Chapters Alicorn Sword: An Equestrian Adventure
Chapter 1: The Apple Orchard
I aimed at the lone rock island, sat at the water's edge. Fired, and...
"Dang it! Missed!" said my friend, Eddie, from behind me.
"The stone has only gone in the water" i explained "I could just get it back"
"I reckon it's that sligshot" Eddie continued "You've had it a long time, i reckon it's just getting worn and broken"
"Well it is getting dark" i said, looking up at the setting sun "It must be affecting my concentration"
"Or it could just be the slingshot"
"It's not the slingshot"
"You need to get a bow and arrows" Eddie grinned, showing off his archery equipment. "This baby shoots miles"
"No thankyou" i said, already heading back.
"Well, same time tomorrow?"
"Earlier?"
"Done."
I headed back to my house, laid my head to the pillow and went straight to sleep.
The next morning i was woken as a piece of gravel hit me hard on the head.
'Really Ed?' i thought before walking over to the window
"Sorry" Eddie said "I couldn't open the door, the gravel was there and you're window was open"
I sighed, slipped on my suit, jumped out the window and landed with a roll next to Eddie.
"Couldn't you just use the door?" Eddie asked, but i grabbed him and practically led him to the same spot which we had been firing stones and arrows at, the night before.
The arrows and stones were fired when...
"Dang! last arrow!" Eddie put down his bow and rested his head against a rock.
"I could get it for you" i smiled, but Eddie just laughed
"How exactly would you get to that island?"
"Easy, just grab that fisherman's boat..." i pointed towards a canoe with a fisherman counting his fish on the river bank. "... Then just row on to the island, collect the arrows, come back"
"Ha!" Eddie laid his hands behind his head "Like he's really gonna let you borrow his canoe"
"Oh alright then" i grinned
"You're not planning what i think you are. Are you?"
"Oh yes i am"
"Sam, No!"
But it was far too late. I was already walking over to the canoe. I pretended to count the fish with the guy, who seemed completely oblivious, when I shot over the riverbank, hopped into the canoe, grabbed the oar and started madly paddling towards the island.
I heard the fisherman getting real angry and shouting, but that was all part of the fun.
I soon banked on the island, it was completely uninhabited, with an abandoned lighthouse in the centre, the rest was just made up of large, black rocks.
As i looked around and found the arrows, i kept getting distracted by the appeal of the lighthouse. Something about it just made it seem really exciting and made me want to go inside
'No one's been in there for years' my brain would say 'Plus anyone who's gone in there, never comes out, surely you'd like to see what lies inside'
I tried my best to ignore it, but when i found all the arrows i had made up my mind that i was going to just have a peek inside, just to see what was in there that was so dangerous.
The door creaked slowly open, and i forced myself to look inside. The room was dark except for a green light coming up from the floor. I goggled in awe as i saw, there was a massive, green cyclone of smoke. Going down further underground.
I just walked in to take a closer look when... I was falling, all i could see was green smoke.
'How stupid could i have been?' i thought to myself 'Imagine being so stupid as to walk into a large cyclone of green smoke, which you couldn't even see the bottom of'
Well i was on my way to where ever this was taking me,
'What if it takes me right through to the other side of the world' i wondered 'and i end up on the other side. What if i can't get back? How will i get back? Where does this even go?'
All these thoughts were rushing through my mind as i fell through the green mist...
Suddenly i was wet, i was... I was in water. I swam upwards and clung onto the land, despite having my eyes closed.
'I'm going to open my eyes and see an extraordinary sight aren't i?' i thought. Eventually i forced my eyes open and was slightly disappointed to find that it wasn't anything extraordinary at all, it was in fact a forest. But this forest seemed really weird, there was something sinister about it, and since i only had a slingshot and arrows, i decided to find stones to use as ammunition for the slingshot.
"I hope there's a place to settle around here" i said "I'd sure hate to get stuck out in this place at night"
A twig snapped and several crows, cawing as they went, rustled out the nearby trees.
Finally i came across a much lighter looking forest, this forest looked more weird than the first one, but i soon found that the trees were,
"Apple trees" i smiled and picked one out, "I'll make a shelter here" i continued, taking a bite "Then hopefully i'll be able to find whatever lies in this area"
So i gathered some sticks, leaves and branches and made myself a cosy little nest like shelter at the foot of one of the trees. It took the rest of the evening to find firewood and build a sort of camp area. By this time i was really tired, i'd already fallen through a portal into another world and was now just getting used to sleeping in it.
The next morning i woke with a start, someone or something was walking around the campsite outside
"Mah, mah, just look at the beautiful views you can get from up here"
'A country accent?' i wondered, i knew America was not on the other side of the world, but now i was confused
"Don't yah think so big Mac?"
"Eeyup"
'Whoa, two of them?' i hadn't been prepared for two. So i quietly waited, hoping the voices, whoever they were, would go away.
"Hey what's this over here"
'A third voice? how many beings are out there?' i thought, but i had been found. There was nothing i could do now except accept my fate
"Whah it looks lack some pony has been campin' here. Not surprased bah the lovely views"
'Hold on Some Pony?!?' i squirmed uncomfortably, hoping whatever they were, they wouldn't find me.
"Hang ahn there's an antrance"
'Damn'
"Whah there sure is sugar cube but i wouldn't bather them, they probably had a hard night after the large windstorm the pegasi put up"
'Pegasi?' this was not a bad bit of information i was hearing. 'Ok' i thought 'Let's put the facts together, Pegasi, Pony...'
Suddenly one of the voices let out a sqeak of fear, i jumped.
"T.. That's naht any pony" said the tiny voice
"Are ya quaht sure 'bout that sugar cube?"
"Y... Yes"
'Dammit' i'd been found, i lay as still as a log and watched in complete awe as an Orange horse with a blonde mane, peeked inside my shelter
"Well doesn't look lahke anything's in there" she said "Let's just remove this"
Then the whole thing came crashing down on me, the beast had knocked it down with it's tail, then i felt it stand on top of me.
"We'll burn this tonaht and use it as barbecue fuel" said the orange one
"Sounds great" said the younger one. Now was my chance, i squirmed about, throwing the orange pony off me and emerging from the, now, flattened pile of sticks. Silence fell, i had the ponies to my back so i swung 'round and saw them clearly for the first time.
The orange horse had a cowgirl hat on (Which i just thought was really weird), the guy that had been saying "Yup" was also a pony, but a redneck
'Weird' i thought 'i never knew there were any redneck ponies'
Then the younger one, was blonde with a red mane and tail. She was the one, i guessed, who first discovered my camp. The older and younger horses were clutching each other and cowering in a corner. But the orange pony got up and looked at me angrily
"Look, i don't know what you are" she said "But you knocked me ovah so apologase"
I was stunned. I didn't know what to say.
"Fan then, i'm Applejack, this is big Macintosh" she pointed to the older pony "and this is Applebloom"
Both Applebloom and Mac were unable to speak
"Look" i finally spoke "I know by your reactions, you probably haven't seen a creature like me before, but from the sound of Apple jack, i'd say she's as sweet as the apples she grows"
'Great' i thought 'Is that all you could come up with toget along with this Applejack?'
But i didn't think anymore, since i got a hard blow to the head by Applejack as she kicked me, right in the head.
"Come own big brother" said Applejack "Let's carry this thing back to the barn, hopefully Twilight will know what it is"
Then, with Applebloom following, Big Mac and Applejack pulled me towards their barn.
Alicorn Sword: An Equestrian Adventure
Chapter 2: Meeting The Mane Six
"Oh what is it?" came the quiet voice
"Well you seem to know all kands o' creatures in Equestria, so i don't have a darn clue?"
"I looked, and looked, and looked" came another voice "But no matter how hard i searched, i couldn't find a book on these things"
"Well i must say" came yet another voice "Whatever it is it's simply hideous"
"Hey!" i said, sitting bolt upright "You take that back"
I then sat and stared, the room was a wash of colour, of ponies. I rubbed my eyes, pinched myself, even went so far as to bite myself, but i wasn't dreaming.
"You see" said a white pony with a curly, dark blue mane "Simply animal like behaviour"
"Oh i'm sure there's a reason he's doing this" said a blonde pony with a pink mane
"Oh i know" said a purple pony "My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this is Rainbow Dash..." she pointed to a blue pony with a rainbow mane, fast asleep in a corner
"... Rarity..." she pointed to the white pony
"... Fluttershy..." she pointed to the blonde pony
"... Pinkie pie..." she pointed to a pink pony bouncing up and down
"... and Applejack" she finished
"Yeh" i smiled "We've met" but this only got me a scowl from Applejack, and i looked quickly away. Fluttershy obviously noticed i was uncomfortable, so she quickly asked,
"Where do you come from?"
"From a far away, green and hilly land called Wales" i smiled
"Wales?" she said, unsure
"Yes, my home" i said
"How'd you get here!" squealed Pinkie pie, right in my face.
"I... I really don't know" i said "I mean i went into a lighthouse and and found a cyclone of green smoke, i went inside and ended up in a lake."
"Hmmm" Twilight thought "Well it does seem girls, that we may have found someone who has seen deep into the everfree forest"
"Everfree forest?" i asked
"A cold and sinister place" Twilight explained
"Well you got that right. It did not feel comfortable at all" i said, but i recieved another scowl from Applejack
"But" i smiled "This adorable pony over here was kind enough to give me a place to sleep for the night"
"Humph" Applejack grunted.
"Now" said Twilight "Before we ask you any further questions, would you be kind enough to show us any weapons you may be carrying"
"Oh sure" i smiled before whipping out my sligshot and arrows.
"Hey!" said Pinkie pie, in my face again "What does that do?"
"I'll show you" i smiled before aiming at Rainbow Dash
"This won't hurt her will it?" said Twilight, unsure
"I'll make sure it doesn't" i promised before firing it. It hit Rainbow Dash on the head and she shot up like a jack rabbit
"Wha... Who was that? Come on out and fight like a mare!" she then realised that it was me and floated back down.
"Rainbow" said Twilight "this is uh..."
"Sam" i said holding out my hand "nice to meet ya"
"Sam?" said Fluttershy
"Sam the smart guy more like" muttured Applejack.
"Now Sam" smiled Twilight as her, her friends and i walked towards a town "Bearing in mind these ponies aren't used to anything that they think may harm them"
"I know" said Rainbow "I mean just look what they did to Zecora"
"Who" i asked "Is Zecora?"
"Oh of course" smiled Twilight, "If anyone knows about W... Wa..."
"Wales" i corrected
"If anyone knows about Wales, Zecora does" Twilight smiled "Rainbow you're a genius"
"I am? i mean uh Yes i am"
Once we arrived at Zecora's tree house, she examined me carefully, she was even curious about why i had fingers and hands instead of hooves, and she wondered why i didn't have a snout, tail or ears"
"I'm afraid i must say no, to finding this creature's home" she said, speaking in an odd, rhyming tone
"What?" said Fluttershy "Why not?"
"I'm afraid i must dissmiss. For i have never seen a creature quite like this" she put her hoof on my brow and felt my hair.
"Well Dangit!" said Applejack "Whadd are we gonna do naw"
"For a creature like this, it's become clear to me. You cannot leave until you have fulfilled your destiny" Zecora murmured
The town was much busier than i was expecting it to be. Ponies moving around, markets on, even a mayor pony was making an announcement at a town hall, with ponies as the audience.
'No wonder everyone was surprised' i said 'I must be the only human here'
Suddenly the town went silent, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at me, the 6 ponies i knew were staring at me too.
"Uh... Hi?" i whispered, at that moment, chaos erupted. Ponies ran in either direction and within seconds, the street was bare. The six ponies rolled their eyes
"We'll speak to the mayor" said Rainbow "For now, go and explore"
I was delighted, exploring was what i did best. But to do it in an empty town, was just boring, there was no one to talk to, no one to see. The only sound was of the fillies playing in the school nearby.
'Wait' i thought 'A school normally has a teacher and teacher's are mean't to be very knowledgeable right?'
I walked up to the playground where i found loads of fillies playing tag, hopscotch, what's the time mister wolf. You name it, they were playing it.
"umm hi?" i said but the fillies kept playing
'Ah well' i thought 'At least they're not screaming and running'
Then i saw Applebloom again, she was talking to two other fillies, i decided to walk over.
"... and he must've been at least 100 feet tall, but mah sister sure took care of him"
"Wow sounds great" said an orange filly
"I wish i could see him" said a white one
"Well you can now" i said walking up. At first the two ponies sat and stared, they both talked at once
"Who are you?"
"Where have you been?"
"Where did you come from?"
"How'd ya get here?"
"What does it feel like having only two legs?"
By now the entire school was crowding around me, all asking the above questions. I answered them all, much to the fillies' awe.
There they sat, in front of me, like a class listening to a teacher read a book. As i told the story of how i got there. When i finished the entire school just finished it off with a
"Wow"
I smiled as they started asking me more
"So you're a real adventurer?"
"What adventures have you been on?"
"Do you alway's wear those clothes?"
"Did you ever come across feisty monsters?"
I told them a great many other of my adventures too, the fillies listened carefully, they were fascinated. When i'd finished those stories, i looked up at the fence to see my six friends all there, standing in awe.
"Sam" said twilight "We've just sent a message to Canterlot, telling the princess about you, and the princess has replied back telling us to go there as soon as dawn breaks"
"Sounds good to me" i smiled.
Alicorn Sword: An Equestrian Adventure
Chapter 3: The Adventure In Canterlot
That night i stayed in Applejack's barn, using the hay as a blanket and pillow. As i slept Applejack would come in at regular intervals to check on me, at one point she walked right up to me and stroked my hair.
This felt slightly weird, since i'd never been stroked before, but nice all the same.
'This is probably what she does to Applebloom to get her to fall asleep' i thought.
The next morning came and i was woken by, no surprise, Applejack.
"Come own sugar cube" she said "Twilight and all the rest will meet us at the station,"
"Did i hear you say... The station?" i said getting up.
"That's a train?" i asked as the friendship express arrived in the platform
"Well duh" said Rainbow
"Is it a Pannier? or a jinty? i can't really tell" i said, but the six ponies just looked at each other in utter confusion
"Nevermind" i finished before boarding the carriage.
The train bounced along like no one's business, i was bounced around like a pea in a pod, but the ponies somehow stayed upright.
'It's probably down to their four legs' i thought, but all the same, i was glad when we arrived.
The six ponies walked straight on through the busy halls, but i was so distracted by everything i saw, that soon the six ponies were out of sight. I looked around, frantic to find them, but all i could see was a large door at the end of the hall, ponies with plates of metal armour were walking in and out of it.
'My escape route' i smiled to myself. I sneaked over, pressed myself up against a wall and looked around the edge of the door. It was a balcony, i made my way onto it, but i heard voices coming towards me. I looked wildly around, if any pony guard saw me, he would have me killed. Or at least i think he would, anyhow i grabbed the edge of the balcony and jumped over the side of it, clinging onto the bottom of it. I then started to work my way along,
Suddenly i heard screams from down below, i looked and i saw a flurry of ponies scattering in every direction, then a trio of guard ponies lined up and aimed their bows and arrows at me.
I went as fast as i could along the edge of the balcony, arrows fired onto the wall behind me, but i tried not to look back as i felt the wind from them fly past my back.
An alarm sounded in the distance and more guard ponies ran along the balcony. I reached the other end, jumped back over and ran for my life.
I could hear the guard ponies after me, they shot at me using crossbows. One of them very nearly took my leg out.
At last i remembered my sligshot, i whipped it out from my belt and started to reload it. I fired and heard a grunt. I looked back and saw i'd hit one of the guards and knocked him out, i then stooped behind one of the large pillars holding the roof up and simply stuck my foot out
"He went this... Whoa!"
"Whaaa!"
"Oh noooo!"
"Nooo!"
Boom! they all ended up in a pile at the end of the hall.
'Wow' i thought 'These guard ponies aren't the smartest guys are they?'
I then made my way towards a large brown door i'd seen on the balcony, i sneaked across, got the handle and quickly let myself in. The room was a long hallway, with pillars, paintings, a red carpet and sat by the fire at the other end was... The six ponies
"Sam" spluttered Twilight
"Where in Celestia's name have you been?" Applejack questioned
I then told them about getting lost, the balcony and the guard ponies.
"They're called the castle guard" Twilight said
Applejack shook her head
"Ya always manage to fand trouble and or adventure wherever you go don't ya" she said
Just then the large door opened at the end of the hallway. Then three, much taller, ponies walked in. One was white with a rainbow mane, the other was dark blue all over and the third one was pink with a pink, white and blonde mane.
The other ponies bowed, i had no idea who they were so i just kept standing.
"You have come far" said the white one "I'm Celestia, this is Luna..." she pointed to the blue pony
"... and Cadence" she pointed to the pink one.
"Y... yes i have" i stuttered, a little intimidated by Celestia's size. The other ponies just came up to my chest height, but Celestia was taller than me.
"No need to be afraid" she smiled "Come. We have much to discuss"
I looked back at the six, who were all waving as Celestia led me away and the door closed. When we were all sat around a table, i told them about the adventure of getting here and the adventures i'd had whilst here.
"Astounding" said Luna
"Are there any ponies where you come from?" asked Cadence
"Yes" i answered "But they're used for farm work, war and riding only" a stunned silence followed
"Sam" said Celestia at last "i was the one who sent the castle guard after you"
"Why?" i asked
"Because i wanted to see if you were suitable for the job"
"Job?"
a map was then rolled out on the table, and Luna spoke.
"Long ago..." she told "When it was just Canterlot in Equestria, a powerful Alicorn ruled over the land, his name was Eqoliac, when Celestia and i took over the land, he vowed to send his revenge, we think that he may be the reason you came to this land."
"Me?"
"Indeed" finished Celestia
"We think he's already plotting his revenge in the badlands" Cadence explained
'Like that doesn't sound like anything bad at all' i thought to myself
"But first" said Celestia "You must possess this"
There was a rumble, and the castle walls shook and out from one of the pillars, came a long sword, a scabbath, a shield and bow.
I caught them and strapped them on.
"I'm afraid you'd never save Equestria with a slingshot" said Luna "Other ponies have already tried to save this land using a sword, but failed"
'Ponies use swords?' but i didn't think anymore, i had a quest to embark on.
"So? Whad she say?" Applejack asked. I then explained everything the princesses had said.
"Equoliac?" Twilight said "I've read about him, he is powerful, you'll need us along to help."
"Sure" i shrugged "Why not"
"How are you gonna get all the way to the badlands?" Fluttershy asked
I looked over at Applejack
"Well there's this cute little thing over here" i smiled, i was just trying to annoy her now. But once again i got a blow to the chest and landed
flat on my back coughing.
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Alicorn Sword: An Equestrian Adventure
Chapter 4: The Journey Through The Everfree Forest
The friendship express pulled up again. I was on my way to Dodge junction, the sun was already starting to set.
"I still can't see why i can't ride you" i smirked at Applejack
"Cause ah'd buck ya off" she said, practically growling.
As the six ponies and i boarded the carriage i got distracted by something out the corner of my eye, it was a pony.
'Strange' i thought 'I'm sure that pony was a black skeleton thing' but i just shrugged it off and put it down to tiredness.
Once we boarded, we found a compartment and just chatted, i told them about some more adventures and they sat there listening, even Pinkie pie.
By the time i finished, they were all fast asleep and some were snoring. I crept over to my spot in the carriage and gradually drifted off to sleep.
I woke with a start, the train had come to a sudden halt. I looked at my watch, it was exactly midnight.
'Strange' i thought looking out the window 'We're nowhere near a platform'
The train had just stopped in the middle of nowhere. Then i looked around and gasped. The six had vanished.
"Where have they gone?" i wondered out loud, i made my way to a door and stepped down, suddenly i saw the six being taken away by...
"Weird skeleton things" i said, i looked around. No one could help me "I'll have to take them on myself" i said, the worst part was, they were heading into a forest.
I equipped myself and made my way in as the train left. The forest was rather dark, the only light i had was the moon. As i walked along i checked behind me every 5 to 10 seconds. Soon though i saw a log fire, then the skeletons, then the six, locked up in a wooden cage.
"Sam!" Applejack cried and the others followed. Unfortunately, i'd also attracted the attention of the skeleton things.
They shot at me, several of them. All i used was my shield and two of them were already down.
'Oh' i thought 'Not too bright these things are they?'
I didn't think anymore since there were several others coming at me, i took the sword in hand and slashed 4 of them, grabbed one of them and swung him around into 2 more, sending all 3 of them flying into a tree. By now they were like an angry bee hive, skeleton things came at me frome each and every direction. I slashed several of them, others i took out with the shield, others i took out with the bow and arrows. The six stared on in awe as i fought my way towards them. One even came for my neck, i then went for his and he ended up on the floor, coughing and spluttering up blood.
Soon the entire place was scattered with corpses of these things, i kicked the cage door open and let the six out.
"Chor hay Sam!" cried Applejack "There must've been 100 of them! How'd ya do it!"
"Well" i explained "When you have the right equipment, the right friends and the sweetest pony on your side..." Another blow then came, this time it was her tail smacking me round the face.
'You really should learn from these experiences' i thought rubbing my face, but the other six just laughed.
Later that night Rainbow, Fluttershy and i managed to make a little cabin for us to stay in. We then went inside and found it was indeed very comfortable, while not as comfortable as the train, it sure was a nice place to sleep for 1 night.
"S... Sam?" i looked over, Fluttershy was the only one still awake.
"Yes?" i answered in my most gentle tone.
"Back there with those Changlings, how were you so brave?"
"Changlings? is that what their called?"
"Yes"
"Oh alright then, umm i think the main thing of being brave is to have in your mind that the quicker you do it, the quicker it'll be done with and you won't have to worry about it ever again"
Fluttershy stared on before drifting off to sleep. I myself then found a cosy corner, curled up and went off to sleep... But not for long before i was woken by Applejack putting a hay blanket over me. I kept my eyes closed and pretended to be asleep, sure enough she soon spoke.
"Ah gawsh sugar cube, i'm sorry for all the tahms ah kicked ya or smacked ya, i jut thought you were tryin' ta hit own me" She sighed and started stroking my hair again "Although, you are rather sweet i guess, and brave heh, i never met anyone but mah friends who could single handidly take own an army of changelin's, so i guess, goodnaht sugar cube" and the sounds of her hooves walked away. For the first time since i'd arrived here i drifted off to sleep smiling.
The next morning i woke up earlier than anyone else and headed out into the forest, but i fired arrows into each tree as i walked so i'd know my way back.
Suddenly i saw a large tree. Yeh big shock seeing how we were in a forest, but this tree was Silver. In it's branches sat several seperate jewels.
"The harmony tree, isn' she a beaut"
i started at the voice but soon realised it was Applejack,
"Did you follow me all the way out here?" i asked
"Well sure" she winked "Somepony has to keep an eye own ya seein' how much trouble ya normally get into"
I rolled my eyes, hoping that i could tell her that i heard her last night, but to my surprise i found that all the mane six had come with her.
"Of course" smiled Twilight
"What?" i asked
"The Elements Of Harmony"
"Oh that's what they are" i looked back to Twilight who was grinning broadly
"If anything can stop Eqoliac, they can" she smiled.
"What about the Alicorn sword?" i asked
"That sword holds more magic than all the Alicorns put together" came a low voice, i stopped and looked at the tree. Was the tree talking?
"Hello?" i said "What's this about the sword?"
"The sword was made by Eqoliac long ago" the tree said "He used it as a forceful weapon to rule over the ponies of this land"
All 7 of us were stood in awe
"Then when the two Alicorn princesses took over" the tree continued "They sealed it in the castle until the one who could save the land would come"
"So by weilding this sword" i asked "I could save Equestria?"
"Indeed" said the tree
"Why haven't you talked to us before?" asked Twilight
"Because" explained the tree "The power in that sword is a power so great that it allows me to speak, but only in that sword's presence. As soon as you leave to Dodge, which is that way by the way..." the trees branches pointed in the Dodge direction. "... Then i'll become a normal tree again"
"Thanks for the directions" i smiled "Come on then guys" i said starting off in that direction.
"Be careful out there" said the tree "Dodge may be at the end of the forest but that doesn't mean the danger stops there"
"Oh don't worry" i smiled "Whatever comes our way, i'll be prepared" and with a final goodbye we walked on through the everfree forest.
Alicorn Sword: An Equestrian Adventure
Chapter 5: Rescuing Applejack
We finally arrived in Dodge, the entire town was a flourish of activity, but once again as soon as i stepped into the day light, ponies screamed and ran.
The first sight that caught my eye was a large volcano in the distance.
"That is the badlands" said Rarity
"I can see" i said staring in awe
"Well Rainbow and ah will go and get the town used to ya" Applejack smiled
"Great thanks" i smiled
The other 4 went off into the town, they all had their seperate things to do as i was told. So i began to explore the town myself.
It looked very much like a town from an old cowboy film from the 30's. Shacks, bars and all sorts of western style things were here.
As i walked further through the town i saw a large cloud of smoke coming from a nearby hill.
"I might as well see what this is" i said to myself, already on my way up.
The hill wasn't a hill at all, it was a volcano. Just then i saw one of the most bizarre creatures i had ever seen, whatever he was, he was taking a bath and saw me
"Oh i do say" he said before dissapearing and reappearing right next to me "I do apologise Sam i would've been ready had i known you were coming"
"How do you know my name?" i asked
"Well of course" the creature continued "I know everypony's name around here, oh where are my manners" he then shook me by the hand
"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Discord"
"Discord?" i asked unsure
"Indeed" Discord continued, then he pointed "That sword you've got there. It's very powerful don't you think?"
"Why yes" i said reaching for it
"No need to fear me" Discord went on "I'm no threat, just ask Fluttershy"
"Fluttershy knows you?" i said, stunned.
"She does" Discord said "Now this Equoliac that you're going to be taking on..." he dissapeared and reappeared again, this time back in the volcano "... He's quite a mighty one, as you already know, he's the one who originally owned that sword so i wouldn't get too confident that, that alone is going to save you... or the mane six"
I drew out the sword and slashed it around a bit.
"You see?" said Discord "Such power it has that you can almost feel it in your bones, but believe me when i say this has nothing up against Equoliac"
"Well, well then i'll just fire arrows at him" i cried
"Oh you can try" said Discord "But you will indeed fail without your friends help"
"Who said i didn't have my friends?" i asked but at that exact moment the three fillies came running in.
"Sam... SAM!"
"What's the matter?" i asked
"It's Applejack" said Applebloom "She's been captured"
"By who?" i asked
"A hideous monster" said the white one "He took her into that cave"
I looked and saw an incredibly dark cave
"Well you'd better go and save her then" smirked Discord before dissapearing altogether. I practically growled and drew my sword before heading into the cave.
Wiping several large cobwebs away i walked on down the dark passage.
'I wonder what kind of monster the white filly was on about?' i wondered but i tried not to think on such things, my friend was in trouble and i had to save her.
I soon came to a large room filled with old lanterns, i struck a flame using some wood from the floor and lit them.
Suddenly there was a rattle
"Sam?" I looked up and Applejack was in a wooden cage hanging from the roof.
"Hang on Applejack" i said "I'll be up there now..." but there was a rumbling and a large scattering and out of a tunnel at the other end of the
room came a giant, brown, hairy, eight legged Spider. 6 feet tall and 10 feet long, Applejack couldn't help but scream.
I took a slash at it with the Alicorn sword, but it jumped onto the opposite wall and crawled down again. I then shot an arrow into one of it's many eyes, it growled and crawled straight for me, but i soon settled it with the sword. Once again it jumped up, but i had no idea where it had gone. Suddenly i felt something big, and hairy land on top of me.
The spider grabbed me with it's legs shrieking like a banshee. I slashed it's legs with my sword and got up, the spider on the other hand did not. It had no legs anymore, then with one final jump i landed in the beasts head and made a squelch as i plunged the sword into it's brain.
Applejack had her hooves over her eyes and only opened them to pass me down a rope which i used for getting up and freeing her.
"What was that?" she asked looking at the corpse of the giant spider
"I don't know" i said "I've never seen a spider that big before"
"Let's get outta here" Applejack said.
We got out into the sunlight and found that the town was back to normal before we rejoined the group,
"Where have you two been" Twilight asked
"Oh nowhere special" i said, winking at Applejack.
"Well come on then" said Twilight "Let's go"
So we were off again, the badlands, and hopefully Equoliac, were only a few miles away.
Alicorn Sword: An Equestrian Adventure
Chapter 6: Discord's Tests
We were walking up the side of the hill to the badlands. The wind blew and the smoke from the top piled over us like mist.
"I think it's this way" said Pinkie pie, trying to shield the biting wind.
"I'm quite sure it is" Twilight said rolling her eyes "But shouldn't we let Sam go first since he is the guy with the sense of direction and all"
"Humph fine" Pinkie said sulkily
"She doesn't mind really" Twilight whispered to me.
The wind only blew stronger the further we got up and the mist got thicker and thicker. When...
"Oh so you managed to find the apple pony then"
Sam knew that voice, so did everyone else
"Discord, was this your doing?" i shouted
"Oh perish the thought" grinned Discord "In fact that's what i came to see you about"
"See us about what?" Rainbow asked, but Discord then grabbed her
"Toodly peep" he jeered as he shot off.
"Rainbow!" Twilight shouted, but i was already after him.
I chased Discord over rocks and through streams and rivers, until he placed her down in a little cave. I charged for him when i suddenly heard Rainbow's cry
"No Sam! Look Out!" i turned and saw a collosal figure of a dinosaur in the mist,
"Ah Sam" smirked Discord "This is Belle, treat her nicely" he then dissapeared and reappeared on a rock with a bag of popcorn and 3d glasses.
I made a slash fo the leg but soon realised that was a mistake since i only got kicked down, i got up again and fired an arrow at the beasts eye. Before making another go for the leg, when i felt her grab Me by the leg and hurl me into a rock.
I was knocked out by the blow, but when i came to i found the dinosaur thing was sniffing me, i took the chance i had and stabbed the dino up her nose. She roared in agony, higher and higher the sword went until finally, there was a crack, a squish and the beast collapsed near the cave entrance. I got up, brushed myself down, then heard Discord.
"Bravo, Bravo young one" he was applauding "I have to say i've seen her get taken down a couple of times but this was the most... erm... creative i have to say"
I looked over at Rainbow who was smiling back at me.
"Oh but of course i almost forgot" Discord went on. "Remember how i said the Alicorn sword would only do little damage to Equoliac, well in that cave is a device that should take care of him should he be weakened by that hunk of rust"
I looked at the cave
'Is Discord just sending me on side quests now?' i thought 'He's making this seem like a fanfiction'
But i approached it. It looked more threatening than the last one, with cobwebs actually covering the entrance.
"Come on Rainbow" i said "Let's go see what this item is"
Rainbow eagerly followed.
The cave wasn't much different to the previous one, it had a long passage again and it led into a room again, but this time there was nowhere for a creature to come in. Suddenly there was a screech and flapping and a giant bat swooped down from the roof.
I slashed at it, but it seemed really weak, since with one slash i took it's wing clean off. It led on the floor, coughing and spitting.
"Who are you?" i asked
"I am Zachariah" the bat answered "My sister Siariad the giant spider and i guard the badlands"
"... and why were your sister and you trying to kill us?" Rainbow queeried.
"We have kept the creatures in the badlands safe for over 1000 years but now we both perish, there on that shelf is what you should be looking for"
We looked and on the shelf was a bow, it was silver and sparkling. I walked up and took it from it's hold. Just then Discord appeared.
"A fine demonstration of courage young man" Discord said clapping "First Belle, now Zachariah, you've proven that you can take on almost any beast."
"Wait! Zachariah was just set up as well?" i asked, outraged.
"Hey look on the bright side" said Rainbow "You've become even more skilled"
"Well Equoliac" i said leaving the cave "i hope you're ready cause i'm coming, and i'm prepared"
Alicorn Sword: An Equestrian Adventure
Chapter 7: Equoliac, The Final Battle
When we reached the top of the volcano, the wind had stopped and the smoke cleared. I saw the other six looked just as uncomfortable as i felt.
We looked across the volcano as thunder rumbled again and again. Some scaring the living Pete's out of Fluttershy, but we continued along the top of the hill, the smoke swirled around it with rumbles of thunder and lightning every so often. So all we could see was the top of the hill, we couldn't see beyond it.
"Sam" came the nervous voice of Twilight. I didn't say anything, just stopped and turned.
"Sam, i hope you realise what you're going into. Equoliac is an extremely dangerous character" more thunder rumbled in the distance.
"Oh don't i know it" i said impatiently "I've heard that from everypony since i got here" I was starting to catch on to their way of speaking.
"Well there's no need to be like that" snorted Rainbow Dash.
"Let's not forget i had to rescue you Rainbow"
"Rescue me?"
"From Belle and Zachariah"
"I could've fought them off myself"
"What with? those petty little wings?"
"Petty indeed!?! Let me tell you.." but a sudden clash of thunder shut her up.
"Do stop it" said Rarity starting to get worried "Otherwise Equoliac may find us before we find him"
A little while went past and we were still walking through the swirling cloud, when all of a sudden, we saw a volcano. In that volcano however was a magnificent castle.
"There's nowhere else" i said "Prepare yourself Equoliac, cause i'm on my way"
The closer we got to it, the more the wind started to pick up, when we reached the edge of the volcano.
"This is it" i said "This is where i go on alone"
"Sam, No!" Applejack had a hold on my arm as i started to walk away but Twilight calmed her.
"Let him go Applejack, if he's proven he can take on giant spiders, bats and even an army of changelings, then i'm sure he can defeat anyone, even if the pony he's defeating is..." she gulped "Equoliac"
"Wait!" said Pinkie pie "I have an idea come on!" and i watched them all run back through the swirling fog. I was alone, more thunder rumbled,
"Ok it's just you and me Equo boy" i said drawing the sword and shield.
The volcano had a path that swirled down into the very castle i was heading for. The castle was completely black from all the fumes of the volcano.
As i made my way down, changelings came at me and tried to throw me off the path and into the lava below. At one point the path was so narrow that i actually had to use my sword and a knife to get across.
At last i reached the castle and trust me when i say it was intimidating. Several Changelings came at me but i settled them with my sword and made my way inside. The inside of the castle was surprisingly luxurious in contrast to the outside.
It was a long hallway with a throne at the end, and sat on the throne was a large black dragon, larger than any dragon you would've seen in the story books.
"Welcome to my castle" it said in a low voice
"So you're Equoliac?" i asked, at this the dragon stood up and a thunder boom came from outside.
"Boy have i been dying to meet you" i grinned. A slow, low chuckle came from the dragon as he drew out his sword. I instantly noticed it was far bigger than mine, Discord was right, the sword had little to no power against him.
'Well i might as well go for it' i said.
The battle commenced. I made a dash for his leg, but he blocked it, i made a dash for his scaly back but he blocked that too, he then kicked me and i went flying into the opposite wall.
I jumped back when he made his next slash though, and managed to attack his scaly back, i repeated this process several times before there were no scales on his back and it was just flesh.
Then he led me outside the castle doors, swooshing his sword as he went. The final stage of the battle was in order, I slashed at him, he blocked it, he slashed for me and i blocked it, we were like two swashbucklers.
Soon afterwards though, he made a slash for me but i couldn't block in time. i reached for my bow and arrows, i found my bow but my arrows... i had no more arrows, i'd completely run out. A searing pain went through my body as blood escaped my chin with a stinging blow. I fell to the ground. i was, at last, too weak to fight him.
Equoliac then stood above me and was just about to finish me when a clap of thunder roared, this time louder than any other.
We both looked up and there was the mane six, in a glowing golden sphere.
"Quick Sam!" came the familiar voice of Twilight "Get him on his back!"
I took the chance i had, whilst Equoliac was still in awe of the giant golden sphere of power, i grabbed his sword, twisted his arm round, kicked him in the stomach and he let go. I then used his own sword to slash him onto his back, then Twilight took over. With roaring rage a rainbow shot from the golden sphere and consumed Equoliac
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo!" he cried, and once the rainbow cleared, Equoliac was gone and the mane six stood in his place.
"Good Job Sam" smiled Rarity. All i could do was smile... but not for long.
The path we were on then began to collapse towards the lava below.
"Move!" i shouted, and we did. We moved faster than we ever had done before, the path just behind us would crumble and fall with every passing step.
"Run!" Rainbow dash shouted.
As we got to the top i looked back and saw the castle dissapearing under the red liquid.
"Nice try Equoliac" i said Then we noticed that the swirling storm clouds around the hill had gone.
But suddenly i began to feel dizzy.
"Sam!" cried Fluttershy "You're bleeding from your chi..." but i didn't hear anymore, i just collapsed to the floor in a dead faint...
Alicorn Sword: An Equestrian Adventure
Chapter 8: The Happy Ending
I woke up in a hospital bed, i then heard voices
"Hi uh Sam?"
"Second bed to the left"
I shut my eyes again, as last time i pretended to be asleep i heard some valuable information. I heard the hooves walking up to my bed.
"Oh sugar cube" came the familiar voice "I'm sorry about all the tahmes ah kicked ya!"
"You ought to. You kicked him hard enough"
"Pinkie pie that's enough!"
"Ah just wish i could have said how i felt 'bout ya earlier"
"what do you mean Applejack?"
"Well, when i first saw him take on that Changeling army. Ah saw somethin' in 'im ah'd never seen in anypony before"
I couldn't believe i was hearing this! was she really going to say...
"I do kinda like him... lahke, lahke him lahke him"
"Applejack" said Rainbow "Who knew you had a crush on him"
"Well yall do now" said Applejack "Just don't let him know"
That was my cue, i took off the sheets and beamed at them all, Fluttershy was eager to see how i was, while Applejack just blushed.
At that very moment, Celestia, Luna and Cadence appeared.
"We wish to speak with Sam alone" Luna said. The six left andthe three alicorns smiled broadly at me
"Sam" said Celestia "We are happy to inform you that we have found a portal back to your world"
I actually leapt for joy, Cadence laughed
"We'll arrange for the mane six to meet you at the portal" she smiled.
Soon i was given permission to leave the hospital and a carriage transported me to the portal spot, again i saw the cyclone of green smoke and the mane six stood around it.
Once i walked to it, i looked down it and the six stared at me. They thought i didn't know about Applejack's secret. I said my goodbyes and everypony then left, i left Applejack until last. Then when every pony was out of sight i took her in my arms and hugged her. Applejack was, at first, surprised. Then she also joined the hug.
Once i'd finished i slowly pulled away from her and smiled, before jumping in.
Once again i was surrounded by green smoke, but this time when i ended up in our world, i was also in water, but in the water that surrounded the lighthouse island.
I swam back to shore to find my friend was still there.
"How long have you been waiting?" i asked
"A few seconds" said Eddie "Why?"
I looked across and saw the canoe still on the island, and the angry fisherman storming away.
"Did you get my arrows?" Eddie asked
"No" i replied "Sorry, but i had a look in that old lighthouse there"
"Really?" said Eddie "Anything in there?"
I thought for a moment.
"No" i said simply "Nothing of interest at all"
