Inner Demons

Alpharius and his allies had set up their bedrolls to get some rest. “You should get some rest Alpharius, you need it badly. So do you Gale you've been through a lot.” Chaser said. Gale nodded and found a place to sleep by the fire.”I'll be fine Chaser, you don't need to worry about me.” Alpharius said still looking at the fire. He hadn't slept in two days, and couldn't even if he wanted to there was too much on Alpharius' mind. Chaser knew He was not fine in anyway, he was concerned for Alpharius. “Just get some rest, I'll keep watch.” Alpharius knew that  Chaser wasn't going to take no for an answer, he went to his pack and grabbed his bedroll, as he was taking it out a small photograph fell out onto the floor. Alpharius quickly picked it up but he was noticed by Riku and Zio.

“Whats that Alpharius?” Zio asked. “It's nothing important.” “It seems pretty important to you Alpharius.” Said Riku. “Yes to me it's important, nobody else,lets get some sleep” Alpharius said as he laid on his bed roll. The others nodded and went to sleep, Alpharius stared at the cave ceiling in thought why did the Order want a pegasus with no soul?  Who was Vect's 4th legion, what was their gain all of this? Alpharius left the cave and went for a walk in the forest. Alpharius felt at ease and calm in the night sky. He always felt better when he could see the stars.

While gazing up at the stars and bright moonlight he walked to a pond with some ruins. The pond and the surrounding meadow felt odd to him. Alpharius looked at the pond, he stared at his reflection, He then saw his sisters reflection next to him. Alpharius quickly looked back up but nothing was there, he turned around and saw a pony standing in front of him. As he was about to speak he feels something grab him and pull him into the pond. He hears his sisters voice. “Come drown with me.” Alpharius Thrashed trying to get out, as he got to the surface he saw a large dragon flying away. Then he was pulled back down. Alpharius began loosing consciousness, then he felt something grab his hoof and pull him out as he hit the surface everything went black.

Alpharius was in darkness hearing voices.”Hello Alpharius...” The voice said with a demoralizing tone. “Who are you where am I?” Alpharius asked, the voice spoke back. “Your location  doesn't matter at the moment. I am Níðhöggr.” The name stung as Alpharius heard it.“I'm giving you the chance to join me.” the voice laughed. “No, I know what you are and what you do.” Alpharius said with his moral on the verge of breaking. “I knew you going to say that, I will give a taste of what I can give you.” Alpharius saw a faint glow in the darkness, as it moved closer he saw it was an amulet. The amulet wrapped around his neck and began to cause agonizing pain everywhere in his body. Alpharius was screaming in torment as the energy coursed through his body. “We will meet again, I promise you...” The voice faded, then he heard another one. “Alpharius...Alpharius.” His eyes shot open and Gale was pounding on his chest.

Alpharius sat up and coughed up water and began breathing again. “Alpharius! What happened to you?” Gale said. “I..I don't know Gale. If I told you, you wouldn't believe me, how did yo-” Before Alpharius could finish talking Gale interrupted him. “Where did you get that amulet?” He looked down and there was and amulet. Alpharius tried to take it off but it wouldn't come off. “I found it... Don't worry about it.” Gale glared at him. “I will worry about it, this place is a temple of Sylara! She ruined my life, and I find you here drowning in the pond and you have an amulet that you never had before!”Alpharius began walking back to the cave “Lets get back to the cave we can talk there.” Gale stopped him. “No, you start talking now.” Alpharius looked back at him. “Does this look like an amulet of Sylara? It has ancient dragon writing on it. This is much older than Sylara.”

Gale quieted down and followed Alpharius back to the cave. “You might want to cover up that amulet Alpharius.” Gale said. Alpharius nodded in agreement. When the two got back to the cave Alpharius put on a his jacket to hide the amulet from view and the two laid on there bedrolls to get some sleep for the long walk ahead. Later that night Chaser heard a sound and woke up. He looked around, the cave was empty and he was all alone. Chaser got up and went to towards the exit but the cave seemed to go on forever.  He began to get scared. “What is going on?” he said. A voice spoke back “Do not be afraid, I will not harm you.” The voice said in a soothing tone.

Chaser turned around and an elegant silver dragon was looking at him. She snapped her fingers and there was a bright flash, in the dragons place was a unicorn. “My name is Adalinda, you must listen to me. Your friend is in grave danger, A dark and powerful Dracolich named Níðhöggr is going to corrupt him and use him to start another war in Equestria.” Chaser moved up to her. “What do you mean by another?” Adalinda responded. “Him and his followers are the ones responsible for corrupting Luna.”

Chaser nodded. “What do I need to do?”He asked “You must go to Canterlot and go to the Star Dragon shrine in the castle gardens, I will watch over you and your friends.” She said, as she began to vanish. Chaser than felt a dull pain in his ribs and he woke up. “Wake up Chaser, were leaving.” Riku said with an irritated look on her face, Chaser looked around. “Yeah, sorry...” He stood up and packed his things and put on his pack. Alpharius was at the entrance of the cave. “I hope you all god enough rest, we won't be stopping until we get to the Unicorn Range.” The others nodded and were ready. “Sketch Heart, ready to lead the way.” Sketch Heart smiled and went outside. “Follow me everypony.” The others followed her out into the cold morning.

The group got out of the forest and began hiking up the mountains. As they made their way to the top Zio stopped them. “Look at the view, it's absolutely stunning.” The group looked around, they could see Canterlot, Cloudsdale,and the forests, and the small dot that was Ponyville. “Lets keep moving were almost there, then we can relax for a bit.” Alpharius told the others. “I agree with Alpharius, we don't want to be out here when it gets dark.” Said Sketch Heart, she began leading them towards the summit of the mountain. When they reached the top there was a gruesome aftermath of a battle. Sketch Heart hid behind the others. “What the hell happened her?” Gale said. Alpharius and Chaser inspected the bodies.

“They look like royal guard renegades. Look at the defiled badges and emblems.” Alpharius saw that they had the symbol of the order painted on their armor. “Alpharius the other ones look like they are from Vect's 4th.” “I guess they tried to ambush us up here, but what killed them?” Gale asked. “It looks like wild life of some kind finished off who ever was left.” Zio said, the group quickly left the place and began going down the mountain. By the time Alpharius and the others got to the bottom of the mountain and onto the road, the sun was beginning to set. “I see some lights further down the road lets go!” Chaser and Riku flew towards the town, the other were barely able to keep up. Alpharius and the others got to the town. They went to an inn when they got to the desk when the attendant turned around Chaser recognized the white unicorn and felt uneasy.”Can I help you?” She said looking at Alpharius. “We would like a room for the night.” He placed a silver coin that had a blue tint to it. “This will be enough to cover us.” Her eyes widened. “Yes this is more than enough. I'll take you to your room.” She lead them to the nicest room available.