The Cantering Isles

by DerpyZebra

A Door in the Everfree Forest

Author’s notes: Shivering Isles content © Bethesda Softworks Inc. , MLP © Hasbro Inc. No infringement is intended in any way. I used some of the original Shivering Isles dialouge, courtesy of http://www.imperial-library.info

It all began on one of the „dog days” of summer. The sun was about to set above the dainty little town of Ponyville, the warm afternoon breeze bickering through the streets. It had been a long day for the small settlement’s number one mailmare, Derpy Hooves. She had worked her fingers (or more exactly, wings) down to the bone delivering parcels and letters of various kinds, ranging from such trivial stuff as Bon Bon’s weekly correspondence with her parents to such crucial deliveries as a couple of manticore tails for Twilight Sparkle’s alchemical experiments. To think what would have happened if the Princess’ personal student hadn’t gotten them in time and perfect condition.. Derpy shrugged at the idea of being sent to the moon. Or Plutony, for that matter. But for now she was done, and could take a break at Pony Joe’s, drinking coffee as usual, to drive away tiredom.
She wiped a big drop of sweat from her forehead, and started fidgeting with her mailbag while she took a sip of the dark, sour liquid. Absentmindedly, she looked into the bag, only to find a rugged parchment deep inside. She shook her head and took a closer look. The strange letter had a number of seals on it and in the middle the inscriptions “Urgent” and “Top Secret” were stamped with crimson ink. Apparently it was addressed to the Mayor of Ponyville. Upon reading this, she jerked up from her chair with such intensity that her head almost hit the ceiling. The other ponies in the place didn’t even bother to register her odd behavior, after all, they were quite used to her slight eccentricity and thought she just had another “Derpy moment”. The dutiful mailmare threw a couple of bits on the counter with great haste, then proceeded to fly out the open window.

Once in the air, she quickly oriented herself towards the town hall. Being the largest building in town, it was impossible to miss. She dashed off with such a speed that might even put the Wonderbolts themselves to shame. Closing to the nearest available window, she frantically shouted:
“URGENT!! Open up the window, LUNADAAAAAM..”
Luckily, Mayor Mare was about to let fresh air into the room, thus the frenzied messenger fell in and bounced off the wall with a loud thud.
“..mnit”
“What is it now, Ms. Hooves?”- inquired the elder mare.
The grey pegasus took some moments to recollect herself, then added:
“Urgent message from the Equestrian Bureau of Investigation. It’s for your eyes only, madam.”
“Hmm, let me see.. interesting.” She stood dumbfounded for a second, then skipped through the content of the letter. “I guess it’s no big deal if I let you know what it’s about. The pegasi on weather duty noticed an unusual, glowing gate of the edge of the Everfree Forest. The Bureau believes it to be a portal to another dimension. Judging by the eyewitnesses’ accounts, ponies come and go through it, however those who come out act strangely indeed. Since the plot of land on which it stands formally belongs to our town, it is expected that I send somepony to investigate.” The normally stern elder pony’s expression turned into a smirk.
“Would you be up to the job?”- she asked.
Not knowing how to reply, Derpy fidgeted with her hooves nervously:
“I..um..guess so?”
“Wonderful. You get 2 days to complete this task. Go check the gate out and report back to me. If you succeed to solve this mystery, you’ll be greatly rewarded.” Besides, I can’t afford to send anypony from the Harmony bunch to sort this out, they have been suckered favored enough by the troll princess Her Majesty enough to mind their own business – she added in thought.
“Your best bet is to begin early tomorrow. Remember, you have to take a good look at the gate and consult me before you take any action.”
“Yes, ma’am!” – said Derpy, lacking conviction.
“Now you may take your leave. May the Goddesses grant you good luck on your quest. Farewell!”
“Goodbye.”

With that she flew fast as the wind outside the Mayor’s office, and went home. Her abode was a dainty little house, surprisingly orderly for one who’s rather squint-eyed. She took extra care not to wake her partner, a white pagasus stallion who was fast asleep in their bed. She sipped on some apple cider to calm her still stirred nerves, then shut out the lights and fell asleep. She woke up early in the morning. The first beams of light from Celestia’s sun barely even lit the room. Groggily, she rose up, ate a bowl of cereal and gobbled down a cup of coffee to get her started, then quickly scribbled a note explaining to her lover that she’s on special duty and probably won’t get home until dark. She packed a few apples in her saddlebag, and left for the Everfree.

Upon reaching the edge of the deep, dark forest she instantly saw the mighty gate that has stirred up chaos lately. It was fashioned out of stone, forming three weird faces, the middle one being a horse’s open mouth with menacing teeth, and a blue blur in its throat. Near the gate there were two figures, a middle-aged mare and a white stallion, wearing the armor of the Royal Equestrian Guard. When she got closer, the guard yelled at Derpy:
“Halt! Nopony gets through this gate without permission!”
“Well, I was sent here by the Mayor. To investigate.”
“In that case, I guess I can’t stop you from entering. But be warned: those who go in there either come back mad or they don’t come back at all. There’s no telling what dangers lurk behind that portal. “
In that instant, a crazy pony exited the gate, shouting and screaming incomprehensible things. He stopped near the guard, and in a painful whinny he spoke up:
“No more! Please, I can’t take another moment of this madness. End my life! Now, please!”
“If that’s what you wish.. in the name of Celestia, die!” With that he unsheathed his sword and slit the unlucky fellow’s throat. “Jeez, it hurts me every time I must do that, but we gotta do what we gotta do to protect Equestria.”
Derpy shrugged, but before she could reply, a thunderous voice roared from beyond the gate:
"Unworthy, unworthy, unworthy! Useless mortal meat. Walking bag of dung! A nice effort, though. A shame he's dead. These things happen. Bring me a champion! Rend the flesh of my foes! A mortal champion to wade through the entrails of my enemies! Really, do come in. It's lovely in the Isles right now. Perfect time for a visit."
The blue portal started swirling with maddening speed. Our heroine couldn’t help but felt drawn to it, compelled by some strange force to enter. She reluctantly trotted inside the blue beam, and arrived on the other side. She found herself in a rather strange, small and dark room. Right before her was a great stone desk with a clicking metronome and a single, large candle on it. Sitting behind the desk was a rather large-bodied, well-dressed red earth pony with a bored expression on his face.
“Please, would you sit down” – he said politely.
Derpy sat on the cold stone chair in front of her. After all, it would be rude of her to refuse the seat she was offered.
“What can I do for you? I imagine you’re here about the door?”
“The door? Oh, yeah, we can call it that way, but where I live, doors are made of wood.. is that weird portal a door at all? Did I just enter here? ” – said Derpy, her eyes crossed in perplexion.
„Yes. You have entered and now you are here. Amazing. Truly.” – offered he, stifling a yawn.
“Who are you”?
“I am Mackill, Chamberlain to the Lord Discorath”
“Wow, weird. I say, you’re a complete dead-ringer for my buddy Applejack’s big brother, except for your fancy clothes and your manners. Oh, but look at me, I’m talking horseapples. What is this place anyway?” – asked the mailmare with a derpy face
„You approach the Cantering Isles. Through the door behind me lies the realm of Discorath, Prince of Chaos, Lord of the Never-There.”
„Disco who?”
„Discorath.”
„Why did that door appear in Equestria?”
„Because my Lord wills it to be so. It poses no danger to ponykind; no compact has been violated. It is a doorway, an invitation. Perhaps you will accept it for what it is.” – he said with a stern voice.
„What do you want with me?”
„For you? I do not know. My Lord seeks a mortal pony to act as His Champion. As for His intent... to attempt to fathom it is a foalish endeavor. His will is His own; His reality follows suit. You are here because you chose to enter; you were not summoned.”
„And the ponies outside?”
„They entered this Realm, and were ill prepared. Their minds are now the property of my Lord.”
„Um, I wonder if they can be cured somehow?” – asked Derpy, rolling her eyes.
„Cured? You speak as if they are diseased. They live now in another state of being. Perhaps it is you who needs a cure.”
„Well, I could do with an eye surgery for my astigmatism” – added the grey mare, letting a slight giggle out
„Ha ha, my liver almost popped. Now get on with your questions” – Mackill said, visibly annoyed.
„Oh, sorry. What happens now?”
„You do as you will. You may leave the way you entered. Your life will be none the worse for your time spent here. Or, you may continue onward, through the door behind me. If you can pass the Gates of Madness, perhaps the Lord Discorath will find a use for you.”
„I see. And if I go through the door?”
„Who is to say? There are always choices to be made. The Realm of Madness is no different in that regard. Your choices are your own. Enter or do not, but make your decision. I've other duties to which I must attend. Speak with me again when you have made up your mind. The anticipation is almost too much to bear.”
„So I’d have to speak with this Mr. Disco Rat?”
„Precisely. Now get scarce and don’t come back until you’ve reached your decision”
„Yes sir, Mr. Mackill. See ya then.”
„Goodbye.” – said the blonde-maned mare, walking out of the portal. „Dear Celestia, the Mayor’s not gonna be overjoyed when she hears about this” – she sighed.

Derpy flied as fast as she could to the town hall to inform Mayor Mare of the turn of events. Having consulted every tidbit of the situation, the elder pony spoke up:
„Well Ms. Hooves, I don’t like this a bit, but it seems like we’re gonna have to play together with this Disco Rat guy, otherwise we won’t get rid of that door. I’m sorry to abuse your time, given your job is important, but I feel you should go in there and get to know what this is all about. The town of Ponyville will reward you duly for your services, and if you should succeed, the whole of Equestria will look upon you as a hero.”
„Whoa, that’s nice and all, but a couple of muffins would hit the spot better.”
„Here, take these 100 bits for your services. It will be more than enough for that purpose, I’m sure” – said the burgomeister[1] with a motherly smile. „Now go, take a rest. When you’re ready, let me know”
„Thank you so much, Mrs. Mare!” – chirped the pegasus, and took off towards home.

When she arrived, and entered the house, trotting to the dining room, she was greeted by the sight an all too familiar white stallion with a cumulus cutie-mark on his flank. However, this time she had the slightest feeling in her head that a bunch of foul-smelling apes were spying on her[2]. Normally she would have dismissed this as a byproduct of her derpy mental functions. But this time, she decided to play along and slowly started spinning a web of thought, recalling her memories. His name was Cloudheart[3]. They had first met in Flight School, but hadn’t really noticed each other until the graduation ceremony, where they danced together and fell in love. Cloudheart had always dreamed of becoming a Wonderbolt, but he had failed the entrance exams, so he decided to make a living by packaging and selling lettuce beer. Eventually his enterprise got quite successful. Derpy got a job at the Ponyville Post Office, and did her best to serve the community despite her minor handicaps. They bought a nice home together in Cloudsdale. Speaking of which.. ah, I got sidetracked again, damn apes! – Derpy thought.
“Hello honey, what’s the matter?” – asked Cloudheart, perplexed.
“Ah, nothing my dear, I just got carried away. Uh.. have you seen any apes around?”
“Apes? Not that I know of.. why?”
“Oh, never mind. Anyway, I just brought home some muffins from Sugarcube corner. I guess it’s time for dinner”
“YAY MUFFINS!” – shouted the white Pegasus with glee. The two started eating with loud munches.
“Om nom nom, these are so good” – remarked Derpy. “By the way, I had the weirdest job today. I’m sure you read my note about examining that gate.”
“Yeah, truth be told I was a bit worried, but I’m curious, so spare no detail” – said Cloudheart.
“Well, those ponies passing through it are out of their minds. I even talked to this fella, whatsisname, Mackill on the other side, he told me about his Lord Discorath and went on how they needed a mortal to save their realm .. insanity at its finest!”
“Disco who?”
“Yeah, that’s what I asked too. Disco Rat, Discorath, something like that.”
“So I take it that you’re going back to examine further?”
“Yup. Not that I’m overjoyed, but you know, Mayor’s orders..”
“Well, before you’d set out on your journey.. I’d like to cuddle up with you for one last time until you come back again”

Derpy nodded, and without further ado, they left for the bedroom. After 2 hours of sensous lovemaking, they fell asleep. Our heroine woke up earlier than usual, and had her fill of cereal and coffee. She hastily packed up some food and items in her traveling saddlebag. When her partner woke up, she quickly gave him a goodbye kiss and rushed to the mysterious door in the Everfree. Having entered the room, Mackill greeted her as usual:
“Well, hello there, mortal. Have you made up your mind? The tension is almost palpable.”
„I’ll do it”
„Fine. I'm sure my Lord will be most pleased, assuming you ever manage to see Him. You'll want to pass through the Gates of Madness. Oh, and mind the Gatekeeper. He dislikes strangers to the Realm. Enjoy your stay.”
With that he disappeared, and the room burst into thousands of butterflies. Derpy realized she was standing int he middle of a strange realm, surrounded by garish looking plants and glittering insects.

[1] A fancy word for mayor, from German Bürgermeister
[2] Much like Pinkie Pie, Derpy Hooves can do actions that break the 4th barrier too. U jelly?
[3] I hope there isn’t already an OC by this name .. please don’t flame me!