> The Alicorn Scrolls
>  by Terrarian Pony
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1~ Here Be Dragons
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Terrarian Pony

...

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents...

A fan story based off, and inspired by Bethesda's hit video game series "The Elder Scrolls"

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 1

Here Be Dragons

...

Princess Twilight Sparkle was being escorted to the dragon lands via royal sky carriage. It wasn't very like her to make an entrance this way, but Celestia said it would be more practical for the negotiation. Things weren't looking good for the relationship between ponies and dragons. 

As Twilight stepped off the carriage, and onto the heated rock, she looked around. Things on the valcanic mountain were much more eery than usual. All the dragons looking down on her, making whispered comments. As she approached the current Dragon Lord, Bolognokgahrot, stood above her, tall and proud, but in a menacing way. "You have bravery to return here, pony." the dragon said in a deep voice. "But you're effort is useless. We have already declaired war on your kind." Twilight dared take a step closer, but bowed in doing so. 

"Dragon Lord, please." Twilight pleaded. "I'm afraid I don't understand. What did we do to make you go to such extremes? I'm sure we can make it up to you somehow." 

The dragon waved a claw, while looking away from her. "Your words fall on deaf ears, pony." Bolognok growled. "The original dragon lord has returned. The prophecy is coming true, and he will either destroy or concur Equestria. With the lack of a dovahkiin, there is no hope for your land." 

Twilight was shocked. Surely he didn't mean... "The... original Dragon Lord?" She hoped it wasn't what she thought.  

"Surely a pony who has heard many stories, like you," Bolognok started, pointing a claw at Twilight. "has heard the story of Alduin the Destroyer."  

A roar of cheering from the other dragons. Twilight gasped. Then there really was no hope of negotiation, was there? "Now leave this place! Before we decide to make an early lunch out of you!" With that, Twilight went back to the sky carriage, and ordered the flyers to take off. Twilight had really hoped it would not come to this, but if Alduin really was returning, there would definitely be chaos. 

... 

It was raining as the slaver ponies were hauling slaves wearing enchanted collars, in wooden cage carriages. The slaves were all wearing different expressions waining from fear, hopelessness, and even indifference, waiting for a stop. One of the slaves was green pegasus stallion, having a green mane and tail. He had blue eyes, and a tree for a cutie mark. This... is Terran Jone's story. 

... 

Terran woke up, slowly. He felt very dizzy. As he began to recover, he started to notice two things, specifically. 1: He was on some means of transportation. 2: His neck was really itchy and sweaty. He reached up a hoof to scratch it, and that's when he noticed why. He was wearing some kind of collar. He then looked around to see... he was caged up in a carriage, along with a few other creatures sharing the same kind of collar he was wearing. He tried to pull to get it off, until one of his fellow prisoners interrupted him.

"Jar'Wuz would not do that if he were you." Terran looked over at the prisoner. A bipedal, yet cat-like creature, wearing a blue jacket over his fur. He was obviously a Khajiit. He had brown and black fur, and big, green eyes, and he looked like he was bored of this ride, as if he'd gone through this situation about a hundred times before. Typical khajiit. "These collars we are wearing, they are not just for show, no? But for obedience. We do not obey, it is enchanted to shock the wearer at their master's command. But if we stray too far from the artifact that controls them... it will shock us automatically, but it will be offline for a few hours." 

Terran stared in disbelief. "Why?" Terran asked. He got a shrug in response.

"Because they can." the khajiit said. "Same reason any creature does anything, really. They do it, because it benefits them." That... wasn't exactly the answer he was looking for, but it was all he was getting, obviously. "I am Jar'Wuz, by the way." He extended his... paw, to Terran. Khajiit never have horns, wings, or hooves, or even cutie marks. The only hair on them was all over their body, and tail, but a cat tail instead of a pony tail. But they did have the natural ability to be stealthy. Trained khajiit are highly skilled in theft or even subtle assassination. But not all khajiit are like that. Terran shook his paw, hoping he was one of the more... generous ones. 

"Terran Jones." he said. 

The khajiit looked him in the eyes with a grin. He laughed. "I can tell," Jar'Wuz started. "that we will be seeing each other at a later time, once Jar'Wuz gets out of this mess... again." 

The carriage began to take them into a town. The sign above the wall gate read "Blacklight: Slaver Territory. No entry unless you have business!" Straight to the point. As they past through the wall gate, Terran saw what looked to be a bunch of yellow and black striped zebra. They are mostly known as high zebras, and they usually have a pretty high opinion of themselves, mostly because they're are known to be the most skilled magic users in Equestria, despite not having horns. The high zebra were the ones who creating spell wands. But they also have a big rep for buying slaves to assist them in their experiments. Terran thought it's not worth it to ruin other's lives in the name of science. He then realized, he was being sold to the Thalmor, a faction of high zebra that especially think of themselves as high and mighty. Some of them were even carrying spell wands. 

Spell wands are for those who can't bend the elements of magic the way a unicorn can. Himself for instance. Terran is a pegasus, so without a horn, he would need a spell wand to cast spells after learning them. He sometimes carried a spell wand with him, in case he ever needed to defend himself with say, a flame spell. He also knew a spell for healing himself, but he doesn't know any healing others spells. Spells can be bought by vendors and learned by spell tomes, books that tells a pony how to use a specific spell, or channel magic through a spell wand to use it. Terran had always wanted to try frost magic, but never had the opportunity to learn. It was too bad these slavers confiscated his wand, otherwise he would burn his way out of this situation... and probably get some experience of what this stupid shock collar on his neck can do. Oh well. 

The carriage haulted to a stop, and the cage door rose up. One of the slavers yelled for the griffin girl in front of him to step off the wagon. She didn't look scared, nor angry, but more like she was willing to accept her fate. As they stepped off the carraige, he heard a conversation between a slaver and one of the high zebra, wearing a black hoodie, decorated with golden outlines. Those are called Thalmor Justiciars, best known high ranking agents of the Thalmor. Next to the slaver he was talking to, was a blue, earth pony colt, with a dark green mane. He didn't even have a cutie mark yet. 

"Alright, alright. 30 bits for the foal." the zebra said. 

The slaver looked appalled. "30 bits? This kid fixes old impish machines like they're made of leather." The yellow and black zebra didn't even look surprised. 

"Really?" he said unenthusiastically. "So could I at that age. Still 30 bits, but I'll throw in a spell tome of your choosing." 

The slaver shrugged. "I guess that works." he said. The zebra paid for the colt, and gave away a conjure storm atronach spell. The colt looked at his new "master" with a stare of determination. 

"Great, another grown up, here to tell me what to do." the colt said. The colt didn't seem sad, nor scared. In fact, he looked more determined to give this zebra a hard time. "Don't expect me to suck up to you, just 'cause I got this collar. I'll know what makes you tick soon enough. I always figure that stuff out." The zebra actually seemed genuinely impressed by the colt's determination. 

"I will keep that in mind." the zebra said. "Now, come along." Terran then overheard another voice.

"No! No! You aren't going to treat me like a swine! I won't let you!" 

A brown stallion with a dark brown mane, and a cutie mark of jewels and gold, most likely indicating he was a treasure hunter or a bandit, decided to take a run, but his collar let out an electric pulse, which shocked him, and frightened the other nearby slaves. Two of the slavers raced after him to check his vitals. 

"He's dead." 

"Dang it, and I was hoping to sell this one for a good price, too." 

"Take his corpse to where all the others are." 

The slavers began to move the dead body. Terran nearly felt sick to his stomach. "Huh..." Jar'uz said. "That usually does not happen unless the owner wants it to." The cat pony looked grimly up at the crows that watched as the corpse was being hauled away. " "Or unless the collar's enchantment was not performed properly, than that is the enchanter's fault." 

"Well then, someone was too stupid." Terran commented. 

"Shut your snoots and follow me!" One of the slavers, Torment, a dirty-red stallion with a dirty-blonde mane stared at their group. He didn't look like a very patient pony. They followed him, and he took them to a yellow unicorn mare, with a blue mane, and a cutie mark of whip. This was Sally. She ran Blacklight, and owned it ever since humiliating her mother by enslaving her, or some rumors say. A collar was telekinetically floating next to her. 

"Well, well. If isn't the infamous Jar'Wuz." she said.

Jar'Wuz grinned. "Ah, my sweet lady, Sally." he said. "Jar'Wuz trusts you've made some improvements to your security since last time he was held here." His gaze shifted wanderingly to the collar, and grinned even wider. "Oh, and is that Ja'Wuz's new collar? I bet it's more secure then the last. How lovely." 

Terran got the impression that Jar'Wuz wasn't taking this matter seriously at all. It wasn't imprisonment for him... it was a challenge. A test of his skills. Was he caught on purpose? Or is not getting caught another self test as well? Either way, he was acting very strangely. 

"Yes, dear." Sally said, unlocking his collar and putting on the new one. "And this time you will stay mine. You hear me?" 

"Oh yes." Jar'Wuz said. "Jar'Wuz can hear very good. But this one will still fail. I will find a flaw, I promise you." 

Sally looked over towards Terran. "Who's this one?" she asked. "I don't remember requesting him."

"We just found him wandering near the Everfree Forest," Torment said. "so we took him in for trespassing in our territory." 

Sally face-hoofed. "Torment, what have I told you about moderation?"

"Umm..."

"Do not take slaves unless they are on the list. How hard is that to remember? We're business ponies, not savages." 

"Well, what do you want me to do with do with him? Let him go?" Torment asked. 

"No, no." Sally said. "That will risk our operation. Leave this one with me. I'll figure out what to do with him later." 

"Fine." Torment said. "You hear that? You're leash goes to the boss. Better hope you don't end up like her mother... whatever did happen to her." 

"Ah yes." Jar'Wuz said. "It is said that she enslaved her own mother for this town, yes? But rumor has it her mother died shortly after, or escaped somehow and never returned. Some say she is trapped in a secret room, being tortured by Sally. Whatever the case, she hadn't been seen in a while." 

"Let's hope I don't have to find out." Terran said. "I guess I'll be seeing you around?" Jar'Wuz grinned. 

"Hehe... maybe." he laughed. Terran stepped closer towards Sally. 

"If I may be so blunt," Sally said. "who are you, exactly?" 

"Terran Jones." he said. "I am a scribe in the the Guild of Knowledge. And from what we hear about Blacklight, you guys could use some of that." 

"Charming." Sally said. "I suppose I could use somepony like you. Perhaps we can make a deal? I let you go free, but you'll have to gather information for me." 

"I'm not much of a dealer in certain affairs." Terran said. "I prefer to stick to honest work." 

Sally frowned. "What we do here is honest work." she said. "Like I said, we don't just enslave whoever we want. We have an agenda. What you walked into however... was an accident." Sally lowered her head, just enough to still look Terran in the eyes. 

"An accident that can be corrected one of a few ways. Being from the Guild of Knowledge, you must be a very smart pony. You do the math. You gather information for us, and you don't mention a word about us or the location of our organization, and you go free. Now doesn't that sound fair?" 

Terran squinted at her. "Unfortunately, I am not interested in your deal. I prefer not to work with ponies who show little talent and effort to earn money. My answer is no." 

Sally sighed, disappointed. "Very well." she said. "I hoped you would see things my way. But it seems I will have to motivate you. I'll just have you spend time in 'the box' until you decide to change your mind." That didn't sound good. 

"Wait..." Terran said, nervously. "what's 'the box'?" Sally smiled deviously. 

"You'll see." 

... 

"The box" was an iron door cell inside of what used to be a town prison. There was only one, large cell, and it was infested with rats, spider webs, and bones. And not just Pony bones. Terran was seriously considering the mare's offer, until he saw that there was one other prisoner alive inside the cell. She was a small, blue dragon, who looked very afraid. She was shivering in a corner, and crying. After seeing that, Terran remembered why he would never betray his policies of honor. "So, are you reconsidering?" Sally asked. 

Terran stood firm. "No." he said. Sally gave another disappointed sigh. 

"Fine, you'll stay here until you do." She pushed him into the cell, unlocked his collar, and closed the door. "Hey, are you alright?" Terran asked the small dragon. 

"What's it to you?" the dragon asked. 

"Listen, I know there's a way to get out of this." Terran said. "But I won't leave without you." 

"Why do you care?" the dragon asked. "And what makes you think I want to leave, huh?" 

"Two questions, both have same answer. Because this place is more miserable then out there, and I don't think this wet suff on the floor is sewage water." Terran said flatly. 

"You reeeally don't want to know what that is." the dragon said. 

"Point being, I want to help." Terran said. 

"You can't." she said. "This place is impenetrable, except to maybe a dragon ten times my size." 

She really did look only three feet tall. It accured to him that she was still a baby dragon. But her wings... were attached her claws. Then he had a realization. 

"Wait a minute. You're not a dragon at all. You're a wyvern!" 

The... wyvern, threw her wing-claws in the air. "Finally!" she yelled. "Someone who gets the difference! Maybe you aren't as dumb as I thought you were. Name's Tulip by the way. And before you ask, no, I wasn't crying earlier... I just smelled rat feces." 

She crossed her... wings, and looked the other way. Terran wasn't convinced, but he played along with it. "Which is precisely why we need to leave." Terran observed. "How long have you been here?" 

"Three weeks." Tulip said. "I would love to get out of this place, but look around! I checked, and there isn't a single crack, crevice, or flaw in these walls." The wyvern slumped her shoulders. 

"Did you check the floor?" Terran asked.

"You're kidding me, right?" she said, arching a brow. "Of course I checked..." 

Terran held his wings up. "Relax. Just trying lighten the mood." 

"Whatever. Hey, what's that sound?" 

Terran listened carefully, but didn't hear anything. "What sound?" he asked. 

"It sounds like... wings flapping." Tulip observed. 

"There are pegasus guards out there." Terran said. 

"Yeah, but these flaps sound heavier." Terran listen more, and then he heard it. Slow, heavy wing beats. "Actually, that sounds a lot like..." 

"DRAGON!!!" a guard screamed. Suddenly, the walls crumbled above them, barely hitting them, and suddenly above them, was very large dragon. This dragon was about the size of ten houses, with black wings that reflected the sun. It's eyes were as red as Tartarus, and it's teeth sharper than any blade Terran had ever seen. 

"YOOOOOL!!!" the dragon shouted, flames came from the dragons mouth, igniting slaves and slavers alike, as more dragons began to flock from behind him. The dragon looked down at Terran, as the little wyvern spread her wings and fled into the sky. Terran almost felt paralyzed.

"This... can't... be good." 

To be continued...
> Chapter 2~ Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Terrarian Pony

...

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 2

Ponyville

...

The dragon roared as if a hundred lightning bolts just crackled out of the sky. The terrible, spine tingling feeling that came with it wasn't pleasant either. His mouth came down to crush Terran, but he was yanked out of the way by a telekinetic pull. It was Sally. The dragon's snout hit the ground, and it roared violently. The little wyvern landed just beside them. It wasn't long before the dragon got back up again.

"Hi fent kos kogaan naal dii suleyk!" the dragon shouted. 

"You shall be blessed by my power..." Tulip whispered 

"You, pegasus!" Sally yelled. "Come with me if you want to keep your hide! I'm not going to lose an opportunity!"

Terran didn't have much of a choice. It was either her, or be eaten by rogue dragons. Ultimately, Sally chose to decide for him, levitating him along as another burst of flames came from the lead dragon's mouth and went over their heads. By now, there were dragons attacking the entire settlement. Ponies and zebra yelling, and screaming in panick. Slaves seeing an opportunity, attacking their masters out of spite. Some slavers had gotten too far away from their slaves, and thier collars began to shock them automatically. 

They began approaching a building, when a yellowy orange colored dragon landed in front of them. She prepared to breathe fire, but Sally released Terran from her telekinesis, focusing all of her mana into blasting the dragon in the snout with a magic missile. The dragon was hit first. Temporarily blinded, she flew up into the sky. Terran and Tulip were now running towards the same building Sally was, until they heard another voice.

"Pegasus!" the khajiit called. "Over here! Jar'Wuz knows another way!" Terran looked back at the pony that was planning to use him, then back at the cat.

"Don't you dare!" the slaver leader said.

"Jar'Wuz can help... of course he will expect compensation, but it will be easier!"

"I can make you free!"

"Jar'Wuz can discount your fee!"

"I don't wanna follow the slaver lady!" Tulip said. 

Terran arched a brow. "You can fly!" he said. 

"I wanna come with you!" Tulip replied. Terran looked back at Sally, with a face of disgust. He then turned towards the Khajiit, and galloped in his direction. 

"I will find you!" she said. "You can't escape me forever!"

Jar'Wuz opened a door to what used to be a guard tower, and motioned for them to hurry. Terran let Tulip go first, then himself, then Jar'Wuz quickly slammed the door shut behind him. Terran and Tulip took a moment to breathe. They found themselves in what used to be a guard's barracks. Lots of beds, swords and spears on the walls. Chests and shelves full of armor. 

"Ha! Turns out the new collar did not live up to Jar'Wuz's expectations." Jar'Wuz said. "It was not nearly as hard as the last one. Could have used some improvements." 

"You mean to tell me you got that collar off that fast?" Terran inquired. 

"Clearly, you haven't met Jar'Wuz." Tulip said, boredly. "He's like the big boss's pet, who always finds a way to jump out the window, even when said window has been closed, triple-locked, and sent to another dimension."

"Jar'Wuz is nobody's pet." Jar'Wuz hissed. "Jar'Wuz only challenges his abilities. Trains his mind. Ah yes. And do not forget you owe Jar'Wuz. Any valuables you find goes to him. Part of that, eh... compensation we talked about earlier. But first, we'll have to fight our way past the guards."

"Pfft. I can take them all by myself." Tulip said. 

A toothy grin spread across the cat's face. "Ah yes, that is why you were captured in the first place, no?" he observed. Tulip opened her mouth to respond, but shut it once she realized she had no counter argument.

"Hmmph! I'm not going to dignify that with a response." she said. 

"I believe you just did." Jar'Wuz replied. "Now follow Jar'Wuz. He will get you out of here." 

"Fine, but I can handle myself in a fight." Terran claimed. "You worry about defending you." 

"Ah, everyone for themselve, hmm?" Jar'Wuz said. " Jar'Wuz likes this idea. There is armor and weapons in this room. Make sure to take anything you might need." 

Terran walked over to one the shelves of armor. Terran saw that it was guard's armor. "This town must have once been protected by the crystal guard." he observed. "The armor is made of platinum instead of gold. Crystal guard ponies wear platinum." 

"NEEEEERRRD!!!" Tulip yelled. 

"Ha. The dragon beat Jar'Wuz too it." Jar'Wuz said, wide-eyed and grinning. 

"Wyvern!" Tulip corrected. "Wy-vern! Not dragon! Clearly!" 

"Potato pototo." Jar'Wuz said. "Now hurry up. There is manhole right here that leads us out." Terran was in the middle of putting on one of the sets of armor. 

"Let me guess." Terran started. "That path goes through sewers." 

Jar'Wuz shrugged. "Jar'Wuz uses sewage tunnels all the time." he said. "Great for getting places, undetected." 

Terran finished putting on the armor, and grabbed a platinum sword from the racks. They then opened the manhole, and climbed down a ladder to the sewage tunnels. The tunnel was filled with dirty water, and it was very narrow, not even being as wide as Tulip's wingspane. Tulip looked very uncomfortable. "Awe." Tulip said. "And to think I just got out of The Box. This place isn't any different." 

"The difference is..." Jar'Wuz said. "This is the way to freedom." 

"Still sucks." Tulip said. "It's too slimey, it's not spacey, and I can't fly in here." 

"Nya!" Jar'Wuz said. "If you keep whining, I'll bite you before the mudcrabs do!" Tulip shut her mouth, but still wasn't happy about all this. They made it some ways before heard voices. 

"They want there freedom?" one slaver said. "They want to die so badly? I say let 'em! It's not like we're getting paid to care anyways! Let's get out of here while we can!" 

"Yeah, the ceilings' about to collapse," another slaver said. "and I don't wanna be here when it does."

"Wait, did you hear that?"

"Hold on." Terran said. "Let's see if they'll they'll negotiate." 

"Nya." Jar'Wuz said. "There is no negotiating with them. Simple minds work in simple ways." 

"Yeah..." Terran said. "and if there is anything I've learned, you're definitely anything, but... simple." They were greeted by a unicorn slaver, and an earth pony slaver. Neither seemed terribly fond of using their words. "There they are! Get 'em!"

Jar'Wuz attacked the earth pony with his claws, while the unicorn went after Terran with an iron war hammer. Terran was a rare breed, able to stand on two hooves, especially during combat. He trained himself to do so, in case he was ever attacked. He blocked the hammer with his sword, and knocked it aside, sending it flying out of the unicorn's telekinetic grip, and clanking hard on the ground. He then charged to stab the unicorn in the chest, and killed him. Jar'Wuz had also made short work of his victim.

"These guards are joke, no?" Jar'Wuz pointed out. "After all, they are trained to be expendable." 

"Don't get cocky." Terran said. "There is probably more up ahead." Tulip began checking the slavers for anything useful. 

"I found some lesser healing potions." she said. "Good." Terran said. "Keep them with you unless we need one."

"Kay!"

They pressed on through the tunnels, fighting mudcrabs and rats along the way. Terran had found an earth pony skeleton, with a spell wand and a shock spell tome next to it. He had figured others had attempted to escape from here. Tulip had just finished violently emptying the contents of her stomach for the third time, when they heard fighting going on in the next tunnel.

Two other slaves were defending themselves against three slavers. Jar'Wuz clawed one of them in the left eye, and Terran slashed through the second one's throat. Suddenly, a jolt of blue lightning came from Tulip's mouth, and turned the last slaver into a smoking pile of blue ash. Terran and Jar'Wuz both looked at her surprised.

"What?" Tulip asked. "I might be young, but I'm not a pacifist. Besides, they all deserve what's coming to them." Both of the escaped slaves were earth ponies, but the first one was a mare. 

"Thank you." the mare said. "I'm Julie, and this is Marcus. We didn't think we could take them ourselves." 

"We'll help out as best we can, but we're no good in a fight." Marcus explained. "We managed to grab our controllers, though. Can you get these collars off of us?" Jar'Wuz stroked his chin, thoughtfully. 

"Hmm... that depends. What does Jar'Wuz get in return." he asked. 

"How about you do it, because it's common courtesy." Terran tried. 

Jar'Wuz rolled his eyes. "Nya. There is always price to pay. But fine. They can pay their fee later. I'll remember their faces either way." Jar'Wuz unlocked their collars without struggle, and they all found their way to a sewage exit. Climbing up the ladder, Terran opened the manhole, immediately getting hit with a ray of sunshine that blinded him. He climbed up, and realized that they were just on the edge of the Everfree Forest. The lead dragon from the attack flew overhead, towards Ponyville. "Keep your head down." 

The dragon flew past Ponyville, and over some mountains. 

...

Julie and Marcus left the group, waving goodbye. "Now..." Jar'Wuz started. "about my compensation." 

Terran rolled his eyes. "Ugh. Fine, here's the bits I pulled off of some of the guards." 

"This should suffice," Jar'Wuz said. "...for now. We should part ways, here. This was fun, let's do it again, sometime." And with that, Jar'Wuz scurried off into the bushes. It was now just Terran and Tulip. 

"Well... now that you're free, what'll you do now?" Terran asked Tulip. 

"I don't know." she said. "I was hoping I could stay with you." 

"I'm more a traveler, not a settler." Terran said. 

"Well, can't I travel with you?" Tulip offered. 

"Why are you so interested in coming with me?" Terran asked, curiously. 

Tulip looked away, embarrassed. "I don't... like being alone." she explained. Terran's expression turned somber. Tulip had to endure three weeks of that prison. Could he really juat leave her alone like that? 

"Don't you have have family?" he asked. 

"They're dead." Tulip said. "My whole wyvern tribe was slaughtered by dragons. I'm what you call the sole survivor." 

"I'm sorry to hear that." Terran said. 

"Look, I've never admitted any of this to anyone, so if you say anything... well I'll... I'll... I'll shock you." Terran sighed. 

"Alright fine. I guess you could come along. My next stop is Ponyville. I've got business there. Plus, I think they outta know about what happened at Blacklight." 

"Fine by me." 

... 

Terran had not expected to be greeted so thoughtfully by so many other ponies. Aside from that one guard, who had taken him aside to ask his business. But that was understandable, he was just doing his job, and there was a giant dragon that flew right past Ponyville. He was especially suspicious of the wyvern. But everypony else seemed delighted to see a new face. Terran tried to remember the name of the adress he was looking for. 

"Breezebloom..." he said. "Breeze-... blue? No that's not right." He nearly past by a particularly distinguishable house. Unlike all the others, it was dark and dreary. There were a few flowers outside, but nothing very pretty, and there was a sign hanging from the wall next to the door that said "Breezehome". 

"Here it is, Breezehome." Terran said. 

"What're we doing here?" Tulip asked. Terran knocked on the door. 

An angry, raspy male voice came from the other side. "Go away! I don't want your fillyscout cookies!" 

"Official guild business." Terran announced. A small hatch in the door slid open, and two brown eyes down at him out. 

"Oh, it's just you." the raspy voice said. "Wear's your emblem, boy?" 

"Hello to you too, Bluehorn." Terran said. "Unfortunately, I was captured by the slavers at Blacklight. I managed to escape, but they confiscated my emblem." 

"That explains why your three days late." Bluehorn said. 

Terran forgot he was initailly late for this meeting in the first place. "Uh... yeah, yeah." he said. "That's... that's the reason." 

"Who's the dragon?" Bluehorn asked. 

"Wyvern!" Tulip shouted. "Wy-vern! It's not that hard to say!" 

"Traveling companion." Terran explained. 

"Well, thank goodness." Bluehorn said. "I thought you had adopted. Though, I wouldn't be surprised. Hang on a sec." 

He closed the peephole, and a the sound of several locks, and mumbling was heard. Finally, the door opened, revealing a grey, unicorn stallion, with barely any mane left on his head, a black tail, and he was wearing a red hooded robe.

"Get in here, before you let the parasprites in!" The wyvern looked around. 

"I don't see any parasprites." Tulip observed.

"I'm talking about the whippersnappers who think they own my property and me." 

"Still as paranoid as ever, eh Bluehorn?" Terran said. The unicorn closed the door with his magic. 

"The day the skeevers get in my head," he started. "...is the day I worship the deadra! You don't think they're listenin', but they're all around us. Sheep in wolve's clothing." 

"I think you mean wolves in sheep's clothing." Tulip corrected. "I've never eaten a sheep that small before, or smart for that matter."

"Is your squire always back talking like this?" Bluehorn asked. "You should teach her some manners, sonny!" 

"Squire?" Tulip called back. 

"I assume from your little 'mishap' that you don't have the package I need?" Bluehorn said. 

"You're in luck." Terran said, reaching toward his tail, where a scroll was banded beneath it with a rubber band. He grabbed the scroll in his mouth, and placed it on a small table. "Fortunately, this was the one thing they managed not to find."

"Well, at least you did something right." Bluehorn spat. "Now let's see here." The unicorn opened the scroll, and gasped. "Holly Celestia's horn!" 

"What!? What is it!?" Terran asked, eyes of panic. 

"I forgot to pay my last three guild fees." Bluehorn said. Terran rolled his eyes. "If I don't pay my debt soon, Bookreader will have my tail! Or you know, what's left of it." 

"Is there anything important on there that you can tell me?" Terran said. 

"Hmm... nope. Sorry." Terran sighed. 

"Alright, just answer me one question. Does it say anthing about... dragons?" 

Bluehorn raised a brow. "That's pretty specific." he said. "What do you know about the dragons?" 

"I know they attacked Blacklight," Terran said. "...but I don't know if they're still there. And we saw one of them fly right over Ponyville." 

Bluehorn's eyes looked as if they were about to pop right out of his old eye sockets. Terran had never seen him so shocked. "They're that close!?" Bluehorn said. "Then you know everything that's in the letter, weather you read the thing or not." 

"What we do?" Terran asked. "Head to Princess Twilight's castle, here in Ponyville." Blue suggested. "It's hard to miss. Tell her exactly what you just told me. Once you've finished any other official guild errands, report straight back to the Guild of Knowledge."

"At once." Terran said, determined. 

"And take this with you." Bluehorn said. "Don't lose this one!" He handed Terran a badge with the Knowledge Guild's insignia on it. It looked like the shape of an eye inside of a triangle. Many ponies thought it was a very suspicious looking symbol. Terran bolted out the door, Tulip following close. 

... 

As Terran walked towards the princess's castle, which looked a lot like a tree made from crystal... really, it was just too sparkly, even for a princess... he listened to various ponies and other creatures talking about various things. 

"Need something to defend yourself against a dragon? Come get your steel at Steel Pony Lou's." 

"Steal? I have not stolen. Khajiit is innocent of this crime." 

"Did you hear about that colt in Winterhoof? Why would a foal be trying to contact the Dusk Ponyhood?"

"Looking for work? You should join the Companions."

When he was sure he gathered enough gossip, he went towards Twilight's castle. He'd been there before, but he'd never been in Ponyville for long periods of time. It's rumored that Ponyville is a grand spot for unnatural trouble. Seriously, his intelligence told him it was attacked by a bug bear once. He laughed so hard at that one, mostly because he almost didn't believe it. Knocking on the crystalized doors of the castle, he waited patiently. A royal guard opened one of the doors. "Miss Sparkle and the elements of harmony, aren't receiving visitors. Haven't you heard about the dragon attacks?" 

Terran held up his emblem. "Official guild business." he said. "Also I have news about the dragons. I was at Blacklight when they hit it." The royal guard looked at him surprised. 

"Well then, I'm sure miss Sparkle would love to hear about this, immediately. Come. I will take you to the bearers of the elements." 

The guard didn't say anything else as he took Terran and Tulip to the map room. The map room was just as sparkly as the rest of the castle, and it had a large round table in the middle of the room, with seven chairs surrounding it. On the table, was a magical map of Equestria, that magically told the bearers of the elements of harmony where to find and fix friendship problems. And here they were. The element bearers, each of them sitting in seats labled with their cutie marks. The only one not present was Spike, Twilight's dragon assistant. Terran had seen the map room before. The element bearers seemed to be discussing the dragon situation. 

"Why don't we just go and punch those darned dragons in the face!?" Rainbow Dash suggested. 

"Perhaps we can show them compassion, a-and they won't hurt us?" A certain yellow pegasus offered, shyly. 

"We've already tried that." Twilight explained. "But the dragons have confirmed my suspicion that the destroyer of worlds is coming back to attack Equestria, and any who ally with us. As long as Alduin is here, they'll follow him, because he is the original dragon lord, and much more powerful than the other dragons." 

"Well we cain't just attack these dragons head on." Applejack said. "Ah say we wait for 'em, and we attack 'em in our territory." 

"Seriously Applejack?" Rainbow said, startled. "That doesn't sound like you." 

"No!" Twilight said. "We can't just let them into Ponyville. I don't even want to think about the civilian casualties that would take place if that happens. Not to mention the structural damage." 

"Then we'll build a great wall!" Rainbow said. "They won't stand a chance. Ha!" 

"No offence, Rainbow, darling..." Rarity started. "...but how is a wall going to stop a bunch of flying, fire breathing dragons?" Rainbow flapped in the air a moment, thinking on that one. "Yeah, I guess that doesn't really help, does it." 

"No, we have to come up with a real plan-" Twilight started, before she was interrupted. 

"Your highness." the guard said. Twilight looked towards the guard with a sigh. 

"I hope you have a good reason for interrupting this important meeting." she said. 

"Your majesty, these two clam to have information about the dragons, and this one is on official business from the Guild of Knowledge." 

"I see. Let them in." 

Terran and Tulip came into the room. "So you know about the dragons attacking?" Twilight asked. "What have you seen?" 

"I was being enslaved by the enforcers of Blacklight." Terran said. "Apparently, they don't like it when you try to take a shortcut through the Everfree Forest." 

"I've heard rumors about the ponies of Blacklight," Twilight admitted. "...but we haven't had any evidence to support claims, and convict them. But I doubt that is all you have to say?" 

"I was taken to this 'special' cage, that the slavers referred to as 'The Box'." Terran continued. "That's where I met Tulip, the wyvern I came in with. Suddenly, we heard heavy wing beats. A dragon smashed through The Box." 

"Uhuh!" Tulip piped up. "And he said 'Hi fent kos kogaan naal dii suleyk!'." 

Everypony stared at the wyvern with looks of confusion. She rolled her eyes. "In ponish it means 'You shall be blessed by my power'." 

"I don't see the relevance." Terran admitted. 

"Don't see it?" Tulip asked. "It's obvious. If the dragons are attacking Equestria unprovoked, that can only mean one thing." 

"We know." Twilight said. "Alduin has returned. So you are saying this dragon... it was Alduin?" The wyvern nodded. Terran's eyes went wide. He'd heard the stories, but he didn't believe them. Could it be true? The original dragon lord? 

"And there were more with him." Tulip added. 

"So these dragons... they were this close to Ponyville." Twilight said. "Do you see now, Applejack? Do you still think we should trust the strength of our town, against the dragons? I will not sit idly by while these dragons attack our home." 

Twilight turned to Terran. "You there... I don't know why you came to Ponyville, but it seems it was fate that you would seek me out on your own accord. I need you to send a message to Princess Celestia in Canterlot. I would have my assistant Spike do it, but he is not here at the moment. Tell her that we need more guards in Ponyville, in case of another attack inside or close to Ponyville."

"Very well." Terran agreed. "I will go to Canterlot, then." 

"Can we stop for lunch, first?" Tulip asked. "I haven't eaten a good meal in forever." 

Terran smiled and nodded. "I agree." he said. "We will stop to eat, but then it's off to Canterlot." He turned to Twilight. "Is there anywhere we can find better protection in Ponyville? Perhaps even a new spell will do." 

"If you are looking for swords, bows, or armor, there is a blacksmith in town." Twilight answered. "If it's spells you need, look for Starlight Glimmer. She should be somewhere in the castle." 

...

"I may have a few defensive and offensive spells on hoof." Starlight said. "What are you looking for?" 

"I'm thinking any frost spells you have." Terran said. 

"Frost huh?" Starlight said. "Not very common among offensive spell casters. They're usually looking to burn the world, or summon lightning." 

"He doesn't need lightning spells." Tulip started. "He's got me for that." 

"Oh." Starlight said. "How... nice? Uh... let's see what I have." Starlight looked through her spell tomes, and found two frost spells. "I have a frostbite spell, and an ice spike spell. Both very useful for beginner spell casters." 

"Sounds good." Terran said. "How much for both?" 

Starlight pulled up the two spell tombs with her magic. "That's 160 bits for frostbite spell, and 230 for ice spike." Terran wiped his brow with a wing. 

"Huh." he said. "I guess I could afford the frostbite for now. I'll have to come back some other time for the other one." 

"Alright then." Starlight said. "Although, I might be willing to part with it another way, I was wandering if you could do something for me." 

"Oh?" Terran responded. "It wouldn't happen to do with the dragons, would it?" 

"Actually, yes." Starlight said with a "you totally read my mind" expression. "As a matter of fact, I have a theory. But I want to make sure it's more than a theory."

"Okay, what did you have in mind?" 

"I've heard a rumor that in the Canterlot Crypts, there happens to be an ancient stone tablet somewhere. If you can find it, and bring it to me, I'll give you the ice spike spell for free."

"Good thing I'm already heading to Canterlot. I'll see about that when I get there." 

...

Members of the Guild of Knowledge had free access to modes of transportation. They were always traveling across Equestria and beyond to find the world's answers. History, lore, magic, science, even rumors and fairytales, which were not very common, because Equestria had all sorts of mystical beings. There have been tales that cerberus and the gate to Tartarus was real, but the Guild has not been able to get any confirmation. Terran and Tulip took the first train they could catch to Canterlot. Night was falling, and Terran was exhausted. Tulip was a wyvern, who have a different sleep cycle, so she didn't need to sleep for another couple of weeks. 

"Every two months." she said. "I'd only have to sleep for seven days to restore to full energy." Terran found that very interesting. Wyverns were a lot more rare than dragons, so he never got to ask one before. 

"Well, at least I know I can have someone watching my back if I ever have to set up camp and sleep in a random dangerous location." Terran pointed out. 

"True." Tulip responded. "But don't expect me to have night vision, or super hearing. I have claws, and I have lightning magic. That's it." Terran's eyes began to close slowly, and he drifted off to sleep. 

... 

When Terran opened them again, Tulip was not in their seat. Instead, she was in the seat behind them, pinning a pony in red and black, hooded light armor to the cushion. "This one tried to get you from behind." she said. "You want me to dust her?"

"Help me bring her to the back of the train, discretely." Terran said. "I think a little enhanced interrogation is in order." 

"The black sacrament has been performed!" said the pony. "The Dreaded Ponyhood will not stop until you are dead!" The pony kicked tulip off, and pulled out a knife, slitting her own throat, and leaving a bloody mess on the seat.

"Dang it!" Terran said. 

"I think we should start flying before questions get asked." Tulip responded. "I don't think anyone will consider the clear evidence with a dragon-like predator around." Terran shook his head. 

"I'm more concerned about what she just mentioned." He said. "Black sacrament... Dreaded Ponyhood... Someone's got a hit on me."

"My bits are on Sally." Tulip said, as Terran was digging through the body's belongings. 

"Nope." Terran said, holding a note. "It hasn't been that long, and this contract only has my name. Plus, don't you think Sally would want both of us alive?" On the contract, there was a black horseshoe print. Tulip put a talon to her chin. "I suppose." she responded. "Who do you know, wants to kill you?" 

Terran thought about that for a moment. Who in their right mind would have the horseshoes to go up against him? "I don't know." he said. "I've made a lot of enemies as a member of the Guild of Knowledge. It's kind of a way of life for me, these days." 

"What kind of enemies does an egghead make?" Tulip asked. 

Terran grinned and chuckled. "You'd be surprised. We should probably get lost though before anyone sees what had happened, and misinterprets."

...

Now the Terran and Tulip's wings were well rested, they were fit to fly to Canterlot on their own, leaving the train ponies to figure out what had happened. "Getting out of there was a good idea." Tulip commented. "I've been needing to spread my wings lately." Terran was looking back to make sure there were no Dreaded Ponyhood flyers coming for them. Terran kept looking at the note. It's content were... unusual, even for the Dreaded Ponyhood.

The Black Sacrament has been performed. Terran Jones must die. But first, the employer wants him tortured in the worst way possible. Bring him back here, and we'll get... creative. Whoever wants him dead REALLY wants him to suffer. Failure is not an option. 

-Valor

It was an unexpected development. The Dreaded Ponyhood was after him, and there was no way he'd be able to acquire answers since they are trained to off themselves upon capture. Who was after him would have to wait. They were nearing Canterlot, and it seemed the pegasus guards were coming to intercept them.

"Halt!" One of them said, pointing a spear at Terran. "By order of Princess Celestia, any outsiders are to be denied entry for- What in the world?" His spear swung towards the wyvern. "You must be MAD to bring this... this thing here!"

Tulip rolled her eyes. "Look at the wings, moron. I'm a wyvern, not a dragon. Does no one know what a wyvern is, these days?" 

"N-not one more flap closer, beast!" the guard yelled. 

"Pegasus!" Tulip shouted. "Talk some sense into these hooligans, before I make lightning storms."

Terran pulled out his emblem. "I'm with the Guild of Knowledge." he said. "This is my wyvern companion, Tulip. We were sent here by Princess Twilight Sparkle to ask Princess Celestia to assign more guards to Ponyville, concerning the dragon crisis."

"And we're just supposed to believe you?" the guard inquired. 

"It's a matter of urgency." Terran said. "I mean, there had been a dragon attack just in the Everfree Forest. If there was an assault that close to Ponyville, I'm sure the Princess would like to know that her protégé may be in danger."

The guards all looked at each other for a moment, before deciding that there is truth to his words. Looking back to Terran, the guard said "Fine. But you pet stays out here." 

"PET!?" Tulip shouted, indignantly. "You best watch your tongue! I'm nobody's pet, you imbecile! And I'm not staying out of this!"

"Tulip." Terran said. "Just do what they say. It took us long enough to get here. We can't cause any trouble now." Tulip growled under her breath, but submitted. Tulip went to find a spot to land where she would attract the least attention, while Terran followed the guards, towards the Castle.

To be continued...
> Chapter 3~ The Harbingers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Terrarian Pony

...

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 3

The Harbingers

...

As Terran entered the throne room, three royal guards at his back, watching his every move, probably waiting for a misstep, he saw the flowing, colorful mane, and star-lined mane of Princess Celestia, and her younger sister, Luna, who had, a few years ago, been trapped on the moon as Nightmare Moon for a thousand years, and is now a pillar of Equestrian society, once again. He tried not to pay attention to the fact that her mane was riddled with constellations, and such, because if he did, he would be spending too much time trying to figure out how in the world anypony could have stars in her mane. Just another mystery that neither he or anyone in the Guild would ever figure out. 

Maybe it's some form of magic? Or maybe it was a gift from the stars themselves? Maybe she wasn't that way until she was trapped on the moon... NO! Stop thinking about that! Too many questions! I only came here for ONE thing. Dragons. Gaurds. Ponyville. 

"I wasn't aware we would be giving an audience this evening." Celestia stated.

"This pegasus claims to be a member of the Guild of Knowledge, your highness." the lead guard said, with a cautious glance at Terran. 

"I see." Celestia said. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of finally getting to meet a member of this particular guild?" 

Terran bowed before speaking. "Princess Twilight has requested aid for Ponyville. Her dragon has been out on her behalf recently, and she has asked me to come for him."

"Is something going on in Ponyville?" inquired the night princess. 

"Yes." Terran said. "Well, not exactly, yet. There is a dragon army, being lead by a very powerful dragon, and Princess Twilight fears for Ponyville's safety. And so do I. I saw what this dragon is capable of, and it has made a mess of Blacklight, a city I was investigating, hidden in the Everfree Forest, before I was caught by slavers."

"Hmm... I'm sure if were able to talk to this dragon, we may be able to convince him to call of his army." Celestia said. "That is, depending on the dragon of course." Terran looked to the side for a moment with moving his head, and bit his lip trying to find a response. 

"Have you heard of the name Alduin?" he blurted. Both Celestia and Luna's eyes were wide in horror of that name. 

"A-alduin..." Celestia whispered. "...the Destroyer?" 

Terran arched a brow. "Is that what they call him, then?" he said.

"Alduin is the original dragon lord." Luna said. "A force of evil that even the Elements of Harmony cannot touch." 

Now Terran's eyes were wide with fear. "That... sounds frighteningly powerful." he said. "So... if the Elements can't stop him... what can?" 

Celestia breathed in, deeply, and the exhaled, slightly. "Only a Dragonborn can..."

"Coming through!" a familiar voice said, suddenly. A small, blue wyvern was flying her way into the throne in a panicked state. The guards twirled around, their spears facing her. 

"Tulip!" Terran said. "You were supposed to wait outside!"

"Yeah, sure!" Tulip said. "But wouldn't you rather me warn you about the humongous dragon outside, attacking the city?" All ponies in the room froze. A dragon? Attacking Canterlot? Surely even a dragon wouldn't be so reckless... unless...

"CELESTIA! BO WAH ZU'U. QIILAAN WAH DII LOT AHRK NOK TUM HIN LAHVU!"

Oh no. Terran thought. I know that tongue. 

"Fin Al" Celestia murmured. "The Destroyer." The voice of the dragon that frightened Terran so boomed from outside the castle. 

"MUST I SPEAK IN YOUR GUTTURAL LANGUAGE!? GET OUT HERE, AND CALL OFF YOUR ARMY! I HAVE BEEN GENEROUS ENOUGH TO AVOID BURNING YOUR BUILDINGS YET! THAT WILL CHANGE VERY SOON!"

Princess Celestia spread her wings, and began to take off. Luna, Terran, Tulip and the guards followed close. When they got outside, they saw a very large, familiar black dragon. Guards were pointing arrows directly at him. It spoke to the Princess in a low, aggravated tone. "I would be delighted if you were to kindly tell these hooligans to seize fire. Their puny arrows may not harm me, but they are quite annoying." Princess Celestia waved a wing to her gaurds, and they laid down their bows, hesitantly. The dragon smiled, which seemed even more menacing. "Now we can talk. You certainly look different from all these years. How long has it been? Over a thousand years? Of course, then... you had a dragonborn."

"I'll have you know..." Celestia began. "We have a new dragonborn at our disposal." Alduin raised a scaly eyebrow. 

"Oh, is that so?" Alduin inquired. "Perhaps I can see this champion of yours, and we could have a nice chat over some tea. Hopefully he understands more of the dragon tongue than anyone else here." Celestia's glare matched the dragon's, but it didn't matter. She knew she was powerless to stop him. "I know you do not have a dovahkiin in this time. I've heard that Starswirl went down without an heir, which means that his lineage has been non-existent for a thousand years, at the least." 

"Starswirl was only trapped in time, but he has returned." Luna said. She was right. Starswirl had returned to Equestria after a long time of being trapped with something called the pony of shadows. Terran never caught the full story, though. 

"Oh. Now isn't that interesting?" Alduin said. "Tell me, then... how brittle is he?" Luna and Celestia both looked at each other with frightened faces. "I mean, surely... after a while, a simple unicorn like himself has grown old, and can barely stand on his own four legs, let alone manage to slay a dragon as powerful as myself." Celestia opened and closed her mouth multiple times, and then settled on gazing away from Alduin. "So then, it seems as though I'm the only one here with a bargaining chip. You surrender Equestria, and it's citizens to me, whom you and they will bow to for eternity, and pledge your undying loyalty to..." 

"We will not be doing any such thing." Celestia interupted, gazing into Alduin's eyes with anger. This somehow seemed to surprise Alduin, because his head lifted as suddenly as Celestia stared back at him. "We will fight, 'til our last breathe for the land we call home." 

Alduin grinned, widely. "Well then... it seems we have a nice little bone to pick with you, now don't we?" Alduin took a deep breath, looked up into the sky and then shouted the words "Mid dov, wahl kip do daar mey!"

Two dragons, a white one, and a grey one, off in the distance, took to the sky from their hiding spots outside the city, and landed behind Alduin atop the buildings. Alduin began to build up his fire aiming at Celestia and Luna. "WATCH OUT!" Terran yelled. Celestia, Luna, Terran, Tulip, and the guards dispersed. 

"YOOOOOOL!" Flames came close to scorching Terran's tail, as he moved quickly out of the way. The dragons began to spit flames wherever they pleased, and the guards' spears were nothing to them. One of Alduin's dragon minions flew up and caught a pegasus guard in his mouth. The other was tearing up a residential building from it's rooftop, looking for anypony inside. 

Terran picked up a spear that had fallen from one of the soldiers, and flew towards the white dragon. As he flew towards it, the dragon shouted "FO KRAH DIIIIIIN!" after which the dragon began to breath ice at Terran, which made his wings flap weakly and slowly, causing him to fall. He fell right in the center of Canterlot with a CRASH!! His body felt weak, he could feel the whole world spinning. Suddenly, he heard voices. Not the voices of ponies and dragons fighting above. He didn't hear any of that. 

These voices were... unfamiliar. They were... chanting something? Terran looked up and saw a large, stone wall. The wall was curved, and ominous. Above the wall, was a carving of a dragon. On the wall, there was some kind of writing, but he couldn't read it, but there was a single word on the wall that was... glowing. Terran was drawn to it. He had to get closer... to read it. He had to see what it said. What that single word was! He stood up surprisingly well, and walked over to it. He put a hoof on the stone wall, completely unaware of the battle above him, and read the single, glowing word. "Fus." 

Suddenly, he heard a roar of thunder, and looked up. Tulip was caught in a fierce battle of fire vs lightning against the grey dragon, until the grey decided claws were more affective than flames, and grabbed the wyvern by the neck, throwing her into one of the buildings. "Tulip!" Terran shouted, genuinely concerned for the wyvern who had followed him all the way here. Tulip was his responsibility, and he had to help her. He flew towards the building that she was thrown into, and dove in through the shattered window. The furniture in the room was simple. A bed, some dressers, and a mirror. Okay, maybe not too simple.

Terran leaped to the wyvern's side. "T-tulip! Are you okay?" She was bleeding from her neck from where the dragon grabbed her, but she was still alive. 

"I'm fine." Tulip said. "Hurt like that Nightmare Moon of yours, though, I'll give him that." She grinned, toothily, as if it was just an ant bite. Terran looked at her in shock. "Don't look at me like that. I'm fine! Let's dust us some dragons!" Terran took a deep breath.

Of course. She's a wyvern. Their scales are just as hard as a dragon's. But still, she was smaller than that dragon. Terran nodded, and then looked towards Alduin. He was having a showdown in the sky with Celestia and Luna. But they were both struggling to keep him away from civilians as well. The grey dragon was slurping down a guard who was unfortunate enough to grabbed and swallowed whole. The white dragon was boredly squishing one of the guards between the ground and a single talon. 

"Alright, you finish off the fire breather, I'll take the ice one." he said. 

"Because that worked out so well before." Tulip stated. "But hey, at least I don't have feathers to be smoldered."

The two spread their wings, and flew off towards their targets. Terran grabbed his spell wand, and cast a flame spell at the ice dragon. She roared, and clawed at the offending pegasus. "FO KRAH DIIIIIIIN!!!" Another spew of frost breath, but Terran dodged it this time, and raised the sword he took from the Blacklight armory, slicing at the dragon's neck. The ice dragon was none to pleased, as she roared in pain. She jumped on top of Terran, pinning him down by his wings, her claws like icicles digging through his feather. 

"That was quite rude of you! I think I'll have my dinner... extra frosty. Fo..." But before the ice dragon could shout, an arrow struck her in the right eye. She screamed in pain, and began to ascend. It was the guard from when he and Tulip first arrived. He smiled and nodded toward Terran. Terran nodded back, and flew up towards the ice dragon, sword ready. The dragon sprayed another frost breath, slightly nicking Terran's left wing, and Terran heard a crack of lightning, followed by a dragon breathing fire. Tulip was doing well in her fight, but still barely piercing the grey dragon's scales. 

"Tulip!" Terran yelled. "Go for the belly!" She grinned at him. Taking his advice, she slashed her claws through the dragon's belly. Terran continued towards his target, slashing left and right, but missing. Another blast of ice breath, missed. A cut through the wings. 

Finally Terran found his way behind the ice dragon, and onto her neck. He swung the sword, cutting through her right horn, causing to roar in pain. He cut through the other one as she tried fling him off. He took the final blow to forehead, and through her jaw, and suddenly they began to descend. Another crackle of lightning, and the grey dragon was falling as well. Terran pulled his sword from the ice dragon's jaw just before she hit the ground with a CRACK!

He landed right in front of the two, now dead dragons. Their scales began to burn. Wait... they were burning off. Their scales and skin were... deteriorating, leaving only the bones. And suddenly, a strange energy came from both dragons, and was making it's way towards Terran, who staggered from the shock. He felt as though his insides were melting, but he couldn't find his voice to scream, and suddenly... "FUS!" It just came out. He didn't have any control over it. The word from the wall just shot out of him like a cannonball. 

Alduin heard the shout, and looked down at the green pegasus' position. "Im-impossible!" he said. Alduin flew off, leaving Celestia and Luna confused as they descended towards the dead dragons' bones. 

"Dovahkiin!" Tulip yelled, startled, while at the same time, Celestia uttered the word "Dragonborn." They looked at each other with great shock, and then back at Terran. Terran blinked. He blinked again. And then... THUMP!

To be continued...
> Chapter 4~ Legends of the Dragonborn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Terrarian Pony

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 4

Legends of the Dragonborn

...

Terran woke up with a headache, but in a warm, comfortable bed. Something he would never be able to afford on his own salary, that's for sure. Everything seemed so bright, but his vision eventually fixed itself. "Dovahkiin!" he heard a familiar voice shout. Tulip was on the eastern side of the room, staring at a small stack of jewels, obviously trying hard not to eat them. That is until Terran woke up, then she pounced right onto the bed in front of him, being careful not to get too close to him. She grinned widely as she tried to find a comfortable sitting position. 

"Princess Celestia said you needed to rest, and that you should be left alone, but I said that I was your bodyguard and I couldn't leave your side as long as you were vulnerable, so you're welcome!" Terran blinked, try to comprehend what she had just said, as his brain was working slower than usual after having been unconscious. 

"Umm... thanks?" he replied, gratefully. "How long..."

"At least three hours." Another voice interrupted. It was Princess Celestia. Her regal smile brightened the room. "Yes, I do believe your friend here was quite insistent on staying with you. A truly loyal bodyguard if I've ever seen one. In fact, it reminds me of a certain pony and dragon in particular." Tulip tried not to look to offended in the face of royalty, but she just couldn't let it slide.

"I'm a wyvern."

Celestia nodded. "Yes, I am quite aware." Princess Celestia frowned, looking towards Terran. "I am also aware of the ruckus you've made earlier. Were you aware of that you have held such power?"

Terran blinked in confusion. "Power?" he asked. "What power? You mean that... whatever that was after the dragons died? I don't know what that was."

"So you've never heard the legends of the Dragonborn?" Celestia asked. Terran had to dig deep inside his own mind. 

"I remember that Starswirl the Bearded was the last known Dragonborn..." he said. "And that the Dragonborn has the ability to kill a dragon, permanently." 

Celestia nodded again. "And absorb their soul, to channel it into a thu'um. A shout. Like what you did before you collapsed. That power must have been too much for you the first time you did it, but you'll get used to it, I'm sure."

"Wait..." Terran started. "Are you suggesting that I am Dragonborn? That's ridiculous. Starswirl never had any heirs." 

Then, as if on que, a new voice said, "You are correct. I have not had any heirs." It was low, old voice, but a cheery one. Suddenly, a grey unicorn, with a blue had and robe, and a long, white beard revealed himself. "Well, as far as I remember, I've never even been with a mare. Ho ho. But perhaps this was happenstance. A Dragonborn appears, just as we need one." 

Terran blinked, rubbed his eyes, and then blinked twice more. Was this real? Was this actually Starswirls the Bearded? He'd heard the rumors that he was back, but he didn't believe them. But here he is, standing right in front of him. "Uh... Mr. Bearded... I-I mean, Starswirl! I mean Starswirl the Bearded, er... what do you prefer?"

Starswirl raised a hoof. "Just Starswirl is fine."

"Hold on a minute." Terran said. "You think that I just became Dragonborn, the moment the dragons started rising against ponies?" 

Starswirl shook his head. "No no. Of course not. One does not just become Dragonborn. They have to be born with the blood in them. Which means, someone else must've been Dragonborn during my time, but never unlocked their full potential. But it seems that you have already started."

"So what makes me so special, to be this Dragonborn?" Terran inquired. 

"Well, you have the blood of a dovah." Tulip suggested. "Not to be rude or anything, but that's pretty much it." 

"Dovah?" Terran asked. 

"Dovahkiin, means Dragonborn in the dragon language. Coincidentally, we wyvern used to speak the same ancient language, and still learn about it in our land to this day."

"So that is how you can understand what Alduin is saying." Terran said. 

"Yup!" Tulip said, grinning proudly. "I know a little bit, but I am still young in a wyvern's life." Terran arched a brow. 

"And just how old are you?" 

Tulip thought for a moment. "Somewhere in my early thirties." Terran looked legitimately surprised. Wyverns were awfully rare in Equestria, mostly residing in an area called the Great Ravine Lands. Tulip gave a big, wide grin. Oh, it was joke. "Nah! Just kidding! I'm at least eighteen in pony years." 

"Huh..." Terran thought aloud. "So if I really am this... Dragonborn... what do I do next?" 

"I suppose that's up to you." Starswirl suggested. "But Alduin is still at large. So if you are going to stop him, you should at least learn what it means to be Dragonborn. I may be able to help you in part of that. But first, I would like to confirm what I hear. Come, let me taste of your voice." Starswirl and Terran move to an empty spot in the room. "Now... let me hear it." 

"Are... you sure about this?" Terran asked, concerned. 

"I may be old" Starswirl started. "But I am still Dragonborn. I can handle it." 

Terran shrugged, and took in a breath. Then, just like before, he shouted the single word from the wall. "FUS!" The shout carried past Starswirl. He didn't move an inch, but his robe and hat flowed in the gust of the shout. 

"Ah, yes." Starswirl said. "It seems you are indeed, Dragonborn. Tell me... where did you here this word?"

"During the battle with the dragons." Terran stated. "I crashed in front of... some sort of wall. It was... whispering to me. Then there was this glowing word. I couldn't read it at first, but once I got closer..."

"It felt like the language integrated into your mind?"

"Y-yeah. Is that how it was for you?"

Starswirl nodded. "I did not learn many words in my time, but I learned enough to know that this power is delicate. It could consume you if you let it control your actions. But it nothing to fear. Keep in mind that this power, is a tool. And if used properly, it can either bring the world together, or destroy it. The choice is yours." 

Tulip raised a wing. "Uh... I vote for bringing it together." Everpony looked down at her. "Just saying."

"What does this word... mean, exactly?" Terran asked.

"Fus" Starswirl said. "Is dragon tongue, for force. However, each shout can be used with a total of three words. Fus is the first word of the power of unrelenting force. I will now teach you the second word." Starswirl inhaled deeply, and then whispered at ground. "Ro!" 

Another word from the dragon tongue began to write itself into the floor between them. At first it looked like the ancient writing, but as Terran looked at it, the word became clearer to him. "Ro" he said, still trying to wrap this whole thing around his brain. 

"Ro" Starswirl said. "means balance. When you consume the soul of a dragon, you gain the knowledge to power a word that you have learned. I will now gift you my knowledge of the word... ro, or balance." Suddenly, it felt as if power was being transferred from Starswirl to Terran. "Now... shout at me again. This time, use fus and ro together. Go on now. I can take it."

"Fus... RO!" Terran shouted. This time, the shout was stronger. More powerful. 

"Yes. Yes!" Starswirl said. "Now, let's see how you learn an entirely new word. Follow me outside."

... 

Outside, it was dark out. The remains of the two dragons were still in the center of Canterlot. Tulip eyed them as if they were going to jump to life again. 

"I will now teach you the first word of the next shout." Starswirl said. "I want to charge at me."

"Charge... at you?" Terran questioned.

"Come on now. Charge."

Terran looked towards Celestia, who shrugged as if to say "He teaches in mysterious ways." Terran looked back Starswirl, and then began to charge when suddenly he heard Starswirl shout "TIID!" and suddenly, Starswirl was no longer in front of him, and Terran fell flat on his face. When he recovered, he looked around and realized that Starswirl was behind him. 

Terran's eyes widened. "How..." he started before Starswirl interrupted him.

"I just used the shout 'Slow Time'." Starswirl said. "With the manipulation of time, I was able to pace over here faster than your eyes could follow."

"Okay." Terran said. "Now I'm impressed."

"Tiid." Starswirl whispered the word at the floor, and just like before, Terran absorbed the word and the power into his mind. 

"Wow... so is it this easy for everyone, or just us?" Terran said, looking towards Celestia and Tulip. 

"The power of the thu'um can be taught." Starswirl said. "But it takes years of practice for a simple pony. And even then, ponies of the past have abused this power. I hope you would not make the same mistake."

"I don't even know what to do with this power." Terran said. "I want to stop Alduin, but I need to know my own limits."

Starswirl nodded. "Then explore them. Throw caution to the wind. But remember what you fight for, or you lose everything about you."

"Speaking of throwing caution to the wind," Terran started. "Princess, I would like to ask for full access to the Canterlot Crypts." 

"Oh?" Princess Celestia inquired, studying him. "May I as why you would need to be in a place like that? Official guild business?"

"Something like that." Terran said. "Princess Sparkle's student, Starlight Glimmer asked me to go there to find some sort of ancient stone tablet for her research into the dragons."

Celestia studied him further. "Hmm..." she said. "Very well. You may have full access to the crypts. However, I must warn you that not everything in there may be as inanimate as they seem."

Terran nodded. "I know. This isn't exactly my first spelunking trip." 

"You mean to say that that your life revolves solely around diving into dangerous dungeons?" Tulip observed. "Being a pegasus, I'd guess you have serious claustrophobia issues , but as a wyvern, I have really big wings, and small spaces make me vastly uncomfortable." 

"You're the one who asked to follow me, so don't you be complaining." Terran replied. "Besides, I had to spend three weeks in a dark dreary dungeon filled with many flesh eating creatures as a part of an initiation for the Guild of Knowledge." 

"I'm sure you've had plenty of space to move around, though." Tulip responded. "Remember how I said I've spent that same amount of time in the box, with no space at all?" 

"You don't have to come." Terran said. 

"And let you hog all the adventure?" Tulip replied. "No sir." 

... 

The entrance to the crypts was ominous and depressing. It was guarded by a white unicorn guard, with a red mane. When Terran showed his badge, the guard nodded, and let them through. 

Crypts in Equestria were highly dangerous. Anyone who would be caught inside one would be bombarded by reanimated corpses. This is actually a result of Equestria's magical influence, which allows the dead to rise if disturbed after long. That is why some ponies burn the remains of their dead, or bury them deep with their belongings, where no one will be attacked by them. 

There are also stories of vampires and the like. Other undead types that roam Equestria. Terran had his doubts, but in the back of his mind, he wandered if they were true. 

Entering the large tomb, the smell hit them instantly. Terran was used to it, but Tulip gagged a little. "Phew!" she said. "Smells like someone died in here. Oh, wait." Terran shot a glance at the grinning wyvern. "What?" 

As they descended, the smell got worse. But it wasn't just death and decay they smelled. "Is that... oil?" Terran's wyvern companion asked. 

"That may help in stopping any zombponies that we encounter." Terran suggested. "I have a flame spell at the ready, in case we need it." 

... 

Tulip was impressed by the architecture of the tomb, but more concerned with how old it. She kept tapping the walls every few minutes to make sure they were going to collapse on them. 

"These walls have been here for thousands of years." Terran commented. "It would take a really big explosion to make it fall on top of us." 

"You saw those traps back there, right?" Tulip replied. 

"You mean the ones that you triggered?" 

"Don't change the subject." 

"I wasn't." 

"Well what if there is some kinda bomb trap in here?"

"I highly doubt it."

Suddenly, they heard a noise. Stone moving against stone, and loud clanking sound. Tulip backed away as Terran peeked around the corner. In the middle of the next room, was a stone coffin, from which a rotting corpse of an earth pony began to crawl from. More corpses also began to crawl from little nooks in the walls.

Terran swung his sword at the nearest zombpony, cutting into it's chest. It pounced on him in retaliation, and with precision aim, Tulip dusted it with her lightning."And I thought you were the one doing all the fighting." she said, grinning.

Terran got to his hooves, and bucked one of the zombponies with his hind legs himself. "Tulip. Not the time!" he said, indignantly. He then picked up his sword and cut off the head of the third one. Tulip then disintegrated the one Terran kicked. 

"Be careful up ahead." Terran said. "I'm pretty sure there is more where those came from." 

"Can't I just dust all of them with lightning!" Tulip asked.

"You can try." Terran answered. "But I'm pretty sure many of the things down here are resistant to shock magic. See, zomponies, despite being dead, can still use magic of their own, and the best way to beat them is all up close and personal-like. You should leave that kind if stuff to me."

"Guess that makes sense." Tulip replied. "I mean after all, it takes magic to reanimate them, right?"

"That's a different kind of magic. It's like us breathing in oxygen, except they are breathing in mana, in an atmosphere of arcane properties." 

"I understood... most of that." 

"Basically, the only thing keeping them going is Equestria's magical field. But they're brains are all rotted, and they've all feeling or sense of reason." 

"That part I get, but why? What's the purpose? Aren't these kinds of things always supposed to happen for a reason? How does this benefit the natural world?" 

Terran thought about that for a moment. That's a question he'd never thought to ask. And he was pretty good at asking questions like that. "Huh." he blurted suddenly. "I don't actually know. I suppose it could be that they are reanimated to serve the element of darkness, but even then, that doesn't explain their artificial role. If something dies, it should obviously stay dead. But clearly, Equestria itself has other plans. I have to give you credit, though. That's a pretty good question to ask." 

"It's just something I tend to notice." Tulip said. "Like, why do we need the seasons? Or, how is Tartarus even a thing? What's up with those laylines?" 

"You know, you might be the smartest wyvern I've ever encountered." 

"I'm also the only wyvern you've ever encountered."

"Good point." 

... 

The farther they went, the more walking corpses they had to dispose of, and the more traps they had to get past, including a small gem on a pedestal that Tulip wanted to take, but it was trapped by a pressure plate. Terran knocked it off using his Unrelenting Force shout, and Tulip grabbed it and ate it.

"You know, that shouting thing comes in handy." Tulip said. "You think you'll get even more powers like that?"

"I don't know." Terran replied. "But I do know one thing. The Guild of Knowledge will definitely take an interest in it." 

"You make them sound like they'd want to do some kind of experiments, or dissect you or something." Tulip said, adding the fear of possibility into his head. 

"No, I don't think they would do that. More than likely, they'd want me to progress my power for their own benefit."

"Hey look! An opening."

There was, indeed, an opening, which lead into a cavern, untouched by ponies for a long, long time. Bats flew all around the cave, occasionally swooping over their heads. They noticed a large, metal coffin in the middle of the cave, and next to it, a chest. Terran opened the chest, finding gold bits, a plain gold necklace, and a steel armor helmet, which he didn't need.

"There's a friendly amount of gold here." Terran said. "But no tablet."

"You think that unicorn's information was wrong?" Tulip asked. 

"More likely something is here. Otherwise it wouldn't have been so well protected." 

"What about that... over there?" Tulip pointed to a wall, just like the one in the plaza of Canterlot, with all the words written in the dragon language. And just like the other one, was a single, glowing word. 

"Yol." Terran whispered as the word appeared to him. Behind him, the coffin's top hit the ground. 

"Terran, watch out!" Tulip cried. The zombpony came out slowly, but furiously. Terran thought this would be a good time to utilize his newly learned word. 

"YOL!" But nothing happened. Why didn't it work? He saw Alduin and the other dragons use it hundreds of times during battle in Canterlot. 

"Shouts are powered by dragon souls, remember?" Tulip said. "Use one of your other ones."

But it was too late. The zombpony unicorn only casted a single spell, and it sent Terran flying into the stone wall, causing it to collapse on him. Tulip tried to kill it with lightning, but the shock barely anything to it. 

"Fus..." the zompony said, with a gravely voice.. "RO DAH!" Tulip went flying back, but caught the wall with her talons. 

"Fus..." Terran said from inside the stone pile. "ROH!" The rocks on top of him flew off of him, one of the stones hitting the zombpony in the head, breaking it's neck. The zombpony stayed still for just a moment, and then toppled over. "Phew. That was rough. You alright, Tulip?" 

"How good of you to think of me." Tulip said. "But I'm fine. My scales may not be as armoring as a dragon's, but they can still stop sticks and stones." Tulip flew over, and noticed something sticking out of the coffin. "Hey! Check it out!"

Inside the coffin, was a large, stone tablet. It seemed to have some sort of map carved into it. "Inside the coffin, eh?" Terran said. "Clever." 

"You knew all along, didn't you?" Tulip guessed.

"Hey, I don't know everything." Terran replied. "For instance, how many wyverns does it take to change a light bulb?" He was grinning from ear to ear.

Tulip was less than impressed. "Ha ha. Sooo original." she said, rolling her eyes.

"Hey, just trying to lighten the mood. It's how I get by." 

"Yeah, I guess. But you're gonna make jokes, at least make it a good one. Like, why did the pegasus cross the road on hoof? Because a wyvern clipped his wings." 

"Hahaha! Okay, okay. I'll keep my terrible puns to myself, you take the lead and find the exit." 

...

Back in Ponyville, after a long flight, and a few rest stops, Terran was able to return to Starlight, with the dragon tablet. "Yes! This is exactly what I needed for my research!" she Squealed. "Now for your payment, I promised you an ice spike spell, didn't I?" 

"That would be correct." Terran said. Starlight gave him the spell, and began studying the tablet. "So, any knowledge on what it all means?" 

"Well," Starlight began. "it seems my earlier assumption was correct. It is a map of some sort. But I do not yet see the connection between any of these locations. Maybe if I ask Twilight? She's so busy already, though. I'm rambling. I have another favor to ask." 

"Shoot." 

Starlight pulled out a map of Equestria, and placed a hoof on a specific area in the south eastern parts of Equestria. "This spot here," Starlight said. "Is where a piece of the tablet indicates to. I would like you to check out that area, and report whatever you find to me. I will pay you a great sum of bits." 

"Th-that spot?" Terran asked. "There?"

"Yeah." Starlight said. "Something wrong?" 

"That area..." Terran began. "That's where the Guild of Knowledge resides." 

To be continued...
> Chapter 5~ Returning Home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Terrarian Pony

...

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 5

Returning Home

...

The flight to the Guild of Knowledge was rather moody. It was raining a lot, which usually Terran didn't mind. He trained to fly easily in almost any weather condition. However, Terran was less than enthusiastic about reporting back to the guild. 

The guild master of the Guild of Knowledge, Torque the Inquisitive, everypony called him, was more concerned with results than with the safety of his own ponies, as well as having no qualms with prying into other ponies' business out of paranoia. Torque had always looked over his shoulders as if he expects that somepony was was spying on him. For this reason he also often referred to as the "paranoid old fool" of the guild, which in retrospect is highly inappropriate behavior for a guild master, and is most likely brought up at several guild council meetings. Despite this, nopony gives any effort to do anything about it, leaving the ponies of the Guild of Knowledge to suffer from a over intuitive guild master.

The official guilds of Equestria are all somewhat connected, despite their various differences. The guild masters have each come together to form a council. In the middle of the council, is the grand master, which in this case, is Runneth Belbottom. Grand Master Belbottom oversees all of the guild masters', and their actions, as well as getting rid of them if they do not follow regulation.

The guild was built on a tall hill, with stairs going up to it. Unlike most guilds, it was built somewhere away from civilization, mostly to contain experiments that are likely to end up in minor disaster. The guild is allowed to conduct said experiments, as long as they are kept within the brick wall erected around the guild. 

As they landed in the courtyard, Terran and Tulip noticed a few of the scholars hard at work. An old, tall, pale unicorn, with a short, blue mane and a goatee came up to them. He looked as though he'd been working with amateurs for the past eight hours, which was practically his job as a trainer of the Guild of Knowledge. His cutie mark was of a book and quill, opened to a page with a picture of the night sky. Specifically, the north star. Terran always wandered how a pony gets that for a cutie mark. This here, was Earl Henderson, the second oldest stallion (But not second oldest pony) in the guild. He smiled as soon as he saw Terran. 

"Terran." he said. "Welcome back to the guild. I trust you delivered the message to Bluehorn." 

Terran nodded. "That I have." he said. "There were some... obstacles, however."

"Nothing too stressful I hope." 

"Wouldn't be the first time I've been placed into a slave camp. Not to mention the dragons that have been popping up left and right." 

Earl's face made a nervous expression. "I've heard about Canterlot." he whispered. 

"Wow," Tulip butted in. "Word really does travel fast with you guys?" 

"Ah, and is your Wyvern friend?" Earl asked. 

"This is Tulip." Terran answered. "She has been assisting me recently. Tulip, this is Professor Earl Henderson, the brain trainer in the guild, and experimentation enthusiast, as well as one of my closest colleagues." 

"Anyone who can pronounce WYVERN properly is a friend of mine." Tulip said with a grin. 

"So if you've heard about the attack on Canterlot," Terran continued. "Then perhaps you've heard about what exactly happened in Canterlot?" 

"Officially, I know nothing." Earl answered. "Unofficially, I hear that a dragonborn has been found. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, now would you?" 

"Officially..." Terran said. "Of course not." 

"Good. Hopefully not too many ponies within the guild have realized the development. Otherwise, you would most likely be reassigned right away." 

"That is why I'm hoping to get out of here as soon as possible. I am here because I am looking for something." Terran rummaged through his saddlebag to find a scroll which has been shaded over on top of the stone tablet to copy the original map. As he walked over to sit down, Terran unraveled the scroll, and pointed to the exact spot that Starlight Glimmer wanted him to check out. "I need to see what's over here." 

Earl gave him a confused look. "You mean the that big eyesore of a dirt pile?" he asked. "What could possibly be there that is so interesting? Where did you even find a map like this?" 

"In Canterlot, I found what seemed to be a stone tablet, that may or may not have something to do with the dragons." Terran said. 

"Well then." Earl said with a grin. "I trust you know what you are doing. I will go with you." 

"You professor, doing field work?" Terran asked. 

"You know me. I want to see the development in such a quest. I'm a bit tired of sitting with common Delinquents." 

...

The location was close to the guild. It was a large mound of dirt, seemingly insignificant. Perhaps not, though. Terran and Earl studied the mound, as if it were a monkey with wings, but they couldn't find any significance. 

"Welp, I'm all out of ideas." Terran said. "Maybe we should dig it up?" 

Earl's eyes went wide. "By the sisters, no!" he exclaimed. "The previous guild masters forbade it. As to why, I am not certain, but..." 

"Um, guys." Tulip interrupted. "We got biiig company." 

A large shadow past over them, and they watched as the colossal figure of Alduin landed beside the dirt mound, and began speaking to it. "Sahloknir, ziil gro dovah ulse!" he spoke. "Slen Tiid Vo!"

As the last three words came out if his mouth, something began to crawl it's way out of the mound. It was the skeleton of a dragon, half the size of Alduin. As the dragon spoke, blue and green dragon scales began to form around the skeleton, creating a whole dragon. "Alduin, thuri!" Sahloknir replied. "Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik?" 

"Geh, Sahloknir, kaali mir." Alduin answered, then turned to Terran. "Ful, losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi. You do not even know our tongue, do you? Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah." Alduin turned back to Sahloknir, wings spread as if getting ready to fly. "Sahloknir, krii daar joorre." Alduin began to fly away, and Sahloknir turned to them with a sinister grin.

"Tulip..." Terran said. "translation please."

"Basically," Tulip answered. "get ready for one heck of a fight."

"Blunt and humorous." Earl said. "I like it."

The blue and green dragon roared, before taking to the sky, and using the fire breath shout. Terran, earl and Tulip ran out of the way, and Terran took to the sky as well. He pulled out his sword as Tulip began to charge a lightning attack, but the dragon, despite his size, was quick, and appeared behind Tulip in an instant.

"I never fought a wyvern before." Sahloknir said. "This should be a nice warmup." FO KRAH DIIN!!!" A plume of frost breath came from the dragon's mouth, towards Tulip, enveloping her in frosty winds. Terran was quick to act, stabbing Sahloknir in the neck, but failing to fully penetrate his scales.

"You think a tiny toothpick will penetrate my natural armor? You have to be the mo- AAAAAGH!!!" Tulip, cold and shivering, still managed to endure the cold from the frost breath, and put a claw to Sahloknir's face, leaving a scar over his left eye. She then circled around, and zapped him with lightning. 

Earl came up under the dragon, and cast a scales piercing spell, hitting the dragon in it's stomach. Sahloknir roared in fury, claws swiping every which way. Finally, Terran put a final push of his blade into the dragon's head, killing him. After Terran landed, the same thing that happened with the last two dragons happened. He began to absorb Sahloknir's soul, and his scales and flesh began to fade.

...

"So the rumors are true then." Earl asked. "How splendid." 

They were inside Earl's personal office. It was decorated with skeleton models, and posters of magical lay line observations and references on mana manipulation.

"You don't really think anything of this do you?" Terran asked. Alduin is just a dragon. Surely he can die just like one."

Earl shook his head. "Alduin is all but invincible. It is said that can only be defeated by somepony of a chosen few."

Terran arched his brow, and spread his wings for dramatic effect. "Oh thanks. You make me feel like one in a million."

"Of course, you'd still have to defeat Alduin. It won't be as easy as you think."

"I bet it's easier than it sounds." Tulip said. "Did you see the way he retreated? Twice! I think he's scared of you."

"I have no doubt Alduin is in fear of me." Terran replied. "Weather or not he is right to be afraid of one such as myself, is another matter entirely. Alduin does, however, seem to recognize that I no clue as to the speech of his kind."

"Well that's where I come in." Tulip suggested. "We wyverns, after all, have speak in a similar language. Though a version of their language, I can make out almost anything the dragons are saying."

"A useful companion you have." Earl commented. "Almost makes me consider hiring an aid for my classes. Almost."

"What should we do from here, then." Terran asked. 

"Well, I would suggest going back to this Starlight Glimmer you spoke of." Earl said, enthusiastically. "Perhaps she can decipher the meaning between the map, and the dragon burial site."

"That reminds me," Terran said. "how did we not know about the dragon beneath our feet all this time?"

"To be fair," said Earl. "it really just looks like a large mound. Even our most enthused historians couldn't bother to dig it up. Which means that this is something the squires will want to investigate it right away."

"They'll also want to investigate that shouting, and why there is a big dragon skeleton in their backyard." Tulip observed. "And it was only about a minute or so before we walked right in. They're going to put two and two together."

Earl frowned. "They will ask questions, and there is no doubt the guild master will have some sort of task for you. I hate to say it, but you'll have to check in with the guild master."

...

The guild master, Torque the Inquisitive, was a dirty-red unicorn, wearing gray robes, as well as a twitchy expression as he always did. He never showed his cutie mark, but one could imagine that it had nothing to do with kind manners, as the first thing he said when Terran entered was "What in Tartarus' second sister took you so long! Is that a dragon!? What have you been up to!?"

"Wow." Tulip declared with an impressed look on her face. "Forget the confusion between dragon and wyvern. What's wrong with this guy's face? I've never seen anyone's eyes pop out like that." 

"I don't know if you've noticed, Torque..." Terran started. 

"That's Guild Master Torque the Inquisitive to you!" 

"... I've been out, getting kidnapped by slavers, chased by red and black assassins, and getting my tail cremated by dragons. I don't have time for your self righteousness and paranoia!" 

"Don't you take that tone with me." the guild master said, ignoring every other word. "You knew what you were signing up for when you came here. Weather you're eaten by chimera or impaled by manticores is not our problem. Your job is to identify valuable intelligence, and report back here. Anything else that happens is just a hazard that comes with the job." 

"You sit up here, high on your throne." Terran said, daringly, with a hissing tone. "While the rest of us do all the real work. You want to know what goes on out there? See for yourself. There are dragons in the sky! And not only that, they're coming back to life!" 

"You speak preposterous." 

"I speak what I see. I can show you proof. There's a dead dragon that rose from the huge mound in our own back yard." 

"Sounds like an unfortunate turn of events. But I do not see the problem." 

"The problem..." Terran said. "is that I have wind shooting out of my mouth ten miles per second. You think killing a dragon is hard? Try being chased by the original alpha." 

"Technically, we've chasing him." Tulip said matter of factly. Terran gave her a look that said this was not the time. Her lips sealed closed. 

"The original alpha, you say?" Torque inquired. "Alduin, was it? If that's so, then there is a good chance he came back for a reason. I want you to find out what that reason is, and decide the fate of the original dragon lord." 

"Decide his fate?" Terran asked, confused. "That doesn't sound like you at all. It's clear that Alduin wants to take over Equestria. He said as much to Princess Celestia." 

"I presume there is a compromise." Torque said. "After all, we have no chance against him." 

"He really doesn't know, does he?" Tulip wandered. "I thought word spreads quick to these guys." 

"What is your pet talking about?" Torque asked.

"Alright, being called a dragon is one thing." Tulip said. "But pet? That's just insulting. I'm going to wait outside, before I decide to throw a rock at this guy."

Tulip exited the room, leaving the two ponies to sort this out. 

"I'm the dah-gon dragonborn, you crazed fool!" 

"You?" the guild master laughed. "Dragonborn? Ha! Perhaps the day I reveal my cutie mark! You expect me to believe that mumbo jumbo? Sure, why don't you tell me about the manticore and the cockatrice that kissed while you're at it! I don't care what you are... I gave you an assignment. Get it done! Go!" 

...

Back at Twilight's castle, Starlight didn't seem too shocked at the revelation of dragons coming back to life. "Just what I thought." she said. "This dragon tablet seems to be a map of dragon burial sites." 

"Wait wait wait." Terran interrupted. "You're telling me... that you knew about the dragon, and you didn't tell me?" 

"I may have... had a sneaking suspicion." she said, grinning sheepishly. "But you're alive! That's what matters, right?" Terran rolled his eyes, displeased. "Okay, okay. I'll double your pay. Sound good?" 

Terran sighed. "Sure." 

"Here." Starlight said, handing Terran a bag of bits. It felt like a total of at least three hundred. "If you aren't busy, I do have another task for you." 

"How did I know that was the next thing that would come out of your mouth?" Terran asked. 

"It's possible that you predicted as much based on my body language." she answered. She then tilted her head and brought a hoof up to scratch it. "Or perhaps it's just mercenary instinct?" 

Terran facehoofed. "It was rhetorical." 

"Oh." Starlight said. "Right."

"Just... what do you want?" 

"Okay, okay. So... there is this pony I think you should meet. They've been looking for someone like you."

"Like me?" 

"Well, I don't mean to be blunt, but they said something about you being... Dragonborn?" 

"Fair enough. Who are they?" 

Starlight frowned. "They refused to tell me their name." 

"Well then, now I'm doubly interested." Terran said. Did they at least say where they went?" 

Starlight nodded. "Mount Everhoof, he said. That's where you'll meet him." 

"You mean Mount HIGHEST FREAKIN PEAK IN EQUESTRIA!!!" Tulip interrupted. Starlight grinned sheepishly. She knew they wouldn't care for that answer.

Terran sighed. "I guess I'm going to Mount Everhoof." 

... 

To be continued...
> Chapter 6~ The Harsh Winds
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Terrarian Pony

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 6

The Harsh Winds

...

Terran and Tulip decided to stay a night at the local inn, called the Golden Mane. Terran set his belongings on a small table beside his bed, and Tulip was already curled up on hers. She lifted her head from the sheet, and said "It's no comfy mountain, but least it's more comfortable than The Box."

This was true. The Box smelled like something curled up and died in there, which for all they know, something could have died in there. "Mount Everhoof is pretty high." Terran said, knowing full well that was understatement. "You sure you can make the trip?"

"I've got nothin better to do." Tulip said with a scrunched face. The sound of rain outside became louder, and they heard the booming of thunder in the distance. It was a good thing they decided not to fly at night, through the storm. "Besides, someone's gotta keep your tail from being singed to a stub."

Terran actually managed to crack a smile. "Heh. I have to admit... having you around, you've saved my life a few times. It's a wander how I ever survived before now. Wander if I'll ever be able to return the favor sometime."

"You did get me out of The Box, which I have been trapped in for three weeks."

"Technically, the humongous dragon saved you then."

"Yeah, but sometimes a made up story sounds better. Being saved by your natural enemy, just sounds embarrassing."

"True. Well, I'm going to get some shut eye. Night Tulip."

"I guess I could get some sleep, even though my sleep cycle is only a couple weeks away. Night."

...

Terran kept looking back. He wasn't usually as paranoid as the Guild Leader, but something felt odd. Like they were being followed. He beckoned to Tulip to speed up her flight, despite her already struggling to keep up with him, but she tried her best. The closer they came to Mount Everhoof, a new silhouette appeared behind the clouds. Large silhouettes, with large wings. Like a dragon. 

One of the silhouettes became bigger, and a dragon with grey scales, and bright green eyes, burst through the clouds. But before her scale even showed, Terran yelled "Tulip! That one there! Zap 'em!" Tulip opened her mouth, and a charge of lightning hit the now visible dragon straight in it's chest.

The dragon roared with a breath of fire. She lofted for a moment, holding her chest, and coughed up flames as the other dragons began to descend. Once the dragon stopped coughing, she joined the others. A bright red dragon with amber eyes, swiped at Terran's left wing, but missed. He pulled out his spell want, and cast the ice spike spell towards the offending dragon. It merely made a dent in the dragon's scales.

As Terran readied his sword, Tulip landed atop the back of an ice dragon, and began to climb her up his neck. Terran swung wildly, warding off the offending dragons surrounding him. One of them grabbed the blade out of his firehooves, and began picking his teeth with it, and flung it away, grinning.

Dragon:" Thanks. I needed that. Now can we get this over with, please?"

The ice dragon screamed in horror as Tulip gouged his right eye, and tore it from it's socket. Terran felt the urge to vomit, but avoided doing so best he could.

Terran:" Tiid!"

The time slow shout slowed time around him for a moment. He wasn't trying to use it as an attack advantage, but use the moment to plan his next attack while the dragons around him were distracted by Tulip's shenanigans. Looking at his situation, the only way out of this situation was to leave Tulip, and escape on his own. He couldn't do that, though. He was too easily attached for that. The only way to they would both make it out alive is by some miracle.

Suddenly, a large, white dragon, almost as big as Alduin, began to blot out Celestia's eternal sun. It's eyes were a deep red, and he seemed furious. It was all over, for both of them.

White dragon:" Dovah! Bovul nu uv dir!"

The red dragon turned with a look of shock.

Red dragon:" Paarthurnax? Hi kriist wah Dovah?"

Tulip:" Against dovah? Wait what?"

Paarthurnax:" The war is over! Alduin is a false dragon lord!"

Red dragon:" False?! Alduin is the true lord of dovah!"

Paarthurnax spread his wings wide, and thunder ripped through the sky behind him.

Paarthurnax:" Ruz hi dir mid wah aan thur."

The white dragon sucked in a deep breath, and Tulip flung herself toward Terran, and they both descended.

Paarthurnax:" YOOOOOOOOOOOLLL!"

Of course, dragon scales, with the exception for ice dragon scales, are resistant to fire, but they aren't immune. Terran and Tulip watched from a cloud as the large dragon burned away at the smaller dragons. At least three of them perished shortly afterward. The rest of them decided to turn tail and flee. Paarthurnax flapped there for a moment before turning to Terran and Tulip. His gaze was almost paralyzing, as if being stuck in a trance of death, and completely unaware of anything else. 

Paarthurnax:" Bo voth zu'u fod hi laan wah lahney. Top of the mountain." 

With that, the large dragon flew off. 

Terran:" Tulip? Translation?" 

Tulip:" That one was a little rough, but... I think he wants us to follow him to the top of Mount Everhoof." 

Terran:" Then he may be just person we are suppose to meet. Let's descend. We're getting close to the mountain, and we don't want to fly in the harsh blizzards." 

... 

As they climbed, the weather was extremely adamant on pulling them with it. The cold was rough, and unbearable. The chilling wind froze them to their bones, but they kept on. It was a good thing Terran brought some warm clothing for himself, and something that could somewhat decently fit Tulip. It would be at least three days and nights before they even reached halfway up the mountain, and along the way, getting into fights with beasts that would have been so much easier to get through had they not been freezing. Eventually, they decided that they would spend an entire day, resting in a deep cave somewhere on the mountain. 

As cold as it was, it was somewhat comfortable. Terran had went outside at some point to gather wood, and Tulip struck it with lightning to make a warm fire. The very next day, they went off again, and reached the summit in a day and a half. 

They reached a clearing at the summit. The wind was harshest here, but it wasn't blowing on them. Something was holding it back, away from the clearing, as if there was some sort of magic presence here, not necessarily from a pony, but something with a more potent essence. There was, in fact, more sunlight here, than there was at the foot of the mountain. Suddenly, there was a huge blot in the sky. Something with wings that stretched for miles. It was the same dragon that "helped" them just before they reached the mountain. It hovered over them for a long moment, flapping it's rather large, leather wings, as it curiously observed them. Finally, the dragon gave a huge grin, and spoke in a booming, but wise tone.

Paarthurnax:" Dovahkiin. It is nice to finally speak to someone after so long. I am Paarthurnax. Please, do make yourself comfortable."

The large dragon gestured towards a small cave, with a fire set up, and a couple of comfortable-looking slabs of stone, as if placed there just for a pony and a small wyvern. Terran walked over and rested his body on one of the slabs, and Tulip on the other. 

Paarthurnax:" I must say, I am surprised to see a wyvern up here. I almost scorched you along with the rest of those dragons before I remembered that our fight with the wyverns was ages ago."

Tulip:" Technically, we still aren't on good terms with dragons."

Paarthurnax:" Well, I do not fight for my kind anymore. You are safe here. As for you..." 

The rather large dragon turned to the pegasus.

Paarthurnax:" Ah... you have much work ahead of you. You thought climbing this mountain was no easy feat? Alduin himself is a menace. But you should expect nothing less from the original dragon lord." 

Terran:" About that, is he really the first?" 

Paarthurnax thought on that for a moment, then answered. 

Paarthurnax:" Before Alduin, we did not have a lord. We either had kings vying for the others' thrones, or independent dragons, looking for power of their own to control. But to answer your question, yes. Alduin is the first dragon lord, his power... unmatched. But that is why you are here, is it not?" 

Terran:" I'm not exactly sure. Everyone seems to think I am some kind of... dragonborn."

Paarthurnax:" Hmm... We shall see. Have at me then. Let me taste of your voice. Go on, I can take it." 

Terran took a deep breath, and used his Unrelenting Force shout. Paarthurnax staggered slightly, but then laughed, spreading his wings, and holding his talons on his chest. 

Paarthurnax:" Ho ho! Yes! It has been generations! I actually feel warmer just hearing the thu'um of a dovah." 

Terran:" But I am not a dragon." 

Paarthurnax:" Perhaps not a true dragon. The lack of leather and scales proves that much. But I have no doubt that you would prove yourself worthy of earning the title of dovahkiin. But there is much untapped potential, yet an I see an unwillingness to learn." 

Terran:" More rather I feel like no one should have this kind of power. I don't much like the idea of using it to my own advantage." 

Paarthurnax:" You are right to be afraid of this power. However, using power, and abusing it are far from the same." 

Terran:" Are you saying I should use it?"

Paarthurnax:" I'm saying that all of your actions have consequences. If you refuse to use your power, Alduin is likely to rule Equestria. If you do use your gift, you are likely to fuel your power, and attempt to rule Equestria yourself. But if you stay true to you know is right, you may obtain your goal, or find yourself in the belly of the beast without a weapon." 

Terran:" That's a lot of ifs and maybes. From what you are telling me, it doesn't sound like I have a clear path ahead of me." 

Paarthurnax narrowed his eyes. 

Paarthurnax:" The paths in front of you are never clear. Your folks would likely tell you that your life is laid out for you from the moment you were born, and everything happens for a reason. The truth is, nothing is certain. There isn't a single road to follow, a simple equation to solve. We cannot just simply glimpse into the future and say. 'That. That is what is going to happen next.' Life isn't a book that you've read a hundred times over. We can never truly know what is going to happen, until it happens." 

Terran:" Or unless we follow the events leading up to that moment. But even then, the words between the lines are blurry." 

Paarthurnax nodded, solemnly. 

Paarthurnax:" That is unfortunate truth." 

Tulip:" Umm... are we still talking about Terran and how he is supposed to kill Alduin?" 

Terran:" What he means to say, is that it is not simply destiny for me to kill Alduin, just because I am the dragonborn. That the future is full of uncertainty, and there is no way to know that Alduin will be defeated. It all burrows down to what factors into the solution, versus what fuels the flame of the problem." 

Tulip:" This doesn't make any sense, will he kill the dragon lord, or not?" 

Paarthurnax pondered that question for a moment, looking off to the side while stroking his chin. 

Paarthurnax:" I do not believe Alduin can be killed. But I believe he can be beat." 

Tulip:" Do all intelligent people sound this unintelligent?" 

Terran grinned, knowingly. 

Terran:" That answer, for certain, is yes." 

Tulip:" So now there's two of you. Great." 

Terran:" Starlight Glimmer sent me here. Said I would meet someone who can help me." 

Paarthurnax:" I do not know of this, Starlight Glimmer, but she sounds as if she has done a bit of research. I can help you on your path, but you must choose it on your own." 

Suddenly, there was a sound of something large landing behind Paarthurnax. 

Paarthurnax:" Zeymah." 

Paarthurnax turned slowly, revealing the unholy sight of the familiar structure of Alduin. Terran stood up immediately, eyes wide as the large dragon grinned down at him, but his stance turned to one ready to attack, but Paarthurnax spread a wing out to stop him, without looking down at the pegasus. 

Paarthurnax:" You are unwelcome here. Leave this place of peace." 

Alduin:" Fent hi kod tol ni dovah tinvaak, Paarthurnax? It is highly disgusting." 

Paarthurnax:" Why does this language disgust you so?" 

Paarthurnax grinned. 

Paarthurnax:" Ah. Now I remember. Too many words to put in your vocabulary, isn't it, o'mighty lord of the dragons?" 

Alduin frowned, then pointed a talon at Paarthurnax. 

Alduin:" You know I have no problems killing you, Zeymah." 

He then leveled his pointed talon at the green pony. 

Alduin:" I just came to relay a message to this one. My retreat in Canterlot was not a mere act of weakness. More rather, I was surprised at the revelation of a new Dovahkiin. It threw my plan out of balance, therefore I had to make a quick retreat, and think of a new plan." 

Terran:" That makes sense. But still, even if there wasn't a dragonborn there waiting to suddenly discover himself, why risk attacking Canterlot of all places? I mean, of course you would eventually go there, but... wouldn't you want more dragons for that takeover?" 

Alduin grinned widely, his eyes equally as wide, spreading his claws and his wings out. 

Alduin:" And risk showing my full hand? Oh, nonononono. Besides, these things take time. The only reason I attacked then is test the defenses. Not that I was impressed, not until you started showing me the error of my ways." 

Terran:" Surely there isn't any reason we can't all get along. A quest for power is utterly pointless." 

Alduin frowned again, this time with a scowl as ugly as a bugbear. 

Adluin:" So is a quest for adventure and knowledge, but that doesn't seem to stop you. Power is the only thing that matters! After all, someone has to be in control. The difference is decided by whom earns the position of control. Celestia has not earned her throne anymore than a rat deserves a piece of cheese." 

Parthurnaax:" You compare Celestia to a rodent, but rodents take, and that is all you ever did."

Alduin:" Zu'u los aan jun! Zu'u dreh ol Zu'u paar!"

Paarthurnax:" Hi los nid jun! A true king would provide safety for his subjects. Your war nearly caused our extinction!"

Alduin:" That is... nearly. There were still Dovah after the war. Obviously there was enough to avoid extinction. You always did over exaggerate all the bloodshed."

Paarthurnax:" Mu los oblaan het, Zeymah. Leave this place."

Alduin gave a grimace at Paarthurnax, but began to turn away, raising his wings in preparation for flight.

Alduin:" Fine. Have fun playing with your pathetic pony, Paarthurnax, while the rest of us are doing the real work."

Paarthurnax didn't look back as Alduin flew off. There was a long silence before Tulip broke it.

Tulip:" Ahem. Well, nobody else is going to address the elephant... or rather, dragon on the mountain, so I guess I will have to do it. That dragon. You called him Zeymah. If I'm not mistaken, that means brother." 

Paarthurnax sighed and nodded. 

Paarthurnax:" It is true. Alduin is... or rather, was my brother. It is true that I did fight by his side before. But it does not mean I have not sought redemption, for both mine, and his actions. I was fooled into thinking ponies were beneath us. That we were made to rule over all life. Back then, I had killed many of your kind, pony, as well as yours, wyvern. But I am not the same creature I was then, and I promise, I will do no further harm to your, or any kind. I have chosen a path... of tranquility."

Terran:" I forgive you, Paarthurmax. But you can only redeem yourself. Alduin will have to seek redemption on his own, and of his own accord."

Paarthurnax:" I know. Well, I've taken quite enough of your time. Allow me to fly you off of the mountain."

Tulip:" Um, yeah, about that..."

Tulip waved her claws at the big, towering dragon.

Tulip:" ...yeah, still not clear on where we gotta go next. Wanna fill us in?"

Terran:" Ah, yes. That would be nice."

Paarthurnax tapped his spiky chin with a claw. Then stopped tapping, looked down, opened his mouth hesitatingly, then closed it. Then opened it again.

Paarthurnax:" There is... one place."

Terran:" Alright, where is it?"

Paarthurnax:" I'm afraid I can not take you too close."

Terran:" Why not?"

Paarthurnax:" There is a group... and they not too enthusiastic about dragons."

...

To be continued...
> Chapter 7~ Warriors of the Old Times
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Terrarian Pony

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 7

Warriors of the Old Times

...

Paarthurnax, true to his word, brought the two of them most of the way. They went past the Everfree Forest, even past the old castle of the two alicorn sisters. Paarthurnax dropped them off there, and told them to continue southeast.

"Thank you, Paarthurnax." Terran said, gratefully. "Hopefully we will meet again."

"Of this, I have no doubt." Paarthurnax said with a grin before flying back to his mountain. As the two of them made their way southeast, Terran was slightly upset that he couldn't study the old castle, but he understood that there was more at stake then just knowledge.

The path was dark. Darker than the Everfree Forest. Somehow, even scarier as well. He didn't know why, but Terran felt a distinct urge to look behind him. When he did, he saw two yellow eyes, surrounded by the silhouette of a pony. Assassin? Maybe someone was just lost. Or maybe...

"I think we need to move a little faster." Terran suggested.

"I don't like this place." Tulip said, anxiously.

"Well, we're already halfway through. Let's keep going, but quick."

Tulip starts flying while Terran quickens to a slow trot. The trees looked as though they had been burned to charcoal, and the sky had a red tint to it. Terran felt something in the air. It was ominous and terrifying. The eyes of several pony-like figures were on them, but they were making a scream that no pony could ever make. Suddenly, one jumped out of a bush and hooked onto Tulip, gnawing on her wing, growling ferociously. "AH!" Tulip yelled in panic. "TERRAN HELP! GET THIS THING OFF ME!"

Terran skidded to a stop and looked back at the endangered wyvern. The creature looked like some sort of zombpony, but there was something different about it. It was charred, and wore a knights' helm and other gear, and it's eyes were glowing yellow instead of the usual bloodshot red. There was a dark aura around it, giving off smoke. It had wings, indicating pegasus, but they were so worn to the bone, that the creature couldn't fly if it wanted to. 

As Terran ran after Tulip to save her, he was jumped by a creature wearing the same apparel. Except this one looked like a unicorn, it's horn twisted and bent, but it emitted a faint glow, keeping Terran in place as it attacked his right foreleg. He screamed in pain as more of the creatures came out to feast on them. Tulip was being pulled on either side by the things. Terran looked desperately for a way out of this, but couldn't. The smoke was blurring his vision, and he couldn't get free of the spell. It was all over. They were finished. Or maybe... maybe there was one hope. 

"Fus... RO!!!" The word came out like the sound of thunder. The burned creatures were pushed back slightly, and Terran's aim was just right that he made the creatures attacking Tulip flinch enough that she was able to get free, and gain enough time to charge up and zap the creatures into dust. Terran was still held in place however, using his unrelenting force shout to knock the creatures away.

"Terran!" Tulip shouted. "Fire! Fire!" 

Fire? Terran thought, mildly confused. What fire? Wait a minute... Terran remembered Paarthurnax, and a couple of other dragons shouting a word before using their spitting flames from their mouths. Paarthurnax also gave him the ability to use said word. But somehow he couldn't remember the word he'd had used. 

"What was the word!?" 

Tulip zapped another one of the creatures, attempting to defend herself. "Yol!" she screamed. "The word..." ZAP "was yol!" 

That's right! It took all of Terran's strength to turn his paralyzed head towards the undead unicorn that was immobilizing him. Soon after, he shouted so loud, Paarthurnax could probably hear it from Mount Everhoof. "YOL!" 

A burst of flames caused the creature break it's concentration. It didn't scream as it was being burned, but Terran could tell it was getting weaker. Finally, it slumped to the ground. Unfortunately, using the fire breath shout took a lot more energy from him then unrelenting force, so it would take longer for him to recover from the shout. But Tulip swooped in, zapping the pony-like creatures until Terran could recharge. One last burst of flames, and the creatures had finally begun to back away into the forest. Terran was out of breath now, and so was Tulip. 

"Th-that's... strange. Zombponies don't retreat." Terran quickly observed. 

"Hey, let's not besmirch this blessing." Tulip said. 

"Agreed. Let's go before more come." 

... 

The forest clearing was just ahead of them. Finally they were out of the creepy forest. They saw, just up a hill, there was what seemed to be a lodge. It was broken down, and ruined, and there seemed to be some sort of traps lying about. Wooden spikes, pitfalls, and bear traps. Ancient runes were placed to fend off... something. Perhaps the same creatures that attacked in the forest. But what had happened, then? Terran began on the path, up the house, carefully avoiding any obstacles. "We have wings, you know." Tulip pointed out, matter of factly. 

Terran looked back at her. "I need to figure out what happened here." Terran said, aching to use his skills of deduction for something other than witty humor"That may require some risks." 

"Well, good luck with that. I'll... meet you there." Tulip took off, but Terran was too fixated on his study of the runes to even hear her leave. Runes were a form of writing, yes. But they were also used in spells. Usually for traps, or the occasional exorcism. He couldn't read runes, however. They were far too complex to understand. He doubted that anyone in the world would even know how to read these anymore. He kept going, frequently stopping to examine small details. Armored zombpony impaled on a spike, a recently dead bird, a broken spear... 

He made his way to a set of concrete stairs. In his way, was the skeleton of an armored pony with arrows in his back. The armor was rusted, and one of the arrows seemed to have pierced through the back of their neck, and straight through their mouth. That was the killing blow, he was sure of it. Who were these ponies? And what were they fighting for? 

"Get away from me you freaks!" Tulip yelled in panic. "Gah! Take that! Ack!" 

Terran hurdled the skeleton, and suddenly felt something grasp at his leg. He came to the ground with a slam. He looked behind him to see the skeleton had come to life and grabbed him in it's hooves. He kicked the thing, and it let go. 

He flew over to where Terran heard Tulip yell, right by the entrance to the lodge. She was being held and bound by a small group of skeleton ponies. Leather braces kept her wings strapped to her side, and she had a muzzle. 

"FUS!" 

The skeletons were knocked back, and collapsed to pieces. Terran landed right in front of Tulip. "Are you hurt?" 

"Just my dignity!" Tulip shouted. "What kinda weirdo bounds a wyvern in leather! Might as well wave a metal rod in the air and say 'OH! ME! ME! ZAP ME!' Morons!" 

The bones from the skeleton began to reform into ponies again. Terran pulled Tulip behind him, and stood posed in a defense position. Suddenly, a voice came from the lodge. 

"Dragonborn." A youthful-looking soldier pony with armor came from the front door. As the others reformed, they stood at attention. It was a male, pale-blue unicorn, with brown eyes, and a purple mane. "It's been so long since we've met one of your kind." 

"Okay... not creepy at all." Tulip said, brow raised. 

"Please tell me I didn't just walk into the remnants of a long dead cult who worships dragonborns." Terran said. 

"Not quite." the strange pony said. "Although, we were a group tasked with protecting the dragonborn. Unfortunately, the previous one we had, sacrificed himself to lock away a great evil, and he had no heirs. But you are here now, hmm? Let me guess... the world is coming to an end once more?" 

"Maybe, question mark?" Terran said, with a scrunched look. 

"Did you really just say question mark?" Tulip asked, rolling her eyes. 

"Alduin is back. A uh... friend, said that you could help me? Though, it looks like you guys have seen better days yourselves." 

"I cannot deny that truth." the strange pony admitted. "We are no longer fit to be who we once were. Something in this place... it's keeping us alive. Well... physically that is. I'm afraid whatever we would have been able to help you with, we no longer have the ability to do as such." 

"I'm sorry for interrupting, but... who are you guys? Do the others talk, too?" 

"I am Tektus, commander of the last remnants of the Blades. I'm afraid my colleagues no longer have the ability to speak. I have been using a spell to differentiate myself from the rest of these skeletal beings, and to speak on their behalf. It makes for rather boring conversation if you ask me. But they do as I say. If I need something done, they are the best ponies I could ask for. I am just glad to finally have someone else to speak with for once in a long time." 

"Uh... ehem." Tulip said, reminding of her predicament. 

"Oh, right. Um... you think you can let my friend go?" Terran said. 

Tektus nodded towards the other guards, and they ran to help Tulip out of her binds. 

"That's it!" Tulip shouted. "The next person dumb enough to tie me up, scratch at me, bite me, poke me with a metal stick or any kind of stick, or even looks at me funny, is getting a one-way ticket to the lightning show!" 

"Apologies for the inconvenience." Tektis apologized. "My Blades must have mistaken your wyvern friend for a dragon. We do not take very kindly to dragons around here." 

"Technically we were allies with the dragons..." Terran said. "but then Alduin appeared, and they begun following their former master, all that jizz." 

"Allies?" Tektus gawked "Really. Did you actually think you could tame such beasts' anger?" 

"There are a few that stayed true. Not all of them are necessarily bad, or even loyal to Alduin." 

"Dragons do not have loyalties. They are far too greedy." 

"That's not true." Tulip commented. "We met a dragon that practically saved our lives. Well, saved his life. Probably didn't give a hoot about me." 

"That is likely because it wants to take over after you slay Alduin." 

"You don't take the time to meet many dragons, do you?" Terran observed.

"The only good dragon is a dead one, I say." Tektus explained.

"Yeah, about that. Dragons are coming back... to life I mean."

"Hmm... that is no good at all. I do believe, however, there is a way to defeat Alduin. But first, I need to know if you are truly Dragonborn." 

"What do I have to do?" 

"Seriously?" Tulip gawked. "What's this? More trials. Can't we get to the action already?" 

"You mean like the hoard we just dealt with back in the forest?" Terran said. "I think I prefer a something smaller for once." 

"Ah, you refer to our more... feral brethren." Tektus said hesitantly. "They've had the misfortune of turning into charred husks, by a dragon named Durunslaadnahkriin. A dragon well known for vengeful curses." 

"So this... Durun-somethin-something cursed you, and now you live forever, and you can't leave?" Tulip said, repeating everything Tektus said in a nutshell. 

"Precisely. But we... or rather, I, have been studying a way to break this curse. So far, nothing." 

"Back to the topic at hoof?" Terran said. 

"Of course. Tektus said. "I must know. Are you truly, who you say you are." 

"I never said anything. You only assumed because of the way I throw my voice." 

"I assumed because of the way you carry yourself. You look like dragonborn material, now let us see if you are." 

... 

Terran had learned all about the Blades, and their mission to protect the Dragonborn. It turned out, that Starswirl was not actually the first to go against, and beat Alduin. What Terran wanted to know was, why didn't he know Starswirl was Dragonborn until he met the unicorn? Tektus told Terran that if he can win against the oldest dragon, then he is worthy of the dragonborn title. 

"But I'm only a beginner to this sort of thing." Terran said, modestly. "How could I beat a dragon like that?" 

"You'll know how, when the time is right." Tektus claimed, decidedly not specifying what meant. Tektus took him through the lodge. It was a nice place, if a bit dusty, but at least there weren't any cobwebs as Terran had expected. Just the identical skeletons of pony soldiers milling about without much purpose. There was a bear rug in the middle of the room. It looked quite fresh, all things considered. Tektus brought Terran through the back door, which lead to a training yard, full of training equipment. Targets, dummies, and weapon racks. Behind all of it was a gate. A pegasus was carrying a sack full of what sounded like metal, and dropped it in front of Terran. Terran looked in the sack and found the same armor that all the skeleponies were wearing. "The armor of the Blades. It will protect you better than... whatever that is." 

"Crystal Empire armor isn't that terrible." 

"Whatever you do" Tulip teased. "don't insult his shiny armor. He's sooo nerdy about it." 

"Okay, maybe I nerded out once about it." Terran admitted. "But only because of it's sophisticated structure and..." He saw Tulip's grin and shut up. 

"Let's be honest." atulip said. "That armor was probably more ceremonial, than combat-worthy." 

"Well... technically yes. At least the armor in this bag isn't as rusty as the ones you guys are wearing. How old are you again? No offnese, but I've never heard of the Blades, and the Guild of Knowledge would surely have known about it. 

Tektus rolled his eyes. "Wha- you're kidding me. Our dragonborn is a bookworm? I suppose that explains a lot about you. Did you check the 'Extremely Ancient' section?" 

"Sorry" Terran said. "that archive was archived under 'conveniently non-existent, or unstudied'. Believe me. We have more information on the Dusk Ponyhood, than we have on you guys." 

"Ironic, isn't it. When the Blades were around, we were all that your guild wrote about. Why do you think that is?" 

"Likely because our Guild Master is too paranoid to share that information." 

"No. Because your guild is not interested in the past. They never were." 

"What?" 

"Have you ever noticed how the Guild of Knowledge was always involved in political affairs?" 

"No. Well, yes. But as far as I've known, we've never come into face-to-face contact with Princess Celestia, or any of the Princesses until just recently." 

"There is probably a reason for that." 

"What are you suggesting?" 

"Just keep an eye on that guild of yours. There is a reason they are known as the Persuasive Few. Now, head through the get, keep going, and you will find him." 

The gate opened slowly as Terran approached it. Going through the gate, he arrived in a forest much like the one he just came from. Tulip came up right beside him. "You sure you want to go with?" Terran asked. 

"I don't like being surrounded by creepy skeletons." Tulip answered nonchalantly. "I can handle this 'oldest dragon'." 

They reached a clearing in the forest. It was mostly empty, save for a giant mound in the middle. A plethora of vines grew just behind them as they entered the clearing, and a giant, white claw rose from the mud of the mound, and slammed onto the ground next to Terran. Another followed shortly, and the mound began to clear revealing the form of ginormous, pale-white dragon, with eyes as black as voids, and claws as sharp and rigged as stalagmites. It's wingspan were as large as ten houses lined up together. Tail as long as a whale, with spikes pointier than pyramids. The dragon looked down at the dragonborn with a wide grin, completely dismissing the wyvern. 

"Welcome Dovahkiin wah dii golt do praan!"

...

To be continued...
> Chapter 8~ A Dragon and a Hot Place
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Terrarian Pony



Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 8

A Dragon and a Hot Place

...

"Well well." The oldest dragon said, with a grin. "I hadn't expected company. But to see a pony, and a dragon getting along? Hmph. How priceless."

"Okay!" Tulip yelled. "I expect that from a pony. But a dragon calling a wyvern a dragon is about as annoying as it gets!"

"Oh hush, now." The oldest dragon said. "You may not see it, as far as I am concerned, you and I are practically the same, no matter what other dragons say. We just come from different regional civilizations."

"So... you're the oldest dragon?" Terran asked.

"Were you expecting someone taller?"

"More like you're taller than I imagined. Those blades said I'd know how to kill you, but..."

"Haha. You, kill me? Even a Dovahkiin could not hope to kill me. Even if you could get around my size, you could never hope to evade my curses."

Terran looked appalled. "Wait! You're Durunslaadnahkriin?"

"Ha. So that fool, Tektis mentioned me. I'm flattered."

"He used me, didn't he?"

"I guess he thought if you kill me, the curse is erased. But it won't work. The curse is permanent unless I reverse it myself. Without me, his curse is forever."

"What reason could you possibly have for cursing them?" Tulip asked. "Not that I care much, they tried to trap me in leather."

"I'm glad you asked, lightning dragon. You see, after the disappearance of Alduin the Destroyer, it was clear the dragon war was in favor of Equestria. So we tried a peaceful resolution."

"And what happened?" Terran asked.

"What do you think happened?" Durunslaadnahkriin started. "They refused, and went after our unhatched eggs. Tektus and his soldiers, specifically. He killed my son before he was even born!"

"So was sent here... because another pony is too scared of peace. Why do I keep doing work for ponies who are more paranoid than a potion dealer?"

"Sounds like you have a history of bad habits. But I am not forgiving. Kill me or not, you are still a pony, and I hate ponies. Tiid wah dir."

"Tulip? Translation?" Terran asked as the oldest dragon began to charge his flames.

"Short version." Tulip said. "LOOK OUT!!!"

A plume of flames went over Terran's head. They licked a few hairs on his mane, but nothing permanent. Tulip zapped the dragon's underbelly, leaving not even a scorch mark. Terran flew up to Durunslaadnahkriin's snout. "We don't have to fight!" he shouted.

"I'm not fighting." Durun said. "I'm cooking my dinner!" Another plume of flames and Terran flew out of the way, but before Durun could close his giant maw, Tulip made a calculated lightning strike right into it. But still, it didn't do a thing. He licked his lips in satisfaction. "Mmm... did you really think a little lightning would harm me? Dragon magic doesn't work on me. I've master every type of dragon skill there is, and have learned to defend against it."

Terran flew his sword right into the dragon's eye. The blade shattered on contact, the metal flying in different directions, giving Terran cuts from the shards. He fell down to the dragon's feet.

"Well this has been fun. But enough pony skipping around. I haven't eaten in over a thousand years. And I'm not going to miss this opportunity." Durunslaadnahkriin raised his left foot over Terran. As the giant foot came down on him, Terran made one last "FUS RO!", this gave Tulip enough time to grab Terran and escape before the foot touched down. 

"That's another one you owe me, hot shot!" Tulip said, grinning.

She let go of Terran and he found his flight pattern. "That was close." he said. "So how are supposed to beat a dragon who is impervious to lightning, fire, and swords?"

"Frost maybe?" Tulip suggested.

"He's immune to all dragon magic. Including ice."

"Can't we just fly out of this?"

"We could. But look below." Terran pointed a hoof at the wall of trees surrounding the area. Behind the trees were black vines sticking up from the trees, each one pointed in Durun's direction. Each of the vines was ready to release toxic sap towards the dragon. "Why do you think he hasn't escaped yet? Whatever those roots fire out could hurt him. "Those are sap spitters. The sap is toxic."

"Then let's use that! If they can hurt him, they can beat him."

"Hah. Maybe..."

A line of flames flew past their position. Terran knew just what to do. He took out his spell wand, and used an ice bolt spell to grab Durun's attention. "Follow my lead." Terran told Tulip.

"Your puny spells have no effect on me!" the dragon roared. "Now your just being annoying!"Durunslaadnahkriin began to fly up. Terran began to fly towards Durun, and over his head. Durun turned around, his mouth opening wide. Just as he was about to snap at Terran's tail, he felt a shock go through his back scales. He whipped his head at the wyvern. "Is that all you got? I've stepped on ice lands hotter than that!" 

Tulip was now making a swift turn towards the blocked gate. The dragon began to follow her, when he heard a "FUS!" from behind him.

"Shouting now? At least do me the courtesy of using the full shout, instead of insulting me with that... Where do you think you're going? Get back here!" Terran began ascending towards the clouds. He looped towards the right, and descended. The dragon followed closely, not even trying to burn Terran anymore, and just began chasing him. Terran took a sharp dip underneath the dragon. Durun looked under himself, and just before he could realize what was happening, he was blasted in the face by the toxic sap. He screamed in agony, the sap burning like acid on his scales. 

"Let's go!" Terran shouted. "Those sap spitters aren't going to take long to recharge."

The dragon below was still screaming in pain as they past, but eventually went silent as they put distance between him and the old lodge.

...

Terran landed roughly on the concrete in front of Tektus. "You set us up!" Terran yelled.

"Y-you've returned!?" Tektus said, surprised. "This isn't right! You were supposed to kill the dragon!"

Terran fumed as Tulip landed beside him. "You selfish bone-flank! I killed that dragon! And now you're stuck like this! Durunslaadnakriin was the only thing that could undo the curse. But now he can't because he's dead."

"I refuse to believe the curse cannot be lifted!" Tektus said. Terran tackled the old pony, causing the illusion to fade, revealing the pile of living pony bones.

"What happened to you was your own doing! I know what happened! I know what you did!"

"What 'I' did, was for the good of pony kind!"

"You could have taken a chance at peace! Now you live with your decisions."

"You came to me! To me for help!"

"And now I'm saying I don't need your help. I'll make my own path."

Suddenly, a roar is heard in the distance. The chilling sound of an angry dragon. Heavy wingbeats in the distance, followed by the silhouette of a dragon the size of Durunslaadnahkriin. Because it wasDurunslaadnahkriin. And he. Was. Angry. 

Durun's face was smothered in the sap, burning through his scales, and on his right eye. His stomach had turned mostly black, and charred. "And here I thought you would fight honorably, Dovahkiin" the leering dragon began. "My mistake!I suppose there is no point in holding back!"

"I just want to say," Tulip said, to Tektus. "for the record, this is your fault."

"If you had killed the dragon in the first place-" Tektus started.

"Stop snapping and start fighting the dragon!" Terran interrupted.

The Skeleponies began shooting crossbow bolts, and throwing spears at Durun. He of course, was not impressed, but he was more concerned with the green pegasus, and wyvern. "Sahlo mey!" he said. "Did you really think you could escape the wrath, of Durunslaadnakriin?" A burst of flames came from his nostrils. "You should have left well enough alone! Every last city in Equestria will burn! Every border will be engulfed in flames! Every pony will be DEAD! And there is nothing you can do to silence the screams of Alduin the Destr-AAAAAAAAGH!!!!"

A giant ball of fire hit Durun in the nose and exploded in his face. The explosion made him stagger, while another hit him in the chest, and then in the wing. Several explosive fireballs later, the artillery came to a halt as the dragon fell to the ground. Terran was in shock at what just transpired. Not only was the dragon dead, he had a big gaping hole in his stomach, his right wing, and one of his arms were missing.

Terran looked back at where the fireballs were coming from. And he was not pleased with what he saw. He was speechless at the sight of a familiar yellow mare.

"Oh good. You're still alive. Now that I've saved your flank once more, I think I'll be forcing you to work for me, this time."

To be continued...
> Chapter 9~ Full Circle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Terrarian Pony

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 9

Full Circle

...

"You've made it so easy for me, coming back to the Everfree Forest, darling." Sally began. "Making a ruckus, and the fireworks display. I almost should thank you." The survivors of the Blacklight slavers began to come out of the bushes, and surround Terran. "You owe me, now. I and own you."

"This isn't going to end how you think." Terran said.

"You can say that again!" Tulip said, already charging a lightning bolt. "Say the word, and I'll light her up!"

"Call off your wyvern, bookworm." Sally demanded. "Or I'll kill him."

A couple of the guards brought out a prisoner, his head covered by a brown sack. They removed the sack, revealing Earl Henderson. "Terran. Do not listen to these psychopaths."

Terran's eye narrowed, his teeth barred like an angry bear. "Release him." he demanded through his teeth. "Now! Release him!" Without intention, his voice cracked like thunder, in the same way it does when he demonstrates his thu'um. As it did, it sent a visible sound wave in the slaver's direction, just like with the thu'um.

"So it is true." Sally said. "You are of dragon blood. I've heard many a story about the great dragonborn, who would rise to save us all. But for it to be you, of all ponies. Well, let's just say you'll be twice as useful."

"What is your problem!?" Terran snarled. "Is the situation not bad enough with the dragon apocalypse, that you have to go and chase me as well?"

"I'm a profiteer, darling. I'm simply benefiting from a bad scenario. Is that a crime?"

Terran had been so occupied by Sally's taunting, that he didn't even notice the glow on Earl's horn until now. Was he casting a spell? Surely the guards would have noticed. Perhaps they're just that dumb? Something didn't feel right.

"Terran, look out!"

Terran didn't even have time to react to Tulip's warning, before he felt something snap shut around his neck. Terran's eyes were wide as chestnuts. The faint glow around Earl's horn faded as Terran looked at him in disbelief.

"Y-you?" Terran asked, trying to rap his head around the concept.

"How do you think she learned about you being the dragonborn?" Earl asked with a grimace.

"You're friend here, pledged his loyalty to me a month ago." Sally said. "A spy within your own organization. Did you think it a coincidence that you fell right into a trap in Blacklight? Did your powers of deduction not deduce that one of your own had sent you on purpose? You must feel so betrayed. That collar is tough, not even Jar'Wuz would be able to escape it."

"I'll kill you for that, you slaver scum!" Tulip yelled.

"No." Sally said. "You will leave us, or I will hurt your friend here... very badly."

"Tulip." Terran said. "Go."

"But..."

"I will be alright. Go."

Tulip tried to say something, but couldn't find the words.

"Go." Terran mouthed.

"I'll be back for you." Tulip said. "Promise." Tulip spread her wings, and began to fly towards Ponyville, trying to keep it together.

"Now." Sally began. "You will be coming with me."

"I cannot let you do that!" Tektus shouted. "We will let no harm come to the dragonborn! Blades! Attack!"

All of the undead soldier under Tektus began to charge at the slavers. Earl's horn glowed again, and all the soldier began to fall apart. They were now immobilized. Completely dead, just like Tektus wanted. 

"Come with me, dragonborn." Sally began. "I won't ask again." 

Terran looked towards Earl, and he nodded back. "Alright, slaver." Terran said, looking back at sally. "I'll play your game. And I am going to win."

"Win?" Sally queried. "Weather one wins or loses is irrelevant. Their are obstacles, and their are business opportunities. You are the latter."

"And you're just the former. So I think I'll just have to wait for my opportunity." 

...

"You could have warned me, you know." Terran whispered to Earl, who was walking beside him from the wooden cage similar to the one Terran entered Blacklight in. 

"I had no idea about your real mission until the guild leader asked me to enslave you." Earl said. "If you'd have gotten what you needed from her in the first place, we wouldn't be in this pickle." 

"Of course the guild leader had a spy for Blacklight slavers. Who knew?"

"Keep it down. Are you trying to blow my cover?"

"It's not my fault I got locked in the box, and then a dragon attacked. But I'm not particularly fond of being her pet either." 

"Just give me a few hours, and you'll have your opening. Understood?"

"Better have my back on this."

"You know I do." 

Earl walked up front towards Sally, his noise pointed upward to evade suspicion. 

"About my payment." 

"You will be paid for your services." Sally replied. "Handsomely, after we return to our base of operations." 

"I thought Blacklight was completely destroyed."

"We aren't going to Blacklight."

"Then, might I ask... where are we going?"

Sally didn't answer the question. Instead, she grinned mischievously. The stallion at the front stopped. He was a yellow earth pony, with a blue mane, and a cutie mark that Terran couldn't quite make out from here. The rest of the group stopped as he looked around. 

"Why have we stopped?" Sally inquired. "You know how I feel about delays."

"Uh... yes ma'am, but... I heard something up ahead." the stallion replied.

Sally rolled her eyes. "It's probably just the wind." she said dismissively. "Carry on."

"Y-yes ma'am." the stallion replied.

They continued on, but Terran felt a chill go down his back. Something was stalking them. Something sneaky, but also left a terrifying chill in it's wake. The sun was descending quickly. Terran began showing Torque the Inquisitive levels of paranoia. He saw the silhouette of a large creature, shuffling in the trees. Then another shortly after. Stealthy, but quick. Terran new that form. 

"TROOOOOOOLS!!" Terran screamed at the top of his lungs, alerting the guards. "TROLLS IN THE WOODS!"

Suddenly, a group of, brown, hairy, ape-like beasts came out the bushes. They had hands like golems, and teeth like a tiger. Their roars were ear-bleeding. A white haired one began to beat it's chest, and attacked the front guard. The others followed suit on the assault. The unicorns fought back, but the trolls were resistant to magic, so it was up to the earth ponies to do the heavy hitting from up close.

One of the trolls jumped on Terran's cage, and then a second, and a third. "Dang it!" Terran exclaimed loudly. "Why is it, that when I have plans of my own, they're always interrupted by disaster?" 

Sally kicked off the troll on the top of the cage with grace. "Disaster seems to follow you wherever you go!" she shouted. "Now be a good pegi, and stay put!" She jumped down to rescue her bodyguards. 

"Not like I got anywhere else to go!" 

While the slavers struggled with the trolls, Terran a familiar voice behind him said "Why is it when we meet, you always seem to be in need of assistance?" 

"Jar'Wuz?" As it so happened, the smug cat was right there in front of him, the cage wide open. "What are you doing here!?"

"Jar'Wuz has come to your rescue, but he is not doing so for free of course?"

"No. I need to stay in here. I'm under cover, see?" 

Jar'Wuz looked surprised. "Really? If it were Jar'Wuz, he would have gone as a guard and not a prisoner."

"Too risky." Terran said. "If I got to close to her as a guard, she might suspect something. Tell ya what. You help me, I'll offer a great reward."

Jar'Wuz glared. "This sounds like no easy task." But then he grinned. "Let's hope she is up to the challenge." 

"Listen, I need a book that Sally has. 'The Lizard of Steam Mountain'. She keeps it on her at all times, studying it."

"Yes, yes. Easy, peasy. Fortunately, I am here for the same thing."

"What do you want with that book?"

"Let us say that there is a treasure I am hoping to find."

"This book isn't supposed to talk about some treasure."

"That's where you're wrong. I suppose there are things even the Guild of Knowledge doesn't know."

"Wait, you know something."

Jar'Wuz grinned. "Everybody knows something the other does not. Khajiit is happy to help you, but anything involving the treasure is to be brought to Jar'Wuz." 

"Fine. Get me the book, and I'll help you look for this treasure, if it even exists." 

"Trust khajiit. It is real." Jar'Wuz cleared his throat, as if about to put on an act. "No money, no rescue! Sorry pal. You're on your own." He then slammed the cage shut. "Will meet you at Sally's new headquarters. Hehe. I told you we would meet again." Jar'Wuz began to run off into the forest. But not before throwing something in the direction of the battle. 

KABOOM!

Whatever it was, it exploded, killing a few trolls, and at least three of the slaver guards, and spooking the other trolls back into the forest. Sally glared at Terran in disgust.

"What?" he asked.

"You have got to be the luckiest pony I have ever seen." Sally stated. Terran could only grin victoriously.

"Well hey, if it makes you feel any better, I was about to go free, but I didn't have enough to pay the fee." 

... 

Meanwhile, in Ponyville, Tulip had just landed in front of Bluehorn's home, and began rapidly knocking on the door with urgency. 

"Bluehorn!" she yelled. "Open up! Terran's in danger, and you're the first pony I thought of, so open this Tartarus forsaken door!" 

The door swung wide open. "Get your keister in here before you bring forth any trouble." Bluehorn whispered aggressively.

"Boy, am I glad to see your ugly mug." Tulip stated as she walked in the door. Bluehorn shut it quickly, and spared no time locking all the locks.

"Do you realize what you could have done?" Bluehorn asked. "There are eyes everywhere." 

"I don't have time for your blasted paranoia. Terran's in trouble, and I need your help! Earl betrayed Terran and sold him out to the Blacklighters!" 

"Not likely. I sent Earl to act as a double agent within the Blacklight slavers. It's possible that Terran was sent to Blacklight for a specific reason. Which would explain why he took that short cut through Everfree..." 

"Jee, and here I thought you were just a paranoid old coot." 

"Perhaps, but I am not Torque. I do not let my fear of my work interfere with my work. I know my priorities. Now, if I am correct, and I usually am, the Blacklighters will have moved their base of operations by now since the dragon attacked." 

"So what do we do?" Tulip was resisting the urge to zap something in panic by tapping her claw on the floor board. 

"We do nothing." Bluehorn claimed. "Terran can handle himself when push comes to shove... however clumsy his shove may be. And we shall not interfere with his operation." 

"So you expect me to wait until Terran pulls himself out of the fire? Screw that. He needs our help!"

"No! Terran needs us here. If we were to go in blind, we may risk ruining his plans. And that will reflect poorly on the guild." 

"Forget your stupid guild! What about Terran?"

"If you go after him, you will only be endangering him. You've met the Blacklighters. They are not forgiving." 

Tulip wanted to say something, but clammed up. She knew he was right, but she didn't want to make Terran stay with that cruel Sally for much longer. 

... 

What the group was approaching was a large, industrial structure, built from black bricks, and protected by a magical barrier. It was designed to keep out anyone who wasn't allowed. It was guarded by two unicorns. One was yellow, the other blue, and their cutie marks covered by pale blue robes. The unicorns' horns lit up, and a breached opened up where they placed their horns. No doubt the barrier was made to only react to their magical signatures alone. 

Terran wouldn't have believed this was real, if he hadn't been in similar situations. if dragons didn't plague the land with destructive elements, if his life weren't threatened by the Ponyhood of Dusk, if he'd not spent time in The Box, he wouldn't have believed it. But now Terran knew better. This would certainly be his doom, if nothing else. But it was all in the name of the guild. Not only that, it was personal. Deep down, there was something he knew he'd have to do here. Sally's hooves stopped in their tracks. She turned to face the group. 

"My friends." Sally began. "Welcome to New Blacklight." 

To be continued...
> Chapter 10~ New Blacklight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 10

New Blacklight

...

Jar'Wuz was stalking from a distance. After Terran had disappeared into the huge magic bubble, he was convinced that, after everything... Terran had no idea what he was doing. Jar'Wuz knew that those two unicorns were the key, but he also knew that there were other ways to force a lock. 

"Ah... a sly move, Sally." Jar'Wuz commented. "Well, this one may have a few trick up his sleeve, too." He pulled out three small, glowing blue orbs, and chucked them at the magic barrier. The magic around the area of effect dissipated, creating a hole in the barrier. "No one keeps Jar'Wuz in, nor out."

...

Terran finally had to admit to himself, that he had no idea what he was doing. Once they brought him passed the barrier, he was be all alone. There's no way the bipedal cat would be able to follow him. This was bad. Very, very bad. Well, he wasn't completely alone. He had Earl with him. But was that enough? Would the two of them be able to get what they need on their own? Something bothered him, though. Jar'Wuz knew more about the book than he did. What did the cat want with it? Okay, he wanted treasure. But what kind of treasure? Was it dangerous? Was it real? 

Terran realized it didn't matter as Sally brought him into her office. The floor was stone, and the furniture, made of wood. Terran could smell birch, but it looked like dark oak. There was a fire place to the left, and most interesting, a giant hole in the wall, behind Sally's desk. "Uh... nice place you have?" Terran said, confused. "No really. It matches your... well, no. It doesn't. There would have to be more lava dripping from the ceiling."

"Curious." Sally said. "Did you think I wouldn't come back for you? Or that I wouldn't catch up to you?"

"There are ponies, if not, other creatures, who will stop what you're doing."

"Is that what you think this is? You're the hero, and I'm the villain."

"Well, I'm not saying that, but... I think we both know one of those things is true. What you're doing here. It's not just business. These are lives you're playing with."

"You misunderstand." Sally turned towards Terran with tired eyes. That menacing smile was no longer there. "You have no idea, what I have sacrificed. I'm trying to make Equestria a better place."

"Are you trying to tell me... that you're the hero in all this?"

"Oh, you fool. I'm not a hero. And neither are you. You are pawn in a much larger game. And I am simply..." She looked away for a moment. There was an awkward silence. Terran looked in the direction she was, but there was nothing there. She looked at Terran again with that tired expression, walked up to him and whispered "...inevitable. I am the inevitable cause of Equestria's survival. I'm the only one who can make Equestria strong again."

Terran looked at her with a blank expression. He was confused. He hadn't understood what madness she was spewing. "What?" he asked, aggressively. "What in Tartarus are you talking about, you mad mare?"

"I am talking about those creatures you put so much faith in. Zebras were bad enough, but then the dragons came in. The changelings? The yaks? The Kirin? Don't even get me started about Discord! Equestria used to be built on the strength of magic, not friendship! We used to be the pinnacle of society! Each of us had our own roles! This cannot continue! Equestria must fend for itself. Now do you understand?"

Terran looked at her for moments. It felt like hours, just staring, occasionally, his eye twitching. "Survival?" he uttered finally. "You're saying we have to... survive? Survive what? Barely anything happens in Equestria, that requires such rash action! Survival is for those who have nothing! Survival is when everything goes wrong! Sure, there were a few country-wide disasters, like... the return of Nightmare Moon, or... the changeling attack on Canterlot, or... the attack on the crystal empire... and now the attack of the dragons... er."

Terran began to realized that his argument was becoming more and more invalid. "Okay, so there have been a lot of attacks on Equestria. But some of them were caused by actual ponies! Like uh... the shadow pony! Or Kind Sombra! Or... Starlight Glimmer, even though she eventually became Twilight's student. Technically Nightmare Moon was Luna, one of Equestrias princesses!"

"It is because of those princesses that Equestria has become weak. These alicorns weren't there before, and they won't be soon."

"So what? You're just gonna save us all, then? Come on! Most of your victims ARE ponies! And you're working with Zebras! And the worst kind, too! You're the one putting our kind in danger!"

"Necessary sacrifices. Everything I do, I do for Equestria. And I'm not trying to save it. No, I'm am trying to remind Equestria of who we are." There was another pause as Sally stopped to think, and then spoke again. "And thanks to you. I finally have a plan to make that happen."

Sally walked past Terran, and outside of the office. Terran was panting now, from frustration. He felt as though a vein were about to pop. "This is not how things were supposed to go." he whispered under his breathe.

"Ah, but it worked out so well, did it not?" 

Terran blinked twice, looking around. Jar'Wuz appeared out of thin air. He had an odd grin on his face, as he waved a book in front of Terran. "After all, we got what we came for." Terran looked closer. That was it. The Lizard of Steamy Mountain.

"H-how did you..."

"Please. Jar'Wuz has been doing this for years."

"You said Sally had the book on her at all times! How did I not..."

"See me? Well, Jar'Wuz thinks he should leave that up to pony's imagination. Now, let us go!"

"Wait! We need to tell Earl."

"Who is this, Earl? And why does Jar'Wuz not like this name?"

"Earl is a buddy of mine, working undercover with the Blacklighters. He's been helping me get this book."

"Ay ya ya! Is one favor after another, pegasus. Pretty soon you have to pay up!"

"I will. I always pay my debts." Jar'Wuz gave him a glare, crossing his arms.

"Jar'Wuz does not believe you." he says, as he reaches for the collar on Terran's neck. "I'll disable your collar, but keep it on. Find this friend of yours. Than meet me at the west entrance. Do not take long. Three hours, or Jar'Wuz leave you."

The khajiit leaps out of the hole in the wall. Terran doesn't hear any landing, though. He rolled his eyes. Typical khajiit. "Okay." he said. "Find Earl, then find Jar'Wuz. Easy. Ugh. Nothing is ever that easy."

...

Terran walked through the halls with one of the Blacklighters, who was escorting him. The guard told him that Sally wanted him in the library. Of course. It wasn't what he thought, however, as there was a specific topic that Sally wanted him to research. His workspace already had a stack of books, all pertaining to the topic of dragons, and ancient dragons.

"Sally is attempting to use the dragons against the Princesses." Earl whispered. "Do you know what will happen if even one of the Princesses goes under. We'll all pay for it."

"Not all of us." Terran thought aloud. "Sally will benefit."

"What do you mean?"

"Sally has connections. She can help the dragons kill Celestia, if she can even reason with them. If that happens, she will be able to come out of hiding, blaming the dragons, and leading Equestria into her own utopia. She wants to lead us into an era where we have to fight to survive, all because she thinks the Princesses have made Equestria weak."

"Well, I don't agree with her methods, but she has a point. Even I know that Equestria wouldn't have what it takes to defeat this dragon crisis, if not for you. The princesses will probably just sit and watch the country burn, while Twilight's entourage does a magic trick, or throw friendship into the mix. I mean, what is it with all this friendship nonsense? It's a bandaid, and the cut is to big for it!"

"Hey, I get what your saying. Twilight and her 'friends' are a terrible example for Equestria in chaotic times. They don't have what it takes to make the real hard decisions. But that's why they and the princesses have us. They may not know it, but we've been behind the scenes the entire time. Remember the changeling invasion in Canterlot?"

"Heh. Yeah, we practically did all the real work. A subtle suggestion here, a gentle nudge there. But those were the old days. Equestria has a motive for surviving, and they won't take it! We have to literally be part of the action now. You ever think we're getting too old for this?"

Terran rolled his eyes.

"Right, well..." Earl started. "Better find make that opening for you, eh?"

"Actually, the book is already recovered." Terran said.

Earl's eyes were like balloons, and then they narrowed. "You think you might start with that next time before I go off on a rant about how much I hate Celestia's cake flank?"

"I felt you needed to vent. Now, let's go meet Jar'Wuz at the west entrance."

"Who in Tartarus is this Jar'Wuz?"

Terran opened his mouth, then closed it, then said "Long story. He's a friend. Well, more like an associate. Sort of."

"Jar'Wuz is a khajiit name, isn't it? Where do you pick up all these strange bedfellows?"

"Usually in slaver camps."

"Hah. You got me there. Let's go."

Terran took another glance at what was supposed to be his workspace. "I'm taking these books with me." he said. "They may come in handy when we're facing the dragons." Terran grabbed the books, and began to stuff them in Earl's saddlebags.

"Where's the book?" a familiar voice interrupted. Sally's eyes were twitching with anger. She charged Terran with rage, pinning him to the ground, sending the books flying. "Where! Is my! BOOK!"

Earl tried to say something, but a spear levitated right under his jaw. A green unicorn guard with a red mane, and a cutie mark of a bent up sword was holding the spear with magic.

"Hello Mercucio." Earl said. "I half expected you to be in the dungeons, listening to the screams of misbehaved slaves."

"I'd be more worried about the metal pressed to your neck right now." Mercucio said. "I always knew there was something off about you. I'm going enjoy this."

"You thought you could take what's mine?" Sally muttered in anger. She was now choking Terran under her earth pony hooves. "Kill my ponies? And the hammer wouldn't swing in your direction? Goodbye, dragonborn."

Earl blasted a spell at Mercucio, causing him to drop the spear, screaming. Sally became distracted enough for Terran to kick her off. Earl levitated the spear, and flipped it so the sharp end was pointing in her direction. With a mad glow of his horn, his magic thrust the spear into her chest. Her eyes were wide as golf balls. She was coughing up blood now, but she was trying to say something. Terran came in close, but he still couldn't understand what she was saying. Suddenly, she fell limp. Both Terran and Earl heaved a big sigh. Earl grabbed the books in his magic, and put them into his saddlebags.

"What about the other one?" Terran asked.

Earl looked down at Mercucio's unconscious body and shrugged. "He's nobody. He won't be a problem. But please, feel free to kill him. It won't affect our mission."

"You know I don't like to kill someone when their defenseless."

"Then don't. But we cannot stay here much longer. What was it you said? West entrance?"

"Y-yeah. That's where he's waiting."

...

Moving through the halls, they acted as if nothing had just happened. Earl had a long talk with Grunt, a black earth pony stallion, with a black mane, and a brown robe covering his cutie mark. 

"Can't it wait?" Earl asked. "I have a transfer for going through. High priority."

"Really?" Grunt asked. "Because I never heard anything about this one."

"Like I said, it's high priority. The order was... last minute."

"Even so, it's a little early for a transfer, isn't it? Considering your little buddy there just got transferred here."

"There has been a new development. I'm afraid the details are... classified. And I'm sure it's not something you want Sally to have your head for."

"Oh, I'm not worried about that. See, Sally knows the importance of paperwork. So when you don't have the paperwork I need, naturally, I become a little suspicious."

"This is something we can't have being tracked. Do you know who this is? This is a member of the Guild of Knowledge. If we leave a paper trail..."

Terran interrupted by stunning the earth pony with his right wing, and then bucking him with his hind legs to knock him out. Earl looked surprised. 

"I had it handled."

"Sure you did." Terran said, grinning. "But we don't have the time to go through the specifics of why keeping keeping a ledger is important or unimportant."

"Admit it, you just wanted to show off." 

"A little. Come on. Jar'Wuz only gave us three hours."

"You do realize, once we walk out that door, without Grunt to escort us out, we will be bombarded by Blacklighters."

"And you lost your job here, so it doesn't matter if you kill them."

"I really hope you know what you're doing. My life depends on it."

"Have a little faith. I've gotten us out of tighter spaces."

"Correction, 'I' have gotten us out of tighter spaces. But fine, here. I brought all of your gear they took. Put it on, and let's go."

Terran put on his armor, and drew his sword. The two ponies rammed the door open, alerting every guards on the other side. Terran charged at the first slaver he saw. Earl picked his targets less randomly, dodging arrows, and casting firebolt spells. Terran flew up to gain the attention of the archers, while Earl made a break for it. An arrow or two may have pierced his wing, but he was barely paying any mind as he dove into one of the marksponies on the roof. He yanked the disabled collar off of his neck and threw it over the ledge.

"Alright." he said. "Let's get this party started right." Terran pulled out his sword and started clashing with some of the guards, whilst attempting to avoid any arrows burying themselves in his hide. One of the sword wielders was a purple unicorn. She had two. Terran crinkled his nose. "Well that's hardly a fair fight, now is it?" 

The unicorn was about to dart one of her swords at him, when she received a set of feline claws on the nose. She yelped, and then reached a hoof up to her bleeding snoot, only to be kicked in the same spot. The slaver lay unconscious, and Jar'Wuz stood over her like a vulture.

"Heh." Jar'Wuz chuckled. "Sally is wrong. You ponies are always so reliant on magic." He then looked towards Terran, grinning. "This will be your downfall."

"Nice of you to join us so late, Jar'Wuz." Terran commented.

"Better late then never, wouldn't you say? Come, the magical disruption orbs won't last for long. Your friend is on the other side."

To be continued...
> Chapter 11~ Face First
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Story:

Terrarian Pony presents

The Alicorn Scrolls

Chapter 11

Face First

...

"This would not have happened" Jar'Wuz began to say "if some pony did not takes Jar'Wuz's map. And now we are lost."

The two ponies, and the bipedal cat have been walking through the woods for three hours. Earl looked up from the map in his hoof with a snap towards Jar'Wuz. "WE. ARE. NOT. LOST!" he claimed, defensively. "Your map is just defective!"

"Or perhaps 'tis user error. After all, the map is not the one with legs."

"Shut up! I know what I'm doing!"

"Earl, admit it." Terran interrupted. "We're lost. I could have had us to Ponyville by now, but NOOOOO! You said, and I quote: 'I totally got this! We'll be there in no time!' We passed by the same rock five times."

"Fine." Earl said, fling the map into Terran's face. "You figure it out! I'm going to find some wood, and set up camp for tonight."

"This one would not advise lighting a fire." Jar'Wuz commented.

"He's right." Terran agreed. "Fire could alert the Blacklighters to our position. Let's use something magic based."

"No, no." Earl said. "The trolls are attracted to magical essence. Why do you think I haven't been using my magic?"

"He is also correct." Jar'Wuz agreed. "And if we come face to face with more trolls, I cannot frighten them with simple explosion like last time."

"So we won't have any light." Terran suggested. "Wouldn't be the first time we slept outside, on the ground, in the dark."

"Oh, alright." Earl whined. "But I'm going to find us something to sleep on, even if it has to be tree leaves. I'm not sleeping in the dirt again."

"Now all we need is sustenance." Jar'Wuz began. "I do not know about you ponies, but this one is not inclined to share his food without payment."

"I'll go find us some apples, berries or something." Terran said. "In the meantime, go over this, and figure out how we're getting back to Ponyville." Jar'Wuz took the map from him, looking it over while the two ponies went off to do what they said they would do. After a while, they had everything set up. Earl had used large pieces of tree bark to use as beds. 

"This one believes he has found where we are." Jar'Wuz claimed, pointing at the map. "We are here, and this is the fastest route to Ponyville." He dragged a claw along the path he was indicating. "We may run into wild boars here."

"Better than nothing." Terran said. "Let's get some rest. I'm not wrestling huge freaking pigs without a good night sleep."

"Agreed." Earl said, before nodding off. The others did the same.

...

Meanwhile, in the same forest not too far away, there was a group of three, walking on a path with a cart full of supplies. The first was a yellow unicorn stallion with a dark orange mane, wearing a blue robe and turban, and a sparkling green orb for a cutie mark. The second was light blue pegasus mare, with a light green mane, wearing a casual blue dress, and has a tornado for a cutie mark. The last one is a tall female griffon, with dark green feathers, and blue eyes. Her left wing was slightly seared from getting into a fight with a unicorn a while back. 

She was hoping the walk wouldn't be too much longer. The sparkling box she was carrying with her was apparently very important. She didn't dare open the box, but she had to admit she was curious. The box itself was red, with glittering studs running atop the golden arcs on the sides. The front of the chest exhibited a peculiar emblem of a chimera silhouetted in red. 

"Let's stop here." the unicorn said. "Them trolls are everywhere. Cyclone." The pegasus snapped to attention. "Get that wood from the cart, and start a fire. And Peril." The griffon looked back at the unicorn with tired eyes. "Go look around for some flint or something to light the fire. I can't use my magic here, or it attracts the trolls."

Peril groaned as Cyclone began setting up the campfire. 

"Fine." the griffon uttered grumpily. "I'll be back. Don't touch my stash while I'm gone! I mean it!" Of course, she was talking about her stash of Devil Griffon brand whiskey. She always brought a couple packs with her wherever she went. Peril took to the air to look for something to light the fire. It took about a half an hour, when she found some flint. But as soon as she did, she noticed a fire in the distance.

"Those bafoons." she murmured under her breath. "They probably thought I was I lounging. Pfft. I'll show 'em. Dumb ponies. They better not have touched my whiskey."

Peril winged over, but something was amiss. That fire was too big to be a campfire. It was spreading in the forest. Peril's eyes widened in shock, as her leg was grabbed by something, and pulled downward towards the ground. She tried to get up, but her vision was hazy, and her limbs suddenly became weak. Peril recovered quickly however, and she saw her companions, being burned alive or impaled by sword. Peril wasn't going to end up like that! She wanted to open a bar somewhere in Ponyville, and some day establish a line of them all over Equestria. She stretched out her wings and grabbed the chain that had pulled her down. The pony on the other end screamed as he was thrown around by the chain. The pony slammed into one of the trees with a disturbing crack, dying almost instantly. 

Peril swung her beak in the direction of a safe path. She was not getting killed or captured today. She began to run in that direction, and took off into the night. 

...

Terran woke to Earl's panic, and to the smell of burning wood. "Wake up!" Earl yelled. "The forest is on fire!" Terran got to his hooves, and attempted to fan the flames with his wings, unfortunately only making it worse. 

"Dange it!" Terran said. "That won't work! Where's Jar'Wuz?" 

"That coward ran off at the first sight of danger! Didn't even bother to wake us!" 

"Well now it's all around us. Just great!"

"Well it's not my fault!" 

"I never sa- Can't you just use a spell!?"

"Oh suuure, I wouldn't have thought of that!"

"So you don't have any spells, I can't reach any rain clouds, what are we gonna do?"

The fire began to spread closer and closer to the two ponies. They were now standing back to back, trying to stay away from the flames. Terran could feel the heat almost reaching his nose, when he heard a familiar voice from the other side of the wall of fire.

"You just cannot stay out of trouble, can you?"

Terran blinked twice. "Bluehorn?" he said. "Get us out of here."

"Hold your horses." Bluehorn said. "I can only work so fast." 

Finally, they could see the old unicorn's horn glow, a bubble surrounding himself and a familiar looking wyvern. 

"Miss me?" Tulip jabbed. 

Terran grinned. "Nice timing you two. But how'd you know we were in trouble? How did you find us? Not like you to worry Bluehorn." 

"I didn't." Bluehorn grumbled. "We came as soon as we saw the fire. As for how we found you..."

"That would be Jar'Wuz's doing." the Khajiit said, standing over them casually as they came out of the forest. 

"Didn't think to warn us?" Terran asked, a vein nearly popping out of his head. 

"Yes, about that" Jar'Wuz deflected. "Khajiit aren't made for thinking, but more for doing." 

"Well then, perhaps next time..." Earl began, levitating a rather large stick Jar'Wuz's head. "DO! WARN! US! OF! ANY! POTENTIAL! DANGER!" He whacked the khajiit with each spoken word, and the whacked him some more until he grabbed the stick out of Earl's levitation, and broke it in two. 

"Ugh, amateurs." Bluehorn muttered. "When you're done killing each other, I would like to get out of this forest, please." 

"Bluehorn?" Terran asked, hearing a sudden trampling sound. "What's that sound?"

"That, my dear pegasus," Bluehorn started. "is either the sound of rampaging boars, or ferocious trolls coming our way!"

"Or perhaps both!" Earl shouted, pointing towards the fire, where trolls, boars, and other forest critters were attempting to escape.

"Run!" was that word that Terran blurted before bolting it in the other direction. The others followed him, Tulip firing bolts of lightning at whatever was behind her. A troll came from the trees and grabbed the wyvern by the leg, pulling her to the ground. Terran saw her danger, and ran towards her. Terran used his sword to cut through the troll's right arm. It howled in pain, and Tulip shot a bolt of lightning at it. The beast immediately turned to stone from the light of the electricity. Terran and Tulip immediately flew away, trying to catch up with the others. 

... 

Finally, back in Ponyville, Terran and Bluehorn got to talking, and Terran explained the whole situation. 

"I see." Bluehorn started. "So then, the slavers are all dead?" 

"Not all of them." Terran replied. "There were some that are left. But we managed to get the book, so that's a win." 

"Indeed." 

"However, it is in an ancient text that neither I or Earl can decipher." 

"Let me see that book." 

Terran handed over the book, and Blue horn looked over it. "Ah, very interesting. It is written in the Alicorn language. It is an old, and rather complicated language. However, I've been trained to study such ancient text, by my master, who has been taught it by his master. Give me a few days, a week perhaps, and I can translate it." 

"A week?" Jar'Wuz objected. "Jar'Wuz was promised the treasure which was spoken of in the text." 

"And I'll hold up my end of the bargain. Patience is a..." 

"If you say patience is a virtue, I'll rip out that pony tongue of yours." 

"A valuable commodity. I was going to say a valuable commodity." 

"Hmph. Nice save. But still, my patience is thin. Remember this." 

"What's so special about this book anyways?" Tulip asked. "Unless it talks about recipes for roasted iguana, it seems like a waste of time." 

"The Lizard King of Steam Mountain describes the events that lead up to the fall of the imps and their army." Terran explained. "It also talks about the dragon, Alduin, who wiped them out, and sent them into hiding all those years ago." 

"Not that I'm interested or anything, but... what are imps? They sound tasty." 

"The imps," Earl began. "or dwarfish goblins, were master craftsmen. They're fusion of ancient technology combined with the arcane arts is unmatched. Or was... shame they are all nothing more than feral animals now. Such brilliant minds, gone to waste. The Guild of Knowledge wants this book so we may learn from their arts, and hopefully replicate them using what we have now." 

"Indeed." Bluehorn said. "It may also give us insight on stopping the dragons." 

"Cool." Tulip said. 

"Indeed. In the meantime, while I am deciphering the text, I believe Princess Twilight has asked for the two of you, specifically." 

"Me? I must have really made an impression in Canterlot." 

"The Guild of Knowledge does not normally answer a summoning from any of the royal princesses." Terran reminded Bluehorn. 

"Not the Guild?" Bluehorn said. "You. And no, not normally. But this time I believe we should make an exception. It may be important." 

"I will see her as soon as I can. Right now, I think we need a rest." 

"I must return to the Guild." Earl said with a grimace. "The guild master will not be pleased of my blown cover. He'll likely question my loyalty, as usual." 

"Tell him I said he's an over-intuitive wind bag." Terran joked. 

"Hah. I almost want to repeat that to him myself. Almost."
... 

It was late at night. The white earth pony stallion, with magenta mane and tail had been admiring the fine, black piano he'd sat in front of for hours. He brought his hoof across the keys, gently as not to prematurely sound any of the notes. The piano itself was always clean, not a spec of dust to be found on it. It had been a long time since he'd played it. He'd spend all night, admiring it's beauty, craving to hear it's voice, it's songs not yet written. And tonight, he finally decided, he would, for it was a special night. It was the night of the eleventh anniversary of his turning, when he became that which many feared. He'd not fed properly in an entire six months, and yet he was able to keep his composure, let go and control the hunger that plagued him in his eternal unrest. 

Closing his eyes nervously, he inhaled deeply through his nostrils, holding it for a moment, and ever so gently, brought the tip of his hoof down on one of the keys. He hesitated. The time was not right. Wait. Wait. Wait. He pressed down on the key. He opened his eyes slowly, letting out the breath he had been holding. He looked down at the cutie mark he bore. A single white piano, next to a single black piano key. He closed his eyes again, and continued to play. The notes were just as beautiful as the last time he played them. He took great care pressing down on each key, blending each note into something even he couldn't describe in words. The melody was not happy, or sad. It was a sound of contentment. 

Key Note was a pony of moderation. He appreciated the finer things, as well as the simple things in life. He spent his life studying ponies and other creatures, learning each of their quirks and cultures. But he mostly appreciated their music. The yaks had a brutish, and yet eloquent music culture. The changelings were completely in sync with each other when engaging in melody. He even admired the dragons' uproaring symphonies, with the utmost respect. Without warning, there was a knock on the door to his workroom, causing him to lose his focus. He felt the hunger boiling his blood, forcing him into a state of irritation, his red, cat-like eyes narrowing as he let's out the slightest hiss. 

He regained his composure, and inhaled deeply once more before saying "Enter, and do be cautious." 

The door creaked open to a yellow unicorn mare, half caked in blood and dirt, a grumpy look on her face. Key's eyes narrowed at the sight of blood hitting his recently cleaned polished wood floor. Never mind that he was hungry, she was dripping blood on his floor. The mare looked at him with a face of resentment, but then grinned. "So..." Sally began with a forced tone in her voice. "I just had a very interesting death today. Never in a million years would I think I'd have been bested by a pegasus!" 

Key decidedly went back to playing his piano. He wasn't blood drunk enough for this. "Touch anything" he warned. "And your next death will leave you headless." 

"It is good to see you again, as well, Key Note." The unicorn said. "I hope you didn't miss me too much." 

"Like a cat misses a runaway dog."

"Don't be so dramatic. You have a history of dancing around a conversation."

"Which is the dramatic one?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" 

"The spoiled brat who wails every time she doesn't get what she wants. That is you. I'm guessing since the sun came up this morning, you failed to kill Princess Celestia?" 

"If that pegasus did not screw everything up for me, we would be having a very different conversation right now!"

"Ah, I see. Let us blame all of your mishaps on a simple pony."

"This simple pony, is a member of the Guild of Knowledge. Not to mention, the dragonborn." 

The piano's melody came to loud halt. The unicorn was looking outside the window of the workroom.

"Dragonborn, you say? As in the legendary dragonborn?"

"A legendary pain in my flank. I'm surprised he didn't just shout my army to peaces when he escaped." 

"You let a legendary asset, like the dragonborn... escape?" 

"What can I say, one is very persuasive when shoving a spear through your chest. Not to mention, Alduin was this close to killing Celestia. Could have done it with a single breath, but nooo. He just HAD to have a chat with her!" 

"I believe your grudge against the princesses got in the way of you killing the princesses. So tell me, why are you here?" 

"I need your help, Key Note." 

The earth pony looked only mildly surprised. "You know, I have my own agenda." he stated. "You know what I want." 

"Yes, to destroy the princesses!" Sally interrupted." 

"No. You want to destroy the princesses. I want to destroy Princess Celestia." 

"Our goals are intwined!" 

"Except I need Luna alive." Key brought a hoof up to his temple. He hated this conversation. It's always the same thing with Sally. If he didn't think Sally was worth anything, he would have just killed the mare himself, permanently. "Without Princess Luna, everything I strive for will be for naught." 

"We should not have to rely on the princesses at all. Even one is one too many. I fail to see what Luna will contribute." 

"I don't need Luna. What I really need, is Nightmare Moon. With her sister gone, and no one else to turn to, Luna will be forced to give in to her less forgiving persona. This will of course, create a certain order within Equestria. And I will be right at her side." 

Sally laughed. "Oh, and how will you manage that?" 

"Simple. With all of the other princesses, and Starswirl gone, she will have no one to turn to. That's where I come in. I will be her royal advisor, and soon enough, the one controlling her every action. And she will never know." 

"There are many flaws in your plan." 

"There are flaws in everything. But it's nothing I cannot fix in the long run. All I need left, is you." 

"You need me? And here I thought I was desperate." 

"You have been at this for years. And your plots have done nothing for you. Unfortunately for me, I prefer to be more anonymous. That's where you come in." 

"You want me to create chaos, whilst you kill Celestia." 

"Indeed. The more chaos, the better." 

To be continued...