MLP FIM: The Visionary of Equestria

The Visionary of Equestria: Chapter 7
By: jungleboy69

Chapter 7: The Everfree Forest and Iron Moon Mountain Part 3

(In Iron Moon Mountain...)

Drew quietly made his way through the dark tunnel. He was starting to get tired from his running so he began to pace himself. “I hope the girls are alright.” He thought as he walked. “I never thought my first time in Pony-Ville would be fighting Nightmare Moon.”

He frowned when he thought about Nightmare Moon, his mind traveled back to his dreams. His adoptive mother, Celestoa had told him about the dark sorceress and her plan to bring eternal night to Equestria. She also told him that Nightmare Moon was really his aunt, Luna.

When it came to the subject of Luna, Celestia had many stories to tell him about her. She told him how they ruled with kindness and compassion; how they protected Equestria from any threat and how strong their bond. Sadly, all that changed when Luna grew jealous of her sister and turned into Nightmare Moon.

Drew had asked her if Luna can ever be freed from Nightmare Moon, but Celestia just sadly shook her head and replied that she wasn’t sure. However, whenever he went to sleep, Luna visited him in his dreams. She would sing songs, dance for him and tell him stories. Every time, she would always kiss him on the forehead and tell him to save her from Nightmare Moon.

“HALT!!” A loud voice boomed out, causing Drew to yell and jump back. Right before him were two huge trolls wearing clothes made of moss and brown cloth, standing guard at a gate. “None shall pass the secret Troll Gate!” they said in unison.

“Troll Gate?” Drew asked. “That’s right, runt!” The first troll replied. “If you want to get pass, you have to answer our riddle!” “No one has ever answered it,” the second troll added. “and if ya fail, you will meet ya doom!”

“Come on, please!” Drew pleaded a bit. “I need to get past, my friends are waiting for me!” “You will not pass, until you answer the riddle!!” The first troll just replied. “Yeah, answer the riddle!” The second troll added. Drew just stared at them. “Is there no other way?” He asked. “Nope!” Both trolls exclaimed.

Drew sighed. “Okay, you win.” He replied. “What’s your riddle?” The trolls grinned, showing rows of dirty, yellow teeth. “More precious than gold, but cannot be bought.” The first troll said. “It can never be sold, but it's earned if it's sought.” The second troll added.

“Though it be broken, it can still be mended.” The first troll continued. “At birth it can't start
nor by death is it ended.” The second troll finished. “What am I?” Both trolls spoke in unison. Drew listened quietly. “I see.” “Now answer,” the trolls spoke up. “and you only get one chance.”

Drew gulped. He thought hard. “Diamonds are worth more than gold.” He thought. “But you can buy and sell them.” “Maybe Strength or Health, you can’t buy or sell that.” He sighed. “But everyone is born with health and death ends it.”

“Urrgh...if only Twilight were here.” He groaned. “She would know the answer to this.” “I can’t believe this is how it ends.” Drew grew more nervous. “Being eaten by two trolls and never seeing my family or friends again.”

Suddenly, his eyes widened in realization at his last statement. “That’s it!” He exclaimed, before turning to the trolls. “The answer is Friendship!!” He declared. “It’s worth more than gold, but it can’t be bought or sold!” “It doesn’t start at birth and it doesn’t end in death!” He continued. “That’s the answer!”

Silence fell as the trolls stared at him. Suddenly, they burst into laughter “HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!” “Well done, runt!!” the first troll exclaimed. “You are the first person to answer our riddle!” “As promised, you may pass!” the second troll added as they parted. Drew grinned proudly. “Thank you!” He exclaimed as he raced through the Troll Gate.

(Meanwhile, in the Everfree Forest...)

“How are we gonna cross this?” Pinkie Pie asked. The Mane 6 were now at the edge of a fast-flowing river. While it was rather shallow, the water was rough and violent. Before anyone could reply, they heard the sound of crying in the distance.

“Huh?” Pinkie remarked as they all turned to see a large but lanky sea serpent with orange hair, weeping himself in the middle of the river. His coils were wiggling so fast that it was building up the rapids. They also that one-half of his orange mustache was torn off by something.

“What a world,” he sobbed dramatically. “What a world!” “Excuse me, sir.” Twilight asked politely. “Why are you crying?” The serpent sniffed. “Well, I don't know.” He replied. “I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid!!”

With that, the serpent wailed even louder, frothing the water with his coils. “Oh, give me a break.” Rainbow muttered in annoyance. “That's what all the fuss is about?” Applejack added, just as unamused.

“Why, of course it is!” Rarity replied, stepping forward. “How can you be so insensitive?” “Oh, just look at him.” She added. “Such lovely luminescent scales.” “Oh, I know, I know.” The Serpent replied, sniffing a little.

“And your expertly coiffed mane.” Rarity added. “And your fabulous manicure.” “Oh, I know, I know!” The serpent replied, running his fingers through his hair. “It's so true!” “All ruined without your beautiful mustache.” Rarity finished, sympathetically.

“It's true, I'm hideous!” The serpent cried again dramatically. “Well,” Rarity declared. “I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected.” Before anyone could say anything, the fashionista pulled off a scale from the serpent’s chest. “Ow!” He yelped. “What did you do that for?”

Rarity said nothing, but she raised the sharp end of the scale in the air. “Rarity?” Twilight asked. “What are you-” *SWIPE!* Everyone gasped and the serpent fainted as Rarity sliced of most of her long, beautiful tail, leaving only a short remainder of it.

Using her magic, she levitated the cut tail and carefully tied it with the remains of the Serpent’s sliced mustache. When he awoke, he saw that his mustache was restored...for the most part. “Oh-hohohoho!” The serpent exclaimed, gleefully. “My mustache. How wonderful.”

“You look smashing,” Rarity complimented, before returning back to her friends. “Oh, Rarity,” Twilight spoke up sadly. “Your beautiful tail...” Rarity smiled sadly as shelooked at her now short tail. “Oh. It's fine, my dear.” She replied. “Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back.”

“So would the mustache.” Rainbow muttered to the side. Twilight looked ahead and gasped when she saw the waters have calmed down, revealing how shallow the river was. “We can cross now.” She informed, walking through the water. “Let's go. Ah!”

She was startled when she found herself on the hump of the serpent’s coils. “Allow me.” He offered, with a friendly smile. The serpent formed a set of hump platforms on his elongated body, allowing the six girls to hop across to the other side.

(Back with Drew...)

The smell was terrible as Drew entered the next room. He found himself before a lake, with only a long narrow stone acting as a bridge to the other side. At first, he thought of swimming to the other side to save time. However, when he looked at the dark waters of the lake, he grew frightened. There was no telling what was in there, so he had to play it safe.

He studied the strange bridge. It seemed to be sturdy enough for him, but it was covered with moss and the stones were slippery due to the water. “Well, I’ve come this far.” He muttered. “No turning back now.”

With that, he stepped forward, his arms spread wide to balance himself. Slowly, step by step, Drew made his way across the bridge. “Hey, I’m getting pretty good at this.” He added, smirking a bit. However, as he was halfway across the bridge, he heard a strange bubbling noise.

*Bubble* *Bubble*

“What...was...that?” Drew muttered, looking at the water. He noticed some bubbles blowing near the surface and he slightly tensed up. “Hello?” He asked nervously. “Is someone there?” *SPLOSH!* Suddenly, a thick orange tentacle emerged from the water, much to Drew’s shock.

Another tentacle appeared, followed by another and another. “WHOA!!” Drew screamed as one tentacle wrapped itself around his waist and dragged him underwater. *SPLASH!!* His eyes widened when he saw the owner of the tentacles, a giant orange octopus; the biggest he had ever seen.

The octopus opened its large beak-like mouth, causing Drew to panic and kick as hard could while punching the tentacle. It loosened around his waist, giving Drew a chance to break free and swim for his life. The tentacles lashed out at him, forcing Drew to dodge when they tried to grab him.

Drew looked around, desperately trying to find a way to escape. He tried to swim up to the surface, only for the tentacles to block him. Suddenly, he felt a tentacle wrap around his legs and drag him under.

Drew flailed his arms wildly, trying to break free. He could only watch in horror as he was dragged closer to the octopus’s gaping beak. Suddenly, he noticed a large drain close to him. Instantly, he grabbed the drain’s handle and pulled it with all his might.

The octopus pulled and Drew pulled. Just as he was about to lose his strength, Drew gave one last tug and the drain came out with a loud *pop*! The water began draining out, dragging the octopus down in it. Drew managed to swim to the other side and pull himself out of the water.

Coughing and spluttering, he scrambled on to the shore and stopped to catch his breath. He looked at the octopus who had already disappeared in the drain as the lake drained out. “Sorry, octopus...” He muttered. “But you are going to try harder than that to stop me from getting back to my friends.”