PonyFable

by Omega_code


Chapter 8: The Journey North

Jack was heading back to his room, with a full belly and a busy mind. “Jackson,” a voice called out. Jack look behind him to see Princess Luna walking towards him. “Does thou have a moment to spare?”
“Oh course; is there something you want to know, “he replied.
“We...I do have one. Hast thou dealt with any evil spirits before?” Jack look at Luna for a moment.
“That’s a very specific question,” Jack said, “The answer is yes, numerous times; some as undead, some as wisp, some as ghost and other different forms as well.” Luna was shock and confused with Jack’s answer. “I guess you don’t have necromancers in Equestria.”
“Necromancers,” Luna questionably ask.
“Never mind then.” Artix would love this world, or be utterly bored out of his mind with nothing to do. On the other hand, he will just run away at the first sign of Pinkie Pie, or anything pink. “So why did you ask.”
“I felt a presence in Obsidian, a presence that was familiar to me; a presence of another mind making one’s home in a body not of its own. I just wanted to inform you before I have to raise the moon.”
“Thanks for the information; I’m sure it will help out.” Luna nodded her head and went back where she came from. So if there no necromancers in Equestria, Jack thought, where did Obsidian get his friend?
*************************
“It’s not fair,” an upset Rainbow Dash said. “Jack gets to go on an adventure with Celestia blessing but not us!?” She was flying back and forth in the dining hall. Celestia left to do some sort of royal business and Luna left to talk to Jack who left when he had his fill and went to check on Wistala. “Just because it’s too ‘DANGEROUS’ for us to go; but we have face worse before. Nightmare Moon, we had to go deep into the Everfree Forest, and we were near kill at some moments. Discord was the spirit of Chaos and we defeated him, sure we almost lost, but we still won.”
“Um…we never had to go into a dragon’s den to stop the evil before,” piped in Fluttershy.
“Didn’t stop us before. We had to go to see the red dragon that made his home in the mountain near Ponyville one time last year. And the time we follow Spike to dragons’ main den mainland to make sure he would be alright.”
“HEY,” Spike remark.
“Those are good points,” Applejack said, “but what exactly can we do to help Jack specifically?”
“A whole lot of things,” Dash replied. She flew up to Twilight, “You can use your magic to help him out when he’s in trouble.” Then she point at Rarity, “You can make another disguise, since it work last time.” Then pointing at Spike, “And you can tell Jack all about Equestria’s dragons.”
“But Celestia even said that we weren’t allowed to go too,” Fluttershy said.
“Look, we are the briars of the Element of Harmony, protectors of Equestria; there’s a new threat and it’s our duty to defeat Obsidian, whoever he is.” Rainbow flew high above her friends heads and stated, “So are you with me or not.” Everpony look at each other, and then Twilight said.
“Do have any plan to follow Jack when he is ready?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Dash flew down and everyone was held in a circle as Dash told her plan.
*********************
“LIME, WHERE DID YOU PUT MY POWER DRILL,” Lim shouted in back room. He was getting ready to drill in holes for the bolts in the cut pieces of metal for the archway. Lim was able to draw plans, with the help of Cysero and Warlic, of a two way portal big enough for Jack to walk though. There were only a few problems: they need a whole lot of power, something to channel that enormous power into the stone without blowing up, something to channel the energy the stone gave out and spread it out as a portal and final thing was how to aim it. Warlic said that they can use the power from the Darkness orb, since any of the Elements orbs have enough power for what they needed. But only Warlic would handle the orb, Lim gave no objection to that. Cysero said he could forge some sort of magic item that could channel the power from the orb into the stone, and spread the stone’s energy for the portal. Lim was building the frame for the portal and other sorts of equipment they need make it work. Tracking the patch that Jack or even Wistala transport beams went was going to be difficult but hopefully not impossible.
“I have it Mr. Lim,” Lime answered. “Just need to drillllllAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAA,” the sound of the power drill starting with the sound of a screaming Moglin emitted in the front room. The scream continued as the drill stop and a small thump from the side of the wall was made.
Lim put a hand on his head, “How many time have I told you not to use the drill at full power.”
“Mubabflo tims,” Lime muffle from the wall. Lim sigh, at this rate it was going to take all day to finish this portal.
**********************
Jack walk in bedroom to see Wistala wide awake, waiting for him. “About time you showed up,” she said. She sifted her weight around to sit up straight in the bed. “So what happen,” she asked broadly.
“Well you defeated dragon golem, but Obsidian got away. You were badly injured, but lucky for us I always carry healing potions. After I got you clean up, I was invited to dinner, don’t worry I will get yours ready, and made plans to visit the local dragons’ main den.” As he was saying all of this he set his backpack on the bed and started pulling out a plate, a box of Her-O’s dragon chow, some gem stones and several gold coins.
“Why are we visiting the dragons’ main den,” she asked as she watched Jack prepare her meal.
“Obsidian stole an object much like the tablet from the vault, and Celestia said that the dragons have something like that too.”
“And you believed that if we get it before Obsidian, we can stop whatever he is planning. Just like getting the Elements Orbs back on Lore.”
“Exactly,” Jack said. He finished Wistala meal and set it down on the side of the bed.
“How exactly are we going to an item from a dragon’s treasured hoard,” Wistala ask as she took a bit of the dragon chow.
“Don’t know yet, still working on that.” Jack thought about his conversation with Dash, making a small chuckle.
“What’s so funny?”
“Rainbow Dash wanted to come, but I told her no. She basically asked why and I…”
“You told her the same reasons your farther gave you when ask to go with him.”
“Yep. Of course when I was young I believed him, now I know he was just fibbing about the planning part. Plans are 30% thinking about it, 70% of just charging in and hope for the best.”
“You just don’t want to put anyone else in danger, only yourself.”
“Ya,” Jack sat on the bed watching Wistala eat her meal. “So what were you dreaming about?” Wistala stop eating and look up. “You were making those small twitches while you sleeping, which usually mean you were having a dream.”
Wistala look down, deciding if she wanted to even answer Jack’s question. “I was dreaming a moment I had with Rebecca. Mostly the time she was teaching me English in her creative ways.”
Jack slowly nodded his head, “I understand. She was like a mother to you wasn’t she.”
“More like an older sister.” Besides, I already have a mother figure.
“Nothing else, just teaching you English?”
Wistala look at Jack, smiling and said, “Yep, just teaching me some English words.”
*************************
The next day came and Jack and Wistala were getting ready to head off. Jack fasten the last leather belt of his chest plate armor. Wistala was stretching her body, “I’m going to fly around for a while for the exercised. I meet you at the chariot.” She did a galloping run to the open window, opened her wings and took off in the distance. I guess I go pack for the trip, Jack thought. Jack head towards the kitchen, with his backpack slung on his back. In the kitchen Jack was told by the ponies that were working there at the time said that he could pack anything that he think he would needed for the journey. He started by filling his water canteens; then he packed food, which mostly consent of fruits and vegetables.
“I think you need some cupcakes for your travel,” Pinkie Pie voice boomed in Jack’s ears. Jack sat his backpack down and turned to see the pink pony with a gravity defining tray of cupcakes on top of her head. “You never know when they might be helpful.” She held the tray in front of Jack waiting for him to take it.
“Um…thanks…I guess,” Jack took the tray was about to turn around when Pinkie ask a question.
“Aren’t you going to eat one?”
“Isn’t kind-of early to eat a…”
“PLEASE,” Pinkie eyes grew and she gave a huge smile. Creepy, Jack thought. He picked up one of the cupcakes and took a bite. A sweet flavor exploded in his mouth.
“It’s good,” Jack said, “I can tell this isn’t your first time cooking.”
“Thanks,” Pinkie looked past Jack, then smiled again and continued on saying, “well I wish you the best of luck when you face those scary dragons.”
Jack chuckle, “I don’t think those “scary dragons” are going to frighten me, I’m hardly scared of anything.” Especially with the things I’ve seen in my life. “I need to get going, thanks for the cupcakes; hopefully me and Wistala will be back tonight or at least early tomorrow morning.”
“See you later alligator,” Pinkie said as she hopped away. That was a bit weird, almost felt like I was talking to Cysero, except with no question about a missing left sock. Jack put the tray in his backpack, not worrying about squishing them; since it was a magical backpack after all. Jack put his backpack on, it seemed a bit heavier than he expected, but Jack shrugged it off as if it was all in his mind.
Jack walked to the same place where he was dropped off from the other day. He saw two white pegasus mare guards. “I’m guessing you’re my ride to the dragons’ den. Hope you know the way.”
“You are correct Jack,” the mare on the right of Jack answered, “and indeed we do know the way. Now if would please get inside the chariot we can be on our way.”
“Aren’t we forgetting someone?”
“Who,” the guard asked? Jack pointed up and the mare looked up to see Wistala diving down. Wistala zoomed by the guard and landed right next to Jack.
“You ready,” Jack ask.
“Yep, I just hope you pack enough food and water this time,” Wistala replied.
“You’re never going to forget that moment we had in the Sandsea are you.”
“Nope, nor the face you made when you realized we were out of water.”
“Nor yours,” Jack finish his conversion with Wistala. He looked at the mares, “before we head off, what are your names.”
“Oh…um…my name is Gilda and this here Raindrop.” Raindrop lowered her head when Jack looked at her, as if she was trying to hide behind an invisible wall. Gilda clear her throat and Raindrop seemed to snap out of whatever she was doing. “Now it’s going to take us about two to three hours to reach the volcanos where the dragons made their home. So we should be heading out now, so if would please get in the chariot.” Something was off in Jack’s mind; he just couldn’t put his finger on it.
**********************
They were flying for about one hour; Canterlot was getting smaller out in the horizon. Wistala was just finishing the cupcake that she picked out of all of the food in Jack’s backpack. “So what’s the plan of getting this helm from the dragon,” she asked.
“Hopefully we can either trade for it or persuade them that it for the better protection of Equestria if we have the helm.”
“You’re willing to give one of your weapons to dragons?”
“Or anything else I have in my bag they might want.”
“Like your gold.”
“Like my gold,” Jack notice that the chariot was descending. “Is something wrong Gilda?”
“Raindrop just needs a moment to rest,” Gilda replied, “sorry for the inconvenience.” They landed on an open grassy valley near a mountain. “The dragons’ home is just over that mountain, once we’re over that, we be there in a jiffy.”
“Right, I guess this well be a good time to think of a plan,” Jack said as he got off of the chariot.
Gilda’s ears stood up, and she bluntly shouted out, “You don’t have a plan yet! And you criticize me for wanting to go without one from the start!” She then realized what she did.
Jack’s eyes narrow and he growled, “Rainbow Dash, if I remember correctly even Celestia said no to you too. Yes I fibbed the planning part what I said to you. However, being train and have the equipment I spoke the truth.” He look at Raindrop who as trying to make herself as small as possible. “You also seemed to drag Fluttershy into this also. I applaud your disguise, it really did fool me, but play time is over; head back to Canterlot, I walk the rest of the way.” Jack was about to head out when Rainbow Dash flew in front of him.
“Wait,” Jack stop walking. “Look, I’m sorry we deceived you, but being one of the Elements of Harmony it’s my friends’ duty and I to protect Equestria when a great danger treats our peace. This isn’t my first time heading into the face of danger, and it won’t be the last. So I am going with you whether you like it or not.” Her face told no lie and was determine to make Jack change his mind. Jack Look into Dash’s eyes for a while, then sigh and said.
“Fine, but you will listen to my orders. If any sort of trouble emerges that I deemed unsafe and life threating, you all will get to safety. Understand.”
Rainbow Dash smile with her victory and said, “I understand.” Then she remembered something and said, “You should let Twilight, Applejack and Spike out of your backpack, since you gave up, and they don’t have to hide anymore.”
“Wait…WHAT!” Jack unsling his backpack and hold it upside down shaking it rapidly. Soon two ponies and one dragon fall out of it with multiple little thumps. “How in Lore did were you able to get inside my backpack!?”
Twilight was blushing smiling, “Pinkie Pie said that we would be able to hide in your backpack, and volunteer to distract you so we could get in.” How Pinkie Pie even knew that my backpack could even do that, Jack thought. “I’m guessing you saw through my illusion spell I cast on Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.”
“Actually it fooled him,” Dash said, “I just blew our cover. He’s allowing us to go with him though.” She turned to face Jack with an eager look to her face, “So Jack what’s the plan?”
Holding up a finger he said, “I need some time alone to think.” As he walked away from the group, his was boggle that he was beaten and deceived by ponies. He had beaten dragons, necromancers, undead, and saw through other evil plans beforehand, but not colorful, cute (in some degree) ponies. Sepulchure would be laughing his undead ass off for a long time if he ever heard about this.
******************
Wistala watch Jack walk in the distance pacing back and forth, thinking of a plan. “You know Twilight, you did well with the illusion spell with the look and their voices, but you should also work on changing their smell.”
Twilight look at Wistala, confused but then surprised, “You knew that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were the two guards.”
“It’s hard to deceive a dragon nose.”
“Really,” they all said.
“Well Lore dragons anyway, but the point is just remember next time, you never know.”
“So, if you knew it was us all along, why didn’t you tell Jack,” Dash ask.
“Because either Jack would find out soon-or-later, or you would have blown your cover, which you did.” She turned her head to face Dash, “You do realize that he doesn’t want to put anyone in danger and forcing your way into this “quest” won’t make it any easier to finish. In fact you might not come back alive and might make one or four dragons happy with an easy to get meal.”
Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy look at each other, but Rainbow Dash proudly proclaimed, “I not afraid.”
“It’s not about if you’re afraid, nor ether if you’re brave or bold. It’s realizing the odds are against us. We’re about to head into a den where thousands of dragons have made their home. Jack might look fearless but this deep down, this scare him. We have never face some many dragons before without any other help from others heroes, Dragonlords, Guardians or even Dragonslayers. By the Avatars this quest is not to be taken lightly girls.” Rainbow Dash seemed to understand the point Wistala was trying to tell. “I also understand the duty of protecting the world from total annihilation. I’m not going or even trying to stop you from joining us, Jack already made that decision.” She looked back at Jack who was still pacing back and forth. “But if you can help us in anyway it will be appreciated.” Wistala walk towards Jack and left the mares to think about their final decision.









Dragonfable is copyright to Artix Entertainment, LLC.
MLP: Friendship is Magic is copyright to Hasbro and whoever else has the rights.
All charters that belong to their companies are rightfully theirs. This writing is for fun and nothing else.