When will it end?

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and the creature slowly set out into the forest. "Excuse me, but what's your name?" Twilight asked. "My name is Artorias, and I am one of the four knights of Gywn." The creature responded. "I came to this world when I challenged the Abyss."

"The Abyss, what's that?"

"The Abyss is a poison that spreads from Manus, father of the Abyss. I traveled to the land of Oolacile, and challenged the Abyss. As I entered the Chasm where Manus resided, I—" As Artorias was speaking, a blur shot out of a nearby bush, and brought him to the ground. "Get it off!" Artorias grappled with the beast, smashing his fist into its skull. They rolled over, and Artorias pinned it. He then smashed his elbow into its chest, continuing to smash until it broke into pieces. He got up and looked at the shards of wood. "What is that?"

"That's a Timberwolf. They are just one of the native beasts to the Everfree." said Twilight.

"I see. Is it dead?"

"No, just shattered. They eventually put themselves back together."

"I see. What else resides in this forest?"

"Manticores, basilisks, hydras, even dragons."

"Then we must be cautious."

"I agree. Rainbow, you've been very quiet. Do you have anything to—" Twilight turned around, and was shocked to see that Rainbow had disappeared. "Rainbow!? Where are you!? Rainbow!?"

"Stop yelling, I'm right here." Rainbow stepped out of the shadows, her garb keeping her hidden from sight. "I found some shelter where we will be safe from the beasts of the Everfree."

Where is it?" said Artorias.

"Just through these trees. Lets go." On that note, Rainbow disappeared into the shadows. Twilight and Artorias followed. After a short jog, they found some ruins. They appeared to have been there for several years. Artorias looked to Twilight, who shrugged. Together they marched into the abandoned ruins. As they stepped forward, they took a quick look around. The ruins appeared to be of some ancient civilization. The walls were covered in dust. Twilight walked up to one and blew off some of the dust. She gasped in shock. "Artorias! Get over here!" Artorias, who was approaching something familiar shoved into the ground, turned around and ran to Twilight, who was soon joined by Rainbow Dash. "What is it?" Asked Artorias. At that moment, the moon decided to shine down on the wall they had gathered around. There, carved into the wall, was a creature just like Artorias, with one slight difference. It had heads poking out of its entire form. Laying around the fiend were bodies of ponies, but they were dry, wrinkled, and flatter then paper.Twilight looked sick, while Rainbow simply shrugged. They realized that the dust around them was actually dead ponies. Artorias, however, felt something change. "Get out. Now." Artorias left no room for argument. Rainbow grabbed Twilight and flew as fast as she could outside. "Artorias!" screamed Twilight. As Rainbow flew out, Artorias waved goodbye. With a sudden CRACK, the door collapsed, trapping Artorias inside. As Rainbow set down Twilight, she frantically started searching for a way in. "A...Twilight?"

"No time Rainbow! We have to get in!"

"Twilight, there's a hole a in the roof."

"I know there's a hole in the roof! But that's not important! We have to... get... in."

"I got ya." Rainbow grabbed Twilight and carried her up to the roof. Meanwhile, Artorias readied himself, and equipped his composite bow. With an eerie groan, a wall shifted in the far corner.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?feature=plpp&v=IS6imkjmYcg]

Artorias lit an arrow, and shot it into the corner. As it struck, it lit up what was in the corner. Artorias was met with an appalling sight. Standing across from him was a giant blob about his size. It was made out of combined creatures, there faces, lives, and essence forever stolen by this beast. Ponies, timberwolves, griffins, even manticores were devoured by this beast. Artorias had to put a stop to it, and let them free. Artorias watched as the arrow he shot was absorbed by the beast, then spat out at him. He dodged to the side and stood up, ready to fire, when he saw that the beast had disappeared. "Behind you!" Looking up, he saw that Twilight and Rainbow Dash were on the roof. Heeding their warning, he rolled forward, barely avoiding getting stabbed by a spike of flesh that came from one of the thing's many mouths. He picked up a branch from the ground, then lit it. He handled his great-sword in his right hand, the makeshift torch in the other. At that moment, a cloud covered the moon, plunging most of the room into darkness. Rainbow flew up to destroy the cloud, but stopped when she realized it was alive. It stared her down, and she slowly descended down to the roof, but not without giving it a little kick. It kicked back, sending Rainbow sprawling across the roof. Artorias slowly surveyed the room, waiting. Sensing movement to his right, he dodged ever so slightly backwards, letting the spike shoot in front of him. He quickly slashed across its chest, then jumped back, smiling at the deep gash he made. His smile fell as he watched the wound close itself. He jumped further back, watching it closely. It shuffled forward slightly, then dashed forward in less than a second. It shot out a spike, piercing Artorias in his left side. He had managed to shift slightly, causing the spike to miss his heart. He latched onto the spike, and threw the monster to the ground. As it lay there, he cut off the spike, separating him from the beast before it could absorb him. It grew angry, and started shooting spikes out of each and every face it had accumulated. Artorias took out his bow, and as the face directed at him opened its mouth, he closed his eyes as he shot a flaming arrow right into its throat. The face he shot it into was a pony, and it swallowed, starting to contort. The beast bubbled, and exploded. Bits of flesh shot everywhere. Artorias took out a small vial, filled with a golden liquid, and drank it. He ripped the spike out of his side, and sighed as the wound closed. He then started to climb the wall up to the roof.