Champions of the Magic Wilds: Episode 1

By Terrarian Pony
WARNING: Content of this story may include violence, gore, modest romance, swearing, crossovers, and references to several other video games and TV shows. This series is also written in script format. If anyone is offended by any of the content listed above, than please turn back now. You have been warned.
Story:
Terrarian Pony presents...
Champions of The Magic Wilds
Episode 1
Darkness
Episodes
Previously
...
Earlier that night...
He was floating in a void of light blue, unsure of his bearings. He noticed beneath him, was a circular platform made up gleaming stars. He'd been here before, he realized. He knew it was a dream, because he'd had the same one before. 
A ball of light approached him. When it stopped, it began to take the form of a white, glowing fox, with three cyan blue glowing eyes, and huge tail. He still didn't know who she was, and yet, she so close to him, as if she'd always been there, somehow.
???:" So you seek the truth? Or is it a call for adventure? Whatever your motivation, you must see it through, my champion. Your journey starts where all relevant stories begin. Journeysville... a beacon of hope. Join the Phoenix Guild, and from there, your search begins. Darkness rises from darkness. You must be brave. You must be strong."
...
A gentle night breeze came through the cross-stick windows of the purple fox's house, where he slept like a baby on a bed of hay. A small, albino crow flew in through of the windows, flew around the room, and then landed gingerly on the fox's head. But Terran didn't wake. Instead, he'd unconsciously swatted at his ears with a white-socked forepaw. The crow leapt back, and hovered in the air for a moment before landing in front of Terran's face. The crow began pecking at his face, forcing him to wake up.
Terran:" Ow! Owowowow! Stop!"
The crow flew away onto a beam holding the house, overlooking the hay bed where Terran was sleeping a few moments ago.
Terran:" What was that for?"
The crow squawked, flaring his wings.
Terran:" Alright Ghost. I'm up. Just keep your beak to yourself."
Groggy, Terran rubbed his eyes with a yawn. He still didn't understand the dream, or why the fox in the dream felt so familiar to him. Everyday he slept, for the past few weeks, it was the same dream, and none of it made sense to him.
Terran heard the sounds of laughter outside. That's right. Tonight was the Phantom Festival. A tradition that was held every year to ward off evil spirits until the next year. A ritual was involved, and young kits would carry special torches lit by their own wisps, a light familiar that could be summoned from a wisp in a bottle, to illuminate the darkest of places. But since spirit foxes are nocturnal, and usually are out during the night, there's normally no need for a light familiar. Unlike other creatures, spirit foxes didn't need a bottle. They could evoke their very own wisps.
Terran lived in a treehouse, about three stories off the ground. The house was a single room with a bed, a kitchen, and an art gallery, and another, much smaller room with a hole for obvious reasons, which connected to a series of wooden pipes that burrowed into the ground beside the roots of the tree, and lead to the crop farm facility. The house was illuminated by blue, hanging bulb plants, and smelled almost exclusively of oak.
Terran grabbed his favorite purple cloak, and worm scarf and headed towards the front door, Ghost perching on his back. As Terran exited his treehouse, he noticed some wisps flying overhead. They took the form of any kind of animal skull, lit ablaze by bluish green fire, and left a trail of smoke as the traveled through the air. It wasn't uncommon to see them flying about here, as the villagers would light the sky with them. 
Terran was about to walk across the tree bridge leading from his treehouse, when the bag beneath his coat started making a chiming sound. He reached into the brown satchel, and pulled out a mirror. It was a small, circular handheld mirror, with no handle. It looked like a normal mirror, but it was actually a magic mirror, enchanted for long-distance communication with anyone with a magic mirror.
The mirror showed Terran's reflection, and glistened with energy, blinking on and off with a cyan blue light. He tapped the glass with a white forepaw, revealing the face of a red fox with eight tails, and two short bundles of face-framing furs hanging from the sides of her head, appeared in place of Terran's reflection. She had red markings on her face, which didn't seem to have any meaning aside from being birthmarks, which is usually the case with most spirit foxes.
Emma:" Hey Terran. I haven't waken you, have I?"
Terran shook his head, then set his eyes on the bird resting lazily on his back.
Terran:" No, someone else took care of that for you."
Emma chuckled. Then her face turned serious.
Emma:" I set up a meet just like you asked. To be honest, I'm not sure if they'll listen. Henderson is set in his ways, and Minerva is strongly opposed to anything that may threaten the security of Fox Haven. But you know you already have my vote, so you'll have to convince at least one of them."
Terran:" Any suggestions?"
Emma:" You could try and suck up to Henderson. He loves being praised for small things. But if you can't inflate his ego, than maybe you can convince Minerva that your journey may somehow prove fruitful to the Haven in the future. If that doesn't work... I know you'll find a way. There's not much I can say to sway them. I'm still not on good terms with them after..."
Emma glanced away with a look of shame.
Terran:" They can't seriously be upset at you for that still. You did what you knew was right."
Emma:" I doubt they see it that way. Anyways, The three of us are all waiting in the mess house. We have about three or four witnesses eagerly waiting for you to show. Not many would want to take time from the festival for this."
Terran:" Alright, I'll be there as soon as possible."
Emma:" See you soon."
The mirror flickered, and Emma's face was replaced by Terran's reflection once more. Terran crossed the bridge, and then made his way down a ladder going down the next tree. Down below, small single-tailed kits were playing and running through the forest. Spirit foxes grow more tails as they get older, particularly by earning them, and can earn up to nine. Most spirit foxes don't get their ninth tail until they are really old. This most likely stems from spirit foxes living in isolation, not out of fear or ignorance of other creatures, but out of fear of the world. But Terran didn't fear the world, he welcomed its lure. Which was why he needed to get out of here.
He was tired of staying here, where nothing happened. He was tired of having to stay indoors whenever one little fox got sick. The protection of the gate was nice, of course. Most monsters couldn't get in unless they had the ability of flight, or were agile enough to climb. But even they would be hard pressed to make it to the other side of the wall because of the gate guard. The guard were trained in defending Fox Haven at any cost, even if that cost was their own lives.
Two if the kits ran by Terran, one of them chasing the other playfully, in an effort to bite their tail. It was a sort of tag-like game that Terran remembered once playing with his friends a long time ago. But instead of simply touching the other player, the goal was to bite one of the player's tails, and keep a firm grip for five seconds. If you succeeded, the other player became "it" and then they had to chase the other players. If the player who was it was shaken off before the five seconds, they had to continue to give chase. There were also restrictions as well, such as the player who was it could not tackle the other players or bite them anywhere else except the tails, and the other players couldn't kick them off to make them let go. The game didn't usually result in excessive harm.
One of the kits stopped to wave at Terran. His coat was a turquoise color, and his eyes were teal. Terran waved back, and continued on his way. He made his way to the mess house, which was a large, rectangular building made of wood, and a canopy of leaves strung together for the roof. Inside, there were several tables throughout the large area of the building, each surrounded by six small stools for foxes to sit on while they eat. They could eat in their own homes, but some find it more satisfying to be around others while eating their meals, and there are no restaurants in Fox Haven, so they buy and eat whatever happens to be available in the mess house at the time. 
In the very back of the hall, was a raised platform with a large chair. In front of the chair sat three spirit foxes, each whom carried eight tails behind them. One of them Emma Lance, the one from the mirror call. 
Henderson Burier had green fur, dark green eyes, a green robe, and a tired expression just about all the time. The bottom half of his face, and the tips of his tails were white and he bore no markings, save for a blue ring around his left foreleg. He was impatient, with a strictly low tolerance for sass, and was extremely closed minded to anything that sounded like superstition. He was the oldest spirit fox in the haven.
Minerva Jules had dark blue fur, with brown spots of fur on the bottom half of her face, her paws, and the tips of her tails. She had amber eyes, and she wore a light leather torso piece shaped for her form. She was chief of security of Fox Haven. She was also known locally as the Queen of Retribution. She earned this title after her former tribe was slaughtered by a group known as the Order of Light, and she hunted and killed all of the "fairy knights", and their commanding paladin, who were involved in the massacre. After doing so, she vowed to properly punish any who wrong her, or her new tribe. She knew the outside better than anyone in Fox Haven, and expressed caution to anyone who thought of leaving the haven. She knew that most non-feral creatures out there were civilized, but she also knew some organized groups would seek harm to her new tribe were they to discover them.
The chair remained empty, as there was no nine-tailed. Sitting at one table were three foxes, and at a separate table, a single fox, waiting for Terran to walk in. These foxes would be witness to this trial. Trials like this needed witnesses to confirm what had happened in the trials. Not that anyone honestly paid attention anyways, as they would usually be chowing on their meals. Terran walked up to the three eight-tailed on the raised platform. Minerva was in the middle, Emma had a spot to her right, and Henderson to her left. Despite her outsider status, Minerva had the loudest and most trusted voice on the council. 
Terran:" Good night, fair council. And thank you for seeing me."
Henderson:" Let me make one thing clear. The only reason I am here is because I expect a long and arduous debate about the risk of security, followed by bickering, and I much rather sit through this, instead of attending a ridiculous festival based on superstitions and stories to keep children in their beds during the day."
Emma:" Well, let's at least try not to make this trial too long. Some of us actually enjoy the festival, instead of complaining about things that don't negatively affect us. We have a responsibility of being visible during traditional events like this."
Minerva:" If we are done socializing, I would be happy to begin this trial."
Emma:" Of course."
Minerva cleared her throat.
Minerva:" Then by our authority, this is now an active trial. Aval, of the Tundra Tails Tribe. You have requested to leave Fox Haven as a form of pilgrimage. My concern is of the risk of security this may present to Fox Haven as a whole. May I ask why you wish to leave? You have forty seconds to speak your case."
Terran:" Thank you, ma'am. I've heard rumors lately that the crops have been mysteriously failing."
Henderson:" Only by a small margin. I hardly think that is any reason to trek across Mythrolhia."
Minerva:" Henderson. The requester is speaking. I'm adding ten seconds."
Henderson gave an indignant look, but silenced himself. Terran tried not look smug.
Terran:" Ahem. Regardless of the margin, it's still less than what has been expected of this season. And that's not the only issue. Hunters have been coming back home with more wounded every week. As an arca species, our instincts are not as strong as norma instincts, which allows our hunters to become too reliant on confidence and magic alone. And if that weren't bad enough, their are reports of unusual monsters."
Minerva:" You are referring to what the scouts are calling 'shadow mist'?"
Emma:" I've said that word will get around."
Minerva:" Word does indeed spread quickly around here. These corrupted hadn't yet breached our walls, but it's only a matter time before they start coming after us."
Terran:" Which is why I come with a solution. The life crystal."
Henderson:" Ohoho. I see what this is about."
Henderson turned to Emma once again.
Henderson:" So this is the reason you drag me here, during one of your traditional festivals. Clearly, you have forgotten, or choose to ignore the rule of bias."
Emma:" I-I didn't know about this."
Henderson:" Don't insult my intelligence. You have been after this for over a decade. Just because you are an eight-tailed does not grant you the power to do anything you want."
Emma:" I haven't brought it up in a long time. I haven't even thought about it since my seventh tail."
Minerva:" Enough!"
Bright, blue flames erupted from Minerva's tails, causing the two bickering foxes to step back.
Minerva:" We do not know where to find this life crystal, Aval. It's likely it doesn't even exist."
Terran:" How can you say that with so much certainty?"
Emma:" Terran, we..."
Henderson:" AHEM!"
Emma sighed, as Minerva's flames dimmed.
Emma:" Aval... we don't even know that the life crystal exists. And if it does, the journey would no doubt be full of danger. You're asking us to approve of a mission that is likely fruitless."
Terran:" But I thought it's what you wanted."
Emma:" I did. But I have responsibilities now. Looking for lost artifacts... that's a child's thing."
Terran:" So? We're still young. And I promised you I when you first found me that I would help you get it. You know that. You don't even have to come with me."
Emma:" That was a long time ago. I barely even remember that promise."
Terran:" Well, I do. And this can benefit us plenty in the long run."
Emma:" I'm sorry, Terr-..."
She sighed.
Emma:" I'm sorry, Aval. I know how much it means to you keeping a promise. But I can't approve of this mission. I know I said I would support you, but that was before I knew what this was about. My answer is no."
Terran was in shock. How could she be the first to say no.
Henderson:" You know my opinion, but for the record, my answer is no."
Minerva:" This is a matter of security. And I cannot approve of anything that threatens that security. I'm sorry. My answer is no."
Terran slumped to his rear as the three eight tailed began to walk away, Emma looking back at him for a moment, unable to say anything. But before they could leave, he had one more thing to add.
Terran:" Wait..."
The three stopped in their tracks, and looked back at him.
Terran:" There is one other thing. I didn't want to bring it up, because I thought you would believe I was crazy or something. I've been having a dream. The same dream, over and over, for months. It's gotten to the point where I tried to deprive myself of sleep just to get away from it."
Henderson:" Are we allowing dreams into these sessions now? How are we supposed debate that?"
Minerva:" Not that I don't agree, but our policies are vague when it comes to visions and prophecies. I say we hear him out. Tell me... about this dream."
Terran:" A being of light appears to me. Telling me to go to a place called Journeysville, and find a... Phoenix Guild. And something about a darkness rising from darkness. But the being's presence, it seems... familiar. Like I've felt it before."
Terran gulped hard.
Terran:" I think... I think it's my mom."
The entire room went still. The crickets outside could be heard chirping.
Minerva:" Your... mother?"
Terran:" I can't prove it... and I can't remember much about her, but I remember what it felt like when I was close to her. It was warm, and I could hear her voice. And I could feel her magic. She used to use magic to help me fall asleep at day. Though, it was odd... the figure did refer to me as "my champion."
Henderson:" Yes, I would say that is extremely odd."
Terran:" Look, the Life Crystal is not all that I'm after, okay. I don't know if it really is my mother, or if a voice is really calling to me. But I need to follow it. It wouldn't call me if it wasn't important, right?"
Minerva:" I must admit, I am a bit skeptical."
Henderson:" Oh come on. It's obvious he is trying to plead his case. Reoccurring dreams is hardly an excuse to leave our safe, and secure sanctuary."
Minerva:" Perhaps. But then why would the dream tell him to go to a place he has never heard of, to join a guild he knows nothing about?"
Emma:" Uh... miss Minerva, if I may."
Minerva nodded, and the three turned around and huddled together. They did this often when they did not wish for the audience or the requester, to hear what they were saying. Terran didn't like the cloak and dagger nonsense, but that was politics, and he'd just have to entertain it for now. After a full five minutes of hush-hush debating, the three turned around, and Minerva spoke again.
Minevra:" Very well. We will grant you your pilgrimage."
Terran let himself grin, just the smallest bit, but then dropped it, as he realized there was a catch.
Minerva:" On one condition."
Emma:" You'll need a partner to come with you."
Terran:" A partner? I don't need a partner. I can take of myself."
Emma:" What you are about to do is extremely dangerous. No matter how hard you've trained, it could never prepare you for what you might encounter out there."
Terran:" You say this as if we haven't sent foxes out there alone before. We know what's out there. There are civilizations of creatures."
Minerva:" While this is true, it is likely you'll go farther than any of us have gone before. It is always safe to heir on the side of caution."
Terran:" Fine, do I at least get to choose who I am partnered with?"
Emma:" I'm afraid I have a responsibility to the tribe now, Terran."
Henderson:" AHEM."
Emma:" Oh hush. We've already made our decision on record."
Henderson opened his mouth to say something, but Emma cut him off.
Emma:" Her name is Glowflower. She is my apprentice in magic, but she wants to move on and research the mysteries of the world. The lands of Mythrolhia should be a fine start. She's also a healer, and around your age, so you should get along well."
Terran:" Glowflower? Isn't she the one who hardly control her magic?"
Emma:" She capable enough. And she won't get in the way. She'll likely stay behind you and offer support magic."
Terran didn't like the idea of having someone inexperienced going outside of the wall with him, but than again, he was also inexperienced to a certain degree, so he couldn't really say anything to justify not having her along. And he couldn't really refuse a healer.
Terran:" Alright."
Minerva:" Good. Then perhaps we can get this over with and attend to the festival. This meeting is now adjourned."
Henderson:" Guh. I hate commercial events."
Emma:" Just be grateful you're not part of the ritual."
...
The ritual was set around a large brazier in the middle of the village, in a small plot with little to no grass. Some of the children were carrying firewood to the brazier in preparation for the ritual, some of them were practicing their dance to keep the fire burning all year round. Even though the event was centered around banishing evil spirits, the children would be seen with mixed expressions from excitement of getting to light their first phantom fire, to nervousness of messing up the ritual. Some children were afraid of getting burned by the fire. Emma was in the middle of convincing some of the children that everything was going to be just fine, even if the performance isn't perfect, and that they should still try to have fun, but they didn't have to perform if they didn't want to.
Emma loved children, and hoped one day she would have kits of her own. Terran knew she had her eye on someone inside the haven, and takes any chance he can get to tease her about it. It was only fair since she would often tease him about not having as many tails as her. At the end of the day, they would still be laughing with each other.
???:" Y-you must be T-terran. Emma t-talks a lot about you."
Terran turned to see a face he'd seen before, but never stopped to meet. She was a spirit fox like him, with a bit of desert fennec decent. She had whitish-tan fur, and two tails. Her paws displayed an orange sock pattern, her ear and tail tips were bright green, and on her chest fluff depicted an orange heart with an upside down green heart. Her eyes were an teal green color.
Terran:" And you must be Glowflower."
Glowflower:" Y-yes. B-but you call me Glow i-if you want. I'm going to be following you on your pilgrimage. I-I'm excited to get to know you."
Terran:" Likewise. I don't think we've spoken before."
Glow:" O-oh but we have, once. I-I bumped into you once by accident, a-and you said 'excuse me'. I-I was too embarrassed to apologize."
Terran:" Are you sure your fit to be going out? You seem like you'd just hold me back."
Glow:" I know I c-can be quite timid, b-but th-that doesn't mean I can't be useful. I just... c-can't do a lot of fighting. I mostly focus on healing with nature magic. But i-if I have to, I can defend myself with fire magic."
Terran:" Fire and nature?"
Glow:" Mmhmm. I'm a hybrid core, which kind of makes it difficult to control my magic sometimes... ah, but don't worry. My healing magic always works! So you don't have to worry about that!"
Terran:" Alright. Can you heal from a distance."
Glow:" A-a short distance, I'm afraid. I do have one spell that can reach farther, but it's complicated and I might miss, and it drains me a lot. I usually stick with healing touch."
Terran:" Alright. Well, just stay behind me if any danger comes then. I can only protect you so much."
Glow:" D-don't worry. Partnered with runners before, b-but I never gone too far, so I can't say I'm n-not nervous."
Terran:" I'm sure you'll do fine. Maybe we can get you some better protection somewhere."
Emma:" I see you two are getting along. The ritual is about to start."