A/n Hey everyone. We are back with another chapter and here is a big update. Due to Hurricane Harvey being a big ragin' cajun mama i'm busy.. But anyway let's begin.

Chapter Eight: Dark Sun The Heretic Pegasus

(9:37 PM Tuesday, Red Mane Range, Arimaspi, 3rd Person POV)

The mountains stand tall, splitting the terrain of the desert wasteland of Arimaspi, it held there by the massive claws of the surrounding and intertwining mountains. The sand the color of the scarlet banners that once adorned the ruins hidden within the sand and stone. The sound of the shifting sands echoes in the silent air, the ambiance leaving the slight dread of its past present. Among the sands is a solitary caravan, pulling the few occupants who would dare brave the mind numbing heat and the constant fear of what might lurk below the sands; deeper into the oblivion of the sands.

The caravan is pulled by two large Unicorns, each covered head to hoof in black and brown cloth, covering the white manes and fur of the two of them. The moon slowly rises over the dark fields as a buttermilk yellow Pegasus gently pushes the caravans curtain aside to watch the moon. The Pegasus says a silent prayer to the goddess of the moon before closing the curtain to sleep, their destination farther away then once thought.

(7:24am, Wednesday, Red Mane Range, Arimaspi, 3rd Person POV)

The sound of angry buzzards fills the hot and dry air, one of the caravan's guards having disturbed the body of a camel. The guards begin to feel sick as they quickly move the cart down the path as a small settlement begins to fade in on the horizon. The Pegasus once again sticks her head out, her light pink mane bobs softly with the caravans movement. As they pull up to the settlement, a tough looking black Unicorn stallion with a mane the color of the open sea.

His right eye closed permanently with a scar going through his forehead, eye, and cheek with his single good eye the color of autumn leafs. On his strong body is a iron chest plate with the insignia of the eastern seas, the symbol of the kingdom of Aquarius. He trots towards the caravan, his mouth staying in a downturn grimace.

The buttermilk Pegasus steps out of the caravan with a strong mare Earth pony. The Earth mare's green eyes sweep the land, examining with her keen eyes. She tips her cowboy hat as the Pegasus nervously looks at her, not knowing the area. The black Unicorn sees the orange Earth pony and smiles before trotting over.

"My, my, hello again miss Applejack; have you come for another shipment of spices for your cider?" A smile slowly spreads across her face. "Why ain't it good to see ya again Noir." The two happily laugh as the buttermilk mare stares at her dear friend. Applejack turns to her and says happily, "This is my friend Fluttershy; say hi sugarcube." Fluttershy slowly lets out a soft high pitched hello to the much larger Noir.

(8:09am, Dusthaven, Arimaspi, Applejack P.O.V.)

I slowly let out a small cough as I walk towards my old friend. "It ain't spices I'm here for this time hun… I'm looking for him." Noir frowns a bit and nods slowly before softly saying, "Ah… The Heretic Pegasus… I haven't seen hide nor hare of him since he got into a fight with White Veil." A frown quickly spreads across my face as i tip my hat back in confusion.

"Now why in the hell would he fight his best friend… Something don't seem right there sugarcube…" I watch him nod slowly with his hoof sweeping through his sea of a mane. He tells us where to find White Veil before saying, "Be careful around him, he's been somewhat aggressive." I nod and look at Shy. "Come on sugarcube, we got a pony to find." We walk towards the Stumble Inn, a small dive cider bar.

I open the swinging door as Shy nervously walks in and looks around with me on her tail. My eyes fall on the snow white earth pony as he nurses his cider like an old stallion with a broken heart. His long mane covering both of his with the color of a stone wall. His ears perk slowly as we approach. His voice low and full of gravel. "What'd ya want.." Shy looks scared as i softly speak. "Veil.. its me.. AJ." His head turns towards me as a weak smile crosses his face.

"Well if'in it ain't Applejack, How'sa farm?" His breath reeks of heavy cider and he stumbles up. I slowly tell him who were looking for. He grimaces and says, "Probably of praising his stupid false goddess… The ignorant bastard…" I tense at the angry tone, not sure how to respond.

He sweeps his hair back, his eyes the color of the shifting sands. "He is probably at the altar, the one he showed you last time you were here…" The memory hits me like a freight, reminding me of the long road he showed me, how it fell off the path and under the bridge to the north of the town. I say thank you before asking Shy to follow me.

She softly says goodbye to White Veil. I walk down the north road, wondering if I haven't made a mistake. Shy's soft voice carries on the wind. "A-Applejack are you ok?" With a soft sigh I say yes as the bridge appears over the hill. I go to the stairs on the side to and slowly descend. I stop at the hole in the wall near the bottom of the stairs and slowly look in.

I see a familiar black and navy blue mane of a strong black Pegasus stallion. He sits in silence in front of a simple black altar with a golden sun engraved into it. With a purpose his ears move slightly and he stands, slowly turning to face me. His crimson eyes stare at me as a soft smile touches his lips.

In a soft voice as deep as the sea he asks, "Miss Applejack..?" I nod slowly as he gently hugs me with his forelegs before sitting down. He tries to talk more but can't seem to think of the words. Fluttershy slowly pokes her head in as I slowly speak. "Dark Sun… It sure has been a while since these ol' eyes have seen ya.." He nods and bows to Shy, always being formal despite not knowing much about language.

I let Shy explain our predicament while he listens and nods. Shy mentions the Human as his eyes suddenly light up in the dark. "You found human? They are good? Kind?" He excitedly raises his hooves and says "I help right away!" he steps out as his black fur reflects the light softly. I chuckle and look to Shy. "I guess we got help now." We run to town, ready to save the Human.

A/n wow that took a long time, also cliffhanger haha