//------------------------------// // Scodri's Legacy // Story: partisans of Eqwuestria // by Ferencelvtars //------------------------------// Chapter 6: Scodri's Legacy Sweetie Belle slowly dried her tears and joined her friends, pushing the grief to the background. Tension was palpable in the group, but they all agreed on one thing—they needed a base where they could be safe. Sweetie Belle had a brilliant idea at that moment, but her bad memories overwhelmed her common sense. Meanwhile, Starlight and Smolder debated whether the mirror world or the dragon lands would be a better hiding place. As the sun reached its zenith, dark clouds gathered, and a storm quickly brewed. With no better option, the group ran into the forest, and thanks to Smolder, they set up a small camp and a fire. "Okay, now that we have this, where do we go, ultimately?" asked Scoutalu, furrowing his brow. "Well, we could stay here. We have food, water, and the camp is ready," suggested the blue-maned red alicorn who shared a cell with Scoutalu. "Not good, Storm Scoalder. This sounds great, but it's not defensible, and it's too close to the edge of the forest," Starlight said, settling behind the foals. "What about the hive?" Ocellus asked hopefully. "We could be safe there and gather forces against Sombra." "If Ferkó can be believed, a large army is not effective against Sombra because his magic is too strong," Sweetie Belle said sadly and thoughtfully. "When did he say that?" asked Phinix, wrinkling his forehead. "Well, while you were all sleeping, we talked a lot, and he told me a story about some party, partiers, whatever, who hid in the shadows and struck where the enemy was vulnerable," Sweetie Belle said with a bittersweet tone. "The idea isn't bad, but we are too few, and we're almost unarmed," noted Smolder. "And you're still kids," added Starlight. "To fight against Sombra, we need to break the law of nature. As Rainbow says, in the battle, it's the friendship and skills that matter, not age or personal disputes," Scoutalu confidently stated. "He's right," added Phinix. "Okay, I get it, but we don't have a safe hiding place yet. We can't do anything," Starlight said, resigned to her defeat. "Let's go to the 10,000-year-old city," suggested Sweetie Belle. "To where?" asked Smolder and Ocellus in unison. Sweetie Belle began describing the city: "When I first learned to use magic, I ran away from Ponyville for several days and ended up in the 10,000-year-old city, thanks to Scodri. It's a huge ruined city surrounded by a wall that absorbs any magic that touches it. However, there's not much food, only a stream for water, and, um, shh." Sweetie Belle couldn't bear it any longer and burst into tears, remembering the bitter memories of her old and new friends. "Oh, Sweetie Belle, forgive us; we didn't know it would affect you so deeply," Starlight said, taking the young unicorn into her lap. "But where is this city?" Smolder asked, pouting. "I know!" Ocellus said enthusiastically. "Why am I not surprised?" muttered Smolder, burying her face in her paws. So, as Sweetie Belle painted a picture of the city, they could easily find it because it was described in the ancient friendships textbook. "All right, so should we go to the dragon lands or that city?" Storm Scolder asked. "Vote by raising hands," suggested Scoutalu. With a 3-4 result, the 10,000-year-old city won. Sweetie Belle wasn't thrilled about going to her former friend's favorite place, but she was happy to be safe. The journey was long, dangerous, and exhausting. After three days and nights of walking, they reached a small stream. The area was surrounded by tall oak trees, various bushes, berries, and herbs. Starlight placed the brooch Ferkó gave her on the ground, summoned the teleportation gate, and slowly approached the city. At that moment, Starlight said, "You fought heroically, and I see you know how to use the talismans well, but it's best if I lock them away for now. If a forest beast gets hold of one, it can become very dangerous." The others agreed, and as they discussed this, the brooch suddenly shone, and two more jewels fell to the ground—a comb and a turtle-shaped bracelet. Before Starlight could finish her question about these items, movement in the treetop caught their attention. "Who are you?" Starlight asked loudly. Suddenly, three shadows appeared in the tree with glowing eyes. Starlight and Sweetie Belle immediately cast a magical projectile that hit its mark. "Aaaaah!" echoed the screams of the three creatures simultaneously. Then something covered Sweetie Belle's eyes. Frightened, she gasped and, in her panic, teleported herself behind a puff of smoke. "F-Ferkó?" she stammered, trembling. The others could only watch as everything unfolded. "How did you get here? We thought you were dead," Starlight asked, still surprised. "Show gratitude to Sunset," Sunset said. "Oh, but how?" Starlight's words got stuck again. "You know, not everyone can teleport, so Twilight's palace was conveniently on my way," Ferkó replied nonchalantly. Starlight decided to stop questioning and led them into the city, but Sweetie Belle didn't give up. "Tell me, how did you get out of there?" she asked with great curiosity. "Well..." To be continued.