Equestria Online
Chapter 4: Jester of Sorts
"Are we there yet?" Moaned Rarity. The mare trotted next to the human her hooves beginning to turn a light shade a brown. The unicorn frowned at the sight. She didn't much like getting dirty, but this was her family they were dealing with. If anything were to happen to them she didn't know what she would do, especially after what had happened between her and her sister.
Leo rolled his eyes coming to a stop besides. "That's the fifth time you've asked."
"Well?" Rarity asked looking down the hill. The two had soon learned the Guild, Jokers, had left their base of operations in the hills after they ransacked the fort and had moved up into the base of the mountain. It was near nightfall. The trek had been farther than she had expected it to be.
The mare didn't want to stop, but her hooves were beginning to ache.
"Perhaps we can take a little break." She came to a halt and from her saddlebags pulled out a large sheet. The mare neatly tossed it onto a patch of grass and took a seat. "Now than I'm sure we can take a couple of minutes to rest."
Leo groaned not wanting to slow down. "But Rarity we're almost there! I'm getting pumped up just thinking about crashing their party!"
Rarity gave an understanding smile, but remained seated. Leo gave in taking a seat under a tree across from the unicorn. It wasn't soon until he fell asleep. Rarity guessed that he was beat. Despite the act that the young boy had put up in front of her, he had looked exhausted earlier. Rarity shook her head; there was something different about him. Something she didn't understand. He was somewhat like herself in a way. At times she had to admit that she admired his enthusiasm.
Rarity was quite tired herself, but had told herself she'd stay awake. Not with them being so close to the guild. She felt herself getting closer. They were at the base of the mountains, in a mine. She had guessed that they had taken in interest in one of their towns resources.
The unicorn also took note about how foolish this plight of theirs was.
"What if this doesn't work out?" The unicorn prodded her hoof against the sheet and looked worried at Leo. The boy was so confident; she had to admit she was quite jealous. There wasn't much that terrified the mare. Perhaps a messy mane, scrapped hoofs, oh and gaudy out of season fashion, but she found herself at a loss. They were walking into the den of her keeper.
This was the human who held the fate of her family in his hands.
She gave a sympathetic glance to Leo. "Whatever happens, just know that I am sorry." She sighed tucking her muzzle beneath her forelegs. The mare would catch some shut eye before they walked in.
The morning came quickly and with it a knot in her stomach. The mare had realized the whole time they had been heading towards the guild's camp that they had no means of infiltration. The plan from what she remembered was simple, it was to rescue Twilight Sparkle and hopefully find her family in the process, but that seemed impossible with what Leo had in mind.
Rarity shook her head shattering her thoughts. If all were to go as planned she and Leo would have to be on the same page. She quickened her pace catching up with the boy. They weren't too far off from the mountain. The cave entrance was in a clear line of sight. "So Leo dear? Have you anything to share with me, perhaps a plan of infiltration."
"Oh yeah…" Leo put his hand against his chin. "I guess didn't think about it."
Rarity came to a halt. "Were you planning on waltzing right in?"
Leo gave a wide smile at the mare. The boy had obviously made up his mind. He cracked his knuckles a fire burning in his eyes. Leo drowned out Rarity's objections and ruffled her mane much to her dismay. "Don't worry Rarity, I will keep you safe. Just play by my rules and we shall have your family back in no time at all. Trust me."
"I…" Rarity gave a weak smile. He spoke so confidently, how could she not believe his word. "Very well then, but if you don't mind Leo, I think I will handle this one." Rarity approached the head of the cave where a guard stood along with his pegasi partner. He pointed his spear at Rarity narrowing his eyes.
"Speak your business here."
Leo gritted his teeth taking a step forward. "If you don't get that spear out of my face!"
Rarity gave a nervous smile at the guard who snarled. "Excuse my companion darling. He must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. But I am here on business with your guild leader."
The pegasi trotted in front of her partner and glared at Rarity. "He wasn't expecting anyone today?"
Rarity took a couple of hoof steps back and gave moony eyes at the stallion. "Well you see, I'm afraid its official business between me and him. Now if you can be a dear and let me and my companion through we won't cause you anymore trouble." The unicorn batted her eyelashes at the pegasi and he complied.
Looking to the human guard he nodded. "They're… they're good to enter."
The human looked skeptical at his pegasi partner, but let his spear up. He still looked suspiciously at Leo who walked by him sticking his tongue out at him. He growled and placed his spear back in front of him, keeping a silent vigil.
As the two entered the cave, Rarity looked marveling at the guild's base of operation. Though the lighting bothered her, she had to admit it was rather impressive. The cave had been here before the arrival of the humans no doubt, but there had been much work done. As she passed down the large maw she saw many ponyfolk with pickaxes in their jaws slaving at the earth. Rarity bit her tongue as the pegasi lead them passed several chains where mares and stallions alike were held.
Anger burned deep inside the mare. Her eyes scanned across the workers with the hope of spotting her family. Hopefully she could get a glance of her sister Sweetie Belle. She had a feeling deep down that they were in here somewhere. She had seen countless citizens from the town of Foalsom. Several eyes widened at the sight of her. There were also several ponies that she had never seen before in her life. Were they from other towns the guild had taken over?
"Rarity!" a loud boom came. Inside the inner chambers of the cave a teen sitting on a large golden throne. The boy had a cocky smile on his face as his he looked to the unicorn whose ears dripped. She tensed at his presence. It was as if something about him shook her. He took a step off of the throne and into the light where they received a full view at him. The teen wore a joker's drama mask covering his face with a hood falling over his head. The hood lead down to a cape covered in golden and white gems.
Rarity watched as Leo's eyes searched. She spotted all of the teen's cronies. Each leveling from around 10 to 20, but as he desperately searched for the teen's health bar, level, name, or his class. She tried her best to guess what he was thinking wasn't good. If his scan teknic wasn't working than how could he measure his strength? Leo gave a smirk; did he like it better that way? She took notice that the two had and instantly sparks began to fly, they wanted to fight, but for her family's sake Rarity guessed Leo kept his mouth shut.
"Rarity." The teen walked down the stairs to meet the mare. Bending down he smiled. "Oh my I haven't seen you in quite some time. What brings you over to my humble guild? I must say if you raised the money in such a short amount of time I am quite impressed. 10,000 bits is not an easy feat."
"Jester…" Rarity approached him and smiled. "No it is not an easy feat. It took everything I had to raise that money you see."
The teen known as Jester laughed at loud his mask portraying his joy. His hands reached out in front of the mare. "Well let's see it! Let's see the gold you hauled in!"
Rarity shook her head pushing his hands away with a hoof. She trotted around the teen examining the guilds base of operations. All around there were fairly low level players overseeing the work of the ponies they had kidnapped. Rarity casted a glance back at Leo, perhaps she had underestimated him. His strength would do her well if things were to go wrong.
"I'm afraid not. I will have to make sure that my family is safe and sound first." Rarity countered. She tensed a bit feeling a change in the air. The mare looked back to Leo who took a step forward and was now next to her. His fist was balled, but Rarity continued hesitantly. "Y-y-you see darling, I need to make sure that all of my hard work wasn't in vain."
Jester grinned widely removing his hood. Long golden locks fell to his shoulder. He nodded understanding her request and walked over to one of his guards. "Go ahead and make sure her sister is secure won't you. Make sure she has the collar on as well."
As Jester talked to the guard Leo bent down to Rarity and began to wiggle with her horn. "Hey I thought you said we were going to rescue Twilight…"
Rarity swatted his hand away and trotted off to follow the Jester as he signaled the two. "We shall do that in due time. But I have to put priority first. We'll find out where is Twilight after he's had his fun with us."
"Fun?" Leo asked looking confused at the mare. Rarity didn't answer she trotted after the guild leader. Leo followed silently balling his fists. Something defiantly didn't seem right here. He really didn't know anything about this guy at all. Rarity just bit her lip and hoped that he would play the Jester's mind games.
The two were ushered into a dinning room that closely resembled a mead hall. The food was extravagant, making Leo's mouth water at the sight. Rarity's ears drooped at the sight of humans eating like savages and the ponies who had joined their ranks as well. The Jester laughed wrapping his arm around the two, dragging them to the front of the table. "Come, come, and don't be shy! You will eat up here with me!"
The two both sat on opposite sides of the table while Jester sat at the helm. "You all remember Rarity don't you! That silly mare that tried to defy us!" The guild busted into laughter and Rarity did her best to remain calm in collected. Jester wrapped his arm around the mare chuckling as he took a huge gulp of the wine. "Oh come now my dear mare, I'm only pulling your tail. We had a deal right?"
Rarity put on a plastic smile nodding, but Leo frowned. Perhaps it was time for him to take over. Rarity's eyes flashed over to the boy noticing his nails were scrapping against the table. She was doing her best to keep the situation under control, but she quickly realized that Leo's temper was reaching its limits. She couldn't blame him either; she really didn't want to play the Jester's game. She rather just get her family and go.
"So Rarity…" Jester placed his bottle against the table examining the many golden rings and large gems on his fingers. "You never told me who the brat was?"
Rarity tensed feeling the Jester's grip around her grow tighter.
The Jester had a wicked smile on his face. The same smile he had when he had returned to the town with Trixie. He had that crazed look when he embarrassed Trixie once more by disowning her in the middle of the town. Rarity thought that the two were supposed to be partners, but this boy… He didn't stop with Trixie he took slaves, forced ponies to pay for their lives, and took Twilight and her family. Rarity knew well that if he could do all this, he had to be strong.
Leo on the other hand… She knew his strength. Rarity couldn't deny the kid had talent, but she brought him here and it didn't even faze the Jester. She mentally cursed herself. If playing strengths wasn't her game, than she would have to return to the first plan. Do this as stealthy as possible.
"Well…" Jester asked looking at Leo with a cocky smirk.
Rarity smiled once more standing up. "Leo is an acquaintance of mine, and yes he also my bodyguard. A lady walking into such a dangerous lair requires protection."
The Jester laughed slapping the table. "She's straight straight to the point and bloody honest. That's why I like you Rarity! You should join our guild, than you wouldn't have to worry about needed protection from a loser like that!"
Leo growled slamming his fist on the table as all the players around him fell into a frenzy. "Who the heck did you just call a loser? I'm not the one in that gaudy get up!" He pointed his finger accusingly at the boy.
Rarity smiled at his comment. She had to admit that the outfit was a bit drab.
The Jester's smile immediately disappeared. He glared at Leo, his golden eyes flashing under the mask. His hand fell to the base of his staff that sat against the table. "Watch where you point fingers at kid; don't do anything you might level might regret."
Rarity saw the situation escalating and stepped in between of the two. "Just relax boys, this feast isn't about whose the strongest now is it?" She laughed nervously. Rarity noticed they were running out of time as well. She couldn't keep on the charade that she actually had the bits. Surely if she were to see her family without the money the Jester would kill her and Leo. Rarity had to find Twilight and fast. "Uhm, I hope you don't mind, but I just going to go find the little fillies room."
Jester's smile returned. "Yeah, don't be long…"
Rarity took the opportunity to scurry away into the darkness. Everyone's eyes were on Leo. That she was grateful for. If he could keep the guild's attention while she located Twilight it would make things all the easier. Rarity lurked through the darkness making sure to avoid any guards. She casted her signature gem spell to move through the cave.
The whole cave illuminated in her sight. Countless gems appearing deep through the cavern, she was using her spell at its max potential. Rarity felt a bit woozy, but she held her ground as she scanned the entire cavern. The spell allowed her to see gems and the aura around them; she spotted countless slaves picking away at the ground, but couldn't find one sign of her family or Twilight.
Rarity narrowed her eyes to catch a glance, but she spotted not one purple coat. She sighed and looked down. A shimmer caught her eye. Rarity looked at the ground and saw that the earth wasn't as thick as it had been in some parts of the cave. Her eyes followed along a trail. There was a tunnel beneath the cavern and right under her- Rarity gasped. Right under her, the unicorn watched as aura's vibrations bounced off the walls and shaped into a unicorn, Twilight Sparkle.
The unicorn squealed with delight, hopping on her hooves, but quickly calmed her excitement. The mare released her spell as she searched for an entrance. The unicorn's eyes caught sight of two pegasi standing in front of stairs leading underground. Her hoof trailed threw her curl as she put on her best smile. If Rarity intended to get in, it was going to take drastic measures.
The unicorn sniffled a bit and limped out into the open where the guards could see her. Her eyes wet as the unicorn fell to her to her side kicking her hoofs into the air. "Oh why! The horror!"
The guards took quick notice and ran to her. "Prisoner why are you away from your post!"
"P-p-prisoner…" The unicorn looked miserably at the guards. "B-b-but I spent all morning getting ready, curling my hair, shining my hoofs and you think that I'm a work pony… I must be dirty, a no good dirty pony! I was a guest of the Jester… h-he thought I looked nice…" She kicked her feet out wildly going into a fit of wails.
The guards looked at each other. "No miss, you're not. You're quite the beautiful mare…"
Rarity looked up her mascara washing down her cheeks. "You're just saying that!"
The guards looked at each other questionably not knowing how to handle the situation. As their gazes returned to Rarity the found that she was gone? They looked all around high and low, but could not catch sight of the mare. Sighing they returned to their posts murmur about crazed unicorns.
Inside the underground tunnel Rarity trotted a triumphant smile on her face. "Silly colts, I can't believe they fell for that." Rarity looked around there were countless empty cells. She guessed that they were the slaves working above her on mining the gems. The mare had seen no other guards ahead when using her spell. Twilight was down here somewhere and she was getting close, she felt it. The mare looked worriedly above her. She wondered how Leo was fairing with the Jester.
No doubt. The two were probably at one another's throats. She had to hurry; it wouldn't be long until the Jester noticed her long absence. "Twilight? Oh Twilight?"
"R-Rarity…" A voice came from down the corridor.
The unicorns ears perked up and she dashed down the tunnel. Sure enough at the end behind bright blue bars was the unicorn she had sheltered, Twilight Sparkle. "Oh Twilight darling, I have been looking everywhere for you." Rarity smiled at the unicorn.
Twilight gave a warm smile at the sight of the unicorn, but a large growl from her tummy interrupted their reunion. The apprentice gave nervous laugh her face turning a bright red.
It was than when Rarity noticed that the mare was looking quite malnourished. She could see the bags under her eyes and the shakiness in her legs. Rarity placed her hoof against one of the bars, but got blasted back. Opening her eyes she drizzly stood to her feet. "What in Celestia was that?"
"Don't touch them!" Twilight shouted looking concerned. "It's some kind of spell. It will sap your magic if you get to close."
Rarity shook the dizziness out of her head. She saw what Twilight meant, after touching one of the bars she did feel a bit drained from the motion. Rarity turned around to see Spike who was lost in his sleep. She smiled warmly and looked to Twilight.
"Rarity, why did you come here?" Twilight asked her voice hoarse from the lack of water. "If the Jester finds out what you're doing, he'll-"
Rarity shook her head, brushing off her friends words. "That doesn't matter right now. We have to focus on getting you out of there. I need your help Twilight; we have to rescue my family and the other villagers from this awful guild. They'll keep terrozing ponies if no one stops them."
Twilight nodded looking around the cell. "There is nothing I can do in here, this cell in full proof, no weaknesses from the inside so my magic has no effect. Something is strange about this cell. It's like it is sapping my magic and pushing it into another source so I can't reach it."
Rarity looked around. She was not very good with science, but she understood what Twilight was saying. There had to be a reason, she knew it. There just had to be a particular reason that Twilight was trapped in here with her magic being sapped. Was it somehow connected to the gems, to the ponies mining? Rarity trotted around wondering… "Say Twilight what brought you here anyway?"
Twilight looked around nervously. "I'm not at liberty to talk about it. The case is very sensitive a quest from Princess Celestia."
Rarity's eyes widened. Twilight knew the Princess…
"I'm searching for two ponies. A thief and my friend, but I got a lead in Ponyville a clue that was somehow connected to illusions." Twilight trotted up to the bars her eyes pale. "But the only illusion I found here were Trixie's lies. Her magic wasn't as great as she made it out to be. It was a trick."
"Illusions…" Then it hit Rarity, the gems! Why else would the Jester want it? The gems here were worth money yes, but these were different from normal gems. This is why the aura of them was so powerful. The gems were magically connected. They took in magic and that made them even more expensive. She looked to Twilight. This unicorn was powerful. That is why he took her. To provide the proper mana needed. "The gems, their what's taking your magic!"
Twilight looked up surprised. "Of course… They were right under my nose the whole time."
Rarity took a couple of steps back. "You might want to cover your head Twilight…" The unicorn's horn began to glower an intense shade of blue. Rocks against the earth began o shake as countless gems fought their way out of the gravel. Countless colors spewed from out of the earth passing by Twilight and whisking past Spike's cage. Rarity trembled at the amount of magic she was using. She was quite skilled when it came to her type of magic. She usually only stuck to levitation and manipulation, but her own personalized spell was the ability to harness gems.
The gems gathered into a far pile away from the two.
The magical bars keeping Twilight trapped slowly began to vanish. The mare was quick to run to Rarity's side catching her as she fell. "Rarity are you alright?"
The unicorn rubbed her head. Wiping the sticky sweat off her face. "I'm sorry, that took a lot out of me." The unicorn murmured standing on her two feet. "My magic isn't as strong as yours Twilight."
"Are you kidding? Rarity that was amazing! No low level unicorn could perform the type of magic you did!" Twilight's comments made Rarity blush with embarrassment. Twilight trotted over to Spike's cage where she prodded him with her hoof. "Come on little guy, time to get out of here."
Spike yawned scratching his behind causing the two mares to look away. "Huh, is that Alex guy finally here."
Twilight gave an unreadable expression shaking her head at her baby dragon. "No sign of him at all…"
"Oh well…" Spike turned back over regaining his sleeping position. "What do you mean it's time to go than?"
"Arghhh!" Twilight groaned picking him up with her magic. "We're getting out of here Spike!"
Rarity ran in front of Twilight to intercept her. "But wait, not without my-"
A chuckle came behind the three. Rarity's spine turned ice cold as she slowly turned to see the Jester towering over her a wicked grin on his face. The teen grabbed Rarity by the horn and shoved her back. Behind him his guard held a tied up Leo. The boy struggled in the rope. He looked grimmly at Rarity whose eyes widened.
"I thought something was wrong…" The Jester smiled. "The brat just couldn't keep his mouth shut would he?" The guild's leader put his hand under his mask where he held his cheek. It was swollen, rubbing it he sighed. "I had to admit he had some pack to his punch…"
Rarity's eyes shifted to Leo after hearing the Jester's words. Had the boy blown their cover? "Leo?"
Jester laughed as he approached Leo and slammed his fist against his head. The boy in the ropes squirmed at the Jester laughed manically at his helplessness. "No need to ask him Rarity, of course he spilled the beans! This brat isn't like you Rarity." Jester walked over to Rarity. "I felt that spark as soon as the both of you entered here. That special bond… it gives you power, but neigh he and you were not meant to be Rarity…"
The unicorn had no idea what he was talking about.
Twilight on the other hand stood in place as if his words had shaken her.
Leo struggled under the henchmen's gripped growling. "Rarity don't listen to him he's-!" The Jester turned around his hand a bright blue and chopped Leo over the head. The boy's head ricocheted of the blow and he fell unconscious. The Jester's smile disappeared as he looked to Leo. With the flick of his hand he muttered. "Get rid of him."
Rarity's eyes widened as she took a couple of steps after the guards, but the Jester intercepted her. "Where are you taking him!?"
Twilight's eyes widened as she scooped Spike up on her back and with lightning speed spud off after the two. "C'mon Rarity!"
The Jester ran his hand threw his hair. Removing his mask the teen revealed a wicked grin under his eyes. He ticked his finger at the unicorn that lifted a hoof to follow after her friend. "I wouldn't try it."
One of the guards behind him had in his arms a squirming Sweetie Belle. Her sister screamed out to her desperately. "Rarity!"
"Sweetie Belle! " The unicorn tried to go to her sister, but the Jester intercepted her. He waved for the guards to take Sweetie Belle away. "You have an interesting power Rarity and now that the brat is out of the way we can truly harness it. I had a proposition for you Rarity and you broke it… but I am forgiving I will give you another chance."
The unicorn stood silent anger burning in her. She was near tears as it was. The Jester kneelt to her height, lifting her chin up. "Your town is going to get destroyed… and once that is complete. You will join me in the place of your sister."
Rarity opened her mouth to speak a tear falling from her cheek. Looking away she whimpered and nearly nodded in agreement.
Deep in the forest Twilight was being chased by countless guards as she ran in an attempt to escape. She had lost the guard carrying Leo in the forest when countless humans had seen her bolting out of the cavern. The unicorn felt awful, Rarity hadn't made it out and that young boy that had been with her was gone. She felt Spike gripping tight onto her mane. It pained her, but she kept running in fear of her life.
The guards never let up, pegasi stayed above keeping sight of her.
Twilight weaved through the dense trees attempting to stay out of sight, but to no avail.
It wasn't long before the game of cat and mouse would come to an end. The unicorn's hooves brought her to a dead end. Behind her sprawled a huge lake. Twilight scrapped her hoofs nervously against the earth. "Spike…"
"What are we gonna do! What are we going to do?" The baby dragon panicked.
The guards ran to intercept the pony a mage at the front. Twilight pulled Spike close to her the unicorn's horn turned a bright purple. "Hold on Spike…" The mage in the front of the packs hands ignited bright red flames. Twilight let out a battle cry as she ran forward firing the spell at the mage. The two spells collided insuring in an explosion. All the mare felt before she blacked out was the Spike's voice upon her and the cold encumbrance of the lake.