The Darkness of Old

THEY ARE ALMOST HERE!" An Uruk shouted

"OPEN THE INNER GATES, AND GIVE THE MEDICS SPACE TO WORK!" I shouted "EVERYONE ELSE, PLEASE STAND BACK!"

Things ran like clockwork, the Sentries guided the Draconiqui through to the Medics. The Draconiqui in question looked like they were...well...turning to dust. Little specs of them floated away, like ashes. We had never seen anything like this, and the funny thing was it was only affecting the adults. The children looked fine, no damage to them whatsoever. The medics checked them physically, and couldn't find a source as to what could be happening to them.

I checked their magic, only to find it was dwindling. Like a flickering candle, as compared to the infants and toddlers whose magic was like a roaring bonfire. Something was slowly dissipating it, and as a result making them dissolve into nothingness.

"Who did this to you?" I asked

One of the teenagers of the group looked up at me, malice plain as day on his face, and in his eyes. "The Ponies." He said, his voice seething with disgust, and hatred "Those damned Equines drove us from our home, and the Unicorns cursed us."

"Cursed you with what?"

"Chaos." He stated "They saw it fitting for us, to curse us with the chaotic magic we fought so hard to contain."

"Let me guess, your bodies are made of Harmonic Magic?"

"Mostly, it's what keeps us held together. Not many of us are going to survive..."

"...due to the makeup of our magic having such a significant tie in with our physical structures." A teenage Female Draconaquus said. "There is a way to stop the process...but that is about a two in one-hundred-thousand chance of it actually working. Even with those odd's, our species is going to be in the double digits with no way of using magic unless we want to make things chaotic. We could potentially reverse it, but that could kill us before it worked."

"Well, since this may be the first and last time we'll meet, may I ask your names?"

"I am Eris."

"I am Eric."

"Well then, let's get this situation under control. Eris, please tell the medics what you told me, and work with them so that we can keep fatalities to a minimun. Eric, what did these equines look like?"

"Mix of the three tribes, all armored, but uncoordinated. Unicorns wouldn't heal anyone but other unicorns, so it's safe to say the feuds between the three are still going strong. They numbered in the hundreds of thousands from what I saw, and they looked starved." He stopped to take a breath "There was also a noticeable trace of Wendigo magic, so I believe that their stupid feud drew them into the ‘Valley of Peace’...their original land, and they froze it.”

“Then if the feud is continuing here, we will need to put a shield over Minas Morgul. Rûk, get everyone inside the walls and armor up the trolls. If you see the equestrians, send up a flare. When the rest of the nine get here, tell them to put up a barrier to keep out freezing weather. Sûth, walk with me.” I said making my way to the Drake pens.

“Yes sire, what is it?” He said immediately flanking me

“I need you to gear up my drake. I need to see how numerous their forces are, and I do not want to be cornered on foot.” I said

“Yes sire, right away.”

About fifteen minutes later, yeah they work fast, my drake was armored with plate metal enchanted to make my drake look like a part of the sky, armed with wing blades that could potentially cut through magic, and strapped with a saddle that felt like heaven. “Alrighty, shall we drake?” I ask

*Rawr*

“I really need a name for you.” I said

*Rawr*

“Off we go!” I said, pulling the reigns slightly, getting the drake to move forward towards the exit of the den. Upon reaching it, the drake took flight. We followed the trail of decaying magic left behind by the Draconiqui to what appeared to be three separate camps, one on a giant cloud formation, one on a hillside, and one by a forest. All three were heavily guarded, and all three had a fair amount of civilians in the middle of all of the camps were...two Pegasi. Both were very young, and very thin. My mind was confused, because I swore I had seen them before. It took me a few moments, and a couple of circles, till my mind finally found an image. A white Pegasus with pink hair and kind eyes, draping a wing over a smaller blue Pegasus with indigo hair who was sleeping. It was the two sisters who would ascend to alicorns and unite the three tribes...Celestia and Luna. When I realized this, I did not think. I acted. I had my drake descend into a divebomb, tilting slightly, and I scouped the two up in one arm. I believe they had passed out from either terror or exhaustion, because for the duration of the trip they did not struggle. I willed my drake to fly back to Minas Morgul so I could assess their injuries, if they had any...and they did. Both were suffering from malnutrition, Luna and Celestia both had scars which could be made only by a whip...or someone with really large hands. Celestia’s left wing was broken, and both had quite a few missing feathers.

“Such abuse...who could have done this to you?” I ask myself

When we arrived at Minas Morgul, I brought them to my room and ordered roasted sweet corn, and medical ambrosia. I layed them down on my bed, and set their plates right in front of the bed. I sat in the shadows waiting for them to wake up, and when they did they were confused.

“Tia, where are we?” Luna asked

“No Idea Lulu. But whoever brought us here left food.” Celestia said

“Could it be poisuned? Another punhment?” Luna asked

“That could be why it’s glowing slightly…” Celestia said with a scowl

That is when I spoke up, making my voice echo around the room. “That glow would be the medicinal ambrosia I applied to it. Please feel free to dig in, you are safe here.”

Both looked around, spooked. Luna was bold enough to ask “Who are you, and where are we?”

“One of the Nine, and you are in Minas Morgul.” I replied

“...may we see you?” Celestia asked after a considerable amount of silence

Now it was my turn to be silent, should I? I am not the scariest first thing they could see, but I still am plenty scary.

“Please?” Luna added, and that got me. I couldn’t say no to her.

“Very well, I apologize for startling you in advance.” I said, leaning forward into the light. They gasped, and stared at me with both awe and fear.

“Now, please eat. I’d hate for you to die under my protection.” I said, and they obliged immediately. While they ate, a light golden aura formed around them. The scars were covered by a new coat of fur, feathers slowly grew back, and Celestia’s wing set back into place. The only thing the ambrosia could not fix was them looking starved beyond all recognition. That is what the corn was for. They devoured it in about fifteen seconds...give or take, and I couldn’t blame them. When I found out who did this to them, I would see to it they died in agony and lived their afterlife in eternal torment that even Satan would find terrifying.

“What should we call you?” Luna asked

“Chris, or Seven if you prefer.” I said. My childhood nickname was Seven, due to me receiving seven scars on my first day of school...I tried to climb a tree and fell, luckily some rocks broke my fall. Another idea came to mind. “Or, Moron. Any of those three.” I got them to smile a bit

“Okay, Seven. Why did you help us? What is in it for you?” Celestia asked

“For me? Nothing, other than a warm feeling in my soul. For you? A safe place to sleep, food, a basic education, new faces, and the option of specialized training.” I said

“Speculized Traning?” Luna asked

“How to fight, how to tame creatures, how to make potions, how to identify poisons based on smell and taste. Only if you want to, that is.” I said

“That sounds like traning for Woalty.” Luna said

“Hehehe...I suppose it does Luna, I suppose it does.”

“You didn’t say why you helped us.” Celestia stated

“...I’ll give you a hint. One word, starts with k and ends in ness.” I said

“You expect me to believe you did it out of kindness?”

“No, but that is why. Well, that and one other reason I shall not tell until you are older.” I said “Extremely older.”

“How old?”

“Spoilers. Now, if you aren’t exhausted...would you care to walk with me? If you are going to be living here, then you might as well know some the more notable areas of Minas Morgul. If you don’t want to stay then you are free to leave, I will pack you a weeks worth of food, water, and an escort to the edge of the Everfree Forest. If you leave, and should you chose to return...you need only enter the forest. One of the lookouts will see you, and will bring you here. So, unless you wish to leave, this is your new home.” I said

I watched as they took it in. Luna seemed happy, almost joyous at living here. Celestia seemed suspicious, and yet relaxed at the same time. I spun around on one heel and opened the door, gesturing for them to follow. Luna followed me immediately, Celestia followed most likely to insure her sister would not be harmed. I couldn’t blame her, the things they must have been through would warrant some suspicion on something as good as this. Upon leaving the castle, we were approached by an olog. Both of them scampered behind me, using me as a shield.

“Monster!” Luna said.

“Bruz, any sign of the Wendigos?”

“Yes sir, the temperature is starting to drop...and by drop I mean someone killed the heat. The shield is holding, but it is taking a bit of a beating.”

“Well then, have some of the drakes prepare to light fires. Only in case of emergency. Oh, and before I forget we have some equines on the premises. Luna, Celestia, meet Bruz.” I said shifting to allow both parties to see each other.

“Hi there!” Bruz said

Both ponies waved a wing

“It’s the scar, ‘init?”

Celestia nodded

“No worries, it scares Uruks as well. Now, I’ve got to see a man about some drakes.”

I waited till he was gone to say this. “No, they don’t get bigger...but they do get even scarier. No need to worry, they are about as deadly as a fly to you...unless you try to kill them, or me. If any of them harass you, let me know and I will take care of it.” I said. “Now, you will live here in the castle. Choose a room and decorate it to hearts content. Over to the left, where Bruz is going, is the drake pens. If you feel like flying on the back of something, then that is where you go. The school is down the street, right around that corner...no not that one, the one on the left.” I said pointing. “You will start attending there next week. If you find yourself bored, the library is across from it. It has everything, Non-Fiction, Fiction, History, Fantasy, and a whole lot more I could list...but I won’t. I haven’t explored all of Minas Morgul, but I will tell you this. The Uruks and Ologs are always making and improving things here and there, and one day you and them will be as close as family. Now, any questions?”

“Where is the chamber pot?” Luna asked

“Go back into the castle, take a left, and look for the door with the purple sign on it.” I said, and both of them went rushing off ‘Well, since they won’t be the problem...who will?’ I thought to myself

“Sire, the Wendigos are getting stronger.” Kruth theShadow said, making me jump

“I am going to attach bells to your ears, just so I can hear you coming.”

“Wouldn’t work, but the thought is appreciated.”

I audibly sigh, and say “Well then, rest is out of the picture. Get the Mystics to start pouring energy into the barrier, I will gather the others.” ‘And hopefully not accidentally make the mane six not a thing...I love Applejack goddamit.’ I thought to myself, making my way to Joe’s laboratory to make an order, and planning to go to the workshop to make some things.