Chapter 12

The rear entrance of Mount Apexia was overwhelming with guards and sentries of all sorts ranging from minores to major superare. Commander Ulysses was at the head of the guard, the most proud and strongest of them all, shouting orders left and right, enough to make a simpleton's spirit broken. The guards hanging in the upper corridors that connected to the rear entrance were on their guard too. That is until from the ground, roots sprouted. At first it seemed innocent, until in almost no time, the roots turned into branches and wrapped them selves around them, including the mouths.

"That ought to teach them not to disrespect their guests!" Applejack said as she rounded the corner.

"Nice job AJ, you mastered your power." Crimson Forge whispered as he looked at the situation.

"So what do we do now?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Shh! Keep your voice down!" Crimson said.

"Sorry!" She mumbled as she realized the situation again.

"We need a diversion, some sort of distraction. There's too many to take on all at once. Their magic altogether is too great."

"Who's gonna do this?" Twilight asked."

"We need somepony strong as well as fast." Heads started turning towards Rainbow Dash.

"What?" she said.

The guards marched back and forth near the entrance determined to not let a single outsider in or out of their presence. Rainbow Dash was nervous, for what other kinds of technology did Mount Apexia possess? They could catch her even at supersonic speed! But then she realized, her powers! Her element of mindfulness was that she could harness the power of a storm! Would that distract the guards? Possibly. Moreover, she would be unseen above the clouds she would summon. Taking in a deep breath she closed her eyes and concentrated. In her mind she saw a fire raging out of control in a forest. She started to have a sense of panic, for she never seen a forest fire. What was going on? What could she do? Then she reminded herself of the mindfulness that Crimson Forge taught with the lessons of Ahura Mazda. So she spread her wings and energy came out of them. The sky was then encompassed by dark clouds. They began to rain and put the fire out. But the rain soon turned into a monsoon which snapped Rainbow Dash out of her head and into reality. The guards became drenched in water from the tiny storm clouds above. This was her chance. Dash flew above the clouds and yelled out, "Nyaa nyaa nyaa! You can't see me!" The guards shouted, "Quid est tu!" Rainbow Dash soon found herself dodging energy blasts coming from the guard's spears. Then she had an idea. Using her wits, she started to fly in circles. Faster and faster she went round causing the clouds to spin with her. All of a sudden, the guards became incased inside a miniature rainbow tornado. When Rainbow Dash stopped the spinning, all of the guards were either knocked out or too dizzy to recognize what was happening. The rest of the Mane Six came out of hiding. "Impressive Rainbow Dash." Crimson Forge said.

"Oh yeah! That was way past twenty percent cooler! Uh huh! Who's the best? Who's the best?" Dash started to brag. Crimson rolled his eyes.

"Alright. Stand back. I'm gonna need to concentrate. I know the spell to break the rear entrance seal. It's gonna take some time." He said as his horn began to glow a deep blue. He started to recite in Latin. But it was not even a minute before they heard more voices coming down the hall. "Get ready." Twilight said as the guards came around the corner and armed their spears. With the power of mindfulness, Fluttershy knew what to do. She focused on her inner wavelengths and summoned the luminescent butterflies inside her. Her eyes began to glow a bright blue as she said, "Stomacho Papilionum!" In a heartbeat, the butterflies through all of the guards sending a tingle up their spines and throwing them off balance. But not without a spear beam or two heading towards Rarity. Trusting herself, she shouted out the first thing that came to mind, "Dum Crystalla!" In an instant, a gigantic flat diamond appeared before here eyes and reflected the blast and sent it flying to the ceiling where fragments came crashing down onto the guards. Rarity gasped. "Did I just…"

"Watch out!" Rainbow Dash said as she grabbed Rarity and pushed her to the ground, making her barely miss a spear shot that unfortunately hit another sentinel. Spike trying to be the big dragon kept breathing balls of green fire at the guards.

"I almost have it!" Crimson said. "The door's almost open!" Strange symbols appeared on the door as the Mane Six continued to hold their ground. Suddenly a guard planted something on the ground aiming at the mane six as Crimson got the door open. Oh no… he thought. "Anything but the laser energy multi- net!"

"Twilight!" Crimson shouted.

"What is it?" She asked as she held her ground.

"Slow down time! Make sure every pony is making a link to you!"

"Got it!" Twilight closed her eyes and opened them as they shined white. A large pocket watch appeared above her as she shouted, "Everypony! Hold hooves and make a link to me!" They all did just as the watch began to work its magic. Time indeed began to slow down just after the cannon fired the net at them. Regaining their senses, they all moved out the door. Crimson turned around and closed the door once again using his magic before feeling a vibration on it. He let out a sigh of relief as Emerald tooth came running down with a wagon of supplies. Crimson looked in disbelief as he hasn't seen his dad in a long time. "Pater!" He said as he ran towards him and spoke in Latin, "It's been so long!"

"Indeed it has been." He replied as he looked at the rest of the Mane Six. "So it is true. The prophecy."

"Yes it is! We have to get to the Stone of Flaming Wrath before Asmodeus and Discord do!" Tears swelled up in both their eyes as this may be the last time they'll ever see each other again. Letting out an exhale, Emerald tooth began to hand over the supplies to Crimson and his friends. "Crimson, my son. Please be safe on the journey to Alba. It will be a cold one." He kneeled down and placed a hand on Crimson's shoulder. "You're the most noble warrior I have ever known, you always have." Crimson, under the emotional stress embraced his foster dad before saying, "I love you dad."

"I love you too son." The Mane six seemed to have a lot of sympathy in their faces before Emerald patted his sons back and stood up. Suddenly a bang was heard on the door as a rumble was slowly heard. "You have to get out. That door will be open soon. Move!"
Crimson nodded and took off trotting with tears in his eyes, the mane six following him up the hills to safety. After a half hour of galloping and trotting, they all came to a stop at the top of hill and nearly all of them collapsed on the ground exhausted. Crimson with the little standing strength he had left looked back to see no guards pursuing them from out of the mountain.