Chapters Chapter 1: Day of the Rising Sun
Chapter 1:
As the sun rises above the trees past dawn, a royal carriage rides through the Everfree Forest. Silver Wind sat on the top of it, his flowing black mane curling in the wind around his unicorn horn. His metallic purple eyes scanning the dark wilderness as the royal guards pulling the carriage ran deeper into the dark abyss.
“I reckon it’s about my time to keep watch” said a voice from inside the carriage. The latch on top opened and a maroon pony stuck his head up, his hoof holding his hat to his head, so that it didn’t blow away in the heavy gale. “Silver? Whaddya doin up here, I thought it was Crimson’s turn to keep watch?”
Silver Wind turned around, his eyes dark from lack of sleep, “I told him to get some rest, you should too Buckshot, we’re going to need all the strength we can muster up, once we arrive at the lake”. Silver Wind turned back towards the forest ahead.
Buckshot put his hoof on Silver’s shoulder, “I got it partner”. Silver Wind stood up and went through the entrance back into the carriage.
“Keep a watchful eye” he said, his voice trailing behind in the wind as he closed the latch, “hate to run into any...unwanted visitors”.
Buckshot scanned the dark trees ahead, small silhouettes and shadows were blurs as the carriage rambled on. “You and me both Wind”, he chuckled, resting his hoof on the shotgun to his side.
A couple hours later the royal guards stopped running. “Uhm sir? This is as far as we can take you, the trees are blocking the path and its too dangerous to travel this far” one of them said to Buckshot.
He glanced up, his eyes looking from under his hat, “I suppose you’re right” he said, “I’ll get the others, then why don’t y'all bring her to the nearest town.”
Buckshot opened the latch, and peered in, Silver was watching a small mare play video games while a white colt slept in the back. “C'mon y’all, we gotta start walkin’” Buckshot said to the others.
The white colt woke, looked around, grabbed a satchel and swung it over his back speechlessly. He opened the door and left the carriage, the forest greeting his weary eyes. He looked back at Silver, confused.
“We’re in the Everfree Forest, Sky, the Sapphire lake is just beyond that ridge” Silver Wind said, pointing to a tall mountain in the distance. Crimson Sky nodded as Buckshot jumped from the roof, down to the ground next to him.
The mare dropped the game controller, took off her goggles and started heading towards the carriage door. “Be right there!” she said, as she dashed towards the door smiling. Silver grabbed her, “not so fast kid, it’ll be too dangerous out there for you, why don't you head with the guards to town, we’ll see you when we’re done,” he said.
She scowled at him, “That’s no fair!” she yelled, “you never let me come!”
Buckshot stuck his head through the door, “Well than Hype, you should be darn used to it already,” he laughed. Hyperdrive put her goggles back on and resumed playing video games as Silver Wind got out of the carriage and closed the door. The guards turned around and started running back out of the forest.
It was just the three colts, standing together as the rising sun was carried over the horizon.
Silver Wind looked towards Crimson Sky, who nodded towards him. Sky unfolded his wings to reveal large metal tipped feathers. He nimbly dash into the air, flying over the trees, scouting ahead. They need to find what direction the Sapphire Lake was in, and they had to reach it before the sun was directly above them, lest they suffer the consequences.
Minutes later, Sky flew above them and signaled the direction to go.
“Alright then, reckon we should do something above these here trees” said Buckshot. Large green pines barred their path, surrounded by brush and thorny shrubs. Buckshot looked back at Silver Wind “Well?” he said, stepping back.
Silver walked up to the trees, and closed his eyes, his horned glowed dark silver as the wind around them began to shift and increase in strength. It turned into a light tornado around them, and then all of a sudden it dispersed and Silver opened his eyes.
“Blade Cyclone,” he said, as the wind turned to vicious whips of unearthly silver blades, slashes the trees into pieces, decimating everything in their path until they could see a light.
At the end of the makeshift path they found no wildlife or vegetation, just baron rocks with jagged edges, and a dense mist that eerily surrounded them. Crimson Sky was waiting there for them, he looked frantic. He gestured for them to follow as he flew around a large rock and out of their view.
“What tha-” Buckshot said, “was goin’ on here?”
A small purple Dragon was yelling for help, as a manticore held him under his palm. The manticore raised its other arm and smacked the dragon’s head, rendering him unconscious.
Buckshot pulled the shotgun off his back, “Why dontcha pick on someone yer on size buddy” he smirked. The manticore looked in his direction, then charged the colts. Sky swooped down and grabbed the Dragon, bringing him to safety. The manticore launched at Buck who chuckled and shot out four small balls from his shotgun. In mid air they spread apart revealing them to be connected by fine wire. The wire kept extending into a net that wrapped around the beast, bringing it to the ground.
Silver nudged the manticore’s head. It seemed like it had hit its head against the ground and was out cold. “Crimson, why don't you send a letter to the guards, tell them we need a pickup” Sky flew off. Leaving the Dragon in their care, Buck picked him up and put him on his back.
Silver inspected him, “I suppose we just can’t leave him here, but we really should get going” he said, looking at the sun which was almost at its peak.
Chapter 2:
Buckshot and Silver Wind continued down the Rocky path, the small dragon still unconscious on Buckshot’s back. Crimson Sky returned, flying wide loops above them scouting for any possible threats.
They walked on through the jagged rocks, the hot sun hovering over them.
Buckshot looked worried, “I reckon we’re gonna be late,” he said.
“Relax, the Sapphire Lake is just over this ridge,” Silver Wind said, climbing over a unnatural pile of rocks.
On the other side of the pile, they were greeted by a heavenly sight. They walked into the crater, a large rock wall surrounding them on every side, and in the center was a shining blue lake, still and glistening in the sun. Around the edges of the lake, sapphires littered the ground, in piles stacking at least 10 feet into the air.
Buckshot laid the dragon on the ground, “Do ya think we missed it?” he said to Silver Wind.
“It should be just about time-” Silver Wind stopped talking, “look,” he said. The water started bubbling and rippling, the rumbling increasing by the second. Silver looked toward the sky, “Sky!!!, take the dragon to safety, we shouldn't have brought him this far in.
Crimson Sky, flew down and pulled the dragon onto his back, and started flying away. The rumbling in the water stopped.
“Here we go” said Silver.
Out of the water came giant glowing blue serpent, with cold black eyes and a fierce disposition.
Buck readied his gun, aiming towards the monstrosity, “This ain’t gonna be is fun as I thought I guess” he said.
But just then, the water continued its bubbling and eight more serpent heads join the first, scowling and baring their fangs. The serpent heads lunged and attacked at the two colts who were ready and dodged swiftly. The sun’s rays were reflecting off the scales of the beats, turning the inside of the crater blue, amplifying the sapphires and making them shine brighter than ever.
“Blade Ace!” Silver yelled, as white lances of wind pierced through one of the heads, it fell back into the water, retching in pain.
A head lashed out at Buckshot, who rolled to the side and shot out a red ball that hit the monster square in the face, and burst into flames. This head too fell back into the lake screaming in painful agony.
Silver Wind, jumped backwards as another head launched another attack, its fangs just missing him. The water rumbled again and from the lake, four more heads emerged, doubling the number of the ones defeated.
“Why, it's the Lernaean Hydra!” said Buckshot, “Watch my back partner!”, Silver drove a powerful gale at the heads shooting towards Buckshot, pushing them back. Buckshot took out his notebook and started flipping through the pages rapidly until he found what he was looking for.
He looked at Silver “We gotta get em through the heart to bring it down!” he yelled.
Silver Wind, was defending against the heads as best as he could. “CRIMMMSONNN!!!” he yelled, moments later Sky flew over the top and saw the beast. “Get him right through the heart!” Silver roared at him.
Buckshot bucked a head that was coming from the side at him, “You better get a move on!”
Crimson flew directly over the Hydra, Silver Wind and Buckshot took cover. Crimson Sky opened his wings fully to reveal them to be metal tipped. He dashed down at the evil beast, the metal contraption on his back that Hyper Drive designed opened and shot metal blades down at the serpent’s heads, cutting them and forcing them to turn in defense. Crimson gained speed and bared his bladed wings, focused on the beast’s chest.
Sky flew directly though the Hydra’s chest, going through its heart and coming out the other side, splashing down into the blue water.
The beast roared harder than ever, “BWARRRRGGGG!!!”, the body fell back into the pool causing a huge wave to wash more diamonds to the shore.
Silver Wind helped Sky out of the water while Buckshot wrote notes in his monster journal. They left the crater through the rock pile ledge and were greeted by the dragon.
“Whaa, what happened?” said the dragon.
Silver Wind smiled, “We saved you from the Manticore and brought you with us.”
“Yeah little buddy,” Buckshot joined in “we couldn't just leave you there all by yerself.”
“My names Spike,” the dragon said as he peered over the rocks, looking into the crater. “WOAH! What time is it!?!?! We gotta get going before that thing comes out, it’ll eat us alive!!!”
Buckshot and Silver laughed, “Oh, I don't think we have to worry about that, the guards will be here to take him away soon” Silver said. “In fact, why don’t you go get them Crimson. Oh, and good work back there.”
Crimson Sky smiled, and then took off into the clouds. Silver Wind and Buckshot accompanied Spike back through the forest to his home, listening to his story along the way.
“I was just out getting gems for Rarity when that thing pounced on me! I thought I was a goner, but then I saw you guys...and that’s all I remember. So you guys really defeated that thing???” Spike inquired anxiously.
Silver Wind had Spike on his back, “I could take you back later, if you really want all those gems it was hoarding” he laughed.
Spike lived in a place called Ponyville, once they arrived, they saw the carriage was parked and Hyper Drive was walking out and about. Her goggles were resting on her forehead as she stood outside the carriage awkwardly and stared at everypony, she noticed them arrive.
“Finally!” she yelled, “I’ve been here alone all morning you guys!”
“Reckon you shoulda made some friends then?” Buckshot said.
Hype only looked angrier, “Friends?!?! some pink pony threw me a party!!! For no reason! Can you believe it! I didn’t even know her!”
Spike jumped off Silvers back, “Oh, you mean Pinkie Pie, she does that for all the new ponies! In fact, she’ll probably want to meet you two, too!” he said looking at Buck and Silver. “C’mon, she’s probably at Twilights”.
Hyper Drive, Buckshot and Silver Wind followed spike into an ornate house carved into a tree. Spike opened the door, to reveal six mares all talking and laughing together happily.
Chapter 3: Sunrise
Chapter 3:
The ponies introduced themselves lively and were immediately lost in conversations. In the far corner, Buckshot was chatting with Applejack.
“So then I scoop the little feller up right before the phoenix got em” he said, acting pompous as usual. He loved showing off for others, watching their eyes imagine him completing marvelous feats of glory. Applejack on the other hoof, didn’t seemed very amused.
“I once bucked all the apples durin’ the harvestin’ season, with a little help from mah friends” she said, puffing out her chest.
“Oh really?” Buckshot laughed and started telling her about himself. Applejack and him were lost in each others stories and tales before they knew it.
Hyper Drive was deep in conversation with Twilight.
“What are all these books for?” she asked, skeptically looking at the shelves around the room.
Twilight chuckled, “For studying. I have a lot of reading to do, I’m the princess’s apprentice you know..”
Hype twitched “Don’t you get bored locked up in this place, reading all day?” Hype said, she couldn’t believe anypony would choose to read books instead of being out in the world, or at least playing video games. She turned around and smiled at Twilight.
“I’m one of her apprentices too!” , she laughed at Twilight’s shocked expression. “Except she doesn't teach me magic.”
Hyper Drive ran into the other room and grabbed her bag. She emptied its contents onto the floor; flashing devices, and whirling lights from mechanical metal objects filled Twilight’s eyes.
Hyper Drive picked up a jagged shining box “Believe it or not, she teaches me about science!”
Twilight looked very confused, she knew she was Princess Celestia’s number 1 student. “But why would she do that? When magic is so much better?” she said innocently.
Hype turned at her furiously, and they quickly started an argument about science, magic, Princess Celestia and other odd things.
In the midst of things, Spike, coughed up a letter. It was from the Princess, the ponies stopped talking as Spike read it aloud.
“Dear Twilight Sparkle,
It has come to my attention that a group of mine has come to Ponyville. Please treat them like family and allow them to stay at the library until they can find residence in Ponyville.”
Hyper Drive interrupted, “She want’s us in Ponyville?!?! For what! This place already looks boring! And we have to stay with the Egghead???”
Rainbow Dash laughed as Spike read on, “ I would also like to tell you, that as of today you are relieved of your royal duties. I only ask you settle down in Ponyville until I require your assistance again.
Sincerely, Princess Celestia.”
“Guess, we’re here to stay” said Silver, he resumed talking with Spike.
Crimson Sky started unpacking his bed and possessions, while Pinkie Pie hopped around him.
“So what's your name? Where you from? Wanna be friends? “she said smiling ear to ear. Sky, laid down, he had no attention for Pinkie and her endless questions, his eyes were focused on the pegasus flying above Hype.
Rainbow Dash was flying circles around Hyper Drive, as they chatted about how awesome it would be if everpony had wings.
“I’ve always kinda wanted to fly” Hyper Drive said blushing. Rainbow laughed and told her it’s a lot more fun than it looks. Crimson was staring at Dash’s magenta eyes, they were so beautiful in the light, he thought. Pinkie Pie stopped with the questions and was now telling him about herself and all her wacky adventures.
“Ooooh! I have a great idea! you can come to the bakery and I can bake you some cupacakes! I live in the bakery with Mr. and Mrs. Cake and their two foals Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake”. Then she resumed the questions “Do you like foals? I like foals. Oh wait! I forgot to ask. Do you like cupacakes? Wy don’t you talk? Do you not loke cupcakes? Hello? well you must be shy. Just like Flutershy over there. Have you met her? She’s really shy. She’s even scared of her shadow!”
Silver Wind walked passed them, Spike look at Crimson Sky, “He doesn’t really talk much does he? Spiked said.
Crimson looked up at Silver and they shared a glance of regret. “No...he uhm...can’t.” Silver said, continuing past them.
Fluttershy stood next to Twilight, listening to everpony. She didn’t think it was a very good idea to chat with these random strangers. Fluttershy kicked at the ground, and looked around the room. Hyper Drive had dropped whatever she was holding and it was now sending sparks into the air. All of these ponies looked so odd, she thought. She noticed the blades on the edges of Crimson Sky’s wings...and dangerous.
Spike was still talking to Silver Wind when he remembered the gems he gathered. Spike and Silver walked over to Rarity, who was sitting by herself reading one of Twilight’s books on fashion.
“So you’re the mare this little guy keeps talking about” Silver said grinning. Rarity looked up at them.
Spike handed her a couple sapphires he had found. “Oh Spikey Wikey!” Rarity said, the reflection of the sapphires, matching her eyes. “They are just wonderful! And I suppose I should be thanking you for these” she looked at Silver who was still thinking of the beast they defeated to get such a trivial prize.
Rarity reminded Silver of the Canterlot ponies he saw while meeting with the princess. “It was nothing really” he said, lying through his teeth, “They weren't that hard to find, and Spike said you really liked gems, so he picked up quite a lot.” Spike grabbed a chest and gave it to Rarity, inside many more gems shined brightly.
Spike went to help Twilight find a book on physics for Hyper Drive, and left Rarity and Silver Wind conversing. Applejack had taken Buckshot to Sweet Apple Acres, talking about an apple bucking contest or something. Buckshot saying that before he joined the royal guard, he was the best colt bucker in Appaloosa.
“Are you all apart of the royal guard?” Rarity asked Silver Wind.
He looked around the room at his friends, “No, only Buckshot, but he’s an ex-guard now, joined forces with us after he quit. Me and Crimson come from a land beyond Equestria if you can believe that.” he laughed. “Hyper Drive joined up with us reluctantly, after Princess Celestia told her to.”
Rarity tilted her head, “Joined what exactly?”
Silver Wind, looked off into the distance, “The Fallen. We work for the Princess, capturing all sorts of monsters and creatures and bringing them to Tartarus, to seal them up for good. Making the land a better place.”
“Why, that’s simply amazing! You must live such an exciting life!” Rarity said, thinking of what it would be like, traveling Equestria. She immediately regretted the thought. Who knew what kinds of dirt and grime was out there. “But why are you called “The Fallen?”
Silver Wind closed his eyes, and in his mind's eye, he saw visions of chaos and death, blood and famine. He saw war and loved ones in pain. He saw the wind that blew his life to pieces. “It’s a long story” he whispered.
Hyper Drive had joined Sky in unpacking, and as the other ponies left, the room grew quieter.
Rarity knew she had hit a sensitive nerve with that last question “Well why don’t you join me at the boutique, and you can tell me about over tea?”
Silver Wind, looked back at his friends, laughing and enjoying the company of the ponies. He thought of Buckshot, at the farm, sitting under a tree with Applejack watching the clouds, or trying to impress each other.
“Sounds like a great idea” He said.
