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32- To Pandoria

[James]

They're all getting ready to go to Pandoria. I still have no idea what or why Pandoria is. I don't even think I want to know. I guess I'm supposed to just wait here at the campsite all day. I can live with that.

[Anne]

I brush Concorde's mane. Today will be the worst conscious day of my life. She feels my anxiety, but unlike normal horses, she doesn't mirror it. She looks at me, calmly, reassuringly. It makes me feel safe, even though we won't be.

I wait for everyone to finish preparing.

[Linda]

I mount Meteor and look around. The early morning is so serene, and it makes me sad to think that we won't be here for Aideen knows how long. Though I guess I should feel a lot more than sad. But, I have faith in us. We've defeated the Dark Riders twice before, who's to say we won't defeat them again? We are strong, and we are stronger with Aideen's reincarnate with us.

I know how this ends, and I know it will end well. Aideen as my witness. We are so strong. We are so powerful.

[Alex]

We are all ready for this. I can feel it.

[Anne]

I concentrate all my energy on this portal. It's already giving me a headache, but Concorde is strengthening me. Visualize Pandoria, Anne. Remember Pandoria.
God, it hurts. I think it's working, though, I can feel it becoming whole. I can feel it expanding and opening, shimmering brightly. I open my eyes. The portal is in front of me, wavering like hot air. "It's ready, everyone!" I call out.

I shepherd everyone through the portal, concentrating hard on keeping the portal open as the horses step through. I know I have to conserve my power, but of course, I have to actually get into Pandoria. It's already straining me, but that's just portalmaking.

I hook my lead rope to Concorde's bridle. I know lead ropes and bridles don't mix well, but I didn't bring a halter for her, and I don't have the time to put a halter over her bridle in the first place. Once it's hooked, I lead Concorde through the portal. She's reluctant at first, but she knows her job, knows it well.
"Good girl, good girl." I reassure her once we've both stepped through. Already, I feel the effects of Pandoria.

[Naomi]

Ugh..Pandoria. Worst world ever. It feels gross to even be here, like I'm drowning in a swimming pool filled with chewed bubblegum. Hot and cold at the same time somehow, sticky, disgusting, nauseating. Why do we always have to fight in Pandoria? It seems like an unfair advantage for the Dark Riders. Garnok is stronger here. Why can't we battle in, like, the forgotten fields? Or Dino valley?

Uuugh....I feel like I'm slipping away from reality, further and further into Pandoria's unreality. It's awful. Why are we here again..?

[Lisa]

I know too well how it feels to be in Pandoria for too long. Except...was I really in there? I was only in a Pandoric crack.
Well, it's not like I didn't have a completely different concept of time and space. And it's not like I wasn't feeling the effects of Pandoria.

And now, we're all here. Together. Somewhat safe.
We ride along, worried and nervous looks on our faces, even the horses. We're all scared to find out what lies ahead. But here's one thing that will never change. We are powerful, together. Strong individually, but unstoppable as a combined force.

I can sense so much fear and pain, but I can't do anything about it yet.
Not until the battle.

-The Soul Riders (And James, briefly)