The Legend of the Six

“So, about how much longer till we reach this…temple thing?” a rather brash, if somewhat deep voice pondered from the back of the group. The voice belonged to a white pegasus, donned in faded royal armor. His yellow-orange hair fluttered in the wind, as his hazel eyes scanned the horizon above the group. Descending back to the ground, he folded his wings, and continued his march alongside Barry.

“Weren’t you listening, you thick-skulled imbecile? It’s called the “Temple of Laughter,” and you just asked that same question not an hour ago, and the hour before that!” a beautiful voice chimed in from between Feron and the rear guard. Something felt off about that melodic voice, but you just couldn’t quite place it…Her velvet coat, and amber mane glistened in the half-light of the late afternoon. Turning to stare down the other new arrival, she gave a haughty “hmph!” and continued her answer. “And if I remember correctly, our dear guide and savior here, Dusk, has told us before that our destination is about another day away.”

“Oh shut-up, you damned seductress.” The pegasus retorted, snorting in disgust. “If not for your new friends here, I’d have torn that fake coat right off your demon body!” His nostrils flared, edging slowly to the long-sword at his side. Its crystal embedded hilt reflected the dim phantom of the slowly setting sun.

“I’d like to see you try,” was her only response. The oddly warm pony tightened her stance, bracing for the fight to ensue. Just as she expected, the White Pegasus leaped into the air with the speed of a Manticore, letting lose a cry just a fierce. Sword now in full draw, the pegasus began his speedy descent to land a crushing overhead swing. Not letting a bead of sweat show, the mare took a deep breath, watching his every move, waiting for just the right chance to-

“That’s enough out of you two,” a younger male voiced calmly. Just before the “finishing-blow” could be delivered, the pegasus was swept up in a mist of energy. Dusk Fades slowly stepped toward the two, shaking his head. Mystic binds encircled the pegasus, settling his sword back into its hilt. At this same time, a zipper closed tight on the rather saucy lips of the mare who smirked at the pegasi’s fall. “That’s the third time this week I’ve had to restrain you two.”

The leader stopped to rest before the now dusty pegasus. Looking him dead in his old eyes, Dusk slowly released the binds. “Storm Chaser, I know you don’t trust Alura here, especially considering she’s not quite pony,” he gestured to the velvet mare, who was indignantly staring away from them, legs crossed, “but if we want to survive, and I’m sure you do, then we’re going to have to work together. She’s knows this area even better than you do. She’s our best hope of reaching the Neighagra Falls in one piece. Until then, you are to leave her alone, understand?”  With a curt nod, Storm let out one more snort, before settling back onto his hooves and setting his helmet back on his head properly.

Chuckling from just a few feet away, close to the edge of the river basin they traveled along, Alura reveled in Storms chastisement. In an instant, Dusk was in front of her, his weary yet stern eyes matching hers. At his sudden change of placement, she immediately fell silent. “And the same goes for you toward him.” The purple stallion continued, voice unwavering. “You are a member of our group now. We give you food, shelter, and protection, whether you need it or not. This means you follow my rules. Now, no goading Storm, under any circumstances, got it? He’s had it rough enough as it is. There’s no call for you to feed his stereotypes and judgments. There’s enough hatred in this world already, we don’t need you adding to it.”

The zipper holding her mouth shut vanished, as Alura began stretching her jaw once more, a little unnerved by the feeling of magic sealing her lips. “I know, I know” She immediately began, smiling coyly at the leader. “I didn’t mean for anypony to get hurt. I was just having some fun with him.” She winked at Storm, who abruptly snorted again before turning to take a drink from the slowly enlarging river. He muttered to himself between sips, but at least nopony seemed ready to kill each other, for the moment.

At that, Dusk resumed his position next to Feron, who watched on with silent regret. As the days grew, she began to feel more and more utterly useless. Her smile began to fade with each passing day, with less laughter all around. They could all feel the change, as the depression surrounding them slowly begin to crush them. If only there was some way I could get these two to see eye-to-eye. At least then, everyone could get some rest, and we could cover more ground per day. Maybe then I wouldn’t feel so sad…

At the same time, Dusk couldn’t help but wonder how this had all come to be so painful, and tiresome. The conflict today reminded him of the days before, when the four of them had come upon a seemingly helpless mare being chased by a renegade pegasus.

“All right you two, that’s enough water for now. We’re heading out.” Dusk called to his fellow party members. With a bit of a sigh, the two began heading back to the small camp they had set up for the moment.

“Aww, do we have to?” Feron pleaded, taking one last sip from the river. “I was hoping to go swimming…”

Sensing there had been some sort of misunderstanding due to their somber faces, Dusk walked over to the Pegasus and Earth Pony, Soren and Feron. “Buck up guys, we’re not leaving the river just yet. We’re going to be following it north, to its source! According to the book, this is the Neighagra River, which is filled by the Neighagra Falls.” He continued, glad to see their faces brighten a bit.

“Ya know, Dusk,” Barry piped up from behind, “Perhaps if you let the rest of us look at the map sometime, these kinds of things might not happen.” The older stallion looked over at Dusk, specifically at the bag holding the book. Dusk sighed, understanding what he meant, and lowered his head.

“I know, I know, but this book has so much information inside that hasn’t revealed itself yet! There’s always a new tidbit of information to be found every time I open it. I just can’t put it down.” Dusk pleaded, subconsciously placing one hoof on the bag on the ground in front of him. Soren noticed this, and his eyes widened slightly.

Oh no. This is what I feared would happen. The book is beginning to attach to him. Can he handle that kind of symbiosis?

Feron, too, noticed the gesture, and wondered why it had occurred. That book…there is definitely something up with it. Hmm….

Barry shook his head, smirking a little. “I know the feeling, Haystack, I’ve read a few good books in my day, but if this is going to be a problem in the future, it might be best for somepony else to keep hold of it for a while. "

“I-I could hold it for a while,” Soren volunteered shakily. He knew the book best, though none of the others knew that. He felt he could best keep it safe.

“There, ya see? Simple as that.” Barry nodded, stepping forward a hair. “Now just hand over the book, and-“ Before he could finish, a high-pitched scream caught all their attentions. “What in tarnation was that?”

“It sounded like a woman.” Feron replied, eyes wide. “We should go help!” She shouted, running off in the direction of the cry.

“C’mon everypony!” Dusk commanded, running after the blue mare. Barry ran to grab his sword and helmet, before giving chase as well.

“Oh, I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” Soren moaned, slowly flapping after the rest of his party.

Meanwhile, a rather scarlet pony was running as fast as her legs could carry her. A white blur gave chase, easily outpacing her, but falling prey to her quick change in direction. She continued running, weaving among boulders and spires strewn about the canyon area. What may have once been a cave lake was now a maze of crevices, stalactites/stalagmites, and rubble.

Stopping on a dime, the blur was revealed to be a white pegasus pony, armed with a broadsword. His armor glinted in the light of the slowly setting sun. The markings identified him as part of Cloudsdale’s Regal Guard, a legion consisting of only the most skilled pegasi. With a fire in his eyes, he once again resumed the chase, expertly dodging any obstacles in his path.

“Give it up, she-devil! Your succubus hide can’t run forever! The Light of Justice shines through your trickery and deceit. You will be brought to Justice!” Storm chaser gritted his teeth, having lost sight of the velvet colored pony. He began scanning below to try and find any sign of her passing.

Back on the outside, Feron had arrived at the mouth of a rather large cave. Dusk came to a halt beside her, as both gazed on at its huge maw. Barry trotted up to the two of them, looked from them to the cave and back, then said, “It sure is mighty dark down there. Are ya sure that’s where the scream came from, haystack?” He looked over at Feron, who was just now recovering from the size of the cave entrance.

“Mhmm! I’m positive.” The look in her eye told him everything he needed to know. All three looked on at the dark, gloomy depths that lay in front of them.

“All right then. Let’s get to it.” Barry confirmed, taking the first tentative steps into the darkness below. “Boy, I sure wish we had a light in here.” He calmly said, as the others began following him closely.

It took a few minutes, but Dusk finally remembered that he was a unicorn. “Hold up minute guys.” He said, as he took off his hat, and began concentrating. The others stopped, and looked back in the general direction of their leader. It took a couple of tries, but light finally revealed the cave walls. Dusk’s horn gave off a slightly shaky glow, as he tried to even out the output.

“Nice thinking, Dusky!” Feron cheered, happy to be able to see again. Barry simply nodded back at the purple unicorn, before the group began moving forward once more.

Back at the entrance, Soren sat there, frozen by the darkness that awaited. Deciding against going inside, he instead conjured up a cloud, and laid on it. “They probably don’t need my help anyway,” he rationalized before pushing his cloud up higher. “I’ll just keep watch up here. Don’t want any monsters appearing without someone to let the others know, right?” He continued, still shaking from the void that had swallowed his friends below.