private Quest for the Forbidden Temple-Take 2-RP

[Alex Night 870]

Alex waited for Ice to respond to his offer on giving her a lift, but she just kept going on the injured hoof telling him that she was fine since they were close to the palace.  He shook his head a bit as he saw the strange temple envelop in front of his eyes along with the group's own.  It looked magnificent to be sure, but it appeared that time has done quite a bit to its constitution.  "So, this is the Moon Palace..."  Alex said to himself, gazing at the great old structure that had stood for quite a long time.

 

He lost track of the fact that the group headed towards the East side of the structure as Princess Luna lead the group to the show the entrance inside of the Moon Palace.  Alex flew over next to the group to try and see what was going on.  Apparently the way inside was dark and they had no means of light to see inside.  There were suggestions thrown around, including one where Electrobolt found an unlit torch to light their way.  The problem was they didn't have any real way of lighting the torch, given the fact that Colt was out of commission at the moment.  :Alex tried racking his brain in an attempt to come up with a good solution, watching Ice Storm enter inside as he did.

 

The next thing that happened brought Alex right back to reality as he heard Ice falling and crashing down the stairs of the dark entrance.  "Ice!"  Alex called out to her as he ran inside of the dark entrance, intent on making sure that his friend was all right.  He almost tumbled himself, but saved himself with the help of his wings as he traversed down the stairs.  He reached the bottom of the stairs, straining his eyes for the outline of Ice Storm.  He was able to catch the light colors of her mane and rushed over to her side.  "Ice, are you alright?  Can you move?"  Alex asked her with concern in a kneeling position, trying in vain to see how badly she was injured.

[Electrobolt 2,068]

As Electrobolt started to walk off, he heard Ice speak up and saying that she saw some metal and stone. Turning around to see Ice, he looked in the direction that she was looking before hearing her suggest that it should work like flint and steel. If it worked, then he should be able to light up the torch and be able to light the way down into the lower floors of the construct. As he nodded and picked up the torch, he noticed Ice getting up, trying to go down into the dark depths on her own while using her horn's aura to light the way.

 

Just then, his eyes opened wide as he heard the sounds of thudding and thumping, looking over to where Ice was. "Ice!" he yelled out, before seeing Alex start to charge down the staircase. Worried for Ice, Electrobolt hurried over to where the stone and metal are as he slid Daylight off his back gently before sitting down next to the pile. Sticking the torch in a way that the end that needs to be lit is face-up, he grabs a stone and some metal before getting started. As soon as he was about to work the makeshift flint and steel though, he saw that Colt was awake and on the ground.

 

*Colt's awake now...* Electrobolt thought before his mind processed another thought. *Wait... Dragons are capable of using fire, right? Maybe instead of trying this, I could ask if he could light the torch instead?* With that idea in mind, Electrobolt set the torch down as he picked Daylight up again, carrying him on his back. He then grabbed the torch with his mouth again and moved over to Colt before setting it down next to him. After that, he slid Daylight off his back again, being careful to land him softly on the ground before asking, "Um, hey Colt... Would you like me to help you get up?"

[MyLittlePonyTales 273]

Princess Luna took the few moments allotted while the others tried to figure out how to shed some light on the inside to try to regain her breath. She lifted each of her four hooves in turn, trying to relieve the pressure of them from carrying a large Dragon, and also to get a feel for how sore she was after her injuries. She winced, the weight on her back feeling doubled due to her exhaustion.

 

They were in a bit of a predicament—all of the magic users, including herself, were either too injured to cast a spell, or incapacitated altogether. Powerful as she was, Luna didn't feel that she had the strength to spark even a simple flame spell, much less light the way entirely by herself. But as she listened, it seemed the group was able to find the necessary tools to have and light a torch, which would suffice for the moment. It wouldn't be all that much light, but there were likely other torches lining the walls along the way that could aid them. Luna had to hope so, at least.

 

It was seconds too late when Luna realized what Ice Storm was doing. She reached out with her neck, trying to grab some part of her friend with her teeth—leg, tail, anything. But she was too late, only feeling the rush of air as the blue mare disappeared into the darkness. ”ICE STORM!” She yelled after her, her face horror stricken. She was tired, and her reaction time was slow, so it took time for the princess to go after the Unicorn.

 

Luna leaped for the stairs, a burst of strength making her forget her charge. Her wings were spread, as she had intended to glide down the steps, which would be quicker. But the sudden movement caused Colt to slide from her back, and it threw Luna off balance. She glided for barely a moment, before she hit and slid down a wall, cascading down the steps just as Ice Storm had done. At the bottom, she had too much momentum to stop herself, and scraped along the ground for a few feet, giving herself a nasty friction burn on her side. It stung like hell, but she tried to brush past the pain and make her way back to Ice Storm.

 

Everything was dark, all she could do was lower her head and feel around with her nose, trying to pinpoint her friend through the sound of her breathing.

 

It wasn't long before she felt something warm and soft. She gently ran her nose along what she thought was Ice's back, until she found her mane. Over her head and through the ears, until her muzzle rested on the Unicorn's forehead. She could hear breathing, at least, of that she was certain. At least it meant that Ice Storm likely hadn't broken anything life threatening.

 

”Ice Storm?! Ice Storm, speak to me!” Luna's voice was strained and frantic, as she collapsed next to her friend. Her side burned, but she tried to ignore it until she made sure that Ice was alright—well, as alright as she could be after everything that happened in the battle. She nuzzled her, trying to bring a little comfort to the mare.

Edited July 1, 2013 by MyLittlePonyTales

[Ice Storm 1,020]

Everything was dark, cold, and clammy. The only thing that was present in Ice Storm's mind was that eerie feeling of emptiness that could be found as far as the eye could see. Well there was one other thing present as well. Even in her borderline unconscious state, she could still feel every ache in her body, especially from her leg that buckled on her.

 

She opened her eyes and looked around through the darkness. This darkness was odd to her because even though it was completely dark, she herself stood out against it, and she could very easily see herself against the background. It was almost as if she had been placed in front of the darkness, but no matter what direction she went it was the only thing present. "Okay... this is just weird..." she said to herself becoming more confused by the second as far as what could be present in this darkness.

 

She continued peering through whatever this strange essence was that was around her. At this point she wasn’t even sure if she could call this darkness as it was beginning to seem like nothing more than just empty space. What confused her the most though was the fact that she didn’t seem to be sitting or standing on anything, yet she wasn’t falling and everything underneath her felt solid.

 

After a few more moments she began to hear something. She wasn’t sure what it was, but is sounded like her name. Following she felt what to her felt like knives stabbing into her, when in reality unknown to her, it was just Luna nuzzling her. Immediately Ice began to stir before an overwhelming cough overcame her as she tasted the metallic taste of blood. She apparently had done a good number on the inside of her cheek when she fell. “My cheek… I think I bit through it when I fell…” she stated weakly as she pushed herself up gingerly in a sitting position. The leg that had the cast on it was also bleeding and it looked as though pieces of the ice had cut and dug into her when it shattered. “My leg has gotten much worse as well…” she added in a voice nearly audible.

 

It was then that she noticed Alex kneeling over her as well. “Alex… if there is any water nearby, can you please fetch it… I know it’s dangerous… but without fire I can’t make water, only Ice, and right now even that would be tricky and these wounds need to be cleaned…” she stated not even noticed the small gash just above her shoulder.

[Colt 555]

That blurry star sky that filled the eyes of the dragon became clearer and cleared as the moments went by, a couple of blinks made all better as the golden eyes slowly came back from the darkness, darkness that came back flash, nothing but darkness engulfed his actual reality, Colt even doubted if his eyes were open, what happened to all those stars and the wavy dark blue sky... the confusion and sudden awake kept the dragon away from his full consciousness he was unable to listen to both the fall of Luna or the cries from Ice. His mind was failing to process all that was happening and so it utstarted to work piece by piece, his eyes were the first thing to come back, sadly the darkness of the place didnt made it posible for him to understand, right after it was turn for the pain.

 

His Back and left arm sting no doubt of that but it was the pain that came from his wings that made the deep remark of him being still alive. "No rest for the wicked" his mind spelled as the rest of his mind rebooted. Just an buzz, then an echo, after that words, the sounds he knew as words reached him and his mind finaly started to work making the world to start making sense once more.

 

 

 

"..., h...y ...olt... ..... ... .... .. . . . . . . .. .... .. . " "..., hey Colt... ..... .... .. .....  like .... ....  help ..... get up?" "Um, hey Colt... Would you like me to help you get up?"

 

 

The voice from somepony was at his ears, after some moments, that voice made the dragon to understand it was a stallion talking, after some other moments he remembered the owner of such voice "E...Electro" he said in a low whisper, the almost invisible figure of the green earth pony was infront of him now he could hear him, watch him, talk to him... "I have to move" he thought as his arms and legs were now back on his control, weak and trembling still the dragon was able to move them. Turning himself and using his arms to place himself on his 4 legs..."Why..." he asked to the earth pony with a low voice between breaths "...why am I here?"

[Electrobolt 2,068]

As he was waiting for Colt to answer his response, Electrobolt looked down the stairs that Ice had fallen down. His mind then raced back to when Alex zoomed down the stairs before Luna quickly followed after. That was when Colt had fallen off her back before she stumbled down. *Hopefully they're all safe... But for now, I need to worry about Colt and Daylight...* Just then, Electrobolt was brought back to Colt as he could barely hear a whispering. After a while, he saw the dragon rolling onto his arms and legs, using his arms to keep him up.

 

It was then that Colt began to ask why he was here, to which he was confused about. Lifting Daylight onto his back yet again, Electrobolt turned around and looked at Colt before saying, "Well... The wind is coming again, and this is basically the only place we can stay while we wait for the winds to die down..." Looking over to the stairs once more, he added, "Luna had carried you all this while, too. But anyways, we need to get down there before the winds start up again..."

 

With that, Electrobolt looked down at the torch before adding, "Also, we'd need a light... If I were to try and light it myself I would have to leave Daylight behind. If I tried to lift him onto my back after lighting the torch, I'm afraid I might burn him, let alone the forest. But you're able to control fire, right? So maybe you could light the torch up...? We need to hurry before the wind comes back, though... Ice and Luna had both fallen down the stairs, and Alex went down there as well... I don't know if he made it safely down the stairs or not..." He then took this moment to grab the torch in his mouth before looking back over to Colt.

[Iron Wing 237]

Iron Wing Celes Grayhoove

 

Iron Wing was already deep within the cave and she thought that she was save for now. The slope within the cave went up and it seemed that this was the way she had searched for to reunite with her new found friends. But she was too tired to go on now. The wound was still bleeding slightly and the pain didn´t went away. The beast perhaps run through the maze of the cave to find her and the way up would be a torture for her muscles and stamina if she would try to do that now. She decided to search a place to stay for the night until the winds passed by outside and she hoped that the group had found shelter somewhere. Within a niche , just big enough for her to fit in, she found a more or less save place to rest and she hoped that her injured leg wouldn´t be a problem. Iron layed down and rested her head on her fore hooves, It was time to regain some strength. It would be important to reach the group tomorrow morning before the beast would catch up to her, and she hoped that everything was alright with the others. She prayed also to Celestia that Luna would recover from her wounds. The last time she saw the alicorn, she was pretty bad wounded and if she could have done anything to prevent that from happening. Slowly she got more tired and she tried to rest, slipping away into the realm of dreams.

 

----- Dream -----

 

Running... she was running as fast as possible, but the beast didn´t give up. It was basically the repeat of the happenings from her day, but there were some changes, some slight changes she didn´t notice at first. She fought the beast in the ravine, metal hit hard wood, sparks flew around the the combatants snarled and growled at each other. Just inches away from each other they forced their strength against each other to get the upper hand within this fight. And in the background... there was a small hill. Ice Storm, Daylight, Electrobolt, Colt, Luna and Alex were standing there. They were watching her... She wanted to shout to them, tell them that she was alright, that they wouldn´t have to worry anymore... but her voice wasn´t heared. Just the snarling of the wooden creature was heared, and her friends turned their backs on her, slowly leaving her. Iron Wing screamed and shouted for them to come back, but the wolf just pushed her also away from them. It was a nightmare, not the worst, but a demoralising one. Anger was the feeling she got, anger and pain. How did that happen, why did she let herself catch by the shadow beast and fall down the ravine? Why was the world trying to everything against her to let her fail?

 

------ Out of the dream ------

 

Iron Wing was still sleeping, but it wasn´t a relaxing dream. Her leg hurt and the scratches from the battle also didn´t look so good. The most important thing was the wound she got from the shadow beast, the cloths she used to patch it up already had turned red in colour. She had to get medical attention as soon as possible and to get out of the cave. She wasn´t too far away from the group, but she didn´t knew that. Perhaps she would find that out the next day...

[Dave247 568]

Daylight just sat there, and began to Zone out from everything that was happening around him. he felt utterly exhausted from having exerted himself, twice, and despite the group's effort they had still lost a party member to the unknown, while those who remained weren't much better off. Thoughts of doubt and dread raced around his mind as if they were trying to compete for the fastest time, while his emotions felt like they were exploding inside of him as if a volcano was going off. His body was able to take it, or anything for that matter any more, so it started to shut all not critical systems down. His thoughts thoughts and feelings were silenced, but at the cost of also disabling his awareness as a precaution so to not set anything off. Day just sat there, still alive and breathing, but to any who would gaze upon him they would think him to be brain dead, a zombie.

Day did not react at all when Electro went to carry him on his back. He just went along with the motion, neither thinking nor feeling. His mind was a complete blur. Nothing made sense. Everything he had thought he knew was being doubted and tested for its validity, his list of importance being re-written, everything about him had to be established again from the ground up.

Time passed. How long he could not say as time itself had lost it’s meaning. His ears twitched slightly as he heard something, voices, a loud unknown noise, as well as his body shiver a little as he felt cold breeze past his fur. or at least he thought he did, as he wasn’t able to know for sure as even that too was being doubted and tested for its validity.

The world felt like it was going up and down, and that he was just along for the ride, unable to get off the never ending rollercoaster ride. Pieces were being put back in place, and with that his systems started to slowly be brought back online, though he was unsure if it was for the better or worse, or if he was ready for it just yet.

It was then, that all of a sudden, he woke up, from what had felt like a bad dream. At first, Day was very alarmed, not knowing where he was, why he was there or how he had gotten to where he was. He panicked as he couldn’t feel his hooves touching the ground yet he was still somehow supported by something, and in his confusion fell off Electro’s back landing on his side, and hit the ground with a thud which paralyzed him briefly.

Luckily the shock had also jolted his memory that he was able to now recall everything that had happened before his ordeal. He jumped to his hooves, anxiously looking around.

“What happened!? Where’s Iron!? Is she ok? What about...”

Daylight then paused when he realised where he was, and more importantly who he was talking to. He was standing next to the entrance to the lower levels of what he assumed would be the Moon Palace, as he could make out the familiar ruins in the distance. Standing next to him was Electro, with an unlit torch in his mouth, as well as Colt on all fours, looking worse than he had remembered seeing him. There was no sign of Alex, Ice, or Luna, and by the look of how the vines that would have been covering the entrance had been disturbed, he assumed that they must have already descended.

 

“So... what I miss?” Daylight said cheekily rubbing a hoof behind his head.

[Colt 555]

With buzz still interfering with his ears and with a chest that moved with deep breaths Colt listened to the young stallion, in his mind he allready had an answer for his previous question "Dont ask stupid questions Idiot, she brought you here, you know how she is. Never left anypony behind". Strange enough  Electrobolt's words made not much sense with this conclusion, for moments the dragon blamed his still slumbered mind while the earth pony finished his explanation

 

"Well... The wind is coming again, and this is basically the only place we can stay while we wait for the winds to die down..." Looking over to the stairs once more, he added, "Luna had carried you all this while, too. But anyways, we need to get down there before the winds start up again..."

 

 

"What is he saying?" the dragon mind spoke in his head "the moon carried me?, you must have hit your head scale mind that its far from reality" Colt's unaware mind discarded such statement blaming deliriums or confusion, "Focus Idiot you need to keep your mind in this" the self scold finished just in time for electro's request.

 

"Also, we'd need a light... If I were to try and light it myself I would have to leave Daylight behind. If I tried to lift him onto my back after lighting the torch, I'm afraid I might burn him  But you're able to control fire, right? So maybe you could light the torch up...?

 

A couple of pants came from the dragon's snout after the requests from the earth pony and before the weakened voice of the dragon to address after it , "Yes, I can control fire, by now I cant make something bigger than a candle flame or a spark but I think I can light the torch"  Colt said reaching for the torch with one of his claws and taking it. "Focus, and dont go overboard...not that you can" once again the mind of the dragon retaliate while the glint of his eyes appear for moments to then disappear moments after. "Worse than I thought I was" were the words on his mind just before focusing once more to final ignite a tiny flame that began to burn the tinder, moments after the place was bathed by the warm orange light of the torch's fire.

 

As the light made the room clearer something became clear in colt's brain, he started to "perceive" those Close to him, Daylight was now waking up, Electro just in front of him, and just as the green colt said Ice seemed to be on a lower level with Alex and... Luna, yeah no doubt it was her, even with current condition she was unique to perceive, but... "Where is she...?" he whispered, his answer came by in the shape of another set of questions.

 

“What happened!? Where’s Iron!? Is she ok? What about...”

 

A torrent made of memories came back to the dragon, "she fell down..."  he whispered remembering the moments when he was unable to help her, his dream was showing this, she was still out there "Why did you bring me here?" he asked whispering once more while his teeth grinned with anger "it just makes no sense...the moon carried me, why not her, why didn't they left me behind instead of her?"  his mind went from none to overwhelm in moments nothing in his life could stand up for to this... "Why didn't you left me back there... Why did you helped me?... Why is she not here!?"  the dragon asked to Electro with a troubled face captured among anger, desperation and sadness. 

Edited July 17, 2013 by Colt

[MyLittlePonyTales 273]

Luna could hear Ice Storm moving as she shifted into a sitting up position. She tried to make her eyes adjust to the darkness, to better see exactly where her friend was. Looking up, she could still see the others at the top silhouetted against the fading light. As far as she knew, Colt and Daylight were still unconscious, and Alex and Electrobolt weren't. The two of them wouldn't be able to transport a pony and a Dragon down the stairs. She chewed her lip worriedly, concerned for the others above, but there was no way she was going to leave Ice Storm alone.

 

She clenched her teeth, getting shakily to her feet and ignoring the throbbing from her side. With a determined grunt, her horn glowed faintly, like a lightbulb flickering before it goes out for good. And that's exactly what Luna's horn did. It sparked at the tip, the desire to perform magic still evident, before it fizzled out. Determined grunts and pants still escaped the moon princess' mouth, each of her hooves stomping on the ground in turn, flaunting her frustration.

 

Princess Luna finally let out a loud and huffy sigh, leaning against the wall and panting. A few tears escaped her, and she was glad that the darkness did not allow this fact to be revealed. She was tired, she was hungry, she was battered, and bruised, and now she was bleeding again. Not only that, but her magic was failing her. There was nothing she could do to help her injured friend. She would have taken Ice Storm's wounds upon herself, if only she could ease her pain.

 

”I—I'm sorry Ice. It's no use. I don't have the strength to cast right now.” Luna hung her head ashamedly. She was a princess. Everypony relied on her. She was supposed to protect everypony. Yet here she was, unable to use magic for the time being, and barely the strength to keep herself standing up. Covered in dried and new blood and scars and dirt... She didn't realize that the wetness of her tears would create streaks on her messy face. She felt so helpless! She was supposed to be the one that led the way, that remained strong when everypony else faltered, that always showed through her spirit and determination that there was hope.

 

She stood there, knowing that there were ponies about that needed help, and Ice Storm here that needed her too. It was an overwhelming burden, trying to figure out her next course of action, who she should help, how she should help. Magic was a staple of Luna's abilities, and without it she felt almost powerless.

 

Then, Luna had an idea. She might not be able to cast a complicated spell, but she was still alive, and still conscious, so there was still magic in her. ”Ice, please hold still.” Luna knelt in front of the mare, brushing her nose against Ice Storm's to properly find her destination: her lips.

 

Without any explanation, Luna pressed her mouth against Ice Storm's. Luna tried to focus on relaxing. Magic seemed to work better when one wasn't concentrating. And indeed, Luna's tongue began to glow and sparkle, as it roved for the injured spot. Finding the correct cheek, her tongue moved back and fourth across it, healing as it went. The taste of blood wasn't at all pleasant, but Luna tried to keep her mind on completing the task quickly. Channeling her magic through her tongue, and using such simple magic, was much easier, and did not take a large toll on her body. It was hardly a minute before she was finished.

 

”There. How does that feel?” Her tongue smacked her lips and the top of her mouth several times, in an attempt to remove the taste of Ice Storm's blood. Pity none of them had any water with them, Luna would have appreciated being able to wipe herself down, and also a drink. Well, their predicament wasn't going to change any time soon, so she'd better get used to it.

[Alex Night 870]

Alex looked over Ice Storm, his eyes catching the wound on her leg.  It definitely didn't look good as it opened up again from the impact that she had just taken falling down the stairs and who knows what else got into the wound that might get it infected.  Alex didn't want to be dishonest to her on how it looks from him, but he needed to keep her as calm as she can be.  Finally after a few moments, she had seem to come back to the land of the living although her mouth had seem to make a wound on the inside of her mouth.  "Ah geez, Ice.  You should've let me take point.  If I went down, then you'd be all right."  Alex said to her sadly.  With all his speed, he still wasn't able to save his friend from getting further injured.

 

However, he was able to get some words spoken from Ice Storm asking him for some water if he can find any.  He nodded to Ice Storm before speaking.  "Okay, Ice.  I'll go get some water.  Just hang in there."  Alex said to her gently before getting to his hooves.  However the next scene that he saw with Princess Luna gave him pause.  He had never seen the princess like this.  He felt much sympathy for Princess Luna and Ice Storm, wondering just how deep their friendship goes.

 

 

 

Then, Luna had an idea. She might not be able to cast a complicated spell, but she was still alive, and still conscious, so there was still magic in her. ”Ice, please hold still.” Luna knelt in front of the mare, brushing her nose against Ice Storm's to properly find her destination: her lips. Without any explanation, Luna pressed her mouth against Ice Storm's. Luna tried to focus on relaxing. Magic seemed to work better when one wasn't concentrating. And indeed, Luna's tongue began to glow and sparkle, as it roved for the injured spot. Finding the correct cheek, her tongue moved back and fourth across it, healing as it went. The taste of blood wasn't at all pleasant, but Luna tried to keep her mind on completing the task quickly. Channeling her magic through her tongue, and using such simple magic, was much easier, and did not take a large toll on her body. It was hardly a minute before she was finished.

 

However, the next set of events that occurred left Alex speechless as he was witnessing the Princess of the Night kissing Ice Storm with a hint of tender love on the muzzle.  "What in the name of Celestia?..."  Alex thought to himself as he witnessed with wide eyes, wondering if what he was seeing was just an illusion.  Yet somehow, the warmth building up in his cheeks were telling him otherwise and realized that he was blushing crimson.  "Right, water!  Need to get water!"  Alex said aloud in a slightly awkward voice before turning quickly away, trying to figure out a good place to find water.  Then it hit him like a stone wall.

 

He reached into his satchel and pulled out his canteen filled with fresh water straight from the city of Cloudsdale.  He moved quickly over to Ice Storm and knelt down next to her.  "Ice, I got some water here.  Take my canteen."  Alex offered to her, holding the canteen next to her head.  He made sure to keep the image of his injured friend as motivation to do better to protect her and the others.  "Next time, let me take point."  Alex thought to himself. 

[Electrobolt 2,068]

After he had picked up the torch, Colt had said that he can control fire, and that he should be able to light the torch. After saying this, he took the torch from Electrobolt as he then began to light the torch with his flames. After the flame went up, though, Colt looked around before whispering something to himself, something that Electrobolt's ears were unable to hear. Just then, however, Electrobolt felt Daylight starting to slip off his back. Although he tried to catch Daylight, he wasn't able to as the stallion plummeted to the ground before going off.

 

“What happened!? Where’s Iron!? Is she ok? What about...”

 

Electrobolt blinked as soon as he heard Daylight's questions, as they had took him by surprise. He then forced a cough out as he was about to answer his questions, but then Colt interjected, asking why he was brought here and not left behind, and why Iron wasn't here. The way Colt had worded his words and how he appeared right now was cause for concern, as the young colt looked over to Daylight with a bit of worry before looking back to Colt. Then, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath, Electrobolt began to speak to Colt.

 

Opening his eyes after taking his breath, Electrobolt started. "Colt, I wasn't the one who brought you here, Princess Luna did. Also, Ice kept you from falling down into that chasm when you fell unconscious. Speaking of which, if any of us had tried to go down, we most likely would have either died from the fall, Alex would have died from being unable to judge the depth of the chasm, or we would have frozen before we had gotten to the bottom because of the winds. Also, Iron is still alive... I know she is... If anything, she has probably already found shelter to protect herself from the winds."

 

Clearing his throat out, he continued. "But we have to stay alive ourselves, too, if we are to go and save Iron Wing. So for now, we need to get ourselves into shelter, too." Recalling that somewhere when he had spoken to Colt that Daylight asked what he missed, Electrobolt shook his head and cleared his throat, before turning around to see Daylight. "Anyways... You missed quite a bit... Luna had carried Colt on her back and had gotten the bridge stabilized so that we could cross. I had carried you on my back, and Ice had made a cast of ice for her hoof so she could walk..."

 

Sighing, he looked over to the stairs. "Alex also flew ahead of the others, too, so that he could keep an eye open from the skies. And when we got here, well... Ice began to go down, but instead stumbled down the stairs. Luna also stumbled down, but I don't know about Alex... We need to check on them, see if they're all doing alright..." Looking back over to Colt, he said, "Colt, I want to go after Iron as much as you do... She's my friend and I want to go after her, but... Right now, we just have to trust that she's fine. We also need to make sure everypony else is alright..."

[Ice Storm 1,020]

"It's okay, Princess," Ice told Luna when she stated that she was too weak to use any sort of magic right now. "None of us are in any better of a condition. I couldn't even make a light to get down the steps," she commented before Alex acknowledged her stating that he would go find what they needed and all she needed to do was hold on. Then without any warning at all she felt the princess very close to her and soon found her locked in what she thought was a deep kiss. Her eyes immediately went wide in shock of what was transpiring. Sure, Luna was her motherly figure and they had pecked each other a few times because of this, but she'd never felt anything like this before, and it was making her blush quite a bit, and unfortunately, most of the blush was flowing into her mouth.

 

She then felt Luna's tongue brushing against her injured cheek, and she had to admit it stung at first, but slowly she felt the cheek begin to close and the bleeding stop before Luna broke away. Realizing now that Luna had only done that to heal her cheek, most of her blush went away, and thankfully it was too dark for anypony to notice. When Luna asked how she felt, she blushed a bit more. "Not too much better pain wise, but at least my cheek isn't bleeding anymore. Thanks, buy the way," she stated attempting to scoot closer to Luna's side. Not knowing the condition of Iron Wing at the moment made Luna being here a blessing for Ice, as Luna was the only family she had. It gave Ice hope.

 

When Alex handed her the canteen, she nodded. "Thanks," she said noticing an ache above her shoulder, and feeling a warmth around it she didn't really like. She took care of the wound on her leg first, pouring some of the water over it to clean the small cuts from her busted Ice Cast. Then, she took a small amount in her mouth before swishing it around to get the taste of blood out of her mouth before placing the canteen at Luna's lips. "Here, I know the taste of blood can't be pleasant for you," she told her aware that her shoulder was now hurt, but because of the lack of lighting, she couldn't see how bad. "Thanks again Alex. Once we find Iron tomorrow, we will need to make post haste to a river, and re-supply on water at the very least," she commented now waiting for the others to come down. It looked at least like they found a torch so they shouldn't have an issue on the stairs.

[Colt 555]

"Colt, I wasn't the one who brought you here, Princess Luna did. Also, Ice kept you from falling down into that chasm when you fell unconscious. Speaking of which, if any of us had tried to go down, we most likely would have either died from the fall, Alex would have died from being unable to judge the depth of the chasm, or we would have frozen before we had gotten to the bottom because of the winds. Also, Iron is still alive... I know she is... If anything, she has probably already found shelter to protect herself from the winds."

 

The words from Electrobolt reached Colt's ears and mind but the dragon thoughts were unable to arrange them to what he knew of the world "The moon...? she brought me here" he said with his mind controlling his voice showing the confusion this gave to him. "Those stars in my eyes... that warmth...it was her! ... and the Ice mare... yes her hooves, I remember her voice was the last thing I could focus on before passing out" his mind talk kept on for the dragon being unaware that his voice was pronouncing the words in his mind. For moments Colt just looked into the void his eyes faced the emerald sight of Electrobolt during that time the mind of the dragon tried to fit the earthpony's words into something possible, possible for him. "The chosen from the sun kept me from falling and the princess brought me here...they still need you fool" his mind started a debate that only brought one conclusion.

 

 

 

"But we have to stay alive ourselves, too, if we are to go and save Iron Wing. So for now, we need to get ourselves into shelter, too."

 

"The Kid has his mind in this game way deeper and more focused than yours, stopt acting like a fool you promised her to trust in her strength" The mind of the dragon gave a scold to its owner making him remember that not long ago he made a promise to the armored mare, Electro had his muzzle filled with truth, there was no way for him to find even less help Iron Wing, the best he could do was to stay alive and trust in her for the best.

 

"They still need me...their dream still needs me here" Colt thought remembering all his parents taught him and what they give him to love, all he had left from them . "Ugh..." a slight grunt "mph", a shake from his head to set all his senses back. "You said they fall down there right?" the dragon asked to the young colt while using the torch to light the way Luna and Ice were "Im far from being Ok I can make it down there but you will have to take care of Day... Im sorry Electobolt, but we will need you to endure a little longer until we make it down there " the dragon said feeling the ache of his body knowing that there was no way for him to help the young stallion.

 

Slowly and using the wall to support himself Colt walked to the stairs Electro told before, certainly in the same direction both Luna and Ice were, using the light emitted by the fire he looked down to see the ponies below. There were Alex Ice and the princess of the night, both mare were close to each other while the pegasus shared with them what looked like a canteen, more than 10 steps were between the group on the top and their companions below a road that the dragon knew it would be a pain to descend. 

 

"They are down there, it looks like they are beaten but with no threat to their lives" he said as the ponies at the lower level moved and talked. "Ill take the lead Electro to light the way, over there you go on ahead and ill follow" the dragon continued "Help Daylight to get down there ill light the way for you both, make it one step at a time there is no rush, ok?" he said showing both ponies the way with torch. Slowly shoving his shoulder to the wall the dragon went down some steps, each time his front paws reached the next step pain ran down his spine, stretching his body and back to descend put some strain to his shattered bones at his back. Finally some steps half way the stairs whe haved for the earth pony and the unicorn. "Come on" he said to the ponies at the top.

 

As he waited to follow his companions the dragon looked towards the entrance from where the group came into the hall, his thoughts were fixed on the Blue Mare in the armor "We will be waiting for you Celes... I know you wont let me, or Equestria down"

Edited July 24, 2013 by Colt

[MyLittlePonyTales 273]

In her concern for Ice Storm, Luna had nearly forgotten the presence of Alex. It was only when he spoke that she became aware there was somepony else with them. Perhaps she had hit her head a little too hard on her way down. She lit up, though, when Alex pulled out a canteen of water and offered it to Ice Storm. It was dusty and dirty down here, not to mention how caked in blood she was from earlier. Oh, what she wouldn't have given for a bath right now... her warm bed... a good meal... Luna winced at her own selfishness. Equestria needed all of them, and here she was thinking of herself.

 

She felt the wetness of the top of the canteen press against her mouth, but she turned away. ”No. Everypony else needs it more. We're going to be here for the rest of the night. We have to conserve what supplies we have.” She cleared her throat, the taste making her nauseous, but she tried to keep her mind on the task at hoof.

 

”What else is in pain, Ice?” A little bit of light would have certainly helped reveal where else the mare needed attention, but for now, Luna would have to rely on her other senses besides sight, and Ice's own directions.

 

But as she waited for Ice to answer, the group was suddenly basked in light. She looked up, to see the still battered Colt walking down the stairs, the now lighted torch in his claw. Luna turned her face away from the light. She shouldn't have dropped Colt and left him on the surface. It wasn't just Ice Storm that needed her, and the group could fail if she didn't care for everypony individually. But without her magic, she could only tend to minor injuries for the time being.

 

Maybe it would have been better for her to insist going after Iron Wing. After all, if anything happened to the Pegasus, Equestria might be lost. Not to mention, it seemed as though some in the group might not be able to carry on at all, if they did not have the hope that she was still alive. If only she had gotten to the group sooner, been able to face the monster herself while the others got away. Then they wouldn't all be in this mess, battered and broken, down one pony, and more or less void of useful supplies.

 

”How are you feeling, Colt?” He obviously didn't look like he was in very good shape, however, he was up and walking around, so perhaps he looked worse than he really was. Or, much like she was, he might have been ignoring his injuries and making them worse by continuing to move around. ”Are Daylist and Electrobolt alright?” She didn't feel as if she could even stand right now, but if it was emergency, she still had a bit of strength left to give. Hopefully, though, she would see the two ponies following closely behind Colt any minute.

Edited July 24, 2013 by MyLittlePonyTales

[Dave247 568]

Daylight looked back and forth between the Dragon and the Pony, and noticed although the different species had different ways of expression, it was impossible to miss the dread that they both strongly showed. He immediately changed his expression to match theirs, as he knew the situation was dire before, but he had no idea on how it had progressed by either getting better... or worse.

 

Daylight looked to Colt as he was the first one to speak, however most of what he said Day wasn’t able to hear, and what he did were more questions directed at Electro, from which he deduced that Colt too must of only just woken up not that long ago. Which meant that only Electro would know what had happened leading up to current moment. The only thing Day knew was that he had to have been carried here, most likely by Electro for the second time now. he saw Electo’s concerned look directed to him, which made him look away briefly in embarrassment and shame. Twice now had he been unable to do anything and twice had Electro had to wear the burden of carrying him. He would have to make sure to make it up to not only the group, but Electro too especially. Day felt like he was like an older role model for Bolt, and so far today he was not doing a very good job at that...

 

He listened carefully as Electro chose to answer Colt first. Almost everything Electro said he already knew... except for how Luna had carried Colt. He must have zoned out before that had happened. I made sense to, considering how he had remembered seeing Colt out cold, and that nopony else could have carried him but... If Colt looked worse then he remembered then he was concerned that Luna might too...

 

Day noticed that Colt was holding a lit torch through, which he guessed Colt must of lit himself as he couldn’t think of any other way it could have bit lit, so it reassured him a little of Colt’s current condition.

 

Electro then turned to answer him, and as he suspected, Electro did carry him across the bridge again, and he even went on to mention how Ice had made a Ice cast for her hoof so she could walk. Luckily Electro then turned away to look at the staircase, sighing, so he didn’t see the shame, and this time guilt mixed in with his expression. Again, he had let not only the group down, but Ice as well...

 

However when Electro started to speak again Daylight returned his expression to the same grim one from the beginning as he closely again. Which was a good thing he did because...

Ice began to go down, but instead stumbled down the stairs. Luna also stumbled down, but I don't know about Alex... We need to check on them, see if they're all doing alright..."

“They WHAT!?” Day ‘s thoughts screamed inside his head, panic immediately starting to kick in. Not only were they already injured, but now it could have led to be even worse for all that he knew. He had to make up for before by setting everything right now.

 

“We have to...!” Day started to say in a hurried and urgent tone, but stopped when he saw Colt shake his head and retrun to his full senses. He listened as Colt gave instructions to Electro to “take care of him”, because it only proved his fears that because of his actions he has made himself appear as weak, to the point where he couldn’t take care of himself. Which was true to an extent but... not to the point where he would have liked. He felt a heaviness as he watched Colt trudge over to the stairs, before stopping briefly to say something to the two of them still standing outside, before starting to slowly making his way down. As least Colt reported that they were safe down there, but that still wouldn’t calm the majority of his concerns until he saw them all for himself to make sure they were alright, and healed anypony that needed it.

 

It was now their turn to descend. Daylight looked at Electro for a second with a ashamed look, and then looked away before speaking as he couldn't bear to ask for the young stallion for any more assistance when he didn’t deserve it.

 

“You don’t need to help me anymore Electro, I’m fine now, despite what Colt said.” He said not looking at Electro but instead the stairway entrance. He then, without looking back, took a few hurried steps towards the entrance, which it all was an act to try and show that he was fine. However... some of his body still felt a little weak and having walked a bit too quickly he felt a quick jolt of pain shoot through his body from which was from when he had hit the ground after having fallen off Electro. It made him wince a little and stop walking, just at the very top of the stairs.

 

“I’m fine, really!” he said again to Electro, trying to sound convincing assuming that he had followed him, but still not looking back to check as he didn’t want to have to look at him, or for him to see his shamed expression he was trying to hide. He knew he was convincing nopony though as even he could tell from his own voice. Day looked down the steps and saw Colt still slowly making his way down, and his torch light extending into the bottom floor of the palace where he could see Ice and Luna lying near the foot of the stairs, along with Alex who was standing beside them. If he wanted to say anything to Electro privetly now would probabbly be the best time...

 

Day sighed, and looked down before speaking in a soft sad voice, so that he voice wouldn’t travel very far.

 

“Ok... I’m sure you can clearly see I’m still not fine, but I owe you too much already from you carrying me, twice, that I feel guilty for you to do anymore for me, until I least start being useful again. As so far, I’ve mostly just been dead weight for you to lug around. And I thank you greatly for that, as though I may not weigh a lot, I imagine it wouldn't have been easy to balance another pony like myself that is bigger than you on your back.” he finished with looking up at Electro directly for the first time, but with a weak smile.

"Come on" he said to the ponies at the top.

Daylight then heard Colt call back out to the two of them, and turned his head to look back down the stairwell, and saw that Colt was half way down, and had stopped, waiting for the two of them to catch up.

 

“Come on then. We’d better head down ourselves now as their waiting for us.” he said in a normal manner. “I promise to take it slower this time though, and I trust you will be beside me if for some reason I do need help.” He said with a small grin to Electro, before starting down the stairs reasonable yet careful pace.

 

Day reached where Colt was standing on one of the steps waiting for them to pass, and he stopped briefly to say to him, “It’s ok old Dragon, were coming. Don’t worry about us.” patting him with a hoof on the side of his body grinning a little more now, before passing by and continuing down the stairs until he reached the bottom where the others were.

 

Thanks to Colt and the torch he was carrying, the light from it was extending to the bottom of the stairs meaning that he could clearly see the area that they were all grouped in without having to use any of his own magic, which was good as it meant he could save it solely for any injuries that needed attention.

 

Ice was sitting alongside Luna, and as he had feared, looking a lot worse for wear then he had previously remembered. Surprisingly however, Luna didn’t look too much worse, other than a nasty looking graze on one side which was the most noticeable difference that he could remember. Her demeanor was still the same, tired and exhausted and clearly just needed rest but, Day could tell from the way she was looking at Ice that she cared too much about her and wanted to make sure she was alright before tending to herself. Alex was also there, and looked to be to still be in the best shape in the group alongside Electro, which was good because the last thing they needed now was even more complications.

 

Upon reaching the bottom of the steps. Day immediately rushed over to Ice and knelt beside her, then throwing his hooves around her neck to give her a quick heartfelt hug.

“Ice! Are you alright?” Day said in a very worried and concerned tone.

“I’m so sorry... for everything... but I’m going to make it right now.” He continued while squeezing her tightly, before pulling back to look her over carefully. Her health was the most important thing to him at the moment.

 

Her leg, which he knew to have been injured badly, to his dismay had only gotten worse, most likely from the tumble down the stairs. He also noticed a small gash above one of her shoulders, which was a minor injury compared to her leg but would still need to be taken care of in some way.

 

“How much does it hurt.” He said indicating to her injured leg. “I assume that is what you would want me to heal first but... I need you to tell me as it’s your body.” He said looking her squarely in the face with a very concerned expression while he awaited a response.

Edited July 27, 2013 by Dave247

[Electrobolt 2,068]

After he had finished speaking to Daylight, telling him what had happened, he saw Daylight reacting in what he believed was shock, as he began to say something urgently before stopping when Colt began to speak. The dragon began to say he was far from being in good condition to help and that he'd have to help take care of Daylight while going down the stairs. After saying all that, Colt began to descend the stairs a bit before stopping. Electrobolt then looked over to Daylight as the stallion looked at him as well but with an ashamed look for some reason.

 

Although Electrobolt was confused at why Daylight looked at him like that, the unicorn then looked away before speaking to him, saying that he didn't need to help anymore, and that he was fine despite Colt's words. At this, Electrobolt shook his head as he looked at Daylight, who began to take a few steps towards the stairs before stopping at the top of the stairs. He then called out, saying that he was fine, to which Electrobolt sighed. *Daylight... Why are you doing this to yourself...?* he thought, concerned for the goldenrod stallion as he began to approach him. However, once he was close enough, he heard Daylight let out a sigh before speaking to him.

 

“Ok... I’m sure you can clearly see I’m still not fine, but I owe you too much already from you carrying me, twice, that I feel guilty for you to do anymore for me, until I least start being useful again. As so far, I’ve mostly just been dead weight for you to lug around. And I thank you greatly for that, as though I may not weigh a lot, I imagine it wouldn't have been easy to balance another pony like myself that is bigger than you on your back.” he finished with looking up at Electro directly for the first time, but with a weak smile.

 

Upon having heard this, Electrobolt didn't exactly know what to say. He hadn't known that Daylight was feeling this way. He had cared for Daylight, though, as he considered him as more than a friend, but as a brother of sorts too. When Daylight looked back to him and gave a weak smile, he found himself smiling in return. It was then that Colt called out for the both of them to come on, to which Day said that they should hurry up and go down the stairs, to which he nodded. But he then added that he trusted that Electrobolt would be there to help him if he did need it, to which he smiled and nodded, following Daylight closely as they went down the stairs.

 

After Daylight passed Colt and told him they were coming after calling him 'old dragon' - to which Electrobolt stifled a tiny chuckle - they had made it to the bottom of the stairs with the rest of the ponies. Thanks to the light from the torch, he was able to see Ice and Luna close to each other and rather injured as well as Alex, who seemed to be fine still. That was good, at least, but he was still worried about Ice and Luna. Before he could say anything, though, Daylight hurried over to Ice's side as he was most likely concerned about them too.

 

As he looked at Luna, Electrobolt let a gasp escape as he saw her current state. She was caked in blood, she was bruised, and she also seemed rather tired. Luna needed some help, he felt, before looking over to Ice, who was in worse shape than she was before. Fortunately though, Daylight was already starting to care for Ice. But Luna still needed care, so he quickly hurried over to her side to offer any assistance. Once he was there, Electrobolt asked Luna, "Hey Luna... Uh, is there anything that I could do to help you out? Maybe get you some water or something?" He wondered if Luna would accept his offer for help or not, but he would try to do whatever he could to help the princess feel better.

[Colt 555]

Feeling like if the weight of his body had multyplied the exausted scaled body of Colt used the wall to gain some extra support while waiting for the ponies at the top. Before going down and between whispers the dragon listened to the words from Daylight, the unicorn didnt wanted to be a burden anymore... "How can he be a burden? he was the one that defeated that thing " the dragon thought while understanding that Daylight needed to prove this more to himself than to the rest of the group. All those and other thoughts in the direction of the now decending ponies were wiped out of his mind by the voice of a mare in the lower floor.

 

 

”How are you feeling, Colt?”

 

The eyes of the dragon quickly searched for the owner of that the voice it took some moments for him to understand that the moon herself was asking for his well being. Shocked his eyes opened full for the first time since he woke up, the light from the torch was reflected on his golden eyes revealing an astonish face and a babble that didnt said a thing. His muzzle moved but no words came out he tried to show some manners and bowed as much as he could with his condition. Only after he bowed and took her off her sight the dragon's Words finaly flowed he was unable to look her and speak to her at the same time "Please your highness dont worry about me, its a honor to be in your thoughts but please your concerns have to be in the direction of your well being and those chosen by your royal sister" Colt bowed even more until a signal of pain made him stop, he raised his eyes to see her, not being able to hold the sight of Princess Luna his ashamed eyes hid once more "I just need some rest and time to be useful to you and the mission". Some seconds of silence followed, he was talking to the Princess of the Night, afraid, ashamed and honored the dragon felt those moments as awkward as they could get. Thankfully Daylight saved him for the third time in the day.

 

 

“It’s ok old Dragon, were coming. Don’t worry about us.”

Colt watched the grin of the unicorn and listened to the giggle of Electrobolt they both were doing a lot better of what he had thought , Daylight was doing ok far from perfect but OK,while electro was still remaining strong after one hell of a day. With a nod he opened a little more of room for him to walk down. "They are waiting for you down there, watch your steps" a slight smile was drawn by the dragon's face.

 

The sight of the group finally together, rising the humor of the dragon a bit. Yes they were injured, beaten and spent but they were together and a closer to their objective. "We are now just waiting for you" Colt thought with Iron Wing in his mind as he descended the steps one by one in a slow pace. Until the last step, the ponies were still all around the base of the stairs and the dragon decided to lay down a little there using the two last steps as a bench to rest, from there the light of the torch could light them all while they planed the next move.

Edited July 29, 2013 by Colt

[Ice Storm 1,020]

Ice Storm let out a small sigh when Luna refused the water saying that there were other ponies that needed it more than she did at the moment. Ice reluctantly pulled the canteen back from Luna before she heard movement coming down the steps. It looked like Colt was awake again and that the group upstairs had figured out how to get the torch lit. She figured that it more than likely involved Colt in Some way, but that didn't really matter. They had some light now at least and that was what was important. Well, it was one of the things that were important. Colt still looked like a gentle breeze would topple him over, let along the winds that they have already been facing. Colt was then followed down the stairs by Daylight, who was also awake now, and Electrobolt. However, they quickly changed positions as Colt stalled at the top of the steps for a few moments. She could only imagine what was going though his mind right now, and many of the same thoughts were going through her own. With that in mind, she knew that this is what Iron would have wanted her to do. It was a lot safer for them to rest and heal up before going on a blind, dangerous search, than to go into Celestia knew what.

 

Daylight, upon reaching the bottom of the steps and seeing the condition that she was currently in rushed over to her and threw his hooves around her, causing her to wince slightly as she was now made very aware of the gash that was on her shoulder. When Dayling pulled away from her, first apologizing and saying that he was going to make everything right now. What he was apologizing for she was not aware of, but she nodded. When he asked her what needed to be taken care of first, noting the leg and asking how much it hurt. "Well, to be honest, both the leg, and the gash on my shoulder are equally as important. I wasn't aware of it until you hugged me, but as soon as you did, it brought it to my attention and it's deeper than it looks. Because of that, you should probably heal that first. The leg is a minor repair to the nerve inside of it, and some minor cuts. The cuts can be left alone as long as the gash and the nerve in the leg is healed so that I don't have to make another cast. The entire reason I fell to begin with was because of the fact that the cast shattered around my leg unexpectedly and I was too tired to react properly," she told him.

 

She then watched as Electro went over to Luna, and she now saw the extent of Luna's injuries. She immediately held the canteen back up to Luna. "With all due respect Luna," she started, now talking to her as a friend rather than her pupil. "You need this just as much as any of the rest of us do. You're just as hurt and tired as we are, and you're every bit as important, if not more important than everypony else here. If nothing else, you have to survive to get back to your sister. That way you can at least inform her of our failure and get another group out here that's stronger than we are. I hope that it does not come to that, but I will not let, not only a princess, but the closest thing I've ever had to a mother die on this outing," she told her still holding the canteen for her signifying she wasn't going to take no for an answer. Luna had been there for Ice when she was in trouble in the past. Now it was time for her to be there for her as well. She then heard Electro add to it, asking if there was anything that he could do for her as well.

 

Then Colt finally finished making his way down the steps, and Luna of course being the generous protector that she was immediately inquired about his well-being over her own. Ice Smiled, and she only hoped that this would make ponies begin to realized how amazing she actually is, and how completely wrong every story that they've heard about her, and every reason that they've been given to fear her is nothing but a load of ponyfeathers. She was definitely above the noble worth of the entire Canterlot Upper Class, that was for sure.

[MyLittlePonyTales 273]

Only after he bowed and took her off her sight the dragon's Words finaly flowed he was unable to look her and speak to her at the same time "Please your highness dont worry about me, its a honor to be in your thoughts but please your concerns have to be in the direction of your well being and those chosen by your royal sister" Colt bowed even more until a signal of pain made him stop, he raised his eyes to see her, not being able to hold the sight of Princess Luna his ashamed eyes hid once more "I just need some rest and time to be useful to you and the mission".

The princess turned her head as Colt finally spoke. It was evident that bowing at this moment was not an easy task, and it was frustrating that he would put his own well being at risk for her sake. ”Colt Strahl—“ she shakily got to her hooves, —come down here and rest.” She spoke, as a mother speaks firmly to a stubborn child. He was a Dragon, and a protector much like herself. But he was still mortal, prone to mortal aches and pains and even death. ”We don't have much time here. We have to keep moving. As soon as we're all fit to travel.”

 

Upon reaching the bottom of the steps. Day immediately rushed over to Ice and knelt beside her, then throwing his hooves around her neck to give her a quick heartfelt hug.

“Ice! Are you alright?” Day said in a very worried and concerned tone.

“I’m so sorry... for everything... but I’m going to make it right now.” He continued while squeezing her tightly, before pulling back to look her over carefully.

It took her a moment to react, but when Daylight wrapped his hooves around Ice Storm, she whirled back toward the mare as soon as she realized the consequences. ”STOP! You'll hurt her!” She snapped her neck around, smacking him with her head in an attempt to knock him off. It wasn't how she'd normally act toward a friend, but it shouldn't have been a secret how much more she cared for Ice Storm above the rest.

 

Luna stepped back, glaring down at Daylight. Her muzzle was still wet with some of Ice Storm's blood, her body and legs still streaked crimson from before. She may have been able to heal her wounds, but getting herself clean afterward was a different matter. All in all, she probably looked a bit more fearsome than usual, and the flickering torchlight surely added some ominous shadows as well.

 

But after a few moments, she relaxed—mostly due to not having the strength to be angry. She lowered her head, nuzzling Ice Storm, but her eyes were on Daylight.

”I'm sorry Daylight.” She swallowed, the metallic taste of blood still fresh in her mouth, ”I'm worried for all of us, even Iron Wing, but these past couple of days, looking after Canterlot, and Ponyville, and you six... it's been a bit of a strain.” She looked saddened at her lapse in judgment, but her fierce need to protect those she loved was ever present.

 

Once he was there, Electrobolt asked Luna, "Hey Luna... Uh, is there anything that I could do to help you out? Maybe get you some water or something?" He wondered if Luna would accept his offer for help or not, but he would try to do whatever he could to help the princess feel better.

Electrobolt offered a welcome distraction. ”No I—“ she took a deep breath, planting her hooves solidly on the ground and putting on as brave a face as she could muster, ”—I'm fine. Please tend to anypony else that needs it.” She shifted her wing slightly to try to help cover the scrape on her side. She regretted not being able to properly heal it herself, but even more than that, it meant that she also couldn't properly heal Ice Storm, or anypony else. But she wouldn't let herself be useless!

 

She then watched as Electro went over to Luna, and she now saw the extent of Luna's injuries. She immediately held the canteen back up to Luna. "With all due respect Luna," she started, now talking to her as a friend rather than her pupil. "You need this just as much as any of the rest of us do. You're just as hurt and tired as we are, and you're every bit as important, if not more important than everypony else here. If nothing else, you have to survive to get back to your sister. That way you can at least inform her of our failure and get another group out here that's stronger than we are. I hope that it does not come to that, but I will not let, not only a princess, but the closest thing I've ever had to a mother die on this outing," she told her still holding the canteen for her signifying she wasn't going to take no for an answer. Luna had been there for Ice when she was in trouble in the past. Now it was time for her to be there for her as well. She then heard Electro add to it, asking if there was anything that he could do for her as well.

The princess couldn't help but blush at everything Ice Storm was saying about her. Of course, she'd felt the same way for a very long time, but neither of them had ever actually said it. Still, there were more important things at hoof than being sentimental.

 

”Don't talk like that, Ice Storm!” Luna knelt down in front of the mare, her features mirroring the fear in her voice that that might not be true. ”We're all going to make it! Celestia entrusted this task to you, she knew you could do it too. Even without my aid, you would have made it through. But now that I'm here, I'll be with you every step of the way, no matter what happens. Alright? I might be battered, but I am nowhere near dead.”

 

Luna let out a heavy sigh, smiling at Ice Storm despite her eyes beginning to get moist with tears. She quickly rubbed a hoof across her eyes and sniffled. She was exhausted, but at least they were all alive. It was something to be grateful for. ”I'll have a drink once we reach our resting place for the night. We're not safe here. But let me tend to that shoulder...” She scowled at the bloody and dirty mess, before diving in again with—what else—her tongue.

 

”It's... primitive...” she said between strokes, ”...but it... will help... immensely.” She tried not to think too much about everypony that must be watching her in disgust, but a mare had to do what a mare had to do. This was the quickest way to heal Ice Storm and clean the wound at the same time, even if it wasn't the most sanitary for the princess.

[Colt 555]

From the stairs the golden eyes of Colt watched the ponies were finally all awake and together, for moments he felt a little relax. Though the concerns from the armored knight didn’t left his mind his body was finaly starting to ease down. The pain was still there but as long as he stayed he could feel how little by little his muscles and bones led go the tension and the recovery began.

 

The worried voice from Ice made the dragon strangely more calmed “She is still thinking of others, all of them are, they are becoming a stronger group” as the dragon head bowed he felt his eyes heavy and sleepy. Trying to fight the fatigue the dragon listened to the words Ice gave to the princess of the night.

 

“She is right” the dragon thought “The moon is so very important for the world, but also she is so wrong, they have to succeed no matter what, The Sun choose all of them for a reason, she send them here knowing that they would save Equestria” the self-discussion in the head of the dragon shattered when the Princess once again directed her words to him.

 

 

Colt Strahl—“ she shakily got to her hooves, —come down here and rest.”

 

The body of the dragon shook at the voice from the regal mare, she was calling his name and there was no possible way he would not attend to her commands “Please excuse me majesty I will ” Colt slowly stood up for a second he thought he wound be able his legs were not responding as he wished them to. “Come on useless dragon, strength up she is calling for you they still need you” he thought as his shoulder sided up the wall helping him once more. Walking down with the torch on palm only three legs helped Colt to move and with his resources those two last steps felt tall as the whole stairway but he was finally down.

 

 

”We don't have much time here. We have to keep moving. As soon as we're all fit to travel.”

 

Following the wall Colt moved a little forward taking the light from fire to the place they were, “Come on don’t fail on me now she is counting on me” the dragon thought as he slowly moved further beyond the light he wished to see if there was a passage to proceed but the limits of the flame glint was unable to deliver without leaving the ponies in darkness. “I cant leave them in the dark ”  the thought knowing that he was unable to explore for them.

 

Now with no movement and nothing more that he could possibly do Colt waited for the ponies to make a call, where to move, what to do. Looking back to them he noticed how his injured arm left a trail of red on the wall, “it must have been the same on the stairs” he thought. With his legs now stiff and with the help of the wall the dragon looked at the ponies trying to understand why he was still there still with them.

[Iron Wing 237]

Iron Wing was still dreaming a wild and confusing dream triggered by her fever she had because of her injuries. It was a mixture with her fears, her memories and her thoughts and fantasy. While her physical condition wasn´t that good, she gained a bit strength from sleeping.

 

-Dream-

 

Her memories were like playing backwards. After the dreamfight against the timberwolf, it changed to her former task at the watchtower. It was were she had met Colt, her actual special somedragon. She remembered how they had met in Twilights library, how careful the dragon tried to hide his face with a hoody. Initially it was a successful disguise, but now that she recalled this memory, she could watch everything from a new perspective. He had forgotten to hide his tail! Thats why Iron Wing knew that he wasn´t a disguised pony. He had saved her from a weather accident and escorted her home, and right after that event, it happened that they met more often.

 

She took him to her family to introduce him to her little sister and her parents. It contained some thrilling moments as her mother Minia Dreamglide examined the dragon and his full character and intentions. Or this was at least the things she had heared from another room. Iron also had taken Colt to her Clan, the Grayhooves at the castle on top of the alabaster mountain. It was their biggest stronghold, and she was proud of what she had in memory. The landscape changed from the house of her parents to the mountain, where she walked alongside Colt. He was very excited as the complete Clan would meet. From all directions and from different villages and watchtowers, Grayhoove knights came to climb the mountain pass, hundrets of ponies, armored and proud to wield Celestias and Luna´s sign on their flags. Choirs were heared with the immense echo of the mountain as they walked in order to the stronghold. ( Choir Song )

 

They entered and over two thousand ponies had gathered, from all directions of the country, from every border side. They were the Grayhoove Clan, hidden guardians that helped to keep Equestria save from monsters, stationed on different places all over the country. The princesses had forgotten about them a long time ago, and since they didn´t count to the royal army, they didn´t report to Canterlot. The royal army was big of course, but it couldn´t be everywhere. But that reminded her of other places she was placed. Also the landscape changed again and she found herself as a guard at the northern border at the crystal mountains. Her mind tried to get order into her memories, to sort them while she was asleep. She didn´t know why she remembered these parts of her memories, but it seemed that some of the events that had happened lately reminded her about this. She turned around. Daylight? Didn´t she just saw a pony that looked exactly like him? She went down to get a look at this pony. but there wasn´t anyone. It got cold around her, and somehow that reminded her about another pony. There were hoovesteps! She heared them outside of the military building she seemed to be in, and she rushed outside. She only could see a pony´s shade walk away. Was that Ice Storm? She went outside into the cold snow to see if she was just seeing things.

 

Iron Wings dream changed for the last time and her mind projected the castle of Canterlot. It was right after her guards training at the academy and she had managed to be placed at the Nightwatch, Luna´s guards. It was the time before Nightmare Moon appeared and was beaten by the elements of harmony. She wasn´t a filly anymore in size, but not a fully grown mare either. She was smaller than most of the others and she was standing at the great ceremony hall were the actuall commander of the Nightwatch introduced their tasks. Their was a picture of Luna on the wall, as a reminder how she looked like. After the introduction, she went to the picture and gazed upon the large wall to see a beautiful alicorn. She sat down and thought about why this was all shown to her. Her leg and her side started to hurt again as she now remembered her injuries from the fight against the timberwolf. Perhaps her mind tried to tell her that she had to get back to the group? She didn´t know for sure so within her dream, she was sitting next to the picture of the princess of the night as she tried to understand.

Edited August 9, 2013 by Iron Wing

[Alex Night 870]

Alex watched as Ice Storm partook in his canteen to help quench her thirst as well as getting some of the blood in her mouth.  She offered the canteen to Princess Luna, but she declined from drinking.  He flattened his ears at her before speaking.  "Are you sure, your Highness?  We don't want to lose you either."  Alex said to her reasonably.  However, she seemed firm in her decision.  His thoughts were suddenly brought apart when a light was shone on their location.  He looked to see that it was Electrobolt, Colt, and Daylight coming down the stairs.  He was surprised pleasantly to see that both Daylight and Colt were back up if still looking worse for wear.  He knew that dragons were tough, but even they had their limits.

 

 

 

Upon reaching the bottom of the steps. Day immediately rushed over to Ice and knelt beside her, then throwing his hooves around her neck to give her a quick heartfelt hug. “Ice! Are you alright?” Day said in a very worried and concerned tone. “I’m so sorry... for everything... but I’m going to make it right now.” He continued while squeezing her tightly, before pulling back to look her over carefully. Her health was the most important thing to him at the moment.

 

All of a sudden, he saw that Daylight was hugging Ice Storm but something was wrong with Ice Storm when she shuddered in his embrace.  He saw his folly as a wound that Alex had not seen before was spouting some fresh blood.  Alex was ready to pull Daylight's ear before Princess Luna beat him to the head conk.  "Sheesh, Daylight.  Save the sentiments when we are actually in a safe place."  Alex said to him a bit chastely.  He didn't want to be too hard on him as he did save the group with that large beam of light from the dark monster.

 

After that moment was done, Ice exchanged some words to Princess Luna that made Alex agree with her.  "She's right.  Everypony here is an essential part of the group.  Everypony gets the same amount of attention and treatment.  We're a team now, your Highness."  Alex said to Princess Luna in a confident yet gentle voice.  With that said, Princess Luna seemed more lenient to accept help but only when they reached a safe haven.  Then, the Princess took that moment to try and heal her wounds with the same kissing fashion.  "Ummm...  Yeah, in the meantime I'll take Electrobolt with me to scout ahead in this...  Place..."  Alex informed the group a bit sheepishly before looking towards Electrobolt and the dragon Colt.  "Colt, could you give the torch to Electrobolt?  I need him to come with me for a moment and scout the way ahead a bit..."  Alex asked the bruised dragon before turning away from the group to explore the depths.  He needed Electrobolt to come with him because he wasn't going to explore this place without a partner and Daylight is the only one capable of being able to perform a simple light spell for them.

Edited August 19, 2013 by Alex Night

[Dave247 568]

Just as Day was about to pull away from the hug, he heard Luna shout something in his direction, then suddenly felt something whack him him on the side of his head with a lot of force which made him immediately release Ice to look up at what had hit him. His eyes were met with Luna’s, who was glaring down at him for a reason unbeknownst to him, so he just stared back with a look of horror, wondering what on earth he could have done to make the princess angry.

 

Shortly afterwards, she relaxed, nuzzling Ice and apologised for her brash action explaining the strain she has been under. Daylight then changed his look from a one of horror, to a one of confusion.

“Uhh... That’s ok.” he replied awkwardly feeling like he had done something wrong, but didn’t know what it was.

"Sheesh, Daylight. Save the sentiments when we are actually in a safe place." Alex said to him a bit chastely.

He turned to look at Alex briefly with the same look of confusion noticing the odd impression that he too was directing at him.

 

Paying the matter no more attention, he returned to look at Ice so to deal with the more the pressing concerns.

 

“How much does it hurt.” He said indicating to her injured leg. “I assume that is what you would want me to heal first but... I need you to tell me as it’s your body.” He said looking her squarely in the face with a very concerned expression while he awaited a response.

"Well, to be honest, both the leg, and the gash on my shoulder are equally as important. I wasn't aware of it until you hugged me, but as soon as you did, it brought it to my attention and it's deeper than it looks. Because of that, you should probably heal that first. The leg is a minor repair to the nerve inside of it, and some minor cuts. The cuts can be left alone as long as the gash and the nerve in the leg is healed so that I don't have to make another cast. The entire reason I fell to begin with was because of the fact that the cast shattered around my leg unexpectedly and I was too tired to react properly," she told him.

“Ah.” Was what he thought when Ice began to speak. Now he finally understood both Luna’s and Alex’s reaction. Day felt embarrassed due to his carelessness, and looked again briefly at the gash on her shoulder while she continued to speak.

“It doesn't look that bad....” He thought, before looking back at Ice.

 

When she finished talking, Day nodded in response to show he had understood what she had said, before awkwardly rubbing the back of his head with a hoof in embarrassment.

 

“Umm... sorry if the hug was a bit too tight... I can get a bit carried away at times at didn’t realize how injured you were...” he said trailing off, before relaxing and returning to the task at hand.

 

He was about to begin to treat Ice’s injuries, when he heard Electro speak to Luna from nearby, which made him look up in distraction. Her reaction to his offer of assistance gave him the impression that she was trying to stay strong, but it was just a facade and clearly she was struggling just like everyone else. He turned back to look at Ice as she began to talk to Luna. Day remembered that he did get the impression from Ice from earlier in the journey that Luna meant a lot to her... but he didn’t realise exactly how much until he saw the interaction go on between them for his own eyes.

 

“They must be really close...” He thought as Luna responded to what Ice had said. Then to his complete surprise he saw Luna begin to... do something with her tongue on Ice’s body where she was injured, which made him jump to his hooves and take a step back as he was still kneeling beside her. He couldn’t believe his eyes at first... but Luna was doing exactly what it looked like...

 

“Well I never...” Was he he thought at first as he watched on in astonishment as Lunas actions were heeling Ice’s wounds. “I got that they were close, but not THAT close... I guess I should remember that technique though...”

 

Day then heard Alex speak up, inviting Electro to go with him and explore deeper into the palace, which he could tell why and couldn’t blame him, as it was making him start to feel rather uncomfortable himself.

 

“Umm...” He said turning away before speaking “You seem... busy now Ice so I guess i’ll go check on Colt then...” Day finished trailing off awkwardly before walking over to the wall he was using to support himself up by, and also noticed that he was holding the torch, which Electro would need to go off to explore with Alex.

"Colt, could you give the torch to Electrobolt? I need him to come with me for a moment and scout the way ahead a bit..."

"Colt, your going to need to do what Alex says so that Electro can go off with Alex, but don't worry as I will compensate for a source of light." he said confidently to the dragon.

 

Day closed his eyes to concentrate, and with a bit more effort than usual he was able to produce a second source of light by a warm soft glow that emanated from his horn, which he adjusted to only light up the small area where they were all gathered to conserve his energy as much as possible. He then turned back to call out to Electro and Alex to let them know they could leave now, while trying his best to look past Ice and Luna.

 

“You can come and take the torch now Electro. I have the group covered so that they won’t fall into darkness if you leave.” He said, before immediately turning back to look at Colt as he didn't want to have to look at the two mares any more than he had to.

 

Daylight examined the Dragon closely, which was a lot easier now thanks to his own source of constant light then the flickering flames of the torch light, and gasped when he saw the trail of blood along the wall which looked like it must of been from his injured arm that he had dragged along it to support himself.

 

“Colt!” He exclaimed, before realising he probably didn’t want to worry the others, and so lowered his voice so that only he could hear before speaking again.

“You look... really bad. Is there anything I can do, or any particular area you’d like me to heal?” Daylight asked, looking very concerned.

Edited August 19, 2013 by Dave247

[Colt 555]

 

 

Colt, could you give the torch to Electrobolt?  I need him to come with me for a moment and scout the way ahead a bit..."

 

Trying not to fall asleep dealing with the pain the dragon listened to the request from Alex. Thankfully the pegasus looked in top shape and his idea to scout further with the young earth pony was not bad at all, they where the only ones able to move freely. Still the idea of dividing the group was not the favorite for the dragon the things that they had to face during that day were not "accidental" the wooden golems were ordered to strike them by somepony and most likely the dark specter they faced had a similar purpose. There was no way to know if something was waiting for them inside the castle. 

 

 

 

"Colt, your going to need to do what Alex says so that Electro can go off with Alex, but don't worry as I will compensate for a source of light." he said confidently to the dragon.

 

No response came from the dragon he was a little immerse in the consequences this could have, "if they face something over there I wont be able to help them, not like this" Colt thought considering how important this ponies where for him right now. It was the voice from daylight what made him snap out of his thoughts. "Here" the dragon said giving Alex the torch "I have no word in here, what I have to say is of few importance but sticking together could be our best option, we already have a pony that knows this place there is no need for you to risk going out there without knowing what could be waiting for you". 

 

Colt hoped that Alex and Electro would be safe even if they chose to scout, he was just afraid of they being in risk because he was in such a pathetic condition. That was when golden unicorn whispered about his current status.

 

 

 

“Colt!” He exclaimed, before realising he probably didn’t want to worry the others, and so lowered his voice so that only he could hear before speaking again. “You look... really bad. Is there anything I can do, or any particular area you’d like me to heal?”

 

The dragon waited for Alex to back off a bit to answer, in the mean time he  thanked from the inside that Alex kept that last words in a low voice the was no need for the others to worry about him. "Dont use that magic on me Daylight" the dragon said with a slight smile and a shake of his head "The Moon and the leader need you a lot more than me, don't forget that this scales and this bones are a lot more resistant, I can hold this better than those two, help them not me " the Colt said with a straight face and stare to the kind pony.