Chapters A hooded mare walked along the path, her hoofsteps nearly silent as she trudged on. The road eventually came upon a town, the sign read "Auberdine" , the mare glanced at the sign, then proceeded. "Evening stranger, what brings you to Auberdine?" a sentinel approached the mare.
"I'm simply a traveler, on my way to the inn." she replied, meeting the sentinel's gaze fearlessly.
"Alright then, have a nice stay." the sentinel backed away, allowing her passage.
"Hello and welcome to the Fish Eye Tavern." the barmaid curtsied, "What can I get you ma'am?" she asked as the mare took of her hood.
"A room, one night's stay." the fierce-eyed purple unicorn replied. The barmaid nodded and scurried off, leaving the mare at the door, though it wasn't much of a door. The inn was open to the outside, no walls, except for the bedrooms. "Darnassian architecture bores me..." the mare mumbled as she took a seat at a table.
"Would you like a drink miss.....?" the barmaid approached her again, handing her a key.
"Twilight Sparkle, and no thank you." Twilight replied, and with a twist of her hoof a glass of sparkling water appeared, "Why buy a drink when I can conjure one?" Twilight smiled, surprisingly warmly.
"Quite right Miss Sparkle, enjoy your stay." the barmaid curtsied again and went to serve others.
Screams pierced the air, battle cries and blood as far as the eye could see. The little filly held her mother in her arms and sobbed hysterically.
Twilight gasped as she awoke, soaked in a cold sweat. Panting, she gazed around the room, "Still at the inn." she sighed, leaning back against the pillow. Yet Twilight did not fall back asleep, she simply stared up at the ceiling, aching on the inside. Her quiet contemplation seemed to speed the night away, and she was shocked out of her trance when sunbeams suddenly hit her face. She began packing her bag out of habit, she never stayed in one place for more than a night, yet something told her to stay, "Just for breakfast..." She mumbled, slipping a dark blue cloak on and trotting down the ornate staircase.
"Morning Miss." The bartender nodded his head to her, "Breakfast will be ready in a moment." Twilight smiled, albeit breifly, and trotted outside for a walk, deciding on the bridge that stretched far out into the waters. Her hooves clip-clopping against the dark wood, which she noticed had a slightly purple hue. As Twilight neared the end of the bridge, she peeked precariously over the edge, staring down into the deep blue waters, which appeared to shimmer and distort itself, Twilight held completely still, as her mentor had taught her, visions required complete concentration. The image in the waters showed herself, walking with a white unicorn, and a creature leapt from the bushes, attacking them, causing Twilight to gasp and lose concentration, the image faded, much to her dismay.
"Damn!" She slammed a hoof on the bridge, then huffed as she turned to walk away,
"Lose something darling?" Twilight yelped as she came face to face with the white unicorn in her vision, she put a hoof to her chest,
"You startled me!" She panted,
"My apologies, I couldn't help but notice how you were bent over in such an unladylike way, did you drop something?" The white unicorn pranced over to the edge, elegantly bowing to look at the water,
"No..." Twilight replied blankly, staring at the prissy pony.
"It's impolite to stare." The unicorn had noticed Twilight's glare,
"Pardon me." Twilight looked away sheepishly,
"Come, come, now, it's nothing. My name is Rarity," she curtsied, "..and you are?"
"Twilight Sparkle." Twilight nodded her head instead of a curtsy.
"Lovely name, I can tell we are going to be the best of friends!" Rarity trotted giddily away, leaving the shocked Twilight gaping after her.
"So what brings you to Auberdine?" Rarity asked, she had sit down at Twilight's table even though she protested.
"I'm a traveler, just doing what travelers do." Twilight responded blandly.
"Oh wonderful! I'm a traveler too!" Rarity clapped her hands daintily, then became serious, "I'm looking for some pony to accompany me on my travels." She had leaned in close, peeking over both shoulders as if some pony was watching them.
"I'm honored you asked me but.."
"Hold on!" Rarity interrupted, "I wasn't finished, as you can see, I'm a priest, and we aren't very good at handling ourselves in the wilds. I need an experienced companion on my journey to Stonetalon Mountains."
"Why would you want to go there?" Twilight asked, "It's infested with abominations and elementals!"
"Oh I know dear, if I was a fool I would have gone on my own." She replied, seeming insulted. "Anyway, my reasons are my own, and I am willing to pay, what say you?" Rarity held out a hoof for Twilight to shake.
Twilight's mind raced, but she knew that she couldn't refuse, this "Rarity" was in her future, "Deal." Twilight shook the white hoof, a pang of satisfaction and regret following, "I was headed that way anyways. Might as well." She shrugged
"Ugh! This place is so dark, and filthy!" Rarity complained, Twilight had long ago shut her out, seeing as that was all she did for the entire journey to Ashenvale. "What was that? Twilight stop!" Rarity tapped her on the shoulder, jolting her out of her zombie-like state.
"What now?" Twilight mumbled, but silenced herself when she heard growling, "Don't move....most likely a saber." Twilight cautioned Rarity, whose horn glowed yellow for an instant, and she was encircled in a ring of dim light. Twilight mirrored her shield spell, except hers was made of arcane magic, shimmering the colors of the rainbow. A twig snapped, and they both turned to face the sound, ears highly alert as they scanned the dark bushes.
"I saw something there!" Rarity pointed to a bush with blossoms, Twilight charged up an arcane missile, firing it at the bush, a loud yelp followed. Twilight trotted fearlessly over, another missile ready incase the creature attacked, there she found a yellow Pegasus, cowering on the ground.
"Who the hell are you?" Twilight demanded, the shaking pony glanced up at her, and Twilight saw the mark of Luna on her forehead, "Oh a Druid...I should have known." Twilight's missile vanished into thin air, and she lent a hoof to help the pony up.
"What's your name dearest?" Rarity cast a healing spell on the Pony's chaffed flank, the burnt skin knitting back together with not so much as a scar to remember it by.
"Oh I-I could have done that..." She replied shyly, "My name is Fluttershy." She nervously stroked her foreleg, hiding under her thick pink mane.
"Wonderful to meet you Fluttershy, I am Rarity, and this is Twilight Sparkle. What are you doing this far from Astranaar? I thought most Druids lived there?"
"There are plenty of Druids here in Darkshore Rarity." Twilight rolled her eyes, she was hoping for some excitement, just another pony.
"Yeah I don't live here, I kind of...got lost." Fluttershy blushed with embarrassment.
"How does a Druid get lost?" Twilight scoffed in disbelief, "I thought you guys are 'One with Nature' ."
"Oh we are, I just found the road, just now, sometimes the forest gets sad, and doesn't talk to us. So we lose our way. More often recently, my teacher says..." Then she stopped, glancing around nervously, "Nevermind..."
"Your teacher says what?" Rarity leaned closer curiously.
"I'm not supposed to talk about it but.." She glanced around again, beckoning them closer, "..he says that the Twilight Cult has finally awoken an Old God, C'thun!" She whispered, putting her hooves over her mouth after saying it.
"C'thun?" Twilight wracked her memory for the name.
"Twilight!!" They both hissed.
"What?" She shrugged.
"We never say his name louder than a whisper, or else he can see you. And if you see him, gulp! , you go insane!" Fluttershy whimpered.
"No no, you don't go insane dear, that was a different Old God, not C'thun ." Rarity whispered the last word.
"This is strange, how did I never learn about these creatures? I studied everything in the library! And trust me when I say this library was huge. Big enough to need a castle in order to fit." Twilight paced.
"Maybe your mentor kept it from you, some say the knowledge of the Old Gods alone is enough to drive a soul mad." Fluttershy whispered.
"Hmm, but...oh, maybe your right.." Twilight blushed, "My mentor did, k-kinda go mad, he knew everything about this world, and a few others." She sighed, as if she was mourning.
"Say! I just came up with a marvelous idea! Let us escort you to Astranaar! It's one of our stops along the way, anyways." Rarity hugged herself with pleasure at the idea.
"O-ok..." Fluttershy said as Rarity hugged her tightly.
"We are going to be the best of friends, I'm sure!"
Great! Just what I need, another companion... Twilight huffed, following the two ponies align the road.
Rarity and Fluttershy chatted endlessly about creatures and fashion, Twilight simply followed with her ears flat, trying to drown out the noise. This is why I don't travel with ponies. , she thought to herself.
"Oh we're here!" Rarity gasped in awe, as they stepped from Darkshore into Ashenvale, the dull green trees seemed to vanish, all the colors of the rainbow shone from the trees. Each as tall as the mesas in Thousand Needles, even Twilight gazed around, astonished by the immense beauty of the forest around them.
"I do love Ashenvale so much, all the colors, and the animals..." Fluttershy was busy petting a wild stag that had wandered onto the road.
"Yes it is quite wonderful." Rarity was fanning herself, "All the inspiration I could get from this place."
"Inspiration later, we need to get to Astranaar before sundown. Twilight trotted past, her hooves clip-clopping on the cobblestone road, Rarity and Fluttershy glanced at eachother, then set off after Twilight. Sooner we get there the better, I need to get rid of these crazy ponies!
The walk to Astranaar wasn't very long, only a quarter of an hour. Twilight and her companions crossed the bridge that connected the small isle Astranaar sat on to the forest around. Surrounding the town was a lake, glistening blue in the moonlight, with carved wooden boats shaped like swans floating about it's surface. Twilight glanced to her left and she walked, there was a light pink pony who wore blue feathers, laying near some fascinating creatures known as hippogryphs, the torso of this creature is like that of a large parrot, and the hindquarters like that of a horse. One of the hippogryphs screeched loudly at the visitors, though it hurt their ears, it was the hippogryph's way of saying Hello .
"Good grief! One could kill an army with that voice." Rarity rubbed her ear.
"He was only saying hi." Fluttershy defended, though she rubbed her ear as well.
"Come on guys! Let's go to the inn." Twilight did a slow canter towards a building identical to the inn in Auberdine, unalike only in the manner that it's colors were brighter.
"Hello travelers, what can I do for you?" A gray stallion, obviously the bartender, came over to them and shook their hooves. "Oh Fluttershy! Welcome back sweetheart." He winked at Fluttershy, who blushed intensely.
"H-hello...." Fluttershy whispered shyly, then with a smirk, she added, "..Bubblebutt." in reference to his cutie mark, beer bubbles.
"Hey!" the bartender faked a scowl, then turned to Twilight and Rarity, who had giggles noticeably stifled, "You can call me Sudsy, only Fluttershy gets the advantage of my nickname."
"Nice to meet you, can we get a room for the night? Just me and Rarity. Fluttershy has a house, surely?" Twilight glanced at Fluttershy, who nodded, yet had a sad expression on her face, which Twilight ignored.
'Coming right up! You need anything else? Leftovers are still hot." Sudsy stirred a large pot, from which steam emerged.
"I would love for some dinner." Rarity trotted over to the nearest table and sat daintily, Sudsy promptly placed a bowl of mushroom soup in front of her.
"Me too." Fluttershy went to sit with Rarity.
"Alright, some for me as well." Twilight gave in, she would have conjured her own food, but her mother used to make Forest Mushroom stew, which she hadn't had for a decade. So the temptation of it was too great for her to resist. She sauntered over to the table and sat with her companions, licking her lips when the steaming bowl was placed in front of her.
Twilight writhed in her sleep, mumbling and sweating. Walking downstairs again... Twilight clenched her jaw, knowing what was coming, ...turning the corner, "Mom?" the frightened filly gasped at the sight of blood. "No.." she saw her mother, the jagged knife stuck in her chest... "No!!" Twilight screamed, sitting up in her bed.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Rarity awoke, lighting the candle swiftly, Twilight was still half asleep, staring at nothing and shaking, beads of sweat running down her forehead. "Sweetheart..." Rarity sat on Twilight's bed, gathering her into her hooves and rocking her back to sleep, she began to whisper a prayer against nightmares, Twilight's glazed eyes drooped, and she relaxed in her hold. Rarity grasped a brush with her magic, gently stroking Twilight's matted hair until it was smooth, then when she was sure Twilight was asleep, she lay her back on the bed. Returning to her own bed, she got under the covers and smiled at the peaceful purple unicorn, she shut her eyes and fell asleep quickly.
Twilight was quite perky at breakfast, her sour attitude mostly diminished. "Did you sleep well Twilight?" Rarity asked coyly.
"Yes I did, best night of sleep I've had in years." Twilight leaned back against her chair, placing her hooves on the table.
"Might I ask what you dream about?" Rarity pried.
"No you may not, my business is my own, not yours. Kindly do not speak of it in future." Twilight scowled at Rarity, who flattened her ears and nodded, "Thank you. Now, we had better get going before noon, I hear tell the path to Stonetalon can be treacherous at dark." Twilight stood and counted coins for the bartender.
Rarity sighed, leaning back in her chair, Twilight was a mystery, for sure. "How long do you think the walk will be?" Rarity asked, tightening her belt and adjusting her small dagger.
"About half a day, Sudsy was telling me that orcs tend to hide in these parts. We should be on our guard." Twilight was tightening her own belt, sliding a long sword into the sheath.
"Orcs? But I thought they lived in Durotar." Rarity bit her lip, as if digging into her memory.
"Tensions between the Elven Ponies and Orcs have risen greatly in the past few years. Where have you been all this time? Teldrassil?" Twilight joked, then seeing Rarity's blank face, she cleared her throat. "Eh-hem! Well, long journey, let's go." She dropped a pouch of coins on the bar, waving a hoof at Sudsy as she and Rarity trotted outside.
"Goodbye Rarity, goodbye Twilight." Fluttershy was waiting for them at the bridge on the other side of Astranaar.
"Goodbye dear, take care not to get lost now." Rarity stopped walking and began to cast a spell, the air around Fluttershy swirled with soft light, and an ankh appeared above her head. "It's a blessing." Rarity bowed.
Fluttershy smiled at her, closed her eyes, a purple mist surrounded Rarity and Twilight, condensing into a paw above their heads. "It protects you from wild animals. A gift from Luna." She bowed back, then turned away and trotted to her house.
Traveling along the road nearly silently, Twilight and Rarity jumped at every foreign sound. "It's a shame we have to be scared in our own territory." Rarity huffed, blowing a few unruly hairs out of her face.
"Indeed, nothing we can do about it though, unless Luna decides to send Tyrande's sentinels to combat the orcs." Twilight pulled a map out of her pack with her magic, scanning it carefully, "We'll be coming to a crossing in a few moments. We need to take the road to Star's Rest, from there you can see the entrance to Stonetalon." Twilight said as she folded her map and placed it back into her bags.
"Star's Rest? Isn't that haunted?" Rarity shuddered.
"Don't be ridiculous! It simply has a few bog beasts around it, nothing far from trivial. It is blessed by Luna after all, so it couldn't be haunted." Twilight scoffed at Rarity's superstitions.
"Ok, if you say so." Rarity gulped, glancing back and forth at the woods around them, deadly, though beautiful.
"Stop!" Twilight whispered, Rarity halted abruptly, listening carefully for any sound. Snap! , they both jumped at the sound of twigs breaking, "Shields.." Twilight whispered again, and they both were surrounded in spheres of magic. Then a creature leapt from the bushes, "Orcs!" Twilight yelled, charging up her horn, she blasted the orc with a missile of arcane magic, it stumbled, then, growling, it rose again. The orc's muscles rippled under it's horrid green flesh, with a roar, he charged the two ponies.
"Take that!" Rarity yelled, calling down fire from the heavens, the orc screamed in pain as her fires burned him. Another orc leapt from the bushes, wielding an double-bladed axe, she snarled as her companion fell, writhing, to the ground. Leaping at Rarity, she swung her axe, Rarity backed up, the blade barely short of her pristine white face, the orc was fast though, and brought her blade around for another swipe, this time Rarity was not so lucky and screamed in pain as her chest was sliced by the axe.
The orc tried to swipe at her again, but was blasted off the road by Twilight, who wasn't finished, her horn glowing intensely with rage, she fired missile after missile, blasting the orc apart ruthlessly, not caring about the blood that splattered on her face. When she was sure the orc was dead, she attended Rarity. "That was close.." Twilight helped Rarity stand.
"I'm ok, the wound isn't deep." Rarity gasped as she stood, her legs nearly buckled from the loss of blood. Large droplets of deep red blood dripping from the ghastly wound in her chest.
"I can help stop the bleeding, but it's going to hurt, bad ." Twilight examined the wound, and her horn glowed with fire.
"Ok..." Rarity leaned up against a tree, bracing herself, Twilight brought the fire onto her wound, Rarity screamed as the fire cauterized the blood. It was over in an instant, Rarity sighed and collapsed as the fire vanished, closing her eyes. "Thanks.." she mumbled, slightly sarcastically.
"Well you definitely can't perform a healing spell yet. I don't need you dying of an infection before we get to Stonetalon." Twilight helped her up again, Rarity's coat was stained with blood, and so was Twilight's face. "Looks like we both need a bath." Twilight giggled.
"Nasty orcs!" Rarity spat on the corpse of the orc nearest to her, huffing as she trotted down the road, rather clumsily, she wasn't losing anymore blood, but she had already lost some. Twilight followed behind, cautiously eyeing the forest around.
"I'm just glad there were only two, one of us could have lost a limb, or died." Twilight said, bumping into Rarity, who had stopped.
"Here's the crossing..." Rarity said as she glanced up at the sign, "..this way to Star's Rest." she pointed to her right, at the small dirt road, barely visible.
"Obviously hardly anypony has traveled this road.." Twilight mumbled, stepping gingerly off the path, it was two times more dangerous being off-road. Seeing as there were no lamps lining the path, Twilight let her horn glow, trotting along the nearly invisible path. "Come, come, Rarity, the sooner we get there the better." she called to her friend, who lit up her own horn and followed.
"I'm coming." Rarity cantered up to Twilight, so that they were walking side by side. "How long is this path?" she asked, glancing back at the mostly safe haven they were leaving behind.
"About three miles, it will take us about an hour, but we'll get there before nightfall." Twilight had pulled out her map again.
"Alright then." Rarity sighed, then she jumped as a stag ran across the path ahead of them, "Good grief!" she gasped, "I thought it was another orc." she laughed. Twilight giggled along with her.
"We're at the entrance to Stonetalon." Twilight put her map away, "Looks like this is the last stretch of our journey together." she turned to Rarity, who was smiling nervously, "What?"
"Well, it wasn't Stonetalon Mountains I was really trying to get to..." Rarity used her hoof to play with a rock.
"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked, her suspicions rising.
"I was trying to go with you, I'd heard about your quest, you are headed to Maraudon, at request of Tyrande Whisperwind. I'm her niece, and she wanted me to accompany you." Rarity cringed in await of Twilight's rage.
But Twilight simply blinked, "I thought I had told her to keep that a secret." she whispered.
"Well she did, but I was so restless, and she wanted me to go on an adventure to ease my wandering spirit." Rarity smiled.
Twilight sighed, "Fine, you can come with me, but do , not , get in my way! My quest, my rules. Understand?" Twilight threatened.
"I understand. I won't get in your way. I promise." Rarity swore, placing a hoof on her heart.
"Then let's go." Twilight turned towards the dark cave, it tunneled through the mountain into Stonetalon, with a sigh, she trotted into the cave, Rarity following close behind.
Twilight and Rarity's hoofsteps echoed throughout the cave, the sounds of water droplets accompanied them. "Are we ever going to get to the other side of this damned mountain?!" Rarity groaned.
"We're almost there." Twilight mumbled.
"You said that three times already." Rarity sighed.
"Well I mean it this time." Twilight started trotting again, as if trying to encourage Rarity. It worked, and Rarity perked up, following Twilight closely.
"I see light!" Rarity gasped and galloped past Twilight into the open, she closed her eyes and basked in the moonlight, taking in great big gulps of fresh air. "It was so stuffy in there! I was getting claustrophobic." Rarity sighed happily.
"I'm glad your comfortable." Twilight swallowed hard, looking up.
"What is it?" Rarity followed her gaze, "Oh no..." she moaned, "What the hell are they?" she asked, turning to Twilight.
"Wyverns, the horde often use them for transportation, but feral wyverns are very deadly." Twilight explained, keeping a watchful eye on the horrid creatures soaring in circles above them. They had the body of a lion, the tail of a scorpid, and the wings of a bat, they screeched loudly as they soared. "We need to be very quiet, they have bad eyesight, so we should be fine if...." Twilight conjured some water, pouring it on the dirt, then she smeared the mud onto her bright, purple coat, "..we are camouflaged!" she said as she turned to face Rarity.
"Ohh!" Rarity complained, smearing the sticky mud onto her coat, which shone in the moonlight. "What about my clothes?" she cried in despair.
"Cover them too, can't chance anything." Twilight had coated her deep blue cloak in mud and leaves, and motioned for Rarity to do the same.
"Ugh!" Rarity rolled on the ground to cover her clothes in the cold dirt, then Twilight sprinkled some leaves on her back, making her look like a bush, Twilight looked at Rarity from a small distance, and failed to hold in some snickers. "What's so funny?" Rarity snarled.
"Nothing! Now let's get a move on, we need to find a safe place to camp." Twilight giggled quietly as she continued on the path.
"I do hope we find some sort of civilization soon, my hooves are killing me!" Rarity whined, getting a half annoyed smile from Twilight.
"We will Rarity, don't worry." Twilight said just as they turned the corner, "See?! There's a hut!" she pointed, ahead was a small turquoise hut, with baubles and liquor bottles hanging from the roof. "Goblin made, maybe he or she still lives there. Let's go!" Twilight galloped to the hut, Rarity following close behind.
"Heeellooooo!!!" Rarity called as they neared the entrance, no reply, "I guess it's empty, oh well! The more for us right?" Rarity trotted in and jumped on the small bed, it creaked under her weight, but settled.
"I do hope it's empty, a goblin may not take nicely to somepony stealing his home." Twilight trotted in and lifted her saddlebags from her back, placing them on the dusty floor. The rising dust caused her to cough, "Woah! *caugh* yeah, I don't think any pony is here." Twilight swiped at the air with her hoof. She let Rarity have the bed, laying her blanket on the floor, before she closed her eyes, she was sure she heard Rarity mumbling something, but she was too tired to ask what, and her weighted eyes closed quickly.
Twilight rubbed the sleep from her eyes, stretching her hooves to their full extent and sitting up. "Sleep well?" Rarity asked, while she was preparing some dried moonberries.
Thinking back to the night before, to her surprise, she didn't have a nightmare, "Y-yeah, I slept very well, how about you?" Twilight stood, crouching like a dog to stretch her hind legs.
"Oh I slept quite well dear." Rarity smiled, handing Twilight a cloth filled with berries.
"Thanks." Twilight said through a mouthful of moonberries.
"It's nothing. Now, where should we head? The crossing in the road is just a few feet outside." Rarity was holding the map, looking carefully at the roads. Twilight stood and trotted over.
"We need to head past Sun Rock Retreat, horde territory, but the Tauren are friendly enough, surely we can get by." Twilight pointed to a small depiction of a hut on the map. "Then it's just a straight path through the Charred Vale, through to Desolace. The we'll need to take a detour to Nijel's Point for supplies."
"Ok, thank goodness it's such a short journey." Rarity wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead with a grin.
"Ah it's not that easy, Desolace is a difficult place to travel, every beast is hungry for your hide, and there is no water that isn't bitter or poisonous. Then the Centaurs, eesh!" Twilight shuddered, Rarity's ears fell flat, and she gulped.
"Oh! Heh!" Rarity giggled nervously. "So, I never heard why we are going to Maraudon? Care to explain?"
Twilight sighed, but nodded, "Alright, sit down and I'll tell you."
"A long time ago, in the dark reaches of Deepholm, the center of Azeroth, the Stone Mother, Therazane, let her daughter, Princess Theradras, come to the surface of the world. Here, above the ground, she met Zaetar, a dryad lord, they became lovers and lived in the lush tranquility of Maraudon. When Zaetar and Theradras had children, known as the centuars, her offspring quickly killed Zaetar. No one knows why, but after which, afraid of Cenarius' wrath, Theradras hid his body in her private sanctuary, the crystal caverns of Terramok, within Maraudon." Twilight explained, Rarity was listening intently, her gaze fixed on Twilight.
"Then, shortly after, Theradras went mad from her grief, and her minions kill anypony who dares enter Maraudon. Some say she was corrupted by the same force that drove Neltharion the Earth Binder mad. The reason for my journey is to slay her, and let both her soul, and Zaetar's, rest in peace. That is why Tyrande sent me." Twilight finished, taking in a deep breath to account for her speech.
"That is very interesting." Rarity smiled, "I am glad to know. It would be a good deed to put somepony's soul to rest." Rarity stood, pulling on her mud-stained clothes.
"Yes, now let's go, mustn't be here after nightfall. Who knows where we would find shelter?" Twilight buttoned her cape about her neck and buckled her belt. Then, without another word, they both trotted off into the sparse forests.
Distant screeching echoed around the two ponies as they walked, each was extremely careful, scanning their surroundings. There was nothing but tall, sparse pine trees as far as the eye could see, besides the path that is. "If I didn't know there are so many creatures out to kill me, I might enjoy this walk." Rarity jumped at the sound of a bird flying away.
"There aren't that many creatures, deadly ones anyway. Most are simple rabbits and owls, maybe some rams." Twilight gazed at the sky as they walked, looking for any signs of wyverns. Though she knew they were nocturnal, she didn't want to take any chances.
"Another crossroad, to Sun Rock Retreat, correct?" Rarity asked, looking at the sign.
Twilight glanced at it, "Yes, we should be stealthy, I doubt Tauren would like to see members of the Alliance in their territory." Twilight trotted past Rarity, following the path silently, something elven ponies have a knack for, that and traveling in the dark. Rarity did the same, her hoofsteps barely making a sound as she stepped in Twilight's hoofprints.
"Maybe another stupid question...but, what do Tauren look like?" Rarity whispered as they walked.
"They look like somepony took a cow and mixed it with a pony, smart, and strong." Twilight replied in a whisper, hoping nopony heard their voices.
"Sounds interesting, I dare say I should like to see that." Rarity giggled quietly, Twilight smiled a little, but it quickly faded as they reached their destination.
"The Charred Vale.." Twilight glanced around, all the trees were black, and leaf-less, as if they had been on fire. "And of course, harpy nests!" Twilight groaned, facehoofing.
"Harpies?!" Rarity squeaked as her ears fell flat in fear, harpies were one of the most deadly creatures in northern Kalimdor. "Are they occupied?" she whispered, glancing fearfully at the large, black nests that looked like sacks hanging from most of the trees, each was made of dark twigs, and a soft red glow emanated from inside them.
'I hope not, but if they are, I think we are being hunted." Twilight's voice sounded fearful for once, and her ears lay flat against her skull, the hair rising on her nape.
Rarity glance around nervously, she could feel the supposed hunter's gazes, and gulped. "Let's just get it over with, whats the fastest way through?" her voice was shaky.
"Straight through, but I heard there are chimera's here too, best watch for them, and maybe some basilisks." Twilight began to trot through, using her magic to hold her sword. Rarity saw Twilight's shield go up, and she did the same, holding her dagger and glancing around as she walked. Suddenly a sharp cry sounded above them, they both whirled to face the harpy that was charging at them, it's talons outstretched.
"Run!" Twilight yelled, galloping across the forest, Rarity following close behind.
"Why don't we just kill her?!" Rarity asked as she galloped after Twilight.
'Because there are thousands of them, kill one, they'll all come after us!" Twilight yelled back as she ran. The harpy was flying behind them, flapping it's wings hard to keep up. "I see the exit to Desolace!" Twilight panted, gesturing to the gap in the mountains. Rarity picked up her pace, running side by side with Twilight.
"We're...gonna make...it!" Rarity's panted heavily, Twilight glanced at her, the poor unicorn was soaked in sweat, and she was stumbling as she ran. Twilight gulped, Rarity might not make it, but she definitely would. Suddenly they both skidded to a halt as a large, two-headed creature slammed into the ground in-front of them, roaring menacingly and breathing fire.
"A chimera!" Twilight cried in despair, "I'll get the chimera, the harpy will be easier for you." Twilight charged up her horn, readying for an arcane blast. Rarity barred her teeth at the harpy aggressively, firing a bolt of holy fire at the creature. The chimera shot a fire bolt at Twilight, who gritted her teeth as the fire engulfed her shield, then shot a powerful blast of arcane energy at one of the creature's heads, it roared in pain and pawed at it's left head, whilst the other snarled at Twilight.
Rarity struck the harpy's wing, and it screeched in pain as it plummeted from the air, crashing a few feet away from Rarity, who charged towards it and slit it's neck in a bloody spray, just as it called for help. "We may have some company." Rarity said as she helped Twilight attack the chimera. Twilight used her sword and sliced at the chimera's wing, chopping it off, the chimera howled in pain, blood gushing in torrents from the wound. Rarity flung her dagger at it's neck, it struck home, and the chimera's roar broke off as it fell to the ground.
"Phew!" Twilight wiped some sweat, mingled with the chimera's blood, from her face, "That was close."
"Not close enough.." Rarity was staring back at the forest, Twilight followed her gaze, a swarm of harpies was coming straight for them.
"Damnit!" Twilight began to charge a spell, her horn glowing intensely, Rarity closed her eyes and began to cast a spell of her own. "Touch horns!" Twilight yelled, and Rarity complied, just as the swarm reached them, a magnificent explosion of purple and yellow color blasting the harpies back. They were deterred for now, but Rarity and Twilight had nearly passed out from the exertion. "Well...." Twilight chuckled, "..valiant effort, nice knowing you Rarity."
They both waited for their deaths as the enraged harpies drew closer, then came the sound of flying arrows and bolts of magic, Rarity glanced up, seeing Alliance soldiers and mages. "Twilight! Look!" she stood wearily, watching the harpies fall back, some getting hit and falling to their deaths.
"Thank Celestia, and Luna for that matter!" Twilight sighed, slowly standing, Rarity chuckled, helping her stand. Twilight and Rarity locked eyes for a moment, then burst in ridiculous laughter, in relief. "I seriously thought we were gonna die!" Twilight wiped a happy tear as she rolled about on the floor laughing.
"So did I, oh thank the light!" Rarity sighed, holding her stomach as she giggled. Twilight stood up and hugged her.
"Well we didn't, and that's the most important thing." Twilight smiled.
"T-Twily??" said a voice from behind, in a tone both shocked, and somewhat sad, Twilight gasped, and began to shake. Turning around slowly as hot tears filled her eyes.
"Shining..Armor?" Twilight's voice broke, the white stallion before her was crying too, and he outstretched his hooves, Twilight let out a sob as she rushed into his embrace. "I thought you were dead!" she cried on his shoulder.
"I thought you were dead..." Shining stroked his sister's purple mane tenderly, letting his tears fall freely.
Shining Armor escorted Twilight and Rarity to Nijel's Point, a small town that sat on the mountainside. He kept his little sister close, fearful of losing her again. "Where have you been all these years?" Shining asked as they walked.
"After the, incident , with our parents, I thought you were dead too, so I simply ran away. I was picked up by an old mage named Medivh, and he taught me to use my powers. That's where I've been for the past 50 years, he died recently, so I decided to come back to civilization. Then Tyrande gave me this quest, and here I am." Twilight nuzzled her brother as she talked.
"Sounds like you've been through a lot. I can't tell you how glad I am to have you back Twily." Shining sighed happily, giving her a side-hug.
"So what happened to you?" Twilight asked.
"Well, I wasn't home when it happened, remember? I was at the academy. Anyways, when I came home for a vacation, all that was left of our parents were their skeletons." Shining's eyes glossed as he remembered this, and he wiped a stray tear, "I thought you were dead, so I went back to the academy, and now I'm a captain of the guard, here in Desolace." Shining explained.
"Wow, I should have remembered you were at the academy! That would have saved me so much heartache these past years." Twilight shook her head, as if angry with herself.
Nijel's Point stood on a ledge in the mountainside, with a dirt path going down to the wastelands below. It wasn't a very sophisticated place, but shelter nonetheless, for many an evil lurks outside the safety of the small village. Twilight scanned her surroundings, as they came upon the ledge, there was a tree with a moonwell at it's base, a small protection and blessing for the village. Then there was another dirt ramp, after reaching the top she saw a hippogryph hatchery to her left, and an inn to her right, with a Night Elf watchtower between the two.
"How long have you been here?" Rarity asked, the first time she had talked since Twilight's reunion with Shining Armor.
"About 10 years, Nijel's Point, however, has been here for centuries, surprisingly." Shining replied, trotting with his tail held high, obviously in a good mood.
"I see, do you have skirmishes often?" Rarity nearly tripped over a small stone, making Twilight giggle.
"No, your run-in with the harpies was the first piece of action we've had in months. The soldiers posted here are grateful for that, they've been bored out of their minds." Shining chuckled. "This way, I'll let you two get settled into the inn. Afterwards I want you to come to my...office .." he pointed to the top of the watchtower, "..so we can talk." Shining bowed and trotted away.
"Come on Rarity." Twilight led the way upstairs, finding an empty bed to put her saddlebags on.
"We have to share ?!" Rarity moaned.
"What are you talking about? There are two empty beds." Twilight pointed to the other bare bed.
"No I mean with the soldiers! How will I ever get dressed with a bunch of stallions around?" Rarity cried in despair.
'Rarity, most ponies don't even wear clothes, don't be a twit." Twilight rolled her eyes.
"Oh! Eh-heh.." Rarity blushed in embarrassment, placing her saddlebag on the other empty bed, she pulled out a tiny mirror.
A loud shriek rang Twilight's ears, "Damnit! Rarity, what the hell?" Twilight rubbed her ears.
'My hair! It looks terrible!" Rarity pointed to her hair, it was a little ruffled, but it was hardly mussed.
"Good grief Rarity, you can brush it easily." Twilight grabbed a brush with her magic and fixed the stray hairs swiftly. "See?" she turned the mirror towards Rarity again, and Rarity smiled.
"Ah, much better, thank you Twilight. Sorry about that, I'm just not used to the rough life, I'm accustomed to perfect hair, body, and mind." Rarity fixed the collar of her light blue shirt, as if to add to her point.
'It's nothing, just try not to freak out about bad hair, if you don't want it to be messed with, braid it. I don't care if they are out of style, it keeps it tidy in tough situations, like battle." Twilight said as she brushed her own hair free of knots and leaves.
"I'll try..." Rarity sighed, and began twining her hair into a long, fancy braid. "Like this?" she asked as she tied the end securely.
"It looks nice Rarity." Twilight smiled, Rarity was a pain sometimes, but always good for a laugh.
Twilight and Rarity trotted up the spiraling stairs of the watchtower, coming to a halt at a large wooden door with a golden knob. Twilight stepped forward and knocked, "Come in." Shining Armor's voice said from the other side, "Glad you two could come, I'll need to ask a few questions." Shining was writing on a scroll, with what looked like clear ink, and as he rolled the scroll up, Twilight couldn't see any ink. Noticing his sister's curiosity, he explained, "Invisible ink, for sending sensitive information, it can only be read with a complicated spell. Most horde aren't intelligent enough to figure it out." he handed the scroll to an owl, who took off across Stonetalon.
"Interesting." Twilight smiled, taking a seat on a wooden chair, Rarity did the same.
"First off, I need to know why you are here." Shining brought his chair over to sit in-front of them.
"Well, Tyrande sent us, we are headed to Maraudon..." Twilight began, but was quickly cut off by Shining.
"Maraudon?! Do you know how dangerous that place is? Just getting into the tomb would be hard enough, don't even tell me your trying to kill Theradras!" Shining panted, then sighed, "That's exactly what you're trying to do isn't it?"
"Yes....you may not know it Shining, but I am a mage, and a powerful one at that. I'm not trying to boast but Tyrande wouldn't have sent me unless she thought I could do it. And she even sent her own niece!" Twilight pointed to Rarity, who waved and smiled nervously, "What does that say about my capability?"
Shining flattened his ears, his sister had always been good at making her point, and she hadn't changed. "I don't know...." he glanced sideways, trying to avoid the subject.
"You are not convincing me to change my mind, I'm dead set on this quest." Twilight put her nose in the air defiantly.
Shining sighed in defeat, "Ok Twilight, I'll let you go..." Twilight jumped up to hug him, but he stopped her, "..on one condition."
Twilight bit her lip, thinking for a moment, "O-k...." she squinted suspiciously at him.
"Let me go with you." Shining said, a look in his eye that told Twilight she couldn't refuse.
"Ohhh!" Twilight groaned, then with a smirk, she gave him a punch on the shoulder, "Ok, you can come with us." Shining grinned and hugged her tightly.
"That's all the questions I suppose." Shining opened the door, gesturing for them to leave, "I need to prepare."
It didn't take long for Shining to pack, and they departed from Nijel's Point within a few hours, but Twilight was unsure of Shining's motives, I * can** take care of myself*, Twilight thought as they walked.
"You seem quiet." Rarity fell back to walk alongside her, "Penny for your thoughts?"
Twilight smiled, "Mmm, maybe..." Rarity pulled out a coin, nudging her shoulder, "Haha! Ok!" Twilight laughed quietly. "I'm just worried that Shining still thinks I'm his helpless little sister, innocent and sweet. That little filly was driven out of me when my parents died." Twilight furrowed her brow at the memory.
Rarity nodded, "I understand, but I'm sure he is just scared of losing you, I would be. I have a little sister...she's not so little anymore, she's almost 23." Rarity pulled out a crude painting of herself and a little white filly with light purple and pink hair, letting Twilight see. "I'd do anything to keep her safe, anything..." Rarity put the small picture away, a new determination on her face.
Twilight sighed, "I guess you're right, but still, I hope he doesn't think I'm not, capable. You know what I mean?" Twilight kicked a rock out of her way, glancing at Rarity.
"Yes I do. You have every right to be worried, or upset, just don't let it affect your judgement, Shining Armor seems like a loving brother who only cares about your safety." Rarity gave Twilight a reassuring nuzzle and trotted a little faster, filling the gap between Twilight and Shining.
Twilight shrugged her shoulders, Rarity is right, I'm being silly, Shining is my brother, and he loves me. More than I can imagine. Confidence bolstered, Twilight stood up straight, smiling as she trotted up to her brother. She nuzzled him as he walked, making him jump slightly.
"Oh hey Twily! What was that for?" Shining nuzzled her back.
"I just realized how lucky I am to have a good brother like you, I wasn't really appreciating that fact that you are alive...I'm sorry for that." Twilight replied.
"I know, I am pretty awesome aren't I?" Shining teased, tossing his mane for emphasis.
"Shut up!" Twilight nudged him playfully, and he nudged her back, making her laugh.
"So, that's Maraudon?" Rarity gulped as the trio gazed upon the towering stone doors, the entrance was carved in such a way that it looked like a large, unknown creature's mouth.
"I guess so, we should hurry, I hear centuars aren't friendly to trespassers." Shining glanced nervously around.
"How do we open the doors?" Rarity asked, tapping a hoof on the solid stone.
"I'll handle this." Twilight shoved Rarity aside, closing her eyes, the doors were encased in a purple glow as Twilight raised her head slowly and opened her eyes. The doors began to slide open, vanishing into the stone walls. "See? Easy." Twilight smiled and trotted inside, Rarity and Shining following closely behind.
Directly in front of them as they entered was a bridge, after which came two sets of stairs, one to the right, and one to the left. Twilight turned to the left, carefully descending the short staircase, to her right were two centaur statues, guarding an empty room. Twilight took another left turn, following the tunnel that led under the bridge, this tunnel stretched on for some time before it came to a four-way crossing, the tunnel to the right and left both had orange and purple crystals jutting out of their walls, the tunnel ahead was bare.
"Which way do we go?" Rarity asked, peering curiously at the tunnel with purple crystals.
"I-I'm not sure..." Shining stared down the tunnel with orange crystals.
"Why don't we go down each? Surely Theradras lives in one of them." Twilight trotted towards the tunnel to the right, "Let's do orange first." she called back as she disappeared down the tunnel. Twilight stopped at a fairly large crystal, using her magic, she broke it in half, then continued.
"What was that for?" Rarity asked while she took the opportunity to collect the fragments of topaz that had fallen.
"Marking, so we know we've been here before." Twilight replied, then she yelped as her hoof slipped.
"Twilight!" Shining rushed over and helped her back onto the path, saving her from a thirty foot fall. "You ok?" Shining frantically examined Twilight, who brushed his hooves away.
"I'm fine, I'm fine! I just didn't see it there, that's all." Twilight lit up her horn, looking over the chasm, "I could have survived that, but thanks." Twilight shook her coat, ridding it of dust before continuing down the path. Shining sighed, glancing back at the chasm once more before following Twilight.
Twilight was more aware of her footing now, and carefully placed her hooves as she walked, making Shining smile, then crash into Twilight's flank as she came to a dead stop. "What are you.." Shining was quickly muffled by Twilight's hoof.
"Shh!" She hissed, motioning for him to look around the corner, Shining peeked around, there were giant, topaz, elementals patrolling the path ahead, far too many to sneak by.
"How are we going to get past those?" Shining whispered, gulping at the size of their giant stone fists, easily capable of crushing a pony.
"I could try a cloaking spell, though it most likely won't work." Twilight said, "My master never got around to teaching me, but I've read a few books on it." Twilight stood back, concentrating carefully on the spell, arcane magic began to surround her horn, swirling around with increasing speed. Twilight began to shake, holding on as long as she could, but the magic vanished, with a gasp, she crumpled to the ground in exhaustion.
"Twily?!" Shining ran over, holding her head on his lap, "Are you ok?"
"Ow..." Twilight giggled quietly, wincing as she sat up, "Well, the books said it takes a lot of power to cast a cloaking spell, obviously I'm not experienced enough." She rubbed her horn gingerly, then stood completely, stumbling slightly.
"Want me to carry you?" Shining asked when he saw her difficulties.
"Maybe." Twilight took a step, she wobbled with the effort, but managed to keep her footing. "That's the last time I try a spell I haven't practiced." she mumbled, taking another step, but failing to stay on her hooves, she toppled onto the ground again like a newborn foal. Shining trotted over to her, kneeling down on his forelegs, Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes, and climbed onto his back.
"That's better, let's go Rarity." Shining started back the way they came, Rarity walking beside him. Rarity examined Twilight, and cast a spell as she walked, a bright shimmer of light surrounded Twilight.
"What was that for?" Twilight's cheek was pressed against Shining's neck, making Rarity stifle a giggle at the look of her face.
"It's um, a healing spell, for weakened bodies. It takes time, but you will heal faster." Rarity straightened Twilight's shirt, then with a satisfied nod, she trotted ahead of Shining, Twilight sighed in annoyance.
They came to the crossing again, this time choosing the path with amethyst crystals jutting out of its walls. Shining was very careful not to jostle Twilight as she lay on his back, and she was nearly lulled to sleep by the gentle rhythm of his stride. "What is that?" Rarity asked, Twilight opened her eyes and glanced ahead, the tunnel ahead continued, but a strange substance like water swirled in the way. Twilight slipped from Shining's back carefully, reaching out a shaky hoof to touch the substance.
"It's a portal." Twilight noticed how her hoof vanished beneath the surface, not reappearing on the other side. Twilight turned to face them, "Want to take a chance?" she motioned towards the swirling magic, the other side shimmered and wavered behind the watery surface.
"It is most likely a way to Theradras, considering most would turn back from the portal out of fear." Shining walked closer, taking a deep breath before he plunged himself into the portal, Rarity and Twilight gasped as he vanished.
"Come on! We need to follow him." Rarity galloped through the portal, Twilight hobbling close behind. Twilight pressed herself through the portal, gasping as the cold substance touched her face, sending a chilly pain through her body as it pulled her from one place to another. Twilight opened her eyes in and instant as the feeling vanished, then she realized she was falling, there was no floor under her hooves. She looked down, seeing an enormous waterfall that poured into a deep pool. Twilight still screamed in terror, although she knew she could survive, Shining and Rarity were swimming to the bank already.
Twilight plunged into surprisingly warm water, surfacing within seconds, she took in deep gulps of air, in her fear she had hardly breathed, now she frantically paddled towards the bank. "Help?" Twilight called when she realized she was getting nowhere. Shining leapt into the water and pulled her to the bank, she gingerly stepped onto the ground, sighing with relief. The ground was some inches underwater, so Twilight couldn't lay down to rest. She was about to ask Shining to carry her, when a resonating growl reached her ears, all three ponies jumped, facing away from the water, towards the sound. Ahead of them lay a wide tunnel, pillars of stone held the ceiling up, and ferns grew all around, then Shining saw the source of the growl.
"Hide!" Shining pushed Rarity and Twilight behind the nearest pillar as the growls neared. He peered around the corner, gasping as he pulled his head back, "It's a hydra, three hydras in fact." He whispered, motioning for them to move around the pillar.
"Those are easy to kill, my mentor told me of many creatures, hydras have three heads, each has a brain, but the smaller heads rely on the largest head for mobility. Take out the middle head, and the whole beast is immobilized." Twilight said quietly.
"Easier said than done, there are three of them!" Rarity hissed, glancing at her dagger, "How do you suggest we kill all three?"
"We just try." Twilight said, grunting as she used her magic to lift her sword, Shining followed her movement, and Rarity unsheathed her dagger. "Shining, can you take the first one?" Twilight asked.
"Ok." Shining took in a deep breathe, then with a nod of his head, they all charged, or at least Rarity and Shining did, Twilight hobbled behind them, constantly tripping. The nearest hydra hissed loudly, it's lustrous white scales shimmered the colors of the rainbow in the light, the hydra charged at them, the smaller heads stretching out and snapping at Shining's legs as he galloped. Shining leapt over the heads, aiming his sword for the largest head, with a triumphant whinny he sliced it's neck, blood splattered on him as the largest hydra head toppled from it's former place, blood spilled across it's shining scales, staining them. Shining whirled around to face the other two heads, which writhed in confusion as their body collapsed, he chopped off their heads swiftly, hardly leaving room for them to act.
Rarity was already charging the next hydra, who had been alerted by the other's cries of pain. Shining joined her, she aimed her dagger at the main head of the screeching serpent, flinging it expertly at the creature's brain, there was a loud squelch as it hit home. Rarity smiled as the creature was immobilized, Shining finished it off as he had done to the other. Rarity yanked her dagger from the head, a small spurt of blood followed, then she looked around, "Where is the third?" she asked in confusion.
Shining frantically glanced around, "Twilight!" He yelled as he saw the third hydra bearing down on Twilight, who held her ground, despite her weakness. Shining galloped to her defense, Twilight was swinging her sword at the heads as they snapped at her, stabbing one just above it's eye, enraging it. It screeched in pain and aimed for her legs, Shining winced as Twilight screamed in agony, the creature had gotten ahold of her leg, Shining leapt at the head and chopped at it's neck in a rage. Rarity rushed to help Twilight, who had toppled from it's mouth and was clutching her mangled leg. Shining panted as the final hydra collapsed, "Twilight?" He turned to Twilight, his eyes caught sight of her leg, the hydra's teeth had shredded the skin, and he could see the bone, but at least she hadn't lost the limb.
"I can't completely heal it, but I can help." Rarity was examining the leg, Twilight nodded, growing pale from blood loss, her eyes began to roll back in her head. "Twilight?" Rarity gently smacked her cheeks, "Stay awake." she ordered, Twilight didn't seem to hear her, and fainted. Shining caught her before her head hit water, holding her up.
"I'm really glad I came. If I had let her go, who knows what would have happened to her? She'd most likely have died." Shining stroked his sister's purple mane tenderly.
"I couldn't agree more, I'm glad you came too." Rarity lifted the injured leg from the water, closing her eyes as she cast the healing spell. Shining had seen many healing spells, but they always amazed him, the golden light seemed to knit the flesh together in a dance. Rarity gasped as she finished, for healing spells took great energy, "There..." She placed the scarred leg back into the water, it was grazed and scratched in some places, yet not nearly as bad as it had been.
"Twilight?" Shining shook his sister to wake her, Twilight groaned and slowly opened her eyes, which were slightly crossed.
Blinking away the blurriness in her eyes, she glanced at Shining, "What happened?" She mumbled, sitting up, "A-ah!!" she clutched her leg.
Rarity felt her leg, "Damnit! The bone is broken, how did I miss that?" Rarity smacked her horn, "Stupid thing!" she mumbled. "I'm sorry, I can perform another healing spell for at least an hour, that was a major wound."
"Maybe...I could? You know, fix it?" Shining offered.
"You know healing spells?" Twilight asked.
"All unicorn soldiers need to know basic healing spells in case of emergency healing. Like, for instance, when a healer is injured." Shining switched places with Rarity, holding Twilight's hind leg gingerly.
"Oh Luna...you haven't done this in a while have you?" Twilight teased, Shining closed his eyes as magic swirled around his horn, Twilight yelped as the bone snapped back into place, followed by a burning sensation as it was fused together.
Shining gasped and dropped her newly healed leg, Twilight smiled and stood shakily, as Shining stood she threw her forelegs around his neck in a tight hug. Shining fell back onto his haunches laughing, "How are you still alive?" he giggled giving her forehead a small peck.
"I manage." Twilight shrugged, standing once more and turning to Rarity, who nuzzled her happily. "Now let's go get Theradras!" Twilight sheathed her sword, leading the gallop down the watery tunnel.
New Purpose
The entrance to the tunnel ahead was marked by two giant flowers, each had a large leaf shaped like a bowl, and blue light flowed as a liquid from the flower to the leaf, creating a comfortable blue glow. Twilight trotted past them without a care, Rarity gasped in amazement at the beauty, it was more wondrous than the moonwell in the Temple of the Moon. The tunnel they entered was dark and damp, the walls were blue earth, with many vines twining throughout.
Shining watched Twilight carefully as she led them, she had really scared him when the hydra attacked her, and he was nervous that she would hurt herself again. Twilight, however, never dwelled on her injuries and had nearly forgotten the whole thing, except her limp. They came to a corner, and Twilight peeked around, "Oh boy..." she whispered.
Shining came to look, there were two blue diemetradons, large lizards that lived underground, each had an elegant sail on it's back. "They have very limited eyesight, we should be fine." Shining began to proceed.
"Well we cannot sneak past them, surely they have a sense of smell to account for it." Twilight whispered, holding him back, Shining sighed, nodding. "Now, if we could somehow get onto that ledge..we could avoid them altogether..." Twilight glanced at her companions, "Hey!" she smiled widely, a sudden idea apparent on her face. She stared at Rarity, concentrating hard, Rarity gasped as she was surrounded by Twilight's purple magic, it lifted her from the ground, and Twilight turned her horn towards the ledge, Rarity was placed gently onto it.
"Oh! Great idea Twily!" Shining ruffled Twilight's mane, getting an exasperated sigh.
"Can you lift me onto the ledge? Then Rarity will help me lift you." Twilight braced herself.
Shining's horn began to glow, "Are you saying I'm fat?" he asked as he lifted her.
"No! Your just heavier because you're a stallion." Twilight hissed, crossing her hooves.
Shining smirked, placing her on the ledge carefully, Twilight winced as pressure was put onto her injured leg again. Rarity helped Twilight in lifting Shining onto the ledge, Shining sighed with relief as he was placed on solid ground. "I thought you were going to drop me for a moment there." he nudged Twilight teasingly, who responded with a huff.
The ledge was just above where the diemetradons were lurking, protruding from it was a bridge, crossing over the tunnels they had entered, on the other side there was a ramp leading to a cave high up on the walls. Along with another tunnel, Twilight could just barely make out light coming from inside the tunnel. "Let's go that way." Twilight trotted in the tunnel's direction, Rarity and Shining following close behind.
Turning the corner, Twilight frowned, "Will this ever end?" she whined, ahead of them, on a long bridge of earth, there were 4 giant stone ponies, obviously alive, for they blinked and glanced around. Two stood by the bridge, guarding the entrance, and the other two patrolled the bridge, their hooftsteps shaking the earth around them.
"How do we get past them?" Rarity gulped, the giants could crush all three of them under their hooves.
"Size is hardly relevant, they are slow, we are fast, that is how we will get past them. And, perhaps...maybe an illusion?" Shining turned to Twilight, who bit her lip.
"I suppose I could perform an illusion spell, but it will be brief, we need to move quite fast to avoid attention." Twilight began to cast her spell.
"We need to get behind that fern, next to the giant on the right.." Shining pointed, "Then we can recast the spell as the patrols pass us, and run to the next ferns." Twilight nodded, concentrating hard on her spell, then the air about them shimmered like water.
"Go!" Twilight galloped towards the fern, Rarity and Shining charged after her. They leapt behind the fern, panting at the sudden burst of energy. "Hold on!" Twilight stopped recasting her spell, "I have a better idea..." she had begun casting a different spell, fire swirled around her horn, and Shining noticed one of the giants began to glow slightly.
"What are you doing?" Shining glanced nervously at the patrol, who were nearing the fern, "We are going to lose our window." He tugged at Twilight's leg.
"Just one moment....." Twilight finished casting her spell with a gasp, "Quick! Let's go!" she whispered, taking off when the giants had passed them. Their hoovesteps echoed throughout the caves, causing the giants to glance back and notice them.
"Great! Now they know we are here." Shining panted, galloping next to his sister.
Twilight simply smiled, "Are they close together?"
"Uh.." Shining looked over his shoulder, "Yeah, but I don't see how..."
Twilight jerked her head forward, her horn briefly glowing red before an explosion came from behind, shaking the bridge. Shining glanced back again, the giants were tumbling over the bridge, into the water, having been ripped apart by the explosion. Shining laughed in amazement, "Why didn't you pull that stunt with the hydras?" he teased, nudging Twilight as they ran towards the end of the bridge.
They skid to a stop at the end of the bridge, "Well my hair has seen better days." Rarity adjusted her jostled braid, bloodstained and soot-covered.
"I think we have better things to worry about than your hair, Rarity." Shining chuckled.
"Zaetar's grave.." Twilight whispered, reverently bowing her head as she walked forward, the resting place was beautiful, lush grass and bright flowers blanketed the floors of the cave. Crystal clear waters flowed around the grave, creating a sort of island, in the middle of the grave there was a dead tree, long twisted limbs breaking out of the ground. Twilight came closer, reaching out to touch the tree, as she did, a mournful roar echoed through the caves, Twilight flinched, drawing her hoof back.
"I'll bet I know who that is." Shining drew his sword, looking around for any signs of an attacker.
"How dare you disturb my husband's grave?!" a booming voice called, the three ponies whirled around to face the source of the sound. Another stone pony, though not nearly as large as the giants, with what looked like two faces, emerged from the shadows, she was undeniably feminine, her smooth stone body was carved in such a way. She wore a giant emerald around her neck, and despite being made from stone, she had a long, silvery brown mane and tail. "Have you come to slay me? For I assure you, I will not go down quietly!" Theradras raged, stomping her hooves onto the ground for emphasis.
"Remember, she is mad, we are here to bring her peace, give her an honorable death." Twilight whispered as they readied to charge, Shining and Rarity nodded, preparing their weapons, Twilight reared and charged, her companions following her lead. Theradras snarled, as they neared, then she lashed out with a kick, nearly clipping Shining, who stumbled but recovered quickly. Twilight threw her sword at Theradras, who dodged it nimbly, laughing as Twilight's triumphant expression fell, Twilight brought the sword back around again for another strike, but it was Rarity who made the first successful attack. Theradras wailed in pain as Rarity stabbed her side, the rock she was formed from was surprisingly soft, and easy to break, thick, grey liquid oozed from the wound Rarity left. Enraged, Theradras twirled around to face Rarity, swiping with her hooves, she threw Rarity against the wall, and returned to the battle with Shining and Twilight.
Twilight glanced towards Rarity, who raised her head and smiled, Twilight noticed she was levitating, and smiled back. Theradras was busy with Shining, who was blocking her hooves with his sword, Twilight took the chance, aiming her sword, she threw it at Theradras' neck. Theradras stopped short of smashing Shining as the sword hit home, she gasped, her breathing became short and raspy and she collapsed, her hooves clawing at her neck as she struggled to breath. Twilight pulled her sword from Theradras' neck, causing her to cough up the grey liquid, "I..." Theradras began to talk in a much quieter voice, "..never..." she gasped loudly for air, "..wanted this. Is..that..you...Zaetar?" Large tears fell from her eyes as the figure of a dryad appeared, he was like a majestic stag, with some features of a pony.
"My love, you have let your grief turn you into a monster." Zaetar stroked his lover's cheek tenderly, "But now you are free, and we can both leave our mortal shells behind, finally able to proceed to the spirit world. Where you, as well as I, can live in peace." Zaetar reached for Theradras' hoof, as he helped her up, her body stayed behind, her spirit smiled as she held his hoof.
"Thank you, heroes, his hold on me is gone, and I am with my love once again. I can never repay you now, since I am no longer a physical being." Theradras sighed, "But there is one thing, perhaps Zaetar could explain it to you better." She turned to her lover and nuzzled him.
"Dear heroes, listen carefully to what I say, a great evil has returned to this world, one the Titans had long ago banished, along with his brothers. C'Thun has come back, one of the old gods, he and his brothers preach madness. He must be stopped, for he is the one who drove my dear love's children to kill me, and her to delve into despair and madness. He is the one who sends you your nightmares, Twilight Sparkle, for he targets mourning souls, turning their grief into insanity." He pointed to Twilight, who blushed deeply, "What is this I sense about you Twilight?" Zaetar knelt on his forelegs to look at Twilight, "I feel you have a great destiny, my dear filly, you are tied to every event I can foresee. Use your knowledge wisely, knowing the future is more than cause to ensure it happens, do not let yourself be tempted by soothsayers and magicians who claim they can show you." Zaetar told her sternly, Twilight pondered his advice, and nodded. "Good, now you must heed my words, for I have not much time left in this world now that I am at peace. C'Thun lives in the ancient Temple of Ahn'Qiraj, you will find him in the deepest reaches of the temple, where he has turned the once noble and wise into monsters. Amass a group of friends, only then can you defeat him, with your friendship..." Zaetar smiled as he and Theradras began to shimmer.
"Farewell my heroes, but before we go, Rarity, do take my emerald, it will bolster your healing powers." Theradras pointed to her body, where the shining necklace still lay, Rarity gently lifted it off of Theradras' body, and placed it over her own neck. Then the spirits vanished, leaving the ponies behind in the cave.
"We should go now." Twilight said, casting a spell.
"What on earth did Zaetar mean about your destiny? He can't have possibly known that, could he?" Shining asked.
"Quiet, I'm busy." Twilight grunted as a swirling image appeared in front of her, depicted inside it was Darnassus.
"A portal?! We are finally going home!" Rarity squealed, bouncing about like a crazy horse.
Twilight smiled, stepping through the portal and feeling that familiar buzz as she was sent back home, Rarity and Shining followed her, their epic quest had only just begun.
"Four years have passed, since the mortal races banded together, and stood united, against the might of the Burning Legion. Though Azeroth was saved, the tenuous pact between the Horde, and the Alliance, has all but evaporated....the drums of war, thunder, once again..."
To have one's parents die is terrible thing, especially when you are a filly. They came in the night, I was only 10 years old. Screams woke me from my sleep, and I hid under my bed. Walking out when they left, the sight of my parent's blood was the first thing to meet my eyes. Ever since then, revenge against them has been the only thing on my mind, and always will be, until every last one is dead.
And I mean Every. Last. One.
Cinematic