//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7: Rising Hope 
// Story: Time Fetch 
// by MrAwesome343 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 7: Rising Hope


The train had stopped at a station near Smokey Mountain.
"We need to get more coal if we want to make the long trek to Van Hoover," explained one of the engineers. "It may take a while, so you can leave the train for a little while if you want. We won't leave until we get the 'go-ahead.'"
"Alright, then. You four go into town and see if you can get anypony to stop being afraid of Equestria. I'm going to patrol around for some extra coal and wood or something for the engine," Taro instructed the team.
"Are you sure?" Silus asked.
"Yeah, you're going to be heading into a branch of the Everfree Forest," Rainbow Dash stated.
"Don't worry about me. I've got Kveykva. I'll be fine."
"Be careful, Taro," Rainbow Dash requested.


Taro ventured through the expanse of the trees in the dangerous, earth-like forest. Despite its danger, the forest almost always seemed so calm to Taro. A branch shifted in the wind out of the corner of Taro's eye, but he paid it no mind.
Birds flew away from the trees, startled by Taro's presence. He liked being with his friends again, but he like having this time to himself. A faint growl erupted from behind Taro. He turned to investigate. A pack of Timber Wolves started circling Taro. Smirking, he drew Kveykva from beneath his overcoat.
The wolves pounced, slashing and tearing, trying to gain the upper hand against the powerful hero. Taro slashed the head off one of them and knocked it back. After a minute, it brought itself back.
"That's what I hate most about these things," Taro muttered to himself.
A Timber Wolf tried to attack Taro's back, but it was stopped, not by Taro, but by a girl. A human girl with sort red hair and a silver short sword. She slashed and stabbed at the wolves behind Taro while he hit the ones on his front. "Yeah, I hate these things," she said.
"I take it you deal with these things a lot?"
"Way too often. Although, I have found a pretty fun way to get rid of them."
"And that is?" Taro stood his guard as the Timber Wolves continued their onslaught.
"Brisingr!" she shouted from behind Taro. All the wolves were retreating, following one with his whole face on fire.
Taro slowly put down his sword, his face in awe.
"There. Impressive, huh? Human using magic?"
"What did you just say..."
"Impressive, huh?"
"No, before that. You said brisingr. You said and manipulated fire. Where did you learn the Ancient Language?"
"My mentor taught me."
"What was his name?"
"Alexander."
"Impossible. No, I know an Alexander. DID know an Alexander. How could he teach you? The Alex I know is dead by now."
"My friends believed I was going to be the one to save Equestria. They sacrificed their energy to make me younger."
"Well, they must've had a strong belief in you."
"What about you? How do you know the language?"
"I'm the one who brought it to Equestria two thousand years ago."
"No... No, you can't be.  What's your name?"
"I am Taro, Dragon Rider of Old, King of Equestria."
"King of Equestria, huh? Well you're doing a pretty crappy job."
"It's not my fault, I was protecting my friends. It may not have turned out well, but I didn't have very long to make my decision. Anyway, what's your name?"
"I don't really have a name. Well, I used to. I stopped caring about it, though. Everyone who met me, though, calls me the rising hope, so I guess you can call me that."
"Rising Hope. I kind of like it."
"Well I meant The Rising, but that works too."
"Come along, Hope. I've got some ponies to introduce you to."
"Why introduce me?"
"Because you want to end this dark period in Equestria. And we know how to do it."


Taro and Rising returned to the small town to find Silus and Rainbow Dash moving clouds and Twilight and Faust helping rebuild the various buildings with the other ponies.
"So, did you hear anything from the engineer, Taro? Oh and another question. Did you bring home another stray?" Faust asked sarcastically.
"Gee, thanks. I already feel welcome, Taro," Rising said to Taro.
"I'm only kidding. I'm Faust, one of the rulers of Equestria."
"Oh, another ruler who failed to protect our country from some kind of invader."
"Well it's not MY fault, Taro was supposed to..."
"What? Don't pin the blame on me!"
"Hey, Faust. I'm only kidding."
Faust was speechless, her words twisted around herself.
"Taro, who's your new friend?" Rainbow Dash asked, flying down next to them.
"This is Rising Hope. Well, that's what she calls herself anyway."
"Finally a normal name," Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Hi, I'm Rainbow Dash.
"A decent greeting. She's winning, Faust," Rising joked.
Just then, one of the engineers came to them in the town square, telling them that they were set to go.