Chapter 12
Gosh, Dang It!
“Something’s here!” Octavia shouted over the harsh blur of snow. It froze over the cavern they just exited, and now everything was freezing cold. The party began to shudder and freeze. Roadburn looked around and saw a being near them. It several feet tall, slender and it had the head of an eagle and claws to match. It screeched at them and the winds grew worse. “That thing’s trying to freeze us!” Roadburn shouted over the wind.
“What do we do, Burn!?” Vinyl asked him, scared.
“Run!” He told them, “All of you run!” The group understood and they all began to run from the creature. The ice monster screeched and an ice wall blocked their escape.
“Now what!?” Spitfire shouted, however; the winds quelled and softened. The group looked back to see that the creature had been shattered and Roadburn was walking toward them. Vinyl knew what happened. She just kept it to herself, relieved that Roadburn took care of the dilemma.
“The bigger they are, the harder they fall,” He said as the others looked at him oddly.
“But how did you stop it?” Bonbon asked him, curious.
“I pushed it,” He told them, “He seemed fragile enough. C’mon,” He gestured for them to follow him as he walked around the wall, “Let’s get outta here.”
“But what about the others?” Lyra asked him as the mares followed around the wall.
“They’ll be fine,” He told them, “Besides, I have to save Granny Cookie.”
“But where are we gonna go, dude?” Vinyl asked him, curious, “Do you have any clues?” Roadburn stopped in his tracks and so did everypony else. As much as he hated to admit, Vinyl had a point. He didn’t know where he was going at all. Sure, Surprise asked him that before, but he didn’t care for her. A question like this coming from Vinyl usually makes him think things over hard.
“I…I don’t know…” Roadburn told her, “I didn’t think it over…” He placed a hoof on his head, feeling pretty foolish now.
“Well, we can’t just walk around in one line all day and night,” Octavia pointed out, “We need to find shelter.”
“I know a road near here that’ll lead us to a town nearby,” Bonbon told them, “It’s called Shores-a-lot. I hear they have a port there and have many new inns and hotels. Perhaps we can find a hotel to stay in, and since the land is in a problem, I bet we’ll find one for free.” Roadburn stood there and thought about it quietly.
“And maybe we’ll find out how far away we are from the Crystal Empire,” Vinyl told him, “We might find some help there from the prince--.”
Roadburn interrupted her, “Fine,” He said and looked over to Bonbon, “Lead the way.” At first, there was an awkward silence, but Vinyl gestured for Bonbon to get ahead and the Earth Pony walked ahead, leading them to the direction of the road.
Meanwhile, Eli and company venture deeper into the cavern. The Cutie Mark Crusaders stuck close to Rarity and the Diamond Dogs followed. Eli was forced by Alamos to the front because he was to protect. Eventually, Sweetie Belle spoke up. “Do… do you think we’re lost, Rarity?”
“No, Sweetie,” Rarity replied, “It might just be a big tunnel. That’s all.”
“But what if it takes us too long to escape?” asked Scootaloo, frightfully.
“Relax, Scootaloo,” Rarity calmly told her, “We’ll be fine. I’m sure of it. Isn’t that right, Eli?” Eli took a moment to look back to Rare, and stopped with a look of uncertainty. The others stopped as well.
“I think we’re lost, Rarity,” He told her with honesty.
“We are not lost, Eli!” Rarity told him, “It’s just a long cave. Besides, we’ll be out before we know it!”
“And what if we’re not?” Eli asked her, “What if we’re stuck in a maze, going in circles, over and over again?”
“Young knave, I understand that this new task is heavy on you,” Alamos grabbed their attention, “But don’t let your uncertainties rule your thoughts over smaller conundrums.” Eli sighed.
“Alright then,” He replied, turning back to the path, “I’m sorry…” Eli walked forward again, letting the group move once more. Soon they saw a dim light ahead. “There!” Eli shouted, relieved, “I’ve found the exit!” He then charged forward, disregarding the others and headed toward the light.
“Eli! Wait!” Rarity shouted after him.
“We’re almost there!” Eli shouted back and once he exited the light deemed bright, so bright that it made it hard for him to see and once it cleared, he soon found himself running over a cliff! “Dah!” Eli shouted in fear and he unsheathed his long sword, driving it deep into the face of the cliff, and he slowed down to a halt. Eli sighed relieved that he saved him from the trees below. “Foolish knave!” Alamos shouted, unhappy, “You nearly killed yourself before the enemy got to you!” Eli sighed, embarrassed.
“Uhm…” He said, “Sorry…”
“Just don’t do that again,” Alamos told him.
“Eli!” Rarity shouted from above. Eli looked up to see her, “Are you alright, darling!?” The others soon joined her, “Can you get back up here?”
“Uh… Does it look like I can?” He asked her, curious.
“I knew we should’ve come to my boutique before moving,” Rarity said. She turned to Fido, “Can you reach him?”
“I’ll try,” Fido replied and he crouched down onto him stomach, stretching his long arm down to Eli, who gratefully reached back to the Diamond Dog, and the dog grabbed his hoof, pulling the pony back onto the cliff. Eli sighed of relief that he back on solid ground.
“Don’t ever do that again,” Rarity told him, “You’re the only one who can save us, Eli. Please, don’t be so reckless.”
Eli rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed. “Alright, alright, Rare,” Eli replied, “I won’t do it again. Promise.”
“Don’t make a lady a promise if you can’t keep it,” Alamos told him, teasingly.
“Hey!” Eli shouted, crossly, “Ya don’t know that!”
“Look!” Applebloom shouted, grabbing everypony’s attention. The little redhead pointed out to the distance and everypony could see a humongous castle much larger than Canterlot Castle, and way more beautiful. They would see the entirety of the building, but it was covered by a tall, white wall covered in wisteria. “What is that place?” Eli asked, curious.
“It’s so huge!” Scootaloo shouted with excitement, “Who do you think lives there!? Al? Do you know?”
“I don’t…” The shield replied, “This castle may have been established during my long sleep…”
“Could be an outpost from Kronos…” Spot said, “Let’s not go there…”
“Well, practice makes perfect!” Eli childishly said, sheathing his sword, “Let’s take it!”
“You can’t be serious!” Rarity told him, “Earlier you weren’t so keen on fighting Kronos, and now you want to take on an outpost?”
“And…?” Eli asked her, raising an annoyed eyebrow.
“We should at least make sure of our assumption,” Alamos told them, “I am thrilled that you want to take on a challenge, Knave Eli, but you are still very amateur.” Eli rolled his eyes.
“Whatever, chief,” The green Earth Pony sighed, “Let’s go the castle, already.” The group then followed the cliff side path toward the castle.
Meanwhile, at the Crystal Empire, the remaining Mane Six, Merciful, Sunny, Snowy and Shining Armor stand at the gate of the Crystal Empire with Celestia and Cadance. An audience of the surviving Equestrians watched them. “Please, my friends and family,” Celestia told them, “Save Helpful, and find Rarity. Only the seven of you can completely defeat Kronos.”
“We will, Celestia,” Twilight replied with a confident look, “We won’t fail you!”
“Yeah! We’ll make that Kronos pay for what he’s done!” Rainbow Dash shouted, excited.
“Just gotta keep Mercy safe, too!” Pinkie Pie shouted, gleefully, referring to the earlier incident of Nightmare Moon.
“There’s no need for such worry for me,” Merciful told them, “If I fail to keep from Discord’s clutches, I will not end the same as my sister. I will defeat Envious as well.”
“Please, be safe, honey,” Cadance told her husband.
“Trust me, dear,” Shining Armor told her, “I will not stop until I’m back to the mare I love.”
“Oh, honey,” Cadance smiled, comforted by his words, “I love you.”
“Goodbye, Celestia,” Twilight told the princess as the gate opened, “We won’t give up!”
“Good luck, protectors of Equestria,” Celestia said as they all turned and walked through the gate, “The world is in your hooves.” As the group of heroes exited the gate, it closed behind them, sealing them from the point of return. “Alright, what’s the plan?” Rainbow Dash asked Twilight, “Which direction we headin’?” The excited Pegasus looked around with a hoof over her eyes, as if she was searching around.
“I’m glad you asked, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight told her, “We’re going to follow the tracks back to middle Equestria and we will find the Gate to the Underworld. It’ll be three days until we find the Gate.”
“Sounds good!” Dashie replied with a smile. She looked up and found dark clouds above them, “Looks like it’s gonna rain…”
“W-we should find shelter,” Fluttershy spoke up, and thunder made her jump over to Shining Armor, holding onto him, “Q-quickly too!” Twilight looked up the clouds, and looked at the field before them. Ahead she could see a mist floating in the distance.
“Nightmare Moon!” Twilight shouted, cross, and a bolt of lightning lashed out and clashed beside her, almost knocking her off her hooves.
“Run!” Shining Armor shouted as he charged ahead with Fluttershy holding onto his back. The others followed close behind him. Lightning lashed out randomly, nearly hitting each of them. Soon they came to the mist and Nightmare Moon appeared before them all with a great wind. “Leaving so soon?” The alicorn teased, “How rude. The party has just begun!” Nightmare laughed evilly as her mist lashed out to Shining Armor, but he jumped out of the way. Merciful unsheathed his sword as Shining Armor stood onto his hind legs, he pulled out his spear. Fluttershy quickly took cover behind her friends. “You may be my sister’s corruption!” Merciful grabbed Nightmare’s attention, “But even you cannot stand up to the eldest brother!” Armor lunged toward her with his sword, threatening to stab into her, but the alicorn morphed into her mist form and the spear pierced only air. Then, the mist curled around the spear and slashed through the metal, breaking the weapon apart. Shining Armor cringed as his spear shattered. Merciful pulled him back with his magic. “We cannot face her!” The Dark Prince told them all, “Retreat!” They all ran the other way, making Nightmare laugh as she gave chase. Twilight looked back to the incoming mist and gasped, seeing that Nightmare Moon was gaining on them. She concentrated and her horn glowed with her violet aura and it enveloped everypony. “Look out!” Shining Armor shouted and he tackled her. Twilight hit the ground, looking up to see Armor be struck by lightning, and he fell onto the ground, unconscious.
“Shining Armor!” Twilight shouted, shocked. The young alicorn ran over to her brother and lifted his head, “Are you alright? Say something!” Shining Armor didn’t reply, being unconscious. Twilight looked up to Nightmare Moon as she returned to her alicorn form.
“Aw, how tragic,” Nightmare mockingly laughed. Twilight looked at her with anger.
“You… You monster!” Twilight’s horn sparked with magic as she growled at Nightmare.
“You’re kidding. You’re kidding, right?” Nightmare laughed. The alicorn flew up to the thunderclouds above and Twilight followed her.
“Twilight, wait!” Rainbow Dash and the others, except Mercy, shouted after her as she disappeared into the clouds. Dashie prepared to take off after her, but Merciful stopped her in midflight with his magic.
“She needs our help!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she struggled, “Lemme go!”
“I understand, Rainbow Dash,” Mercy told her, “But I cannot let you. That’s just what Nightmare Moon would want.”
“But what about Twilight?” Dashie asked him, “She’s up there too!”
“I’ll go and assist our friend,” Mercy told her, “You stay with the others and find a place to hide Shining Armor. We’ll search for you later.” Dash looked down in thought, “Do you understand, Rainbow Dash?”
Rainbow sighed, “Alright, Mercy,” She told him, “Don’t let her die.” Merciful nodded as he let her go and took off into the clouds above. Rainbow looked down to her friends and nodded.
“C’mon!” She told them, “Let’s take him somewhere safe!” Merciful flew further into the clouds and heard loud thunder as the lightning flashed by him; the energy dancing and flying through the dense clouds. He looked around to find neither of them as he stopped in midflight. “Twilight!” He shouted, “Twilight, where are you!” The alicorn then heard the sound of magic clashing against itself. Mercy launched himself to the sounds and found Nightmare Moon and Twilight fighting against one another, clashing powerful waves of magic together. “Stop!” Mercy shouted, “Twilight! I will fight Nightmare Moon! You must stay out of danger!”
“She killed my brother!” Twilight shouted back as she unleashed a powerful beam of magic and Nightmare Moon launched one back, clashing against Twilight’s. They were both evenly matched. Merciful sighed and he unleashed a beam of magic and it broke their stalemate, grabbing their attention.
As Nightmare looked toward Merciful, the dark alicorn launched himself, sword outstretched and ready. Twilight watched, surprised, and as Mercy unleashed a flurry of slashes on Nightmare, the alicorn of shadows summoned a sword of her own to block Mercy’s attacks. Merciful flew back a little and clashed against Nightmare’s sword.
Angered by Merciful’s intervention, Twilight summoned a bolt of violet and flashed it between them. “Stop!” Twilight shouted as they looked at her. Taking this moment as advantage, Nightmare knocked Mercy’s sword away and she thrusts it toward his chest. Luckily, Mercy saw this in time to act, but he only could move enough for the sword to dig into shoulder. Mercy grunted in pain as Nightmare shifted to her mist form. Merciful took this moment and used his wings to stir a large wind into Nightmare, forcing her back through the clouds. The sword in Merciful’s shoulder dissipated, and Twilight came to. The purple alicorn flew over to Merciful, concerned. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Twilight said as she looked at his flesh wound.
“It is fine, Twilight,” Merciful winced as she touched his blood drenched wound, “You need to return to the others before Nightmare Moon does first.” At that moment, the clouds before them opened up and Nightmare flew out toward them.
“You were saying?” Nightmare Moon shouted as lightning streamed around her, but not through her. Twilight noticed this and casted and force shield around them, knocking Nightmare back a little.
“So you don’t like the lightning, do you?” Twilight asked her, and she let the shield down, launching herself into Nightmare Moon and knocking her into a stream of lightning. Twilight was also caught in the shock and after it finished she fell downward with the other alicorn; both unconscious. “Twilight!” Mercy shouted as he flew down to her and caught Twilight using one arm, letting Nightmare fall down. Mercy looked at Twilight concerned. “Can you hear me, Twilight?” There was no answer and the alicorn sighed, fearful of for her recovery, “Please, Twilight.” Twilight’s eyes peeked open a little.
“M-m…Merciful…?” Twilight mumbled as the eyes closed again and she fell asleep.
“Don’t worry, Twilight,” Mercy told her as he flew out from the clouds, “You’ll be okay.” As he flew down, Merciful didn’t see Nightmare Moon’s body anywhere below. It was as if she disappeared. The dark alicorn flew downward to the trees and landed with Twilight on her back. “We must find the others, quickly,” Merciful told her as he walked through the leafless trees.
Meanwhile, in Everfree Forest, Bonbon had led her friends to Shores-a-lot, however; nopony was there, no doubt by the evacuation earlier. Roadburn looked around. “There doesn’t seem to be anypony around…” He said, then Vinyl poked his nose.
“Doesn’t mean that nopony won’t come to find us, right?” Vinyl told him and walked over to the center of the street and sighed, “Doesn’t seem too bad, does it fellas?” Roadburn looked around the settlement. There seem to be newly made houses with the old and many stagecoaches stood empty. Seemed like a ghost town, really. The stallion walked over to an inn, “Let’s just find where we are,” He said as he walked to the door, but then a huge rumble from above caught the group’s attention, and it began to rain once more. “Oh, great!” Octavia shouted over the rain as she hurried to the inn, “Let’s get inside! Hurry!” Everypony quickly followed her inside, and Roadburn was the last to shut the door behind him.
“Hello!” shouted Derpy for anypony, “Hello!” There was no answer which saddened her a little, “Aw…”
“Don’t worry, Derpy,” Spitfire told her friend, “I’m sure that we won’t be alone for too long.” Bonbon looked over to Roadburn and began to grow curious as she stuck close to Lyra.
“What do you think is wrong with Roadburn?” She whispered to her good friend, who merely shrugged. Surprise hopped over to the male unicorn.
“So, Burny! What’s the plan!?” Surprise asked him, curious, “What’re we gonna do?”
“You’re going to stay here as I go back to Canterlot,” Roadburn told her.
“You can’t be serious, dude!” Vinyl grabbed Burn’s attention, “You’ve said that before but we’re stickin’ with ya! No backin’ out!” Roadburn grew silent as he glared back at Vinyl, who glared back at him. Everypony else grew silent with anticipation. “Let’s jus’ find a map, okay, dude?” The male unicorn sighed and just walked out the door, slamming it shut behind him. The tension loosened a little more as everypony else sighed.
“How rude!” Octavia spoke up first, “And to think that he was a kind and gentle stallion.”
“He is, Tavi,” Vinyl told her, “He’s jus’ very worried about his granny, okay? After all, she’s the only family he has left.”
“And what about earlier?” Spitfire asked Vin, “That Ice Titan would’ve still be chasing us, but Roadburn somehow told him down in a couple of seconds, like it was nothing. Explain that, please.” Vinyl grew silent for a long time, and she sighed.
“Alright, alright,” The DJ nodded, “I know it sounds crazy, but Roadburn’s special.”
“Did he use magic of some sort?” Bonbon asked her, curious.
“Well…it’s a little like magic, sure,” Vinyl replied, thoughtfully, “But it comes naturally, like he doesn’t need to learn how to use it so much.”
“What is it then, Vinyl?” Derpy asked her as curious as her friends were. The DJ grew a little silent, but she soon spoke up again.
“Let’s jus’ say that some things are better left unsaid, dude,” She told them, looking back toward the door, “Burn isn’t the most…er…fortunate of ponies.”
“Humph,” Octavia scoffed, “That still gives him no excuse to act so childishly and stubborn.”
“Alright, alright, Tavi,” Vinyl waved a hoof to her, trying to tell her to calm down, “Let’s jus’ find the map.”
“You mean this map?” Surprise grabbed her attention as she held it up to the DJ, “I found it in the clerk’s booth!”
“Alright!” Vinyl said, cheerfully as she took the map with her magic, “Now we need to give this to Roadburn. He can read these better than I can.” Surprise happily nodded in agreement. The unicorn and Pegasus both walked to the exit and opened it to find Roadburn sitting after from the door alone in the rain. “Hey, Burnout!” Vin shouted to him as a tease, “We have a map here and none of us know how to use it! Would’ja be nice and come over to help?” A moment of silence passed and Vinyl sighed as she walked out into the rain. Surprise followed her out, and they stood across from Roadburn. “C’mon, Burn,” The unicorn patted his shoulder, “I said we’re gonna help so we’re gonna help, but we can’t help ya unless ya let us. C’mon, Burn. What’re friends for?”
Roadburn looked up to Vinyl sadly and sighed, “I’m a bad grandson, aren’t I?”
“Now, Roadburn,” Vinyl leaned over and gave him a hug, “You’re not a bad grandson… It’s jus’ there was nothin’ ya could do to save her, but you shouldn’t grieve over it…” Surprise jumped over and hugged Roadburn too.
“Yeah, Burny!” The Pegasus giggled, happily, “You can still go and save her! We can save her together!” Roadburn remained silent, and he soon spoke again.
“I just don’t want anypony else to get hurt,” He told them sighing sadly a little.
“And we won’t!” Vinyl Scratch told him, letting him go and giving him a wink, “Promise!”
“Yeah!” Surprise cuddled the unicorn a little, “Promise!” Roadburn sat there, thinking it over hard.
“Alright then,” He replied, finally. Vinyl giggled and hugged Roadburn and he embraced her hug, awkwardly ignoring Surprise’s, but the mare didn’t really show any care, she just held onto him, gently. Once they let go of their hug, Roadburn sighed, “Just don’t get hurt, okay?” He said with a sincere look. Vinyl giggled and playfully popped his shoulder with her hoof.
“You and your worrying, Burn,” She said as Surprise also giggled, “Still the same ol’ Roadburn.” Roadburn couldn’t help but smile at her words, they made him feel better about himself, “Let’s jus’ get inside, dude.” Vinyl and Surprise both headed toward the door and Roadburn followed them closely.
Meanwhile, Eli and company ventured closer to the great wall and through it, and once on the other side, they all stopped to marvel the humungous castle. The doors were huge and made of gold, the pathway to it was lined with silver and made of marble, and the castle itself seemed to be made of pearl. Eli whistled, “Doesn’t seem like an outpost,” He remarked as he walked toward the giant doors, “Looks more like--.”
“Raziel’s Castle,” Rarity interrupted Eli while she was in thought, “I… I’ve seen it once, but it was Magi who showed us this in a vision… I never knew it still stood after all these years… Wow…” Eli looked back to her and looked at her oddly.
“Who’s Magi?” He asked her, curious.
“Magi was an old friend of mine, knave,” Alamos told him, “He was companion of mine since the Pony and Human War broke out… I take it he’s still alive?”
“Oh, yes,” Rarity nodded to Alamos, “Very alive. In fact, immortal.”
“Well then,” Alamos laughed a little, “We should meet again soon, I have many things to catch with him on I presume,” The shield gasped in surprise.
“What is it, Alamos?” Eli asked him, curious.
“I sense it, Eli,” Alamos replied, “I sense a piece of me here in this castle.”
“So Raziel had a piece of you, eh?” Eli asked him, “Sounds like things are beginning to grow easier.”
Rarity nodded, “Yes. Just, please, don’t charge on inside, dear.” Eli chuckled a little as he scratched the back of his head.
“Don’t worry, Rarity,” He told her with a smile, “I’ll be careful.” Eli walked over to the golden doors and reached to open them.
“Stop!” Alamos shouted, grabbing Eli’s attention and halting his action, “Look at the door, knave.” Eli looked back to Alamos oddly.
“It’s a golden door,” He replied as the rest of the group caught up to them, “What’s wrong with it?”
“Just look at the door,” Alamos told him again. Eli sighed and returned his attention to the door, and he found markings of soot and distinct claw markings.
“What is this?” He asked as he placed his hoof on the soot, wiping a little off.
“You have heard of demons, correct?” Alamos asked him.
“Yes?” Eli replied.
“Well, what you see here is primal evidence of a demon passerby,” The shield explained, “The lady, foals and canines will all stay outside. However, you, knave, will slay the demon and retrieve the piece before it finds it first.” Eli stayed quiet for a couple moments and looked back to Rarity, who gave him an encouraging smile. Then, the earth pony looked back to the door and sighed. “Let’s do this,” He said as he reached out, and pushed the door open. “If I don’t return in time, don’t wait for me,” Eli told them, staring into the dim corridor that led to another, but smaller double doors, “Look for shelter and hide there.”
“Eli, I’m…” Rarity sighed, looking down to the ground, “Just don’t get hurt, okay?” Eli looked back to her with an odd glimpse, and he smiled.
“I’ll be back, Rarity,” He saluted to her and entered, closing the door behind him. Darkened by the absence of light, the corridor seemed more menacing now. With a gulp, Eli blindly walked through the corridor until he found the door to the main hall. Carefully, he pushed the heavy door open, and light entered through the cracks. He pushed it fully open, and walked out into the bright light. Eli covered his eyes and soon the light softened.
He reopened his eyes to find that the main hall was covered completely in vegetation, wide cracks littered the floor, filled with dead leaves. The stairs were covered in vines and a great oak tree grew from the center of the hall. Above, Eli could see that the ceiling was weak and many pieces had already fallen onto the floor, and sunlight peeked through the holes that marked their absence. Eli also noticed that six chandeliers have fallen ages ago, rusted and broken apart; the gems’ colors in each have faded. The walls had paintings that fell apart from the rain and snow, and now blank paper is on display, covered with the vines that stretched all around the main hall. Eli made a long whistle, “Looks like they let this place go,” He chuckled a little, but Alamos remained silent, “R-Right… Look for the piece.”
At that moment, a familiar voice sinisterly laughed at them all, “Well, well, well,” The voice teased them, “So it has begun. The Knight has been chosen and he’s here to reclaim a Piece of Alamos.” Eli looked around the room, and he couldn’t find where the voice came from, and then, a black puff of smoke appeared in front of the great oak before them. It grew and fire sparked out, catching onto the oak tree, catching it. “Oh, boy…” Eli said as he unsheathed his long sword, “Lemme guess…” He thought aloud as he pulled out Alamos at the ready, “It’s our ol’ pal, Scorch, ready to play a game of kick the bucket.”
“Don’t overestimate yourself,” Alamos told him as the sparking puff of smoke grew more and more violent, “Defend yourself, Eli!” Immediately, Eli lifted up his shield. The puff exploded and Eli blocked the explosion, but once it ceased, the floor began the shake under him as Scorch stood up from the base of the explosion, holding a five foot long scabbard in one claw. However, Eli didn’t have enough time to study the scabbard as parts of the floor began to give in around him. Scorch raised a claw and waves to the earth pony, “Good luck,” He evilly laughed and disappeared in a flash of flames. Eli cringed as the floor under him broke apart.
“Gosh, dang it!” He shouted and fell down to the darkness below.