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                   Quest for the Avernus                   
                       -by Tom2401-                        
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               Prologue: Lore of the Avernus               
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Prologue: Lore of the Avernus
Before the fall of Sombra’s crystal empire, an exiled colony of ponies lived in secrecy deep within the Everfree. For decades their powers in magic slowly decreased as Unicorns began losing access to the ageing books of spells and incantations. It was only a matter of time before the efforts of the pegasi and earth ponies would not be enough to keep the beasts and bandits of the Everfree out.
However, everything was changed when the Crystal Empire vanished and shards of outworldly crystals rained down on the Everfree. The power of these crystals, which drew on unknown sources, were great; it was unlimited. For the first time since the inception of their village, the ponies left their homes to search for these crystals.
While the pegasi searched and brought back their findings, many unicorns continued to study and boost their magic potential with what tiny shards were found. One fateful day, the great Elder, Avernus, found a field greater than any others that were found before. Located in a nearby cavern, the crystals laid, offering their power. Realizing the power of these crystals, Avernus, with permission of his fellow elders, relocated their colony around the cavern thus beginning the history of the House of Avernus and their sacred Font.
Since the beginning, mythical energies of the crystals were feeding the Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth Ponies alike. They spread around them in an arcane black mist - that mist came from the cracks of the crystals, safeguarded under the guise of Font Avernus.
The Font of Avernus was the source of their colony’s power as foals would be bathed in the black mist, and by this were given a connection to the energies of the land. They grew up seeing themselves as the guardians of their lands and traditions. What they really were protect was the Font itself.
The time had come for the mist to create a completely unforeseen scenario.
The house was welcoming the birth of a unicorn colt, a direct descendant of Avernus. Following the ancient customs, the colt, Abaddon, was to be bathed in the mist. When he was bathed in the Font’s pool, something went wrong as the colt’s eyes flared open. His eyes had a light of comprehension which startled all who were present.
Alas, he was raised and trained to take the path all retainers of Avernus took; mastery of war and the arcane arts so he may one day defend his home against the Everfree and ponies who wish to claim the Font’s power for themselves.
Though Abaddon was one apart from his comrades. While they practiced with wooden swords and casted spells of defense, Abaddon spent his time meditating in the presence of the Font. He drank the waters that flowed within the Font, learning to mix his essence with the potency of the mist; he became an entity of the mist. The young and old alike accused him for neglecting his responsibilities.
But all these accusations faded when one day he saved the elders from certain death.
The power of the Font attracted many monsters and ponies who wished to claim the Font for themselves. There were many who sought the Font, but few who could defend it. For a long time, the house could survive on their own army with hired swords.
However, a new contender emerged. Invisible, it snuck past the town watch and was capable of slaying any who would stand in its way. It was a zealous changeling, one of the assassin cast, from the hive Nyx. The changeling intruder was already nearing the Font when Abaddon, who could see and do what no other before him could, sensed him. In a clash in the Font, the head of the changeling was cut off in one strike of a sword that the elders swore it formed in the his hand, much to the surprise of the changeling.
The great victory granted the warriors of the Font their chance to destroy those who set up camps in preparation to besiege the Font. Sadly, the numbers of the invaders began to take their toll on the defenders. But when hope seemed lost, Abaddon joined the fighting forces.
His meditations in the mist gave him a mastery of life and death. He cast barriers on his allies; they were invincible. The injured were immediately rejuvenated to full health and rejoined the ranks. Soon, the enemies of the Font were pushed back. There were many of them, but it was Abaddon’s presence that saved the House and Font of Avernus from certain doom.
The black vapor guided his hoof in ruling. It slipped through the cracks of the Font and joined the shroud of Abaddon, further boosting his power. Protection of the Font was his and his kinsmen’s priority, but it was time to take action. When he plays his part in the grand battle, the sacred Font would at last be safe once and for all.
“... Thus concludes what information I’ve gathered on the rumor of this ‘House of Avernus’.” Twilight Sparkle said as she lowered the scroll.
Princess Celestia sipped her tea, seemingly unattentive of her fellow princess’ report.
“Princess Celestia?”
“I’m listening Twilight,” She said as she set her cup down and opened her eyes. “So, House of Avernus is it?”
“Yes Princess… Do you know anything about them? Supposedly established a few years after Sombra and the Crystal Empire disappeared,” Twilight said as she shuffled through her notes.
“Before I can answer your question, I must ask one of my own,” Princess Celestia said.
“Of course.”
“Where did you hear of this ‘House of Avernus’?”
Twilight was caught off guard from Celestia’s question. She hastily went through her notes again to find where she had cited her work. When she found it, she read it again and let out a sigh.
“Well I… um, received my information b-based on a book…. that covered the topic o-of…” Twilight said as her voice trailed off.
“Topic of what?” Celestia said calmly.
“Crystal Empire…. Pony Tales.” Twilight said with a defeated tone.
Twilight cringed at the possible scolding Celestia might give her, as she’s presented numerous ‘reports’ on fabled ponies. Much to her surprise, Celestia only chuckled.
“Come now, there has to be more to the origins of your information. I know of the pony tales of Avernus also, but nothing on Abaddon,” Celestia said with a faint smile.
“Well… I got that information while I was visiting the Crystal Empire. Cadence allowed me to enter the archives and I found a few documents. However when I visited the Equestria Daily newspaper headquarters of the Crystal Empire, I was given access by to go into the archives and I came across an article from five years of a pony who allegedly fought against Avernus.”
Twilight then proceeded to open her saddlebag and levitated a newspaper out of it. Celestia’s magic enveloped it and she turned to the article in question. Hidden on the fifth page, the story of the aged earth pony explain everything about Abaddon that Twilight had said. After studying the article a bit more, she sat the paper on the table.
“Thank you Twilight for bringing this matter to me, I’ll share any and all information I can find on this ‘House of Avernus’.”
“Thank you Princess,” Twilight said with a nod.
After finishing their tea, Twilight left to do her royal duties while Celestia retired to her room. She continued to read Twilight’s work as she walked down the halls to her room, occasionally chuckling at her former student’s annotations or footnotes.
Finally she reached her room and locked the door behind her. She filled Twilight’s report with the others she had given her over the years. For a moment, she stood in front of her bed to listen for hoofsteps or anypony. When she knew nopony was there, her horn flared with magic and a small black box levitated from underneath her bed. She opened the box and carefully lifted the content of the box; a small chunk of an outworldly crystal.
She stared deeply at the crystal as black mist radiated from it.
“This Abaddon… I wonder if we can re-establish ties between the Avernus and Equestria once more,” Celestia said to herself.