After Twilight was verbally defeated, she started to talk to Rainbow Dash. Spike chipped in from time to time and I sat there without saying a word. Eventually I got bored, and perched myself on the balcony looking over the side toward the small town. Well, actually the balcony faced the forest, but there were a few buildings in its way to get a clear view of the forest itself.
“HEY PUP!” came Rainbow’s voice from the entrance. I flared my wings and beat them hard, so I'd clear the library and land at the entrance. I peaked at my jump and I noticed the chariot with none other than Celestia and four guards. Each guard, upon seeing me, raised their spears towards me.
I landed in front of the library next to Rainbow Dash and Twilight, Spike on the other hand was nowhere to be found and I assumed he was inside. The guards jumped towards me with their spears aimed at my chest. Thankfully, when I opened my inventory time slows down significantly, and I was able to put all my armor on quickly. With my hollowed gear equipped, I exited my inventory and let the blows come. Of course they did nothing.
“Celestia, nice to see you again.” I said calmly.
“GUARDS! AT EASE!” she shouted sternly, with a look of irritation. Then, her features softened when they stopped attacking me and returned to her side. She looked back toward me with her motherly smile and apologized. “I’m sorry for that Puppet Master. I’ve been trying to get the word out but I’ve been having some trouble getting the word to the newspapers even though I’m the princess. Most, but not all my guards know about you as well. I’m sure you can tell and I hope you can understand.”
“It’s ok, I expect this reaction from royal guards. To be honest, it’s quite entertaining to watch them fail to harm me. Now, down to business. I understand a forest is growing out of control. What does this have to do with me?”
“Well...” She took on a more serious tone. “It’s uncommon that a forest would grow on its own. And the reports of this happening tie in with your arrival. So, I assumed you may know what’s going on with my forests.”
“Well, you would be right. I have a pretty good idea of what’s happening in that forest.”
“Care to enlighten me?” Quipped Celestia.
“Hopefully, it’s a friend of mine. You know Darkness? The one you met in my tower?”
“Yes?”
“There are more of my companions scattered around Equestria. A personal friend and servant of mine happens to know how to grow trees and plant life at an abnormal rate. I need to collect him so we can begin rebuilding my home. I also miss him dearly.” I said with a soft smile. Radiant Garden is an all right guy.
“All right then. Let’s get in the chariot and we’ll be on our way.”
We all gathered in the chariot including Rainbow; however, once she got on a guard spoke to her.
“Sorry ma’am, we can’t have civilians on board.”
“What?! Twilight’s a civilian too!”
“But she’s Celestia’s student.”
“Rainbow.” Celestia stated in her trade mark motherly voice. “I don’t want you getting hurt if we encounter anything dangerous. Can you stay here and look after Ponyville instead.” Rainbow eyed her for a moment, and then sighed in defeat.
“Okaaay.” She looked at the ground and flew off toward the direction of what I thought was Sugar Cube Corner.
The chariot lurched forward as the pegasi in front started to pull on it and take us up. The two on the sides kept a sharp lookout in case of danger.
“Now that we’ve got some time to get there. Care to tell us what it is that you’re keeping a secret from me?” she said with a sly grin.
Twilight was on her right side, while I was on Celestia’s left. From her vantage point she couldn’t see me, so she leaned forward to see past Celestia to hear my response. She probably assumed I couldn’t deny the Sun Goddess, because she was looking at me with an anticipating grin.
“Sorry Celestia, whatever it is you want to know about, I can’t tell you.”
“Rainbow said it had something to do with my citizens. MY little ponies. And if they are in danger in any way, I want to know.” she gave me a hard glare.
“Celestia if I tell you, Equestria will be in more danger now, than it will later. Right now I only ask you to give me my space to research the solution, and assist me in any way you can. But right now... I don’t trust you, as hard as that is to believe I can’t trust you. Not until you prove to me you can be trusted.”
“Well, you shouldn’t expect much from me, since I can’t trust you either. You won’t tell me about the threat to my kingdom and my little ponies, so don’t expect me to try to earn your trust to learn about it.” stated Celestia with a slight condescending tone.
‘Oh she’s good. But she’ll need to do better than that.’ I thought, as she made it clear she trying to bait the information out of me.
“True. But then again if you don’t try to earn my trust, then you will never know.” I looked forward and saw where we were heading. It actually was on the other side of the mountain that Canterlot was wedged into. On the other side of this mountain was a settlement that was no bigger than Ponyville. In fact, I would state that it was half as big as Ponyville.
“We’re coming up on our destination now.” stated Celestia, with disappointment in her voice. It was difficult to detect but it was there nonetheless.
We started to descend toward the edge of the forest. On our way down, I noted the townsponies were lining up to watch the princess deal with it. Even though I was still a foreign entity, they didn’t seem surprised to see me. Celestia saw me look at them with a bit of confusion and explained it for me.
“I’ve already had Canterlot Weekly send out a few copies, and so did the newspapers. Ponyville’s farther from Canterlot than this settlement so they already know who you are.” she said with a proud smile.
We touched down, and I hopped out of the chariot.
“Thank you Celestia. I’ll have this fixed within the hour… well ok, I don’t know how long it will take me, considering I’m only going on a theory.” I said honestly.
“I’ll support you in whatever way you need, as long as it fixes the problem.” She responded, trotting alongside me while we approached the forest.
We almost got to the tree line, before a couple of guards jumped in front of us and stop us both.
“What’s going on?” questioned Celestia, seeming to read my mind.
“You can’t go in ma’am, we were sent to patrol and the moment we got into the forest, vines covered our three companions and trapped them.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad.” I commented.
“The vines covered their mouths, and they couldn’t breathe. Celestia, more than half of our five pony patrol died. We were the only two survivors because we weren’t inside the forest when the trap sprung.” He said in a very serious tone with a facial expression devoid of emotion.
I looked back at Celestia, and her hoof was on her mouth, her pupils were the size of pinpricks and her eyes were as wide as they would permit them. Unfortunately, Twilight wasn’t far behind us and she heard the news as well. She gasped, and I thought for a moment she went into shock before she blinked and nervously took her place beside Celestia. Celestia in response put her left hoof around Twilight and brought her in an embrace and Twilight returned it, with a genuine look of concern on her face. I soon realized that the embrace wasn’t to comfort Twilight, but for Celestia to take inventory of what she holds dear.
I would have found it heartwarming, if the situation was a little different. But then again at times I can be heartless and... '-hold on… how come the guards didn’t react the same way as the other ones at the library?'
“Not to be insensitive, but why are you two not surprised to see me?” I questioned.
“The royal guard are first to know of you. Not everypony knows of you yet, and I’m still hearing off duty guards calling it an elaborate prank. They just need hard evidence to believe in you, and you won’t have any more problems with visits.”
“Thank you. Did the guards struggle when the vines rose up?” I could tell Celestia and Twilight looked at me with horror and disgust.
“Well of course! Would you do the same thing?”
“No. Did the guards attack the vines before they wrapped them up?”
“Yes they did, why?”
“You’ll find out. One last question. Did the vines come up slowly and seem to turn more violent when the guards finally attacked?”
“Well yes, that would be accurate. How do you know?” he asked suspiciously.
“Well, it appears to me that it was a trial. Anyone who enters the forest with the desire to harm it will die. I however am here in search of a friend. No one will stop me, ok? If you see vines come up to attack me or anything like that, don’t help me. If I am unfortunate enough to be wrapped in them, I have a trick up my sleeve to get me out, so don’t worry about my safety.”
“All right, I understand.” Celestia responded, while the guards nodded their heads and watched me with interest as I began my short trek into the forest.
As promised, once I stepped foot into the forest vines started to rise out of the ground and headed toward me. I kept on walking, until they surrounded me and slowly wrapped around me. They only got to my torso and started to wrap around my neck when they slowed to a stop and then retracted into the ground again. I looked back at the small group of four, and their mouths hung open. I flashed them a smile. The guards returned to their stoic expression after returning the smile.
I began trekking through the forest, and it became apparent to me that the trees looked taller than the generic trees you would see throughout Equestria. What I also noted was the fact that they all had light green leaves that struck me as familiar. And unlike the generic trees of Equestria, these trees don’t look like giant leaf mushrooms. Instead they had branches sticking out of the sides with a plume of leaves at the end of each branch.
As I trekked deeper into the forest, I noticed it getting thicker and livelier. Obviously I was getting closer to Radiant Garden, and wherever he was hiding. I stopped walking and stared at one of the most foreign sights that I’ve ever seen. A giant wasp nest. Not only was this nest twice my size, but the wasps were resting inside the small cones that littered the underbelly of the wasp nest. A few however were awake and flying around. They didn’t seem interested in me whatsoever, until one of them caught a glimpse of me. The moment it saw me, they all woke up and I felt rather impressed that they were so connected as they seem to share their bodies.
They all launched their attack at once and I found myself trying to doge hundreds of stingers, while simultaneously avoiding the pincer like appendages they use for mouths. I brought out both my Excalibur swords and made swift work of the group of wasps. I chose to let the hive itself live because it doesn’t seem to grow more lackeys instantaneously. I continued to trek through the forest and happened upon the oddest sight in all of Equestria.
I was looking upon the largest willow tree I’ve ever seen. However, the only way I could tell it was a willow tree was the saggy and sad whip like sticks that were so loose they drooped into a sad state of depression. I find the willow tree the saddest sight nature can provide. But at the same time the willow tree is artistically beautiful with its green lively leaves, that somehow complimented its depressed demeanor. This willow tree was no different, except for the fact that there were so many whip like vines that I couldn’t see the trunk.
And that is why it was the oddest sight in Equestria.
“Oh wow. That’s beautiful.” I said out loud while admiring the demeanor of the tree.
“Thank you.” came a voice from behind me. I spun around, and found myself face to face with the green haired dryad known as Isis.
“You’re welcome.” I replied.
“Not many people admire the forest anymore. They find it scary or strange, and prefer to stay in their homes where the beauty of the world can’t affect them.”
“It’s a pity too. Nature is too beautiful to be ignored. But business before pleasure, Isis is your name right?” she nods her head. “I’m looking for Radiant Garden.”
“Who?” she questioned, looking confused.
‘Don’t tell me she forgot too! GOD DAMNIT! Great I’m going to have to explain things to Radiant now, aren’t I?’
“His old name was Jungle God.”
“OH I know him. He’s inside the willow tree there. I’m looking after him and in return he’s growing out the forest.”
“Is he well enough to travel? I sort of need him.”
“Yes, but it is wise if he has bed rest, or remains in stasis inside the tree for the time being.”
“I have a bed for him to sleep in once we are there. He is a friend of mine. My name is Puppet Master, Destroyer of wolfGear.”
*gasp* “You’ve destroyed the great one? I knew he was becoming more evil and deserved it eventually but… how?” she questioned, with a little shock in her voice.
“I am a mage, while wolfGear liked to get in close. I used that to my advantage, and kept my distance for as long as I could. Eventually he slipped up, and I burned him to death. Only he did something so we wouldn’t respawn. Once he was gone… well he’s gone now. Let’s leave it as that.”
“He did good things even though he became evil. I commend you for your strength in defeating him.”
“I know your abilities to sense the danger in each world. Tell me how corrupt this world is.”
“Not even one percent. But it’s still there.” She put a finger up to her chin, and watched the ground. “Strange… It seems like it’s contained.”
“That’s because Dark Wolf tamed the corruption. He has it under his control.”
“Dark Wolf is here?!” she exclaimed, looking back up to me with an expression of shock.
“Don’t worry. He is under my influence and poses no threat, as long as I’m around. Can you help me get Jungle God out of here?”
“I’ll get him out of stasis.” she lifted her hand toward the willow tree, and the vines parted to reveal a very fat trunk that the tree possessed.
The stump cracked open, and a figure fell out of it covered in green goop.
“Eugh.” came the sound from my mouth.
“Ugh, why am I out prematurely?” came a groggy voice from the stiff and wounded Radiant Garden.
“Radiant. Rise to your feet, we have work to do.” I said sternly. Isis gave me a look, but I ignored it.
“Who’s Radiant Garden?” he said slowly getting to his feet.
He was on his knees, when I grabbed under his arm and helped him up. I placed my left hand on his head, while I lifted him up with my right. I sent him all my knowledge of Terraria, and everything before the shockwave between the time I found the mirror and the death of wolfGear, eventually that lead up to our conversation about his name and free will.
“M-my lord?”
“Yes my thane. I am your lord. You have a kingdom to help me build. I need fiefs so I can grow my population.”
“Fiefs, sire?”
“Towns, villages, and land. But more importantly need a body that you have to help me make, that looks like a pony so I can win their trust easier.”
“Ah, I see how that can be a problem.”
“Isis.” I said looking at the dryad in question. “Do you wish to come with me, or stay here? I can set up a room for you, and you can help me keep the corruption under my control and keep it from spreading.”
“That sounds desirable.”
“Master, I’m sorry I attacked you.” dejectedly admitted Radiant, as I lifted his right arm over the back of my neck to help me carry him.
“What?”
“Those wasps. I created them to defend the forest, and I forgot to let them allow you entry.”
“You control them?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“You think you can make them again for our use, when defending our kingdom? I feel the wheels of war are in motion. I’m going to need every advantage I can get.”
“Yes my lord, I can give you an army of powerful wasps to defend your fiefs.”
“Thank you, my thane.” I said heading in the direction of the edge of the forest.
“One more question, my lord.”
“Yes?”
“What’s a thane?”
…
“A thane is a man who supports his lord under every circumstance. In the old days, thanes would go on crusades with their lords, and if their lord died they would be banished from the kingdom. When the lord dies, they have no more purpose and they either die with their lord, or be exiled for not helping him in his time of need. I won’t expect the same from you, because this isn’t then. I expect you to help me in your best ability. In short, thanes are like shield-brothers to their lord.”
“And I will, my lord.”
“And for your help, I will protect you with the best of my ability too. You are a part of my kingdom now. And without you, frankly I’m lost.”
“That’s kind of you to say, Master.”
*cough* “Are you forgetting about me?”
“Oh, you’re important too, Isis.” I smirked at her, which she returned in kind.
She gained a spring in her step, and skips around us while we trek out of the forest. I couldn’t help but fantasize on how attractive she looked. Though... I’d rather not get into relationships right now with what I’m planning. Now that Radiant is back where he belongs, I can get to work on my new body project. But first I need to give Radiant Garden his instructions and materials for the body.
We got to the tree line with no incident, and the moment we left the forest we were instantly surrounded by several ponies wearing golden armor. They didn’t lower their spears but watched me carefully and kept their distance.
“Ah, Puppet Master!” said a familiar regal voice. Celestia swooped down and landed within the circle of guards that surrounded me. “I’m sorry again, for this awkward situation.” She said quickly scanning the crowd of guards. “Umm, is this him?”
“Yes.” I said as the tension began to drain.
'I swear, Celestia was going to get her guards to group rape me or something… what? THE WAY THEY STARE AT YOU!' I literally thought, upon seeing the looks of her guards.
“I can guarantee that trees will no longer expand rapidly. Though, I can’t guarantee the mental trauma that the growing trees caused the ponies to go away.”
“Well, that’s all right. And since you helped Equestria out, I won’t question that threat you said you were dealing with. Though, I have to thank you some way so… how about I get you tickets to the Gala?”
I raised my eyebrow. “You mean the social event where all the elite snobs show up and look pretty, while you bore yourself to death?”
She gave me an uncomfortable look, then replied. “Yes.”
“Count me in! Can I go with Rainbow Dash?”
“Yes, the Elements are always invited upon request. And while you’re there, I can introduce you to the elite of Canterlot. They will get your name out quickly, and if you make a good enough impression, they will say good things.”
“Then it’s a date. Come on Radiant. We need to get you to a bed.”
“Yes, master.”