Titian Maple, once a maple farmer turned into royal guard. Living in Canterlot with his little sister, Amur Maple and lover, Isa Pawstar. After completing training Titian was picked to go to slay seven beasts that have been terrorizing the ponies.
Plot: Titian Maple, once a maple farmer turned into royal guard. Living in Canterlot with his blind little sister, Amur Maple and lover, Isa Pawstar.
After completing training Titian was picked out of the group of royal guards to go to seven beasts that have been terrorizing the ponies around the world.
He was given saddle bags, one that can hold anything and another that will send messages to him and he can send letters back home.
The moon was over head ponyville and most ponies in ponyville where asleep but not at the Maple farm. In his room was Titian Maple and he was working on bills about the house, the pluming and the electricity for the lights, fridge, freezer and oven. His back was acting up once more after collecting all the maple from the trees today. He stopped writing and was the harvest would cover the bills. He stood up and sighed as he walked to his bed. “This is bad…” He said and lay in his bed. He turned the light off and lay his head down with closing his eyes. Hours past and the large farm pony couldn’t fall asleep and he opened his eyes. “This is going be long week…”
~~~
Weeks past and Titian was asleep in the middle of the Maple trees. “Titian?” Isa Pawstar asked and poked her special somepony. Titian’s eyes shoot open and looked at Isa. “You were asleep…again.”
“Sorry Isa.” He said and rubbed his eyes. There were black rings under his eyes and his back legs were shaking.
“Titian what is wrong?” Isa asked and she stared straight into his eyes. “Your hind legs are shaking like an earthquake and you have bigger rings under your eyes then blueblood’s ego.” Titian sighed and unclipped himself from his cart. He lay down and Isa lay down beside him.
“The bills are getting bigger and I can’t keep up with them…” He said and closed his eyes. “I-it-ZzZz…” He had fallen asleep again and Isa lightly shook him. “Who?” He shook his head and sighed. “Oh right…I’m going have to sell the farm and find a different job…” He dosed off again and Isa frowned.
“Sleep my Titian.” She said and kissed his nose as he fell asleep. “I hope you can find an answer to your problems.” Isa sign and leaned on him as she allowed him to sleep. A newspaper fell into Titian’s face and causing him to wake up. He moved it from his face and seeing an ad in the paper.
“Join the Royal Guards…” He muttered and looked at the benefits. Isa looked at the paper as well and raised her eyebrow.
“That is all the way in Canterlot.” Isa said and she looked worried. “Do you really think you can be a royal guard?” Titian closed his eyes and weighted the pros and cons of being a royal guard. “Titian? What about your back?”
“I’m going try…maybe Twilight can fix my back with some magic?” Titian said and looked at Isa seeing worry in her eyes. “Don’t worry I will be safe and come home to ponyville when I can.”
“Alright…” Isa said and the worry was still in her eyes.
~~~
Titian walked out into the training area for the royal guards and he was wearing the night guard outfit. He got in the formation with the rest of the other recruitments and Titian looked around to see he was tallest out of the recruitments. The drill sergeant can trotting along and stopped in front of Titian. “Recruit!”
“Yes sir?” Titian asked and saluted to the drill sergeant.
“Where is your helmet?” He yelled to Titian and Titian didn’t flinch.
“It wouldn’t fit on my head!” Titian yelled and looked at the drill sergeant. “Sir, permission to speak?”
“Granted!” the drill sergeant yelled and was staring into Titian’s eyes the best he could.
“Where is your hat?” Titian asked and smiled. The drill sergeant became flustered from the question and his face turned red.
“What is your name recruit?” The drill sergeant snarled and his eyes tried to pierce into Titian’s soul. “And what you were going before entering the royal guard?”
“Titian Maple, I was a maple farmer.” Titian said and looked straight back into his eyes. “How about you drill sergeant?”
“None of your business recruit!” The drill sergeant yelled and walked to the center. “Thanks to the maple farmer all of you are going run hundred laps of our training route!” Every earth pony groaned and the Pegasus and unicorns snickered. “Without using magic or wings and if I catch any of you cheating another hundred will be added to the laps!” Everyone groaned and everyone started to glop through the route.
It seemed to be hours as Titian started to run and he one of the slowly moving ponies in the group but he wasn’t as out of breath as the others that were faster. The drill sergeant was on the side drink some water and yelling at ponies that were stopping. Titian was getting tried stares from the others and he just ignored their glares as he focus on the route. He keep running but he noticed the slower ponies rushed by screaming and he even saw the drill sergeant running away. “RUN MAPLE RUN!” He yelled and Titian looked back to see a manticore but it didn’t look right.
Its coat was dark grey and black mane with black scorpion. Its eyes were blood red and claws bigger than anything he ever seen. “RUN FASTER!” The drill sergeant yelled back at Titian but Titian stop with turning to face the manticore. “MAPLE DON’T BE A HERO!” Titian ran straight to the manticore and his head down. Titian’s head slammed into the manticore’s nose and the manticore screamed in pain and swinging its claws at Titian. Titian moved back but he wasn’t fast enough to get cut over his right eye. Titian closed his right eye and went into to kick again but the manticore slashed at him and cutting his side of his snout. Titian went on the defensive and trying to stay out of its claws. He got more cuts on his body but he could still fight and the manticore swung its right paw to Titian. Titian reared up his body dodging the claws and he slammed down on the manticore arm. The manticore screamed in pain and Titian took this to head-butted the manticore three time. The head-butts broke the manticore’s nose and blood came out of its forehead. Titian back up and the manticore slashed to the left this time Titian ducked. His mane was cut and Titian rushed up to head-butt the manticore. The manticore’s jaw was now broken and it moved back whimper. Titian stood tall and let out a yell that shook the ground. Manticore yelped and turned around but as it turned around its tail cut Titian’s front leg. The manticore rushed away and the drill sergeant rushed over to Titian. “YOU ID-” Titian fell onto the ground and people rushed over to him.
~~~
Titian woke to find himself in a hospital bed and doctor and nurses looking at him. “Ummm…hello?” Titian said and the doctor shined a light in his eye. “How long have I been out?”
“A few hours and the poison from the manticore had some unusual effects…” The nurse said and Titian raised his eye brow.
“Unusual effects?” He asked and looked worried. The nurse used magic to lift a mirror to show Titian’s coat was grey color, his eyes were serpent like eyes and the white on his muzzle gone. “It’s not that bad and looks like those were going scar…Can I get out of here?”
“Well we got the poison out of you and you’re all stitched up.” The doctor said. “So you can leave.” Titian got out of the bed and sighed. He turned to see his cutie mark and his eye twitched. “Something wrong?”
“Nothing…” Titian said and walked out of the hospital.
He returned to the training grounds and everyone stopped to see Titian walking to the drill sergeant. “Sir!” Titian said and saluted. The drill sergeant looked at Titian and looked into Titian’s eyes.
“Do you have a death wish, recruit?” The drill sergeant said and Titian lowered his hoof.
“No sir.” Titian said.
“What were you thinking then!?” The drill sergeant yelled. “Where you trying to be a hero?”
“No sir.” Titian said. “I was thinking about my comrades, my teacher, and the people.” The drill sergeant looked into Titian’s eyes and smirked.
“You’re going be a great royal guard.” The drill sergeant said. “Take a week off to get rest.” Titian was about to argue about the week off but an arrow was shot and it missed a target. Titian made a weird face and the drill sergeant raised his eye brow. “What is wrong recruit?”
“Arrow…plot…” Titian said and turned around to limp away. Everyone looked at Titian limped away with an arrow in his plot and to the unicorn holding the empty bow.
~~~
Titian walked into the house and Amur was standing at the front door. “Hey Amur, something wrong?” Titian asked with tried voice. He felt somepony grab his tail and looked over his shoulder. “Aunt Oaky?”
Aunt Oaky was bigger than Titian and lot stronger. Her coat was ash brown and her mane was black with big curls in it. Her eyes were brown and her cutie mark was an oak tree. She was the care taker of the trees in the city and it paid well. “Guess what brother.” Amur said and Titian gulped. “Make over time.”
“NOOOOOO!” Titian yelled as he was dragged of by his Aunt and followed by his blind sister.
~~~
Titian rushed to the train station with Princess Luna following her newest guard to welcome the new animal caretaker for the royal gardens. The train stopped and the doors opened up allowing ponies to get off. Titian looked over the large coward to spot Isa and rushed to her. “Titian!” She rushed to him and both smiled. “H-Happy Heart and H-Hooves Day.” Both leaned in and kissed each other and both blushing. Princess Luna blinked and waited for the two to finishing kissing as well greet others coming off the train.
~~~
Amur landed at the station and used her keen sense of smell and hearing to find Luna. “Hello Princess Luna.” She said and her ears flicked to hear sloppy kissing. “How long have they been kissing?”
“An hour…I think…What time is it now?” Luna looked around to find a clock but none was in her view.
“10:17 am. Why are you asking?” Amur’s ears move to Luna’s direction and waited for an answer from her.
“The train came in at 8:17 am…” Luna said and small beads of sweat went down her face.
“Oh my…I think I’ll need to buy ear mufflers for tonight.” Amur said.
~~~
Titian was asleep in his bed with Isa lying beside him and his eyes were shifting under his eye lids as he was having a nightmare. In the nightmare Titian was running darkness and he didn’t know where he was going. He stopped as pair of red eyes opens up and row of smiling sharp teeth. Titian turned around and started to fall into the darkness. Titian gasped as he woke up and cold sweat drips down his face. “Titian?” Isa was woken up by Titian’s gasp and she rubbed her eyes. “What is wrong love?”
“Just a nightmare…a nightmare.” He said and nuzzled Isa’s snout with his snout. “Don’t worry.” Isa nodded and laid her head back down to fall asleep. He got off the bed and walked into the dining room but stopped to see a note on the table. He looked at the note and saw it was Amur’s writing.
Dear Brother,
You’re too loud, going to friends house as you two celebrate hearts and hooves day over night.
From, Amur
“Thanks Amur.” He went to the kitchen and took out the milk with his mouth. There was knocking at the door and Titian put the milk on the table than walked to the door. He opened it up to get blinding glare of sun light and his eyes adjusted to the light to see royal guard unicorn. “Ummm…hello?” The unicorn used his magic to give Titian a scroll and Titian took it. He opened it and started to read the message.
Dear Titian Maple,
You have been summoned to the castle for a mission; please hurry to the castle as this mission is of grave important.
From, Princess Luna and Celestia
Titian looked at the royal guard and nodded. The two rushed to the castle and Titian went straight into the throne to find both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia were waiting for him. Titian bowed to them and they waved away the other royal guards.
“Stand, Titian Maple.” Princess Celestia said and Titian stood tall.
“What is this important mission Princesses?” He asked and he was wonder why they would pick him.
“We need you to slay seven beasts that have been terrorizing every race in the world.” Princess Luna said and Titian looked confused. “We can’t send Twilight Sparkles and her friends as they have other troubles here in Equestria.”
“Why me then?” He asked and gulped.
“I wish we can explain but we can’t.” Princess Celestia said. “Will you take this mission, Titian Maple?” Titian started to think and closed his eyes as he sighed.
“Yes, I will take this quest.” Titian said and Luna used her magic to put a saddle with saddle bags on him.
“Both of these bags are enchanted, the right can carry anything and the left is mail bag so you can get messages from your family and friends.” Princess Celestia explained and Titian looked into the right bag to find lots of food, water canteens and a maps. “You can send letters back if you put it into the left bag.” Titian nodded and understood the explaining. “You will travel to Mstarasi’s capital Damara to find guide of the land to find the first beast.” Titian nodded and turned around. “Your train leaves to Sableside at noon so you have time to say goodbye to your family and friends.”
~~~
Titian enters his home to see Isa and Amur and he went to Isa first. He kissed her lips and then explained the quest he was chosen for. Isa held back her tears and Amur eyes opened in disbelief. “Titian…please back alive…” Isa said and kissed her deeply.
“I will,” He said after breaking the kiss and looked at Amur. “And you stay out of trouble.” He rubbed Amur’s head.
“Will do.” Amur said and kissed his cheek. “Do come back home alive brother.” Titian smiled and kissed Isa for the last time before leaving for the train.
~~~
Titian sat down by a window on the train and was wearing a brown cape with a hood for rough land he was going be going over. He pulled out a map and looked over it to see what he was in for.
Titian stepped off the train as it stopped at Sableside and he looked to see same town by the sea. He was amazed by the blue of the sea and his eyes widen as this was his first time he saw the sea. He walked down the hill to look above to see zeppelins floating overhead and was confused not to see any boats on the sea. In his peripheral could see nothing wrong with the ponies living her and the merchants selling fish. He stopped at the docks and saw only fillies or old men fishing off it which made him little confused. As young filly he was hear stories about ponies sailing on the sea and fishing out mounds of fish in a net.
“Are you the person the Princess sent?” A stallion’s voice said behind him and causing him to looking over his shoulder to see the person talking to him.
The stallion was older earth pony with the age and stress of life showed on his face. He wore captain’s uniform with matching hat. His coat was light tan coloring and his mane was dark brown with that little gray in it. His cutie mark was compass and in his mouth was old clay pipe. “Captain Bubbles.” He stallion said and saluted. Titian blinked and turned around to face the captain. “Maybe check your letter saddle bag.” Titian looked into the letter saddle bag and found a letter.
Dear Titian Maple,
You will be meeting Captain Bubbles and he will fly you to Damara. He is the best zeppelin flier in our kingdom and he will make sure you get there. From, Princess Luna
Titian looked at Captain Bubbles and Captain Bubbles puffed smoke from his clay pipe. “Come along, hero.” He said and Titian followed the Captain to the zeppelin that was brown coloring.
“I’m not a hero.” Titian said and got on the zeppelin with the captain. The Captain raised his eye brow and closed the door. “I never seen myself as a hero but instead a normal pony.” The Captain walked to the wheel and started the fly the zeppelin. Titian turned little green in the face and started to look around but Captain Bubbles push a bucket to it.
“You don’t fly much, do you?” He asked and Titian puked into the bucket. “Yep, you would last as a zeppelin flier or sailor.”
“Ho-” He puked again and panted. “Sailor? Where you once a captain of a boat or warship?” Captain Bubbles was quiet and Titian pulled out water to rehydrate his body. “When I was younger I would hear stories about the sea and I was hoping to see boats on the sea.”
“The sea isn’t safe for the boats,” Captain Bubbles said and put autopilot. “Has been for few years, too many fallen to the sea.”
“How do they get the fish from the sea if they don’t go out on boats?” Titian asked and noticed a net. “I think I just answer my own question.”
“Yes you did,” He said and sat down. “Where did you hear these stories of the sea and fishing boats from anyways?”
“My uncle, he was a fisherman until he was lost at sea.” Titian said and drank more water. “His name was Anchor Splash, one of the biggest unicorn I saw…but I was only a filly.” Titian chuckled and Captain Bubble froze from the name. “Captain?”
“You’re his nephew…” Captain Bubbles said and Titian raised his eye brow as the Captain back up. Titian stood up in worry and Captain walked to an old chest opening it up. “My first mate’s nephew.” He pulled out a picture frame and took it to him to show it was Titian’s uncle and a younger Captain Bubbles.
“You knew my uncle?” Titian asked and looked at the picture. “What happened to him?” Captain Bubbles looked away and put the picture away.
“They thought I was crazy…” Captain Bubbles said and Titian sat there. “That night we headed into a storm and the rain poured down like it was telling us to turn back. The lighting flashed and trying to scare us away but we were sailors and it was going take more than little rain and lighting. Your uncle and I were pulling up the net than something very large rose from the sea. It keep raising but stopped once it was bit taller than the mast. It was only shadow until lightning flash showing the beasts seaweed scales, ell like head but the body of a snake. Its eyes glowed bright yellow and jewel between its eyes that glowed more than its eyes…” Captain Bubbles started to shiver. “Without warning the beast attack the ship and its first strike was to your uncle and me but your uncle bucked me out of the way and I fell overboard…I floated to land days later…” Titian was about to say something but the zeppelin jerked and making the Captain Bubbles rushed to the wheel. “Where did this storm come from?” Titian looked out the window to see dark clouds forming around them.
“Those aren’t natural clouds, something is forming the clouds around us.” Titian said and moved to the front. He notice the clouds were following him and below he could see glowing red from the sea. “Captain, I think we need to get higher up…also do y-” The zeppelin jerked wildly and Titian’s eyes lost sight of the glowing.
“I can’t!” Captain yelled and was trying to fly up but something was keeping them in the dark clouds. Lighting flashed and the rain started to pour down. Titian was watching the sea below and he spotted red glow and its glow got bright until it blinded.
“CAPT-” Titian was cut off by loud crashing sound around him and him being thrown around the ship’s wall like a rag doll. The shook from being thrown and he felt like he was falling from get height. It was only the feel of coldness snapping out of the shook and saw he was under water. Titian looked around to see a flash of lightning figure out the surface and he swam to the surface. He gasped for air and felt like his lungs were going explode if he had stayed under water any longer. He felt the rain hit hard on his head and lighting flashed again to show him the zeppelin had crashed into the water and pieces floating in the water. “CAPTAIN! WHERE ARE YOU, CAPTIAN?!” Titian yelled as he swam to the largest piece of floating zeppelin wreck and he took off his cape as it made him too heavy. He looked around and lightning flash allowing to find Captain Bubbles and his eyes widen to only find half of the Captain Bubbles. Titian started to shake in the sight of a pony ripped in half and seeing the blood and organs falling into the sea. The hairs on the back of neck stood up and turned around to see the glowing yellow eyes.
“This is the warrior they sent to slay my brother and sisters?” A voice hissed and the beast’s opened to show large and curved teeth. “You’re only a child shivering in front of a god!” Titian stopped shivering and felt something metal his hoof. He looked down to see harpoon and the beast moved its head to Titian’s level. “You are pet-” Titian kicked up the harpoon, catching it in his mouth and stabbed the beast into its eye as deep he could. He let go as the beast screamed in pain and dived into the water. Titian quickly pulled out his gauntlets and he put his left front hoof, as he about to put on the other on the piece of wreck was flipped over from bellow. Titian swam to the surface and quickly got on another piece of wreckage. He coughed and looked for his right gauntlet and hoping it didn’t fall into the water.
“Okay, you’re on zeppelin wreckage on the sea and you just pissed off one of the seven beasts…” Titian said and the rain keeps pouring down hard. “It is also raining and lighting...lighting…That’s i-” The beast surface and screamed with great furry.
“You will pay for that you piece of shit!” The beast screamed and dived at Titian but with its damage eye made it missed allowing Titian grabbed onto the end rope attached to the harpoon. The beast dived into the water and Titian quickly tied the rope to the wreckage he was on. Titian jumped to the other wreckage and watched the wreckage move around.
“Now I know where you are.” Titian said and spotted his right gauntlet. He jumped wreckage to wreckage and wasn’t playing attention to the tied wreckage as it was going straight to him. He jumped onto the wreckage that had his right gauntlet and he was about to grab the gauntlet but he was thrown up into the air and in mid-air he grabbed the gauntlet. He turned in mid-air to see teeth. “Shit.” He yelled and put on his other gauntlet. The beast snapped and Titian was in its mouth but beast screamed in pain as electricity ran through it mouth and threw Titian into the water. Titian swam up and got on some wreckage.
“HOW! HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!” The beast screamed and hissed. Titian smiled with a chuckle and his gauntlets sparked and yellow orb glowed.
“One gauntlet is just a gauntlet but with both I can use an element orb.” He said and stood tall. “The orb I last use was lighting!” The beast screamed and charged at Titian but Titian stood his ground. “Come on, that’s it get closer.” He whispered and the beast dived under the water, once again Titian was thrown into the air. Titian was ready as he turned in mid-air again and this time the beast didn’t snap at Titian. Titian landed in the wreckage the beast was pulling and Titian got on the rope. The beast came up and Titian started to climb the rope. The beast couldn’t see Titian moving up the rope and Titian was close to the harpoon.
“WHERE ARE YOU?!” The beast screamed and Titian pulled on the jewel. The Beast’s good eye saw him.
“Right here!” Titian yelled and slammed down on the jewel causing electricity jolt throughout the beast’s body. The beast screamed and its eyes explode right out of its sockets. Titian slammed down on the jewel with another bolt and caused the head of the beast explode and sending Titian flying into the water. Titian weakly swam up and got on small wreckage. “O-One d-down a-an-and s-si-six m-more…” He closed his eyes and started to float in the sea.
~~~
Titian opened his eyes and weakly stood up to see sand. “I’m on land…” He said and walked over to open area. He sat down and took off his gauntlets and saddle bags off. He opened his right bag to see all his food and water was tainted, he threw it into the water and pulled out his extra cape but he had lost the rest of his element orbs. He looked and saw he was in desert area. He put on the cape and he had his pages and maps were in plastic bags. He opened them up and wrote a letter to the princesses.
Dear Princesses,
Engaged first beast and defeated it, misfortune Captain Bubbles didn’t make it. Sent food and water as mine was tainted by salt water and sent my coordinates if can. From, Titian Maple
He put it into the left saddle bag and watched it been set to the princesses. He wrote another letter to Isa and Amur as he and his saddle bags dried off.
Dear Isa and Amur,
Engaged first beast and defeated it, and I miss you both. I wish I was there with you two and relaxing in our new home. From, Titian Maple
He put that one in the left saddle bag and watched the letters be set to Isa and Amur. “Just going stay here…” He said to himself. “…and wait for nightfall…”
~~~
Nightfall came and a letter and food and containers came through. He drank down one container and ate some oats. He put the rest into the right saddle bag and he opened the letter.
Dear Titian Maple,
Good work on defeating the first beast and you’re coordinates cannot be pin pointed. You are on your own to find a village but we will send more food and water if needed. From, Princess Celestia
“Thank you,” He said and closed the saddle bags. He put the saddle bags on and put his hood up. He looked to the sky and found the North Star and he figure in the east there will be village. He sighed and this was going be long walk through the desert.
Titian walked through the desert for many nights and he had lost count of how many. As he traveled through the desert with an aching body and he closed his eyes only to have his head hit cold stone. His head rested on it and his eyes opened up as the rock was too smooth to be a normal rock. He backed up a bit to see it was stone house, “Oh sweet Celestia, thank you.” He said and moved around it but the blood in his face drained.
The house he ran into was completely destroyed and the other houses around it were equal destroy. The walls and ruins were cover in dried blood and massive graves. The air was dryer then normal and yet the air felt so cold he could be freeze to death. “W-What happen…” He said and started to look for someone living as only the living could dig graves. “Hello?!” He walked into the ruins and he was something move in the shadows. “Hello, anyone there?” In the corner of his eye he saw something coming out and he turned his head to see a camel. Titian just stared and this was his first time seeing the one hump tall camel.
“Who are you?” The camel said and Titian keeps staring at the camel. The camel poked Titian’s nose and Titian shook his head.
“Sorry first time seeing a camel.” Titian said and rubbed his head but got serous. “What happened here?” The camel lowered his eyes and his legs started to shake.
“It came from below the sands,” The camel said. “Our weapons couldn’t hurt it a-” The earth started to rumble and the camel panicked. The camel ran into the shadows and Titian put on his gauntlets. Titian stood his ground and he saw something was digging under the sand close to the surface. The rumbling stop and the budge stopped on the sand but burst of sand went flying and blinding Titian for moment.
Titian rubbed his eyes and once he saw what was digging he let out a snicker. The creature looked like a mole with stones spines on its back. Its front paws were big with three long digging claws and its back paws were small compared to its front paws. On its belly it inch taller than him and the beast just looked at him. “What?” The beast squeaked and Titian held back his laughter the best he could. The beast snarled and curled up in a ball making be cover in stone spikes and the beast started to spin fast.
“OH SH-” Titian dodge the spinning spike ball coming at him and he rolled onto his feet. “Okay lot more dangerous than looks.” He stood up ground and the beast uncurled. The beast slowly turned around and Titian charged at the beasts. He slammed his hooves onto the back of the beast but the lighting did nothing to the beast, “Oh right li-” The back leg of the beast kicked him and he tumbled in the sand. Titian coughed and had hard time getting up with his aching body and the sand. It became dark and he looked up to see the beast on its hind legs. Titian could see the similar jewel on the beast’s stomach as the other and it was soft under its belly. Titian stood up but in the corner eye he saw the paw of the beast’s and Titian couldn’t move out of the way. The blow sent Titian into a ruin of a building and ruins fell onto Titian. Titian was still weak from the walking through the desert making him unable to push off the ruins and he heard the beast leave the ruins. He lay there and slowly breath as he started to think the battle that just happened and he felt the ruins getting lighter.
“Sir, are you alright?” The camel from before asked and Titian took in a deep breath as the ruins got light enough. He stood up and causing the ruins to fall off him and he shook his body. “You’re unscratched?!”
“My sister kicks harder.” Titian chuckled and stepped out of the ruins. “But that walk in the desert really wore me out.”
“Come with me.” The Camel said and he led Titian to small camp fire. Titian looked around and he only saw the Camel. “The ones that survived left for Dromedor, the capital.” Titian took off his saddle bags and lay down. “How have you been walking?”
“Don’t know…” Titian said and sighed. “I lost count after three days and nights.” Titian looked into his left saddle bag and saw a letter. He pulled it out to see it was letter from Isa that was the date. “I’ve been walking for three weeks?!” He opened the letter and started to read.
Dear Titan, I have a bit of news for you. One I am happy that you’re still good. Two, Amur has a new hair style and an earth pony stallion fell for her, his name is Autumn Runner, moved into the farm. Three, Well... We are going to be parents soon. I am uh... Pregnant and its twins. Love you titan, Isa
Titian’s left eye turned smaller than a pea and his right stayed normal on the news about Amur having a boyfriend but than the other turned small like a pea as well for the last part. “Sir, are you alright?” The camel asked.
“hkisdbvihefcfvhfbevijsdbvie.” Titian said and the camel raised his eye brow. The camel looked at the letter and blinked.
“Ohhhhhhh.” The camel said and poked Titian’s nose. “Congrats on the twins.” Titian looked at him and the camel flinched but Titian got up. Titian walked over to the ruins and he started to shake in front of a ruin building.
“…IT’S NOT FAIR!” Titian yelled so loud it made the ground rumble and in his rage he slammed his hooves onto the ruins making it crumble into dust. “It not fair…” He sat down and tear ran down his cheeks and clenching his teeth. The camel got up and walked over to him and put his hoof on Titian’s back.
“I have a daughter.” He said and rubbed Titian’s back. “She was left with the others. They didn’t know I was still alive under the ruins…I know she alright because…” The camel looked at the mass graves and Titian wiped way his tears.
“Tomorrow their deaths will be avenged and I’ll be one more step closer to my love.” Titian said and walked back to the campfire.
~~~
Titian was standing in the middle off the town square and he wore his gauntlets without the element orbs in them. He felt the ground rumble and he came prepared with goggles. The sand burst out and he saw the beast again but the beast looked bit shocked. “How are you alive?!” The beast asked and looked flustered. “You were buried in rumble!”
“I’m very strong pony.” He said and smirked. The beast curled up once again and spins to run over Titian but this time Titian slammed his hooves on the rocked. The spine broke as they hit the metal gauntlets and Titian was only push back a bit but he keeps the beast where it was. The beast stopped spinning and Titian back up a bit as the beast uncurled. “Also I’m stronger when I’m well rest.”
“I’m out of here!” The beast squeaked and started to dig but Titian grabbed the back leg of the beast. “LET GO!” Titian started to pull and started to drag the mole out. “NO!” He slowly turned and gained speed as he dragged the beast. “I’M NOT A CHEW TOY!” Titian gotten his top speed of spinning and the beast was off the ground but Titian let go making the beast go flying. “AHHHHHHHHHHH-” There was huge dust cloud where the beast landed and Titian rushed over to see the beast on its back. It landed on its belly and it got to hind legs. Titian rushed up he was stopped when the beast slammed its front legs on each side of Titian. “HA CAN’T DO ANYTHING!” Titian looked at the jewel was creaked and Titian smirked. “WHAT?”
“I got a hard head!” Titian yelled and head-butted the jewel making it shattered into million pieces. The beast screamed loud and fell onto its back and Titian could hear it breathing. He walked over to the beast’s head and slammed his hooves on the beast’s head. The blood and brain scattered on the ground and on his face. He shook his head and grabbed a towel from his bag to clean his face and chest.
“Thank you, warrior.” The camel’s voice said and Titian looked at the camel. “Can you give my daughter this?” The camel put a necklace with a blue and white feather and Titian looked confused. “Her name is Campbell Sandrifter.” Titian was about to say something but he heard a zeppelin and he turned to see several zeppelin starting to landing close by the ruins. Titian looked back to see the camel had disappeared and he put the necklace inside his right saddle bag.
“HEY!” A female voice called and he turned to see a group of camels coming over to him. He stood beside the dead beast and they looked amazed. “Who are you?” Titian stopped military ranking on her and Titian saluted.
“Titian Maple, royal guard for Princess Luna!” Titian said and stood there. The camel nodded and smiled.
“Relax, Titian.” The camel said and he relaxed. “Thank you for defeating this nuisance of ours.” Titian nodded. “Also we know about your mission, Titian Maple.” He relaxed more. “The Princess sent us a letter of your little detour and the other kingdoms now as well. We be giving you lift to Papua New Whinney.”
“Captain, I have request.” Titian said and nodded to him. “I request I delivery this to Campbell Sandrifter as her father asked me to do it.” He pulled out the necklace and even the name made the camel confused. “Is something wrong?”
“My father was one of the camels that died here.” The camel said and the blood in Titian’s face drained away. “I know this as I buried him.” Campbell took the necklace and put it on.
“But-I-He-What?!” Titian asked and was complete confused. The camels turned around and went back to the zeppelin. Titian turned around and his eyes wide to see the male camel but he was glowing bright blue and bowed to Titian than faded away. Titian blinked but then smiled and went to zeppelin.
Titian rested on the zeppelin and the camels were be nervous around him as he said he saw a dead man and defeated two of the seven beasts. Titian didn’t sleep and he opened his eyes to feel the zeppelin slow down. He looked out the window to see a small village by a lake. Something was off and Titian’s back legs were shaking. “Captain don’t land to close to the village.” He said and looked through some binoculars around a camel near him. The blood once again left his face and looked away. “We’re too late…” He closed his eyes and the Captain looked at him but took his word for it. They landed, Titian got out and he turned around the zeppelin. “Go if this beast spills more blood it is mine.” “Good luck, Titian,” The captain said. They closed the door and he watched them float off. Titian turned and walked to the village looked around to see only few graves and little blood. “Either the beast ate them whole or they were wise to leave.” He stopped as he stepped in a bowel of water. “Where are you now beast?” He scanned and spotted tracks, not a zebra’s hoof print. The print was almost two times bigger the than Titian all together and four large claws. Beside them where slither mark and went to the water with the boats destroyed. “Another large creature in the water…great…wait the lighting orbs.” He said and looked into his right bag but he turned pale. The orbs were dim and one crumbled meaning they were no longer worked in his gauntlets. “Shit.” He threw them to the ground and sat on the ground. “This is bad…”
“Maybe we can help you, warrior.” A voice said and Titian looked behind him to see five zebras with spears and armor. “We a-”
“Go home.” Titian said and was bitter in his words. The one zebra was caught off guard by the words Titian said and looked at the other four than spoke in language unknown to Titian. They looked at Titian got up and walked to them, he towered over them. “I said go home. Go back to your people, your wife, and your children!” The zebras back up and looked at him. “WHAT?”
“Your eyes…they are filled with fear.” The zebra said. “But we have only come to deliver some to you.” Titian’s eyes flickered and the warrior put down a same pouch. “These will help you greatly with you quest.” Titian opened the pouch and found two cyan orbs which would fit his gauntlets. “These you have never seen before, yes?”
“Yes, I’ve only seen water orbs, lighting orbs and earth orbs.” Titian said and put the orbs into his gauntlets. Once in his hooves cold and the ground lightly froze. “Ice?”
“The beast you face is large in size and like a dragon it is.” The zebra said and nodded. “These will a last a lot more than those other orbs.” Titian sighed and looked at the five. “We understand why you said leave, you wish for no more death of you could prevent.” Titian closed his eyes and nodded. “We wish you luck and beware the jaws of the beast.” The five turned and they run off away from the abandon village.
Titian went to the beach to find all but one boat was destroyed and he spotted some rope. He put it into the boat and pushed the boat into the water. “This is going be worse idea ever.” He jumped into the boat and started to paddle out to middle of the lake. He got his gauntlet ready as he saw bubbles in the water and something surface but made the blood from his face drain. What surface was rotten corpse of a zebra and it was missing eye and the skin was slowly slipping off the bone. “Oh Celestia.” The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and looked over his shoulder to see huge jaws. “Sh-” It was so fast and Titian didn’t know how it happened or why he reacted to the situation. He was holding up the jaws of the beast and he could see the sky. He felt the pressure of the jaws and saw the teeth of the beast. "Shitshitshitshitshitshit.”
“A higter huh?” The beast said and Titian gritted his teeth. He took his deep breath as he felt the beast drive under the water and started to spin under the water. Titian kept strong and closed his eyes with the hopes the spinning would stop. The spinning stopped but Titian saw what the beast trying to drown him and Titian had to think fast as he was close to blacking out. Titian moved on front hoof and the pressure by the jaws was going break his leg if he didn’t slam his hoof onto beast’s upper jaw fast. The slam froze the nose of the beast and making it let go of Titian. Titian swam to the surface as fast he could and gasped for air and coughing up water.
“Too close.” He coughed and started to swim to the shore line as fast as he could. “Alright Ti-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-” He was screaming in pain as he felt his hind leg being crushed and he was being dragged under water. Titian looked down to see the beast’s face but the water was too murky for him to see anything and he felt a turning jerk. He screamed in pain as he was sent into a roll and he started to kick trying to hit something. He was threw his last and hardest kick and he hit something as the beast let go. Titian rushed swim to the surface and without thought he swam to the shore but this time he gets on land. He limped away from the water and stopped by the closest building. He lay in side and looked back at his left hind leg to see it was twist all ways and bones sticking out. “You need to thin this time…” He looked out to the lake and panting. “I can’t use pure force here…” He looked at his gauntlets and looked back to the lake to watch a bird fly to water. The bird landed on the shore and there was flash of water as the water went down Titian saw the beast’s head.
It had long snout with the end wide and he could see the beast’s teeth. The eyes of the beast were slit like a lizards and its body was cover in square like leather. On the back of the beast were large spines and the beast turned but Titian ducked below the window. “COME OUT, WARRIOR!” The beast’s voice boomed and Titian was quiet. “COME MET YOU WATERY DEATH!” Titian heard movement in the water and looked to see the beast had dived back into the water. Titian got up and looked back at the tracks near the hut.
“It can’t move fast on land…” He said and smirked. “Let’s even this battle field.” He spotted some rope and tied up a piece of rotten meat from the hut. “Let’s have game of tug of war.” He started to spin the meat and threw it into the water. He held the end of rope in his mouth and waited for the beast to bit. Titian stood there and to his surprise the beast walked out of the water. Titian dropped the rope and the beast was fully out of the water.
“I will drag you into the water, warrior!” The beast hissed and Titian side steps to stay away from the beast’s powerful jaws and Titian as well stay nervous around the tail. “You may limp fast but you’re weak to hurt my armor and now your corner between me and the water.” Titian was now between the beast and the water.
“No I’m not stuck.” Titian said and turned to the water slamming his hooves down on the water. The water froze and he kept his hooves there until he knew the beast couldn’t break the ice with his weight. He turned to face the beast and the beast let out a loud hissing sound. “You can’t enter the water and I’m limping, I think we are even.” The beast charged at Titian and Titian dodges the jaws but the tail hit him onto ice.
“THESE ICE IS NOT YOUR SAVING GRACE!” The beast hissed and walked onto the ice as well. Titian stood up and chuckled as the beast went onto the ice. “WHY DO YOU LAUGH?”
“Sometimes you just got laugh in the face of danger.” He said and looked at the beast. “You live in a warm climate, never had to deal with ice, but me I’ve been through blizzards, sand storms, thunderstorms, and even one tornado made by Derpy Hooves!” Titian slide across the ice with easy even with his destroy his leg. The beast moved slowly on the ice and he couldn’t see the jewel anywhere. “You seem to get slower in the cold.” The beast turned to get back to the warm ground and Titian jumped onto the beast’s back. “Really?” He slammed his hooves on the beast’s back and freezing the body of the beast freeze. The beast screamed loudly but the scream faded to nothing and the light in the beast’s eyes faded. “Just to be safe!” He took off his gauntlets and slammed as hard he could and shatter the body of the beast. Titian land on all four of his hooves when the body was shattered and Titian screamed in pain from his hind leg making fall to the ice.
“The day of fear will come and your greatest fear will come to life.” The beast’s voice echoed and Titian finally spotted the jewel on the upper jaw inside the jaw. He limped over to it and slammed onto it and making it shattered. Titian limped to the huts and fell onto the ground breathing slowly until blacking out.
~~~
Titian gasped and opened his eyes to find himself on hay bed. “What?” He asked and moved to look around. He was in a hut with masks and herbs in jars and it reminded him of Zecora’s hut. He looked at his hind leg and saw it bent the right way and it was only wrapped up.
“Good to see you are awake finally.” A female voice said and Titian looked to see a unicorn but he was did a double take of the unicorn.
Her neck and legs longer than zebras that Titian has seen and making her taller than most average ponies that Titian have saw. Her body was coated in dark brown with lighter fur on their faces and stripes on their legs. Her cutie mark was blue cross and two blade-like horns on their forehead, one large and one small.
“Ummmmmm…” Titian said and couldn’t take his eyes off her. She noticed this and chuckled lightly.
“I’m Zeeboo, an abada,” She said and smiled. “Basically a zebra unicorn.” Titian nodded and Zeeboo went over to his leg. “You healing nicely and your body accepted the medicine made by the local sha-” Titian got up and Zeeboo started to panic. “Warrior wa-” Titian stood up and he felt no pain in his leg.
“I’m fine…now where is my saddle bags?” Titian asked and smiled. His ears flickered and heard argument outside but in a different language from before. He walked out of the hut, Zeeboo was still panicking and he saw two zebras. One warrior he met before wearing his saddle bag and younger zebra yelling at the older zebra. Titian walked over to the older zebra and the argument stopped.
“Warrior, you’re finally awake.” The older zebra said and took off the saddle bag off. “I have been keeping this safe for you.” Titian took his saddle bags and nodded. “We sent letter to your Princesses to tell th-” Titian enters back into the hut before the older zebra could finish. Titian lie back in the hay bed and put the saddle bag in front of him. He opened the left saddle bag and he saw lots of letters in the bag making him tear up. He looked through them and he found the newest letter was from Isa with that date nine months from the time he found the third beast.
“Nine months…” He said and started to shake. “I’ve been gone for nine months…” Tears started to fall down his cheeks and started to read the letters from Isa Pawstar.
Titian was asleep in the hay bed and his eyes shifted wildly under his eyelids as he was having a nightmare. In the nightmare Titian was running darkness and he didn’t know where he was going as he past rows of gravestones in the darkness. He stopped as pair of red eyes opens up and row of smiling sharp teeth. Titian turned around and started to fall into the darkness. Titian gasped as he woke up and cold sweat drips down his face. He looked around to see Zeeboo frozen in place as she was unwrapping the bandages his leg and he looked at her. “What?” He asked.
“Sorry,” She said and snapped out of it. “Your leg is okay for travel.” She smiled and Titian got up. Titian put away the letters but a letter came through and it was from the Princesses. He grabbed it and opened it up to read it.
Dear Titian, We have located the fourth beast for you and we hope you get there safety. The fourth beast can be found nearby Appaloosa and the locals say it looks like a giant red pig with tusks. From, Princess Luna
Titian put on his saddle bag and looked at Zeeboo. “Zeeboo, can you teleport me to a place?” He asked and pulled out his map to show her where Appaloosa was. Zeeboo looked worried and rubbed her chin. “It’s important that I get there.”
“That far…I can’t do it alone…but I think if I get all the abada in the camp we can do it.” She said and Titian nodded. Zeeboo left the hut and Titian sat down in the hut to wait for Zeeboo to return.
~~~
Titian was standing inside a magic circle and surrounded by at least twenty abadas. “Alright we all ready?” Titian asked and he was getting nervous. “Just make sure I don’t get stuck in a wall or someone.” Few smirked and nodded. “Alright hit me.” Titian closed his eyes and he heard chanting from the group and he stood still. The chanting faded and Titian felt someponies hot breathe on him. He opened his eyes to see a big black nose and he backed up a bit to see a buffalo. “Ummmm…hello?”
“Who are you?” The buffalo asked and snorted. Titian smiled and noticed he was surrounded by buffalo. “Well?”
“I’m Titian Maple…Can you point me to Appaloosa please?” Titian said and the buffalos looked down and muttered. “Wh-”
“There no more Appaloosa!” A familiar voice said and the buffalo moved to reveal Braeburn. Titian’s face drain of blood again to see his old friend with bandages over his left eye, wrapped around his sides and right front leg.
“Braeburn…” Titian walked to his old friend. “What happened?” Braeburn was shaking and a small female rushed to him.
“Sorry but he’s not ready yet to be walking around.” The little buffalo said and helped Braeburn into a teepee.
“A great pig beast destroyed their homes, many dead but the one survived we took under our care.” A buffalo said and he had dark fur coat wearing feather dress hat. “I am Chief Thunderhooves, come traveler and I will tell you more.” Titian followed Thunderhooves into a different teepee and they sat down cross from each other. “The beast show up the day after the traditional stampeding and newer tradition of eating apple pies with the ponies of Appaloosa. It fought with all that tried to stop it and only few survive the battle, Braeburn.” As the buffalo something in Titian’s belly lit up. “Now the beast is found in Appaloosa and it never went after the ponies that left.” Titian stood up and Tunderhooves stay the rage in Titian’s eyes. “You will not defeat this beast but if you are dead set on facing it, Appaloosa is north of here.” Titian bowed to Thunderhooves and took off to Appaloosa. “Good luck, Traveller!”
~~~
Titian walked on the streets of Appaloosa and looked to see buildings torn down. Some of the ruins were blood cover and he saw dead bodies in the ruins. The flame in his belly was set ablaze and his eyes darted looking for the beast. “WHERE ARE YOU?!” Titian yelled and he saw the beast come out from between buildings.
The beast was twice the size of Titan and the jewel was between the beasts eyes but it was smaller than the other beast’s jewel. The tusks he heard about were longer than Titian’s leg and the beast had big hump on its back. It fur was red as blood and had black strips on its hump. The beast snorted and smirked. “Another pony…no…you are the warrior that killed my brothers and sister.” Titian snorted and started to kick dirt up. “A challenge accepted.” Both charge at each other and neither Titian nor the beast was backing down. As the two collide and Titian lost as he was lighter and was thrown through a building. Titian stood up from the ruble and eyes widen as he was hit once more being hit into another building. Titian stood up once more and felt his saddle bags come off and blood dripping from his forehead. He was covered in cuts and scruffs but he found he there was a tree behind him. “Most would have died from that.” Titian snorted and stood his ground with his head ready to charge once more. He let out air come out of his nostrils, as the air went out it looked like smoke and his cap was tater from his travels. He could tell which wind blew as his mane blew to the right and while his cape flapped to the left. “You have strong body but it will not keep you alive!” Titian snarled and both charge once more and colliding once more but they in locked in place. Titian pushed but the beast would push as well and neither would move from their spot. “You…are…strong…”
“It…isn’t…my…body…that…pushes…me…” Titian said and eyes were locked with the beast’s eyes. “…It…is…my…will!” Titian pushed harder and started to push back the beast. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Titian screamed and using his head as a scoop he threw the beast into the air. Titian turned around and as the beast land he used his hind legs to hit the beast. Titian’s hind hooves connected to the beast’s hump, causing a loud cracking sound and sending the beast flying through several buildings. Titian breathed slowly, picked up his saddle bags and walked to the beast.
“It isn’t your will alone.” The beast said and looked at Titian as its back legs didn’t move. “I saw rage, fear and regret in your eyes as we were locked.” The beast closed its eyes and Titan smashed the jewel on the beast’s head. He heard the last breath of the beast leave its body and Titian left for the camp.
~~~
Titian enters the camp and everyone looked at as he covered in cuts and trail of blood from his wound. “Ow…” He said and fainted on the ground as he was rushed to.
~~~
Titian opened his eyes and saw he was in a teepee. He sat up and looked to see he had few bandages on his wounds. He saw Braeburn eating an apple and smiled seeing Titian up. “Your finally awake, Cousin.” He said.
“I’m not your cousin…though I am every close with the apple family.” Titian said and got up. He moved and lay beside his friend. “How long was I out?”
“A few hours, here have something to eat.” Braeburn pushed an apple to Titian and Titian ate the apple. “You really have change since I last saw you, how your sister and Isa?”
“Amur, she’s dating a young stallion her age and when I get back I’m going have to scare him…because I’m her older and only brother…” He trailed off. “Isa…she’s pregnant…and…and….” Tears formed and he started to shake. “For nine months I’ve been in a different country healing from a stupid mistake.”
“Does Brooch she’s going be a granny?” Braeburn asked and smiled but Titian’s eyes flared with rage as he heard his mother’s name. “Ti-” Titian stood up and looking to Braeburn’s eyes.
“DON’T SAY THAT BUCKING BITCH’S NAME!” He yelled and the earth rumbled. Titian’s eyes flashed red and Braeburn shivered in fear and turned very same. “SHE ONLY BRINGS PAIN TO MY FAMILY! SHE IS NOT PART OF MY LIFE AND SHE’S NEVER GOING BE PART OF MY CHILDREN’S LIFE!” Titian had tears running down his cheeks and shaking as he yelled. Someone coughed and Titian looked over his shoulder to see buffalo and the ponies that survived the attack.
“Titian…I’m sorry…I should have known…” Braeburn said and Titian walked over to where he was laying before. Titian curled in a ball and his back turned to everyone as he cried himself asleep.
Titian was asleep in the hay bed and his eyes shifted wildly under his eyelids as he was having a nightmare. In the nightmare Titian was running darkness and he didn’t know where he was going as he past rows of gravestones in the darkness. He stopped as pair of red eyes opens up and row of smiling sharp teeth. Titian turned around and started to fall into the darkness. Titian gasped as he woke up and cold sweat drips down his face. He looked around to see himself in his own bed and looked over his shoulder to see Isa asleep beside him. “What? Ho-” Isa groaned and woke up than looked at Titian.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Isa asked and looked at him. “Another nightmare about your travels?” She nuzzled him and shook his head. He got out of the bed and looked at Isa with confused eyes. “Oh Celestia, your relapsing aren’t you?” Titian looked around and stopped as he saw his reflation. His colors returned to normal, the reddish brown coat, black mane, white hooves and normal blue eyes. “Titian, you’re not out there anymore.” She walked to him and nuzzled him. “Your home with me and the children.”
“Home…” Titian relaxed and nuzzled her back. “Children…” He looked to the hall and looked into the hall. Isa followed him but then led him to a bedroom and inside was crib and ground cover in toys. Titian walked over to the crib to see three little foals but Titian raised his brow and looked at Isa. “I thought it was twins, not triplets.”
“Honey, there is only two foals in there.” Isa said and looked worried. Titian looked back and only saw two foals. She walked over to him and nuzzled him. “Come back to bed with me, you have guard duty.” Titian sighed and nuzzled her. “Come along.” Titian followed her to the bed and lay down and closed his eyes. It didn’t feel like sleep as he opened to see the sun rose up and he was confused as why he would have morning shift as Luna guard. He got up and walked Day guard uniform and Isa smiled.
“Honey…was I shift to Day guards after my trip?” He asked and got up. Isa nodded and left the room. “I guess Celestia thought I be better as one of her guards…” He walked into the bathroom and ran the water than splashed his face with it. He panted and looked up to the mirror but jumped back to see a black shadow instead of his own face. The jump made him fall on his butt and he looked again to see his face. He shook his head and put on his armour with helmet. He walked into the dining room and stopped at the door.
“Amur will be coming home later.” Isa said and heard she was doing dishes. “Have fun with your mother protecting the Princess.” Titian froze and put his hoof down.
“Is Amur bringing her mare love?” Titian asked and was looking at the door as he waited for answer.
“Of course,” Isa said and hummed. Titian took off his helmet and slammed his head onto it but felt nothing as he hit the helmet. He dropped the helmet and turned around too looked at Isa. “Honey wh-” Isa stopped and noticed the helmet.
“Who are you and where am I?” Titian asked and Isa looked worried. “You’re not Isa!” He turned and ran through the door but stopped as he only saw darkness. “Oh not good.” He turned to see Isa wasn’t Isa anymore instead a beast.
The beast with sleek body shape and t remind him of a cat. Down its spine it had purple curved spikes, and its face was mix of wolf and dragon. Its coat was deep blue with black spots random on its body and on the top of its head the end of its tail was black fur. Its eyes were familiar green to Titian and in its ears three silver pierces. It let out a glow growl and Titian looked to the back door to see light. Titian dashed to the back door and the beast missed Titian with its loin like claws. He opened and rushed through the door and behind slammed the door but he froze in place to see he wasn’t home free.
He stood in middle of graveyard in the mountain area and there was star shining the blacken sky. He looked back to see the door disappeared and his armor was gone as well his coat returned to dark gray. “Okay think Titian this through…” Titian’s head started to hurt and making hard to think right at the time he need to the most.
“Foolish stallion.” A voice said and the voice sound like Isa’s but more demonic. “Did you really think you can out run me, Spite the embodiment of Hatred and Heartbreak?” Titian looked around and snorted. “Oh yes your hatred is so tasty.” Spite appeared on a large rock and her tail swished back and forth. “It even better than her heartbreak.” Spite licked her lips and an image of Isa appeared beside Spite’s head. “Oh misses her knight in shining armor.” Titian’s eyes widen and rage pumped through his veins as Spite talked about Isa’s heartbreak. “Oh yesssss.”
“Shut up!” Titian rushed at the rock and crashed into causing it shatter to millions of pieces. Titian smirked but a sudden sharp pain rushed through his back and he looked behind him to see Spite. With her left claw cover in blood and his back with huge gash in his back causing him to snarl loudly.
“More hatred and just look at those eyes of blood red.” Spite said and licked her claws. “Just like my mate’s eyes but your blood still to pony and those eyes are full of fear and regret.” Titian gritted his teeth and in the corner of his eye he was the black void pony from before. Spite saw this being as well and slashed it. “Go away!” She hissed and Titian saw this a moment to charge. He charge and aimed for Spite’s body but Spite moved with lighting reflexes and dodging the charge and slashing Titian’s side. Titian stumbled and turned to see that Spite disappeared.
“Up here.” Spite said and Titian looked up to see Spite sitting on another large stone. “Your slow but I guess that no surprise.” She chuckled and Titian snarled with kicking up dirt. “I’m not like the others before, they were stupid and thought you were a normal pony but me I know the truth about you.” Titian charge once and hit the rock causing it to shatter like before. He felt the same slashing going through his other side and he turned to see spite on another rock. “Though in this world you quite thicker headed.” Titian turned and was about to charge but stopped as the black void pony appeared again. “Get out of here!”
“Grab her and wake up.” A voice echoed and the void pony shaped into Luna’s shape making titian understand now. The void pony disappeared as Spite went through it and started to claw at his face. Titian screamed in pain and grabbed her head and as hard he could slam his head onto her head causing him close his eyes and gasp.
He opened his eyes and saw he was in a cave. He got up and went out to see he was mountain valley. “Where am I?” He heard a hissing sound and he turned his head to see glowing green eyes. He stood at the front of the cave and made sure she couldn’t escape. He saw flash of claws and couldn’t dodge the claws and his throat was cut open. He gasped for air and stumbled to the ground.
“Even in the real world you lose.” Spite said and walked out of the darkness. Titian spotted the jewel on Spite’s shoulder but he also saw her belly was large and right away figured she was pregnant. Titian moved away and Spite put her claw on his side. “Your weak litt-AHHHHHHHH!” She screamed in pain as Titian had kicked her not in the jewel but instead had kicked her belly. She felt to her side and Titian rose up and slammed his hoof down on the jewel. Spite scream in pain and looked at Titian. “He will come from the shadows and kill you and everything you love! He will drink the blood of all and his rage from my death will be endless.” She said and she turned into black dust but it left her bones and the three babies’ bones in her belly left of her. He used his cape to wrap up his wound and his eye sight became blurry.
He started to walk and as he walked he started to remember how he got here. A letter from the princess told him where to find another beast in the Griffin Kingdoms and he walked to the kingdom. He had found a cave in the valley and fell asleep. He stumbled through the valley as his sight was blurry from blood lost and he fell to the ground. He had landed on his side and before he blacked out he saw someone flying down to him.
Titian was lying in a field of grass under a tree and he looked out to see Amur playing with two young fillies. Lying beside him with her head resting on him was Isa and she opened her eyes to smile at him.
“This is normal dream.” A familiar but relaxing voice and Titian looked to see Luna standing there. “The land of dreams is once safe because of you.” Luna smiled. “A hero has a right to bleed, dream and rest.” Luna disappeared and Titian looked to Amur than to Isa. “I think you have earned a good dream, hero.” Luna’s voice whispered in the wind.
“The right to dream…” He said and smiled. He lay his head down and this was his escape he wanted from this horrible nightmare he had to face in the real world.
Titian gasped for air as he woke up his wonderful dream to see he was in a cave once more and he looked around to see a fire burning. He moved to lying on his belly and saw his saddle bags in front of him. He opened the left bag and saw a letter from Isa. He grabbed it and opened it to read it.
Dear titan, I miss you. Sometimes I wonder when you will be back. It’s been very hard on me going through this. I’ve been resting on your side of the bed thinking of a lot of things. Amur and Autumn have been helping out here and making sure I have what I need. He has been helpful with Amur explaining where they are at and what’s going on. Wish you will be back, Isa
Titian bit his lower lip and tried to hold back to tears. He heard movement and looked over his shoulder to see a pegasus with broken wood in his mouth. The pegasus was male and little younger than Titian or looked younger. His coat was bright cyan color, with two blue marks under his eyes and running down to his throat. His mane and tail was bright blond, and both tail and mane were cut short. His cutie mark was spear with lightning in the background and his were lime green. Around his neck a gray chain hanged and as well a dark blue bandana. “You’re finally awake.” The pegasus said after putting the wood in the fire and smiled. “I’m Benedict Spectre.” Titian got up and looked at his throat to see it was healed. “My brother healed you with his magic.”
“Thank you.” Titian said and stood up. He put his letter in the right bag and put on his saddle bags on. “I must be going.”
“I know where the next beast is.” Benedict said and smiled. “My brothers and I can help you on the path to the beast.” Titian looked at Benedict and raised his eye brow. “Oh come on your well known for taking out fo-or five beasts now.”
“Fine but only on the path but once we get to the beast, your brothers and you get far away.” Titian said and walked outside of the cave. He could see he was on mountain path and it went up the mountain.
“Follow me, Hero.” Benedict said and flew beside Titian. Titian narrowed his eyes at the word ‘hero’ and snorted.
“I’m not a hero.” Titian said and walked along with Benedict. Benedict gave him a weird look and rubbed his head. “I’m just normal pony.”
“Ya right, come on when you get back home you’re going be showered in glory!” Benedict said and chuckled. “And the mares are just going be all over you and the fillies will want to be you!”
“I don’t go on this mission for glory.” Titian snarled and his eyes flickered red. “I don’t go through this pain for glory.”
“Why did you go on this quest for then?” Benedict turned a corner and Titian walked around the corner.
“To protect my family, and friends.” Titian said. “If I didn’t kill those beasts they would have slowly made their way to my home and destroy it…as well killed more innocent people than they already had.”
“Sounds like you’re a h-”
“THE TRUE HEROS ARE THE ONES THAT DIED!” Titian yelled and the earth shock as he yelled as well echoed. Benedict floated there and looking at Titian.
“Ummmm…this is as far I go…” Benedict said and pointed to a cave. “My brother will help you through this cave and on the other side of the cave my youngest brother will help you to the beast.”
“That is me.” A male voice said in the cave and glow from magic showed the speaker. It was yellow unicorn with green mane and tail. He two braids, one on his right side of his face and the other in his tail. His eyes were sea blue and cyan sash and elastic band in the tail. His cutie mark was bow and feather and the feather was the arrow in the bow. “I’m Aldrich Spectre.”
“See ya later, Hero.” Benedict said and Titian snarled at Benedict. Titian walked into the cave and stood beside Aldrich. Benedict flew off and Aldrich turned to the cave with Titian.
“Stay close these tunnels are like a labyrinth.” Aldrich said and Titian nodded. They enter the cave deeper and Titian can only the path by Aldrich’s glowing horns. “So…you will get lot of tail for this mission.” Titian snorted and Aldrich’s eye brow rose. “Or does the hero have a lover?”
“I do have a love back home.” Titian said and eyes narrowed. “I’m not a hero.” He hissed that last part and Aldrich lowered his head when Titian hissed. “She’s pregnant with twins…”
“Are they yours?” Aldrich asked and Titian stopped in his trail looking at Aldrich with death glare. “Ar-”
“DON’T EVER TALK ABOUT HER THAT WAY!” Titian yelled and grits his teeth. Aldrich froze in his steps and almost pissed him. “THEY ARE MY CHILDREN AND SHE WOULD NEVER CHEAT ON ME! NOW SHUT UP!” Aldrich lowered his head and was shaking in great fear. Titian snarled and started to walk making Aldrich lead him with his head low to the ground. They went through the tunnels with long awkward snarling from Titian and shivering from Aldrich. They finally got to the exit and there was earth pony waiting there.
He was green and his mane and tail was blue. He wore yellow scarf and his eyes were brighter eye than the scarf. His cutie mark was a sword and a feather behind the sword. “Hello, I’m Nidal Spectre.” He said and smiled. Titian walked past Aldrich and past Nidal.
“Shut up and lead me to the beast.” Titian snarled and kept walking without stopping. Something hard hit his head and making Titian stop. It was rock that hit his head and crumbles as well blood flowed down his forehead a little. Titian turned to look at the brothers to see Aldrich’s horn was glowing and holding up other rocks. “Tr-” Titian heard rumbling and looked up to see a rock slide. Titian couldn’t move fast enough and his lower half got trapped as well rocks crumbled on hitting his head. Titian’s sight was blurry and only saw three ponies walking to him.
“He still awake.” He heard Benedict’s voice. “Hit him again.” He saw blurry yellow and then blacked out after getting hit hard in the head once more.
~~~
Titian opened his eyes and his sight was blurry still. “Oh, he is waking up again.” He heard Nidal’s voice said and Titian moved his ear to him. He felt a metal piece around his mouth to keep it shut, and he tried to move but he felt chains. He heard someone move away from him.
“Why scared?” Aldrich asked. “He is in enchanted chains, so they won’t break.” Titian’s ear moved to the voice and his sight was getting better.
“Because it took a rock slide to stop him plus few slams of a rock on his head and he made you shut up.” Nidal said and Titian looked forward to see Benedict pulling something but Titian realized it was a cart he was chained to. Titian sight finally returned as he could see Aldrich on his right and Nidal far on the left side.
“Shut up you two!” Benedict yelled. “This bastard is heavy.” Titian snorted making the breath coming out his nose was seen and glaring at Benedict. “He’s glaring at me isn’t he?” Both nodded and Titian heard Benedict gulp. “Shhhh…we are coming up to the castle.” Titian looked ahead and eyes widen as the blood from his face drained.
The castle was built in the mountain with dark granitebut that wasn’t what made his blood drain. It was the spikes were dead ponies, griffins, zebras, and buffalo and some were still alive. The nice thing he was pile of dead bodies and one of the piles were burn but they were still alive. His heart stopped as he saw a pegasus being gutted alive by another pony and the pegasus was still alive. The huge black granite doors and the brothers took him through the doors into a large throne room. On each pillar they past had ponies chained to them and they were slowly being pulled them apart. The brothers stopped at throne and bowed to the pegasus in the throne.
The pegasus was pure black coat with purple mane and tail. His mane covered his right eye and the tail was long curled at the end. He wore a silver crown with three purple jewels on it and silver chest plate with another purple jewel and around the wings and arms was red trimming. He also wore red silk cape with collar and matching hooves gauntlets. His eye was blood red and his cutie mark was shield with wings on it but it messed up as the wings looked like eyes or something screaming.
“Lord Lezer.” All they said and the black pegasus stood up. He smiled and showing his long fangs in front. “We have brought the traitor of your rule.” Titian snorted and tried to move out of the chains.
“Trying run away?” Lezer said and walked to Titian. Titian thrust forward and the two were eye to eye. “No, you’re trying to get out and fight. Truly a warrior that would be fit for my army…but you just had to kill my brothers and sisters.” Titian pulled forward and causing loud straining sound on the chains. The sound made the brothers back off of Titian and started to cower in fear. “Boys, put him up and let’s see if I break him or kill him.” The brothers walked over to the cart and all three pushed him through a different door into a torture room. They stopped in front of stone wall cover in blood and chains attached to cuffs Titian had on. The brothers chain him but quickly hit a switch making Titian hang be his front hooves and they put chains on his hind leg cuffs. They tighten the chains so Titian couldn’t move and took off the metal clamp allowing Titian to speak.
“You’re all idiots.” Titian said and snarled. “He just using you and when you’re dead he won’t care.” The brothers chuckled.
“Lord Lezer is a god.” Benedict said and they moved into the shadows. “He isn’t false god like your goddesses!”
“Leave.” Lezer said and Titian looked over his shoulder to see Lezer without his cape on. “Scream.” Lezer whipped Titian’s back. Titian wince and could feel blade sink into his back and he could see the whip had a blade. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve and the whipping stopped but Titian only winced from the blade digging into his back. “Wow, you must have gone through great training to endure that.” Titian looked back and smirked.
“You whip like a little girl.” Titian said and smirked. Lezer’s eye glowed red with rage and twelve more hits. “I lied you whip worse than a little girl.” Lezer put down the knife and walked around to the front of Titian.
“You will pay for those words, you fl-” Lezer was cut off by Titian spitting into Lezer’s eye and Lezer hissed as he wiped away the spit. “An eye for an eye.” Titian screamed as a blade slide into Titian’s right eye and started to carve out his left eye. Titian became limp as his right eye was taken out and Lezer smirked. “Not so tough.” Lezer licked his lips and swallowed Titian’s eye. “Guards!” Two armor ponies enter the room. “Throw him into the burn pile.” The guards nodded and took Titian down and pulled him out of the room. “Weakling.” Lezer walked into his throne room and sat in his throne than lightly tapped on the ground. Benedict appears in front of Lezer with cloth and bowed to Lezer. “Clean this weakling’s blood off me then bring my cape.”
“Yes my Lord.” Benedict said and walked over to Lezer. Benedict slowly and carefully cleaned off Lezer and Lezer’s ears went up.
“What is that?” He asked and heard commotion outside. “That is not normal.” Benedict stopped and listened to the commotion.
“Sounds like one of the traitors escape and causing trouble.” Benedict said. “But your army will make that short live.” Benedict returns to cleaning and Lezer lower his ears. Benedict finished cleaning him and Nidal came with Lezer’s cape. Nidal put Lezer’s cape on Lezer and the door opened up by Aldrich but he closed it quickly.
“Wh-” Lezer was cut off by the giant door falling down and crushing Aldrich under it. Lezer stood up and eye widen as he saw his soldiers either dead or majorly injured. “HOW?” Lezer’s eye looked at the pony on the fallen door and saw Titian weakly standing but his mane and tail was white. Lezer smirked and flew into the air than landed into front of Titian. “So you defeated my army? I bet you’re tried and I can end you with one stab.” Titian had his head down and panting but mutters something quietly. “What?” Lezer leaned in and before Lezer could back up he saw a flash of sharp teeth. Lezer felt sharp dagger like teeth into his throat and he couldn’t pull back. Titian threw Lezer to his side and Lezer failed to get out of Titian’s jaws. “LET GO LET GO LET GO!” Lezer screeched and the brothers were frozen in fear. Titian slammed his hoof of Lezer’s wing and breaking the wing. Lezer screamed in pain and Titian pressed down onto Lezer’s rib cage causing his rips to break. Titian pulled by and ripped off a huge portion of Lezer’s throat. Titian spit out the portion and the blood in his mouth and looked at the two reminding brothers.
“THIS IS YOUR GOD!” Titian screamed so loud the castle trembled from the vibrations. “GODS DO NOT BLEED OR SCREAM IN PAIN OR DIE!” Titian raised his hoof and crushed the crown and the jewel in chest plate. “NOW WHAT?!” Titian screamed louder and every window shattered. Titian weakly walked to a pillar and broke the chains allowing a mare to fall to the ground. She gasped and looked up to Titian as his back, left eye socket and body bleed. “Free the others…” Titian turned to the door and walked out of the castle as his exit out of the castle he heard chains break allowing others free. He smiled and walked down the path. His sight became blurry and he focuses his eyes to find himself in fog.
“Go back.” He heard a voice said and he looked to see silhouettes of ponies, griffins, buffalo, zebras, and other creatures he never seen before in the fog. He stumbled in the fog and his body felt heavy and weak. “Go back.” He closed his eye and opened as he bumped into something. He opened his eye and he was speechless to see his father.
His father was same size as Titian and he was expression was stern. His fur was tan with white muzzle and hooves and his mane and tail were black. His eyes were blue like the sea and were looking at Titian like he was in trouble. “Boy, stand straight when you stand with me.” He said with thick western accent and Titian stood up straight even though he felt weak. “Good boy. Now you’re not done yet. You have lots to do before you join us, my boy.” Titian nodded. “Also, I’m always proud of you and your sister.” Titian’s smiled and his father turned around. “I better not find you here before your time.” He walked off and disappeared with the silhouettes.
“I know, pa.” Titian said and started to run as the fog rose. He found himself running to the gates of Canterlot. He felt his legs give out and he landed at the front gates and he blacked out.
Titian's eye slowly opened and his sight was blurry at first but he could see familiar blue shape. His eye focus and he could see Isa lying in a hospital bed. He smiled and realized he was home and he was in the hospital with Isa. He breathed slowly and his throat was dry. “Isa…” He said weakly and hoarse voice and Isa opened her eyes. She smiled and moved to show she had a smooth belly. Titian’s eye moved to the middle of beds to see a two hospital baby beds and saw two foals.
The one on the left was under a pink blanket and she had a horn. She had reddish brown coat like Titian once had before facing that manticore and the little mane he saw was white with tint of purple.
The one on the right was under a blue blanket and he had pair of wings. He had pale purple coat and bright red mane and tail which remind him of maple leaves. He was lightly snoring and with each snore his wings opened and closed.
“Welcome back, love.” Isa said and smiled. “I’ve missed you.” Titian smiled and nurses and doctors enter the room.
“Sorry to ruin this moment but we have to take to heal more.” A nurse said and Titian tried to move but sharp pain in his body shot through him.
“Wait.” Titian said and the nurses tried to get him to lie down on the bed to stop moving. “What are their names?”
“The girl’s name is Tsubaki.” Isa said. “The boy’s name is Rhamnella.” Titian lay his head down and looked at his children with tears going down his cheek. The nurses and doctors rolled Titian out of the room and closed his eye to hear them rolling him down the hall.
“Where are you rolling me to?” Titian asked and the rolling stopped. He opened his eyes to see Luna and she smiled. “Hello Princess Luna.” He felt someone’s magic left him up gently and sat him down. He saw Princess Celestia and Twilight with wings making Titian do a double take of Twilight. “…I’m not going question that…right now…” The princesses giggled and he sighed. “Let me guess you want to hear about the mission, right?”
“Yes,” Princesses Celestia said and using her magic to put some water by his mouth. He drank it all down and let out a sigh before starting his mission briefing.
~~~
Titian finished and he was felt weak. “I have no idea where the seventh beast.” Titian said and closed his eye.
“We know where the last beast is.” Princesses Celestia said and Titian’s eye flickered. “But you’re not going like the answer we are going say.” Titian sat still and Princess Luna looked away. “He is you.” Titian blinked and was confused. “You from another universe.” Princess Celestia’s horn glowed and magic window form to show Titian this other universe.
The land was burned and barren with the trees dead. The water was red like blood and the clouds were black. He looked closer to see Canterlot and it was complete destroyed with burning buildings and dead bodies of ponies thrown about. The window moved into the throne room and showed a beast.
The beast had long neck and the dark gray coat was messy and matted. It white mane that travels down its back and its face was mix of horse and dragon. It had large cat like paws and under its belly was white. Behind its massive ears were jagged sheep horns and eyes were blood red and slit like a dragons. Its tail was long bush or fur and Titian could see under that fur there was muscular build. The colors looked familiar and Titian felt like he was looking in a mirror. The magic window closed and he looked at Princess Celestia.
“What made m-him like that?” Titian asked and everyone was silent. “Tell me now!” Princess Celestia lowered her head and kept quiet.
“Your sister was killed…when you were still a colt.” Princess Luna said and Titian looked to her. “The day she became blind in this world.” Titian remembers that day and shivered. “You couldn’t run fast enough and the bullies hit her in the wrong place…you went into the state of great despair and wondered the Everfree Forest where you starved to death but a dark force brought you back as that beast.” Titian closed his eyes and still didn’t understand why he looked like the beast with this color.
“With some research on one of the beasts’ body we found the jewel on the body is anchor in this world and once it is destroyed it killed the beast on this side and the other side.” Princess Twilight said. Twilight walked to Titian and her horn glowed as it touched Titian’s forehead. The glowing stopped and back up from Titian. “You radiating the same energy the jewels are.” Titian raised his eye brow and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up making him look behind him. He was a black vortex form and it was getting bigger. The Princesses used their magic to move Titian to Celestia and the other two moved beside her.
“It is coming over, Luna do the spell now!” Princess Celestia yelled and Princess Luna’s horn glowed as it touched Titian. Titian saw a flash of light and it blinded him for a moment but his body felt strong. His sight came back and Prince Luna was a foal.
“I used lots of magic and it made me convert to my foal form but the spell only lasts for few hours.” Princess Luna said and looked at the black vortex to see it was larger. “Our magic is useless against Dread.”
“Dread?” Titian asked and he shivered as he heard blood chilling howl. “Oh Dread.” The first thing to come out of the vortex was giant paw of Dread.
“Only your strength can defeat it,” Princess Luna said and Titian took off the bandages around his body and head. Princess Luna jumped back and turned a little green. “I couldn’t heal your eye.” Titian blinked but understood and put the bandages back on his empty eye socket. “Good luck, Titian.” The princesses glowed and teleported away.
“Alright Titian, you’re facing yourself that turned into a giant beast.” Titian told himself and looked as he saw the other paw came out. “Nothing weird…right?” Titian stood his ground as Dread was half way out of the vortex and Dread’s eyes were filled with rage.
“You will pay for your actions, worm.” Dread said and snarled showing his large dragon teeth. Titian froze in fear and yet kept standing where he was. “I can just smell the fear on your body.” Titian gritted his teeth and Dread was fully out of the vortex which closed. Titian charged but in his corner of his eye saw huge paw and it felt like he was hit with a boulder. Titian crashed into a pillar and he shook his head. “Since you took my mate I’ll take yours.” Titian’s eye to see Dread moving to the exit and Titian charged to Dread once again. Titian grabbed Dread’s tail and Dread snarl wiping his tail causing Titian hit a pillar again. “I guess I’ll deal with you first.” Dread turned and Titian stood up as well spit out blood. Titian charged once more and Dread just slapped Titian into a pillar once more. Titian felt the giant paw on him back and he grunted as he pushed up. Dread push down but Titian yelled loudly and pushed Dread’s paw off him causing Dread fall onto his side. Titian charge to Dread’s belly and pushed Dread into a row of pillars. Titian reared his up but he was kick by Dread’s hind leg and sent him flying into the throne.
“This is going hurt in the morning.” Titian said and stood up. Titian winces and looked to his back to see one of his whip wounds opening up. “The spell is wearing off…Need to end this fast…” Titian looked for the jewel and Dread got up.
“Looking for the jewel?” Dread asked and moved to the center of the room. “Just look in the mirror.” Titian froze. “I made my mate to use the shadows to make that manticore infect you…but it took more time than thought.” Titian looked at his front leg to his scar from the manticore tail scar and to Dread. “So to kill me you have to kill yourself.”
“So be I-” Titian froze but from surprise and even Dread froze. “D-Dad?!” His father was standing beside Titian and ghost aura around him.
“I-Impossible!” Dread screamed and bared his fangs. Titian was amazed as he saw the camel ghost from the village and other ponies, griffins, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, hounds, minotaur, llamas and other ghostly beings he never seen before. Dread started to back up and snapping his jaws as these ghosts appeared.
“Remember what I said boy.” His father said and smiled. “I better not find you here before your time…it’s not your time yet.” Titian nodded and he shivered as ghost walked through him and then disappeared. “This many hurt a bit but I know you can handle it, my boy.” Ghosts start to past through Titian and Titian screamed in pain after the tenth one went through him and keep going through him. He screamed louder in pain and gritted his teeth until the pain stop.
“NO!” Dread screamed and Titian opened his eye to see surrounding him were floating black pieces of jewel and Titian was back to being his reddish brown coat with the white muzzle and hooves. His mane and tail was blacker then ash once more and his cutie mark is once more was red and white shield with a maple leaf in the middle. Dread roars and charged but Titian’s father was the last ghost and went through Titian making his eye return to its normal blue eye. The black pieces formed into a jewel and turned red and slammed into Dread’s chest. The force threw Dread into the doors and Titian panted. Titian saw another wound opened up and he stood tall.
“Let’s end this now!” Titian yelled and Dread came out of the dust cloud with the jewel fused onto his chest. “Weak point found.” Both charged at each other and at the last moment Titian rolled to the side and tackled Dread’s leg but Dread slapped Titian into a pillar once more and Titian got up to face Dread. Dread got his hind legs and Titian saw perfect moment as he charged as fast as he could and jumped to Dread’s rib cage. The force sent both through a stain glass window and the two started to fall down from the castle into the forest below. A huge dust cloud went up into the air as the two landed and Titian was blinded by the dust causing him to away from the crash hole.
“It takes more than a fall to kill me.” Dread’s voice echoed and Titian rubbed his eyes to see he was in the dark part of the woods. “You can see me, than you can hit me.” Titian dug in his hooves and winced to feel more wounds open up. “I can smell your blood and your fear.”
“You may smell fear but my fear makes me strong.” Titian said and looked around. “I don’t run from my fears, I met them head on.”
“I can see your greatest fear.” Dread said and Titian tried to pinpoint Dread’s voice but couldn’t. “You fear to lose your mate and those bouncing foals.” Titian eye keep scanning and couldn’t find Dread’s glowing eyes.
“You speak of fear.” Titian said and smirked. “But yet you’re the one hiding and moving in the shadows.” Titian heard Dread’s loud snarl. “I think you’re the one scared of me.” Dread roar charged from behind and Titian hit Dread’s lower jaw with his strong hind legs. Dread screamed in pain and Titian could see Dread’s jaw was now broken. Titian turned around and full charge into Dread’s front right leg. Dread’s leg broke causing the great beast to fall and Titian used this moment to go to Dread’s jewel.
“NOOOOOOOO-” Titian turned and used his hind legs to shatter the jewel into thousands of pieces. Dread screamed and was engulfed in shadows. Titian quickly stepped away from the shadow blob and the shadow blob slipped away only leaving a stallion’s body. He was only skin and bones and Titian realized who it was, it was him. Titian walked over and the other him looked at him.
“Hold them close…and love them…” He said and turned into dust. Titian smiled as his mission was finally over and he panted but his eye widen as he felt pain shoot through him. He looked to see his all his wounds opening and gushing out blood. His sight went blurry and he fell to the ground but he heard someone call his name.
~~~
Titian's eye slowly opened and his sight was blurry at first but he could see familiar blue shape. His eye focus and he could see Isa standing beside the hospital bed he was in. She was crying and was trying so hard to smile. “Idiot!” She screamed and Titian smiled. He muttered something causing her to lean in and without missing a beat he kissed her making her cheeks light up.
“I love you too.” He said and she lowered her ears with pouty face. “Where are the fillies?” He smiled at her and tried not laugh at her pouting face.
“Princess Luna and Amur are looking at them…also Applejack, Big Mac, Apple bloom, Oaky, Granny Smith, Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon, Peachy Sweet, Apple Cobbler and almost every apple family member there…You really have big extended family…also some reason Octavia is here and with that she brought Vinyl Scratch.”
“Octavia is Fiddlestick’s cousin.” Titian said and chuckled but since. “Laughing hurts…” He smiled at Isa. “I love you.”
“I love you too, idiot.” Isa said and kissed his lips. “Speak of love I think Amur would like you to meet someone.”
A stallion came over and Titian looked at him. His coat was lime green and his mane and tail were cyan with a trim of blue in it. In one ear he had three piercing and wearing nice orange scarf. His hooves were gray and his eyes were nice yellow to them. His cutie mark was three leaves, one orange, one green and the other was fade yellow. “Hello, I’m Autumn Runner.” He said and smiled. “I’m dating your little sister and I also the one that bought your farm.” Titian’s eye twitch and gave Autumn Runner a death glare only an older brother and father figure could give. Autumn Runner flinched and left the room. Titian stopped the look and Isa looked at him with disagreement look only a mother could give.
“I’m her older brother and father figure.” He said and smirked. “Also where the fun if I can scare the kid even in my condition.” Isa shook her head and kissed his forehead.
“Rest as The Princesses are giving me an extra-long vacation to raise the children with you in this condition.” Isa said and kissed his lips. “Glad your home to stay.”
“Same.” Titian said and closed his eye but it shot open as he heard boom. He opened his eye and looked to see a huge hole in the wall with their little girl there. “This is going be…interesting parenting…”
