New life

"So do you know where we can find dwarves or not?" A tired looking Zach said. They had been going back and forth on how to do this. "Because we need to find resources and that's the best way to go about this."

"Yea, we know that," the smaller Minotaur, named Amos brooks, "but we can't just go in and take what we want from dwarves, they are armed to the teeth with technology we can only dream of. They have the makings of a ship that sails on the air, without air to keep ip afloat. The could wipe us all out if they so chose."

"But if we don't, think of the families of Griffins and Minotaurs that can be saved. And also, I think I have a trump card that will win over the dwarves."

He perked his head up, interested now, "and what might that be, a bit of gold." He said sarcastically.

"No, this." He opened Up a case and set it on the Table, for Amos to see. He then whispered something in the Minotaurs ear.

"Damn, now this aughta be good." Amos said, with a slight smile, trying to think why on Equis Zach need these things.

"Spike get me a book on ancient mythology." Twilight sparkle said to her little green companion.

"I already told you, those are all we have." Spike pointed over to the stack of books that he had put there, not two minutes ago.

she blushed, "sorry spike I just," she took a deep breath to calm herself down. " I am really exited to find out more about this thing. it looked like a dwarf but much taller, and scary. and I read more up on his wings, and they shouldn't have been there, like at all, they defy the nature of its bones, joints and muscles. but I cant figure one thing out spike, he is like a void, taking in all magic. although I am curios as to how he achieved all this magic. I scanned the area he was standing and found a lot of residual magic, and he didn't even cast a spell."

spike was just sitting looking interested, but on the inside, he hated this palace that they were in, he had always craved an adventure, that's the reason he faked applejacks rescue, to get out and have some fun and adventure. and with applejack as a guardian, he would have all the freedom to do so.

"yea twilight, sounds interesting." spike said while yawning, "I'm going to bed."

"lets get moving again," Zach said. they had been hiking for five hours straight. they were looking for a cave, and with the thickness of the canopy, they couldn't fly. the cave in particular was actually more of a pit, that was a few feet in diameter. "we don't want the hydra to come back, now do we."

that little bit of encouragement was enough to get everyone back on their feet, or paws and talons. those that was here was, bucky, or just buck for short, amos, and the twin griffins, steve, and randy.

After an hour more, they heard something in the forest move. They all looked and found nothing, then the noise sounded again, and again, to where it sounded like a chant, and it was deafening... And close, yet it was all around them. A maniacal laughter made the air grow cold. Then it whispered to everyone in the little group all around.

"Tat, tat, tat. I was wondering when I would have some more play things." The laughter rang again like church bells. "I am quite surprised at this little thing here. A magical arrow was flung from a tree and landed right on his forehead. But as soon as it hit, it disappeared into a blue and hazel mist.

"It is ok to stop now my minions." The voice said. All the sound stopped, only to be replaced by screams a second later. "My oh my, look at what sociopaths we have here." The voice said, almost giddy. "Your future holds much death and destruction and fear." The world around them started falling apart, and by this point they all had their weapons out, and ready to be used.

"No need to be rash my, well I could say little ponies, but your not exactly little... Or ponies. Oh my I think my brothers off humor has gotten to me. Oh well, where were we, oh yea, on the astral plane." By the time they all heard what he said, they past out, only to hear laughter.

"Ohggg my face, and body, it feels like I am dead. Uhhhhgggggg." Zach said, still dazed by what just happened. He looked around, only to see the others looking the same way. Then he looked at his surroundings, it was all white, as far as the eye could see.

He looked all around and saw a small stool. It had what looked like water on it. After he regained a little focus, he started walking towards it. The laughter had stopped as soon as he got up.

He looked at the cup and then realizing how thirst he was, started chugging it. He started to realize that the cup still had more water in it after about one minute of constant drinking. He looked down at it strangely and realized that it was still full. Confused, he put it back on the stool, and started checking everyone else out. They all looked fine, so he tried asking if someone or something was there.

"Are you talking to me, human." A voice said right down his neck. He turned around and was facing what looked like a old man. It had Swords around its wings, and had a whole manner of weapons strapped to him, or floating around him. His spiecies was questionable, but to Zach, it looked like a dragonesque. "I can see into your future and past and present."

"What are you, who are you and why are we here." Zach said.

"A bit anxious to get started, hmm ok then. Let the movie begin." Out of no where, a giant theater popped up in front of them and the dragonesque urged them inside. "Seven tickets to the lost brother please." The dragonesque said to an empty ticket box. "Damn things never work anymore do they." He snapped his fingers and a human occupied the ticket box stand. He looked very bewildered and screamed. He was dressed in a business suit and looked like he was taking an interview or something, because he had no words.

"Hello, yes, I would like seven  tickets to the lost brother please." He said to the very confused man. After about a minute of him just standing there, he looked down and noticed the tickets. He slowly gave the dragonesque a whole seven tickets, mouth still hanging agape.

"Oh man, it seems I'm all out of human currency. Here take these," he handed the man a pouch of bits, made of pure gold. "Those are very expensive bits, pure gold by the way." He started walking away, then remembered, "oh yea hope you get the promotion John." The dragonesque snapped his talons and flashed the human back.

The rest of the crew watched, mouths agape as he did this.

"So the reason I want to be promoted is," John very happily said his statements, but halfway through, he felt a tingling sensation all down his back, but ignored it. Then after about thirty seconds it went out to a full on pain. He still ignored this though, still hoping to get the promotion. He looked up at his bosses and froze. Something was wrong, he looked at himself and realized he was fading away, like literally FADING AWAY. As soon as he was all the way faded, it was all black, then, as if going thousands of miles an hour was pushed into a ticket box with many wierd things on the other side. He screamed.

The thing said something about tickets. He couldn't comprehend this, there were red flags ringing all in his head, but his body did what the thing told him and gave him tickets. After that, it gave him a huge bag of coins. Then it said it was pure gold, and walked right on in, saying something about an interview. He was then thrown back into the real world mouth still agape, and holding the bag of gold.

"You guys want snacks," the dragonesque said, they all shook their heads. "What ever then, let's just see the movie then," distaste showing in his eyes. He was mumbling something about popcorn.

The 'movie' talked about how discord had a brother named Thanatos. And how he was banished, and lost all power, because he was the God of death.

"So who are you then?" Zach asked the dragonesque, who during the movie always told Zach to shush

"Oh my, have I really no told you," he sounded shocked. "Where are my manners, the names Thanatos, God of death, at your service."