Stumbling through eerie trees of the Everfree forest a young stallion of red fur and brown hooves ventures forward. Eyes of goldenrod yellow looked all about for the suns small patches of light that shined through the dark forest.
Dark blues and greys emitted throughout the forest by sunlight giving off its mischievous and dangerous nature from the sunlight.
Both the mane and tail of this young stallion where orange with red fiery streaks dashing horizontal on his mane and vertical on his tail.
The young stallion was dirty for the most part, traveling on hoof for eight days will do that to you. It had been just over a week since his last break from adventuring.
Twas nothing however an earth pony stamina couldn’t manage.
With nothing but a standard light lance on his back he pressed on. Aged yet sturdy was the light lance made of silver metal. It was reliable to the young stallion in his times of need.
Skyfall Valor was the light lance name and it had seen him through fun and dangerous times.
He once raced a giant rhino threw a canyon with falling rocks with it one time. Using the light lance as a means to break the boulders that got in his way during their race!
Another time he had used it to block a goblin mace from flattening his face! Goblins, trouble always to be found if it involves goblins to be certain.
His life was actually full of many fun and dangerous adventures. For it all the young stallion of earth pony breed did. Starlance was an adventurer from a land faraway.
Starlance however still didn’t have his cutie mark, but embarrassing as it was for a young stallion his age he knew it would show up with a matter of time.
A cutie mark however really wasn’t on his main agenda, enjoying life as an explorer was all the rookie knight wanted.
Exploring this forest known as Everfree that was his focus at the moment.
It was an ancient forest, brimming with secrets and hostile creatures. Beauty and peace however could be found in it small inhabitants like the squirrel and butterfly.
Yet at this moment only danger would find the young knight as he prepared to draw his light lance. Though not as well trained as professional knights the rookie could and did sense danger.
“Three, no maybe more? You might as well come on out, I know you're there!”
Green eyes of primal nature glowed all around him, encircling the area. Fangs and claws of wood made themselves known.
Counting them one by one Starlance stopped at seven seeing as he knew if he had to count any higher the point would still remain the same.
With a sigh he spoke out “Ooooh boy looks like I’m in trouble! So then, shall we see how much trouble I can get out of Timber Wolves?”
Knowing their responses would just be snarls and bites one lept at him and he quickly jumped out of the way and drew Skyfall Valor! “My thoughts exactly, let’s get started!”
Charging forward Starlance impaled and bashed the face of his first timberwolf.
“If I remember right, my father journel stated I have only about a minute for each timberwolf before they reconstruct themselves. Welp I better get to work and fast!”
Continuing his advance forward two more timberwolves followed in pursuit, while another lept from his front.
Ducking below the one that leapt at him from his front it collided into one of the pursuers behind him. Meanwhile the other pursuer jumped to stretch out in an attempt to claw the young stallion!
Scratching just a bit of one of his back legs the young knight quickly responded and bashed the timberwolf with a full on baseball bat swing from Skyfall Valor!
Smacked right into a nearby tree the timberwolf shattered as the other two that collided stood up once more growling!
More soon blocked off the path ahead of him and Starlance was getting just a bit more worried than usual. “Well then, how about this?”
Looking skyward Starlance focused his mind and channel an energy through his hooves and jumped up to the eerie trees. “Let see how well you follow me now!”
Jumping tree to tree to get away, some of the timberwolves managed to climb up the trees and follow after.
“Well, not like I wasn’t expecting you monsters to get it down, but that fast? Geez great make me work hard!” Starlance spun around during the next jump, upon landing he launched himself at a timberwolf.
While this earned him a sharp scratch to the face Skyfall Valor was still swung and smashed the wooden critter to pieces! Landing on a branch, three more timberwolves opposed him on opposite branches across from him.
“So how long does it usually take before you guys give up?”Growling in rage one of the timberwolves lept at Starlance and he backed up to dodge, avoiding being pinned down on his branch.
“Well rawr de awr to you too!” Smashing the creature face with a downward swing with Skyfall Valor another timberwolf had gone down, but not for long.
Seeing as talk wouldn’t get him out of this mess he sprung forward with another jump and took one more timberwolf down on his way through mid jump.
“Won’t be long before the other timberwolves start to reconstruct, their got to be a way to ditch these goons.” Up ahead on a path as he jumped from one branch to another until a bright green light got his attention.
Distracted by it shiney brilliance he stubbed his front hooves on his next branch and fell back onto the forest floor. TWHAP! “Ouch….ahh fall damage….why noooow?”
Looking back up and spitting dirt out of his mouth a cloaked figure stood before him.
“Follow me with haste stranger, if you wish to escape timberwolf danger!” Fast as wind the cloak figured lead the way, the bright green light glowing vividly in the dark forest.
Hearing the howls of the timberwolf snapped Starlance out of his trance as he said “Eeyup...follow the cloak figure into the dark forest, nothing more could go wrong right?”
Another howl made him chase after the cloaked figure. “LEAD ON MY SAVIOUR!!!”
The rookie knight followed after the mysterious cloaked figure. This individual lead them to a cave where a spell of green light came to life.
As they hid for a few moments the timberwolves ran wildly fast past the cave. “We shall be safe here for now, stranger. Soon we will no longer be in timberwolf danger.”
Curiosity got the better of Starlance as he asked “How did you do that?! That was amazing! You have my profound thanks miss, uh that is cloaky...da. Who are you?”
A small laughter of joy filled the cave as the cloaked figure removed her hood.
“My name is Zecora a shaman of the Everfree wood. By your looks and position I’m suspecting you would like a bath, clothes and perhaps some food?”
Starlance was curious how she knew that. “Wait how did you know I was also hungry?! Do like shaman powers give you insight to all things around you…..including my tummy?!”
Another joyful laugh filled the cave. “No stranger, your stomach simply growled indicating hunger. I can get us some food once we are out of danger.”
Checking his stomach it was in fact growling and Starlance himself laughed in surprise.
“Well would you look at that? Haha, must of been ignoring it for a while now. Thanks Zecora, but no need to call me stranger anymore.
Walking up to the zebra shaman he raised his right hoof. “Zecora you’ve done a young foolish knight a great service. Would you please care to become my friend?”
Zecora smiled a great big smile across her muzzle as she raised her right hoof to shake the foolish knight hoof.
“I will gladly accept your friendship o’young foolish knight, let us raise our spirits as we come together beneath the spell of safe green light!”
“Sounds good to me, now….about that food.” The two shared a small laugh and waited to head off to Zecora hut for a small feast and the start of a new friendship.
*Later that same day overhead the Crystal Empire upon giant island clouds far up high
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Brynja looked down to the surface of the world. Specifically the Crystal Empire and the lands of Equestria. She wanted to be more than just a warrior, she was in fact studying and training hard to become a blacksmith.
She had always wanted to craft wears that would befit knights, queens and kings alike! Sure as a frost pony giant she got to enjoy the life of frosty wintery bliss and all the giant wild animals she could battle and eat but, it wasn’t enough.
No for her to truly be happy a smithy forge ablaze with fire melting iron by the hour as a hammer strikes down upon an anvil with artful intent. Intent that would shape and craft metal into glorious weapons and armor, befitted by jewels of the sun and moon!
Oh how she craved for such a life for it was her biggest dream! As all dreams are though, they come true not free. Being one of the many giant breed of pony, her lifetime to make her dreams come true was fast approaching.
After all her birthday was coming up! She would be of appropriate age to finally head down to the surface world. Her eyes of teal glazed with excitement and her fur of cobalt blue was combed very well for her upcoming party.
Alice blue was the color of her braided mane and elegantly long windy like tail. Armor of bronze mail covered her torso matched with bronzed horseshoes.
She had no helm with the set but did carry around a ball and chain on her back, fit for her size. They were polish and well kept, her very first creations!
Now she knew the same old saying and warning to be careful, don’t draw too much attention and what not if she were to head down to the surface one day.
But how she longed to see the world up close, to interact with smaller creatures and speaking of size. Frost pony giants train themselves in the magical art of size changing.
Since they had little magical talent it was deemed the most appropriate study in the clan, less you had no desire to go to the surface world below.
Brynja did however and she was able to adjust her size to about seven foot tall. She tried to go smaller once before but it backfired and shrunk just her gear to almost unseeable size. So seven foot tall would have to do, she just hoped they like big mares down there.
Leaving the edge of the floating cloud island she was born on, Brynja the Frost Pony Giant decided to return to the clan. It wouldn’t do her dreams any good if she were late to her own birthday party!
Traveling across the frozen cloud island known as Glacedge, Brynja stride across the snowy plains with huge hoofed steps. Walking over a few hills and venturing north she saw the campfires of her tribe village.
Starting at the base of a mountain the huts went up and all away around the single grand mountain known as Glaciem Tower. At the tip top point of the mountain it was carved and leveled to be flat to set up the high chief's tent.
Brynja party however was to be all of the base and middle of the mountain. Frost Pony Giants did enjoy their merry making and a Birthday party was especially special!
Huts were decorated, treats and foods were set out upon table after table and music had already begun to fill the air, a rich folk type of party music!
Brynja waved one of her hooves towards the village and received smiles and waves from her fellow kin. Arriving at the base of the village Brynja let out a huge joyous shout -
--”By frost and ale and many merry makings to come; feast, drink, sing and dance! Enjoy night delight; make merry, get rough, get drunk and tell your tales! For come the dawn I venture forth to bring back more! By frost and ale let the festivities commence!”
All of her kin shouted in response “LET THE FESTIVITIES COMMENCE! Happy Birthday Brynja!”
Up at the top of glaciem tower the High Chief Ingvarr set his sights to the festivities. Standing outside of his hut he looked out upon his kin, with him his friend and advisor Jalmari.
They talked of old times. A simpler time, a time before their dark history….and during. Most importantly they talked about Jalmari daughter Brynja.
“To think your daughter is now of age Jalmari, you must be proud of her indeed! Thirty-nine she now the age of a nineteen year old pony in Equestria.”
Jalmari sighed then laughed, “Don’t remind me, the whole idea is still hard to grasp! She been dreaming of this day forever though Ingvarr. I should just accept it and give her my blessings.”
Ingvarr reassured his friend “Fear not, the monarchs of Equestria are good souls. They’ve kept the end of their word, we in return must keep ours.”
Jalmari understood the arrangements completely but still. Can’t keep a parent from missing or worrying about their children. Jalmari at that moment remembered something and pulled out a list from his belongings.
Curious the high chief asked his advisor what he was writing down. “Jalmari what that, some kind of shopping list?”
Ingvarr friend looked up to the stars then back down to his list. “Oh just a list of cans and can’ts on the surface for my little girl. Want her to be prepared is all.”
Ingvarr couldn’t believe how frantic his friend was being over this. It was just a trip to the surface. Most frost pony giants her age went to the surface. Heck THEY had both gone to the surface at that age! On top of that they were missing out on the celebrations!
So the good old chief put a plan into action. A plan that would have them both smashed by the end of tonight.
“So what you’re saying is fun has no place in being responsible eh? You’ve gotten old Jalmari? Too old to engage in a friendly one on one that is? Perhaps your wife is right, you don’t got that drive anymore! Why I bet you can’t handle your ALE anymore!”
Jalmari irked at that and stopped writing.
A grin came over high chief Ingvarr muzzle as he eyed his oldest friend. Jalmari glared right back at him and said “Loser can’t drink for an entire week straight!”
Ingvar and Jalmari laughed together! “That more like it Jalmari! Now let go join the festivities eh? Can’t let your grown responsible daughter and the rest of the clan have all the fun!”
Night spell had been fully cast as the party dragged on into the hours of the cold starlight sky. Glowing a pearl white the moon watched over all, the night brought with it a sense of yearning.
Brynja tribe party long and hard, Ingvarr and her father Jalmari drank sixty four barrels of their finest beer. A fire was started at the base of the mountain as the music picked up into a jam of intense quicken beats!
Children and Adult alike began to dance and sing and fireworks were shot off into the sky every hour on the hour! Then a few hours later a new figure appeared in the distance from the tribe.
A smile came upon the late arrival face, her features almost the same as Brynja only older and darker. Brynja saw the late arrival just a few paces from the gates and a smile of glee jumped upon her muzzle immediately!
She hurried over to the gate and hugged her mother dearly, “WELCOME HOME MOTHER! I thought...I thought you had a mission, did you finish early?!”
Brynja mother was wrapped up in a huge fur stealth cloak, she removed her hood revealing eyes of darker teal that stared down upon her child with great love. She too bared Alice blue color for her tail and mane yet they were also braided.
Her mane was braided like a crown while her tail was braided to look like she had three tails. Her fur coat was duke blue a very dark shade of blue.
“Did you really think I was going to miss my own daughter come of age to leave for the surface birthday party? Surely dear you know by now...I got the skills to get any old job done in time for that!”
They embraced in another hug and the mother looked around after their quick catch up. “Let me guess….your father drinking with the chief again isn’t he?”
Her daughter giggled “Ah come on mother dear you should know by now, I mean with his skills dad always being challenged by chief to a drinking contest!”
They shared a laugh as her mother urged her to walk with her for a moment. They walked on over to the pub on the mid level of the mountain.
Along their walk Brynja explained the party for the last four hours, much had happen and more would continue to happen on this joyous night!
Meanwhile Brynja mother told her small details of her report, as well as some of the places she had seen down below. As part of the intel group it is their job to report changes in Equestria.
Brynja muzzle always lit up in excitement when her mother told of of the forges down below. The ones she really wanted to hear about and a few had been seen by her dear old mother, were dwarven forges.
Dwarves few in number now a days still made the greatest of the greatest forged pieces. Finding any now from ancient dwarven ruins would be beyond priceless!
Brynja was determined to find a dwarf smithy on her journey so she could learn of their techniques and eventually surpass them!
She was ambitious if nothing else, which is good for health. Finally they found dear old dad and high chief at the Icebrew Tavern, ordering another round of barrels and preparing to head on out.
That when her parents eyes met. It was at that moment Brnyja father knew he had goofed up! “Ingvarr my old friend….I’m in trouble!”
Brynja mother walked up to her husband. Her eyes were glued on her target, their would be no escape! That when Brynja Father started to explain.
“Now dear, honey Blair my sweet I know you said to take it easy on the drinks.” Her advance did not slow. “I know what you’re going to say and yes I know I’m a moron but…”
He was cut off by a kiss, after a minute of embrace with his wife she broke away from his muzzle. “Shut up, you get off free tonight because it your daughter birthday. IF you don’t report however to our hut on the third level of the mountain, THEN you’ll be in trouble.”
Jalmari sighed in relief as his wife turned to leave the tavern with their daughter following suit. That when Blair at the last moment turned back and said “Because after tonight you don’t get to drink for a week straight! I bet if you lose that means it’ll be doubled right? So good chief Ingvarr please don’t lose, now hurry along dear...as you know I got a report to relay.”
She winked at her hubby and headed on out of the tavern, their daughter laughing right behind her! Jalmari looked to Ingvarr who had already started his next cask “Looks like I can’t afford to lose! Less you double your pace your losses will be doubled!”
Jalmari responded by smashing his next cask top off and shouted “NEVER, for I shall see to it that you join me in BEER Banishment old friend! Let’s rumble for I got a wife to REPORT to….in VICTORY!!!!
*Meanwhile in an underground cavern connecting to the old gems caves beneath canterlot
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“Alright, I know the path around here somewhere, ah here it is! Alright now just a pull of the secret stone lever and ...tadah!”
A dwarf, not a common creature seen in the world today for they are few in number. However those left seek to find the lost treasures and paths of their great underground kingdom of old.
His voice was a strong baritone sounding voice. It rumbled with a small echo like a pebble skipping over a pond of water.
Eyes of bronze orange empowered by a dwarf stone sense and dark vision guided him through the pitch black tunnels.
Stone come to life is how dwarves are described at best, their very bodies thick and tough as mountains! Grey coarse stone was the shade of his rock like body, with a chocolate brown beard.
Unlike a usual beard a dwarf beard was hairy but more dirt like, as if natural ground and dust grew from their bodies. Living stone, living earth was indeed the best way to describe this ancient race.
“I wonder how much those two have changed. By my ancestors I hope I don’t overwhelm them with my surprise visit!” A jolly smile came over the aged stone creature face.
“Last time I saw those two they were just mage apprentices! I’m glad my race ability to sleep within the rock sends us through time, practically as it were. Heck I could of slept for another hundred years if I wanted too!”
But the dwarf knew better for thousands upon thousands of years ago a promise was made. Looking to the amethyst jewel within his chest it flickered with magical energy. “Father, I won’t fail you.”
Looking to his pack and back to the path ahead he decided to set up one last campsite. “For now I’ll rest and set off again in a quarter of an hour. Now how about we get a fire going and roast some marshmellows!”
Ah yes snacks, foods and other wonders delight were snugged safely away in his pack of sunglow yellow leather. From canisters of water and beer to torches, tools and logs, he had it all for his trip. Especially his bag of fluffy white treats, oh how he loved making smores!
Ten minutes later the campfire was going and the marshmellows were roasting. Enjoying the small light that came alive in the darkness from the fire and the quiet of the tunnels.
Drinking his water down while eating one of the prepared roasted marshmellows he pulled out a scroll from the sunglow yellow backpack and began reading.
It was one of his designs for steamed power mech suit, powered by beer itself! Looking over more scrolls of his inventions and the inventions and designs of others a lost past filled his aching mind.
“If it weren’t for Scorpan message……”
“Promise me you won’t forget our friendship!”
“Prepare your spell…”
“You dare defy my rule?!”
“Son….survive…”
“But my lord that much magic will…”
Finishing up his break eating the last of the marshmallows he packed up his stuff, put out the fire to set off again though the long tunnels. “Once I locate the sisters the real work will begin.”
Thus stone step after stone step the dwarf wander through the darkness of the old forgotten tunnels. Spiders, rats and the rattling sound of dirt shifting as he walk on where all that accompanied him.
After hours of walking he felt the presence of a hidden stone door. “You’re around here somewhere.” That is also when he heard strange noises that didn’t belong to rats nor goblins. Quickly he hid himself among some huge stone rubble and blended in.
Creatures came within sight, ponies perhaps? No these were not ponies, ponies did not chitter like an insect. Soon pony shaped creatures with fangs and teal glowing eyes appeared. They seem to be talking amongst each other.
Soon one spoke common, “Queen Chrysalis is getting impatent, if we don’t find some way into the old crystal cave beneath the ponies it our heads!”
Another spoke is a raspy voice, “Blame dwarven magic! We can’t sense hidden stone doors!”
The last one spoke “It matters not, we simply need mark where we believe it is and report back to the hive. We must take vengeance for our food defiance!”
A spell chanted in dwarven soon filled the tunnels as great mighty stone fists pop out of the ground and smite each of the changelings!
Screeching in pain and horror they fled down the tunnel screaming “STONE MONSTERS!”
The fist kept reappearing and smiting them all along down the path. Once they were far away enough, the dwarf canceled the chant and chanted a new spell in dwarven. Soon the way back down the tunnel was sealed off by a rock wall made of fine stone and a bit of iron.
“That should hold, now about that door.” Looking around once more the stout creature padded the walls. Until a piece of stone felt out of place. A dwarf rune glowed in response to his touch.
“So we did dig this far then? Wonderful, now to say the chant.” Chanting what sounded like a password the dwarf rune glowed brighter and a door opened. Pushing it all the way through the dwarf enter a cavern.
A great big smile came upon his beard covered face as a spiral of diamonds, jewels and crystals surrounded him on all sides. “By my ancestors, it one of the old mining quarries! Those creatures were quite intent on finding that door. Could it be?”
He did sense the rune he had been tracking, their was only one way to find out! Journeying up the quarry memories of a favorite pass time filled his soul. Walking along he found a pick that laid on the ground before him and giving into his desire started to mine a gem or two.
Clanking filled the empty quarry all the way to the top. In fact he just started to naturally work and the sound of the clanking grew louder and louder! Each swing was more proud and powerful then the last.
Soon the dwarf began to sing;
Swing the pick, it ain’t no trick
Mine the jewels with your tools
When all work is said and done
Grab a pint of savory ale!
Swing the pick, it ain’t no trick
Mine the jewels with your tools
Show em the works of mighty arms
Build the bridge to tomorrow road!
*Clank, tink, clank, tink, clank, tink
Swing the pick, it ain’t no trick
Mine the jewels with your tools
When all work is said and done
Grab a plate of roasted food!
Swing the pick, it ain’t no trick
Mine the jewels with your tools
Show em the works of determined souls
Build a heart as strong as iron!
*Clank, tink, clank, tink, clank, tink
Swing the pick, it ain’t no trick
Mine the jewels with your tools
When all work is said and done
Give yourself a pat on the back!
Swing the pick, it ain’t no trick
Mine the jewels with your tools
Rewards like this are rare and few
But that is the fortune of works dew
Faint clanking, tinking and singing could be heard all the way to the top of the quarry. It soon caught the attention of a guard who for the life of him couldn’t figure out where the noise was coming from.
And then as soon as it caught his attention the noises died down. When they didn’t start back up again after a couple of minutes the guard simply sighed and said “I really gotta stop staying up late to watch scary movies.”
The amethyst within the dwarf chest starting to glow brilliantly! Stroking his beard and concentrating he felt the rune connected to this gem. Tears flowed out of his eyes and as he spoke one could tell the baritone voice of this dwarf was happy and yet sad, “So they are up there eh?!”
That was when they felt the connection. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ran out of their respective quarters to a bronze and gold shield.
It glowed a brilliant light and Princess Luna ran off to search the castle. Princess Celestia tears streaming down her face spoke in the same voice as the dwarf. “Garrwain, thank you for keeping your promise.”
She looked to a nearby guard who was checking in on her. “My lady, is everything alright?” Princess Celestia muzzle brighten and she simply said “If you wouldn’t mind, could you write a note?”
