Version 2
{This is the re-done version (and hopefully final revision). Nothing significant changed, it still follows the same storyline that I set forth. So I hope you guys will enjoy it. Critiquing comments are always accepted and read for future references.}
The Crystal Mountains
An enormous mountain range laying on the northern border of Equestria. Seperating its lush and green lands, from the dangers of the icy white north. There have been many rumors that claimed to know about what went on beyond its mountains in the recent years.
But for four years. These mountains have been plagued with a terrible winter storm. Its fierce winds and blinding snow swallowed any would-be adventurer in its sea of flowing ice making passage into its hidden lands nearly impossible for many. Those few who have tried, have never returned to tell their tale. And so not many would even dare to try, save for one.
Told of a secret path that could take her through the Crystal Mountains. An alicorn who would take this path and brave the storm, seeking the truth that laid beyond its blinding clouds and towering walls. Her flaming determination to see with it her own eyes drove her into the stormy white abyss.
So her journey begins here.
Princess Celestia stood alone in the middle of a forest clearing in front of a stone obelisk. The breeze was cold, and the ambience colder. She was not far off from the Crystal Mountains, its mountains and its storm could be seen from where she stood. The tree tops dance in against the wind that blew through the upper canopy of the forest.
She traveled this far north seeking this obelisk. Her guide said that if she used a solar crystal on it, it would activate and light the beacons along the path within the mountains. And guide her through. She rummaged around in her winter coat pocket, taking out an orange, spiked-egg shaped crystal. She examined the obelisk and found an ovular slot at its base. Inserting it in, it fit quite snugly.
She took a few steps back and watched both crystals begin simultaneously glowing bright orange. The solar crystal faded to grey as the pyramid shaped crystal at the top of the obelisk grew brighter and brighter, until it suddenly shot an orange beam of light into mountains. The beam penetrated the white walls of snow and struck what she believed to be another pillar. That obelisk began to glow brightly as well, before it sent another beam that bounced up in between the mountain sides like they were mirrors before disappearing into the storm. Each spot that the beam hit shined so brightly an orange that she could see it through the storm.
"Wow..." Stunned at first at the spectacle, but prepared herself for the difficult journey ahead. "The path is lit. Time to be adventurous!" She said jofully. With a deep breath and a quick trot in place later, she felt that she was ready. But instead backed tracked to grab her solar crystal from the obelisk, and stowed it in her coat pocket. Looking around with content that she did not forget anything else. She turned her back towards Equestria, and made for the mountains.
About a halfs hour journey in, she came to the quick realization that the storms strength was far more powerful than she had originally anticipated. And even when cloaked in her thick winter clothing plus a heating spell, the effects of the freezing temperatures and high winds started to wear her down. She had trouble keeping her hood on her head because of the wind. The wind sometimes got under her clothing, blowing away the static warmth from her coat and magic. Her body rattled at that feeling every time. And the ice that was building up on her coat added more strain for her to carry. She was careful not to melt the ice that build up on her coat with her heating spell though, knowing full well that being soaked with water in this storm would only be welcoming her an icy death.
Time slowly passed by trekking up and down through the dark and stormy mountain sides. She felt like she was wandering aimlessly with no end in sight. It was miserable. Were it not for the orange light of these beacons that shined brightly through the cover of snow, she would have been lost to the storm. She couldn't help but want to get out of this storm as soon as possible, but still pushed onward. She kept going until the path of beacons ended at a stone gateway leading into the mountain. She looked around and tired to find any other beacons to follow, but found none. Whether it was because the snow was to thick to see it or the path really ended here, she didn't much options to chose from.
She examined this gateway that she found. It was just a little bigger than herself, and had two stone statues of mining dogs with pickaxes besides its indented wooden door. The statues where partially buried by the snow, and the door completely frozen. Nothing but a solid block of ice when she checked. A little impatient, and baring no desire to stay out in the storm any longer. She cast a fireblast spell that vaporized the covering snow and destroying the wooden door. The vapor was quickly blown away, and she trotted inside.
She was thrilled to be out of the storm, but took a glance at the storm outside. "And he called that easy....I swear this is the coldest I have ever been in ages. Brrrr..." Shaking off the bulk of ice build up on her coat.
The room that was too dark for her to see, but she could feel that it was at least snow free and dry. And for that, she was grateful. Knocking back her hood, she lit the tip of her horn like a lanturn. Her light illuminating the darkness showed that this stone room was empty. Excluding the rubble from the now non-existant door, a hallway on the other side of the room was all that she could find. Seeing no alternative options, she eagerly decided to explore it. Upon entry, she took notice that all along the walls of this hallway were pictures of mining dogs, griffins and ponies doing things together. Some were farming and building things together, others were standing together in armor. But the largest picture on the wall showed all three fighting a huge beast. One with a the head of a bear, the body of a lion, and the tail of a dragon. The creature, even though it was just a picture, looked quite fierce and intimidating.
"If I am not mistaken, thats a Cronorax. Certainly brave folk they were."
She continued to observe the pictures along the wall, finding a door at its end. She approached it cautiously and tried to push open the door. Wouldn't budge. Trying again, her light push soon turned into a failed shoulder shove, followed by a double buck from her hind legs. But it still wouldn't budge an inch. With a michevious grin growing on her face, she curiously looked around. Figuring that nopony would be around to find out, she elegantly blew the door and anything on the other side to bits with her fireblast. Happy now that the door was now gone, she waited for the mist and smoke to clear, before stepping through.
-Northern Country of Don Greath-
-Talkonia Kingdom-
Princess Celestia stepped into the northern country of Don Greath for the first time in centuries. Once remembered for being a primative, but beautiful land full of life. Large forests of pine trees used to dominate the land. Now nothing more than desolate fields of rock buried under layers of ice and snow as far as her eye could see. Its peaceful open skies that pegasi and griffins flew freely in, were now consumed by blizzards that shrouded the land below in its icy shadows. It was very different from when she had last visited the north, it saddened her to see how it has changed.
Knowing that her destination still lied farther to the east from here. Though her will to walk vaporized with the door, she came prepared. Her coat had removable coverings for her wings, she took them off and gave her wings a good stretch before blasting off into the blizzard sky.
Unbenounced to her. Something was tracking her from the shadows, and tailed after her.
Flying over the shadowed lands of the Talkonian Kingdom was like crossing a great barren sea of rock and ice that never stopped snowing. She didn't know exactly how long it would take her, but she could feel like she had a long ways to go. During that time, her mind was preoccupied with a few of her memories from a few months back. One in particular continuously came to mind. Her memories flashed back to a time in Canterlot a few months back when a stranger that came from Talkonia confronted her.
WHERE WERE YOU WHEN WE NEEDED YOU! YOU HAD THE POWER! YOU COULD HAVE SAVED THEM! YOU COULD HAVE SAVED ALL OF THEM!! SO MANY HAVE DIED! IT WAS A BUCKING MASSACRE FOR US!! WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP?! TELL ME WHY!? TELL ME!
His question brought many unsettling thoughts and questions to her mind. But knowing that somepony had to bear with the grim reality of the question, saddened her deeply. This sadness only grew deeper when she flew past several farming villages, or more of whats left of them. Many of the buildings were torn open and or halfly buried in the snow. Once perhaps happy and prosperous farming villages, only silent ghost towns left for time to bury remain. It was not clear as to what actually happened, though it didn't take much to guess. And the more she looked at them, the more saddening thoughts pierced her mind until she could no longer bare to look. When she looked away, what she sought after came into view off in the distance. Being more than eager to put the villages behind her, she pulled towards two more guiding pillars at the base of the Crystal Mountains and dove down to land.
Celestia tried to land gracefully on the snow covered ground, however failed to do so when her hooves sunk in up to her shoulders before hitting solid ground. The unsuspecting drop made her stumble forward little. But she quickly caught herself and recovered, and looked around to see if anypony saw. It took a few more instances of scanning the blank blizzard before she was finally convinced that nopony had seen her. Even in the middle of a blizzard in one of the most isolated places on the planet, she had her image to uphold. A princess must have priorities after all! Never know who would be watching. She muffled a cough with her hoof and grumbled at her carelessness. But at least acknowledged that now she knew how deep the snow around her was.
She trekked on through the shoulder deep snow towards the twin guiding pillars, she could feel its orange glow growing the closer she got. It radiated a warm, comforting sensation in a place that was so cold. Both metaphorically, and physically. It was a very welcoming feeling. Its light also illuminated the entrance of a stairway that lead up into the mountains behind them.
Before she could asend the steps, a sudden strong gust of wind blew in from behind that sent chills up her spine through her coat. It was not like any other gust that she had felt so far. Something about that one felt off. It felt familiar and controlled, like something had flapped its wings. In her realization of this, she turned around as quick as she could and scanned the white clouds of snow before her. And saw nothing but white. Not a sound save for the wind the blew around her and the creaking branches of the nearby dead trees. Her mind ran through some of the many flying creatures that still called Don Greath its home. She had an idea of what it could have been, though she had to see it to be sure.
Still unsure as to whether or not something was just passing by or is actually after her. She decided that it was probably best to not aggravate whatever it was that she couldn't see, and cautiously backed up towards the stairway. Only turning around when she had passed the obelisks and bolted up the stairs. She slowed down when the path became too obscured because of the snow for a quick asension. She took a glance back behind her and breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn't being followed. Her heart was pounding from the excitement and thrill of the adventure. It had been ages since she had the opportunity to do something like this. But it didn't distract her. She came all this way for a reason, and she was almost there.
She climbed higher and higher up the zig-zag path up the mountain. It ended at an old temple on the mountain top at the edge of the storm. Her muscles were exhausted and ached at the strain.
"I need to get out more...*huff**huff*...hew..."
She had considered flying, but chose to enjoy the adventure while it lasted. The door that she came to was not that much bigger than herself, but the walls that it was built into towered over her. She pushed on the door, and to her surprise, it swung open very easily. The ease at which the door swung open was a clear indicator to her that somepony was recently here, or still is. She stepped over the door curb and entered the temple.
To her suprise. The interior of the temple was actually quite spacious. Granted that most of it was covered in snow, only a walkway free of snow and lined with obelisks lead from the door straight to the central dome building. Now conviced that the somepony that she was looking for was here, she moved in to explore. However, before she could get very far, a large shadow roared overhead. Kicking up a wave of snow in her face before disappearing into the clouds.
She couldn't get a good look at it before it disappeared. but now she was on full alert and ready for its assumed return. It was relatively quiet for a couple of seconds, until her ears picked up the flaps of its wings coming in closer. She noticed one of the clouds of snow started glowing yellowish-red, and it only grew brighter. Realizing what it was, she managed to put up a magic shield before wall of fire that engulfed her. Its fire flowing around her shield like it was water circling a rock in a river. Aside from the life threatening situation she was in, she had to admit that it was quite a thrilling sight. The fires downpour slowly disappated, and the dragon disappeared into the clouds once more. It was obvious to her that it was using a hit and run tactics to weaken her. She didn't want to waste spells if they are only going to miss, so she waited.
Sure enough, the dragon came flying in from the clouds, roaring spurts of fire as it landed in the yard infront of her. It stepped on a few obilisks before it came to a stop, its wings spanning out and then folding against its body. Now that she was able to get a good look at it, it wasn't even that very big of a dragon. Compared to the one that she had fought in recent months, it looked juvenile. She watched it slowly advanced on her, seemingly attempting to put her into a corner. That wasn't going to happen, she readied herself for battle.
Her eyes and horn glowed brightly. "I am not afraid of you beast!"
All it did was roar viciously, before it reared back and lunged at her. Teeth and claws brought to bare.
But before either of them could strike, a pile of snow exploded beside them. A rattling chain sent flying out from the cloud pierced through the dragon neck, altering its course to fall past Celestia. She dodged the falling dragon and managed to duck under the jerking chain as it pulled taut against the dragons landing. The dragon roared in pain as it fruitlessly pulled at and clawed against its binding. Celestia took notice that it was a harpoon that was connected to the chain that pierced its neck. She started to feel sorry for the dragon, only to watch its body be riddled with three more chained harpoons that came flying past her. It struggled to stand back up as it gargled on its own blood. Letting out a low groan before finally collapsing in a pool of its own blood.
Celestia knew that she still wasn't alone, so she readied her magic shield just incase more of those harpoons came flying at her. From behind her shield, she turned her attention to the dragon that laid on the ground in front of her. Lowly moaning in pain. She wanted to put this creature out of its misery. It was obvious to her that it was going to die a slow and painful death. Though before she could, a sudden rush of wind obscured the dragon from view with snow. When the snow settled and she could finally see. There was now a masked pony in a flailing cloak standing behind the downed dragon. Like a ghost from the mist, the pony appeared out of nowhere. It reached for something on its back, and unsheathing a sword. Its metal rung as it held it above its head, before stabbing the dragon in the back of its head. With one final groan, a twist of the sword and an audible snap, its body silently fell limp.
The pony kicked its head to check to see if the dragon was really dead. It looked content that it was, before turning its attention to Celestia.
"So...What is the sun goddess Celestia doing so far away from her nice comfy throne I wonder?"
His voice was slightly muffled by the mask he wore, she could definetely tell that it was a male.
"I am no god. And how did you know who I was?"
"I do not know of any other white mares of your size, has wings, a unicorn horn and a bright rainbow mane. Do you?"
Couldn't argue with that one. "Understandably true. So then. Are you the one they call Teacher?"
"And what if I am?" Pulling out his large sword with a hoof from the dragons limp corpse, giving it a few swings in her direction before finally resting it on his shoulder. "Who's they? What is it that you want?"
Blood splattered against her magic shield, and vaporized when she faded her shield away. "I just wished to ask a few questions. Taizik said that you would answer them for me."
"Taizik huh? That little turd! Still a pain my ass I see. And I doubt that you wouldn't leave even if I said no." He resheathed his sword onto his back and started vigorously scratching the back of his head.
All Celestia heard was gumble grumble mumble grumble mumble grumble. Until she heard what she wanted to hear.
"Nrrawgh! Fine. We can talk inside. Follow me."
Celestia ducked under the chains and followed after him. But looked back at the dragons corpse. "What of the dragon?"
He was quick to answer. "Its not going anywhere. Now hurry up! Its freezing out here."
"Did it have to be killed so.....violently?"
"Feeling sentimental for something that wanted to eat ya? huh princess?"
"Well...couldn't we have just, I dont know, scared it off? I mean, it didn't have to di-"
"The dragons didn't have to burn my friends into ashes, but they did."
She felt the anger in his words, and didn't really have much to say to that.
"They deserved a fate worse than death. Killing them, IS, MERCY!" His last words felt so cold, and full of resolved rage. "Come. Before I change my mind."
Celestia continued to follow Teacher into the domed building. She looked at the two pillars that held up the doorway. Each pillar had an image of the sun and moon wrapped around its core. One of Celestia, and the other of Luna. But both had large 'X' marks slashed through the pictures. She gently brushed a hoof over one of the 'X' marks on her pillar, Teacher took notice.
"Times were tough. But don't worry, they are not around to judge anymore."
She cringed at that statement.
Once inside, the first thing she noticed that the room was quite empty. It had more than enough space for perhaps more shelves of books and scrolls. But no. She looked around the room and only found a few open bookshelves filled with scrolls, a few seating cushions, and a lit fireplace in the back of the room. Halfly expecting the ceiling to be black, she was proven wrong when her eyes gazed upon an artistically beautiful painting that she recognized as the northern constilation of stars. Her curiosity drew her to inquire why.
"May I ask as to why it is so...empty?"
"I am the only one living here princess. And I do not require much to survive. Now come, the fire is warm."
Celestia followed Teacher to the cushions infront of the fire place, he gestured her to sit on one. While she went to choose a cushion, he took off his mask and hood. He was an old stallion. His coat was a dark blue and his mane a silvery grey. He had this great big bushy beard that she couldn't help but stare. He pulled a tea kettle out from atop the fire.
"Tea?"
"I would love some." She sat the cushion closest to the fire. Its warmth of the fire penetrated her coat and into her body, rejuvenating her body with its energy.
Teacher hoofs her a cup of tea, and rests on a cushion beside her. "So. Taizik sent YOU here to me rather than answer them himself? Why?"
"He....was quite adamant about not talking about what I wanted to know."
"And that would be?"
"I want to know everything about the war with the dragons."
Teacher stopped mid-sip of his drink, and didn't say anything. And he didn't have to. For Celestia saw the look in his eyes growing darker and colder by the second. He put down his cup and sighed. "Whats there to know? There was only death. Besides, this isn't Equestria. Why do you care?"
Celestia's feelings exploded from his words. "I CARE BECAUSE IT WAS MY FAULT!"
Teacher, wasn't fazed by her outburst.
"I could have stopped this! I could have done something!"
"So then why?"
"Because I am eternal. Because nopony else will remember them a hundred years from now! Let alone know about them even now. Time will make their hardships and sacrifices to protect the world fade them from memory. But I will not let them be forgotten! Its the least that I can do now for them."
Celestia looked at Teacher, his beard hid it from view, but she could asume that he had a big smile on his face. His mood now very warm and welcoming. "Well said princess! Alright then. If you know what you are getting yourself into. Where shall I begin?"
Her voice became gentle and firm. "Thank-you. From the beginning if you will."
"Very well.
He looked up to the ceiling. " Our story began with the end of the world. When the light faded and the darkness rose, and the dragons wrath raged throughout these lands. When the world turned its back, the few stood to take up the mantle. YES! It was the few who stood in the way of the dragons fiery wrath from spreading throughout the rest of the world. They were nothing but a few strangers. Strangers, who were separated by species, stood together under one flag to fight an impossible enemy. This is a story about the few who gave everything they had to protect everything they loved. To those few..." He raised his cup of tea towards the fire place.
"...And their Courageous Hearts!"