//------------------------------// // Into the Unknown // Story: The Rise of the Fallen // by SaintCrusade //------------------------------// "Are you certain it wasn't your fear sister?", asked the Princess of the Sun. She has seen her sister like this from time to time. Mainly after her reformation, these sort of nightmares were somewhat similar but she has never seen her this distraught. "This was more than a mere nightmare sister. I was not even in any pony's dream at the time and my magic can manipulate dream apparitions but this one was able to dodge and send me out of the realm.", said the lunar princess. "It also spoke of a prophecy but I do not know any that described a scarlet moon." "The last scarlet moon was after the disappearance of the Crystal Empire. I think it would be wise for you to search the archives in the vault and see if there is any. I must stay here for court so that no pony will suspect anything.", wisely stated Celestia. "I will come back as soon as I have found anything.", stated Luna as she teleported out, leaving the older sister to her thoughts and morning cake...but now she lost her appetite. "For our sake, please let their not be one.", silently whispering to her self, praying the Creator will end the constant verge of Equestrian annihilation. The Everfree Forest was wrapped in twisted magic, dark creatures and a forgotten history. With thick and dense forestation and heavy populated timberwolves, most ponies wouldn't dare take one step into the deadly territory. Luckily Twilight and her friends have been here so much that it became more of a trot in a park then that of a death trap. Pinkie Pie and Applejack brought snacks encase they stayed for more than usual. Rarity brought her special glasses and magnifiers in case of any fashion flaws or possibly finding the key. Rainbow Dash brought herself which was 20% cooler than what every pony brought...at least she thought. Fluttershy brought her loving companion, Angel Bunny. Despite what others see as a spoiled pet, if you stayed long enough, there is a bond that both have that no pony could really rationalize but inter-dimensional rabbits are hard to comprehend unless you are a certain party mare. Starlight brought several non-flammable lanterns she created during her stay at Twilight's. She got the idea after seeing glowing crystals at the Crystal Empire. Spike brought his gems in case he was hungry which he usually is. Twilight brought the book, some scrolls, a map and 3 checklists in case they missed something the first two times. It only took half an hour before on the horizon was a once glorious castle that fell under the destruction of sin and time. The castle showed power and peace in harmony but know is a symbol historical tragedy. They started their invasion of mystery solving in the main room and then began to split up to cover more room. Twilight and Starlight started in the library section. Rarity, Fluttershy (with Angel guarding her) and Spike started their search in the sister's bedrooms, while Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie searched in the armory and main kitchen and dining room. All parties searched high and low, every nook and cranny to have nothing come up and so they all met up back in the main foyer of the castle for a quick break. "It's a darn good thing that we brought something to fill our tummy's", the country mare stated as they laid out apple related food for all to enjoy, except for one Alicorn who is going out of her mind. "Twilight, I know you wanna solve this mystery but you need to take care of yer tummy or you will get weak." "Ugh I know. Why is this so hard to solve!", stated the hungry Princess as she began to eat as she studied her check list. "Perhaps we need to check other places darling.", the fashion mare inquired. "The only place i can think of is that Organ to the Outside room" "Tee hee that room was fun!" After their break ended, the group began their decent down to the room that once scared Twilight's friends, save for the party pony who was playing it. As they descended downward, the castle wasn't as destroyed then the top layer was. In fact, several paintings did survive Nightmare Moon's wrath but sadly were victims of time and began to deteriorate. Finally, the group entered what some believed one of the scarier rooms in the castle. It seems that the mammoth sized pipe organ was the only relic that was able to live through the war of time in the castle. "We should split up. This room is still fairly big.", said the Alicorn of Friendship "Ohh can I play the organ and look for the key!", ask the party pony. "No Pinkie, we don't want to set of more traps like last time.", stated Twilight not wanting any more surprises. "Aww so the book is gonna play it?", Pinkie said quite disappointingly but for every pony else was both shocked and scared as the book was in Twilight's satchel but now was on the podium of the instrument and was glowing a light blue aura and as the humming faded...it played. By the end of the song, every pony was hiding by their Alicorn friend and their poofy pink pony who looked dissatisfied. "Meh I can better.", stated Pinkie with confidence, but was soon cut off with the book levitating and the birth of the castle shaking. "Eeeep! T-the book didn't like what you said! Say sorry Pinkie" squealed the terrified Fluttershy. "Agh! I'm sorry book. You played good", shouted the guilty Pinkie as she clapped her whooves in high hopes that it would appease the floating book. The book however flew into a wall and slowly rotated upside down and caused the wall to lift, revealing a secret passage before floating back into Twilight's satchel. No pony moved for minutes as they were to busy processing what they just saw. Despite Rainbow Dash being the brave one, it was Twilight who began entering the passage and soon everyone trembled behind until they reached a wooden door with a mark that resembled the North Star. As Twilight opened the door, her jaw dropped as well as every pony else. Lied in their peripheral view was a room that denied time. A fire place that was still burning wood as well as fruit and bread that bear no flaws nor had any sign of rotting. The cherry wood bed set matching the self and table had no sign of dust as if it was just placed there. Soft satin pillows and bean bags gave a clear sign off that of great wealth. As the group entered the room they noticed a magical bubble they past through. "I know that spell! This is a spell that can freeze time in a room...but that spell can only last a day", Starlight remarked. "You would have to be an Alicorn to keep it any longer." "I can tell that the spell wasn't recent but has been going on for some time." Twilight said as she used her magic to scan the enchantment. She was cut short from the frantic squealing of a certain fashion mare. "Oh my heavens! This room is flowing with regality. The soft satin sheets, the soft pillows, the small but cozy fire place and the expensive cherry wood furniture", squealing Rarity as if she was dreaming. "And the food is tasty!", stated Pinkie Pie, eating one of the fruit without care. "I don't get it. Why would the princesses need this room sealed and put a heavy enchantment?", asked Applejack staring at some of the tapestries. "Maybe this is when the princesses would want some extra company~", Rainbow Dash brashly stated, giving the blushing Alicorn a jab. "Rainbow, that's not funny. Besides, This room had some pony's name on it.", Twilight said as she looked on the shelf. "Wow, these are some of Star Swirls Spell Scrolls and a book on ancient magic and prophecies!", squealing in joy as she pulled the book and then heard a click. Soon the back wall slid up revealing armor unlike the armor from today's Royal Guard armor. It was made of a metal that was dyed blue and yellow and had a crest of the same symbol on the door. Below had written passage, "I pledge my sword to the sisters, my wings to the heavens, my magic to the stars, my hooves to the earth and my heart to the moon, as the last Crusader of Equestria." "Crusader? I never heard of that rank before.", Starlight said reading the passage. "I remember an old pony's tale that Crusaders of Equestria were a group of special powerful knights that would help ponies during the reign of discord. They would help with various situations. Deliver food on dangerous trails, drive away any monsters and help in any way they could. From what i recall they served until the defeat of Discord. Equestria was back in harmony and the Crusade was disbanded.", explained the Princess of Magic, before spotting a key right below the armor and gasping. "THE KEY!" "Wow so it musta belonged to that crusader fella. I'm sure he wont mind if ya open it.", said the country mare, but Twilight was already ahead of that idea as she inserted the key and turned it and with a click, Twilight vanished with the book. "Or maybe he will.", Apple Jack said before all of them screamed at the fact that their friend vanished into the unknown. Day court had finally finished and the sun princess was happy that she can take a break. That was, until her sister had appear with a book and a face that looked like she had saw something she wish she hadn't. "Sister this is bad." Luna said as they entered their private chambers.