-TERRARIA, CAMELOT: THE CASTLE-

The group stops before the grand castle of Camelot as Twilight, Starlight, Zecora, Linn, Shadow Thunder, and their mechanized guardian are positioned within the courtyard. Tori was still missing during this time. Various well-trimmed bushes littered the area and sat on a lush foundation of green grass as a fountain spewing crystal clear water sat in the courtyard’s epicenter. A paved pathway of a crystal and marble composition lead to multiple directions; even circling around the large fountain. In addition, the fountain itself possessed a statue that sat at its precipice, imitating a male terrarian with royal attire.

Twilight was the first to walk up to the fountain, and statue, as she reads the plaque that sat at its base, “In loving memory of King Arthur.”

Starlight Glimmer also joins the lavender alicorn as Linn, Shadow Thunder, Zecora, The Mech, and the multitude of guards were a few feet behind them.

“United we stand, now and forever, In truth. Divided, we fall. Hand upon hand, all across these lands, no ONE shall be greater than all. So declares, I, King Arthur.” Starlight says as she reads the plaque.

A series of hoofsteps draws closer as Twilight looks over her shoulder to Linn, currently mounted on Ves, as the pink-haired terrarian dismounts and says:

“The first King of Camelot, its founder and creator, and the first wielder of Excalibur,” Linn draws closer to the statue and glides her hand across the plaque, “He was truly an amazing individual and even united the warring holds into one grand nation.”

Twilight gasps before conjuring forth a very particular, but familiar, book: The Coming Of Cthulhu. Most interesting was the book’s author, The Jungle Tyrant.

“Aside from everything you told me, Linn, I first heard about King Arthur from a book Sai lent to me,” She then nervously fidgets in place, “As it turns out, this was written by… Yharim.”

Upon saying that name, every guard present, including Linn herself, lets loose disgusted grunts. Even Linn’s horse, Ves, stomped its forehooves repeatedly by lifting one after the other. Shadow Thunder also took on an angered expression as he and Zecora walked closer.

“Lady Harmony told me all about that monster’s past actions,” Shadow Thunder says as he now positioned himself next to Starlight and Twilight, “I’m sure you know a great deal of what he’s done, but there are many more past sins of Yharim that still hasn’t been revealed yet.”

“That damned dragon of his isn’t innocent either,” Linn comments with a clenched fist, “That beast burned down my home and killed everyone I ever loved.”

Twilight looked over to both Zecora and Starlight with a very unique expression, one that the duo instantly caught onto. It was exclusive to all three of them, but in essence, they were conflicted on whether or not they should reveal Yharim’s visit to their prison in The Underworld. Shadow Thunder looked at the trio with minor confusion as The Mech stood in a neutral state nearby. Linn recovered from her momentary anger as the nearby knights chatted amongst themselves.

A sudden series of footsteps donned in a glass slipper rapidly approaches as a feminine voice shouts:

“Linn! You’re all here!”

These words instantly catch the attention of the entire group as the knights all bow in unison. Shadow Thunder also takes a respectful bow as he gestures for Twilight, Zecora, and Starlight to follow his lead.

“It’s The Princess,” The dark pegasus says with a side glance. The eyes of the former prisoners of The Underworld all widen in response before they hurriedly take a kneeling-like gesture. Lowering their forehooves.

Linn takes a few steps forth and catches the pink-haired Princess in her arms, “Cadence! My dear cousin! It’s always good to see you!” The two gently break away from each other and take a few steps back before doing something that absolutely drops Twilight’s jaw.

“Sunshine, sunshine,
Ladybugs awake.
Clap your hands,
And do a little shake!”

The two terrarians shake their rears while turning sideways before breaking out into a series of laughter.

Twilight’s jaw was still dropped in response as Starlight closes the alicorn’s muzzle with a forehoof. Zecora and Shadow Thunder chuckled to themselves as the lavender mare recovers from her stupor and says:

“Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh,” She turns to Starlight, “Starlight! How does my mane look? Is it proper? Do you think I should speak in the old ways as Princess Luna does? Maybe I-” Her words are cut off as Starlight places a forehoof to the alcorn’s muzzle.

“Woah. Easy there, Twilight,” Starlight says with a small chuckle, “Just breath for a second before you start hyperventilating.” The unicorn removes her forehoof.

Twilight seemingly regains her composure after taking a few breaths, “T-thank you for that, Starlight,” She clears her throat, “I’m about to meet the first of this world’s royalty. I want to establish friendly relations as a Princess of Equestria.”

Starlight smirks, “Well, here’s your chance,” She points a forehoof, “Look behind you.”

Heeding her request, Twilight turns around and is instantly greeted by both Linn and Princess Cadence. The Princess herself simply looked at Twilight with her mouth dropped before squeeing and lunging into the alicorn with wide arms.

“Oh my gosh! You ponies are so cute!” Princess Cadence exclaims as she buries her face into Twilight’s chest region and hugs the alicorn in a fairly tight grasp. The Princess then takes notice of Starlight and Shadow Thunder, “There’s more of you?!”

Both Starlight and Shadow Thunder laugh nervously.

“I, um, I’m a member of the guild. The Order Of The Guide. Although I’m away fairly often, it’s an honor to meet you personally, your highness,” The dark pegasus says before he kneels once more and raises himself up again.

“I’m Starlight Glimmer, Twilight’s student and a pony from Equus. It’s great to meet you,” She says as she imitates Shadow Thunder’s respectful gesture.

The Princess giggles, “Oh, there’s no need for tha-” Her words are cut off as she takes notice of Zecora, “Shut up! A zebra too?!” She skips merrily towards Zecora and walks around her in an excited fashion, “I never, ever, EVER seen one of you in person!”

Zecora chuckles, “Salutations, how do you do? Zecora of The Everfree is the zebra before you.”

The Princess’s eyes shoot wide open, “You can talk too?!”

Linn approaches with a small chuckle, “Cousin, give my friends some breathing room, please.”

The Princess backs away from Zecora while smiling sheepishly, “Ehehe, sorry about that.”

Zecora, Starlight, and Shadow Thunder all nod in tandem with vibrant smiles. However, Twilight’s eyes were shot wide open from her still present shock. The alicorn then shakes her head side to side and regains her train of thought. The lavender mare trots forth and clears her throat before saying:

“My name is Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship,” She extends a forehoof, “Let me just say that it’s an absolute pleasure to meet you and, although we’re from two different worlds, I hope our nations can find peace with one another.”

Princess Cadence extends a hand and shakes Twilight’s appendage before she backs up and bows in response while slightly lifting her dress with both of her hands.

“The pleasure is all mine, Princess of Friendship,” The Princess says and raises up to her full stature, “So you’re the very same ponies from another world, and the zebra too. The Capital has been talking all about you guys. You’re quite the celebrities.”

Twilight, Starlight, and Zecora all blush in response as Shadow Thunder comments:

“When I heard all about you guys from Tanner, before that traitor revealed himself to be a demon, I was excited to see you for myself,” He then glances towards Starlight, “One of you, in particular, made it even more worthwhile,” The pegasus winks.

Starlight’s cheeks redden in response, then giggles, as she bumps the dark pegasus’s chest with a forehoof, “Oh stop it, you.”

Linn clears her throat, “I’m sure you’d all like to properly introduce ourselves to my cousin. However, we must answer the call of Excalibur,” Linn then turns towards the entrance of the castle, “Her majesty, my dear aunt, is waiting for us all. Queen Mi Amore.”

Of everyone present, Twilight’s reaction was most prominent as her left eye twitches while she says:

“Q-Q-Q-Queen?! I… I can’t… I’m not…” Twilight lets loose a sudden loss of breath as she faints soon after. Fortunately, Linn catches the alicorn’s form before it collides with the floor.

………….

The mech seems to be studying the Princess intently. Silently, it logs her down.

~Something feels off… My scanners aren’t working right… Could that be… Brimstone magic? I should stay careful… Maybe a Threat Level 1 to my objective for now...~

Character inventory/equipment:

Fluttershy: Statigel Armor(pony, equipped), Overloaded Blaster, Eviscerator, Crimslime Staff, Corroslime Staff, Slime Staff, Finch Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Hornet Staff, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Honey Comb(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Staff Of Necrosteocytes, Purified Jam.

Rainbow Dash: Necro Armor(pony, equipped), Star Cannon, Minishark, Eviscerator, Aquatic Discharge, Bloody Rupture, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Victory Shard, Slime Mount.

Zecora: Crimson Armor(zebra, equipped), Dune Hopper, Sausage Maker, Beenade, Tooth Ball, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Various Potions, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Sand Cloak(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bloodstained Gloves(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Skeletron Hand.

Starlight Glimmer: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Starfury, Vein Burster, Purple Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Healing Potion, Victory Shard, Rocket Boots(equipped), Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand.

Rarity: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Hornet Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Ice Mirror, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Rocket Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand, Staff Of Necrosteocytes.

Applejack: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Orange Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Rope, Metal Detector, Healing Potion, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Bone Glove, Skeletron Hand.

Twilight Sparkle: Meteorite Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Book Of Skulls, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Ichor, Victory Shards, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount.

Pinkie Pie: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Blue Phaseblade, Bloody Rupture x2, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Metal Detector, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, The Blood Butcherer, Skeletron Hand.