Gwonam did his normal moping around with nothing to do. It has been nearly a year now since Link banished Ganon into the Book of Koridi and saved the island. Gwonam stepped outside his house, and picked up his watering can where he proceeded to his garden to water the flowers. He knew he was old and couldn't find much to do, but this didn't bother him. He had a long life as the court wizard in Hyrule Castle and enjoyed every moment of it, helping the King raise Zelda, the time when Link first walked through the door, claiming to give up on being a hero until Ganon resurfaced in Koridi. How many times Gwonam had convinced the King to make wise decisions were numberless.
Unbeknownst to Gwonam, his peace will be short lived, for it will come time for him to take a swing at being the hero. And it all happens, with the destruction of his house. He makes his way to where his Magic Carpet resides at the side of his home, leaning against the wall. He unfurls it, and climbs aboard, taking off. He headed down the rolling hills towards the small quaint shop of Morshu. The jolly old shopkeeper would be more than happy to have a word or two. As he flew towards the small shop, he passed over a few people who wave up to him. He smiled and waved back.
Gwonam stepped up to the door of Morshu's Shop. One of his oldest friends. He opened the door, stepped inside and walked across the small shop to the counter, casting his eyes about. He always liked this small shop, no bigger than his own home, but with two stories. It had a few shelves and a counter, and a single window on the far wall. The shop had a warm, welcoming atmosphere, accompanied by the wind chimes hanging in the corner in the direct path of the breeze which constantly assaulted the room from the window. Gwonam leaned upon the counter, where the rather fat shopkeeper had his back turned, fiddling with a few objects. Gwonam hit the small bell on the counter, it resounded a single even 'ding' through the quiet little shop, the sound resonated off vases, shields, daggers, and many other adventuring tools.
"Lamp oil, rope, bombs? You want it? It's yours my friend! As long as you have enough rupees." Stated Morshu nonchalantly as he recited his shop's slogan in boredom.
"How about a little conversation?" Said the old wizard, much to the shopkeeper's surprise. Morshu turned around, smiling at the sight of the wizard, who returned the smile with his own.
"Ah, Gwonam, it's been too long, my friend." He said, reaching over the counter and patting Gwonam's shoulder. Gwonam smiled and did the like, before stepping back.
"How's business?" Gwonam asks, looking at the partially cluttered walls, hinting at the possibly slow times.
"Although I'm the only shop around.... And it is a small town, not much, as usual." He said, reflecting how busy it had been when the Koridian warriors would stop in to get a few extra weapons during the reign of Ganon.
"At least we don't live in the crowded cities of that old Gamelon." He says, looking out the window to the small town of Koridi below. The little town was always cheerful. It had not many buildings and a small populace, but it was pleasant to live in.
"Or Hyrule." Morshu added, leaning over the counter.
"Speaking of which... I wonder what Harkinian is up to these days." Gwonam says with a sigh.
"Mmmmmm....Probably complaining about what's for dinner." Said Morshu. The two stared at each other, and after a moment of good-natured silence, broke into loud, hearty laughter, sitting down as to ensure not falling over. The door to the shop opened and in stepped a Koridian, one of many. Gwonam stood and ended his laughter slowly.
"Well, I should be off" Gwonam says, heading out the door, bowing his head respectfully to the man who had entered.
"Take care, my friend." Says Morshu, waving him off. Gwonam stepped out the door, holding his hand out in the air. The magic carpet slowly floated over to him, and landed in his hand. He unrolled it, and remounted the ornate rug, taking off once more. As he flew, Gwonam wondered when Ganon would next return. He knew he wouldn't be alive to aid the next incarnation of link, so, who would? Everyone in this known land would be gone, and perhaps Ganon would not appear in Koridi, but maybe Hyrule. Gwonam decided it was a silly prospect, Ganon would never try to invade Hyrule. Hyrule was much to powerful for the sorcerer to claim, not to mention never lacking of common heros and brave souls to protect its prosperity. Hyrule was certainly a shining rarity in his eyes. A graceful kingdom indeed.
Gwonam landed back at his house. Or, at least, what he thought was his house. Where it used to stand was now a smoldering, stinking pile of rubble emitting smoke and a foul stench . Gwonam quickly got off his carpet and tried to get in. Too much fire and smoke. He. Saw on a nearby fencepost a carving of the Triforce, upon which the Triforce of Power was filled in... Ganon. He backed up, seeing something in the distance. It was, indeed, Ganon and his minions. Gwonam quickly remounted his carpet and hovered after them, his house could be looked at later, although he was already devastated. He slowly raised his head over the next hill. He looked at the hideous visage that was Ganon, his hidious green and tan pig head its demonic yellow eyes and oversides mouth rested atop his particularily massive body, which was covered in flowing robes. And he saw the last thing he'd expect. Ganon was ordering his minions to move a few large rocks. Gwonam watched the twenty minutes it took them to do so, slowly revealing a swirling portal. Gwonam's eyes widened as Ganon and his minions dove into it. Gwonam quickly turned his carpet around. Thinking to go to Hyrule to tell King Harkinian and Link. He looked over his shoulder at the portal. Then he looked at Koridi's hills, gazing upon each of the Faces of Evil, the monstrous stone statues stood as silent sentinels of history, ever watching over the island. Gwonam sighed...There is no time.
He turned and flew into the portal, which enveloped his very being, whisking him away to parts unknown.
Upon the other side of the portal, he flew out over trees, a mass expanse of pine. He quickly doubled back and hovered above the portal, getting a sense of his surroundings. He noticed what appeared to be an abstractly designed castle in the distance, looming above a large city of the same abstractness. Below which he could see a smaller town, much closer by. The smaller town seemed of time era design with Hyrule. Medieval, they call it! Although the buildings seemed a little... Odd. He could not make out any specific people living there, but brightly moving colored figures. Could those be the inhabitance of this place? He had seem many strange creatures in his day, but he had suspicions he was about to have a whoop of a time. He decided that the castle would be a good place to go, to inform the leader of this kingdom. He saw the tracks of Ganon and his minions driving off into the forest opposite the castle. Gwonam took this as an advantage and flew towards the small town first, as to get information on this kingdom.
As Gwonam approached the town on his Magic carpet, he took in its appearance. It wasn't too big. Certainly bigger than Koridi's town... But certainly not as big as Hyrule City. He noticed one strange, ominous thing. No humans. Just brightly colored ponies running this way and that, minding their own business. He floated above a farm before turning around back for the town, seeing if anybody was around. He arrived back at the center of the small town and lowered himself into the street, landing with a dull, quiet thud. Every pony suddenly notice him and screamed, taking off every direction and jumping into homes. Confused, Gwonam simply got off his carpet and rolled it up, adjusting his turban. He carried his carpet under his arm as he walked.
"Hello? Is anybody home?" He called out. No answer. He only saw ponies staring at him through windows. peculiar, he thought. There seemed to be no human masters about. He continued to observe the buildings as he walked. They seemed to be plain white for the most part. Wooden beams held the second stories and straw roofs. Not all buildings were of this appearance. One seemed to be converted from a giant tree, another was large and circular. He decided to check the farm he flew over.
He arrived at the small farm, and cast his eyes about. It had the most massive apple orchard he had ever laid his old eyed upon. The trees were sparkling red in the morning light. Further down the path he spotted a large, red barn. Not the most unusual of barns. He then shifted his gaze to the farmhouse. It was much like the barn. Only with an uneven pink roof shouting its unique qualities. The door appeared to be half open, so he decided to take a peek inside. As he approached the barn, he spotted what appeared to be a little tan head up in the second floor window, upon it was a large, red bow. Only a second later what seemed to be a wrinkly green hoof pulled the little head back. Gwonam wiped his brow, these darn robes and it was getting hot out here. He continued towards the house he looked inside. A kitchen. Gwonam wasn't surprised oddly enough, it was much like any kitchen he had ever seen. He heard a noise behind him, audible words...
"Big Mac, you seein' what I'm seein'?" Said a quiet female voice with a southern accent.
"Eeeeeeyup." Responded a deeper male voice.
Gwonam slowly turned around and saw nothing but a large stallion and a smaller mare. The mare wore a cowboy hat and the stallion wore a cart yoke. The mare had a straw colored mane which was braided off to one side, which sat stop a freckled orange head. The muscular body of the mare ended in a well worked rump, hinting that she was also a work horse despite her smaller size. Her rear had a depiction of three apples on each side. The bigger horse was more of a darker pink color. With a mane only a little darker than the females as well as his tail. The male was thrice as muscular at least, and his rump donned what appeared to be a half eaten green apple. They backed up a few paces when Gwonam turned around. He ran a hand through this beard as they looked at each other. He wasn't sure if it were those two who were talking.
"Do ya' know what it is?" The female whispered to the male.
"Nope." He responded back.
It was them talking. Gwonam, decided upon the best course of action.
"Greetings" he said.
The stallion and mare seemed to take back in surprise as they suddenly wielded pitch forks in their mouths almost out of nowhere.
"I'm gonna go get Twilight." Said the female as she slowly started backing away. "I don't know who ya' are, stranger, but you sure as hay ain't welcome stompin' round my farm." She said as she turned and darted out of the farm. Gwonam went to move but was met with a pitchfork.
"Yew stay put ya' hear?" Said the larger one, which Gwonam remembered the mare referring to him as 'Big Mac'.
"I'm not going anywhere," Gwonam said. He knew that he could just sick his carpet on the stallion, as it was practically indestructible, but he wanted to see how things would turn out. He noticed a few... Pegasi watching him from a cloud. Nothing seemed to be special about them. Gwonam slowly moved to sit on a hay bale, which Big Mac seemed to permit him to do so. Gwonam looked on as the heat began to intensify. The sun was now high in the sky and beat mercilessly on the land. Gwonam guessed it was early summer or late spring. Maybe mid summer...
Soon, the orange mare came trotting back up the road, followed by a purple one with an oddly cut dark blue mane that had purple in it as well, she appeared to be a unicorn, as she had a horn. They were also accompanied by a cyan Pegasus with a rainbow mane. Rainbow mane? How in nature is that even possible? They're seemed to be accompanied by no other ponies. Gwonam stood and picked up the carpet again, he had half the mind to just up and fly away. But this business is too important.
"Hello," said the purple unicorn without the least bit of nervousness.
"Salutations." Gwonam said impatiently.
"Who are you?" Asked the purple unicorn.
"That is of no importance, I must speak to your king." Gwonam says, beginning to tap his foot.
"We don't have a king.....but we do have two princesses." She said.
"Where are they." Gwonam demanded. The stallion and mare held their pitchforks to him. "Look, here," Gwonam began again, "There is no time for face-to-face. You are all in terrible danger." Gwonam said.
"Uh-huh.." Said the Pegasus, taking off and flying around Gwonam, looking him over. Gwonam noticed something... A mountain in the distance seemed to be.... Not in line with the rest.. It seemed to be darker and twisted, he disregarded it until he saw a smoke ring forming around it.... That's where Ganon was currently hiding his hideous face.
"Look, and see." Gwonam said, pointing to the mountain. The ponies looked towards it and gasped. The unicorn whipped her head around.
"What did you do?" She asks.
"That is not of my doing, little one. I MUST speak to your princess." He said, growing frustrated. He than quickly dropped his magic carpet, which unfurled itself. And he sat upon it.
"Come." He said, waving to them urgently.
"I'll go alone," the unicorn said to her friends, climbing upon the carpet and sitting.
"Woah, nelly. There ain't no way I'm 'bout to let ya' go off with some strange creature all by your lonesome." Said the orange cowmare. And she hopped aboard too.
"And don't think for a second that I'm not coming." Said the Pegasus as she hovered nearby. Gwonam sighed. The more the merrier? Gwonam put his hands together and the carpet began to lift, it performed a loop in the air.
"Squadilah, we're off!" Exclaimed Gwonam as the carpet recovered from the sudden loop. The unicorn and earth pony seemed confused as to how they were magically attached to the carpet, even when upside down. The Pegasus flew aside the carpet as it swirled around to face the mountain, and then began towards.
"Now how in tarnation did ya' manage to make this ol' rug fly?" Asked the cowmare in surprise.
"Magic," said Gwonam as he waved a hand in front of his face. They continued to fly along, the Pegasus flying in loops around the magic carpet, much to Gwonam's irritation.
"What are your names?" Gwonam decided to ask, since there was nothing better to say to these strange ponies.
"I'm Twiligt Sparkle." Says the unicorn.
"Applejack." Says the earth pony
"RaaAAnnNNbowW DaAAssHh" called the Pegasus who was still spinning around the carpet.
"What about you?" Asks Twilight.
"Gwonam" he answers. Applejack and Twilight look at each other when the old wizard states his name. They had never heard such a strange name before, apparently. As they approached the mountain, Gwonam began to notice a few things. For one, the trees in the area were suddenly barren and dead, others were simple stumps. The land appeared to be magically scorched and smoked with a black, evil haze. As they approach the top of the mountain Gwonam began to notice the pig-like minions of Ganon, who seemed to be busy hauling logs and stones up the mountain. Ganon must be building another fortress, thought Gwonam as they passed the minions. Suddenly, Gwonam noticed a loud sizzling sound, and looked up. A huge fireball cascaded down the mountain towards them. He quickly dodged out of the way as the ponies shrieked in surprise. Gwonam continued the trek up the mountain as they floated vertically, the land near the top only getting blacker and more vile looking... Some fires still burned here and there. Once they finally reached the top of the mountain.
"Look what has happened." Gwonam says. Gesturing to the burnt land, "The prince of darkness has begun to take claim of your pristine land." He added.
"How could we have not noticed this happening?" Said Twilight as she looked at the smoldering mountainside.
"There is not much evil that surpasses the might of Ganon." Said Gwonam, and then he noticed what appeared to be a wood and stone fortress under the beginnings of construction. Ganon's minions did so much in only a couple of hours? He noticed suddenly, the misshaped form of Ganon's face standing near.
"Look, and see, the face, of evil." Gwonam said pointing to the tall figure.
"HAH! I could take him right now!" Uttered Rainbow Dash arrogantly as she freed herself from her flight pattern, moving like an arrow straight at the prince of darkness.
"Rainbow Dash, don't!" Cried Twilight after her. But it was too late. Nearer and nearer she got to the vile creature, grinning with pure delight at how easy this will be. Suddenly Ganon pivoted on his heel and held up his hand. His palm glowed a dark black as Rainbow smashed into it head first. Only Ganon did not move. He held the Pegasus pony stiff upward at the angle she had came in. He grinned as the frozen Pegasus looked into his dark, merciless eyes. A moment passed as the wind flowed through Ganon's robes, blowing them around. Gwonam didn't notice until now that this area was much colder and cloud cast. He and the two ponies stood and watched as Ganon moved his hand, angling Rainbow in the direction of Ponyville. His voice boomed from where he stood,
"You will BURN!!!" he roared as Rainbow Dash suddenly was shot from his hand. She flew towards the small village. Ganon, with his had still in her direction, crooked his fingers, whereas lightening shot from his hand towards the already screaming Pegasus. The lightening struck her with a loud BANG that could be heard all the way to The Crystal Empire. Rainbow's smoking figure descended helplessly towards Ponyville square. Had the lightening been any stronger, the Pegasus would have become Pegasause. Applejack and Twilight refrained from screaming as to alert the tyrant to their position. Gwonam quickly turned the carpet around and flew back towards Ponyville as fast as his magic would allow.
Upon arriving at the town, Gwonam immediately lowered to the ground, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack quickly jumped from the carpet, hitting the ground running towards the blackened, smoking Pegasus. Gwonam quickly dismounted, rolling up the carpet and walking over to them. Rainbow was still alive and weakly moving. The cyan Pegasus was more of a burnt blue now, and she stunk of molten flesh, and she was bruised and part of her fur was singed, revealing bloody red rawhide beneath.
"You alrigh' sugarcube?" Applejack frantically asked the smoldering form of Rainbow Dash. She simple shook her head and groaned. Twilight seemed to be falling apart.
"Oh Celestia, are you okay Rainbow Dash? Do-do we need to get the hospital?" Were among some of the frantically uttered phrases of the purple unicorn. Gwona, stood by and look over,
"Anything I can do to help?" He asked calmly, stepping towards them. Twilight's worry seemed to turn to anger. Gwonam noticed that ponies had been out in the streets during this, and where all looking at them with shock.
"Haven't you done enough?" Twilight angrily said, much to Gwonam's surprise.
"If you hadn't come to us, none of this would've happened!" She angrily added.
"Look here!" Started Gwonam, "if I hadn't come, Ganon's power would grow unknown! And he would destroy you all without a second thought!" Gwonam said.
"Ganon? Destroy?" Uttered ponies around them, and in a frenzied panics they all ran back into their homes, closing doors and windows. Twilight didn't listen.
"It's your fault that Rainbow Dash is hurt!" Twilight angrily yelled, before picking the Pegasus up with her magic and running off towards the hospital. Applejack looked at Gwonam with a less angry expression.
"Listen, partner, I don't know how she thinks any of this is yer fault" she said, "But I know that we wouldn't be prepared for anythin' if'n you didn't show up to tell us. Right now I think the best thing ta' do would be to tell the princess..." She finished. Gwonam stood for a moment, looking back to the mountain. He could of ignored Ganon, let this land take Ganon's evil so that his own home would be left alone. But he now wondered why he decided to come to help... He knew there was a reason... But he couldn't quite figure it out. He unrolled his carpet and sat upon it, as it slowly began to levitate.
"Are you going to come?" Said the old wizard, looking at the pony.
"Of course." Said applejack after a few moments of thought, clambering up onto the carpet.
"Wait!" Called a voice from a houses doorway, Gwonam and Applejack looked over to the source, standing in the doorway was a gray mare with a blonde mane and googoly eyes stood, amongst a few other ponies. Others peeked out of their own doorways.
"Where can we go? Where can we hide?" She said to the pair. Applejack looked at Gwonam with the same question lingering in her own eyes. Gwonam sat silent for a moment, looking at each and every pony.
".... Nowhere Is safe." He said. The ponies began to look terrified as they retreated back into their homes and others tear up.
"Just stay in your homes. Do not. Leave. Town." Gwonam advises sternly before turning the carpet to the mountain castle in the distance and flying that way, per Applejack's directions.
Gwonam and Applejack were silent as they flew at a steady pace towards the city of Canterlot. Gwonam found the city name amusing, as it almost sounded of Camelot. They flew above the buildings and straight towards the castle. Gwonam noticed a significant structural difference in the architectural design of this city's buildings. Unlike those in Ponyville, they varied greatly in color, shape, and size. Many ponies with a high and mighty air trotted around looking down their snouts at others, but normally with a friendly greeting attached. Gwonam turned his attention to the castle. He realized it must have been more magical than most things here, for it's structurally unsound appearance would have put anyone in a daze, including the old wizard himself. Many circular towers slightly jutted from the side of the magnificent structure that ended in tall, peaked roofs. As they landed at the castle with a quiet thud, Applejack hopped off the carpet and began trotting towards the front door.
"Come on, partner!" She called back hastily as she trotted along, her braided mane flapping wildly behind her. Gwonam took no hurry as he rolled up his carpet once more and headed towards the front door, behind Applejack. As they approached, Gwonam noticed two pure white stoic looking Pegasus, much bigger than the ones he had previously encountered. They seemed to have little expression, or lack thereof any, they also wore armor of the purest gold. As they approached the guardsponies, spears were extended blocking their path.
"Halt, who seeks entry within the castle?" Says one, looking at the pair.
"It's me, Applejack, y'know, Twilight's friend?" She said impatiently.
"...and your purple friend?" Asked the guard.
"I am Gwonam of Koridi. I seek counsel with your princess." Says the wizard in question. The guards look at each other for a moment and seem to mouth a few things, before stepping aside. "Enter" he says. Gwonam and Applejack dash in without hesitation.
"I didn't figure they'd let us in so easily." Applejack whispered as their foot and hoof steps echoed in the quiet, clean hallway.
"They did not." Said Gwonam with a smirk. As he spoke, he waved his right hand, which sparkled with blue light for a second. Applejack didn't seem too pleased with the realization that Gwonam had indeed used magic to coax the guard into letting them pass. Their steps continued to echo through the large hall as they approached the throne room. Gwonam waved his hand in front of himself in a 'ladies first' fashion. Applejack bowed her head slightly and entered the room.
They entered a grand hall now, many windows dawned the outer facing side of it, letting a flood of the sun's grace into the room. The long, well decorated hall was painted with the colors and patterns of the stained glass windows which seemed to tell a history of their own as they moved towards the throne at the end of the hall. It was a relatively ordinary throne. The grandness of this hall and the magnificence of its decor were not even matched by that in Hyrule! Gwonam kept himself from gawking best he could. Until he saw, standing at one of the unstinted windows, a majestic, taller unicorn. No wait, this one had wings. He believed there was a term for it.. Allycorn? All-I-corn? Alicorn? That was it, Alicorn. This Alicorn in particular was the purest of white, her eyes were a graceful, forgiving, yet regal purple. A gold band dawned upon her neck and similar gold features upon her hooves and lower legs. A picture of a sun was branded... No.. More so embroidered upon her rear, and her longer than natural tail and mane boasted the cooling colors of the early sunrise. At last her head held pretty a tiara of gold. It shimmered with the same beauty and grace as did the rest of the horse. She seemed to be tired, which was her single current flaw. Gwonam and Applejack approached the princess quietly, glancing at one another. She head them coming and turned her head.
"Applejack! How wonderful it is to see you!" She said as her worry seemed to melt away. For a moment it was as though she did not see Gwonam, for when she turned her direct attention to him, her worry returned. Gwonam lowered himself humbly to a knee.
"Your Majesty... Ganon and his minions have seized the mountain." He said flatly.
"Now wait a moment, human." Said the Princess politely. "If you are referring to the mountain which is now covered in storm clouds than I must say your news is not new." She said, turning back to the window. Gwonam rose and looked past her. The mountain was more twisted than it was only an hour before. Gwonam frowned.
"How do we stop this, Ganon?" Celestia asks.
"It is written, "Only Link, can defeat Ganon." Gwonam said, unfurling a magic scroll which appeared from nowhere, and he read it aloud.
"Who is Link?" Asks the princess impatiently.
"A friend. But there is no time to fetch him. There is another way to defeat Ganon, but I do not know how it will work." Gwonam said, turning around, before adding, "I realize how sudden this is, but Ganon will not hurt any of you unless you show resistance." He finished.
"HE ALMOST TURNED RAINBOW DASH INTO A PEGASUS PIE!" Applejack protests angrily.
"Unless you show resistance." Gwonam repeated, staring at her.
"What do you mean?" Celestia asks worried.
"He zapped Rainbow Dash outta the sky with his fancy lightning fingers." AJ said, seeming to grow slightly frustrated and throwing her hat down.
"She is already in the hospital." Reassured Gwonam.
"So how do we defeat him?" Asked Celestia. Gwonam sighed. Knowing there was but one way.
"He must be killed, with steel through the heart. If link was here with the book of Koridi, he could trap Ganon once more and stop him faster. But I'm afraid we must destroy him." Gwonam said, realizing he doesn't even have a sword or anything, "we would also need a small army..." Gwonam added solemnly.
"Applejack, you and Gwonam must fly to Manehatten, ask for Sir Morgan." She says, opening the window, "tell him, Celestia sends you with "Two Rabbits on October First" he'll know what it means." She said, taking off out the window.
"Do you know the way to Manehatten?" Gwonam asks Applejack as they head for the door.
"Pretty sure." She responded uncertainly, as they headed outside. They passed the guards and went to the middle of the courtyard, where Gwonam set his magic carpet down, and he climbed aboard. Applejack climbed on too.
"SQUADILAH! We're off!" He exclaimed once more as they took off and flew in the direction of Ponyville, "which way, he asked?" Looking to Applejack.
"I think it's just over yonder." She says, pointing to a mountain in the distance, "I think it's in the other side of that there peak" she said. Gwonam turned the carpet and began speeding that way.
"So, have you heard anything of this Sir Morgan before?" Gwonam asked.
"Can't reckon that I have." Said Applejack with a shrug. They looked down over forest and river and eventually home as they passes over PonyVille. They passed over the candy shop and were about to pass over the library..
"HEY! WAIT!" Called a voice, they looked down to see Twilight waving to them from the ground. They immediately halted mid air and turned around, landing near her, "where are you off to?" She asked.
"We're going to see some stallion named Sir Morgan over in Manehatten." Said AJ. Without warning Twilight hopped onto the rug as well.
"Then I am coming too. I'm not going to sit around and let some evil take over Equestria." Said Twilight.
"But wait a minute," Applejack began, "Couldn't we just use the Elements of Harmony?" She asked.
"No," Gwonam said, "Your magic won't work on Ganon, his heart is far too twisted, and he is the reincarnation of an evil god called Demise, he will not bend to harmony." Said Gwonam. He began to raise the carpet,
"Squadi-" Gwonam's words were stopped by Applejack.
"Can ah say it this time?" She asked with a wide grin that literally went from ear to ear. Gwonam shrugged and nodded.
"SQUAD-DILL-LA!" She exclaimed, holding both forehooves in the air and sitting on her haunches, smiling a crazy wide smile. Nothing happened.
"No, it's one word, and it's Squadilah not squad dill la." Said Gwonam, chuckling.
"SQUADDLE-AH!" She tried. Gwonam broke into laughter.
"SQUADILA BIN LADIN!" She yelled at the rug, furiously. Gwonam was laughing his ass off.
"Let me try." Said Twilight.
"Be mah guest." She said, crossing her forelegs with a huff.
"Squadilah!" Twilight said in her beautiful, smooth voice. The carpet obeyed and rose into the air, "We're off!" She added afterwards, the carpet slowly pulled forward, gaining speed.
"Show off..." Applejack muttered. Gwonam aimed it in the direction they were in originally flying towards, and they sailed that way. They passed over hill and crevice, tree and rock, and spent little of the time conversing.
Manehatten rose into view. It wasn't gradual, say, a farm here or there, then town, then city. It was WHAM. City, right there. Manehatten was large, no, enormous. Even enormous seemed to not do the city any justice. It's tall buildings reached for the sky relentlessly assaulting the clouds. The sky was thick with wandering Pegasi, and the ground thick with Unicorns and Earth ponies. Gwonam was astonished at the mere size of the escalations. He had never witnessed anything so tall, save Death Mountain. The buildings all seemed to be in fair shape as well. Their were no farms or anything save a rooftop garden here and there. Air pollution was of course, non existent since everything was carts or pony-powered.
They flew in lower, hovering through the streets near the top four-story level in the city's sky. They scanned the ground and realized one thing... This was going to be like finding a speck of pure diamond in a dirt field.
"Agh! This will take forever! Half of Equestria is gonna be destroyed by the time we find this Morgan fella" said AJ in pure despair. Twilight chuckled lightly.
"No, if he's a knight, which I'm guessing is true by his title 'Sir', he will probably be at Manehatten Palace." She said. Gwonam looked at her questioningly as she pointed in a direction. Gwonam turned the carpet that way and they zipped though the airspace. The city was excruciatingly clean in fact, no trash or anything. Gwonam smiled as he looked at the magnificence of the city. Soon an even bigger building loomed into view. It was mostly a giant square with towers covering the roof. It looked like a castle, and it certainly dwarfed Hyrule castle.
"I assume that's it?" Gwonam asks, pointing.
"Yep", said Twilight with a nod. They pulled in lower and flew towards what they assumed was the front gate. The palace was so big that Gwonam misjudged the distance and it seemed like it took them forever to get there. They landed. And got off the carpet, heading for the door, Gwonam rolled up the carpet and marched after them. They were stopped at the gates by dark blue armor covered guards.
"Halt in the name of Lord Bloomberg." They say simultaneously, holding massive swords to block the exit, "Who seeks entry within the palace." They continue.
"I am the student of Princess Celestia of Canterlot, and these are my friends. We seek a Sir Morgan within the palace." Twilight says in an official voice. The guards stand unmoving for a moment, as if digesting her very words.
".....Is the number of rabbits below ten?" The guard on the left asks. Twilight seems extremely confused, but Applejack and Gwonam quickly say, "yes!". The guards stand aside and nod, letting them inside. They enter without another sound. These halls were possibly just as clean as those in Canterlot, but no where near as empty. Ponies with business trotted to and fro, going everywhere all at once. They made their way through the crowd and found a counter with a tired Pegasus who seemed half asleep behind the counter. Gwonam rang the bell.
"May I help you?" He said sleepily, struggling to sit up.
"Yes, we are looking for a Sir Morgan." Said Gwonam. The young Pegasus turned to a pile of scrolls and handed him one, it read, 'Eastern hall 3, Sirs Morgan - Oatson."
"That hall is just up the northern hall a little way, take the second door on the right...the third leads underground to the second hall which runs between three and one, don't ask, I didn't build it." He said, then spinning around in his chair and leaning back on the counter. Gwonam nodded to the two ponies following him and he took off down the hall. They said nothing as they walked through the crowd towards the halls on the right which lead east. They took the second one as commanded, when they pushed past the heavy wood door they noticed something. This hallway was dead silent like those of Canterlot. Quieter even. It had no windows, it was only orange with the glow of big braziers and candelabras, even a few chandeliers. The room was peaceful and calming to the mind, thanks to the glow.. There was also lots of potted shrubs and hedges in the hall. They went for the first door on the right, which read, "Sir Morgan Stone I." Twilight gave the door a few knocks with her hoof.
....quiet
Footsteps preceded the sound of two or three locks unlocking, and the door opened. Behind it was a Unicorn with a brown coat and gray mane in the standard issue Manehatten Guards armor, except the plume upon his helmet signified a higher military positioning within the court here. His eyes were a soft, caring yellow, that put you into a trusting mood.
"How may I assist you?" He said in a cheery voice, aided by a wide grin.
"Princess Celestia sends us with Two Rabbits on October First." Said Gwonam. Sir Morgan's face turned solemn.
"Enter, quickly." He says, stepping aside. As soon as the two mares and the man had entered the room, the door was closed behind him.
"Please, wait in the sitting room, I will return." He says, pointing towards a door, and heading to another. The room they were currently in was pretty empty besides the black bordered crimson rug it had, like the rest of the palace. A door went to the right, and to the left, the only wall not containing a door had a painting of a beautiful pond with trees all around it. In the corner there was a wagon, and if you looked hard enough, you could make out a heart-like shape carved into it, reading "KS+SB". The painting was of such magnificent quality and detail, that it may have even combatted today's artists. Gwonam spied a signature at the bottom, it read, in very fancy, near illegibility, "Kindle Stone, year -" the year was faded and covered by a blotch of something, clearly this was an old painting nonetheless. The three went into the directed room. It was a little larger than the preceding hall, and had several soft couches here and there. An elderly mare with a faded purple coat and a graying mane sat looking out the window.. The three awkwardly moved to sit on one of the couches, all squishing together on a three seater. The old mare turned her rocking chair to see them.
"My son is letting more of you strange folk in the house again?" She asked, squinting at them. Gwonam and the ponies sat quietly... This was awkward, "oh don't worry, it's quite alright." She said with a smile. Some of the rooms tension released and the three smiled at the elderly mare.
"So who are you anyway?" She asked them.
"I am Twilight Sparkle, student of Princess Celestia and resident of Ponyville." Said Twilight.
"Ah'm Applejack, Twilight's friend and also a resident of Ponyville." Said AJ.
"I am Gwonam, Court Wizard to King Harkinian of Hyrule... Not from around here." He said. Gwonam was unsure of weather or not this mare was older or younger than himself.
"What about you?" Asked Twilight.
"You can just call me K.S." she said with a smile. Gwonam blinked a few times in question.
"I take it you saw the painting in the hall?" She asked. Gwonam nodded.
"Well...that was painted by my Great Grandmother Kindle Stone, back when these lands were being settled they say. Now, I never looked into who S.B. was, but they did say my Great Grandmother was a filly fooler." She said with a chuckle. Gwonam looked questioningly at Applejack. And she mouthed, 'lesbian'. Gwonam nodded.
"Who's that?" Twilight asked, pointing at a painting of a stallion who seemed similar to Sir Morgan, also a unicorn.
"That would be my Great Great Grandfather, the great cook Cleaver Stone. They say his talents run in our family's blood. That stallion could make anything edible they say, his handsome qualities thankfully passed to my own son." She said, and as if on cue, Sir Morgan entered.
"Oh, nonsense mother." He said as he entered, sitting on an opposite couch of the three guests. K.S. simply smiled and turned back to the window.
"So, what was this about a rising threat?" Said Sir Morgan.
"Nopony said anything about a rising th-" started Twilight, but she stopped mid sentence due to remembering that's what the words meant.
"Ganon," Said Gwonam to start. Sir Morgan turned his attention to Gwonam, and looked at him questioningly.
"Ganon is from my realm, he has returned to power in secret and came to this pristine land through a portal I had never seen. He is building a fortress upon a mountain as we speak and is gaining power every single minute." Said Gwonam. Morgan thought a moment before using his magic to take a quill, ink pot, and parchment from a desk. He began writing something. It took a while for him to finish, and when he did, it rolled up and poof! It disappeared.
"I have sent that to Lord Bloomberg, he knows the code words and I have explained the problem. I only request now that you return to Canterlot and wait for the letter from Bloomberg." He said, standing. The three stood as well, and Sir Morgan walked them out.
"The princess was wise to send you to me." He said, before turning to call over his shoulder, "Mother! I must leave for quite a while, take care of yourself." Said he over his shoulder.
"Be careful out there!" Said K.S. from the other room. Sir Morgan closed the door, and lead them down the halls to the main door.
"Where are you going to be off to?" Said Gwonam.
"I must seek the aid of a very old friend." Said Sir Morgan. Once they were outside he waved them off before running down one of the many streets.
Gwonam, Applejack, and Twilight flew back towards Canterlot, eager to see what will happen next.
