//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Quest Begins // Story: Journey through Demon Land // by Shadow Master //------------------------------// Pipsqueak, Twist, Dinky Doo and Babs Seed returned to their home for sleeping since it was very late night. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Jade Adventure remained behind at the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom for their family's health. Inside the patient room which was located at third level of kingdom, the dressed radioactive suit Tao was putting the sickened patients into their bed gently while covering them with their blankets. He came to Shadow Dragon. He took a big sigh while looking at his son. He gently pat on Shadow Dragon's spiky mane. Seeing his son sickened reminds his early memory. Tao remembered of how his son caught a flu when he was a colt. Young Shadow Dragon was forced to stay home to get better. Tao kept on watching over his son while feeding him, helping him and caring him. Shadow Dragon was his special and important treasure as every father had for his own son or children. As he said softly to his son 'goodnight' and prayed him to be well soon, Tao got up from Shadow Dragon's bed and left the room. He then removed his suit out and turned to Dragon Kick, Icy and Tailtech. Three of them nodded their heads in understanding of what Tao was asking. They were on watch-over duty. Tao left three ponies behind as he headed to the stairs in checking on someone else... On the fourth floor, Tao came across the left sided corridor: Lance's bedroom. He found Laxtinct sleeping and lying down on the floor. He sighed in annoyance but decided not to wake or bother the latter. Tao opened the door slightly. He checked on the children. Lance was on his bed, Nyx slept together with her friends (Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Jade Adventure) and Spike slept on his basket. He found them asleep quietly and soundly. He sighed in defeat and despair. "I promised you all, children... Your family and friends will be fine. I'll do anything to make sure that they're fine. Hopefully... the Council send some help..." Tao gently closed the door as he headed straight to Patient Chamber in checking up on them. An hour had passed since Tao left the children's chamber, Lance opened his eyes. He slowly came down from his bed. He took a bag out from the bed's underneath. It has his flashlight, food supplies, wax, gears and diary. He even took Twin Dragon Swords. He was ready to journey to another area... "Lance?" The gentle voice called. Lance yelped in shock and concern as he turned and looked at Nyx and her friends were awakened from their sleeps. She asked, "So you really want to go?" Lance sighed and nodded his head, "I have to. I can't stand of doing nothing." "What makes you say that? Tao said that help is on the way. All we've gotta do is wait," Spike said in concern and worry. Lance shook his head, "Yeah... Even if they did, there's no guarantee if the Mystic Ponies did get back home safely with the medicine. My mother told me that the Demon Land has some kind of Dark Energy to affect both Equestria and Mystic Ponies. That land belongs to the Demons. Those monsters may tried to stop them from finding the ingredients." "And you think you can handle it?" Apple Bloom asked in concern. "You're crazy! There's no way you can handle it," Scootaloo exclaimed in concern. Sweetie Belle nodded, "They're right! Going to Demon Land is suicide and dangerous! There's no telling what kind of danger you're facing!" Lance stomped his right hoof down hard, "It's better than doing nothing! I've lost my mother now... But I'm not going to lose my only family now! I'm not letting my father or my new mother died! I'm not going through that pain again!" Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike were in shock and surprised by his intention. They looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement. "If you think you're gonna stop me, try it," Lance said determinedly. Nyx shook her head, "No, we're not. We're going with you. Right, everyone?" Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike nodded their heads in agreement. They were willing to do anything to save their family and friends. They knew the risk and consequence of going to the Demon Land. There was less choice for them to do than doing nothing and watch theirs to died. Shocked and concerned of their decision, Lance shook his head in denial, "No! I can't let you go with me! It's too dangerous! I'm not putting any of you at risk! I told you that I'm not going to lose my family!" Nyx rammed on Lance's chest; making him yelped in pain. She spoke, "Look! You think you're the only one want a family to be cured! Spike and I want my mom and dad to be okay! Apple Bloom wants Applejack to be healthy, so as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo! Don't you dare say that you're not going to lose your family!" Spike nodded his head in agreement, "Losing you means losing your own family. Is this what you want? Is this what Iris wanted?" Lance thought for the moment before he sighed in defeat, "Fine... Just stick with me if we're gonna pull this off." "RIGHT!" Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike exclaimed in agreement. "So what should we do? What do we need?" Spike asked curiously, "Besides, travelling to Demon Land is no joke. We won't know how we get there or what we're dealing with..." Nyx nodded her head, "We definitely need a map, list of items we have to get, a navigator and above of all: Demon Catalogs." "Why do you need a 'cat' and a 'log'?" Scootaloo asked in confuse. Apple Bloom whacked on Scootaloo's head, "No, you dodo! She meant 'catalog'. It means an 'information' and 'details'!" Sweetie Belle nodded her head in agreement, "With the help of that, we could at least tried to avoid fighting the Demons. There's no telling how tough and dangerous they can be." Everyone within the room gave some thoughts of who, how and what needed to be done to achieve their mission. Found an inspiration ideas, both Lance and Nyx smirked while looked at each other. They may have something or someone in their mind. They both told their friends of what they had in mind. Their friends smiled and nodded their heads in agreement. Spike opened a door and took a peek on outside. He found Laxtinct sleeping on the floor, snoring like a pig. He turned to his friends before giving them a thumbs up. Lance smiled in relief. He opened his wings out while allowing Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Jade Adventure on his back. Nyx grabbed Spike's claws. Both flying ponies flew out of the windows. They were on the mission... On the Giant Shelter neared to Rainbow Friendship Kingdom, Dragoking was asleep until a flapping noise sounded on his ears. He came out and spotted two familiar Pegasi flying away from Rainbow Friendship Kingdom. He had his eyes narrowed in concern yet furious while growling softly. At Canterlot Castle's Library, a familiar blue Unicorn was working late again at his office. Spell Nexus was writing some reports about his latest research: 'Rainbow Power' and 'Elements of Light and Darkness'. Ever since the Tirek Battle and Third Mystic War ended, Spell Nexus was intrigued by the research when Princess Celestia mentioned it to him. He requested her a permission to study and understand the Elements and Rainbow Power. Thus, she gave hers to him to do it. Spell Nexus spent his year in studying and researching on two important projects, and yet he found nothing about it. As Spell Nexus continued studying and working on his research, he felt the wind blowing his mane. Some of his work were blown away. He quickly grabbed his works at once before they got blown away. As soon as he recovered them, he hidden them within his desk's drawer; feared of putting under the wrong-hoof. Spell Nexus turned and headed to the corridors of Library, with his horn glowed bright as the sun. He suspected that the wind wouldn't able to blow his mane when windows were closed, unless there was someone... As he checked on the first row, Spell Nexus looked on both sides in searching and finding someone or intruder while shined on them. Reaching to the end, he found something two missing books. He was in shock and concern. "That's- Those were the Demon Nature Books! One was the Geography and Biology of Demon Land while another is Demon Encyclopedia," Spell Nexus said in fear and concern, "But why?! And who would want to know about the Demons?" Spotted a small piece of paper on the shelf, he levitated it. He opened it as he read it. He looked shock yet surprise of it. He sighed in concern. "I hope you know what you're doing, Nyx. Going to Demon Land is very dangerous place that nopony could dare to go." Spell Nexus gulped in concern, "Or... None has ever return and live to tell a tale..." At Zecora's Hut, she was humming gently as she was meditating calmly and quietly, though she sounded asleep. A door opened softly while the wind blew to her mane. She narrowed her closing eyes in suspicious yet concern like she knew someone was trying to invade. Instead of awakening and attack her enemies, Zecora remained calm while smiling. As the wind slowly died down while the door closed, she opened her eyes. She looked at her drawer. She found something missing: list of eight items from Demon Land. She then glanced at the door. She took a deep breath before released it calmly and gently... "I pray you return safely home; Lance, Nyx, Spike, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Jade Adventrue and Shiroi Bai," Zecora said calmly, "The journey you take shall test your might, wisdom, courage and decision. Luck I give to you, my little friends..." Neared and cornered to Ponyville's entrance was Shiroi Bai's newly home. She and her whole family were asleep. On the second level was her own room. Hers was pure white yet clean and clear environment. Her room was filled with her bed, a drawer, book and drawing tool shelves, the dressing closet and the portrait. Shiroi was asleep on her own bed. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Shiroi moaned and mumbled in annoyance as she slowly got up and turned to the window. She gasped in shock. "Lance?" Shiroi asked in shock when she saw the flying Lance neared to the window. She headed to it and opened it, "What are you doing here? Do you know what time is it?" Lance sighed, "I know... But I need your help." Surprise and shock of what he said, Shiroi had her eyes narrowed in determined yet concern. As Lance held his hoof up, Shiroi took his. He lifted both her shoulder as he flew straight down. They both landed gently. She then met up with Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike. Why they were up late? Why were they doing here? Something important? Or something bad has happen? Shiroi thought in shock and concern yet calm. Lance explained the situation to her of why he and his friends sought her out. What they request was shocking and scaring her up, almost giving her a heart attack. Lance and his friends looked concern and worry of her expression and answer. "Will you help us?" Lance asked calmly. Shiroi sighed while shaking her head, "I can't." Lance and his friends were in shock and concern. She continued, "I already told you before. The Demon Land is too dangerous to go! Even you were all brave and strong, you won't return home safely. I'm sorry." "Please... This isn't for us," Nyx begged and pleaded in concern while looking at Shiroi, "What if the Mystic Ponies won't help us? What if they died when they traveled to that Demon Land? What if... our parents died before they could get the items? Please... Please, help us... You're our only hope..." "Nyx..." Shiroi said in shock yet concern and pity while having her eyes narrowed in shame. Spike sighed, "Look, we get it. If you won't do it, then we'll go our own. Our family needs us. And we're not letting them down. We're not going to let them died." "Yeah," Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded their heads determinedly. Lance approached Shiroi while placing his hoof on her right shoulder, "Look... We're not going to force you. We asked you because you have navigation and knowledge of Demon Land. But it's okay. So go to bed. We'll handle it." Lance and his friends turned to the front as they carried their bags up. They were preparing to head off for their quest and journey. Touched by Lance and his friends' dedication and caring, Shiroi took a deep breath and spoke humbly, "If you're going, then I'm going too." They turned and looked at her. She continued, "I understand now. And... I know what it feels like losing someone you cared. I'll help you to find the items." "Shiroi..." Lance said in shock and surprise. Shiroi smiled, "So what are we waiting for? Let's go to Demon Land and get the items. Hopefully I don't become a damsel in distress." Lance and his friends laughed in amusement of what Shiroi had said. Shiroi levitated some of important items such as drawing pad, pencil, makeup items and travelling gears into her yellowish bag. They were ready to travel to the Demon Land... As the sun rose and shined through the window, Laxtinct yawned wildly as he stretched himself out. Tao approached to the children's bed chamber while magically levitating the plates of sandwiches, soups and pancakes. "I see you have awaken from your sleep," Tao said sarcastically, "The next time you're on the job, ask someone else to take over. At least Burnblast and Lightningblade did the better job than you are." Laxtinct groaned in annoyance as he mimicked Tao's last sentence, "At least Burnblast and Lightningblade did the better job than you are. Please... I can do the night watch." Tao knocked the door gently before opened it, "Children... I'm here. I've brough your break-!" Tao gasped in shock as he found the chamber empty. No sign of children or Spike... "What- What just happen?" Laxtinct asked in shock and concern. Tao looked shock and concern as he spoke, "They're heading to the Demon Land. This is not good..." Laxtinct looked concern and scared of what Tao had said. Things were about to turn into worse or better... Lance and his friends spent a long day in traveling and reaching to the Demon Land. They used the train in travelling to the Southern City Appleloosa. With the help of Beaburn, they traveled to the Macintosh Hills. Upon arriving to the area, the carriage bus dropped them. They then traveled through the dangerous and uninhabited Badlands. As they continued passing through some rocky area, they climbed up to the top of mountain. The sun nearly sets, Lance and his friends reached to the top and edge platform of mountain. They stood before the largest black land which was scarred, dark, deadly and demonic barren wasteland. Its atmosphere and clouds were darker yellowish-crimson mixed. There was very little light to shine on the land. There was not a sign of living creatures in the area. Its greens were not seen or burnt and torn apart. Its water was very little or another barren wasteland. Its nature was darker yet scarred and damaged-like death... "Is this it?" Apple Bloom gulped in fear and concern. Shiroi nodded her head calmly yet scared, "Yes... This is it. The Demon Land: home of all Demons and Monsters only." "Wow... This is even scary than hearing some story about it," Scootaloo said in fear. Sweetie Belle nodded her head in agreement, "Yeah... I just hope we can get out of here in time. And hopefully, we can find the items somewhere nearby.." Showing his brave and determined eyes, Lance spoke determinedly yet calmly and firmly, "Don't worry, we will. Let's go. Time is wasting..." "No kidding," Jade agreed. She looked up and stared at the sky, seeing a small hint of sun setting down, "We'd better get going. Sun is setting. We need a place to sleep." Lance and some of his friends climbed down the mountain, Nyx and Spike remained on the top of mountain. Nyx was staring and looking at the atmosphere and landscape like she was being reminded of something else... "It's like... I've been here before in my life... But Where? When?" Nyx asked in concern and scared, "How did I know this place?" "Nyx? You okay?" Spike asked in concern. Nyx shook her head gently before turned to Spike. She smiled gently and calmly, "Nothing's wrong. I'm just imagining things. Come on. Let's get going." As Nyx moved out, Spike remained still while looking at her. He suspected that Nyx was acting strange when it involved 'Demon Land' but chose not to open some discussion. He then followed her, climbing down the mountain. At the Mystic Jade Palace, Tao was running through the corridor of long hall. He was heading straight to the Meeting Chamber where it was guarded by two Mystic Guards. They blocked his way from entering the area. "Let me in!" Tao exclaimed in fear and concern, "I must speak with the Council! This is urgent and important! They have to help me now! The children need the help! I won't let anything happen to them!" Mystic Guards were shock of what Tao had said. They had never seen him so serious and worry since the last hundred years Shadow Dragon disappeared from the public's eyes. They let him in at once. As he entered, Tao had to do what he can to convince and beg the Mystic Council to send some help and units to the Demon Land to get the eight items and rescued the children before worse could happen... Evening was neared. Lance and his friends continued walking and travelling across the Demon Land. They were searching and looking for an open and secured area or a sheltered. Spotted a cave in front of them, they quickly entered the area at once. Lance turned to his friends, "We're gonna camp and sleep here." "YEAH! CAMPING TIME!" Cutie Mark Crusaders cheered happily and wildly. Spike yelped in concern as he quickly shushed, "Keep it down, will ya?! What if there's a monster or demon?! We could be dead!" "Chillax Spike," Jade scoffed, "You've got two Mystic Ponies and an Alicorn to protect you. What worst could happen?" As Lance and Shiroi gathered some woods from the deep inside, they put them together. Shiroi launched her magical spark on them. It lighted the fire. It glowed brightly yet barely enough to give a heat or light. "I'll go and get some woods from the Dead Forest," Lance said seriously. Everyone gasped in shock and concern of what Lance had said. "Hello? Didn't you see how scary and creepy Demon Land is??!" Scootaloo asked frantically. Lance sighed in annoyance, "Don't worry, Scootaloo. I won't be long. Spike and Shiroi will look after you all." He turned and glared at Nyx, "And no funny business, Nyx. You know how irritated and angry I get when you do that." Nyx sighed in annoyance, "Fine. No funny business. I won't do something like that." "Good. I'll be going." Lance turned to Shiroi, "Take care of them." Shiroi nodded her head, "I will." Lance smiled. He turned and ran off to the forest in finding more woods while leaving Nyx and her friends remained behind. As the night rose, Shiroi kept her eyes on the young fillies and dragon. She drew a sketch on Ponyville she imagined and thought of. Four Cutie Mark Crusaders took a glance on her work. They remarked and commented happily about it. Nyx was looking at the moon while having some thoughts of her own. Spike approached from behind. He sat besides with her. "Wanna talk about something?" Spike asked in concern. Nyx remained silent and quiet. He gave her a stern look, "You know I'll keep on asking if you don't talk." Nyx sighed, "When I heard 'Demon Land', it's like... I know that place. When I came to here, I felt like I've been here before. But... I don't know why I have these feelings. And I don't know why I can't remember of been here before. Feel like... there's something more to me than meets the eye..." Concern of his little sister's mind, Spike hissed in concern as he was having some idea to help her. He smiled as he had an idea. Spike patted on her back gently and spoke calmly, "Well... I can't say that you actually have another life before like the second Nightmare Moon." He shook his head gently, "But whatever it was, just don't let it bother you. The important thing is you have everyone including Twilight and Shadow Dragon be there for you. That's all it matters." Having some thoughts of what Spike had said, Nyx smiled, "Yeah... I guess you're right. I've got nothing to worry about. That's just the past. Thanks..." "Anything for my sister," Spike said proudly. SWOOP! Both Spike and Nyx heard of flapping and swooping sound like some creatures were flying around the area. There wasn't supposed to be any sign of living creatures, unless... Appeared thirteen humanoid creatures with large bat wings dressed in black ninja robe-like and masks before Spike and Nyx. The latter both screamed in fear as they quickly ran away from them . They stayed close with their remaining friends. The mysterious creatures slowly descended and landed on the caves as they approached slowly to their preys. "What- What are they?!" Apple Bloom asked frantically. Shiroi gulped in fear, "Hunter Bats... They're the flying hunters. They scour on sky while looking for foods. And it meant us." "Thanks for the obvious about it," Jade sarcastically commented. Thirteen Hunter Bats surrounded Nyx and her friends as they raised their claws up; readied to hunt and kill them down. Nyx and her friends were in shock and scared of what they were going to do. The Hunter Bats were not like what creatures and adventures they had faced, not even Mane Six's adventures could prepare them for this. They nearly resembled Dark Mystic Ponies. Seeing her newly friends were frightened by Hunter Bats' appearance, Shiroi looked concern and scared of what she can do. She was afraid as the children were. She shook her head hard. She narrowed her eyes in determined as she remembered her promise to Lance... As her horn glowed brightly, Shiroi turned and glared at Thirteen Hunter Bats, "Back you devils! Blind Light!" She launched her glaring light in blinding the Hunter Bats. She charged in and rammed three of them out of the caves. She turned to Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike, "Run! Run! I'll hold them off!" As Shiroi battled her enemies with the help of her Blind Light and Hikari Strike, Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike quickly took their chance in escaping. On the outside of the cave, they watched and hoped Shiroi escaped. Instead of escaping, Shiroi continued blasting her Blind Light and Hikari Strike at the Hunter Bats. Two to three of them were hit by the attacks. The rest charged in and attacked her. The fourth one stroke his claw on her face. She pushed back. The fifth and sixth slashed her back hard. The seventh pushed her to the ground hard. Shiroi moaned painfully. Eight, ninth and tenth Hunter Bats struck their claws on her, but she dodged them quickly before blasted her Hikari Strike on their faces. She then blasted her Blind Light of the last three. They quickly flew up high, followed by their ten remains. They flew up high; readied to fight with their preys. As Shiroi was about to fire her Blind Light, first two Hunter Bats flew and slammed her to the ground hard. The remains charged in and attacked her hard and quickly while scratching and striking her down hard and quick. Feared for her safety, Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike turned and looked at each other. They nodded their heads in agreement. They faced many dangers before in their lives. They even involved in Third Mystic War. They yelled and screamed wildly and crazily. They all charged in and battled the Hunter Bats. They jumped and slammed the latter to the ground hard. Shiroi quickly launched her Hikari Strike on three of them hard. Shiroi got up and saw what she was seeing. She was not pleased, "I thought I told you to run away!" "No offense! No one's running away unless all group is together," Nyx exclaimed determinedly before she launched her Lunar Strike Blast at the fifth Hunter Bat. Apple Bloom nodded while bashing and knocking on the sixth Hunter Bat's head, "Yeah! We stick together! No one gets left behind!" "YEAH!" The remaining of Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike exclaimed determinedly while battling with the Hunter Bats. Shiroi sighed in annoyance but smiled in relief. She understood why the kids were good and special. She got up and fired her Hikari Strikes at three of them who dodged the attacks. They quickly charged and attacked her. She dodged and avoided theirs while firing her Hikari Strike at them. Spike fired his Dragon Flame at two more of them who blocked the attacks. Nyx fired her Lunar Strike Blast at three of them while combated her enemies with her martial art skills. Using her martial art skills, Jade gought against another three group. Scootaloo rode her scooter in letting two more Hunter Bats chasing and pursuing her. Sweetie Belle levitated Apple Bloom in charging straight at them. Upon approaching them, Apple Bloom turned and gave them a hard bucking kicks for few times. As Nyx and her friends fought bravely and determinedly against thirteen Hunter Bats, the latter proved to be strong and tough to be beaten down. Their remaining were seven of them. They panted in exhaustion and tired from battling. The predatory Hunter Bats armed themselves in ready to attack their preys. As the first one jumped and ready to pounce Nyx and her friends, he had his chest slashed and cut before falling to the ground. Before the second and third could do anything, they got their chests stabbed and struck by the blades. They then were pushed to the ground hard. Lance stood before four Hunter Bats as he readied to fight and battle them. The first one charged in and struck his claws on the Lance for five times. Lance blocked them before kicked the demon bat's face hard and stomp it to the ground. Second and third one charged in They both swung their claws at him but he dodged and hovered on the middle. He landed on the ground before kicked their legs hard. He quickly got up and grabbed the swords from the last two. He struck them on the Hunter Bats' stomachs hard. Lance turned to the last one as he prepared to face against it. Hunter Bat charged in, Lance clenched his Twin Dragon Swords in ready to attack. As the demon was closed to him, the pony pass through it while slashing his blades on the stomach hard. The Hunter Bat fell to the ground hard while losing much of bloods. Lance sheathed his swords as he turned and approached to his friends. "Is everyone alright? Are you all hurt?" Lance asked in concern. "No. We're fine. You came just in perfect time or we would have been gone," Shiroi said calmly. "We could have," Jade smirked, "if Shiroi hadn't stop and face the Demons!" "Yeah! You should see what Shiroi did! She's like a second Fluttershy," Apple Bloom exclaimed happily. "Yeah! Even though she's afraid of Demons," Scootaloo commented, "she jumped in and fired her magic at them!" "That was brave of you," Sweetie Belle commented. Shiroi giggled nervously while blushed in embarrassment, "No... Not really. I did what I have to protect you all from danger. These guys are not very easy to deal with." "Yeah... I know what you mean," Spike nodded his head in understanding. Nyx jumped and hugged Lance tightly, "And not only that, we joined the battlefield to help her. We didn't want to lose our friend." Lance hugged her, "Yeah, I know what you mean." He turned and glanced at the Demons, "We'd better get inside the cave. More will come soon." Nyx nodded her head, "You're right, Lance. We'd better get up early in the morning and leave this place. We have to get eight items and get out of here. I don't want to know what else store in the Demon Land. And I get the feeling... this is just the starting..." What Nyx and Lance had said made their friends worry and scared. They nodded their heads in agreement and understanding. Nyx and their friends quickly headed and entered the cave for eating their dinner before getting to their sleeps. They knew that once they entered into a dark and scary area while met their first encounter... may began their dangerous adventure. There was no turning back... To Be Continued... Review and Suggest...