//------------------------------// // Blaze // Story: Celestia's Oldest Friend // by midashguy //------------------------------// Will rolled out a massive map of Equestria and its bordering countries on the wooden table. The group had made its way back to the other room, which Will had informed them was going to be their base of operations. "Okay, Our enemy, the Cult of the Spectral Hoof, had an old base right here." Will said, pointing to a spot just north of Neighagra Falls. "They occupied an ancient castle, it was here before Equestria was founded. I have reason to believe that it was built by humans long ago." Will explained. "Why do you say that?" Arigos asked. "The design of the building, it looks like structures from my world, sort of." Will said. "How do we know they are there?" Arigos inquired. "We don't, I'm going to assume that they aren't there. So where would the most logical place for a building to house murderous psychopaths be?" Will pondered half jokingly. "Las Pegasus?" Princess Luna joked. "Hmm, actually that's a possibility. Its worth checking out." Will said seriously. "You just want to go to Las Pegasus." Arigos muttered, rolling his eyes. "True, but it would be a good place for them to hide, seeing as it would be in plain sight." Will countered. "What about in or around the Everfree?" Celestia asked. "True... no wonder there were so many trying to kill me when I was there." Will said, rubbing his chin. "Wait, WHAT? Will what did I say about putting yourself in danger?" Celestia barked. "Calm down, its not like too many actually managed to hit me. Just one or two." Will shrugged. It was at this moment that Will caused an event to happen that has only happened a few times in recorded history. Both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia face-hoofed at the same time. Chances are that this rare event may not happen again for at least a few centuries. It will most likely be Will's doing next time it happens as well. "Moving on, the Everfree forest IS an excellent place for them to hide, if a bit cliché." Will commented. "True, do you know how many detective books I've read where the villain's lair is in the Everfree forest? A lot of them." Arigos agreed. Every living thing in the room gave the changeling a funny look. "What?" Arigos asked. "You...read detective stories?" Will questioned, trying to hold back a grin. "Yea, Its how I keep my wits sharp." Arigos said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Big Mac rolled his eyes. "We are digressing away from our task. Are we agreed that we are going to the Everfree forest? Yes or no." Will asked. "I guess so." Arigos said. "Eeyup." Big Mac agreed. "Then lets go." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Arigos hadn't felt so sore in ages, Will had convinced them that they had to avoid populated areas, so that civilians couldn't interfere. What Will had forgotten to mention was that in order to do so, they had to trek around the borderline of Ponyville. Big Macintosh was a farm pony through and through, so he wasn't complaining, and Will didn't seem to notice the distance of their journey in the least. If this was because of magic, or simply that he was absorbed in the task ahead, Arigos wasn't sure. Arigos himself, however, had become a bit of a city pony. He was still healthy and physically fit, but he had gotten use to the luxury of the apartment that had been paid for by his detective work. He wasn't pampered, but the idea of sleeping in the dirt and grass of the forest didn't appeal to him much. It wasn't until after sundown that they decided to lit a fire and rest for the night. Big Mac went out and gathered a decent amount of firewood, and Will surprised them both by simply grabbing one of the logs, and laughed as they both sat stunned as it burst into flames in his hands. Will had volunteered to stay awake and keep watch while the others slept, and nopony protested. Not much had been said on the trip, since Big Mac rarely spoke, and Arigos always did keep to himself. Will just sat there, staring into the dancing fire. He was thinking of many things, not just of the task at hand, but what consequences this adventure may bring. The fire that he tended that night reminded him so much of the fire that inhabited his soul. The blue phoenix feather in his possession was permanently attached to him, this gave him great powers, great magic, yet brought with it terrible curses. No matter if he wanted to or not, he could not die by any means. It tortured him, burning his very essence, leving nothing but ash. Perhaps it would be better to die, He thought, Then live this cursed life. At least the Spectral Hoof would get what they want....No...What if other humans find their way here? They would be helpless. I have to finish what I started. Snap. What was that? Will thought, as he tensed up. He could hear the rustle of leaves, and then the sound of more twigs snapping. He braced for trouble. His fists clenched, he stood up to his full height, and if you looked carefully, you could see fire burning in the center of his eyes. Everything about him said that he was ready for a fight. "Mac, Arigos, wake up. We got trouble." Will instructed, his voice steady. "...Wha?" Arigos asked, still half asleep. Slowly six Timberwolves circled around the group. Will could see the blood lust in their wooden eyeholes, they were ready for a hunt. Before Will or anypony could react, the first wolf pounced.