Pony Fantasy Vby DerpModeChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1Chapter 1: Strings of the Wind Crystal The morning sun began to rise over the mountain's that surrounded Castle Fillytina, upon the balcony of the castle rested a dragon, a Cyan-Armored Colt trotted out of the castle onto the balcony, His helmet having a hole around the top for his white horn to stick out. Awakening the dragon, it lets out a loud roar, before settling down. The Colt was followed shortly after by a younger Unicorn, her lavender coat clashed with the sun. "Shining Armor, do you really have to go? she asked, the Colt turned and faced the lavender Unicorn. "I do, but don't worry. I'll be back soon." "But-" The unicorn was cut off by her brother, who turned and approached the Dragon. "Don't you notice the wind? It's stopping. I'm going to check out the Wind Shrine." The lavender Unicorn stomped a hoof, annoyed. "But going alone is just Foalish!" she barked. Shining Armor mounted the Dragon, which released another roar as it prepared to take flight. "Twilight, don't worry. I'm your big brother. I can take care of this." he said, in an attempt to calm Twilight. The Dragon takes to the sky, and flies away towards the Wind Shrine, Twilight waves a hoof goodbye, praying for the safe return of her Big Brother. Off the coast of the Wind Shrine, a ship sailed, the ship slowly comes to a halt from the lack of wind, the crew is greatly confused by this, scattering around. a Black Creature rose from below deck, hovering to the front of the ship where she lands gently, she raises a hoof and sighs. "The wind...It stopped?" In what seems to be a cave, a small Yellow Colt stands in front of some kind of purple glowing tile, his eyes widen quickly as a message is sent into his mind... "The wind has stopped...Got'cha. I'll get to the bottom of this!" He said to himself, as the cave began to shake. He began to panic, starring down at the tile. "No....I'm going down too fast..!! Preparing for extreme landing conditions!" Back at Fillytina Castle, Twilight notices the change in the wind. "The wind stopped....Shining Armor!" Twilight shouted, as she gallops back into the castle, worried for her brother's safety. Inside the Wind Shrine, Shining Armor trotted up to the Wind Crystal, as the room darkened. "What?!" He shouted, confused. The crystal began to spin faster, and faster until finally it shattered, the pieces spreading across the floor. Shining Armor turned around, only to be taken in by a blinding light.. A pink Earth-Pony sat by a camp fire, along with her Chocobo, Gummy. Taking a look into the sky, a meteor is spotted overhead, crashing down not far from they're location, the ground began to shake, and caused the Earth Pony to fall onto her back, and get rolled around a bit. Gummy managed to keep balanced until it was over, the Chocobo assisted the pony in standing up, only for her to quickly put out they're campfire and joy-fully jump onto his back. "Y'know what that sounded like? Adventure! Go, Gummy! Go!" she shouted. The Chocobo wasted no time in moving, Pinkie could see smoke coming up from where the meteor landed, and steered Gummy towards it. The pony giggled at the thought of Adventure, but wasn't very well-prepared, she was mostly bare, except for a leather jerkin, and her short-sword. The duo rushed into the small dirt path that led to the crash site, the Earth Pony stops Gummy, and dismounts. "This might be a teeny bit dangerous for you. Stay here, okay?" The Chocobo nodded. the pink Pony hopped along the path, soon reaching an opening on the otherside which led into the Crash Site, she could see where the meteor slid across the ground. She slowly walked into the open area, looking around. She noticed two goblin's carrying a lavender Unicorn, confused. She unsheathes her sword, grasping it in her mouth, and charged forward. The goblin's dropped the unicorn, but were barely able to protect themselves as the pink Pony cut through one of them, causing his two halves to fall to the ground, she swiftly turns around to notice the other one ready to strike, as it takes a slash at her. She hopped backwards playfully, allowing the enemy to miss, then lunged forward for the final blow, dislodging the head of the goblin. She sheathed her sword and galloped over to the Unicorn, who began coming to her senses shortly afterwards. She stood up on her hooves, looking about. "What happened...?" The unicorn questioned, starring at the Pink Pony, who was swift to reply. "You got caught by some meanie goblins, but don't worry, i was here to take care of em'!" she giggled. "I see, well, thank you for the assistance. I'm Twilight Sparkle, i'd repay you if i wasn't in such a hurry. If you'll excuse me.." Twilight was still dazed, she focused on keeping her balance. "I'm Pinkie Pie! I'm on a journey with a chocobo to nowhere in particular! I saw this HUGE rock fall down and i had to see what it was!" Pinkie was hopping around, as Twilight glanced at the Meteor. "Pinkie...That rock isn't just a rock. I think it's a meteor! Could it have something to do with the wind stopping?" Pinkie stared, confused. "Meteor? Sounds special! Let's check it out!" Twilight shrugged, and began to gallop away before Pinkie jolted in front of her. "Waitwaitwaitwait!" Pinkie demanded, Twilight fell back onto her flank, and stared. "What? I'm in a hurry...!!" Uhnn.....Aghhh... Twilight glanced around, confused at what she just heard. "Did you hear that?" ...Help.... Pinkie hopped over to the Meteor, and checked around the right side, she saw a small Yellow Colt laying there, injured. "Hey! Twilight!! I found it!" "It?" Twilight questioned, galloping over to see the Colt. "Are you okay?!" "Agh, crud....My head hurts..." The colt began to stand, as the two mares stared at him. "I'm....Oh, son of a manticore..I think i'm okay...But i can't remember anything.." Twilight observed the Colt, noting a bump atop his head. She lowers down to his height, he was slightly shorter than the mares were. "You hit your head pretty bad, it could be amnesia." The colt stared, before tripping over a pebble and landing face-first. Groaning. Pinkie Pie simply giggled. "You're kind of a Clutz, hehe." Pinkie commented, as the Colt stood back up. "Clutz...? Clutz...." The colt tapped a hoof against his chin, and his eyes widened. "My name...! I remember! It's...Clutzful. Feels...Ironic..." "Anything else?" Twilight asked, Clutzful simply shook his head. Twilight raised herself back to full hight, and backed away slightly. "I'm sorry, everypony. But i got to get going." Pinkie jolted behind Twilight, whom bumped right into Pinkie and flew forward in shock. "Where're you going?" Pinkie asked, Twilight faced the mare, starring into that cheeky grin. "The Wind Shrine." She replied flatly, Clutzful trotted up next to Twilight when he heard. "The Wind Shrine?! That sounds really familiar! Please take me with you!" Twilight glanced down at the less-than-powerful looking Colt. "I'm sorry, but this is too dangerous for a little one like you." Twilight replied, Clutzful wasn't giving up that easy. "I can fight! I feel like the Wind Shrine is something important to me. So please, take me with you!" Clutzful begged, Twilight glanced at Clutzful before returning her attention to Pinkie. "What about you, Pinkie?" "I'm going to continue my Adventure! Best of luck to you ponies!" Pinkie cheered, Twilight began to trot away with Clutzful in tow. She stopped and turned around. "Thank you, Pinkie!" She turns back around and gallops into the dirt path, Clutzful follows close behind. Pinkie sighed, and stared at the huge Meteor. It seemed to have a strange glow about it, but Pinkie couldn't find a way inside. It was time to get back to Gummy. She joyfully jumped along the dirt path, until finally reaching her Chocobo. "Let's go!" Pinkie cheered, mounting Gummy. Who took off out of the foresty area. The duo headed northwest towards a canyon, Gummy stops and causes Pinkie to fly off, and splat into the face of the canyon, which she slides down until landing on the ground with a squeak. She hops back to her hooves, and glares at Gummy. "Bad Gummy! Why did you stop like that?!" Gummy cocked his head, and glared back. "...I know, you want me to go on an Adventure with those ponies, huh? Plus..There is a lot of goblins...I got it, Gummy!" She giggled, making faces at the bird. The ground begins to shake, and voices can be heard from inside the canyon, Pinkie nearly falls back down, but manages to get on her Chocobo. "Hey, Twilight! Watch out!" Clutzful was inside the Canyon, and applebucked a goblin away from Twilight, who wasn't exactly a fighter in any way. "The ground is shaking...! Woah!" Clutzful attempted to buck another goblin, but the beast grabbed his hindlegs and threw him, sending him flying into the wall on the otherside of the small canyon. He collapsed already exhausted. "Gummy, keep us going!" Pinkie commanded, as she unsheathed her sword, Goblins jumped down from the Canyon walls, Pinkie stood on Gummy's back and slashed them away, while rushing down the path. Suddenly, Pinkie's tail began to twitch. She looked back, alarmed. "Gummy! We've got a twitchy tail!" Gummy comes to a halt, Pinkie hopping off and galloping to the rescue of Twilight. Twilight was attempting to fend off the goblins with a petty knife. She managed to slash a few of them, hardly damaging them. Pinkie leaped forward and cut down the offensive goblins via one big slash, leaving an opening for the unicorn to escape. Twilight picked up Clutzful with her magic, and jumped atop Gummy, Pinkie not far behind. Gummy wasn't used to three ponies on his back, and began to strain as he ran. Thankfully, he managed to make one last rush out of the canyon, avoiding a land-slide close behind. The Chocobo figured they were safe, and threw the ponies off his back, Pinkie's sword flying past the other ponies. Pinkie giggled. "What'd i tell you, Gummy? Twitchy Tail!" The Chocobo laid down, and attempted to rest. Twilight was dazed, and managed to find her knife and sheathe it with her magic, slightly confused. "Twitchy Tail?" "Oh, yeah! When my tail is a twitching, it means something is gonna fall!" Pinkie said, hopping to her short-sword and grasping it, throwing it into the ground to a more easy-to-grab position. Twilight glanced over at the landslide, something fell alright. "How am i going to get to the Wind Shrine.." Twilight surrendered to nature, and decided to rest. She laid down near the Chocobo, trying to get comfortable. Little did she expect that'd she drift off rather quickly.. ........A couple of hours later..... Twilight woke up, glancing about. She noticed Pinkie fiddling with her own hooves, and Clutzful still seemed out. "Ah...Morning." She commented, Pinkie shot forward at her, and stopped right in front of her. "Oh, Me and Gummy noticed you were in trouble, so we helped you out again!" Twilight sighed, smiling at Pinkie."Thanks again, Pinkie. You've saved me twice." Pinkie rubbed a hoof through her mane, smiling, then went back to hopping around as usual. "Well, now for the TERRIBLE news! That landslide blocked the road to Mule. So we're not going that way!" "We?" Twilight questioned, as Clutzful seemed to stir. "Ngh...Wind Shrine...." "That pony's too young to be protecting you by himself, so, i'm coming with you on this Adventure!" Pinkie said, striking a brave pose. "I don't need anypony to protect me! But i-" Twilight paused for a second before continuing. "I accept your help." "Don't need anypony to protect you? Right." Clutzful commented, his eyes still closed. Twilight stared down at the colt. "You were AWAKE?!" Twilight shouted, Clutzful jumped up, slightly stunned. "Yeah, and you could use all the help you could get, in my opinion." Clutzful snorted. Twilight shot a look at him. "Well, if that path is blocked, how do you suppose we get to the Wind Shrine?" Clutzful asked, Pinkie pointed at a nearby mountain. "There!" On the side of the mountain, a cave had seemed to open up. Seemed like they're only route, so they prepared themselves. Twilight trotted away from the group, attempting to avoid Clutzful, while he stood up and prepared himself, doing a few applebucks for practice. Pinkie hopped over to inspect the cave, she just saw it as another part of the Adventure. "It's REALLY dark in here, wow!" She commented, sticking her head inside, then back out multiple times. Clutzful trotted up to Twilight, who was still mad about his remark. "Hey, i came off harsh. I'm sorry, alright? I was just trying to say you'll need help to get to the Wind Shrine. Our help." Twilight sighed, and turned away. Pinkie was already at the entrance, ready to go, she was waving her hooves around trying to get the attention of her companions. "Come on, we'll get to the Wind Shrine. And we'll both get what we're after, i'm sure!" Clutzful extended a hoof, but Twilight simply trotted off towards the cave entrance. He frowned, and followed. Pinkie looked back at Gummy, and saluted her friend. "Gummy, you're still tired, i know. Please stay here, okay? I'll come back for you when i can!" she said, the Chocobo nodded, and continued to rest. Twilight and Clutzful reached the entrance, joining up with Pinkie. The less-than-happy duo of Twilight and Clutzful threw Pinkie off her groove, but she tried not to seem bothersome. "Come on, everypony! Into this cave!' Pinkie hopped in first, followed by Twilight then Clutzful, who kept to the back in case of an ambush. The dark and mossy cave was quite narrow, allowing for easy navigation by even Pinkie. She stopped and looked up at the ceiling, the others stopping behind her. "Uh-Oh....Do you hear that?" Twilight stared up at the ceiling, only to notice a pair of white eyes starring back. 3 bats flew out of the darkness, and swooped down on the party. Two went after Clutzful, which he managed to dodge. "Bats? No problem!" he commented, as the third bat flew at Pinkie, she unsheathed her sword in a spiral and slashed right through the weak enemy. Then turned around to deal with the others. "I've got these!" Clutzful shouted, the bats swooped down at him once more, but he manages to hop above them, and land forcefully down onto the bats, crushing them under his hooves. Pinkie sheathed her sword, and gave a slight victory cheer. "Yeah, take that!" The group followed through the dark cave, and ended up getting bored along the way. "Clutzie, remember anything yet?" Pinkie asked, hopping around him as he continued to trot. "Not yet." Clutzful replied, and playfully hopped past Pinkie as she went around for another cycle. Twilight was silent, she didn't care for any conversation now. She had to prove she could take care of herself...She had to....- Stop to glance at a random spring. It had a magical glow to it, and seemed rather clean. Twilight walked past the entrance to the next cave segment, and went to the small spring. "This water looks clean.." Twilight bent down, and drunk from the spring. She felt better than she had since she was at the Meteor. "What're you doing, already tired?" Clutzful commented, as him and Pinkie were at the doorway waiting. She ignored him and began to trot past, into the next area. "This place is clean compared to the other part of the cave, it's...Unusual." Twilight commented, the dryness of the cave, it's as if it was a new addition. The group turn a corner, as Twilight stops them. Strait ahead was a strange pony wearing a purple bandana, the group takes cover, and watches the pony as he pushes a switch on the wall, opening it. He walks through, and it closes behind him. "Neat!" Pinkie hopped upto the button, ready to push it. Twilight and Clutzful trot normally, she tries her best to avoid eye contact with the colt. Pinkie was eager to push the button. "Come on! Let's push it..!!" Twilight stands in front of the door, Clutzful standing to the side. Pinkie presses the button, opening the path. the three scamper inside before it closes. Shocked at the site, they see a cove, with a port. And many ponies like the one they saw, they take cover behind a rock, Pinkie seemed even more happy now. "Pirates? This really IS an adventure-" Twilight shoved a hoof into Pinkie's mouth to keep her quiet, as the pirates were called to gather into the *BoardRoom*. Twilight removed her hoof, causing Pinkie to cough, Clutzful just sighed. "It sounds stupid, but maybe we could hitch a ride with these ponies?" Twilight said, peeking around the corner to notice no ponies in the area. "Pirates?! What if they keel-haul us?" Pinkie said, in a slight panic. Which wasn't normal from what Twilight could tell. Clutzful stood up, and waved a hoof, keeping himself from laughing. "Why don't we just steal the ship?" Clutzful suggested, Twilight and Pinkie stared at him, "Steal the ship?!" They said in unison, looking at each other, then back to Clutzful, who nodded. "If we steal it, then we don't have to worry about those pirates! So, come on." Clutzful walked out, and galloped along the pier to the ship, The two mares did they're best to keep up. The three make they're way onto the unprotected ship, as Pinkie hops over to the wheel to hurry along. She grasped the wheel, and attempted to turn it to no avail. Clutzful and Twilight approached, and stared at the sad display. "Stop playing around! We've got to get out of here!" Clutzful stated, as Pinkie grasped the wheel in her mouth, attempting to turn it. "Nghit's Sthuck!!" She mumbled. letting go of the wheel. You..!! The trio turned to see a group of the pirates being lead onto the ship by a Black Creature, they came aboard, Clutzful looked at them, shaking. The creature trotted forward, waving a hoof. "You tryin' to steal my ship?! I should throw you to the sea, and let it sort you out!" She barked. "How dare yew' try to steal captain Janet's ship?! We'll ring you up..!!" The pirates closed in, as Twilight ran in front of them, stopping in front of the pirates. "Wait! I am Twilight Sparkle! The princess of Fillytina!" Clutzful and Pinkie's jaws drop. "Princess..." Pinkie began to say. "Of Fillytina?!" Clutzful finished, the pirate laughed, turning back to the yellow Pegasus. "Cap'n! This one'll be worth quite the weight in bits! A princess!" "Get away from her, you piratey...Pirate....Pirates!" Pinkie snarled, leaping down from the wheel to Twilight's side, Clutzful quickly galloped down the stairs to join them. "A princess? Interesting! Tie em' up!" Janet ordered. "Please...I have to get to the Wind Shrine, my brother is there! I believe he is in danger!" Twilight pleaded, as Clutzful trotted forward. "Being good sometimes will balance out your karma, y'know. So, give us a chance....Wait a second.." Clutzful glanced down at the Creature's leg, and noticed a bracelet. He glanced down at his own leg, which had a bracelet with a similar style. Janet stared at the two bracelets also, she shook her head to rid herself of the thought. "I SAID tie them up...And throw the lot of them into the brig!" The pirates ran past, tying the trio up with ropes, Pinkie attempted to resist, but was greatly outnumbered. the pirates pick the now captured ponies up onto their backs, carrying them below deck. Janet watched as they were carried off, and glanced down at her bracelet, confused as of the similar one on the colt's leg... The trio was thrown into the brig, an iron door blocked they're only exit, the three lay there helplessly. "Who's idea was it to steal a PIRATE ship?!" Clutzful shouted, Twilight glared at the smaller colt. "Look in a mirror!" Twilight replied harshly, Clutzful rolled over and closed his eyes. "Ohh...My aching head..." "Don't use that as an excuse!" Twilight shouted, attempting to wiggle out of her ropes. Pinkie looked around, at the boring plain brig. "You're a princess, Twilight? Wow!" Ignoring Clutzful, Twilight turned to Pinkie as an excuse to not shout at him anymore."I didn't mean to keep it a secret, it just never came up." Twilight replied, as Clutzful spun back around to ask a question. "If you're royalty, why would you go to the Wind Shrine alone?" "My brother is there, he went to check on the wind crystal right before the wind stopped...I've got to make sure he's okay." Twilight replied, Clutzful rolled back over, looking at his bracelet. "Well, let's rest for now. Nothing else we can do." The ponies rested, and soon fell asleep as night came, on the otherside of the wall was Janet's cabin, where she sat at her desk, starring at her bracelet. Janet thought about the bracelet that the colt and her seemed to share, and stood up from her table, starring into a mirror. "This is my chance...Best not waste it." ...The next morning... Janet sat outside on the deck of the ship, starring at the clear blue skies. "I don't want to trot the plank!" Clutzful cried, as he, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie were carried outside from the brig. "Not so brave now, are you?" Twilight remarked. Clutzful did a raspberry in Twilight's direction. "You can always go first!"he spat. still tied up, The pirates held the three ponies in front of Janet, waiting for her command. "....Untie them." The pirates stared, confused. They had just caught a princess, and they're captain was demanding they release her? Janet hovered in the air, putting her forehooves on her sides. "I said untie them!" She commanded, the pirates untied the three ponies, who began to wobble slightly. Twilight trotted forward, wobbly. "But...Why?" She questioned, Janet landed back on the deck of the ship, and turned around, facing away from the group. "I....Just decided to help you." "Just decided? Smells fishy, and it's not because we're sailing!" Pinkie commented. "Fishy or not.." Clutzful began to speak, but was cut off by Twilight. "You'll take us to the Wind Shrine?" She asked, Janet nodded. "Prepare to sail, everypony." She said in a decent tone, the pirates simply starring. Janet turned around, looking back at them. "Prepare. To. Sail." She said in a more demanding tone, the pirates scurried around, to prepare the ship. "How do you plan to sail with no wind?" Clutzful questioned, as he trotted up to Janet, standing beside her. Janet glanced down at the shorter Colt. "Well, that's easy...Tsk tsk, oh, Alexandra!" She said playfully, the boat began to shake, as a huge head emerged from the bottom of the boat, releasing a roar. The trio of ponies fell back, shocked. Janet simply giggled at the sight of the beast. "This is Alex." She explained, "She's been with me for quite awhile, we're like sisters." "That's....Amazing!" Twilight stated, starring at the beast as it began to dive back underwater. "I've never seen anything like it.." A lackey pirate approached Janet, simply shoving past Twilight. "Cap'n! We're ready to sail!" He stated, galloping back to his post. "Alright everypony...We're sailing! To the Wind Shrine!" Janet cheered, the boat took off at an incredible speed, nearly tossing Pinkie off her hooves. "The trip will take an hour or so. I am captain Janet Strife, what about you folks?" Clutzful stared, but managed to shake out of it as Pinkie shoved past him. "I'm Pinkie Pie! I came with Twilight and Clutzie to go to the Wind Shrine for an Adventure! I've never met pirates before..!!" She shouted, happy as can be. Pinkie hopped away, to check out the rest of the ship. Clutzful sighed, and sat down. "It's good to, uh, meet you. I'm Twilight Sparkle." Twilight said, extending a hoof. Janet bumped her hoof against Twilight's. Twilight glanced back at Clutzful during the moment, and decided to go check up on Pinkie. "Have we met before?" Clutzful asked, starring at Janet. Janet returned the stare. "Fraid' i don't remember, sorry." She said, seeming calm. Clutzful's eyes narrowed, as he stared at Janet. "I mean that there is more than you than meets the eye, i feel as if you're...A friend." Clutzful said, Janet laughed quietly. "You're kind of silly...No offense...I see how you got your name." "By the way, nice bracelet." Clutzful spat. Janet grinned, and trotted away, making sure everything was clear with the crew. Pinkie hopped around the ship, and decided to hop over Clutzful, only to end up stopping right above him, and falling on top of him. He stared upwards at Pinkie. "Heya!" Pinkie giggled, hopping off of the twisted up Clutzful, who stared up at Pinkie. "Y'know...That kind of hurt...Ow.." Clutzful groaned, getting back to his haunches. Pinkie hopped away, happy as usual. Clutzful could feel it in the back of his mind, calling to him. Janet... "I know her..." Chapter 2Chapter 2: Strings of the Wind Crystal (Part Two) Land ho! Clutzful stirred, waking up on the deck of the ship. He must've fell asleep during the trip, but who could blame him? The sound of the waves splashing against the ship, and not having to worry about scraping off the barnacles. He scurries to his hooves, to notice the rest of the group starring at the fast-approaching land. "So that is the Wind Shrine? It's super-duper big!" Pinkie commented, starring down the Shrine as the ship began to slow down. "Drop the Anchor!" One of the pirate ponies shouted, as a small group of three other pirates lifted the ship's anchor, and threw it overboard. The ship began to slow down, as they docked next to the shore.. "Is everypony ready to go?" Twilight asked, turning to face the small part of ponies, which was missing Clutzful. She looked around, and spotted him wobbling around, attempting to wake up. "Clutzful?" She questioned, starring at him. Clutzful looked in her general direction, and waved a hoof. Janet was taking a large plank of wood, and pulling it from the ship to shore, in order to make a bridge. While it wasn't much, it would be enough to get the ponies across. She landed on the shore and laid the plank down, as a few pirates secured the plank from the ship with rope. "All secure, cap'n!" one of them shouted, as Janet began to walk up it, making sure it was secure. Surprisingly enough, Clutzful ended up waddling over to the bridge first, with Twilight and Pinkie in tow. He let out a yawn, as Janet reached the ship. "It'll get us across, don't worry." She assured. Clutzful went first, he wasn't surprised that it supported his small framed body though. Pinkie simply hopped along, making the plank bounce slightly. "Whee! Lookit' me guys! It's like a trampoline! Except, a little less bouncy." Pinkie tripped, and ended up rolling off the plank onto the ground, landing with a Squeak. Twilight facehoofed, as Janet hovered down to the shore. Twilight slowly made her way down, being careful with the bridge. She held her breath, looking down at the sharp rocks below. She let out a gulp, and made a gallop for the shore, making it across safely. "You're scared of heights or something?" Janet commented, Clutzful couldn't help but laugh under his breath. Twilight ignored them, and began trotting to the Shrine. The others following behind her. "So, Janet, what are you anyway?" Clutzful asked, Janet hovered beside him, her awkward appearance could unravel anypony. "I don't exactly know, all i REALLY know is that i'm not a normal pony by any means, and even though i have this.." Janet pointed up at her horn, "I can't use magic, and i have these holes in my legs that make me look like i'm made of cheese...Maybe i am! Surprise!" She raised up her forehooves and waved them about, acting spooky. Pinkie laughed from behind the group, finishing with a small snort. "It's really neat! You have holes in your wings, to!" She added, Janet couldn't help but laugh as well, Twilight stopped in front of the group, as they stood before the Wind Shrine. The huge doors of the Wind Shrine were around the size of an Ursa Minor, Twilight turned to her small group of companions, starring as they were all acting natural. Clutzful let out a sneeze. "Alright, everypony. We don't know what to expect in here, so we HAVE to be careful, got it?" She stared mostly at Pinkie, who carelessly tripped and landed in front of Clutzful and Janet with a squeak. "Well, don't you all worry about me, i can handle myself. With my trusty knife here." Janet crowed, spinning around in the air. Twilight figured they were as ready as they'd ever be, so she began to push open the huge doors. they slid open, silently. As the light shined in, a voice came from inside the shrine. "Who goes there?!" The pony shouted, as the group came through. Twilight's eyes widened as she saw the blue unicorn in front of her, and the scattered injured soldiers. "Commander Trixie!" Twilight shouted, surprised. The unicorn shook her head, starring at the princess. "Sparkle. What're you doing here? You think the great and powerful Trixie isn't enough to save King Fillytina?" She spat. Trixie stared back at Twilight's companions, shaking her head. "And you've brought, let's see.. A clown, a child, and...Whatever that is?" "Hey! I'm not a foal! I'm just small!" Clutzful shouted at the unicorn, who laughed under her breath. "Whatever your excuse is, Trixie doesn't need your help. Trixie has got this under control!" Trixie barked at the colt, who backed away slightly. "Trixie, i'm going up there. Look at your men, they're injured!" Twilight commented, as she began to trot past Trixie, who stuck a hoof in front of her. "No." She said flatly. Janet hovered over the unicorn, as Pinkie and Clutzful walked around the other side of her. She tilted her head to look back at the ponies as they waited. She knew there wasn't anyway to avoid letting her go upwards into the shrine. "Tch, fine. But Trixie cannot send anypony with you, and there ARE monsters up there." Trixie pulled her hoof back, and turned as Twilight trotted past her. Twilight trotted past the group as well, heading for the stairs. They looked at eachother for a few seconds, before catching up. "I don't like her." Janet commented. "Me neither, something seemed...Wrong." Clutzful replied, as Pinkie hooped between the two. "Grumpy!" She said with glee, Twilight stopped at the stairs, and turned around quickly. "Stop!" She barked at the group. The group stopped in they're tracks, Janet even landed. "Stop bad mouthing ponies, couldn't you see that they were injured, they had tried to help my brother! You all need to focus! If our commander couldn't beat whatever is up there, how do you expect to when you're all messing around?! Trixie's pride is a pain in the flank sometimes, but she tried her best, i'm sure! The group looked at eachother, speechless. Twilight sighed, and turned back around, heading up the stairs. Clutzful was the first to follow, followed by Pinkie, then Janet. The second floor of the Wind Shrine seemed safe, as the party continued forward. The baby blue color to everything made it hard to see, as mist gathered. "What's with this mist? It seems...Alive." Clutzful commented, as he bumped into a wall, rubbing a hoof on his face. Clutzful stared at the wall, and before long, he swore he saw eyes looking back. He began to back away, before a pair of hooves extended from the wall, pulling him forwards, smashing him up against the wall again. He let out a scream, as he fell to the ground. Group turns around, and Twilight stares at Clutzful with her eyes narrowed. "What're you doing?" Clutzful began to stand, "A hoof came out of the wall, seriously-" He was cut off as a hoof popped out from under him, causing him to get knocked into the air, landing on his back. "Agh, you son of a Deep-Fried Cockatrice!! Stop sneaking up on me!" Clutzful shouted, angry. Twilight didn't believe what she just saw, starring at Clutzful. Pinkie let out a yelp as a pair of hooves grabbed her from below, and tugged her down, slamming her against the floor with a loud squeak. Janet kept an eye on her surroundings, as did Twilight. Clutzful was finally able to manage to his hooves, as the hooves extended to grab him from the ceiling, Janet flew forward, and managed to fly through the mist, de-forming the pair of hooves. "Wait...If you could fly through it.." Twilight thought for a second, as Clutzful and Janet took turns avoiding the hooves. "Twilight, think of something! Anything!" Clutzful begged, as Janet pulled him upwards into the air to avoid the hooves that extended from the wall. Twilight watched the mist's movements, and noticed the mist clearing around Janet's wings, that's it! Wind! "Janet! Flap you're wings at the hooves! Wind is it's weakness!!" She shouted, Janet focused, and as the hooves came from below, she flipped around in mid air, and flapped her wings as fast as she could towards the beast. The wind began to disperse the mist around the monster, which was now visible. Twilight stared at Pinkie as she began to stand back up. "Pinkie! Attack it with your sword!" Twilight barked, Pinkie stood up, and unsheathed her sword. Galloping forward at the misty-hooves. "Oki.." She began to say as she leaped into the air with a slight grunt, "Doki..." Pinkie began to fall, preparing her sword to cut through the hooves. "Loki!" She shouted, slashing the hooves. Which caused a reaction, the hooves splattered about, turning back into mist. The mist slowly lowered, allowing the party to see easier. Clutzful stared at the mist now only at hoof level. "Did we kill it?" he questioned, stomping the mist with his hooves. Janet landed, causing the mist to fly slightly away from her, before reforming around hoof level. "I'm hoping we did, because i can't do that again.." she said, panting. Twilight continued forward, pushing open a door. She smiled, looking inside. She saw a pair of chests laying there, ripe for the pickings. Twilight galloped to the front of the chest, and grasped it with her forehooves, opening it. She glanced at what was inside, and sighed. "Hey, Pinkie! I've got a present for you!" Pinkie sheathed her sword, and was near-instantly in the room with Twilight. Janet and Clutzful glanced inside as Pinkie was digging in the chest. "Oh, Twilight! You shouldn't have!" She commented, pulling out a Long Sword. She gave it a few test swings, and nodded. Clutzful trotted up to Pinkie, inspecting the new sword. "Hey Pinkie, that's not fair that you have two swords. I want a sword!" Clutzful shouted, as Pinkie glanced down at him, smiling. She turned, and revealed her Short-Sword, insisting Clutzful take it. He didn't pass it up, he grasped the blade in his mouth and pulled it out, falling over from the weight, dropping the blade and nearly stabbing himself. Twilight decided it'd be best to get out of the room full of ponies with sharp objects, so she opened the door on the opposite side of the room, to get away. Pinkie sheathed her new blade, and Clutzful assisted her in placing the Short-Sword in her saddle bag, since he couldn't use it. "Your strong, Pinkie! Holding these swords and fighting so well with them!" Janet commented, as she trotted past the two earth-ponies and grasped the second chest with her forehooves, flipping it open. "Hey, Clutz. I think you'll really like this." Janet remarked, as Clutzful trotted over. He looked into the chest, and frowned. Pulling out the bottle full of green liquid. "The hay is this? Poison?" Clutzful questioned, starring at Janet. Pinkie stared closely at the bottle, then giggled. "Silly, that's a potion! It'll heal you right up from that beating you took." Clutzful raised an eyebrow, unsure. He held the potion up to his mouth, pulling out the cork, then sticking the bottle in his mouth, gulping it down. Before he knew it, he wasn't sore anymore. "It works.." Clutzful said, amazed. He sat the bottle back in the chest, closing it and snickering. "Surprise for somepony else, huh?" The three ponies made they're way out of the small room, and into the corridor Twilight went into, to they're surprise, she was already gone. "Oh, brother. She couldn't wait and went off on her own." Janet sighed, shaking her head. Pinkie was already hopping down the corridor, Clutzful playfully punched Janet in the shoulder, as the two galloped to keep up with Pinkie. As the group made they're way up the next flight of stairs, they all stopped, at the sound of a ground-shaking monster, which seemed just down the corridor, along with a scream that sounded like Twilight, that broke Pinkie from her joyful persona, and she seemed more focused now. "She got herself into trouble.." Clutzful sighed, as Pinkie actually galloped instead of hopping. Moving even faster than before. Janet managed to hover, and fly after her, leaving Clutzful in the dust, coughing. As it cleared, he realized he was left behind, and galloped to catch up. "Just a bad day, just a bad day.." Clutzful turned the corner, and his jaw dropped at the sight of a midium-sized Manticore. "Son of a manticore...literally." He muttered, joining up with Pinkie and Janet, who were standing in front of the beast, he notice Twilight on the far wall, she seemed to have been slammed against it. The manticore released a loud roar, nearly sending the group flying back. Pinkie unsheathed her new sword, ready to show the Manticore who was boss around this Wind Shrine, she galloped forward, and took a swing at the beast, slashing it's chest. The Manticore was enraged, and whacked Pinkie with it's scorpion-like tail, sending her flying back. "You overgrown Chicken-Wuss!" Clutzful shouted, galloped strait at the Manticore, It attempted to swing a paw to hit the colt, but he managed to leap over it, bucking the creature in it's face. The Manticore reacted the same as last time, and quickly swung it's tail to hit Clutzful, knocking him back, slamming against the wall. "Clutzful!" Janet shouted, looking back. The Manticore leaped forward, diving strait down at Janet, who turned her head just in time to notice the beast coming down at her. She screamed, as a red flash overcame her sight, blinding her. As her sight began to come back, she saw the Manticore laying on the ground, defeated. It's flesh burning slightly, as Trixie stood over the corpse. "The Great and Powerful Trixie warned you, didn't she?" Trixie remarked, sheathing her sword. Clutzful and Pinkie scurried to they're hooves, starring at the sight. Trixie just defeated a Manticore? "That mist monster made it impossible for us to proceed, for it seemed unstoppable. But you found a way, Trixie thanks you for that." Trixie trotted to Twilight, and placed a Pheonix feather onto her body, her moral wounds heal quickly, as Trixie leaves a set of potions in front of her, then makes her way down the corridor, leaving Janet and her injured companions to check on the King. "That Manticore....We hardly did anything to it, but she just came in and defeated it.." Clutzful grunted, as he and Pinkie made they're way to the Potions, each taking one and chugging it down. "She's tougher than tough! Why couldn't she defeat the mist monster?" Pinkie questioned, as she burped. attention turned to Twilight as she awakened, sitting up on her haunches. Twilight glanced around, noting the dead Manticore. She glanced at her companions, who stared happily back at her, well, except for Clutzful. "You call me young, but you're careless." Clutzful snorted, hoofing her a potion. "You defeated the Manticore?" Twilight questioned, gulping down the potion, and laid the bottle in front of her. "Nopey nopey!" Pinkie replied, "That Trixie did! She saved us!" "Trixie?" Twilight questioned as Janet sat next to her. "She took it out in one blow. I was blinded by a bright red light, i think i know what it was through." Janet explained, "Trixie is...A spellsword?" Twilight nodded, the body was burnt slightly, she must of used Fire Sword against it, wiping the creature from the face of Equestria. "She healed us, too. She expects us to finish the job, i don't plan on letting her down after that." Clutzful said, as he approached the door to the Crystal's room, placing a hoof on it. Pinkie and Janet stood on both sides of him, and Twilight stood behind the little colt. "Please no monster.." Clutzful begged, pushing the door open. He opened his eyes when he heard the girls gasp, his eyes widened at the sight of the Wind Crystal, scattered into shards across the ground. "The Crystal!" Twilight shouted, pushing past Clutzful, jaw dropped at the sight. "It's shattered." Janet added, as the three other ponies made they're way into the room. The shards flash, sending off a magical wave of some sort, the group stares, confused. A ball of light flies in from the entrance to the chamber, and goes inside of Janet, the group stares, completely shocked, as a voice speaks to them.. The essence of Fire, Courage. Another ball of light flew into the room, landing inside of Twilight, who glanced at her chest, confused. The essence of Water, Knowledge. To their surprise, a third ball of light flies into the room, landing inside of Pinkie. She happily accepts the light. The essence of Earth, Hope. The group stares back at the Altar, to see a fourth ball of light forming. "Is this safe?!" Clutzful cringed as the ball of light flew into him. The essence of Wind, Pursuit. The four ponies looked at eachother, confused at what just happened. "Why did four balls of light just magically fly into our chests?" Janet asked flatly, Twilight shook her head, and Pinkie shrugged. "Feels warm, that's the only change i notice." Clutzful commented, as a body of a pony began to flash on the Crystal altar, Twilight ran up to the image. "Shining Armor?!" She shouted, and attempted to grab her brother, but her hooves past through the body. "Twily? No..." Shining Armor said, starring at his sister. "It can't be helped, but...Twily, you? Why.." The colt stomped a hoof on the altar. "What? What about me?" Twilight asked, concerned. Shining Armor stared at the four ponies, and sighed. "You four, you were chosen by the Crystal Essences." "You mean that light?" Clutzful questioned, Shining Armor nodded. "The Wind Crystal has already shattered, it's up to you to protect the other three, which will surely shatter if they are not attended to. Twily.." Shining Armor faded, as Twilight reached out for him one last time. "...Protect the Crystals.." "Guys! The Pieces of the Crystal, they're moving!" Pinkie said, amazed. Twilight glanced down, tears in her eyes. She was curious. The pieces flash, before they float into the air, magically placing themselves into Pinkie's saddlebag. The Crystal Pieces, these hold the power of ancient heroes that dwell within... Knight, Monk, Blue Mage, Thief, Black Mage, White Mage "What is this power?" Janet questioned, as the Shrine began to shake. "We need to leave, come on. We'll talk once we're back on the ship." Clutzful took over, and stared at a tile behind the altar, it was glowing. "What's that?" Clutzful questioned, as he trotted over to it. He poked it with a hoof, and flashed away instantly. Pinkie didn't even think before following him, flashing away also. Janet stared at Twilight, who was wiping away her tears. "Twilight, He's out there somewhere, i can feel it." Janet said, trying to make the unicorn feel at least slightly better. They both step onto the tile, and flash away. Janet and Twilight landed outside the Wind Shrine, where Clutzful and Pinkie were waiting. "We're outside, there a shortcut this entire time? Bah. Clutzful commented, as he began to trot down the dirt path from the Wind Shrine, heading towards the boat. Pinkie hopped after Clutzful, and Janet flew. Twilight turned at stared at the Wind Shrine for a few seconds, then galloped away to catch up. Twilight caught up with the group, who were joking around. "And then i said Oatmeal, are you crazy-" Pinkie glanced back at Twilight. "Oh, there you are, silly!" Pinkie giggled. "Hey Twi, you ever hear the one about the Cockatrice who crossed the road?" Clutzful asked, as he began laughing. Twilight smiled, if there was anything to be happy about right now, it was that she had her friends. "You'll have to tell me sometime, Clutz." Twilight replied, as they approached the ship, the pirates cheered the return of their captain, who flew up onto the ship, waving her hooves about. "Hey you loveable scamps." Janet said, as the pirates cheered for her. Pinkie hopped along the plank onto the ship, As Clutzful stopped in front of it, causing Twilight to stop. "Twilight, Do me a favor.." Clutzful said, turning around to whisper. "Carry me?" Clutzful teased, Twilight's eyes narrowed, as she shoved the colt aside, nearly causing him to fall off the cliff. "It was just a joke..!!" Clutzful shouted, following her onto the ship. Janet landed by the stairs, signaling the group to come over. Pinkie hopped playfully, as the others simply trotted. "We're sailing to Mule, until we get there, let's check out these Crystal Pieces." Janet insisted, the group went downstairs, and down the hall into her cabin, where Pinkie scattered the pieces along the table. Clutzful glanced around, as everypony else stared at the shards. "I'll go first!" Clutzful shouted, picking up a crystal. It shined in his hand, and the light quickly shined over his entire body, as the light disappeared, Clutzful could be seen in a Blue/Red armor set, and seemed slightly stronger. "Woah! Lovin' the new outfit!" Clutzful commented, requesting Pinkie's Short Sword, Pinkie pulled the sword out of her Saddlebag, and laid it on the table, which Clutzful hurried and grasped in his mouth, giving it a few test swings. "This feels so natural, before i couldn't even hold this blade!" Clutzful continued to swing the sword around, until Twilight levitated it away, Clutzful frowned, sitting down onto his haunches. "I want this one!" Pinkie snatched a Crystal Piece and was consumed by the same light, only coming out in a Karate Gi and a white headband. She suddently threw her weapon down onto the floor, which Clutzful picked up happily, until Twilight pulled it away from him. Causing him to frown and sit down quietly again. "Ooo, i feel like a Leanie-Meanie-Fighting-Machiney!" Pinkie commented, jabbing hooves at the air, and finishing off with a blackflip. "My turn!" Janet shouted, grabbing a piece of the Wind Crystal, she was overtook by a light, and emerged out in a Green&Purple set of leather armor, topped off with a bandana. "The knowledge of a Pickpocket, guess who's gonna steal some items?" Janet crowed, as Twilight stared at the remaining Crystal Pieces. Twilight was having a hard time deciding, she stared at the Pieces for several minutes, before finally picking one up. The same light consumed Twilight like it did the others, as she came out in a blue robe, with a tall pointy yellow hat, which she threw off, to reveal her face. "I can feel locked away potential in my magic, maybe we can find somepony in Mule that's good with magic?" Twilight questioned, the four had they're Crystal Pieces in hoof, and were ready to get to Mule as soon as possible. Clutzful snatchedthe longsword and sheathed in a convenient place on his armor, looking happy to finally be able to carry a blade, but his head began to ache, as he sat down in the cabin, holding his head. "What's wrong?" Janet piped up, starring at Clutzful. "I think i just remembered something." Clutzful replied. "....Soar...Pour? Hmm.." Clutzful mumbled... "Sorrier!" Clutzful shouted, removing his forehooves from his head and slamming them onto the table. "What's a Sorrier?" Twilight questioned, starring at him. "It's where i'm from, i remember it! The tall walls, the lovely interior, the-" Clutzful paused, thinking to himself for a moment. "I don't remember anypony, though. It's as if it's a ghost town." Clutzful muttered, shaking slightly. "Has anypony else heard of this place? I haven't." Twilight said flatly, starring at the group, who thought as hard as they possibly could about the subject before replying. "It sounds familiar to me, but i can't put my hoof on it." Janet replied, "Sorry." "Nope, never heard of it!" Pinkie said flatly. "I'm not making this up, i swear! The town was called Sorrier!" Clutzful said in a slightly angry tone, Twilight patted the colt on the back to try and relax him. "I didn't say you were, but i haven't ever heard of a place called Sorrier." Twilight said calmly, trying to be reasonable. Clutzful simply stared forward at the husk of the ship, tipping left to right. "What is this place? This ghost town? Did i live here, alone? I don't know.." Clutzful muttered.. Chapter 3Chapter 3: Stubborn as a Mule Clutzful paced back and forth down the hall, thinking of the small memory he had regained, he stopped, kicking the wall and bouncing backwards into the wall onto the other side of the hall. "Terrible idea!" He grunted, holding his hoof off the ground. Janet emerged from her cabin, and glanced at Clutzful, who was muttering words under his breathe. She trotted up next to him, and stared. "Oh, hi." Clutzful said, putting his hoof down and turning, as if nothing happened. "Something you need?" He asked swiftly. "Actually, yes." Janet replied, as she stood by the opposite wall. "Don't buck a hole in my ship, or i'll steal your pretty new toy away." Janet commented, pointing a hoof at Clutzful's sword, which he defensively put a hoof onto. "And here i thought you were a pirate with a heart of gold." Clutzful replied with a sarcastic tone, causing Janet to snicker. Clutzful stared confused, until Janet hovered slightly, approaching Clutzful. Starring at him for a mere 3 seconds before smacking him alongside the head. "Ow! What the heck was that for?!" Janet landed, and began trotting down the hall laughing, Clutzful could hardly hear her as she turned to go up the stairs, leaving him alone below deck. "Daughter of a rock-farmer.." Clutzful muttered, following in Janet's hoofsteps and heading above deck. Clutzful's eyes widened at the sight in front of him, the ship was already pulling up close to shore, they were at Mule. Clutzful stared at Twilight and Pinkie, starring at each other. Twilight and Pinkie stared at each other, they seemed to be at a disagreement. "Pinkie! There is no such thing as a Black Chocobo!" "But i saw one!" "Pinkie, the idea of a Chocobo that could carry multiple ponies AND fly with them is just...Stupid! There's no way anything like that exists!" Janet watched the two argue, before flying off to prepare the bridge. "Fine, Pinkie. Think what you want, but i KNOW there is no such creature, if there was, why would ponies travel by boat?" Twilight questioned, starring at Pinkie. "Because Black Chocobos are rare!" Pinkie replied, returning the stare. "Black Chocobo?" Clutzful questioned, trotting up to the pair. "What's that?" "It's a chocobo that can fly! And has the power to carry multiple ponies for long distances!" Pinkie said in a more cheerful tone. "Wait, didn't your chocobo carry you, me, and Twilight?" "Gummy? Oh, he's a toughie! You'd never see an average chocobo do that!" Pinkie giggled, she began to stare blankly, coming to a halt. "Gummy!" Clutzful facehoofed, starring at Pinkie as she began to become teary-eyed. "He's a toughie, remember? Gummy will be fine, i bet he's still resting." Clutzful commented in a soft tone, in an attempt to calm Pinkie down. Pinkie pulled a tissue out of her mane and blew into it, drying her tears soon after. "You keep tissues in your mane?" Clutzful asked awkwardly, starring. "Oh, i keep a lot of things in my mane, like this!" Pinkie replied, pulling a cupcake out of her mane, and throwing it into her mouth, swallowing it whole. Twilight and Clutzful stared at the smiling Earth-Pony, at a loss for words. Janet let out a cough to make herself noticed, as she floated above the group. Breaking Clutzful's stare and caused him to look up. "Bridge is down, if your ready." Janet grunted, flying off the ship and landing beside the bridge. "Come on, we should get some rest after what's happened." Twilight commented, breaking out of her stare and trotting towards the bridge. Pinkie and Clutzful shrugged, following Twilight. The three go down the shaking plank that they called a bridge, and regroup with Janet on land. "Cider! Cider!" The group looked back, as the entire pirate crew galloped down the plank one by one, towards the town cheering. Janet couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Well, there they go." Janet said, as the group moved along the small dirt path to Mule, keeping silent the entire trip. "Alright everypony." Twilight said, causing the team to stop as they reached the town. The group turned and stared. "I know the Mayor of this village, she has been good friends with my brother for a long time, since i was a filly even. I'm going to go talk to her, if anypony wants to come along." The group stared at each other, as Pinkie hopped forward. "I do! I do!" Pinkie urged, hopping up and down. Twilight nodded, starring at Janet and Clutzful. "I want to go rest at the Inn, if you need me just let me know." Janet said, flying towards the Pub. "I'm tired to, i think i'll join her. See you later, Twi." Clutzful added, galloping after Janet. Twilight let out a slight chuckle, as she trotted strait ahead through the village, Pinkie hopping happily beside her. "So, what's this pony like? Does she like parties? Or adventures?!" "No, Pinkie." Twilight said flatly, her tone more harsh than expected. "I mean, she's pretty calm, and she can't go adventuring, she's the mayor." Twilight explained, Pinkie nodded, not completely understanding it. Janet entered the Pub, Clutzful not far behind, catching up and trotting beside Janet as they passed by her crew, drowning themselves in cider. "What? Afraid i'm plotting against you or something?" Janet said in a sarcastic tone. "No, i'm just tired. I wish you had actual beds on your ship." Clutzful replied duly. Janet laughed, as they approached the counter. "I'll look into that." "Cool." Clutzful replied swiftly, as the vanilla colored bartender came up. "Just a room." Janet said, throwing a small bag of bits onto the counter, the pony counted them out and nodded, "First on the left." the two went upstairs, turning left and coming to the door. Janet opened the door, stopping as soon as she went inside. Clutzful shoved past and his jaw dropped as he stared. "There's only one bed...." Twilight and Pinkie passed over a small bridge that went over a stream, and trotted towards the house. "Here it is." Twilight said, clearing her throat as she knocked on the door respectively. The door quickly opened, as the mare stared out. "Twilight? Is that you?" She asked, as Twilight nodded. The mare backed away, allowing the two ponies to enter. The mare shut the door behind them, and trotted up to Twilight, wrapping her in a hug. "It's been to long, i haven't seen you since you were just starting to learn magic!" "Nice to see you too, Mayor Mare. We have a lot to talk about." Clutzful and Janet stared at each other for around a minute, silently. "My bits, my bed." Janet said, figuring victory. "You should treat guests with respect, and by respect, i mean let me sleep on the bed." Clutzful replied, as the two narrowed they're eyes. "I'm not afraid of you, you midget." Janet spat. "Right back at you, you daughter of a overgrown electric eel." Clutzful replied harshly. Janet stared, raising a hoof in front of her face. "It's on, little colt." "You don't know the half of it, big girl." "I see, i am sorry for your loss. Twilight." Mayor Mare said, as the three ponies sat at a table. "Don't worry, all i know is that we have to protect the Crystals." Twilight replied, as Pinkie slammed her forehooves onto the table. "Yeah, and the closest one is...Um.." Pinkie froze, starring at Twilight. "The Water crystal in Pegasilla." Twilight said flatly. "Oh, no. That would mean going through the passage along the mountains, and the dam is closed, so your boat couldn't pass, and even if you could, the monsters are VERY dangerous." Mayor Mare said with a frown. "Don't you have the key?" Twilight asked, as the Mayor shook her head. "A renegade soldier named Glent took the key from me awhile back, after i refused to hire him for town defenses. He's taken into hiding inside a cave west of town, we call it Hoofinton Cavern." "We need that key." Twilight said flatly, standing from the table. "Wait, Twilight, won't you and your friend at least stay the night?" Mayor Mare requested, Twilight nodded, and the Mayor showed them to the guest room.. "I hope Janet and Clutzful are okay." Pinkie said, hopping along. "I'm sure they're getting along fine." Twilight assured. "Holy mother of-" Clutzful was cut off by a wooden chair hitting him square in the face. "-Ow..." "That'll teach you, idiot." Janet crowed, hovering in the air. "Yeah, teach me to kick your flank!" Clutzful shouted, bucking the chair into the air, Janet dodged and stared at the chair as it slammed against the wall, broken to pieces. Clutzful took the chance to mock Janet, he wiggled his flank around at her. "It's ON you weasel!" Janet shouted, throwing a small pot, sending it flying at Clutzful, who flipped over the table and hid behind it, as the pot smashed against it. "You missed!" Clutzful laughed, poking his head above the table as a large pot was coming strait at him. "Buck." Twilight and Pinkie relaxed in their beds, Pinkie was humming while Twilight was trying to get some sleep, as she heard the sound of glass breaking in the distance. "What's with all the racket?" Twilight groaned, putting a pillow over her head. "I have a twitchy-tail." Pinkie said nervously, looking around. Clutzful fell behind the table as the pot slammed against his face. He stood up, having a few cuts as he stared the laughing Janet down. "That's it, no more games." He said flatly, "No one destroys good pottery." Janet continued laughing, until she realized what he said. Clutzful leaped over the table, and bucked the table back to it's normal upwards state. "Oh, you want to do this the old fashioned way? Alright." Janet said with a smirk, cracking her neck. "I can do that." "Twilight, it's really noisy. I can't sleep." Pinkie commented, as Twilight rose from the bed, throwing her pillow across the room. "Neither can i..." She said flatly, jumping out of bed and trotting out of the room. Pinkie stared at the wall as Twilight left the house, slamming the front door on the way out, causing Pinkie to cringed. Twilight stared up at the Pub, seeing it as the source of the noise, quickly approaching the building and trotting inside, and past the crew of pirates and the front counter, going strait upstairs. "Wot's her problem?" A pirate said, breaking the silence. "Ouch, that's my face! Why do you have to punch the only unprotected part of my body?!" "Hold still and i'll make sure to punch everything i can get my hooves on!" "Ow, daughter of a seamare!" Twilight flung the door open in time to see Janet throw Clutzful onto the table, causing it to break. Clutzful's armor disappeared, as a crystal landed on his head, getting tangled in his mane. "What are you two doing?!" Twilight shouted, the two turned they're attention to Twilight, who was starring with eyes of pure anger. "This is awkward." Clutzful groaned, holding onto his muzzle in pain. Twilight stared up at Janet, who backed away slightly. "Explain. Now." Twilight commanded, starring. "Well, i paid for this room, and he decided he wanted to sleep here too. And he tried to take my bed. So i kind of...Beat him up." Janet glanced around the destroyed room. "I think i over did it a little." "You think?!" Clutzful grunted, pulling himself up from the now destroyed table, the crystal in his mane. "Next time remind me to go with Twilight." Twilight backed out, slamming the door shut with her magic as she made her way back to Mayor Mare's house. Janet and Clutzful stared at each other. "I blame you." They said in unison. "I'm just going to go sleep outside." Clutzful grunted, pushing the door open and trotting downstairs. Janet closed the door behind him, and quickly flew to the window, starring out for Clutzful. "Sweet victory." Clutzful trotted past everyone downstairs, a few glanced at his bleeding face, but most of the ponies ignored him. He pushed the door open, trotting towards the bridge. "I'm fine with sleeping out with nature." Clutzful grunted, looking down into the river. The crystal slide out of his mane and landed in the river, sinking. "Oh come on!" Clutzful shouted, starring down at it. He groaned, bending over trying to reach the Crystal, falling in with a splash. Janet stared from her window, laughing and slightly worried. She pushed the window open, and hovered out, barely fitting through the small window. Clutzful emerged with the Crystal, but noticed he was now flowing down the river. He reached for the sides, trying to crawl his way up, but the current was pushing him too fast to get a good grip. He saw a tree root ahead, and grasped it in his mouth, only for it to snap instantly. "Even nature hates me!" Clutzful cried out. Clutzful continued to flow down the river, which seemed to lead into a solid rock, he was guessing the water went under. It wasn't in his best interest to die, even though that seemed to be easiest way out. He reached his hooves up, slamming into the rock, the fore causing him to cough, spitting some blood onto the rock in front of him He slowly pulled himself to the side, as the water attempted to pull him under. He looked upwards, spotting a face he didn't expect. "Didn't think you were into swimming." Janet commented, extending a hoof. Clutzful grasped her hoof, and she hovered slightly as she pulled him out, as soon as he was on solid ground she released him, causing him to fall onto the ground. Clutzful groaned, as Janet assisted him to his hooves, laughing. Clutzful gasped, sticking the crystal back into his mane, not having anywhere else to put it. "Maybe i do have a heart of gold." Janet commented, hanging one of Clutzful's legs around her neck, and assisted him in getting back to the Pub. "Very-" Clutzful coughed, spitting out a small amount of blood. "-Funny.." The pair trotted into the Pub, Janet's crew stared as she assisted Clutzful in getting up the stairs, completely soaked. Janet opened the door, leading Clutzful inside, he sighed. "Does this mean i get the bed?" He asked playfully, as Janet sat him down in one of the few unbroken chairs. "No." "Dang it." Janet flew over to the window, closing it. Then she removed the curtains and threw them at Clutzful, who took the chance to warm up. "Night." Janet commented, hovering over to the bed and laying down, turning to the wall. "Seriously? I get a chair?" Clutzful grunted, and fell off the chair, landing on the hardwood floor. "I think i want to go back in the river." Early the next morning, the pair was rudely awakened by the bartender, who kicked Clutzful in his side, causing him to roll over and glance up at the angry stallion. "What have you done to this room?! Get out! Get out!" He shouted, as Janet sat up, rubbing her eyes. As she recalled what happened last night, she quickly flew out of the room. Leaving Clutzful. "Aah, i'm going!" Clutzful shouted, as he managed to get this his hooves and run off, quickly jolting down the stairs, past the crew, who were still sitting around the pub, and out the door. Where he found Twilight, Pinkie, and Janet waiting for him. "You ditched me back there!" Clutzful shouted at Janet, who decided to burst into laughter. "That's what you get for being such a big baby last night!" Janet replied, floating in the air laughing to her heart's content. Clutzful ignored Janet and decided to talk to the first pony he could think of. "Good morning, Pinkie." "We've been up for over an hour already, we did some shopping while you slept in." Twilight said, as Pinkie jumped in front of her. "Hey, we get to go on an adventure!" Pinkie cheered, as Clutzful stared. Twilight pushed Pinkie out of the way to explain. "The Water Crystal is the nearest one, but it's in Pegasilla, which is past the dam. And somepony named Glent stole the key and is hiding in a cave outside of town." "So we have to go get it." "Right." "Well, let's go play fetch." Janet commented, pulling a Crystal out of Clutzful's ruffled mane. She hung it in front of him, until he snatched it, being overtaken by light and regaining his Armor. "I promise to stab this Glent guy." Clutzful muttered dryly, as Twilight sighed. "Alright, i made sure to stock up on items too. We've got Pheonix Downs, Potions, Antidotes, and a tent." Twilight said, as Clutzful groaned. "We're prepared this time, maybe one of us won't, y'know, die?" Clutzful replied in a depressing tone, starring at Twilight. "Of course not, silly! That's why we have Pheonix Downs!" Pinkie giggled, patting Clutzful on the head, causing Janet to laugh, finishing with a snort. The group stared as the pirate crew came out of the Pub, and stood in front of them. Janet landed, and stood in front of the group, starring down her crew. "Guys, i'm going to be on my own for now, so you all have to go back to the cove." She said in her usual tone, as her crew began to looked confused. "But Cap'n! We'd follow you to the ends of the world!" A pirate shouted. "I know." Janet huffed, turning away. "This is out of my hooves now, and this isn't a request..." Janet turned back around. "It's an order." The pirates stood there for several minutes, before they all inhaled. "Aye Aye, Cap'n!" They all shouted, running out of the town. "How are they going to get back without the ship?" Twilight asked, as Janet laughed. "We have a secret passage, of course!" "Figures." Clutzful muttered, moving in the direction the pirates went. "Let's just go find this Glent, and get the key back. The Crystals won't protect themselves." Clutzful turned around, starring hopefully. "Will they?" Twilight shook her head, causing Clutzful to frown. The group made they're way out of town, and headed east along the coast. "So, you two getting along now?" Twilight asked, as Clutzful and Janet silently continued trotting, as Pinkie hopped around them. "Friends shouldn't hurt each other!" She shouted, as Janet groaned, and decided to fly ahead. "Darn it, i was about to sing a song." Pinkie said with a frown. The group approached the end of the coast, and spotted Hoofinton Cave, which Janet was standing by, waiting. "Had to run ahead?" Clutzful grunted, starring at Janet. "Yep." "Single-Word responses are for the un-trustworthy." A voice said from inside the cave. Janet flew closer to the group, startled. The voice laughed, as a gray pegasus emerged from the cave. "There is nothing of value in this cave." The pony said, coughing. "Glent, i'm guessing?" Twilight said, stepping forward. "That's my name, what of it?" Glent asked, his eyes narrowing. Clutzful stepped forward, ahead of Twilight. "You actually do have something we need, a key." He said flatly, stomping a hoof. "You four always go for violence first?" "Clutzful, stop." Twilight requested, Clutzful stared back at her, and backed away slightly. He glanced forward as Glent began to laugh, pointing at him. "What a good kid, minding his elders." Glent said, as Clutzful stomped a hoof. "So, you have the key?" Twilight asked, Glent nodded, keeping his narrow stare. "Can we have it?" "Yes." Twilight smiled, trotting forward as Glent pointed a hoof at her. "You'll have to do me a favor, though." Glent said with a wide grin, Twilight stared and nodded, as Glent put his hoof down. "There is a monster in my home, he took over my camp. Kill it?" He requested, as Twilight stared. "How can we trust you? You're a thief!" Janet scowled. Clutzful backed up a few paces to whisper to Janet. "You're a thief, too." He whispered, followed by feeling a terrible pain in his face as Janet smacked him. "Worth it." Clutzful coughed. "I'm not a thief, i'm a...Friend. So are you going to kill it? It's actually right inside here." Glent said, beginning to laugh. Twilight nodded, as she began to head inside. The others following behind her without second thought. Glent waved goodbye as the group went into the cave. "She's grown stronger than expected." The cave was very dry, and the air had a foul smell about it. The group marched through, noting the campfire ahead, and a creature around Clutzful's size, completely black. "That's it? Seriously?" Clutzful commented, galloping towards it as he unsheathed his sword. "I'll take care of him!" The beast turned around, unsheathing a sword of it's own, clashing it with Clutzful's. It grinned, starring him down. "Where did that come from? He didn't have a sword when i attacked-" He was cut off by the monster falling back, and taking a swing at him, Clutzful parried the attack, as the shadowy beast continued it's assault. The beast took a moment to prepare a powerful swing, Clutzful was still blocking, and was staggered as the beast took a huge swing at him, sending his sword flying into the ground. "Help?" Clutzful requested, as he ran back to his sword, attempting to pull it out of the ground. Without a second thought, the beast charged him, raising it's blade. Clutzful glanced back at the monster as it raised it's blade, he closed his eyes, hearing the sound of thunder and a loud yelp. He opened his eyes to see the monster on the ground, injured. "Who needed who to protect them?" Twilight asked, smiling at Clutzful as he managed to pull his sword out of the ground. He sighed. "I did." The shadowy creature began to change form, it's mane poofed, and it stood up, unarmed. It charged forward, as Twilight charged her horn with another thunder spell, firing it off. The creature leaped over it, grabbing Clutzful and tossing him across the cave. Janet bolted through the air, catching him as he began to fall. "Your heavy." Janet grunted, lowering Clutzful to the ground. "And your a jerk." Clutzful replied, as the two bumped hooves. "But your my favorite jerk." Clutzful said in a softer tone. "Clutzie!" Pinkie called out, as the creature attempted to jab her, Pinkie hopped up and landed on it's hoof, starring. "Nopony hurts my friends!" Pinkie shouted, bucking the creature in the face, it fell back onto the ground, screeching. Twilight stood over the monster, shooting a bolt directly at it, causing it to melt into a pile of plasma. "Black Magic is...Powerful." Twilight commented, as Janet and Clutzful ran up to her, smiling at the dead monster. "Hey, the princess did something other than die." Janet said, mocking Clutzful. Twilight and Clutzful stared at Janet, and Pinkie rolled on the floor laughing. A grunt could be heard from behind, as Glent walked past the ponies. "So you killed it.." Glent said calmly, reaching into his saddlebag and throwing the key back to Twilight, who levitated it with her magic, enclosing the key in a purple aura. "Yes, i had it the whole time, thank you for taking care of the monster." Glent said flatly, walking father into the cave, ignoring that they were there completely. "Strange pony, but at least we got the key back." Clutzful said in a dull tone. "Oh, oh, oh! Does this mean we can go to the Water Crystal now?!" Pinkie said with glee, hopping around as usual. Twilight simply nodded, and began to trot back to the exit. "Why do i get the feeling that i can't trust my shadow anymore?" Clutzful sighed, following Twilight. Pinkie hopped playfully beside him. Janet stared at Glent, who turned and waved a hoof at Janet. "Wait!" Janet flew towards Glent at a high speed, as stared, expecting her. "Janet." Glent said in a quiet tone, Janet perked up and stared, knowing she didn't introduce herself. Glent let out a chuckle. "I see." Glent said flatly, turning back around. "Your questions will surely be answered in due time. And when that time comes..." "Shy will rise." Glent walked deeper into the cave, as Janet stared, confused. She glanced back, seeing that the others had already exited the cave. She quickly flew in pursuit, attempting to catch up. Glent laughed to himself, watching her from the shadows, then slowly coming out. "Both of them, huh? Fate is a cruel thing, for sure. I mean, your son AND her? I can see they have forgotten about they're bracelets, i've done all i could. Sorry, but he'll just have to figure things out on his own, he's on the right track so far." Glent stared upwards, grinning. "I'll be damned if you don't make a good point, ma'am. But like i said, i've done all i could. You have to trust him." Glent laughed, wheezing. "He's shorter than you told me." Glent walked back into the darkness, a green circle lowering downwards from head to hoof.
Chapter 1Chapter 1: Strings of the Wind Crystal The morning sun began to rise over the mountain's that surrounded Castle Fillytina, upon the balcony of the castle rested a dragon, a Cyan-Armored Colt trotted out of the castle onto the balcony, His helmet having a hole around the top for his white horn to stick out. Awakening the dragon, it lets out a loud roar, before settling down. The Colt was followed shortly after by a younger Unicorn, her lavender coat clashed with the sun. "Shining Armor, do you really have to go? she asked, the Colt turned and faced the lavender Unicorn. "I do, but don't worry. I'll be back soon." "But-" The unicorn was cut off by her brother, who turned and approached the Dragon. "Don't you notice the wind? It's stopping. I'm going to check out the Wind Shrine." The lavender Unicorn stomped a hoof, annoyed. "But going alone is just Foalish!" she barked. Shining Armor mounted the Dragon, which released another roar as it prepared to take flight. "Twilight, don't worry. I'm your big brother. I can take care of this." he said, in an attempt to calm Twilight. The Dragon takes to the sky, and flies away towards the Wind Shrine, Twilight waves a hoof goodbye, praying for the safe return of her Big Brother. Off the coast of the Wind Shrine, a ship sailed, the ship slowly comes to a halt from the lack of wind, the crew is greatly confused by this, scattering around. a Black Creature rose from below deck, hovering to the front of the ship where she lands gently, she raises a hoof and sighs. "The wind...It stopped?" In what seems to be a cave, a small Yellow Colt stands in front of some kind of purple glowing tile, his eyes widen quickly as a message is sent into his mind... "The wind has stopped...Got'cha. I'll get to the bottom of this!" He said to himself, as the cave began to shake. He began to panic, starring down at the tile. "No....I'm going down too fast..!! Preparing for extreme landing conditions!" Back at Fillytina Castle, Twilight notices the change in the wind. "The wind stopped....Shining Armor!" Twilight shouted, as she gallops back into the castle, worried for her brother's safety. Inside the Wind Shrine, Shining Armor trotted up to the Wind Crystal, as the room darkened. "What?!" He shouted, confused. The crystal began to spin faster, and faster until finally it shattered, the pieces spreading across the floor. Shining Armor turned around, only to be taken in by a blinding light.. A pink Earth-Pony sat by a camp fire, along with her Chocobo, Gummy. Taking a look into the sky, a meteor is spotted overhead, crashing down not far from they're location, the ground began to shake, and caused the Earth Pony to fall onto her back, and get rolled around a bit. Gummy managed to keep balanced until it was over, the Chocobo assisted the pony in standing up, only for her to quickly put out they're campfire and joy-fully jump onto his back. "Y'know what that sounded like? Adventure! Go, Gummy! Go!" she shouted. The Chocobo wasted no time in moving, Pinkie could see smoke coming up from where the meteor landed, and steered Gummy towards it. The pony giggled at the thought of Adventure, but wasn't very well-prepared, she was mostly bare, except for a leather jerkin, and her short-sword. The duo rushed into the small dirt path that led to the crash site, the Earth Pony stops Gummy, and dismounts. "This might be a teeny bit dangerous for you. Stay here, okay?" The Chocobo nodded. the pink Pony hopped along the path, soon reaching an opening on the otherside which led into the Crash Site, she could see where the meteor slid across the ground. She slowly walked into the open area, looking around. She noticed two goblin's carrying a lavender Unicorn, confused. She unsheathes her sword, grasping it in her mouth, and charged forward. The goblin's dropped the unicorn, but were barely able to protect themselves as the pink Pony cut through one of them, causing his two halves to fall to the ground, she swiftly turns around to notice the other one ready to strike, as it takes a slash at her. She hopped backwards playfully, allowing the enemy to miss, then lunged forward for the final blow, dislodging the head of the goblin. She sheathed her sword and galloped over to the Unicorn, who began coming to her senses shortly afterwards. She stood up on her hooves, looking about. "What happened...?" The unicorn questioned, starring at the Pink Pony, who was swift to reply. "You got caught by some meanie goblins, but don't worry, i was here to take care of em'!" she giggled. "I see, well, thank you for the assistance. I'm Twilight Sparkle, i'd repay you if i wasn't in such a hurry. If you'll excuse me.." Twilight was still dazed, she focused on keeping her balance. "I'm Pinkie Pie! I'm on a journey with a chocobo to nowhere in particular! I saw this HUGE rock fall down and i had to see what it was!" Pinkie was hopping around, as Twilight glanced at the Meteor. "Pinkie...That rock isn't just a rock. I think it's a meteor! Could it have something to do with the wind stopping?" Pinkie stared, confused. "Meteor? Sounds special! Let's check it out!" Twilight shrugged, and began to gallop away before Pinkie jolted in front of her. "Waitwaitwaitwait!" Pinkie demanded, Twilight fell back onto her flank, and stared. "What? I'm in a hurry...!!" Uhnn.....Aghhh... Twilight glanced around, confused at what she just heard. "Did you hear that?" ...Help.... Pinkie hopped over to the Meteor, and checked around the right side, she saw a small Yellow Colt laying there, injured. "Hey! Twilight!! I found it!" "It?" Twilight questioned, galloping over to see the Colt. "Are you okay?!" "Agh, crud....My head hurts..." The colt began to stand, as the two mares stared at him. "I'm....Oh, son of a manticore..I think i'm okay...But i can't remember anything.." Twilight observed the Colt, noting a bump atop his head. She lowers down to his height, he was slightly shorter than the mares were. "You hit your head pretty bad, it could be amnesia." The colt stared, before tripping over a pebble and landing face-first. Groaning. Pinkie Pie simply giggled. "You're kind of a Clutz, hehe." Pinkie commented, as the Colt stood back up. "Clutz...? Clutz...." The colt tapped a hoof against his chin, and his eyes widened. "My name...! I remember! It's...Clutzful. Feels...Ironic..." "Anything else?" Twilight asked, Clutzful simply shook his head. Twilight raised herself back to full hight, and backed away slightly. "I'm sorry, everypony. But i got to get going." Pinkie jolted behind Twilight, whom bumped right into Pinkie and flew forward in shock. "Where're you going?" Pinkie asked, Twilight faced the mare, starring into that cheeky grin. "The Wind Shrine." She replied flatly, Clutzful trotted up next to Twilight when he heard. "The Wind Shrine?! That sounds really familiar! Please take me with you!" Twilight glanced down at the less-than-powerful looking Colt. "I'm sorry, but this is too dangerous for a little one like you." Twilight replied, Clutzful wasn't giving up that easy. "I can fight! I feel like the Wind Shrine is something important to me. So please, take me with you!" Clutzful begged, Twilight glanced at Clutzful before returning her attention to Pinkie. "What about you, Pinkie?" "I'm going to continue my Adventure! Best of luck to you ponies!" Pinkie cheered, Twilight began to trot away with Clutzful in tow. She stopped and turned around. "Thank you, Pinkie!" She turns back around and gallops into the dirt path, Clutzful follows close behind. Pinkie sighed, and stared at the huge Meteor. It seemed to have a strange glow about it, but Pinkie couldn't find a way inside. It was time to get back to Gummy. She joyfully jumped along the dirt path, until finally reaching her Chocobo. "Let's go!" Pinkie cheered, mounting Gummy. Who took off out of the foresty area. The duo headed northwest towards a canyon, Gummy stops and causes Pinkie to fly off, and splat into the face of the canyon, which she slides down until landing on the ground with a squeak. She hops back to her hooves, and glares at Gummy. "Bad Gummy! Why did you stop like that?!" Gummy cocked his head, and glared back. "...I know, you want me to go on an Adventure with those ponies, huh? Plus..There is a lot of goblins...I got it, Gummy!" She giggled, making faces at the bird. The ground begins to shake, and voices can be heard from inside the canyon, Pinkie nearly falls back down, but manages to get on her Chocobo. "Hey, Twilight! Watch out!" Clutzful was inside the Canyon, and applebucked a goblin away from Twilight, who wasn't exactly a fighter in any way. "The ground is shaking...! Woah!" Clutzful attempted to buck another goblin, but the beast grabbed his hindlegs and threw him, sending him flying into the wall on the otherside of the small canyon. He collapsed already exhausted. "Gummy, keep us going!" Pinkie commanded, as she unsheathed her sword, Goblins jumped down from the Canyon walls, Pinkie stood on Gummy's back and slashed them away, while rushing down the path. Suddenly, Pinkie's tail began to twitch. She looked back, alarmed. "Gummy! We've got a twitchy tail!" Gummy comes to a halt, Pinkie hopping off and galloping to the rescue of Twilight. Twilight was attempting to fend off the goblins with a petty knife. She managed to slash a few of them, hardly damaging them. Pinkie leaped forward and cut down the offensive goblins via one big slash, leaving an opening for the unicorn to escape. Twilight picked up Clutzful with her magic, and jumped atop Gummy, Pinkie not far behind. Gummy wasn't used to three ponies on his back, and began to strain as he ran. Thankfully, he managed to make one last rush out of the canyon, avoiding a land-slide close behind. The Chocobo figured they were safe, and threw the ponies off his back, Pinkie's sword flying past the other ponies. Pinkie giggled. "What'd i tell you, Gummy? Twitchy Tail!" The Chocobo laid down, and attempted to rest. Twilight was dazed, and managed to find her knife and sheathe it with her magic, slightly confused. "Twitchy Tail?" "Oh, yeah! When my tail is a twitching, it means something is gonna fall!" Pinkie said, hopping to her short-sword and grasping it, throwing it into the ground to a more easy-to-grab position. Twilight glanced over at the landslide, something fell alright. "How am i going to get to the Wind Shrine.." Twilight surrendered to nature, and decided to rest. She laid down near the Chocobo, trying to get comfortable. Little did she expect that'd she drift off rather quickly.. ........A couple of hours later..... Twilight woke up, glancing about. She noticed Pinkie fiddling with her own hooves, and Clutzful still seemed out. "Ah...Morning." She commented, Pinkie shot forward at her, and stopped right in front of her. "Oh, Me and Gummy noticed you were in trouble, so we helped you out again!" Twilight sighed, smiling at Pinkie."Thanks again, Pinkie. You've saved me twice." Pinkie rubbed a hoof through her mane, smiling, then went back to hopping around as usual. "Well, now for the TERRIBLE news! That landslide blocked the road to Mule. So we're not going that way!" "We?" Twilight questioned, as Clutzful seemed to stir. "Ngh...Wind Shrine...." "That pony's too young to be protecting you by himself, so, i'm coming with you on this Adventure!" Pinkie said, striking a brave pose. "I don't need anypony to protect me! But i-" Twilight paused for a second before continuing. "I accept your help." "Don't need anypony to protect you? Right." Clutzful commented, his eyes still closed. Twilight stared down at the colt. "You were AWAKE?!" Twilight shouted, Clutzful jumped up, slightly stunned. "Yeah, and you could use all the help you could get, in my opinion." Clutzful snorted. Twilight shot a look at him. "Well, if that path is blocked, how do you suppose we get to the Wind Shrine?" Clutzful asked, Pinkie pointed at a nearby mountain. "There!" On the side of the mountain, a cave had seemed to open up. Seemed like they're only route, so they prepared themselves. Twilight trotted away from the group, attempting to avoid Clutzful, while he stood up and prepared himself, doing a few applebucks for practice. Pinkie hopped over to inspect the cave, she just saw it as another part of the Adventure. "It's REALLY dark in here, wow!" She commented, sticking her head inside, then back out multiple times. Clutzful trotted up to Twilight, who was still mad about his remark. "Hey, i came off harsh. I'm sorry, alright? I was just trying to say you'll need help to get to the Wind Shrine. Our help." Twilight sighed, and turned away. Pinkie was already at the entrance, ready to go, she was waving her hooves around trying to get the attention of her companions. "Come on, we'll get to the Wind Shrine. And we'll both get what we're after, i'm sure!" Clutzful extended a hoof, but Twilight simply trotted off towards the cave entrance. He frowned, and followed. Pinkie looked back at Gummy, and saluted her friend. "Gummy, you're still tired, i know. Please stay here, okay? I'll come back for you when i can!" she said, the Chocobo nodded, and continued to rest. Twilight and Clutzful reached the entrance, joining up with Pinkie. The less-than-happy duo of Twilight and Clutzful threw Pinkie off her groove, but she tried not to seem bothersome. "Come on, everypony! Into this cave!' Pinkie hopped in first, followed by Twilight then Clutzful, who kept to the back in case of an ambush. The dark and mossy cave was quite narrow, allowing for easy navigation by even Pinkie. She stopped and looked up at the ceiling, the others stopping behind her. "Uh-Oh....Do you hear that?" Twilight stared up at the ceiling, only to notice a pair of white eyes starring back. 3 bats flew out of the darkness, and swooped down on the party. Two went after Clutzful, which he managed to dodge. "Bats? No problem!" he commented, as the third bat flew at Pinkie, she unsheathed her sword in a spiral and slashed right through the weak enemy. Then turned around to deal with the others. "I've got these!" Clutzful shouted, the bats swooped down at him once more, but he manages to hop above them, and land forcefully down onto the bats, crushing them under his hooves. Pinkie sheathed her sword, and gave a slight victory cheer. "Yeah, take that!" The group followed through the dark cave, and ended up getting bored along the way. "Clutzie, remember anything yet?" Pinkie asked, hopping around him as he continued to trot. "Not yet." Clutzful replied, and playfully hopped past Pinkie as she went around for another cycle. Twilight was silent, she didn't care for any conversation now. She had to prove she could take care of herself...She had to....- Stop to glance at a random spring. It had a magical glow to it, and seemed rather clean. Twilight walked past the entrance to the next cave segment, and went to the small spring. "This water looks clean.." Twilight bent down, and drunk from the spring. She felt better than she had since she was at the Meteor. "What're you doing, already tired?" Clutzful commented, as him and Pinkie were at the doorway waiting. She ignored him and began to trot past, into the next area. "This place is clean compared to the other part of the cave, it's...Unusual." Twilight commented, the dryness of the cave, it's as if it was a new addition. The group turn a corner, as Twilight stops them. Strait ahead was a strange pony wearing a purple bandana, the group takes cover, and watches the pony as he pushes a switch on the wall, opening it. He walks through, and it closes behind him. "Neat!" Pinkie hopped upto the button, ready to push it. Twilight and Clutzful trot normally, she tries her best to avoid eye contact with the colt. Pinkie was eager to push the button. "Come on! Let's push it..!!" Twilight stands in front of the door, Clutzful standing to the side. Pinkie presses the button, opening the path. the three scamper inside before it closes. Shocked at the site, they see a cove, with a port. And many ponies like the one they saw, they take cover behind a rock, Pinkie seemed even more happy now. "Pirates? This really IS an adventure-" Twilight shoved a hoof into Pinkie's mouth to keep her quiet, as the pirates were called to gather into the *BoardRoom*. Twilight removed her hoof, causing Pinkie to cough, Clutzful just sighed. "It sounds stupid, but maybe we could hitch a ride with these ponies?" Twilight said, peeking around the corner to notice no ponies in the area. "Pirates?! What if they keel-haul us?" Pinkie said, in a slight panic. Which wasn't normal from what Twilight could tell. Clutzful stood up, and waved a hoof, keeping himself from laughing. "Why don't we just steal the ship?" Clutzful suggested, Twilight and Pinkie stared at him, "Steal the ship?!" They said in unison, looking at each other, then back to Clutzful, who nodded. "If we steal it, then we don't have to worry about those pirates! So, come on." Clutzful walked out, and galloped along the pier to the ship, The two mares did they're best to keep up. The three make they're way onto the unprotected ship, as Pinkie hops over to the wheel to hurry along. She grasped the wheel, and attempted to turn it to no avail. Clutzful and Twilight approached, and stared at the sad display. "Stop playing around! We've got to get out of here!" Clutzful stated, as Pinkie grasped the wheel in her mouth, attempting to turn it. "Nghit's Sthuck!!" She mumbled. letting go of the wheel. You..!! The trio turned to see a group of the pirates being lead onto the ship by a Black Creature, they came aboard, Clutzful looked at them, shaking. The creature trotted forward, waving a hoof. "You tryin' to steal my ship?! I should throw you to the sea, and let it sort you out!" She barked. "How dare yew' try to steal captain Janet's ship?! We'll ring you up..!!" The pirates closed in, as Twilight ran in front of them, stopping in front of the pirates. "Wait! I am Twilight Sparkle! The princess of Fillytina!" Clutzful and Pinkie's jaws drop. "Princess..." Pinkie began to say. "Of Fillytina?!" Clutzful finished, the pirate laughed, turning back to the yellow Pegasus. "Cap'n! This one'll be worth quite the weight in bits! A princess!" "Get away from her, you piratey...Pirate....Pirates!" Pinkie snarled, leaping down from the wheel to Twilight's side, Clutzful quickly galloped down the stairs to join them. "A princess? Interesting! Tie em' up!" Janet ordered. "Please...I have to get to the Wind Shrine, my brother is there! I believe he is in danger!" Twilight pleaded, as Clutzful trotted forward. "Being good sometimes will balance out your karma, y'know. So, give us a chance....Wait a second.." Clutzful glanced down at the Creature's leg, and noticed a bracelet. He glanced down at his own leg, which had a bracelet with a similar style. Janet stared at the two bracelets also, she shook her head to rid herself of the thought. "I SAID tie them up...And throw the lot of them into the brig!" The pirates ran past, tying the trio up with ropes, Pinkie attempted to resist, but was greatly outnumbered. the pirates pick the now captured ponies up onto their backs, carrying them below deck. Janet watched as they were carried off, and glanced down at her bracelet, confused as of the similar one on the colt's leg... The trio was thrown into the brig, an iron door blocked they're only exit, the three lay there helplessly. "Who's idea was it to steal a PIRATE ship?!" Clutzful shouted, Twilight glared at the smaller colt. "Look in a mirror!" Twilight replied harshly, Clutzful rolled over and closed his eyes. "Ohh...My aching head..." "Don't use that as an excuse!" Twilight shouted, attempting to wiggle out of her ropes. Pinkie looked around, at the boring plain brig. "You're a princess, Twilight? Wow!" Ignoring Clutzful, Twilight turned to Pinkie as an excuse to not shout at him anymore."I didn't mean to keep it a secret, it just never came up." Twilight replied, as Clutzful spun back around to ask a question. "If you're royalty, why would you go to the Wind Shrine alone?" "My brother is there, he went to check on the wind crystal right before the wind stopped...I've got to make sure he's okay." Twilight replied, Clutzful rolled back over, looking at his bracelet. "Well, let's rest for now. Nothing else we can do." The ponies rested, and soon fell asleep as night came, on the otherside of the wall was Janet's cabin, where she sat at her desk, starring at her bracelet. Janet thought about the bracelet that the colt and her seemed to share, and stood up from her table, starring into a mirror. "This is my chance...Best not waste it." ...The next morning... Janet sat outside on the deck of the ship, starring at the clear blue skies. "I don't want to trot the plank!" Clutzful cried, as he, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie were carried outside from the brig. "Not so brave now, are you?" Twilight remarked. Clutzful did a raspberry in Twilight's direction. "You can always go first!"he spat. still tied up, The pirates held the three ponies in front of Janet, waiting for her command. "....Untie them." The pirates stared, confused. They had just caught a princess, and they're captain was demanding they release her? Janet hovered in the air, putting her forehooves on her sides. "I said untie them!" She commanded, the pirates untied the three ponies, who began to wobble slightly. Twilight trotted forward, wobbly. "But...Why?" She questioned, Janet landed back on the deck of the ship, and turned around, facing away from the group. "I....Just decided to help you." "Just decided? Smells fishy, and it's not because we're sailing!" Pinkie commented. "Fishy or not.." Clutzful began to speak, but was cut off by Twilight. "You'll take us to the Wind Shrine?" She asked, Janet nodded. "Prepare to sail, everypony." She said in a decent tone, the pirates simply starring. Janet turned around, looking back at them. "Prepare. To. Sail." She said in a more demanding tone, the pirates scurried around, to prepare the ship. "How do you plan to sail with no wind?" Clutzful questioned, as he trotted up to Janet, standing beside her. Janet glanced down at the shorter Colt. "Well, that's easy...Tsk tsk, oh, Alexandra!" She said playfully, the boat began to shake, as a huge head emerged from the bottom of the boat, releasing a roar. The trio of ponies fell back, shocked. Janet simply giggled at the sight of the beast. "This is Alex." She explained, "She's been with me for quite awhile, we're like sisters." "That's....Amazing!" Twilight stated, starring at the beast as it began to dive back underwater. "I've never seen anything like it.." A lackey pirate approached Janet, simply shoving past Twilight. "Cap'n! We're ready to sail!" He stated, galloping back to his post. "Alright everypony...We're sailing! To the Wind Shrine!" Janet cheered, the boat took off at an incredible speed, nearly tossing Pinkie off her hooves. "The trip will take an hour or so. I am captain Janet Strife, what about you folks?" Clutzful stared, but managed to shake out of it as Pinkie shoved past him. "I'm Pinkie Pie! I came with Twilight and Clutzie to go to the Wind Shrine for an Adventure! I've never met pirates before..!!" She shouted, happy as can be. Pinkie hopped away, to check out the rest of the ship. Clutzful sighed, and sat down. "It's good to, uh, meet you. I'm Twilight Sparkle." Twilight said, extending a hoof. Janet bumped her hoof against Twilight's. Twilight glanced back at Clutzful during the moment, and decided to go check up on Pinkie. "Have we met before?" Clutzful asked, starring at Janet. Janet returned the stare. "Fraid' i don't remember, sorry." She said, seeming calm. Clutzful's eyes narrowed, as he stared at Janet. "I mean that there is more than you than meets the eye, i feel as if you're...A friend." Clutzful said, Janet laughed quietly. "You're kind of silly...No offense...I see how you got your name." "By the way, nice bracelet." Clutzful spat. Janet grinned, and trotted away, making sure everything was clear with the crew. Pinkie hopped around the ship, and decided to hop over Clutzful, only to end up stopping right above him, and falling on top of him. He stared upwards at Pinkie. "Heya!" Pinkie giggled, hopping off of the twisted up Clutzful, who stared up at Pinkie. "Y'know...That kind of hurt...Ow.." Clutzful groaned, getting back to his haunches. Pinkie hopped away, happy as usual. Clutzful could feel it in the back of his mind, calling to him. Janet... "I know her..."
Chapter 2Chapter 2: Strings of the Wind Crystal (Part Two) Land ho! Clutzful stirred, waking up on the deck of the ship. He must've fell asleep during the trip, but who could blame him? The sound of the waves splashing against the ship, and not having to worry about scraping off the barnacles. He scurries to his hooves, to notice the rest of the group starring at the fast-approaching land. "So that is the Wind Shrine? It's super-duper big!" Pinkie commented, starring down the Shrine as the ship began to slow down. "Drop the Anchor!" One of the pirate ponies shouted, as a small group of three other pirates lifted the ship's anchor, and threw it overboard. The ship began to slow down, as they docked next to the shore.. "Is everypony ready to go?" Twilight asked, turning to face the small part of ponies, which was missing Clutzful. She looked around, and spotted him wobbling around, attempting to wake up. "Clutzful?" She questioned, starring at him. Clutzful looked in her general direction, and waved a hoof. Janet was taking a large plank of wood, and pulling it from the ship to shore, in order to make a bridge. While it wasn't much, it would be enough to get the ponies across. She landed on the shore and laid the plank down, as a few pirates secured the plank from the ship with rope. "All secure, cap'n!" one of them shouted, as Janet began to walk up it, making sure it was secure. Surprisingly enough, Clutzful ended up waddling over to the bridge first, with Twilight and Pinkie in tow. He let out a yawn, as Janet reached the ship. "It'll get us across, don't worry." She assured. Clutzful went first, he wasn't surprised that it supported his small framed body though. Pinkie simply hopped along, making the plank bounce slightly. "Whee! Lookit' me guys! It's like a trampoline! Except, a little less bouncy." Pinkie tripped, and ended up rolling off the plank onto the ground, landing with a Squeak. Twilight facehoofed, as Janet hovered down to the shore. Twilight slowly made her way down, being careful with the bridge. She held her breath, looking down at the sharp rocks below. She let out a gulp, and made a gallop for the shore, making it across safely. "You're scared of heights or something?" Janet commented, Clutzful couldn't help but laugh under his breath. Twilight ignored them, and began trotting to the Shrine. The others following behind her. "So, Janet, what are you anyway?" Clutzful asked, Janet hovered beside him, her awkward appearance could unravel anypony. "I don't exactly know, all i REALLY know is that i'm not a normal pony by any means, and even though i have this.." Janet pointed up at her horn, "I can't use magic, and i have these holes in my legs that make me look like i'm made of cheese...Maybe i am! Surprise!" She raised up her forehooves and waved them about, acting spooky. Pinkie laughed from behind the group, finishing with a small snort. "It's really neat! You have holes in your wings, to!" She added, Janet couldn't help but laugh as well, Twilight stopped in front of the group, as they stood before the Wind Shrine. The huge doors of the Wind Shrine were around the size of an Ursa Minor, Twilight turned to her small group of companions, starring as they were all acting natural. Clutzful let out a sneeze. "Alright, everypony. We don't know what to expect in here, so we HAVE to be careful, got it?" She stared mostly at Pinkie, who carelessly tripped and landed in front of Clutzful and Janet with a squeak. "Well, don't you all worry about me, i can handle myself. With my trusty knife here." Janet crowed, spinning around in the air. Twilight figured they were as ready as they'd ever be, so she began to push open the huge doors. they slid open, silently. As the light shined in, a voice came from inside the shrine. "Who goes there?!" The pony shouted, as the group came through. Twilight's eyes widened as she saw the blue unicorn in front of her, and the scattered injured soldiers. "Commander Trixie!" Twilight shouted, surprised. The unicorn shook her head, starring at the princess. "Sparkle. What're you doing here? You think the great and powerful Trixie isn't enough to save King Fillytina?" She spat. Trixie stared back at Twilight's companions, shaking her head. "And you've brought, let's see.. A clown, a child, and...Whatever that is?" "Hey! I'm not a foal! I'm just small!" Clutzful shouted at the unicorn, who laughed under her breath. "Whatever your excuse is, Trixie doesn't need your help. Trixie has got this under control!" Trixie barked at the colt, who backed away slightly. "Trixie, i'm going up there. Look at your men, they're injured!" Twilight commented, as she began to trot past Trixie, who stuck a hoof in front of her. "No." She said flatly. Janet hovered over the unicorn, as Pinkie and Clutzful walked around the other side of her. She tilted her head to look back at the ponies as they waited. She knew there wasn't anyway to avoid letting her go upwards into the shrine. "Tch, fine. But Trixie cannot send anypony with you, and there ARE monsters up there." Trixie pulled her hoof back, and turned as Twilight trotted past her. Twilight trotted past the group as well, heading for the stairs. They looked at eachother for a few seconds, before catching up. "I don't like her." Janet commented. "Me neither, something seemed...Wrong." Clutzful replied, as Pinkie hooped between the two. "Grumpy!" She said with glee, Twilight stopped at the stairs, and turned around quickly. "Stop!" She barked at the group. The group stopped in they're tracks, Janet even landed. "Stop bad mouthing ponies, couldn't you see that they were injured, they had tried to help my brother! You all need to focus! If our commander couldn't beat whatever is up there, how do you expect to when you're all messing around?! Trixie's pride is a pain in the flank sometimes, but she tried her best, i'm sure! The group looked at eachother, speechless. Twilight sighed, and turned back around, heading up the stairs. Clutzful was the first to follow, followed by Pinkie, then Janet. The second floor of the Wind Shrine seemed safe, as the party continued forward. The baby blue color to everything made it hard to see, as mist gathered. "What's with this mist? It seems...Alive." Clutzful commented, as he bumped into a wall, rubbing a hoof on his face. Clutzful stared at the wall, and before long, he swore he saw eyes looking back. He began to back away, before a pair of hooves extended from the wall, pulling him forwards, smashing him up against the wall again. He let out a scream, as he fell to the ground. Group turns around, and Twilight stares at Clutzful with her eyes narrowed. "What're you doing?" Clutzful began to stand, "A hoof came out of the wall, seriously-" He was cut off as a hoof popped out from under him, causing him to get knocked into the air, landing on his back. "Agh, you son of a Deep-Fried Cockatrice!! Stop sneaking up on me!" Clutzful shouted, angry. Twilight didn't believe what she just saw, starring at Clutzful. Pinkie let out a yelp as a pair of hooves grabbed her from below, and tugged her down, slamming her against the floor with a loud squeak. Janet kept an eye on her surroundings, as did Twilight. Clutzful was finally able to manage to his hooves, as the hooves extended to grab him from the ceiling, Janet flew forward, and managed to fly through the mist, de-forming the pair of hooves. "Wait...If you could fly through it.." Twilight thought for a second, as Clutzful and Janet took turns avoiding the hooves. "Twilight, think of something! Anything!" Clutzful begged, as Janet pulled him upwards into the air to avoid the hooves that extended from the wall. Twilight watched the mist's movements, and noticed the mist clearing around Janet's wings, that's it! Wind! "Janet! Flap you're wings at the hooves! Wind is it's weakness!!" She shouted, Janet focused, and as the hooves came from below, she flipped around in mid air, and flapped her wings as fast as she could towards the beast. The wind began to disperse the mist around the monster, which was now visible. Twilight stared at Pinkie as she began to stand back up. "Pinkie! Attack it with your sword!" Twilight barked, Pinkie stood up, and unsheathed her sword. Galloping forward at the misty-hooves. "Oki.." She began to say as she leaped into the air with a slight grunt, "Doki..." Pinkie began to fall, preparing her sword to cut through the hooves. "Loki!" She shouted, slashing the hooves. Which caused a reaction, the hooves splattered about, turning back into mist. The mist slowly lowered, allowing the party to see easier. Clutzful stared at the mist now only at hoof level. "Did we kill it?" he questioned, stomping the mist with his hooves. Janet landed, causing the mist to fly slightly away from her, before reforming around hoof level. "I'm hoping we did, because i can't do that again.." she said, panting. Twilight continued forward, pushing open a door. She smiled, looking inside. She saw a pair of chests laying there, ripe for the pickings. Twilight galloped to the front of the chest, and grasped it with her forehooves, opening it. She glanced at what was inside, and sighed. "Hey, Pinkie! I've got a present for you!" Pinkie sheathed her sword, and was near-instantly in the room with Twilight. Janet and Clutzful glanced inside as Pinkie was digging in the chest. "Oh, Twilight! You shouldn't have!" She commented, pulling out a Long Sword. She gave it a few test swings, and nodded. Clutzful trotted up to Pinkie, inspecting the new sword. "Hey Pinkie, that's not fair that you have two swords. I want a sword!" Clutzful shouted, as Pinkie glanced down at him, smiling. She turned, and revealed her Short-Sword, insisting Clutzful take it. He didn't pass it up, he grasped the blade in his mouth and pulled it out, falling over from the weight, dropping the blade and nearly stabbing himself. Twilight decided it'd be best to get out of the room full of ponies with sharp objects, so she opened the door on the opposite side of the room, to get away. Pinkie sheathed her new blade, and Clutzful assisted her in placing the Short-Sword in her saddle bag, since he couldn't use it. "Your strong, Pinkie! Holding these swords and fighting so well with them!" Janet commented, as she trotted past the two earth-ponies and grasped the second chest with her forehooves, flipping it open. "Hey, Clutz. I think you'll really like this." Janet remarked, as Clutzful trotted over. He looked into the chest, and frowned. Pulling out the bottle full of green liquid. "The hay is this? Poison?" Clutzful questioned, starring at Janet. Pinkie stared closely at the bottle, then giggled. "Silly, that's a potion! It'll heal you right up from that beating you took." Clutzful raised an eyebrow, unsure. He held the potion up to his mouth, pulling out the cork, then sticking the bottle in his mouth, gulping it down. Before he knew it, he wasn't sore anymore. "It works.." Clutzful said, amazed. He sat the bottle back in the chest, closing it and snickering. "Surprise for somepony else, huh?" The three ponies made they're way out of the small room, and into the corridor Twilight went into, to they're surprise, she was already gone. "Oh, brother. She couldn't wait and went off on her own." Janet sighed, shaking her head. Pinkie was already hopping down the corridor, Clutzful playfully punched Janet in the shoulder, as the two galloped to keep up with Pinkie. As the group made they're way up the next flight of stairs, they all stopped, at the sound of a ground-shaking monster, which seemed just down the corridor, along with a scream that sounded like Twilight, that broke Pinkie from her joyful persona, and she seemed more focused now. "She got herself into trouble.." Clutzful sighed, as Pinkie actually galloped instead of hopping. Moving even faster than before. Janet managed to hover, and fly after her, leaving Clutzful in the dust, coughing. As it cleared, he realized he was left behind, and galloped to catch up. "Just a bad day, just a bad day.." Clutzful turned the corner, and his jaw dropped at the sight of a midium-sized Manticore. "Son of a manticore...literally." He muttered, joining up with Pinkie and Janet, who were standing in front of the beast, he notice Twilight on the far wall, she seemed to have been slammed against it. The manticore released a loud roar, nearly sending the group flying back. Pinkie unsheathed her new sword, ready to show the Manticore who was boss around this Wind Shrine, she galloped forward, and took a swing at the beast, slashing it's chest. The Manticore was enraged, and whacked Pinkie with it's scorpion-like tail, sending her flying back. "You overgrown Chicken-Wuss!" Clutzful shouted, galloped strait at the Manticore, It attempted to swing a paw to hit the colt, but he managed to leap over it, bucking the creature in it's face. The Manticore reacted the same as last time, and quickly swung it's tail to hit Clutzful, knocking him back, slamming against the wall. "Clutzful!" Janet shouted, looking back. The Manticore leaped forward, diving strait down at Janet, who turned her head just in time to notice the beast coming down at her. She screamed, as a red flash overcame her sight, blinding her. As her sight began to come back, she saw the Manticore laying on the ground, defeated. It's flesh burning slightly, as Trixie stood over the corpse. "The Great and Powerful Trixie warned you, didn't she?" Trixie remarked, sheathing her sword. Clutzful and Pinkie scurried to they're hooves, starring at the sight. Trixie just defeated a Manticore? "That mist monster made it impossible for us to proceed, for it seemed unstoppable. But you found a way, Trixie thanks you for that." Trixie trotted to Twilight, and placed a Pheonix feather onto her body, her moral wounds heal quickly, as Trixie leaves a set of potions in front of her, then makes her way down the corridor, leaving Janet and her injured companions to check on the King. "That Manticore....We hardly did anything to it, but she just came in and defeated it.." Clutzful grunted, as he and Pinkie made they're way to the Potions, each taking one and chugging it down. "She's tougher than tough! Why couldn't she defeat the mist monster?" Pinkie questioned, as she burped. attention turned to Twilight as she awakened, sitting up on her haunches. Twilight glanced around, noting the dead Manticore. She glanced at her companions, who stared happily back at her, well, except for Clutzful. "You call me young, but you're careless." Clutzful snorted, hoofing her a potion. "You defeated the Manticore?" Twilight questioned, gulping down the potion, and laid the bottle in front of her. "Nopey nopey!" Pinkie replied, "That Trixie did! She saved us!" "Trixie?" Twilight questioned as Janet sat next to her. "She took it out in one blow. I was blinded by a bright red light, i think i know what it was through." Janet explained, "Trixie is...A spellsword?" Twilight nodded, the body was burnt slightly, she must of used Fire Sword against it, wiping the creature from the face of Equestria. "She healed us, too. She expects us to finish the job, i don't plan on letting her down after that." Clutzful said, as he approached the door to the Crystal's room, placing a hoof on it. Pinkie and Janet stood on both sides of him, and Twilight stood behind the little colt. "Please no monster.." Clutzful begged, pushing the door open. He opened his eyes when he heard the girls gasp, his eyes widened at the sight of the Wind Crystal, scattered into shards across the ground. "The Crystal!" Twilight shouted, pushing past Clutzful, jaw dropped at the sight. "It's shattered." Janet added, as the three other ponies made they're way into the room. The shards flash, sending off a magical wave of some sort, the group stares, confused. A ball of light flies in from the entrance to the chamber, and goes inside of Janet, the group stares, completely shocked, as a voice speaks to them.. The essence of Fire, Courage. Another ball of light flew into the room, landing inside of Twilight, who glanced at her chest, confused. The essence of Water, Knowledge. To their surprise, a third ball of light flies into the room, landing inside of Pinkie. She happily accepts the light. The essence of Earth, Hope. The group stares back at the Altar, to see a fourth ball of light forming. "Is this safe?!" Clutzful cringed as the ball of light flew into him. The essence of Wind, Pursuit. The four ponies looked at eachother, confused at what just happened. "Why did four balls of light just magically fly into our chests?" Janet asked flatly, Twilight shook her head, and Pinkie shrugged. "Feels warm, that's the only change i notice." Clutzful commented, as a body of a pony began to flash on the Crystal altar, Twilight ran up to the image. "Shining Armor?!" She shouted, and attempted to grab her brother, but her hooves past through the body. "Twily? No..." Shining Armor said, starring at his sister. "It can't be helped, but...Twily, you? Why.." The colt stomped a hoof on the altar. "What? What about me?" Twilight asked, concerned. Shining Armor stared at the four ponies, and sighed. "You four, you were chosen by the Crystal Essences." "You mean that light?" Clutzful questioned, Shining Armor nodded. "The Wind Crystal has already shattered, it's up to you to protect the other three, which will surely shatter if they are not attended to. Twily.." Shining Armor faded, as Twilight reached out for him one last time. "...Protect the Crystals.." "Guys! The Pieces of the Crystal, they're moving!" Pinkie said, amazed. Twilight glanced down, tears in her eyes. She was curious. The pieces flash, before they float into the air, magically placing themselves into Pinkie's saddlebag. The Crystal Pieces, these hold the power of ancient heroes that dwell within... Knight, Monk, Blue Mage, Thief, Black Mage, White Mage "What is this power?" Janet questioned, as the Shrine began to shake. "We need to leave, come on. We'll talk once we're back on the ship." Clutzful took over, and stared at a tile behind the altar, it was glowing. "What's that?" Clutzful questioned, as he trotted over to it. He poked it with a hoof, and flashed away instantly. Pinkie didn't even think before following him, flashing away also. Janet stared at Twilight, who was wiping away her tears. "Twilight, He's out there somewhere, i can feel it." Janet said, trying to make the unicorn feel at least slightly better. They both step onto the tile, and flash away. Janet and Twilight landed outside the Wind Shrine, where Clutzful and Pinkie were waiting. "We're outside, there a shortcut this entire time? Bah. Clutzful commented, as he began to trot down the dirt path from the Wind Shrine, heading towards the boat. Pinkie hopped after Clutzful, and Janet flew. Twilight turned at stared at the Wind Shrine for a few seconds, then galloped away to catch up. Twilight caught up with the group, who were joking around. "And then i said Oatmeal, are you crazy-" Pinkie glanced back at Twilight. "Oh, there you are, silly!" Pinkie giggled. "Hey Twi, you ever hear the one about the Cockatrice who crossed the road?" Clutzful asked, as he began laughing. Twilight smiled, if there was anything to be happy about right now, it was that she had her friends. "You'll have to tell me sometime, Clutz." Twilight replied, as they approached the ship, the pirates cheered the return of their captain, who flew up onto the ship, waving her hooves about. "Hey you loveable scamps." Janet said, as the pirates cheered for her. Pinkie hopped along the plank onto the ship, As Clutzful stopped in front of it, causing Twilight to stop. "Twilight, Do me a favor.." Clutzful said, turning around to whisper. "Carry me?" Clutzful teased, Twilight's eyes narrowed, as she shoved the colt aside, nearly causing him to fall off the cliff. "It was just a joke..!!" Clutzful shouted, following her onto the ship. Janet landed by the stairs, signaling the group to come over. Pinkie hopped playfully, as the others simply trotted. "We're sailing to Mule, until we get there, let's check out these Crystal Pieces." Janet insisted, the group went downstairs, and down the hall into her cabin, where Pinkie scattered the pieces along the table. Clutzful glanced around, as everypony else stared at the shards. "I'll go first!" Clutzful shouted, picking up a crystal. It shined in his hand, and the light quickly shined over his entire body, as the light disappeared, Clutzful could be seen in a Blue/Red armor set, and seemed slightly stronger. "Woah! Lovin' the new outfit!" Clutzful commented, requesting Pinkie's Short Sword, Pinkie pulled the sword out of her Saddlebag, and laid it on the table, which Clutzful hurried and grasped in his mouth, giving it a few test swings. "This feels so natural, before i couldn't even hold this blade!" Clutzful continued to swing the sword around, until Twilight levitated it away, Clutzful frowned, sitting down onto his haunches. "I want this one!" Pinkie snatched a Crystal Piece and was consumed by the same light, only coming out in a Karate Gi and a white headband. She suddently threw her weapon down onto the floor, which Clutzful picked up happily, until Twilight pulled it away from him. Causing him to frown and sit down quietly again. "Ooo, i feel like a Leanie-Meanie-Fighting-Machiney!" Pinkie commented, jabbing hooves at the air, and finishing off with a blackflip. "My turn!" Janet shouted, grabbing a piece of the Wind Crystal, she was overtook by a light, and emerged out in a Green&Purple set of leather armor, topped off with a bandana. "The knowledge of a Pickpocket, guess who's gonna steal some items?" Janet crowed, as Twilight stared at the remaining Crystal Pieces. Twilight was having a hard time deciding, she stared at the Pieces for several minutes, before finally picking one up. The same light consumed Twilight like it did the others, as she came out in a blue robe, with a tall pointy yellow hat, which she threw off, to reveal her face. "I can feel locked away potential in my magic, maybe we can find somepony in Mule that's good with magic?" Twilight questioned, the four had they're Crystal Pieces in hoof, and were ready to get to Mule as soon as possible. Clutzful snatchedthe longsword and sheathed in a convenient place on his armor, looking happy to finally be able to carry a blade, but his head began to ache, as he sat down in the cabin, holding his head. "What's wrong?" Janet piped up, starring at Clutzful. "I think i just remembered something." Clutzful replied. "....Soar...Pour? Hmm.." Clutzful mumbled... "Sorrier!" Clutzful shouted, removing his forehooves from his head and slamming them onto the table. "What's a Sorrier?" Twilight questioned, starring at him. "It's where i'm from, i remember it! The tall walls, the lovely interior, the-" Clutzful paused, thinking to himself for a moment. "I don't remember anypony, though. It's as if it's a ghost town." Clutzful muttered, shaking slightly. "Has anypony else heard of this place? I haven't." Twilight said flatly, starring at the group, who thought as hard as they possibly could about the subject before replying. "It sounds familiar to me, but i can't put my hoof on it." Janet replied, "Sorry." "Nope, never heard of it!" Pinkie said flatly. "I'm not making this up, i swear! The town was called Sorrier!" Clutzful said in a slightly angry tone, Twilight patted the colt on the back to try and relax him. "I didn't say you were, but i haven't ever heard of a place called Sorrier." Twilight said calmly, trying to be reasonable. Clutzful simply stared forward at the husk of the ship, tipping left to right. "What is this place? This ghost town? Did i live here, alone? I don't know.." Clutzful muttered..
Chapter 3Chapter 3: Stubborn as a Mule Clutzful paced back and forth down the hall, thinking of the small memory he had regained, he stopped, kicking the wall and bouncing backwards into the wall onto the other side of the hall. "Terrible idea!" He grunted, holding his hoof off the ground. Janet emerged from her cabin, and glanced at Clutzful, who was muttering words under his breathe. She trotted up next to him, and stared. "Oh, hi." Clutzful said, putting his hoof down and turning, as if nothing happened. "Something you need?" He asked swiftly. "Actually, yes." Janet replied, as she stood by the opposite wall. "Don't buck a hole in my ship, or i'll steal your pretty new toy away." Janet commented, pointing a hoof at Clutzful's sword, which he defensively put a hoof onto. "And here i thought you were a pirate with a heart of gold." Clutzful replied with a sarcastic tone, causing Janet to snicker. Clutzful stared confused, until Janet hovered slightly, approaching Clutzful. Starring at him for a mere 3 seconds before smacking him alongside the head. "Ow! What the heck was that for?!" Janet landed, and began trotting down the hall laughing, Clutzful could hardly hear her as she turned to go up the stairs, leaving him alone below deck. "Daughter of a rock-farmer.." Clutzful muttered, following in Janet's hoofsteps and heading above deck. Clutzful's eyes widened at the sight in front of him, the ship was already pulling up close to shore, they were at Mule. Clutzful stared at Twilight and Pinkie, starring at each other. Twilight and Pinkie stared at each other, they seemed to be at a disagreement. "Pinkie! There is no such thing as a Black Chocobo!" "But i saw one!" "Pinkie, the idea of a Chocobo that could carry multiple ponies AND fly with them is just...Stupid! There's no way anything like that exists!" Janet watched the two argue, before flying off to prepare the bridge. "Fine, Pinkie. Think what you want, but i KNOW there is no such creature, if there was, why would ponies travel by boat?" Twilight questioned, starring at Pinkie. "Because Black Chocobos are rare!" Pinkie replied, returning the stare. "Black Chocobo?" Clutzful questioned, trotting up to the pair. "What's that?" "It's a chocobo that can fly! And has the power to carry multiple ponies for long distances!" Pinkie said in a more cheerful tone. "Wait, didn't your chocobo carry you, me, and Twilight?" "Gummy? Oh, he's a toughie! You'd never see an average chocobo do that!" Pinkie giggled, she began to stare blankly, coming to a halt. "Gummy!" Clutzful facehoofed, starring at Pinkie as she began to become teary-eyed. "He's a toughie, remember? Gummy will be fine, i bet he's still resting." Clutzful commented in a soft tone, in an attempt to calm Pinkie down. Pinkie pulled a tissue out of her mane and blew into it, drying her tears soon after. "You keep tissues in your mane?" Clutzful asked awkwardly, starring. "Oh, i keep a lot of things in my mane, like this!" Pinkie replied, pulling a cupcake out of her mane, and throwing it into her mouth, swallowing it whole. Twilight and Clutzful stared at the smiling Earth-Pony, at a loss for words. Janet let out a cough to make herself noticed, as she floated above the group. Breaking Clutzful's stare and caused him to look up. "Bridge is down, if your ready." Janet grunted, flying off the ship and landing beside the bridge. "Come on, we should get some rest after what's happened." Twilight commented, breaking out of her stare and trotting towards the bridge. Pinkie and Clutzful shrugged, following Twilight. The three go down the shaking plank that they called a bridge, and regroup with Janet on land. "Cider! Cider!" The group looked back, as the entire pirate crew galloped down the plank one by one, towards the town cheering. Janet couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Well, there they go." Janet said, as the group moved along the small dirt path to Mule, keeping silent the entire trip. "Alright everypony." Twilight said, causing the team to stop as they reached the town. The group turned and stared. "I know the Mayor of this village, she has been good friends with my brother for a long time, since i was a filly even. I'm going to go talk to her, if anypony wants to come along." The group stared at each other, as Pinkie hopped forward. "I do! I do!" Pinkie urged, hopping up and down. Twilight nodded, starring at Janet and Clutzful. "I want to go rest at the Inn, if you need me just let me know." Janet said, flying towards the Pub. "I'm tired to, i think i'll join her. See you later, Twi." Clutzful added, galloping after Janet. Twilight let out a slight chuckle, as she trotted strait ahead through the village, Pinkie hopping happily beside her. "So, what's this pony like? Does she like parties? Or adventures?!" "No, Pinkie." Twilight said flatly, her tone more harsh than expected. "I mean, she's pretty calm, and she can't go adventuring, she's the mayor." Twilight explained, Pinkie nodded, not completely understanding it. Janet entered the Pub, Clutzful not far behind, catching up and trotting beside Janet as they passed by her crew, drowning themselves in cider. "What? Afraid i'm plotting against you or something?" Janet said in a sarcastic tone. "No, i'm just tired. I wish you had actual beds on your ship." Clutzful replied duly. Janet laughed, as they approached the counter. "I'll look into that." "Cool." Clutzful replied swiftly, as the vanilla colored bartender came up. "Just a room." Janet said, throwing a small bag of bits onto the counter, the pony counted them out and nodded, "First on the left." the two went upstairs, turning left and coming to the door. Janet opened the door, stopping as soon as she went inside. Clutzful shoved past and his jaw dropped as he stared. "There's only one bed...." Twilight and Pinkie passed over a small bridge that went over a stream, and trotted towards the house. "Here it is." Twilight said, clearing her throat as she knocked on the door respectively. The door quickly opened, as the mare stared out. "Twilight? Is that you?" She asked, as Twilight nodded. The mare backed away, allowing the two ponies to enter. The mare shut the door behind them, and trotted up to Twilight, wrapping her in a hug. "It's been to long, i haven't seen you since you were just starting to learn magic!" "Nice to see you too, Mayor Mare. We have a lot to talk about." Clutzful and Janet stared at each other for around a minute, silently. "My bits, my bed." Janet said, figuring victory. "You should treat guests with respect, and by respect, i mean let me sleep on the bed." Clutzful replied, as the two narrowed they're eyes. "I'm not afraid of you, you midget." Janet spat. "Right back at you, you daughter of a overgrown electric eel." Clutzful replied harshly. Janet stared, raising a hoof in front of her face. "It's on, little colt." "You don't know the half of it, big girl." "I see, i am sorry for your loss. Twilight." Mayor Mare said, as the three ponies sat at a table. "Don't worry, all i know is that we have to protect the Crystals." Twilight replied, as Pinkie slammed her forehooves onto the table. "Yeah, and the closest one is...Um.." Pinkie froze, starring at Twilight. "The Water crystal in Pegasilla." Twilight said flatly. "Oh, no. That would mean going through the passage along the mountains, and the dam is closed, so your boat couldn't pass, and even if you could, the monsters are VERY dangerous." Mayor Mare said with a frown. "Don't you have the key?" Twilight asked, as the Mayor shook her head. "A renegade soldier named Glent took the key from me awhile back, after i refused to hire him for town defenses. He's taken into hiding inside a cave west of town, we call it Hoofinton Cavern." "We need that key." Twilight said flatly, standing from the table. "Wait, Twilight, won't you and your friend at least stay the night?" Mayor Mare requested, Twilight nodded, and the Mayor showed them to the guest room.. "I hope Janet and Clutzful are okay." Pinkie said, hopping along. "I'm sure they're getting along fine." Twilight assured. "Holy mother of-" Clutzful was cut off by a wooden chair hitting him square in the face. "-Ow..." "That'll teach you, idiot." Janet crowed, hovering in the air. "Yeah, teach me to kick your flank!" Clutzful shouted, bucking the chair into the air, Janet dodged and stared at the chair as it slammed against the wall, broken to pieces. Clutzful took the chance to mock Janet, he wiggled his flank around at her. "It's ON you weasel!" Janet shouted, throwing a small pot, sending it flying at Clutzful, who flipped over the table and hid behind it, as the pot smashed against it. "You missed!" Clutzful laughed, poking his head above the table as a large pot was coming strait at him. "Buck." Twilight and Pinkie relaxed in their beds, Pinkie was humming while Twilight was trying to get some sleep, as she heard the sound of glass breaking in the distance. "What's with all the racket?" Twilight groaned, putting a pillow over her head. "I have a twitchy-tail." Pinkie said nervously, looking around. Clutzful fell behind the table as the pot slammed against his face. He stood up, having a few cuts as he stared the laughing Janet down. "That's it, no more games." He said flatly, "No one destroys good pottery." Janet continued laughing, until she realized what he said. Clutzful leaped over the table, and bucked the table back to it's normal upwards state. "Oh, you want to do this the old fashioned way? Alright." Janet said with a smirk, cracking her neck. "I can do that." "Twilight, it's really noisy. I can't sleep." Pinkie commented, as Twilight rose from the bed, throwing her pillow across the room. "Neither can i..." She said flatly, jumping out of bed and trotting out of the room. Pinkie stared at the wall as Twilight left the house, slamming the front door on the way out, causing Pinkie to cringed. Twilight stared up at the Pub, seeing it as the source of the noise, quickly approaching the building and trotting inside, and past the crew of pirates and the front counter, going strait upstairs. "Wot's her problem?" A pirate said, breaking the silence. "Ouch, that's my face! Why do you have to punch the only unprotected part of my body?!" "Hold still and i'll make sure to punch everything i can get my hooves on!" "Ow, daughter of a seamare!" Twilight flung the door open in time to see Janet throw Clutzful onto the table, causing it to break. Clutzful's armor disappeared, as a crystal landed on his head, getting tangled in his mane. "What are you two doing?!" Twilight shouted, the two turned they're attention to Twilight, who was starring with eyes of pure anger. "This is awkward." Clutzful groaned, holding onto his muzzle in pain. Twilight stared up at Janet, who backed away slightly. "Explain. Now." Twilight commanded, starring. "Well, i paid for this room, and he decided he wanted to sleep here too. And he tried to take my bed. So i kind of...Beat him up." Janet glanced around the destroyed room. "I think i over did it a little." "You think?!" Clutzful grunted, pulling himself up from the now destroyed table, the crystal in his mane. "Next time remind me to go with Twilight." Twilight backed out, slamming the door shut with her magic as she made her way back to Mayor Mare's house. Janet and Clutzful stared at each other. "I blame you." They said in unison. "I'm just going to go sleep outside." Clutzful grunted, pushing the door open and trotting downstairs. Janet closed the door behind him, and quickly flew to the window, starring out for Clutzful. "Sweet victory." Clutzful trotted past everyone downstairs, a few glanced at his bleeding face, but most of the ponies ignored him. He pushed the door open, trotting towards the bridge. "I'm fine with sleeping out with nature." Clutzful grunted, looking down into the river. The crystal slide out of his mane and landed in the river, sinking. "Oh come on!" Clutzful shouted, starring down at it. He groaned, bending over trying to reach the Crystal, falling in with a splash. Janet stared from her window, laughing and slightly worried. She pushed the window open, and hovered out, barely fitting through the small window. Clutzful emerged with the Crystal, but noticed he was now flowing down the river. He reached for the sides, trying to crawl his way up, but the current was pushing him too fast to get a good grip. He saw a tree root ahead, and grasped it in his mouth, only for it to snap instantly. "Even nature hates me!" Clutzful cried out. Clutzful continued to flow down the river, which seemed to lead into a solid rock, he was guessing the water went under. It wasn't in his best interest to die, even though that seemed to be easiest way out. He reached his hooves up, slamming into the rock, the fore causing him to cough, spitting some blood onto the rock in front of him He slowly pulled himself to the side, as the water attempted to pull him under. He looked upwards, spotting a face he didn't expect. "Didn't think you were into swimming." Janet commented, extending a hoof. Clutzful grasped her hoof, and she hovered slightly as she pulled him out, as soon as he was on solid ground she released him, causing him to fall onto the ground. Clutzful groaned, as Janet assisted him to his hooves, laughing. Clutzful gasped, sticking the crystal back into his mane, not having anywhere else to put it. "Maybe i do have a heart of gold." Janet commented, hanging one of Clutzful's legs around her neck, and assisted him in getting back to the Pub. "Very-" Clutzful coughed, spitting out a small amount of blood. "-Funny.." The pair trotted into the Pub, Janet's crew stared as she assisted Clutzful in getting up the stairs, completely soaked. Janet opened the door, leading Clutzful inside, he sighed. "Does this mean i get the bed?" He asked playfully, as Janet sat him down in one of the few unbroken chairs. "No." "Dang it." Janet flew over to the window, closing it. Then she removed the curtains and threw them at Clutzful, who took the chance to warm up. "Night." Janet commented, hovering over to the bed and laying down, turning to the wall. "Seriously? I get a chair?" Clutzful grunted, and fell off the chair, landing on the hardwood floor. "I think i want to go back in the river." Early the next morning, the pair was rudely awakened by the bartender, who kicked Clutzful in his side, causing him to roll over and glance up at the angry stallion. "What have you done to this room?! Get out! Get out!" He shouted, as Janet sat up, rubbing her eyes. As she recalled what happened last night, she quickly flew out of the room. Leaving Clutzful. "Aah, i'm going!" Clutzful shouted, as he managed to get this his hooves and run off, quickly jolting down the stairs, past the crew, who were still sitting around the pub, and out the door. Where he found Twilight, Pinkie, and Janet waiting for him. "You ditched me back there!" Clutzful shouted at Janet, who decided to burst into laughter. "That's what you get for being such a big baby last night!" Janet replied, floating in the air laughing to her heart's content. Clutzful ignored Janet and decided to talk to the first pony he could think of. "Good morning, Pinkie." "We've been up for over an hour already, we did some shopping while you slept in." Twilight said, as Pinkie jumped in front of her. "Hey, we get to go on an adventure!" Pinkie cheered, as Clutzful stared. Twilight pushed Pinkie out of the way to explain. "The Water Crystal is the nearest one, but it's in Pegasilla, which is past the dam. And somepony named Glent stole the key and is hiding in a cave outside of town." "So we have to go get it." "Right." "Well, let's go play fetch." Janet commented, pulling a Crystal out of Clutzful's ruffled mane. She hung it in front of him, until he snatched it, being overtaken by light and regaining his Armor. "I promise to stab this Glent guy." Clutzful muttered dryly, as Twilight sighed. "Alright, i made sure to stock up on items too. We've got Pheonix Downs, Potions, Antidotes, and a tent." Twilight said, as Clutzful groaned. "We're prepared this time, maybe one of us won't, y'know, die?" Clutzful replied in a depressing tone, starring at Twilight. "Of course not, silly! That's why we have Pheonix Downs!" Pinkie giggled, patting Clutzful on the head, causing Janet to laugh, finishing with a snort. The group stared as the pirate crew came out of the Pub, and stood in front of them. Janet landed, and stood in front of the group, starring down her crew. "Guys, i'm going to be on my own for now, so you all have to go back to the cove." She said in her usual tone, as her crew began to looked confused. "But Cap'n! We'd follow you to the ends of the world!" A pirate shouted. "I know." Janet huffed, turning away. "This is out of my hooves now, and this isn't a request..." Janet turned back around. "It's an order." The pirates stood there for several minutes, before they all inhaled. "Aye Aye, Cap'n!" They all shouted, running out of the town. "How are they going to get back without the ship?" Twilight asked, as Janet laughed. "We have a secret passage, of course!" "Figures." Clutzful muttered, moving in the direction the pirates went. "Let's just go find this Glent, and get the key back. The Crystals won't protect themselves." Clutzful turned around, starring hopefully. "Will they?" Twilight shook her head, causing Clutzful to frown. The group made they're way out of town, and headed east along the coast. "So, you two getting along now?" Twilight asked, as Clutzful and Janet silently continued trotting, as Pinkie hopped around them. "Friends shouldn't hurt each other!" She shouted, as Janet groaned, and decided to fly ahead. "Darn it, i was about to sing a song." Pinkie said with a frown. The group approached the end of the coast, and spotted Hoofinton Cave, which Janet was standing by, waiting. "Had to run ahead?" Clutzful grunted, starring at Janet. "Yep." "Single-Word responses are for the un-trustworthy." A voice said from inside the cave. Janet flew closer to the group, startled. The voice laughed, as a gray pegasus emerged from the cave. "There is nothing of value in this cave." The pony said, coughing. "Glent, i'm guessing?" Twilight said, stepping forward. "That's my name, what of it?" Glent asked, his eyes narrowing. Clutzful stepped forward, ahead of Twilight. "You actually do have something we need, a key." He said flatly, stomping a hoof. "You four always go for violence first?" "Clutzful, stop." Twilight requested, Clutzful stared back at her, and backed away slightly. He glanced forward as Glent began to laugh, pointing at him. "What a good kid, minding his elders." Glent said, as Clutzful stomped a hoof. "So, you have the key?" Twilight asked, Glent nodded, keeping his narrow stare. "Can we have it?" "Yes." Twilight smiled, trotting forward as Glent pointed a hoof at her. "You'll have to do me a favor, though." Glent said with a wide grin, Twilight stared and nodded, as Glent put his hoof down. "There is a monster in my home, he took over my camp. Kill it?" He requested, as Twilight stared. "How can we trust you? You're a thief!" Janet scowled. Clutzful backed up a few paces to whisper to Janet. "You're a thief, too." He whispered, followed by feeling a terrible pain in his face as Janet smacked him. "Worth it." Clutzful coughed. "I'm not a thief, i'm a...Friend. So are you going to kill it? It's actually right inside here." Glent said, beginning to laugh. Twilight nodded, as she began to head inside. The others following behind her without second thought. Glent waved goodbye as the group went into the cave. "She's grown stronger than expected." The cave was very dry, and the air had a foul smell about it. The group marched through, noting the campfire ahead, and a creature around Clutzful's size, completely black. "That's it? Seriously?" Clutzful commented, galloping towards it as he unsheathed his sword. "I'll take care of him!" The beast turned around, unsheathing a sword of it's own, clashing it with Clutzful's. It grinned, starring him down. "Where did that come from? He didn't have a sword when i attacked-" He was cut off by the monster falling back, and taking a swing at him, Clutzful parried the attack, as the shadowy beast continued it's assault. The beast took a moment to prepare a powerful swing, Clutzful was still blocking, and was staggered as the beast took a huge swing at him, sending his sword flying into the ground. "Help?" Clutzful requested, as he ran back to his sword, attempting to pull it out of the ground. Without a second thought, the beast charged him, raising it's blade. Clutzful glanced back at the monster as it raised it's blade, he closed his eyes, hearing the sound of thunder and a loud yelp. He opened his eyes to see the monster on the ground, injured. "Who needed who to protect them?" Twilight asked, smiling at Clutzful as he managed to pull his sword out of the ground. He sighed. "I did." The shadowy creature began to change form, it's mane poofed, and it stood up, unarmed. It charged forward, as Twilight charged her horn with another thunder spell, firing it off. The creature leaped over it, grabbing Clutzful and tossing him across the cave. Janet bolted through the air, catching him as he began to fall. "Your heavy." Janet grunted, lowering Clutzful to the ground. "And your a jerk." Clutzful replied, as the two bumped hooves. "But your my favorite jerk." Clutzful said in a softer tone. "Clutzie!" Pinkie called out, as the creature attempted to jab her, Pinkie hopped up and landed on it's hoof, starring. "Nopony hurts my friends!" Pinkie shouted, bucking the creature in the face, it fell back onto the ground, screeching. Twilight stood over the monster, shooting a bolt directly at it, causing it to melt into a pile of plasma. "Black Magic is...Powerful." Twilight commented, as Janet and Clutzful ran up to her, smiling at the dead monster. "Hey, the princess did something other than die." Janet said, mocking Clutzful. Twilight and Clutzful stared at Janet, and Pinkie rolled on the floor laughing. A grunt could be heard from behind, as Glent walked past the ponies. "So you killed it.." Glent said calmly, reaching into his saddlebag and throwing the key back to Twilight, who levitated it with her magic, enclosing the key in a purple aura. "Yes, i had it the whole time, thank you for taking care of the monster." Glent said flatly, walking father into the cave, ignoring that they were there completely. "Strange pony, but at least we got the key back." Clutzful said in a dull tone. "Oh, oh, oh! Does this mean we can go to the Water Crystal now?!" Pinkie said with glee, hopping around as usual. Twilight simply nodded, and began to trot back to the exit. "Why do i get the feeling that i can't trust my shadow anymore?" Clutzful sighed, following Twilight. Pinkie hopped playfully beside him. Janet stared at Glent, who turned and waved a hoof at Janet. "Wait!" Janet flew towards Glent at a high speed, as stared, expecting her. "Janet." Glent said in a quiet tone, Janet perked up and stared, knowing she didn't introduce herself. Glent let out a chuckle. "I see." Glent said flatly, turning back around. "Your questions will surely be answered in due time. And when that time comes..." "Shy will rise." Glent walked deeper into the cave, as Janet stared, confused. She glanced back, seeing that the others had already exited the cave. She quickly flew in pursuit, attempting to catch up. Glent laughed to himself, watching her from the shadows, then slowly coming out. "Both of them, huh? Fate is a cruel thing, for sure. I mean, your son AND her? I can see they have forgotten about they're bracelets, i've done all i could. Sorry, but he'll just have to figure things out on his own, he's on the right track so far." Glent stared upwards, grinning. "I'll be damned if you don't make a good point, ma'am. But like i said, i've done all i could. You have to trust him." Glent laughed, wheezing. "He's shorter than you told me." Glent walked back into the darkness, a green circle lowering downwards from head to hoof.
