A Hardened Warrior

Chapter 17 - A Warm Embrace

Even after all Roderick had seen in the years he’d been alive, this was, by far, the worst horror.

It was the ‘chimera’. A lion, with a goat head in the middle, and a serpent for a tail, the lion head also spewed fire. This ‘chimera’, however, was perhaps fifty times the size of the one detailed in the myths.

‘Why is the chimera in your world?’

’Is that what you call it? kim-mare-uh?’

‘Indeed... a fearsome beast from hell itself.’

’And what about those things?’

‘I’m not sure... but there’s a LOT of them...’

From out of the darkness came a light. A ball of light, growing in size, and growing, and growing. Until it ignited, thawing all the ice that Rodericks spell had created.

Nightmare saw it coming, and was quick to put up a ward spell with what magic she could use.

That didn’t stop Roderick from partially melting, however. With immense pain. As well as a scream that could be heard across the world.

It was nighttime in Ponyville. Within fluttershy’s home, all was silent... until a hardly audible scream could be heard. Due to Fluttershy’s trained ears, she picked up on it. Apparently none of the other town ponies could.

Something was in trouble, and she couldn’t help it.

“I hope it’s alright...”

She quickly went to the library to consult with Twilight.

Fire was fun, but it was hot. Really hot. Roderick found that out the hard way. But the ice spell he knew kindly took care of the chimera and strange... beasts... rather quickly.

Without so much as a hesitation, Roderick picked up his sword and began hacking away at an Ice sculpture. One that resembled a giant lion, with deformities. When all that was left was him and the shards of ice, a light came from above.

And he was lifted away yet again.

’I’m starting to question your goddess’s motives...’

‘As am I...’

A blinding light came closer and closer, until all he could do was guard his eyes from it. When he opened them, he was within the forest... the Everfree forest. He’d arrived with a mortifying pain in his back.

It was time for a nap...

‘Fluttershy’s cottage... Is right there...’

“A scream? What kind of scream?” Twilight was very tired, and once was annoyed when Fluttershy came knocking on the door at two in the morning. But all annoyance was replaced with concern.

“Like something was hurt, it was horrible Twilight.”

“Do you know where it came from?”

“It sounded like it came from the ground... I hope the poor thing is okay...”

“The ground?”

“Well... from the ground of the forest... like something was below it.”

That statement inflicted fear into Twilight. Everypony knew the Everfree Forest was evil. But what about below the forest? What horrors could await there?

“I’ll send a letter to the Princess. It’s the most I can do at a time like this.”

“Okay... thank you Twilight.” Fluttershy floated with steady flaps of her wings back to her cottage. Then she saw a light coming from the forest. like a white light show. She quickened her pace, noticing the light waking everyone up. She headed to the edge of the forest, the light was awfully close to her cottage. “I hope none of the animals were hurt...”

She arrived, and what she saw... was horrifying.

Roderick... clad in steel and gold trimmed armor, was surrounded by an aura of pure blackness. As if it were protecting him. Black shadows crept out playfully from his body on the ground. All poor Fluttershy could do was scream. Scream and sit. Petrified with fear.

After Fluttershy had left, Twilight wasn’t tired anymore, so she’d decided to write that letter now and send it in the morning.

“Dear Princess Celestia,

Fluttershy has reported to me about a scream coming from *below the forest. I fear what may be resting below, and I would like to ask you a few questions about what might be. Seeing as you have been here longer than any other. Please, contact me as soon as possible.*

Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.

There! now... off to bed.”

She layed there for no more than a few seconds, before a blinding light burst through the skyline, and into her home.

“What was that?!”

Panic mode engage.

She rushed off to meet Fluttershy, but as she got closer to her cottage, she also realised that that’s where the light came from. Or at least near there. She kicked it into overdrive. Ignoring all the questions she got from everyone else.

She finally arrived at Fluttershy’s door, ready to knock, when she heard a scream. Her eyes wide as ever, she rushed to the source. There she saw Fluttershy, backed against a tree, crying in fear looking at... Roderick. Surrounded by darkness, laying limp upon the ground.