Chapter 13

“The light in the darkness.”

North Star was by a small river his body was surrounded by a large red aurora and as he stopped, he gasped then he started to puke on the cold grass.

He got up then he saw master Silver beard then said “How long?”

Silver beard then said, “I counted ten minutes.”

North Star swore then said, “That’s how long I can use chaos’s power before it starts to take over.”

Silver Beard then said, “Breath and settle down you practiced nonstop for the last two days and you need rest.”

North Star then collapsed near the stream and plunged his head into the cold water as he washed his face and then he saw his left eye and his left pupil was no longer a symbol but a regular black pupil.

Then North Star said, “It looks like my left eye is back.”

Master Silver Beard came forward then said,” You look a lot better with two eyes.”

North Star then said, “At least I have nothing distracting the large scar on my cheek.”

Silver Beard chuckled then said, “You did well and honestly right now we need to save princess Luna.”

North Star nods then the two started to trot back to the castle.

Then North Star said, “What if I do turn evil?”

Master grey beard then said, “You worry too much.”

North Star turned to Silver Beard then said, “It’s not that I’m just stating the truth. If I turn evil if Chaos takes me Silver beard you’ll have to kill me.”

Silver Beard then said, “I won’t let that happen. But if it comes to that... You have my word."

North Star then said "Thank you master Silver beard. I know I'm asking a lot of you helping us out like this."

Silver Beard then said “North Star I know my destiny is helping you and Celestia get back Luna our paths crossed for a reason.”

They came back to the ruined castle where they found Celestia flying overhead firing her horn on trees and blasting them into pieces. North Star then said “Hey Princess Celestia! Go easy you don’t want to start a forest fire.”

Princess Celestia landed next to them heaving with sweat pouring from her brow.

She then said, “I hope you haven’t turned into chaos?”

North Star smirked then said, “We should move out before we lose more daylight.”

Princess Celestia then said, “I raise the sun I don’t control it.”

She then flew down to the stream.

Then North Star then said, “Master I’m going to go check on Orthoptera. You don’t mind waiting outside?”

Master Silver beard then said “No problem just don’t be long.”

North Star went into the ruined castle and saw Orthoptera she was busy eating her fruit that North Star gathered.

He then said, “I know this is sudden. I also know if you don't feel like talking to me its fine. However, can you tell me what happened when you were possessed by Abyss?”

Orthoptera paused and was silent then as she swallowed, she was shaking.

She then said, “It was unlike anything I’ve ever felt in my life. This voice that spoke to me was cold and dark as a shadow entered my soul I could feel it pulling me making me do things I couldn’t stop it. I wanted to scream but the voice just swallowed my mind. ”

She shivered then rose and said “What Abyss did to me he took over my very soul my very existence and twisted it for his own desires.”

She then burst into tears and fell then North Star said “He took control of your soul?”

she nods then said “North Star I think when we get to Necro’s tower were all going to die. All I feel now is that dark void that never ending pit of dread.”

North Star then said, “I know how you feel. Even when I used Chaos’s power, I feel the rage and the power. However, I am able to push it down with thoughts of my friends my family Celestia and Luna think of the good and stop focusing on the bad. Try to do the same.”

He went to her then she said, “Why do you care?”

North Star then said, “I’m going to need you when we face Abyss if anything you can shape shift and use magic you can help us and I’m going to need you fully prepared.”

She sighs gets up then the two leave the dark castle then they found Celestia and Silver Beard who were talking.

Then they turn then North Star said, “I guess were ready.”

Then a giant explosion came out of nowhere North Star deflected it with a spell shield then an army of timber wolves attacked from behind but Celestia blasted them with her horn then a unicorn came out of the right side. He had bright orange eyes a fiery red coat and dark red mane and tail with a flaming circle for his mark and a dark twisted pony that looked like he was made of black wood. His front right leg was a twisted tree trunk with large wooden claws and he had deep green eyes and his tail and mane was mossy vines.

He then said “Pyro you idiot I told you to kill North star first.”

Pyro rolled his eyes then North Star said “Pyro?”

Pyro then said, “Oh you remember me now? Thanks a lot.”

He then started blasting more flame at North Star’s shield as Rot touched one of the tree’s and then the wood twisted and morphed and soon timber wolves were pooping out of the trees.Princess Celestia flew above and started to attack from above as Silver Beard created a wall of earth around them. Then Pyro teleported above them and started to fire flame on them then north star opened his left eye then the symbol of the soul turned then used chaos’s energy mixed with Harmony’s amulet around his neck. Then he teleported above and smashed Pyro with a wall of earth and sent him downward as he slammed him down the ground.

North Star then said “Yield.”

Pyro spat out grass and dirt then said, “Whatever prick.”

North Star slammed his face further in the dirt then he closed his left eye then it returned to normal

Then he said “Stay here.”

As he trapped Pyro in a stone cage he teleported over to where Princess Celestia and Silver Beard were facing off with Rot. He used the trees to create a shield and they kept on summoning out timber wolves. Then North Star blasted straight through then as Rot attacked him he then blocked his attacks to gain a momentum then his left eye changed again this time he deflected the timber wolves as Princess Celestia flew overhead trying to penetrate his shields then as they did that Grey bead caught the opening with a huge magical blast. Then Rot was hit by the full fury of the attack he was slammed against a tree and then his body fell. North Star teleported over and then slammed his left back hooves. Then he jumped back and then as Rot got up, he summoned hundreds of timber wolves and then they attacked. Grey beard then slammed his flames across the timber wolves burning them to ash.

Rot chuckled then said, “You're as good as Lord Abyss said you would be.”

North Star got up then said, “Your outnumbered I suggest you surrender quietly.”

Rot sat then said, “Sorry, but your threats mean nothing to me.”

Princess Celestia flew by and then Silver Beard and they combined their attacks as they slammed Rot to a tree and then he got up as his body was falling apart.

Then he shouted, “I will not die against you three not now! not ever!”

His body entered the ground then all at once the ground trembled and hundreds of timber wolves ripped up through the ground. A hundred more timber wolves appeared. Celestia flew into the air then shouted stand back!” Her horn glowed then blasted the ground with a giant wave of flame and power incinerating the entire section of forest and every timber wolf in the vicinity. Rot was caught in the blast and his body was gone along with every Timber wolf in the area then as Celestia flew back down.

Rot reformed himself he then said, “Sorry Celestia you’re going to have to do better than that.”

North star then said, “What the hell are you?”

Rot then said, “I’m the shadow of the ever free forest. As long as this wood exists my timber wolves will never die”

They then grew themselves together

Then North Star said, “We need to capture him then and bring him back to the ruined castle.”

Princess Celestia nods as did Silver Beard the three teleport in different directions. Then from opposite sides they attacked. Princess Celestia use her power of the sun to send a light flash at Rot who dodged it but then was slammed from above by a kick by Master grey beard who then sent a tidal wave of earth crushing him along with the rest of his timber wolves then North star came behind and with the power of harmony and chaos wrapped him in tendrils made of magic then slammed him on the ground knocking him unconscious.

Pyro and Rot woke in a stone cell with wooden bars that were placed around it created from magic.

North Star then said, “Your horns are covered in stone and won’t work so I suggest you two start answering our questions. First of all how many ponies are left under Abyss’s control? “

Rot then said, “Pyro keep your mouth."

North Star squeezed the stone then Rot groaned

Then Pyro said “Were all that’s left.”

North Star turned then said, “If you’re lying…”

Pyro then said, “I’m not I want to live just as much as you do.”

North Star then said, “Sure you do; now another question is Necro is still around?”

Pyro then said, “Yes he’s still at the tower.”

Rot then said, “Might as well tell him what’s your favorite color too.”

North Star squeezed the stone on Rot he grunted then North Atar turned to Pyro then said “What about the undead or timber wolves?”

Pyro then said, “He has a few hundred around the front of the tower of both. But they won’t do anything unless he tells them to.”

North Star then said “well thank you for the information.”

Then Rot shouted, “Why don’t you come down here and just kill us were good as dead now.”

North Star then said, “Actually I’ll be sparing your lives.”

He then released the two then shoved Rot into the wall knocking him out again.

Then Pyro said “Look North Star master Silver Beard. I want you to know how grateful I am.”

Silver Beard then said, “Spare us your guilty conscious I’m glad you’re alive but I’m also disappointed that you allied yourself with such an evil pony.”

`Pyro then said, “I didn’t have a choice. When the tower was attacked and I was taken captive Abyss would have killed me if I didn’t follow his orders.”

`North Star then said, “That’s not an excuse but I’m not going to kill you.”

` Pyro then said sarcastically “Thank you merciful North Star.”

` North Star rolled his eyes

`Then Silver Beard then said, “If we’re not going to kill him what about Rot?”

`North Star went over to Rot then as he woke up.

` North Star then said, “Pyro told me everything I need to know. However, you clearly been here for a while. Who owned this castle? and why is it that your soul is bound to the forest?”

`Rot chuckled as his body was then encased stone.

` He then said “Such interesting questions but why do you want to know? what’s the point?”

North Star then said, “Your clearly using chaos’s magic but you still have your free will.”

Rot then said, “I can’t leave the ever free forest North star over 500 years ago I swore my allegiance to Chaos and bounded my energy into this wood. The timber wolves are independent constructs that were once used to protect this castle which was once owned by Chaos.”

He grunted as he gazed around the ruined throne room then said “This is where harmony defeated Chaos she shoved her lance through his body and sealed him into his own stone and sent them to Tartarus from there I just stayed in the ever free forest with no real purpose.”

North Star then said, “So you decided to just team up with Abyss.”

Rot then said “Yeah that’s right. He would of destroyed me if I didn’t”

He opened his chest and there was a green orb surrounded by a dark aurora.

Then Rot said ,“this orb is all that’s left of my original soul destroy this and let me die in peace.”

North star closed the chest then said, “I’m not going to kill you. You were used Rot, Abyss knew you and Pyro didn’t have a chance and sent you to die and on top of that Chaos used use as well without ever really caring for your lives.”

He points to Orthoptera then said, “You see her she tried to take Canterlot and even she has decided to help us. I have a friend Obsidian his father was king Sombra and he decided to save my friends. I don’t judge ponies to death because of my vengeance even if you were sent to kill us. I want to believe even evil ponies like you can return to the light.”

Rot chuckled then said, “I’ve been alive for five hundred years and you’re the first pony I’ve met who would forgive me. You have no idea how many ponies died in this wood because of me. However, if you wish it upon me to help you I cannot. This wood is bound by dark magic that tries to destroy those who trespass. This magic is irreversible and the ever-free forest may never return to the wood it once was. However I can stop the timber wolves at least for a few days.”

He then summoned the green orb into his mouth he placed it under his dark green tongue then said, “North Star I’ve seen a glimpse of the future. This castle is where a light will wash away darkness. However, I will not live to see it this is the end for me. I cannot atone for what I have done but for once I want to do the right thing to make sure that light comes."

He then crushed the orb with his teeth then as his body began to disintegrate;

He looked up then said, “Maybe one day. This wood will be beautiful again.”

Then the ash dissipated and he was no more.

Pyro bowed his head then said “Look North Star I’m not coming I value my life.”

North Star then said, “Fine go back to Canterlot. But if I ever hear you try anything against the ponies there…”

Pyro then said, “I’m not. I am done with fighting. I will go to Canterlot and just stay low.”

He then gallops out of the castle.

North Star turned to the pile of ash then said, “This is how chaos and Abyss treat their allies use them then throw their lives away. This is unforgivable.”

Orthoptera then said “I’m not going to just sit here and have you fight alone I’m not going to be used again ever."

Princess Celestia then said, “Alright let’s go then were losing daylight.”

The three leave the castle then North Star turned to Princess Celestia then said “what did he mean by the light will come to wash away the darkness?"

Princess Celestia then said, “I don’t know but this place I feel as if it has a lot more significance.”

Silver Beard then said, “Well I don’t want to break your reminisions but we do have Princess Luna to save.”

North Star nods then said, “Orthoptera you don’t mind.”

She bends down then North Star got on top of her.

Silver beard got on top of Princess Celestia and they fly south going deeper over the wood.

Next Chapter: Chapter 14: Pine's flame part 1 Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 56 Minutes