//------------------------------// // Service to an Empire // Story: Descent into Darkness // by Raven Shadow //------------------------------// With my last year of schooling complete I headed back to the Crystal Empire with The Princess. The journey was long and we had each others company so I guess it wasn't bad. Well it was very pleasant. We walked there to make the trip more exciting, also this was her idea to see if I was guard material. Well for the first three nights I was over protective of The Princess, until she gave me one nightmare of a scolding. I swear my ears were ringing at least for half the day... Well she apologized for yelling and I told her I was sorry for keeping her safe. Yes I was being sarcastic at the time. You would be too don't even lie to me. We still made our way to the Equestrian border. The Everfree forest was just ahead of us, oh joy. I being a unicorn of great magical skill and strength lead our way deep in the dead of night. We both knew of the dangers like manticores or bandits that stalked the roads. But Sapphire was confident in me, I would not let her down. Now I know you're thinking "why not just take the train? It takes you right to The Empire." Hey walking was her idea. Not mine. Well as you might expect she griped the whole time, I found this hilarious since it was her plan. Hours and hours passed until we reached a nice clearing, I took up the liberty of setting up camp. I kept watch over the surrounding area. I heard rustling in the bushes, so I went to investigate. A wild manticore pair leapt into our camp. One of the savages pinned me, I watched as the second one held Sapphire in its jaws. The flurry of the scene was a flash, and just as it started it was over. They bolted off with The Princess. No no no this wasn't happening. My guess their den would be where they would feast. Now the hard part, find that damn hole. For hours I walked, I didn't know I could have been walking for hours in one huge circle. Oh Celestia help me now! I can not return without The Princess in my company. I'm pretty sure if you were The King and no clue where your daughter was you would want some answers. Oh Luna find kindness and guide me! The thought of Sapphire being eaten wasn't helping me in anyway, shape, or form. Time passed away from me as I grew more desperate in my search, I would lose my closest friend and my future as a royal guard. Again I came to the clearing where camp was strewn about now. When I noticed the deep tracks that headed north. I felt like an idiot. Great... Follow the obvious foot prints. So I did I guess eight miles, maybe. I found a cave, of course a damn cave. How original. My luck is just so perfect. Ok I explored the cave's mouth, dark dank heavy. That's how I can describe it, just off the top of my head there was the roof of the cave. Many pointed rocks had cut me as I made my decent deeper. And I gotta say "This SUCKS!" What another potty break what is it with ponies and your tiny bladders? Fine go take your "wewe". Ugh simpletons I swear being of noble blood we were trained not to do the "Peepee" dance. Oh for Celestia's sake what is keeping you? I just love talking to myself, at least I don't have to urinate every twenty minutes. Oh welcome back did you at least wash your hooves? Good, now back to what I was saying. After I pretty much yelled, I think I let every if anything that lived in said cave know I was there. Not my most brilliant plan to date. As if on Que manticores descended upon. Two instantly recognizable from earlier, they didn't like I found their dwelling I guess. The third attacked from behind me, great ambush, (one for the books, not like it's been done before). As it rose to get me, I ducked down quickly. So when I heard the loud thump, I smiled. All three hit heads! Hahahahahaha animals like that are quick to fool. Also they do react just as fast, so now I'm facing three ticked off manticores, fun being the hero. I used my magic as both a light and as a shield. I began to backpedal further into the cave to continue my search. Reaching the central chamber I picked two of the manticores off the ground with the rest of my magical abilities. The third stood back frightened by the tides of our conflict. The strain was beginning to take its toll on my magical reserves. With what I had left I threw the pair of now squealing beasts down a pit, while the their last member of the pack turned and took flight of this squabble. I stumbled a bit taking in the cave, wow I did not expect one really low rock right behind me... When I awoke my head throbbed. Like someone hit me in the head with a rock. Oh wait no I ran into the damned thing. (Ok my fault). But I was in the clearing? I looked around trying to figure this mess out, till I heard a very familiar voice. "Hey just lay down you are in no condition to be about mister."