Of Villains and Heroes

Chapters

The Land of Alteria (Part 1)
The Land of Alteria (Part 2)
The Land of Alteria (Part 3)
The Land of Alteria (Part 4)
The Land of Alteria (Part 5)

The Land of Alteria (Part 1)

Libraries, they hold history in every page. Whether it be a novel or a joke book. A library is the container for all of this written knowledge. One can come to a library and learn the things others have mastered. But the Canterlot Castle's library boasts to be the nosy expansive and broad of all, and it's true. The Canterlot Castle Library takes up an entire wing of the castle, and has an entire staff assigned to manage it. Many have yet to read even a fifth of the books held within the castle's library. Although those who had read far enough have found scriptures unknown to anypony. There lies one book that tell of a story that only two ponies have ever read.

Deep in the back of Canterlot Castle's Library lay olden scriptures and forgotten fairy tales. One day a curious little unicorn decided to explore the massive library in search of new knowledge. She clambered over fallen book stacks and gazed at all the written knowledge. The little filly read book upon book, learning fairy tales, spells, or old written ramblings. Until one day, she came upon a book wrapped in black cloth. She did not know why this book seemed to be hidden, she accepted all information. She picked up the book and took a seat on the floor. Carefully, as to not ruin the cloth, the filly unraveled the book. Removing one last piece of the cloth, she could now see the book's cover. She used her horn to provide light as she read the golden letters on the book's red velvet cover.

Alteria

Lord Acerbus
First and Greatest Villain

The young filly wondered about the authenticity of the book. She had never heard of an 'Alteria' before, nor an odd name such as Acerbus. However, her curious mind was stronger as she was tempted to read the book. She wrapped up the book and made way for her room. Once there she turned on the light and laid the book on her bed, then leaped onto the bed as well. As soon as she was comfortable, she used her magic to open the cover.

Long ago, before even the Embodiment of Chaos, Discord, ruled over Equestria. There laid another land far across Equestria's Eastern Sea. The land was called Alteria. Its inhabitants, the Alterians, were just like the ponies of modern Equestria. There were pegasi in the skies, unicorns with their magic, and earth ponies with their amazing strength. However, there was one type of pony, unknown to Alteria. The Alicorns. Alteria was never a home to Alicorns. None ever saw a single pony with both horn and tail. Since there were no Alicorns to watch over the ponies of Alteria, they divided. Never uniting as one.

Eventually, groups of ponies gathered together for protection, food, and a home. They made the first ever settlement on Alteria on its western coast, naming it, Akturo. They crowned a King, and he, a Queen. Thus the Lumin Monarchy was born, eventually this day would be known as the year 1. Over the years, the Town of Akturo grew into a city, and its influence grew into a kingdom. The Lumin Kingdom.

Around the year 248, in Lumin history, smaller groups of ponies began to settle in the forests south of Lumin. They did not try to join the Lumin Kingdom, nor did they want to. They formed smaller countries, all mixed into another. Soon enough the different city-states began to fight for land. Only after about 500 years of constant war did the city-states begin to seek peace and compromise. The remaining city-states gathered in the largest city-state's capitol, Jukurin. They debated for an entire year until coming to an agreement. All leaders of the different city-states signed a piece of parchment, saying:

All city-states whom sign this treaty, agree to cease all violence between another and come as one. To defend the land in which we all have born, and all its citizens. We, the Republic States of South Alteria, join hooves as one, mighty empire.

The Republic States of South Alteria was known for its technologically advanced minds. In just a few years after the treaty was signed the first train in Alteria was invented. Afterwards multiple new innovations from the south spread across the continent, giving the States of South Alteria more influence.

Once the Republic States of South Alteria, or the RSSA, united the remaining, smaller states, they turned to growing their relations with the first Alterian Civilization, Lumin. Both sides signed an agreement to help each other for the better of Alteria. However, this peace would be shortly lived.

In the year 957, a with a entirely new group of representatives, the RSSA deemed the Lumin Monarchy, "A sickness on the great mother Equis, and declared war. For the next 10 years, the war would rage on both sides' lands. Only until a new group was elected to the RSSA was the war stopped. But tensions would remain in the minds of both sides.

Another tragedy would occur not soon after. On the first sunrise of Lumin's 1000th year, disaster struck. From seemingly nowhere a large hoard of dragons emerged from the rising sun in the east. They attacked all lands indiscriminately, making their permanent home in the eastern Deadlands of Alteria. Both civilizations of west and south joined together once again to fight the dragon hoards, but it was not enough. The dragons used their magic-resistant scales to easily fight against unicorn magic. They great size easily overpowered the pegasi. Soon the dragons were pushing the united pony force back. All seemed lost, until the dragons reached the snowy mountain ranges of north Alteria.

Northern Alteria was a desolate place. A snowy wasteland. Multiple scouting parties were sent from both nations, but never came back. Soon both nations deemed the north too dangerous and gave up completely, saying, "That icy hellhole of a land contains absolutely nothing! Nothing could survive its freezing temperatures". This statement was later proven false.

When the dragons reached the north, a group of tribal ponies emerged from the snowstorms of the north. Most were earth ponies, with an occasional unicorn of pegasus. Each barbarian pony seemed to be much more physically fit than the other two nations. Historians now believe that the dragons attack the northern ponies' settlements. In response, the tribes of the north joined under a single 'king' figure and attacked back. With the barbarians' help, the war against the dragons turned. The barbarians had amazing strength and devilish tactics to outmaneuver the dragons, easily slaying one after another. After a final attack, the combined force of the three groups made the dragons retreat, saving all of Alteria.

However, after the war, the barbarian king of the north was apparently killed in battle. Multiple warriors from different tribes fought form the throne, leading to the separation of the great barbarian empire.

The year is 1340. The nations of both west and south are not at war, but are not allies either. The dragons returned, but remain to the far eastern mountains. Events in the north, were growing in great scale. News, reached the civilizations of Alteria, that a great barbarian leader was going around and assuming leadership of the tribes through duels with their chieftains. Two years after the news was received, the barbarian tribes were all untied under a new barbarian king. They officially declared this when the barbarian king arrived in both capitols himself and declared the birth of the Kludor Empire. Afterwards, the King returned to the north without saying another thing.

The year in now 1450, and The Monarchy of Lumin celebrated the birth of the King's son and heir, Prince Aquitas Aduro Lumin. With a pure white coat and sun-yellow mane, the Prince looked like the first king of Lumin. Thus he was named after the first King of Lumin. Prince Aduro was seen as the forerunner of an age of prosperity. Not for just Lumin, but all of Alteria.

Seven years later, and Prince Aduro has been taught all sorts of useful skills. In just the first 7 years of his life, Aduro had learned the most advanced of maths, sciences and literature. In just the beginning of his life, he knew how much he meant to the entirety of Lumin. One day, the King brought Aduro out into the country to show him life outside of the capitol. Aduro saw the livings of the countryponies, and how they lived. He was then told of the evils and those who wish to gain from the loss of others. After hearing about the evils of the world, Aduro was even more determined to become a great king.

A week before the Prince's twelfth birthday, the King brought Aduro out to the castle's practice grounds. Where the Royal Guard's Captain was waiting. "Father, why did you bring me here? And why is the Captain here as well?" Aduro asked his father.

"Aduro," The King called to his son. "You are soon of age to be able to train in the ways of the sword. One week from now you will be 12 years old. Starting the day after you birthday, I want you to train here with the Captain. In order to not become a burden to those around you, you must be prepared to fight along side your army, not from behind them." The King explained to the Prince.

"Alright father, I shall learn to fight." Aduro stated.

". . . Very good." The King paused for a moment. Then he walked to the Captain talked in a hush voice. "Ferrum, thank you for doing this."

"It is my honor my King." Captain Ferrum stoically said. The King just stared at the trained soldier.

"Ferrum, I am asking you as a father, not the King, to do this." Ferrum broke his stoic manner with a carefree grin.

"Got it,Dex. You need to relax a little, I'll take care of your son from here." Ferrum smacked the King on the back. "Let o' Ferrum handle him." The King looked at Ferrum in surprise, but that was quickly replace with a sigh of relief as the King eased up.

"Thanks old friend. I knew I could count on you."

"Old? Who you calling old!? I'm still in top shape!" Ferrum shot back. Dexus(Dex) just laughed at his friend's actions.

"I must be off. I've gone for too long already." Turned and walked to his son.

"Alright. Send my regards to the Queen." The King walked and spoke to Aduro.

"Aduro, come with me. We must be going."

"Yes, father." Aduro turned to follow his father back to the palace. However, Aduro noticed an alabaster colt, most likely his age, run up to the Captain. Aduro paused to watch as the colt tackled the Captain to the ground. The Captain responded by laughing with the colt upon his chest. Aduro stood there watching the two wrestle for what seemed to be minutes before following his father.

Today was the day after Aduro's birthday and the day Aduro was to learn sword fighting. He was currently walking to the practice grounds to meet the Captain. Once he got to the practice grounds he saw that it was empty except for a single pony. It was the alabaster colt he had seen a week ago. The colt was slashing a wooden sword using his own white magic at one of the many practice dummies. Taking a closer look, Aduro saw that his hair was the color black and his cutie mark was a shield. Aduro had a yellow mane and a crown and sword cutie mark. The colt turned and realized that someone was watching him. "Oh! Hey there Prince! How are you?" The colt greeted the Prince.

"I am fine. Who are you?" Aduro asked the colt.

"I'm Scutum. I'm training to become one of the royal guard!"

"Well then, that is quite nice. But you are not suppose to be here."

"What?" Scutum tilted his head. "But my dad told me-"

"I do not care for what your father says. By the order of the King, this place was to be cleared for only the Captain of the Royal Guard and myself."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm fine." Scutum smiled.

"What?!"

"Yeah, the Captain is my dad. He told me to wait for him here. He was going to actually help train my swordsmanship from today!"

"Wait..." Aduro thought about what the colt had just said. "But that would that mean-"

"Hey!" A voice called. Scutum immediately smiled and waved.

"Hey Dad!" Aduro turned to see the Captain rushing over to the two colts.

"Sorry I'm late." The Captain faced his son. "Your mother kept making me do the chores."

"It is alright Captain." Aduro said.

"Call me, Terrum. From today I will be mentoring both of you in swordsmanship."

"Wait, both of us?" Aduro pointed back and forth from Scutum to himself.

"Yes. Competition is good for setting a goal. I hope that both of you will be great rivals, and best of friends!" Terrum announced to the two colts. Scutum's eyes shined with enthusiasm, while Aduro was not so keen about training with another.

Scutum stuck his hoof out to Aduro. "Let's both do our best!" He said with energy.

"Same here." Aduro shook the hoof reluctantly.

Author's Note

Ok, I just now realized that I had left my planning at the bottom XD.

Any way, for those seeing my story now, I saw it was too long. So I've separated the original story into 5 parts. Here they are.

The Land of Alteria (Part 2)

Through the few years that both Aduro and Scutum trained together. They quickly became great friends with each other and taught each other valuable lessons. Aduro taught Scutum about the seriousness of the world; Scutum taught Aduro to be more carefree and how to be more friendly. They balanced each other. Scutum became more focused during his training and rapidly honed his skills. Aduro became more kind, and became less of a snobby noble. He that even if he was very important to the kingdom, he is not the center. Everyone from the common farmer, to the richest noble allow the kingdom to run smoothly.

As rivals, they spar with each other almost every chance they get. All the staff and soldiers know that when the two prepare to fight, move out of the way. None of the castle staff know who is actually better. For each time one wins, they'll lose the next. However, only the soldier who watch their sword spars know that it is actually Scutum who is more skilled. While Aduro became a very skilled swordsman, even among the royal guard. Scutum has more time than Aduro to practice, as well as having a great swordsman's' blood running through him.

Today was another spar between the two as their mentor, Ferrum, supervised. Ferrum has seen the skill of both the young stallions and builds on their strengths as well as help them fix their weaknesses. Ferrum was knocked out of his thoughts by a thud as Aduro landed on the ground."Oof!" Aduro sounded as he hit the ground. He looked up only to see Scutum's sword pointed at him.

"Heh, I win again Aduro!" Scutum stated with a smile. Aduro chuckled.

"You know I could have you sent to death for pointing a sword at the Prince?"

"Yeah, but I know you won't." Scutum continued to smile as he sheathed his sword and leaned to help Aduro up. "Now was that the 483rd win? Or the 484th?"

Aduro let out an exhausted sigh. "It was the 484th."

"Heh, then I guess we're even again!" Both stallions laughed at their continuous battles.

"Will we ever find out who is the better one?" Aduro asked.

"Sure! I'll just make sure to win from now on!" Scutum exclaimed.

"I'd like to see you try!"

"Oh? Is that a challenge?" Scutum drew his sword with his magic again.

"Well, let's see shall we?" Aduro picked up his sword. The two were about to lunge at each other before Ferrum intervened.

"Alright, enough you two. I know you guys want to spar more, but Aduro's Coming of Age Ceremony is tomorrow. And your mother the Queen would have me hanged if you injure yourself now."

"Alright Ferrum." Aduro sheathed his practice sword. "We can't have that now can we?" Aduro gave the sword to Ferrum. "I'll head back to my room before mother gets worried." He trotted off to the royal wing of the castle. "See you both tomorrow!"

"See ya later Aduro!" Scutum waved back. Aduro waved back, but continued to head for the exit.

As Aduro made for his room he thought of his Coming of Age Ceremony. Tomorrow was his 18th birthday and the day he would be able to head out into the kingdom and travel. Then he would start his task of making Lumin a better place. He enthusiastically walked on to his room, anticipation eating at him for tomorrow.

The next morning in Lumin Castle began frantically. The maids and butlers were running from place to place, making sure all the preparations were running smoothly. The cooks were working on making a feast for the ceremony. Guards were on hit alert for anything so the Prince's ceremony ran without trouble. Prince Aduro was just woken up by his servants and was being fitted for his ceremony. The outfit was pretty much a military outfit that was kight blue with golden shoulder frills and badges. His mane was trimmed and gelled back. "Must I be so gussied up?" Aduro asked.

"Yes Adurno, it's your Coming of Age Ceremony as well as your 18th birthday!" Adurno's mother answered. "You must be presentable. You are the Prince of Lumin after all." Adurno's mother backed up to see her son. "You look wonderful honey." His mother began to tear up.

"Mother are you all right?"

"I'm fine. It's just that.*sniff* you grew up so fast!" Aduro's mother broke into tears. Aduro knelled down next to his mother.

"It's alright mother. Captain Ferrum has been an amazing teacher. Besides, I'll always be your son." He exclaimed. His mother wiped the tears from her eyes, though a few still remained.

"Yes you will always by my Little Prince!" She grabbed Adurno and gave him a giant hug.

"Ugh, mother. Your suffocating me."

"Oh, I'm sorry honey." Aduro's mother let him go. "Oh no! your mane is messed up!" She used her magic to smooth out Aduro's mane again. Aduro just sat and sighed as his mother fixed his mane, again. Fortunately, there was a knock on the bedroom door.

"Hello? Aduro? Your dad- I mean the King is asking to see you now." A familiar voice said from the other side of the door. Aduro recognized the voice.

"OH! Uh. Looks like father needs to speak to me mother. I must be going." Aduro took the chance and rushed to the door and exited his room. Once on the other side of the door he saw a guard in the platinum white armor of the Lumin royal guard. "Thanks Scutum."

"No problem." Scutum replied. "I know how your mom, the Queen, can be."

"So, where to now?"

"Didn't you hear? Your dad needs you to rehearse the ceremony."

"What?! I thought that was just an excuse to get me out of there!" Aduro exclaimed.

"Sadly, no." Scutum turned and began to walk down the corridor. "Your dad really does need to see you."

"Oh. . ." Aduro followed his best friend to the throne room. They continued to walk through the castle's many corridors until they reached a large ornate set of double doors. A single royal guard was standing on one side of the door. Scutum walked to the other side of the doors and stood guard. Aduro casually opened the door and walked in to meet his father.

Inside was the throne room. The entire room was made of white marble with columns on both sides of the room. Tapestries showing past accomplishments hung on the sides. Going straight down the middle of the throne room from the door to two thrones was a red carpet. Sitting on the larger throne was Aduro's father, the King. The King seemed to be in the middle of a discussion with an adviser. "Dagun. Are you sure this information is accurate?" The King asked.

"Yes my King. The spy who brought the information is our best. This information regarding the north and south must be true! We must-" The adviser argued.

"Shhh." The adviser stopped as the King noticed Aduro had arrived and dismissed the adviser. "Aduro. You day has arrived. The day you have been preparing for!"

"Yes father," Aduro kneeled down on his front legs. "I won't let you or Alteria down." After a few seconds, Dagun reached the entrance of the throne room and the doors closed. Leaving both father and son alone.

"Ok, you can get up now Aduro." The King said to his son. Aduro gladly got up from his kneeling position, and with a smile gave his father a hug. "Today's really is the big day though Aduro." They released the hug. "You'll be able to go out into the kingdom by yourself."

"Yes, I can not wait to go on an adventure!" Aduro exclaimed enthusiastically. The King smiled as he looked at his son. The change he had gone through.

"It was a good idea to have Captain Ferrum handle your training. You have not only grown in skill, but in ideals as well."

"Yes. Ferrum is a great teacher."

"And I assume the Scutum is more than enough competition for you?"

"Yes, but one day I will get better than him!"

"HA!" The King let out a hearty laugh. "You better! Especially with you going out on your adventure! And about that Scutum. . ." The King turned to the entrance and used his magic to open the massive doors. As the doors abruptly opened, a pony rolled into the room wearing the white armor of the royal guard.

"Scutum!" Aduro exclaimed.

"Hey. . . " Scutum replied from the ground of the throne room. The King let out another, smaller, laugh and called Scutum over to them. Scutum closed the doors and proceeded up to the throne, standing next to Aduro. The King took a long look at both of them with an unreadable face, until a warm smile appeared in its place.

"You two remind me so much of Ferrum and I." The King got up from his throne and walked over to the two stallions. "Big changes are coming to Alteria. I can sense it. I want both of you to promise to protect not just Lumin. But all of Alteria. You two are the next generation and you will bring upon Alteria a new era. Promise me, here and now, that you will do anything, to protect Alteria." Aduro and Scutum stared at the old King before look to each other in surprise of the King's seriousness. Both of them nodded to each other, and with confident smiles, they swore to protect Alteria at all costs.

The ceremony had gone off without a problem. The music played as Aduro walked up the throne room. On the sides were the royal guardsponies and behind them were the many nobility and the occasional ambassador. He reached the throne to see his father, mother, and his mentor and Captain of the Guard, Ferrum. They all congratulated him and his father did the rites of the ceremony. After the rites, the King handed the family's holy sword Celestina. The sword was magnificent. Its blade was double-edged and was blessed with light. After the sword was attached to Aduro's side, he walked off to another door and headed to a balcony. There he was to unsheathe the sword and point it towards the sky. Once this was done, the sword would radiate a bright light, signaling the fireworks. Once this was all done, it was time for the party!

"You should definitely visit my villa out in the north border on your travels." Said an aristocrat.

"No, come to my estate by the beach front. It has a great private beach!" Another offered.

Once he had arrived at the grand ballroom, he was instantly swarmed by nobles suggesting to visit their households somewhere in Lumin. No matter where he walked the group of nobles would follow him. Times like these, he envied Scutum who was dressed in his guard armor laughing with other guards.

As the nobles continued their talking, Aduro's attention soon moved to the rest of the ballroom. The ballroom was rather large, easily able to fit about 100 or so ponies standing up. One half of the circular ballroom had large windows that showed the starry night sky outside and the nicely lit courtyard. The courtyard was, at the moment, being used as an outdoor area for some to talk in fresh air. Multiple kinds of ponies, nobility and common, we're casually talking. All around the ballroom were banquet tables lined with foods. Aduro looked off to his right to see Scutum, in his guard armor, talking and laughing with other guards. At times like these Aduro envied Scutum, being able to talk with friends casually. Aduro searched the ballroom for his parents. He soon spotted them talking with a crowd of ambassadors.

As he was looking around the nobles around him continued to talk to him. "Pardon me Miss Ahria, but I would like to get myself a drink." Aduro excused himself from the crowd around him. He indeed wanted a drink, but he also used this as an excuse to get away from the noisiness of the large crowds. He got a glass of wine and looked for a snack to eat.

"King Dexus, I ask you to do something about those raiding parties. They're raiding my town!" a noble from north Lumin complained.

"I will see what I can do Lord Barthlo." The King responded.

"What about my estate! Something is kidnapping my townsponies!" Another from the eastern border asked.

"I will do what I can Miss Kimsdale." The King again responded. Throughout the entire party some of the lords came to him with their problems. At first it was manageable, but more started to come, telling of their incidents. The King noticed one thing though, all the complaints came from the border-lords. He started to reconsider what Dagun had told him earlier. Suddenly the entire ballroom was filled with the sound of the main doors slamming open. Instantly the guards readied their spears at the pony silhouette.

"Put your weapons down!" The King ordered to the guards. The guards, still alert, lowered their weapons. "Who are you and what are you doing here." He called as the pony stumbled into the ballroom with all eyes on him. The King reconised the young pegasus stallion wearing a Lumin scout uniform. The scout kneeled before his king.

"Your Majesty, I come with urgent news from Commander Achivo from the northern defense army."

"Well spit it out then!" The King demanded. His thoughts returning to what Dagun had said.

"Our northern borders are being attacked by the Kludorians!" The scout cried out. Everyone that could hear him gasped in shock. The northern barbarians had never fought with their entire army since the dragons attacked years before! The King turned to the Kludorian ambassadors from the north.

"What is the meaning of this!" One of the ambassadors chuckled at the king's distress.

"It is as the scout reported King Dexus. This day will be the end of the Lumin Era! The time of North and South has arrived!" The ambassador decreed as the other ambassadors from both the north and south followed in suite.

"Guards! Apprehend the ambassadors!" The King ordered. The pegasus guards flew to corner the flying ambassadors, and the unicorn guards captured the others. The ambassadors were then taken away to be secured. "How long has it been since the invasion began?" The King questioned the scout.

"About seven hours Your Majesty, I flew as fast as I could." The scout announced. "The commander is doing all he can to hold the barbarian forces back, but he won't be able to last long." The King nodded, then dismissed the scout to rest. He called to gather his court, announced the party was over, and requested that everyone was to return to their respective homes until further notice.

After the King and his court left to discuss what to do in response to the barbarian attack. Scutum was ordered to bring Aduro to his room and wait until further notice. Aduro was pacing in his room. "Scutum, what could this be about?"

"I'm not all too sure. I sounds like the Barbarians have begun an invasion in the north." Scutum said.

"But from what that Kludorian ambassador said, the Republic is in on this."

"If that is true, then that means Lumin is going to be dragged into a two-front war. Lumin won't survive!"

"We must do something! I won't just stand here while Lumin is in danger!" Aduro went for the door. But as he reached for the door, someone knocked. Aduro's hoof froze as a butler's spoke through the door.

"Prince Aduro and Sir Scutum, the King has requested your presence at the meeting room." Aduro and Scutum looked to each other questioningly, then nodded to the butler. The butler walked down the hall and Aduro and Scutum followed him.

After travelling many different hallways and going up and down multiple sets of stairs, the three ponies arrived at a pair of steel doors with a lock on it. The butler took out a key and clicked it into the keyhole. The doors opened and the butler ushered the two in. The two entered into a single room with a long oval table in the middle, and the King and his court sitting around it. They apparently entered as two ponies were arguing. "I still say we must retaliate full force!" A moderately sized brown-spotted earth pony, known as the Adviser of War, Lugwinn. "We have to send reinforcements to the north and south borders!" He slammed his hoof on the table. The table shook as a unicorn with glasses lifting his cup of water from toppling over.

"Commander Lugwinn, please calm down." a pitch-black pegasus with a sleeked back mane spoke. "We can not be too hasty. We must take into account the repercussions of a war with the north and south."

"Yes, I agree with Adviser Gunningham." Another adviser joined. "We must stay calm and not make rash decisions." A fourth adviser stood.

"The other side is already attacking! If we do now act now we will lose our borders." As opinions were exclaimed, the advisers took sides and couldn't decide on an action. The King sat patiently at the other side of the long table. However soon enough, the King ordered them all to quiet down.

"I know we are in a crisis right now, but we must cool our heads. We will not get anything done if we continue to argue." He stated. "I have a plan. A dangerous one, but a plan nonetheless." He looked to Aduro and Scutum standing by the table. For the first time the 12 advisers acknowledged the presence of the two new ponies.

"King Dexus, what is the Prince doing here!" Ludwinn exclaimed.

"He should be in the safety of his room!" Gunningham agreed. The two were about to continue, but the King silenced them with a wave of his hoof.

"Aduro is no longer a child. He has had his Coming of Age Ceremony already and deserves to know what we know." The advisers muttered among themselves as King Dexus continued. "As you know Aduro and Scutum, the Kludorians have begun an assault on our northern borders. What we did not mention, was that the Republic had attacked our southern border at approximately the same time."

"So we are going to be engaged in a two-front war?" Aduro asked. Dexus paused as he stared deeply into his son's eyes, before nodding.

"Sadly, you are correct. With both our neighbors attacking us, we will have to split our army into two groups to defend against the other nations. It will greatly weaken our army, but it is the only way." Aduro's shoulder's slumped and downcast his eyes. Scutum stepped up to Aduro's side and spoke.

"But there has to be a way to protect Lumin! Is there not?" Dexus stared at Scutum and smiled at the young guard's reluctance to give up hope.

"You are correct, Scutum." Everyone's eyes widened in shock to the King's statement. "There is a way to ensure the safety of Lumin. However, it will require us to travel into the accursed badlands of the east." The advisers again murmured in response to this new information. "In order to save Lumin, we must acquire the Helm of Tantibus."

"But King Dexus," Gunningham interrupted, " wasn't the Helm lost?" Dexus nodded.

"Yes, it was. But I have been secretly been funding exploration teams to search the Badlands for the relic. And I had gotten a report from them claiming to have found a temple in the badlands said to hold the Helm."

"And you didn't tell us of this?!" Gunningham frustratingly asked.

"You of all ponies should know the dangers of one obtaining the Helm. The only ones who knew, were Captain Ferrum and myself."

"Wait father," Aduro called. His father and the rest of the room gave Aduro their attention. "This 'Helm of Tantibus', is this the relic of the stories?"

"Yes Aduro, the very same helm said to have belonged to King Aquitas Aduro Lumin I, first king of Lumin. It is said that this relic was used by the first king to protect the ponies of old and unite them to form Lumin. But was lost with the first King after the birth of his son."

"Then we must get the helm!" Aduro exclaimed, "We could stop the war!"

"Exactly, which is is why I am assigning this task to you and Scutum."

"WHAT!?" The advisers broke out into an outroar.

"This is absurd!"

"The Prince is the future of Lumin!"

"We cannot send the Prince on such a dangerous mission!"

"Silence! All of you!" Dexus raised his voice. The advisers instantly quieted and sat back down. "I have my reasons to send Aduro to retrieve the Helm. "Once Aduro obtains the helm, he will use it to stop the war. Thus raising the already low moral of the citizens." A few advisers began to agree with the Kings decision, but others were still reluctant.

"And how exactly will we get the expeditionary party to the Deadlands?" Ludwinn questioned.

"I have already thought of that." Dexus nodded to the butler and the butler brought out a map of Alteria. "We will take advantage of our positioning and escape through the east border, where the fighting hasn't started yet. The party will then slip through the opening before the enemies surround us." Ludwinn sat silently as he followed the King's plan. "Once Aduro goes to the dig site, and obtains the Helm, he will bring it back to the border and use it to stop the war from continuing. Does everybody understand?" Now all 12 advisers were nodding to the King's plan. "Then let this plan come into action. Aduro, Scutum. You two will meet at the eastern courtyard as fast as you can. When you get there, there will be a party of 16 royal guards. You shall head directly east and slim through before the borders are surrounded." Aduro and Scutum nodded, showing that they understood what they must do.

"I will not fail you father." Aduro bowed to his father. Suctum launched a front leg and locked Aduro into a headlock.

"You mean we won't let them down!" Scutum corrected. Dexus smiled at the two ponies.

"I know you two will keep to your promise. Now hurry, you have no time to spare!" He dismissed the two. Aduro and Scutum burst through the door and raced to the courtyard where their party of 16 was waiting to leave.

Once they got to the courtyard they saw the party all strapped up and ready to go. They gathered their already packed bags and swords and left the eastern gates of Akturo, where the combined armies of north and south have yet to arrive.

The Land of Alteria (Part 3)

"Hurry! We must get to the dig site as fast as possible!" Aduro yelled over his shoulder as the group raced through the dead forest. It has been four days since the search party had passed the eastern borders and they were running through the forests that lined the Deadlands The forest was the main battlefield during the fight against the dragons. Once a normal luscious forest, now burned char black by the flames of the dragons. The trees themselves were all still standing , but no new life ever grew to replace the devastation that occurred here.

As they ran through the forest they reached a cliff and had a grand view of the Deadlands. It was recorded that even before the Lumin Kingdom was first founded, the Deadlands have been like this; barren and lifeless. The ground was dusty and dry. Mountains rivaling those of the north in height stood here and there. Other than the crevices and tumbleweeds, the Badlands had nothing else to give. The flat land and no trees brought winds strong enough to push the fastest pegasi backwards. This made it so that even pegasi had to walk.

"The location of the dig site is in one of the crevices further east Prince Aduro." The navigator stated. Aduro nodded in acknowledgment and made way to the slope that clung to the cliff. They walked onward in a single-file line as the winds blew up the cliff face. Once they could see the bottom of the slope Aduro called to cover their mouth and nose with a piece of cloth, and to put on their goggles.

Aduro had read about all the lands on Alteria, and the Deadlands ranked the most dangerous of all. Due to the fast winds, large amounts of dust would be picked up and carried along. The dust storms would choke a pony and sandpaper their eyes. Once he made sure that everyone had their face protection on he continued on into the dust-ridden land.

After travelling for quite some time, they reached a large crevice and climbed behind a large rock. "Is this the place?" Aduro asked, sliding down the cloth on his face.

"Yes according to the map and directions the King gave us, the dig site should be down at the bottom of the crevice." The navigator replied as he looked at the map.

"Good, we will rest a few minutes here, then we head down to the dig site, see if we can find any of the excavation team, and retrieve the Helm." The group nodded as a few sat down while others took out a bottle and drank. Aduro sat a little bit away from the group as Scutum approached him.

"Something on your mind?" Scutum sat down next to him.

"I do not fully believe that this, relic, will be able to stop the war." Aduro turned to face his friend. "What if all we manage to do is to bring back an old, rusted piece of armor. That is doesn't stop the war."

"If the Helm of Tantibus ends up to be just an old hat, then we'll rush back to where the battle is and fight! We are the two best swordsmen in the kingdom." Scutum elbowed his sulking friend. "Don't worry about it. Lumin will never fall, as long as we're there to protect it!" Scutum puffed his chest out.

"Yeah Prince Aduro," Aduro and Scutum turned to see that the entire group was standing behind them. "We'll all protect Lumin to our dying breath!" Aduro looked at the faces of the group and his chest filled with strength. He stood up and looked at the guard in front of him.

"Well looks like you're all rested up. Let's go and save Lumin!" Aduro put on his gear and the group headed down the crevice.

The group easily reached the bottom of the crevice without trouble, and found the dig site empty. The bottom of the dig site was cooler and quite dark. two members of the group was enough to keep the surrounding area lit. The group walked cautiously in the direction of the excavation team's campsite. "Where did the excavation team go?" A guard looked into one of the empty tents that lay scattered around.

"All their belongings are still here." Another guard answered as she picked up a pickax. "So that should mean that the excavation team should be nearby." The group searched the tents for anyone of the excavation team.

"Prince Aduro!" A guard called from the edge of the camp. "You may want to come see this." Aduro ran to where the guard was and paused in awe of what he saw. Sitting at the bottom of the dig site was an enormous castle. Its stone brick walls were half destroyed and a few towers had fallen off. scattered around the castle were spots of holes and piles of dirt, most likely from the excavation team.

"What in the world is this?" Scutum appeared next to Aduro. By now the rest of the group had gathered and stared at the ruins. "I thought that the first kingdom of Alteria was Lumin? Why is there such a large castle in the Deadlands?!"

"I don't know." Aduro replied. There were no documents that mentioned another nation on Alteria before the first Lumin King. "Everyone split up and search the ruins. Look for any of the excavators and any clues to the Helm." The guard spread out and looked into every hole and behind every pile of dirt, but could not find any living thing. Aduro walked along the castle's walls before coming across a hole in the wall. "Everyone, I've found a way inside!" He called. Once they all gathered again, they headed inside the ruined castle.

Aduro and the group walked through the dark corridors checking each room. Each room they went through was empty and most were crushed under rubble. They continued further into the castle until they reached a large iron door. Aduro poked his head into the entrance and saw that the room was reinforced with iron walls and broken runes adorning the walls and floor. In the center of the room was a pedestal with an object on top of it. Aduro motioned that it was safe to enter and everyone filed inside the armored room. A guard approached the pedestal. "Prince, could this be the Helm?" The guard reached a hoof out to touch it, but he quickly retracted his hoof as the helm zapped him."Ow! What the?" He rubbed his hoof. "It just shocked me! The helmet shocked me!"

"Oh don't be such a pansy" The female guard from before walked up and grabbed the guard's hoof and inspected it. "You hoof is fine. Just a tiny static shock." She let go of his hoof and took a closer look at the helm. "Looks like these bindings have a killing spell on them. You're lucky that they've gotten weaker with age." The guard holding his hoof gulped wide-eyed.

"You said it got weaker? Can you unseal it?" Aduro asked.

"Truthfully, no I can not." She relied. "This seal seems to only open to a blood relative of the caster. We'd have to know who sealed the helm if we are to find a descendant and bring him or her here."

"That would tale to long. By the time we find the descendant, or even if we do, the war may already be over." Aduro stared at the bandaged helm. Aduro felt as if he were being pulled to the helm. As the group discussed what they were going to do next, Aduro walked up to the pedestal and reached out his hoof.

Scutum happened to spot Aduro reaching for the helm. "Aduro what are you doing!" Scutum pushed past the circle of guards and tried to get to Aduro as Aduro's hoof touched the helm and a bright light exploded from the bindings. The small explosion caused most of the guards to be knocked back into a wall, leaving them dizzy. Aduro lay on the ground dizzy-eyed, holding an unwrapped helm.

The Helm of Tantibus seemed much more normal than in legends and stories. Its shape was like a normal issue guard's helmet, except it was a little bit bigger than an ordinary pony's head. It was a dark blue color and didn't look like it would protect a pony for anything. Although what really stuck out was the designs on the helm. The helm had engravings in it and the lines flowed smoothly. Soon enough the group of guards cleared their heads and checked for any injuries. Scutum marched up to Aduro, who was sitting next to the pedestal looking at the mythical helm in his hooves. "What did you think you were doing?!" Scutum yelled at Aduro.

"I. . . I don't know. I just, was drawn towards it, to . . . touch it." Aduro answered, his mind blurry.

"Ugh, what the heck does that mean!?" Scutum rubbed his head to try to ease a sudden sharp pain.

"Well, the bindings are off the helm now though." The female guard from before stated. "Looks like an ancestor of the royal family was the one who sealed the Helm of Tantibus away." Aduro slow picked himself up as the guards prepared to leave. "We must get back to Lumin." The group walked back into the corridor and retraced their steps back to where they entered.

"Do you think the it was the First King that sealed the helm?" A guard whispered.

"What could the First King have been doing out here?" Another answered back.

"Why would he seal the helm in the first place anyway?" A third whispered.

"Stop your gossiping you little fillies! We need to pick up the pace!" The guard that had his hoof zapped exclaimed as he raced ahead out into the open dig site. " Come on! Let's-" As he turned to face us a steel-tipped arrow impaled itself it his throat and he fell to the ground, instantly dead.

"What the-!" The female guard screamed in shock of a fellow guard falling dead.

"Everybody take cover!" Scutum ordered as he raced outside and got behind a fallen piece of the wall. "AMBUSH!!" Just in time for another barrage to come showering down.

"Scutum what is going on? Who is attack us?" Aduro took cover behind a wall with Scutum. Scutum had picked up a dead guard's bow and arrow and had been using his magic to shoot their attackers.

"Looks like a party of north and south troops. I've shoot at least ten but they seem to have even more troops." Scutum reported the situation. "We've already lost six of our squad." He fired another arrow.

"Give me a bow, I'll fight too." Aduro said.

"No," Scutum let go of another arrow. "You have the Helm, you have to keep it safe." Out of nowhere a Kludarian warrior jumped over the wall and held a battle-ax in his mouth. Scutum quickly drew his blade using his magic and parried the enemy's attack. He then spun his sword and slashed across the warrior's chest. The warrior yelled and fell to the ground. "Fine, but it looks like the enemy is going to try and use their strength in close combat. So grab your sword." Scutum clenched his head in his hoof.

...th...n.y...wa...

"Are you ok?" Aduro looked to his friend. Scutum opened his eyes and pushed Aduro out of the way and stabbed another Kludarian warrior in the chest.

"I'm fine! Quick we have to fall back to the ruins." Scutum got up. "Guards! Fall back!" The remaining guards heard and retreated to the hole in the castle wall. "I want you four to kill anyone who tries to enter!" the four guards nodded and went to the entrance. Scutum looked to the rest of the guards. "Status report. How many have we lost?"

The female guard stood tall even though she had a gash above her eye and was covered in cuts and bruises. "We've lost a total of nine guards and have seven remaining, not including yourself and the Prince."

". . . This bad. We've taken out most of their force, but we're still outnumbered." Scutum paced. He looked to the other two guards. They looked worst than everyone else and were leaning on the wall. "You all rest, I'll go help the other defend." Scutum turned and ran to the entrance of the ruins.

Once he got there he saw that the four guards were holding back the force that filed through the hole. As Scutum joined, the battle they were easily able to repeal the remaining enemies. Soon enough the last enemy troops retreated and ran off. Scutum approached the four exhausted guards and commended them on their victory. He sat down and rested his head on the floor.

I wouldn't be too sure that everything is fine. An ominous female voice said.

Scutum grabbed his head in pain "Ugh, who's that!" Scutum raised his head, ears perked up at attention.

Hmm? Oh~! Looks like you can actually hear me!

Scutum raised his sword again, "Come out! Where are you!"

Calm down. Although I would actually be running to that Prince of yours.

"What about Aduro?"

Do you really think, that the other side would retreat that easily?

Scutum's face turned grave as he realized what the mare was saying. He turned and sped through the ruined halls in a burst of speed.

Oh~ looks like someone is really determined.

"Shut up!" Scutum yelled as he turned left.

How rude, telling a beautiful mare to shut up. Either way, your Prince is most likely dead.

Scutum veered to the left and could see the door to the room they were being held in. He made a quick stop and jumped through the door. "Adur-" He was cut off by a blunt smack to the head, flinging his helmet into the far wall.

"What the heck?" A very muscular pony with a club stared at Scutum on the ground.

"What is it? Another pony asked from across the room.

"Some pony just screamed and I smacked 'em right in the head." The pony pointed at his head. A thrid pony approached Scutum.

"Well, looks like it's one of the Lumin guards anyway." He kicked Scutum in the gut. "Heh."

Scutum's eyes began to clear from the blow to his head as the blurs slowly became more defined. He saw two Kludarian warriors and three RSSA soldiers. Two RSSA soldiers had the female guard, unconscious and tied up, the last RSSA soldier was the one who had kicked him. One Kludarian warrior was holding Aduro up against the wall, while the other was the one by the entrance.

"Looks like the General was right to send a team here. We got to take out that excavation team and capture the Lumin Prince! Ha!" The Kludarian warrior holding Aduro to the wall exclaimed. Scutum looked to the side to see two bloodies bodies in the corner wearing Lumin guard armor. Scutum cursed at himself for not realizing this sooner.

There is still a way to save your precious friends.

Scutum grabbed his head in pain again. "What?" Scutum whispered.

Don't worry, the pain will eventually go away. I think. But if you do wish to survive this, I could help.

"You could save Aduro?"

Not just your Prince, but the other that mare as well.

". . . What. . . Do I need to do." Scutum swore he saw a mare's toothy grin.

Place the Helm of Tantibus upon your head. Simple as that.

Scutum looked to his side to suddenly see the helm laying on the ground, as if it had been there the whole time. "Will. . . I be ok?" Scutum asked.

I can not say for sure.

"Hey! Who are you talking to?" The RSSA soldier glared down at Scutum. Scutum glared directly at the soldier. "Tch, know your place!" The soldier lifted his hoof to smack Scutum again. Scutum struck the soldier right in his chest, pushing him onto the ground. "Ugh! That little-"

"Wait! He's got the helm!" The Kludarian holding Aduro pointed, as Scutum picked up the helmet with his magic.

"What!? But it was right here!?" One of the RSSA soldiers on the other side of the room looked to his feet.

"Stop him!" The RSSA soldier got up and aimed his crossbow at Scutum. The bolt flew and hit Scutum in the shoulder.

Scutum screamed in pain, but continued to place it on his head. The Helm seemed to mold onto Scutum's head as he slipped it on. As soon as Scutum placed the Helm on he felt a force pulsate into him. His head felt like it was going to explode. The pulsating soon spread to the rest of his body as his vision blurred and dimmed.

Do not worry. I'll take over for a bit. Just rest. The mare soothed Scutum as he fell unconscious.

The Land of Alteria (Part 4)

By the time Scutum opened his eyes all his pain was gone, and the room was silent. He felt different as he looked around the room. As he looked around though, he was shocked to see the dead bodies of the five enemies threatening to kill them. He looked across the room to see Aduro's limp body lying next to the unconscious guard. "Adur-"

Be quiet! Scutum flinched at the mare's voice and looked around to see where it came from. Oh stop looking around, I'm inside your head.

"Did you kill him?" Scutum asked anger lined his voice.

Of course not. I promised didn't I? Scutum rushed across the room only to trip half way.

"What the?" He looked down at himself to see a dark gray coat instead of his white hair. "The heck?!" He picked himself up and noticed that he was taller than he was before. "I'm. . . taller?"

Not only taller. But you're physically stronger, your magic is more powerful, and you now have wings!

"Wings?!" He twisted his neck to see his back and there adorning his sides was a pair of black bat wings. "But. . . How. . . WHY?!?!" Scutum exclaimed in confusion.

Oh hush up! You'll wake the others.

"But why am I like this?!"

Well, you did put on the helmet. Didn't you?

"So the helmet made me like this? Then if I take it off I'll turn back to normal right?"

I don't know. No one else has ever put it on Scutum quickly took off the helmet and waited for something to happen. Nothing changed as a lock of his hair fell across his face.

"Is, this my mane?" Scutum touched his new mane. It had grown longer. "It's. . . blue. Dark blue."

Hmm it's more of a midnight blue to me, nice shade too. But not as beautiful as mine. One part of Scutum's mind wondered what the mare actually looked like.

"But, I'm still like this." Scutum moved a hoof to feel his forehead. "And I also have my horn still. What am I?"

You don't know what you are?

"No." Scutum blatantly replied.

You're a horned bat pony! The royalty of the Darkion Civilization!

"Darkion Civilization?"

You've never heard of it? It's the first civilized nation on the continent!

"But, the Lumin Empire is the first. Founded by the First King, King Aquitas Aduro Lumin I."

Aquitas? That incompetent fool founded a nation!?

"You know the First King?"

Know him? He lead a rebellion against me, put my city into stasis, and sealed me in this stupid helm!

"Your city? You. . . ruled it?" Scutum raised an eyebrow.

Yes, I was the Queen. Scutum stood in silence. It doesn't matter now anyways. She sighed. What were you and your little band of guards doing here that made you get ambushed anyway?

Scutum thought about her question before smacking his forehead with his hoof. "The war!" Scutum headed towards the exit, smacking into the wall next to it.

War?

"I have to get back to Lumin. I have to use the helm to stop the war." Scutum got back up and tried to walk out, only to fall again.

Now just calm down. She waited for Scutum to calm himself. I can help you stop the war.

"Good lets-"

But~ only for a favor afterwards. Deal?

"Deal."

Alrighty then! Scutum's horn started to glow as he was teleported, involuntarily, to the top of the ravine.

"Whoa what the?" Scutum said in surprise. His leathery wings began to flap as he started speeding back west to the Lumin border. "What in the wor-" Nothing else could be heard as a shock wave rattled the trees below.

It only took about half an hour for Scutum to travel a distance that had taken them days to make. As Scutum was nearing the furthest Lumin village, he could see what the war was doing to his home. The villages were ransacked and burning, the crops trampled. Here and there he could see the piles of dead bodies of all nations. "This war must not be allowed to continue." Scutum promised. "The main battle must be closer to the capitol."

Then let's go. Scutum's wing's gave another flap as he flew towards the capitol.

Soon enough Scutum was approaching the fields and could hear the fight raging on. He could see the fields full of soldiers from all nations. "Ok, now let's land over-" Scutum ponited over to Akturo.

Let's make an entrance!

"What?!" Scutum exclaimed as his wings folded and he began to dive into the middle of the battle. He collided with the ground and created another shock wave, only this one launched anypony unlucky enough to be 20 meters near the impact. Scutum's shock wave created a crater and opened an entire area so all could see him. Scutum stood up holding his head. "That. . . Should have hurt more than it did." He looked around to see the wriggling bodies of both Lumin and enemy forces on the ground around him. A few were bleeding. "Hey there are some Lumin guards injured here."

Collateral damage.

"No, no hurting Lumin forces."

Fine Scutum heard a yell from behind him. As he turned around he saw a Kludarian wielding an ax. He couldn't react in time. Scutum watched in fear as. . . a sword impaled the warrior's stomach. The warrior soon went limp and fell to the ground as the sword slid itself out of the body. You must watch yourself. I won't save you every time. Scutum watched as the purple aura surrounding the sword turned dark blue.

". . . Thanks."

Your welcome. Look out. Scutum turned to face a group of northern and southern forces as the rushed at him. With his sword skills and the powers of the helm, Scutum zoomed pasted each enemy, slashing and dodging. He would cut a soldier's throat, duck under an ax, spin and slash at the Kludarian, and dodge another swing. It felt as if he could see everyone in slow motion. Being able to take in his surroundings and act in a single second. Scutum spun around to face the next enemy to see an arrow flying straight at his neck. Scutum tried to dodge, but the arrow was faster. However, just as the arrow hit him, a purple field surrounded his neck. The arrow bouncing harmlessly off it. How many time must I save you? Don't expect me to save you every time. Scutum smiled.

"Thanks." Scutum parried an attack and stabbed the attacker in the stomach. "Can you explain to me-" Scutum dodged an arrow and blocked another sword. "Why my reaction time-" He pushed his sword forward, off balancing the soldier and cutting his throat. "Is way faster?" Scutum said as he jumped back out of the way of a mace.

Well, The mare started to explain. I'm actually enhancing your mind's power using my magic. Allowing you to react in a split second.

"Well that's ugh-" Scutum stopped a downward blow from a Kludarian warrior, then jumped to the side and sliced the warrior's side open. " -quite handy."

Look out! behind you! Scutum quickly spun around to slice the attacker's gut. But as Scutum turned to see the pony, his eyes widened in shock. He couldn't stop his blade, he was spinning to fast. His mind went blank as blade met flesh, and blood flooded out of the wound. Everyone around him seemed to stop as the attacker's body fell to the ground. Scutum stared in shock at the golden armored body that lay before him. Scutum, had just slain the King of Lumin.

Scutum continued to stare at the King's dead body as ponies around him began to notice the King's body as well, and stopped fighting. "No," Scutum muttered. "Why?! Why did the King attack me?!"

You must have been seen as a larger threat.

Scutum began tearing up. "I should have looked first. I could have stopped myself."

You were in the heat of battle, you had no time to check.

"I doesn't change that I killed him though!" Scutum's voice slowly raised.

"DEXUS!!"

Scutum raised his head to the familiar voice. Then he saw him, his father in his Captain's armor racing towards him with eyes full of anger. "Dad?" Scutum said in disbelief as his father raised his sword and cut a downward strike onto Scutum's face. Scutum let out a scream as the blade cut directly on his eye. His father ordering guards to take the Kings body as Scutum screamed in pain. "Why?" Scutum cried, blood falling from his left eye.

You're injured, we must leave! The mare told Scutum as his wings flew him into the air, the sword dropping to the ground. The battlefield slowly came to a stop as ponies on all sides realized that the king, had fallen.

During the flight, the mare had used her magic to stop the bleeding from Scutum's eye. Though it was still bloody and hurt him immensely. We must get to a safe place so you can rest. I'm-

"No," Scutum exclaimed. "Take me to the ruins."

But-

"I must at least make sure Aduro is safe."

. . . Very well then.

By the time Scutum reached the ruins, the blood on his eyelids had dried and clotted. The pain had subsided and he descended into the crevice. Once he reached the bottom he landed and walked down to the dig site. When he reached the bottom, Scutum saw Aduro standing out side of the walls. Soon Aduro's eyes meet his and Aduro ran towards him. "Aduro, Aduro! It's me Scutum!." Scutum pleaded

"I know Scutum, I saw." Aduro reached Scutum and supported his side. "Are you alright? What happened to your eye?"

"I- I went back to Lumin, I- I fought them."

"Are you alright?!"

"But then. . . then your father Aduro, he"

"What?"

"I killed him!" Scutum began to cry as he remember what he had done.

"Scutum it's going to be ok, we'll go back and fix everything." Aduro tried to calm Scutum down. "I'm sure that-"

"Hey, you! Get away from the Prince!" a guard's voice yelled as he ran, sword drawn. Scutum's eyes flashed back to his father running towards him. "No, NO! Get back! GET AWAY!" Scutum freed himself from Aduro and back off as dark blue magic began to swirl around him. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Scutum screamed as the magic exploded from him, knocking back everything around him.

As the dust settled Scutum breathed deeply and launched himself into the air. He flew up out of the crevice and flew in a random direction, only wanting to be alone.

Aduro raised himself and watched as his best friend flew away. "Prince, are you alright." The guard from before approached him. The other four guards arriving as well.

"I'm fine." Aduro looked up as his friend flew out of sight. "I hope Scutum is as well."

The Land of Alteria (Part 5)

Hey! This is Noctis. Thanks for reading my story this far. I hope you enjoyed it!

Don't worry this isn't the end of the chapter. I'm only putting this here to explain what is going to happen in this last part. I'm going to be describing both POVs of what's happening with Aduro and Scutum at the same time. What Aduro says will be in a yellow color, while Scutum will be in blue. Purple is of course still the mare ( Just tell me if blue and purple are hard to distinguish).

Sorry for this cut right here. Just don't want you to be confused by what is going on. Enjoy!

It took Aduro and the remaining four guards five days to return to Akturo. In the five days that passed much had happened. The funeral of King Dexus had been a sad one. The Kludarians and RSSA troops agreed to a cease-fire for negotiations. On the day that Aduro returned to the capitol, everyone cheered and celebrated the safe return of their Prince. However not everything ended.

The King's court had attended to matters for those five days. A meeting to set up a peace treaty between the three nations. The biggest event, by far, was the crowning of Prince Aduro. With the death of King Dexus, Prince Aduro is the next in line for the throne. Aduro was scheduled to be crowned then give a speech to the public.

Scutum, after the event that passed in the crevice, flew east and settled into an abandoned cave. There he thought of his actions and what to do next. He cleaned his face and wiped off all the dried blood to reveal a scar across his left eye. He also noticed when he looked into some water, that his eyes had turned a golden yellow color and turned into slit, like a cat's. Except that his left eye's iris wasn't the same color. It had turned red. He also found that four of his teeth had grown sharp. When he opened his mouth to see his teeth, it would remind him of a predator's.

After a week of thinking, Scutum had decided what he was going to do and prepared to leave the cave.

The crowd in front of him clapped and roared with congratulations as Aduro walked onto the balcony where he stood during his Coming of Age Ceremony. He touched the crown that now made all know him as King.

Scutum walked out of the cave, and closed his eyes as the bright light and cold winds blasted his face. He walked on to the edge of the cliff that allowed him to see the flowing green land that hid behind these monstrous mountains.Are you sure you are alright to head out? The mare asked Scutum.

"Ponies of Lumin!" Aduro began. "No, ponies of Alteria! I appear before you now, no longer a Prince, but a King!"

"Yes, I'm ready. No more waiting."

"With the signing of the Treaty of Alteria! The three nations of Alteria agree to peace and co-operation, until this mysterious pony that killed my father, is dead!"

"I can not change what has already happened."

"I too wish to do something about this. That is why I am continuing my journey!"

"But I can continue an era of peace for Alteria."

"I made a promise with my father, that I would protect not just Lumin, but all of Altera!"

"I will keep my promise."

"I will move eastwards, and slay the evil that lies beyond!" Aduro used his magic to pull out his sword, Celestina and raised it into the air. The light from the sun seemed like nothing compared to the radiance of the sword's light. The crowd below him cheered.

"I will become all that Alteria loathes."

"I will become your sword!"

"I will maintain Alteria's peace."

"I will maintain Alteria's peace!" The crowd roared in cheer and encouragement. Aduro slipped Celestina into it's scabbard and walked back inside. "I will save Alteria. And I'll save you too, Scutum." Aduro walked out of the room and down the many halls to his room. All the while, the crowds outside continued to cheer for the revenge of their King, and the death, of his murder.

Then let us go. To the far east, Scutum.

"No," Scutum shook his head. "I am no longer Scutum any more. I am the evil that killed a king. An evil that is hated by all. I am, Acerbus."

He swore that he could see the mare smile. Very well. Then, shall we be off? Lord Acerbus?

"Twilight? Twilight! Where did you go! It is time for your lesson!" a voice resounded into her room. Twilight closed the book and placed it on her bed.

"Just a second Princess!" The little Twilight replied. The door to her room opened and the Princess of the Sun walked in.

"Twilight," Celestia said. "You're late for your lesson. You're never late!"

"Sorry Princess." Twilight blushed. "I found a really interesting book and lost track of time." She ran up to her teacher.

"Oh? And what book was that?" Celestia asked her student.

"It was an odd book. I found it wrapped up in a cloth." Celestia seemed to get more interested.

"What was it called?" Filly Twilight jumped back onto her bed and held up the book for Celestia to see.

" Alteria: Lord Acerbus The First and Greatest Villain." Twilight put the book back down onto her bed. "But that Acerbus pony didn't seem like such a villain to me."

"That's quite nice Twilight." Celestia walked to the door. "But we must be going, you'll miss your lesson" Twilight rushed out the door. Celestia stopped as a strange wind blew the book on Twilight's bed open, the the very last page. She stopped and stared at the page. On the back of the last page, was a pentagram with a spell written on it. Celestia smiled and used her magic to close the book. She then closed the door and followed her eager student.

After the door shut, the book's cover began to glow as a golden shade of magic( like that of Celestia's). Letters began to write themselves below the last line of words. The light continued until the last letter was written. The letters came out to spell this:

And the Greatest Friend one could have
By: Aquitas Aduro Lumin II