//------------------------------// // lviii - Demeter, the Calm Before the Storm // Story: The Path of Absolution - Punishment // by Morningstar1337 //------------------------------// Legion and his acquaintance, Cthulhu were preparing the ritual. The body of Ithaqua laid in the center of an altar. Several windigoes circled the altar. Legion went to the the top of the altar and the frozen Gale Force, “Thou may not be Celestia, but thy hatred shall be sufficient enough for my return.” Around the frozen altar. seven trumpets of many hues lay in stands, awaiting to be played. Cthulhu spoke words beyond comprehension. Legion said, “The ritual is almost ready? Good. And thanks for posting that last seal there.” The tendrils on Cthulhu’s face wrapped around one of the trumpets. He began playing the trumpet. A few hours earlier in Canterlot, The Sun had just set. Star Song, Flitter, Cloudchaser, and Thunderlane went to the hospital. The pegasi saw that the hospital was wrecked by the previous day’s earthquake. There were bloodstains left from crushed patients and doctors. Cloudchaser said, “Gale? Gale?” One of the doctors approached the pegasi. “You’re looking for Gale Force?” “You know where he is?” Thunderlane said. The doctor said, “I’m sorry, but he flew away a few days ago. We tried to see if he was still in the hospital, but well, this happened.” He gestured to the rubble. The team was worried. They wondered what would have happened to Gale Force. The doctor said, “Suffice it to say, we couldn't find him here. If he was here, we would have found his corpse by now.” “But if Gale’s not here,” Flitter said. “Then where did he go?” Cloudchaser stormed off to find Shining Armor. She had a hunch where Gale went. In the castle, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle, Shining Armor, Spike, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Princess Cadence were discussing the seven seals. The talismans were nearby, as were the Elements of Harmony. Princess Celestia looked to Diamond Tiara said, “Tell me what happened at the Unicorn Range. And why did you go there.” Diamond Tiara knew that she had to face the consequences of her actions. She said, “There was a voice at the school. It said  that I was destined for great things. I wanted to know what my destiny is.” She looked at her cutie mark. “I guess I was jealous.” Celestia said, “Did you see who the voice belonged to?” Diamond Tiara said, “Of course! It was that stupid windigo, Legion. You told me that the windigoes were using me but you want to know who was pulling the strings?” Celestia said, “I see.” She knew that Legion had manipulated the filly for awhile, but her suspicion were confirmed. Fluttershy went outside and saw several storm clouds. She felt worried for the ponies and animals under those storm clouds. Apple Bloom said, “You said you were jealous? Of whom?” Diamond Tiara sighed and looked at Apple Bloom, “Of you. You and that stupid blank flank of yours. You don't know your destiny or talent, but at least it would be more useful than wearing jewelry all day.” Silver Spoon felt a little worried about her friend. Diamond Tiara said, “And then there’s the fact that your family is always there for you. All I have is a father that is always busy and a friend I nearly froze to death.” Scootaloo said, “This feeling like a bad drama or something.” Luna said, “Anyway, we should get down to the matter at hand.” Luna and Celestia explained about Ithaqua, the true leader of the windigos,his connection to Legion, and the last of the seven seals. Twilight looked to the talismans. She wondered if they have a purpose in the mysterious ritual. Rainbow Dash said, “So, seven seals, Ithaqua, a ritual, and the end of the world, got it. But why did Legion choose fillies to wield the talismans.” Diamond Tiara knew the reason she was chosen to be their “queen”. She said, “I’m not sure why the Cutie Mark Crusaders were chosen, but i think I was chosen because they and the other fillies hated me so much.” Luna said, “That is likely, the windigoes do feed on hatred.” Silver Spoon sensed a different kind of hatred from Diamond Tiara. She said, “It’s not your fault, Diamond Tiara.” Sweetie Belle said, “It’s not?” Applejack said, “That still didn’t explain why my sister and her friends had the other talismans.” Celestia said, “The seals on the talismans cause a side effect. Because of their former masters’ desires and hunger. the magic caused them to become attracted to ponies that brought strife, whether by choice, incident or otherwise.” The Crusaders remembered the reason the Foal Free Press. The school paper they wrote their gossip for. The paper that almost ruined their friendship and sent them on a self-exile to the Everfree Forest. Diamond Tiara remembered being editor for the school paper as well. Silver Spoon was worried about her friend. Diamond Tiara said. “I have to go.” She left the room. Silver Spoon followed. Lyra and BonBon were trotting around the castle. They saw Cloudchaser, Flitter, Star Song, and Thunderlane flying to the castle. “Hey guys,” Lyra said. “Something wrong?” “Gale Force is missing,” Star Song said. “We want to speak with Shining Armor,” Cloudchaser said. The six mares went into the castle. Elsewhere Diamond Tiara looked to the disastrous skies. Silver Spoon walked up to her? “Diamond Tiara?” Silver Spoon said. Diamond Tiara looked back to Silver Spoon and cried. “I’ve been a lousy friend, haven't I?” “It wasn’t your fault,” Silver Spoon said. “At least not this time.” Diamond Tiara said, “It’s been awhile since I’ve met you like this.” She wondered if she could make amends with those she wronged. Silver Spoon said, “Just know that I will no matter what happens, I’ll be by your side.” Diamond Tiara said, “Thanks.” The two fillies went back to the others. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were back in the room. Theys aw the Cutie Mark Crusaders playing and the bearers of the Elements of Harmony discussing with the Princesses. Lyra, BonBon, Cloudchaser, Flitter, Star Song, and Thunderlane entered the room. They saw Shining Armor nearby. Cloudchaser said, “Sir, something's wrong.” Shining Armor said, “What is it?” Flitter said, “Part of the hospital had collapsed had collapsed, and Gale Force is nowhere to be seen.” Shining Armor said, “Okay, The royal guard had evacuated as many ponies as they could, but they didn’t see Gale Force there.” Cloudchaser said, “I think he might had gone after the windigoes.” “What?” Shining Armor said. Suddenly Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara, SIlver Spoon, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie heard a trumpet. The sound of the trumpet was so loud that those eleven ponies writhed in pain, but no one else heard it. Spike and Shining Armor went to Twilight. “Twili? What’s wrong?” Twilight tried to cover her ears, but she still heard the trumpet. “Too... loud.” Princess Celestia saw what was happening and cast a spell. Her horn glowed yellow as the room was covered in a veil of magic. The noise stopped. “What happened?” Applejack said. Princess Celestia said, “I have a feeling that Legion was calling us.” “But why?” Apple Bloom said. Twilight looked to the Crown of Conquest, the Sword of War, the Scales of Life and the Scythe of Death. Celestia looked at the talismans as well. Just then she heard a knock on the door. “Come in,” she said. The door opened to reveal thirteen ponies. The fillies, and the bearers recognized the ponies instantly. They were the ponies the group met during the trials. “So, guess you heard the trumpets?” Capricornus said. Twilight wondered where they had been after they escaped the talismans. Luna said, “It’s been a while.” Rainbow dash said, “Wait? You know these ponies?” Taurus said, “She helped Star Swirl with the spell needed to create us.” “So, does that mean you know where Legion is?” Sweetie Belle said. “I said to follow the trumpets, didn't I?” Taurus said. Celestia said, “The sound you heard came from the Frozen North.” “So that’s where Ithaqua’s body is?” Shining Armor said. Celestia nodded. “Than what are we waiting for?” Scootaloo said. “I’m afraid you can’t come,” Luna said. “But why?” Apple Bloom said. “Apple Bloom, it’s too dangerous,” Applejack said. “Aw, come on,” Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle said, “This mess started because of us. At least give us a chance to set things right.” Celestia looked at the talismans and saw that they had vanished. Luna said, “What do we do, sister?” Celestia said, “We don’t know how powerful Ithaqua had grown. I’m afraid we need more help. Right now, these fillies may know more about the windigoes than we do.” She moved towards the fillies. “You can come.” Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Sweetie Belle were excited. They shouted, “Cutie Mark Crusaders Demonslayers! Yay!” The sounds of their voices pushed everypony else back a little. Applejack said, “I hope we don’t wind up regretting it.” She, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight Sparkle put on their Elements. Shining Armor said, “I’ll gather the rest of the troops.” The ponies and Spike prepared to confront Legion. In the Frozen North, Cthulhu finished playing the trumpet. The four talismans had appeared in front of Ithaqua’s corpse. “Good, old friend,” Legion said. “Now we wait for the last pieces before proceeding.” Cthulhu stepped away from the trumpets and the two await the ponies.