Chapter 1
In a dark cave, five bipedal figures could be seen sitting in a circle around a fire. They were all wearing black hooded cloaks that had different colored versions of the same pattern, all sitting like a monk and staring into the fire, saying nothing. But as their heads kept moving, it was clear some kind of conversation was occurring. But then, a sixth figure arrived through the entrance of the chamber. This figure wasn't wearing a cloak, but the darkness of the room hid their features as they walked in and got down onto one knee with their head down. "Father," they spoke in a feminine voice, "I have returned from the seal. It's just as you sensed. The seal has been broken."
The one in the silver trimmed cloak nodded, "I see. I had hoped I would live to see this day. The day our imprisonment would end, and we could finally return to the world."
"We should not be so hasty to leave," the one in the green cloak chimed in, "We have only been gone from this world a century and a half. For all we know, it could be just as chaotic as our parents told us it was when we were trapped in here. Maybe it would be safer to stay here, where we know it is safe."
"Hiding is not within our nature," one in an orange cloak added, "If we stay here, we'd just be inviting the enemy to come in and seal us up again."
The silver cloaked one turned to one in a purple cloak. "What do you see in our future?" The one in purple took out a glass orb from within their cloak, placing it on their lap and staring into it. The others all remained silent as they continued to stare.
"There are too many possibilities. Too many images to get a good enough vision. But there is one image that seems clearer then the rest. It is...Razor Fang." The rest of them growled at hearing this. "There is no doubt. He is the only one with that form, and he will play a big part in what is to come."
"You truly expect that arrogant fool to be the one to lead us into the future?!" One in a snow blue cloak sneered, "Ever since he achieved that form, he has grown worse and worse. If he were to lead us, no doubt disaster would follow."
"The prophecy did say he would be the one to bring us into a new era," Orange chimed in again.
"That prophecy is the reason we were trapped in here," Green continued, "I say to heck with the prophecy. We must decide for ourselves what our future holds." He turned to the one in silver, "You are our leader. It is you who decides what we do."
Silver remained still, only to turn to the figure still kneeling in the shadows. "Mirage. What do you think we should do?"
"Me?" The figure looked up.
"I know you care for the safety of our tribe, but also have the courage not to fear the unknown. So I ask you, what would you do if you were in my position?" They gestured for the figure to move closer, the one getting up and walking into the light. In doing so, they revealed what they were. A jakhowl.
The jakhowl was whitish silver, with black lines and feet while the fur on her chest and stomach was hot pink. Her eyes were a bright violet and the spikes on her chest and the back of her paws were shorter than what they would usually be seen.
"We don't know what the world could be like now. For all we know, the jakhowls of other tribes survived and managed to spread out. They very well might be the ones ruling the area we're in. If that's true, we should make our presence known. It's the only way we can find out where this world is safe for us."
"You make an excellent point," Silver nodded, "And I know exactly how we will do so. I only hope you're right and the jakhowls are still around and living someplace peaceful."
Summer had arrived in Equestria, which meant one thing: School was out.
All over Equestria, the schools had shut down and the students had returned home to enjoy themselves. This included the School of Friendship, which had just finished its first full year of school. It had been a shaky start, but the place was now officially confirmed to be a success. The students had worked hard to pass the first year, and now they could enjoy a summer of relaxation. But the ones that deserved to really relax were the teachers.
All over Ponyville, the teachers were enjoying their extra free time. Pinkie was still working at Sugarcube Corner, baking multiple delicious treats, babysitting the twins and spending quality time with her boyfriend when he wasn't out doing shows. Rainbow and Soarin weren't in Ponyville, the married pair instead travelling on tour with the rest of the Wonderbolts. Rarity was also away, preparing for a big show in Manehatten with Lightning Blitz. Fluttershy and Applejack were in town, but they had gotten rather busy with their farm and sanctuary work.
That just left the last two teachers of the school, who's current location were currently unknown by everypony. That included Springer, who was now walking through the crystal castle, looking for his pegasus partner. The jakhowl frowned as he looked for Flash, being tempted to simply scan for Flash's aura. It was getting late in the morning and Springer really needed to find him.
"Flash?" He called out, stepping into his and Twilight's room. He glanced around, but found nothing, only to hear the sound of the shower running in the next room. Moving over to it, he knocked. "Flash?"
"Yeah?" Flash's voice replied, Springer stepping inside and seeing the shower stall curtain was drawn. Flash heard the door open and yelped, "Dude!"
"What?" Springer asked, "It's nothing I haven't seen. Besides, you said you'd take over my patrol today. Remember?"
"Okay?" He sounded exasperated, "I'll get to it when I'm done. Can you go now?"
"Why?" Springer raised an eyebrow, "What are you doing in there?"
"Nothing."
"Right..." he replied slowly. "Then you won't mind me opening the curtain? You in the shower isn't any different from when you're swimming."
"Don't!" It wasn't Flash's voice that cried that, making Springer flinch.
"Twilight? What are you doing in there?"
"Um...taking a shower?"
"With Flash?"
"Why not?" Twilight muttered out, "We all have to do our part to conserve water. Now can you go?! Flash will get to the patrol when we're done in here,"
Springer crossed his arms, not believing that one bit, and despite being shielded by the curtain, a flash of purple made him realize Twilight was likely about to blast him with magic. "Okay," he turned to leave, "I'm going. Geez." He reached the door and was about to head out, but in that moment a wicked idea entered his head. And before his better judgement could stop him, he reached over and hit the flush on the toilet. He then ran out of the room as the sound of two ponies screaming filled the entire castle.
Getting to the ground floor, he zipped into the town. As he did this, he couldn't help but wonder why he had done what he just did. Many would probably say that despite being considered an adult at this point, he was technically a child by most of Equestria's standards when it came to age, though he did have to consider what happened a bit ago with Shade would make him seem old.
As such, he headed through town, only to spot a pair of ponies drinking from the same milkshake at a cafe. Another pair were walking through town together and another pair were having a light-hearted argument, all done between ponies Springer could feel a great amount of affection with one another. A type of affection Springer would probably never get to experience himself.
And as he passed Sugarcube Corner, he glanced inside and spotted Pinkie and Wild side by side. Mr and Mrs Cake was also there, playing with their children and leaning against one another. Springer couldn't help but feel a wave of jealousy wash over him.
When he had first met all of his friends, they were all single and seemed perfectly happy. Springer had also felt happy on his own, thinking his friends would be all he ever needed. But as time passed and each found a pony to call their special somepony, Springer felt something hollow in his heart. As each of his friends found happiness, that feeling grew and grew. Springer knew that he was never going to get to share the kind of happiness they all had, since he was one of the only jakhowls left alive.
With just him and two others, both too young for him, he knew he was doomed to a life of feeling that hollowness. Forever.
He then walked into the town park, now seeing Ace and Mira off in the middle of it. Ace was wielding his Bone Breaker and swinging it around while Mira was clearly trying to form her own aura bone, but still couldn't grasp it. The yellow jakhowl grunted as she formed an Aura Blast in front of her and then tried to change its shape, but every time the orb popped and sent out a wave of aura. "Ahhh!" She groaned, and then tried again to form it, only to pop once more. "What am I doing wrong?!"
"No idea," Ace replied, "From what I can see, you're doing everything right."
"Then why won't the aura form the shape I want?!" She growled, only to turn to her mentor as he walked up, "Springer, why won't this work?"
Springer frowned at her, knowing that she had tried so much recently, but it still didn't work. He let out a long sigh, "I'm sorry, but...I don't know. You are doing it correctly."
Mira sighed before turning to Ace, seeing him dance around with the aura weapon. "But you two can easily do it. What's so different about me?" She glanced down at her fur, seeing the different color, "Maybe...maybe I can't use this move."
"What?!" Springer yelped, "Why would you say that?! Of course you can use it!"
"But what if I can't?" Mira instantly countered, "What if my species of jakhowl can't use that move?" Ace and Springer tilted their heads at that, "I mean, you two are both blue and Springer's entire tribe was blue. So maybe only blue jakhowls can use the Bone Breaker technique. And since I'm not blue, I can't use it."
Ace and Springer opened their mouths at that, about to tell her that was ridiculous, only for nothing to come out. Springer had to admit that that theory could be true. Springer had only seen non-blue jakhowls in the memories he watched from their time in the lost city, and none of them had used any special attacks. If ponies were divided into several subspecies, each with their own specific abilities, who says the jakhowls didn't fall into the same split.
"I...I guess it's possible," Springer nodded, "But we don't have any way of confirming it." He sighed as he sat on the grass and looked up at the sky. "I mean...I guess its possible you'll naturally learn to use another move Ace and I can't learn. But if that's the case, it's gonna be on you to figure it out. I had to figure out all of mine alone..."
Mira frowned at this as Ace chimed in, "Well, why not try and teach her how to use Velocity Strike?" The two turned to him, "I can't use that move yet, so maybe she'll pick it up before I can use Bone Breaker."
"Yeah." Mira exclaimed as she turned back to Springer, giving her the best puppy-dog eyes she could. She thought back to that day when she accidently moved at lightning speed, causing a wave of food and drink to blast itself into her friends and splat them against the wall.
Springer flinched at that, "That's...that's a very dangerous move to use. Even I don't like to use it that much. When I first started learning it, my body got hit with backlash that basically made me useless. It's not a move you should use as part of your fighting set. It's a finisher or a last ditch attack, and I still have to mainly use mega mode to use it safely." But Mira just kept giving him the eyes, making him sigh, "Fine, we'll try. But the moment it looks like you're gonna hurt yourself, we stop."
"YAY!" Mira cheered, jumping up and down with joy.
Springer shook his head as he stood up. "Let's get to work."
Meanwhile...
Across town near the edge of forest, Heart was training, punching a tree again and again with as much force as he could. Every time he punched the tree, he let out a mighty grunt. Soul was laying against another tree, a book in her lap as she tried to read, only to growl as she heard the noise.
"Do you have to do that?!" She finally yelled, Heart not stopping as he spoke back.
"I'm training!"
"I doubt Flash got as strong as he did by constantly grunting like an enraged gorilla." Heart rolled his eyes, but kept punching away at the tree.
"I didn't ask you to come."
"No, but if I didn't, then nopony would be around to look after you when you inevitably overdo it and hurt yourself...again." Heart didn't say anything back and simply kept punching the tree, Soul sighing as she got back to reading her book. Though she was worried about her brother, she had unfortunately grown use to his moodiness. Ever since the unfortunate incident with Cozy Glow, Heart's happy and upbeat personality had all but vanished. The pain of her betrayal had shook him to his very core, causing him to lose all the joy that had once been his defining personality trait. Now he was overly serious and constantly annoyed, something that had caused a lot of his fellow students to start giving him a wide berth before the end of school.
Flash and the rest of Heart's friends had all tried cheering him up and occasionally, it seemed to work and he almost started smiling. But the universe seemed to want Heart to stay upset since every time he looked ready to become happy again, something or someone would do something that reminded him of Cozy and they would be back to square one.
Now that school was out for the year, everypony hoped the break would give him the time he needed to heal. But so far nothing seemed to be improving his mood in the slightest. Soul wished he could help him, but it seemed the pain he was in was one of the few that her magic couldn't fix. As such, all she could do was be there for him when he needed her and pray that he would find a way on his own.
"Ow!" She looked up from her book and saw Heart pull away from the tree, clutching his hoof. She saw that some of the tree bark had been broken off by his punches, meaning he had probably gotten a splinter, the alicorn filly sighing as she got up and moved over to him.
"That's what you get for bullying the poor tree. Did you not think it wouldn't start fighting back?" She laughed and Heart just rolled his eyes as Soul pulled the splinter out of his hoof and managed to confirm he wasn't seriously hurt. To be sure, she used her magic to make sure it didn't get infected and as soon as she finished, Heart pulled away and started working on another tree.
Soul let out a sigh and sat back down, grabbing her book and finding where she had left off. If Heart didn't start turning things around soon, she feared she would never get to see the happy and excitable brother she loved so much ever again.
Springer now watched Mira stand at one side of the park field. They nodded to each other, Mira closing her eyes and attempting summon the same power she had felt the first time. The aura wrapped around her and once the cloak was formed, she opened her eyes and leapt forward. She flew across the field, but something didn't feel right. Instead of moving at high speed, she felt like she had just jumped a long way.
And after a few seconds and few feet, she began to slow down and fall down. She quickly spun around so her feet landed before the rest of her, the yellow jakhowl sliding to a stop and letting out a sigh when she did.
"Argh!" she kicked the ground, "Why isn't this working?!"
"I don't know," Springer replied, "It's possible the last time you did it was a fluke, but don't get depressed." Mira sighed and moved back over to try it again, turning back to where Ace was practicing against a tree. She summoned her aura and leapt forward again, only to repeat what happened last time. "Don't try and force it. You need to let your aura lead you. Last time you did this, you said it felt like your body was moving on its own?" Mirra nodded, "Well, that's how it's supposed to do."
"So why isn't my aura leading me now?"
"It could be you're not in the right mindset. What were you thinking about when you used it last time?"
"I was really wanting to beat Ace and the rest of his side in the food fight." Springer couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered Twilight telling him all about that little incident and how annoyed she had been. Luckily, nopony had been hurt, so the EEA hadn't been breathing down their necks about the whole situation.
"Well, you'll have to try and put yourself in that mindset again." Mira nodded and closed her eyes, only to hear a rumbling. They both looked down at this, seeing the stomach was the source. Both laughed as Springer patted her side, "Why don't we get a bite to eat and try it again after lunch? You might be able to get it right with a full stomach." Mira nodded and Springer gestured for Ace to come with them.
Ace nodded and the three began to head out of the park, Ace and Mira beginning to argue about where to go for lunch, Springer laughing at the two.
But before he could make up his mind, something happened that stopped his thoughts head in their tracks. For in that moment, it felt like he was struck by a wave as some kind of force suddenly washed over him. He reached up and grabbed his head, which started screaming at him as he felt his legs give out and cause him to fall to the ground with a cry to the heavens. Ace and Mira's screams filled his head at this, glancing back to see the pair holding their heads as they fell to the ground as well.
Several ponies seemed to hear their screams and rushed to their side, but the trio all seemed to lose consciousness as they did this. Seemed was the optimal word, since the three were still conscious, just slumping over as their consciousnesses seemed to leave their bodies.
As their bodies fell to the dirt, the three felt themselves phase out of their bodies and remain as they were. The pain they felt was gone, but fear had replaced it as they began to float upward.
"What's happening?" Mira cried, Springer wanting to know the same thing as they were lifted higher.
"Are we dead?" Ace asked, clearly terrified Springer would say yes.
"I...I don't think so." Springer moaned out, only for the trio to be pulled in a different direction. Instead of going up, they began to fly forward and pick up speed with each passing second. They all cried out as they left the town and flew through the air almost too fast for them to pick up any detail.
But Springer was able to tell where they were going, and as they got closer to wherever they were heading, he could feel a pull. Something he had only felt when trying to find Ace and Mira. "No way," he whispered. It was then that they started slowing down, the three taking in every detail of their surroundings. They found the place was a bit barren, but they could still see trees not too far off and there was a river nearby. It looked like a pretty good place to set up a town or outpost honestly.
They then noticed a mountain that they were moving toward, which was pretty tall, but not so much you could see it from a great distance away. The top was flat, as if someone had cut the tip of it off and thrown it away. And it was this top that they found themselves moving toward. Standing atop it were five individuals, all wearing hooded cloaks that hid their faces. One was standing in the exact center of the mountain top, while the other four stood around him to form a dice five. The five each had their arms up and appeared to be giving out an energy that the three knew all too well. Aura.
The aura had swirled into a large orb above the middle figure, looking like a giant Aura Blast. And every second, the orb sent out a pulse of aura that the three realized was what had hit them. And as they got close enough, one of the cloaks seemed to notice something and turned to them.
They stared at the three, and after a few seconds, the others did the same. "They can see us?" Mira asked, looking at their ghost-like form. "But how?"
"They're using aura," Springer pointed out, "And there's only one type of being I know that can use it in such a way." The center figure walked up to them at this, reaching up and grabbing the hood of their cloak. In doing so, they revealed who they truly were. "A jakhowl."
It was indeed a jakhowl, but it was not like any Springer had seen before. It had a different color of fur, for the parts that were blue on Springer were a mixture of cream and many strands of gray. The black parts of Springer were the same for him, though parts of that were also gray, but the most noticeable thing about him was the fact that his skin looked wrinkly. It was an old jakhowl, older than any other jakhowl he had ever seen. And he wasn't the only old jakhowl. The other figures removed their hoods to reveal themselves as jakhowls as well, all being different colors and all looking very old. Not as elderly as the first one, but still well past their prime.
The first jakhowl looked them over, then looked around as if expecting something else to appear. But he seemed rather disappointed. "Is...is this all?"
"What?" Springer asked, but suddenly found himself being pulled back. "Wait! What's happening?!" He cried as the old jakhowls looked the three over.
"Find us," the first one replied, "Find us and we will explain all."
Before he could say anything else, the three were pulled back at lightning speed. The mountain quickly vanished from view, but Springer did everything in his power to memorize the route to it. They were moving much faster than when they were being brought to the place, Springer feeling like an elastic band that had been pulled tight and let it snap away. Eventually, they returned to Ponyville and were pulled back to the park. The pair were then sucked down into their bodies and in a blink, Springer could feel himself on the ground as his eyes opened.
He gasped as he pushed himself up, Ace and Mira doing the same. The ponies around them pulled back in surprise. "You're up." Octavia sighed in relief, "We were so worried. We were just about to try and move you all to the hospital...or a vet."
"What happened to you?" Thunderlane asked, but Springer didn't answer and looked over to his charges instead.
"Did you see that?" He asked them, not even needing to give details about what it was. Sure enough, the pair nodded and Springer smirked. It hadn't been a dream. "Come on!" He jumped to his feet and ran for the castle, Ace and Mira right behind him and leaving a couple of very confused ponies behind.
They ran as fast as they could through the town, the ponies around them noticing them, figuring something must be up. They eventually reached the castle, and as they did, Heart and Soul were returning there. The pair noticed the shocked and serious expressions they were all wearing, Soul trying to speak to them. "Hey Mira, what's-" She didn't finish as the three ran inside, the twins sharing a glance before heading in after them.
They followed the trio until they reached the map room, which activated as soon as they were inside it. "What are you doing?" Heart asked as Springer stared at the map, locating Ponyville on it and slowly moving his gaze across the environment. And as they did this, Twilight, Starlight and Flash stepped into the room.
"What's all the commotion about?" Flash asked as Springer let out a 'There!'.
"Twilight," Springer pointed to a mountain on the map, "I need you to make me a Rune Gate to this mountain! Now!"
The ponies in the room all flinched at his outburst as Ace and Mira jumped up onto the table and stared at the sight of the mountain. "Um...why?" Twilight asked, "Springer, is something wrong?"
Springer took a deep breath, unable to believe he was actually going to be saying these worlds. "Jakhowls," he replied, his heart beating a hundred miles an hour as the ponies all went wide-eyed at the news, "There are more jakhowls out there and I've got to find them."
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Great first chapter love the cliffhanger ending can’t wait till the next chapter
After all these years, Jakhowls weren't extinct as they thought of.
I know not many people may notice this but this story got a romance tag and going by this chapter, look like Springer may finally get his love interest.
Here's highlights
It can't be!
WHAT?!?!?!
I know they are showing but I have an idea they were doing risqué with each other in the shower.
You jinx yourself, Springer and that was a good jinx.
Wow! They can't make fun of him without getting on his bad side, especially he still haven't recovered from Cozy's betrayal.
Now, Springer find hope of bringing Jakhowl back but will be succeed?
Ohhh so that's what was behind magic seal door #2, jackhowls!!! Still not sure if friendly or not though, guess we'll see!
Also seems the consequences of Cozy's betrayal are felt within Heart by now, so that's a whole other can of worms to deal with, thanks demon spawn!
Highlights galore include :
*gasp* EGADS!!!
lol gotta conserve hot water!
Oh boy, thanks again demon spawn!
*You have now entered.....The Twilight Zone!*
..........okay!
Heck yeah, roadtrip!!!
Liking where this story's going so far Banshee, can't wait for the next chapter!
Well, this is the start of another epic original story!
We're starting off strong, with the return of the Jakhowls. After all this time, Springer and the cubs aren't alone anymore! It looks like a tribe of Jakhowl were sealed away at some point, which must have protected them from Dark Mist's ritual, and the events of "School Raze" freed them. This is going to change everything going forward.
Whoever this Razor Fang is, it sounds like he could potentially be the Big Bad of the story. It almost sounds like he has a Mega Mode of his own. I guess we'll have to wait and see, though I wonder how bad he could be compared to Strong Strike.
Springer is still pretty mischievous. I think it is cute how Flash and Twilight are having their own "Showers of Love" now.
Aww, Springer... I guess that with all of the other Mane characters growing up and in official relationships now, Springer is the one true outlier. Even though Spike technically isn't in a relationship either he has his fair share of potential love interests, unlike Springer who has been "the last of his kind" for years. I guess it is a little sadder since most people consider Applejack the one who was "alone among the couples" before she finally got with Rogue, us Springer was staring us in the face the whole time. Though, hopefully now he can find someone he likes, maybe even that one named Mirage. But will he need to leave Flash and the others behind for it?
Looks like Springer isn't the only one with love problems. Poor Heart... I can understand him being heartbroken over Cozy's betrayal, but hopefully he can eventually get back to his old self and find someone new.
I never thought of that before. That actually makes sense if it turns out to be true. I wonder if different colored Jakhowls are called different things as well to differentiate each other?
I hope Fire Heart recovers from Cozy's betrayal. I feel really bad for him. Hopefully his sister and maybe his friends will help him feel better.
Does this mean that Twilight will finally have her own Jakhowl partner ?
What an exciting start for Springer's new adventure, now that I think about it, I never put myself in his place when thinking about being the only Jakhowl in Equestria, that could be harsh.
Wow, I felt bad when Spike's heart broke, (Seeing your crush with someone else every day), I felt bad again when Heart's heart broke, (And this one is worse since she turned out to be a controller that almost caused the end of magic and endangered lives) but I never thought that Springer would also feel without love, I mean, not finding his special someone because he was the only one of his kind, although I always thought that a relationship between different species was possible, but I think Springer doesn't think that, he must also feel lonely.
Just hope him, Spike and Heart find love before the end of this series.
Dang! I didn't even know this was out. If I had to guess, this story seems to correspond to Rainbow Road Trip, but I could be wrong. Ooh, are the twins going to be joining the jakhowls in this story?