Chapter 1:
As the sun rises above the trees past dawn, a royal carriage rides through the Everfree Forest. Silver Wind sat on the top of it, his flowing black mane curling in the wind around his unicorn horn. His metallic purple eyes scanning the dark wilderness as the royal guards pulling the carriage ran deeper into the dark abyss.
“I reckon it’s about my time to keep watch” said a voice from inside the carriage. The latch on top opened and a maroon pony stuck his head up, his hoof holding his hat to his head, so that it didn’t blow away in the heavy gale. “Silver? Whaddya doin up here, I thought it was Crimson’s turn to keep watch?”
Silver Wind turned around, his eyes dark from lack of sleep, “I told him to get some rest, you should too Buckshot, we’re going to need all the strength we can muster up, once we arrive at the lake”. Silver Wind turned back towards the forest ahead.
Buckshot put his hoof on Silver’s shoulder, “I got it partner”. Silver Wind stood up and went through the entrance back into the carriage.
“Keep a watchful eye” he said, his voice trailing behind in the wind as he closed the latch, “hate to run into any...unwanted visitors”.
Buckshot scanned the dark trees ahead, small silhouettes and shadows were blurs as the carriage rambled on. “You and me both Wind”, he chuckled, resting his hoof on the shotgun to his side.
A couple hours later the royal guards stopped running. “Uhm sir? This is as far as we can take you, the trees are blocking the path and its too dangerous to travel this far” one of them said to Buckshot.
He glanced up, his eyes looking from under his hat, “I suppose you’re right” he said, “I’ll get the others, then why don’t y'all bring her to the nearest town.”
Buckshot opened the latch, and peered in, Silver was watching a small mare play video games while a white colt slept in the back. “C'mon y’all, we gotta start walkin’” Buckshot said to the others.
The white colt woke, looked around, grabbed a satchel and swung it over his back speechlessly. He opened the door and left the carriage, the forest greeting his weary eyes. He looked back at Silver, confused.
“We’re in the Everfree Forest, Sky, the Sapphire lake is just beyond that ridge” Silver Wind said, pointing to a tall mountain in the distance. Crimson Sky nodded as Buckshot jumped from the roof, down to the ground next to him.
The mare dropped the game controller, took off her goggles and started heading towards the carriage door. “Be right there!” she said, as she dashed towards the door smiling. Silver grabbed her, “not so fast kid, it’ll be too dangerous out there for you, why don't you head with the guards to town, we’ll see you when we’re done,” he said.
She scowled at him, “That’s no fair!” she yelled, “you never let me come!”
Buckshot stuck his head through the door, “Well than Hype, you should be darn used to it already,” he laughed. Hyperdrive put her goggles back on and resumed playing video games as Silver Wind got out of the carriage and closed the door. The guards turned around and started running back out of the forest.
It was just the three colts, standing together as the rising sun was carried over the horizon.
Silver Wind looked towards Crimson Sky, who nodded towards him. Sky unfolded his wings to reveal large metal tipped feathers. He nimbly dash into the air, flying over the trees, scouting ahead. They need to find what direction the Sapphire Lake was in, and they had to reach it before the sun was directly above them, lest they suffer the consequences.
Minutes later, Sky flew above them and signaled the direction to go.
“Alright then, reckon we should do something above these here trees” said Buckshot. Large green pines barred their path, surrounded by brush and thorny shrubs. Buckshot looked back at Silver Wind “Well?” he said, stepping back.
Silver walked up to the trees, and closed his eyes, his horned glowed dark silver as the wind around them began to shift and increase in strength. It turned into a light tornado around them, and then all of a sudden it dispersed and Silver opened his eyes.
“Blade Cyclone,” he said, as the wind turned to vicious whips of unearthly silver blades, slashes the trees into pieces, decimating everything in their path until they could see a light.
At the end of the makeshift path they found no wildlife or vegetation, just baron rocks with jagged edges, and a dense mist that eerily surrounded them. Crimson Sky was waiting there for them, he looked frantic. He gestured for them to follow as he flew around a large rock and out of their view.
“What tha-” Buckshot said, “was goin’ on here?”
A small purple Dragon was yelling for help, as a manticore held him under his palm. The manticore raised its other arm and smacked the dragon’s head, rendering him unconscious.
Buckshot pulled the shotgun off his back, “Why dontcha pick on someone yer on size buddy” he smirked. The manticore looked in his direction, then charged the colts. Sky swooped down and grabbed the Dragon, bringing him to safety. The manticore launched at Buck who chuckled and shot out four small balls from his shotgun. In mid air they spread apart revealing them to be connected by fine wire. The wire kept extending into a net that wrapped around the beast, bringing it to the ground.
Silver nudged the manticore’s head. It seemed like it had hit its head against the ground and was out cold. “Crimson, why don't you send a letter to the guards, tell them we need a pickup” Sky flew off. Leaving the Dragon in their care, Buck picked him up and put him on his back.
Silver inspected him, “I suppose we just can’t leave him here, but we really should get going” he said, looking at the sun which was almost at its peak.