Knights and Nightmares

“Now,” Trixie begins as she lights another candle. “Marigold and Redwood,”

“Yeah?” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom lean forward in curiosity.

“You two have been brought to Canterlot Castle at the request of the princess—”

“Awesome!” Scootaloo cheers.

“The both of you await anxiously in the castle’s courtyard, surrounded by all sorts of dying foliage due to the coming winter. You feel a cool breeze brush across your faces as you stand near a masterfully-crafted, stone fountain depicting the image of the princess. You’re surrounded by guards in golden armor as they too await the princess’ arrival, whilst they shoot you the occasional uncomfortable glance as if your presence is stirring up a worrisome amount of anxiety within them.”

“Hey, where am I at?” Sweetie Belle asks as Trixie twitches from Sweetie’s sudden interruption.

“Trixie will introduce you in time. However, Trixie must ask you to keep your interruptions to a minimum. That goes for you two as well.”

“Sorry, Trixie,” she says guiltily.

Trixie sighs. “Trixie is only trying to engage you three in the world to make it simple for you to visualize. It’s what makes this game truly fun. When I introduce characters that speak directly to you, then you can speak. Not while Trixie is trying to set the stage. May we continue?” The three fillies all nod, and Trixie takes a moment to recollect her thoughts.

Redwood Orchard and Marigold Wings stand motionless as they await the princess’ arrival. All they can do for the moment is listen as dead leaves blow across the concrete ground. They can’t shake this uneasy feeling as two guards in sleek, crimson armor stand by their sides. “Say,” one of the guards whispers. “You two the real deal?”

“Uh . . . whaddya mean?” Redwood asks.

“What I mean, is that I can’t see how just two mares are going to save our kingdom from such a threat. Not even our forces are enough hold them back, and the princess believes that you two have what it takes?”

“You don’t think we do?”

“Well, I’d have to see it to believe it. You two good in a fight?”

“Wanna find out?” Marigold taunts.

“Sure, why not? The guard smirks.

“Oh, this’ll be fun.” Marigold tries to approach the guard, but Redwood holds out her hoof to stop her from getting any closer.

“Don’t,” Redwood advises. “We don’t wanna start trouble.”

“Should heed your friend’s advice,” the guard mocks. “You two are just like the rest of them.”

“Are you sure of that, soldier?” Everypony turns their heads to see the princess has finally arrived. With such regality and perfect posture, the princess enters the courtyard as she walks down the stone steps to meet the two mares. Her ivory dress drags across the ground as Redwood, Marigold and the surrounding guards are lost in her elegance. Her violet coat of fur and piercing eyes, accompanied by her well-kept indigo mane with stripes of both pink and violet.

“No way,” says Marigold.

“Is that. . ?” Redwood gawks.

“I am pleased to see you both,” says the princess. “Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Princess Twilight Sparkle—”

“Ah-hah! Twilight, I knew it was you! I’m surprised to see you in the game!”

“I beg your pardon?” Princess Twilight raises an eyebrow, and Marigold elbows Redwood in her side causing her to grunt from the pain.

“I mean . . . it’s a pleasure to meet you too.”

“Ah, yes of course.” Princess Twilight then turns to the guard who was previously arguing with them, shooting him a glare that rattles him to his core. “I would be careful with my words if I were you, soldier. Neither you nor your brigade could manage a single victory in this endeavor. These two just may be our only chance at survival.”

“Survival from what?” Marigold asks.

“I’m glad you asked. You see, my kingdom has been plagued by an infestation of a rather ‘wicked’ nature. Witches have been terrorizing the good ponies of Equestria. They seem to have come from nowhere, and are absolutely relentless. Ravaging villages, and turning our beloved home into a playground for their own fiendish pleasure. I fear the worst for the future of my kingdom, and the safety of my beloved subjects.”

“So, you need us to do what exactly?”

“We’re goin’ huntin’, Scoot! Oh, this is gonna be—!”

“Red!”

“Huh. . ? Oh! I mean, Marigold! That’s what I meant to say.”

“Right. . .” Princess Twilight looks to them in bewilderment. “But you are correct. I’ve brought you two here for your assistance in our fight against the wicked. The both of you are truly gifted, and I believe you two have what it takes to end this madness. You are perhaps . . . our only hope. What say you? Do you accept?”

“Hmm. . .” Marigold ponders. “We might need a minute to talk this over. This is a pretty big choice we have to make, and we need to make sure—”

“You bet we accept!” Redwood declares.

“Splendid!” Princess Twilight says with delight. “I am truly grateful for this, as are the rest of us. This kingdom could use more brave souls such as yourselves. Now, from what I’ve gathered, these witches appear to be converging towards The Snowcaps, leaving behind death and destruction in their wake. I fear they may be after a lost treasure only spoken of in legend: The Midnight Orb.”

“Ooh, sounds dangerous.”

“Indeed. It is said that the orb possesses a potent, magical power; and whoever holds it will be able to utilize this power. I can’t even begin to imagine what their twisted minds have in store for this kingdom if they were ever to claim it. That is why I need the two of you to obtain it before they do, so that we may keep it out of their reach. My guards shall assist you in your travels, and there is one more.”

“Who?”

“She should be here momentarily.” The winds suddenly pick up, and masses of dead leaves converge together as they swirl madly in a miniature twister. The wind halts just as suddenly as it started, and as the leaves fall to the ground, an elegant doe stands before them. The guards gasp at the sight of her.

“A witch!” one of them proclaims as they ready their spears.

“Stand down!” Princess Twilight commands. “Redwood, Marigold, I’d like to introduce you to Aloe Vera. She will be a valuable asset to have with you on your journey. She deals in witchcraft, but doesn’t use it in malevolence.”

“I consider myself more of an enchantress than a witch,” says Aloe Vera.

“Well, howdy there!” Redwood greets.

“Woah, that was cool,” says Marigold in awe. “Can you do that again?”

Aloe Vera giggles. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“I’m certain you three will make the perfect team,” says Princess Twilight. “Now, we must make haste, as we are already short on time.”

“Alright girls, let’s do this!” Redwood cheers as she holds out her hoof. “For the princess.”

Marigold places her hoof on top of Redwood’s. “For the ponies.”

Aloe Vera places her hoof on top of Marigold’s. “For the kingdom.”

“Cutie Mark Crusaders unite!” The fillies chant in unison, then nervously look to Trixie with her hoof under her chin.

“Hmm . . . perhaps you three should go by a different name.”

“But it’s the name of our club!” says Apple Bloom.

“Maybe here, in the real world; but in ‘this’ world, you aren’t The Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

“Then . . . what do we call ourselves?”

“Trixie has an idea.”

“Knight,” Princess Twilight calls to the crimson guard. “Lend me your sword.” At her command, the guard unsheathes his blade, and Twilight uses her magic to coat the sword in a hue of pinkish, magical light and levitate it near her. “Now, each of you, take a knee.” The three mares then kneel. “Henceforth, you three shall be known as The Canterlot Cavaliers; and each of you are hereby dubbed: Knights of Equestria.” Princess Twilight taps the mare’s shoulders with the blade of the sword. “Rise my knights, and save us from this nightmare.”

“Yeah!” the mares cheer and jump for joy, and Princess Twilight smiles with confidence. The guards gathered in the courtyard stomp their hooves and salute to their new, fellow knights. Princess Twilight and a small group of guards escort the knights to a carriage lined with gold sitting right outside the castle. The group of guards enter a separate carriage adjacent to the first, and the mares make themselves comfortable on the velvet cushioning inside.

“The best of luck to you all,” says Princess Twilight. “May you return victorious.”

“You can count on us, Twilight!” Redwood assures.

“Yeah, we’ll show ‘em just who their dealing with,” Marigold adds.

“I don’t doubt it. Aloe Vera, be sure to look after them.”

“Not to worry princess,” says Aloe Vera. “You can put your trust in me.” A guard closes the carriage door, and with their final wave goodbye, they take off into the sky towards The Snowcap Mountains with nothing but pure excitement boiling in their hearts.

“However,” Trixie continues with a dubious smirk on her face. “Their moment of pride and valor would be short-lived.”

“Whaddya mean?” Apple Bloom asks worryingly.

“As your carriage flies over The Everfree Forest, you can hear commotion coming from the carriage containing the group of soldiers.”

“Uh-oh,” says Sweetie Belle.

“The three of you hurry over to the window to gaze towards the other carriage, and you see it is under attack.”

“What? What’s happening?” Scootaloo asks.

“The carriage is being overwhelmed by a barrage of arrows being shot from below. Somehow, they’re sharp enough to pierce right through the golden walls. The pegasi steering the carriage are trying desperately to maneuver out of harm’s way, but to no avail. One of them is hit by a stray arrow, and the carriage begins to lose control as they start to descend.”

“What do we do? There’s gotta be some way we can help them!” Apple Bloom panics.

“Unfortunately, it’s far too late. Their fate is sealed as you listen to their cries while they plummet and crash into the forest. Now, your carriage is being attacked.” The fillies wrap their forelegs around one another in fear. "Silver arrowheads cut cleanly through the walls, and all you can do is what you’re doing right now: panic and clutch each other for comfort. You can feel gravity tugging you downward, and your carriage smashes through rows of trees until you meet the ground.” The fillies’ jaws drop as they gasp from fright. “Now, this is where your adventure begins.” Trixie is delighted by their fearful reactions, and smiles. “Oh, no need to worry. It will only get worse from here on in.”