Stories... they’ve existed since the time of the ancients. Stories were simple fairy tails, myths, something to sooth a child’s mind to sleep. Stories are the essence of memories long forgotten, they show the world we know in a complete different view. Stories are like doors that show multitude of truths... or lies. However, this story speaks of something entirely differently, where an unlikely duo of beings... separate from different worlds meet. Like many stories, it’s full of adventures beyond great lands, creatures strange and magical in their own, a land of both heroes and villains... but... this story isn’t about any of that. This story... talks about a pony born with the power of fire... and a human, born with the power of the mythical creature... The Phoenix.

It began in a familiar yet strange world, Equestria. A land full of life and shares it’s own secrets too. Ruled by the sisters, Princess Celestia, who commands the sun, and Princess Luna, who commands the moon. Equestria is full of various races, from the ponies to the gryphons, the minotaurs to the changelings, and so much more. Speaking of ponies, the pony race is separated into three specific types, Earth ponies, Pegasi, and finally Unicorns... but of course there are other pony races like, bat-ponies, crystal ponies, alicorns, and... possibly more.

In a small town called Ponyville, lives both earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. It also holds six unique ponies, who are also the destined to use six ancient artifacts known as, “The Elements of Harmony”. These ponies are, Fluttershy the element of kindness, Rarity the element of generosity, Rainbow Dash the element of loyalty, Applejack the element of honesty, Pinkie Pie the element of laughter, and then finally the fourth alicorn princess and the element of magic, Twilight Sparkle. But the story focuses on another particular pony... her name was Burnice Bright. Burnice was... “special” from other ponies, her past wasn’t a happy one to be specific. The most unique part about ponies is that every single one has something called, a cutie mark. A cutie mark represents the abilities and dreams of a pony, it represents the goals they want in life, one pony might be skilled in construction, another in cooking, but every one is unique and have either minor or major differences.

Now, Burnice is a unicorn and her cutie mark is a lit matchstick. Burnice keeps to herself often, but is friends with Twilight and a few other ponies. She’s on a journey to find the truth to what has happened to her father... no matter the cost. One day in particular, Burnice was heading toward Sugarcube Corner for some food, and Twilight wanted her and Burnice to hang out there. Considering that there’s nothing much for her to do, Burnice decides to hang out with Twilight.

Burnice trotted pass some buildings, and at the distance was Sugarcube Corner. Taking in a deep breath, Burnice opened the door. “Come on Burnice, you can do this,” thought Burnice.

Entering inside, Burnice can see that there’s barely anypony inside, a few ponies here and there. Nevertheless the place was empty, from the corner of the building near the windows, Burnice can see Twilight talking to some of her friends. Burnice can recognize the other ponies being Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie. Approaching them, Twilight waves hello toward her. “Oh Burnice your here. I want you to meet my friends,” said Twilight. “Girls, I like you to meet Burnice, she’s staying with me in the library.”

“It’s nice to meet you darling, my name’s Rarity,” said Rarity, introducing herself.

“I’m Pinkie! Want a cupcake?” asked Pinkie, making a cupcake appear on her hoof.

“F-F-Fluttershy... my name is Fluttershy... It’s nice meeting you, if you don’t mind,” said Fluttershy, shying away.

Burnice knew Twilight was a speical pony, and to have special friends was no surprise to her... well except Pinkie who does the most impossible things, for an earth pony. Sitting on the empty seat beside Rarity, the five ponies talk about what they’ve done recently. “So as I was saying... today’s orders have been coming in more quicker before I can finish any. But business is doing fine, how about you Twilight how are things as, ‘Princess of Friendship’?” asked Rarity, curious.

Ever since Twilight became an alicorn, she’s been given a number of responsibilities, but none of them are too major. Some simple paperwork and invitations to a number of parties from nobles and such. This however hasn’t stopped her true passion, books, no matter what Twilight will always do what she loves doing the most. “Well I had a few reporters come to take an interview with me. Nothing new to say... well there was this particular book I found...” said Twilight.

From her saddlebag Twilight pulls out a dusty and slightly damaged book. Rips were covered all over the book, some of the pages look like they’ll fall off any second. The cover of the book and title are barely visible, but a reddish bird can be shown on the book. “Twilight, I know you love to read books... but what’s so interesting about this one than the many books you’ve seen already?” said Rarity.

“Well, the odd part about this book is that I never seen it once in the library and we haven’t received any new books recently. Anyway when I was reading this book, it talked about the mythical bird, burning bright like the sun and returns from it’s own ashes, the Phoenix,” said Twilight.

Everypony was confused what Twilight was talking about or better yet, why she’s mentioning a creature they’ve seen before. “Twilight, what’s so special about a book on phoenixes?” asked Pinkie, tilting her head.

“Well this book may not look interesting, but there’s one slight difference about the phoenixes we know and the one mentioned in this book,” said Twilight. “In the book, the phoenix mention here is the size of a castle, even larger maybe.”

“Oh my,” said Fluttershy. “That must be one big appetite for a bird that big.”

Everypony laughed at what Fluttershy said, even though it wasn’t a joke. Burnice was half-listening, with her thoughts focused on something else. Hearing the mention of phoenixes reminded Burnice on her own life. To reset everything, and redo life... redo everything... to see her parents one more time. Twilight gets Burnice’s attention, noticing her eyeing the window. “Something on your mind Burnice?” asked Twilight.

“Yeah, you don’t speak a lot, and Fluttershy is usual the quiet one,” said Pinkie, giggling.

“Sorry... it’s just...” said Burnice, trying to think of something to say. “Say, what was this about a phoenix? You said it’s the size of a castle?”

“Ah yes about that. In this book it mentions a strange phenomenon that happened years before the rule of Celestia and Luna. Back when the founding members of Equestria were building the first settlements. A powerful wave of magical energy went all across Equestria, and the strangest part was that accompanying that very same wave... was a gigantic phoenix. The phoenix looked like the phoenixes seen in Equestria, but was the size of a castle or bigger... and it also looked as if it were, how you say... was translucent. After the strange event, everypony went on their usual day and of course that date was logged in historical history but now it’s a myth told by ponies. Many believe the phoenix was simply a hallucination or illusion of some sort, that there was no giant phoenix... but, the only physical clue of this phoenix’s existence... is this,” said Twilight. Twilight pulled out a photo of what looked like a feather, the feather looked see-through, like your hoof can just... go through it. “This was found by the pilgrims of Equestria long ago, and has been safely protected by monk ponies deep within the crystal empire’s mountain range. It was only discovered a week ago, and I heard only yesterday about it. Imagine, to discover something that amazing, it could lead into even greater things... to find creatures of that size.”

Twilight was mesmerized by the thought, and she wasn’t alone. Burnice can see Fluttershy was also intrigued. “The colors it would show… flying in the sky,” said Fluttershy, her eyes gleaming.

“Not to mention to see the length of it’s wings, and how fast it would fly!” said Twilight, pointing out that thought.

“Yeah, and it be such a wonderful beautiful view to ride on top of it,” said Fluttershy.

“Indeed… indeed,” said Twilight, nodding in agreement.

The two mares were busy in their own thoughts until Pinkie broke whatever they were thinking. “That’s funny, how can you sit on a phoenix, don’t they light themselves on fire often?” said Pinkie, laughing.

Fluttershy and Twilight blushed from the silly thought, and everypony laughed. After a couple more things to talk about, everypony left. Rarity needed to go back to making her next orders, Fluttershy headed back to her cottage while Pinkie… well Pinkie was Pinkie. As for Twilight and Burnice, they returned their way back to the library. On the way there Burnice spoke a little with Twilight about what they were talking about previously. “Say Twilight… about that giant phoenix?” asked Burnice.

“I know I know, it’s silly to think of riding a phoenix no matter how big one could be. The dangers of suddenly being lit on fire can be scary,” said Twilight, doing a light chuckle.

“Well yes that is silly, but I was wondering something else,” said Burnice, continuing. “What if… what if… the phoenix… wasn’t from Equestria?”

“Hmmmm… Well, there is the possibility of it coming from another part of the world. It may have come from some undiscovered piece of land and,” said Twilight. Before Twilight could finish, Burnice interrupts her trying to make her question more clearly stated.

“No, what I mean is… What if that phoenix mentioned in your book… was from another world?” said Burnice.

Twilight stopped for a second, after taking in Burnice’s question she turns to face Burnice. “That… is an interesting theory… but what kind of proof do you have for this?” asked Twilight.

Expecting something Twilight might of missed while explaining about the gigantic phoenix, she expected some scientific answer from Burnice… but Twilight was over-thinking and what she heard next made her laugh instead. “Well… it’s a hunch I suppose,” said Burnice, blatantly.

Staring at Burnice, Twilight starts to laugh nearly falling to the ground. After taking in a few good breaths she slowly rises up, taking a few snorts and giggles. “Hey!” said Burnice, upset at Twilight’s laughing. “Just because you explained about that phoenix in such a smart way, doesn’t mean you have to laugh how I think it existed and then disappeared!”

“Sorry… but, I was expecting something else… Your not wrong though,” said Twilight, “it’s possible that it could come from another world. There’s zero mention of any other sightings of giant phoenixes other than the one I mentioned. Anything is possible you know… life has many strange things Burnice… one second your a simple filly, and suddenly your an alicorn princess.” Twilight giggled, remembering when she became an alicorn by Celestia. That moment of her life changed her forever… it was both sudden… but in a way… felt right for her.

“So remember Burnice… No matter what happens, things may change but it doesn’t mean you can’t decide how it should change,” said Twilight, smiling.

Burnice was happy that Twilight was her friend, if she haven’t met her… who knows what could of happened to her. Nearing the library Burnice tells Twilight she’ll be inside soon. “Well okay, but be quick it’s getting dark soon,” said Twilight, staring at the sun setting.

Time seemed to be moving quick today… this happens often to some ponies. They can simply wake up one day and go through what life can throw at them… the next, the day is over and you go back to sleep. Watching the sunset seems to relax Burnice, feeling the warmth of the sun and watching the colors bounce off when it sets and rises is simply beautiful. While staring into the colors that shined off the sun… Burnice imagines those colors being the colors of the gigantic phoenix. “Giant phoenixes, beautiful sunsets, other worlds… that must be the adventure of a lifetime… I wonder what it be like...”

To see the world and beyond.

Somewhere… far off… in another place… another time… and another… world.

Hello. Now your wondering, “Who is this person?” and “What is this person doing?”. Well… I know one think I’m NOT doing… not dying that’s for sure. My name is Atlas, Atlas Gartahl Opus Viz’Nul Zon… yeah, a mouthful but you can just call me Atlas. Now what am I doing… I’m trying to run for my life, that’s what. “CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP!” shouted Atlas. That’s me, and right now I’m having the worse day of my life. You see, I’m a mercenary but not any ordinary one. I’m known by many names, the Red Merc, the Spirit of Fire, oh and my favorite, El Ave Fenix Eterna, it means “The Eternal Phoenix”. Now back to my story, it all started when I accepted a job, any job I take either has to involve two things. One, there has to be NO catches, I swear if I hear someone saying “Oh do this, but...” then I will, WILL, blow up something… no joke. And for the second thing… it has, to have a big BIG pay, like tremendous. Usually the only way you can hire me or for me to do any job is that it has to be over ten thousand Averus coins… nothing less. Anyway back to my story, so I accepted this job at a place called…

“Dread Hand Tavern,” said Atlas.

Nice place, but anyway as I walked into the tavern, the place was full of various different people. Your usual drunk, the average jerk, a money waster… and then, me. I approached the bar, and when the bartender came he recognized me instantly. “You Atlas?” asked the bartender.

“Yeah, I received a job and was told to come here. You know anything about it?” said Atlas.

The bartender led me somewhere behind the bar. Following him we went through the back door which led to some room. Pulling on some rope, the floor suddenly began to move, a hidden elevator. Once we gotten to the bottom, the door behind us opened… revealing something else entirely. We were in some sort of hangout of sorts full of who knows what. Now I been to this tavern often, but I never knew this place existed. The bartender led me to some kind of platform. “Stay on the platform. I will pull this lever and it will take you to your client. The rest is up to you,” said the bartender.

Unsure what was happening, I shrugged and followed the bartenders orders. I stood on the platform, and suddenly a clinking noise can be heard and the platform began to move. Watching from where I stood, I noticed some figures move in the shadows, left and right. Reaching the end of where the platform led me, I stepped off when a bright light shone at me. “AH! MY EYES!” screamed Atlas.

That really pissed me off, luckily I gotten through worse. After wiping my eyes, I adjusted to the lights and noticed several figures armed with weapons. I expected them to blast me to smithereens, but they were just equipped with them for show. After a few of those figures moved aside, one slightly bigger figure appeared, the same figure who hired me, Balthos Mevs. “Mr. Atlas,” said Balthos, taking a long drag on his cigar. “It’s good to meet you.”

“Okay, you brought me to your hidden underground hideout… With all your goons pointing their guns at me. Now I don’t want to be rude but, can we get to the point of what I need to do to get my money?” said Atlas. “I’m not the patient type.”

“I see, well this job I want you to take is… important you could say,” said Balthos, leaving. “Please, follow me.”

Now I don’t know much about Balthos but is this, he’s one of the biggest kingpins ever in the world. He practically controls an entire empire in his hands, sadly his not the type to take action, instead he takes what he can with his grubby hands… and whatever he can’t take, well he gets someone else to do it. I’m that someone else, now after I followed him into a spacious room, he sat on the other side of the room behind a desk. A seat was made for me in the center of the room, two guards behind me were standing by the only door in the room, with one massive guy beside Balthos. After what felt like eternity, Balthos talked. “Now the reason I hired you is because someone has the audacity to steal something of mine. This person is a small brigand of thieves, they have no name but are located here,” said Balthos. Looking where he was pointing, the place was a mountainous area, dangerous and difficult to traverse. “These thieves stole a large sum of supplies we, ‘taken’ sometime ago. The supplies were ammunition, energy gems, and gold...”

That’s right he said gold, the one thing I can’t stop drooling about. “WAIT DID YOU SAY GOLD!” shouted Atlas.

“Why yes… but don’t get no ideas, that gold belongs to me… Now where was I, ah yes. You will receive 500,000 Averus coins, and some unique ammunition that might come in handy for future jobs,” said Balthos, smiling wickedly. “Do we have a deal?”

“Keep your ammo, all I want is the money. Besides… I make my own ammunition,” said Atlas, pulling out one of his Phoenix Pistols. “There’s a reason why I custom-made my weapons.”

Funny story about that, when I was young I was born into a village of lizard people. Not to mention the village I was in was famous for making weapons, so I pretty much was raised into a family of blacksmiths. My first weapon as a kid was my trusty mace, Smasher, but as I grew up I left my home and became a mercenary. On my first job, I went with a job were the payment was thousand Averus coins. Of course it wasn’t going to be easy, that’s when I met these beauties, took them in some kind of old temple or something. There was a prophecy but I wasn’t listening when I saw them, the Phoenix Pistols, and from that day forward I never accepted any other weapon except ones I made. Now back to the story. “Well I see. One of my men will take you to the job location. Once there, use this map to find their hideout. Come back to receive the other half of your payment, the first half will be put into your account,” said Balthos.

“Don’t got one. I’ll come back to take all my payment,” said Atlas.

Balthos grinned even more wickedly. “I like people who take the job seriously, I might make you a regular if you work under me,” said Balthos, laughing wickedly.

“I work alone… but thanks for the offer,” said Atlas, leaving.

After I went with one of Balthos's men, I equipped my weaponry and headed off. Once I was outside, I noticed the sun was setting… reminded me of home. When I was little I could see the sun setting… the colors that shine off it were amazing. I remember what my step-dad said to me that day, “Atlas, you know your mother and I aren’t your real parents. We found you when you were just a baby, but your real family… they were a great people. They followed the way of fire, willing it as they wished. After all… they were the Phoenix Tribe, and like the great phoenix they rise from their own ashes. Someday… you will find your family, and when you do… Your people’s legacy will return, just like the great phoenix.”

It was something that old man told me… I didn’t understand it but I knew… out there was my destiny. I may be a greedy bastard, but when I gather enough money and resources, I will revive my people. Soon the great empire known as the Phoenix Tribe will return, even if it takes me…

To search the world and beyond!

Meanwhile back in Equestria, Canterlot Castle. Celestia sleeps whilst her sister Luna, guards the night and sees the dreams of ponies. Sleeping soundly, Celestia dreams but no ordinary dream, a vision… a warning. In her dream Celestia finds herself overlooking Equestria above the clouds, expecting to be flying she finds herself standing in mid-air. Staring down below, she sees that Equestria is in peace and harmony. “This is a pleasant dream,” said Celestia, smiling.

Celestia then hears a small noise, at first it sounded like the crackling of fire… but then it grew louder. Staring at the sky, she sees a massive ball of flame, at first she thought it was the sun but this flame was wilder and more dangerous. Looking back down at Equestria she saw a sudden change. The land was scorched in fire, forests were ablaze, mountains spew molten lava, plains turned into deserts, and the northern lands melted leaving nothing behind but clouds of ash. She then found herself standing in the middle of Ponyville, and before her were the Mane 6 with Twilight weakly exhausted. Unsure what was happening, Celestia instantly rushed to her side, holding her with both hooves she expected Twilight to speak… but she felt something strange. Looking where she expected Twilight to be, she saw nothing but… ashes. Beginning to fall to tears, Celestia felt a sudden surge of energy behind her, turning around she saw a figure. The figure stood in two legs, and was consumed in flames… no it wasn’t consumed in flames the flames themselves grew outward from the figure. Staring back at one another, both Celestia and the figure stood awaiting what the other will do. Waiting no longer Celestia spoke toward the figure. “Who are you? What have you done to Twilight? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER!?” asked Celestia, the intensity of her voice raising more and more.

With no answer, Celestia felt her rage growing… but… for some reason, a tinge of fear surrounded her. The figure sent a wave of psychic energy, small in size, it sent shivers down Celestia’s spine. Though she had the capacity to control the sun and could send this being to the sun… Celestia felt, that this being had a rage stronger than any being alive… who was this figure? The figure began to speak, but the voice was distorted and warped so Celestia couldn’t tell who’s voice it was. “My endless rage can never be quenched… Fear me… Fear, THE PHOENIX!” shouted the blazing figure.

Celestia felt a scorching sensation all around her… and it was familiar. Facing upward at the sky, she saw the one thing that given her the title, “Princess of the Sun”. Staring into the eye of destruction was the sun… ready to consume all in it’s path, and Celestia took one final breath, but a quiet yet firm voice spoke. “The phoenix’s rage, is eternal.”

Waking in a cold sweat, Celestia screamed but nothing came out of her mouth. Following her instincts, Luna opened the doors and found her sister shivering in her bed. Running to her side, Luna asks calmly and worriedly what happened. “Tia are you okay?! I heard some whimpering in your room, and when I heard it get louder I came here instantly!” said Luna. “Is… something wrong?”

Her eyes were wide with fear, hooves shaking and her mane messy. Celestia slowly moved her gaze at her sister, slowly moving to a hug the two sibling embraced each other. Unsure what has happened Luna responded back with a hug too, and after hugging each other Celestia began to speak. “I saw… something very… terrible,” said Celestia, her voice quiet.

“I wasn’t able to see what was in your dream. You have to be specific sister,” said Luna.

“I saw… I saw,” said Celestia, tears forming on her eyes. “Fire… so much fire. The land was scorched by a flame so powerful, even I couldn’t done something like that. Mountains spew magma, forests were aflame, plains became wastelands, the skies were filled to the brim with ash… but the worse about all of this… was, that ‘thing’.”

Celestia’s eyes dilated, shrinking nearly to a small dot, simply remembering about the dream gave her shivers. “That ‘thing’ was cloaked in fire… like it came out of Tartarus itself. The rage, the rage it showed, it was greater than any wrath I seen for a long time…” said Celestia.

After a few minutes of complete silence, Luna comfortingly rubs her hoof on Celestia’s mane. Soothing her sister, she imagines what it could mean. “I’m not sure what your dream means… but whatever is going to happen next,” said Luna. “We’ll be ready for whatever is to come.”

Elsewhere, in a land shrouded in mystery.

We continue with the remainder of my story. The second we reached the mountains, the guy who escorted me here instantly left. I wasn’t sure what I was going to face, raiders, monsters, anything really… but I wasn’t prepared, what I was going to find in these mountains. Once the cloud of dust cleared, I took a long look at the mountains… they reminded me of the mountains I saw back at home. “Let’s get this over with,” said Atlas, to himself.

I began traversing the mountains and they sure were challenging, the place was a maze, I wasn’t sure which direction was which. Luckily my sense of direction wasn’t so bad; reaching the top of a mountain I scanned my surroundings… when I noticed a column of smoke in the distance. Instantly hurrying where the smoke was coming from, I spotted a figure near a river or stream. From my view it seemed the figure was fishing, so approaching the figure I asked if they knew the area… that was my mistake. “Excuse me, but do you know any settlements or nearby encampments in these mountains by any chance,” asked Atlas.

The figure turned around… and pulled a weapon in my face. Now I expected to respond back with my own weapon, however… the situation I was in, wouldn’t allow me to do that. Surrounded and with weapons pointed at all directions, any sudden movements and I would have been gunned in a split second. Stripped of my weapons, I was captured by the supposed “raiders”, the odd part was… that all the raiders were between the ages of seven and sixteen. Unsure how these guys or kids in this case gotten to stealing from Balthos was a real mystery. They led me to some underground cave system where even more kids were inside, I noticed a few older kids but no one above the age of seventeen… strange? I was placed into the center of some podium with waves of children sitting from all directions around me… for some reason I felt like I did something wrong… not surprising really. From the corner of my eye I remember seeing the kid who had a gun pointed toward me sitting amongst the other kids. It was a girl, and she seemed to be sixteen I believed, but what was odd is that while the other children spoke and talk… she seemed, quiet than the rest. When amongst all these kids, one kid in particular caught my eye. He was the so called proclaimed leader of them all… and… someone, I KNOW.

“Okay, what’s the big deal here!? I’m in the middle of something,” said Aaron.

DAMN IT AARON! The last time I saw him was two years ago, and he was ten. Aaron was an old “friend” of mine I met in one of my journeys. Back then he used to be a member of some elite group that worked under some guy I captured awhile back. After I beat his boss, this so called elite group faded away, Aaron and I gotten some connections together but I haven’t heard from him in a couple of months… so this is where he was. For someone who’s really young, your going to be very DEAD soon! “The hell? AARON, THE HECK ARE YOU DOING HERE!?” shouted Atlas. “I SWEAR IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS I'M GOING TO COME THERE AND GRAB THAT SCRAWNY NECK OF YOURS!”

“A-A-A-A-ATLAS!” screamd Aaron.

Instantly everyone became quiet… until Aaron grabbed me, and dragged me away shouting something at the other kids. “Everyone go back to work, let me speak to the ‘prisoner’,” said Aaron.

Once the two of us were alone in a room, he unties me. I was going to beat the stuffing out of him… when he started bowing. I wasn’t sure to stand there or beat him up… I was conflicted. “Atlas look I didn’t know that was you when they said they caught someone. Better yet what are you doing here?” asked Aaron.

“I’d like to ask you the same thing,” said Atlas, annoyed. “What are you doing here? Who are these kids? And don’t tell me you gotten yourself in more trouble now then ever!”

Now Aaron was an elite member of this group, for someone who was young he was a real challenge to face against. I don’t know much about Aaron’s past… until now. “Well… this is my home,” said Aaron.

“And don’t go lying to… Wait, what?” said Atlas. Now I wasn’t sure what I heard but, did Aaron say he LIVES HERE! “What you mean you live here?!”

“Well before I joined that group, I was raised here… Well sort of but anyway. Why are you here?” asked Aaron.

“I came here because some guy by the name of Balthos had some of his things stolen by a certain group… You wouldn’t know any of this would you?” asked Atlas.

“Nope, the only things we steal are only in this mountain vicinity. The mountains may be dangerous but it’s a good shortcut for traders and such. That’s why this small little army of kids are set up here,” said Aaron. “We never steal anything outside of the mountain range, only ones who do that are the seventeens but, it’s only for personal reasons or jobs received from clients.”

So, if they didn’t steal anything from Balthos… then who did? Anyway, Aaron told me he can get me out, if I were eighteen those kids would of let me out more easier with a warning, but since I wasn’t… well it resulted to my capture. I would take Aaron’s advice… which I didn’t, but I need to get my stuff, and I still have a job to do. “Sorry Aaron, but I need my stuff. Not only that but I got a job that needs to be done,” said Atlas.

“Stubborn as usual… well, you’ll find your stuff in the armory. It’s beyond this door, but it’s heavily guarded… use the shadows and try to stay away from any loot. I know you can be greedy but for once try not to go all grubby with those hands of yours” said Aaron.

“Oh shut up!” said Atlas, leaving.

“You know you act more like a kid… and that’s saying a lot,” said Aaron, smirking.

“Yeah yeah mom,” said Atlas.

After several moments of stealth later. I finally reached the armory… sort of. The issue wasn’t that it was guarded… the issue was, it was locked. Like really locked, I needed some kind of key unique to this door, so I can’t copy the key or lockpick the door… so where’s the key? “If I had a key, where would I be?” thought Atlas.

After looking around I found one kid sitting on a chair, asleep. Deciding to take him out or steal the key. I knew my close-combat skills aren’t great so it’s time for sneaky swiping. “Steady Atlas… steady,” whispered Atlas. Carefully slipping my hand into his pocket, I pulled out a wallet instead of the key. “Meh, close enough.”

I put the wallet into my pocket and go for the other pocket. Making sure not to make any sudden movements, I pull out the key. Triumphantly, I run back to the armory’s doors. Opening the door, it makes three loud clanks, surprisingly no one heard. Once I ran inside it was the queen of mother-loads, weapons on rows of weapons. Ranging from swords to axes, maces to shields, bows to crossbows… and my favorite, guns! LOADS LOADS LOADS OF GUNS! I was drooling at the sight of them, but I came for one thing in particular… my guns. “Come on where are you?” said Atlas. “AH HA! Found you!”

My sweet sweet Phoenix Pistols, I’d never abandon you. After re-equipping my other weapons, I noticed a strange amulet on a small stool chair. Taking the amulet too I thought I might as well get some reward after coming this far. “Might as well take a souvenir,” said Atlas, grinning.

“Your not taking anything.”

Now this be the moment where I say something like this, “Oh crap,” but since I came this far… I didn’t had anytime for any of this. “I got no time to deal with this crap,” said Atlas, pulling out one of his Phoenix Pistols.

“You really thought there be one guard only?”

“Wait… your that girl back at the stream,” said Atlas.

“The name’s Delila,” said Delila. “And your going to die.”

“Funny… I could say the same to you too,” said Atlas, his grin becoming more wider.

Time felt frozen, I had my gun out and she had hers out too… who would shoot first. Well someone did shoot… it just wasn’t any of us. A loud bang or more of an explosion can be heard in the distance, it came from the entrance of the cave system. I wasn’t sure what was happening but I heard the one word shouted across the whole cavern. “INTRUDERS!” Instantly, I ran pass the girl called Delila and see what was happening, that’s when Aaron ran right to me. “Atlas, change of plans! Somehow a group of guys found our base and are flooding in! I don’t know how they got in or even knew how to find this place,” said Aaron.

That’s when I heard a quiet beeping noise. Checking my back… was a tracker. “Son of a… THAT BASTARD PUT A TRACKER ON ME! I knew this job was fishy!” shouted Atlas. “When I get my hands on Balthos I swear I’ll...”

“You do what, Atlas?” said Balthos.

Appearing above some ramparts, was Balthos. It seemed he and his cronies lied about these kids stealing things from him and were here to steal from them… but what? What could be so precious that these kids have? What I didn’t know was what they were looking for was in my hand. “It seemed you found the amulet,” said Balthos. “Good.”

“The amulet? What amu… oh” said Atlas. I realized that this little trinket was apparently important, but what does it lead to? Whatever it was… I WANT IT!

“Now Atlas hand over that amulet, and we’ll let you live and give you your payment,” said Balthos.

“Atlas don’t listen to him! That amulet leads to something we kept hidden from everyone. What you’ll find is nothing but despair, just give it to me,” said Aaron.

“Don’t listen to him! HAND IT OVER!” shouted Balthos.

“ATLAS PLEASE!” shouted Aaron.

“Oh don’t worry, I won’t give it away...” said Altas. “Because… I’M THE ONE WHO’LL GET IT FIRST!”

I ran like I was getting away with a truckload of loot. I don’t care if I die, this will be worth everything! I KNOW IT WILL, IT MUST LEAD TO SOMETHING! “HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!” said Atlas, laughing.

“DAMN IT! Kill him!” shouted Balthos, shooting his gun.

“Oh no you don’t!” said Aaron. “Protect the guy with the amulet at all costs!” Aaron began firing back at Balthos cronies with the help of his kid army. “I know you can be greedy Atlas… but your the last person I trust… even if it is you,” thought Aaron.

It felt like I ran for hours, but when I reached the end of the cavern I found myself in a wide open area. In the center was some strange ruins… but no loot. “WHAT!? Where’s the loot!?” said Atlas, searching frantically. “Stupid amulet!”

Atlas looked at the amulet and noticed it had six symbols, with the other five surrounding the one in the center of the amulet. The center symbol was a star with smaller stars surrounding it. Looking around the room some more, Atlas heard two figures behind him. One was Delila and the other was Balthos. “Stupid brat get out of my way!” said Balthos.

“No one is allowed to come here, especially you!” said Delila.

The two fought with each other, but I was too distracted to care. When the two noticed I was in the center they attempted taking the amulet… that’s when it happened. A bright light shined where I stood blinding me, Balthos, and Delila. I wasn’t sure what was happening but I recognized the light… “CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP!” shouted Atlas. I was standing on top of a realm portal, now I know two types of realm portals. There are the ones that take you to certain places in a specific area… and then there’s the ones that take you to unknown realms… the one I was standing on was the random one. As the two reached toward me, I was zapped away into another world.

All I saw was light, then darkness… I saw the glint of moonlight hit my face. Now I wasn’t sure where I ended up in… but I only had one final thing to say if I were to die. “DAMN YOU AARON!” screamed Atlas, his voice echoing. Now I felt like I was falling… but that didn’t matter, I was in another world… Surrounded with mysteries and other strange things. I just hope I don’t end up in another situation in this strange world.

I hate to find myself in a more weirder situation now. I had enough weirdness that I had to deal with now lately… Well, at least I have one thing off my bucket-list, I always wanted to go to another world… I wonder what I’ll find? Better question… WHAT KIND OF LOOT WILL I FIND?! GAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Author's Note

This chapter has four different perspectives. The first focuses on Ponyville, with what Burnice is doing. The second is focused on Atlas and his shenanigans. The third focuses on Celestia and a vision she experiences. And the final perspective is back to Atlas once more.

This perspective switch routine will last for at least the first two chapters, the rest will just be narrative.