Minecraft: A Pony's Tail

The group continued to move. It had been a good while since they had left the old village. According to Water, they were getting close to Pandora.

Meanwhile, Arid and Torch spent most of their time away from one another. Arid easily managed to stay away from Torch, and Torch didn't really care. Anyway, Torch had more delicate things on his mind.

He had a brother? He thought. What was his name? Something to do with hero. And he was only his half brother. And, if Torch was alive, was he alive too?

All this thinking drove his thoughts away from the real world, so even when Arid shouted a warning, he was slow to react.

As several arrows pierced the ground around him, he ran to the Captain. "Get these ponies out of here! We'll cover you!"

The captain nodded, and he gestured to Water to help. They managed to begin routing the civilians away.

Meanwhile, Torch and Arid looked towards the trees from which the arrows were coming. Immediatly, a dozen raiders ran out from the ambush, and quickly surround the pair.

Then, to both the raiders and Torch's confusion, Arid switched over to normal, and dropped his weapon. "I surrender." he said.

Torch looked at him incredulously, then thought otherwise. If the raiders were distracted by them, they wouldn't go after the civilians. With that, he too dropped his sword, it clattering to the ground.

The raider leader, holding what looked like a harpoon, nodded, then smiled wickedly. "Alright boys, let's take 'em back!"

Torch opened his mouth to ask when he was whacked on the head with a blunt object.

...

Water ran, just behind the rest of the civilians. He didn't stop until they got to a clearing. There, he shouted for them to stop, and took a rest, panting.

The captain trotted up to him. "None of our ponies were hurt or in any other way lost. Well, except for Arid and Torch. Celestia preserve them." Then, he blinked, and asked a question he wanted answered: "Why are you helping them so much Water?"

Water smiled. "Arid's practically a god. Torch is a young amnesiac who's delusional. I'm a simple priest. However, as a priest, I have to help ponies. That is my duty. Ever since I was born, my dad would say to me: 'Son, you may just be a simple pony, but you can make a difference. You can help others at ever turn.' I have followed those words to this very day, using my magic for good, and aiding those who need it."

The captain nodded. "I think they were captured. What now? We lost our way into Pandora."

Water shook his head. "No, actually. The portal is a mile from here, and will take us onto the Empirate's doorstep."

"Do you think it was a smart move? Abandoning the town and all for a small chance of salvation that rests in the hands of an amnesiac? Was it worth it?"

Water shrugged. "I have no idea. I can only hope. And you want to know something? Hope is something that's kept us alive all our lives. I think we can keep doing it for a little longer."

...

"My lord, they have nearly reached Pandora, and soon they will have the Empirate's aid. We should act."

"No. I don't think we shall. They will go after your friend first, and in doing so have to fight through our gloirfied campfire."

"Of course sir. Should I warn him he may have visitors?"

"Yes, but tell him not to expect them for a while. They have much yet to do. I want to see how it plays out."

"Um, my lord?"

"Yes?"

"What if they get past him?"

"Well, the he will have to get past you to get the artifact."

"What about the guardian of the artifact?"

"He will be assisting you. Good luck my servant."

"One last think, Sire."

"Yes?"

"What of his companion?"

"Kill him."