Chapters The Quest For The Black Cauldron
Legend has it, in the magical land of Equestria. There was once a king so cruel and so evil that even the sisters feared him. Since no prison could hold him, he was then thrown alive in a crucible of molten iron. There King Sombra's demonic spirit was captured in the form of a great black cauldron. For many centuries, the cauldron remained hidden. Waiting for evil creatures to search for it. Knowing that whoever possesses this cauldron, will have the power to resurrect an army of deathless warriors, and with them, rule all of Equestria.
The Quest For The Black Cauldron
It was a nice and sunny day in Equestria. Outside of Ponyville, there was a small farm that had a huge field of corn of different varieties. The owner of the farm is a unicorn that goes by the name "Cornhusk". He was a old geezer with the fur color of orange and had yellow eyes the color of yellow corn. He had hair the color of that of a plain field, as if he made a wig out of those plain fields say most of the fillies and colts that come by his establishment. He has been farming for fifty years in a life that has been passed down from generation to generation. His father and his father's father and so forth, have all been farmers of Equestria. Cornhusk wanted to keep the tradition keep on going for future generations.
Today was supposed to be sales for fresh corn. However, he has been pondering in his studies for the past few hours. He felt as if something was very wrong.
"Something's very wrong. I can feel it. And I bet the beezies know it too. Queen Chrysalis. That evil witch. What's she up to this time." said Cornhusk as he got up from his chair.
He then noticed the pot that his assistant 'Parn' made, was starting to bubble and boil. He then looked over to Parn's direction.
"Parn? Parn! The pot is boiling over!" shouted Cornhusk trying to get Parn's attention.
Parn is a unicorn that has been with Cornhusk since he was a little one. He was found on Cornhusk's doorstep and decided to take him in as a son and as a assistant. Parn had a mane and tail that was the color of ivory. His fur was the color of yellow and his cutie mark is yet to be discovered. His eyes were green as the grass.
"Oh, sorry Cornhusk. I was wondering, could I be a soldier? I don't like doing what I do here. I wanna be on the battlefield fighting off evil."
"Nonsense! You're not ready for that. War isn't a game, Parn. Ponies get hurt." said Cornhusk with concern.
"But I'm not afraid-OWCH!" said Parn as he grabbed ahold of the top handle of the pot, forgetting to cover his hoof with a cloth.
"See what I'm talking about. Hehehehe, if Queen Chrysalis ever returns, you'll have to deal with more than just a burnt hoof. Now go outside and feed Gummy."
"Gummy, Gummy, Gummy. It's always gotta be about Gummy."
"And one day my lad, you may learn why. Anyway, now's not the time for daydreaming, you have chores to do."
"Yes, Sir." said Parn as he walked out the front door levitating the bowl of food for Gummy.
Cornhusk walked back to his studies but stopped halfway to look back towards Parn's direction.
"He's very anxious and so blind to the dangers ahead." he whispered to himself.
Cornhusk continued towards his study and looked through his large set of books.
"Cornhusk doesn't understand. I'm not a little colt anymore. I wanna do heroic deeds for all of Equestria. Not stay around a farm watching over a weird, brain damaged, gator." said Parn as he made it to Gummy's little pond.
"Gummy! Come and get it!" called out Parn.
A little head popped out of the water and stared directly at Parn. Gummy rose from the pond and made it towards the food bowl and started taking little bites of what Parn had cooked for him.
"Is this to really be my life? I want to be a be a soldier. Not a gator keeper. Cornhusk thinks I'm some sort of coward. All I want is a chance and I could be the greatest soldier in all of Equestria." said Parn.
Parn then levitated a large stick from the ground.
"Look, Gummy! I can totally do it! HA!" said Parn as he levitated the stick towards Gummy which didn't make the little gator flinch.
"HAHAHA! I bet enemies would fear me."
Parn then looked towards the ducks at the other side of the pond and ran around it towards them while levitating the stick.
"Run you cowards! HAHAHAHA!" he said as he swished the stick back and forth rapidly, scaring off the ducks.
"Everyone runs from Parn! The-" he was cutoff by a duck that flew from behind him. Smacking him behind the head and making fall face first into the mud.
"Ughhhh..." groaned Parn as he swiped his right hoof across his face cleaning off the mud from his face.
Gummy walked up to Parn covered in mud and crawled up onto his back and sat down.
"Hehehehehehe." giggled Parn.
"Ahem?" said a gruff voice from behind Parn.
Parn got up as Gummy slipped off his back and fell into the mud. Parn turned around and saw Cornhusk looking at him with a cocked eyebrow while tapping his left hoof.
"Still daydreaming, are you?" he said with a cocked eyebrow.
"Oh, it just that- Gummy got dirty." said Parn trying to figure out a way to avoid punishment.
"Uh huh… How long will this daydreaming continue?" said Cornhusk as he swished his tail to and fro.
"Come on, Cornhusk. Will I be anything, instead of being an assistant gator keeper?"
"He's no ordinary gator." said Cornhusk as he stretched out his orange colored hoof towards Gummy's muddy head and patting it.
"Anyway, go clean yourselves up. Both of you are covered with mud." said Cornhusk as he headed towards the house.
"Yes, Sir." said Parn as he levitated Gummy towards a small bath barrel that was the prefect size for Gummy to fit his body in. Parn got into the bath barrel right next to Gummy's and started cleaning himself up before cleaning up Gummy.
After Parn cleaned himself from head to hoof, he grabbed a sponge and started to rub it all around Gummy. As he continued, Gummy then stretched out his head and looked around with horror in his eyes.
"What's wrong Gummy?" said Parn with confusion.
Gummy then thrashed back in forth and was having a panic attack.
"Gummy, stop!!" shouted Parn levitating Gummy out of the bucket.
"Parn?! What's going on?!" said Cornhusk as he levitated the window open.
"I don't know? He' thrashing around as if he's seen a ghost."
"What?! Quickly, bring him in here immediately!" said Cornhusk as he closed the window.
As Parn entered the house while levitating Gummy, he noticed that the whole house inside was dark. All of the doors and windows were shut. The only thing he could see was a candle that was dimly lit. Next to the candle was a bowl of water. Parn then looked at Cornhusk who was flinging his match till the flame disappeared from the tip of it.
"What is all this for?" said Parn.
"Put Gummy down. I usually never use Gummy's powers unless I have to. But it seems that I have to." said Cornhusk in calm voice.
"Powers?"
"Parn, what you are about to witness, you must never reveal to anypony." said Cornhusk as he levitated a staff and stirred the water.
Gummy's eyes were fixated on Cornhusk's staff as it swirled around the bowl.
"Gummy, I do beseech. Knowledge that lies beyond my reach. Troubled thoughts weigh on your heart. Pray you now those thoughts impart."
As Cornhusk took the staff out of the water, Gummy placed his snout into the water. A pink mist came out of Gummy's snout which made the water look almost like a whirlpool from within. Then suddenly a figure appeared onto the water. It had a long mane with holes, sharp teeth, bug-like wings, a bizarre horn, and a crown.
"Queen Chrysalis." said Cornhusk silently.
"What?" said Parn.
"Shhhhhhh! Don't interfere."
The water suddenly turned orange and saw figures that appeared to be a couple of flying dragons. The dragons flew in a circle around the edges of the bowl.
"She seems to be searching for something." said Cornhusk.
The dragons then started fusing together forming into some sort of object. Cornhusk's eyes lit up.
"The Black Cauldron?! What does she want with that?!" said Cornhusk.
"What's the Black Cauldron?" said Parn with a cocked eyebrow.
"It's a powerful weapon, Parn. It has been hidden for centuries, but if Queen Chrysalis could find it and unleash its power, nothing could stand against her."
Suddenly, a green formation appeared in the middle of the water that looked a lot like Gummy.
"That's Gummy!" said Parn.
"Oh no! She now knows." said Cornhusk.
"That's enough!" said Cornhusk as he levitated his staff and splashed water on Gummy's face bringing him back to reality.
Cornhusk went to the kitchen and grabbed a saddlebag and stuffed it with an apple, a glass of bottled water, and slices of bread.
"You must leave immediately. Take Gummy and yourself to a hidden cottage at the edge of the Everfree Forest. Stay there and never come out until I come for you."
"Why should I hide?" said Parn.
"I am the only one that knows about Gummy's power. But now, Queen Chrysalis has discovered it. We must make sure she never uses Gummy to find the Black Cauldron." said Cornhusk ignoring Parn's question.
"I'm not afraid of her." said Parn levitating a leash around Gummy's head.
"Then you are a fool of a took. Untried courage is no match for her wickedness. Remember that. Anyway, time to go now. Take care of yourself." said Cornhusk as he levitated Parn's saddlebag over him with food and water to last the way.
Parn walked up to Cornhusk and gave him a hug.
"Goodbye Cornhusk. I won't fail you."
Parn then let go and walked out the front door with Gummy by the leash towards a path that would take them to the Everfree Forest. As they left, Cornhusk stood at the door and watched as Parn and Gummy walked further away along the path.
"So much, so soon...To rest on his young shoulders."
TO BE CONTINUED...
The Quest For The Black Cauldron
Elsewhere in Equestria, there was a dark and evil castle that would give anypony the shivers. The castle was surrounded by heavy iron gates that were as tall as trees. Those gates would scare anypony that ever dared to think about going inside. The castle stood dark and foreboding - surrounded by boulders, mountains, and a small forest of lifeless trees. Loud booms of thunder were heard overhead as the thunder clapped from the dark clouds that were high above the castle. Inside the castle lived the master and her pack of diamond dogs. Who is this master you ask? She is a queen that could take the form of anypony she saw. Anypony that remembered the Canterlot wedding will know her name. Her name is 'Chrysalis'.
Three months ago
After her failed attempt to take over Equestria, Chrysalis spent most of her time stuck in her castle. Chrysalis was starving for love to feed on or wishing that there were changelings to be loved. One day when she was brink of losing hope, Chrysalis discovered a hidden door in the castle that lead her to a secret library. She entered the library and was amazed at all of the books that the previous owner of the castle had left behind. In the center of the room, she found a small wooden table covered in dust. On top of the table was a box covered with cobwebs and more dust. Chrysalis sneered at the box and zapped it open, which then created a large dust cloud. Dust flew about the room. As the dust cloud dissipated, she looked over to the now broken box and saw that there was a letter inside.
"A letter?! What is this a joke?!" shouted Chrysalis as she levitated the paper closer to her face.
Chrysalis read the letter. The letter warned about an evil cauldron that was full of evil magic from a once powerful king that went by the name Sombra. The letter went on to tell the reader that whoever finds the cauldron will have the power to resurrect an army of deathless warriors. Chrysalis put down the letter as an evil grin spread across her face.
"Bring back the dead? Hehehehehe. Whoever had written this really should have kept this a secret from me. Well, it's not secret anymore. With this cauldron, I can bring my darling changelings back from the dead. And with them, I can rule all of Equestria! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! First things first, I need to find some servants to do my bidding."
Chrysalis thought, "Now where to get some servants?" Then She got an idea
"That's it! I'll trick the diamond dogs into becoming my servants. As a ruse, I will tell the diamond dogs that my changelings will help them detect jewels that are hidden in the mountain caves. All those dogs can think about are those jewels and I know they won't be able to turn down a deal like that."
After coming up with her brilliant idea, Chrysalis left the castle hand headed towards the mountains. She knew that once she arrived at the mountains, she would find the diamond dogs searching in the mountain caves for jewels. Chrysalis entered the largest of the caves through a large opening and continued down the tunnel until she reached the main chamber. Upon her arrival, the pack of diamond dogs immediately stopped their work and gave Chrysalis their full attention.
"Who are you? Can't you see we are busy, you bug-like freak?!" snapped one diamond dog from the crowd.
"Hello there diamond dogs, I, Chrysalis, queen of the changelings have a proposition for you. Help me find the black cauldron." said Chrysalis.
The diamond dogs muttered and whispered to one another. They then looked back at her.
"Why should we help you? What's in it for us?" said a tall and gruff-looking diamond dog.
"If you help me, in return, I will let my changelings help you find more jewels. So, do we have a deal?"
Every ear of every diamond dog in the area, perked up with surprise. One by one, each of the diamond dogs produced a large toothy grin. They all chattered with one another.
"I can see by your smiles, that you are considering my proposition." said Chrysalis. "So, do we have a deal or not?"
"Hail Queen Chrysalis! Hail Queen Chrysalis! Hail Queen Chrysalis!" shouted a diamond dog.
The other dogs joined in the chant and pretty soon the chamber was filled with the chants of the diamond dogs "Hail Queen Chrysalis!"
"Hehehehehe. Piece of cake." thought Chrysalis. "Follow me to my castle and let us prepare for the search for the cauldron." said Chrysalis as she flew out of the chamber and towards her castle's direction.
"Quickly everyone, let's go!" shouted a diamond dog as all of the diamond dogs rushed out the cave to follow their new queen.
Present time
Chrysalis , flanked by two diamond dogs, walked down the dark hallways of her castle. She then stopped to open a door that would lead them to a cold and gloomy tomb.
"Leave me be. I'll enter here alone." said Chrysalis as she looked back at her servants.
"Yes, your highness." said both diamond dogs as they stepped away from the tomb's door.
Chrysalis walked slowly into the tomb. Her eyes scanned the tomb which was littered with the remains of her fallen changelings which were now nothing but dry dusty skeletons, "My poor babies" said Chrysalis as a tear rolled down her cheek. It was only four months ago when the powerful magic of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence had turned the changelings into skeletons. Chrysalis' thoughts turned to the day she had asked her diamond dog soldiers to search all of Equestria and return the bodies of her changelings to the tomb. Wiping away a tear, Chrysalis slowly walked down the stairs to get a closer look at the skeletons. When she reached the bottom of the staircase, she saw a cold green fog swirling around the floor. The fog moved silently around the floor, winding through the skeletons and curling up towards the step on which she stood. Chrysalis felt the cold, damp fog start to swirl around her hooves. She stood there for a moment, thinking about what was to come.
"Don't worry my darlings. Soon the black cauldron will be mine. It's evil power will soon be coursing through my veins and I shall make you…Cauldron-born…"
Chrysalis walked back up to the top of the staircase. When she reached the top, she paused and looked back down at her fallen changelings.
"Yes…Oh, yes then you shall worship me again!!" said Chrysalis with glee. As she stood up on her hind legs she noticed what a powerful shadow her body cast against the wall. She smiled and then paused and slowly went back down on all fours.
"Oh, my darlings… How long I have thirsted to be a queen of all Equestria."
Chrysalis then walked out of the dark tomb leaving the skeletons to await their revival.
Parn and Gummy continued their walk towards the Everfree Forest. Before they passed the borders of Ponyville, some fillies and colts noticed them and waved at them with glee. Parn waved back with a smile across his face and continued along the path.
"Hey Parn!" shouted one of the colts.
Parn stopped and turned around to glance back at whoever had called him.
"Where are you going?!" shouted the colt.
Parn smiled and put his fore hooves up to his face.
"I'm going on an adventure!" Parn replied.
The colt looked at Parn with surprise.
"Good luck!" replied the colt as he gave out another wave.
Parn waved back in return. He then turned around and pressed on.
It had been ten minutes since Parn has passed the borders of Ponyville. As he continued on his walk, he thought about Gummy and his ability to tell the future.
"Interesting, Gummy. I never knew that you were so special. I thought you were just a small, useless, brain dead gator. I'm surprised that Cornhusk would put his trust in me to look after you. I can't wait to see how he'll react when I get you to the cottage uninjured. Now Gummy, don't go wandering about. And don't you worry. Keep close to me and you'll be safe." said Parn patting Gummy's head.
After walking for such a long time, Parn noticed a lake where he could splash his face with water to keep himself cool.
"Hey Gummy, let's take a break near that lake over there."
As they got down to the lake, Parn sat down on a log. He then levitated Gummy's leash and tied it to a thick branch so that Gummy wouldn't escape.
"I'll be right back, Gummy. You stay here." said Parn as he walked towards the lake's edge.
Parn dipped his hooves into the water and splashed his face.
"Ahhhhh, refreshing." said Parn with satisfaction.
Parn looked back at Gummy who was looking around the area as if he saw a ghost. Parn gave out a smile.
"Don't worry, Gummy. I won't let queen Chrysalis near you. I'll protect you." said Parn as he levitated a stick out of the water causing ripples to form on the lake's surface.
Parn then looked down at the ripples and saw an image of himself wearing armor just like the soldier ponies wore in Canterlot. He also saw in the ripples that he was surrounded by ponies shouting with glee. Parn even saw Celestia and Luna standing by his side, each with pretty smiles on their faces. Parn shook his head and wondered if he was really seeing this.
"Parn of Cornhusk, the greatest soldier of all of Equestria. He's a true hero." said Celestia as the crowd of ponies around shouted even louder than before.
"Thank you. Thank you all. But without the help of Gummy I-" Parn was snapped back into reality as he turned around to notice that the leash that was used to tie Gummy, had snapped.
"Gummy?" said Parn with worry,"Gummy?!"
Parn looked rapidly around the area but couldn't spot the little gator. He was very nervous. Seeing the empty leash shook him to the core.
"Great." said Parn with frustration as he got walked back up to the path from where they came.
Parn looked along the path area and still no sign of Gummy. He then noticed that about half a mile ahead was the the entrance to the Everfree Forest. Parn walked towards the forest while looking up and down the path hoping to spot Gummy.
"Gummy?" said Parn as he continued his continued towards the entrance of the Everfree Forest .
Parn finally made it to the entrance of the Everfree Forest. At the entrance, he heard loud caws from the ravens who were perched on top of the dead branches overhead. Parn also noticed that several of the trees were home to large evil looking owls.
"GUMMY!" shouted Parn as heard caws and flapping of wings around him.
As Parn entered the Everfree Forest, he was getting an eerie feeling that he was being watched. He started to notice that the trees had spooky faces on them. Parn tried his best not to look at them.
"Don't worry, Parn. They're only illusions." thought Parn as he tried to keep himself calm.
Parn walked along the path of the forest, until he heard a twig snap, which made him jump. He ducked behind a tree to hide from the ravens overhead who were flapping their wings and cawing loudly. Parn slowly peeked out from behind the trunk of the tree.
"Is that you, Gummy?" said Parn as he walked towards the area where he thought he had hear the twig snap.
Parn then opened up one of the pouches from his saddlebag and took out an apple.
"Look what I've got, Gummy. Come on out here. It's a delicious App-" Parn was cutoff as a purple figure landed on his head.
"Yahoo!" said a purple figure as it rushed towards the apple that slipped out of Parn's hoof.
The tiny, scaly, purple dragon snatched the apple from the ground and smiled with glee.
"Such a nice unicorn you are. Giving me, Spike, such a delicious treat." said the dragon as he looked at his reflection on the apple.
Parn lifted his head and was surprised to see a living dragon in the flesh. Parn never knew that they could be so tiny like the one in front of him. Parn cocked an eyebrow in confusion.
"Oh boy, what a juicy apple." said Spike as he continued to observe the apple withheld in his claws.
"Thank you very much, mr. unicorn. See ya." said Spike as he skipped away gleefully with apple.
Parn quickly stood up and rushed over to the little dragon and levitated the apple towards himself. Spike noticed a golden aura around the apple and held tightly onto the apple, not letting it go.
"Hold it right there you scaly, little thief! I didn't give you that apple! You took it!" said Parn as he held onto the apple with his magic, struggling to not let Spike take it.
As the apple got closer to Parn with Spike getting dragged along with it, Spike let of of the apple with one hand and scratched Parn with his claws.
"OWCH! Hey! Stop you scaly, little thief! Come back with that apple!" said Parn as the little dragon hid himself behind a bush.
"If you don't give it back, you'll be sorry. I seriously mean it." said Parn as he levitated a branch that was close by high in the air.
"Come on! Give me the apple." said Parn as he held his right hoof.
Spike slowly opened his claws and revealed to Parn that their was nothing in his claws. The little dragon gave Parn a big dumb grin, trying to make himself look innocent.
"Where's the apple?" said Parn as he tapped his left hoof.
"I don't know where the app-" Spike was cutoff as the apple slipped out from underneath the bush where Spike hid it.
"Uh oh." said Spike as he rushed over to the apple covering it up with his body as if Parn didn't see anything.
"Come on, give me the apple. I'm warning you!" said Parn with frustration as he held out his right hoof while levitating a branch.
Spike got back up to his feet along clutching the apple tightly in his claws. Spike was still fixated by the apple, smacking his lips out of hunger. He then looked back at Parn who was still waiting to get the apple back. Spike then looked back at the apple again and pinched off some dirt that was stuck onto the apple.
"Come on! Give me the apple! I don't have time for your games!" said Parn as he twirled the branch ready to strike down the little dragon.
Spike then held out the apple towards Parn. Without hesitation, Spike took a big bite out of the apple and placed it on Parn's hoof.
Parn looked at the apple with such surprise, he dropped the branch.
"You greedy little lizard! You should be ashamed of yourself!" said Parn as he raised a hoof in a fist-like manner.
"Sorry mr. unicorn sir. I'm just miserable out here. There's nothing that much to eat. Please forgive me." said Spike as he pretended to act as innocent as he could.
"Oh, shut up. I'm not falling for that. Anyway, have you seen a little gator around here?" said Parn with concern.
"A gator? Small gator? Small snout?" said Spike as he scratched his head.
"Yes."
"Looks brain dead?"
"Yep! That's Gummy alright! Have you seen him?" said Parn with glee.
"Nope. Haven't seen him." said Spike as he looked away from Parn crossing his arms.
"Never mind. I'll find him by myself if I have to." said Parn as he dropped the branch and levitated the bitten apple into one of the pouches of his saddlebag.
"I wonder what else he has in there. I bet there'll be more food in there." thought Spike as his mouth started to water thinking about what other kinds of food might be inside of Parn's saddlebag.
"Oh, mr. unicorn! I remembered now! I did see the gator." said Spike as he rushed in front of Parn to get his full attention.
"My clever, sharp eyes saw the gator run right through the forest. I saw it! Come with me, we'll find your gator. Then, we'll be friends forever." said Spike as he jumped onto Parn's back.
"Food's gotta be around here somewhere." said Spike as he looked into the wrong side pouch of Parn's saddlebag.
"He'll never learn." thought Parn as he rolled his eyes.
Then, right out of the blue, Gummy went running past them and disappeared through the forest.
"Gummy! Come back!" shouted Parn.
"Looks like he was running away from somethin'." said Spike as he climbed down from Parn's back.
"From what?" said Parn with confusion.
Suddenly, they heard the wind whipping up from behind Parn. They both turned around quickly and caught a glimpse of something up in the sky flying towards Gummy's direction. They couldn't really make out what it was because the tree branches were blocking their view overhead. Parn did however notice scales that were glimmering from the setting sun.
"Are those...Dragons?!" said Parn with shock.
"Goodbye!" said Spike as he disappeared into the forest.
Parn ran towards the tracks that would lead him to the location where Gummy ran away. He passed through some bushes and found more of Gummy's tracks on a pathway towards an open area.
"Gummy! Where are you?!" shouted Parn along the pathway.
As Parn made it out to the open area of the forest, he saw Gummy running in about as not one, but two dragons were flying around him in a circle. On top of the dragons however, were diamond dogs i full armor. Parn thought this was rather strange, as he had never heard of diamond dogs getting along with dragons.
"Get the gator, Garble! The queen needs it!" said one of the diamond dogs riding the red dragon with a sharp toothed grin.
"Sure will!" replied Garble.
"Quickly now! Catch the little gator!" said another diamond dog riding a green dragon with orange eyes.
"Bombs away!" said both dragons as they dove down to catch Gummy.
Gummy ran around in a frenzy trying to get away from the dragons. The green dragon was just about to snatch him up, but missed by a few feet.
Gummy ran in the opposite direction trying to escape, but was caught by the tail by Garble.
"I got him!" said Garble.
Gummy's tail slipped through Garble's claws and he fell to the ground with a thud. Gummy ran away as fast as he could.
"Darn!" said Garble as he turned around and made another attempt to swoop back down towards Gummy. Gummy kept on running without looking behind him, not knowing that Garble's claws were merely inches away.
"LOOK OUT GUMMY!" shouted Parn trying to get Gummy's attention.
Gummy skidded towards the left and turned around towards Parn's direction. Garble had missed his mark and his claws were buried a few inches deep into the ground.
"Darn! Missed again!" said Garble as he took off towards the sky.
Gummy ran towards Parn and Parn began to run towards Gummy.
"Hurry, Gummy! Come to me!" shouted Parn as he kept running towards Gummy.
As Gummy went running towards Parn, the diamond dog riding the green dragon was suddenly closing in.
"Gotcha now, little gator!" said the diamond dog with a toothy grin.
"HURRY, GUMMY!" shouted Parn as he was fifteen feet away from Gummy.
The green dragon closed in and snatched the gator in its claws.
"We got him! Quickly now, to the castle!" said the diamond dog as he and the other rider flew towards the castle's direction.
"Give him back!" said Parn as he used his magic to grip onto the green dragon's tail.
"Let go, you runt!" said the green dragon.
As Parn tried desperately to hold onto the tail, Garble came from behind Parn and smashed him into the dirt.
"See ya sucker! Hahahahaha!" cackled the diamond dog riding Garble as he and the other rider flew away behind rocky mountains.
Parn quickly stood up. There was a small trickle of blood running out of his mouth.
"COME BACK!!" shouted Parn as he ran in the direction that the dragons flew, but all of the branches and dead trees were blocking his way. He desperately pushed onward until he stopped at a rocky hill. Parn climbed to the top of the mountain. He was in pain from the long climb and the cuts an bruises he got from the branches.
At the top of the hill, he saw a castle whose mere sight chilled him to the bone. He then noticed the two dragons from earlier in the day heading towards the castle.
"Gummy…Don't you worry. I'll get you out of there." said Parn to himself with confidence as he wiped the blood off of his mouth.
"Please don't go. Forget the gator." said a voice from behind him.
Parn quickly turned around and noticed that it was the little dragon Spike. Somehow Spike had caught up. The little dragon looked at Parn with concern.
"How did you get here so fast and what are you doing here anyway?" said Parn.
"I've come back to be your friend." said Spike as he rubbed his scaly face against Parn's left hoof.
"You're no friend of mine! You ran away when…" Parn stopped and took a breath.
"You know what, never mind. I promised Cornhusk that I'll protect Gummy with all my life. I have to go." said Parn as he took a step forward but was quickly stopped by the sound of thunder.
"Well…I…Are you coming with me?" said Parn with curiosity.
"Going in there? No way. It's a scary place." said Spike shaking.
"You're no friend. You're just a coward." said Parn as he walked down the slope and towards the castle.
Parn then stopped and levitated the apple from earlier and looked back at Spike.
"Here, take it. That's all you've wanted from me." said Parn as he threw it towards Spike and continued towards the castle.
Spike grabbed ahold of the apple and looked back towards Parn as he walked towards the castle. Spike let out a sniffle as a tear fell down his right cheek.
"If he ever goes into that castle, I'll never see him again. Nope. Never again." said Spike as he looked down in worry as the thunder boomed off in the distance.
TO BE CONTINUED...
The Quest For The Black Cauldron
Author's Note
Sorry for the long wait folks
The Rescue
Thunder boomed across the castle as Parn tried his best to climb up the castle by using his teeth to grab onto the vines that were connected across the castle.
Parn kept his pace as he climbed. As he reached for one side, his right hoof slipped which ripped off a chunk of the castle. Parn looked down towards the falling rubble and saw it disappeared into the ravine below him. He then kept his mind back onto climbing.
"Phew, this is exhausting." thought Parn.
As Parn continued his climb, he then noticed a crack a few feet above him with a light gleaming out of it that was blocked by dead vines.
"Aha. I wonder if I can break through there." thought Parn as he climbed up to get a closer look.
As Parn made it close to the crack, he can see a glimmer of light and a little bit of the interior of the castle. Parn slowly raised his left hoof to brush away the dead vines, the rubble broke off as if it were dirt and fell down the castle and into the ravine below. Parn reached towards the crevice and got both hooves onto it and pulled himself in. Parn crawled through the crevice and into the castle.
Parn has finally made it inside of the castle. He checked his surroundings to make sure that he was in the clear. There was no one around; all that Parn could hear was laughter, cheering, and music. Parn slowly crept through the hallways until he noticed a stone window opening to where the sounds are coming from. As he peeked his head downward, he saw a bunch of diamond dogs having a good time celebrating.
"I wonder why they're celebrating?" thought Parn as he continued to observe the diamond dogs below.
"Cheers to everybody!" shouted a diamond dog holding up a mug of apple cider in the air.
The diamond dogs were having a good time eating, drinking their fills, and playing music. One of them was juggling balls as the others applaud for his performance. Among them was a rather diamond dog that was shorter than the others. He had one eye closed, while the other was opened. His fur was green, which was an abnormal color. He wore a purple shirt that had a capital 'C' in both the front and back. The others seem to find him a nuisance as he walked through the crowd finding a place to sit down and eat his turkey leg that was found on a large round table at the further right bottom corner of the throne room. As the little, green diamond dog poked his fork into it; a diamond dog from behind him sent him flying into another diamond dog that was just about to finish his last piece of turkey. As the little green diamond dog sat up, the now still hungry diamond dog grabbed him by the collar.
"Look what you did you little-" the starving diamond dog was cutoff as another diamond dog grabbed ahold of the little, green diamond into his paws and danced with him in a circle.
"Whoooaaaa!" shouted the little, green diamond dog as he tried to get the dancing diamond dog to let go of his paw.
"QUIET! I'm tryin' to sleep. Hehehehe." said a drunken diamond dog as his head collapsed into a bowl of apple cider.
Elsewhere in the throne room, there was a rather scandalous, belly dancing diamond dog dancing on top of the table giving the diamond dogs around them a show. She swayed back and forth as the diamond dogs felt blood rushing into their heads. All she could hear were complements from the diamond dogs around her.
"What a beauty she is!"
"She sure is a lovely one!"
One of the diamond dogs just finished two of his turkey legs and looked towards the two dragons that Parn recognized from earlier today.
"Here you two go. You've earned it." said the diamond dog as he threw the bones toward them as they caught them with their teeth.
They both salivated over the bones and gnawed them with glee.
The little, green diamond dog from earlier was close to another table with an empty plate waiting to be filled. As he looked towards the diamond dogs that were busy talking and not eating, he slowly reached his fork out and stabbed quietly onto a slab of meat. As he slowly moved the slab of meat towards himself, the diamond dog caught him at the corner of his eye and raised his knife.
"KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF, SNEAKER!" shouted the Diamond dog as he slammed his knife onto the meat, which gave only a tiny piece away for Sneaker to take away.
Sneaker skipped gleefully towards a table to sit without even looking.
"Going somewhere, Sneaker?" said a diamond dog as he held out his leg.
Without looking, Sneaker tripped and landed face first onto his meat, leaving a bunch of spice and grease on his face.
The diamond dogs that were watching him laughed. Sneaker was turning red as he got back up to his feet and walked away.
Parn still kept his eye out for Gummy, but still no sign of him.
"Come on, Gummy. Where are you?" thought Parn as he continued to look throughout the celebrated throne room.
"ENOUGH OF THIS CLEBRATING!" shouted a angry feminine voice.
The throne room went quiet as looked they looked towards the entrance of the throne room. Then, there was a sound of clopping hooves walking towards the throne room. Everyone's eyes lit up as they saw a pair of green lights coming from the dark entrance. As the being came out into the light, it was none other than Queen Chrysalis. She looked to and fro over the diamond dogs as she gave out a sneer.
"All of you sit down. Celebration time is now over." said Chrysalis as she walked towards her throne.
"Sweet Celestia, it's Chrysalis." thought Parn as his heart heated very quickly at the sight of her.
Sneaker rushed over and picked up a small broom and swept the queens way towards her throne. After she sat down, he walked over towards a bottle on top of a tray with a wine glass that was sitting close by her throne.
"Welcome, your highness." said Sneaker as he poured the wine onto the wrong side of the wine glass by accident without paying attention.
"We were just celebrating our success. Oh, I mean your success." said Sneaker as he corrected himself including flipping over the wine glass and poured into the glass the right way.
Sneaker walked up the steps towards the right corner of the throne and placed the cup beside Chrysalis with a little of spills on the stone steps.
"We've made no mistakes this time." said Sneaker as he crawled up on the right of her panting happily like a normal dog would.
Sneaker came back to his senses and swung himself around.
"BRING IN THE PRISONER!" shouted Sneaker.
From Parn's point of view, he sees a diamond dog dragging in something by chains. As Parn narrowed his eyes, he resized it was Gummy.
"Oh no. What am I to do?" thought Parn with worry.
"Hehehehe. This is it, your highness. This was that gator you wanted that creates visions." said Sneaker.
"Hmmmm. Not really what I expected...You! Diamond dog over by that corner over there!" said Chrysalis as she pointed out to the said diamond dog.
"Yes, your highness?"
"Fill your bowl with water and place it in front of this gator."
"Right away, your highness." said the diamond dog as he grabbed ahold of his bowl and ran over to one of the barrels that are filled with water.
After filling it, he ran towards Gummy and placed the bowl in front of him.
"Alright you dumbfounded gator, show the queen where the black cauldron can be found." said Sneaker demandingly.
Gummy just stood there ignoring the orders.
"Stubborn little gator, isn't he, your high-" Sneaker was cutoff as Chrysalis used her magic to choke him and throw him towards the bottom the stairs closer to Gummy.
"Oh yes, your highness. You are right. I'll go take care of this immediately." said Sneaker as he walked towards Gummy.
"The black cauldron! Where is it?! Show us, you dumb gator!" said Sneaker as he dumped Gummy's face into the water in hope that it'll put some sense into Gummy.
Sneaker hurried away and grabbed ahold of one of a spear that was close by .
"I warn you, little gator. The Queen's patience is short." said Sneaker as he held up the spear close to Gummy's face.
"NO! DON'T! NOOOOOOOOO!!!" shouted Parn at the top of his lungs as he slipped off from where he was and onto the stone floor.
Everyone looked at Parn in confusion.
"Who's he?" said a diamond dog.
"How did he get in the castle?!"
Parn looked around and was surrounded by diamond dogs. He looked around to find a close object he could use to defend for himself. The only thing that was close by was a broom. He levitated the broom and pointed it towards the closest diamond dog.
"GET BACK!" said Parn trying to be brave.
"Hahahahaha!! You dumb little unicorn!" laughed the diamond dog as he swung his sword and cut the hairs off of the broom.
"That was a stupid idea." thought Parn as he looked at the broom and dropped it to the floor.
The diamond dog with the sword picked up Parn with one paw. He drew his sword slowly towards Parn's stomach.
"Hehehehehe." cackled the diamond dog.
"Release him! Queen's order." said Sneaker from further away.
The diamond dog looked back at Chrysalis and then backs at Parn.
"Be lucky that I didn't kill ya. Here you go!" said the diamond dog as he threw Parn towards Gummy.
Parn lifted his head and was staring face to face with Gummy.
"Gummy! I'm so glad your safe. There, there." said Parn as he got up and hugged the little gator.
"So, little unicorn. I'm taking a guess that you are the keeper of this gator?" said Chrysalis as she stared down at Parn with her glowing green eyes.
Parn was speechless. He never knew that he'd really see Chrysalis in the flesh.
"Speak." said Chrysalis impatiently.
"Y-Yes, your highness." stuttered Parn.
"Then instruct this gator to show me the whereabouts of the black cauldron." said Chrysalis as she levitated her wine glass and took in a sip.
Parn looked back at Gummy and remembered that Cornhusk specifically told him to never allow Chrysalis to use Gummy to find the black cauldron.
"Your highness...I can't do that. I made a promise not to." said Parn.
Chrysalis's eye twitched.
"Very well. Then I guess that the gator is no use to me." said Chrysalis as her wine glass broke into pieces from her magic putting pressure on it.
Parn's eyes lit up. He knew that something was wrong.
Sneaker ran up to Gummy and snatched him up.
"Hey! What are you going to do to him?!" said Parn as he stood up.
Sneaker placed Gummy's head onto an execution block and held him down tightly.
"NO! DON'T DO IT!!" shouted Parn as he tried to take Gummy back but was pinned down by a diamond dog.
The executioner came out and held his axe high in the air preparing to lop off Gummy's head.
"PLEASE!!! STOP!!!!" Cried out Parn.
Chrysalis held out her hoof in order to stop the execution. The executioner obeyed and dropped his axe to the floor. Parn looked back at Chrysalis and then down to the floor.
"Fine. I'll let him tell you where the cauldron is." said Parn in defeat.
"Much better." said Chrysalis with smirk.
Sneaker grabbed ahold of Gummy and threw him towards the water filled bowl from before.
"Get on with the visions, little gator." said Sneaker.
Parn was released from the diamond dogs grip and walked towards Gummy.
Parn dipped his left hoof into the water bowl and enchanted the lines that Cornhusk said.
"Gummy, from you I do beseech. Knowledge that lies beyond my reach..." Parn was stopped as Gummy's snout entered the water.
The water started to swirl and gave out a bright color mix of red and orange.
The diamond dogs that surrounded Parn and Gummy watched with awe.
"Look! Look! Look! Your highness, it's happening." said Sneaker as he jumped up with glee.
As Parn stared deeply into the bowl, he saw a figure of the cauldron, swirling around slowly. Chrysalis who was on her throne, stood up with surprise.
"So the cauldron really does exist." said Chrysalis as she walked down slowly towards Parn and Gummy.
"Yesss. Yesss. Where is it? Show me...Show me." whispered Chrysalis as she crept up behind Parn.
Parn had an eerie feeling coming from behind him. As he turned, he stared directly into Chrysalis' green eyes as she quickly lunged her neck down quickly.
"AHHHHH!!" screamed Parn.
As Parn quickly stood up, his right hoof flipped the water filled bowl and water came splashing down on Chrysalis' face.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!" screamed the queen as she covered her face with both of her hooves.
"Come on, Gummy! Let's blow this joint!" said Parn as he levitated Gummy and pushed his way through the diamond dogs to get a chance of escape.
"GET THEM!!! WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING STANDING THERE LIKE ZOMBIES?!?!?!" shouted Sneaker demandingly.
The diamond dogs snapped back into reality and chased after Parn.
Parn ran around the castle not knowing where the exit will be. As he looked behind to see if the diamond dogs are anywhere close to him, he took a left. As he rushed in that direction, he was stopped to notice that it wasn't the way out. Parn was in a room full of meat and spices. The butcher noticed Parn and cocked and eyebrow.
Parn went back the direction he was coming from, as he looked back to where he came from, he saw Sneaker coming in hot. Sneaker then jumped towards Parn.
"Gotcha!" said Sneaker as he fell inside of a barrel that was behind Parn.
Parn kept his pace as he ran down the halls of the castle. He then found a opened wooden door that led outside. He rushed through and locked the door. Parn looks over the battlements and looks down at the moat bellow.
"The moat is our only chance, Gummy. Come on." said Parn.
As he placed Gummy down on the balcony, he then heard the wooden lock from behind him snap. Parn quickly pushed Gummy and watched him fall into the moat.
"Swim away, Gummy! I'm coming down!" said Parn as he was prepared to take a leap off.
Parn was stopped as he heard the wooden door braking from behind him. Parn tried to make his leap but was grabbed with a vice grip of Sneaker's. Sneaker then dragged Parn towards the Chrysalis that had fury in her eyes.
"Gotcha! Look, your highness! We've got him!" said Sneaker.
Sneaker let go of Parn as Chrysalis levitated Sneaker by the neck.
"But you let the gator go, didn't you?" said Chrysalis with a sneer.
"It-It wasn't my fault. I swea-" Sneaker was cutoff as Chrysalis chocked him harder using her magic and then she threw him towards the ground.
"THROW THIS LTTLE CRETIN INTO THE DUNGEON!" said Chrysalis as she pointed a hoof at Parn.
Diamond dogs surrounded Parn snickering. Parn then felt a punch from the back of his head and was out cold.
As Parn woke up, he hears the sound of dripping water coming from above him. Parn stood up rubbing his eyes and then, he felt a sting of pain from behind his head and rubbed it with his right hoof in order to rub the pain away.
"Ughhh. I hate those diamond dogs. Anyway, where am I?" said Parn as he tried to adjust his sight.
He saw a light from above him and could hear the pitter patter of water dripping further away. He then looked forward and saw bars on the door. Parn's eyes lit up.
"I'm…in the dungeon." said Parn as he realized his surroundings.
Parn Slumped to the stone floor.
"I've failed you, Cornhusk." said Parn as he covered his face with his hooves.
TO BE CONTINUED...
