//------------------------------// // Hoard Robbing // Story: Out of my Element // by TheLostwriter //------------------------------// Out of my Element Chapter 8: Hoard Robbing Under the hidden door was a spiral staircase that wove downward through the trees tap root. I looked at the two unicorns, gave them a weak smile and started down the stairs. I didn't expect them to follow me down so quickly but they were right behind me. As I walked I began to hum, and once we reached the bottom of the roughly three story stairwell, I sang with the tune I had been humming, "but Duck Tales, oo-oo!" "What," asked Rarity? "Look," shouted Twilight from behind her. The room we arrived in had a long hallway with a stripe of material along the ceiling that glowed filling the area with a soft white light. The hallway exited into a second room with a deep stone pit, so deep that the bottom could not be seen, and no discernible way across. "Well I guess that's why we need a pegasus," said Twilight as she looked down into the pit, her sarcasm echoing back. "Maybe not," I said with a smile as I scooped up some dirt and stone, then threw the hoof-ful across the pit, hoping this was one of Jacks test's for me. I was right, the stones scattered across a hidden bridge. "Yes," I muttered pulling the outstretched leg back into a victory pump. "Where did you, why did you think to do that," asked Twilight. "Indiana Jones." "Who?" "Think of a human Daring Do," I said with a smile as I started down the narrow path. "Fool," I muttered to no one but meant it for Jack, he hid this from everyone but intended me to find it. What if I never did or if something he created was needed, hiding it away behind these traps was dangerous and foolish, I thought. I walked slowly watching my foot placement on the narrow stone bridge. I was about half way across when I looked back and saw that both unicorns were still on the first landing. "Come on, let's go," I called out to them only to be interrupted by my feet not finding the path. I collapsed forward tucking my body down to the floor doing my best not to nose dive into the pit.  "Aw shi," my expletive was cut off by a sharp pain at the base of my tail along with the sudden appearance of a piece of cloth choking me as it was pulled back lifting me back onto the stone path. Once my hoofs were firmly back on stone I looked back at the two unicorns, Rarity was folding up the piece of cloth and Twilight was looking past me. "Thank you," I whispered my throat still tight from being rescued by garrote. I shook my head then looked around at the end of the path it just stopped, path just stopped half way across the pit. Unbelievable, I thought.   "Welcome," said a deep booming voice from the platform on the other side. I jumped, almost losing my balance a second time, and before I realized it I was standing back with unicorns. Once I was safe I turned to look at the voices owner. It was a unicorn with a long beard, a pointed hat and a flowing robe, all transparent blue. "Welcome, my little ponies," it said in the same echoing voice, there also seemed to be a slight laugh in it's voice but it disappeared as it continued. "I am Star Swirl the Bearded. I congratulate you on getting this far. However before I give you access to my knowledge and power you must prove you are ready and that is where you failed. The challenges before you will test many traits such as intelligence and courage. Thus far you have proven these as well as loyalty to the one who almost fell but you will need more. Do not attempt this again without proper preparation, good day." The image stood motionless for just a moment after finishing speaking then it disappeared. Almost immediately upon its disappearance the room was filled with a bright light blue glow and the two unicorns and I appeared outside the library, in front of Applejack. "What the hay is going' on here," asked the orange pony, "Why'd you just teleport out of the library is Pinkie going on about pickle barrels again?" "I didn't do it this time Applejack," said Twilight stumbling around, “I feel funny, and not the good funny." "There's a bad kind of funny," asked Pinkie as she popped in to the conversation from behind the tree. "Twilight, dear sit down," said Rarity lying on the grass, "I think this is part of a security system, my magic’s been drained." I hadn't moved since the transport, not because I didn't want to but because I felt exhausted. I was tired but my body didn't feel sore but I didn't feel as energetic as usual. I took a staggering step forward, stumbled, caught myself and sat down. "You're not the only one that feels off. I feel like I just ran a triathlon but without the sore muscles." "Hey with your magic gone how are you going to check the wards," asked Pinkie. Twilight's eyes dilated and she started speaking fast, "No, no, no. If he took our magic, he might have taken the magic of the wards." She looked at me shaking her head, "I'm not sleeping, and I’m not doing that again." "Hey," I replied slightly indignant before I realized I had spoken. "That's not what I meant," she shouted with a disgusted face. "It's not that I don't like you Steel, I just don't like you that way." Rarity stood up slowly and said, "I think, we all regret things we did to some degree. However discussing it does not solve the current problem of, I don't have my MAGIC!" "Now Girls," began Applejack, "calm down, we need to get all of you to the clinic." She looked at the other earth pony, "Pinkie I need you to go find Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash let them know that we're meeting at the hospital today." "Okie dokie lokie," replied the mare with pink mane while giving a salute. "Find Spike as well," I added as she headed into town. She gave me a salute and continued her bouncing stride as she disappeared behind a building. "Alright, get off your flanks let's go," grumbled the orange earth pony as she herded us towards the hospital. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy had been hiding in her cottage today, like she had every day since the dream. A little white bunny carried an extremely fancy salad over to her. "Oh thank you Angel," she said in a soft tone almost singing, "but you shouldn't be here. What if I became a monster again?" The little bunny shook its head and stamped its foot refusing to leave.   The pegasus smiled and said, "alright then." As she was about to take the first bite of salad, she heard a knock at the door. The butter yellow mare jumped and dove for a hiding spot before asking, "Who is it?" "It's Pinkie Pie." "Oh, okay. I'll be at Twilight's latter I was about to eat." "Twilight is in the hospital, so is Steel and Rarity. Applejack told me to get you, Rainbow Dash, and Spike, well Steel told me to get Spike, so that we can talk to the princesses." "Oh dear," muttered Fluttershy as she slowly walked to the door. "Come on Fluttershy you're being super shy today, I need you to go find Rainbow." "Okay," said Fluttershy with a wince as she opened the door. "Hi, good to see you," said Pinkie almost shouting. She paused looking around like she had never done so before and said, "Hey you're house is inside a tree just like Twilight's." Fluttershy shied away then looked at her friend while hiding behind the door. "Well, no, Twilight's is actually a single tree shaped and molded by magic. Mine is made of several trees grafted and shaped together and took a lifetime to grow. At least that's what the earth pony that I bought it from told me." "Cool," muttered Pinkie in an absent manner. "Well I'm off to find Spike, she smiled and began to skip off singing to herself. "He's with Big Macintosh walking around the orchard," Fluttershy said with a smile before flying off towards Rainbow Dash's house. It took several bouncing strides before Pinkie fully processed what she had been told. She was in mid bounce when her brain had translated Fluttershy's words into meaning. Her Stomach fell and she landed on her face. Looking up she coughed the dirt out of her mouth and thought, Big Mac, he's the only pony I haven't been able to face, as her mane collapsed covering her eyes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------   "Finally," muttered Decimal as they reached the ancient castle of the two sisters. He walked through the clearing, watching the ruckus of camp being set. He had never even thought of camping and he found this interesting.   "Hey Decimal, we're sending the first team into the ruins. Do you want to come along?" The green earth pony glanced skyward at the voices owner. It was a bright orange pegusus mare with a red and yellow fading mane. "Who's going," he asked. "Logia, Percetio, and I, we were hoping you would come along." Decimal looked around at the camp. If he stayed he would probably be put to work. "I think I'll go with you," he said slowly. The two started towards the ruins when Decimal asked, "Firestorm, why are you going with us into the ruins. A pegasus can't do much when they can't fly." "True, but members of Dressage are trained in several forms, of defensive combat; one is being trained in martial arts for close quarters." She winked at the green earth pony and then took to the air, flying over the ruins to the fractured entry hall. Decimal grumbled and picked up his pace catching up to the rest of the group. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Everypony calm down," said Nurse Tenderheart in a loud, almost predatory grumble. "All your magic will return shortly, however I've never seen something like this in an earth pony." "What do you mean," I asked as I looked up at the nurse.   She sighed and said, "All of us have some amount of magic in our bodies, pegasus use it to fly, to control and manipulate clouds and to form weather systems. Due to lack of use most earth ponies can't use it consciously but it takes form in them healing quicker and being physically stronger." "So you’re tellin' me I can use magic," asked Applejack skeptically, "why hasn't anyone ever told me this." "I thought you knew, I thought everyone knew," stammered Twilight. "Now dear, don't feel bad. I didn't know either," admitted Rarity trying to comfort her friend. "Well anyway all three of you will be back in tip top shape in about two weeks or so, I do suggest that you abstain from magic use for about a week," said the nurse looking over her clip board. "If you try to use your magic too early you might burn out." The two unicorns gasped their eyes widened in horror at the idea, I looked from them to the nurse and asked, "Burn out?" "Yes," she said while still looking at the clipboard, "it's a condition that rarely occurs in the more civilized portions of Equestria. However on the frontier, unicorns will over use their magic in a survival situation and damage their ability to absorb and generate more magic." "So it's like a super back blast?" "To some degree, it's usually painful enough that ponies get the message that any more is a bad idea. After all pain is the body's way of saying stop that stupid," she said nose still in the clipboard. "Steel you're free to go, however I would like to do some more tests on you two." She looked at the unicorns as she continued, "As I've said it's almost unheard of that a unicorn would lose all their magic but retain the ability to generate it, we would like to keep an eye on you, tonight might be painful." The two unicorns gave each other worried glances before acquiescing to the nurse’s request. "Now one of the first things I would like to do is get a magnetic magic resonance image." I stood beside Applejack and blinked a few times and thought a MRI, a MRI that can see magic as well. This world can't make up its mind what it is. One minute it's the fifteen hundred’s in Europe, then the late eighteen hundreds in the wild west, and then this. Where are the zeppelins, or the, "Gah," I grunted in frustration and sat down, "I think I'll wait here if people don't mind." "Well you can't wait in the examining room, but we have a room you all can wait in one of the upper wing lobbies that's where there rooms will be," the nurse said with a smile."However before you all get up there I would like to run you both through the MMRI as soon as possible." The two unicorns nodded in agreement, and she continued, "Alright then if you will follow me we can take care of these tests." The nurse led our little group through the hospital. I was at the back as we walked doing my best not to lose my bearings in the labyrinth of hallways. As we passed one hallway that lead out to the main waiting room I heard a familiar voice arguing with the check in nurse. I told Applejack that I would head for the waiting room and corral the others, then wait for her to come get the rest of us. She nodded and I headed out into the waiting room, the familiar voice was Rainbow Dash arguing with Nurse Redheart. As I entered the room Fluttershy staggered in through the main entrance gasping and out of breath. "If you won't tell me where they are I'll find them myself," shouted Rainbow. "I've told you, they haven't been assigned a room yet and you will have to wait," growled the nurse. "Fine, I'm going," replied the cyan pegasus as she prepared to take off.   "No ya don't," grunted the nurse as she grabbed Rainbow by the waist and pulled her to the ground, "You're waiting here, I've had to deal with that pink terror to many times for an amateur like you to get by." Rainbow grunted when she hit the ground and looked up to see me, "Steel," she cried happily, "can you tell this over active security guard to let me go!" She grumbled as she tried to pry the nurse’s arms off of her. "Hi RD," I looked up at the butter yellow pegasus nodded and said, "Fluttershy. The nurses have given us a clean bill of health, but they want to scan them with a MMRI." "Oh thank goodness," said Fluttershy with a sigh. "So why can't I see them," demanded Rainbow. "There in the MMRI room right now, Applejack will come get us whenever there done." "I guess that will work," muttered the cyan mare. Fluttershy walked over and asked, "What happened?" "We found Star Swirl's lab but his security system drained everyone's magic and then transported us out." "Oh dear, that's not good," replied Fluttershy softly. "So what," asked Rainbow final free of the nurse, both were eying each other suspiciously. "It means that Twilight and Rarity can't use their magic for anything big for a few weeks." "That sucks, but you're okay right?" asked Dash. I smiled slightly as I replied, "Yeah, just feeling a little weak." "That's good I don't know what I would do if all the magic in my body was taken out," said Dash while looking over her shoulders at her flexing wings. Both Fluttershy and I stared at the Rainbow pegasus, surprise showing on our faces. "What, you think I wouldn't read up on ways to improve my flying. I became the fastest pegasus in Equestria through talent, but I needed to read on what others found out to improve everything else. It's no good to just be fast in a straight line." "Does that mean that the wards are gone," asked the other pegusas. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened when she realized what Fluttershy was asking, "Oh what the hey, for your sake I hope not." "Well we're waiting on Pinkie to get here with Spike so we can inform the Princess," I said grimly. All of a sudden I thought of the circlet and pulled it out of my saddlebag. The two pegasi looked at it with wide eyes and watched in silence as I placed it on my head. I felt it click onto the implants then it beeped and ran through its test cycle like nothing had happened. "Well that's a good sign," I paused and thought, at least you think so but what do you know about magic. I laughed and added "at least I hope so." As if on cue Pinkie sprung into the hospital followed by an audible groan from the nurse along with Spike and Big Mac following her through the door. Suddenly the nurse was attempting to stare down two ponies in the waiting room and she wasn't happy about it.   "Hi everypony," shouted Pinkie. The nurse shushed her but kept watching everyone. "Hi everypony," repeated Pinkie in a near whisper. "Hi Pinkie, Spike, Big Mac," I said while nodding at each. Spike walked up to me, conviction in his eyes, "What did you do, Steel?" "I didn't do anything, I was affected as well, and we were trying to get into the lab." "If they are hurt in any way I'm holding you responsible," his pupils narrowed, and a little flame licked out of his mouth as he spoke. Big Mac stayed silent but every other pony involved began to speak, telling the little dragon to calm down, including Applejack as she came out into the room. "Now Spike, you know even if it was his fault Rarity and Twi wouldn't want you to do anything drastic, and it's not worth arguing about, there going' to be fine. The MMRI showed that they still have the wards and enchantments, but the wards are slowing' down their recovery." Spike's eyes widened in and as he inhaled a gasp his mouth formed into a smile, as he ran over to give the orange earth pony a hug. "They’re going to be okay," he sobbed into her shoulder. "That's right the doctors are giving them one last once over before letting them loose," she said as she put her hat back on. "I would have thought they would keep them overnight," stated Rainbow with a concerned expression. "The nurse wanted too but the doctor overruled that he said there were no evident injuries so they couldn't keep them," answered Applejack.   "We need to contact the Princess quickly, and let her know what's going on," I paused for a second and facehoofed myself. "If these wards are anything like the ones she put on me at the beginning she would know if one was broken let alone three." "Twi said something about that earlier, but she said that the enchantments might be weakened or disfigured so they don't work right," replied AJ "Well then I guess we should work on that letter anyway," I commented. "Eeyup,” added Big Mac. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The ursan's stomach rumbled and Nightmare knew it had been in the body for too long, but there were no other suitable candidates to inhabit. There was the green wurm in the cave further in the forest but dragons tended to have will's stronger than any pony, and a lazy streak that would do the blue mist no good. It was time for the ursan to hunt. It let the beast's natural instincts take over hiding itself in the predators mind. It smelt food; the smell brought forth images that raced through the creatures mind. Roasted peppers, onions, vegetable, there was only one thing that could be in this forest that would generate such smells. It laughed in the creatures mind, ponies. Sentients always had more life energy than beasts. The ursa approached the cave opening. It was daylight too early to hunt, a few more hours. It had to wait a few more hours for the sun to fall and then it would eat. Nightmare grumbled to itself while hiding in the bears mind I’ll have a new body soon. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The search of the ruins had been fruitless, but it had kept him from the hard work in setting up the camp. It surprised Decimal how much it bothered him that they had not been able to make it to the old library. The castle had collapsed and become unstable in the years since it's abandonment. Digging it out without the proper tools would be too dangerous even with the unicorns present. As the group came out of the ruins he could smell the vegetables roasting on an open fire pit. His stomach growled, and he frowned, never before had he been this hungry. Logia giggled slightly before saying, "You're right that does smell good." Decimal blushed slightly and took a sliding sideways step to spread the group out now that they were out of the cramped tunnels. "Yeah I'm not used to all this work outside; I have been working in a library for so long. In fact I hated the idea of this expedition when I was assigned to it." "Assigned," the unicorn looked at him quizzically, "I asked for volunteers only." "Well then I was volunteered by my boss," he said with a smile while thinking, old fool. "I'm so sorry Decimal, I thought everyone knew what we were doing here," she gave him a slight smile. "Why don't you go get cleaned up and grab some food and I can fill you in on why we're here." The green earth pony nodded and headed through camp as the rest of the party began to split up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Good, now Spike send it," said Twilight as we all sat around in Rarity's boutique, "Steel, I guess you can go ahead and tell us what you've found out." "Okay," I said springing up and stumbling forward, my balance was one of the things affected by the magic drain, everything use to work better, stronger muscles countering my momentum. "With help from Rarity, I have finished the crown. Now for the suit to work I need a minimum of three Potestatum gems. I have one and it powers the basic functions of the crown and will cover the harness once it's all put together. To get it to actually work I need one as the source of magic for spells and one to power the wings. I can use more but that's the bare minimum." I looked at Spike and said, "I have been talking to Little Zilla and he told me about a dragon hoard in the Everfree Forest that has some." "How are you going to convince the dragon to give up those stones, it's not like Dragons are known for their generosity," commented Applejack. "Eeyup," added her older brother. "I barter for them, Rarity has kindly offered up some of her stones for this." "Aw man," muttered Spike kicking the ground. "Don't worry Spike, I saved some for you," said the white unicorn looking at the little dragon. "Now for me to do this I will need help, Rarity because you can identify the stones." "How without her Magic," interrupted Rainbow? "My dear Rainbow Dash," began the white unicorn her eyes half open and a sharp smile on her lips, "do you think that I'm a one trick pony? I can identify stones without my magic, it just makes it easier." "The others that I would need would be Spike because he knows where the cave is, and Fluttershy it would be helpful for you to come along and help keep the wildlife from harassing us to much. You could also prevent us from having to fight them." "If it means the animals won’t be hurt, I'll come along," said the butter yellow pegasus in a voice a little louder than a whisper.   "I'm going, too" added Twilight, "I'm suppose to protect Spike." "You're not protecting anyone in the shape you're in now, so I'll go as well," said Applejack standing up and stepping forward. "Eeyup," added Big Mac. "I'm going this could be fun, what about you Dashie," asked Pinkie as she began to bound around the shop. "Like you had to ask, like I would leave you hanging," said the cyan pegasus with a smirk. "Alright then, we leave early in the morning. So we all," I was interrupted by a belch from Spike and I absentmindedly said, " Excuse you," before noticing the scroll fall from the air in front of the little dragon. I blinked a couple of times as he unrolled the message and began to read. "Dear Twilight I regret to inform you that I cannot come to Ponyville at this time; however I can tell you that the wards are still intact and unchanged. Please hurry with whatever you are planning. I am trying to keep Luna from panicking the staff, she has been on edge ever since the night of your waking dream and it's getting worse. It also seems like Discords power is leaking through causing havoc in the gardens. I feel whatever this creature that has been plaguing our dream world is strengthening him. My hoofs are full at the moment keeping the peace so no pony suspects anything. Please be quick about whatever you are planning. Princess Celestia" Twilight looked up at the group as Spike let the letter fall, "I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep tonight." "Nope," added Big Mac as everyone turned to look at him. "Me either," said Rarity her voice heavy. "So," said Rainbow, "we have been in the forest at night before, why not go now if no one will be able to sleep."            "Right," said Twilight her eyes confident "let's get our things together and head out." ----------------------------------------------------------- The sun was beginning to set when we left to go out into the forest. Big Mac pulled the wagon of gemstones. Applejack led the group with Spike riding on her back giving her directions, and Rainbow would occasionally scout the path ahead of us. The two unicorns and I set the pace with Fluttershy walking beside us. According to our two guides there was a canyon behind the old castle that rose up into the forest with the mesa of the castle rising with it. Somewhere along the cliff of that mesa was the dragons cave. Pinkie was bouncing circles around the group, popping out of the gem laden wagon without any one realizing she had gotten in, and singing several upbeat songs. As we walked I asked "in the stories back home dragons will eat anything, is that true here." Spike looked back at me with a wicked smile and said "Yeah, dragons can and will eat anything they want." "But they prefer gemstones right?" "Anything they want," he repeated slowly. It was rather creepy the way he was behaving. "Now Spike, behave stop being mean to him," grumbled Twilight. After several more rather bland conversations we arrived at the cliff, and shortly thereafter we found the dragon's den. The sun had fallen nearly two hours ago and the shadows played with my vision. Once we arrived Big Mac dropped the wagon and we all gathered around before I began to speak, "Okay I'm going in, just stay ready in case this goes belly up." I walked over and put the wagon harness on and started walking over to the cave entrance.  When I realized that Rarity and Rainbow were right beside me, "What are y'all doing?" "I'm going in with you, I can make sure he doesn't take advantage of you," said the unicorn with a smile. "And I'll make sure neither of you get eaten," added the pegasus nonchalantly as she stopped just inside the cave. "I'll wait here I'll be better as a," she was interrupted by a loud mammalian roar from off in the distance. "Surprise," she continued slightly weaker than earlier. The rest of the group quickly bunched up in the entrance of the cave watching the woods for whatever creature was calling out in the forest.   "Alright," I sighed as I continued to walk, the cave curved and we could just see the start of a gem pile. I slowed down and eyed the pile trying to spy the dragon.         "What's wrong," whispered Rarity. I jumped slightly and said, "Nothing," I shook my head I had been thinking about what Spike had said. Anything they want, echoed in my mind as I started walking again, closer to the gem pile. First part of the dragon to become visible was an elbow spine and with every step more of the green beast came into view. He was asleep, and I leaned towards Rarity and asked in a whisper "do you see any?" "No, I think we will have to wake him up." I sighed and looked around before shucking the wagon harness and approaching the dragon. "I hope he doesn't mind being woken up," I muttered as I approached the dragons head. It was then that I was struck by the sheer size of the beast; it was larger than any saurian that I had ever heard of, probably larger than most whales. I suddenly felt very small when I said, "excuse me."       An eye lid slid open revealing an orange iris pierced by a narrow vertical pupil, the eye itself was larger than I and had to be six feet across. "What are you doing in my cave," it asked the floor rumbling with each word. I started to speak but no noise left my mouth, I cleared my throat and tried again, "I have heard that you have some Potestatum gems and I'm interested in trading for them." "Oh," it said lifting its head to rest it on a raised fist, "you wish to barter?" "Yes, do you have any of the gems I'm looking for?" The great green beast began to laugh, "Yes, I do." "May I see them; I am looking for ones of superior quality." The dragon shifted its weight and rolled its eyes side to side before saying, "I don't see why not." He shifted his free hand and pointed a clawed finger at a wood stand that was hidden by his tail. I nodded at Rarity and walked over to the stand, inside were several stones placed on a purple cushion. At first glance quite a few of them looked like they would be of high enough quality to work.  I looked back at my companion and smiled if we could just get two of them it would be a win. The unicorn returned the smile and began to talk with the dragon, "Now we have prepared an offering of gems for trade." She stepped to the side gesturing towards the wagon. "No," grumbled the dragon. "What," cried Rarity. "That is my price for not devouring you when you entered my lair," as he spoke every word hide laughter. "Why I never, those are our gems," she shouted.          The dragon sat up throwing his tail around and trapping the unicorn in front of him. "Little one had better be happy to get away with its life," it said nostrils flaring fire. "Ah, yes well I think I'll be going then," she said with a laugh as she backed away. "No," the dragon said again laughter still hiding behind his words fire licking his slowly smiling lips as he spoke, "I changed my mind, I think, only one of you had paid their entrance fee," he finished the sentence by inhaling deeply. "Yes, well, HELP," she cried as searched for cover. I had been moving without realizing it as soon as I heard we had a problem. I had opened the stand and had somehow managed to placed the two best stones into the crown. It was on my head and I could hear an electronic like wine as the self test began. I was reacting running on instinct and adrenalin all I knew was I could do something, I had to. I jumped the dragons tail and hit the gems on the other side. They started to slide cascading downward and I rode the collapsing mound to the ground, sliding in front of the unicorn. All I could think of was a shield, as I saw the jet of flame begin to shoot out of the beast’s mouth. I closed my eyes and suddenly it felt like my entire body was pressing on the center of my neck. The pressure was building where the two control nodes sat on either side of my spine. My nerves were on fire and I could feel every hair move along my body, every breath of wind, I could feel everything. My mind screamed from the sensory overload. I felt pressure build in my sinuses, and my body felt weak. My legs felt like they would fail me, I was surprised they hadn't yet but they only shook. I knew for my life I couldn't fall. The heat of the dragon’s breath died and I opened my eyes only to see everything was blurred behind a green film. I ripped my glasses from my face there combined pressure and the blurring of my vision made the worthless now. As I stopped focusing on the idea of a shield and the green color faded. I could barely stand and I could taste the blood I felt draining from my nostrils. My head felt heavy as the crown chirped and rotated to the next stone, as it did I could feel each bur on the bearings. My head buzzed, and my vision faded but I knew I needed to do something else. My body felt numb but there was a strange tingle on my flank as I tried to stay standing. The crown clicked and the last stone locked into place, the Dragon needed to go away, was the only thought in my mind. I closed my eyes again and concentrated, there was a defining bang, and I looked up to see that the blur that was the dragon had been knocked back against the cave wall. I felt a pop in my back and warmth spread, my ears popped as well and more warmth flowed outward from them. I felt it drip from my earlobe and I looked down to see it was red. Blood it was blood on the floor, I had time to think, well that's not good, before I collapsed.   ------------------------------------------------------ Decimal sat at the fire nibbling at the remains of his grilled vegetables and listened to the stories that the camp workers told. The stories were a little more uncouth than he expected but they were lower class ponies after all, but as a whole he found the experience amusing. He sighed and stood up, "I'm sorry, but if I'm going to be any use to anyone I'm going to need to go to sleep soon." "It's only eight," said one of the workers. "Well I'm use to waking up a four so it's my bedtime." The workers laughed, and one made a comment that he kept the same time as the workers grandmother. Decimal ignored them and walked towards his tent. He walked inside and began his evening ritual to go to bed when he heard Percetio running through the camp yelling, "Something big is coming, stations everyone, stations." The green earth pony stuck his head out of the wall tent in time to see a large transparent blue sparkling bear crashing into the camp. His eyes widened and Decimal bolted through the back of his tent towards the ruins. Behind him he heard the bear, an ursa major if what he had read could be trusted, loose a terrifying roar. He saw the entrance to the below ground ruins in front of him and ran for them. He hit the stairs in a panic driven gate and immediately lost his footing. He tumbled down the stairs stopping halfway when he hit the wall of the curving staircase. One of his back legs was broken and one thought raced through his mind, sweet Celestia save me. --------------------------------------------------------- Nightmare was ecstatic as he watched the ursa tear through the camp. From the information pouring through the ursa's mind the possessing spirit could identify two unicorns one male, one female. The ursa also sensed two pegasi both mares, and around a dozen earth ponies of which Nightmare had no interest. The spirit watched through the gargantuan bear's eyes and saw the unicorn stallion; he was blind but running and raising the alarms. He would be no use considering his disabilities and it had just noticed the unicorn mare, she was doing her best to prep a defensive location and protect the earth ponies. It laughed, and spurred the ursan on.            The bear broke the camp line and scattered the earth ponies. Nightmare felt several life essences end as they fueled the bear, and in turn fueled its being. It wasn't enough it wanted that unicorn mare. It trained the bears mind on the mare and let instincts take over but that was interrupted by a bright flash and a defining explosion. "Way to go Flash Bang," yelled Firestorm at her pegasus squad mate. Flash Bang had caused a light blast directly in front of the ursa distracting and disorienting the beast. It was her turn now; she took off as fast as she could to generate a huge amount of friction and dove at the beast the air ablaze behind her. When she hit the bear its head erupted in a ball of flame. She looked around there was sign of Percetio, there team leader, but she knew their mission. To protect the convoy but primarily to ensure the safety of Logia and any artifacts found. The first element they had failed completely and the expedition hadn't been able to start excavating leaving only one mission parameter left. "Run Logia, we'll cover you." The white unicorn with the short cropped turquoise and purple striped mane looked around at the destroyed camp and the scattering of wounded ponies. She had noticed that the bear had been targeting her, if it follows me into the woods maybe everyone else would make it she thought as she followed her bodyguards advice. The ursa roared in frustration and batted at the pegasi that were attacking its head. Nightmare had decided that it was time to assert control over the beast and the first thing that happened was it struck the copper pegasus with a sweeping paw. The limp pegasine body was sent careening off into the woods. "Flash Bang," cried the remaining pegasus as she watched her friends body impact a tree with a sickening crunch. She took a deep breath and dove at the ursa, as she did she eyed the camp bodies littered the ground not one was moving. Time to earn my name, she thought as she began pulling tight circles around the beast flame began to erupt around her. Soon she had encased the bear in a tornado of flame, it was all she could do. Once the firestorm was self sustaining she peeled off to follow Logia. Nightmare pulled itself together, it was the only reason the ursa was still alive. It's presence in the creature overwhelmed the primitive mind and blocked the pain. The damage the beast had received was fatal no matter if Nightmare stayed or not, it needed a new body. The possessing spirit focused on the beast's lungs and let a little of its magic flow into them, when it let loose a roar that would have chilled any pony alive to the bone. The magic energy that had been added to howl blew the firestorm away from the creature’s chard skin. It inhaled deeply smelling the air; it could just pick up the odor of the unicorn through the wafting smells of char and death. The blackened ursa major barreled through the forest crashing through trees breaking them as if they were toothpicks. When it caught whiff of six other ponies, No, thought Nightmare, not yet I can't confront them yet, the unicorn she's with them now. ----------------------------------------------------   Logia slowed to a trot, she was out of breath and lost in the forest alone. She knew that that was not a good thing.  Everyone was lost, the thought had just hit her, she was the leader and she had lost everyone. What chance did I have if three members of Dressage were defeated so quickly.  She stopped when she heard a noise off to her right heading away from her. It sounded like a group of ponies. She looked around and quickly decided that it was worth looking to see who they were.   She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the group in front of her, it was the Elements at least it was the spitting image of what the paper had described. They stopped and looked at her with the same expression she felt she was wearing. "Who are you," asked the cyan pegasus. What was her name, Rainbow Dash, that was it. "I'm sorry, I'm Logia, I'm part of an expedition to the ancient castle. We were attacked by an ursa major; I think I'm the only one that made it out." "Not quite right," announced an orange pegasus as she landed next to the unicorn. "Firestorm," cried the Logia wrapping her associate in a hug. "So you're running from an ursa," asked the purple unicorn. "Yeah," replied Logia finally taking the time to examine the group. There was a little dragon riding the purple unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, he mind named the mare. Standing beside the unicorn was an orange mare, her mind danced as she remembered the name Applejack. Slung in between was a unicorn with scattered burns on her white coat. Rarity, Logia named the unconscious mare as her eyes shifted to the rest of the group. Slung between the pink mare, Pinkamena Diane Pie, and a large red stallion was an unconscious gray stallion. "Your group doesn't look so hot." "You should see the dragon," replied Rainbow Dash. "You took on a Dragon," asked a surprised Firestorm. "Naw, just those two, I was the support if needed," replied Rainbow looking at her wounded friends with a guilty face.           "Impressive, can I get your help," asked the orange pegasus. She continued without waiting for an answer, "I need you all to make sure Logia get's back to town safely. I'm going to go back and see if anyone else made it out." Rainbow looked at the rest of her group, Twilight nodded at her and she said, "Sure, but I'm coming to." "What?" Replied Firestorm in surprise. "Me to, that ursa may still be there and I might be able to convince him to leave," said Fluttershy lightly taking to the air. Logia blinked she had overlooked the yellow pegasus somehow. "How, you don't look like a combat pony," barked the warrior pegasus. "She has her ways," answered Dash, "let’s go." ---------------------------------------------- It had been, at least ten minutes since the blood chilling roar had filled the air and Decimal hadn't heard anything else from above. He had tried to stand but his leg wouldn't allow it, so he crawled up the stairs. Once at the entry way he saw the devastation the ursa attack had wrought on the camp. The not Firestorm pegasus, he had never learned her name, was collapsed a mangled mass at the base of one of the trees. He could see several limbs separated from their bodies and he thought, Oh sweet Celestia, what has happened, before starting to cry. There was no one left, he couldn't walk and there wouldn't be a rescue team sent for days. If he knew anything about predators, he knew that they would target the weakest ones first, and he was weaker than anything in this forest. Suddenly he felt a vibration in the ground, a walking gate, no, he thought as he scampered around trying to find a hiding spot to no avail. The ursa came into view; it looked like it was dead and waking. It's face was chard oozing thickened blood as It walked into the clearing eyes unfocused and foggy. The massive beast collapsed and a blue mist leaked out of the creature’s mouth. The mist formed into a large dark blue transparent pony, it smiled at him with sharp predatory teeth. "Do you know who I am," it asked. "No," whimpered the green stallion. "I am known by some as a god, others call me Aeolus, I have many other names but I am most well known as Nightmare, and I require your body." Decimal squeaked and backed away, he managed a short distance before banging his broken leg on a stone. The pain made him lose his dinner. "Now," began the spirit, "I have found its better in the long run if I work with my host. A more symbiotic relationship, so I ask you, what do you want." "I don't know, don't hurt me" was the whimpered answer. "Oh yes you do, what is your heart's desire?" "I want to live," said a slightly calmer Decimal. "Good and then?" "I want to be successful." "Alright but what do you want?" "I want to teach every one that looked down on me that I'm there equal." "That's it, there equal?" "There better then." "And then what?"           This line of questioning had begun to anger Decimal and he blew up without realizing it, "I want power. I want the ones who looked down on me to suffer, I want to be remembered and feared. I want the world to remember me. I want to reach out across the land and everyone know me."   "Good," said the mist with a smile as its form collapsed. It forced its way into the earth pony's lungs against the defensive coughs of the stallions body. Soon it was in the his mind, and it began to speak in thought. You are a stallion of knowledge, interesting I will give you access to some of my knowledge and I will see if you are worthy of more.  The flood of information washed over Decimals mind, it amazed him. The wellspring crashed against his mind and he struggled to stay focused, he had no idea where to start. Nightmare laughed,I think I will like you. Decimal blinked he was back on his feet. He was also taller than he had been before and he felt stronger. He smiled, and thought, How? Earth ponies where the first breed of ponies, they have the potential to have the strongest magic. Unicorns just are more versatile in their use of magic. You through your heritage have access to the planet as a magical battery. Decimal smiled a sharp half smile, alright, I will help you, but I think a new name for our gestalt form is needed. Oh? Astraeos, the god-titan of dusk. Nightmare laughed, and thought, fitting, very fitting. How did you come up with it? I don't know, answered Decimal the name was nothing from any of the mythologies he had ever read. Where did that come from? Nightmare laughed and thought, Good, now let's go before we're caught. I will take the lead for now you rest and learn. Decimal could feel a flow of energy pass through him from the earth and back. A wall of dirt and stone rose out of the ground surrounding him in a sphere of soil before sinking into the ground. ---------------------------------------------------- The three pegasi flew through the night and they soon found the destroyed camp. Only one survivor Flash Bang, unconscious and broken was still breathing. Other than her all they found where fragments of others, Fluttershy began crying and muttering "I don't understand why," over and over again. Rainbow Dash had lost all color in her face and couldn't face the camp instead she flew in circles, creating a perimeter. death on this scale was almost unfathomable for her. Firestorm spent a good half hour checking the camp and then built a sling for Flash Bang to carry her to the hospital. All three flew through the night as they left, Dash and Firestorm carrying Flash Bang.