Hope's Elements

Chapters

Temple Trails
Temple Treking
Waking Up
Friendly Fiend
Country Side
Busted
Grand Time

Temple Trails

i would like to say, first off, that any images i have in this story, are NOT mine, and i do NOT take credit for them. They are part of this wonderful randoms work. If things in this story appear in-accurate PLEASE post a comment and ill fix it. Please, PLEASE leave a comment on what you think. If this is horrible, why should I continue?

"Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash spoke, in her usual enthusiastic voice. Fluttershy was inside, feeding the animals there food, and as she began to fold up the bag and stow it away, she heard knocking on her door.

"Fluttershy! open up!" spoke the impatient pony once again. Fluttershy could tell this voice anywhere. It was rainbow, no doubt, and with that voice rainbow was sporting Fluttershy had no choice but to assume that she wanted Fluttershy to do something, or go somewhere.

"Hold on, Rainbow Dash." Spoke Fluttershy, calmly and patiently. Fluttershy trotted over to the door, after placing the bag on the top shelf of her closet, so the animals couldn't find there way to it. She walked to the door, unlocked it, and opened it to reveal her vibrant colored friend.

"Fluttershy! Good to see you!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"You tw-" Fluttershy was cut off by Rainbow Dash

"Fluttershy! You will never guess what I found in the Everfree Forest!" This caught Fluttershy's attention, and her eyes widened.

"You where in the Everfree forest! Oh, why would you go there? Its dark and scary, and.. Oh... Its horrible!" Fluttershy spoke in a surprised voice. Rainbow Dash chuckled

"Its not that bad! common Fluttershy, i want to show you" upon the words Fluttershy zoomed up the stairs at record breaking speed.

"Fluttershy! Common! I helped you get that bird down south last winter, the one with the broken wing." Spoke Rainbow Dash. "Now you owe me one!" Rainbow zoomed up the stairs faster than record breaking, and grabbed Fluttershy bringing her back to the door. Holding her by her fore hooves, then placing her on the mat, and pushing her outside much to Fluttershy's dismay.

"Why don't you ask Twilight, Applejack, Any pony braver than me!" Exclaimed Fluttershy.

"It says only a two pegasus can get through!" Rainbow Dash said.

"who told you that? A big mean scary monster in the forest?" Fluttershy countered. Fluttershy was still stopping herself from being pushed out the door.

"ugh....Fluttershy!" Rainbow spoke. "It's a piece of the ruins out behind the old temple the elements where in. It said only two pegasus can enter a door it described." Rainbow Dash finally found a way to stop Fluttershy from resisting being pushed outside. She pushed her left back hoof on Fluttershy's back left hoof, and Fluttershy tumbled out the door and down the hill. She stopped rolling when she hit the edge of the Everfree forest, and inched herself away from the bush she almost crushed.

"Rainbow! Please!" Fluttershy pleaded.

"What are you, scare-" Rainbow Dash stopped herself. And put on a face of sympathy. "Fluttershy, its ok. Believe me. ill protect you the whole way there! I promise. Don't you trust me?" Fluttershy sighed.

"I trust you..." Spoke Fluttershy, as she looked to the ground. Rainbow Dash soared up into the sky, and then down and grabbed Fluttershy by the fore hooves.

'"Great! Lets go" Rainbow Dash said with much Excitement, placing her friend back on her hooves. Rainbow began walking down the path into the forest, and Fluttershy followed without more protest. Rainbow Dash trotted slowly, as to make sure that the light yellow pony was still trotting behind her. She heard Fluttershy yelp whenever there was a a small crack, or rustle of a bush. Whenever an animals call sounded, or even when she snapped a twig when placing her hoof down. She observed the plant life and the animals that she could on the walk, and they fascinated her, as always, when she walked down this narrow path. She couldn't quite make out every sight, as it got darker the farther into the forest she had gotten.

Suddenly, when Rainbow Dash turned her head she could no longer see the yellow pastel coated mare that was Fluttershy. She began to panic, as any person would, but of course being Rainbow Dash prevented her from showing it.

"ugh, Fluttershy! Where did you go!" when she received no answer, she became even more frightened. "Fluttershy!" she began to search through the bushes, and looking through the brush. When she saw a light pink mane out of the corner of her eye, she flew with immense speed. She almost flew right into her friend if she didn't open her wings fully like a parachute to brace herself, then putting her hooves to the ground. "Fluttershy, why did you walk off!? you of all people know how dangerous this place is!" Spoke Rainbow Dash, a worried tone embedded into her voice. Fluttershy did not reply, but pointed with her hoof down at a small rabbit.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash. I'm sorry, i didn't try to stray from the path, i just saw this rabbit and, oh, its so cute!" Fluttershy spoke, nuzzling the rabbit, as the rabbit nuzzled back. Rainbow Dash sighed and began to reply.

"alright, fine, just don't do that again, ok? You scared me half to death." Rainbow Dash said, more calm now that she knew her friend was safe. "You promise?".

"I promise." Spoke Fluttershy. They began to trot forward, but about about four yards away from the bush, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy stopped when they heard a a few thumps behind them. Fluttershy of course was afraid to check, but when Rainbow Dash explained it was just the rabbit, Fluttershy turned.

"Oh! You want to come with us little one?" Fluttershy said softly, nuzzling her following friend.

"Oh, Fluttershy! We have to take a rabbit with us? He will just bother us.." groaned Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy frowned

"but, oh, Rainbow Dash!" She picked up the bunny and put it in rainbows face. "Isn't it just soooo cute! I promise, you wont even know he's there! Please Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy pleaded. Rainbow Dash gave a glare of disapproval, but then sighed and began to speak.

"ugh.....Fine." rainbow turned and began to trot forward. Fluttershy and the new-found friend following close behind. She had no idea how long they had been trotting at this point, and couldn't even see the sun to estimate. it felt like she had been walking about about an hour and a half, so that's what she when't with in her mind.

"Ow!" Rainbow Dash screamed as she toppled over. Where she expected there to be more foliage, was the plane with the stone path to the ruins of the temple. Fluttershy stopped when she tripped over Rainbow Dash and toppled over herself.

"Oh, are we there yet Rainbow Dash?" Spoke Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash pushed the mare off of her, causing Fluttershy to topple over onto her belly. They both stood up.

"Sure are, now we-" she was cut off when her gaze saw something move within the temple. it looked like a pony with a dark cloak, but as soon as she saw it, him, or her. It, him, or her was gone. "Hey!" Screamed Rainbow. "Who's out there!" She received no reply.

"W-what is it rainbow d-dash?" Fluttershy was shaking, fearing that her friend had spotted a monster, or some big mean pony. "Uh...." Rainbow Dash began. "I don't know, whatever it was i must of scared it off!" She chuckled, her face beaming with pride. They continued to trot to, and then down the cobblestone path. They arrived at the door to the temple, and then began to turn to the right, and flew around the large ruins. They flew till they met the back of the temple, and then they flew downwards, until planting there hooves on the bottom of the cliff face. There was a stone, with a circular path around it breaking off in two ways. One lead to stairs that went up the side of the cliff face until the stairs met with a door, that looked like it was crafted hundreds of years ago. The other, off into the woods, to some unknown area.

"Oh wow" spoke Fluttershy, softly. She trotted around the area, it seemed peaceful even though all around them was deep woods, and darkness. Rainbow Dash trotted to the large stone in the middle, and beckoned for Fluttershy to come closer. They both took a look at the ancient words written in the thick, cold stone block. Why, if every other part of this woods was dark, and ominous, did this one area call to rainbow? She couldn't understand it, and she also couldn't understand what did push her towards the thought of bringing Fluttershy? She could of brought Thunderlane, or Raindrops, or even Ditzy Doo. But no... something in her mind, and in her heart spoke the name Fluttershy, and she felt as if she needed to heed that call. there was no going back on it now, anyway. Why was she over thinking this, anyway? She thought. We are only checking out some ruins? Right? Nothing to get all caught up about.

"Um...Rainbow?" Fluttershy spoke softly, nudging her friend's shoulders. "Are... You alright?"

"Huh?" Rainbow Dash spoke. She had forgotten what she was doing, lost in thought. Fluttershy's friendly voice, and the nudge on her shoulder put her back into reality. "Oh, sure! Sorry Fluttershy, i was just thinking. Big place, you know?" Fluttershy simply nodded in acknowledgement of her friend. And they continued there gaze of the stone. Rainbow Dash read it aloud.

Not one must step forth, but two must fly. After the stars have come forth, And the mare of darkness is freed. If all becomes dark, and all is not well. And the elements of harmony fail there holders. then this world will need hero's to come forth. This be the resting place of the...

L...t.....h...p

The last few words where two withered for the mares to make out, but a few letters did reveal themselves. The letters where large, the entire word looked as if it was suppose to be the key of the entire message above. But what was it? She couldn't even begin to tell what they might be from the letters she could make out. Suddenly though, Fluttershy spoke.

"Rainbow Dash, look!" Fluttershy pointed to the rabbit she had brought along, and Rainbow Dash looked. She saw the bunny clasping two Necklaces. The string connecting to the stone together caked in dirt, looking like they were woven hundreds of years ago, and left in some mud puddle to die. The stones on the end of one of the necklaces where vibrantly colored, a rainbow of colors. This struck rainbow in a way she couldn't corresponding. the other soft, with a light pink tint. On the surface a picture of a pinkish butterfly.

"Rainbow Dash... Those are our colors? What do you think it means?" Fluttershy said in awe. Rainbow Dash still couldn't take it in. It was so odd, she thought. Why those colors? It didn't add up.

"i don't know, Fluttershy. I'm not sure..." She spoke. "Anyway, Fluttershy. Lets look around a bit more." Fluttershy nodded, even though rainbow could tell she wanted to go home. Rainbow felt that she couldn't leave yet, like something here was still calling to her. They both put on the necklaces, trying to push the thought of them being anything odd out of there heads. Fluttershy began walking towards the large door on the cliff, and that surprised Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy was going somewhere without Rainbow Dash telling her to follow, was that because she felt it calling to? hat thought caught her attention. She thought the word "it"... but she had no idea what "it" was. She was getting annoyed with all the thinking, and decided to follow Fluttershy.

they arrived at the top of the stairway. Fluttershy hadn't even noticed Rainbow Dash flew up ahead, and was already there in mere seconds waiting for Fluttershy to catch up. Fluttershy seemed to be in a trance by whatever it was inside the door. Rainbow Dash felt the same longing to enter. Fluttershy tilted her head when they both had stopped a mere foot away from the door itself. Rainbow Dash tilted her head to, then looked to see what Fluttershy was starring at.

"it.... there's a key whole? But its shaped..." Fluttershy stuttered. "its shaped like the necklaces.." Rainbow finished. They knew what to do, without hesitation or a simple word spoken by either of them. They removed the necklaces, and not a fraction of a second in between each other did they place them in the keyhole. It was as if there minds where in sync. As they placed the necklaces into the key holes, the ground gave a pounding quake, as the thick stone door slid open, reveling a dark, narrow passage. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy turned to look at each other, both hearing a voice come from inside.

Welcome, Heroes.

Temple Treking

They walked in slowly. Fluttershy felt it inside of her, her deep deep fear of entering this place. But also, a deep longing. The feeling of longing overpowered her fear, she felt peaceful and adventurous. Rainbow was also overtaken by the entirety of this. Only this morning did she think that she was just checking out some ruins. But all the events lead her now to believe she was suppose to be here... Everything was happening so suddenly though, she felt like her mind was telling her to get ready for a long journey, when all she was doing was walking through an old door. She tried to suppress the odd feelings, and venture further. Oddly, Fluttershy gave no protest as Rainbow Dash quickened in speed down the hall, still walking slowly. Fluttershy's heartbeat quickened. And she could feel that Rainbow Dash's heartbeat had to. Why could she feel that? it was so odd, everything that had happened. The necklaces, the door, not to mention the very fact Rainbow Dash chose her of all ponies to bring here. Though, now that she was here she no longer wanted to turn back. She felt something for her friend, a new found respect, a new found, deeper friendship. And she could tell, that Rainbow felt it to.

"Fluttershy, what do you think we are walking into?" Rainbow said calmly.

"i... i don't know. But, i'm sure we will find out." She replied.

They both continued trotting. They came to a door, with the same dents in it that where the shape of there necklace pieces. They put them into the door, and it opened with a loud creaking sound. They found themselves in a large room, and in the middle was another stone tablet Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were but a foot away from it, when they both read it aloud.

You have entered, and your journey-

They where cut off by a voice. Deep, ominous.

"Halt!" The voice formed the words with sickening volume the two mares spun around with groundbreaking speed. They viewed six stallions, clad in dark iron Armour with red cloth in between the plates.

"I've been waiting for you" said the armored pony in front, Rainbow presumed this was the captain. "We have been waiting for one hundred years for you two to open that door. It is impossible for anyone but the heroes to enter this place, which is why id like to thank you." Rainbow was confused beyond belief. Heroes? what heroes, it was just her and Fluttershy? what did these ponies want with them? better yet, how would they escape?

"Who are you! I'm not afraid of you, Take off that helmet!" Rainbow Dash spoke, pumping her hooves in the air. She was on her back legs.

"Not afraid of us? hmm.. Pity. You need fear to defeat us." He would chuckle. This confused Rainbow Dash all the more. Defeat them? why did they need defeating, and why did he assume that's what Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy where out to do. And the big question, why was fear something they needed to defeat a foe? it made no sense...

"Now that you have let us in. We will be taking what we want from this temple." Spat the captain. "And we will stop you from completing your goal" Rainbows heart raced now. What goal? and how where they going to stop them...

"Kill them."

The dark stallion smirked, and spat the words. Rainbow Dash's heart sounded like a steam train now, and Fluttershy was shaking like a tree in the wind. Rainbow Dash backed up, along with Fluttershy. and the ironclad ponies split into halves. They ran forward, three facing Fluttershy, and three facing Rainbow Dash. They where separated from each other, on different halves of the room. Rainbow Dash was strong, but she could tell that these ponies in there Armour where stronger. But she was brave.

"You picked the wrong mares to mess with!" Rainbow Dash flew up to the ceiling, and so did one of the three ponies facing her. she knew now that they had her advantage. Wings. Fluttershy was at a loss for what to do. She was shaking vigorously, as the ponies in front of her slowly crept forward. they where anticipating the pony to fight back. They clearly did not know Fluttershy if they expected that, which led her to think once more, why where they chasing them? Fluttershy stepped back.

"Try me!" Said Rainbow Dash. And the winged opponent flew, legs first to slam them into her abdomen. But she was smart, she dove, down, bucking one of the wingless ponies as hard as she could, knocking him onto the ground. She dashed over to the other grounded pony, but it seemed he anticipated this, and bucked forward smashing into the left side of Rainbow Dash's skull. She was dazed, and looked over to Fluttershy as she slid across the floor in pain. There was a corridor behind the mare, and Rainbow Dash knew what had to happen.

"RUN!" Rainbow Dash screamed to Fluttershy, pointing to the corridor behind her. Fluttershy knew what this meant, and it meant abandoning her friend.

"No! Rainbowdash, i-" Fluttershy began to speak, but Rainbow Dash gave her a glare.

"Go! Now! Quickly! you gotta get outa he-" Rainbow Dash had started, but then was swiftly bucked by the flying stallion, right against the wall. Rainbow Dash was unconscious. A tear ran down flutter shy's cheek. Rainbow Dash was hurt. but if she went to help, they would both be. She knew what she had to do. She ran as quick as possible down the corridor that Rainbow Dash revealed was behind her, tears littering her face now. It was almost like she could feel it when Rainbow Dash was bucked, the pain was in her skull. Throbbing pain. She found herself in a room with an alter, and above it sat a mysterious Portal. Who opened it? There was no one down this corridor, right? the alter had a stone in front of it, labelled with what she assumed to be the location.

"Z....A"

She couldn't make it out.

"Get her! Quickly, before she escapes!" Screamed the captain of the armored ponies. He seemed rabid, saliva covering his mouth that seemed to foam with the words. He was obsessed. She was crying now, everything happening so suddenly, she was struggling to comprehend. She was overwhelmed with the loss of her friend, and that there was no way out but this mysterious portal, opened by some unknown pony. She had ran out of time to think. The armored ponies where upon her. one of them quickly ran for her leg, and cut a long gash through the back left hoof. She had to accept it. There was no going back to help Rainbow Dash. There was no escaping the fact that she had to enter this portal. just as one of the armored ponies went to deliver a devastating blow to her side, she jumped. The portal supported her, sending her through a whirlwind of colors. The portal dissipated as soon as Fluttershy had gone through it.

Rainbow Dash's eyes opened a bit. She was on a wagon, and couldn't move. Whenever she tried to, extreme pain would fly throughout her body. She could do nothing but listen. There was a conversation by the drivers of the wagon.

"Hey, why are we dragging this mare with us? what the heck do's the captain even want with this worthless mare?" Spoke one of the armored ponies. The way they spoke of her as worthless shot a burst of anger into her. But they way they spoke of that one pony as captain, made her feel smart. That's the name she gave them.

"The captain says that if we brought her back with us, the yellow pony will eventually come to find her." The opposite armored pony spoke.

"Ugh, but why are either of them of any use? there just worthless mares, that got in our way. I don't understand it." One of the ponies countered.

"Would you stop asking questions!? How do you expect me to know any of this? we do what the captain says, and we will get what we want. now stop whining, got it?" the pony replied. They fell silent, and Rainbow Dash felt a long pain in her leg, as if it had been cut, but then again she felt pain all over her body and couldn't move or look down to see if her leg was actually cut. Suddenly. Rainbow Dash fell unconscious of the pain, and the wagon was silent once again.

Waking Up

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes. She sat on a cold stone slab, Iron bars kept her inside the deep dark cell she was viewing. She couldn't escape. The memories of what had just happened lay in her mind, and she was thinking them over. She went with Fluttershy to the ruins. She found the necklace. She entered the temple. Then the dark ponies arrived. She was smacked in the face. She told Fluttershy to r- "Fluttershy!" she screamed, Cutting off her thoughts. Was her friend alright? she had no idea. She hated how helpless she felt, she was looking for anyone to blame. And right now, the blame was on the armored ponies. "Hey! Who's out there! I know there someone there!" Rainbow Dash's rage dissipated upon not hearing a voice. She began to calm when her movement shot pain into her limbs. She couldn't move.

Suddenly, She heard a door creak open. And voices. It was a dark, ominous voice... She recognized it as the captains.

"Where is the putrid mare?" he barked at one of the guards.

"Over there, sir!" hi pointed to Rainbow Dash's cell. He began to slowly trot over to Rainbow Dash, his head to the ground, still wearing his helmet and iron.

"Heheheh.." He would chuckle slowly, as he stopped at the metal bars. Rainbow Dash glared at him.

"What do you want!" the words would pain Rainbow to say, her jaw must of been hit pretty bad.

"So hostile, little one. I'm doing you a favor this time. Your head is probably riling with questions." Began the dark stallion. "So i'm here to answer a few before...Well... Lets keep the future a secret, hmm?" He would chuckle, in a sickly choking way. Rainbow Dash didn't know what to say, she had no idea what to start with.

"Who are you! and what do you want with me and Fluttershy?" Rainbowdash screamed in a rage. The rage only seemed to excite the captain.

"Who i am, is the captain. And that is the only name you will ever know of me." He spoke. "And if your referring to my ponies, or as you could say my masters ponies. Then we are the Mørke." He spat the words at her, with pride.

"You didnt answer my second question!" Rainbow Dash said. She was hiding the immense pain in her jaw.

"Whoa whoa whoa, Settle down putrid mare. Slow down." He would smirk.

"My names Rainbow Dash!" She spoke.

"Fine then, Putrid Dash." He would chuckle, Rainbow Dash would retaliate at this but she was far to weak at this point.

"What do i want with you and Flitter Lies? or whatever you said." The dark mare spoke with little enthusiasm. " What i want with you two is for you to not to live. You'r both the legendary heroes, destined to stop the creation. using the Hope. He finished.

"The hope? and what hero's?" Spoke Rainbow Dash. She could see the dark stallions mouth open wide, as well as his eyes even behind the thick helmet.

"You don't know your own destiny? didn't you read the tablet before we caught up with you?" He was chuckling the words, aparently this meant something good for him.

"You screamed halt before we could get past the first sentence.." Rainbow Dash replied. The dark stallion had a wicked smile started, the thick helmet held only his identity it seems, but not his emotions.

"This is wonderful news! not only can you not complete your destiney, but you dont even know what it is!" he would chuckle, turning to leave, and begin to trot for the door.

"Hey! im not finished!" Rainbow dash screamed.

"Pity, because i am." The dark stallion replied.

"Wait! Wheres Fluttershy! Is She ok! Where is sh-" she was cut off by the sound of a large door slamming shut. He was gone.

Didn't know her own destiny... What did he mean by that? She was angry beyond belief at her helplessness, the fact she still couldn't help her friend, and that she was rotting in a cell for these.. "Mørke"... to point and laugh at. Suddenly, the anger surfaced as she punched the stone wall with her right fore hoof, shooting pain into her once more, causing her to go unconscious once again.

Her head hurt. It felt like she hit it off of the train that runs through Ponyville. She was lying in a soft blanket in a warm cabin, the sun glimmering through the window with its open curtains, a glass of cider on the table beside the bed, and many odd odd nicknacks on the walls and doors. Not to mention the entire look of the place being foreign to her, never before did her eyes view a structure like this. She looked out the window once more, and there where paved roads, and many many more buildings that resembled this ones structure type. She was confused, but couldn't remember what had just happened. It was on the tip of her mind.... She was with Rainbow Dash, and went inside a large scary door in the even scarier Everfree forest. And then... The big mean pony showed up and attacked Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow dash!" she screamed aloud. She heard some pots being knocked around in another room, by an unknown pony.

"W...W...Who's there?" Fluttershy muttered.

"oh, good!" an odd mare looked through a drape that she assumed substituted for a door. "Look, Buck, Chase, she's awake!"

"Well, i'll be darned. Thought she would be asleep forever." Spoke the large stallion, she assumed was buck.

"Ah, the Guv's awake eh?" Said a winged stallion, she assumed this was chase. Fluttershy's mind was the comparison of a newborn child on the case of how many questions she had.

"Where am i? what happened? wheres Rainbow Dash? Who are you!?" Fluttershy spilled questions in a high pitched, squeaky voice as usual, question after question.

"Slow'er down miss. Don't wan'a hurt yourself anymoa than you already've, do ya now?" Said chase.

She had time to observe them now. The one who she had seen first, was a light yellow mare quite like herself. Her hair, would be an understatement if called curly. Her cutiemark was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It was the outline of a heart, but it was hollow. Inside the heart shaped lines lead for thick lines that met in the middle to form a circle. Inside the circle, where four triangles all with the tops pointing inward. The symbol, in some areas of Equestria, that signaled hope. The stallion named buck was a tall green pony the sign of smoke on his flank, his hair was short and he always seemed to be looking down. When he was looking at something he seemed intent on staring at it with great diligence. His eyes showed pain but also a deep happiness that Fluttershy couldn't understand. The third pony, was a dark blue stallion. His cutiemark was also quite odd. Three ovals, there bottoms intersect with each other, but the tops where separated. The symbol of joy.

"Who are you?" Spoke Fluttershy, a bit calmer now that she was familiar with her surroundings.

"im Light Heart." Began the first pony she had met. "This is Thrill Chaser, we just call him chase. And this is Spark buck. we call him, well... buck!" she chuckled. Fluttershy could tell that they where not here to hurt her.

"We found you in a field a few miles from here when we where helping bring in the towns harvest of grains. you where lying there with the cut on your leg, unconscious." Spoke Buck. "We patched you up a bit." Fluttershy looked under the covers to find her leg wrapped in gauze.

"Where am i?" Spoke Fluttershy. She has stopped shaking, and felt calm and peaceful lying in the bed with the sun on her blanket.

"You're in the Great'ol town of Buckilalum." Spoke chase. "East river, West'of the island of Ti, And far our west of the mainlands!"

"So... I'm not in Equestria anymore?" Spoke Fluttershy, she was in a panic now that she knew how far away she had really gotten

"Far from'it! i did say we was away from'a mainland, did i not?" Chase replied. Fluttershy nodded. "You should Get'sum rest now, little one. Your heads all jobbled up, see. I can see it in the way your eyes are moving! we will answer some questions in the morning, right'o?" Chase Finished. what an odd character, Fluttershy thought. She nodded, and curled up in the blanket. She didn't know how she could sleep, but somehow she could feel that Rainbow Dash was in fact, alive.

Author's Note

For people who may be wondering, Mørke is pronounced "More-Ak-E" meaning "The Darks"
Also, The Fluttershy cutiemark and Rainbow Dash cutiemarks will indicate when the story changes views to one and other.

Friendly Fiend

She awoke again, out of her deep sleep. She recapped what had happened, The Mørke, The information she now possessed about her situation, and the things she still needed to know. where she was, what the creation is, And why she was called a hero. she began to tap the wall, thinking intently about what to do, and how to do it. This was all her fault, she thought. She caused this for Fluttershy, wherever she was. she caused this for herself. She was angry, at herself, and kicked her back left hoof against the cold stone. it sent pain throughout her body, but she didn't care. she kicked it again, and again. each time a burst of pain climbing up her spine, and through her limbs.

"Hey, kid. don't want to hurt yourself to bad now, do ya?" Said a guard pony, holding a tray of food. the mare was standing right behind the bars, out of Rainbows reach.

"Shut up.." Spoke Rainbow Dash in a whimper. She was definitely not looking forward to talking to these people again.

"Sit up and grab your grub, pest." Spoke the Mørke grunt.

Rainbowdash sat up, the effort to do so excruciating, even more so than kicking the wall. as she did so, her necklace was revealed to the pony with the tray. oddly, Rainbow Dash could tell that the pony was eyeing the necklace.

"w...where did you get that?" The pony spoke in awe. Rainbow Dash was taken back by her sudden change of voice tone.

"Somewhere you shouldn't of been!" Spat Rainbowdash, in reply. They became silent for a moment. The Grunt slid the trey under the bars and pulled out something from a pocket in her armor, A piece of cloth with a picture of the necklace on it. Rainbowdash didn't know what to make of this. The pony was holding it out to her, as to show her something

"What the heck is that!?" Rainbow Dash spoke in annoyance. The pony was quick to stuff the cloth back into her pocket as for no one else to see it.

"Don't be so loud, Hero." whispered the pony. "just remember, your not alone. you have people on your side." This struck Rainbow Dash in an unfathomable way. there it was again, the word hero being introduced to her title. and what side was she on, to have people on it? it made no sense. Rainbow dash was breathing heavily, a mixture of confusion and pain that ended in anger and sadness. just then one of the guards approached the grunt.

" 'ey! whats going on here?" The stallion said behind his helmet.

"Oh, uh, nothing sir! just delivering the food to the pests." spoke the grunt.

"Well, there's a meeting tonight on the throne floor parlor." began the guard. "You better be there, remember. now scram!" A meeting? Rainbow Dash thought about that. maybe she could get some information! but then she remembered the bars that would keep her from that... she was out of ideas. the grunt hurried out of the room, and the guard returned to his place at the door. how will i get out of these bars, thought Rainbow Dash. i could use leverage perhaps, snap the door off its hinges. but then she remembered the guards outside, and even if the guard was gone, how would she find something in a cell to use leverage on the door? it was useless.

She had time to look over her food now, some rotten celery stocks. A pile of.....something, she couldn't tell. it smelled like strawberry's but tasted like something Fluttershy would clean out of her animal pens... not that she has ever tried it. a box of what she could only assume was apple juice, due to it being an unlabeled container with the letter A on a piece of tape draped crossed it.

Rainbow Dash sat there, thinking on the cold slab that was her bed. Suddenly, though. she heard a door open, and a familiar voice. she listened in.

"What are you doing back here? i told you to scram!" the guard would spit this at the grunt who was walking through the door.

"Oh really? because lord Desistir told me to come down. but, if you want me to tell him that you refused to let me deliver this to the rats, then that's your choice." said the grunt with a smirk. then spat the next word sarcastically. "sir." The guard groaned with eyes of deep anger, but then let her through. she was carrying more food? Rainbow Dash had no idea what to think of this.

"hello again" spoke the grunt as she approached rainbow Dash.

"What do you want with me? why are you not trying to insult me? or are you trying to insult me in a way i don't even know? whats going on!" rambled Rainbow Dash.

"Take it easy, i'm only here to deliver you food by order of Lord Desistir." he would say this loudly so as the guard pony could hear. Rainbow Dash just started to go along with it, what else could she do?

"Right, food, what is it?" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

"Oh, its delicious, the best slop in the north." replied the pony. this gave her a clue as to where she was, the north. but north of where?

"I suggest the peas." he would say this oddly seriously, winking one eye. Rainbow Dash was too tired now to make anything out of whats going on. The grunt walked out of the room, without saying a single thing more. rainbowdash now had two trays, one half finished, and one with a mountain of peas, corn, celery that was not rotten, hey fries and a dandilion sandwitch.

"Now we're talking!" Rainbowdash spoke, and began to gobble it down, starting with the corn. then the sandwich, and then she stumbled upon the peas. She chewed a few bights, and swallowed. they where good, really good. just like the mare had said.

"Ack!" Rainbowdash coughed, She was choking on something. she quickly hit her back, and spat out a shiny metal object, across the room, hitting the stone wall with a clanging sound, then hitting the floor. it had teeth, and a small loop at one end.

"the key..." Rainbow Dash whispered to herself. she could get out of here, now. she looked closer at her tray of food stuffs to find a note hidden under the celery. she whispered it to herself.

Hero, looks like you have found a key. i wonder who put that there, but anyway. there's something you should keep in mind, Guards have to sleep to.

She looked out the door to find the guard pony dazed and half asleep at the door out of the dungeon chambers. all she had to do was wait for him to fall asleep, then she could escape.

Author's Note

Gonna learn a lot in the next few chapters. Put your anticipation pants on everypony :3

Country Side

She awoke to the sound of birds, the morning sun shot through the windowpane, and spread out across her blanket.

"Hello?" spoke Fluttershy, she remembered the people she had met yesterday, and needed to see there faces to make sure completely, that they where not a dream.

"God dag." Spoke the deep, scratch voice. Obviously Spark Buck. "Um... God dag?" Fluttershy spoke, tilting her head, the tone of her voice indicating this was in fact a question.

"Oh, i'm not from around here" Spark Buck looked out a window longingly as he said this.

"Where are you from?" Fluttershy asked. Suddenly though, the large stallion looked down to the floor upon these words.

"Oh! i'm sorry... I didn't mean to offend you!" Fluttershy spoke reassuringly.

"I know that... Its just. Not to sure where i did come from... Where i was raised? that's a different story." His face looked up, and his cheeks held a smile, ear to ear.

"Oh, alright. Where were you raised then?" Fluttershy asked, her head once again tilted, her tone back to her normal, soft way.

"Boar way." This struck Fluttershy quite oddly. She had heard of that place, through the Ponyville news paper. A long while back, Boarway closed its borders to anyone coming in, or coming out. Way before Fluttershy was born, though she did find that paper in her grandmothers box's of old things. The stallion looked older than Fluttershy, but not by much. how could he of grown up there, and end up here?

"you don't have to be so quiet. I know its a shock if you know about the border closing." Said Buck.

"oh! I'm so sorry, i just.." Fluttershy was stopped by the gesture of a friendly hoof, belonging to Buck.

"its fine, miss. Its fine. See, Boarway is the country of boars. An evolved version of the pig, just as sentient as you and I. but they are fearless, and gruesome. And will do anything for themselves, hold the feelings of any other race." Spoke Buck.

"except for two, very close boars." Spoke the stallion. "Thora, and Thorkir." The stallion looked out the window again. "I was raised by them, i don't know who my parents where. When the Boarriors, the guards of Boarway, came to the house, they would hide me. i learned a fair bit on how to use gunpowder, hence the picture of smoke on my flank." He finished. Fluttershy was quiet for along time. But finally, she broke the silence.
"How did you get out?" she asked. The stallion looked at her with a fierce, angry face. She pulled back at that moment. but his face then went calm, and saddened.

"I.... don't want to talk about it.." He murmured. It sounded oddly familiar to Fluttershy, but she put it out of her mind. they both sat there quietly, until once again, Fluttershy broke the silence.

"Where are Light, and Chase?" Fluttershy said questioningly.

"You are full of questions, aren't you miss?" spoke Buck, quite jokingly.

Fluttershy chuckled "sorry, didn't mean to swamp you with them." Replied Fluttershy "but i am still wondering where they are?

"They are off working in the fields. This here, is a farm settlement. They wont be back for awhile, why don't you have a look around? talk to Grandy." Buck spoke. This caught Fluttershy oddly, as she realized there must be other people if this was a town. Her mind was not fully working with her after all that has happened, but it seems that it was going back to a composed and calm stature.

"Who is grandy?" asked Fluttershy. Buck chuckled.

"another question? haha." Buck smiled "He is the one who is in charge of the town, the mayor of sorts. Takes care of me, Light, and Chase. Since we where little ones. None of us really know our parents, except Chase who ran away because of all the hatred and unhappiness in the Hooviet Union islands. And don't ask me anything about Chase or Light, cause' i don't know. We don't usually like to talk about our past, and things that had gone on then.. Let me just say that there's a lot of reasons why we are here, and not back where we belonged." He said this with pride, but also with deep sadness. He then stood up, with a grunt. "I have to go work on something in the fields as well. Getting the old tools back to tip top shape. Why don't you go find some more friends?" Buck spoke as he put on a cotton vest, grimed with dirt and other unknown things, and walked out the door. Fluttershy was alone. She sat there for awhile planning what to do, but after awhile a sound of whistling was heard from the room past a door- or what was suppose to be a door. A sheet hung from the top of the door frame. She pulled it aside, and looked through to see an old stallion, sitting slumpily in a rocking chair, whistling through a pipe. His hair was a deep grey, and his skin showed ware from days past, most likely working on a farm. But there was also an odd scar, on the old pony's cheek. Quite odd, Fluttershy thought.

"h...Hello?" Fluttershy whispered, barely audible. The man looked up in his chair, and began to look side to side.

"What! who, where? who said that! is it those critters trying to steal my orange's again!" the old man finished. Fluttershy took a few steps back, scared from the old ponies words.

"Um.. No sir, its just Fluttershy!" Fluttershy said in a squeaky voice, the kind she had when she was nervous, scared, and many other negative emotions.

"What was that? Fruiter fly's?" spoke the old pony. He reached for his glass's, but ended up picking up a pen. Before the old pony, who she know suspected was Grandy, had jabbed it into his eye, she reached out and knocked it out of his hoof, swiftly and cleanly.

"oh! my glass's!" spoke the old man. "You'ought to be ashamed of your self young sir! knocking the glass's out of an old pony's hoof like that... Pfft." He spoke. Fluttershy felt bad, but also accomplished that she had saved the pony from causing himself blindness... If he wasn't blind already. Before he grabbed another pen, she nudged the glass's over to his hoof, and he grasped them. He opened them up carefully, placing each of the holders behind his ears.

"Now what did you say your name was, son?" asked the old man.

"actually, sir. I'm a mare. Not a stallion. and my name is Fluttershy." She spoke, loud enough so that she could be sure he heard him.

"A mare? you say? oh fiddlesticks! trying to use my blindness to trick me. Shame on you. I can spot a member of my sex from a mile away!" he spoke, in an annoyed angry tone. "Now, your name is Flitter pie?" he finished. Fluttershy began to get quite angry at the fact the man could not see, or hear her.

"Its Fluttershy! and i am a mare!" she said angrily. She then put a hoof over her mouth and blushed, she never usually let anger get the best of her.

"oh? Fluttershy? Well why didn't ya' just say so, youngin?" he spoke. "No need to raise your voice for nothin no how!" he said. His anger seemed to dissipate as he recognized her name and gender. "So, what brings you to our home, witter lie's?" the old man finished. Fluttershy had given up on any chance of him remembering her name, and just felt lucky he now acknowledged she was female.

"I... Don't know really. I.. woke up here." Fluttershy said calmly.

"Oh. Well that's no problem! I forget stuff all the time, youngin." The old pony reassured her, adjusting his glass's.

"Oh, i haven't forgotten why i'm here completely.. But. I have forgotten how i got to this house." Spoke Fluttershy. "Light, Chase, and Buck had told me they found me when i was working in the fields." Suddenly, the old pony looked up.

"Oh! your the youngin they found sleeping on the corn aren't ya son- i mean...Ma'am..Uh.. oh pony feathers! whatever you are" the old pony mumbled, as he was swaying back and forth on the chair. Fluttershy giggled at the statement, she found herself strangely at home when talking to him.

"Yes sir, that's me." Fluttershy replied.

"i found your bunny friend, hiding something over under the rug a moment ago, swiped it clean off your neck while you where sleeping, he did!" the old man said with a slightly jolly chuckle at the end, followed by a slight cough. Fluttershy when over to the corner of the the rug, where she noticed a lump. And reached under to find the odd, personality reflecting necklace from the temple where she had lost dash.

"Oh.. This. its nothing really." She flew over, low to the ground, and planted her hooves firmly on the ground near Grandy. As she began to tie it on her neck, she saw Grandy whisper something out from the side of his mouth, staring intently at the necklace. But then, he spoke it louder.

"By gods... Is that? Shimmyshy, is that your necklace?" Grandy's voice was low, hoarse, and menacing. Fluttershy still annoyed with the old pony forgetting her name, began to reply.

"Um... yes, i think so. My rabbit found it under a stone, there was one just like it, that belonged to my friend... why?" Fluttershy finished. She then got curious, and looked out the window to see if she could see the fields, and her friends. The scene was beautiful. But no fields in sight.

"because... I think your someone special." As he said this, her cheeks would blush bright red. "Hero?" the old pony spoke. Here it was again. A word that she had become to loathe with all of her being. But the person saying it, brought her great interest. Perhaps he had answers.

Busted

The guard had began to doze, but Rainbowdash was determined to wait a few more seconds, to completely conclude that he would stay asleep. She sat there, finishing the meal. She had thought this through, beginning with the meal. Gain energy, sneak through the castle, find the meeting, listen in. When they finish, find a window. And fly. As she began to move her wing, the great amount of pain shooting through it reminded her of her condition. Change in the plan. Find a door, and run. Her incapability of flying, did not stop the capability of her mind taking flight. She was thinking through everything that might happen. A guard finding her, the guard at the door waking up when she was out of the cage. She even thought through if she had a sneeze, what to do to not get caught. She was ready to take the key, and put it into the door when she stopped, key in hand, but a foot away from the bars. What if she found the guard that said she would help her? did this mysterious mare want her to find her before leaving? did this mare expect her to just make a run for it? the questions where the highest flying thing in her mind. Her thoughts reminded her of her flight test in Cloudsdale, soaring through the sky, falling, and taking flight again in a different way. those tasks where the least of her worries on her test, but here, they where everything. She decided that she would do what she did in that test, and take what comes her way, as it comes her way.

She slowly nudged the key into the lock, the clinking of the two metals reverberating around the room in her ears, as she was focused on that and nothing else. Quickly she twisted the brass key, and with a final "click" the lock fell to the ground, making a highly audible click. The guard turned his head for a second, as if his dreams where disrupted by the noise, and he slowly drifted back into whatever dream he was having.Rainbowdash sighed in relief, that he had not waken up. the disasters that would of taken place if he had would be unimaginably bad for her. slowly, she pushed the door open. she did so at such a slow speed to avoid any creaking of the door, as the scream of the metal would surly wake, or alert someone. the door was open now. she was free to roam about the room. she still did not know if Fluttershy was here or not, but she has saw her get away down the temple corridors, and she assumed that she was in the only dungeon there was. every cell, clean and well kept despite her own, her bodily functions and the cares of the guard ponies laid waste to the cage of iron she had once called her home. but not anymore. she was out of there. and knew that Fluttershy was not there, and she could finally make her move. she slowly crept over to where the guard had stood, hoof after hoof, slowly. until she reached the door. she put her hoof onto the knob, and the cold, soggy, grimy sensation put shivers down her spine. she was shaking in anticipation to what she would find outside the door. a patrol of guards ready to slam her back into her grime smeared room, or more likely kill her on sight. an arrow, a blade. a swift smack that would render her brain useless. a single kick that could drop her. the thoughts broke her inside, the full seriousness of the situation hit her. this was not a test. this was not a game. this was life or death. imprisonment and freedom. and by the way they where acting, world chaos or harmony.

She trotted outside, sure not to make a noise as her hoof hit the cold stone floor- or so she thought. instead of a cold floor like a usual dungeon, she stood upon a red velvet rug in a hallway. all around where gold painted light fixtures holding a sickly greenish, blackish, purple flame. the flame, even though it was sickly in color, strewn light across the hall. the light brought to her eyes more decorations upon the wall, paintings, royal symbols. The roof hung high above here, with chandeliers, candles of the same sickly glow to match the torches. it was a beautiful sight if it didn't signal how hard it would be to navigate this place. it was huge, much bigger than she imagined. but at the end of the hallway, where she saw it broke off into two ways, was a window. large, with a gold painted separation piece for the glass panes, and a knob that looked to be of crystal. now that she looked deeper, the floors under the carpet where crystal, the walls behind the decorations... it was not simply a light stone. it was a dark crystal. as much as these things brought thoughts to her mind, she now had her escape to think of. she quickly trotted over to the window, looking out. the view was not what she had wanted, nor expected. it was cold. snow shot beams of white through her vision, the sky did the same. it looked as if she was looking blatantly at a white sheet that was hung up to dry, with a few wrinkles to signify mounds of snow, and hills. it was snowing vigorously, but she did see a town in the distance. it did not show to her eye at first, but she saw a faint light shone through a window. the buildings, she would never of spotted, as they where white and the fact that there was nothing but moonlight to make out shapes. the window was all she could see, light shunning over the cold snow, banishing the vile night's darkness as its path continues forever outward.

Stupid! she thought to herself. she was sitting at the vertices, the connection point of three hallways where anypony could see her, and for what did she let down her guard? she let it down to think about light. she was angry in herself, but also found herself lucky that nopony had seen her. she had become a very deep thinker, all the time she has alone when practicing her flying tricks and spins. the relaxation of speed and clouds soothed her mind, and she used that to think often. but now she had to run, or she would never fly again. as she opened the window, another thought came to her mind. the meeting. she could hear voices down a hallway, many voices. hundreds. thousands. as if it where an assembly at the Cloudsdale school of flight. She walked down the hallway to her left, and the sounds became more clear. she could tell how every pony was talking at once behind the large oak door that now stood in front of her, that the meeting had not started. then a thought came to her mind. how was she going to get in?

"Hey!" screamed a pony to her left. her heart stopped. she knew what this meant, if they had found her. "Hey Dabka! Hurry up. we are late for the meeting!' a pony was seeming from down the hall. Rainbowdash's heart stopped for a momment, and her mind kicked in. they hadn't seen her yet. she quickly turned and looked for something to hide behind, a door to go through, something. the voice became closer. "Comon, Dabka, your slower that an Ox!" spoke the armored pony. quickly, Rainbowdash found a small door, and dashed forward, running for it. quickly, the guard pony turned the corner.

"who's there!" he yelled. but there was not a person. he sighed in disappointment and entered the oak door, along with the pony Dabka.

"what where you yelling at, boy?" Rainbowdash heard the one she assumed was dabka.

"i thought i heard hoof steps. sorry." said the guard pony. the door closed.

Rainbowdash looked around the room she was now in, dark and with the slight smell of musky old cloth. it was dark, but she could see slightly well. she made out what looked to be a helmet, and some iron arm pads. the cloth was a little worn, and the iron slightly dented. but upon seeing the Armour, her mind grew an idea. She took the helmet, and placed it on her head. it fit, oddly. as if it was made for her. she then proceeded to put on the other garments, the fabric slightly wet stuck to her skin like the shiny fabric rarity used for one of her couches back in Ponyville. She was now fully dressed, clad in armor, and wobbled to the door. How can these ponies wear this stuff? she thought. she left the closet like room, and walked up to the wooden door. she gulped.

"this is it... Rainbowdash. this is the place..." she spoke to herself, in a whisper. she gulped once more, before going inside. People where talking, bashing around, the place was bustling with active pony's trying to find there place to listen to this odd announcement. Suddenly, Rainbowdash herself was bumped into, as she was standing there not moving, lost in thought. her wing was what was hit, and the shooting pain made Rainbowdash want to fall to her knees, screaming in agony. but she didn't.

"hey! watch it kid!" said the large pony. "we are trying to find our places, maggot of a mare. get your arse in your chair!" screamed the man. a tear ran down Rainbowdash's cheek caused by the pain in her wing, though it was covered by her helmet. she quickly trotted and sat in the next available seat, and waited.

eventually, everyone settled down, stallions in there seats, mares staring aimlessly at the podium in front of the large room. a door opened, from behind a curtain, and everyone's head turned. it was a dark as night black pony, sporting a royal red cloak, and an iron necklace. a horn tinted red at the top, and a sickly grin smeared his face. although her first thought was that this was Sombre, the king of the black crystals, she could tell this pony was much younger, and a lot less decorative. but in some way, this stallion must be related to Sombre in one way or another. this made her mind, once again, burst with questions. she had to suppress them, so that she could hear what the stallion had to say. the entire reason she was not out of here, by now. The dark pony stood up to the podium.

"Welcome, welcome!" he spoke, in an enthusiastic hum.

"Lets skip any introduction or chit chat. you know who i am, i'm sure." he spoke again. "We have captured but one, of the Heroes in our way. the other still roams free." this made Rainbowdash sigh in relief, her friend was undeniably not here.

"Now, We have yet to execute this mare for the soul purpose of using her as bait. we are to have her, and the pegasus pony will surly follow." He finished. "Now, to the podium, is Head Engineer Stuck Plug." Suddenly, an odd creature leapt out from behind the curtain. a life form Rainbowdash never expected to see. a Boar. the left tusk shaved and pointing out, bowed up. but one, oddly curved to the side, like the horns of a mountain goat, his left eye also slightly bashed. like he had been in one heck of a war.

"Gwahaha! God dag, pen ponnier!" The Boar spoke with much laughter. everyone looked at him like he was a monster. they had no idea what he was saying, and neither did Rainbowdash.

"ugh, uvitende idioter .. Oversetter!" The boar screamed to the side. and a pony, with a tag labeled "translator" on his cloak, walked up beside the boar. as the boar would say another odd comment, the translator would translate it.

"We have almost finished the construction of the Ingenhåp. And shortly, the creation process can take course. as the hero's are separated, there will be no Hope to stop it. literally." everyone in the room began to chuckle. before the translator had started up again.

" We just need now, To undergo creation operation one. Collection." Rainbowdash was clueless to all of this, but the word collection brought every other pony joy, and happiness. The boar finished with something, that the translator would not translate. due to it most likely being irrelevant, and the way he said it sounding angry and insulting. the boar then spoke, as he was leaving the podium.

"nå, få ræva er i linje, og ta makten pyntegjenstander!" everyone else then stood, and screamed. a word.

"Makten pyntegjenstander!" each and every pony said. she then followed.

Everyone stood, as the dark pony came back out from behind the curtain, and stood at the podium as the boar hobbled off.

"All Stand. Remove helmets. and salute!" he said, in a deep voice, as loud as can be. Rainbowdash fell into panic. remove her helmet? but then.. Everypony would see her. what was she going to do? she began to sweat, her armor becoming slick, it already being hot inside the suit from its layers of protection did not help the case. Everyone was standing with there helmet off, there right forhoove to there forehead, saluting the dark stallion upon the podium.

"You there. Remove your helmet, and salute to the lord." Spoke a guard near the podium. Rainbowdash stood still, and the guard became angry.

"I said remove your helmet!" the guard spoke. Rainbowdash had no choice but to remove her helmet. maybe they would not recognize her. she removed her helmet slowly, and as she did so, the ponies viewed her cyan coat, dirty and caked with grime. her once vibrant mane done in knots of all sizes, caked with more of the disgusting, musky substance that was in the dungeon cells. she looked like a prisoner. everyone in the room was silent, but one mare looked worried.... the mare that had given her the key to escape in the first place. the silence was broken.

"Its her! the pony i had captured! quickly! take her!" Screamed the captain. instantly, ponies put on there helmets, and got into fierce positions. Rainbowdash was surrounded in the room of ponies. Rainbowdash viewed that the pony who had first helped her, left behind a door way. Rainbowdash now had a tear running down her cheek. she was not suppose to be captured, that was not the plan... but it happened. one of the guard ponies bucked there hooves back, and hit Rainbowdash in the wing. the pain that was caused was deep. it was pain she had never felt before, deathning. this pain was unusual, but strong. it was the pain of a near fatal blow. she then fell unconscious, to the ground.

Author's Note

Sorry i have not put any other chapters out for awhile! i'm working on it again now. soon, more to come!

Grand Time

"What do you mean hero?" Fluttershy asked. She was lying patiently on the rug, near the old pony's rocking chair. The old pony sat up, and straightened his glass's, pushing them back up his snout.

"Don't play dumb. you must of read the stone? the stone tablet left there for the hero's to see. Do you not remember?" Grandy spoke.

"Well, before I was able to read the stone tablet, some pony and his gang of red clothed, armored warriors ambushed us... That's where I got the cuts and bruises." Fluttershy spoke. Grandy looked her up and down, for a long while, both of them remained silent. Suddenly, Grandy broke the silence as if he was the very knife that had cut Fluttershy in the first place.

"Whinnyshy, if your friend was taken by those pony's. Then your life, and the life of millions is in danger. For if she is killed... Then not only will this world fall out of balance. But life itself, will fall out of balance." Spoke Grandy. Fluttershy was quite excited upon the fact she was gaining answers to her questions, the plethora that there where.

Grandy began to stand, the creaking of his bones highly audible. It seemed to take an age, for the pony to fully stand up. "
Jimmyphy, You have much to know." Spoke Grandy.

"You are in great danger, since you have not read the tablet. The fact that you found your way here, was not an accident, though we thought you would be here sooner." Fluttershy was still. She listened intently.

"The portal you had was to lead you to me, so I could advise you onto your missions, so that you could save this planet, from the devastating weapon, known as Creation." Grandy then proceeded to a door, and turned the knob ever so slowly, to reveal a staircase. He beckoned for the pastel pony to enter. Without word of doubt, or show of remorse. she entered. Grandy then followed. They walked for quite along time, after reaching the bottom of the stairs. Until, about ten minuets into walking down the torch lit hallway, they arrived at a small room, with a box, and writing on the walls.

"W-where are we?" asked Fluttershy, overtaken by the vastness of the situation.

"We are in a small underground dungeon like area. Under the old observatory. The observatory will serve as our base of operations for your journey. Now I believe you would be asking for answers, so let me answer your questions." Spoke grandy, gesturing her to speak. She then began her questions.

"Who are the people that took Rainbowdash, and why is she in danger!" Fluttershy asked, in a panicky tone.

"The ones who took your friend are known as the Mørke. They are the warriors who where led by king Sombra in the crystal empire, age of the dark crystals." Grandy began. "The Mørke left when sombra was defeated. Sombra was defeated for more than the siege of the crystal empire, but he was banished for the fact that he tried to re-create a powerful element that would counteract harmony. An element of Fear, Power, and Tyranny." Fluttershy found herself looking around the small rooms, viewing paintings of odd and beautiful places on the walls, and reading the words below it. But suddenly, she stopped at quite a large painting. One that gave her much fear, and seemed to strike her negatively, as if it was something that she was meant to hate.

"Ah. This painting strikes you, do's it not?" Grandy spoke. He walked up behind Fluttershy, and put his hoof on her shoulder. "This is the painting of the Ingenhåp." Fluttershy then looked towards the painting again, to view each and ever part of it. it was a table, at an angle, with straps to hold a pony, down. That was not what worried her, it was the thing above. A large needle like object, on a robotic arm, above the table that looked as if it where to strike the pony that laid apon the table. Two other needles, smaller but still as frighting as the large one, that looked as if they where built to penetrate the temples of the pony, or victim rather, of the machine.

"W...What do's it.. D...Do?" Fluttershy stuttered in fear.

"It is the machine needed for the creation. Only two unicorns are capable of creating a beam powerful enough to charge the machine, and that is Sombra and his son, Desisiter." Began Grandy. "It is that machine that will take loyalty, and turn it to tyranny. And will take kindness, and turn it to fear." Fluttershy Was deathly scared now. She knew what this meant, and it was not good. This machine was meant for her, and Rainbowdash. The holders of two of the great elements of harmony, elements that she never thought could be corrupted. The element she held, kindness, and its sister element, loyalty. Using elements of harmony, for the soul purpose of disharmony, and evil. She could hardly bare the thought of this. Loyalty being the very sister of her element, and the holder of loyalty being like a sister to her in the first place. Her sister, rainbo-

"RAINBOWDASH!" Fluttershy screamed. Only now did she piece together the fact that they had Rainbowdash, and are planning to use this against her. Only now did she realize that her friend could be lost to evil, strewn into darkness. She had to save her. "Rainbowdash! We have to save her, Grandy! She is in trouble!" Screamed Fluttershy once more. She was shaking furiously, placed in a cold sweat along with almost going into hyperventilation. She was worried beyond belief for her friend now, her best friend. Grandy pressed on her shoulder with his hoof, to reassure her.

"It will be fine. They cannot do anything to her until they finish building the machine. and to do that, they need to start the collection. I reckon that's what they are planning now, in some private meeting in the northern land." Grandy said this, looking off into the distance. It was as if he could see them, at a table with maps and charts, planning all sorts of operations.

"We need to start the collection, first. Because if we do not, they will get the trinkets. And there will be no stopping them." Grandy finished. "Any other questions?"

"What is the collection, and how do we get started?" Fluttershy said, putting herself in a pose to show that she was ready to do what it takes to save her friend.

"hoho! That's the attitude I need to see. Honestly, i'm only a good help for the knowledge at the time. My old bones wont help much with physical affairs. But i'm darn tootin I can help you still, brain over brawn." spoke Grandy, once again pushing his glass's up on his snout. " Alright, Hero. Allow me to explain the collection." Grandy began, standing tall. Fluttershy simply nodded, and sat down. The sensation of the cold, wet stone against her warm soft flank sent a chill through her, but before a second had past she got use to the feeling.

"There are trinkets, that have been around since... Well. Ancient times. No one truly knows a date, but that's not important." Grandy trotted over to a painting of four items. Fluttershy recognized one of them. The Alicorn amulet, one that Trixie had worn to there town. A mysterious mare, quite full of herself. The amulet gave the one who bore it great magical power, that equal to a queen or a princess, though Zecora had hidden it for them when trixie was defeated.

Zecora was a mare of a different race, a race of Zebras from a continent known as Zenya. She didnt speak much to Fluttershy, as Fluttershy was afraid of the very place Zecora called home, the Everfree forrest. She was quite polite, but always spoke in an accent, and her words always rhymed with one and other. She always had some sort of remedy to things, and always seemed to know the answers to her, and her friends, questions on there journeys.

"I know where that one is!" Fluttershy spoke with enthusiasm, pointing to the dark iron and red painting that was the Alicorn Amulet.

"Yes, I do too. It is with Miss Zecora, of our knight ship." spoke Grandy. Grandy then popped up his head, and spoke again enthusiastically.

"Oh! I forgot all about the knight ship! And since you have not read the stone, ill have to tell you myself." he pridefully spoke this, as if it was a project he had worked on throughout his life. "There are people all around the world, on your side. part of an alliance called the Knight ship. We where set up many years ago, about the time the temple itself was built. we where the ones who intended it for the hero, and i'm actually the only original member left in the Knight ship." Grandy looked down, she could see the cogs in his head turning, most likely thinking about his old friends, or so. Zecora, all this time, was a part of a knight ship? it was hard for Fluttershy to imagine. Zecora knew about her all along, as well as Rainbowdash, and never said anything at all. It didn't make sense, why not tell her and Rainbowdash sooner? She looked back to the painting, and at the other four items. And she began to look horrified at one of the trinkets. A Dark blue, Darkness emitting orb it had a sickly green glow, its Turquoise aura hard and rock like.

"I see you take interest in the orb of Greed." Fluttershy scooted away from the painting, in fear. she knew who it belonged too, a Changling Queen. Queen Chrysalis.

Queen chrysalis. The Changling Queen, like insects but in the shape of Fluttershy's own race. They can change themselves, transform, fabricate themselves into some pony you love, and the feed off of there love for you. An entire nation of greed. A nation of hives and insects, all working together for the sake of greed. How a nation could even stand together under standards like that, is unfathomable to Fluttershy, though they where perfectly capable of working together.
"This use to belong to a friend, not a foe. But her kingdom has long been devastated, and now it has found its way to the Changlings." Grandy looked down again, and proceeded to the next picture before Fluttershy could question. "Helveteheim" he said. Fluttershy had no idea what he was saying, but the picture he pointed to was..Odd. It was another trinket no doubt, but this one was a horn of ivory. A soft, smooth material. It looked as if at the tusks start, it was cut off, and replaced with a reed. If it had a reed, then it must play music?

"What is that?" Fluttershy asked.

"it is a War horn, from Boar way." Spoke Grandy. "It was lost for many, hundreds of years. The symbolization of war, and rivalry." Fluttershy nodded. She was becoming impatient, the wet ground, the dark rooms. She needed to get out of here, and to her luck, they where on the last trinket. She looked towards the painting to find another odd looking object. It was an eye, encased in stone, though the picture indicated it was living. It had green, instead of white for the whites of the eye, and a dark purple pupil, as if made of the grass and violet flowers in the summer, if fields had a dark and saddened aura about them. "This is the trinket of fear. Found in Sombra's old castle." this churned her mind. Would she have to visit the Crystal Empire? "you might be thinking it is at the crystal empire. but it is not" Spoke Grandy. It was as if he just read her mind. "the castle, after disappearing for many years due to Sombra's spell, did not come back as Sombra's castle. It came back the way it looked before Sombra's rule. Though Sombra's castle was still there spiritually, it could only be assessed through a spell. there have been reports of it hovering near the city south of here, a cloud city named Cabaleiro." Fluttershy was in a daze. The amount of words Grandy was speaking did not correspond well with her brain so quickly, she had to think for awhile until they finally made sense. "If we are going to save your friend, and we must, then we must start quickly." Spoke Grandy. he began walking back through the long corridor, and Fluttershy followed. It wouldn't be long till she could get some fresh air again.

Author's Note

Hey, sorry for not writing a chapter for so long! but i'm back! Haha, another chapter every week is my goal, A shout out to Dashie63, I see in the comments your a good fan! keep reading, I won't disappoint you, any of you!