The Linked Adventures

**Welcome Player...

You are welcomed in the name of Peace...

Although, I would like to know who you are....**

First: Are you a Boy....or a Girl....?

Coal laughed as he remembered his Pokemon days and pressed his hand on the selector. [Boy]

And what a handsome boy you are. Such a well looking....Er...What are you exactly?

As soon as the race list showed up, his jaw dropped at all the unlocked races. He instantly began to think of all the time or people to create such an expansive list. It was crazy for him to gave upon the list of thirty different races. They were listed in their classifications and races. It was all sorted within different categories. Quadruped- Unicorn, Pegasus, Earth Ponies, with a Unlockable race known as an Alicorn which might seem it was made up of the others. Then he saw a Zeboricans. They looked like Pony sized zebras, but what was different about them is that their magic was known as Spirit Magic. They were masters at brewing potions and could connect directly to nature, by "Natural Means". Then he saw the Griffin Race and smirked, already guessing from the list so far, it was his favorite type of study known as Greek Mythology. He had field days when he learned about their culture. It was just too good to not study about. Then there were more realistic kind of horses. They were Arabians from the looks of it. They had crazy heat resistances, but their frost resistances were shotty at best. Crystal Pony, apparently they are made of crystals and mine them. Very rich nation in the middle of a barren frozen desert surrounded in a shield protecting them from said desert. Then there were the Changeling Race, they could change into, well...everything.

The next list comprised of stranger creatures. Orcs, Diamond Dogs-they just mined and were total dicks to ponies,  or so said the natural enemy of Diamond Dogs. Apparently he could also play as a Dragon or be a Phoenix Hero, a race devoted to the passing of wisdom and strength to those in need. Seen as the true symbol to loyalty and happiness, they more than just disliked dragons, and they were listed as bitter enemies. Yeeshh... Coal thought to himself. There were Minotaurs , also a Griffin-Pony Hybrid and a Dragon-Pony Hybrid.

There was some long thought that went into creating a character. First he had to think who had more allies over all others. There was a main kingdom known as Equestria, they had well over three fourths of the list, although most of them were neutral trade partners. Next he had to think about what kind of class he'd like to be. He had to think about with the class he'd pick would determine what he'd need to buy more of: health potions or mana potions. From there he would had to think about what types of armor or weapons to use. So much...

He slapped himself back to attention. He had to pick, he was on a time scale here, and there was no telling where he was. "Dammit!"

Please...take your time.

You are in no rush...Sometimes the conversion is a little rough of the mind.

"Wow!" His jaw nearly dropped to the void he floated in. "No kidding the AI is amazing!"

The voice laughed in response, only make Coal gawk in surprise.

If that is another way that your kind says we are intellegent...

then thank you.

He gave an even more surprised laugh. "Your fucking welcome!" Coal felt like he was in heaven already. Such an amazing AI, nearly killed him. "So amazing!"

Have you remember who you are then?

After a few more seconds he nodded. "Yeah, I think I do. I remember seeing a phoenix..."

I'm sorry to hear you lost your way young one.

It said.

Last question, I promise.

Is it the sword you wield, the essence of magic, or perhaps you walk in the darkness as a spy?

Coal smiled proudly. "I've always felt connected to nature, magic would be nice to have."

The voice chuckled in response to his musings.

Then you shall feel the magic flow through you as you serve as a Phoenix Mage. Go onward young hero, your adventure is only yet to begin, and there is so much for you to do! But be warned hero...Darkness is growing, for now it is still trying to keep itself up, but it will continue to grow more quickly as time goes on.

"Thanks for the warning...um...what's your name?" Coal scratched his head slightly.

Cora

That was all he was able to understand as the once black void began to glow brighter. This is it! Coal thought with a smile reaching from ear to ear. He felt like he was a kid again from just loading the world in. The bright light grew even brighter, and soon he passed out.

Everything was really dark now. Then Coal realized he had his eyes closed, although not sure how long. He all took notice that he was laying on the ground on his back. There was a slight pain in his head, followed by a rush of energy. Coal took notice to his UI screen. There was a health bar along with a mana bar extending past the health. His bones ached so much, he felt like not standing at all, but he remembered he was on a time limit that was imposed by his hot red headed nurse.

Coal pushed himself off the ground, grunting as he used a bit of the little strength he had in him at the moment. All around him, he spied some birds flying around in a forest. It looked close to fall judging by the color of the leafs on the trees. His armor was light in weight and was an assortment of old looking rags covered in a dark brown robe. The sun was shining in the sky which gave Coal a little warmth.

"Alright, where to?" Coal asked more to himself then anyone that could hear him if there was anyone around him. He swiped his hand down and peaked at his starting equipment. There was a stick with a small quartz crystal on the top. He had two basic spells, an extra set of clothes, two full mana batteries containing two hundred points of mana, and fifty gold coins called bits. Then he checked himself using the character mirror - which was a new thing to him. He saw that he had on his face three red stripes going horizontal below his left eye. His eyes were golden, and his hair was a copper color. He pulled it a little, doing a quick pain test. "Huh...The Doctor would've loved this." Coal chuckled at his bland joke, also letting go of his hair to end the successful pain test.

Finally finding the quest log, all he saw was just an empty list. He sighed, figuring that he would have to find some sort of civilization. Coal equipped his wand, and readied his fire spell in case if anything popped up out of no where. With the sun right overhead, Coal set out on his own quest to find someone to help him. This wasn't the first time he's had to find somewhere to go to start the first few quests. If the game had a quest log, then he was sure that there was a quest system, all there was to do was to find it, and he was sure it wasn't going to be easy. Coal took another glance around his surroundings before picking a random direction to walk in. He pulled his wand out and began walking through the red, orange, and yellow forest.

Over an hour passed by and nothing seemed to change about the forest, the sun moved much faster here than he had thought, or at least that was what his UI told him. His health was still at full and so was his mana, and he internally thanked Lady Luck for the peace. Perhaps he was lucky to be in a forest. Should night fall, he could log out safely. However, he refused to de-link from his device until he found a town. The more time that had passed, the more he felt a strange feeling in his stomach. The scents of the forest had this morning dew smell, paired with the smell of honey which both striked at his hunger.

Even more time had passed now, the clock on his UI read a quarter till eight in the game. He stopped by a tree to pull a few sticks off of it. Luckily they were dry, and then he moved to grab a few fallen leafs. Coal made a large pile out of the earthly materials and used a bit of magic to light a small fire. It was starting to get really cold-

RRRROOOAAAARRRR!!!!! Before he could even relax, Coal was forced to stand as quickly as he could. The edges of his screen turned red, and purple arrows were pointing upwards. There was a bright flash of light as a massive monster breathed fire from its mouth. Coal examined the sky more and saw it was chasing a small flock of glowing birds.

He studied the words he had to call to summon the spell. As it seemed his only two spells were in Latin. "IGNAS!" Coal shouted, firing a ball of fire at the creature. It hit the monster's face. He saw a star marked on his health with a red "A" in the middle of it.

"Dri!" The monster locked its own eyes on him, and narrowed them. "Nor dovi lokt! Phix Gah!" It roared before darting down towards Coal.

The closer it got to him, the more he began to regret even agroing the creature. As it happened, he fired a ball of fire right at the face of a dragon. "SHIT!" He hissed at himself. "Stupid fuck!" The dragon landed mere yards from him, glaring at him.

"Phix Gah! Dovi ix meira!"

Coal chuckled. "ENGLISH MOTHERFUCKER! DO YOU SPEAK IT!?"

It blew smoke in his face and huffed. "Lowering thine guard mortal being isn't the best for thou's survival!" It snarked. "Ignal dorok bowlay neeshta torax. Thou's fire is weak compared to our own flame! Paralok berra nutras pawl ixak? For what reason does one of neutrality attack a being of power such as our own self?"

"What were you doing up there?" He asked, pointing to the sky. The flock was hovering above them, seemingly trying to find out why their chaser wasn't chasing them anymore.

He huffed more smoke at Coal. "We were getting our food for the winter season for it approaches quickly this year." It replied. "Phix's are the only meal around that will fill us for the time being. Hexas agas tursa ieh rokas...All the fish are in the south, all the  bears are hidden, and...Now that we think about it, thou have the smell of a Phix as well... Kix...Yes...indeed, thou art much larger as well then the common Phix." Its throat rumbled as it shook its neck and head. "Lorbax trista boran, Phix!! Fight for thine's life mortal!" It inhaled deeply and roared in his face.

Coal steeled himself from the force from the roar. Just the force knocked most if not all the leafs off the surrounding trees. He gulped, trying to find a way to see the dragon's level. Sadly, it showed no level above it, but he did see that it had a meter of health right over its head. It had a green bar, and two other smaller vertical bars. Coal guessed that it was just two other hidden bars. He's seen something like that when he was just a child playing Dragon Ball Z games.

Coal had little time to dodge the torrent of fire the dragon let loose. He readied a fire wall to protect him from the fire, but most of it had already gone through. It stung him like a million scorpions stinging him at once in his right arm and upper right of his chest. He covered his wound, but felt something wet and warm. He removed his hand, only to see, Blood?! Instantly he felt his survival instants set in while his health was slowly draining away.

He dashed towards the dragon, firing balls of fire at its face. It only seemed to annoy the dragon. "Thou's fire is petty, Phix Nar!"

As soon as he was close enough, he unleashed a gust of air from his wand. "Aer!" He shouted and forced a horizontal tornado blasted into the dragon. He Coal watched as the dragon was pushed back a few yards from the force of the wind.

It laughed at him, like it barely did anything to him. Coal gazed at its health, only to see each hit he's made, only did at the most two hit points of damage. "Lixera, dos lork pota movas!" It laughed. "Death, it is near for thou! Paran noris saxi!" Coal's eyes widened at the pooling energy he felt the dragon absorb. Small orbs of light fell into its mouth while it inhaled. "KILE!" He shouted, firing a massive lazer at Coal's chest.

Coal was forced back nearly two football fields in length into a rock. There was a sicking crack along with him coughing up blood. He fell of the rock and landed on the ground burned and feeling faint. He had only ten health points remaining from the blast, but he noticed it was about to die. He weakly waved his hand, opening the menu to find the logout button, it was no where to be seen.

"N-no...." He gasped for air, but it felt like he was being stabbed by his ribs. "U-...Unl-...unlink!" He weakly said. 'U...unlink now!" But nothing happened. More blood started to pool around him, and he was starting to lose consciousness. The dragon seemed to forget about him as Coal felt like watching the dragon in what may be his final moments. It flew away back towards a wall of mountains.

Coal clawed the ground, trying to reach his wand, thinking he could burn his wounds so the bleeding would stop. Yet, he couldn't even find the strength to move more than two feet before his vision started to darken, and soon he passed out, slowly dying from blood loss. While he was dying the birds flew in and gazed at the human with large interest.

He is dying. The only female said solemnly. What shall we do?

The larger male stepped closer to Coal. He saved us, so we must save him. If it wasn't for him attacking the dragon, we would've died, and the dragons would have less of us to deal with in the spring.

Perhaps the elders will know how to save him? One of the males said. We have enough to fly him the rest of the way! We aren't far now!

The question is, how dead will he be then? There is only so much they can do before there is no fruit worth baring.

The female narrowed her eyes and squawked at the males. Then let's hurry morons! We must save him before it is too late!

The all nodded and all grabbed different parts of his body. Then they began to flap their wings as quickly as they could to lift off. UGH! He's heavy!

The larger male scoffed. Stop wining Hal, or I'll drink all your dew for the next week! The harsh words of the alpha pushed the other betas to work harder. Luckily it worked and they were flying their way back to the nesting grounds.

Hours passed as the flock gazed at the human while the elders worked on him. They were just barely able to save his life. The bird known as Killia was one closest to the human. She watched him with much greater interest than the others. While most of them were wondering who he was, what he was, or why he even felt like saving them. No, not her, not Killia, she was more than just as confused as her brothers and sisters, what she was is interested in how he looked. She had stolen the wand from the human while they were flying back, and she held it in her wing which somewhat acted like the claws on the human.

How long were you going to wait before telling us you had that hatchling? Asked an old voice. Killia turned her head, and nearly fell off the branch she was resting on.

Lord Ja'el! I-I was studying the creature's weapon he used to attack the draken. She bowed her head and gave Ja'el the wand. I was p-planning on-...On giving it to one of the elders for further study... Please forgive me and my idiotic foolishness.

To Killia's surprise the elder began laughing. He shook his head and grabbed the wand, then placed it under his wing. All is forgiven hatchling, you were only following what is but a mere instant for us. He opened up his wings. Come, fly with me, I wish to speak with you.

Y-yes, anything for you! She took off with Ja'el.

After they took off, and were some distance away from the nest, Lord Ja'el flew in closer to Killia. Why are you so interested in the human?

H-how do you know what it is? Killia asked him in surprise.

He chuckled in response. Answer my question first, then you may ask. Why the interest?

H-he saved us! Saved *ME*! She breathed out. Just in rags and covered with sent of the earth...And he stood up to a dragon...

Is that all?

**Hey!* I thought it was my turn!?*

Ja'el nodded and laughed softly. Quite right hatchling.... When I was only sixty years old my own father spoke to me about a race of very intelligent apes that called themselves *humans*. He described them to have very little on their bodies with more on their skulls. Ja'el nodded to himself. Yes....yes...They were obsessed with war, and fought for only their own survival. When our kind first exposed ourselves to them, they quickly began to hunt us for our feathers, and enslaved many including my father.

W-why!? Killia asked, shocked by Ja'el's words.

Our tears can heal anything, our feathers can be used for powerful magicks that surpass even our own natural magicks. Ja'el explained. He stared descending towards a cave. Have you seen Ursa before?

Killia shook her head. Only heard about him in my lessons, I'm sorry. Why are we here?

Because Ursa will decide what to do with the human. Perhaps, lead him to the Equines for further assistance. As they landed, they saw a large black bear with solid white eyes, and to the sides of them white lines that traveled down his body to his small tail.

Zirail, Lord Ja'el. Welcome hatchling. Tell me, what is your name? Ursa asked in a soft voice, careful not to care Killia.

M-my name? I-its Killia. She lowered her head, bowing to the large bear.

Then welcome to my home Killia. The bear motioned them to follow him inside. I suppose this isn't a regular visit? You are much too early Ja'el.

Ja'el laughed at the bear and nodded. Sadly, although it is good to see you are still as strong as ever Ursa.

Ursa lead them to a small stone table with a couple fish stacked on top of each other. He cut one in half,  and gave them to his friend and companion. Please, let us eat while we speak.

Killia was the first to begin eating. While she did so, Ja'el nodded before speaking. On to business I suppose. Along with Killia here, a small scouting group ran into a dragon while they were trying to return to the blesseded zone. Just a couple miles away they were when a unknown to them creature fired a ball of fire into the dragon's face. It distracted the beast while they were able to escape. Ja'el turned to Killia. As soon as the dragon realized he lost his meal for the winter, they returned to check on it.

Killia took the reins. He was injured beyond anything we've seen before. He was bleeding profusely, and covered in burns. I-I said that we couldn't just leave him there to die...It...It didn't feel like it would be right *not** to help it.*

Ursa threw the whole fish into his mouth. Pray tell, what is this creature Ja'el?

I was surprised when I saw it myself. I only heard about their race from my father, but as it turns out, it is a human.

A HUMAN!? Ursa roared in surprise. His voice shook the whole cave. Why would you come to me in dealing with it? Perhaps, you wish that I eat him? I must say I have never tasted a human before... He licked his chops. Why, I bet it even tastes like chicken!

Ja'el shook his head, looking rather angry at Ursa. I will not have him eaten since the other elders are working on healing his wounds and restoring his life. He hissed. Especially since he saved my granddaughter...and her friends... Ja'el gently pressed his head against Killia's neck. No...I wish that you help him find the closest path to the Equines to the east. I'm sure that their ruler who has my daughter as a companion will be able to help.

How is Philomena anyways? Ursa asked off topic.

She flew back a few weeks ago. She spoke of a pegasus who thought that she was ill because she was losing her feathers.

A rebirth I assume?

Indeed, she enjoyed fooling around with the pegasus, even fooling her with her death. Ja'el chuckled with Ursa. After much scorn from her lady, she apologized to the pegasus. Ja'el waited for Ursa to calm back down from his laughing fit before asking him, So will you aid the human?

I will take him to the wastes where the nearest settlement is located. The buffalo aren't exactly happy with the ponies right now, and I declared neutrality, so they don't exactly like me either. But any father, I will not go, too hot, and I am black. Ursa nodded. As soon as the human wakes, send him to my cave.

It will take sometime before he will be able to trek outside of the nest, Ursa. His wounds will need time to heal on their own, and we must instill some of our own magic inside him.

Why would you do that?

Ja'el shrugged. I am still unsure, as are the rest of the elders, but he carries with him the mark of our kind.

Do you think he is one of the Order? Usra asked.

Killia decided to speak up once more, finally fishing the fish off. What is the 'Order'? I wasn't aware of this, or even heard about it in my studies.

That is because there is little information about them my dear hatchling. Ja'el replied. All we know is that they follow the same path as us. They devote themselves to the passing of wisdom and loyalty, and are even considered to be a religious order.

How come we don't know much about them?

Because there are very few of them. In the last six thousand years, there has only been a hundred members at the most. Ursa replied.

W-wait, how old are you? Killia asked.

I'm a spirit of nature! Ursa laughed. The keeper of the earth. Did you know I took the form of a mystical deer once?

It was mentioned...but I just didn't feel like that would be possible.

Ursa began to glow brightly and turned into a massive white deer. He had looked so old to Killia, he even had moss handing from his antlers. She gawked at how Ursa had turned into the giant buck. See? He asked after changing back. As this, I also represent the *power** of nature as well, while also remaining connected. It is how I get my power.*

Could you teach me how?

It is not recommended dear Killia. It warps the mind.

Then how is he *'The Ursa*!?

They both raised a brow before bursting into a fit of laughter. We're all here, because we aren't all there! Ursa laughed while pointing to his head. You must be crazy to live as long as we have...

Killia rolled her eyes. Sure, can we go back to the human now? I wonder if the elders are done by now.

Ja'el looked up to his old friend and smiled. Hatchlings... He said wistfully. See you around spring?

Ursa yawned and patted his belly. I'm going to find a few more fish before I head to sleep.

Killia paused from her takeoff and looked at Ursa. How long do you sleep anyways?

Until the Spring Quarter young one. Ursa replied. Now go, I don't like anyone in my home while I'm not gone.

Ja'el and Killia flew off back towards the nest. "Hello Ursa..."

Ursa narrowed his eyes. "D-"

Ja'el felt slightly disturbed, Killia hadn't said a word since they arrived back at the nesting sight. He watched as Killia landed in her nest which remained alone and well kept. He flew up to her nest and sighed at her.

Must I ask why you are alone? Ja'el asked his granddaughter. He stepped closer to her, but she ended up turning away from him. What's wrong Killia?

I helped save a murderer...

What have you learned about making such harsh judgments such as that? For all we know, the humans have grown more than they had thousands of years ago. Killian, you helped save the very creature you saved your life. He wrapped a wing around her. Even if they hadn't, I would still abide by the very oath us elders go by. All life is, it is the survival of the those who are willing to survive by doing what is *right** for them. Do I think it was right that the humans hunted us? No, I don't think so since we offered them peace. Do I think he mainly saved you so he could harm you and your friends? Not very likely, I mean...He did face a dragon...* Ja'el gave Killia this look of disappointment. He removed his wing from her daughter and readied to take off. Please my hatchling, do not assume from what you have learned today. Try to find out who this human is. Find a name we may call him by, find where he is from, do whatever you would like, but do not harm him.

Killia nodded then rested her head on the edge of the nest. Why does my mother live with the Dia father?

Because of the same reason you brought the human to be healed. He answered. Because he saved *you*. Goodnight... Ja'el flew off into the dark night.

Killia looked towards the direction where she saw the Temple of Light. She gazed upon it for some time before taking off to the temple. As she flew she tried to clear her mind from what her father had told her. While he was right, deep down she felt like it was wrong to help the human. Then she asked herself why she even thought of saving him.

Because you didn't know. None of us knew about the humans... She groaned and huffed.

As Killia neared the temple, she descended through a small opening in the eastern most wall. Inside was a room filled with hundreds of different books and scrolls. She tried finding information on Ursa and how he can transform. All the while Killia thought of how to greet the human as a human. Perhaps, that is how she could keep the peace, and maybe even find out how the human feels.

Through all the books, she could only find a ripped page. On it was only half of the transformation spell however, but deep down, it didn't even stop her. It only gave fuel to her inner fire. I will do this...To show him I am thankful for him saving me. She narrowed her eyes and rapidly flew back to her nest, and made sure to be careful that she isn't spotted.