A creature with no past and a uncertain future, he journeys to find out about his past and to survive what the future has in store for him and his friends.
Finishing Touch, a Smooze, a creature with a past unknown and a future uncertain. Joined by The Seekers of Truth, he journeys to find out about himself and other lost legends of the once magical land of Equestria. With the most unlikely of companions , the young gryphon cub Featherjoy and the Professor Osmosis
Together they take each day as they come, as any family does in these trying times in the Equestria Wasteland.
Based on the original fanfiction Fallout Equestria by kkat and set during the events of Fallout Equestria: Starlight by volrathxp.
Before we begin, I must tell you of the creature I came to call friend and father, a creature by the name of Finishing Touch. For he is a creature unlike any other. Unique to the once desolate wasteland we call Equestria. He is a Smooze. A shapeless, purple mass, able to morph himself into any shape he desires. He was found, trapped deep beneath the city of Chicacolt’s museum. How he came to be imprisoned here, well that will be told within these pages, but he was freed from his prison by the Alicorn Radiant Star, the legendary ‘Ministry Mare’ and saviour of the city of Chicacolt. For how he was freed, it’s best you seek out the story ‘Starlight.’ The book is held within this library of Canterbridge, alongside the story of ‘The Lightbringer’ and other heroes of this land.
Leaving the museum Finishing Touch only found hatred and fear in the Wasteland. None would welcome him in or give him the chance to find his place in the world. But as luck would have it, he came across the small caravan of the Professor Osmosis and myself. The Professor told Touch of his search for the museum that the Smooze once dwelled in, of his search for the Smooze which legend only whispered of. Their search took them far and wide across the Wasteland, finally returning to the Chicacolt museum in hopes of finding information on his origin, but with little success.
His newly found freedom was rewarded with an act of betrayal by one of our own, for The Seekers of Truth were not always known as such. The unicorn Truth Seeker, one of the original founding pair of brothers, moved against us and took control using dark and forbidden magic. Now calling himself ‘Inquisitor’ he attempted to syphon the power of the Smooze and control him as he was aeons past for his own dark plans. The Inquisitor was stopped, his madness cured by the now Honoured and sorely missed Professor Osmosis. Friend, guide and once leader of The Seekers of Truth he found forgiveness in his heart to give his brother another chance, a chance to atone for his crimes. A chance not many in this world get.
So now we begin our tale afresh. A tale of second chances, unknown past’s and uncertain futures. Let me, Chancellor Featherjoy of Canterbridge, take you on a journey, a journey starting some 110 years ago.
Not all tales from this corner of the Wasteland are tragic. In the remote town of Arlington, just south of Chicacolt, the ponies there have just made acquaintances with the most unusual of pairs. A being known as a Smooze by the name of Finishing Touch and a gryphon cub named Featherjoy have traveled to this place with their friend, one Professor Osmosis, leader of the organization “The Seekers of Truth”. They’ve come to help the ponies of Arlington rebuild and to seek ancient truths from beneath the town’s Stable
*****
“You called for us Professor?” asked the Smooze as he and a small gryphon cub walked into the Lab. In that cluttered space of science, reading a half-dozen pre-war books and glancing at a terminal screen was Professor Osmosis.
“Ah, yes. Finishing, Featherjoy good to see you. Thanks for coming down so early” said the bright blue unicorn stallion as he looked up to the new arrivals, only to be nearly knocked from his seat by Featherjoy’s leaping embrace.
“Morning Professor!” Featherjoy said as she left the Professors arms.
“What do you need help with Professor?” asked Finishing Touch, smiling at the embrace of his two closest friends.
“Right, yes. As you two know I’ve been looking into some of the books that we’ve found and information we’ve come across here in the Stable. It points to another smaller research facility on the other side of the Stable that we’re hopefully opening later today and I was hoping that my favourite little assistant,” said the Professor as he ruffled the blue tipped feathers on Featherjoy’s head “would be interested in joining the research team that’s going in?” at this the young gryphon’s eyes grew wide with excitement.
“Oh, can we go Touch? Can we please please please!?” she called rushing over to the Smooze.
“Hold on one moment Featherjoy. Will it be safe Professor? After what happened at the temple and all the trouble with Truth Seeker...” asked Finishing Touch.
“From what we’ve seen so far the Stable defenses have been deactivated, and the research in this area was low key environmental studies.” The Professor said, gesturing to the open books before him. “Studies of light and enclosure on bone growth, that sort of thing. I will however, be sending a few security gentleponies down with you... Just in case.” the Professor said as he walked back to his desk. “It’s up to you Finishing, but I think this will be perfectly safe. Otherwise I wouldn’t send you two in... After all the trouble I caused you two recently” the stallion lowered his head as he recalled the harm that befell the two only a few weeks ago.
“None of that was your fault and you know it. If it wasn’t for you coming to our aid we wouldn’t have made it out at all” Touch said as he walked up to Osmosis “We’ll go on this little expedition, it will be good to see how things are actually done around here”
At this Featherjoy jumped in the air “Yes!” she called out. “Oh, I’m gonna need to get my things ready! I need my notepad and pens and... and.. Actually Professor what will I need? I..I’ve never actually done this before..” She asked scratching the back of her head.
“You shouldn’t need much else my dear, just note down anything you notice, just like when you help me with my other research and don’t touch anything till Researcher Artifact tells you it’s safe” chuckled Osmosis.
At this the young gryphon nodded “I’ll do my best Professor, I won’t let you down!” she called as the practically flew out of the room to get ready for her small adventure.
A few hours later three earth ponies, a gryphon cub and a smooze waited by a door with ‘Environmental research’ written on the top as one of the ponies worked on the terminal by the door. “I should have the door opening in just a moment... there we go!” called the cream coloured mare as the door started to rise from the floor. “Now, lets see what we have in here shall we my little gryphon?” asked Researcher Artifact as she glanced down at the gryphon.
“Yeah, I wonder what we’re going to find in here...” she said with a hint of worry creeping into her voice, the enthusiasm from before seeming to have completely left her.
“Don’t worry Featherjoy, everything will be okay. Just think of all the research you'll be able to go through with everyone when we get back and the secrets that you’ll be the first to see in nearly two hundred years” reassured Finishing Touch as he placed a gloopy hand on Featherjoy’s shoulder. Nodding and smiling at the kind and encouraging words from her friends the young gryphon walked into the previously sealed room.
What little light that penetrated the darkness of the room came from the now open doorway the single live Stable-Tec terminal that sat on the far side of the room. “Let’s see if we can get the lights back on shall we?” asked Artifact to no one in particular as she moved over to the terminal and started to access its systems, a few moments later what lights that remained bathed the room in light.
“That’s better, now lets see what we have here shall we Featherjoy?” Asked Finishing Touch as he looked around the room with his young gryphon companion.
With a small leap Featherjoy landed on one of the tables as the group started to search the area “Hmmm, I think I have something here” called Researcher Artifact “it seems like they were working on the effects of radiation on the local flora and how to counteract the effects. Some notes seem to point toward medical applications as well... interesting” mused the researcher.
“If you say so Arti, I don’t know if I trust anything created by radiation to actually help ponies, all it seems to do is bring us problems. Just look at them damn ghouls, they’re created by radiation right?” called one of the guards, a dark gray stallion as he rummaged through the shelves.
“Now, Iron Sights, you know better than that. Not all ghouls are feral, we’ve met many nice and friendly ghouls over the years. You can’t paint them all with the same brush, that would be like saying all Alicorns are bad and we just know that’s not true. Isn’t that right Feathers?” replied Artifact as she smiled at the small gryphon, who nodded in response with a big smile on her face.
“Yeah, Radiant Star saved us all from Seeker! Even you Sights.” The stallion only grumbled in response, to which the other occupants of the room giggled at.
“Gerr, there’s nothing here!” Called out a annoyed gryphon, as she pushed a 200 year old cup of the desk in frustration “I’ve got to bring something back to the Professor!” she pleaded as she turned to look at the smooze who was inspecting one of the walls.
“Now Featherjoy, what’s the Professor always told you about being impatient and rushing things?” He said as he glanced at the gryphon. “But it would seem there may be something here - I can feel a small gap in this wall that isn’t anywhere else in the room. Artifact, can you see anything that could open this on the terminal?” Asked Finishing as he still pressed himself to the wall.
Turning back to the computer the mare nodded and searched through the computers files once again. “Let me see, ahh here we go ‘Compartment One. Status - Sealed’ let’s open it and see what we have, shall we?” Pressing the button on the terminal caused the compartment to open up. Featherjoy flew the short distance to perch on the shoulder of Finishing Touch “What’s in here Touch?!” she wondered once she landed on her friend.
In front of the two was a strange sight, sat on a cradle was a peculiar looking stone that pulsed with a green glow, the room itself was covered in vines that seemed to be growing from a small potted plant next to the stone. The vines clung to every available surface and burrowed deep into the solid metal floor. “Oh wow, what do you reckon this is?” asked Featherjoy as she started to scribble down notes in her notepad “it seems to giving out some kind of... energy? maybe it’s feeding the plant and causing it to grow all big n’ stuff?”
“This must be what they were using to conduct the tests on the flora.. Seems like they had some success. But why was it sealed away?” Mused the smooze as he turned to the researcher.
“We’ll we’re going to have to run some test on this, find out if that things even safe to move and how far those vines go down. It’s not giving off any harmful levels of radiation, so it should be safe to take a closer look at” The mare replied as she trotted up to the smooze, “I didn’t see anything about controlling it the test on the monitor, but I’m not the tech wiz. I’ll have Hard Drive look into it, see what he can find”
“You sure it’s not dangerous? It doesn’t exactly look friendly?” asked Finishing Touch as he leant closer to get a better look at the stone.
“Positive, PipBuck’s not picking up any dangerous radiation levels from it. If the research into the flora went really wrong it would’ve been a lot harder to open. I’m going to send for the Professor to come down and take a look at this” replied Researcher Artifact as she nodded to one of the guards who trotted off to find Osmosis.
Jumping off from her perch after hearing it was pretty much safe Featherjoy fluttered to a landing next to the stone. “The vines definitely started from this plant pot. It looks like the growth rate has been sped up by whatever this is” she said as she poked the stone. As her claw touched the stone it released a bigger pulse of green energy, causing the vines nearby to grow around the small chamber caging the small gryphon inside. “Ahhh, Touch! Whats going on!” Cried Featherjoy as she jumped away from the stone, panic sharpening her voice as she fell.
“Featherjoy!” called out Touch as he slammed into the vines that covered the once open compartment “Keep calm, we’ll get you out of their. Just don’t touch anything else till we know what’s going on... “ said the smooze, trying to calm himself as much as the trapped gryphon cub.
“Touch, what’s going on? Get me out of here... I don’t like it in here, the vines are still moving...” whimpered the cub as she curled up into a ball “Touch... Help...” Pounding on the other side of the vines, Finishing Touch attempted to force his way past the vines
“I.. I can’t get in. It’s too tight.. What are we going to do?” He begged Artifact, looking toward the mare, fear gripping his eyes, hoping she would know what to do.
”There maybe some way we can open up a gap to get her out, we could possibly cut a hole in the vines?” Suggested Iron Sights from the side of the room as he approached the two.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, we don’t know if any vibration could set it off again... And burning them could spread to the other vines. But we’ll find a way Touch, we’ll get her out” Said the researcher as she placed a hoof on the smooze’s shoulder.
“Maybe something in the compartment? They may’ve had someway to remove the vines after testing... Let me have a look at the terminal again” Pondered Artifact as she moved back to the terminal. Leafing through the files once again, nothing seemed to point towards a way to free the cub. “Nothing here, sorry Touch. All we’ve got is a plan of the lab.... Wait, looks like there should be some air vents or something? They may be small enough for her to climb through, see if she can see any Touch.” She suggested, smiling at the smooze who nodded in response as he moved back to the vines.
“Featherjoy, can you hear me?” He asked.
“Touch! Wha...what’s going on? I’m.. I’m scared, I don’t like it in here!” The gryphon shrieked as she rushed to the wall of vines.
“I know ‘Joy, we may have found a way out, can you see anything that looks like an airvent?” Asked Finishing Touch as he leant against the vines.
“Ermm, I can’t.. Wait, yeah I see something in the ceiling that looks like a vent. It’s all busted, some of the vines have gone up it.” chirped the gryphon as she stood “I can probably fit through it!”
“Just.. Just be careful Featherjoy, we don’t properly know where it leads...” Said the smooze with concern in his voice. On the other side of the vines, Featherjoy readied herself to jump up to the vent and climb her way to freedom.
“I’m going in Touch, I’ll..I’ll see you on the other side...” Said the young gryphon as she lept and flapped her way up to the vent, digging her claws into the vines that wound their way through. Dragging herself up the vine Featherjoy managed to get into the vent and start to squeeze her way along the shaft, hoping to find her way to freedom.
“Where will that vent shaft lead Artifact? Do we even know?” asked the smooze as he moved back over to the terminal next to the researcher.
“Ermm, by the look of things, it should be a standard air vent, so it should have several openings along the way that she can get out of. Closest one to us... Looks like it’s back in the hallway, at least I think.” Answered Researcher Artifact as she looked over the floor plan for the labs. At this Finishing Touch ran back out into the hallway looking for the air vent that would grant his friend her freedom.
“I can’t see it, where is the vent?” worried the purple smooze as he frantically looked around the hallway “She.. She’s going to be so scared, I need to be there to meet her..” He mumbled as he paced up and down the hallway looking for the vent.
“Touch.. Calm down” reasoned Artifact as she and Iron Sights stood in the doorway smiling down towards the other end of the corridor “I have a feeling everything will be fine.” She gestured down the corridor as Professor Osmosis trotted down with what looked like a small gryphon covered in two hundred years of dust and dirt, Featherjoy perched on his back, hugging his neck. Her eyes grew wide as she saw her friend, jumping from the back of the Professor she charged towards the smooze “Touch! I got myself out!” she yelled as she jumped up to her friend and embraced him in a hug.
“‘Joy, Oh thank Celestia you’re alright..” He mumbled as what looked like tears rolled down his face. Seeing this Featherjoy leant back, concern covering her face
“Touch.. What’s wrong, I got out and I’m okay” worried the gryphon.
“He’s just very happy to see you’re okay Featherjoy, isn’t that right Finishing?” said Osmosis as he walked up to the two friends, placing a hoof on the shoulder of the smooze.
“Yes, I just didn’t want to see you get hurt again because of me, it’s just like that blasted temple all over again...” said Finishing Touch as he glanced down away from the two.
“That’s not true at all!” Shouted Featherjoy as she hugged her friend even more.
“Tell you what you two, why don’t you go and get a drink and some snacks... and maybe a wash while I take a look at this with Researcher Artifact? You can come back when you’re ready, if you’d like.” Said the Professor as he patted Featherjoy on the head and walked towards the lab towards the remaining two earth ponies.
“Hey, how come I can’t get anything!?” Complained Iron Sights, only to receive a knock to the back of the head from Artifact.
“Oh do grow up Iron, I swear you still act like you’re a foal. What would mum think if she saw you still complaining like this when you don’t get your sweets..? Now come on, we’ve got work to do.” She said as she turned back into the lab with Osmosis and a slightly wounded Iron Sights.
“That sounds like a good idea, what do you think ‘Joy?” Chuckled Finishing as he turned back to his friend as he carried her down the hallway. “Yeah! That sounds great!" She chirped happily as she moved to rest on the smoozes shoulder. “So.. How did you find the Professor first anyway...?”
*******
“So, what do we have here?” Asked the Professor as he walked back into the lab with Researcher Artifact and Iron Sights “and would someone care to explain what happened here?”
“Well, we found what looked like a stone in the compartment” replied the researcher as she walked up to the vine covered compartment “It seemed to be giving off some strange green glow, but my PipBuck wasn’t picking up any dangerous levels of radiation from it. That’s when Featherjoy touched the stone, which apparently caused the vines to grow at a greatly increased rate trapping her inside” explained the mare.
“Hmm, so it reacts to contact, or at least it seems to. I wonder what they were testing and where this came from.” Pondered the Professor, “Any idea how we can get into it?” Joining the other two at the vine covered alcove , Iron Sights tapped his hoof to the vines. When nothing seemed to happen
“Well, now that Feathers out, we can try to cut the vines free and see if we can get to it that way?” he suggested.
“We can try that, if we take care with the cutting to minimize any vibrations that could cause it to activate again...” The Professor nodded to Sights as Artifact shrugged.
“I’m not sure what else we could try” said the mare. “Right, go and get your tools Sights and while you’re out grab Hard Drive, see if he can get anything out of that terminal.” Continued the Researcher, nodding as Iron Sights left to go about his task.
A few minutes later Sights returned with some cutting equipment and Technician Hard Drive, “I hear you had a terminal that needed looking over Artifact?” Asked the green unicorn stallion as he pushed up a pair of glasses on his face, smiling at the mare.
“Ah, yes. Right over here, it has a little bit of information on it regarding the tests that were taking place here, but I think some more maybe hidden somewhere else. I couldn’t find anything, I was hoping you could find something more..” replied Researcher Artifact as she led him to the Stable-Tec terminal.
“Do not worry Artifact, I’ll find the hidden information for you in a jiffy!” said the Tech as he sat down infront of the terminal “Anything for you my dear. How would you feel about dinn...” Started to ask the stallion was interrupted as the Researcher walked off.
“The answers still no Drive...” heading back to the other side of the room to the chuckling, smiling face of her brother as he began setting up the cutting equipment. Slumping his shoulders in defeat, as he logged on to the terminal
“Right.. Ermm yes. Anyway, onto the task at hoof.” Glancing through the files on the terminal it didn’t take him long to find evidence of a hidden set of files that seemed to have been deleted very quickly. “We definitely have something here, but it looks like it was deleted, probably when everyone left the stable. Let me see if I can get them back” he mumbled to the others, only to be joined by the sound of power tools revving up as Iron Sights started to cut at the vines with a saddle mounted saw.
“Sorry, what was that?” Called the Professor, shouting over the sound of the saw as he turned to Hard Drive.
“I may’ve foun.. “ he started to yell only to be drowned out as the noise from the saw grew in volume “I.. never mind” he mumbled as he turned back to his work, attempting to piece together what bits of the deleted files he could find, after several long minutes of searching Hard Drive managed to retrieve a partially deleted report on the terminal. “Hey, Artifact... ARTIFACT!” he shouted to the others, only to be greeted by stares from the others as the sound of the tool died down.
“No need to shout buddy, we’re only over here” called back Iron Sights, allowing the power saw to cool as he inspected the results of his labor.
“Right.. right, sorry. Well I’ve found something anyway. One of the reports wasn’t fully deleted, I’ve managed to put part of it back up.” pointing to the terminal screen.
“Ah, great work. Let’s see what it says shall we?” Asked the Researcher as she glanced at the Professor as she walked towards the monitor followed by Osmosis.
“Right, so it would seem that the last thing they were testing was the prospect of speeding up growth of plant stuffs to be used as food, probably for the front lines where it may’ve been difficult to get food to the troops.” Said Hard Drive as he read over the document “but something caused them to cancel the experiments.. Listing something about... Wait that can’t be right.” The sound of cutting started up again briefly in the background.
“I’m nearly in, won’t be a second” called Iron Sights.
The sound of ripping vines filled the room as Sights pulled free the remaining part of the vines, falling back as the piece came free. “Oghff, right. I’m in” said the stallion as he stood back up, looking inside the compartment he was met with something new. “What the heck is that? That wasn’t there before.” He called out as he gazed upon the new resident of the alcove, inside now wasn’t just the stone but 5 large green pods that emitted a green gas around them. Rushing back over to see what Iron Sights was on about the Professor gazed at the new residents of the alcove.
“Oh wow. You say these weren't here before?” Asked Osmosis.
“No, just the stone was inside previously” said Researcher Artifact as she left Hard Drive, still gazing at the monitor, tapping away at the terminal.
“This could be what the previous inhabitants of the Stable had been researching, if we can get this stone back home to Canterbridge, we could possibly find where they went wrong. Bring food to the inhabitants of the wasteland!” Said Osmosis excitingly.
“Erm, guys..” Mumbled Hard Drive at the computer.
“We’ll need to find a way to move the stone from the cradle” Ignoring Hard Drive as she talked with the Professor.
“Guys.. “ Called Hard Drive again.
“We can see what set’s off the effect and maybe find... “ mused the Professor only to be interrupted by the Technician.
“GUYS! I really think you should see this!” He shouted to the rest of the group as they turned towards him. “I.. I think these pods are what caused the other researchers to abandon all this. One report mentions some kind of creature to came out of the pods.. By the sound of things it mimics the last thing that touched the stone” Panicked Hard Drive, “Reports say that once they got out, they turned hostile towards anyone that got too close to them and that any attempt to make contact was ignored completely”
A soft hissing noise came out of the compartment that housed the stone and the new pods, only to be followed by a popping sounds and a screech. “Oh shit!” Called out Sights as he jumped back from the alcove “one of the bloody things just opened” throwing off his saw he quickly grabbed his shotgun in his mouth. The sound was repeated four more times as the other pods opened, only to be drowned out by a blazing siren and yellow flashing lights as all other lights went out followed by the door slamming shut. “What..” called out Hard Drive as the terminal shutdown, flashing up the message ‘Quarantine in effect, biological spores detected. Please stand by’ “Oh.. We’re so screwed. What now...?” He asked to the others.
******
Meanwhile, safe and sound outside the Stable, Finishing Touch and his freshly cleaned gryphon companion Featherjoy sat. Over looking the one vibrant town of Arlingtion, recently destroyed in a attack by the Steel Rangers. But with the aid of the Seekers the town is once again being rebuilt. Looking up at the smooze the young gryphon smiled “It’s good to see so many ponies getting along and helping each other, isn’t it Touch?” She said.
“That it is Featherjoy, just shows that there is still hope for the world.” replied the smooze as he stood up, “How about we go get you something to eat?” he smiled at Featherjoy as she nodded and jumped up to his shoulders.
Walking a bit further into town, the two soon found a small vendor selling food to the ruined town. After acquiring a bit of food the two walked into the town itself, the sound of rushing hooves greeted the two as a group of five young colts ran around the corner. “See, told you it was real! An’ you lot said I was lyin, still not sure what the ‘ell it is..” called one black earth pony colt as he faced the group.
“Hey, don’t be so mean to my friend!” called Featherjoy from atop the smoozes shoulder, jumping down to face the group “his name’s Finishing Touch and hes my best friend!”
“Wow, a gryphon too. Now this town’s just gettin interestin with you Seekers of whatever ya called turnin up!” Chuckled the colt as Featherjoy just glared at him. “Sorry, where’s me manners. How’d you do, my names Urchin. At least that’s what everyone calls me.” Gesturing back to the others “these are my ponies and this’s my patch. Not much to look at, nothing posh , but we makes do wiv what we ‘ave, ain’t what right boys!” Said the young colt, smiling back at the others as they cheered with their leader. “I didn’t mean no disrespect to ya friend, we’ve just never seen one of his kind before.... Ermm, what are you anyway?” He asked glancing up at the smooze.
“Well, we don’t properly know. It’s a long story but that’s why I’m with the Seekers. But like my friend said, my names Finishing Touch and this is Featherjoy” said the smooze as he pointed down to the still angry gryphon.
“Nice to meet ya” said the colt as he walked up to Featherjoy and held his hoof out, smiling at the gryphon, shaking the hoof with her claw she smiled back at him. Fluttering back up to the shoulder of her friend, looking back down at the colt and his friends she waved to them as they ran off, no doubt to go and cause more problems for the local ponies of the town.
“Well he was rather nice, don’t you think Featherjoy?” asked Touch as he turned back towards the Stable hidden deep below the town.
“Ermm, yeah I guess he was nice, a bit rude at first” she replied. “We heading back to the others? I’m sure they’ve found something out by now.” she said to her friend.
“Yes, they’ve probably worked someway to get back to the stone” said the smooze as he walked into the Stable.
“I’m.. I’m sorry about that Touch.. I didn’t know that would happen” said Featherjoy as she looked down at her claws.
“It’s okay, no one blames you for what happened as everything was okay in the end.” Said Touch as he glanced at her and tickled just under her beak, making her giggle.
As the two neared the lab, they were greeted by a flashing yellow light illuminating the hallway. “Oh that can’t be good Touch, we better hurry” said Featherjoy as she jumped from her friends shoulder and flew down the hallway, followed by her smooze friend. Coming to the now sealed door to the lab the two stopped and banged on the door.
“Professor, you in their? Can you hear me?” shouted Finishing Touch as he banged on the door, trying to find away inside.
“Touch, lift me up to this thing!” shouted the gryphon as she rushed to the terminal on the side of the door as the smooze lifted her up. Pressing a few buttons on the terminal suddenly the voice of the Professor came out of the speakers on the terminal.
“Hello? Touch is that you?”
“Yes, Professor, we’re both here! What happened!?” Asked the small gryphon, talking into the terminal. The voice of the Professor once again crackled over the speakers.
“We’re not quite sure. We cut open the vines that covered the alcove that contained the stone, but we we did we found 5 large green pods. These pods apparently contained some kind of green creature. They aren’t attacking us yet but I’m not sure how long that will last.” said the stallion, worry thick in his voice.
“We’ve no way to open the door from inside here, th.. the terminal has shut down. So, if you’d kindly get us the hell out of here!” Screamed the voice of a very panicked Hard Drive, followed by the sound of a angry mare shouting something in the background.
“We’ll see what we can do Professor... But we can’t see any option on here to open the door from the terminal. It keeps on flashing ‘Quarantine in effect, biological spores detected’...” Said the smooze as he glanced over the gryphon.
“Wait, I have a idea! If we can cut the power to the door, will that unlock it?” She asked frantically to the others behind the door. After several minutes the voice of Technician Hard Drive came over the speakers.
“It-it may do, but then we won’t have a way to open the door, that thing looks pretty heavy!” His voice now a lot calmer than before.
“I could possibly lift the door if I can get under it. But how’re you going to cut the power, ‘Joy?” He asked the gryphon as he glanced down.
“I saw some cables that lead into a big box while I was in the air vent, it looked like the other ones I’ve seen around the Stable. I think that’s the power box for the door” she said glancing back up at the smooze “I don’t know what else we can try, and we gotta try, Touch!” Closing his eyes, deep in thought for a few seconds he nodded to her.
“Okay, as long as you keep yourself safe and don’t do anything silly. Just cut the power then come straight out” he said as he lowered her to the ground.
“Right, I’ll be back as soon as its down.” Announced the gryphon as she ran down the hallway, back to the air vent that granted her escape a short few hours ago.
“Don’t worry Touch, she knows what to do. I’ve never met anyone like that cub before, I’m sure she’s going to grow into a fine gryphon one day and on that day you’ll be proud to be the one she learnt so much from.” Said Osmosis, calming the smooze as he watched his young and first friend run down the hallway.
“Yes, I know she will too Professor. I just hope she lives her life and stops putting herself in so much danger” replied Touch. A few moments later the power went out, the wall terminal shut off, the flashing lights stopped and the door lifted from the floor slightly allowing the smooze to flow under the door.
Poking his head under the door he smiled as he saw the 4 ponies. The Professor and Artifact stood by the door, with a very panicked looking Hard Drive sat in the corner as Iron Sights stood aiming hid shotgun at the five small gryphonish green creatures, who now stood directly in front of the group slowly inching their way closer. “Oh, hello Touch, great to see you. But if you’d kindly open the door that would be great” said the Professor as he smiled down at the smooze who simply nodded in reply as he slipped back under the door.
Gathering as much of himself under the door as he could, Finishing Touch started to reform himself and slowly raise the door from the floor. “You're doing it, Touch. Just a bit more!” Cheered on the Professor from inside the lab. As he turned back to the others a shot rang out inside the lab, blasting back one of the spore creatures but doing little damage to its tough green hide. Another few shots rang out as Iron Sights blasted back the others, attempting to keep them at bay while the door opened.
“We need to get out of here now!” Called Iron Sights as he re-loaded his shotgun while the green spore creatures regained their footing.
With the door half way up Touch moved as much of himself to one said as he could “Quickly, get out now. I’ll close the door and trap them inside” he said to the others as they quickly fled the lab. As soon as the last pony left the lab, Finishing Touch slipped away from the door. But something held it in place, one of the vines had grown along the wall and was trapping the door half way up.
“Oh, crap. That’s not good” called Iron Sights as he blasted one of the creatures back into the room. Looking at the others around him the Professor nodded.
“Only one thing left to do, as my good friend the Doctor.. “ He was drowned out temporarily by the blast of another shotgun round hitting a creature in the leg “used to say, Run!”
The remaining ponies and smooze started to run as fast as they could down the hallway, running into Featherjoy as she left the air vent. Being grabbed by Touch as he ran past her, placing her briskly on his shoulder. “What’s going on!? Why are we running?” She asked to the others.
“Running now, explanation later!” shouted Iron sights as he and the others ran for their lives. Running down another corridor the group came to another large set of quarantine doors that was open. The Professor, now panting heavily from all the running shouted to Featherjoy.
“We need to close those doors, Featherjoy can you be a darling and run ahead and get ready to close them when I say?” She nodded and lept from the smooze shoulder, flying at great speed down the hallway. The young gryphon latched onto the terminal and swung to a stop, tapping away at the controls.
As she got to the control terminal, the creatures turned the corner and charged at the ponies at a greater speed. “What the hell, why are they so quick now!” Yelled Hard Drive as Sight’s blasted a few more shots at approaching creatures.
“We need to hold them back while Feathers gets the door ready!” Yelled the Professor as he lit his horn, flinging a bolt of blue light at a pod creature, knocking it back down the hallway into one of the others.
Dodging a shotgun blast one of the creature leapt at Hard Drive only to receive a buck to the face for it efforts. Turning towards the others with a big grin on his face “I got one!” he cheered, only to narrowly miss a attack from another one. He screamed as he jumped aside, only for the creature to be enveloped in purple goo and flung back at the other small green gryphons
“I’m ready Professor!” Called Featherjoy, still gripping to the terminal.
“Come on everyone, through the door now!” he shouted as he jumped over the threshold, only to be followed by the rest of the group. “If you’d be so kind Feathers!” The Professor quickly called to the gryphon as she slammed a command key, causing two large door to close either side of the corridor trapping the five creatures inside.
A new command popped up on the screen ‘Quarantine in effect, biological spores detected. Purge hallway 5B? Y/N’ Quickly tapping Y the gryphon saw the hallway covered in flame, seeing the creatures contained within disappearing to the flame.
“Oh.. Well. That was a certainly interesting afternoon.” Hard Drive called sarcastically as he panted for air from the floor.
“Yeah, you didn’t do too bad Drive, I half expected you to fall and become plant food for a second” Said Iron Sights as he helped his sister up off the ground. Smiling at Sights the Technician just chuckled as he flopped his head back to the ground.
”Professor, I think I need a vacation..” he moaned from the floor.
“Oh, come on now Drive, this is half the fun” joked the Professor as he stood up from the floor “I’ve not had a good run like that in.. Well it’s been quite a while and everyone’s okay, thanks to our feathered friend” he continued, walking up to Featherjoy and ruffling the feathers on her head as she sat on Touch’s shoulder and smiled at the Professor. “But now, now we need to find a way to deal with the stone. Suggestions anyone?” He asked to the group.
“Well, looking at the quarantine zones through the Stable, I think there must be a way to purge the lab. Maybe from the Overmare’s office?” Suggested Artifact “but I don’t know how viable it’ll be to work with the stone, I think the best thing to do should be to send it back to Canterbridge for safe storage in the vaults. If we can get it away from the vines we could probably make a sealed container to transport it home in.”
“Yeah, I unfortunately have to agree. This thing is far too dangerous. Mr Drive, would you be able to check on the Overmare’s terminal for a way to purge the vines from the area? We’d best get everyone out of the surrounding area to be on the safe side. Could you and Iron see to getting everyone out?” Said Osmosis as he nodded at Artifact “We’ll explain everything when we’re done. Featherjoy, Finishing would you care join me and Drive in the Overmares office? ” Said Osmosis to the two..
“Of course Professor” said the smooze as he and the rest of the group split up to go about their tasks to save the Stable. It didn’t take long for the group to arrive in the two hundred year old office, sat in the middle of the office was a large semicircle desk with a large terminal resting upon it with a large bank of monitors occupying most of the wall behind it.
“If you would Mr Drive?” said the Professor, smiling at the stallion as he gestured to the terminal. “and Featherjoy, if you could watch the monitors and tell me if you see the room with the stone in it please?” He asked to the small gryphon who nodded.
“Sure thing Professor, come on Touch!” said the enthusiastic cub as the smooze walked over to the screens. “Ah, yeah found it... Says ‘Lab 5’ on the screen” pointing towards one of the monitors at the top, fluttering her wings from atop her friend.
“Right, I’ve got in the terminal... Bringing up the lab reports for lab 5... Project Green Dawn, gotta be it. Only project from that lab... Oh damn, it won’t let me start a purge in just the lab. It’s reading spores all over the lab and the surrounding corridors” Said Hard Drive as he stared at the terminal. “Professor, I’m going to need to purge that whole level, from 5A all the way to the lab and the connecting air vents.” He said, looking up towards the blue unicorn.
Nodding at the techichine “Do it, we don’t have a choice. We’ve got no idea how far these vines will spread if we don’t do something” said the Professor as he walked up to look at the monitors, awaiting the flash of flame to stop the plants growth.
“Okay, starting purge in five seconds...” Announced Hard Drive as he pressed a few more buttons on the terminal, glancing back at the monitors along with the others. A few moments later a bright flashing light filled several adjacent monitors followed a few seconds later by a bright flame filling the rooms and corridors. After several long seconds a beep sounded from the terminal, flashing up a message on the screen ‘Purge of level five complete. No biological spores detected. Repeat purge? Y/N’ Hard Drive tapped N, and the flashing lights stopped on the monitors.
“Right, lets go and check on the others.and see about getting this thing out and away from the town... I may also want to tell Muddy Waters what happened. That’ll be a fun conversation” Osmosis grumbled as he lead the others out of the office as Featherjoy and Touch chuckled together.
“I’m sure it won't be as bad as you think it’ll be, she’s a nice mare.” Smiled Touch as he walked with the Professor “Just tell her what happened and that we’ll get rid of it so it won’t effect her town.”
“Yeah, I guess when she sees that we have the town best interest at heart she won’t be too mad that we came close to something going very wrong” He replied back to the smooze.
*****
After inspecting what was left in the lab and finding no evidence of the vines anywhere Featherjoy and Touch joined the Professor and the others as they explained what happened to the towns leader, Muddy Waters and a few other mares and stallions.
“We’ve purged what was left in the lab and surrounding area and we’re going to look into removing the stone from the lab and send it back to Canterbridge to be stored away in our secure vaults till a time we can safely destroy it.” Announces Professor Osmosis to the group, some of them clearly not happy that a dangerous situation was narrowly avoided and started to shout for some kind of punishment for the ones responsible.
“You’d want to punish a young child for a simple mistake? One that none of us could see happening and would have probably done ourselves?” Said Iron Sights as he stepped in front of Featherjoy as she dropped her head at the shouting ponies.
“We came here to help you rebuild this town, we give you assistance in every way you ask and in return all we ask for is access to the stable to see what we could find to help not only this town but the Wasteland as a whole.” Called Touch as he walked up beside the Professor, some of the crowd clearly still not happy with having the smooze creature here in town. “We’ve only began to scratch the surface of what this Stable may contain and after being trapped in a facility myself for years, who knows what we could find. Some of it may be bad, but some will help this town. We’ll be removing the artifact so it will never endanger this town or you ponies again” he shouted over the crowd. “But you won’t pin this on my friend, she didn’t do anything wrong and she even risked herself to help this town. So before you jump so quickly against someone, find out what the whole story is first!” He growled in anger at the crowd, darkening in colour as glared at the shouting ponies.
“Touch... C-c-calm down, you’re scaring them.” mumbled the gryphon from atop her friend as she placed a claw to the side of her friends head. Turning to look at the small cub Touch dropped his head
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have shouted, just know we are working along side you all, rebuilding this town with you” He said as he glanced back up at the group.
“Don’t worry, We’re thankful for the help the Seekers have given us and we’re willing to help you get rid of this stone as soon as you can. We don’t want it in this town, but we do want you” said Muddy Waters as she stepped away from the group heading towards the smooze and gryphon. Smiling back at the mare, Touch nodded in agreement.
***** Several days later Researcher Artifact, along with the aid of her team had fabricated a special steel box that would allow them to transport the stone and its cradle to Canterbridge to be stored away safely. After loading the stone into the steel box it was loaded onto the back of a caravan, awaiting transport back home.
“Looks like it’s all loaded up and ready to go” Said the Professor as he walked along with Artifact inspecting what’s left. “The caravan will take the safest route, we’ve also had a couple of volunteers from the town to escort it and stay in Canterbridge.” Turning to the stallions pulling the caravan “Good luck, see you guys soon” he called, waving farewell as the started to head off out of the town.
“Let’s just hope they make it, last thing we need is that thing becoming lost out in the Wasteland. But we’ve got some of our best going with it.” Said the mare as she watched them leave, turning back towards the town she noticed the Professor still watching them, “Don’t worry Osmosis, we’ll be heading home soon. We’ve just got a bit more work to do here. Come on, lets go find the others.”
“Yeah, soon we’ll be home.” Looking out in the direction of Canterbridge, smiling “I’ll be home soon my love. Just a little bit longer” He mumbled to himself, turning back walking towards the town. He came along the sight of Featherjoy running around with a group of other young ponies, being chased by a young black colt, a big smile on her face. Standing off to the side smiling and chuckling to himself at the joy of his friend living her life as a young child should, simply having fun in this hard time and during such hardships.
He walked over to join the Smooze and smiled at the sight, thinking to himself ‘I’ve got some great stories for you and great people for you to meet, but I’ll just be a bit longer my love’.
We'll, this is my first attempt at any real form writing and I’ve actually really enjoyed it. So I think I’ll be giving this ago again sometime soon. So thanks to Volrathxp for pushing me to try writing in the first place and Wirepony for working his arse off to make this readable. You guys rock so hard, I loves ya!
This was originally posted as a part of volrathxp's 'Tales of Chicacolt' short story family. But now it can take it's place here as we start the journey of the smooze and Featherjoy.
Chapter 2: Finishing Touch and the Tomb of the Alicorns
Chapter 2 - Finishing Touch and The Tomb of the Alicorns
Not all legends are true. Not all myths are worth uncovering. But once upon a time, in the irradiated land of Chicacolt lies a legend that may just be true, a myth that may just be worth uncovering. But what truth will it bring of a magical land lost to war and time long before even that. For The Seekers of Truth and their new found friends it may just lead to truths about one of their own. But the truths they uncover may lead to roads less travelled and to darker legends and troubling myths.
*****
“Featherjoy, please be a dear and pass me the book ‘Ancient Equestrian Legends and Myths.’” called Researcher Artifact as she stared at three different books leaning on a table, covered in hastily scribbled notes. “I think we may be onto something here.”
“Really? What is it!” the small gryphon asked as she fluttered up to the top of a bookcase, sending a few loose pages flying across the room as she went. “Ahh!” shrieked the gryphon, grabbing the book from the shelf, the extra weight proving too much for her small wings. She frantically flapped them in a vain attempt to stop herself from falling from the book case, nearly dropping the book as she tumbled to the ground, landing in a small pile of books and notes on the floor.
“Oh, do be more careful Feathers, some of these books are over two hundred years old. We wouldn’t want to damage anything now.” said the cream coloured mare as she lifted the gryphon and the book up off the floor, adding the book to the others amidst the chaos on the table.
“Sorry Arty, I didn’t mean to fall. It was just too heavy.” said Featherjoy as she pawed at the floor, attempting to look innocent as her eyes looked everywhere but at the mare.
Chuckling to herself Artifact grabbed the cub and embraced her in a hug “Oh, how could I ever tell off a face like that? Now, shall we get back to work. I think we may be close to something here.” Opening up the book ‘Ancient Equestrian Legends and Myths’ the researcher pushed aside a small pile of old notes and cups of old stale coffee, revealing a massive map under all the chaos.
“Now, according to these books a few thousand years ago, before the rule of Celestia and Luna, even before the unification of the three pony tribes there was a large tribe of earth ponies called the Crail. They ruled over most of the area we now call Chicacolt, even heading all the way north towards what was then land ruled by the Gryphon Empire.” said Artifact as she pointed at the map as Featherjoy jumped upon to the table.
“So, if they expanded all the way around here, how come it was the other Earth pony tribe that went to join with the Unicorns and the Pegasi? What happened to them?” she asked as she sat on the table looking over the map.
“A very good question, but we’ll come to that later. The books point towards the tribe worshipping ‘several ponies of the earth, born with the magic of the ancients and the wings of the immortals’. These four ponies apparently had ‘mythical God-like powers’ at their disposal.” said the mare as she walked around the room, reading aloud to her companion.
“The same description appears in all four books, but they all only list one. Never detailing the other three. In ‘Mythical Myths’ it tells of a purple stallion with a blue mane called Phobos, in ‘Legendary Legends’ it describes a red stallion with a yellow mane named Aithon. In ‘Fictionial Fables’ we have a green stallion with a red mane called Konabos and finally in ‘Ancient Equestrian Legends and Myths’ it mentions a black mare with a white mane called Phlogios.” said Artifact as she pointed to each book in turn.
“Wait, these sound like Alicorns. Like the Princesses, but how come we’ve not heard about them before?” questioned the gryphon as she moved closer to get a better look at the books.
“We’ll, thats what we will have to find out. According to all the legends it says that each one ruled over the tribe alongside the other in perfect harmony, just like the two sister Princesses before the war, and that they brought peace to the region. The legends state that when ‘the four left the world they commanded their greatest to dig deep and return them to the earth’. And I think we may have one of these tombs nearby, if we can locate it just think of what we could learn of our history, of what was lost even before the Great War.” marveled the mare as she walked around the room, a big smile on her face at the prospect of finding something undiscovered for thousands of years.
“But, how’re we going to find these tombs? I guess they didn’t leave a map or anything...” asked Featherjoy as she walked up to one of the books, flipping through a few pages starting to read what was written within.
“That, my young apprentice, is half the fun. We’ve got all the information we need in front of us, we just need to piece it all together. So Featherjoy, what do you say? Do you want to help me dig up the past and see where it leads?” asked Researcher Artifact, a broad smile crossing her face.
Nodding at the mare the gryphon returned the smile “Yeah, lets find this place. I’ll go get Touch to give us a hand!” she said, leaping off the table and gliding out the door as she went off in search of her friend.
*****
“So, what do we know so far?” said the Researcher as she walked around the room, notes covered nearly every wall surface and table space available. It’d been several days since the earth pony, gryphon and smooze began their search for the tomb of the four mythical god like ponies.
“Well, we’ve managed to find out that the centre of their worship happened primarily around this region, judging from what was found before. Just to the south of Arlington was one of their larger towns.” said Finishing Touch as he pointed a purple gloopy hand towards a point of the map. “But, nothing points towards any burial tombs or chambers anywhere.”
“Maybe the books are wrong? Something got mistranslated along the way...” suggested the mare as she flopped down in defeat in a chair, folding her forelegs on the table and resting her head against her hooves. “What’re we missing?”
“Wait, Arty, come look at this. I think I may’ve found something.” said the small gryphon as she leant over an open book, resting upon the table. “It says here ‘And so, on the end of days, when the Sun met with the Moon in the sky the four would rejoin with the earth at the ‘Mountain Of Rebirth’ There can’t be too many mountains around here?”
“Mountain Of Rebirth... No mountains around here by... Wait a second!” shouted Artifact as she jumped up off her seat, dashing over to the other side of the table grabbing a book from the shelves as she went. “There’s a small mountain range nearby, before the war it was famed for it’s population of Phoenixes.” said the mare as she flipped through the book “Yes, here we are. The locals named it ‘Rebirth Mountain’ for it’s high population of them. So that has to be it” she said as she placed the book next to the map on the table.
“So, we’re onto something at least. I feel it’s time to go and have a look at this mountain.” said Finishing touch as he smiled at the two, who nodded back.
*****
Four days later, after traveling the long distance to Rebirth Mountain, the small group of would be explores set up camp at the base of the forest that covered the mountain in search for the entrance of the tomb. “Okay, everyones here, now. How do we get in?” asked Iron Sights, as the earth pony stallion looked around the small tent, his gaze lingering on the smiling face of his sister as she started to unpack a few books with Featherjoy and Touch on the other side of the table
“Right, well from what we know from our research the four ponies were buried somewhere inside that mountain. We’ve got a couple of leads that we can go on, we also know of several paths that the legends tell us the tribe used. So, I feel that will be our best place to start looking in the morning. We don’t want to be out here at night, I don’t trust the area.” Said Researcher Artifact as she placed the books on the small table.
Fluttering from the shoulder of Finishing Touch to land on the table, Featherjoy removed a small notepad from her pack. “Well we know that the tribe buried them ‘at the end of days’ whatever that means” she said as she flicked through the pad.
“It could mean the end of their calendar year? But why would they be buried or leave behind the tribe on just a year change?” suggested the smooze as he approached the table. “Something else must’ve forced these creatures to be buried.”
“Well, the legend said they had themselves buried when the sun met the moon in the sky, right Feathers?" said the cream coloured mare, glancing at Featherjoy as she leant on the table.
“Yeah, but it’s only in one book, it didn’t appear anywhere else.” said Featherjoy as she nodded back at the mare.
“So, a eclipse or some other kind of celestial event may have forced these alicorns to leave?” pondered the mare.
“Or, maybe the sun and moon in your little story are actually the first sightings of Princess Celestia and Luna?” mumbled Iron Sights as he cleaned his shotgun by the side of the tent.
“What was that Sights?” said Artifact as she looked up from the book.
“The sun and moon. Couldn’t they’ve been good old Celestia and Luna appearing for the first time? They could’ve appeared and freaked out the locals or something?” said Sights as he shrugged to the others.
“That’s a good theory, but why would Celestia and Luna appearing cause the others four to leave?” wondered the mare out loud.
“I have a feeling the only way we’re going to find out is when we find this tomb we seek. As to where ever it is, we do not know." said Finishing Touch.
“Wait a second, you say this mountain used to be known for its wildlife, namely the phoenixes?” asked Featherjoy, her beak buried in another book.
“Yes, the local town apparently did tours and studied them before the war. Why do you ask?” replied the researcher.
“Well I’ve been looking into more of the legend’s and one passage in particular I don’t properly understand, it was part of the instructions left by the four alicorns to their tribe. ‘Follow the path of the immortals, their shall you find the place of resting. Seek us here and you shall be given passage.’” read the gryphon as she pondered the meaning, looking up from her book she walked towards the other end of the table, dropping down from the table heading for the exit.
“Path of the immortals? But any path would’ve been destroyed by the war, not to mention the passage of times itself.” said Finishing Touch
“Might be another mention of this path in another book? I’ll start to look, but it’s getting dark, maybe we should get some sleep? We don’t all need to be up.” said Artifact as she walked to the collection of books she brought with her on the trip.
“Wait, everyone look! Up at the mountain.” Yelled Featherjoy as she jumped and fluttered her wings in excitement, hovering in place pointing at the mountain side.
Upon the mountain, the native but now slightly mutated Balefire Phoenixes nestled in for the night. But what they illuminated in their glowing majestic glory revealed the true meaning to the passage that bothered the young cub. Lighting up what appeared to be a winding trail amongst the trees leading to the top of the mountain, the original pathway lost to time long ago.
“By Celestia, that must be the Path of the Immortals, the birds still nest in the same place their ancestors did many years ago. This is amazing, simply amazing. Well, looks like we’ve got a trail to follow tomorrow.” said Researcher Artifact as she walked up to the entrance to the tent, gazing up on the beautiful sight of the nesting birds lighting the trail to the tomb.
Soon the whole mountain side was joined by many more of the irradiated creatures, returning from who knows where. Lighting up the whole area, bathing it in a eerie green glow. The four friends and soon to be explorers of ancient tombs settled down in each others company around a small but warm campfire, trading stories of adventure of days gone by and expectations of the future to come.
What they they didn’t know, is that as they slumbered for the night, they were being watched by the inhabitants of the mountain.
*****
Daybreak seemed to come far too quickly for the group, as the sun rose from its slumber to take over the watch of Equestria from it’s sister the moon, the mountain side erupted in activity and noise. From every nearby tree flew a large flock of Balefire Phoenixes, flying over the camp and out into the Wasteland, what is left of the once beautiful land of Equestria.
“Oh, wow Touch. Look at all of them, aren’t they so pretty.” called out Featherjoy as she jumped around the small camp, eyes glued on the nearest phoenix as it circled the camp a few times, only to stop and hover staring directly at the cub.
“Be careful now Featherjoy.” warned the smooze as he walked towards Featherjoy “these are wild animals, we don’t want to scare them.”
“Why is this one just.. hovering their, what does it want? It after food or something, ‘cause it aint getting any.” said Iron Sights as he stared at the creature, who still flapped its great green and golden wings hovering in place above the camp.
“He’s so pretty.” said Featherjoy as she moved a little closer to the phoenix but with a shriek the he flew off deep into the forest, leaving the group and the camp behind.
“Aww, you scared him off Sights, another fan of your amazing personality it would seem.” said Artifact as she walked up beside her brother Iron Sights tapping him on the shoulder.
“Oh, harhar very funny.” said the stallion as he walked back into the tent “lets get ready to go, we don’t wanna be caught out here in the dark.”
Several minutes later standing at the edge of the forest, ready to go looking for the long lost tomb of the four alicorns were two ponies, a smooze and a gryphon cub. A stranger sight wouldn’t been seen on the mountain side for many years to come, but the group none the less entered the forest in search for the tomb.
“So, we’ve got a good idea of the entrance of the tomb. The trail lit by the phoenixes last night led about half way up the mountain, so if we follow the path that was lit last night we should find it quickly” said Iron Sights as he led the group heading up the mountain, his shotgun in his holster at his side.
Following right behind him was Researcher Artifact and Finishing Touch with Featherjoy on his shoulders, her eyes glued to the tree top in search of any sign of the inhabitants of the forest. The leaves rustled with the activity amongst them.
Several hours of travelling into the forest, a loud screech rang out from the tree tops as a green and golden phoenix swooped down in front of the adventures landing on a near by tree top. Squawking as it landed, staring straight at the gryphon still perched on the shoulders of the smooze.
“Oh hey, it’s the same phoenix as before. The one from the camp this morning.” called Featherjoy, pointing at the phoenix as he rested in the tree.
“What, how can you tell? They all looked the same.” said Sights as he looked back and forth between the cub and the phoenix.
“Well if it’s the same one, what does he want with us...” asked Artifact, scratching the back of her head in slight confusion.
“He’s maybe here to help us?” said Featherjoy as she jumped from the shoulders of Finishing Touch, walking towards the new arrival. As she closed in on the bird, it shrieked in what appeared to be approval and dropped from the branch circling Featherjoy. A single green feather fell from its wings, landing in front of the cub, then flying slowly deeper into the forest.
“He want’s us to follow him! Quick, come on before we lose him!” called the cub picking up the feather and putting it amongst her own on her head quickly, before running off after the phoenix.
“‘Joy, wait!” called the others as they all ran off after her, catching her up as they pursued the gryphon and the phoenix deeper into the forest.
*****
After following the phoenix, the creature flying from one tree to the next leading the group further up the mountain and towards the tomb of the alicorns. They finally came across a vine and moss covered stone archway, leading what appeared to lead to the tomb, deep beneath the mountain of rebirth.
“Well what do we have here.” called Artifact as she came from behind the last of the trees.
“It would appear we’ve found the entrance of the tomb, our little green friend showed us the way after all.” said Finishing as he ruffled the feathers on Featherjoy’s head, the gryphon smiling back at her friend.
“Now for the fun part, lets see how we can get in.” said Researcher Artifact as she walked towards the archway, clearing away some of the vines.
Lighting up her PipBuck, she gazed into the darkness that awaited the group just past the archway, but the light was absorbed by the darkness before it could light anything up. “I can’t see anything down here, It’s far too dark. It’s almost as if the darkness is eating the light.”
“Hey, Arty. Come look at this.” called Iron Sights as he cleared away more of the vines covering the archway revealing some form on writing carved into the stone hidden beneath.
“Oh, wow... This, this is ancient Equestrian. The language that predated what we use today. If I’m reading this correctly.. and I’m not sure if I am. It say’s ‘to be allowed passage to the resting place of the gods, you must first be one with the immortals.’” said Researcher Artifact as she gazed upon the writing on the stone archway. “One with the immortals, hmm.”
“Well so far everything to do with the immortals in the legend has been the phoenixes. But, how do we become one with them?” said Finishing Touch as he moved towards the entrance to the tomb with Featherjoy close behind him.
As soon as the cub got close to the archway the feather upon her head glowed with a green magical light. Another squark was heard from the tree tops as their guide returned, landing upon the archway and spreading its glorious green and gold wings wide, lighting up the stone in some display of ancient magic. The phoenix once again gave a little shriek as it took off from it’s perch and flew around and down into the tomb entrance, lighting the way and several torches as he went.
Gasping in a strange mixture of delight and shock the small gryphon, Featherjoy turned around to the others, a broad smile covering her face. “Come on, lets see what’s in here” she called as she walked on. down towards the tomb.
Walking down the now green lit passageway, down into the tomb hidden deep inside the mountain, the passageway was covered in vines and moss, it hadn’t seen any travellers in many many years lying undisturbed by pony kind since time unknown.
At the end of the passageway lay a grand chamber, dimly lit only by the phoenix whom sat on a perch sticking out the backwall. The walls of the chamber depict a story, showing the arrival of the four god like beings and the expansions of the tribe of Crail under their rule.
“Oh, wow. This is rather interesting, it shows at least part of the story of the alicorns.” said the Researcher as she ran to the walls looking over it frantically “look, we’ve got the expansion of the tribe, looks like they annexed other tribes into their own, by it be by force or not. A bit of a bloody start..”
As Featherjoy walked into the chamber the phoenix feather on a top her head flared a bright green glow, lighting up the remainder of the chamber. At the sight of the cub, the phoenix flared out his left wing, pointing the way ahead and flying off down the passageway lighting more torches as he went.
“Ohh, looks like our friend has shown us the path once again. But, what’s he got with Featherjoy, he seems to only interact with her.” asked Iron Sights as he walked towards the passageway, following their new friend.
“Hmm, well maybe he just likes me?” said the gryphon as she looked up at Touch, making her way after her new phoneix friend with the rest of the group.
Following along after their newfound guide, the passageway that funneled the group along their path towards their final goal of finding the resting place of the four alicorns. The passageway walls themselves continued the story of the tribe, depicting a shadow falling upon the land causing destruction as it went.
“Oh oh oh, look. The stories continued on the walls. It.. it says ‘from the heavens fell a great stone. A great shadow of evil creeped forth from it, spreading and corrupting the land as it went.’ But it doesn’t say what it was...” said Artifact as she ran her hoof over the writing carved into the wall.
“A.. A great shadow... “ mumbled the smooze from the back, fear creeping into his voice as he thought about the ancient words carved into the passageway walls.
“Pardon Touch? What was that” said Artifact, turning to face the smooze
“Oh, ermm nothing. Just thinking over what you said about this horrible creature. It must’ve been some kind of horrible being to do this to the ponies...” said Finishing Touch as he looked around the room, avoiding the gaze of his friends.
“Ermm, okay. Lets see what else we have and where our brightly coloured friend went, shall we?” said the mare as she stared at Finishing Touch, starting to move back down the passageway, searching for the phoenix and what other secrets the tomb held within.
Opening up into another large room, their phoenix guide flared its wings again in greeting to the group as he flew around the room lighting a few torches along the walls and settled on the far side of the room. Squawking at the group and gazing straight at Featherjoy as she walked into the room with the others. As she crossed the threshold of the room once again the phoenix feather upon her head flared a vibrant green, bringing light to the whole room. A large, stone plaque sat in the middle of the room, engraved upon its face it continued the tale of the four alicorns.
“Lets see what this tells us.” said Researcher Artifact as she ran up to the stone plaque, once again running her hooves over the surface “It continues the story.. It says ‘The great shadow stretched across the land, bring destruction and death to all in its way. The great shadow, now a large creature of purple darkness, spoke of its intent to destroy all life to all who dared defy it.’”
“So, the story from the temple was true. This, this creature this tomb speaks of... It.. It’s me, or at least was something like me.” said the smooze as he started to shake in fear at the thought of the story, the story that showed a being like himself nearly destroying the world.
“What, what story?” Said Iron Sights as he moved up towards the smooze, only to be beaten to him by Featherjoy who jumped up to her friend, embracing him in a tight hug.
“No, it’s not true at all Touch! Remember what Star said, It’s up to you to decide who you are. No story or legend can tell you that.” she said as he returned the hug.
“But it tells the same story as the book did in the temple, it told of a creature like me or maybe it was me. That, it attempted to take over and corrupt the world.” he said as he looked away from Featherjoy who was still hugging him, tears starting to drip down her face.
“It... It does sound similar to the story here. But more is told, it tells of the four holding it back for a time.. Until ‘the Sun and Moon arrived, bringing with them the six Lights of Hope. One for each Moon and Sun, four bestowed upon our gods. Casting their light upon the shadow the being was purged back to the stone from what it emerged and casting it back to the heavens.’” said Artifact as she finished reading from the stone.
“Touch, this creature isn’t you. We may not know everything about you but you’re a good friend and a good career to young Featherjoy here. She wouldn’t be the same without you.” said Iron Sight as he walked up to the smooze, placing a reassuring hoof on his shoulder.
“Maybe you’re right..” mumbled Finishing Touch as he looked at his friends, returning encouraging smiles.
Dropping down from her friends shoulder, wiping her eyes as she landed, Featherjoy moved deeper into the room, the feather on her head lit up once more causing a green glow to surround a portion of the far wall as writing appeared on the surface.
“Ermm, Arty. What’s this...?” asked the gryphon as she moved closer.
“Ohh, ohh this just gets better and better!” she called as she hopped over to the new writing, joy almost dripping from her voice. “Hmm. Oh, I do love a bit of magic, ermm sorry.. It say’s ‘Only the one with the Blessing of the Immortals will open the way to the future’... I’ve an idea. So far this place has only responded to Featherjoy, ‘Joy could you please come here a moment.”
Nodding to the mare Featherjoy started to move towards the newly lit wall, as she drew near the surface the phoenix once again flared with wings and taking flight as it circled the room and landing on the stone plaque. Once the young gryphon got close to the back wall the section bathed in the new green light disappeared revealing a small book on a pedestal.
“I thought as much, you my little friend have the Blessing of the Immortals.. Whatever that means.” said Artifact as she patted the head of Featherjoy, walking into the new room and opening the book and reading from its pages. “Most of it tells of the burial of the four and how after they purged the shadow they fell into weakness and left this world. This bit’s interesting ‘After fire rains from the sky an ancient evil shall return to the land, only to be tempered by friendship and kindness.’ Now that sounds like someone I know...” She said, smiling at the smooze.
Touch moved up into the new chamber, the phoenix keeping a watchful eye on the smooze as he did so. “Does.. Does the book say anything else?” he asked as he placed a gloopy hand on the book. But once his hand touch the book a bright green flash of light pulsed out from the book, causing the phoenix to screech and fly around the room attempting to grab the book from the grasp of Artifact.
“Ahh, no you don't!” shouted the mare as she turned away from the phoenix, blocking its attack causing it to squark in anger before flying off deep into the tomb.
As the phoenix fled the tomb itself start to rumble and shake as the green lights surrounding the room started to go out one by one, the tomb crumbling around the group.
“Okay everyone, field trips over. We gotta get outta here, NOW!” shouted Iron Sights as the ceiling started to fall around him. Turning and running towards the rooms exit with the others, as they neared the passageway a door started to slowly slide into place attempting to block their escape.
“Oh crap.” called the stallion as sprinted to the door, attempting to slow it down to little effect. “If everyone would kindly vacate the room, that would be lovely!” he said as the others stared to file out of the room. Grabbing Featherjoy as she went, Artifact placed her on her back as she slid under the door followed by Touch and Iron Sights, ducking under the door as it slammed to a close.
“Lets keep moving, we need to get... “ started Iron Sights as he was interrupted by the sound of loud rumbling and stone grinding against stone as the top of the passageway started to slid back. “Oh what now!” finished the stallion.
“Well, I think it’s unwise to wait and find out, so lets go shall we?” said Finishing Touch as he helped Artifact and Featherjoy up off the floor, taking off down the hallway to escape the horrors now attempting to trap them all inside. A loud thud and a rumbling sound echoed down the passage as a large boulder fell from the newly opened ceiling, rolling towards the fleeing group.
“Oh great, that’s just great! Now a giant rock!” yelled Sights as he ran with the others from the giant boulder that now chased them towards the next chamber, the stone getting ever closer to its goal of crushing the explorers. The door ahead started to close like the one behind it, hoping to trap the group inside, to be crushed by the pursuing boulder.
“Gogogogogogo!” called out Artifact as she and the rest of the group jumped under the door into the next chamber. Landing in a pile made of each other, narrowly avoiding the pursuing boulder as it slammed and the door slammed to a stop, rocking the foundations of the room.
“Come out to the tomb, we’ll get together have a few laughs. Last time I listen to my sister..” mumbled Iron Sights to himself from the floor.
“What’s happening, why is this going on all of a sudden Touch?” asked Featherjoy as she picked herself up from the pile, staring at Finishing Touch.
“I don’t know, this all happened when I placed my hand upon the book. Maybe some kind of protective spell?” said Touch as he picked himself up “Seems like the tribe doesn’t like me very much if I caused all this...”
“Well, we should keep going. We’ve no idea what other little presents this place has in store for us.” said Iron Sights as he stood up from the floor, then moving to help his sister as well. “This always happens when you find some new place Arty, can’t you take me to a place that doesn’t start to fall apart at the end?”
“Well, yes. But then where would the fun be in that?” replied Artifact as she dusted herself off.
A bright flash of green light heralded the return of the phoenix this time joined by three others, flaring their wings they hovered in place in front of the group. The shaking of the tomb stopped as one of the phoenixes flew down, landing directly in front of Finishing Touch, staring directly into his eyes for several long moments.
“Touch, what is it...” asked Featherjoy as she moved towards her friend, only to be stopped as he held out a hand towards her.
“We mean you no harm... I do not mean you or this world any harm, if the tale that this tombs tells is true, then I’m sorry. But as the book we found said I’ve been tempered by the friendships I’ve found.” said Finishing Touch as he slowly lifted a hand up to the phoenix.
The phoenix eventually closed it eyes and leant into the outstretched hand, nuzzling it. The phoenix flew back up to rejoin with the others hovering in place above the group. A moment later several bright flares of multi-coloured magic flooded the room, as the phoenixes spun around bathed in the light and lowered to the ground. In their place stood four tall alicorns. Three stallions, one purple, one red and one green and one mare her coat black as the night.
“We’ve looked into your heart creature and found it not filled with the hatred of the Shadow of aeons passed.” said the black mare as she walked forward.
“But now filled with the kindness and love of those that surround you.” said the purple stallion, walking up beside the mare.
“The prophecy we foretold has come to pass, the creature we fought for so long has returned.” the red stallion said as he walked next to the others
“And has been tempered by the kindness and love of others, stopping his accent to evil.” said the final green stallion as he joined his brothers and sister.
“You.. You’re the alicorns of old. Phobos, Aithon, Konabos and Phlogios.” said Researcher Artifact as she pointed at the four alicorns that now stood before the group.
“Wait what, they passed away and were buried here after they used the Light thingies... How can they... You know what, I’m not even gonna think about it. I’ll leave that to you Arty.” said Iron Sights as he shook his head in slight confusion.
“Yes, Artifact, pony of earth. We are the ones who helped save this land with the ones you knew as the Sun and Moon.” replied the purple coated stallion, Phobos.
“As we wielded the Lights of Hope we poured our essence into the spell, sacrificing much of ourselves to save the world that was.” said the black coated mare, Phlogios.
“We pushed back the shadow, saving the world that was. But we did not survive, we returned our bodies to the earth, our magic to the heavens and our wings to the immortals.” the red coated stallion Aithon said.
“We return now to see that what was foretold came to pass and we may now rest, knowing that our duty is done.” said green coated stallion, Konabos.
“It’s true, I mean this world no harm. I just wish to live and to protect the ones I’ve come to call my family.” said Touch as he smiled at Featherjoy and the others, smiling back at his words, Featherjoy fluttered her wings, flying up to his shoulders.
“Yes, we see that now. The small one who received the Blessing of the Immortals, her heart holds great love for you Finishing Touch.” said Phlogios as she smiled at the two
“As long as she is with you, to temper your heart with kindness then the world shall know no fear from the Shadow.” Aithon said to the group.
“Keep her close and keep her safe, for the Blessed of the Immortals have a lot to give in this world.” said Konabos, staring at the gryphon.
“We must now go, our time upon this world is now spent. We pass our watch now to you Featherjoy of the gryphons, the newly Blessed of the Immortals.” said Phobos as he and the others moved back from the group.
Four bright lights filled the room once again, fully encompassing the four alicorns. The lights started to slowly rise as the four merged into one, bursting at it reached the top of the chamber the small sparks of light fell towards the small gryphon Featherjoy, still perched on the shoulder of the smooze. As the falling sparks reached the young gryphon they fell upon her, covering her in the same light that was the alicorns.
Once the glow faded from Featherjoy she didn’t seem any different, apart from the green phoenix feather that once nestled amongst her white feathers, now were four multi-coloured feathers. One purple, one red, one green and one black sticking out as if they were her own.
“‘Joy, your feathers!” called Artifact from behind the two, approaching them.
“What, what’s happened, what happened to my feathers?” said Featherjoy as she ran her claws through the feathers on her head.
“You’ve got some new ones, it’s the Blessing of the Immortals. The alicorns gave you a gift my friend, what it is. I do not know.” said Touch as he scratched just under the gryphons beak, making her giggle at the touch.
“Maybe the book will have more answers, I’ll have to study it when we get back to Arlington. Oh the Professors going to have fun hearing about this one.” said Artifact as she put the book back in her bag.
“Yeah, I think it’s time we leave this tomb. Let’s head home.” said Finishing Touch as he started to move towards the exit with the others.
“So, anyone care to explain how were they buried here, yet be the Phoenixes? I just don’t understand.” asked Sights as he ran walked with the others
“Well.. It’s all very simple Sights. Magic!” replied Artifact smiling at her brother as he shook his head, the sound of Featherjoy chuckling to herself from her perch filling the chamber.
*****
The journey back down the mountain was a quiet affair, upon leaving the tomb the group found that the mountain side was once again lit by the presence of the native balefire phoenixes. The one’s lining the path leading from the tomb seemed to dip their heads at the group as they walked by as a sign of respect to the newly Blessed of the Immortals.
“So, what does this Blessing mean?” asked Featherjoy as she jumped down from the smooze, landing in the camp.
“We don’t know, but we’ll find out, trust me.” said Touch as he walked towards the tents.
“We’ll see what we can find when we get back. Don’t worry Feathers, we’ll find out what you’ve been given.” said the researcher as she walked past into the camp. “But I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m gonna get some sleep. It’s been quite the day”
“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I’m knackered.” yawned Iron Sights, moving towards the tents of the camp.
“Too much thinking for your liking Sights?” joked Artifact from the entrance to her own tent.
“Well next time you come to me asking for help when you go off raiding tombs or whatever, I think I’ll pass. Being crushed by a giant boulder isn’t in my job description.” complained Iron Sights as he walked into his tent.
A few hours later, as the moon hung highly in the sky one member of the group found himself unable to sleep. Sitting alone, gazing upon the tomb that told of how a creature just like himself nearly plunged the world into darkness and death, worrying what the future held for him and his newly found friends.
“Touch, what’s wrong. Why aren’t you asleep?” asked Featherjoy as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
“Oh, ‘Joy. It’s nothing. Just thinking about what happened today. This story, it seems to follow me like a curse. Yet I have no recollection of it myself. If what the alicorns in the tomb say is true, then it was me all those years ago. I was the one who nearly destroyed the world.” said Finishing Touch as he looked upon Featherjoy and her new coloured feathers resting upon her head.
“It may’ve been you all those years ago, but now you’re not like that. And that’s what matters, it’s up to you to make your life what it is.” she said as she moved up next to her friend. “and like the four alicorns said, as long as we’re with you you’ll be fine.”
“Yes, indeed my friend. As always you’re right.” he said as he picked her up in a hug.
“Of cause I am. Now, lets get some sleep.” said the gryphon as she dropped down from her friend and walking back to the tents.
The morning arrived just like any other but the phoenixes this time didn’t leave the mountain, instead they lined the edge of the forest, watching as the group prepared to leave the Mountain of Rebirth.
“You know what, I’ll be so glad when we get outta here and away from the annoying birds! Just sitting there, watching us. I tell ya it’s down right creepy...” complained Iron Sight as he helped break down the camp with the others.
“I think there just watching me, making sure we get home safely. They don’t mean us any harm.” said Featherjoy as she looked at the tree line and the phoenixes inhabiting them.
“Yes, well I think it’s time we headed home” said Finishing Touch as he loaded the last of the packs onto the cart, as the group headed away from the mountain the phoenixes of the mountain let out a final loud squawk as the blessed left the mountain.
*****
“So, that’s when the four alicorns disappeared in a bright flash of light, turning into little stars that fell into me. That’s when I got these!” said Featherjoy as she pointed to the new feathers on her head. Having returned back to Arlington several days later, Featherjoy and Finishing Touch found themselves in the office of Professor Osmosis telling him tale of what happened at the mountain.
“So, you’ve received this Blessing of the Immortals from four long dead alicorns? Well it sounds like I’ve missed quite the trip.” chuckled Osmosis as he sat at his desk.
“Artifact’s going to look into what else she can find out about what this blessing does and what else these four alicorns did, the fact we know so little about them is odd. You think someone else would’ve found out about them.” said Finishing Touch
“Well, sounds like you’ve got some work to do.” said the professor as he smiled at the small gryphon.
With more knowledge of his past, but the future still uncertain, Finishing Touch looked upon what favours he’d been given. A unusual but loving family, a family who cared for him and who he cared for himself. A friend who’d go to the end’s of the earth with him to find out about his past, a friend who would do anything for him, a friend who would risk her own life to protect his. A friend who was now the newly Blessed of the Immortals.
As the three friends sat their, telling of their adventures in the tomb, the soft voice of Sweetie Belle floated out of the radio resting on the cluttered desk of the professor. Singing of a time lost long ago, but a time not unlike their own. A time of uncertain futures where all you needed to get through was a good friend at your side to guide you along the right path.
Well here we go, my second chapter. This has once again been a lot of fun to write, seeing our little band of explorers finding out more about the smooze and ancient alicorns but what’s to follow and what’s this Blessing of the Immortals that poor little Featherjoy’s gone and gotten herself.
Chapter 3: Featherjoy and the Library of the Hallowed
Chapter Three Featherjoy and the Library of The Hallowed
They say the future is uncertain. That no one can tell what will happen. Few claim to be able to see the future, fewer still claim what they see to be true. They say that only you can shape your own future, but when you’re shown your own future do you make that future yours or do you do all you can to change it?
*****
“Gahh, this doesn’t make any sense!” shouted out Artifact as she slammed her face down into the book, resting upon the table in the busy cafeteria of the Stable deep beneath the town of Arlington.
“Now Arty, it can’t be that bad. I’m sure you’ll find something soon.” replied Iron Sight as he placed two trays of food down on the table, sliding one in front of the mare.
“That’s the problem, nothing in this book makes sense. It tells of the tribe burying the four alicorns, which we know about having talked to them. But then it talks about six other ponies being the ‘Hallowed’ ones or something and another location. A ‘Library of The Hallowed’ if I’m even translating all of this correctly, but it doesn’t hint at or say anything about where it is.” mumbled the mare as she poked at her food.
“Well, I think you’ve been working too hard on this. You need to take a break or you’ll burn yourself out.” said Professor Osmosis as he started his lunch. "You remember what happened last time.."
“Wait, you said hallowed?, That's like holy or something right, could these others have been like Featherjoy?” said Sights as he munched away at his food. “Hallowed could be the same as this blessing that she got. Maybe like in the tomb only one of them can find out where this library is? She did open up the wall to where you got the book.” he said, shoveling another mouth full of food into his mouth.
“Yes, that’s it! Featherjoy might be able to activate something within the book, the tomb was covered in old magic after all, maybe the book is as well!” said the mare as she bolted up from the table. “Sights you’re a genius, it’s not true what the other academics say about you!” she said as she hugged her brother from across the table before running off. “I’ve got to find those two, I’ll see you later.”
“Ahh, ermm. Glad to help?” said Sights as he looked towards the quickly disappearing form of his sister. “Wait, what does she mean ‘It’s not true what others say about me?” he said looking towards the Professor who just smiled back.
“Ermm.. I ermm, I’ve no idea.. Bread roll?” he chuckled back to his friend as he offered him some of Artifact’s forgotten food.
*****
“So, you want me to take a look at this book?” said the small gryphon as she jumped up onto the table in the office of Researcher Artifact as she and Finishing Touch entered the room. The once cluttered table in the middle of the office was now clear, showing off the map underneath, sat in the middle of the table rested the book found within the Tomb of the Alicorns a few short day's ago.
“Yes, I think that like in the tomb there may be some kind of magic that can reveal more about the ancient tribe. You see,” said Artifact as she moved towards the book, flipping through the pages. “It mentions several other ponies being called the hallowed and some kind of library. But it never say anything really about them or where this place is. We think that the hallowed might have got a similar blessing that you’ve got. So, I hope that you’ll be able to reveal something. Because, we’ll I’m kinda stuck.” she said as she looked at the gryphon as the Smooze, Finishing Touch, moved up behind her.
“Well, let me take a look.” said Featherjoy as she looked up at her friend, Finishing Touch, who smiled back down at the young gryphon as she moved over to the book. Placing her claw upon it, she carefully perused the pages. As she flipped through the book, green writing started to flash up along a few of the pages, the magic within the book writing a secret message that only the blessed gryphon could see.
“Oh wow. Look at this. More writing’s appearing, just like in the temple.” said Featherjoy as she pointed to the newly appeared writing on the page.
“What, new writing? I can’t see anything..” said Artifact as she looked over the gryphon. “Can you see anything Touch?” as she looked towards the smooze.
“No, nothing. Must be something to do with the Blessing like you thought Artifact.” Said Touch as he looked between his friend Featherjoy and the researcher.
“Oh, right. Well it talks about some kind of.. library I guess? It say’s ‘The newly Hallowed shall light the way back to the knowledge of truth and what’s to come’.” Featherjoy said as she ran her claw over the page, as she turned the page a bright green wave of light flowed out of the book, flowing over the whole room, covering the walls and tables.
“Oh, wow. I definitely saw that. Now, what did it... Ohhh, that’s interesting.” said Researcher Artifact as she looked at the map upon her table.
The wave of light that spread over the room now settled over the table in the middle of the room. Hovering just above the table rested a magical portrayal of a map of ancient Equestria. Several markers blinked on the virtual map.
“A map? It’s not quite right, of course this will be thousands of years old. I know, lets do this shall we..” said Artifact as she lined up the map on the table with the new map, floating just above the table. “Well, that icon there must be Rebirth Mountain.” she said as she pointed towards a symbol of a phoenix “We’ve got the mountains to the north, what was the gryphon empire... If we match them up, we can estimate the other locations..” finished the mare as she stepped back from the table once the icons lined up.
“But which one’s the library?” asked Featherjoy as she walked closer to the map. “We’ve got so many icons.”
“See what the book says, it may give more information on what these icons mean.” said Finishing Touch as he gazed at the new map that lit the room.
Nodding to the smooze Featherjoy once again flicked through the book, her eyes dancing along with the ancient words written upon its pages as the magic buried within the book flared to life once more bringing with it hidden text for the Blessed gryphon.
“Oh, here we go ‘Once the Hallowed lights the way, the journey back shall become clear, the water shall welcome her return’. Well that doesn’t help very much and what’s this ‘water’ it suddenly mentions?” said the small gryphon as she placed a claw upon the page. Once the claw touched the paper of the book a green bolt of light streaked out of the book, striking the magical map and bringing with it a new icon. An open book with a sword resting down its middle.
“Ohh or it could be just what we were after. Now, looking at it’s location from Rebirth Mountain and this mark here, which I think is where there main town was.” said Artifact as she pointed to another symbol to the south of Arlington. “So, that would put it about four to five days journey west of us, looks like its near what was an underground reservoir, that’ll be the water it mentioned in the story.” said the mare as she pressed a few buttons on the PipBuck attached to her leg, entering the map coordinates of the library.
“Well, now we know of our destination we should see about planning another expedition. This one’s a lot farther away than the mountain was.” said Finishing Touch as he leaned on the table, staring at the map. A worried look upon his face as he thought and feared about what new secrets will be uncovered about him, the world that was and what dangers awaited him and his friends.
“Don’t worry Finishing, we’ll be ready for the journey and what we’ll find this time.” said Artifact as she walked up to the smooze, placing a reassuring hoof on his shoulder as she saw the worry that consumed him.
*****
Several days had passed since the location of the Library of the Hallowed had been discovered by Featherjoy and the others, the ancient book revealing no other secrets that it may contain.
“So, we all ready to go?” asked Artifact as she looked upon the small group that gathered around her and a small cart containing all their equipment.
Jumping up to the shoulders of her friend Finishing Touch, the small gryphon Featherjoy nodded in excitement to the mare “Yeah, I think we’re all set. You ready Iron?” she asked as the dark grey stallion walked up to them with Professor Osmosis just behind him.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this again. How did you convince me again Arty?” asked Iron Sights as he smiled at his sister.
“Wasn’t me this time, you’ve got Featherjoy to blame.” chuckled Artifact “All your determination useless against sad gryphon eyes” as she remembered the young gryphon becoming rather upset when Sights refused to go this time, needless to say the look that she gave him soon made him rethink his refusal.
“Oh yeah, that was it... That look shouldn't be allowed.” said Sights as he smiled at Featherjoy as she chuckled and smiled back at the stallion.
“Right, well I think we have everything we need. Shall we.. “ Professor Osmosis started to say as he was interrupted by a shout from behind the group. as a small group of young colts came running around from behind a building.
“‘Ay, Feathers!” called the colt, Urchin, at the head of the small band of friends “We heard you lot was off out again. Where’s ya goin?” he asked as he skidded to a stop.
“You!” shouted Professor Osmosis as he turned to see the new arrivals “you’re the one who keeps sneaking into my lab and making a mess of things! I’ve lost days of work due to you and your friends!”
“Ohh, ermm hey Professor. We err, just thought we may be able to ‘elp you is in all, in your ermm research?” said Urchin as he attempted to avoid the gaze of Osmosis.
“No harm done Professor, just sounds like they were bored.” said Artifact as she moved up to Osmosis, smiling at Urchin “Ain’t that right?”
“Yeah, didn’t mean to ‘cause no trouble Professor!” replied Urchin as he moved up to the carts, looking at what was inside.
“Hmm, fine. Just don’t sneak in again, okay?" said Osmosis as he watched the colt.
“Okay, you’re the boss! Where you guys off to anyway? Wow, Feathers. What happened to you, you got some funky new hair style or summit?” called Urchin as he looked up at Featherjoy, staring at the new feathers atop her head.
“Oh these? Ermm well we don’t properly know yet, but err. well four old alicorns used some kinda magic on me and I got these, we’re hoping to find out something new, that’s why were heading out again..” said the gryphon as she scratched the back of her head from atop her friend.
“Well, sounds like you’ve had quite the adventure. We’ll, when you know more, let us all know. We’ve missed ya, ain’t we guys?” called out Urchin as he started to walk back to the small group he arrived with as they called out in agreement.
“Okay, I’ll see you around Urchin.” called out the gryphon as she waved at the small group before they ran off back towards the town.
“Shall we get going then? It’s a long walk to this library of yours Featherjoy.” said Osmosis as he started to hitch himself up to the cart, smiling at the sound of laughter and the sight of his two closest friends readying themselves for yet another adventure in the Equestrian Wasteland.
*****
Several days had passed as the group journeyed to the reservoir and the supposed location of the Library of the Hallowed. The end of their uneventful journey found them setting up camp just outside of a cave entrance that lead deep into the earth.
“Well, looks like we’re here. This is the location that the spell pointed to.” said Artifact as she looked at the PipBuck on her leg.
“Right, well lets stay here tonight. We can go in tomorrow when it’s light. Lets get set up.” said Iron Sights as he moved up next to his sister as they both looked out towards the cove entrance.
“What do you think we’ll find this time Iron?” Asked the mare, concern and worry creeping into her voice as she glanced at her brother.
“Well, hopefully answers for our little feathered friend over their. But whatever we find in this place we’ll find it together.” replied Iron Sights.
“I guess, but after last time in the tomb... we nearly didn’t make it out.” mumbled Artifact.
“Arty, don’t worry. Everything will be fine. I’ll always be here to protect you.” said Sights as he placed an arm over his sister. “I’ll never let anything really bad happen to you or any of our friends, you know that right?”
“Yeah, yeah. I know” replied Artifact as she rested her head against her brother. “Lets head back to the others, we can look at this properly tomorrow.”
Turning back toward the others the two ponies made their way back to the camp, unaware that from deep within the entrance to the cave the eyes of a being long forgotten to time watched and waited for them to enter her Library and to find out the truth that they think they seek.
*****
The next day dawned like any other over the Equestrian wasteland, bringing with it hope and worry to the explorers of the Seekers of Truth. As the light of the sun flowed over the camp, allowing the small band of friends to begin their adventure into unknown and ancient territory, some were not quite ready to face the dangers of the unknown.
“Five more minutes mom.” mumbled the voice of Iron Sights as he rolled over again in the cot, attempting to ignore the shouts from outside to little effect.
“Come on Sights! You need to get up already! Aren’t you excited to find out what we’ll find?” said Featherjoy as she fluttered around the entrance to his tent, only to hear a mumbled shout and shoring from the tent.
“You won’t get him up, only one thing ever gets him up this early. An luckily for you, I just happened to have brought some with me” said Artifact as she moved a pan over the small camp fire. Removing a small plastic tub from her bag she placed several strips of meat on the pan as it started to sizzle.
“Is that what I think it is?” Asked Professor Osmosis as he moved over to the camp fire as he levitated a small pack of oats next to himself, enjoying his own basic breakfast. “Where the heck did you get Radigator meat from? We’ve not been anywhere near a vendor that sold that stuff in weeks?”
“Radigator? Oh, yes I’ve read about them. Large reptiles that live near water, not very friendly to ponies if I remember correctly.” said Finishing Touch as me watched the pair from the other side of the camp.
“Yup not the nicest of things you can meet in the Wasteland but if you can get the things down, well you get Radigator bacon. An if I know my brother...” she started to say as she looked over to the tent that contained her slumbering brother. A strange grumbling noise emerged from the tent as it started to shake from movement within.
“Aww, is that?” called out Iron Sights as he poked his head out of his tent “Radigator bacon!” Running out of the tent to the campfire next to his sister he snatched the plate from her hooves as she offered it to him, devouring the food on the plate.
“Works every time.” said the mare with a small smile upon her face. “Anyone else want some?” as she started to place more food on the pan. After enjoying a full breakfast and getting all their equipment ready The Seekers of Truth prepared themselves for whatever awaited them deep within reservoir and the Library of the Hallowed that lay within.
“Well, what do we have this time?” said Researcher Artifact as she moved over to the entrance to the cave with the others behind her. “Last time, the entrance to the tomb was covered in ancient writing..” mumbled the mare as she moved her hoof over the caves entrance.
“Anything this time Artifact?” Asked Finishing Touch as he moved up next to the mare with Featherjoy once again resting on his shoulders.
“No, nothing. I thought there would’ve been something” replied the mare, glancing at the others.
“Anything Featherjoy?” the smooze asked as he looked at the young gryphon on his shoulders.
“Ermm, no. Nothing.” said the gryphon as she jumped down from the shoulders of her friend and walked towards the cave. “At least nothing yet.”
“Well, looks like we’ll have to do this the good old fashioned way.” called Professor Osmosis as he walked forwards peering inside the cave. “Well shall we?” said the stallion as he lit up his horn, bringing light to the darkness of the cave.
Walking down the passageway, now dimly lit by an assortment of small torches, PipBucks and the magical light spell fromthe Professor’s horn, the Seekers of Truth journeyed deep down into the earth, the way leading them to an end. A large round door covered in writings from a time long lost awaited them.
Researcher Artifact rushed up ahead of the group to the door that barred their path, swiping her front hooves over the surface as she quickly looked over the door. “Oh wow. Ohh this is interesting! We’ve not seen anything like this before..” mumbled the mare to herself.
“What does it say?” asked Osmosis as he walked up next to the mare, bringing more light to the door.
“Well, for one. It’s not all in ancient Equestrian. Some of it seems to be written in ancient Gryphish, used by the Gryphon empire around this time.” said Artifact as she gazed upon the stone door.
“Gryphish? But why would that language be written here?” questioned the smooze as he moved forward, Featherjoy perched upon his shoulders.
“Well, I don’t rightly know right now and I must say my Gryphish isn’t that up to snuff. But it starts off in a different language, Old Equestrian; ‘The Library of the Hallowed will enlighten all, for within they await the last who shall lead the way home’” said Artifact as she read aloud to the others.
“But this is where it starts to get odd, I can only make out certain words. Here we have the Gryphish word for ‘Young or Offspring.’” she said pointing to the door. “Here we’ve got the words ‘Protector’, ‘Knowledge’ and what I think is ‘Everlasting or Eternal’?” said the researcher as she pointed to several symbols on the door.
“Well ain’t that something? Anything about how to open the darn thing?” called out Iron sight from the back of the group.
“I’m sorry Iron, but these kinda things don’t just have a big button to press that says ‘Open’. So you’ll just have to wait.” Shouted Artifact as she looked back at her brother.
“Wait a second” said Featherjoy as she jumped down from the shoulders of her friend walking up to the door, the sounds of Artifact and Iron Sights arguing in the background filled the passageway,
“What is it Featherjoy?” asked Finishing touch as he moved after his friend.
“I’m not sure, something just feels strange about this bit.” said Featherjoy as she looked upon the door. As she approached the door another bright flash of light flared from the feathers atop her head, illuminating the passageway as the light settled around the edge of the door.
“What was... ?” asked Professor Osmosis as a loud rumbling noise started to fill the passageway, followed by the sound of falling water, the door rolling to the side and a waterfall taking it’s place. After a few seconds the waterfall started to part in the middle, revealing a grand chamber of the Library of the Hallowed, an ancient room long forgotten to time and filled with shelves upon shelves of books carved into the stone of the earth.
“Just like the book said ‘Once the Hallowed lights the way, the journey back shall become clear, the water shall welcome her return’” mumbled Artifact to herself as she looked into the newly opened chamber.
“Oh, oh wow.” mumbled Featherjoy as she and the others started to walk into the library, looking as slowly torches around the room flared to life, bringing with them more and more shelves. “Look at them all Touch. This place... It’s huge.”
“That it is Featherjoy” replied the smooze as he looked around the room, now fully lit by the torches.
“Oh my, Professor we’re gonna need a bigger cart” mumbled Iron Sights.
“I think you might be right my friend” said Professor Osmosis.
“So, so many books. I’m.. I’m.. I’m. How am I gonna be able to read through all of these!” called out Artifact as she and the rest of the Seekers moved deeper into the chamber, walking past rows upon rows of books and old tables as the eyes of the being of old gazed upon the new arrivals to her library.
“Well, don’t worry my dear. I’ll send a message back to the Vice-Chancellor back home at Canterbridge. I’m sure she’ll send some people down to catalogue all these books.” said Professor Osmosis as he looked towards Artifact as she nodded.
As the group ventured deeper and deeper into the ancient library a blue glow emanated from the back of the chamber, bringing with it the sound of flowing water. Resting upon a pedestal surrounded by water being fed by a small waterfall rested a single book .
“Oh, wow. What’s this?” asked Featherjoy as she fluttered over to the pedestal, latching onto the side to look upon the old red faced book.
“Please be careful Featherjoy.” said the smooze, Finishing Touch following up behind the small gryphon as she moved to open the book.
“Don’t worry Touch, It’ll be...” started Featherjoy as she reached to open the book, a brilliant bright blinding flash of light came from the book filling the entire room.
“Ahh, son of a!” cried out Iron Sights as he lowered his hoof from his eyes, only to be greeted by the sight of a empty pedestal. No sign of the gryphon cub to be seen.
“Featherjoy!” called out Finishing Touch as he dashed up to the pedestal where his friend once was.
*****
“Touch, Professor...!” called out Featherjoy as she looked around, surrounded by nothing but a white empty expanse. “Anyone? Artifact? Iron... Please” she called out once again, fear starting to creep into her voice as she started to realise that she was all alone.
“Do not fear young one. You’re safe here.” came a voice out of a almost blinding light, as a blue earth pony mare with a long white mane and tail walked out of the light towards Featherjoy. A sense of calm came with her, soothing the terrified young gryphon.
“Who.. Who are you? Where am I?” asked Featherjoy as she looked up at the new arrival to the blank white room.
“I’m Lexicon, known as The Librarian. One of the Six Hallowed of the Crail and as to where you are? We’ll you’ve not gone anywhere.” Said the mare as she started to walk around Featherjoy.
“Wait you’re one of the six Blessed? You’re just like me, what does this blessing mean.. and what do you mean I’ve not gone anywhere!?” said Featherjoy, looking confused at The Librarian.
“Blessed? Yes, I guess you could’ve called the six of us that. We all tried to make the world a better place, all but one of us anyway...” said The Librarian as she looked down, deep in thought for a second before looking back at the gryphon. “Ahem, anyway. As for you my dear, well your blessing is an interesting one. Yours is linked to another, one we once called our enemy. I feared for this day and hoped it would never come to pass, for it meant the return of The Shadow. But as was foretold by the Four, a creature of wing and talon came to temper the heart of The Shadow and stop his ascent to evil.” continued the mare.
“Finishing Touch, he’s not like that shadow. He’s our friend!” called out Featherjoy as she glared at the mare as she continued to walk around the gryphon.
“So it would seem, but for how long? That will depend on you, for you’ve been granted the blessing of eternal life, Featherjoy The Eternal.” said The Librarian as she bowed down in front of the gryphon.
“What... Eternal life? That’s what my blessing is...” replied the gryphon as she fell backwards in shock of the news.
“An aspect yes, but more so it will be protecting the world from The Shadow. For you have the potential to save it, to make it into a world of your liking or to rule it as your own. It’s up to you which comes to pass.” the mare said standing in front of the gryphon.
“How do you know what’s going to happen? You can’t possibly predict the future.” mumbled Featherjoy as she looked up at The Librarian.
“I’ve seen much, many of the prophecies have come to pass. For they told of the seventh blessed being of talon and wing, the return of The Shadow and how she would temper the creatures heart.” she said as she walked away from the gryphon. “Many possible futures, but none are certain and always changing. For you, three are constantly merging and changing. Not one is set.”
A green light flared, changing the white room to a small town in the midst of chaos. Many ponies ran around screaming in terror as the sounds of battle ranged forth.
“This is the focal point where they change, for the choices made here will change the course of your history for better or for worse for the world.” said The Librarian
“What, where are we?” said Featherjoy as she walked up to the mare.
“The name of this town is not known to me, the details are never accurate. But what is important is the choices you make. For what is known is that this town is doomed to fall to a enemy unknown to us, familiar to a time long lost. ” said the mare as the chaos of battle flowed over the town.
“Three versions are known. A valiant defence and a fall to darkness and hatred, for the loss of others is a heavy burden. You take it upon yourself to change the world to how you see fit. Removing the evil from the world but becoming one yourself.” said the Librarian as the town fell to ruin around them, a dark smooze surging forward to cover the area. Overhead, a large gryphon hovered, hatred and rage heavy on her face, the colourful feathers atop her head a discordant note of brightness against her filthy frame.
“That’s.. No it can’t be. I’d never do anything like this!” cried out Featherjoy as she stared at The Librarian.
“But the peace you bring after is a long one. No one would dare challenge you or The Shadow at your side, the world would know peace. Isn’t it a small price to pay to be ruler of a world that knows only peace?” asked the mare as she looked down at the gryphon.
“I..I don’t know” replied Featherjoy
“This is just one possible version of the future. Here is another where you take a different path. A sacrifice made, one lost to protect the world from it’s horrible power. A future where many can feel safe and learn of the past, strengthening them to live in their uncertain future, free of the ancient evil that threatened them.” said The Librarian as the town changed into a large old style building teaming with ponies running in and out. In front of a large window stood the same gryphon as before, but this time where hatred and rage had marred her face, now sadness and tears lingered. Next to her was nothing, an empty space where her friend once stood.
“Why are you showing these to me?” cried the gryphon “I just want to go home, back to my friends!”
“There is just one more possible future you must see, one not filled with strife or struggle for you. But filled with a short life, one full of love and the sorrow of loss. For when the final day dawns, a friend must make a choice that could doom the world to darkness and war once again” said The Librarian as once again the scene around them changed. A small open casket, it’s sole occupant a old gryphon with blue tipped feathers. But at the back a smooze stood silent , a struggle with grief for a creature who lost his last friend began.
“I could take away your gift, remove the blessing and allow you to live a mortal life” said the mare as she looked upon the gryphon once again.
“So, you’re saying you can remove my blessing. But what would become of Touch when I... No, i need to be with him. I won’t allow any of your futures to be, I was told by a dear friend that you make your own destiny, no one knows what’s going to happen tomorrow. It’s down to you and you alone.” said Featherjoy as she turned to look at the mare who’d shown her her own possible futures, her face defiant and stern.
“A bold statement, one many have made in the past but few have changed what I see. You know of what will happen if you fall to darkness yourself, or give into fear. I just hope you make the correct choice.” said The Librarian, standing in front of the gryphon with two of her future selves.
“You’ll know what to do in the future, I trust you to make the correct choice.” one of the gryphons snarled, her face still warped in a rictus of anger.
“Don’t forget the consequences of your actions.” said the other gryphon, her face still sad.
“I’ll return you to your friends now, they’ve been quite worried about you” the Librarian said. Her horn flared, and a blinding white light took Featherjoy away.
*****
“Featherjoy.... Featherjoy, where are you!” shouted Finishing Touch as he and the others ran over to the pedestal where their friend was just a few seconds ago.
“What the heck... Where’d she go?” asked Iron Sights as he looked around for the small gryphon.
“This.. This doesn’t make any sense, I know we’ve seen magic in these kinds of places before. But nothing to this extent.” said Artifact as she walked up to the pedestal, placing her hoof upon it to no effect. “Hmm, as I thought.”
“Professor, what’s going on? Where’s Featherjoy, she could be in danger, all alone. We need to find her!” called out the smooze, panic clearly taking over as he started to worry about his lost friend.
“Don’t worry Touch, I’m sure wherever she is, she’ll be fine. All these things with her blessing and being able to manipulate the magic in here to some extent makes me think she won’t be harmed” said Professor Osmosis as he walked up to the smooze “You need to calm down, getting all worked up isn’t going to help us, now let’s see what we can find out. Anything in the book, Artifact?” he asked as he turned from the smooze heading towards the mare as she started to flick through the ancient book.
“Ermm not much. It’s names the six blessed of the tribe who led them to greatness, but nothing that hints to where Featherjoy went” she said as once again a blinding light filled the room, revealing the forms of Featherjoy, The Librarian and the two future gryphons.
“Featherjoy!” called out Finishing touch as he ran towards her.
“Touch!” yelled the gryphon as she too ran towards the smooze, jumping up to embrace him in a hug “I’m safe, I’m okay.” she said only to be greeted to the sound of a few sniffles from the smooze as he hugged her tight.
“I’m sorry Featherjoy, I’m sorry. I couldn't protect you again” he said as he leant back from the hug to look her in the eyes.
“What? It wasn’t your fault, anyway I’m the one who told Star I’d protect and help you remember?” she replied with a smile on her face.
“Ermm, sorry to interrupt. But who are these three and why do two of them look like Featherjoy?” asked Iron Sight as he looked at the new arrivals.
“Oh, yes. Well I suppose introductions are in order. I’m The Librarian. And for these two, well They are Feartherjoy, at least a potential version.” said The Librarian
“It’s good to see you all again, it’s been so long since I saw you all.” said one of the Featherjoy’s, the anger that once covered her face falling at the sight of her long lost friends.
“Yes, it’s been so long. Professor you look so young and Artifact, Iron Sights it’s good to see you.” said the other gryphon as she smiled at the others.
“Wait, you’re The Librarian? One of the six blessed?” said Artifact as she flicked through the book.
“I was the last, but now the seventh has been found and knows her place in the world. She will guide you along the path forward, where remains to be seen.” said the Librarian. “But she is yours and you are hers” said The Librarian. “But for now, we must leave. Hope we don’t need to meet again Shadow.” Said the mare as she stared at Touch.
“Remember Featherjoy, live the life you want. Not the life you feel you must.” said the two gryphons in eerie mimicry, as for a final time a blinding flash of light filled that room, leaving behind nothing but the five friends.
“I will.” said Featherjoy as she leant against her friends neck. As once again a bright flash of light filled the chamber, blinding everyone, Once the light faded the the mare and the two gryphon’s had gone.
“So, what was all that about Feathers?” asked Professor Osmosis as he looked toward the sight of Featherjoy and Finishing Touch.
“Well, The Librarian, she told me a lot. She told me about my blessing and about the future. I’m apparently the last of the seven they were looking for for when the this ‘Shadow’ they keep talking of returned.” Said Featherjoy. “She called me The Eternal, saying that I’m going to live a very long time, that my life was linked to yours Touch. I’m not quite sure what she means..”
“Wait, wait wait! I’m sure I’ve seen something about that somewhere in this book.” Artifact called as she started to flick through the book that once more rested on the pedestal. “Ahh, here we are. ‘Once The Eternal is found, she will calm the return of The Shadow. Turning him to light or dark, for she is the one to guide and teach this world and shape it, for it be for peace or war.’” Finished the mare as she looked back at the others.
“So, you’re saying that me and Featherjoy have been destined to meet by some old book?” said Finishing Touch as he looked at the small gryphon on his shoulder.
“It might be, but I feel that doesn’t change anything.” Professor Osmosis said walking up to the two, placing a arm on his shoulder. “Finishing, you may be some creature from the stars that was once used to nearly destroy the world. But you’re not now and never will be again because you have a friend and guide in Featherjoy here. And you, Featherjoy have been blessed, but this blessing doesn’t define you. Only you can shape who or what you become and like Finishing Touch, he’s also your guide and teacher.” the stallion smiled at the two.
“Yeah, you’re right Professor” said Featherjoy as she jumped from the shoulders of Touch hugging the Professor as she landed.
“Well, it’s getting late and there's no way we can get all this stuff back to the town on our own, for now I’ve got this little font of knowledge to go through.” said Researcher Artifact as she held up the new red covered book. “So, lets head back and get word to the University. See if we can get a team back here for all this stuff.” she said as the others nodded, moving back towards the entrance to the underground library.
“So, where did you actually go Feathers?” Asked Iron Sights.
“Well, according to The Librarian I didn’t go anywhere.” said Featherjoy, fluttering around the group.
“But, you definitely disappeared. In a bright flash of light and everything, we couldn’t see anything. I still can’t really” mumbled the stallion, waving a hoof in front of his face feigning temporary blindness.
“Grow up Sights, you’ll be fine.” giggled Artifact along with the others, giving him a slight bump on the back of the head.
*****
Several days later, back safely in the Stable hidden deep beneath the town of Arlington, the town standing once again defiantly against all the horrors the Wasteland could throw.
The Seekers of Truth once again gathered, this time in the office of Researcher Artifact to learn what secrets had been revealed by the book. “Right, I’ve had chance to go over the book and learn all I can” said Artifact as she took a look around her small office, placing the book on the table surrounded by Featherjoy and the others. “It’s told me a lot about the other blessed. All six of them were listed in here.” patting the book resting on the table.
"The first it tells of is called ‘The Valkyrie’. Told to be a mare who led the tribes warrior’s in defence of the tribe. Say’s that she was ‘granted the wings of the gods’, so she could’ve just been a pegasus or maybe the blessing actually changed her.” said the Researcher as she opened up the book, pointing to the first entry.
“A warrior general of sorts? Did the tribe really have that many enemies?” asked Iron Sights as he leant on the table, staring at the book.
“Well, it doesn’t say much. Just talks of a few battles with the Gryphon Empire as it attempted to expand and a few small skirmishes with the other local tribes. I’m sure we’ll find out more when we get into the Library properly and get a chance to look at all the books.” replied Artifact, glancing up at her brother.
“The next blessed it tells of is The Librarian, who we already know about, at least a little bit anyway. The book doesn’t really tell much, just that she had ‘The gift to see the ripples that life casts in the waters of life’.” said Artifact as she once again read from the book.
“Yeah, she said she could see the future and that it was always changing. But, I don’t want the futures she told me of to come true." said Featherjoy as she remembered the two possible futures she’d been shown. Of what she could become and how she would change the world.
“As you’ve told me Featherjoy. Only you can shape your own future, no one else. So don’t dwell on whatever The Librarian showed you. Live the life you want, not the one you feel you must.” said Finishing Touch, echoing the words of the gryphon's from the possible futures shown to Featherjoy.
“For the third blessed listed in the book it doesn’t tell much. Tells of a stallion called The Wayfarer, who was meant to protect the tribe from the outside but that’s about it. Doesn’t say how or if he had anything... Special about him.” The mare said, turning the page in the book
“Well, if by the sound of things he was separate from the tribe, they wouldn’t know much to put in the book. Or that’s what I’d guess anyway.” Professor Osmosis said as he walked up to the table, leaning on it.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. We may find out more later, I hope. Would be a shame if we didn’t find anything.” said Artifact. “The fourth blessed was listed as The Hierophant, a stallion who was the head of the religious group of the tribe. Now this guy was interesting. He was the closest to the four alicorns, the only one to really see them and acted as their voice.” the mare said as she picked up the book , starting to walk around the table.
“One passage in the book says ‘The Hierophant was of the ponies, leading them along the path of the immortals to be reborn amongst the tribe, passing judgement upon the departed, lighting the path to the Gates of the Immortals.’ We already knew the tribe believed in being reborn or at least some kind of afterlife. But this takes it to a whole new level.” Artifact said as she looked up at the others gathered around the table.
“So, they believed they’d be reborn? Reborn as what, another pony?” asked Iron Sight.
“Not quite sure, from some of the books we’ve gotten a couple of different beliefs. One side said that the righteous would return as the phoenixes at Rebirth Mountain. Another sect believe that they came back as part of the earth itself, as the plants and trees. Very interesting stuff. A part of me wants to think it’s all a load of rubbish, but with what we’ve seen over the last few weeks... Who knows.” Artifact said.
“The last few days have certainly been interesting, at this point it’s safe to say that anything’s really possible.” said Finishing Touch.
“Yeah, that’s for certain. Ain’t that right Feather’s? Or should I say ‘The Eternal’?” mocked Sight’s as he stared at Featherjoy, a smile creeping to the corners of his mouth.
“Ermm, yeah. I guess so.” replied Featherjoy as she looked sheepishly down at her claws, attempting to avoid eye contact with the others.
“Hey, ‘Joy I didn’t mean anything by it.” said Iron Sight’s as he placed a hoof on the shoulder of the young gryphon.
“I.. I know Sights. I just, I’m not sure what to think on this whole eternal life thing.” she said as she looked back up, look at each of her friends in turn.
“Don’t worry Featherjoy. We’ll just do what we can and take each day as it comes, it’s all we can do in this world and I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Said Finishing Touch, smiling at his young friend.
“But what happens. What happens when you all...” Said Featherjoy as she once again looked around the table at all her friends gathered around the table, tears starting to well up in her eye’s.
“Oh Featherjoy!” called out the Professor as he picked her up from the table, embracing her in a big hug. “Don’t you worry about that. We’re not going anywhere for a long, long time.” he said as he hugged her tight, tears starting to flow down both of their faces as well as the others gathered.
After a few minutes, the two left each others embrace to the sight of their friends smiling faces. “I know Professor, I’ll try my best.” mumbled the gryphon
“That’s my little girl, keep that beak up and you’ll be fine. We’re with you every step of the way. Now, where were we?” said the Professor as he smiled down at the young gryphon, the worry of the future leaving her face for the while.
“Right, the next entry refers to another stallion called The Archon. Like The Hierophant this guy was one of the leaders of the tribe. He was meant to be the head of tribe as a whole, the entry say’s ‘Blessed with the strength of the earth but burdened with the struggles of all, The Archon will lead us all through the curse of the Shadow and into the light of the new dawn’.” said Artifact, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“So the four alicorns didn’t run the tribe itself?” asked Finishing Touch as he picked up Featherjoy, resting her on his shoulders. “If they spoke through The Hierophant and The Archon and the other’s ran the tribe, what did they do?”
“Well, we know the tribe worshipped them as god’s, or at least god like. But as to what they did, they seemed to be more of a set of figure heads than actual leaders of the tribe.” said Researcher Artifact.
“For the final Blessed it takes a darker turn compared to the rest.” said Artifact, looking at Finishing Touch. “He seemed to have a link to The Shadow.”
“What? What did he have to do with me?” said Touch
“Well, he was known by a few names. He was known to be a bit of an outcast from the rest of the tribe, referenced as ‘The Deceiver’, ‘The Puppeteer’ but the name that’s mentioned the most is ‘The Fallen Hallowed’. The book tells of him adventuring north when The Shadow first arrived. The book says ‘The Fallen Hallowed once one of us, controlled our darkest enemy. Using The Shadow to corrupt all that he dared claim for his own, plunging our world into darkness’.” Artifact said as she read aloud from the book to the others.
“Controlled? You mean that someone could use me to their own ends and I not be able to stop them?” worried Finishing Touch, the idea that one day his actions might not be his own troubling his mind.
“We don’t know Touch, but at a guess from what this book talks about the stone that you supposedly came from has some kind of magic in it. You said before that there was nothing in the museum where the others found you?” the mare said as she looked into the eye’s of her friend, clearly troubled by the recent news.
“No, we didn’t find anything at the museum when we went back. But this news is something we may need to look into further, I don’t like the idea that someone could simply control my friend and force him to act against his will.” said Professor Osmosis.
“Maybe Truth Seeker will know something? He hasn’t spoken much about his plan, it may’ve had something to do with this.” Iron Sight’s suggested.
“Yes, I’ll ask him in the morning. Don’t worry Touch, well get to the end of this, I assure you.” Osmosis said, placing a hoof on the shoulder of the smooze.
“I remember The Librarian mentioned something. She was talking about the six of them, that they all tried to make the world better, but she said one of them didn’t. You think this was this guy?” suggested Featherjoy
“Could be, as the only one that acted out against the tribe it certainly sounds like him.” replied Artifact.
“Hey, you guys hear that?” said Featherjoy as the muffled sounds of arguing filtered into the room from one of the air vents.
“What” Osmosis started to question as the air vent above the table collapsed, the four small occupants fell to the table below with a thud.
“Aww, I told ‘ya not ta move so much! Now look what ya did!” argued one of the new occupants of the office. Untangling himself from his friends Urchin looked up at the others around the table “Oh, err hello again Professor... Ermm how was ya trip?”
“What did I tell you about sneaking into places you weren't meant to?” asked Osmosis as he stared at the small pile of colts, the rest untangling themselves from their black coated leader.
“Yeah, I know. But we heard about Feathers comin’ to this little meetin. An we was worried about her, we ain’t seen much of her in ages. I.. We just wanted to know if she was alright.” the young colt said, avoiding the piercing glare from Osmosis
“The information we were discussing was private, ever think you weren’t meant to know?” Osmosis said.
“How much did you hear?” asked Researcher Artifact.
“Ermm. Not much, just about some old guys and some shadow. I couldn’t hear much ‘cause of this lot,. ” Urchin said, gesturing back at his small band of friends. “I didn’t mean to be dropping no eaves Professor, but what I did hear was Featherjoy getting a tad upset over something about some eternal stuff. You okay Feathers?” Asked Urchin as he looked up at Featherjoy.
“Ermm yeah. I’m okay now. I’ll tell you about it later.” said Featherjoy.
“How about we leave it for today? We’ve got a lot of information to go over Professor, especially when we get more of the books back from the Library. And Sights, I need a vent fixed” Artifact said as she looked at her brother.
“Fine, I’ll take a look at it. But you four are gonna help me, don’t think you’re getting out of this so easily.” Iron Sights said, looking down at the young colts.
“Aww, come on. We didn’t mean to break it!” one of the young colts complained.
“Whether you meant to or not, you broke the air vent. That means you get to help me fix it, don’t make me have to hunt you down later.” said Sight’s, pointing at the young colts. “For now, get outta here. I’ll come find you later”
“Okay, Mr Sights. We’ll see you later. You comin Feathers? We’re gonna go have some fun.” asked Urchin as he and his friends started to jump down from the table.
“Go ahead Featherjoy, go have some fun. We’ll talk about all this later.” Finishing Touch said as he looked at the gryphon.
“Thanks Touch!” said Featherjoy, jumping down from her friends shoulders and landing next to Urchin, “I’ll see you all later!” she called out before jumping down from the table, running after the others.
“It’s good to see her happy and making friends with others. Even if all they do is get into trouble. Right, I’m going to go and send of that letter to the Vice-Chancellor back at Canterbridge. See if we can get any help.” said Osmosis as he walked towards the door followed by Sights.
“Alright, Professor. I’m gonna go grab something to eat. You wanna come Touch?” asked Artifact as she too moved to leave the room.
“No thank you Artifact. I have some things I need to... Think over” Touch said as Artifact nodded and headed off to get something to eat.
Being left alone in the room Touch working over the new information he’d learnt. Was it possible that someone could simply force him to do things against his will, what if someone managed to gain control of him like this Falled Hallowed did? But what worried him the most was Featherjoy. She was scared of the fact that one day, she could outlive all her friends and be left alone, just with himself for company and a future uncertain filled with potential darkness and danger.
And 3rd chapter down, really enjoying this writing melarkey. Thanks to WirePony and volrathxp for editing and pre-reading for me, making this into something that is actually legible.
Chapter 4: Professor Osmosis and the Brothers Riddle
Family. Family isn't just the ponies you're related to, they can be the friends who are so close to you that they'd do anything for you. Ponies who you couldn't see yourself living without. Ponies will do a lot for the family they have. They'll walk through fire, move the sun and moon and march through the gate of Tartarus and back for family if they have to. But when your family does something so wrong what do you do? When every fiber of your being is telling you that something isn't right, what do you do? Well, only one thing you can do. Find your way to the gates of Tartarus.
*****
“Oh, hello again brother. It’s so good of you to come and see me.” said Truth Seeker from inside his temporary prison deep inside the Stable, as he looked up from his book to see Osmosis outside through the window.
“Seeker. We need to talk, I need you to tell me of your plans back at the Crystals.” the blue unicorn stallion said as he stared at the onetime bedroom that now confined his brother. The room was well furbished for a cell, a small table rested along one of the walls with several books piled upon it with a bed taking up the other side.
“Is that so?” replied Truth Seeker. The unicorn stepped down from his resting place on his bed and started to make his way slowly to the window. “Why should I tell you? This is the first time you’ve come to see me since we arrived here. So that means one of two things, doesn’t it? Either you’ve come to see what a mistake you made by helping that creature. Or, you’ve found something that troubles you and if it’s enough to make the all knowing Professor Osmosis worried it has to be something big. Am I getting close?” the stallion mocked as he stared into the eyes of his brother.
“We just need to know. What did you intend to do with Finishing Touch!? Were you going to attempt to control him for your own crazy plans!?” Osmosis said, the volume of his voice rising along with anger at his brother. The stallion took a deep breath attempting to calm himself.
“Oh. Well this changes things. You’ve found something out about our little smoozey friend haven’t you? How he can be controlled and used by others.” giggled Seeker “Oh this is too good. But I’ll tell you what you want to know, but on one condition.”
“What is it that you want?” replied Osmosis.
“I want him to be here. I want to look into the eyes of that creature, that shadow, as I tell you both what I would’ve made him do. That is all I ask, I have a feeling he’ll want to know anyway.” Truth Seeker said, a wide grin creeping onto his face.
“I’ll ask him. But he’s not the kind of creature you think he is, he’s not some pawn to be controlled for other ponies dark schemes.” Osmosis said as he started to walk away, stopping just as he was near the doorway that lead from the new cell.
“So you claim, yet here you are. Asking me for the answers that you seek, if you were so sure of him then you wouldn’t need ask. But how can you be sure of one such as him, he was used once. What if he’s used again?” taunted Truth Seeker.
“I won’t let that happen, we won’t let that happen. I’ll not give up on him, not now not ever. We’ll find a way to make sure he’s never controlled again. And a way to save you from what’s clouded your mind my brother.” Osmosis said as he turned and walked away as the crazed giggling of Truth Seeker filled the room.
*****
“Ahh, here you are Touch. You’ve had me on quite the hunt looking for you.” said Professor Osmosis as he approached the smooze, the purple creature gazing out across the Wasteland from one of the newly erected walls that now surrounded the settlement of Arlington.
“Oh, hello Professor. I didn’t mean to cause you such trouble.” replied Finishing Touch as he shifted around to look at the new arrival.
“Think nothing of it my friend. It was nice to get out and about, I spend far too much time cooped up in my office. It’s good to see the town’s coming along so well.” chuckled the blue stallion as he walked up next to the smooze.
“Yes, the work The Seekers of Truth brought in has really helped get this place back up and running. It’s such a shame it was destroyed in the first place, I just can’t understand why ponies fight each other in this land. From what I’ve read everyone used to live in peace before the war, but I suppose things change don’t they Professor?” pondered the smooze as he looked over to his companion, who nodded in agreement. If they did this to each other, what would the world think of one such as him? Already he'd seen how most ponies treated him when they first saw him, with gunfire and hate. But he'd also seen the good way that a few ponies had treated him, had welcomed him as friends. It's such a confusing world, thought the purple smooze.
The two stood in silence for what seemed like hours, looking out over what was once a bright and colourful land. Now destroyed by zebra and pony alike many years ago, the ponies of today still paying the price for the mistakes made so many years ago. The town behind the two bustled with life and activity as ponies busied themselves with the day to day chores and the ongoing effort to build the small town into something bigger, something better. A place where ponies, gryphons and everything in between could come to start afresh and escape the pandemonium of the Equestrian Wasteland.
The sound of grinding metal rang out over the two as the gates to Arlington opened to grant a small caravan of traders and merchants entry to the town, a sure sign that word of the towns rebirth from the destruction that befell it at the hooves of the Steel Rangers not long ago was starting to spread.
“Listen Touch. I came to tell you I’ve been to see my brother. I truly wish you’d had the chance to see him before this.. This madness took a hold of him.” said Osmosis, breaking the silence that had once again fallen over the two. “I asked him what he knew about you and what he planned to do. He said he would tell me if you were present as well. If you don’t want to..” continued the Professor, only to be interrupted by Finishing Touch.
“I come up here to think about everything. To think about what would’ve happened if Truth Seeker had succeeded in his plans. But all I’ve come to realise is that I can’t run from the past. If it’s true that there is a way to.. A way to control me we must find a way to stop it.” said Finishing Touch as he lowered his head, looking as if deep in thought.
“I’m done running, I’m done being afraid of what might have happened. I’m done being afraid of what could happen. I need to find out what he knows. I need to face what he did to me, I’ll come to see Truth Seeker with you.” said Touch as he looked back up at Osmosis.
“Thank you my friend. Whatever we find out, we’ll face it together.” smiled Osmosis as he placed a hoof on the back of Finishing Touch who returned the blue unicorn’s smile.
“We’ll find a way to save your brother. If I’ve learnt anything it’s that everyone deserves a second chance.” said Finishing Touch as he returned the gesture, placing a gloopy hand on the hoof of his friend.
“You're going to see Truth Seeker?” Called out a voice from behind the two, making them both turn around in surprise as the small form of Featherjoy landed in front of them. “You’ve got to take me with you Touch!” called out the gryphon, her multi coloured feathers fluttering in the wind.
“Now Featherjoy, what’ve we told you about sneaking up on others and listening in on them?” scolded Finishing Touch as he pointed a gloopy purple hand at the young gryphon.
“I... I didn’t mean to. I just saw you and the Professor up here, so I flew up and heard you’re seeing Truth Seeker.” explained Featherjoy “But I’m coming with you to see him, please!” the small gryphon demanded, looking up at the two.
“I’m not sure...” started Osmosis, only to be once again interrupted by Finishing Touch, placing a hand on the shoulder of Professor Osmosis.
“Professor, actually... I think she should. This includes her as much as it does us.” he said, looking between the blue stallion and the young gryphon who was destined to be his companion for an eternity.
“Fine..” Osmosis said as he sighed in defeat. “We’ll see him in a hour, come find me in my office then. I need to make some preparations.” Osmosis finished as he started to walk off, leaving the two alone up on the walls of Arlington.
Featherjoy fluttered her wings, taking flight to cover the small distance between Finishing Touch and landed on his shoulders.She joined him in gazing over the Wasteland, and once again a silence feel upon the two.
“Touch, do you think we'll ever see Equestria as it was before the war? I wonder what it was like. I’ve read about it in some of the books that the Professor and Artifact have, it sounded amazing. But..” asked the inquisitive gryphon.
”We can only hope Featherjoy. But if more good ponies and gryphons like yourself, our friends and Miss Star stand up for what is right in this world I feel we'll be taking the right steps towards seeing as it once was.” said the smooze as he looked at Featherjoy, a smile starting to creep over her face.
“Now, lets head back shall we?” asked Finishing Touch.
As the two started to make their way back down the words of The Librarian and the two copies of her future selves echoed in her mind.The fear she remembered of seeing her dark self forcing her friend to change the world to how she saw it. Or the prospect of spending her potentially eternal life with him gone scared her just as much. A stern look briefly fell across her face as she once again vowed to herself the futures would never come to pass. She’d help change the world, but she would do it with her friends at her side and by doing what was right.
*****
A short hour later Professor Osmosis once again stood in front of the room that served as the prison for his brother. But this time he was joined by two others, Finishing Touch and Featherjoy stood at the side of Professor Osmosis.
“Ah, brother. You’re back and you’ve brought the creature with you, what are they calling you now? Fleming Trout was it?” asked Truth Seeker, as the red stallion stood up from his bed and walked towards the window. The sound of another radio report from DJ-Pon3 started to fill the room only to be turned off as he went.
“It’s Finishing Touch.” replied the smooze as he glared at the one who once had him trapped in a cage not that long ago.
“Oh yes I remember now, I’m truly very sorry for what I did.” mocked Truth Seeker as he looked at the three new arrivals. “But you my dear, I can’t quite recall your... Ohhh. You’re her.” he continued as his mouth slowly creeped into a wide grin as he stared at Featherjoy, recognition flashing over his face for a second.
“Enough of your games brother, tell us of your plans. What did you intend for Finishing?” Questioned Osmosis as he moved closer to the glass, partially blocking his brothers view of Featherjoy.
“Of course, no messing around, straight to the point. Thats what I always loved about you brother. Oh, Flashing Trap...” Truth Seeker started as he leant upon the window, waving a foreleg around in the air, exaggerating his story.
“It’s Finishing Touch.” interrupted Featherjoy as she leapt up to the shoulders of the smooze, hate filled eyes fell upon the red unicorn as if she was hoping he’d drop dead from her gaze alone for what he did too her closest friend.
“Whatever. You should have seen little Osmo as a foal, oh he was so cute. He was always running off attempting to find lost knowledge or something for mother and father back at the university in Canterbridge, oh you should see the place, simply magnificent.” Rambled on Truth Seeker, his arm still waving around in the air.
“Seeker! This isn’t the time, you said you’d tell us of your plan.” called out Osmosis, interrupting his brother once again.
“Oh fine, I’ll tell you. Always interrupting, very rude wouldn’t you say my feathered friend? Right, where to begin, where to begin. Oh, I know, the first thing you’ll need to understand is that it wasn’t my plan you see. I was working with another pony, one much wiser than myself.” Truth Seeker said with a sly look at his at his guests, confusion slowly filled their faces.
“What? Who were you walking for then Seeker?” said Osmosis.
“Oh, I’m sure you know of him by now. I know that you’ve met some of his, well shall we just say past colleagues.” Truth Seeker said as he stared directly at Featherjoy, a slight smirk emerging on his face. ”But he’s a stallion of many names, The Puppeteer, The Deceiver and even The Fallen Hallowed. I’m sure that last one you remember quite well.” the stallion continued, emphasizing each name as he listed them.
“You.. You mean he’s still alive? H-h-h how..” said Featherjoy, fear making it’s way into her voice at the prospect of the one who once caused her friend so much pain still being alive, able to repeat his past crimes against her friend.
“Oh yes, my little friend. Or should I call you The Eternal now?” chuckled Truth Seeker, staring straight into the eyes of the gryphon cub resting up on the shoulders of Finishing Touch.
“How do you know that? What’ve you been told!” Finishing Touch said, the volume of his voice rising with his building anger.
“Oh he’s been to see me. What? You think a simple Stable like this can stop him? No, not much can stand in his way, Let’s just say he has a way of getting his ponies where they need to be.” chuckled the red stallion to himself.
“Your plan Seeker! What was it?” called out the Professor once again, the anger at his brothers games started to find its way back into his voice before he took several deep breaths, calming once more.
“Oh yes, that was a glorious plan. It’s a true shame that you and your friends messed things up. The spell, fuelled by the creature himself, was meant to bring what my friend called the ‘Onyx Control’ stone to us and force it into our friend here. That way we’d be able to make our little friend here do a little dance for us.” marveled Truth Seeker as he thought back to the events at the crystals, smiling to himself.
“So, it’s true then. There is a way for you to control me...” mumbled Finishing Touch.
"Oh yes, you would've spread the truth to all corners of this world. All that stood in your way would be consumed, freed of all falsehoods and bringing about an era of peace not seen before. It can still come to pass, if the one closest to you willed it." Truth Seeker continued, tossing a wink at Featherjoy.
“Thats not going to happen, not this time. Don’t worry Touch, we’ll find a way to stop all this. I won’t let them hurt you, let’s get out of here” said Featherjoy as she jumped down, flashing another hateful glare at Truth Seeker and leading Finishing Touch out of the room and away from the vile words of Truth Seeker.
“Heh, if only things were so easy my little gryphon.” chuckled Truth Seeker as he watched the two leave, leaving only himself and his brother left in the room.
“What happened to you brother? This isn’t like you. You were once a nice, kind and gentle stallion who had a great thirst for myths and legends.” asked Professor Osmosis, tears starting to pool in his eyes.
“Brother, if only you found what I did. The crystal cleared my mind of all falsehoods and revealed to me truth. We can make this world a better place and that creature can make it happen for us” replied Truth Seeker, tears also started to pool under his eyes, betraying his cold face.
“Wait, these crystals. What happened when you found them? Brother, listen to me I think something happened to you, I know you’re still in there.” asked Osmosis, hope starting to creep back into his voice at the idea that the brother he knew and loved was still in there somewhere.
“I.. I was shown the... The truth... Everything became... Ahhh!” Truth Seeker cried out in pain as he fell to the floor clutching his head between his hooves. “No! Ahhh, I was shown... Brother, help me. He’s inside my head, get him out please!” pleaded Truth Seeker, all the confidence and smugness of before leaving his voice, only to be replaced by the tone of one in great pain and deep regret. The knowledge of what he'd done flooded his mind, of how he'd almost killed his brother and doomed the world to darkness.
“Truth! Please, fight this. You can beat him!” said Osmosis, rushing up to the glass placing both hooves upon it.
“Osmosis, it hurts. I can feel him clawing in my head, he’s gaining back control.” cried out Truth Seeker as he looked back up at his brothers eyes, hope and the love only a brother could hold stared back at him, fuelling him onwards to do all he could to help the ones he'd wronged. “Listen. Theres a way to stop the Onyx Control stone, when he was in my head I learnt many things. But I... Ahhh. I don’t know what it means. All I know is ‘Go to the place where the drakes flew and the serpents flow, a fork in your path will yield a right to a forest long lost to vine and hate. The light that the sixth wields shall herald a choice, the darkness held shall be set free'... Brother, I’m losing it. Please help me, I love you” called out the red stallion as the pain and tears that shone through on his face slowly fell only to be replaced by the same grin he’d had before.
“Seeker! Listen to me, I’ll find a way to save you. We'll stop him, I promise. Brother, I love you...” said Professor Osmosis, tears now freely flowing down his face.
A laugh started to fill the room as Truth Seeker picked himself off the floor, turning around to stare directly at the professor as he continued to giggle.
“Oh how lovely, I do love it when we have our little heart to hearts. We need to have them more often brother. I think a nap is due for now, though. These little chats do get a bit tiring after awhile, but do feel free to drop by again.” smiled Truth Seeker as he started to walk back to his bed.
“I’ll find a way to help you brother, I will” mumbled Osmosis as he started to walk out of the room. The hope that he could save his brother burning bright in his heart, the tears from seeing the pain on his brothers face fuel to drive him onwards.
*****
“So, we’ve been to see Truth Seeker. And what he told us is quite worrying.” started Professor Osmosis. leaning on the small table that filled the middle of his office. Looking around the room the faces of his new found friends, the new family he’d found looked back with worry on their faces.Two in particular. Finishing Touch and Featherjoy looked scared, for what Truth Seeker had said affected them the most. But looking into the eyes of the small gryphon he could see a determination that he had never seen before, a determination to save her friend from the peril of the past and the horrors of the future.
“He told us of his plan, but he wasn’t working alone. From what he said The Puppeteer is the one behind everything.” Osmosis continued.
“What? I thought he was defeated when the four alicorns with Celestia and Luna used the Elements to push back the shadow?” questioned Artifact, the researcher quickly grabbing a book from her saddle bag that rested on the floor. She started to read through a few pages, fervently searching for any clues hidden within.
“Either way, he’s back and from what Truth Seekers said he’s been to see him here or someone he's controlling has.” the professor explained. “He told my brother of our meeting with The Librarian and he hinted at knowing about Featherjoy as well!”
“Can we trust him? He’s tricked us before. He might be trying to again.” reasoned Iron sights.
“I thought the same at first. But now I think he’s telling us the truth.” said Finishing Touch. “He told us what he intended for me. The Puppeteer had something, something Seeker called the Onyx Stone. He said if he’d managed to get that into me... That The Puppeteer would’ve been able to control me like he did in the past.” said Finishing Touch, the slightest bit of fear and dread crept into his voice.
“We’ll find a way to stop him, Touch. We'll destroy this stone. He won’t hurt you again, I promise you.” said Featherjoy, standing up on the table looking at Touch straight in the eyes. The seemingly limitless determination seeped into the others around the table. Where once concern and dread dwelt now hope and faith that they would overcome this threat to their friend, to their family.
“Yes, you’re right Featherjoy. Right as always, thank you, thank you all.” said the smooze as he looked around the table, the smiling faces of his friends greeting his gaze.
“So what do we know of this stone? Did Truth Seeker say anything more?” asked Artifact.
“Yes, yes he did” said Osmosis as tears started to well up in his eyes yet again from the thoughts of his brother in so much pain flooded his mind. “After Finishing Touch and Featherjoy left something happened, I think The Puppeteer has some kind of control over his mind.” continued the professor, pain and anger started to seep into his voice.
“He told me he found some crystal and that everything became clear. That the truth had been revealed to him. I think I somehow may have helped him push The Puppeteer out for a short while, Truth Seeker always had a strong mind. For a few minutes he started to struggle with himself. Then the Truth Seeker I grew up with came back, it caused him a lot of pain but he told me something he learnt from The Puppeteer. A location of a way to stop the Onyx Stone or maybe where it is, he didn’t say. But what he said was ‘Go to where the drakes flew and the serpents flow, a fork in the path yields a right to a forest long lost to vine and hate. The light that the sixth wields shall herald a choice, the darkness held shall be set free.’” finished Osmosis, echoing the words of his brother hours prior.
Silence fell across the room, each in their own thoughts of the possible location that Truth Seeker spoke of. But for one member of the group it rang closer to home. The potential idea that she could soon be facing the crossroads that could lead to the futures shown by The Librarian worried the small gryphon cub. But reminding herself that she vowed that these futures wouldn’t come to pass strengthened her conviction, the face of her friends reinforcing her resolution.
“What could that possibly mean?” asked Iron Sights as he scratched the back of his head, his eye brows narrowed in slight confusion.
“Well.. I think.. It might be.. Actually I’ve got no idea.” Artifact said, a slight blush of embarrassment lighting up her cheeks.
“Lets split it up then.” said Featherjoy as she walked to the middle of the table. “The first part ‘go to where the drakes flew.’ Do we know of anywhere they used to go?” Featherjoy asked, looking once again to her friends for guidance and wisdom.
“Ermm, I remember reading something about a great dragon migration when I was a colt.” Iron Sights said, receiving nothing but perplexed looks from the others around the table. “Hey, I used to read loads as a kid!” yelled the stallion in an attempt to defend himself.
“All you used to read were comic books, I remember them being scattered everywhere over our room back home. Probably still are.” joked Artifact.
“Oi, I read other things as well! It was in the book uncle Shieldwall gave me. It was all about dragons and all that sorta stuff. I remember it had a bit of information about a mountain near Chicacolt. It was called ‘Drake Mountain’ as each year dragons came here with the migration thingy. They said you could see the young drakes circling the whole mountain as they learnt to fly.” explained Iron Sights.
“Right, lets see.” Osmosis said, sitting up in his chair as he lit up his horn, floating out a rolled up map and rolling it freely across the table. “So, here what’s left of Chicacolt. But there are several mountains near by and we don’t know which one it could be.” the unicorn finished, leaning on the table, resting his chin upon his hooves.
“Sorry Professor, I wish I could remember more.” apologised Iron Sights as he looked down at the table.
“Hey, don’t worry. You did great. You got us started, Sights.” said Artifact as she placed a hoof on the shoulder of her brother.
“Wait, look here.” Finishing Touch said as he pointed at a mountain a short ways from the city. “This one’s got a long river snaking out of it. Could this be the second clue?”
Turning to a bookcase on the side of the wall Researcher Artifact started to search through the books held within “No, no no, not that one... Ahh ha! Here we are!” called out the mare as he turned and slammed a old, tattered looking book titled ‘Rivers of the Equestrian mainland’ down onto the table with a loud bang, startling the small gryphon perched on the table.
“Oh, sorry Feathers.” apoligised the researcher to the young cub as she started to flick through the book, her eyes frantically searching for the information she knew was hidden within its pages. ”Ermm, ahh ha! That’s the Serpent River, named for the giant sea serpents that used to live towards the south of it. So, that must be the second clue, 'Serpents Flow' has to be a reference to the original inhabitants of the river.” Artifact said “But it’s a huge river and we still don’t know what we're after.”
“‘A fork in the path yields a right to a forest long lost to vine and hate..’ Look, if we follow the river as it flows it splits just before it gets to the.. The Everfree Forest.” said Professor Osmosis, a bit of fear slipped onto his face as he looked at the large forest on the map.
“So, thats the next part of the riddle. We’re so close!” said Featherjoy her wings ruffling in excitement.
“‘The light that the sixth brings shall herald a choice, the darkness held shall be set free.’ This part worries me. What’s the light? A certain time maybe or something... Wait the Tomb of the Alicorns. Featherjoy you must be the sixth, the light must be something like the blessing, like in the tomb.” Iron Sights said as he looked at Featherjoy across the table.
Silence fell across the room once again as Featherjoy looked upon the faces of her friends. The face of Professor Osmosis smiled back at her. The face of her mentor and guide in this dark world, she knew without doubt that whenever she needed anything he would be at her side in a heart beat. The faces of Researcher Artifact and her brother, Iron Sights nodded at her. The faces of the two who’d been with her every step of the way on this terrifying journey of change, knowing full well that they’d never leave her. No stone would remain unturned in Artifact’s search for the answers she would need and Iron Sights, the guardian who’d protect her no matter the cost to himself.
Finally she turned to the one who had the most to lose in all this. The smooze, her best friend and a whole lot more. Her adoptive feather she’d heard some say around town when they thought the two wouldn’t hear. This thought filled her with a feeling she'd not felt in a long time, love. The kind of love a daughter holds for a father, unwavering and true. But if they failed in this then.. No she told herself, no they won’t fail. She’d stand by his side and they would stop whatever plans The Puppeteer had. She would stand by his side as they pushed for a better future for all. She looked into his eyes, the deep blackness shone back in her own and hope filled her. For that’s what Finishing Touch held within, hope. Smiling and nodding at them all, the strength from each showing on her showing on her face.
“So, we start our search here. That’s very close to the Everfree forest, I just hope we don’t have to go in.” the Professor said, the tales he’d heard from merchants telling of the horrors of that forest filling his mind. But once again the determination and hope on the faces of Featherjoy and Finishing Touch pushed back the dark thoughts and reinforced the hope that they’d soon be done with this once and for all.
A knocking at the door pulled them all from the discussion. a young looking earth pony stallion entered with a strange look of confusion on his face. “Ermm, sorry for interrupting Professor.” said the new arrival as he looked around the room.
“Ahh, Spark Plug. Come in, how can I help?” asked Osmosis as he glanced up at the young stallion.
“Well, ermm. Theres a strange looking pony at the gates, the Mayor has refused to let him in. But he’s demanding to see someone called ‘The Shadow’ and ‘The Eternal.’ Do you know what he’s on about?” asked Spark Plug.
“Yes, I’m afraid I do.” said Osmosis, as he looked at Finishing Touch and Featherjoy. The two friends looking at each other in mild shock.
“Do you.. Do you think its him?” asked Featherjoy, the tiniest bit of fear creeping into her voice.
“I do not know Featherjoy, my dear. But whoever it is we will face him together, all of us. Now, we don’t want to keep our mysterious visitor waiting do we?” Finishing Touch said as he looked at each of his friends, his family. The three ponies who’d walk to Tartarus and back for him. The gryphon who over their short time together had become far more than the small friend he’d first made, but more like a daughter to him. A daughter, the very thought that he could call her that filled him with the love that a father must feel, unquestionable and total love.
One by one the group of friends stood, leaving the riddle that Truth Seeker presented behind for now. Now a new threat posed a greater importance to them all. But they’d overcome everything that’d been thrown at them so far, they’d overcome this as well by standing together as one.
*****
A few minutes later three ponies, a gryphon cub and a smooze walked out of the Stable and out into the town of Arlington. The town had seemed to come to a standstill, the majority of the ponies stood around looking towards the main gate where sounds of shouting could be heard. The voice of the Mayor, Muddy Waters could be heard calling down to the other side of the gate.
“As I’ve said, we don’t know who this ‘Shadow’ is and we’re not letting you into this town. Now please leave us.” called the mare as she turned around to see the small band of friends approaching. “Keep an eye on him, I don’t like this one bit.” she said to one of the guards on the wall who nodded in response as she made her way down from the wall.
“What’s going on, Muddy?” asked the Professor as he walked with the others towards the Mayor.
“I was hoping you’d be able to tell me. As of about twenty minutes ago the guards saw a lone traveller walking towards the gates. But something wasn’t right about him, the way he moved. It looked like his actions aren’t his own. And all he’s said is that he needs to speak with ‘The Shadow and The Eternal’. I hope you know what he’s on about Osmosis.” the Mayor, looking around at the small group.
“We might just know of whom he speaks, let us talk to him.” the smooze said as he looked up at Featherjoy as she rested upon his shoulders, who nodded back with a slight smile on her face.
“Okay, we just want him gone. We cannot afford any more trouble, we’re so close to getting his town back to where it was.” the Mayor noded to Finishing Touch. The walls now had more guards than The Seekers had ever seen manning it, even some of their own guards were mixed in. A sure sign they weren't taking any risks with this new guest to the town. The small group made their way to the top of the wall, nodding at familiar faces among the guards as they passed.
“Ahh, The Shadow it’s so good to see you again and you brought The Sixth Blessed with you ” called a mangled voice, one that didn’t fit the body of the thin and pale green earth pony stallion, his eyes completely white, that greeted them from beyond the gates.
“Who are you? What do you want?” bellowed the smooze from atop of the gate.
“Me? I’m The Voice of he who frees the minds of lesser ponies. The one you’d call The Puppeteer.” the scrawny pony said as he jerked around, his legs being dragged in a mockery of equine movement.
“So, he still lives. How? We thought he was defeated when the Lights pushed back the shadow all those years ago?” asked Osmosis as he moved up next to Finishing Touch, placing a reassuring hoof on his shoulder.
“Ahh the humble Professor Osmosis, brother to the first enlightened of this age. How is Truth Seeker?” the pale pony asked as he looked at the blue stallion.
“What ever you and your master did to him I shall reverse it. He’ll be free of your dark magic again soon, I’ll get my brother back!” shouted back Osmosis, staring back into the blank emptiness of the eyes of The Voice.
“We’ll see, Professor, we’ll see. As for how my master survived, well after the four Alicorns he worshipped for so long fought against his attempt to bring truth to the world and their use of the Lights with the Sun and Moon he was pushed back along with your friend, The Shadow. Pushed back into the stone in which he arrived and banished to the stars for what they hope to be eternity. But their plans can be so easily changed. For even from within the stone, my master guided them back to this world. Yes it would take many years of waiting for the right moment, but my master is a patient one.” said the Voice as he shifted his gaze to Finishing Touch.
“He returned with The Shadow many years ago, but when he did he found he was free from the stone, but held little of his former power. But not The Shadow, for it still dwelt in the stone waiting. So again my master waited across the long years, but he didn’t anticipate how you ponies would change. How you had a tendency to find things you were meant to leave well alone. One of you found the stone and moved it to somewhere my master couldn’t find it. Magic concealed it’s location from him, but in the end all he needed to do was wait. For in the end you were freed by one who you would call friend. ” continued the Voice
“So, thats how you ended up in the museum Touch. Someone brought you to it, but I wonder who?” asked Featherjoy, looking at the smooze.
“So it would seem Featherjoy. Now, what do you want, why are you here?” the smooze asked, looking down at the strange looking pony.
“Sixth, my master asks if you would join him. You can help him reforge this world into a better place, make it how you want. Free of suffering for all. All you need to do is come with me, I’ll take you to the master and together you can use the shadow for it’s true purpose.” The Voice bellowed out, looking straight at the small gryphon cub.
“No, I’ll never help you! I won’t let the futures The Librarian showed me come to pass. We’ll find a way to stop you, find away to free my fath... My best friend.” said Featherjoy as she tripped over that last word, was she really about to call Finishing Touch her father? Touch looked up at her, his eyes wide with shock as he picked up on the word nearly said.
“Featherjoy? Did.. Did you..” started Finishing Touch, only to be interrupted by The Voice once from below. He made a mental note to speak with her about that later on.
“So what he said was true, you’ve seen The Librarian. Even after all these years she still has a card to play. So Eternal, what did she show you? A future where this world is yours, one where no evil exists? This world can become that one, all you need to do is join me and my master. You can make this world perfect.” called back The Voice
“I don’t care what you and The Puppeteer say. I will never join you!” yelled back the small cub, her wings flared and a look of anger covered her face.
“If this is what you wish Eternal, so be it. But after this day you will not get another chance at redemption. My master instructed me to leave a message for you Shadow. These ones you call friend, they will not always be so. In a world so full of hate and destruction for their own, how can they welcome one such as you? Everpony has a plan, something to gain for themselves. You'll see this soon enough.” the pale green stallion said as he turned to slowly walk away in the strange mockery as before.
"You know nothing of us, we'll never abuse or use him. He's one of our friends and we will stand by him through whatever you send against us!" Called out Iron Sights at the slowly retreating form of the pale pony.
“Touch... what are we gonna do now?” asked the cub as she looked down at her friend.
“I don’t know Featherjoy. But I’m sure the answers we seek are at that river. And thank you Featherjoy, thank you for standing by me.” replied Finishing Touch, looking up and the smiling face of his closest friend. “Now, lets get back. I’m sorry for bringing this trouble to your town Mayor. But we’ll fix it.” continued Finishing Touch as he looked to Muddy Waters.
“As long as none of this falls on the town, we’ll help as much as we can.” said Muddy Waters. “Now, Professor. I think you need to bring me up to speed on what’s going on.”
“Ermm yes, but we nee...” started Professor Osmosis as he turned towards the stairs.
“My office, now Professor.” interrupted the Mayor as she walked away followed by Osmosis and the others. Leaving Finishing Touch and Featherjoy once again alone on the wall staring out across the Wasteland, looking at the shuffling form heading to the distance
*****
A short while later the two friends still sat on the wall, the small gryphon now resting upon the rallings with her friend at her side as they gazed upon the bleak wasteland. The words that were nearly said before still racing through the head of the purple smooze, how did Featherjoy truly feel? Did she feel the same way he did, that she was more like family, more like a daughter to him? Taking a deep breath, he turned to find out, to ask his friend one of the most important questions he'd ever asked.
“Featherjoy, before when we were talking with that stallion.” started Finishing Touch “When he asked if you would join him you nearly said something, you nearly called me your...” he continued, looking down at the young cub he’d come to see more as a daughter than a friend.
“Father... Yes, I guess I nearly did.” interrupted Featherjoy as she looked up at him and smiled. “I don’t know why, but I’ve... I love you a lot more than a friend Touch, you’re more to me than that, more like a parent to me...” mumbled the gryphon.
“Featherjoy, I, I love you the same. You’re more to me than a simple friend as well and in all honesty I see you more like a daughter as well.” he said, looking back at the gryphon, staring into her eyes.
“You do? You’d be happy me calling you... calling you my dad?” said Featherjoy, a small smile starting to creep onto her face.
“Yes. You’ve stood by me more than any other has before in my life. I don’t know what I would do without you Featherjoy. I’d be honoured if you’d call me your father.” said the smooze, smiling at the gryphon as she jumped up and embraced him in a hug. Tears started to well up in each others eyes.
“Thanks... Thanks dad, I love you. I don’t want to ever lose you.” cried the gryphon happily, nuzzling into the shoulder of her newly anointed father.
“And you never will Featherjoy - my daughter. I’ll protect you from everything and I’ll be by your side for it all.” the smooze said, hugging his daughter close. The two stayed in each others embrace for what felt like hours until the sound of someone clearing their throat pulled the two back to the real world. Looking up the two looked as Osmosis, Artifact and Iron Sights smiling at the two.
“Congratulations you two, it’s about time.” chuckled Iron Sights as Artifact walked towards the them, Featherjoy jumping away from her newly adoptive father and hugging the researcher as she laughed with the mare as the other two moved up to congratulate the two new family members as well. Showing that even in these trying time of darkness and hate, love and family can still emerge from it all. Bringing together and strengthening the bond that ponies, gryphon's and even smooze feel for one another.
After several minutes the friends separated, Featherjoy jumping to the shoulders of her father as Osmosis looked out over the wall. Fearing that what he was about to say would dampen what should be a happy occasion.
“Today’s been worrying. The fact that this Puppeteer knows where we are and has seen my brother, not to mention the fact that he can apparently control other ponies from where ever he is doesn’t help ease my mind. I’ve informed the Mayor of everything that happened, she’s offering us help in the form of any supplies that we might need. But she’s scared that The Puppeteer might attack the town, so she wants to keep everyone she can in town just incase.” the Professor said as he moved to the railing along the wall, looking out towards the Wasteland.
“We should get going as soon as we can, we still don’t fully know what we’re after or what we’re going to see out there and it's a long way to the river. The Puppeteer could be out there waiting for us, we just have to hope he doesn’t know what we know.” Iron Sights said as he moved to the railing, Artifact stepping next to him and resting her head against his neck.
“Whatever we face, we’ll face it together as a family. As we’ve faced everything that has been thrown at us.” declared Finishing Touch as he moved to join the others looking out with Featherjoy resting upon his shoulders. As always the fear of the future scared them all, but the prospect that this soon might be all over gave them the inclination to push forward.
As the five friends started to make there way back down from the wall a small group of familiar young colts came rushing from behind one of the small buildings, cheering and yelling as they played one of their many games. Upon seeing the strange sight of three ponies, a gryphon and a smooze the band of mischievous colts headed towards them, shouting and cheering.
“Hey, Featherjoy! How’ya doin?” asked the black coated colt, Urchin as he skidded to a halt in front of them.
“Hehe, hey Urchin. I’m okay now thanks.” replied the gryphon from atop her smooze shaped perch.
“You.. Ermm, wanna come and hang outta bit? Play some games wiv us?” he asked, a small smile and a light blush on to his cheeks as he scraped his forehoof on the ground in a small circle as the cheers of his friends behind him filled the void, encouraging her to join them in their games.
“Can I dad? Can I please?” she asked Finishing Touch, a smile still covering her face.
“Hmm, go on Featherjoy. But be safe and don’t get into trouble.” he replied, Featherjoy giving him a quick hug before jumping down from her father, the sound of the others chuckling to themselves filled the background.
“Thanks dad, I’ll be good.” she called as she landed next to Urchin and the others, a slight look of confusion on their faces.
“Wait, he’s your dad now? Since when?” asked Urchin.
“Well, since about twenty minutes ago I guess. We just, decided I guess. I’ve not had a dad in... In a long time now and now I do...” Featherjoy said as she looked up at Finishing Touch and smiled. One which he returned in kind.
“That’s great Feathers, now come on. Lets go see what we can do! See ya later!” Urchin called as he and his friends ran off again, no doubt to cause trouble for the residence of Arlington.
“Cya all later!” called out the gryphon as she ran off after the others.
A smile formed on all of their lips as they watched the youngest member of their family ran off to enjoy the young life she has, forgetting the troubles that’ve been dumped upon her young shoulders. Troubles that she shouldn’t have to bear. But with her friends at her side there was still hope for her, for all of them to make it through all this. The end was in sight, for the dawn of tomorrow signaled what would hopefully be the start of the end of all their troubles.
“Right, well we’re going to go and get everything set. We’ll set of tomorrow at first light. See you then, shall we Arty?” said Iron sights as he and his sister headed off to the Stable to prepare their supplies for their trip the next day.
“I’ll give you two a hand. You going to be okay Professor?” called Finishing Touch as he started to move after the other two.
“I’ll be fine Touch, I need to go inform the Mayor that we’ll be leaving tomorrow anyway” said Osmosis as he watched his friends walk off. His gaze turned towards the horizon, looking back towards his home all the way back in Canterbridge. Memories of him and his brother playing games as children flooded his mind, of them forming The Seekers of Truth and setting out to find the hidden secrets of the Wasteland together.
His gaze then turned to the Stable that was hidden deep beneath Arlington and images of his brothers troubled and clouded mind flooded his own. Memories of Truth Seeker with his friend Finishing Touch in a cage, of his fight with his brother and his eventual capture brought tears to his eyes once again. He’ll find a way to free him and he would make The Puppeteer pay for what he’d done to his brother, it was the least he could do.
*****
Author’s notes.
This chapter started off just as another simple chapter, but it made me think about a lot more than just how it'd come out. It made me think about all the friends that’ve changed my life over the years and how much they mean to me. Friends in and out of this crazy little fandom, new and old. Many have changed the way I think and feel, been there for the good times and the bad on this road we call life. So, thank you to Wire and Volrathxp for helping me with all this wording stuff, as well as everything else and thanks to Lucky Star as well, you always seem to know just what to say to cheer me up. You're far more than friends to me, I’d say more close to family I guess..
And thanks to everyone who reads this, it’s been a real delight to write this. A little way to get away from everything that life can throw at you and just think about this story and nothing else. But we’re getting near the end of this little bit of the story, but don’t worry. More will follow.
Chapter 5: Finishing Touch and the Road Untraveled
Chapter 5: Finishing Touch and the Road Untraveled
To go on an adventure for some is a once in a life time thing. To walk a road that few have ever gone is a task a lot of ponies fear of. For some it's a case of what must be done, to walk the road less travelled, to help the one's you care about most in life. But when that road has never been travelled before or is mostly unknown, what is a pony meant to do? Well, the only thing they can do, keep moving forward.
****
“So, let me see if I’m understanding all this correctly, because quite frankly I think this is a bit crazy. For the past few weeks you’ve been uncovering... information about all these legends and myths that just happen to be about Finishing Touch here?” asked Mayor Muddy Waters as she looked around her very small office, now rather full with three ponies, a gryphon and a smooze sitting around her desk. “And that all these stories of yours date back thousands of years to a time when you were used to nearly cover the land in ‘shadow’.” continued the mare as she looked at Finishing Touch.
“Yes, Mayor. My actions weren’t my own, I was being controlled by the same pony that was using that stallion we spoke to yesterday at the gates. We know him as The Puppeteer and he’s making a move to gain control of me again as he had all those years ago.” replied Finishing Touch.
“Yes, the Professor mentioned something about a way to stop him. Something about a control stone?” the Mayor said as she stood up to look out of the large window that covered part of her office, gazing out to the town of Arlington below.
“Right, yes. From what we were told by Osmosis’s brother, Truth Seeker, we learn’t of what we hope is the location of this stone and if we have that we can hopefully destroy it so no one can use Touch again. After that we can look into a way to stop The Puppeteer once and for all.” answered Artifact.
“Where is it?” replied the mare looking over her shoulder.
“Well, it’s close to the.. the ermm Everfree forest.” mumbled Osmosis.
“The Everfree? You’re going to head into the Everfree forest, one of the most dangerous places in all of the Wasteland and with a child no less?” the Mayor said, disbelief filling her voice at the very idea anyone would willingly go into that forest.
“I know it sounds dangerous, well infact it is dangerous but we have to, Mayor Waters. And we don’t know what the Puppeteer will do.” called out Iron Sights from the back of the room “And the sooner we get going the better really, we don’t know what we’re really looking for or what we’re going to find.”
“I know, I know.” the Mayor mumbled as she returned her gaze outside “There’s no way I can really stop you I guess... We’ll give you what supplies we can. Food, ammo that sort of thing. Just promise me one thing, all of you come back from this. I’ve.. This town has lost so much recently and we’re just getting our hooves under us again and it’s down to you and The Seekers really, so please. Just come back in one piece?”
“We will, don’t worry about us Mayor.” Featherjoy replied, a big smile crossing her face as the Mayor led the group out of her new office and out to the streets of Arlington.
Throwing open the doors the group was met by a large mob of ponies, all of them residents of the town. Silence fell across them all as they gazed upon the sight of Finishing Touch and his friends. Fear. Fear was the first thing that filled the mind of the smooze, could what the Voice told him yesterday be true? Had the town come to fear him now that news must’ve leaked out about him? If they hold so much hatred and fear of their own, then now they must be terrified of once such as him. He had to protect his friends, his daughter from them, he had to do something.
“What is.” started Finishing Touch, only to be interrupted by a young voice calling out from the crowd as a young colt pushed his way to the front of the potentially angry mod. Had he rallied them to his side, did he fear for the town? For Featherjoy?
“‘ere they are! Told you they was seein the Mayor." Called out the voice of Urchin, a broad smile upon his face.
"What's going on here, what's the meaning of this?" Asked Muddy Waters.
"We heard that Feathers an the others were headin out soon, leavin again to stop whatever that thing was at the gates yesterday. We all wanna help." Replied Urchin, nods of approval and agreement rose up from the crowd with each word spoken by the young colt.
“ You’ve helped us all so much!" Called out a voice from the crowd.
"You really saved this town, if it wasn't for you we'd be gone." Rang out another's voice.
“We don't have much, but we'll give what we can." A grey earth pony stallion with a light blue mane said as he walked up and put down a small box of medical supplies. Slowly a small pile of supplies started to grow as all manner of ponies brought what they could, each telling a story of how The Seekers of Truth had helped them all, of how the small group had given them hope. Hope that they were now giving back.
"Thank you, thank you all so much. I don't know what to say." called out the purple smooze, a smile covering the face of him and his friends. The way the whole town had come out not in fear of him but to aid him and his friends, his family in his journey to rid himself of his burden.
"You don't need to say anything Touch, you and The Seekers are a part of this town now." said the Mayor as she walked to stand with her fellow towns ponies. "Right, let's get all this loaded onto the wagon." She said as she turned around to face the others as they all burst into action, starting to load up all the supplies onto the wagon waiting near by.
“Hey Urchin" called out Featherjoy as she jumped down from the shoulders of Finishing Touch, landing in front of the young colt. "I.. I just wanted to... ermm thank you for all this." Mumbled the young gryphon, a small blush appearing on her cheeks.
”Nahhh, don't worry about it. I just wish... That I could help ya more. Just promise you'll come back Feathers. I've seen too many friends go an’ leave me. I don’t wanna lose you too." The young colt replied, his gaze falling to the ground in front of the two only to have the small gryphon wrap her arms around the colt.
"Don't worry Urchin, I'll come back. We all will." Featherjoy said as she stepped back from the hug, the blush that was once only on her face had now spread to the face of Urchin as well. Giggling slightly, Featherjoy stood to head back to the others but a sudden, quick kiss to her cheek from Urchin froze her in her steps.
"Make sure that you do" said the black coated colt quickly before he charged off around behind the wagon and out of sight of the still shocked Featherjoy. The blush on her cheeks brightening even more from the sudden show of affection.
"Ohhhh looks like someone's got a colt friend" called out the voice of Iron Sights, breaking Featherjoy from her stunned state.
"Oh come on now Sights, leave her alone. Anyway, you're just jealous because you've not got a special somepony in your life." Joked Artifact as she nudged her brother in the shoulder. "Now come on, let's get back to it. Hop on Feathers, we're heading out soon." The shocked and surprised face of Finishing Touch and the chuckling grin of Professor Osmosis awaited them, ready to start on the task of stopping The Puppeteer.
The young gryphon nodded, flapping her wings and flying the short way to land on the back of Artifact as the mare started to walk back towards Finishing Touch and the Professor. A slight smile crept onto the face of Urchin, watching as his friend rode back to her family, hidden amongst the crates and supplies of the wagon.
*****
Several hours later, as the sun started its final leg of its journey to give way to it’s sister, the moon’s night the now rather weary and tired group of travelers trumbled on. The light that once guided and light their way through the ruins of the Wasteland retreating and turning into shadows that filled the mind with worry of potential dangers and hidden horrors.
“Alright, I think thats enough for today.” called out the voice of Iron Sights as he pulled the cart, fully laden with supplies and a certain colourful feathered gryphon keeping watch from her impromptu crows nest high above the others. “You see anything from up their Feathers?” called the stallion once again, glancing back with a smile to look upon his small friend, knowing full well she wouldn’t see anything he didn’t.
“Ermm, I don’t think so Sights. Keep getting the sun in my eyes.” she complained, attempting to shield her eyes from the sun with a clawed hand.
“How about that small garage over there?” Iron sights chucked, still trudging along under the weight of all the supplies.
“Oh yeah, I see it now! I’ll go check it out.” Featherjoy said in excitement as she jumped from the top of the cart, only to be caught in the purple gloopy hands of her newly adopted father.
“Now Featherjoy, you know not to go running off when we’re outside of Arlington. It might not be safe.” scolded the smooze as he looked down into her eyes.
“I, I know dad. Sorry, I guess I wasn’t thinking. I'm just so bored, all we’ve been doing all day is walking and walking.” the gryphon mumbled as finishing Touch placed her on his shoulders.
“Well... Some of us have been walking, some of us have been riding in the cart all day.” laughed the voice of Iron Sights again, looking back at the blue face of the Professor Osmosis as he sat in the back of the cart rubbing his hooves.
“Hey, it’s not my fault I have delicate hooves, I’m just not made for long journeys. I much prefer lab work and research.” replied Osmosis, glaring at the stallion pulling the cart.
“Yeah, we know. This happens everytime he goes on a long journey. You should’ve seen him when we first left Canterbridge. Oh he wouldn’t stop complaining until we got him a space on one of the caravans.” whispered Artifact as she trotted up to join Featherjoy and Finishing Touch. The two silently chuckling to themselves.
“Well anyway, lets have a look in here. Professor, you coming? The rest of you stay here with the cart.” declared Iron Sights as he unhitched himself from the cart and drew his shotgun from his holster on his leg as he and Osmosis slowly slipped into the abandoned set of garages. A few minutes passed and no sight or sound of the two was heard until two faint zapps of magic rang out from inside, shortly after the two returned, a small smile across the lips of Osmosis.
“All clear inside, just a couple of radroaches that the Professor zapped for us. Seems like he hasn’t done anything like that for awhile...” said Iron Sights as he rejoined the others.
“Yes, been quite awhile. Quite fun isn’t it, Sights?” giggled Osmosis.
“Well, providing whatever it is doesn’t shoot back it can be. Now, lets get the cart in the back and start to set up camp for the night.” Iron Sights replied to the still smiling Osmosis as he pulled the cart the rest of the way into the garages.
Soon a small fire was crackling away and boxes were being unloaded when a small rustling sound came from the cart, making everyone freeze in what they were doing. Once again lighting up his horn, Osmosis and Iron Sights approached the cart. Iron Sights quickly yanked away one of the boxes as a startled scream rang out from the cart as a small black coated colt shuffled his way to the back of the cart.
“Urchin? What in blazes are you doing here?” called out Osmosis in slight confusion, the blue glow surrounding his horn slowly disappeared.
“Hehe, hey Professor. Fancy meetin you here?” chuckled the young colt as he gazed back at the two stallions.
“Now seriously Urchin, what’re you doing here? Why did you hide in the cart, where we’re going is dangerous.” Iron sights asked as he walked up to the colt as he stood up from the cart. “We’re going to have to take you back now, you’ve wasted a lot of our time” the rest of the group moving closer, the confused gaze of Featherjoy fell upon the colt.
“I know it’s dangerous, that’s why I came!” called out Urchin as he jumped down from the cart to stand beside Featherjoy “I.. I came to protect Feather’s. If it’s as bad as you say they she’ll need someone to look after her. Please don’t send me back.. I can help you all.” his voice becoming more and more panicked at the prospect of being sent back to Arlington.
“You.. You came to protect me? Why Urchin?” asked Featherjoy as bit of confusion slipped into her voice.
“I.. I don’t know, I just felt like I had too. Please don’t send my back, Sights.” pleaded the young colt to the others.
“I don’t know, we’ll lose a lot of time if we take him back. Can we really afford too?” asked Artifact.
“Tell you what, you lot get some rest and we’ll decide in the morning. Me and Urchin will take first watch and have a little chat.” Iron Sights said as he looked around the room at the others. “Don’t worry, Urchin. It’ll be okay”
“You sure sights? You’ve been pulling the cart all day.” asked the concerned voice of his sister as she walked up to him.
“Yeah, I’ll be alright for a few hours more. Now get some rest, I’ll wake you in a few hours.” smiled back the stallion as he nudged his sister away.
“Right, come on you. Lets have a little chat” said Iron Sights as he walked towards the campfire just outside the garage doors, sheepishly followed by Urchin as he smiled back at Featherjoy as she walked to the back of the garage with the others. The young gryphon returned the smile and waved goodbye to the black colt, as a light blush came over her feathered cheeks.
*****
“So, Urchin. What’re we going to do with you?” asked Iron Sights as he sat down in front of the fire.
“What.. What do ya mean?” mumbled Urchin as he slowly lowered himself down near Iron Sights.
“I mean, why did you come in the first place? You know first hoof how dangerous the Wasteland is. You survived the attack on Arlington, you know what's out here.” said the stallion
“I.. Like I said, I don’t know. I just felt like I had to come and protect Feathers. I’ve had this strange feeling about her since I first met her when I ran into her and Finishing in town.” the young colt said as he looked down at his hooves.
“Is that so?” chuckled the stallion, a smile creeped onto his face.
“Yeah. What’s so funny?” asked Urchin, confusion covering his face.
“I think I know what’s got you so worked up and worried over her.” Iron Sights said, nodding to his small companion.
“Well... what, come on spit it out.” said Urchin as he jumped to his hooves.
“I think, my young friend, that you’ve got a thing for our feathered friend.” the stallion said, a small smile creeping onto the corner of his mouth.
“What? I. I don’t” the colt mumbled, glancing down at his hooves in an attempt to avoid the gaze of his companion.
“Yes you do, I saw you give her a little kiss before. It’s okay, it’s natural to feel like this.” replied Iron Sights. “It’s as good a reason to want to help someone as any. It’s pretty much the reason I’m here as well. I love my sister more than anything, we only really have each other out here. The others have become more like family to us as well, so I try my best to protect them all from harm."
“You saw that? I guess you’re right, I just haven’t felt the same since I met her and when she’s gone, I feel kinda... Well empty I guess. I just want to protect her and keep her safe.” said Urchin as he once again lowered himself back down.
“I know. I know you’ll do your best to keep her safe.” the stallion replied.
“Wait, that mean you’re not sending me back? I can stay and help you guys? Keep Feathers safe?” Urchin asked, a small smile covered his lips.
“I’ll speak with the others, but yeah. I think you’ll be able to stay. I think you’ve got good intentions towards Featherjoy and you’ll do your best to keep her safe.” started the stallion only to be interrupted by another joining them in the light of the campfire.
“I think you will as well” called out the voice of Finishing Touch as he made his way further into the light.
“Touch, you should be resting with the others.” stated Iron Sights as the smooze sat down by the campfire. “How much have you heard anyway?”
“Pretty much everything, I heard how you think you... like my daughter, Urchin. I don’t know much about that side of love, but I have seen it in two others before. I think I see the same look in you that those two mares had for one another.” started the smooze, his gaze slowly shifting from the dancing flame of the campfire to Urchin “I know you want to keep her safe and I’m going to trust you to, as we don’t know what's going to happen over the next few days.”
“Touch, everything’s going to be fine. We won’t lose you or anything. I promise.” interrupted Iron Sights.
“I hope you’re right Sights, but I need you to promise me something Urchin. Promise me that if anything happens to me, that you’ll protect her as much as you can.” asked finishing Touch, a serious look came over his face all of a sudden
“Ahh, Yeah I’ll do my best to protect her as I can. But why Mr Touch? What’s gonna happen?” he asked the smooze
“I can’t say. But something might have to be done to keep her safe. Thank you for your promise, Urchin. It means a lot and don’t worry. We won’t be sending you back to Arlington.” replied the smooze as he nodded to the young colt.
“Why don’t you run off and get some sleep, Urchin. Me and Touch need to talk about something.” said Iron Sights, glaring at Finishing Touch.
“Ermm, okay. Thanks for everything you two. See you in the morning.” the young colt said as he stood up and left the two, heading to the back of what was left of the garages, walking softly so to not wake the others. The slumbering forms of Artifact, Osmosis and Featherjoy soon came into view as he moved to the back garage. A small smile lifted the corner of his mouth as he moved next to the young sleeping gryphon, slowly lowering himself down nearby to get some rest, the muffled voices of Finishing Touch and Iron Sights provided a small lullaby ushering him off to happy dreams.
The campfire still roared around the two friends, it’s life far from over. A stark contrast to everything that surrounded it in the long abandoned garage, rust and time had taken it’s toll on the building and the remains of sky carriages that once would’ve ferried it’s occupants to wherever they deemed fit. Now sentenced only to play witness to the remains of Equestria and every once in awhile, a small break in the form of some company.
“Touch, what did you mean by what you just asked Urchin? Do you think something’s going to happen to you?” asked the dark gray stallion.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen Sights. But I’ll do what it takes to stop The Puppeteer from controlling me again. Even if that means sealing myself away again somehow.” said Finishing Touch as he stared straight into the fire.
“What, you can’t. Think of poor Featherjoy, she’d be heartbroken if you did that” pleaded Iron Sights, standing up and starting to make his way over to his friend.
“And if The Puppeteer gained control of me again? What would happen to her? To you and your sister? To everyone in the Wasteland?” called out the smooze, his voice rising in anger after each question. Taking a deep breath he calmed himself, closing his eyes as if deep in thought. “Sorry, Sights. I didn’t mean to shout at you, I’m just so scared of what might happen. I worry about her, about all of you if the worst would come to pass.”
“I know Touch, I know” said the pony, placing a foreleg over the gloopy shoulder of his friend. “Like we all said, we'll find a way to stop him and keep you free. I promise”
“I know. We’ll find away, I won’t abandon my daughter or you unless theres no other choice. But you have to promise me you won’t try and stop me if it comes to it.” replied Finishing, turning to gaze directly into the eyes of Iron Sights.
“No, I’m not going to promise you that.” the stallion said smiling. “Because we won’t need to. Between your amazing daughter and my sisters and the Professors smarts we'll find a way.”
“Okay, thanks Iron. If you put it like that I’m sure we’ll find a way.” Finishing said, a small smile creeping over his own mouth.
A loud yawn slipped from Iron Sights, just revealing how tired he actually was. “Oh, well I’m gonna get some sleep. You want me to wake one of the others or are you alright?”
“No, I’ll be fine thanks you. You get some rest.” Finishing said as he nudged his friend away to get some sleep. A few moments later he was alone again, just like he was for all that time under the museum. Once again the Voice’s words echoed in his mind, but he thought of how wrong they were. He had friends who loved him and more importantly he now had a daughter who he loved more than anything in the world. But it would seem like the smooze wasn’t destined to be left alone with his thoughts this night, as the sound of movement alerted him to the presence of another.
“Hello, who’s that?” queried the now slightly worried Finishing Touch, the light of the campfire not lighting enough to reveal his new guest.
“It’s me, dad.” came the voice of Featherjoy, as she attempted to rub some of the tiredness from her eyes.
“What’re you doing up, you should be asleep.” asked Finishing as he sat back down around the fire as the small gryphon sat right beside him.
“I don’t know, I just woke up. Everyone else is fast asleep, even Urchin is. He snores a little bit” chuckled the gryphon.
“Is that so? How do you feel about him stowing aboard and hiding from us, he say’s he’s come to keep you safe. Like some knight in shining armour from the old books you’ve gotten.” said the smooze jokingly.
“He.. He didn’t really just come to protect me did he?” she said, a small smile sprang to life on her beak as she started to play with her claws.
“Oh I think he did, he even says he likes you” Finishing continued, a smile of his own appeared on his face
“Wait, he does?” the smile on her face somehow got even bigger, until suddenly being snatched away and replaced by mocked seriousness. “No, I errr. He...” muttered the gryphon, lost in her own thoughts of Urchin’s feelings.
“Do you like him too, Featherjoy? Answer me truthfully please.” asked Finishing Touch.
“I.. I don’t know, I think I do. Yeah. He’s... Cute for a pony” she said quietly, as if she was scared of her own words.
“Good.” chuckled the smooze “I think he truly does care for you and want to protect you. I feel he’ll be joining us for the rest of this adventure of ours. Wherever it may lead”
“So he’s staying? Thats good, I kinda wanna get to know him more away from his friends, some of them can be a bit dumb” admitted Featherjoy, the smile returning to her face once again. “Dad, what do you think we’re going to find in the Everfree forest?”
“I don’t know Featherjoy, but I know we’ll find a way to end this and stop The Puppeteer once and for all. We’ve all of our friends around us, we’ll find a way.” the smooze said, more to convince himself than Featherjoy.
“Yeah, we’ll face this all together. Just like we have everything else. It’s been quite the journey so far hasn’t it, dad? From those pod things, to meeting the old alicorns and getting this blessing to meeting The Librarian and The... The Puppeteer. But we’ll stop him, we have to.” said Featherjoy as she leant against her father.
“Yes. It’s been quite the adventure so far, and it’s not over yet. Now, why don’t you get off to sleep again. I’ll be right here” Finishing Touch said, only to look down at the now slumbering form of Featherjoy. Chuckling to himself, he stroked the multi coloured feathers on her head as he gazed out, once again, to the remains of a land that once thrived on friendship and harmony with one another. But that was long gone now, now all that remained to mostly fear and distrust of others. Hopefully, soon that would change.
*****
The next day dawned far too slowly for the smooze, with the sun starting it’s daily journey once again, so too would The Seekers of Truth. The light that the sun brought stirred the companions of Finishing Touch from their slumber and dreams.
“Morning, Touch.” came the voice of Osmosis as he stumbled his way towards the form of the smooze, only to be greeted by a single finger to the lips of Finishing Touch as he pointed to the small bundle of feathers sleeping soundly next to him.
“Please, be quiet Professor” whispered Finishing Touch “she joined me late last night and I want to give her a bit more sleep, we’ve got another long day ahead of us, I believe”
The sound of three more sets of hooves joined the two as Artifact, Iron sights and their newest member Urchin shuffled out from the back room, wiping the remaining tiredness from their eyes.
“I thought you were going to wake someone to take watch, Touch? You’re telling me you’ve been up all night?” asked Iron Sights softly, walking up to the remains of the campfire with this sister.
“Yes, I didn’t want to move and wake Featherjoy.” the father of the young gryphon answered, just as she mumbled something in her sleep and shuffled more into the side of Finishing Touch.
“Aww, would you look at that. So cute, I can see why you didn’t want to wake her.” chuckled Artifact as she and the others joined them by the campfire, now slowly being brought back to life by her brother.
“Now, we have something I think we need to talk about.” started Osmosis, glancing at Urchin.
“Oh that, I think he should stay with us. I think Touch is in agreement with me, we’d lose a lot of time that we can’t afford to by going back and I think he actually cares for Featherjoy.” said Iron Sights.
“But are you sure it’s safe, Sights? It was bad enough when we were just taking one child into the Everfree, but now two?” continued the Professor.
“I’ll look after him, teach him ways he can protect himself and others. I was about his age when I started to learn.” Iron Sights said, looking down at the colt. “How about it Urchin? Would you like that.”
“Ermm, yeah. that’d be great Mr Sights.” Urchin said, smiling back at the stallion.
“So, I guess thats that then. I’ll get the food for breakfast” the Professor said as he stood and moved back to the cart.
“So, Urchins staying with us?” yawned Featherjoy as she wiggled to sit up from her resting place against Finishing Touch, her feathers a bit ruffled and out of place.
“Yes, it would seem so.” said Finishing Touch
“Good.” the gryphon said as she smiled at Urchin, a small blush coming over his cheeks.
Soon after breakfast was consumed and the cart was once again loaded The Seekers of Truth, now with a new member continued their journey towards the Everfree forest and hopefully the way to end the threat of the Puppeteer once and for all.
*****
“How come theres so many of these sky chariots here?” asked Urchin as he stared at the vast pile upon pile of stacked, long scrapped sky chariots. A graveyard for the once mighty vehicles that were capable of even defying gravity.
“Well, this I’d guess would be the old scrapyard. Any of these things that weren’t wanted by their owners anymore would simply just wait here to be recycled into something else. Probably something for the war effort, if that sign is anything to go by” replied Artifact as she pointed to a nearly destroyed and bullet ridden sign. ‘Ministry of Technology recycle yard No 25’ was all that was still left on the sign, the rest lost to weather and time.
“Shh, keep quiet. I don’t like the look of this place” quietly said Iron Sights as he tumbled forward with the cart.
“What’s wrong, Sights?” whispered Osmosis as he joined his friend at the front of the wagon.
“I don’t know, something just feels...” the stallion started, only to be caught off guard by a unicorn mare jumping out from behind a few ruined chariots in front of the group.
“Well, what do we have ‘ere!?” called out the red coated and spiked green maned mare. She wore what looked like cobbled together armour from the remains of several sky chariots. “Been a long time since we’ve had any guests, ain’t it boys?”
A laughing sound from either side of the caravan caught the group by surprise as two stallions also jumped out from behind the piles of chariots.
“Yeah, been a while, it has, boss” chuckled a blue coated and black maned earth pony stallion, wearing similar metal armour.
“Featherjoy, Urchin get by the cart.” called back Osmosis at the sight of the three new guests.
“Bloody hell, boss. What do you reckon the heck this thing is? Ain’t ever seen one of these before.” called out the other stallion, this one a yellow coated earth pony with a pink mane.as he pointed at Finishing Touch.
“Can’t say I know, Hatchet. But it looks like something you’d shit out after a bad bit o food!” laughed the mare, soon joined by the other two.
“What is it you want?” called out Iron Sights as he unhitched himself from the cart.
“Well, it’s simple. I wan’t what you have, by the looks of it you’ve got quite a bit in that cart. Plus that little gryphon will sell for a pretty cap at the slave market” called out the mare again, walking towards the group.
“What, I’ll never allow you to take her!” yelled out Finishing Touch.
“Oh, bloody hell. It can talk!” shouted out the yellow coated stallion, Hatchet.
“Look, just let us go. We don’t want any trouble.” called out Osmosis from the side.
“Oh, too late for that pretty boy. You ain’t goin anywhere, sweetcheeks” the mare taunted, as she levitated a badly damaged pistol from her holster, taking aim at Osmosis.
At this, all hell broke loose. Osmosis dived to the side of the cart as the mare pulled the trigger with her magic. The bullet missing its target and slamming into the side of the cart, taking a chunk out of its side. Iron Sights, at the sound of the shot leaving the chamber of the pistol sprang into action, clearing the small distance to the mare in two quick bounds and spinning round to deliver a quick buck to the side of the mares head. The mare seeing the stallion dodged out of the way at the last seconded but lost her footing and fell to the ground, blasting wildly as she fell.
The black coated stallion drew his own weapon, what seemed to have once been a hunting rifle, now in the last days of it’s life from poor repair and misuse took aim and fired a shot. The bullet, which may have not been it’s intended target struck Artifact in the side of the front leg, sending her barreling over a loud scream echoing over the small battle, the stallion laughing as he chambered another round.
“You bastard!” shouted out Osmosis at the sight of the stallion who’d just shot his friend flared his horn to life and began flinging bolts of magic at the black stallion, The sound of zapping electricity and ozone filling his nostrils as a few missed but most struck the stallion in the chest. Sending him tumbling and twitching to the ground. Osmosis walked up and fired a few more into the chest of the attacker for good measure and a bit for revenge for his friend.
Hatchet, the other yellow coated stallion took the new found confusion to grab a small, very rusty axe from his side and charge forward towards the trembling form of Featherjoy and Urchin as they both cowered from the chaos of the combat.
“Well, why do you just come with me little one? Then we might spare some of your friends.” Hatchet said, a crazed look in his eyes as he stared down at the two.
“No, you’ll never take her!” yelled Urchin as he moved to stand in front of Featherjoy, trying his best to block the towering stallion from getting to her.
“Oh, is that so? Get outta my way.” said hatchet as he slapped Urchin away with a forehoof, sending him flying over and landing in a heap away from Featherjoy with a cry of pain. “Now, you gonna come with me or what?”
“Don’t you hurt him!” yelled out Featherjoy, the sight of Urchin and the sound of the battle spurred the young gryphon to do what she had to to protect her friends, just as they were doing what they had to to protect her. Jumping as high as she could and flapping her wings to aid her, she latched onto the side of Hatchets face, slashing and cutting deep into his eye over and over again. The stallion screamed in pain as he struggled to free himself from the young gryphons attack.
“That’s it you little shit! I’m gonna kill you now!” He yelled as he managed to grab Featherjoy off of him, throwing her to the ground in front of the cart.
“No, you won’t.” called out Finishing Touch as he moved towards the stallion and flung out one of his arms the short distance to the stallion and wrapped his gloopy hand around his face, lifting him off the ground slightly so his legs waved in the air.
Hatchet soon brought his forehooves to his neck in a vain attempt at freeing himself from the attack of Finishing Touch, but soon the stallion stopped and all four of his legs fell limply to the side. The smooze then threw the now silent and still body to the side as hard as he could, slamming into a small pile of chariots with a bone shattering crunch.
“Dad! Why are they doing this? What going on, I’m so scared.” cried Featherjoy, now in tears from all the chaos and fear ran up to her father, Finishing Touch and embraced him in the biggest hug she could.
“It’s okay Featherjoy, I got you. You’re safe now” said Finishing Touch, nearly in tears himself for what he just had to do. He had once again ended the life of another, but this one had threatened his daughter. “Urchin, you okay?” he asked as he saw the black colt who stood up for his daughter against someone who could’ve easily killed him, showing his true intentions.
“Yea, I’m fine. My legs a bit sore, I've 'ad worse. You alright, Feathers?” asked Urchin as he walked up to the two others. At seeing her friend, Featherjoy jumped down from her father and landed next to him, also giving him a hug as she did.
“Urchin, thank you.” whispered Featherjoy as she stepped back from the hug, the two friends smiling at each other as Finishing Touch joined the two, a small smile on his own face.
Iron Sight’s now stood over the red mare, lying on the ground with his shotgun in his mouth aimed at her head. “You’ll never hurt anyone again. I hope it was worth it.” he said as he closed his eyes and then pulled the trigger. The blast of the shotgun rang out over the area. Holstering his shotgun he looked back to see the others. sighing happily that they’d been able to take the other two.
“Sights!” cried out Artifact in pain as she tried to stand up on three legs, but fell down to the ground again.
“Arty!” cried out Sights in reply as he ran as fast as he could over to his sister. “Stay still, it’s going to be okay, Arty. It’s gonna be okay. Professor, get the first aid kit from the cart. We should have some potions.” ordered the gray earth pony stallion as he looked over his sisters wound.
A few moments later, the Professor returned with the kit and some other medical supplies. “Stand aside, Sights. I’ve done this once or twice before.” said the professor as he flared his horn to life and washed to wound in alcohol, enticing a scream of a pain from his patient.
“Sorry Arty, but this is going to hurt. Sights, keep her focused on your voice” Osmosis said as he levitated up a pair of tweezers, he slowly moved them inside the wound in search of the bullet. Artifact once again screamed in pain from the Professor actions
“Arty, look at me! Remember that time when we were kids and you found your first book in that old abandoned library back home? How you thought it was going to be the find of the year. But all it turned out to be was an old record of names and who’d borrowed what book?” said the stallion, trying to keep his sisters mind of the pain that was racing through her.
“Yeah, mum and dad pretended it was really something for about a month” laughed Artifact as she tightened her grip on her brothers hooves.
“Yeah, they were so proud of you for finding it, they didn't want to break your heart.” Iron sights laughed along with his sister.
“Ahh, I think I’ve. Yes, I’ve got it!” called out Professor Osmosis as he removed the bullet from her leg. “here, drink this.” he said, quickly levitating over a red health potion to the lips of Artifact and helping her drink it all down. A few moments later the magic in the potion closed up the wound in her leg.
“Thanks, Professor” said Artifact as she slowly got to her hooves, giving him a quick hug but wincing in a bit of pain as she did.
“No worries, my darling. Get in the back of the cart. You need to get some rest.” Osmosis said, helping her to climb in the back and lie down for a rest.
“You lot okay?” asked Finishing Touch as he walked back round the cart with Featherjoy and a slightly limping Urchin. A sad look on his face as he stared at the ground, avoiding as much eye contact as he could.
“Yeah, we’re gonna be okay. The Professor managed to get the bullet out and she just needs a bit of rest. How about you three, you alright Urchin?” asked Iron sights as he moved towards the others
“Yeah, we’ll be okay I think. Urchin here was very brave, he stepped up as he said he would and protected Featherjoy.” said Finishing Touch, glancing down with a smile on his face to look at Urchin, still avoiding everyone eyes.
“No, no I didn’t. I just got knocked away and got myself hurt.” mumbled the young colt.
“No, you didn’t. You stood up to that stallion, if it wasn’t for you he would’ve grabbed me, Urchin. It was very brave of you.” Featherjoy said as she moved up to stand in front of the embarrassed colt, wrapping her arms around him in a big hug, much to the surprise of the colt. “Thank you.” Featherjoy said as she stepped back.
“I.. Errr...” blustered Urchin, once again a blush covering his cheeks. The sound of slight giggling filled the air from the others.
“I’m proud of you kid, you did good. Well, we should get going. We don’t know if theres anymore of them out here and we don’t want to be stuck here in the dark.” Iron sights said as he moved to the front of the cart, once again hitching himself up to it and slowly pulling away from what could’ve been a much worse outcome. But at least others won’t fall to the same fate that almost befell them.
*****
Several days later, The Seekers of Truth arrived on the edge of the Serpent River. Drake mountain loomed in the distance and the Everfree forest awaited them, the secrets it holds taunting them all.
“Well, here we are. I guess we head that way according to the map.” said Artifact, the river flowing in front of them all.
“Yeah, lets get going. We aren’t going to find it just standing here.” replied Professor Osmosis as he started to head down the river, it’s water flowing giving a different tune for the Seekers to listen to compared to nothing but the wind flowing through the dead cities of the Wasteland. But soon the flowing stopped, as it something was controlling the waters, changing them to suit it’s whim.
“What in the...” started Osmosis, only to be interrupted by something bursting out of the waters. Waves crashed against the river bank as a giant green serpent rose out of the water, looming over the group.
“Featherjoy, Urchin. Behind the cart now!” shouted Iron Sights, as he stared in awe of the spectacle in front of him. The two quickly scurrying out of sight.
“So, it has come to pass.” boomed out the voice of the serpent, staring straight at Finishing Touch. “The Shadow has finally returned to finish it’s masters bidding. You three, are you in league with this Shadow?” continued the towering serpent.
“I am, or rather once was this Shadow of which you speak. But no longer am I a pawn of The Puppeteer. I am free of his control, but he is back and is aiming to try and control me once again.” called out Finishing Touch, as he moved to stand in front of the serpent. “These are my friends, I do not have any control over them, they join me in our attempt at stopping him."
“You mention the name of the one who’s bidding you once did with disdain, Shadow. But he tricked the Hallowed once. How do I know this isn’t a part of his plan?” the serpent replied, leaning over to get a closer look at the smooze. His deep, dark purple eyes seemed to stare straight through Finishing Touch, as if the green serpent was searching for any hints of his ancient enemies control.
“Because I am with him.” called out Featherjoy, walking from behind the cart, followed sheepishly by Urchin. “I.. I am Featherjoy The Eternal, Sixth and final blessed.”
The serpent’s eyes widened in shock upon seeing Featherjoy, bowing his head when she approached. “The final blessed has been found, what the Librarian said was true. If the Sixth has been found then...” the serpent said, lifting his gaze to stare at both Featherjoy and Touch. “Then the heart of the Shadow has been tempered by friendship. I never thought I’d see the day, I’ve been waiting so long.”
“Wait, you’ve been waiting? How old are you?” asked Artifact from the back of the cart.
“I’m sorry, I should introduce myself. I am Cytherean. the last guardian of the Shrine of the Eternal.” Cytherean declared to everyone, once again bowing at the end.
“I’m Featherjoy, this is my father, Finishing Touch." started Featherjoy as she pointed to the smooze. "And these are Artifact, and her brother Iron Sights, along with the Professor Osmosis and Urchin” introduced Featherjoy.
"You call him father, but this surely cannot be so?" asked Cytherean, a confused look crossing his face as he attempted to figure out this strange piece of information.
"We've been through many an adventure since we came together. I care for her more than any other I have known, so she is my daughter in all the ways that matter." said Finishing Touch, his voice firm and alive with the love he held for his daughter.
“I see, it is truly as the Librarian said then" the serpent said. "It is then my honour to meet the Hallowed Guard of The Eternal.” replied Cytherean once again bowing to the group.
“Wait, ‘Hallowed Guard’?” asked a slightly confused Iron Sights.
“Why yes, those who adventure and protect the Hallowed are known as the Hallowed Guard. For they are the best and brightest among the tribes. Did you not know this?” Cytherean asked.
“Well, no. It’s been a long time since there’s even been another Hallowed.” replied Artifact.
“How strange, I thought it would’ve been kept on.” the serpent said, scratching his chin.
“You mentioned the Shrine of the Eternal, do you know where it is?” asked Featherjoy, stepping closer to the guardian.
“Yes, I am it’s guardian but I do not truly know of its location. It was a secret known only those blessed by the the gods. But I can show you the way. Follow me” stated Cytherean. His massive form making waves as he turned and started to swim downstream, further into the Everfree forest.
“Can we trust this overgrown lizard? I find anything that big in the Wasteland normally tries to eat you first.” asked Iron Sights as he moved to the front of the group, gazing over his shoulder as the serpent swam away.
“I feel that we can. He knew who I was when I revealed myself and he also seemed to hate The Puppeteer as well when Touch mentioned him.” Featherjoy said as she jumped up onto the small cart in the middle of the group.
“Yes, while I feel that he doesn’t truly trust me as of yet, if he can help us find what we’re after here. Well I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt, but I also feel we don’t have much choice.” calmly stated the smooze.
“I’ve not read anything about him or any mention of anything like him in any of the books we’ve uncovered. But, I don’t know what to make of him at the moment. Lets see where he takes us and go from their.” said Artifact, looking at each of her friends in turn.
“Okay, we’ll all have to keep an eye out for anything strange here till we know we can trust him. Lets get going” stated Osmosis as he started to move slowly in the direction that their new friend went, soon followed by his friends.
The river lead the uncertain group further into the Everfree forest, darkness and despair seeping from every tree and fallen branch. Even the light from the midday sun seemingly falling prey to the horrors of the forest, with each step a feeling of lost hope and entered the mind of the smooze. Not knowing what awaited them scared him almost as much as what he knew he would have to do to keep this world and the ones he cared about most in it safe from himself.
*****
Author's notes
Well I bet this has caught a couple of you by surprise! I must admit I've had this chapter pretty much done for... Well far too long now and after seeing a comment left I thought 'You know what, screw it. I'm gonna post it!' So here you go, now I'm not gonna promise I'm get more out but who knows. Stranger things have happened and I did manager to find my old note book with scribbles in it.... I just need to find away to read this scribbling I call handwriting...
