The Forbidden Forest
As the blackened evening sky blanketed the landscape of the Hogwarts grounds, shrouding the realm in darkness, a great evil was at work deep in the menacing Forbidden Forest. Within the dark trees, nothing could be heard but the whistling of the wind. Then the sound of galloping filled the empty air as a large white unicorn sprinted at unearthly speed through the thick foliage.
The poor creature turned back behind itself to catch of glimpse of what’s been chasing it for the last ten minutes. Nothing could be seen, but the creature was no fool. Because it knew, without a shadow of a doubt, something was there… stalking the unicorn… hunting the creature. And while it may not be able to see it, that did not mean it could not see them.
Just when the creature turned its head back around, it immediately stopped in its tracks as a large red hand wrapped around its throat. The unicorn whinnied and struggled to be released, but it was no use. The powerful grip upon its neck proved too strong to break free. The one clutching the unicorn by the neck was none other than the malevolent centaur, Lord Tirek.
“Did you really think you could run from me?” He asked sinisterly.
The dastardly villain released a low evil chuckle, as he opened his mouth wide and began to suck the very magic straight from the unicorn’s horn. The poor beast struggled as best it could but soon found its strength fade and grew weaker by the second. The more magic Tirek drew from the unicorn, the more he grew not just in size alone, but in strength as well. Finally, he absorbed all the magic he’d generate from this unicorn and allowed its weakened body to fall upon the forest floor. As Tirek stared upon the fallen creature, he took in a deep breath as he felt his newfound power flow through his veins.
“An impressive hunt indeed.”
Tirek smirked as he slowly turned his head, catching sight of the approaching Mysterious Benefactor as they appeared from behind him.
“That was no hunt,” Tirek chuckled. “A hunt requires a great deal of effort to capture your prey. This feeble-minded creature was easy to snare. I will say though the unicorns of this realm provide a great deal of magic more than those of my land.”
Indeed, it was a true fact that the unicorns of the Wizarding World have more magical properties than those of Equestria. The only issue being that they were so far behind in evolution, compares to Equestria’s unicorns, that they could never truly use their true potential.
“Well, given the circumstance, we must thank you,” The Benefactor spoke seriously. “Cherish it, because we don’t give thanks quite often.”
“That’s a first,” Tirek remarked.
“We only allow you to absorb their magic and regain our strength simply because it makes it easier for him to get what he wants.”
Tirek thought back to the last few months that passed by. After the failed attempt to destroy the young Potter during the Quidditch game, the Benefactor had no use for him or his cohorts for some time. It was only after a month they finally found use for the trio. They offered Tirek the chance to regain his power once more by draining the unicorns of their magic, in exchange for leaving the bodies behind. It seemed like an odd request at first, but Tirek was not one to deny himself the chance.
“What would you have me do now?” Tirek asked.
“You go and wait deep in the forest,” The Benefactor instructed. “Only when he is finished will you be given further instructions.”
Tirek bowed his head slightly and began to walk off into the forest before casting one last glance toward his ally.
“You never explained why you need the bodies left behind,” He said. “They are useless without their magic.”
The Benefactor merely turned their head toward the centaur, staring with glowing eyes under the hood.
“That is his business and his alone.”
<>
Later that very same night, the Mane and Student Six stood waiting at the entrance to the Grand Staircase. Tonight was the night they’d serve detention along with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. So far they’ve been given no information on what it is they were doing, but they figured whatever it is wasn’t going to be good. The sound of footsteps heading their directions drew them to look and spot the other three Gryffindors walking up alongside them.
“I was worried you weren’t going to show up,” Twilight said concerned.
“Not like we had much choice,” Ron groaned.
“This is so jank!” Rainbow grumbled. “So we were out a little late, so what? That shouldn’t be cause for you kids losing 450 house points and us getting fired!”
“I simply must agree with you there darling,” Rarity nodded. “It seems like such an overreaction to something so small if you ask me.”
“That may be true, but the fact of the matter is that we broke their rules,” Twilight stated. “They have every right to punish us.”
“Come on Twi,” Applejack complained. “Y’all can’t honestly be sayin’ this is right. How can ya be so dog-gone calm ‘bout this?”
“Because we’re supposed to be representing Equestria’s good name with this alliance. And how can we possibly do that if we break the rules? All we can do is everything that we can to get those points back and hopefully McGonagall will forgive us in due time.”
“Hopefully,” Fluttershy whispered. “It makes me sad to disappoint someone like McGonagall.”
“Things have been quite rough after losing all those points,” Harry pointed out. “Have you noticed not a single one of our classmates will even speak to us, let alone look at us?”
Everyone nodded, recalling how throughout the last day since their punishment was issued, none of their Gryffindor classmates uttered so much a single word. It was like they were avoiding them as though they carried the plague or something.
Pinkie sat upon her flanks as she rubbed her greatly swollen stomach. The little colt growing inside her had now been in there for a good several months which meant only four more to go before his arrival. At the moment, however, even he could sense the distress amongst the group, and especially his mommy. He voiced his opinion with uncomfortable kicks to his mother’s tummy, causing the pink pony to groan. An especially hard kick caused her to hunch over.
“Ugh!” She moaned. “Easy there little guy. I know you’re upset; mommy is upset too. But please try to be more careful. Would a double-triple chocolate hot fudge sundae help?”
She reached behind her and pulled out a gigantic dish filled with ice cream and chocolate sauce. Almost comically, her mouth opened to the size of a crater and she dropped the huge sundae down her mouth, swallowing it whole. Giving out a large belch, she rubbed her now soothed stomach and looked up to see everyone staring at her strangely.
“What? I’m eating for two remember?”
Everyone else just shook their heads as they waited. For some reason, Smolder couldn’t stop fidgeting her tail as she paced nervously.
“You okay there Smolder?” Gallus asked concerned.
“I don’t know,” Smolder replied. “I guess I’m just worried about Norbert. I mean aside from me and Spike, dragons are considered illegal here. I hope nothing bad happens to him.”
This caused Gallus to cock an eyebrow and tilt his head.
“I thought you didn’t want to be his mom.”
Smolder immediately stopped pacing, as she rubbed the back of her neck and attempted to hide her blushing cheeks.
“Uh—well—I don’t!” She stammered. “I just don’t want anything bad happening to my own kind you know?”
As she continued to pace, Spike approached his dragon friend and place a claw upon her shoulder.
“I wouldn’t worry about Norbert,” Spike assured. “He may just be a newborn, but he already seems like a pretty tough little guy. Just look what he did to Hagrid’s beard.”
This caused a chuckle to spring forth from Smolder’s throat, as she remembered the little dragon roasting off a good portion of Hagrid’s beard.
“Yeah, I guess that was pretty funny,” She sighed.
Just then, the sound of someone clearing their throat made everyone jump. They quickly turn as Argus Filch approached them while carrying a lantern. As always, he retained the same menacing look on his face.
“Follow me,” He spoke simply.
He then began to stroll down the corridor, as everyone reluctantly followed closely behind. All but Spike left, the dragon being far too young for the punishment that awaited the Students and with the Mane Six assigned to keep watch. Spike waited by the foot of the Gryffindor common room, looking on nervously as the group made their way for detention.
“Good luck, guys,” Spike spoke.
<>
Later, Filch led the group, even the Slytherin Malfoy, through the many corridors till finally they approach Hagrid’s hut just outside the school grounds.
“A pity they let the old punishments die,” Filch said, as they walked. “There was a time detention would find you hanging by your thumbs in the dungeons. God, I miss the screaming.”
Hearing that made everyone gulp nervously and quicken their pace. No one really liked being anywhere around Filch, seeing as how he was always so mean. But just hearing him say such talk, they wanted to get away from him as quick as possible.
“Me thought Filch was mean before,” Yona whispered to Sandbar and Ocellus.
“I know, right?” Sandbar nodded. “I bet he still keeps those chains in his office. Remind me never to get on his bad side.”
“Being a Changeling, we usually don’t fear much,” Ocellus said. “But that man… he terrifies me.”
Silverstream shivered as she leaned into Gallus.
“Oh Gallus, I’m scared!” She shook.
Gallus draped a wing over her, drawing her closer as they walked.
“Don’t worry Sil, I won’t let anything like that ever happen to you.”
Silverstream smiled up at him, giving him a quick peck on the beak as they drew closer to Hagrid’s hut.
“You’ll be serving detention with Hagrid tonight,” Filch said. “He’s got a little job to do inside the dark forest.”
As they got close, Hagrid emerged from the hut with his dog Fang. He held a lantern in one hand and a giant crossbow in the other. Already this didn’t seem to be off to a great start.
“A sorry lot this, Hagrid,” Filch said.
Hagrid gave no response, other than a sniffle, as he loaded the crossbow.
“Oh, good God, man, you’re not still on about that bloody dragon, are you?”
Smolder glared at the creepy caretaker, seriously tempted to roast his hindquarters for talking down about Norbert in such a manner. Concerned, Twilight approached the poor giant man and patted him on the side.
“What’s wrong Hagrid?” She asked concerned.
“Norbert’s gone,” Hagrid sniffed.
Now ‘this’ really got Smolder’s attention.
“What?!” She yelled. “Where did he go?!”
“Dumbledore sent him off to Romania to live in a colony.”
“Well, that’s good, isn’t it?” Hermione asked. “He’ll be with his own kind.”
“Yeah, but what if he don’t like Romania?” Hagrid argued. “What if the other dragons are mean to him? He’s only a baby, after all.”
“I swear if any other dragon messes with him, I’ll roast them alive!” Smolder threatened.
Everyone’s eyes widened, as they looked at the young dragoness. The moment Smolder notified their gaze, she blushed again.
“Not that I care or anything.”
“Thank ye nonetheless Smolder,” Hagrid thanked her.
“Oh, for God’s sake, pull yourself together, man,” Filch groaned. “You’re going into the forest, after all. Got to have your wits about you.”
“The forest?” Malfoy asked nervously. “I thought that was a joke! We can’t go in there. Students aren’t allowed. And there are…”
The distant sound of howling caused him and the others to go stiff for a moment.
“… Werewolves.”
Hearing this, Fluttershy tensed up tenfold and hid herself behind Rarity. Leaning her quivering head out, she stared frightenedly toward the forest.
“A-A-Are t-t-there really w-werewolves in the f-f-forest Mr. Filch?” She quaked.
Filch stared down toward the frightened Pegasus with a menacing smile.
“Oh there’s more than werewolves in those trees, miss. You can be sure of that.”
Fluttershy squeaked with fright and went back to hiding behind Rarity. The fashionista glared at Filch as she tried her best to soothe Fluttershy.
“Nighty-night,” He spoke.
Filch then walked back toward the castle, as everyone looked after him.
“There’s something seriously wrong with that dude,” Rainbow commented.
“Totally!” Pinkie nodded.
“Agreed!” Applejack added.
“Kind of psycho,” Gallus agreed.
“More like ‘totally’ psycho,” Smolder corrected.
“Right, let’s go!” Hagrid beckoned.
<>
In the forbidden forest, the group traversed through the dark foliage along a path to a dead tree. Hagrid stopped, bent down, and dipped his fingers in a silver puddle. He pulled out his fingers, rubbing them closely together. As the group looked upon the silver trail smeared along his fingers, Rarity and Twilight’s eyes widened fearfully and their lips quivered with fear.
“Hagrid, is that what I think it is?” Rarity asked terrified.
“’Fraid so,” Hagrid nodded.
“Hagrid, what is that?” Harry asked.
“What we’re here for. You wanna tell ‘em, Twilight?”
Twilight gulped loudly, as she gazed upon the glimmering puddle at Hagrid’s feet.
“That’s unicorn blood,” She croaked.
“That’s right,” Hagrid confirmed. “I found one dead a few weeks ago. Now, this one’s been injured bad by something.”
As Hagrid explained, Harry thought he say a large, cloaked figure walk through the trees. Perhaps it was the trick of the moonlight or perhaps… something else. He slowly turned his attention back to Hagrid.
“So, it’s our job to find the poor beast,” Hagrid continued. “Ron, Hermione, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Ocellus, and Smolder you’ll come with me.”
“Okay,” Ron whimpered.
“And Harry, you’ll go with Malfoy, Twilight, Rarity, Sandbar, Yona, Gallus, and Silverstream.”
The arrangement of the team left Draco grimacing, as Harry nodded his head.
“Hold on a minute,” Malfoy cut in. “That leaves us with a one-man disadvantage.”
“Sorry, ran outta folk ta pair ye with.”
“Okay. Then I get Fang!”
“Fine,” Hagrid nodded. “Just so you know, he’s a bloody coward.”
The group all turned toward Fang, who whined as he looked around the forest.
“Great…” Gallus muttered dryly.
<>
With both groups split up, the team led by Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy strolled through a section of the forest. Even with Fang leading beside him and the one student holding the lantern, naturally Draco was far from pleased.
“You wait till my father hears about this,” Draco muttered. “This is servant’s stuff.”
“You’re the one who insisted on carrying the lantern,” Sandbar replied.
“Oh don’t patronize me!”
“We don’t like this arrangement any more than you do,” Twilight spoke up. “But until we find whatever’s responsible for the unicorns’ disappearing, we have to work together.”
“We better be able to get some points for this,” Gallus replied.
“If I didn’t know better, Draco,” Harry spoke. “I’d say you were scared.”
“Scared Potter?!” Draco scoffed.
“Well it’s a natural instinct to feel scared, young man,” Rarity replied. “This place just reeks of memories of the Everfree Forest, and it’s no pleasant stroll either.”
“At least we can all be scared together,” Silverstream replied, smiling nervously. “There’s no problem being scared, right Yona?”
“Scared?!” Yona cocked an eyebrow, standing boldly. “Yona not scared; yaks no fear nothing! Yaks best at hunting monsters going bump in the night.”
“That’s comforting…” Draco replied sarcastically.
All of a sudden, a single howl stopped the group in their tracks.
“Did you hear that?”
“Oh yeah… we heard it…” Gallus nodded slowly.
“Come on, Fang,” Draco called out, muttering silently. “Scared…”
“Professor Twilight, if we ever get through this alive,” Silverstream spoke, worriedly. “We’ll never complain about detention back home again.”
“Just keep your eyes open and stay very close to us,” Twilight instructed. “And do… not… stray…”
Soon enough, they group find themselves upon a flat ground deep in the woods. All around them, gnarled roots grew from every corner. They silently searched these very grounds hoping to catch sight of whatever monster was stalking the unicorns. All of a sudden, as Fang sniffed the area, he stopped… then growled.
“What is it, Fang?” Harry asked.
Sandbar looked ahead for a moment and all at once, her eyes went wide with fright.
“Guys…” Sandbar whispered harshly. “Professors… Haaaaaaarrrrry….”
Everyone faced the young ponies direction and just as they looked, they too were scared. Up ahead of them, a cloaked figure crouched over the fallen remains of a dead unicorn. To the shock and horror of the group, the mysterious being appeared to be drinking its blood from an exposed wound. Rarity nearly screamed, when Twilight quickly placed her hoof over her mouth trying to keep quiet as they observed the being.
Just then, Harry gasped and grasped his scar, feeling it burn so badly that he was in pain. Before anyone else could react, the figure slowly raised its head, and growled at the intruders as silver blood dripped from its mouth. Draco screamed out of pure fire and ran away with Fang.
“HELP!!!!!!” Draco screamed in the distance.
“Yeah… good idea!” Gallus called out sarcastically. “Just leave the scary monster to us… great!”
Left to fend for themselves, Harry and the Equestrians stood before the mercy of the menacing figure. The terrible being slowly slid over the deceased unicorn and rose erect. The chilling vibes of this menacing figure sent shivers down their spines, as they looked on wide-eyed.
“Yak not scared…” Yona whispered frightfully. “Yak not scared… Yak not scared…”
“Leave the kids alone you beast!” Rarity cried out.
Together, Rarity and Twilight Sparkle stepped in front of the students, their horns radiating magic, and they fired magic beams toward the being. But to the shock of the two ponies, the figure merely cast a hand as if brushing the magic aside and the beams exploded against the nearby trees cutting them down. Shocked momentarily, the two mares kept firing beams toward the being who kept advancing toward the group as the beams seemed to miss him entirely.
Frightened, Harry Potter tried to back away, only to trip over an exposed root. He crawled backward as the kids looked on.
“What are we going to do?!” Sandbar asked. “That creature’s dodged every shot!”
“Kids, you must take Harry Potter out of here!” Twilight called out. “Get back to the school while we hold them off!”
Silverstream looked towards their two Professors briefly, before facing her friends and eventually Harry Potter. She could see how scared the boy was, the terror swelling within his eyes. Seeing him so helpless despite his initial bravery, Silverstream’s fear shifts into fierce determination.
“No…”
“Sil?” Gallus spoke, before Silverstream took his arm.
“No… we were told not to stray and we’re keeping our word! We may not be the strongest Wizards in school, but we never abandon our friends.”
With Gallus close beside her, Silverstream led him to the front standing beside Twilight and Rarity. Sandbar looked ahead before facing Yona, her eyes shut from fear and her frame shaking as if she were cold. A breath escaped his lips before he approached his friend and placed a gentle hoof upon her shoulder. Yona looked up nervously, till her eyes met the reassuring gaze of her pony friend. A wave of relief washed over her, as her eyes gleamed slightly before she stood right up and marched onward with Sandbar following behind.
Harry Potter looked on as the students and their teachers stood in front of him, as if forming a wall. The teachers in turn were stunned to see the students standing beside them, but no argument was made. Instead they turned back toward the monster slithering toward them like a slippery snake. Scuffing the ground with their hooves, the ponies prepare to charge with their horns aimed toward the monster and the students preparing to join.
Suddenly, the sound of additional hoof-beats drew their attention. And all at once, a figured leaped over Harry and the others and landed just inches near the cloaked figure. A silver centaur, standing seven feet tall or more, with white-blond hair reared before the figure, kicking its fore-hooves against the looming threat. As if intimidated by the beast, the cloaked figure silently retreated, flying away through the mist before fading into the night.
With the threat over, the students sighed with relief as the teachers’ horns dimmed. Sandbar and Yona turned back and helped Harry to his feet as the rest looked on silently. Before the group, the centaur turned toward the nervous party. His ‘astonishingly’ blue eyes gazing upon them as he slowly approached.
“Harry Potter, Princess Twilight,” The Centaur spoke. “You and the others must leave. You are known to many creatures here. The forest is not safe at this time. Especially for you.”
“You… just… saved our lives?” Silverstream questioned.
“Who are you?” Twilight asked, straight forward.
“I am Firenze, a representative Forbidden Forest Centaur colony,” He introduced himself. “For years, our colony have made the borders surrounding Hogwarts our home. It is our duty to ensure that all the species who reside in these parts remain safe from harm and to keep the likes of you from stepping into these woods. When I saw that beast was about to kill you, I just knew I had to stop that from happening.”
“But what was that thing you saved us from?” Harry asked curiously.
“A monstrous creature. It is a terrible crime to slay a unicorn. Drinking the blood of a unicorn will keep you alive even if you are an inch from death… but at a terrible price. You have slain something so pure that the moment the blood touches your lips, you will have a half-life. A cursed life. Your teachers would know this very well.”
“Actually, we were taught about this curse in Celestia’s school,” Twilight recalled. “I always thought it was just an old pony’s tale, to get us to sleep or keep us from misbehaving. But after further research… I realized there was more ‘truth’ than I ever imagined.”
“Risking a curse just for an extension of life,” Gallus spoke. “But who would choose such a fate?”
“Can you think of no one?” Firenze asked.
The group pondered over that question, based on their observation over being and what it was doing with the unicorn. Harry Potter slowly began to put the pieces together.
“Do you mean to say… that that thing that killed the unicorn… that was drinking its blood… that was Voldemort?”
“Voldemort?!” The Students gasped.
“No wonder our magic couldn’t touch him,” Rarity replied. “That’s why he went after the unicorns of this forest, and us! He’s trying to use the blood to replenish himself, so he could keep himself alive.”
“And we’d have been killed before you stepped up to save us,” Twilight added. “We do appreciate it, truly. It’s just… for a moment, you reminded me of…”
“Lord… Tirek?” Firenze answered.
“You know about Tirek?”
“Yes, Princess Twilight… for thousands of years, from the day the alliance between Hogwarts and Equestria held strong, there is not one centaur who did not know of Lord Tirek, the son of King Vorak and Queen Haydon. Tirek… with magic far beyond the likes my people are able to conjure. But he perverted everything he was taught in his pursuit to use for evil, to keep stealing magic between our worlds. And by invoking such power, he not only risked the stability of our worlds, but in turn our kind has been put at odds with the wizarding world and those of Equestria for generations forever blaming us for a crime we didn't commit.”
“He did…” Twilight replied. “I… I had no idea. And now as if our problems weren’t enough, now an ancient being turned out to be alive and even in his weakened state we couldn’t stop him.”
“Now tell me Twilight,” Firenze spoke. “Do you and the students know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?”
“The Philosopher’s Stone!” Harry realized.
“The Stone!” Yona gasped.
“That’s why Voldemort is out here at the edge of the forest,” Gallus analyzed. “He’s not just hunting unicorns for their blood; he knows that the stone is in the school just as we found out. And now he’s trying to rebuild his strength so he can discover a way into the school just to find it.”
“And if Voldemort ever gets his cold hands on that stone…” Silverstream added.
“Our worlds are in grave danger!” Sandbar concluded.
Just then, Fang’s barking interrupted them, and the group turned around. Hagrid, along with Hermione, Ron, the other Equestrians, and ‘even’ Draco appeared. Hagrid had his crossbow at the ready, until he saw Firenze standing before the others. As if seeing an old friend, he lowered his weapon.
“Harry!” Hermione called out.
“Are you guys okay?” Smolder asked.
“Well… nothing a few years of therapy won’t fix,” Gallus replied.
“When Draco came runnin’ and screamin’ ‘bout monsters in the forest, we came as soon as we could!” Applejack spoke.
“Where is the monster?” Rainbow looked around, her hooves up. “Did we miss him?”
“Thanks to dear Firenze here,” Rarity pointed out. “The centaur came and saved us.”
“A centaur?” Pinkie asked, looking up at the creature. “This centaur? Hold on a moment I need to drop something.”
Pinkie Pie pulled out both a glass cup and a pitcher of water, which she slowly poured into the cup. She then held the cup over the ground, before dropping it, and it shattered to pieces.
“Hello there, Firenze,” Hagrid greeted. “I see you’ve met our young Mr. Potter and his friends. You all right there, fellas?”
“We are now,” Silverstream sighed.
Harry Potter merely nodded as he and the others turned back toward Firenze.
“Harry Potter… Princess Twilight… this is where I leave you,” Firenze declared. “You’re safe now. Good luck.”
Firenze makes to leave as the group looked toward him, as the other Equestrians regrouped with their friends. The moment Fluttershy’s eyes gaze upon the dead unicorn, she silently cried with one hoof over her mouth as she leaned onto Rarity, who soothed her gently. Twilight Sparkle just turned to look at her fellow brethren, haunted by the vision of a dead unicorn, until…
“Princess Twilight!”
Princess Twilight lifted her head in response and turned back toward the distance. There Firenze stood, looking back toward the Princess of Friendship.
“The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs,” Firenze stated. “I hope this is one of those times.”
And with that said, Firenze continued off before disappearing through the dark wood. While she did not know if they would ever see him again, this moment she would not forget. For the first time in history, a centaur, once a feared enemy of Equestria, suddenly came to their aid and saved them from a terrible fate. Twilight took this time for this reality to sink in, as her expression softens as she looked on.
“Thank you…” She said softly.
<>
Following the incident in the Forbidden Forest, all the students gathered into the Gryffindor common room while Twilight and her friends went back to their own rooms to console each other. The students, along with the Gryffindor trio, sat by the fireplace trying to recover from the terrifying ordeal. Among the group, Spike sat alongside them having just received a recap of tonight’s events.
“So… you guys mean to say that ‘You-Know-Who’s’ out there, right now, in the forest?” Spike asked.
“Yeah little buddy,” Sandbar replied. “We didn’t get a good look at his face, but there’s no denying he was powerful.”
“Boy… good thing Twilight recommended me not to go out there with you guys.”
“Yak fear no monster, but You-Know-Who…” Yona shuddered. “Yona never sleep again.”
“But keep this in mind Yona,” Harry reminded. “He’s weak. He’s living off the unicorns. Don’t you see? We had it wrong!”
“What do you mean?” Ocellus asked curiously.
“Snape doesn’t want the Stone for himself; he wants the Stone for Voldemort. With the Elixir of Life, Voldemort will be strong again.”
“But that means…” Spike wondered, realizing. “He’ll come back!”
“But if he comes back, you don’t think he’ll try to… kill you, do you?” Ron asked.
“I think if he’d had the chance, he might’ve tried to kill us tonight,” Harry answered.
“To think I’ve been stressing over the Potions finals,” Ocellus spoke. “But now all of a sudden, it doesn’t matter how much points we gather for our house or all the classes we have to pass. The arrival of Lord Voldemort changes everything.”
“And I have a hunch that Voldemort and Snape aren’t working alone,” Smolder added. “If what Professor Twilight and the others say are true, that Tirek and his cronies were free to cause havoc in all the worlds they visited… there’s no doubt that they are playing their roles here. That would explain why I thought something was off with Madam Hooch during the Quidditch game and why her eyes looked ‘familiar’. If Chrysalis assumed her identity and orchestrated that attack…”
“Then Smolder is right and they’re ‘all’ here,” Gallus concluded. “I bet they’re just biding their time before Voldemort can fully return to finish what they started."
“Hang on a minute!” Hermione spoke up. “We’re forgetting one thing.”
The students and Spike both glanced at Hermione.
“And what would that be, Hermione?” Silverstream asked.
“Who’s the one wizard Voldemort always feared?”
“Um… Starswirl the Bearded?” Sandbar guessed.
“Gandalf the Gray?” Pinkie popped in.
The kids turned toward Pinkie Pie, who’s head stuck out through the open doorway. They stared blankly at the Pink Party pony, not uttering a single response.
“Thought I might jump in,” Pinkie replied, before backing out.
“Dumbledore,” Hermione continued, speaking to Harry. “As long as Dumbledore’s around, Harry, you’re safe. As long as Dumbledore’s around, you can’t be touched.”
Though Hermione offered a reassuring smile and despite nodding in agreement, a bit of doubt still panged along Harry’s face. One moment they were mostly concerned over how to redeem their house after losing all those points, just to uncover the mystery of the Philosopher’s Stone. But now that Voldemort is confirmed to be alive somehow, working his way to restore himself to his full power, this further increases the urgency to find the stone. For should its power fall into the wrong hands, it won’t be just Hogwarts that faces the wrath of the Dark Lord… but the home of his friends will be at risk too.
“Well for our sakes,” Spike spoke up. “Let’s hope Dumbledore has no intent of going anywhere.”
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If we ever thought it couldn't get any darker before, this scene definitely allows our audience to know that it's not just colorful magic spells and mystical wonder. It is during their detention time (A second for Gallus and his friends) where they have to spend a night with Hagrid hunting a monster that's been killing the unicorns of this native land (Just wait till all the unicorns in Equestria hear about this). Not only do they uncover the source behind their killings, they briefly meet Voldemort face to face and realize they are not dealing with their run-of-the-mill monster of the week. Fortunately, help arrives from an unlikely source when Firenze the Centaur comes in to save them (Though from what I understand, centaurs are 'forbidden' to come to the aid of humans from what my boss told me).
Not only can we confirm that Voldemort is truly alive and somehow the Legion of Doom are part of this, but the need to find this Philosopher's Stone before they find its hiding place and a way to access it is higher than ever before. Sure they could just leave well enough alone and leave it to all the traps to keep the bad guys out. But knowing our heroes, even though Twilight and her friends lost their jobs and the students won't be able to raise enough points to make up their loss for their house, there are more important matters right now and they'd be crazier not to take action.
Ah, little do they know, he does
Great chapter, loved the part where Firenze came in. Shame though, that Draco did exactly what he did in the books. He could've redeemed himself a bit if he'd stayed
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That's Draco for you, a coward despite how high and mighty he acts otherwise. Because deep down, despite being a Malfoy, he's just a scared little boy who chokes when a greater threat is before him.
10723495
True
Though what was McGonagall thinking sending Pinkie into the forest? What if the "monster" had come after her group?
Uh oh here comes trouble
10723500
Unless she had no idea the creature hunting the unicorns was Voldemort, that would be pretty messed up. Considering that Pinkie Pie is a few months pregnant. Still, Twilight and her friends were tasked to watch over Harry & the kids no matter what and they were merely following orders. Even if they are no longer under the employment of Hogwarts.
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Goes to show you don't always have to go 'looking' for trouble, trouble 'finds' you wherever you go.
Wizard of Oz
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True, but she knew the forest was dangerous even without Voldemort in there. She could have at least sent Pinkie to do something else as punishment
And then Half-Blood Prince happened
It seems things are starting to heat up.
10723523
Yes indeed they are. And temperatures only start to get higher from here on out.
Is that..... is that a TF2 reference?
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Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe? Any more like TF2 and we'd have given her a Russian accent.
That was pretty intense. But at least they're safe... for now.
10723551
Just wait... it can get always get more 'intense' from here on out.
10723510
Least she didn't send Spike into the Dark Forest, the little man would be scarred for life if he ever ventured straight into those woods.
10723617
True
Meanwhile, back in Discord's theater
Me: (Holds up the sign that reads: Viewers discretion is advised.)
derpicdn.net/img/view/2016/6/5/1170725.png
All the unicorns exchanged discomfort and horror, with Erik covering Sweetie Belle's eyes.
Trixie: "STARLIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!" (Jumps into Starlight's hooves) "Oh save, Starlight! Please! Don't let him get me! Don't let him get me, please! Please!"
Cookie Crumbles a.k.a Rarity and Sweetie Belle's mom: "Why would you show this to the children?!"
Me: "I'm sorry. I don't make the movies. I only show them and make commentaries that my bosses benefits off of." (HELP!)
derpicdn.net/img/view/2016/6/5/1170725.png "Ha ha ha ha..."
Me: (Saying my prayers) "Protect Sunset Shimmer, sweet Celestia!"
The Audience: *Gulp*
---Discord's Cut---
All except for one, who was simply avoiding them, because she is an undercover agent.
Cheese Sandwich: (Whimpers) "My little baby's off to destroy people!"
Ember: "Whoa, whoa, wait! Stop! Back up! Dragons are illegal? Excuse me? Are they...these wizards and witches...They disrespecting US?!"
Me: "Uh, no, no. Of course, not Dragon Lord. They don't mean it like that."
Ember: "Well, excuse me. But I find it hard to hear how they can just go and use some of our body parts as supplies, and yet they still make up rules that prevents us from entering the school. I get that Smolder broke one of their precious rules and stuff. BUT WE DRAGONS HAVE OUR DIGNITY!!"
---Discord's Cut---
Shortly after everyone left, someone bumped into Spike from behind.
Sunset Shimmer: "Oh! Sorry."
Spike: "That's o–Hey! No students out of bed at this hour!"
Sunset Shimmer: "It's okay. I'm a prefect."
Spike: "Mmmm. Nice try. But you can't fool me. In fact, you look kinda familiar. Don't I know–OH!" (Gets karate chopped from behind and fainted)
Discord: "Respect man."
Peeves: "Respect." (Fist bumped)
Discord: (Turns to Sunset Shimmer) "What are you doing, standing here and gawking like a codfish? Hmmm? Out, out, OUT!"
Sunset Shimmer: "Okay, okay. I'm going."
Peeves: "And watch out for that first step~"
Sunset Shimmer: "Why?" (Slips on a banana peel) "WHOA! OW! Oh! Eek! Ow! Ooh! Oh! Eek! Ouch! Ow!"
Sunset's still falling.
Still falling.
She's gonna feel this tomorrow.
I'm so ashamed.
Discord and Peeves were simply sipping tea.
Has G5 arrived yet?
Sunset Shimmer: (Finally comes to the end) "OOH!!!"
Juniper Montage: "Oh! Uh, Sunset? Are you okay?"
Sunset Shimmer: "I've been...worse..."
Peeves: (Shrugs) "Well. I warned her."
Discord: "Eeyup."
Discord and Peeves: "Da-da-da-da-da-DAH! Pfft!"
10723623
Oh man... the Sunset Shimmer falling down the lengthy stairs bit was so hysterical!
10723623
Poor Sunset.
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Yes poor girl just can't catch a break. Like how one of the old crew members sent out a tweet that Sunset Shimmer was going to have a one hour special during the series that answered the question over what happened to human Sunset Shimmer.
Excellent chapter. It was nice to learn more about centaur history involving both the wizarding world and Equestria. And with Firenze's act of kindness this'll be a big step in them accepting the centaur race in Equestria and such.
10723623
Like the time cards said, they had to hire a new narrator becuase I got tired to explaining how long it took her to finally hit the floor
10723623
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 Oh man that was so funny I think I wet myself!!!!!!!!!!!!
10723682
We can only hope so. Ever since Tirek's initial run at trying to steal the magic in Equestria the first time, Equestria History would not have much mention of the Centaur race given that the ponies probably assumed that all the centaurs are much like Tirek.
All roads are starting to come together....
The final challenge approaches....
10723623
Poor sunset
First encounter with Voldey didn't disappoint. I had a feeling the dead unicorn would hit home for them. Firenze also appears closer to his book version here.
10723779
Nope... and our heroes did not have an easy time if Twilight & Rarity's own powers couldn't even scorch him.
And we would include a few elements from the book and intergrade them into this rendition of the movie. Not many fans realize that Firenze had a slightly bigger role than as he was portrayed in the movie after all.
Meanwhile, back in Discord's Movie Theater
Thorax: *Blink blink* "They what?"
Garble silently swallowed a lump in his throat, praying that his sister never finds out what he and his gang once did to Spike, during the Great Dragon Migration.
---Discord's Cut---
Not too far behind, Sunset Shimmer, Wallflower Blush, and Juniper followed. Sunset Shimmer was still recovering from the fall she took, after tripping down the great stairway.
Sunset Shimmer: "I'm okay now, girls." (Cracks a bone) "Oh, Sweet Celestia!" (Pops her neck) "OOH! C'mon, let's go help our friends."
Erik: "Good lord, what?!"
All the unicorns in the audience cringed, looking as if they're about to throw up.
Rockhoof: "Great Ursa Major!!!"
Flash Magnus: "I think I'm gonna be sick."
Grubber: (Turns to Tempest Shadow) "You bleed that way?"
Tempest Shadow: "Don't ask..."
---Discord's Cut---
Juniper Montage: "No way! Your blood is...like that?"
Sunset Shimmer: (Turns pale)
Sweetie Belle: "Erik? What was that?"
Erik: "I don't know..." (Holds her hoof tightly) "But it's gonna be okay."
Autumn Blaze: "Oh..."
Skystar: "My..."
Trixie: "FAAAAAAAUUUUUSTTT!!!" (Dives under a chair)
Within the screen, the hooded figure seems to only be a wizard, or a sorcerer of sort. But to the audience, it reminded them of the specter who invaded the theater and terrorized them with a pack of dark spirits, on Nightmare Night.
---Discord's Cut---
Sunset Shimmer later arrived with Juniper Montage and Wallflower Blush, not too far behind. But the sight of the hooded figure and what it was doing to the unicorn made the fiery unicorn-turned-human in wizard's clothing's whole body freeze.
Sweetie Belle: "EW!"
Scootaloo: "Ugh!"
Apple Bloom: (Hugs Sugar Belle, Granny Smith, and Grand Pear for comfort)
---Discord's Cut---
Sunset Shimmer: "Uhhhh..." (Faints dramatically)
Juniper Montage: "Sunset?" (Gets down on the ground) "C'mon, Sunset! Don't zonk out on us now!"
Wallflower Blush: "C'mon! C'mon! AH!!" (Something invisible pulls on her hair) "Hey! What?!"
Sunset Shimmer: (Repeatedly gets slapped in the face) "OW! What the–"
Juniper Montage: "Well, good morning, sleeping beauty. Glad you're finally awake. We could really use some of that bad girl magic of yours!"
???: "What is going on here?"
The three girls turned around and looked to find themselves face-to-face with a centuar, who is not Tirek.
Wallflower Blush: "A-A-A-A-A c-c-c-centaur?!"
Sunset Shimmer: (Mentally) Legilimens (Enters the centaur's mind the determine his motive) "It's okay. He's not going to hurt us. But maybe he can help us."
????: "Help with what, exactly?"
Sunset Shimmer: "It's our friends!! They're with Princess Twilight and Harry Potter! He's in trouble!"
????: "Harry Potter?!"
---Discord's Cut---
Sunset Shimmer: "Glad that's over."
Juniper Montage: "Way to go, Sunset!"
Grubber: "Ew..."
Sunset Shimmer: "Yeah. Welcome to my harsh reality..."
Gilda: "...Oh no, no, no, no! No way, pal! He ain't gettin' his grubby hands on that stone! IT'S MINE! That stone's got griffin names all over it!"
Ember: "You wish! That's clearly dragons stone!"
Gilda: "Why do you care? You've got plenty of stones already! Go get one of your own!"
Ember: "Yeah? Well why don't you go rob someone else's treasure instead?"
Me: (Shouts into a megaphone) "QUIET!"
The audience: "Oh Pinkie..."
Erik: ((0_o))
Tempest Shadow: "Well...whoever that was...rest in peace."
---Discord's Cut---
After the group returned back to Hogwarts, Sunset Shimmer and her group walked over to the dead unicorn's body.
Sunset Shimmer: "I'll start giving them a...proper burial. You girls go on ahead."
Wallflower Blush and Juniper both turned to each other and shook their heads towards Sunset.
Wallflower Blush: "No way we're leaving you here, Sunset."
Juniper Montage: "That thing is still out there. And if it likes unicorn, we're not waiting around to see you its next meal."
10723786
nice.
10723786
We nearly forget that unicorns were rather prevalent in this movie and the stories, even though they hardly played a big role. But boy, when we saw Voldemort willingly consume the creature's own blood just to sustain himself I was like... you sure Voldemort wasn't a vampire in his lifetime?
Meanwhile, back in Discord's movie theater
---Discord's Cut---
After about an hour or so, Spike wearily woke up, after he was knocked out by Discord and Peeves.
Spike: "Uh, what happened?"
Sunset Shimmer: "Hey, you okay there, Spike? You had quite the trip down the stairs, there."
Spike: "Oh. I don't remember tripping any stairs. Whew, but I think I'm okay now. Thanks for asking, Sparky."
Sunset Shimmer: "Anytime, Spike." (Quickly hides her face behind a book, as Twilight and friends enter the common room)
Granny Smith: "Why them doggone varmints! As if getting turned to stone wasn't enough to teach them all a lesson!"
Me: "As Johnny Lawrence would say. They couldn't leave well enough alone, could they? No, they just had to keep pushing it."
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Me: "Merlin?"
Trixie: "ME! The Great and Powerful Trixie!"
Starlight Glimmer: "You always elect yourself, Trixie..."
Trixie: "And proud of it."
"Don't get your hopes up, little dragon."
10723814
Masterfully done as usual. Splendid work.
Gandalf. Imagine that.
10723886
Yeah... LOL. We knew that joke would get a couple laughs.
10723886
Think about that. An ancient powerful wizard from a world far, far older like medieval - fantasy age, that’s silly.
Ha!
That, that was a long time ago, years maybe, all because of a certain one being on the loose every month.
Totally makes sense, since the two were once professor and student years ago, the former being annoyed of him constantly keeping an close eye on him as a result to avoid his old teacher.
10723886
Indeed.
10723623
Pfft! Poor Sunny
10723786
Ooh, loved their reactions to the information about unicorns. Surprised none of them went "Tirek!?" when they saw Firenze though
10723814
Oh Trixie, he probably doesn't even know you exist
Another great chapter you guys!
10724262
There's still plenty more to come, but we definitely like the direction we are going with this story at the moment.
The group finally figures out about what going on with the stone and Voldemort potentially coming back.
On the plus side, four of Young Six stand up against cloaked figure before Firenze saved them.
Here's highlights
Yup, even her unborn kid is upset about his mom losing her job.
Smolder is a Tsundere.
Definitely a Tsundere.
McGonagall may have revoked his status as assistant professor but at least, she spared him from the punishment due to his young age.
She may be strict but she definitely not cruel like Umbridge.
Goodbye Norbert, we won't be hearing from you after this movie... I think.
Smolder... is... definitely... a... TSUNDERE!!!!!
Wrong movie franchise, Pinkie!
10724417
Can’t wait.
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“A centaur?” Pinkie asked, looking up at the creature. “This centaur? Hold on a moment I need to drop something.”
Pinkie Pie pulled out both a glass cup and a pitcher of water, which she slowly poured into the cup. She then held the cup over the ground, before dropping it, and it shattered to pieces.
I knew that joke from The Nostalgia Critic.
10724427
geez why to i get the feeling that mr e and dramaster have a few idea for little norbert ?
10724427
Smolder would likely stand bravely against You-Know-Who but Ocellus might be slightly terrified.
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Say what you will about Doug Walker, but that old joke of his was admittingly funny. We may not like him as a 'person' but as the character he portrays, he can pull it off. Just don't think I am oblivious to the way Mr. Walker treated his employees, everyone and their mother knows that story.