//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: Moving Forward, Wrought with Danger // by Odayama //------------------------------// Pinkie Pie had just told Newtolm about how she met Tom, in very fast detail. A lesser man would have been lost in the description, but Newtolm heard and registered every word. “...And he told you that you have to...impress him?” “Yup! And that’s why I got my bag of tricks.” Pinkie started to pull out a couple of items out, that seemed too big for the bag. Guess she had a bag of holding, too? Before he could tell Pinkie Pie about how to impress Tom, there was a knock on the front door of the castle. Twilight looked towards the door. “Wonder who that could be?” With Twilight’s magic, the door swung open to Zecora. “Princess Twilight, to disturb is not my intent. But there are some strange creatures that have been sent.” “Zecora!” Twilight rushed over to the door to hug her friend, as the others moved over to join in. Newtolm walked over to the newcomer, wondering who she was. Zecora looked at Newtolm, but was amazed to what she saw. “My, do my eyes not believe what they see? Is that the floating figure of an earth pony?” Twilight cleared her throat, letting there be a space for the two to be introduced. “Zecora, this is Newtolm. Newtolm, this is Zecora.” Newtolm made a bow towards Zecora. “A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Zecora. I am a psychic, so that is how I am floating, if that is your concern.” Before anything could be said, a loud banging could be heard again. “Now who could that be?” Before Twilight could open the door again, a loud voice could be heard. “Newtolm! It’s me, Juno! Open the door!” Newtolm panicked a little. “Oh dear...He does not know of my current predicament...” With a deep breath, he started to walk towards the door. “...Guess I will have to break the bad news like you would with a bad splinter.” --- Juno was still banging on the door, when Tia and Lyra came running behind him. “Wait, Juno! Your friend is...” The door opened to a silver pony with a blonde mane and a familiar hat on. Juno looked down at the pony. He was about to bear hug Newtolm, but realized that he wasn’t there. “Hi, yes, is Newtolm here? I was told he was here.” With a sigh, the silver pony responded. “Yes, Juno, he is here.” Juno took a moment. Tia and Lyra finally caught up with Juno, a bit out of breath. Tia patted Juno’s shoulder to get his attention, but he was still trying to register what had just transpired. “...Newtolm? No jokes, please. You can take your invisibility ring off, now.” Lyra spoke up to Juno. “Vinyl, the pony with your friend Tom, told us that something happened to Newtolm. Apparently, something to do with his hat and the princess’ magic...and now he’s...a pony.” Juno’s eyes widened as he stared at the silver pony and listened to Lyra’s words. Could this pony standing before him be... “...Newtolm?” Newtolm looked up at his friend. “Unlike with Tom, I will not toy with you about what had transpired. This form you see...” Juno, panicking, grabbed Newtolm in a bear hug. “That demon did this to you! I’ve got to get you out of this town! That will change you back!” Juno, carrying his friend, ran towards the town’s exit. But before he could get far, Newtolm opened a dimension door and change their direction to end up towards the castle wall. A loud boom shook the castle as Juno made full impact to the wall. The two tumbled over. Newtolm got up as he looked at the wall. “Ha! I knew that these walls were harder than they look. Not even a crack.” He turned to see his friend, who was seeing stars. “Are you alright, Juno? I did not mean to hurt you, but you were being hysterical, and not many things can stop you once you get going.” “I’m alright, little Kyle. Just give me a minute, and I’ll build your sand castle.” Juno slurred, disoriented of everything. Everypony went on the side of the castle to see the loud noise, to all of them to see the two on the ground. Rainbow Dash flew over to Newtolm. “Was that really the best way to stop him? He could have broke a window if he hit one.” Newtolm chuckled. “Juno was always a little panicky when it came to things out of his control.” “A little? If anyone else saw that, they would think you were being kidnapped by a mad man.” Tia stepped forward to kneel over at Juno. “Are you alright, you big lug?” “Excuse me, miss. I do not believe we have met properly.” Newtolm walked over to Tia. “You were the wild mage that the demon had taken over, are you not? Tia was your name, correct?” Tia nodded. “Yes. If it wasn’t for your friend here, I’d still be under the control of that demon you fought.” She looked back at Juno. “I think he’s coming around.” Juno shook his head. “Oww...Newtolm, next time, just let me fall from a higher hight. I’d rather fall than charge that wall again.” “Juno, forgive me. But you of all people should know how hard it is to stop you.” Newtolm patted his back. “Now get up, as I will introduce you to her highness.” He walked towards Twilight, and made a small bow. “Forgive the interruption, my lady, and the unjust use of your castle. There was little I could do. This is my friend, Juno. And this is the wild mage who had escaped the clutches of the demon Korthak, Tia.” He looked the two behind him. “Juno, Tia, you stand before Princess Twilight Sparkle, and her royal subjects: Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Zecora, and...” He stopped when he saw Lyra. He cleared his throat. “Forgive me, but I do believe we have not been introduced.” Lyra looked at Newtolm. “Oh, that’s because I came with them. As did Zecora. My name is Lyra. It’s a pleasure to meet you Newtolm. I’m sorry about what happened to you, though.” Newtolm chuckled a little bit. “It is alright. It was my fault anyways. I should have not put the hat on after what had happened to it.” Twilight cleared her throat. “Anyways, we should all get back in the castle. There’s a lot we’ll have to talk about.” Lyra looked at Juno and Tia. “I’m going to go back home. Will you tell your friend Tom that I had found you and brought you right to him?” With a chuckle, Juno knelt down, and ripped off a small strap from his shirt. He held it out to her. “As a sign of proof you found us. Come find us again later, Lyra.” Lyra took the strap. Startling Juno, she jumped up at him to hug him. She trotted off to her home. “Thanks, Juno! Have a good night!” “What was that about, Juno?” Newtolm looked at his friend. “I’ll tell ya about it after we talk about that demon.” Everyone had stepped into the castle to discuss the preparation for Korthak, and how to deal with him. --- A figure was walking around in the forrest, quite transfixed at his surroundings. He could not figure out where he was, but it felt like the material plain. He walked deeper into the forrest, seeing the many creatures that walked around him. More avoiding, than walking, for many saw the strange creature as an invader. The figure saw a cave. Smoke was coming out of it. Without fear, he approached the cave, delving deeper into it.