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.
The Legend of Epona: Phantom's Reign
Seven Years Later
A trade caravan trekked along a dirt road through the woods. The sun beaming down from the open spaces of the trees gave the woods a mystical and wonderous atmosphere. One that'd draw the breath away from any wandering traveler. A group of ponies escorting the caravan were preoccupied with such a sight that they nearly did not see an old pony waddle in with a walking stick. Burly and gruff green hide that camouflaged him in the foliage, a blue cap on his head and camping equipment on his back. The pony pulling the cart came to a halt, causing one of the ponies behind the caravan to bump into it. The mare rubbed her muzzle and walked around the wagon, frowning.
"Oi! What's the hold up?" She asked, annoyed by the sudden stop. The old pony waved to them before stroking his white beard. The mare slumped. "Oh. Where in the bloody Tartarus were you? We expected to see you at the entrance to the woods. Figured you turned tail and ran." The old pony chuckled.
"Please. I was just making sure that the path you travel isn't infested with Fae magic." He replied. The stallion pulling the wagon rubbed the back of his head.
"Fae? I thought that this woodland felt a little too magical." He said. Another stallion, one clad in leather barding, smirked.
"Not like your Everfree." He nudged the stallion, receiving an annoyed look from the wagon puller that was rubbing his foreleg. Another pony stepped forward from the side of the wagon, looking around.
"I've heard tales of the Fae Lands. It's said that any pony who enters the woods ends up becoming a part of the woods. You are to keep yourself on the road in order to not have that happen. Taking one hoof step off the path and you'll suffer yourself to the ploy of the pixies." She explained. The other mare laughed.
"Please, the Fae are just legends. We may live in a world of myth and magic, but fairies haven't been documented for several thousands of years. I doubt the Fae magic is even around anymore." The other mare explained. The old pony smirked.
"Quite the statement. Yet, my years of camping out in these woods have shown me much that the wild magic of the Fae is still alive to this very day." He said. The leather clad stallion arched a brow.
"Right, right. But we aren't here to go over a history lesson on ancient magic long forgotten. We're supposed to reach Shire Shores and the only road to it goes through here." He said. The old pony nodded.
"At least one of you is wise to not linger." He said. The stallion replied with a shake of his head.
"We have a job to do. We aren't here to sight see." He shrugged. The old pony turned and motioned with his head.
"Then follow me. It's going to get a little narrow up ahead. But just follow where I step, and you should be through in no time." He said before walking forward. The four caravan ponies exchanged glances before moving back into formation and following after the pony. The woods shimmered spectacularly in the daylight. Captivating the travelers as they continued down the path. They soon began to cross a stone bridge, mossy and old. One of the ponies couldn't help but notice strange looking moss that looked to move slightly. Or perhaps it was a trick of her eyes. She curiously tilted her head and was about to poke it when the old stallion walked past her and nudged her flank with the walking stick.
"Best keep your curiosity in check, lass. Least ya' fall off and into the water." He said. The mare frowned, not pleased by the nudge. She peeked over the stone bridge, a shallow river flowing through. It was clear and sparkling from the sunlight. She noticed small fish swimming inside of it. She couldn't help but smile. There really was something fantastic about the serene beauty this woodland has. She turned and cantered to catch up to the caravan, unaware of the moss beginning to move away and slip into the water. The group traveled a bit further, circling what appeared to be a stone ruin of some kind. Whatever structure was here long ago was now just stacked stones and piled trees. The leather clad stallion looked on in awe.
"It's like we just walked into a whole other realm." He marveled. The wagon puller shook his head in stunned awe.
"More like going back in time itself..." He replied. The old pony tapped his walking stick, having managed to make it a bit further than the group.
"Hop to it, you lot! Just a bit further and you'll be free from the woods!" He called out. One of the mares walked by a stump and came to a halt. She had to do a double take. She could have sworn she saw something clear in the cracks of the stump. Her look furrowed curiously and was about to get a closer look when there was a crack of a twig by them. The ponies halted and looked around. The old pony grumbled, finding his patience tested by the gawking travelers. "Oi! Time's a wastin'!" He called out.
"Did you hear that?" The wagon puller asked. There was another snap of a twig. This time above them. They looked up, their eyes alert and scanning the area. Nothing but the cool breeze rustling the leaves. The leather clad pony snorted.
"Ahh, must be the cider gettin' to me. Probably just some squirrels. We are in woodlands after all." He asked. One of the mares looked around and her eyes widened. She wasn't sure if her mind was playing tricks on her, but her eyes fell onto something moving further off the side. Staring a bit longer, she noticed a pony walking around and scanning the ground. But... not just anypony. A filly. Her clay-colored hide didn't hide her presence. Let alone the white mane and tail that blackened at the roots. A white spot in the middle of her muzzle was a bit dirtied as the filly hummed softly and brushed aside some foliage. Was she grazing?
"H-Hey! Is that a filly?" The mare asked, pointing. The old pony frowned and shook his head.
"Ye' must be dreary from the walking. Care for a break?" He asked. The other mare balked and shook her head in disbelief.
"You're right... that's a filly!" She stated. The two stallions looked over. They could see her too. The young filly plucked several herbs from the ground and stuffed them into a whicker satchel. The old stallion rolled his eyes and trotted over to them. His eyes widened when he saw the same filly as everypony else.
"I'll be... A filly this far out in the woods? The nearest town isn't but another day out." He said. The wagon puller looked worriedly in the filly's direction.
"Sh-shouldn't we help her? She might be lost!" He asked. The leather clad pony narrowed his eyes.
"Seems she's a bit more preoccupied of picking herbs than anythin'." He replied. One of the mares didn't hesitate. She cupped her muzzle.
"Hey! Are you lost?! Do you need help?!" She shouted. The filly looked up from her picking and her eyes widened. In a blink of an eye, she turned and bolted into the thick brush, vanishing deeper into wherever she retreated too. The mare lowered her hooves. "Hey wait!! We aren't going to hurt you!! Come back!!" She called out. Silence only returned her call. The old pony stroked his beard.
"A filly out this deep and far into the woodlands? What an odd sight." His look darkened. "No... it couldn't be..." The leather clad pony arched a brow at him.
"Aye?" He asked. The old pony turned to the group.
"I have heard tales, but I've always wrote them off as nonsense. It has been said that the Fae favor innocence above all traits. Children are always full of imagination. It has been said that their imagination powers the Fae magic, allowing the denizens of the woods to manifest and manipulate other unfortunate wanderers. And the child is a victim of the Fae themselves. Not only are they the catalyst for their magic, but they are also the ones who are deemed "forever friends". They lose their memories of home and themselves. Become one with the woods. It has also been said that at night, when the spirits begin to roam, you can hear the laughter of the many lost children that have been taken, accompanied by music. The lost children are able to maintain their former shells to disguise themselves and lure in other wanderers who just want to help them." The caravan ponies' expressions looked grim. The wagon puller shivered and rubbed his foreleg, his eyes fearfully scanning the area around them.
"Th-that's quite a tale for sure..." he said nervously. The old pony nodded.
"Indeed. I won't deny, there might be a certain magic here that still lingers. But as to what the tales describe it, it is just residual. Perhaps the filly actually lives here in these very woods. With any luck, we might run into her again." He then stretched, wincing in pain as an audible crack in his back told him to rest. "Oof... perhaps we should take a break. My back is killing me."
"Don't keel over yet, old codger. Don't want ya' to become one with the forest just yet." One of the mares grinned. The other, however, was still scanning the woods. The group took shelter in the fallen ruins and began to rest themselves. Yet, their minds couldn't help but wander off to the sight of the filly. Even the old pony was beginning to think that the tales might not be too far-fetched. After some time, the leather clad pony unpacked some rations of bread, carrots and potatoes, passing them out to them. The group began to help themselves to their food. The wagon puller pony was about to take a bite of his carrot when his ears flicked at the sound of twigs breaking beside him. He looked fearfully to his side, only to see that nothing was there. Nothing except for a face of a filly peeking around a fallen stone. He blinked and stood up, catching the attention of the others.
"It's her..." he whispered.
"What?" One of the mares asked before being shushed by the wagon puller. The filly ducked back behind the stones. He looked to the carrot and had a small idea. If this filly truly is lost, he wants to help her. He took a couple of hoofsteps forward and placed the carrot down on the ground before backing away slowly.
"Is this what you want?" He asked. The other ponies squinted their eyes, trying to see if they could spot the filly. It wasn't long until they saw a side of a face peek out around the corner. The filly remained where she was, uncertain of the intention of these ponies. The wagon puller laid down on his stomach and pat the ground, smiling. "It's alright. We won't bite. You must be hungry. That carrot is for you." The filly began to cautiously crawl out of her hiding. Blue eyes studied the pony before falling onto the carrot.
The other ponies watched with bated breath, finding this interaction to be quite interesting. None of them still couldn’t believe they found a lost filly in the woods. The filly leaned in and sniffed the carrot. No pony moved as they waited for the filly to see if the carrot had been poisoned or some other kind of wild speculation in her head. They felt relieved when the filly sat on her haunches and began to chew on the carrot. Her tail swishing, pleased with the delicious vegetable.
“See? Kept fresh and ready for all kinds of snack emergencies.” The pony said. The filly chewed bits of the carrot, seemingly only finding the carrot to be interesting. That was until she sniffed the air and her eyes fell to their ration pack. The wagon puller pony looked over and smiled, getting up carefully and reaching into the sack, withdrawing several vegetables. Cabbage, celery, potatoes and more carrots. The filly looked star struck at the sight of the food. “You want some? Have as much as you’d like.” He said.
“But not the whole sack, please. We need that for the trip home.” One of the mares chimed in. The filly looked between the ponies before scooting over to food. She leaned down and sniffed the cabbage, taking a small bite. The filly scrunched her muzzle and stuck her tongue out, wiping her tongue with her hoof. She frowned at the cabbage and pushed it aside. She went to the celery stalk. The filly found this pleasing. The potatoes tasted weird to her and feeling indifferent about it, she pushed it aside before helping herself to the carrots, which she seemed to enjoy much more than the others.
“Hehe. Quite an interesting young lass, isn’t she?” The old pony chuckled. “What’s yer’ name, dear?” The filly flicked her ear and looked to him, swallowing her carrots before opening her mouth. Her eyes widened before she could say anything and covered her muzzle. This caused the ponies to arch a brow. The filly scanned the ground and beamed at the sight of a stick. She picked it up and began scribbling down words in the dirt. The wagon puller titled his head, unable to make any sense of the calligraphy.
“What… kind of language is that?” He asked. The filly tapped the calligraphy with her stick, as if wanting him to look closer. When he did, he shook his head with a frown. “I… still don’t know this language.”
“What language?” One of the mares asked, trotting over to him. She looked and rubbed her chin. “Strange. It’s not old pone-ish. Nor is it Neighponese. This is… I don’t even know what it is.” The filly slumped and scribbled more symbols on the ground. This time, a child like drawing of an equine figure with a symbol on the side. The mare blinked and studied the drawing. “Hmm… that symbol is familiar…” she said. The filly tapped the horse and the symbol with her stick before motioning to herself. The mare tilted her head this way and that, reaching into the very back of her mind in her old history studies.
The mare’s eyes widened a bit in understanding. “That symbol… of course!” She cantered over to the wagon and withdrew a book from her saddle bag. She walked back over to them, flipping through the pages before coming to a stop and pointing at the symbol. “It’s the symbol of a goddess. I thought I recognized it. Though… the name is a bit lost in the translation. Ipno? Pona? Nopa?” She suggested the names in hopes of getting the filly to confirm it. However, the filly stared blankly at her with a tilt of her head, chewing on a carrot.
The old pony waddled over to them and looked at the page.
“Err… dear, perhaps maybe something a bit more understandable? How about this.” He took his walking stick, scribbling into the ground. “I’m certain a smart filly like you can understand us. You can understand us, right?” The filly nodded.
“So, why not speak then?” The other mare asked. The old pony shook his head.
“Perhaps she doesn’t speak it fluently and can only understand it in her head.” He said. He then pulled away and nodded to the filly. In front of them was the entire alphabet of their language. “See which letters resonate with you. We can piece it together then.” The filly studied the letters before taking her stick and pointing to “E”. She then pointed to four more letters before stepping back.
“Epona?” The wagon puller pony asked. The mare with the book beamed.
“Epona! Of course!” She smiled and went back to the wagon, digging through their things. Leaving her preoccupied, the ponies looked back to Epona.
“What an unusual name. But somehow… fitting.” The leather clad stallion said. Epona beamed and nodded. Her eyes then widened and she slinked back away from them. The ponies exchanged glances before sensing something behind them. They turned and in shocked yelps, stepped back as a buck stood eyeing them. The deer looked between the ponies, a bow and quiver slung on his back. A wicker satchel at his side. The buck was handsome and had a white chest and underbelly, a tan coat and emerald eyes.
“A deerling?” The old pony gasped. The buck eyed the pony before adjusting the bow on his back.
“A pony. Much like our young wanderer here.” He replied, eyeing Epona. The filly bowed her head, showing guilt like a cookie thief. The wagon puller glanced between them and stood in front of Epona. The buck arched a brow before smiling. “Do not fear for the filly’s safety. She, in fact, belongs to my herd.” The mare that was rummaging through the wagon finally pulled back with a beam and turned around, bumping into the deerling. She squeaked and shrunk back a little as the buck looked over his shoulder.
The mare’s surprise turned to awe.
“No way… an actual deerling! There really is a tribe in this region!” She marveled. The leather clad pony crossed his hooves.
“Hold on a minute. A tribe? Didn’t think these woods had natives living here.” He said. The mare nodded.
“Because the deer folk are seclusive. They prefer to keep themselves in their environment.” She said. The deerling smiled.
“Rare to find a trespasser who knows some what of the deerling tribes.” He said. The mare beamed and nodded before her look blanked.
“Trespassing?” She asked. The buck sighed and looked to the ruins.
“You’re lucky to have met Epona here. If I had caught you all soliciting, let’s just say, you’ll be all intimately accustomed to the deerling tribe’s ways.” He replied. Epona looked shocked at the reactions of the ponies. Fearful and anxious looks made them shiver.
“A-and what do deerlings… do to trespassers…?” The wagon puller gulped. The deer eyed them, his look stern and looking to kill. Then, he smiled and began to laugh softly, waving a hoof.
“I only jest. We aren’t savages. In fact, it’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to outsiders.” He said. The ponies looked confused. Epona frowned and crossed her hooves at the buck. He gave her an apologetic smile in return before looking back at the mare. “Yes, we like to keep to ourselves. Rarely do we ever leave the woods. Those that do, we do not shun them. Once in a blue moon, you’ll see one out in Equestria. Maybe two.” He trotted over to the rejected cabbage and picked it up, taking a big bite out of it.
The ponies were baffled.
“S-so… you aren’t going to turn us into trees?” The wagon puller asked. The buck nearly choked on his cabbage, taking a moment to pat his chest to swallow.
“Ahem. We aren’t nymphs. Deerlings don’t have magic like you ponies do. Only ancestral respect.” He said. The old pony stroked his beard, fascinated by the second interesting character to grace their presence.
“Fascinating. So… what are you called?” He asked. The buck smirked.
“I am called a blunder by the elder. But if you are asking for my name, in your tongue, it is Bastion.” He bowed courteously. The deerling had managed to break the ice with the ponies. Epona and Bastion sat next to each other as Bastion began answering questions from an overly excited scholar. A tribe of hunters and gatherers mostly, with minimal influence from the outside world. They speak a different language that, in most cases, requires at least a few of their tribe members to go out into the world and study up for several years of equestrian language so they can speak with outsiders.
It surprised them to know that the deer folk were quite open to outside visits, so long as respect for their habitat is maintained. Which, as Bastion explained, that the deer folk enjoy pony conversation more than anything. He explained it had to do with kindred unity. The ponies couldn’t understand what he meant, despite his best attempt at explaining it. Seeing as the meaning wouldn’t get anywhere, he only smiled and pat his chest.
“Just believe me when I say that we welcome our Equine neighbors openly.” He finished. The mare that was asking questions was writing all of this down, leaving the other mare to finally ask the question.
“So, what about the other tribes? The Yaks? Zebra? Griffons and Hippogriffs? They get some kind of certain welcome?” She asked. Bastion rubbed the back of his head.
“Hard to explain really. We’ve never seen Yaks or griffons in the woods. Let alone know what a Hippogriff is. As for Zebra, once in a blue moon. There is one that is considered an honorary member amongst our tribe due to her helping with medicine.” He snickered. “Always spoke in rhymes. That she did. But wise in the ways, almost all the time.” The leather clad pony rubbed his chin before pointing at Epona.
“So. How did yer’ tribe come to adopt a filly?” He asked. Bastion’s look remained pleasant, but wary now.
“Ahh, that is an interesting story. This little bristle pain was left abandoned by her own herd as a babe. We found her tucked into a tree and cared for her ever since.” He said, ruffling her mane. Epona batted at him and frowned. The scholar mare looked mortified.
“That’s awful!” She proclaimed. Bastion nodded grimly.
“Indeed. We have accommodated her as best we can. We are still teaching her how to speak your tongue. So that one day, she would go venture out on her own.” He said. Epona glanced at him, looking a bit saddened by his words. The old pony stroked his beard.
“I’ve camped these woods for many years and it still continues to surprise me.” He said. Bastion ears flicked as he eyed the pony.
“The old hermit. Our tribe has been watching you for quite some time. You’re lucky you didn’t wander too far in. Otherwise, you’d have ended up in the Fae Wilds.” He said. The old pony blinked and looked quizzically at him.
“I… beg your pardon?” He asked. Bastion nodded.
“Scouts have been reporting about an old pony camping and exploring the wonders of the woods. We never approached because you weren’t hurting the wildlife. In fact, some of my people were interested in the fact that some pony had a fascination with nature.” He explained. The old pony nodded slowly.
“I… see… but go back a little. You mentioned… Fae Wilds?” He asked. Bastion tilted his head, giving him an understanding look.
“Oooh, right. There is one thing I left out about our heritage. We were once in coherency with the Fae moons ago. Several thousand in fact. We tend to refer to certain areas of this forest that once was filled with Fae magic as the Fae Wilds. We’ve unfortunately have seen many who have gone a little mad at hearing voices and even dancing about in clearings as if under a spell. Nothing a little remedy can’t counter. But still dangerous.” Epona nodded grimly.
The ponies went a bit pale.
“S-so Fae magic is still around?” The scholar mare asked. Bastion sighed and made a so-so motion.
“Ancient magic has dwindled for the past several generations. In fact, we’ve began to notice that magic has been… struggling.” He said. The other mare blinked and furrowed her look.
“Is that so? That… honestly I believe that.” She said. The others looked at her as she continued. “A friend of mine in Baltimare was trying to help open up a new shop. Several workers, who were quite adept with heavy lifting magic, couldn’t even lift a half full luggage. It was as if they had lost all strength with their magic. Not only that, there has been talk of several ace Wonder Bolts in Cloudsdale that had early retirement because they couldn’t fly as well as they used too. It was always chalked up to them pushing themselves a little further than usual, but Captain Rainbow Dash swears up and down that her best fliers lost their ability to fly properly.”
The ponies went quiet. Bastion and Epona exchanged glances. The filly crossed her hooves and began to think quietly to herself. Bastion cast a knowing look towards her before taking a quiet deep breath and stood up.
“Well. It has been fun chatting with you all. We’ll escort you out of the woods. The tribe will be wanting us back soon.” He said. The scholar mare blinked.
“Wha? But I still have so many questions!” She said sadly. Bastion smiled.
“Another time if you ever pass by again. Though, there is no guarantee you’ll see me, any deerling is open to outside questions.” He replied. Epona gave an apologetic look at the mare. The old pony nodded and stood up.
“Aye. Twill be sunset at this rate.” He said. The ponies began packing up their things, Epona and Bastion observing them before they met up at the road. Bastion took the lead, Epona right beside him. The deerling led them to a shortcut after some time and before the caravan ponies knew it, the open field leading to the next town over expanded before them. They bid the ponies goodbye and watched them go further and further down the road.
Epona chewed on a carrot she snuck out from their ration pack, scanning the sunset field in a longing look. Bastion glanced at the filly, catching her look.
“Does it remind you of your home?” He asked, speaking in a different dialect than poneish. Epona nodded sadly. Bastion rubbed the back of his head. “Come on. We better head back before the Elder gets worried.” Bastion turned and walked back into the woods. Epona gave one last look of the open field. As if a distant memory of her just galloping freely among the fields like she did as a filly years ago in her old home reemerged.
Her ears flicked, her mane blowing in the wind. Somewhere out in the field, she could hear her song. As if it was calling to her to come back home. Epona could see a faint silhouette of a young boy in the field. Her eyes widened, seeing him put a leaf to his lips, whistling the tune of her song. She turned back and began to canter down the fields, picking her pace into a gallop. Bastion turned.
“Epona? Come back!” Bastion called out. He cantered after her, able to keep up with the filly. Yet, when she came to a stop, she looked around. The boy had vanished. Bastion eyed the filly worriedly. He wasn’t sure what to expect from a creature that fell from the skies. Epona’s ears dropped and she sat on her haunches, bowing her head. Bastion sighed and sat down next to her. “Is it the song again?” Epona softly nodded. Bastion rubbed the back of his head.
“I wonder why a song would get you to listen to something other than the Elder.” He said. Epona rose a hoof and studied it. She still hasn’t come to terms about this whole change. She needs to get back. Her rider needs her. None of these creatures would be able to understand that. She sighed and stood up, turning to walk back to the woods. Bastion gave her a concerned look. He then bowed his head and shook it. “That filly is one tough cookie.” He said before getting up and cantering over to then walk next to her.
The two were quiet as they made their way back, going deeper and deeper. They eventually began to cross a second stone bridge, one that was made up of only stepping rocks. At the other side were several trees forming an arch, as if a whole other world was waiting for whoever stepped through. Epona began to step in a certain way, the rocks glowing at her hooves and when she got to the end, from an observer’s point of view, she would vanish into a swirling wisp. Bastion followed after her and the two found themselves in a quaint little hamlet.
The trees winding and thick but small leafy and fungi furnishes were telltale signs of a residence. Woodland critters scurried about this way and that, hanging up decorations for a festival of rite. Epona stopped and looked up to see a banner overhead, written in the Fae language. It read:
Congratumatations!
Bastion frowned.
“Sibil!” He called out. From the birds that were hanging up the decorations around the banner, a hummingbird flew down and hovered in front of them.
“Ahh, welcome back you two!” The nasally hummingbird said. “Word already got out about Epona meeting those travelers.” Epona bowed her head. Sibil looked at her worriedly. “I don’t think you are in trouble, Epona. But the Elder does want to talk to you.” Bastion crossed his hooves.
“Where’s Holly? She’s supposed to be here curating the decorations. And who misspelled ‘congratulations?” He asked. Sibil floated up to face him.
“Err… funny you mention that. Holly is around here helping out. I just… don’t know where she went. As for the spelling, we errr… couldn’t get Gwarp to leave. So… we gave him something to do.” He said. Bastion sighed.
“You know, you can just give him some of the gems to keep him occupied.” He said. Sibil looked apologetically at him. Bastion sighed again. “He ate them.” Sibil shook his head.
“More like used them for decorations on Flabery’s posey garden. She’s not taking it so well.” The hummingbird replied. Bastion rubbed his muzzle.
“Great. And what about Casper? Don’t tell me he’s slacking off again.” He said. Sibil tilted his head.
“Is… that a trick question?” He asked. Bastion bowed his head.
“Alright then. I’ll guess I can take it from here. Epona.” He turned to look at her. “When you are done talking to the Elder we could use a helping hoof around here. It’ll also be great to tell Casper to get off his lazy bum and help out when and if you see him. I swear, that deer has no responsibility at all.” Epona watched Bastion drag his hooves over to handle another issue with several fairies that were creating a small bonfire. Epona looked to Sibil and the bird gave her an apologetic look.
“Sorry about that, Epona. But you know the woods are always watching. You know how the Elder is when it comes to outsiders. But he does genuinely care about you. Go rest up a bit and we’ll see what you can help with.” Sibil quickly flew up to catch a falling string and helped the other birds reattach it.
Epona sighed and trotted away from the ongoing festival works. She crossed a wooden bridge that winded just a bit over a marsh. A rocky tortoise lifted his head up and smiled, greeting Epona as she crossed. Several pixies that flew over head as she trotted down another path greeted her as she walked by. Epona waved back, smiling softly. Everycreature here always had something going on. Despite the several thousand years of isolation from the modern realm, the Fae folk continued to live prosperously.
All working together under the Elder’s law. The Elder was as much a mystery to her as she is to everycreature else. Epona wished she could talk properly. She had so many questions about the outside world. But the Elder told her that speaking in the Fae language would drive any creature mad. And despite the deerlings helping her understand most languages, she struggles to still speak pone-ish, which is nearly universal in the outside world.
Epona dreaded ever having to speak to others without properly learning their language. She continued down the stone path with glowing fungi acting as lamps. Eventually, she turned to face a giant log connecting to the next area of the Fae woods. She stopped as she noticed a gnome-ish looking creature standing in front of the log entrance with a few red caps around him. Epona tilted her head and got a bit closer.
"...If the Elder won't do anythin' about it, we will!" One red cap said with a snarl. The gnome frowned, arms crossed.
"The Elder understands your issues, red cap. But he is not accepting any visits today." He replied. The lead red cap waved a hand in dismissal.
"To rot with that! He best start payin' mind to us or else that pretty lil' pony might end up in the wrong end of the woods." He said sharply. Epona arched a brow and shook her head. The gnome noticed her and gave a sigh. The red caps noticed this and turned; a disgusting smile spread across one's face. "Speak of the freak." The lead red cap crossed his arms. "Still lookin' for that song again? Best ye' follow it soon, lil' filly." He smirked and pushed past her, Epona frowning as she watched the red caps waddle away. The gnome scoffed and shook his head.
"Eh, give Piligry time. With the disturbances that have been happenin' around the woods, every creature is antsy." The gnome stated. Epona looked to him and tilted her head. The gnome blinked. "Oh right. Word gets out from the outside but here it's a whole other matter. It's... nothing to do with you, that's a promise. Though if you are wanting to know, ask the Elder. He's been wanting to speak with you." The gnome pat Epona on the head, ruffling her mane. The filly shook her head and tried to fix her mane, only to give up and turn to face the log entrance as the gnome creature walked off. Leave it to Hildebert to try and bring reason to the Fae woods. Bastion could use the help. Epona took a deep breath and stepped into the log, walking further in before stepping out and seeing the side of a massive tree. The very heart of the Fae woods. At the base is a hollowed-out shire home. One specifically meant for the one who truly tamed the Fae Lands.
Epona gulped a bit. It wasn't her first time being in trouble with the Elder. But at this point, she's been nothing but a walking catalyst of it. Lately it just feels like it's been getting worse to help around the place. She doesn't belong here. Nor in this world. She had to find a way home. The tune of her song whistled in her ear and she looked over her shoulder.
'Hold on, Link. I'll find a way back.' She thought.
