Mirthless cackling filled the stagnant air of the ancient temple. The enchanted minotaur hefted a massive pearl white axe upon her shoulder. Her huge form bent down slightly and rolled the unconscious body of a yellow and pink pegasus mare onto her back. “Oh was that all your little assault could do?” The deep baritone voice took on a mocking tone. “Oh Twilight have all our strength, something something friendship! I gotta give it to you ponies that almost tickled. Even through the gift of the seven ancients.”
“You'll never win Pasiphaea!” Yelled the bloodied princess of friendship defiantly. “We've defeated worse than you and we'll do it again!.” She pushed herself up on a shaky hoof however the amulet around her neck flared to life. It's cruel orange light radiated a vile energy that sapped the very life from the alicorn’s bones. In an instant her hooves gave out, sending her to clatter noisily back to the cold stone. An exhausted whimper escaped the mare, one hoof trying in vain to lift the deceptively heavy amulet.
The minotaur smiled wolfishly and walked over to the struggling alicorn. “Oh but princess.” She tapped a finger to the pendant about her neck. “I won the moment i tricked you into putting that on. Now that you and your pathetic friends are out of the way.” She spat on the prone pile of multicolored ponies. “I will have all the power i need to put the minotaur species back as the rightful rulers of all the lands we once owned. Including your precious little equestria.” Her smile widened to reveal teeth that glinted in the sparse moonlight.
Her axe scraped across the ground as she moved to stand over the ponies. “It's almost sad in a way. Without any witnesses i cannot have my deeds be wrought in stone for every future generation to look at in awe. However-” She heaved her massive alabaster axe above her head. “That just means I will have to enjoy this even more.” Her corded muscles began to bulge slightly as she flexed her arms, rippling the thin fabric of her robe.
A pain filled gasp escaped the alicorn as she tried in vain to reach out to her friends. Her horn began to glow and within the panicked mind of Twilight Sparkle a desperate spell began to form, hoping against hope that this one would be able to get around the amulet. She felt the power build and take form only for at it to vanish and be replaced by a sharp pain. As if the amulet entered her mind and ate the spell before it could be brought forth into the physical world. Her hooves slipped out from under her as she tried to throw herself between her friends and their soon to be killer. The minotaur's face became a twisted mask of glee as she reveled the moment before victory. “Wait!”
An orange furry hoof reached up pleadingly. “We can talk about this, maybe work something out.” The timid voice became more confident as it spoke. The weariness slowly being replaced by conviction. “Maybe we can gift you more land?”
Twilight smiled as she saw applejack slowly extract herself from the tangle of unconscious limbs. “I know that gorge y'all live in ain't the best but there's lotsa land out there for all of us!” The farm pony’s voice confidence grew as she noticed the minotaur's slacking grip. She looked over at Twilight pleadingly. “She's a princess i bet she could make it official and everything right here and now.”
Twilight felt waiver of hope glimmer as a plan formed. “I could give you-”
The sound of the alicorn’s voice broke the weak train of thought that was growing within the would be tyrant’s mind. “ENOUGH!” The minotaur stomped the ground with enough force to crack the ancient temple floor. “ALL THIS LAND WAS OURS AND IT WILL ALL BE OURS ONCE MORE!”
Calming slightly as a vile idea wormed it's way into her mind. A large furry hand reached down and pushed applejack aside. “The only thing-” It gripped a pink form that giggled in unconsciousness. “This changes-” She placed the pony on it's back with it's neck exposed. “Is i get to enjoy-” Another pony found herself placed quite unladylike beside the pink one. “Killing you-” a small bundle of pink and yellow hair was dropped with a squeak beside her friends. “With more witnesses to my glory.”
With each thump of a dropped body a fury surged within the purple alicorn. A rage so great that she felt her very bones begin to rattle in angry defiance to the necklace’s continued assault on her magic. When all of her friends were laid out she felt the rage start to twist as if it was a physical creature within her very body. Joining with a far darker emotion that made her skin crawl and her eyes burn. She hated this foul creature. Never before in her entire life did she hate another being not discord, not nightmare moon, not tirek, not the seemingly limitless villains and bullies that came after them did Twilight sparkle ever let herself feel the cruel touch of hate. She felt her hooves become lighter, her body less weighted down by the powerful amulet around her neck.
No i cannot succumb to hatred and anger. Reluctantly even she had to acknowledge that she no longer believed that sentiment. She knew she would do anything to protect her friends, Anything. If the black rage that welled within her could overcome the amulet then so be it. Slowly she raised her head in time to see Applejack throw herself onto Rarity as the minotaur raised her gleaming axe high. I have to save them. But there is nothing i can do. A thousand thousand ideas whirled within her mind trying to gain prominence. With a surge of burning hatred and blackened rage a new thought burned it's way through her mind, obliterating the nagging thoughts of failure. We will kill this monster.
The axe wielding creature laughed at the feeble defence. Raising a large cloven hoof she kicked the farm pony out of the way of her axe. “Your time will come soon enough, worm. First you must watch.”
We have to save them! Twilight's head surged with pain. The rage surged through the cracks that pain created worming through the last of her mental walls. Allowing the boiling rage to surge from her neck up her face and finally taking hold of her horn twisting it with cruel intent. The intense hatred made her skin crawl and shift. The black rage filled her so completely that each thought distorted until all that was left was a feral scream of vehement anger. The scream echoed across her mind ripping apart all other thoughts before they could even form. So completely was her mind and body overcome by this other worldly feeling she didn't even hear the element of magic fall from her head and clatter across the ground. We have to save them! She repeated the words over and over as the minotaur continued to taunt Applejack. With each repetition she felt her flesh warp and the amulet become lighter.
The seething black fury pushed even the last tiny thoughts of saving her friends from her mind. With the last of her will power Twilight Sparkle reasoned that ending this threat would save her friends. Safe within her logic she let the shadow overtake her. We will kill her! The thought felt foreign but satisfying in a way she had never felt before in her entire life. The level of assuredness in the idea of brutally murdering the minotaur that had dared threaten them was intoxicating. Her secret desires to wreak bloody vengeance upon this would be tyrant made the last vestiges of Twilight Sparkle crumble. Beneath the ocean of wrath emerged a creature of cold logic.
Pasiphaea gripped another orange colored leg in her massive hands. Gripping it tightly she bent it back until her hoof touched her shoulder. Bones snapped and twisted as applejack screamed in agony. Applejack’s lip bled as she bit down on it, determined not to give another ounce of twisted pleasure to her depraved tormentor. She would not let that monster see her suffer even as every ounce of her being cried out in anguish. She lay on her stomach weakly trying to drag herself forward with her one functional leg.
Having seen that the earth pony would not yield to anymore torture the minotaur growled in annoyance and stood up once more. “Enough of these foolish games.” Gripping her axe in both hands she raised it far above her angling it so it would neatly sever the head of her first victim.
The axe slid through the air as if in slow motion as a hollow creature ascended from where a princess had fallen. The spiraling horn of an alicorn was now little more than a blackened spike jutting from what used to be Twilight Sparkle’s head. It was far longer than an alicorn’s horn and seemed to drain what little light had dare pierce the cloudy night. It surged with ethereal tendrils that leapt into the air, ripping the very magic from the world around it. Making the whole room smell of sulfur and death. In the instant it took for the great minotaur to bring down her axe the horn gathered power into a shaft of darkness that leaped across the room into the chest of Pasiphae. The pain was immediate and intense, piercing through the protective enchantments and boons gifted to the powerful minotaur warrior. A howl of pain and confusion erupted as the creature lost control of her weapon. Her rune bound axe buried itself in the stone as if it were dirt harmlessly passing through the well manicured mane of a white coated unicorn.
The bull like face twisted towards the fallen princess in rage. Her exultation at her victory being snatched from her was quickly replaced by a numbing fear as she saw the creature rise to it's full height. The shaft of pain that burned through it's chest forgotten in an instant. An alicorn with fur darker than the night itself rose before her. It's armored form clinking softly as it straightened it's legs. The silver armor covered nearly all of it's fur save for a patch along her flanks that revealed a swirling black vortex where a star cutie mark was mere moments ago. The armor creeped up the body of it’s owner covering every other square inch of her in gleaming plate. A jet black hoof tossed the pendant that had so thoroughly beaten the princess of friendship as if it were nothing more than a parlor trick.
Doubt and fear spread through the bull woman’s face in equal measure. “How did-” Her eyes strayed from the now broken talisman to the eyes of the monstrous creature that could defeat such a powerful artifact on a whim. The monster’s pupils dilated further and further until they took up the entirety of her eyes, glowing a harsh violet in the dark chamber. “No alicorn can lift the amulet of yunkai!”
The nightmare creature merely laughed in the face of it’s former tormentor.
Applejack crawled weakly over to her friend ignoring her body’s pleas to stop. She collapsed over Rarity. Having finally reached her friend the mental fog of determination lifted to hear the cackling of a demon. She craned her neck to see what was going on, instantly regretting it as she saw the source of the horrid laughter. She had heard the clatter of the amulet and saw the axe narrowly miss Rarity’s exposed neck and had assumed they had won. This however, this was not victory.
The single ray of hope that she had let pierce the veil of pain that shrouded her mind was snuffed out in an instant when the nightmare creature finished taking form. It's mane spread out as if a breeze carried it. A faint ripple stirred within, starting at the base of the head the vibrant purple of Twilight sparkle slowly distorted to become a deep fathomless black. The only way she could even tell it was even there was the fact that it was darker than the dimly lit wall behind it.
The creature’s armor stopped materializing just short of it's jaw before it opened painfully wide letting out a mournful scream of anguish. A sound of two different voices joined in torture cried out in pain so powerful all who heard found themselves writhing in shared agony.
The red robed minotaur ripped her enchanted axe from the ground and charged the nightmare with a feral scream upon her lips. The proud warcry transformed into a terror filled yell of a cornered animal. The axe split the night as it sailed towards the still trembling nightmare creature. An armored hoof wreathed in darkness flashed to intercept the careening weapon. The edge of purest sky silver thundered against the unyielding silver of the nightmare’s hoof. The impact alone nearly vibrated the weapon from the attacker’s hands. “That's impossible sky cleaver can cut through anything.” Disbelief gave way to dread as she thought of the implications. Sky silver could cleave through anything of this world how was this- She would have time to think of the implications later if she survived this encounter.
The axe pulled back as it's wielder leaped away from the armored nightmare. “You will not hurt our friends!” The twinned voice spoke not in anguish but in a thunderous scream of abhorrence.
The minotaur threw her axe into a wide sweep to keep her shadowy opponent at bay. However the axe flew straight through her target as if it were mere smoke. The poorly balanced swing made the weapon leap from the minotaur's grip. With no resistance to counter the swing the already terrified bull woman couldn't account for the change in time. Sky cleaver flew across the room embedding itself hilt deep into the stone wall of the temple. A small shudder sent a cascade of rocks down on the two combatants as the temple shifted slightly.
The thin veneer of barely contained fear erupted into a terror so great it consumed the would be killer. She toppled backwards in a desperate bid to escape bloody vengeance. Armored hooves trod forward with a methodic thump until it stood before the cowering killer. “You cannot defeat me i have the strength of every minotaur alive and dead!” With a sudden surge of strength the likes of which only the desperate could produce a single fist shot out to strike the nightmare in the muzzle.
In an instant the armored pony’s head twisted and elongated bones snapping and reshaping in the blink of an eye. It's muzzle opened impossibly wide, tearing it's own flesh asunder to reveal a row of sharp spear like teeth. Before she even had a chance to pull back her magically enhanced fist the twisted abomination brought its jaws down around it biting straight through flesh and bone. So quickly was her lower arm eviscerated she thought for a split second she had managed to save her hand. All she felt was a slight pressure and than nothing.
Drawing back a bloody stump all semblance rational thought fled from the wounded minotaur. Howling in panic she held it's free hand up in surrender as it pushed backwards until her head hit the cold stone wall of her ancestor’s. No words could escape her sputtering mouth as a slew of apologies and fright spawned excuses coagulated into an indecipherable jumble of would be words. Still the nightmare strode forward, headless to the minotaur’s distress.
“Twi” A faint voice called from across the room. A faint flicker of purple surged down its mane but otherwise acted as if it couldn't hear the voice and focused entirely on the bloody opponent in front of it. Applejack tried to summon her strength to call out again but a sickening crunch squelched the thought.
A stomach churning chomping noise came from the nightmare’s mouth as it chewed the detached hand. The sound of shattering bone and ripping flesh filled the room as the horrified onlookers were stunned to silence. The forked tongue of the nightmare flicked from it's mouth, lapping up what little blood escaped it's mouth. With its meal chewed thoroughly it’s muzzle turned up in what could only be described as a perverse smile before gulping down it's ruined meal. Allowing the squirming minotaur to watch as what was her hand made the nightmare’s throat bulge slightly before passing into it's stomach. Ancestors above it's going to eat me. A wet warmth slowly spread from between her legs as the creature licked it's teeth clean of blood and gore with a thick serpentine tongue.
“We will not allow you to harm our ponies any longer.” The creature’s twin voices announced in unison. “We will feast on your flesh and learn how you are immune to our magic.” It stepped closer to the cowering bull woman as it spoke. “And after we do that we will devour every man woman and child you call kin.”
At the mention of her kin a fist struck the nightmare with enough strength to make the black creature recoil in mock pain. “Fuck you bitch.” Spitting a mouthful of blood at the blood splattered face of her attacker.
The nightmare creature continued to step back in dramatic swaying steps eliciting a small smile of victory from her assailant. “I will enjoy devouring your soul.” The minotaur's sense of victory waned as she saw the real reason the creature had backed up.
Her leg was held tight in the grasp of twin tendrils sinister darkness. So focused on her apparent victory she hardly noticed the bizarre snaking appendages. She flexed and strained but even her titanic strength could not break her bindings. Her strength was greater than any being’s of this world. Her flesh could not be pierced by anything natural, nor could sky cleaver be stopped by anything made at the hands of mortals. This thing whatever it is not of this world. It must draw power from something beyond this realm and possibly beyond this plane.
She looked down just as the mouth of the nightmare creature bit through her leg. A pain so great it eclipsed the screaming agony of her missing hand gripped the minotaur. A howl ripped through her lungs as the nightmare’s teeth ripped through her flesh with terrifying speed. Before she even thought to kick with her hooved feet her entire leg was nothing more than a bloody stump attached to her waist. Blood rocketed out of her stump and blood loss threatened to make consciousness slip from her grasp. The magic that had just minutes before been used to beat back the elements of harmony surged into overdrive replacing the blood that promptly shot out of her now lost limbs.
Hope fled from the mind of Pasiphaea, she could only look on in dread as the mouth of the creature pulped the last of her mangled flesh and swallow audibly. Faintly she heard a voice filled with pain whimper. “Help me Twilight. It hurts, it hurts so much.” She could not tear her eyes from the beast that was consuming her very flesh but she saw a flicker in it's eyes. A violet streak coursed from the center of its eyes outwards, making her armor and color fluctuate as it passed through it's body.
A feral growl escaped the beast and it abandoned it's toying game and gripped the head of the minotaur in her magic. The minotaur fought until its dying breath, pounding with it's good hand and stump alike in equal desperation. Nothing could stop the nightmare, merely ignoring the impudent strikes of the lesser creature it sunk its sharp teeth into the bull woman’s neck and with a short jerk snapped it with ease. The last of it's screams dying in it's throat as it's the sickening snap of bone silenced it forever.
The bloody body slumped in an instant and lay there as it’s life blood pooled on the dusty ground. Slowly the magic that surged within the body released in thin snaking lines of crimson. They spread out in all directions from the corpse extending across the entire room before vanishing on aetherial winds. The still beating heart surged one last shuddering thud before stopping completely. Sending one last stuttering surge of blood out of it's devastated body.
The nightmare made a point of not looking over at the source of the voice and instead turned its head upwards to the hole in the roof that let in a few stray rays of moonlight. “We must slaughter all of their kind before they can hurt our ponies.” It said in a single deeper voice. “We must help our friends.” It's head jerked back to the sight of the bloody and broken farm pony that stared back at her with an equal mix fear and hope.
“NO!” The creature’s form fluctuated wildly, it's jet black fur gaining and losing patches of purple. Single plates falling soundlessly from its form only to reappear an instant later. “We must kill the bull monsters before they hurt anypony else.” It's dark bat like wings flared as it got ready to fly out of the broken temple.
“Twi please it hurts.” The creature froze and Applejack leapt at the opportunity. “Please make the pain stop.” It lifted a shattered leg up at Twilight. Although the act made her scream in agony she could see it had the effect she wanted.
The nightmare’s form shuddered and a growl of anger softened until it become quiver of barely contained sadness. Hooves stepped closer to the mangled form of the element of honesty. Armored hooves lost the sharp clang of metal, quickly replaced by the soft clack of natural hooves. The tendrils of darkness that had spread across the room receded begrudgingly into the nightmare’s mane and tail. It's head dipped down to look at the orange pony that lay broken beside her friends. The nightmare’s irises’ reluctantly shrunk until they slowly returned to normality allowing Twilight to truly see her broken friend. What she saw brought tears to her eyes and stab of guilt to her heart.
Three of her legs were bent and broken at odd angles making her heart leap in her chest. She would never buck another tree, if she was lucky she might be able to stand given years of intense recovery. Twilight’s mind whirled with possibility before settling into a cold and methodical approach to her friend’s injury. The familiar cold was unnoticed as a solution slowly formed within their mind.
How she had even stayed conscious through such pain was a miracle. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she realized how close she had come to losing her friends.The clanging of falling armor was hardly registered as she amassed every last bit of strength she had. The last vestiges of swirling darkness tinged the normal purple that coalesced around the now normal alicorn horn. She poured every last bit of magic she had into the forming spell. Quickly passing well over the threshold that was normally held back to maintain her very body. Her body screamed for her to stop but the guilt at what she had done made her ignore its pleas. This was all her fault, and she would right it even if it was the last thing she would ever do. The last thing she saw before the darkness took her was an orange and black pony tentatively getting to her hooves in shock and then, nothing.
The unfeeling darkness awaited Twilight and embraced her as only a kindred spirit could. Together they fell into the yawning void, uncaring if either ever emerged.
“I still don't know why you refused to let us go back into that dreadful old temple to see what became of that equally dreadful minotaur. She might have been hurt, or not hurt enough.” Rarity’s whining tone grated Applejack’s nerves almost as much as her continued fussing over her legs.
“Look Rares just.” Applejack swatted a white hoof as it brushed up against her leg, roughly the now blackened fur. “Dagum It Rarity cut it out it's just a little discoloration of the fur, besides I kinda like it.”
“But dear just look at it!” Pointing at her legs with a hoof while lifting one in her magic for emphasis. “They are black and…” She examined the leg once more, leaning in slightly and squinting in the semi darkness of the carriage interior. It was solid black from hoof to about half way up where it become an off purple color before fading into her natural orange coloration. “Lavender of all colors!”
Applejack pulled her leg out of the magic that held it and stared back indignantly at the fussing unicorn. Letting out a sigh she ignored her companion’s continued pleas and looked out into the rolling countryside. Finding solace in the relaxing sight of familiar trees. Even as far from equestria as they were there were still a couple apple trees here and there. Which made her heart fill with thoughts of home, something that always brought her peace.
As bleak as the gorge was it still had an odd rustic charm that felt a lot like appleloosa. Thankfully Pinky Pie and Rainbow dash had opted to pull the carriage this time, which allowed the farm pony time to enjoy the scenery this time around. Small hills and cacti occasionally dotted the landscape. Seemingly just as at home as the stumpy apple trees and other tougher trees that eked out survival within the usually wind blasted gorge. Beyond that was the gorge wall rising up into the sky and casting foreboding shadows at any time that wasn't noon. The feeling of being in near perpetual shadow was unnerving at first but on the ride back it seemed a twinge familiar to the farm pony. It had not lost its air of mystery but some deep part of her relished in the fact that they were both illuminated but still shrouded in a slight darkness. The feeling was odd but when she thought about it shade was always nice.
A sharp bump accompanied by the sound of Pinky Pie giggling brought her back to reality. Where an annoying unicorn unfortunately existed. “-and another thing what happened to poor twilight? I know you said she was fine but there is still blood ruining her coat.” Rarity slowly extended a hoof towards the fallen princess lying on the bench next to applejack.
Her hoof only made it halfway across the narrow space separating the two benches before Applejack felt her hooves lift from underneath her and an anger fill her bones. “Don't touch her.” Her tone brooked no argument and Rarity felt the color drain from her face when she saw the snarling face of Applejack just inches from her own.
The unicorn toppled backwards into a heap trying to escape the furious earth pony. In her mad dash she had managed to topple straight into the small luggage area behind her seat towards the back of the carriage making more than one suitcase erupt in a fountain of clothes. Righting herself out of the pile of clothing and equipment the white pony looked at her friend with fear in her eyes. “What in equestria has gotten into you Applejack?”
As the anger drained out of her she sat back down next to Twilight and slowly stroked her long disheveled mane. “It's just after what happened you would be a little protective too.” Applejack’s stetson pulled low as she attempted to cover her blush of embarrassment. She wasn't really sure why she had jumped on Rarity, but between her fussing and the stress of the last 24 hours it didn't seem out of place for the usually patient orange pony.
Rarity dragged herself up out of the luggage and back onto the carriage only to meet the face of a surprised Pinkie pie looking through the window to carriage interior. “Is Twilight awake yet?”
“Pinky get back up here this thing is heavy!” Whined an indignant Rainbow Dash. Their pace slowed as she tried to pull a load designed to be pulled by two ponies. In a much lower tone only AJ and Pinky Pie heard. "And I can't see where we are going."
“Just a sec!" Pinky pie yelled over her shoulder, before poking her head back inside the carriage. "So is she?” Rarity shrugged as she tried to pull off a clinging piece of fabric that gripped her horn with her one good leg. The metal and wood that held together her leg braces was interwoven with fallen clothes and other travel supplies that had wormed their way in during her impromptu dive into their luggage. Finally wrestling the stubborn fabric from her horn she used her magic to remove the rest of the offending articles and place them back in their respective bags. She eyed Applejack cautiously while running a simple medical examination tool over the still unconscious alicorn
Other than splatters of blood that marred her usually pristine coat she didn't look too worse for wear. Rarity leaned in slightly, eyeing Applejack closer as she did. Noting a few bruises and minor cuts there didn't seem to be a reason for her continued slumber. With a sigh of defeat she turned back to the positively vibrating Pinky who had busied herself playing with her eyepatch as usual. “No and I can't tell why she's still asleep anyway. Unless she got hit in the head?” She turned to Applejack expectantly.
“No I don't think so. But when I was draggin yall out of there I might not have been the most gentle.” She said with a dismissive shrug, her hoof still gliding through her friends mane while she spoke.
“Oookay well give us a shout when she wakes up, Dashie is super worried about her. Always going on and on about-hurk” Pinky disappeared from the window as an angry Rainbow Dash pulled her back in front of the carriage. Which slowly righted itself as the pony with a functioning eye guided them back onto the road.
Silence quickly seeped back into the wagon as the clip clop of hooves faded into the background. Guilt still burned on the farm pony’s face and looking at the unicorn who was trying to fix one of her leg braces only made it worse. She cleared her throat to get her friend’s attention. “Ahm sorry about that Rarity. It's been… Stressful to say the least. What happened back there.” A harsh shiver coursed down her back.
Rarity did her best to suppress the worry building inside her. She had to be strong for her friend. After putting on the best face of peaceful reassurance she could muster she gently placed a hoof on the other mare’s leg. “It's okay darling we are all in one piece.” A hoof ran through the missing part of her mane. “Mostly.”
Applejack rolled her eyes but reluctantly avoided looking at the damaged mane. She was no fashionesta but that was quite the mess. One she was happy she didn't make. The rage that her usually quiet and reserved friend had flown into when she saw what had become of her luscious mane made all of tartarus pale in comparison. Thankfully she had calmed down quickly after she found out the perpetrator had been dealt with.
The farm pony's eyes wandered back to Twilight. A thought worming it's way through her mind without her volition. Will our princess be okay? The thought was odd but she paid it no mind. It carried with it such strange undertones of companionship and love that made her think of her family back home. Smells of earth and home became muddied with the reek of death as the memory of finding Granny dead in the mud just outside their home surged past the pleasant feelings. Within her mind's eye she saw Granny Smith in that puddle, her wheelchair toppled to the side. Her hooves had made pathetic scratch marks in the deep mud. After all these years and getting bit by two different timber wolves, struck by lightning and almost flattened by a falling tree a damn puddle had done her in. All because she was too stubborn to admit she couldn't get the mail.
Within a flicker of lightning from the horizon her form became Twilight’s. The farm pony wasn't sure if this was better or worse. Some hidden gear within her mind shifted and thumped into place, suddenly she felt the same urge of protectiveness that came when her kin was in trouble. Only this time that feeling came from when she looked down at the still slumbering form of her friend. Rarity was staring at her intently as her mind returned to her body. Her eyes were filled with compassion and a small twinge of worry. She had long since grown used to consoling Applejack. Knowing she needed to come to her when she was in pain lest she push her friends away.
The farm pony’s brain was a whirlwind of unchecked emotions that threatened to overtake her. Knowing what she had to do she shifted a little closer to the still unmoving alicorn to her right, making just enough room for Rarity to sit next to her. It was a tight squeeze but the white leg that was forced around the orange pony’s neck was a welcome relief. With only a single stubborn second of refusal she allowed her feelings to well up inside her and overwhelm her entirely. She wouldn't be that stubborn again, not like granny.
Tears flowed freely and into the soft white coat of the mare who always seemed to be there at the right time. Letting herself become lost in the fur that felt like the softest of fabric, and smelled faintly of lavender. The smell wasn't bad, nor was it good but some other thought associated with what kind of smell it was brought her a sense of joy and purpose. It was the same smell that always greeted her when she went to Twilight's castle for tea. It was her princesses' favorite and although it wasnt hers the taste had grown on her considerably over the years. Applejack sniffed, something about this whole scene was kinda funny now that she thought about it. She had always thought Rarity to be the most emotional of the lot of them but she always seemed to keep it together whenever she needed to. Always saying something like "A time and a place darling." or "Making a scene is so unladylike."
Several minutes passed as her emotions finally seemed to stabilize, a feeling of calm normality slowly returning. “Feel better darling?”
The earth pony shrugged but couldn't deny that she felt a lot better than she had a few minutes earlier. Rarity herself had only shed a few tears of her own, holding the rest back for a more appropriate time for such unladylike behavior. I have to be strong for Applejack. Something about the way she cried and held her seemed like that time after... No if she thought about it anymore her resolve would crumble.
“Umm Rarity do you need this? A dark blanket covered head peaked up over the side of the chair separating the carriage interior from the small luggage area. The piercing red eyes made Rarity freeze for a second before she shook her head and looked at what Fluttershy was holding. There in her trembling hoof was a long silver screw.
“Oh yes thank you darling.” She released Applejack reluctantly and crossed back into her usual spot. She placed the screw back into the missing spot on her leg brace and with her magic screwed it back into place. Grimacing slightly at the pain she made sure nopony saw.
Looking over at the red eyes poking out from her deep cover made Rarity shiver slightly but she subdued that feeling before Fluttershy noticed with practiced ease. An idea sprung to her mind. “Fluttershy darling I don't suppose you could give Twilight a look and see if you can figure out why she is still asleep?”
The pair of red eyes moved down slightly and the tremor that ran through intensified. “If it's alright with you i'd rather not.” Rarity and AJ both cocked an eye at the vampire. Under the scrutiny of her friend Fluttershy continued. “She hurts when I look at her too hard.”
“That's fine sugar cube. Maybe it's just an Alicorn problem.”
“Augh my head.” All eyes shot to the alicorn. Applejack moving faster than the rest, draping a small towel across the princesses' muzzle.
Before anypony had a chance to say anything Applejack leaned close and whispered in her ear. “Don't take that off sugar. Trust me.”
Although everypony in the carriage noted the odd exchange with curiosity the sheer fact their friend was back in the land of the living pushed those questions for later.
The alicorn’s eyes swiveled to the earth pony, scanning her green eyes intently. Finding what she sought she nodded knowingly. Surprisingly Fluttershy was the first to speak up. “You're awake!” The carriage stuttered to a stop as two faces pressed in through the too small window into the cabin.
The pink face with the eye patch and the scars spoke first. “Are you okay?”
The blue face that had the strip of cloth covering her eyes spoke up next. “What happened Twi?”
She tried to rise but a firm pitch black hoof held her down. “Don't go pushing it so quickly, relax we are all right here.”
The alicorn struggled against the hoof holding her down for a few more moments before settling back into the bench in defeat. She was right, we should trust her. She looked up at all the expectant faces staring in at her. From Rarity’s calming smile of reassurance. To Fluttershy’s barely contained panic.
“I feel a lot better. Just a little bit of a headache and some aches and pains.” Fluttershy calmed slightly. Thankful that no one was about to panic she leaned against Applejack slightly taking no small amount of joy from being so close to the rock steady pony.
The gathered ponies sat in awkward silence as each tried to broach the subject of what happened after they passed out. Pinky was the first to crack under the weight of the curiosity. “Now that you're feelin peachy Twi, what happened back there?” An uncharacteristic look of concern marred her face. “AJ wasn't exactly talkative about the details.”
She knew this was coming and had enough time to come up with something that sounded close to the truth without giving much away. “She was dealt with.” Stumbling for the words for a few seconds she sighed. “Permanently.”
A trio of gasps filled the packed carriage. Absent from the shock was Rarity who seemed to have pieced things together already. “No way!” Shouted Pinkie Pie.
“But that almost never happens. What about the elements?” All eyes looked over at Rainbow Dash. All of them silently wondering the same question.
“They didn't work. Worse still they are broken.” Twilight’s voice threatened to crack at the weight of the implication. Her purple aura swirled about her horn as she moved to grab the case bearing the elements with her magic. A critical eye picked out a swirling black aura intermingled beneath the purple one but the owner of said eye said nothing.
The case bearing the elements was heavily enchanted and had taken its fair share of dings and scratches. By now it looked like somepony had thrown it out of a moving train from all the wear and tear it had received over the years. Inside lay the elements, all present and accounted for. The only thing that would indicate anything was off was the their lackluster appearance. Every Time they looked upon the elements they were startled by the beauty and grace of the items, despite looking rather plain there was some force that always held the viewer in rapt attention. Now they looked like mere copies of the elements of harmony. Dull and lifeless, simple metal and gemstones. Beautiful to those who have never seen them but ugly to those that have witnessed their full splendor.
The feeling of wrongness swept over the carriage interior making Twilight hastily close the box and replace it back in the luggage area Fluttershy was hiding in. Twilight cleared her throat drawing attention from the miasma of fear and confusion that had settled over everypony. “My theory is that her axe absorbed it's power somehow.” She relit her horn and brought forth the weapon in question. Delicately pulling the blanket it was wrapped in off enough to reveal the blade. Within the pure white blade there seemed to bounce a rainbow of energy. “And until we can extract the power the elements are useless.”
She replaced the blanket and placed it delicately back into it's spot in the luggage area, mounted on the wall. It took a second before Rainbow spoke up angrily. “Could somepony just describe what happened?”
Twilight face hoofed having forgotten she was blind again. “The rainbow energy that emerges when we use the elements was bouncing around inside the axe as if they were trapped.”
Pinky winced and frowned. Having forgotten to do her job once more. She hugged a resistant Rainbow Dash until she forgave her. An awkward calm settled over the ponies broken only by the faint sound of raindrops impacting the roof of the carriage every few seconds.
Rarity broke the calm first with a hoof raised and pointed at the towel draping across Twilight’s muzzle. “Why exactly are you wearing a towel over your mouth? Don't tell me your hurt dear.” Her horn lit up as her magic gripped the edge of the cloth.
Twilight swatted the edge, disrupting her magic enough to explain. “It's not bad it just doesn't look pretty. I think I lost a tooth or two when she hit me in the face. I don't want you girls to see me like this.”
The carriage quieted a second before it broke out into a great peal of laughter. Twilight shrunk into the seat, realizing what she said a moment after she said it. AJ wiped a tear from her eye stifling her laugh long enough to speak. “Sugar cube you saw that timberwolf rip my damn ear off.” Her blackened hoof flicked the stubble of flesh where her ear was. “I don't think we would think any less of you.” Her eyes were deadly calm, betraying her mirthful tone. Clearly doing her best to draw attention away from further questions.
“Exactly darling, why you were right there when you saw that dreadful boulder nearly crush my legs. You carried me all the way back to town on your back for crying out loud!” The absurdity of all made her ladylike giggling return with a vengeance.
“Never mind what happened to me and Dashy!” Displaying a strange amount of tact the pink pony threw a leg over Rainbow Dash and hugged her close.
Fluttershy said nothing, instead choosing to busy herself by rearranging the cloak she wore so it better covered her.
In a small voice better fit for Fluttershy, Twilight spoke. “Still… Celestia always said to never allow anypony to see a princess when she is hurt. It's hard to forget all those lessons after being drilled into my head year after year.”
Outside the rain picked up slightly drawing all eyes to the darkening windows. Rainbow Dash shuddered. “It feels like a big one, best push this oversized cart off the road and onto better ground before it turns into a quagmire.”
Everypony agreed and the two ponies who had squished themselves into the window unsquashed themselves and hastily pulled the cart off the road and up a slight slope. While that happened Twilight silently cast a spell on the towel to keep it draped across her muzzle at all times. Ensuring nopony saw the gleaming dagger like teeth she suspected still lurked beneath.
Camp was hastily erected just in time to hear the crash of thunder and the not so distant flash of lightning. The six mares huddled tighter around a small fire. All silently thankful Rarity had insisted on packing that oversized tarp of hers. It was draped between the small grove of low trees creating a comfortable if a bit cramped area. The side not covered by carriage or trees opened up to the storm and the road. Within minutes the gravel road turned to mush.
Applejack stood tall and alert, her head hidden beneath her hat as she stared out through the rain at the road. Diligent in no small part to the strangely intense desire to protect her friends. Twilight hid the furthest away, her large body hidden slightly beneath a low hanging tree. The darkness it provided was pleasant and the cool breeze coming off the storm made her sigh in contentment. Fluttershy was curled up beside her, snoozing softly. Rainbow sat near the fire, prodding it with a stick while Rarity deposited more wood onto it. All the while Pinky pie cooked up some travel pancakes in an oversized pan she held in an enchanted oven mitt.
Above them the storm continued unabated. The frequency of lightning only increasing as time went on. Turning the sky into a veritable light show of thick white lightning and distant boom of thunder. The road had turned from a quagmire of mud to a small river, rain water running in thin streams towards the low road. Their spot amongst the trees allowed enough coverage to be free from the storm. So heavy was the oppressive storm that it had blotted out the mid afternoon sun. Allowing for Fluttershy to escape from underneath her heavily enchanted cloak and flex her large leathery wings before she had settled into a comfy spot next to her friend.
The afternoon flew by as the storm pounded away at the gorge with massive cracks of thunder and ceaseless rain. The 6 ponies grew tight around the fire. Applejack even abandoning her post figuring no one would travel in this bad a storm.
“And then Dashy was like.” Pinky pie threw on a super serious frowny face. “Even I saw that coming.”
The six mares burst into laughter at Pinkie's joke. Even Rainbow Dash joined in despite her previous pun induced groaning. Applejack and Twilight had fallen over into a laughing pony pile which only made the other four laugh harder. A yellow hoof and hiss from Fluttershy brought them back to reality faster than a slap in the face. “Over there.” She pointed towards the darkness of the road.
All eyes scanned the oppressive blackness. But there was nothing other than the rain, the road and darkness. “Wait I hear it to.” A brace covered leg pointed out towards the road near a small group of trees. The trees shifted as the mare’s attention turned to them. Two of the smaller ones slowly walking closer.
An unsaid command rang out among the ponies. Making all six element bearers jump to attention on either side of Twilight who stood in front raised to full imposing height. Her intimidating presence marred slightly by the brown towel still draped across her muzzle. Fangs bared and magic poised at the ready the six ponies would have looked a fearsome sight indeed amid the great storm. The long shadows cast by the fire behind them adding to the intimidation they hoped to exude.
The twin trees striding up to their camp were finally revealed enough by the light of the fire that their true minotaur nature shone through. Axes were held in front of them in both hands. Approaching the six they laid their weapons down and took several steps back. “Our greetings and apologies your highness.” Shouting over the sound of rain the two minotaur spoke in unison.
Applejack snorted derisively but Twilight held up a hoof towards the over protective earth pony. Minotaur using the royal endearments were incredibly rare. If she remembered correctly they didn't believe in royalty and their entire society was built around that idea. Remembering her diplomatic training she approached the weapons and with her magic plunged them back into the earth so the heads embedded themself in the soft earth while the haft pointed towards her.
Calmed somewhat by the appropriate ritual the two minotaur took a tentative step forward and bowed low. “Wow.” Pinkie gasped.
Twilight wasn't sure which was more bizarre being bowed to by a minotaur or being called royalty by those same beings. The stories and rituals the minotaur used when in diplomatic talks were fresh in her mind. In all of Celestia’s years only four had ever bowed to her and one was out of jest and another out of an attempt at subterfuge. Barely remembering the accompanying line Twilight stuttered. “R-rise and stand.”
She was careful to avoid eye contact until after the two bowing taur were standing once more. Remembering just how offended a Minataur would be having been seen in a moment of weakness. “We come bearing an offering and vows of servitude oh great one.” Said the one to the left who appeared to be the elder.
Twilight stepped back as if struck, a blackened hoof quickly placed against her side. The concerned face of Applejack near her own. She shook off the hoof and nodded to the earth pony. “Gather their weapons and keep them safe.” Than in a larger more commanding tone she spoke to the minotaur. “Come, sit by the fire.”
Rainbow Dash shifted from foot to foot anxious as to what was happening. Pinky was quick to pull her aside and describe what happened in a hushed tone. Rarity Straightened out the small blanket they had been sitting on and withdrew another for their guests. While every being sat down across the fire from one another Applejack stood silently to the side. Waiting for either guest to make a wrong move.
Twilight considered telling her to sit but thought better of it. Always keep the upper hoof and maintain a show of force when negotiating with minotaur Celestia always said.
Their guests had settled themselves awkwardly beneath the low hanging canopy and sat cross legged upon the blanket. Under the tarp and out of the rain they were much less tree like. The one to her left was a burly minotaur even by their standards. But the hallmarks of age showed themselves across his form. From the strands of white hair that marred his coat and short cut mowhawk. Or the way he struggled to sit on aching joints. It was clear he bore both a leadership role and the unfortunate side effects of advanced age. Beside him sat a slightly smaller but no less muscled female. She was slightly less tanned than the older Minotaur and her short red hair stood in bright contrast of the earthy tones of her coat and skin. She eyed up the ponies one by one, her muscles strained as if she was ready to leap between them at a moment's notice.
“I am Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends.” She quickly introduced everypony before turning to their guests expectantly.
“My name is Stalwart Oak, or just Oak if it pleases you. And this is my daughter Willow.” Who merely nodded in greeting. “I apologize for the strangeness of this meeting but we were hoping to catch up with you before you left the gorge.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The gorge was always called our gorge by the taur who lived there, never the gorge. Their strange mannerisms only seemed to increase, she hoped he started explaining soon as this entire situation was beyond weird. “Not a problem, I just wish I had something to offer you in the way of warm drink. You must be cold.”
The old Taur smiled. “I appreciate the sentiment regardless.”
Unable to hold herself back any longer Rainbow Dash blurted out. “What is this about vows and offering?”
Mentally face hooving at the diplomatic blunder Twilight quickly added. “My friends and I had hoped to get back to equestria as soon as possible. The road is long and we are weary from a tiring journey.”
Both Taur frowned. “Yes unfortunately we know all about your journey.” Applejack took a threatening step forward her corded muscles bulging slightly. “Which is why we are here to offer our unconditional surrender to you. Azlow drach denabaray.” Both Taur bowed so low their heads touched the ground, both facing the now standing alicorn.
Twilight mentally pulled back on AJ willing her to restrain herself. The language was strange. Ancient Taur but with a slight twist as if it was a name and not several words. Wait he couldn't mean that… That didn't make any sense. He just said he was giving up all of minatoria to She who wields the stars. Surely they didn't mean that. Twilight's mind raced with questions. With practiced ease she made sure her curiosity did not display itself on her face.
“What does A low drek dana berry mean?” Pinky asked expectantly, looking over at Twilight.
“It means she who wields the stars in ancient Taur.” She fixed the elder Taur with a firm gaze. "Are you sure you want to do this? Although part of the royal family of equestria I have not been empowered to act as an official head of state for this visit.”
“The taur bow to no nation but we may bend the knee to a being who has humbled us all.” The old taur remained bowing after his younger companion righted herself. “We the Taur of the Dreadfall Gorge do humbly submit ourselves to your might Azlow drach denabaray. We shall follow your commands and abide by your laws. We hope you treat us and your gorge with the same kindness your people are known for.”
Every Being gasped in equal surprise even the young Taur. “Father you don't mean she was the one who?” She brought a finger close to her mouth and bit it silently, chastising herself for speaking out of place.
“Yes she is the one we all saw my child now hush and await our Princesses’ word.” The other taur bowed hastily.
Everypony looked at Twilight impatiently. However where they expected to see a nervous wreck stood a proud and positively glowing alicorn. Applejack was right to stop me. She made a mental note to thank Applejack again later but something made told her that she already had gotten the hint. A sly grin glinted from under the low turned stetson. She looked away from the grinning earth pony and towards the bowing Taur.
She took careful stock of the minotaur that had just asked to serve her. Although she had already decided to accept their surrender and vows of servitude she made a show of thinking about it. Part of her liked how the younger one sweat beneath her gaze. Letting out a deep breathe she contained her excitement and struck an even tone. “We accept your surrender and apologize for the unfortunate end of your last paragon.” As an afterthought she commanded. “Rise and stand.”
The two Taur slowly withdrew back into a sitting position. Faint ethereal ribbons of ancient magic came into view. Shimmering in the firelight they griped the alicorn tightly. Thousands of individually colored strings shot in nearly every direction. In that instant Twilight felt every thought feeling and emotion of every minotaur that called the Dreadfall Gorge its home. Fear, confusion, panic, dominated the thoughts and feelings almost entirely. Strong undercurrents of relief shone through the thick haze of negative emotions. In that moment she knew why they had feared her, and why they had voluntarily submitted to her. Her face blanched as she saw the images of her nightmare form standing bloody triumphant over the broken body of the viewer. Voices that sounded close to her own called out and her wings drew ready. Every last Taur that had granted their strength to that axe wielding maniac had seen her last moments and known the fear she had felt. The flow of thoughts and feelings slowed until it disappeared entirely. Despite her training small tears formed around her eyes. She wiped them away quickly calmly reassured Applejack that she was fine.
Pinky plucked away at one of the threads before it disappeared entirely before moving back over to Rainbow Dash and whispering in her ear.
Twilight stuttered, the beginning of another apology forming on her lips. “There is no need to apologize she was a brute and a fear monger. How she managed to sway the leaders of our towns and villages is a mystery. Regardless that will never happen again. Although I cannot tell you what to do I must request that you come back to your gorge soon as the turmoil caused by the defeat of a paragon and the surrender to a foreign power will not be without… Strife.” His voice was pained as was his expression.
“Of course. I do not take this responsibility lightly.”
The old taur sighed slightly, noticed only by the keenly observant Alicorn. “Than may I request you allow us the honor of pulling your carriage out of this storm and back to Equestria? It is the least we can do right now."
Twilight merely nodded regally her expression returning to a more unreadable neutral. She turned hastily and began to gather up all their stuff in her magic. Looking at the four stunned mares she took a step back. “What?”
Rarity’s smile threatened to split her face in half and if she was capable of bouncing on her hooves Twilight had no doubt she would be. Pinky and Rainbow Dash were muttering quietly to each other off to the side trying to puzzle out what just happened. Fluttershy just cocked her and looked at Twilight. Who merely giggled and drew them close in her telekinetic grasp. Now close at hoof she whispered. “I will explain everything while they pull the carriage.”
Although her friends were still confused they collectively pushed the thoughts aside as they finished gathering their things and hopping into the carriage. Settling into the comfortable seats of the carriage Dash whispered unsure if the Tour were in earshot. “The road is probably a river by now how are they going to pull uUus.”
The whole carriage lurched forward as the two taur pulled mightily. Twilight leaned towards her rainbow friend and whispered back. “Minotaur are a lot like earth ponies when it comes to magic. Only their magic never manifests outside themselves unlike earth pony druids. Which means they are twice as strong as the strongest earth pony around. They are also incredibly sure footed.”
As if on cue the cart turned back onto the mucky road and slowly began to speed up. Within moments they were at a running speed. RD perked up and swiveled her ears. “Wow, they are fast. I wonder if they would want to race…” The six mares laughed at her undeterred love of speed.
Twilight motioned for her friends to lean in close. Taking a deep breathe she launched into a long explanation of what had happened, only concluding as their carriage exited the storm. Upon the horizon was the small village of Hedge end that signified the edge of minotaur land.
