Rise from the Ashes: Book 2 - Kasaitatki

Firebelt, Scorchhop, Lightning, Applejack and Flicker Blitz were all heading down a path leading away from the gates of Canterlot. It had been only a few minutes ever since the doors have closed behind them.

“So first stop is Kasaitatki? Isn’t that the place where Luna and Celestia used to get her tea?” Firebelt asked, not only because he was curious but bored already too.

“Eeyup, they make the finest tea from what ah can recall from ‘er words.” Applejack replied. “But what else ah recall, gettin’ in ain’t gonna be easy as eating an apple. Thanks to that stinkin’ war, it’s hard for other ponies to get into other kingdoms.” she added on as she trotted up to Flicker. “What do you recommend we do?” she asked her.

“This would be simpler if the leader wasn’t so spoiled…” Flicker Blitz replied with a puny growl. “Dumb king got all upset over asking for a bit of red tea. Yeah sure he makes the right decisions and all, but he is intolerable as a filly jumping and down on their bed screaming.” she added rolling her eyes to this. “Not sure his guards are gonna let us in so easily…”

“Well hey, who says we need their permission to head in? Besides we’re just gonna talk nicely to the king, tell him the situation, ring the bell, and then poof we’re out of here! Also, keeping an eye out for any elements of harmony or Sol’s goons.” Scorchhop reassured with a smirk as she trotted up behind the group.

Lightning nodded, “Agreed, like it or not Golden Hoof has to realize the importance of this task. Not even he is that spoiled…I hope.” she said with a bit of a happiness and worry with a small smile. Firebelt just chuckled as they all followed Flicker Blitz on the road leading into a dense forest.

Meanwhile, in another secluded place.

In a haze of a shadow, a figure and a group were watching the five go into the forest. “Hm...so they aim to get the Elements of Harmony back up and working and try to stop me? Playing a royal flush before a game has even begun is no fun at all…” Sol said raising an eyebrow and floated on his back.

“Why not just lead a full assault on the group and wipe them out? It’s just a simple as that…” one of the group members said with a huff, but Sol glared back at them.

“Assault? A mere assault on the group?” he spoke irritated and approached the member. “You listen here, I don’t care if you are the only one who can use that fake’s element’s powers but their demise just can’t be that easy! It needs to have some spice in it!” Sol said, before looking back at the demons lurking in shadows around them. “Well…we have one of our own inside Kasaitatki… so all we need to do is wipe out that group and then slowly rip the kingdoms apart from the inside one by one!” he said with a now sadistic grin. He then gazed in the shadow at Applejack, “Hmm...I have a special opponent for this little pony.” he said with a smirk and faced back at the group.

“Um...Mr. Sol sir….I’m not sure I can be mean like you…” the member said nervously, but Sol wasn’t phased.

“I revived you for a reason ya know, besides there is a little animal out there who needs your care.” Sol said with a smirk, seeing the member’s eyes brighten up a bit.

“Oooh! I’m sure I could take care of him for you Mr. Sol!” the member said with an innocent smile.

“Oh yes indeed, he has been a naughty one. Attacking a kingdom’s livestock is very naughty...but I guess he could have a good reason for it. Besides… I heard the leader kicked a puppy.” Sol went on with a smirk, to see the member now fill up with rage.

“He did?! How dare he would do something to an innocent puppy!” the member shouted in anger and jumped up before Sol took a grasp of the member’s mane.

“Down girl, down. Besides, a full out attack will just get you slaughtered. You need to seduce that deer first...it may seem stupid to you, but keep him distracted while our man on the inside do the work. Plus, you get to get back at that pony who left you.” he chuckled with a smile as Sol showed the illusion of Applejack on the wall.

The member went right back to calm, “Um...Mr. Sol, I’m sure she didn’t-” she said before Sol touched her back and felt a little shock to her back. She couldn’t help but squeal in both pain and fear as she started to feel angrier and angrier. “B-but she….she didn’t….” she stammered before glaring up with her eyes red. “I’m going to KILL her!” she shouted.

Sol started laughing, “That’s good! That is exactly what we want! Now then…” he stopped before opening a portal filled with a dark haze. “Go out there and meet our subordinate!” he ordered giving her a little hoodie to conceal herself. “Should be waiting right outside the palace…he’ll take you to the ruler. When you have him under your little spell that I gave you, use that chance to go with our friend and get that beast under control!” he added on with a smile. The member nodded and flew into the portal. “And now the game has become a little more interesting…” he thought with a smirk.

“Um sir, did Golden Hoof really kick a puppy?” a member from the group asked.

“I dunno, probably not. But hey I had to say something to get the fire in her burning.” Sol answered with a smile and quickly closed the portal and then reopened it to another destination. He faced back at the demons in the shadows, “You all! Go out and get that group! But remember, injure them as much as you want but no fatalities! We must give a certain pony her wish.” he ordered with a delightful smile as the demons poured from the wall into the shadows. Sol just grinned and chuckled as they poured into the portal. “Let the games begin.”

Meanwhile, back with the group.

The group continued to walk through the deep and dark forest. The atmosphere felt damp and the darkness around them creeped in further and further as the sun set. Firebelt let off an irritated grunt, “So how far is this kingdom anyways?” he whined.

“It’s about a twelve hour walk, we’ve only been walking an hour.” Flicker Blitz replied, looking up at the sky as the sun was disappearing over the horizon and night was starting to befall over the land. “Though I think it was a bit of a mistake leaving near the afternoon.” she admitted with a bit of a sweat mark.

“Does this mean were going to be butchered by creatures of the night?” Scorchhop asked.

Applejack shook her head, “Nah, ah wouldn’t be too worried about ‘em. Though ah think it’s time we set up camp by here, we should continue in the mornin’.” she recommended, giving a look at Flicker Blitz.

“I agree, and besides it could keep you quiet for a while.” Flicker Blitz agreed with a teasing grin towards Firebelt. He gave an unamused look right back at her.

Lightning just shook her head. “Come on, and Firebelt try to get some of those apples from that tree.” she said pointing towards it. “While Rarity did give us food, it’s best we can try to preserve it with some good old food.” she added on. Firebelt chuckled and attempted to climb up the tree before Applejack walked up.

“Ah don’t worry, ah can get them apples down.” She said as she gave the tree a hard kick, and the apples came raining down...along with Firebelt.

Firebelt hit the ground with a bit of a grunt, “Ow...you could’ve waited until I got down.” he sneered and lifted himself up.

“Sorry there sugarcube...was in the urge to kick somethin’.” Applejack apologized with a small blush of embarrassment. “Though why didn’ you just use yer-” she quickly stopped herself, reminded that by the looks of the bandages on his wings that they weren’t usable. “Erm...nevermind.”

Firebelt let off a sigh, “No no, it’s good. Not my fault the muscles that held the wings were born disfigured.” he said looking at them, mentioning why the tips of the wings seemed fine from the other bandaged side of his wings.

“Reminds me of my dad, born with half of his horn not fully grown.” Flicker Blitz commented with a small pat on the shoulder of sympathy. “So, you’re not alone.” she assured with a comforting smile, Firebelt let off a small smile in return. “Now then, could you and Applejack try to check the perimeter to make sure it’s safe for the night?” she asked looking at the two.

“Sure, why not?” Firebelt replied, with Applejack nodding in agreement.

“Good, me, Scorchhop and Lightning will set up a little homely spot for us.” Flicker Blitz said using some of her magic to pick up some leaves and moving around some grass. Firebelt and Applejack trotted off to check around while the three others went to work.

A few minutes later, Firebelt and Applejack were patrolling a fair distance around the camp. Firebelt let off a yawn of boredom, then looked at Applejack as they kept looking. “Hey...Applejack? Do you mind telling me something?” he asked trying to spark a conversation.

Applejack looked back at him, “Sure sugarcube, what is it?” she replied.

“What’s it like? You know...not being hated, having lots of friends?” Firebelt asked, wondering since he was hated so much in Canterlot what it was like to be so loved. Applejack paused a bit, surprised he was bringing up such a question at this time.

“Well sugarcube, it’s certainly nice and all...people give ya a nice ‘Hello’, and maybe even an offer to drink or eat somethin’.” she answered looking up at the stars. “You always feel accepted for who ya are, but then when yer friends pass...it hurts…” she added before looking down at the ground upset. “But not nearly as bad as losin’ yer family…” she added with a sad expression.

Firebelt saw her expression, “Oh, I’m sorry I brought that up.” he said, feeling bad now that Applejack was like this.

Applejack just shook her head, “Na, don’ be. Can’t change what happened….” she said, trying to cheer herself up a bit. She was undoubtedly upset by the lost of her friends and even her whole family.

Firebelt shook his head, “At least you had a good life.” he said reassuring. “Scorchhop is my best friend and all, but being treated as garbage and forced to steal to survive is unbearable…” he went on shaking his head a bit. “Lightning hates me for being like this for not accepting a life with my dad.” he said before Applejack stopped him.

“Now now sugarcube, if Lightning really did hate you she wouldn’t have busted ya out all those times ya got caught.” she cutted in, giving him a confident look. “She may be cold ah won’t deny, but she loves ya with all ‘er heart.”

Firebelt felt a little cheered up by her words, but then he remembered something. “So wait… why did you try to let us go? You know before…” he paused cringing a bit. “...that thing came up.” he finished.

Applejack gave him a firm look, “Despite yer a thief, ya knew what you were doing was wrong. Plus ah could understand why Luna would give you death if ya did somethin’ horrible, but while ya did steal ye never hurt anypony in the process.” she said. “These times made Luna not think straight, so when she’s angry with somepony she gets a little rash.” she added on, before her ears pricked up. “Wait….what in tarnation was that?” she asked before looking around.

Firebelt looked around too and saw movement among the bushes heading back towards the camp, the two of them looked at each other and raced back towards the camp. Before darting in they saw Flicker Blitz, Lightning and Scorchhop stood up and looking around paranoid.

“Ambush!” Flicker Blitz shouted as multiple shouted, and with that several shadow-like creatures leaped at the group. Applejack and Scorchhop both gave a nasty kick to the two that leapt at them, while Firebelt threw the one that leapt for him overhead.

“The hell are these things!?” Lightning asked, impaling one on her spear and tossed the dead one into the other ones.

“Don’t know! But they’re attacking us so I’m guessing they aren’t friendly!” Flicker Blitz replied, blasting a lightning bolt from her horn at the shadows. Scorchhop stabbed relentlessly at one she had pinned on the ground before jumping back and kicking another shadow in the face.

“They certainly are plentiful!” Scorchhop shouted as she cut another shadow’s throat, and noticed more and more creatures continuously pouring in and surrounding them.

The fight went on and on, with more slashing and kicking the shadows aside with ease. However, the fighters slowly started to tire one by one. “Gah...sorry ponies...can’t keep movin’...” Applejack gasped before collapsing out of exhaustion. Flicker Blitz slowly tumbled on the ground behind her.

“This...is bad…” Lightning said before slowly succumbing to her exhaustion.

“Sorry...same here...” Scorchhop said with a sigh and flopped down on her face. Firebelt slowly went onto his knees, gasping for breath.

“You gotta be kidding me...is this it already?...We lose before we even get to the first kingdom…?” Firebelt stammered as he couldn’t find himself the power to fight any longer and was left at the mercy of the shadows. He observed them dance around them before they charged at the five exhausted ponies. Firebelt shut his eyes and futility raised his weapon in front of him, hoping to block the attack.

However, while his eyes were drawn shut he heard a large amount of screaming and felt something splat on his face. Firebelt slowly opened his eyes to see the blood of the shadows that were attacking him on his face, and saw the rest of the shadows had been slain. “Is it a miracle?” he thought, before slowly dropping on his face. In a last chance he looked up and saw a figure upon the branch of a tree high above them. He noticed that the figure was cloaked and yet had purple wings and a purple horn with magic glowing around the figure. “Wait...is that who I think it…?” he thought before flopping down on his face fully.

The figure looked at the group, but then their ears perked up as there were voices getting closer. “Dad! The scream came from over here!” a young female voice spoke up. The figure fled quickly as soon as the voice spoke up.

“I’m coming dear! What is it?” a male voice spoke up.

The young female screamed, “Oh my Celestia! There are ponies, and they’re hurt! But...what are these things around them?” she shrieked in confusion and worry.

“Sprint, go back to the village and get help! I’ll check if they’re alive!” the male voice ordered, and it was the last thing Firebelt heard before passing out into darkness.