A New tomorrow. Custom Fan-Fic with regular updates
Introduction
Kaicee slept soundly, completely unaware of her dreams. Suddenly, a burst of light, and a shadowed figure of a mare appeared. “Young mare, there is a problem that needs addressing. I apologize for this, but if you cannot fix the problem, your dreams will be ravaged by horrid nightmares until it is fixed. I am truly sorry.”
The message that mare gave her would never leave her head. She didn’t know what the problem was or how she could fix it. And night after night, she fell asleep to the terribly vivid nightmares that had haunted her since. This night was different. The mare appeared once again, completely unrecognizable. “The time to fix what you must is near, young mare. I wish you the best of luck.” Just as quickly as she appeared, the strange mare was gone, and the nightmare resumed.
Kaicee awoke with a jump. The nightmares had still continued to ravage her sleep. She wiped the cold sweat off of her forehead with a shaky hoof. How long would she have to live with these nightmares? A few months ago when the first one came to her, it was so vivid. A warning from some dark figure gave her that if she didn’t figure out the message, the nightmares would not end. How would she figure anything out if she couldn’t explain it? Was there some kind of secret to the strange mare’s words? Little does she realize that her life will soon be changed forever. What will the future hold?
The message that mare gave her would never leave her head. She didn’t know what the problem was or how she could fix it. And night after night, she fell asleep to the terribly vivid nightmares that had haunted her since. This night was different. The mare appeared once again, completely unrecognizable. “The time to fix what you must is near, young mare. I wish you the best of luck.” Just as quickly as she appeared, the strange mare was gone, and the nightmare resumed.
Kaicee awoke with a jump. The nightmares had still continued to ravage her sleep. She wiped the cold sweat off of her forehead with a shaky hoof. How long would she have to live with these nightmares? A few months ago when the first one came to her, it was so vivid. A warning from some dark figure gave her that if she didn’t figure out the message, the nightmares would not end. How would she figure anything out if she couldn’t explain it? Was there some kind of secret to the strange mare’s words? Little does she realize that her life will soon be changed forever. What will the future hold?
Chapter one
Shaken up.
As Kaicee crawled out of bed, she stretched her wings. She had always felt strange being the only Pegasus in a family of earth ponies. But they loved her all the same. She sniffed the air, was that pancakes? She trotted carefully down the hallway into the kitchen, and sure enough, there was her mother, looking around distracted while the pancakes were cooking. Kaicee hoofed the ground nervously. Should she tell her mother about the nightmare? She had never told her mother about any of them before, what would she say?
“Good morning Kaicee.” Her mother said with the same peppy tone she always had.
“Morning mum.” She was still contemplating if she would tell her mother about the horrid dreams she’d been having.
“Kaicee, sweetie, I’m worried about you.” Her mother’s tone had complete changed into a somber lull of words.
“Why? What did I do?” she didn’t know what to think, she hadn’t done anything wrong recently… Was she mad that her boyfriend Zeph stayed until after dark last night?
“Oh you didn’t do anything honey, it’s just that I heard your screaming in your sleep again… What’s going on?”
She would have to tell her now… There was nothing she could do about it. Her mother was to intuitive for her to hide it anymore.
“Mum… A few months ago, I had this really weird dream. And this shadow of a big mare was telling me something about fixing a problem; she said if I didn’t fix it that I would keep having nightmares. I don’t know what to do!!” A tear welled up in Kaicee’s eye, but she blinked it away. “How can I fix something if I don’t know what it is?”
“Sweetie… I don’t know what to tell you. What are all these dreams about?”
Kaicee shuddered, “I don’t want to talk about the nightmares. But the Mare told me the time was near… How will I know?”
“I’m not a magician sweetheart, but it’s time for you to go to work, you don’t want to be late again.” Her mother handed her the lunch she always made. Two apples and a covered cup of water. She had always been picky, rarely ever eating a full meal. Not to mention she has the worst job ever. The only reason she doesn’t quit is because Zeph works with her.
She walked into the peach farms main building, only to be greeted by Zeph. He kissed her quickly, and then motioned for her to walk with him.
“We have almost nothing to do today, since we finished all the sorting and packaging yesterday. The boss said he’ll let me know when he has something for us to do. Until then, we can just hang out.
She had always loved something about the bright white Pegasus. From his multi-colored hair, to his blue eyes, and his beautiful white wings, there was nothing she could love. It was just a happy coincidence that he had a white coat just like her, and dyed his mane like she loved to do. They’d only been together for a few years, but she’d never been happier. She constantly thought about what would happen if she lost him. It often came into her nightmares. But she did her best not to think about it when she was with him. She nuzzled up close to him.
“So what do you want to do?” She asked in a slightly suggestive tone. He turned a bit and kissed her forehead.
“We’re at work babe, it’ll have to wait until later.” He smiled at her and gave a slight wink before turning back. “For now, I thought we could watch a movie on the company TV.”
She sighed sarcastically, “Oh, alright. I guess that’s fine.” She nudged him before walking through the door to the break room. He picked up the remote for the TV with his wing, and turned it on to the DVD setting. It was Princess of the Moon, the movie Princess Luna directed and starred in to describe her hardships readjusting to the new world around her. Zeph knew it was her favorite movie, which is probably why he picked it. Even though she knew he hated it. He always did everything he could to make her happy.
Kaicee wasn’t really paying attention to the movie; she just snuggled up next to Zeph, and kissed him. She didn’t care about the movie, she just was happy to be held in his wings. Even though she had just seen him last night before she went to sleep, she could never be with him long enough. After lying with him, she drifted off to a restless sleep.
This time, it wasn’t a nightmare. But the mysterious mare came to her again.
“It is time young mare. Take one other person that you choose, and travel the nearby wilderness to the Broken Horn Caverns. When you are there, we will speak again.”
Kaicee awoke abruptly. Zeph was still at her side, but she could sense his nervousness.
“Zeph sweetie,” She whispered to him.
“Yes Kaicee? What is it?” He seemed confused.
“We have to go. Now. I’ll explain once we leave.”
“Oh… Okay.” He got up impatiently, helping her to her hooves. Now she finally had some sort of lead to what she was supposed to do. She had to go to the caverns and hopefully speak to this strange mare that visited her dreams.
As Kaicee crawled out of bed, she stretched her wings. She had always felt strange being the only Pegasus in a family of earth ponies. But they loved her all the same. She sniffed the air, was that pancakes? She trotted carefully down the hallway into the kitchen, and sure enough, there was her mother, looking around distracted while the pancakes were cooking. Kaicee hoofed the ground nervously. Should she tell her mother about the nightmare? She had never told her mother about any of them before, what would she say?
“Good morning Kaicee.” Her mother said with the same peppy tone she always had.
“Morning mum.” She was still contemplating if she would tell her mother about the horrid dreams she’d been having.
“Kaicee, sweetie, I’m worried about you.” Her mother’s tone had complete changed into a somber lull of words.
“Why? What did I do?” she didn’t know what to think, she hadn’t done anything wrong recently… Was she mad that her boyfriend Zeph stayed until after dark last night?
“Oh you didn’t do anything honey, it’s just that I heard your screaming in your sleep again… What’s going on?”
She would have to tell her now… There was nothing she could do about it. Her mother was to intuitive for her to hide it anymore.
“Mum… A few months ago, I had this really weird dream. And this shadow of a big mare was telling me something about fixing a problem; she said if I didn’t fix it that I would keep having nightmares. I don’t know what to do!!” A tear welled up in Kaicee’s eye, but she blinked it away. “How can I fix something if I don’t know what it is?”
“Sweetie… I don’t know what to tell you. What are all these dreams about?”
Kaicee shuddered, “I don’t want to talk about the nightmares. But the Mare told me the time was near… How will I know?”
“I’m not a magician sweetheart, but it’s time for you to go to work, you don’t want to be late again.” Her mother handed her the lunch she always made. Two apples and a covered cup of water. She had always been picky, rarely ever eating a full meal. Not to mention she has the worst job ever. The only reason she doesn’t quit is because Zeph works with her.
She walked into the peach farms main building, only to be greeted by Zeph. He kissed her quickly, and then motioned for her to walk with him.
“We have almost nothing to do today, since we finished all the sorting and packaging yesterday. The boss said he’ll let me know when he has something for us to do. Until then, we can just hang out.
She had always loved something about the bright white Pegasus. From his multi-colored hair, to his blue eyes, and his beautiful white wings, there was nothing she could love. It was just a happy coincidence that he had a white coat just like her, and dyed his mane like she loved to do. They’d only been together for a few years, but she’d never been happier. She constantly thought about what would happen if she lost him. It often came into her nightmares. But she did her best not to think about it when she was with him. She nuzzled up close to him.
“So what do you want to do?” She asked in a slightly suggestive tone. He turned a bit and kissed her forehead.
“We’re at work babe, it’ll have to wait until later.” He smiled at her and gave a slight wink before turning back. “For now, I thought we could watch a movie on the company TV.”
She sighed sarcastically, “Oh, alright. I guess that’s fine.” She nudged him before walking through the door to the break room. He picked up the remote for the TV with his wing, and turned it on to the DVD setting. It was Princess of the Moon, the movie Princess Luna directed and starred in to describe her hardships readjusting to the new world around her. Zeph knew it was her favorite movie, which is probably why he picked it. Even though she knew he hated it. He always did everything he could to make her happy.
Kaicee wasn’t really paying attention to the movie; she just snuggled up next to Zeph, and kissed him. She didn’t care about the movie, she just was happy to be held in his wings. Even though she had just seen him last night before she went to sleep, she could never be with him long enough. After lying with him, she drifted off to a restless sleep.
This time, it wasn’t a nightmare. But the mysterious mare came to her again.
“It is time young mare. Take one other person that you choose, and travel the nearby wilderness to the Broken Horn Caverns. When you are there, we will speak again.”
Kaicee awoke abruptly. Zeph was still at her side, but she could sense his nervousness.
“Zeph sweetie,” She whispered to him.
“Yes Kaicee? What is it?” He seemed confused.
“We have to go. Now. I’ll explain once we leave.”
“Oh… Okay.” He got up impatiently, helping her to her hooves. Now she finally had some sort of lead to what she was supposed to do. She had to go to the caverns and hopefully speak to this strange mare that visited her dreams.
chapter two
The Journey Begins.
When Zeph and Kaicee reached her house and finished explaining it to her mother, she didn’t know what to say.
“So… you’re leaving? Just like that?” Her mother appeared more confused than upset.
“I have to do this mom, and you have responsibilities here at home. I thought it would be best to take Zeph with me” Kaicee felt like she was breaking her mother’s heart right there.
“I understand that Kaicee, you’re not a filly anymore. Just make it home okay?”
“I promise I’ll get her home safe Willow. I’ll do everything I can to make sure of it.” Zeph spoke out of nowhere.
“I always liked you Zeph, go on then you two. I believe in you”
Kaicee ran up and hugged her mother tightly. “I love you mom.”
“I love you too sweetheart, just come home soon.”
“I will, I swear it.” And with those last words, Kaicee and Zeph walked out of the house, and mentally prepared themselves for the long trip ahead.
When they reached Zeph’s house, he packed a few saddlebags with food, water, and supplies for the trip.
“This should be enough to last us at least a week, maybe two the way you eat.”
She hoofed at the ground, “We should get going. I don’t know how long we have until we’re supposed to get there.”
“It’s about a day’s walk out to the caverns, and after that I don’t know how long we’ll be out there.”
“Then let’s get moving, I don’t want to waste a minute.”
They left Zeph’s house, feeling ready for their journey into the wild. It was going to be a long trip. Not to mention Kaicee had no idea what was going to happen out there. She was more scared than anything else. What if it was dangerous? Would they have to fight anything? Even worse, kill something?
“We’re about halfway there.” Zeph said as he sat back on his hooves on the smooth path. “Do you want to set up camp here? It’s almost dark.”
Kaicee looked at the path ahead, feeling discouraged. “I guess so; I don’t want to be out here at night.”
“Alright then, I’ll set up the tent and fire.” As Zeph started his work Kaicee wandered a little ways away into the nearby field. Why in Celestia did this have to happen to her? She was getting in her own head, making her feel worse and worse. At least she was here with Zeph. She couldn’t think of anyone she’d rather spend her time with. She was already feeling homesick and she hadn’t even been gone for a whole day. How could she last any more than a few days in those caverns? Let alone a week. A terrifying roar broke the silence.
“Kaicee! Help!” She heard Zeph’s panicked cry and started running. He was pinned down by a timber wolf. She was completely defenseless, what could she do?
“In my saddlebag! Grab the crowbar!” He screamed to her. She looked at him in shock, how could he expect her to kill this timber wolf? She had never even hurt anything before. Hesitantly, she went into his saddlebag and picked the crowbar up in her right wing.
“Now what?!” She yelled to him, she didn’t know what to do.
“Hit the damn thing! Knock it off me!” He was terrified, she could see it in his eyes. She closed her eyes and swung the crowbar with all her strength. The swing was followed with a terrifying crunch and a pained howl. When Kaicee opened her eyes, the timber wolf lay a few feet away, not breathing. Dead. She had just killed something. She immediately fell to her knees and started to cry.
Zeph came over and wrapped her in his wings. Kaicee never thought she would ever kill something in her entire life. She was so shocked that she couldn’t even speak. He walked her over to the tent, and lay down next to her with his wings holding her tightly. Eventually, her crying subdued, and she fell into a deep sleep.
This time, it wasn’t a nightmare. But the mysterious mare came to her again.
“It is time young mare. Take one other person that you choose, and travel the nearby wilderness to the Broken Horn Caverns. When you are there, we will speak again.”
Kaicee awoke abruptly. Zeph was still at her side, but she could sense his nervousness.
“Zeph sweetie,” She whispered to him.
“Yes Kaicee? What is it?” He seemed confused.
“We have to go. Now. I’ll explain once we leave.”
“Oh… Okay.” He got up impatiently, helping her to her hooves. Now she finally had some sort of lead to what she was supposed to do. She had to go to the caverns and hopefully speak to this strange mare that visited her dreams.
When Zeph and Kaicee reached her house and finished explaining it to her mother, she didn’t know what to say.
“So… you’re leaving? Just like that?” Her mother appeared more confused than upset.
“I have to do this mom, and you have responsibilities here at home. I thought it would be best to take Zeph with me” Kaicee felt like she was breaking her mother’s heart right there.
“I understand that Kaicee, you’re not a filly anymore. Just make it home okay?”
“I promise I’ll get her home safe Willow. I’ll do everything I can to make sure of it.” Zeph spoke out of nowhere.
“I always liked you Zeph, go on then you two. I believe in you”
Kaicee ran up and hugged her mother tightly. “I love you mom.”
“I love you too sweetheart, just come home soon.”
“I will, I swear it.” And with those last words, Kaicee and Zeph walked out of the house, and mentally prepared themselves for the long trip ahead.
When they reached Zeph’s house, he packed a few saddlebags with food, water, and supplies for the trip.
“This should be enough to last us at least a week, maybe two the way you eat.”
She hoofed at the ground, “We should get going. I don’t know how long we have until we’re supposed to get there.”
“It’s about a day’s walk out to the caverns, and after that I don’t know how long we’ll be out there.”
“Then let’s get moving, I don’t want to waste a minute.”
They left Zeph’s house, feeling ready for their journey into the wild. It was going to be a long trip. Not to mention Kaicee had no idea what was going to happen out there. She was more scared than anything else. What if it was dangerous? Would they have to fight anything? Even worse, kill something?
“We’re about halfway there.” Zeph said as he sat back on his hooves on the smooth path. “Do you want to set up camp here? It’s almost dark.”
Kaicee looked at the path ahead, feeling discouraged. “I guess so; I don’t want to be out here at night.”
“Alright then, I’ll set up the tent and fire.” As Zeph started his work Kaicee wandered a little ways away into the nearby field. Why in Celestia did this have to happen to her? She was getting in her own head, making her feel worse and worse. At least she was here with Zeph. She couldn’t think of anyone she’d rather spend her time with. She was already feeling homesick and she hadn’t even been gone for a whole day. How could she last any more than a few days in those caverns? Let alone a week. A terrifying roar broke the silence.
“Kaicee! Help!” She heard Zeph’s panicked cry and started running. He was pinned down by a timber wolf. She was completely defenseless, what could she do?
“In my saddlebag! Grab the crowbar!” He screamed to her. She looked at him in shock, how could he expect her to kill this timber wolf? She had never even hurt anything before. Hesitantly, she went into his saddlebag and picked the crowbar up in her right wing.
“Now what?!” She yelled to him, she didn’t know what to do.
“Hit the damn thing! Knock it off me!” He was terrified, she could see it in his eyes. She closed her eyes and swung the crowbar with all her strength. The swing was followed with a terrifying crunch and a pained howl. When Kaicee opened her eyes, the timber wolf lay a few feet away, not breathing. Dead. She had just killed something. She immediately fell to her knees and started to cry.
Zeph came over and wrapped her in his wings. Kaicee never thought she would ever kill something in her entire life. She was so shocked that she couldn’t even speak. He walked her over to the tent, and lay down next to her with his wings holding her tightly. Eventually, her crying subdued, and she fell into a deep sleep.
This time, it wasn’t a nightmare. But the mysterious mare came to her again.
“It is time young mare. Take one other person that you choose, and travel the nearby wilderness to the Broken Horn Caverns. When you are there, we will speak again.”
Kaicee awoke abruptly. Zeph was still at her side, but she could sense his nervousness.
“Zeph sweetie,” She whispered to him.
“Yes Kaicee? What is it?” He seemed confused.
“We have to go. Now. I’ll explain once we leave.”
“Oh… Okay.” He got up impatiently, helping her to her hooves. Now she finally had some sort of lead to what she was supposed to do. She had to go to the caverns and hopefully speak to this strange mare that visited her dreams.
chapter three
Dreams, or Reality?
Kaicee looked around. A palpable darkness surrounded her. She tried to move, but all four of her hooves seemed to be fixed onto the invisible ground. A burst of light blinded Kaicee, causing her to blink uncontrollably. When she opened her eyes, she saw her mother’s home, and was very confused. Knowing that she and Zeph had left the day before, she looked around confused. Suddenly, the little cottage house burst into a roaring inferno. A scream sounded from within the home. Kaicee rushed to the door, and knocked it right off the hinges.
“Mom!! Where are you mom!” She screamed, panicking instantly.
“Kaicee!! Help me please!” She heard her mother Willow scream from upstairs. Kaicee quickly ran up the steps, looking frantically as the house began collapsing on itself. She ran down the hallway, checking each room. Her mother’s panicked screams grew louder. She was close. She looked into her mother’s bedroom to see Willow trapped beneath a flaming portion of the ceiling that had fallen.
“I’m… I’m stuck… Run Kaicee… It… It’s too late…” Her mother stammered.
“No! Mom!” Kaicee stood in the doorway in complete shock. She watched her mother’s jade green eyes as the life rolled from them, and her mother’s coat and mane went up in flames. Just as Kaicee turned to run, tears in her eyes, a shadow dropped from the ceiling in the hallway.
“You’re not going anywhere.” She squinted against the brightness of the fire to try and make out the figure speaking to her. It was Zeph. But he looked… Different. His mane was shaggy and burned on the ends. His eyes were a piercing red instead of their usual blue.
“Zeph, what are you doing!” The tears were evaporating from the heat before they could roll off of her face. Why would he do this?
“I’m only doing what my queen has requested. You must be eradicated for the plan to succeed.” Kaicee stood in shock at what Zeph had just said to her. This wasn’t him, it couldn’t be. All of the sudden, Zeph threw a crude looking dagger from his wing straight at her. Just before it struck home, Kaicee awoke in a cold sweat with a scream.
“Kaicee, calm down! What’s wrong?” Zeph looked extremely worried, and for a split second when she blinked, she could swear she saw red in his eyes. She whimpered a bit as tears continued to roll down her cheeks. The nightmares were getting worse every night.
“I… I just had a bad dream. It’s fine.” She choked the words out. She didn’t want to sleep, but it was pitch black outside. “Don’t worry about me.” She didn’t mean that… She wanted him to worry. Because when he worried he would hold her. And that’s all she wanted right now. She cuddled up close to him, and just as she expected, his wings wrapped around her tightly. He kissed her forehead as she nuzzled up against his neck. She was always happy to be with him.
“Are you sure you want to sleep? Or do you want me to stay up with you?” She could hear the concern in his voice. “I really don’t mind staying up.”
“I don’t want to be a burden… We still have an hour until sunrise. Why don’t I start getting some food together and things put away? You can rest.” She didn’t really want to pack up. But she definitely didn’t want to sleep. She kissed him again before standing up on shaky hooves.
As she wandered about their makeshift camp, she kept drawing her mind back to the nightmare she had just been through. Seeing Zeph in her dream like that; she felt bad for looking at him differently now. It was just a dream; she shouldn’t let it get to her. He would never do something like that. As she picked up the crowbar, she realized it was covered in splinters and a strange black liquid. She tried not to think about what had happened the night before. She hoped she never would have to do something like that again. Hopefully there weren’t any crazy monsters or… ponies down in the caverns. The sun had just started to crest over the horizon, and was casting a golden glow across the prairie. They had actually made quite a bit of progress. The mountains now loomed over them, seeming a hundred times closer than they had been the day before.
“You ready to go sweetie?” Zeph had put his saddlebags on and come out of the tent.
“Yeah, I guess so. Hopefully we can get there before night.” Kaicee had become afraid of the night now. And definitely didn’t want to have to travel without the sun.
He trotted over to her, and kissed her gently. “We’ll make it before the sun is behind the mountains. I promise.”
She smiled at him, “I sure hope so. Then we can get some real shelter.”
The two of them started on the path they camped next to, and worked up to a steady trot. Kaicee grew more nervous every minute. She was too scared of those caves. Something just seemed wrong about all of this. But she knew there was nothing else she could do. She and Zeph would have to get to those caverns. Hopefully there would be some sort of sign about what to do next once they were there. But she’d have to wait and find out. For now they had to walk, and it was a long walk ahead of them.
Kaicee looked around. A palpable darkness surrounded her. She tried to move, but all four of her hooves seemed to be fixed onto the invisible ground. A burst of light blinded Kaicee, causing her to blink uncontrollably. When she opened her eyes, she saw her mother’s home, and was very confused. Knowing that she and Zeph had left the day before, she looked around confused. Suddenly, the little cottage house burst into a roaring inferno. A scream sounded from within the home. Kaicee rushed to the door, and knocked it right off the hinges.
“Mom!! Where are you mom!” She screamed, panicking instantly.
“Kaicee!! Help me please!” She heard her mother Willow scream from upstairs. Kaicee quickly ran up the steps, looking frantically as the house began collapsing on itself. She ran down the hallway, checking each room. Her mother’s panicked screams grew louder. She was close. She looked into her mother’s bedroom to see Willow trapped beneath a flaming portion of the ceiling that had fallen.
“I’m… I’m stuck… Run Kaicee… It… It’s too late…” Her mother stammered.
“No! Mom!” Kaicee stood in the doorway in complete shock. She watched her mother’s jade green eyes as the life rolled from them, and her mother’s coat and mane went up in flames. Just as Kaicee turned to run, tears in her eyes, a shadow dropped from the ceiling in the hallway.
“You’re not going anywhere.” She squinted against the brightness of the fire to try and make out the figure speaking to her. It was Zeph. But he looked… Different. His mane was shaggy and burned on the ends. His eyes were a piercing red instead of their usual blue.
“Zeph, what are you doing!” The tears were evaporating from the heat before they could roll off of her face. Why would he do this?
“I’m only doing what my queen has requested. You must be eradicated for the plan to succeed.” Kaicee stood in shock at what Zeph had just said to her. This wasn’t him, it couldn’t be. All of the sudden, Zeph threw a crude looking dagger from his wing straight at her. Just before it struck home, Kaicee awoke in a cold sweat with a scream.
“Kaicee, calm down! What’s wrong?” Zeph looked extremely worried, and for a split second when she blinked, she could swear she saw red in his eyes. She whimpered a bit as tears continued to roll down her cheeks. The nightmares were getting worse every night.
“I… I just had a bad dream. It’s fine.” She choked the words out. She didn’t want to sleep, but it was pitch black outside. “Don’t worry about me.” She didn’t mean that… She wanted him to worry. Because when he worried he would hold her. And that’s all she wanted right now. She cuddled up close to him, and just as she expected, his wings wrapped around her tightly. He kissed her forehead as she nuzzled up against his neck. She was always happy to be with him.
“Are you sure you want to sleep? Or do you want me to stay up with you?” She could hear the concern in his voice. “I really don’t mind staying up.”
“I don’t want to be a burden… We still have an hour until sunrise. Why don’t I start getting some food together and things put away? You can rest.” She didn’t really want to pack up. But she definitely didn’t want to sleep. She kissed him again before standing up on shaky hooves.
As she wandered about their makeshift camp, she kept drawing her mind back to the nightmare she had just been through. Seeing Zeph in her dream like that; she felt bad for looking at him differently now. It was just a dream; she shouldn’t let it get to her. He would never do something like that. As she picked up the crowbar, she realized it was covered in splinters and a strange black liquid. She tried not to think about what had happened the night before. She hoped she never would have to do something like that again. Hopefully there weren’t any crazy monsters or… ponies down in the caverns. The sun had just started to crest over the horizon, and was casting a golden glow across the prairie. They had actually made quite a bit of progress. The mountains now loomed over them, seeming a hundred times closer than they had been the day before.
“You ready to go sweetie?” Zeph had put his saddlebags on and come out of the tent.
“Yeah, I guess so. Hopefully we can get there before night.” Kaicee had become afraid of the night now. And definitely didn’t want to have to travel without the sun.
He trotted over to her, and kissed her gently. “We’ll make it before the sun is behind the mountains. I promise.”
She smiled at him, “I sure hope so. Then we can get some real shelter.”
The two of them started on the path they camped next to, and worked up to a steady trot. Kaicee grew more nervous every minute. She was too scared of those caves. Something just seemed wrong about all of this. But she knew there was nothing else she could do. She and Zeph would have to get to those caverns. Hopefully there would be some sort of sign about what to do next once they were there. But she’d have to wait and find out. For now they had to walk, and it was a long walk ahead of them.
Chapter four
The Past is A Scary Place
Kaicee and Zeph had only been walking for a few minutes before she felt the need to break the silence.
“Zeph sweetie, I don’t think you’ve ever told me about your childhood. What were you like as a cute little colt?” She giggled at her own wording of the question.
“I… I don’t want to talk about it.” The mood changed instantly. Kaicee thought she must have struck some sort of nerve. She had to know what bugged him about the past. She scooted up next to him and nudged him with her wing.
“Zephy, what happened when you were little?” She gave him a concerned look. Kaicee always thought Zeph never talked about his past because the subject never came up. Now she knew there was a real reason.
“Are you sure you want to know? It’s not a happy story.” He seemed to almost choke on the words when he said them. Now she was too far in to back away.
“Mhm. You can tell me anything. I’ll love you either way.” She was scared, yet excited to hear what he had to say. What if it was something terrible? What would she say afterwards? It was too late to think.
“Well… My life pretty much ended for a while when I was really young. My parents… They were murdered when I was just a filly. Some crazed mare came into our cottage and… She burned it to the ground. I watched my father die… I watched him melt into nothing but bones and charred flesh. That sick mare… She knocked my mother unconscious in the kitchen with a frying pan… Then she torched the last of the house and ran off. My sister Jazz and I managed to get away. Apparently the mare had no interest in us. When the sheriff got there, the house was nothing but ashes. Jazz and I were sitting on the road crying.
I had always loved my sister. All the kids would tease me and her, because we were in a school full of earth ponies. Her being a unicorn, and me being a Pegasus, really got us singled out. So we were on our own for that whole time. After our parents died, we were sent to a young pony’s orphanage. We were there for a few years. Then it happened… I knew it would. Jazz had always been really emotional. And she hated it at the orphanage. I woke up one morning, with a note on my nightstand. Jazz had written that she was running away. I was so depressed…
Once I got my cutie mark, which appeared for what seemed like no particular reason, they sent me off to find work. Four years I lived on the streets. Until eventually I met your mother Willow, and she told me about work at the peach farm. I was lucky that our boss let me stay in the basement there. It’s where I’ve lived ever since. Then, when you got a job there, and we met, I felt somewhat complete again. After having been alone for so long, it was a miracle that you came around. I guess that’s pretty much all there is to tell. Although, I’ve always wanted to get revenge on the mare that killed my parents. I never knew who she was. The day I find out, I swear I will have no mercy on that sick, twisted, shell of a pony.” Kaicee could see the anger mixed with anguish in his eyes.
Kaicee pulled him close with her wing. “Sweetie, I didn’t know…”
“No, it’s okay. Now you know. We’re almost there; let’s pick up the pace, shall we?”
“Alright.” She sped up to a light gallop to keep up with Zeph, he obviously was hurt from bringing up the past. The mountains loomed closer and closer as they galloped, shadowing the ground around them. Kaicee spotted a small cottage up ahead, not far from the cavern’s entrance.
“Should we go check out that house?” Kaicee had become very curious of the little cottage. This was a strange place for a house to be built.
“Sure, we might as well. We have plenty of time.”
As they approached the cottage, the essence of magic was in the air. There was obviously a unicorn living here. Zeph knocked on the cottage door. A mare’s voice sounded from within.
“I’ll be there in just a minute! It’s open if you want to come in!” Zeph nudged the door open with his wing. He cautiously stepped into the door way, hoping not to disturb anything. A purple coated unicorn stood over in the kitchen of the cottage.
“J…Jazz?” Zeph was frozen. He looked like he was about to fall onto the floor.
“Yes?” The unicorn turned around, unaware of whom had asked the question. Then the unicorn stumbled backwards. “Zeph? I… Is that you?” The unicorn ran up to Zeph, looking at him intently. “It… it is you!” She hugged him tightly.
“I… I thought you were gone forever!”
“I’m here. Wherever you’re going, take me with you. We have a lot to catch up on.”
They stayed with Jazz for dinner, and decided to stay the night there. Jazz insisted on coming to the caverns with them, and Kaicee couldn’t possibly refuse that. They decided that after a nice breakfast tomorrow morning, they’d head into the caverns and start their journey.
Kaicee and Zeph had only been walking for a few minutes before she felt the need to break the silence.
“Zeph sweetie, I don’t think you’ve ever told me about your childhood. What were you like as a cute little colt?” She giggled at her own wording of the question.
“I… I don’t want to talk about it.” The mood changed instantly. Kaicee thought she must have struck some sort of nerve. She had to know what bugged him about the past. She scooted up next to him and nudged him with her wing.
“Zephy, what happened when you were little?” She gave him a concerned look. Kaicee always thought Zeph never talked about his past because the subject never came up. Now she knew there was a real reason.
“Are you sure you want to know? It’s not a happy story.” He seemed to almost choke on the words when he said them. Now she was too far in to back away.
“Mhm. You can tell me anything. I’ll love you either way.” She was scared, yet excited to hear what he had to say. What if it was something terrible? What would she say afterwards? It was too late to think.
“Well… My life pretty much ended for a while when I was really young. My parents… They were murdered when I was just a filly. Some crazed mare came into our cottage and… She burned it to the ground. I watched my father die… I watched him melt into nothing but bones and charred flesh. That sick mare… She knocked my mother unconscious in the kitchen with a frying pan… Then she torched the last of the house and ran off. My sister Jazz and I managed to get away. Apparently the mare had no interest in us. When the sheriff got there, the house was nothing but ashes. Jazz and I were sitting on the road crying.
I had always loved my sister. All the kids would tease me and her, because we were in a school full of earth ponies. Her being a unicorn, and me being a Pegasus, really got us singled out. So we were on our own for that whole time. After our parents died, we were sent to a young pony’s orphanage. We were there for a few years. Then it happened… I knew it would. Jazz had always been really emotional. And she hated it at the orphanage. I woke up one morning, with a note on my nightstand. Jazz had written that she was running away. I was so depressed…
Once I got my cutie mark, which appeared for what seemed like no particular reason, they sent me off to find work. Four years I lived on the streets. Until eventually I met your mother Willow, and she told me about work at the peach farm. I was lucky that our boss let me stay in the basement there. It’s where I’ve lived ever since. Then, when you got a job there, and we met, I felt somewhat complete again. After having been alone for so long, it was a miracle that you came around. I guess that’s pretty much all there is to tell. Although, I’ve always wanted to get revenge on the mare that killed my parents. I never knew who she was. The day I find out, I swear I will have no mercy on that sick, twisted, shell of a pony.” Kaicee could see the anger mixed with anguish in his eyes.
Kaicee pulled him close with her wing. “Sweetie, I didn’t know…”
“No, it’s okay. Now you know. We’re almost there; let’s pick up the pace, shall we?”
“Alright.” She sped up to a light gallop to keep up with Zeph, he obviously was hurt from bringing up the past. The mountains loomed closer and closer as they galloped, shadowing the ground around them. Kaicee spotted a small cottage up ahead, not far from the cavern’s entrance.
“Should we go check out that house?” Kaicee had become very curious of the little cottage. This was a strange place for a house to be built.
“Sure, we might as well. We have plenty of time.”
As they approached the cottage, the essence of magic was in the air. There was obviously a unicorn living here. Zeph knocked on the cottage door. A mare’s voice sounded from within.
“I’ll be there in just a minute! It’s open if you want to come in!” Zeph nudged the door open with his wing. He cautiously stepped into the door way, hoping not to disturb anything. A purple coated unicorn stood over in the kitchen of the cottage.
“J…Jazz?” Zeph was frozen. He looked like he was about to fall onto the floor.
“Yes?” The unicorn turned around, unaware of whom had asked the question. Then the unicorn stumbled backwards. “Zeph? I… Is that you?” The unicorn ran up to Zeph, looking at him intently. “It… it is you!” She hugged him tightly.
“I… I thought you were gone forever!”
“I’m here. Wherever you’re going, take me with you. We have a lot to catch up on.”
They stayed with Jazz for dinner, and decided to stay the night there. Jazz insisted on coming to the caverns with them, and Kaicee couldn’t possibly refuse that. They decided that after a nice breakfast tomorrow morning, they’d head into the caverns and start their journey.
CHAPTER FIVE
A Trap
Kaicee awoke, in the warmth of the morning. Her nightmare seemed to be calmer than usual, and didn’t wake her during the night. She trotted out of bed to the smell of eggs being cooked. Jazz was at the stove, levitating a spatula with her magic.
“Good morning Kaicee, would you like some eggs?” She chirped from the range.
“Oh, yes please, over-easy.” Kaicee brought up a forehoof to rub the sleep from her eyes. Despite still having a nightmare, she had a very restful sleep.
“Coming up!” Jazz yelled as two eggs flew across the room and landed on Kaicee’s plate with a plop. A levitated fork and knife made their way to the table soon after. Wow, life must be easy as a unicorn.
“Thanks Jazz” Kaicee chimed in after she had sat down.
“No problem at all!” Jazz smiled at her as she walked over to the table and took her seat. Jazz and Kaicee picked at their food, but Zeph had already finished his. He appeared extremely nervous, his wing twitching every few seconds. He seemed far too focused on his empty plate. She didn’t want him feeling stressed out. She had chosen him to come along, and if she ended up regretting it she would feel terrible.
“It’s about a 20 minutes trot to the caverns entrance from here. If we pack up and leave soon, we can be there before midday.”
“Do you have any supplies we can take? We don’t know what could be down in those caverns.” Zeph seemed anxious to leave.
“What are you thinking? I have all kinds of supplies.” Jazz looked at him as if she knew what he meant.
“We’re going to need weapons. Just in case.” He hoofed at the ground nervously.
“Oh, I’ve got you covered. Don’t even worry.” Jazz walked over to a hatch in the floor.
“SPORK! We need two shotguns, an assault rifle, and three pistols! NOW!” Just as quickly as she said it, a dragon’s claw opened the hatch and started handing out weapons one by one.
“Hear yu go Jashh.” The dragon was obviously either dumb, or foreign. But that wasn’t important.
“Thank you Spork, you can go back downstairs now.” The hatched closed in a flash, and Jazz turned to Zeph and Kaicee. “Each of you grab a shotgun and a pistol, you’re going to need it.”
Kaicee didn’t question Jazz, she simply walked to the table where the weapons were and picked up a pistol and a shotgun. The pistol fit easily into her saddlebag, but she had to carry the shotgun in her wing. She felt awkward holding a weapon. She never thought she’d even see a gun, let alone use one. Zeph seemed more comfortable with the weapon. He walked strongly with the shotgun in his wing. Kaicee felt bogged down by all of the ammunition for the shotgun she was carrying. Jazz opened the door with her magic, and motioned that it was time to go. As the three of them walked out the door, the sun was fully raised. The mountains were just ahead. They started off at a well paced trot, hoping to make it before they would need to eat lunch. As they started down the path, an awkward silence of anticipation took over.
After reaching the caves without a single word to each other, Kaicee finally spoke.
“Well. We’re here. I guess we have to go inside.” Zeph gave her and Jazz an ensuring look.
“You guys ready?” He placed a hoof against the doors to the cavern. A loud boom shook the ground beneath them, and the ground began to crack and crumble.
Kaicee awoke, in the warmth of the morning. Her nightmare seemed to be calmer than usual, and didn’t wake her during the night. She trotted out of bed to the smell of eggs being cooked. Jazz was at the stove, levitating a spatula with her magic.
“Good morning Kaicee, would you like some eggs?” She chirped from the range.
“Oh, yes please, over-easy.” Kaicee brought up a forehoof to rub the sleep from her eyes. Despite still having a nightmare, she had a very restful sleep.
“Coming up!” Jazz yelled as two eggs flew across the room and landed on Kaicee’s plate with a plop. A levitated fork and knife made their way to the table soon after. Wow, life must be easy as a unicorn.
“Thanks Jazz” Kaicee chimed in after she had sat down.
“No problem at all!” Jazz smiled at her as she walked over to the table and took her seat. Jazz and Kaicee picked at their food, but Zeph had already finished his. He appeared extremely nervous, his wing twitching every few seconds. He seemed far too focused on his empty plate. She didn’t want him feeling stressed out. She had chosen him to come along, and if she ended up regretting it she would feel terrible.
“It’s about a 20 minutes trot to the caverns entrance from here. If we pack up and leave soon, we can be there before midday.”
“Do you have any supplies we can take? We don’t know what could be down in those caverns.” Zeph seemed anxious to leave.
“What are you thinking? I have all kinds of supplies.” Jazz looked at him as if she knew what he meant.
“We’re going to need weapons. Just in case.” He hoofed at the ground nervously.
“Oh, I’ve got you covered. Don’t even worry.” Jazz walked over to a hatch in the floor.
“SPORK! We need two shotguns, an assault rifle, and three pistols! NOW!” Just as quickly as she said it, a dragon’s claw opened the hatch and started handing out weapons one by one.
“Hear yu go Jashh.” The dragon was obviously either dumb, or foreign. But that wasn’t important.
“Thank you Spork, you can go back downstairs now.” The hatched closed in a flash, and Jazz turned to Zeph and Kaicee. “Each of you grab a shotgun and a pistol, you’re going to need it.”
Kaicee didn’t question Jazz, she simply walked to the table where the weapons were and picked up a pistol and a shotgun. The pistol fit easily into her saddlebag, but she had to carry the shotgun in her wing. She felt awkward holding a weapon. She never thought she’d even see a gun, let alone use one. Zeph seemed more comfortable with the weapon. He walked strongly with the shotgun in his wing. Kaicee felt bogged down by all of the ammunition for the shotgun she was carrying. Jazz opened the door with her magic, and motioned that it was time to go. As the three of them walked out the door, the sun was fully raised. The mountains were just ahead. They started off at a well paced trot, hoping to make it before they would need to eat lunch. As they started down the path, an awkward silence of anticipation took over.
After reaching the caves without a single word to each other, Kaicee finally spoke.
“Well. We’re here. I guess we have to go inside.” Zeph gave her and Jazz an ensuring look.
“You guys ready?” He placed a hoof against the doors to the cavern. A loud boom shook the ground beneath them, and the ground began to crack and crumble.
Chapter 6
The Time for Answers
Kaicee awoke to a serious of thunderous booms. Zeph and Jazz were already up in front of her, using their weapons. Bright flashes of light and deafening shots filled the air. They appeared to be in some kind of cylindrical room. Every few feet, an opening was cut into the wall. Coming from these openings, were deformed, dull ponies, with crude weapons made of stone. There had to be at least thirty of the ponies against the three of them. Zeph pulled his trigger again, letting loose another blast of thunder. Another one of the evil ponies dropped to the ground.
“Kaicee! Get up and shoot these motherfuckers!”
“Give me a minute! I think I messed up my wing when we fell!”
Jazz started screaming. “They’re retreating! Stop and reload Zeph, we might not get another chance!” A flash of bright but dark light surged into the cave. A mare came out of the strange darkness, walking slowly.
“You have done well my children, you listened to my call, and have come to the caverns. I am very happy with you.
Jazz stuttered as the mare appeared. “P…Princess Luna?”
“That is the name I was given long ago before Equestria was ravaged by hatred and all harmony was lost. I appreciate your memory of my name.”
“What.. What are you doing here?” Kaicee was still in shock from what she had waked to.
“I am the mare from your dreams, young one. It was I who called you here. And I am very happy you have come. Listen closely, for I do not have much time. The problem you must fix lies deep within these caverns. There is a dark evil that emanates from within. It has been corrupting any weak willed ponies that attempt to enter this place. You have been chosen because you three had the purest souls I could observe. I spoke to you Kaicee because I have great confidence in your strength. You, Jazz, because I have seen the essence of your friendship. And you Zeph, for the strength of your willpower. There will be many challenged within these caverns that you must complete. They will test the very values of your soul. If you fail to complete the trials, these caverns will corrupt you entirely. I have great confidence in you three. I wish you the best of luck on your journey.”
Just as soon as Princess Luna appeared, she was gone in another flash of color.
“I think we should probably get going. There is no way we’ll get anything done by sitting around all day. You heard the princess, we should probably get ready to go.”
Suddenly, a series of numbers appeared above the openings the evil ponies entered through, ranging from one to ten.
“Well, I guess that’s the order we have to go in.” Jazz mumbled the words nervously. “Let’s get started.”
The group walked to the tunnel labeled “1” and stood at the entrance.
“Are you guys ready?” Zeph asked in a shaky voice.
“Yup.”
“Mhmm.”
“Then let’s get going, shall we?” He gestured for them to enter first. Smiling as he did.
“What a gentleman.” Kaicee sneered sarcastically as she walked into the mouth of the tunnel. A light clicked on behind her, and the small tunnel was illuminated. After about thirty yards, the tunnel opened up into a huge open area of the cave. Kaicee took one step into the room and heard a loud click. She immediately jumped backwards as a crude dull axe swung across the opening.
“Looks like its booby trapped. I guess we found our first challenge.”
“And I’m guessing we have to get that.” Zeph pointed a hoof towards a small stone statue on a pedestal about two hundred feet across the room.
“This should be just wonderful.” Jazz huffed.
“Well, let’s think of a game plan and then get going, I don’t know how much time we have.” Kaicee spat nervously. “Luna didn’t say it was going to be easy.”
SORRY FOR THE SHORT CHAPTER. FINALS TODAY. CHAPTER 7 WILL BE A LONG ONE
Kaicee awoke to a serious of thunderous booms. Zeph and Jazz were already up in front of her, using their weapons. Bright flashes of light and deafening shots filled the air. They appeared to be in some kind of cylindrical room. Every few feet, an opening was cut into the wall. Coming from these openings, were deformed, dull ponies, with crude weapons made of stone. There had to be at least thirty of the ponies against the three of them. Zeph pulled his trigger again, letting loose another blast of thunder. Another one of the evil ponies dropped to the ground.
“Kaicee! Get up and shoot these motherfuckers!”
“Give me a minute! I think I messed up my wing when we fell!”
Jazz started screaming. “They’re retreating! Stop and reload Zeph, we might not get another chance!” A flash of bright but dark light surged into the cave. A mare came out of the strange darkness, walking slowly.
“You have done well my children, you listened to my call, and have come to the caverns. I am very happy with you.
Jazz stuttered as the mare appeared. “P…Princess Luna?”
“That is the name I was given long ago before Equestria was ravaged by hatred and all harmony was lost. I appreciate your memory of my name.”
“What.. What are you doing here?” Kaicee was still in shock from what she had waked to.
“I am the mare from your dreams, young one. It was I who called you here. And I am very happy you have come. Listen closely, for I do not have much time. The problem you must fix lies deep within these caverns. There is a dark evil that emanates from within. It has been corrupting any weak willed ponies that attempt to enter this place. You have been chosen because you three had the purest souls I could observe. I spoke to you Kaicee because I have great confidence in your strength. You, Jazz, because I have seen the essence of your friendship. And you Zeph, for the strength of your willpower. There will be many challenged within these caverns that you must complete. They will test the very values of your soul. If you fail to complete the trials, these caverns will corrupt you entirely. I have great confidence in you three. I wish you the best of luck on your journey.”
Just as soon as Princess Luna appeared, she was gone in another flash of color.
“I think we should probably get going. There is no way we’ll get anything done by sitting around all day. You heard the princess, we should probably get ready to go.”
Suddenly, a series of numbers appeared above the openings the evil ponies entered through, ranging from one to ten.
“Well, I guess that’s the order we have to go in.” Jazz mumbled the words nervously. “Let’s get started.”
The group walked to the tunnel labeled “1” and stood at the entrance.
“Are you guys ready?” Zeph asked in a shaky voice.
“Yup.”
“Mhmm.”
“Then let’s get going, shall we?” He gestured for them to enter first. Smiling as he did.
“What a gentleman.” Kaicee sneered sarcastically as she walked into the mouth of the tunnel. A light clicked on behind her, and the small tunnel was illuminated. After about thirty yards, the tunnel opened up into a huge open area of the cave. Kaicee took one step into the room and heard a loud click. She immediately jumped backwards as a crude dull axe swung across the opening.
“Looks like its booby trapped. I guess we found our first challenge.”
“And I’m guessing we have to get that.” Zeph pointed a hoof towards a small stone statue on a pedestal about two hundred feet across the room.
“This should be just wonderful.” Jazz huffed.
“Well, let’s think of a game plan and then get going, I don’t know how much time we have.” Kaicee spat nervously. “Luna didn’t say it was going to be easy.”
SORRY FOR THE SHORT CHAPTER. FINALS TODAY. CHAPTER 7 WILL BE A LONG ONE