I rose from bowing and continued over to the end of the room. The others quickly followed behind, all except Terra; who stood watching over his fallen brother.

“So what are we looking for?” asked pyromancer. “If I were a mystical guardian relic on the verge of discovery in the deepest depths of some cave in the side of a mountain, where would I be?”

“My goggles could help, they can pick up on magical enchantments and other secrets of the world, but I haven’t tested it on guardian attire before, so I don’t know the outcome yet.” Axton placed his goggles on and scanned the area. He searched the room but gave me a shrug and said,”Well. With this newly acquired information, I can say with confidence” He let his goggles hang around his neck once more. “It doesn’t work on guardian enchantments.”

“What’s with you guys and being completely anti-climactic? It’s a bit too much really.” Pyro called to Axton.

We searched the room from top to bottom but could find nothing. All hope to find the ancient relic seemed lost, until Terra called out,”Dark, you might want to look this over.”

I was surprised by his comment, he hadn’t moved from his spot since he began mourning. “What did you find Terra?” I asked.

“There’s something here, with Diamond Dasher.” He knelt down to the remains of the fallen warrior and slowly begun the process of wiggling his arm around the skeletal remains. He managed to slide Diamond over without bringing harm to the brittle bones. Underneath Diamond was a small hatch with a lock. “Another tunnel maybe?”

“I just want to leave this goddess forsaken cave and be done with this darkness, sure it’s amazing in its own way but I’m more for the open skies and the green fields.” Voiced Pryo.

“You won’t get an argument from me, I’m like the open air myself.” Axton called to the group.

I looked to Terra and smiled,”We’ll give Diamond the proper burial he deserves. I promise Terra.” I looked to the lock an frowned. “We still need to find the key, I’m not sure if I have enough mana to open the lock magically.”

Terra looked to the lock and said,”I have an idea, stand back.” We all took a couple steps back and the large dragon turned around. He lifted his enormous tail and brought it down with a mighty strike and smashed right through the door. “Voila.”

I took a step forward and removed the shattered door shards. Once they were cleared, I found that it wasn’t an tunnel but just another safe. Inside I found a chest piece matching my own set, inside was another note. It was written in another language, of what? I wasn’t sure. I turned to the group and showed them the note. The only one to speak up was Terra,”That must be Guardian tongue, it’s a language that has been long since forgotten. It makes no sense on why they spoke it, but it was the language of the pre-classical era. It became their way of talking to one another in secret, to not let their enemies figure their plans. It was a little much, but they were a secretive and powerful bunch.”

“Do you know what they say?” I asked the dragon and to my dismay, he shook his head.

“I wasn’t a member of the Guardians, just an apprentice of Firefist.”

“Do you know of anyone else that can read Old Equestrian?” I asked the dragon.

He placed his hand against his chin and thought for a moment. Once he returned to reality, he spoke,”The only ones to come to mind are the two princesses. The one we’d have a higher chance with would be princess Luna.”

“Ok, it sounds like a plan. Let’s leave this place, but first...” I stood from our spot and faced the skeletal remains of Diamond. “You guys go ahead, I’m going to give our friend the funeral he deserves.”

Axton and Pyro set their sights on exiting the ruins, while Strife, Terra and myself stood in the room. “I’m not leaving yet, I at least need to be here for my final farewells.” voiced the large dragon.

“Death, it’s an inevitable thing. It comes to us all in time, it’s an unstoppable force with the power to wipe kingdoms free of life. At least in death we’re free, no fear, pain, sorrow. Just peace, true peace.” Called the blue pegasus.

“But we must cherish this life, if not for ourselves, for those who’ve passed on.” I Raised my right hand and began charging the inferno spell. It raised to an incredible heat and I launched it into the room. As the fire spread, I took my leave of the lonely room. “A funeral fit for a king.”

We left the ruins and found no trace of Axton or Pyromancer,“Where did those to go off to now?” Terra asked. We all turned once the sound of swords clashing together rang through the air. I quickly rushed over, followed closely by Terra and Strife.

We found Axton lying on the ground knocked out and Pyro standing over him with his sword drawn. He was protecting him from a group of rogue changlings, the one that never followed as the Hive asked. They travel the land and hunt down their prey. “Get back you bastards!” cried Pyro.

“Let’s get down there, he needs us!” And with a powerful sweep of his wings, Terra flew forward at lightning speed. Night strife flew forward as well after Terra. I let out a powerful battle cry and charged forward with my blade drawn.

We gathered in a circle around the unconscious stallion and prepared for the battle before us. The rush of the moment sent an endless sense of adrenaline rushing through my body, and from the roars and movements my companions were boasting, they were getting the same feeling.

The large group of thirty changlings surrounded our small party, circling like sharks. I eyed each and every one of them, searching for their leader. And that’s when I saw him.

He stood at my height, body covered in thick sheets of armor. On his back were a pair of steel wings with a black staining material tainting them, and they were sharpened to the point of razors. The proud armored stallion stepped before his comrades and smiled as I stared him down. “Tell me, do you really think you’ll win?” asked the stallion.

“I’m not much for boasting, so let’s get to it!” We all lunged at the group and begun our vicious battle with the changling bandits.

Upcoming villian! All of my yes! XD

Keep it cool, Condemned.