Rise from the Ashes: Book 2 - Kasaitatki

Firebelt couldn’t take his eyes off of the rotting corpses of livestock in front of him. “What the hell happened here…?” he pondered out loud. When he finally gazed up from the mess he saw multiple deer sealing off the scene and dragging the corpses of the livestock away past a shack on the side of the trail. He witnessed Applejak suddenly racing to a deer within a heartbeat.

“What in tarnation happened?!” she exclaimed as she came up to them. The deer gave a strange look to her and they went off without answering her, but then a male deer from a shack stepped out towards her.

“We’re not really sure what happened here… we woke up in the morning and saw dead livestock all over the field.” the deer gently spoke out, Applejack could see the fear expressed on his face. “My son said he heard the animals shouting in the middle of the night, they usually do that when they’re hungry but from what we can tell is they certainly weren’t crying for food… He went out to feed them but… that monster got him too.” the deer explained as he hanged his head.

“Ah see… but what the other deer? Ya know the ones takin’ the corpses away?” Applejack asked as she observed the deer who were doing as she claimed.

The deer looked back up in her eyes. “They’re getting the corpses off the road to avoid making a scene, we don’t want to panic the kingdom to think this is starting all over again.” he acknowledged. “This sort of stuff unfortunately happened before but not in quite some time!” he added on. Applejack thought back when the group traveled through the mountain. Could it be possible the monster that was terrorizing the Diamond Dogs be the culprit behind this as well?

“Does yer king know about this?” she inquired.

“Not yet unfortunately, the guards just got here and they say the king is in the middle of something but they won’t explain what!” the deer roared with a furious tone.

Flicker Blitz stepped forward, “We’ll go have a word with him.” she assured the deer.

The deer looked at her as the rest of the group came forward. “Be careful with the guards, I don’t mind new faces but you know how it’s been.” the deer advised as he went back to the shack.

“You heard the deer, let’s go!” Flicker Blitz ordered as she went towards the gates of Kasaitatki. Unlike Canterlot the gates were not as tall as a skyscraper but rather the size of a building, with tips of houses peeking out. They were painted in a stylish red with patterns of vines in gold sealed around it for detail. Two large doors stood tall with two deer guards in lamellar armor, with helmets shielding their eyes. “Excuse me, Flicker Blitz, Princess of Canterlot, needs to speak to your king. It is quite urgent.” she said calmly.

“How do we know we can trust you?” the guard snapped at them. “Are you out to spill more blood again?” the guard accused further. Flicker Blitz was surprised with this sudden accusation.

“We’re not here for a long stay, but we need to inform him of an incoming threat! The Cryer Bell in his catacomb is necessary-” Flicker Blitz retorted but was immediately cut off.

“The only threat I see here is you and your so called friends. Beat it or we’ll make you run away with your tail between your legs.” the deer hissed at her, arming his sword with magic from his antlers.

Applejack pushed Flicker Blitz aside, “Ya’ll listen here featherbrains! Ah don’t care whatever grudge you had back at that chaotic war, but do ye want more innocent ponies and deer pay the price for your arrogance?!” she roared at them.

The guard finally had it and withdrew his sword before another voice interfered.

“Hey you twits! What in hell do you think you’re doing?!” a male voice shouted as sudden a large double sided spear came out of nowhere and stabbed the ground right between Applejack and the guard. The two of them leaped back in shock at this, with the deer whipping around to face the direction and stand tall.

“S-s-sorry sir! They just came from Canterlot and-!”

“Bullshit! You shut up and stand tall at your post! I don’t expect a word from you until you get that stick out of your ass!” the voice barked at the guard again. The guard did just that as another deer approached them. The deer was tall and dark brown with green eyes with dark red lamellar armor, and his hair tied into a ponytail. To their surprise as the spear retracted back to the deer, they saw he didn’t have one but eight double sided spears on his back. “Now then, what is this threat you spoke about?” he asked when he faced back towards Flicker Blitz.

Flicker Blitz blinked and then cleared her throat. “Erm...right, we need to speak to Golden Hoof about an incoming threat. Can you please escort us to him Mr…?” she went on.

“Razorhoof, Golden Hoof’s elite guard.” the deer answered her. “I think I may be able to handle that, but stay close our friend here isn’t the only idiot in town.” he said as he motioned for the two guards to open the deer to open the door. The two deer with their magic opened both of the doors with a loud creak. The streets were filled with deers of all genders and ages, wearing types of hanfu and other garbe striving happily.

A few minutes later Razorhoof opened the doors of the castle as they arrived. The inside walls were filled with artifacts made of gold and to see the cone on top was made of glass tainted in gold, giving a bit of color to the sunlight that pierced the room. Halls were split up inside leading to multiple rooms as Razorhoof walked straight down the path, which they assumed was the way towards the throne room and they were right as they had a large door opened.

“Your majesty! Guests are here to see you! They are from Canterlot!” Razorhoof shouted at the door as he knocked on the door. After a long pause of silence he knocked again with a groan, “Your highn-!”

“HEY PONIES WANT ME TO EAT YOUR SOUL?!” a voice shrieked as a skeletal head engulfed in a dark blue flame stuck through the door.

“AAAAAAAAAAAH!” Everypony went into a group hug and screamed at the sight.

Razorhoof just covered his ears from the screaming and just groaned again in annoyance. “Oh be quiet!” he barked at the group and they all settled down. They could hear the sound of laughing which was the skeletal head, which quickly revealed itself has a light blue unicorn with a black spiky mane running down his neck.

“You should’ve seen the look on your faces! Pahahahaha!” the unicorn laughed as his head stuck through the wall and Razorhoof in response kicked his face back through the door.

“Oh shut up and open the door Flick!” he grunted in annoyance, the group broke up from the group hug they pulled. Flicker Blitz grunted that she shared part of her name with this pony she just met and already hates but his magic was intriguing nonetheless. The door opened slowly and the blue unicorn stood in front of them. “Now Flick, how is his majesty?”

Flick just turned around, “Well to be fair I didn’t look at him when I went through the wall but-” he went on before seeing a light brown deer with a white underbelly wearing a golden crown and a long red cape lying on the throne. His eyes were open but no pony was home. “Umm…” he paused as Razorhoof raced over to him.

“Your majesty! Your majesty!” Razorhoof shook him wildly and finally the king jumped up.

“Where is she?! Where is my darling?!” Golden Hoof gasped as he scrambled around in Razorhoof’s grip but he held him still.

“Your majesty calm yourself! Who was here?!” Razorhoof demanded from his superior.

“My darling! The beautiful Fluttershy! Where is she?!” Golden Hoof pleaded.

The entire room went silent. They had to comprehend what the king had just said about seeing Fluttershy.

“WHAT?! My lord I think you’ve been seeing things! The Element of Kindness has long since passed!” Razorhoof stammered as he loosened his grip on Golden Hoof. Firebelt looked at the group’s shocked expressions and noticed Applejack’s face was full of grief.

“No you fool! It was more definitely her! It had to be! It had to be!” Golden Hoof retorted. Suddenly a splash of water flew straight past Razorhoof’s head and went smack dab into Golden Hoof’s face, right behind the two was Flick holding a bucket with his magic.

“Flick!!” Golden Hoof fumed as he shoved Razorhoof aside with his antler glowing with yellow magic. “Have you forgotten who you are mocking?! Who do you think you are?!” he shouted in anger but Flick continued to not take him seriously.

“I’m Daring Do, watch me swing from a vine!” Flick joked then was blasted in the face by Golden Hoof’s magic.

“Then crash on the floor, you blithering buffoon.” Golden Hoof spat as he looked back at the group and Flick trying to pick himself up.

“Now that you’re a bit more settled your majesty do you still believe you saw Fluttershy?” Flicker Blitz interjected.

“It was definitely her without any doubt. Her beautiful voice and looks cannot be duplicated by any changeling or imposter!” his majesty glorified and went on and on how he adored Fluttershy. When Firebelt looked around amidst the group and realized Applejack had run off with her tail just around the corner as she ran off. He quickly pursued her while everyone else was trying to get some information out of Golden Hoof.

As Firebelt raced down the hall, “Applejack?! What’s wrong?” he tried to call out and looked around for the earth pony though he didn’t get a response from the pony he was looking for.

“If you’re looking for the orange earth pony she ran down to the garden.” A guard spoke from behind him and pointed with his spear to the hallway on his right.

“Thanks.” Firebelt responded as he darted down the direction the guard pointed him to. The farther he went down he saw a bright light up ahead which he assumed was the garden that the guard spoke of. When he reached it he was right.

The garden had a large skylight poking through the roof and the place felt like a picture from a fairy tale book he used to read with lime grass, large gardens filled with various flowers, and one giant tree in the middle of it all surrounded by a pond. As he looked towards the tree he saw Applejack staring down into the pond with a reflection showing an empty stare.

“Applejack? Is something the matter?” Firebelt asked as he approached. “One of your best friends is alive! Shouldn’t you be happy?” he inquired before Applejack slowly turned to face him.

“Ah-ah-ah can’t face her…” she stammered and her face showed pure grief.

“Why not? You are one of her best friends and she should be happy to see-” Firebelt insisted before a sudden burst.

“NO SHE WON’T!” Applejack snapped with tears starting to form in her eyes. “It’s all mah fault… it’s all mah fault…” she panicked as she paced back and forth.

“Woah woah, calm down.” Firebelt sympathized as he put a hoof on her shoulder which stopped her from pasting. “Now, I know it may be hard for you but what happened?” he inquired as he looked right in her eyes.

Applejack paused with a small look on the ground but looked right back at him. “It was six years ago during the war, me and Fluttershy had to evacuate a civilian train that got hit by ah misfired bombshell.” she started slowly.

“Me and ‘Shy arrived to see that some of the ponies were hurt or killed, some of the ponies needed to be transported to the medics quick as they could. However we learned from one of them that ponies went into a nearby cave for shelter and haven’t came out in a long while. Ah was about to venture in to go after them however Fluttershy seem to have a problem moving some of the ponies to the meds, so ah stupidly asked if she could go inside the cave with a few soldiers.” Applejack went on before pausing a bit, but then forced herself to go on. “She was a bit reluctant at first and ah was quickly about to change mah mind, but some more soldiers volunteered to go with her which that made her a heck of alot more confident. Ah asked her again if I should go instead but she replied with something ah can’t forget…” she stopped a bit. “Don’t worry Applejack, ah can handle this. You go help the ponies who need you.” Applejack quoted with tears forming in her eyes.

Firebelt held her a little closer as she went on. “Applejack… I’ve heard what I need to hear just st-” he tried to comfort her.

“No, ah have to get this off mah chest.” Applejack forcefully insisted. “After a while ah got worried and went in after ‘er with about three other ponies. We didn’t see anything for about three minute walk but… what ah saw at the end of that tunnel…” she stopped as she braced herself for what she was about to reveal. “Ah saw a pile of pony’s dead bodies...and Fluttershy’s was right on top...” Applejack said before finally breaking down in tears in Firebelt’s chest.

Firebelt was speechless at what his friend had said. Not only was she the one who discovered the body but now she felt responsible for Fluttershy’s death. “Did… did you find the perpetrator?” he asked.

Applejack wiped her eyes of tears, “No… we didn’t find ah single pony or whatever could have killed Fluttershy and those other ponies.” she moaned as she tipped her hat over her eyes. “But we all know who was responsible…” Applejack sobbed as she curled up in a ball. However Firebelt raised her hat a bit.

“Applejack, if you really feel that responsible then why don’t we go apologize to her now that we know she is alive and well.” he suggested as Applejack looked away a bit.

“Ah don’t know… she’ll hate me for sure… ah just know it.” Applejack mumbled.

“No she won’t! I know you’re not responsible since neither of you knew whatever killed those ponies was in there!” Firebelt said sternly. “Just apologize to her and tell her what you feel… that’s what I can recommend. That’s all I can say…” he said before seeing a bit of a blush on Applejack’s face to see he was holding her hoof. He instantly let go completely embarrassed by this.

“Erm, sorry about that I-I-I-I sort of gave into the moment and-” he stammered a bit before a sudden cut off.

“Hey!” A female voice suddenly spooked them both leading Firebelt to tumble into the pond right beside them. Applejack couldn’t help but laugh at the stallion’s display, then turned to see it was Flicker Blitz. “It’s sweet to see you two getting along and all but we have matters to discuss.” she said lifting Firebelt out of the water with her magic with a smug smirk leaving Firebelt unamused.

After Firebelt dried off Flicker Blitz, Applejack and Firebelt met back up with the group. Golden Hoof with Flick and Razorhoof at his side were waiting in front of Lightning and Scorchhop. “Ah, there you all are? Now can we address your business?” he demanded.

Flicker Blitz cleared her throat, “Golden Hoof, or your majesty if you really prefer it that much, we have news that an old enemy of Equestria and creatures have popped up that take the guise of other ponies to psychologically torment and then kill them. We need to use your Cryer Bell in part of the effort to wake up the Tree of Harmony but it is currently locked up and you have the key. We humbly ask for you to unite with us and let us ring the Cryer Bell.” she asked politely.

Golden Hoof raised an eyebrow at this. “Hm… while the citizens may not agree to this, it seems like the perfect time to try to be the kingdoms we once were. What is past is past, and now it’s time to put our trust to the test.” he acknowledged with a smile. “I agree.”

Happiness flooded over Flicker Blitz, “Yes! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much Golden Hoof!” she said as she shook his hoof quickly.

“Yo-oo-oo-ou-uu-uu’--re wel--com--ee!” Golden Hoof stammered as he was shook by Flicker blitz until he had to use his magic to make her let go. “We shall open it later tonight, when fewer citizens are here to see. I want to keep this a secret until I announce it within your departure.” he announced, though it didn’t make that much sense but Flicker Blitz guessed doing it in daylight could cause a bit of ruckus. “Flick! Make some use of yourself and guide our guests to the cafeteria for the day! They must be awfully hungry…” he ordered.

Flick wasn’t even paying attention to what was going on, he was only staring off into space. Golden Hoof responded to this as he picked him up with his magic and then shook him.

“Take. Them. To. The. Cafeteria!” Golden Hoof said firmly mid shake.

“Alright alright alright! Just stop the shaking or I’ll remind you what I ate this morning!” Flick gasped as he was being shook and then Golden Hoof put him down. “Alright you heard the majestic brat… let’s go.” he said as he stumbled from the dizziness down the hall. The group followed the swaying unicorn with Razorhoof and Golden Hoof going down separate hallways.

Later that afternoon, two figures outside the wall met in the shadows. One of them was Sol while the other was hidden, “Our little friends are going to meet up at the gate to the catacombs later tonight. Our violent friend and the new recruit have been notified and are lying in wait.” a male voice sneered.

“Excellent! Remember, we can leave no witnesses!” Sol hissed at him. “One other thing, did you really have to butcher all of that livestock and that deer?” he added on with a look of confusion.

“I was getting bored and I needed to cut flesh off of something and as for the deer I didn’t want any witnesses either.” the figure let off a psychotic smirk and licked his lips.

Sol just shook his head at this. “Well stay focused! It’s a miracle you got out of there before any other deer arrived and our friend only failed to kill the king because that oaf of a blue unicorn unknowingly intruded on our royal flush!” he complained.

“So any other reasons you called me here besides you getting angry?” The figure inquired.

“Oh yes…” Sol coughed as from the shadows he presented him with a strange necklace.

“A...necklace…? Are you kidding me?” the figure groaned at this, then noticed the center jewel. “Hey...that looks like…”

Sol chuckled at this, “Glad you caught on. It’s not exactly what you think it is, but merely a duplicate I’ve been working on.” he explained as the figure took the necklace. “Use it as a last resort and we’ll see how well this goes!” he cackled as he vanished to the shadows. The figure looked at the necklace and only chuckled, seeing the reflection of himself in the dark moth.