Chapters It was a normal day in Equestria , or so it seemed, however two alicorns were testing out spells recorded by the ancient unicorns. The results varied, some being invisibility, summoning of creatures, and illusions. The black alicorn, known as Luna, found a strange tome and decided to show it to her sister.
"Celestia, we have found something strange over here" Luna said whilst studying the odd incantation.
The other alicorn nodded and headed towards Luna. "There's only one way to figure out what it does and that's to use it. Are you up to it?"
"Well... we think we should be cautious when it comes to this " She said as she backed a bit away from the spell.
"I suppose you're right, but we can't get far without seeing it", The white mare said grinning at her counterpart, seeing if she could be persuaded into it.
"*Sigh* fine."
With that they began chanting. Because of the complexity of the spell it took them several minutes till it was complete, however the outcome was what no one expected. They began to fade, then disappeared.
-
Meanwhile in PonyVille a purple mare was writing a letter to her teacher.
"Spike, take a letter..." Twilight said, going into a extensive speech about friendship
Spike, being the beast he is, wrote the words as quickly as she could say them. Once she had concluded her letter he burned the letter, which transported it to the castle. After several hours of waiting Twilight became worried.
"Why has the princess not replied yet? She usually does in a few minutes," She said while pacing back and forth.
Completely ignoring what Twilight said Spike had a question of his own that needed answering, "Uhh, Twilight... Why is it still daylight? Luna should have turned it to night by now."
With that they grew silent, pondering what was going on. Breaking the crisp silence Twilight said "Well we should act soon, who know what could have happened to them? Spike help me gather the Elements of Harmony, and tell to pack there things- who knows how long it will take?"
With that they headed off.
For the most part the ponies had came without hesitation, two however had to find people to take their place. The first, Fluttershy found one of her relatives to keep the animals. The other, Rainbowdash looked for colleagues to take his place. He went to the weather control's main camp. There was only one pegasus within it.
Sweat dripped off her face because of the urgency of Twilight's voice, " Where's the rest of the pegasi?"
A familiar voice said "They're out flying as they always are"
Rainbow, knowing that she was needed immediately put this pegasus in charge while she was gone. Because of his rushing Derpy Hooves was put in charge of the weather.
After explaining the situation Twilight, and her six companions headed off to Canterlot. After several days of travelling they finally arrived in the castle.
"Well, here we are, time to figure out what's going on" Twilight said
The other six looked at her, waiting for her to make a move. She had become their... "Leader" throughout the trials they faced, and also had shown to be the smartest one- if she didn't know what she was doing no one else did either. They stood around for a few minutes until Twilight headed in. They saw a guard and hoped he knew something. Fluttershy ended up being the one to speak to him.
"Hey... guard... person can you tell me what happened to the princess? ... I mean if it's not a bother or anything" she said while shaking slightly.
"I don't know, the last time I saw them was when she entered the library. I was leaving for home then so I have no clue where they are now, I can show you to the library,"
"You've helped us enough, we'll be on our way now," Twilight said- she had the library's location memorized, and didn't want to stress the stallion any more than she had. After walking to the library they decided to head in. All they saw was the crowns of the sisters lying on the floor, and the spell used to make them vanish.
"What could have happened?" Stress ran high because she new the crown was a thing that neither of them ever parted with.
"Well we sure aren't getting nowhere anytime soon, at least not safely" AppleJack muttered
"We don't have time to waste! Twilight, look at the opened book over there," Rainbowdash said making sure that she would be heard.
"Ok, Ok, I'll look at it" she paused while observing what it may be. "It appears to be a spell made by the ancient unicorns. It also appears to be why they're missing- at least it's our best bet."
They began debating about what to do, but they knew if they wanted to save the Princesses they had to use the spell. They were all worried. Except Pinkie, who was smiling at what the spell might do.
"Is everypony ready?" Twilight asked almost hesitantly.
"Sure am sugar cube" AppleJack said, hoping to comfort her friend in distress.
"We'd better take there crowns, must be terrible without them" Rarity suggested, being concerned about the fashions of the princesses.
"Oki Doki Loki" Pinkie said as she grabbed the crowns off the floor
"I suppose so," Spike yawned.
Fluttershy gave a simple nod, avoiding unnecessary words.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" RainbowDash yelled
Twilight's horn started to sparkle, and grow as she chanted words from the ancients. Everyone's sweat was clearly apparent. No one knew what to expect. A few moments of her chanting and they began to fade. The next thing they saw was a jungle.
"Where are we," they all said nearly in sync. The land that stood before them was like nothing they had seen before. They all shivered. Except Rainbowdash who was to busy exploring the land that would be their home for what seemed like an eternity.
(Author's note) Please let me know what you guys think, as stated I'm new to this type of thing. Also if you dislike it give me useful criticism.
"Well, it doesn't seem like we're gonna find them anytime soon, the tree's stretch on for miles!" Rainbowdash said as she finished his scout.
"In that case we'd better set up camp and find some food" Twilight said determined to find them before attempting to depart.
They split up into groups, AppleJack and Spike went to chop trees for fire and a house, Rainbowdash flew looking for berry bushes, while the rest spent their time finding a proper place to live. Each group was told to return withing sundown so that they wouldn't get lost.
~~~~~
Later that day
"Spike, ya think that's enough?" AppleJack said while carrying several logs.
"Even if it isn't enough we can't hold anymore, let's head back,"
They reached the place that was to be their home. It was a relatively small plain with just enough space for a large house. They all worked on building the house before night so they wouldn't have to sleep outside. The fruits of their labor was clear as the house was build before night. Unfortunately one of their companions wasn't quite as lucky.
Rainbowdash had been flying for a few hours now. She saw berry bushes and started to head towards them, hoping to get some berries as well as seeds. She landed, and picked some berries, then started to here ruffling. She started to leave when out of the trees appeared a zebra. She kept flying hoping to leave the stranger in the dust. Out of nowhere the zebra rammed into him, pushing him into a tree. Rainbowdash realized his only hope of escape was to fight him. Multiple kicks in the face and the zebra still hold on. How am I to get out of this the mare thought still pounding the now bleeding face. Nothing could stop the determined zebra.
"Let go of me!" Rainbowdash yelled, she needed to get back, or at least away from the animal. The zebra was now nothing more than a living corpse, but didn't give into the pain in the slightest. Rainbowdash started to ascend hoping to kick him off. It wore him down, and eventually fainted from exhaustion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When he woke up she saw a room filled with gray, her eyes started to clear up and he realized she was on bars. There were handcuffs on each of her hooves. She tried to fly but couldn't get more than an inch off the ground.
"Is anyone there?" She said, hoping to find something out about the land.
"Yes, prisoner," Said a zebra. It was the same one that she nearly killed. The scars were scattered across his face. The rest was covered with a brown cloak.
"Look, I know you probably hate me now, but can you tell me how long I've been out?"
"A few days I suppose- I was out too, any other questions?"
"Well, I have been wondering where I am," She said, now realizing that the zebra wasn't as mean as he seemed in battle.
"Makes enough sense that you aren't from around here, you would have known to stay off our land. This land is known as "Zerobia".
Rainbowdash pondered about what he had heard then spoke up "Wait... you said they would know to stay off your land.. Is something going one here?"
"A war, it's been going one for several months now. After our leader Zecora left we all fought over the throne. Eventually we formed groups simply to survive."
This shocked Rainbowdash- the stranger in his world came from another dimension. She decided not to ponder it too much, and prioritized escape. "By any chance can I be released?" She hoped that he could convince someone into releasing her.
"Not my choice to make, I can ask our leader if you would like, but I can't promise anything."
"Thanks, names Rainbowdash"
" *Snicker*, well mine is Lee, I'll be off now," They both chuckled at the oddness of each other's name.
~~~~~~~
Meanwhile at the main camp of the ponies. The sun began to rise.
"Where's Rainbowdash? He's been gone for days now!" AppleJack said.
"We'd best start looking" Rarity said.
"But uhh... how are we going to find her?" Fluttershy whispered.
Twilight then brought out the biggest book that she brought with her. "This" She said while flipping the pages of a spell book. She eventually found a spell that allowed them to track anypony given a small piece of their identity. She found a feather left in Rainbowdash's bag. Everyone looked at her curious to why they didn't do that to help find the princesses. They didn't question her, and let her work her magic.
"Well, it appears that we're heading North when we're ready. We should probably get prepared for whatever kept her from coming back." Each of them gathered what they could and slowly migrated towards Rainbowdash.
Before they could get to Rainbowdash they noticed two Alicorns lying unconscious on the ground. It was the princesses. The land seemed more dangerous by the second. Throughout their thousand years in reign no one had the power to fight them until now. Out of nowhere a swarm of zebra's came, all armed with spear, and bow. They were soon surrounded. One after another they all fell to the zebra's. Twilight was forced to use her wild card- a spell she had been creating when she realized that magic could alter matter. Spike started to expand, soon above the trees. The fires that would normally be used to send letters were now capable of clearing forests. Realizing they were outmatched the zebra's wisely retreated for home, to get reinforcements.
"We can't stay in one place for to long or they'll attack again, we need to get going," Twilight said to her unconscious friends. She wasn't sure when they would be back up but she needed their help if they ever wanted to save Rainbowdash.
(Author's Note) Ehh, it kinda seemed that I either rambled on or cut things short, as well as being random. I love being random.
~Meanwhile in Equestria~
~Back in Zebrobia, with the "Main" group~
"Get up! They may have RainbowDash already, we need to hurry!" She said trying to wake her weary friends.
After several minutes of pacing back and forth she started to drag them, if the zebra's were to return and they were found none of them would escape, and she herself was tired after turning spike into his adult form. She stumbled upon a young zebra seeming to be in complete fear.
"It one of the things that put my brother in his terrible shape!" she said whilst fleeing.
"Wait, what did the other "Creature" look like?" Twilight said, but it was to late, she was already gone, and no trace to be left of where she went.
"Well that didn't help at all *Sigh*" She spoke but none could hear. She was troubled at the fact that Rainbowdash may have already been in captivity. Unfortunately she couldn't help, she had to nurse her other companions back to health before she even thought of rescuing Rainbowdash.
~Meanwhile with Lee~
"Sir, our prisoner is requesting his release," Lee said nervous before his giant master.
"I'm not quite sure I'll let him go quite yet- he could be a spy from our rival nations!" the buff zebra said. "If he is with the other nations I'm sure they'll come to retrieve him."
"Well, if you say so. I'm gonna rest for the day," He was now heading towards his home. It was a small dirt hut, much like Zecora's.
"Sister, I'm home," he said as his younger sibling hugged him.
"Lee, I saw the most terrifying thing next to my playground!" She said letting go of him.
"What was it?"
"Creatures like the one in captivity... They looked injured..."
"I suppose I must visit our guest if there's more of them. As for the injuries it may have been the other nations' doing." He started running back towards the jail cell to interrogate Rainbowdash. It was already night but he had to know what was going on. He reached the jail and nearly destroyed it's gate.
"Any news on the release?" Not noticing the panic in Lee's eye.
"No, did anyone come with you to this place?"
A little hesitant at first he finally spoke up. "Yes, me and seven others of my kind as well as a dragon are here."
"Care to explain why you came? If you know who's here you must have a reason to be here"
"Our masters were experimenting with magic then it happened. They came here and we chose to follow to try to rescue them."
"My younger sibling said that there were creatures of your kind that looked injured. I assume one of the other nations is hunting them, their punishments are much worse then ours- execution without question"
"I have to help them, now!" He was now trying to break the chains holding him. "Can you let me out? Now?"
"I would if I were given the chance, I know what that type of loss is because of the war. It's just that only the Great General has the brute strength necessary to break the ancient chains. That's why we have to go to him to see people get released... I can go check on you're friends but it may be to late, I'll bring some of my men just in case"
They were headed to the place that her sister had mentioned. They heard tribal chants and readied their blades. Each army was now in utter silence, not to reveal the fact that each of them was hiding. Each man had sweat dripping off of his brow. It wasn't until a purple pony walked by that the enemy revealed themselves. It was one of the weaker groups that had developed, and their army wasn't much. They fled, however one unfortunate zebra couldn't make it out and was captured.
"Men, take the zebra to the jail. Hopefully we can reason with them, and make one nation... I want his was to be over already"
"*Shiver* Who are you all?" Twilight said looking towards lee.
"I assume you're friends with the other one "Rainbowdash" which is currently in captivity. I'm the one who captured her," He said finding that a test of character would be necessary for him to trust free ponies.
"You!?" She said her horn now glowing. Both creatures were unfamiliar with.
"Men, stand back, it appears things will get rough. I would rather handle the predicament on my own." With that they backed up- Lee was near the top when it came to the countries powers. He never asked for it, it was just given to him because he was one of the most respectable among them.
"I'll allow you to take the first strike," he said readying himself for anything. Twilight's eyes were glowing as she started to float. A large beam came from the skies. "What kind of sorcery is this?" He said, the only type of magic he knew was the brewing of poisons and potions.
He got ready to attack. If anyone could stop her while she was in that state it was him. He started racing and managed to drive the creature into a stump. Twilight just got back up. She was determined to bring the zebra to justice. Each of them still in their best condition, they went at each other again. They each took a strike from. It seemed like it would be a battle of endurance, rather then power. Twilight's companions woke up, so Lee's guards made to keep them away from the field.
(Cliffhanger I'm so mean =P), As usual tell your opinion on my piece. The battle should be done on another chapter tomorrow.
Their hooves were just feet apart. The tension that stood between them was unbearable. It felt like the first one that moved, even ever so slightly, would be destroyed by the other. They stared at each other until Lee made his move. He lunged at Twilight, leaving her phased by the damage. Still the purple unicorn had something to attack him with. A blue jolt of energy went through Lee.
"So she can attack with the weather? I'd best be careful!" Lee said slowly backing from the magic induced Twilight. Another attack came this time in the form of fire. Though Lee had the time to dodge he had to protect his homeland from the massive fire that would awake. He grew weary. "It looks like I must pull out my trump card, ancient potions from the time when Zecora was around." He said now chugging down a bottle.
Soon horns appeared. His eyes went blank. "We'd better back off" Said one of the guards. When they were around him with that potion it would usually end in them lying on the floor. Twilight's companions stood. An fog soon surrounded Lee. With that he disappeared.
"Everypony get ready, the liquid somehow altered him." Celestia said gathering the younger ponies (and spike) so that they would be able to withstand whatever laid in the shadows. Out of nowhere a huge creature came ramming into them. They held as long as they could as the horns bashed into them. Soon however they fell. The princesses, still managing to hold, transformed into their "Evil" forms. Nightmare moon, and Sol (For those who don't know that's our sun). They both sparkled with their respective colors. What stood before him was true harmony. The two souls soon had the elements backing them. It was how they got Equestria to respect them, through utter destruction. Rays of black and white tore apart the ground. Lee was taken by surprise and plummeted into a long sleep.
~Later that week~
The ponies decided to take Lee captive in order to find an answer to the strange happenings as of recently. They stripped him of his potions to make sure that he couldn't rebel. He woke, and almost in sync Fluttershy backed away from the beast.
"I... live?" Lee said coughing out the words as blood spilled on his blanket.
"Well of course, how else could we get answers?" Applejack said whilst leaping closer.
"What might these questions be?"
"First of all where is Rainbowdash?" Twilight said keeping in mind that their companion was supposedly taken by this man.
"At my home's jail. Of course since I don't know where we are I can't exactly lead the search"
"Second, what was that mixture you consumed? It made you hideous!" Rarity said
"It was left by my uncle, as he left the world. I though it was insanity because he was the only thing keeping us together... Frankly I was right. When Zecora--"
"ZECORA? What association do you have with him?" Twilight said
"Like I said, I'm his nephew, why did you panic so much?"
"I knew something was wrong with that zebra." Pinkie said, currently stuck in an infinite loop of hopping.
"Wait, he's in your world? Because of his blunt actions our world has gone into a dark age."
"No more answers for you! Moving on take us to Rainbowdash." Celestia screamed, her voice to be heard across the room."
Lee knew his life was in their hands. He reluctantly remained silent as he headed out the door of their secret base. "*Gasp* We're in the land of forgotten. That's probably why you were attacked, each tribe protects their land without cease! We should leave, now."
"And why should we trust you?" Pinkie said trying to comfort her friend in the corner. "No pony get's Fluttershy in that state without payback!" She said trying to make her goofy attitude into something that would be that could intimidate. Of course being the goofball she is it didn't work. The others however managed to put out genuinely scary faces, putting Pinkie back into a state of laughter.
"If you want to live you'd best follow me, the enemy's approach from the horizon" He started galloping. They looked back at them and saw it, the massive army was that of millions. They galloped away. "Our only chance is outrunning them."
"Why? Couldn't we just use the potions?" Twilight said intrigued by the force the army must have.
"They have similar mixtures. Unless you want to face a stampede of bull-like zebra's we're running"
"Fine."
~~
After several hours of running Lee told them to take a breather. They had reached the safety of his empire. "Don't get to comfy, who knows how they'll react to you guys."
"We'll just give you as a sign of peace and be on our way" AppleJack said confident that it would work."
"We're wary of gifts of all kinds. Often times our rivals attack using the "Gift" as a diversion for an invasion. Don't expect it to work. The only thing that I can do now is try to convince them... Also unless I can sneak out Rainbowdash, which has proven to be nearly impossible, he's not coming either." He said as he entered his homeland.
"Wait a second, you're not going nowhere until you give us Rainbowdash or let us in"
"I suppose being a relative of the king has it's benefit's... If I remembered right there was a secret entrance into the jail." He said while digging. "Ah, here it is. Just beyond this is the gate to the jail," He motioned the ground, where he had just dug.
"I still don't trust this crazy zebra," AppleJack said
"Do we have the time to look for another way?" Twilight said now taking her first steps in the hole. It was a dark, damp place easily brightened by her horn. Making sure she wouldn't trip on anything she continued.
(Author's note) You're probably tired of me talking here. I'll try to stop it. Anywho please give me feedback. It takes pressure off of me.