> The stolen Moon > by DeadEquestrians > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > 1: Foulnapped > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1 The journey here was short, as he had been promised. Standing in front for the mirror he had just been propelled through, admiring it the fine detail in the golden frame, the Jewel encrusted in the top of the frame that held the magical energy needed to open the portal. These stupid ponies didn't even know how to use it, they could only open it every thirty moons his master had given him the power to open it on demand. In return he had to retrieve the princess of the night. He raised his hand and cast a illusion spell. He was lucky he had hands he had managed to keep himself from changing shape. That would come in handy he thought as he raised his gun. “Lets get this over and done with!” * * * * * * * * * Luna lay down on her queen-sized bed, tucking her legs under her body, folded up her wings and used magic to pull up the blankets, but refused to close her eyes, Refused to let him play his game with her mind. Sunlight shone through the stain glass window covering her with an array of color distracting her from her slumber. A light breeze came through her door as it silently opened. If Luna had been asleep she would have been anonymous to it, but she had not quite asleep, listening intensely she thought. Was it a Guard? No the room was protected with a spell for her protection. Celesta? No to quite. Luna pondered for a minute. What ever it was it was moving towards the bed. Fast. It obviously thought she was asleep. Luna jolted upwards using her back legs as springs to propel her in to the air, at the same time extending her wings to spin her round to face it. Luna was taken aback when she saw the creature in front of her was no pony. Creature that stood in front of her was a monster. With only to legs and no mussel. Luna recalled the description twilight had given her of humans but this one was larger than she had ever imagined possible. In its hands it held a long slender device with a glowing tip that was pointed at the princess. They both stood still each wandering what to do next. Luna raised her hoof and spread her wings in defense. The figure didn't even flinch. His voice was calm and series "not to day" he spoke with a manner of authority. Then as if it was an after thought he sarcastically added "your majesty" Luna brought down her hoof on to the beasts face but before she could make contact a bolt of light shot from the device in his hand. The bolt hit just below her chest casing her to go flying across the room, until her journey was stopped by a tall and painful bookshelf, Bringing Luna and a collection of spell books down on top of her pining her in place. The figure approached her now his appearance masked by the glare from the sun behind him. He fastened the device to his belt and raised his hand a ball of fire flickered to life. seeing what he was planning Luna screamed. the fire danced from his hand to the pile of books. "NO" screamed Luna as the fire consumed the books Luna braced herself for the inevitable pain but as the fire danced up her body it did her no harm it consumed the books but ignored the princess. The figure in front of her smiled. "What do you want with me!" demand the princess. "Its not what I want with you..." he smiled evilly " its what HE wants with you." Fear exploded across Luna's face. She tried to stand-up and resist, but he was to fast, the device was in his hands with in the blink of an eye. Before Luna could even anticipated a counter attack the device smashed down on her skull casing her to fall full force on to her right wing, which now had a dull throbbing spreading through it and was pointing at an odd angle. "Try that again he laughed" he raised his hand and slowly Luna rose from the floor her wing hanging freely she almost blacked out from the pain but she forced herself to hang on she had to see where she was being taken. This creature new HIM she had avoided her nightmare to join this one. As she was floated through the castle corridors she noticed the absence of guards, maybe he had already dealt with them or maybe they thought no one would dare attack during the day. She would remind them of their stupidity once this was over! As they passed a corner Luna saw the hall was lined with guards, then she recognized the door at the end of the hall. Of course how could she have not realized how he got here? The mirror. But that was illogical the mirror could only be opened every 30 moons it had only been 5 the mirror would not work she laughed inwards and his stupidity. As they walked down the hall nun of the guards batted an eye obviously this human had cast an invisibility spell if it was a spell the magic he used was not like anything shy had seen anypony use. If he can make fire dance and play like that she thought he must be older then even the original alicorns. As they reached the door she realized they had no way to enter the room without alerting the guards but then he raised his hand and whispered words that seemed older than time. In unison the guards yawned and lay down to sleep. The human raised his free hand and the doors slid open exposing the mirror the opening to the mirror was to small for the princess let alone the human. But as always he was one step ahead he raised his hand and the golden frame started to slowly expand till it was the size of the room. The human lowered Luna from his telekinetic grasp and concentrated on the gem at the top of the frame. Luna saw an opportunity her horn started to glow with magic the spell was simple a teleportation spell but this was harder that normal, pushing the pain from her wings aside she focused on a book ‘Legends of old’ one of her favorites. Part of her personal collection. Then she focused on the destination, the library in ponyvill only twilight could help her. She cast the spell the energy drained from her horn. She could only hope it had worked. The figure had finished opening the portal and forced the princess to her feet. Luna stood in front of him her wing limp by her side her body bruised from the battle and a large burn on her stomach thanks to the device around the human’s waist. "Lady’s first" it said in a sarcastic tone. Luna walks through the mirror immediately followed by her foulnapper. The magical backlash left on Luna's horn interfered with the crystal. As the human passed though the portal the crystal exploded. Ripping a hole in the fabric of magic. opening a new portal in the center of cantalot castle. > 2: Looking for a hope > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2 Tired from her days work ruling Equestria Celestia sleepily walked down the corridor to her sister's chambers. Knocking on the door three times with her horn three times, to alert Luna of her presence, Celesta waited for a reply from her sister, but only silence replied. Inquisitive celesta opened the door and stepped in to the room, her eyes scanned it, looking for her sister. She noticed nothing at first, but then her eyes fell upon the empty bed, it's sheets bundled and torn by her sister’s hooves. Looking for an explanation to what she saw in front of her, her eyes turned towards the empty bookshelf, the pile of ash and half incinerated books that lay at it's base. Celestia gasped at the sight, whatever had happened here had not turned-out well for Luna. But then it accrued to her, if Luna was not she had to have gone somewhere? "But where?" Celestia asked her self. But what if Luna had been foulnapped so to speak? Celestia looked desperately round the room for anything that might lead her to Luna. She couldn't bear any more time with out her sister, the thousand years she had imprisoned nightmare moon, had been the longest and loneliest part of her life. she had to find Luna. That's when she noticed the dark red liquid that formed a trail from the bookshelf leading out the door. Reluctantly Celesta followed her sister’s blood through the maze of corridor's that made-up Cantalot castle. She reached a hall lined with guards but something was wrong the guards hadn't reacted to her entrance, how puzzling celesta thought. Then she slowly realized they were all asleep, no sign of a struggle, nothing. It was like the guards had simply decided to take a nap at the exact same time. Celesta realized what they had been guarding. The only place with that many guards and magical protection was the mirror room. Luna must have been taken through the mirror; celesta realized the trail of blood confirmed her theory. Celesta reached the end of the grand hall and found herself standing in front of a large Oak door, carved with various pictures of the other world and the strange two legged creature's that inhabited it. Celesta flung open the doors, only to be propelled backwards by a blast of magic from inside the room. Celesta regained her bearings and looked at the sight before her. the mirror was gone, along with Luna,in it's place was a new portal, through it Celestia could clearly see the center of the changeling hive. Equestria was doomed if she didn't do something about it. But what could she do the laws of magic condemned her from helping her sister. But she knew just the ponies that could. She was going to have to go take a visit to ponyvill. * * * "Come on twilight." pinkie moaned as twilight looked through another book. Skimming the text supposedly looking for a certain spell or potion recipe "Twilight were going to be late for the party!" pinkie insisted. "Why are we having this party again?" asked twilight as she flexed her wings. "I've told you this already, silly...' pinkie replied. "Applejack had her birthday last week and I thought we should throw her an its been one week since your birthday party, party!" pinkie explained barley giving twilight any time to understand what was being said. "Well if it’s a pinkie party I'll be there." Twilight said as she put down the book. "Well there is now!" blurted pinkie "come on!" "OK just let me get spike." Twilight made her way up stairs and called out "spike pinkie is throwing a ,it's been one week since your birthday party, party for applejack. Are you coming?" the dragon raced towards twilight "Will rarity be there?" he asked. Twilight chuckled to herself " of course she'll be there it's a pinkie pie party. Now hurry up or we'll be tardy" twilight answered. "WE'RE ALREADY TARDY!" yelled pinkie pie from down stairs. A hoof knocked against the front door rapidly. Twilight raced down stairs answer the door, revealing princess Celesta. Pinkie jumped up excitedly at the sight of the princess. " Celesta you got my invitation!" she sang, her grin widening. But the look on the rulers face told her a different story "Celesta?" pinkie asked, her grin had now turned in to worry for her friend. "What’s wrong your majesty? " asked twilight. The princess's head dropped " Twilight... " The princess passed to compose herself "Twilight its Luna. " explained the princess. "She’s... Gone.” A single tear rolled down her cheek, she made no effort to dry it, the tear rolled of her cheek on to her jaw until it fell and splashed on the floor. Before the princess could brake down it to tears, Twilight invited her in and told spike to make some tea "You better get the others." she told pinkie, who's jumpy personality had been some what suppressed by the princess arrival. Pinkie nodded and left silently to fetch her other friends. Princess celesta her self was sitting on the large rocking chair twilight usually studied in, while twilight sat in a large rocking chair opposite her. Twilight tried to comfort the distressed princess, reminding her of all the good times she they had shared together, only resulting a meek smile. Tears had begun to flow freely down Celesta's face as mixture of emotions raced through her mind. Fluttershy was the first pony to arrive. Immediately she rushed to comfort the distressed princess. "Don’t worry." she repeated over and over again "we'll get her back don't you worry." Fluttershy was shortly followed by rarity who had made her best effort to make her self presentable for the princess wearing her best hat. She joined Fluttershy in comforting the princess "don’t worry darling it'll be OK we'll find her and put who ever did this to shame!" she told Celestia before sitting down on the sofa and asking twilight what happened. Rainbow dash was next to turn up, she sat down next to rarity not quite sure what to do. Pinkie pie arrived telling twilight that applejack Would be arriving in a minute, then proceeded to do everything short of giving the princess ecstasy to try make her smile. Applejack was the last to arrive; she asked twilight what had happened. Once it had been explained she announced that she was going to help spike with the tea. Once the tea had been made they all sat down on the sofa together except for fluttershy who said she would stay with the princess. "So what actually happened?" asked Applejack. Celesta straitened her self up and explained what she had found in the castle. "so the mirror is gone?” asked twilight. "The mirror has been destroyed" explained Celestia "the reason I didn't accompany you through the mirror to stop sunset shimmer is because, if a pure blood alicorn goes through the portal it will overload with magical energy causing it to be destroyed." she paused "This is what I believe happened when Luna traveled through it." "You said there was something in its place now. What exactly is that?" asked applejack. "I believe what that the inter-dimensional magic some how backfired drawing magic from both words causing the mirror to exploded releasing vast quantity's of magical energy. but because of the spell's guarding the room it caused the magic to imploded creating a rip in magic it's self thus creating a new portal to what I believe is the center of the changeling hive ." Celesta replied. "You what now." "Basically applejack" Twilight explained, " the thing in place of the mirror is a hole, a hole in magic that leads to the changeling hive.” twilight turned to the princess "isn't it impossible to rip magic?" "Evidently not." Celesta replied. "So what does this have to do with us?" asked rainbow dash. "You need to retrieve Luna before the balance between night and day collapses and Equestria is plunged in to eternal chaos." "That’s all easy in theory darlings but our only way into the human world has been destroyed. How will we possibly get there?" butted in rarity. Celesta considered for a moment and then proceeded to say, " when I was a filly I was told of a legend, of a way the first alicorns traveled between words. If we could find a book on it we could find out a way to send you to the human world." Celesta spoke hopefully. "Spike!!" Twilight shouted. "Yes Twilight" the little dragon replied as he came racing in to the room. "Yet me every book we have on myth and legend pronto." ordered Twilight. "Yes mama." the little dragon ran of on a hunt for books, and soon came running back with a large pile of books, of which twilight immediately began to search through, and then ran of to fetch some more. Soon every book in the library had been looked through. "Is that all spike?" asked twilight, a large mound of books sitting in front of her. "There’s one more twilight" the dragon raced towards her caring a book that was twice his size " I think it's new, I haven't seen it around before." Twilight lifted the wait of spike's back using her magic to bring it in front of her the title read 'Legends of old' "It must have just arrived, but its certainly not new." the young alicorn opened the book, It's spin groaned as if it had been awoken from a long sleep. Twilight scanned the pages carefully making sure not to miss one word, after a few pages Twilight jumped with delight. " Celestia " she yelled, “I think you need to see this." The princess drew up beside her "Yes this is it." Celestia grinned. Twilight began to read out loud " the oldest legend in all Equestria is that of the seeing stones. These stones are usually arranged around a large magical crystal. It was believed that these stones where used by the first alicorn's to travel across worlds so they could rule their vast empire.” She paused “spike where did you find this book?" "On your desk Twilight." "That's weird I don't remember this book at all, and I always read a new book as soon as it arrives.” "Where the book came from is not a matter of importance,” stated Celestia "it only matters that it was there to help us; twilight does it say where any of them are?" The young alicorn scanned the text once more and then spoke in an inquisitive voice “it says something about the everfree forest." Fluttershy who had keep quiet until now started shaking and backed away in to the sofa as if she was hoping it would swallow her up in to in to it. "The everfree forest?" she gulped. "I’m afraid so it doesn't mention any more that we can possibly even think of using." replied twilight. "Don’t you have a spare mirror?" asked Fluttershy looking at the princess hopefully a pleading look spreading across her face her ears picking up and her eyes widening transforming her in to the image of cuteness. "I am afraid not young one." Celestia managed. The look on Fluttershy's face dropped to that of utter despair and then in to fear "But the everfree forest is full of dangerous animals and poisonous plants what if something happens what if somepony gets hurt?" "I promise nopony will come to any harm, alicorns honer" Celestia reashored her. "Really?" "Really" "But what will my poor little animals do without me to look after them?" gasped Fluttershy. Celestia laughed, "I will arrange for them to be looked after by the best ponies in all of Equestria" Fluttershy seamed to calm down after this statement but it was obvious that she was still distressed about the matter. "Pinkie pie," asked the princess "would it be reasonable to ask for you to sort out the food for the journey?" "okey dokey lokey, I'll get right on it." grinned the mare as she shot out the door towards sugar cube corner. "Can you help her with that applejack?" Celestia asked. "Sure thing sugar cu…" the mare corrected herself "your majesty" then she got up trotted out the door, and broke into a gallop to catch up with pinkie. "Rarity and twilight I need you two, to work out a spell that will open the portal and then you may go pack your thing's." the princess turned her head towards rarity "go easy on the clothes rarity you will probably be human during your time in the other world." Rarity was about to protest then she realized that she probably would go over the top. "Yes your majesty." she replied. Celestia smiled "its Celestia, I see no need to be formal on this occasion.” "As you wish Celestia." "Rainbow dash can you fly over the everfree forest and try spot these stones so we know where to go?" "Consider it done!" she boasted before flying of the do her task. "And fluttershy the I wont you to try get the other supplies like tents and other necessity's." "Yes your highness I would love to help." she replied and then slowly fluttered out the library." Celestia lay down on the sofa and closed her eyes with the absence of her sister, her magic was depleting. she would need her rest if she was to open the portal. She closed her eyes and dreamed of her sister, how they used to be as filly's all those years ago with out a care in the world, how they used to play she dreamed of them growing in to the alicorns they where to day. she dreamed of time once past. She dreamed of saving her sister and them being reunited as a single tear rolled down her face. > 3: Mad Man > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3. Luna awoke in a strange metallic room, the floor was covered in what appeared to be hay. In the corner was a dented iron bucket full of apples. She tried to stretch her wings, she doubted, she even had room to. Luna extended her wings, the one wing extended half way before hitting the wall causing it to retract, yet the other one seemed to be fastened to her body. At closer inspection she could see that it was encased in a hard white substance. Luna flared up her magic intent on removing it but on attempting to cast the spell Luna's magic stopped as if it had been drained from her. A loud banging startled her as the far side of the room was lowered to reveal her foulnapper who stood there grinning at her "how is your majesty? Did you enjoy your sleep, o’ great one." he laughed. "What has thaw done to us!" Luna demanded. "Good to see you to." he replied "I’m fine thanks for asking, you know you really should be more polite, if HE had sent any other of his minions you wouldn't have such good treatment right now. Why I’m being quite polite I even got your wing tended to," he pointed at the cast "you were quite stupid breaking it you know, Any way we should be there in an hour or two, I would try get some sleep he'll want you at your best." his voice was up beat and happy, even slightly mad. "Oh and you have to try these apples." he raised his hand and an apple from the bucket went hurting towards his hand, catching it he took a massive bite. "There the best I've ever tasted" he swallowed and burped "the best apples ever, not to sweet not to bitter, just right." he smiled "we're moving again see you in a bit." he said then took another bite of the apple then disappeared just as the wall closed up again, leaving Luna standing there with her mouth wide open. * * * An hour and a half later Luna was awoken by the same figure as before but this time he was holding his weapon with a much more serious look on his face. This time Luna could see him probably he was quite tall but still young with dark hair and an unshaven handle bar moustache. "The less you fuss the easier this is for the both of us." his voice dead series wiped of all emotion. Luna stepped out of the room and on to the dark concrete observing her surroundings they were in a large hall filled with crates and boxes. A large metal door blocked Luna's escape the only exit was the one she was being forced through. Fighting the urge to resist Luna followed her capture through the maze of under ground tunnels each filled with it's own collection of strange creature's that were unknown to anypony. Eventually they reached a large peer of titanium doors. One of her guards paused held his fingers up to his ear and approached a small keypad then entered a code, causing the door to slide open. Luna was pushed in to the room but not before she saw the guard being forced to his knees and shot in the head, a small chunk of brain matter attaching it's self to Luna's hoof. Holding back the puke that was creeping up her throat Luna walked along the room. A large throne was situated in the center. Before she had a chance to stop in front of it, her legs where hit by the guards on all sides making her collapse in an awkward bow. The figure seated in the throne laughed. "Luna my friend long time no see." his voice was equivalent to a knife being dragged across a glass bottle or a bone being soared in two with the owner sill attached. "How is my favorite princess?" he stood up from his Throne and approached the alicorn. "Why your just the same. That's good to see, oh you've lost the nightmare moon look." his voice slightly disappointed "still heart bent on crushing your sister and ruling Equestria?" He bent down and grabbed her face "WELL?" he screamed, Manipulating her facile features with his fingers. "Don’t tell me you've forgotten me?" his voice resembling that of a clinically insane psychopath “HOW COULD YOU FORGET ME!" he bellowed "SAY MY NAME OR FACE ETERNAL TORTURE!" Luna was sill refusing to speak "come on say it you'll make me sad." he pleaded. Luna still did not reply. "That’s how you want to be" his tone suddenly serous "I was hoping not to do this" he waved his hand, the two guard closest to Luna fell to their knees gripping there heads. "Noooooo!" they screamed in unison before they exploded covering Luna and the mad man in front of her in chunks of flesh and drenching them in blood and chunk's of flesh. "Please no more." exclaimed Luna. " Then say my name!" he demanded, removing a chunk of flesh that had landed in Luna's mane and eating it, his teeth like knives biting through the bit's of cartilage like,well a knife through butter. By this time she could hold it no longer Luna vomited all over the blood and chunks of flesh that littered the floor the stench caused all of the guards to gag. "I didn't hear you" he was growing impatient. "Kronos" she whispered. "What was that, I’m a bit hard of hearing." "Kronos" "Excuse me didn't quite get that." Luna had, had enough "KRONOS!" She yelled in the royal Cantalot voice. "That's better" he smiled. "What do you want Kronos?" "Me? Isn't it obvious?" he laughed. "I want you." the smile on his face growing more and more sinister "I want, no, I need revenge!” the titan returned to his throne. "I'm not a trust worthy man as you can tell. I've been sentenced to eternal damnation multiple times. I've committed mass genocide countless time, and all I ask of you is what I asked the first day we meet. Please. For an old friend." "NEVER!!! THY SHALL NOT HELP!" screamed Luna. "I NEED YOU." the titan was suddenly enraged "I DID NOT FALL FROM THE MOON AND RAISE AND ARMY FROM THE DEAD TO HAVE YOU REFUSE!!!" he raised his hand and Luna shot upward in to the concrete ceiling only to fall back landing awkwardly on her right front leg landing with an almighty crack. "All you alicorns are the same he spat "stubborn and arrogant the lot of you. You could do anything with you magic enslave a race destroy world's you could be gods! Your ancestors where smarter than you, Zeus would have never fallen in to my grip." he got up from his throne, grabbing Luna's face forcing her to look in to his eyes. "You think your smart. You will help me whether you like it or not." he dropped her and turned to his throne his eyes fixed on it "you will be my slave Luna" a smile crept on to his face "And I shall be your god." > 4: Unexpected helpers > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4. Celestia awoke to a knock on the front door. Rarity galloped to the door to see who it was. Celestia sensed magical disruption in the room, she smiled to her self, they had found a spell. Rarity opened the door the other four ponies standing outside with their stuff ready to go. "What is the time?" asked Celestia. "Half past seven in the evening." pinkie replied her cheery personality was completely gone, she resembled a mental patient who had severe depression,. her hair and lost its candyfloss appearance, instead it was hangings loosely, it was perfectly straight just like the expression on her face. Celestia nodded. Her horn glowing with magic,on the tip it streamed to create what looked like miniature sun, causing the real sun descended in the sky, as it hit the horizon Equestria was bathed in millions of beautiful lights and colors. Usually as the sun retreated the moon would rise from the sunset and take its place in the sky, like a watchful protector of the night. But this did not happen the sun retreated leaving the sky blank, the only objects in the sky where the stars slowly twinkling away, without their presence Equestria would be in complete darkness. This lay as a cruel reminder to the group of what they had to do. Fluttershy suggested that they leave tomorrow at First light, immediately rarity refused the idea "Frankly we don't have any time darling we have to save princess Luna before it’s to late." Twilight emerged from her room wearing a saddle pack one side filled with essentials and the other a large book. "Where’s spike?" Asked rarity. "He’s sleeping Celestia said it would be better to let him rest she explain it to him in the morning." Twilight explained. Rarity looked quite disappointed "He’s not coming with us...?" "He can't. I’m sorry." Rarity looked away trying to hide her disappointment. Celestia looked at Rainbow Dash. "Do you know the way?" "Yes if we go to Fluttershy's its closest." the blue mare beamed. Celestia nodded, and the group trotted of towards fluttershy cottage. * * * The ponies had been wondering around the everfree forest for about an hour now and had only had one incident with an angry cockatoo the matter had been quickly been resolved by fluttershy and her stare. Rainbow dash flew ahead mapping out the way and checking for danger. "How much longer?" Rarity complained. Rainbow dash sighed "your worse than Scootaloo" she laughed. "Your not the one who's getting there hooves dirty." she screamed as a splat of mud landed on her flank "WHAT THE?" She was cut of by the sound of rainbow dash laughing"Your face" she managed before bursting out in laughter again. "Not funny" Rarity said coldly "do you know how long it will take to get this stain out." "Girl’s this is not the time for petty fights." Twilight glared at them. "Sorry" Rainbow dash replied shrugging her shoulders. Rarity walked on holding her head high. "Maybe we should camp out for the night?” Celestia suggested. "What’s the Point in coming out here if we're only going to be sleeping." applejack asked. "We left late because that's was the earliest we could leave I’m just suggesting we all get some rest it's going to be very busy tomorrow." "OK" Applejack agreed. "Even I could use a rest!” moaned Rainbow dash. Pinkie gasped "we can have a camp fire marshmallows scary stories and everything." she spoke incredibly fast excitement seamed to pore out of every orifice on the pink mares body, her hair had regained its shape and resembled candyfloss again. "Pinkie I don't think we even have any marshmallows" Rainbow dash yawned. "Um, I think it would be I good idea." Fluttershy interjected. "I wouldn't mind it," added Rarity “after all I need my beauty sleep." Rainbow dash muttered under her breath some thing along the line of "Beauty sleep? you need to hibernate." "I HEARD THAT!" snapped Rarity glaring death at the cyan pony. "We’ll make camp at the next clearing OK?" Twilight stated, "this was no time to be arguing." The five ponies all agreed it was best.Rainbow dash shot up through the thick canopy, reemerging second's later. "Turn right,” she announced. The ponies all did immediately leading them in to a large clearing. "Good enough for you?" she smirked. Celestia smiled "thank you " she was stopped by Pinkie speeding past her and assembling the camp impossibly fast. "How did you..." Twilight started "oh yeah your Pinkie pie." The pink mare giggled "your funny". Rainbow dash made a beeline strait in to one of the tents, soon the sound of snoring could be lightly heard coming from within it. "Some pony needs to take first watch." "I'll do it sugar cube, you folks go get some rest." Applejack smiled sitting down on one of the logs positioned by the fire still wondering how pinkie had set it up so fast. There where 4 tents 3 for Twilight and her friends and one for princess Celestia. "Sleep well my little ponies" smiled Celestia before disappearing in to her tent. "Goodnight" the five ponies chimed. "I'm going to get some rest, so we can do the fun stuff in the morning. 'Night" pinkie yawned and then trotted in to the tent rainbow dash was sleeping in. Rarity trotted in to one of the empty tents "see you in the morning darling's" Fluttershy and Twilight made for the last tent, but not before twilight throwed a small pocket watch at applejack with her telekinesis “Wake my up in an hour or two and I'll take over" "OK Twilight I will" the orange mare confirmed as she studied the watch in her hooves "'Night Twilight sleep well." "You to" the lavender alicorn smiled and retreated in to her tent. * * * It had been two hours since they had set up camp. Applejack was sitting in front of the fire to keep her self-warm "This I boring" she muttered to her self. The thing that applejack didn't know is that it was going to get very, very fun very fast. A yawn escaped her mouth flowed by a hefty burp, one of the bushes surrounding the camp seamed to move as if it was reacting to the sudden noise "What in tarnashon?" She was soon answered as it stood up revealing it's self as a large timber wolf, With out a moment of hesitation applejack spun round and roundhouse kicked it in the chest, a loud howl erupted as it crumbled. Applejack proud of her self headed back to her spot by the fire. The air was suddenly filled with a deafening howl as the woods came to life, the camp was surrounded by a hole pack of timber wolves, each larger and hungrier than the one before it. "Oh buck!" her voice trembling "guys I might need your help here!" she yelled. Twilight emerged from her tent, her eyes full of sleep. "What is it applejack?" she half yawned. "Are you blind we're surrounded by timber wolves.” "What!" Twilight snapped in to focus. "This is bad!" "Wake up every pony so we can get the buck out of here" applejack yelled as a timber wolf dived towards her she kicked it in the face causing it to crumble. Twilight's horn began to glow and a purple magical force field encased the clearing, and then ran of to wake the other ponies. The timber wolves started to hack at the force field causing it to crack and chip "I don't know how much more I can take" Twilight exclaimed the magical Ora on her horn flickering as her magic stranded. "What’s going on?" a sleeping Fluttershy moaned, she looked at the timber wolves that were trying to smash the force field and screamed. * * * "Did you hear that?" Tyson said perking his ears to the sound of a mare screaming. He was a gray zebra with yellow eyes due to the fact that he was blind; his cutie mark was a peer of drums sticks in the shape of an x. "It’s just the jungle playing tricks on use, trying to lure us in so it can have lunch." soul shadow grunted "it's best we just get to the seeing stones and find Luna. OK?" he was a dark gray Pegasus with red hooves a stubbly beard and a long red and black mane. His cutie mark was a guitar pick that was burning on one corner with a slight backend singe. The pick it's self-bearing the symbol of pacifism or as some may say the symbol of peace. "You do realize its three in the morning, right? It wouldn't be lunch it would be a late night snack." dark bolt said jokingly. He was a light gray Pegasus with green eyes and hooves, His mane covering half his face making it impossible to see the gold streak in his right eye. His mane in its self was split in half itself color wise, half of it was black like the essence of darkness and the other side was dark green. He wore a dark red fez, a simple leather watch and a large saddle pack. His cutie mark was a bronze cog with twelve sides and a musical note in the center, beside the cog there where two blue lightning bolt's, one on each side. "Did you have to where the Fez?" shadow complained. "Guys!" emerald (dark bolts sister) yelled. She was a turquoise unicorn with freckles and eyes that matched her fur coat. Her fringe slid to the one side just avoiding covering her eyes it was streaked with green and black with purple highlights, Her cutie mark was a clef (music note) with the out line of a guitar around it. "I’m going to help who ever is screaming. You coming or not!" Another scream filled the forest. The group galloped towards the sound confronted with a large group of timber wolves hammering at a magical force field. "Today is a good day!" bolt exclaimed, he fished in his saddle pack and got out an item that looked like a cross between a trumpet and a car engine. He raised it to the nearest wolf and bit back the trigger; a jet of flame shot from the spout and devoured the beast, reducing it to a pile of ash. The force field smashed. The timber wolves were blasted by emerald's pink magic, as a purple magic that came from inside the clearing disintegrated them. Tyson ran about kicking everything the sounded like a timber wolf in the face. A rainbow Pegasus shot out of the clearing only to dive boom the largest wolf. It exploded on impact sending splinters flying everywhere. An orange pony was busy roundhouse kicking a group of timber wolves. Shadow faced hoofed "this is why I didn't want to see what it was. Why does the everfree forest always involve violence?" "Could you stop talking to yourself and help us?" yelled Emerald as she dispatched a timber wolf. "Oh for buck sake" he galloped in to the mess to try and get to the ponies in the clearing, only to be flung back by a wall of sound. Once Shadow regained his footing he saw a very sheepish looking dark bolt holding a small metal box that seemed to have a speaker duck taped onto it. The Pegasus shrugged apologetically. The timber wolves all seamed to be frozen in place. The orange mare walked up to one a taped it with her hooves, it came down like a house of cards, She turned to dark bolt “what in tarnation was that? And more importantly who are you?" Dark bolt opened his mouth to speak but shadow stopped him "Sorry about all the mess" he said trying to avoid an awkward silence "I’m soul shadow this is my friend dark bolt but everypony calls him thunder," Dark bolt waved and then went back to fiddling with the metal box. "This is Tyson” he waved at the zebra who smiled at the mention of his name "and this is Emerald" he pointed at the turquoise unicorn "she's thunder's brother" emerald rolled her eyes as if to say 'don't remind me' "and the box..." he dropped off for a second thinking "I don't have the slightest clue" The pink pony with the 80's hair gasped "I know pick me, pick me" Thunder pointed a hoof at her "miss?" "Pinkamena Diane Pie but you can call me pinkie pie or pinkie or pie or party pony or…" Thunder cut her of "I think I get it pinkie pie" The pink mare grinned. "Guys!" a lavender alicorn yelled. "Yes Twilight" Pinkie pie giggled "May I ask what you are doing in the everfree forest?" "We’re looking for the seeing stones." Tyson said bluntly. Twilight's jaw Hit the floor "what!" she screamed her voice full of confusion. Shadow glared at Tyson "Let me explain" he started. "No need" Pinkie burst out "you four are children of the night, Luna told you that if the moon didn't rise with out reason to go looking for the seeing stones to travel to an alternative dimension to save her, because she's probably been kidnapped by the madman she was trapped on the moon with" she smiled "am I right?" "How did you...?" Thunder started but he was once again cut of by Pinkie pie. "I read ahead in the story, silly" "Typical Pinkie" Twilight muttered to her self. Celestia who had been listening in to all this decided to intervene "so your the children of the night. I clearly remember refusing Luna when she asked to create her own kingdom" a scowl emerged on her face. "Excuse me your majesty but if it wasn't for Luna disobeying you we wouldn't be standing hear to day we wouldn't even be alive" thunder said. "Wait a second" Rainbow dash butted in "seaming as your children of the night shouldn't you have demonic wings?" she asked. Thunder scowled "seaming as you live in Equestria shouldn't you barf rainbow's and shit sun light." he shot back at her. "Oh wait” he looked at her mane ”you already have the one covered." Shadow looked at Celestia "are all Equestrians this racist?" he asked. "I could ask you the same about your friend" "He’s not that bad he just doesn't like being made fun off" shadow explained "believe it or not today is one of his better days" "I’m sure it is." the sun goddess muttered to herself. Rainbow dash glared "very funny..." she said trying not to smile. "Darling what is that thing on your head?" Rarity streaked. "It’s a Fez" thunder said blankly. "Oh my it's absolutely fabulous, if you had a bow tie it would be just perfect" she sighed. Thunder glanced at shadow "at least somepony has a decent taste in fashion" "I do have a fashion sense but it doesn't include a Fez!" he shot back. "I...uh...think we should get moving...I mean if that's OK with you?" fluttershy squeaked. "Fluttershy's right we need to get moving" Twilight said “that’s for the help with your magic box thingy and all but we really need to go find the seeing stones" "Magical box thingy!" thunder looked deeply offended "it's a sonic resonator, or amplifier depending on the amount of duck tape you use" "I NEW IT!" screamed Pinkie pie “I have the same thing in my party cannon!" "Your what?" thunder said in a confused voice. "My party cannon it’s a portable party in a cannon. And it works on timber wolves to!" "We’re getting of topic. Look miss Twilight..." shadow started but was soon stopped by Celestia. "Princess Twilight" she corrected him. "Sorry, Princess Twilight we could come to be of a lot of help to you, we're both trying to find the seeing stones and save Luna. Plus I doubt that you have a spell that will work." "We do have a spell.... we just haven't tested it yet" Twilight explained. "We have been given our spell by princess Luna, it has been tested" "Why should we trust you, we only just met you" applejack approached "Well for starters we saved your lives" emerald said "or have you forgotten already?" "Now look here sugar cube..." applejack began. "That’s enough applejack!" twilight glared at her friend. "She does have a point you know" Celestia said eyeing up the four ponies "why should we trust you?" "Think about it if we where really that bad we wouldn't have come to help you." thunder said, he pushed the metal box into his saddle pack. "I agree with applejack and Celestia on this one. They have no reason to trust us if you like we can go on our way" shadow said as he turned around to leave the clearing. Rainbow dash shot in front of him "hold up we didn't say no!" "We could use an extra set of hooves..." Twilight pondered, "It could be hard getting Luna. I have an idea." "Yes?" thunder said trying to hide his evident boredom but falling epiclly. Twilight continued "you can come with us only if you tell us every thing about the arrangement you have with Luna" her voice was confident. "Well..." shadow thought for a moment rubbing his chin "there isn't much to tell really. When Luna returned from the moon she warned us that if ever the moon did not rise or did not fall that we had to find the seeing stones in the everfree forest" Twilight was intrigued by this new information "did she tell you why?" "Not really she said that she met someone on the moon that try take her, she didn't say who she just said HE would." "Is that it?" asked twilight. "That’s it" shadow confirmed. "That doesn't seem like something Luna would do" Celestia butted in. "Well she didn't exactly fell her self. Thousand years on the moon and all" shadow replied flatly. "I suppose so" the princess sighed. Twilight looked at her friend's they all nodded except for Pinkie pie who was trying took use her hair as modelling clay. "You can come with us,” Twilight said “ just no funny business” "Thank you" the four ponies chimed in unison. "One thing?" applejack asked. "Why are you caring guitar's?" "We’re a band" emerald explained. "What kind of band?" applejack asked. "We mostly play heavy metal or just metal.,” thunder tried to explain "we usually just play for fun only had a few gig's..." he paused "I'll explain later. We need to get moving." "I have to say being in a band makes you at least twenty percent cooler!" rainbow dash said smiling at thunder. "Rainbow dash which way now?" Twilight asked desperate to keep moving. "I'll check,” she said before shooting up it to the sky only to reemerge seconds later, she pointed to the way Iron Hoof had come from "that way" "Thank you" twilight smiled at her "it’s time we get moving come on everypony" Fluttershy gasped "but its dark in their" she protested. Thunder trotted up next to her "don't worry if anything try's to hurt us I'll disintegrated it" he said pointing at the makeshift flamethrower in his bag. "Um… thanks" Fluttershy said not quite sure what to make of that. * * * The group of ponies had been walking for an hour now, the forest was at its thickest forcing everypony to walk, it would be impossible to even hover with out getting a feather court in the branches. "How much longer?" Twilight asked her question short lived as she tarred a large thorny bush out of her way revealing an large clearing. In the center a large circular Crystal was embedded in the ground it was flatten on the surface it was transparent but appeared to have a mist moving around in side it that was constantly shifting to different shades of blue. Around it stood four large columns each decorated with different symbols and pictures, a large circular crystal crowned each one, and all of this radiated magical energy causing it to hum. Around the center columns five stone rings lay, each split in to different sections each section bearing a different symbol or picture. Around the stone rings stood 12 columns these ones not bearing any decorations except for a simple spiral stretching the full length of the column. "Never mind" Twilight said as she started to examine the monument. Celestia gasped at the sight "why i was told about these as a filly, but i never thought i would see them with my own eyes." Rarity's heart melted as she looked at the various large crystals "oh my" she managed, just before she ran on to the large crystal embedded in the ground and began to hug it. Rainbow dash shrugged "i don't get it it's just a large pile of rock's." Twilight was taken aback "just a bunch of rocks? This is the greatest discovery in magic since Star-swirl the bearded discovered time travel." she explained "You don't know how big this is" she said before examining the markings on the rings. Thunder looked at them all blankly "Are we going or not?" he slipped of his saddle pack, and pulled out a papyrus scroll. Immediately diverting Twilight's attention. Shadow side glanced at thunder "I thought I was carrying that" he said checking his own bag, finding an exact copy. "You are carrying it, I just had a spare." Thunder said as he rolled it out on the ground, so it was clear to read. The unicorns and the to allicorn's began examining the spell. "this is like nothing I've ever seen before Twilight exclaimed. "it is a large spell," Celestia agreed with Twilight "it seems like to be broken up in to several sub spells." she paused to read. "But i do believe that we can pull it of if we split it up." While they where sorting out the spell Rainbow dash pulled thunder aside. "So how fast are you?" she asked. He looked at her "excuse me!?" he asked. "how fast do you fly? You are a Pegasus right or are those wings strap on?" "Oh i thought ... oh never mind! my speed depends really on the circumstance. I mainly just sit around and build stuff." he jesterd to the flame thrower that was sticking out of his bag. "Oh..." Rainbow dash spoke disappointed evident in her voice. "But i can still beat anypony when it comes to speed" he continued "if i need to that is." "Oh really?" Rainbow dash questioned, starting to feel excited "how about we put that to the test?" she smirked. "you're on, as soon as we have space to fly we race, loser has to..." thunder began but was cut of by shadow. "there's no point in trying to see who's fastest," he smiled at them "you still need to beat me!" "Guys" emerald announced "it's time." * * * Celestia, Twilight, Rarity, and Emerald where all gathered around the center crystal, each with their horn aimed at one of the center columns. The remaining ponies without magical abilities stood on the crystal it's self, the mist that filled it went crazy creating almost a vortex of blue inside of it. "you sure you know what your doing?" asked shadow as he looked down upon the mist. "Shut up!" Emerald snapped. A beam of light shot out of the four ponies horns straight in to the crystal's the sat atop the inner columns. The five ring's around the structure began to turn, a blue Ora began to emanate from it all and an almost holographic display flickered to life over the main crystal, the rings occasionally stopped casing a symbol to flicker to life on the display, the display it's self looked like what you would use to enter a password to unlock your phone. Eventually after 5 minutes of the rings turning back and forth 20 strange symbols appeared on the display, resembling a strange computer code. A small waiting logo flickered to life span around a few times and faded out of existence taking the display with it. The four smaller crystals fired green blasts of magic into the center crystal, forcing the group gathered in the center to jump out of the way for fear of being fried, the vortex in the crystal gained speed until it was just a blur, rainbow lightning shot from causing It to buzz with power, the spell was almost done. "Rarity, Emerald YOU HAVE TO GO NOW!" twilight yelled. Stretching her magic to power their crystals before throwing them into the group in the center. The vortex stopped spinning everything went silent. Thunder who had had his eyes closed the entire time opened them "did it work? Becau..." before he could say anymore a blast of magic shot in to the shy, creating a double sonic rainboom. Firing Twilight and Celestia back Braking their magical connection with the stone. And then the world went black. > 5: note to self, remember to take meds > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The group of ponies awoke in a dense forest. the smell of pine tree's hung in the air. "What the hay was that?" applejack muttered as she regained her bearings. Pinkie pie was already bouncing about, over joyed by the alien world "hoowooo, an alien leaf!" she squealed examining the object in her hooves . shadow rubbed his head "you do realize that that's just a leaf right?" "guys," emerald looked down at her hooves "we're still ponies..." Rarity gasped "What! I only packed 10 change's of clothing! I was told not to pack to many clothes you'll be human! Do i look human!?" she fell caching her self with magic, and then curled up and proceeded to sob in to her forelegs "I'm a disgrace to fashion!" thunder looked at her with Confusion evident on his face "they'er just cloths..." "Just cloths? To you they are 'just cloths' to me they are everything!" she calmed her self. "i am a top end fashion designer. Too me cloths will never be just cloths, they are a way of life! i thought you would know that with your fez and all." He glared at her "i wear a fez because they are cool, and smart, not because they are fashionable!" Shadow butted in "i would like to kindly inform you that they are nether! they look like buckets for god sake!" "I, uh, think we should try find some where to stay the night..." said fluttershy as she noticed the sun falling in the sky. her gentle voice barely audible over the three ponies bickering. "Fluttershy is right y'all. we do need to get moving!" Applejack's words directed at the group, trying stop them arguing, completely failing as the grope continued rising in volume as they did so. she spoke again raising her voice this time "And I'll lead!" "what?" they said in unison. Applejack ignored this and began to walk out of the clearing. They realized what she was doing and began to follow her. emerald walking next to Tyson guiding him the correct way. applejack gave one last cheeky look at Thunder and Shadow "Eye's ahead soldier's no peeking..." she winked at shadow. "how dare you..." he started only to be stopped by Applejack giggling under her breath. the ponies had been walking about the forest for round about an hour now with no clue were they where. "Applejack we passed that bolder 5 times now. 5 times!" Thunder pointed out. "well sorry of i can navigate my way around an alien forest!" she snapped back. "i was just suggesting that maybe another pony should take the lead now. i mean to give you a rest..." "well i suppose that's not to bad an idea..." "can i have a go?" asked pinkie as her hoof shot into the air "please!?" "I don't think that's such a good idea..." applejack objected. "PLEASE!?" pinkie begged. "fine! just don't get us lost!" "As if we weren't all ready bucking lost already!" Rainbow Dash muttered. "Percy where did you put the coffee?" Kirk yelled as he searched through my backpack. "second pouch, right side, under my pocket guide to quantum physics!" i yelled back at him "don't finish it all! Oh and leave my spare fez!" he rummaged through the bag for a second before pulling out a tin of instant coffee. he measured out two teaspoons in to a black mug with the the phrase "give me fuel, give me fire, give me a fucking brake!" printed on the side. "you have a spare fez?" "not if you have anything to do with it!" "can i at least partially burn it?" "NO! I'm of to get some more fire wood with Sophie, if you touch it i will replace your testicles with your eyeballs! understood?" I turned around to leave the camp site with my sister in toe. "fine. but can i still have my coffee?" "do you really think you should be drinking coffee at this time it's almost midnight?" Sophie asked concerned for the friends health. "That's the exact reason i need the coffee! i just woke up remember?" "whatever. i'm going to catch up with Percy" Kirk shrugged filled up the kettle. "what was that about?" a gruff voice said. Kirk turned around to see lance walk out of his tent. "oh nothing just Percy and his fez's again." "oh, i'll go back to bed then." the kettle boiled. "finally" Kirk pored his coffee and took a big gulp."that's the stuff." he said as a large burp erupted from his mouth. 1 minute later... "PERCY! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU PUT IN THE FUCKING COFFEE?" Kirk yelled from the clearing. "NOTHING!" i yelled back "WHY WHAT'S WRONG?" "JUST COME SEE! I THINK I'M TRIPPING!" i turned to Sophie "Do you mind if i go see what he's on about? he might have tried to overdose on my medication again, and we all know what happened last time he did that." i shuddered at the memory "i still fell sorry for that potato." "fine." she looked at the bundle of wood in her arms "i might as well come with you. between us i think we have enough fire wood for the night." "GUY'S I'M SERIOUS!" Kirk yelled "please help me!" We run for the camp site (if you can call it running it was more like a graceful plod. what you expect me to run with my arms filled with fire wood? shame on you!) only to be greeted by a group of Equine creatures. their facial expressions showed they were just as confused as us. Kirk turned to me "please tell me you can see them?" i slowly nodded "I can see them." The pink one open her mouth and spoke "HI! I'm pinkie pie who are you?!" I herd a thud behind me. Sophie had fainted. "It can fucking talk!" Kirk yelled as he muttered something about bad mushrooms. "'It' has a name!" the white one with a horn on her head said "and i would respect you to use it!" the bushes behind them where pushed aside and four more Equine creatures fell in to the clearing, making the number of these things add up to nine, four with wings, two with horns, and two with out and obvious features. I looked at the light gray Pegasus and frowned at it, I seamed to recognize it from somewhere. we each looked at each other and in unison pointed at each others hat "nice fez." the dark gray Pegasus and Kirk both face palmed/hoofed "what the fuck is it with the fucking fez's!" "Fez's are cool." the gray Pegasus and i spoke in unison as we straightened our respective fez's, his was a simple red with a black tassel and mine was printed with a military camouflage pattern. there was an awkward silence. I would expect Kirk to have tried to brake it but obviously he was to shocked. after 5 minuets i had, had enough "so..." they cyan Pegasus raised an eyebrow (if that was an eyebrow) "seriously? that's how you brake an awkward silence?" "Your right where are my manners. I'm Percy Hunter," i pointed at my sister "shes my sister Sophie Hunter but she appears to be having an unscheduled nap at the moment. that Over there is Kirk Fisher, Oh and in that tent is Lance Archer." i stuck out my hand and shook the orange pony's hoof. "and you are?"