Author's Note

This reunion...I swear, I've never had so much trouble rewriting. But I'm happy with the results.

As usual, comment errors and ill fix.

To Maraudon!

Chapter 4: To Maraudon

Shining Armor was bursting with questions for his long-lost sister, but she insisted they leave the vale as soon as possible. Although reluctantly, he held his questions in check and escorted Twilight and Rarity to Nijel's Point, a small town that sat nestled in the mountainside.

He kept his little sister close, she had simply vanished, and he feared her dead for some time. His fear of losing her again was already at a boiling point, and he had just barely reunited with her. . "Where have you been all these years?" Shining asked as they walked.

Twilight cringed, her past was not usually something she talked about, but she had no choice, this was her brother, he deserved to know. "After the.... incident...with our parents, I thought you were dead too, so I simply ran away. I was picked up by a mage named Medivh, and he taught me to use my powers. That's where I've been for the past 42 years."

She seemed to sadden as she thought about her words, "He...he died recently, so I decided to come back to civilization. It's been difficult, after so long away from everypony...then Tyrande gave me this quest. Honestly, I'm more or less here to get away from everypony, being in seclusion for decades, I suppose I got used to it. And then..." Twilight giggled, gesturing to Rarity, "...this young lady completely ruined my chances at solitude!" she joked, Shining looked over his shoulder at the white mare and chuckled.

Rarity shrunk under her mane at Twilight's words, "But she also saved my life once or twice, without you, I don't think I'd have gotten past the orcs or the harpies." Twilight smiled at Rarity, who blushed behind her mane and chuckled.

"And so...here I am!" Twilight finished.

Shining nodded and smiled at her. "Sounds like you've been through a lot. I can't tell you how glad I am to have you back Twily." Shining sighed happily, giving her a side-hug.

Although embarrassed over the use of her old nickname - the one her father used to call her - she giggled and returned his hug. "So what happened to you?" Twilight asked.

"Well, I wasn't home when it happened, remember? I was at the academy." Shining began, glancing to the side when he noticed Twilight's reaction.

"Of course! The academy, I...I completely forgot about that..." Twilight stopped walking to facehoof, shaking her head in disappointment. All the unnecessary heartache over the years..I'm such an idiot! she scolded herself. "I can't believe I actually let myself believe that you were dead too."

Shining put a hoof on her shoulder, smiling sadly but also assuringly, Twilight grinned half-heartedly in response. "Anyway," Shining continued, " when I came home for a vacation....I suppose you know what I saw." Shining's eyes glossed as he remembered and he wiped a stray tear, "I thought you were dead, so I went back to the academy, and now I'm a captain of the guard, here in Desolace." Shining explained.

"It must have been very traumatic for both of you, you were so young." Rarity broke into the conversation.

Twilight and Shining nodded, and Twilight sniffled as a few more tears slipped past her emotional blockade. "Nonetheless, at least we are back together again." She smiled at Rarity and then Shining before trotting faster, leaving the two behind.

"I can tell it bothers her still." Shining said when Twilight was out of earshot.

"Naturally, she was just a filly if this truly happened over forty years ago. Aren't you also upset over it?" Rarity asked, walking closer to Shining so as to better hear him.

"Of course! It's just, you can only grieve so long before you accept the reality, and I don't think Twilight has yet." Shining replied, casting another worried glance at his sister, who walked ahead with drooping ears.

"Me neither, I haven't known her very long, but I know she has nightmares. She's very touchy on the subject, no matter how good a mood she's in when I ask. She'll snap at me...and...well, I leave her alone." Rarity explained, piquing Shining's interest.

"Perhaps I could ask her about it, I know I haven't seen her in years but, when we were foals, she trusted me." Shining looked down at the ground for a moment, "I wonder if she still does..."

Nijel's Point stood on a ledge in the mountainside, with a dirt path going down to the wastelands below. It wasn't a very sophisticated place, but shelter nonetheless, for many an evil lurked outside the safety of the small village. Twilight scanned her surroundings as they came upon the ledge, there was a tree with a moonwell at it's base, a small protection and blessing for the village. Then there was another dirt ramp that Shining led them to, after reaching the top she saw a hippogryph hatchery to her left, and an inn to her right, with a tall watchtower between the two.

"How long have you been here?" Rarity asked, gazing in awe as hippogryphs circled the town.

"About 10 years, Nijel's Point, however, has been here for centuries...surprisingly." Shining replied, trotting with his tail held high, obviously he was in a better mood than he had been during their conversation.

"I see, do you have skirmishes often?" Rarity asked, promptly gasping as she nearly tripped over a small stone and made Twilight giggle.

"No. Your run-in with the harpies was the first piece of action we've had in months. The soldiers posted here are grateful for that, they've been bored out of their minds." Shining chuckled, Twilight and Rarity laughed along with him. "This way, I'll let you two get settled into the inn. Afterwards I want you to come to my...office.." he pointed to the top of the watchtower, using his hooves to make quotation marks in the air, "..so we can talk." Shining bowed and trotted away, looking back over his shoulder as he left.

"Come on Rarity." Twilight led the way into the inn, trotting upstairs and searching for an empty bed to put her saddlebags on.

"We have to share?!" Rarity moaned.

"What are you talking about? There are two empty beds." Twilight pointed across the room to another bare bed.

"No, I mean with the soldiers! How will I ever get dressed with a bunch of stallions around?" Rarity cried in despair.

"Rarity, most ponies don't even wear clothes, don't be a twit." Twilight rolled her eyes.

"Oh! Right. Eh-heh.." Rarity blushed in embarrassment, "But it's still considered proper to wear them anyways.." she mumbled, placing her saddlebag on the other empty bed, she proceeded to dig through it and pull out a tiny mirror.

A loud shriek rang Twilight's ears, and with a surprised cry she covered them, "Damnit! Rarity, what the hell?" Twilight rubbed her ears and scowled at her.

'My hair! It looks terrible!" Rarity pointed to her mane, it was indeed quite messy, but nothing a simple washing and brushing couldn't fix.

"Good grief, Rarity! You can brush it easily." Twilight grabbed a brush out of her satchel with her telekinesis and fixed the stray hairs. "See?" she turned the mirror towards Rarity again, and Rarity smiled.

"Ah, much better, thank you Twilight. Sorry about that, I'm just not used to the rough life, I'm accustomed to perfect hair, body, and mind." Rarity fixed the collar of her silken shirt as if to prove her point.

Growing up in a palace will do that... Twilight thought to herself. "It's nothing. Just try not to freak out about bad hair. If you don't want it to be messed with, braid it. I don't care if they are out of style, it keeps it tidy in tough situations like battle." she said as she brushed her own hair free of knots and leaves.

"I'll try..." Rarity sighed, and began twining her hair into a long, fancy braid. "Like this?" she asked as she tied the end securely.

"It looks nice Rarity." Twilight mumbled, Rarity was a pain sometimes. "But we should bathe first before styling our manes."

Rarity lit up, "Oh, a bath? That sounds delightful!" she clapped her hooves cheerily and trotted downstairs to go take one. Twilight followed close behind.

Twilight and Rarity were both greatly refreshed after a good bath and now trotted up the spiraling stairs of the watchtower. The view of the desolate landscape loomed beyond the glass-less windows. Rarity was too busy watching her hooves and smacked into Twilight's flank as they came to a halt at a large wooden door with a golden knob. An irritated nicker from Twilight soon ensued, and Rarity chuckled nervously as she backed off of her, "Sorry."

Twilight sighed and let her tense shoulders relax, then, with a deep breath, she stepped forward and knocked. "Come in." Shining Armor's voice sounded from the other side and both ponies entered. "Glad you two could come."

"Where else would we need to be?" Twilight rolled her eyes and chuckled, "And since when are you so formal? All this captain of the guard stuff gotten to your head?" she asked mockingly as she made air-quotes with her hooves.

"Sorry sis, but I'm just doing my job, records have to be made. I'll need to ask a few questions." Shining smiled at his sister's joke and finished writing on a scroll that was laid before him with what looked like clear ink. Blowing gently to dry the paper, he rolled the scroll up, Twilight peered over and couldn't see any ink on the actual parchment.

Noticing his sister's curiosity, Shining Armor explained, "Enchanted invisible ink, its for sending sensitive information, and it can only be read with a complicated spell. Most Horde aren't intelligent enough to figure it out." he handed the scroll to an owl, who chirped as he took off across Stonetalon.

"Interesting." Twilight nodded as she watched the owl leave, "Though the Horde are not as stupid as you claim.." she muttered under her breath as she took a seat on one of the wooden chairs, Rarity did the same.

"First off, I need to know why you are here." Shining brought his chair closer to the desk, placing his hooves under his chin in await of Twilight's response.

"Well, Tyrande sent us, we are on a quest of..." she paused in search of words, "..divine purpose you could say...we are headed to Maraudon..." Twilight explained.

"Maraudon?! Do you know how dangerous that place is? Just getting into the tomb would be hard enough! Don't even tell me you're trying to slay Theradras!" Shining cut her off, his fur bristled in irritation as he stared her down. Her expression told him exactly what he was hoping was not happening. Shining plopped back into his seat and sighed, "That's exactly what you're trying to do isn't it?"

Twilight shrunk in her seat slightly, Gosh, I feel like a little filly again... she thought to herself. Twilight took another deep breath and stood on her hind legs while punctuating her words with a foreleg on the table. "What, you think I don't know that it's dangerous? Am I not capable of taking care of myself? Yes, I am going to Maraudon. You may not know it Shining, but I am a mage, and a powerful one at that! I'm not trying to boast but Tyrande wouldn't have sent me unless she thought I could do it. And she even let her own niece follow along!" Twilight pointed to Rarity, who waved and smiled nervously, "What does that say about my capability?" she snarled, her own fur bristling in annoyance.

"Technically I didn't ask permission..." Rarity muttered under her breath, Twilight was conveniently leaving that part out for her protection though.

Shining flattened his ears, his sister had always been good at making her point, and she hadn't changed. She was also adorably frightening when she was angry, how could he say no? He could try..."I don't know...." he glanced sideways, trying to avoid the subject.

"Don't even think about it! I know what you're doing! And you are not convincing me to change my mind, I'm dead set on this quest." Twilight put her nose in the air defiantly, crossing her forelegs and turning to the side with a huff.

Shining sighed in defeat, she was still his manipulative little sister, she always got what she wanted out of him. "Ok Twilight, I'll let you go..." Twilight grinned in triumph and jumped up to hug him, but he held up a hoof to stop her, "..on one condition."

Twilight bit her lip, thinking for a moment, "O-k...." she murmured, squinting suspiciously at him.

"Let me go with you." Shining said.

"So you still don't trust me to take care of myself?" Twilight narrowed her gaze at him, offended by his suggestion.

Shining smiled, "No, I want to go because I care about you, and I don't want to lose you in any way, I'm never letting you out of my life again." he had trotted over and placed a hoof on her shoulder tenderly

"Ohhh!" Twilight groaned, then with a smirk, she gave him a playful sock on the shoulder, "Ok, you can come with us." Shining grinned and hugged her tightly. "As if I'd ever say no.."

Rarity smiled, she knew from experience that siblings sorted things best on their own.

"That's all the questions I suppose." Shining opened the door, gesturing for them to leave the tower. "I need some time to prepare. I'll tell you when I'm ready."

It didn't take long for Shining to pack, but to Twilight and Rarity it felt like hours. both ponies lay sprawled on the beds they had picked out of boredom. Twilight tossed a pillow with her hooves as she lay on her back, and Rarity sighed as she sewed a hole in a shirt together. "This is taking forever! I could pack everything I have in seconds...if you didn't count books... Medivh had thousands of books..." Twilight whispered the latter of her sentence sadly.

"I can make excuses for him, I've only brought a fraction of my stuff and yet it took me days to catch up to you." Rarity giggled lightly.

Twilight kicked the pillow at her, "Traitor!" she called as it sailed through the air, landing smack dab in Rarity's face.

"You want to play dirty do you?" Rarity sneered as she grabbed the pillow with her telekinesis.

Twilight's eyes widened in realization of her error.

"Ok girls I'm...." Shining Armor trotted up the stairs of the inn and was greeted by feathers. Both of the mares stopped where they were, Twilight held a pillow high above her head, one gripped tightly between her teeth, and was aiming for Rarity's pillow bunker. Rarity was in the midst of grabbing two more pillows, Shining blinked in confusion, "What the hell are you two doing?"

Twilight dropped the pillows and coughed as a few feathers flew into her mouth. Rarity began stuffing feathers back into the pillows. "Uh...we were just...bored?" Twilight chuckled nervously and blushed, to be caught in such a foalish act by her brother was more embarrassing than if by one of the guards.

"I can fix the pillows!" Rarity called as she gently placed all the pillows she had hoarded back where she found them.

Shining just stared as they cleaned up the mess of feathers, "Y-yeah ok, you do that and I'll be waiting...downstairs...yeah." he muttered as he turned tail and trotted downstairs.

As soon as he was gone the mares burst into laughter, "Last time I challenge you to a pillow fight." Twilight chuckled.

"I know, I'm just too good." Rarity tossed her mane and was met with another pillow in her face. "I thought you just said..!" she growled and raise a hoof in warning at Twilight, who giggled mischievously.

Shining returned later to find the guard's room clear of feathers and all pillows back in their respective places. Twilight and Rarity had exhausted themselves and both lay fast asleep in bed. Shining smiled and approached his sister, remembering the time when she was a foal that he'd watch over her in sleep.

Tonight was different, the foalish contentment was gone, Twilight grimaced, mumbled, and sweat profusely. Shining's smile fell, she was having a nightmare, he'd heard Rarity mention them earlier that day.

"You see what I mean?" Rarity had approached the bed while he was distracted.

Shining jumped and tensed, but relaxed when he realized it was Rarity, "I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Shining asked as he recovered from his defensive stance.

"Oh no dear, I wasn't asleep, I was waiting for her to fall asleep first." Rarity placed a hoof on Twilight's forehead and wiped the stray mane out of her face. "I can't explain it, but I feel so motherly when she's like this. I feel like she's just a scared little filly who needs her dam."

Shining looked down, "Maybe she is? When we lost our parents, she was barely eight years old. She might still be a filly at heart, wishing for a mother's comfort that will never come again. I found it through my instructor's wife, she only had an old Mage to watch over her."

Rarity nodded, looking back down at the more intensely sweating unicorn. Twilight kicked and mumbled loudly, tears began to flow from her eyes as she began to call louder, her voice becoming clearer. "Mom..." she sobbed, grabbing Rarity's hoof and burying her muzzle in it while she cried.

Rarity gasped and placed a hoof on her forehead, murmuring foreign words as her horn began to glow with warm, yellow light. "Luna be with you.." she finished in the common tongue.

Twilight hiccuped in her sleep from the sobs, but her crying had died down, a few stray tears sliding over her cheeks. She took a deep, but shaky, breath as she relaxed and fell still.

"What did you do?" Shining asked, relieved to see his sister calm and peaceful again.

"A prayer against nightmares, these are strong ones, of that I'm sure. However, light magic works remarkably well against it, obviously it comes from a dark source. The fact that I've seen it every night since I've met her seems to point to a inner darkness. Something only she can get rid of." Rarity explained.

Shining sighed, leaning forward to gently kiss Twilight's damp forehead, "I wish I could help..."

Twilight awoke refreshed the next morning, much to Shining 's relief. They made ready and departed from Nijel's Point within a few hours. Although she was glad to have him there, Twilight was still unsure of Shining's motives, he seemed to think she was a little school filly still, she snorted in frustration at the thought. I can take care of myself.

"You seem quiet." Rarity fell back to walk alongside Twilight, startling her. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Twilight recovered from her surprise and smiled briefly, "Mmm, maybe..." Rarity grinned and pulled out a coin, nudging her shoulder, "Haha! Ok!" Twilight laughed quietly. With a sigh, she glanced ahead at Shining Armor, who was blissfully ignorant of her concerns. "I'm just worried that Shining still thinks I'm his helpless little sister, innocent and sweet. That little filly was driven out of me when my parents died." Twilight furrowed her brow at the memory.

Rarity nodded, "I understand, but I'm sure it as he said, he is just scared of losing you. I would be. I have a little sister...well, she's not so little anymore, she's almost 23." Rarity pulled out a tiny, crude painting of herself and a young white mare and let Twilight see.

"I can see the family resemblance." Twilight chuckled, despite her two-tone mane and green eyes, the younger mare looked much like Rarity.

"I'd do anything to keep her safe, anything..." Rarity put the picture away.

Twilight sighed, "I guess you're right. But still, I hope he doesn't think I'm not...capable. You know what I mean?" Twilight kicked a rock out of her way, glancing at Rarity.

"Yes I do. You have every right to be worried, just don't let it affect your judgement. Shining Armor seems like a loving brother who only cares about your safety." Rarity gave Twilight a reassuring smile and trotted ahead to fill the gap between Twilight and Shining.

Twilight watched her go and shrugged her shoulders,I suppose Rarity is right, I'm being silly, Shining is my brother, and he loves me. More than I can imagine. She smiled as she trotted up to her brother, nuzzling him as he walked and making him jump in surprise.

"Oh, hey Twily! What was that for?" Shining chuckled as he nuzzled her back.

"I just realized how lucky I am to have a good brother like you." Twilight replied, "I think I wasn't truly appreciating the fact that you are alive...and I'm sorry for that."

Shining smiled again and gently tugged her mane like he did when they were foals. Then he smirked and chuckled, "I know, I am pretty awesome aren't I?"

"Shut up!" Twilight scolded and nudged him playfully, he laughed and nudged her back.

"So, that's Maraudon?" Rarity gulped as the trio gazed upon the towering stone doors before them. The entrance was carved in such a way that it looked like a large, unknown creature's mouth.

"I guess so, we should hurry, I hear centaurs aren't very friendly to trespassers." Shining glanced nervously around.

"C-centaurs?!" Rarity gulped again, hiding behind Twilight for protection and receiving a glare of disapproval from her pony shield. "How do we open the doors?" Rarity asked after her moment of fright had ceased, tapping a hoof on the solid stone.

"I'll handle this." Twilight shoved Rarity aside, closing her eyes as her horn glowed. The doors were encased in her purple glow as she raised her head slowly and opened her eyes. The doors began to slide open, the grinding of stone shook the ground as the doors vanished into the stone walls. "See? Easy." Twilight smiled and trotted inside, Rarity and Shining shared a glance before following closely behind. The stone doors slid shut ominously upon their entering, causing the ponies to jump.

Directly in front of them as they entered was a bridge, after which came two sets of stairs, one to the right, and one to the left(both led to the same area below). Twilight turned to the left, carefully descending the short staircase, to her right were two centaur statues, guarding an empty room. Twilight peeked into the room before she took another left turn, following the tunnel that led under the bridge.

This tunnel stretched on for some time before it came to a four-way crossing, the tunnel to the right was filled with many topaz crystals that jutted out from the walls. The tunnel to the left was also filled with crystals, but they were amethyst instead. The tunnel ahead was bare, leading into a lush, plant-filled oasis. The like of which seemed impossible underground.

"Which way do we go?" Rarity asked, peering curiously at the tunnel with amethyst crystals.

"I-I'm not sure..." Shining stared down the tunnel with topaz crystals.

"Why don't we go down each? Surely Theradras lives in one of them." Twilight trotted towards the tunnel to the right, "Let's do orange first." she called back as she disappeared down the tunnel. Twilight stopped at a fairly large crystal and - using her magic - she broke it in half, then nodded as she continued.

"What was that for?" Rarity asked, meanwhile she took the opportunity to collect the fragments of topaz that had fallen.

"Marking, so we know we've been here before." Twilight replied, looking back over her shoulder as she responded. "Do you seriously carry a gem bag with you everywhere?"

Rarity looked up from said bag and chuckled nervously. Twilight scoffed and began to trot forward again, promptly yelping in surprise as her hoof slipped.

"Twilight!" Shining broke into a brief gallop, sliding to a stop to help her back onto the path and saving her from a thirty foot fall. "You ok?" Shining frantically examined Twilight, who brushed his hooves away in irritation.

"I'm fine, I'm fine! I just didn't see it there, that's all." Twilight rolled her eyes and lit up her horn, looking over the chasm, "I could have survived that, but thanks." Twilight shook her coat, ridding it of dust before continuing down the path. Shining sighed, glancing back at the chasm once more before following Twilight.

"What the hell did she mean by 'I can survive that?' Nopony could survive that fall.." Shining muttered as they walked.

"She's a Mage." Rarity explained, "She - along with priests like myself - can make herself as light as a feather."

Shining blushed in embarrassment, "Oh, I forgot..." He looked ahead at his sister, a grimace crossing his face when he wondered what would have happened had he not come.

Twilight was more aware of her footing now, and carefully placed her hooves as she walked. It made Shining smile, then promptly crash into Twilight's flank as she came to a dead stop. "What are you.." Shining was quickly muffled by Twilight's hoof.

"Shh!" She hissed, motioning for him to look around the corner, Shining peeked around, there were giant topaz elementals patrolling the path ahead, far too many to sneak by.

"How are we going to get past those?" Shining whispered, gulping at the size of their giant stone fists, easily capable of crushing a pony, or two, give or take.

"I could try a cloaking spell, though it most likely won't work." Twilight said, "My master never got around to teaching me, but I've read a few books on it."

"Wait, isn't that dangerous?" Rarity asked.

"Isn't what dangerous?"

"Casting a spell without knowing how it works." Rarity clarified.

Twilight pondered for a moment, "I suppose so, but Theradras could be down this tunnel, what if we never find her? They are only guarding this place because they have something to guard." Twilight said as she stood, preparing to cast it.

"What about an illusion spell? its easier..." Shining began.

"But it only lasts a few seconds, this cloaking spell can last up to two minutes." Twilight gave him a glare that told him her decision was final. She stood back, concentrating carefully on the spell, arcane magic began to surround her horn, swirling around with increasing speed. Twilight grunted and began to shake, but she kept the spell up, holding on as long as she could. She could feel her horn beginning to strain under the pressure, and pain wracked her skull as it became too much. Suddenly the magic vanished in a sickening pop, and with a gasp, she crumpled to the ground in exhaustion.

"Twily?!" Shining galloped over and sat on his haunches, holding her head on his lap, "Are you ok?"

"Ow..." Twilight joked, chuckling briefly and wincing as she did, Shining helped her to sit up. "Well, the books said it takes a lot of power to cast a cloaking spell, obviously I'm not experienced enough." Twilight sighed as she rubbed her horn gingerly. Pulling herself out of Shining's protective hooves, she stood completely. She stumbled slightly but kept to her legs with a smile and looked up at them triumphantly.

"Want me to carry you?" Shining asked when he saw her difficulties.

"No, I'm fine." Twilight tried taking a step, she wobbled with the effort, but managed to keep her footing. "That's the last time I try a spell I haven't practiced." she mumbled, taking another step, however, she failed to stay on her hooves this time and toppled onto the ground, her hooves tangling around each-other like a newborn foal. Shining trotted over to her, kneeling down on his forelegs and motioning for her to get on. Twilight sighed, "Fine..." she muttered as she rolled her eyes, climbing onto his back.

"That's better, let's go, Rarity." Shining checked to make sure Twilight was secure, then started back the way they came. Rarity walking beside him and examined Twilight. She cast a spell as she walked, a bright shimmer of light surrounding Twilight.

"What was that for?" Twilight's face was against Shining's neck, making Rarity stifle a giggle at the look of her cheek pressed up against it.

"It's..um, a renewing spell, for weakened bodies. It takes time, but you will heal faster." Rarity explained, straightening Twilight's shirt, then with a satisfied nod, she trotted ahead of Shining. Twilight looked down at her shirt and sighed in annoyance.

They came to the crossing again, this time choosing the path of amethyst crystals. Shining was very careful not to jostle Twilight as she lay on his back, and she was grateful for it. Medivh would've been very disappointed in her for attempting a spell without practice. Would've... she sighed inwardly. Twilight closed her eyes to hide any tears that threatened to show. The memory of those many years in study was heart-wrenchingly painful, she already had Rarity trying to ask about her past. Naturally she shut her out, how could she not? It was just too much to talk about. But if Shining asked her...she didn't know if she could keep it from him.

They had been walking for some time now, and Twilight - in all her thoughts - was nearly lulled to sleep by the gentle rhythm of Shining's stride. "What is that?" Rarity asked, Twilight opened her eyes and glanced ahead, the tunnel ahead continued, but a strange substance like water swirled in the way. Twilight slipped from Shining's back carefully, receiving a disapproving snort from her brother. She tossed her mane in rebellion of his opinion and reached out with a shaky hoof to touch the substance.

"It's a portal." Twilight noted. She recognized the cool, watery feel of the magic. She also saw how her hoof vanished beneath the surface, not reappearing on the illusionary "other side", which appeared to be more of the amethyst tunnel stretching on forever. Twilight turned to face them, "Want to take a chance?" she motioned towards the swirling magic.

Shining approached her carefully, peering into the portal, "It is most likely the way to Theradras, considering most would turn back from the portal out of fear."

Twilight thought about it and nodded, "Perhaps, what do you say?" she asked.

Shining drew himself up and walked closer, taking a deep breath before he plunged himself into the portal. Although they expected it, Rarity and Twilight gasped as he vanished.

"Come on! We need to follow him!" Rarity galloped through the portal, Twilight hobbling close behind. She gingerly pressed herself through the portal, gasping when the cold substance touched her face and sent a dull, chilly pain through her body as it pulled her from one place to another. Twilight opened her eyes in an instant as the feeling vanished, then she realized she was falling, there was no floor under her hooves. She began to scream as she fell, looking down to see an enormous waterfall that poured into a deep pool. Her eyes widened in terror even though she knew she could survive, for Shining and Rarity were swimming to the bank already.

Twilight took in a deep breath as she plunged into surprisingly warm water, surfacing within seconds, She breathed deep gulps of air, flailing her hooves about now she frantically paddled towards the bank. "Help?" Twilight called when she realized she was getting nowhere. Shining's attention was immediately caught and he leapt back into the water to pull her to the bank. Twilight sighed in relief as she gingerly stepped onto solid ground.

The actual flooring of the cave was some inches underwater, so Twilight couldn't lay down to rest. She was about to ask Shining to carry her again when a resonating growl reached her ears. All three ponies jumped, turning away from the water and facing towards the direction of the sound. Ahead of them lay a wide tunnel, natural pillars of white stone held the ceiling up. Ferns and vines grew all around the walls of the cave. For a small moment they were caught in the beauty of the cavern, then Shining saw the source of the growl they had heard.

"Hide!" Shining shoved Rarity and Twilight behind the nearest pillar as the growls neared. He peered around the corner, gasping as he pulled his head back, "It's a hydra, three hydras in fact." He whispered, motioning for them to move around the pillar.

Twilight thought for a moment, "Those are easy to kill, my mentor told me of many creatures, hydras have three heads, each has a brain, but the smaller heads rely on the largest head for mobility. Take out the middle head, and the whole beast is immobilized." she whispered.

"Easier said than done, there are three of them!" Rarity hissed, glancing at her dagger, "How do you suggest we kill all three?"

"We just try." Twilight said, grunting when her horn throbbed as she used her magic to lift her sword. Shining followed her movement, and Rarity unsheathed her dagger. "Shining, can you take the first one?" Twilight asked.

Shining took in a deep breathe and nodded, "Follow my lead..." he whispered, peering once more around the pillar. "Now!" he called as they all charged, or at least as Rarity and Shining did, Twilight hobbled along behind them, constantly tripping.

The nearest hydra turned it's attention to them and hissed loudly. It's lustrous white scales shimmered the colors of the rainbow in the light as it charged at them. The smaller heads stretched out and snapped at Shining's legs as he galloped. They hissed angrily as they missed, snapping more as Shining leapt over the heads, aiming his sword for the largest head.

The largest struck forwards like a viper, Shining pulled his shield forward from it's place on his back and blocked the attack. The hydra roared in fury and struck again, Shining sidestepped it's attack and brought his blade down across the beast's neck. Blood splattered upon the water and Shining as the largest hydra head toppled from it's former place. Shining whirled around to face the other two heads, which now writhed in confusion as their body collapsed. He proceeded to chop off their heads swiftly, hardly leaving room for them to act.

Both the other hydras had been alerted, but only one charges the two white unicorns. The second noticed an easier conquest.

Rarity was busy charging the second hydra, and Shining joined her. Rarity aimed her dagger at the main head of the screeching serpent as she ran. With a determined yell she flung it expertly at the creature's brain, there was a loud, uncomfortable squelch as it hit home.

Rarity smiled as the creature was immobilized and collapsed, Shining finished it off as he had done to the other. Rarity grunted as she yanked her dagger from the largest head, a small spurt of blood following the removal of the blade. She grinned in triumph briefly, then she remembered something and looked about, "Where is the third?" she asked in confusion.

Shining's eyes widened and he frantically glanced around, "Twilight!" He yelled as he saw the third hydra bearing down on Twilight, who held her ground, despite her weakness. Shining galloped as fast as he could to her defense, she was swinging her sword at the heads as they snapped at her, stabbing one just above it's eye, enraging it.

The hydra screeched in pain, reeling back with a snarl as it aimed for her legs, "Look out!" Shining called as it struck, he winced as Twilight's scream reached his ears. The creature had gotten ahold of her hind leg, shaking it's head violently and preparing to swallow her.

Shining yelled in rage as he leapt towards the head and chopped at it's neck. His blade sliced easily through the scaly flesh and Rarity rushed to help Twilight, who had toppled from it's mouth, now lying half-submerged in water and clutching at her mangled leg.

Shining panted as the final hydra collapsed, "Twilight?" He turned to see her, his eyes immediately caught sight of her leg. The hydra's teeth had shredded the skin, and he could see the bone, but at least she hadn't lost the limb.

"I can help, but it will hurt." Rarity panted as she was examining the leg, Twilight nodded.

"Returning...ngh..the...favor huh?" she tried to joke, instead grimacing in pain as Rarity began to cast the healing spell.

"Twilight, what were you thinking?" Shining held her hoof, stroking her mane from her face.

"Well.." Twilight grinned, "..its like Medivh said, I...never do..think" she chuckled briefly and began to cough. Rarity looked up momentarily out of concern before continuing her work on Twilight's leg.

Twilight groaned and piqued Rarity's interest again, she was growing pale and her eyes began to roll back in her head. "Twilight?" Rarity stood and moved closer, gently smacking her cheeks, "Stay awake." she ordered. Twilight blinked rapidly and tried to hold her head up, but her willpower quickly lost the battle. She slumped in Shining's arms as she fainted.

"I'm really glad I came. If I had let her go, who knows what would have happened to her? She'd most likely have died already." Shining stroked his sister's purple mane tenderly as he held her. Rarity was sweating as she worked her magic, she nodded carefully, trying not to break her concentration.

"I couldn't agree more, I'm glad you came too." Rarity lifted the injured leg further and grunted for the final stage of the spell. She gasped as she finally finished, for healing spells took great energy, even more so for severe wounds.

"There..." She placed the scarred leg back into the water, "I did my best, but I'm afraid she'll probably have to live with her scars. If I had some moonwell water I could have done more..." Rarity explained. The leg was thoroughly patched up, long, white lines ran along the edges that had been mangled and torn.

Shining observed her handiwork, "I doubt a master healer could have done better, Rarity." he reassured, but Rarity only smiled weakly, still upset with herself. "Twilight?" Shining shook his sister gently to wake her, a few gentle cheek slaps were added into the mix by Rarity. Twilight furrowed her brow and groaned as she slowly opened her eyes, which were slightly crossed.

Blinking away the blurriness, she glanced at Shining, "What happened?" She mumbled, sitting up slowly "A-ah!!" she yelped and moved to clutch at her leg.

"What? It shouldn't hurt anymore, I healed.." Rarity paused as she carefully felt her leg, "Damnit! The bone is broken, how did I miss that?" Rarity gently smacked her horn, "Stupid thing!" she mumbled. "I'm sorry, my magic reserves are gone. I can't perform another healing spell for at least an hour, that was a major wound."

Shining looked around, "I suppose we'll have to stay here for the night..."

Rarity's eyes widened, "What?! We can't stay here, we at least need to get out of the water. But what if more creatures come? I'm certain hydras aren't the only things here. I can only imagine how horrid they might be." Rarity looked around nervously, "Oh look, a butterfly..." she observed as a large Blue Morpho flew past their heads and landed on a Moon Lily in the water.

Shining pondered the options for a moment, they could keep moving, but that would be too hard on Twilight. Rarity was right about the cave, sleeping in water wouldn't bode well for a healthy pony, let alone an injured one. Then a thought occurred to him, Why didn't I think of it before? he asked himself. "I know! Maybe...I could do it? You know, fix it?" Shining offered.

"You know healing spells?" Twilight asked groggily, her eyes were still slightly crossed as she tried to focus on him.

"All unicorn soldiers need to know basic healing spells in case of emergency healing. Like, for instance, when a healer is injured." Shining motioned for Rarity to switch places with him, she obliged and supported Twilight's neck. Shining took a deep breath, holding Twilight's hind leg gingerly.

"Oh Luna...you haven't done this in a while have you?" Twilight teased, Shining closed his eyes as magic swirled around his horn, Twilight yelped as he moved her leg and the bone snapped back into place. She then grimaced as it was followed by a burning sensation that fused the bone back together.

Shining grunted as he finished the spell and gasped when he dropped her newly healed leg back into the water. Twilight took deep breaths and began to gingerly move her leg around, smiling as it obeyed her commands.

She took a deep breath and stood shakily, as soon as Shining stood up she threw her forelegs around his neck in a tight hug. Shining fell back onto his haunches laughing, "How are you still alive?" he teased.

"I manage." Twilight shrugged, standing once more and turning to Rarity, who nuzzled her happily. She noticed the tunnel ahead, and remembering the reason they were here, she turned to face her friends. They looked to her eagerly, she smiled and picked up her sword from where it had landed. "Now let's go get Theradras!" Twilight sheathed the blade and began to walk towards the tunnels, favoring her recently healed leg as she walked. If this is all you can throw at us, I'd be quaking in my hooves. We're coming for you, Theradras.