The Silverfox Chronicles

Silverfox tightened her scarf and shivered slightly.

It was winter, the season the entire country celebrated Embane's defeat of Nightmare. While different parts of Equestria had big parties, Eclipse by far had the biggest celebration. The party went on for entire week, and barely anyone slept.

Foals pretended to be generals and played war while the much older ponies swapped stores passed down from family to family. Even the young adults got in on the fun, making art and selling their products in stands.

Silverfox had no interest in selling books right now, mostly because of the last time she tried to and in respect of Toxic. Unlike the rest, the royal family didn't celebrate. Goldenbell and Embane mourned for the loss of life during the war and the stress of the fight, while Toxic just mimicked his parents.

"C'mon, Silverfox!" Catfight said through a candied apple. "Embane's gonna do his speech soon!"

Every winter, at the end of the celebration, Embane would give a speech about the Great Alicorn War. It tended to be long-winded and a bit boring. Silverfox found it slightly interesting, especially when Embane mentioned the actual fighting.

Silverfox had found a newfound respect for the rulers when she, Toxic, and Cross had traveled into Embane's memories.

"Right." Silverfox murmured, shivering slightly.

The duo walked through the throng of ponies, trying to get as close to the front of the stage,that had been set up near the center of town,as possible.

Settling right at the feet of the stage, Silverfox admired the work of the decorator ponies. Grand curtains had been strung up over the stage, adored with little moons and stars that shimmered brightly in the approaching nighttime.

"Hey, Catfight! Silverfox! Over here!" Diamondshine cried, waving wildly at them.

Diamondshine was wearing a nice tie, with Toxic standing beside him. The alicorn looked slightly excited, ready for his father's speech.

Silverfox smiled, the unicorn and her friend trotting over to the two stallions.

The entire audience hushed when Embane, followed by Goldenbell, walked onto the stage. Silverfox noticed he was swaying ever so little. She just assumed the Prince had drunken a little too much at the feast earlier.

"Welcome, mares and stallions, to the final night of the Great Alicorn War celebration. If it's your first day here, we are here to remember and celebrate the victory against Nightmare's forces so many years ago. Despite how gleeful we are about the win, please still do not forgot about the hundreds of lives lost during the fighting." Embane narrowed his eyes. "The battle was sheet bloodshed. Ponies were slain right and left. Nightmare's soldiers knew no bounds for killing."

Silverfox found herself lost in the speech. She remember the vicious killings of Embane's flashback and shuddered. The image of the earth pony being eaten alive burned in her mind.

"But please," Embane continued, looking slightly cheerier. Silverfox noticed through the grin he was gritting his teeth. "Remember we are safe! Nightmare is gone!"

"Equestria is-" Suddenly, Embane dry heaved, falling on his knees. Gasps rippled through the audience. Goldenbell wrapped a wing around her mate and supported him against her side.

"Citizens! No need to be alarmed." Her calming voice rang out. "Embane simply isn't feeling well right now. Continue on with your celebration. We will go to the palace and I will ensure that the Prince gets some rest."

The white alicorn trotted off stage, Cross emerging from the large group and following them.

Toxic looked shocked at all that had just gone on.

"We should follow." Diamondshine said, the group nodded and ran after the nobles.

When they arrived, Embane was pacing the marble floors of the throne room while Goldenbell desperately tailed him.

Toxic ran to his parents. "What happened?!" He cried.

Embane sighed. "I have been feeling horrible all day. I'm not sure what is wrong, but I know there is something abnormal with it."

Goldenbell levitated a blanket over the Prince's shoulders. "You should just sit down, alright? Then we can figure something out."

"Something is going bad! I can feel it!" Hissed Embane, shaking.

The sound of the large doors creaking open alerted everyone in the room. Heads turned as a small alicorn fluttered into the room.

Silverfox, Cross, Embane, Toxic, and Goldenbell gasped.

It was Taijitsu!

But the Prince wasn't the grand stallion Silverfox and co had seen before. Taijitsu was foal-sized, a miniature version of himself. He was slicked in sweat, panting heavily.

The Prince of Mystic Falls let out a little groan and started to lose air.

"Sir!" Cried Goldenbell, catching him with her white colored magic.

Embane stared in horror at the small foal. "Father?!"

"Father?!" Diamondshine and Catfight cried in unison, clearly not caught up in the situation.

"Yes," Murmured Embane. "This is Taijitsu, my father and Prince of Mystic Falls." He turned to Cross. "Cross, can you please take him to a bed and tend to him? He's miserable."

The doctor nodded.

~

"You have a lot of explaining, father." Embane said, staring at Taijitsu.

The alicorn had been carried to Cross's room and laid on a bed. Cross had coaxed some medicine down Taijitsu's throat, hoping to sooth his fever.

Taijitsu struggled to open his eyes.

"Ah, son." He looked around. "You have a nice place here. Why haven't I visited earlier?" He ended with a quiet giggle.

Embane frowned. "What is wrong? I can feel that something is. You have been sick like me."

Taijitsu grew serious.

"Mystic Falls is dying."

"What?!" Embane screamed, the effort causing him to lean onto Goldenbell for balance.

Everyone- Silverfox, Diamondshine, Toxic, Catfight, Cross, and Goldenbell- was in shock. Most of them didn't quite know the gravity of the situation, but Embane's reaction was enough.

Taijitsu nodded, shuffling under the blanket. "The water of the falls is being poisoned by something unknown. Naturally, since we are the most direct bloodline, we are feeling it the worst."

Goldenbell frowned. "Why am I and Toxic not feeling sick or anything?"

Taijitsu turned on his side, facing the ponies. "Embane turned you into a alicorn, right? Therefore you are not of a direct bloodline. I believe you aren't even originally from Mystic Falls. That should answer your question." He looked Toxic. "And this little guy, apparently my grandchild, isn't a full alicorn. He's got the horn and wings, but about the magic ability of a talented unicorn. I'm not even sure if he will inherit the immortality."

Silverfox shuffled closer to her alicorn friend. She had tried not to think what would happen if Toxic really was immortal. She didn't think the good-natured stallion could take having to see his companions die around him. She hated to think it, but Silverfox hoped Toxic wasn't immortal.

Embane was chewing his lip nervously. "Alright, that explains some. But why are you a foal?"

"Oh, that's the simplest part of it." Taijitsu said in a sing-song voice. His horn lighted with magic, split between black and white, and a cup of tea appeared out of nowhere. He took a slight sip before continuing. "Since my kingdom is dying, I have been effected the most. My powers have been cut greatly. This form wastes the least of my energy."

Embane glared. "You shouldn't be using your magic for stupid reasons like that!" He said, eyes shooting daggers at the little porcelain cup.

Taijitsu shrugged, sipping some of the steamy tea. "I might as well enjoy it while I am strong enough to do so."

Suddenly, the alicorn's eyes grew wide. He choked and spluttered, the cup disappearing.

"Gah! Father!" Embane shouted, only to be taking over by the same aliment.

Goldenbell was quick on the scene, helping to sit the Prince on the floor while Cross went to Taijitsu.

Silverfox looked around, not sure what to do and feeling helpless. "What...what should we do?" She murmured.

Toxic shrugged. The alicorn looked rather sad. Smiling, Catfight went to him and wrapped a wing around him.

"It'll be okay. Look on the bright side, you get to see your granddad!" She chirped.

Diamondshine nodded, giving Toxic a little pat on the shoulder. "She's right. Taijitsu seems pretty nice."

Silverfox finished the friendship moment, hugging her companion.

Goldenbell trotted to the friends, warmly smiling at them. "I would like you to join me in the throne room. Can you wait for me there while I assemble the rest of the nobles?" The alicorn

went out the door, going down the stairs.

Silverfox looked at her companions. "We should get going." She said.

The group started out the door, Toxic first bidding farewell to his father.

Arriving in the throne room, they found Goldenbell, Radar, Ellar, and the new nobles, Infinity and Hatchet.

"As I was saying," Goldenbell said, "we need to travel to Mystic Falls to find the source of the problem."

Infinity looked flustered. "Is something potentially life-threatening always here!?"

"Yes," Silverfox answered for Goldenbell, strutting into the room. "And my group volunteers." Diamondshine, Catfight, and Toxic nodded in agreement.

Radar raised his hoof in the air dramatically, fluttering in the air. "I'll go! I can send a small team of Wingblasts, too."

Hatchet, the earth pony, grinned. "I'll go. Might as well make my first mission grand."

Ellar meekly raised his hoof. "I guess I can assist."

Goldenbell nodded her head. "Good. We have a sizable group now. I will assemble some castle guards and then we can prepare to leave."

"Is Father and Taijitsu coming with us?" Toxic asked.

"I believe so. They will know the most about Mystic Falls."

~

Silverfox shuffled in the blanketed floor of the carriage. They had left some time ago, but Goldenbell had told her they still had hours to go until the group even reached the half-way point. She was miserable. Toxic and Catfight had decided to fly above the carriage with Radar and the other Wingblasts, and Hatchet wanted to walk with the palace guards outside, so all she had for company was Diamondshine, Ellar, Cross, and Infinity.

Clearly the most fun group of individuals.

"So..ah...you're a noble, huh?" Infinity spoke up for the first time.

Silverfox shook her head. "Nope, I just open letters and write stuff." She pointed at the golden unicorn sitting beside her. "He doesn't even do that. We are just Toxic's friends."

"But you live here."

"I don't have anywhere else to live."

"I felt bad for Toxic's little friend, okay?" Embane murmured near them. The alicorn was awake now, crouching on the blankets, blinking from sleepiness after his recent nap. Taijitsu was curled along his body.

"Aw, Embane. You do care." Silverfox faux cooed.

"Yes," Embane snarked. "Because I was just overwhelmed with sympathy when you came to my doorstop practically holding a 'Will Work For Food' sign."

"I love you too." Silverfox hissed.

~

"Do you see anything, Catfight?" Toxic asked, peering over the horizon.

Catfight squinted, checking if she could see Mystic Falls over the horizon.

Many hours had passed, with only a short amount of break time. But Catfight barely felt the aching in her wings. She was too excited.

The pegasus couldn't believe she was going to the sacred land where alicorns came from. It was incredible.

"Nothing." She quickly said, realizing Toxic had wanted an answer.

"'Doubt there will be anything interesting for a while. Goldenbell says we still got a good hour or two." On her left, Radar flapped his strong wings, wind rustling the short jacket he wore.

Toxic's head slumped with impatience, the alicorn's green-tipped wings twitching in flight.

"You're not used to flying long-distances, are you Prince?" Radar laughed. "I remember when my team and I had to track a group of bandits for thousands of miles..."

Catfight spaced out, pretty sure she had already heard this story from Radar. The pegasus sure knew how to pass time, constantly blabbering about past experiences. She hadn't first understood why his team groaned when Radar started talking, but after four hours she got the message quickly. Being honest, his stories were interesting, but one can only speak of slaying dragons so long before it gets old. Catfight was sorta glad for the variation.

After about two hours, Radar's right hand stallion, Scout, cried out.

"Mystic Falls! Visible in the horizon!" The grey pegasus called.

Toxic looked hopeful, face suddenly becoming brighter.

Beside Catfight, Radar called up ahead. "How far?!"

"A couple miles!" Scout screamed back, black mane flopping around in the wind.

Catfight immediately saw the massive castle that marked Mystic Falls.

It was grand, a tall silvery whitish tower surrounded by slightly smaller towers. A large town spread out around the castle, houses and shops making little dots on the ground. Oddly, she saw no tiny dots that represented the inhabiters of the town.

Catfight glanced at Toxic, who was still enthralled by the beautiful city. "You want to go in the carriage and see Silverfox and Diamondshine? They might enjoy our company."

Toxic smiled and nodded, the two ponies landed in the open back of the cart, where they found Diamondshine and Silverfox snuggled against each other, deep in sleep.

Catfight nearly woke them, but Cross's eye fluttered open.

"I wouldn't do that. Let them sleep. Why don't you two take a little nap with them? You must be tired after all that flying. I have no idea what's going to happen once we get to the castle, so I would suggest we are all well rested." The doctor nodded to the sleeping forms of Ellar, Embane, Goldenbell, and Taijitsu. He yawned. "If you excuse me, I'm going to get some more sleep." Cross laid his head back down, eye drooping as he fell asleep.

Toxic too yawned and stretched his wings and shoulders. "Cross is right. I'm exhausted." The alicorn settled down beside Silverfox.

Left without any other choice, Catfight curled up next to Diamondshine, laying her head on his warm body.

~

Silverfox awoke with the slight sensation of being carried. Not wanting to wake up just yet, the unicorn shut her eyes and tried to dose off again.

She sort of succeeded. Silverfox had managed to be half-conscious and half-asleep. She only fully awoke when she was laid on a hard, cold floor.

Silverfox let out a little groan, standing up and taking in her surroundings. She instantly recognized it.

They had arrived at Mystic Falls.

The castle hasn't changed much. The bright, marble pillars decorated the room, which appeared to be the entrance, judging by the large doors behind them, and silky blue curtains hung around them. The floor was a smooth, moonstone-like material, and seemingly had smaller, multi-colored stones pressed into it. When the sun shone on it, the effect was mesmerizing.

Goldenbell, followed by Embane, trotted into view. Taijitsu was on her back, forelegs wrapped around her neck. Cross, Ellar, Radar, Hatchet, Infinity, a group of palace guards, and some Wingblasts were at her heels.

"Isn't it beautiful? It's just like I remember." She murmured, looking at the views in wonder.

Ellar frowned. "It's not fair. I can't see it." The seer's blind eyes blinked furiously, as if that would restore sight.

Beside Silverfox, Catfight gaped. "Crap, you're missing a lot, Ellar."

The pegasus groaned.

Moving his head from Goldenbell's mane, Taijitsu stirred. "We should get to the throne room. I'm afraid my castle's beauty vanishes there."

As Silverfox found out, Taijitsu was very much right. Where the shimmering waterfall once was a scary sight filled its place. The water was a sickly shade of green, and brown streaks pulsed though its core. A smell of death radiated off it.

Embane paused in front of the room, eyes rapidly taking in the scene.

"F-Father, what happened here?" He gasped.

Taijitsu's eyes darkened. "I have no idea. A couple days ago, I had a blackout. Once I recovered, I realized something was wrong with the water. No one would even dare to drink out of it and it had taken on an ugly tint. The next day I awoke feeling rather sick."

Catfight glanced around, nervous. "Where is everyone? I mean, it's a castle...it's so quiet." Her voice went off into a whisper.

"That's another problem," Taijitsu said. "Once the water became like that, I noticed all of the ponies living here had fallen into a mysterious slumber. I couldn't wake them up." He took a shaky breath. "I was left alone. After some time, I couldn't take the loneliness anymore. My illness was getting worse. I had to make the travel to Eclipse."

Everyone in the room was silent, taking in the information. Finally, Goldenbell spoke.

"Toxic, your talent is poison. Do you think you can figure out what's in the water?"

Toxic nodded, taking small steps to the branching river. He leaned down, giving the water a curt sniff. Toxic quickly went to the side, gagging a bit.

Silverfox watched with wonder. She had never really seen Toxic work with poison, his talent hadn't been handy around the castle.

After thinking for about forty seconds, Toxic looked up. "I can't find out what the type of poison is, but I know that whatever-or whoever- is poisoning it is still here."

The entires group gasped, jumping back in surprise. "Where is it?!"

Embane shouted.

Toxic blinked, pointing a hoof at the water. "There."

"Get away from there!" Goldenbell shouted, lifting her son with magic and dumping him by her side.

This turned out to be just in time. Just as Toxic was delivered to the Princess's side, a dark shape appeared in the thickest part of the river, at the base of the waterfall. Two glowing green eyes illuminated at the surface.

Silverfox watched with horror as a huge creature burst out of the water.

It was huge, vaguely pony shaped and covered in murky green scales. Instead of hind legs, a long fish-like tail snaked out.

The creature heaved itself halfway up, glaring at the group through a disheveled greenish mane. A sharp-toothed shined on its face.

"Ah, Taijitsu." It snarled, looking straight at the small alicorn. "You came back."

Taijitsu pulled himself in the air, magic rippling through his horn.

"Who are you?" He hissed.

"I?" The creature laughed. "I am Kelpie. The new ruler of Mystic Falls."

"What are you talking about?! This is my palace!"

Kelpie smirked. "Once I fully poison your precious waterfall, you and your subjects will be dead. Then I will take control of Mystic Falls and become Prince!"

"What if we stop you before that happens?!" Radar growled, flying in the air with rage.

Goldenbell held him back, frowning. "Shh, Radar." She hissed.

"Well, reckless pegasus, to answer your question, I doubt you will stop me. The only one that could match my power would be Ms. Pretty Princess over here, but I'm pretty sure she can't up me in combat." Goldenbell gasped in surprise. "Now, now." He continued. "I must work in peace."

Kelpie's eyes glowed, and two huge waves of water was lifted up into the air. With a roar, the waves rushed towards the group.

"Quickly!" Taijitsu cried, jumping on Goldenbell's neck. "Follow my lead, there's a place we can hide!" The group ran after Goldenbell, led the way by Taijitsu, down a long flight of stairs.

As they ran, Silverfox tried to take in the scenery. Marvelous vases and paintings adjourned the walls, but it abruptly stopped when they arrive at a dark hallway.

The unicorns of the group took it upon themselves to light the way with their horns, which Silverfox was grateful for her magic. It was pretty dark down there.

Taijitsu pointed down the hallway, indicating another flight of steps, these made of dark, damp stone.

"There is a safe room down there." He explained.

Silverfox watched Embane in front of her as they descended down the dark steps. Since the passage was narrow, they were forced to go down in one long chain. The alicorn was stumbling, his health obvious not faring well. Behind her, Toxic let out a little gasp when the Prince nearly fell.

"You okay there, Embane?" Silverfox whispered, trying to keep a sarcastic tone.

The dark alicorn laughed. "Not really. Just trying to keep on my hooves. I can't wait to reach this 'safe room'."

The group came to the end of the flight. The room they arrived in really didn't look like a safe room. It was dark, gloomy and very uninviting. Silverfox spotted a couple cobwebs in the corner of the room.

Radar, Ellar grabbing onto to him, basically said what was on everyone's minds. "This looks more like a dungeon."

A couple of Wingblast shuffled nervously, murmuring in agreement.

In the side of the room, Embane collapsed with a sigh of relief.

"Embane, are you alright?" Goldenbell said, kneeling down next to her mate.

The Prince weakly shook his head. "I just need some rest."

The Princess nodded, letting Taijitsu down then standing up, dusting herself off. She started back towards the stairway, folding her wings to her sides.

"Mother, where are you going?" Toxic asked, following the elegant alicorn.

Goldenbell turned, allowing herself a determined smile. "Kelpie challenged me to a battle. I simply can't walk out on that, can I? Of course, I had to make sure my subjects were okay first, but now I must meet Kelpie. That monster was right. I'm the only one who can face him. It's my responsibility to face him and win back Mystic Falls." She patted her son on the head. "Please stay here and keep everyone safe, alright?"

And with that, the Princess was gone.

~

Goldenbell made her way into the throne room. It was her duty to defeat Kelpie. Everyone relied on her to kill that creature.

She came to the base of the waterfall, where Kelpie had first appeared.

"Kelpie!" She called. "I am here to take upon your challenge!"

Two glowing eyes met her. The familiar form met her, heaving himself halfway out of the water.

"You..." He hissed. "You came to fight me?"

"Yes."

"I'd rather not. Just take your little friends and get out of here, mare." Kelpie disappeared into the murky water.

Gritting her teeth, Goldenbell rose into the air, firing a bolt of magic into the poisonous water. "Get out here and face me like a stallion!" She roared.

In response to her shout, Kelpie rose, coming completely out of the water.

The creature was even uglier out of the water. Kelpie's scales were slimy out of water, some sort of mucus constantly slid off them, most likely keeping him hydrated. His fish tail flicked back and forth, sending slime everyone. His two front legs were stocky, surprisingly holding up his entire body. Two green eyes glowered at her beneath a seaweed-like mane.

"You want a fight?!" He snarled, showing off razor fangs. "I'll give you a fight!"

Two waves of poison water came at her, Goldenbell quickly flew into the air to dodge it. She fired a magic beam mid-flight. Kelpie slid with surprising speed back into the water, the beam missing him completely.

"No you don't!" She said, shooting beams of magic into the river in a frenzy. Kelpie threw himself out of the river, teeth gnashing. Goldenbell had made the mistake of getting too close, earning a good sized bite wound on her side. She screamed in rage, head-butting Kelpie, horn and all.

The creature slid of the floor, blood streaming from its neck and chest area where the alicorn's horn had connected with him. Before she could react, Kelpie lunged back into the water, then jumped straight back out.

Goldenbell gasped. His wound was healed!

I have to keep him out of the water, then, she thought.

Staying a good distance from the river, she cried, "Hey, Kelpie! Over here!"

Sharp teeth gritting with frustration, Kelpie did a awkward, but still fast, lumber toward her.

Once he was in range, Goldenbell hit him flat on with a magic beam, temporarily stunning him. Knowing she didn't have much time to act, Goldenbell made a magic bubble around them. It was inescapable- one of them was going to have to die.

Goldenbell planned on wining.

Realizing what she had done, Kelpie came at her new gusto, tackling her full on. His eyes glowed, huge walls of water flooded the room, but the magic shield stayed strong.

Side aching and blood streaming, Goldenbell decided to show some true alicorn power. Her gold eyes lighted up, and the combatants were both encased in a bright light. All the light blew up, the mini explosion still not breaking the magic bubble. Kelpie was thrown back, scratched and panting.

Goldenbell pushed herself to her hoofs, her curling mane keeping out of her eyes.

"Regret fighting me now?" She said, her voice cold as steel.

"Never!" Kelpie roared, running at her again.

Goldenbell soared into the air, firing a beam of magic. It was a good hit, sending him sprawling. Goldenbell returned to the ground, feeling the exhaustion from the fight. She was feeling a bit woozy from both the blood that stained her white coat and the large amounts of magic she had used.

"Looking a rough there, Princess. Want to stop?" Kelpie snarled.

Goldenbell laughed, shaking blood from her side. "I can heal too, Kelpie." She touched her horn to the wound and skin started to stretch over her side, fur quickly growing. Soon she was completely healed, but more woozy.

Kelpie gritted his teeth in concentration, and water droplets suddenly began forming in the air. It continued to grow and grow, until a huge amount of water was suspended above Kelpie.

"I don't just have to use the river to attack." He hissed, tail flicking. "I can use the water in the air."

Goldenbell's face turn to one of utter horror. The water zoomed toward her, rushing with a roar.

Goldenbell focused, gathering her magic at her horn. Right before the water touched her face, she caught it with a levitation spell. Due to her weakness, the alicorn knew she couldn't hold it long. She shot a magic beam at it, the water exploding into a fine mist.

The mare staggered on her hooves nearly falling over. She had to end this fight now.

Goldenbell galloped at Kelpie, horn pointed at him and screaming. Kelpie had no where to run.

With a cringe-worthy crash, Goldenbell slammed Kelpie into the edges of her shield, horn running into his chest.

Seeing that the creature was still alive, Goldenbell drew back, slinging blood off her horn like a sword. She choked, immediately knowing she couldn't go on any longer. The alicorn dropped onto her knees, watching with horror as the shield around them collapsed.

Kelpie stayed in one place, blood flowing from his mouth and chest. He glared at Goldenbell with cold, green eyes.

"It seems we have reached a stand-still." Goldenbell said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kelpie hissed at her words, pushing himself into a run towards her. Goldenbell gasped in shock, desperately trying to stand up to fight.

Managing to get to her hooves, Goldenbell ran at the Kelpie, focusing all of her strength into a head-butt aimed directly at his neck. She hit him with a sickening crack, and Goldenbell knew that she had broken his neck.

Kelpie made a little choking sound, body falling limply to the floor.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Goldenbell fell to the floor. Through half-closed eyes, she watched as the water started to purify, turning crystal clean.

"Wow..." A small voice whispered. Goldenbell looked behind her to see Toxic, followed by the entire group that was supposed to be in the safe room.

Taijitsu strutted in front of Toxic, the foal-sized alicorn starting to glow. To her surprise, Taijitsu grew to his full size, tall and proud.

"Thank you, Goldenbell. I couldn't have done that without you." He said, giggling.

"Your welcome, but I want to go home." She muttered.

Embane came to her side, helping her up. "I hope you won't to be weak tonight." He said playfully, wrapping his wing around her.

"Oh~" She purred.

Toxic blinked, then looked disgusted. "EW! NO. MOTHER, FATHER, PLEASE NO." He shouted, hugging Silverfox, trying to remove the image of his parents mating from his mind.

"I believe this would be a good time to start off for home." Cross said, a smile playing on his mouth.

End of story seven.