CANTERLOT
The light dimmed, and a pleasant shattering sound reached King Eclipse’s ears. Finally, I’m getting somewhere! He then looked to see those insufferable Astrolights cowering before his might, as they rightfully should. He then grinned. “Bow to me, you foolish ponies, and I will spare your lives. What say you? Will you accept your King?”
Shining Armor rose, and stood defiantly. Looking to her brother, Twilight soon did the same. Then, Shining pulled out a horn of sorts and blew into it a loud blast. Soon, stallions of all three major races and almost every color imaginable swarmed the edge of Canterlot, and they were wearing the orihalchum uniform of the Royal Guard. Shining Armor then leered at Eclipse. “”We will never let you enter this city! Stallions, ready your weapons!” Cannons were prepped, and rifles were leveled. Javelins hoisted, and arrows knocked. Spells charged in a whine of magic.
Eclipse narrowed his gaze. “Very well, be foolish then. One does not stand against the King of Equestria and escape unpunished! You should have surrendered when you had the chance!” After his small speech, he took it upon himself to channel his magic throughout his body to prepare a barrier.
Shining Armor set his gaze with determination. “Now, for the sake of the Diarchy, ATTACK!”
Then everything was let loose as if Tartarus was straight on their heels.
EVERFREE FOREST
The group was running through the dense foliage, and Janice piped up. “How long do you think we have before Dark King Eclipse comes our way, Maestro?”
He hummed, and back-flipped over a root in his way and continued to gallop with much haste. “Well, I’m not really certain, to be honest. A few hours, perhaps less.” He then looked at his watch with a pale green band on his left forehoof. “Yeah, that seems about right.”
Melia then cut in. “Well then, I say we hustle it up, to give us plenty time to prepare.”
Cloudkicker then chimed in. “If I’m right, then you’re taking us to the last known resting place of the seven Elements of Harmony, in the Castle of the Royal Pony Twins. May I ask why?”
Maestro blasted another root out of his way with a beam of turquoise magic. “You haven’t read the stories on how the Dark King was originally sealed away? For shame, Pufz, for shame.”
Cloudkicker blinked with indignation. “Pufz?”
Maestro turned around, and started trotting backwards as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Yeah, it’s my nickname fer ya. Give ‘em to all my closest friends.” He then leaped over a root without turning around again. “What, you don’t like it? I could always come up with something else, I suppose.” He then put his right hoof to his chin, but continued to travel unabated.
Cloudkicker shook her head. “No, it’s nice, I guess. Just wasn’t expecting it, is all.”
Maestro put down his hoof. “Excellent! Now, back to the task at hand.” He then swiveled to face a rather grumpy, large, red dragon with silver eyes. It snorted a stream of smoke in his face. Maestro just blinked. “Well, hello there good sir, does there seem to be a problem?” The rest of the ponies had backed away in fright, but Maestro stood his ground, fully expecting an answer.
The red dragon huffed, then spoke in a gravelly tone. “Of course something is the matter! Some thieving Diamond Dogs pilfered my treasure! However, I cannot seem to find where the hole they jumped into is…” He snarled in rage, swishing his tail and flaring his wings. “They even took a very valuable possession of mine, one I could never imagine parting with! I, Scorch Scales, cannot forgive them for this atrocious act!”
Roseluck forgot her fear for a moment, and stepped forward. “Excuse me, Mr. Scales, could you tell us what it is that they took from you that was so valuable?”
Scorch Scales looked her way, his silvery eyes piercing her soul. “It was an immaculate gem, of great value. It was shaped like one of my favorite flowers, a Fire Rose. However, it is lost to me now, and there were not many of them made, so they are extremely scarce…”
Roseluck’s eyes widened with realization. “You had a Fire Rose Gem?” She then pulled a hair clasp out of her mane, causing it to fall. The hair clasp had a intricately small gem on it, made of pure ruby. It was shaped like a rose that appeared to be on fire. Holding it in her hoof, she presented it to Scorch. His eyes widened in surprise. “I know it may be small compared to the one you had, but perhaps this will ease your pains over losing it.”
Scorch took the hair clasp in his massive claw and cradled it gently, as if it were the most fragile thing in the world. “You would truly give this to me? Is it not precious to you?”
Roseluck just smiled. “It may be precious, but you appear to need it far more than I do. Go on, keep it. I’m certain my mother would understand.”
Scorch bowed his head, closing his eyes as he did so. “I am grateful to you. I will cherish it with the utmost care.” He then lumbered off, slowly and carefully as to not drop the precious gift. He called back before he disappeared. “I will never forget this, I swear it! On my Dragon’s Pride, I will forever remember this day!”
Roseluck’s eyes widened in shock. A swear on a Dragon’s Pride was a very serious promise to them; they would keep it until the day they died, no matter what. Roseluck managed a small wave in her stunned state.
Janice then broke Roseluck’s stupor with her burning curiosity. “Roseluck, why’d you part with that? Wasn’t it from your mother?”
Roseluck nodded as she continued to stare at the direction Scorch had traveled. “Indeed it was. But Mom would certainly understand. After all, she taught me that a charitable act is one of the most precious things in the world."
Maestro nodded sagely. “That’s right. After all, if it weren’t important then why would it be one of the Elements of Harmony?”
Zecora then spoke. “You seem privy to knowledge most curious, to guide us through this situation most precarious.”
Maestro stomped a hoof on the ground. “Right you are, Zea! But, we can’t really talk on it too much right now. After all, Dark King Eclipse could strike at any moment. We must get going!”
The others nodded, and the group charged off deeper into the Everfree.