Sapphire's Dream

by SteelHoof1

Rating: everyone
Tags: Alternate Universe, Sad, Adventure
Length: 31709

The first in it's series: In a post-apocalyptic equestria, the world is seperated into four islands each containing a different pony species. It is up to one pony to reunite all the islands and to rebuild Equestria.

This story follow a character named Sapphire Dream who is destined to reunite pony-kind after a devastating apocalypse. Equestria is left separated into four islands, each containing a different species of pony. Sapphire is destined to travel to each island and bring back old Equestria. Join these characters in a breath taking journey into Equestria's dark future! This story has a lot of effort put into it and is a very unique, well thought out work. There will be four parts of this story!

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-04-09 02:50:53 UTC

Chapter 1: Earth

BOOK I

Earth

Flying. Sapphire Dream was flying. She felt the wind flow through her mane as she soared through the sunny skies. Sapphire brushed past a few clouds feeling their cool damp surface. Birds flew next to her for a brief moment until she passed them by, for Sapphire was much faster than all the crows, sea gulls, and pigeons, they were all snails to her. Sapphire looked below her and all she could see was ocean, she preferred that actually... it felt alot like home. Sapphire could see something in the distance, she tried flying for it. It seemed so familiar... Something was off about this object in the distance... the closer Sapphire got to it the smaller it got. Something was wrong. Suddenly without a warning the blueish-green colored pony was pulled by an invisible force into the watery depths. Sapphire couldn't breathe, she was going to drown! Just before everything went black and after Sapphire breathed in a large amount of water she heard a voice softly whisper in her ear "wake up!"

Sapphire Dream woke up. She was in her bedroom and a bit confused about it. Sapphire always felt this way waking up from a nightmare she felt disoriented almost like this was another dream, no. This was her bedroom she was now becoming aware of her surroundings. The messy-maned pony looked around the room and saw her sky-blue colored ceiling, her orange-yellow walls, and her dark green carpet. Sapphire began to try and scratch her wings until she suddenly fell off the bed in panic. "MY WINGS!" she screamed in terror! Then Sapphire slowly realized what was happening and said out loud "oh..." in a disappointed voice. The blonde headed aqua colored pony sighed with sadness as she realized the dream had made her think she WAS a flying pony... it was so real... "That is so silly" Sapphire thought "Everypony knows there is no such thing as flying ponies!" She laughed for awhile at her silly mistake and got up off the floor with a grunt. Sapphire had a bit of trouble getting up from the position she fell in on the floor. She looked at the door, but then decided that she didn't want to leave yet. Sapphire felt almost as if she was running, she felt... tired. She decided to go get a drink from the kitchen. Sapphire walked on the tiles on the floor of her kitchen, they felt cold under her hooves. She slowly and zombie-like made her way to her fridge as she was still a bit drowsy. The thirsty pony opened it up and took a cold water pitcher out and put it on the wooden table to her right. Sapphire then made her way over to the cups and took one out. She was always told to get new cups but nostalgic Sapphire liked these old cups... She took the cup over to the table the pitcher was on. The drowsy pony's mouth was very dry and she definitely needed some water. Sapphire poured the water out of the pitcher into the glass, it made condensation on the outside of the cup that felt very cold when she picked the glass up with both her hooves. She promptly drank the cold glass of water and finished it. Feeling refreshed Sapphire put the glass into the sink and then made her way to the front door. Now being more awake and not as tired she was ready to go out for her morning stroll. Sapphire passed through her bedroom and before walking out her burgundy red front door she looked back with almost longing in her eyes, stared at the sky-blue ceiling, and then Sapphire Dream walked out the door.

Sapphire looked out and saw nothing but ocean which wasn't a surprise she did live on an island after all. Her island was very small and had a population of thirty-four ponies. Sapphire knew every single one of them of course, you have to when you live within 5 miles of everypony. Sapphire walked the streets for a little while just breathing the fresh air and seeing the sights she's seen so many times. This simple pony never gets tired of the same scenery oddly enough. Every morning Sapphire would do this: Walk around for about 30 minutes, buy some apples at the local stand, and then visit her brother at the farm. Something, today though, caught Sapphire's eye. Something that was in the back of her head like an idea... NO! A location! She shook off the idea and classified it as a mere product of her crazy dreaming mind. Sapphire continued  on her normal path saying "Hi!" to ponies she knew as she passed by them. Then she started to think, but she started to think very deeply, deep enough that all outside sounds were lowered down to a volume that was almost mute. Sapphire thought about what that object was in her dream and why she wanted it so much. She wondered why she felt compelled to go to this location, Why was the object there? Was it real? Are her dreams some sort of connection to reality? Bah! There's no way! the really needed to tell someone about this dream though it was driving her mad! Sapphire's thought process was interrupted by almost smashing face-first into a pole. She then decided that was enough walking for today and started to trot towards the apple stand. The scent of apple juice filled the air as she slowly approached the stand at which they sold various apple products. Sapphire walked up to the pony running the stand whom she knew very well. She approached the pony and said "Good morning Applecheer!" The pony responded with a slight smile on her face, "Good mornin' Sapphire! What can I getcha' today?" Sapphire wondered why she always asked that same question every single morning. Sapphire looked at the elderly pony and said "What I get every morning." Applecheer looks at Sapphire and chuckles lightly. "Oh, that's right i should've probably guessed it." Applecheer reaches into a drawer she has under the stand and pulls out a very shiny looking apple. "I saved it for ya' Sapphire. It's the best we got honey!" Applecheer said with a smile. Applecheer was a fairly old pony so when she smiled alot her face's wrinkles would show up alot clearer. Sapphire payed for the apple, thanked the pony, and bid her farewell. Now that Sapphire has her morning meal she can make her way towards her brother's farm. Her brother was actually a quite successful farmer, although he was the ONLY farmer on the island... As Sapphire walked she thought about how her brother was always there for her and that he protected her when their parents had- She didn't want to think about it. Her brother was a very special person to her. Everypony called Sapphire's brother "Big Ted" as a nickname for Theodore. As fitting to to Ted's nickname he is a rather large pony! Sapphire's brother is a brown pony with a blond colored mane. Theodore and Sapphire share the same eyes both of their eyes are as blue as the ocean that surrounded their tiny little island. Sapphire was thinking as she walked towards the field of golden wheat that shimmered in the sun on her brother's farm if she should tell him about her dream. She felt like she needed to tell someone, but who? Seeing her approaching Big Ted yelled "Sapphire! How are you this fine morning?" Sapphire was not a pony of many words, it would normally take another pony to talk to her first to start a conversation. "Im doing OK bro, how is the wheat coming along?" Ted shrugged as he always did when something wasn't really interesting him or wasn't exciting. "So... the same then?" Sapphire says in an unsure tone. They never were really small-talkers because of Sapphire's shyness and Ted's desire to get right to the point. Ted promptly says "Well Sapphire spit it out. What did you dream?" Sapphire would always come to meet her brother and discuss her crazy dreams and they would usually laugh about them, but this was on a whole other level..."Well..." Sapphire stuttered "There was a flying pony and-" She was quickly cut off by Ted yelling "WHAT?!" and then he immediately realized this was a bad move and lowered his volume to almost a whisper. "Sapphire, who is the only person who believes in flying ponies?" Ted asked condescendingly. Sapphire answers in a bit of a squeakish tone "Only Old Man Edgar believes in flying ponies..." Ted continues with his lecture "Good! Now what does everyone think of him?" Sapphire gulps and says "Everyone thinks he's insane" Ted then completes this "lesson" and calmly says "OK good so we don't want everyone thinking you're crazy too now, Right?" Sapphire ponders over this thought she never really thought he WAS CRAZY she just thought Edgar was a bit strange... "No brother..." Sapphire finally said with an almost obedient tone. Ted was actually kind of annoyed at his sister for mentioning this because this was very dangerous to mention around the other ponies so he said "Sapphire i think you should go home or something. I'll see you later" Sapphire didn't like when her brother got like this it sacrificed her relationship with him for her safety that she might not even need! She sighed and started to walk back home. Sapphire heard the several click-clacks of her hooves on he cobblestone path. She passed by Old Man Edgar who oddly was carrying leaves in his mouth, he ran by for Sapphire to only see his white blur of a body pass by. She was going to say "hi" to him, but the "crazy" pony ran passed her to quickly. Sapphire walked for awhile and then approached her house. By this time it was 2:00 PM. She opened the door and walked inside, but when Sapphire walked inside the house she felt a sudden feeling of drowsiness fall over her. Sapphire thought it to be odd to take a nap at this hour, but if you're tired, you're tired! She laid her head on the soft pillow as she climbed into her comfy bed and she starred up at the spinning fan above her which quickly turned to nothing but a blur.

Sapphire Dream woke up. She was coughing, but she was not just coughing. Sapphire was coughing up water and was laying face first on a sandy beach. The aqua colored pony was shaken, waterlogged, and confused. She managed to stumble to her feet and look at her surroundings. Sapphire looked around and saw the landscape was mountainous and forest-like. There was something that seemed odd about this landscape and it jumped out to her eyes as would sunlight. There was a cave that looked like it didn't or rather SHOULDN'T belong. Sapphire blinked rapidly as her eyes were still adjusting to light change and began to walk towards the strange cave. Sapphire almost felt as if she was drifting, not walking. Her hooves felt numb so she wasn't sure of the manner in which she was walking, but she was moving, that's something. Sapphire kept her eyes locked on the cave as if it was going to disappear if she looked away. She was at the cave in almost an unusual amount of time and Sapphire stood there in awe at this place, she didn't really know why. Sapphire looked at the cave, but she couldn't go any further her numb legs would not allow it. She starred at the cave almost waiting for something to happen, it was as if Sapphire knew... A voice came from the cave, it was a stern, deep, disguised, and distorted voice "Who approaches my dwelling?!" the voice grumbled, "Who believes they are worthy enough to approach me?!" Sapphire could only squeak the response of "I-It is I, Sapphire Dream!" The voice chuckled and said "Many ponies have come to me and many have simply run away in fear of me. Why do you not?" Sapphire Dream, brave...? This idea had never occurred to the bashful pony that she may actually be brave in areas that others were not. Sapphire a bit more confident answer the strange voice and said "Tell me, am I dreaming?" The strange voice laughed for awhile and then almost whispering, said "Reality is not a question of what IS real it is a question of what YOU THINK is real." Sapphire pleaded "Please! I don't know what to think! When I am in this place it feels so real the very air I breath and the wind in my mane. It IS real..." Sapphire continued, "When I 'wake up' from this place, that feels real! I just don't know what to think!" The voice was silent for brief moment surprised by the firmness of the little pony's voice. The voice muttered softly "Perhaps... nothing is real, but that is not my place to decide, it is yours." Sapphire pondered this statement and thought about how she had memories of the other reality and few of this one. Sapphire after considering this suggested "Perhaps this is the dream and you are real. I know that sounds crazy, but you seem wiser than I could ever be, so you can't be part of my own mind could you...?" The voice is silent for awhile now and Sapphire is about to remind the voice of their current conversation,  but the voice responds, "You're an observant one and you are indeed wise. Perhaps you are really the one. You will speak to the guardian! Go! NOW!"

Sapphire Dream woke up. The fan had stopped spinning and it was early in the evening now. She felt groggy she needed to get up and stretch her legs. Sapphire quickly hopped off her bed and did a big stretch that looked similar to the way a cat would stretch and she looked around because of her normal confusion of leaving one "reality" and entering another. After Sapphire came out of her groggy state she was almost shocked with the thoughts running through her mind! Did that dream mean something? Was it a dream? Who was the voice? Was it really me? How do I know what is real anymore? Although, one question stood out to Sapphire "Who is the Guardian?" Sapphire pondered this question for a moment and then it hit her, Edger had just been walking down the street the other day screaming "This is how you thank your guardian?!" She assumed he'd been drinking because his words were unclear and slurred. Could her dream really be telling her to see this crazy old pony?! Sapphire mulled this thought over and came to the conclusion that it wouldn't really do much harm just to simply talk to the man. Sapphire just sat on her bed to take all of this in and space out starring at her sky-blue ceiling. After this break from all the madness that was taking place in her mind she trotted out of her little cottage with the clip-clop noise of her hooves.

Sapphire knew where the old pony lived, she used to visit his house alot when she was a filly, before he was "crazy" She walked through town at around 6:00 PM and the whole town was ghostly. After about 5:30 PM all the ponies who ran the little carts went home to their families for dinner. Sapphire walked down the street feeling the eerie atmosphere. Of course as she approached the old pony's house the then realized the whole house was dark. "Where could he possibly be?" She thought, "Everyone is home right now!" Sapphire reluctantly approached the dark house as if afraid to knock on the door of this old house. Sapphire walked up to the door and after letting out a large "gulp" sound she knocked. She waited, no answer. Sapphire again knocked, no answer. She wondered where he could be if he wasn't at home. Sapphire, now annoyed, sighed and began to walk away from the door. The door as if it was part of a creepy film squeaked open and Sapphire heard a "hoarse" voice that said "Sapphire what a delight! Would you like to come in for tea little one?" His voice was very warm and caring although rough and scratchy you can perceive his warmth through his tone. Sapphire smiled at the old pony and responded "I was beginning to think you weren't home Edgar! I would love to come in, we haven't had a chat in so long now!" Sapphire then remembered his question, "Yes, tea would be very nice, thank you!" She smiled wide and he returned the favor. The old pony chuckled and said "I was beginning to think you've forgotten about me..." Sapphire heard this and was saddened because Edgar had always been like a grandfather to her. She didn't want to seem like she was avoiding or forgetting him, but he has been acting a bit weird lately and it worried Sapphire. "Of course i didn't forget about you! You are my friend" The lonely old Edgar with almost a tear in his eye gestured Sapphire to enter his home and she trotted on in.

Edgar was a very old pony his age was unknown to anypony and he was losing his hair. Edgar had a grey mane with orange colored fur. His face was very rough and rugged looking. Edgar looked like a strong pony in light of his age. Sapphire after getting her tea explain to Edgar all about her dreams and asked his opinion on them. Sapphire assumed he would think she was a nut, but on the contrary Edgar was quite normal about it. He said with a serious tone "So, you are unsure of who's voice this was?" Sapphire couldn't believe he didn't have her put away! I guess it takes a crazy pony to understand a crazy pony. Sapphire shook her head "no" as a response to the old pony's question and he asked a question that shocked Sapphire greatly. "Do you know why everyone, including you, think I'm crazy, Sapphire?" as Edgar said this Sapphire spit out her tea and replied "Edgar I don-" Edgar saw right through her charade and affirmed "Sapphire I'm not a child, though I am old don't treat me as incompetent! Do you know why, Sapphire? Well do you!?" Sapphire barely could believe this was happening, as he seemed fully aware and not crazy in slightest. "No" muttered Sapphire with a mousey tone. "It's time I told you a story dear Sapphire. You're going to want to hear it" Edgar said in a more calm tone, "Sit down dear girl." Sapphire sat and waited for the unbelievably mind-blowing story she was about to hear.

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Long ago there was once a world where many ponies roamed free, this world was called Equestria. You've never known a land mass any bigger than this one dear Sapphire, but what if I told you one existed that was one thousand times this island's size?! Ponies used to live in harmony with one another this golden age was overseen by four princesses Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance. All species of ponies lived together, these species included your "Flying Ponies" they were called Pegasi. There were four species of pony Crystal, Earth (like ourselves), Pegasi, and Unicorn. The Unicorns were wise and used great powers with their mind they liked to call "Magic" The Pegasi were a proud race and were usually loyal guards to the princesses, they possessed great agility and flying skills. The Earth ponies were a farming race and still are to some degree, who had almost super strength compared to the other races. The Crystal ponies were known for their proud empire and for their elegance. These proud races under the rule of the four princesses lived in a utopia, but one day that all changed. An evil race called the Changelings rose up and began turning ponies into their foul species and upsetting the balance of the races' population. The four princesses went to war with the Changeling queen, Chrysalis. Some say her heart is made of pure stone and that she wanted all life, other than her own species, destroyed. The Changelings were monsters whose appearance was as of a shadow. Changelings had many wholes in their legs as if they were a porous rock and they had fangs that rivaled even the great timber-wolves of old. Like insects they had buzzing wings and on their head sat a mangled mess for a horn that some say spit out pure evil. Their eyes were a bright blue but there was nothing light in their eyes other than the color if you stare into a Changeling's eyes all you see is death itself. Their skin was bare with no fur only ugly lizard-like skin and their manes were as fins on a fish. The Changelings overall goal was to feed on everypony's love for each other and when all the love is drained from a pony they put the poor soul into a pod-like cocoon and convert there victim into one of their own. This is why the Changelings had to be stopped, they were going to destroy all of Equestria and leave nopony left only Changelings. Forever. The powerful rulers, the princesses, would not let this happen! Equestria was at war. The Changelings advantage was that when one soldier fell on the enemy side, they gained a soldier. The great Equestrian war raged on for many years and the pony side never stood a chance. Everywhere loved ones were killing each other in fear that they were Changelings. Whole towns were burning and ponys' screams filled the air. The Equestrian army killed itself from the inside. The princesses foresaw this through their wisdom they made a fail-safe. The princesses gather together in a room with their armies captains which were titled "The Guardians" and the princesses explained the plan to them. Although the Guardians were saddened by their plan they knew it was the necessary action. The princesses were going to destroy Equestria! Each species of pony would gather in areas that would be protected by the princesses powers and each guardian would look after that species of pony. The princesses would then destroy everything, the Changelings, All the ponies, All the land, and Everything else on the planet other than the protected areas. This required alot of strength, so after doing this the princesses had to go into hibernation for one thousand years. This island is the remnant of a dead civilization, Sapphire. "How do I know this?" you might ask, the answer is simple. I am a descendant of one of the great guardians, my soul purpose is to protect the ponies of this island and i will give my life for them. This story was passed down along with the amount of time it has been since this great event. It has been one thousand years, Sapphire. Nothing is happening and I feared the princesses will never return, but then i found this old book passed down to all guardians. It says that a chosen pony will travel to all the islands of ponies, yes there are others Sapphire! The chosen pony will travel to these others and tell them the time is now and only when this pony reminds the ponies that this is not a simple legend will the princesses rise again! Sapphire i believe you are this chosen pony! If you can get everyone on our little island to believe again maybe, just maybe, we can reunite the races and bring peace to the land!

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"Now you see, Sapphire, why everyone thinks I'm crazy," The old pony softly explained "but that doesn't matter. The question is: What do you think about this? Do you believe me Sapphire? Sapphire?" Sapphire didn't know what to think, she knew it was true in her heart, but her brain refused to accept this fact. Sapphire stood there for a long time before managing to push a few words from her dry throat "I... need... to go... home n-now... Have a n-nice day........." Sapphire, who was now shaking, got up from her chair and began to make her way towards the door. Edgar called out to her, but she didn't hear what the pony said and Sapphire just walked out of the door.

Sapphire thought deeply about what she had just heard. Was this true? Was there a whole civilization everyone forgot? She pondered this as she walked through the cold night and breathed in the night breeze. This night seemed almost pure, like this night was in such a state of peace it seemed to be a "pure" night. Sapphire wondered why this night was different than any other, she wondered if it was just her or if the night was actually as peaceful as it seemed. Sapphire was about half way home now and she was still baffled by the story she had heard. She wondered if she really was that important pony Edgar had talked about and why she was this important, why her? Sapphire looked up at the shinning moon it almost glistened with light. Sapphire then sighed and felt a bit more calm as she saw a little sparkle from the moon. How could Sapphire possibly feel anxious on a night like this, it was as if every creature on the island had just stopped making a sound on this very night. Sapphire thought about how terrifying these "Changeling" creatures must've looked, if they were real. A single drop of rain fell from the sky and Sapphire knew this signified more rain was going to fall so it made her pick up the pace at which she was walking. Sapphire turned the corner of her street and walked to her home and stepped inside. She promptly shut the door as it had just started to rain a significant amount. Sapphire let out a long sigh as her mind is overloaded with information, she needed to sleep on it.

Sapphire was shocked awake! She was very disoriented and didn't even remember going to sleep. Sapphire looked at her surroundings, She was at the cave. Sapphire called out for the voice, but she received no answer. She looked back and began to walk towards the town below, but then she stopped dead in her tracks. Sapphire couldn't believe her eyes, she knew she had to be dreaming, but this sight still made her filled with fear. The town was connected to a large land mass, but more importantly, it was burning. Sapphire after shaking off her fear ran down the mountain the cave was located on while screaming for her brother. In Sapphire's frantic scramble she tripped and tumbled down the mountain. She landed on her head on a large rock when she finally tumbled to the bottom of the mountain. The little pony's ears rang as she felt a liquid she assumed was blood run down her head and through her mane. Just before losing consciousness Sapphire looked at her burning hometown, which now looked fuzzy and cried softly as she heard "Look what we have here!"

Sapphire Dream woke up. Sapphire was in the middle of town but was barely awake and couldn't see that well, she could hear just fine though. Sapphire heard her brother Ted's voice, "So, Sapphire you're awake" The confused pony answered "Y-yes w-what happened big brother" Ted in a monotone voice murmured "Everypony died..." Sapphire jumps up, but is met by a series of dizzy feelings and cries out "NO! PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT!" Ted sighs and says "Im afraid it's true Sapphire, but don't worry they will be avenged..." Sapphire doesn't really acknowledge this statement and is frantic to ask "How did this happen?!" Her brother looks into her eyes and says "Where have you been? The Changelings of course!" Sapphire is panicked by this sentence and her vision starts to return to her, she is in the middle of a burnt town. Sapphire is overcome with grief and shock, she blurts out the first thought that comes to mind in her panic "What did you mean when you said 'They will be avenged'?" Ted turned and look at Sapphire with hate in his eyes and spoke the most horrifying words Sapphire has ever heard in her life "I shall avenge them by killing you, you foul creature!" Sapphire trembled as he walked closer to her in an aggressive way and she manage to cry through the tears she now was shedding "WHY?! Why Ted?! What does this accomplish" Ted says with utter disgust "Just look at yourself you hideous thing!" Sapphire looks at her back and to her horror, there sat a pair of insect-like tattered wings. "No brother please I'm not a Changeling! You must know it! Look into my eyes!" Sapphire yells pleadingly. Ted just continues to move toward her drawing his hooves ready to start swinging and says "I won't be hypnotized by your evil gaze! They all say they aren't Changelings! They're all dirty LIARS!" Ted stomps his hoof on the ground which results in a cringe from Sapphire, she cannot say anymore and begins to cry. Sapphire's tears did not deter Ted from standing over her ready to attack. Ted lifted his front his front hooves up and then waited for a response from the "Changeling" under his massive hooves. "Please, Teddy Bear don't do this! I'm your sister who loves you very much and not a monster!" Sapphire pleaded "Killing me will avenge nothing and you'll just be alone in our ruined town." Ted looks away for a moment as if punched in the face with her words and a tear falls from his eye. This mood was short lived though, Ted regained his serious aggressive mood and prepared to stomp down on Sapphire. "Teddy! NO!" Sapphire screamed as his hooves came down and crushed her.

Sapphire Dream woke up. Sapphire woke up screaming and crying, as far as she was concerned she had been killed by her brother just now. Sapphire then realized she was back at the cave, as she looked around and blinked the tears from her eyes she became calmer. Still shaken by what had just occurred Sapphire was still crying until she heard a soft voice come from the cave "Shhhh child you are safe now, everything you just experienced was all imaginary." Sapphire was relieved by this fact and let out a sigh, but then suddenly became wrathful "IS THIS YOUR DOING?! Did you make me dream this you cruel disembodied voiced coward!" The voice is calm and smooth when it answers "Yes." Sapphire responded to its calmness with her own and she said "I'm sorry I yelled at you, but just tell me why? Why did you make me dream this? What was it's purpose?" The voice seemed caring and soft when it whispered to Sapphire "I'm very sorry, but you didn't believe the old pony's story and the memory of those ponies should live" The voice continues to speak as Sapphire listened with amazement. The voice is talking about the story she heard "Sapphire, Equestria was real and many lives were lost. What you felt, before when your brother turned on you, was what so many ponies felt during that time. So many ponies were betrayed by their loved ones... So many felt like you did. Now do you see why they must be remembered?" Sapphire was angry that she was forced to experience this pain, but she was more angry that so many others experienced this, so she agreed with the voice. "I understand why they must be remembered!" Sapphire responded with an affirmative tone "I believe in Edgar's story, the story of the old civilization, the Changelings, the flying ponies, all of it!" The voice returned to it's normal tone and bellowed "It's Good to hear that! I think it's time for us to meet face-to-face." Sapphire was surprised by this and wondered how or if such a thing was possible and if she was really going to see the voice's face. The voice continued to speak and say "I've left you a map to lead you to me once you wake up" Sapphire was confused by this and said "I thought this was reality and if it isn't then how are you going to leave me -" Sapphire's questions were cut short by whisper in her ear, it was the voice "Sapphire, wake up!"

Sapphire Dream did just that. She gasped as she was surprised by the sudden transition from her dream brought about by a whispers from the mysterious voice. She was under the soft blanket and yawned a bit once she got more relaxed. It was morning now, the warm sunlight peaked through her curtains and shined on her forehead. She threw the silk blanket off of her body and heard a strange noise occur as a result, it almost sounded like a paper dropping to the floor. Sapphire gasped as she saw a map on the floor of her bedroom! Had it been put there in her sleep? No, that couldn't be, the doors and windows were locked. Perhaps she sleep-walked and picked it up, but she had no history of sleep walking. Sapphire then thought about the fact that she didn't remember how or when she fell asleep, she thought about if somehow she had unconsciously gone somewhere to get this paper and then gone to sleep with it in her lap. At this point Sapphire realized that HOW the paper got there wasn't the question, but the question was what was on the paper. Sapphire hopped down off her bed to hit the hard wood floor and bent down to pick the map up in her mouth. She opened it up and laid it out on the bed. What Sapphire saw filled her with glee, but at the same time, fear. Sapphire looked at this map and saw exactly where it lead her, it lead her to the cave, the cave in which the voice lived. The voice that lived in her dreams. Sapphire thought of the terrain that was on the mountain and what a rough journey it would be. Sapphire soon came to the conclusion that she needed someone to accompany her on her journey, although there is one problem. The only ponies that know about this are Ted and Edgar, Edgar is too old to climb mountains, but Ted thinks she is a nut case. Sapphire came to the conclusion that no matter if her brother thought she was a nut case or not if he loved her, he would help her. Sapphire needed to pack some things for the trip, so she walked towards her closet to retrieve her backpack. Sapphire quickly threw together some things from her mess of a pantry, there was no time to delay of course! Sapphire realized there was a sense of urgency needed in her action. After Sapphire had packed a water jug and an arms-full of food she ran towards the door with the map in hand. Sapphire felt a sort of worry shower over her like she was about to go through a large challenge, though not physical, mental. Sapphire felt as if her will was going to be tested the lengths she would go to benefit pony kind. Sapphire quickly shook this feeling off and thought "It's simply a hike to a cave," but she knew this wasn't the case. This is where Sapphire Dream's story begins with a step out of her front door.

Sapphire Dream ran down her small town's path with a clip-clop sound, she wanted to find her brother. Sapphire knew just where to find him, she would find her brother in his usual place in the morning, but she was not going to follow her usual routine. Sapphire unlike the day before, and all other days before that passed the apple stand from which she got her breakfast. Applecheer looked at Sapphire very confused, but didn't call out to her because somewhere in Applecheer's heart she knew that Sapphire had no time to chat. Sapphire ran passed Edgar's house and contemplated stopping to chat, but she thought this would only make Edgar want to join in her venture and he was too old for climbing the mountain. Sapphire saw the golden fields in front of her, but today the field looked grey and somewhat gloomy. Perhaps the field looked this way because of her impending journey or because it seemed so much less amazing in comparison to the truths that have been revealed to her, Sapphire didn't know and didn't really care now. Ted noticed the rush of Sapphire this morning by hearing her running towards him so he naturally turns his head to see what this commotion is all about. At the very moment of Ted turning his head Sapphire tripped over her hooves and fell flat on her face. Ted quickly ran over to the injured Sapphire, offered her his hoof, and said "Sapphire, are you okay?" Sapphire looked up and saw his hoof in front of her face as he towered over her, this sight made Sapphire cringe. Sapphire didn't realize after her dream that her brothers face would scare her so much! She had to compose herself and take a few deep breaths so she could get up, if she acted scared of Ted he would think she was crazy for sure! Sapphire said "No, it's fine I just tripped is all." Ted looked at her and knew something was wrong, but he blew it off for now. Ted remembered what he wanted to ask Sapphire before she clumsily fell to the ground "So Sapphire, why were you running anyway?" Sapphire realizes this may be a long, difficult talk so she gestures towards a nearby bench and both ponies sit on it. Sapphire looks into her brothers eyes and shoots him a serious look, even though she is still shaken by the dream to the point that looking in his eyes is painful. Ted realizes she is about to say something important and gives Sapphire his full attention. Sapphire just spits out what the point of this conversation is, although she didn't mean to do this. She quickly blurts out "Big brother can you travel into the mountains with me?" Ted with a very shocked look on his face responds "Why would you want to go into the mountains?! It is dangerous there!" Sapphire sighs and mumbles "I need to go because of something i've seen in my dreams..." Ted quickly becomes angry with Sapphire and yells "You want us both to risk both of OUR lives for YOUR stupid dreams?!" Sapphire looks at her brother with determination in her eyes and asserted "Yes." Ted was a bit calmed by her sense of seriousness, but was still frustrated with his little sister. Ted said "You can't go to some dangerous area just because you dreamed it Sapphire! Can you be anymore reckless!?" Sapphire has had enough of her brother telling her what's right and wrong and what to do and what not to do she retorted "Too reckless?! Ted we NEVER do anything remotely reckless, EVER! We sit here on our sad little flanks and expect to live our lives on this claustrophobic DUMP! What if I told you that there used to be a whole world like Edgar always has said, but all of you have just been too THICK to understand his wisdom!? There ARE other ponies out there and the time is now to find them and expand this sad little island we call home! Theodore we have all been fooled into thinking THIS is life! THIS! IS! A! JOKE! I would rather die believing in something more than believing this is all life has to offer. If little Teddy would like to join his sis on her journey that's great, but I WILL go to the mountain with or WITHOUT you Ted!" Ted was awestruck by Sapphire aggressive tone and frankly so was she. Sapphire was normally a very mellow, shy pony. Ted now knew that this was important to her if she acted and spoke in such a way, so Ted said "W-well Sapphire i-if it means this much to you then i'll go with you..." Ted let's out a large defeated sigh "BUT only to show you that whatever you're looking for is just imaginary!" Sapphire gave Ted a glance of disappointment, but realized that she did get him to come with her, so she should count her blessings. Sapphire shoots Ted a little smirk signifying her victory and gestures for him to follow her. Sapphire began to walk across town, with Ted not far behind, heading towards the mountains.

"How did I get roped into this..." Ted asked himself as he found himself climbing the large mountain that was outside of their little town. Sapphire giggled a little bit at her brother's annoyed state. They both were climbing the mountain almost as mountain goats would climb: Jumping from rock to rock. Ted got an eerie feeling as he climbed this mountain almost as if there was something great and unknown at the top of this mountain, of course he wouldn't admit it to Sapphire... Sapphire thought about her dreams, what did they all mean? What would she find here? Sapphire had a feeling that these dreams would change everything. Ted was thinking about Sapphire and her dreams too, but in a different way... Ted was thinking about how to make Sapphire's dreams stop. Ted wanted Sapphire to be a normal pony so she could stop worrying herself over these stupid dreams, but this time Ted wasn't sure they were so silly anymore.

Sapphire and Big Ted finally made it to the top of the mountain and they sat down to rest. Ted looked at Sapphire and spoke softly to her and said “you see our beautiful town down their Sapphire?” Sapphire knew he was trying to pull something... “you see how it is so peaceful” Sapphire responded “yeah...” Ted continued with his little speech “isn't it so much nicer down there in the warm peaceful little town we call home than this cold dirty mountain top?” Ted was very smooth when he tried to convince someone to do something, but Sapphire was his sister and she was much too aware of his tricks to fall for that. “Nice try Teddy, but we're still going, we've come too far to stop now!” Sapphire said in an almost amused voice. Ted said something under his breath, most likely insulting her in some way. Sapphire didn't care though she was here and she was a few steps away from the cave. Sapphire now ready to face whatever was in that cave turned around and start to trot towards the cave. Each step felt like an eternity Sapphire was so afraid as confident as she was, she didn't know for sure if she wasn't just crazy and she hoped she wasn't crazy. Sapphire approached the cave's entrance, black as night. Sapphire was unable to see inside, no figure, no pony, and no magical talking beasts. Sapphire unable to see, of course did not want to enter the cave with no light, so Sapphire screamed as loud as her little lungs would allow her to “WELL?! I'm here! What do you want me to do now? I've followed your map right to this cave that has been in my dreams! I don't know how it's possible but I'm at the exact cave! So, SHOW YOURSELF!” Sapphire was met with silence. Sapphire now annoyed yells “So, you give me a map and I travel all this way for you to be shy now? I'm ready to speak 'oh mysterious voice'!” Sapphire peered into this dark joy devouring whole as it did just that. Sapphire now becoming desperate to find out she wasn't insane picks up a rock and throws it into the cave and cries out “Please! You have to be real! You are real! Stop playing with me!!!! Please...” Ted sighs and talks to Sapphire in an almost pitiful voice “Come on sis let's go home” Sapphire with tears running down her face begins to turn around to go back to her small village. Sapphire than hears a voice so quiet that she almost didn't hear it “will you give up that easy child?” Sapphire shoots her head around so fast she thought she was going to spin her head right off her neck! The voice she heard was the voice from her dreams and now it spoke with clarity “Sapphire Dream! We meet at last!”

Sapphire was so overcome with joy she squealed and hugged her brother who was dumbfounded by this voice's existence to even notice Sapphire's warm hug. The voice, when it spoke, seemed somewhat closer to Sapphire in a way, even though in her dream and in real life the voice was the same distance from her. This voice continued to speak “We are almost at a very important part of history! Sapphire, I will emerge from my cave!” Sapphire was awestricken she was wondering in her mind what this voice could possible look like. Sapphire waited and after a very long awkward silence Sapphire reluctantly asked “Well... are you coming out?” The voice answered as if it had made itself clear already “NO! Sapphire this is the point in which your skills are needed.” Only now just grasping that this situation was real Ted interrupted “And what skill would that be?” The voice had no patience for this thickheaded pony and promptly answer his question with “SILENCE! You had no faith in me and yet you believe you have the right to address me in such a casual manner?! I deal only with the great Sapphire Dream!” Sapphire paused to think about what the voice had just called her, “The Great” Sapphire had never thought of herself above average, let alone great. Sapphire looked at her brother who was now angry from being talked to in such a way and nodded a nod of which meaning “It's okay I'll handle this” Sapphire now wanting to see what her task was from the great voice asked it “So, what do wish me to do?” The voice took it's sweet old time in responding and then finally said “I need believers...” in a rather soft and more caring tone than the deep rough voice it had been using. Sapphire could barely make it out, but this time when the voice spoke she could hear what she thought to be a female voice. Sapphire when realizing this asked “You're a girl?!” The voice responded in the loud, rough voice that it had been using “Yes, but it matters not! What matters currently is what I need from you Sapphire Dream!” The voice calmed down a slight amount and made it perfectly clear that it was indeed a female speaking “Sapphire I gain power through the faith of other ponies, to exit this cave I need a lot of power. You must get the townsponies to believe in my existence, then you must bring them here. After you do this I will reveal myself and all will be well.” Sapphire thought about the last few words the voice had said and asked “What do you mean 'all will be well'?” The voice did not wish to answer this question and gave no answer other than “All will be explained in time young one now go!” Sapphire screams “But wait! I have so many questions to ask you!” The voice responded with nothing, but “Bring your little town here Sapphire Dream! Farewell!” A puff of smoke is seen from the cave and silence follows.

As Sapphire Dream and her brother walk down the mountain her brother is unsure of what the proper action to take is. Ted thinks about what to do from this point on and tells Sapphire his plan “Sapphire you don't honestly think we should just gather up the whole town up there?” Sapphire looks at him with a determined look that he's seen few times in his life and nods. Ted insisted “Sapphire, nopony will agree to this and if you think so you must be crazy!” Sapphire look at her brother with an almost disappointed look in her eyes and said “perhaps I am crazy brother, but i'd rather be crazy than hopeless and blind like you.” Ted thought about this for a moment and realized it was, in a way, true. Ted had always not wanted any life outside this town, was that wrong of him to want that? Was it natural? Ted would never admit his doubts to Sapphire though. Sapphire with an almost commanding tone says “Okay now here's the plan: Teddy you will go get a third of the ponies to come to the mountain in any way you can, I will go get Edgar and tell him to do the same, and finally I will get a third off the ponies to come up to the mountain. That leaves eleven ponies for each of us and thirty-three total.” Ted sarcastically says “Gee sis I didn't know you were you a math wiz ha ha!” Sapphire chuckled a bit as she knew that she wasn't really a math wiz and had no idea how she had just calculated that. Sapphire was determined to have this mission completed and immediately wanted to send Ted on his way. “Teddy you go and get people here, okay?” said Sapphire. Ted was a bit agitated by his little sister giving him orders, but regardless he responded “Okay, I'll do that...” Sapphire quickly made her way to Edgar's house because he was a crucial part of their plan and Sapphire wanted to make sure everypony would never call him crazy again. Sapphire ran across town and approached his door, she knocked. Sapphire knocked four times and got no answer, but then to her surprise the door slowly swung open it had been open... Sapphire reluctantly walked into the house, there was an eerie atmosphere in it. Sapphire called out “Edgar? Are you here? Hello?” She got in response a low moaning sound from the other room, she quickly rushed in to see Edgar lying on the bed. Edgar was not looking good, she yelled “Edgar! What's wrong!” and then Edgar passed out.

“Edgar wake up!” The old pony could barely hear her. Sapphire stood there with a concerned look on her face and asked “what happened?!” she received no answer, “Edgar?” Edgar had an almost disappointed look on his face as he look at at empty bottle of alcohol. Sapphire yelled “You passed out from drinking?! You're too old to be drinking that much! You could hurt yourself Edgar!” Edgar slowly got off of the floor where he had ended up after passing out. “I assure you Sapphire, I'm fine” Edgar says reassuringly, but Sapphire knows better than that and responds “Edgar you're not fine, what's wrong?” Edgar begins to cry “Sapphire, I am old and a fool, no one ever listened to me! I'm beginning to think I am a fool!” Sapphire looked into Edgar's eyes and warmly smiled “Edgar you're not crazy, I know it! You remember that voice I told you about? The one in my dream?” Edgar wipes away some tears “Yes I remember that Sapphire, what of it?” Sapphire looked at this pony that was like a grandfather to her and said something that made him happier than he's been in many years: “I saw the cave it is real and you know what?” Edgar's ears perked up “What's that Sapphire?” Sapphire saw she had his attention and then said “If we gather all the townsponies at the cave the voice will reveal herself! She exists Edgar, we're not crazy! If you help me gather the townsponies we will know what to do next, this voice knows everything!” Edgar sat there in amazement that this moment had finally come and he quickly stood in a noble stance and asked affirmatively “How many ponies do I need to get?!”

Sapphire asked Edgar “Are you sure you're okay?” Edgar nodded in a very serious matter and said “I have something to live the rest of my few days for! How many?” Sapphire answered Edgar “You have to convince eleven ponies to walk up to the mountain or at least get them in the center of town!” Edgar in his guardian attitude said “Consider it done!” Edgar was about run out the door when Sapphire yelled “Edgar!” Edgar turned around “Be careful...” Edgar nodded and walked out into the afternoon sunlight.

Sapphire had done her job and gathered ponies in the center of town with a series of silly lies and it seemed as if Edgar and Teddy had done the same. Everypony seemed confused on why exactly they were at this place with everypony in town. As Sapphire attempted to reach Ted and Edgar who were on the other side of the crowd trying to clam everypony down a certain pony shouted “Hey Dream! Why are we here exactly?” He had a very agitated tone to his voice. Sapphire knew it had to be done, she started to make her way to the highest point of the land in that area as everypony watched in silence as she made her short journey there. Sapphire cleared her throat as she was about to utter some of the most difficult words she's ever spoken. Sapphire gave her speech...

Everypony, do you find it even a little odd we are on such a tiny island with nopony else? I do! I question why we are here, like we should have done years ago! I tell you this is not all life has to offer for us! There is so much out there... we just need to open our dang eyes and see it! Ponies, I tell you today we will not be left in the dark, left to die without questioning our own existence. That is what we, as pony-kind, do! We question things that may not dare be questioned! How did we get here, hm? No more will we be kept wondering and I tell you that you have all blinded yourselves. Edgar, the pony you all thought to be mad is the wisest of us all because he knows why we are here and why we must leave. Judging by the gasps from the crowd I'm guessing you all do not want to leave our home, well I tell you there is good reason! I have spoken to one that knows much more about our past and can show us who we are. She lives on this mountain! I believe she lived in the time when there was a great land-mass called Equestria! I tell you ponies of the island let us expand and see what we are truly capable of! Let's go and discover through this mysterious pony what we should do from here! All I know for sure is after this day ponies will never be the same ever again!!!!! Follow me!

The crowd is silent for a very long time, Sapphire is afraid that she was too outrageous with her speech, but regardless the townsponies go wild and stomp their hooves! Sapphire says again “Follow me!” and Edgar begins to sob tears of joy as ponies hug him and apologize for being so mean to him as they pass by. All the ponies are following Sapphire except Ted who takes a few minutes before finally following Sapphire reluctantly with a grunt.

As the group was approaching the top of the mountain Edgar walked over to Sapphire. Edgar almost not believing this was real said “I hope you're sure about this...” Sapphire turned to Edgar and said “I'm very sure, this is too real to be some crazy legend nonsense!” Edgar nodded as he thought the same... The group was finally at the top of the mountain just starting to settle in and Sapphire walked up to the front of the cave and looked out into the distance. Sapphire saw the bids soaring through the sky above and she looked with the same longing in her eyes as when she look up at her sky blue ceiling, but it was different this time... The birds seemed less... distant, in a way. Sapphire's ears twitched as the cool wind blew past them. Sapphire felt quite clam atop this mountain and she took a deep breath in and then out, the air was crisp on the high mountain top because of it's elevation. Sapphire was barely able to hear the other ponies through her serenity until, one the ponies shouted very loud. “I thought we were up here to get some answers!” Screamed the enraged pony and another jumped into his rant “Yeah! Where is this so called 'mystery pony' Is she coming or what?” Sapphire nervously said “I'm sure she is just waiting for all to be quiet, that's all” More and more ponies began to throw out their “opinions” on the situation until, one pony yelled words that cut Sapphire's heart in shreds, “You're just a crazy little girl! Let's go everypony!” All the ponies started to leave and Sapphire became desperate and screamed “Wait! Come back! I'm not crazy!” Sapphire began to think she was crazy as she yelled out “I'm not crazy! I'm not crazy!” This yells turned into soft whispers that unaccompanied tears “I'm not crazy... I'm not crazy...” Ted came to comfort Sapphire almost relived the voice didn't appear to her this time, he said “Come on Sapphire... Let's go home...” Sapphire sniffled and began to walk weakly back down the mountain. Almost as if it was the last possible second a voice came from the cave “FOOOAAAALS!” All the ponies turned and witnessed a large blue blur shoot from the cave. The blur landed in the spot Sapphire had been previously standing and somehow the cycle of night and day sped up so the moon stood right behind this mysterious figure. As the moonlight grew brighter a proper description could be made Sapphire looked as a large navy blue pony with a horn and wings stood proudly and strongly on this elevated spot. The pony's mane was as the motions of the very universe flowing infinitely. Sapphire looked at Edgar who quickly fell to his knees. The powerful pony shouted in an equally powerful voice “YOU FOALS! BOW BEFORE THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT!!!!!”

END OF CHAPTER 1

EARTH

Chapter 2: The Rebuilding of Harmony

PROLOGUE

“Sapphire, wake up!” Ted shook Sapphire awake. “Teddy? Wh-what's going on?” Ted explained “Well sis, when the princess came out of her cave shortly after, from exhaustion and just being overwhelmed by the event, you passed out...” Sapphire then began to think about what had become of Luna. “Ted, what happened?! Where is the princess?!” Sapphire asked as she jumped out of her bed in panic. Sapphire feared that the town’s ponies would go against Luna and maybe even try to hurt her. Ted looked at Sapphire with a look that scared her. She asked again “Ted...? What happened?” Ted answered “It’s fine Sapphire, but the ponies are not happy about somepony telling them what to do.” Sapphire feared they might have done something terrible to her friend Luna. Her friend... She had not thought of her in this way before, but she did see her as a friend, Luna had helped her this whole way. “Who is this pony anyway Sapphire? Are you even going to question how she has lived all these years even if she is telling the truth? Maybe a better question to ask is: What is she?” Ted interrupted Sapphire's thinking process with his questions which he asked almost at a whisper. Ted didn't believe Luna was really from the supposed “Age of Harmony” as she had been calling it. He suspected something more sinister in her agenda than just coming to help. Sapphire answered his questions with a very defensive tone “Ted, she has wings and what have I been dreaming about? I will ask her myself how she is alive to this day, but I can't do that if I don't know where she is!” Ted realizes he can't convince his sister to consider this may be too good to be true and he then reveals Luna is actually in the next room. Ted tells Sapphire “Your freak friend is in the kitchen eating your food.” Sapphire shot Ted an angry look as she walked across her bed room floor to the kitchen. She slowly approached to see a pear floating in the air! Sapphire jumps back in fear of this aerial produce, but discovers it is being lifted off the ground by none other than Luna! Luna's horn was illuminating a strange deep blue light and so was the pear as it slowly made it's way to her mouth so she could take another bite. Luna turns and speaks in a rather calm voice that was so soft that it made Sapphire instantly feel at ease “Sapphire whatever is wrong?” This is Sapphire's first time talking to the princess face-to-face and she is very nervous about it “N-nothing princess...” Sapphire bows her head and continues “It just that I’ve never seen a pony do that...” Luna chuckles and says “This is simply levitation Sapphire many Unicorns can do this!” Sapphire then asked Luna “Is that what you are? A unicorn?” Princess Luna laughs loudly and responds to the silly question “No Sapphire, I am not a unicorn. I am an alicorn a pony with wings and a horn.” Sapphire was amazed by this she never thought a pony could have anything like a horn or wings none the less both! “Sapphire I know you may have many questions...” Luna insisted “but I must tell you... Your journey is far from over my little pony.”

This statement Luna made sent shivers down Sapphire's spine as she anticipated the long journey ahead of her, though she didn't know it. “What do you mean princess?” asked Sapphire curiously. Luna looked at Sapphire with an almost guilty expression, “Sapphire it is said that... You will unite all ponies together again.” Sapphire with a very shocked look on her face exclaimed “I- I can't be... I'm not good enough.” Luna amazed by the utter humbleness of this spirited pony warmly expressed to her with a smile “Yes, yes you can Sapphire.” Sapphire was moved by how probably the most powerful being on the planet at this point, was telling her she was important. Luna uttered words that would forever change the life of the aqua colored pony named Sapphire Dream, “Sapphire I will now tell you what I and all of pony-kind expect of you.” Sapphire listens intensely as Luna continues to reveal Sapphire's quest, “You must sail across the sea and awaken each of the princesses on their own respective islands, but I must remain here and watch over your people. You may bring along as many ponies as can fit on the raft I will provide for you, now go Sapphire, go fulfill your destiny! My magic will be with you every step of your journey!” Sapphire was simply stunned at hearing this new development of her quest, she wasn't just meant to awaken Luna, she was meant to awaken them all! Sapphire was about to ambush the rather calm princess with some questions, but a very snoopy Ted jumped into the kitchen from the next room. “Aha!” Ted shouted “That is what you want from us! Well no way in hay are we going to do your dirty work!” Sapphire, absolutely baffled, responded to Ted's accusations with a sound defense. “Ted perhaps the princess cannot leave this island because she is connected to it? Maybe I am the most capable pony here?” The princess interjects with a simple “Correct.” Ted, confused asks “What are you talking about?” Luna elaborates, “Sapphire said I can't do it myself because I am linked to this island that is correct. I cannot leave this island, even if I wanted, so it is up to you sadly...” Ted angrily asserts “Well we won't do it will we Sapphire? Sapphire, you can't be serious?!” Sapphire shot a glance to Ted that clearly stated she was going and there was nothing he could do about it, as much as he didn't want to go he couldn't leave Sapphire alone, so it was decided. They were going on a journey that would change their lives forever

BOOK II

THE REBUILDING OF HARMONY

A NOVELLA FANFIC

BY STEHEN STROBEL

Chapter 1

SIMPLE BEGININGS

Sapphire finished packing her things as she thought of a possible way to get off this island, “well that's easy” she thought “We could just fly over to the other island!” Wait? “What did I just think?” She wondered, perplexed. Why did she still insist that she was able to fly? That didn't matter now, she packed the last thing into her bag, it was a sun hat that had been given to her by her mother. She took it anytime she left her home for a long time, like to sleep at a friends house and such. Her mother had given the sun hat to Sapphire when she was just a filly before she... Sapphire shook off the thought that was now in her mind and her current thoughts were made apparent by her facial expressions, so Ted asked her the obvious question to ask a pony after seeing such a face “Are you OK?” Sapphire responded with new-found focus “Yes, yeah I'm fine Teddy don't worry” Ted threw his saddlebag over his back and asked Sapphire one last time before walking to the door “Are sure about this Sapphy?” Sapphire gave an affirmative and determined nod. Ted sighed as he realized he could not talk the young pony out of her decision and slowly trotted towards her houses cherry wooden door. Sapphire got to her hooves and looked to the princess of the night for her instructions. Luna spoke to Sapphire in the gentlest voice she heard exit this pony since she's met her “There is a raft behind this house about two hundred hoof-steps away. Good luck my little Sapphire.” Sapphire nodded her head as she walked toward the now open door in which her brother was waiting, the sun shined through the doorway to be the only source of natural light to be found in the dim room because all the blinds were shut allowing no light to pass through. Sapphire just stood there almost having second thoughts as she looked into Ted's worried icy-blue eyes. Sapphire suddenly had a feeling of dread, but shook it off and continued to walk out of the almost glowing doorway into the blinding light of the sun. Luna looked on in fear at the two ponies now walking towards the beach thinking to herself “I hope what I have seen of the future is not true” Sapphire and Ted now walked towards the beach, which was not far from Sapphire's home, as they hear a faint voice coming from behind them, they ignored it. After walking down a barely-cared-for cobblestone path they finally reached their destination. There on the fine lay a broken down junky raft. Ted was furious “Look at what she gives us!  Can you believe this?!” Ted was right the boat was in a state of disrepair as it had a few small holes in the tiny sail and only had enough sitting room for four to five ponies, let alone living room. Sapphire realizes no other boats have been built so she replies with “We're taking it, it is probably the only boat on this island I don't even think anyone on this island knows how to operate it, now that may be a problem...” Ted grunts in anger because he realizes that Sapphire is right this IS the only boat on the island. Ted notices her problem and uses it to his advantage “Well that's too bad I guess we just can't do it if no one can use this uh, thing.” Sapphire sighs and realizes he's right no one has used a boat in years, “I know how to drive a boat!” Edgar yells as he runs over to the two confused ponies with the sand exploding up as he runs across the beach. Edgar reaches the excited Sapphire and the less-than-excited Ted and tries to explain while catching his breath how his father had taught him how to operate a boat when Edgar was young. Ted was very annoyed his plan didn't work, but he didn't complain. Sapphire looked at the tired old pony and asked “Are you sure? This is a pretty dangerous journey!” Edgar has now caught his breath and the old pony stands taller than any pony has before, “Sapphire I was born for this” Edgar then salutes the aqua-colored pony and jumps onto the boat almost as if springs grew from his feet. “Well are you coming or what?” The adventurous Edgar asked with a happy grin. Sapphire laughed and jumped aboard, while Ted walked aboard in solemn silence. These three ponies were now ready to embark on the most amazing quest anypony has ever been on in hundreds of years. Edgar prepared the raft by adjusting the sails and pushing the raft into the murky blue water. Edgar gestured for the two ponies to jump onto the now ready boat. Sapphire hopped on, followed by Ted and then Edgar set sail for the unknown. Ted then realized they did not know where they were going, he turned to Sapphire and asked “In which direction are we going exactly?” Sapphire then heard Luna's voice in her head “Sapphire just because I can't be with you physically doesn't mean I cannot help you, check your bag.” Sapphire seemingly ignoring Ted looked inside her saddle bag to find a compass, she didn't know what this was. “What is this?” Sapphire asked curiously, the princess responded with just a simple direction “Go North Sapphire.” Sapphire read the strange instrument and concluded that North was to their left so Sapphire told Edgar to turn the boat slightly to the left. Sapphire Explained the situation to Edgar and he promptly turned North. Ted was a bit mad that Sapphire had completely ignored him, so he asked “Are you gonna be talking to your princess in your head the whole trip sis?” Sapphire snapped at Ted “Ted, if you weren’t so grumpy maybe I’d want to talk to you” He rolled his eyes and just stopped trying to talk some sense into his sister. Edgar sighed, he knew this was going to be a long trip.

Chapter 2

The Voyage

Sapphire looked up into the night sky as she tried to count the stars. Ted appeared to be sleeping, but he was really just watching Sapphire. He may seem to be mean to her all the time, but the only reason is because he doesn't want her to get hurt because she's all he has left of a family. Sapphire was selfish in a way, dragging him into this, not taking anything into account about him or his feelings. Edgar saw all of this being the one outside of the conflict and being able to observe objectively. According to Luna, who in fact is running the town quite well with the absence of her only friends, the trip should take no more than three days if the weather treated them well. Edgar was almost falling asleep when Sapphire asked “E-Edgar what's that?” Edgar woke up and so did Ted. Edgar slowly walked over to where the frightened Sapphire now stood and peaked over the edge. What Edgar saw was unbelievable; it was an assortment of various colored shapes in the water, swimming. The large shapes Edgar explains are “fish” Sapphire had never seen such a magnificent creature. Edgar continued to explain “Yes, this is a type of fish, one that glows at night” Ted stared cautiously at them and asked “How do you know about these things oh 'wise Edgar'?” Edgar answered him ignoring his sarcasm “Well, Theodore you should have read those 'fairy tales' that were in our library all your life you might actually learn something” Ted shot Edgar an angry look, which the old pony replied to with a grin. Sapphire awestruck by these beautiful beings started to put her hoof in the sparkling dark waters. Edgar quickly whispered to Sapphire “Stop! Stop! Sapphire get your hoof out of the water! They may look pretty, but they'll get nasty if disturbed.” Sapphire promptly removes her hoof from the murky sea. “Wait...” says Sapphire “If they're real, does that mean the sea monsters in the fairy tales are real too?!” Edgar looked at Sapphire with a semi-frightened face “Let's not think about that Sapphire...” Ted was concerned even more now, even the old man was afraid of these sea monsters, obviously not a force to be messed with.

The rest of the night was relatively quiet for the three ponies and they all managed to get some rest. The next morning Sapphire was very groggy and unaware. Sapphire opened her eyes to have the blaring sun shoot it’s rays directly into her tired pupils. Sapphire made a few complaining noises and slowly stood up on her hooves. She then caught a look at Edgar, “Edgar?” She asked “What’s wrong?” Edgar slowly turned around with a look of sheer horror on his face and whispered calmly “Sapphire we’re in serious trouble.” Sapphire had never seen Edgar like this ever, so she matching his volume “What’s wrong?” Edgar pointed to the water and said “Don’t scream whatever you do, but look over the Edge.” What she saw was absolutely terrifying, there in the water, directly below the boat, sat a large figure about twenty times bigger than their current vessel. Edgar quickly pulled the sail down and covered the boat with the large cloth. “What are you doing?!” shouted Ted as he was woken up by this, he was followed by an immediate SHHHH from both ponies. Ted now fearful asks in a low voice “What? What is it?!” Edgar responds with another shhhh, but much softer. A few minutes pass and Edgar thinks he should check to see if it’s safe. Edgar is then frozen in fear as he is met by the cold unforgiving eye of the vicious sea monster. The creature's almost cat-like pupils shrunk to focus on it’s new target. Edgar jumps back under the sheet and says to both fearful ponies “We have a problem.” The boat is then met with an extreme amount of force, which to the monster may have only seemed like a little bump. All the passengers fly off the boat along with their only means of travel, their sail. Sapphire and Ted fly in different directions down into the murky waves. Ted is bashed mercilessly by an onslaught of deadly waves he screams “Edgar! Help me!” It was known by everyone in their town that Edgar was the best swimmer around. Sapphire trying not to panic calmly swims toward their little raft until, something grabs her leg. The monster had gone under water in order to pull it’s new prey under the waves to drown them. “Edga-!” Sapphire screamed as she was pulled under by the figure that she saw below her. She was running out of air she barely had any to begin with being she was so tired. She thought she was done for she started to get light headed she lost all sense of navigation, which way was up? Sapphire, just before she fell unconscious, felt a hoof grab hers, Sapphire blacked out. “Sapphire?” Luna called out “Sapphire? Where are you?” she called out again. Sapphire then unsure where she was asked “Luna I’m here, but wh-where exactly is ‘here’?” Luna realizes what is happening she then begins to panic and says “Sapphire listen closely your consciousness is fading I can feel it, this place is your mind a part of me dwells that is how I speak to you. We are connected since you were the one to wake me up and Sapphire you’re dying. Sapphire you have to wake up. SAPPHIRE, WAKE UP!”

Chapter 3

Hope

“Sapphire, SAPPHIRE!” a voice now unrecognizable screamed to the now awakening Sapphire. Edgar sees that she is finally awake, “Sapphire oh thank Celestia.” Sapphire felt as if her chest had been punched several times. “E-Edgar?” she weakly asks. Edgar relieved answers “Yes Sapphire, yes it’s me” Sapphire coming to her senses asks in a relatively calm voice “Where’s Teddy?” Edgar looks down at the now slightly leaking boat’s floor and speaks word broken up by tears “I-I could on-only s-save… one of you.” Sapphire then springs off of her back “TED! TEDDY!” she screams hopelessly into the seemingly endless horizon. Now with the sun setting, it was unfittingly peaceful. It became dark and Sapphire had not spoken a word to the distraught Edgar. They both sat in silence until they heard a strange noise in the distance. Sapphire didn’t recognize what the noise was at first, but she soon realized what it was by the terrified expression on the old pony’s face. It was thunder. Edgar began to hopelessly paddle the boat with his hooves. “Sapphire we’re going to get caught in the storm, help me!” She then froze with fear starring at the now approaching storm clouds. Sapphire walked to the edge of the raft and starred into the now lighter blue crystal waves. She looked at her reflection and starred into her own eyes, wondering. Edgar’s screams seemed muffled to her, He desperately yelled “We must get ahead of the storm!” Edgar was being too hopeful and he knew it. Sapphire knew there was no getting away from the storm, the wind was already picking up, they needed to face the storm.

The storm had come in a matter of two hours, Edgar had stopped paddling some time ago coming to the realization that they needed to stand their ground. The first wave was brutal; it smashed down on the small raft like a hammer on a nail. Both were left dazed but alive after the first impact, but the unrelenting waves continued, throwing them back and forth. The waves felt cold, but they felt like a different cold than icy water, it felt like the cold sting of defeat. The boat only lasted about 10 minutes until it split completely in half; Sapphire and Edgar were thrown high into the ocean air before smashing back down into the unforgiving waves. Sapphire could only get out an unrecognizable scream before she was smashed by another wave. The waves felt like a punch to the face it only took a few to knock her unconscious, she looked out at the seemingly endless horizon to see Edgar clinging to a piece of their raft. Sapphire smiled and her vision faded…

Chapter 4

Arrival

“Miss?” the voice spoke puzzled “Miss are you OK?” Sapphire felt the warm sand in her hooves and heard the soft voice speak to her. “Hey, what happened to you?” the voice spoke again; Sapphire liked the voice it was soothing. “Let’s get you up.” The voice said. Sapphire opened her eyes to see a figure standing over her, obscured by sunlight she couldn’t come up with a vivid description. The figure’s voice, though was a different story, it was very soft and calm, almost shy. The pony spoke to the disheveled mare laying on the sun-cooked sand “Let me help you up. Here, take my hoof.” The dazed Sapphire pulled herself to her hooves using his. As her eyes adjusted she was able to see the stallion standing before her. He was a gray furred large stallion with a stubby snout; his mane was the color of the sky above him, a bright, beautiful blue. His eyes were a deep icy blue and starred right at the spaced out pony standing before him he stuttered “Uh, uh m-miss? Are you ok? I found you passed out on the sand here…” Sapphire came back to reality and attempted to speak, but when she opened her mouth to produce words, she instead choked violently. The pony standing before her stammered “Oh, I’m so sorry you must be thirsting to death!” Sapphire smiled weakly at the unicorn standing in front of- wait, UNICORN?! Sapphire looked at the pony fascinated as he searched through his red backpack. He shouts from head deep in his backpack, “Steel, the name is Steel…” stumbling backwards a bit he then pulls out a jar of water. The jar slowly slid out of Steel’s mouth as a light blue glow encased the container, Sapphire looked on in awe as the unicorn levitated the jar with such grace. Steel, noticing her intrigued expression asked “Eh, what are you looking at?” Sapphire then took the hovering hydration and drank as if it had been her only drink in years, the water flowed down the sides of her snout. She finally cleared her throat and spoke, “Y-you’re a unicorn…” Steel, puzzled responded “Why yes, yes I am. We’re all unicorns…” Steel then looked to his horror at the aqua colored pony’s forehead, what he saw there (or lack of what he saw there, rather) sent him into a panic “Your horn is gone!” he shouted. Sapphire didn’t know this pony and how he would react to her explanation, so she played along. Sapphire squeaked “Oh no! My horn ah!” her acting had something to be desired, but Steel bought the act. “I can take you to our doctor, he can help you!” Steel said with a concerned look in his bright eyes. Sapphire then became fully aware of her situation, she had to find Edgar. Sapphire then with genuine woe in her voice cried “My friend! You have to help him Steel, he was with me before I passed out, he has to be on the beach.” Steel came to the realization that this pony might be seriously hurt, judging by the condition of this poor girl here. He thought to himself what would be best; Steel knew he had to help, in any way he could “Let’s go find your friend miss” he agreed. Sapphire looked at him with such a desperate expression that could only be read as thank you. Sapphire and her new friend had been walking for hours now, no sign of the old pony. Steel was very nervous being with such a beautiful pony, he was always very timid and kept to himself. He didn’t exactly have very good “pony-skills” and often avoided others in favor of solitude, but was a gentle soul. Suddenly, Steel’s deep thoughts are interrupted by an almost musical voice it said “Sapphire…” Confused the shy pony asked “What?” the voice, belonging to the trotting pony in front of him of course, continued “My name, it’s Sapphire…” Steel smiled as she laughed and turned her head slightly to look at him. Sapphire giggled and talked about normal things for a while, your usual small talk, until they saw something, or someone, lying in the sand. Steel yelled “Hey there’s something!” the curious object moved a bit “Hello?! Do you need help?” Sapphire began running towards the figure, Steel hadn’t began running as he was being cautious. Not cautious enough though, as an unknown figure from behind him tackled him into the sand.

Chapter 5

Unicorns

The pony shouted with anger in his voice “Get away from her, freak!” Steel couldn’t see with all the sand that had gotten into his eyes and desperately shrieked “Wh-who’s there? I mean no harm, friend!” Sapphire turned to face the two arguing stallions, her mouth instantly flung open. The gray stallion rubbed the sand out of his eyes and blinked repeatedly. The pony he saw in front of him did not surprise him, but Sapphire was a different story. “Ted!” Sapphire hollered “You’re alive!” Steel looked on in confusion as Ted weakly stumbled over to Sapphire only to fall into her hooves, he was severely dehydrated. Steel asked “Sapphire, who is that? Is that who you’ve been looking for?” With joyful tears in her eyes she shook her head and said “No, no it isn’t, but I’m so glad I found him!” The crying pony hugged the limp Ted and then set him down on the sand “Steel give him some water please, I’m going to go see who that is on the sand.” Steel began to search through his bag as Sapphire slowly approached the figure on the sand, as she got closer her suspicions grew. Sapphire soon was up to the figure and it was actually Edgar! Sapphire frantically turned him over and the old pony moaned in pain. “Edgar we made it! Wake up! What’s wrong?” Sapphire asks the semi-conscious pony. Edgar turns over to reveal his chest is bleeding quite badly; he is also clutching his left eye. Sapphire gasped “You’re hurt!” she then turned to the gray stallion, now watching over Ted “STEEL! We need help!” Steel began to run towards the two ponies when suddenly, an extremely large pony appeared right in front of him, “Stop right there!” Unicorns began to appear around all the ponies all yelling for them get on the ground. Ted had now regained consciousness, unaware of the danger they were in. Ted in a desperate act of defense against the approaching pony swung his hoof in defense, but the pony promptly disappeared and caused Ted to lose his balance and fall. Steel looked on in horror as the unicorns grabbed a hold of the pony’s arms and began teleporting one after the other. Steel, feeling a sudden surge of bravery as he saw Sapphire’s terrified face disappear into nothingness screamed “STOP! Stop it guys, what are you doing?!” The only remaining pony there, now the head unicorn answered “Steel, you are a fool hiding these subjects from us!” Steel had heard enough “They’re not subjects, they’re ponies! Now stop or I’ll have to make you stop.” The unicorn chuckled and coolly said “Steel, please these ponies are different and like all the other different things must be 'examined.'” Steel screamed and shot a beam of bright blue light at the smug unicorn before him, he dodged the beam with such grace it freighted the mild stallion. He chuckled, and waved good-bye as he disappeared much like unicorns before him. Steel knew exactly where they were going; he began to run towards town.

Sapphire woke up in a dark room; she couldn’t see her hoof in front of her face. She heard of voice in the room with her, “Hello, welcome to our facility. We hope your stay here is… pleasant.” The voice was very monotone “I’m going to ask you a few questions, OK?” Sapphire tried to think of some way to escape, but for now she’s just playing along. Sapphire answers the mysterious voice cautiously “Fine, what kind of questions are those?” The voice robotically continued “Question number one: What is your name?” Sapphire answered honestly “My name is Sapphire Dream.” The voice continued on with various questions for about an hour like what her favorite color was, her favorite animal, and other personal opinions. The voice seemingly coming to the end of the questions asked “Where are you from and why are you different?” Sapphire knew this question would eventually come up, now was a good time as any to tell someone. Sapphire took a deep breath and spoke “I have come from another island far away to tell you about my quest. My quest is to awaken old ancient ponies with powers beyond belief frozen in time. There is one on this island and you she must be awakened to unite all the species together. That brings me to why I’m ‘different’ like you say. I am a pony without a horn like yourselves, I am a different type of our species. OUR species meaning: You and I are the same.” The voice is silent for a moment before it begins to speak again “Thank you for your honest responses I will be sure t- HEY! How’d he get in here!? Stop him! Ahhhh!” Sapphire heard some rumbling from far away and finally the room was filled with light. Sapphire’s eyes adjusted to see an open door in front of her and also noticed the room she was in was just a plain metal room with a mirror in it. Sapphire was delighted to see who was in the doorway, it was Steel! Steel gestured for her to follow him out of the room and shushed her. Sapphire followed him into the almost blindingly white hallway and Steel whispered to her “I’ve already got your friends they’re in the back of the building, hurry!” Sapphire had no time to observe all of the contraptions that littered the hallway she now ran through, but this seemed like some sort of magical place. Steel’s horn glowed as he approached a closed gray metal door and the door flung open to reveal the outside world. Sapphire followed the sprinting stallion through the doorway into the warm rays of the sun. She almost ran right into Ted, as she was still panicked. Sapphire stood there and saw that Edgar was there and healed, she almost unbelievingly said “Edgar?” He chuckled and smirked “Their medicine does wonders Sapphire, we may be prisoners, but they healed me to ensure my well-being” Sapphire laughed, hugged Edgar, and turned to Ted to give him a big hug. Sapphire noticed a strange look in Teddy’s eyes and asked “Teddy? What’s wrong?” Ted stayed silent and Steel still in a frenzy gasped “I-I’ll explain that later, we need to leave NOW!” Sapphire now adopted Ted’s expression as a dark unicorn walked out from behind her brother to say “Actually, now is a great time to explain what’s going on. Don’t you think Steel?”

The unicorn stood tall and spoke condescendingly to the ponies standing before him. He had a large chest and was well built, he looked like he could over-power all them without breaking a sweat. The pony had dark purple eyes, the darkest-black fur, and a dark purple mane. Steel stammered “Doctor… Doctor Frost…” The doctor had a wild look in his eyes and seemed to see the world almost different from everyone else. Frost spoke “Yes, yes I’m a doctor, but that doesn’t make me any better than you- eh lesser ponies…” he smirked “Steel what are you doing with our ‘guests’?” Steel gulped “I'm taking them Frost…” Frost now approaches Sapphire, Ted immediately jumps in his path “I swear, you make one move Doctor Muscles I don’t care what it takes,” Ted spoke with a burning determination and seriousness “I will kill you.” Ted after sounding his threat cautiously steps out of the unicorn’s path. The strange doctor chuckles “You’re way too serious, come on! I just want to welcome you to our island.” He continues walking towards Sapphire smiling an insane smile, “Sapphire, was it? Welcome! I assure you I had absolutely no idea how poorly you were being treated and it will be dealt with, I can assure you miss…” Both the crazed unicorn and Sapphire knew this to be a lie, and they starred into each others eyes to communicate this fact. All the while Edgar simply observed the event taking place and attempted to think of ways to get out of this situation, he knew the doctor need to go. Before anyone could say another word a winded young unicorn ran through the same doors they had ran through. The unicorn gasped for breath “D-Doctor Fr-Frost… They escaped I-I” Before he could form another word, the doctor’s horn glowed an eerie dark purple and then snapped to an icy blue. The unicorn had no time to react as a blue beam connected with his chest and froze him where he stood. Frost laughed insanely as he turned to the others and chuckled “I did assure you didn’t I?”

Chapter 6

Travels

All the ponies followed Frost to his office; he was in charge of the island. Edgar was silent all the while thinking to himself how they would deal with this. The doctor was in control of the island and would never give it up to another to rule. Doctor Frost led the group down a hallway that looked absolutely breath taking, beautiful wooden floors, fancy paintings, and statues all over the place. The rug was blood red and he walls were what looked like mahogany. They then eventually got to a room at the end of the hall. The room looked like one fit for a ruler, it was much fancier than the elegant hallway they had just come from. The pony gestured for everypony to sit in the chairs in front of a professional looking desk. They definitely lived better than the earth ponies, thought Sapphire.  Frost calmly spoke “So, you are here on a quest from where exactly?” Sapphire explained “We are from…” Edgar interrupted “An island sir!” Ted shot Edgar a concerned glance as he thought they’d try to lie. Edgar continued “We come from an island full of ponies like us, we are sent by the current ruler of our great island to locate someone here. This ruler is a princess from the ancient times.” Frost’s expression quickly changed from one of arrogant casualty to one of serious concern “The ancient times…?” he questioned. Edgar nodded to answer his question, “Yes, the ancient times. They’re coming back to bring order back to the world.” The doctor then almost whispered “What do you need of me?” Edgar semi-shocked by the quick agreement responded “If you know where she is... show us.” The tension in the room could be felt by all. The large unicorn then uttered words that shocked and excited Sapphire and Edgar “I know where she is, wait outside for me.” All exited the room, but Steel “What are you up to you weasel?!” he asked curiously. Frost smirked deviously, then Steel spit at him and left. The doctor called in the head of his guard and commanded “I’m going to send you to the temple with these fools, make sure they don’t return.” The unicorn shocked asks “Sir… what are you suggest I do?!” Frost muttered “What is necessary for my rule to continue…” The head of the guard looked at Frost with a concerned glance and whispered “OK Frost if you think that is the best action to take...”

The ponies waiting at the front of the building are soon met by the head guard and his squad who said “Listen up! We have been assigned to provide you with safe passage into the temple, this where the princess is located.” Sapphire, astounded blurted out “You knew that she was here?! Did you try to awaken her?!” The head guard sighed with sadness and softly spoke “Yes, little pony, we did we tried everything over generations the sleeping beauty would not wake up. It is actually a tradition in my family to be working on different ways to free her, but when my father died ponies started not to care anymore, nopony even remembered what she was like and she became something that was sealed away seemingly forever.” Sapphire could’ve sworn she saw a tear slide down Steel’s face as this story was told. Sapphire walked over to Steel and put her hoof on his back. Steel didn’t want Sapphire to see him cry so he stood tall and shouted “What are we standing around here for?! Let’s go to the temple!” Edgar chimed in “I couldn’t agree more sonny, let’s go!” The ponies began their journey to the temple through a rain forest-like path.

The jungle they now walked through was filled with beautiful green foliage and glorious colorful flowers. All the while, Ted did some deep thinking about Edgar about this whole ‘quest’ they were on.” Sapphire was walking along-side both Ted and Steel “So, ‘Steel’ is it?” Ted asked in an interrogating manor. “Y-yes my name is S-Steel…” he stuttered “It’s so nice to meet you what’s your name friend?” he gave a warm smile. Ted gave a suspicious expression “The name’s Theodore ‘friend’ you just stay away from my sister, freak.” Sapphire turned and hit Ted “Teddy! You apologize he’s very nice.” Steel took it relatively well, he didn’t mind much being insulted, but he gulped at the remark about Sapphire.” Ted began to walk away “I bet he’s really ‘nice’… I bet he is…” he shot Steel a final glance that spoke his prior statement. “I’m sorry Steel he doesn’t mean it; he just wants to protect me.” Sapphire warmly smiles, puts her arm around Steel’s shoulders, and they both continue walking. The guards watched all the ponies very, very closely, it made Edgar quite uneasy. Edgar tries to be kind to the serious guards, “So, you gentle-ponies have any hobbies?” The guards remain silent for a little while until the head guard speaks up “Edgar was it? I’m sorry, but these ponies were trained to not speak a word while on a mission, unless of course they were commanded to or to me.” Edgar, a bit disappointed sighed and looked down at the ground. “I like collecting shells…” Edgar heard the head guard say softly. Somewhat happy that someone here has personality Edgar responds “Well that’s wonderful son, what was your name again?” The large unicorn answered “Flare, commander Flare.” Edgar did realize the name did fit his appearance, the pony had orange fur and a long black mane, his bronze eyes looked… old. Edgar noticed this fact, but he just thought it was in his head, he was so young! “Well Flare it’s nice to meet you, I’m Edgar. What types of shells are your favorite 'Flare the great shell collecting commander?'” Half suspicious that Edgar was making fun of him Flare confessed “I like the shells that are worn down, the ones that look like they came through so much just to get to the shore. Those shells traveled maybe thousands of miles just to reach this beach, safety. Even though the shells may be broken or scraped they still made it to the end result and eventually make it to me for me to pick up. So much just to end up here at that shell’s resting place, but eventually it will move on to another place and then continue it’s journey to another beach somewhere out there…” Edgar was completely dumbfounded this young pony had been extremely wise, even if he didn’t know it. Edgar chuckled “That’s beautiful son.” Flare’s face suddenly turned red “I shouldn’t be telling you this, you’ll think I’m weak. You think it’s stupid or I’m weak, but let me tell you something. You try anything and I'll put you down right on the spot.” Edgar chuckled a bit more “I bet you will Flare, I bet you will James…” The last part he muttered under his breath, so quietly no one heard him. Ted was the first to walk on the other side of the thick brush of the damp forest they had walked through, “Hey, guys! We’re finally here!” he screamed trying to hold in his excitement. Ted had to remember who the responsible one was here. Sapphire ran ahead and the guards ran after her, suspecting she was trying to escape somehow. Sapphire stopped at the little passage way through the brush to behold a glorious golden temple in the middle of the forest, it was in a surprising clean state; it was so shiny! The three guards stopped running behind her as they saw her stop running, they let out a few annoyed grumbles. Edgar, Flare, and Steel had stayed with the guards and now climbed the slight hill to the opening in the brush. They beheld the beautiful sight they had been waiting for and Flare smiled a wide smile and laughed.

Chapter 7

The Temple

Now standing in front of the temple the ponies are in awe, even the emotionless guards.  Edgar recognizes a symbol on the front of the temple it is a large star with many other small stars surrounding it, he doesn’t know what it means. “So, are we just going to stand around here gawking at this thing or you want to explore it?!” Ted yelled not with anger, but excitement. Sapphire smirked and chimed in “I couldn’t agree more bro; let’s go find ourselves a princess!” Flare sighed and walked in with his guards. Edgar was a bit confused as he caught on to Flare’s mood. Steel walked in with a skip in his step after the guards and Sapphire, Ted, and Edgar all walked in together. The inside of the temple was more glorious than the exterior, treasure and gold littered the floor and walls. There were four massive pillars holding up the ceiling, seemingly. The pillars were solid gold and the room was easily one hundred times the size of Sapphire’s old room at home. One of the guards could not handle the temptation and he bolted for one of the piles of gold. Flare disgusted with his disobedience screamed “GET BACK HERE!” The guard ignored his orders and began to pick up loads of gold in his hooves. Edgar muttered under his breath “I’m not going to like what comes next.” Sapphire was about to ask Edgar what he had just said, but she was interrupted by a sudden shaking. The large guard-pony soon ceased his pillaging and listened, the rumbling suddenly stopped. He then began to laugh as the guard thought for sure something bad was going to happen. He couldn’t have been more right, suddenly the floor under him gave way and with a shriek he fell into the dark, seemingly bottomless pit. Flare was horrified; he flopped to the floor in shock. They all remained silent as if they would trigger another event with their words. Sapphire looked at Edgar and said “Well, at least that’s ov- ah!” Sapphire was cut off by the cold floor opening up and sending the group in three different directions. Edgar and slid down a sort-of slide into the unknown. The same thing happened to the others, Sapphire, Steel, and a guard slid down one of the slides to nowhere like Ted and Edgar. Flare and one of his guards went their own direction on a cold dusty slide.

Sapphire was the first to get her bearings as she stands up and drinks in her surroundings. Steel was to her right and the guard was nowhere to be seen, she now stood in a room with one exit on one of the four stone walls. Sapphire started to stumble over to Steel as she thought about her next action. Sapphire violently shook Steel screaming “Wake up, you! Wake up Steel we got to go!” After some indistinct mumbling, Steel weakly got to his hooves. They both stumbled out of the stone cold room they were, Sapphire holding up Steel slightly. After they entered the next room the previous room they were in collapsed and caved in. Sapphire sighed “I guess we won’t be going back there, huh?” Steel smiled weakly and softly said “Well that floor was so uncomfortable anyway, right? Ha ha ha…” Steel began to cough roughly. Sapphire looked into his eyes with a caring expression; she was very worried for her new friend. Sapphire managed to get to her hooves again and almost whispered “Are you OK Steel, can you walk?” Steel appreciated her concern very much, but he was fine, right? Steel shook and stumbled until he stood up right; he weakly muttered “I’m OK. I’m OK. I’m OK…” He repeated these words to not only convince her, but to convince himself he was OK; he was in so much pain. Steel’s side shot with a searing pain, but he faked a happy face and yelled with weak enthusiasm “Let’s go find the others and the princess!” Sapphire, still worried, followed the stumbling pony as he started towards the next chamber.

Meanwhile, Edgar and Ted were not knocked unconscious by their surprise descent. Ted paced in the room they were now in. The room looked much like the room his sister was in, with one difference, there was no exit doorway. “Edgar, how are we supposed to get out of here?!” Ted shouted frustrated. Edgar sat still observing his surroundings, until he spotted a small opening in the wall. Edgar filled with joy uttered “Theodore, look at that opening there! If we could get up there we could get out of here.” Ted rolled his eyes “I don’t know if you noticed Ed, but we’re not exactly the tallest of the bunch.” Edgar stopped for a moment to think, and then his face lit up. Edgar said “What if you boosted me up? I then could pull you up and we could get out of here!” Ted pondered the idea, but then his face turned dark, “I don’t know Edgar, we should try something else. Maybe you could boost me up Ed, you can trust me.” Edgar knew exactly what Ted was implying “Theodore, I would love to, but I have a very bad back. You would injure me if you hopped on it.” Ted’s expression grew sour “Then we’ll just have to find another way old man.” Edgar sighed “Theodore…” Ted was growing tired of the old pony’s games, his back wasn’t bad, it couldn’t be… Ted angrily shouted “What Eddy?! You have something to say to me?!” Edgar snapped and screamed through tears “I DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE YOU!!!” Edgar now began to sob “The decision was the toughest of my life, Ted I wanted to save you, but there was just no time! I’m so sorry, but if we lost your sister all would be lost, I had to save her first…” Tears began to roll down Ted’s shocked face, his mouth agape. Edgar continued “Son, you used to be such a good boy, but something changed you… Something made you this way, but inside you’re still the Teddy I saw play around town with his little friends. Now please Ted, trust me, just this once trust someone.” Ted and Edgar were now both crying, but smiling. Ted managed to choke out through the tears a gleeful cry “Let’s get out of here old man!” Ted boosted Edgar up to the hole and he crawled onto the ledge. Edgar disappeared over the ledge, “Edgar?” Ted cried out. Almost when Ted had given up hope Edgar’s hoof dropped down off the ledge as he said “My back may be weak, but my hooves are strong!  Ha ha!” Ted laughed cheerfully and grabbed Edgar’s hoof, then climbed up the wall to help Edgar’s efforts. Edgar chuckled almost out of breath and gasps “Now Ted, let’s go find your sister.”

Flare had been knocked out from his dark descent and his guard had to shake him awake. They had woken up in a room similar to the one the others woke up in, although there was one difference: This room had nothing inside it, but a lever. Flare angrily looked around for a means of escape and of course his eyes met the lever. He commanded “Lance pull that lever!” The guard did as he was told. Promptly after pulling the lever, a secret doorway revealed itself. Flare began to walk towards the doorway, but then the guard let go of the lever. The doorway became blocked again; Flare was enraged as he thought his guard had just tried to kill him. “What in the world are you doing?!” he shouted. Lance was shocked and began to speak “Sir when I released the lever it dropped the stone in front of the doorway again. The lever is not a toggle lever…” Flare immediately knew what this entailed: Someone needed to stay in the room and hold the lever. Flare, knowing he needed to get out of here by any means necessary exclaimed “I should go, I will get to the other side and find some way to prop the door open.” Lance had no problem with this plan as his superior officer would always look out for him “Yes sir! I’ll hold the door open for you.” Lance pulled the lever once again and Flare simply walked out the open doorway, easy. Flare looked around for something to prop the door open with, he spotted a thick branch on the ground. Flare started to run toward the open passage with the branch, but before he could get there he heard a sudden snap. The stone door slammed shut, Flare began to panic as he was aware that the previous room’s only exit was that lever! Flare began to bang on the wall yelling “Don’t panic soldier, I’ll think of something.” Lance began to scream through the wall “Sir, the lever broke in half and I think the room is…” this was followed by a loud crash! Flare’s heart sank, “Soldier? S-Lance? L-lance?” he began to cry. Flare was sitting on the cold stone ground of the chamber crying, Lance had worked with him for years and they never signed up for danger, it was more of a formality for the leader to have guards. Lance never knew he was signed up to face fatal circumstances. Flare was angered by this, when he got out of here he was going to give Frost an ear-full. Flare had to move on though, he had to find his other guard, Duke was still out there.

Edgar and Ted had been wandering through corridor after corridor with no results. They haven’t found the princess nor have they found Sapphire and the others. Ted and Edgar were mostly silent after their… emotional moment, until Ted broke the silence “You were right.” Edgar a bit confused asks “What? What was I right about?” Ted mutters “You were right to save her Edgar; I would’ve done the same thing in your situation.” Edgar sighs and responds “Ted, I know it may seem like it was a clear choice, black and white, but it wasn’t. Ted, I made a quick decision, but it’s an impossible choice that I never wish you or anyone would have to make. It worked out in the end, but if it hadn’t I would’ve lived with that guilt for the rest of my days.” Ted was more and more filled with respect for this old pony as he spent time with him. Ted realized he was wrong to have called him crazy and all the other names.

Sapphire and Steel wandered through room after room, but to no avail. Steel trotted past one doorway that led into a glowing room, the center of it’s glow: A purple orb. The room had flags torn and tattered, hanging from the walls, all with the same star symbol they saw on the outside walls of the temple. The room was less ruinous than the rooms they had previously encountered, this room looked more like the original room they came in, the one filled with gold. Steel felt drawn to the orb as he began to stare at it with a blank expression. Sapphire soon noticed that Steel wasn’t behind her, she began to panic as she ran back down the hallway they had come from. Steel’s mind was completely blank now as the orb cleared his mind, he began to walk closer and closer. Sapphire finally found the room containing Steel and the strange orb, she shouted “Steel, what’s going on?! Get away from that thing!” Sapphire pushed Steel to the floor and he fell limply. Sapphire began to stare at the orb, but she shook off the strange vibe she got from it and walked towards it. Sapphire turned to the wall and quickly tore a flag off the wall. Using the newly obtained flag, Sapphire grabbed the orb and wrapped it in the cloth. At this, Steel suddenly snapped back into reality, dazed and confused. Steel asked “What happened? How’d I get in this room?” Sapphire was shocked; he had lost so much memory simply from looking at the orb for a few moments. Sapphire, worried asked “Steel, please tell me, what is the last thing you remember?” Steel still a bit confused responds “I was with Sapphire, she and I were walking down the corridor looking for her friends. Frost will never get his way, I’ll keep Sapphire safe, and she doesn’t have to know. She’s really pretty and nice, you should meet her…” Sapphire blushed and she laughed at the fact that Steel was this confused. Sapphire shook Steel a bit and he finally began to seem aware, he mumbled unrecognizable words, except for one “Frost.”

Chapter 8

Old Friends

Steel Hoof woke up. Steel had hated mornings, ponies were always so cheerful in the morning, and he had nothing to be cheerful about. Steel cracked open his tired eye lids as he was blinded by the sun shining through his window. Steel hadn’t done much of anything lately, he just worked, he worked and worked until he went to sleep, then he repeated the process. He hadn’t been the same pony since Bright had past. Steel was going to marry Bright, but on the day he was going to ask her she was mauled by a wild animal. They never caught the animal and it haunts Steel to this very day. He couldn’t get over it and it was destroying him. Steel walked out of his room and into the second story hallway. Steel had to get ready before he went downstairs, he couldn’t be late to work. Steel literally couldn’t be late to work; his bakery was the first floor of his home. He drowsily walked down the hallway the cold wood floors sending chills up his warm body. Steel, becoming less groggy stumbled down the stairs. As he descended Steel’s horn glowed with an almost icy blue and the front door of his shop (or bottom floor of his home) glowed in unison. The door flung open after glowing for a short period and with a blank expression, Steel waited for the next customer. Steel's bakery looked a little like a restaurant, in the fact that it contained many tables. Steel's hallway was open to the lower floor of the building. Steel sat behind a small counter with the usual bakery glass front piece. The glass displayed many of his baked goods like muffins, cakes, and cookies.

Steel’s face lit up as he saw his best friend Victor trot into his bakery, “Hello Steel.” Victor said with a smile. Steel almost sang “What’ll it be friend?” Victor walked over to one of the many tables in the bakery and sat down. Casually the unicorn sitting at the table asked for the usual, and then he and Steel talked about little things, maybe about some ponies around town. Their happy chatter was interrupted by a loud crash, Steel and his friend ran out of the shop to investigate. Steel ran outside of his shop alongside his friend Victor. Being that this was earlier in time the town was more of a village, their technology was very underdeveloped. Steel and Victor approach a crater in the earth that is surrounded by concerned unicorns. Victor tells everypony to step aside; he was in charge of the town after all. Victor gazed into the deep hole and he did not believe what he saw. At the bottom of the crater was a pony… with wings! Victor was so dumbfounded by this sight he didn’t notice that the pony was hurt. Steel pushed his way through the crowd and at seeing the pony in the crater he pushed Victor out of the way in order to jump into the hole. Victor yelled after his friend “Wait, you don’t know what it is!” Steel leaps into the crater to inspect the twitching pony at the bottom of the pit, Steel calls up to Victor “Victor, he’s hurt we must help him!” Victor snaps out of his shock and slides down the edge of the pit in order to inspect the pony. Victor sighs “He’s pretty beat up, but we can help him. Hey, somepony get down here and help us carry this pony to the lab!” Steel looks at Victor with a confused expression “The Lab, why would he go there Vic?” Victor laughs and says “Steel don’t you think we have better medical equipment in the lab?” Steel gives an affirmative nod as he and a few ponies that came to aid him carry the winged pony to the lab.

The pony laid on the lab table where Steel had set him and he looked on in expectation that he would be healed. Victor suddenly barged into the lab room and seriously says “Steel, please leave.” Confused Steel responds “Why buddy? I can handle a bit of blood.” With second thought Victor instructs the lab assistants to “assist” Steel to the door. Victor had a look in his eyes Steel had never seen before, it terrified him. Steel was promptly thrown out of the room by four assistants as he struggled to get free of their grasp. After Steel’s exit the door quickly slammed shut and locked with a prompt click. Immediately after this a buzzing sound could be heard from the room, Steel knew what this noise was. Steel, horrified tried to open the door with his magic, to no avail. He desperately smashed on the metal door, “VICTOR! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THERE?! PUT AWAY THE SAW!!!” Steel waited and waited, but the agonizing sound of buzzing didn’t stop for some time. The room he waited in was a sort of waiting area for a doctor's office. The room had a few plastic chairs and entrances to the left and right. In the front of the room though was the entrance to the operating room. There were no windows, just artificial light from bulbs. The room like much of the rest of the facility was white floor, walls, and even the ceiling... When the buzzing finally ceased the door lit up with a purple light and it flung open. Victor slowly walked out of the now open doorway with his lab coat on and a bit of blood on it. Steel shook in terror and whimpered “V-Victor… What have you done?!” Victor with a blank expression muttered “What is necessary my friend…” Steel was disgusted “Did you… Did you k-kill him…?” Victor starred right past him and simply nodded. Tears began to form on Steel’s face “Victor, how could you do this? why?!” Victor sighed “He must be preserved, like the others. He was a threat and we must learn all we can about his kind…” Steel couldn’t believe what he was hearing, he asked with disgust “How many have you…?” Victor made eye contact with Steel for the first time since he had exited the exam room. Victor whispered so low Steel almost couldn’t comprehend the words “Six, I’ve killed six ponies…Two of which were our own…” Steel suddenly realized something that had haunted him for years and he questioned Victor “Victor… Who were they?” Victor broke eye contact with Steel and silently stared into empty space. Steel was growing impatient, he screamed louder than he ever yells “Who were they Victor?!” Victor mumbled under his breath “Steel, please forgive me…” Steel looked on with growing anger “Steel I killed her.” Steel was half-expecting this response, but he didn’t realize how worse it was when he said it, he began shaking in both anger and sorrow. Victor continued, his voice choppy and shaky “I killed Bright and her friend that day, not a wild animal… Steel, she wanted to tell everyone about these… things and I couldn’t let her do that. I tried to reason with her Steel, I really did! She just wouldn’t keep quiet and these winged ponies are most likely a danger to my island. Steel I’m sorry, but we need to keep this quiet, unless…” Victor began starring into Steel’s eyes again with his dark purple eyes “…you want to end up like her.” Victor’s eyes were full of insanity. Steel stood up tall and began to sprint at Victor, he shouted “Victor Frost you’re a monster! I’LL KILL YOU!!!!” An older Steel walked from room to room with Sapphire looking for the one hope at his revenge, the princess. Briefly a small tear rolled down his face and he kept moving down the corridor, he had to keep going.

Chapter 9

False Hope

Edgar and Ted walked around looking for any sign of someone, but to no avail. They wandered in and out of countless ruinous chambers with nothing, but old statues in them. The long stone hallway almost seemed like an endless path of nothing. Ted suddenly breaks the silence, “Hey Edgar, I hear something.” Both ponies stop and listen closely, had Ted imagined that? After a few seconds Edgar’s ear twitches as he hears a little bang of perhaps a pebble being dropped. Both ponies duck into one of the rooms as they hear approaching hoof-steps, they get louder and louder. The room they had ducked into looked slightly different from the others, branches and leaves littered the floor, layers of dust and cobwebs covered the walls. The sound was almost right next to them now; a wall separated them and the stranger. Edgar took a bit of a peak out of the doorway and he beheld a pony with bright orange fur and a black mane. Edgar released a sigh of relief and walked out into the open, “Flare thank Celestia, you found us!” Ted stayed hidden as he still didn’t trust Flare as much as Edgar does. Flare stops walking and slowly turns to acknowledge Edgar, “Edgar was it?” He asked as if echoing his question during the trip to the temple. Edgar a bit confused answers “Yes… yes Flare it’s me Edgar” Flare finally turns to face Edgar and his face is void of any emotion. Flare softly says in a monotone voice “Edgar, what is this?” he holds up what appears to be a shattered sea shell. Edgar gets a sudden chill at this eerie sight and matches Flare’s low volume to say “Well sonny, it looks like a… broken shell?” Flare nods slightly and continues “No, it’s not a shell, it just looks like one. It’s really pieces of a glass statue that looked like a shell.” He begins to laugh hysterically and suddenly stops as quickly as he started. Flare continues to speak “Edgar, it’s a fake shell; even if it wanted to be a shell it couldn’t do it… couldn’t do it…” Edgar stutters “Wh-what is it Flare why are you acting this way?” Ted suspects Flare might do something rash, so he reveals himself. Ted stands half in front of Edgar and whispers “I think he’s lost it.” Flare begins to approach Edgar “I was ordered to ‘do away’ with you…” Ted now stands completely in front of Edgar, standing between Edgar and Flare and warns “Flare, don’t do it. I swear Flare I don’t want to, but I will hurt you.” He begins to form a fight stance, Flare’s horn begins to glow and his face becomes angry. Flare’s expression strangely changes to one of sadness, “I don’t want to hurt you, I am saving my anger for the one who made me this way.” Ted was confused by Flare saying this, made him this way? Still cautious he stood his ground, “Don’t come any… closer?” Ted’s threat was interrupted by Flare, he began hysterically crying. Ted looked to Edgar and Edgar nodded, he didn’t need Ted to stand in his way anymore. Flare fell to the floor as Edgar slowly approached him. Edgar hugged him and began to softly pet Flare’s head. Through his tears the only comprehensible sentence that Flare could utter was “I didn’t ask to be like this, I didn’t ask.” Edgar whispered comfortingly “It’s OK Flare, I’m here… I’m here James.” Ted looked on at this sight full of sadness, he began to cry. He didn’t know what was wrong, but he could almost feel the sadness Flare was going through, but who is James? Ted was about to interrupt them, but a loud rumbling beat him to it. The corridor was beginning to crumble; they had to run for a room that had an exit.

Sapphire and Steel were walking close by as the rumbling occurred. Steel’s ears perked up as he listened to the concerning sound. Steel’s eyes narrowed in suspicion as he turned to Sapphire and said “We should keep moving Sapphire; we don’t know what’s coming…” Sapphire nodded in agreement and began to trot down the hallway with Steel. After a while of walking through boring hallways Steel and Sapphire see a room filled with treasure, much like the entrance room they came from. The walls and ceiling were gold while the floor was stone, gems, gold, and silver was strewn across the floor. None of this was important to Sapphire, the only thing she was interested in was the opening in the wall. On the far side of the room there was an opening and inside a light glowing could be seen. Steel gasped, he wanted to just start taking hoof-fulls of treasure, but he saw how that worked out for the last guy. Sapphire and Steel look at each other, “Steel we have to make it to the other end of this room, but walk carefully. We know what happened the last time we were in a room with this much treasure in it. Sapphire stepped first as she felt the cold gold coins under her hooves. Steel followed Sapphire’s steps, he had wanted to go first, but he was so scared. Steel had no idea where she got such bravery; Sapphire had been so brave since they got here. They were both about half way through the room when suddenly, the rumbling returned with a vengeance. They both froze in place, the ground felt like water beneath them. The ground waves up, down, and side to side and suddenly, the rumbling soon stops. Both ponies exhaled with relief, but it was short lived. Steel’s ear suddenly perked up “So, you love birds find the princess yet? I hope not because I can’t let you do that…” Steel turned around to see Duke standing in the opening they had entered through. Sapphire wore a determined face; she couldn’t let the soldier scare her. Steel began to step back, but he turned to Sapphire who stood her ground and gave him a loving smile. He realized what he had to do, Steel mustered as much courage as he could and muttered “I won’t let you stop us…” Duke chuckled “What? What was that little guy? I couldn’t quite hear you over your teeth chattering.” Steel stood up tall and said as loud as he could “I will not let you stop us!” Duke’s horn began to glow as he began to form a devious smile, he responded “Steel… I’m going to enjoy this.” Steel formed the same battle stance as his horn began to glow and Sapphire joined in his appearance. Steel glances back at Sapphire “Sapphire, go.” He almost whispered. Sapphire looked shocked, she couldn’t leave him, not like this! She managed to yell out “N-no! Steel I’m not going to leave you!” The rumbling returned and was fierce this time. Duke had tumbled to the cold ground from the violent shaking. Steel noticed some pebbles were falling in front of his face. He looked up at the ceiling and noticed it was cracking. Duke had recovered from the shaking and was ready to fight again, “STEEL! I can’t let you two get out of here.” Steel looks into Sapphire’s beautiful aqua blue eyes and pushes her out of the opening leading into the next room before she could react. Duke lunges at Steel, but Steel quickly turns and shoots a beam of blue light from his glowing appendage. Sapphire begins to get up from the floor, through her blurring disoriented vision she could see Duke fall to the cold stone floor. Steel turns around and looks at Sapphire “Sapph-” was all he could get out of his mouth before the opening collapsed. Sapphire stumbled to her hooves as fast as she could; she screamed and banged on the cold stones. “STEEL, NO! NO NO NO NO!” Sapphire pressed her ear up against the cold damp stones in an attempt to listen for a sign of life. Sapphire’s tears began to fall on to the stones making an echo in the huge chamber she now found herself in. The chamber was massive and dark, but the darkness didn’t hide the giant figure in the center of the room. The figure was still, so it was apparent that it was a statue of some sort. She was alone, she didn’t have anybody now. How could she do this without Edgar or Steel, let alone without Ted?! She sat there crying and crying, she didn’t know what to do now, and she felt as if it was her fault. Sapphire’s cries were not unheard though; the stones began to gold a deep gold. Sapphire looks at the rocks slightly confused, but her confusion is short lived. A voice could be heard from behind the rubble “Move out of the way Sapphire!” She promptly jumps out of way as the rubble explodes outward and the opening becomes clear again. Sapphire coughs the dust that flew through the air as a result out of her lungs. When the smoke cleared a unicorn could be seen standing there, it was Flare! He had a smirk on his face as he carried injured Steel on his back. They both looked injured, but alive regardless. Flare chuckled “I think you lost something…” he began to laugh, but then quickly dropped to the rough stone floor. Sapphire ran over to both their aid when, suddenly two familiar faces emerged from the opening that Flare had cleared. Sapphire, after seeing that the two ponies were OK, ran over to her brother. Sapphire brought to tears almost tackled poor Ted to the ground “TEDDY, you’re alive!” Ted gave her a big hug as he was brought to tears; he choked out “Y-yeah kid of course, I’ll always be there for you.” Edgar smiled warmly at this site; he had never seen Ted so happy. Edgar’s attention quickly turned to the injured unicorns on the ground, Flare turned over with a grunt. Edgar quickly noticed something horrifying. Flare had a rather large rock lodged in his abdomen. Flare began to cough violently, the hugging ponies noticed this fact and they walked over to investigate. Sapphire gasped at the sight of Flare’s injury. Edgar took the injured Flare in his arms and began to hold his head up. Edgar was desperate, in the back of his mind he knew these injuries couldn’t be healed, not here. Edgar stuttered “C-come on Fl-Flare, you’re ok! YOU’RE FINE! Just stay with us…” Flare smiled and whispered in Edgar’s ear “It’s ok old timer, Edgar was it?” Edgar chuckled “Yes, yes it’s Edgar.” Flare laughed and muttered “Edgar then, don’t be sad. I made it to my final location, this is my end destination. Like the shells Edgar…” His expression began to become blank “Like the shells…” Flares’ heart stopped beating; Edgar began to sob “NO! James don’t do this to me, don’t!” Sapphire and Ted exchanged confused glances as the commotion made Steel wake up. Steel began to rise to his hooves and quickly realized what was happening. Steel’s mouth remained agape as he gazed upon the sad sight of Edgar crying over Flare’s body. All the ponies were silent, but the silence was short lived because a voice was heard coming from the center of the cave “What are you ponies doing?” A purple unicorn approached from the shadows, “Do you need any help?” Edgar leaped to his hooves absolutely stunned by the sudden appearance of this shady character. “Stay back, don’t come near me, little pony!” The purple figure seemed to flinch back, Ted noticed something. He started to say something “Edgar I think…” The purple unicorn suddenly opened its wings revealing it is actually an alicorn. Edgar falls onto his flank and gasps in both surprise and amazement. The alicorn then says “I am no little pony friend I am a princess and I can help you.” A purple glow forms on the princess’ horn and the same purple glow envelops Flare. Flare begins to cough violently again, Edgar stands there dumbfounded. The alicorn comes into plain view and she is beautiful.

She is a purple pony with a black mane, a strip of pink, and a strip of purple dye in her mane. The princess had a crown on her head with the same star symbol as they had seen on the walls and flags of the temple. She also had something that only Sapphire noticed. Sapphire had only seen this on one other pony and she was the other princess. Luna had a crescent moon on her flank, but it wasn’t a birth mark, it was a real image on her fur. This pony had something on their flank, but only it was the same symbol that was on her crown, one star surrounded by five smaller stars. The beautiful princess began to speak “My name is Twilight Sparkle and I am the princess of magic.” Flare now was standing, starred at the princess’ grace, and was absolutely stunned. The silence was broken by Ted with his two cents “So, princess uh, we’ve been looking for you. One of us died to find you, so we’ve been awaiting some sort of huge entrance… Were you just standing in your corner over there or…?” Twilight chuckles a bit “No, I wasn’t just ‘in the corner over there’ ha ha. I was in there!” She points to an astounding golden statue of this purple pony. The statue had a small hole in the hoof that was about a pony’s size. “I’m guessing Luna sent you?” Twilight asked with curiosity “She told me you would be here soon.” Sapphire was astonished and ashamed, she had completely forgotten about Luna… Luna’s voice was now heard by the all the ponies, it echoed through the chamber. Luna boomed “Yes, I have been in contact with Miss Sparkle this entire time, but curiously my connection to Sapphire was blocked, until now. I can communicate with the other princesses as well, but only when they’re close to waking up.” Flare now was fully aware with Edgar still in shock of his resurrection, “Was I uh… dead… princess?” he stammered. Twilight turned towards Flare and nodded, but then did something nopony expected, she bowed her head. “You had to be brought back; I used most of magic to heal you.” She said with a respectful tone. Ted interrupted “Am I the only one who has no idea what’s going on right now, because I’m pretty confused. Why is Flare important, what the hay did you do to him, why do I hear Luna, and most importantly: HOW ARE WE GETTING OUT OF HERE?!” Luna’s voice returned “Ted, you seem a bit… friendlier, confused, but friendlier!” Ted still unsettled by Luna’s ghostly voice “Yeah… I’ve kind of come to accept all this crazy prophecy stuff and it’s kind of fun, but you are very right Your Royal Creepiness when you say that I’m confused.” Luna’s disembodied voice laughed and echoed through the chamber as it faded away. Ted shivered, looked at Sapphire who was almost laughing, and reaffirmed “Yeah, that’s totally not creepy at all Sapphy. Good choice in friends!” Twilight chuckled as Edgar approached her, puzzled Twilight asked “What is it little pony? Why do you approach me?” Edgar stopped a few feet away from the rather large purple pony and bowed his head. Twilight took her hoof and softly lifted his head up with it and whispered “I know who you are Edgar ancestor of Blaze and you are the one who should be respected. You’re a descendant of the old royal guard and we are in your debt.” Twilight bowed and so did all the other ponies including Flare. A single tear rolled down the old pony’s face. Ted was the first to break the silence, of course, “I hate to interrupt this rather touching moment, but I’d really like to get out of the dark, dangerous, crumbling ruin…” Twilight agreed “We have been here too long already, we shall leave now.” Steel was the first to say “Hey princess, how exactly are we going back the way we came? There are a lot of winding hallways and blocked passages, it’s almost impossible…” Twilight began to heartily laugh “Dear pony, when you have magic nothing is impossible!” All the ponies suddenly disappear out of the chamber as it crumbled down on top of the empty room and the shinning statue. In front of the temple, in the jungle the ponies reappeared with a rather bright flash. All the ponies were a bit shaken, but otherwise okay, except for the princess. Twilight was on the ground and looked like she had been beaten; Steel was the first to notice the princess’ condition. “Princess, what happened?!” Steel shouted with concern and ran over to her injured body. Twilight muttered through heavy breaths “Well, all my magic is used up. I teleported us out, but I’m still weak from my sleep, just let me rest here for a bit.” An eerie chuckling is heard from the jungle. The origin of the cackling is revealed as Victor emerging from the brush, Steel jumps to his feet ready for a fight. “Dear princess, a leader must always be ready for anything. I don’t think you’d be very good at your job I’m afraid.” After a few tsk tsk tsks Frost’s ponies throw a metal mesh net from the top of the beautiful temple, now dirtied by their imperfect hooves. Steel screams “NO!” he thinks about running toward his enemy, but realizes he’s out matched as more ponies reveal themselves from the jungle. Frost laughs insanely “Looks like we have a bunch of ponies here to take care of, huh?” He continues to hysterically laugh as his other ponies join him.

Chapter 10

Wrath

The ponies were now taking a trip in the opposite direction from which they came through the jungle. The jungle seemed less colorful as they, and the captured princess were escorted back to the village. Victor ordered Flare to walk beside him “Flare, come here and escort the prisoners with me…”

Flare complied and approached Frost; he walked up to him with something to say. Flare began to speak, but before he could get out a comprehensible word an eerie glow enveloped his throat. Victor whispered in Flare’s ear as they walked “Why didn’t you get rid of them, you idiot. Do you like the blue one; do you want to keep her?” Flare’s throat was now changed back to normal and he spoke so everypony could hear him “No, they can all be taken care of. I care for none of them…” Sapphire and Steel look into each other’s eyes not speaking a word, but they both agree that they need to do something. Ted walks silently along trying to think of a way to get out of this, he had to protect his sister. The other ponies were busy thinking away, but Edgar just trotted along without a care, smiling. Ted caught a glance of Edgar’s smirk and asked him in confusion “Why so smug Edgar?” his tone grew lower now “Do you have a plan?” Edgar turned to Ted and simply winked. Soon they reached the village after their silent agonizing journey back. The evil doctor chuckled “Take my ‘friend’ Steel to the lab I’ll deal with him later.” As two of Frost’s guards drag struggling Steel off to the lab Sapphire screams “No, no! What are you going to do to him?!” The doctor is a bit surprised at the pony caring so much about Steel to be the only one to have the guts to call out. Victor laughs and asks “Oh, Steel… Do you feel the same way for her? Well I’ll have to give you a little flashback of what happens when you try to defy me…” Frost then walked all the ponies silently into the middle of their city, Twilight next to them in the net being dragged along.

The village was more of a city these days, booming with life and sound. Ponies, unicorns were walking here and there. Frost then walked over to what seemed like a stage, stood on it, and pressed a button. The stage-like raised floor was just a simple tile floor that rose slightly above the ground in the center of the city’s activities. The button Victor pressed was a button to make a sound similar to an alarm and suddenly all the ponies stopped in their tracks. Other ponies peaked through their house windows. Frost was an amazing speaker, his charisma made him very admirable. “My fellow unicorns, I come to you with horrible news! Two of our ponies are dead…” Frost pauses briefly after a gasp from the crowd and then continues “I know we’ve had disappearances in the past, but I have seen the bodies. I bring you the pony responsible!” Frost signals with his hoof for his guards to bring Twilight onto the platform. The guards throw her down on the floor with a plop, she struggles a bit yelling her several pleas. Frost kicks the net “Shut up murderer!” Twilight cries “I am no murderer! This pony lies to you!” Victor simply shakes his head and speaks to the crowd “You see this? This pony lies to us all, you know you can trust me. Now I will show you what a monster this pony is…” Frost unties the metal mesh net to reveal her wings and the crowd explodes in an uproar of screams and gasps. Sapphire flinches as she is horrified by the crowd’s reaction. Twilight, being drained of her magic and weak from being asleep simply stands there on stage knowing there is no way to escape. Victor continues “This thing has to be punished, but we first must learn all about it! It has said that it’s friends will be here to rescue it! Do we want these monsters to take our island?!” The crowd begins to become enraged and cries “NO!” Victor continues his speech “We must learn what we can about these creatures before they destroy us! I will bring this thing to my lab and study it so we can find out how to defend ourselves against the impending onslaught!” The crowd begins to cheer, Edgar was disgusted, and he could tell these ponies had been fed his verbal poison for years. Twilight had a chance to speak a few weak words “Don’t listen to this monster; he killed your friends...” Before Twilight could utter another word she was wrapped back in the net. Sapphire and Ted gave each other an affirmative glance “NOW TEDDY!” Sapphire cried as Ted and Sapphire began to run at Frost. He snickered “How cute, you think you can beat me with your brute force.” A dark purple glow enveloped Sapphire and Ted as they flew back into a very calm Edgar. Flare looked on with an emotionless expression, Sapphire getting up from the ground cried out “How could you?! I know we don’t know each other too well, but to do this to another pony…” Ted and Edgar stumble to stand up; once they are standing they look on with anticipation. Flare sighs and speaks in a monotone voice “You’re not ponies, you’re monsters…” Sapphire’s eyes begin to tear up as she realizes that there is no hope. She has been filled with false hope from the beginning this would’ve never worked. Suddenly Sapphire begins to hear Luna’s voice “Sapphire I knew this time would come I have seen it, but there is hope!” Sapphire yells aloud “Where?! Where is the hope?! LUUUUUNNNNNNAAAAA!!!!” she begins to sob. Frost laughs with his insane laugh “Looks like she’s gone crazy, she’ll be interesting to study. Take them away!” At this sight all the ponies of the town who before were filled with blind rage were now filled with sadness and pity. The whole city was completely silent as the ponies walked to the lab across the center of town. During this solemn moment Edgar still wore his smirk. Luna spoke to Sapphire as she walked to the lab and whimpered “Sapphire… There is still hope, you will succeed.” Luna sat in Sapphire’s room back on her island and stared out the window. Luna sighed and whispered to herself “I hope she will at least…”

Chapter 11

FLARE

Victor looked at the dying pony in the hospital bed “Victor, my friend, where is my son? My son, is he safe?” The male pony in the bed is white with a sparkling golden mane, it’s eyes are practically glowing with bright yellow. The pony’s fur is stained in some spots, the fur is blood red. Victor stares into the other pony’s eyes and begins to cry “Yes, yes, your son is alive and well. Flash who will take over with you gone your son is too young to rule.” Flash coughs violently and his horn begins to glow a bright yellow as he manages to say “Victor you will rule until my son is able… You will raise him…” Victor begins to sob as he realizes these are the last words he will speak with his best friend. Victor chokes out through the tears “No… no Flash please, but your brother.” Flash shakes his head weakly “No Victor he could never raise my boy, let alone rule the island. Every time he would look at that boy he’d only see… me.” Victor completely frustrated and tears yelled “WHAT DO YOU THINK I’LL SEE?!” Flash smirked and whispered “A great pony Victor Frost… A great pony…” Victor hugged his friend tightly almost as if that holding him would keep him there with Victor. Flash whispered into Victor’s ear with his dying breath, “P-pr-promise… m-me…” Victor shouted in sorrow “I promise friend, I promise!” Flash looked at Victor, smiled, and suddenly his expression freezes in place. Victor stares into Flashes empty eyes and slowly closes his eyelids to cover them. Victor walks across the smooth tiles of the hospital room floor, as he cries, the tears falling to the floor leaving a short trail of sadness. Frost walks through the door to meet a nurse who works at the hospital. She looks down at floor and asks “Did you tell him about his son?” Victor sighed and muttered “A dying man didn’t need to know his son died in the same accident as him… I told him Flare was still alive.” This had been fifteen years ago when Doctor Victor Frost’s life changed forever.

Doctor Frost examined the cold body of Flare Fetlock on the body and he mumbled to himself “I’ll save you Flare… I’ll save you…” Victor had a mad look in his eyes as he went to work on Flare’s corpse. He practiced experiments beyond reasonable description, but he eventually decided to extract Flare’s brain. Victor called to have the subject brought into the room. The guards then entered the same lab he would later perform such evil and insane acts in. The guards dragged the unconscious body of a male pegasus that was black with an orange mane. “We’ve prepared him just like you asked…” One of the guards says, half hating himself for participating in whatever horrid thing is going to occur. Doctor Frost whispers “Thank you… now leave us…” The guards reluctantly back out the metal door and lock it behind them. Victor turns to his unconscious victim and whispers into his ear “I hope you can hear me, I’m so sorry about this.” The sound of the deafening saw blade filled the lab not because of its volume, but because of what it was doing. The two guards that had brought the pony in stood by the door curious to see what would become of him. Who walked through the door was unbelievable, it was Flare! Flare looked good as new, he even said hello to the guards as he passed by. The guards were awestruck by this sight but wondered where Victor was. Victor sat on the floor of the lab as the guard slowly opened the door with a creak. Frost slowly turned to face the guards and they gasped as they saw his face was covered in blood. He began muttering to himself “I saved him… I saved him…” The guards slowly backed out of the room and began to run out of the lab. Frost began hysterical laughing and rolling on the lab room floor, tears streaming down his face. He had saved Flare, but at what cost?

Flare many years later walked through the temple alone after Lance had been crushed in the previous room. Flare barely had the determination to go on after he had been wandering for hours. The ruinous halls were starting to all look the same, when suddenly he saw a dim light. The light shined into the hallway from one of the rooms, he mistook this fading light for sunlight. As Flare walked closer to the doorway the light got dimmer and dimmer. Flare looked into the room and saw a piece of cloth with light shining through the thin fabric. A pedestal was right next to it with a plaque on the front facing part of the pedestal. The plaque read “Truth” in old Equestrian, a language Flare had known as far as he could remember. Flare slowly approached the glowing fabric and lifted it off of the shape that lay under it. Flare gazed upon a sight that both fascinated and terrified him, it was a large purple orb. The purple orb seemed to be so much more than what it simply was. It seemed to mean more than just a simple orb lying on a temple floor. The orb seemed wrong in a way almost as if it didn't belong there. Flare starred into the orb as he felt an odd sensation run through him and the orb began to glow extremely brightly. Suddenly, Flare was standing in Victor’s old lab and he watched as Frost was operating on a pony. Flare attempted to call out to Victor, but he soon realized he wasn’t being noticed. Flare’s heart stopped, he realized this pony was him… Had he been hurt? He didn’t remember… Frost began to speak to himself “I promised Flash I would take care of his son, I must save Flare…” Flare soon realized Doctor Frost had to be crazy the pony on the table looked like him, but he was dead. Flare watched the entire “operation”; Frost removed the pony’s brain and horn and put them on a separate table. He then brought in a seemingly alive pegasus into the room and he whispered something into his ear. Flare was stunned the pegasus looked exactly like him! Soon Flare realized what was happening, Frost… killed the pony and removed his brain. The pony was unconscious and most likely didn't feel it when the spinning saw blade “met” with his body... Frost began to cry and cut the wings off of the pegasus. Victor cried out “I’m so sorry! Please forgive me… I had to save him.” Flare began to realize what was going to happen now. Frost took the brain from the dead pony and surgically put it into the newly killed pegasus with no wings. He sewed up the wounds from removing the wings and put an electric type device inside the head of the other pony that looked like him. He tried to get the pony to move for seemingly forever, but eventually the pony sprang to life. The pony… was… him…? Flare began to go into shock while Victor elaborated to himself on his work. “You did Victor… You saved him, he’ll forget a lot about his past life, only little memories will remain, but he’s alive. I did it Flash, your boy is alive!” Flare began to panic as the room around him began to fade back into the room in the temple where he had been with the orb. “N-n-no… Not m-me… I’m s-s-somepony else…?” Flare threw up from his shock and stumbled out of the chamber, the orb began to fade back to its deep purple color. Flare wondered the halls until he saw something on the ground, it was an artificial shell made of white glass. Flare began laughing and laughing and laughing…

Chapter 12

The Beginning of The End

Steel, Sapphire, Edgar, and Ted all stood before Flare and Victor. Victor lets out a deep laugh “Guards, take the old one and the annoying one away.” The guards simply stand there reluctant to follow the orders just given them. Frost begins to lose his patience and screams “Did you idiots hear me, do you want to join them?! If you do be my guest, I can always get more of you.” The guards take the two ponies and drag them away, grumbling to themselves. As the guards drag Ted and Edgar away Edgar is still smiling. Ted doesn’t pay attention to what he thinks is Edgar going crazy. Ted breaks away from one of the guard’s grasp and stares into Victor’s deep evil purple eyes. Ted speaks with authority “Victor Frost if you so much as harm hair on her mane I will personally remove your horn in front of all of your ‘followers’ and watch them scream…” He then is taken by the guard again as Victor chuckles. Steel groans “If you’re going to kill us just do it already Victor.” Victor simply sighs and says “No Steel I’m not going to kill you, I wouldn’t do that… What I will do, my friend is just kill her.” Frost points at Sapphire “She is the reason you all are so determined to succeed. Once Sapphire is gone your morale will be crushed, her brother and friend will crumble at my hooves.” Sapphire looks up at Frost from her kneeling position on the floor and sits in Frost’s face. Sapphire then speaks “Frost you will never stop this, it’s bigger than both of us and already in motion. Please give up now before you hurt yourself.” The crazed doctor begins to laugh uncontrollably as Flare looks on expressionless. Frost orders Flare to drag Sapphire into the exam room and he complies. Steel is horrified; visions of Bright are coming back to him. Steel suddenly blurts out “WAIT!” Flare ignores him “I know about your father…” Flare swiftly drops Sapphire and swings around to face Steel. Victor looks on with a smirk on his face. Flare runs across the room to Steel and yells into his face “What do you know about my father?! I never knew him; he died when I was a foal!” Steel looks confused “I-is that what you think? What has Victor done to you?” Flare’s angry expression suddenly turns to confusion “What do you mean…?” Steel spoke softly to Flare, lovingly “Your father died ten years ago, when you were seventeen… nephew…” Flare suddenly backed up in shock “What… what do you mean, nephew?! What in the world is going on here?!” Victor intervened “Flare don’t listen to him, he’s lying. He isn’t your father’s brother. He killed your father!” Steel sighed “I’m not going to convince you, but who are you going to believe? Me, or this mad pony, that sent your men... your friends into that temple to die?” Flare looks back and forth between both ponies until an evil smile grows on his face. Flare chuckles “I think some revenge on my father’s killer is what I believe in.” Flare laughs as he drags Sapphire into the room with the creaky metal door. Steel realizes there is no convincing Flare in a desperate attempt at saving Sapphire he screams “Flare, NO!” Frost laughs along with Flare and they both walk through the metal door with a creak, then a slam.

Steel runs to the door in a desperate attempt to open it he begins to bang on the door. Sapphire pleads with Frost as Flare drags her over to the operating table “Please Flare, you’re better than this, don’t do this!” After Sapphire is plopped onto the operating table she has belt-like straps wrapped around her hooves. Sapphire struggled, but to no avail Frost was too strong and tightened to straps. Frost reaches for something under the table and then the sound began: The agonizing buzzing. Steel’s ears began to twitch as he heard the saw start to spin; he could almost feel its cold blade on his skin. Sapphire’s eyes became widened by the sight and she began to hopelessly struggle at her restraints. A spinning fan on the ceiling can be seen slowly rotating, until Frost's insane face in the way of Sapphire's vision. Sapphire looks into Frost's eyes as Victor looks into hers, his eyes seemed apologetic and almost... confused. “I’m sorry…” Victor whispered in Sapphire’s ear. Victor suddenly fell to the floor; Flare was standing behind him with a science instrument of some kind. Flare smirks and exclaims “Good night, you monster.” Sapphire had been holding her breath, so she finally began to breathe again. Sapphire was out of breath and panting “Flare, thank Celestia you came through.” Flare smiled warmly at Sapphire, but soon his expression turned sour as his face wrinkled in anger and his horn glowed a bright golden color. Flare’s attention turned to the unconscious psychopath on the floor; he pointed his glowing horn at him. Sapphire at seeing this yells “No, Flare don’t do that, don’t be like him!” Flare stays where he is and begins to tear up “You want to let him live after all he’s done, to you, to me, to Steel?!” Sapphire puts on a puzzled expression, “It shouldn’t matter what he’s done killing him is not the answer Flare. Just undo these straps and we’ll figure this out together!” Flare’s horn begins to stop glowing as he turns to Sapphire and frees her from her restraints. Sapphire gets up and steps on to the cold tile floor, it felt almost icy. Sapphire rips the straps from the operating table and uses them to tie Frost's hooves together. Flare while this is occurring walks over to the door and opens it. On the other side of the open door is two guards, Flare gets ready to fight, but the guards put their heads down and back away. As they back away they reveal that behind them is Ted and Edgar, Edgar has a beaming smile. Flare laughs as he runs towards Edgar and gives him a hug. They both laugh as they hug and Edgar says very loudly “I knew you could do it my friend!” Ted’s eyes widen as he realizes they have had this planned the whole time. Ted yells in a frustrated yet happy tone “Ed you crazy brilliant pony!” Ted then joins the hug briefly, but then his attention turns to Sapphire who he can see in the darkness of the exam room.

Sapphire is seen dragging Frost’s unconscious body into the light coming from the doorway. Steel slowly walks up to the doorway and calls out to Sapphire “Sapphire, are you OK?” Sapphire drops Victor in front of the other ponies as he begins to wake up. Sapphire then asks “What are we going to do with him?” Ted asks “Where is the princess?” Sapphire responds “I don’t know he sent her somewhere…” Sapphire then stumbles over to Steel and falls into his arms and begins to be overcome with tears. Ted walks up to the now awake Frost and he stares into his deep purple eyes. Ted speaks calmly, but with authority “Frost I know you’re probably pretty mad at us right now and you’re crazy, but you’re going to have to help us here. Tell us where the princess is… I know you’re probably thinking ‘what’s in this for me?’ well let me give you some motivation. If you don’t tell me where the princess is I will not have the mercy my sister had. I will drag you out into the town square and I will kill you in front of the entire town. I don't care if that 'complicates' things, I will kill you with my bare hooves... Just remember your death will not be quick like it would’ve been if a unicorn killed you. Come to think of it, I don’t know why he didn’t... So I think you’re going to want to speak up.” Frost angrily stared at Ted “Theodore she is down that hall,” he gestures towards the hallway “but I don’t think you’ll like what you see…” Frost chuckles as Sapphire gasps and begins to run to the door at the end of the hallway he gestured to. Sapphire swings the door open to see Twilight lying on an operating table. Many thoughts crept into Sapphire’s head. What if she is dead? What would happen if one of the princesses died? What if she was hurt beyond repair? Sapphire panicked as she thought of these what-ifs and then she walked over to the pony lying on the table. She slowly turned Twilight over… She was OK; he hadn’t done anything to the princess! Twilight opened her eyes slightly as she had previously been knocked out. Twilight smiled and whispered “I knew you’d come through…” Sapphire smiled back and responded “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you your majesty.” Sapphire helped Twilight to her hooves and they both walked down the hallway as all the ponies, including the guards (who were still present) stomped their hooves and cheered. Twilight was now regaining her strength and opened up her wings in a majestic fashion. Sparkles rained from the ceiling as this is the first time she looked like a princess. Twilight spoke with conviction “I will take rule over my people and deal with the doctor over there. All of you ponies go into the center of town and wait for me there. Actually, bring Victor there...” All the ponies began to exit the room and Sapphire turned to Twilight who gave her a nod. Ted ripped Victor up from the floor and growled “Get up Frost, not so talkative now are you?” Frost simply looks up at Ted with his signature insane smile. Ted smacks Victor in the back of the head and yells “Keep moving you nut case!” As Sapphire walks out of the room Steel runs up to her, takes her hoof, and he gives her a warm smile. Edgar and Flare are laughing with Edgar’s hoof on Flare’s shoulder as they begin to walk out of the room. Before Flare could exit the room with Edgar Twilight calls out to him “Flare, please stay here... alone.” Edgar gives Flare a reassuring smile and says “It’s fine Flare, you can definitely trust her. She did bring you back from the dead after all.” Flare nods with approval and chuckles as Edgar leaves the room. Once the squeaky door slams shut Twilight begins speaking “Flare, I am aware when I brought you back from the dead it was not your first time, yes?” Flare’s eyes widen as he is bombarded by memories he had tried to suppress, visions he tried to forget, and sounds he’d wished he never heard. Flare began to get flashbacks and his breathing became heavy. Twilight saw the panic attack Flare was experiencing, so she slowly walked over to the panicked pony and she put her hoof on his head. Twilight shushed Flare and pet his head like a parent would a child’s. Flare felt the comforting hoof and began to relax. Twilight whispered to him “Flare, it’s OK I know what that can do to a pony... Flare it’s not important what you are. I am one in four of a kind for Celestia’s sake, I’m a freak. Some may consider me special, but I’m neither special nor a freak Flare. I’m just a pony like you; I feel the same as any of you. It doesn’t matter what you are, but rather who you are.” Flare was touched at the princess’ care for him and he began to cry. Flare choked out the words “But who… am I?” Twilight smiled at Flare and she told him what he had been wondering all of his life “You are the son of Flash Fetlock and you’re the destined mayor of this island.” Flare was shocked by this revelation and he stuttered “WH-what?! I thought you ruled this island.” Twilight laughed at the silly statement “I do, but smaller rulers are needed to properly keep in touch with the citizens. It was our tradition to have a mayor for each town back in old Equestria, they ruled over their town and helped me rule. Your father kept that tradition along with his ancestors, until Victor took over as leader. Frost ruled over the ponies with lies and intimidation, but you were supposed to be their fair ruler.” Flare then realized why his friends were going to the center of town; he was going to take his rightful place as ruler over the town.

Sapphire stood at the center of town while Ted waited behind one of the buildings with Frost as to not start a riot. She wasn’t sure when Twilight was coming back, but she was worried. Sapphire’s worries were soon gone when she again heard from her dear friend. Luna spoke in her head “Sapphire, the worst is over. I told you you would make it! You are almost done with your job on this island.” Sapphire let out a sigh of relief as Luna spoke these words to her and as she spotted Twilight return with a very cheerful Flare. The center of town looked like an industrial city, almost like Manehattan of old Equestria with all the hustle and bustle of city life. Ponies swarmed the gray streets with business and corruption in their minds when suddenly a pony began to speak. Twilight’s voice bounced off the surrounding buildings that seemed to form a square shape around the city’s center. Twilight spoke loudly and clearly to the confused and slightly enraged town’s ponies, “Ponies of the city! Ponies of the island! I come to you with the truth, the truth about what is really going on here! Some of you may remember your old ruler Flash?” Some of the ponies mumbled and nodded. Twilight continued “Well you all think that Doctor Victor Frost is such a good leader? Look at him!” Ted drags Frost out from behind the building and brings him on to the platform. The crowd erupted into an angry roar, but Twilight promptly stopped this with a stomp of her hoof, which caused a loud booming crack that was amplified with her magic no doubt. Twilight’s voice now boomed, almost similar to Luna’s “All of you listen to me! I am the ruler from when your ancestors resided in old Equestria. Flash was part of a line of mayors that I put in charge because I knew they would be great rulers. That cycle was broken ten years ago, by FROST!” Frost now erupted into a rage and screamed “Flash asked me to rule! His son was too young to rule!” Twilight turned to face Victor and calmly responded “Victor did he say that you should never allow his son to rule? Do you think he would’ve wanted that?” Victor suddenly realizes, she’s right he should have given the town to Flare and told him the truth. He should have done it, but he didn’t because he was afraid. Twilight faces the confused and angered town again “Please my fellow ponies I’m here to benefit you all, to protect you!” A voice called out from the crowd “We never needed protecting when Doctor Frost was around!” Twilight responded to the argument with the truth, it was her only option “Actually sir he did try to protect you in his own way, by killing ponies like me! He didn’t want me to come to you and rule over you because he was selfish, wanting to keep his rule alive in any way possible. Frost didn’t just kill my kind to protect you, but to prevent you from finding out the truth: He killed your kind!” The ponies in the crowd gasped and some shook their heads in disbelief. Twilight realized she couldn’t convince the ponies herself, so she introduced Steel to the platform. She spoke to the crowd “You all know Steel Hoof, he is an honest worker in this town and he was the brother of Flash.” Steel begins to speak “I am fairly quiet as you know; I am a humble baker that works in a small bakery and my brother and fiancé died. I can’t speak much for my brother it was just a freak accident that killed him and nearly killed his son. I can however speak for my love, she was killed by Frost!” Victor begins to stand up, but Ted pushes him back down as Victor screams “LIAR! He lies to you all!” Steel unaffected by his cries continues “He has killed seven ponies and he is responsible for the death of two others! Three of the seven he killed were our own! One of which was my fiancé! He killed her to prevent her from telling you how he ‘protected you’ from a better rule! He protected himself and would kill any one of you to do it again. Believe me when I say Twilight means well and she will protect us with her life! Now who is with me?! Frost has lied to us all and take it from your fellow citizen; we must take Twilight as our new ruler!” The crowd is quiet and Steel looks on with a pleading expression, the crowd then explodes into applauds! All of the ponies on the platform exchange hugs and cheers until suddenly, Sapphire hears something. She hears something that as long as she lives will always remember, it was Frost whispering “I’m sorry…” Sapphire suddenly became aware of what this may mean and turns to a celebrating Teddy and screams “Ted watch out!” Sapphire although with a quick reaction was too slow for Ted to stop the sharp piece of metal Frost had been hiding the whole time since the lab from stabbing him in the chest.

“NO!!!!!!” Sapphire shrieked as Ted fell to the icy unforgiving floor of the platform. Time seemed to slow down for Sapphire, she stood frozen in place. She watched as a pool of red liquid formed under her brother. Frost had cut his bonds without attracting attention to himself while Steel gave his speech and now he was free. At first Victor simply stood staring at the princess and Sapphire was the only one who moved as she ran over to Ted. Everypony was still and waited for what would happen next. Flare looked at Frost and then back to the princess a few times. Flare softly spoke to Victor “Victor, you raised me as your own, but that doesn’t mean I won’t end you. Please Victor don’t do this we can work something out!” Frost looked at Flare with not his usual insane look, but with a kind caring look that made Flare think of him as he was when Victor raised him. Years ago Victor was a good pony, he raised Flare as his own. Flare and Victor played catch on the beach and watched the waves. Victor told Flare fantastic fictional stories about the sea creatures, much like a father would tell a son. Victor loved and raised Flare as his own. One day Flare asked Victor why he didn't remember his father and Victor told him how his father was so amazing that sometimes our minds can't comprehend his presence. Flare as young as he was then believed that his father was some sort of amazing magical pony, but in reality he was just another pony like everyone else who died in Victor's arms. Flare one day was saved by Victor, he was drowning in the waves and Victor swam into the ocean to rescue him. Flare asked Victor why he saved him, why he had no fear. Victor responded to the preposterous question with “Flare, I love you like my own son, I would do anything for you. I promised your father before he died that I would do anything to protect you and I will keep that promise. Nothing will ever harm you Flare because you're my son and I will always love you...”

A single tear rolled down Victor’s face as he whispered “I always loved you Flare, you're my like my own blood… I’m so sorry...” After these words were spoken Frost lunged at Twilight and Flare’s horn lit up with the brightest golden light that anyone had ever seen before. Just before Frost’s blade could reach Twilight, a beam shot out of Flare’s horn and made contact with Frost’s side. Frost failed to stab Twilight as he froze in place, he was turned into solid ice. The frozen pony stood there for a moment, but quickly shattered. Flare breathing heavily began to cry and he fell to the floor, an emotional wreck. Edgar walked over to him and walked him down off of the platform. All the ponies in the crowd were breathless and Twilight cleared her throat as she stepped over the pile of sparkling shattered ice. Twilight stared into the shocked audience and said something that made absolute sense “If he was such a good pony why would try to kill me when I did nothing to harm him? I did nothing to him and he tried to stab me in the back, is that the fearless leader you all know?” The towns-ponies mumbled to each other, but seemed to be agreeing. All while Twilight tried to convince the crowd of their legitimacy Sapphire’s tears soaked Ted as he lay on the ground with a stab wound. Ted coughed violently, but also smiled. Sapphire confused asks Ted “Why are you smiling? You were stabbed!” Ted chuckled a bit and weakly turned to the crowd. Ted barely was able to choke the words out as he spoke “Sapphire we did it… with this accident we convinced them of Frost’s evil ways. We completed our mission, what we were here to do. Sapphire I’ll be OK, we’ll be OK…” Sapphire hugged Ted and cried into his shoulder while she softly spoke into his ear “Don’t leave me Teddy, don’t leave me like Mom and Dad.” Ted began to pet her mane and muttered while staring into space “I’m not going anywhere kid, I’m not going anywhere…” Sapphire then watched Ted go limp and pass out in her arms. Sapphire was in a panic; she turned to Steel who didn’t want to interrupt their moment and gave him a look that pleaded for him to help Ted. Steel rushed over to Ted’s side and examined his wounds, he nodded his head, they were fatal. Sapphire jumps into Steel’s arms as she sobbed, Steel flinched as he didn’t expect Sapphire to come to him for comfort. Edgar was right behind him, why would she come to a pony she had only just met for comfort? Steel then realized something that was so obvious, but all the action made it so hard to pay attention to. Sapphire cared about him and he could see this as her tear filled eyes looked up at him with sadness, but also in a way a child would ask an adult for help. Sapphire needed someone who could provide her with comfort and that was him… Sapphire saw Steel as a safe haven she could run to when she was trapped. Twilight’s speech then ended and the crowd began to disperse unsure of what had just happened, but content with the speech. Twilight quickly swung around and examined Ted realizing he was not dead yet. Twilight let out a sigh of relief and her horn began to glow a bright purple color. A stream of sparkles emitted from her horn and enveloped Ted as he began to levitate. Twilight’s nose began to bleed, she was still weak and if Ted had died she might not have been able to bring him back. Twilight suddenly dropped to the ground and so did Ted with an audible plop. Sapphire ran over to Ted and saw that he was awake. Sapphire let out a sigh of relief as Ted smirked “What’s the matter kid, did you think some punk like Frost would take me out?” Sapphire laughs, punches Ted in the arm, and hugs him.

Edgar began to run toward Twilight, but she gets up before he can kneel down to examine her. She softly says with a shaky voice “I don’t think I’m the one you should be checking on…” Twilight gestures towards Flare who is kneeling in the center of the platform, he is crying over the pile of ice fragments. Edgar nods and slowly approaches Flare and puts his hoof on Flare’s shoulder. The tears hit the pile of shaved ice and they sparkled as they absorbed into the ice. Edgar sat next to the wreck of a pony and began to speak “Flare, he would’ve killed her, you did the right thing. You’re a good pony James…” Flare turned to Edgar with an almost violent expression “Old pony… I don’t know why you like me so much, but stop it.” Edgar looks shocked as Flare picks up a pile of ice in his hooves. Flare continues to speak “Edgar was it? Yes of course it was… do you know what this is?” Edgar looks at the pile of ice and stutters “W-well that’s a pile of… ice.” Flare chuckled “Yes, Edgar it’s a pile of ice, you could say ‘frost’ I always thought magic had a sense of humor or was it science, I could never tell the difference. Edgar this is my doing, he raised me and I just killed him dead!” Edgar interjected “He was a murderer! Flare you’re smarter than this, he killed Steel’s girlfriend and many others! Open your eyes, you did what was right… he deserved what he got.” Flare began to speak quieter “Deserved? He deserved it? This is not a pile of ice Edgar; this is a living being put down before his time. Edgar I don’t regret what I did because it happened, there is no reason to think about what-ifs. I will still remember this day always, but I will become mayor because my town needs me after I murdered their ruler. He deserved it…? HE DESERVED HELP NOT DEATH!” Edgar was taken aback by his sudden change in volume and Flare put his face just inches from Edgar’s. “Do you know why I really like shells Edgar?” Edgar didn’t know what Flare meant, but he shook his head. Flare whispered to Edgar “I like shells because one day I was on the beach with Victor and he picked one up. I asked ‘What is that Vic?’ and he told me it was a magical portal to the world under the ocean. I laughed as I was fairly old to fall for such stories, but he insisted. When I was older he confessed that shells even if you can hear the ocean in them don’t lead there. What he did tell me was that each shell was unique, much like a living creature. He told me that each shell had been through its own struggles and is damaged in its own way. All shells are unique not from their creation, but from their scratches and imperfections. Edgar I shattered a shell, it can’t be rebuilt or remade. Victor is gone forever because of me… The point of that story is that I value all life and even a damaged soul can be saved…” Edgar sighed and looked at the pile of ice that was beginning to blow away in the wind. Edgar cleared his throat and began to speak his defense “I’m sorry Flare I didn’t realize… I just wanted to help you ever since I got here, you reminded me of someone that I once…” Flare began to walk away as he was uninterested in hearing Edgar’s apology, but he drove a verbal blade into Edgar’s chest “I’m not James you demented old pony. Whatever feeling of nostalgia you have for this relative or friend is empty. I am not interested in being an old pony’s portal to the past.” Flare stepped off of the platform and entered one of the buildings. A single tear rolled down Edgar’s cheek and hit the tile floor with an audible dropping sound Edgar swore was in his head. Ted tried to break the awkward silence by making a joke “Well guys I’d love to stay on this island, but I think it’s about time we rolled on out of here, Right Edgar?” Edgar mumbled to himself “It’s been too long already my friend…” he then spoke for everyone to hear “Yes let’s take our leave! Princess I believe you have something for us?” Twilight chuckled and the other ponies looked puzzled, but she then explained “I have had a boat waiting for you ponies since you arrived! Edgar knew because I whispered it to him while Steel was making his speech!” Ted began to turn red with held in screams “Princess, how long have you had that boat?” Twilight sighed and confessed, “The whole time, I was going to tell you guys hours ago, but I needed to make sure you were here to back me up!” Ted’s face began to return to normal as he realized it didn’t matter now, everything was OK. He laughed and said “Not planning on keeping us prisoner are you?” Twilight shook her head and gestured for the ponies to follow her. All the ponies began to follow Twilight as she led them to the boat.

Chapter 13

A New Journey

When they all eventually made it to the boat they couldn’t believe their eyes. The boat was more of a ship! The ship was made of solid steel and it was as tall as a small tree. The ship could easily fit twenty passengers, Sapphire starred in awe at the large upgrade to their sunken raft. The steel shined in the sunlight and it was run on a motor! I small fan looking object stuck out of the back of the boat, the ponies presumed it spun or something. Twilight looked at Sapphire and laughed “Is it to your liking my little pony?” Sapphire nodded still looking at the ship answering Twilight. Edgar silently boarded the ship across a wooden ramp that led to the inside of the ship, but before going completely inside, turned to Twilight and Steel to give them a respectful salute. Ted then looked at Edgar, and then turned to Steel and Twilight to say his goodbyes. Ted almost cried, almost, then began to speak “I’ll see you guys, you are and always be amazing friends!” He bowed to the princess, then turned to Steel  and gave a wink. As Ted began to walk across the creaky wooden board he looked back at Steel and yelled “You’re not so bad for a freak!” he laughed and then ducked into the large boat. Sapphire looked at Twilight and smiled, but before she could speak Luna’s voice could be heard in her head. Luna congratulated Sapphire “My friend, you have done well! Sapphire you are returning balance to the world, but there is still much to do. You must visit two more islands Sapphire, perhaps not as dangerous as this one, but you must be cautious. I cannot say for certain, but someone very close to you may be a danger to you and the group. Keep an eye out my little pony and return harmony to this world! Good luck Sapphire and be careful!” Sapphire came back to reality as she smiled at Twilight and spoke “Goodbye princess I wish you well, but we must go awaken the others! Luna has just spoken to me and we are far from done with our work. Thank you for saving Ted and we will meet again someday…” Twilight nods to Sapphire and bows her head to her, at this Sapphire giggled a bit. Sapphire happily said “Thank you Princess Twilight!” Sapphire then turns to Steel with a face of sadness “Steel… I have to go now...” Steel looked down to the ground and starred into the dirt “Sapphire why do you have to go?” Sapphire sighed and tears began to form in her deep aqua blue eyes “I have to do it Steel, I have a mission to do…I’ll be back for you though.” Steel looks into her sad eyes and softly speaks in his timid voice “You can’t come back for me…” Sapphire looks utterly shocked and blurts out “WH-WHY?! Where will you be?” Steel’s face begins to turn a slight shade of red and he walks up to Sapphire. Steel is mere inches from Sapphire’s face and he whispers to her “Because I’ll be on that boat with you…” Sapphire felt Steel’s breath on her face and she starred into his sky blue eyes. Steel’s eyes narrowed as he leaned in for what they both knew was a kiss. Sapphire was now blushing a lot and Steel’s lips met hers and they kissed. Sapphire felt like this was right she really likes Steel, telling her he was going on the ship with her was the best news she had ever heard. Sapphire thinks she loves… Ted yelled from the ships entrance “ARE YOU TWO FACE SUCKERS COMING OR WHAT?!” The two ponies lips broke apart as they swung around to look at the very not amused Ted standing on the plank leading to the ship’s entrance. Both ponies giggled awkwardly, looked at each other, and blushed. Sapphire laughed and skipped gleefully over to the ship. Steel walked slowly with his head down to the ship, his face was as red as tomato. Twilight laughed as they all boarded the ship and the plank was pulled in. The metal door of the boat shut with a bang and they were off. Edgar cranked the metal crank to raise the anchor. As the boat began to move Edgar looked back to island. What Edgar saw put a huge smile on his face, he saw Flare standing next to Twilight saluting him. Flare looked right at Edgar and smiled. Edgar began to tear up in happiness and he saluted back. Ted was in the lower portion of the ship sitting with Sapphire and Steel. Sapphire laid on Steel’s lap as Steel smiled and pet her mane. Steel looked down at Sapphire, who was almost asleep and smiled. Steel looked up to see a very suspicious Ted looking at him with narrowed eyes. Steel laughed nervously as he began to make small talk with Ted. They talk about hobbies and the weather all the while Ted wore the same threatening expression. Flare watched the boat eventually disappear into the horizon and the sun began to set. Flare warily looked up at Twilight who wore a look of concern and asked “Should we have told them?” Twilight sighed and with shaken speech muttered “No Flare, I think they need a break from all the sadness. They need a happy ending, all of them…” Steel, Sapphire, Ted, and Edgar were all on their way to the next island. They sailed across the open seas ready for anything that would be thrown at them. The sun set on the ponies’ day and a calm settled across the ocean that night. A cool night settled in and they were at peace, ready for another adventure. Sapphire was about to fall asleep, she needed to sleep after all she had been through. It was so comfortable on Steel’s lap, very soft. Sapphire felt safe, she wanted to dream again. She wanted to dream about being able to fly because it felt right. It was what was supposed to be real, not her flightless reality. Sapphire thought of soaring through the clouds and Sapphire let out a sigh of relief as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

END OF BOOK II

The Rebuilding of Harmony

I once thought the world was small

but now I realize it isn't that way at all

So many wonders are hidden for us to discover

so many secrets are out there to uncover