Chapters 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.
Chapter 1
Combat Practice
The Hall of Trials was a huge room with four chambers full of combat trials; in the final trial awaits the chamber's guardian. The first chamber housed Wrathhoof, the guardian that the Pie Sisters had to confront first. "This place looks pretty," Pinkie said, happily. "There's more to these halls than you might think," said Balfus, "Come; your first trial awaits." He lead the four towards the first trial. It was a grassy looking area with what appeared to be a big hole. "You must keep your wits about you," Balfus warned them, "In these trials, you either fight or die." They all scanned the area. It seemed a little... silent. The only sound they could hear was a bit of snarling that came from inside the pit. the four ponies looked down in the pit feeling a bit uneasy. As if the darkness wasn't enough for them, there was actually something inside. And worst yet, the telltale snarls made it clear to them that whatever laid inside was ALIVE. "Of course," Limestone sighed, "a pit that holds a creature." "Ah yes, Morgrul," Balfus explained, "These once grand arenas are now plagued by the Swarmers, and Morgrul just so happens to be their emperor." "Swarmers?" asked Pinkie. "You'll see them soon enough," answered Balfus.
From the ground, six shrines rose up. Each one seem to resemble torches, but they were not lit. "Does anyone have a lighter for these?" Pinkie asked. None of them had one. "Perhaps I can help," suggested Balfus, and as he skimmed through the torch, it sparked a fire. "Oh, so THAT'S how you light them!" said Limestone. "As a Spirit Mentor, I can reach places mortals cannot," Balfus explained, "and I can prove useful in these trials." He circled around the four sisters, who payed close attention as he spoke. "That is," he added, "...within the rules." Then, Balfus moved towards the next shrine. As he activated it, the gears beside the pit began to rotate, and a platform became visible. On the platform was the silhouette of a creature.
Balfus energized the rest of the torch shrines, and the platform kept rising. Only one more remained. "Get ready, you four," he warned, "Morgrul is pretty tough. You might want to work as one." "That's what we do," said Maud. Then, Balfus activated the last shrine, and the platform raised up to it's high point and Morgrul came into view. A look of horror crossed the sisters' faces. This beast looked like a twisted experiment gone horribly wrong. Morgrul shrieked and his swarmer allies came towards his side ready for battle. Morgrul began to lash out, but the ponies dodged, and went for the counterattack. As Pinkie and Marble went for the swarmers, Maud and Limestone went for Morgrul. The battle was fierce, and Morgrul got more rabid with each strike he received. Soon, however, it was exhaustion and blood loss that brought the Swarmer king to his knees, and Limestone finished the job with a hard blow to the head.
"Well done," said Balfus, congratulating the sisters, "Your teamwork will prove valuable in the trials. Keep it up, and you might..." "Don't make me laugh," Wrathhoof interfered, "I went easy on you that time." "Was that guy working for you?" Asked Pinkie, "Because he was kinda easy to beat." "That maybe so," said Wrathhoof, "But you are yet to face a TRUE challenge! Face me... if you dare." "Curse him twice," Balfus said, angrily, "Is this a hobby for him, to interrupt me like this?" The Pie sisters looked at the Guardian's gate. On the top engraved the shape of Wrathhoof. "Once we practice with the rest of the trials," advised Balfus, "we will be ready to face the guardian." All four understood; they may need to brush up on their combat skills before they can face this brute. "Morgrul was just the start of your fight," said Balfus, "But Wrathhoof will not go easy on you. Once your strength has increased, there might be a chance you can pass this chamber with his blessing. Understand? Good." "This will be fun," said Maud, smirking.
Chapter 2
Flaming Wrath
The Pie sisters faced many of the trials. Each one of these battles fierce and bloody, but they still stood fast. Their strength improved with each completion of the trials. Finally, they were strong enough to face the guardian. They stood in front of the gate, weapons in hoof. "You impress me with your ferocity," Balfus told them, "You keep it up, and you might yet deem yourselves honorable. Remember all you have been taught." through the gate they went, ready for the last push.
Upon entering the arena, the ponies were greeted with Wrathhoof's ferocious war cry. But he wasn't the only one Balfus and the ponies could see; Two characters stood up beside them. One was a small bipedal creature with large green pores on its back, the other was... a pony? She looked dead, and yet she wasn't; her eyeballs were still in their sockets. Balfus noticed the bipedal creature right away. "An acid imp," he scorned, "They are as stupid as they are honorless." "Oh good, you made it," the acid imp greeted them, "NOW LEAVE!" "You idiot," scolded the pony, "Wrathhoof WANTED them to come!" Balfus didn't know the pony on the right side of Wrathhoof, but both she and the acid imp are apparently there to monitor the battles. Wrathhoof interfered them. "Enough squabbling, you two. We have challengers." "If you want me to," the acid imp advised, "I can incinerate these weaklings once you've hit them hard enough." "Blayze," the pony spoke, almost annoyed, "Could you please do us a favor and shut your mouth? Your aim is whack. You can hardly spit your acid far enough to even hit a training dummy!" "Of course, Bellatrix," said Blayze, "But I wasn't gonna tell them that." "Whatever," said Bellatrix, "Why don't we just leet Wrathhoof handle this."
The Pie Sisters stepped forward, towards Wrathhoof. "I hope you're ready to taste your own blood, cowards," Wrathhoof threatened, "I remain unbeaten after countless fights. Your death belongs to me and me alone." "Don't try any funny stuff with Wrathhoof," Blayze called, "or else my acid will burn you to the bone!" Limestone directed her attention to the amateur acid imp. "Oh, is that so?" she taunted, "And you say you can do it when you don't have any acid foaming in your mouth. Tell me, WHY did you sign up for this gig again?" Obviously, there wasn't any acid dripping from Blayze's jaw because he couldn't produce any acid to begin with. "You better not provoke me," jeered Blayze, "I'll rough you up." "Let's see if you can even hit me," grinned Wrathhoof, "Time to play."
Wrathhoof charged toward them, but he misses them and hits his head hard on the arena wall. Pinkie was quick to fire her storm arrows at Wrathhoof's back. The arrows pierced the skin, but it appeared to do little effect. Blayze and Bellatrix watched the fight from a safe distance. Balfus skimmed through the arena, sticking close to one pony at a time. "Don't think your little ghost will protect you four from my rage!" Wrathhoof shouted. Time and time again, Wrathhoof rammed and smashed around the arena trying to get the better of the Pie sisters. Soon, though, he grew tired. He went for one last attempt, racing straight towards the four, but they slipped out of the way, and Wrathhoof crashed directly on a pillar, knocking him onto his back dazed and confused. "That's enough," Balfus announced, "By the rules of the arena, I deem the gladiators victorious." The four ponies stood triumphant. "Well done, you four," Balfus congratulated them, "Now we can move on to the next chamber..."
"No..." Wrathhoof slowly got up, and gazed upon the victors, a terrifying crimson glow forming around his body. "This will not end this way." Balfus was quick to speak at that moment. "You must cease, Wrathhoof!" he said, "Grant them your blessing and wait for the next group. Do you not know of honor?" But rage consumed him too much. The beast stood straight up, the blood red glow shining it's brightest. Wrathhoof... was pissed. "I don't care about your precious little 'honor', you shiny, idiotic bauble. I shall never be bested by corpses! I will NOT accept this judgement!" He then ran at full speed, seized Pinkie and pinned her to the ground. He then proceeded to attack her! "I will squash you like bugs!" he shouted, "I'll show you... I'LL SHOW YOU ALL!" Pinkie subsequently dodged his fists as they pounded the ground. "Leave my sister alone, you brute!" screamed Limestone. she jumped high into the air, raised her volcanic hammer up, and upon landing slammed it onto the grass! rocks pulsing with magma energy quickly sprouted and hit Wrathhoof, causing him to cry out in pain. This was all the time the aggressive pie sister needed; she quickly lashed forth and delivered several devastating blows to Wrathhoof! At first, he seemed still... "Are you okay?" Pinkie asked him. A few seconds later, Wrathhoof fell down on top of her! "You're invading my personal space!" Pinkie groaned. Limestone quickly came over and helped her out. "Are you okay, sis?" she asked. "My pelvis is a bit squashed," Pinkie answered, "But I'm okie dokie. Thanks, Limey!" They looked back, and there was Wrathhoof, lying motionless on the grass... dead.
Before they could leave, they got stopped by Bellatrix and Blayze. "Congratulations," Bellatrix said, "you have officially killed all of Equestria." Limestone just shook her head. "Lady," she told her, "I'll have you know that she's MY sister, and I care about her deeply. If saving her life meant doing something stupid, I'd do it by instinct." "That's right," agreed Maud. "You said it!" Pinkie joined in. "Mhmm," said Marble(Being the timid pony she is, this was pretty much all she's been known to say). "And also," Limestone finished, "Don't even BOTHER thinking that I can't prove more powerful than that raging anthropomorphic elephant. We won this match, and that's it. Good day, ma'am." All four walked out of the arena, and Balfus followed them. "You're all gonna pay for this!" screamed Bellatrix, "The Master will know about this. Do you hear me? You can't escape your punishment!" "I SAID GOOD DAY! " shouted Limestone. Both Blayze and Bellatrix were left silent, before the idiot acid imp spoke up. "This is all your fault," he scolded her, "None of this would've happened if you would've given me a chance and let me...!" Before he could finish, Bellatrix moved her furious face directly in front of his. "If you DARE say 'burn them', I'll slice you in half."
Outside Wrathhoof's arena, the four sisters rested. They felt proud, but Balfus felt a bit depressed. "What Bellatrix said was true," he said, "We screwed up big time." "What do you mean?" Asked Pinkie, "Not only did we beat the first guardian, my sister saved me!" "The Master will put everyone to death for this," Balfus sulked, "Murdering a guardian is inconceivable!" At once, all four realized their mistake. "Justice matters not to the Master," Balfus confessed, "WE do not matter." "I guess we better get moving," Maud suggested, "before those two tell anyone what we've done." "Yes," Balfus agreed, "Hopefully, they hadn't spoken to him yet." they pushed onward, now feeling a bit anxious. What if this Master knows? "The next chamber awaits," advised Balfus, "But I know it's guardian personally. Your fight, I'm afraid, has only just begun..."
