> The Legend of Cadance A Shining Link to the Past > by Forgotten Legends > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hundred years ago three Goddesses looked after the land of Equesrule, and all was peaceful. In another land they created called the Sacred Land they put a powerful artifact the Trihorce, this golden object would grant aynpony who touched it, they would be granted anything their hearts’ desired. The goddesses left for the heavens watching over Equesrule with a careful eye. As time went by the secret of the golden object spread throughout the land, the people journeyed to capture this object for themselves. But only one pony succeeded an evil king known as Ganbra, he turned the Sacred Land into a world of Darkness. This dark land turns anypony who comes here into what their nature is. The evil king killed his own people so he would never be challenged. Then it happened, he waged war with the Light World, to gain control over it. A horrible war ensued and many members the Knights of Equesrule died in the war. One brave knight found an ancient sword called the master sword. This sword had the power to defeat any evil it came across. The pony kept defeating the king monsters and held back the king’s forces protecting the kingdom with all of his strength. A group of seven sages joined the hero and they fought to save the land of Equesrule. The sages closed all portals to the Dark World except one. The sages created a mirror that could bring the hero back from the Dark World, as well as a pearl that would keep him from transforming when he was in the Dark World. The hero followed the king into the Dark World and the sages sealed the two in that world. The hero used the mirror to come back to the Light World and he had a long happy life with the princess of this kingdom when he was laid to his sword was place in a pedestal that protected it form evil hands. Only those who gathered the three pendants he wore that were place at three of the temples dedicated to one of the three golden goddesses could wield this ancient blade. Now the land is peaceful and all is safe until a wizard named Agahbra killed the king and took the throne for himself. He began to capture the seven maidens who descended from the ancient sages in order to break the seal. All but one of them have been sent to the Dark World and now on the eve of her banishment Princess Cadance calls for the help of anypony who will help her. > Chapter 1 The Entry to the Castle > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Help me! Somepony please help me! There is a secret entrance to the castle under a stone nest to the castle. I am Princess Cadance they will kill me. I am in the castle dungeon’s deepest level. Please somepony help me!” Shining was awoken by his uncle and he said, “Shining, I am going out on a stroll, stay here.” After his uncle left he went over to the trunk his uncle had. Inside the trunk was a magic lantern his uncle showed him year before. He decided to go out and see where the voice he heard in his dream. He wondered to himself why my uncle would want to go for a stroll at night and in the rain. He trotted up to the castle and spoke to the guards, “Excuse me sir, but have you seen a brown stallion come by here?” The black stallion guard said, “Why yes we did see a brown stallion walk by, he went to the east wall to get back home.” Shining Armor said, “Thank you, I’ll be off now.” Shining trotted over to the east wall and started to look for an entry to the castle. He decided to check under a large rock in the center of a courtyard. As he lifted the rock he saw a faint light underneath it. He finished moving the rock and he climbed down the ladder underneath it. As he climbed down he saw a dim glow of light on down the tunnel. As he walked down the tunnel he saw a slouched over figure, and he noticed the figure was his uncle. His uncle saw him and said, “S-Shining I don’t have much time left. Here take my sword and shield, you must rescue the princess. She is y-your…” He saw that his uncle wasn’t breathing, he knew that his uncle was dead. Shining knew he had to save the princess, it would be what his uncle wanted. He walked up the stairs at the end of the passageway found himself in a gardener’s shed. He opened the door and saw he was in the castle yard. He snuck around the yard and went into the castle. He knew it would be a dangerous quest, but he had to do it. > Chapter 2 The Rescue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining snuck around the castle trying to keep a low profile. He found a map of the castle in the castle barracks. Shining knew this would come in handy, he saw that there was a staircase to the top dungeon floor. He began to head for that staircase when a guard spotted him. The guard said, “Hey you stop right there!” Shining started to run away when he heard the guard, he knew he would have to fight eventually. So, just as he got to the stairs he stopped and saw he had three guards were following him. The guards said, “Drop you weapons it is three against one, now surrender or die.” Shining said, “I will stand and fight!” The guards smirked and said, “Your funeral for treason then.” The three guards charged at him and Shining remembered a trick his uncle taught him. Shining focused his mind and just as they got close he spun around and the three suddenly fell dead. To his surprise they vanished in a puff of white smoke. He knew that it wouldn’t be easy to get to the bottom floor of the castle. Shining went down the stairs and crept around until he found a locked door. He looked at the map and saw that the bottom floor was through this door. Now he saw a note on the map stating that a key was in the room to the left of the door. Shining saw a chest next to the door labeled contraband, he thought that useful item might be in it. Shining opened the chest and saw only one thing was in it, it was a boomerang. He went into the room and saw that there was a guard watching the key to that door. Shining threw the boomerang and saw it knocked him unconscious. He then grabbed the key and killed the guard, like the last three hey vanished in a puff of smoke. Shining used the key and went through the door. As he reached the bottom floor he saw a princess in a cell crying. He ran over and asked her, “Are you Princess Cadance? I’m here to rescue you!” All of a sudden a heavily armored guard spotted him and said, “So you managed to get past the wimp guards above here. I am guessing you came to rescue princess Cadance. Now good luck and get ready to die punk!” Shining grabbed his boomerang and threw it at the guard knocking his helmet off. The guard grabbed his heavy flail and swung it at him. Shining dodged it and sliced the guard face and the mighty guard died the vanished leaving a key in his place. Shining grabbed the key and opened the cell door for the princess. Princess Cadance said, “Thank you, dear colt. May I ask your name?” Shining blushed and said, “My name is Shining Armor, and I heard you call in my dream.” Princess Cadance kissed him and said, “Now we need to escape to the church it will be my hiding place for now.” > Chapter 3 The Trek to the Church > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining asked, “Okay how do we get there without going through the front gates?” Cadance answered, “We take the secret passageway through the gardener’s tunnel.” Shining said, “Hey that is the way I came in, if it is in the gardener’s shed.” Cadance said, “No that isn’t it, it is in the throne room.” Shining said, “Okay let me put on this suit of armor from the rack over here.” Cadance asked, “Why do you need that armor?” Shining answered, “So they think I am on their side, get the idea?” Cadance said, “Now I get it.” Shining put shackles on Cadance and said, “Now if you start crying they will really fall for it.” Just as Shining said to do, Princess Cadance started to cry. Shining casually walked down the corridors to the throne room. Much to both of their surprise the throne room was empty. Shining undid Cadance’s shackles and asked, “Where is the entrance at?” Cadance replied, “Over here.” Cadance pointed to a torch next to the coat of arms, and pulled down on it. All of a sudden the wall moved and a tunnel was revealed. Shining was surprised to see the tunnel and he got out the lantern he had brought from home and it lit in an instant. Once they were through the door sealed shut. Cadance said to Shining, “We just need to get to the stairs at the end of the tunnel.” Shining asked, “Why do we need to get to the stairs?” Cadance replied, “At the top of the stairs is the secret room of the church, and it is only known to a select few people.” The two made their way down the old stone passageway. All of a sudden there was a squeaking noise, then out of the darkness a swarm of rats came toward them. Shining blew into the lantern and a beam of fire shot forward killing all of the rats. Cadance saw a door ahead and she knew that it lead to the church room. Shining used the key he got when he rescued the princess, and the door unlocked. As shining walked through the door he relocked it, in case they were being followed. When Shining and Cadance got into the secret room they were met with the priestess of the church. Cadance said, “Thank you, Shining you are my hero.” The priestess introduced herself, “Hello, I am Twilight.” Cadance told Shining, “You may be the hero’s descendant, if you are you must defeat the evil that is spreading over the land.” And with a kiss from Princess Cadance, Shining went on his dangerous quest. He knew that all of Equesrule depended on him. > Chapter 4 Stocking up > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining Armor did not know what to do next on his quest, so he went to Kakony Village to talk the village elder. On his way he hid behind a tree and ditched the armor he was wearing so he wouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Little did he know that wanted posters of him were posted up all over the land. When Shining got to the village he saw the poster of himself and he knew he had to be careful of who he trusted. When he arrived at the elder’s house he knew he had to be careful of what was going on. Shining went inside and saw his friends there with the elder. He asked, “what is up guys?’ The elder said, “We have gathered here to wait for you to see what you have done.” Shining replied, “I heard the princess telepathically calling for help so I went and rescued her. Cadance is now at an undisclosed hiding spot for the time being.” The others replied, “Shining we are glad to see that you are still loyal to the King of Equesrule and not the wizard.” Shining asked, “I will need some supplies to get through this quest, could I ask for some help with that?” The villagers said, “Shining meet each of us at our houses to get your supplies for the quest.” After the others left Shining asked the elder, “What do I need to do to stop the wizard?” The elder replied, “I don’t know what to tell you, but my husband Sahahasmac may know more than I do.” Shining asked, “Where do I find him at?” The elder replied, “He is in a house near the Eastern Palace, I shall mark the spot on this map. This map and key ring will be my contribution to your quest.” Shining went over to the house of his childhood friend and was given six bags of Ruppits. Shining counted them and saw there were six hundred Ruppits. He thanked his friend before heading over to the next house. Shining was given 3 bottles and a butterfly net to use to catch a fairy if he sees one. Shining went to his friend’s house and received a couple provisionary supplies. The supplies he received were a bag of magical meal pellets, a bag of apples, and ten water pouches. He thanked his friend before heading to his relative’s shop. When he got there he received ten bombs to help him when he was in a pinch. With all his supplies he gathered he set off for the elder’s house in the eastern part of the land. > Chapter 5 Getting the info > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining left the village and ran toward the eastern hills to find the elder. He went past his house and then over a bridge to the eastern hills. When Shining got to the hills he climbed up several sets of stairs, then he thought that a stone statue was following him. Shining knew this was impossible, but every time he stopped to take a breather the same stuatue was behind him. Shining turned around saw that the statue was following him, he pulled out a bomb from his bag, lit the fuse, and placed it in front of the statue. “KA-BOOM” Shining looked at the rubble and said, “Well that was pretty cool, well I better get to his house.” Shining walked down the path until he saw a small house in a dip between two hills. Shining walked down the hill and entered the house. He saw that it had a small clay stove, a straw bed, a small wooden table, six small wooden chairs, and several bookshelves lined with books. Shining asked the man, “Are you Sahahasmac? The man answered, “Eeyup.” Shining asked, “What do I need to do to help save Equesrule?” Sahahasmac replied, “So you are the one my wife Cheerilee told me about. I have to test you to see if you are really the hero of legend.” Shining asked, “What is my test sir?” Sahahasmac replied, “Go to the palace to the east of here and get the pendant of courage. Once you have it come back here I have gift to give to the hero of legend if you are him.” Shining said, “Okay I will get it and come right back.” Shining left the house and went over to the palace, it was huge compared to the castle of Equesrule. He soon was at the base of the stairs of the palace. Shining took a deep breath and started to climb up the stairs to the palace entrance to get the pendant of courage. He knew that it would have several dangerous monsters and possibly traps, but he knew that he had to save the princess. > Chapter 6 The Pendant of Courage > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining started to walk down the hallway of the palace, it was so beautiful and adorned with statues of ancient warriors. He saw a chest inside a room and opened it and found a map of the dungeon. On the map he saw a skull on the highest room of the palace. Shining guessed that it was the room of the palace’s boss monster. In another room he saw a big chest and in another he saw a key. Shining traveled to the room with the chest and saw that the key from the castle was not the right size. So he decided to go to the room with the key on it. All of a sudden he stepped on a switch and the room sealed shut. Shining pulled out his lantern and saw that he was in a room with several switches. He went over and hit one and a door opened. Shining went over to the open door and saw there was a group of fairies in the room. Shining got out his butterfly net and caught two fairies. Then he left the room and went back to the room with the switches. He hit another and it shut the door to the fairy room. Shining pulled a lever on the wall and saw a door opened. Then Shining ran over to the door and saw that it was the room with the key for the dungeon. Shining used the key to open a door at the back of the chamber, he saw that it put him back in the room with the big chest. He used the key on the chest and it opened, inside was a bow and a quiver of thirty arrows. Shining thought this may be the weapon to kill the boss of this dungeon. He then started his climb to the top of the palace to face the boss. Shining saw a door to boss chamber and a stone tablet saying, “All who pass through this door beware the Armos Guards six.” Just as Shining finished reading this message a small portal appeared. He decided to go into the room and face the palace boss, he saw that it was six statues. All of a sudden they started to move they started to move around not noticing Shining. Shining got the bow and the quiver out and shot arrows at the statues and saw that three arrows kill one statue. Shining started to kill the statues and when one was left he heard a roaring noise. He saw that the last one had turned from blue to a bright red. He saw that instead of just haphazardly moving around the room it was chasing him. He shot arrow after arrow and finally it died. A small heart shaped gem appeared and when he picked it up Shining noticed he felt stronger. All of a sudden an object fell from the ceiling of the room. He picked it up and he saw a note attached to it. The note read, brave hero you have destroyed the first of three monsters guarding the pendants. Shining knew that this was the Pendant of Courage. The door to the room opened and he walked through the portal and he was at the palace entrance. Shining ran back to Sahahasmac’s house and showed him the pendant. Sahahasmac said, “You are indeed the hero of legend. So I present to you the pegasus boots.” Shining asked, “What do these do?” Sahahasmac replied, “These give you the ability to run as fast as a pegasi flies.” Shining said, “Thanks, what do I do now?” Sahahasmac said to him, “I shall mark the next three four locations in order of where to go to.” Shining saw that he had marked a one on the library, two on the desert, three on the mountain, and four on the forest. Shining knew that these locations were important to his quest to rescue the princess. So he left Sahahasmac’s house and started on his journey again. > Chapter 7 Getting a Book > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining asked, “Sahahasmac how will I know what to do when I leave here?” Sahahasmac replied, “I have a special stone to give you, a telepathy stone. I shall allow you to ask me a question even when you are far away.” Shining asked him, “This little stone really allows me to do that?” Sahahasmac replied, “Eeyup.” Shining left the home of the elder and headed to the library so he could obtain the book he needed to help him on his journey. Shining used the new boots he got and ran to the library and noticed that he was not seen by any of the guard members that were looking in his direction. Shining thought that he could use this to his advantage when trying to sneak past an enemy. Shining soon stopped to get a fresh apple out of a tree. He tried to pick one but they were too high up for him to reach so he decided to try to run and jump kick the tree. He dashed and hit the tree and several apples, a mushroom, and an old abandoned bee hive fell down. Shining notice that no bees were flying out of the hive, so he decided to break open the hive first. Much to Shining’s surprise, it still had honey in the wax that was in the hive. So he took out one of his empty bottles and put the honey filled wax in the bottle to save it for a snack to replenish his hearts when they got low. He put five of the six apples in his bag as well. He then took a look at the mushroom and saw that it was a nonpoisonous variety. So Shining put in it in one of his two remaining bottles to keep it for a special use. He ate the apple and saw that a small bruise he got at the temple was gone. Shining suddenly noticed that normal natural foods would heal him. He knew that he had a stamina of five hearts and he guessed he lost only half a heart. Shining finished his journey to the library and went inside. He saw that there was nopony there, not even a librarian. Shining grabbed the pendant he receive from Sahahasmac to ask him a question. Shining asked, “What book do I need to get now that I am at the library?” Sahahasmac replied, “Understand Ancient Languages, it is a book designed to read ancient Hyponian text.” Shining told him, “Thanks for the help.” Shining then went over and saw the book and a high shelf. He grabbed a nearby stool and stood on it to reach the book. Shining brought down the book and put it in his backpack’s main compartment. He knew he would use it throughout his journey. Shining went to the next location on his map and saw that it was the desert. He knew he would need to get an important thing done before he went there, get water supplies. > Chapter 8 The Near Death of the Hero > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining left the library and he headed to the desert entrance. He saw that there was a stone object on top of a hill. Shining decided to climb up there and see what it was. He soon saw that is was impossible to climb up there. So Shining went into the desert to find the palace in the desert. He realized after an hour that he was almost out of water. Shining said to himself, “I need to get water soon.” Shining soon passed out just as he neared an oasis. A figure crept up toward him and carried him to a hut in the oasis. Shining awoke just as the sun began to set. He noticed that he had been saved by somepony in the desert, because he saw that he was in a small hut. A stallion approached him and said, “Are you Shining by chance?” Shining replied, “Yes but who are you?” The stallion replied, “I am Agamel, the descendant of one of the seven sages and here eat with me. I have a meal on the table for you.” Shining saw that a tray of food was placed next to the cot he was in. Shining knew that he was given a nice meal after his ordeal. He saw that the elder was a desert dweller, so shining guessed he could lead him to the palace entrance. The next day came and Shining filled his water supply at the water pond. Shining asked Agamel, “Can you lead me to the Desert Palace her on my map?” Agamel knew that he had seen his friend Sahahasmac to find out the locations of the pendants of virtue and the master sword. Agamel said to him, “Of course I will help you and I shall teach you how to stay alive in the desert heat.” Shining said, “Thank you, I shall use this to help me survive in the palace.” As the two went through the desert Shining learned that a cactus is a water filled plant. He saw how water could be retrieved from one to drink. After about hour they were at the stairs to the palace. Shining thanked him as he left to go home. Shining saw that on a stone door there was some ancient writing. Shining saw in his book that it said, “Those who enter see the past of a kingdom fallen. Watch out for the kingdom’s killer three worms in the final room of the palace basement.” Shining finished reading this and thought that it was a clue about the boss of the palace. Shining started up the stairs and went inside the house next to the palace entrance. He saw that it was filled with relics of the former kingdom’s past. He decided to look around for a map of the place. Shining soon found a room filled with books and a small chest in the back of the room. He opened it and saw that it had a large key and a map of the palace. He realized that this must have been the servant’s quarters. So after he put the items in his bag he went inside the palace to get the pendant. > Chapter 9 A New Friend > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining went inside and saw that it was in ruins. He knew that he would have to be careful inside the palace. Shining walked down the old hallways and went into a back room. He saw that there was a large chest. Shining put the key from the chest in the hut and turned it. The chest clunked as it opened up. Shining opened the chest and saw that there were a pair of silver gauntlets. Shining put them on and went over to a collapsed wall and tried to lift the rocks without using the gauntlets and he couldn’t lift it. He put on the gauntlets and tried it again, much to his surprise he could lift it with ease. Shining saw a marking of a bee in the room near the stairs to the boss chamber on the map. Shining went into the room with the stairs and saw that the door to bee location was blocked of by a fallen column. Shining tried to lift it but even with the gauntlets it was too heavy for him. Shining thought of a new idea, he took out a bomb and placed it next to the fallen column. Just as he got clear it detonated. He went inside and saw it was a beautiful garden full of statues and cacti in bloom. Shining saw a dead cactus and decided to cut it down. He heard a buzzing noise as he cut down the cactus. Shining got out his butterfly net when he saw it was a bee. He put the newly captured bee in a bottle and heard a small voice. The voice said, “Thank you for freeing me from my prison in that dead cactus.” Shining asked, “Who said that?” The voice responded, ‘Look in the bottle and you will see me.” Shining opened the bottle and the bee flew out and landed on his muzzle and said, “I shall serve you my new master.” Shining was surprised to hear the bee speak to him and he asked it, “Do you have a name?” The bee replied, “My previous master called me Gi-Gi.” Shining asked, “What can you do to help me?” Gi-Gi replied, “Can sting with this special barb on my rear. I do only one hearts damage with it.” Shining asked, “Can you go back into your bottle?” Gi-Gi replied, “Of course master.” Shining closed the bottle and went over to the stairs and went down them. He knew at the end of this hallway was the boss chamber. He pulled out his lantern and went down the tunnel and saw that at the end of the hall was a metal gate he stepped through the gate and saw a door and a stone tablet. > Chapter 10 The Pendant of Power > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- He saw a tablet and he read it and it said “This is the killers’ room. Step into the blue light to exit this place.” Shining entered the room and the door closed as he went inside the room. All of a sudden three worms started to bore their way out of the sand. Shining drew his sword and began to slash at the one closest to him. All of a sudden the worm collapsed in the sand and died. All of a sudden another hit him in the back. He fell to the ground and he lay dying but just as he was about to black out a fairy popped out of his bag and healed him. Shining got up and the fairy flew away. He knew the fairy was leaving him as a thank you for its freedom. He killed the next worm he saw and like it brother it too died. All of a sudden the last worm came at him fangs exposed, Shining without thinking sliced it down the middle killing it. A small gem appeared and he grabbed it and he felt stronger. He saw a pendant fall from the ceiling and he grabbed it and saw it was the Pendant of Power. Shining put it on and as he left the chamber he stepped into the portal and appeared at the palace entrance. He left to go to the oasis to show Agamel. Just as he got there he saw Sahahasmac talking with Agamel. Shining ran over to the two elders and greeted them both. They were chatting about their ancestors. Shining was surprised to hear that Agamel was a descendant of one of the sages as well. He showed them the treasures of the palace. The two were surprised to hear that he met a friend in the palace. Shining got out the bottle to show the two elders his new friend. Agamel was surprised to see that it was the mythic Golden Bee. Agamel had read that the bee held the power to restore plants to life. Shining opened the bottle and said, “Gi-Gi meet my two friends.” The two elders said, “Hello Gi-Gi.” Gi-Gi said to the elders, “Hello, I am the golden bee who went missing before the kingdom fell.” The two elders asked, “Miss how did you go missing?” Gi-Gi replied, “I fell asleep one night in a dead cactus and I found that the room was blocked off by a large pile of rubble.” Two hours later After they were done talking Gi-Gi went back in her bottle to rest. The two elders were amazed by her story. They told shining that the last temple was called the Tower of Celestia. A tower dedicated to one of the sages and it is her resting sight. They told him that he had to climb to the top of the mountain to get to it. So shining filled his water supplies and left the desert. > Chapter 11 Up the Mountain > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining ran to the base of the mountain and saw a sign saying this tunnel is to the top of the mountain. Shining walked slowly into the dark stone tunnel and pulled out his lantern to see his way through the darkness. As he walked down the tunnel he saw a stallion standing in the middle of the tunnel. The stallion look at him and was surprised to see a young stallion climbing up to the mountain’s top. Shining asked the stallion, “Sir, do you need help climbing to the top of this mountain.” The stallion replied, “Yes, I do need help. I am trying to escape capture by the royal guard.” Shining asked him, “Are you by chance a descendant of one of the seven sages?” The stallion replied, “Yes, I am one. My name is Donburn, what is yours?” Shining answered him, “My name is Shining.” Shining lead the way through the dark damp tunnels. After a few minutes they saw a light at the end of the tunnel. The two left the tunnel and saw they were high up on the mountainside. Donburn gave him an item that was created during the imprisoning war. It was a magic mirror, which could be used to cross between worlds and exit temples. Soon the two went their separate ways so shining could climb the mountain. As he climbed he saw a gray mist appear near the top of the mountain. Shining traveled through the mist carefully and he saw a small arch near a small hot spring. Shining walked through the arch and he saw that he was turned into a giant pink bunny. He pulled out the mirror and looked into it and saw where he was standing is on a ledge he couldn’t climb up to. Shining activated the mirror’s powers and saw it took him up on the ledge near the arch. Over on a small outcropping he saw a stone monument with ancient Hyponian text. Shining deciphered it and it said Hold up the master sword and receive the power of Ether. Shining made a note of what to do after he got the master sword. Shining ran to the entrance to the tall stone tower and went inside. > Chapter 12 The Pendant of Wisdom > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining looked in the temple and saw that it was full of rooms. As he went from room to room he found a map and large key. He decided to look for a staircase to the next floor up. Shining saw that a locked door blocked the staircase so shining pulled out the key he got and it opened the lock on the door. He climbed up the stairs and saw an open room with a large chest at the far end of it. Shining traveled down the room and he saw that there were walls along several walkways. He looked at the map and saw that the map showed three paths that could be taken. Shining went down the left path and soon found himself at a large chest. He opened it and saw that it had a small yellow orb inside it. Next to the orb was a scroll written in the ancient language of the Hyponian people. Shining deciphered the scroll and saw that this was the moon pearl. This object could prevent anypony who entered the Dark World from changing into the natures’ self depiction. Shining went down the middle path and saw that it had a room full of fairies in it. Shining caught two of the three fairies and kept them for his journey. He went down the last path and saw that it lead to the boss chamber. Shining took a look at the boss and saw that it was a huge centipede. He went into the room and attacked the huge insect and it was soon dying from a fatal wound Shining inflicted on it. Soon the bug fell over and died, a small gem appeared near the spot where the carcass lay dead. Shining picked it up and saw that he grew even stronger. Shining picked up the pendant that fell from the ceiling and saw that it was the last on he needed to get the master sword. Shining used the mirror to teleport to tower’s entrance and he left to get the master sword. Shining went down the mountain to the base and traveled to the entrance to the forest. He went inside to get the legendary blade to rescue the kingdom from the wizard’s clutches. > Chapter 13 The Master Sword > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining ran through the forest looking for the entrance to the grotto of the master sword. Shining saw a sword in a stump and thought it was the master sword. He pulled it out of the stump and it crumbled to dust. Shining realized this was a fake of the sword and he had to look in a more secluded spot. As he ventured through the forest he saw an old fallen tree, on the side was a tunnel going through the log’s center. Shining went through the log and saw he was in a small clearing at the end of it was a pedestal. Shining went over to the pedestal and saw that there was some writing on the front of it. He deciphered it and saw that it told the lore of the master sword. Shining saw that the sword was forged from the pure steel alloy only know to a few sword smiths. The legend said, “On the eve of the land’s demise a hero shall pull the sword from this stone pedestal. That hero will have collected the Pendants of Virtue and pull this sword out of the stone and awaken it powers. This hero shall rescue seven maidens in a cursed land that was once a sacred world.” Shining went up to the back of the pedestal and climbed up to the sword and pulled it out of its pedestal. Shining saw that the sword his uncle gave him disappeared and was gone. Shining raised the sword and heard a voice come through his pendant and yell for help. Shining decided to dash over to the church and see what had happened. Shining came into the secret chamber and saw that the priestess of the church was lying on the floor dying. Shining asked her what had happened here. She replied that the royal guard came and recaptured the princess and took her back to the castle. Just as she finished she died, Shining swore that he would avenge her death. So he left and ran to the castle and saw the princess being taken it the entrance to the castle’s tower. > Chapter 14 Into the Dark World > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining raced into the castle and ran over to the tower entrance. As he entered he saw two knights in heavy plate mail armor. Shining drew his sword and kept hitting the armor until the knights collapsed dead. He went to the next room and saw that it was filled with broken armor pieces and weapon scraps. Shining looked over and saw a quiver full of arrows, so he took it to replace his empty one. Shining climbed the stairs and saw the guards escorting Cadance to the room at the top of the tower. He chased after them and they stopped just as he entered the room. Shining dealt with these soldiers and went through the door and saw that Cadance was in a trance in a special bed. The Wizard saw him and said, “You poor foolish peasant you should have stayed out of my affairs. Now I Agahbra shall make you watch as the princess disappears into the dark world.” Agahbra cast a spell on the princess and she vanished just as he said, “Now the seal made by those sages is broken my master is free once more.” Just as Shining was about to hit him with the master sword he vanished. Shining looked at the curtains and opened each set and saw a hidden staircase. He ran up the stairs hoping to catch the evil wizard and stop him here and now. Agahbra said to him, “I don’t know whether to be impressed or scared but if you want to save the princess defeat me in battle, right here right now.” Shining drew his sword and focus himself to perform the spin attack. Just as Agahbra shot an orb of energy at him Shining hit it back at him and hurt the wizard with his own attack. Shining ran over to him to deliver a killing blow but all of a sudden he saw the surrounding area become a new land scape. Shining heard Sahahasmac’s voice come from the crystal and tell him, “You have been sent into the dark world and I magically marked the location of each of the maiden’s crystal prisons are located.” > Chapter 15 Getting Some New Gear > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining walked down from the top of the pyramid and took a look at his map. He saw on the back of the map was the Light World and on this side was the Dark World. Shining noticed that on the Light World side it had several markings of portals and spots to go to. Shining saw a exclamation mark on the source of the river and knew he had to go there. Shining went down the path and saw that he was near the potion shop of the Light World. So he pulled out the magic mirror and he appeared right next to the shop. Shining said to the potion brewer, “Hello Scootarup! What are you making there?” Scootarup replied, “I am making a magic powder but I need a mushroom to complete it.” Shining grabbed the mushroom out of his and said, “I have a mushroom, here you can have it.” Scootarup took the mushroom and said, “Thank you Shining. I shall have the powder done in about five minutes. Come back then for a surprise.” Shining went into the shop and bought a red potion from the clerk at the desk for twenty rupbits. Shining knew that this potion would restore all of his hearts so he could use it if he didn’t have a fairy. Shining left the shop and saw that Scootarup was hold a sack of powder. Scootarup said to him, “Shining this is a sack of magic powder, this sack shall never run empty. Sprinkle this stuff on something and it will change appearance.” Shining said, “Thank you, this may come in handy.” Shining continued down the path and saw a hidden cave behind a waterfall, but due to his inability to swim he couldn’t get to it. Shining followed the path up to the source of the river and saw that at the waterfall at the source was an aquatic pony. Shining said, “Hello, I am Shining. What is your name?” The pony replied, “Hello there, I am King Soarin, Leader of the Aquatic Ponies.” Shining asked, “Is there a way for a non-swimmer to be as gifted as one of you kind?” King Soarin replied, “There are a set of Flippers that we make here, they are really expensive. I would trade them for something we can’t get here that often.” Shining asked, “What do you want in exchange for them?” King Soarin replied, “The rarest delicacy of my people, honey and honey comb.” Shining pulled out the jar with the sweet treat he had and asked, “Will this cover it?” King Soarin’s eyes lit up as he said, “Yes, yes it will!” The two made the trade and shining got a bonus two empty bottles. King Soarin said to Shining, “The waterfall near the entrance of this place is the waterfall of wishing. Throw and Item in and watch something happen. Truth is the key to the change of it.” Shining thanked him and walked down to the waterfall at the entrance of the river’s source. He put on the flippers and swam over to the waterfall and climbed up into the cave. Shining walked inside and saw a pond and he pulled out his boomerang and his shield and tossed them into the pond. All of a sudden a fairy appeared and asked him, “Did you drop these in here?” Shining replied, “No, I didn’t I tossed it in there.” The fairy smiled and said, “For you truthfulness I shall upgrade it so it can go a longer distance. I also upgraded your shield so it can withstand fire.” The fairy left and shining decided to go to the nearest portal and saw it was the castle gates. Shining walked through the gates and saw that he was at the base of the pyramid. He then decided to head over to the first palace of this world. It was right where the eastern palace was. Shining started to walk down to the palace entrance. > Chapter 16 A Lost Relative > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining traveled over to the first palace and saw that he had to cross through a small wooded area to get there. Shining saw that there was a path through the forest, but just as he thought he was trough it he saw two pathways. Shining went down the left path and saw that he was being followed by a monkey. By the time he reached the palace the monkey was right next to him. Shining saw that the door was blocked by a stone door and he said, “How am I supposed to get through that?” The monkey said, “Let me help you.” Shining asked, “How can you help me?” The monkey replied, “I am Sweetie, I can move the lever on top of the building if you give me an apple.” Shining said, “Sure I will give you an apple if you open the door first.” Sweetie replied in a sing song voice, “I get an apple if I open the door, open the door, open the door.” Shining noticed she had a beautiful singing voice like that of his long lost cousin. Just as he saw the door open she came back down to get her apple. Shining pulled an apple out of his bag and gave it to the cute little monkey. Shining asked her before she left, “What is your full name by chance?” Sweetie replied, “My full name back in the light world is Sweetie Belle.” Shining gasped and said, “Sweetie it is me, Shining remember?” Sweetie gasped and said, “Shining, I am so happy to see you again. When you leave this temple can you take me back to the light world?” Shining replied, “Yes I bet your mom would love to see you again.” The two agreed on a place to meet at right at the doors of the palace. Sweetie looked in awe as her cousin walked into the dark palace to rescue the maiden in there. Shining knew that he had found a lost member of his family. > Chapter 17 The Dark Palace > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining pulled out his lantern due to the fact that there were no lights in the palace. As he passed a wall he saw a trail of oily wood along the wall. Shining blew a flame from his lantern and lit up the wood and he saw the palace illuminate. He saw a chest inside a doorway. Shining opened the chest and found a key and a map of the palace. It was made with some kind of glowing paint as it glowed in the dark chest it was in. Shining looked at the map and saw that the chest with the item inside it. He traveled over to its room and opened the chest and saw that it was a heavy hammer. Shining thought it may come in handy in other places as well as in here. Shining traveled down to the stairs to the basement of the palace. As shining reached the basement he saw another wall lined with the oily wood. Just as Shining lit up the wood he saw that there were several skeletons along the floor. He was surprised when the skeletons came to life and were attacking him. Shining pulled out the hammer and hit the skeletons one by one and they were shattered when the hammer hit them. Shining saw that the one had a large bag of rupbits in one of its bags. He counted them and saw there was a total of sixty rupbits in it. Shining entered the room next to him and found a stone tablet and written on it was the same one as in the previous temples he went to. A blue portal appeared as he finished reading it. He saw light in the boss chamber room and thought this was very odd. As Shining went into the room and saw a huge monster with a heavy iron mask. The monster snarled at him and swung its heavy clubbed tail at him. Shining dodged the tail but as he did a bomb fell out of his bag and detonated on the monster’s mask. He saw that the mask had a chunk of metal missing from it. Shining thought his bombs would possible do more damage to the mask then the hammer. So he threw another bomb and it blasted another chunk off of the mask. Shining saw that half of the mask was gone so he took a look at his bomb supply while the monster was dazed by the explosion. Shining saw that he had two bombs left in his bag. He grabbed one of the last two bombs and tossed it and it hit the monster’s mask. The mask had only one piece left. So shining grabbed the last bomb in his bag and threw it at the mask clearing it from the monster’s face. Shining noticed that the monster started to get even more aggressive in its attack style. Shining saw it would breathe a stream of fire at him every so often. Shining held up his shield to protect himself from the fiery blast. He saw that the monster had a glowing green lump on its head. Shining took out his bow and shot an arrow at the spot and saw that the monster was in horrible pain. He fired arrow after arrow until the monster died and blew up in a puff of white smoke. Shining picked up the heart shaped gem and felt even stronger as he knew that he had seven hearts worth of stamina. Just then Shining saw a large crystal fall down from the ceiling and inside it was a maiden. As she awoke she said to him, “Thank you I am free and I shall head to the church to wait for the other girls so we can help you saw Equesrule.” Shining saw that the crystal shrank as the girl vanished from the crystal. He picked it up and put it in the front pocket of his bag. Shining looked into the mirror and was sent to the entrance of the palace. He saw that his cousin was waiting for him at the stairs up to the entrance > Chapter 18 The Happiness of a Family > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining went down to the bottom of the stairs and said to Sweetie, “Come on let’s get you back to you family.” Sweetie asked, “But how will we get back to the village from here?” Shining replied, “With this magic mirror. Now hold on to me tightly.” Sweetie grabbed on to her cousin’s hand and soon they were back in the light world. The two walked down the path and they were soon at the base of the hills near the eastern palace. Shining told her to stay with him no matter what happened. The two went over to the village and were surprised to see that the village was having a celebration. Shining asked one of them, “What is going on?” The villager replied, “The wizard is gone, and all is well again thanks to you.” Shining was puzzled, “He isn’t dead he is in the dark world right now.” The villager saw that a mare was with Shining and asked her, “Hello there what is your name young filly?” Sweetie replied, “My name is Sweetie Belle, I got lost and found a portal to the dark world years ago.” The villager gasped and told the two to come with her over to a small house. The two went inside the house and the two adults looked at their nephew and asked him, “Shining who is your marefriend there?” Shining laughed and said, “Aunt Rarity, I don’t date my cousins.” Rarity looked at the mare beside him and nervously asked, “Sweetie Belle is that you?” Sweetie replied, “Yes mom it is me. I missed you so much!!” Shining’s uncle Time Turner said to him, “Shining I have a gift to give you for finding my precious daughter, a heart gem.” Shining opened his hand and received the gem and felt even stronger than before. He knew that he had a stamina of eight hearts now and he hugged his aunt and uncle and left to enjoy the celebration. He went to the shop in town and bought a fresh supply of bombs and arrows for his journey. At the end of the night Shining slept at his aunt and uncle’s house before he would set out in the morning. > Chapter 19 A New Friend > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining looked at his map the next morning and saw that there was a portal near the village. He went to the heavy posts next to the old grotto and hit one with the hammer. Shining walked into the grotto and saw a small stone with a pale blue glow underneath it. He lifted up the stone and saw a tile with a sparkling light to it. Shining stepped onto the tile and saw that he was in the grotto’s reverse location. Shining walked down the path and saw that Kakikony Village was a village full of thieves. He saw a sign that read, Village of Outcasts those without rupbits are not welcome here. Shining walked down the path sword drawn in case a thief tried to rob him. As he past the gargoyle statue he hear a voice crying for help. Shining saw that behind the trident of the statue was a hidden staircase. Before he entered he saw a thief about to snatch his bag. He turned and lopped off the thief’s hand and scared him off. Shining decided to chase the thief and saw him enter an old house. He entered and saw that the thief was all alone and in terrible pain. Shining went over to him and asked, “Why did you try to steal my bag?” The thief replied, “I was hoping to find something to eat because I have no food here.” Shining felt sorry for the thief and gave him the potion he had and the wound turned into a stump and stopped bleeding. Shining saw that in the corner of the room was a special wooden hand. He went over and grabbed it and put it on the thief’s stump. Then much to the thief’s surprise Shining gave him a bag of five apples and a small bag with forty rupbits. The thief asked, “Why did you help me after I did that?” Shining replied, “I am trying to rescue some maidens to restore this land to normal. I was hoping you could help me with the dungeon of this town.” The thief replied, “I stole a key and a map from the dungeon of this place.” Shining was given the items the thief stole and was glad to see that he had made somepony happy. Shining went back to the statue and went down into the dungeon and saw it was an abandoned lair of a thieves’ guild. So he knew that this place could be booby-trapped so he had to be careful. > Chapter 20 The Thieves' Hideout > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining looked at the map of the dungeon and saw that the traps and how they were set up. Shining moved carefully over to the room with the chest in it. He stuck the key in its hole but the chest wouldn’t open. He searched all over the chest and found another key hole hidden on the top. Shining stuck the key in this hole and turned it much to his surprise it opened the chest. Shining lifted the lid and saw that it had a pair of golden gauntlets that resembled the silver ones he had on. He put them on and all of a sudden a trap went off. The door was blocked by a fallen column. Shining went over to it and saw it was made of metal and it was bomb proof. Shining tried to lift it and saw that he could lift it above his head with ease. Shining saw how easy it was for him to lift the column, so he guessed these were a better version of his old ones. He went to a room that had sunlight pouring into it. He saw the one floor was cracked so he carefully walked over it, but it collapsed. He fell into the room and saw the light was still above him. Shining took a look at the map and saw this was the boss chamber but there was no monster of any kind. Shining walked to the room next to the chamber and saw a girl in a locked cell door. As he opened it he felt a weird aura around her. So the two walked into the light in the boss chamber and it happened. The little girl yelled, “I can’t stand this horrid light. I must kill you for brining me into this light filled room.” Shining gasped as he saw the girl turn into a demonic pegasi pony. Shining saw the demon shoot balls of fire at him and held up his shield as he walked closer. He sliced off the demon’s head and saw the body regrow a new head as the old one flew around and began to fly around shooting fireballs. Shining kept up this until the demon finally submitted to defeat and blew up in a puff of black smoke. Shining picked up the heart shaped gem and felt himself grow stronger. As he looked at himself he saw that his body had grown more muscular and he guessed that every couple hearts he gained he would grow bulkier as he got a better physique. All of a sudden another crystal appeared and the maiden inside woke up. She said to him, “Thank you for rescuing me from that demon. I sense you rescued another maiden already, I shall go and join her.” As she left the crystal shrunk and he put it in his bag with the other on. He saw the crystals fit together and wondered what they would form. Shining looked into the mirror and exited the dungeon and went to the next palace in this world. > Chapter 21 The Gift of Helping Others > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As shining walked down the path to the palace to the south. He saw a frog trapped behind a wall of metal parts. He lifted away enough for him to get free of metal he was in. The frog hopped over to him and said, “Thank you for that, but could you take me to my brother at the blacksmith shop near Kakony Village?” Shining said, “Of course I will.” Shining walked over to the location of the smithy in the dark world. He then looked into the mirror and was at the smithy’s door. The two went inside and the brothers were glad to see each other. The younger of the two told his brother about the crack in Shining’s sword. The older asked, “May we temper your sword and repair it?” Shining said, “Of course it was that way when I pulled it out of that pedestal in the forest.” The two gasped and asked, “This is the Master Sword?!” Shining replied, “Yes it is.” The two set to work on mending the ancient blade as Shining left to see what he had heard in the grove near the shop. He walked into the grove and saw a boy playing a flute. As he got the boy vanished, and a portal appeared where he was standing. Shining walked into the portal and saw a tapir whistling near the entrance he came in at. The tapir asked him, “Did you see my illusion and come here to find me?” Shining nodded as the tapir pulled out a shovel from his bag and asked him, “Could you go dig up my flute in the light world for me?” Shining replied, “Of Course I will.” Shining saw that the illusion was back as he went to the spot where the flute was buried. Shining dug it up and went to the portal and showed it to the tapir. Shining played a little song for him and then it happened. The tapir turned into a tree and died in the process. Shining used the mirror and went back to the light world and headed over to the smithy’s shop. As he entered the shop the two brothers held out his sword. Shining saw that from it had changed from the blue to a red color. Shining asked, “What happened to the sword?” The two replied, “We melted it down then reforged it from the mystical steel we melted and it was given a new color and a new ability.” Shining asked, “What is the ability?” The two replied, “It can shoot beams of energy when you swing the blade.” Shining asked, “How much do I owe you for the work done to it?” The older of the replied, “For reuniting us it is free of charge.” Shining left and headed to show his cousin the flute he had gotten. She was surprised to see the flute. She told him about a boy who played a flute at the weathercock and it released a magical bird. Shining went over to the weathercock and played the flute and much to his surprise a magical duck appeared where the weathercock was. Now shining had an animal who could fly him all over the land to get from place to place faster. > Chapter 22 The Swampy Palace > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shining went to the ruins in the swamp and lifted a stone that had fallen and saw a portal underneath it. He stepped into the portal and saw it took him to a palace in the same place as the ruins. He walked inside and saw that there were trenches with ladders in them to climb up and down in them. He saw a ladder was broken so he took the other one and saw a chest. Inside it was a big key and a map, the map had notes on it saying to use the counterpart to flood the trenches. Shining saw that he had to go back to the ruins, so he used the mirror to go back to the light world. After he arrived Shining went into the ruins and saw a large lever. He pulled the lever and saw that water flowed into the trench next to him. Shining stepped into the portal and saw that the water next to the palace was gone. Shining entered the palace and saw the trench was flooded, so he jumped into it and swam to the broken ladder. Shining climbed up the ladder and saw a big chest. He opened it and saw a rod with a button and a hook on it. Shining ran to the next trench and saw there was no ladder but there was a wooden post on the other side of it. Shining pulled out the item he got and pressed the button. The hook as well as a long chain shot out and yanked him across the gap. He decided to call this thing the Hookshot, due to the fact it shot the hook and reeled it and him in. Shining made his way to the boss chamber and saw the familiar stone tablet to get to the entrance once more. Shining entered the room to see a huge squid like creature pop up out of the pool of water in the center. Around the beast’s body were smaller versions of itself. Shining guessed they were offspring and it was the mom. Shining used the Hookshot to bring one closer for him to kill, he then slayed the little guy. He saw the mom was careless with her young ones. Shining kept repeating the process until the mom was left. She was furious about her carelessness with her young and she attacked Shining for killing her young. Shining saw that her eye was unprotected so he stabbed her eye every time she got close. After minutes of intense fighting the monster fell to the floor and lay dead. It vanished and left a heart gem in its place, Shining picked up the gem and saw his muscles grow a bit bigger. All of a sudden a gem fell from the ceiling containing another princess, as she woke she said, “Thank you for rescuing me, now I shall join the others at the church. See you soon, bye!” Shining picked up the gem and put it in his bag and stepped into the blue portal to go back to the entrance. He then went to the next location on his map it looked like a huge swampy marshland. Shining was determined to finish his quest at any cost.