Chapter 26

To Dungeons Deep

It had been a few days since the fight with the young dragon. The two males kept their distance from one another. Isaac had come close to cutting all ties with the white mare, but only stayed in contact for the Elements’ sakes. The man woke up and groaned. Isaac walked inside the bathroom and turned on the shower. The man let the warm water wash over his body. The man wrapped a towel around his naked form and saw his phone vibrating. He picked it up and saw that he had at least ten voice mail messages from Twilight. All within five minutes of one another.

The phone started to vibrate again and showed the lavender mare’s name. Isaac groaned and pressed the call button.

“Hello?”

“Finally! I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for like ten minutes!” The voice yelled.

“So I’ve seen.” Isaac said in a flat tone. “What’s up?”

“You need to get to the library now!”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Just get here!”

“Fine I’ll be there in five minutes.” Isaac said.

“No, we need you right now!”

“Who’s we?”

“Just get here!”

“Jeez, give me five fucking minutes I need to,” He was cut off as he felt a lavender aura ensnare him. He saw a flash of light and saw the familiar walls of the library. He turned around and saw the six girls and the two Alicorns. Twilight, Fluttershy and Luna’s faces all turned bright red while Applejack, Pinkie and Dash all laughed. “get dressed.” He finished in a flat tone. Rarity had an evil smirk at the man’s uncomfortable position.

“Why didn’t you tell me you just got out of the shower?” Twilight yelled.

“You didn’t let me!” Isaac said with a grumble. The man firmly gripped the towel around his waist. “So what is so important?”

“I have something to ask.” Celestia said. Isaac sat across from the group. Luna’s cheeks turned bright red. Isaac followed her gaze and crossed his legs. Celestia chuckled as Luna hid her blush.

“So what’s up?” Dash asked.

“I need you all and Isaac to retrieve something from the ruins in the Everfree forest.” Celestia said. “An old relic that is said to hold great power.” Celestia said.

“So why don’t you get it?” He asked. “I mean you are the Princess. Couldn’t you just walk in there and take the thing?”

“Unfortunately no.” Celestia said. “There is old magic that resides within the catacombs of the old castle. Magic that is unknown to either Luna or myself.”

“So why send us?” Dash asked.

“Though we don’t know exactly what is down there.” The lunar Princess began. “We know that it involves the Elements of Harmony.” The flyer nodded.

“So why do we need him?” Rarity asked in an almost spiteful tone as she pointed to Isaac.

“Rarity don’t-” Twilight said with a grunt.

“No Twi, it’s a good question.” He said as he held up his hand. “Like you said Princess, this is Element business. Why should I go?”

“We have no idea what is inside.” Celestia said.

“So? I’m sure they can handle whatever is in there.” The man said.

“I need you to lead them in there.” She said in a stern tone. The girls all looked at the goddess in shock.

“Why? I have the least amount of knowledge of this place. Twilight should lead.” He said as he looked at the scholar. “They work the best with her and they’ll follow her.” He said in a flat tone. “There’s no reason for me to go. Besides, I’m not a leader.” He said as he stood up.

“You held the rank of Captain did you not?” Isaac’s face went pale and he cracked his knuckles as he made a fist.

“How did you know that?” Celestia gulped as she looked at the man’s eyes that looked like they could go through steel. “No one, and I mean no one knew that!” He said in an angry tone. Celestia gulped. “Oh, I get it.” He said as he shook his head. “Going into my mind without my permission is an extreme invasion of my privacy.”

“I was just-” Isaac held up his hand.

“I’m only gonna say this once.” He said as he stood up and intensified his glare. “If I find you or any of you poking around in my head without my say so. Then I’m going to make things very uncomfortable for you in there.” He said in a dark tone.

“Are you threatening me?” Celestia said.

“All I’m saying is that it’s unwise to piss off a man who’s sole occupation for most of his adult life has been killing.” Celestia’s eyes shrank. “As to your request, I’ll go along as back up. Only if you give me your word as a Princess that you stay out of my head.” He said in a flat tone. Celestia bit her lip and hesitantly shook his hand. “Thank you. Now before we go rummaging through some abandoned ruins that will most likely contain several deadly traps I gotta do something.”

“What?” Luna asked.

“While I am enjoying the gentle breeze that is gracing my undercarriage,” He said as he bit his lip. “I would like to get on some proper clothes before I go.” He said as he crossed his arms. As he did, the towel fell and the man’s face along with several others turned bright red. Isaac quickly wrapped the towel around his lower half and groaned. “I’d like to that soon if you don’t mind. Twilight, send me back and I’ll meet you guys in front of Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“Sorry Isaac.” Twilight said as she still adverted her eyes. “That was a one way teleportation spell.”

“I am not walking through town like this!” He yelled.

“Want me to give you a lift?” Dash said as she barreled over in laughter.

“No! What happens if a kid looks up and sees something they can never un-see?” Luna walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Isaac blushed at the Princess’s touch.

“We shall teleport you home.” Luna’s horn flared and the two vanished in a flash of light. The two found themselves in the human’s home. Isaac quickly made his way up to his room as Luna waited outside his door. “We apologize for our sister’s behavior. She had no right to look into your mind.”

“Whatever. Whats done is done.” He said through the doorway. Isaac walked back out wearing a tan long sleeved collared shirt with a pair of brown pants. The man walked over to his closet and pulled out a roll of climbing rope with a hook on the end. The next thing he grabbed was a small tomahawk and secured it to his belt.

He grabbed a handgun and holstered it on his belt. “Wait almost forgot.” He said as he grabbed a black leather hat and put it on top his head. “Okay, I’m ready.”

“Why are you wearing that? You look like Daring Do.” Luna giggled.

“I prefer Indiana Jones. I’m not a Pegasus mare.” He said with a sigh. Luna rolled her eyes and put her hand on his shoulder and the two vanished in a flash of light. The two appeared outside of Fluttershy’s cottage where the rest of the group were standing. Dash walked up to the human and laughed.

“Dude what is with the get up?”

“What? Every adventure needs someone looking badass.” He said with a shrug.

“And the rope?”

“People in action movies always have rope. You never know what they need it for only that they always need it.” He said as he adjusted the rope.

“This isn’t a movie Isaac.” Twilight said as she leaned against her staff. He looked at the staff and twirled it in his hand.

“Oh is that right Gandalf?” He said as he examined it.

“Hey be careful with that!” Twilight yelled.

“Oh calm down Twi. Whats the worst that could-” The man was cut off as he twirled the staff and accidentally shot a fire ball at a nearby tree from the staff’s end. “Um....my bad.” He said with a weak grin. Twilight frowned and held out her hand. Isaac quickly gave it back to her and she extinguished the flames.

“Thank you.” She said with a sigh. “Now from what I’ve managed to gather,” She said as she pulled out a map. “the quickest way to get there would be through the Everfree Forest. There’s an old path that leads directly through the forest and into the castle.”

“Didn’t we take that route when we fought Nightmare Moon?” Pinkie asked.

“Sort of, but I managed to find a shortcut.” She said as she made the map vanish.

“How long will getting there take?” Pinkie asked.

“Not too long although it depends on our pace.” Isaac then looked up at the two Alicorns.

“So what exactly does this relic look like?”

“Its a small sphere. No bigger than what you can fit in your palm.”

“I take it that we’ll find this thing in the bottom of the castle correct?” The two Princesses nodded. “So what’s the history behind this thing? If I’m gonna play grave robber I at least want to know what it is I’m robbing.”

“One thousand years ago, Nightmare Moon stole something from our scholars.” Celestia said. Luna held her head in shame. “We have just recently discovered it’s power signature emanating from deep within the castle. Unfortunately she placed wards preventing myself or Luna from reaching it.” The man nodded.

“So what is this thing supposed to do?” Dash asked.

“We are not sure. Our scholars were researching it when Nightmare Moon stole it.” Celestia said. “All we know is that it is important enough for Nightmare Moon to steal.”

“I see and now you want it back to keep researching it.” Celestia nodded. “Alright sounds easy enough. Think Nightmare left some surprises in store for us?”

“Most likely she left deadly traps.” Luna said.

“Going into an abandoned castle left by a power crazy goddess of darkness that may or may not contain some ancient treasure.” He said with a chuckle. “Where’s Harrison Ford when you need him?” He said under his breath. “What are we waiting for then?” He asked as he cracked his neck.

“Good luck.” Celestia said as she and Luna vanished in a flash of light. The man shrugged and walked back towards the group.

“Ready?” Twilight asked.

“Lead the way.” Dash said as the group started to follow the lavender mare. The group went through the path in relative silence. “So Isaac, Celestia said you were a Captain of a boat?”

“Not that type of Captain.” He said as he pushed a branch aside. “I was leader of the squad I once had. Never wanted it.”

“Why not?”

“Dear old dad,” He said in a sarcastic tone. “used some of his influence to promote me. I didn’t earn it,” He said as he continued onward. “and I didn’t have a choice.” He said with a sigh.

“Why not?”

“I wasn’t in a position to refuse.” He said with a shrug. The group fell silent and continued forwards. The man kept his eyes focused on the thick brush that lied ahead.

“I heard Spitfire mention that you were Sergeant.” Dash said. “Why lie?”

“Sergeant I actually earned through blood, sweat and tears.” He said with a sigh. As the group continued forward Isaac heard the familiar voice of Nightmare Moon in his head. So what is this damn thing we’re looking for?

How should I know? Moon spat out.

You stole it.

I’ve done a lot of things I don’t remember.

You’re a lot of help. Isaac said in a sarcastic tone.

Watch it mortal. I’m in your head and I can do some serious damage.

Bullshit. You wouldn’t dare hurt the body thats housing you, which I’m only doing until I can find a way to get rid of this magic.

You heard Celestia. There’s no way to remove it.

If there’s a will there’s a way.

Yeah good luck with that.

“Um Isaac.” Isaac turned his head towards the purple mare. “You okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You look kinda off.”

“Just thinking.”

“Were you serious? About what you said to Celestia.”

“If she tries to go poking around in my head then yes.”

“B-but she’s the Princess!” Twilight yelled.

“I don’t care who she is. I do not appreciate anyone going in and fucking with my head.” He said with a grunt. “How would you feel if someone broke into the library and read your diary?” The lavender mare gulped at the thought of her secrets being revealed. “Not a nice thought is it?” The man said with a sigh.

“It’s not that I don’t like Celestia. I think she’s a great leader. Sure beats the hell out of the idiots running my world.” He said with a sigh. “That still doesn’t give her the right to go into my head.”

“Still, I don’t think I’ve seen the Princess get that angry at one of her subjects before.” Fluttershy said.

“I’m not her subject. No one has the right to rule over another person.”

“So if you’re not a subject, then what does that make you then hot shot?” Dash said with a grumble.

“Civilian, acquaintance, hell I’d even settle for punkish rogue, but not subject.”

“You do realize that she could have sent you to the moon right?” Applejack said.

“Yeah right.” He said in a mocking tone. “From what I understand she did that with the help of the Elements which are now in your possession, so I think that she doesn’t have the ability anymore.” The girls all gasped. “Not to mention the guilt that she’d feel from exterminating the only human here might haunt her.”

“What are you talking about? You’d just be imprisoned on the moon.” Twilight said.

“The moon, at least from where I’m from has no oxygen. The second I reach orbit my lungs would collapse on themselves and my head would explode from lack of air.” The mares all gulped. “I think that the only reason Luna was able to survive up there so long was because she was an immortal Princess.” He said with a shrug. “I’m not immortal and I’m glad I’m not.”

“Why? Living forever would be awesome!” Dash said with a smile.

“No, if anything then it would be curse.” He said as he turned to look at the cyan flyer.

“How? You could do so much stuff.”

“Okay lets role play then.” He said in a flat tone. “You’re immortal. Nothing can kill you, completely unstoppable.”

“Oh yeah.” She said with a smile.

“What would you do with all that time on your hands?” The cyan mare fell silent. “What would you do after the rest of us all die?” Dash cocky grin melted away at the thought and scratched her head trying to think of something. “When it comes down to that the only person thats left is yourself and no matter how fast your wings can carry you, there’s no escaping that truth. I’m surprised Celestia is able to keep it together for this long. One thousand years is a long time Dash.” He said with a sigh. “I know that I would go crazy.” Twilight cocked an eyebrow. “Well, more crazy than I already am.”

“What about you then?” Dash asked.

“What would you do if you got immortality?”

“Try to find a way to kill myself.” The mares all fell silent at the words. “Living forever isn’t the problem. Its living with yourself forever. That is something I can’t do.”

“You aren’t afraid of dying?” Twilight asked.

“Everyone dies. Its a fact. I’ve just come and accepted that at any moment I could die. That’s one of the reason’s why Celestia is jealous of us.” The mares all looked at him in shock.

“What?” Twilight yelled.

“Think about it. Every beginning has an end.” He said in a flat tone. “The ability to die is what keeps the world going. If everyone were to live forever then the world would become a stagnant swamp.” The ponies all gulped as they processed the man’s words. “Just my opinion though.” He said before walking down the path. “C’mon, I wanna find this thing and get back home before dark.” The mares let out a sigh and continued to make their way towards the structure.

The group got to a familiar bridge and crossed it one at a time. Darkness filled the interior of the castle, the man pulled out a flashlight and started to look around. The pink mare found a staircase leading down the steps. Twilight snapped her fingers and a bright purple ball formed in her hands. The ball floated above the groups’ heads and illuminated the cave in a bright purple light.

“So this is where Lu...Nightmare Moon was held up?” Isaac asked.

“Yeah, kinda creepy.” Dash said. The way was spent in silence. The group reached the bottom of the staircase. A long hallway laid before them and a low fog covered the floor. The group continued forwards. As Fluttershy stepped on a panel her foot sank.

“Um, Twilight.” The mare said.

“Hm?”

“I think I stepped on-” She was cut off as a large spike sprouted up from the floor in front of her. The woman yelped as she saw a skeleton on the spike.

“No one move!” Twilight yelled. “It’s a pressure spike trap!”

“What?” Applejack asked.

“Pressure slabs in the floor that shoot spikes up from the ground.” Twilight yelled. The room started to shake. Pinkie looked behind her to see several spikes shooting up from the ground. Twilight looked ahead to see a large slab of stone covering the exit. “Run!” The group charged forwards. Several spikes shot up from the ground.

“Just keep running!” The man barked. As he looked back he saw the image of the seamstress being impaled. “Rarity stop!”

“Huh?” The woman stopped just as a spike shot up in front of her. The man shook his head and continued running. He the farmer and Dash made it to the exit. Twilight, Fluttershy and Rarity still had halfway to go. Isaac looked up and saw the slab coming down. Isaac extended his hands and tried to keep the slab from closing. He looked at the three to see them impaled.

“Twilight! Bank right! Shy one step back! Rarity go left!”

“Why should-”

“Just do it!” The three altered their course and dodged the spikes. Isaac was forced to one knee as the slab kept pressing. Applejack was beside him along with Dash. Dash looked to her left and saw a stream of blood coming from the man’s right eye. The man kept barking orders at the girls who kept dodging the spikes. Isaac was forced to his hands and knees as the slab was slowly crushing his spine.

“Hurry up!” Dash yelled as her muscles strained. The two mares were soon on their knees as they tried to keep the slab open. Twilight ducked and slid in between the farmer and human to safety. Next was Fluttershy who accidentally tackled the cyan flyer. The two grunted in pain as the weight pressed down on them. The man saw another vision of the mare being impaled.

Rarity was less than two feet away and Isaac saw the spike protruding from the ground. He acted on instinct and outstretched his right arm. Rarity grabbed it as she felt something warm splash across her face. She looked down to see the spike going clean through the man’s arm. Isaac screamed in pain as he gripped the designer’s arm. He mustered what was left of his strength and recoiled his arm.

The spike broke just below the man’s appendage as he pulled the mare inside. AJ was at her limit and let the slab fall as Rarity got her tail out of the death trap. Isaac laid on the ground and panted heavily.

“Okay, who’s not dead? Sound off.” He groaned.

“I’m good.” Dash said.

“Same.” The chef chimed.

“Like wise.” Shy said with a pant.

“Ah’m okay.” The farmer said.

“I’ve been better.” Rarity said.

“I’m fine.” Twilight then turned her attention towards Isaac’s arm. “You’re hurt!” Isaac then looked at his arm.

“Looks like it.” He said as he sat up.

“Hang on, I know a healing spell.” Isaac raised up his hand.

“No, we may need your magic for the road ahead.”

“But what about-” The woman was cut off as Isaac rilled the sleeve from his shirt at the seam and set it on the ground next to him. He placed his hand on the spike and quickly pulled it out. The man grunted in pain as he quickly tied the bandage over the wound.

“It should hold for now.” He said as he got to his feet.

“Dude you need to rest and-” The cyan flyer was interrupted by his gaze.

“We still have a job to do.” He said with a sigh. The mares looked at one another and continued down the corridor. As the group continued onward Rarity walked up to the man and sighed.

“Why did you do that?” She asked.

“You may be a massive thorn in my side as of late, but that doesn’t mean I want you to die.” He said with a groan.

“Still you shouldn’t have let that spike stab you.”

“Its just an arm. I’ve got two.” He said with a sigh.

“Well, thank you.” Rarity breathed out. Isaac nodded with a neutral look on his face and kept going forward.

“Hey Isaac,” The man turned towards the lavender mare. “How did you know where the spikes would shoot up?” Isaac thought for a moment and sighed.

“I don’t know. I just got these visions of you three getting impaled and I just yelled out where it was safe.” He said with a sigh. “I don’t know how it works.”

“Sounds like foresight.”

“What?”

“You can see small bits of the future.

“Fan-fucking-tastic.” He groaned.

“What’s wrong? That’s awesome!” Dash yelled.

“Dash I don’t want these powers!”

“Why not?” Applejack asked.

“I’ve survived this long without them and I don’t want anymore. It just makes things complicated.” He sighed. The mares looked at one another and shrugged. “C’mon we gotta keep going.” He said in a flat tone. The next room they were in was large and circular. Six stones were in a circle and a pedestal in the center.

Twilight walked up to one of the slabs and saw that one of them had an image of her Cutie Mark.

“I think this is it.” Twilight said as the other’s walked up to the slabs and found a few gem sized holes. “I think that we’re supposed to put them in the slots.” The group shrugged and put their gems into the carved out portions in the stone. The images started to glow and a handprint glowed on the face of the slabs underneath the gems.

The six looked at one another and put their hands on the slabs. The six felt a small tingling run through their bodies. The man looked in surprise as a pillar in the center of the six rose from the ground. Resting on top was a small metal orb the size of a softball. The metal was silver and had several carvings in it.

“It that it?” Dash asked.

“Must be.” As Twilight went to move her hand, the plate deactivated and the pillar closed up. The mare quickly put her hand back on the plate and the sphere showed up once again.

“I’ll get it.” Isaac said as he walked up to the sphere and started to reach for it. He stopped as a thought came to him. “When I grab this thing, get ready to run.”

“Why?”

“C’mon Dash. In every single book, video game or movie involving a temple and ancient treasure there’s always some massive trap when someone picks up the treasure.” Twilight rolled her eyes.

“This is real life Isaac. Just pick the thing up so we can get out of here.”

“Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He said with a gulp. The man hesitantly reached out and picked the sphere in his right hand. The small ball seemed to weigh a little less than ten pounds. The six mares waited and listened to see if anything would happen. Twilight sighed and smiled.

“See there’s nothing to-” She was cut off as Isaac felt a splitting pain run up his right arm. The human fell to his knees and saw bolts of magic tearing at his skin. “Isaac!” As the mare charged forward the floor opened up underneath the man. Isaac felt the scholar grab his left arm and tried to pull him out of the pit. Isaac tried to drop the ball but his arm wasn’t obeying his commands.

The other girls soon grabbed his arm and started to pull. Isaac felt himself being lifted out as something from below wrapped around his leg and pulled. The group almost fell into the pit but still continued to pull. The man could feel that whatever was pulling his legs was a lot stronger than the six mares. The human sighed and looked at the mares.

No....not again. He thought as he focused whatever willpower he had back into his right hand. Through the pain, the man flung his arm and connected it with the scholar’s. A small jolt of magic made the scholar let go. Time seemed to slow as the man was swallowed by the darkness. The floor closed up as Dash tried to reach for him.

“We gotta go after him and-” Dash was cut off as a hole opened up from beneath her and an invisible force dragged her down. The cyan mare grabbed the edge and pulled herself up long enough to see her friends suffer a similar fate. The flyer could feel the force dragging her down and her hand was slipping. Rainbow gave one last cry of strength as she pulled up on the stone. The wall edge cracked and the cyan mare was ripped down into the pit as the stone slab overhead covered the hole.

Author's Note

Sorry for the break needed to get my thoughts together and midterms taken care of.