ToE Chapter V-3

>Just as she sits down with another cup of coffee, Water Works hears something.

>*Click... Click*

>It sounds like it's coming from the front room...

>Before she can get up to investigate, she hears another, much louder sound.

>*CRACK!*

>"Uhm..."

>*CRACK!*

>...Something is hacking at the front door.

>*CRAAAAACKKKK!*

>And with that, she hears the door swing open.

>"Oh, Celestia..."

>As soon as the door is open, the now terrified p0ny hears several sets of hurried footsteps as the intruders enter the cabin. Her heart is racing.

>Just as the mystery intruders get close to the kitchen's archway, the footsteps suddenly... stop.

>...

>A single cloaked figure floats into view.

>"Uhm... Wh-who are you?"

>Two shorter, but similar figures appear behind the first one. They're wearing different cloaks, and actually have feet, unlike the other one, who just... Floats there. They're also carrying axes.

>The three of them glare at Water Works with creepy, glowing eyes. She drops her cup. It lands on the floor, and shatters, spilling coffee on the wooden floor.

>The floating figure whispers something, and the others slowly creep towards the p0ny.

 

>She glances towards the open window on the other side of the room...

>Without waiting another moment, she jumps out of her chair, knocking it over as she does so, and makes for the window.

>Just before she can leap out, both the creatures tackle her to the floor.

>"AAhh!"

>One of the creatures manages to deprive Water Works of her goggles in the struggle.

>She kicks one away, but three more identical creatures have entered the room, and are rushing towards her.

>The three creatures quickly pile on top of Water Works, who struggles as best she can against her attackers.

>Though she manages to knock one of them unconscious by bucking him in the face, the many creatures eventually tie her up before she can give them too much trouble.

>They crawl off the tearful p0ny, and the apparent leader calmly floats over to her.

>With a rather high, yet creepy voice, he speaks.

>"Miserable equine..."

>The leader turns to his subordinates. They quiver nervously.

>"You two..."

>He singles out the two nearest minions.

>"Lock her up somewhere, and make sure she can't escape... She will provide The Master with sustenance."

 

>...

 

>"...And, that's when they locked me away, up there."

"...The Master?"

>"Uh-huh. That's what the leader guy said... He really scared the life out of me... So, what are these creatures, anyway?"

"Unfortunately, Miss Water Works, we haven't the foggiest."

>"Well, actually, Anon... I think I have some idea about what these things are."

>Twilight sounded a little hesitant, there.

"Really? What?"

>"Dark magic."

>"...Dark magic, Twah?"

>"Yes. That is, I don't think they're real, living creatures. Instead, I think somep0ny, or, some... Thing created them... With dark magic."

>Twilight drinks the rest of her water, and puts the glass back on the tray.

>"But, I can't be sure. Anyway, Anon, we should go after the leader guy now. AJ, will you stay here with Water Works?"

>"Sure, Twah."

>Applejack takes a seat next to Water Works, and gently places a hoof on her shoulder.

>"Now, don't you worry, sugarcube. Ya'll be safe with me."

>"Oh, okay. Thank you. Twilight, Anon, please be careful. I have a feeling the leader guy is really dangerous..."

>You noticed that the leader of the group of minions didn't carry any weapons. At least, none that were visible. He probably has something concealed in his cloak.

>Twilight follows you to the door. Before you leave, Twilight stops for a moment, and turns back to the two ponies on the sofa.

>"Oh, and Water Works, when we get back, we'll help you fix those floodgates, okay?"

>"Okay, Twilight. Thanks."

 

>As you leave the cabin, and head over to the bridge with Twilight, you notice right away that the sky has gotten cloudy. The wind has picked up, too.

>"Looks like we'll be getting rain..."

"Good, good... As long as it's not too heavy..."

>Twilight gives you a confused look.

>"Uhh... You... like, the rain?"

"Yes, I do. I've always liked the rain. Except when it's raining cats and dogs."

>"Cats and Dogs? Uhm, Anon, are you saying animals rain from the sky in the human world?"

>Twilight looks very surprised.

>You can't help but laugh at the way Twilight misconstrued that.

"No, no, Miss Twilight. That's just a saying we have. It means, heavy rain."

>"Oh, right. Hee-hee! But, how did you come up with cats and dogs?"

"...Well, because... Uh, I can't remember."

>You both reach the stone bridge, which is about six feet wide, and doesn't have any walls...

"Watch your step, Miss Twilight..."

>"You too."

 

>You set foot on the bridge and start walking across, quickly but carefully, with Twilight in tow.

>When you're about a third of the way across, you see the sky light up in the distance. A few seconds later, you hear a thunder clap.

>The same things happens just as you reach the other end of the bridge, only, it's a little closer now.

>Once you reach the ground on the other side of the river, you look around the area.

>The small patch of land is surrounded by very high rock walls on one side, and the lake on the other.

>To your right, is a small wooden sign. It reads "Flood Gates ->"

>The sign points to a narrow, wooden path that's been built on the side of the mountain. Just like the sign says, it leads to the flood gates.

>...However, built into the rock wall, some twenty yards away, is some kind of ornate stone archway, with an opening.

>"Anon, do you see that?"

"That archway? Yeah, I do... What is it?"

>"I don't know... Let's get a closer look."

>Twilight quickly takes off towards the archway, and you follow her.

>"Ooh..."

>Twilight gazes at the stonework. On each side of the opening in the rock wall, there are statues of seahorses carved into the rock. Or, seaponies, maybe...

>There are also strange symbols carved into the top of the archway. You don't recognise them.

"Miss Twilight... What is this?"

>"It looks like the entrance to a... Shrine, of some sort."

"...Okay."

>You peer into the opening. All you see is a dark, narrow, and somewhat circular tunnel.

>"...Anon, I think the leader guy might be hiding in here. We should check it out."

"If you say so."