Prologue: The hero of Twilight

The hero of Twilight

Deep within the dense forest and undergrowth of the Faron Woods there lies the mysterious Lost Woods. A place where reminders of Hyrule's once glorious past lie in wait to be rediscovered, and where the ruins of the Temple of Time found their final resting place. As night fell upon the Woods, a young Hylian and his horse found shelter for the night in the Temple ruins.
The young man, called Link, was a total mess. His home, Ordon Village, was really close, but he couldn’t go back there, not anymore.

Link knew all too well that after his little adventure saving the world he wasn’t the same Link who left the village looking for Illa, his childhood friend. At the beginning he did tried to readapt to his old life as a goat shepherd living with his friend Illa, but he couldn’t. Everything he was changed, including how he felt about her. At first she seemed like the right one for him, but it didn’t worked.
And at this point young Link didn’t know what he missed the most: the adventure or his partner.

Lastly he used to spend his days wandering around the Temple of Time keeping an eye on the Master Sword, the legendary weapon that destroys Evil waiting for something to happen but he wasn’t sure what.

And suddenly, a neigh in the middle of the night called his attention.

“Epona! What’s going on?!” He shouted to his steed.

The mare pushed him with her nose towards the Master Sword that was emitting a white and golden light calling for him. Link knew it was time.

“It can’t be” he mumbled.

Epona sighed and pushed her owner to the sword, but Link was too shocked to react and just let her push him. What the hell was going on?
When they passed the entrance Link recovered from the shock and ran to the sword ready to answer its call but he stopped just a few steps from it. No, something was definitely not right. He exchanged a look with Epona, who nodded reading her owner’s mind. Together they approached more to the sword and were about to touch it at the same time, but one more time they stopped full of doubts. What was going on?

But suddenly they heard a voice very well-known for the two of them:

“Seriously, I don’t want to bother you mister important hero and company, but I would appreciate if you touch the damn thing like now! You have no idea how much power I had to gather in order to communicate our worlds, so HURRY DUMBASS!”

Link looked around the temple really excited.

“Midna! Is that you?!”

“We’ll greet properly later, right now I need you to make a decision and touch the damn thing. If you’re willing to help me, of course”

No need to say more. Link smiled and along with his steed, he touched the sword.
Epona looked at him relieved, since he said good bye to Midna, he seemed a little depressed, but now he had a smile on his face she haven’t seen since the Mirror of Twilight were broken.
They both disappeared in a shaft of light only to reappear in some kind of strange landscape, with a grayish sky with some kind of orange glow in the horizon. Still Link wasn’t afraid, he knew this place, it was Midna’s home. The Twilight.

And speaking of Midna, the green-skinned woman were lying on the ground breathing heavily.

“Nice to see you again Link. I’m glad you came” she smiled.

Link stood before her astonished, he was used to see his friend in an imp-shape, covered with green and black fur; but after their little adventure she changed, and god she was beautiful. Looking mostly like a human with green skin, she had long orange hair and beautiful red eyes; with a perfectly-shaped body she was astonishing with her black top and a cape.

“What? Did you forget how beautiful I really am?” Mocked the green woman.

Link blushed but quickly shook his head and offered a hand to her.

“Sorry about that. I’m just so happy to see you again Midna, you have no idea how much I missed you”

She took Link’s hand and stood with a warm smile.

“I missed you too Link. And I must said, I’m a little surprised that you answered to my call that soon”

“To be honest I’ve been around the Temple of time since our little adventure. I don’t know, is like something ties me there”

Midna raised an eyebrow but shrugged and smiled gently to her friend, it was so good to see him again that she won’t bother him with details. So she just hugged her friend. Link was a little surprised but returned the hug happily, but then he remembered Midna was still weak for bring him to the Twilight and released her gently.

“Well enough with the sappy stuff” said Midna softly. “Come on, follow me to my Palace, there’s so much to discuss right now. Sweet Fog!”

A gray Twilight Stallion trotted to Midna and gently lowered his head allowing the Princess to get on him. Midna petted her horse’s mane and looked to Link who quickly got on Epona and followed the two to Midna’s Palace.
Surprisingly Midna didn’t used the reins the whole time, apparently the horse knew the way all too well and also knew his owner was weak for the moment so he trotted softly and gently.

“So what do you need me for?” Asked Link after a while.

Midna sighed.

“Remember what Zant did?”

Link frowned, of course he remembered Twilight’s Usurper King, he was the one who cursed Midna into looking like and imp and tried to take over Hyrule by making the Twilight to expand to the other realm.

“He’s back?”

“No, but the Twilight is expanding again”

“What?! But Hyrule seems fine…”

“It’s not to Hyrule, is other Realm completely unknown to me; to anyone. Believe me, I’ve been searching in every source but we have no clue what we have before us. Our only option is to explore it, but I’m not planning to do it on my own”

Link’s expression brightened in excitement.

“You mean…?”

“Yeah. Tell me Hero of Twilight, want to join me into a new adventure?”

“Are you kidding? Count us in!” Cheered Link.

Midna chuckled and nodded. Of course, by judging that he had been camping on the Temple of Time for the last months it was obvious that Link needed some adventure urgently. And for the Hero, he was so excited that he caressed the blade of the Master Sword imagining already the adventure before them.

“So when we leave?” Asked Link.

“Tomorrow morning when I recover my strength. As you can see, bringing you and your horse here drawn a lot of my energy, but is nothing that a good meal and a night of good sleep can’t fix. And for today you are my guest, sounds good?”

Link blushed.

“Of course. Thank you Midna”

“Your welcome”

The Palace of Twilight had changed a lot since last time Link saw it, it looked a little more colorful than before (but always in grayish tones) and hundreds of green-skinned with colored hair servants ran to take care of the guest and their Princess. Everything seemed fine, but suddenly Link noticed small skeletons carring sharp knives and spears and other bunch of bigger skeletons armed with threatening scimitars. Stalchilds and Stalfos.
Link gasped and placed his hand on the Master Sword, but he was stopped by Midna.

“Wait, those are from my army, they won’t hurt you”

“What? But they’re monsters!”

“I know, but remember we Twilis use dark magic, that makes this creatures easy to control”

“But…”

“They proved to be very useful in the Battle of the Crossed Eras. Just relax Mr. Hero, here in Twilight you’re completely safe”

Link nodded but he was still confused.
Much for his surprise, the Stalfos where who took Link’s equipment from Epona and guided the mare to the stables along with Sweet Fog. And even a Stalchild was the one who showed him the guestroom.
The stay on Midna’s place was kind of nice, she offered a delicious dinner, a refreshing bath and a comfortable bed to the Hero who saved the Twilight. This was a good change from all this nights sleeping on the ruins in the Temple of Time, even if it was a little too fancy for Link’s taste. In some things it was pretty similar to his life with Illa but he knew this was only temporary and the next morning he would arrive to a new adventure.

He slept peacefully only to wake at first hour the next day. The preparations were also pretty fast, a single meal for Midna, the horses and him; and in the meantime the loyal monsters of Midna’s army refilled his quiver and bomb-bag.
At the moment Link took his sword and equipped with his trustable Hylian Shield, he was ready.
Midna also prepared a little something for the adventure: a small mirror that seemed like the Mirror of Twilight but much smaller.

“What’s that?” Asked Link.

“The Mirror of Shadows, my personal weapon” explained Midna. “During the Battle of the Crossed Eras it proved to be very useful”

“I see… what happened on that battle?”

“Long, long story. When this is over I’ll gladly tell you. In the meantime, follow me!”

Sweet Fog started to trot to certain area of the Twilight that was evacuated when the phenomena attacked again, like the last time what looked like a wall with orange symbols was that marked which point was affected by the Realm. Midna knew her Kingdom very well and immediately recognized that the small forest before them was not a part of it.

“This is the place?”

“Fortunately the area is unpopulated, but it’s increasing its size every day. We must hurry, are you ready hero?”

Link smirked.

“Why do you think I’ve been camping aside the Master Sword?”

“Lack of a girlfriend or at least a life if you ask me. Now come on!”

The two of them advanced to that division between the Twilight and the ‘other’ world of light. Once they were close enough both got off the horses who advanced by pulling at their reins being pulled. As the last time Midna touched the strange black and orange wall and the two of them were sucked by a black hole that transported them out of the Realm of Darkness.

When they materialized to the other side Link observed relieved that he was still himself, he didn’t transformed into an animal like last time; same for Midna. But something was wrong, where were the horses?

Looking down they found them, and luckily they weren’t riding them when they appeared on that Realm because they shrunk. Seriously, now the once tall steeds were only half of their height being more or less at their masters’ waists; their faces changed to become more expressive with two huge eyes and a tiny little nose that gave them an innocent look. Also they also had fur covering their hooves and a strange tattoo appeared on their flanks. Epona had the Triforce and Sweet Fog the symbol of the Royal Family of Twilight.
And to make things even stranger, Sweet Fog also had grown wings, reptilian dragon-like wings and his eyes also seemed somehow draconic.

“I didn’t saw this one coming” mumbled Link.

“My only question is, why is my horse a Therstral?”

The two horses looked each other and exchanged a few neighs but they seemed equally confused.

“Anyway, are you guys okay?” Asked Link.

The horses nodded.

“Want us to carry our stuff?” Asked Midna also concerned. “It may be a little too heavy for your current size”

Fog nodded and gave Midna his saddlebag; but Epona felt even stronger than before so she kindly refused Link’s offer and began to walk proudly though the forest followed by the other three.
The forest itself was harmless, a little dark indeed but for Link and Epona it was almost like walking though the Faron Woods all over again; and for Sweet and Midna, they were used to Twilight’s soft illumination so they seemed fine.

“I hope we find civilization soon” sighed Link punching a tree a causing a fall of three rupies.

Midna didn’t say anything, she was busty concentrating looking for a trace of magic, anything that indicate her what was affecting the Twilight. And she found one, but it was wild magic from the forest itself; and was as powerful as the one in the Lost Woods so it would take a while to find the right trace.

It was when they heard a scream on the distance. After exchange a quick look, the four heroes ran to see what was going on. And what they saw made them stop by the surprise:

The victim was a mint-colored unicorn at the same size Sweet and Epona; who was facing a giant wolf entirely made of wood and leaves.

“What the heck?” Neighed Epona.

“Do I look like I know?” Answered Sweet Fog.

Midna raised an eyebrow.

“I guess this is why our horses transformed”

Link smirked.

“Let’s save the thing already. Epona, Clawshots and bombs!”

The little mare snorted in agreement and took from her saddlebag the requested objects, so Link equipped for battle.

Lyra Heartstrings was in a predicament, about to be devoured by this giant Timberwolf… she only had seconds left, when suddenly something called the beast’s attention: the sound of something nailing to a near oak. Predator and pray turned where they heard that, it was a claw-shaped object attached to a large chain, and the chain itself was retracting at full speed, pulling some kind of bipedal creature with a green suit and a large sword on his hand. The Timberwolf roared to this new visitor who simply smiled to him and force some kind of round object into his mouth.

The little unicorn looked at Link with a blank expression and he simply smiled confidently. Soon enough the bomb literally turned the beast in a million pieces.

“As powerful as Barnes’ bombs!” He said proudly to the rest of the group who were approaching.

Midna had a sweat drop on her temple.

“You had to go this far?”

“It was the first thing I thought”

Then they turned to the unicorn who approached quietly to them. She was clearly in shock, not even trying to communicate, just staring at them in surprise.

“What we do now?” Asked Link.

Midna looked at him.

“I have an idea but you won’t like it”

“What is it?”

“If we want to figure out what’s going on we must communicate, and since nobody else is here, I think we must talk to this unicorn. The only problem is you must be able to speak with animals”

“Oh come on!” Protested Link knowing what was coming.

“I know is uncomfortable but I still have Zant’s dark crystal and we have no other choices. Besides I’ll turn myself into an imp is that’s make you feel better”

Link groaned in complain but knowing that Midna was right, he nodded.
So Midna took a dark crystal from Sweet’s saddlebag and aimed it to Link who was transformed into a wolf as twice as big as the ponies. And then she turned herself into a small creature with two pointy ears and a helmet made of stone (the Fused Shadow).

“You now buddy? I missed talk to you this way!” Chuckled Epona.

“Whatever” sighed Link approaching to the little unicorn. “Ehem, are you alright? We’re up to no harm. My name is Link and…”

Suddenly Lyra shrieked in excitement.

“IT CAN’T BE! HUMANS! REAL HUMANS WHO USE MAGIC! THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE!”

Princess Twilight meets the Twilight Princess ruler of Twilight

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Princess Twilight meets the Twilight Princess ruler of Twilight

“IT CAN’T BE! HUMANS! REAL HUMANS WHO USE MAGIC! THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE!” Shrieked Lyra crying because of the emotion. “And how is your world? Where are you from mister and miss human? Do you have names? And tell me, the color of your human skin is a difference between male and female or you’re more like us that everypony’s color is different? Oh I have so many questions that I think I’m gonna explode! Are you a couple? How do you breed? Are you going to have your foals in Equestria or you’re lost? Is the Everfree Forest the connection with the human world? Because…”

That was enough, using her hair (now hand-shaped) she shut the pony’s mouth.

“Sweet Goddess, I never thought there was someone more irritating than your friend Shad”

“The one obsessed with the bird-people?” Asked Epona trying to remember.

“That one”

Link sighed and stared at Midna who finally released Lyra’s mouth.

“Ey, why you did that miss human?” Protested Lyra.

“Sorry about that” said Link. “But you were talking too fast, and as you said, we’re lost and need help”

“Besides I’m pretty sure there are more of those things around” added Sweet Fog pointing to what was left of the Timberwolf.

Lyra looked at the therstral and got it.

“Oh right, sorry, I just got too excited. You see, for most of the ponies humans are nothing but an old pony tale; but I always had the feeling you were real and now you suddenly save me! Oh, but where are my manners? The name is Lyra, Lyra Heartstrings”

“I’m Link”

“Epona”

“Sweet Fog”

“Midna”

Lyra nodded and began to lead them to the town of Ponyville where she lived while keep talking much for Midna’s irritation.

“Ehem, again sorry, I got a little carried away. I am an anthropologist you see, for me humans are more than myths and I’m willing to prove it in one way or another. So tell me miss Epona and mister Fow, what are you doing with this humans?”

“My family have served the Twilight Royal Family for generations” explained Sweet Fog. “And it’s my duty to be with my lady wherever she requests me!”

“And for me I’m Link’s oldest friend. Wherever he is, I’m at his side” said Epona happily. “We’ve lived tons of adventures together”

Midna, who was riding Link like the old times, sighed with patience. But suddenly she had an idea, something to make this idiot to calm down.

“And sorry for disappointing you but we’re not humans as you call us. I am a Twili and Link is a Hylian. Not humans”

Lyra froze for a second.

“But, but, but… you look like actual humans! This can’t be, are you telling me that humans doesn’t exist?”

“Humans do exist” explained Link. “In fact the Twili and the Hylians are related to the human race”

And that was enough to cheer up Lyra while Midna was mentally punching Link. But unaware from the Twili’s annoyance, Link and Lyra kept chatting happily. By their way Epona and Sweet Fog did noticed it and chuckled looking at Midna’s face.

“So humans have related races?!” Said Lyra with brightening eyes. “Oh, like ponies and zebras! So cool!”

“One step at the time” said Link calmly. “Why don’t we ask a question each one? You see, we don’t know much about ponies”

“Of course, of course! Sorry Link, can I call you Link?”

“Yes, and that was your first question” said Midna mischievously. “Now us, where are you leading us?”

“An easy one!” Said Lyra. “To my house in Ponyville. I can’t wait to show Bon-Bon how real you are! But you better turn Link back before or she’ll freak out”

“I’m used to, is the usual reaction whenever Midna turns me into a wolf” sighed Link resigned.

“My turn! Humans can use magic?”

“No, they can’t, but Hylians and Twilis can” explained Midna.

“And where are we?” Asked Epona.

Lyra smiled widely.

“In the Everfree Forest! A place very interesting but dangerous at the time. I was investigating some leads about the existence of humans and out of nowhere a Timberwolf appeared and attacked me. But then I found you and what seemed like the last day of my life turned into the best of the bests!”

Epona shrugged, but she was starting to get annoyed by Lyra’s excitement as well; same as Fog and of course Midna. But Link was more than used to talk with an obsessed person and knew that this kind of people were the best to gather information.

“Lyra, what Epona meant is which country are we?”

“Oh, in Equestria the Magical Land of Ponies! I thought you knew, after all you have two ponies in your group”

Sweet and Epona shook their heads surprised. For real? A land full of equines? Then they were in a country where horses like them lived in society? It seemed impossible.

“You mean there are more like us?” Asked Sweet Fog.

“It’s my turn!” Protested Lyra. “How did you get here if you didn’t knew Equestria?”

“It was an accident” explained Midna. “An idiot is merging my world with yours, endangering both. I would love to give you the details but we better find someone to discuss this thing. And no, our world don’t suppose to be connected”

Lyra nodded and suddenly she stopped.

“We’re here! My hometown Ponyville!!”

The firsts to approach were Epona and Sweet Fog amazed for what they saw: it was almost as they imagined, a small town like any other, but populated by colorful ponies as them. It was beautiful, they saw them attending small businesses, pushing carts as in Hyrule and the Twilibht but the passengers were other ponies.

“It’s wonderful!” Said Sweet Fog and Epona at the time.

“You like it?” Asked Lyra. “It’s great!”

“And we better keep it this way” said Midna still riding on Link and approaching slowly. “Where can we start warning?”

“No, no, no, first we’re going to my place where you’ll explain me everything you know about Hylians, Twilis and humans!”

The group rolled their eyes, how could they explain this pony that her town was in danger?
But then Rainbow Dash, passing by, approached to greet Lyra.

“Ey Lyra! How was your expedition through the forest? Anyway, you better go see Bon-Bon, she almost faint when she found out!”

But then the cyan mare’s eyes stopped on Link and Midna.

“WATCH OUT! A MONSTER FROM THE EVERFREE FOREST!”

Link sighed, of course this had to happen!
The effect was the usual: everypony dropped what they were doing and ran to lock into their respective homes, and even heard a couple reinforcing the doors with planks.

“Hyrule citadel, Ordon Village, and now here! This is why I hate turning into a wolf!”

But this had only started, soon a group of six ponies ran to confront the beast; (much braver than any of Zelda’s soldiers) leaded by a lavender-colored pony with wings and a horn.

“Attention! Rainbow, Applejack, try to distract the thing! Fluttershy, once we immobilize it use your Stare!”

The flying pony who started the scandal was also the first to attack flying straight to Link.

“We better do something” sighed Midna. “Link!”

Wolf and imp separated eluding a double tackle from the flying cyan pony and an orange one with a rodeo loop and a cowboy hat. Looking that their attack failed, Applejack and Rainbow Dash reorganized positions and began to alternate to attack Link and Midna, each one of them losing terrain. Of course the two of them were very skilled warriors and would have no problem getting rid of the ponies, not seriously injuring them on the process was the process.

Princess Twilight Sparkle shoot a magic beam to the wolf, sending Link to a rock.

“Link!” Screamed Midna.

“Now!” Commanded Twilight.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash took the rodeo loop between their mouths and ran to tie the creature before it was too late.
Luckily Twilight’s attack was nothing compared with Ganondorf’s and Link quickly recovered.

“Enough! Epona, Gale Boomerang!”

“Quick thinking pal!” Said Epona passing Link the item.

Link caught the thing with his mouth and faced Applejack and Rainbow Dash who had stopped when they heard Link speaking.

“That thing spoke?”

Before they could react, Link threw the weapon with one of his paws, aiming to Rainbow Dash who was on the air. The object hit her (not very effective) but then the real attack came in the form of a small tornado that got her and sent her to the ground dizzy. The boomerang returned to Link and aimed to Applejack.

“What about you? Are you going to stop and listen or what?”

Applejack, really confused, nodded slowly and Link lowered his Gale Boomerang.

“I know I’m kind of threatening but believe us, we’re up to no harm. Right Epona?”

Epona giggled and winked an eye to Applejack, who suddenly couldn’t stop looking at Epona.

“Yeah, he’s just a big puppy, don’t worry about Link”

And for Midna, she took advantage that Twilight was distracted listening at Link speaking with Rainbow Dash and Applejack and hit her with her hand-shaped hair.

“Ouch!”

“That’s for hurting my friend!”

“Midna!” Complained Link.

“Whatever, whatever!”

Twilight recovered from the punch and approached slowly to the visitors with Fluttershy.

“So you can talk? You’re not chasing any ponies?”

“Yes, we can talk and no, we don’t eat ponies. It sounds kind of gross” said Midna scratching her head.

“I promise they’re not bad!” Said Lyra jumping in front of Midna and Link. “They saved me from a Timberwolf. Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie: let me introduce you to Link, Epona, Sweet Fog and Midna!”

The two groups stared to each other but Link smiled and offered a paw to Rainbow Dash.

“Hi, I’m Link. And sorry for the boomerang”

“Nah, it’s cool. Sorry for attacking you without asking first”

So the rest of the group introduced themselves and the things calmed a little.

“I feel so stupid, we should ask first” said Twilight smiling apologetically. “And what brings you to Ponyville?”

“Nothing good I’m affraid” said Midna. “Something very dangerous is happening endangering both of our homes. It would be great if you let me speak with someone with authority and competent in magic. Sorry if I had to ask you this much but the current situation leave me no choice”

Twilight frowned.

“What you mean? Who are you really?”

“My name is Midna, Princess of Twilight. This is Link, and let’s say he’s my knight. This is Epona, Link’s partner and Sweet Fog, mine”

“Princess Twilight? Are you crazy or what?” Said Pinkie bouncing and looking suspiciously to the visitors. “Twilight is the only Twilight Princess I know. Her name is even Twilight and her Kingdom is this, in fact we’re at Twilight’s Kingdom right now”

Again Midna used her hand-shaped hair to shut her mouth.

“Listen to me idiot: the Twilight is the home of the people of Twili, my people. Alright? I don’t know who the hell is Princess Twilight but she has nothing to do with me or my Realm”

Twilight approached.

“I am Princess Twilight, one of the four Princesses of Equestria. But seriously, what’s going on?”

“So you are a Princess? Okay, we’re lucky guys. Princess Twilight, is better if we show you. Care to follow us to the Forest?”

The group looked at Applejack, who nodded.

“They’re telling the truth, it’s safe to go with them”

So they began to walk to the forest much for Lyra’s disappointment.

“Ey what about my talk about Hylians, Twilis and Humans?”

“Priorities airhead” said Sweet Fog.

“I promise we’ll tell you everything, but just not now” assured Link.

Lyra nodded sadly and she slowly walked to her house.

“Humans?” Asked Rainbow looking at Lyra.

“You don’t want to know” said Midna, Epona and Sweet at the same time.

So the four Hyrule Warriors lead the way back where they entered. And of course the girls gasped looking at the black wall covered in orange symbols, the entrance to Twilight. Just the sight of it seemed frightening, but Twilight could also feel the dark magic aura coming from it.

“What’s this? What’s going on?” Asked Princess Twilight.

“This, Princess Twilight, is my Kingdom: the Twilight” explained the Twilight Princess. “It’s growing, slowly swallowing your Kingdom bringing horrible consequences for both your people and mine. I have my own agents investigating on my side, but it seems it’s coming from yours. I don’t know who is responsible but all I want is to stop this before it’s too late”

Twilight touched the entrance to Twilight.

“So this is a window to other world… unbelievable! But why it had to appear on the Everfree Forest? The wild magic around camouflaged the one coming from this thing… no, this is nothing normal”

“It seems it was on purpose” said Midna. “Now, can you do something or do you still want to discuss with someone else?”

Princess Twilight gulped and looked at the Twilight Princess.

“I wish we brought Spike, he would send a letter to Princess Celestia immediately. I’ll inform this to my mentor, she needs to see this… and tomorrow she’ll come for you. I know this is urgent but first I need to discuss with my fellow Princesses”

“If you have to, but don’t take too long” said Midna. “We’ll return tomorrow at this hour. Come on!”

“Can’t we stay and explore?” Complained Link.

Midna chuckled.

“You’re free to go if you wish Link”

Link smiled widely and was about to ask Princess Twilight if it was okay to go stay there until Midna were back, but he stopped. Now that he thought about it, what he really wanted was to stay with Midna.

“No, at least doesn’t sound like a great idea after what just happened…” he finally said.

Midna shrugged.

“Okay, if that’s what you wish”

So she was about to re-enter to the Twilight Realm but this time Sweet stopped her.

“Wait! Can I stay Lady Midna? Please?”

“And me?” Joined Epona.

Link and Midna looked to each other equally confused but Link quickly smiled.

“Sure! I’ll just lend you some money guys”

And he gave a bag of rupies to the two ponies.
Midna sighed.

“Fine! Link and I will be here at this hour tomorrow!”

So the Twilight Princess exchanged a look with Princess Twilight and returned to the Twilight, along with Link.

The former farmer and the farmer

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The former farmer and the farmer

The group of six friends returned followed by Sweet Fog and Epona returned to Ponyville after the quick sight of the Twilight. The Mane 6 were really worried about the strange phenomena, but Sweet and Epona were pretty sure that Link and Midna will find the solution. It even seemed easier than last time since this time it was only starting.

When they arrived Twilight sighed in relief, after seeing the Realm that shared her name, she weren’t able to relax until reach town.

“I’ll go inform Princess Celestia about the situation. In the meantime you better return to your activities, we better try to act normal; I don’t want to panic everypony unless is absolutely necessary”

“Agree” said Applejack. “In the meantime I’ll go back to my business”

“Me too, my lunchbreak it’s almost over” said Pinkie Pie. “See you around!”

So the girls were about to separate as Twilight said, but Epona stopped them.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait! Before you go, shouldn’t you tell people that Link and Midna are not a threat? Since they’ll be back tomorrow, it will be convenient, no?”

Twilight nodded.

“You’re right, sorry. It’s just that seeing that thing expanding really got me. EY PONIES FROM PONYVILLE! I HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE CREATURES THAT VISITED US BEFORE!"

One by one the ponies come out of their hidings, leaded by Mayor Mare.

“Oh, I bet you got rid of them as always!” Smiled the gray-haired mare. “Like always thank you a lot Princess Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy… once again you saved the town from destruction”

Twilight nodded.

“In fact, we didn’t do anything. It seems that the creatures weren’t a threat, they only wanted to deliver a message. We misunderstood the situation; the truth is that Link and Midna, that’s their name, aren’t a threat for anypony”

All the ponies seemed very confused at the revelation and began to mumble among themselves. Epona sighed and approached to the crowd:

“I’ll only say this once: if there’s someone I’ll give my life for, that’s my friend Link. The wolf. He seems scary but I promise he’s a very nice guy and will never hurt a pony”

“And Lady Midna it’s a bit eccentric but not bad; in fact she’ll do anything to protect her loved ones” said Sweet Fog joining Epona. “We can answer for them, they’re not a threat; on the contrary”

Again everypony began to mumble between them but at the end they nodded and returned to their respective activities. Twilight smiled.

“Okay, next time you’re friends come nopony will freak out!”

Epona raised an eyebrow.

“Seriously? Just like that?”

“Ey, that’s why Ponyville is considered one of the friendliest places on Equestria; we may be overreact from time to time but after that we accept everypony with open hooves!”

“Everypony? Okay that’s a new one…” Mumbled Sweet Fog.

“No, no, seriously please; you accept people just like that?” Insisted Epona scratching her head.

Twilight smiled to the two visitors wishing them well and trotted to her castle to send an urgent letter to her mentor. Sweet Fog and Epona just watched her going away and at the end they just shrugged.
The rest of the Mane 6 smiled to the two new ponies as well and walked or flown away; after all they still had things to do.

“So what now? Shall we find a place to stay until tomorrow?” Asked Fog.

“Sure, Link lend us his wallet but… I have my doubts we can do much with rupies”

Applejack was still close enough to hear then and stopped when she heard their comments.

“Hey, you two can stay on ma’ place if you want; it’s not that fancy but it’ll be cheaper than stay on the town’s hotel”

“We don’t want to bother you…” said Epona soflty.

“No prob pal, we have extra space in Sweet Apple Acres; but right now A’ have to go back to work. Those apples aren’t gonna sell on its own”

“Oh thanks!” Smiled Epona. “That’s a relief. I know we asked Link and Midna to stay here and explore but we didn’t thought about the details”

“Yeah, we rushed in our decision and now we’re clueless of what to do. But hey, it wouldn’t be an adventure without some challenge”

Applejack giggled.

“A’ also can show you the town on my way to work” she offered.

“Sure!”

They started to walk behind Applejack who did her best to show them a little of the town. Luckily Ponyville was just as big as Ordon or Kakariko Village and Epona could easily move on the small town. And for Sweet Fog it would be a little more difficult but all he had to do was to stick to Epona and everything was going to be fine.
Finally they arrived to the market where Applejack had her apple stand that she opened with a smile.

“So what can you tell me about you guys?” She asked.

“Oh well, there’s not that much about me” said Fog. “I am, or used to be, a steed from Twilight as any other and my family have been serving Royalty since the very beginning. I serve to Midna and as I said she’s a great friend; but my life isn’t that interesting”

“A’ see” said Applejack rubbing her chin in confusion.

“Yeah, and now that I think about it, there are very few occasions where Midna requests my services; she prefers to teleport”

Applejack nodded.

“Ey Miss Applejack, I know it’s stupid but, do you think we can do something here with the currency from our world?” Asked Epona showing Link’s wallet to the cowgirl.

Applejack’s eyes widened.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! That’s your world’s currency? Precious stones?!”

“Yeah, they’re called rupies” explained Epona.

Applejack shook her head.

“A’ don’t know much about jewels but A’ can tell that the local jeweler or Rarity would pay a lot for one of those, especially for the green ones!”

Both Sweet and Epona chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, you said they’re willing to pay a lot for the green rupies” said Epona. “The green ones are worth one; or at least that’s how it works in my land”

“For real?”

Sweet Fog nodded.

“Exactly, the green ones are one; the blue ones five; the red twenty; and the most valuable are the purple ones, fifty; or the silver ones that are one hundred”

“Whatever” said Applejacak who wasn’t really on the mood to talk about foreign currency. “And what about you Epona? Since we’ll be working together for a little, A’ like to know ya’ better”

Epona considered for a little.

“Okay my story isn’t as interesting as Link’s but it’s a little longer than Sweet Fog’s. no offense”

“None taken”

“Okay, I grew up in a town like this called Ordon Village, and I’ve being a farmer most of my life”

Applejack smiled happily

“Oh, you were a farmer too? It’s the best job in the world, right? You exercise, have fun on the fields and do something good for the community. What kind of farm it was?”

“Dairy farm, and I really loved it but at some point I had to leave”

“What? WHY?” Asked Applejack. “Why on earth would ya’ quit the most amazing job in the world?”

“It wasn’t my choice Applejack. At first everything was great, Link and I were partners in the farm and did everything together: since shepherding to delivery; we even did errands for the folks in town and it was great; until one day we were going to make a delivery to the capital, the Hyrule Citadel, and everything changed. Ordon Village was invaded by monsters, horrible things that kidnapped me and a bunch of children. Link did his best looking for us, coming to our rescue; succeeding but we couldn’t go back to Ordon Village, not yet. The monsters who invaded us were only the beginning, something really bad was happening in our world”

“What?” Asked Applejack looking to Epona, who sighed.

“The Twilight. Somehow the Realm of Darkness, as it’s called in some legends, was swallowing the world of light. Why do you think Midna is that worried? She already went through this; but she was unable to do anything. Back on that day a sorcerer called Zant took over Midna’s throne, turned every single inhabitant of Twilight into horrible creatures and vanished Midna from the land”

“Exactly, that’s why Lady Midna cannot allow this happen again” confirmed Sweet Fog.

“Then what happened?” Asked a little voice behind Epona.

The three grownups turned to the three little fillies listening carefully to Epona.

“Apple Bloom! Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo! What are ya’ doing here? Aren’t ya supposed to be at school?”

“Miss Cheerilee gave us an early release because she hurt an ankle escaping from the wolf who only came to visit. And we have nothing better to do” explained Apple Bloom.

Sweetie Belle nodded furiously.

“We tried to kill some time at the clubhouse but got bored and came to the park, but then we saw you with this two ponies and then listened to the great story from… what’s your name Miss?”

“Epona, and this is my friend Sweet Fog. What about you guys?”

“Oh, A’m Apple Bloom, Applejack’s sister”

“Sweetie Belle”

“Scootaloo. Do you mind if we keep listening to the story?”

Applejack was about to protest but Epona just winked an eye to the three fillies.

“Sure, where was I? Oh right, what happened with Midna…”

“And maybe you can tell later us the story of your Cutie Mark!!” Cheered Sweetie Belle.

“My what?” Asked Epona confused.

“Your Cutie Mark, you know, the shiny triangles you have on your flank! What does it mean?”

Epona examined the Triforce tattooed in her flank; so it wasn’t really a tattoo? Interesting. Last time she saw something similar was when Link almost passed out drinking the whole night at Telma’s bar and ended up with the Triforce on his back.
Epona rolled her eyes, sometimes watching for Link was much like a full-time job.
Still she didn’t thought much about it and smiled to the fillies:

“Well this ‘shiny triangles’ are called Triforce and are considered the divine symbol of our country. It represent the three sacred values for our gods: Wisdom, Power and Courage. Going back to the story, while trying to save us from the monsters, Link bumped into Midna who agreed helping him to rescue us but only if he helped her as well. And then we heard about the Prophecy”

“Prophecy?”

“I don’t know much about it, okay? You better ask my friend Link for details; but the thing is, there was a legend that each time the evil forces threatened the Kingdom of Hyrule, the soul of the Chosen Hero would reincarnate to save the world all over again. At first everybody thought it was nothing but a bedtime story; but no, it was the truth. And the monsters who attacked Ordon Village knew it for sure”

“What you mean? So the monsters attacked your village because they knew the hero would reincarnate in there?” Asked Applejack.

“He already had. The entire kidnapping stuff was to drag Link into a trap. Yes, he is the Chosen Hero but we didn’t know until the monsters showed up. And Midna, she knew it as well, that’s why she looked for his help on the first place; if there was someone who could save the two worlds it was him”

Applejack’s jaw dropped to the floor, making Epona chuckle.

“I know it sounds ridiculous. Not even I would believe in such thing if I weren’t being there”

“And do you had to do with the Legend besides being kidnapped?” Asked Scoots.

“Nothing at all, but I’ve always been Link’s partner and his closest friend and I couldn’t let him carry that responsibility all by himself. Once he rescued me I teamed up with Midna and him to save the two worlds. Together we defeated the evil sorcerer Zant, only to realize he was a puppet of someone much more dangerous. His name was Ganondorf and almost kills Midna, so we requested the help of the Princess of our own world, Zelda (the worse archer ever) and saved the day for good”

“And maybe she’ll never admit it, but Lady Midna really missed Link” said Sweet Fog. “She always talks about him”

“He missed her too, that’s why he preferred to go with her instead of explore the land with us”

Applejack certainly took her time to process the information. It wasn’t hard to believe since she had been involved with legends herself along with her friends, but this whole thing sounded a little too complicated.
For once it was a blessing there weren’t any costumers yet.

“So just to make things clear, Link and you aren’t from the Twilight?”

“Nope, we’re from Hyrule, the kingdom where Twilight expanded for the first time”

Applejack nodded.

“And Midna? You really trust her?”

“We do. I know that she seems suspicious with her Kingdom being the one expanding and all; but that’s not what Midna wants”

“Precisely, Lady Midna knows that swallowing another Kingdom will only bring war to her land” confirmed Sweet Fog.

Scoots raised a hoof.

“Question: so this ‘Twilight’ thing has nothing to do with Princess Twilight?”

“Not this again!” Complained Sweet Fog. “No, the Realm of Twilight is my home; nothing to do with your Princess”

Applejack just put a hoof on his shoulder.

“Don’t take it personal pal, it is kind of funny! Now A’ wish the situation were as funny as it sounds”

Epona just took of her saddlebag and sat lazily on the ground.

“Nah, relax cowgirl. We’ll fix this in no time; we’re skilled adventurers!”

Applejack didn’t knew if she was comfortable with Epona being so confident about it but at the end preferred to remain silent. Evil sorcerers, Realms of Darkness… which enemy of Equestria did this? Or the threat came from the other side?

But she couldn’t think too much about it since the CMC approached to Epona’s saddlebag.

“Cool, what’s this?!” Asked Apple Bloom taking… a bomb.

Fog jumped backwards by instinct, but Epona reacted quickly and without losing her coolness by taking the bomb from the girl and put it safely back on the saddlebag.

“Watch it kid, it isn’t polite to see into other people’s bags”

“Sorry, but everything looked so cool! May I see what you have Miss Epona?”

“Of course not! That stuff are dangerous!” Protested Fog.

“Really?” Asked Scootaloo approaching.

“A little but most important, my friend Link trusted me his stuff, and I would never betray that confidence like that. Tell me girls, would you risk to damage or lose something that a friend trusted you just like that?”

“Of course not!”

“Neither I, so please stay away from my saddlebag. If it were mine of course I’ll show you, but its Link’s”

“Sorry Miss Epona”

The rest of the afternoon was pretty calm. Epona talked to the girls about several adventures, like the time they collected bugs from the Insect Princess or giving more details of how Link rescued the children.
But when it was time to Princess Luna lower the sun, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle said good bye to Applejack, Apple Bloom and the visitors; and the cowgirl asked them to follow her.

“So tell me Apple Bloom, do you like Epona and Sweet Fog?”

“Yeah, they have very interesting stories!”

“Good because they’re staying with us for the night. Epona, do you think you can keep telling Apple Bloom about your adventures for the night?”

“Sure!”

They arrived to Sweet Apple Acres where the visitors were kindly greeted by the Apple Family. Then the night passed without further incidents, Apple Bloom did not insisted more in seeing into Epona’s saddlebag and just kept asking the mare about their adventures in Hyrule. She also asked for some adventures to Sweet Fog but he excused himself by telling he wasn’t an adventurer, just a Palace Servant.

And at the next day the group reunited with the next of Applejack’s friends and also Princesses Luna, Cadence and of course Celestia. This whole Twilight thing was a huge threat to the land and they had to see it by themselves.

“Are we all here? Good, let’s go!” Said Princess Twilight leading the way.

They arrived to the same spot they separated from the visitors before… but something had changed.
Everypony shivered looking at the black wall swallowing part of the forest, even the ones who had seen it before. The only ones who remained calmed were Epona and Sweet Fog.

“This is indeed strange… and disturbing. I can feel a huge amount of dark magic coming from it” whispered Celestia.

“What shall we do then, sister?” Asked Luna unable to stop looking at the Twilight.

“I have no idea Luna… at the moment all we can do is to wait for our visitors to arrive”

Twilight nodded.

“And the worst part is… that is closer than yesterday. This thing had been expanding all the time?”

Suddenly the wall seemed to tremble entirely, making everypony jump backwards and the alicorns to prepare their horns for a fight; but it was nothing, just the visitors from last day appearing before them.

“And it’ll continue expanding until we do something about it” said Midna, riding as always on Link’s back. “That’s the nature of the Twilight”

Cadence, Celestia and Luna gulped looking at Link, but managed to maintain their dignity and lowered their heads greeting the visitors.

“So you must be the Twilight Princess”

“Call me Midna. I don’t want any idiot making jokes about how my title resembles your fellow Princess’ name”

Celestia nodded.

“As you wish, Midna”

“We gave orders to prepare some chariots pulled by pegasi in order to transport us immediately to Canterlot” said Luna.

“Good, let’s move!”

The Twilight Princess, the King of Shadows and the Chosen Heroes

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The Twilight Princess, the King of Shadows and the Chosen Heroes

The trip to Canterlot was relatively fast, but it felt awfully long for the equestrians, too stressed to say a word. But the the Hylians and Twilies were chatting happily admiring the architecture of the beautiful capital of Equestria.

Finally the pegasi-pulled chariots landed and several high-ranked went to receive the group; and one more time they jumped backwards at the sight of Link (much for his annoyance) but Princess Celestia made them a small nod indicating her soldiers to relax.

“So what’s the situation, your Majesties?” Asked Shining Armor recovering the military mettle.

Princess Celestia frowned.

“Not good, captain Armor. But we’re in our way to solve it; in the meantime escort our visitors to the Throne Room and make sure that nopony freak out because of Link. He’s here as an ally; only to solve this situation, just like us”

“As you wish, your Majesty” said Shining bowing to the Princess.

Several soldiers began to walk aside of the visitors but most of them took a cautious distance watching Link carefully. The wolf groaned softly unnerving them, but Minda just chuckled and stroke behind his ears.

“It’ll be over soon puppy, try to ignore them”

“Whatever” sighed Link.

They continued walking until they reached the Throne Room where the Princesses made them wait outside until they were ready. All the time they were waiting outside Link felt the stares from all the Palace’s personnel but following Midna's advice, tried his best to ignore them. Instead he tried to concentrate on the heavy saddlebags Epona was carring since the last day.

“Epona, are you really sure you don’t want me to help you?”

Epona just winked an eye to him.

“Don’t worry about me Link, believe it or not this new form of mine is stronger than the other. Besides you’re caring Midna; I won’t wish that to my worst enemy”

Midna snarled to Epona.

“Care to repeat that filthy horse?”

“Don’t mind her Lady Midna, she’s just jealous you spent the whole day with her bestie instead of her” said Sweet Fog gaining a death-glare from Epona.

Then the group just laughed under the suspicious looks from the equestrians; what did Epona meant with new form?
But there wasn’t time to think about it since Princess Twilight Sparkle were already opening the door for them.
The visitors exchanged a quick look and they got in confidently.

Inside the Throne Room, the four Princesses were sitting on their respective thrones with the Harmony Bearers in strategic positions at their sides.

Midna looked around with a small smirk and nodded.

“Hey, don’t look at us like that, I think we’re all on the same side here: none of us want the Twilight go any further. If I’m not wrong Epona already told you the catastrophe we faced when the Twilight expanded for the first time to the Kingdom of Hyrule”

Celestia frowned.

“What? This had happened before?”

Applejack confirmed it:

“A’ haven’t had the time to discuss it with the others but is true, Epona already told me about the first Twilight expansion because of the sorcerers Zant and Ganondorf”

“So you consider they're telling the truth Element of Harmony?” Asked Princess Luna.

“Yes, A’ trust them. The only thing A’m not so sure about is that whole Twilight expansion thing is coming from our side”

The group then looked incredulously to the visitors and the Twilight Princess simply shrugged.

“We’re not sure neither, but that’s why we came here asking for help; if you think about it, it really doesn’t matter from which side this thing started. I already have my people working in my world looking for a culprit; but at the end what really matters isn't catch someone, but stop this once and for all”

Celestia nodded, still staring to Midna.

“However I'm not completely sure if I can trust you, Midna"

"And why is that?"

"Mostly because I feel a huge amount of dark magic coming from you”

“Twilies are a race of shadows, so yes, we mostly use dark magic; but that’s another reason for us to stay in our world. In the Twilight Realm we're able to keep going with our chosen lifestyle without bother or being bothered. With the obvious exception of Zant, invading other Realms isn’t something we Twilies wish”

Cadence then looked at the others.

“What about you, Epona, Link; Sweet Fog? What do you have to say about this?”

Sweet Fog bowed before he started:

“Well, all I can say is that everything that Lady Midna said is true; we prefer to stay in our world where we have little to no reason to wish invading the world of light, and after what happened with the Usurper King Zant, Twilies prefer to stay away from the light more than ever”

The Equestrian Princesses nodded and then Princess Twilight turned to the others.

“And what about you, Link and Epona? Do you have anything to add?”

“All can I say is that Midna is trustable” said the Hero confidently. “When we met her she was desperate to find the sacred artifacts that supposedly will allow her to separate our world and hers; and that was all she cared about”

“So you’re not from the Realm of Twilight?” Asked Celestia.

“Nope, we’re from Hyrule, the first world that the Twilight expanded to” explained Epona with a smirk.

“And the fact we’re here helping Midna proves that we really trust her” added Link.

The ponies seemed geniunelly doubtful about this, so the Hero kept talking:

“Back then, Midna was key to get things back to normal, and most important: she’s a very dear friend for all of us, especially for me”

Midna looked at Link slightly blushed but didn’t say anything.

The Equestrians looked to each other again,talking among themselves for a little while; in the meantime the visitors sat on the floor waiting. Finally the council turned back to the visitors from the Twilight and Hyrule.

“Okay we decided to help you” said Twilight.

“And the first thing we must do, is make sure that the force merging our world with the Twilight is really coming from our side” said Princess Luna firmly.

Midna yawned boringly.

“Oh, sorry; I forgot to mention I’ve been sure he’s from here for a while now”

Everyone in the room looked at her.

“What you mean?” Asked Link.

“Yes, how can you be so sure?” Questioned Luna.

The Twilight Princess snapped her fingers and looked to the horizon.

“Because as Princess of the Twilies I have great talent for dark magic; both to perform it… and also to detect it. And since we arrived to your Palace I’ve been feeling someone watching us from the distance. He was probably watching since yesterday but because of the wild magic of the damn forest I was unable to detect him until now. So now that we’re far enough all I can say is: stop it right now moron! Having your eyes on the back on my neck is starting to irritate me”

The four Princesses and the Bearers of Harmony paled, practically jumping out of their seats looking for the source of this ‘dark magic’ while Link and Epona looked everywhere preparing for battle. How was Midna able to feel it? Did her shadowy nature gave her an advantage against this invisible spy?

Midna just chuckled looking at this magicians of light freaking out because of her comment, but suddenly frowned at the moment she felt the dark presence coming closer.

“Seems like the idiot took the bait” she said with a half-smile.

Big black sharpened crystals grew from the floor blocking every door and window in the Throne Room; and surrounded by a purplish black fog, two green and red eyes opened staring at the two groups. Then the fog finally materialized into a gray pony with green eyes, threatening fangs and an evil look; dressed in a red velvet cape and a blackish armor.

The giant wolf snarled warningly, jumping in front of Epona and Midna in protective attitude.

“Sombra!!” Shouted the Equestrians.

Ignoring the Equestrianss, King Sombra simply bowed to Midna.

“It’s an honor to meet you Midna, Princess of the Realm of Darkness known as Twilight”

Midna greeted him by showing her middle finger.

“And I guess you’re the moron who opened the door to my world. It’s a displeasure to meet you”

Sombra smirked approaching to the Twilight Princess apparently unaware of the furious look from the wolf; and took Midna’s hand to kiss it as a true gentlecolt.

“My dear lady, I want’ you to know my intentions never involved your marvelous Realm. You see, right after the lavender Princess and her pet dragon sealed me in that freezing hell for the second time, I knew I had to think in a plan B. Before the portal closed entirely I used the last of my strength to open a dimensional breach, a breach to a world that was in expansion and where also I was able to hide my aura thanks to two most powerful and darker auras that mine”

“Oh great, he entered the Twilight during Zant Era” sighed Sweet Fog.

“And let me guess: you took advantage of the confusion and opened a way back here” said Epona rolling her eyes.

“Dude, if you’re going to be evil at least try something original” mocked Link.

Sombra better ignored them and kept his attention on Midna.

“Such rudeness from your servants Twilight Princess; shall I punish them for you?”

Midna just stared at Sombra with a blank expression.

“What the hell do you want?”

Sombra bowed with an innocent smile.

“I have no quarrel with the Realm of Twilight or you Lady Midna, and really hope that after I reach my objective you and I can stay as allies"

"And your objective is..."

Sombra's expression turned dangerously evil.

"It's simple: that your Realm swallows certain Being that powers-up Equestria’s greatest defense against the forces of Evil and lies on the deeps of the Everfree Forest. It's only a matter of time, Lady Midna!"

Celestia gasped.

“Oh no, the Tree of Harmony!”

Nor Sombra nor Midna paid attention to her.

“What do you say, Twilight Princess? All you have to do is look to another way and once the Tree is history, I'll stop the expansion” smirked Sombra.

Link approached to the dark king threatening him by showing his fangs.

“You’re no better than Ganondorf and Zant. Go to hell” snarled the wolf.

“I’m not talking to you wolfie, besides it’s too late; why do I think I took the time to come here? BECAUSE THE TREE OF HARMONY IS BEING SWALLOWED WHILE WE SPEAK!!!”

Then it happened. It felt like a dagger stabbing the hearts of the Bearers of Harmony; who suddenly fell on their knees screaming in pain at the moment when an unknown force ripped off something deep inside their souls.

Sombra laughed hysterically, he had done it; the Twilight absorbed the Tree of Harmony leaving no nopony able to stop him now.
Luna and Celestia felt a horrible pain too; but even it wasn't as bad as the Mane 6's now the were uncapable to fight King Sombra. No! Equestria was at Sombra’s mercy; and Cadence and Shining couldn’t stop this mad pony on their own. Equestria’s was hopless.

Midna grinded her teeth.

“Enough of you. Fix this now or…”

“Or what, Twilight Princess?” Asked Sombra. “Come on, let’s become allies”

“I didn’t born yesterday dumbass, why should I trust anything you say?” Asked Midna calmly.

"Smart girl, however if you don't joinme then I won't stop the Twilight expansion even if I already have what I want"

“It seems I must make you”

“And how are you planning to do that, Twilight Princess? Perhaps you’re a skilled dark magic caster; but you have no guarantee you’ll defeat me”

The group of visitors laughed much to Sombra’s annoyance.

“What’s so funny?” Asked the Dark King.

“We do have a guarantee: a legendary weapon that destroys Evil: the Master Sword” explained Epona smiling confidently.

“Is that so? And where’s this ‘legendary weapon’ dear?”

Midna looked at the wolf, who nodded.
The imp took her dark crystal activating its power making a black and orange glow surround the wolf and herself.
Before the astonished ponies imp and wolf turned into a green-skinned woman with beautiful orange hair and a young human dressed in green wearing a shield and a sword on his back.
The creature in green walked a step towards Sombra aiming his sword to him saying something the ponies couldn’t understand.

“I guess he’s introducing Sombra to his blade” guessed Weet Fog.

Epona chuckled.

“Dude, you’re screwed”

Link shouted something that sounded like ‘Hya’ and jumped attacking Sombra with his sword, the unicorn tried to move backwards but it was already too late and a deep cut appeared on his right hoof. Screaming in anger the Dark King began to shoot powerful magic beams to Link; who covered himself with the shield.

Sombra smirked, there was no way a simple shield could protect this hairless monkey from an explosion of concentrated dark magic. But he was wrong, the shield received everything without a problem and Link removed it without a scratch in him or the shield.

“WHAT?!”

Link made an inviting gesture with his head; angering the dark unicorn who charged against this creature in a desperate attempt to stab him with his horn. Of course it didn't work, Link received Sombra with shield-attack that hit right on the forehead that making Sombra lost his balance for a few seconds; giving Link enough time to stab him on the left foreleg.

And only with both of his forehooves dripping black blood, Sombra knew he better tried to escape by turning into fog; and was about to reach the door when a beam of dark magic got him on the back forcing him back to solid form just to receive another stroke from the Master Sword.
He screamed in agony, there was something on this weapon that made him feel more pain than he never felt before

“WHAT IS THIS BLADE?!”

“Your worst nightmare” answered Epona.

Midna, floating slightly above the ground, took a small mirror betweem her hands.

“At first I was wondering why we don’t felt his presence during the crisis, now I know: he’s weak and pathetic, mostly pathetic” said the Twilight Princess looking at Sombra.

“I think that he doesn’t understand you right now” said Link.

Midna shrugged.

“I don’t care. Now, have I shown you my weapon yet Link?”

“The Mirror of Shadows?”

“Exactly, I cannot let you keep all the fun mister Hero”

Midna aimed her mirror to Sombra; summoning two giant hands made of black stone. The two monstruos things positioned above Sombra and oppened as they were about to grab him.
Link shivered, he had a horrible sensation of Deja-vu. Those things? Really?
The Dark King was crawling, trying to escape from the two things; but the right hand grabbed and threw him to his own crystals while the right hand turned into a fist and smashed his body against them.

The Dark King screamed in pain when the shattered crystals stabbed on his back because of the monstruos impact.
Still he recovered on time to elude another attack from Link. Sombra looked at the warriors, smiling confidently to him while he was bleeding all over. What was going on? Was he really this weak compared with the unknown warriors?

“THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!”

“Are you ready to fix what you’ve done?” Asked Midna.

Sombra looked stubbornly at the eyes of the Twilight Princess.

“I don’t know what you’re saying… BUT EVEN IF I FAIL SOMEPONY ELSE WILL COME TO FINISH MY WORK!”

Midna raised an eyebrow.

“What on earth means hiiiiiiiii?”

In the meantime Epona, Fog and the Princesses were helping the Bearers of Harmony. They seem to be bad, really bad.

“Twilight Sparkle! Girls! Resist please!” Cried Celestia.

Nothing, they were lying on the ground, making a huge effort to even breathe. What they could do?
Suddenly several knockings from the other side of the crystal barriers called their attention.

“The soldiers…” mumbled Luna.

“If only we had the strength to get rid of the barrier!” Cried Cadence.

“Luckily I have the perfect tool!” Announced Epona taking a bomb from Link’s saddlebag.

Applejack opened her eyes weakly.

“Epona… is this the thing Apple Bloom was playing with…?”

Epona nodded.

“Eeyup, FIRE IN THE HOLE!”

The brown mare threw the bomb against the black crystal barrier, reducing it to nothing in a matter of seconds. Epona smirked excitedly, this was fun, really fun; and the best part was that the adventure had only started. But Applejack just shivered, trying not to imagine what could happen to Apple Bloom if it wasn’t for Epona’s quick reaction.

The Royal Guards, leaded by Shining Armor, entered to the Throne Room ready to protect their Princesses; being the first thing they saw the six Bearers of Harmony agonizing in the ground along with the weakened Princesses. Then Shining looked at the strange bipedal creatures.

“You’ll pay for this! SOLDIERS, BEHIND ME!”

The sudden neigh behind them made Link and Midna turn to see what the hell; giving Sombra the chance to counterattack with another dark magic beam, that Link and Midna barely eluded by rolling away.

IShining Armor paled in horror when he recognized the King.

“Sombra… Sombra…”

The Dark King would really enjoy to kill the stallion at the moment, but he was too busy going away from Link who once again jumped towards him aiming with the holy blade.

“Damn it, I must run!”

Sombra turned into fog again and tried to fly away.
Link frowned.

“Oh no you won’t! EPONA, CLAWSHOTS!”

Maybe they didn’t speak the same language, but after living so many adventures together Epona was able to understand some things Link said in his Hylian form; so she simply looked into her saddlebag for the requested weapon and threw it to Link who caught in on the air and equipped it.

“I’ll go first!” Said Midna flying to Sombra

With the Mirror of Shadows she created a huge black stone cannon (that looked exactly like the one Link used to travel to the city of the Ooca) to shoot powerful dark magic projectiles to the running unicorn.
Most of the attacks missed but one hit him forcing Sombra to become solid again. Still Sombra continued flying; he had to live no matter what. At some point he looked back to see how far he was from his enemies; unfortunatelly not much, Midna was getting closer with her flying and Link was climbing the walls with the help of two claw-shaped things attached to a large chain that pulled him higher and higer.

Down on the Throne Room, Epona was desperately looking for something inside Link’s saddlebag, there must be something that could help the six girls. Found it!

“Drink this!” Said Epona putting a bottle in Twilight’s mouth.

"What is it?"

“It’s Blue Chuchu jelly, the most powerful medicine in my world, just a sip will be enough”

Twilight obeyed, and like Epona said a single sip was able to help her recover some of her strength; she wasn’t fully cured but at least she was out of danger.

“The rest of you too, now!” Commanded Sweet Fog taking another bottle from Epona's saddlebag.

The girls obeyed, this was some kind of miraculous elixir.

“I’m so glad you’re almost recovered!” Said Celestia relieved.

“Me too Princess… but what will happen with Sombra?”

“I don’t know but if the fight keep going like this, they’ll destroy the whole Palace” mumbled Shining looking how the walls were shaking.

“It doesn’t matter, we have more important things to worry about” said Princess Celestia.

“What you mean?”

“Even if they defeat and seal Sombra again, they won’t be able to restore the power of the Tree of Harmony” explained Princess Luna.

“WHAT?”

Celestia lowered her head ashamed of herself.

“The only way to do that is to convince the six Titans of Harmony that you’re worthy of bear your Elements again; and since you already lost them, the only way to do that is to challenge the Titans to a fight and win, but it’s impossible”

“We must try!” Protested Twilight.

Luna shook her head.

“Absolutely not Twilight Sparkle!! The Titans of Harmony live in the deeps of the Temples of Harmony; the deadliest dungeons in Equestria: full of monsters, hellish puzzles and deadly traps”

Epona couldn't help but chuckle.

“WE’RE IN A CRISIS IN HERE, THERE’S NOTHING TO LAUGH AT!!” Shouted Princess Luna with her Canterlot Voice.

“Don’t you see? There’s nothing to worry about! Link and Midna are experts in dungeons! Besides if you don’t go inside we will”

The ponies looked to each other.

“By the way, why are you friends with humans?” Asked Princess Luna.

“They’re not humans, they’re a Hylian and a Twili!” Explained Sweet Fog.

A huge crack appeared on the roof.

“Wow, they’re really into it!” Cheered Epona.

Sombra had covered himself with a dark aura that protected him and also attacked the warriors in the form of dark tentacles that constantly tried to grab them; but Link and MIdna were able to handle it easily the help of the Mirror of Shadows and the Master Sword. Sombra knew he couldn’t hold them for longer, especially because he was getting weaker because of the blood lost. So he changed his strategy, creating several crystal monsters to keep the warriors distracted; but this time Midna had the advantage; during the battle of the Crossed Eras, the dark sorceress Cia had used a similar tactic by sending hordes of small monsters like Stalchilds, Bokoblins and Moblins; and like Cia's monsters, this crystal creatures were to weak, a single attack was able to destroy five or six of them at the same time.

“This is over” said Midna.

At the end Sombra had to make disappear all the monsters he summoned, he was too weak to maintain them and still be able to defend himself. Both Hero and Twilight Princess advanced towards him.

“You may won this battle but I’ll win the war! I’ll die, yes, but Equestria’s greatest defense is destroyed and there’s no way any of you can stop what’s coming. ESPECIALLY WITHOUT THIS DAMN BLADE!”

And with the last of his strength he shot a last dark magic beam to Link, who again covered himself with the Hylian Shield, forcing him to move his sight from Sombra for a few seconds, that was all the monarch needed. With his magic he took the Master Sword and covered it with a dark aura.

“If you excuse me, I’ll transform this into a weapon of darkness. Something I can punish you for all this!” Shouted the Dark King concentrating his power on the weapon.

The black light covered the Master Sword, much for Link’s confusion and horror. But suddenly a different kind of glow emerged from the blade; some kind of blue and purple shining. Everyone looked at that light equally confused, and suddenly the light took the form of a leg in a stylized black tight and high heels. The leg kicked Sombra sending him to the other side of the room and slowly began to emerge the rest of a strange being: some kind of spirit with blue head, dressed in a blue and purple cape; and of course the tights.

“What?!”

The being bowed to Link.

“Master Link, this attempt of corruption of the Master Sword awoke me from my long sleep; so from now on I will serve you as I served your first incarnation. You may address me as Fi”

“What now?” Asked Link.

Midna face-palmed. Oh come on, this is just mix the things too much! But at the end just shrugged and greeted the spirit.

“Hi Fi, I haven’t see you since the Battle of the Crossed Eras; I’m glad you’re here!”

“It’s also nice to see you too Midna, Princess of the Twilight Realm”

Then Fi turned her attention to Sombra, and began to dance some kind of ballet around the room; spinning over and over with one leg while keeping the other on the air. Sombra got hit several times, noticing that those legs were as hard as steel. Finally Fi stopped her dancing and jumped in the air surrounding herself with three different flames of different colors: a red one, a green and a yellow one. The three flames returned to Fi transforming the spirit into a sword that stabbed Sombra in the abdomen.

“Master, I missed his heart but I hit several vital organs; according to my calculations the probabilities that this sorcerer survives are below 1%. I highly recommend put him out of his misery”

Link nodded and with his sword he pierced Sombra’s forehead killing him instantly. A white light surrounded the dead body taking the form of a heart.

“Huh. Ey Midna, want the Heart Container? I already have twenty!”

“Oh that's so sweet from you, thank you Link!”

The group went downstairs where the ponies were already waiting for them, so Midna turned them back into wolf and imp to be able to talk.

“Okay, we took care of the dark sorcerer but still we have no idea how to fix this” said Link.

“We do!” Said Epona winking an eye to Link. “And guess what: it involves dungeons!”

Link’s eyes widened.

“Did you said Dungeons?!” He asked waving his tail.

Preparations for battle, on the way to the Temples of Harmony

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Preparations for battle, way to the Temples of Harmony

When the battle had finally finished and King Sombra was deader than dead, the group went downstairs where the ponies were already waiting for them; so Midna turned Link and herself into wolf and imp.

“Okay, we took care of the dark sorcerer but still we have no idea how to fix this” said Link.

“We do!” Said Epona, winking Link. “And guess what: it involves dungeons!”

Link’s eyes widened.

“Did you say Dungeons?!” He asked waving his tail.

“I knew you would love it" Epona smirked. "And there’s more! They say this dungeons, the Temples of Harmony are really dangerous, with puzzles, monsters and all the things you love!”

“You can count with me and the Master Sword!" Link barked in delight. "What about you, Midna?”

“I helped you once to save my world, I can’t see why I can’t help you again. Besides now that I have my own weapon I can help you with the fighting and the puzzle-solving”

Princess Celestia just shook her head energetically.

“I don’t know what the four of you have been through" she said. "But the Temples of Harmony have nothing to do with it. No, these dungeons are designed for the Bearers of Harmony to prove themselves before the Titans. The puzzles will blow their minds and the dangers they’ll face will force them to push their bodies to the limit”

Link and Midna smirked.

“You really haven’t been to Hyrule, right?”

Luna had to stay on their side to this one.

“Sister, this is an offer we cannot refuse" She said. "Our new friends have proven themselves in battle against Sombra. Giving the Bearer’s condition we don’t actually have a choice”

“We’re always ready for everything” assured Fog.

Cadence stood with them as well.

“Aunt, without the Elements of Harmony Equestria can’t stand for too long;. If they’re willing to help us we better accept their help”

“You’re right! You’re right!" Celestia conceded. "So, where did you seal Sombra?”

“What now?” Asked Midna.

“Yes, tell us where you sealed him so we can go reinforce the seal and make sure he doesn’t get free again”

Midna raised an eyebrow.

“Seal? Don’t be ridiculous. We didn't seal him, we killed him”

Everypony looked at them in fear, did they just said they KILLED Sombra?
Suddenly Fi appeared out of nowhere and politely bowed to the Princesses.

“I know it sounds unpleasant" Fi said. "But killing the sorcerer assures a 100% chance that he doesn’t cause more trouble”

“Who’s this?” Asked Epona.

Midna shrugged.

“An old friend, long story.

“Oh, okay then”

“As I was saying" Fi continued. "When you seal an enemy the probabilities for them to escape are from 67 to 99.9%, in this occasions death is the only reliable option”

“You MONSTERS!" Celestia couldn't believe what she was hearing. "How can you just take a life and stand there as nothing happened? It’s horrible”

“We did what we had to! In fact that’s what we did last time the Twilight expanded with Zant and Ganondorf”

Celestia furiously walked to Midna.

“IF YOU’RE GOING TO KILL, THEN STAY IN YOUR REALM! HERE IN EQUESTRIA IS FORBIDDEN TO TAKE A LIFE, IT’S BEEN FORBIDDEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME AND EVEN A PONY LIKE SOMBRA DESERVES TO…”

Midna punched her with her hand-shaped hair, sending the Princess of the Sun to the other side of the room. Then the little imp simply floated towards her and took her by the mane.

“Now you listen to me idiot. Under normal circumstances, I would say you’re right and as long as we stay in your Kingdom we must do as you say. But currently your decisions not only affect your little ponies but the Twilies as well and as their Princess I must do what is needed to protect them. And if I consider a life needs to be taken I'll take it l so you better shut up and let me save my people, understood?”

Celestia looked at Midna’s eyes and then to her fellow Princesses, who looked away filling Celestia with disappointment. So they were really okay with Sombra’s murder? Indeed they were, especially Candace.
The Princess lowered her sight ashamed of the others.

“Just… let’s finish this as quick as possible, Midna of the Twilies. The sooner we finish this alliance the better”

“Agreed. So what should be our next move?” Asked Midna releasing Celestia.

“I guess getting into the Temples of Harmony” said Twilight. “Princesses, what do you know about them?”

“First you must understand something Twilight Sparkle, for millenia my sister and I had the task to watch for the Tree of Harmony. And a thousand years ago a prophecy was made announcing the arriving of the six of you, the souls that should bear the Elements when the right time comes”

“And how’s that related to the Temples?” Asked Epona.

“We didn’t knew where the Temples were until the Elements of Harmony awoke in the six Bearers. To be more precise, at the very moment they accepted their destinies… gaining their Cutie Marks in the process” explained Celestia.

The ponies looked at the Princesses.

“WHAT?!”

“Exactly" Luna nodded. "The Temples are at the places where you obtained your Cutie Marks”

Twilight couldn’t believe it.

“So that means there’s a hidden Temple in your Academy, Princess Celestia?”

“Exactly" The Princess of the Sun sighed nodding her head. "And also in the Pie family Rock Farm; the deeps Sweet Apple Acres; at the mountain where Rarity Belle had her first encounter with the jewels. The small forest under Cloudsdale and at Cloudstale itself. Everything was connected from the beginning. In fact, the Temples are nothing but a backup plan in case something happened to the Tree of Harmony”

“The Temples will test the strength of your Friendship along with the personal skills of you. It’s okay if you go inside together, but there will be some battles that each of you must face alone” explained Princess Luna.

“You mean the Titans…” mumbled Twilight.

The two alircorns nodded.

“So we will have to fight? But I don’t know how!” Cried Fluttershy.

“That’s why I didn’t want you to go into the Temples but I’m afraid we don’t have a choice" Celestia sighed before motioning to Link and his allies. "And at least these four are coming with you”

The visitors just smiled confidently.

“Of course!" They said at the unison

“So where do we start?” Asked Rainbow Dash barely waiting.

Twilight considered for just a couple of seconds.

“Easy: the Temple of Magic, if it’s true that the Temple is somewhere in Princess Celestia’s Academy that means that’s the closest one. Then we can go to Sweet Apple Acres to the Temple of Honesty. Then Kindness and Loyalty; and finally Generosity and Laughter”

“And probably the Twilight” observed Midna.

“Our chances of succeed exceeds 80% if we all stay all together” said Fi.

“Fine! Want to go now or would you prefer to rest a little until you recover your strength” asked Princess Luna

“Our lives are in danger so there’s no time to lose” said Applejack.

“I guess you’re right" Midna sighed. "Usually I prefer to have a little time before go into a dungeon or similar, but considering what just happened we better hurry”

Epona turned to Link.

“Ey, is it okay if at some point I borrow one of your weapons?”

The wolf seemed a little surprised but smiled to Epona.

“Sure, whatever you need old friend”

“Great!” Cheered the brown mare.

“During the fight I used 4% of my energy but I’m still able to handle 74% of the following battles on my own”

“I’ll do what I can as well” assured Sweet Fog.

“Then let’s move!”

Luna, Candace and Celestia just sighed.

“Unfortunately we can’t go with you, we have been forbidden to put even a single hoof inside any of the Temples”

“And what about me?” Asked Shining Armor.

Twilight shook her head.

“No Shine, stay with the Princesses, in their current state they can’t do anything in case of a threat, so they’ll need you. But don’t worry, Epona, Link, Midna and Sweet Fog are coming with us”

“That’s what worries me the most” said Shining staring tat the group. He didn’t mind about the therstal and the earth pony; but the hylian and the twili looked too suspicious to him. Not to say about the spirit who had just showed up.

Of course the warriors didn’t mind and advanced to Celestia’s Academy for gifted unicorns along with the ponies.

“Epona, for the third time, are you sure you don’t want me to help you carrying my own stuff?”

“No Link, I’m more than fine. This form may be smaller but is also stronger than my other one. Take it easy Link”

The group were wandering in Canterlot in their way to Celestia’s Academy for Gifted Unicorns, with Link, Fi and Midna in the front; the Mane 6 in the middle and Epona and Sweet Fog at the end of the line.
But Applejack looked at Epona and slowed her walking to be aside her.

“Epona, do you mind if A’ ask you something?” Asked Applejack.

“Sure, what’s on your mind Applejack?” Said Epona with a smile.

“There’s something A’ don’t fully understand, A’ heard you saying this isn’t your normal self. So what are you really?”

Epona sighed, she really hoped to avoid this conversation but apparently she had no choice.

“How can I put this? I’m taller and I’m not a pony but a steed” “

“Steed?”

“You see, in the world of Hyrule, my world, equines are just animals. Mostly used for transportation”

“What?! Link used ya’ as some kind of slave? Epona you must learn how to defend yerself from these abuses!!”

“Applejack, don’t blame him. Like I said, equines are nothing but animals back where I came from. And believe me: Link never used me against my will. Back when we lived in Ordon Village I was considered as a wild and untamable beast, the only persons I allowed around me were a kind girl called Illa and then Link. Illa was always nice with me, and Link… I have no idea what happened but we understood each other from the beginning and started to work together. There was no need for Link to force to anything. No, it was like we’ve met before. Then we learnt everything about the prophecy of the chosen hero and… I don’t know, my theory is that I’m the reincarnation of the hero’s horse”

“Still it isn’t right!” Protested Applejack.

“I know, but we Hylian horses never knew better. However back when the Twilight expanded to Equestria and Link turned into a wolf, we actually talked for the first time. He began to see the animals with other eyes, even turned vegan… and our friendship only got stronger”

Applejack looked to Epona and then to Link, who was chatting happily with Midna.
She would like to keep arguing about Epona’s condition, but at the time she was planning what to tell him, she felt something… it was strange but it felt like something good. It was the connection between Link and Epona. It felt as strong as the one between the Bearers of Harmony.

In the meantime Link and Midna were chatting happily with each other most for the Mane 6’s annoyance. How could they be so relaxed giving the circumstances?

“And tell me Link, how did you ended up breaking up with Illa?” Asked Midna playfuly.

Link sighed.

“I don’t know, but I can assure you I was the problem. Like it told you, I tried to get back to my life in the farm in Ordon Village… but I couldn’t. In the beginning Illa stuck with me and tried to help me adapt, we were happy… or at least she was happy. Even if I tried, I couldn’t connect with her like the old times, not anymore. In the end I had to leave”

“You’re really pathetic" Midna sighed. "Did you ever think of asking Zelda for a position in the army? Its the least she could have done after you saved Hyrule”

“I did considered it but…”

“But what? You know you can tell me”

Fi turned to them.

“I detect certain levels of evasion in Master’s speech”

“Thank you Fi!” Link groaned.

Midna looked at him worriedly.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Is not that Midna! Is just embarrassing! You see, whenever I was in the Palace I couldn’t avoid thinking of you, how we met, how Zelda saved you. It was just too painful to remember all that knowing that probably I wouldn’t see you again”

Midna smiled warmly at Link blushing.

“I missed you too Link, I really did”

She gently stroked Link’s head when Twilight indicated them to stop.

“Here we are! My old school, Celestia’s Academy for Gifted Unicorns” Announced Twilight.

“Finally!" Midna smirked. "Now let’s look for the Temple of Magic!”

The Temple of Magic, part 1

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The Temple of Magic, part 1

It had been a long day for the Academy’s headmaster, an old unicorn named Deep Knowledge. He had tons of paperwork waiting for him in his office, but he couldn’t take care of it because he spent the whole day in what he considered pointless meetings.
Sighing, he decided to have a small coffee-break to recover before going back to work, when one of his most praised students came in, Princess Twilight Sparkle.

“Your Highness!” Mr. Knowledge greeted with a huge smile, even if he was screaming with annoyance on the inside. If the Princess was there, it meant he had to organize a welcome act and he had no time for such things. “It’s so good to see you, what brings you back to your old school?”

Twilight made a small nod as greeting.

“Sorry for interrupting you headmaster but we have a situation in our hooves and I need you to evacuate the school for today,” explained Twilight. “I hope you understand.”

“Does it have anything to do with the explosions coming from the Palace?” Asked Mr. Knowledge cleaning his glasses.

“I’m afraid so,” said the Princess of Friendship worriedly. “And it’s going to get worse if you don’t do as I say.”

“Very well,” mumbled the old unicorn, picking up an old microphone he had on his desk. “Attention to all students, given the current situation, the Crown have given us orders to close the building for today. I want you to evacuate in an orderly fashion in the next five minutes. This is not a drill; I repeat: this is not a drill.”

All the students in the Academy shrugged in confusion but obeyed, happy to be able to leave early. After quickly gathering their stuff, they left the building just in time.

Looking at the students going home from the office’s window, Headmaster Deep Knowledge looked at his former student and the interesting group of people behind her.

“I guess we’re done for today,” said the old unicorn. “Good luck to all of you, especially you Princess Sparkle. You’re the greatest achievement of our school, and if something happens to you I don’t know how we could handle it. Take care.”

“We will,” Twilight assured Mr. Knowledge. “We will.”

The unicorn left the school with a sigh. I guess I will finish my paperwork tomorrow morning, he thought.

Back to the group of adventurers, they gathered around Twilight expecting instructions of where to start looking.

“Let’s see,” said Twilight rubbing her chin. “I lived here practically all my school life, but I really don’t know where to start looking. There’s nothing unusual that I remember, just an observatory, a large library… practically everything you would expect to find in a Magic School.”

“So shall we split in small groups to start looking?” Suggested Rainbow Dash.

“No darling, we’re supposed to stay together!” Protested Rarity. “What if some of us find the Temple and get trapped in there before the others come to help, huh?”

“Then what should we do?!” Asked an annoyed Dash.

They all exchanged concerned looks when Fi advanced towards Link and bowed to him.

“Master I think I have a solution to our situation,” said the spirit. “If it’s true the Bearers of Harmony are linked to these so-called Temples, then I may be able to locate its position through their auras. I only need to make a quick scan to Princess Sparkle and activate the Master Sword’s dowsing ability.”

“Dowsing?” Asked Link confusedly.

“Yes Master” said Fi bowing again. “Do you wish to mark the Temple of Magic as a dowsing target?”

“I guess so,” said the wolf, raising an eyebrow.

“As you wish, Master.” said Fi, turning to Twilight. “Please take a step forward so I can analyze your aura.”

“Sure.” obeyed Twilight.

Fi just stared at Twilight for a while until she finally turned back to Link.

“It’s done, master. I’ve scanned the alicorn’s aura, and I can say for sure there’s a place strongly connected to her in this building. Please go back to your normal form so I can activate the dowse”

That said, the spirit disappeared into the Master Sword again much, to everybody’s confusion. Seriously, what the hay just happened?

Still there was no time for questions, so Midna turned Link and herself back to their previous forms. Link then aimed his sword to the air and it began to make a low and slow ‘plin-plin’ sound.

“Okay, that’s a new one.” chuckled Epona.

Link stood there moving his sword randomly, when suddenly the sound became louder and quicker.

“This way!” Shouted Link, running in that direction.

Even if the ponies weren’t able to understand Link’s words, it was more than obvious what he was saying so they ran after him.

The damn school was like a maze, but thanks to Link’s Master Sword and Twilight, who knew the place as her right hoof, they were able to move around without a problem.
As they kept advancing, Twilight started to figure where the Master Sword was leading them.

“We’re going to the observatory!” Announced the alicorn.

They arrived to the largest group of stairs the ever saw; precisely at the tallest tower of the academy. After a small groan from those unable to fly, they began to climb the stairs, but at some point Link decided to take a small liberty.

“Epona, clawshots!” He asked.

“Can’t say I didn’t saw that one coming” sighed Epona giving Link the requested weapon. “Dude, may I borrow your Spinner?”

Link nodded at his friend’s neigh; again they shared some kind of especial bond that allowed them to understand each other, even if they couldn’t actually talk.

So Epona took the most useless weapon Link had: a giant Teetotum with sharpened spikes in the sides that only worked in certain dungeons back in Hyrule. But Epona knew it could be useful, she positioned it against the wall and it began to automatically carry her to the top of the stairs.

“Good one, I never thought this thing could be useful here.” said Link, genuinely impressed.

Epona winked at him, very proud of herself, while the two of them waited for the others to show up. One by one the girls arrived, first Midna and Rainbow, then Twilight and Applejack, and last but not least Fluttershy with Pinkie Pie, Sweet Fog and Rarity.

“And?” Asked Rarity. “You found the dungeon?”

Link kept searching with his dowsing ability, the sound becoming quicker and louder, until it became insufferable in the center of the observatory. Luckily at the moment Link found the spot, the sound quieted and Fi re-emerged from the Master Sword.

“Mater, I’m 96 percent sure you have arrived to your destination,” said the spirit, bowing again. “However I’m unsure how to proceed to open this dungeon, usually inserting the Master Sword in the center would do the trick, but we are currently not in our land.”

Twilight approached to the center. “Thank you for the help, let me handle this for now.”

Fi and Link stepped backwards allowing Twilight to work. She had to trust in her instinct, and what was her instinct telling her now? Come on, she thought, it’s supposed to be the Temple of Magic so it’s only logical to think my magic is key to open this door. So yeah, she supposed to use her magic… but how?

Still unsure if this was the right choice, Twilight sent a magic beam to the floor.

The entire tower shook.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” mumbled Fluttershy, hugging Pinkie Pie.

“Eeyup,” confirmed Applejack.

And then the entire tower went down, like a giant elevator made of stone. Link smiled, he loved this sensation of go on adventure again; but he knew they were going to get hurt badly. Luckily Midna reacted on time creating a small levitation spell to slow down the fall and they landed soft and nicely.

The tower’s walls fell apart showing a series of six doors surrounding the group but two of them had a giant padlock in the middle.

“Doors and padlocks of course!” Said Midna face-palming.

“I only have one question,” said Rarity, outraged. “WHY DID THE TITANS MAKE US CLIMB ALL THOSE STAIRS, IF THE TOWER WAS GOING TO FALL?”

“I’m a hundred percent in agreement with the Element of Generosity,” said Fi dryly. “The amount of logic of those who built this tower is less than 0.3 percent.”

“We can discuss that later,” said Twilight. “Now we have a Tree of Harmony to recharge”

The purple alicorn walked to one of the unlocked doors and opened it, causing a bunch of bats covering in fire to fly towards her. Instinctively Twilight created a force-field to protect her friends and herself but Fluttershy tried a different kind of approach.

“Sorry for bothering you batties but if you don’t mind we can discuss this, you see we invaded your home because…”

But the Keese didn’t listened to reason and just increased the flames in their bodies, continuing their fearsome attack. Fluttershy shrieked and tried to cover herself when Fi came and with her legs hard as steel she danced destroying all the tiny pests with great ability.

That just infuriated the remaining Keese, as each one tried to attack a different target, and Link was the one who destroyed them with his Master Sword, along with Midna and the Mirror of Shadows.

“It’s official, we have their attention.” said the Twilight Princess, smashing several of the bats with hands summoned by the Mirror of Shadows. “If you’re going to check that room do it now!”

Again the ponies understood even if they didn’t understood the words and ran inside the room.

“Epona, they may need some assistance, join them as well!” Commanded Link.

The hylian steed nodded and ran after Twilight’s group along with Sweet Fog.

When they went through the door, they ended up in a circular room with a burning torch in the center and two without fire on the sides. In front of the ponies were two fragile cages, each containing a monstrous pony skeleton wearing light armor and wielding a huge sword and a shield.

“Damn it, Stalfos,” said Sweet and Epona at the unison.

“Stal-what?” Asked Applejack.

“It’s a kind of monster from Hyrule,” said Sweet Fog, watching every move of the caged skeletons. “Very strong, but what is a hylian monster doing here?”

“I don’t know,” mumbled Epona. “But what I do know is that we should be ready for a fight.”

Twilight gulped, watching as the seemingly impatient monsters got out of their cages and attacked the group. When they broke out of their cages, she saw that there was something else behind them. Behind one there was a treasure chest, and behind the other a door.

“Which one shall we free, girls?” Asked Twilight with a shiver.

“Both,” said Epona and Fog in unison.

“WHAT?!” Shouted Fluttershy hiding behind a shaking Rainbow Dash.

“Welcome to a dungeon,” said Fog waiting. “Epona, how do we open the cages?”

“By lightening the torches of course,” said Pinkie Pie proudly. “But if we free them they’ll attack us! Why don’t we wait for Link and Midna?”

“Because we can handle this!” said confidently the hylian steed.

Epona prepared her Spinner and Sweet Fog took a dagger from his saddlebag and put it on his mouth. Then Epona threw one of Link’s bottles to Applejack.

“If something happens to me give me that. It’s Chu-Chu jelly, the same we gave to you back in the Castle,” explained the brown mare. “Princess Twilight light the torch!”

Twilight gulped but prepared her magic.

“Three… two… ONE!” The alicorn shouted, using a fire spell on one of the torches.

One of the cages opened freeing the first of the Stalfos, who ran towards the terrified group of friends, but then Epona activated the Spinner attacking the skeleton’s legs making the horrible creature fall. Seeing an opening, Applejack took her chance and kicked the creature’s back causing the entire creature to shake. Infuriated, the monster jumped, aiming his sword to Applejack. Before the stalfos could land his attack, Sweet Fog jumped in the way, blocking it with his dagger.

The monster jumped backwards, now targeting Sweet Fog, but Epona jumped right on its back with the Spinner, reducing it to a bunch of dry bones.

“Is it over?” Asked Applejack.

“Not yet,” said Epona placing a bomb. “Fire in the hole!”

Done, the creature exploded into a million pieces.

“Next one!” Said Sweet Fog.

This time was Rarity who lit the torch, and as soon the new Stalfo came to attack, Twilight immobilized it with her magic.

“Ey, we got this,” complained Epona.

“I know, but it is our test,” said Twilight. “Now Pinkie!”

The pink mare quickly pulled her party-cannon.

“Say goodbye, bony meanie!” Cheered the party pony, firing her cannon.

The explosion was half funny half devastating, as liters and liters of cream and confetti began to fill the Stalfos’ cranium with so much cream that began to leak from its eyes. Finally, Applejack kicked the creature’s skull reducing it to dust.

“That was barbaric,” said Rarity, who was busy comforting a very scared Fluttershy. “But at least effective, good job to both teams.”

“A’ must say, that spinny thing of ya’s is really useful.” said Applejack, smiling to Epona.

“Link doesn’t like it because he says it only works to one of the Temples he visited, but I knew I could do something interesting with it.” said Epona with a smirk.

“Well, sorry for not knowing how to use that thing properly,” said Link, entering to the room in wolf form, followed closely by Midna in her imp form. “And? Have you found something?”

“Another door and a chest.” said Sweet Fog.

Link nodded and Twilight went to open the chest.

“It’s a key!” Announced the proud purple alicorn. “I bet it works for one of the padlocks outside!”

“But let’s check on this door, first.” said Applejack. approaching it.

They all agreed and entered to a new room, apparently empty.

“I don’t like this” mumbled Rainbow Dash.

“Neither do I” said Link walking into the room.

Once he started to walk in, several giant slugs that were made of magma began to fall from the roof to attack the wolf.

“Gross, gross!” Complained Rarity.

“Fire-slugs! Feels just like home!” Said Link with a smirk.

Fi evaluated the creatures.

“Master, you have defeated a total of 456 of this target” said the spirit with calm. “I can say your performance against this type is monster is very strong.”

“Did she always intervenes like this?” Asked Link to Midna.

“You should heard her at the Battle of the Crossed Eras,” sighed the imp. “Anyway, let’s have some fun!”

Going back to their previous forms, the two warriors began to hunt the monsters.
Once they got rid of all the monsters the ponies were able to carefully approach the room, it was dark, but when their eyes got used to the dark they were able to distinguish the details. First of all there were two elevated platforms, one to the right, one to the left, that could only be reached by flying.

“Look! There are a couple of switches at the top of the platforms!” Said Rarity. “Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy can go and activate them easily… or Twilight, I don’t know.”

“And how are we supposed to do that?” Asked Fluttershy.

“I guess we can approach and guess from there,” answered Rainbow Dash, already flying to the right platform.

Fluttershy gulped.

“Are you sure we aren’t going to activate a trap?” Asked Fluttershy with a trembling voice.

“This is a dungeon, in one way or another you’re going to activate a trap.” answered Epona.

Fluttershy gulped again and flew to the left platform.

On the right side Rainbow took a closer look of the switch, it was purple and had Twilight’s Cutie Mark on top of it; how could she activate it? As a lucky guess Rainbow Dash decided to step on the switch and it went down at her weight.

The floor in front of the rest of the group opened revealing a chest, but when Rainbow was about to fly back to them it went back to normal.

“I get it! Fluttershy at the same time!” Yelled Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy nodded and stood over the switch of her side at the same time Rainbow did.

This time the effect was immediate, the floor opened again revealing the new treasure chest and a hidden mechanism lifted it to the girls.
Rarity ran to open it finding a small purple fabric bag. When she opened she found…

“Money? A hidden room guarded by frightening skeletons just for fifty bits?!”

“Get used to it,” said Link, Midna, Epona, Sweet Fog and Fi at the same time.

“Don’t let this discourage us, girls,” said Twilight. “At least we have a key, we can open one of the locked doors. And there are also three other unlocked doors to explore.”

The two groups left the room of the money and Stalfos and went back to the room with the six doors. Picking a new door the, first thing they bumped into were a group of four monoliths with rolling eyes as heads that seemed to watch every move in the room, At the sight of the unknown ponies, they began to shoot lasers from their eyes.

By instinct the group split in small groups jumping around to elude the attacks of the fearsome Beamos.

“I hate these things!” Complained Midna. “Sweet Fog, my bombs!”

The thestral reacted quickly, and with his recently-acquired wings, he flew to the closest Beamos and threw a bomb at the monster. Epona did the same while Link protected her with the Hylian shield.

“One of the bomb bags you brought is empty! There’s only one more and then the water-bombs” said Epona.

They jumped away when the bomb was about to explode. They finished the monsters quickly, and suddenly an unnatural light appeared in the middle of the room, slowly turning into a large treasure chest, bigger that the one they found in the Stalfos room.

Twilight opened it.

“And what is it?” Asked Applejack.

“If it’s money I swear…” began Rarity.

But the purple alicorn shook her head.

“It’s not money, it’s the dungeon map.”

The Temple of Magic, part 2

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The titaness of Magic
(The Temple of Magic part 2)

“Oh, the Dungeon Map?” Asked Midna. “Okay that’s a relief, from now on it’ll be a lot of easier to move… but we still cannot determine which the useless rooms are”

“The problem with this is that there are too many chests on this” said Twilight scratching her head. “How can we know which ones have something useful like keys and which ones only have money?”

“You can’t” said Epona. “But that’s what makes Dungeons so fun”

“But if we find money Ah’ wont’ complain” said Applejack. “Anypony can use some money to spare, don’t ya’ think?”

“Applejack is right” added Dash. “I would love to go see the Wonderbolt’s latest show or a couple of barrels of good cider”

“However we are wasting our time here” said Fi, who didn’t have any trouble communicating with the inhabitants of Equestria. “In order to fulfil our mission we must find the chests containing the Boss Key and the Dungeon’s Object”

“What now?” Asked Rarity.

“The Dungeon’s Object and the Boss Key” explained Fi. “Helping the Master in his multiple incarnations of the Master I’ve learnt that those are the most useful objects when you enter to one of these Dungeons”

“I see” said Rarity thoughtful. “But again, how can we know where to find what?”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible” said Fi bowing.

“But we can find them quickly if we split” said Twilight. “But we’re supposed to finish this Dungeon together, I don’t know what to do”

Midna turned back into an imp and grinned to Twilight.

“It’s easy: we split in two groups, Hyrule Warriors and the six of you”

They all agreed and gathered around Twilight who had the map.

“Okay, according with this, the two locked doors lead to different areas of the temple, that converge at the other side; so we just need to find a second key and we can split to meet at the other side” said Twilight after studying it.

“Okay, let’s go!” Ordered Midna.

Twilight took the key they just got and used it on the nearest door, the heavy padlock fell and vanished much to her surprise, but she preferred not to say anything and finally opened the door, and the adventurers were received by a horde of horrible skeleton ponies with big protruding teeth and red eyes; and another one of the big skeleton monsters from the other room.

Rainbow Dash gulped looking around.

“Another of those… how are they called?” Asked the cyan Pegasus. “Stalfos! And… smaller Stalfos?”

“And Stalchilds” corrected Midna with a chuckle.

“What’s so funny about this?” Asked Link preparing for battle.

“Seeing a troop of Stalchilds leaded by a Stalfos reminds me the Battle of the Crossed Eras” said Midna dreamily.

“Seriously, what happened in that battle? You keep mention it since we started this adventure” complained Link.

Midna got back to her normal self and winked at Link.

“I’ll tell you as soon as soon as we finish this temple” promised the Twilight Princess taking her Mirror of Shadows.

Then the troop of monsters ran to the group of adventurers ready to finish them but they were received by Link’s Master Sword, Midna’s summoned black-stone hands and Fi’s deadly dancing.

Twilight and the others just watched the battle unsure what to do until Epona indicated them to enter the room.

“I think they can handle the fighting without us, so what if we start solving puzzles?” Suggested the hylian mare.

The girls nodded and they got inside the room
It was a beautiful hall, with big fancy marble columns and golden details that went all the way to the roof (or the Academy’s floor depending on the point of view). The room was divided in two sections separated by a bottomless pit.

“Wow, this seems impressive” mumbled Twilight.

“Nah, this is merely generic” said Epona shrugging.

“And what should we do in this ‘generic’ traps?” Asked Applejack.

“Well, those who have wings can cross it from now without a problem” said Rainbow already flying over the pit.

Full of doubts, Twilight followed her, but suddenly she noticed one of the columns on her side was a little different. It had a strange ornament like an eye that was staring directly at her.

“What’s this?” Asked Twilight flying closer to the column while creating a force-field; after all she still remembered the Beamos.

But Rainbow approached carelessly and took a close look of the eye.

“Hello! Are you going to shoot a magic beam or something? Go on, I’m not afraid of you!”

The eye of course didn’t answered.

“What’s with her?” Asked Sweet Fog joining them.

“Nothing, Rainbow is just in Daring-Do mode” explained Applejack.

“What now?”

“We’ll explain later” said Twilight with a sigh still examining the eye. “What’s this?”

It was when the rest of the Hyrule Warriors entered to the room behind Sweet Fog.

“Oh, an Eye-Switch!” Said Link with a nostalgic smile.

“What did he said?” Asked Applejack to Epona.

“I’m not that sure but I think he said I-Switch” translated Epona. “Oh, I get it, Eye-Switch. You must pierce the eye with something to activate a hidden mechanism”

“Pierce it with something? Like what?” Asked Dash.

Epona then opened her saddlebag and offered Link his bow an arrows. The Hylian nodded and aimed to the eye shooting the first arrow. It impacted right on the center and the eye closed (much to the ponies’ surprise).
And suddenly (as Epona said) a hidden mechanism activated making appear only half of a bridge.

“But what about the other half?” Asked Fluttershy softly.

“Surely on the other side” said Epona shrugging.

They all walked on the bridge and as Link said, they noticed a new switch right on the other side.

“How did you know?” Asked Applejack impressed.

“Years of being Link’s partner”

Link was already aiming a new arrow but Midna stopped him.

“Soon they’ll have to handle on their own and they don’t have a bow and an arrow. Let them solve this with their own resources, alright?”

Link seemed a little surprised but nodded and made Twilight a sign.

“What is he trying to say?” Whispered Rarity.

“I think they want us to do this on our own” said Twilight. “Alright, I’ll do it!”

And the purple alicorn flew to the switch shooting a magic beam against it, making appear the other half of the bridge.

“Is this how it’s going to be? That tedious?” Asked Rarity.

“Eeyup” answered Epona. “Is better if you not to think too much about it”

So the group walked to the other side of the room opening the unlocked door at the end of it, entering to a round room full of… flowerpots.
Link gasped and prepared his Master Sword, he knew all-too-well the plants on the pots: a large steam and a giant mouth-like blue heads.

“Not only monsters but also Hylian plants?” Asked Midna preparing her weapon as well.

“What are those things?” Wanted to know Fluttershy.

“Deku-Babas” explained Sweet Fog. “And look, there’s a chest right behind them!”

Link noticed it as well and indicated the ponies to give him some space, and then he took one of his clawshots and aimed to the roof and then shot pulling himself a few inches from the floor. Then the Hylian champion began to swing from side to side to open the chest by a single kick and then take the content while his friends took care of the Babas.

“Master, what is in there?” Asked Fi when she finished the ‘pruning’.

Link showed her the key, seeming very proud of himself.
Then Fi turned to the Equestrians and bowed to them.

“Now everyone has a key, so I highly recommend us to split as we said and meet later deeper on the temple”

“Okay” said Twilight. “Good luck”

“Good luck to you as well, you’re going to need it” said Midna looking around.

And the Hyrule Warriors left them by walking back to the main hall and then open the other locked door and access to the rest of the temple. But in the bridge room, Link turned to Epona and then to Midna, who transformed him back into a wolf.

“Ehem, Epona would you mind to go with them” suggested Link.

“I was about to suggest the same thing” agreed Epona. “Those six surely could use some experimented warriors to be on their side”

“Sweet Fog, you too” commanded Midna.

“As you wish, my lady” said the Twily Therstral bowing.

Then Midna, Fi and Link where about to keep going when Epona turned winked to Link.

“By the way, dude I’m happy for you” smiled the earth pony.

“For what?”

“I was getting worried about the whole thing of you being depressed and such. Is good to see you’re back to your old self”

“It’s because of I’m back on the adventure business” smiled Link.

“I don’t know pal, I think is more because someone “ said cryptically Epona before running back with the Mane 6.

So the two groups began to explore the dungeon each on their own way, but the Hyrule warriors were the fastest since they already had vast experience in the exploring-dungeon matter; not to mention they were experts in fighting all kinds of monsters even if they had the number advantage.

Finally, after multiple chests full of bits and small keys in several rooms that didn’t worth to mention; the three warriors arrived to a small room where all doors locked iron bars as soon as they made a step in.

“Great, finally we’re going to fight a big one” said Link.

“Fifty rupies we get the Dungeon Object” assured Midna.

“No, I bet we’ll get the Boss Key” said Link preparing for a fight.

Fi just stood there impassively.

“There’s a 100% chance that our doubts will be solved as soon as we take a glance of the creature we must defeat” said the spirit.

Ignoring Fi, Link and Midna exchanged a quick complicity look and walked to the center of the room. Several roars resounded in the darkness and three enormous dinosaurs armed with sword and shield jumped ready for battle.

“An opponent for each one” said Fi. “And I’m pretty sure that the bet’s winner is the master”

“Go to hell” sighed Midna, but couldn’t say more since one of the Lizalfos attacked them directly with his sword, forcing the Twilight Princess to go backwards and counterattack with the Mirror of Shadows.

The mirror created a giant cannon (just like the one Link used to travel to the land of the Oocas) and shot three Twily energy attacks to the lizard.

Link couldn’t stay behind and after perform a perfect backflip to elude a thrust of the Lizalfos and answered with a powerful spin, also avoided by the Lizaolfos. The lizard counterattacked with a thrust on his own that was blocked by Link’s shield. Finally the lizard-like creature jumped backwards only to jump forward just a few seconds later aiming his sword to Link, but the Hylian knew this move in advance and took the chance to take position behind the monster and finally send a deadly attack to the back of the Lizalfo’s neck cutting his head off.

And for Fi, she limited to use her dance skills and legs hard as steel to kick the monster several times breaking its defense and finally turning into a sword herself and pierce the lizard’s heart.

Finally, when the group finished the monsters a giant chest appeared the middle of the room; and inside it, a golden key with a purple star (exactly Twilight’s Cutie Mark) on the top.

“Ha! The Boss-Key!” Bragged Link.

“Whatever” said Midna taking a purple gem from her purse and giving it to Link. “Rupies practically grow from trees. Now let’s hope that the ponies are fine”

“Don’t worry, they have Epona and Fog on their side. They’ll be fine!” Said Link shrugging. But then he blushed slightly. “By the way Midna…”

“Yes?” Asked the Twilight Princess blushing as well.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was only going to mention how good it feels to fight as a team one more time but forget it. Right now we have more important things to discuss”

Midna just smiled to him still blushed.

“I detect that both of your cardiac rhythms increased because of the Master’s first comment” suddenly said Fi ruining the atmosphere.

Both warriors didn’t say anything and better kept advancing hoping to meet with the ponies soon.

In the meantime in the other side of the dungeon, the ponies finally managed to advance to the last room after countless annoying puzzles and monsters who were terminated by the Hylian and Twily horses. It was hard and tedious especially for three puzzles that only gave them money, especially for Twilight and Rarity; but Pinkie Pie, Rainbow and Fluttershy were happy for the extra bits.
Anyway, the room was large but for some reason it was empty.

“This is weird” mumbled Twilight examining the map.

“What, Twi?” Asked Applejack.

“The map indicates there’s a chest in here but I don’t see anything…”

“What if we advance further?” Suggested Pinkie Pie.

Twilight was doubtful, so she turned to Epona and Sweet Fog who seemed thoughtful as well.

“Guys?” Asked the Princess of Friendship.

“I have an idea of what’s going on in this room” said Epona frowning.

“Really?!” Asked Twilight excited.

“Me too” mumbled Sweet Fog. “You have to walk to the center of the room, and whatever happens, DO NOT freak out”

“What? Why?”

“You’ll see soon enough” said Sweet Fog and Epona at the unison.

Twilight nodded and walked to the center, and suddenly all room’s exits got closed by steel bars, and an alicorn statue wearing a golden tiara fell from the roof. The statue then turned to Twilight with its eyes glowing with purplish light and suddenly it made a powerful neigh that made all the girls shiver.
Twilight’s first reaction was to create a force-field, and just in time since the living-statue shot a magic beam from the tiara, so powerful that broke Twilight’s defense in an instant. Twilight froze in terror, but it was as Sweet Fog warned her: there was no time to freak out since the statue was already charging a second attack staring at Twilight.

But Epona came to rescue jumping with the Spinner directing the spikes to the statue’s face. The alicorn statue kicked Epona away but as an expert warrior Epona made a flip on the air and landed on the spinner’s tip completely unharmed.
But she couldn’t celebrate, her actions dragged the statue’s attention to her and Epona had to escape while the stone enemy began to chase and send her powerful beams.

“Ey, don’t stay there staring at me! HELP ME!” Shouted Epona.

And this time the statue almost got her, but she was quick enough to elude it.

“Look!” Suddenly said Rainbow. “This thing stays still for few seconds every time it charges its beams!”

“If only we can find a weakness” said Sweet Fog jumping to help Epona.

Sweet tried to stab the statue with the dagger he borrowed from Midna, but like Epona’s attack, it only made the statue change its objective and began chasing Sweet Fog.

“Damn it, what now?!” Asked Sweet flying around in a desperate attempt to avoid being hit.

Epona looked at the statue, and guided by divine inspiration, waited until it was charging the attack and then directed the spinner to its legs. The statue fell and Sweet took his chance to attack its horn with multiple thrusts. The statue shook at every attack it received for a while, but then stood and tried to attack Sweet Fog but he was already out of reach.

And much for the ponies’ surprise, now it had several cracks on the face.

“You have to be kidding me…” mumbled Rainbow.

Then the statue extended is wings and began to fly all over the room, making that several rocks began to fall over the heroes.
Twilight created a force field to protect her friends, and this time it was more effective; and then the statue landed and tried to charge a new beam, but this time the girls were ready. Rainbow charged at full speed to one the statue’s legs making it temporary lost its balance, giving Pinkie enough time to shot her Party-Canon to another leg; Applejack bucked a third one and Epona took care of the fourth.
The statue fell again and Twilight attacked to the horn with a magic beam from her own.

The statue shook entirely and stood back with more cracks than last time.

“Great we’re winning girls!” Announced Twilight happily.

One more time the statue extended its wings and raised to the air.

“It’s going to throw us more rocks!” Shouted Rarity using her magic to reinforce Twilight’s force-field.

But it didn’t, instead the thing shot its beams from the air breaking Twilight and Rarity’s force-field. Then it shot smaller beams that followed each one of the girls until vanish when touching the walls.

“What’s going on?!” Asked Rarity scared. “Why did it changed the attack pattern?”

“Because we’re about to beat it!” Explained Epona.

The girls kept avoiding the small beams until the statue went back to the floor and tried to charge its usual attack.

“NOW OR NEVER!” Shrieked Fluttershy making the entire group to repeat their combined attack.

The statue fell again and Twilight shot a new magic beam, this time followed by Sweet Fog’s dagger thrusts.
It was over, the statue trembled a little and finally it shattered in a million pieces leaving only the tiara behind.

“And what should we do with this?” Asking Rarity taking the tiara.

“Keep it, it’ll help you to defeat the final boss” explained Fog.

The iron bars blocking the exit disappeared, allowing the girls to advance to the next room.
Like the entrance, it was a large empty hall, and in the bottom of it, there was a giant purple door decorated with Twilight’s Cutie Mark surrounded by two alircon statues like the one they just defeated.

“Great! We made it girls!” Said Twilight excitedly.

“So what are we waiting for?” Asked Rainbow Dash flying to action.

But then they were intercepted by several hordes of Stalchilds, Stalfos and Lizalfos.

“Oh great…” mumbled Epona preparing the Spinner.

“Can you clean the way for us?” Asked Fluttershy hiding behind Fog.

“We’ll try but…”

But then Link, Fi and Midna heroically appeared defeating the monsters easily.

“Guys!” Smiled Epona.

Link didn’t say anything, but instead he threw the Boss Key to the group and aimed to the door.

“Thank you!” Shouted the girls running to the door.

It was hard to determine who the best warrior was since every one of them had a unique and very powerful style. Fi danced gracefully using her legs and agility as her main weapon, but also used several attacks based on the Goddess’ songs that allowed her to take care of lots of enemies at once. Then there was Epona’s spinner that allowed her to move quickly, mostly in circles and covered a lot of terrain at once.
But Link, Midna and Fog specialized in the biggest enemies (full grown Stalfos and fire-breathing Lizalfos who tried to fry them); the first one using his swordsman skills, the second smashing them with the power of the Mirror of Shadows; and finally Fog who was small but agile and fast enough to take care of several monsters at once.

Looking at them was very exciting.

“Ehem, Bearers of Harmony, I highly recommend you to enter to the Titan’s Chamber on this instant” said Fi. “There’s a chance of 89.6% that you’ll get hurt if you stay here watching us”

“Ehehehe, sorry” apologized Twilight opening the door leading to the Chamber.

In the middle of the room a Being completely made of Light that looked as a star like the one in Twilight’s Cutie Mark.

“So you’re here” said the Being. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Bearers of Harmony. My name is Sparkler, Titaness of Magic”

Twilight bowed to the Being.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Sparkler. I am Twilight Sparkle, Bearer of Magic”

“I’m also honored to meet you all today, Twilight Sparkle and friends” said Sparkler bowing too. “You managed to make your way to get here even if everything was against you and I’m proud of you, however I’m curious; none of you are warriors, so how did you made it?”

Twilight exchanged a small look with her friends and smiled.

“As always, with the Magic of Friendship” explained Twilight.

“Fair enough” admitted Sparkler. “But your trial isn’t over Twilight Sparkle. In order for me to restore my power in the Tree of Harmony you must face me in a one-on-one battle. Tell me, are you ready Twilight Sparkle?”

“I guess so” said Twilight putting on the tiara they get from the statue.

They both advanced to the center of the Chamber, where Sparkler created a small fighting ring. Twilight gulped but still walked bravely to the center, but then a scandal from outside called Sparkler’s attention.

“What the…?”

The door suddenly opened letting pass the Hyrule and Twilight Warriors leaded by Epona and Fog. Sparkler raised an eyebrow examining the bipedal creatures behind the mare and Therstal.

“Who the hell are you?” Asked Sparkler.

“Oh right!” Said Twilight. “Sparkler let me introduce you to Fi, Link, Midna, Epona and Sweet Fog. They’re powerful warriors who come from the Kingdom of Hyrule and the Realm of Twilight”

Sparkler frowned.

“I see. Why are they here? This temples were designed to test YOU, the Bearers of Harmony; not the Hyrule or Twilight Warriors” said the Titaness angrily.

Midna and Link shrugged at the Titaness’ words and one more time Midna turned Link and herself into an imp and wolf.

“Sorry, what did you said?” Asked the Twilight Princess. “We cannot understand what you say in our other forms”

Sparkler grumped annoyed.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”

“Helping” explained Midna impassively. “Whatever affected the tree is affecting my Realm too so I have to make sure this six make through this temples safe and alive”

Sparkler stared at Midna.

“Your aura is full of darkness. Do you use Dark Magic?”

“Yes, like any other Twily. Now are we going to keep talking the whole day or are you going to test Princess Sparkle’s skills?”

Sparkler sighed.

“Whatever. Twilight Sparkle, let’s fight!”

…

Twilight and Sparkler stared to each other and then made a small respectful bow.
So then Sparkler raised through the air charging some kind of attack.
Twilight closed her eyes fearing the worst and suddenly a magic beam came out from the crown almost hitting Sparkler.
The Titaness avoided the beam and fell to the ground, creating an energy explosion. Twilight protected herself with a force field and shot a beam from the tiara again this time hitting Sparkler on the center.

The impact sent Sparkler to the other side of the room. But the Being wasn’t angry at all, in fact she was smiling.

“That’s how it’s done Twilight, apparently my Temple taught you a thing or two” Said Sparkler approvingly.

“Actually it was the Hyrule warriors, they are experimented adventurers for a reason” explained Twilight.

“I’ll have to congratulate them later, and also inform my siblings about them” said Sparkler raising up to the air again and then falling one more time.

This time she took Twilight off guard and she received most of the attack falling on her knees.

“Ouch…”

Sparkler didn’t wait for Twilight to recover, instead she raised up to the air again ready to defeat the alicorn for real; but Twilight shot a beam from the tiara before Sparkler completed her attack. This time when the Titaness fell, there was no explosion.
Twilight gulped feeling a little guilty about this, but she shot hitting Sparkler again.

“You’re good Twilight Sparkle” admitted the Titaness of Magic.

“Thank you” said Twilight extending her wings and shooting a third time.

This time what Sparkler did was to deflect the attack that impacted on Twilight. The alicorn fell on the floor once again in great pain looking op how Sparkler was raising up to the air about to create that damn explosion one more time.
Twilight let escape a few tears of frustration. I will fail, right? I’m so sorry…

Twilight sadly glanced at the her friends looking worriedly at her and smiled apologetically.

“Sorry girls, I wish I was stronger”

And closed her eyes resigned to her fate.

Suddenly Epona took something from her saddlebag and threw it to Twilight.

“Princess! It’s some chu-chu jelly! Drink it before it’s too late!”

Twilight accepted the bottle and took a sip just in time. Partially recovering, she stood and shot a beam to Sparkler half of a second before she could create a new explosion. The attack sent Sparkler to the other side of the room again, this time seeming a little upset this time.

“Unexpected, but I’ll allow it just once. But if the Hyrule Warriors or your friends intervene again, you’ll fail this test automatically”

“We’ll keep that in mind” answered Twilight running to Sparkler again.

The Titaness of Magic raised up to the air again shooting multiple lightings to Twilight, who this time knew what to expect and with great skill flew all over the ring avoiding Sparkler’s attacks and shot one on her own.
Sparkler deflected the magic beam again, but this time Twilight was ready and teleported right behind her to shot a second beam that Sparkler couldn’t deflect.

The Titaness fell to the ground and this time she stayed there.

“I admit my defeat Twilight Sparkle. You have passed my trial”

“Are you okay?” Asked Twilight.

“I’m fine, I just had to see if you still were worthy enough to protect Harmony in this land. By losing the Tree of Harmony, you have failed us big time; that’s why these test have to be so hard on you. But be careful, because this is your only chance to recover our trust”

“Again, we’ll keep that in mind” said Twilight bowing. “Thank you for your warning oh Titaness of Magic”

Sparkler smiled to Twilight and the girls and vanished as long as the rest of the Temple. The whole group felt themselves trapped in pure white light and once they came back to their senses, they all noticed they were at the entrance of Twilight’s school.

“Okay, that was weird” mumbled the purple alicorn.

“Again, you’ll get used to it” said Midna boringly. “How many of this temples we have left?”

“Five more” informed Applejack. “Next stop, Sweet Apple Acres!”

Sweet Apple Acres’ forbidden field

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Sweet Apple Acres’ forbidden field

The group left the Academy triumphal, ready for the next temple. And even if they were all exhausted, felt impatient to get into the next temple, a whole new sensation for the Bearers of Harmony but very familiar to the Twilight and Hyrule Warriors (except for Fi who went back inside the Master Sword until next time they need her). It was the excitement of the adventurer.

And right outside the Academy, Luna and Celestia were waiting for the.

“Well?” Asked Celestia looking hopefully at the group.

Twilight Sparkle smiled and nodded energetically.

“We made it Princess, and all thanks to our new friends” assured Twilight.

“No, it was because you had the right tool for the right circumstances” assured Midna, who was still in her imp-form. “Anyway, what’s the next temple? The sooner we finish this trials the better for Equestria and the Twilight”

“Agreed” said Celestia with a small nod. “The closest one is in Sweet Apple Acres, but it would be better if you take your time to properly reequip yourselves, don’t you think?”

“It’s the usual when you go on an adventure” said Wolf-Link. “We’re almost out of healing potions, and that’s crucial in temples, especially against the final bosses”

Midna groaned in frustration.

“Ug! I guess you’re right, as much as I want to go quickly we need at least that” mumbled the frustrated Twilight Princess. “Hey, do you know where can we buy some potions or medicine? Because if all the final battles are going to be as hard as this one, you’re going to need a lots of it”

“Healing potions?” Asked Luna thoughtful. “No… oh, perhaps your friend Zecora can help, she’s a master herbalist”

“Sounds good to me” said Epona shrugging.

However, something else was concerning Celestia.

“Healing potions? What do you mean with that? Don’t tell me you got hurt my faithful student!!”

“Something like that” said Twilight like it was nothing. “If it wasn’t for our friends’ vast inventory, I wouldn’t made it in one piece. But don’t worry, I’m okay and that’s all that matters”

“That’s the spirit Twilight” congratulated Rainbow Dash. “So we go back to Ponyville, talk to Zecora and rest for today”

“Good” agreed Celestia. “The next train leaves in fifteen minutes so you better hurry, I would normally prepare some chariots for you but the preparations would take more than boarding the train”

“However we’ll pay for your tickets” added Luna giving Twilight a bag of bits.

“Just what we needed, more money” mumbled Rarity slightly annoyed, but thanked the gesture anyway.

The entire group boarded the train (right after Celestia and Luna helped them to convicethe personal and the other passengers that Link wasn’t a menace).

“This is getting old” groaned the wolf.

“I know, but with a little luck we’ll end soon” assured Midna.

“I can only imagine how you feel but don’t worry, when we get to Ponyville no pony will overreact. We promise” smiled Fluttershy.

“For real?” Asked Midna sarcastically.

Twilight smiled.

“Yeah, as we told Epona, the folks of Ponyville are very friendly, they may be a little too expressive from time to time but we already explained you are our friends so they won’t be scared this time”

The Hyrule warriors exchanged an incredulous look, but they just shrugged and waited to get to the town, and much to their surprise, nopony panicked this time; and even a couple of ponies came to apologize for overreacting when they met.

“You have to be kidding me” said Midna facepalming.

“We told ya’!” Smiled Applejack. “Ya’ can say this is the friendliest town in Equestria!”

“I wonder if they’re not too friendly for their own good” whispered Link to Midna’s ear.

“Agree” said the imp. “But aren’t the Ordon people just the same?”

Applejack then headed to Sweet Apple Acres.

“Since we’re not going to the dungeon until tomorrow A’ll take care of some chores. Epona, wanna join me? Ma’ family would love to have ya’ again, especially Apple Bloom”

Epona smiled.

“Sure thing! Don’t you mind Link?”

“Of course not! Have fun Epona”

“But before we separate at least agree where to meet tomorrow morning” said Twilight. “Does Sweet Apple Acres sounds fine?”

“Sounds perfect since the temple is supposed to be there, are you okay with that Applejack?” Asked Pinkie.

“Sure, A’ don’t’ mind”

“So I’m going to Zecora’s to buy potions” said Twilight. “Can you lend me your bottles please?”

So Link and Midna gave her their bottles plus a few rupies between green and purple.

“Here, I don’t know if you can use this in this land but it may be good for something”

“What? Are you paying with jewels?” Asked Rarity excited. “Unbelievable, how many of those are you carrying? Oh, they seem so valuable, especially the green ones!”

Link and Midna looked incredulously to each other and then began to laugh happily.

“What? Did I said something funny?” Protested Rarity.

“It’s nothing! Is just that… the green rupies valuable? Give me a break!” Chuckled Midna.

Rarity seemed confused at this and tried to get an explanation from the laughing duo.
But Sweet Fog had heard a rupie discussion already between Applejack and Epona so he preferred to slowly walk away, being noticed by Fluttershy.

“Ehem, Sweet Fog… would you like me to… you know, show you Ponyville?”

Sweet Fog smiled widely.

“A private tour? I would love to! Thank you very much!”

So Fluttershy took Sweet Fog’s hoof and gently began to show him Ponyville, while Rarity fixed her mane and turned to Link and Midna.

“So, I guess I can be your guide to Ponyville” said the fashionista to the visitors. “It is a lovely town, right Pinkie Pie?”

The hyperactive pink pony began to bounce happily.

“But of course Rarity! We couldn’t call ourselves their friends if we don’t show them our beautiful town!” Cheered Pinkie Pie. “So, what do you think guys? Wanna join us show Ponyville to Link and Midna? What about you Dashie?”

Dash shook her head.

“Nah, I’ll check on my Daring Do collection to have an idea of what to do on our temples. But don’t worry, tomorrow you’ll see how much it worth it!”

And she flew to her home excitedly.
Then Twilight turned to the group and smiled apologetically.

“Okay, I guess you’re in Rarity’s and Pinkie’s capable hooves, in the meantime I’m heading up to Zecora’s, so guys, if you need a place to stay, my castle is always open. See you soon!”

And so the purple alicorn interned in the Everfree Forest.
Once she got deeper into the forest, noticed how much the Realm of Twilight had advanced, luckily Zecora’s cabin hadn’t been affected yet but it was only a matter of time.

“Now I wonder if taking the next of the day off it’s actually a good idea” mumbled Twilight.

And in the meantime, the two warriors were about to start their little tour around the town with Rarity and Pinkie when out of nowhere a cheerful minty-green unicorn jumped in front of them.

“Hello again guys! How you’re doing?!” Smiled Lyra. “We haven’t had the chance to talk since the fuzz of your arriving! Oh, or have you forget about me?”

“How could we?” Asked Midna with annoyance in her voice.

But Lyra didn’t seem to notice.

“You see, this morning I saw you hanging out with the Bearers of Harmony but I didn’t came to say hi because you seemed to be in a rush. Did something happened?”

“Kind of” mumbled Link with a sweat-drop in his temple. “But it doesn’t matter, at least for now. Anyway, what are you doing here Lyra? Aren’t you busy or something?”

Lyra shrugged.

“Nope! I have no concerts tonight so I decided to spend the day helping my wife in her store but she just kicked me out arguing that I’m distracting her so I began to wander around the town until now that I saw you; so here I am! It’s great to see my semi-human friends haven’t left yet!”

Link chuckled.

“This girl sure have lots of enthusiasm”

“And something that haven’t been diagnosed yet” said Pinkie Pie quietly, unfortunately Lyra heard her.

“Look who’s talking” complained Lyra. “But what you’re doing guys?”

“Relaxing after a long day” explained Link. “So we decided to take a look around Ponyville”

Lyra’s eyes sparkled in delight.

“Sounds just perfect! If you like it I can give you a tour! What you think?” Asked Lyra with a wide smile.

Rarity and Pinkie Pie were about to say there were on it but Link seemed to like the idea.

“Sure, why not? Midna, if you want you can go with Rarity and Pinkie Pie, I think I’ll have a good time hanging out with Lyra”

“Oh, it will be great!” Cheered Lyra. “And you can stay at my place if you want! Bonnie won’t mind, mostly because the house is mine, but also because I told her how you saved my life. She doesn’t believe you’re humanoid creatures but I know you’ll show her. Right Link?”

Midna shrugged.

“Whatever” groaned the Twilight Princess turning to Pinkie Pie and Rarity. “I know you would love to show us the town, but this girl showed us the way to Ponyville and I guess Wolfie have his reasons to go with her”

Rarity blinked surprised but at the end smiled at Midna.

“Of course not! I’ll take the chance to take care of pending dresses before the work over accumulate”

“But Link, why Lyra and not us?” Whispered Pinkie to the wolf’s ear.

“First and most important, because you can use some rest after what we lived down there” explained the warrior. “And second, because in my experience, the weirdest people can lead you to the best clues… or have the best rewards?”

Midna nodded knowing in who was thinking Link: the group of warriors who helped them in their fight with Ganon and the ‘Insect Princess’ Agitha.

“I guess its fine, I’ll check on the twins then” said Pinkie Pie as cheerful as always. “Coco-Loco ponies are also the most interesting ponies so you’ll be super fine!”

“I don’t want to hear that from you!” Protested Lyra.

But at the end the two of them just walked away without further happen while Link and Midna joined Lyra.

“Okay, let’s start with Bonnie’s shop!” Cheered the anthropologist.

Bon-Bon was behind the counter waiting for costumers when suddenly Lyra appeared.

“Again? Lyra, you know I love you but please don’t come here when I’m working” Said Bon-Bon sighing.

“I know, I know, but I thought you would like to meet my friends Link and Midna, you know, the ones who saved me from that Timberwolf. I was showing them Ponyville and decided to start by your store” explained Lyra moving to let pass the wolf and the thing who visited Ponyville last day. “And now that you’re here, want to buy a chocolate?”

Link looked at Midna.

“Why not? Would you like one, Midna? After all I know you had preferred to go with Rarity and Pinkie”

Midna shrugged.

“I guess so but I also like to spend time with you Link, it’s been a while since we were in an adventure together and I want to create as much memories as possible” explained the imp with a nostalgic tone. “And yes, I accept you a chocolate but only if you accept one from me too”

Link smiled and took a blue rupie from inside his saddlebag and gave it to Bon-Bon, same for Midna.

Bon-Bon looked at the two gems with a sweat-drop on her temple.

“You guys want to… buy my whole inventory?” Asked the chocolatier.

“No, we’re good with only a piece each one” said Midna. “I know it seems a lot in here but believe us, in our home this gems are just our usual currency”

“Yeah, blue ones aren’t as valuable as you think for us” smiled Link. “But hey, if it seems that much for you… I guess is your luck!”

Bon-Bon didn’t like to take advantage of others so she resisted to give them just a piece of chocolate until they showed her the content of their wallets so she could see by herself that the blue gem wasn’t actually much for them.
Still Bon-Bon gave them the fanciest she had.

“Cheers!” Said both visitors and ate their chocolates.

“Okay, okay, okay!” Said Lyra impatiently. “Now to the real reason we came!”

Link and Midna took a deep breath regaining their patience.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry” quickly said Bon-Bon. “My wife is totally convinced you are some kind of creature who resembles a specie that DOESN’T exist and you magically took this forms to keep a low profile. The shock after the encounter with the Timberwolf had to make her hallucinate so please forgive her, sweet Celestia, she even convinced you to come all your way here to buy me something. You know what? The chocolates are on the house, I’ll return you the gems and…”

Midna stopped her gently.

“No, please keep it. Besides we are the ones who owe you an apology. You see…”

The imp took her dark crystal.

“Sorry about this, really”

“About what?”

“Taking part of your sanity” explained Midna with a smirk.

And of course Link and Midna took their true forms in front of Bon-Bon.
The cream-coated pony was astonished, trembling all over about to faint.

“What did I tell you Bonnie?” Asked Lyra excitedly. “See how I was right all this time?”

Link waved his hand shyly while Midna smiled condescendingly to Bon-Bon who seemed like she was about to faint at any second now. And to make things worse, Ei popped out of the Master Sword and bowed to Link.

“Master, I detect this pony-person is in shock. I highly recommend to spill some water on her face or slap her instead”

Lyra, who didn’t had any problems to understand Fi, nodded and went to the back store to get a glass of water and bring her back to life.

It worked perfectly.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

Unaware of this, Epona was happily helping Applejack with the apple-bucking. They were exhausted after all the adventure-thing, but this helped Applejack to relax and the two of them were getting along fine.

“So, how many trees do we still have?” Asked Epona.

“A’ think A’m done with this one” said Applejack. “Now all A’ need is a nice homemade meal and ma’ bed to be ready for the next temple”

“That’s good” said Epona. “Link and I know all too well how important is to rest between temples”

Applejack nodded and headed to a flooded area on the field.

“Just one more chore” sighed the cowgirl: to get rid of the beavers but we’ll need Fluttershy’s help for that”

Epona raised an eyebrow but didn’t said anything and instead she took a look of the group of beavers building a dam on the distance.

“They remind me the monkeys Link had to deal with in Ordon Village, a total nuisance” said Epona with a small shrug.

“Eeyup” mumbled Big Mac approaching.

“Hey Big Bro, do you know how long they have been doing this?”

“Just for today but we need Fluttershy urgently” declared the stoic stallion.

They all stood in silence for a while when Epona began to look inside her saddlebag.

“Don’t worry, I have this!” Said the Ordon Mare showing a strange sphere to the siblings.

“What? Do ya’ also have an especial talent to communicate with animals?” Asked Applejack.

“No, I have my own methods” smirked the mare.

Big Mac looked at Applejack like asking, but she just shrugged. What did they had to lose anyway? And if it didn’t work, they could always go ask Fluttershy for help.

“Okay go ahead”

Epona winked an eye to them and walked to the unfriendly beavers that didn’t seem to be pleased to see her.

And while she was approaching to them, Fluttershy and Sweet Fog appeared from between the trees.

“Fluttershy! Just in time!” Greeted Applejack.

The shy Pegasus nodded.

“I was showing the town to Fog when we bumped into Apple Bloom who told us you have a problem with beavers”

“We have but Epona is taking care” explained Applejack.

Fluttershy then turned to Epona who was looking down to a beaver protesting angrily at her. That seemed odd, did Epona had an especial ability to communicate with animals since she was an animal back in her world?
But no, the mare just placed the weird-looking sphere in front of the beaver’s dam and began to run.

“Epona?”Asked Applejack.

Suddenly a huge explosion blew up the entire dam.

“What the…?”

“It’s called a Water-bomb” explained Epona. “I don’t think they would dare to build a dam here ever again”

“A WATER BOMB?” Shouted Big Mac.

Epona smiled confidently while the poor beavers recovered from the surprise and began to squeal in protest, but Epona limited to punch the leader’s head and the rest just retired.

“Epona, don’t you think it was a little extreme?” Mumbled Applejack.

“OF COURSE IT WAS!” Shouted Fluttershy flying to Epona to confront her with the infamous Stare. “THEY MEANT NO HARM! NOPONY HAVES THE RIGHT TO DO THAT TO THE ANIMALS, NOPONY!!”

Epona just stood there like nothing.

“Nice try, but I’ve seen Ganondorf to the eyes so this is nothing. Besides I only scared them a little so they never try to build a dam in Sweet Apple Acres again”

Fluttershy couldn’t believe it, who do the Hyrlue warriors believed they were? Not only they killed a pony (it was Sombra but still counts); but also they dared to do the animals such things.

By his way Big Mac was also angry with Epona, he liked Fluttershy very much and couldn’t stand seeing her this angry.
And then there was Applejack, who found Epona truly fascinating. Maybe a little too extreme from time to time, but this sense of adventure the hylian horse had was somehow intoxicating; oh an also knew how to handle the CMC. She really liked this new friend.

“A’ guess it was efficient but here in Equestria we negotiate, not use bombs”

“Whatever” said Epona shrugging.

The rest of the day was normal, Twilight got some herbal medicine from Zecora and they all passed the night quietly to recover forces before go to the next temple. Epona was staying with the Apples, Sweet Fog with Fluttershy; and once they managed to calm the poor Bon-Bon, Link and Midna stayed with her and Lyra.

“But we still have to locate the Temple we must go” said Epona during dinner with the Apple family. “Do you have any idea where to start searching?”

The orange mare began to think.

“Now that ya’ mention it…”

“No one goes near the forbidden field!” Suddenly shouted Granny Smith. “We closed it for a reason during my youth! Applejack, don’t ya’ and yer new friends dare to go there! As long as A’ live no one will put a hoof in those cursed lands!”

“Granny you don’t understand, it’s our only option!” said Applejack. “We lost our connection with the Tree of Harmony and that is our only hope!”

“Applejack, as the Apple family Matriarch A’ command you to…”

“Sorry, what do I lost?” Asked Epona.

Apple Bloom looked at her shyly.

“Ya’ see Miss Epona, there’s some field in the bottom of our land that according to Granny is full of dangerous unknown monsters; even scarier that the ones from the Everfree Forest. We’re too afraid to get close to it”

Epona nodded.

“Sounds like the Lost Woods” said Epona thoughtful. “But Miss Smith, you must understand, we’re talking about the fate of two Realms in here. I’ll watch for you granddaughter personally, I promise, but you must let us go”

“Epona…” said Applejack touched.

“ABSOLUTELY NOT! You have no idea what’s in there!”

“A’ think we have it now” said Applejack remembering the Temple of Magic.

“Ya’ don’t”

Big Mac looked at the two mares and after a quick nod, he took Apple Bloom upstairs so they could discuss peacefuly.

“Do ya’ have any idea what A’ was doing today?” Asked Applejack with anger.

“No. What?”

So they told her everything, since the appearance of Sombra and the little expedition to the deeps of the Temple of Magic. The story didn’t cause much of an effect on Granny Smith (like it or not she had to get used to Applejack’s adventures with her friends) but then she heard the monsters’ description and shivered.

“Those actually sound like the creatures who hide in the forbidden field…”

“Ah’ told ya’ A’ have an idea of what’s hiding there” said Applejack.

“Also me and my friends. As a matter of fact we’ve been fighting those creatures for a long while now so we’ll make sure nothing happens to your granddaughter or her friends. You have my word as Hyrule Warrior”

Granny Smith grinded her teeth forcing herself not to cry.

“So Miss Epona, do A’ really have yer word that nothing will happen to Applejack?”

“Of course!”

Granny Smith let escape a few tears but didn’t cried.

“Are ya’ absolutely sure this is the only way?”

“Yeah, why?” Asked Applejack.

“Because… because…”

“Granny!” Insisted Applejack.

“Because A’ lose ma’ son and his wife in there, THAT’S WHY! WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO YER’ PARENTS AJ?! THEY GOT INTO THE FORBIDDEN FIELD!”

“What?”

Applejack was shocked, was her granny really serious?

She was, she had never seen that expression of fear and lost in her eyes before. The usually brave cowgirl shivered.

“So… so…”

“A’ won’t lose ma’ grandchild the same way A’ lost them!” Shouted Granny Smith.

“We’ll protect them no matter what!” Assured Epona. “Your granddaughter is stronger than you think. As long as we stay together there’s nothing we can’t do. Believe us”

Applelox, Guardian of Honesty

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Applelox, guardian of Honesty

The entire group advanced through Sweet Apple Acres guided by Applejack to reach the forbidden field, beyond the area that was claimed by the fruit bats. The normal cute and colorful ones, the vampire bats were another story in the other side of Sweet Apple Acres.

“A’ always wondered why Granny Smith allowed this pests to take over this entire field” said Applejack looking around. “She wanted to keep us away from the forbidden field”

“It’s a nice spot with all the bats” said Twilight smiling. “How is this supposed to keep you away?”

“Cause’ it’s not possible to work here, not with all the bats” said Applejack. “Besides this part is just the beginning, one day A’ asked Granny what was in the forbidden field and she brought me here just to calm my curiosity. And sweet Celestia, it worked!”

“How?” Asked Midna boringly.

Applejack suddenly stopped.

“See for yerseves’”

The field before them was somehow scary, very resembling to the Everfree Forest. The trees around them were definitely apple trees, but they were taller thicker and the trunks twisted in very disturbing ways. But the worst part was the ghostly fog around the trees that only allowed them to see the shapes of the waiting monsters: keeses, wolfos and such.

And strangely enough, around the entire field the trees were so close to each other that formed a very strong natural wall. There was only one way in, but it was blocked by a large rock.

“Huh, this place seems like the Lost Woods” said Epona shrugging and taking a bomb from her saddlebag. “Kaboom?”

“Kaboom!” Confirmed Appelack.

But before Epona could detonate the rock, an old mare jumped in front of them blocking the entrance with her fragile body.

“No please, do not come inside!” Shouted Granny Smith. “Applejack: I don’t wanna lose ya’ as A’ lose yer’ parents! After they passed away by entering here, all A’ have are ma’ grandchildren, so please turn back”

Applejack gulped.

“But Granny, didn’t Epona explained this already? We have to get in here, is the only way to save Equestria”

Granny Smith stood firm.

“A’ still remember, ya’ know? The earthquake that awoke us all, yer’ mom and dad running to save ya’ and yer’ siblings but then they realized the strange earthquake came from here and went to investigate. A’ TRIED TO STOP THEM BUT THEY DIDN’T LISTENED AND NOW THEY’RE GONE! I WILL NOT ALLOW YA’ TO ENTER IN HERE!”

And then Granny went to hug her granddaughter cring.

“Please stay away from here!”

Applejack didn’t know how to react at this, the only thing she could do was to hug her grandma, but how to explain to her she needed to get into the field for Equestra’s sake? Applejack tried to push her granny away but she didn’t wanted to move.

“No Applejack, I won’t let you do this!” Cried the old mare.

The two of them stood there without granny willing to move, when suddenly two Keeses flew towards them about to attack. Granny Smith fell on her back because of the surprise and one of the keeses tried to bite her.
But the monster was disposed by Epona’s dagger in less than a blink. Another tried to avenge its partner and attacked Epona, but she threw a dagger straight to its head.

“Is just me or those things are just getting more annoying?” Asked Rarity.

“You have no idea” grumbled the wolf Link. “Epona, blow that rock, and somepony please move Applejack’s grandma”

Twilight nodded and with her magic, she removed the Apple matriarch who began to complain and protest. Then Epona just threw a bomb to the entrance of the forbidden field. Granny Smith’s complains were about to get worse but she muttered when a bunch of goblin-like monsters charged to the group.

“OH NO!” Shouted Granny Smith.

But Link and Midna exchanged a look and nodded.

Link growled and bristle his fur while Midna immobilized the bokoblins with orange twili energy in a small magic field and finally Link finished them all in a single bite.

“That brought back a lot of memories” smiled the wolf.

“Easier than the monsters summoned by Zant” said Midna.

More bokoblins arrived leaving the warriors no choice but get back to their normal forms and destroy the monsters using both the Mirror of Shadows and the Master Sword. Then Fi jumped out of the sword destroying some with her own skill as well, it was done.

“Fi, are we in the right place?” Asked Epona.

“I’m 98% sure, Epona. We’re getting closer to an area that matches with the Element of Honesty’s aura”

“All we needed to know” smiled the former farmer preparing the Spinner.

And seeing both bokoblins and a few keeses who joined the attack were reduced to nothing, the warriors from Hyrule leaded to the forbidden field.

“Are you coming or what?” Asked Midna looking back at the Mane 6.

“Yeah, sorry!” Said Twilight. “Come on girls!”

Then five of the six girls hurried to follow the heroes; but Applejack stayed to tranquilize her grandma.

“Sorry Granny but A’ have to go for Equestria’s sake”

The old mare nodded.

“A’ don’t want you to go, A’ really don’t. But tell me, are those warriors going with you the whole way?”

“Of course” said Applejack.

“A’ still don’t want you to go… but as long as ya’ promise me you’ll be at the warriors’ side, A’ll try to be positive. Mah’ old heart won’t resist losing ya’ as A’ lost yer’ parents”

The cowgirl fixed her hat and joined her friends deep into the forbidden field.

They were waiting for her right before a giant wooden door with apples carven all over, a door that opened as soon as Applajeck approached.

“Definitely ma’ call” said the cowgirl taking the lead, right in front of the Hyrule warriors.

They arrived to a small clearing surrounded by apple trees very close to each other forming an unbreakable wall making the clearing look like a round room; it was fantastic and scary at the same time. And as expected in open dungeons as that, at the sides of the ‘room’ there were several paths guiding to different areas of the forbidden field.
And right in front of them, a second door shaped like an apple.

“The Boss’ door” reasoned Epona.

“It seems so” nodded Twilight. “Now which path shall we take?”

“I don’t know” mumbled Sweet Fog. “Do we split again?”

“Not yet. Let’s try to know more about this place first” said Fluttershy. “Please?”

They all agreed and took the path on the right advancing slowly, ready to face whatever come for them from those trees. But nothing, they just arrived to a much smaller clearing with a chest in the middle.

“If it’s money I swear I’m going to hurt somepony” said Rarity frowning.

“Yeah, yeah!” Shrugged Applejack. “Just let’s open it and deal with whatever is inside”

“Wait!” Warned wolf Link. “There are some traps that activate when you open one of those”

“A’ll roger that!”

And she opened the chest: it had a big golden key with small apple-shaped rubies, obviously the Boss key.

“Okay, that was fast” mumbled AJ.

Nothing happened at first, but then the whole field began to tremble and apple tree after apple tree were teared down by something big and powerful coming towards them slowly and threatening.
Finally the last trees fell down revealing their enemies, something that seemed like three giant pegasi in black heavy armor carrying two giant claymore swords that aimed towards the hero.

“Great, I freaking hate Darknuts” sighed Link making a face-paw.

“Look at the bright side, you’re not alone this time” smiled Midna turning them back into their normal selves.

Fi also jumped out of the Master Sword and got ready for combat.

“Master, I count a total of three enemies. My advice is that each of us take care of one in order to…”

“Don’t you have any other place mention obvious things?” Asked Midna annoyed.

“Who cares? Let’s fight!” Ordered Link jumping towards the closest of the monster.

The armored monster answered with a blow of its own sword, that Link blocked with his Hylian Shield but the impact was so big that he lost his balance and fell on his ass.

He grumbled in protest, but when he reacted he was about to be killed by the monster’s sword. Luckily Twilight shot a magic beam that make the Darknut fell this time. Link thanked her with a quick nod and jumped towards the monster to finally decapitate it (or just send his helmet to fly, it was basically the same) revealing the emptiness inside the armor.

“EPONA!” Commanded Link.

The mare smiled and threw a bomb to the empty case that reduced it to nothing.
Midna was busy with the other Darknut, who was trying desperately to hit her with its sword but the Twilight Princess limited to float at a prudent distance and distracted the monster for a while with the stone hands summoned by the Mirror of Shadows but after a while she got bored and created a huge stone cannon and destroyed the thing with a single shot.

And for the third one, it was too busy fighting Epona and Fi. Fi was the one distracting the monster kicking it several times and then dance away from its desperate thrusts; while Epona was delivering the heavy attacks penetrating its armor in several spots making it fall apart slowly. And when it was finally exposed, Fi delivered the final stroke by turning herself into a sword.

“Cool, can we go now?” Asked Rainbow Dash looking around.

“Sure”

So at the end the heroes left calmly, with Link and Midna leading the way and Fi, Fog and Epona closing the group.

“So what now? Can we go straight to the Boss room?” Asked Fluttershy softly.

Fi nodded.

“Yes, you’re now able to go to challenge this so-called Titan of Harmony. However I do not recommend to do it without the tool hidden in this temple”

“Why don’t you just say we still need the Dungeon weapon?” Asked Twilight slightly annoyed.

“My apologies” said Fi bowing.

No one had anything else to say, so the group began to look around, but after three hours they didn’t find anything. No traps, no monsters, not even chests with bits. This so-called temple was just a labyrinth of trees. So at the end they had no choice but return to the clearing where the Boss Door was.

“What now? Shall we just get in?” Asked Rainbow excitedly.

“One does not simply walk into the Boss Chamber, there have to be something else” said Midna biting her lip.

It was when the Door began to shake as in an earthquake beginning to glow.

“What’s happening?”

“A’ think is reacting to this!” Said Applejack taking the Boss key that was glowing as well.

Several monsters began to appear all over the place: flying skulls surrounded in dark auras (bubbles) and of course the already known stalfos, stalchilds and lizalfos.

“Great! Get ready for round two!” Said Link growling.

Applejack exchanged a quick look with her friends and charged to the door making all the monsters begin chase her; the bunch of bubbles were about to take her but several arrows (courtesy of Link back into Hylian shape) and magic beams (from Twilight) destroyed them before they get too close. Another bunch of lizalfos approached from the right, but were quickly disposed by Epona.

“What are you waiting for? Let’s go!” Commanded the Hylian steed.

“We’ve got your back!” Assured Link with a confident smile.

Applejack couldn’t understand Link in his Hylian form, but got the context while the rest of the Hyrule warriors took position and maintained the monsters away from her, but the one with the most important position was Epona who took the difficult task cover her front.
Six stalfos waited in front of the door roaring in anger, but Epona got rid of them Goron-style and Applejack opened the door freely while Epona destroyed a couple of keeses who attacked out of nowhere, but at the end the two mares successfully accessed to the Titan Chamber.

It was almost empty, just an apple tree with three fruits growing from it, but nothing else.

“What now?” Wanted to know Applejack.

“Now wait” said Epona, and as soon as she said that, the door closed behind them. “What did I told you?”

The three apples fell from the tree and joined forming some kind of strange worm made of apples. Three more apples grew from the tree and joined the creature that began to grow until it had the size of a small house.
And last but not least, a couple of yellow eyes and green lips appeared in one of the apples of the top.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you young Applejack. I am Applelox the Titan of Honesty; but you can call me just Applelox”

“The pleasure is mine” said Applejack. “Shall we start?”

“Of course, but I still have something to take care” said the Titan looking at Epona.

Before the Hylian mare could react, she was buried into applesauce.

“WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM, DUMBASS?”

Applelox bowed to Epona.

“Forgive my rudeness dear, but Sparkler told me about you Hyrule visitors and I had to make clear this fight is only between Applejack and me”

“I already knew moron, Princess Celestia warned us about it” said Epona angrily. “But whatever, Jacky, kick this thing’s butt”

“Sure A’ will!” Assured the cowgirl preparing for battle.

Applelox laughed and floated above the ground exhaling some kind of strange apple-sider-gas over the cowgirl.

“It’s time to face your honest desires dear Applejack. Only the pure Honesty of you Heart would make you see beyond my sider-breath”

Applejack was coughing uncontrollably, the damn gas was too powerful and dense; but it was dissolving in the atmosphere so after a few minutes she recovered her senses. And she had to shake her head to understand what she was seeing: she was on her house’s kitchen where a light-yellow stallion with a short red mane, just like Apple Bloom, but his complexion reminded Applejack to Big Mag. He was cooking something, aside of a cute and delicate mare, with light orange fur, and red orange mare.

NO, IT COULDN’T BE!

“Mom, dad! What’s going on here? YOU TWO ARE DEAD!”

The mare blinked surprised.

“Morning darling, what you mean with dead? Did you had another nightmare?”

“A’ warned ya’ not too eat that many fritters last night” sighed her father. “But anyway, yer’ just in time to help us with breakfast. Can ya’ scramble the eggs while yer’ mom finishes the baked beans”

Applejack couldn’t believe it, she just stood there like frozen.

“Is something wrong Jacky?” Asked her father.

“She’s still shocked, remember she just had what it seemed like an awful nightmare” assured Applejack’s mother with a warm smile. “But don’t worry dear, we’re here and nothing will tear us apart. We promise”

Applejack needed a full minute to recover her senses.

“No, no, no, this can’t be happening! Just a few minutes ago A’ was with ma’ friends saving Equestria, they need me and…”

“What you mean? Everything is fine” Said Rainbow Dash entering to the house along with Fluttershy. “You invited us to have breakfast, remember?”

“What?”

“Yes, and then I promised you to help you with the beavers again. Don't you remember, Applejack?” Asked Fluttershy softly.

It had… sense. Yeah, now that she thought about it, the beavers had been causing problems the whole week and her mother and her kindly went ask Fluttershy for assistance.

“Yer’ right girls!” Agreed the cowgirls. “Sorry but as mom said, A’ just had a horrible nightmare and needed some time to recover”

“We heard, no problem, its cool” said Rainbow shrugging.

“Anyway, do you mind if we take care of the beavers right now, Flutters? A’ could use some fresh air before breakfast”

“Sure!” Smiled the yellow pegasus leading the way.

But then Applejack froze in the doorframe.

“What’s wrong dear?” Asked her mother.

Applejack glared at her parents’ shadows.

“This is a lie!”

“Jacky?” Asked her father.

“EPONA TOOK CARE OF THE BEAVERS YESTERDAY! THIS IS A LIE!”

The whole kitchen began to vanish and Applejack found herself back in the Titan Chamber facing Applelox.

“Nice trick. But A’m too busy to attend cheap magic tricks!” Shouted the cowgirl angrily.

Applelox nodded approvingly.

“You passed my test. Your urges and Honest desire to help Equestria and your friends was stronger than your deepest desires. Congratulations”

Epona winked to Applejack.

“Glad you didn’t fell for that”

Applelox then made appear a chest in the middle of the Chamber, and inside the chest, there was a small necklace similar that the one she had before they returned the Elements to the Tree of Harmony.

“You earned it, now it’s time for the real fight”

Applejack took the necklace and faced the Titan, who grinned and began to spin all over Applejack creating a rain of giant apples that threatened to smash the cowgirl. But Applejack was in excellent shape and could avoid the attack easily, and shot a powerful energy beam to the titan.
The ray impacted fully on one of the apples he had for a body, separating it from the body and shrinking it back to normal apple size. With a grin, Applejack ate it.

“Oh, Zapp Apple. Neat!”

“Focus on the fight!” Warned Epona just in time.

Applelox had rose back in the air and began to spit explosive seeds that impacted all in Applejack, sending her to the ground. But not satisfied with that, Applelox repeated the same technique than before and this time one of the giants apples did smashed her.
But even if she was injured, Applejack stood as she could and shot a new ray to Applelox, this time hitting on its face.

The apple fell from the Titan’s body but the face seemed to move to another apple.

“You’re learning, good!”

He repeated the technique of the giant apples, and in her current state, Applejack won’t be able to avoid it.
Luckily Epona had the answer.

“Applejack, shot the beams to destroy them before they hit you!”

“THANKS EPONA!” Shouted Applejack obeying her friend.

It worked.

“No, that’s cheating!” Complained the Titan.

“I didn’t intervened directly, I just gave my friend an advice” said Epona shrugging. “And the Magic of Friendship is allowed”

The Titan was about to protest but then Applejack shot a couple of beams to his back.

“Damn it…”

Applelox then was about to spit more explosive seeds when he suddenly was hit on the face again.
It was over, Applejack won.

“You proved to be worth Applejack Apple” said the last apple on the Titan’s body. “I declare you winner of this challenge. The Hyrule warriors proved to be a positive influence”

“Thank you Applelox” said Applejack bowing.

The gigantic apple smiled to his champion, but then his expression turned slightly melancholic.

“I owe you something my friend, an explanation and an apology”

“What ya’ mean?” Asked the cowgirl.

The Titan closed his eyes surrounding himself with a golden light, showing the events that happened fifteen years ago: an unnatural earthquake shook the entire farm threatening to destroy it; but at the end the only harm was that the two giant rocks that blocked the way to the forbidden field were destroyed.

“Your great grandfather blocked the entrance to my temple several years ago, but during that time it wasn’t my templ; the Temple was built the day you were born. Then three years later, even if the Temple wasn’t active yet, the monsters who protect it were alive already and the earthquake was created by them. What happened next is something I’ll always regret, but I assure you, it wasn’t my intention. It was just an accident… you see, the earthquake attracted two ponies, who thought only in the safety of their family, especially their three children: one colt and two fillies. The monsters ended their lives at the very first moment they put a hoof inside this sacred place”

Applejack noticed the tears on her eyes.

“No… so they killed mom and dad…”

“I’m so sorry Applejack Apple. Like I said, I’ll always regret what happened that day, and that’s why I’m doing this”

The light surrounding the Titan then took the form of two ponies a stallion and a mare, the same stallion and mare from the illusion; except that this time this was no illusion.

“No, it can’t be!” Said Applejack.

The mare, Pear Butter, smiled to Applejack.

“Hello darling. It’s been a while”

“I’m so glad to see you after all this years” said the stallion, Bright Mac.

Applejack cried and ran to hug her parents.

“Oh god, you’re here! You’re actually here!”

“We never left completely” said the stallion. “All this years we’ve been watching over you and your siblings; taking care of you from the distance”

They kept the embrace for a while until Miss Apple noticed Epona.

“Epona from Hyrule…”

“Yes?”

“Take good care of our seedling”

Encounters in the Dungeons of Harmony

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Encounters in the Dungeons of Harmony

Princess Celestia opened the door that have just appeared before her. After she read it, she sighed relieved. Another Temple had been completed, and nopony was seriously injured. There were some bruises, and some cuts, but nothing that couldn’t be treated with a healing potion, or spell.

Still, the Princess couldn’t help but worry about the situation.

“You’re still thinking about it, right Tia?” asked Luna, as she approached her older sister.

“How can you be so relaxed, Luna? I mean, the Elements of Harmony are Equestria’s strongest defense. And Twilight Sparkle is the closest thing I have to a daughter, I wouldn’t be able to relax until this situation is solved.”

Luna nodded slowly. “I know, but, since we have already lost the Elements, all we have is faith. Faith in the Bearers, and in the warriors of Hyrule, and the Twilight.”

Celestia frowned. “That’s the other thing I worry about, the Realm of Twilight is still swallowing our land. Slowly, but constantly.”

“Luckily its Princess is on our side.” said Luna.

“Thanks Faust!”

At Sweet Apple Acres, and her grandson and younger granddaughter, were waiting for Applejack and her friends, when suddenly, they felt a disturbance on the air, followed by peace. So much peace.

Granny Smith cleaned up a tear of joy, and smiled to her grandkids.

“A’ don’t know how they’ve done it, but they did. They freed this area from its evilness.”

“Eeyup, ma’ sis and her friends can do whatever they want.”

“And, also, Miss Epona is with them! Oh, and Mister Link and Miss Midna. But a’ can’t wait for Miss Epona to tell us their adventures!”

“Don’t ya’ mean, yer’ sis?” asked Granny Smith.

“Nope! A’ mean, Applejack is great and all, but Miss Epona is an experienced adventurer, and she know how to tell stories.”

Big Mac gently stoke his sister’s mane, when she added.

“And A’ really think that Miss Epona is a greater adventurer that Daring Do!”

Rainbow was leading the group, already on their way back to Sweet Apple Acres, when she overheard Apple Bloom’s last comment, and she flew toward the little filly.

“What? Better than Daring Do?! Come on! These guys are awesome, but they do not compare with the awesome Daring Do. She have defeated powerful enemies like Ahuizotl over and over!”

“And we have defeated foes like Ganondorf and Zant.” Said Epona, joining the conversation.

“And, also, my master have defeated demons and their servants in his previous incarnations. Demise and Girahaim.” added Fi, floating calmly.

“And the evil sorceress Cya.” Added Midna, thoughtful.

“Cya? From the battle of the crossed eras?” asked wolf Link.

Midna nodded. “I promised I’ll tell you everything about it when we finish here, remember? But, for now, let’s focus on the important. We need more healing potions.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to Zecora right away!” said Twiligth happily.

“If you don’t mind, we will do it.” said Midna calmly. “I’m curious to meet her.”

“Also, it’s always good to make connections with pharmacists wherever you’re adventuring.” smiled the wolf.

“Okay! She lives in the deeps of the Everfree Forest.” said Twilight. “You won’t get lost, is the only path there is in the middle of the forest.”

“Applejack! What happened down there?!” urged Granny Smith. “First, this was the most dangerous place in the whole land, but now… now it feels… in peace…”

The cowgirl smiled to her family.

“Let’s just said this mission freed the fields, and we’re able to use them again. Also, A’ had a small talk with mom and dad. They’ve been fine all this time, but Titan Applelox wanted to give us a last talk. A’ wish ya’ were ther, but, they said hi.”

The rest of the Apple family practically jumped over Applejack, demanding for details, so the cowgirl had no choice but walk back to her home, as she told them her little adventure with the Titan of Honesty.

The rest of the group, and the Hyrule Warriors smiled at the sight of the family, and decided to let them have their family moment.

“So, let’s go for potions.” shrugged Midna.

“Yeah, in the meantime, I can use a good rest!” said Twilight, stretching out. “What about you, girls?”

“A small rest would be nice.” said Fluttershy softly.

“Okay, but don’t make it too long. The Twilight is expanding while we talk.” warned Midna. “Let’s go, Link!”

And the two left, as Rainbow smiled, kicking the air.

“Oh, I can’t wait to go to Cloudsdale. That’s next on our schedule, right?”

“Yes, the Flying Camp.” confirmed Twilight.

“I wonder, where the Titans could hide a temple, there.” thought Rarity.

The rest of the day went just fine. The only incident that the Hyrule Warriors had to deal with, was that Zecora received Link and Midna with a bo-staff, showing them what zebra-martial-arts were capable of. In the end, Midna had to immobilize her with her magic.

“What is wrong with you? Do you receive everyone who want to buy some potions like that?”

Zecora’s eyes widened. “Oh Dear! My apologies you should take. This was nothing but a dumb mistake. Is dangerous to live in the woods, most of the living beings want to eat your goods.” (Bad riming, I know, but English is not my mother language).

“Seriously, why is everyone freaking out by seeing me? Is getting old!” protested Link.

Zecora bowed, apologetically. “Let’s start from the beginning. Come on in, and I hope you don’t mind, I haven’t had the time for proper cleaning.”

“Why I she riming?” whispered Midna to Link.

Ignoring his friend, Link opened his saddlebag and presented Zecora the last blue chu-chu jelly he had. “Here, do you think you can make a healing potion as strong as this one?”

Zecora opened the bottle, and sniffed the content.

“This is such a surprise! A potion this perfect is such a prize!

“So you can’t make us something similar?” asked Link.

Zecora smiled enthusiastically.

“I can try. With a challenge like this, the time will fly!”

And she started working. Leaving aside the irritating habit of riming all the time (for Midna), she was really nice and a soon she became friends with the visitors.

In the meantime, Fog and Epona visited the town, until Applejack and Apple Bloom came to find the mare, since the filly was waiting for Epona to tell her their adventures. And, also, Applejack have grown close to the hylian mare.

When they left, Fog shrugged, and went to Flutterhsy’s, to see if he could help her with the animals or something.

Epona was having a very good time, she felt back at the farm, at Ordon Village. The young enthusiastic Apple Bloom asking her to tell stories about Hyrule and dungeons reminded her of the kids who used to gather around Illa and Link. But, after the first half hour, the young filly disappeared, and Epona spent the rest of the day helping Applejack at the field.

And, when the two mares finished bucking apple trees, three enthusiastic voices called the mare from Hyrule.

“Miss Epona! Miss Epona!”

Applejack and Epona turned to the CMC.

“Yes?” asked Epona.

“Miss Epona, Apple Bloom told us about your adventures, and we thought it was a good idea for you to help us to find our Cutie Marks as adventurers!” smiled Sweetie Belle.

Applejack chuckled at this, and stroke her sister’s mane.

Epona shrugged. “Well, you don’t go find an adventure. Adventure finds you. And the best you can do, is to be ready, or, do it the stupid way as we did, and get ready on the go.”

“But we can’t just wait for an adventure to find us! We want to join you to this Dungeons of Harmony!” protested Scootaloo.

At that point, Applejack glared at the trio of fillies.

“No! Is too dangerous for ya’ three!”

“Aw, but we want to have an adventure!” protested Sweetie Belle.

Applejack looked at Epona, like asking for help, when she spotted Link and Midna coming toward them.

“I think I have an idea, alright? HEY, LINK!”

The wolf tilted his head, and ran to join his friend, along with Midna, who giggled at this.

“I told you she would be with her.” teased the imp, making Epona blush furiously.

Ignoring Midna, Link turned to this friend. “Hey Epona, what’s up?”

“Pal, this trio really wants to go on adventure.” Explained Epona, looking at the CMC. “They want to join us, but, as you know, is really dangerous.”

“I agree.” Said the wolf.

When suddenly, Fi came out of nowhere and bowed to Link.

“Excuse my intromission, Master, but in one of your previous incarnations, you were about this age when you went on adventure for the first time.”

Applejack glared at the spirit. What on Equestria was she thinking.

“See?” asked the girls.

However, Epona remained calm.

“Anyway, I was telling them that, in most of the cases, adventure finds you, so you better be prepared. So, I was wondering if you can lend them the weapons you don’t use anymore. You know, the wooden shield, the slingshot, and the wooden sword.”

Link smiled. “Oh, I don’t see why not.”

“Wait, what?!” asked Applejack.

“Oh, come on, there are mostly toys.” said Epona. “And, is not like they haven’t played with slingshots, and sticks before.”

Applejack hesitated, in fact, playing with sticks was one of Apple Bloom’s favorite things when she was littler. At the end, she accepted.

“Ah’ guess they won’t get in much more trouble than usual with those things.”

The girls cheered in happiness, as Epona gave them one item each. Sweetie Belle took the slingshot, along with a generous provision of Deku seeds, Scootaloo wielded the wooden sword in the air, and finally, Apple Bloom carried the shield, proudly.

Applejack sighed, but at least she was relieved that now, the girls would try to find an adventure on their own. And hopefully, it won’t be as dangerous as facing ancient titans.

“A’ don’t like the idea of they having this kind of adventure, but A’ guess is the less dangerous alternative. Ya’ really know how to handle kids, right Epona?”

“I just did what my friend Illa would do. You cannot convince a kid to stay out of trouble, but you can make sure they have the less trouble as possible.”

At the next morning, the group were refreshed and ready for the next Temple of Harmony. Only Midna was a bit irritated, since as the last night, Link insisted them to stay at Lyra and Bon-Bon’s, and she had to deal with Lyra’s non-stopping rambling about humans and such.

Also, Twilight had a busy afternoon, having to rent an extra balloon to transport the group to Cloudsdale. She and her friends used her own balloon, and Fog, Epona, Link and Midna were at the second, admiring the equestrian landscape.

“So Rainbow, where’s the flying camp?” asked Twilight.

The pegasus smiled. “Oh, right. This way!”

She jumped out of the balloon, and guided both groups to the place. Rainbow had great memories about it, not only it was the place where she created the legendary Sonic Rainboom, gaining her Cutie Mark in the process. But also, that’s the place where she met Fluttershy.

“Now I hope that nothing bad happens.” sighed Rarity, as they approached.

“I wouldn’t count on that.” giggled Pinkie. “These are dangerous Dungeons, remember?”

“Yes, I’m afraid we’ll have to use all our strength in order to end this madness.” added Twilight. “That’s why I asked you all to rest well last night.”

They didn’t say more, and followed Rainbow Dash. When they landed at the place, they were ready. Link also groaned, thinking there would be another panic reaction by seeing him in his wolf form, but no. This time Princess Twilight had the delicacy to inform about him, before they went to the city.

“Come on, hurry!” urged Rainbow, accelerating. She was in full Daring-Do mode.

The rest of the group did their best to follow her, but she was too fast that they lost her track almost immediately. Fluttershy then tried to lead them, but she was too slow and didn’t remember that place very well.

“Master, shall I use the Dowsing ability?” suggested Fi.

“Please!” asked both groups, at the unison.”

“This place reminds me at the city of the Ooca.” mumbled Link.

Midna seemed thoughtful. “You’re right! Huh, I knew this place felt somehow familiar!”

Finally, they arrived at the flying camp, where Rainbow had opened the doors for them already.

“Guys! I think I’ve found it!” called Rainbow, when she spotted them getting into the camp.

She was in front of a huge, plain, construction. With one door and no windows.

Fluttershy gulped as she recognized which place Rainbow meant. “Oh no, is that the old storage room? The teachers said it was too dangerous, so they locked it for good!”

“Just as the forbidden field.” Agreed Applejack. “Yes, we’re here.”

“I agree. I can feel the Bearer of Loyalty’s energy coming from behind that doors.” Said Fi. “There’s a 99.4% of probabilities that this is the place we’re looking for.”

“And what are we waiting? Come on!” said Dash, kicking the lock open.

With their magic, Twilight and Midna pushed the doors open.

Before them, a legion of winged dragons, in blackish armors were flying around, berating their flames toward them. Everyone jumped to elude the attack, and Midna transformed her and Link back to normal.

“Aerolfos. Great, just great. Just like that city” Complained Link, wielding the Master Sword.

“It could be worse.” Said Midna with a shrug. “Let’s finish this quickly!”

They both ran to action, focusing on destroy as many as possible in the less time. Fi was about to join them, when something called her attention.

“Master!” she called. “There’s a pony life-form in the middle of the room!”

Everypony, then, noticed the dark yellow pegasus in the middle of the room, tied, and left to the mercy of the ferocious dragons. And, safely in what looked like a balcony, a cat-like creature laughed maniacally at the mare’s desperate attempts to get free.

“AHAHAHAHA! You’ll never get away from this, Daring Do! Today, you have mate your fate!”

Epona didn’t need more, she jumped over the Spinner, and ran to help the mare.

“Are you okay?”

Daring Do shook her head. “Who are you?”

“Epona Ordon.”

Daring Do was about to ask more questions, when she recognized the Princess of Friendship and her friends.

“Daring Do!” gasped Rainbow Dash. “What are you doing here?”

“You know, the usual, adventuring.” explained Daring. “But there’s no time to waste. Ahuizotl haves the necklace I found. It’s very important for me to give it to a museum!”

They looked up, to Ahuizotl, who simply showed them a necklace… that looked like Rainbow’s Cutie Mark.

“You mean this? Sorry Daring Do, but I must go now.”

He turned to the deeps of the temple, when uddenly, a giant hand, made of black stone, blocked his way out.

“What?”

The hand turned into a fist, and punched Ahuizotle to the lower level, with the Aerolfos, the Bearers of Harmony, and the Hyrule warriors.

A bipedal creature, with green skin, and orange hair, floated toward him, and took the necklace from his paws.

“This is ours.”

“What did you said?” asked Ahuizotl. “No matter, IT’S MINE!”

And he jumped toward Midna, who moved away, and what he met, was Link’s sword, that went through his chest.

“Arg…”

“I didn’t hit any vital organ, you’ll survive.” Said Link, pulling the sword out of the creature’s chest.

Ahuizotl screamed in pain, as Sweet Fog kicked him on the open wound.

“Bad day to be a bad guy.” grinned the twili stallion.

Ahuizotl looked to the Bearers of Harmony, who seemed concerned. Then he looked at the strangers, who presented him their swords, and other weapons. And, by looking at them in the eye, Ahuizotl understood that they would kill him if he didn’t cooperate.

He groaned, and made his way to the exit.

“I’ll remember this, Daring Do!”

And he left.

The explorer looked around, seeing the dead dragons. She shivered, but still she nodded thankfully to the newcomers.

“Okay, thanks I guess. What’s going on in here?”

“Long story.” said Dash, taking the necklace from Midna. “But we must get inside the Temple in order to bring peace to Equestria. This is our own adventure.”

Daring Do nodded, thoughtful.

“Okay, but, let me join you. I’ve just came out. I don’t know what you’re looking for inside, but I can help you as a guide or something.”

“We’ll appreciate that!” said Fluttershy softly.

Then, the group got into the Temple, but then, Link and Midna said something that the equines didn’t understand.

“What are they saying?” asked Twilight to Epona.

The hylian mare shrugged. “That they’ll go their own way, as the last time. I think they like to explore together.”

Midna and Link waved a hand to the group, and started to look for a different way to get into the temple.

“You know?” asked Link, after they found a door they could get through. “I’m going to miss this when it’s over, being together.”

Midna smiled to him.

“Oh, well, then why don’t you come to the Twilight with me? I can knight you, and, with all your experience, you can help me train my troops. It won’t be as exciting as getting into trouble like these, but, I’ll try to make it worth it.”

Link smiled to Midna.

“Go to live in the Twilight, with you instead of returning to Hyrule?”

Midna looked away, sadly.

“I understand if you don’t want to. Is so sudden.”

Link smiled to his friend. “Are you kidding? I would love to!”

The battle of Daring Do

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The battle of Daring Do

There were only two possible ways to go inside the temple: a door in the bottom of the lower floor, and, a door in the balcony, on the upper floor. And, in both cases, the door lead to a straight forward hallway. Butit was too dark to see where it lead, exactly.

Fi and Midna floated to the balcony, then, the Twilight Princess made a sign to the young hylian to follow them. With a grin, Link took his clawshots, and climbed behind them.

“I admit that those weirdos helped me big time, but, come on! Ahuizotl is my enemy, it was up to me to take care of him!”

“Don’t worry about them. What you were saying about being our guide?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Oh, right, follow me.” said Daring Do, walking through the door. “So, what are you planning to do with that gem, anyway?”

“Well, use them to defeat the Titan who lives here, of course!” assured Rainbow with proud.

Daring Do looked at the girls confusedly. “Titan? What are you talking about?”

“Wait, you didn’t see anyone inside?” asked Twilight.

Daring Do shook her head.

“Beside monsters, you say?”

“There wasn’t any bigger, sentient monster?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“Not that I know.” shrugged the adventurer.

“Maybe the Titans appear only before us.” guessed Twilight. “Since it’s our test, it’s only logical.”

“Okay, that would be interesting novel material.” said Daring Do scratching her head. “Anyway, follow me this way, girls.”

The adventurer lead, the way, and soon enough, Epona joined her on the front. Riding her Spinner.

“Hey, I’m leading the way.” protested Daring Do.

“I know, I’m only the first line of defense.” explained Epona.

Daring made a nod, and opened the door to the next room, as Sweet Fog, on the back, prepared his dagger, in case something happened.

And, as soon as she opened the door, Daring Do lashed her whip toward a strange creature, a strange-looking skull, floating in a fiery blue aura. But he wasn’t the only one, the entire room was a nest of those creatures, ‘bubbles’. One of the most annoying monsters from Hyrule. Daring Do began to attack, destroying all the monsters she could to clean the Bearers’ way. But, soon enough, she was overwhelmed by the number of creatures floating around the room. Luckily, Epona joined her, using her spinner’s speed and capability to attack multiple targets.

The girls shielded themselves behind a column, but, unfortunately, the scandal called some keeses’ attention. Sweet Fog took his dagger, and began to destroy the keeses.

After a while, they finally managed to get rid all the monsters.

“Yeah, last time I got into this room, was the exact same thing.” explained Daring Do. “But it is easier to run away when you’re alone.”

“Luckily, you have me on your side!” bragged Epona.

“Yeah, right! You’re way too loud! Not only had you attracted more monsters toward us. But, imagine what could happen if there’s another treasure hunter on the area! Those mean lots of trouble.”

“Back home, the only idiot who gets into dungeons is Link.” said Epona with a shrug. “Besides, a basic rule for dungeons is, the biggest or most important rewards are where the monsters are. Oh, and the more complicated dungeons.”

Daring Do’s eye twitched.

“Are you alright?” asked Rainbow.

“Yes, but I have years of experience in equestrian dungeons! I don’t allow anypony to give me lessons!”

Ignoring Daring, Epona took a good look of the room. As all the other buildings in Cloudsdale, the entirely of the structure seemed being made out of clouds. But, Epona put a hoof over, and felt there was something solid behind.

“I think there’s something hidden behind the clouds!” announced the hylian mare.

“Are you sure?” asked Twilight.

Epona nodded. “There’s something hidden behind the clouds! I feel solid.”

“Okay. Dash, Fluttershy, the Princess and I will take the clouds away. Step aside.” Commanded Daring Do, angry that the stranger found something before she did.

But, ignoring her again, Epona took something from her saddlebag, a strange-looking boomerang, and threw it to the walls.

Daring Do was about to mock her about it, but, following the boomerang, there was a small tornado that removed the clouds, revealing a brick wall, with multiple designs of a rainbow-colored lightning bolt coming from a cloud. Rainbow Dash’s Cutie Mark.

“Huh, interesting.” said Daring Do. “Why did somepony built a brick wall in Cloudsdale?”

“Obviously, it’s a puzzle.” answered Epona, pressing one of the designs, that seemed slightly out of place.

Immediately, a chest materialized in the middle of the room. And inside the chest they found…

“Bits?! Not again!” complained Daring Do.

“Did it happened to you before?” asked Rarity, annoyed as well.

“Only on this place. I’ve been here the whole day, remember? I’ve found like three chests like these.”

“A’ still don’t get why are ya’ so upset about the money.” said Applejack, taking a few bits for herself.

“Is not bad, I mean, all of us can use some extra bits.” said Rainbow taking a bunch of coins as well. “But you know we must get the Dungeon’s Map, and the Boss Key in order to move forward to the next Temple of Harmony. Luckily, we already have the treasure.”

“And, the map.” said Daring Do, taking the scroll from her saddlebag. “I found it like two hours ago. Who’s the best adventurer in Equestria now, huh?”

“I would say my Link.” Shrugged Epona. But, at Daring Do’s glare, she simple smiled to the adventurer. “Don’t feel bad, once we save this world, and the Twilight, we’ll go where we came from. And you can be the greatest adventurer in Equestria all over again.”

Daring Do groaned, but, she remained silent as she unrolled the map. There were far too many areas on the map, but, Daring Do have marked with red several.

“Okay, the red areas are the ones I’ve explored already. I was leaving, since I have found the treasure, but then, Ahuizotl ambushed me and took the gem from me, but then you came and you know the rest.”

Rainbow Dash examined the map. “Okay, according to this, you haven’t explored the center room of this temple. That’s where my Titan must be!!”

“Have you find anything else, like a big key or something before we came?” asked Twilight.

Daring Do shook her head. “Nope, only small ones to open doors inside this temple.”

“Okay, at least we know we don’t have to explore the entirely of this temple, and Link and Midna are exploring as well.” said Epona.

“But, still there are a lot of rooms.” said Daring Do. “Okay, whatever. Let’s find the boss key, whatever that is.”

And, with the map under her wing, Daring Do leaded the way again, and Rainbow Dash joined her proudly.

“So, what’s with you guys? Why do you have to get into this place to save Equestria?” asked Daring.

Rainbow sighed. “It’s a long story, but all started when two strangers appeared in Ponyville…”

And she told Daring Do everything that happened to them since their little fight with Link, Epona and Midna, the weakening of the Three of Harmony, and their mission in order to restore its power. At the end, Daring Do nodded thoughtful.

“So, basically, this mare over here,” she looked at Epona, still riding her Spinner, “and the two alien creatures who scared Ahuizotl are helping you to save the world.”

“Not just our world, theirs in danger as well.” clarified Rainbow Dash.

“Oh right, the Realm of Twilight…” said Daring Do thoughtful.

“And what about you, Miss Do?” asked Pinkie Pie happily. “How did you ended up here?”

Daring Do scratched her head. “To be honest, I have no idea. All I know, is that, I woke up this morning, and suddenly, I knew I had to be here. But nothing else, I was guided by a feeling.”

Twilight frowned, this could mean something. Something important.

“That sounds just crazy!” protested Applejack.

“I know it’s strange, but it’s the truth!” insisted Daring. “Most of my adventures start that way.”

They got to another room, and just like the other one, it was a big empty hall.

“Great, what now?”

“I would say, remove the clouds all over again.” said Epona, throwing the Gale Boomerang to the wall.

And, like the last time, the boomerang impacted on the wall, and returned to Epona, as a small tornado pulled appart all the clouds, revealing a wall behind them. It was empty.

“Okay, let’s try again!”

Daring Do remained silent, no wonder why most of the place was empty when she explored it the first time. Why did she forgot something as basic, as check behind the walls? Something was very wrong with her.

Rainbow Dash nodded, removed a few clouds by hoof, revealing a series of buttons engraved on the wall behind.

“Ha! I found it!”

“Great, Rainbow Dash!” congratulated Pinkie Pie. “Now, which one should we press?”

“I… have no idea.”

“Maybe all of them, like a combination.” wuggested Daring Do.

“I don’t think so, this may be a lucky guess.” argued Sweet Fog. “I mean, this is a really common trap in Hyrule. If you press the right button, the path would be reveal to you, but, if you choose wrong, you may summon a bunch of monsters.”

“Let’s try it! If that happens, all we have to do is fight, right?” said Twilight.

Epona and Sweet Fog nodded, preparing their weapons.

“Choose any button, Rainbow.”

“I don’t like this.” shivered Daring Do.

She was right, as soon as Rainbow pressed the button, four carnivore plants grew from the ground. Those were pretty simple, a blue head, a long green tongue, and a big mouth expelling some kind of purple poison around.

“Deku Babas?!” asked Epona.

“How do we get rid of those?” asked Daring Do.

“Well, during the Battle of the Crossed Eras, Lady Midna used arrows.” explained Sweet Fog. “But, we don’t have those here, right?”

“Oh! I think I have the answer for that!” smiled Rarity, shooting a spell to the nearest plant.

It shook all over, and died on the spot.

“What?” asked everypony at the unison.

Rarity shrugged. “I am good at gardening, but only because I had years of practice. My first attempts were most likely Sweetie Belle’s attempt of cooking. And, I would never forget my first attempts to make fertilizer spells.”

“Okay… good to know. Keep doing it!” asked Twilight.

Rarity obeyed, and soon enough, the room was vegetation free.

“Try again, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow obeyed, and this time, a chest appeared, but, when they opened it, what they found were bits. Five hundred bits.

“Oh come on!” complained Daring Do.

Rainbow Dash pressed a third button, and this time, a new chest appeared before them. And this time, it had a small key.

“I wonder how Link and Midna are doing.” thought Epona.

…

Unfortunately for the two adventurers, the route they chose to explore, was composed, mostly, by rooms that Daring Do have already explored. But, at least they could have fighting monsters since Daring Do preferred to run, and avoid unnecessary comfrontation. But, Link liked adventure and risk, such as Midna. Besides, each monster they defeated could have something they were interested in, like rupees. Or bits, since they were in Equestria.

They arrived to a new room, and it was empty as well.

Fi popped out of the Master Sword, and bowed to Link and Midna.

“Master, Mistress, it seems that this room have been explored already. I highly recommend to keep going.”

Midna raised an eyebrow. “How did you call me?”

“Mistress. I consider it appropriate, since there’s a 65.14% chance that you and the Master…”

Midna blocked Fi’s mouth with her hand.

“Shut up. Just shut up.” asked Midna.

As for Link, he blushed, and kept going without another word.

But, empty room, after empty room, the warriors started to feel frustrated, when suddenly, they heard a big scandal on a nearby room.

“It seems we just joined the other group.” observed Midna. “Shall we go?”

“I don’t see why not. At least we can try to be useful by helping them.” suggested Link.

The Hyrule warriors ran toward they heard the fight, and kicked the door open.

What they found wasn’t pretty, it was the other group, doing what they could to defend themselves from a pack of the armored dragons from the entrance, Aerolfos.

Link didn’t thought twice, he gaily jumped wielding his sword, and, before the astonished ponies, an Aerolfo fell to their hooves, with its neck open.

“He killed it?” cried Fluttershy.

“Just in time!” congratulated Epona.

Link and Epona exchanged a look, and, together they started to dispose of the monsters. There were more than ten, something really unusual for monsters this big, but, they didn’t fear. With the help of Fi’s dancing skills, and Midna’s Mirror of Shadows, they quickly overpowered the monsters.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Is just me, or shall we worry that this kind of stuff doesn’t affect us that much anymore?”

“Speak for yourself.”said Rarity, looking at the trembling Fluttershy.

“We can get psychiatric help later, is not that bad.” shrugged Pinkie Pie. “A few sessions, a bunch of pills, and you’re as good as new!”

They all looked at Pinkie Pie, in astonishment.

“What? I am bipolar, wasn’t that obvious?”

“Pinkie…” said Rainbow Dash.

“Remember my birthday, and Gummy’s post-birthday party?”

“Huh, makes sense…”

Finally, the last of the Aerolfos fell dead, and a giant chest appeared on the middle of the room.

“I hope that it isn’t money.” mumbled Daring Do.

Rainbow Dash opened it, and showed everypony a key, with a pony skull on the top.

“Hah! It’s the Boss Key!”

“Now we can unlock the central room, I guess.” said Twilight.

The entire group cheered, and moved on to the center of the temple. Rainbow Dash carefully introduced the Key, and opened the huge door. It lead to an empty room.

“Come on!” complained Rainbow.

“Maybe you have to get in, in order to this Titan of yours come.” suggested Daring Do, taking a step inside.

Rainbow Dash followed her, when suddenly, the adventurer stopped.

“Daring Do?” asked Rainbow Dash.

The adventurer turned to Rainbow Dash, looking at her with empty eyes.

Rainbow shivered.

“What happened to you, Daring Do?”

“I am not Daring Do.” answered the adventurer. “I only borrowed her body, silently guiding her until she find you. Tell me, Dash, wasn’t too much of a coincidence that you found your friend in here?”

Rainbow Dash gulped.

“You are…”

“My name is Dasher, Titaness of Loyalty. And today, you’ll have to face me in order to recover your Element’s power!”

Rainbow Dash nodded, preparing the gem.

“Okay, but promise me that Daring Do won’t be harm!”

“That’s the thing. That depends entirely on you.”

And, with that, the battle started.

Bearers vs. Adventurers

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Bearers vs. Adventurers

Daring Do cracked her whip, and hit Rainbow Dash on the chest. The pegasus rolled over the floor. Before Rainbow could stand, the whip wrapped around her left backhoof, to then, smash her to the nearest wall.

The clouds softened the impact, making Daring frown.

“I knew I forget something.” said the possessed adventurer, as her eyes turned bright blue.

The clouds in the area vanished, leaving four naked walls.

“Now we can fight!” smirked the possessed adventurer, cracking her whip toward Dash again.

But this time, Rainbow was ready, and she flew away from the whip’s rank.

“It won’t be that easy again!” challenged Dash.

“We will see, Bearer. We will see.” said Daring Do, coldly.

This time, Daring Do charged to Rainbow in the air. Fortunately, Rainbow Dash was faster, and avoided the attack, flying to the other corner in the room.

With a smirk, Daring Do cracked her whip again.

This time, Rainbow Dash tried a different strategy and caught the whip between her hooves.

“Ha-ha!” mocked the Bearer of Loyalty, as her friends cheered for her.

But, Rainbow’s confident smile faded when she noticed Daring Do’s smirk grew wider.

“I’m sorry, Bearer. This will only hurt… a lot!”

An electric current came from the whip, and reached Rainbow Dash, who screamed in pain. She fell, trembling because of the electricity running through her body, as Daring Do mercilessly cracked her whip on her, over and over.

“The bigger their ego, the harder they fall.”

The whip wrapped around Rainbow’s entire body.

“I’m afraid you have failed this test.” Said Daring Do.

Rainbow looked at her to the eye. “This is not over, Dasher!”

“Oh, but it is.”

The electricity began to flow from Daring, to Rainbow through the whip, when suddenly Wolf Link howled: “Rainbow, use the Necklace! That’s your weapon against her!”

Daring looked at Link, and then back to Dash, who grinned at her.

Instinctively, Dash focused on the necklace as she focused in her Element of Harmony.

The electricity instantly redirected to the gem in the necklace to then bounce to Daring Do, who was sent to a wall, freeing Rainbow Dash.

“Cool!” cheered the cyan pegasus.

Daring Do slowly stood, when Rainbow charged to her, smashing the adventurer to the wall, so hard that it cracked.

“Oh no! Daring Do!” gasped Rainbow when she realized what she have done.

The possessed Daring Do looked at her. “Have you forgot? She’s not here!”

And, she pushed Dash with another energy blast from the whip.

Rainbow Dash tried to stand, as Daring Do menacingly walked toward her. “One of the reasons I chose this mortal’s body is because her outstanding physical condition. Something like that won’t hurt her that much.”

“Glad to know!” shouted Rainbow Dash, focusing her energy on the necklace again.

But nothing happened.

Instead, Daring Do sent another energy blast, and this time, the gem did something, and absorbed the energy, to then send it back to the yellow pegasus.

“Dang it…” complained the possessed adventurer.

Rainbow’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, she have to attack me first!”

Dash began to fly in circles, trying to corner Daring Do, forcing her to blast more lightning bolts.

Daring Do bite at first, cracking her whip a couple of times, allowing Rainbow to catch the bolts, and shooting it back to her attacker. Daring Do avoided one, and received other, but that was enough for Rainbow. She finally felt that she was having some progress on the fight, when Daring Do landed, and changed her strategy.

“Typical Boss fight.” commented Midna to the others.

Daring Do’s eyes glowed, as full sections of the floor fell one by one, revealing the clouds under.

Dash raised an eyebrow. “You are aware that we are pegasi, right? We cannot fall.”

Daring Do nodded. “Of course we can’t! But, those pesky things were in my way.”

The possessed adventurer cracked the whip again, this time aiming it to the clouds.

The clouds were instantly absorbed by the whip, creating not only bigger, and dangerous lightning bolts, but also covering it in dangerous spikes made of ice.

Rainbow Dash gulped. “Hey, wait! We are all on the same side here! Why are you doing this? You don’t want to save Equestria?”

Ignoring Dash, Daring attacked with her new whip, making Dash to fly backwards. One more time the hero of Loyalty tried to fly in circles, forcing Daring to shot a lightning bolt at her. But no, this time the adventurer limited to try to rip her skin off with the spiked whip.

And finally, trying to make a divert turn, Dash suddenly switched directions, but the whip managed to scratch her flank, making her fall over the clouds. It wasn’t deep, but it hurt.

“You asked me why I am doing this, right Dash?” said Daring coldly.

“Yeah! You and all the Titans! We’re on the same side here!” said Dash, glaring at Daring Do’s empty eyes.

“Yes we are, but, you lost the Elements to a Power of Darkness. You may still loyal to harmony, but you lost our Trust. How do you think we felt when the Realm of Twilight absorbed our physical manifestations?”

Daring cracked her whip again, trying to get Rainbow Dash as she could. But Rainbow was faster, and rolled out of reach, to then start flying again.

“Oh no, you won’t!” said Daring, attacking Rainbow again.

Rainbow Dash looked the incoming attack from the edge of her eye, and landed violently, as the whip impacted on the wall.

The ice spikes broke where it hit the wall.

“So that’s how it works!” said Dash.

She resumed her flight, this time moving at the edge of the wall, as Daring Do tried to hit her with the whip, but only hitting the wall, losing more ice spikes in the process. Finally, the whip was only covered with the lightning bolts.

Dash did not hesitate, she went to grab the whip, and absorbed its power with her necklace, to finally give a final strike to Daring Do.

The adventurer fell on her back, and smiled.

“You’re great in this.”

Rainbow Dash landed before Daring Do. “So, do I earned your trust back?”

Daring Do nodded. “Yes, you earned my trust. But I’m not going to be this easy to defeat. Now hurry to the next Temple, if you don’t want to end like helpless specters for the rest for your life.” She turned to the Twilight Princess. “Am I right, Lady Midna of the Twili?”

Midna shrugged.

“That’s why we joined the ponies. None of us want the Twilight to swallow Equestria, like it swallowed Hyrule back at that time.”

“I agree.” said Wolf Link. “Now, shall we move to the next temple?”

“Good idea.” agreed the possessed Daring Do. “But, in order to do it, you must finish defeating me.”

“What?! But I just earned your trust back!” said Rainbow Dash.

“Yes, but I have to make sure you don’t lose the tree again. And, a Boss Fight lasts three assaults. Ask any of your friends from Hyrule.”

Electricity came from Daring’s body, and pushed Dash away. But, Rainbow managed to get the whip.

“Is not going to be that easy now, don’t you think?” asked Dash, throwing the whip to the clouds.

The possessed Daring Do smirked, creating a new whip made entirely of electricity. “Aw, but that whip you have is Daring Do’s personal weapon, not mine. I just borrowed her body, remember? Who I truly am, what I am is Dasher. Titaness of Loyalty!”

Dash gulped, and she launched herself after the whip she threw away.

“Oh no, you won’t!” exclaiming Daring Do, chasing after Dash.

Feeling the possessed Daring Do approaching, Dash accelerated. She couldn’t allow her to get her.

A match cone began to form around Rainbow Dash, as she spotted the whip in a near cloud.

“Great!” celebrated Rainbow.

But, at the edge of her eye, Rainbow noticed Daring Do approaching.

Gulping, Rainbow accelerated more, just in time to avoid the pure electricity whip to wrap around her back leg.

Suddenly, an explosion sent Daring Do away. An explosion so powerful that broke the visible light spectra. The Sonic Rainboom.

When the possessed yellow Pegasus, recovered from the tremendous impact, Rainbow Dash was back on the temple’s platform holding Daring Do’s whip.

“I was faster, Yearling. Or do you prefer Daring?”

“Shall I remind you that I just borrowed her body? My name is actually Dasher. Remember that name, because it resembles yours’.”

“Yeah, what a coincidence!” said Dash.

“No, we made your parents unconsciously gave you that names. You’re our Bearers, remember?” explained the possessed adventurer.

Then, the Titaness attacked Rainbow Dash several times with the whip made out of her power, as Dash did the best deflecting it with Daring Do’s own whip.

“It’s time to finish this, Dasher!” said Dash confidently.

“That’s the attitude Dash.”

They both attacked their rivals with their respective weapons, making the whips to tie to each other at some point.

“Here it comes!” said Daring Do, sending increasing the current around her body, and increasing the size and weight of her whip.

“You’re not that smart, right?” mocked Dash.

The Bearer of Loyalty closed her eyes, pulling the two tied whips to herself, focusing her energy on the necklace. It absorbed the whole energy whip on her own; and hit the Titaness several times with it.

Dasher screamed in anger, and jumped toward her rival surrounding herself in pure electricity. Dash responded by cracking Daring’s whip wrapping it around its owner, and absorbing the energy surrounding her. A second later, the necklace blasted the attack back to Dasher that rolled on the clouds, with traces of smoke coming from her body.

“You chose me because I’m the best, right?” asked Dash.

“Maybe. But don’t get overconfident, Bearear.” answered Dasher, getting up.

Both pegasi extended their wings, and clashed. One generating electricity, the other one absorbing and redirecting it.

The necklace’s temperature began to increase, as cracks began to appear over it.

“You can’t hold it for much longer, Bearer.” Said Dasher.

“Neither you, Titaness.”

A powerful explosion sent them both to opposite sides of the room, with one of them collapsing, defeated.

Daring Do.

“It was mistake to borrow a mortal’s body. You win, Rainbow Dash.” said the possessed adventurer. Then she fainted.

Dasher was a Titaness, incorporeal and incredibly powerful. A little fight like this meant nothing to her, but, Daring Do’s body ran out of stamina.

The cyan mare looked at her friends, who cheered for her.

“I never lost faith in you!” said Fluttershy.

“A pretty intense fight, partner!” congratulated Applejack.

“Yeah, this is going to be on my top ten moments.” said Dash, smiling.

“But are you alright? Aren’t you hurt after… well, after all that?” asked Twilight.

“No, I’m fine.”

“Despite the violent fight, she did better than the two of you. Just a scratch and a little shock, right Dash?”

“Exactly!” said Rainbow, proudly. “Thank you, Twilight Princess. I’m the best of the bests for something.”

“You’re a better fighter than must of the ponies I’ve seen so far. A little more impulsive, and violent.” said Midna.

Fi made a small bow. “The Mistress is right. I’ve noticed that ninety percent of the ponies avoid violence. But you, are the remaining ten percent who are better prepared for this kinds of situations.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Hey Twi, wrote it down! Maybe you have to encourage ponies to fight more in case we are in a situation like this again.”

“No funny Rainbow Dash!”

“Everyone in Hyrule learns how to defend themselves at some point.” said Wolf link with a shrug. “There are too many monsters in the area.”

“Enough!” said Twilight. “Instead of discussing if we have to fight more, or not, can’t you give her something to heal her? I think you bought a few potions from Zecora.”

“Oh, right.” Said Midna, offering the flask to Rainbow Dash. “That zebra is another one who knows how to fight. I guess living in the forest gives her no choice. Pretty much like Hyrule.”

“I think I’ve said enough!” said Twilight.

“Why should I?” provoked Midna. “I do not answer to you, Princess Twilight. I’m the Twilight Princess.”

“Okay, now please stop! Seriously.” asked Link. “Why don’t we move to the next temple?”

“I’m with Link!” added Epona. “This is getting old, Midna. Shut up.”

“Yeah, that would be Fluttershy, am I right?” asked Rarity, relieved to not having to hear the discussion.

“I agree a hundred percent with that plan.” said Fi, looking at the fainted Daring Do. “But first, I highly recommend to help this individual.”

They all agreed, despite the fact that the comment of Dasher, about becoming helpless specters have scared them.

Finally, even Midna cooperated by grabbing Daring Do with her hand-shaped hair, and taking her down to the ground.

“It’s a shame that we couldn’t even let her the treasure. At least as a compensation.” said Pinkie, looking at the unconscious pegasus.

“We can check if there are any empty chests around.” suggested Epona. “We can give her the money.”

“No offense dears, but I would prefer to end this situation as soon as possible.”

They laughed happily, and exited the temple.

Since Midna was carrying Darind Do, she couldn’t mount on Link’s back, but she was clearly annoyed by this.

“Is it just me, or you really enjoy being on his back?” asked Applejack, winking an eye to her.

Midna glared at her, making Applejack gulp.

However, that didn’t stop Fi to intervene. “According to my calculations, Lady Midna and the Master have a big chance to…”

“SHUT UP!” yelled Midna.

“Hey! What’s happening with the two of you?!” asked Twilight, turning to them.

“Nothing that you care.” said the Twilight Princess, glaring at Princess Twilight. “If you know what’s good for you, you would shut up right now!”

“Midna, what’s wrong with you?” asked the wolf.

“Forget it! Are we going down or what?”

Twilight sighed, and made appear a couple of hot air balloons.

Once they landed, they placed Daring Do on the ground, and reanimated her by spilling water on her face.

“Huh? What happened to me? Where I am?” asked the pegasus, as she looked around. “What happened with the Temple? And Ahuizotl? And the necklace?”

Rainbow Dash modeled the gem for her. “Here, I have it. But, sorry, we can’t give it to you, Daring Do. We still need it to for the sake of Equestria.”

The adventurer nodded, as she stood.

“Okay, okay. Can somepony tell me what on Tartarus happened when I lost consciousness? Everything hurts.”

“Just drink this, and don’t ask questions.” Said Epona, offering Zecora’s potion. “It’s a long story.”

“I think I have time.” said Daring Do, with a frown.

“We don’t.” apologized Twilight. “Look, Miss Yearling, if we could, we would tell you exactly what happened for your next novel. But, can we make an appointment to discuss this later? Right now, Equestria is in grave danger.”

Daring Do groaned.

“Whatever! Something told me I shouldn’t get out of my bed this morning. But you owe me an explanation. A big explanation.”

“And we will give it to you!” assured Pinkie Pie. “Cross my eye and hope to fly, stick a cupcake on my eye.”

The adventurer sighed in frustration, and after recovering from her wounds, she flew away.

“Is just me, or she’s a little angry?”

“After what happened to her, I perfectly understand her.” said Fluttershy softly. “But, is she gonna be okay?”

“According to my calculations, the potion cured her wounds with a hundred percent of efficiency.”

“Good to know.” Said Twilight. “Now I think it is time for us to find the next Dungeon.”

The wolf looked at the imp. “Midna!”

Midna nodded, and activated her dark crystal.

Both went back to human form, and Fi returned to the Master Sword.

The Sword that Vanquishes Evil glowed. The glow, and a discrete biping sound indicated everypony the Dowsing ability was on.

With a nod, the group began to look around, following Link and Fluttershy.

Luckily, the shy pegasus reminded perfectly the spot where she got her Cutie Mark. Cute little animals, and the magic explosion that showed her destiny was something not too easy to forget.

When they arrived, the biping sound turned higher, too loud for anypony to resist.

“I guess we’re here. What are we looking for exactly?” asked Rainbow Dash.

They all turned to Fluttershy, who began to look around. “Let me see…”

Walking, she stood over a few wooden planks covering a well. The wood cracked under her weight, and fell…

“HEEEEELP!” cried the shy pegasus.

They all ran to help Fluttershy.

Twilight prepared to hold her with her magic, when something came from the bottom of the well that paralyzed them all. It was a scream, something that nopony had hear before. Something that came directly from nightmares.

Unable to move, Link’s eyes turned to Midna. The two of them knew what it meant… and it wasn’t good.

Truth be told, it meant a lot of trouble.

When the magic of the scream finally freed them, Link and Midna rushed to the well, jumping after Fluttershy.

Midna slowed the fall with her Twili magic, and fell softly at the bottom.

As they thought, the well was dry. In fact, it wasn’t a well at all. It was the entrance of a Dungeon.

They spotted Fluttershy, frozen. But not in fear, she was frozen because of the screams from the horrid creatures crawling toward her.

There were some kind of zombie-ponies, dressed in what it was an armor, once; and dragging big and heavy swords. The zombie-ponies turned to them their horrible heads, and screamed again… trying to paralyze the heroes.

But this time, Link and Midna were able to cover their ears just in time.

In the meantime, two of the monsters were dangerously approaching Fluttershy.

With great ability, Link jumped, and decapitated them just in time.

“I fucking hate ReDeads!” said Midna.

“They’re not alone!” said Link, pointing the Master Sword to the left.

Aside of the ReDeads, there were another group of zombie-ponies. This other group, were wearing old and dirty bandages.

“Gibdos…”

“We are at the obligatory Temple of Terror. Yey!” ironized Midna.

The rest of the Mane 6, Sweet Fog and Epona arrived right after them.

“What are those things?!” cried Rarity.

“Two of the foulest creatures in our world.” explained Fog. “Oh, great! Look at the back!”

Small strange-looking antique lamps were floating by their own.

“And now we have Poes. What a great start!” groaned Epona. `�

Flutterax, Mister Kind

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Flutterax, Mister Kind

This was too much for Fluttershy. She could barely see her friends around her, but the things continued approaching mercilessly. Not only they were surrounded by a group of the scariest monsters she had ever see, but the dungeon was pitch black. The only light came from the supernatural lanterns floating by their own.

But, before Fluttershy could take enough air to fill her lungs, another, supernatural wail paralyzed her. Literally, it was like a supernatural force that froze her.

And she wasn’t the only one. The entire group of Bearers of Harmony were frozen by this monsters’ powers. None of them could move, none of them could do anything to stop the advance of the creatures.

Like a green Flash, Link ran cutting the creatures’ heads, as Midna summoned the stone hands from the Mirror of Shadows to keep the creatures away.

The effect of the ReDeads’ wail wore off.

“Oh no! What are those things?” cried Fluttershy.

“The ones with the armor, are called ReDeads. The ones with the bandages, Gibdos.” explained Epona.

“Even if they’re basically the same.” added Sweet Fog. “When you see one coming, cover your ears immediately. Their wail is their most powerful weapon.”

“You don’t say!” protested Pinkie Pie, as she tried to spy between the giant stone fingers. But, when she approached to have a better sight, she stepped on something tha cracked under her hoof.

Pinkie gasped, as Twilight used her horn to light up the dungeon. Everypony shivered. It was a pony’s skull.

With that discovery, the girls looked at the floor, seeing that skull was one of many. And not only skulls, but complete skeletons, with rusty spears, swords, arrows, and spears pinned on their bodies.

Link exchanged a quick look with Epona, who jumped out of the stone hands’ protection, and joined him in the cleaning of the creatures.

But they were careful enough to not disturb the Poes. In his Hylian form, Link couldn’t do anything against those creatures.

When they finished destroying the undead abominations, Link looked at Midna, who nodded and turned them both into a wolf, and an imp.

“Is it over?” asked Fluttershy, trembling.

“Almost. We still have to take care of the Poes.” explained Midna.

“Poes?” asked Rainbow Dash, raising an eyebrow.

“Basically ghosts.” Explained Midna, staring at the floating lantern in front of them.

Ghosts? That was enough, Fluttershy fainted.

“And we start alright!” sighed Applejack.

“Can you really blame her?” asked Sweet Fog, looking at the remaining of the living dead.

Nopony dared to answer, and they started to advance in the dungeon, when, another ReDead came from the shadows. It turned its horrid head to them, and approached, extending its arms.

“COVER YOUR EARS!” commanded Midna.

Even if they were expecting it, the wail proved to be as terrifying as the first time. Pinkie tried to ‘giggle at the ghostly’ as she always did, but the wail paralyzed her. The power of fear from the monsters proved to be too much for her. For the first time since she was a filly, Pinkie Pie was helpless before the ‘ghostly’.

The girls quickly dispersed, unaware of Pinkie’s predicament.

The Redead took her by the neck, and approached its mouth toward Pinkie… when Sweet Fog came just in time and cut its hoof with his dagger. The monster turned its head, and before Fog could react, it wailed again.

The thestral got paralyzed. The monster got over him, and put its dead lips over Fog’s, as it began to literally suck life out of him. The thestral tried to flap his wings, to escape from this creature as soon as he could.

In the meantime, Pinkie Pie have recovered from the initial shock.

“You’re not gonna hurt my friend, you meanie-pants!”

And she aimed her party-cannon to the monster.

The ReDead didn’t pay attention to her, until a ton of confetti and whipped-cream sent him away from the pony, right at the hooves of Epona.

“Good bye!” said the hilyan mare, destroying the creature with her Spinner.

“Thanks…” said Fog.

“Take this!” said the mare, passing him a bottle of Zecora’s potion.

Fog thanked Epona with a quick nod, and emptied the bottle. “Sweet Hylia, that was awful.”

“I thank Celestia that Fluttershy didn’t have to watch that!” said Dash, having a hard time not to faint herself.

“Just, how many of them are in this room?” asked Twilight, sending her flashlight spell to the darkest corners.

She wished she didn’t as the light called the attention of more of those monsters, still hidden.

They wailed, but this time, everyone around cover their ears. The creatures didn’t seem to mind, as they still approached to the group.

Fi jumped out of the Master Sword. “Master, I think I have the solution for our current situation.”

“What is it, Fi?” asked Wolf Link.

“A song, Master. A song that comes from the era of Skyloft, and disappeared around the era of the Hero of Time.”

“I know spontaneous singing can be cheerful, or useful according to the situation.” said Twilight. “But how is this supposed to help us?”

Ignoring Twilight, Midna nodded. “Go on!”

Fi bowed to Midna, and began to dance around the dungeon, humming a beautiful melody. For one second, the room filled with warm sunlight.

When it faded, they noticed some drastic change: the ReDeads have stopped moving.

“The Song of Sun.” said Fi, bowing. “Especially useful against those creatures who are afraid of light.”

“I’m glad we can count of you, Fi.” said Link.

“Yes, this is easier now!” said Fog, fully recovered, and using his dagger to destroy the monsters.

Epona smiled, and joined him in the Spinner. Now, they were sure there were no monsters left.

“Finally!” said Rarity, relieved.

“I know.” agreed Midna, with a quick nod. “This things are the worse you can find in Hyrule. Lizalfos, areolfos and stalfos are one thing, but these things, are in a league of their own.”

They all shivered, and nodded in agreement.

“Okay, enough of this room! We need to continue advancing!” commanded Twilight, as she carried Fluttershy on her back.

They approached to the walls, looking for a door, not noticing they were dangerously close to the lantern that stayed on the air by its own. They got closer, still unaware.

When Wolf Link reacted on time, tackling the Princess just when the lantern moved to attack them.

Seeing it have failed, the lantern began to swing around, sending small fire balls that perused the heroes.

“What’s going on?!” asked Fluttershy, waking up.

“Just in time! Fluttershy, try to avoid those things!”

Fluttershy shook her head, and obeyed, as she whined in silence.

“Great! Link, you know what to do!” shouted Midna.

The wolf howled, and closed his eyes, to connect with his canine senses.

When Link opened his eyes again, the world have changed. All he could perceive were shapes, shadows, smells, and, right in front of him, a being of light. The pony version of a poe.

With the ferociousness of a wolf, Link jumped over the foul creature, sinking his teeth on its body, and ripped off the beings’ soul.

He howled in victory as the scent of the poe flowed to his nose.

But, the others only see him jumping over the nowhere, and then, the lantern falling useless.

“What happened? I didn’t see anything.”

“Remember the ghosts Lady Midna mentioned?” asked Sweet Fog. “These are them, we call them poes.”

“Only dangerous is you approach too much.” Midna explained. “Completely invisible, except for the lanterns. If you see one lantern floating in the middle of nowhere, you better keep your distance and wait for Link to act.”

“Thanks to my canine instincts, it’s easy for me to spot their weak spot.” added the wolf. “Their soul.”

“And for that reason, I think it’s better to keep this forms in this dungeon.”

Link smiled at Midna. “You don’t have to keep that imp form for me, Midna. It’s alright.”

“I don’t mind.” said Midna, jumping on Link’s back. “Besides, you’ll need my help in order to fight in this form. Remember?”

Link smiled, and Midna smiled back.

By her way, Epona had to hold her laugh. Luckily Link and Midna were too focused on their moment to pay any attention to her.

“What’s so funny?” wanted to know Applejack.

“Those two. I’m wondering how long until they get together.”

Applejack chuckled too, until Midna called for them:

“Hey! Are you going to stay there, giggling like school girls, or are you coming? Your friend would appreciate it!”

It was true, the sooner they finished that dungeon, the better for Fluttershy; who was doing her best to not to faint again.

“I… I think I found something…” said Fluttershy, grabbing an object from between the dead bones.

It was a note, engraved in a tile. With a gulp, Fluttershy read it out loud:

“Hello and welcome to my temple. My name is Flutterax and I’ll be your titan tonight. My temple is very scary, and I apologize for that, but I was told I have to push you to your limits to prove your worth. I’m sorry it have to be this way, but we can’t risk for you to lose the Tree of Harmony again. One more time, I’m terribly sorry it has to be this way. But, I can give you a clue: this temple doesn’t have any complicated mechanics, maps, or puzzles. It have scary monsters, yes, but you’ve already see them. Each room leads to two paths. One is a dead end, the other one, the next room. Look for the ghosts.

I hope you’re not mad at me, but rules are rules. With my best wishes,

Flutterax.”

Rainbow Dash face-hoofed. “Yeah, this guy is Fluttershy’s titan. No doubt!”

“What concerns me, is, how are supposed to know in which way will lead us to the ghosts.” mumbled Rarity, thoughtful.

“I can smell them.” explained Wolf Link.

“What?”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve traced a ghost. Trust in my nose.”

The girls nodded, as Midna smiled, remembering their adventures at that temple in the Gerudo Desert. That’s where Link learned that she was, actually, the Twilight Princess.

“How’s that you’re able to smell ghosts?” asked Twilight, in disbelief.

“Well, Twilight, some animals are really sensitive. Isn’t uncommon to hear that a dog, or a cat, can react to supernatural things.” explained Fluttershy, happy to have something to distract her mind from the horrible sight of the temple. “Several owners have told me how their pets went crazy before a family member died, or before something strange occur.”

The hero smiled relieved that the poor pegasus had something to relax her, and started to sniff the air.

“Follow me!” he commanded.

The group went after Link, until the found two hallways, each one had a heavy door, ready to lock their way back as soon as everypony have crossed it.

“If we make a single mistake, we’ll be trapped here forever…” gulped Rainbow Dash.

“Link…” said Epona, looking at her friend.

The wolf smiled at her, and concentrated on his wolf-instincts. The scent came faintly, getting stronger as he approached to the door at the right. He turned to the group.

“This way!”

No questions asked, the ponies followed Link. They have learned to trust fully on their visitors now. In fact, they felt relieved they have a skilled adventurer on their side.

When the last one of the group, Sweet Fog, got into the hallway, the door closed, locking the ponies inside.

But this was an advantage for Link, who now could feel the poes’ scent more clearly. But also, something else came to him.

“COVER YOUR EARS!” roared the wolf.

But the warning came too late, and everyone got freeze by the hideous wail of the ReDeads, who approached menacingly.

“If only I could move…” complained Midna, frozen in battle position. It was so frustrating to see those things approaching slow, and scarily.

Link howled, as his muscles tensed, but that was all he could do.

A Gibdo appeared right in front of Fluttershy, as another one grabbed Applejack. They both jumped over the terrified mares, ready to suck the life out of them. It seemed like it was the end, when the wails’ effect wore off. Just in time.

“Nobody touches my pal Applejack!” shouted Epona, destroying the monster with her spinner.

“How much I hate you!” shouted Sweet Fog, jumping over the one attacking Fluttershy. “These are my friends, you damn things! MISS FI! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?”

The Spirit of the Master Sword obeyed, and danced over the group, with her gracious and smooth moves; as she sang the Song of the Sun.

This time, it was the creatures who froze, allowing the heroes to destroy them all. Also, this time, Twilight and Rarity joined in by shooting magic blasts from their horns, as Rainbow and Applejack bucked them away from them.

“There!” announced Pinkie Pie. “I see another room, and one of those weird lamps!”

“Link, you take care of the poe, we have this!” commanded Midna.

The wolf smirked, and jumped over the ghost, or he tried, since a new group of ReDeads and Gibdos blocked his way to the room.

“Link!” shouted Midna, jumping over her friend’s back. “Like the old times… hold on…!”

Link smirked, and bend his knees, as he was about to jump.

The ReDeads prepared to wail again. Suddenly, some powerful magic aura grabbed their legs.

Midna’s eyes were closed… as she focused all her power in an orange aura that held the monsters together. The ReDeads were struggling, trying to get to their new victims.

“NOW!” shouted Link.

With an extra impulse, courtesy of Midna’s aura, he disposed of all of the ReDeads with a single attack. He grinned.

“I know it’s weird and all, but I missed this!”

“You know what? Me too!” answered Midna, nostalgic.

Seeing that the others have finished dealing with the horrible creatures, Link confidently jumped to take care of the poe. This time, nothing interrupted him.

The rest joined Link in the empty room, looking at two locked doors before them.

“Don’t tell me we chose the wrong way!” gasped Rarity.

Link sniffed the air.

“Of course not! I can smell more poes behind the door at the left door. There must be a hidden switch of something. Help me to find something suspicious.”

Twilight and Rarity used their horns as flashlights, as they began to look for something. anything. Pinkie Pie joined in by taking a flashlight from a saddlebag, and looked around.

“Oh, right! Link’s lantern!” said Epona, taking it from Link’s bag. “Hey, I found something!”

“Is it a switch?” asked Fluttershy.

“No, it’s a note. From your Titan.” said Epona giving the piece of paper to Fluttershy.

Twilight’s flashlight helped her friend, s she read: “Dear Miss Bearer, you’re on the right direction, congratulations. I just wanted to tell you that, even if my Temple is full of horribly rude monsters, we don’t have to behave the same. Only kindness will show your way in.

Love, Flutterax.”

“What-is-wrong-with-this-guy?” asked Rainbow Dash, exasperated.

“At least he’s trying to make it up for us by being nice.” smiled Fluttershy, turning to the two doors. “Ehem, excuse me, we finished with the monsters in the area. Can you open for us? If that’s okay with you!”

The doors glowed, and opened.

“I wish temples were this easy back home.” said Link to Midna.

“Uh-huh…” answered the imp. “Which way?”

“I’ve told you, left!”

They headed to the left door, and advanced a few steps, when they found a new lantern, floating by its own.

When the poe noticed he was being observed, it began to send fireballs to the heroes… but Link quickly jumped over him, and ripped away the soul with his bare teeth.

“I wish the ReDeads were this easy to destroy!”

“And, speaking of the devil!”

Another bunch of the undead monsters headed to them.

This time, there was no need to say anything to Fi. The Spirt took a step ahead, and sang so they could destroy the monsters with ease.

“Is this Temple gonna be all like this? The others offered variety!!” complained Applejack.

“Yeah, like they put all the effort on the first impression.” agreed Pinkie Pie.

“Stop complaining! This allows you to take care of two temples in a day!” reminded Twilight.

They continued their way into the temple, guided by the ghost’s scent. They found a new room with a poe, and more ReDeads waiting for them, and like the last time, they took care of them with ease. Even Fluttershy was feeling better when she realized they just had to repeat the process for a few more times.

Finally, they arrived to a different kind of room.

On the center of it, a giant metal statue was waiting. The mechanic giant was equipped with three pairs of arms, each one holding a scimitar.

The ponies took a step backward at the strange sight, but the Hyrule Warriors just looked at it with interest.

On the center of the giant, a gem, with the shape of Fluttershy’s Cutie Mark was waiting for them.

“Master, I must warn you.” said Fi. “This reminds me a Temple you faced on your first incarnation.”

“I don’t care. This seems interesting.” grinned Wolf Link.

“Let’s finish this!” said Midna, with a grin on her own.

“I know I’m going to regret this, but what the hell!” laughed Epona, preparing the Spinner. “Hey Fog, take care of our friends!”

“Sure!”

The Hyrule Warriors ran to action.

The statue, stood, and tried to slice them up with their swords. But; thanks to Link’s wolf agility, Fi’s agile dancer-like moves, Midna’s smallness, and the Spinner’s speed, they dodged the attack smoothly.

The being then, started to spin like it was a small tornado, and began chasing the group, constantly switching directions to take them down.

Epona was not in the mood for a spin battle, and threw a bomb on the giant’s way. It exploded, making it fall.

“Now!” commanded Link.

But he spoke too quickly. The giant used four of his arms to stand, and, with the other two, it threw its scimitars to the heroes that quickly returned to him as there were some sort of boomerangs.

The Mane 6 ran back to the hallway in order to protect themselves as the thing continued attacking the Hyrule Warriors.

When the mechanical was back on its feet, it restarted its attempt to cut down the heroes. This time, however, things got more complicated as by throwing its scimitars, the giant could go after several targets at the time.

It passed near the Mane 6 several times, but it didn’t seem to mind them.

Finally, Fluttershy realized something.

“Have you noticed?” asked the shy pegasus.

“Notice what, dear? I’m a little busy hiding for my life!” said Rarity.

“It ignored us!” explained the yellow mare. “The only times it passed near us it was because it was chasing one of our friends.”

“So, you’re telling me that this things is attacking them only because they attacked first?”

Fluttershy nodded, and firmly, she got back into the room. “HEY! STOP! THIS THING IS ONLY REACTING TO YOUR ATTACKS!”

“What?!” asked Midna.

“STOP FIGHTING!” commanded Fluttershy.

The warriors obeyed, but only because nothing that they’ve tried seemed to work. But, the creature didn’t stop attacking.

“APPOLOGIZE, NOW!” shouted Fluttershy.

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?” complained Link, as he ducked to avoid being cut in half by one of the scimitars.

“DO AS I SAY!” commanded Fluttershy, using her Stare on them.

However, it didn’t work.

“We’ve seen Ganondorf to the eyes, you have to do better than this.”

“DO IT!” shouted again Fluttershy.

Rolling his eyes, Link turned to the giant and howled:

“We’re sorry! Sorry we attacked you, is just that we’re used to open our way in dungeon by fighting! Let’s stop this before someone gets hurt!”

Unbelievably enough, the giant stopped.

“Master, I have a strange feeling. I think is called, disbelief!” said Fi.

Without paying any attention to the spirit, Fluttershy approached to the creature.

“Mister giant, I’m so sorry, but were in a hurry! They attacked you because this is a life or death situation, and we really need your gem. Can we borrow it from you? I promise I’ll give it back to you, despite how frightening your home is.”

The giant took its gem, and gave it to Fluttershy with a small nod. It was a very sweet guy.

“Thank you very much, mister giant.” said the yellow pegasus with a warm smile.

And she simply walked to the door, much to the warriors’ (and Bearers’) surprise.

“What just happened?” asked Epona.

The rest of the temple was as monotonous as the first half. Singing the Song of the Sun, slashing undead, and rip the poes’ souls.

Finally, they arrived to a big golden door with six holes, and a scription:

Put in here the lost souls you’ve collected, so they can find their way to the afterlife. If that’s okay with you.

Flutterax,

Link sighed, and did as the inscription said.

The door glowed, and opened.

“So, how do ya’ think this fight is gonna be?” asked Applejack.

Behind the door, a giant butterfly-like being was reading, in what it looked like a living room instead of a dungeon. The being moved looked at his visitors from the top of the book and smiled.

“Oh, you made it. Great! I was starting to worry, but it seem all my worries were unfounded. My name is Flutterax, and I am the Titan of Kindness. It’s a pleasure to meet you all!”

And one by one, the butterfly shook everyone’s hooves, and hands, as he was saying things like ‘a pleasure to meet you’ or, ‘this is wonderful, simply unbelievable’, or, ‘oh, you’re prettier in person’, ‘I have heard too much about you. Please make yourself at home!’

“And, the Warriors of Hyrule! What a nice surprise, I love meeting you all. How do you find Equestria? Is beautiful, right? I hope you have enjoyed our world so far.”

Midna raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, it’s a good place to hang out. Ponies are nice and all, thank you for asking.”

“Delighted to hear that! It’s wonderful to have guests this distinguished!”

“What can I say? Ponies are nice!” mumbled Link, unsure how to react to this guy.

“Ponies have been really nice since the foundation of Equestria. I’m glad you appreciate that!” continued the giant butterfly. “Oh! But where are my manners? Can I offer you something to drink? Cola? A glass of milk, or a cup of tea?”

Epona had a sweat drop on her temple. “This guy knows we’re here to fight, right?”

“Hey, watch your manners!” complained the butterfly. “Speaking about me, as I’m not here.”

“Sorry!” said Epona. “I’m sorry, Mister Flutterax, but, you know that now Fluttershy have to fight you, right?”

“Why?” asked the butterfly. “She already proved her worth by conquering her fears, and ask nicely to my guardian to lend her his gem. Am I right?”

“Yes…” said Fluttershy, blishing.

“So, you passed my test, and with honors!” congratulated Flutterax. “Each Titan is different, and I like to do this things my way, the kind way. Not like the two arrogant Sparkler and Dasher. I do not like violence, or would you prefer a fight?”

They all shook their head.

“So, can we just… leave?” asked Fluttershy.

“Sure, my dear Fluttershy! This way, please!”

And Flutterax showed them their way out, much to their disbelief. Seriously, what was wrong with that dude?

Well, they didn’t say anything and wished him well. This was the nicest spirit no one have ever met.

Getting heavy equipment

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Getting heavy equipment

“Applejack! Applejack!” called Apple Bloom, as she greeted her sister. “I’m glad yer’ back! And Miss Epona! So glad you’re still here! I wanted to talk to ya’!”

“With me? Oh, I am flattered!” smiled the mare from Hyrule.

“We followed yer’ advice, Miss Epona! Sweetie, Scoots and mah’ were ready, and adventure found us!”

Epona blinked surprised. “Oh, what happened?”

“Ya’ see: on the back on the school there’s a small storage room. Nopony goes in there because it’s full of giant moths. They attacked us, but Scoots was great using that wooden sword. Then Sweetie joined her with the slingshot ya’ gave us. The moths tried to overpower us, but then A’ jumped and held them with the shield. We thought it couldn’t get any better, but then, we found an old piggy bank from ten years ago, with more than a hundred bits inside. And since we kicked out the moths, Miss Cheerilee allowed us to keep it. But A’m not gonna spend those bits! Those are proof of our first great adventure!”

The two older mares smiled to each other. At least there was some adventure for those who seek for it in Equestria.

“Eeyup, the girls had an interesting morning.” said Big Mac, approaching. “What about ya’ two?”

“Leaving aside the weirdo who guarded the last dungeon, A’m starting to get used to it.” explained Applejack.

“That guy was indeed, the weirdest final boss I’ve ever seen.” Agreed Epona. “But I’m glad we’re doing this quick. Link used to take at least an entire day to clean up a dungeon.”

Apple Bloom smiled. “A’ can’t wait for dinner time for Miss Epona to tell me everything!”

Applejack frowned silightly.

“Hey, don’t ya’ prefer yer’ older sister to tell ya’ as she always does?” asked the cowgirl.

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Applejack, A’ love when ya’ tell me yer’ adventures. But Miss Epona makes it sound so great. And also, she’s gonna go home when this ends. Right, Miss Epona?”

Applejack couldn’t argue with that.

But also, she just realized Apple Bloom was right. Her new friend will leave her soon, and if she was honest with herself, Applejack didn’t want that. She loved to spend time with Epona.

“You know what?” asked Epona. “I don’t want to leave Equestria. I won’t stay forever at Sweet Apple Acres, but I would like to stay around. I’m sure Link won’t mind.”

Applejack smiled at her. “Maybe not forever, but yer’ welcome to stay with us until you find a place. What do ya’ think? So you can tell stories to Apple Bloom.”

Epona smiled at Applejack. She really liked this new friend. “Thank you, AJ.”

“By the way, the beavers are building a new dam. Can you take care of them, Epona?” asked Big Mac.

Both mares giggled, but went to action.

But this time, there was no need to destroy the dam. As soon as they saw Epona, the beavers gasped in fear, and swim as fast as they could to escape.

Sweet Fog, Midna’s horse, had no problem. One more time he stayed with Fluttershy. They spent the night without incidents.

As for Link and Midna, they stayed at Twilight’s. Midna said that she wouldn’t stand Lyra’s questioning for another night.

So both warriors were at one of Twilight’s many extra rooms, watching at the forest in the distance.

Also, from where they were, they could clearly see the anti-natural shade of orange on the sky, caused by the Realm of Twilight.

“So, this is where I’m going to live. The Twilight.” Said Link, on his hylian form, as he watched the scary, but beautiful sight on the sky.

Midna, also in her regular form, looked at him, worried. “Are you sure about that, Link? I don’t want you to feel like I’m forcing you. This was only an offering.”

Link smiled at her.

“You’re not forcing me to do anything, Midna. I miss everything about our time together. I miss the action. I miss the adventure. And, for Hylia’s sake, I even miss the wounds.”

Midna couldn’t help but laugh.

“The wounds? For real?”

Link nodded, as he looked at her. The moonlight made Midna’s eyes glow beautifully.

The young hylian blushed, as he gently placed a hand on Midna’s cheek.

“And, of course, I miss the company.”

Midna’s beautiful aquamarine skin turned slightly purple when she blushed as well.

Link knew it was the time. He took a deep breath, to gain some courage, and said: “Midna, I love you.”

Midna blinked surprised, but in the end she surrounded him with her arms. It was a little uncomfortable for her, since she was taller than Link. And, she was floating thirty centimeters above the ground.

She landed, and took Link’s face between her hands, as she kissed him deeply.

“I love you too.”

A new day started for the group, but, from the very beginning, Twilight knew something was wrong.

Mostly because she woke up because of the orange light that came through her window. Still half asleep, Twilight used her magic to open the window, and jumped to see what was going on.

And most to her surprise, the Realm of Twilight have advanced to the edge of the town.

“It can’t be…” mumbled the lavender alicorn.

“What’s going on?” asked Spike, getting into the room.

“Look! It’s almost here!” said Twilight, with a scared whisper.

“What’s the meaning of this fuss?!” asked Minda angrily, in her imp form.

“Look!” said Twilight, pointing a hoof to the window. “It’s almost here! I thought we were trying to stop this thing!”

“And we are.” said Midna, coldly. “If you haven’t noticed, it’s been three days, Princess. If we weren’t restoring your Tree’s power, your little town would been swallowed already.”

Twilight shivered.

“Don’t be such a crybaby and look at the bright side, dumbass.” said Midna after a while.

“Bright side? There is no bright side! The Twilight is about to absorb my home! How can you say there is a bright side?”

“You have time to evacuate your citizens before it’s too late, moron.” said Midna. “If only Zelda would had this chance, things had been different for her, and the people of Hyrule.”

Twilight shook her head, trying to calm down. “You’re right. You’re right. Sorry.”

“Hurry to evacuate your people, and then, we’ll move to the next temple.” said Midna, with a shrug.

Twilight nodded, and teleported to do as the Twilight Princess said.

It was relatively easy, all the ponies agreed to leave at the incoming danger of the alien Realm trying to merge with their own.

The only incident worth to mention was that the flower-trio were too busy shaking in fear to pay attention to anything that Twilight had to say.

“The horror, the horror!”

“The desolation!”

“Everything is lost!”

But, after put them to sleep with a spell, they were easy to carry and put on the next train to Canterlot.

And finally, the girls, and the Hyrule Warriors, were able to get into Twilight’s balloon to move to the Pie family rock farm.

“I can’t wait to see my parents! Do you think they would like to see me?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“Surely.” said Twilight, with a smile.

“But you know we can’t stay long, right?” asked Fluttershy softly. “Now that the Twilight have almost absorbed Ponyville, we can’t waste our time.”

“I know, but at least I can stop to say hi, right?” asked Pinkie Pie, with a smile.

“Of course!” assured Epona. “After all, we need to interrogate your folks to see where can we find the temple, right?”

“Right!”

They arrived to the farm, where Igneous Rock received them. As stoic and serious as the rest of his family. The old earth pony reminded the girls of Maud for some reason. Like they were family or something.

“Welcome to the Pie family rock farm.” said the brownish earth pony. “What kind of rocks are you looking for?”

“Daddy!” shrieked Pinkie Pie, hugging the farmer. “How are you?”

Igneous Rock blinked in surprise, but he recovered soon. “Pinkamena Diane Pie, you should write us. I’m glad to see you here. Are these your friends?”

Pinkie nodded excitedly. “Yes they are! I think you already know Applejack, right? I would happily introduce them all to you, but we’re kind of in a hurry. We’re trying to save Equestria from a horrible fate.”

“Is that so?” asked Igneous. Most of the ponies didn’t notice, but Pinkie could clearly see he was worried. “What kind of fate?”

“Not important right now.” said Pinkie. “But daddy, can you tell us if you have seen something weird on the farm lately?”

The rock farmer shook his head slowly.

“No, I’m sorry. I haven’t seen nothing out of the ordinary. But, what about your friends. Are they interested in buying some rocks?”

Epona shrugged.

“I’m not that interested in rocks, but, if you have some dynamite, or bombs, I would definitely buy some.”

Igneous made a small nod. “Yes, we have bombs. How do you think we break big boulders, huh? Marble! You have clients!”

The younger of the Pie sisters appeared with a shy smile. “Oh, Pinkie Pie. Is nice to see you! Ehem… did your friends need… bombs?”

“First things first.” said Midna, opening her pouch. “Do you accept gems?”

Marble examined the rupees with expert eye, gasping at the green ones.

“Whoa, these are especially valuable. I would accept those, but I don’t have enough change.”

“How many bombs can we purchase with a green rupee?” asked Wolf Link.

Marble gasped, noticing the big predator for the first time, but calmed a little when she noticed everypony were used to the wolf’s presence.

“Ehem… up to forty bombs. But nopony needs that many.”

“Do you have enough in storage?” asked Epona.

“Ehem, yes… I think… we have more than three hundred but…”

Link and Midna gave Marble two green rupees.

“We’ll take eighty!”

“What?”

“You heard us.” said Midna. “Eighty bombs.”

“But…”

“It’s alright, we always use lots of bombs.” explained Epona. “And this is the first place in Equestria where we find some.”

“But eighty bombs…”

“We do things goron-style. Big deal.” said Epona.

Marble wanted to ask what was going on, but, her sister asked her to hurry. So, in the end, she gave the travelers two huge bags of bombs.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!” said Marble, examining the rupees. “Are you going to be alright?”

“Yeah, no problem!” said Link. “We’re used to the bombs.”

When the pony left, Fi emerged from the Master Sword.

“Master, should I start looking for the dungeon’s entrance?”

“Go on!” commanded Link.

As always, Fi scanned Pinkie Pie’s aura, and Midna turned Link and her back to human form.

Link wielded the Master Sword, and Fi went back inside.

With the dowsing skill, Link leaded the way to a big quarry, sealed by two giant rocks.

“And, apparently, we have to blow up some things.” Chucked Epona, as she took one of her new bombs. “You don’t mind, right Pinkie Pie?”

“Of course not! But let me do it, it sounds like fun!” said the pink earth pony, as she took her party cannon.

She aimed the weapon to the rocks, and charged a bomb. “Fire in the hole!”

And she shot.

The Pie family was having breakfast, when the explosion resounded all over the farm.

“Did that come from the northwest quarry?” asked Maud.

“Yes…” said Igneous Rock, with a stoic expression. But, his family knew he was very worried.

“Who would be stupid enough to open the entrance?” asked Limestone.

“Well, Pinkie Pie and her friends just purchased a bunch of bombs.” said Marble, worriedly.

“We sealed that place for a reason! What are they thinking?” asked

“Obviously, they don’t know what they’re doing!” said Maud. “I’m going to stop them before it’s too late.”

Even if her tone, and face seemed calm, she was really worried, and charged at full speed through the door.

Maud stopped at the quarry’s entrance, completely exposed.

“Great.” said Maud, with a grim expression. “What are you the six thinking?”

Maud got into the quarry, thinking about the horrible creatures that lived in there. Strange skeleton ponies, wearing light armor. Floating skulls, and strange bats covered in fire.

“Pinkie Pie!” she called.

But, when she got in, she found three bipedal creatures, each one taking care of the monsters. One, with a sword. The other one, using an enchanted mirror. And the third one, was using her legs, hard as steel, destroying the monsters in a strange dance.

A bunch of the skeleton ponies, Stalfos, tried to attack Pinkie and her friends from behind, when a Mare in some kind of spinning-thing took care of them. Along with a threstral with a dagger on his mouth.

Finally, before the astonished (even if her face said otherwise) Maud, Midna turned Link and herself into a wolf, and an imp.

“Okay: the same thing as always.” said Midna. “Link, Fi and me are going one way, you six, Epona and Fog for other. We’ll try to locate the compass, the dungeon map, and the dungeon’s object to defeat this Titan. Any questions?”

“No, we know what to do.” said Rainbow. “Oh, maybe one question. Where are we supposed to go? I don’t see any door, or anything.”

“Hey!” called Maud.

They all turned to her.

“Maud! What are you doing here?” asked Pinkie Pie, happily.

“What are you doing here, Pinkie Pie? We sealed this place for a reasons! It’s full of monsters!” said the older of the Pie sisters.

“I know. This is where we’re supposed to be, Maud. These temples are here only to test our strength!” explained Pinkie Pie. “My friends have passed theirs already. This one is mine to explore!”

“But it’s too dangerous!” insisted Maud. “I see you took care of the monsters, but look Pinkie Pie. There’s nowhere to go.”

“We’ll see about that.” said Twilight, using her horn as a flashlight.

Rarity joined her, only to find two torches on the wall.

After exchanging a look with the warriors of Hyrule, Twilight turned on the torches on.

A small melody, like a flute, sounded, and a chest came out of nowhere.

Excitedly, Pinkie Pie jumped over the chest, and opened it. It were more bombs.

“What?”

“Aw, A’ was hoping for some more bits.” mumbled Applejack.

“Is not that bad. It’s a hint for what we need to do.” explained Link.

“What do you mean?” asked Fluttershy.

Link and Midna, and she turned them back into their human forms.

Link began to hit the walls with the Master Sword, until he found a spot that sounded empty.

“Epona!” he called.

The hylian steed smiled at this, and put a bomb where Link said.

The bomb exploded, revealing the way.

A wave and sulfur hit everypony.

“That wasn’t me!” giggled Pinkie Pie.

“This is not a good time for jokes!” protested Rarity. “Look!”

Before them, they saw a bunch of stairs… descending into what it seemed like a lava pit.

If that wasn’t enough, several rocks, big enough for a pony to walk over, were floating on the lava pit. The

“Sooner or later, there would be a fire temple.” mumbled Epona.

“As long as we don’t walk into a submarine temple, I won’t complain.” said Link to Midna, who nodded.

“Yeah, that was exasperating.”

Maud blinked, indifferent. “That’s it. You are not going in there, Pinkie Pie.

“But Maud!” said Pinkie.

“No buts. We’re leaving.” said Maud, grabbing her sister’s hoof.

Maud was stronger than Pinkie Pie, and had no problem dragging Pinkie out of the quarry.

“Wait!” called Twilight. “We need Pinkie! This is her dungeon, after all!”

“Look for somepony else’s sister!” replied Maud dryly.

A hand made of black stone blocked Maud’s way out.

Maud turned to Midna, who held the Mirror of Shadows toward her.

“I need to keep my sister safe!”

Pinkie shook her head.

“No Maud, Equestria needs me.”

Maud frowned. “Pinkie Pie, you are coming with me. You’re not jumping to a pit of lava, not under my watch!”

“Maud, almost all of my friends have faced tests to prove their worth to Equestria. It’s my turn!”

“If all your friends have to face a giant, ancient monster, would you?”

“Shall we tell her?” whispered Dash to Fluttershy.

“Still, I’m not going to lose Pinkie Pie.” said Maud.

But the stone hand didn’t move.

“Let us go!” said Maud.

Fi popped out in front of her.

“Excuse me, but we find your request unacceptable. We need Pinkie Pie with us, all the time. If she doesn’t face the Titan of Laughter herself, nopony in Equestria will be safe. Including your sister.”

“But I…”

“May I suggest you join us for this temple? That way you can be sure of your sister’s security, and, you have our word nothing will happen to her. Right, Master? Mistress?”

Link and Midna nodded.

“You have the word of the hero of Hyrule.”

“And the Twilight Princess.”

Maud finally made a defeated sigh, and nodded.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, but I guess you’ll protect her. Fine then, but I’ll keep an eye on my sister.”

Like Titan, like Bearer

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Like Titan, like Bearer

Of all the Dungeons they had been, that was the one they were taking the longest. Not because of the monsters, or the traps. But because Maud was delaying them, making the visitors from Hyrule to check up every room to see if it was safe for her sisters.

“Who would say she was this overprotective.” mumbled Applejack to Epona.

“Yeah, with that face, no one would say she cares about anything, or anyone.” said the hylian steed.

The others stared at her.

“What? I’m just being honest.” said Epona.

They have arrived to a new room, populated by fire keeses, flying all over; trying to set the invaders on fire.

As always, Twilight casted a magic shield and urged her friends to join her.

Except for Maud, who could barely move because of Maud’s tight embrace.

“Ehem, a little help?” asked the pink pony.

Imp Midna looked back at the two sisters.

“Miss Maud. I understand your worry for your sister. But, as we are in a dungeon full of dangerous monsters, and traps. Your sister will need to move if she wants to survive.

Maud didn’t stop looking back at the exit, but she have already agreed to this.

Suddenly, the floor began to tremble.

“Okay, what does that mean?”

“According to my data, this could be either a stampede or the floor is about to fall.” said Fi.

“Thank you Fi!” said Link, annoyed, as he prepared the Master Sword. “Can you tell us something useful, for once?”

“Yes Master, I’m detecting the energy signatures of several monsters charging in!” said Fi.

Link rolled his eyes, but he was actually grateful for that information.

A bunch of dinolfos and liazalfos got in, breathing fire over the heroes.

However, the attack was blocked by Twilight’s and Midna’s magic, combining into a powerful dome that protected everyone.

But the monsters didn’t take long until they found an opening in the heroes’ defense, a small breach in the dome.

The lizard-like creatures ran to the breach, combining their fire-breath into an infernal storm that they hoped carbonize their enemies.

But one more time, something stood on their way: the Hylian Shield.

“You fell directly to my trap!” smiled Link, slashing the monsters out of the way.

One of the Dinolfos crawled over the wall, as the lizard it was, when Midna’s hand-shaped hair caught it; and crushed it.

“Careful hero, we need you in one piece!” scolded Midna.

“I knew my girlfriend would cover my back!” smiled Link.

More monsters charged into the room.

“As always, you cannot get into a lava pit without being pestered by this things!” complained Epona, repelling them with several bombs.

The explosion sent the monsters away, giving Epona the chance to dispose of them with her Spinner.

“Was that really necessary?” cried Fluttershy. “You have already defeated them with the explosion!”

“Believe me, these things are tough. The only way to make sure you get rid of them, is to rip their heads off.” said Epona, coldly.

Fluttershy shivered. She didn’t like this pony at all.

“Why does everything have to be so extreme and violent with them?!” cried the yellow pegasus.

“Hey!” called Midna. “Are you coming or what?”

The girls followed the hylians, led by Pinkie Pie.

Maud just blinked, blankly.

“Hey, have you noticed that most of you didn’t care about those things being slaughtered in front of you?”

“We are getting used to ultra-violence! This is not good!” said Twilight, as her eyes opened widely.

Epona shrugged. “Welcome to the experienced adventurer’s club.”

The girls exchanged a horrified look as they analyze the horrifying truth. What kind of mess they got into?

Maud sighed. “Are you sure my sister is needed? First I was only worried about her wellbeing. Now, I’m worried about her sanity.”

“Sadly, this dungeon was designed especially for her.” said imp Midna.

Maud frowned, a small gesture that meant a lot for the Pie family standards.

“We have her back, don’t worry.” said Fog. “We’ve been taking care of them in four dungeons so far!”

“And, your sister is one of the strongest ponies I know.” assured Epona. “Anypony else would die already on the dungeons.”

“Also Link would help us if the case is needed!” said Pinkie, cuddling with the hylian hero.

Midna pulled her away with her hand-shaped hair.

“Hey, watch it! He’s mine!” said Midna.

They all turned to Midna, looking at her in awe.

“What?!”

“You’re finally together?” asked Fluttershy. “That’s so wonderful, I’m so glad for you!”

“Finally!” said Epona. “Guys, I thought I was going to get old before any of you give the first step. The last thing I wanted to do was to have to listen to Link feeling sorry for himself for not having the nerve to confess his feelings.”

“Same Lady Midna!” said Fog, as he began to mock Midna. “Oh, the hero who saved us… my friend… the dog boy. As much as she didn’t wanted to admit it, she have always had a thing for Link.”

“Okay, stop it! Now!” commanded Midna, irritated. “Yes, Link and I are together now, let’s not make a fuss about it. Now, can we focus? We have a dungeon to finish if we want to save Equestria and the Twilight.”

They kept going, even if the jokes continued for a while.

Soon enough, the ponies began to complain. The damn dungeon was hotter than hell. And, to make things worse, it was full of firery monsters. Like the already known Fire slugs, fire keese, and the Lizalfos and Lizardos.

There were also another lizard-like creatures, who crawled in the floor, and breathed fire over the heroes.

Impulsive as only herself, Epona charged at on the Spinner full speed against this lizard, a dodongo, but the beast proved to be smarter than she thought. It hit her with its long tail, making her fell of her weapon.

She landed on her back, as Link’s pouch ended up two meters away from her. She was at the dododongo’s mercy.

The monster opened its jaws ready to devour its prey, when Applejack grabbed the pouch, and threw the first thing she could find: a bomb.

The dodongo reacted quickly at this attack, swallowing the bomb.

The effect was immediate. The monster froze in surprise for a few seconds, until two streams of smoke came from his ears, and jaw.

“Dang it! It’s going to explode!” warned Epona, as she tackled Applejack away from the monster.

Effectively, soon enough the monster exploded in a million pieces.

“I owe you a big one AJ. Thanks!” smiled Epona.

But the farmpony was too shocked of what she have done. “A’ just… killed something.”

“Eeyup, your very first monster! Congrats!” said Epona, slapping Applejack on the back.

“Is that all yer’ going to say? A’ just killed something, for Celestia’s sake. What kind of pony I am? A’ took a life. A’ took a life!!”

Patiently, Epona looked to Applejack’s eyes.

“Yes you did. Why?”

“Cause’ A’ saw you in danger, and A’ couldn’t allow to that thing to touch ya’.”

“Thanks.” Said Epona. “Now, why’s that?”

“Cause’ yer’ too important for me. A’ don’t know ya’ for that long, but ye’re one of mah’ best friends already.”

Epona blushed, and proceed to kiss Applejack on the cheek.

“Thank you, AJ. You did nothing wrong, you just saw one of your friends in danger, and made a choice between the dodongo and me. And I’m glad you saved me, my friend. Don’t torture yourself, you just acted harshly, and given the situation, is perfectly understandable. Don’t think too much about it and thank the Goddess the both of us are alive.”

Epona recovered the pouch, and rejoined the group as Applejack processed what just happened.

None of them noticed Midna, giggling at them. Who knows! Maybe there was another shipping in process.

Finally, they arrived to a new room.

It was a series of diamond-shaped switches, separated from each other by rivers of lava. Also, most of the switches were protected by small cages. But, the one that was right in front of them was unprotected.

And, in the bottom of the room, there was a door, behind bars.

Luckily, the rivers of lava were easy to jump. But, they didn’t know what to do.

Link looked back at his friends from Hyrule, and, with his Master Sword hit the switch.

Suddenly, the cage of the switch at the other side of the room opened. The girls looked at Link happily, but he held them back with a small gesture.

“Pay attention.” he said, even if they couldn’t understand him.

But the message was perfectly clear. They moved backwards, as they heard something like a clock ticking.

Suddenly, the ticking stopped, and the cage rearmed around the switch.

“Time switches!” said Fi, Midna, Link and Sweet in the unison.

“So, you have to hit all the switches in a specific order.” said Twilight.

“So, we hit this one, then, before the time runs off, we go to the other side of the room, we his the other one, and…”

“Or we can simply split to be each one in front of one switch, and hit them when the cage opens.” suggested Twilight.

“That’s the advantage to get into this dungeons in large groups.” said Imp Midna. “Go on.”

“Usually, when you’re on your own, you have to use bombs, and run really fast.” explained Epona.

“You really have experience in places like this, right?” asked Maud, unapprovingly. “I don’t think you’re a good influence for Pinkie Pie.”

“Even if we weren’t here, she would have to get into these dungeons anyway.” explained Sweet Fog.

“Yeah, she’s lucky to have us on her side.” added Epona, with a grin. “And, luckily for us, whoever designed these dungeons, inspired in Hyrule’s.”

“We’re losing time here!” protested Pinkie Pie. “Let’s do this!!”

Each of the girls stayed in front of one of the switches, there were seven in total.

Link stayed in front of the first one, and, seeing that everypony was ready; he hit the switch with the Master Sword.

The one at the other side of the room opened, and Pinkie hurried to press it. Next, the one in front of Twilight opened too, and the purple alicorn pressed it as well.

One by one all the others pressed a switch, and finally, a flute-like music resounded all over.

And a chest materialized out of nowhere. However, the door remained closed.

Link frowned, he knew something big was coming.

In the meantime, Pinkie opened the chest, revealing two smaller versions of her party cannon.

“Cool! Twin cannons!” cheered the pink mare.

“Interesting…” mumbled Link.

Pinkie couldn’t understand Link in his hylian form, but still nodded happily.

But suddenly, several flame towers appeared on the room.

The things moved in a spiral pattern, trying to get the one who got the cannon they protected.

“Master! These activity isn’t normal!”

“You don’t say!!” protested Twilight, as she began to run.

“No, it’s a monster. I have them on my database. They’re called Magmanos.”

“Mag-what?!” asked Dash.

“Magmanos.” repeated Fi.

“And what the hay are those?” asked Rarity. “I’m too young to die burned!”

Finally, the girls could distinguish the true face of the monsters. There were giant hands, made entirely out of lava.

“Fi… do you know what to do with them, by any chance?” asked Link.

“Of course Master, you have to destroy them when they’re in a solidify state.”

Pinkie grinned. “Don’t worry, I have just the thing!”

Suddenly, the pink pony trembled, and made a quick backflip as a new Magmano emerged from the lava pit.

Then, Pinkie Pie aimed her twin cannons to the Magmano, and she shot a white stream to it. “How about that, meanie? Fire extinguisher foam!”

The Magmano instantly turned into stone; and Link ran toward it, destroying the monster with his sword.

Two more Magmanos suddenly charge to Pinkie Pie, as she aimed her new cannons.

“Are you sure guys?”

The Magmanos tried to squish the girl under their weight.

The girl grinned, and after using her Pinkie-sense to avoid the attack, she shot again, turning them into stone.

Fi and Minda disposed of the two Magmanos, emptying the room.

“This isn’t over.” said Pinkie Pie, warned by her Pinkie-sense.

“No, the door remains closed.” agreed Midna.

A new group of Magmanos emerged from the lava pit, and Pinkie and the Hyrule Warriors repeated the process until the enemies were gone.

The door opened, revealing the next room.

“Alright, I have to admit I underestimated your skills to fight monsters, Pinkie Pie.” said Maud. “I don’t like what you’re doing, but I can see you’re not as helpless as I thought. I’m sorry for overreacting.”

Pinkie Pie hugged her older sister.

“Thank you Maud, that means a lot.”

“Just don’t separate from the warriors, alright?” asked Maud.

“Okey-Dokey-Lokey!” smiled Pinkie Pie. “Link and his friends will protect us. You’ll see!”

They continued their way inside the temple, going deeper and deeper underground. Most of the times they used bombs to open their way through blocked hallways with bombs.

Maud was running out or patience each time they did a complicated puzzle just to find some money. But the girls were pretty much used to it, and already planning what they could do with the extra money. For example, a new backpack for Sweetie Belle, that Wonderbolt figurine she was saving for; or the new plough for Big Mac; etc.

They arrived to a new moon. A big key was simply holding over a lava pit, where two snake-like creatures were jumping from one way to another, breathing a flame tower at every move.

“At least they’re not over floating platforms. That was annoyingly hard.”
“And dangerous.” ginished Midna. “What shall we do with those things?”

“I have this covered!” said Twilight, shooting a freezing spell on the creatures.

The flames around the snake-creatures extinguished, exposing them to attacks.

The monsters quickly tried to sink in the lava again, but Twilight blocked their way with a magic force-field.

“Do something, now!” commanded the purple alicorn.

With a shrug, Link shot a couple of arrows to the monsters, destroying them immediately.

“How about that?” said Twilight with a smile.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Ehem, darling, is not like I’m trying to spoil your victory but…”

She simply levitated the key toward them. “…we could do this from the very beginning.”

“Or fly to reach the damn thing, avoiding the snakes.” said Rainbow. “It was easy enough for me.”

Twilight face-hoofed. “Sorry girls, but this whole dungeon thing is making me overthink all the time.”

Then, they noticed that something was trying to came from the lava and attack them. Two more of the fire snake monsters emerged from it, and shot a bigger, more powerful flame tower to the heroes.

One more time, Link raised his Hylian Shield, as the creatures were approaching more and more toward them.

When they were close enough, Link used the hidden skill of the Shield Attack.

It temporary astonished the creature, giving Link time to destroy it with a single blow of the Master Sword.

By her way, Pinkie extinguished the flames of the other one, using her Twin-Cannons, and it was Minda who crushed the creature with her hand-shaped hand.

All the lava in the room drained, revealing a new door that leaded even deeper into the ground.

“According to my calculations, if we keep descending, we’ll get to the center of the earth.” said Fi.

“I hope not! I can’t stand the heat for much longer!” complained Rarity.

They walked to the door, opening it with the key they just got. They were ready for everything, no matter what.

A refreshing breeze of conditioned air received the hero.

“What?”

They got into the room. It not only had air conditioned, but also had cold drinks, ice-cream, and comfortable seats.

“Mistress, I find these two Titans’ behavior extremely unusual for dungeon masters.”

“After the last Titan, nothing can surprise me anymore.” Shrugged Midna. “And stop calling me that!”

Fi remained silent, as the group took a seat.

Finally, the new titan appeared before them. It seemed like a giant clown, made entirely out volcanic rock.

“Hiya! Are you my Titan?” asked Pinkie cheerfully. “I like how you look!”

“Thank you! You are pretty good looking yourself, mortal.” smiled the titan, as big flames appeared all over his bot. “My name is Pinkox, Titan of Laughter. Are you ready for a PARTY?”

Hundreds of lights turned on all over the room, revealing a huge amount of candy for anypony to take, a dance floor, the apple fishing game, etc.

“Whoa, this is what I call a party!” said Pinkie Pie. “I love what you did with the dance floor?”

Pinkox grinned. “Dance floor? Please, Missis Bearer, this is a fight floor! Where you and I are going to see if you’re worthy to restore our power on the Tree of Harmony.”

Pinkie Pie prepared the Twin Cannons.

“Okey-Dokey-Lokey! I will fight with all I have, Mister Titan Pinkox!”

The Titan smiled pleased, and looked at the others.

“The rest of you enjoy the party. This way, Missis Bearer. Music!”

Circus-like music began to resound around in the room, as Pinkie prepared to jump to the ‘fight floor’. But, one more time, Maud stopped her.

“Pinkie, please don’t!”

“Maud, I have to. Almost everyone have faced their own titans, and this one is mine. I respect you as my older sister, but this what I need to do.”

Maud finally released her, but she was still unsure.

“Wait!” called Epona.

“What?” asked Pinkie.

“Yeah, don’t keep me waiting!” complained Pinkox.

“Just take this, lava monsters always are really hard.” said the hylian steed, giving Pinkie one of Link’s bottles. “Please, do it for your sister.”

“Okay, but I’m very comfortable with the situation. My Pinkie-sense will give me the victory.” assured Pinkie Pie.

Finally, Pinkie jumped on the ‘fight floor’. She was ready.

Pinkox smiled.

“And, before we start…”

He made blindfold, and covered his eyes.

“Are you sure?” asked Pinkie to Pinkox. “I don’t like being taken lightly. I want you to give me all you have. After all, I have my twin cannons and my Pinkie-sense!”

“Believe me Missis Bearer, you’re the one underestimating me. I’m using this blindfold, because it’s fun! Fun, fun FUN!”

Pinkie shrieked in excitement, and shot her Twin Cannons to Pinkox. But he calmly moved right, placing himself right between the two streams of fire extinguisher foam.

Pinkie moved backwards, a little bit surprised.

Pinkox grinned. “IT’S PARTY TIME!”

The Titan began to spin, turning into a fiery tornado, throwing what it seemed like balloons, and serpentines. But in reality, there were giant boulders, still burning, and streams of hot lava.

Pinkie Pie gasped, and avoided the attacks as she could. But, she couldn’t avoid burning her tail.

“Eep! Wow, you’re good!” said Pinkie Pie, shooting one of her cannons against Pinkox.

The Titan avoided it again, without removing his blindfold.

Maud raised an eyebrow.

“Is something wrong?” asked Maud.

“I have a feeling, but I want to be sure.” said Maud.

Pinkie continued using her Pinkie-sense, to protect herself from Pinkox’s brutal attacks. But it was getting harder every time.

Each time she avoided a stream of lava, it formed a small pond on the ‘fighting floor’ leaving the poor pink pony less space to move.

And, to make things worse, none of Pinkie’s attacks have touched Pinkox.

“PINKIE, WAKE UP!” shouted Maud. “He haves a sixth sense of danger just like you have!”

Pinkie suddenly stopped, surprised, but then she had to jump to avoid another of Pinkox’s boulders.

“Of course! You’re cheating, Mister Pinkox!”

“Cheating?” asked the Titan. “My dear Pinkie Pie, I never said I didn’t have a sixth sense too. And, just like yours, I cannot control mine. It just warns me when I’m about to get hurt!”

Pinkie’s eye widened in realization. “My Pinkie-sense come from you!”

The lava clown grinned again.

“Like Titan like Bearer, Pinkie Pie.”

He threw her two more boulders at her.

“Maud!”

“What?”

“I need your help!” begged Pinkie. “But be careful, please! You don’t have a sixth sense of danger too!”

Maud didn’t think twice. She launches herself into the ‘fight floor’ as her sister threw one of her Twin Cannons to her.

“What I’m supposed to do with this?”

Pinkie winked an eye to her, and shot against the blindfolded Titan.

Of course, the Titan avoided it with ease, but when he was about to throw more hot boulders, and lava streams to Pinkie Pie; Maud shot him, and this time, the fire extinguisher foam hit him.

The Titan rolled over the floor, moaning in pain.

“Hey, that wasn’t very nice!”

And he threw a bunch of hot boulders toward his two opponents.

Maud had problems avoiding that, but Pinkie carried her on her back, as she used her Pinkie-sense to avoid the attacks.

“Maud, now!”

Maud shot at him with the Cannon again.

The Titan moved aside, making a raspberry to Maud.

Pinkie grinned, and shot her own cannon, hitting him on the back with the white foam

Pinkox fell again, moaning in pain.

“Time to take a shower, meanie!” said Pinkie shooting again.

Pinkox rolled on the floor, avoiding Pinkie’s attack, but not Maud’s.

He screamed in pain.

“I see, this is just like your sixth sense.” said Maud, dryly.

“Exactly! Even with my Pinkie-sense, it’s hard to avoid two simultaneous attacks.”

The girls watched at them in awe.

“So the Pinkie-sense does have a weakness!” said Twilight, amazed.

Back to the fight, Pinkox floated over the air, and began to throw bigger, more menacing boulders all over the ‘fight floor’. The two sisters hugged each other, in the only safe spot left for them: the center of the ‘fight floor’.

But that was where Pinkox wanted them. Flying above the two sisters, he covered himself with flames, and simply fell over them.

Maud used her enormous strength to throw Pinkie away, as the Titan fell over her.

In the air, Pinkie managed to shoot the cannon. The same for Maud.

Pinkox finally fell for the last time, he was defeated.

All the lava and boulders her created disappeared, but it was too late for Maud.

“Maud!” cried Pinkie, running to her sister.

But she didn’t answered. She was dead.

“No… Maud, please don’t leave me! Talk to me! TALK TO ME!”

Pinkox stood back, looking at the scene horrified.

“No… what have I done…?”

The rest of the Bearers of Harmony were also horrified. Until now, they didn’t considered the possibility of one of them dying.

“For Faust sake, why this happened?” cried Twilight.

Fluttershy was sobbing under Rainbow’s wing, who was also crying.

“No… this is too horrible, all she wanted was to protect her sister…” said Applejack.

One by one, Pinkie’s friends approached to comfort her.

“Pinkie, we’re all here for you.” Said Twilight softly.

Pinkie Pie nodded, still crying.

“Pinkie Pie…” called Epona.

She slowly turned to the adventurer.

“Remember the bottle I gave you at the beginning? Open it. Open it now.”

Pinkie obeyed.

A small creature came out of the bottle. She had a tiny, luminous body, and two tiny transparent wings. It was a fairy.

The fairy flew around Maud, and soon enough, the mare opened her eyes, as her wounds instantly healed.

“Pinkie Pie! I’m… I’m alive?” asked Maud.

“Maud? OH MAUD!”

And Pinkie caught her sister in a tight embrace.

“What just happened?” questioned Twilight to Epona.

“Do you really think we would let her confront a lava monster without a fairy?”

“Fairies?”

“They are able to bring you back to life, if they’re used immediately after your death.” explained Midna.

Pinkox lowered his head.

“I’m terribly sorry for what happened. You didn’t supposed to let me corner you, but, I was supposed to fight until the very end. At least I didn’t kill anypony.”

The group just glared at the Titan, but they couldn’t say anything to him really. He was just playing his part.

In the end, he showed them the way out. It was a small elevator.

Before the doors closed, he made a respectful nod to the Hyrule warriors. If it wasn’t for them, he would be a murderer.

When they were finally in the open, the group felt really excited.

Only one more temple to go.

The Ice Tower

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The Ice Tower

Igneous Rock made a small nod, as he gave his daughter a small hug. His face, however, was as stoic and emotionless as always. “Farewell, Pinkamena Diane Pie. Until I see you again. We miss you, dear.”

Pinkie’s mother yawned, but she smiled lightly. “At least try to write more often. We miss you, darling.”

Pinkie Pie hugged them happily, and said good bye energetically as always, joining her friends, and the Hyrule Warriors.

She would like a little more time with her family, but the Tree of Harmony, and her friends counted on her.

“Are we taking the train now?” asked Fluttershy, once Pinkie joined them.

“I think not, dear.” said Rarity, thoughtful. “If I’m don’t remember wrong, I got my Cutie Mark in those mountains nearby.”

They looked at the horizon, beyond the Pie Family’s farm.

“That’s why we spared these two temples for the end of our journey!” said Pinkie cheerfully.

Twilight simply turned to rarity. “Guide us Rarity. Or do you need Fi’s help to locate the exact place?”

“I think I’m good, thank you, darling.” said Rarity. “This way, please!”

The group went to action, leaded by Rarity, Link and Midna; and Epona, Applejack, Sweet Fog and Fi closing the formation.
They walked for a while, getting into the mountains. But there was nothing in there. It was only a rocky dessert.

“This is making me nervous.” said Twilight, looking around.

“Don’t worry Twilight. Me and my sisters used to play in here when we weren’t busy helping at the farm.” Explained Pinkie. “There’s nothing here but rocks.”

“Some of these have gems inside, am I right?” asked Rarity.

“Sure thing!” said Pinkie. “But they’re trapped inside really hard granite.”

Rarity nodded. “I remember, dear, I remember.”

“Only a powerful explosion could break the granite. But, if you do it, you’ll create an avalanche. That’s why not even Diamond Dogs come near here.” explained Pinkie Pie.

Rarity sighed, disappointed. “So much resources going to a waste.”

“This place looks like Goron Paradise if you ask me.” said Epona, with a shrug.

“Goron? What’s a goron?”

“Weird, big, strong guys who eat rocks.” Explained Epona. “Knowing them, they would be able to go through this granite, with that strange spin-thing they do with their bodies.”

Rarity was about to ask Epona what she meant, when she noticed the surroundings, and nodded satisfied.

“We’re here! I remember this crack, and this rock. And this frock formation. This is where I got my Cutie Mark! Beautiful, so beautiful!”

Fi popped out of the Master Sword, and examined Rarity’s aura.

“Effectively, I feel a magic signature that matches the Bearer Rarity Belle. Precisely under we are standing.”

The Bearers exchanged a look, as Pinkie kicked the ground. “Come on! Not even Maud would be able to go through this granite. It’s too hard. How are we supposed to get into Rarity’s Temple? The Twilight will swallow us all!”

Imp Midna glared at the pink pony. “Don’t dare to joke about it! The balance of two worlds is on the line, here!”

“I know, but then, how are we supposed to get in?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“This is obviously a puzzle.” said Sweet Fog. “Any ideas what should we do here?”

Epona pulled out a bomb from her saddlebag. “Ehm… kaboom?”

“Put that thing away before you bury us alive!” scolded Fluttershy. “Can’t you think in anything but exploding things?”

Epona shrugged, and put the bomb back on her saddlebag.

“No, Fog is right.” said Twilight. “This is a puzzle, all we need to do is find a switch, or a hidden door?”

They all started to look around, looking for something that would help them to open the dungeon.

Finally, Rarity noticed the cracks on the ground.

“Hey, look at these cracks! They form some kind of pattern!” she called.

The girls happily joined Rarity.

“You’re right!” said Twilight, extending her wings. “Let’s see what it is.”

She flew over the cracks, trying to figure out what kind of symbol it revealed.

“There’s too much dust covering this pattern.” said Twilight. “Can you help me with that?”

Rarity nodded, and used her magic; just as Midna.

“And?”

From above, Twilight shook her head. “This isn’t any language I know.”

Midna raised an eyebrow, and floated aside Twilight. “Let me see…” She face-palmed. OH COME ON! YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!!”

“Do you know this language?” asked Twilight.

Midna nodded. “It’s Hylian. Is like someone, or something, wants us to use all the artifacts we got from our little adventure with Link.”

“Which one?” asked Link from the ground.

“The Dominion Rod!” said Midna.

Epona couldn’t avoid to make a face-hoof herself. For real?

Midna landed, turning herself and Link into their normal forms.

“Alright, do you thing, mister Important Hero.”

Epona pulled off the scepter from the saddlebag, and threw it to Link.
The hero of Hyrule proudly aimed it to the ground.

A small tremor alerted the ponies. They looked at Twilight, who casted a shield around them, in case Link cause an avalanche.

Fortunately, it didn’t happen.

Instead, a house made of stone appeared right before them. It had a small entrance, but blocked by a giant ice boulder.
Link sighed, and took a big metal ball, with chain, from Epona’s saddlebag.

“Wait!” said Twilight, even if Link couldn’t understand her in his current form. “I have a better way.”

She stood before Link, and used her magic to melt the ice away.

Link sighed relieved. “Thanks Hylia! An ice temple!”

Midna chuckled. “Oh, right, you don’t like underwater temples.”

“Those are tedious as hell!”

In the meantime, Twilight finished melting the ice blocking the entrance, only to reveal a small sign.

ONLY THOSE WHO DOESN’T VALUE THEIR LIVES MAY CONTINUE TO THE ICE TOWER

“Well, that’s encouraging.” mumbled Rainbow Dash.

“Eeyup!” agreed Applejack.

“I guess nopony brought a sweater, right?” asked Rarity.

Twilight winked an eye to her. “I’ll cast an ice-resistance spell on all of us.” Then, she looked at the Hyrule Warriors. “Yes, you too.”

And, after a quick spell, the two groups got into the temple.

The first room was almost empty. Nothing but two keese bats standing over two torches, and four of ice monticules.
And, as soon as they saw the visitors, they charged against them; but Link quickly disposed of them with his sword.

“It would be a miracle if we get out of here without catching a cold.” said Pinkie.

Ignoring her, Epona pulled out her dagger, and warned. “It would be a miracle if we get out of here in one piece. Ice temples in Hyrule are especially difficult. Now, what are we supposed to do here?”

“Obviously there’s something under the ice.” said Twilight, preparing a fire spell.

Noticing what she was about to do, Link stood before her, and prepared his chain ball.

“Sorry, but I won’t be satisfied until I brake something with this.”

Twilight groaned, but stood aside, letting the young hylian be.
He threw the chain ball to an ice monticule, and broke it.

The others approached to see what surprise was under the ice.

“Bits! Oh, come on!”

“Come on girls, is not that bad!” said Applejack, putting the bits into her saddlebag. “A’ mean, at least we get something from these places. Now, A’ll buy Apple Bloom a new saddlebag. She really needs it.”

With a smirk, Epona turned on the spinner, and grinded another of the monticules.
She revealed one switch: a small lever that she pulled it.

Nothing happened.

“I guess we should find another one.”

Applejack didn’t wanted to be left behind, and bucked a monticule with her own back hooves. She revealed more bits that she happily took.

Finally, Twilight casted a fire tornado to melt the last ones. She revealed a new lever, and pulled it.

The floor trembled, forcing everypony to jump aside; and two platforms separated. One began to descend, the other one to descend, in some kind of loop.

“It’s an elevator!” cheered Twilight, amazed.

“So, is another underground temple?” asked Pinkie.

“But we have ice instead of fire.”

“Just watch the freezing monsters.” warned Sweet Fog.

Rarity was the first one to jump on the descending platform. “What are you waiting for? The faster, the better!”

The others quickly followed.

“I highly recommend stay here, for the moment. Only to make us a general idea of what to expect here.” said Sweet Fog.
The others nodded in agreement, and stayed there, watching the temple in all its glory.
Soon, they could see that the temple was built with the same granite that the mountain was made. But everything was covered in a thick coat of ice.

They got into the first level, where they were received by a bunch of creatures made of ice boulders; with several ruby eyes staring directly at the group. As soon as they saw them, the creatures were about to use their ice breath on them.
Link and Midna exchanged a look, and smiled, it was time to have fun.

Without hesitation, the two heroes jumped out of the platform, and Link destroyed the first one with the chain ball; as Midna smashed them with the hands from her Mirror of Shadows.

In the meantime, the others continued descending in the elevator.

“Shall we help them?” asked Pinkie with concern.

“Let them be, I guess this is their idea of a date.” shrugged Epona.

They shrank when they heard all the fighting coming from the upper floor.

“Sweet Celestia! What kind of monster are they dealing with?” asked Rarity.

“Again, let them be. If they want to fight Freezhards, let them fight Freezhards.” said Epona. “As for me, I don’t want to get frozen. Link says is unpleasant.”

The girls didn’t say more, and continued their dissention.

In the lower levels they saw all kinds of creatures. Since white wolves with shining black teeth, to horrid slime monsters that crawled toward them. Monsters that they have seen on the other temples, like the Stalfos and Stalchilds.
Each level promised a new challenge.

Finally, they reached the lowest level.

There was no puzzle, no creatures. Nothing.
Only a big chest looking for them.

“This better worth it.” said Rarity, approaching carefully.

“Please hurry!” urged Epona. Have anypony noticed our situation?”

They looked around, only to see a deep abyss with no bottom to be spotted.

Gulping, Rarity opened the chest. It contained a big golden key, with a snowflake-shaped sapphire on it.
“The Boss Key! But I thought these are found later on!”

“Yeah, where is the map?” asked Twilight.

“You never know how dungeons are until you get in!” laughed Sweet Fog. “Now let’s go back to safety… you know, with Link and Lady Midna.”

Rarity nodded, thoughtful.

“You’re right, dear. If I’m not wrong, they stayed on the second floor, right?”

Sweet Fog nodded.

“Good, because, giving the circumstances, I think is better to go floor by floor.” said Rarity.
“It’s your temple, so your call.” said Rainbow Dash.

In the end, the group decided to hop on the elevator, and went to the first underground floor of the Ice Tower. Where Link and Midna were already waiting for them.

“So?” asked Epona.

Link smiled at his companion, and gave her a Small Key, and a bag of bits.

“There’s nothing else in this level, so we better keep going.” said Midna floating to the elevator.

The others kind of understood her, and followed the Twilight Princess.

At the next level, a pack of Wolfos charged mercilessly at them.

The Hyrule Warriors ran to action, with Fi joining them this time. As gracefully as only herself, the spirit of the Master Sword began to dance, destroying one Wolfo on her own.

A couple charged at the girls, but they were disposed by Epona’s Spinner.

“Right there!” said Pinkie Pie, aiming to the other side of the room. “A door with a lock!”

“Let’s go then! Link and Midna can handle the wolfos!” said Epona.

True, the pack of wolves were too busy fighting the Hyrule Warriors to pay attention to the Bearers of Harmony. And, if they did, Epona and Sweet Fog got their backs.

“The poor dears.” mumbled Fluttershy, looking at the wolves.

“We’ll worry about them later.” said Rarity, using the Small Key to open the next door.

But as soon as the girls crossed the door, the wolfos forgot about the Hyrule Warriors and charged at them.

But they door was blocked by one of Midna’s summons from the Mirror of Shadows.

The wolves turned to them, and howled horribly.

All of them glowed, and fused. The fusion lost its fur, and skin… it was only a giant skeleton.

“Just what we needed. A Salfowlf.” sighed Midna.

“At least the dungeons keeps it interesting.” said Link.

Fi made a small nod. “I estimate we’ll take care of this nuisance in two minutes.”

“Good to know!”

The Wolfo showed its claws, and jumped over the heroes, but Midna’s summoning’s stopped him. It jumped backwards, and tried to charge from the right, where it was blocked by the Hylian Shield. The undead wolfo howled in frustration, but continued attacking the indestructible shield.
Midna tried to attack from the left, but the Stalwolf tried to counterattack. And, as it was distracted with Link and Midna, Fi came from behind, and kicked it elegantly, sending its head away.

The Stalwolf ran to reattach its head to its body, when Link pierced its center with the Master Sword.
Finally, the monster fell apart, and a chest materialized in front of them.

“Mission accomplished.” smiled Midna.

“Indeed, Mistress.” Said Fi, bowing. “Now, I highly recommend to open the chest to see what kind of treasture it contains.”

Midna’s eye twitched. “Seriously, stop calling me that!”

Ignoring the two of them, Link opened the chest, hopeful. Usually, the chests that appeared after defeating an unusual monsters had something valuable inside. What would that be?

Finally, Link showed the others the Dungeon Map.

The warriors smiled to each other, and Link and Midna shared a quick kiss.

And, in the meantime, in the other room, the girls were busy trying to evade a Freezhard.

Sweet Fog tried to get rid of the thing using bombs, but the monster only froze them; and now it was chasing the girls.

“Enough!” said Twilight, sending a fire tower against the creature.

It melted away.

“Okay, you should teach Link a couple of things of how to deal with Freezhards.” said Epona, amused.

“Hey, how Link gets rid of these things?” asked Rainbow Dash to Epona.

“Remember that Chain Ball he carries?”

“You have to be bucking kiddin’ me.” facehoofed Applejack.

“He likes it the savage way.”

Rolling her eyes, Twilight focused on the puzzle before them.

It seemed simple enough, a series of switches they had to activate in a predetermined order.
When they finished solving the puzzle, a new chest appeared. And it contained a Small Key. Less annoying than money.
Finally, the two groups joined, and descended to the next level.

The room was almost in complete darkness. Only a lonely torch faintly illuminated a spot right in the middle.
Twilight and Rarity used their horns, as lanterns, exchanging a worried look.
At this point they knew what was coming.

Midna looked at Link. “Hey, what was the mini-boss you fought at our own Ice Temple?”

“The big armored thing that gave me the Chain Ball.”

“Oh, right.”

Rarity simply sighed. “Let’s just finish this. Shall I approach to this torch or something?”

“A’ guess so.” said Applejack. “Let’s hope is nothing too much of a handful.”

Rarity nodded, and approached to the torch. Nothing happened, but then, she touched it.
Torches all over the room turned on, as a delicate robe fell from nowhere.
It was made of the fanciest, and most beautiful silk Rarity have ever seen.
But then, they felt how the already cold temperature descended even more.

Everyone around prepared to fight.

Finally, the robe raised on its own, revealing a couple of hands, and two yellow eyes staring at Rarity. It was a Wizzrobe.
The being under the cape snapped its fingers, making a hat appear out of nowhere, and then she shot an ice beam from its hands.
The others dodged the attack by jumping aside, but the Wizzrobe attacked again, and again.
His freezing beams were getting faster, more accurate.
At some point, an attack barely touched Link, but heroes his Hylian Shield just in time.

The being then disappeared, and appeared right behind Rarity. He tried to attack her from behid, but Twilight repelled him with a fire attack.

The thing disappeared again, and threw a new beam.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack barely dodged it. Unfortunately, Epona wasn’t that fast. And she ended up frozen in the middle of the room.

“No, EPONA!” CRIED Applejack. “Just when we started to actually meet each other…”

The Wizzrobe took its chance while Applejack was distracted. But then, Link jumped to protect the mare with his Hylian Shield.

Applejack continued crying over her frozen friend, much to Midna’s amusement, and Link’s concern.

“Shall I tell her she’s gonna be alright?” asked Link.

“No, let her suffer for a bit. Believe me, we are doing them a favor.” assured the Twilight Princess.

There was no time to argue, since the damn Wizzrobe continued appearing, and using its powers against them.

Luckily, each time the thing showed its face, Twilight scared it by shooting fire at it.

And now, they had a small advantage.

Applejack still didn’t separate from the frozen Epona, hugging its fallen friend and refusing to let her go. And, that made her look vulnerable at the Wizzrobe’s eyes.
Each time it popped up, the Wizzrobe tried to attack the cowgirl.

“Easy pal, our friends in love are off-limits.” Said the Twilight Princess, as she tried to smash the Wizzrobe with her stone hands.

The little thing disappeared, and reappeared, trying to get revenge on the Twilight Princess. But Princess Twilight had her back, and this time she actually hit the Wizzrobe with her fire.

The monster squealed in pain, and vanished.

“It seems like it works! Rarity, I’ll need your help!” said Twilight.

Rarity nodded. “I’m not as strong as you, but I’ll see what I can do!”

In the meantime, Link continued scaring away the thing each time it appeared in front of him.

“If only we could guess its attack patterns!” groaned Link.

“If only we could move the cowgirl from there!” complained Midna.

Precisely, Epona have finished crying, but she still refused to get away from her frozen friend.

“Why it had to happen precisely when A’ felt like we understood each other! Not only ya’ were able to calm Apple Bloom, and her friends. Ya’ looked so cool in yer’ spinner, defending us all! And ya’ were who woke me up from Applelox’s illusion. Dang it, Epona, A’ just realize A’ like ya’. Like a lot. And A’ regret A’ didn’t have the chance to invite you to a date!”

She sighed, but suddenly, the ice began to crack.
Finally, Epona emerged from the ice block.

“Whaaaaat?” asked Applejack.

“You actually believed I was going to stay like that forever?” grinned Midna.

Applejack couldn’t understand her words, but she guessed the twily was mocking her.

But, Epona calmed her down by smiling at her. “The ice doesn’t kill you, AJ. It leaves you unable to fight, and weakens you a little bit. But is nothing that some red chu-chu jelly can’t fix.”

Suddenly, the Wizzrobe reappeared, and was about to freeze them again; but this time they were ready, and jumped away. The monster missed its shot, and was about to disappear again. But then, Rarity caught it with her magic.

“Twilight!” she called.

The lavender alicorn nodded, and sent a powerful flame to the Wizzrobe.

The creature squealed one more time, before it disappeared for good. Leaving nothing behind but its robe.
“So, there’s no magic chest or anything?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“It seems like the robe was the object.” Observed Rarity, as she put it. “And, I must say, it’s fabulous!”

Link smiled at them, and showed the girls the Dungeon Map.

“Great!” said Twilight. “Now we have the Map, the Object, and the Boss Key! It is time for us to go face Rarity’s Titan.”

“I hope this Titan is gentle.” sighed Rarity.

The group giggled at this, and went back to the magic elevator.

Epona winked an eye to Applejack.

“Hey, AJ!”

“Yes?”

The Hylian mare kissed the cowgirl.

“I like you too.”

Applejack blushed. “Hey, if ya’ decide to stay in Equestria, the doors of Sweet Apple Acres are open.”

“Thank you. I have decided I’ll stay already!”

Rare-Rare, the 'final' battle

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Rare-Rare, the ‘final’ battle

The Titaness of Generosity was calmly drinking her tea, when her friend, the Titaness of Magic, came to talk to her.

“Oh, Rare-Rare! Just the one I was looking for!” smiled Sparkler.

“Oh, my friend, it’s so good to see you. What are you doing here? Don’t you see I’m waiting for my Bearer?

“Yeah, sorry, I was checking if she have defeated you already. We must hurry to reactivate the Power of the Tree of Harmony.”

“I understand your worry, Sparkler, but they must earn it first. But, relax. Considering how the others did, this will be a piece of cake.”

“Thanks to the Hyrule Warriors.” sighed Sparkler.

Rare-Rare, Titaness of Generosity, laughed happily. “Come on, Friendship is Friendship. And, at this point, the warriors and our Bearers, share a legitimate bond.”

“I know, what upsets me is that our negligence caused another world to get involved into this.”

Rare-Rare was about to answer, when the door violently got open, and someone throw a couple of unconscious white wolfos inside.

Link and Midna appeared, leading the group of both Bearers of Harmony, and Hyrule Warriors.

“Okay, it seems I should come back later.” Smiled Sparkler. “Good luck to all of you.”

“Take care.” said Rare-Rare.

Sparkler disappeared in a flash, and Rare-Rare smiled to the group.

“Okay, sorry about that.” said Sparkler, bowing to her guests. “So, welcome to the Ice Tower. I’m so glad you made it. Are you ready to accept my challenge, Rarity Belle?”

Rarity took a look of her new robe, and sighed. “I am as ready as I’ll ever be!”

“Good!” approved Rare-Rare. “But, first…”

The Titaness turned on the lights, to properly receive her visitors. And the, the others could have a good look on her.

She was beautiful, like an ice sculpture of a pony. Her diamond heart was visibly beating inside her, giving her a mysterious aura. As tall as the Princesses, Rare-Rare smiled down to Rarity.

“Congratulations for making all the way down here. I know ice dungeons can be especially difficult. Before we start, can I offer you something to drink? I have coffee, tea, hot chocolate, hot cola (some weirdoes like that), or maybe some brandy; my personal recommendation for the cold.”

Midna nodded. “Yes, I could drink some brandy, please.”

“Tea would be fine.” said Link. “Seriously, I’m freezing.”

“Well, duh! This is the ice tower after all!” giggled Pinkie Pie. “Chocolate, I want some chocolate.”

“Tea for me too!” asked Applejack.

“I’m also, okay with tea.” added Fluttershy.

“Tea, definitely, tea.” said Twilight.

“Coffee for me!” cheered Rainbow Dash.

“Tea, just like Link!” asked Epona.

“Brandi for me.” said Sweet Fog.

Rare-Rare nodded, and went to prepare the drinks, when she turned to Rarity. “What about you? Something hot before we fight?”

“Tea, please.”

Rare-Rare, nodded, and started to make the drinks as she hummed happily. As the divine incarnation of Generosity, she was a very good hostess.

“Oh, you didn’t ask for anything, dear!” said Rare-Rare to Fi.

The spirit bowed to her. “I am a spirit, I don’t need to eat or drink anything. Also, I’m fine no matter the temperature. But I do appreciate your offer.”

Rare-Rare shrugged, and continued making the others’ drinks.

“Okay, you’re all good, now right?” asked Rare-Rare when they returned her the empty cups.

Rarity nodded nervously, as she put on the robe she won from the Wizzrobe. “Yes, darling, I’m ready for my final test. At least I think so.”

Rare-Rare them made appear a big platform, surrounded by a torches with a strange blue flame. Strangely enough, the blue flames produced a sensation of chill instead of heat. This would be interesting.

“Before we start, can I ask you something?” said Rarity, before they started.

“Sure!” smiled Rare-Rare.

“You are supposed to protect Equestria. Now that we lost the Elements, why are you making us things so difficult instead of helping us?”

“We are helping, Rarity Belle.” explained Rare-Rare. “The Elements are inside you. So, in order to restore their power, you must push yourselves to unknown limits. King Sombra proved to be stronger than we thought, so we must grow together so we won’t be taken by surprise again. That’s why we created this devious puzzles, and used our powers to create this fake monsters.”

“So we could get stronger as a team, and as individuals.” said Rarity, as she understood.

“Exactly!” cheered Rare-Rare. “But, you shouldn’t have killed Sombra though.”

“Here in Equestria, you can do as you please!” argued Midna. “But, now your actions are affecting the Twilight as well. So, we’ll do what we think is necessary.”

Rare-Rare sighed. “And that’s the only reason why your presence is tolerated in here.”

Then, the Titaness turned her attention back to Rarity, and raised an icy hoof.

The flames of the nearest torches surrounded her hoof, and she threw them against Rarity, who made a small shriek, and jumped out of the way. A thin cape of ice appeared where the attack hit.

Rarity then she aimed her own hoof toward the Titaness, and attacked with a small fire attack, with the power of the robe.

Rare-Rare waved her hoof again, and the nearest torches sent their flames, creating a barrier between her and the Bearer.

Then, she attacked again, and Rarity was forced to avoid the attack again. She successfully dodged it, but her tail got frozen and broke.

“NO! My tail!!” cried Rarity.

Rare-Rare made a small nod, and Rarity’s tail grew back. “There you go.”

“Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!”

“I haven’t forget what you did for the river serpent. Who do you think made it grow again, huh?”

“Oh, thank you for that!”

“My pleasure. Let’s continue fighting.”

She directed a new freezing flame toward Rarity, who responded with a little flame on her own.

The two attacks cancelled each other, and Rare-Rare smiled pleased. The unicorn learned fast.

They resumed the fight, with Rare-Rare throwing more and more icy flames toward Rarity.

Fortunately, the unicorn learned fast, and knew when to block the attacks, and when to dodge them. The problem was, that she wasn’t very athletic, and was staring to have problems to move around. And she wasn’t as powerful as Twilight, so teleporting around was out of the question.

‘Come on, Rarity. You can’t end up like this. All your friends have passed this test, and the Titans were always defeated. Come on, she wants us to win. What to do? I can’t let anypony down.’

Also, this fight was designed for her. So, Rare-Rare wouldn’t ask her something she knew she couldn’t do. What was Rarity’s specialty? Well, she wasn’t really an athlete. Nor a magician. She was a fashionista. So, what to do?

Suddenly, she heard Applejack’s voice. “Come on Rarity! Ya’ can do it! show her how annoying you can be!”

The others looked at Applejack, who seemed to understand what the others missed.

Rare-Rare sent a warning glared toward the cowgirl, who simply shrugged.

“What? Is not forbidden to cheer for ma’ friend!”

Rare-Rare nodded, but still glared at the orange mare.

In the meantime, Rarity had taken Applejack’s information. Annoying. What thing she did that annoyed Applejack the must?

Details! She used to put too much attention to the little details, and her surroundings! A key ability to become a fashionista. So, which detail was she missing?

She focused on Rare-Rare’s attacks. And there it was! The answer!

Rarity sent a double attack from both forehooves, that Rare-Rare blocked again. But then, she noticed only one of the attacks was meant to her. The other one… destroyed two of her torches.

“So you figured it out!”

“Thanks to the Magic of Friendship!” smiled Rarity.

Rare-Rare raised her hooves, and created a giant ice block, and threw it to Rarity.

Rarity responded with another double attack. She threw one of her flames toward one of the blocks, melting it down. And, the other, hit Rare-Rare directly.

The Titaness shrank, as she melted a little. “Nice shot!” congratulated Rare-Rare.

Rarity smiled at her.

“Thanks, darling. Good aiming is part of noticing the little details.” thanked the fashionista.

Rare-Rare extended her hooves, creating more ice blocks to smash Rarity, forcing her to run in circles, as she destroyed more of the torches in her way.

With this, Rarity have destroyed a fourth of the sources of icy fire. But in some point she tripped, making the Titaness to sigh in disappointment.

“And you were doing so great…”

She released the ice blocks over her.

Rarity cleverly rolled out of the smashing attacks rank, and threw a new flame to Rare-Rare, who melted a little bit more.

“Good one!”

Then, Rare-Rare changed her tactic, by creating an ice sword. The sword also borrowed the power from the icy flames, and threw them as devastating attacks toward Rarity.

She was able to dodge them, but this time, a freezing aura came from the spots the sword hit, and Rarity began to feel numb and cold. But her will to fight was strong, especially now that she have found the key to victory.

Rarity aimed her hooves directly to the sword, and sent the flames over it.

Rare-Rare was forced to drop her weapon, as she began to move backwards.

Rarity advances forward, still sending a torrent of flames over Rare-Rare.

The Titaness screamed in pain, as she melted again.

She tried to push Rarity with another icy flames torrent, but, surprisingly enough, she realized she was out of torches.

“Damn it!”

Rarity melted Rare-Rare to the point only the diamond heart remained.

“I won!” declared Rarity.

“Yes, you have defeated me!” admitted Rare-Rare, as her ice body reappeared.

She bowed to Rarity. “You won fair and square.”

Twilight couldn’t be happier. “We did it! We recovered the Power of the Tree of Harmony!”

“Yes we did! Yes we did!” celebrated Pinkie Pie. “This is the time for a party!”

“Not until we get out of this tower, please.” begged Epona. “Freezing to death is not my idea of a celebration.”

“But we can do some ice-skating here!” suggested Pinkie Pie.

“Sorry Pinkie, but my pets are waiting.” said Fluttershy.

“Epona is right, Pinkie Pie. There’s a place and time to everything. We can do ice-skating any other time.” agreed Applejack.

So, Pinkie had no choice but accept that her friend didn’t want to party in the tower.

“I would party later if I were you.” suggested Rare-Rare. “I mean, the power of the Tree of Harmony haven’t been restored. Not yet.”

“But, we defeated all of you!” said Twilight, in disbelief.

“Yes, but I already told you that this trials were meant to make you grow as individuals, and as a team. Also, what else did I tell you?” asked Rare-Rare.

“That the Power of Harmony is inside us.” said Rarity.

“Precisely, you need to go and restore the Tree’s power.”

“Inside the Twilight.” added Midna. “This is going to be interesting.”

Rare-Rare guided them out of the Ice Tower, and the group moved in train back to Ponyville.

“A’ don’t get it!” complained Applejack. “We fulfilled all our challenges, but out of nowhere, we have a new challenge ahead of us.”

“The adventurer’s life.” shrugged Link, back in wolf from.

“If life gives you lemons, make some lemonade. We have been in this situation before, and is not as bad as you think. Is kind of fun, actually.” giggled Midna.

They continued their journey, but the train never got to Ponyville.

A military block stopped them from advancing, and the reason was obvious. A black dome with strange orange symbols have swallowed the town.

“We are late!” cried Twilight.

“No, we’re not.” said Midna. “Remember you evacuated your people before this happened, so, there’s still hope.”

“And, when the Twilight swallowed Hyrule, it almost swallowed the whole Kingdom. Here, only a small portion of your territory have fallen. Oh, and we have already killed the evil master mind, so there won’t be any surprises inside.” added Epona.

“Yes, all we have to do is go inside, and recharge the Tree of Harmony!” supported Pinkie Pie.

“So, we have no choice, right?” asked Twilight.

The others shook their heads.

So, with a sigh, they got into the black mass. The Twilight.

…

Once they crossed the barrier, they all took a close look of their new bodies. They have turned into hylian steeds. Colorful steeds, but they have lost their special features like wings or horns.

Midna grinned, and returned Link and herself back to their regular forms.

“One more battle, my friend.”

Link nodded. “And we will go back to Twilight, together.”

Midna blushed, and kissed him on the cheek.

Suddenly, Epona touched Link’s hand with her nuzzle.

“What?”

The horse neighed, and Link smiled. “So, a last ride together?”

The horse nodded.

“Of course. Get ready!!”

The Twilight, the final challenge

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The Twilight, the final challenge

The group bravely galloped around Ponyville. The town looked almost the same as always, only, with a shade of gray that gave it a depressing tone.

Also, it looked a bit smaller. But only because their new steed forms. Luckily, it would be only temporary.

“Seeing all this gray makes me sick!” complained Rarity. “Even my beautiful fur seems depressing. I feel sad by just looking at it!”

“Hey, this is my home, Missis.” scolded Sweet Fog.

“Also, you should be grateful to keep a form to begin with.” said Epona. “Most of those who enter the Twilight, turn into helpless spirits.”

“So, why it haven’t happened to us?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“Because you have the power of Light inside you.” explained Epona. “Same for Link, he didn’t lose his form, he only transformed into a blue-eyed beast. You know, the wolf.”

The Mane 6 nodded, and continue their way until they reached the limit of the Everfree Forest.

Link looked down to Epona, and said something. She nodded.

“What did he say?” asked Twilight.

“He says you should guide us. We don’t know where this Tree of Harmony is.” explained the mare.

“Of course. Come on girls, let’s do this!” agreed Twilight.

She and Rainbow Dash walked in the front, followed by Epona, Link, Sweet Fog and Midna; and finally, the group was closed by Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

“So dark. More than usual.” mumbled Twilight. “I wish I have my horn to light our way.”

Epona looked at Link, and neighed. Link nodded, and pulled out his lantern.

“What about now?” asked Epona.

“Huh, you two really have a good communication.” admitted Rainbow.

“We share a strong bond, that’s it.” smiled the Hylian mare.

With the help of the lantern (on Link’s left hand), it was easier to wander around the forest. But, as a precaution, Link held the Master Sword in his right hand. He couldn’t grab his bridles, but luckily Epona was more than capable to guide him on her own.

Suddenly, the fell how the ground underneath them started crumbling.

“Not this again!” complained Twilight.

They fell from a cliff, and without with their especial features, this could be potentially lethal.

But Midna took care of the situation by using her power to slow down their fall.

“We started well…” sighed Applejack.

“Look at the bright side, at least there isn’t a hungry manticore this time.” said Pinkie Pie.

A roar right behind them proved her wrong.

“I spoke too soon!” said Pinkie.

They all turned to see the three horrible manticores. They weren’t the normal type they were used to. Now their bodies were black, covered in a series of strange symbols. Their fangs and eyes were larger than before, looking more threating. And the same went for their tails.

The monsters tried to stab the group with their horrid stings, only to be blocked by Midna’s magic, Fi’s hard-as-steel legs, and Link’s Hylian Shield.

The manticores roared in frustration, and split to surround their pray.

Link grinned. “Luckily, there’s one for each!”

The other two nodded, and ran to the creatures. The manticores tried to attack them again, this time by actually shooting their strings, and make new ones grow immediately after.

Link smiled, as he changed from covering himself with the shield, and cut the projectiles simultaneously. When he was close enough, he slashed its neck, making sure the thing would never be able to attack him again.

By her way Fi elegantly danced around her attacker, making it dizzy and tired; until she reached him and turned herself into a sword, and cut it in half.

And, finally, Midna smashed hers with the stone hands. Easy enough.

“Oh no…” cried Fluttershy.

“Hey, what’s going on?” asked Sweet Fog.

“They killed them! Killed them!” said the shy pegasus.

“They’ve been killing monsters from the very beginning…” argued Sweet Fog.

But, before Fluttershy could reply, a fourth manticore appeared from behind the bushes, and roared.

The three dead manticores got up, and roared as well.

Midna face-palmed. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Twilight!”

Link raised his shield and made a step forward, as he firmly held the Master Sword in his right hand. The hylian closed his eyes as he focused on two manticores. The one behind him, and the other at his right.

Midna smiled, and aimed her Mirror of Shadows to a third manticore, and Fi stared at the newcomer.

“At the count of three!” commanded Link. “One… Two… THREE!!”

Midna and Fi destroyed their opponents simultaneously, as Link made a powerful spin-attack, finishing the two manticores at once.

This time, they have won. There wasn’t a fifth manticore who could reanimate the others.

“Okay, ladies, the show is over. Where to?” asked Midna.

Five of the Mane 6 looked at their friend. Fluttershy was still crying at the back of the group.

“What?” asked Midna, annoyed.

Even if she didn’t understand Midna in her Twily form, Fluttershy glared at her. “HOW DARE YOU? They were just hungry! You shouldn’t kill an innocent creature.”

“Leave Lady Midna alone!” protested Sweet Fog. “What’s the difference between these things and the ones we fought at the dungeons?”

“This is kill or get killed.” said Epona, joining the Twily steed. “What’s wrong with you?”

“They shouldn’t do this on the first place!” scolded Twilight. “The ones inside the dungeons were fake. Creations made by the Titan’s Power.”

“Yes, Rare-Rare just told us that.” said Rarity.

“Back at the something deep inside me told me that the monsters weren’t real beings!” continued Fluttershy. “But this was different, this was an actual living being.”

“This was just brutal.” joined Applejak.

Epona glared at her new marefriend. “Oh, come on! This is the Twilight, not Equestria. I’ve killed some monsters in the past too, you know? That’s how we do things here in our worlds.”

Applejack sighed. “You know ya’ll have to change your ways if ya’ want to stay in Equestria with me, right?”
“Sure thing. But until this ends, we’ll continue do things our own way.”

They continued their way, but now the six colorful steeds were visibly angry at their allies.

“You do realize we’ll still have to work together for a while, right?” asked Sweet Fog, uncomfortable with the situation.

Twilight sighed. “I guess so.”

The others had to admit it as well, so, they agreed to make things up with the warriors.

Then, after a while, Twilight realized something.

“We’re following the same route we took the first time we got inside the forest. If I’m not mistaken, we’ll about to get into the darkest area of this forest.”

“Is that so?” asked Epona.

Twilight nodded. “Last time we were there, we got a little scared, but, in the end, there was nothing to fear. Now, I’m not so sure.”

They arrived to the ‘Dark Spot’, as the girls called it, and looked inside.

Link raised his lantern, but it didn’t work at long distances. And, to make things worse, they heard an unpleasant sound from the trees.

“Shall we giggle at the ghostly again?” suggested Pinkie Pie.

“Master?” asked Fi.

Link raised his bow, and shot an arrow to the darkness.

One second later, a swarm of dark bugs came to attack them.

“Gross, gross!” said Rarity.

Epona ducked, just as Sweet Fog and the Bearers, as the warriors took care of the swarm.

Link simply threw them the Gale Boomerang to send them away.

“Is this okay with you?” asked the young hylian, looking at Fluttershy.

“The Master is asking you if you find this method alright.” translated Fi.

“Yes… I think this won’t’ hurt them.”

They got into the dark spot, feeling safer now that they knew what the source of the strange sound was. They went through it without a problem.

Finally, they reached the river where the purple serpent, Steven Magnet, lived. But the creature was nowhere to be found.

Instead, there was only a lonely light, floating in the river.

“What’s that?” asked Pinkie.

“That’s a helpless spirit. This is what happens to beings of light get trapped inside the Twilight.” explained Sweet Fog. “This thing is feeling desperate and sad. And, to make things worse, it doesn’t know what it happened. It haven’t realized it have turned into this.”

Twilight gulped, and touched the light.

Suddenly, she could perceive the spirit as its previous self. No other than Steven Magnet. And he was crying. He didn’t know why he felt so bad, he only was. And the feeling was horrible.

“Oh no…” mumbled Twilight, as she separated from the spirit with a shiver.

“The only thing we can do for this thing, is to get rid of the invading Twilight.” said Sweet Fog.

“Let’s hurry then!” said Twilight.

Epona used her Spinner to chop down a tree, and used it as a bridge to get to the other side.

Finally, they arrived to the Castle, and used the stairs to get to the Tree of Harmony.

“I can hear it calling us.” mumbled Rarity.

“Yeah, me too.” said Rainbow Dash.

“Me three…” whispered Fluttershy.

“But how are we supposed to use this stairs in our current forms?” asked Pinkie Pie.

Guessing what the problem was, Midna helped them with her magic once more.

“Are you ready?” asked Midna.

The colorful steeds nodded in silence, and began to advance.

It was odd, at this point, they hadn’t seen the Tree’s glow.

And, finally, they saw it. It was gray, like dead.

“It is…?” asked Epona.

“No, but is in agony.” explained Applejack.

“We don’t have much time.”

The girls smiled to each other, and took a step forward. However, before they could get close to the Tree of Harmony, the ground began to shake, and a horrible monster emerged.

It was a giant four-headed carnivore plant, covered with a protective layer of silver leaves, hard as steel; that used its roots as tentacles threatening to take the ponies to one of its four menacing mouths.

But the creature didn’t move.

“What’s going on?” asked Midna.

“It’s waiting for something…” mumbled Link.

Epona nodded, she have noticed it too. “Hey, get closer to the tree!”

“Are ya’ crazy?” asked Applejack.

“We’ll cover your backs, just do it!!”

The girls reluctantly advanced, followed closely by the Hyrule Warriors.

Finally, when they reached the Tree, a white light covered them, and turned back to their original forms. Epona and Sweet Fog were also affected, turning into their equestrian selves.

And, as soon as the group transformed, the plant tried to grab Applejack with one of its roots, but it was blocked by Epona’s Spinner. Simultaneously, it tried to grab Rainbow Dash with another tentacle, but it was diverted by a stroke of the Master Sword.

“Oh no, you won’t touch them!” said the Hylian.

Rainbow’s eyes widened. “Hey, I can understand you again!”

“The Power of your Tree. NOW FOCUS!”

Rainbow looked at her friends, who looked at Twilight, like asking.

“I don’t know! Focus your power as we’re using the Elements of the Rainbow Power!” suggested Twilight.

The girls nodded, and closed their eyes, sending waves of light toward the Tree.

It suddenly trembled, as it began to reanimate by restoring its lost power.

The plant-monster, Mandala, roared in anger and tried to attack the girls; but Midna’s summoned stone-hands held it back, and threw it away from the group.

“Your battle is here.”

The monster roared with its four mouths, and began to shot a bunch of seeds as they were bullets, once again, toward the Mane 6. Epona and Sweet Fog jumped before the attack, to protect their new friends.

They received a lot of damage, but it was worth it.
Taking the chance that all the mouths were open, Link threw the Gale Boomerang. When the boomerang hit it on its open mouth, the plant shrieked in pain; and the mouth went limp.

The creature shook its remaining three heads, and began to spin around the warriors, trying to destroy them with either its body, or the tentacles.

Link barely manage to threw a bottle with red potion to Epona and Fog, and charged to the creature.

“We must make it switch to that attack again!” said Link.

Epona nodded. “Alright. Give me the Spinner!!”

Link threw the requested weapon to his trusty friend, and she jumped on. The weapon’s spikes hit the creature on its very center, making it to move backwards.

Midna then summoned a giant stone cannon with the Mirror of Shadows, and forced back the creature with three powerful shots.

Frustrated, the monster tried to reach its true targets with the seed attack, only to be hit on one of its open mouths again. It screamed in pain, and started to try to the spin movement again.

Link looked at himself, all covered in bruises, and cuts. “This thing is a challenge.”

“I thought the tests were over!” complained Epona.

Suddenly, the image of the six Titans of Harmony appeared on the sky.

“Care to explain why are you trying to kill us at the very last minute?!” yelled Sweet Fog.

The image of Sparkler shook its head.

“This is not our doing, this monster emerged from the seeds that were once planted by the God of Chaos and Disharmony. The remaining of a plot intended to destroy the Tree.”

She was focusing on restoring the Tree’s Power, but Twilight couldn’t help but listen. Just as the rest of the Mane 6. They had to use all of their willpower to not to face-hoof. This was just great.

“So, oh, Hyrule Warriors…” continued Dasher. “We have a last request for you…”

“As we have any choice.” said Midna. “Great.”

The horrible plant extended its two remaining heads again, and it shoot seeds to the greater threats, the Hyrule Warriors.

Link threw the boomerang again, and this time, it hit the creature in the two remaining mouths.

The creature shook, and suddenly it froze and went completely limp, revealing a red flower on its center.

“The weak spot is there!” announced Midna.

Soon enough, Link, Fi, Epona, Sweet Fog and her attacked the flower’s center.

In the meantime, the Princesses were watching the whole thing through a magic mirror they prepared for the occasion.

“Discord… this time you overdid.” Said Celestia, frowning.

The being appeared in a flash. “You were talking about me?”

“Yes, about that time you tried to use seeds to get rid of the Tree of Harmony.” said Luna angrily.

“Oh, come on! “Wasn’t that like, thousands of years ago?”

“Look, your seeds still cause a lot of trouble.” said Celestia, pointing a hoof to the mirror.

Discord looked through it, and frowned. That thing didn’t supposed to emerge. Something have mutated his creation, but what was that?

Suddenly, the plant monster took advantage that its primary opponents were busy trying to destroy its core, so it aimed its roots to one of the Bearers.

“Fluttershy!” cried Discord.

Back on the mirror, Sweet Fog reacted quickly, and cut off the root with his dagger.

Discord sighed relieved. “What’s going on?”

“Your actions from the past still have consequences in the present.” said Celestia. “Luckily, this time the Magic of Friendship have expanded to other Realms.”

Discord turned his attention back to the mirror.

Back inside the Twilight, the Hyrule Warriors continued their efforts to contain the plant.

After being hit at its core for a few minutes, the entire thing shook, and the Warriors had to jump backwards.

“If I met this God of Chaos, I swear I’ll put the Master Sword through his skull.” Said Link angrily.

“And I’ll hold him for you.” added Midna.

Back at the Castle of Canterlot, Discord chuckled. “Yeah, right. Good luck harming me with a sword.”
Celestia sighed. “I have news for you: that’s the weapon that killed Sombra. Sombra, who had Umbrum blood running through his veins.”

“WHAT?”

Luna nodded. “Oh, yeah. And, apparently, they’ve faced worse foes than you, so you better stay out of their sight.”

Discord gulped, and continued watching.

The Mandala continued spinning around, as the Hyrule Warriors did their best to keep it away from them.

Link then turned to Epona, and gave her the Gale Boomerang. “You use this when it tries to shoot us seeds again! In the meantime, push it with the Spinner. Minda, prepare your canon.”

“Understood!” said the two in unison.

Link then switched to bow and arrow, and began to shoot bomb-arrows to the creature. Carefully evading Epona, of course.

The plant roared in anger, and aimed its mouths again.

“Now!” said Link, shooting an arrow to one of the mouths.

Epona followed by throwing the Gale Boomerang; and Midna finished another with the cannon. Finally, Fi gracefully turned herself into a sword, and stabbed another open mouth.

The flower core appeared again.

“NOW!”

The group of heroes went to destroy the core once and for all. Finally, Epona left a bomb and grinned. “Kaboom, my friend!”

They all jumped backwards, and waited. The bomb exploded, destroying the monster for good.

“Is it over?” asked Midna.

“Almost.” said Link, looking at the group of Harmony, as they recharged the Tree.

Now, without the incoming menace of a monster, the girls could fully charge the Tree of Harmony, and it glowed again, in all its glory.

A Mirror appeared, covered with the symbols in both ancient Equestrian, and the language of Twilight. The Mirror glowed, and absorbed the entire grayness of the Twilight inside of it.

“What’s this?” asked Twilight.

“The Mirror of Twilight. A version of it.” explained Midna. “Our worlds have been finally separated. But, now they’re linked. Break it if you want, but at least let us return first.”

The six Bearers of Harmony sighed in relief.

“So, what now?”

“It is time for us to go home.” said Link.

“And, for some of us to say our final goodbyes.” added Epona, hugging Applejack.

“Hey, but this gate is only for the Twilight, right?” asked Sweet Fog.

“It’ll take you straight to Hyrule. We’ll make sure of that!” assured the Titans, still projected on the sky.

Hyrule; Lost Woods:

It was late night, on the very center of the Lost Woods, in the ruins Temple of Time.

Princess Zelda of Hyrule was watching at the now empty pedestal of the Master Sword, the legendary weapon that sealed Evil. She felt how it was removed almost like a week ago, and immediately, she began looking for Link. He was the only one who could take it off. Then, when she was unable to locate the Hero, she began to look for the danger. But her efforts were equally unfruitful.

So there she was, camping aside the pedestal of the Master Sword.

“What bothers me the most, is how long I would have to be stuck here, doing nothing.” said Zelda, annoyed.

“You were saying, your Highness?” asked a farm girl, aside her.

“Nothing, young Illa. Sorry.” said the Princess, smiling at the peasant girl. “I got lost in my thoughts.”

She have showed up when her best friend, and Epna have vanished. Illa, as loyal as she was to her friends, left everything behind, and waited for them to appear.

Suddenly, Zelda raised an eyebrow.

“Your Highness?” asked Illa.

Zelda frowned. “The energy of the Twilight. I haven’t feel it since that incident… but there’s something else. Something I am not familiar with.”

Suddenly, a shadow emerged in the middle of the Temple, and three figures emerged from it. An equine, and two humanoid figures. Epona (in her Equestrian form), Link and Midna.

Link bowed to Zelda.

“Your Highness!”

“Zelda!” greeted Midna with a small nod.

Zelda greeted at her as well. “Midna, Twilight Princess. It’s an honor to meet you again. But I have a lot of questions for you, the two of you.”

Midna smiled. “I know. Where do I start? Well, to make the story short, we had a few troubles with the Twilight expanding to another realm, and I asked the help of your hero. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Oh, of course not!” said Zelda. “But Hyrule is safe, right?”

“Hyrule wasn’t affected by this.” explained Epona, joining in the conversation. “But another Realm called Equestria, the land of ponies. Don’t ask, but I assure you, it’s a wonderful world.”

Illa tilted her head. “Wait a minute, Epona?”

“What’s up Illa?” smiled the mare. “What do you think of my new form? Pretty cool, right?”

“But… you look so cute. I cannot believe it… and, you can also talk?”

“Hey, all happens for a reason.” said Epona. “Now I’m a pony, and I’ll stay in Equestria. With my new friends.”

“What?”

Epona nodded sadly. “I came to say goodbye, Illa.”

The young girl couldn’t help but hug her old friend. “Oh, Epona, I’m going to miss you so much.

“Me too. But, hey, at least we both know we’re going to be okay.” smiled the mare.

As for Link, Midna, and Zelda; the young Hylian only bowed to Zelda, and offered her the Master Sword.

“Your Highness, I only came to return this to you.”

“Oh, I see.” said Zelda, thoughtful. “So, this means you won’t reconsider my offer to joining the Royal Guard.”

Link shook his head. “During our little adventure, Midna and I found…”

“We found each other.” finished the Twilight Princess.

“And I decided to live in the Twilight, with Midna. Excuse me, Princess. I’ll be joining another Guard.”

Zelda nodded sadly. “I see. Well, take good care of our chosen hero, Twilight Princess.”
“I’ll certainly do. Have a nice life, Princess Zelda.”

The two of them then held hands, and disappeared inside the Mirror of Twilight.

As for Epona, she looked back at the orange mare with a hat waiting for her.

“I must go, Illa. She’s waiting for me.” said Epona.

“Your new friend?”

“Actually, she’s my girlfriend. A lot of things happened during our adventure.”

Illa blinked in surprise, but simply hugged Epona. “Be happy, alright?”

Link looked back one last time, only to see Fi appearing one last time, and bowing before her Master and Mistress one last time.

Finally, they crossed back to Equestria, to say goodbye to their new friends.

On the other side, the others were ready to say goodbye to the Hyrule Warriors.

“You’re a bit extreme, but we must thank you for saving our home. We’ll be forever grateful to you.”

Link smiled. “It was a pleasure. Whenever you need a hero…”
“They’ll have to get along with you.” joked Midna.

Link just laughed, and the rest of them joined soon.

“I’m so glad this is over.” said Luna, with a smile.

“We’re glad too! Hopefully, our worlds would never collide again.” sighed Midna.

“But we’ll be in contact.” assured Celestia.

“If you want to. I don’t really care.” said Midna.

Then, she and Link walked toward the Mirror of Twilight.

“So, you two aren’t going with them?” asked Luna to Sweet Fog, and Epona.

“Nah, I like it here.” said Epona. “Only if that’s okay with you, of course.”

“No, no, of course my little pony! You’re more than welcome to stay with us.”

“So, do you have room in your Royal Guard for a pony with a Spinner?” asked Epona.

“Sure, but you’ll need a last name if you want to stay with us.” said the Princess.

“Okay. Ordon, like the village I was born.”

“As for me, I’ll see what I can do.” said Sweet Fog. “Ponyville is a good place to start.”

“”A great one.” agreed Epona.

She looked sadly at the Mirror of Twilight, when Link emerged, and went to hug her.

“Do you really think I would leave without saying goodbye, my friend?”

Epona cuddled with him. “Of course not! I’ll miss you pal.”

“We’ll keep contact. Be happy, you deserve it.”

“Thank you, my friend. You too, even if it’s with Midna.”

They chuckled, and hugged one final time, before Link crossed the Mirror of Twilight.

The Legend of Celestia: Twilight Princess

by Kaliann25

Prologue: The hero of Twilight

Princess Twilight meets the Twilight Princess ruler of Twilight

The former farmer and the farmer

The Twilight Princess, the King of Shadows and the Chosen Heroes

Preparations for battle, on the way to the Temples of Harmony

The Temple of Magic, part 1

The Temple of Magic, part 2

Sweet Apple Acres’ forbidden field

Applelox, Guardian of Honesty

Encounters in the Dungeons of Harmony

The battle of Daring Do

Bearers vs. Adventurers

Flutterax, Mister Kind

Getting heavy equipment

Like Titan, like Bearer

The Ice Tower

Rare-Rare, the 'final' battle

The Twilight, the final challenge