//------------------------------// // Requiem for a tyrant: Part one. // Story: Return of a lost tyrant // by Uberdeathninja //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle was reading a book on magical artifacts when she noticed a loose inside cover in the back. Lifting the paper up a bit, she saw the tip of a map. "What's this?" She asked no one in particular. Unfolding the paper, it showed a lost landscape and labeling many sundered land marks. Only one landmark was not so. The Tyrant's Gate. At that moment Spike walked in. "Hey twi, Whatcha looking at?" The little dragon asked. "I found this old map. I think it could lead to something powerful. Could you see if we have anything on a landmark called 'The Tyrant's Gate'?" Twilight said. "Sure." Spike said. Spike left to find the requested materials. While spike tried to find the book, Twilight wrote a letter to Celestia. "Dear Princess Celestia, I have discovered an ancient map that reveals the secret location of The Tomb of The Overlord. I wish to recover the Armor of The Overlord and donate it to the Canterlot Museum of History and Magic. If you could send me any modern maps of the 'Magical Wasteland' region, I would appreciate it. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle." As Twilight finished her letter, Spike returned With a book on Minotaur myths and legends. "Oh good, I just finished a letter to Celestia. Could you send it?" Twilight asked. "Sure." Spike said. He incinerated the scroll with his breath, sending it to Celestia. "Oh, And here's the book you want." "Thanks Spike." Twilight said as she opened the book and looked up the Tyrant's Gate. As she read the legend behind the landmark, a small detail became apparent. "So the blue ooze creates monsters from everything it touches." Twilight said aloud. Now she knew that. At That moment, Spike belched up a letter and a bag of food and medical supplies. "What's this?" Twilight said. She picked up the letter and read it out loud. "Dear Twilight, I must inform you that The Armor You seek is not an easy quest. Because the Armor itself predates even dragon kind as we know it, I have given you supplies for your journey. If you can retrieve the ancient relic, The museum Curator would be more than happy with your discovery. Remember though; what ever you do, do not touch the blue ooze. It will twist you, Body, mind, and soul. Please use caution when retrieving The Armor. I have reason to believe there will be six challenges standing before you when you come to the tomb's location. Sincerely, Princess Celestia." Twilight was torn between elated and shocked. Now, she and her friends could go on a real quest for the first time in months! However, the danger was incredibly high. She set out to inform her friends, and they packed up for the long quest ahead. Tyrant's Gate, One week later. Twilight and company arrived at the entrance to the Magical Wasteland. "Well, here we are girls. The Tyrant's Gate." Twilight said as she and her friends gazed at the Gate like basalt rock formation. "This is so awesome! It's just like one of my daring do books!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Just remember, Don't touch the Blue sludge. It will corrupt you till you are nothing of your former self." Twilight warned. "Okay." Rainbow said. "Alright." said Applejack. "Of course." Rarity said. "Okay." Fluttershy said. "Okie dokie." Pinkie pie said. With that the group set off into the wastes following the map. Along the way, Rainbow noticed something wrong. "Wait. If the tomb is lost, why is the path to it so clear?" Asked Rainbow. "You're right, it's too easy. It's like something wants us to reach the tomb." Twilight noted. Maybe there was more than the tomb than just a path? Ether way, there were supposed to be six challenges before they could get the armor. Maybe they were in the tomb proper. Meanwhile a pony sized bipedal creature observed the six ponies as they trekked along the path to the final nethereal gate. "Oh how right you are." It said. The ancient, vile creature sunk back into the shadows, a light on a stick attached to it's back ensuring it didn't kill itself by tripping on a rock. It began a very long trek back to It's home. Back to twilight, She and her friends made it to there first obstacle... a wall and a ravine. "Fascinating!" Said Twilight. "This architecture is amazing!" she said as she studied the wall. "I don't get what's so amazing, it's just a wall!" Rainbow dash cried. suddenly a rumbling was heard. the six ponies saw a boulder hurtling at them! The ponies screamed and dodged the rolling rock which smashed to peaces against the wall, which, in turn, toppled. The fallen wall provided a bridge across the sludge filled gap. The creature that sent the boulder had slipped away while the ponies were distracted with the big rock. The ponies continued on the path to the overlords prison after agreeing to tone down the volume. Meanwhile Gnarl patiently watched the ponies walk the path to the hellish gate. He had to send them a boulder to let them cross a ravine, but it would be worth it if the could bring back the overlord. Knowing heroes, he knew they'd each take on one of the overlords former 'peers' to see what would happen. They'd screw up or win their respective fights. Evil had rebounded from worse. The point of the fights was to 'Discourage' adventurers seeking the armor. "Evil will always finds a way..." Gnarl said. "Always..." He said again. The one obstacle they had faced was nothing more than a bridge now. The overlord was going to return, and nothing could stop it! He planted the map, he toppled the wall! He now began his long ass trek to the brown hive. Evil had fallen on hard times for close to three thousand years, but now... Now It was Evil's time to shine! Gnarl would see to that... Because evil always finds a way...