rest of this day and tomorrow." Princess Celestia rose from the ground as Joey followed. "Joey... Orah has been missing for four weeks, and none of my ponies can hardly navigate through the Forbidden Jungle without being gravely injured. Please... help me." Joey stayed silent for a while. This had nothing to do with him... This started before he unceremoniously landed in Equestria. There's no reason to stick his neck out for this pony. If anything, he should turn her away to deal with her problems. But that's not the right thing to do, he argued silently. I like helping folks, and Princess Celestia came to me personally to ask for my aid. I can't turn her away, not after learning about what's happened to Orah, Rockfall, and Silver Mantle. With a deep breath, Joey says," Okay, I'll do it. Lena, Narros, Jenny, we're going!" As Princess Celestia smiled at Joey's decision, she sees the Pokémon he called rush to his side. It was quite a variety of creatures. "Nian," Joey began, "ready to kick some dragon tail?" The rabbit, though she wasn't entirely happy with Joey's decision, gave the human a wicked grin and a brisk nod of her head. Joey grabbed his Poké Balls and returned Lena, Narros, and Jenny to their respective capsules. "Nils, Mechan, and Yuna. Hold down the fort until we get back!" The confirmed cries of his Pokémon reached his ears. Joey nodded as he turned to Princess Celestia. "My no-kill policy is still in effect, got it?" She nods. "And like I said before, I wouldn't have it any other way. Also, try to approach Lunaris peacefully first, but if he gets aggressive, respond in kind and take Orah back by force. Good luck to you and your Pokémon, Joey. Come back safe..."