Just as I was ready to accept my fate I felt two armoured hoofs grab me by the armpits and bring me to a grinding halt with the spire dangerously close to impaling me in the groin.

“Don’t worry! I’ve got you” I heard Autumn say in a strained voice as we bobbed up and down. “Although...you could stand to loose some weight”

“Fuck’s sake, just get me on the ground before I end up with an involuntary gender reassignment!”

“Alright, alright, I hear you” she said, I could practically hear her eyes rolling. As we began to move towards the ground “No need to swear so much”

“Fuck you!” came my defiant reply and she unceremoniously dropped me the rest of the way, when my feet touched the ground I had to drop to one knee to dissipate the force of the impact. As I rose to my feet I came to the realisation that I’d never had reflexes that fast before.

“Well, at least you know how to land on your feet” she said, before jerking her head in the direction of the palace. “Come on, let’s haul flank back up there” And without a second word she flew off down the street. I began to run after her, fully expecting to get left in the dust of the clearly faster winged creature, but I quickly discovered that my speed was greatly enhanced far beyond what one would consider natural, my reflexes too, as I began almost instinctively dodging, weaving, and leaping over haphazardly strewn items left in the street to keep up with Autumn, eventually drawing up alongside her and keeping pace, though I had to dodge around far more whilst she flew a much smoother path.

“Well somepony's feeling spry” she quipped.

“This is news to me as well” I said “before I had this armour I would have been left in the dust and out of breath at the first crossroads” We didn’t say anything for some time, as we concentrated on getting back to the castle. But eventually I spoke up.

“Autumn...before you got that armour, did you…?” I left the question open, unsure how to proceed.

“Yes” Autumn said, not turning to look at me “I heard her too”

“Any ideas on who it was?” I asked.

“No” she said, as we drew close to the castle. “But I know what Wrakjon are” we slowed down to a creep as we snuck into the castle.

“Well, care to explain that one to me?” I asked.

“Eh...ancient protectors who had control over different elements, both physical and abstract, last I knew they were just myths, legends, the sort of thing told to little colts and fillies to make them behave” she said, before changing her voice in an attempt at imitation “Go to sleep and be good now, Wrakjon don’t protect those who misbehave, at least, that’s what my parents always told me”

“Why did they disappear in the first place?” I asked

“According to the legends, when Discord ruled over Equestra thousands of years ago, he either banished the weak and inexperienced ones to faraway lands, making them not his problem, or corrupted those which posed a threat and bent them to his will, they were turned to stone by the Elements of Harmony and now reside in the statue gardens.

“Then why didn’t whoever did this” I gestured to myself “simply just switch them back and un-stone them?” Autumn went to answer, but as we approached the throne room I noticed that Tirek was still very much alive and kicking, and there was something else there, some kind of chimera which seemed to float in thin air. Thinking quickly I grabbed Autumn around her midsection, pulling her close to me, clamped a hand over her muzzle and quickly hid off to one side of the demolished doorway.

No sooner had I done so than Tirek stomped past, followed by the chimera. Only when they rounded a corner in the corridor and stopped out of sight did I slowly release Autumn from my grip.

“Wanna warn me next time you feel like groping me?” Autumn asked.

“Later” I said, looking into the throne room and seeing it completely empty I made my way in and began to look for the sword, though upon looking around I couldn’t immediately spot it amongst the the rubble, I turned to autumn with a sheepish smile “Um, you wouldn’t happen to know where my sword went, would you?” Autumn shook her head.

“The moment you went flying through that window it faded out of existence”

“Shit” I muttered “Just what I need, because we need to try and come up with some plan to stop Tirek and his chimera buddy" Suddenly a breeze swept through the throne room.

“Nooooooo” came a voice, whisper quiet, sounding almost like the wind blowing through a forest, the both of us looked around trying to pinpoint the source of the voice “it is not your purpose to defeat Tirek….your destiny leads to a different paaaath”

“Show yourself...whatever you are” I called “we don’t have time for games or riddles” for a moment I could have almost sworn I heard the voice...giggle

“Oh, my dear Onælan...you try so very hard to make it look like you are in control, but you and I both know that deep down...you are scared, so scared by the thought that you might not see your home again that you have yet to fully question your situation, you are so quick to just...accept your current situation”

“I don’t exactly have a choice” I said “I take it you are the one who brought me here in the first place, the one who has blocked my memories, given me this armour, you’ve even taken away by fucking name! Who ever the fuck you are, I’ve almost died twice in the space of a minute and my temper is at all time high. So if you’re here for a reason, then get to the point!”

“And what exactly would you do if I were to keep testing your patience?” the voice said, coming from behind me, sounding much more...physical. I turned to see a white Alicorn with a maroon mane, some 8 foot tall, standing before me. Autumn gasped and took several quick steps back.

“That all very much depends on whose side you’re on” I said, the Alicorn regarded me with amusement as she began to slowly and gracefully walk around me in a circle.

“Side?” she asked “I am on nobody's side, because no one is really on my side. I travel here and there as I please, nudging things as I see fit to maintain the balance, but ultimately letting things progress unimpeded...many would think me a god, but if you truly wish to refer to me by a name them you may call me Fantasia”

“You call interplanetary kidnaping a nudge!?” I asked, in an instant she was upon me, her demeanor changing from calm and benevolent to outright malicious in an instant, and I felt as if I were staring down a mighty tidal wave in that moment, as if I could simply be swept aside at a moment’s notice. I felt a level of power and will far greater than that which I had sensed from Celestia or Luna

“I call it whatever is necessary to maintain the balance” her voice now sounded like thunder, before it once again became serine, albeit stern “I have bestowed upon you a great purpose, far greater than anything anyone from your world could ever hope to achieve, and yet you stand there whining and making demands like a child”

“That tends to happen when you rip someone from their home and wipe their memories!” I said “Maybe as something who can simply do as they please and alter the very fabric of reality to suit you; you can’t comprehend that. But for us insignificant mortal humans we have to work so fucking hard simply to enjoy what little spare time we’ll have left as a result. You rip me away from everything I love and wipe my memory so that I don’t even have the courtesy of getting to fully grieve over what I have lost, and yet you dare to call it a gift? How little do you think of creatures like me?” by now my anger had reached boiling point as I stared down the closest thing that matched my perception of a god, and I barely perceived flames beginning to manifest around me.

“Do you have any idea how beings like you come across to those like myself who even dare to question the matter of the possibility of their being a greater intelligence?” I asked, at which she raised an eyebrow “beings like you like to present yourself as being perfect and benevolent, and all seeing, all knowing, and most of all fair! Answer me this, what’s fair about cancer, or flesh eating parasites, or genetic disorders which cripple from birth? And why do we have to spend our entire life on our knees in thanks for being born into such an existence in the first place?” by now I was starting to hyperventilate with rage, and had to stop myself before I ended up getting physical in my anger. For a moment Fantasia said nothing and simply bowed her head, whilst Autumn was staring at me with her mouth agape. Then, suddenly, Fantasia let out a humm of amusement, which developed into a chuckle, and then into full blown laughter, not sinister laughter, but genuine laughter of amusement. Eventually her laughter died down.

“Forgive me, young one” she said “I do not mean to mock, nor diminish the seriousness of your concerns, but it would appear that you’re world’s perception of a god is very different to this world’s, I simply find your world’s concept of a god compared to reality as rather amusing. Do not think that we, nor the mortals, perceive ourselves as perfect, far from it, we have shortcomings all of our own. We are no different in mindset to a typical mortal, we just have a lot more power to play with. And one more thing” this time she walked closer to me and placed a hoof on my shoulder, and immediately I felt a calming sensation overcome me. Looking back up to her face I could see she now had a more serious, if not concerned expression.

“Do not ever think that we view mortals as little” she said “the smallest creature has the ability to change the course of history, it is for that very reason that you were chosen”

“Chosen for what...exactly” Autumn asked “You gave me this armour too, so clearly I’m a part of this as well”

“Patience, little one” Fantasia said “there is but two more individual who has yet to play a part at this stage, I’ve had to take a more direct approach to bring them here, they should be arriving right about now” we suddenly heard footsteps approaching and turned to see a white unicorn with an electric blue mane, accompanied by a grey pony with a dark grey mane and tail, walking over and looking around in awe at the destruction. Autumn took one look at them before turning back to Fantasia with an unamused expression on her face

“You have got to be joking” she said.

“Am I missing out on something?” I asked.

“You have no idea how much trouble those two can cause. I’ve had to bring them in on more than one occasion” Autumn said, before leaning towards me to whisper. “That earth pony might come across as high class, but just you wait, she’s just as much a trouble maker as that white one”

“Come and sit” Fantasia called over to them “we have much to discuss” the two newcomers regarded the three of us, particularly me, with curiosity.

“I take it you were the one who summoned us?” the grey pony asked, sitting on her haunches in front of Fantasia, the white unicorn wordlessly followed suit. Not long after myself and Autumn also sat down, the four of us in a semicircle in front of Fantasia

“Indeed, I am Fantasia” the regal alicorn said, tilting her head towards the slate-maned pony “It would seem that there is a touch of destiny about the four of you, and I can assure you it’s not purely my doing, though I have worked to set it in motion. There is an ancient prophecy, almost as old as us gods. It reads as follows” she then began to recite a prophecy in a melodic voice:

Proclaim the ones of new-forged skin:
Of bone, and iron, and pow'r within.
This scattered band together comes,
Its strength, as One, more than its sum.

Each wields a spark like those of old,
Of flame or Earth, of Air or Cold.
For Shadows that once had it all
Unveils the lie of its final fall.

This ancient dark, by all rebuffed,
Once more shalt seek for peace to snuff.
Yet, once 'gain falls that shrivel'd heart
As, likewise, fall its plans apart.

Thus erstwhile heroes seek their quest
In bedrock set, at time's behest:
To one day free their ensnared Priors,
Caught by beasts with blood of fire.

Though evil persists like phage,
It looks to slake its vengeful rage.
The dark will Peace's key entheft
And leave their greatest chance bereft.

To Shadow's shame, while in its haste,
It shall, the world's walls, lay to waste.
So, 'cross the realms of Time and Space;
New allies sought, the war a race.

As friends appeal to Hearts and Minds,
They also shall new troubles find.
In lieu of Hope, a fit of Rage;
Flame's strength unleashed resets the stage.

For those who Blood and Breath do give
In memory forever live.
When foes of Doom new threaten Life,
Our heroes shall again make strife.

And when sun's Light sends iron to Void,
All shall find their peace destroyed.
Ere Steel and Flesh are merg'd compleat,
An alliance kept is no easy feat.

By the time she finished a great power appeared to flow through her words, and some kind of aura surrounded her. Upon finishing she let out a sigh.

“I cannot say with certainty what this shadow is” Fantasia said “but I am certain Proclaim the ones of new-forged skin refers to the Wrakjon of old. So I have summoned you here to start you on a quest, a quest to discover more like you throughout the world, and hopefully to face this shadow that is prophesied” when none of us spoke up with questions, she continued

“Many centuries ago, the Wrakjon were the defenders of peace and justice in this world, not just in Equestria but in many far off lands also, their name being the ancient equine word for warrior but also protector or guardian. Each of them was gifted with the powers of a chosen element, of which they were the masters of, in return they had a duty to not only protect the innocent, but to uphold a principle, one intrinsically linked with their element, but which also granted additional powers” she turned to me.

“Onælan” she said “I gave you that name for a reason, it is the old equine word for ignite, but also to inspire or to lead, You will become the element of fire, throughout history always the bravest and most courageous of elements, and in return you must learn to uphold the principle of courage, in the hopes that it may give strength to yourself and to others in times of need” she then turned to Autumn.

“Autumn Skies, one who has already given so much in the name of your duty, I give to you the element of Iron, one of the toughest elements, which commands the very metal that forms beneath our hooves and keeps the world turning , not just a sign of brute strength, but of strong will. In return you must learn to uphold the principle of valour, do so and you will become a truly unstoppable force.” Autumn sighed and looked down, as if deep in thought, Fantasia then turned to the grey pony.

“Octavia Melody, I give to you the element of gravity, a force which affects everything from the smallest particle to the largest celestial object, with this power you could either crush your foes down to nothing, or send them hurtling off into the great void. In return you must learn to uphold the principle of trust, that you should not only learn to trust others, but to give others a reason to trust you. Learn to trust, and you shall never be caught off guard” Octavia, to her credit, went wide eyed as Fantasia spoke. Finally, the Alicorn turned to the white unicorn, who up until now was surprisingly reserved, all things considered.

“Vinyl Scratch” Fantasia said “a pony of the night, one who must consume the blood of others to survive, by all rights these mortals are your prey...and yet, you willingly hold yourself back, go to great efforts to make yourself appear as normal as possible and blend in with society, that shows a strong will and an extraordinary amount of morality for one such as yourself. I give to you the element of sound, you already have heightened hearing, but now you shall have complete mastery over sound in its every aspect, you can either render a foe deaf and silent, or you could utilize it as a concussive force, it’s all up to how creative you are. In return you must learn to uphold the principle of compassion, do so and you will be blessed with abilities of stealth the likes of which even your kind would dream of” At Fantasia’s implication that Vinyl was a vampire, myself and Autumn both whipped our heads around to look at her, although Octavia seemed to already be aware of this, and I heard the Vinyl rapidly draw in a breath and tense up only to slowly relax as Fantasia continued her speech.

“Lastly” Fantasia said, addressing us all this time “there is but one more thing I need you all to do, you must swear to uphold the ancient Wrakjon code. Ponies must kneel, and Onælan you must take a knee. However, should any of you feel that you are not worthy, walk out now and I will not stop you” after a few moments nobody made to leave, and I saw my sword materialise in front of me surrounded in a maroon halo, taking it I assumed a kneeling stance with my hands on the hilt of the sword and its tip touching the ground. As the ponies bowed I let my head tilt forwards and rested it against the handle of my sword. As I closed my eyes I found myself thinking that, memories or no memories, from this moment on my old life was over anyway. Who I was, the old me? He died the moment I woke up in this land. I then heard Fantasia speak once more.

“Do the four of you swear to never be cruel or cowardly? To never give up or give in? And most importantly, to never harm the innocent or kill the unarmed?”

Autumn was the first to swear her allegiance to the oath, I figure that was due to the fact she’d already been through something similar as a royal guard. Octavia was next. Followed by myself. After a few moments of silence I looked over expectantly at Vinyl, who seemed to be trying to speak, but failing to do so and hurting herself endlessly. Upon seeing this Fantasia slowly walked over and lifted Vinyls chin up with a hoof, a kind smile on her face.

“Do not strain yourself trying to talk if you cannot” she said “your magic will suffice” and in that moment, I saw Vinyl’s horn light up, and two words comprised of pure magic appeared and floated above her head

I SWEAR

Fantasia smiled warmly and took a step back.

“Rise now, and you leave your old lives behind entirely” The claret maned alicorn said “rise now and you are no longer ponies or human. Rise, and you shall become wrakjon” as one we rose to our full heights and magenta magic swirled around Octavia and Vinyl. Dark armour, black & purple for Octavia and Grey for Vinyl, materialised around them and they seemed to stand taller. After a moment to let them look themselves over Fantasia’s horn began to glow, a similar aura surrounded us and we found ourselves draped a light brown hooded cloaks, additionally a shoulder bag materialised on myself, whilst saddlebags materialised on the ponies.

“I give to the four of you cloaks of concealment” the alicorn explained “they will not render you invisible, but they will make you less noticeable to passersby, they will also shield you from the far seeing eyes of more malevolent forces which lurk in the lands beyond Equestria’s borders. They also offer the wearer additional protection from the elements; no storm will be too fierce, no tundra too cold, and no desert too hot. They will also be unaffected by your own elements, so you need not worry about burning them” Fantasia then nodded to the bags we carried.

“I have also provided you with bags of holding” she said “they will allow you to garry a great many things with no effort, and in your case Onælan they will maintain the charge of your personal possessions, which you should find located inside. I have also made the precaution of providing a few necessary supplies for the road ahead” She then turned to me.

“Lastly, there is something I wish to give you, Onælan, in light of what you have had to sacrifice to be here” her horn then glowed magenta, and its aura reached out to surround a particularly large piece of wood from the now demolished door, as it floated close it began to shift into a great staff.

“You species does not possess magic” she said, floating the staff in front of me “with this you shall be able to tap into my own magic and use it as you see fit. And I shall be able to communicate through it to guide you in times of need” I gingerly took hold of it in both hands and a pulse of magenta energy raced up the staff. Autumn now stepped forwards.

“What will you have us do?” she asked “where are we to go from here?”

“You are to travel north from here, make a course for the eastern continent” she said “then when you have crossed over begin to make your way south to the southern continent. You should meet individuals who will join you on your quest along the way. I will be there the guide you through Onælan’s staff should you require help, but the rest is up to you. Get rested, my friends, for you shall depart at dawn's first light upon the morrow” and with that she dissipated with a gust a wind. Once she was gone I let out a sight and allowed my posture to sag as I began to understand the full weight of the situation.

“Well fuck”

Author's Note

I'll be honest, I wasn't attempting to churn out this chapter as quick as I did, but I found myself falling into a comfortable stride as I let the words flow.

the way I figure it, Fantasia isn't good or evil, at least, not in terms of the allegiances of mortals. she exists to maintain the balance of nature.

"Perfectly balanced, as all things should be..."

one moment she might seem completely benevolent, the next, utterly malicious, depending on where you stand in hey eyes.

thinking about it, she would probably be outright malicious, if not hateful, towards the human race as a whole, what with our track record with the environment and industrialisation.