First there was a flash followed by a rumble and finally a large galley over a meter above the water surface fell out of the bright light, the ship hit the water waves of water spreading in all directions, the ponies standing on the deck, the dragon, lions and bears fell on the deck blown away by a small shock and the navy blue alicorn mare Twilight Sparkle leading the teleportation, the spirit of chaos Discord and the bearded unicorn suddenly fell to their knees and front hooves unexpectedly weakened by teleportation, which was surprising no less than what blue Rainnbow Dash and orange golden Applejack saw trembling mane.
- why is the sun so low. Applejack asked.
- After all, it was noon when we left Manehattan, I don't understand it. Said Rainbow Dash looking west and the sun going down.
The first sight that surprised everyone was the low location of the sun, which meant that it was already a good afternoon, also meaning a strange slowdown in teleportation, as if the teleportation itself took a long time, come on, for the teleporters themselves it was an insignificant moment, there were many questions and that was at the very beginning but everything had be stopped when everyone saw the islands of rock.
Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Discord, Star Swirl, Deros, Luster Dawn and Flash Sentry stared at the blackened peaks with their jaws dropped, wondering why the rock turned black so suddenly or its strange shape was dictated by its natural color.
- hey, have these rocks always been like this, slightly blackened. White Rarity asked, shaking her head and navy blue mane.
- it's a bit disturbing, it's as if something painted the rocks a light black shade, and it's probably granite. Said light navy blue Spike, scratching his head and green spikes.
The sight of rocks and blackened islands was like a bad nightmare for the moose, the brown Miranda with the gray antlers trembled slightly, and the dark blue Vixor moose with the red antlers stood in front of his wife staring with equal fear, but their fear was nothing like the shock experienced by the pair of camels, both the golden camel with the silver hump Zader and the white White Mina screamed at the sight of terrible memories.
- what happened. The pegasus in golden armor asked the Flash Sentry, looking at the pair of camels with the most vigilance at Zader as he glared at Twilight full of anger.
- and it happened that there was a terrible pogrom in this place, many galleys that we didn't know about were fleeing and it was here that they were smashed by a man, your beloved. Zader said words full of anger and hatred.
Twilight silently listened to the hateful camel's words, knowing well not to speak apart from the rest.
- I still don't believe it, Alex. Cream Fluttershy tried to explain, but she was quickly interrupted by White Mina's scream.
- at least believe it, he, he has destroyed them and is now hunting the whole world!, he wants to give the whole world to you as a gift!. White Mina said just as angrily, still having a terrible sight in front of her eyes.
- okay, that's enough, we'd better try to teleport, I think Fatunga's shores are close. Said Golden Pony about the black mane, so Deros interrupted everyone's terrible memories and everything bad for a while.
- we're halfway there now. Vixor said looking east.
- half way, it's probably good, but I wonder why the teleportation lasted so long, it's almost getting dark. She also said in disbelief Luster Dawn, a pink unicorn mare with an orange mane with a golden ribbon looked at the three teleporting ponies and the spirit of chaos.
It didn't take a specialist or microscope-armed eyes to figure out how Discord, Star Swirl and Twilight Sparkle are tired these days. all three had difficulty getting up on their feet, let alone using the teleportation spell again.
- something is wrong, we should move much further and faster, why evening greets us. Discord asked, looking east and the night ahead.
- it's probably because of the power of blackening, you can see the blackened ground, it's the power of the black legions. Miranda said, drawing everyone's attention to the blackened rocks.
- where the earth is blackened there black legions can walk the world and the sky because they are fully assimilated, says Alex. Miranda added.
- so what should we do now, try to teleport or rest until tomorrow. Pinkie Pie asked, pacing around the deck until the earth pony's pink mare tripped over something lying in front of the go below deck.
- Pinkie, you're fine. Rarity screamed when her eyes saw something very strange, it was one of the taken stone tablets showing the sight of a poison-fingered hand.
In the meantime, Twilight, standing in the middle of the deck, was analyzing all the magical twists and turns, and as it turned out, there were too many of them.
- now I know why our teleportation took so long, Miranda, Vixor, you're right this strange blackened earth is to blame, it's the essence of these legions, I still can't understand why, why you do what you do, tell me!. Twilight screamed at the top of her voice, wanting to understand, wanting to call and talk some sense into the man.
- as we said, he wants to conquer the whole world for you, he also confirmed these words in your great city when he captured my brother!. Shouted furious Zader again cooled down by White Mina.
- Zader, please, enough anger because we have a chance to stop it, because we have the truth, even today. Said White Mina directing her requests to the misfit ponies, the dragon and the spirit of chaos.
- we can stop it, if someone managed to close the terrible power in the black pyramid, we will be able to close it again, we will try until it succeeds. Twilight said giving another solemn word of honor.
- but not today. we'll have to stay here until tomorrow morning, I don't feel up to it at the moment, this black emanation has weakened me too much. Star Swirl said, falling back on his front hooves from exhaustion.
- so it's decided, we'll stay here, I hope the black legions won't attack us. Said Vixor lowering anchors.
- They won't, you have our word. Said Discord putting his hand on his heart and also giving everyone his word of honor.
- you don't have to worry about it, you are untouchable by him. Zader said, sounding malicious again.
When the anchor hit the surface of the ocean, the sudden cry of two mares alerted everyone, almost everyone thought that the black legions were coming but they were not, it was only Pinkie Pie and Rarity who put one of the three stone tablets on the ground showing the sight of a three-toed creature, seeing it after the second time Twilight Sparkle and Spike knew what it was right away.
- Twilight is the three-toed creature, we found the same forms on Hayseed Swamp, before the first scarlet attack. Spike said, looking only at the three hands pointing at what looked like a strange halved red dot in the heart.
- it is impossible. Twilight said while staring at the three stone tablets along with Discord and Star Swirl and everyone around.
The three stone tablets showed the same image each time, of unknown poisonous fingered hands and something in the middle was a blur, but the image and farm of the hands was completely different from those found on Hayseed Swamp, these hands did not point to the sky at the elements of the elements of the world were not open, praising the unknown power and the pointed ones showing menacingly with fingers and blocking with full hands what looked like a stain in the middle, a strange stain and the fact that the tablets showing the hands of an unknown civilization was the most shocking element.
- where did you get it from?. Star Swirl asked.
- we found the tablets after the black pyramid was revealed, similar tablets appeared on both sides of the Fatunga strait, you say that you have already encountered something like this?. Miranda asked, now looking more closely at the stone tablets.
- yes, but that form of the hand was different, it honored the power of the elements, it's completely different here, it's as if, this unknown race that left us, saw the war of the elements and the binding of the elemental lord, they certainly saw his mistakes. Said Twilight Sparkle deducing like famous detectives.
- wait, Twilight, just don't tell us that an unknown race dug into another evil than Akeron, the forces that lead it. Pinkie Pie said as her pink mane quivered slightly.
- Pinkie you're brilliant, of course, they found something that is as bad as destiny and nothingness, and now that power has been found by. Twilight said as she abruptly stopped because she still refused to believe that Alex had found an unknown force and evil from the past, using him now as a weapon to take over the world and give her power.
- Twilight, tell me one thing, do you think that these three-fingered creatures bound a power equal to destiny and nothingness in the black pyramid because they wanted to stop another evil, just like the brothers and sisters of the elemental ruler did by binding him in the underworld?. She asked Rarity what everyone was staring at first at her and then at the still debating navy blue alicorn.
- it may be true, everything is possible here, the ancients saw the great evil of the second, maybe they started to fight with themselves and investigated this matter, it's hard for me to say anything about it, everything is possible here, everything. Said Twilight, thinking about the past and human action.
There were many questions, the first mainly concerned the ancient and unpredictable evil from the black pyramid, the second concerned only the black pyramid and how Alex knew about its existence, whether he found it by accident or something called him, because if something called him there would be many possibilities to explain the actions her beloved, but since he found the pyramid himself and is now using its power, his actions were difficult to explain with one possibility, Alex was a madman and always said it and everything he did was dictated by what Twilight and everyone gave him, friendship, understanding and love, there was even a moment when Princess Alicorn shivered trying to shake off the idea that the only way to keep a man right now is to take everything they gave.
Banishment, loss of friendship, abandonment, breakup, could it be the only way to stop a man from endless conquest, conquering the whole world and giving everything to the ponies, when Alex did everything for them because he was gifted by everyone with what he didn't have or was in his world this is the only way to stop him, such a question pierced Twilight's heart as she debated whether she would be able to do such a thing to protect the world if she failed trying to close the black pyramid.
- no it is not possible. Twilight said to herself, shaking her head.
- which is impossible. Flash Sentry asked impatiently waiting for an answer.
- I'm wondering, with Alex doing everything for us, if exile isn't the only way out. Twilight said shocking everyone, even the accompanying camels and moose.
- What did you say, Twilight, you must be crazy!. Rainbow Dash screamed.
- you can't even think like that, we already made a mistake once, you can't either. Deros said.
- you can not do it. Said Luster Dawn while standing with Deros, Flast Sentry and Star Swirl.
- wait, since he's doing it for you, maybe that's the only way to stop him, you should try. Zader said, even demanding immediate action.
- Zader please come on, are any of you ready for this, including Twilight, she loves him so it's pretty much impossible even now. Said White Mina looking straight into the eyes of the silver-humped camel.
Zader and White Mina knew from each other that there is a force that cannot be fought, they shared the same feeling and in spite of everything they bound their lives against Saw's will, against the laws of the camel clan, they joined their lives and today they walked through life together, nevertheless, Twilight began to really hesitate, she even stopped paying attention to the stone tablets lying in front of her, having an internal argument because if she lost, if she failed to close the black pyramid, there was now only one way out, and the unleashed tear from the eyes of the princess of friendship shook everyone's hearts.
- Twilight, please don't tell me you're really ready for this. Applejack said.
- No Twilight you can't. Fluttershy said.
- if you do this you will hurt yourself and him and you don't know how he will react then. Rarity said.
- exactly maybe this way you will unleash something even worse, don't do it to him, because soon some other girl will take your place. Said the fastest and smartest-thinking Rainbow Dash, which of course quickly caught the attention of her friend.
On the one hand Twilight rattled her jaw seeing visions of a human and any other girl from Tempest Shadow to Princess Celestia before her eyes, such a vision shook the princess of friendship but on the other hand Twilight had a picture of an innocent world defeated, millions of lives either shackled in the form of diamond black legionnaires or handcuffed into the diamond chains of slaves, an image similar to that of her vision of an alternate reality, Twilight Sparkle's stern gaze showed the worst possibility that no one wanted to see, and worse, it wasn't the end.
- listen to me because what I say is really important. Twilight said.
- Twilight, please, no. Said Star Swirl still believing in man.
- decided, we have one chance to stop the evil, these black legions, two in total, the first chance depends entirely on us, we have to close the black pyramid it will stop and destroy the black legions, if Alex decides to try to open the black pyramid again I am ready to sacrifice myself for all of you.
- Twilight, you can't, we won't let you. said Spike best and longest knowing his friend.
- none of you will stop me and you know it, even you Discord. Said Twilight, also looking at the spirit of chaos willing to snap its fingers and do anything to stop the ideas of the grant princess.
- it's a great sacrifice, now I see that I misjudged you, man, Alex, he's the only one to blame here, but you don't have to do that, there's always another way to stop the man from opening the pyramid again. Said Vixor impressed by the determination of the friendship princess.
- And the other way, Twilight, just don't tell me. Pinkie Pie said trying to cover her ears.
- if we do not close the pyramid, we will curse him, exile him, he will be our enemy, I will leave him, I will abandon him, then Alex will have no excuse to give us power over the world!. Twilight said, shouting the last words so that not only would everyone on the ship hear him, but her words would reach the ears of the human.
- Twilighty, you really are crazy. Star Swirl said.
- wait, Twilight, just don't say that you will require the same from all inhabitants of Equestria, you know that it is impossible, many see him as a hero, me too, I will never call him an enemy. Said Applejack, still remembering the days when Alex first weaved a perfect illusion by tricking the elemental lord to ultimately save her brother's son, Swift Max.
- Twilight you know very well that it will be impossible, Cadance, Shining Armor, Big Mac, as you know many owe everything to him, as many still feel that he thanked the man inappropriately, maybe you will dump him but you won't affect the world anyway!, unless Alex started to attack them all, or he would stand by in the moment of the great attack of his legions and have no influence on them. Said Rainbow Dash herself having still unpaid debt.
For many, plan B was simply ridiculous and impossible to execute, you can't expel someone who saved so many lives, saved loved ones and families, saved from the inevitable catastrophe and even worse fate, what everyone saw in the vision of an alternative reality, where Alex never showed up and the whole world fell prey to the elemental lord.
Though for many such a possibility was unacceptable and impossible, the heart of the princess of friendship suddenly froze, knowing that it was the only one of two possibilities, and if she could stop a man by banishing him, taking away his friendship, abandoning him she was ready to do it, her determination and angry gaze to the east showed everyone what had been undertaken and no one had any influence over it.
- you chose, Twilight as you can. Asked the Flash Sentry come alone recently he did not like the man very much today he did not understand the decision of the once very close to him princess.
I know what I'm doing, and if I have to, I'll do what I have to. Twilight said, turning away from everyone so as not to show anyone her tears flowing from her eyes.
- We're not getting anything here. Star Swirl said.
- Twilight chose and if we don't close the pyramid she will leave him, but then how will he react. Star Swirl asked, shaking his head.
- should we wonder today, better let's worry about it later, our lands are very close, can you use your teleportation powers. Vixor asked.
- no, we can't do it today, first of all, we're too tired, this strange aura of blackness on the ground somehow limits and weakens us, but tomorrow we'll be able to move us and the whole ship to the coast of Fatunga. Discord said snapping his fingers to explore the nature of the magic surrounding him.
- in that case, until tomorrow, there are free cabins below deck, there are a lot of them. Miranda said.
- but what about the man, shouldn't someone stay here on watch. Zader said, expecting the worst.
- I'll leave the magic sensors here, if something comes, even a human, it will be automatically noticed. said Star Swirl, forming magic sensors like little golden strings around the ship.
Magic shone from the magic horn of the bearded sage, the galley was indeed surrounded by golden strings looking a bit like a thread of silk to sense, to alarm, to wake in case of a sneak attack in the middle of the night, and a great golden bell appeared on top of the mainmast under the crow's nest.
- ready, if someone comes within forty meters of the ship, we will be alerted quickly. Star Swirl said.
- even a human. asked a skeptical Zader.
- even him. And most of all his legions. Star Swirl said.
- unless Alex uses his portals, then he will miss everything. Said Discord pointing out his friend's biggest mistake.
- well, I didn't think about it, but don't be afraid, he won't hurt any of us, to do something bad he has to use his legions and they won't surprise us. Star Swirl said, still sounding confident even as Discord pointed out his only mistake.
- all right then so be it, it's time to rest, what's not Zader. White Mina said yawning loudly.
- then let's go then. Zader said as he started to go below deck.
- Wait a minute, where's Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy asked, looking around the deck.
- Knowing her, she must have already gone below deck. Rarity also said yawning.
When most of the camel ponies and moose began to slowly go below deck, now only Twilight was left on the deck, staring at the horizon and the far east, still fighting with herself and her own resolution, on the one hand, she loved the man, on the other hand, she did not want Alex to bring slavery to the whole world because she did not want such a gift.
The new images, the visions, the possibilities, the exile and abandonment of a man, the vision of Alex and another girl leaving, how he could suffer, it all shook Twilight's heart with such force that she looked hard at the sky, begging in her heart for Plan A to work, knowing full well that plan B, will bring suffering to both of them.
- I know how you must feel right now. Said White Mina standing next to the navy blue princess.
It won't be easy for me, but if I have to, I'll do it to help you. Twilight said, slamming her front hooves hard against the wooden deck.
- I know, it won't be easy, I didn't have it easy either, I had no choice, I was faced with a fait accompli, my heart is able to understand what you must feel today, but you must believe that it will work out, that closing the pyramid will stop your beloved and open him eyes, you have to believe it. Said White Mina laying his camel white foot on the front hoof of the princess of friendship.
- thank you, I must believe and I will believe, yes I will. Twilight said to herself and the white female camel standing next to her.
Meanwhile, below deck between the barrels and crates, Pinkie Pie was walking slightly trembling, sensing something that wasn't bad but could be more unpredictable and problematic. This premonition led her to a closed door with food supplies through which the sounds of animated conversation could be heard.
Pinkie Pie kicked the door open with a quick kick and, stopping trembling, she had another shock to see the seven kids who should have stayed in Manehattan.
- what are you doing here?. Pinkie Pie asked.
L
there are many unknowns, many questions, many accusations, so far everything leads to one thing, the fault of man, but there is something else in all this.