Chapter 17:Stare Master
The rock walls trembled and crumbled around them, the screeches of griffons sounded. Their roars began to bring down a great cave upon the enemies that had assassinated one of their own. Though the assailants they pursued were far ahead of them and maneuvering through the caves. It was none other than prince Orion, guiding three comrades, including Typhoon Breeze out of the caves. Though they grew irritated as the cave fell down all around them.
Behind them were two very powerful comrades, one that remained quiet, and one that looked to be on fire. The silent one wore a wide and sharp looking hat with his long coat's collar up. Successfully hiding his face, except for his glowing green jeweled eyes. Almost none of his body could be seen, his hooves even had gray gloves and matching gray pony boots on them to keep him completely covered. He saw a rock tumbling towards Orion, and stomped his hoof before a pillar of stone shot from the stone floor in a fast blast and shattered the rock on impact.
The fiery unicorn stallion rolled his eyes, thinking that they were in the process of showing off. He called game on as he lit up the path they left behind with bright and big flames with a swing of his red horn. Only to turn to see a wall about to tumble down upon the silent pony himself. He quickly opened his mouth, the trail of fire raised on his mane for it traveled all the way down his back to his tail. Right before unleashing a solid liquid like stream of fire much like a dragon.
The boulder melted within seconds, and the heavily clothed earth pony was able to jump the remains. They quickly caught up with Typhoon and Orion as they saw the cave exit in the distance. That pure white light was like the sweetest of freedom for the group of warriors.
"There it is! Once we get out of the cave, Shadow Swirl said she'd have a shadow portal ready for us!"Orion called to his friends as they neared the exit to the cave.
"I hope so…! Those griffons didn't look amused seeing general Hawk take a stream of fire through the chest!"Typhoon panicked before he was almost about to pass Orion.
"Screw those bird brain pigeons! They knew it was coming when they chose to keep fighting,"The fiery pony yelled as dust began to smear all over his pitch black fur,"They should be happy I didn't set off a fire storm all over half their accursed kingdom! Thos-"
Suddenly the black colored pony gasped before seeing a giant rain of rocks coming down. The ceiling exploded before the entrance, and rocks were coming down every where. He saw Typhoon was on the verge of being crushed by the mass of tumbling rocks from above and the left. He needed to think quick, but using his fire would result in possibly melting all his comrades. The only thing he could do is trust in Orion and his silent friend, and save the pony he knew would die.
It was then that Typhoon noticed the storm of giant rocks coming down. Orion was next to see, but there was nothing he could do but jump to the exit. The silent earth pony simply jumped and used his head to smash through the falling rocks with little effort or struggle. He simply shook off the pebbles and dust that remained before Typhoon was suddenly shoved. He fell to his face before they all felt the thunderous loud crashing and crumbling of rocks smashing against each other.
The area had filled with the dust of stone, Orion coughed and tried to wave away the dust. Just in time to see Typhoon get helped to his hooves by the silent earth pony friend. He too was coughing, and his mind was in shambles for a moment, it took only a moment to collect himself. Slowly as the dust began to clear, Orion and the earth pony were looking for any signs of their fiery unicorn. Typhoon panted and brushed himself off and began to look around for the pony that shoved him.
"War Fire? Where are you?!"Orion called before the dust had finally settled upon a grim sight.
"Oh no…!"Typhoon rushed upon seeing the sight that chilled their spines to the core.
The unicorn they knew as War Fire was pinned against the stone floor by a pile of rocks. Half of his body and even his right hoof was crushed under the hundreds of rocks that piled on him, and blocking off the griffons. A slow pool of blood was surrounding his mangled body thanks to one sharp piece of rock. It was sharp, and it had completely pierced through his gut, hitting both the liver and a kidney. Yet he was still breathing as he coughed up blood from the sides and the bottom of his mouth.
"War Fire! War Fire! Hold on, don't move…!"Typhoon was first to the rocks and started pushing and chucking rocks off his friend.
"Tremoring! Give us a hoof and move these big ones!"Orion was right next to Typhoon while The earth pony known as Tremoring Quake jumped to the larger boulder.
"Don't bother with it… I can hear those canaries… They're at the rocks right now,"War Fire's ear twitched to the sound of rocks being moved by at least thirty griffons,"By the time you get me out, they will be through… We can't…be discovered… Leave me…!"
"Don't even start talking like that, we're getting you out of here!"Typhoon yelled as he finally moved a large rock off War Fire's left leg.
"He's right…! They're already at the rocks and their digging it out right now,"Orion looked to the rocks as Tremoring ceased his work on the rocks after tossing a car sized boulder aside,"We don't have much time… Typhoon…"
Typhoon felt his hooves get weak and numb from pushing rocks off his friend. They dropped to his side before he fell to his belly before his whole body was shaking from the inevitable. Tears formed in his eyes, for War Fire may have saved him, but he could not believe it after the hate there was between them.
"Strange… I hated you… You were too kind… Too soft for your own good,"Blood flowed from his mouth as War Fire thought of his own experience and relationship with Typhoon,"Yet… I saved you… And this is when you finally shed tears. You never did that before…"
"Why… Why did you save me…! I thought I was worthless to you…! A weakling, and an insult to the Equestrian warrior title."Typhoon felt the tears flowing down his face as he lowered his head to War Fire.
"I guess… Maybe it could be your attitude no matter the cruelty the world throws at you,"War Fire thought to himself while Typhoon tried to look at the pony of fire through his mane,"Whatever the reason… It was enough for you to survive… Perhaps now that you lived… Maybe there's hope for a better life for Equestria…"
"If you're going to stay. Be ready to do what you must to ensure that the griffons won't learn it was us…"Orion felt his hand shaking, but he just barely managed to keep his sorrow in check.
"Already have it covered… If I'm going down… They're all going down with me,"War Fire promised while looking to Typhoon as he wept for the friend he once hated,"Better dry your tears soon… This world won't allow such emotion to exists… Never forget that you are a warrior…"
"But… How can a warrior be proud after getting his friend killed…"Typhoon bit his lower lip as tears dropped from his chin.
"Typhoon… We have to go… There's no more time…"Orion insisted as he gripped at Typhoon's shoulder just in time for the barrier to suddenly explode with rocks.
"Go…! I'm gonna go out in a blaze of fiery glory! I'll turn this birds into fried chickens!"War Fire roared to them before Orion finally got Typhoon and began forcing him to move.
Tremoring took the lead and rushed out of the cave as they all heard the faint screeches of griffons. Typhoon needed to be pushed and forced to run as they saw War Fire laying there with a glowing horn. He kept a small bloody smile before his whole body began to illuminate. Impersonating the glowing energy surface of the sun itself, it blinked and began to build with power. It was growing brighter and hotter by the moment till his whole body was now on fire.
They raced, and made it out of the cave before they heard a final battle cry from their friend in the cave. They both jumped for it, and just in time to see a loud burst of fire and power that shot right out of the cave mouth. The entire mountain was blowing apart and erupting like a volcano from everywhere before flames shot right at Typhoon's face. Burning his cheeks and face as he saw his friend going up in flames and ash.
"No…! NOOOOOOOO!"Typhoon shouted as their bodies were engulfed in the flames of their fallen friend before it all ended.
Suddenly, Typhoon had then shot up from bed, awakened from a nightmarish slumber. He was wide awake, the light of a round window leaked into the cottage he and Fluttershy lived in. His fur was sweaty and hot just like his long mane, his breaths were short and quick. His pet bunny Stormy quickly woke up with messy black fur before running to get Fluttershy. Letting Typhoon have a moment to collect himself from yet another nightmare of his old past.
He grunted, and tried to bury the memory that was now haunting his mind. He wiped the sweat from his face and lowered his head before he was taking slower breaths. Just in time to hear Fluttershy rushing up the steps to the bedroom they shared together.
"Pappy! Stormy told me already, are you ok,"Fluttershy expressed concern before giving him a glass of water to drink,"It was another nightmare wasn't it…?"
"It's fine sweetie… They're nothing but memories to me…"Typhoon insisted that he was fine, but did indeed take some water in before his body was calming down.
"It's the fifth one you've had this week. I think we should go get something for it,"Fluttershy suggested while making sure she had everything ready,"I can probably go see Twilight quickly after I've finished taking Opalescence back to Rarity's."
"Sigh… You can do what you wish, but I'm telling you, I'm just fine Fluttershy,"Typhoon was insistent on making sure Fluttershy didn't worry, but he was interested in getting out a bit,"But… You mind if I perhaps went with you? Maybe some fresh air would be a nice touch for the day."
"Of course pappy, maybe some breakfast would also help a bit."Fluttershy cracked a small smile before flying off the bed like a butterfly.
"Phew… Another day in Ponyville it seems…"He sighed and finally managed to smile a bit as he prepared himself for a trip to town.
After a hot shower, and a much needed brushing of his long dark green mane. Typhoon was hitting it to the town with his granddaughter with the fluffy white cat in a basket. The cat was nicely groomed and given somewhat of an attitude adjustment, so at least she wouldn't attack some ponies. Typhoon still kept his eyes on the cat for safety while Fluttershy sung to herself. He moved his head to the tune she was singing, for her songs were blissful and calming.
"What a nice day today. This was just what I needed,"Typhoon admitted while entering the town and already taking in the smell of sweat, work, flowers, apples and gingerbread,"Every one of these smells define the hard working, and yet beautiful town of Ponyville… If I weren't immortal, I'd grow old and die here…"
"Here, I'll order some rose pedal and egg sandwiches for the both of us,"Fluttershy went to a near by breakfast place and ordered the sandwiches before they continued on,"It'll be ten minutes till they're ready. We'll get to Rarity's quick and pick up our order."
"Oh Fluttershy, you really are the kindest of the bunch it seems…"Typhoon generally respected his descendant grand child for truly being an element of kindness.
"Thanks…um… Pappy? You know I've been thinking… Maybe mister O's return may be the cause of the nightmares,"Her idea seem to have Typhoon lifting an eye brow in the slightest bit of curiosity,"You never had dreams like those before… Maybe his return is reawakening something in you. You are apparently an Equestrian warrior."
"Lets not talk about my old warrior days Fluttershy… I left those days behind me for a reason,"Typhoon insisted on them dropping the thought of his old Equestrian warrior days,"The things I have seen… The things I had to do… They just became too much, and I've never been more satisfied to be done with it."
"Still… I couldn't believe that I was meant to be an element of kindness, but it turned out to be who I was,"Fluttershy insisted on at least giving her pappy some advice about his nightmares,"The same could be said for you being a warrior. It's who you are, and you should be proud of that pappy."
"I said no Fluttershy…! Drop it…!"Typhoon began staring, and silenced Fluttershy with a warning stare, before he would use the actual stare.
"Ok…"Fluttershy finally relented as they finally came to the boutique and calmly entered.
They were just in time to see Rarity had just finished cleaning up and returning to work. While her sister was walking away with a little bit of shame for what was most likely trouble. He looked to the little filly walking away till the door had closed and the bell had rung to alarm Rarity.
"Oh, what now?!"Rarity exclaimed, showing signs that she was under a bit of stress.
"Oh, sorry. I thought the open sign meant that you were open. But I must have been mistaken…"Fluttershy thought as she was ready to just leave.
"Oh, Fluttershy, Typhoon! Forgive me, I was so wrapped up in my work, I forgot that you were bringing Opalescence back from her grooming."Rarity apologize for the sudden attitude and properly composed herself.
"No worries Rarity. We left her here in this basket."Fluttershy presented the basket that the fluffy white cat jumped from all fresh and groomed.
"Oh! She looks great! I don't understand how you're able to do it,"Rarity admitted while marveling at her clean and well groomed cat,"I can't get near her without getting a swipe from her claws…"
"Well, while she was visiting us. I saw what I could do about her attitude. I managed to fix some issues,"Typhoon admitted only for Opal to hiss and swipe at Rarity,"Well… At the least, she won't attack your customers or guests."
"Ah… Did either of you use… The stare…?"Rarity asked, and Typhoon and Fluttershy were already shaking their heads.
"Oh no…! Absolutely not, that is a last resort for hostile animals and the truly spoiled,"Typhoon spoke for Fluttershy, knowing the stare and all of its glory,"We made a vow to use when we absolutely have to, right Fluttershy?"
"Oh yes, of course. The stare is a last resort only."Fluttershy gladly agreed with her pappy.
"Well, either way, You should have a picture of Opal rather than those butterflies for a cutie mark."Rarity thought, looking to her cat as it brushed against the mare and stallion with complete friendliness.
"Oh! Oh, oh, oh oh! Maybe I can be good with animals too,"Sweetie Belle believed before Opal proved her wrong by swiping and slicing off a piece of her mane,"Or not…"
"Oh dear…"Typhoon mused while Sweetie took cover under him while the ladies laughed.
"So… Is it true mister Typhoon? Mister O tells us stories about the Equestrian warriors,"Sweetie Belle decided to bring up the days of the warriors,"He said you were a master of the winds…! I had no idea you were a warrior too!"
"Those were the old days. I have since then retired from being a warrior child,"Typhoon answered short and sweet, saving some new annoyance for Orion talking about him as a warrior,"Apologies if I may not prove to be as exciting or interesting as O can be."
"Oh… But you can control the wind with just a flap of your wings or a swing of your hoof?!"Sweetie Belle asked while crawling out from under the stallion.
"Well… To some extent of course."Typhoon answered very mildly, not to get the little filly too interested into him.
"These are lovely, but twenty by tonight? How will you get it all done?"Fluttershy meanwhile questioned the work Rarity was currently working on with golden silk.
"Oh, oh, oh! Maybe I could… Just…Just stand over here, out of the way."Sweetie Belle wanted to help, but chose to remain silent from Rarity's disapproval.
"I'll manage…"Rarity tried to reassure Fluttershy.
"Hi Typhoon! Hi Fluttershy! Hi Rarity,"Suddenly in a flash of dust an speed Apple Bloom and Scootaloo burst through the door and rushed right pass the group of grown ups to Sweetie Belle,"Hey Sweetie Belle!"
"Scootaloo! Apple Bloom!"Sweetie Belle turned her frown upside down for her two friend's arrival.
"You ready for tonight?"Scootaloo asked excitedly.
"Yup! Cutie mark planning session is a go!"Sweetie replied.
"Tonight is the night we each try to find our own special talent!"Apple Bloom announced their plans for the night.
"Even if it takes all night!"Scootaloo added loudly.
"I'm ready, you ready?"Apple Bloom asked her friends.
"Very ready!"Scootaloo answered proudly.
"Cutie mark crusader sleep over at Rarity's! Yay!"Their cheer rattled every pony, and especially Typhoon himself before finally getting cold hooves.
"Um… I'll just wait outside till your finished Fluttershy. I feel I need a little bit more fresh air."Typhoon insisted while tip hoofing towards the door to leave the boutique.
"Oh… Sure pappy, It won't be long now."Fluttershy reassured her ancestor before he snaked his way outside.
He opened, fast stepped outside and closed the door with a big breath of sweet relief. He felt almost overwhelmed by the sheer excitement and ambition of the children. He normally always kept his distance from children, and he barely interacted much with were the preferred choice of company rather than ponies, aside from Fluttershy of course. What really got to them was their interest in his time as an Equestrian warrior, it was enough to scare him.
"What does Orion see in these children…? Such ambition, such curiosity, such intensity,"Typhoon rubbed his head and fell to his flank against the wall,"Why did all of this have to come back to me…? Can't I just enjoy my retirement in peace?"
"Clearly not it seems. A warrior's work is never done Typhoon."Came the voice of Orion himself, putting his back to the wall, leaning next to Typhoon as he looked down to him.
"What do you want now? Come to pity the weak and miserable?"Typhoon questioned while Orion tilted his head in slight surprise for the response.
"No, I was just coming here to check on Apple Bloom before I returned to Applejack,"Orion answered Typhoon with a raised eye brow before shaking off the weird mood,"We're setting up a little surprise we have in store for her and the rest of her crusader friends… What's with you?"
"Just… Troubles with the past is all, I've been having troubling dreams since you're return,"Typhoon decided to trust his old comrade with his personal troubles,"I was so peaceful and cozy in my retirement, but now it feels like I can't even sleep without… Seeing things… Things… From our past… "
"Well there are things from our past that define who we are, if it means anything, sorry I came back," Orion crossed his arms, but held on to his smart little smirk,"You may have retired from your duties, but you can't retire from who you truly are. Just remember that…"
"Geez, become my granddaughter why don't you?"Typhoon sighed before the door to the boutique swung open.
Before they knew it, the three fillies burst out from the boutique and converged. Only to stop the moment they realized Orion was awaiting them on the side of the building. They came to a grinding halt, an made a complete one eighty turn around before racing back to him.
"Mister O! Mister O!"The girls were calling and circling around Orion before sitting at his feet.
"Hey girls, staying out of trouble?"Orion asked the giggly fillies.
"We're better than ok! We're having our first Cutie Mark Crusader slumber party."Apple Bloom bounced with excitement for the slumber party.
"And the best part is, we're having it over at Fluttershy's cottage!"Scootaloo added and immediately stumped Typhoon.
"That sounds like a ton of fun. Typhoon is great with kids aren't you?"Orion turned to Typhoon, who was stumbling and stuttering over words.
"Wait…wait wait…wha…? What do you mean?"Typhoon asked right as Fluttershy exited the boutique with a giggle.
"Alright pappy, we can pick up breakfast and go see Twilight now,"Fluttershy called to her pappy, and was approached with a very disappointed and silent Typhoon,"Is there something wrong?"
"Well now… I can see that you're going to be bus. I've been asked to watch over children in detention,"Orion quietly stepped out of the conversation and ran off from the mounting heat,"I'll see all of you later, have a good day…!"
Typhoon and Fluttershy were now carrying not only their breakfast, but now three fillies. The crusaders were running all over the place, all around them in search of adventure. Typhoon remained silent for a bit to get a grip on his composure and irritation for Fluttershy. He felt completely disrespected that Fluttershy would go over his head and agree to baby sit children without consulting him. Now they had to chaperon a slumber party at their own home.
"You really should of talked to me before agreeing to move a slumber party to our cottage,"Typhoon spoke low, but in an aggressive tone that showed disappointment,"What are we suppose to do with three fillies with a thing for endless energy and adventure. How are we suppose to keep track of them…!?"
"It was the only way I could walk away without seeing disappointment all around,"Fluttershy insisted that she was doing something kind hearten for a friend,"I can't help it. I thought I was just doing something kind for a friend. Element of kindness remember?"
"It does not matter…! Just because your good with animals doesn't mean you'll be good with kids too…!"Typhoon huffed and blasted hot wind out his nostrils before shaking his head.
"Doesn't mean I won't be good with kids… You really shouldn't be letting your dream problems leak into issues between us."Fluttershy incited the thought of her pappy's sleep issues effecting his mood with her and the girls.
"Sigh… I can't be responsible for these girls tonight. They're going to be your responsibility,"Typhoon stressed, but slowly began to cool down a bit," Thank you Orion… This was just how I wanted to spend my night…"
"Fair enough… Won't this be so fun? We can have nice little tea parties,"Fluttershy took a deep breath and smiled for the activities they would do tonight,"Braid each other's tails, and sit quietly and color, and tell each other fairy tales, and-"
"Hey Fluttershy, Typhoon."Twilight Sparkle suddenly greeted as she passed by the fun loving and giggling fillies.
"Oh, hello Twilight. Where are you off to?"Fluttershy asked out of curiosity to see Twilight heading off somewhere.
"I'm heading to the Ever Free forest to Zecora to get some of my favorite tea."Twilight responded and immediately chilled the back of Fluttershy's neck with the mere name of the forest.
"The Ever Free forest? Ah, you'll be ok, won't you?"Fluttershy worried a bit for her friend's well being for her forest journey.
"Of course! How about you? What are you doing with the girls?"Twilight reassured and grew curious for the three fillies in their company.
"Rarity has a big order to fill tonight, so I volunteered to take the girls over to our cottage for a sleep over."Fluttershy explained while Typhoon looked to her with lingering disappointment.
"Without permission from me no less…"Typhoon mumbled a bit in a grouchy tone.
"Oh…thanks for reminding me. Um… I understand if you can't, but we could use your help,"Fluttershy remembered that they needed help with Typhoon's dream troubles,"Pappy has been having a lot of frequent nightmares, and we're wondering if you may be able to find something to help him sleep better…?"
"Sure thing Fluttershy! O told me about the dreams you were having Typhoon. Zecora will certainly have something that will help."Twilight agreed to help with plenty of info to go on about her friend's issues.
"Well… That's a relief at least."Typhoon sighed and tried to smile a bit.
"He's been kind of a grouchy puss from last night's nightmare…"Fluttershy whispered to Twilight.
"Ok…then… Sounds like every pony has their hooves full today. Taking care of those three fillies by yourself,"Twilight understood, but still questioned Fluttershy's ability to care for children,"You sure you can handle it?"
"What? These little angels? They'll be no problem at all?"Fluttershy reassured her friend, but Typhoon remained ever so skeptical.
Hours later the evening was arriving for the cottage that they had returned to. With three fillies running and playing around them, Typhoon was ready for some tea and relaxation. Though the loudness of the fillies would threaten to ruin his moment of needed zen from his mental troubles. The moment the door opened and they all went inside the cottage. Typhoon was almost knocked over by the three fillies that charged right inside.
"Wow! Look at this place! Are those chickens?!"Sweetie Belle asked upon entering the house and searching around the place.
"No…problem… At all. Ok, girls. What should we do?"Fluttershy asked the fillies that were exploring and running all over the cottage.
'I'm gonna get my mark first!"Scootaloo incited while Typhoon sighed and walked to his chair to sit down and relax.
"Girls?"Fluttershy tried to get the fillies attention.
"Nu uh!"Sweetie Belle denied the thought to Scootaloo.
"Should we?"Fluttershy pried for the girls attention.
"I am!"Apple Bloom called out with determination.
"Girls, ok, just settle-"Fluttershy tried to settle them down but was cut off.
"I'm staying up all night!"Scootaloo exclaimed with their desire to stay up and find their marks.
"Me two!"Apple Bloom added.
"Me three!"Sweetie Belle ended.
Typhoon shook his head and laid his head back to try and take a small nap. Only to be scared awake by the girls screaming out who they were as a team of crusaders. Along with what they were going to do even if it took all night to complete, the Pegasus simply groaned. Doing his best to finally sleep in his chair and forget all the chaos that happened in his own home. Though that only meant the most garbage and haunting of nightmares coming back to him again.
He was already seeing it all, the old kingdom burning to ash from all around him, all Greek stone houses crumbling apart. It was overwhelming, so many ponies dead and burning in the roaring flames of damnation that consumed the city built against a lone mountain. The fire glowed green from the great undead magic that was an old enemy. It came to their home shortly after their king and master was put to rest after his death in his very own bed. Now a burning city was all that remained before Typhoon before he was forced to fly away from the disaster.
He remembered the check point where he would meet his comrades with the princesses. He looked back and watched the immense city burn along with all memories he carried. Before he finally turned to the sky and no longer looked back, he stared at the castle. That was where their king's body would be cremated and laid to rest within his own home with his queen. All that remained was green flames, and the dark traitor to the warriors himself, Necrid Ghoul.
He could see the dark necromancer glaring back at him, his eyes a lit with green. His mane and mustache blowing in the wind while his skeletal and elemental Goliaths pillaged the castle. He let out a putrid green breath before Typhoon turned away and kept his eyes to the sky. All was dead, all was burning, all that they protected was now gone for them in the kingdom, they had failed. He let a tear leave his eye, while he flew gracefully to the old town that would become Ponyville.
"It's all gone… Burning… Dying… All those ponies and animals… Gone,"Typhoon moaned in growing grief that weighed heavy on his kind heart,"So much I could have done… But I failed… I failed them all…!"
"Don't touch that Scootaloo! Don't move!"Fluttershy's voice suddenly rattled his mind and forced him to awake from his miserable nightmare to a real one.
He looked around and saw every pony frozen in their place, especially a wide eye Fluttershy. While Typhoon got up from his chair to finally figure out the sudden chaos ceased. He gasped as he saw Scootaloo holding a long green staff smooth looking to the touch. He was immediately still and reaching his hooves out, worried to death about the mighty weapon she was holding. Knowing the dangers that came to any thieves or foreign hooves that touched this great staff.
"Don't move a muscle! That staff will turn on any pony who touches it, except it's master,"Typhoon inched towards the staff and the now worried Scootaloo,"Whoa now… Luckily… It has been in dormant, sleeping since I chose to give up my days as a warrior…"
He slowly reached for the staff, hoping that the slightly scared filly would not tremble too much and awaken the staff. Finally his hoof reached and curled around the staff, holding it nice and tight. He let out a long and deep breath before finally taking the staff out of the filly's grasp. Just in time for the staff to glow with green, awakening from it's long slumber. It blinked with green enchantment before it rumbled and went through a very deadly looking transformation.
The bottom of the staff slammed to the floor, only to suddenly shoot up a sharp and smooth pike like blade. While the top of the staff glowed and opened up, before a large curve blade shot out. Reaching at a whole two and a half feet before ending in a razor sharp point. The staff had changed before their very eyes, into a lethal scythe of unprecedented sharpness. He lifted it up, and looked to his reflection the large blade showed before letting out a sigh.
"This…is not… A TOY…! This is a very lethal weapon that can only be held by it's worthy master,"Typhoon was low in his voice, but fierce in his tone before taking the weapon to a wall to hang it up,"Now it's awakened and thinks I'm done being retired… That scythe will butcher any pony who isn't it's true master…! Don't…touch it!"
"We're sorry mister Typhoon…!"The three crusaders kept their heads low before Typhoon let out steam through his nose.
"I will be going upstairs now Fluttershy…! I don't want any more trouble…!"Typhoon made sure Fluttershy was going to be more strict with the chaotic fillies.
He stomped up the stairs in a gentle, but no less of an intimidating huff. He made it up to the bedroom where he found stormy and angel the snow white bunny eating carrots for dinner. Stormy took immediate notice of his owners agitation and watched Typhoon go to his bed. The stallion hopped up and sat on his bed to think of how this day had went for him and Fluttershy. Though her heart was in the right place, he still felt upset inside that she bit off more than she could chew.
Or maybe it was him that made it more complicated, after all he did let his own issues impact his relationship with Fluttershy and children. Normally he was good with children, when Fluttershy was young, they went together like milk and cookies. She was such a loving filly and so friendly with the animals when she decided to live with him. He sighed, now he was feeling terrible for his attitude towards his descendant granddaughter. He fell back on his bed before Stormy joined him in bed.
"Hey stormy… I've been a complete donkey to my granddaughter,"Typhoon groaned before slowly slipping into his bed with a regretful sigh,"And all because my past is beckoning me to abandon my retirement from being an Equestrian warrior…"
He stared at the ceiling for a solid moment, but it felt like an eternity. He remained motionless, tired, and ashamed at himself, even a bit scared of the nightmares that now awaited him. Slowly his bunny curled up against his side and decided to just sleep alongside his master. While Typhoon himself went to sleep with a slow closing of his eyes, and that's when they came. He already heard the roars, the wicked laughter, the cries of animals dying all around him.
His eyes opened up to his own cottage on fire, burning with green fires. He jumped from his bed, only to find himself just outside the cottage in the back yard. He saw his home burning, everything he loved was trapped inside and being disintegrated before his eyes. He hoped to find his beloved furry friends running to the forest to hide, but a chilling grip in his spine spoke of a horrid sight. Upon a quick turn behind himself, he found his furry friends, but they were no longer furry friends.
Creatures only remained, creatures made of nothing but bleach white bones. Strolling around the barren wasteland that was once his own land, but now it was all dead. Dead and burning away to nothing, of course that beckoned the very same culprit from the kingdom. His ear lifted up to a dark and wavy green void opening before he heard the sound of metal hoof greaves. He turned to his left and looked into the eyes of Necrid Ghoul himself, holding what he cared for the most.
"Necrid…! Let her go…! Or you will deeply regret it…!"Typhoon warned as the old warrior held his sword's blade right under the chin of Fluttershy.
"Typhoon… You of all ponies have next to nothing to threaten a pony like myself. You are weak,"Necrid mumbled in confidence with a growling voice that seemed to wither,"You have failed more times than any pony else I've known… Your kindness is a crutch, and your heart is your greatest weakness…!"
"At least my heart made me a real stallion… Your heart turned to dust ages ago…!"Typhoon snapped at Necrid while the dark stallion let out a foul breath from his jaws.
"A real stallion learns to surrender his heart… Less his weakness for others… Becomes his down fall,"Necrid slowly slid his blade to the side till the hilt of the sword was pressed against Fluttershy's neck,"Allow me to demonstrate…!"
"What…wait…! No…! Don't!"Typhoon suddenly begged and dropped his tough act,but it was too late.
He heard the slice of flesh and metal slicing against bone before blood hit his face. Typhoon watched as her neck was staining and rushing with blood before she was released. Her body slowly fell to the soil softly as Typhoon's mind went slow and burning hot to the touch. His eyes went pitch black to witness the death of Fluttershy as he stood before her. Watching as a pool of blood formed and touched his hooves, his heart began to pound like a drum in devastation.
"You feel that… That destroyed piece within yourself? It burns and aches in your chest, your purpose draining away,"Necrid taunted and explained the apparent weakness that lied with having a heart,"This is what kindness and a good heart births… Bonds and trusts that can be broken. Leaving a warrior in complete destruction from the inside out…!"
Typhoon was too busy going into shock at the sight that would haunt his mind. The idea of his own blood dying in his old world of pain and hardship, a world she was not meant to live in. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he felt his heart shattering along with his mind.
"Now without the shackles of your feelings… Perhaps now you will be a warrior worth my time,"Necrid saw Typhoon suddenly bring forth his staff while he himself brought out his bone great sword,"You should be thanking me… Such mares are… Dead weight after all…!"
His words were met by the sudden slice that opened up Necrid's right cheek. His eyes failed to see the wind that surrounded him, blinding his vision with stinging and swirling gales. He looked up, and barely saw Typhoon dive in with his staff turned to scythe, and opening a wound on the old one's side. Necrid grunted and swung his blade backwards, only to get his arm sliced clean off. He lost his sword, and now lost the battle before a screaming Typhoon took a big swing to Necrid's neck.
He felt the head easily part from the body, but it was not enough to satisfy him. He turned back, and Typhoon went into a bloody rage as he sliced and hacked Necrid Ghoul to pieces. Screaming and demanding death rung through the whole sky as the swings of a scythe flew. Powerful wind made slices shattered the ground around him, it even reduced the skeletal animals to pieces. All Typhoon could do is scream and swing his scythe with his hollow blackened eyes.
Finally after several moments of slashing at nothing, his swings slowly ended. Only for Typhoon to stand right before his granddaughter who laid peacefully in her own blood. He fell to his belly, crying for the beloved granddaughter he loved and truly cared for. He dropped his scythe and mourned for his decimated home, family and friends that he had lost. Only to suddenly hear a groan and suddenly feel his whole body shaking from a sudden alarming voice.
"Pappy! Pappy wake up please! I need you!"Fluttershy suddenly called out and suddenly awoke Typhoon from his dream, his eyes went wide as he found himself back in his bed.
"Fluttershy…! Is this all real? Is this our real home…?!"Typhoon questioned in fear as he trembled and looked around the room before looking back to her.
"Um… Yes for the most part, especially a really real problem…"Fluttershy managed to explain before she was hugged and pulled into the bed by her pappy.
"I am so sorry how I've been behaving…! I'm sorry I acted like an ignorant donkey. I should never have took out my problems on you,"Typhoon released his heart felt apologies and shame to Fluttershy,"I promise I'll never take my anger out on you or the children ever again…! I promise…!"
"Um… Everything is ok pappy… But…about the children,"Fluttershy nervously spoke with drooped ears before Typhoon looked around, noticing how quiet the cottage was,"One of my chickens ran off and… The girls must have ran off after it…!"
"That's nice…I'm sure we can…wait…! Wait what?! The girls ran off after our chicken?! Where to…exactly,"Typhoon questioned after suddenly realizing the serious situation they had on their hooves,"They all went into the Ever Free Forest didn't they…?"
"Well… Yes…"Fluttershy answered with a nod to back it up.
"Oh…no…! We both have to go to the forest and find them before something else does,"Typhoon quickly scrambled out of bed and got a scarf on for the brisk cold of the forests,"You think your friends will mad? You don't want to know what O will do if something happens to those fillies…!"
"Oh no… I didn't think about O…! What do we do?!"Fluttershy asked and was answered with seeing Typhoon wielding his staff.
"We go find those fillies, and be ready to handle whatever is waiting for us in the forest… Plain and simple,"He extended a hoof to Fluttershy before she immediately took it up,"I owe them an apology just as much…"
He then quickly rushed out of the room and cleared the steps before Stormy and Angel gave hats off to them. Typhoon swung the door open with a flap of his wing that gave a strong breeze. He dragged his granddaughter to the fence before stopping to pick up the scent of the crusaders. Luckily one of them had gotten one of their own capes caught on the fence. A piece of it was torn off and now blew in the wind his wings began to create with gentle movements of his wings.
"At least we can track them now… But the more dangerous creatures hunt at night,"Typhoon took up the torn piece of cape and sniffed it before he got Scootaloo's scent,"You can choose to stay home if you want… But the fillies must be found…"
"I… I do wanna go with you. I made a promise to take care of them, and I'm not about to let Rarity and the rest of my friends down,"Fluttershy took the lead and started jogging towards the forest before Typhoon smirked and followed her,"And I'm sure you're tired of those nightmares telling you that you're a failure."
"You could say that…"Typhoon agreed before heading into the forest with Fluttershy.
Before they knew it, they were exploring and searching around the forest for the girls. Typhoon was still on Scootaloo's track, while also flexing his wings to make a gentle breeze. The breeze would travel as the average breeze of wind, but it would pick up the trail of the fillies and blow back to him. Unfortunately, the forest appeared to be working against them. It's creatures were stalking them, and it's dark atmosphere was haunting and deterring Fluttershy.
"Girls? Girls? Oh! Get a hold of yourself Fluttershy. Just put one hoof in front of the other."Fluttershy tried to fight her fears and continue on as Typhoon walked to her side.
"It's ok if you're afraid… This forest has haunted me for thousands of years,"Typhoon looked around as he felt his own sense of fear creeping up on him,"I'm a bit scared myself… There's no end to the possible nightmares this place holds…"
"What was that…?!"Fluttershy almost jumped from a creak in the trees caused by stalking beasts.
"Ever Free predators on the hunt… Stalking the prey of their choosing,"Typhoon answered before he then noticed some pony standing in an opening within darkness,"What the…? Who the hay is that…?!"
"Twilight? Is that you,"Fluttershy walked forward and suddenly recognized the mane style before she knew it for certain,"Oh, Twilight it is you…! Thank goodness you're here! I need your help. The girls are out here somewhere, and I'm afraid that they're…"
"Fluttershy…! Don't waste your breath…! Look…!"Typhoon grasped his granddaughter's shoulder and pointed out a new discovery once the moon light shined upon Twilight.
The moon light illuminated the open area where they then saw Twilight in a horrifying state. She was completely encased in pure stone, her face seemed a bit surprised and a bit scared. Typhoon looked around to the creatures that hid and stalked them from within the bushes.
"She's been turned to stone…!"Typhoon tensed up and gripped his staff tightly, watching the eyes that watched them.
"But if she's been turned to stone… Oh no.. The girls!"Fluttershy feared before Typhoon triggered his staffs transformation into a scythe once more.
"A cockatrice…! We need to find those fillies. We best take to the sky,"Typhoon sprouted his wings and began to float up towards the sky," We'll get a better view, and we'll find them quicker. Safer too."
"Ok, sounds like a good idea… We'll be back for you Twilight…!"Fluttershy looked around to the rustling trees before flying up to the sky alongside Typhoon.
They got into the sky, and Fluttershy was feeling a lot more safer above the forest. Typhoon looked around, and suddenly felt the strong musk of Scootaloo towards the east. He tapped Fluttershy's shoulder and looked to the direction before taking off on a smooth flight. She remained right at Typhoon's side and followed him on the trail of the crusaders. She called to them, hoping to find the girls before the mysterious cockatrice did.
"Girls? Girls?"Fluttershy called out as they soared beyond the trees before finally hearing the voice of a filly.
"Fluttershy? Typhoon?"The voice of Sweetie Belle got their attention before Typhoon looked down and pointed them out further east of the forest.
Quickly the duo descended from the skies and came in for a swift landing. The moment they met the ground, Typhoon was looking around and indeed heard the rustling of a stalking predator. Though he then needed to close his eyes and use the sense of hearing to follow the cockatrice.
"Girls! Thank goodness we found you!"Fluttershy exclaimed while she too was looking around the forest area.
"Fluttershy, what-"Apple Bloom was cut off before she could ask Fluttershy and Typhoon a question.
"Girls, we have to leave the forest at once!"Fluttershy warned the three fillies before Typhoon heard their lost chicken running around.
"But… We haven't found the chicken yet…"Sweetie Belle incited their current objective.
"There's no time for that. There's a cockatrice on the loose…!"Fluttershy warned of the creature that was loose within this part of the forest.
"a cocka-what now?"Apple Bloom questioned the odd creature name.
"A cockatrice…! It's a creature with the head of a chicken and the body of a snake, and it turns it's prey to stone,"Typhoon finally jumped in while still keeping his eyes closed,"Now listen to Fluttershy and get moving before it finds us…!"
"The head of a chicken and the body of a snake? That doesn't sound scary, that sounds silly."Scootaloo incited a bit more while Apple Bloom was in fact a bit worried.
"But it… Turns it's prey into stone…?"Apple Bloom thought before moving towards Fluttershy a bit.
"Exactly, now please listen to me and please come with us before-"Fluttershy was suddenly was cut off as Apple Bloom finally noticed it.
"The chicken!"She pointed out before her friends were chasing the chicken.
"No! For Celestia's sake, will you girls listen to us for one moment! It's baiting you!"Typhoon suddenly raised his voice and the fillies froze and actually began to feel a bit shamed.
"Really? But We can't see anything…!"Apple Bloom said and was suddenly noticing Typhoon's slow turning head directing itself to a bush right behind the chicken.
It was then that he could hear it, the slithering and growling of a cockatrice rising. It's red eyes chicken head slithered up from the bush with it's long dark green snake neck. Only to roar before jumping from the bush before Typhoon and the chicken. It squawked and allowed it's eyes to fall upon the chicken before it's infamous stare had ultimately turned the chicken to stone. Typhoon was ready to fend it off while Fluttershy got the girls to run to safety with her.
Instead the girls were screaming in a panic and running in all directions in a panic. Fluttershy once again found herself dealing with the girls and trying to round them up like cattle. All Typhoon could do is keep the cockatrice at bay till his granddaughter could handle the girls. He stood form with his eyes closed, this already angered the cockatrice, seeing something he couldn't turn to stone. It growled and charged, deciding to go with the primitive eye pecking and talon scratching.
Only to slam it's head against the middle of the staff and get pushed back to the ground. It wanted to attack again, but jumped back after Typhoon drew the line with his scythe. Swinging and carving a deep trench in the ground to serve as a warning to the beast to keep it's distance. Though the chicken like monster knew no bounds or unnerved means from a scythe wielding pony. It swung it's long snake like tail, and wrapped it around the middle of Typhoon's staff.
Typhoon attempted to yank it into the trench, but was instead taken for a ride. His eyes almost opened wide before he felt himself lifted into the air and taken for a spin. The cockatrice almost appeared to be laughing as it spun him around, causing him to get a bit light headed. Before the beast finally released him, and tossed him away through a tree. Typhoon went through two trees before the third one stopped him, his head hitting the tree first and knocking him out cold.
This time his eyes closed for a mental reason, his vision was blank and his body was still. Taking in the wind that blew around him as he laid unconscious for the longest few moments. Once his eyes opened again, he found himself in a pitch black void, a nightmare from the looks of it.
"Now where am I…? What crazy nightmare is it this time…!"Typhoon asked himself as he started to take a small walk around the void.
It was quiet, he could even hear his hooves clopping with each step he took. It was starting to make him feel as if he could possibly be dead, but he knew better than to truly believe that. In fact, the moment he heard a deep and hearty chuckle from behind, he never felt more alive when he recognized the voice.
"It's no nightmare, but it is something you'll want to pay attention too breezy colt,"Typhoon turned and saw none other than War Fire himself illuminating the realm a bit with his fiery mane,"And don't go with the old who are you and what is this place. We've been through enough of those kind of situations to understand that it doesn't matter."
"Then can a, I'm sorry work for you… I did get you killed all those years ago…"Typhoon admitted his old guilt to War Fire before the flaming pony rolled his eyes.
"I did that because it is what warriors do for each other, and sacrifice is always a requirement when the need arises,"War Fire groaned and let out a smokey ember like breath,"If it means anything, I was more than happy with how it turned out. I did want to one day go out with a big bang after all…!"
"Still… Your sacrifice wouldn't have been needed if I had just been a better warrior,"Typhoon admitted with a sigh of shame and a gentle stomp of his front hoof,"I was weak like you said… I never trained hard enough… Never hardened my heart or forgot about my feelings…"
"You kidding? Our world needed some heart and feelings in it! Our old world was a complete dump,"War Fire's mane lit up a bit like a campfire as his face cringed a bit in disgust,"I may have been a bit hard on you, but the old world effected every pony…! Except for you."
"What…?"Typhoon lifted his head up more in confusion.
"No matter the things we saw or the tragedies we witnessed… You… You never forgot to smile,"War Fire explained in a lower and more solemn voice while his mane cooled down a bit,"You remained so kind to ponies and animals, you always brought life to the land and the hearts of others. You even opened up the heart of Shadow Swirl… Your kindness is responsible for the world you live in now…"
"I see… And I thought I could do more if I retired from my days as a warrior, after all the world didn't need me any more,"Typhoon agreed with War Fire, but also felt more conflict with his role as a warrior,"But… I guess you don't agree with me retiring do you?"
"No… I do not… And just because you've settled down, doesn't mean you're done being a warrior,"War Fire walked closer to Typhoon before his fire was illuminating the pony of wind,"Once you've become a warrior… There's no turning back… But when enemies see a wind master like you coming. They wish you could turn back…!"
"Didn't know you actually thought of me that way…"Typhoon admitted while looking away.
"Fluttershy certainly believes it… She has been talking about it with you, and you may just have to get back to the warrior life,"Typhoon raise his eye brow to War Fire's words that demanded that he start doing some warrior work,"She's using the stare technique on the creature… It's working, but the cockatrice is going to play dumb and do her bidding… Only to stab her in the back when she stops her stare…"
"No…! He's gonna turn her into stone!"Typhoon gasped and was stricken with fear for Fluttershy.
"Unless you start showing your true force as a warrior and stop that monster,"War Fire said before he began to back away from Typhoon and letting a wind black right behind him,"It's up to you wind master. Remain passive and ineffective, or find that warrior spirit within yourself and bring your hoof down on injustice and monsters that threaten the ones you love…!"
"What? Wait, War Fire! War Fire, wait a moment!"Typhoon reached for his old friend before his black void dream was evaporating around him.
"It's all up to you Typhoon. Your way of the warrior, or lose everything you love…!"His voice echoed in Typhoon's ear before the Pegasus closed his eyes and opened them to reality.
He looked around and quickly got up before grasping his sore head. His vision was blurry for a moment, but then came back nice and crystal clear, just in time to see Fluttershy. She was performing the infamous stare that had appeared to have scared and commanded the cockatrice. He nodded, feeling a bit of pride for Fluttershy's execution before she was freed from a growing stone prison. Though he knew better than to assume all was well after his chat with War Fire.
He watched the cockatrice run away to free both the chicken and Twilight from it's stone spell. He sighed and walked to Fluttershy as she began talking to the fillies with a gentle smile. Only for his granddaughter to spot him coming back to her after his close call.
"Is every pony ok over here?"Typhoon asked as the girls a lit with excitement and relief.
"We're ok, I'm just happy you're ok pappy."Futtershy hugged Typhoon tightly before the fillies hugged at his legs.
"Fluttershy saved us with her stare she learned from you…!"Sweetie Belle felt the need to talk about Fluttershy's flawless stare technique.
"She's like the queen of stares…! That would make you the god of stares…!"Scootaloo admitted before the crusaders all decided on a different title for the stare.
"The stare masters!"They all announced.
"We're sorry we snuck out of the house and into the forest."Sweetie Belle apologized on behalf of the cutie mark crusaders.
"Yeah, we'll listen to the both of you from now on."Apple Bloom added to their apology.
"We promise."Scootaloo marked the end of the apology with a promise.
"And I promise… I'll never take out my frustration on the three of you. I'm sorry too for my behavior."Typhoon decided that this was his chance to apologize for his behavior.
"Hey, you're an old Equestrian warrior. We can imagine you fellas get stressed out every now and then,"Apple Bloom appeared to already be forgiving him and even understanding his attitude,"We already forgive you Typhoon, and we promise not to be such a pain to you all the time…"
"Aww… This is so sweet…"Fluttershy chirped before they heard the groans of Twilight and the squawks of a chicken.
"What… What happened?"Twilight asked as she approached them and rubbed at her sore noggin.
"We'll explain later, but first we need to leave this forest before the cockatrice comes back for round two."Typhoon suddenly explained the threat of the cockatrice returning for more chaos.
"Oh we don't need to worry about the cockatrice any more, I made sure it as never gonna-"Fluttershy was suddenly cut off by a rustling in the trees and Typhoon.
"It's not going to keep it's promise to you. It's gonna wait till your guard is down and then it's gonna attack you first,"Typhoon warned them before Fluttershy's eyes went wide,"We have to hurry before it comes back and… Fluttershy?"
Typhoon suddenly noticed Fluttershy's eyes going super wide as she let out a gasp. He then felt his heart drop the moment he saw stone over take her face within a second. Right before the rest of her body followed in a complete encasing of pure stone all around Fluttershy. It was then that a sickened Typhoon was witnessing his own family turned to stone before a roar sounded behind him. The cockatrice jumped from a tree and stood before the group once more in a rage.
Twilight closed her eyes and screamed while the fillies took cover behind her. They were scared, but were able to avert their eyes from the enchanted beast while Typhoon trembled. He felt his peaceful mind slipping at the sight of his granddaughter turned to pure lifeless stone. His eyes slowly went pure black with a small glint of light before a tear leaked out from the corner of his right eye. His hooves tensed before he then stood up and threw out his right hoof.
"How…dare you…! A creature of nature…! attacking my family…! How DARE YOU,"Typhoon suddenly began growling before his staff turned to a scythe once more and levitated to his right hoof,"I have tried so hard to be reasonable… To be so gentle with all living creatures…! But you… You are no longer a creature in my eyes…! You are… An ENEMY!"
The ring of smooth metal sounded as Typhoon swung his blade and took a stance. His scythe partially fastened against his back as he stood on his two back hooves. The wind from his weapon blew through his mane as the moonlight gleamed to the tip of his scythe's blade. The cockatrice felt a shift in the stallion, and quickly attempted to turn the Pegasus stallion to stone. Unfortunately, it's glare had no effect on the shark eyes stallion that stared him down even worse than Fluttershy.
"There will be no redemption for you!"Typhoon growled and put his scythe in a vertical slashing stance.
Typhoon had then bolted to the creature while it reeled back from it's eyes being ineffective. It then had to jump to the side before the green stallion jumped and slammed his blade to the ground. The blade pierced the ground completely, but sliced the dirt like butter before nicking the cockatrice in the back of the neck. It squawked at the feeling of getting cut clean open. It finally got some distance and shook it's head only cluck in a panic before jumping away again.
Typhoon was now obsessed with the destruction of this extremely deceptive creature he was willing to spare from trouble. He growled before spinning in a twister form three times with scythe, the wind of the scythe stinging it's head while dicing tree branches. With a sharp stop of the weapon to his right, he swung it over head and slammed to the dirt once again before making a deep slice in the dirt that ended up splitting a tree in two like bread. He growled and yanked his scythe out before flapping his wings and knocking the cockatrice off balance and right into another tree back first. It shook it's head and squawked in a panic before diving forward to the ground.
Narrowly avoiding another swing that sliced clean through a row of three trees. It scrambled to make distance, but then had to maneuver and hop around the trees that crashed around him. It rolled over the last tree before almost losing his head to a spinning swing of the scythe. It lost a piece of it's red flap from the top of it's head before finally swinging it's tail at Typhoon. Only to coil around the stallion's arm and get pulled right in for a hard hook to the cheek.
It was forced back and stretching out the creatures tail like the string to a paddle ball. Only for Typhoon to swing his scythe down and cut off the tail with extreme precision. It roared as a splatter of blood littered the dirt before it felt off balanced and wobbly in the legs. Unable to move properly, the cockatrice felt a swift slice strike it's side before Typhoon was behind it. It turned and squawked before biting down on the stallion's arm, but it's bite proved to be it's undoing.
The stallion spun, and brought up the sharp spear like tip of his scythe. Punching a hole clean through the beasts chest before the cockatrice let out a roar of pain. Followed by the throat like rattles of death, the pain in it's chest began to shut down it's whole body. The moment Typhoon felt the beating of it's heart slowly cease, he withdrew the sharp spear like end out of the beast. Letting it's body slide back, and hit the dirt before a tiny mist of dirt surrounded it's body.
Typhoon huffed and and panted quietly as he stared down the dead cockatrice. He growled before kicking it away and looking to the stone that was Fluttershy, crumbling away. He smiled, the moment he saw Fluttershy finally freed from her stone prison and assisted by Twilight. The fillies also assisted the shy Pegasus before her eyes had finally stopped spinning. After shaking her head to get her barrings, she looked around to her friends and then to her approaching pappy.
"What…? What happened? All I remember was… The cockatrice! It stabbed me in the back,"Fluttershy exclaimed before seeing the cockatrice laying dead behind Typhoon,"Pappy…? Did you…? Did you kill a creature…? Just for me?"
"Of course I did… No matter the risk or the cost, I will use my strength to protect you Fluttershy,"Typhoon admitted before giving his granddaughter a big hug,"Even if it means giving up my retirement. I guess it was only a matter of time before Equestria needed it's warriors again."
"This is going to make a great story for the princess…! But uh."Twilight was delighted at first, but then saw a new and dark threat behind them.
"Typhoon, look out!"Apple Bloom pointed behind the stallion to a mysterious figure that stood next to the cockatrice.
They all turned to the figure, all they could make out was a cloak, and the stature of a pony. The strange pony looked to the dead cockatrice and sighed before holding out a hoof. It was a light gray looking hoof, and it appeared to have no fur at all, but something was in fact coming off the hoof. It almost looked like a hoof made of ashes, perhaps even cinders that floated into the air. Just before the mysterious pony put it's ashy muzzle to his hoof and blew.
His blowing suddenly shot red hot embers from the center of it's hoof. The smoldering cinders flew like a slow cloud down towards the dead cockatrice. The embers coated it's body and forced their way into it's mouth, nose, and even it's wounds. The embers embedded themselves into the body like a new set of skin before the cockatrice was shaking horrendously. It's eyes twitched before opening with fire flickering right behind it's red eyes.
Slowly it began to get back up, every pony but the stranger was shocked by the sight. The beast was getting back up as it's body became inflamed by the embers and turned to the color of burning coals. It roared to the sky as it's tail rapidly grew back in a display of merging rocks and flames. The end of it's new tail lit up at the end like a fire place before it was glaring at them all. Typhoon raised his scythe to the creature, but now it had absolutely no fear or care for life.
The mysterious pony slowly looked to them and stomped his gray hoof. Dissipating into flames and smoke, and leaving them all to face a flaming cockatrice. It's own squawks were full of flames that swirled before it then stomped towards the group. Leaving burning chicken tracks in the dirt before Typhoon ran to the beast and put up the staff of his scythe. It held up against the beast as it slammed it's head against the strong wood, roaring in Typhoon's face with hot drool.
He pushed it back, only for the cockatrice to swing it's tail and whip the side of Typhoon's right back leg. It left a black burn mark before it jumped and flailed it's chicken feet to scratch his face apart. Typhoon quickly swung his scythe up and smacked the creature in the flank and against a tree. He then bolted to the cockatrice and plunged the end point of his scythe into it's gut. Only to make it angry and roar with a mouthful of flames that suddenly poured like a stream from it's jaws.
Typhoon jumped back and swung his Scythe back and forth in the form of an X. Slicing an X shape wound into the chest of the creature, and yet it remained almost unfazed by it's wound. It jumped to the air, and Typhoon managed to roll out of the way, only to get launched by a powerful and fiery slam. The beast had landed on it's rump, and suddenly set off a small explosion. Launching Typhoon into a tree before it stood tall and slowly looked to the mares and fillies.
"What has that stranger done to that cockatrice…?!"Twilight was bewildered by the magic that turned the cockatrice into a flaming monster.
The cockatrice roared and ran to the group to finish what it started. They all screamed as the creature jumped and aimed for Fluttershy first in memory of her humiliating it. Only to suddenly feel itself grow much lighter in weight before it noticed the clean cut that went through it's neck. It watched it's body drop to the ground before it finally noticed Typhoon's swift swipe of his scythe. Standing in front of Fluttershy before it's head smacked against his muzzle, landing at his hooves.
"What ever that was… It was an abomination of magic, that's for sure…"Typhoon looked up and sharply gasped before seeing the headless body slowly get back up and growled as it slowly walked towards them.
"Oh my gosh…! Pappy, do something! Make this thing stop!"Fluttershy felt her fear chilling her spine to see a headless animal still fighting.
"I will… If taking the head doesn't do it… Then maybe…"Typhoon found a new target spot to go for and simply raised the spear point before thrusting it.
This time the spear point went straight through the chest of the cockatrice. This time the creature froze before it began to tremor and even crumble to ash before their eyes. It rattled and squawked before it finally fell apart and reduced to nothing but a pile of smoldering ashes. The head remained intact, but was also turned to complete ash as it stared motionlessly at the sky. Typhoon sighed, his breath was a bit shaky as he investigated the strange turn the battle took.
"That was scary…! And I thought the cockatrice was scary before…!"Sweetie Belle slowly popped out from behind Twilight to give input.
"But you gotta admit… All of that was super cool…!"Scootaloo tried to be the voice of awesomeness for her friends.
"Yeah… You really are a master mister Typhoon…! We'll definitely listen to you from now on…!"Apple Bloom walked up, but stayed behind the stallion for safety.
"Yes well… Lets just go back to the cottage, ok girls…?"Fluttershy tried to swallow her shaken cold fear aside to round up the girls.
"Yeah… Let's go home every pony…"Typhoon agreed and allowed Fluttershy to take the lead before they all left the forest, leaving the vanquished creature as it now stood as an ash pile.
Before long they were back at the cottage, talking and calming down outside. Typhoon even brought his chair outside to watch the girls while Fluttershy spoke to Twilight. He wore a half smile, thinking of what could have happened if he hadn't shook away his need for retirement. Yet what he truly felt inspire him to let it all go and be who he was meant to be, was the girls. After the things they saw, they were still happy and playing in the chicken coop, completely unafraid.
"I wonder if this was what Orion spoke about when he talked about the girls,"Typhoon sighed and gave a bit more of a smile to the three crusaders,"They are ambitious, excitable, a bit reckless, but… They're so full of hope…"
"Like I said, this is going to make quite a letter to the princess, I guess I was wrong about you and Typhoon,"Twilight admitted and broke Typhoon out of his train of thought,"You two really knew how to handle those girls…!"
"Oh, I wouldn't say that."Fluttershy admitted to Twilight for the events that happened.
"Hmm? How so?"Twilight asked of Fluttershy's humble answer.
"I assumed that I was as good with kids as I was with animals, and boy was I wrong,"Typhoon felt proud to hear Fluttershy admit her mistake and immediately learn for it,"I really learned the hard way not to bite off more than I could chew."
"You and Rarity both, hey Rarity."Twilight agreed and quickly greeted an arriving Rarity that looked to be a bit exhausted.
"Did you finish all those capes?"Fluttershy asked of Rarity's fortune with her order.
"Just delivered them. I have to admit, if you hadn't come along, I may not have,"Rarity admitted and was more than overjoyed by Fluttershy and Typhoon's assistance,"Thanks again."
"Won't you stay for some tea?"Fluttershy offered a bit of tea time to Rarity.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I really need to get back to the shop and clean up,"Rarity appreciated the offer, but still had work to be done before any R&R could happen,"Girls! Get your things, it's time to go! Girls!"
Typhoon chuckled and watched Rarity struggle to get the three fillies attention. He could already see her getting frustrated and upset as the girls continued playing rather than listening. Finally, Fluttershy stepped in and decided to give Rarity a hoof with the crusaders.
"Allow me… Girls?"Fluttershy gently called to the fillies before they came in quickly to her calls.
"Yes Fluttershy?"Apple Bloom replied
"You called?"Scootaloo added.
"Hehe… It's time…! Go get your things…! Rarity's here to take you all home."Typhoon assisted Fluttershy and looked to Rarity.
"Ok!"The girls were more than happy to do so after a quick round of hugs to his legs.
"Oh! You just reminded me. Zecora gave me this just for your dream troubles,"While Fluttershy explained their control of the girls to a baffled Rarity, Twilight had a little something for him,"This is a tea made with Afriquine leaf tips grounded up with sugar and honey. Zecora gave it a blessing so it will promote better dreams. Just drink a cup every night before you go to bed."
Twilight handed a large sack filled with the herbal tea to Typhoon. He simply let it rest on his lap before relaxing on his chair again with a peaceful smile. He was more than grateful, not only to Twilight, but for his friend that helped him from beyond the grave.
"Thank you… Twilight… I won't forget this deed you've done for me…"Typhoon admitted while watching Rarity and Fluttershy talk about more business with Opalescence.
"Don't mention it Typhoon… And I'm going to collect some of those ashes from the cockatrice,"Twilight informed him as he simply nodded and shortened his smile,"I'm thinking me and Orion will be able to study and find out what we're up against…"
"Please do… I don't want Fluttershy to ever witness such an abomination ever again,"Typhoon admitted and sighed at the memory of seeing Fluttershy so scared of the creature they witnessed,"I love that bundle of kindness and joy… It's the least she deserves for her bravery."
Ok, holy cow I did not mean for this chapter to be so long, but I guess my mind was thinking this has potential to put in more plot to this story. Sorry if it's a long one, I really do hope at least some of you enjoy this beast of a chapter. I hope you all are having a very happy Heart's Warming and please stay pony every one.