Crystal Guardian

The Everfree Forest was a great, wild region where magic grew freely without any caution, where the natural world was as untamed and unpredictable as the winds. At its edge, Celestia and Luna scanned the thick forest in front of them, each tree looming over them like a sentinel.

With her arms folded and a doubtful look at her sister, Luna said, "I still can't believe you talked me into this."

Celestia turned to her and smiled comfortingly. " Just trust me, Luna, you don't have to believe me. It has been far too long since we last saw Gloriosa."

Luna's eyes narrowed. "Celestia, I'm not concerned about her. The forest is my concern. I believed we had made a deal to avoid the Everfree."

Celestia responded in a light-hearted but strong tone, "Well, sometimes, old friends are worth the risk." "You are aware of her significance to us."

Luna said, rolling her eyes, "Yeah, yeah." "I understand. But I'm going to blame you if we encounter any timberwolves."

Before Celestia could react, there was a distant grumble, then another, and then a few more. There was no mistaking the sound, Timberwolves' loud, guttural roar.

"You jinxed it, Luna," Celestia whispers to an annoyed Luna.

Her eyes twitched as she narrows her eyes to Celestia, "Piss off will you."

As she called forth a protective aura around herself, Celestia's eyes grew piercing and her hand glowed with golden energy. "We are not here to engage in combat. But if we have to.."

The snarls intensified, and a few Timberwolves appeared from the thickets, their bodies made of ragged wood and their eyes glaring green, their motions rigid but swift. Snarling and snapping their jaws in hunger, they walked around the two sisters. The monsters sensed the energy coming from the two women and smelt the air.

Ever the warrior, Luna smoothly pulled out her sword, its blade shining in the forest's low light. "You should've listened, Celestia. It would have been better for us to avoid the Everfree forest."

Celestia held up a hand, the light surrounding it growing brighter. "Don't be shy Luna, I knew you've been itching to use your fabulous power, eh?"

One by one Timberwolves try to attack them, but the siblings always manage to finish them of before they jaw could even touch them.

"Why forest of all place?"

"Because she lives there."

"Why don't we just use email?"

"Inconvenient."

"Excuse me?"

With their wooden jaws shattering, the Timberwolves sprang forward. Luna moved quickly, slicing through the air with her blade as she ducked one creature's blow. There was a sharp crack as the sword cut through the wooden mass, but the creature instantly rebuilt, its body growing again from the fragmented pieces in no time.

Luna whispered, "Charming," deflecting another blow. "Is it not possible for you to kill them?"

"They're made of magic," Celestia declared, striking a Timberwolf back with a burst of golden light. "They are regenerable, but you can harm them. We will need to figure out how to neutralize them."

Luna, who was getting annoyed by the second, slashed her sword at the head of another Timberwolf, her movements elegant but tinged with irritation. "You always approach things calmly. I'm simply being the grumpy one here in the meantime.

With their eyes brightening as they felt the excitement in the air, the Timberwolves were drawing closer. One of the Timberwolves leaped at Celestia with a roar. Luna moved forward in a flash, intercepting the creature's strike with her sword, which rang with unadulterated power as she diverted the force back into the Timberwolf, forcing it to crash into a nearby tree.

"It was mine, you know, "Celestia said trying to annoy her sister more.

"And let you have all the fun? Not a chance Tia." She pinched Celestia's cheeks before slashing another Timberwolves in the way.

The Timberwolves were unrelenting, closing in on the two sisters from all sides, their snarls filling the air.

"Should we use it?"

"It won't be necessary Lulu, I don't want another burning forest."

They were about to be surrounded by the Timberwolves when an odd, rhythmic chant erupted. They felt the ground beneath their feet change, and the trees around them started to shake. The Timberwolves stopped, feeling a presence.

A woman with large earrings suddenly emerged from the trees, holding her staff high. From the earth, vines sprang up, encircling the Timberwolves' limbs and holding them back in a cocoon of live plants and roots. The animals screamed in exasperation but were unable to escape. She finally breaks all of their limbs, and for some reason, they won't grow back like they used to.

Surprised, Celestia and Luna looked up to see the familiar face of the person who had rescued them.

"Still holding back your power I see." The smiling woman said.

"Zecora!" Luna sighed with delight and lowered her sword in an exclamation. "How on earth you find us?"

Zecora moved forward, speaking in a composed but determined tone. "Just a suspicion. I rarely hear the Timberwolves' snarls so close to the center of the Everfree. But don't worry, they are currently contained."

With an expression of gratitude, Celestia took a step forward. "Zecora, thank you. We had no idea that we would be up against these beasts so quickly."

"You didn't expect to fight them, while I do, dear Sister." Luna is standing next to Celestia, looking irritated while Celestia is merely grinning.

"Still fighting like usual I see. Good to see you two haven't changed at all." Zecora said, amused at the sibling's attic.

Zecora lowered her staff to survey her surroundings. "There is never any predictability in the Everfree. However, you should exercise caution because these animals are attracted to the magic you possess. To them, the energy you radiate is a beacon."

Still a little irritated but appreciative of the assistance, Luna glanced at Zecora. “Zecora, we aren’t exactly here to battle creatures. All we're doing is trying to see an old acquaintance. Queen Gloriosa."

Zecora's face softened when Gloriosa's name was mentioned. "Oh, Gloriosa. The Everfree's queen. Indeed, I haven't seen her in person in a long time. However, I can direct you to her."

Celestia's eyes become shimmering. "Zecora, thank you. We would be grateful. Too much time has passed since we last saw her.

Zecora grinned as he turned to face the trail ahead, where the thick trees appeared to open just a little. "Then follow me. However, individuals who enter impatiently will not be treated kindly by the Everfree. We have to honor its flow.

Zecora took the lead, the sisters trailing closely behind, the beasts already defeated.

As they ventured more into the forest, the mood appeared to shift. There was a lot of magic in the air, but there were also whispers of something old and strong that lived inside the Everfree.

Luna, still grumpy like before, asked Celestia about her plans, "Do you think she would be glad to help us? It's been a long time since we last saw her and all of sudden we showed up to asked some help."

Celestia's face lightened as she nodded, "I think she will. Both of us and the whole world are impacted by this matter. It is advantageous for both of us if we are able to find it quickly."

With the dark shadows of the trees looming over them, Luna nodded but kept her thoughts to herself as they proceeded down the meandering road.

Finally, after trudging for what felt like hours, they came to a clearing. Standing in the middle was a huge, old tree with darkened bark and limbs that formed a natural canopy. The air around it buzzed with enchantment, and glowing tendrils twisted around its trunk.

"That girl sure is improving now," Celestia said, looking at the tree fascinated.

"She's more than improving for sure." Added Luna.

There was a tall, majestic figure at the base of the tree, surrounded by the enchantment of nature. Her eyes glowed with an almost ethereal brightness, and her hair fell in thick vines. The forest's own life appeared to pulse through her, and she wore a crown of flowers and leaves.

Celestia laughed, "Gloriosa," using a gentle, sweet voice. "It has been far too long."

With a smile, the woman moved forward and met Celestia and Luna's gaze. "Luna, Celestia... It's nice to see you two again."

It was a calm, tranquil evening in Canterlot, with the sky growing dimmer. But as masked criminals barged into the Canterlot City Bank, their cries reverberated throughout the structure, causing mayhem. As the robbers ran through the establishment, snatching cash and beating up anyone who tried to get in their way, the employees and patrons flinched, their expressions frozen in terror.

The leader yelled, "On the ground, all of you!" and grabbed a bank teller by the shoulder, pushing her to her knees. Ignoring the security guard's agonized moan as he hit the ground, another robber kicked him out of the way. Too engrossed in his adrenaline rush to observe the stranger moving stealthily through the doorway, the leader yelled commands.

Everyone in the room turned to face the back of the bank as a steady, purposeful clap echoed through the room. A black-and-red-clad entity stood there, a devil mask covering their face. The icy, sparkling eyes and sly smile of the mask conveyed an unnatural, ominous impression.

With a low voice tinged with malicious enjoyment, the masked figure murmured, "Look what we have here. A small gang of rats running around with a toy in their hands, how cute."

One of the criminals pivoted and aimed his firearm. "Get out of here, freak! It's none of your business!"

The masked figure's voice darkened as they cocked their head in laughter. "Oh, you'll find it's entirely my business."

With deadly speed, the figure suddenly sprang forward. The first robber was within a heartbeat of them, and they grabbed his wrist, twisted it till the air was filled with a painful crunch. The robber let out a cry and dropped his weapon, but the figure quickly and viciously struck him in the throat, silencing him.

"I smell a lot of blood tonight. It might be worth it to run away from my cage for a while." The figure wiggles the body before throwing it away like trash.

The other criminals opened fire, but the figure dodged each bullet, moving like a shadow across the room. Then took another robber by the collar, lifted him, and then slammed him down with bone-shattering force after kicking the next one hard in the chest and sending him smashing against the wall.

There was only one robber left, stumbling to his feet, his face white. He attempted to flee, but the figure blocked his path by appearing in front of him. When the robber realized he was imprisoned, his breathing accelerated.

"Why so hurry? I'm not done yet you know~" The figure steps on the criminal's hand and enjoys every part of it.

"P..please...I..spare me ple-" A magazine chokes on her mouth by the figure to stop the criminal from speaking.

"Did you ever thought about sparing someone's life before hmm?" The figure deepened the thrust into the man's mouth, "6 robberies and a lot of people's lives gone just for a hobby?"

"I do make someone's lives gone, it's a nice hobby." The figure knelt low, "But it's different you know. I didn't kill children and innocent, I only want people like you to satisfy me."

The more the figure talks, the more frightened the criminal looks, "Don't give me that face, sweetie. Trust me, fear only lasts when you are still alive. If you don't count hell of course."

Leaning closer, their mask reflecting the robber's horrified face, the figure paused to allow the words to sink in. "Consider this mercy, nightmare won't bother you anymore. I'll end it here, for you."

The masked figure snaps its finger.

In a flash, flames burst out of nowhere on all of the criminal's body, dancing with a fierce, unnatural light. When the robber realized what was about to happen, his eyes widened in dread, but he had nowhere to run.

The flames jumped to the heap of vanquished criminals and blazed it all down. As the flames crept over them, it consumed everything in its path, twisting and turning, almost alive.

The figure looked one last time at the astonished survivors, who were huddled together in fear as the fire crackled and spread all over the criminal. The masked figure turned and vanished into the darkness without saying another word, leaving behind only the burning bodies and an unwavering horror.

"Something can never change no matter how much you try, huh? I think it's about right, hmm hmm hmm."