Chapter 1 - The Forsaken Timberwolf.
It was a high-risk, high-reward world Tequila found himself in—a world filled with mystery and dangerous creatures lurking around every shadow. Guilds and parties formed, creating beast hunters and adventurers who explored dungeons filled with beasts and demons alike, all in search of legendary treasures and the chance to level up in the ranks.
Tequila was one such adventurer, part of a highly-rated, A-rank party known as the Sun Breakers, which consisted of five members. The first was the pretty boy, a charming buck known for his pegasus speed and deadly strikes. Known as Lightening Touch, this A-rank egoist sword master was a lovely chap with a god complex, well-known for catching the public eye with his charismatic looks.
Next on the bandwagon was a softy, a timid unicorn spell caster named Lily Seed. Beneath her shyness and bravado lay a strong, capable mare with a huge heart and determination to become the best mage there was. Still young, Tequila believed she had a few years to mature before she could become a proper S-ranked mage.
Then there was Tequila’s darling, Poppy, the B-ranked healer. Sassy and sometimes an attitude bearer, she was also an OCD freak and a novelist on the side. You can imagine how she could be a handful. Despite being a lover, she was, unfortunately for Tequila, not a drinker.
The party leader was a big stallion named Iron Eye, the S-ranked tank. So large that he couldn't fit through Tequila’s front door, Tequila didn't invite him around often. A veteran, battle-scarred, and disciplined, he was reliable with his mighty shield and bulky armor, not to mention that he and Tequila could have a good laugh together at the bar.
Then there was Tequila, the oldest of the group and not the most sober, as his name suggested. A cheeky old geezer, he always carried around a bottle of tequila—his own brand, of course. A storyteller, his published stories of adventures were well-known to those interested in the old buck, known as The Beast Tamer of Stonewall Village, a B-ranked beast tamer.
With such diverse personalities, you could imagine how characters clashed every once in a while, causing a scene or a bit of riff-raff. But that’s what friends do, Tequila believed. They speak their minds, argue, and then act like it never happened because, at the end of the day, they were all friends, their bonds strengthening with each fight won.
But recently, things had been quiet on Tequila’s end. There were lots of whispers, side-glancing, and frowns—the atmosphere around them bitter for some unknown reason. Tequila didn’t know what was going on, but he knew he didn’t like it, not one bit.
Drip—
“Drop.”
Drip—
“Drop.”
Drip—
“Drop.” That was Tequila, mimicking the sound of water leaking from the ceiling of the cave, echoing around the group that was looting after a chaotic fight with a group of Bicorns, a large horse beast race with dark fur and two horns on its head, very aggressive on sight. The battle only got more difficult for the party as Warg beasts flanked from a tunnel behind, almost taking Tequila and Poppy out of the fight. Wargs had the design of a grizzly bear but the size and shape of a large dog, with sharp canines to tear through flesh. Tequila was lucky that Iron Eye had a sharp eye, shielding the threat. However, his eyes weren't kind when he looked back, almost annoyed, but Tequila didn’t read too much into it, thinking it was just the heat of the battle.
Drip—
“Drop.”
Drip—
“Drop.”
“Would you knock it off already, servant? You're getting annoying,” said Lightening Touch smoothly, his lightweight white and gold enchanted armor dirtied by fresh blood. He wore a white cape trimmed with black fur, adding a royal touch. His breastplate featured intricate gold filigree patterns, emphasizing its elegance, with gauntlets and greaves adorned with gold accents and delicate designs. His broad shoulder armor was also decorated with gold and featured a fur trim similar to the cape. Various ornamental keys hung from his belt, and his gold-tipped boots complemented the overall majestic theme of the armor. He wore no helmet, revealing his white fur and golden blond short mane that went well with his armor, his eyes also golden. If there was a pony that could be called celestial by color scheme alone, it would be Lightening Touch.
Servant… that’s a new one…
“Now don't be like that, Your Highness. It's just to cut the edge of the tension, you know,” Tequila replied with his gruff, old tone, nonchalantly shrugging, his eyes scanning the map of the dungeon. His outfit blended functionality with mystical symbolism, consisting primarily of dark, textured fabrics layered under a heavy assortment of metallic ornaments. Each piece of metalwork, from the circular symbols across his chest to the intricate bands wrapping his forearms, suggested a magical or sacred significance. His shoulders were covered with broad, armor-like pads crafted from both leather and metal, weathered and etched with patterns hinting at a rich history. His cloak, dark and tattered at the edges, draped heavily from his shoulders, suggesting it had shielded him from many elements. Beneath the cloak, a dense network of leather straps crisscrossed his torso, each strap dangling with keys, pouches, and various arcane charms which clinked softly with each movement. The lower half of his attire consisted of dark trousers tucked into high, laced boots made of worn leather, designed for durability. Lightening scoffed, walking over with a glare. Tequila didn’t understand why Lightening was so riled up.
“You know what, I have to ask, what is it you even do? You are useless, the only good thing you are good for is that beast that carries all our loot and supplies,” Lightening said mockingly, making Tequila’s unsure smile waver. Tequila was also aware of the others' reactions, to his displeasure none of them looked to step in, almost as if they agreed with the comment, even his beloved Poppy just watched with a side eye, a neutral look on her face.
“Come on, you younglings know I help out when I can. I cook, I navigate through the dungeon, I can carry supplies and hell, I have enchanted buff magic to help in the fight. I’m not as useless as you believe me to be,” Tequila said with trepidation, wondering what was going on with his friends. That’s when Iron stepped in.
“Look, uh, Tequila, we all have spoken about your role in our party and we’ve all agreed that you simply don’t do enough as a beast tamer,” Iron Eye said with a firm tone, his appearance powerful with his armor donned. The armor was fully metallic, including a helmet with a visor, offering solid protection. It featured overlapping shoulder plates and a detailed breastplate designed for flexibility and defense. The entire suit was accented with angular, Gothic-style embellishments, creating a bold, warrior-like appearance. This armor was matched with a large shield bearing similar designs, rounding out a look that was both functional for battle and striking in appearance. Iron Eye’s words made Tequila arch a brow, but he stayed silent, waiting for him to elaborate. However, Poppy was the one to step forward.
“As a beast tamer, it is your role to give support, which you do well, but… you also have to fight, which you refuse to do, not to mention that you possess nearly no beasts at your disposal, it’s almost pathetic,” Poppy explained, making me turn towards the beautiful healer. Poppy was just short of Tequila and a lot younger too, mid-twenties with feminine, bright sky blue eyes and sky blue long mane, the color going well with her silver-furred body. Poppy was clad in an ornate, silver armor that contoured gracefully to her form, blending the protective with the majestic. Her chest piece was intricately detailed, featuring swirls and botanical motifs that shone against the contrasting soft, powder blue of her flowing cape and undergarments. The cape, trimmed with golden embroidery, swept elegantly to the ground, catching light with every subtle movement. Her arms were encased in matching silver gauntlets that spiraled down to her wrists, detailed in the same elaborate style as her torso armor. Adding to her regal appearance, she wore a delicate tiara-like headpiece with a central gem, complementing similar gems embedded in her armor. In her hand, she carried a staff adorned with a complex, filigree design and a glowing blue crystal, echoing the mystical aura of her ensemble.
“Hunny, I understand, I don’t fight more often than I do but—”
“You're weak and frail, you are past your prime, old-timer,” Lightening Touch declared, his words echoing off the walls, his eyes no longer holding stoicism but disappointment. “The truth is, me, Iron Eye, Poppy, and Lily Seed have been talking about letting you go for a while now but, we were hesitant to let you leave because we didn’t have a suitable candidate to replace you at the time, but now, we do…”
It was slowly making sense to Tequila, the forced laughs from Iron Eye, the guilty look in Lily Seed, Lightening Touch’s harsh remarks and Poppy’s mood swings, it was all crashing down on the poor earth pony stallion. Of all things, all this negativity and rigor, Te quila never thought it was because of him. Sure, he’s a 52-year-old drunk, but he has the experience and the skills to keep up with the group.
Tequila could fight, he knew he could but, his abilities and skills to support the party outweighed his skills in combat. As for the lack of beasts to aid in the dungeons, that’s something out of his control, they know that, Tequila had told them countless times that gaining a familiar, connection, and understanding must be made between beast and tamer, it wasn’t as easy as making a contract. Sure, there are such things as slave crests to force anything to bend to his will but, that’s an option that went against his moral code.
They knew all this, and they chose not to listen. Yet again, maybe they were using Tequila’s flaws as an excuse, using his age as a reason to replace him. Although that would have been a good enough reason for any other adventurer, but Tequila was an earth pony which means, his strength, stamina, and health were superior to the two other pony tribes, he still had a few more years of adventuring in his tank.
“I see… well then, who might this—replacement of mine be?” Tequila asked with a neutral tone, his jovial self seemingly gone.
“Well, uh, t-that would be my older brother, Bordeaux,” Lily spoke up for the first time since entering the dungeon, hiding behind her white, medium-cut mane, her neon green eyes looking sad, her furred body being a dark gray.
Lily was dressed in a stunning suit of armor that exuded both her personality and her power. It was a deep, midnight blue with swirling silver engravings that seemed almost alive, twining around the metal like delicate vines. Her shoulders were capped with ornate pauldrons, each a miniature masterpiece of metalwork, suggesting a blend of protection and high art. The bodice of the armor fit snugly, accentuating her form while intricate filigree near the neckline added a touch of regal finesse. A flowing cape, split down the middle, draped gracefully behind her, moving with a life of its own, edged with a lighter blue that contrasted subtly with the darker shades of her armor. Her gauntlets were finely crafted to allow dexterity, decorated with the same detailed etchings as her chest plate.
Tequila frowned, hearing unpleasant stories about Bordeaux from gossip around bars and even from Lily herself. “Very well then, since you younglings have made up your minds, I only ask you to let me stay in the party until the quest is complete. I’ll get my share, then I’ll be on my way,” Tequila said, looking over to Iron Eye, hoping he’d let him have that much.
Iron Eye hummed, nodding slightly. “I’ll allow it, it’s the least I can do for an old friend.”
Tequila just nodded slightly, leading the way for the final time.
The Sun Breakers didn’t have much trouble making their way through the rocky tunnels, Tequila leading the way with a map in one hand and a half-empty bottle of tequila in the other, the others weren’t too pleased at that, but hey, what were they gonna do? Fire him? Lightening Touch was finally showing his true colors, colors that Tequila himself didn’t know he had. Uttering comments such as: useless, helpless, and pitiful, pushing and shoving to hurry Tequila’s pace. Looks like the fame went to his head and turned him into a real piece of work. Good luck with that one, Iron Eye.
Tequila didn’t know what to think of Poppy now, she seemed adamant about the idea of him leaving, almost eager, which begs the question if they were still together. He’d like to think so, she was harsh but did nothing to indicate she was breaking the relationship up, who knows? She might announce that she wanted to part ways after the quest, or she might not. Tequila would have to soon find out.
Tequila’s mind didn’t linger long as monstrous, kingdom doors showed themselves in the distance, eternal torches on each side, signaling their destination. “This is it, I suggest we rest up before entering the boss room,” Tequila advised, taking off the bag of supplies from around his back, and also unloading supplies from the beast carrier. The beast itself was none other than a gray donkey called Bonda, nothing special, just a simple companion that Tequila raised up when it was small, so the connection between beast and pony was strong. Tequila couldn’t think of a better companion to stand by him. He patted Bonda on the neck softly, grateful for his aid.
No pony acknowledged his suggestion but all did take a seat against the inbuilt, cobblestone walls, taking their remaining health and mana potions they had on them, refilling their strengths and magical essence within them. Tequila gave out what was needed while Iron Eye spoke up.
“Listen up! After three long days, this is the last push of clearing this B-rank dungeon for good! Good job, guys! But I wouldn’t relax just yet, if the info I was given was correct, we are dealing with an A-ranked boss, triple our size. Unfortunately, from the vague info given, that’s all we know, so we’ll be careful when entering. I’ll take point with the buff enchantment from Tequila, and scope out the area with the support of Lightening and Lily. Tequila and Poppy, stand by for additional support when needed. Does anypony understand?” Iron Eye spoke out loud enough for the whole party to hear, getting a round of verbal acknowledgements or nods from the party.
Tequila got mixed reactions from the four members when he went around, handing out a variety of elixirs and water. Lightening wasn’t pleasant, giving Tequila a dirty side-eye and snatching what was given, making Tequila question himself about why Lightening was giving him such a hard time, what is with the hate in his eyes? Iron Eye however was much more pleasant but, he still didn’t treat Tequila the same way, just a nod and a glance away, indicating that there was nothing to discuss, no laughs or anything which made Tequila frown. A shame, Tequila enjoyed the chats and laughs they had.
Lily on the other hoof made long enough eye contact for him to actually read her feelings. He could see remorse and sadness in her eyes, almost as if she wanted him to stay. Tequila handed over a mana potion, making Lily smile with a sad grin.
“T-thanks…” Lily murmured, taking the contained blue liquid, and looking down with shame.
“Not a problem, darlin’, just make sure your head is held high and sharp,” Tequila said encouragingly, kneeling down and lifting her chin up with a finger, showing her his smile. “Just keep doing what you're doing and you’ll be alright, kid.”
Tequila went to stand and went to move on to Poppy but a firm hold on his sleeve stopped him. Tequila looked back, seeing Lily’s eyes glistening. “I don’t want you to go,” Lily said pleadingly, holding tightly to his sleeve. “Please don’t go.”
Tequila was happy to see somepony look at him more than a stranger in this dungeon and he was flattered that she didn’t want an old fart like himself to go. Tequila didn’t want to go either, finding himself lucky to have a place in The Sun Breakers in the first place, but that’s just another story to tell another time. Tequila sat next to Lily against the wall, thumping out the cork in the mana glass container and drank it down, shivering from the quirky taste, making Lily smile somewhat. Tequila wiped his lips, placing the bottle back in his bag.
“Did I ever tell you the story of the stubborn, old sailor?” Tequila asked, making Lily shake her head slightly. “Once upon a time, on the rugged coasts of Old Equestria, there lived an old sailor known as the old buck. With a beard as white as the foam of the sea and eyes that shimmered like the horizon at dawn, the old buck was as much a part of his ship, The Mariner's Ghost, as the timbers that held her together.”
“The old buck had sailed the Equestrian seas, braved storms, and battled the mightiest of waves. However, age had not been kind to him. His knees creaked like the ship's hull on a stormy night, and his back ached with the weight of years spent hauling nets and hoisting sails.”
“Despite his physical limitations, the old buck was stubborn as an old barnacle. He refused to acknowledge that the sea might be a young man's game. "The sea is in my blood,” he'd say with a defiant glare, puffing on his old, weathered pipe as if it were a scepter of his undying sovereignty over the waves.”
“One day, as spring tides approached, the captain of The Mariner’s Ghost decided to venture into the Northern waters, notorious for their treacherous currents and icebergs as sharp as dragon's teeth. The old buck insisted on taking his usual place among the crew, waving off concerns with a gruff snort.”
“As they sailed into the icy embrace of the north, the ship was caught in a vicious storm. The winds howled like banshees, and the waves towered like giants. The crew struggled to keep the ship on course, and the old buck, with his old bones and stubborn heart, pushed himself to the limit.”
“In the heat of the storm, as the old buck climbed the rigging to secure the sails, his strength betrayed him. His hands, once as steady as the tides, faltered, and he slipped. The crew gasped, but by some miracle, a younger sailor, quick as a flash, caught his arm, saving him from being swallowed by the icy depths below.”
“The incident shook the old buck. As he lay recovering in his bunk, the young sailor who had saved him came to his side. "The sea respects the brave,” the young buck said, "but it doesn't care for the reckless. It’s time to let others take the helm, old buck. You’ve earned your rest."”
“The old buck’s pride was wounded, but as he listened to the creaks of the ship, much like those in his bones, a truth dawned upon him. The sea was indeed in his blood, but it did not mean he had to conquer it anew each day.”
“In the days that followed, the old buck took to mentoring the younger sailors, regaling them with tales of storms weathered and shores discovered. He learned that letting go did not mean giving up; it meant trusting the next wave of sailors to steer the ship forward.”
“And so, the old buck’s twilight years were filled not with the conquering of waves, but with the sharing of wisdom. He learned that even the saltiest of sea dogs must sometimes retreat from the helm, allowing the fresh winds of youth to guide the way.”
“The moral of the old buck’s tale, as old as the sea itself, whispers to us all: know when to hold on, and know when to let go, for the strength of the sea lies not just in its waves, but in knowing one’s place within them.”
Lily had listened to the tale well, a frown edged on her face, processing the story. She nodded slowly, seemingly understanding the link between the story and Tequila’s situation. Lily just nodded slightly. “Did you know that old buck?” Lily murmured, looking back at Tequila with curious eyes. Tequila huffed a laugh, his eyes down distantly.
“Yeah, I know the old buck, Celestia rest his soul. In fact, I was the young sailor in the tale. He was a stubborn one but, I got him to settle down,” Tequila grinned with familiarity.
“You were once a sailor?” Lily asked, her head tilting, making Tequila nod.
“Aye, but that is a story for another day. It looks like everypony is ready to go in,” Tequila huffed, getting back up onto his boots, and helping Lily up with a hand as the others hovered around the final boss door.
“Are you two ready?” Iron Eye barked, the question aimed towards Tequila and Lily.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m comin’” Tequila sighed, reaching his hand out and casting a buff enchantment on Iron Eye, making his armor and shield more durable in combat. “Let's just get this over and done with so I can go the boozer,” Tequila chuckled. No one replied to the banter, some just rolled their eyes at his antics. Before anything, Tequila patted the neck of Bonda. “Don’t be going anywhere now, you hear?”
Both Lightening and Iron Eye took a door each, each using their body strength to push the doors aside all the way, a powerful gust of wind escaping when opened, almost as if the wind had been trapped for years. It was pitch black when Iron Eye led the way, and more concerning was the stench of blood in the air—they weren’t the first to step into this room.
With a commanding shout of "Solar Flare!" Poppy swiftly raised her staff, channeling her mystical energies. From the tip of her enchanted staff, a luminous orb burst forth, ascending rapidly towards the ceiling. As the orb reached the apex of the room, it exploded into a brilliant display of light, casting radiant illumination throughout the entire space, banishing shadows and filling the room with a warm, golden glow.
With the room revealed, everypony could see the horrors scattered all over the floors and splattered over the walls, the staining maroon blood over the pillars, discombobulated skeletons everywhere—a grim story to be sure. Up ahead was a lengthy, fancy red rug, leading to what looked to be a cracked, stone throne, the royal statues of the seat reduced to nothing more than carved rock. On that curved rock sat a skeleton with an arrow through its chest, perhaps a king or queen, or somepony who wished to die while sitting on the throne. What a way to go.
Then there was the elephant in the room, the beast Iron Eye spoke of in the briefing. At first sight, it could have been mistaken for a lumber of burnt oak in the middle of the throne room, used as a fire once upon a time, smoke rising from the fumes. That’s what the party thought at least, except Tequila, who had seen many beasts, both big and small, studying each and every beast and critter in Equestria and even beyond. So when he saw the massive amount of tar wood, added to the previous information of it being triple their size, only one thing came to mind, and Tequila didn’t like it.
“Stop!” Tequila warned suddenly, pushing to the front and held his arm in front of Iron Eye. “We need to get out of here now.”
“Tequila? What’s brought this on?” Iron Eye asked with an alert tone, looking down at the diluted eyes and visible fearful expression.
“That’s no A-ranked beast,” Tequila said, trying to warn in a hushed tone, pointing a finger at the sleeping monster but further explanation was thrown to the wolves as a forceful push from Lightening sent Tequila scattering back to eventually fall.
“Are you senile, you old hag? Stay in position and out of our way! Unless you feel like your time has come to an end, then please, go right ahead and perish to this beast! Might be more useful being bait,” Lightening snarled, his long sword brandished and ready.
“No, you don’t understand! You can’t defeat this one! It’s—"
Suddenly, a surge of power rose from the floor like steam rising from the cracks, freezing the party to this spot as they felt a powerful presence amongst them, a disturbing will that even made the courageous wince and stiffen, their heart stuttering. Everypony’s stomach was queasy, going as far as making Poppy hurl up her lunch all over the ground.
“What horrifying essence!” Poppy said in terrified awe, her body trembling.
“T-the power… it’s coming from everywhere!” Lily stuttered, her eyes lost to where to look.
“Stay together and keep your eyes sharp!” Iron Eye barked, being the level-headed leader he is but, Tequila could see the power outlet affected him in a way Tequila had never seen before. He was trembling; the all-mighty shield scarred by countless battles, passed down from generation to generation and yet, with all that protection, he shook like a scared puppy? This was bad, beyond bad.
At that moment, the piled logs and timber began to creak and shift ominously. The aged oak, groaning under the stress, bent and eventually snapped with a sound akin to a loud pop, similar to the noise of stretching a tight rubber band. It seemed as though the entire structure was awakening from a deep slumber, each wooden beam and plank stretching and stirring, resonating with life as if roused from a long rest. As it began to take shape, it was becoming increasingly hard to deny what Tequila was seeing, its shadow itself covering the party. Its bone-like structure of black wood armor, its dagger-like claws and canines, standing on four of its godlike pistons, the strength holding its huge frame. Then there were its eyes, those sinister, soulless purple orbs that shimmered with a malevolent life of their own. These eyes locked onto the five adventurers with an unsettling intensity. A purple aura pulsed eerily, glowing through the gaps in its bark-covered body, accentuating its supernatural presence. Most striking was the diamond symbol etched prominently on its forehead, adding to the creature's mysterious and fearsome appearance. There’s no doubt about it now. It was one from tales and myth. S-ranked. The legendary beast…
“The Forsaken Timberwolf of Tartarus…” Tequila whispered, his eyes wide in disbelief of what was in front of him. The stories he had heard, the amount of deaths under its namesake, they needed to get out of there, NOW!
Tequila didn’t have to think about it, he rushed up from the ground and grabbed Lily’s hand, her face a look of horror. “Run, and don’t look back,” Tequila told her, but she wasn’t looking at him, she was too transfixed on the looming beast. “OI! Snap out of it, Lily!” Tequila shook, making her flinch and snap her head towards Tequila, trembling. “Go! Get out of here!” And that’s what Lily did, hesitantly. Poppy didn’t even have to be told, she ran in an unladylike manner. It would have been comical if death wasn’t breathing down his neck.
It was a relief to Tequila that the legendary hadn’t made a move yet, in fact, it was just watching their movements, assessing them individually. That’s when Tequila caught on to a small detail, a detail that could save them all if they were careful. It wasn’t in an aggro state, its tail was straight and teeth weren’t shown, no growling or bark of warning.
The Forsaken Timberwolf was just as cautious as them.
“Lightening, Iron Eye… listen to me… we need—”
“SWIRL WING SLASH!” Tequila's words were abruptly cut off as Lightening, seemingly oblivious to the formidable energies swirling around them, launched himself at the Timberwolf with breathtaking speed and power, his wings propelling him forward. His long sword sliced through the air with a golden glow, aimed at the beast's neck. However, as Lightening zipped past the creature, the blade appeared to do little more than leave a scratch on its thick, bark-like hide. Despite the ferocity and precision of the attack, it seemed almost ineffectual against the robust Timberwolf. “Impossible!”
That was the legendary Timberwolf’s trigger as a suffocating howl shattered the ears of the three adventurers, the groundbreaking power intensifying significantly, the strike doing nothing more than pissing it off. That’s when the purple glow turned into a furious purple blaze of fire, seeping from its eyes and the sides of its mouth, its rage felt and known. Lightening didn’t have time to recover from his own speed as the timberwolf’s tail lashed out, striking Lightening and sending him flying into one of the pillars, making the structure collapse on top of him.
“Lightening!” Iron Eye roared, hurrying over, his armor and shield clanking. Tequila wasn’t worried, he had cast a buff enchantment spell on Lightening just in time before he got struck, strengthening his defense and durability so it wasn’t a surprise to see Lightening on one knee, pieces of his armor cracked or shattered. Before Lightening could shakily get to his feet, the timberwolf prepared for another attack, but this time, out of its maw.
It exhaled a volley of purple fire, the heat being tremendous and poisonous. However, Iron Eye was there, his shield blocking the assault as the flames split to either side of the shield. Tequila quickly switched to buffing Iron Eye but, that wasn’t enough. The mighty shield, the unmovable armor, they were crumbling, decaying, turning to ash, it wouldn’t hold out much longer. Tequila could only pump more power into the buff skill, hoping to the high and mighty that it was enough for Iron Eye to hold out and make a break for it, for that to happen though, Iron Eye had to stay strong.
The relentless flames lasted 10 seconds, 10 seconds of what must have felt like Tartarus for Iron Eye. He was still standing but barely, his shield nothing more than ash, his armor being the last line of defense in the last seconds of the blaze, his now exposed fur scorched and blistered. Lightening Touch looked to have pissed himself, his eyes wide, vibration in terror, the shattered will of an egoist being reduced to a slobbering mess.
In a quick attempt to buy the two some time, Tequila raised his palm towards the timberwolf, a white rune appearing as he tried an advanced beast-tamer spell, a spell to form a contract with a beast. Of course, Tequila knew it wouldn’t work but, it would prove to be an excellent distraction as Tequila could mentally feel the timberwolf resist his attempts.
“Run! Get out of there!” Tequila roared, sweat dripping from his brow as he focused on his spell, watching the timberwolf shake its head in rage, its mental will stronger than any beast he had ever tried to tame, it was like running his head into a brick over and over again, it was draining his mana quickly. Thankfully, Iron Eye was the first to pass Tequila, running faster than Tequila thought possible in that heavy, clunky armor.
Next was Lightening, who limped and held the side of his ribs, squinting and groaning in pain with each frantic step. However, instead of looking towards the exit, Lightening was eyeing Tequila with a calculated glare. Tequila thought it was just his harsh and cryptic way of saying his thanks but, he couldn’t have been more wrong. From under Lightening’s now tattered cape, Lightening pulled out a dagger and with a swift and precise strike, he forcefully plunged the blade deep into his chest, making Tequila fall back, his eyes widening at the sudden spike of pain. Tequila looked up at Lightening, seeing a dark grin on his face.
“Finally, you are useful for once. Now be a good, servant and be my bait so I can escape,” Lightening's cackle echoed through the air, his mocking grin lingering in Tequila's vision as he dashed away swiftly, leaving Tequila isolated in the chilling presence of the monstrous beast from Tartarus. The sound of Lightening's laughter mixed with the sinister whispers of the wind, a haunting reminder that Tequila was now alone to face the hellish creature.
“Bastard.” Exhausted and bereft of mana, Tequila mustered his remaining strength to rise to his knees. He stared down helplessly at the dagger embedded in his chest, its hilt stark against the growing stain of blood on his clothes. As he grappled with the pain, his mind raced, trying to understand how everything had gone so terribly wrong. Tequila had always been kind-hearted and forgiving, never holding a grudge against Lightening despite the harsh words and arrogance that fame seemed to bring out in him. He had always believed that Lightening's difficult demeanor was just a shield for deep-seated insecurities.
But in this dire moment, as he felt his life ebbing away, Tequila realized he had been profoundly mistaken about Lightening. The revelation of a cold, psychopathic layer beneath Lightening's charming facade was shocking. It forced Tequila to confront the unsettling truth about how effectively darkness could hide behind a mask of charisma and charm.
Crunching sounds were heard from behind Tequila, the timberwolf now directly behind him, its breath on his neck. “What cruel creatures ponies are. Letting one of their own perish… in order to save themselves… your death will be swift. You will feel no pain,” said a rugged voice, almost as if wood had a voice, the mouth of the timberwolf opening wide, its canines ready to kill.
“Hurry up and get it over and done with then, my chest is killing me—literally,” Tequila grunted, holding the wound around the blade, his gloved hands and fingertips encased in his thick blood. Tequila closed his eyes and slumped, waiting for the killing blow, a blow that seemed to take up to 5 seconds… now 10 seconds… 15 seconds? What's taking so long? Tequila turned around, seeing the flames in its eyes diminish to its original glowing, purple eyes, its head tilted. Why is it confused? All it has to do is—Wait a minute… did it just—
“You can understand me!?”
“You can understand me!?”
Tequila now had a new, personal definition of luck: a dagger lodged in his chest but missing anything vital. It dodged his ribcage, lungs, heart, and arteries, only grazing muscle—a best-case scenario in a very bad situation. Sure, it hurt like crazy, but a couple of health potions were enough to patch him up. You’d think his luck would run out and he'd end up as Timberwolf chow, a logical next step, but nope, that wasn't how his story went. Surprisingly, it turns out he had a knack for speaking 'Legendary'—a skill he must have let slip his mind over the years of being a beast tamer. Handy thing to remember!
“—An' yeah, tha' leads me t' here, with you, me an' m' lil' beverage,” Tequila unsteadily, shaking the remaining bottle of tequila, his cheeks flushed with a drunk smile, a smile that didn’t fit the tale he told of when he was fired from his former party and betrayed hours later.
“I see…” The mighty beast replied curtly, its huge frame curled up on the floor, its head perked up. “I assume that you want to take revenge now, especially that young one who left you behind.”
“Nahhh.” Tequila waved off, pushing himself off the throne and staggered slightly, catching his footing. “Maybe if I was younger an' dumber I would but, I'm too ol' fer that kinda stuff, y'know.” The timberwolf tilted his head at the response.
“No revenge? But they wronged you, they left you to be my meal. Ponies are an unforgiving race, so why don’t you hate them?” the timberwolf spoke with genuine confusion. “My whole life I’ve been taught to hate ponies for their malicious, thoughtless, and unforgiving nature, a species that only cares for themselves. So it baffles me to see a withered pony with none of those qualities in his eyes.”
“Oh yeah? Who tawtcha that?” Tequila slurred his speech, taking a step forward clumsily, forgetting that a step in front of him was a stairway down the throne, making him stumble forward from the unexpected step and face plant in front of the timberwolf. “Ow.”
“Who taught me? That would be my master, Luna, mostly known as Nightmare Moon,” The timberwolf murmured with nostalgia, looking distantly. “She taught me the ability to see the color of each creature's aura, and each time I see a pony, I always see the darkness of each color that they represent.” The timberwolf declared as Tequila made his way up, taking a swing from the neck of the bottle only to find that the bottom half of the glass bottle was smashed to pieces on the floor with the last bit of liquor.
“Good grief…” Tequila harrumphed, tossing what was left of the bottle over his shoulder. “Nightmare moon, ay? I'd say she's jus' a legend but, here I am speakin' to The Forsaken Timberwolf of Tarturtus, so I guess I can't really say that. Next thing you're gonna tell me is that The Demon Lord and The Royal Queen are hooking up.” Tequila chuckled to himself, stumbling forward. The timberwolf didn’t find it funny, however, just watching him bumbling around carelessly.
“I find your nonchalance disturbing… ponies, beasts, and demons fear my presence and wrath. To see you speak and act like this… I’m not sure if I should appreciate it or be offended.” The beast said, watching his every move, almost captivated by his nature.
“Don' take it personally but, I’m like this with everypony. You ain't nothin' special,” Tequila shrugged, wobbling passed the logged beast.
“Interesting…” the timberwolf hummed. “You really don’t fear me, not a smidge… even Luna would be wary around me but, you just walk passed me with your back turned.”
“Hahaha, don' get me wrong, before I knew I could unnerstand ya, I was gonna call it a night an' let you be somepony else's problem, but well… you know how the rest went.” Tequila said coolly. “Now come on, let's get outta here then, ay?” Tequila waved over, standing by the huge doors, looking back with a raised brow and grin.
“Come—with you?” The timberwolf said disbelievingly, finding the invitation oddly unusual given he was asking a powerful beast to join him out of the dungeon as casually as breathing.
“Sure, let’s go,” Tequila said heartily.
“Is this a trick?” the timberwolf asked, lifting himself up on all fours, and taking a step forward towards the clearly insane pony.
“A trick? What are you talking about? I need a new drinking partner since Iron Eye decided to kick me out of the party, and you look like you can hold your liquor,” Tequila explained as if it was obvious, rolling his eyes. “Now come on! The first drinks are on me!”
“I don’t understand… are you inviting me to a social gathering with other ponies… to drink?” the timberwolf said, finding the reasoning for the invitation ridiculous.
“I mean, it’ll be just you and me but, other ponies will be there too. Why? You are not socially shy, are you?” Tequila teased, making the timberwolf huff purple fire from his nostrils.
“I am not shy in the presence of mere ponies! It's my presence that will unnerve the skittish ponies! How would you explain to the community that I am not here to sow chaos but, in fact, to enjoy a simple drink... what are you going to tell them? ‘Oh hey, don’t mind the legendary beast of Tarturtus, we go waaaaaaay back.’ Don’t be absurd.”
“Ohhh, the beast has a sense of humor, does he?” Tequila laughed, his voice rich with amusement.
“I blame Luna’s endless rants about her sister and the ponies,” The beast sighed wearily, his massive shoulders slumping.
“Stop being a nark and come along, the ponies at the tavern are practically swimming in alcohol by now—they won’t remember anything by morning,” Tequila waved off the concern nonchalantly, which only made the timberwolf growl, a low rumble that vibrated through the air.
“You're becoming far too comfortable around me, pony,” the timberwolf cautioned, his tone laden with a threatening rumble, a growl that turned into a huff. “But I’m afraid I can not come with you, adventurer. For the last few centuries, I have been bound to this tomb, forgotten and left to rot,” The wolf said solemnly, plopping his rear end down, shattering a bunch of skeletons below him.
“Why not? Can’t you just… you know, walk out?” Tequila questioned, turning to give the big wolf his full attention… well, as much attention as a drunk pony could give.
“Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. The doors to this room that you could leave freely are nothing more than a black abyss, a power spell cast by one of the four heroes of Equestria, trapping me here many, many years ago,” The timberwolf explained.
“Hmmm, interesting… I’ve read stories about many heroes from different generations. All tried to conquer The Stonewall Dungeon, and all claimed to have cleared it but, monsters always seemed to spawn back, leaving the dungeons and surrounding forest uninhabitable. It has always been one of many mysteries of Equestria,” Tequila hummed, crossing his arms and looking away slightly, lost in thought.
“It is true that many groups who have challenged me either perished or fled, but there were indeed heroes who managed to defeat me, unaware that merely burning my body was not sufficient to end me permanently when my body was nothing more than lumber,” The timberwolf explained, making Tequila nod in understanding.
"And because they didn't finish you off properly, the dungeon wasn't fully cleared, unwittingly allowing more beasts to spawn. Ha! Mystery solved!" Tequila exclaimed, a spark of realization lighting up his eyes as one of Equestria’s persistent puzzles began to unravel. The air seemed lighter, almost as if a weight had been lifted from the room. Now, with newfound clarity, Tequila faced one remaining conundrum. “Now, all we need to figure out is how to get you out of here,” he declared, his voice tinged with determination.
“That’s simply impossible, I’m afraid… my power isn’t strong enough to shatter the barrier, and it’s unlikely I’ll come across a mage powerful enough to dispel it. Death is the only way to escape,” the Timberwolf said, his voice tinged with melancholy. He lowered his head, the weight of his predicament visibly settling over him like a heavy shroud.
Tequila gently stroked his chin, his usual inebriated haze dissipating as he deeply pondered a way to assist his formidable new friend. A bold and creative idea suddenly sparked in his mind.
“What if we make a deal, a contract between us?” Tequila proposed to the Timberwolf with an optimistic twinkle in his eye. “See, if you were my familiar, this pesky barrier might just let you pass through without any trouble. It’s a bit of a long shot, but it could work.”
The Timberwolf shifted uneasily, his ancient eyes clouded with a mix of hesitation and the burden of past experiences. “Another master? That path has rarely favored my kind,” he responded, his voice tinged with skepticism.
Tequila chuckled heartily, his laughter echoing slightly in the cool air. “Oh, it wouldn’t be like that at all,” he assured, waving his hand dismissively. “Think of it more as a partnership. You’d be free as the wind—no chains, no cages. Just don’t go causing any trouble, and perhaps join me for a pint or two when the mood strikes. How’s that sound?”
The Timberwolf pondered the proposition, his heavy gaze assessing Tequila’s earnest expression. After a moment, a subtle nod came, acceptance mixed with cautious optimism. “As long as I roam free and share in your drinks, I suppose I could tolerate such an arrangement,” he conceded, a gruff note of amusement in his voice.
“Excellent!” Tequila exclaimed, his face lighting up with relief and excitement. He raised his palm, focusing intently as he began to cast the beast-tamer skill. “Let’s seal this deal then, shall we?”
A radiant, ethereal light enveloped Tequila’s hand, casting intricate patterns of magic that danced through the air between them. The timberwolf watched, a trace of wonder flickering in his ancient eyes as the magical bond formed, weaving them together in a pact of shared destinies and newfound camaraderie.
With the magical bond securely formed, Tequila let out a weary sigh, the energy required for the spell having drained him significantly. He leaned back slightly, catching his breath after the exertion. Now, with their new partnership established, formal introductions were in order.
"I'm Tequila, the beast tamer," he said, managing a tired but genuine smile.
In response, the Timberwolf inclined his head, a gesture of mutual respect. "And I am Kaldr, once known as Nightmare Moon’s champion." he declared, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the weight of his ancient lineage.
Their exchange marked not just the beginning of an alliance but also a moment of understanding and shared paths between two beings from vastly different walks of life.
Tequila's eyelids fluttered open, his vision swimming as dizziness gripped him, while his head throbbed with a relentless migraine that mimicked the ferocity of an S-ranked spell crashing repeatedly against his skull. He winced, trying to shield his eyes from the invasive rays of sunlight piercing through the window, and closed them again in a futile attempt to escape the discomfort.
As he lay there, trying to piece together the events of the previous night, his memory offered nothing but a blank slate. He wasn't sure where he was, but the softness beneath him suggested at least he was in a bed, the mattress and pillow offering a small comfort under his pulsating head.
With a groan, Tequila mustered what little energy he had to sit up, but his body vehemently refused, and he collapsed back onto the bed, defeated by his own weakness. It was then he felt an unusual warmth—a gentle but noticeable weight on his chest that was new. Before he could process this anomaly, a soft moan sounded next to him, startling him.
He turned his head slowly, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief. Beside him lay a zebra mare, not just any mare, but one devoid of any coverings, her skin bare and her breast resting against his arm. As her eyelids lifted and her gaze met his, a deep blush colored her cheeks. The sudden mutual recognition sparked an overwhelming sense of embarrassment and surprise. With no time to process the bizarre situation, both Tequila and the zebra mare couldn’t contain their shock, and their screams echoed in the small, sunlit room.
“WHAT THE FUCKKKK!”
