I finish this chapter just on the last day of February and the last day of winter. Winter warp up.
I notice a knight has a title of knight and had to do a challenge.
So enjoy this one. It was the best I can do.
It was dark, quiet and glooming in the hidden cave. Arthur was just head down the stone stairs, with a light on his horn. He try not to be nervous, that he a warrior, a knight and this is his one challenge that he had to take. He can't turn back, not until he finds that stone.
Until he reach the end of the stairs, he was surprise to see what his light shine one. On the walls of the cave where line patters of blue light. They just like blood isles and how they spares along the cave.
Arthur was amazed of the beauty of the cave. "I wish Ember and the other were here." He said to himself. "They would have love this."
He went forward along the long narrow passageway of the cave. He follows the lights on the cave walls to show him the way. But as he move forward, he feel a strong sense through his mind. And a voice spook.
"We've been waiting for you, son of the great stallion knight of aura."
"Who there?" cried Arthur. "Is there someone in here?"
There was no answer, then the voice came again.
"We've learn that you have come for the stone. But if you can get to it, you must be tested to see that you are worthy.
"Complete the challenge that is a head of you, with your skills and courage. If you failed the challenge, then you'll get nothing."
"What challenge? Who are you?"
"Proof that you are strong, wise and worthy. Unless you want to turn back."
"Not until I find the aura stone." Arthur cried and refused to let a haunting voice scared him.
"Then complete the challenge." The voice continues. "And proof yourself."
As the voice vanish and Arthur was his self again. He wonder if the cave is enchanted with magic. Like the barrier that stop his friends by coming in with him, the lights on the walls and that strange voice. It told him about a challenge, he wonder what that meant. Is he about to be tested? Is he about to face something that is difficult? That is something he must find out, if he is careful.
The nine ponies are outside, waiting for Arthur to come out. But they also needed to worry about the evil dragon Scorch. Then Ember and Jasmine had work out idea that can help. So they, Shooting Star, Filbert and Sweet Stuff were in the woods gathering some rare plants that grows in the woods. If they could find some.
The plants they were looking for are known as Ivy Stun Leaves and high scent of Puff Bloom flower.
As for the others, they were waiting for them. And made up a fire with a pot on top with water in it. They had to heat it up for the plan that Ember and Jasmine were working on.
"What was this idea that Jasmine and Ember had planned?" Buttons wonder.
"Well they did say it can help against Scorch." Fixit reminding her. "They should be back with the ingredients that they can add into the pot with the hot water."
"I hope they'll be back soon." Said Melody. "It will be dark soon and it will be more dangerous after dark."
"Fear not Melody." Said Martino. "They will be back. And so will Arthur, when he got the magic stone."
"You mean the aura stone." Buttons mutter. "And I wonder how Arthur is doing in there."
Just then Ember and the others had got out of the woods and came back with the plants they have gathered.
"Sorry we took so long." Shooting Star apologist. "We nearly lost our way back here."
"Is the water boiled?" ask Ember.
"Almost." Said Fixit checking the water in the pot. "It just need another minute."
"Well we need that water boiled. We have to make this special stuff as soon as we can."
"Sweet Stuff." Buttons ask, when she notice her. "Are those berries?"
Sweet Stuff has been gathered a bunch of berries and had eat some of them.
"Yeah." She said. "And they are so yummy."
"But are they safe to eat?"
"Oh yes. And they're taste so good and perfect as they grow in the woods. And smell pretty good."
"Hey." Martino muttered and feeling hungry. "Give me some of those berries. The way you eat them makes me hungry."
The same way as Shooting Star and not surprise for Buttons.
"I just like to know one thing." Filbert being with one wondering question. "What kind of special stuff are you working on?"
"We working on a powerful potion." Jasmine explained that she is helping Ember. "Added with a few Ivy Stun Leaves that can sting the dragons' eyes, along with the pilums of the Puff Bloom Flower that can block his nose."
"That way he won't be able to smell us." Ember added. "And won't be able to spot us. Which should hold Scorch off, since my magic can't get any effect on him."
"Wow." Melody amazed. "From the look of those plants. They look deadly for ponies."
"And powerful enough to hold back that dragon. Good thing Jasmine had spotted them while we were on our way to the hidden cave."
"I just can believe why a dragon like Scorch wanted to hurt other ponies." Jasmine feel bad about it. "I mean, Twilight's dragon Spike was a nice dragon as I can remember. Though he was a cute little baby dragon."
"But any dragon is different." Said Ember. "Some are nice and good, like Spike. And some were mean and bad."
"Like Scorch?" ask Buttons.
Ember nodded.
"Here we go." Fixit whaled as the pot beings to boil, then he ask. "How long then this stuff is ready?"
"It will take a while." Said Jasmine getting the plants ready to put in the pot and she had to be honest. "Though I never made this stuff before."
"I don't too." Ember added. "But we just have to try, if I can remember this when I was a student and learn it from one of the books back home."
Ember was a student, like Twilight is. But now she a princess and hope she good at making this powerful stuff. But she has her friends to help her and with Jasmine who knows about plants has must as she is. But then she look at the hidden cave and wonder what Arthur is going in there and what else he'll find in there.
Arthur was making his way through the long passage way of the cave. The marking of blue lights still glows on the walls still leads on. Until Arthur came to a surprising part of the cave.
Just in another opening of the cave was some kind of a round chamber, but it looks like an underground temple. With pillars round and to the ceiling of the cave, boulders next to the pillars and four huge touchers that are stone cold.
Arthur was a bit of amazement. How the stallion knights mange to build an underground temple? Maybe to keep the aura stone safe and guarded. Because he learn that is has powerful magic, just like it said in the blue book.
Arthur begin to search for the stone, though it will be difficult to find. Just as he came in the middle of the opening, the touchers begin to light up, with blaze of blue fire and light up the chamber. Arthur was shock to see how the touch lit up and he never thought he was surrounded but blue fire. Is this a trap? Or is it some can of magic that was added to the hidden cave? Maybe to scared intruders away.
In a moment, there was a sound of hoof steps became louder, with the sound of moving armour. And then out of the shadows, was a black pony knight with black armour, a horn and glowing eyes.
Arthur jumped back with a surprise and with a bit of fear. Is this the challenge that he was been warn from the voice earlier, or was all a trick to kill him?
"Hey, I don't want any trouble." Arthur said to the enchanted armour pony. "But whatever it is, I like to know."
There was no reply from the black knight, when it brings a sword with its magic from its horn. Arthur can sense no life in the knights' armour, he guess it could be magic. But what can of magic? But there no time for wondering questions, as Arthur had figure it out what is going on.
"I'm guessing this is the challenge." He said to the black knight. "I had to beat you in single combat. I'm I right?"
The knight nodded without saying a word.
"If I win. You'll show me the stone?"
The knight nodded again.
Arthur takes a deep breath and said. "If that what is about. Then I expect."
He got his sword to start the combat and in a few moments. The combat begins. Arthur went first by charging at the knight with his sword. But then the knight block it with its sword and push Arthur back in full power.
Arthur hold himself to the ground before hitting himself to the wall and then came the knight turn to charge. Arthur quick dough it and try to charge again. It was a sword against sword, a blue unicorn against the enchanted black knight. That it might be guarding the stone someway in the cave that Arthur can sense its energy through his horn.
As the combat went on and the black knight is tougher than Arthur had thought. How could he beat something that wears an armour? When a voice came through Arthur's ear and mind.
"You were so close young unicorn. You properly look like you are not worthy or strong enough.
"I thought you were like your father. When his time came, your father rise his title as knight. With honour, justice, wisdom and courage.
"He did whatever he took. From the looks of you…you have lost your chance to success."
Arthur was close to defect and hardly getting his breath back. But he cannot let fear stop him, as he still stands. He has come so far, to find what he need to make him complete. His father once told him about the titles of the knight, how they rise it and become the greatest stallion knights.
He will not give up, he had come this far and he will not let anything stop him. From finding his role and earn his title as a knight, like his father and the other knights. As for his friends who were outside the cave waiting for him, even Ember. He promise he'll be back for them, as soon as he get the stone.
"I will succeed." Arthur rising his sprite. "And I will not give up. Time to end this challenge."
He stood with his sword lock on to the black armour knight, when his horn lighten brightly, eyes glowing, mane flowing and his cutie mark lighten. A great power flow around Arthur, as he begins to power up and his sword was also power up with his magic and aura. He going to use a lot of his powers, because it will take a lot of strength to defeat the black knight in armour.
The black knight is locking on to Arthur, as it begin to charge again. This time with one strike.
Arthur was about to do the same, as he blow through his nostrils like a stallion tough and he scape the ground two time with his right front hoof.
Then in a few seconds without a word. He charge right at the black knight. The black knight does the same, as they were doing jousting but with swords.
The final blow has been done. Arthur with still intact, though his power up has been fade. As for the black knight, it has lost a hold of its sword. As it flies and digs its self to the ground, then the black knight flew to its knees and its armour breaks.
Arthur turn to the black knight and shock when it disappeared, as a light burst out from its armour. Then its sword disappeared too.
Arthur wonder what's next. The cave begins to shake, not begin to fall apart but opening a door that is at the end of the chamber. Two parts of the wall with a four pointed star begin to suppurate and revealed another chamber. It was a small chamber with a strange glow inside.
Arthur went in to check it out, he hope it is not part of the challenge. But is not and to his wide open eyes and with a gasp.
There in a small alter with water around it, in a small hole was a bright blue sphere orb with blue and violet fire swirling around and a bright star in the centre inside of it. The aura stone, with the magic powers of aura. Arthur had never seen a beautiful stone and it looks so rare and powerful that any unicorn can feel it flowing through its horn and get to come closer.
Arthur come closer to it, he use his magic to left it up and place it into his hoof. He gaze at it and then the voice spoke through his ear.
"You have complete the challenge and proven yourself worthy. Now you are on the next step to earn your title as a stallion knight.
"The stone has pass on to you. Use it wisely and care. But beware of its powers and never use it in rage and angry."
Arthur snapped out is surprise. What does the voice mean beware of its powers?
"Use it with the emotions and willpower you have earn already."
"What do you mean?" ask Arthur in wonder.
"That is something you will find out on your own. The stone will sense through your feelings and be one with your powers and your aura."
Then the voice vanishes, leaving Arthur alone with the aura stone. Arthur now wonder what the voice mean. And who was it that spoke to him. But there's something about it that is so familiar.
But it doesn't matter. He got the stone now and then he make his way back to his friends outside.
Ember and her friends were just finish the special stuff, that they now call it the Stun liquid. Buttons had sewed up small bags for the liquid to hold in. Jasmine and Sweet Stuff pour some of the liquid into one of each bag, so they'll become as bombs.
The stuff is hot because it boiled, that it hard to hold one bag while the liquid went pouring in and hard to keep the bags together.
"How many bags we have left?" ask Ember.
"We've done three." Said Jasmine. "But we still need a few more."
"Well we only got one bag left." Buttons showing one empty bag she made. "And I don't know if I had enough to do more."
"And it looks like the pot is nearly empty." Martino added as he check the hot pot.
"No worry." Said Sweet Stuff. "Look in it again. There just enough for one more bag."
"But we're not sure it's enough." Ember inquired. "But I know this liquid is strong enough."
Jasmine was about to pour the last bit of the liquid into the last bag. This time, Filbert is now hold the bag. So that Sweet Stuff will have time to cool of her hoofs.
Jasmine was surprise to see him help her. As she pour the last liquid into the last bag he was hold and blush when her face was so close to his. How beautiful his blue eyes were when she look at them and how sweet he is. But she must focus one the last bag and not get embarrass. Or else she'll get clumsy be accidently pour the liquid on to his hoof.
"You amaze me Jasmine." Said Filbert.
"Ah…Like what?" Jasmine ask feeling nervous.
"I never through you can make this stuff. Even the ones back in you flower shop."
"Well. It is one of my many talents. And I hope this liquid should help us with our dragon problem. Which is the first time."
"I hope so too." Filbert smile.
Jasmine blush again and show a little smile. When she done pouring the liquid and carefully tied up the bag.
Fixit was wondering if he can try to talk with Melody, since she is quite next to her and seeing how pretty she is. With her bright green eyes, indigo mane and her lavender coat. Even her sweet melodic voice. Although there a lot of ponies around and he'll be embarrass while talking to her in front of them. That will make him a fool. He wonder is he can talk to Melody alone and taking a little stroll. But what things he was going to say?
Ember is now worried about Arthur. It's been an hour and the skies is getting dark with yellow and orange colour. The sun is setting and there telling what will happen. She went back to the cave, checking if the barrier still there and wonder is there a way to get through and help Arthur. But when she was nearly there, Arthur came out safely.
"Arthur!" Ember cried happily and got the other ponies attention.
Ember rush over and hug Arthur with delight. But she surprise to see him sweaty and a bit dirty. She wonder what happen in there.
"Arthur you're back!" cheered Shooting Star as she flew in with Melody and Filbert. The others came rush in with their hoofs.
"But what happen?" Melody inquired with a wondering question. As she notice he was sweaty and dirty. "Are you alright?"
"It was a long story." Said Arthur. "And I find the stone." He show Ember and the other the aura stone, just has he promise.
"The Aura Stone." Ember with amazement. The stone was just like the picture in the book.
"How pretty." Sweet Stuff taking a look at it.
Buttons does the same, how the stone was a bright jewel. "More than pretty." She said. "It beautiful."
"And full of powerful magic." Said Arthur as he hold the stone. "I better hold on to it. It's now my responsibility, as I learn back there. And thanks for waiting around for me."
"No problem." Said Ember. "We were just busy ourselves."
"Ember and Jasmine had work out some power stuff that can hold off Scorch." Filbert added.
"That sounds great." Arthur impress. "What…" Just before he can continued, there was a great thump. That shakes the ground and had some small rocks falling down from the cliff.
The ten ponies move away from the cliff, which it was now a bit dangerous and there might be a rock slide.
"What was that?" Martino cried.
Then they heard a growl and a smell of smoke. The ponies' fears had come to them in horror. Just appeared to them in the opening and nearly close to them, was the beast that they don't want to meet up again.
Scorch.
"Here we go again." Shooting Star mutter with wide open eyes of terror.
Dunn Dunn Dunnnnn, again. I want to make this exciting.
They may have got the stone, but there more for it to come.
Keep your heads on, or your hoofs on if I can add.