Caverns Old
Rainbow's eyes fluttered open to see darkness all around her. As she sat up, the Pegasus felt a familiar pain in her left wing. She looked and saw her wing quivering as she tried to move it only resulting in pain.
"Great." She said to herself. The mare got to her feet and looked up to see the stone ceiling. Dash looked ahead and saw a small flickering blue light. As she walked closer she saw that it was a small blue fire. A figure sat alone in front of it. "Isaac? That you?" The figure turned around and Dash gulped as she saw it wearing an odd ski mask. The mask was jet black.
"Who are you?" The voice was deep and masculine.
"Name's Rainbow Dash. Who are you?"
"You can just call me Swift." He said as he sat back down. The cyan mare noticed that he had two odd items by his side. "So what brings you down to a place like this?"
"I was with my friends when the floor opened up and.....Oh man! I gotta get going!" The figure grabbed her tail before she could run off. "Hey what gives?"
"Look ma'am. I've been stuck down here for almost three months and this place is like a fucking maze." Dash grumbled. "Now believe it or not, I'm looking for my friends too. We should stick together and see if we can find them. Deal?"
"Deal." Dash said as she shook the stranger's hand.
"Good." He said as he kicked the fire apart and picked up a burning stick. The two continued down the dark hallway. "How many of your friends are down here?"
"Six. Five girls and one guy." She said with a smile.
"So how'd you all get stuck?"
"We were sent to find some sort of relic and a trap hit us." Dash said.
"I see."
"What about you? What are your friends like?"
"Me and five other guys were chasing after our friend." He sighed. "He got lost. So we split up in hopes of increasing our efforts but we ended up getting lost ourselves." He said in a low tone.
"Ouch. Think he's okay? The guy you were originally looking for."
"He's a tough son-of-a-bitch." He chuckled. "I'm worried that he's too lost to find his way back home. Being in darkness does things to ya Ms. Dash. Makes ya think the whole world is against you."
"Yeah I know a guy like that." She said as she thought of the human. "He's been through a lot and most of the stuff is...disturbing to say the least. Hope we find him soon and you can just call me Rainbow or Dash. Ms. makes me sound old."
"Sorry Rainbow and thanks. Every vote of confidence helps." He said as the two continued onwards.
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Through the darkness Rarity was running for her life as she heard growls coming behind her. She quickly sprinted down the stone hallway. She heard her own shoes click against the floor along with the paws of the creatures behind her. A stone sticking up from the ground made the fashionista trip and fall forwards. The mare groaned in pain and looked back to see three pairs of bright red eyes glaring at her.
Rarity was frozen in their gaze as they charged forwards. Rarity closed her eyes and waited for the pain. She heard three popping noises. She opened her eyes to see the three beasts falling back.
"Honestly," A refined voice said from behind the woman. "that is no way to treat a lady." Rarity looked behind her to see a shadowy figure with a black mask on his face and a hood over its head. Rarity scrambled to her feet and gulped. The figure stood a good five inches taller than her.
"Stay back!" The man reached into his jacket and Rarity saw a glint of silver. Her sapphire eyes shrank as she saw a long edged knife.
"Duck!" He yelled. Rarity did as she was asked as she saw the blade fly towards her. She looked behind to see another one of the creatures drop to the ground with a knife in between it's eyes. The stranger walked towards the beast and saw its body turn to shadows. The man put the blade back in its holster and looked at the girl.
"P-please don't hurt me."
"Wouldn't dream of it. I find hurting damsels in distress to be most distasteful." He said as he outstretched a black gloved hand. "Are you hurt?" Rarity looked at the hand and back at the man. She gathered her courage and allowed the stranger to help him up.
"No, thanks to you anyway." The figure bowed to her.
"It is no trouble at all Ms?"
"Rarity." She said with a smile. "Who can I call my rescuer?"
"You may call me Fox." He said with another bow. "Forgive the mask Ms. Rarity." He said as he pointed to the mask. "A mug such as mine needs to be hidden for the time being." Rarity gulped and sighed.
"I suppose I can understand."
"Thank you. Now would you mind telling me what a beauty such as yourself is doing in such a dreary place."
"My friends and I sent in here to locate some dusty old rock." She said with a sigh. "Then one of them gets caught in a trap and soon we all were met with the same." Rarity lowered her head. "I was trying to find them when I was ambushed by those beasts." The figure cocked its head in surprise. "What about you?"
"There is no such thing as coincidence in this life Ms. Rarity. You see a few companions and myself were in search of a friend that had gone astray." He said with a small chuckle. "We split up, but soon found this place to be alike a labyrinth." Rarity nodded. "Been nearly," The figure paused and thought for a moment. "What day is today?"
"I believe its Tuesday."
"Ah then it'a been two months and twelve days." Rarity's jaw dropped at the number.
"Nearly three months?"
"Yup." He said with a nod. "My companions and I will not leave our brother to wander aimlessly in darkness."
"Your brother?"
"Well, we're like brothers to each other though we are not bound by blood." The figure then looked back towards the darkness and heard growls. Rarity gulped. "Might I suggest we continue this conversation during a stroll?" He said as he offered his arm.
"Good idea!" She said as she took the arm and the two hurried off.
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"So you're looking for your friend?" Twilight said as she looked back at the masked figure. The figure had a large wrapped object on his back and was secured by a strap. She looked into the mask's eye holes and saw a crystal blue eye behind the left but darkness behind the right.
"Correct."
"In the process of looking, you and your five other friends got lost and have been down here almost three months."
"Yes," The figure nodded. "hopefully I find them soon."
"So who are you anyway?" The mare asked as she looked at the figure.
"You may call me Hawk eye." His voice was deep and he bowed.
"Odd name."
"Yours isn't?" The mare was about to protest but sighed.
"Fair enough. So this friend of yours, why did he come down here?" She asked as the two leaped over a small ravine. The shade went first and caught the mare as she landed. "Thank you."
"The poor soul is lost. We came to find him." He said as the mare snapped her fingers and a levitating purple flame hovered above their heads. "Nice trick."
"Basic illumination spell." Twilight smiled. The two heard a low hissing noise. The figure grabbed Twilight and pulled her into a dark crack. "What are you-"
"Shhh!" He said with a gulp. The tow froze as they felt a cold presence chill them to the bone. "Whatever you do, don't make a sound." The air grew colder and the two saw a dark armored shade glide by them. The shade stopped and looking into the crack. The figure put his hand over Twilight's mouth to hide her breath. The shade's face was pitch black and a tattered robe covered its head.
The figure slowly reached for a rock and threw it out of the crack and across the cavern. The sound of the rock bouncing on the flat stone echoed through the hallways. The shade quickly made itself scarce in search of the noise. The two let out a sigh of relief as the masked figure poked his head out to see the shade leaving.
"What in the name of Celestia was that?" Twilight asked as she looked at the fleeing shadow.
"I don't rightly know. From what I've been able to translate, they're souls that have been clouded by darkness."
"Will that happen to us?" Twilight asked.
"Not unless you are killed by one of them. That's why the sooner we find your and my friends the better."
"Alright." She said as the two made their way down the path.
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"Wow, that's a long time to be trapped down here Kickback." The farmer said as she looked at the masked figure that stood before her.
"Yeah, and I'm getting real tired of this shit." The voice said in a southern accent.
"Remind me again why ah'm following you." She spat out.
"Cause ah'm the only thing in this place that isn't trying to kill ya." The shadow said.
"Fair enough." The southerner said. "So why in the name of Celestia would yer friend come down here?"
"Don't know. He's always liked dark places like this." The figure shrugged. Applejack then noticed the odd item on his back.
"Hey what in the hay is that thing?" She asked as she pointed to the weapon.
"This here is a Mossberg 500." He said as he held the weapon. "This is for when things get ugly and I need to get up close and personal." He said as he continued onward.
That looked like that small thing Isaac showed us. She thought to herself. I wonder if....nah.
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Fluttershy quickly walked behind a man with a dark mask over his face and a dog with a vest covering its mid section. The dog stopped and sniffed the air for a moment.
"Smell something Cage?" The masked figure asked. The dog barked a few times and ran forwards.
"Is he gonna be okay Doc?" The yellow mare asked as the two raced after the canine.
"Cage has been through a lot. He should be-"
"Hey cool, a puppy!" Fluttershy recognized the voice of the pasty chef and hurried forwards. The mare and figure ran down the hallway to see a large room lit by torches. Several other paths diverged from the room. She saw another mask wearing figure bend down and pet the dog. The figure's mask was similar to the other figure's. The pastry chef saw her friend and ran over to hug her.
"Oh Pinkie, I'm so glad you're okay!" Shy said as she cried in the mare's arms. Pinkie nodded and let her friends tears mix with her own. The beak masked figure made a smile gesture with his fingers towards the other who returned the gesture.
Fluttershy looked at the man and saw that his mask looked similar to the shade that had found her.
"Hey you met somepony new too!"
"Y-yes." Fluttershy said as she stood up. "This is Doc and his dog Cage." The canine barked and happily wagged his tail.
"Cool! This is Gizmo."
"Nice to meet you." The shade said with a bow. The group then heard something come from the darkness. Doc pulled out two pistols and Gizmo pulled out a much larger weapon. As the footsteps grew louder they saw a purple flame hanging over Twilight's head.
"Twilight!" The two mares yelled as she ran towards them.
"Oh thank Celestia I found you girls. This place is like a maze." She said as they hugged. The two masked figures nodded to the other.
"I heard them up ahead!" Dash and Applejack ran down the path and quickly met up with the other mares.
"Am ah glad to see you girls." The farmer said with a smile. The figures that were accompanying them nodded to one another.
"Hello gents." A voice said from the darkness. The group turned and saw the fashionista with the last masked figure.
"Late as usual Fox." Hawk eye said.
"Did any of you find him yet?" Doc asked.
"No trace." Swift said. The others nodded. "We have to double our efforts."
"No question. Isaac's tough he can handle himself." The six mares' ears perked up at the name.
"What did you just say?" Twilight asked. "This friend of yours, is he about 5'8" brown hair, blue eyes, pale skin, scar over his right eyelid?" The six masked figures then surrounded the group.
"So you've seen him then?" The mares nodded. "Where? When?"
"He was with us when we came in here." Dash said. "H-How do you guys know him?" The figures looked at Hawk eye as he nodded. The figure removed his mask to reveal his pale skin, light blonde hair, piercing blue eye and an eyepatch over his right.
Doc removed his to reveal his dirty blonde hair, green eyes and a pair of wire rim glasses. Swift's skin was darker than the others and his eyes were dark brown. The top of his head was shaved clean. Kickback had tan skin and a mustache under his nose. His hazel eyes cut like daggers.
Fox's hair was jet black to contrast his light green eyes and a small scar was just above his cheek. Gizmo removed his mask to show that his skin was tan and a black beard was beginning to form on his face.
"N-no way." Twilight said as she looked at the six human males. "H-how is this possible? Who are you people?"
"We're what's left of his squad." Fox stated. "Zerum or Isaac as you know him as is....was our captain."
"But he said that you guys died!" Dash said.
"That he did, but we're still alive in here." Gizmo said.
"That makes no sense!" Twilight yelled. "Isaac said you all died." The six men looked at one another and sighed. Kickback opened his cloak to show that the right side of his chest was gone. The girls gasped at the sight.
"Got hit by a grenade." He said as he closed the cloak. Doc removed the bandana that was tied around his head to show a hole going through.
"Sniper got me while I was trying to save Fox here from bleeding to death." The medic then bent down to the dog and removed the vest to show the dog's blown out stomach. "Cage here jumped on a grenade to save us." The dog whined as the dapper man removed his cloak to show his upper body had thousands of cut marks on him.
"They decided to use slow process." He sighed. Gizmo removed his cloak to reveal a large hole going through his chest.
"RPG round went clean through. Didn't have to worry about my heart burn though." He chuckled. Next up was Swift. He rolled up his pant legs to show two skeletal legs.
"Wasn't quick enough to outrun a tank shell." The girls lastly turned towards Hawk eye who pulled down his shirt to show a wound over his heart.
"Died on the operating table when Isaac and I finally got back to base." He sighed. "At least I gave him something." He said as he pointed to his eye patch. Twilight's brain was trying to comprehend the fact that she was talking to six human corpses.
"How are you alive right now?"
"They say that no one is really dead so long as there's someone that still remembers you." Doc stated. The group looked at them in shock. "Here's what I've been able to gather. Whatever it was that Isaac touched and trapped you all is what brought us here." Doc adjusted his glasses. "Twilight, you know more about Nightmare moon out of all of us." He said as he covered up his injury. "What was Nightmare Moon's main way of getting followers?" Twilight gulped and took a deep breath.
"The texts say that Nightmare moon would make a pony experience their worst nightmares and they would eventually go insane. One their mind is lost she would infect them with her own will and they'll become her slaves." The mares gulped.
"So that's whats happening then?" Kickback asked.
"Most likely. If we find his physical body then we should be able to wake him up from the trance." Doc stated.
"Wait, didn't we destroy Nightmare Moon?" Pinkie asked.
"From Luna." Gizmo stated. "When Isaac got her blood and magic, a bit of Nightmare Moon's essence went along for the ride." The six mares gulped. "Her essence has been getting stronger and is most likely going to try to take possession of his body."
"Why would she want his body?"
"I don't know." Hawk eye said.
"My only assumption is that his mind must have sensed what was happening and sent out a distress call. We just so happened to be on his mind at the time." Gizmo stated.
"So the plan is to find him, kill this moon person and get out?" Hawk eye asked.
"That's the plan." The six humans looked at one another and sighed. "Ready for one last run?"
"Always." Swift said with a grin.
"Okay lets move out then."
"Wait!" Twilight yelled as the men started to leave. "We're going with you."
"No way in hell. You'll just get in our way." The blue eyes soldier stated.
"Look we're Isaac's friends and we want to help him." Dash said. The six men looked at one another and sighed.
"You guys don't have the faintest idea how to help him." Doc said. The medic turned towards Twilight. "Constantly prodding at an infected organ will cause it to burst. The only one that can help him is himself." The other men looked at the medic on shock.
"We may be able to help!" Twilight said. "I have my magic and the others are just as useful." Hawk eye walked up to her and scanned her with his eyes.
"Tell me Sparkle, have you ever had to kill anything with your bare hands?" Twilight gulped. "Ever had to see someone you love like family killed in front of your eyes while you can't do anything?"
"N-no, I've never had to do any of those things." She said as she hung her head and the man rolled his good eye. "Regardless," She said as she stared back at the man. "Isaac is our friend and we'll do anything to help him. With or without your help." The men looked at them in surprise. "We've faced Nightmare Moon before and we know how to deal with her."
The men looked at one another and huddled up. Twilight couldn't hear what they were discussing. The group broke and the man sighed.
"Okay, you're in." He stated. "But, you do everything we tell you to do got it?"
"Yes." Twilight said.
"Good." Hawk eye shook her hand and felt something burning in his pocket. Twilight's eyes shrank as she saw the bright purple gem. "What now?"
"Where did you get that?" Twilight yelled.
"Found it in the dirt." He said as he looked at the gem that glowed brightly. "Its what led me to you. You know what it is?" He asked as he gave it to her. Twilight took it and funneled her magic through it. The gem glowed brightly and changed into the staff form. The other five men then held out the other amulets and handed them to the mares.
They each transformed into their respective weapon form. The men gulped as they saw the now armed girls. "Well, I guess we won't have to worry about protecting you." He chuckled. "Now lets get going. Time is not on our side."
The man said as he and the group made their way back into the dark halls of the old castle. As they continued the trek through the darkness Dash stared at their covered faces.
"Hey why do you guys wear masks?"
"Keeps our identities hidden." Fox said. "Didn't want our enemies knowing our faces."
"Why?"
"Makes us easier to find." Hawk eye said in a flat tone. "Plus it males us look more intimidating."
"You guys don't seem that-" The cyan mare was cut off as the six men looked at her with darkness in their eyes. The Pegasus gulped. "never mind." The six men led the mares deep through the caverns and tirelessly searched for their friend. The group stopped to rest in a large room. The floor was cobble stone and there was a massive five foot hole in the center. The hole's edge had a three foot wall built up around it. Twilight looked up and saw that the hole went through several more floors.
"What's with the hole?" AJ asked.
"Must have been used to hoist things up from the bottom of the castle." Twilight said with a small pant. The girls leaned against the edge. Twilight looked at Rarity who had a glum look on her face. "You okay?"
"Its just that....This is very ironic for me." The fashionista said. "When we started on this little quest I really couldn't give a damn about Isaac." The other mares cocked an eyebrow at her. "Now here I am worried sick that we'll never see him again." She sniffled. Twilight put an arm on her shoulder and nodded.
"Yeah," The mares then heard several clicking noises behind them. "I wouldn't go worrying about that if I were you." The mares spun around and saw the six men standing behind them with their weapons raised. A wave of pure fear went through the mares. Before they could speak, gunfire filled the room.
Dash slumped to ground in pain as she felt the bullet go through her chest. She slowly tilted her head to see her friends lying motionless on the ground. "Double tap." The sniper said. Dash watched in horror as they fired off another round into her friends already lifeless bodies. She slowly looked up at Swift who's eyes were like daggers. He raised a pistol and pointed it clear at her forehead.
"Sorry Dash, but this is the end." The cyan mare had tears in her eyes as the man pulled the trigger.
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Isaac's eyes snapped wide open and he shot up. "No!" He yelled as he felt the sweat on his face. He grabbed his side in pain and slowly got to his feet. "Fucking dream." He groaned. The man looked down at his right arm and removed the bandage. The puncture would was completely healed as he flexed his arm. The man collected his rope that had landed in a heap beside him and his axe.
"Okay, now to find the others." He said as he brushed himself off. He puled out his cell phone and sighed at the no service indication on the screen. "Typical." He groaned. Isaac pulled out his hand gun and saw he still had six bullets in the revolver. He reached into his pocket and looked at the speed-loader. So I've got twelve shots. Better make em count. Something shiny caught his eye and he saw the silver orb he was holding before.
The man picked it up in his right hand and frowned. You'd better be worth this or I'm gonna melt you down for scrap. He thought as he put it in his pocket. He grabbed his crumple hat and dusted it off before going down the path that laid before him. He picked up his barely functioning flashlight and shined it towards the cave walls.
What the hell? He saw odd paintings in the walls that seemed to show the three pony races bowing down before the silver sphere. Isaac fumbled in his pocket before pulling out the metal round object.
"Makes us easier to find." Isaac froze at the voice and hurried towards it. He came to a circular room with a massive hole in the floor. Memories of the dream came rushing back to his mind as he looked down and could make out the heads of the six mares. "Shit!" He said as he grabbed his rope and looked for something to tie it on. He found a jagged rock and quickly looped it around the base. He wrapped the other end around his mid section and jumped down the hole.
The man traveled through two floors before he heard the metallic clicking of the guns. Time slowed as the human pulled out his gun as he came to the clearing. The six mens' eyes shrank as they saw the armed human pointing the gun at them.
"Duck!" Isaac yelled. The girls obeyed as Isaac shot off a round that hit the sniper in the chest sending him falling back. In the confusion Twilight used her staff and shot off a ball of purple fire at the medic who was instantly enveloped in flames. Pinkie charged forth with her hammer and slammed the end into the Southerner.
The dog attempted to leap onto the purple mage only to be stopped by Fluttershy's stare. Dash slashed Swift across the chest with his daggers as Rarity slammed the weight at the end of her whip into the knife user's face. Applejack used her axe to slash Gizmo's mid section. After the dust had settled the girls all panted.
"Can I get a little help please?" Isaac yelled. The girls looked back and saw that the man was holding onto the edge of the pit with one hand. The man looked down into the darkness and gulped.
"Easy partner, we got ya." AJ said as she and Dash took hold of his arm. Twilight's horn glowed and the man felt himself being lifted out of the pit and stood on the hard ground. The group immediately hugged him.
"You guys okay?" Isaac asked with a pant.
"Yeah, thanks for that." Dash said. The human then looked at Twilight with a smug grin.
"Told you we'd need the rope." He said with a chuckle. The scholar rolled her eyes as one of the men groaned in pain. Isaac walked over to the sniper and put his boot on his neck. Isaac tore off the mask and looked at the man in surprise.
"These guys said that you knew them." AJ said.
"I did. They were my old squad." He said as he applied more pressure to his throat. "The only difference is, had this been the REAL Hawk eye I'd be dead."
"What kind of monster are you?" The sniper coughed. "You didn't even hesitate to kill your best friends!"
"Carter Jenkins is dead!" Isaac said as he pointed the barrel at the shade's head. "You dare invoke his image? You must be glutton for punishment." Isaac squeezed the trigger and the shade vanished as the bullet went through its head. All that remained was a pile of ash.
Isaac slumped to the ground and leaned against the wall with the gun in his hand. The man hung his head and looked at the ash pile. Twilight approached him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. I'm good." He said as he got to his feet. "C'mon I got the thing." He said as he pulled out the small ball. The mares crowded around it and cocked their heads in surprise.
"That's it?" Dash said in surprise. "Thats what we came down here to get?"
"I guess. This thing was a pain in the ass to carry." Isaac said as he tossed it in his hand.
"Let me see it." Isaac shrugged and handed it to the cyan mare. Dash looked it over before she felt as though someone had lit her hand on fire. "Damn thats hot!" She said as she dropped it. Isaac picked it up and looked at it.
"Really? Seems fine to me." Twilight looked at it and picked it up in a telekinetic grip. While it was wrapped in the purple aura a lighting bolt shot out and struck the mare causing her to lose her concentration and drop it.
"What is with that thing?"
"I blame magic." Isaac said as he picked it up and slipped it inside his pocket. "Now we need to talk about something." The mares looked at him in confusion. "We need a way to find each other in case we get separated again and whatever's in here can change their shape. So we'd better be careful." Twilight snapped her fingers and summoned seven compasses.
As she handed them out the man cocked an eyebrow. "Um not sure how well these are gonna work Twi." He said as he looked at the compass. "I mean it doesn't even point North."
"Its not supposed to. I take one of these with me whenever I go to visit Zecora. The default is set for Ponyville so I can always find my way back home. Shining wanted me to make a few for him and some of his guards when they're out on missions. So I made a few extra."
"Good enough for me." He said as he put it in his pocket. "Now I suggest we find a way out of this crazy place before something else happens."
"Sounds good to me.." Dash stated. As the group turned to leave the medic grunted and gripped his pistol. He pulled the trigger and the bullet rocketed forward into the man's back and went through his chest. "Isaac!" Dash yelled as she looked at the heavily bleeding man. Fluttershy aimed her bow back at the the medic that soon turned to ash. Twilight knelt down next to him and examined the would.
"He's in bad shape." The mare placed her hands over the wound and focused her magic. The wound glowed bright red and refused to close. "Why isn't it healing?" She said as the man coughed up more blood.
"Hang on." Rarity waved her finger and the man's shirt phased off his body and turned back to physical material.
"Guys...Scarlet...I'm....I'm so sorry." The man said in a dazed state.
"Don't try to talk." Twilight said as she folded the shirt and applied pressure to the wound. A roar then came from Pinkie's end of the hallway. The mares looked to see several dark wolves coming out of the darkness with murder in their eyes. Applejack stood beside the pastry chef with her axe in hand. The human coughed up another mouthful of blood before slipping into darkness.
The five mares were holding their own against the dark wolves as Twilight tried multiple healing spells on the human as she tried to stop his bleeding. One of the wolves jumped into the air only to be met with a large rock hurdled by Rarity's telekinesis. More wolves appeared from the shadows and started to gain ground.
"They just keep coming!" Dash yelled as she slashed another wolf. As one tried to bite her the pack was blasted away by a bright beam of green energy. Out of the darkness the girls saw a figure standing. Their eyes shrank as they saw a female Changeling panting heavily.
"Finally." She said as she walked forwards. The girls raised their weapons and the Changeling froze. "Look I don't want any trouble. I'm here to help."
"Yeah right." Dash spat out. "Why would you want to help us?
"I'm not helping you. I'm helping him." she said as she pointed at the bleeding man. "I can heal him."
"How do you know Isaac?" Applejack asked.
"Hey, do you want me to explain or let him bleed out on the floor?" She said in an annoyed tone. "Look, you don't like me and I don't like you, but I am the only one here who can help him!"
"I've read that Changelings do have advanced healing spells." Twilight said. The mares looked at one another and sighed.
"I see you try anything and you're dead!" Dash yelled as the Changeling walked over and knelt down on the hard stone across from Twilight. Isis removed the bandage and looked at the wound.
"Doesn't look good." She said as she spat in the wound and it started to sizzle.
"What are you doing?"
"Changeling saliva is a disinfectant." She said as she placed both hands on the man's chest and focused her magic. A spell circle appeared over the wound and it started to slowly close.
"Hey its working!" Pinkie chimed. The wound stopped and the Changeling started to pant. "You okay?"
"This spell....takes a lot of power." She said with a sigh. "I'm not sure if I have enough ."
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Isaac felt as though he was floating in a pool of crystal blue water and gasped. He treaded in the liquid and saw a small island in the center of the pool of water. He swam towards it and saw the metallic ball he had been sent to retrieve.
"Well, are you just going to stand there all day?" The ball asked.
"Holy crap, you can talk?" Isaac said in shock.
"Yes, I can communicate with you telepathically."
"Great, haven't heard that one before." He said in a sarcastic tone. "Where the hell am I?"
"You are currently bleeding out on the castle floor."
"Crap." Isaac groaned.
"Calm down. This is not the end. I can heal you."
"Okay first off who the hell are you? It feels strange talking to a ball." The sphere shifted to a white cloaked figure with a mask on.
"You may call me Catalyst."
"Okay and you're just going to help me free of charge?" Isaac said as he looked at the figure. The stranger stood at nearly seven feet tall and wore a white mask.
"No, I require a payment."
"Fucking knew it. Is Nightmare behind this facade to?" He said as he looked around.
"No, although should you wish to be rid of her we can do that."
"Okay so how much do you charge?" Isaac asked.
"It is a trade. Should you wish to be relieved of the dark presence we will require something in return."
"That would be?"
"Your health."
"Excuse me?"
"Currently, any injury your body receives will heal in a matter of minutes. We will take that power in order for you to be free from Nightmare Moon and if you want to go back to your friends then I'll take your foresight." Isaac looked at the figure in confusion and scratched his head.
"Why are you helping me?"
"I'm am merely an observer. My job is to present the choices and witness your reaction based on your choices."
"You make it sound like life is some game." Isaac scoffed.
"It is. How you play is up to you." The figure outstretched its right hand. Isaac pondered for a moment and weighed his options. "I should also mention that there is no going back. Once the decision is made its final and most of moon's powers will be forever lost."
That healing is really handy.
But moon is so fucking annoying and after she made THEM come back!
For once we both agree on something. Isaac walked forward and shook the figure's hand.
"Deal." The figure gripped his hand like a vice. The man cried in pain as he felt his eyes and entire body burning. As the figure broke the handshake it slugged Isaac in the stomach. The human felt as though he had punched a hole clean through his abdomen.
"Okay. That hurt." He said as he grabbed his stomach in pain.
"You wretch!" The man gulped and looked behind him to see the dark Alicorn in a ghost like form. The whit cloaked figure then raised its arms and chains shot out the sleeves and wrapped around the spirit. "Wh-what are you doing."
"See ya in hell moon." Isaac said with a grin and the chains started to squeeze until the man heard a the gut wrenching crack of her spine. The ghost faded and Isaac looked back at the white figure. "Well that's one annoyance out of the way. Thanks."
"We made a deal and you held up your end of the bargain." The figure said as it showed a glowing white ball in its hand. "Now for the foresight." The figure towered over Isaac and poked its fingers into the man's eyes sockets.
"Fuck!" Isaac yelled as he grabbed his face in pain.
"Payment accepted." The figure said as it clenched its fist and slammed Isaac in the chest.
The man's body shot upwards and he looked at his surroundings. The six mares and Changeling were looking at him in amazement.
"Oh thank Celestia!" Twilight said as she hugged him. The man nodded and looked at the Changeling in surprise.
"Isis? What are you doing here?" He asked as he got up. He looked down at his blood soaked upper body.
"Well, I was living in here until SOMEBODY triggered the traps." She said with a sigh.
"You know each other?" Dash said.
"Yeah I ran into her when I took my bike out for a spin." The entire foundation started to shake and crumble away. "We'll catch up later. Isis do you know a way out of here?"
"Yeah straight ahead." The Changeling said as she ran ahead. Isaac followed with the six mares in hot pursuit. The group saw light coming from the end of the hallway and heard a roaring sound behind them. Isaac looked back to see a large round stone charging after them.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" He yelled as the group quickened their pace and were outrunning death itself. Dash and Applejack made it out first. The human then saw that the cyan flyer zoom down and pick up the farmer who had a scared look on her face. "Oh shit." He said as he and the other's cleared the hallway. The man looked down and saw nothing but a dark ravine below.
The other mares screamed. Fluttershy and the Changeling grabbed the nearest bodies to them which were Piny and Rarity. Twilight and Isaac were left as they fell towards the dark fissure.
"Need a hand?" A familiar voice said. Isaac felt something grab his leg and saw a paw grab the scholar's shirt by the collar. The two felt themselves being lifted up towards the top of the crack and made out the shapes of their companions. Isaac looked up and saw the smug grin of the chaos lord.
"Never thought I'd be happy to see Discord." Twilight said with a sigh.
"Oh that hurts Twilight." He said as he dropped them off on the cliff edge. Isaac sat down on the ground and looked up at the chaos lord.
"Thanks Discord." Isaac said with a smile. "How did you know that we were here?"
"Well, I sensed a massive amount of chaotic energy in the area and I knew that it had something to do with you. So here I am." He said with a smile. The human noticed that Dash and AJ were glaring at the Changeling who had a blank look on her face.
"Well, I'm done. See ya." She said with a wave.
"And just where do you think yer going?" Applejack said as she stepped in front of the Changeling.
"To look for another place to live." She sighed.
"Yeah right, just wait until the guards get here." The Changeling gulped.
"C'mon guys don't ya think that's a little harsh?" Isaac said as he stood up.
"No! Her kind attacked Canterlot."
"For the record I didn't take part in the attack and was exiled for speaking out against it." She clarified.
"I don't care-"
"Dash if it wasn't for her then I would be dead and you all would have been crushed by rocks or cleaning Pinkie off the bottom of the ravine." Isaac stated. The mares gulped. "You owe her." The farmer and flyer bit their lips and looked back at the Changeling.
"Yeah, besides she saved me." The pink chef chimed. "She can't be all bad."
"Hate to say it Dash, but he's right." Twilight said. The changeling gulped as the farmer and flyer backed off.
"I don't like this." Rainbow said.
"You don't have to like it, just deal with it." Isaac stated. The human walked over to the Changeling and extended his hand. Isis smiled and shook it. "Looks like I owe you one now."
"Nah, my debt is repaid." She said as she started to walk back into the forest. "See ya."
"If you need a place to stay then my door is always open." The Changeling waved as she vanished in the forest. Isaac's eyes shrank as his adrenaline wore off and he dropped to his knees in pain.
"You okay?" Pinkie asked.
"Yeah, just really sore." He said with a sigh.
"So you'll just heal and-"
"I don't have that healing ability anymore." The mares looked at him in surprise. "Or that foresight thing Twilight mentioned."
"How did you lose them?"
"Its a long story." He said as AJ put his arm over her neck. Discord snapped his fingers and the group were transported back to the library. "Damn thats handy." He said with a sigh. Two flashes of light then filled the room. Celestia and Luna stood before the group with smiles on their faces.
"Ah you've returned." Celestia said as she looked at their disheveled appearances. "Looks like you've had quite the time."
"You have no idea." Isaac said as he tossed her the small ball. "There's the relic." He sighed. Celestia and Luna looked at his appearance and cocked an eyebrow.
"What happened in there?"
"Lets just say that I finally faced my demons and," The man paused as he thought of the right words. "I feel better for it." The room grew stagnant and the mares all looked at him in shock.
"Huh?" The six mares said.
"I've feared facing them for years and now that I finally did it....it feels like a two ton weight has been lifted off my shoulders." He said as he cracked his neck. "Now if you all would excuse me, I'm going home. Taking a nice hot shower and sleeping till noon tomorrow." He said as he walked towards the door. "Besides I have another challenge ahead of me."
"Whats that?" Twilight asked. Isaac grinned and looked at Luna.
"I will beat Luna at Halo for a third time." He said in a matter-oh-fact tone.
"Don't be so sure. We have spent days practicing!"
"And I was going easy on you those first two times." He said with a wicked grin. "Tomorrow its no holds bard. I'm going at it like a freight train. Balls to the wall!" Luna gulped as she looked at the man's burning eyes. "Arrivederci!"