Darkness Beyond the Horizon

Chapter 2: Darkness Lies Beyond the Horizon.

Day 13): Exiled.

Today, I woke up to an announcement of the Royal Guard stating that I was to be arrested. Having no other choice, I went with them. The last thing I saw were my parents: Worried, sad, and fearful for me. The Guards made me sit down in a carriage and it was there that they placed shackles upon me. The trip was short, and yet it seemed so long. When I got to the Castle of Canterlot, I stumbled out of the carriage and it was there that I saw 12 other ponies arriving just as I did. Even more to my shock was to see who they were: Grey, Rose, The green Pegasus, Sierra, and with them was the Captain of the Black Guard - Shade - as well as 5 others including Myst. I approached Grey.

"What's happening?" I asked.

Grey gave me a sad look "Our trial. That's what's happening. Dad was worried this might happen so he attempted to transfer yesterday, but it was already too late. If he could, it would probably save all of us."
Trial? What did he mean? We didn't even do anything!

"What's the trial for?" I said as the guards began prodding me to move.

Grey replied in a hushed voice "Treason I think. I'm not sure."

Great. Just great. We were being tried for Treason...But why? I began thinking. The note! It said the Royals were watching him...Maybe this also happened to the author of The History of The Southern Isles? As I began thinking about this, I was filled with more, and more dread. If I was right then I had led my friends and me right to this. Then this was my fault...But why, I wondered, were those other ponies here? Curiosity besieged me so I asked Grey about them.

"I don't now much about them" Replied Grey "But I think they're here for reasons same as us. Or similar ones anyways..." Grey then gave a slight shrug "The green Pegasus over there is called Glade. Or so she says. She was was my informant."

"Wait. That was a she?" I said half-jokingly.

"Yeah. Go figure right? Glade takes after her older brother a bit too much. She prefers to look, and sound, like a colt to avoid too many problems. Not sure why or what kind of problems, but she never really shared much." Grey then pointed at a greyish-blue Pegasus who looked forward with a fierce gaze, and walked in a way that said that she was afraid of nothing, but rather, was prepared to face it head-on. "That. Is Skyfall." Said Grey "She's one of the toughest Pegasus I have ever met. Fearless, brave, loyal, and tough. She's great to have as a friend, but a terrible enemy to own."
I turned forward as we walked into the hallway. It was there that I saw the queen, with a malicious glint in her eyes, and nobles that stood on the balcony's above us. We would be lucky to only receive an execution judging by their looks.

"You stand before me, and the Assembly, accused of: Treason, aiding the enemy of Equestria, destruction of Royal Property, and conspiracy to commit treason toward the Royal Family." Said the Queen with a faint smirk "How do you plead?"

Skyfall appeared ready to speak before I took a step forward. I was not going to this go by without a fight. "We ARE innocent. We, are just 13 young ponies" Said I "Why, and how, would we commit these crimes? We all were borne in Equestria and we love our homes, nation, and lives. Why would we sacrifice this all just to overthrow our Government?" my hoof flew to my mouth as I heard what I just said. This did not sound like me. What just happened?
The Queen's smile slowly faded and turned into a scowl. Her eyes slowly began to fill up with flames as she glared at me. Obviously, she, nor the Assembly, were prepared for such a statement.

"Guard. Present the evidence and witnesses. Now." She said in a hushed voice. Unlike usual, her voice this time brought with it a cold, sharp tone as that of a blade of steel.

Grey grimaced "Buck me..."

Slowly a guard walked over and placed several things before the queen. Namingly, my book of The Southern Isles, the book that we stumbled across in the library, a memory orb, and several parchments showing schematics of the Castle, and other things. Needless to say, we were trapped.

"I believe these are yours?" Said the Queen

Grey paled even more "Buck me twice..."

I stood forward yet again "Yes. yes they are." The Queen was beginning to say something, but I interrupted her "But only the book of the Southern Isles is. The other book is one that we stumbled across in the library, and I have no knowledge of the schematics nor of the memory orb."

The Queen glared at me with even more fury. Having one-upped her in the Assembly, thus making her look bad, I was even more sure that execution would be a light sentence comparing to what she was planning.

"....Of course you have no idea of the memory orb. One of my scouts stumbled across the thirteen of you conspiring with the enemy, and in order to make sure that everyone could be aware of it, he volunteered for a memory extraction. A risky process all for because of his love of Equestria to expose you. And the books are obviously contraband. The History of the Southern Isles was destroyed after its author was convicted of treason against the Royal Family. And the other book is a Bastion. Which can only be obtained from very specific places, and not just some normal, run-of-the-mill library so you are obviously lying." The queen leaned back and gave me a look that said "You try and pick a fight with me and I'll bring you down. Yo can't win".

While I kept a straight face, in my mind I was more nervous and afraid than ever. But I had to do this!

"If these books are contraband then why was the history book still available and not destroyed? Furthermore, the Bastion has the mark of the Royal Seal so that means that it could only be accessed by a Royal. One of which I am obviously not. Furthermore, memory orbs can be crafted using a variety of ponies enacted a situation." I was really happy that Rose lent me a few of her books. Without them, I would probably not have made it this far yet.
The Queen, for once, was completely stumped. She had obviously not expected such a potent resistance. Especially from a pony who came from Oldtown. I turned around and received looks of, albeit grudging, respect from most of the ponies. Even Skyfall gave me a nod of approval. Grey had seriously calmed down, and looked more relaxed then he did a few minutes ago. Sierra was gazing at me with a look of admiration. Glade was grinning as always. Rose was the only one who seemed perfectly calm, and unaware of what was happening. She opened one of her eyes, and gave me a slight nod. Shed then closed her eye and went back to thinking or something.

Even the Assembly was regarding me with respect. "this" I thought "Would be very useful", but why was the Queen still smiling?

Steadily, the Assembly began to cast their votes on our fate. The Queen grabbed the final vote and with a wide smile announced our fate "In the case of Equestria VS. The Darksiders...I HEREBY DECLARE THOU GUILTY!!!!
Everyone was stunned. The whole room was silent. I glanced at the Assembly who looked surprised as well, but they did not come to our defense for the Queen's Word was Law. My friends were shocked even Rose was stunned. I glanced at the Six Captains who were silent and immobile as ever, but I noticed that even they were shocked at the Queen's decision.

"THE ACCUSED'S FAMILIES ARE TO BE EXECUTED UNLESS THEY ARE EXCEPTIONAL, AND THE GUILTY ARE TO BE EXILED FOREVER TO THE SOUTHERN ISLES."

"NO!!!" I screamed "WHY ALL OF US? WHY? THEY (I pointed toward the others) DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS!!!"

The Queen's icy gaze passed over them "The guilty are to be with the guilty. No matter what. Now. Get. These. Traitors. Out. Of. My. Sight."

Shade slightly trembled before he stepped forward. The Stallion in Red armor tried to stop him, but Shade knocked him back. "Your Majesty. I object to your sentence. These are merely younglings. Half of them are related to some Nobles. And the other half could never have done something like this. I plead that you retract your statement."

The Queen merely smiled. "I don't think so Shade. My Word is Law. And even a Hero of the Wars doesn't have the authority to object to my orders. Now get back in line. Immediately or else."
Shade was silent and immobile for a moment before he, oh so slowly, backed up.

Grey's eye twitched. "Buck me thrice...We're dead."

The boat was surprisingly better than I expected. It was a large boat and very nice and clean. The guard said that it was like a "Dying favor to the poor souls sent off to the Isles." The boat had some food and drinks on it, as well as a small library. According to the guard this was the "11th boat, and by far the longest surviving one." I found out that most of the boats were either destroyed on the way there, or they were destroyed after getting there. Either way, no one ever arrived or came back from the Islands alive. Usually the captains were Pegasi so they could fly away before they made the half-way point at which they would fly to several mini-isles where they could rest and make their way back. There was sometimes a boat on one of these islands so the journey would be easier. I especially paid attention when the guard mentioned the boats and islands. If things went down-hill then those islands and boats could be our only way out.

We have been sailing for an hour now and along the way I learned a bit about my fellow convicts. First off: They all learned or came across something involved with the Southern Isles. Second off: Their home towns were also invaded by the Brotherhood. Third off: All these events coincidentally took place 13 days ago. As I learned more and more I began to wonder if it was chance or something else that bunched us all together. We pieced together what we figured out from our individual sources until we learned something similar: The Royals were hiding something. Something very, very secret and very, very important. Furthermore, some of them were related to the 6 Captains. The others, seven in all, were indirectly related to someone else who was involved with the 6 Captains. Once again, what I knew began to unravel as I learned more.

We all quickly became friends, and soon we began to discuss what would happen if we made it to the Isles. We also needed two leaders. So the ponies chose Skyfall and I (probably because of the trial incident...). We discussed long into the evening about what we might find there until we grew hungry. We decided to rest for the evening and we went to the kitchen to get some food. There wasn't much, but there was enough. Afterwards we all went to bed. I, on the other hand, decided to go sight seeing so I stepped out and looked over at the Horizon. All I saw was that:

Darkness Lies Beyond the Horizon

Day (13: Midnight. I was staring down at the ocean when Glade walked up to me. She gave me a newer journal and told me not to worry.

"Everything will be fine." She said.

I turned toward her "Will it? Will it?".

Day (14. With Hooves Held High

I stayed up through most of the night. Wondering about our homes. Our former lives. Our friends. I thought about every pony on this boat who lost something because of some bucked up circumstances. My thoughts wandered to the Royal Family and the Nobles. What were they hiding? What were they planning? Then, I thought about the Brotherhood. What did they want? Were they after the same thing as the Royals? Or was there more to them than meets the eye? I began thinking about when I first saw the Brotherhood. Huge Stallions in black armor. Armed with advanced weapons. Near unstoppable and utterly ruthless. Silent, brutal, and cold. In a way they reminded me of Shade. He was like them, but different. I wondered if he and the other captains had some history with the Brotherhood? Maybe. Just maybe. Suddenly, I heard a strange screech. I looked up and saw a array of...(Birds?) dive-bombing toward me. I barely jumped out of the way before the birds hit the floor. In the place where they hit, there was a large gash.

"I'd better get the-" Another bird swooped toward me. I didn't manage to dodge this one as it created a huge gash in my side!

"AGGGGH!" I screamed! The pain was agonizing. Near me, the door opened to show Grey standing with an unusual sword that resembled an overgrown bat wing.

"Get in the boat! Before the Hooktails get you! NOW!"

I barely crawled inside before the birds began to attack again. Grey carefully and expertly slashed at them with his blade. A pair of them struck the floor with a thunk.

I turned toward him "What were those things! They nearly tore me to bits!"
Grey eyes searched the sky momentarily before he shut the door "Hooktail Bats. Nasty things. A Pegasus's worst nightmare. Hooktails must've sensed you and decided to go get some free breakfast."

"Buck me..." I whispered.

"You're lucky to still be alive" Said Grey "Hooktails usually attack in bigger numbers. They would've tore you to pieces. Speaking of tears, we'd better get you patched. It'd be bad if your wound got putrefied."
I gulped as I glances at my wound. It was a deep, nasty gash as blood began to flow from it. Some of the muscles and flesh were torn and even sticking out slightly in some places. I turned before I puked. My stomach was still churning at the mere thought of the wound.

Grey pulled me up and began helping me walk. "Nasty stuff right? Try not to get the wound dirty though."

I vomited again as I weakly asked Grey "Hey, where's everyone else?"

Grey face scrunched up. "Downstairs. They heard the Hookbats and thought it'd be safe to stay down there. I'm surprised they forgot about you." He paused for a moment "Hey Sierra? Can you get up here? We have somepony who's injured and needs immediate attention."

From down below we heard a timid voice "..J-just h-how bad is it?"

"Uhhhhh...Bad enough for you to come, but not that bad." Replied Grey.

Sierra was silent before she finally replied "O-okay. I'll be right there in a minute."

Grey's gave me a slight smirk "5 bits says that she freaks when she sees you."

When Sierra finally came up she gave me a glance and instantly paled. "Guh, uh, uh..." She gulped and took out a syringe out of her bag. She turned away as she poked my side with it and ejected a medicine in it. Slowly, I felt a cool, but warm feeling through my body. It seemed to just was away the pain.

"Is that going to help him?" Asked Grey.

"Y-yes, I think so..." Said Sierra. "It should also reduce his pain while I mend his wounds."
She levitated several tools and began working on my side. Even with the medicine it still hurt a lot. By the time she was finished she was covered in my blood.

Sierra shuddered "Uggghhhh, I need to wash off..."

Grey gave her a nod "Thanks." Sierra responded in kind and walked off. She paused for a moment and gave me a curious look before she trotted back downstairs.

"You think you'll be alright ___?" He asked.

"Yup. I should be. But what about the Hooktail Bats?" I replied.

Grey gave me a slight shrug "They'll fly off for a bit. I wouldn't advise going outside for a while though."

Grey picked up a roll of bandages and quickly wrapped up my side. "Try to avoid getting hit there again. Because I don't think you can survive a second time."

I nodded. The experience was far from pleasant and I would much rather spend my whole life without an injury like that again.

With help from Grey, I managed to get downstairs and get to the my room. Suddenly I remembered the captain. "What about the captain?" I asked.

"He'll be alright. The front of the ship is pretty well armored and he can take care of himself. So don't worry yourself about him. Besides, he's ferrying us to our deaths..."

I sat on my bed, and then walked over to my cabinet. "I better write about this is my journal" I thought.

The journal was beginning to run out of room though, and soon I'd have to change to my new one. I bet that there is only enough room in my first diary for today.

I turned as I heard my door open and it was there that I saw a smiling Skyfall.

"Heh. I thought you'd be passed out on the bed. That was a nasty wound you got."

She must've heard it from Sierra. "Sorry, for interrupting you at the palace"

She shrugged "It's alright. You did much better than I could've. A much, much better job. I'm curious though, how did a pony from the slums learn to talk like that? Or know all that stuff?"

I thought back to when Rose gave me a few of her books "Around the slums I sometimes would find some books. Plus, my friend Rose let me borrow some of her books. It's only thanks to her that I managed to do that."

Skyfall was silent as she studied me. "Hmm. I don't think that they were just the cause...There's more to you than anyone can see. I can just feel it..." She cleared her that and straightened up "Well, I guess you'd like to rest. See you tomorrow." She rushed out of the room before I managed to say anything.

"Well that was odd" I muttered.

I walked over to my bed and slowly pulled back the sheets. "Best get some rest." I thought. Before I did though, I grabbed my book and began writing about today in it.

INTERLUDE

Rainbow Dash gently closed the diary. Never in her wildest dreams could she have expected something like this. Dash placed the book on the table next to her as she laid down in her bed. She began to wonder about the colt who wrote it. What happened to him? What was his name? Why did he deserve such a fate? Dash shook her head, she just wanted to rest, but all that was on her mind was the book. She grabbed the book again and turned to the page where the colt described Skyfall. She seemed a bit like Dash. Was Dash somehow related to her? Rainbow Dash turned toward the end of the book where the empty page was. Rainbow Dash began to write "What happened to him?" Unlike yesterday, the book wrote no reply back to her. None at all. Not even a scribble. As her words began to fade, Rainbow Dash wrote in another question "Is this the end? What of the other journal?" Yet again, the book said nothing in return. Rainbow Dash set aside the book and laid down again to sleep, but a strange click interrupted that. She glanced at the book before rapidly snatching it. The book had grown a strange lock that prevented her from opening it. Unlike the blue seal, the one on top of the lock was a strange one indeed: It was a shield with a pair of scythes with a skull on top. Rainbow Dash tried to pry the lock open, but it wouldn't budge. Not a bit. It seemed as if the book has finally passed on its story and now laid itself to sleep. Rainbow Dash hid the book under her bed before she finally went to sleep. "I'll solve this tomorrow" she thought.

Meanwhile

Twilight Sparkle was cleaning her library when she found an unusual alcove. The alcove had a blue seal on it that resembled The Element of Loyalty with wings. In haste, Twilight began searching for a very specific book on her table. When she had finally found it she opened it to page 37. Inside was an identical picture akin to to the seal found on the wall. One that sounded a lot like what Rainbow Dash had found at the library. "I must tell her about this" muttered Twilight.

It was around midnight before Twilight Sparkle woke her up and started rambling about something involving "The Seal", and other things. Although she wasn't very specific, Dash still had a very good clue about what Twilight was talking about. When they finally arrived, Twilight had shown Dash the seal and asked her if she could do anything. And something she did do.

Rainbow Dash laid her hoof upon the seal. It lightly glowed before it slid back and then to the side to reveal yet another book.

As she pulled it out, Twilight dashed by and snatched the book. "We must be careful with it! Who knows how old it is or what kind of magic is on it!" Dash rolled her eyes before grabbed the book and laid it on the table 'Let's just read it. Or see what's in it anyways."

END INTERLUDE