The Forced Pies

PROLOGUE

   From the outskirts of Ponyville resides a simple rock farm. It has a two-story cottage, a silo, and a windmill. There was also a mine shaft where crystals hanged from the walls and ceiling of the cave. The centerpiece of the rock orchard was a huge rock overlooking a quarry. This was a special rock that was found many years ago by the Pie family's ancestor, Holder Cobblestone. He found this great stone in a dragon's nest and it brought good luck to the family ever since.

   Four ponies called this orchard their home. The first was Pinkie Pie, And she was pretty much the go-to pony for planning parties and get-togethers. Pinkie tends to look at the positives in life, but does things no one but herself can truly understand. Her older sister, Maud, is more calmer about things. In fact, she's the most deadpan of the sisters. Limestone, the eldest sister, is the main caretaker of the farm; Ma and Pa own the farm, she keeps it running. She is, however, rather pushy and can be driven to her boiling point if whoever's speaking to her says the wrong thing. The fourth sister is named Marble Pie. Pinkie refers to her as the baby of the family as she is the youngest sister. In contrast to Limestone's aggressive personality, Marble Pie is rather timid and soft-spoken. Hence, Pinkie speaks in her behalf.

   One day, a month after last Hearth Warmings Eve, there was a strange glow coming from beneath Holder's Boulder. Pinkie was the first to see this, and she looked a bit closer. The other three saw her moving in and followed. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Limestone asked. Before there could be any answer, the boulder moved and Pinkie fell in! The others followed behind, oblivious to the fact that there was a hole that lead down. It seemed like an hour before the ponies saw the floor. They were soon stopped before they could hit the ground, and they started to hover above the celtic symbol.

   "Where are we?" Pinkie asked, "Have we entered Tartarus?" A second later, a voice answered. "Trust me, Tartarus is MUCH worse than this." All four quickly turned to find the source of the voice, which turned out to be what looked like a floating ghost bubble. "Hey, that looks like..." started Limestone, before Pinkie cut in with "A floating bubble!" "I'm actually a spirit mentor," corrected the specter, ignoring Pinkie's playful attempt to touch him, "My name is Balfus." "What exactly do you do down here?" Maud asked, in her emotionless tone. "I serve as a teacher," Balfus answered, "My kin has trained countless generations of gladiators for honorable combat in the arena you stand in now, but I don't remember training you." "I think that's because you haven't seen a pony before, Balfus," said Pinkie. "Ponies..." pondered Balfus, "So THAT'S what you are called. Well, there's a first time for everything!" "So," said Pinkie, "What do you think of us?"

   "PATHETIC!" Balfus suddenly turned red and the translucent image of a terrifying looking monster appeared in front of the four ponies who seemed startled at that very moment. "I thought those weakling humans were bad enough," the creature hissed, "But THESE?!" It appeared to have tusks growing all over it's face. "Pay attention, you weak beasts of burden; you're on your own," the monster warned the Pie sisters, "Anyone who came here were made to produce gladiators for us." "You mean there were others here before us?" Limestone asked, "Hot darn, do we wish," answered the beast, "But so far, the only thing we got were carcasses." With that, the monster disappeared and Balfus returned to his normal blue form.

   The Pies stood there rooted to the spot. Who, and most importantly; WHAT, was that thing?! "Gave you quite a scare, didn't he?" said Balfus, recovering from that little episode. None of the ponies said a word. "That wasn't me speaking those words there," the spirit reassured them, "What you saw was the image of Wrathhoof, the first guardian. You'll meet him again soon enough." "We didn't say a word," said Maud. "Now," Balfus said, "You will need some protection." He started with Limestone. "You seem to bare true bravery, but you also share some... aggression. You bare the Choleric temperament." Suddenly, Limestone saw that she was wearing armor that resembled lava, and she was now holding a hammer that bared the shame of a volcano. "This is the Volcanic Hammer. A weapon used by Bal'dur the Hideous. May it's fires protect you." He then moved towards Maud to give HER a weapon. "You, you are patient, peaceful... Yes! You bare the phlegmatic temperament." The armor Maud got was the complete opposite of Limestone's; a frosty cold suit with icicles sprouting from the pauldrons. The weapon she got? technically NOT a weapon, but a shield of pure ice. "This," said Balfus, "is the Frost Shield. This was used to protect my favorite gladiator, Rhalst, and now it shall protect you." Next, it was Marble's turn. "Hmm... A sheepish little pony you are," Balfus told Marble, who was now slowly backing away. "You seem cautious of the world, very timid. You have the Melancholic temperament." Marble closed her eyes tightly, not knowing what might happen, but she gained green armor that consists of skull shoulder pads, a vest that consisted of ribs, and two sharp daggers that pulsated with green spectral energy. "These Spirit Blades," said Balfus, "Were those used by Sir Kristos the Brave. Now, you hold his blades." "Oh! Do I get something too?" Asked Pinkie. "Yes," chuckled Balfus, "I haven't forgotten you." he examined Pinkie, looking her all over. "Ah, of course!" he said, "the Sanguine temperament. You are VERY talkative, and are quite a seeker of fun, if I may add." And sure enough, golden armor appeared on Pinkie, and she held a golden archery bow. "Excellent," Balfus said, happily, "THIS is the Storm Bow. You now bare the weapon of Tristor the Swift."

   With their armor, they looked quite battle-ready. They were prepared. "Each of these weapons are special," Balfus explained, "They have their own strengths and weaknesses, their own rich traditions, their own glory." he studied the ponies carefully. "Looks like you're ready." Pinkie was a little confused. "Ready for what?" "Ready," Balfus answered, "for what lies ahead. Now, keep calm and pay attention to my instructions, and you might survive this--" Suddenly, Balfus got interrupted by Wrathhoof again. "I admit you look tougher in your armor, weaklings," he threatened, "But you still have to prove yourselves that you deserve my blessing." And again, the image vanished! "Sheesh, it's like he cuts in on purpose," complained Balfus, "Now, let's head upwards to the Hall of Trials." And so they went. This was where their true test lies.