1 – The Legend
“This is but one the legends of which the ponies speak...Long ago, there existed a kingdom where a golden power lay hidden. It was a prosperous land blessed with forests, tall mountains, and peace. But one day, a stallion of great evil found the golden power and took it for himself. With its strength at his command, he spread darkness across the kingdom.”
“But then, when all hope had died, and the hour of doom seemed at hoof...a young mare clothed in green appeared if from nowhere. Wielding the blade of evil's bane, she sealed the dark one away and gave the land light. This mare, who traveled through time to save the land, was known as the Mare of Time.”
“The mare's tale was passed down through generations until it became legend...But then...a day came when a fell wind began to blow across the kingdom. The great evil that all thought had been forever sealed by the hero...once again crept forth from the depths of the earth eager to resume its dark designs. The ponies believed that the Mare of Time would again come to save them...”
“But the mare did not appear. Faced by an onslaught of evil, the ponies could nothing but appeal to the gods. In their last hours, as doom drew nigh, they left their future in the hands of fate. What became of that kingdom? None remain who knew.”
“The memory of the kingdom vanished, but its legend survived on the wind's breath. On a certain island, it became customary to garb mare's in green when they came of age. Clothed in the green of fields, they aspired to find heroic blades and cast down evil. The elders wished only for the youths to know courage like the mare of legend...”
-Outset Island-
“Hey! Little sis!” Called a white coated unicorn stallion, dressed in a white and blue shirt, as he stepped onto the ramp of his mother's house. “Little sis!” He called again pulling out his telescope and peering through it. With no sign of his sister he galloped over to the distant lookout tower. “I bet she fell asleep again up there.” The stallion mused as he climbed the ladder leading to the top and finding his sister snoozing with her muzzle in an open book. Smirking to himself he yelled. “Little sis!”
The purple mare flinched as she pulled head up and gazed toward her brother. “What's wrong Shining?” She asked wiping her eyes with her hoof.
After pulling himself up, Shining Armor trotted over. “I knew you'd be here! Ha! This IS my favorite spot to gaze out at the sea, when I feed the gulls. I call it Shining's Lookout.” He said as he peered at his sister again. “So, do you remember what day it is today?” His sister merely blinked slowly a few times. “...You're still half asleep, aren't you? Did you forget?” All he got was another yawn, so Shining shook his head with a small smile plastered on his face. “Little sis, it's your birthday!”
His sister's eyes bugged out and she hastily gathered her book in her magic. “Oh no! I overslept again!” She panicked.
Shining put a firm hoof on her shoulder to calm her down. “That's why. mom has been waiting for you to come back to the house. She's been waiting for a while now...” He put his hoof down than took a few steps back. “It's a good thing I came to find you! You should probably go home and see what mom wants, don't you think?” Shining asked as his sister gave him a smile and climbed down the ladder.
“Mom is going to kill me for making her wait for so long!” Twilight screeched making her way along the dock. She galloped through the sandy beach until she came across one of the young colts living on the island. “Um Pumpkin, what are you doing? Twilight asked as the colt started jumping in place.
“Hey Twilight, I'm trying to see if I can jump over to those rocks over there.” Pumpkin replied as he jumped in place again. “They say you need courage in order to reach them.”
Twilight looked over to the three large rocks and noticed two rupees of yellow and blue hue. “Did you want those rupees?” She asked, when Pumpkin shook his head Twilight jumped over to the first rock and grabbed the blue rupee first than hopped over to the yellow one. 'Hmm, I should save these for later.' Twilight opened her rupee pouch and dropped both gems inside. With that done, she jumped across the rocks again and raced her way home once more.
Bolting up the ramp, Twilight opened the door with her magic and stepped inside her house. “Mom?” She called out while gazing gazing around for the light gray unicorn.
“Up here, honey.” Her mom, Twilight Velvet replied from up above on the second floor.
Not one to keep others waiting, Twilight quickly climbed the ladder. “Mom?” Twilight asked nervously.
Velvet turned around with a green tunic in her blue aura. “I've been waiting for you, Twilight.” Velvet smiled as she lowered the tunic in front of her daughter. “Here you are Twilight. Try these on. Time certainly flies...I can't believe you're already old enough to wear these clothes.”
Twilight frowned at the tunic, but complied by expertly pulling off her blue sweater and donning the green garb. “It's nice I guess.” Twilight sighed as she tightened the belt around her waist. 'Kinda too warm for this weather though.'
Velvet smiled softly. “Don't look so disappointed, dear one. Just try them on. Today is a day to celebrate after all. It is the day that you become the same age as the young mare spoken of in all the legends. You only have to wear them for one day, so don't look so down Twilight. Be proud young mare.” Twilight's mom gave her a small hug before letting go. “In the olden days, this was the day the fillies were finally considered to be mares. They were taught the ways of the sword to prepare them for battle with their enemies. But we don't live such a way any longer.” Velvet gave a meaningful glance to the shield on the wall before continuing. “Our ways are the way of peace. Nowadays, I suppose Fancy Pants is the only one on the island who still knows anything about swordplay. Hanging the family shield on wall as a decoration is another tradition that has been carried down from those days Twilight.” Velvet finished as she sat on her haunches.
Twilight stared at her mother for a moment before giving her a hug and turning to leave. “Alright alright mom, I'll see you later.”
Twilight made her way back to her brother's lookout, but stopped when she bumped into someone. “Oh sorry about that Mr. Cake!” Twilight yelped as she helped the stallion back to his hooves.
Carrot Cake shushed her with a hoof. “Shh...see that?” He pointed to a small black pig in the tall grass in front of them. “It's a pig, a WILD pig, I'm gonna try to catch it for my wife. The only way to get up close to one is to crawl on your belly, than when your right next to it...jump up and get your hooves right arouuNNNDAAHAHHH!!” Carrot yelled as he grabbed the pig, but the pig got angry and proceeded to charge straight at him.
Twilight clamped a hoof in front of her mouth to keep her laughter under control. “Pff...w-well good luck with that Mr. Cake. But maybe this would be easier?” Twilight lit up her horn, grabbed the angered piglet and walked up the hill toward Mr. and Mrs. Cake's house. “Here Mr. Cake how you go clean up and I'll take this piglet to your house okay.”
Carrot merely nodded his head as he made his way home before Twilight. “Thanks Ms. Sparkle.” He thanked closing the door behind him.
Twilight lowered the pig into the house's pen and noticed a smiling Cup Cake. “Oh Twilight did you bring me this cute little oinker? Hehehe, my husband isn't too good with wild animals, I'm afraid.” Cup giggled as Twilight nodded.
“Just thought I'd lend a hoof before meeting up with my brother.” Twilight waved a dismissive hoof.
“Well since it's your birthday today I have a small gift for you.” Mrs. Cake reached into her satchel with her muzzle to pull out a purple rupee, than tossed it over to Twilight who caught it in her magic. “If you manage to find anymore cute little piglets, make sure bring them over deary.”
Twilight nodded. “I'll see what can do.” She agreed as turned around to look around the island.
-20 Minutes Later-
“There you are Mrs. Cake two more piglets for your family.” Said a panting Twilight as she dropped the remaining pigs into the Cakes's pen.
“Why thank you Twilight, this pen should be much more lively thanks to your hard work. Here's a little something for your troubles.” Cup Cake hoofed over two red rupees to Twilight who in turn smiled and pocketed the rupees into her pouch. “Before you go, I rather like that nice tunic your mother made for you.”
Twilight smiled awkwardly as she left. “Thank you Mrs. Cake.” After she trotted down the hill, the green garbed mare stepped across the bridge connecting both parts of the island and galloped to her brother's lookout. Once at the top, Twilight noticed Shining Armor looking out through his telescope. “Shining I'm back!” She said trotting up to him.
Shining turned to her. “Ah! Hey, little sis! Did mom make that outfit for you? But, wow you'd look like you'd be way too hot in those clothes. I guess they're pretty neat though! So anyway, Twily...can you close your eyes and hold out your hooves? Just for a second? I'm going to give you my most treasured possession...” Twilight nodded and did as was told. “But just for the day...Happy Birthday!”
Opening her eyes, Twilight noticed her brother's telescope in her hooves. “Hey are sure? I mean...” She began before Shining stopped her.
“I know Twily, it was a gift from dad before he passed away. But it's your birthday so you can use it alright?” Shining smiled as he ruffled Twilight's mane. “Aren't you a lucky mare to have such a generous brother eh?!” He laughed. “Oh-kay then! Why don't you try it out! Try looking at our house from here.” Twilight brought the telescope up to her right eye and peered through it. “Huh? Hey, what's that? Twilight! Are you looking at the red postbox?” Twilight adjusted the scope of the lens above the postbox in front of their house. “The mailmare looks kinda weird, doesn't she? AHHH! Twilight! Up in the sky!”
Hearing Shining yelling, Twilight quickly looked straight up and saw a huge black bird with golden tail feathers holding somepony in its talons. “Hey that bird is griping somepony!” She exclaimed before seeing a cannonball being thrown at the bird. Curious, Twilight looked down and saw a pirate ship hurling even more cannonballs at it, eventually one lone cannonball smacked the bird upside its face which made it drop the pony it was holding into the forest atop Outset. “Oh no!”
Shining turned to his sister with a worried look. “Twilight, this is terrible! That mare fell into the forest! She needs help!...Oh, but it is too dangerous for anyone to go in there without something to defend themselves with!” He rubbed his temples in worry.
Twilight grinned despite herself. “I know exactly who to talk to for this!”She jumped off into the sea below and swam to Fancy Pant's house.
-Fancy Pants's house-
Twilight opened the door to find the white stallion with swinging a spear around in a fluid motion, while standing on his hind legs. “Oh! What is the matter, Twilight?” Fancy Pants asked turning to his visitor. “You have an urgent look about you...has something happened? Whatever it is, from the look on your face I suspect that it is no laughing matter...what say you, Twilight?” Fancy asked as Twilight stood before him. “Ah. Have you come for some serious instruction in the way of the sword?”
Twilight nodded firmly. “Yes, sir.”
Fancy smiled. “Very good!” He pulled a sword -about the size of Twilight's front leg- off the wall and levitated it over to her. She took the sword in own magic. “Remember our previous lessons?” At Twilight's nod he stood on his hind legs again and stood up a defensive stance. Twilight gripped the sword with her mouth. “Twilight, your first lesson shall be the horizontal slice! Face me and attack! Do not fear for my safety...I am ready for you.”
Twilight swung to side and landed a blow which Fancy blocked with his spear. “Keep coming at me until you hear me say 'Very good'!” Twiligh followed up with five more hits, backed up, than continued with five more. “Very good! Next is the vertical slice! It's easy, just swing your sword in a upwards arc, while focusing directly on me!” She dealt five vertical hits. “Keep swinging!” Fancy exclaimed as Twilight hit him defense five more times. “Very good Twilight! Next is the thrust! Level your body out, and stab forward with your magic!” Twilight quickly gripped the sword in her aura and did as instructed. “Come at me! Thrust your sword!” A few more thrusts from Twilight. “Very good! Keep thrusting!”
After five additional thrusts, Twilight decided to be a bit flashy. She sheathed the sword, than formed her magic around her horn in a cone shape. Fancy smirked, as Twilight forced him back with force from her attack. “Splendid! Next is the spin attack. Hold the sword out with your mouth to build up your strength, then release it.” Twilight angled herself as she gripped the sword firmly. After a couple seconds she spun with blinding speed and knocked Fancy Pants back again. “Very good! Keep it up!” Twilight perfectly accomplished the move. “Next is harder! This is a parry attack! Focus on me until you see me flinch for an attack, than quickly move to perform a defensive strike!” Fancy brought up his spear for a moment than downwards at Twilight, which she responded by rolling around him and attacking his rear. “Very good! And again! Focus on my movements closely!” She performed a second parry by jumping above him and attacking directly from above. “Very good! Now finally the jump attack! Draw your sword, focus on me closely, and slash while jumping!” Twilight readied herself, than pounced forward with her blade drawn. “Come at me once more!” She performed another successful attack.
Fancy dropped back onto all fours. “That was a fine display! And yet...I sense a certain anxiousness of the sword you hold... an eagerness that goes far beyond the mere desire to be wielded on the field of battle...I do not know what has happened... but I have faith in you. Somehow, I doubt you will misuse that sword...You may have it, Twilight. I give it to you freely. Take the blade with you...” Twilight nodded with a determined smile.”Since the olden days, this sword has been used to fend off evil...its blade is infused with the desire to become strong and righteous. Be strong, Twilight Sparkle.” At his nod, Twilight sheathed the blade and they bowed their heads low.
“I won't let you down Fancy.” Twilight promised as she galloped out the door.
“I know you won't.” Fancy Pants smiled before charging at the wall. Which in turn knocked all the shelves down.
“Hey! Fancy, all that racket, knocked everything off of my shelves again!” Am angry voice from upstairs yelled.
Fancy laughed. “Sorry Fluer!”
-Top of the Mountain-
After chopping down the trees blocking the way to the island's summit, Twilight charged across the bridge connecting the two sides of the island. “I sure hope that pony is okay!” She panted as she finally entered the woods atop the mountain. Trees and tall grass surrounded her, Twilight chopped those down too finding several green rupees hiding in them, oddly enough. Climbing up a small ledge led to another clearing which had a Bokoblin guarding it. “Something is up around here.” Twilight mused to herself as she charged at the monster.
When it saw her it screeched and ran at her with claws open. Twilight narrowed her eyes as she unsheathed her sword and defeated the monster easily, causing it to burst into a puff of smoke. “Okay that was easier than I thought.” Twilight shrugged jumping over two more small ledges. As she landed on the ground she finally got a good look at the mare trapped in a tree above her.
The pony had a light blue coat, wore a red bandanna around her neck, had both wings and a horn. 'A winged Unicorn? That's new.' The other mare also had a small curved dagger strapped to her withers. 'I wonder who...' Twilight thought trotting over to the unconscious mare, but before she could reach her two big birds flew over head and dropped two more bokoblins into the clearing. “Urgh! Come and get it!” Twilight readied her sword as they charged her. She side stepped the first one and tripped the second, both monsters clumsily regained their footing, and circled Twilight. She targeted the first one as it lashed out, parrying the blow Twilight knocked it to the ground and stabbed it, making the monster burst into a puff of smoke. She smirked at the second one as it hesitated seeing it's buddy defeated so easily, it charged dumbly at Twilight before being slain in a similar manner.
“Bokoblins...not exactly the smartest of monsters I guess.” Twilight twitched an ear when she heard the other mare grunting.
The blue pony opened her eyes, and saw herself hanging from a tree. “Eek!” She yelped while struggling to break free of the branch. Twilight stared at her unsure of what to say. Eventually the branch snapped a the mare dropped with a loud thud. Twilight jumped up onto the ledge and stood in front of her. “Owwch!” She grunted rubbing her aching rear. She looked up and noticed Twilight. “Wow. What's with that get-up?” She snarked at Twilight, who merely rolled her eyes. “Well, whatever. So where am I...? Oh, that right! That giant bird came and...” Twilight turned her head slightly and saw a crescent moon on the mare's legs, which must have been her cutie mark.
Both mares turned when they heard someone yelling. “Miss! Miss Star!” Twilight turned to looked and saw a green earth pony stallion with a fish mark on his own legs, frantically pacing around by the entrance of the forest.
The pony named 'Star' rolled her eyes and flew over to the slightly taller stallion. “Sea Crest would you calm down already?” Star scolded.
Sea Crest sighed in relief. “Oh! Oh, thank...thank goodness! You're safe! When I saw you get dropped on this summit, I thought for sure you'd...”
Star blinked in confusion. “Summit? So that bird dropped me off on the top of a mountain?” She pinched her muzzle in irritation. “Well, that wasn't very nice of it!” Squaring her shoulders Star trotted to the entrance. “Well, don't just stand there!” She yelled over her shoulder glaring at the stallion. “Let's go! Time to repay our dept to that bird in full!”
Crest turned to look at Twilight. “But Miss...what about this mare?” He asked following her.
“Don't worry about her. Come on!” Crest took one more look at Twilight before exiting the forest.
Twilight shook her head and ran after them, not wanting to be left behind.
Exiting the forest, Twilight paused when she heard her brother calling her from across the bridge. “Hey, Little sis!” Shining waved as Twilight waved back. The stallion began to cross the bridge, but Twilight heard a loud cawing sound came from the distance. She peered over only to see the huge monstrous bird from before swoop in toward her brother! “Shining!” Twilight screamed as the bird snatched Shining Armor before he could cross the bridge. “Aghh, Twily!!” Shining called out in fear as the bird held him in its talons. Twilight bolted toward them in a panic to save her brother, only to careen off the edge of the cliff.
Snapping into action, Star grabbed Twilight's hoof before she fell to her demise. “Uhnn! Stupid mare! Get ahold of yourself! He's gone! There's nothing you can do!”
Twilight's eyes welled with tears, as she watched as her only brother fly away in the monster bird's talons.
