Of the present is a living blight that besmirches his kind.
Behold: a traitor of nothing, scrounging the moss around the jungle floor like a famished bottom feeder. A disreputable, fidgeting recreant imprisoned to pay the price of his vice; a once proud creature reduced to digesting vermin and lapping the salt off of rocks.
Behold a fictitious king of frivolity, an unsightly wretch of triviality mislaying his sanity. Robust, ebony scales that once shined in the moonlight, are now ineffectual and dull. Lofty, mighty wings reduced to mere rent decoration. Pristine white talons, broken and dirt-ridden, are a shadow of what they once were. And his flames, his scorching flames, nothing but tiny, pitiful embers.
Behold a chained bastard, whose insatiable greed and covetousness condemned him to the jungle of mindless beasts, forever bound until acceptance of his vices and an honest will to seek penance is realized. But here he lay still, banished; unwilling to atone for his sins. So here he will lay until the day he dies.
Behold a worthless, unsatisfied beast.
Joey was sitting quite comfortably inside the golden chariot being flown over the Badlands with Nian by his side. Rockfall was to his right gazing out to the wide horizon of land with a look of uneasiness. Joey could tell that even when the stallion persuaded Princess Celestia to allow him to go on the rescue mission, he was shaking slightly and taking in quick breaths as if trying to control his anxiety.
Rockfall's eyes were dull and cloudy, remnants of the clear black rivers that once swam freely; they were drained of their color. Joey did not see vengeance in those lonely eyes, just misery, and grief. Surely Rockfall wanted revenge for his wife, but ever since he met the stallion, he just didn't seem to harbor any resentment.
Joey could understand to a degree since he wasn't married; he lost his entire village to a snowstorm that never ceased its bitter winds. Silver Mantle wasn't dead, but she feigned it; entrapped in a slumber that mirrored death with no signs of improvement. That was worse than death, to know that a loved one appeared dead but merely in a long slumber one can't hope to wake them from. One would feel useless and fearful for them. Rockfall feels that pain, and it happened in the worse way he could think of.
Now he was going back to the place that nearly got him and his wife murdered. Going back to a place where Orah was abducted and enslaved. Back to the place of his failure. The fresh wounds left behind will rip open again, begetting new scars.
Joey wondered if he should have declined Rockfall's willingness to participate in rescuing Orah, that it might have been the correct and responsible course of action. He wondered if it was a good idea. He could have said no and still gone without the guard by his side. Rockfall could spend more time with his wife and not with some stranger he just met.
Joey glanced at the stallion. Maybe it isn't my place to say, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried. Rockfall barely got out of the jungle alive. He could die this time, and what would be of Silver? What if she woke up and was told her husband died trying to rescue Orah from Lunaris? Not only would she be heartbroken, but she'd wish that she was dead so she could be with Rockfall. I have to make sure Rockfall doesn't perish; he and Silver have suffered enough for one lifetime.
Joey wanted to comfort the forlorn stallion, but he looked so distant. He wanted to tell him that everything will be okay, that
things will turn out fine and that everything that happened before will get better, but he knew that was not true. A tragedy had befallen this stallion.
For the time being, it would be best if he left the stallion to his thoughts, however, Joey did smooth Rockfall's mane and the stallion gave him a small smile, appreciating the gentle gesture.
All was quiet until Joey felt the wind shift and noticed the chariot was making a descent down to the ground. In the short distance, Joey saw a massive legion of tall trees casting a looming shadow over the earth. When he landed with his allies, they jumped out and marched up to the entrance of the Forbidden Jungle.
As Joey began to bask at the Forbidden Jungle, a voice called to his attention and he saw one of the guards, a pegasus, unhitching himself from the chariot and approaching him with a wary expression. In his armor, the guard fished out a map that was clearly drawn on a short notice yet was detailed enough for Joey to figure out how to navigate it.
"We'll be waiting for your return right here," the guard said with a brisk salute.
"I understand, thank you," Joey replied with a small smile. He turned toward the Forbidden Jungle and narrowed his eyes. "Is it truly a magic seal?"
The guard nodded quickly. "It is. Let me show you."
The guard flew toward the entrance of the Forbidden Jungle and entered. Joey saw a faint blueish-purple glow surround the guard for a moment before he fell to the ground with a heavy thud. Joey watched on as the guard flexed his wings and tried to take flight by jumping in the air, but he did not fly, only dropping down to the earth.
With the demonstration over, the guard waltzed out of the Forbidden Jungle as the same blueish-purple glow passed through him. Then he opened his wings and flew next to Joey.
"How did that feel?" Joey asked, intrigued.
"Like losing something I had all my life," the guard answered with a shudder. "My wings felt cold and numb when I passed in and out of the area. It lasted only for a second, but that second felt like a lifetime. Now that you know, be prudent and proceed with caution; monsters inhabit that forsaken place."
Joey nodded. "I will," he affirmed lightly. "Be ready to go when we come back with Orah."
The guard saluted and made his way back to the golden chariot still flexing his wings in an attempt to shrug off that cold-numb feeling. Shortly after, Nian appeared next to Joey's side with Rockfall on the other.
Joey looked down at the guard trying to calm himself. "Rockfall," Joey called soothingly, "are you going to be alright?"
Rockfall took a moment to respond until he gave a quick salute. Despite Joey seeing the unmistakable fear and uncertainty in Rockfall's eyes, he could faintly discern a small glint too. It was a fire.
Joey chuckled. That determination will serve you well.
"Alright," Joey began tersely, "let's go and get Orah out of this place!"
Stepping to take the lead, Joey braves through the entrance of the Forbidden Forest followed by Nian and Rockfall behind her. As Princess Celestia said, Joey felt nothing as he passed through. With a glance over his shoulder, he knew Nian didn't either. With Rockfall, there was a short shudder as the magic seal's flow passed through him, but other than that he remained unaffected.
We won't need your connection to the earth in this place, Joey thought silently. We have to find her soon as possible.
The Forbidden Jungle's wild atmosphere was drenched in humidity as the beams of sunlight bled through the canopy, illuminating the jungle floor. Leaves flittered around them as they fell slowly to the ground; there was never a moment of silence when every foot, paw, or hoof stepped on a crunching leaf. There were many sounds: Joey could hear the rustling of the bug-infested trees and the creaking of their branches, birds or other creatures echoing out their cries, and the arid wind weaved and moaned through the trees.
It was odd that so many sounds were so vibrant like any forest or jungle he's ever been in. But there was something dramatically different between them: wild Pokémon usually left a Trainer or any human alone, rarely coming up to them as a sign of goodwill and friendship, opting to keep their distance. In the world of Equestria, the Forbidden Jungle harbor no friendly or docile Pokémon. If he comes across any creature that thinks it would get a good lunch in, it'll do it; it'll try to kill them without a single thought.
Despite the overall friendliness, Equestria was much more unpredictable than his world of wild creatures.
Looking at the map, Joey could determine the path the scouts traveled to get to the center of the forest. The mouth-drawn map had a small legend; there were tiny pictures that could guide him to the center of the jungle without getting lost. He wondered how long it took the scouts to come up with this map and how long they had to stay in the Forbidden Jungle.
They must have been frightened beyond measure, he thought ruefully. I won't let this go to waste.
One of the small images closest to the entrance is four trees with a boulder in the middle. Following the path on the map toward the location, Joey could tell he was on the right track. All he and his friends had to do was follow that path toward the four trees surrounding the boulder, and then he'll be able to continue from there.
Relaying what he had learned to Nian and Rockfall, they agreed and followed Joey as he took the lead again, carefully keeping his eyes open and his ears strained for danger.
A few hours have passed since Joey, Nian, and Rockfall entered the Forbidden Jungle. They took two breaks, but on the second break, they were ambushed by a wild and ferocious Manticore. The horrid beast was bathed in blood and bore terrible gashes: its wings were torn and rent, its tail ripped off, multiple teeth were missing, and it was balancing on three legs rather than four.
Joey knew that this beast had lost a fight recently and was very hungry despite its glaring injuries and that the blood around its matted and dirty fur was not of its enemy. Despite the wounds it sustained, it still held itself high with whatever strength it retained left. He felt sorry for it, for he knew that this beast wouldn't be feasting on him and his allies. It wouldn't matter anyway: it was dying.
A short fight broke out with the Manticore losing, further wounding its already damaged pride. It slumped to the ground in a pool of its own blood as it waited to die from its mortal injuries. There was no fight left in it, only a faint sadness and pain that glittered in its faded eyes.
A pang of sorrow washed over Joey as he approached the dying creature. Nian would've pulled him back, but she knew that the beast was beaten and that it had no intention of hurting Joey. When Joey came as close as to touch the dying beast, he placed his hand on it and smoothed its ruined mane. The beast hadn't protested and let Joey's gentle ministrations soothe it.
After the beast let Joey touch it, the human summoned Jenny and Lena from their Poké Balls. Though he knew that the beast's wounds were too severe to mend, it wouldn't be bad to give it a peaceful passing. He told Lena to heal the wounds to lessen the pain and the pink Pokémon did as she was told.
A faint glimmer of blue light in the form of a dew drop manifested over the Manticore's damaged body, descending onto it like a ripple from a lake as it wrapped the beast in its warming glow. A small shudder and a sigh came from the beast, feeling the pain slowly ebb away. When that was done, Joey told Jenny to use Sing. The Jynx did as she was told and lulled the massive creature into a deep slumber so its last moments could be filled with painless bliss. Joey watched on as the last few short breaths left the Manticore. It jerked once and then it lay still. It was dead.
After a few moments of silence, Joey thanked Lena and Jenny and return them both to their Poké Balls. Rockfall was amazed by Joey's benign and tenderhearted nature even when he fought like a warrior. He watched on as Joey and Nian dug a grave for the fallen creature and buried it.
Joey could never bury his family or the village residents properly, the snowstorm gave him no option but to leave them behind. Joey thought that although the Manticore was an enemy, he could give it a burial that was robbed from him during his time in the frost-forsaken mountain.
After the burial was finished, Joey, Nian, and Rockfall continued forth to the four trees that surrounded the boulder.
As they marched onward, the trio of friends finds themselves in a clearing with four massive trees surrounding a large boulder. Eventually, Narros came out of his Poké Ball and traveled beside Joey. They had made it to the first landmark etched on the map. Joey bounded forward with Nian and Rockfall just behind them as they reach the boulder and look around from its position.
"Okay, where to now?" Joey murmured as he glanced around.
Checking the map, there should be a path lined with rocks splinted above the mossy earth and forming a jaggy line that leads to a fork going east or west. Squinting, Joey would need to take the west path to get closer to the middle of the jungle. After that, then he'll have to locate the cave the Lunaris the dragon is holding himself and Orah, his hostage, in.
While Joey was checking the map with Rockfall coming up to sit beside him, Nian and Narros were scanning the location for any potential dangers. Jenny stood under one of the four trees inhaling the chilling moisture of her Nevermeltice and blowing out puffs of white mist from her mouth.
"There are too many noises around here," Narros grumbled as he attempted to block out the noise by flattening his ears across his head. "I don't remember hearing this much racket while on the road with Joey."
Nian rolled her eyes and scoffed. "That's because you were brooding inside your Poké Ball most of the time," she pointed out with an edge to her voice. "You better get used to it if you're going to be outside your Poké Ball from now on. Straighten those ears."
"Sure thing, boss." Though reluctant, Narros obeyed and let his ears be open to the noises from all around him. He fought to stop himself from flinching at every high pitch sound. "You think we can save Orah?"
"Yes," Nian replied tersely. "I don't like doing the bidding of Princess Celestia, but it's the right thing to do, I suppose. If Joey says we do, then we do."
"You really dislike Princess Celestia," Narros pointed out. "She seems nice, and she respects Joey."
"I dislike being handed other people's responsibilities when their problems aren't my own," she muttered, her foot stomping the ground in agitation. "It makes me angry. I already have enough things to do with looking after six other Pokémon. I don't need something like this."
"But Joey doesn't seem to mind."
"Joey's a nice man," Nian said softly. "He'd help you even if it's a bad idea. I've been trying to teach him to say no so no one can easily take advantage of his generosity; he's too kind for his own good."
Narros shook his head. "I like that about Joey, his willingness to help others in need when he doesn't have to. If he wasn't like that when we meet, then... I'd be dead."
Nian snapped her head to him and glowered. Narros shrunk away slightly.
"I'm sorry. I know you don't like to hear that type of talk, but it's true," Narros reasoned. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Joey extending his kindness. For what it's worth, I don't particularly like being out here descending into danger to save a pony I've never heard of or met before. I like my fur to stay clean. But... it is the right to do."
"Yes, I know," Nian sighed. "Ugh! I hate feeling like this. Do you think I'm being unfair about Princess Celestia?"
Narros have never seen said alicorn until earlier this morning, so he couldn't really give his genuine opinion of her to Nian yet but judging from what he heard and what he saw today, he could give some simple conjecture.
"Princess Celestia is alright so far," he started, "and she seems like the type to solve her own problems if she had complete control over them. But this is the Forbidden Jungle and Princess Celestia has little to no power over it; heck, ponies can't even live here. With a problem like this out of her control, it's smart to ask us to head inside instead. I don't think she'd willingly let Joey careen into danger."
It wasn't often that Nian growled or snarled like a furious Arcanine, but when she did, it was terrifying. Narros had to step a few feet away from her as she fumed in silence. There wasn't much for him to say, so he padded away to join Jenny. The rabbit may be hot-headed and brash, periodically a bit crude and violent, but she had a brain and she used it quite often.
"Thank Arceus," Narros breathed.
Narros knew that on the inside Nian was thinking about what he said and mulling over her attitude toward Princess Celestia. He has been traveling with her and Joey for well over a year and a half now, and around that time, at least to him, Narros could tell when Nian was angry or when Nian was angry and thinking.
When Narros reached Jenny, he slowed to a crawl; he was uncertain if he should get any closer to her. Jenny never seemed to hold any contempt other than a ghost of a frown he was able to discern through narrowed eyes; he didn't feel uncomfortable around her, but he did not like the frown. It frightened him a little.
He also thought about Lena, noticing that the Chansey was nowhere to be seen. Guess she rather rest in her Poké Ball until she was needed, he thought.
Narros never disliked Lena. She was tolerable. Before Nian gave him more room to prance around Joey, Lena was the next Pokémon to not harbor any resentment toward him even though he deserved every bit of hatred and vitriol sprayed his way. Lena just looked sad or worried whenever she glanced in his direction, and he noticed. It made him feel guilty and regretful.
He knew if he is going to gain love and trust from the rest of Joey's Pokémon, Lena should be a good start.
"Jenny," Narros finally spoke, "what do you think about us being out here risking our lives to save Orah? Nian is... reflecting at the moment. You got any thoughts while we wait for Joey and Rockfall?"
Jenny continued to indulge in her Nevermeltice in a nice, very long intake before letting it out slowly. The cold white mist swished around Narros and flowed through his fur, causing him to shudder uncomfortably. Jenny seemed as if she wasn't interested in what he had to say, even going so far as to ignore him.
"Or you could not," he muttered.
The second he finished speaking, Jenny's eyes locked on him. Her gaze was dark and cold, and the frown on her face was more apparent. Seeing Jenny scowl creeped Narros out and he had to look away to avoid his body from giving more shudders.
"S-sorry," he said quietly, inching himself away from Jenny's ice-cold glare. "I'll leave you alone." Clearly, I'm not wanted.
Then, Narros heard a small thump coming from behind and turned to see Jenny beckoning to him, wearing her usual stony expression. Though reticent because of Jenny's blatant mistrust, Narros obeyed and padded up to her and stood looking up at the towering Pokémon's face.
He watched as Jenny took the Nevermeltice out of her mouth and expertly drew an image with the aid of her psychic powers. What came into view was Orah herself and a question mark to her side. Narros looked at Jenny as the Jynx tilted her head.
Narros continued to watch, witnessing the image of Orah now with him, Joey, and everyone else together. Obviously, Jenny believed it was worth the trouble. At least she had to kindness to include him in the image.
"Alright, I understand," he said. Narros tried not to avoid Jenny's cold gaze. "I feel the same way. I just hope we can get through this without much trouble."
Jenny agreed with a nod of her head. The Jynx never liked to get dirty, however, if Joey asked her to, she would try even when she wasn't much of a fighter.
Narros stared at Joey with longing in his red eyes. He never fought for Joey; this would be the first time he might be used in battle and Narros strived to make Joey proud if the worse comes to pass and they have to fight Lunaris. He just hoped everything goes smoothly.
As he watched on, Nian appeared in the corner of his eyes. He whipped around to see the rabbit tapping her foot feverishly on the mossy earth.
"It looks like Joey is about to head off," she said. "C'mon, let's go."
"Sure thing, boss," Narros replied. "Thought about your feelings on you-know-who? Better to accept than to resent, am I right?"
A killer glare blazed in Nian's eyes and Narros thought he might have gone a bit too far. He should've known better; Nian was finally giving him some space to be around Joey, branching out her trust to him, and now, with what he just said might've broken what little trust the rabbit gave him.
As he waited to be punched or reprimanded by his leader, Narros was surprised when Nian turned away grumbling dark mutterings under her seething lips. He glanced at Jenny and saw the Jynx look away, opting to indulge herself in her Nevermeltice, but Narros knew she was paying attention.
Narros shuffled his paws. Perhaps he went a little too far regarding his tenuous relationship with Nian. "N-Nian, I spoke out of line. I'm sorry." Narros knew Nian was a complex creature, probably the most complex creature he's ever had the opportunity to... or the misery to know.
"I'll talk about it later," she grumbled through clenched teeth. "We're moving."
And she's grouchy, Narros thought sullenly. At least I'm not dead, that's a plus.
With nothing else to say, the three Pokémon corralled around Joey and Rockfall as the human began marching off west in relation to the map.
The group continued forward. It wasn't long until Joey found a path littered with pointed rocks. It was obviously a trail and one that wasn't naturally made; it had to have been Lunaris. It must've served the purpose of helping the misguided dragon find his way back to whatever cave or hovel he called home. And looking back at the map, Joey and his friends will need to follow it.
Trekking the Forbidden Jungle wasn't entirely a dangerous venture; most confrontations could be avoided if Joey and his team stuck to the shadows or be hidden in thick foliage whenever a creature came prowling about. Other than the Manticore they had the misfortune of fighting: Joey and his friends fought a Chimera; a flying beast of burden called a Roc. Joey even came across, by mistake, a Cragadile; those creatures that masquerade as rocks, often catching weary and inattentive travelers by surprise.
Joey and his band of allies bested the beasts without ending their lives, and without gaining so much as a few cuts and bruises all of which were healed quite nicely with Lena's healing skills. By the time they realized how long they'd been out journeying the Forbidden Jungle, the sky was beginning to turn red; they have been in there for hours.
Joey remembered the times when he and his Pokémon family went out and traveled to many places. Equestria was quite an interesting place with what little he has explored, and he began to think that after Orah is safe with Princess Celestia that he would like to do some scouring.
As they continued, Joey suddenly finds himself in another clearing; a wide-open space stretched around them giving way to nothing but something odd in the near distance: a slew of trees, contorted; they bent in an odd arc giving way to an entrance in the middle. Judging by the map, that is the place Joey, and his friends must go into to reach Lunaris' home, which is a cave.
"If I'm reading this right, then this is the heart of the jungle, and Lunaris is right there," Joey mumbled. "Eh, he looks to be just off the side."
Nian hopped next to him. "That's the place?" she asked. "That's where Lunaris is?"
Joey nodded solemnly. "Yep," he answered. "There is a cave marked on the map, detailing Lunaris' location." He gazes up toward the reddening sky. "It seems we made good headway despite the obstacles we ran into; we can do this and return home just before nightfall."
"Narros and I will go on ahead," Nian said tersely.
"Good deal," Joey said. "Rockfall and I will catch up momentarily. I need to talk to him. Go on."
"Narros," Nian called, gaining the Absol's attention, "let's scout ahead."
Heeding her order, Narros trots to her side. "Alright," he began, "lead on." He turns his head to Joey with a loving look. "Catch up with us quickly, okay?"
"I will," Joey replied. "We'll be right behind you."
With that, Nian and Narros bounded off quickly, striding to the large entrance. Joey slowed to a crawl with Rockfall following suit. Ever since they set a single step into the Forbidden Jungle, Rockfall has been fidgeting and alert, and Joey knew why.
"Rockfall, you ready?" Joey asked softly, patting the stallion's mane. "You'll have to keep it together; freaking out will not help you, me, or Orah."
Rockfall, unable to speak because he sustained a gruesome injury to his throat, nodded slowly. His ears and tail twitched, and he had this stoic look, yet he was trembling. He is so close to confronting Lunaris.
"Rockfall, calm down and take a deep breath," Joey suggested. "We need to save Orah; Silver Mantle is waiting for you. Wouldn't it be great to tell her that Orah is safe when she wakes up?"
Rockfall ceased his trembling, though it took a major effort. He took in long, deep breaths. Joey watched on as Rockfall stamped his forehooves into the ground, each stomp more powerful and vigorous than the last; it was clear the stallion was attempting to dispose of his fears and latent doubts and summon upon the biggest amount of courage he could.
His eyes began to light ablaze and the usual bleak gray clouds pooling around his eyes cleared to be replaced with rivers of black; it was intense, Rockfall suddenly looked much younger than he appeared before: he snorted with passion, his muscles rippled and flexed to show years of work & dedication, and he had this look of willpower.
Above all else, Joey noticed, that Rockfall was angry. Angry at Lunaris for taking Orah away, for nearly killing him, and for placing his wife in a coma, and angry he let Lunaris enslave Orah for weeks. It wasn't the anger of pure, unbridled revenge, but the righteous kind; a reckoning: Lunaris must be punished for his horrible misdeeds, and Rockfall knew he was going to give it to him with Joey by his side.
Rockfall looked into Joey's mysterious white eyes with a look of conviction; there wasn't anything else to say. With silent understanding, Rockfall galloped in a magnificent stride with Joey running just behind him.
"We're coming, Orah," Joey said.