The Dark Portal

Stellan

It has been a complete two days since we have left the complex and I do not think things are going to be the same anymore. Rail and I chat every night on the deck and from what I have observed there is a little chemistry going on between Rail and Green Star. Oh yes, a little accident happened too, the day after the departure Kalos wanted to be nice and create me a fancy food creation using the air pressure mail system but it was Captain Iron Rose who toke a complete bowl of fancy soup in the face when he went to check the mail and on my side I set the engine room on fire....twice. What! If we can't make some tests with dangerous flammable substances where is the world going!

Note to myself: Find an extinguisher for future testing.

With a smile I close my in-board journal and turn myself to the now sleeping engine. I cannot believe I was there, in front of the most powerful steam engine in all of Equestria! I turn myself to face the control panel and see a button I have never seen before...I made the mistake to push it.

Buck my damn curiosity.

It was the steam manual release valve, normally the exhaust pipe is much bigger for that but not this time apparently. I see the pressure gauge suddenly pop out of the pipe where it was fixed and fly all over the damn room. What happened next shocked me like never before, why? Because of the loud *BANG* when the pressure reached the security release valve opened, it is like a train trying to pass through a mouse hole, the shock shook the entire ship and...Her sleeping crew...oh celestia what a done! Now I can hear the angry yell of the ship crew who are now very much awake. I see in front of me the communication crystal flashing red, like when the captain wants talk to me of something important and I am sure it pretty much is.

I have no clue of what he wants to talk about, but I touch the crystal to open the conversation.

".....yes sir, I can help you?"

"WHAT THE BUCK ARE YOU DOING DOWN THERE!! IT IS MIDNIGHT FOR CELESTIA SAKE!"

"...Im sorry?"

"KEEP YOUR CRAP FOR THE CREW! I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER SOUND FROM YOU OR I THROW YOU TO THE MOUNTAINS BELOW WHERE THEY CAN GOBBLE THE HELL OUT OF YOU!"

"...yes…s...sir!"

And then I close the conversation. Damn that was close! I’m not touching anymore buttons that is too complex for my tastes.

*BOOM*

“What is that?” I murmured.

I see the crystal flashing again and I respond. Clicking it I await the yelling response.

"STELLAN! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!!"

"Hey! That was not me this time!"

"What is it then? If is not you…"

"I really don't kn......." *CRACKKKK*

The whole room soon explodes behind me in a billion of tiny sharp wooden piece as I got thrown toward the floor by the explosion. I can feel the heat on my back and I can't move my body, I was on my side and I watch with horror a red pool forming on the floor...and I begin slide in a dreamless sleep.

"Rail...Green...Kalos...I’m so sorry..." I say before black out

I then hear the door open. Ever so slightly and there was a bright light behind some moving figures…I cannot hold my eyes open much longer.

"Stellan!!!!!" screamed a stallion’s voice followed by a mare’s horrific scream.

Kalos:

"Well this is freaking perfect!" I say when I finish the beautifully constructed meal I made for Mr. Wind and Miss Green. It was on a plate of steamed carrots with some some salad and a special sauce of mine I created from my days in culinary school. The sauce also comes from my home land I was told, I never knew this, but it was amazing to know.
I can't say if it’s for a romantic head to head or just a normal dining get-together. The fact is he wanted candles and Rail wanted me to deliver the two plates exactly at midnight. I take a look at the clock and began bringing the plates to the possibly two lover ponies. I was on the deck when I was surprise by a loud "boom" and the plates I made make their way to floor with the ship shaking furiously.

"By Luna’s mane what is happening! I just made…these." I say just after the loud sound.

" Crap…! Are you ok Green Star?" says a slightly panicked Rail who get back on he legs.

Followed by a "Sweet Celestia what is happening? Did an engine blow out?" says a shaking Unicorn.

"I am sure it is Stellan again! I'm going to show him what the cost is to ruin a beautiful night like this!" replies a very disgruntled Rail.

With that being said Rail began running down the corridor toward the engine room.

*Boooom*

Once again we all hear that loud sound but nothing shakes this time. The two ponies and griffin continue making their way to the engine room when they are in sight of the door a big shockwave shakes the entire ship and the door of the room begin glowing a bright orange color.

"I think that darn Pegasus set the engines on fire again!!!"

When Rail opens the door it was a total destruction and chaos. I can hear screaming and see him run into the room. When I entered myself I discovered why he acted like this. Stellan was in a pool of his own blood just in front of a large impact hole, which destroyed a whole wall in the room. I heard Miss Green screaming when she entered herself in the now destroyed engine room.

Rail:

The moonlight was perfect…the air was perfect, the night was all perfect. I am happy Kalos was able to carry out my tiny request on food, it was a beautiful night and I did not want to make this to be a bad expression of my liking toward Green Star. Knowing his spectacular culinary background I have no doubts he will make everything to the tee. Combing my mane I look in the mirror checking every last detail, my fur, ears, muzzle, eyes, facials, etc. Nothing seemed scruffy or offsetting. I then go to my tail combing it straight as I like it to be and adding a single braid representing my soul and I then add a single braid to my mane representing her.

“Everything looks good; ugh…I don’t want to look messy or anything. Do you think I look ugly reflection? I don’t know…hmm I think I look good…do I. Reflection tell me…..TE….oh yeah…you are a reflection…Rail you idiot.” I say to my reflection.

Returning to the shared bed I look around for Green and no sign…it was both a good and bad thing. Good on the state that I can still surprise her with this dinner I have been planning and bad on the state that I hope she makes it. Placing my comb and care products away I start getting my fanciest vest out of my bag. This vest cost me a fortune, but I knew it would come in handy one day…ruby red threads of passion with black thin threads of mystery with a dash of white for spirit. Within the crest area was a single blossom of silver.

“Fancy~” I gracefully added.

Slipping on the vest ever so carefully I slide my arm then my wings…wing…wings!

“Darn my feathers! They look horrid!”

Quickly unpacking the feather products I rush to the bathroom preening carefully making sure not one feather is out of place and looking very marvelous and luminescent. I begin sliding a thin rod with my muzzle across each feather fixing them, straightening them, plucking the old ones. I look in the mirror checking the feathers in the back.

“Reflection…are the back feathers ok? Refl…I’m not asking you anymore.” I mumble.

Gazing at the clock it was twenty-five minutes till midnight; good this gave me plenty of time to make it to the deck. I carefully navigate through the plunders of the ship and arrive where the air is much crisper. I look at the table Green Star not present yet. This made me a bit nervous. She could still getting ready…right?

“Oh my…uh you there! You there! Do I look attractive?” I ask to a stallion lifting a box of glass.

“Yes?” He replies giving me the blankest stare.

“Sorry you look like a mare for a second. YOU THERE! DO I…stop it Rail you are acting sophomoric you are fine, you are fine.”

I sit at the table with a single flower and a steam lamp that coils the flower with the flame coming from the tip of it. I wait about five minutes thumping my hoof amongst the table top when finaly out of the far corridor she arrives. Her mane is gorgeous tied perfectly in a bun with her longer hair flowing down her back, her tail magnificent with some flowers added within, her beautiful eyes gleam perfectly with the moonlight and the eye shadow matches her fur tone so well, and finally her show stopping blue dress flows perfectly with her graceful strut. This night was going to be perfect.

“She is beautiful.”

My hopes were very high for this dinner…she gleamed so beautifully. I get out of my seat carefully pulling hers out, and as I open to speak a large explosion occurred on the right side of the ship. It looks like it hit right where the kitchens and boiler rooms are designated.

“Crap…! Are you ok Green Star?” I say stumbling.

I trot quickly over to her lifting her off the floor. Did Stellan blow a hole in the ship? If he did he is going to get it. I did not set this up for Green Star just to get it ruined by his experiments with steam. Trotting furiously down to the corridors I push everypony out of my way to get to the boiler room. With all the corners and turns I reach the boiler room deep within the ship stopping before I slam it open. Looking at the bottom it glows an ominous red-orange. Please oh please let it not be what I think it is. Regretting my action I break the door open seeing Stellan lying in a pool of his blood…was I really seeing this?

“Stellan!”

Green Star:

The past two days have been well…lavishing I guess. I have noticed Rail being extra kind to me and through time what I expected…he wanted to set up a date, romantic if you ask me, on an airship of all places, but it’s not like we had much choice now did we. Kalos was so kind to offer me his quarters for the time being as I ready myself for this little date, he knew he was going to be in the kitchen the whole day anyway so he thought why not. I honestly had no idea what to put together for my ensemble, but I thought since we are in the skies why not inspire my ensemble that of one with the skies. Ruffling through my luggage I find my blue dress that luckily I packed, I only packed 3 dresses or well barely anything formal to be honest. My smaller bag had all of my mare things and saw that I had very few accessories to work with, but enough for this night. I enter the bathing room and look into the mirror looking deep into my own eyes thinking of what to do with my appearance.

“I think, well I hope this turns out perfectly…”

My horn glows a bright yellow as it hovers my brushes, flowers, and hair ties intertwining within each other as I brush my mane back fixing the front into a bun adding some flowers. I brush my mane in the rear much flatter as I make it flow downward toward my back and neck. Switching to my tail, I straighten it firmly then adding some flowers twirling the stems almost sort of a helix within my hairs. I brush a bit more just to make sure nothing is ruffled. Now I switch to my make-up. Using my magic I open the make-up bag laying out the eye shadow and mascara. Applying my mascara ever so gently, do not want too much it looks ghastly. I then lift the eye shadow and apply it nicely and add more above it making a gradient affect.

“Hmm…not bad Green, you look dashing actually…much better than yesterday I say.”

Returning to my accessory bag I take out my earring and necklace with sparkle perfume. I put on my necklace first then I add my earring leveled with one another, finally adding the sparkle perfume that gives me a luscious glow and a wonderful scent.

“You look ready Green Star…let me double check to be safe.” I say walking to the mirror.

Arriving back into the bathroom I double check for any mistakes and add a bit more perfume with sparkle. Brushing a bit more making my mane bit more fixed. I use my magic to fix my ties a bit more and my accessories a bit more. Feeling accomplished with my appearance I exit Kalos’s room and travel through the corridors through the back to prevent me being seen by Rail, arriving at the stairs to the surface I swallow and exit outside. The piercing feel of fresh air enters my lungs. I see Rail sitting at the table he prepared and Kalos in the background with some dishes. As I take my first step toward the table and Rail a huge explosion knocks me on my plot.

“Oh my g…” I say falling. “What in the world was that?”

Looking back up from my fall I see rail rushing to me and the table and food in the background flipped over and destroyed. Kalos was also on the ground, but he quickly recovers with his large wings. Rail comes to help me up checking on me then quickly mumbles something rushing down below, I follow him. Looking around I see some fires that are trying to be put out and some wounded, it looked like we were headed to the boiler room. We arrive at the door of the boiler room it glowing a bright red-orange…please let Stellan be ok, Rail breaks the door open and it was the complete opposite of what I had in mind. I fall to the floor in tears when I lay my eyes on Stellan lying in his own blood not moving. Letting at a crying scream I close my eyes wanting all of this to be over.

Kalos

I was mortified by what I saw, the one friend I had is in a pool of his own blood lying in front of me. I can’t keep my tears, now my beak is almost a waterfall of tears. No, this can’t be happening! This is a nightmare!

It was too much for me, I flew away from this horrible scene. I flew with much haste, I don’t care if a hit something, I don’t care anymore. I finally get stopped by a red aura. I take a look behind me and a see the captain looking at me with anxious face. She had something on her mind.

“My feathered friend, Why are you running away? Your friends need you.”

He releases the magic off of me and I touch the floor. In tears I can’t even speak right.

“It’s Stellan didn’t you hear?“

The captain rolls his eyes.

“What in Celestia’s sake did this pegasus do this time?”

“HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT STELLAN LIKE THAT, he is my only true friend here and I won’t let a pony talk of him like he was a complete idiot!” I said furiously.

“Calm down my friend, what happened?”

“Stellan he is…” I say sobbing a bit harder.

“Take your time boy, take it easy.”

The captain came closer as I lie down to his level.

“What happen to Stellan was he hurt within the explosion? He hurt anypony? I just want know what happened on my ship.”

“He…he…he...”

“Yes? What is it?”

“He is dead.”

“What! Are…are you sure?”

“He was in a pool….”

“A pool?”

“Of his own blood.”

“Sweet Celestia!” He took his portative communication crystal from his side bag and spoke to it.

“To the aids units, make haste to the engine room right now we have a big emergency there. We have casualties there.“

And a voice returns from the crystal.

“Yes sir!!”

When the captain put the crystal in the bag, a yellow Pegasus came from behind him and whispered with a frightening voice to the captain.

“Sir we got attacked by pirates…and it looks like they are coming back.”

“Damn…well they have one hell of a surprise for them.”

When he begin run to the exit, I decided to follow him.

When we got on the master deck of the ship, I see some ships pass us on the right side with a flag, a flag with a crested crow and lances. That is them, has to be, they killed my friend. THEY HAVE TO PAY!!!!!

I give a look to the captain who said with a war cry tone to the crew on the deck.

“Crew of the forgotten one! Looks like we have some pirates to kill; they have already killed one of our crew members, and now I am pissed off!! Who wants to blow up a ship!? AHAHAHAH!”

The many, Earths, Pegasi, Unicorns and other creatures I don’t know the name to claim in the most raging and powerfully voice I never heard, a voice so strong the very ship took arms.

“Ready the cannons, ready the harpoons, ready everything! Let’s blast this ship from our skies.”

“Are you going to fight with me?” The captain shouted.

“Till they are all dead!” They claim again.

The captain turns his head to me and states:

“Are you going fight with us Mr. Ga-dolam?”

“I fight for Stellan.”

“Good lad and you Mr. Rail are you on the number?”

“You are going to see this pegasus fight like never before.“ He said with an evil grin.

“Where is Miss Green?” a said to Rail

“She is in safe place.”

“Perfect.“ The captain said before turning himself again to face the crew “CREW OF THE CELESTIA AIRBORN, LET US PICNIC IN TARTURUS THIS DAY!!! BATTLE STATIONS EVERYPONY!”

He turns to face Rail and me, and with an evil grin he says “Let the fury of The Forgotten one strike them to death mates!”

He gives us the instruction for the fight and we go into the command center

I turn myself to Rail and say before joining the air fighter crew “Do you think we are going make this?”

“Yes I’m sure, but for now we have a ship to blow up with many ponies that don’t deserve to live.”

Rail

All of it…all of the blood, it was everywhere. It stained my hooves; it stained my mind...my best friend lying there dying. My thoughts cannot even process my thoughts; my mind is at a complete stop. All I want to do right now is make sure Stellan lives. Tears ran down my face, but I put those aside as I try to lift him and get him out of that room before we all burn. I carry him through the burning hallway toward the medical wing the others following. As I run I try to keep Stellan afloat inspiring him to stay awake.

“Cmon…stay with me Stelly…you are going to make it big boy. Which way damit! Where is the medical wing!”

“This way…hurry.” The officer says with haste.

Hunching him more comfortably we all rush to the wing arriving just in time as pipes burst along the way blocking the back corridor. I look around for a free bed and gently lay him down placing his head on some pillow putting pressure on his wound.

“Where are the doctors? Get the doctors now!” I command.

Nervous energy was taking hold very quickly, I was getting very fidgety and scared. Was my friend going to die? What about the mission? He will not even experience what this mission is supposed to be. He can’t die, he can’t die. More tears slowly make their way down my face but the moment doesn’t last long as more explosions are heard throughout the ship. I am more than angry now. I make my way toward the deck not caring what hits me bursting through broke wood, metal, ponies, and floors. Finally reaching the deck I see ships and broken bones. I see the captain trying to talk to Kalos, probably trying to calm his nerves since he is crying a river. I look around at the ships with a keen eye and see insignias on them I have never seen before. Pirates? They seemed like it, but we are not letting them take this ship, not after what they caused. I run over to the captain and Kalos to see how he was doing, seems like it was a completely different griffin we had now. All hell is about to break loose for those who cause the for The Forgotten One’s crew. Kalos turned to me with a war face on, then the captain.
“Mr. Rail are you on the number?”

“You are going to see this pegasus fight like never before. "

"Where is Miss Green?”

“She is in safe place.”

He then gives the battle speech to all of the crew getting their moral higher like no other. Staring back at us:

With an evil grin he says “Let the fury of The Forgotten one strike them to death mates!”

Commanding us to take command of the control center we head that way making sure nothing stops us. Right before making it to air command Kalos turn to me asking:

“Do you think we are going make this?”

“Yes I’m sure, but for now we have a ship to blow up with many ponies that don’t deserve to live.” I reply with a smile.

Green:

All I could do is cry and scream, on the floor crying and screaming for Stellan’s life. I have never seen so much blood in my lifetime of being in the field of science. I could not bear the very sight of it all, we had to get him help as quickly as possible before he bleeds out…it was too horrifying for me. I see Mr. Rail pick up his body and take it out of the smelted room and we all follow him through the chaotic halls and the sirens were not helping with the stress. We head toward the west unit care wing and it was hell there, so many patients being brought in and not enough doctors and nurses there to help the wounded. I look around for a bed and point one out for Mr. Rail to set Stellan. Rail screamed for doctors and nurses but nopony came I was getting scared for not only my life but Stellan’s as well. Rail frantically leaves for the room in anger from the lack of aid, I tend to Stellan trying my best to keep him positive.

“Stellan…can you hear…oh my goodness, Stellan stay with me please you are going to make…WE NEED A DOCTOR!”

My cries go unanswered and all I can do is watch my friend slip away in his pain. Tears build as I cry for help and as time slips so does his life. I turn Stellan and not seeing him move for quite some time starts to worry me heavily. It seemed like no help was ever coming…I get down to Stellan’s level and begin trying to talk to him…no response at all…I check for pulses…none…He…he…he’s dead.

“S...s…Stellan…Wake up, please wake up…STELLAN!” I cried.

Not even a word, not even a single movement. I lie my head on his chest…all of my tears were shed…all I heard were explosions…screaming. When help finally came it was no use he was gone, taken from us. I had no tears left I and two doctors take him down to the morgue. I never through I would ever even step hoof in one of these places. I stayed with body and never let go of it. Cannons and other weaponry are heard in the background as I lie with Stellan.

“If Rail and Kalos are fighting…please oh please Celestia help them!”

A pony arrives and asks me to head to the captains quarters.

“No…I am staying with him and that is final.”

“Miss Green you must we are under attack and we must assure MVP’s are safe.”

“I said no…”

“Please…we need you to be safe captain’s orders.” He states.

Staring at Stellan once more I brush his mane kissing his forehead.

“We are going to miss you…friend. Fine…Ill head to his quarters.”

I trot out and look back one last time wishing this mission never happened.

Editor and second author : Rail Wind (https://www.facebook.com/Wind.Rail)
First author: Lostdarkstellan (https://www.facebook.com/stellan.pegasusdark)