Ponies of Deltora: Monsters and Magic

Day one, Time, 9:03 AM

Having just woken up in a strange land and survived an attack by hairless apes in dreads, an orange Earth pony searched for her favorite hat. A cold wind was blowing, reminding her of chilling dreams, and cutting into her like a knife. Overall, not the best morning for Applejack.“Could this day get any worse?” Immediately after she finished the wind picked up and a small stone the size of a cork was swept up and impacted with her face. “Ah just had t’ ask?”

After taking a moment for the spots to disappear from her eyes, AJ went back to searching for her hat. After a minute or so, she discovered it lodged between the rocks. Carefully she balanced herself on the uneven terrain and pulled it out, flipping it onto her head in the process. Smiling Applejack headed back to the three creatures that had attacked her. While two of them were out of commission she could at least get some information from the bound one. As she approached them however, something caught her eye. Slowly she sifted her head towards the rocks again and found the source. It was a beautiful midnight blue saddle bad dotted with pinpoints of silver. This made it look like it had been cut from the night sky itself. Sewn onto the bag were the unmistakable three apples that were AJ’s cutie mark.

Deciding that the bag is for her, Applejack walked towards the bag and opened it. Inside she found some dried apples, a water flask, a strong length of rope, and a letter. The insignia on it was a black die and a chess king. Quickly she opened the letter, revealing a note as well as a rolled up map fragment.

Applejack

You begin the game in the south of Lapis Lazuli territory, close to the fork in Adin’s Ride. Head far north to the place known as the Shifting Sands. There you shall find creatures known as Terriocti, Sand Beasts. Collect the head of one and you shall receive more help.

Best of Luck
P.S try not to hurt any more Mere will you?

Applejack read the note several times to make sure she was reading it right. Never in her life had the orange mare heard of these places and creatures. What’s more, she had to kill one of these Sand Beasts! She’d never killed anything before, and she didn’t want to start. Still, it seemed that whoever was behind all this would only help if she complied. So with no other option available, Applejack placed the bag into her back and walked over to the lassoed creature, which the note had identified as a Mere. “Do yah know of any place called The Shiftin’ Sands perchance?”

The Mere’s eyes widened with what seemed to be fear. “What do you know of that place?” It asked.

Applejack smiled. “So yah do know of it then?” He nodded. “Yah wouldn’t mind takin’ me there would yah?”

The Mere was now genuinely afraid. Sweat was appearing on his face and his eyes were as big as hers. “Pleas have mercy on me! I didn’t even want to capture you! It was their idea! Don’t bring me to the sands! Surely there are more merciful ways to-.”

Applejack grabbed him by the middle and lifted him up to eye level. “Now listen here mister. In just ten minutes Ah’ve been separated from mah friends, transported to some foreign land, and attacked by the likes of ya’ll! Ah don’t care what’s so scary about these here Shiftin’ Sands, but like it or not, you’re takin’ me their! Got it?” The Mere rapidly nodded in agreement. “Yah can conceder it you’re apology gift t’ me.” She said with a smile.

Slowly Applejack helped him to his feat, but left the rope intact. “So which way is it to these sands?”

"About a day’s ride north of Rithmere, which is a day and a half’s journey from here on foot.” He begrudgingly replied. “By the way, since we’ll be traveling together, I am Farley of Orak.”

“Applejack of Ponyville.” She said tipping her hat. “Now we’d best not waste any more time.” With that she grabbed the other end of the rope in her mouth and the two of them were off.

*****

Time, 9:14 AM

Rarity awoke to the calming sound of the sea lapping against the shore. She was on a rock next to the sandy beach of the ocean. In the distance she could see two islands coming from the sea connected by a small and fragile looking stone bridge. One appeared scarlet, and the other like a diamond. Everywhere silver fish where leaping from the ocean with perfect synch and unity. If she had discovered this place under another circumstance, she may have been more relaxed. But given that the young unicorn had just had suffered a horrid dream and seemed to be all alone, she was in quite a stressful state. To make things worse, her mane was coarse with salt and foam.

The sound of hearty laughter was soon carried to the white pony. Moving around the rocks she could see a small brown hut, easily concealed among the stones. The area was full of tall, bipedal creatures. From the looks of their attires, Rarity guessed that they were sailors. Most of them were hauling cargo from their ship and taking it to horse drawn wagons. Others were heading into the hut and coming out with bags of fresh water, medicine, and strong smelling fish chowder.

Without any other option available to her, Rarity cautiously stepped out from the rocks and walked towards one of the sailors. He looked like he’d seen many trips to sea. “Um excuse me sir, do you have a minute?”

The old sailor paused for a moment and stared at the pony. After a minute he let out a joyful laugh. “A-a talking pony? My years must finally be catching up to me.” He took a moment to catch his breath. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“Well, can you tell me where I am sir?”

The sailor raised his hand as if to stop her. “No need for the ‘sir’, just call me Farnese. And you’re currently standing on The Finger, Deltora’s most western port.”

So this area is called Deltora. Rarity thought to herself. “And can you tell me if you’ve seen any other ponies around?”

Farnese shook his head. “You’re the first I’ve seen, and we just made port so I doubt the others have." he then tilted his head curiously and pointed next to Rarity. "Say, is that yours?”

Looking in the direction of his finger, Rarity was shocked to discover a marvellous saddlebag; pure white and shinning like a diamond! Her own three diamonds that made up her cutie mark were stitched onto the side. “Where did this come from?” Rarity questioned.

“In my experience, it’s always best to take advantage of a good turn of events.” The old sailor said with a smile. Deciding to take his advice, Rarity opened the bag.

*****

Time, 9:17 AM

Spike’s eyes shot open with fear, his blood felt like ice in his veins. That was the most realistic dream he had ever had. He turned his head around, and his heart sank. He was sitting by a calm lake, all alone. Spike held his head in his claws. Where in Equestria am I, and where are the others? He thought to himself. I hope their safe.

Spike’s thoughts were interrupted by a strange presence. It was like something was tugging at him, beckoning him to come. Without even thinking he got to his feet and nearly jumped out of his scales. Directly in front o him was a beautiful white city made entirely of marble. It was perfect in every definition of the word. Not a single crack or chip could be seen in its rising pillars and long white walls. The only way into the city was a large beckoning archway that leads into a deep tunnel.

Once again Spike felt the pull on his body, forcing him towards the arch. Now it was getting annoying. “Ok Ok, I’ll come.” To his relief he felt the tug loosen. He looked up at the arch, and shivered with fright. Whatever this city was, it emanated with magic. “Well here it goes.” The young dragon said as he took the first step into the tunnel.