Cogs of Equestria: Volume I

Chapters

Episode One: Chapter One: Landing
Episode One: Chapter Two: Task
Episode One: Chapter Three: Timber
Episode One: Chapter Four: Obstacle

Episode One: Chapter One: Landing

One day in Cloudsdale something happened, a miracle of nature, two parents made a little colt. After a month of having him and no name, they discovered he had a special little talent. No other Pegasus could do this to a cloud, he made it glow. Usually Unicorns could do this but not a Pegasus. He was special from the start, even Princess Celestia saw this. A year or so went by and then Firefly’s mother began to act odd. They all thought it was because she was pregnant with his sister. Then one day they got a letter from the princess herself, inviting them to live in Canterlot. She wanted to see him and his talent grow, to observe him a pupil. On the way to Canterlot though, something happened.

They did not get word that the Pegasi were having a thunderstorm that day, midway through the flight, a barrage of lightning bolts assaulted the carriage. One of the royal guards were struck dead, the other was mildly shocked. The carriage was shattered, Firefly’s father was a Unicorn, and he had no chance, for his magic was no use up here. But as Firefly fell, he saw his mother flying away, struggling. Then, the guard grabbed the little colt, and tried to fly, but he was extremely delirious. They saw the ground, then, blackness.

When they awoke, it was day time; Firefly looked over at the guard, who had fallen on his wing. He grunted in pain, holding his wing, and then looking up at Firefly then said “Listen here little colt, we got to get to Canterlot. Now you have to listen to me in order to do this, okay?” Firefly nodded. Firefly was a small colt; he had a dark grey coat, with dark blue hair with sky blue highlights, and dark hazel eyes. Looking forward, he saw his father’s red bandana hanging from a branch. He walked over to it and jump up to grab it but missed. He tried again, this time using his wings to lift him higher. Though he was young, but it worked; he grabbed it and tied it around his neck. It didn’t quite fit and hung from his neck, but he didn’t care.

The Pegasi were in some forest; it looked like the Everfree, seeing as Firefly lived far from Canterlot and it was on the way. So they started their journey to Canterlot, knowing that Celestia would send help. But they kept going, for days it felt, eating just about anything. Along the way they got to know the other and created a bond. The guard’s name was Spinning Vortex; he got his name from spinning around a lot as a colt. Later on he was known for creating amazing tornadoes, and then was recruited into the royal guard. Celestia wanted to try some new techniques in battle and thought tornadoes would be fun. Celestia does know how to put up a good fight.

They kept on, not knowing what would happen, hoping the guard was coming. There was no guarantee, no guarantee even Firefly’s mother made it. All the two ponies had been hope. But then one day they stumbled upon something. A thing that would change them forever… they found a little hut in the Everfree forest. The ponies did not want to enter it, they began to go around. Then… it came out… a Minotaur…

Episode One: Chapter Two: Task

He stepped out, towering above the two ponies. Vortex still had a pretty damaged wing, they weren't sure when that thing was gonna heal. The Minotaur sluggishly moved toward them, little Firefly hid behind Spinning Vortex. His shadow fell upon them, casting out Celestia's glorious sun. The Minotaur gave a subtle snort and said softly "What." He looked at them, analyzing them, the ponies did so back. "That wing looks pretty bad... I know of someone who could help you," he muttered under his breathe. Then Vortex says in a sarcastic tone "Buuuuuuuuuut?" The Minotaur laughs a little and replies "But I need some help little ponies." They knew it was a bad idea to even consider getting help from a Minotaur but... what choice did they have?

"Bring me... a cockatrice egg... and I'll see what I can do," spoke the Minotaur. The look on Vortex's face told it all, Firefly though was compelled to ask. The ponies began to walk away, deeper into the woods. "Do you... do you think he can help us?" Firefly shyly asked. "I don't quite know what to think Firefly... Cockatrice is a dangerous creature, one not to be messed with," Spinning Vortex said, with some fear in his voice. "Why?" Firefly dared to ask, then Spinning stops and scoffs. "Well... it looks completely ridiculous. With the head of a chicken and the body of a snake. They can turn any-pony to stone with their gaze." Firefly gulps and softly says "Wonderful, a cock that turns things to stone." This makes Vortex chuckle, almost uncontrollably, Firefly looks at him funny. "What?" Firefly says, Vortex turns and stutters, trying not to laugh "Awww nothin' kid, bahaha!" Firefly sighs and looks smug.

It takes them some time to find a Cockatrice, they do some searching around, find some stoned critters. Then they see it's nest, five perfectly placed eggs lay there. The ponies did not know where the mother was, nor did they honestly want to, as long as it was away. Vortex picks one up with his mouth and places it in Firefly's bandana, he then scoffs. "Huh, didn't know it would come in handy," Spinning Vortex says making the bandana tighter so the egg wont fall.

They get back to the hut and Minotaur is there, sitting on his porch. His big head raises and the ponies hear his roaring laughter. "Oh little ponies, you did it? I am impressed... now... bring me the rest of them." Vortex and Firefly's eyes shoot wide open. "What?" Vortex says, befuddled by what he had heard. "I know a cockatrice lays more then one egg, the fact you got one means you can get the others am I correct?" They sigh, Firefly takes out the egg and lays it on the ground. "Go little ones, I have more tasks ahead of you," the creature spoke, resting his head back down. "Well..." Firefly began to say, the Minotaur's head arose, "What if we don't?" The Minotaur got onto his feet, then went over to Firefly and picked him up by the back of his neck. "Because if you don't, I am going to rip off your little pony wings and beat you to death with them!" The Minotaur screamed with great force, steam seeping out of his nostrils. Firefly nodded nervously, the Minotaur dropped him and he landed on his flank. Whilst walking back the Minotaur said "Don't question me pony, ever," the Minotaur sat down.

They went back to where they had found the eggs, Vortex placed the eggs into Firefly's bandana one at a time, carefully so none break. "Where is the cockatrice?" Firefly had asked, looking around nervously. "Keep your mind clear and focused, not on that... thing." Spinning Vortex said, trying to keep calm the little colt. Then they heard a noise, distance at first, slowly growing. "Sweet Celestia, Firefly we need to go, now!" Vortex tightened the bandana and they began to run, Firefly just behind Vortex. Then it came out in front of them, Spinning stomped down his front hooves and spun himself around, his back hooves swiping the cockatrice across the face, sending it off to the side. They galloped past the unconscious cockatrice to the hut. The ponies arrived and there was the Minotaur, smiling a big grin, clapping happily. "Well done, very well done. Now, one more task to lead you the way." "Name it," sternly said Spinning Vortex. The Minotaur smirked, "I require wood... from a Timberwolf."

Episode One: Chapter Three: Timber

Vortex sighs and shakes his head, "Let's go Firefly," he says with a soft tone. Firefly sat the eggs down, next to where the first one was. The Minotaur sat down on his porch with a big smiles, he was quite pleased with himself. Catching up to Spinning Vortex, Firefly began to speak but Vortex cut him off, "They are a species of wolves, made out of wood." "Right, thanks..." Firefly responded, Vortex knew what he was going to ask, young Firefly was very scared and nervous. The whole situation was terrible, his parents, the Minotaur, everything. Spinning Vortex was just thankful they never found the poor colts father mangled up somewhere.

Going on and on, they found a building. "My dear Celestia..." Vortex muttered, Firefly looked at him oddly, "What?" "This... this is the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters," Spinning Vortex tells the colt. Inside they see five stone orbs attached to a larger structure. "What are those?" Firefly had asked curiously, "The Elements of Harmony," said Vortex in awe. "The most powerful magic known to pony folk." Firefly sighed, "This is nice and all but we need to get some wood for the Minotaur so we can get you a doctor." "Yeah, you're right Firefly," Vortex turns and his eyes shoot open, "BEHIND YOU!" Firefly turns and sees a Timberwolf standing in the entrance to the castle, it howls a heart wrenching sound. Firefly begins to run at it, it charges back, as it is about to leap Firefly rolls. The Timberwolf flies forward straight into Vortex's hooves.

"Firefly I need you to get something for me, I think we left it somewhere down the road," Vortex says happily.

The two ponies drag it back to the Minotaur and drop it in front of his home. "You little ponies are mighty impressive," says the Minotaur, picking up the Timberwolf and dropping it onto a table. "Where do we go from here?" asks Firefly, the Minotaur takes an axe and begins to chop up the Timberwolf. "Well... I have my wolf... and I have my eggs... If I am satisfied with them, I will tell you," he says, messing with the ponies. Vortex growls a little, the Minotaur butchers the Timberwolf, whose screams of pain could be heard through out the forest. "In the name of Princess Celestia I demand you uphold your end of the bargain!" screams Vortex in anger and pain. The Minotaur stops chopping and looks back at the pony, "Celestia? Who is this... Celestia... you speak of? She has no jurisdiction here in the Everfree. No one does. We have a rule... Survive." Spinning Vortex's anger grows, the Minotaur starts a fire and tosses the pieces of the wolf into it.

The Minotaur grabs a pan and cracks the eggs on it, spilling the insides onto the pan. Holding the pan above the fire, he cooks some of the cockatrice eggs. "Now... I how ever am now going to survive a little while longer cause of this new food... I guess I should repay the favor." "I guess you should," Vortex says with a still tone. "But, I may need a little extra on my food," the Minotaur says in low voice, he smiles and looks over at us. "Kill the little one and I will point you the way." He turns back, with out a thought. "Listen here you sick little creature, you can not just bully any pony who comes to you for help!" shouts Spinning Vortex, angry and pissed beyond words. The Minotaur arises, putting his pan down, going over to Vortex and picking him up. "Now YOU listen little pony, I can do whatever I want! I do what I want! I am a Minotaur! I am above you in every way imaginable! Don't get me mad you little vermin!" The Minotaur stops and looks over at Firefly, "As fo-" His eyes look with the creature in the little ponies bandana, it is a cockatrice, staring dead into the Minotaur's eyes.

The Minotaur starts to scream and panic, then, nothing, he is stone. Still with a good grip on Vortex, Firefly lets the cockatrice go, it runs and grabs the remaining eggs. It goes off into the forest. Firefly walks over to the Minotaur and looks up at Vortex. "Hey there... goes it hanging?" "Get me down, please?" Firefly chuckles and looks around for something. He signs and starts to kick the Minotaur, Vortex rocks his body with the kicks. Soon enough the Minotaur falls and shatters, Vortex dusts himself off. "Wait... shoot, we never found out where to go." "Well... the castle must be near civilization so let's go back there and venture forth," Vortex says, reassuring Firefly, as well as himself a little.

Episode One: Chapter Four: Obstacle

The two made it to the castle, it was dark now, and they decided it was best to spend the night here. Ironically enough they brought some of the wood to use as a fire. They got close to it and tried to stay warm. "What if no one ever comes," said Firefly, shaking like a leaf. "They will, if not then... we'll find some place," spoke Vortex trying to reassure the colt. "Maybe we could go to Cloudsdale! I always wanted to go and be a great flyer!" yipped Firefly in a childish tone, this made Vortex smile, seeing Firefly act like a kid. Regardless of everything that has happened, there is some light. "Ah well, we are probably gonna go to Canterlot, but I bet the Princess wouldn't mind it if you visited." Firefly smiled, then his face turned to curiosity. "Um, Spinning?" Vortex looked at him, a little nervous on what he was going to say. "Why does Princess Celestia want me to live in Canterlot?" The Royal guard sighed, "Well, Firefly, you're special, the Princess sees this special talent locked away inside of that little colt noggin of yours." Firefly blushed a little, "She wants to see your talents and skills harnessed into something wonderful. That's why I was sent to get you... but this? This isn't what the Princess wanted at all." Spinning Vortex looked a bit distraught, he thought he had failed his mission.

"What if this is what she wanted?" Vortex's head shoot up and glared at the little colt. "By Star Swirl's beard, why would you ever think that?" "Well... she wants to harness my energy right? Or what ever it is... Maybe she is testing it?" Vortex was shocked, hearing such accusations about the Princess. "Oh little one, you have quite an imagination. No, no, Celestia wants you trained in Canterlot, NOT Everfree." "If you say so," says Firefly groggily, "Night." Then passes out by the fire, Vortex sighs, "Odd little pony."

The ponies awoke to a nice sunny day in the Everfree, getting outside, they saw bits and pieces of that sunlight. But today was their day, they had to get some where. Saying good-bye to the castle, they went on their way, coming across a banged up old bridge. "Whoa... okay uh, crud," Vortex muttered, "Okay! Let's just go across extremely slowly." "You first, you have the bad wing," suggested Firefly. Spinning Vortex very gently made his way across, making every step critical. It felt like an eternity on there, but then, he made it. After breathing a sigh of relief he turned back to Firefly. "Come on! If it'll hold me it'll hold you!"

Firefly took a big gulp and started his trek across. Inch by inch, hoof by hoof, be went across. Then, as he had five blanks left, he smiled and started across normally. Then a loud crack and the bridge fell, along with Firefly, Vortex leaped forward and grabbed his hoof. "Firefly, come on, you have to fly up," screamed Vortex. "I-I can't, I'm just a colt!" "You have to!" Then Firefly put all his might into flapping his wings, lifting up slowly, then at a good level, Vortex grabbed him and brought him to safety. "I-I did it! I flew!" said the colt, happily hugging the guard. Vortex smiled, and held him close.

They got up and went onward, going over a stream and even passing a Manticore. "A what?" said Firefly when Vortex subtly spoke it's name, passing by it. "A creature with the body of a lion, a scorpion's tail, and a pair of wings. Harmless unless provoked." Then they saw it, a way out of the forest, they ran out and were so happy to see the sun, and what they saw next.