Dreams of Broken Promise

At the very back of the room a single metallic cylinder led down towards the dark reaches of the cavern. A small door sild open, revealing a room held up with thick cables. Starswirl stepped into the cylinder, he pressed a number of buttons and beckoned to the others.

"Come quickly, this mode of transport will only stay open for a short time!"

Discord eyed the room warily, a trickle of sweat rolled down his forehead.

"Are you sure its safe, master?"

"Positive! Aurora, show him that it is perfectly safe."

The unicorn stepped into the elevator, the floor rocking ever so slightly. Discord gave one more look of apprehension before slowly pulling himself through the door. With a lurching jolt the cylinder dropped rapidly, the cavern opening up before them. A single Darkwraith wrapped its tentacles around the shaft, a hungry look shining from its red eyes. Before it could heave itself at the cylinder, a violent jolt of electricity arcing through its body.

"Well I guess they needed someway to keep those things at bay..."

A few minutes passed before they came to a sudden stop, sending them barreling into each other. The door slid open on to a tunnel covered with a thick black substance. It pulsed with a strange necrotic energy, it was obviously left by something created with black magic. Slowly Discord rose from the floor prompting the two unicorns to do the same. A sharp, piercing screech echoed through the void. A sudden flash of movement slithered from view, something big was down here with them.

Show thyself, creature of shadow! Roared starswirl, a bright pulsing light began to form around his horn.

The ground shook as a colossal form burst from the earth. Before them stood a creature of immense power, a beast buried in myths...

"The Leviathan! It lives! Aurora was amazed to see such a horrendous beast in the flesh."

The Leviathan resembled a serpent with the mouth of a dragon, its gaping jaws glistening with spittle and some form of acidic venom. A large fin extended down its back, sharp needle-like spines extended from the fleshy membrane. Its ancient, wrinkled skin was a deep indigo hue bordering on the edges of black. A mottled pattern of stripes ran down its stomach, glowing with a reddish bioluminescence.

Violently the beast lunged forward, its fangs closing dangerously close to Discords skull. It reared back, preparing to lunge once more. A bolt of silver magic struck above its eyes causing the beast to veer towards Starswirl. Once more it lunged, pinning his leg within its jaws. Starswirl struggled with little success to free himself, the Leviathans hot breath running down his spine.

"Run! Flee! It will not kill all of us!"

"Starswirl! We cannot abandon thee, let us see how well it handles an incineration spell!"

Aurora began to rise into the air, a purple fire lit around her, wreathing the unicorn in a barrier of flame. The purple fire grew increasingly larger as the spell began to charge. Shouting in a strange tongue, the magical apprentice released her pent up fury. A huge wall of fire shot towards the Leviathan causing the beast to screech in pain and rage. Starswirl fell from its now open jaws, landing on the back of the now flying changeling.

"We thought thou had snapped thy wing clean off!"

"I used the simple healing spell that you taught me last year, it was relatively easy to be honest..."

Aurora now stood facing a very angry leviathan, its howl of unbridled wrath quaking the very chamber. It lashed out with a bladed tail, trying desperately to cleave the unicorn in two. She launched three powerful bolts of energy, each one hitting its designated target. With each hit the beast recoiled in renewed pain.

"Ha! We see thou does not like magic! Perhaps a thunder rod spell would be powerful enough to obliterate any trace of thee!"

"Aurora don't be foolish! Even a full grown alicorn would struggle controlling that much power!"

"Then prepare to witness my true potential, Master!"

The air crackled with intense energy, the crystals around them charged with pure electricity. Bursts of thunder roared above, a dark black cloud appearing above the stunned creature. With the force of a hurricane, a single bolt of lightning struck the Leviathans heart blasting the beast into a cave wall. The cavern shook and began to collapse, crushing it beneath massive boulders.

"My apprentice....she did that?! That was an incredible display of magic my dear Aurora, even we would struggle with a spell so devastating!"

"That was amazing, you defeated a beast of legend!" Discords face was struck with a look of awe and adoration, his heart pounding with the excitement of battle.

Aurora simply blushed, she to amazed at the primal force that had been conjured.

At the end of the cavern was a door, long sealed by the earth. Aurora aimed towards it ready to blast the stone.

"Wait! Let me handle this, thou energy level needs replenishing!"

She began to argue but immediately felt the effects of the devastating spell.

"We suppose thou are right..." The unicorn suddenly collapsed, her body taking the toll.

Discord lifted her on to his back, determination crossing his features.

"I will carry thee through the cavern, I owe you that much.."

"T-thank thou, my brother!"

Crackle! Boom! The earth barring their passage was utterly obliterated, raining dust and shards of stone throughout the chamber. Cautiously they ventured into the large hall, prepared for any number of horrendous creatures. The chamber seemed still and calm, the musty smell of age pervading it.

A large pedestal occupied the center of the room, it hummed with latent magical energies.  Directly in front of it was a computer monitor embedded in one of the many pylons. A single switch glowed silently, waiting for an adventurer to power it up. Discord placed his hoof over the switch and pushed it into place. Click! Slowly the machine began to operate, releasing a boiling pillar of steam, Within the pedestal a small spark of blue began to form. After several painstaking minutes a simple figure of blue light morphed out of the  spark.

The figure resembled the mare they had witnessed protecting the gems. An elegant voice of authority filled the room, the figure pulled back her hood revealing her true self. Before them stood the image of a golem that appeared very different from the ones they had seen. Her flesh was smooth and multi- faceted like that of a crystal. Her mane was luscious and flowing, a light sheen within. Her eyes shone with peaceful life, she appeared to be quite content.

"Shaer ast obur cylist an Cadenzia, Thul abdu sherrah?"

"Perhaps try to speak to her, she may recognize our language." Offered Starswirl, the strange language unknown to his ears.

"Do. You. Understand. Me?"

"[Unknown voice pattern recognized, translation parameters online... Translation complete!]"

The machine replayed the first sentence, now understandable through the wonders of technology.

"At last, after 300 years we were beginning to lose hope, I am Mistress Cadenzia. Have thou come for the gems?"

"Yes, we need the power of the gems to destroy a force of evil much greater then our city defenses can handle."

"Do thee face the ancient one, he who slumbers beneath the earth?"

"No, we face creatures of chaos... They are the changelings, a hive species known for their shape-shifting capabilities. A massive army awaits beneath, within the walls of Tartarus."

"The changelings... We thought they were extinct! Our battalions slaughtered thousands of them during the War of Faces. Those fiends allied with the dark one in offer, giving them the powers they have used ever since. The gems alone cannot eradicate them, they must be bound in stone and given to those with the seven emotions corresponding with the stone. Only together can they destroy, apart they can only imprison."

"And where can we find said gems?"

"If thee wishes to create the weapons of power, first you must travel through the gateway that lies within this machine. Our kind, the crystal ponies wish not to be discovered... Lest the evil finds us once more. "

The figure suddenly vanished, revealing a large metallic ball bathed in green energy. With a flash and the sound of electricity, a small portal began to form. The gateway slowly grew, each wave of energy increasing the corporeality of the portal. Within seconds it had fully formed, the machine now humming quietly in response.

"Well are you two coming? Or are you too afraid to use such primitive magic?" Asked Discord, a bemused expression on his face.

"Of course we are, brother! It just seems somewhat strange, unnatural..."

"It is simply the practice of science, nothing more!"

Briefly they wondered how they would return, but thought that perhaps it  could wait. They trotted up to the edge of the machine, staring in wonder at the pulsing green sphere. Starswirl grabbed the two young apprentices in each fore hoof and leapt into the gateway.

Sunlight blinded the trio, the dark cavern system was no longer above them. The air felt crisp and fresh against their cheeks, a nice change from the musty, dry air beneath the earth. They stood upon a small hill overlooking a large plain. Situated on the northern side was a bustling city surrounding a tall crystalline palace. Crystal ponies wandered too and fro, busy in their daily lives.

"My word, these beings are made of crystal! We are certain that our little friend is down there somewhere, most likely within the main tower."

"How do we get down exactly? "

"Magic of course... Or do thou struggle with a simple hover spell?"

"No, master! My thoughts were muddied for a second." Aurora smiled sheepishly, dumbfounded that she could ask such an obvious question.

Both unicorns were now bathed in magical energy, enabling the ability to fly. Discord buzzed once, twice, then finally managed to get lift. The ground disappeared from beneath their hooves, giving Discord a sense of falling. The trio slowly glided towards the city, enjoying the air flowing around them.

Before long they touched down once again on firm terrain, right outside the cities gates. Two menacing guards glared down at the strange individuals, fear and anger dawned on their faces as they recognized the creature within the party.

"Halt! Thou dare to bring a treacherous changeling here?! What is the meaning of thy blasphemy? I should rend the beasts foul head from thy shoulders!"

Discord took a step back, fearful of the imposing figure before him.

"Calm thyself, Ender! They are merely guests of mine, they wish to destroy the changeling horde that sits on their doorstep."

"Yet they carry one within their party?"

"I do not know the reasoning behind such decisions but alas it is theirs to make. Please, come in! We have much too discuss..."

"With great pleasure, milady!"

"Please I am no royal mistress, I am merely an oracle. Thou may call me Madame Cadenzia!"

"Lead on."

Cadenzia led them through the city streets, resulting in a few raised eyebrows and questioning glances. A small group of fillies giggled at the strange insect-like pony casually trotting beside the Oracle. Discord gave them a small smirk before shape-shifting into his griffon form, resulting in many loud gasps.

"Discord! Show some restraint, thou are not some foolish show pony!"

"I was just..."

"Alright, just try not to enjoy the attention too much!"

After a small tour of the town they proceeded towards a small symbol beneath the towering palace. The crystal pony released a single bolt of magic that was instantly absorbed into the floor. The sound of shifting metal pierced the air, causing several civilians to jump in fright. A door opened beneath them revealing a large crystal hallway that glowed with its own light.

"Oh perfect, more underground tunnels..."

"Don't fret young master, it is simply a vault protected by powerful magic. Within this vault lies the gems thou seek, but first we must explain the sheer complexity of forming them into practical weaponry."

Before they could begin however, a small, lanky mare was seen running towards the group. Her urgent gallop and stern expression led Starswirl to believe that this was something very serious.

"Madame Cadenzia! We have received word that the city of Canterlot has fallen under siege by the changeling leader known as Broodlord Arachnor. His army sacked the castle in a single night. Massive siege engines were used in the assualt, decimating entire legions of valiant troops.

Both the king and queen have been evacuated to the last line of defence at Hoofholm. Unfortunately in the ensuing chaos the young princesses were captured and are now being held hostage. Equestria is in desperate need of help, and they requested for Starswirl the Bearded to return immediately!"

"Well it would appear our time is short,. Very well , I will teach thou the spell to create the Elements. To increase the speed of creation thou will need to pool each others magic together."

"Very well, it shall be done!"

"Yes, we must hurry back and rescue Luna! Those monsters could be feeding on her emotions at this very moment!"

"Discord, Calm thyself! Hatred does not solve anything, rather it complicates it!"

The hour grew late before they had finished grasping the master spell work needed to forge the powerful Elements. Young Discord began to grow restless, his mind finding it difficult to focus. Image after image of pain, torture and death swam through his thoughts, causing him to become numb and distant. Starswirl feared for the young changelings sanity, having gone through so much yet still remaining so young.

Back in Canterlot Palace the changeling leader addressed his followers, "My fellow changelings, tonight we celebrate our victory! This city has fallen prey to our relentless onslaught, the blood of ponies litters the streets, the very air breathes the taste of victory!"

"I reward thee with these two delectable alicorns! The sisterly bond is very powerful between them, a feast for every changeling! Prepare the war machines, for tomorrow we will crush the last remaining hope this country has! And at last this pathetic kingdom shall be ours!"

The main hall erupted with applause, the changelings saluting their new ruler. Every last soldier stood tall, ready to crush the enemy and capture Equestria.

"All hail, the mighty Arachnor! Shika sin valak!"

Celestia wrapped her young sister within her wing, her fear for herself and her sister were great. Luna shivered beneath her sisters embrace, tears streaming down her face."

"We don't want to die... If only Discord was here, he would know what to do!"

"Hush Luna, Starswirl will return and smite their wickedness, evil cannot hold power for long!"

"A-and Discord to?"

"Yes and him as well, sleep now my sister. They will not lay a hoof on you! I swear it!"

Luna huddled closer, the warmth of her sisters body calming her spirit. One single thought ran through her mind as she began to dream. 'Please Discord, save me!"