Canterlot Gate
Chapter 1
Load Full Story Next ChapterThe first in a series of three possibly.
The low rumble of thunder resounded across the dark clouded night sky over Canterlot, the capital of Equestria. Of course this jewel of harmony and peace, would soon have blood running through the cobbled streets. High above a tall tower, a lone door opened slowly revealing an armored and battered man. The man fell to his knees and crawled forward, the door closing slowly on its own. The man breathed heavily, his heart beating in rapid succession.
Suddenly the door behind him was kicked, not just open, but into splinters of wood and even torn off the metal hinges that kept it in place. The man looked back to see a large fully armored figure kneel down slightly and step out into the cool night air. The large armored figure was covered from head to toe in thick spiked plate mail. The helm he wore looked like the head of a four horned demon, the mouth wide open to show the face of its wearer. Thunder boomed again as the figure gave a deep low chuckle of amusement.
"No. No you can't." The man said as he backed away from this creature out of his worse nightmares. The figures glowing yellow eyes clutching his heart with terror.
"I will be the last," the armored figure said, pointing a finger at the man before him, "and you, will go first."
The figure began to take slow steps towards the frightened man who backed further and further away. He seemed to be enjoying the terror he caused as he chuckled once more.
"Th-there are others," the man said as he got up, his back to the iron fence of the towers edge, "I could show you. Please. Please!"
The man turned, knowing his pleads for life would go unheard. He hoped to run, but the iron fence prevented him from escaping. Now trapped and cornered he turned to face his worse nightmare. And was met with a powerful right blow across the face, knocking his own helm from his very head dented where the fist had struck.
The man laid on the ground, half conscious from the blow. The armored figure kneeled down slightly and gripped the man by his throat and lifted him up, his feet inches off the ground. Laughing coldly, the figure slammed his victims back against the iron fence, the force snapping the iron in half and forcing half of it to tear off from the rest of the fence. This now created an opening for the figure to hold the man over the edge of the tower.
The armored figures grip tightened, causing his victim to choke more and more and begin beating against his assailants arm, making weak begging for life. But these did little to deter the figure and with a slightly small and chuckle, he clenched his hand tight around his victims throat and snapped it as if it were a twig. Thunder boomed loudly once more.
His deed done, the armored figure threw the lifeless body from the tower and sending it falling to the ground. The body fell and landed with an audible crunch as it slammed into the cobbled stone streets below. The broken and shattered body laid there, blood flowing into the streets.
Twilight yawned as she awoke as the rising sun awoke her from slumber. She stretched and knocked several books above her and down onto her head.
"Ouch!" Twilight rubbed her head and looked around to see that she was inside a small book fort surrounding her desk in the library section of her home. Her back was protesting with pain for sleeping at the desk again for the third night in a row.
'I wonder if Rarity and Fluttershy won't mind if I join their spa trip today.' She thought, rubbing her achy back and neck.
She sighed and with a wave of her hand, the books rose up and reshelved themselves. Giving a smile Twilight walked upstairs to wake up Spike. But as she reached the living area of her home, she was surprised to see Spike already up and at work cooking.
"Morning Twilight." The little dragon called as he turned to wave. He had on his favorite apron, the one with the pink frills and heart in the middle.
"Spike? What time is it?" Twilight asked.
"Its 10:30." Spike said, pointing to the clock, "anyway time for breakfast...well for you anyway."
Twilight sighed and sat down, "Sorry Spike. I had an amazing breakthrough with a spell and I guess I lost track of time last night."
"And the night before that, and the night before that one as well." Spike said as he placed pancakes onto a plate, "I swear you sleep more on a chair then in your bed at times."
Twilight rolled her eyes, Spike just wouldn't be able to understand the delicate intricacies of magic. Seeing the plate of food before her she felt her stomach growl.
"Thanks Spike. Oh this looks so good." Twilight said as she picked up her fork and started to eat.
"No problem. So whats todays-oh come on!" Spike said as he went to cut the grapefruit, only for the blade of the knife to snap.
"Whats wrong Spike! Did you cut yourself!?!" Twilight said as she got up and made her way over.
"Twilight. Tough scales remember." Spike said.
Twilight blinked and blushed, "oh right. But what happened?"
Spike growled and huffed small sparks coming out his nose, "The kitchen knife broke."
"What?" Twilight looked over and saw that indeed the blade of the knife had snapped while half way through cutting the grapefruit.
"Oh come on. That's the third this week." Twilight said with a sigh.
Spike took the blade out of the fruit and tossed it and the handle away in the trash, "I just don't get it. Why is all this happening now?"
In the recent months, iron that arrived from the mines of the Griffon Kingdom was tainted. Anything made from this iron, sword, armor, even common appliances and tools would snap or break like twigs, thus creating a shortage of good quality iron. In Equestria today, good iron was now worth more then even gold. What was worse was that now bandits were pillaging the roads, attacking caravans and robbing them of any bit of iron that it holds, leaving only broken empty wagons and dozens of dead bodies.
All these troubles were beginning to anger the populace, and it was not uncommon to hear rumors of various reasons behind the iron shortage. The most common being a Griffon conspiracy to weaken Equestria for war.
Twilight sighed, "I don't know Spike. I'll pick up another today okay."
Spike huffed and nodded, "Alright. I guess I'll get started on my chores."
Twilight nodded and sat down to continue her breakfast. All the while she could not take her mind away from the troubles in Equestria, and wondered if things would get better....or worse.
Pinkie Pie floated only a few inches off the ground, her legs moving through the air in the movements of walking even if her feet never hit the ground. Still some force must be moving her as she gently and slowly moved forward with each leg movement.
"Come on Fluttershy, the party till the party supplies get there." She said with uncontrolled excitement.
Behind her, walking slowly and with legs bent due to the weight of the large stack of party supplies she was carrying Fluttershy said, "Happy to help. But, can I carry the... balloons next time?"
Fluttershy grunted with some exertion and finally straightened her legs out to walk normally, if still slowed by the large pile she carried.
"Look out!"
Pinkie and Fluttershy stopped moving, just in time to prevent a collision with a crashing Rainbow Dash who hit the ground.
"Oh my gosh Dashie are you okay!?" Pinkie said.
"Oh dear! You're not hurt are you?" Fluttershy asked, but eeped as she almost dropped the supplies she carried.
Dash got up and dusted herself off, then tested her wings. All was good.
"Yeah, no problem," Dash said, "just a new trick. Needs some work; what're you guys doing?"
"Oh we're taking some supplies for a party!" Pinkie said with glee, hopping in midair impressively.
"Whats the occasion?" Dash asked, always ready for a party especially one of Pinkies.
"Oh just for a party! I figured it would help everyone take their minds off of things." Pinkie smiled, still hopping.
"Howdy girls."
Dash, Pinkie and Fluttershy turned to see Applejack coming over.
"Hey Applejack. Arn't you usually selling apples at this time?" Dash said.
"I was till I saw ya'll crash into the ground. Honestly Rainbow you should be a little more careful." Applejack said.
"Aww it was nothing, besides I don't crash that often." Dash huffed and crossed her arms.
"Say whats that?" Pinkie said pointing.
The girls looked and saw a single figure on horse back slowly approaching town. The figure was heavily cloaked, with a hood worn low. The horse was breathing laboriously as it drew closer, showing obvious signs of heavy exhaustion.
"A traveller? A rare sight these days." Applejack said.
"Oh I should throw them a party. Oh I could make the party later a two parter!" Pinkie said with excitement.
"Oh dear, the poor horse seems exhausted." Fluttershy said with worry.
People all around stopped and looked at the rider as he drew closer into town, before stopping. The horse stood there, breathing heavily not a few feet from the girls, who moved over to say hello.
"Howdy partner. Welcome to Ponyville." Applejack said with a warm welcoming smile.
The rider was silent. The girls looked at each other for a moment in confusion before looking back to the rider.
Dash flew up close and poked the rider on the head, "Hello. Anyone there?"
The rider remained silent. Tilted to the side a bit and fell from his horse to hit the ground.
The girls gasped, Fluttershy dropped the stuff she carried and flew over with astonishing speed. While she was not usually a fast flier, when circumstances called for it she was able to keep up with even Rainbow Dash.
"Hey are you okay?" Applejack asked.
"Oh man!" Dash said in worry.
Fluttershy pushed the riders hood back to show the face of a young man. Wild and unkempt red hair, but the most striking and worrying feature was his pale skin. Unnaturally pale skin.
"He doesn't look good." Pinkie said.
"Oh dear. Oh dear." Fluttershy checked for a pulse, and sighed in relief when she felt a weak thump of the heart. She pushed aside the heavy cloak so that she could see what might be troubling the man, and gasped when she saw a large burn in the mans leather curaiss. The flesh around it bloody and showed the signs of a cauterized wound. It did not look good and it was by a sheer miracle that the man was alive.
"Oh nuts and shoes!" Applejack gasped.
"Oh no!" Pinkie covered her eyes not wanting to look at the horrible wound.
"Quick we need to get him to Ponyville Clinic!" Fluttershy ordered, losing her usually meek demeanor. Time was of the essence.
"Right! I'll get him there in ten seconds flat." Dash said as she lifted up the man, if with some effort, he was heavy.
Fluttershy helped, and the two quickly flew off. Applejack and Pinkie followed after them, praying that it would not be too late.
Character Stats
Fluttershy
Class: Stare Master
Level: 3
Alignment: Neutral Good.
Str:10
Dex:18
Con:16
Int:12
Wis:18
Cha:17
Special Ability(s): The Stare: Capable of freezing an enemy in a terrified and at times crying inducing paralysis until the stare ends.