//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Murky Fight // Story: Above the Fire Sky // by TheTimeSword //------------------------------// The four ponies and Kai stood at the edge of the Everfree Forest. As they entered, the summer heat had brushed off their coats from the shade of the overbearing tree tops. Unfortunately the humidity of the jungle cut any chance for a less than warm romp through the forestation. Their immediate path was set for Zecora’s hut. It was the best place to start as she may have come across or even found the three firefoxes they were tracking. Entering the forest had once felt overly dangerous but had become an interesting saunter for the group. Between Zecora’s hut and the Castle of the Two Sisters the forest seemed almost safe, especially with Kai now leading the group by floating and shining like a beacon in front of them. After reaching Zecora who explained in her rhythmic lyrics that she had not seen any sign of more firefoxes, they had set off for the castle. ‘Well, if they aren’t at this castle you spoke of, then we could stay there after it grows dark so that I can launch myself into the air for the others in the area to see me. My antenna should begin to shake if they are near, however. Although… That’s only if they have their mind open to telepathy.’ A backup plan was discussed, as the ponies did not wish to traipse through the jungle for days on end. Kai didn’t truly understand the problem of food or shelter the ponies required, but did not wish to rush his new friends. “If they aren’t at the castle, we’ll set up there and then move out in a circular pattern until night comes.” Twilight explained. “That should cover our bases. Maybe we could even yell out to them.” “You know, we should teach you how to speak our language. Then you could teach us!” Rainbow Dash suggested. ‘I know exactly who could teach that! Artimas is our eldest, he taught us many things passed down from generation to generation. He may be the wisest in our group, although I doubt he’d acknowledge it.’ Fluttershy giggled. “Am I the only one who imagined Kai with a big fluffy white beard and cane?” The others laughed as Kai tilted his head. ‘What is funny? I do not understand.’ They had finally reached the Castle of the Two Sisters. The castle looked the same as it always had, ruined by time and life. As they approached the bridge, Kai noticed his antenna had begun to thrash up and down. He raised his black nose to the sky and called out. “Fhjtrrmn plrh drtkh sskwrm!” Yelling out at the castle yielded no response from the inside. The ponies waited to hear something, or anything that would lead them to the Firefoxes. Kai couldn’t hold back, he ran over the bridge and rushed inside the open castle door with Rainbow Dash hot on his trail. The other three chased after them, albeit a bit slower. “Plrh drtkh sskwrm!” He yelled again. Rainbow Dash decided to follow suit. “Plthhh durkkuh sskqqermm!” She called out, spitting everywhere in the process. The vibrations of the antenna were getting stronger and stronger as they navigated down the twisted stone halls of the castle. Torn drapery and busted doors were passed as the two found their way into the library. Kai suddenly stopped as they entered the great hall with Rainbow skidding to a stop behind him. “Are they here? Why’d you stop? What gives?” She asked. Trying to gaze into the darkness of the room, she could barely see anything past the light coming from the sun entering the windows. He didn’t answer. The fur on his back went up as his ears lowered and teeth bared. His brightly colored orange fur seemed to brighten as his antenna went crazy. The antenna did not bounce up and down, but only vibrated in place. A deafening laugh could be heard within the walls. “Oh? So you’ve already come? I’m surprised you were able to make it here so quickly. But, not quick enough.” The most beautiful white fur Rainbow Dash had ever seen stepped out of the shadows at the other end of the libraries hall. A black and red horn pierced outward from his skull between two black antenna. This was Myar, she knew. Two other firefoxes followed him out of the shadows, their fur tinted grey so much so that you could barely see the orange. The two firefoxes had white antenna. One firefox was much smaller compared to Myar. The smaller one had even smaller antenna that were about the length of a baby unicorn horn, while the other firefox had much longer antenna than Myar himself. “Did he just speak to us?” Rainbow asked as she raised an eyebrow. “Frhlkn rrtrkh!” Kai growled out. “Sorry, brother, but they’re mine.” The white firefox smirked. “And so are you.” ‘Rainbow Dash, RUN!’ Kai turned to push Rainbow out of the way, but was unfortunately not fast enough. A metal cage landed on them both, leaving them trapped. Myar laughed again as he walked over to the cage with his two servants. “Don’t worry brother, I’ve taken good care of them. Just look at how happy they are!” The two firefoxes stared into the cage, their pupils had vanished from their eyes. Rainbow let out a scream. “Wh-what’s wrong with them!?” She then grabbed onto the bars of the cage and pressed her face against the openings. “You let us out right now or you’re gonna get it!” Kai had already been trying to squeeze out, but the bars width were too much even for him. “Don’t struggle. Once I make you my servant, brother, I’ll let you out. Of course, that’s only after I force you to destroy your new friend.” Myar laughed menacingly as his horn grabbed onto Kai, forcing him to the bars. With eyes wide open, Myar started to stare deep with Kai unable to resist staring back. The three slower ponies arrived just in the nick of time. “Rainbow! Kai!” They yelled out as they entered the room. Myar broke his concentration to face the three ponies. “So you had more friends with you than anticipated. No matter.” As he flew into the air, a large ball of energy formed at the tip of his horn, lights shining in different directions. “I’ll just have to destroy them myself!” Twilight stepped forward, casting a purple beam at Myar. The beam struck him down, causing him to lose the ball of energy he formed. He fell to the ground beside the cage. “Yeah! Way to go Twilight!” Rainbow yelled. Fluttershy and Rarity attempted to lift the cage up off of Kai and Rainbow Dash while Twilight dealt with Myar. “Strike her down!” Myar yelled as he struggled to get up. The two firefoxes that had been standing by rushed towards Twilight with blindingly fast speed. As they jumped to strike her down she teleported out of the way. ‘Please, Twilight! They are being influenced by Myar!’ Kai warned as he watched from the bars. “A little help here Rainbow?” Rarity said, using her magic to help lift the cage. “Oh, right!” She reached her hooves up to the ceiling of the cage and started to flap her wings. With the cage being lifted a small gap at the bottom had started to rise. Kai attempted to push himself underneath, to get out and help Twilight. The two mind controlled firefoxes attempted to bite and claw Twilight every chance they got. She knew she couldn’t hurt them, as it wasn’t their fault they were attacking. As they went on the attack once more, instead of teleporting she formed a circular barrier around herself. The two firefoxes jumped right into it, face first, almost knocking themselves out. “You will not succeed!” Myar yelled to her as he sent a blast of energy at the barrier. The energy poured around the sphered shield, slowly starting to crack the barricade that Twilight had formed. “That’s right! Hold out for as long as you can, but you and I both know it won’t be long now! Any second you’ll break and I’ll hav-“ Myar was interrupted by the jaws of his brother. Kai had squirmed his way out from under the metal cage and rushed to aide Twilight. He did the first thing that came to mind, he bit down straight onto Myar’s neck. The magical blast disappeared with the loss of his concentration. Kai remained clenched onto Myar as he reeled back and slammed Kai’s body onto the ground. He then created a barrier spreading outward from his coat, causing Kai to be flung off and skid on his back against the rough cracked stone of the library towards his four friends. But with Rainbow Dash out of the cage they stood by his side and were prepared to fight to defend the battered Kai. The two mind controlled firefoxes rushed to Myar’s side as he shook his body, placing a paw on his neck. Kai slowly tried to stand up, weakened and beaten. ‘You won’t get away with this brother.’ “I heal faster than you Kai. I am more powerful. I’m smarter than you AND your friends.” Myar said as he walked between his two controlled brethren. “I’m going to find and control all of the Cnthlk. Then I’ll use them to destroy you, your freakish friends, and this worlds inhabitants. I will be KING!” Rainbow Dash flew at Myar. “Quit badmouth my friend!” He grinned. “Runthkur, brother.” As soon as his words were spoken, he disappeared in a flash of light with the two firefoxes. Rainbow skidded to a halt over where they had been. “Oh come on!” Kai stumbled to his feet with his friends help. “Y-you aren’t h-hurt are you?” Fluttershy asked, checking him over. He was covered in dust and dirt from the sliding but seemed overall okay. ‘I am fine, thank you dearest Fluttershy.’ “Don’t worry sweetie, I’m sure we can break whatever spell he has over them.” Rarity said as she brushed off the dirt on his back. Gliding back over to her friends, Rainbow stood there in front of Kai, furious. “Are you going to TAKE THAT?” ‘W-What?’ Kai’s face looked into Rainbow’s. The fierce look in her eye caught his attention. “Rainbow, please.” Said Twilight. “NO!” She stomped her hooves. “That guy just mind controlled two of your friends! And then he was trying to mind control you, Kai!” ‘I-I-I…’ “Get mad! Your antenna are still shaking, he couldn’t have gotten far! Let’s go cream the punk!” She made a valid point. His antenna still rocked up and down without his control, shaking a little slower each time like a ceiling fan turning off. He had originally thought that Rainbow was angry at him, but the fierce piercing eyes he looked into were not the look of anger or revenge. It was the purest form of loyalty he had ever seen.