//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Life of Death 
// by Fresnor 
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The Scariest Cave in Equestria, the Everfree Forest, the Crystal Caverns below Canterlot; the land of Equestria has many mysteries to pony-kind.  While most don't care much to explore these mysteries due to the danger involved, there are still those willing to brave those places.  Yet, despite this fact, there are many locations lost to the sands of time that would be impossible for those few adventurers to find unless they manage to possess a unique set of skills.  Many creatures make those places their home, most having been unseen by pony for countless generations.  The forests surrounding Hollow Shades are one of those rare places.

Deep within the darkest part of the forest, lies the active volcano, Mount Gloom.  Once the home of a trio of witches, it now houses one of the most ancient beings known to the world, and leader, though they deny it, of the town situated at the base of the volcano.  Those living in the town, for a certain definition of the word, are some of the few that were able to find it because of how the area had been hidden.

The witches that once lived there were users of powerful and dark magicks.  Yet, despite that fact, it was never enough to defeat their enemies.  On the day of their final defeat, they used all of their remaining power to drag the volcano and all of the knowledge contained within their home into a pocket of folded space.  The only path into it was a hidden pathway that only opened for those rejected by the rest of the world, the outcasts and unwanted.  It wasn't long after their demise that the current master of the volcano took up residence, having needed a place to sleep for a few centuries.

The new master didn't intend to stay there long, but over the years more and more creatures found the location and eventually built a small city around the base of the volcano.  On a whim, they decided to stay to keep the volcano stable, especially after the creature imprisoned in it was eventually removed.  So it was until present times that the master slept and awoke on a predictable cycle, one that was only broken when a prismatic wave blew past the portal to the folded space, sending a massive fluctuation of magic through it, distorting reality for a few moments, enough to be noticed by the residents.

As the space settled, n earth pony stallion made his way up a path around the volcano leading to the house on its peak.  His yellow-freckled, red coat and lime-green mane stood out on the grey face of the mountain as he ascended to his master's home.  While the path would be difficult for most to walk, he knew the ins and outs of it as he walked it on a weekly basis to take care of his master's home and body as they slept over the centuries.  He hadn't been there as long as some of the residents, but none of them could argue that he wasn't truly devoted and overtime began to regard him as the second-in-command of the city, mostly as they couldn't each other and he made a good neutral party.

The stallion eventually came upon the entrance to the building at the peak, which while looking like a small shack was actually much larger on the inside than was obvious.  Immediately he could tell that something was off as the usual stillness he felt from the place was no longer present.  Despite this, he still felt no urgency as he pushed open the door and walked inside.  Having walked the patch many times over the centuries, he didn't bother to look around, even as the many paintings moved around, the figures trapped within making various rude gestures as he passed.  Past the shoddy framework of the halls, various bipedal suits of armor, and down many dingy stairs he eventually came to a door that didn't match the rest of the décor, one of a rich ebony black wood carved into the image of a skull above a skeleton.  Tapping on the hidden latch, the stallion pushed open the door and entered the sanctum of his master.

Both the house and the door to the room were in complete conflict with the room itself.  With the warm wooden tones of the walls to the simple lines of the furniture, the room would not have been strange outside of any small country home.  The only thing out of place in the room, beyond the room itself, was the figure laid out on the bed.  All that could be easily told of the figure was that they were an earth pony as the figure's skin was tight against their bones, making them look like a pony skeleton.  Their fur was grayed out along with their mane, what little of it was left.  While they would normally be completely motionless as they slept, the figure's eyes were wide open revealing a bright gamboge color which quickly focused on the figure entering the room.

“Westfield Leaf.  I see the great pain in my flank is still around.  So... how long has it been now?”  The feminine voice was still strong, belying the weakness shown by the body.  The mare, at least going by the voice, stared at the stallion as he walked over and knelt by the side of her bed.

“It has yet to be a thousand years since you began your hibernation.  There was a strange phenomenon moments ago which I believe helped with awakening you sooner than was normal.”  The supine mare looked at him be her gaze turned towards the ceiling.

Really, well that is interesting.  All these years and still there are things that can surprise me.  I think that this time I may go with a more peaceful life this time.  I'm pretty sure I have a supply of old seeds stored somewhere around here.  Westfield Leaf, please gather them while I decide on what form I shall take this time.”  That mare's eyes closed once again as the stallion smiled and bowed to her.

“As you wish.”  Her ears twitched as the stallion went to make preparations for her new home for the next lifetime.  Such is how she had lived over the many centuries she had seen, a lifetime living a life she chose, and many more in hibernation in between, such was her curse.  Hours later he returned, having gathered what she had requested into a pack while having prepared some members of the town to go out and prepare a location for her new life.  He had lived through one lifetime with her, so this was the first time he had prepared for this situation so had to ask some of the longer-lived residents.  As he re-entered the room, he found that the mare had rolled over and was struggling to rise.  Setting down the pack, he rushed over to her side to assist, though she waved him off.

“Oh, quit it with the hovering.  I'm fine.  I just need a more modern map so I can decide where to go this time.  The ones in here are too old to bother with.”  The stallion paused for a moment before continuing to her side and propped her up.

“Why don't you leave that to me as well then?  While the town is isolated I have kept up with how the world has changed over the years.  I am sure that I can find the perfect place for you to have a peaceful and fulfilling life.”  The withered mare opened her mouth to argue but slumped sideways onto the stallion before she could respond.  With a groan, she pulled away and rolled back onto the bed once again.

“Fine, but just throw a dart at the map or something.  Let it be a surprise.”  With an intense exhale, the mare closed her eyes and focused inwards to the core of herself.

“As you wish.  I will be sure to make where you go a complete surprise.”  Beyond a twitch of her ears, the mare gave no indications that she heard him.  In fact, with how still she had gone it was as if the very life had fled from her, of which that observation would not be too far from the truth.  As the stallion watched, flickers of darkness began to seep out of the mare's skin like the beginnings of a dark fire.  Soon the darkness began to wrap around her limbs until her entire body was engulfed in the darkness flowing away towards her rear.

While this was happening the stallion took in some of the objects scattered around the room.  A strange rod-shaped object, a helmet made of glass and an unknown material, a pirate hat, all hints to the past lives the mare had lived, the last of which brought up fond memories to the stallion.  Soon the flames of darkness began to settle down from the mare revealing a much diminished, though healthier, form.  Walking over the stallion soon stood over the form of fresh yearling earth pony filly, and leaned down to plant a light kiss on her forehead, just ahead of her black mane.  Lifting her new form he slowly walked over to a nearby window and threw it open, revealing the fading crescent of prismatic light in the sky.

“Yes, your new home will be such a surprise for you.  Ponies, you had better watch out, for Death comes to Ponyville once again.”  As the filly slept the stallions laughter rang out into the air at the thought of the coming chaos.