The Chronicles of Eponia

Chapters

1 - The Gibberish
2 - Uncertain Origins
3 - The Lost Kingdom
4 - Neightucket
5 - Entering the Fog
6 - In Foreign Land
7 - The Vates
9 - The Wandering Skáld
10 - The Fomóire
11 - Viros Veramos
8 - The Hall of Stories

1 - The Gibberish

The noise of the quill writing on the paper filled the room in which was a purple mare. Princess Twilight Sparkle was so focused on her writing that she didn’t notice the steps that were approaching to the castle’s library.

“hey Twilight, what you doing?” asked her little dragon helper.

“hello there Spike, I was going to call you, I wrote this letter to Cadence and Shining Armor and I wanted to know if you can send it for me," said the alicorn as she finished the writing and rolled the scroll.

“well of course," said the dragon taking the piece of paper.

“Thanks Spike, you're always so helpful.” Twilight gave a smile to her little helper while she headed out to the exit. “Well, I'm going to see Pinkie, she told me she was thinking about making a cake for the next class at school, and she wants me to give her the OK”.

“Very well, I'll stay here and I'll let you know if anything happens,” answered the always loyal Spike.

Twilight left the castle and went to Sugarcube Corner where her crazy pink friend was waiting for her. On the way, she greeted several of the ponies of Ponyville. Certainly, the day was perfect and apparently nothing could ruin it, however, Twilight could not help but have the fly behind the ear. Whenever the day seemed perfect, something ended up spoiling it, sometimes it was nothing more than silly disputes between ponies, but other times it was something that could seriously endanger all of Equestria, and the young princess had the feeling that something was coming, although she could not be sure of what it was...

Upon arriving at the bakery, she found Pinkie Pie decorating a lovely cake with Mrs. Cake.

“Good morning Pinkie, good morning Mrs. Cake.” Said Twilight.

“Good morning Twilight.” Answered both mares with a smile.

“Wow, that is a gorgeous cake. Pinkie I think you have overcome”.

“Thanks Twilight, but this is just a test, tomorrow is Cranky and Matilda’s anniversary and they ordered a cake, so they will decide whether it's worth it or not,” explained Pinkie Pie, “and if it succeeds, as we hope, we will take one similar to class for the next lesson”.

“And that will be...?” Asked Twilight waiting for an answer.

“Pff, it’s obvious silly: It doesn’t matter the event, with a cake you'll always be good with your friends.” aAnswered the pink mare with a big smile.

Twilight laugh tenderly at her friend's attitude. Pinkie was jumping while explaining excitedly how delicious the cake would be, and why her students would like it so much.

Pinkie Pie's enthusiasm was certainly contagious, but Twilight could not help but have her mind elsewhere, as if something escaped her. That feeling, that had been haunting her for a while, didn’t leave her alone.

“Twilight, are you okay? I see you a little bit… distracted.” said Mrs. Cake noticing that the princess was in his inner world.

“Oh, it's nothing Mrs. Cake, don’t worry,” she tried to excuse herself, “it's just...".

“You have the feeling that something strange is going to happen because we haven't had a friendship problem to solve in several months, right?” Said Pinkie Pie with her usual parsimony.

“Pinkie, sometimes you scare me, but yes, I can’t take that feeling away from my head. It's something like the calm that precedes the storm you know?”

“I do, my Pinkie Sense has caused me strange things this morning too, but I don’t know what it’s trying to tell me”. The pink mare was certainly more hyperactive than usual.

Twilight recalled with nostalgia the first time she heard about the "Pinkie Sense", she thought it was just a nonsense. However, after that traumatic experience in the swamp, and the Hydra, she learned not to analyze everything so methodically, and to assume that there are things that do not have a rational explanation, even if it was so strange as it may sound.

Many times it is hard to believe that everything happens for a reason, although we can’t see it with the naked eye, every small action has its long-term consequence. The Princess of Friendship ended up discovering those ins and outs of the Butterfly Effect for bad, too; ironically, thanks to Starlight Glimmer, who just wanted revenge on her. Sometimes, Twilight wondered how her life would have been if, instead of forgiving Starlight, had banished her to Tartarus, what would have happened if Discord hadn't been betrayed by Tirek, if Sunset Shimmer had never tried to steal her crown ...

Of course her life would be very different, but something was clear for the princess, she didn’t regret anything that she had done so far. Much of these terrible events strengthened the relationship she had with her friends, and at other times, she made new ones that to date hadn’t failed her. For the Princess of Friendship that satisfaction feeling was more than enough.

While wandering in her thoughts, the door of the bakery suddenly opened and a nervous figure came in huffing...

"Twight!" Screamed Spike, catching his breath. The poor dragon seemed to have flown faster than Rainbow Dash in her best shows with the Wonderbolts.

“Spike! what happen?” asked the princess nervous.

“Starlight told me to come fast, you have to go back to the castle now, something weird is happening to the map” said Spike.

“What!?” Twilight got scared at the warning of Spike, “Pinkie, go find the others and tell them to go to the castle, I’ll meet you there”.

Twilight took Spike in her back and both, she and Pinkie Pie, galloped off to their respective paths.

The princess arrived with Spike to the castle as fast as they could, and when they reached the throne room they noticed that the map had an unusual brightness.

Starlight was there staring in perplexity at the anomaly the map was making, trying some spells to fix it, but without any success.

“What does this mean?” Asked the alicorn with open eyes.

“I have no idea," said Spike getting of Twilight’s back, “I was cleaning the thrones, when suddenly the map began to shine, but without showing any Cutie Mark or anything like that, I warned Starlight, and she tried to do something with her magic, but nothing happened.” The dragon was clearly nervous by the strange situation. “I went to look for you, I had never flown so much in all my life”.

“Well, it is not that you have flown so much in your life,” said Starlight pointing the fact that the young dragon grew up his wings not long ago.

Spike scratched the back of his neck and looked away.

“And you say that it started doing this out of the blue?" Twilight asked.

“Yes, and I’m personally worried about the absence of Cutie Marks.” said Starlight Glimmer.

A short time later, the rest of her friends appeared, they observed the map with the same disbelief than Twilight moments ago.

“Uh, it shines more than usual.” said Pinkie looking at it surprised, approaching her eyes as much as she could, and touching it with her hoof.

Suddenly, and without warning, the map began to project a series of strange symbols. Straight lines crossing each other, which did not make any sense to the ponies in the hall.

“Pinkie, what have you done?” Asked Twilight surprised and cocerned.

“Wait Twilight, I don’t think it has nothing to do with Pinkie.” said Starlight.

The symbols continued projecting intermittently before the watchful look of the ponies.

“What the hay does it mean?” asked Applejack confused.

“I have no idea, but I guess the map is trying to tell us something.” Explained Twilight while levitating a pen and trying to copy the symbols in a notebook.

“But why aren’t there any Cutie Mark or doesn’t point anywhere?” Said Fluttershy.

“Right, and I don't think those scribbles have anything to do with any of us.” Mentioned Rainbow more confused than ever.

Twilight took a pair of scrolls and prepared to write on them.

“That is what we are going to find out, they have to mean something, the map doesn't show anything by chance.” Said the princess, convinced of her theory and without stopping writing.

“I'm sorry to sound so pessimistic darling, but for me, those lines seem like nothing more than gibberish.” Added Rarity with a worried face.

“I don’t think so, if the map shows it, it has to be important, and I'm going to find out what it’s trying to tell us.” Twilight kept the pen and rolled up the scrolls. “Spike, I need you to send this scroll to Princess Celestia, and this one to Cadence, maybe they know what is this all about, and if they don’t, both have large libraries where there may be some information about it. We need to know anything they could tell us.”

Suddenly, the map, as if it knew that the message was already delivered, stopped shining and projecting symbols and a strange fog covered it completely.

“Ok…this is getting creepy.” Said Rainbow Dash.

“I really hope that the princesses have an answer to this.” Said Twilight visibly worried.

Some minutes later, Spike burped releasing a scroll, and Twilight did not waste any time to levitate and open it.

“It's Cadence!” Said excited.

Everyone present, including Spike, came over to see what was in the letter ...

My dearest Twilight:

I'm sorry I can’t help you, those symbols have no meaning to me, I wish I could tell you something more, but I'm afraid I don’t know anything.

I'll ask Sunburst to investigate at the Empire’s Library, in case there's something about it. I will keep you informed of any new developments that may arise.

With love Cadence.

PD: Your brother asks me when you will deign to visit us, and Flurry Heart is very keen to see her dear aunty Twily. Do not delay to come, we wait for you with open hooves.

Twilight was disappointed with the answer, but at the same time, a smile appeared on her face. She certainly wanted to see her brother, her sister-in-law and her niece, but now, her mind was focused only on the message on the map, and why a dense fog suddenly covered it. What did all this mean?

On the other hoof, the rest of her friends didn’t know how to feel or what to say, for them everything was very confusing as well.

Spike burped again releasing another parchment which they assumed was Celestia's.

My dear Twilight:

I think you should come to Canterlot as soon as possible and explain to me what is happening, I don’t know if I have the answers you need, but I think there’s something here that can help you.

Yours:

Princess Celestia.

“Princess Celestia wants me to go to Canterlot.” said Twilight surprised after reading the letter.

“That's good, right?” Said Starlight, “I mean, she probably knows something.”

“ It must be Something important if she has asked you to show up immediately.” Added Rarity.

“Don't worry sugarcube, we'll stay here watchin' the map, just let us know what ya discover.” said Applejack cheering her friend.

Twilight gave them an affectionate smile and left at once for Canterlot, where the princesses were waiting for her.

The flight was quiet, and as soon as she arrived at his hometown, Twilight galloped towards the castle quickly and swiftly. The purple alicorn was anxious to know what Celestia had to say about those symbols, maybe she could also give her the key to why the map went crazy.

Upon entering through the gate of the enormous palace, two guards greeted her and went straight to the throne room. There, other guards indicated that the princesses were waiting for her. As always, she saw Celestia and Luna on their respective thrones, from which they rose to be able to greet the newcomer.

“I received your message princess, do you know the meaning of what I sent you?” Asked Twilight without hesitation.

“I'm afraid not Twilight, I don’t know the meaning of those symbols.” said Celestia distressed.

Twilight was disappointed to hear that, but quickly she realized that her former teacher wouldn't have made her go to Canterlot so quickly for nothing.

“But you must know something, right? What's happening to the map?” Asked Twilight.

“Being born from the Tree of Harmony, the map is connected to you as carriers of the Elements of Harmony, and in turn, has a deep connection with the world around us, it is very possible that the map is trying to send you a message.” explained Princess Luna with her usual calm.

“You see Twilight, maybe you heard this before, but those symbols are a gibberish to me, although being honest it's not the first time I see them.” Said Celestia to the surprise of her former student.

Twilight smiled hopeful and with satisfaction, she knew thet Princess Celestia would be helpful. Without wanting to interrupt her former teacher, she gave the utmost attention to what Celestia was going to explain.

“Some time ago, I had a brilliant but very withdrawn student; One day, I found her in her room rearranging her things and I discovered that she was looking at what it looked like a horn, with a mixture of grief and sadness. I realized that it had inscriptions that I’d never seen before." Twilight could see that Princess Celestia was kinda sad remembering that.

“Don't tell me those symbols were the same that our map projected.” said Twilight waiting for the obvious answer.

“Exactly, I asked her for the meaning of it, but she just fell down. I knew how her behaviour was like, and I decided it was better not to dig into her privacy until she was ready to open up. Unfortunately, that never happened, since she abandoned me before...”

“Oh no ... I have to find your student. If her horn had those inscriptions is our best asset to understand all this mystery, do you know where I could find her by any chance?” Twilight asked her former teacher, but to her surprise, the Princess of the Sun started to laugh.

“My dear Twilight, you know her very well.” answered Celestia happily.

“I do?” Twilight's confused look suddenly changed to a surprised one, realizing which pony Celestia was referring to.

Elsewhere a young girl whose most notable physical characteristic was her flaming hair, enjoyed drinking coffee with her friends. Suddenly her bag began to vibrate and took out a book that was also shining.

“How timely.” Said laughing as she opened the book and started to read its contents.

She was pretty excited waiting to receive news from Equestria, however, the briefness of the message left her surprised, and in a way, kinda scared.

Hello Sunset:

We need to talk, it's important, meet me as soon as possible in front of the high school's portal.

Your friend, Twilight Sparkle

"What is it about darling?" asked Rarity, then sipped her cup of tea.

“It's a message from Princess Twilight, she wants me to meet her in front of the portal.” said Sunset.

“Princess Twilight’s coming?” Asked all in unison.

“Wow, it's going to be weird to meet myself again.” Said the Twilight from the human world.

“Oh my gosh! I have to prepare the greatest party ever!” Pinkie Pie said excitedly “The Return of Princess Twilight”.

“Hold on a second Pinkie, Sunset, is there somethin' wrong?” said Applejack seeing the concerned expression of her fiery hair friend.

“I'm not sure, this is weird ... the message is short and direct, Princess Twilight isn’t usually so laconic, I have the feeling that something bad is happening.” said Sunset visibly worried.

The girls observed the message and its content.

“Well, I have to say that "we need to talk" was never a good start for a conversation.” said Rainbow Dash.

“Um, what if... what if there are problems in Equestria?” asked Fluttershy fearing the worst.

“Well, there's only one way to find out ...” Said Sunset finishing her coffee and getting up from the table.

Accompanied by her friends, they went to the base of the statue that welcomed their high school. There in front of the portal that united their world with Equestria they would wait for the pony / girl with whom they became so good friends, knowing on the other hand that this was not going to be a simple courtesy visit.

2 - Uncertain Origins

The girls waited in front of the pedestal of the statue where the portal to Equestria was located. Suddenly it shone in a flash and from it came Princess Twilight turned human again wearing her characteristic purple skirt and blue blouse.

"Twilight!" Shouted Sunset Shimmer, hugging her friend.

“Sunset! Girls! I'm glad to see you again." She said looking at all the others.

“Well... hello.” Said the human Twilight to her counterpart.

“Hello… me” Replied the princess with the same shyness. “Gosh, this is still weird."

Before the situation became more awkward Sunset decided to break the silence.

“Look Twilight, we're really happy to see you, but what is going on? You left me worried with your message, is everything alright in Equestria?" Asked Sunset to get out of doubt.

Twilight looked at her and said, “Don't worry, there’s nothing serious at the moment, but I need to talk to you, preferably in a discret place".

“Sounds good to me.” She accepted, “we can discuss this in my place if you want.”

“Fine by me, girls, are you coming too? maybe we can catch up." Said Princess Twilight.

The group went directly to Sunset’s place while they talked with Twilight and shared their mutual adventures.

Twilight began to laugh loudly when they told her certain anecdotes, like the failed attempt of Zephyr Breeze to impress Rainbow Dash and Applejack surfing on the beach, while poor Fluttershy hid her face due to the shame caused by her clumsy brother.

“Well, here we are.” Said Sunset as she took the keys out of her pocket and opened the door.

The girls sat on the sofa in the living room while Sunset hung her leather jacket on a hanger and offered something to drink to her guests.

“Well, Twilight, are you going to explain me what’s wrong with that message? I don’t think you were in such a hurry just because you missed us." said Sunset sarcastically. The truth was that curiosity was killing her.

Twilight sighed and began to explain the situation. "You see, do you remember the map I've told you about on several occasions?" Sunset nodded, “it turns out that it recently started doing very strange things, and what surprised us the most was that it was projecting some kind of symbols that we had never seen before. I even asked Princess Celestia if she knew anything about this, but what she told me surprised me more than anything..."

Sunset looked at her strangely and watched her pull a sheet of paper out of her backpack. Twilight showed her the contents of the paper, and the expression of the girl with flaming hair changed completely, even worrying her friends...

"You recognize it, right?" Twilight remarked the obvious.

“Yes, I do but...” Sunset couldn’t find the words.

“The Princess told me that you had an artifact that was always with you, and that it had those inscriptions, tell me, do you still have it?”

Sunset got up without saying anything, and in an almost robotic way, she went to her bed. Just from below, she pulled out a wooden box with a lock and took it to the table in the living room, where the rest of the girls were. With a small key she opened it, and she took out something that looked like a horn. It was decorated with interlacing draws and had engravings similar to the ones Twilight saw on the map.

“What in tarnation is that? A drinkin' horn? " Asked Applejack.

“I think so, but I really don’t know what is it for.” Said Sunset Shimmer in a frustrated tone.

"Sunset, do you know what those symbols mean?" Twilight asked anxiously hoping for an answer.

“I'm afraid not Twilight, sorry...” said the fiery hair girl apologizing, which was a tremendous disappointment for the princess of friendship. “I... I don’t even know what to do with it, or why I have it, I only know that it’s mine since I was a filly."

In that moment, the human Twilight came out with a very logical idea.

“Then, if you've always got it it’s possible that it is some family legacy,” said the group scientist, “why don’t you ask your parents about it?”

A very uncomfortable silence filled the place. Nobody wanted to break it for fear of taking out completely a fact of which they had suspected for a long time...

“Sunset, do ya... do ya know where yer parents are?” Asked Applejack, probably being the one who could best understand her situation.

“I ... you'll see ... it turns out that I ...” Sunset stammered, as if she was afraid to say what was going through her head. “I’m adopted ... and even before that I had this horn. My adoptive parents never told me anything, and they didn’t know about its meaning ... I have no idea who my real parents are, or if this has anything to do with them ... " She said while looking at the horn holding it firmly in her hands.

The girls looked at their friend with compassion. Since she was reformed, they had rarely seen Sunset Shimmer sad or miserable, but now they could clearly see the pain in her heart, only that the accumulation of emotions made it difficult to know why she was so sad. Was it because she didn’t know about her past? Because she didn’t know her real parents? Or maybe because deep down Sunset knew she was alone in the world?

“I'm sorry Sunset, I made you remember something painful.” said Twilight distressed.

“Don’t worry, maybe this horn could be the only clue I have of my true origins, or it could be just a pileup that I have for unknown reasons, nopony has been able to give me an answer of what it is, or why I have it.” Said the former unicorn staring at the horn.

“Do you mind I take a look Sunset?” Asked Rarity, which her friend lent her the device. “It seems a refined piece, could it be a magical artifact from Equestria?”

“If it is, it has its power very hidden,” said Sunset, “When I studied magic with Princess Celestia, I had the vague hope that it was an artifact of great power, and if I could make myself more powerful, I could unravel its secrets."

“It looks like something you would use at a medieval party.” Mentioned Pinkie Pie.

“Or maybe something archaeological.” Said the human Twilight.

“Or maybe it's just a horn with four engraved scribbles.” Said Rainbow Dash without giving it too much importance, which earned her a reproachful look from her friends. “What?”

"I don’t think so Rainbow," said Twilight, "the fact that the map showed us something similar is already a message, and this horn is the proof that there must be some connection." Twilight remained pensive for a moment. “Maybe the problem is that we are simply not asking the right pony, I think we have to change the course in the research”.

Twilight rose from the sofa at the watchful eyes of the others ...

"Are you leaving now?" asked Fluttershy.

“Yes, it's not that I'm in a hurry, but I think it's better to continue with this at home since we're back in a dead end.” Explained the princess.

“Wait Twilight.” Said Sunset Shimmer rising like a spring and approaching to the princess. “Take me with you."

Everyone was surprised at the proposition of the fiery hair girl.

“Look, I don’t know what I can do but let me help you with this, please.” Asked Sunset.

“Well, Sunset, I don’t want to say no, but are you sure?” Asked the princess. “It may take time."

“Twilight seriously, I never ask you anything, just let me help you.” Said Sunset with decision in her eyes. “Besides, I still owe you one for your help with the Memory Stone, consider it my way of paying off the debt."

Twilight could notice that there was something else in Sunset's request that she did not say, but the princess didn’t want to insist more, and simply agreed to the proposal of her friend.

“Very good, then we can go back whenever you want.” Agreed the princess of friendship earning a big smile from Sunset. “But just for the record, you don’t owe me anything for that, you're my friend and it was the least I could do for you." Sunset smiled at her pony friend with bright shine in her eyes.

“Wait a minute!” Pinkie Pie shouted suddenly putting herself between Twilight and Sunset. “Are you really thinking about to leave without more? Without celebrating a farewell party?” A big smile was drawn on Pinkie’s face. They know exactly what was coming.

“Pinkie Pie is right,” said Rainbow Dash. “We should celebrate something together, who knows when we all will meet again?”

“Rainbow they don’t go to war!” said Applejack laughing. “But it's true, y’all know that we must enjoy this time together.”

Sunset Shimmer and Princess Twilight looked at each other and laughed, making it clear that it would be impossible to argue with Pinkie Pie if she had the others supporting her.

“Ok, you win, slumber party in my house!” Said Sunset while all the girls cheered.

The night arrived, and the girls enjoyed at Sunset's place eating pizza, playing video games, telling gossips and even taking some bottles of the "special cider" that Applejack managed to get on the farm without Big Mac or Granny Smith noticing; This was especially pleasing for Rainbow Dash who drank three bottles almost at once.

“Rainbow you’ve got to calm down, ah don’t want to take yer drunken ass to the bed.” Said the farmer girl.

“oh, chillax AJ, it’s just cider.” Said the athlete not giving a damn.

When it was time to sleep, all fell exhausted, all but Sunset, who took the mysterious horn and watched it under the moonlight without any of her friends realized, or so she thought ...

"Sunset?" The aforementioned startled, and turned to observe the two Twilights who looked at her with concern.

“Hi there girls, don’t you sleep?”

“We could ask you the same,” said the human Twilight, “What's going through your mind?”

Sunset sighed as both Twilights sat on either side of her.

“You know, I always wondered what this horn has to do with me, why do I have it? Maybe this is the opportunity I need to solve the mystery.” Sunset seemed determined in everything she said.

"That's why you want to come back to Equestria, right?" Said the princess, at which Sunset nodded. "Sunset, it won’t be me who prevents you from accomplishing that goal, but I would like to know more."

“Yes, me too, unless it's too painful for you to tell us.” Said the human Twilight.

“Don't worry about that ... look, most of my past is a blank page, I was adopted by a couple of wealthy unicorns from Canterlot, but ... the truth is that they never treated me like a daughter. They were my protectors, my caretakers ... but I never considered them my parents. When I entered the magic school of Princess Celestia, I had the vague hope that if it made me more powerful maybe they would change their attitude towards me ... but I just let myself be carried away by my ambition and greed. I thought owed me something... But you know what? After all this time I realized something, all that I did wasn't only for greed or ambition, it was mostly because of a feeling of loneliness that I could never fill." A rebellious tear fell down Sunset Shimmer’s cheek.

“Sunset, now you're not alone” said Princess Twilight touching her shoulder. “You have friends who love you and are there for you, and you’ve got me too for whatever you need; heck! You also managed to reconcile with Princess Celestia, now you know that you are welcome in Equestria whenever you want.”

Sunset smiled gratefully at Princess Twilight's words.

“Thanks Twilight, both of you ... but still, this is something I have to find out, for the first time in years I’ve got the feeling that this device will give me an answer, maybe this is the moment I've been waiting for so many years."

“We understand it Sunset, and here we will support you in your decision.” Said the human Twilight. “Well, I think I’ll go back to sleep,” she said going towards her sleeping bag. “You should rest too."

Sunset nodded and like the two Twilights, she fell asleep ready to face the coming day.

The next day all the Rainbooms went to the portal of the statue to say goodbye to their equine friends on their return to Equestria.

“Do you have enough clothes darling?” Asked Rarity.

“Rarity, we don’t usually wear any clothes in Equestria.” Laughed Sunset at the comment of her dressmaker friend.

“Take care sugarcube, Ah really hope y’all find what yer looking for.” Said the group's country girl.

“Thanks Applejack, I hope so too."

“Be very careful wherever you go.” Said Fluttershy worried.

“We’ll be Fluttershy, don’t worry."

“Good luck Sunset, I'm pretty sure you'll find what you're looking for, and come back with tons of good adventure stories.” Said Rainbow Dash affectionately beating on Sunset's shoulder. “It’s a shame we can’t go with you."

“Yeah, you can say that again Rainbow." Answered Sunset laughing.

“Don’t forget tell my other self to celebrate a super-duper cool party when you solve the mystery.” Added Pinkie Pie excited and hugging Sunset.

“I don’t think you need to say that twice.” Laughed Twilight at such occurrence.

“Sunset, take care of yourself, I really hope you can find the answers you need.” the human Twilight approached to her friend and gave her an affectionate hug. “Good luck friend, come back soon."

“Thanks Twi, if everything goes well, We'll be back soon." Said Sunset breaking the hug.

“Well girls, I wish we could have been longer together but duty calls” said Princess Twilight about to enter the portal “I promise that when we return, we will be more time together”.

Twilight looked at Sunset with a determined face:

“Ready?”

“As always” said the girl with flaming hair with the same decision in her eyes.

Both crossed the portal, it shone, and the girls vanished after it.

3 - The Lost Kingdom

The mirror shone, and two ponies came from it, a little bit dizzy from the transition between two worlds.

“I think I'll never get used to this.” Said Sunset Shimmer trying to recompose.

In the same room, a mauve unicorn observed with surprise how the two ponies came out of the mirror. Starlight Glimmer smiled when she saw the unicorn with orange fur and red and yellow mane.

“Sunset! You've come back!" Said Starlight.

“Starlight! How good to see you, it’s been so long.” The orange unicorn gave a hug to the pony who saved them from Junniper Montage.

Twilight watched the scene happy for both. It was amazing how long ago neither Sunset nor Starlight had any idea of friendship, and both managed to outdo themselves, make friends and bury their terrible past.

The pride the alicorn felt for the achievements of her students was indescribable. Twilight imagined that Princess Celestia must have felt that way when she saw all that she had achieved with her guide, and the help of her friends.

“Twilight, the others are waiting in the room, they want to know if you have discovered something.” Said Starlight.

“Well, maybe I've discovered something.” Said the princess, who still doubted if Sunset’s horn would take them somewhere, or they’ll keep shooting in the dark. “Let's go with them and we'll explain everything."

In the map hall, they were all on their respective thrones, waiting for the arrival of Twilight. The princess came through the door accompanied by Starlight and Sunset. The girls came over to greet the orange unicorn, who felt some sudden embarrassment while meeting on her best friends’ counterparts.

“So, Sunset, I don’t think they need an introduction, girls this is Sunset Shimmer.” Twilight introduce Sunset to the rest of her friends.

“It's a pleasure to meet you all, although technically I already know who you are.” Said Sunset a little bit shy, almost as shy as Fluttershy herself. “By the way, I have not had the opportunity to apologize for the… “incident” with Twilight’s crown, I’m sorry."

“Don't worry darling, that's past water, the pleasure is all ours.” said Rarity.

“It's good to see that you're not the same crown stealer from the last time.” Said Rainbow Dash totally tactless. “Um, no offense…” The cyan pegasus shamed at her words.

“Not taking Rainbow, besides, I kinda got used to it.” Said Sunset with a soft laugh.

“This is going to be great! Welcome back!" Pinkie Pie took her party cannon out of nowhere and fired it near Sunset, this one shook the confetti that was left in her mane laughing at the attitude of the crazy pink mare. “We have to set up a Welcome to Equestria party for you."

Pinkie Pie hugged Sunset Shimmer as if they were lifelong friends. Sunset, far from bothering, found the attitude of the pink mare certainly tender. The joy that Pinkie showed up was contagious. Sunset confirmed it shortly, after feeling the embrace of her cheerful friend’s counterpart.

“A whole new world, the same Pinkie Pie.” She thought out loud.

“Well girls, there will be time for those things, now we must talk about the map.” Said Twilight getting serious.

As if this one knew it was being mentioned, glowed again, but this time the rumps of the bearers of the Elements were showing their shining cutie marks. Surprisingly, Sunset’s cutie mark was glowing too. All of them cutie marks appeared in the map and entered the fog.

“Oh my gosh.” Said Starlight, “what does this means?”

Twilight sighed, incapable of saying anything that weren’t pointless. “Just another mystery to be solved I think."

“Is the Map asking us to get into a fog bank?” Asked Rainbow starting to think that the Map definitely went crazy.

“I hate fog, it ruffles my mane too much.” Said Rarity worried about them possible destiny.

“Because that's the biggest problem with fog, right?" Said Applejack sarcasticly, "anyway, Twilight, did ya discover anythin’ in Sunset’s World?” Asked the country pony as she returned to her throne with the others.

“Yes, I think we’ve got something, Sunset please, do the honors."

At the request of Twilight, Sunset used her magic to pull the horn out of one of her saddlebags and placed it in the center of the map, which was still covered in fog.

“Sunset has this horn since she was a filly, but she doesn’t know where it comes from, or why is in her power. Rarity, you're good at the details, can you figure out something?" Asked Twilight to the fashionista.

Rarity put on her glasses and levitated the horn towards her watching it closely. She spent a couple of minutes turning and analyzing each nook of the contraption, until she came to a conclusion.

"Well Rarity?" Asked Sunset Shimmer expectantly.

“Um, from what I think, I would say that it is an object of ancient craftwork, for what I know in Equestria they do not make nothing made with horns, besides I don't know what kind of horn we’re talking about, for what we know could it be a minotaur's horn, a dragon’s horn… and yet, we’ve got the same problem here... these strange symbols ...” Rarity felt sorry for not being able to be more helpful. “Sorry darlings, ancient crafts are not really my thing."

“If only we knew at least somepony who knew about ancient artifacts…” said Fluttershy distressed.

"THAT’S IT!" shouted Rainbow Dash suddenly approaching to Fluttershy, frightening her in the act. "Fluttershy, you're a genius."

“I am?” Asked the shy pegasus confused.

As soon as she said that, Rainbow flew as quick as a flash, only to return in a matter of seconds with a book her hooves. What kind of crazy plan was on Rainbow’s mind?

“Here, there it is the answer to all our problems.” She said putting the book on the map table.

The others approached to the book to be able to look carefully at the cover and try to understand what Rainbow Dash was referring to. The expression of surprise of all was immediate.

"Daring Do?" They all exclaimed surprised.

“Rainbow, what in tarnation does Daring Do have to do with this?” Asked Applejack confused.

“Don’t you see? She is an archaeologist, she has to know a lot about old scrap and stuff." She explained excitedly for having thought of that idea.

“It isn’t scrap Rainbow! But, yes, I think you’re right,” said Twilight. “As an archaeologist, she should have extensive knowledge of ancient material culture, and ancient languages, it's worth trying, what can we lose?”

“Nice Rainbow Dash, it was an excellent idea.” said Sunset Shimmer impressed.

“Of course it is, I’m awesome! Let's visit A.K. Yearling soon, I’m so excited to see her again.” Said Rainbow Dash jumping like a foal on Hearth's Warming Eve.

Without further delay Sunset and the bearers of the elements went to the small and secluded cottage of the author / adventurer in the hope that she knew how to decipher the gibberish of the map, or at least determine the origin of these symbols.

Arriving at Yearling's house, Rainbow Dash anxiously knocked on the door with a tremendous desire to see her idol again. The door opened a little, and a pony with glasses and an overcoat peeked out to see who was calling.

“Rainbow Dash, is that you?” Asked Yearling when she saw her biggest fan.

“Sup Do, how you doing?” Asked the cyan pegasus excited.

“Lower voice, will you?” She said opening the door completely, “I see you’ve got company, nice to see you again girls; come inside."

The ponies enter Daring Do's house and she made sure to close the door.

“Well, I don’t usually receive visitors, but for you girls I can make an exception, so what is going on here? I have the feeling you don't come here to drink coffee and chat for a while." Asked Daring Do suspiciously.

“You’ll see Daring Do, we need your professional opinion, as an archaeologist, on an important issue, how much do you know about ancient languages?” Asked Twilight.

“Well, I'm not a scholar but I can defend myself in several dead languages, why do you ask?”

Twilight turned her gaze to Sunset, who nodded understanding the gesture and introduced herself to Daring Do.

“You see, I have in my possession an artifact of uncertain origin, and we wanted to know if you could read the inscription on it-” Commented Sunset to the adventurer / writer.

“Very well, if you have it here, show me.” Responded the adventurer pegasus

Sunset nodded and with her magic brought the horn out of her saddlebag, levitating it to Yearling's hooves. She took a look at it, but as soon as she analyzed it more closely, her glasses fell off, her expression changed completely, and she looked at Sunset with a strange glare...

“Where did you get this from?” She asked as she got dangerously close to Sunset Shimmer.

“Um ... I have it since I was a filly, it has always been with me for what I remember.” Said Sunset getting nervous by Daring Do’s sudden attitude.

“Do you know what it is?” Asked Twilight excitedly as it seemed that their research was finally taking the right course.

“This artifact does not belong to Equestria... and this kind of writing graven on it has never been used in these lands.” explained Daring Do seriously.

“What do you mean that it doesn’t belong to Equestria?” Asked Sunset amused.

“Tell me, have you ever heard about the Kingdom of Eponia?” Asked the explorer with a serious look.

All the ponies looked at each other without having any idea what Daring Do was talking about. Not even Twilight, being the bookworm and history geek of the group had no idea what Daring Do was talking about.

“First time I hear that name.” Said Sunset hoping for a clear answer.

“I figured out that ... there are few in Equestria who know, or at least have heard about it.”

“Do, would you mind to explain yourself please?” Begged Twilight.

“Sure, You’ll see, centuries ago, before the foundation of Equestria, when the Three Tribes were confronted, there was a young mare tired of the continued conflicts, that led a huge group of earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns away from the disharmony that reigned in their homeland, it is said that beyond the sea they found a rich and fertile land and settled there. This mare’s name was Epona, and to honor her, they named the new land after her and they crowned her High Queen of the place, that's how Eponia was born.” The mares listened attentively to the story of Daring Do, especially Twilight who loved anything related with the lost history of ponies. “The kingdom prospered and developed in parallel to Equestria, with which they continued to be in contact eventually, however after their Queen’s death the land was divided and it fell in several wars for land, money or just quarrels between kings; it is said that the Crystal Empire sent an expedition with the aim of conquering Eponia, but there is no record of its success because back then, the Empire disappeared and nothing was heard again about the expedition, neither of Eponia. Over the centuries, without any news from beyond the sea, history became a legend, legend became a myth, and bit by bit the memory of Eponia disappeared from the mind of ponies, as if it had never existed."

“Wow, that’s a cool spooky story.” Said Rainbow Dash.

“But if its memory was lost, how do you know all that?” Asked Sunset still surprised by Daring’s story.

“Because I've been in there.” Said the explorer suddenly.

The ponies were stunned by the response of the adventurous pony. There were many things that they wanted to know, but it was Twilight who spoke first ahead of the others.

“You were there? When? How did you get there? What did you find?” Suddenly an orange hoof covered her mouth.

“Twilight, calm down, one question at a time.” Said Sunset removing the hoof from her friend's mouth. Even though Sunset seemed relaxed, truth was that she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She wanted to know everything like the most.

“Point by point, yes I was there, it was back when I was still a rookie archaeologist without any field experience, I arrived by ship guided by an old map, and what I found left me fascinated...”

"And what did you find?" Rainbow asked curiously.

“I went with expectations of finding ruins, skeletons or stuff like that ... but I found an entire civilization lost in time.” Daring Do looked at nothing with glassy eyes hinting that she was excited to talk about it, it was still her first adventure and for the adventurer’s look they can deduce that it was a great success. “It was a long time ago, I had just graduated, and I was searching between my father's stuff something that could help me to make a first expedition. My father was a professor of archeology and I wanted to follow his steps since I was a filly with a blank flank, in fact it was thanks to him that I got my Cutie Mark, that was when he took me to a trip to explore some ruins in Yakiakistan mountains...”

Daring Do closed her eyes and smiled to herself as she remembered how she prepared her very first adventure ...

Daring Do’s Flashback

In a messy office, a young pegasus, was roaming between a mountain of papers and notebooks. Even though she was concentrated in her work, she couldn’t help complaining about all the mess her dad had in the room.

"My gosh, dad was certainly an untidy pony.” Said the young Daring Do as she rummaged through her father's things.

“Daring Do Dazzle, what are you doing?” Said a voice behind her.

“Nothing mother, I was looking for something, don’t know what, but I’m sure I’ll discover it soon...”

Daring Do's mother was an earth pony with light brown coat and dark gray mane. She entered the office, watching closely around her, stunned by the amount of artifacts and papers that were scattered everywhere.

“Ah ... your father was never distinguished by organizing things too well, but as they say, each pony has order in his mess,” said Daring’s mother approaching to her daughter. “The lunch is ready dear, go down when you can.”

Daring Do nodded while analyzing the papers. Among all of them there were research notes and some journals, apart from paperwork from the Faculty of Archeology, almost all unreadable by the way.

“Perhaps between the maps ...”

Do spent some time looking at her father's old maps. There was one from Southern Equestria with marks on ancient pyramids and the supposed abode of a sphinx, another of some enchanted ruins in a lost jungle and a strange written: Ahuizotl, and another one of a little-known route in the mountains near Griffonstone. However, none of them caught the interest of the rookie explorer.

“Bah, this is a waste of time!” Daring Do bucked the shelf where several maps were and a tube fell on his head.

“Ouch! Dammit, stupid tube…”

Inside the tube was a rolled-up map, she thought of leaving it where it was and going to eat, but her curiosity was bigger than her hunger and she displayed the map on the desk.

“Mmm seems like a map of the coast of Equestria and the ocean,” said analyzing it,” and it seems old, I mean, very old but ... what the...?”

The map showed something that caught Daring Do's attention, which led her to take a more modern map and compare both. For some reason in her father's old map there was a mass of land in the ocean that did not appear on the modern map.

“How strange... maybe this is too old and they didn’t map as good as nowadays back then. But this doesn’t make any sense, this piece of land shouldn’t be here in any way.” Daring Do was frustrated trying to analyze both maps. She tried to put all of her concentration in the old map but as much as she looked at it she started to think that it was useless. “I'm going to eat and I'll take it to someone who understands more of this, maybe there is somepony who can help me."

In the afternoon, the young archaeologist galloped with the map to the house of the pony that knew more about cartography she ever met: her old university professor. Arriving at the home of the aforementioned, she knocked on the door and from it came an old unicorn with a white beard and round glasses on its snout.

“Hello Professor Quadrant." Said the pegasus with a smile.

“Daring Do Dazzle! How are you doing dear?" Asked the teacher.

“Fine thanks, listen sir, I need of your knowledge, there’s a map I want you to analyze, please." Said Daring Do taking the liberty to enter the house of her former master.

“Well, I'll be happy to help you as much as I can."

Both ponies walked through the house to Professor Quadrant's study. Do waited until her old teacher came back with a teapot, a couple of cups and some biscuits. The young pony thanked the gesture, and while the teacher was serving tea, she dedicated herself to unfolding the map on a nearby desk.

“Look Professor, this map was among my father's things, it seems very old, but I could not tell from what time or who published it.” Explained the newbie to the old pony.

Professor Quadrant took a sip to his drink, and immediately began examining the map with a magnifying glass until he came to a conclusion.

“Yes, it is certainly old, it was made by the Royal Canterlot Cartographers centuries ago,” explained the old pony. “Look, here you can see the cartographer's signature and the date, also analyzing the content we can see that there are towns that no longer exist, or that they changed their name over the years, and in the North, you can still see the Crystal Empire.”

“That’s what I suspected, but there is something more sir.” Said Daring Do, while Quadrant was paying attention. “Look at this, this land in the ocean ... I looked for it in another maps but it wasn’t there.”

Quadrant watched carefully where his former student's hoof was pointing. The old professor knew Equestria's maps as the back of his hoof, and certainly he had never seen land drawn in that part of the ocean. As he rambled in his thoughts, Daring Do took a sip from her cup of tea while was waiting for an answer.

Suddenly, Professor Quadrant seemed to have an inspiration. The old pony turned back to the map and looked closely to the mysterious land.

“That’s strange ... but I’d swear that ...”

The old Professor searched through his maps on a shelf, until he found what he needed.

“What is that?” Asked Daring Do finishing her cup of tea.

“These are some navigation charts that I bought when I started my job in college,” explained the professor. “It turns out, there’s a story circulating among the sailors that there is a place in the sea, heading north, where a dense fog covers everything; for centuries, the ships have been lost there and the sailors avoid that area like the pox.”

“What does that have to do with my map?”

“Look carefully at the navigation chart, here is indicated the approximated territory of that fog; can’t you see that it matches with your strange piece of land?" Daring Do noticed where Professor Quadrant's hooves pointed, and she couldn't believe what she saw.

"Professor, these charts are relatively modern, right?" Quadrant nodded. After two more looks at the map and the charts, Daring Do asked the big question. "What are the odds that this map points to an unknown place? Do you think this land really exists?"

“I can’t tell you Do, just look at what it is written in your map."

The intrepid pegasus used the magnifying glass to see better, next to the land mass there was a name …

End of Flashback

“Realm of Eponia? That’s what it said?” Asked Twilight, interrupting Daring Do’s story.

“Exactly, reviewing my father’s diaries, it seems that he investigated on that strange fog, he discovered that a great amount of sailors through history were lost inside and they never heard from them again.” That creepy part of the history frightened the ponies, especially Fluttershy whose sensitivity to these issues made her hair stand on end. “But there is more, that fog is not a natural thing ...”

"Then what is it?" Asked Rarity.

“That was one of the things that I found out in my trip, it seems that after the failed attempt of invasion by the Crystal Empire, the land was protected by that fog, but how they did it is a mystery to me.” Explained the explorer to the mares. “The druids of Eponia are not allowed to reveal their secrets, specially to foregneir ponies ..."

"Druids?" Said Rainbow Dash.

“What in tarnation is a druid?” Asked Applejack.

“They are sorcerers, priests and political advisers. They’re part of the elite of Eponia, and ultimately, they control almost all magic there”. That part of Do’s tale caught Twilight and Sunset’s attention. “They are in communion with nature and they are the first ones that kings, queens, warriors and all kind of ponies resort to when there are problems."

“Daring Do, we're glad you could explain all this to us, but going back to the first question, could you tell us what those symbols mean?” Twilight asked trying to go back to the subject.

“I'm afraid not.” She said sadly before the incredulous look of the alicorn princess. “These are Ogham, an ancient magic alphabet; the only ones who can read, write and use the Ogham are the druids, and if you want to find one, you must go to Eponia."

"Maybe that's the reason why the map acted that way," Fluttershy said without drawing much attention. "Do you think he's asking us to go?"

“Those Ogham thing in a glow, a dense fog, all of our cutie marks including Sunset’s floating inside the fog… I think it’s to much specific to be a coincidence.” Said Rainbow Dash.

“Oh, What the hay... we’re all goin' to go there anyway, right?” said Applejack smiling at the chance of a new adventure.

“But if what Daring Do says it’s true, no pony in Equestria knows where Eponia is or how to get there.” said Pinkie thinking outloud.

“Perhaps we can use Daring’s map, that would take us there.” Said Rarity.

"I'm afraid not, I don’t have it anymore," Said the explorer disappointed. "When I went there they made me promise that I would never disclose the whereabouts of Eponia; In part it is understandable, we were the first ponies of Equestria to set hoof on that land for centuries; so I agreed to get rid of it."

“Then we are where we started, without a map and without anypony who knows how to get to that place, there’s nothing to do.” Said Sunset lowering her head and without hope.

“Cheer up, not everything is lost. There is actually somepony who knows how ..." Said the explorer / writer.

“Who?” Asked Twilight expectantly.

“The same captain who took me there for the first time, and to whom I gave him my father’s map. From what I know, he continued making several trips to trade there with Equestrian products, and bring things that can't be seen here." Explained the adventurer. "In fact, I keep in contact with him, and every time I publish a new book I send him a copy."

"What's his name?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

“His name is Blowing Wind, he lives in the small town of Neightucket, an island on the coast, north of Manehattan. Of course, you will probably have to convince him to help you, that old sea dog isn’t known for his altruism.” Said Daring Do scratching her chin.

“Well, I think it's the best option we have.” said Twilight.

“You should say that it’s the only option we have.” said Pinkie Pie correcting the princess.

“It's better than nothing, we'll go to prepare, I think we have a long journey ahead, and we have to think about what we do with the classes at school.” Said Twilight walking towards the exit. “Thank you so much Do, you’ve been very helpful."

“Before you leave, I want to give you this.” Daring Do went to her desk and from there she took out a book with a leather cover and with her cutie mark engraved on it. “This is the diary I wrote when I was there. I wrote down a lot of things like history, folklore, politics ... I've got the feeling that it will be very useful for you."

“Much obliged Do.” Twilight levitated the book with her magic while giving a huge smile to Daring Do.

“Best of luck girls, it's a dangerous trip, I really hope you find what you're looking for."

The mares trotted out to leave the adventurer's house far away. Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer turned over the last words Daring Do said to them before saying goodbye.

“Yes… I also hope to find what I'm looking for.” she thought to herself nervous about what was coming on.

Author's Note

So, Hi there! :twilightsmile:
With this third chapter ends the introduction. I really hope y'all give this story a chance. If you're interested in ancient Celtic culture I think you will find this enjoyable. I will answer all the questions that may arise regarding the story.

See you! :pinkiehappy:

4 - Neightucket

"Well, a few more details and everything will be ready." Said Twilight finishing the preparations for the great trip.

"But Twilight, why can’t I go with you?" Asked Spike displeased.

"Oh Spike, it's a long trip, and I need you here to take care of the castle and minor details of the School," explained the princess to her faithful assistant.

"But I can help you, I didn’t separate from you at any time when the Storm King attacked Canterlot." Spike was trying to convince Twilight, but her decision seemed firm.

"I know Spike, and I'll be always grateful for that, but now we have lots of responsibilities here, and since Equestria is not in danger, this mission requires our maximum attention." Spike's wings fell showing his disappointment.

"Okay, the others are waiting for you in the hall," said the dragon and went out the door.

Twilight felt sad by the dragon's reaction. “Actually, I did want him to come with us to Eponia, but I couldn’t leave the castle alone, and let the School without supervision.” Thought the princess. “I would try to compensate him somehow when we return.”

Upon reaching the hall she met those who would take care of the School in his absence: Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Zecora, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Maud and Discord.

“Are you sure you can handdle this?” asked Twilight to Starlight Glimmer a little bit nervous.

“Come on Twilight, what could go wrong?” asked Starlight.

“Well... I don’t know.” Said Twilight looking worried at those who would help Starlight to take care of the School.

“Oh, Twilight, Twilight ... you worry too much, don’t you see that I'm here?” Said Discord suddenly appearing next to Twilight and petting her.

“That's why I'm worried.” Said the princess almost whispering with an annoyed expression.

“It is certainly ironic that the oldest of us needs more supervision than the youngest ones.” said Maud with her monotone voice.

“You can say that again Maud.” Said Scootaloo looking towards Discord.

When Twilight reported that she was going on a trip with Sunset and the girls, Starlight agreed to take charge of the School, on the condition of being able to bring friends in order to strengthen ties and make her work easier, Twilight couldn’t argue with that, in fact she encouraged the idea.

As for Starlight, the ponies chosen to help her with the classes were Maud and Trixie; the Cutie Mark Crusaders joined as soon as they knew that their sisters were going on a long journey. On the other hoof, the fact that Twilight could count on Zecora was a big stroke of luck, since she was good as a teacher. With what she didn’t count on, was that Discord would join, but apparently Fluttershy told him the need of substitute teachers for the School at the last tea party they celebrated, while the shy pegasus was preparing her stuff for the trip.

Obviously everyone knew that Discord wasn’t very interested in classes at the School in the least, but rather it was the boredom, and the prolonged absence of Fluttershy, that pushed him to want to be there.

“Don't worry princess, the Great and Powerful Trixie will be able to keep the clumsy draconequus at bay!” Said Trixie too much self-assured, as always…

“Oh, isn’t that charming, coming from the illusionist who always speaks in third person?” Discord suddenly grabbed Trixie's horn and made it disappear to the horror of the blue unicorn, he snapped his fingers and the horn appeared in Discord’s head, while he was doing a bad impersonation of the magician. Trixie turned red with anger…

“Give me back my horn!” Shouted Trixie, chasing Discord through the hall.

“ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU!” Shouted Twilight, teleporting between them. “Discord, give that horn back to Trixie.”

With a grimace Discord snapped his fingers and Trixie's horn returned to its legit place.

“Look, Discord, you can stay, but I want to see my castle in one piece and the school in order when I get back, understood?” Said Twilight firmly.

"Ten-four" replied Discord, wearing a denim vest and a trucker cap, and taking an intercom out of nowhere.

Twilight sighed thinking that this was going to be a recipe for disaster.

“Princess, you do not have to worry about us; because our efficiency in the School is not a matter to discuss.” Said Zecora rhyming as usual.

The words of the zebra were like a painkiller for the agitated mind of Twilight. When she thought about it with cold mind, the choice of staff wasn’t outlandish at all:

Starlight Glimmer had shown to have enough experience in Friendship. After all, if Twilight was willing to send her somewhere to continue her apprenticeship, why not put her in charge of a class and demonstrate what she learned?

Trixie was still a bit selfish and quirky, but making new friends really changed her. It was no longer that manipulative pony who tried to use forbidden magic to defeat Twilight and gain the attention and adoration of ponies at all costs.

The CMC, although they were quite young, they already knew more of friendship and its details than Twilight at them age. Their lessons learned about the Cutie Marks could be very useful to adult and young ponies, as well as to other creatures that seek their purpose in life. Not in vain, they helped Gabbi with that.

Maud was very intelligent. Maybe not too talkative, and too serious, but she wasn’t alien to personal relationships. She loved her sister with madness, she had good friends and, surprise, she had a boyfriend almost stranger than her.

Zecora was quite hermit, but if it wasn’t for many of her advices, Twilight wouldn’t have gotten that far. The zebra would be a great teacher, there wasn’t doubt of that.

As for Discord... he was a troublemaker, chaotic, didn’t give a damn about almost anything, and he was an irritating joker. However, although it cost him a lot, thanks to Fluttershy he learned the importance of having friends and know how to keep them. If somepony comes to tell Twilight years ago, that Discord would end up partying with Spike and Big Mac as if they were lifelong friends, she would have laughed at him. Also, even if she didn’t want to admit it, she knew that Discord could do such fun classes as Pinkie Pie herself.

The next day, with all the preparations already finished, the ponies went to Ponyville train station. The plan was, first go to Manehattan, and there they would take a boat to Neightucket island. Next to them was his farewell committee, which included the princesses Luna and Celestia, as well as Shining Armor, Cadence and Flurry Heart who came expressly from the Crystal Empire only to say goodbye to Twilight ...

"Maud, I'll miss you!" Cried Pinkie Pie, about to burst into tears as she hugged her older sister, who didn’t move an inch.

“I’ll miss you too Pinkie.” She said, the girls could not decipher the expression of the gray pony, she didn’t even blink, but knowing Maud, they knew that deep inside, she would miss her little sister very much.

“Awright family, Ah'll be back soon.” Said Applejack hugging her brother, sister and grandmother.

“Just come back safe, honey.” Said Granny Smith.

“Eeeeyup.” Said Big Macintosh as brief as usual, but with melancholic expression.

“Take care sugarcube.” Applejack said while hugging Applebloom. “Be sure ta help in everything ya can.”

“Ah’ll do it,” Applebloom had a few tears in her eyes… “Be careful out there sis.”

“Ok Scoot remember, don’t get into trouble, or at least not without me.” Rainbow Dash winked at the little pegasus while stroking her head, she just nodded.

"Show those ponies in Eponia who is the most awesome pony in Equestria!" Scootaloo cheered her idol / adoptive big sister.

“Sweetie Belle dear, although you got engaged with the School, remember to take a look at the Carrousel Boutique from time to time.” Asked Rarity to her little sister.

“Relax Rarity, I've got this, you can trust me.” Answered Sweetie Belle convinced as Rarity similed.

"Discord, try not to be too rude with Trixie, please?" Fluttershy gave a pleading look to the Lord of Chaos, at which he could not resist.

“Ah, all right Fluttershy, I won’t bother Trixie ... more than the usual.” Promised to Fluttershy, saying that last line almost in a whisper.

Fluttershy hugged Discord and he corresponded the hug with a smile.

“Well Twili, be careful wherever you go.” Said Shining Armor hugging his sister.

“And remember to come back soon, Flurry wants to spend time with her favorite aunt.” Cadence said while the little filly let out a laugh.

“Don't worry, if everything goes well we will be back soon.” Said Twilight convinced. “Goodbye Flurry, you know that I will miss you.” She said giving a kiss on the forehead of her niece.

Sunset on the other hoof said goodbye to Starlight Glimmer as well as the princesses. Of all the ponies she was the most anxious to leave, she wanted to find that mysterious land, but above all, she was convinced that the trip would allow her to unravel the secrets of that mysterious horn that she had owned since she was a filly.

“I know something bothers you Sunset, do you want to talk about it?” Celestia asked, calling the attention of her former student.

“Oh it's nothing, I'm just a little anxious about this trip.” Said Sunset trying to hide the truth, which Celestia realized, but decided not to reproach her.

“Either way, I wish you the best, and I’m sure you will find your way Sunset.” After this, Celestia hugged Sunset and she closed her eyes with satisfaction, feeling momentarily protected by the warmth of her former teacher.

"All aboard!" Yelled the pony with the same name, as they all entered into the train.

“Wait a minute, where’s Spike? Didn’t he come?" Asked Twilight worried about her assistant.

“I have not seen him since yesterday.” Said Starlight, “also ... he seemed feel bad for not let him go with you.”

“But I did not say it in a bad way.” Said Twilight sad looking around, hoping to see the little dragon.

“Princess Twilight, get on the train please, we're two minutes late.” Said All Aboard.

The little assistant didn’t appear, Twilight resigned herself and entered the train sad for not being able to say goodbye to Spike.

In a few minutes the machinery started to work, and with a wave of good-byes the train left Ponyville station.

Sunset Shimmer approached Twilight who was staring out the window with a long face.

"Are you okay Twilight?" Asked the orange unicorn.

“Yes, it's just that I'm sorry I did not say goodbye to Spike,” said Twilight, “he has to be very angry if he didn’t want to say goodbye.”

“Well, don’t worry about this,” said Sunset trying to cheer up her friend, “I'm pretty sure he doesn't hold a grudge on you, come on, it's Spike who we're talking about!”

Twilight smiled at Sunset and suggested to eat something in the restaurant car. The others simply stayed in their seats doing different things, like Applejack and Rainbow Dash who decided to play a game of cards, or Pinkie who took out a box of cupcakes that she prepared before leaving.

The journey to Manehattan was long, but without complications, and although Rarity decided to stop by her shop to see how things were going, and took the opportunity to pay a visit to Coco Pommel. They didn’t take long and went directly to the docks.

The ship trip did not have anything special, and it did not take more than half a day for the girls could listen the gulls welcoming them to Neightucket. The ship docked at the port and the girls proceeded to disembark and take a look at the town.

Neightucket did not particularly attract attention for anything. It was evident that it was a fishing and mercantile town. The harbor area was full of quaint houses, as well as small businesses, and the sound of the wind whistling between the masts of the boats and the sails gathered mixed with the squawking of the gulls.

“Well, it looks like a nice town ta me” Said Applejack.

“Yes, but let's not forget why we are here,” said Twilight covering herself with a cape, “we have to find that pony, Blowing Wind.”

“Twilight why do you cover yourself?” Asked Sunset Shimmer surprised.

“This is a small town, I presume that, as it happens in Ponyville, all the ponies here know each other,” explained Twilight to her friend, “we would call too much attention being seven strangers to add that there is an alicorn in the group.”

The girls seemed to see the logic in Twilight's approach so they did not bother to replicate their arguments.

“So, we shouldn't draw too much attention, right?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

“Exactly.” Said the Princess

“Ok, but, what about Pinkie?”

To everypony’s surprise, the pink mare was in front of a gift shop playing with a conch.

“Uh, I can hear the sea.” Said Pinkie smiling, amused with the conch in her ear.

“That’s because you are in the harbor kid.” Said laughing the shop keeper, an old green earth pony mare.

“Pinkie! Com’ere! Yelled Applejack to her.

“I gotta go, good bye” Said Pinkie returning with her friends jumping.

After that bizarre moment, the girls decided that it was time to leave the docks.

With the croaking of the seagulls serving them with melody, and the cats of the port searching for something to eat attracted by the smell of fish, Rarity thanked the porter pony that lowered her suitcases with a tip, and she levitated it with her magic. As they walked towards the village, they were carried away by the scent that the sea breeze brought with it.

Passing one of the main streets, they decided to stop a pony that was heading there transporting barrels in a car.

"Excuse me, sir," said Rarity, calling her attention. "We're new here and we're looking for a pony named Blowing Wind, you will nott know him by any chance ..."

"The old seadog?" The car pony assumed, "well of course I know who he is, I suppose he would be in the Drunken Griffon’s tavern at this time. I'm heading out there, if you want I can accompany you ladies.”

“Oh such a gentlecolt, much obliged sir.” Said Rarity with her usual charm.

The ponies continued down narrow alleys near the harbor, until they found the place where there was a sign with the silhouette of a griffon lying down with a jar in the paw and the words Drunken Griffon just below.

“Well maidens, here it is, I have to unload this beer;” said the pony untying himself of the car. “By the way, watch your flanks, there are some sailors who after a few drinks have long hooves if you know what I mean...”

“Thanks for the warning friend, but if that happens I'll send them to fly.” Said Rainbow decided.

After saying goodbye to the transporter, the girls entered the place. It was a dark tavern where they could see several ponies chatting quietly, drinking from jars filled with what they assumed was cider or beer. Others, on the other hoof, were simply lying on the tables too drunk, or tired, to watch the seven mares that came through the door, something that the other part of sailors who drank, nonchalantly did. The atmosphere was warm because of the hearth’s fire and the smell of burning wood, mingled with the smoke of the tobacco that came from the pipes of some of the ponies.

The girls walked to the bar without looking at anypony in particular, but without taking their eyes off everypony at the same time. There, there was the owner, a copper-colored earth pony with thick black whiskers on his cheeks and wearing a baggy shirt and an apron. When the girls approached, he left the cigar he was smoking in an ashtray and received them with a smile.

“Good evening misses, what brings seven continental beautiful mares to me humble little pub?” Asked the owner while the girls were surprised by the compliment.

“It won’t be bad a drink to start, have ya got cider pal?” Asked Applejack.

“Well of course, Neightucket’s best spiced cider.”

“Good, then can Ah have one please?” Said the farm pony.

“I’ll take another!” Said Rainbow Dash eager to taste that cider.

“Eh... could it be three if it's ok?” Asked the shy pony of the group.

“Of course precious, it will be three spiced ciders then.” Fluttershy blushed and hid part of his face with her mane at the innkeeper’s compliment.

“Can I get a pint of oat stout?” Said Sunset Shimmer. “It’s been an eternity since a had one.”

“May I have a cup of fruit punch please?” Asked Rarity.

“A pint o’ stout, and fruit punch; got it.” Said the bartender. “And what about you pink?”

“Mmm, I don’t know, I want something with good flavor.” Said Pinkie Pie undecided but without losing his characteristic smile.

“How about a jar of homemade grog? It's a recipe that comes from me great-grandfather.” Proudly said the owner.

“Uh sounds tasty, okey dokie lokey.”

“Just find a table to sit down, I'll bring your drinks.”

The girls decided to sit at a nearby table, but Twilight, who hadn’t order nothing, stay in the bar to speak with the owner.

“Excuse me mister...” Asked Twilight realizing that she didn't know his name.

“Strong Grog, that's me name.” Said the bartender introducing himself.

“It’s a pleasure Strong Grog, I'm looking for a pony that's supposed be around here, he's called Blowing Wind.” Asked Twilight.

"That old grumpy captain?" Asked Strong Grog surprised, “sure, is that pony in the corner.” Strong Grog pointed to a pony hidden in the gloom of the pub. “But I warn you, he is quare suspicious with ponies who doesn’t know, let's say he doesn’t like company too much.”

“Well, that can be a problem.” Said Twilight worried.

“Listen, I have no idea why you are looking for him, but if you want to start a conversation with him, don’t go with empty hooves.” Strong Grog took out a jar and a bottle, poured the liquid in the first one, and gaved it to Twilight. “Here you got, with a jar of grog, he will open like squeeze lemon juice on a raw clam.”

“Thanks sir.” Twilight levitated the jar and went to the dark corner where Blowing Wind was.

As she approached, dodging the other ponies sitting or perched on the wooden columns of the room, she could see the captain better. He gave the impression of being a weather-beaten sailor, dressed simply with a black vest and a tricorn hat on his head covered his face. He was smoking in what looked like a corn pipe. Even with the darkness Twilight could see a short brown beard already with gray hair, as well as his mane, his fur was beige color, and in his flank lied his cutie mark: a ship moved by the wind and two seagulls.

"Excuse me, Blowing Wind?" Twilight asked, drawing the attention of the pony.

"Do I know ye?" He asked suddenly, without looking up and with no response from the princess, "then it's Captain Blowing Wind for ye."

Twilight was surprised at the seadog’s acid response, but decided to stay calm and do what she could to maintain a friendly conversation.

“I’m sorry to bother you, I just want to chat for a while.” Twilight placed the jar full of grog on the table. “Do you want a jar of grog?”

With a naked eye, Blowing Wind did not raise his head, but Twilight could swear with a shudder, how his eyes looked her up and down despite seemed to be hidden by the shadow of the tricorn hat.

"No offense lass, I never say no to a free drink, but don’t ye think I'm a little older for ye?" The princess could not help but open her eyes wide to the comment, “I mean, I could be yer father.”

“Excuse me? What do you imply mister?!" Twilight asked blushing and a little bit offended.

“Well, I don’t know how things work in yer homeland, but here in Neightucket when a mare offers booze to a stallion out of the blue, she is usually looking for something else.” Explained the captain, it was not that his reasoning wasn’t correct, but the intentions of the princess were much further away from that plan.

“No, look I just want to talk to you about one thing.” Said Twilight sitting on the banquette in front of him. “I come from a common friend, you know Daring Do right?”

“A reckless and stubborn archaeologist?” Said as he took a sip to his drink. “Sounds familiar.” For some reason the captain was being evasive all the time. Twilight remembered what Strong Grog said about him.

“Listen, I know this is strange and I understand your distrust, but it’s a very important issue, you are a veteran sailor and maybe you’re the only pony who can help us, I will say it bluntly: my friends and I need to go to Eponia.”

After saying that name, Blowing Wind choked, coughed, and for the first time looked into Twilight's eyes without covering himself with the shadow of the tricorn, showing his deep, ocean blue eyes.

"Listen gal, I don’t know what ye have heard, or what have they told ye, but I haven't been there for years,” said the captain more quite serious. “Besides, it’s not a place that any pony can reach.”

“That's why we need you, Daring Do told us that you are the only pony in Equestria that knows how to get to Eponia and return.”

“And she told ye the truth, but that doesn’t mean I want to go back there.” Blowing Wind took a long gulp to his drink and cleared his throat after leaving the jar on the table.

“Why? Is that so dangerous?” Twilight asked, not knowing how to convince the sailor.

“It IS dangerous, but not much more than other lands beyond Equestria for example; besides, I'm not sure Daring told ye the hell we went through to get there, it's not a pleasure cruise that we talk about.” Blowing Wind's gaze did not leave Twilight's, showing great firmness in his words as he gave puffs to his pipe. “Look gal, let's simply say, that I have me reasons to don’t go there, it's something personal...”

“Whatever the reason is, is not my business, but we really have to go there, it's very important.” Twilight tried to appeal to the captain's compassion, but he remained impassive.

“No offense, lass, but what do yer problems have to do with me?”

Twilight did not know what to say to convince Blowing Wind. Suddenly Sunset Shimmer appeared calling her attention, she looked worried.

“Twilight, I think we’ve got a problem.” Said Sunset.

Looking at the table where the girls were, she saw Pinkie Pie on the top of it, singing a song and dancing as if she were the only pony in the place.

“I think Pinkie Pie drunk too much.” Said Sunset worried.

"Are you sure it's not just Pinkie being Pinkie?" Twilight asked, trying to dismiss what seems to be obvious.

“She drunk three jars of that grog already, I think something has to do with it.” Explained the fiery mane unicorn.

“Oh shut... well, try to control her, I’ll be there in a minute.” Said the princess. Sunset went back to try to calm the group party animal.

"Who was that pony?" Blowing Wind asked without taking his eyes off Sunset, the sailor's expression certainly changed at that point. Surprise? Curiosity? No idea. Twilight wished for a moment to have Applejack nearby to try to decipher what was going on in the head of that old captain.

“She is one of my friends, Sunset Shimmer is her name.”

Twilight could not be sure, but she would swear that the eyes of the old seadog gleamed as soon as she mentioned Sunset’s name. A silence formed between the two, as Blowing Wind took another sip of his grog.

“Tell me, why are ye so interested in reaching Eponia if ye don’t mind to tell me? What have ye lost in that Celestiaforsaken land?” Asked the captain.

“If I'm honest I don’t know, the only thing we know is that we’re needed there, or at least that's what our magic map tried to show us.” Twilight hoped that being sincere with Blowing Wind, this one finally agreed to take them to the lost land.

“Magic map? Do they need ye there? And who in Davy Jones' name are ye young pony?” Blowing Wind asked the most important question.

“I am Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship.” Finally the alicorn introduced herself without attracting too much attention.

While Blowing Wind was not very impressed with the revelation, he was certainly surprised by it. The old sailor leaned back against the back of the chair and turned his head, looking nowhere. After a few seconds that seemed like hours to Twilight, he rejoined and looked into the eyes of the princess.

“Very well, I accept to take ye and yer friends, but as I told ye, it won’t be a pleasant journey.” Blowing Wind explained, “it is a hard trip and even if ye are me guests, ye will have to do what I say, understood? On me ship, I’m the pony on charge, I don’t care if ye are a princess of Equestria or empress of the Moon, on board the Northern Star ye will answer to me, is that all clear?

“Clear as water, captain.” The attitude of the sailor pony seemed strict, but Twilight couldn't say no. Not this time.

“Very well... Bowsprit!" He shouted suddenly, surprising Twilight, and saw how a pony, that until that moment was lying back in a chair, was running towards Blowing Wind.

“Aye aye cap'n.” Said the pony saluting.

“Prepared yerselves, tomorrow we will go back to the sea.” Said the captain

“What course to steer sir?”

Blowing Wind finished his remaining grog in one gulp and answered the pony.

“We're heading to Eponia.” Said the captain.

"Are we going back?" Bowsprit's expression changed suddenly from surprise to emotion.

Blowing Wind simply nodded. The face of the so-called Bowsprit lit up completely, and as soon as he assimilated the news, he asked to Strong Grog to serve a round to him and his companions.

“Princess, I would recommend ye to rest as much as possible, tomorrow we’ll set sail in the morning.” Blowing Wind said as he prepared to leave. “By the way, yer friends and ye are invited to the drinks.”

"Thanks, Captain," Twilight said with a smile, but shocked by the sudden change of attitude of the old pony.

Blowing Wind nodded and left a bag of coins in the bar indicating something to Strong Grog and walked out the door.

“I am the one who should thank you.” The old captain smiled for the first time outside the tavern, without anyone being able to hear him.

Twilight tried to analyze the change of attitude of Blowing Wind, had she done something without realizing it? Without giving it much importance, she returned with her friends to give them the good news and to try to control Pinkie, who kept singing and dancing, and many sailors accompanied her and made choirs. Twilight recognized that Pinkie being tipsy was quite funny, and she seemed to have a good time without bothering any pony, well, sort of; so for once she stopped worrying, and asked Strong Grog for a jar of cider.

While they were chatting and laughing, they could hear how one of the sailors was beginning to sing a song while others followed the lyrics...

"In Canterlot there lived a mare mark well what I do say!

In Canterlot there lived a mare

And she was mistress of her trade

I'll go no more a-rovin 'with you fair mare!

A rovin ', a rovin'

Since rovin's been my ru-i-in

I'll go no more to rovin '

With you fair mare! "

"Come on everypony! Let's celebrate!" Shouted Pinkie standing at the table with a jar in her hoof. Rainbow Dash couldn't stop laughing at Pinkie's behavior, and Twilight started to worry about her.

But even with the princess' concern, she and the girls let themselves go by the festive atmosphere, it wasn’t like when they first entered at all, they were drinking and humming with the songs the sailors sang. After finishing the first song, they immediately started another one. This time playing some instruments, while the rest of the pub sang and danced like if there were no tomorrow, as if their intention for this night was to paint the town in red.

Luna’s moon bathed the town of Neightucket with its light, but in Drunken Griffon’s pub, the night was young...

It dawned on Equestria, the sun's rays began to enter through the windows of the tavern room. The girls rented that room with some bunk beds, so they could spend the night after the party that Pinkie and the sailors put together.

As always, the first one to get up was the early bird Applejack, who was already got used to wake up at the same time Celestia raised the Sun. She was with Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Sunset Shimmer in the bar having the breakfast Strong Grog cooked for them.

"Enjoying your breakfast?" Asked Strong Grog.

“Yeah, it’s very good.” Said Rainbow Dash eating a sadnwich.

“Where are the other two?” Asked the innkeeper.

“Still sleeping, Rarity is one of those who needs her sleep, and Pinkie... I think she is a little bit wasted.” Laugh Sunset Shimmer.

“Yes… your friend were fairly ossified last night, isn’t she?” Said Strong Grog.

“Applejack, could you wake up them?” Asked Twilight finishing her piece of carrot cake. “I don’t want to be late.”

“Ok Twilight.” Applejack went upstairs and entered the room.

There, she found Rarity and Pinkie still slept in the dark room. Rarity wearing her sleep mask and Pinkie with her head drowned in the pillow.

“Cock a doodle do ladies! Time ta wake up, Adventure awaits us.” Said Applejack opening the windows visibly excited.

“Good morning Applejack.” Yawned Rarity, while taking her mask off.

“Awwwww, my head!” Complained Pinkie Pie hiding her head under the pillow.

“It's normal, last night you drank too much darling.” Said Rarity stretching.

“That grog was tasty, but now I feel like my head is drilled.” Pinkie Pie raised her head showing huge eye bags.

“Goodness Pinkie, you look terrible.” Said Rarity totally tactless. “Thank Celestia I always have makeup for these cases.”

“Well, don’t take it long with that, Twilight wants ta march soon.” Said Applejack going back to the bar.

After leaving the room Pinkie and Rarity arrived with the rest and Twilight delivered the keys to Strong Grog.

Applejack glanced at Pinkie Pie who still had a sick face despite trying to hide it with Rarity's makeup.

“Hahaha, for anypony not accustomed to the grog it hits hard, and your friend took five jars.” Strong Grog said laughing and remembering the show that Pinkie Pie mounted, “you must remember to have more moderation lass, although I have to recognize that you knew how to cheer the place.” Strong Grog gave a smile to Pinkie.

“Okey dokey lokey.” She said still suffering the effects of the hangover, but returning the smile to the innkeeper.

“At least you were not mistaken for a ... bad life mare…” Rarity said indignantly, remembering how the last night a drunken sailor made an indecent proposal to her.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack chuckled at Rarity's comment.

“Ehm ... I think he didn’t tell you that in a bad way Rarity.” Said Fluttershy, but she shut her mouth at the stare of her friend.

After finishing the breakfast, the girls said good bye to their host.

“Thank you so much for your hospitality Strong Grog, I hope we'll see you soon.” Said Twilight Sparkle.

“Safe travels lassies, it was a real pleasure to have you here, may the winds always be at your backs.”

After saying goodbye, they left the place and went to the docks. In one of them, they spotted Blowing Wind talking to the same sailor from the previous night: Bowsprit. Behind them was Blowing Wind’s ship, a nice black carrack with white sails, and on top of the mainmast there was a flag with the captain’s cutie mark waving in the wind. Blowind Wind was wearing this time a long black trench coat and his tricorn hat, giving him the look of a veteran captain.

“Good morning captain.” Greeted Twilight to Blowing Wind.

“Ahoy me young ponies, I thought ye’d never come.” Blowing Wind took a whistle, blow it, and immediately some ponies and a griffon appeared beneath the captain. “Let me introduce ye to me crew: This griffon over here is Silver, our lookout; nothing can escape from his eagle eye.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet ye lassies:” Silver was, as the name indicated it, a silver colored griffon with a patch on his left eye.

"This one here is Salmagundi, our cookie," Blowing Wind said, pointing to a chubby, cream-colored unicorn, with a stewpot as Cutie Mark.

“Ahoy! If ye want grub or grog, I’m yer pony.” Said the chef.

“Please don’t speak about grog for now.” Begged Pinkie while her friends laugh.

"This one here is Ish, our harpooner, he saved our arses so many times." The captain continued this time, pointing to a young dark orange pegasus with a scar on his right cheek, and a boat and a harpoon as cutie mark.

“There is no sea creature that can handle me.” Said the harpooner pony with a kinda dark tone.

“This is Doctor Scurvy, our sawbones.” Blowing Wind pointed to a unicorn dressed in a white apron and with round glasses on his snout, and whose cutie mark was saw and a syringe. “don’t be fooled by his name, he has saved us from more wounds and diseases that ye can see in yer whole life.”

“It's not right to brag, but the captain’s right.” Replied the doctor adjusting his lenses.

“Ye already know Bowsprit, he's me quartermaster, and our bo’sun, if I'm absent this is the pony ye should look for.”

Bowsprit was an earth pony with a sextant as cutie mark. He seemed to be the same age as Blowing Wind, and looked like another old salt as the captain.

“And finally our cabin foal: Jimmy Shanty.” Then, Blowing Wind introduced a foal with a small guitar in his back, who apparently was the same age as Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, but he still didn’t have his cutie mark, which surprised the ponies a lot.

“Don’t you recruit them a little young?” Sunset asked.

“Is not that we had many choices,” explained the captain, “aye, he’s young, but he’s also hard-working and he is unique cheering the crew on the high seas with his shanties.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Said the young colt shy.

After the introductions, the crew and the girls got on the ship. Them laugage were uploaded by Ish and Jimmy, who were surprised at how heavy Rarity’s bags were. Blowing Wind guided the ponies to the lower deck, and indicated their cabins. One for Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and another for Twilight, Sunset and Rarity.

“I know it's not a luxury cruise, but I hope ye're comfortable in these cots.” Said the captain.

“Thank you very much captain.” Said Twilight.

“Ye’re welcome princess.” Said taking off the tricorn. “If ye need something, I will be in me cabin, on the deck.”

“When do we depart cap’n?” Asked Applejack.

“Immediately, as soon as the crew release moorings. Ye can go up on deck if ye want to fare thee well to dry land, trust me, ye won’t see it for so long...”

Blowing Wind went up and the girls followed him, watched carefully how the ponies prepared everything for the ship to travel to the sea.

“Raise the anchor! Release ties and release the largest!” Shouted Bowsprit to his companions, “c’mon bunch of carousers, hurry!”

The ship began to move while the wind blew the sails. Blowing Wind put his hooves on the rudder and prepared to steer his ship.

“C’mon lads, chase the wind!” The captain shouted. “Make her fly!”

With the ship on full sail, she went into the sea, leaving behind Neightucket and Equestria.

“I was eager to leave.” Mentioned Jimmy Shanty while watching the waves break against the prow of the ship.

“Hey boy, Why don’t ye show our guests yer privileged voice?” Asked Silver to the cabin foal.

Shanty blushed when he realized that all the mares were looking at him expectantly. The poor foal stammered something incoherent and scratched his neck with his hoof.

“C’mon, don’t tell me ye're going to feel intimidated by a bunch of mares rookie…” Said Ish hitting his side while winking an eye

“Don't play tricks on me Ish.” The young pony answered annoyed, “it's just that ... I didn't tune me guitar.”

“Chill, chill, no fights, I'll start to help us work better.” Said Silver with a concertina and starting to play.

Jimmy Shanty decided to play his guitar with the griffon and they both sang the song. Ish joined them with the fiddle, and the rest of the crew sang with them. The girls enjoyed the spectacle the sailor ponies offered to them and Blowing Wind smiled pleased from the command booth at seeing his crew so happy.

The atmosphere seemed as jovial as the night before in the tavern. The ship was moving away from the coast, while the merry sailors navigated the ship, and the girls began to enjoy the journey. It was the beginning of a new adventure.

Author's Note

I love sea shanties! specially when I drink :derpytongue2: :rainbowlaugh:

Now this is the beggining!

5 - Entering the Fog

The carrack had been sailing for half a day and was already in the open sea. In her cabin, Sunset Shimmer was lying on her bed while levitating the horn, observing it better. She couldn’t wait for the day when they finally reached Eponia and they could explore that land, maybe then she could discover the meaning of the artifact. Lots of thoughts crossed Sunset’s mind: Would Eponia look like Equestria? What kind of ponies lived there? What about the rest of the creatures that inhabited the place?

When boredom overtook her, she decided to keep the horn inside her saddlebag and go on deck to get some fresh air. It was already mid-afternoon, and Sunset found her friends engaged in different activities. Applejack was with Bowsprit on the quarterdeck with him explaining the proper handling of the wheel, Pinkie Pie who had already recovered from that terrible hangover was chatting happily with Fluttershy in the bow deck, Rarity took the freedom to sunbathe, and Twilight and Rainbow were reading together Daring Do’s Logbook.

Sunset approached the two mares, which had lost themselves in the reading. If she knew Twilight well, and if that this Rainbow Dash was like the one from her world, she could deduce that Twilight was reading the diary to learn more about Eponia, while Rainbow did it to know the details of the very first adventure of her idol. On second thought Twilight would be doing the same.

“Hey girls, how's it going?” Asked the orange unicorn.

“Hi there Sunset, we are learning more about Eponia, Daring Do’s diary is fascinating.” Said Twilight.

“And the adventures she lived in there are so awesome!” Said Rainbow Dash excited.

“Did you know that Eponia is divided into three kingdoms? One is run by Pegasi, it’s called Prydaddain, another by unicorns called Horntriu, and the last by earth ponies called Cobernia.” Explained Twilight. “But there are also a kingdom of dragons, tribes of hippogriffs and, clans of deer in the mountains which, apparently, are pretty good with magic, magic of elemental forces of nature…” Twilight was visibly fascinated about speaking of Eponia, so much that Sunset started to doubt who was most eager to get there.

“That’s pretty amazing Twilight,” said Sunset.

“And there are some dangerous regions.” Added Rainbow Dash. “Daring Do was ambushed by bandits in northern forests, and she says that there is plenty of pirate activity.”

“We hope we can avoid them at all cost.” Said Blowing Wind who appeared suddenly at the side of the mares. “The Scobii pirates are a real headache for all sailors of good, I've seen them in action...”

"Really?" Asked Rainbow Dash, intrigued, to which the captain nodded.

“We were in the port of Mareffraw, exchanging tobacco for beer when those scoundrels attacked the city. I thought we would die there, but thanks to the Pegasi Legions we left unharmed from that ruckus.”

"The Pegasi Legions?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

"Yes, Daring speaks about them here," said Twilight, turning pages until she found the one she was looking for. "The Pegasi Legions are the elite corps of the Kingdom of Prydaddain; there are three legions in total and in them they are some of the best warriors of Eponia.” Twilight turned his gaze away from the book. “She also says that all pegasi at sixteen, have to serve a minimum of 25 years in the Legion. Once that time has passed, they can graduate or remain in the army with multiple possibilities of promotion.”

“It sounds like Flash Magnus’ Royal Legion, imagine being able to see them in flesh and blood, it must be amazing!” Said Rainbow Dash looking at the page.

Suddenly a yell that came from the warehouse alerted all the ponies in deck. Jimmy Shanty galloped up the stairs almost tripping, over a look of terror on his face. He ran to Ish who hugged the poor foal to reassure him.

“Jimmy! Jimmy! Easy there kiddo, what's wrong with ye?” Asked Ish comforting the poor terrified foal.

“I... I've seen...” Jimmy tried to calm down while hyperventilating. “I've seen a monster in the hold!”

Most of the ponies shared an expression of incredulity, others seemed curious by the statements of the cabin foal, and Fluttershy cringed at what the colt said.

“A monster? Jimmy, ye didn’t drink from the grog barrels secretly, right?” Asked the captain.

“Cap’n, I swear to Celestia,” said the convinced cabin foal “I went to the cargo hold because Salmagundi asked me for some oranges, I did it and when I took them I heard a noise coming from the apple barrel, I approached a little closer and saw a creature with bright green eyes... I was so scared that ... I dropped the damn oranges and ran away.”

“Jimmy, I’m sure there is a logical explanation for all that, maybe you got confused by a shadow or something.” Twilight tried to find a rational explanation for the event, although she had to admit that all of that was very strange.

“Shadows don’t grab apples and suddenly release them, ma'am!” The cabin foal defended himself firmly.

“Unless, it was a ghost.” Said Flutteshy almost scared as Jimmy Shanty.

“Ma'am? Look kid I'm not that old, and I'm not even married" Twilight replied a little bit outraged.

“Aw right everypony, shut up ye all.” Said Ish putting order. “I will go down there and clarify all this issue.”

Ish approached to a barrel on the deck, took out a huge harpoon of serrated blade, and went down to the hold. The intrepid Rainbow Dash wanted to follow him, but the captain advised her not to do it.

Ish moved through the darkness of the cargo hold, but it was so dark that he could only see something because of the small oil lamps that rested on some beams. As he went deeper into the hold, the harpooner saw the barrels of food and some oranges on the floor, he deduced that those were the ones that Jimmy Shanty let loose in fright. Suddenly, a noise near the apple barrels caused the pegasus to be on alert.

With the harpoon at the ready, Ish approached cautiously to the barrels. He couldn’t see what was in there, because a small smoke burst blinded him momentarily. A creature not much bigger than a foal ran away while Ish rubbed his eyes.

“Come back here ye vermin!” Shouted Ish chasing the intruder.

The stowaway got up the stairs followed by an enraged Ish who was pointing him with the harpoon. They both arrived to the upper deck when everypony could see the appearance of the food thief. The crew was surprised, confused and, somehow, a little bit frightened, but the girls were petrified when they saw the identity of the stowaway, specially Twilight…

“SPIKE?!” Shouted the mane six and Sunset Shimmer.

“Help! He’s crazy!” yelled the poor little dragon scared.

After the first shock the crew started to laugh seeing that the “monster” that scared Jimmy Shanty was an infant dragon who run terrified away from Ish’s harpoon. He definitely didn’t look like a menace. However, Blowing Wind wasn’t laughing, a dragon, little or not is still a dragon.

“Do ye all know that dragon?” Asked the captain concerned.

“Yes, of course, but what is he doing here?” Asked Twilight.

“Take care of that later, Ah think Spike needs your help!” Said Applejack pointing that Spike was still fleeing from Ish.

Twilight, seeing the little dragon running away from the harpooner, acted without thinking…

“STOP! YOU BOTH!” Twilight teleported herself between those two and with a spell she paralyzed them. “Ok, now you’re going to calm down” Said pointing Ish who was still surprised by the spell. “And you are going to tell me why in Celestia’s name are you here and not in Ponyville. Understand?” Twilight was visibly angry, so neither Spike or Ish said no word. The princess understood them silence as a yes, so she broke the spell and both fell down in the floor.

“Dammit, what a nasty feeling.” Said Ish recomposing himself.

Spike look at Twilight with a scared look and a little bit of regret.

“You, come with me.” Said firmly the princess. Spike couldn’t remember the last time he saw her so angry, even though there was more than anger in her look. They went down the deck, towards Twilight’s cabin while their friends looked at them with an expression of concern, hopping that the princess wouldn’t be so hard with the dragon. Down in the cabin, Twilight talked to Spike. “Would you mind me to explain what are you doing here? No, scratch that, how did you get in here?”

“Uhm... Hidden in Rarity’s luggage, their suitcases were big enough to hide comfortably in them.” The dragon explained before the hard look of his protector. "Twilight, I’m sorry, I really did not want to scare that foal, I was hungry, and those apples looked really good.”

“Why Spike?” Simply asked Twilight changing her look by one of sadness. "Why did you escape and hide in here?"

“Because I didn’t want to stay taking care of the school, I wanted to accompany you.” Said the dragon. “The last time against the Storm King was very dangerous, and I assumed that I could be more useful with you again.”

“And you haven’t thought of anything better than hiding without saying anything to anypony and leaving me worried about not seeing you at the train station?” Twilight’s anger let see her disappointment with that last words, which was clearer when Twilight's eyes began to shed tears. “I thought you were so angry and disapointed with me that you didn't care about me leaving. Do you know how bad I felt with that?”

Spike couldn’t stop the tears from coming, too, he didn’t expect hurt Twilight’s feelings, the one who was his older sister, and the closest thing to a mother that he ever had.

“Twilight, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.” Said he, hugging the mare while some tears came out of his eyes. “I didn’t know you felt so bad, please forgive me.” Twilight felt the repentance of the dragon, and she returned the hug back.

“Don’t worry, I'm not angry, just a little disappointed,” Twilight let some tears flow too and pet his scally back with one of her hooves. “But you could have just insisted, sure it would be harder to convince me, but we could have saved us all this mess.”

“So, everything’s all right?” Asked the dragon wiping away the tears.

“Not yet, you have to apologize with the poor Jimmy Shanty, You gave him a scare to death.” Spike blushed embarrassed and he nodded.

The pony and the dragon went back to the deck, with everypony worried about them, Twilight approached the girls and told them that everything was alright. "Have you been too hard with him?" Asked Rarity worried.

"Not too much." Answered Twilight smiling.

Spike approached the cabin foal to apologize with him, while Twilight explained the situation to the captain and the rest of the crew. Although at first, he was suspicious, Jimmy Shanty ended up making good friends with the dragon, he even lent his guitar and showed him some sea shanties. Twilight looked tenderly at Spike along with Jimmy Shanty and was glad that everything went well.

“So that dragon is like... yer son?” Asked Ish who approached the princess.

“Well... something like that.” Said Twilight with a nervous laugh. “Spike came out of the egg thanks to me, and since then we haven’t separated; so yes, I have served as elder sister, mother, protector... and although he's still a mischievous little dragon, he is becoming more and more mature. By the way, I'm curious, how did Jimmy ended on your ship?”

Ish closed his eyes and drew a half smile on his face.

“A few years ago, Salmagundi was looking for ingredients for grub when he noticed a silhouette behind a cask, he approached and saw a foal trembling of fear with an apple in his hooves. Salmagundi presented him to the cap’n, and he decided to welcome him, and took care of him.” Explained Ish with a nostalgic tone. “He is the best cabin foal that we could ever ask for, he is hard-working, loyal, and he always knows how to cheer the sailings. Poor Jimmy is an orphan, so we are the closest thing to a family that he has...” Twilight looked at the harpooner and smiled tenderly at the story of the young cabin foal.

“It's funny that the captain welcomed him right away." Commented Twilight.

“It's not that weird... Blowing Wind is a good-hearted pony if ye manage to get to him, but he hadn’t an easy life... and I'd better keep me mouth shut before I say anything I regret…”

Twilight looked at Ish confused but she didn’t say nothing. She turned her head to see the bridge and there he was the captain watching the sunset while smoking his pipe. With that image came a memory to her head, and a question that had escaped yesterday related to the fact that Blowing Wind agreed to take the girls to Eponia after so many refusals.

“Hey Twilight, Salmagundi says dinner is almost ready.” Said Applejack, but her friend was distracted. “Are ya aw’right sugarcube?”

“Oh, yes Applejack, it was nothing.” Said the princess with her mind being elsewhere.

“C’mon, Twilight, ya can’t lie ta me, what's bothering ya?”

"Applejack, can I tell you something? But you have to promise me that you won’t tell anypony…" Said the alicorn in a serious tone.

“Sure thing sugarcube, Pinkie Promise!” Applejack made the same gestures than her pink friend, making Twilight smile satisfied. “So, tell me what happens.”

“You see, yesterday when I spoke with Blowing Wind and asked him to take us to Eponia, he was elusive and reluctant during the whole conversation. For a moment I thought I would never convince him to help us,” explained Twilight, Applejack was listening carefully. “However, I don’t know why, but just after Sunset Shimmer approached me to tell me that Pinkie Pie was drunk, her attitude changed, and it was there when I convinced him to start the journey…”

“And do ya think that seadog has somethin’ to do with Sunset?” Asked Applejack rising an eyebrow.

“I would say yes, but I don’t have any proves, I think it’s better not say anything to Sunset right now.” Explained Twilight.

“If you’re sure about that, Ah won’t tell anypony about this, just call me if ya wanna have some words with the cap’n.” Said the farmer winking an eye to her friend. Twilight just similed.

The mares shared a small laugh, and went down to the lower deck to eat the grub prepared by Salmagundi. It was nothing special: oatmeal with apple and orange, but it was filling enough to support the day. At night, Bowsprit stayed in charge of the wheel, while Blowing Wind went to his cabin to have some sleep. The rest of the crew stayed in the lower deck enjoying a pleasant time of drink and music, all Pinkie Pie’s idea, of course; Silver started playing the flute before it was his turn to go up to the lookout post, while Ish grabbed a fiddle and Jimmy Shanty took his guitar.

Together, they play a catchy song about a drunken sailor.

Sunset was drinking a jar of cider while watching Pinkie Pie dancing with Salmagundi and Spike dancing with Rarity. However, she noticed that a certain purple pony was missing among them. She got up and went to the cabin where she found Twilight reading Daring Do's diary, again...

“Twilight, you're missing the party.” Said the orange unicorn approaching to her. “Didn't you read that book like five times already?”

"Actually six," she said smiling, "but there’s something that keeps me thinking, listen to this: "Who was that Epona by the way, if I ask the pegasi, they’ll tell me that she was a great and honorable leader, with great charisma, and an expert strategist; if I ask the unicorns, they’ll say she was a wise pony, with great knowledge in elemental magic, and a magical talent not available to everypony, specially an earth pony; and speaking of which, the earth ponies will tell me that she was them protector, the one who gave them the chance of a better life. But all of them are agree that she was them mother… The Great Mother, that’s how they call her… An earth pony living in a small village near Mareffraw spoke about her with these words: Mater Mara, rigani nertaca, benoulati epon… In his language is something like: Great Mother, Mighty Queen, Mistress of Horses… Those words are repeated in my mind again and again , and with all the temples that I saw, I can swear, without any doubt, that they see Epona like a goddess, so the rest of the Founders; but it can’t be, right? Nopony ever ascended to deity like that, not even Princess Celestia, and she is the closest thing to a demigod that we have… but if that it’s true… why can I feel her presence in every place of this land, even though she passed away centuries ago…? "

“Are you saying that Eponians worship Epona like a goddess?” Asked Sunset surprised.

“Celtos.” Said Twilight.

“Sorry, what?” Asked Sunset confused by her friend’s answer.

“That’s how they call themselves: Celtos.” Explained the princess. “It seems that’s the name Epona gave to her subjects; and look at this.” Twilight turned pages and pointed to one in particular. “According to certain legends it was said that Queen Epona was capable of travel to a place some ponies call Antumnos, there she was capable of… changing form, being younger in the way of a bipedal creature… sounds familiar?"

Yes, what Twilight mentioned was certainly familiar to Sunset Shimmer, but it could not be, could it?

“Are you saying that in Eponia there was another portal to my world?” Asked surprised Sunset while she already knows the answer.

“It is perfectly possible.” Said Twilight. “We know very well that we are not the first ponies to visit that world; Clover the Clever was already there to bury the Memory Stone, and Star Swirl the Bearded, already knew of its existence when he sent the Sirens there…”

“Ok, but what do you think Epona would do there?”

“I really have no idea.” Confessed Twilight. “Maybe we’ll discover it once we arrive.”

Sunset smiled at her friend and returned with the others to celebrate.

The next day passed without complications and by the time the night came, they were all quite sure that they could rest at ease, for which Captain Blowing Wind prepared himself by studying his navigational charts in his cabin.

“Bowsprit, are ya aw'right?” Asked Applejack to the Boatswain.

“I think we have to batten down the hatches.” Said Bowsprit in his sailor talk.

“Ya mean a storm?” Said Applejack looking at the sky. “Ah don’t think so pal.”

Bowsprit laugh tenderly at Applejack’s thought. “Ye’ll tell me that later gal…”

When night arrived, everything was apparently calm. The girls slept peacefully on their cots when suddenly the noise of the crew running from one place to another and the sound of a bell woke them up.

“All hooves on deck! All hooves on deck!” Bowsprit shouted ringing a bell.

They realized that the ship was shaking more than usual and went out to investigate.

When they reached the deck, they watched in horror as a huge storm had the ponies scared and trying to keep the ship steady.

“Sweet Celestia!” Shouted Twilight.

"We have to help them!" Yelled Applejack. "C’mon ponies!”

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew against the strong wind to help Ish keep the ropes of the mainsail tightly tied; Sunset, Twilight and Rarity used their magic to hold several deck casks that looked like they were going to break off; Pinkie Pie and Spike decieded to go with Salmagundi and Jimmy Shanty to tie the supplies casks of the hold; and Applejack ran to the bridge where Bowsprit was fighting with the wheel.

“Applejack! I'm glad to see ye, can ye stay the ship on course? I need to call the cap’n!” Said the boatswain.

“Ah got this partner” Said Applejack grabbing the wheel. The country pony kept the rudder straight as Bowsprit indicated her.

The boatswain notified the captain, who was still in his cabin, extinguishing the candles and keeping the maps and navigation charts at safe, so that they would not suffer any damage. Blowing Wind came out with a determined look. He watched in horror as the strong gale stirred the mainsail, threatening to break it.

"Quick, fold the ratchet and mainsail! I want it at half sail!" Blowing Wind shouted once out. "Twilight! Tight the safety cables!”

“Immediately Captain!” Replied the princess doing her with her magic to leave the ropes well secured.

Suddenly a bell rang from the lookout post...

"Giant wave on starboard!" yelled Silver.

“Applejack, all to starboard!” Ordered Blowing Wind. “If we arrive in time we can take that wave head on!”

“Ah don’t like this.” Thought Applejack remembering the last time she saw a big wave in the sea, only this time was a hundred times worse.

Applejack tacked the ship as best she could following the captain's orders. The wave was getting closer and the country pony just hoped it wouldn’t end like the last time, since this time there was no land nearby to flee to.

"Hold on everypony!" The captain yelled as the crew and the girls tied up with the safety cables or looked for something to grab onto.

The wave hit the bow and the water ran down the deck without brake, but the ship managed to tame easily. The Northern Star looked like it was going to overturn, but fortunately she stayed straight. However, the wave was strong enough for several ponies to lose their balance, including Sunset, whose safety rope broke and without being able to hold on to anything she fell overboard ...

"Sunset NO!" Yelled Twilight, trying to catch her with her magic, but she had fallen into the water and was beginning to get lost. Twilight tried to jump to catch her but she was stopped by Bowsprit.

“Stop! If ye jump too, ye’ll be lost." Shouted the boatswain.

“It's my friend I have to save her!” The princess shouted starting to cry.

Before she say anything more, one pony jumped into the water with a cable in his mouth. It was Blowing Wind.

“Captain overboard!” Bowsprit shouted heading to the ship's rail.

Everypony was attentive to the water in what seemed like hours, when miraculously, the captain came to the surface holding an unconscious Sunset.

“Hurry up! Pick the cable! Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, help me with this!” Shouted Ish to the pegasi.

Together they began to flap their wings making, force with them, while pulling the cable. Blowing Wind firmly gripped Sunset and little by little they went up until reaching the deck of the ship.

The captain coughed and tried to incorporate, quickly he went to see the status of the unicorn. Twilight also went to see her, fearing the worst. The alicorn's fears became true: Sunset was unconscious and not breathing.

“C’mon c’mon!" Blowing Wind tried to make the poor unicorn mouth to mouth.

Everypony were satic, and all watched the scene with anguish. Suddenly, Sunset's horn shone, sputtered and she opened her eyes spitting water violently.

“What ... what happened?” She asked confused while coughing.

“Sunset! You're fine!” Twilight shouted with tears in her eyes.

The stress won the battle and Sunset fell again unconscious, but luckily she was breathing this time.

“Princess, take her along with Scurvy, he would take care of her.” Said Blowing Wind still nervous and recovering from the shock.

“Got it!” Twilight levitated Sunset and took her to the lower deck with the doctor.

Blowing Wind looked towards the horizon, and what he saw, it petrified him. A tornado was coming towards them like a giant beast willing to devour them.

“Braze yerselves everypony! This isn’t over!” The captain yelled, heading towards the bridge.

“Oh for the love of… just give me a break!” Rainbow Dash yelled annoyed.

Applejack gave the ship control to Blowing Wind, which veered to larboard to avoid as much as possible the trajectory of the atrocious hurricane. That monstrous gale was getting closer and closer to the vessel.

“Plend the sails and hold on!” Blowing Wind shouted. “Hurry up ye scallywags, today no pony will have to greet Davy Jones.”

The tornado skimmed the ratchet and the ponies on the deck held fast to the first thing they found. Soon it passed by, and the ponies cheered for being safe. Now the storm continued being hard, but the strong wind and monstrous waves were no more. Blowing Wind released the wheel and dropped with his back against it. Bowsprit approached to the quarterdeck to congratulate the captain for his heroism.

“I’m going to me cabin to rest Bowsprit." Said sitting up and heading to his cabin. “I think I'm getting old for this shite.”

Although it was still raining, and the waves were breaking in the ship's hull, the storm was not as strong as before, and the sailors were able to do their jobs more easily and deploy half a sail.

Under the deck was Sunset Shimmer lying on a bed. She started to move her head slightly, and slowly she opened her eyes. A light pointed directly at her, coming from Dr. Scurvy's horn. Apparently, she was in her cabin with the doctor and her friends.

“Sunset!” Said suddenly Twilight, smiling with teary eyes and hugging her friend. “I thought we’d lost you.”

“Ouch! My head…” Said Sunset sobbing her head with her hoof. “What happened?” Asked the unicorn with fiery mane.

“The wave hit ye and ye fell into the sea, ye’ve been unconscious since then.” Explained the doctor finishing his inspection. "I have to say ye're a lucky mare."

“You gave us a scare of death darling.” said Rarity.

“It's my fault.” Said Twilight lowering her head trying to apologize. “I should not tie the rope well.”

“No Twilight, don't be so hard with you, the cable broke, you could not do anything.” Rarity trying to calm her friend.

“I think ... I think I remember, how did I get here?” Sunset asked.

“Oh it was amazing, but also scary,” started to say Pinkie Pie excited. “Twilight was about to jump, but Bowsprit said "no, you'll drown too", and suddenly splash, Captain Blowing Wind jumped into the water and grabbed you; then Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Ish were like: "quick, pull the cable!" and here you are now, at least you got rid of the tornado…”

“Yeah, well I have to say that we are a great team.” Said Rainbow without modesty and hugging Fluttershy, causing her shy friend to blush.

“A tornado you said!?” She exclaimed with wide eyes. “I think I'll have to thank the captain for all of this.”

“You must rest now, then you can talk with the captain.” Said Twilight.

Sunset nodded, lay down again and closed her eyes to rest for a while. The girls decided to make the same thing and they went to their respective cots altogether.

The next morning, all but Sunset, who was still resting from the incident, went to the deck to help the sailors with the damage caused by the storm.

In the afternoon the sky was mostly clear. Twilight levitated part of the mast that fell after crossing the tornado while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash helped Ish and Silver to nail it well.

“Perfect! Ye can stop!” Shouted Ish to Twilight which stopped her spell.

Twilight then went with Applejack and asked her to follow her. "I think it's time to have some words with the captain." Applejack nodded. Together they went to the captain's cabin and entered after knocking on the door. Blowing Wind, who was sitting at his desk writing in what appeared to be his logbook, greeted the two mares.

"Miss Sparkle, Miss Applejack, what do I owe yer visit?" asked Blowing Wind.

“Well captain, first of all we wanted to thank you for saving Sunset Shimmer, that was very brave for you.“ Said the princess, and Blowing Wind simply made a gesture with his hoof implying that it did not matter. “And yet there's something I wanted to ask you since we left Neightucket. Does Sunset Shimmer have anything to do with your agreeing to take us to Eponia?”

Blowing Wind responded to Twilight with a cold, penetrating gaze. The princess started to get nervous when the captain got up and went to the window of his cabin. He didn’t say nothing, he just stayed in silence looking through the window.

"Have ye been listening to some scuttlebutt among the crew?" He asked with a monotone voice.

“No captain, but you have to admit that it’s quite strange that you only agreed to take us on your ship after having seen Sunset, when you said that you would never set sail for Eponia again.” Said Twilight firmly. “I just want to know what is going on here.”

“How dare ye lass?” Blowing Wind turn himself to face Twilight. He looked so angry and incensed. “I do not care if ye are a princess, or an empress, aboard me ship ye owe me some respect…”

“Look partner, we don’t intend to judge ya or anythin’, we just want answers, we need to know the truth.” Said Applejack in a soft tone.

“Ye could never understand... what will ye know what it is to promise to take care of someone and fail in that promise?” Blowing Wind seemed melancholy, as if from one moment to another was going to start crying. That surprised the two mares.

The old captain's expression of anger turned to desolation, he went back to look through the window of his cabin with glazed eyes. Twilight and Applejack approached Blowing Wind on both sides, and put their hooves on his back trying to make him regain composure.

“Actually captain... I think we both can understand you better than anypony else.” Said Twilight looking at Applejack, which responded with a wistful smile, and then returned to fix her eyes on the captain.

“Please, do not think badly of me. Maybe I made a lot of mistakes, but what I did in the past, I did it for...”

Blowing Wind could not continue since the door of his cabin suddenly opened. Who opened it was Bowsprit with news...

“Cap’n! We’re approaching...” Said the bosun.

“Look, maybe we can continue with this conversation later, but now there be job to do.” Blowing Wind said to the ponies almost whispering and the three went on deck.

The captain ordered everypony to light the lanterns. In front of the ship stretched an anomalously large and dense layer of fog.

“What in tarnation...? Ah've never seen fog like that.” Asked Applejack puzzled.

"It's a spell, druid sorcery…" explained Blowing Wind. "They say that centuries ago, after the attempt of invasion of the Crystal Empire, the druids of Eponia threw this fog to cover their land, and thus nothing nor nopony could ever find it.”

“What about us?” Twilight asked. “You sure we can get there right?”

“I know the way, this is not the first time we sailed these seas. Besides, I still have Daring Do's map.” Said the captain decided.

“Truth is that it is really creepy.” Fluttershy said shrunken.

“Don’t ye worry Fluttershy, stay close to the lights and everything will be fine.” Said Ish cheering the shy pegasus.

The ship continued moving closer and closer to the fog. Soon, all that mantle covered the carrack to such an extent that no pony could see beyond its snout.

“Awright fellas, lassies, those who do not have horns or something with a glowing light, stay close to the lanterns, I do not want anypony to panic.” Ordered the captain. “This is the hardest part; remember, the Fog could drive you crazy, always stay close to another pony.”

After these words, the Blowing Wind’s vessel sailed full sail in that mysterious hidden sea, heading for the unknown.

6 - In Foreign Land

Jimmy Shanty had finished washing dishes for Salmagundi when Spike showed up in the kitchen.

“Hey Jimmy, do you want playing dice?” Asked the little dragon.

“Perfect, I just finished my work.” Said the cabin foal. “Anything new in the Fog?”

“Nothing, the ponies can barely see anything beyond their snouts.”

Certainly, the trip was being tedious. Since they entered the Fog they did not have the sensation of having advanced a mile, and although it was clear that the ship was moving, they still could not distinguish anything beyond the figurehead. It did not even seem that there were animals or marine beasts in the vicinity, it was as if they had been left alone in the immensity of the ocean, and that was the most terrifying thing for the ponies.

“I'm sick tired of this,” said Rainbow Dash lying on the deck with her legs and wings outstretched. “I'm going to fly to see if I can find something from above to get us out of here.”

Just as Dash got up to take off, a claw grabbed her by the tail before she could start to fly.

“Are ye crazy gal?" Asked Silver, pulling and leaving Rainbow on the deck again. "If ye fly off and lose sight of the ship, it's probably that ye'll never find us again, ye'll be lost forever in the Fog. Do ye get the idea of what that means?”

Rainbow swallowed at Silver's serious tone. The idea of losing herself and ending up falling into the sea through exhaustion, where she would be at the mercy of any creature and an infinite depth beneath her, frightened her more than she would be willing to acknowledge. A sudden attack of thalassophobia seized Rainbow, who shrugged herself without saying anything.

Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer went to the captain's cabin. The unicorn opened the door and there was Blowing Wind, focused in his maps, studying them with a compass.

“Capitan?” Said she calling his attention.

“Sunset Shimmer, to what do I owe the pleasure of yer visit?” Asked the old seadog surprised by the presence of the young pony.

“I just wanted to thank you for what you did during the storm, you saved my life.”

“It was nothing, I'm glad ye're recovered from the shock.” Said the captain.

Sunset Shimmer nodded, and an uncomfortable silence gripped the room. Blowing Wind seemed nervous and Sunset didn’t know what to talk about to break the tension of the environment.

“So... do you think we’ve got a long way to go?” Asked Sunset trying to get a conversation topic.

“I'm not really sure,” said Blowing Wind, “the tempest that we suffered diverted us from the intended course and right now I could not say how much we have left. I can’t use the sextant, and the compasses go crazy randomly.”

“I hope we can get there soon.” Said Sunset with a melancholy look.

Blowing Wind seemed to notice the orange unicorn's concern, so standing up hesitantly, he decided to ask a question that was in his head for a while...

“What do ye expect to find in Eponia lass?”

“To be honest, I don’t know exactly.” Answered Sunset. “If the map said that I had to go I guess it would have its reasons, but personally ... I think that in Eponia I could find answers about my past.”

“Is that so? Is yer past what yer worried about?”

"Now more than ever..." Sunset's expression was melancholy, it seemed as if she did not want to talk about it, but the old captain inspired trust, and after saving her life, he certainly owed it. “Long ago, I was all alone, that lead me to a path of ambition and manipulation from which I tried to get away as much as I could. Now I have friends who support me, and they’re with me in the good and hard times, but I always had that emptiness inside me that I could not fill with anything in this world or another. Maybe this trip is what I need to put an end to that unpleasant feeling.”

Blowing Wind nodded at Sunset Shimmer's speech, looking from one side to the other as if he wanted to avoid the turquoise eyes of the unicorn.

"Sometimes digging up in the past can only bring pain..." Blowing Wind said, looking away.

“But I want to know, I need to know...” Sunset’s voice was decided, to which Blowing Wind responded with a half-smile and with a sparkle in his eyes. “Forgive me if I bored you captain, and thanks for listen to me.”

“It was nothing, if ye need anything I'll be here, or with me hooves on the wheel.” Blowing Wind said as Sunset retreated.

After she left, the expression of the old seadog hardened and returned to his maps trying to clear his mind of nothing else than navigating and reaching Eponia.

The trip continued without any news and the ponies began to overwhelm. On the one hand the girls had no idea of the direction they were following, and the crew members were limited to heed the indications of Blowing Wind and Bowsprit, but they could not help feeling that they were totally lost.

Morality declined and not even Pinkie Pie was able to cheer the ponies.

“Bowsprit! Come right here!" Blowing Wind shouted from his cabin.

The boatswain left Applejack at the wheel and went down to his captain's cabin, closing the door behind him.

“Is there something wrong cap’n?”

“Aye, I'm afraid we have a problem.” Said the captain visibly worried. “I've been checking the map and the navigation charts and I'm afraid we could be lost.”

“What?!” Bowsprit's scream made Blowing Wind get up and cover his mouth with his hoof.

“Do ye want to be heard by all in the ship, imbecile?” Bowsprit just denied without saying anything. “I think the storm took us too far from the course.”

“And what are we going to do?” The bosun asked, beginning to lose his nerve. If we’re really lost here we will never get out.”

“Aw right, first ye’re gonna calm down, and second, we must keep this secret until we are sure of the seriousness of the situation.” Said the captain.

“And if we really are lost?”

Blowing Wind remained two seconds in silence lowering his hat to cover his face, then looked up and looked Bowsprit in the eyes ...

“Then let Celestia help us ...”

What Blowing Wind did not suspect was that a curious little dragon heard part of the conversation. Swift and quick he went to see his guardian who was in her cabin reading Daring Do's diary.

“Twilight, Twilight, we’ve got a problem.” Said Spike in the lowest possible tone.

“If it has to do with a dense fog, I get to the idea.” Said Twilight lying on her cot with her legs and wings outstretched. “What a boredom…”

“Twilight, I heard the captain say that we're lost, he does not know if we'll reach Eponia.” Said Spike alarmed.

“WHAT?!” Twilight jumped out of her cot like a spring and grabbed Spike with her hooves lifting him off the ground. “Are you sure that's what he said?”

“Well, maybe not exactly, but basically that's what I understood.”

“This is bad... it's really bad.” Twilight started walking around the cabin from side to side. Spike started to regret having said nothing, because he knew that poor Twilight would be overwhelmed to the point of no return. “This fog is a death trap, if we do not go out we'll stay here forever!”

“Well Twilight that we already know, but what do you think we should do?” Asked Spike trying to stay calm.

“Ok, I think it's better not to say anything at the moment, at least not until Blowing Wind says it, anyway I'll go talk to him.” Said Twilight.

The alicorn and the dragon went to the upper deck where, while the crew worked and checked the condition of the boat, their friends were mostly bored doing nothing, except Applejack who was still helping Bowsprit with the wheel.

“Spike, where were you? I have a problem." Said Jimmy Shanty, approaching the young dragon.

“What happens?”

“The ponies are nervous and the bo’sun Bowsprit is too decayed.” Said the frightened young cabin boy. “I fear that something bad happens

Spike was thinking of telling Jimmy the truth, but he chose to keep quiet when Twilight looked him with a serious look.

Suddenly, a strange noise filled the air. Something that could be heard as a song in the distance.

“What in the name of Celestia is that?” Asked Rarity confused as the others.

"They are whales!" Shouted Ish, "and they must be close."

Blowing Wind left his cabin and peeked over the starboard rail listening to the singing of the cetaceans. Twilight at that moment approached the captain, and whispered something in his ear, low enough that nopony would hear it.

“Then I suppose ye understand the seriousness of the situation, right princess?” Asked the captain looking at Twilight’s eyes.

"Of course, but I need to know, do you have some plan?" asked Twilight serious,

“Maybe there is something we can do... but at this moment it would be as difficult as putting this ship to fly.” Said the captain. “Do ye hear those whales?”

Twilight's ears fluttered at the singing that came from the sea and she nodded.

“The whales haunt the coasts of Eponia, but sometimes they go into the Fog in search of food.” Explained Blowing Wind. “If only we could find them...”

“There is more captain.” Ish appeared suddenly joining the conversation. “Even if we find them, nothing assures us that they are heading to Eponia. Maybe they’re migrating.”

“I’ve got it!” Shouted Twilight. “Fluttershy could ask those whales to guide us.”

The captain and the harpooner looked surprised at the Princess of Friendship.

“What do ye mean by asking?”

“Fluttershy can speak with the animals.” Explained Twilight. “We should use her skills to aske the whales for help.”

The sailors kept wondering if it was a silly thing or if it was true.

“Well, let's suppose we accept that crazy plan.” Said Ish still doubting. “We cannot send her through the Fog to look for whales, she could lost the ship.”

Twilight looked at the captain worriedly and he looked aside while thinking in another solution.

“Don’t ye worry princess, we can always tie a rope to her, then she can return safely to the ship.” Blowing Wind said. “Aye, I think it could work.”

Twilight nodded and went to talk to Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus was on the foredeck along with Rainbow Dash.

“Hey Twilight, how's it going?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

“Well, Rainbow, I’m afraid we’ve got a problem.” Answered the princess. “Fluttershy I nedd to talk to you for a second.”

“With me? Why?" Asked the shy pegasus.

“You’ll see, it is very possible that we are lost in this infinite fog, but the captain has discovered a quick way to get out.” Said Twilight as calmly as possible. “We need you to go talk to those whales and convince them to guide us to the shores of Eponia.”

“What?” Fluttershy's face showed concern and fear. “Oh, I can’t get into that fog, I could get lost.”

“Don't worry about that, they'll tie you a rope and you will not get too far from the ship.” Said the princess. “I promise you'll be back safe and sound.”

"Twilight, are you sure about this?" Fluttershy asked, ducking her head. “What if my fear paralyzes me and I get stuck in the middle of the ocean?"

“Come on Fluttershy, you're the only one who can talk to the whales, we need you.” Rainbow Dash tried to cheer her up.

Fluttershy looked at both sides as if she was seeking escape from this situation, but the shy pegasus knew there was no other solution. The destiny of the ship, the crew, and her friends depended on her and her innate ability to communicate with other animals.

“Okay, I’ll do it.” Said resigned closing her eyes.

Making the preparations, Ish tied a rope firmly around Fluttershy's waist, letting her wings free. The other end was tied to a safety hook on the mainmast.

“Listen Fluttershy, the cable is quite long but if ye see yerself lost or scared, hit three pulls and we’ll navigate to yer position.” Said Ish.

“Ok…”

“Come on Flutters, just don’t look back and remember we're here to help you.” Said Rainbow Dash.

“Good luck sugarcube” Said Applejack.

The poor pegasus flapped her wings gently and before she knew it, she was in the middle of the endless fog. It seemed that she was going to panic soon, but following the advice of her friends, she armed herself with all the courage she could and did not look back as she headed towards the songs of the cetaceans...

The minutes passed and both, the crew and Flutteshy’s friends began to worry about her. However, they remained calm when they saw that the cable didn’t move. That was a good sign, or at least it was what everypony expected.

"That’s it, I'm going to look for her." Rainbow Dash said determined to leave.

"Have you forgotten what we told ye?" Exclaimed Ish. "Do ye want to lose yerself too?"

Rainbow looked at the Fog, waiting for some signal of Fluttershy flying back, but she was frustrated when she realized of the endless void she was looking at.

Suddenly, the cable began to move, but nopony on deck knew if Fluttershy needed help or if they had to go in search of her. After a few moments that seemed an eternity, the young yellow pegasus came to the boat, landing gracefully on deck.

"Fluttershy!" Her friends shouted happy and relieved to see her safe and sound.

"Hello girls, I have company." She replied with a small smile.

The others heard some noises and approached the bow railing. In front of the ship they could see the whales snorting and swimming around her.

"That was quite impressive Fluttershy, how did ye do it?" Blowing Wind asked.

"I asked them politely."

"That kinda make sense... I guess." Ish said surprised that it was so easy.

After watching the cetaceans move forward, Blowing Wind ordered the ship to be fully sailed to Eponia again. The captain had taken the wheel, eager to get his crew out of the Fog. Sunset Shimmer was also on the bridge, she was happy to get to her destination soon; once again, she pulled the horn out of her saddlebag to observe it carefully. She was so immersed in her thoughts that she did not notice how Blowing Wind looked at her.

The old captain watched the unicorn with a mixture of calm and melancholy. Something that did not go unnoticed.

"Hello captain! What are you doing? "The sudden scream almost made Blowing Wind fall from shock. When he wanted to see who had bothered him in that way, he could see Pinkie Pie looking at him with a big smile.

"Pinkie Pie? By the Seven Seas where did ye come from, girl? "The captain asked between annoyed and surprised.

"From a rock farm near Ponyville, but now I live in that little town working as a baker, and you?" Blowing Wind looked at Pinkie Pie as if she was missing a screw, but a sudden laugh made him forget that idea.

“Ye are quite a strange mare Miss Pie.” Pinkie only answered with a smile.

The morale of the sailors seemed to have increased so they began to sing several shanties while the whales seemed follow them.

The girls decided to rest in their cabins and wait for the next day, trusting that the captain could take charge without problems from there.

The next morning, Applejack got up early as usual. She went on deck with the sunlight streaming through the fog. Blowing Wind was giving orders to his crew.

"C’mon ye lads, we have to prepare."

“Howdy cap’n, what’s goin’ on?" Asked the country pony.

"Ahoy Miss Applejack, would ye mind wake up yer friends? We will arrive soon to mainland."

"Are you sure, cap’n?" Applejack asked, looking around, not convinced because of the amount of fog that still surrounded the ship.

"Trust me lass, or at least trust in the gulls..."

Applejack resigned herself and went back to the cabins to wake up her friends. All the mares and Spike went on deck eager to see mainland at last.

"Captain, why are you telling us we're arriving if we're still surrounded by fog?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Be attentive and listen ..." The mares were silent for a while until they heard the snort of the whales, which were still there and squawks. "Seagulls do not lie Miss Rainbow Dash, come up with Silver and see for yerself."

Rainbow Dash hesitated for a second, but then flew up to the spot where Silver was waiting for her. The blue pegasus, who could not say a word, was speechless at the sight that stand in front of her. As the captain said, from the top of the main mast the coast was already visible.

"It's a beauty, isn’t she?" The tap said. "The Fog will disperse right away."

"Awesome" Dash replied simply.

Little by little, the Fog began to disperse, revealing a mass of green land and cliffs on the horizon. While Twilight and the others smiled at the view that stretched before them, the sailors began to cheer as if they had reached paradise.

"Land ho!" Silver yelled from the watch's crow's nest.

"So that's Eponia." Jimmy Shanty said surprised.

"It doesn’t seem like anything special from here." Said Spike.

"Wait to go, little dragon." Bowsprit said with a happy and satisfied expression.

The whales separated from the ship and they continued on their way, but not before saying goodbye to the crew, especially Fluttershy.

“Goodbye friends, it was a pleasure!” Shouted Fluttershy as loud as she could from the balustrade and shaking her hoof.

“I’ve got to say that without those whales and ye Fluttershy, we’ve been lost in that Fog forever. Thank’s.” Said Ish to the shy pegasus.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash approached Twilight. The blue pegasus seemed restless about something.

"Rainbow, what's wrong with you?" The princess asked.

"Twilight, we just arrived at this place, do you think I could ... You know, make a triumphal entry?" At first Twilight did not know what her friend was referring to, but after analyzing her expression a bit ...

"Oh, you mean ...?"

"Please, I have not been flying since we left Neightucket, I need to arrive at this land in the coolest way possible." Twilight doubted at Rainbow proposal. The last time the pegasus performed a Sonic Rainboom in unknown terrain did not go well.

"C’mon Twi, this is not like when Tempest chased us..." Applejack commented as if she was reading her friend’s mind.

"Okay, do it Rainbow. Do your best." Said Twilight, and the pegasus blasted off fast as lightning.

"Hey... what is she doing?" Blowing Wind asked.

"Now you’ll see Captain..." Twilight replied.

Once Rainbow Dash took height, she began to plummet while Pinkie Pie encouraged her. The sailors watched intently as Rainbow fell and began to sizzle. In what lasts a blink, the Sonic Rainboom appeared in the sky impressing the sailors and Sunset Shimmer, who had never seen that spectacle live. The blue pegasus created a rainbow around the ship and landed on the deck.

"Wow Dash, that was..."

"Awesome? Yeah, I know." Rainbow Dash said interrupting Sunset Shimmer.

"Miss Dash, that was pretty impressive." Ish congratulated Rainbow.

Dash was used to cheering, but she couldn’t avoid blushing herself at the comments of the sailors and Sunset. Her friends on the other hoof, had already seen the Sonic Rainboom so many times that they took it as usual.

Suddenly, the sound of what seemed like a trumpet made everyone shut up. It rang again, and Blowing Wind’s expression showed real terror. The captain galloped to the port side railing, where the sound came from, and took out his telescope, only to see the figure of a ship emerging from the fog.

Its design was more primitive than the Northern Star’s, it was Knarr type, with wide hull and a single mainsail. From a distance, Blowing Wind could see how the rowers rushed to reach.

"Curses! They’re the Scobii!" The captain yelled, galloping toward the wheel.

"What's wrong?" Twilight asked scared.

"The Scobii pirates". Bowsprit said, trying to remain calm, but visibly nervous. The rest of the sailors gallop from one side to another of the ship with the intention of preparing the sails to get away from the pirates.

"What the hay do they want from us?" Applejack asked.

"Plunder us, kill us... maybe both." Said Ish completely tactlessly. "It is possible that they take you all as slaves, or something worse..."

The girls look at each other scared and quickly went to help the crew with their escape.

"Ish, ye have to take out the light cannons." The captain shouted.

"We have not used them since long ago, we do not even know if they work." The harpooner replied.

"Just do it!"

“Aye Aye Cap’n!” Ish nodded and went down to the cellar, asking for a Sunset Shimmer and a Spike to accompany him.

The Scobii were getting closer and closer, making the crew nervous. Ish arrived with Sunset and Spike, who carried rather heavy boxes. Ish opened one of them and took out a small cannon that was placed on the handrail of the bridge, pointing to the pirate ship, which was already dangerously close. When Ish ordered Sunset to open the other box, the orange unicorn saw what was inside: the ammunition from the cannon.

"Point and shoot". The captain shouted. "With a bit of luck we will dissuade them."

Ish gave instructions to Sunset and Spike to get ammunition. The harpooner put a projectile in the cannon and fired. The project has nothing to do with the ship. Ish, Spike and Sunset continued loading and firing the cannon and managed to hit the ship once. However, a hail of arrows headed towards them, and they looked up scared.

Sunset and Twilight managed to protect the bridge with two magic shields, but do not prevent other arrows from reaching the ship’s deck. Unfortunately, one of them hit a target.

A cry of pain diverted the attention of everypony to see who was coming from.

"Rainbow Dash!" The mares and Spike ran to see the status of their friend. The blue pegasus had an arrow stuck in its right wing.

"I'm fine, it’s nothing, really..." Rainbow tried to move the wing but stopped when she felt a tremendous pain. She tried to keep her composure, either not to worry her friends or because her pride prevented her.

"Let me see" Bowsprit raised Dash's wounded wing and her face showed an expression of pain. "It does not seem serious, but ye have to see the sawbones."

"I'll take her with Scurvy then." Said Sunset.

"Ah’m comin’ with ya." Applejack said.

On the bridge, to make things worse, the ammunition ran out, and Blowing Wind looked fearfully at the pirates who were approaching more, and more...

"Captain! What are we going to do? "Twilight asked worriedly.

"Ye can start by praying to Celestia, or the gods you believe in and those who don’t believe in for that matter." Said the captain, losing hope. "When those bastards reach us, we will be doomed."

Everything seemed lost. But suddenly another trumpet sound was heard not far away.

"Ship ahoy!" Silver yelled.

Blowing Wind watched the approaching ship. He deduced that they appeared when they were distracted by Rainbow Dash's wound.

"It's a ship of the Legions..." Said the captain changing his expression. "There may still be hope..."

The ship was advancing at full speed against the pirates, who wanted to react, but their maneuverability was very limited. As soon as they approached, a rain of fire arrows fell on the Scobii pirates, before the watchful eye of the crew of the Northern Star.

The Legion ship advanced faster. From Northern Star’s deck you could hear the sound of a drum and the shouts with which the rowers accompanied their work.

"Wait, what are they going to do?" Twilight asked.

"Now ye'll see Princess," Blowing Wind said.

With all the power of rowing possible, the ship brutally rammed the pirates, splitting their vessel in half, causing the rest of them to fall into the sea.

"Oh my gosh, have you seen that?" Screamed Spike still surprised by what he had just seen.

"Sweet Mother Celestia." It was all Twilight managed to say.

From the Legion’s ship that trumpet sounded again.

"Stop dead!" Blowing Wind shouted. "They want to communicate with us, just don’t be addled."

From the ship, three pegasus left flying towards the Northern Star.

In the lower deck, Scurvy watched Rainbow Dash's wound, while she did her best not to complain.

"Ye've been lucky, a little closer and it would have hit yer lung," said the doctor.

"Doc we’ll have to take it out, right?" Asked Sunset Shimmer.

"Aye, I’ll do it now, Rainbow, this may hurt. Applejack, hold Rainbow's wing; Sunset, have a bandage ready." Both mares paid attention, and Rainbow looked surprised. With her magic, Scurvy split the arrow in half and pulled it out. Dash cried in pain, and a stream of blood splashed Applejack in the face who was so surprised that it almost loosened the wing of the pegasus.

"Ouch, son of a..." Rainbow complained.

"Rainbow such language!" Applejack chided her friend as she wiped the blood off her face with a towel.

Sunset got ready and levitated a bandage to put it on the wounded wing. Doctor Scurvy finished the bandage and Rainbow moved the wing a little to make sure it was okay.

"Ye will not be able to fly in a few days, but hopefully ye will be soon recovered." Said the Doctor.

"Relax, Doc, I've been worse." Dash said dismissing him.

When they realized that the ship was not moving, the four ponies went up to see what was happening. Upon arriving, Pinkie Pie quickly approached Rainbow.

"Dashie! How are you? You scared us for a moment." Pinkie said hugging her friend.

"Don’t worry Pinkie, it takes more than an arrow to kill me." Dash replied with his usual confidence.

"Ehm, who are they?" Asked Sunset, pointing to three pegasus who were about to land on the ship.

When they put their hooves on the deck, the one who had the appearance of a leader took two steps forward. He was a pegasus with yellow fur, who wore a legionary armor and a helmet with a red crest, the color of his tail (and therefore his mane) was a combination of two purple tones.

"Salve, I am Captain Fluctus Domitor, Classis Cobernica;" the pegasus placed his hoof on his chest and then raised in the air towards the rest. "I demand to know who is in charge here," said the legionary.

Certainly, the pegasus captain imposed respect, and nopony dared to say anything. They were begging for Blowing Wind to have a plan to get out of it. Luckily, he spoke before the tension got bigger...

"It can’t be, may Davy Jones take me soul... Domitor?"

The aforementioned turned to see who mentioned his name, his eyes widened, and he took off his helmet.

"On behalf of Nethvns... Blowing Wind!" The legionary captain came running up to Blowing Wind.

The surprise of the girls was capitalized to see the familiarity with which Blowing Wind was dealing with the legionary.

"All these years have made ye feel good, captain of yer own Quadrireme." Said Blowing Wind proudly.

"On the other hoof, you do not seem to have changed anything," answered Fluctus Domitor. "What brings you back to Eponia after all this time?"

"An issue related to them." Blowing Wind pointed to her guests. "Let me introduce you to Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Applejack; and that dragon over there is Spike. "

All timidly greeted the legionaries, but Captain Fluctus stared at Twilight.

"You have a horn and wings... Are you...Are you an alicorn?" He asked surprised.

"Well... yes, I am." Twilight said in a dubious tone.

"Incredible, I thought you were a legend, we have not heard of alicorns in Eponia for centuries." The attitude of Fluctus Domitor turned out to be quite open, which reassured Twilight and her friends.

"Hey Fluctus, can ye explain us where those pirates came from?" Blowing Wind asked trying to clarify why they were attacked.

"I will explain it to you, amicus, but first we will escort you to the nearest port, Dwrnhorsefawr." Fluctus Domitor then addressed his subordinates. "Ventus Fortis, Naviculariam, go back to the quadrireme and follow us closely."

The soldiers nodded, pounded their chests and raised their hooves towards Fluctus. Then they started the flight to their ship.

After a long and dangerous journey, they finally reached their destination. Eponia was waiting for Twilight and her friends, and as in other places, the map sent them there for some reason, now it was only to discover why, but also to find out what connection Sunset Shimmer had with this secluded and mysterious land.

Author's Note

Well, here it is, I'm not sure how this chapter was, but hope you like it!
see you soon! :raritywink:

7 - The Vates

"So, are you a princess of Equestria?" Asked Fluctus Domitor to Twilight.

"Yes, I am one of the four princesses that Equestria currently has. In fact, my brother is married to the princess who runs the Crystal Empire, all in the family I guess." Twilight laughed at the last thing she said, but the sudden change in the expression of the legionary worried her.

When Twilight mentioned the Crystal Empire, Fluctus Domitor looked at her with a scared and angry look. "We don’t mention the Empire here ... not after the war." Said the legionary.

Twilight then remembered what she learned from Eponia's history thanks to Daring Do's notes. It was the invasion attempt by the Crystal Empire that led this land to total isolation. It may have been centuries, but it was clear that the Celtos of Eponia had that events very present in their memories.

"Tell me, Fluctus, what were those Scobii doing so far from their homeland?" Asked Blowing Wind changing the subject.

"The war has emboldened them... They see our conflict with the Kingdom of Horntriu as an opportunity to obtain resources and money for their cause."

"Wait, are you at war?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

"Yes, Prydadain and Horntriu are again at war, and it seems that some clans from Cobernia subtly finance the Scobii. We, as members of the Navy, have orders to finish off any Scobii or Cobernian ship that we see in our waters, except merchant ships. Chaos is reigning in this land."

Twilight was beginning to see clearly why they were necessary in Eponia. They had to put an end to the war that was hurting them so much.

"Well, do not worry, we've come here to help." Twilight said very confidently.

Fluctus Domitor looked confused at Twilight, as if she had said the greatest nonsense in the world.

"Look your highness, I do not know how things work in Equestria, but here in Eponia one does not solve a war between kingdoms, just like that."

"Cap’n! We're approaching port!" Silver yelled from the top.

"Before ye dock, Fluctus, let me give ye a present. For saving us." Blowing Wind warned Bowsprit to come over and after whispering something in his ear, the boatswain went down to the hold. He returned a few minutes later with a small bag that he handed to his captain. "Fluctus, this is for ye, to make this campaign more bearable. The best Saddle Arabian opium."

The legionary smiled, put the opium under his breastplate and hugged his friend. The Princess of Friendship looked concerned at Blowing Wind for having delivered that drug to Fluctus Domitor. As far as she knew, Saddle Arabia's opium was forbidden in Equestria...

"Seriously captain? Drugs?" She asked.

"The pegasi of Pryddadain love opium, but since it’s only produced in Saddle Arabia there was a great shortage after they were isolated in the Fog, let's say that thanks to me they got something that made them happy." Explained the captain, although Twilight remained understand it very well.

The conversation was cut, and Blowing Wind prepared the ship to finally dock. When the Northern Star docked in the port of Dwrnhorsefawr followed by Fluctus Domitor’s quadrireme.

"Well, ponies of Equestria, gratissimum Eponiae*, specifically to the Kingdom of Prydadain! Princess, by the way, I would recommend that you do not call too much attention, that is, a pony with wings and a horn ... You don’t see that much around here."

"I had it in mind, Captain," said Twilight, putting on the cape she wore in Neightucket. "Gratias tibi valde**."

"Do you speak Pony Latin?" Asked Fluctus Domitor surprised.

"I studied it when I was a filly to be able to read ancient texts." The legionary was pleasantly surprised, which he demonstrated by nodding his head and grimacing with satisfaction.

"Thanks for the gesture princess, but do not worry, you can always use the common language. If you need anything while you're in Dwrnhorsefawr let me know, I'll be in the harbor captaincy." Fluctus greeted Twilight as the legionaries used to, and headed for Blowing Wind. "I'm glad to see you, may Nethuns guide you."

"Likewise me friend, do not let the war consume ye."

"Thanks Blowing Wind, but I am a pegasus legionary above all, it’s my duty to serve my country and my queen. Valere amicus." After saying goodbye, Fluctus Domitor flew to his ship.

"Well guys, what do we do?" Twilight asked her friends.

"Ah suggest eatin’ somethin’ before decidin’ anythin’ ... Ah don’t know about ya, but with all that ruckus with the pirates and the legionaries we have not eaten breakfast." Applejack said.

After those words, it seemed as if the stomachs of all the mares and Spike were synchronized to roar.

"Yes Twilight, I'm hungry," the dragon said.

"Okay, okay, we'll look for something to eat and with full stomachs we'll think about our next move." Said the princess and they all nodded.

When they disembarked, they all felt a slight dizziness, the product of spending so much time on the high seas. Rainbow, however, almost fell to the ground, losing her balance for a moment.

"Dash, are you okay?" Sunset asked the pegasus.

"Yes, it's just that I got a little dizzy." She replied simply trying to hide her awkwardness.

"It's normal for a pony not used to sailing," said Ish, getting off the ship as well.

"Well, princess, I do not know how long ye think ye're here, but when ye tell us, we'll go back to Equestria," Blowing Wind said.

"We do not know how much time we will spend here Captain, but keep in mind that once we have solved our affairs here, we will leave." Twilight replied.

"We will end sooner or later in Coblana, in the Kingdom of Cobernia, if ye need us we will be there."

"Thanks Captain, I hope you do well. Come on girls!" Saying this, Spike and the others followed Twilight to the town.

"Sunset Shimmer!" Blowing Wind suddenly called the orange unicorn. Sunset turned around and looked at the ship's captain. "I really hope ye find the answers ye are looking for... and... if ye need anything, look for me in Coblana ..."

Sunset looked at the stranger captain, wanted to ask him many questions because something in Blowing Wind's tone indicated that he was hiding something. The captain quickly retreated back to his ship, so Sunset could only manage to say a simple "thank you captain."

With more questions than answers, Sunset returned with her friends who started touring the town.

Dwrnhorsefawr was different from everything they had seen so far. The town was crowned by a hill that descended to the port. Except for some wooden buildings, most were of stone, circular or oval, the market square was not very different from Ponyville, with many stalls selling agricultural products and manufactured. The rest of the town was surrounded by a stone wall.

"Do you think there will be a bakery around here?" Pinkie asked, looking everywhere excited.

"We'll have to find out," Applejack said.

The only one who did not say anything was Rainbow Dash. Sunset noticed the state of the pegasus and that gave her bad vibes...

"Rainbow, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Sunset ... it's just that ..." Rainbow Dash's voice was very weak. She couldn’t finish the sentence because immediately she collapsed on the ground.

"Rainbow Dash!"

Sunset's sudden scream alerted the others who watched in horror as their friend was fainted and shivering on the floor.

"Dash! What's wrong with you? "Applejack yelled worried about her friend.

Sunset brought his horn to Rainbow's neck and was horrified to check his heart rate.

"Her heart looks like it's going to explode." Exclaimed the unicorn scared.

"Quick we have to take her to a doctor!" Rarity shouted.

"Let's ask Fluctus Domitor, he'll know where there is one." Twilight suggested.

Applejack put Rainbow Dash on her back and ran to see the legionary captain. Arriving at the port captaincy, they ran into two guards who blocked their way.

"Let us pass please, we have to see Captain Fluctus Domitor." Twilight said.

"I'm sorry, but access to the captaincy is restricted to civilians." One of the guards replied.

"Please, our friend is very badly in need of help," Fluttershy begged.

"At least tell the captain that we’re here please, he said if we needed anything we could count on him," said Sunset Shimmer.

The legionaries looked at each other and one of them ran to the command post while the other continued with his guard. A few minutes later the legionary arrived accompanied by Fluctus Domitor.

"Princess Twilight," he said simply. "Soldiers, these mares are personal guests, if they come here let them pass."

"At your command captain," the legionaries said.

"Fluctus Domitor, we have a problem, our friend needs a doctor," Twilight said.

Fluctus Domitor approached Dash, who was still on Applejack's back.

"Yes, she looks bad indeed. We do not have a doctor as such in the village, but there is a pony that can help you. Follow me."

The legionary captain led the ponies and Spike through the town until they reached a secluded house on one of the sides of the hill. Domitor knocked on the door and when it opened, a unicorn with light green coat and a long brown beard appeared. He wore a long red tunic with black details and his head was covered by a hood.

"Captain Fluctus Domitor, to what do I owe your visit?" The unicorn asked.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Gwrthfiotig, but we have a problem here." Domitor signaled to Applejack who appeared before them carrying Rainbow Dash.

"What's the problem?" Gwrthfiotig asked taking off his hood and examining Rainbow Dash.

"We don’t know, she got off the ship, she got dizzy and after a while she collapsed." Applejack explained.

"And what about this wound?" The unicorn asked, looking at Dash's bandaged wing.

"We were attacked by pirates before arriving to port," Twilight said. "Dash was wounded with an arrow."

"Alright, come in and put her on my table."

They entered the house of the unicorn and this one with his magic cleared his long table of objects to be able to calmly place Rainbow Dash. The poor pegasus shivered while Gwrthfiotig inspected her but she couldn’t open her eyes yet.

"I have to go back to the captaincy, I leave you in good hooves." said Fluctus Domitor before leaving.

Gwrthfiotig, removed the bandage from Dash's wing and, surprisingly, her wound seemed to have worsened.

"You say the wound is from an arrow?" The unicorn asked.

"Yes, does it have anything to do with it?" Twilight asked.

"That shiver, the accelerated pulse and the infected wound... your friend has been poisoned, probably with aconite," said Gwrthfiotig.

"POISONED?" Everypony shouted.

"Yes, you talked about pirates before, it turns out that the Scobii have the habit of using aconite to poison their arrows. You're lucky they hit her in the wing, just a few inches and your friend would have died almost immediately. "

"But you can cure her, right?" Fluttershy asked worried with tears in her eyes.

"Yes of course. I don’t think it’s too late."

Gwrthfiotig went to a shelf, where he took out two bottles. He opened the first one and with his hoof he picked up a bit of what looked like a poultice.

"Well, first disinfect the wound properly." After smearing the poultice on Dash’s wing wound, she reacted slightly with a groan. Gwrthfiotig opened the other bottle and, levitating it with his horn, offered it to Dash, who still did not open her eyes in pain. "Now, drink this."

Gwrthfiotig lifted Rainbow Dash's head slightly and forced her to drink the liquid in the bottle. Rainbow made a slight grimace, but swallowed the liquid, only to reposition her head on the surface of the table.

After bandaging the wound again, Gwrthfiotig covered Rainbow Dash with a blanket and placed a pillow under her head to make her more comfortable. Dash fell sleep peacefully...

"Your friend will survive..."

The rest breathed a sigh of relief and Fluttershy dried a couple of tears recovering from the shock.

"Thank you very much for everything doctor," Twilight said.

"Doctor? Why do you call me like that? "The unicorn asked surprised.

"Because you’re a doctor, aren’t you?" Twilight was really confused by Gwrthfiotig's reaction; even more when he laughed.

"I'm not a doctor kid, I'm a vates ..." The ponies and Spike looked at each other strangely.

"Excuse me, what's a vates?" Asked curious Sunset.

"We are prophets, philosophers and healers. We are trained in Druidic schools to understand alchemy, the Ogham and designs of the gods and all kinds of medicines and poisons." Gwrthfiotig explained.

"Oh, then you must one of the druids that Daring Do told us about." Rarity exclaimed.

“Well... not exactly," the unicorn said. "We received similar training, but the job of the vates and the druids are different; The same thing happens with the bards."

"In any case, thank you very much for helping our friend." Twilight said. "How can we pay it?"

"If you bring me a bowl of oat porridge and a pint of mead we'll be at peace."

"Sure thing pal, Ah'll go to the market for that. Pinkie, come with me, "Applejack exclaimed, heading for the door.

"Okey-Dokey-Lokey," said the pink mare, leaping toward the exit.

At the market square Applejack and Pinkie bought a sack of oatmeal and a barrel of mead and went back to Gwrthfiotig's house. Upon entering, both mares cooked for the vates with their permission in a cauldron near the fireplace. Meanwhile, the unicorn served the mead in a wooden cup and offered his guests, who appreciated the gesture.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality Gwrthfiotig." Said Twilight.

"It’s my pleasure, I wouldn’t do a good favor to the teachings of Ogmios if I did not practice their noble virtues." Explained the vates.

"What are those noble virtues you’re talking about?" Asked Sunset Shimmer.

"Those are the great values that Ogmios, the first druid and cofounder of Eponia, bequeathed us to sustain a strong society. They are: Honor, Honesty, Justice, Hospitality, Loyalty and Courage."

"That is fascinating. They kinda remind me of the Elements of Harmony. "Twilight said.

A sudden moan caught the attention of those present, Rainbow Dash was waking up...

"Rainbow Dash!" They shouted, all relieved that her friend woke up.

The blue pegasus whimpered and opened her eyes wide. "Ugh, I feel like I've been hit by a train."

"It's normal, the aconite poison weakens muscles a lot, you must rest." Gwrthfiotig said.

"Aconite? What the hay is that? And who are you by the way?" Rainbow asked confused.

"I’m just the pony that has saved your life young lady." The unicorn simply replied. "Just rest awhile."

"Rainbow Dash, he's Gwrthfiotig, the village vates, he has cured you of the poison." Twilight explained.

Rainbow Dash was perplexed after what Twilight told her.

"I’ve been poisoned?"

"Yes darling, those disgusting pirates we run into hit you with a poisoned arrow." Said Rarity.

"Awright everypony, the food is ready. C’mon Rainbow, it’ll be good for ya ta eat somethin’, "Applejack said near the fireplace where the porridge was prepared.

The farmer pony and Pinkie served the rations on wooden plates. Gwrthfiotig congratulated both ponies for their plate and thanked them for the cooking detail.

"A delicious dish Miss Applejack." Gwrthfiotig said.

"You're welcome pal, anythin’ for the pony who saved Rainbow Dash's life." Applejack replied.

"Gwrthfiotig, I wanted to know if you could help us in one last thing." Twilight commented suddenly after taking a sip of her mead. "We are not from here and we were wondering if there was somewhere to learn about the history of Eponia."

"I already assumed you were not from here, but tell me, is it Eponia's story what really interests you?" The girls didn’t understand the question. "No, do not answer ..." He said making a gesture with the hoof.

Gwrthfiotig cleared his table and before the watchful look of the ponies placed a kind of round table with a black glass in the center. Drawn in it were several overlapping circles and other lines crisscrossed in them.

"What is that?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

"This is a Fionn’s Window. A gift that Fionn, one of the first disciples of Ogmios, gave us to use it as a method of clairvoyance." Explained the vates.

Gwrthfiotig took out what looked like a pendulum from his saddlebag and levitated it with his magic to place it on the black glass. Then, the pendulum began to spin, and the druid remained focused with his eyes half-closed looking at the table...

"I see a strong bond that unites you all... a friendship that transcends the threads of fate... but, wait... you, Sunset Shimmer..." The unicorn froze at the sound of her name. "I see a turbid past, very turbid... full of rage, ambition and cruelty... but above all I see loneliness and sadness..." Sunset ducked her head and Twilight put a hoof on her back to cheer her up. "However, I see light in the present... a rebirth, happiness, wisdom... and an uncertain future... although, I can feel something... yes, pain... there is pain, but you won’t have to face it all alone, not this time... the wounds of the past they will return, and it will be your decision to close them or let the misery that revenge brings with consumes you... "

The pendulum stopped and Gwrthfiotig closed his eyes. The vates shook his head and opened his eyes while the girls looked at him surprised and even frightened.

"What the hay was that?" Applejack asked confused.

"Hold on... Did you just read us the future?" Rarity asked.

"Oh, my gosh! That’s amazing! I have tried it many times, but it does not work as well as my Pinkie Sense, is it really the future that you have told us? "Pinkie's quick way of speaking surprised the vates.

"Everypony owns their own destiny, the Ogam and Fionn’s Window are only guides that warn us of the things that can happen." Gwrthfiotig explained. "Anyway, and going back to the previous question, if it's history what you want to learn, I do not need the Ogam to tell you where to go. If you go to the Druid College of Horsenaforda you will find what you are looking for."

"So that’s what the Ogam is for, Gwrthfiotig can we learn about the Ogam there?" Twilight asked curiously.

"I’m sorry Miss Sparkle, but I'm afraid you can’t, the knowledge of the Ogam is something that is reserved for those ponies that are trained as druids.” that answer disappointed Twilight. ”However, if you need guidance or help, I'm sure you will find several druids, bards and vates willing to help you, as I have done now."

"Well, it’s a way to start.” Added Applejack.

"Anyway, thank you very much for everything." Twilight said retreating to the door along with the rest.

"You’re welcome, and take care of that wing Rainbow Dash, don’t fly for a few days, let the poultice take effect and you'll heal fast."

"I will, thank you very much Gwrthfiotig." Replied the pegasus gratefully.

"Oh, and before I forget, look for some blue-robed pony, they are the bards, they will help you to know our history. And if you want to see the archdruid, tell him I send you, and give him my bests." Gwrthfiotig accompanied the group out of his cabin and said goodbye. "Take the road to the north, it’s a straight way, you will reach Horsenaforda in about seven hours."

After closing the door, the girls prepared to leave the city. Following the directions of the vates, they found the road that went north. The whole countryside outside the town stretched before them like a great green mural. After the first hoofstep outside the walls, the journey began.

"Rainbow darling, are you sure your wing is fine?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah, well, it still hurts a little, but I'll be fine." They all looked at Rainbow to make sure this time she was not lying. "I'm fine! Seriously... that medicine has purged all the poison it might have."

"Well girls, heading to Horsenaforda!" Twilight said.

"And what are we waiting for? Let’s go!" Shouted Sunset Shimmer excitedly.

Author's Note

*Welcome to Eponia
**Many thanks
Well a little short but hope you like it! :twilightsmile:

9 - The Wandering Skáld

The group went up some wide stairs that led to the room were the arch-druid was. Following the advice of Spáthl Empáiath the intention of Twilight and her friends was to find out what that pony knew about the Order and the whereabouts of some living member.

On the last floor, they found a guard still as statue, but who followed all the movements of the mares and the young dragon like a hawk preying a rabbit.

"Halt! Only the arch-druid and the authorized members of the College can pass through here.” The guard explained.

"We need to see the arch-druid, it's very important." Said Twilight.

"Do you have an appointment with him?"

"Well... not exactly." Replied the princess.

“Then I can't let you pass. Only official business or friends of the arch-druid can cross this door.” The guard remained in his place and it seemed that nothing and no one could convince him otherwise.

Twilight was thinking and then she remembered the last words that Gwrthfiotig told them before leaving Dwrnhorsefawr.

"But we are friends, Gwrthfiotig sends us, the vates from Dwrnhorsefawr." At Twilight's words the guard seemed to change his expression.

"Wait here, please." He said and withdrew to cross the door.

A few minutes passed that seemed like hours to the girls until the guard appeared again.

“The arch-druid wants to see you. You can come in.” Said the guard.

Kindly, the guard showed them the way and they went to a room full of codices, scrolls and manuscripts that the ponies couldn’t understand what they were for. Though Twilight was amazed with that, if they weren't on an important mission she'd have asked permission for read and study all of that stuff. But probably all those papers were exclusive for druids and College members.

In the room, in front of a desk, there was an old unicorn dressed in a white robe adorned with golden interlacing.

"My name is Bedw Gwarcheidwad, and I am the arch-druid of the Horsenaforda College." The ponies began to wonder why all the ponies in Eponia had such unpronounceable names. "Do you know Gwrthfiotig?"

"Yes, he told us that he was a good friend of yours." Said Twilight.

“Indeed, he and I studied together, but I stayed here in Horsenaforda and he became a vates. Very well, but first I would like to know who you are, please.” The archdruid replied.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle, and they are my friends: Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Sunset Shimmer and Spike. We come here looking for information.”

"Young lady, if information is what you’re looking for, you should talk to Spáthl, he is the one who guides the neophytes and is in charge of the Hall of Stories." Bedw replied.

"We already talked to him, but there are things he doesn't know enough about," Spike said.

"Why is there a dragon with you? Never mind, I find that hard to believe, Spáthl is one of the best bards we have, that's why he is the Hall Guardian."

"Well, he didn't seem to know much about the Order of Oak and Apple." Pinkie Pie replied.

The expression of the Druid suddenly changed. It was a mixture between bewilderment and fear. As if they had suddenly brought to light a murky subject.

“The Order was full of secrets and disappeared without a trace. There isn't much else to tell.” Bedw replied. However, Applejack could tell that this pony was hiding something.

"Correct me if I'm wrong partner, but I'm sure y’know more than you pretend us to believe. I'm pretty sure yer hidin' somethin' "

“How dare you girl? You come here, unknown strangers demanding answers to questions you don't even understand. Why should I even trust you?” The arch-druid was on the defensive, but it wasn’t anger what was perceived in him, but perhaps fear…

"You’re right, you don’t know if you should trust us." Said Twilight. "But maybe being really honest with you, you realize that we are not your enemies." At that Twilight got rid of the cloak that covered her by showing her wings, despite of the stupefied looks of her friends and the arch-druid. "Let's start over again. My name is Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship of Equestria.”

"Are you... are you an alicorn?" Bedw asked without giving credit to what his eyes saw. "It’s been centuries since an alicorn was seen in Eponia, I almost thought you were a legend."

“I wasn't born like this, I earned my wings a while ago thanks to my teacher, Princess Celestia of Equestria; I used to be a normal unicorn.” It seemed thet they got Bedw's attention. “Listen to me, I know it’s unusual for a group of outsiders to appear around here asking about something that almost no pony seems to understand, but I’m sure you know something; we have a mission, although we don't know exactly what it is, but we are almost certain that the Order can have the answers we are looking for.”

Bedw Gwarcheidwad, remained silent meditating an answer. The old druid was still surprised by Twilight's revelation. After looking at the ponies a little more, the arch-druid began to speak.

“The Order disappeared years ago, that’s what I can tell you. How and why, I wish I knew; infinite rumors have circulated about them, a civil war between their ranks, betrayals, abandonment of their acolytes... every rumor more ridiculous than the last.” The druid paused and took a deep breath. “I trained many of its members in the past and had many contacts within the Order; I wish I knew what happened to my friends. However, the last of its members that I knew was still alive came to talk to me a few years ago, he told me. 'Bedw, my faithful friend, I go to a self-imposed exile to save my life; one day Eponia will be in danger, and I pray to the gods and our ancestors so that we can face the threat that hangs over us.' I asked him what he meant, but he assured me that it could endanger my life too.”

"Is that pony still alive?" Twilight asked.

"I don't really know, but I do know where he went." The arch-druid went to a shelf where he pulled out a scroll. He then spread it on his table showing its contents: it was a map of Prydadain. "He went to a place where no pony has dared to go in centuries: the Great Mother’s Grove."

"What makes that place so special?" Dash asked.

"That forest is cursed... it’s the home of wild beasts and it is said that even the plants have their own consciousness." The Druid explained. "If I'm right, it's the perfect hiding place."

"Why is it called like that?" Rarity asked.

"It’s the place where our Great Mother Epona was buried, in a tumulus from which a majestic oak tree grew." Bedw explained. “It was a pilgrimage site until the end of the Interregnum War, from there the forest became hostile; It was as if Epona herself had been mad at us for having failed her and not continue her legacy as she wanted." Perhaps it was them imagination, but the girls saw a tear fell through the eyes of the druid.

"Thank you very much sir, you have been very helpful." Twilight said.

"I don't know what you’re looking for, but it must be very important to be willing to enter that infernal place." Bedw replied.

"Uhm... I'd rather not go." Said Fluttershy scared.

"Come on, we've been in worse places," Rainbow said, confident as always.

"I won’t try to dissuade you, you have that determination in you look that says 'we will reach the end'." Said The Druid. "I wish you luck, and sorry for my abruptness from before."

"Don't mention it, thanks for everything Bedw." Twilight said putting her robe on again.

The mares and Spike said goodbye to the druid and left the College. They walked through the outer gardens towards the city center to decide the next course of action.

"I guess it's our turn to go to that forest, right?" Added Rarity.

"I think it's the next logical step." Said Twilight.

"I don't think we should leave now anyway, it's getting’ dark, and we don't even know where that grove is. " Said Applejack.

"Applejack is right, I suggest resting and tomorrow we calmly decide what to do.” Said Spike.

“Alright, let's go to the inn to see if we can have a decent break." Twilight said.

The group headed towards the "The Winged Helm" inn. In the center was a burning fire giving heat to the entire room with several benches around it. At the tables you could see different ponies drinking and eating and in one corner two earth ponies played music with a lyre and a strange type of violin. The girls sat at an empty table and it wasn't long until the innkeeper approached them.

“Good evening, what can I do for you? We have good ale, mead, cider, and maybe some wine.”

"Eight mugs of cider please." Twilight said, but Spike came over and whispered something in his ear. "Scratch that, we’ll take seven ciders and a mug of mead."

The innkeeper went to the bar to serve the drinks.

"Damn, I forgot to ask if we could rent a room." Twilight said realizing her mistake.

"Don’t worry sugarcube, I’ll ask her." Applejack said getting up from the table.

"I’ll go with you." Said Rainbow Dash.

Twilight's sight moved to Sunset Shimmer. The orange unicorn was quiet and head down.

"Sunset, are you all right?" The unicorn suddenly looked up to look at her friend. "You haven't said a word since we left the Hall of Stories."

"Sorry Twilight, I was... thinking." Sunset said in a muted voice.

"It's for that tapestry, isn't it darling?" Rarity asked.

Words weren’t needed, Sunset just sighed. It was obvious for everypony that that tapestry left Sunset speechless, and it was no wonder.

“Sunset, don't let that torment you. We know the identity of the tapestry pony, now we just need to find out more about the Order. You'll see how everything will come to light.” Twilight said trying to cheer up her friend by rubbing her with her hoof. Sunset responded with a kind smile.

Meanwhile, Applejack and Rainbow Dash tried to talk with the innkeeper about to rent rooms.

“Well, maybe we have a place for the seven of you and the dragon. It will be two aurei per head.” The innkeeper said.

"Would you accept bits?" Applejack showed her gold coins and the innkeeper stared at them. After putting one in her mouth and checking it well she accepted the payment.

"My, my, what are two mares doing alone in a place like this?" Said a voice next to Applejack and Rainbow. It was a pegasus partially dressed in legionnaire's armor and visibly drunk. Apart from that, several wounds and scars were noted.

"We're not alone partner." Applejack said trying to disuade him away kindly.

"I see, do you feel like drinking something?"

"Nope, we are already served." Rainbow Dash replied.

"Wow, you are a hard nut to crack."

"No offense buddy, but we're busy." Said Applejack.

“You ungrateful nags. I’m a soldier, I gave the best years of my life defending Prydadain from her enemies. You see this?" The legionnaire pointed his right eye, he had a large cut and a scar near the eye socket, he was of that eye... this gesture startled the country pony and the pegasus. “I lost my eye and part of my wing in a skirmish against the unicorns. Those heartless barbarians... I demand respect!” The shout was heard throughout the tavern. “Fíon Dearg, bring me something to drink. But not beer that tastes like deer urine, I want a decent wine."

"Don't you think you've drunk enough Sagitta?" Asked the innkeeper serious.

“Don’t push it innkeeper, I am a soldier, and soldiers when they’re on leave they get drunk.” Said the legionnaire.

"Hey! I think you’re crossing the line comrade." Said a voice behind Sagitta. It was the pony who played the lyre.

“Tu quoque Cobernium? You don't even belong here. I sacrificed that much on the battlefield for this? This is not the Prydadain I fought for…” The legionary left indignantly and staggered towards the door.

"Thanks partner, that guy was startin’ to be a pain in the ass." Said Applejack; Looking at him better, she recognized the pony instantly, pale fur, brown mane, knotted beard... it was the same pony that showed them the way to the Druid College that same day. "It seems that you help us twice with this."

“It was nothing, but please, do not judge Sagitta too hard. He is an injured veteran in every way. He lost all his friends fighting against Horntriu's unicorns…” said the lyre pony. "Although he tries to get tough, he has not overcome it, and his disability has declared him unfit to fight... for a pegasus who only knows war is practically killing him in life. So he spents his entire veteran pension drinking and whoring with the hope that the alcohol and the embrace of a mare could whipe his pain."

"Yikes... I guess he must be having a terrible time." Rainbow Dash began to think about her wound and how she would act if she was suddenly told that she could not fly again. A part of her couldn't help but feeling sorry for Sagitta.

"By the way, we haven't introduced ourselves properly, I'm Applejack, and she's Rainbow Dash."

"My name is Lir, and I'm a skáld." Said the pale pony.

"A what?" Dash asked.

“Musician, poet, warrior… I follow the old ways that the Mighty Helms left us when they arrived to Eponia. I came here to learn new things; I have traveled this land so many times that I know it like the back of my hoof.”

The innkeeper left the bar with several jugs in the direction of the table where the group was waiting.

“Why don't ya sit with us? Is the least that we can do to thank ya for helping’ us before and for showin’ us the way to the College.” Suggested Applejack.

"It will be my pleasure." Lir gave Applejack a wide smile accepting her offer.

The skáld accompanied the mares to the table where their friends were.

"Applejack, Dash, what took you so long? And who is this pony?" Twilight asked.

“Guys, let me introduce y’all to Lir; Lir, these are our friends Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Fluttershy, Sunset Shimmer and Pinkie Pie, and this little dragon feller is Spike.”

"Hey, I know you, you're the pony that helped us to find the Druid College." Pinkie said suddenly.

"Indeed pink lady, that’s me."

“Come sit with us darling. By the way, that lyre of yours sounds beautiful.” Said Rarity looking closely at the string instrument.

“Thank you so much, it’s a family heritage. They say it belonged to one of the first skálds that reached Cobernia with the Mighty Helms.” Explained Lir.

The ponies chatted on various topics while drinking nonchalantly. However, Twilight soon brought up the issue that worried them from the beginning...

"Well guys, what are we going to do with our mission?" Asked the princess.

"What about we leave tomorrow and head out to that forest?" Said Rainbow Dash.

"Sorry for interfere, but where are you going?" Asked Lir.

"We have to go to a place called the Great Mother's Grove." Pinkie said, to which Lir almost choked on her drink.

“Have you lost your minds? For the Morrigan, what have you missed in that cursed place?”

"Sorry, I don't pretend to be rude, but it's something we must do." Twilight said trying to be polite.

"As you wish, but you should know that few ponies have entered that place and returned to tell."

"The arch-druid has already warned us that it was a dangerous place, but we have been in worse situations," Rainbow Dash said with her usual confidence.

“If you say so… but did he tell you what you can find in there?” A silence took hold of the table and Lir kept talking. "That place is full of beasts that seem out of a nightmare, some trees have a life of their own, and the vegetation is so thick in some places that neither the sunrays pass..."

"What kind of beasts are you talking about?" Asked Sunset with a serious look.

"Do you know what a warg is?" They all shook their heads. “They are giant wolves with black fur like a night without a moon or stars and hard as the chainmail, silver eyes like the bright moon and sharp fangs like the blade of a seax… its bite is so strong that it could penetrate the scales of a dragon like butter.” Spike swallowed scared with that comment and began to tremble. "And they are able to gut an adult pony with a single blow."

The girls looked scared at the skáld. The description of these creatures caused every one of the hairs of their manes to stand on.

"And... you say those creatures inhabit that f-forest?" Asked Fluttershy trembling.

"Among other things… but certainly the wargs are the worst."

"w-well, it won't be that bad." Rainbow Dash said trying to hide her fear.

Lir looked at the blue pegasus with a smirk and he snorted. “Years ago, a regiment of ten legionaries entered there. They were attacked by two wargs… only two of them survived.”

"What happened to the others?" Asked Applejack intrigued, trying to look confident, but scared like the rest.

"Devoured alive..." Rarity passed out in Twilight's hooves at that revelation. “Unfortunately, the two who survived didn’t end well; one his wings were torn off with a bite and he bled to death shortly after; when they found the other, he was in shock... But if you think you can do better than a group of trained soldiers, I won’t dissuade you."

The girls looked at each other worried and scared. Entering unfamiliar terrain in a carefree manner was an unequivocal sign of stupidity.

"Have you been there?" Applejack asked.

"Yes, I was. Once, long time ago. But not for too long, a carnivorous wild boar attacked me, and I didn’t come back after that.”

"Could you guide us?" The farmer asked again.

"Applejack, can we talk for a second?" Twilight said taking her friend a little far from the rest of the group. “Do you think this is a good idea? We don't know anything about that pony, what if he attacks and steals from us.”

“I know Twilight, I know it's risky, but you know that we don't have anyone else to trust. This pony seems to know a lot about Eponia and its corners, and I sincerely believe that he’s reliable. I don't ask you to trust him, I ask you to trust mah instinct.” Twilight stared at her friend for a second. Then she looked at Lir. The princess didn’t know if they could trust him, but agreed to trust Applejack.

"Ok Applejack, you don't usually make a mistake in these things, I hope this won’t be an exception." Applejack smiled at Twilight and together they returned with the others.

They both returned to the table and sat down to ask Lir if he would be willing to lead them there.

"Lir, listen, could you lead us to the Grove?" Twilight asked.

"Do you really want me to get into that demonic forest?"

"From what you have told us we need help to get through it and it seems that you know a lot about that place." Twilight inquired.

“If you really want me to accompany you to that cursed place, it would be fair for you to tell me why you want to go there at least.” Lir replied.

"They told us that we would find answers to our questions about the Order of the Apple and the Oak in that place." Sunset replied.

Lir stared at the ponies with an expectant face.

“So, you're going to get into one of the most dangerous places in Eponia to find information about something they say disappeared years ago, and without any certainty that you find what you’re looking for. Am I the only one who thinks your plan is a total madness?” The skáld increasingly understood less the intentions of the Equestrians.

"Nope, you’re not the only one who thinks that, but clear as sugar we have no other choice." Said Applejack.

“Very well, I would lie if I told you that I’m not intrigued. All right then, we’ll leave tomorrow in the morning.” Lir got up and finished his drink with one swallow, marched toward the bar and ordered another drink.

After spending the night at the inn, the girls and Spike met with Lir at the exit. Together they passed through the city gates and entered the countryside again.

"So, you are from the distant Equestria." Lir commented as they jogged along the road.

"Yup, and where are ya from?" Applejack asked.

“I’m from Cobernia. Born and raised in the city of Coblana, in the place they call Black Hill founded by the remnants of the Mighty Helms.”

"That's the capital of Cobernia, right?" Twilight asked what Lir nodded.

"Is Cobernia very different from Prydadain?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

“At first glance, no, if you look at Prydadain and Cobernia there are no major differences between them, in Cobernia earth ponies are majority and Prydadain is more cosmopolitan, even though the pegasi are the rulers. But we are different worlds; it’s as if everything that united us since the time of our Great Mother vanished with the Interregnum War.”

Lir's gaze changed to show a sad expression, which didn’t go unnoticed.

The Interregnum War, that conflict didn’t stop ringing among the inhabitants of Eponia. How much had happened since that one? Hundreds of years? More than a thousand? And yet it was still remembered by everyone.

Twilight began to think about the last time there was a war in Equestria. In fact, the mere mention of that word was like a myth in his home, the small conflicts were resolved satisfactorily and without damage. But here... the ponies solved their problems in the old way. A bloody old way.

At a crossroads they came across a sign. There they read a notice in Pony Latin.

"What does it say in there?" Asked Rainbow Dash.

Twilight approached and read it carefully. "It says: 'space guarded by the Legion'."

"We're close." Lir said and they continued along that fork. "Now listen, even if no one enters the Forest it would not be unusual to run into some legionnaire patrol, if that happens let me speak."

The girls nodded and followed the step.

When they reached the edge of the forest, they stopped dead. Something was not right. The forest gave off a strange aura. The Everfree Forest was definitely a scary and chaotic place, it was the typical place where Discord could feel at home.

But this was different, they could try to look deep into the trees and they could only see darkness. And beyond that, strange noises could be heard that froze them blood.

"So... is this the Great Mother's Grove?" Rarity asked trying to hide her nervousness.

Lir laughed at that comment. “No, the Grove is supposed to be deep in the forest. But no pony has come there and returned to tell.” A silence settled in the group. "Are you sure you want to enter?"

"We came so far to retreat now, besides, we have no choice." Twilight replied.

"Stop right there!" A pony shouted.

The group looked in the direction of the voice and saw four legionaries approaching them. Lir took a step forward. "Slán soldiers, is there a problem?" Asked the skáld.

"It's me who asks the questions, what are you doing so close to this Forest?"

"I’m taking these ponies to Hofrvik, we have taken this path because I assumed it was safer." Lir tried to explain.

“Are you going to Hofrvik? Bordering the Forest?” Asked the legionnaire doubting.

"Yes, we thought we could avoid the presence of bandits."

"Captain, I don't trust them, I'm sure they’re spies." Another legionnaire commented.

“Don't be an idiot soldier, the spies used to go two by two, in groups of three at most, you'll never see a group of eight spies.” Suddenly he noticed Spike who was next to Twilight. "Or nine... How do you have a dragon with you?"

Twilight did not like the look with which the legionary looked at Spike and simply pushed him away until he left him behind her.

“A dragon so young among ponies is suspicious. You are going to have to come with us.”

"What? Don't even think of approaching Spike.” Said Twilight standing between the soldiers and Spike.

"It's not a suggestion young lady." The legionaries drew their swords. "You will come with us by hook or by crook."

Everyone got nervous, it wasn't until Lir opened his mouth when they reacted.

"Run!" The squeak shouted and they all followed.

The legionaries rode towards them chasing them with their swords. They fled to the only possible place: inside the forest... The legionaries hesitated for a moment but continued their persecution.

While Twilight and her friends dodged huge branches and roots the legionaries did the same, but suddenly something grabbed one by the hind legs.

"Help!" The pegasus shouted from the ground. His companions looked at him and ran to help him, only to see that what had grabbed him was a huge tree.

"Hold on soldier!" The superior shouted, trying to hold him by the front hooves.

"Help me!" He shouted desperately, but they couldn't do anything. The tree dragged him and swallowed him in his roots at the horrified look of his companions.

"Let's get out of here! Fly now!” Shouted the superior.

"What about the intruders?"

"Let the forest swallow them…"

After this the legionaries took flight and with difficulties due to the dense vegetation, they managed to escape beating their wings with force and frightened.

"What the hay was that?" Applejack asked, still perplexed by what had happened.

“Have you forgotten? Here are sentient trees. Let's get out of here now before we become their next meal.”

They continued advancing through the forest among huge trees that covered the sun.

"I don't like this place at all." Said Fluttershy shyly.

"What's wrong Fluttershy?" Rarity asked.

"You mean apart the creepy and tense ambiance? It's, strange, we haven't seen a single animal since we entered this forest." Said the yellow pegasus.

What Fluttershy said was true, except for the noise of a few birds they saw neither a squirrel, nor a rabbit, nor anything...

"Lir, do you know where the Grove is?" Twilight asked.

"They say it’s the center of the forest, judging by the moss we are on the right track."

"Why don't we play a game while we walk?" Pinkie proposed trying to calm tensions.

"I don't know if it's the best time for a game Pinkie." Spike said smiling at the optimism of the pink mare.

The little sunlight that filtered through the tree branches was hiding as the day ended.

"Girls, I'm afraid we should camp, trust me, we don't want to go through the forest at night." Lir explained.

They started riding the camp. Rarity, Twilight and Sunset set up tents with the help of their magic and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked for firewood. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Lir and Spike took care of the bonfire, the torches and the rest of the camp tools.

After dinner, they set out to sleep, with Lir keeping the first guard.

Applejack could not rest well and approached the earth pony to make him some company.

"Howdy Lir."

"Oh, hello Applejack, don't you sleep?" He asked.

"Nope, truth is I can’t stop thinking about what we saw before, that tree that swallowed the legionnaire..." she said.

"Yes, bad stuff..." Lir's response was so simple that Applejack was surprised.

"It doesn't seem like it was a big deal to ya."

"I don’t pretend to sound unconcerned, but I have already been in the company of death too long for something like that to surprise me." Applejack listened in silence.

"I don't understand how you can stand it."

“I don't know how things will be in Equestria, but here in Eponia war and death are old companions. And I think that's the problem, that everypony is obsessed with war. Ponies forget the little things that make this world a better place: music, poetry, arts... don't get me wrong, I never say no to a good sword fight, but there are more things in life..."

Applejack could see how that rough-looking pony proved quite sensitive.

“You know Applejack? I can understand that for you this is too different from what you are used to, but I would not change Eponia for anything in the world, it’s my country, it is my home.”

“I understand ya, I wouldn't change Equestria for anything, I can't imagine my life away from Sweet Apple Acres either. Once I tried, when I was a filly, livin’ another life away from I belong, but I discovered that there ain’t no place like home.” Applejack gave Lir a smile which he handed back.

Suddenly Lir's ears stiffened and he looked closely at a dark area of the forest.

"What's wrong?" Applejack asked.

"There's something there..." Lir said whispering nervously.

Applejack turned a little scared. "I can't see anythin’."

"That doesn't change the fact that there is something there hiding in the darkness." Lir rose silently and approached for a torch.

He carefully began to illuminate into the darkness until he could see something that froze his blood.

A huge row of teeth lit up in the firelight and large silver eyes accompanied him. Lir soon saw who those teeth and eyes belonged to, because a huge beast slowly approached them ...

“Warg!” The skáld shouted, unsheathing his sword, a huge edge with a hilt shaped like a horse with its legs extended in X.

Applejack got up suddenly and the girls woke up due to Lir's scream.

The warg that stalked them was a huge black wolf, much bigger than an adult pony. He rushed before Lir but he defended himself with the torch in one hoof and the sword in his mouth.

The girls did not give credit to what they saw, the descriptions they heard of the wargs were horrible, but seeing it up close was even more terrifying. However, not to leave Lir alone, Sunset and Twilight rushed to help him with them magic, throwing lightning bolts that hit the body of the beast.

He charged the princess and the orange unicorn, but Lir climbed on him before he could hurt them. The warg shook, knocking down the skáld and making him decide to change prey. When he was close, about to give him a bite, Applejack charged him and hit him with a powerful buck in the head that left the giant wolf staggering.

"C’mon everypony, we have to go!" Said the farmer helping Lir get up.

Luckily for the group there was nothing of value between the tents, Lir quickly grabbed his saddlebags and rode along with the mares and Spike to leave the warg behind. However, before they could run away, the animal howled making a noise that was heard all across the forest, which Lir did not take as a good thing.

They all rode through the darkness of the forest guided by the lights emitted by Sunset’s, Rarity’s and Twilight's horns and Lir's torch. Just when they reached a path, two other pairs of silver eyes received them with fury.

Two other wargs blocked their way anxious to drive their teeth into the meat of the ponies.

"Damn it... as if a lonely warg wasn't bad enough, " Lir said visibly scared preparing his sword.

All were put in combat position ready to defend themselves against the imminent attack of the beasts.

The wargs pounced on them, but were stopped by a protective shield created by Sunset and Twilight, then Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Lir launched themselves to attack them kicking and slashing.

Dash lamented over her wounded wing, if only she could fly she would have some more advantage over the wargs.

Sunset, Twilight and Rarity used their magic to keep the wolves at bay.

Fluttershy found herself unable to calm them, despite his abundant ability with animals and Pinkie Pie did her best to distract the fierce creatures by sneaking through the trees.

"Twilight be careful!" Sunset shouted when she saw that a warg was going to attack her from behind.

Sunset created a shield with her magic and the giant wolf began to hit it with its claws. The other was mocked by joint attacks by Rarity and Rainbow Dash.

Just when it seemed that they had them more or less controlled, a third warg, who they thought they had left behind, appeared attacking Applejack. Lir jumped on top of the beast stabbing him with his sword, which caused a howl of pain from the wolf. However, that did not kill him, and he turned around trying to get rid of the earth pony skáld. Applejack lay on the floor with a wound on her side by the whip of the warg and couldn’t get up.

"Damn filthy dogs!" Lir shouted without letting go of his sword that was still stuck in the loin of the warg.

The wolf shook off Lir with the sword still stuck. It was going to devour the skáld when suddenly...

"What is going on here?!" a voice shouted through the trees.

They could not see anything, until three blue rays knocked down the wargs. Among the trees arose a pony covered with a large gray robe, carried a staff and covered his head with a hood, but you could still see a horn shine, that pony was a unicorn.

The wargs pounced on him, but he deftly defended himself with his staff and force fields. With the magic that emanated from his horn he expelled energy that knocked down two of the wargs, who fled in terror as scared puppies.

The only one left was the one who attacked the group first, with its claws and jaws attacking the mysterious pony, but he defended himself again and again. Suddenly the unicorn noticed the sword that the warg carried in his spine, and with the help of its magic it took it off causing the beast to let out a cry of pain. He pounced on the pony again, but he was faster and levitating the sword stuck in his chest, right in the middle, right in the heart.

The warg stumbled, and after coughing and growling a little he collapsed dead on the ground.

Lir got up and went to help Applejack. "Are you all right?" He asked as he helped the mare get up.

“That beast hit me pretty hard, but I will recover. Thank you,” Said the cowgirl.

Suddenly Lir noticed a detail that left him stunned. "Hey, what's wrong with your Cutie Mark?"

Applejack's Cutie Mark was shining intermittently, but not only hers, Twilight's, Sunset's, Rarity's… they all shone as when they solved a friendship problem.

"What does this mean? We haven't solved anything as far as I know…” Rainbow Dash said perplexed.

"I'm not sure, but I think we've found what we were looking for." Twilight said watching the hooded pony that saved their lives.

Their mysterious savior walked cautiously to where they were. He didn’t take of his hood, but they could see that he was an old unicorn.

“What in the name of Epona are you doing here? Who are you?” He asked.

“We came here looking for a pony, we hoped to know more about the Order of the Apple and the Oak.” Explained Twilight. “Are you that pony?”

“It depends who asks…”

“I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle, from Equestria. We came here following a mysterious signal in our Friendship Map, in short, the clues brought us here.”

“From Equestria you said? Then my spell had worked… thank the gods. I’m Derw Doeth, Grand Master of the order, or at least I was…” The unicorn pulled of his hood and greeted the ponies. His mane was a light grey color, and a great beard covered his muzzle.

“So, Twilight, we can finally find answers.” Said Sunset Shimmer approaching to her friend.

At the sight of the orange unicorn, the druid opened his eyes in disbelief. He approached to Sunset and she suddenly shivered not understanding the reaction of the elder pony.

“It can’t be, is… is that you Sunset Shimmer?” He asked surprising everypony for knowing them friend’s name.

“You… you know me?” Asked Sunset bewildered.

“Of course I do… how could I forget my own granddaughter…”

Author's Note

Well, I know it's been a while since I updated this but I was kinda blocked, sorry :fluttershysad:
Hope y'all enjoy it!

10 - The Fomóire

The wind howled through the branches of the forest as the dim moonlight illuminated the corpse of the huge warg.

Derw Doeth's words left everypony present speechless, still trying to recover from the tough fight against the giant wolves.

"Uhm... did he say what I think he said?" Rainbow Dash asked surprised.

"Granddaughter? Then you are my…” Sunset said without giving credit yet.

"I know you have a lot of questions, but this is not the best place to answers." Said Derw Doeth interrupting Sunset. "Come with me to my cabin. There I will respond to everything you want, and I will take care of the wounded.”

The ponies listened to the druid and followed him to a medium-sized roundhouse made of stone with dark thatched roof. The interior was not much different from Gwrthfiotig's cabin, the Ovates from Dwrnhorsefawr, but this one was larger.

"You two are hurting more than anypony, let me check you out." He said referring to Lir and Applejack.

Although Applejack had superficial wounds and bruises from the blows, Lir had a large cut on his back, caused by a claw from the warg.

"You were lucky kid, that beast could have cut you in half." The druid said as he began to stitch up his wound.

"I won't go into this forest again without at least one chain mail." Lir said as he tried to bear the pain.

"Derw Doeth." Said Twilight. "You say we're here because of you, but why do you call us?"

"Do you know anything about the history of Eponia?" Derw Doeth asked, to which Twilight nodded.

"We were in the Hall of Stories in Horsenaforda." Explained the Princess of Friendship.

"If that’s true, then I’m afraid you only know history from Prydadain's point of view." Derw Doeth said. " Did they even tell you about Caturix?"

They all looked confused, all except Lir.

“Who?” Asked Twilight.

"He was the founder of the Blue Horns of Horntriu." The Skáld said. "During the Interregnum War he led the unicorns of the North against the legions in a brutal guerrilla warfare that nearly decimated the armies of Lugus... they called it Purinos Polemos, The Fiery War." Everyone stared at Lir impressed by his knowledge as Derw Doeth nodded. "What? I’m a Skáld, my duty is to know about history…”

“Ah, a follower of the ancient traditions of the Mighty Helms. I haven't spoken to one of you in a long time.” Said Derw Doeth.

"Okay, under normal circumstances I would love to talk about history, but what was the question about?" Twilight asked.

"There are many things in the history of Eponia that are not told... After the Interregnum War Ogmios founded the Order of Oak and Apple to safeguard the harmony of our land and reach a consensus among the kingdoms that arose from the ashes of the conflict."

"Well, by the looks of it, he didn't do a good job..." Said Rainbow Dash while the rest looked at her with a serious look, although Derw Doeth did his best to ignore the comment. “What? I’m just saying.”

“The thing is that after the war the division wasn’t the only thing that happend. A group emerged from the shadows and ashes of the conflict that tried to take control of Eponia through chaos.” Explained Derw Doeth.

"Through chaos?" Asked Applejack.

"Looks like a plan devised by Discord." Pinkie Pie said.

"That group has been our enemy from the beginning, but after the Invasion of the Crystal Empire, and the role the Order played in defeating the invaders, our enemies vowed to destroy us once and for all."

"And what is the name of your enemies?" Twilight asked.

"They call themselves the Fomóire, or Fomorians." Said Derw Doeth.

"Fomorians? I’ve never heard of them…” Said Lir.

"Of course not, the Fomorians can’t be seen in broad daylight, metaphorically speaking. They are a top-secret society that act in the shadows.” Explain the druid. "Throughout history many who belonged to the high society of Eponia have been members of that society: Consuls, Earls, warriors, druids... there was even a king of Prydadain who was a Fomóire..."

“Sorry Derw Doeth, but what does this have to do with us? What does this have to do with ME?” Asked Sunset who was still eager to get some answers.

"The Fomóire knew from the beginning that the Order would be a hindrance to their plans, when the Empire invaded Eponia the Fomorians collaborated with them, but the Order managed to frustrate their plans. The remnants languished for a long time, but they recently returned for revenge… and they almost succeeded.” Derw Doeth looked down and closed his eyes. It was as if the pain of his memories poked him deep in his heart. "One by one, they were eliminating the members of the Order, they even destroyed our main fortress: Caer Ogma. For many years I was the sole survivor... but with you here, Sunset... I think hope can arise again."

Sunset Shimmer was shocked, she was still taking in the fact that Derw Doeth had recently said that he was her grandfather, and the things he told created more questions than answers.

"I know there are many things you want to know, be free to ask." The old druid said.

"It is true? Am I your granddaughter?” Derw Doeth nodded silently. “It can't be, how is it possible? If I am from Eponia, why did I grow up in Equestria? Who are my parents?"

"Your parents... " Derw Doeth paused briefly, took a breath, and stared at the orange unicorn. "Your mother was my daughter, a druid with more talent in magic than you could ever imagine... her name was Seren Sglein."

"And my father?" Sunset asked.

"Your father was a pegasus legionary, a brave, loyal, and honorable soldier named Ignis Gladius."

"I knew it! I knew the pegasus in that tapestry looked like you darling.” Said Rarity proud of being right.

"But why didn't I meet them? Why did they abandon me?” Sunset asked on the verge of tears.

"Sunset... they didn't abandon you... it's hard to tell." Derw Doeth tried to explain.

"What do you mean hard?"

"Tell me, do you have a horn with Ogham engraved on it?"

Sunset took out of her saddlebag the mysterious horn she had carried with her since she was a filly. "Is this what you’re looking for?"

"Yes, this horn is not a simple drinking container, it is what we need to be able to find what we need to defeat the Fomóire." Said the druid.

"How exactly?" Twilight asked curiously.

"This is a clairvoyant horn. It is done in the same way that a Fionn’s Wheel is made, only this is more specific, only the pony it was made for can be imbued with the visions engraved on it.”

Engraved on it? Hold on a sec partner, are ya sayin’ that this horn is like a crystal ball?” Asked Applejack.

“Something like that… but only Sunset can use it.” Derw Doeth went to a shelf and from it he took out four leather strips with various engravings. "Do you see this? This is what can help us put an end to the Fomorians.”

"What are those?" Asked Twilight.

“These are the four legendary treasures. Ancient objects of power from the time when Eponia was a strong kingdom united under the protective hoof of our Great Mother.”

"I heard the bards talk about them, but I thought they were that, just legends." Said Lir.

"Well, they’re very real. There are four: The Stone of Destiny, the Sword of Nuada, the Spear of Lugus and the Cauldron of Dagda.”

"What is so special about these objects?" Spike asked, looking at the engravings on the leather.

"All those objects are magical, the Order has been trying to get hold of them for centuries, but we could only get one in its day... well, two, but the Stone is in an immovable place."

"And what are its qualities? What about their origin?" Twilight asked excitedly to learn more about magic relics.

"The Stone of Destiny was the stone on which Ogmios engraved his first Ogham, with the help of a dragon friend of his, he transported it as an offering to Epona, they left it on a hill and when the Great Mother approached to it, it is said that the stone roared; that was taken as a sign that Epona's destiny was to be our queen. Today only a descendant of Epona can approach the stone to unleash its power.”

"But Epona had no offspring, did she?" Lir said convinced, but something in Derw Doeth's silence made him suspicious.

"Next up is Nuada 'Silver Horn' Sword. That sword was Nuada’s weapon, he was a great unicorn warrior who fought in the Great Dragon War; in a battle against the great dragon Sreng, he lost his horn, but with the help of Dian Cecht, Ogmios’ best ovates healer, he managed to create a silver horn that made him recover. However, he was no longer fit to fight, so he bequeathed his sword to Morrigan and she used it until the Interregnum War; there, after seeing the hecatomb of the conflict, she denied the sword and hid it in a safe place. There are those who say that the sword ended up in Avalon.”

Derw Doeth continued showing the Treasures.

“The third treasure is Lugus' Spear, a magnificent spear made with sacred oak wood and silver, a weapon capable of drawing the power of the Sun and Lightning. Lugus also used it in the War, but just like Morrigan, he did not feel worthy of it after seeing what the War caused and declared that the spear would not fight again until someone worthy of it appeared.”

"Wow, those weapons sure are awesome." Said Rainbow Dash excited.

"And the fourth one?" Asked Sunset.

“The last one is Dagda’s Cauldron. Dagda was an earth pony and friend of Ogmios who reached a deal with a dragon leader, the deal was that he would withdraw if Dagda managed to eat a whole stew that he prepared in a cauldron. The dragons didn’t hear about Dagda's appetite and he devoured everything in that cauldron. Since then the Cauldron was used by members of the Order to create powerful potions and in ritual banquets, until the death of Ogmios, who hid it before dying.”

"And all those things can help us?" Asked Sunset.

“Those are objects of great power, that's why the Fomorians have been looking for them for centuries, just like us. And now that you are here, we will have an opportunity. You’ll see Sunset, your father found one of the treasures in his days, and died for it…”

Sunset's face fell. She didn't know why, since she had long suspected that her true parents were dead, but knowing it for sure changed the circumstances a lot.

"How?" She asked.

"I can't tell you because I don't really know. But the horn can show you. Your mother prepared it for that.” Derw Doeth put away the pieces of painted leather and made his way to a hearth fire in the roundhouse. “I have to prepare a certain tonic for the spell to work, rest for a while, you must be exhausted. When it’s ready, I'll let you know and we'll start whenever you want.”

The group decided to rest in Derw Doeth's roundhouse while he worked on the potion he mentioned, so they stop to think about everything that happened. Most were trying to sleep, but four ponies were unable to get some shuteye. In one corner, Lir played his lyre and sang a song in the ancient language of the Mighty Helms, Sunset looked out the window into darkness of the forest still thoughtful, Twilight looked at her unsure of what to say due to the situation they were facing, and Applejack, who was pretending to sleep with her hat on her face, as if she were taking a nap in the shade of one of her yearned for Sweet Apple Acres apple trees, listened carefully to the melody coming from the skáld’s lyre.

When Lir stopped playing Applejack got up and walked towards him.

"Nice song." She said.

“Thanks, it's from an old poem from my ancestors. It’s about an ancient prophetess and her visions of the fate of the world.” Said Lir. "How about your wound?"

“Ah, it's nothin’, I’ll be fine. Thanks for help me back there.” Applejack said scratching where the warg had hit her.

“Don't mention it, you also saved my hide; I am sure that without your help the warg would have devoured me.”

"You were right, y’know?" The cowgirl said. "Those beasts were fearsome; I had never seen anything like it in my life."

"We were very lucky. Few are the ponies that face one warg, let alone three, and live to tell the tale. Thank goodness that old man knew what he was doing.” Lir looked towards the hearth fire where Derw Doeth was preparing something in his kettle. "Do you think he's legit or is he just a crazy old nag?"

"If he wanted to harm us, he would have let those giant wolves devour us, just like we did with ya, I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt." Applejack said convinced of the good vibes that Derw Doeth gave to her.

"Since you mentioned it..." Twilight said approaching them and joining the conversation. "I’m intrigued by what he said about the Sunset’s horn, if it can truly provide insights from the past it is a very useful tool."

"Why are ya so surprised, Twilight? Remember the potion Zecora gave ya when we discovered the Tree of Harmony.” Applejack said.

"I do remember, and if that horn has the same properties it will be incredible." Said the princess eager to discover new secrets.

"Out of curiosity..." Said Derw Doeth, who suddenly appeared. "Was that potion white?" Twilight nodded. "I’m familiar with that, it's very old, but it has nothing to do with the horn spell."

"Do you already have the potion, Derw Doeth?" Twilight asked.

"It's not really a potion, it's an infusion of herbs and other things that will help Sunset prepare her mind for her journey." The druid explained, perplexing those present.

"What do you mean? Are you going to drug her?”! Twilight asked scared.

"Drugging is not the word I would use, princess..." The druid said with a haughty smile. Trust me, I wouldn't do anything to put my granddaughter in danger. ” Derw Doeth walked over to where Sunset was to get his attention. "Sunset, leave me the horn, please." Sunset handed the horn to Derw Doeth and he filled it with the brew he had prepared. "We can start whenever you want."

"What is all this about?" Asked the fiery haired unicorn.

“At first you will experience some discomfort, but if you stay tuned to the sound of my voice everything will be fine. You will end up seeing certain events, those considered essential for your destiny. The Ogham will guide you… do you want to start?”

Sunset Shimmer looked at Twilight for a moment, like she was asking for advice. The princess of friendship looked at Sunset and after inspiring, she closed her eyes and when she opened them she nodded looking at her friend.

Sunset looked with her turquoise eyes at the horn and the smoking liquid that filled it, its scent did not exactly encourage consumption, but after a loud snort she began to drink.

Sunset whinnied at the bitter taste of the concoction. "For Celestia’s sake, who in his right mind could drink this?"

"Make an effort, please." Said Derw Doeth.

She resigned herself and continued to drink little by little due to how hot it was and the bitterness of the liquid. Once she finished the drink, her magic failed, and the horn fell to the ground. Sunset sat bolt upright on the earthy floor of the roundhouse and fastened her head with one of her hooves.

"Sunset, are you alright?" Twilight asked about to touch her friend.

"No, do not interfere, princess." Said Derw Doeth and stood in front of Sunset. "Sunset Shimmer, do you hear me?"

"Yes." She said staring at him.

"Okay, listen to the sound of my voice, don't listen to anything else." Derw Doeth pulled another strip of leather from its shelf, unfolded it, and displayed a symbol. ᚃ It was a horizontal line with three perpendicular lines pointing down. “Look closely at this few. Visualize a rectangular bronze shield, in the center is the head of a pony, with a wise and solemn gaze, and surrounded by songbirds.”

Sunset seemed in a trance, but Derw Doeth knew she was listening to each and every one of his words. The shield shone in her mind, decorated with the head of a pony who seemed to look at her and the birds were singing happily. Derw Doeth hoped that the unicorn would have the power to bring magic out of the horn.

"Now look at this other few." The druid brought out another piece of leather and on it was another similar symbol, but with four perpendicular lines pointing, this time, upward ᚉ . "Now visualize the branches of a hazel tree spread out over the curves of a stream, and a salmon leaping out of the water to catch a hazelnut in the air."

Sunset still barely blinked, she could feel the water flowing and the salmon jumping out. Twilight, Applejack, and Lir wondered if she was even conscious and kept their eyes on her.

"Let the Alder and the Hazelnut show you the way..." Said Derw Doeth.

Suddenly, the symbols engraved on the horn began to glow along with Sunset's own horn. A magical red aura began to surround the unicorn and she began to breathe heavily.

Twilight was beginning to worry about her friend, but she remembered Derw Doeth's words and hoped that the situation could end successfully.

Sunset's eyes began to tremble, and just as the red aura faded, Sunset fell to the ground...

"Sunset!" Twilight yelled.

The orange unicorn could hear her friend's scream, but all she felt was darkness around her. The noises she was hearing were soon muted, and for some reason replaced by others she couldn’t recognize.

Little by little, a beam of light appeared in the middle of the darkness. Sunset didn't know if she was conscious or unconscious. She didn't even know where she was, but a part of her urge her to go towards that light, something told her to follow those indescribable noises.

Slowly, she was able to make out various faded shapes as the light grew brighter and brighter, until finally everything around her took shape and the sounds became recognizable.

Sunset was in the middle of a battlefield...

Author's Note

Hi there!
I know this is a short chapter, but I promise that the next one is much longer, I've almost finshed it!
Here some fun facts:
- The Fomóire were originaly gods of Death, darkness and chaos in Irish Celtic Mythology. They fought against the Tuatha Dé Danann to control Ireland.
- The Treasures are based in the Four Treasures of the Irish Mythological Cycle.
- I chose those fews because of the meaning. ᚃ Fearn (the Alder) means the Spiritual Guide, the Inspiration; ᚉ Coll the Hazel is the Wisdom, the Knowledge, the enlightenment...

11 - Viros Veramos

Author's Note

Well, this chapter is longer than I thought, also I just wanted to put some songs that inspired me in during this chapter, hope you like it.
And here some historical facts and definitions :twilightsmile: :
- Futuo it's a roman expression that means "Fuck!". Romans like to swear a lot.
- Magister Equitum was a political office in Ancient Rome that means literally Master of Horses. During the Monarchy were the leaders of the cavalry, and in the Republic were appointed as lieutenants to the ruling dictator. The title was abolished by Mark Antony after Julius Caesar's death, but was restored during the Late Empire. I thought this was a good name for the leaders of the Legions (in Ancient Rome the Legions were commanded by a Legate).
- Turma was a cavalry squadron in the Roman Army, compossed by 30 horsemen and commanded by a Centurion.
- Caelia was a beer-like drink made by the Celtiberians, there's no much info about it except some writings by Pliny the Elder who compares it with the Gaulish Beer.
- Cercius was the name the Iberians gave to a strong wind that blows from the North or Northwest through the Ebro Valley (called Iber by the Romans). Cato The Elder and Aulus Gellius called it Circius. In modern Spanish is called Cierzo.
- Kynslóð it's an Old Nordic word that means 'descendants', I decided to use it to give a name to the descendants of the Mighty Helms. It sounded appropriate to me.

11 - Viros Veramos

The field was decorated with fire and blood and the screams of numerous ponies deafened the atmosphere.

Sunset watched in horror the scene before her. On the one hand, she was able to recognize the legionaries with their distinctive armor and helms, carrying spears and huge rectangular red shields.

The Legion battled other ponies whose aesthetics were totally different. They were earth ponies, which many of them had huge mustaches and beards. Their armor consisted of chain mail and bronze and iron helmets. They were also armed with spears and antenna swords.

Suddenly, Sunset saw one of those earth ponies galloping towards her. Frightened, she screamed and tried to create a magic shield with her horn, but it didn't work. Lucky for her, the pony galloping in her direction passed through her as if she was a ghost.

Then she figured it out. She was in a vision that the horn had created for her. She turned in the direction of the galloping pony to see him fighting a legionary pony. Only this one was different, his helmet had a crimson crest and he also wore a short cape of the same color. The legionnaire had between his teeth a double-edged short sword with sharp point. His coat was intense orange, a color Sunset was familiar with.

With a quick movement, the pegasus dodged a thrust from the ground pony and then buried his sword in the side. The pony groaned in pain and collapsed bleeding to death.

Suddenly, Sunset heard a voice coming from nowhere…

The Scobii Pirates were fierce warriors, but as legionaries our training was better. Though our strength wasn’t in us as individual soldiers, but as an army. Together we were like giant living meat grinder.

"Centurio!" Shouted another pegasus approaching.

"Magister Equitum!" The pegasus who now knew he was a centurion replied.

Then she recognized that the disembodied voice was the same as that pegasus’. She presumed that she was in his memories.

"Order a withdrawal of your troops, they overtake us on the right flank." The Magister Equitum said to immediately fly away.

"Telum Fidelis!" A nearby pegasus appeared before the centurion making the characteristic salute of the Legion. "Order withdrawal, they need us on the right flank."

Suddenly, the sound of a horn was heard heading west.

"It’s the king! He's in trouble!” The centurion said. "We have to go help him."

"But centurion, our orders are..."

"Futuo! It's the king we’re talking about! Regroup the centuria and let's go to give him auxilia!” The centurion yelled.

"You are crazy..." Telum said and started to regroup the troops.

Sunset Shimmer followed the legionaries as they flew to where the king was fighting more of those earth ponies. Unlike the legionaries, the king wore a cape of thick black fur, Sunset thought it might be a warg’s hide, and his helmet was bronze made and decorated with two wings.

The centurion landed skewering with his sword a pony threatening the king from behind.

"Your Majesty, watch out!" He yelled, but it was in vain because a pony approaching from the right stabbed the king with his spear.

However, the king did not surrender and killed the pony, only to have an arrow hit him in the left wing. The king collapsed in pain, but the centurion stood before his side to protect him.

"King Pegasutagus has fallen!" The centurion yelled as he tried to drag the king away from the heat of battle.

Telum Fidelis accompanied the centurion, while the rest of the legionaries covered his retreat.

"They hit me pretty good..." Pegasutagus said in pain.

"Your Majesty, we will take you to a safe place and you will recover."

"No, listen to me centurion, ships are approaching, we could see them from the horizon, if Scobii reinforcements arrive, Mareffraw is lost." The king said concerned. "What is your name?"

The centurion removed his helmet, revealing his red and yellow mane. He went to the king and told him his name ...

"Ignis Gladius, Centurion of the V Centuria, IX Cohors, Legio II Bellerophontia."

Sunset's eyes widened after hearing that. The pony in front of him, that imposing pegasus centurion was his father...

"Take this." The king removed a kind of gold choker from his neck and gave it to Ignis Gladius. "Give this torc to my wife, my queen, and tell her... don’t trust all the crows..."

Ignis picked up the torc and took off to see if what the king was saying was true. From the sky he was able to observe with horror that at least 15 ships were approaching the coast. If the Scobii received those reinforcements, both, the legion and Mareffraw, would be done.

"Telum!" Ignis yelled descending. "We need the artillery, take my centurion stamp and gather onagers, ballistae, everything you can get and send it on the way to the beach, those ships must be sunk."

“What about you? What are you going to do?" Asked Telum.

“I will gather all the legionaries and auxiliāriī that I can, we will clear the way for you; We can’t lose this battle."

Telum Fidelis looked worriedly at his boss and companion, took the seal and prepared to leave to carry out the order. "I won’t fail you, my friend, Ad Victoriam!" He said making the legionary salute.

"I know frater, Ad Victoriam! Ignis Gladius replied the greeting of his companion and went with the rest of the soldiers.

Ignis Gladius stood in the front line of battle with the legionaries, all in formation with shields in front and gladius spears and swords at the ready as the Scobii charged at them.

We were the best troops Prydadain army had to offer, but we weren’t the only ones there. At our back several regiments of auxiliāriī unicorn archers, the Sotaroas, fired at will, causing a shower of arrows to fall on the enemy. These unicorns were the best archers in Prydadain, and they prove it well.

"Push, push, push! We must clear the way!” Ignis Gladius yelled.

The ships were drawing closer to shore. The Legion Cohorts could keep the Scobii at bay on land, but they would not endure with the arrival of reinforcements.

Suddenly, a shower of incendiary shells streaked across the sky toward the sea. Ignis Gladius watched Telum Fidelis direct the legion's onagers and ballistae against the Scobii ships. Little by little, the ships caught fire and in approximately 20 minutes, six ships burned and went down.

When finally there were only four of the fifteen reinforcement ships left, they fought in retreat, and the army on the ground fled so as not to perish before the gladius of the legionaries.

The army of Prydadain won the victory...

With a bright flash, Sunset moved to another place, understanding that it was a different vision.

This time she was in a huge hall in what looked like a palace. She could see a pegasus walking from one side to the other, as if she was thinking what she was going to do. She was a young mare with ocean blue coat and reddish-orange mane and tail and an Antenna Sword with overlapping torc as cutie mark.

In front of her was her father, Ignis Gladius, the aforementioned Telum Fidelis and whom she recognized as the magister equitum of the Legion, although she still could not say what that meant.

Epona’s Palace was the most important building in Eponadunum, and now here we were, trying to tell the queen dowager the news of the battle, and how the king died at the hooves of the Scobii.

"We mourn your loss, my queen. King Pegasutagus died fighting with honor, and thanks to his sacrifice Mareffraw did not fall on the hooves of those filthy pirates.” Ignis Gladius said condolences to the queen dowager.

"My queen." The magister equitum interrupted Ignis Gladius. “We all mourn the king's death, but now there is a power vacuum on the throne. The crown prince is still very young.”

"There is no power vacuum." The queen said. "I, Adain Boudica, am the queen of Prydadain; and it will be until my son is ready to rule.”

"With all due respect Your Majesty, you will need the support of the Senate and the Druid Council to do that, otherwise they might consider that you want to plunge the kingdom into tyranny." The magister equitum explained.

"Falx Victrix, I have no intention of becoming a tyrant, I just want to preserve the title that corresponds to my son. My husband is gone, but I won't stay cross-hoofed as long as I keep breathing. Tomorrow I will gather the Senate and the Druid Council and explain the situation, they will surely understand.

The queen sat on the throne in the room and addressed the soldiers present again.

"Centurion, come forward." Ignis Gladius listened to the queen and appeared in front of her. "From what I understand you were a key figure in the victory against the Scobii."

"I only did what I was supposed to do, my lady."

"You don't have to be modest." The queen said. "Falx, I appoint you praetor of the senate, so I relieve you from your command as Magister Equitumm. Ignis Gladius, for your courage and ability I want to grant you the position of Magister Equitum of the II Bellerophontia, while promoting your optio, Telum Fidelis to centurio.” Ignis Gladius's jaw dropped at the queen's statement. "Likewise, since your actions helped save the army, the legionaries have agreed to award you the Corona Obsidionalis as an award."

"What? Whose idea was it?" Ignis Gladius asked.

"It was mine." Telum Fidelis suddenly said. "If it weren't for you, frater, the pirates would have decimated us, you deserve the Graminea as the most."

At the time I did not know what to say to my friend and comrade-in-arms. The Corona Graminea or Obsidionalis was the highest decoration of the Legion, it was only awarded to those who managed to save an army, and it was the same army that awarded it. Despite what happened, I couldn’t save the king, so I was not sure if I deserved it...

"Telum, Falx, I wish I could speak to Ignis Gladius in private if you don't mind." The queen motioned for Ignis Gladius to escort her to a discreet room where they could talk quietly. She locked the door. "Tell me, did Pegasutagus say anything to you before he died?"

"He just told me to tell you, 'Don't trust all the crows.' " Boudica was thoughtful. "Does it make sense to you, my lady?"

"I'm not sure... Ignis Gladius, I have to ask you for a favor. Turbulent times are coming; Pegasutagus' death will be a severe blow to Prydadain, but we must remain united if we want to survive. There could be detractors everywhere, in the Senate, among the families of optimates and nobiliores pegasi, the chieftains of the clans... so I need someone I can trust. Are you loyal to Prydadain?”

The vision was ahead of another memory. In this case, Sunset was in a large room of a huge building made of clouds. Inside, a bunch of pegasi dressed in elaborate robes were arguing heatedly.

Senate debates almost always ended in argues. I never liked politics, I'm a soldier, not a statespony, participating in senatorial activities seemed like a waste of time to me. Most of those pompous old ponies cared only for their own interests. But the Senate was Prydadain's most important political body. It limited the power of the monarchy and thus prevented any king from becoming a tyrant, therefore, not all senators must be scavenging vultures.

Since the queen asked me to be aware of what was happening there, I have not stopped my political activities, but what was discussed today could be a matter of life or death.

"We have to vote at once, will we go to war against Horntriu or not?" Asked a senator.

"I say no." Said Ignis Gladius. "Relations with Horntriu are tense, but they aren’t an immediate threat to us. Their king is old, their conflict against the Dal Rideta weakens them; But if we attack them, they could unite against us and be a greater threat than ever. A cornered snake is much more dangerous.”

"I agree with Ignis Gladius." Falx Victrix suddenly said. “However, if they are so weak, wouldn't it be a perfect opportunity to get rid of an enemy of our kin?”

"Do you want another Caturix to emerge, Falx?" Ignis Gladius asked.

“I did not expect cowardice from the Hero of Mareffraw. Are you sure you're still a legionary?”

"It is not cowardice, but common sense." Ignis Gladius defended himself.

Falx never really liked me. Our vision of war was very different, I believed in defense and fighting with honor; he believed that to achieve victory, one had to resort to any action, however reprehensible it might be. He was more made for politics than me, the war proposal to Horntriu had gained a lot of popularity due to the increasing hostilities of the northern unicorns against the Scobii, he knew that if I kept rejecting the war my reputation would fall to the ground... he was a very smart son of a bitch.

"I agree with Falx Victrix, the security of our Līmitēs isthreatened, who says that the unicorns or the Scobii won’t come to plunder our lands to obtain resources for their respective causes?" Asked a senator.

"You can always send more legions to defend the Līmitēs, a war is not necessary." Ignis Gladius continued to defend his position, but few were in the Senate who listened to him.

“Gentlecolts, it's time to vote, history has shown us that the best defense is a good attack. In these moments of weakness, Horntriu will perish. Votes in favor!”

The vote was almost unanimous. Prydadain would go to war against Horntriu. Ignis Gladius looked away disappointed as he watched the Senators cheer Falx Victrix’s proposal as he smiled proudly.

The next vision showed war again. The atmosphere was cold and gray, and a soft rain soaked the battlefield. Sunset thought that scene was worse than the one she saw in Mareffraw. Standing before her was a city that the Legion had besieged. The legionnaires' camps were surrounding the wall and they seemed tired, who knew how long they had been there.

Horntriu always seemed to be a land of no importance to me. The rain was much more intense than in Prydadain and the cold and snow in winter were unbearable. Not to mention that its inhabitants were the least hospitable in Eponia, even in peacetime. We had been facing the unicorns for two months and despite being inferior, they still cause us problems. We were now besieging Alt Corn, while pursuing the crown prince's army who took refuge in that city.

"Magister Equitum." Telum Fidelis addressed his superior. "Message from praetor Falx, he demands the city to be taken as quickly as possible."

"What? We’ve been sieging them for only two weeks, they can resist for at least one more month…” Said Ignis Gladius without understanding the message.

"Sorry Ignis, but orders are orders..." Said Telum Fidelis with a sad look.

"That's not how you fight in a war... he is condemning lots of legionaries to death." Said Ignis Gladius more to himself than to his friend. The Magister Equitum sighed and adressed to his friend. "Order the troops to prepare the siege weapons then, we will attack at the break of dawn."

The light of dawn could hardly be noticed due to the clouds and the soft rain. The catapults and ballistae of the Legion threw their incendiary shells at the settlement, trying to set it on fire, but the rain made that task more difficult.

At the same time, a group of pegasi was flying carrying small explosive projectiles to bombard the garrison from the air. They launched their projectiles to the walls, bursting with the impact and throwing several unicorns into the air. They defended themselves with crossbows and their own spells, knocking down several pegasi.

The rest of the legionary cohorts moved slowly toward the ramparts protected by their huge shields as a group of earth ponies pushed a battering ram towards the gates, shielding themselves with metal plates from the bolts of enemy crossbows.

“At my signal!” Ignis Gladius yelled, closing in on the walls. Once the soldiers arrived, the Magister Equitum screamed again. “Now!”

Breaking formation, the Pegasi took flight, reaching the top of the walls and beginning the fight with the garrison.

If there was one thing to be feared in Horntriu's army was in its warriors, fierce, unpredictable, and, contrary to what may seem, well organized. In the distance, their crossbowponies were deadly in long distances, and their Imannae with their javelins could wreak havoc on a cohors. But we had better equipment and better strategies, our Sotaroas unicorns from the West were among the best archers in Eponia and the earth pony tribes of our kingdom provided strong and loyal auxiliary troops. But we were legionaries, the pride of the kingdom, and we had to comply as such.

"Don’t hold back legionaries!" Ignis Gladius shouted, brandishing his sword against enemies.

In the field, the sotaroas fired their rain of arrows into the walls in the hope of reaching as many enemies as possible.

On the ramparts, an equipped unicorn launched itself towards Ignis Gladius, brandishing a huge antenna sword.

Among Horntriu's fiercest warriors were the Kluddargos. They were champion soldiers recruited among the low nobility of the clans and tribes of the kingdom. Armed with powerful swords and outfitted with chain mail and bronze helmets; almost as the Legion's Cataphractarii. Sometimes legionaries were at a disadvantage against enemies like this. Their huge swords were ideal for wielding, providing them with a broad spectrum of attack, but our gladiīs were only useful to us in delivering deadly thrusts, so we relied on our shields and armor to avoid dying in close combat against those huge colts.

The kluddargos charged against Ignis Gladius who defended himself with his shield as he could do little with his sword. The unicorn's mail protected him from the cuts the pegasus was trying to make, but if the winged ponies were known for anything, it was their agility. Thus, doing a feint, Ignis Gladius completely covered himself with his shield, after receiving an attack he released it and after unfolding his wings and jumping, he fell to the left of the kluddargos, burying the gladius in the side of the unicorn spilling his blood.

Sunset watched all that carnage carefully, never imagined that her father could be a soldier, much less such a war-hardened soldier. Equestria's soldiers, although disciplined and well-trained, had not engaged in open warfare for centuries. The most dangerous thing they faced was Changellings, and wild beasts. The ponies of Eponia seem to have war as one more life partner.

After breaking the door with the battering ram, Prydadain's troops charged at the city fighting against the unicorn warriors who didn’t give up. The Legio II Bellerophontia was fighting the city's defenders, when Ignis Gladius, Telum Fidelis, and several legionaries caught up with a group of warriors who were protecting another pony who look like a noble.

It didn't take much to figure out that this unicorn was the Prince of Horntriu, not because of the robes, but because of those who accompanied him: the Rycalawre. They were easily recognizable by their helmets adorned with crests, their decorated oval shields, and their chain mail. The High Kings of Prydadain have at least four groups of warriors under their direct orders: the Huscarls, earth pony warriors descended from the Mighty Helms, their own Rycalawre recruited among unicorns, the Ambakaro Epones recruited from the earth ponies of the tribes of the central plateau, and, of course, the Praetorian Guard formed by the most veteran pegasus legionaries. In Horntriu the king and his family had their Rycalawre to protect them, recruited from the fiercest and veterans among the Blue Horns, and they were not an enemy we should underestimate.

The legionaries charged at the enemy Rycalawre who formed a shield wall to protect the prince. There were only six against ten legionaries plus their centurion and magister equitum, but only in the first charge they managed to finish with three pegasi. Among his swords and spells, Ignis Gladius began to doubt his victory in this combat, but his friend Telum Fidelis managed to kill the unicorn in the middle of the shield wall with his pilum, thus weakening the formation.

At that moment the legionaries managed to separate the Rycalawre from the prince engaging them in bloody combat. Ignis Gladius watched as the unicorn charged at him with his sword. He was a young colt who seemed to have no combat experience.

"You are too young to have fought in any war." The magister equitum told him.

"So, what if I'm young? I won’t give up, for Hortriu and for my father.” Ignis Gladius admired the prince's courage, but his duty was to fight. However, he didn’t want to kill the prince, only capture him and thus force him to surrender.

Unfortunately, the prince's attacks were swift and imprecise, it seemed that he had no attachment to his integrity. Ignis Gladius managed to defend himself from several hits, until he got wounded in the face, marking him on the cheek, to which the legionnaire responded by nailing the gladius in the prince’s chest.

The prince fell to the ground as Ignis Gladius stopped worrying for a moment about the blood gushing from his wound to worrying about the blood that splashed on him and now stained his face.

"Forgive me father... I've failed you." The prince said beginning to choke on his own blood.

"You didn't have to die... you could live." Ignis Gladius said approaching the dying unicorn.

“Defeat is a greater dishonor than death. You should know better than anypony, legionary.” After saying that, the prince approached Ignis Gladius's ear and whispered to him. "Show some honor. Do not harm the innocents..."

After that phrase the prince died. He didn’t know when, but Telum Fidelis and the legionaries killed the Rycalawre. After detecting movement out of the corner of his eye, Ignis Gladius turned his gaze to a house half destroyed by a ballista projectile and could see a filly trembling and crying in the arms of her mother, a young mare who also trembled with fear, but she had a dirk knife within reach in case it was necessary...

Ignis Gladius looked at her with a compassionate and sad face, and only then realized the devastation they had caused...

What are we doing? How did we come to this?

After another flash Sunset was seen again in a different environment: a tavern.

She could see Ignis Gladius dressed in a simple robe drinking from a ceramic glass.

The last war brought out the worst in me, but I already knew that war wasn’t a good idea. I killed the crown prince, yes, the old King of Horntriu lacked descendants... but those pompous senators who two years ago they cried out for war, didn’t have the willpower and courage of the unicorns.

The leader of the Blue Horns, a young pony named Tarannos Gorm, marched to the kingdom's capital, Scorn, and called for the monarch's abdication. The old stallion had no choice, Tarannos had the support of the warrior nobility, the Blue Horns, and the druids. He was crowned high king and gave a 180 degree turn to the war.

Thanks to his good relations with the hippogriff tribes of the islands and the deer clans of the mountains, he got allies in the war. The legions were driven south of our borders and launched combined attacks against the Dal Rideta to the point of conquering it, now King Ferbasach MacAlpony is his vassal, although I still don’t understand why he did not kill him directly. I guess that would keep the Scobii at bay...

Now I had retired to my hometown, and all I could do was drink to forget.

"More caelia Viros Veramos?" Asked the innkeeper, an earth pony mare.

"Yes, please. And, Akaina, don't call me that, I don't deserve it." Ignis Gladius said.

Viros Veramos was a term that in my tribe means chief. They started calling me that when I became a centurion, but now I was no longer in the Legion, they didn't have to call me that. Furthermore, after the news that came to me from East Horntriu and the atrocities committed by the XXII Perseia Victrix in Dyn Neighdin...

"You can’t run away from your past Ignis Gladius, once a legionary, always a legionary. And that was a good life to you, you are one of the most loyal and honorable soldiers I’ve ever meet." Innkeeper Akaina said trying to cheer him up.

Akaina retired, but Ignis Gladius soon had company...

"Do you mind if I sit down, legionary?" Asked an older hooded unicorn holding a drinking horn with his magical aura.

Ignis Gladius told him to take a seat.

“It wasn't easy finding you." Said the unicorn.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?" Ignis Gladius asked tensing up.

"I came to offer you something, Ignis Gladius."

"Wow, you know my name... like everypony in this town. If you wanted to impress me, you failed.” Said Ignis Gladius drinking.

"I know more than that. I know you've joined a turma of Legio II Bellerophontia, you were promoted to centurion, and later to magister equitum, the hero of Mareffraw they called you and you got the Corona Graminea in that very same battle. And I also know that the late King Pegasutagus warned you about something before he died…” That last one caught the attention of the former legionary.

“Who in Tartarus are you? Do the frumentarii send you?” He asked starting to get nervous, to which the unicorn just laughed.

"On the contrary, my friend. I represent the interests of a group with a common goal.”

"What goal?"

"Protect Eponia from the evils that threaten it. Listen carefully, there are very serious threats on this land; you are an honorable and loyal soldier, that's why you left the Legion, right?”

“I left the Legion because of being honorable, but precisely for that reason I would not qualify myself as loyal. I failed the oath I made to enlist and also my queen.” Ignis Gladius said covering his face with his hoof and looking away.

“I offer you an opportunity to redeem yourself Ignis. You can stay here getting drunk with caelia and wine and remembering your glorious days. Or regain your honor by fighting to protect all of Eponia. It's up to you."

I didn't know why, but I felt like I could trust that pony...

"And your name is…"

"Derw Doeth."

Sunset was surprised to see the pony who introduced himself as her grandfather. He was younger than the Derw Doeth she met, though not that much.

In the next vision, Ignis Gladius was accompanying Derw Doeth to what looked like a walled fortress. Upon entering Sunset observed different stone huts and thatched roofs that had different functions: a smithy, a tavern, a training ground...

"Welcome to Caer Ogma, the fortress of the Order of the Oak and Apple." Said Derw Doeth.

Caer Ogma, the legendary fortress of the Order, located on an island between Prydadain, Horntriu and Cobernia, a true neutral terrain. I never thought that someday I would end up knowing this place. The Order was very secretive, but they always did their best to help in times of need. Derw Doeth led me to the longhouse at the top of the mound where the fort stood.

Derw Doeth and Ignis Gladius entered the communal house. A large hearth fire was located in the center and ran from one end to the other with its embers heating the entire room. Long tables were placed around the embers where several ponies ate, drank and chatted amicably, and several thrones were placed in the center, supposedly for important positions of the Order.

“Ignis Gladius, as Grandmaster of the Order of the Oak and Apple I decide which ponies are worth to be with us, we need brave ponies like you, you would be a great champion.” Said Derw Doeth.

"And what would be my mission?"

"Not so fast. You will have to pass a training and a test, once completed you will be a full member.” The druid explained.

"Training? I spent ten years in the Legion, isn't that enough?” Ignis Gladius asked puzzled.

"It’s not only about knowing how to fight, but you will learn it over time." Said Derw Doeth. "Oh, I almost forgot... Seren!"

Derw Doeth called a pony sitting at one of the tables, a beautiful young bay fur unicorn with a cutie mark of a spiral on a large tree and dark brown mane.

"Yes, Grandmaster?" Asked the unicorn.

"Let me introduce you to your chymar, Ignis Gladius. Ignis Gladius, she will be your cydymaith, Seren Sglein.” Seren looked at Ignis puzzled, then looked back at Derw Doeth.

Sunset recognize that name. If what Derw Doeth told her was true, that mare was her mother. Now she wanted to know how more of this story.

"You’re joking, right?" She said. "I refuse to team up with a legionary."

"Seren Sglein, it is not a suggestion, I think it will be good for both of you to be together. So, as Grandmaster I command this."

"No, I refuse! You know what those savages did in Dyn Neighdin!” Seren Sglein was getting nervous.

The mare in front of me had already made it clear that she didn’t like me because I was a legionary, and if I was honest I didn’t like teaming up with somepony from Horntriu either, but I trusted Derw Doeth's judgment, so I decided to pluck up courage and swallow what little pride I had left.

After Derw Doeth asked the mare for a private talk, she reluctantly agreed to the Grandmaster's plan. Seren Sglein left the communal house accompanied by Ignis Gladius.

"Well, what’s it like being companions?" Ignis Gladius asked trying to start a conversation.

"Let me tell you something, I don't like you, you are a legionary..." She said in a hostile tone.

"Technically former legionary, I quit..." Ignis Gladius defended himself.

“Once a legionary, always a legionary. I agreed to this because Derw Doeth wanted it that way and he’s not usually wrong. But that doesn’t mean that I like it, unless it’s totally necessary, you will go your way and I will go my way. Welcome to the Order.”

After that monologue, Seren Sglein retired leaving a confused Ignis Gladius alone.

I had no idea where I had gotten into.

The visions kept going. In the next one, Ignis Gladius chatted amicably with the fortress blacksmith, a strong earth pony.

"How are things going with Seren Sglein? Is she still a pain in the ass?" The blacksmith asked.

“Every time she looks at me, it's like she stuck twenty pugions in my chest. I would feel safer in front of a hungry warg.” Said Ignis Gladius, to which the smith laughed.

"Easy friend, she is… complicated, but of course you have it more difficult, having been a legionary and so..."

My time in the Order helped me meet many interesting ponies. They came from all over Eponia and because of that I was able to see weird friendships that I never thought I'd seen. A Horntriu druid with a Kynslóð, a Scobii pirate with a pegasus... never seen before. But Seren Sglein was a different kettle of fish, when I first met her she mentioned something about Dyn Neighdin, her hostility had to come from there; If she saw the horrors of war, it was understandable that she would feel hatred towards me, or at least towards my former self. Could it be true? Can I never escape from my past? Did I become a legionary, and will I die a legionary?

Ignis Gladius started training again with Seren Sglein, she was testing spells against him while he defended himself with an enchanted shield.

"If all legionaries fight like you, it’s no wonder we won the war." She said scoffing.

Ignis Gladius threw the shield to the ground in anger, with such bad luck that one of Seren Sglein's spells struck him square. Unconsciously she galloped to see how he was, but he offered her an acid response.

"Do you come to see if you can finish off your prey?"

"I wanted to know if you could stand up on your own..." She replied just as sharply.

"Look, I'm starting to get tired already, whatever you’ve got against me, get over it." Ignis Gladius said getting up and standing up to her. “You may be used to get whatever you want because of your pretty face, but I don't have to put up with this. Do you think you are the only one who wants to leave behind a dire past? The past is what it is, it cannot be changed, but we can change ourselves so as not to repeat it. When you decide to adopt a civil tone, find me at the tavern.”

So Ignis Gladius withdrew leaving Seren Sglein perplexed after that row.

At that moment I didn’t know what made my heart beat the most, the fact that I had yelled at her, or recognized that she was a pretty mare.

In the next vision, Sunset was able to see Ignis Gladius and Seren Sglein in front of the Grand Master.

I managed to learn everything they taught me about the Order in a year: its origin, its history, its objectives... My relationship with Seren Sglein improved a little, in the end, we learned to spend more than two hours in the same room inadvertently kill us. I knew her a little better and she knew me, but neither I knew her secrets nor she knew mine.

“Ignis, Seren, you have come far, and it is time for your final test. You will have to go to a cave near Mount Neightin, I think Ignis Gladius knows it well.”

"What's in that cave?" Ignis Gladius asked.

“If you do it right, you will find a spear, you will recognize it immediately. Bring it and you will be full members. Ignis Gladius, if you succeed, I have great plans for you, come back victorious or don't come back.”

"Yes, Grandmaster." Ignis Gladius greeted Derw Doeth in the way of the legionaries and marched to prepare his equipment, as did Seren Sglein.

The vision flashed forward to a plain where Ignis Gladius and Seren Sglein walked protecting themselves from a strong wind.

"And how did you say you call this wind?" Asked Seren.

"Cercius, they say it is due to a dragon that in the Draconian War raised its wings and with a powerful spell cursed these lands with these gales. So they named it after that dragon: Cercius.” Ignis Gladius explained to the unicorn.

After much walking they reached the hills of a mountain at sunset. Fortunately, the wind picked up and they decided to camp among some trees near the slope. There they started to set up their little camp, but some noises distracted them.

Out of the undergrowth came a huge wild boar, larger than them, which charged to attack them.

Carnivorous wild boars are some of the most grotesque creatures in these lands, larger than an adult stallion, with four sharp tusks capable of threading you with one blow and hard as rocks. I couldn't allow him to harm us, I couldn't endanger Seren...

Ignis Gladius flew at boar to stab him with his sword, but that beast was faster and dodged it. It was surprisingly agile for its enormous size. With a sharp blow, Ignis managed to jump one of his fangs and flew to dodge another possible attack.

Then the boar watched a simpler target and charged at the unicorn. Seren Sglein had avoided direct combat as she was no match for the huge boar. Seren froze with fear, but before the boar could ram her, Ignis Gladius, rushing from above, pushed her off taking some of the beast's impact.

"Ignis!" Seren yelled as she saw the boar hit the former legionary in the side.

"Take cover!" He yelled.

Ignis Gladius got up with difficulty and stood up to the boar, who prepared to charge again. The boar ran snarling, but before he could reach the pegasus, he flapped his wings with a great leap, landing on top of the boar and driving the gladius into its neck. The boar growled, stirred, and fell to the ground kicking one last time as it bled out.

Ignis Gladius drew his sword from the boar's neck, but not before ripping off the rest of its fangs and storing them in a saddlebag. When the adrenaline left his body, Ignis Gladius staggered, but fortunately Seren Sglein managed to catch him in time.

"We have to stitch your wound, but we have to find a safe place." She said.

Together they walked through the woods until they found what looked like a cave entrance. They went inside and Seren left Ignis resting on the floor while she whimpered in pain.

Seren built a campfire and removed various utensils from their saddlebags, such as a mortar and a small kettle. Immediately, she brought water to a boil, took several herbs out of a sachet, and prepared to crush them in the mortar.

"Give me your pugio, please." Said Seren. Ignis Gladius gave it to her, and she put it on the coals to warm it up.

"What are you doing?" Asked the pegasus.

"I am preparing a poultice; your wound must be disinfected." The druid poured some water into the mortar and mixed it with the crushed herbs, creating a thick paste.

She placed the poultice on the wound, something that made the pegasus itch.

"Stop complaining... what kind of a soldier are you?" Seren scoffed.

"I would like to see you with a wound like that." Ignis replied.

"I bet you made yourself worse cuts by shaving."

Ignis Gladius's pugio blade had turned red. With her magic Seren levitated it as she removed the poultice from the wound.

"Okay, now bite something because this is going to hurt." Ignis Gladius heeded and bit the hilt of his sword.

The unicorn placed the red-hot dagger into Ignis Gladius's wound as he let out a howl of pain, cauterizing the wound. Once finished, the pegasus released the sword from his mouth and breathed heavily as drops of cold sweat ran down his body. Aware of her exhaustion, Seren Sglein placed a sagum above his body for him to rest. They both needed it. It was then that Seren decided to ask him a question...

"Why did you save me?"

"And what was I going to do? Let it kill you and devour you? You're my partner, for good and bad, I couldn't let anything bad happen to you.” The words of Ignis Gladius touched her heart, for the first time since she met him, she regretted having despised him.

"Sorry..." Ignis Gladius was surprised at the unicorn's response. "In the end I was wrong, and I misjudged you, just for being a legionary... but they destroyed everything I loved." Seren Sglein began to open at last. “I lived in Dyn Neighdin with my mother, I was training to be a Druid, I was not going to join the Order until I was ready; I had everything there, friends, a nice house, my mother... But then the war came, the Legion besieged the city by land, some ponies couldn’t get a passage in ships to flee. On the day of the assault I was taking a ship for us to leave and meet my father, but my mother never got to embark. As the ship left the port, I could see my city on fire. I never saw my mother again... The Legion took everything I loved from me.”

Ignis Gladius could see how several tears fell from Seren's turquoise eyes. Downcast, he decided to open up too...

"Sorry... I wish I could have done something." She didn’t say anything. "I was a member of the Prydadain Pegasus Senate by order of Queen Adain Boudica, I was there when the senators ratified the declaration of war. I was opposed from the beginning, I knew it was a political mistake, but as magister equitum of the Legion I had to respond to the call of duty. But when I was there my vision of the war changed completely... I was leading the siege of Alt Corn and I was face to face with the crown prince of Horntriu. He was a brave young colt who preferred to die for his kin rather than dishonor them. After the war I retired, I was harassed by ghosts for a long time, until Derw Doeth found me and asked me to join the Order. Until now I had not spoken to anypony about what happened in the war…”

"I didn't think I could open up to you like this." Said Seren Sglein. "I think Father was right and it was a good decision to put us together."

"Wait a minute, did you say 'father'?" Ignis Gladius asked.

“I guess there is no point in keeping it a secret. Yes, Derw Doeth, the Grandmaster of the Order is my father.”

I could not believe what I heard, my partner was the daughter of the Grandmaster.

"I just want to say thank you, Ignis Gladius, for saving my life and for not abandoning me." She said looking away, but this time it was not out of contempt, but embarrassment.

"That's what friends are for." Said Ignis Gladius laying down on the floor and closing his eyes exhausted.

Yes, I considered her a friend, maybe I didn't show it, but I could see in her the same spark of loyalty that Telum Fidelis gave off, whom I considered my frater. Also, the dim light of the bonfire in the cave made her look even more beautiful...

A while later a growl caught their attention.

"What was that?" Ignis Gladius asked looking for his weapon. "A dragon?"

"I don't think so, it didn't sound like a dragon..." Said Seren Sglein. She lit her horn and got up ready to explore the cave. "I'll go check it out."

"I'm coming with you." Said Ignis Gladius getting up and taking his sword.

"Are you crazy? You have to rest for your wound.” Said Seren scolding him.

"There’s no way you get rid of me so easily, beautiful." Seren blushed at Ignis Gladius's comment.

Both explored the cave that, curiously, in the depths had several lighted torches.

"It’s obvious that there’s something alive here..." Said Ignis Gladius.

Another growl was heard closer making all the mane hairs of both ponies stand on end. As they rounded a corner, they entered a cavern full of treasures, and as they moved a little farther, they could see the cause of these noises: a huge minotaur with long horns, a muscular body, and bloodshot eyes. Beneath its hooves were the remains of other creatures that were killed and, apparently, devoured, including ponies.

The minotaur became aware of the intruders and growled. "Food!"

"Let's get out of here quickly!" Ignis Gladius yelled.

But it was late, the minotaur threw a huge rock towards the ceiling of the cavern causing a small collapse and blocking the path where Ignis Gladius and Seren Sglein arrived.

"Futuo!" Ignis cursed.

"We're trapped!" Said Seren worried.

As they turned around, they saw the minotaur grab a double-edged axe almost as big as he was. Suddenly, shook the right leg ready to charge them. The beast charged at incredible speed for its size.

"Take cover!" Ignis Gladius yelled.

Just before it caught up with them, Seren jumped back and Ignis flapped his wings, causing the minotaur to hit the loose rocks, moving them a little but without doing himself the least bit of damage.

Ignis Gladius flew quickly to where Seren Sglein was.

"You ok?" She nodded. "Seren, do you think you can remove those rocks with your magic?"

"What are you thinking?" Asked the unicorn.

"I'm going to distract him while you remove them, it's the only way we can get out of here."

"Ignis, this is madness, if he hits you with that labrys, you’re dead." She said without crediting what she heard.

"I know." And without warning, Ignis Gladius kissed her. It was a fleeting, quick kiss, as if it were a farewell. Thus, after separating, Ignis Gladius flew to face the minotaur.

Seren Sglein came out of her stupor and went to the detachment to remove the stones. Ignis Gladius used his agility to dodge the strong blows that the minotaur made with his labrys. Unfortunately for the pegasus, the cavern prevented him from flying properly and he felt tired from the previous fight with the boar and the loss of blood.

"Damn pony, stay still!" The minotaur yelled trying to catch up.

Seren Sglein had managed to open a gap between the rocks, drawing Ignis Gladius's attention to escape.

The legionnaire managed to reach the minotaur in the side with his sword, but he wielded the axe to hit him too. Ignis Gladius tried to defend himself, but with the blow his sword broke and he fell to the ground. The minotaur quickly grabbed him with his huge hand, holding him in the air like a sack of potatoes.

"Okay little pony, it's your turn." The minotaur said in his deep voice.

"Ignis!" Seren yelled.

"Seren, save yourself!" Ignis Gladius said as best he could.

However, she couldn’t leave and abandon him there, she owed him, she couldn’t abandon her partner, her friend...

Without thinking twice, Seren Sglein gallop towards the direction of the minotaur and a bolt of lightning came from her horn that hit the beast's neck causing him to scream and turn in the unicorn’s direction.

"Release him, monster." She said very angry.

The minotaur threw Ignis Gladius away bumping into a rock. Bruised by the blow, it was not long before he noticed something that was shining on top of that stone.

"What the…"

Seren Sglein defended herself from the blows of the minotaur with force fields and attacked with spells of all kinds. However, the minotaur barely flinched.

Ignis Gladius looked at the shiny object and realized it was a spearhead. Large and, above all, very sharp. As he got a little closer, he noticed something strange, it was made of silver. Ignis Gladius felt a strange tickle as he brought his hoof closer to the spear and hesitated at first, but Seren Sglein was in danger, his sword was broken and it wasn’t time to think, but to act.

After grabbing the spear, Ignis Gladius flew toward the minotaur that was cornering Seren and rammed the spear into his back. The beast growled, for some reason that spear did more damage to him than the gladius he was fighting with before.

“Damn you little bird! I will devour your insides…” The minotaur shouted, ready to give Ignis Gladius a goring.

Seren Sglein used her magic to shoot towards the ceiling, causing several rocks to fall on the minotaur interrupting his charge.

To the ponies' surprise, Seren's spell opened a gap, causing a beam of sunlight to illuminate the cavern. Suddenly, the spear carried by Ignis Gladius began to glow and sizzle as it was hit by sun rays.

When the minotaur shook of the rocks that fell on him, he glared at Ignis Gladius, shook his right hoof again, and once more prepared to charge.

"Very well bull, do you want to catch me? Come and get me.” The pegasus said putting his spear at the ready.

Seren Sglein thought Ignis had gone crazy, judging by his posture he was going to charge the minotaur.

And indeed, the minotaur charged, and Ignis Gladius galloped towards him with the spear ahead, brilliant as the Sun. A few meters away, Ignis Gladius jumped and before the minotaur could raise the axe to hit him, the Pegasus nailed his spear into the chest and a strange fire came out of the wound burning the minotaur. The beast growled, released the axe, clutching at the chest where the spear was still stuck, and fell to death screaming in pain.

Ignis Gladius approached the corpse and pulled out the blood-soaked spear. As a trophy, the pegasus cut off one of the minotaur’s horns. The spear still maintained that special shine. Ignis Gladius kept looking at it amazed.

It was clear that this spear was not a normal weapon, after using it in combat I watched it carefully and saw something written in the spearhead: 'Clarior E Tenebris' (The Brightest Thing in the Dark). I realized that this was what Derw Doeth had sent us to look for. We had succeeded and we had done it together.

"I think this is what we were looking for." Said Ignis Gladius.

“Clarior E Tenebris...By all that is holy, that’s Lugus’ Spear..." Said Seren Sglein surprised. "It had been lost for centuries."

“I think we earned join the Order through the front door. Why don't you make that hole up there bigger so we can get you out of here?”

Seren listened and with a spell opened the gap wider so that two ponies could pass. Ignis grabbed her and carried her on his back and together they flew out of that infernal cavern.

"Ignis, may I ask you a question?" Seren said already out of the cavern. "Why did you kiss me earlier?"

Ignis Gladius blushed at that question. "When I saw that minotaur charging at me, I thought he was going to kill me. I thought about all the things I hadn't done, and for some reason kissing you was on my list.” Seren Sglein said nothing to that comment, and although Ignis Gladius didn't notice, she smiled as she remembered what happened in the cave.

In the next flash forward, Ignis Gladius gave Derw Doeth the spear.

"I don't want the spear, Ignis, it's yours." The druid said.

"What do you mean it’s mine?"

"The spear chose you. They say that this weapon was forged in ancient times, Lugus used it to fight against the dragons in the Great Draconian War, he was able to draw the power of the Sun and the Lightning, but after the Interregnum War, he became the High King of Prydadain and hid the spear, waiting for the arrival of a worthy warrior. He consulted an Ovates about it and only said one name, do you know which one?” Ignis Gladius waited impatiently for the answer. "Viros Veramos."

It was not possible, many more than me were called with that title, but the test was before him. I was never a true believer in destiny and such things, but what happened in the last days made me doubt even my own convictions.

“That is why I specifically sought you out. A veteran Pegasus of the Legion, originally from the lands where the Cercius blows and who was called with the title of Viros Veramos. It is an honor for me to welcome you to the Order.” Derw Doeth said very cheerfully.

"It is done. Without ceremony or anything?” Ignis Gladius asked, amazed at how brief everything was.

“Of course, there will be a ceremony, we will prepare the ritual at Stallionhenge. But you have to know several things before. Your role in the Order won’t be of an average champion, I’m going to entrust you with what is probably the most important task of the Order, one of the reasons why this group exists.”

Ignis Gladius was surprised that the old stallion changed his tone from jovial to serious. Sunset Shimmer also noticed it strange. They both paid attentions.

“A long time ago, when our Great Mother Epona was still ruling, she found a portal to Antumnos. It is said that it changed her shape, she was no longer a pony like us but... something else that I can’t describe. In Antumnos she met a nobleman and they both fell in love, but their relationship could not be possible, neither of them could be with the other without giving up their respective world, that is why they regretfully decided to separate. However, Epona didn’t return alone… she came with the gift of a new life.”

"Was she pregnant?" Ignis Gladius asked without credit.

"Exactly, good observation. The only one who knew of the existence of said pregnancy was Ogmios, not even Morrigan who was Epona's sister knew anything. When the day came, Epona gave birth to a beautiful unicorn foal; Epona made Ogmios swear that he would take care of her son, so he, being the first and most loyal of the druids, accepted, and soon our Great Mother died…” Derw Doeth paused and continued with his story. “Ogmios took care of the foal as if it were his own, but then the Interregnum War broke out and he was forced to flee; Lugus put him against the sword and the wall, and for him the most important thing was to fulfill the promise he made to Epona. So, he fled to the North, where years later the Kingdom of Horntriu was founded; It was there that he explained to the foal his origins and why it was dangerous to reveal it, since hidden forces needed to end Epona’s lineage.”

"Hidden Forces?"

“Among the flames of war, a faction that wanted to spread Chaos throughout Eponia and thus control it, they called themselves the Fomóire. The only thing keeping them in line was the magical protection that the Great Mother left us through her lineage, a lineage hidden from all the ponies on this earth. That is why Ogmios founded the Order, to protect the sacred lineage and with it all of Eponia.”

"Derw Doeth, everything you’re telling me contradicts the bards and official chroniclers... you are breaking down everything I thought I knew about history." Said Ignis Gladius still in disbelief.

"I’ve not finished yet. The lineage was perpetuated for centuries, and the Fomóire always looked for a way to carry out their sinister goals, but everything changed after the Invasion of the Crystal Empire. The Order never got involved in wars, but an invasion by a foreign enemy, that was a different kettle of fish. We were the ones who convince the kingdoms to put aside their differences and fight together for a common cause. Thanks to that we saved our land, and it was a powerful druid descendant from Epona who used the Avalon Fog spell to protect us, but we didn’t realize that our enemy was also inside. The Fomóire actively supported the invading army and, seeing that we thwarted their plans, they set out to destroy us once and for all. That is why our work is more important than ever, we have been fighting them for almost a century and we must end the Fomorian threat before they end us.”

"And what role do I play in all this?"

“You were chosen by Lugus’ Spear, that means you are a courageous, honorable and loyal warrior. That is why I name you the Guardian of the Lineage, you will have to take care of the last descendant of Epona that currently lives.”

"Who might that be?"

"Your cydymaith, my daughter Seren Sglein."

After another flash forward, Sunset saw Seren Sglein and Ignis Gladius walking calmly through a fairly populated city.

Eponadunum was the most important city in Prydadain and in all of Eponia, it was the oldest one and the historical capital too. Although the political center of the kingdom was Coltdinium, Eponadunum was where the royal family resided. I was with Seren Sglein in the Mountain District for a special reason. I wanted to take her to the Temple of the Great Mother.

"I can't believe you’ve never been in Eponadunum before." Said Ignis Gladius.

“I was born and raised in Horntriu, I never had to leave until I was ready to join the Order. But this city is fantastic, I always wanted to visit it.” Seren said in awe.

"Glad to be here with you." Said Ignis Gladius.

Seren Sglein smiled and snuggled her head against Ignis Gladius in a loving way, surprising Sunset.

In time, Seren and I got much closer, I got to know her better and I ended up falling in love with her. She was a wonderful, intelligent, skillful, brave and attractive mare. We had our differences at first, but after closing the wounds of the past we saw that we had many things in common. I don't know at what exact moment, but Seren stole my heart and we became lovers. Fighting alongside your special somepony was probably a bigger motivation than devotion to any king. And I was willing to make this last forever...

Ignis Gladius and Seren Sglein walked through a district of the city where most of the ponies were unicorns. That neighborhood was full of majestic gardens and refined craft shops, but what stood out most was the Great Temple of Epona, a horseshoe-shaped structure of wood and stone.

In the central courtyard there was a statue of Epona in a solemn position. Seren Sglein stared at the statue in admiration as a tear fell down her right eye.

"She is beautiful, the Great Mother..." Seren said.

"This statue was made shortly after she passed away." Ignis Gladius explained.

"I always wondered if I was worthy of her legacy."

“Of course, you are, of all the ponies I know, I can't think of anypony more worthy than you. You are brave, powerful and skilled. I’ve never met anypony like you Seren.” Said Ignis Gladius.

"Ignis please, you're going to make me blush." Seren said laughing.

"Seren, listen, I have to ask you something." Ignis Gladius said standing in front of her. "Seren Sglein, during the time I have been in the Order you have been my partner, we didn’t get off on the right hoof, but I learned to accept you, and later I considered you my friend, to the point that we ended up being lovers..." Seren Sglein blushed with the words of the pegasus. “You are the most wonderful mare I know, you helped me to get rid of my ghosts, and now I can’t imagine a future if it’s not with you. So here, in front of the temple of Epona, I humbly ask you, would you marry me?”

Seren Sglein stood still, even more than the statue, upon hearing those words. Sunset Shimmer was as perplexed as Seren while she watched the scene. The answer was immediate and Seren Sglein said ‘yes’ by kissing Ignis Gladius in front of the statue of her ancestor and matriarch of all the ponies of that ancient land.

Sunset felt weird, if everything that Derw Doeth told her was true, she just had watched her parents’ engagement...

After a new flash, Sunset saw many ponies gathered on a cromlech like she had never seen before. The huge stones that made it up stood majestic in the countryside. Around the cromlech, many ponies had gathered to celebrate some kind of ceremony.

A wedding.

In the center stood Derw Doeth dressed in a white tunic with gold accents. In front of him Ignis Gladius dressed in his best Magister Equitum finery and Seren Sglein wore a white dress with red details, representing purity and passion.

"Brothers and sisters, today we have gathered to witness the union of Ignis Gladius and Seren Sglein, in the presence of the gods and our ancestors." Derw Doeth said chairing the ceremony. "Ignis Gladius and Seren Sglein, do you come here of your own free will?"

"Yes, we come." They both said.

Derw Doeth then turned looking east. "Spirits of the East, spirits of air, let us feel your breath! Through times of uncertainty, through winds of change, will you still love and honour each other?”

"Yes, we will." They replied.

"May the powers of the East bless you. May you together find the freedom to fly with the clear mountain air, may your love be reborn with each new dawn.” Then Derw Doeth turned again, this time to the south. "Spirits of the South, spirits of fire, let us feel your power! Through the flames of passion, and when the fires burn low, will you still love and honour each other?”

"Yes, we will."

"May the powers of the South bless you. May together you dance the road of courage and vitality. May your home be filled with warmth.” Derw Doeth turned west. "Spirits of the West, spirits of water, let us feel your flowing energy! Through the white water streams and deep pools of emotion, will you still love and honour each other?”

"Yes, we will."

"May the powers of the West bless you. May together you weave and blend your desires, flowing with the beauty of the ocean tides. May your life together be filled with love.” Finally, Derw Doeth turned north. "Spirits of the North, spirits of Earth, let us feel your safety! Through times of cold restriction, when problems seem immovable, will you still love and honour each other?”

"Yes, we will."

"May the powers of the North bless you. May together you root in sweet fertile soil, that your union may grow strong. May your lives together be rich with that fertility and its perfect fruitfulness.”

Following that ritual, Derw Doeth tied the bride and groom's hooves with a piece of cloth.

“Then, in the name of our Great Mother Epona, of the gods and ancestors, I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss.”

Ignis Gladius and Seren Sglein kissed and were cheered as they walked down the cromlech greeting their friends and comrades, among them Telum Fidelis, Ignis' best friend. The musicians started to play some music and the party began while beer, wine, mead and cider flew.

At the time I thought I couldn't be happier, however a short time later Seren proved me I was wrong.

Yet another flash, which Sunset had already accustomed to, she moved back to Caer Ogma's stronghold. Ignis Gladius entered his roundhouse where his wife was waiting for him studying various scrolls about ancient objects. Seren Sglein looked more radiant than ever, which made the former legionary smile.

"Do you have any clues about the next move of the Fomóire?" Ignis Gladius asked.

"Nothing, just empty tracks." Suddenly, Seren's horn sizzled and she put her hoof on her head.

"Honey, are you ok?" Her husband asked worriedly.

"Yes, you know that in this state my magic tends to get a little out of control." She said while rubbing her belly with one of her hooves.

"You must rest, you don't want our foal to come out as stubborn as you, right?" Ignis Gladius said laughing.

"Excuse me, he or she will be as SMART as ME..." She also replied laughing. "And he or she will be brave and determined like you." Seren smiled tenderly to Ignis.

Ignis Gladius smiled feeling with one of his hooves the belly of his wife. "We haven't decided on a name yet..."

"I want a unicorn name."

"And I want a pegasus name." Ignis Gladius replied.

"Let's be practical, if it’s a unicorn, I choose the name, if it’s a pegasus you choose the name."

"What if it's an earth pony?" Ignis Gladius asked. "Almost all my ancestors are pegasi, but there is always that possibility..."

"Well, if that happens, we will ask at Fíonn's Wheel."

The door of the roundhouse opened suddenly. An earth pony with heavy breathing entered the house and his expression didn’t bode well.

"Ignis Gladius, Derw Doeth is looking for you."

In the next flash, Sunset saw Seren Sglein in a bed lying on her side breathing hard, with Ignis Gladius losing his nerves by her side and a mare rummaging through the hind quarters of the druid unicorn. The last rays of the afternoon sun poured in through a window.

Things were not going well. During the last months the Fomóire acted with great force against us, they dared to destroy one of our most important nemeton in Cobernia. That is why Derw Doeth entrusted me with the mission of protecting Seren Sglein and the foal that was going to give birth at all costs, so we left Caer Ogma to a secluded place, where no one could find us; a place close to the border between Prydadain and Horntriu. Now Seren was giving birth, and fortunately an Ovates from a nearby village came to help us.

"Hold on my dear, just a little more." Ignis Gladius said cheering her on.

"The foal is coming!" Said the Ovates.

Seren Sglein neighed strongly, closed her eyes, and a loud cry was heard coming from a bundle that the ovates mare was trying to clean with wool cloths.

Ignis Gladius approached and could see a little filly with a tiny horn in her head among the mare's hooves. That little girl left him speechless.

"Congratulations, it's a filly." She said handing the bundle to Ignis Gladius.

The filly calmed down as the pegasus covered her with one of his wings, it was as if she recognized that she was being protected by her daddy. Ignis Gladius took a better look at her, she was a small unicorn with orange coat and a flaming mane identical to his. Opening her eyelids, she revealed two turquoise orbs that shone like the most precious of gems.

Sunset's jaw dropped, there was no longer any doubt. The filly that Ignis Gladius held between his hooves was her. She had just witnessed her own birth. Without realizing it, Sunset began to cry.

"She’s beautiful." He said smiling. "Pater, I’m pater. ” Ignis Gladius said pointing to himself.

"She's just been born, don't expect her to say anything." Said Seren Sglein recovering. "Bring me my baby, dear." Ignis Gladius pulled her close and placed her next to the mare who huddled her to protect her. "She is just like you."

"Except for the horn and the eyes, those are yours." Said Ignis Gladius smiling. " Well, it's a unicorn, you choose the name then."

“Sorry, I got nothing right now. She’s so pretty that I can’t think in anything else.”

Ignis Gladius smiled and thought how happy he was, he would never forget that moment nor that day. "Now every time I see a sunset, I will remember this day."

"Sunset... that's it. Machlud, Machlud Sglein.” Said Seren said as she kissed the sleeping filly on the forehead. “Machlud because of the sunset, and Sglein because she is the shimmer in our lives.”

"I love you, Seren." Said Ignis Gladius. "I love you Machlud." And so Ignis Gladius kissed her newborn daughter, the last descendant of Epona.

As everything turned white, an indication that she would be transported to a new memory, Sunset closed her eyes, letting several tears fall.

Another flash forward more and she was back in the house again, but the atmosphere was tense. Sunset could see herself sleeping in a crib watched by her mother, while Ignis Gladius filled several saddlebags with supplies. He seemed concerned about something.

The first months I spent with my daughter were the best. But that was the only good thing that happened. We got the news that a contingent of the Fomóire attacked Caer Ogma killing all its defenders. They killed everypony who resisted… Luckily, we learned that Derw Doeth get to safety. He sent a message to me and Seren; He wanted us to meet him in the Great Mother’s Grove. He said it was the only safe place that existed. Of course, the only thing that interested me was the safety of my wife and daughter...

"Do you have it all Seren?" Asked Ignis Gladius.

"Ignis, what will become of us?" Said Seren Sglein worried.

Ignis Gladius approached his wife and looked her in the eye. "We'll get out of this, nothing will happen to you as long as I live, I swear it."

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Ignis Gladius spotted something moving behind the window. Distrustful, he grabbed his spear and left the house. Outside he couldn’t see anything, calmly observing the surroundings he didn’t realize something was wrong until it literally jumped on him...

"Kyaaaaa." A pegasus attacked him brandishing a sica, but Ignis Gladius was more skilled and after dodging it a couple of times he stabbed the spear into his chest killing him almost instantly.

After drawing the spear from the death pegasus, Ignis Gladius saw more enemies coming at him from the trees. He galloped and went into the house where Seren Sglein was waiting for him, scared by the screams she heard and seeing her husband so agitated.

"Ignis what's going on?" She asked altered.

"Take Machlud now, you have to leave immediately!" Ignis yelled, covering the windows.

Suddenly they hit the door with high aggressiveness, Ignis's pursuers were trying to break it down.

"Futuo! It won't hold much longer… open the tunnel.” Seren Sglein knew what he was referring to and using a spell she made a door appear on the ground.

Seren loaded her saddlebags and her filly and opened the door to go down into what looked like a tunnel. But Ignis Gladius did not come down ...

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm going to distract them so you can save time..." Ignis said.

"No Ignis, don't even think about it. They will kill you!"

"Maybe, but at least I will keep them away from you."

"No, please, don't do it, think of your daughter..." Seren began to cry because she knew that if she let him fight it was very likely that she would never see him again.

“That’s exactly what I’m doing; your life and especially HERS are more important than mine. Go with your father to the Grove.” Seren wasn’t moving, she was just there, static, with her baby in her arms as she cried. "Please Seren, don't make it any harder for me..."

Ignis Gladius himself had a tear. Seren Sglein, with all the pain in her heart, closed the door, locked it with magic and galloped through that tunnel without looking back...

Ignis Gladius opened a trunk and took a medium-sized vessel filled with gel-liked fluid and placed it in front of the door, pounded relentlessly by his enemies.

"Very well, with blood and fire..." Ignis Gladius said as the spear glowed brightly and began to sizzle.

The door fell and a couple of ponies tried to enter, but Ignis threw the spear into the jar, breaking it, and its flames ignited the contents. An explosive blast hit the ponies trying to enter, burning several and knocking down others.

Ignis Gladius galloped, picked up Lugus' Spear, and set out to fight his enemies. There were at least ten armed ponies not to mention the ones he had shot down with his trap, but the Legion veteran made it difficult for them. Armed with the magic spear, he ended up with two of them in no time.

Unfortunately, the numerical superiority played against him when one of his enemies stabbed him in the back with a sica to immediately receive a cut with a gladius on the leg with which he held the spear. The others continued attacking him until somepony yelled for them to stop.

Ignis Gladius fell to the ground and saw a pony dressed in a black robe and a crow mask emerging from among them. The beak covered its nose and the rest of its head, including its mane, was covered by black feathers.

Suddenly, King Pegasutagus’ words make sense to me, “Don’t trust in every crow.” I wish I'd known that before, so I could alert Queen Adain Boudica.

"Sorry to see you like this..." Said the masked pony, which turned out to be a pegasus, as the wings protruded from the robe. "You already tore up our plans in Mareffraw but joining the Order... you should have known you'd end up like this." The masked man looked around for something or somepony. "Where's the descendant?”

Ignis Gladius smiled. "Far from your reach."

The Pony approached him abruptly and got so close that they could both hear each other breathe. "You are an idiot Ignis Gladius, sooner or later we will catch her." He said touching Ignis’ chin with one of his hooves. The movement he made caused a very peculiar pendant in his neck to be released, something that did not go unnoticed by Ignis Gladius.

"A Fasces?" The masked pony stiffened. “I knew the Senate was rotten, but I didn't imagine how much. You know? I may not see your death, but when I reach the Elysium and you rot in the depths of Tartarus, I will laugh at your poisoned soul... non omnis moriar."

So, with what little strength he had left Ignis grabbed the spear and in a matter of seconds brandished it at the masked pony, causing a cut with a burn on his left side and wing.

The pony screamed in pain and his bodyguards did not hesitate to skewer Ignis Gladius with their weapons. The Legion veteran spat blood, while only one thing went through his mind: the memory of his wife Seren Sglein and daughter Machlud Sglein.

That's how it ends... I just hope that my sacrifice was not in vain. My beloved, my daughter... I love you both.

"NOOOOO!" Sunset shouted after seeing that horrifying spectacle still aware that there was nothing she could do.

Contrary to the other transitions, this time there was no blinding light, but everything was plunging into darkness, to the point where the blackness covered everything leaving Sunset in an infinite void with her heart destroyed by what she discovered.

8 - The Hall of Stories

As Gwrthfiotig said, the trip to Horsenaforda was relatively short. A wooden wall with stone towers stretched before them. It certainly looked different from Dwrnhorsefawr, but they couldn’t draw conclusions until they were inside the city.

As they approached the door, they could see two guards. They were two earth ponies with long braided beard, and they wore leather armor and helmets that covered their heads and the outline of them eyes; they were also armed with spears.

One of them approached the girls.

"Halt! Your business in Horsenaforda may be?" The guard asked.

"Greetings, we have come to visit the College of Druids. A vates from a nearby town told us that we could learn history here, " Twilight explained.

"And that little dragon?" The other guard asked, surprised to see Spike.

"He comes with us, he's my protege." Said the princess of friendship.

The guards looked at each other, which made the ponies nervous for a moment, but they seemed to accept Twilight's explanation.

"All right, come with me for a second."

The girls and Spike followed the guard to a gate, where he began to write things down on a paper with a quill.

"I need to sign up in the registry. Since the war began most major cities have limited the entry of foreigners to prevent spies from infiltrating. As you have already told me your purpose here, I only need your names."

"Twilight Sparkle." The princess noticed that the guard had written down 'unicorn' in the section that said 'race'. Good thing she didn’t take her cloak off at any time.

"Spike."

"Sunset Shimmer."

"Applejack."

"Rainbow Dash."

"Rarity."

"Pinkie Pie."

" Ehm... Fluttershy." Although the shy pegasus said it in a low voice, the guard was able to score it without problem.

After noting down the names, race and characteristics of the ponies and the dragon, the guard headed towards them again.

"Perfect, you can pass. Remember that when you leave you should tell the guard on duty in this door about your departure. If you need to spend the night you can try the Winged Helmet’s inn, welcome to Horsenaforda.”

Although at first, he seemed rude, the guard proved to be quite friendly. Clearly, under the circumstances, it was normal that there was some paranoia. The girls remembered bitterly how Canterlot was on Shining Armor and Princess Cadance wedding; patrols everywhere and controls and magical barriers, and even then, they could not avoid the invasion of the changellings.

Observing the city, they could notice a different style in the architecture. It consisted mainly of stone buildings with columns and wooden ceilings. The columns also were adorned with interlacing drawings and even runes.

Almost after passing the wall, there were several market stalls, in one of them there was a pony selling weapons and armors that were forged by his brother as he said, or a fruits and vegetables stand. Near these posts was the inn that the door guard mentioned to them.

As they didn’t want to wander too much, they asked somepony directly the address of the school. They approached a pale pony with chestnut mane and a knotted and a beard decorated with a ring and a bushy mustache. The pony in question wore a wide tunic of black and red colors that covered the upper half of his body. He carried what looked like a stringed instrument on his back.

"Excuse me, do you know how to get to the Druid College?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, but what interest do foreigners have in the College?" The pony asked.

"How do you know we're foreigners?" Asked Sunset.

"It's something that you can see at first glance. I'm not saying it's bad, but it surprises me, and even more on these days... "

"We want to learn history." Twilight replied without giving more information.

The pony stared as if analyzing them more deeply, until his eyes met those of Applejack and there he looked away. "That’s a reason as good as any other. Follow that path from there until you find a row of menhirs. There you will see a large building."

After thanking the stranger, he continued his way and the girls continued to the College.

They crossed the road guarded by the row of menhirs and before them the great building stood. It was certainly impressive. Around it were several dolmens surrounded by trees where they could see who they imagined were druids and their students. The building had several floors and towers, and the first floor of the facade was surrounded by a large gold chain.

“Sweet Celestia... it's beautiful." Said Rarity. "We've seen palaces before, but this is incomparable."

"Imagine how its library will be like," Twilight said with a singular brightness in her eyes.

"Are you thinking of books again egg head?" Snapped laughing Rainbow Dash.

"Dash, we’ve come to investigate local history, let Twilight enjoy the moment." Sunset said, laughing, however she knew how excited her princess friend could be when it came to studying history.

"Well, any suggestions to start?" Applejack asked.

"Didn’t Gwrthfiotig say something about talking to a pony dressed in blue?" Pinkie Pie said. "We can ask that pony."

Immediately, Pinkie pointed to a young earth pony dressed in a short blue tunic. The girls went towards him, which surprised the colt.

"Can I help you with something?" He asked.

"Yes, we have come to learn the history of Eponia. A vates from a nearby town told us to ask some pony dressed in blue," Twilight explained.

"Well, it doesn’t surprise me, my name is Spáthl Empáiath, and I'm a bard. "The girls did not bother trying to pronounce that name, so they just kept on listening. "And what story interests you most? The Foundation, the Interregnum War, the Invasion of the Empire ...? "

"We wanted to know a little bit about everything. Can you tell us where you have the library? " Twilight asked anxiously to read Eponia's books.

"Library? No, here we don’t have that, you should go to Coltdinium if you look for codex and scrolls. " Twilight's jaw almost fell to the floor and her eyes widened.

"You haven’t got a library?" She asked without believing what she heard, thus gaining a look of surprise from the bard. "What kind of college is this that does not have a library?"

Sunset tried to calm her down, although it was hard enough ...

"You'll have to forgive her, she takes the books as serious business." Applejack said.

"I see..." It was the only thing Spáthl managed to say. "I’m sorry not being able to help you with that, the druids have transmitted most of our traditions orally, and it is the duty of the bards to practice eloquence and be able to transmit the stories and traditions to the next generation of ponies."

"But they said that here we could learn history, you will not insinuate that you transmit ALL the history by word of mouth..." Rarity said also surprised by the ways of the druids.

"Well yes, but here in Horsenaforda we have something that in other places they don’t have," said Spathl, drawing everyone's attention. "Follow me and I will show you."

Spáthl entered the school followed by the rest of the ponies. Although the interior of the school did not seem as decorated as the exterior, several ornaments could be seen, and in the center of the main hall was a statue of a bearded unicorn holding a bow.

"Excuse me Spáthl, I was wondering what exactly a bard does?" Sunset asked as he followed the pony.

"Well, we are essentially the guardians of history and culture. We take care to transmit the stories and traditions of our ancestors, so there will always be at least one bard in each town, city or village responsible for teaching the foals. A bard must also master the four languages of Eponia, apart from the common language, so it is not unusual to see bards as diplomats." Spáthl Empáiath stood in front of a huge gate. "Here we are."

The gate led to a huge, very decorated room, in which large elaborate and colorful tapestries stood out. The ponies were shocked to see such works ...

"My goodness, they're gorgeous." Rarity said, watching the tapestries carefully. "They are magnificent works; the contours, the colors... "

"I'm glad you like them. The best craftsponies of Prydadain work in them," explained the bard. "Welcome to the Hall of Stories. Now let me tell you where we came from..."

"Here we go again..." Said Rainbow Dash without being too excited.

In the first tapestry they observed a series of boats that arrived at a land, the foundation of a city, and a map of what they supposed was Eponia. Spáthl explained that Epona guided ponies of the three tribes to a new land, far from political squabbles and the threat of the Windigos. There they founded a city that they named as Eponadunum, which in the common language meant 'Fort of Epona'. After years of expansion they founded the new kingdom: Eponia.

In the next tapestry they observed, they could see three ponies in the center: a unicorn, a pegasus and an earth pony. Spáthl explained that they were the co-founders; the pegasus was Lugus, a warrior exiled from his tribe by Commander Hurricane, who along with another pegasus named Mars Invictus laid the foundations for the creation of the legions; the unicorn was called Ogmios, and it was a young colt with blank flank when he arrived; he was the discoverer of the Ogam and the first Druid of Eponia; finally, the earth pony was called Morrigan and she was Epona’s sister, the founder of Cobernia and the discoverer of Avalon.

"How did Ogmios discover the Ogam?" Asked Sunset.

"You see, after a brief conflict with the dragons of the west, Epona sent Ogmios to ensure peace. The truth is that Ogmios, although he was young, he was a great speaker, handled the bow very well and was a talented sorcerer. It turns out that the leader of the dragons told him that he would only trust him if he traveled to the island of Ynis Mane and managed to unravel its secrets. "

"And he made it?" Twilight asked.

"Of course," the bard said in a tone of obviousness. "There, Ogmios’ horn shone, and on a rock, it began to engrave symbols. After two days meditating on them he managed to decipher their meaning, and so his Cutie Mark appeared. After returning with the dragons, the leader knew that he had triumphed in his mission and assured him that the dragons would not pose a threat to the ponies as long as they respected the land where they now lived. The legends say that the chieftain gave something to Ogmios as a sign of friendship and he gave it to Epona, but many bards say that this is just an old legend... "

"Excuse me pardner, why do so many apples appear in this tapestry?" Applejack asked curiously.

"Those are the apples of Avalon. In their exploration of Cobernia, native creatures there, the Phookas, spoke to Morrigan about a fog-covered island where the best apple trees could be seen. Morrigan went after that island, and although she almost lost herself in the fog, she managed to find Avalon and the apples; These apples were used by Epona to create an elixir of youth that preserved her and the co-founders for centuries. Morrigan, in addition, took apple seeds to Cobernia and planted them all over the island, however, the apples of Avalon planted there did not have the properties of those that were born on the island, although I can assure you that they have a superior quality. The cider of Cobernia is simply the best." After hearing that Rainbow Dash’s eyes glittered.

For a few minutes Spáthl continued talking about several events, until he came to a tapestry in which he lowered his eyes showing sadness.

"What does this tapestry represent?" Asked Sunset.

"This represents one of the most shameful episodes in our history. Everything that happened in Eponia in the last two thousand years starts from here. "Those words were not ignored by Twilight, who believed she had found what she was looking for. "This represents the Interregnum War, the moment in which Eponia was divided forever."

"Can you tell us please?" Twilight asked.

"Of course, that's what I'm for," the bard said as the girls and Spike listened. "When the Great Mother died, a vacuum of power came and nopony dared to fill it. The co-founders met and discussed who would take over the kingdom. Lugus believed that he, as the best warrior, should occupy the throne; Morrigan, being the sister of Epona and her only living relative, felt that she had more right to be the High Queen; Ogmios, meanwhile, wanted to delegate the decision on the circle of the Druids, but the other two did not see that too well because they believed that he would convince the druids to appoint him as High King. "

Spáthl pointed to a part of the tapestry where three ponies could be seen arguing around a table.

"During a year that became known as 'The Empty Throne Year' they continued arguing without reaching an agreement, that is why Lugus, to prevent the clans from rebelling and spread anarchy, he gathered the legions, the druids and nobles that were loyal to him and marched on Eponadunum, proclaiming himself as the High King of Eponia; Not that mention that neither Morrigan nor Ogmios saw that with good eyes and urged the pegasus to end that madness. Lugus stood firm and said, 'either they were with him or against him', and that is why Morrigan gathered the majority of clans of earth ponies and her personal guard of warriors, the Fianna, and other dissidents and declared herself in revolt; Ogmios in turn, gathered a large number of unicorns and left for the North. Lugus soon prepared to fight those who once considered his friends... So, The Interregnum War started. "

"He declared war on his own friends?" Asked Pinkie Pie, surprised.

"That's horrible..." Fluttershy said under her breath.

"How could Lugus do that?" Twilght asked.

"Maybe because deep down he believed that he was doing the right thing ... and maybe because he could. The Interregnum War was atrocious, to the point where even the dragons almost intervene in the conflict; battles, looting, slaughtering… it was like all foul thing inside everypony came out with that war." The worst of all is that what Spáthl counted was reflected explicitly in the tapestry. Most of the ponies looked horrified at the images, Dash's expression and Applejack's was desolate, and Fluttershy looked away with tears in her eyes. "In the end after many bloody battles and other atrocities Morrigan managed to flee to Cobernia, where the clans received her with cheers and proclaimed her High Queen, declaring at the same time the independence of Cobernia. The Ogmios’ dissenters also suffered the fury of the legions, but after allying themselves with the hippogriff tribes of the islands and arming a new group of warriors, he managed to expel them from the North. He founded the Kingdom of Horntriu, which remains so far. "

"What kind of warrior were those?" Asked Rainbow Dash.

"They called themselves the Blue Horns. They said that seeing them on the battlefield was the equivalent of a nightmare. Unicorns dyed in white and with blue warpaints, able to fight without rest, and the worst thing is that they rarely leave survivors." With these stories, the group prayed never to go to the northern lands. "The Blue Horns were responsible for the destruction of a city in the north called Eponacum; supposedly it was in revenge for the abuses that the legions committed against the population of unicorns in their territory. They destroyed the city and only ruins remained ... "

"And, what happened at the end with Lugus?" Asked Sunset.

"Well, after seeing that his claim to the throne of Eponia was no longer solid, Lugus divided the land under his rule among the nobles, warriors and druids who supported him, and created a new institution to make it easier for the kingdom to rule: The Pegasus Senate; it established laws that forbade forced slavery in its territory except for criminals and prisoners of war, and also he maintained slavery by contract, in addition to signing a non-aggression pact with the Dominion of the Dragons; Thus the Kingdom of Prydadain was born. "

"So that's why Eponia is at war?" Twilight asked.

"Yes and no. We'll get to that. The truth is that since the Interregnum War the former co-founders of Eponia limited themselves to governing their lands, however, mutual assistance was discarded at first, since the damage caused in the War was still latent. Lugus never forgot his claim to the throne of all Eponia, which his descendants would inherit. Morrigan limited herself to governing Cobernia, the kingdom that she herself helped to found and they became increasingly independent of the rest. However, Ogmios sought to govern Horntriu in peace, but never forgot his commitment to Eponia, so he founded an order whose members would belong to all races regardless of the kingdom from which they came. They called it the Order of Oak and Apple, in honor of the tree that was born in the tomb of the Great Mother and the sacred apple trees of Avalon. The Order was neutral to quarrels and conflicts, and only sought the understanding between ponies and prosperity for the whole of Eponia. Years later after the death of the three rulers, the Order continued to function and with the permission of the King of Prydadain at that time they built a cromlech in the countryside where they also placed memorial menhirs to Epona, Lugus, Morrigan and Ogmios in order to remember their role of Eponia co- founders, not the tragic events of the Interregnum War. The Stallionhenge Nemeton served as a neutral ground for all the sovereigns of Eponia and as a place to mediate conflicts and crises. "

It seemed that the more Spáthl Empáiath spoke more questions hovered around the ponies' heads. The bard continued to explain the history a little, as the need for skillful hooves for agriculture forced Horntriu to hire earth ponies from Cobernia and Prydadain and settle them in their territory, but tired of abuses these ponies rebelled, thus born a new Kingdom: The Dal Rideta. He also said that the Mighty Helm came to Eponia centuries ago after having lost their home with a new eruption of a volcano and not having Rockhoof to save them; they came and founded several settlements, including Horsenaforda. That explained why the architecture of the city was so different. However, the bard didn’t tell any story as intense as the Interregnum War, at least until he came to another tapestry gloomier than the previous ones.

"And this shows us something that we wanted to erase from our memory... the Invasion of the Crystal Empire." The bard counted. Seeing that the girls were interested in this topic, he continued. "The tyrannical King Sombra sought to expand their domains and set his sights on Eponia thinking that being divided and without protection once offered by the Great Mother would be an easy target. He thus sent his illegitimate daughter, a unicorn named Shadowcloak and her army: The Legion of Shadows to conquer the kingdom. Villages and farms were assaulted and razed by the ruthless force of the Crystal Empire, stories of indiscriminate killings were heard from Eponadunum to Peairt Aon-chòrnach, and from Coltnamara to Hófrvik, so the Order brought together the four kings of the time: Taleorcan of Horntriu , Ceffyl Caratacus of Prydadain , Alpony MacAodach of the Dal Rideta and Ruadrí O'Cluaisíní of Cobernia, and formed an alliance against the invasion. The collaboration of the kingdoms was invaluable and the Dark Legion was fitting defeat after defeat, until the Battle of Caer Lugus where the unusual collaboration of the Pegasus Legions, the Blue Horns and the Fianna defeated Shadowcloak and her army she was forced to flee by the sea. To prevent the dark mare from returning with reinforcements, the druids of the Order made a decision that would change the course of Eponia's history: using the knowledge of the Fog of Avalon, they covered all the surrounds of the islands with a layer of almost impenetrable fog, isolating Eponia to the rest of the world for over a thousand years. "

"The Fog of Avalon?" Asked Sunset.

"It was a discovery that Morrigan made on the island and that she taught Epona. It's amazing that in the end the Order ended up using it, "commented the bard.

"That Order... what do you know about it?" Twilight said.

"The truth is… not much," said Spathl ashamed. " If you wanted to know about the Order, you should ask a pony member of it, but that's going to be more complicated..."

"Why do you say that?" Asked Spike.

"Because nopony has known about the Order in years..." That revelation perplexed the girls and the dragon. "Some say there were internal struggles and it dissolved, but it does not fit me..." The bard sighed and lowered his head sadly. "I am sure that if the Order were to remain active, they would do everything possible to end this war..."

"Speaking of which, you didn't tell us why this war started..." Twilight said.

"Oh yes... well, I'll explain it to you." The bard cleared his throat. "About thirty years ago Prydadain was at war with Horntriu, however, our king, Pegasutagus, died in battle against the Scobii pirates in Mareffraw. Although the pirates were defeated, the death of the High King left Prydadain mired in uncertainty; it was then when Council of Druids and the Senate appointed his wife as the regent, the queen Adain Budica, since their son was still underage. Eventually, the queen and the Senate decided to go to war against Horntriu, due to its weakness; they occupied important places like the city of Dyn Neighdyn. In addition, the crown prince of Horntriu died in the battle of Alt Corn and his king was too old and with no more heirs, not to mention that the scobii of the Dal Rideta had risen with the intention of conquering Horntriu... but all that, ironically, was worse for us. A unicorn named Tarannos Gorm, leader of the Blue Horns, forced the king to abdicate, and with the support of the warriors, the druids and nobles, was appointed King of Horntriu. Somehow, he managed to change the course of the war and recover lost territory, forcing the Queen Budica to sign peace, then marched on the Dal Rideta, conquered it and he forced the king Ferbasach MacAlpony to a vassalage pact. He also sent an expedition to Cobernia, but this failed thanks to his newly appointed High King, Leann O’Braeburn. What is happening now, is the direct consequences of that war. "

The bard had no more to tell, so he simply let the girls wander around the Hall of Stories to watch the tapestries with complete freedom. Twilight was confused, although you could see a clear connection between conflicts, she did not know how she could deal with them.

"It’s everything all right, Twilight?" Asked Spike.

"Yes, Spike, it's just that I have the feeling that something is missing... there's something in all this that makes me think something’s wrong."

"Do you also have that feeling?" Fluttershy asked, approaching Twilight without attracting attention.

"It's weird, it's like this war is not the reason we're here," Twilight thought.

To Rarity the history was not big deal to her, but she spent a moment to admire the beauty of the tapestries. Maybe she would find some kind of inspiration in them that she could apply when they returned to Equestria. Suddenly, while she was paying attention to the details of one of the last tapestries, something caught her attention; something that a certain pony should see.

"Sunset, darling, I think you should see this..." said the unicorn dressmaker.

"What's wrong, Rarity?" The aforementioned asked approaching her.

"Look, is not there anything that catches your attention in this tapestry?" Sunset noticed it and remembered that it was the tapestry that spoke about the last war. She supposed that the first engraving was about the death of King Pegasutagus.

"Well, not necessarily, I see ponies fighting, and the death of the King, what are you trying to explain to me, Rarity?" Asked Sunset.

"Seriously, look at it." Rarity pointed her hoof at a particular scene, in which a pegasus legionary was leading his troops. However, Sunset quickly realized what Rarity was referring to.

"Wait... is that…? No, it can’t be, it’s impossible ... " Sunset was speechless.

"What are you doing girls?" Pinkie said as happy and carefree as ever. The pink pony looked up and noticed the tapestry. "Uh ... Sunset, that pony over there really looks like you."

Hearing that, the rest approached the tapestry, and although they did not say anything, the words remained. In fact, in the tapestry you could see an orange pegasus with its tail and mane of red and yellow colors directing a legion against the pirates.

"Sunset, are you okay?" Twilight asked when she saw her friend quietly and with a puzzled expression.

"This cannot be... it has to be a coincidence." Sunset remained unconvinced.

"Beg you pardon sugarcube, but nothin’ that brought us here has been coincidence..." Applejack mentioned.

"Yes, if it's a coincidence it's pretty accurate." Said Rainbow Dash.

"What if it's not a coincidence?" Fluttershy asked in a somewhat rhetorical way.

"Spáthl, can you come here a second?" Twilight asked, to which the bard approached.

"Yes, how can I help you?" He asked.

"That pony there, he must have been important if he was included in the tapestry, who is he?"

"Oh, that was Ignis Gladius, a centurion of the Legio II Belerofontia." He explained. "It is said that he was the first to help the king when he was wounded by the pirates at the Battle of Mareffraw, however, the king was wounded and died shortly afterwards." The bard kept talking. "Nonetheless, Ignis Gladius led his soldiers and thanks to him the pirates were defeated. For his courage, honor and leadership he was appointed Magister Equitum of the II Belerofontia, the highest rank for a legionary in service; he even was condecorated with the Corona Obsidionalis, the highest and rearest condecoration in the army."

"And what happened to him?" Asked Sunset.

"Almost nothing is known about him after the war... It is said that after what he lived in Horntriu he licenced and joined the Order, but the last thing I heard about him is that he died..."

Sunset felt a tightness in her chest, although she didn’t want to admit it openly, that pony could have been the key to reveal her past, but if she was dead her hopes died with him.

"You said that the Order was dissolved, are there still members out there?" Twilight asked.

"As I told you, the Order was very hermetic. Although... there may be a pony who knows where to locate a member. If you talk to the archdruid of the college, you may find the information you need," said the Bard. "Although of course, it is difficult to talk to him even for us..."

"Relax, that will be the least of our problems." Rainbow Dash said convinced.

"Just one question, darling, is not that it bothers us, but why have you helped us so much?" Rarity asked.

"Well, before I wanted to confirm something, you are from Equestria, right?" The ponies' surprised faces did not wait.

"How did you...?" Twilight could not continue.

"Intuition... you reminded me a lot about a pony my mentor told me about, who came years ago when he oversaw guarding the Hall of Stories. He described her as an intrepid pegasus coming from Equestria who wanted to know the secrets of Eponia."

"You can’t be serious, did you meet Daring Do?" Rainbow asked Dash.

"Oh my! Do you know her? "Asked the surprised bard. "I was just a simple amdaur when that happened, but my teacher told me everything about her..."

"We're old friends," Twilight said.

"Friends she says... Almost sisters!" At Dash's comment, Twilight only facehoofed.

"What I want to say is that I don’t know exactly what you are doing here, but I hope I could help you as my master did with that pony..." said Spáthl.

"Thank you very much Spáthl Empáiath, you really helped us a lot. " Twilight said as they headed for the exit.

"You're welcome, if you need anything else, do not hesitate to come here." They were about to leave when Sunset suddenly stopped and addressed the bard.

"There's one thing you could help me with," she said, to which the bard nodded. "I have this horn since I was a filly and I never knew what it is or why I have it, could you tell me what it is?"

Sunset pulled the horn out of her saddlebag and Spáthl examined it carefully...

"I would say it is a dragon or a minotaur horn, ornamented and ready to be used as a cup, but... wait a minute, these inscriptions ..." The bard was suddenly speechless and looked respectively at the horn and at Sunset. "Where do you say you got it from?"

"I have it since I was filly, I don’t know where it came from or what it is, I swear." Said the unicorn starting to get nervous. " Do you know what it is?"

"I'm not sure, but if is what I think it is, it's a very important object. I’m not in a position to assure you, but if you are really going to look for a member of the Order, take it and show it to him or her, and please protect it from falling into the wrong hooves... "

Sunset nodded as she put the horn back in her saddlebag, then left the Hall of Stories with more questions than answers, and with a feeling of emptiness in her heart that she did not feel for years...

Author's Note

Fun facts:
In Celtic Cultures, the bards were mostly males. Though maybe there were female bards, but they didn't recieve that name. Narrator-Druidess maybe was a more accurate name.

An Amdaur was an apprentice who entered in a druidic school. After 20 years of learning, he or she became an official druid.
:twilightsmile: