Verse II - PreparationView OnlineBallad of the Four MagesVerse II - PreparationThe sun was high in the sky, but covered with permanent dark gray clouds. In front of them were the tall gray stone walls that protected the town and castle of Canterlot. In the distance to the left and right they could see the thicket that surrounded the town. Four unicorns walked towards the gate. A white-furred pegasus guard saw the four mages, and opened the gates. The lead mare, a Time Mage, reached into her coat and pulled out a legendary yellow gem. The guard's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “It that...?!” The Time Mage nodded. “This is the Crystal Key of Wind.” “The Light Warriors!” the guard exclaimed. “We will take you to see the Queen at once!” The door to the throne room opened. A red carpet led up to the large throne itself, a white alicorn sitting upon it. Her white robes seemed to shimmer like the sun, and her ethereal mane flowed like an aurora. “Queen Celestia.” The Time Mage said as she and the other three mages took a bow, which The Queen returned. “My ponies... Is it true?” Celestia asked. “Are you the legendary Light Warriors?” Each of the four mages pulled out their Crystal Keys. Celestia nodded, a small smile creasing upon her face. “So, it is true. What are your names, brave warriors?” The Time Mage stepped forward first. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, the Time Mage.” The blue mare stepped forward next. “Trixie Lulamoon, the Great and Powerful Black Mage.” Then came the aqua mare. “I am Lyra Heartstrings, the White Mage.” Finally, the white mare. “I'm Vinyl Scratch, the Summoner. Er, Green Mage? Yeah, that fits better.” Twilight shot a glare at Vinyl, who returned with a sheepish look and a shrug. The Time Mage then shook her head with a sigh. “Before you embark on your quest...” Celestia said, calling the attention of the four mages, “...I have a mission for you.” “What is your request?” Twilight asked with a kneel. “My personal bard was kidnapped by a traitorous knight named Garland. She is being held in an old castle to the north. Please rescue her from his evil clutches, she is dear to me.” Celestia said. “As you wish, Your Majesty.” Twilight said before ending her kneel. Vinyl held up a hand. “Hold up a sec. What's her name?” She asked, worry creeping into her voice. “Her name is Octavia Philharmonica.” Celestia replied. The Green Mage's eyes widened as her jaw dropped. A whisper escaped her lips. “No...” “Vinyl? What's wr-” Twilight started to ask. “NO!” Vinyl suddenly shouted as she bolted from the room, leaving three confused mages and one concerned Queen. “What's wrong with her?” Trixie asked, confused. “Um...” Lyra said awkwardly, “I have no idea.” “We better go after her.” Twilight said with a nod. “Well, duh.” Trixie said with an eye roll. The three then raced off to find their friend. A white mare in a green cloak looked at her reflection in the fountain. “Octy...” She whispered sadly. “I will save you... I promise...” Vinyl heard approaching footsteps. She looked up to see Twilight, Trixie, and Lyra. “H-hey.” She said weakly. “What was that about?” Trixie asked. “You concerned Trixie with your little outburst.” “Sorry about that.” Vinyl said as she sniffled. As the three other mages approached her, they could see that her cheeks were stained with tears. “I... I'm worried about Octavia.” Lyra sat down next to Vinyl and hugged her softly. Vinyl paused for a minute before returning the hug. “You know Octavia from before, don't you?” Twilight asked as she sat on the other side of Vinyl. Vinyl nodded. “We've had a thing for a while now. Long distance, though.” “A 'thing'?” Trixie asked. “Yeah.” Vinyl replied with a nod. “She's my fillyfriend.” “Didn't think you swung that way, too.” Lyra said with a grin. “Trixie suspected as such all along, of course.” Trixie said triumphantly. She faltered immediately. “Wait, what do you mean, 'too'?” “She's married to a mare over in Baron. What, didn't you know that?” Twilight said, raising an eyebrow. Lyra giggled as she reached into her shirt and pulled out her necklace, which had a wedding band and a locket on it. “Um... Of course Trixie knew that!” Trixie said with a blush that said otherwise. “Of course you did. Apparently 'Great and Powerful' doesn't include having a good memory.” Lyra said with a smirk. “Hey! Trixie has a great memory!” Trixie shot back. Vinyl gave a soft chuckle. “There's that smile we all love.” Lyra said as she patted the Green Mage on the shoulder. “Feeling better?” “A little.” Vinyl admitted. “There we go.” Lyra said, getting up. “Alright, we'll need to get ready for our journey.” Twilight said as she pulled out a scroll and quill with a quick basic holding spell. “We've got to get several potions, a few antidotes just in case, and perhaps a tent or two.” “So, who shall get what? Trixie supposes she could get the potions and antidotes.” Trixie said. “I think the tents and potions are sold at the same store, actually. We don't really need to split up.” Twilight said with a small smile. “...Trixie knew that.” The four mages returned to the fountain after buying their supplies. “So, from this map, I can tell that it's a two day trip.” Twilight said. “We'll travel north, past this thicket surrounding Canterlot. We'll take a break in these small woods here, then travel north through this larger forest and the swamp immediately past it to the castle.” “Trixie is satisfied with that plan.” Trixie said. “I wish there was a way to get there faster... But I guess that'll have to do for now.” Vinyl said with a sigh. “We will save her, Vinyl.” Twilight said with conviction, “I promise.” With a nod, the Light Warriors left the walls of Canterlot and began their journey north.
Verse III - Campfire StoryView OnlineBallad of the Four MagesVerse III - Campfire StoryThe overcast skies slowly became orange as the sun set. The four mages found a clearing in the woods. “Here. This should be suitable for the night.” Twilight said as she used her holding spell to retrieve the tent she had purchased earlier. She and Trixie began to set it up as shelter while Lyra and Vinyl worked towards gathering firewood. “Funny how it turns out that two of Trixie's friends turn out to be fillyfoolers.” Trixie said under her breath. “I don't see why that's a problem.” Twilight replied. “I- It's not a problem.” Trixie said quickly. “Are you sure there aren't some issues you still have to work out?” Twilight asked. “No! I don't!” Trixie almost shouted. “I think you do, Trixie.” Twilight replied as she hammered the last of the pegs in. “C'mon, sit down and we can talk about it.” “What if I don't want to talk about it?” Trixie replied. Twilight sighed. The two had finished with the tent, so she sat down in front of it. She patted the ground next to her. “A no is a no,Snarkle.” Trixie said, a bit annoyed. “Maybe, If I'm feeling generous one day. But not right now. Besides, I think they're coming back.” The black mage turned to see two returning mares, each holding armfuls of branches and twigs. She immediately stopped talking, much to Twilight's disappointment. Vinyl and Lyra set the firewood down into a pile in the center of the camp site. Trixie stood up, rubbed her hands together, and pointed one of her palms at the pile. A fireball shot out, creating an instant campfire. The four mages sat around the fire. “So, Vinyl... Your fillyfriend is the personal bard of the Queen of Canterlot?” Lyra asked. Vinyl nodded. “Yeah. Octy's pretty cool. One of those real high-class types. She's a real prideful type. Not boastful, mind ya, but she has high standards.” “Then how did you get with her? Er, no offense.” Trixie asked. “Offense taken.” Vinyl replied deadpan. She then cracked a smile. “But yeah, I'm just as surprised as you are. She's always been really talented with her violin. Ponies mostly know her for the cello, but she only plays that in Canterlot. She actually owns this really cool violin made of metal. It's enchanted, and has the most beautiful tone I have ever heard. As far as I know, she has only played it for two ponies: Yours truly, and the Queen herself.” “Where did she get such an instrument, exactly?” Twilight asked. “I dunno.” Vinyl said with a shrug. “When did you meet her?” Lyra asked. “Oh, that was many years ago. Octy and I go way back. It was back in-” There was a rustle in the bushes. “What was that?” Vinyl asked. “Not sure, could be goblins.” Twilight said, unconcerned. “We should finish this story later.” Each of the mages stood up, ready to fight. Trixie readied an ice spell, Twilight prepared a slow spell, Lyra held her hammer and Vinyl unsheathed her blade. After ten tense seconds of silence, five goblins rushed out of the bushes and towards the mages, each holding small swords and intent to kill. Twilight fired off first, hitting two of the foes. Their movements slowed to a crawl as time dilated around them. She strolled forward casually, and smacked them with her staff several times. Trixie next shot an ice spell at one goblin, freezing it solid in seconds. She leaped forward, and shattered it with her rod. Vinyl leap-frogged over a goblin and slashed at it five times. Lyra smashed the last one's face in with her hammer. The whole battle lasted less than a minute. “So, where was I?” Vinyl asked as she placed her sword back into its sheath. She and the other mages sat around the campfire like nothing happened. “I think you were talking about how you met Octavia.” Lyra replied. “Right, right. So, I was just a young Summoner, going to Canterlot...” Vinyl started. “Hnnnnnng!” A young Vinyl grunted as she concentrated. She stood behind the Black Magic bookshop, on the grass that was still green back then. Blue energy started to focus on her palms, sweat started beading down her face. “...Um, excuse me?” Vinyl yelped, startled. The magic folded in on itself, giving her a shock as her mane stood on end. Her horn crackled with magic energy for a minute before smoking. “Oooowwwww...” Vinyl whined as she rubbed her now aching forehead. The girl who startled her rushed to her aid. She was an earth pony about her age, in a simple black frock. She had gray fur, a long and cleanly styled black mane, and striking violet eyes. She spoke in a sophisticated accent that betrayed her status. “Are you alright?” She asked. “I'm f... fah...” Vinyl stuttered, utterly captivated by this mare. “Hm?” “Fine! I'm fine.” The suddenly bashful Summoner said with a blush. “Just a backfire, that's all.” “That looked like it hurt. What were you doing?” The gray mare asked, curious. “I wanted to ride a Chocobo. Never got to ride one before, so I thought if I summoned one...” Vinyl explained. “...Do you need help getting up?” The mare asked. “Sure.” Vinyl lied. The mare offered her hand, and Vinyl didn't hesitate to take it. Curiously, the hand was actually rather cold. Both ponies stood up. “What's your name?” The mare asked. “Vinyl. Vinyl Scratch!” The Summoner said proudly. “Octavia Philharmonica.” Octavia replied with a soft smile. “We were good friends ever since. Well, for a few years. Then we totally became an item.” Vinyl explained. “But that's a story for some other time, I want to catch some Z's. We should be rested for when we take this evil knight guy on.” “Good idea.” Twilight said with a nod. “Let's get some sleep.” Trixie used a quick ice spell to put out the fire. The four walked into the tent, which was of course larger on the inside. Dimension magic is handy like that. Each rolled out their sleeping bags, and rested for the night. Except for Vinyl. After two hours of restlessness, she left the tent. She stood still, staring off into the distance. “...Octy...”
Verse IV - The Rescue at The Temple of ChaosView OnlineBallad of the Four MagesVerse IV - The Rescue at The Temple of ChaosTwilight's eyes twitched open as the sound of heavy downpour against the tent's walls reverberated throughout it. She sat up, rubbing her eyes softly. One look at how dark it was told her that it was still nighttime. “Guess I should get back to sleep.” She muttered to herself. After all, the others were still slumbering: Lyra, Trixie, Vinyl- Vinyl's sleeping bag was empty. The heavy rain pelted her cloak as Vinyl rode the Chocobo through the swampland. Murky blue water splashed as the large bird ran through it. The only light came from cloud-filtered moonlight and the blue glow of Vinyl's magic from her horn. In the distance was the old, worn down Temple of Chaos. The left tower had crumbled down almost entirely, the front wall had holes in it. Inside it was somepony Vinyl had to rescue, or die trying. “Oh, Vinyl, what have you done?” Twilight groaned as she, Trixie, and Lyra made their way out of the woods. “I'm sure she's fine, Twilight.” Lyra said, not even convincing herself. “She couldn't have gotten far, right?” “She's a summoner. She could have summoned something to ride. I wouldn't be surprised if she's there already!” Twilight replied, getting more panicked the more she talked. “But that's stupid! Why would she waste her magic on getting there?” Trixie asked. “Because love can make you do really stupid things sometimes...” Lyra said with a sigh, “...And so can hate.” The only light source was a circle of candled around an intricate and somehow unnerving circular pattern on the floor. On either side of the circle sat two pillars with a pattern similar to the one on the floor etched into them. It was to one of these pillars that Octavia was chained by the neck. She lied down on her side, silent. Her hair was a mess from not being combed for several days, her eyes bloodshot from a lack of sleep, her body covered in a tattered black dress. Despite this, she refused to show weakness in her expression, instead looking more annoyed than distressed. In the center sat a dark knight, on his knees in meditation. His body was covered in pitch black armor, making his form hard to make out. A large sword with a violet hilt sat in its matching scabbard. “Someone is approaching.” The dark knight said, his voice deep and foreboding, echoing in the room in a way no voice should. “One pony. Did Celestia give in to my demands, or does she not care for you as much as I thought?” His rhetorical question was answered when the door burst open, revealing a green-cloaked white mare wielding a short sword and intense fury. “GARLAND!” Vinyl bellowed with all the rage she could muster. “Vinyl?!” Octavia whispered in shock. Vinyl glared at the traitor meditating in the center of the room. If looks could kill, half of the continent would have been atomized. Her rage was fueling her strength, and she would need every bit of it if she was to defeat this sword master. She had spent all of her magic keeping the Chocobo summon to get here. Not that Vinyl cared; She wouldn't consider ending him in any other way but her own blade. “So. A mage wishes to fight.” Garland said as he slowly stood. “Do you have any idea what you are dealing with?” “Yes. A pathetic pile of-” Vinyl said before catching herself. “No, you aren't even worth that.” Garland and Vinyl started their stride towards one another. Vinyl kept her rage-infused stare while Garland's expression was indeterminable under his helmet. The dark knight drew his sword. “You will know my name, for I, Garland, shall slay you where you stand.” In an instant, metal clashed with metal as their blades met. Vinyl leaped back, then back forward with a horizontal slash from the left; Garland blocked it with ease. Vinyl then tried an upward swing, but that was also blocked. Garland bashed Vinyl's face with the hilt of his sword, causing her to step back. The summoner growled, a fire burning in her eyes, then she dashed at the dark knight with a flurry of slashes. Each and every slash was blocked. The last slash was parried, and with a thrust, Vinyl's sword was knocked out of her hands. The knight kicked her in the gut then punched her in the face. Vinyl grunted, and fell to her knees. She looked up, and saw that the knight's blade was pointed right between her eyes. Octavia's eyes widened. No... I... I can't let this happen! Her eyes turned pitch black as shadows emanated from her hands. The same shadows then began to wrap around the dark knight. His strength started to weaken, his limbs feeling numb, his mind going blank. After a minute, he dropped his sword before falling to the ground. Vinyl blinked, not sure what to make of it. She then saw Octavia, and realized. “D... Death magic...?” She said before falling to the ground herself. Everything started to fade, the world growing more distant... “Vinyl!” That voice... Vinyl's hand clenched into a fist, then she started to push herself up with a renewed strength. She had to save Octavia. She grabbed her fallen sword before slowly making her way towards her lover. The tip of the blade dragged along the ground as she walked forward, step by step. Once she was close enough, she raised her blade, and brought it down onto the chain. When it didn't break it, she did it once more. Finally, on the third strike, the chain broke. “Y... Yeah... Hoo ra...” Vinyl said with a tired smile before passing out. Octavia held the unconscious Green Mage in her arms, her only warmth in this freezing castle. Her hands slowly brushed through her fillyfriend's hair. In desperation, she had revealed her darkest secret. In saving her, she might have just lost her. Ice cold tears, unnoticed by their weeper, dripped onto the white unicorn. Vinyl's eyes fluttered open. “...Oowww... My everything hurts...” “Take it easy.” Octavia said. “He hit you pretty hard, from the looks of it.” Vinyl replied with a soft chuckle. “Yeah... Wait a sec... I remember... Octy, what did you do to him?” Her tone was more curious than angry. The gray bard gave out a sigh. “I... Vinyl... I've been keeping a secret for so long... Since we've first met, even...” “That magic... I've only heard about it, but... It was death magic, wasn't it?” Vinyl asked. Octavia closed her eyes and looked away, before giving a subtle nod. Then Vinyl cracked a grin. “So that's why your hands were always so dang cold.” “What?” Octavia replied, dumbfounded. “Well, you've always had really cold hands. And cold kisses, for that matter.” Vinyl said. “You... You're not mad?” Octavia replied. “Of course not.” Vinyl replied. “I love you. Something as trivial as your magical alignment won't change that, not ever!” “But... I'm a necromancer!” Octavia nearly shouted. “Don't care.” Vinyl replied with a shrug. “Heck, why not come with us on our quest?” “'Us'? 'Quest'? What are you talking about?” Octavia asked. “I came here with my friends Trixie, Twilight, and Lyra. They're mages, too. We're gonna fix the crystals!” Vinyl explained. Octavia's jaw dropped. “You're a Light Warrior?!” The summoner gave a thumbs up. “You betcha, babe.” The death mage giggled. “Never change, Vinyl.”
Verse I - PreludeView OnlineBallad of the Four MagesVerse I - PreludeThe world is veiled in darkness... Footsteps echoed throughout the cavern. Four figures stepped their way past the stones that littered the ground. The seas begin to turmoil... A large stone wall stands before them. One figure steps ahead of the others and raises its hands upwards, two silver orbs releasing from its palms. The orbs floated towards the wall before melding into it. The wind ceases to blow... A loud rumble echoed throughout the cave as the wall opened, revealing a secret passage made of silver brick. The four figures made their way down the staircase, towards the light at the bottom. The earth begins to rot... The four figures walked into the holy room. It was a small room, made of the same silver brick as the staircase. The only items within the room sat on a circular knee-high pedestal of platinum, locked within an unadorned chest made of gold. The air grows cold... Four hands reached out and rested on the top of the chest. One hand was aqua, one blue, one white, and one violet. The chest glowed softly, and a faint *click* could be heard. The only hope left is in a legend... Blue hands opened the chest, revealing the sacred contents within: Four small shimmering crystals. One red, one yellow, one green, one blue. “When the world is lost, four warriors of light will come forth bearing the Crystal Keys to return balance to the land.” One grabbed the red crystal: A blue mare with violet eyes, long silver hair, a violet star-studded cloak and hat, and an obsidian rod with a ball of silver at the end of its clutches. One grabbed the green crystal: An aqua mare with golden eyes, a striped light-blue and white mane, white cloak with red triangle trim, and an iron battle hammer on her belt. One grabbed the blue crystal: A white mare with red eyes, a short electric blue striped mane, long green cloak and black undershirt, and a steel shortsword in a black leather sheath. One grabbed the yellow crystal: A lavender mare with violet eyes, long straight blue hair with a single pink stripe down the middle, a purple coat with white frills and a single star on the chest, and a bronze staff with the design of a clock at the end. Four mages ready to embark on a quest to save Equuis.