The Legend of Epona: Phantom's Reign

Rain poured down over a bloodstained battlefield. The cries of battle and the clashing of metal could be heard and felt in the field. Fallen soldiers laid next to strange creatures created by a foul darkness that has been dormant for a hundred years. In the center of it all, a towering figure clad in dark armor and a crimson flowing cape, torn and muddied from battling another figure. One who he was trying to pick out from the bodies littering the field. His red mane complimented the hulking warlord tyrant.

A massive zweihander held in one hand and the other a wounded soldier. The tyrant lifted the soldier up by the neck and eyed him with no amusement.

“Come out, hero! Many lives are being lost due to your hesitation to finish our battle! Or have the gods played a divine prank upon me once more? Sending a mere boy as the champion of this land that is rightfully mine? I’ve waited centuries for this moment! Do not rob me of this!” The figure spoke in a gruff and baritone voice. The soldier in his hold gasped for breath, unable to lift any muscle to defend himself. The tyrant continued to eye the soldier, his look uncaring. After a brief pause, the tyrant closed his eyes in disappointment.

“How disappointing. All this blood shed wasted.” The tyrant lifted the massive sword and adjusted it to aim at the soldier. He looked the soldier in the eye. A king isn’t without honor. This soldier will die serving a foolish kingdom. Talent like this could be used for better purposes. But alas, the tyrant had one thing on his mind. Power. The tyrant king grinned and readied the sword, the soldier clenching his teeth and bracing for his death.

Yet, the tyrant was halted as something cold pierced his shoulder, causing him to drop the soldier, who rolled into his fallen brethren before passing out of fatigue. The tyrant looked over his shoulder, seeing a feathered arrow sticking out of him. Curious as to who would strike him, his sharp eyes fell upon another. Light in armor but wearing a green tunic and cap, blue eyes and blonde hair complimented with pointy ears, betraying his origin. A defiant expression on the boy’s face as he knocked another arrow and aimed at the tyrant.

The tyrant king noticed he was accompanied by two others. The familiar princess of the forsaken kingdom. Clad in battle armor and regal pink attire, the princess bore the same expression as the boy in green. The two Hyrulians riding on the back of a clay red horse, white mane and two-toned tail and hoof sleeves. The mare reared and whinnied before allowing the boy in green to release his arrow. It struck into the chest of the armor as he turned.

The tyrant king did not flinch. He narrowed his eyes at the two and grinned.

“No longer hiding? Excellent.” The tyrant king raised his arms to the side and leaned his head back, as if welcoming the downpour that drenched the bloodstained battlefield. “Look upon this war-torn land, Princess Zelda. Your subjects fall at the might of my power. My desire. A child like you is far from following your father’s footsteps.” He marveled.

“You killed my father, Ganondorf!” Princess Zelda retorted. “It’s because of you that Hyrule once again is thrown into chaos. This war has gone on long enough.” Ganondorf chuckled.

“Yes. The cursed cycle our three souls are forever intertwined in. Destined by the gods themselves. But then again. Were it not the folly of man and a goddess that cursed this land into the cycle?” He stated. Ganondorf lowered his head and arms to face them. “Centuries after centuries. Centuries of blood and men. All vying for the very same power. The wishes of their own dark filled hearts.” He chuckled once more. “You and I, boy. We are not those men.” Zelda shook her head.

“A hypocrite to the end. Link, we must stop this bloodshed once and for all. Do not worry. The goddess favors us.” Zelda said. The green clad boy, Link, nodded without taking his eyes off of Ganondorf. The tyrant smirked.

“Of course. There is no other option to it, is there? The cycle must continue. As it is written since time immemorial.” Ganondorf put two fingers to his lips and whistled loudly. The atmosphere around them changed drastically. Link, his senses honed from his journey, was the first to look behind him, alert and focused as a dark mass of shadows formed through a dark portal. From the dark portal, a massive dark stallion with glowing green eyes and a fiery mane and tail stepped out. Dark silver armor with gothic spikes gave the horse an intimidating and battle-ready aura.

Link narrowed his eyes, searching for anything else that the dark king has planned. Then, the horse reared up and whinnied. It began to gallop and to both Link and Zelda’s surprise, another dark horse emerged from the portal. Then another. And another. Another and another and another. Seven in total charged them. Link’s horse whinnied and reared up, knowing full well what to do. The mare galloped, causing Link and Zelda to hold on tightly as the stomping of the hooves rumbled throughout the rain.

The bodies trampled underneath from both ends. Ganondorf began to laugh as his horse stopped next to him. The tyrant king hopped onto the horse with what seemed to defy gravity. The horse reared and whinnied before joining the charge.

Link’s horse galloped through the battlefield, Link’s awareness guiding her as they weaved and barreled through the battlefield. The soldiers clashing blades with creatures of hate around them. Lightning flashed above them. Soon, soldiers began screaming as the squad of dark horses, being led by Ganondorf on his own horse, barreled and cut through the field. Monsters and soldiers alike fell to their charge. Zelda grimaced.

“How awful… Link, give me your bow! I will aid as best I can! You must stop Ganondorf!” She said in desperation. Link studied the princess, giving a reassuring smile and handing her the bow. “Epona! Lead us away from the fighting!” Link didn’t have to guide Epona. The mare knew what was said.

The mare jumped over a broken fence and began leading the dark horses and Ganondorf away from the fighting. The dark king grinned, aware of what the heroes are trying to do. It didn’t matter to him. No distractions. They soon found themselves galloping away from the field, heading across a bridge leading to the southern side of Hyrule. The field, wide and expansive with lush green grass drenched with the mud and rain.

When Link, Zelda and Epona were a good distance away from a bridge, that’s when Epona changed course. Link unsheathed a sword from his back. The blade glowing brightly, a sign that malice and hate is in the air. Ganondorf frowned upon seeing the very sword that banishes evil. It only made him detest his own journey. No, he cannot fall here. Fate will not win this day.

Ganondorf raised his zwiehander high, leading the dark horses towards them. Zelda took aim with the bow. The tip of the arrow began to glow brightly and when she released it, it flashed like a bolt of lightning into one of the dark horses. The creature whinnied and toppled over itself before puffing into dark smoke and a flash of light. Epona turned and charged, Link holding out the blade to his side. Zelda released another light arrow and felled another. Ganondorf got closer and closer.

Link mirrored his motion as the tyrant swung his own blade, clashing with Link’s. The metallic clang resonated on cue with the lightning. The fated individuals glanced over their shoulders as their steeds began to change course. Zelda felled more dark horses, leaving the last one to gallop around them on its’ own. Ganondorf frowned and held up his free hand. A dark aura concentrated at his fingertips and with a heave, a dark ball sailed towards the last horse.

It whinnied in pain as the dark ball met its’ target, absorbing the creature before the ball floated back to the tyrant. He clenched the ball tightly, crushing it. Ganondorf then threw the dark energy out and into the ground. Link and Zelda’s eyes widened as the dark energy began to home and carve its’ way towards them. Link kicked his heels into Epona, the steed picking up speed. With Link’s guidance, they barely avoided the energy as it trailed past them and vanished.

Epona charged Ganondorf again, Link holding the mighty blade out to his side. It glowed brightly and the tyrant smirked. His steed whinnied and reared up, dancing and turning towards them. Link gasped and before he knew it, Ganondorf’s steed hit Link in the chest. The force sent him sailing off Epona, the force also knocking Epona off her footing and tumbled, throwing Zelda off.

Link winced, the pain shooting through him as he painfully pushed himself off the ground. Getting onto one knee, he buried the blade of the sword into the ground to support himself. Through a one eye grimace, he looked to see Epona shake her head and push herself up. However, the fall knocked Zelda unconscious. Ganondorf led his steed to face the boy, the tyrant looking down at him stoically.

“How disappointing. The heroes before were better suited on horseback. But what could I expect from an orphan. Let’s see how well your blade stands against mine.” The tyrant got off his steed and walked with a swagger over to the boy. Link grimaced again as he finally got to his feet. Adjusting his sword, he unslung his shield and with a bit of adjustments, he readied himself, shield in front and blade at his side.

Ganondorf narrowed his eyes slightly. The triforce of courage resonated brightly off of the boy. Almost sickeningly so to him. Ganondorf took a singular glance towards Zelda. Despite her unconscious form, the triforce of wisdom was glowing as much the same. The light of courage and wisdom. Disgusting traits for people such as them. Ganondorf smirked and held up his right fist, the back of his hand glowed the triangular symbol similar to theirs. The triforce of power. Now this. This is a glow worthy of a king. Yet, despite this all, the tyrant’s mind was nipping at him. The sage’s words resonating within him.

A cruel fate for ages upon ages. A cycle never ending. I know your pain. Your struggle. This cycle consumes even the bearers of courage and wisdom. Yet, I feel the winds of change. It seems this age… something drastic will change the cycle entirely. But only time will tell.

Ganondorf closed his eyes, reflecting upon these words. Link studied the tyrant, his focus sharp and ready. What is he up too?

“This never-ending cycle we have found ourselves upon. What could that foolish old woman mean?” He said. Link tilted his head very slightly, his look stoic. Ganondorf opened his eyes and met Link’s. “Do you not feel it? Can you sense it? The power of courage overwhelming you? It’s as if the gods are struggling to make sense of this wind.” He looked around the muddied and dreary field of Hyrule. “Yet, we continue on as prophecy foretells. I feel as if… commanded to follow it.” Ganondorf frowned and spat on the ground. “Command me? The rightful king of Hyrule? The gods will pay for thinking they can decide my own destiny. They have their hands in this fate for too long.”

Ganondorf raised his zwiehander high into the sky, looking up at the heavens above. “Do you hear me, gods!! No longer will you control my desire!! This power granted onto me is mine alone!! I will have what I want!! And then… I’ll climb up there and rule the heavens themselves!!” Ganondorf then swished his sword and aimed it at Link. “But first… I need the Triforce. Hero of Hyrule. Lend me your courage! And I promise you, the gods will bend their knees to man! No longer guided by their cruel games!”

Link growled a little. He has done so much throughout his journey. Met so many people and creatures who were victims to the cruel tyrant’s magic. Link shook his head. Ganondorf frowned.

“You believe me to promise a fool’s gambit?” He lowered his blade. “Perhaps. But we have been playing a fool’s game for ages. If you feel that your heroics justify the god’s words, then so be it. But know this, fallen hero of fate, the next age will not be so kind.” Lightning crashed around them with accompanying thunder. The two stared each other down before Link made the first move. Quick and nimble, Link readied a strike upon reaching the tyrant, only to feint it into a reverse horizontal strike.

Ganondorf did not flinch. Instead, he rose his blade, Link’s own stopping upon meeting it. Link grit his teeth as Ganondorf smirked. Link backflipped away from Ganondorf, who lowered his blade and motioned with two fingers to bring it. Link kicked off the ground, lunging quickly at the tyrant and bringing his sword down. Ganondorf’s eyes widened slightly as the power of the blade caused him to slide back with his boots dug into the ground upon clashing with the boy.

“Damned blade…” Ganondorf growled. Link dashed and began to swing. Their blades met and the clashing song of metal resonated with the cue of lightning and thunder. From afar, Epona lowered her head, licking and batting her muzzle against Zelda’s cheek. Zelda stirred and with a small smile, placed a soft hand on Epona’s cheek. She winced, pushing herself off of the ground and holding onto her arm as it felt broken. Her eyes fell upon the two individuals clashing in the rain. Link, agile and nimble, dashing in and out of attacking and defending against the power filled and hulking tower that is Ganondorf. The right hand of Zelda began to glow. The princess studied the triforce. She could sense it. Something was coming. But… what?

The battle felt like it went on for hours.

Both sides getting in hits occasionally. But the skill of both began to tire them out. Ganondorf managed to sidestep Link, the hero feeling a bit sluggish. Ganondorf then raised a massive boot up and in retaliation, Link held up his shield. The force of the tyrant's kick sent Link rolling away from him, coming to a stop onto his stomach. Link panted, caked in mud and wounds from the battle. Ganondorf fell to one knee, panting heavily as his armor began to fall apart and chip away. His sword becoming duller with each time they clashed.

Link painfully pushed himself up, his posture slumped forward, but his look still focused and determined upon the tyrant. His arm shook, but Link took his stance, one eye shut as he was bearing the pain from his wounds. Ganondorf studied the boy, feeling his own arms shaking. Ganondorf dug his blade into the ground for support as he pushed himself off his knee and stood to face the boy. The tyrant had an idea. One that not even the gods would expect. Link panted and took two shambling steps forward before picking up into a charge. Ganondorf reached behind his back as the boy lunged with his sword raised. The back of Ganondorf began to glow, blinding the hero and causing him to stop and hop back a good amount of distance, shield up and sword at the ready.

Ganondorf smirked and from his hand, he held up high an artifact he had collected long ago. A stone with the sigil of an eye. Link remained readied, knowing full well what that artifact is. Zelda gasped.

“How… when did you…” she began. Ganondorf chuckled.

“The Eye of The Sage's Favor. The very relic created by the ancient Sheikha, kept hidden and purposefully forgotten as it is the very thing that increases a person’s inner fortitude tremendously. You’ve been chasing nothing but a goose, princess.” Ganondorf grinned. Zelda looked to Link desperately.

“Link! That stone cannot be activated! The Sheikha hid it for a good reason! It does more than that!” She cried out. Link nodded quickly, keeping his eye on Ganondorf. Yet, somehow, Link began to feel extremely heavy. Link feel to a knee, struggling to keep himself stood. Zelda felt the pressure as well, collapsing to her knees and grunting as pain seared through her. Ganondorf began to laugh, escalating as the eye began to glow brighter. Ganondorf began to walk towards Link. The boy grunted, desperately fighting against the weight that was causing him to yield. What is this power? Is this the eye’s doing? Ganondorf stood over Link, grinning down at him.

"Fate did not suspect a thing. I will bring down the gods with this very relic. Then, it will be I who binds them to their fate. But first, I need the power of the Triforce to allow me into the god's domain." Ganondorf held up his hand that was holding the relic and the Triforce of Power glowed brightly. Next, a dark energy swirled around Link, causing immense pain to shoot through him. Link yelled in pain as he desperately tried to fight off the dark magic. Zelda as well, felt the dark energy, causing her to reel forward and scream in pain. Epona reared and whinnied, her flight kicking in and causing her to canter away a bit. However, she came to a stop and turned to face the scene. All three glowed brightly, A heavenly light shining through the rain clouds. In a bright flash of light, the clouds split into a funnel and from the heavens, descended the very symbol of the gods.

Three triangles representing power, courage and wisdom. This symbol is said to grant any mortal any wish of their desire. Yet, this symbol has also been the very cause for the downfall of man. Their hearts full of evil and malice, creating curses upon them and turning them into unspeakable monstrosities that the bearer of power controls. The light from the three vanished, Link supporting himself with his sword buried into the ground. Zelda on her stomach and painfully trying to move her body to aid. Ganondorf stood, unable to move, but showing no pain. Only glee. His laugh resonating throughout the field. As the symbol floated above them, Ganondorf began to speak.

"All mighty power of the gods! Grant me my wish! I, Ganondorf, the rightful king and ruler of this land of Hyrule, call upon you for power to best even the gods themselves! Grant me this power! Grant me eternal-" Ganondorf didn't suspect anything. He didn't even hear the sound of galloping hooves approaching him. He was not expecting the heroes to have back up. But how? The soldiers are preoccupied with his own. Ganondorf found himself rolling on his side away from the Triforce, feeling a numbing pain in his chest. Link and Zelda looked on in surprise. In front of them, Epona reared and whinnied defiantly.

"Epona..." Zelda said in awe. Such a noble and loyal steed. Epona scraped the ground, snorting and looking down at Link. Link took a moment to snap out of his dumbfounded-ness. He smiled, but quickly looked over to see Ganondorf push himself off the ground, gasping for breath. His armor falling apart at the torso. The tyrant king clutched his chest, anger starting to boil.

"Damned horse... Even feeble-minded creatures are defiant to the end..." Ganondorf rasped. A deep whinny next to him caused Ganondorf to look and see his own steed, Phantom, rear up and scraped the ground, facing Epona. Ganondorf was baffled. Yet, this could hold his favor. He grimaced as he held up the eye, mixing in his dark magic. The eye glowed a violent purple, crackling with dark energy as it floated and embedded itself into the neck of his steed. Link managed to get up to his feet and readied himself painfully, panting for breath as whatever magic the tyrant had crackled and created a cold, heavy wind. Phantom's eyes glowed bright yellow and scraped the ground, rearing up and beginning to charge at Link. Epona cantered in front and reared up, kicking her forelegs out in front of her, causing Phantom to stop and rear up as well. The horses didn't hold back on one another. Their forelegs bucking each other in the chest and face. Phantom drew blood, but Epona fought on, drawing Phantom's own from the muzzle.

Zelda gasped.

"Epona! Watch out!" She called out. Link balked and tried to move, only to struggle as he did. He needed to help her. His best friend is in trouble. They were dancing too closely in front of the Triforce. The beasts continued to exchange blows. The Triforce began to glow. Ganondorf gasped; his eyes widened.

"No! You damned animals!! Get away from my power!!" He roared out. It was too late. The Triforce began to hum with light. In the three's mind, a voice, in ancient Hylian, spoke.

"Thou wish hath been granted."

The land began to shake. Ganondorf couldn't believe it. How is this possible? How could the Triforce react to creatures who have no care for desires? Why is he being robbed from damned farm animals? His anger boiled over and in a desperate attempt, he lashed out a dark ball of energy at the creatures, not even caring for his own to be hit. Yet, the ground gave way, and the two horses fell into the collapsing ground, a bright light shining from below.

"Epona!!" Zelda called out. Link found the pain had left him. Or was it adrenaline spurring him on? He dropped his sword and shield and sprinted towards them, reaching out his hand to Epona, only to watch her fade into the light with Phantom. The light vanished, leaving only the still quiet and rain to drench them once more. Link was stunned. He couldn't believe it. Epona had been there for him and he couldn't do anything to help. His hand clenched into a fist as he pulled himself away from the hole. He blinked and looked to see a fallen bottle with red liquid in it along with several other possessions he had gathered from his journey. They must have fallen out of Epona's satchel. Seeing as several other items were missing, Link found a new determination. Epona's sacrifice will not go in vain. He grabbed the bottle, popped the cork and chugged the liquid. He felt his wounds begin to ease and heal. Feeling able enough to stand appropriately, he turned and went back to his sword and shield, picking them up and facing Ganondorf. The tyrant was kneeled before him several feet away.

His fist clenched and with an angry roar, he punched the ground, creating a crack underneath him. He panted, looking maddened with rage. He looked up and saw the defiant eyes of the hero meet his. His one chance of defying the gods. His one chance... their one chance, to end this cycle forever. Ganondorf reached and gripped his zwiehander, standing up and removing the last bit of his armor, his war battered toned muscles veined and showing. He had enough of fate besting him. He would continue his search to defy the gods. To break this cycle. But first, he must deal with prophecy. Perhaps this isn't so bad as he thought. With the Triforce being wasted on farm creatures, they are without their own triforce. And Ganondorf had plenty of his own magic left. Link flourished the Master Sword and aimed it at Ganondorf.

The tyrant held his own at the ready and with the crackle of lightning and thunder, both charged one another, blades aimed to kill.

Equestria. A magical land of myth and magic. A place of pony kind and many other creatures. The magic here flows brilliantly throughout the land. More so now that peace has been restored. Up on a mountain side, overlooking a valley and village, a pearl castle with several towers reaching high above, marked a place of royalty. Canterlot Castle was quiet, save for the golden and midnight cladded guards that patrolled the areas. In one tower, standing out on the balcony and staring into the bright moon above, was a tall and slender violet alicorn. Her twilight dusk mane and tail flowing behind her. Her regal attire glimmering from the moon's light. Her purple eyes darting between the stars. She shifted her wings as she adjusted the telescope next to her. The massive astral contraption bigger than the tower itself in width. The alicorn's ears flicked as she heard the sound of a knock from her door.

"Princess Twilight. Are you awake?" A voice from the other side stated. Twilight smiled, recognizing the voice instantly.

"Come in, Spike." She said with a smile. The door opened and a burly, tall purple dragon with green spikes entered. He had dawned a velvet robe and was, to Twilight's own amusement, holding a stuffed teddy bear. He walked towards her after closing the door, curiously eyeing the telescope.

"Somethings never change." He said with a small chuckle. Twilight nodded and went back to adjusting her telescope. "I was just wondering, and I know it's sudden, but perhaps I could poke your brain a bit?" He asked. Twilight smirked.

"I'm always open for a good discussion. What is it?" She asked as she scrunched her muzzle at misadjusting the proper setting on her telescope. Spike rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, as you know, Ember is coming to visit Canterlot to discuss a certain matter with you, but I was thinking we could probably get her to destress a little by us, I mean... me, taking her to that shrine that was discovered? You know, to keep her distracted from all the pent-up anger the rogue tribe of dragons have been giving her." Spike smiled. "Nothing like a good adventure to make you feel better." Twilight giggled.

"How sweet of you Spike. And knowing Ember, she may want to punch a few things as well. So, it'd be good to keep her from err... displaying herself to my subjects." She said with a nervous smile. It hasn't been subtle. There has been a disturbance lately that is causing all allies of Equestria to feel agitated. It's as if something that has been long dormant is now stirring. With the years of peace Equestria has had, whatever was causing it was quickly making every creature anxious. She could feel it in the wind. As weird as that may sound to her, being the ruler of Equestria has given her some time to manage her own personal studies of her new inherit powers by her mentor and her sister. Spike smiled.

"I knew it was a good plan. Learned from the best!" He said, making claw guns at her. Twilight rolled her eyes playfully with a smile. "So... what are you doing still up?" He asked. Twilight stuck her tongue out. For some reason, she was having trouble adjusting the telescope just right.

"Doing a bit of astrology. My me time, basically." She said matter-of-factly. Spike nodded.

"I don't blame you. It's been a hectic several months of disturbance. Are you sending Luster Dawn out tomorrow to study the old ruins we had discovered recently?" He asked. Twilight sighed and nodded.

"She'll begin her journey in the morning, along with her friends." She said. Spike looked worriedly at her.

"I know that look. You're worried that she hasn't fully embraced them as her friends yet. That something might go wrong." He said. Twilight bowed her head but smiled and shook it.

"I trust Luster Dawn to make her own decisions. Just as I had with Starlight. Besides, I've too much on my plate to worry about her not making friends so much. These things take time. And she has plenty of time." She replied. Spike smiled.

"Spoken like a good mentor." He said. Twilight blushed a little. She then turned to face him.

"How are things over at the school?" She asked. "Has Starlight been keeping out of trouble?" Spike snickered.

"You're worried about Starlight making trouble? Her students are causing way more than she has. In fact, I think she's kind of accepted the fact. But to put it simply. She's doing well. She's in her own element." He replied casually. Twilight sighed, relieved to hear everything in Ponyville is relatively the same. She does miss her old home. She has been wanting to visit the quaint little village, but royal duties are ever so piling. Twilight turned back to mess with her telescope. Suddenly, the ground began to shake, surprising both Twilight and Spike. "Earthquake!?" Spike stated. Twilight looked out into the valley, only to cover her ears along with Spike at a loud boom in the sky. It was nearly as loud as her friend's Sonic Rainboom. But instead of a colorful night sky, Twilight looked to see two stars in the night sky glimmer and began to swirl around... the moon? Spike rubbed his eyes.

"What is going on!?" He asked, shocked at the sight. Suddenly, a loud ringing in their heads caused them to grunt in pain. A commanding, echoing voice bellowed loudly. As if it was reaching across the entire land of Equestria.

"We bestow upon this world the gifts of another. Two souls gained. Two souls everlasting. This realm has been born anew. The gods have spoken."

Twilight gasped, seeing the two stars, one of dark and violet color and the other, a bright and yellow color, swirl rapidly around the moon before clashing into each other. A loud boom rumbled throughout the land, the two stars separating and sailing across the sky. Their trail sparkling and creating a strange color of lights in the sky. In the distance, Twilight heard the crash of one and she watched as the other crashed somewhere over the mountains beyond Canterlot. Twilight was stunned along with Spike. Twilight's ears flicked as she heard shouting from below.

"Check on her highness! Search the area! Leave no stone unturned!" a guard's voice bellowed. Spike looked over the balcony, seeing the many guards having been alerted to the spectacle. Spike slumped.

"I think this is more than an attempt on your life." He said. Twilight furrowed her brows. She turned, knowing that her guards would burst into the room. As if on que, several guards entered the room, spears at their sides as one cantered over to her.

"Princess! You're alright!" She said. Twilight nodded.

"I'm fine. But I need you all to call off the search. Something else has occurred and it must be addressed. Please, send out letters of emergency to the others as well as Luster Dawn. Dismissed." She ordered. The guards saluted and exited the room, scattering to fulfill their princess's word. Spike crossed his arms, frowning a little.

"As if Equestria needs anymore disturbances." He said. Twilight looked to spike, her expression worried.

"I don't know, Spike. Something tells me that Equestria is more than in danger. I... know it sounds weird, but something about the wind has been off." She explained. Spike arched a brow. he then shook his head slightly.

"Want me to schedule sleep for next week on Tuesday?" He asked. Twilight blinked and gave a small smirk, seeing Spike grin.

"Alert Ember and Thorax of the event as well. Whatever that voice was, I have a hunch it woke up the entirety of Equestria." Spike rolled his neck and saluted cooly.

"Friendship Ambassador, on duty." He said. He hopped over the balcony and took flight into the sky. Twilight watched as his figure grew distant. Twilight's smile vanished and she looked to the moon.

In the distant lands of Saddle Arabia, the night sky chilling the winds, a wandering caravan laid destroyed. Shattered wagons and creatures lying motionless in the sand. A prince of Saddle Arabia grimaced as he stood up, the horse shaking his head. Ignoring the cold trickle of blood on his head, he looked around, mortified that his caravan laid devastated. In the center of it all, a crater had formed. It smoked and hissed from the center. The prince limped, nearly tripping over what was once a friend. He peeked over the crater and after some time, he gasped, seeing a figure lay in the center. It was small. A child. Not just a child. A colt. The prince slid down the crater to get a closer look. He hesitated as he got closer. The foal was strange. Pure black as night, a fiery, brilliant red mane. Upon closer inspection, there was a symbol of an eye on the foal's neck. It glowed a sickening yellow before dimming and imprinting a tattoo. The foal was... to the prince's surprise, asleep. As if not a care in the world had bothered him. The prince picked up the child and furrowed his look. What should he do? He climbed out of the crater and looked around.

He was met with a few other escorts that had managed to survive the sudden impact. One pony walked forward and balked.

"First a voice, and now, a child of all things that had fallen from the sky? What in Equestria's name..." he said. The prince looked down at the sleeping foal, who was suckling his hoof innocently while asleep.

In another corner of Equestria, deep in an unknown wood lost to most knowledge, a glowing orb resembling almost a parasprite, but with expressive eyes and mouth, floated curiously towards a crater. From the woods, more glowing orbs in varying colors, emerged. Several got a closer look. They gasped and began to speak in a language unfamiliar. From the smoke that cleared, a clay-colored filly with a white mane and tail that blackened at the base, along with her hooves and a white diamond spot in the center of her head, laid motionless. One of the creatures studied the filly, only to fly away with several others as the filly stirred and sighed. Was she... sleeping? Indeed, the filly was sleeping. Unaware of the creatures around her. It wasn't just the orb creatures. Wolves, bears, critters of all kinds that you could find in the woods, looked on at the filly. Two bears stepped aside as the tree they stood in front of came to life and leaned forward. A feminine creature tilted her head at the filly.

"How curious. She is not like our usual intruders." The creature said soothingly. One of the orbs floated up to her.

"Selpha. You felt the shake of the land. Heard the voice of the eternal! This one fell from the skies! It is no mere coincidence!" It said in a chipmunk voice. The nymph creature, Selpha, placed a branch gently under her chin in thought. "She is a special one! The Elder Spirit must see to her!" There was a chatter of agreement, followed by chatter of disagreement.

"She disturbed the peace of the Fae Woods! She must be punished!" A red cap hissed. A squirrel chucked an acorn at the red cap's head and shook their head in disapproval.

"Ah, git off, ye' lazy sod! She jus' a filly!" The squirrel chipped.

"Why punish her? We have a new playmate!" One of the orb like creatures bounced happily, followed by a chorus of agreement and a chant. "New friend! New friend!" Selpha frowned as the chorus of chatter was beginning to test her patience. Suddenly, the creatures went quiet, gasping and trembling.

"The Elder summons us! We must obey!" A buck said. Selpha nodded. Removing herself from the tree, she scooped up the filly, turning and floating out of the crater. The creatures scampered and followed the nymph as she carried the filly deeper into the woods. They soon came to a clearing. A massive tree, the heart of the Fae Woods, towered over them. From the tree, a creature descended. Old and hunched forward, dwarfish in nature with a long white beard and stache, pointy ears and a flowing robe approached Selpha, who lowered the filly before him. The dwarfish creature stroked his beard, showing amusement under the bushel of eyebrows.

"Oh... ohohoho. What a remarkable find." He marveled. Selpha stepped back as one of the orb creatures began to study the filly closely.

"Is she... dead?" The creature asked. The Elder chuckled.

"Nary a thought, Glihda. The pixies have nothing to fear. This child is special indeed." He spoke. The chorus chant erupted around them.

"New friend! New friend!" The Elder sighed and shook his head. He then looked to Selpha.

"Dearest Selpha. Would you please carry the filly inside? Poor dear must be hungry and cold." Selpha balked in surprised.

"Err... forgive me, Elder. Are you... showing interest in this filly?" She asked. This was a complete shock to her. The Elder isn't one for intruders. Not even curious younglings that wind up lost and becoming forever friends. It was strange to her that the Elder hasn't already turned her into one. Yet, The Elder's words are law of the Fae Lands. Selpha carried the child inside the massive tree, the base fashioned into a small home, accompanied by the Elder. She carried the filly over to the Elder's bed. Laying her down, The Elder, shocking the nymph once again, tucked the filly in. The child cooed, her sleeping expression in peace. Selpha looked at the Elder in awe. The Elder chuckled.

"All will be explained in the morning, Selpha. We must calm the forest for now." He said. Selpha glanced between him and the filly. This child must truly be special indeed. She bowed and merged into the walls of the tree, vanishing from sight. The Elder stroked his beard. The Fae Woods had heard the voice. The eternal had spoken. The Fae folk indeed have a new resident of the land. Yet, it is one he knows that their magic will not work on. As much as he had kept the Fae from going wild and out into the Equestrian lands, this one's magic is yet to be untapped. And no amount of Fae magic could best it. The sheer magic resonating off of the filly overwhelmed his own. The Elder sighed. Several thousand years of peace and tranquility in the Fae Woods. Tarnished by a child of the stars. Yet, The Elder had some foresight in mind with this filly. She will be raised by the Fae. Learn their ways. To respect nature and eventually, learn and develop into her own. It would ease his mind, he had thought. And he could do with better company.

The Elder chuckled. The Fae would have a new friend. And he would have peace of mind.