Richard Pound
in
Ascent of Darkness
It had been a few weeks since the terrible dreams had stopped. Everything was going swell in Ponyville. I knew more and more of my fellow ponies as the days went by. Soon enough I knew everyone by heart. It wasn’t long however, until people began to notice that I was quite the intuitive pony. They would come to me with their problems.
Like when Sweetie Belle, a filly from the town got lost in the Everfree Forest. I remember it like it was yesterday, it practically was. I was reading with Twilight in our house. It must have been near 8 or 9 o’clock. Rarity came rushing in, she was frantic. Twilight went over to console her, but she looked at me, tears streaming down her pretty face. Her eyeliner was running.
“Dick, I need your help! Sweetie Belle, she-sh-she ran off into the forest! I need you to find her!” She broke down into a fits of sobbing.
“Which way did she go, Rarity?” She briefly pointed east. I nodded, grabbed my coat and hat, and headed out the door. Twilight wished me good luck. I’d need more than that. It was summer which meant I’d have an hour, two tops, of sunlight left. I had to work fast. I ran in the direction that Rarity had pointed out for me.
I have never been so good in the forest. I was always a city detective. I knew some basics, and that was it. It was going to be tough. I prayed that Sweetie Belle didn’t go too far into the forest; the forest was far too dangerous for her to be out there alone. I couldn’t let her stay out there alone all night.
“Sweetie Belle!” I cried out into the darkness. I was running fast into those dark trees. I could see faint tracks, but the sun was setting fast. Broken twigs her, crushed leaves there. No telltale signs of her anywhere. “Sweetie Belle!” I heard no response. I had to keep going. I could only hope I was on the right path.
All too suddenly, the light was gone, and I was alone in that dark and evil forest. Sinister howls emanated from deeper within. I had no idea where I was; I needed to make some light, and fast. I got two sticks near me and rubbed them, vigorously. It wasn’t working. Suddenly I could hear rustling in the bushes in front of me. I started to back away slowly, keeping one of the sticks in my mouth. I wasn’t going down without a fight.
“Show yourself!” I yelled at the bushes.
“D-dick?” A terrified voice came from the bushes, it was Sweetie Belle. She ran at me and grabbed on to my left leg. “I’m so scared! Take me home!” She started to cry. I was about to tell her that was the plan, when a howl came from my right. I turned to it.
“Stay behind me, Sweetie. Can you make any light?” She nodded and her horn started to glow. It wasn’t much, but it illuminated the small clearing I was in. A black furred leg stepped out of the bush, followed by another. A wolf’s head with glowing red eyes emerged. It stepped into the light, never once taking its eyes off of Sweetie. “Hey ugly, why don’t you take on someone your own size?” I picked the stick up and lunged at the wolf. The stick hit ground as the wolf dodged to the left, nimbly avoiding the blow. He launched off the ground and went for my shoulder. I wasn’t ready for such an attack. His teeth sunk into my shoulder.
I screamed out in pain. I twisted my head and slammed into his. He stumbled back and I used my hind legs to deliver a punishing blow to his skull. I could hear it crack under the force. The wolf fell to the ground and did not stir. Sweetie Belle was hiding her face and crying. I picked her up by her scruff and carried her back the way I came. Hopefully we would find town.
A little over two hours later, we did. I was exhausted, my shoulder hurt, I couldn’t take a single step more. I collapsed on the ground, in the center of the street. Sweetie Bell ran off to Twilight’s to get help. I didn’t see Twilight, or anyone else for that matter, come to help me. I fell unconscious. A very familiar experience.
Chapter II
I woke up with Twilight lying on my side. My shoulder was bandaged. I tried to move it, I couldn’t. I started to panic.
“What’s the matter, Dick?” Twilight asked me, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“I can’t move my arm!” She gave me a kiss to shut me up.
` “It’s ok, silly. I numbed it so it wouldn’t hurt.” This calmed me down. I laid back down on the bed. Twilight moved back to my side and hugged me tightly. I didn’t feel anything in my shoulder.
“What attacked me? A wolf?”
“That wasn’t just a wolf, Dick. That was an evil wolf, you should be glad you got back when you did. Otherwise you’d have a serious infection. Or worse, you could have been cursed. Let’s not dwell on that, Dick. You are a hero.” She started to giggle and kissed me all over. I kissed her back, equally passionate.
“Twilight, honey, I love you so much.” In a few minutes the kissing finally subsided, and we laid there and went to sleep.
The next day was quite the event. The mayor worked with Pinkie to set me up a hero’s party. It lasted all day and into the night. I was awarded a medal for bravery. I had never felt so great in my entire life. The mayor was so nice, that she gave me a small building near the library where I could set up a detective’s shop.
“This is a great honor, mayor.” I was addressing the crowd. “I never wanted to be much in my life. I wanted a wife, which I got; I home, which I have, and a job. This amazing town has just given me the latter. I can never repay you. But I can do my best. If any of you ever need me. You know where to find me.” I wiped a tear from my eye. “I don’t think I’m a hero, I did what any pony here would do. I helped one of my friends. I thank you all.” I walked off stage and into Twilight’s waiting arms. I couldn’t help but cry. This was the second most wonderful thing anyone had done for me. The first being Twilight’s hand in marriage.
The next was spent with Twilight and Rarity setting up my office. Sweetie Belle was there too. She was very happy to be around me. Rarity made me a trench coat with my cutie mark emblazoned on the back. I gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Rarity, I can’t thank you enough for-.” She cut me off.
“Dick, you saved my dear sister, Sweetie Belle. It’s the least I can do. In fact, I’m going to take you to dinner tonight. I’ll pick you both up at 6.” She told Twilight and I. I couldn’t wait, Rarity knew the best places. I nodded in agreement.
It took only a few hours until the entire office was set up. I had everything I could possible ask for. A hat rack, a desk, bookcase, sofa, chairs. It was perfect. Twilight even gave me a picture she had had taken of us to put on my desk. I carried it delicately, this was worth more the gold to me.
“I guess you want to get to work now, Dick. I’ll see you at 6.” Twilight left me then. I sat at my desk, watching her leave through my window. I didn’t take long for work to find me however. A slightly familiar gray pony yellow hair walked in, stumbled really.
“Well hello there, you must be Ditzy right?” She nodded and sat in front of my desk.
“Hello there, Mr. Dick. I need your help.” She seemed frantic.
“Sure thing Ditzy, and please, call me Dick.”
“Ok, Dick. I’ve lost my muffin!” I sat there in silence.
“A muffin you say? Are you sure you didn’t eat it?” Everyone knew Ditzy’s infatuation with muffins. She glared at me.
“Dick, I know when I eat a muffin. I did not eat this muffin.” I sighed slightly.
“Well ok, let me ask you a few questions then. Do you know anyone who would take your muffin?”
“Yes! It would be Spike! He’s always got that hungry look in his eyes. I know it was him.”
“Ditzy, Spike is a dragon, which means he only eats jewels.” She was undeterred.
“I know it was him! I saw him eat it too.” This came as a shock.
“Wait, you saw him? Let me go talk to him then, ok?” I motioned for her to stay there for now. I grabbed my hat and coat. I walked over to Twilight’s; I knew Spike would be there at this time. He always was.
“Spike, I’ve got a question for you. Do you know Ditzy Doo well?” When he heard me mention Ditzy, his eyes got shifty.
“Uh, no I don’t.”
“Really, Spike? Didn’t you stay with her for a while a fortnight ago?”
“No! I don’t think that happened at all.” This was getting annoying.
“Ok, Spike. Just tell me, did you eat her muffin. I know you know her, ok?” He stood up.
“I didn’t touch her stupid muffin, Dick!”
“She seems to think that you did. Why would that be?”
“I don’t know, Dick. Maybe she should be less stupid.”
“Maybe you need to grow up, Spike. Listen, it’s a four bit muffin. Just tell me whether or not you ate, I’ll even pay her back. Ok?” He seemed to brighten up at this.
“Yeah, sure, fine. I ate the muffin ok? I was hungry and I couldn’t stop myself. I’m sorry.” He didn’t seem sorry. Damn dragons, you just can’t trust them.
“Ok, Spike. I’ll give Ditzy her money, you make sure to tell her that you’re sorry.” I headed back to the office. Ditzy was still there.
“Did you get the info out of that muffin robber, Dick?”
“I sure did, Ditzy. I even got some money to pay you back with. Here’s four bits.” I put the coins in her hooves. She looked at me with a smile.
“Oh thank you so much, Dick! I’m gonna get a nice big muffin and share it with you!” She got up and walked away. It was nearing 4 o’clock now. I closed for the day. It was awfully lonely in that office. I walked to the Cake’s bakery, I wanted to get a nice treat for Twilight and I.
When I got there I was Ditzy leaving with a huge package. She gave me a wink and flew off towards her home. I walked inside, where I was greeted by Mrs. Cake.
“Well hello there, Dick. It’s a pleasure to serve you here.” I blushed.
“I’m no hero Mrs. Cake. I did what anypony would have done.”
“What are you here for, Dick? Anything thing particular?”
“Oh, I’d like something for Twilight and I.” She started to giggle.
“Ooooo, you and Twilight are just the absolute cutest couple I’ve ever seen. I’ve got something for you, a nice fresh cinnamon bun.” She handed me a package, it was warm and smelled heavenly.
“Thank you, Mrs. Cake.” We said our goodbyes and I headed to the library. Twilight was checking out a book for someone so I waited until she was free.
“Hello, honey. I got something for you.” I handed her the cinnamon bun. She smelled it and gave out a delightful squeal.
“Oh, Dick. This is marvelous.” She opened the lid and gave it a small bit. She uttered a small squeak. “Hot!” She went to the kitchen and grabbed water. I laughed a little. “That’s not funny, Dick.”
“Come on, honey. It was a little funny.” She pouted at me. I frowned playfully. “Come on, I think I see a smile.” She turned away from me. I went up to her and kissed her. “Let’s see a smile now.” She turned back and she was grinning. We both laughed.
“Ok, Dick. We have an hour or so until we have to meet Rarity. What do you want to do? I was reading this great book…” She was talking about the books again. I loved Twilight with all my heart, but sometimes she did talk a little too much about books. I knew she was a bookworm when I married her, and I won’t fault her for it. I could feel myself drifting off to sleep, listening to Twilight talk about her books.
“Wake up, honey.” Twilight was nudging me.
“What happened?” Twilight was tapping me with her hoof. Rarity was here as well, with Sweetie Belle in tow. “Oh, hello there, Rarity, Sweetie Belle. Is it time for dinner already?”
“Why yes, dearie. I hope you two don’t mind, but Sweetie Belle was insistent on coming with.” Sweetie Belle blushed behind her sister.
“It’s fine, Rarity. The more the merrier. Let’s get going.” We got off the couch and headed towards the restaurant. Rarity told us about the place on the way. It was called the Fancy Bridle. It seemed like an odd name, but I was willing to give anything a try at least once.
Once we got there, the host sat us at a corner table. We placed out orders and waited.
“I can’t thank you enough, Dick. I don’t know what would of happened if you hadn’t saved Sweetie Belle.” Rarity said to me over her glass of wine.
“It was no problem, Rarity.”
“No, Dick. I’m really sorry I ran off into the forest. I don’t know what came over me.” Sweetie Belle was talking now. She seemed close to tears.
“It’s ok, Sweetie. It was nothing.” I didn’t want all this recognition. It was a bit much for me.
“Dick, I want to repay you somehow. I know I’m giving you this dinner, but I want to give you something more. I just don’t know what.” I looked down and sighed.
“Rarity, it’s fine.” I would have said more, but our food had arrived. We all began to eat, giving me some time to think for myself. I Knew the Rarity wasn’t going to give up without a good fight. I didn’t want her to give me anything more. The dinner was great, the trench coat was amazing. In the midst of thinking, my shoulder began to ache. I started wincing.
“What’s the matter, Dick? Are you okay?” Twilight looked concerned.
“Nothing, honey. Just my shoulder acting up, that’s all.” Her horn glowed and the bandage loosened enough for her to see beneath it. The wound was a dark red with yellowish tendrils spreading along the arm.
“Oh my gosh! Dick!” The sight of the wound made me feel queasy. I couldn’t bear another look at it. My vision started turning. I turned away and started to run. I didn’t make it far however, as I stumbled on my own legs in my delirium. The room started to spin, darkness closed in on me.
Chapter III
I could hear voices in my head. “Is he gonna be ok?”, “What’s wrong with him?”, “I love you, Dick”. The words made no sense. I dreamed terrible dreams. Dreams of wolves chasing me, catching me. There was no rest, and no room for rationale.
I awoke with a start. My coat was slick with sweat. It must have been midday. I cried out for Twilight, but no one replied. I crawled out of bed and went downstairs. The house was empty, no noise at all except for my hooves. I went to the kitchen for some cool water, I was burning up. The water helped a little; I needed medicine or else. I needed to see the doctor, luckily I knew where that was; it was however at least 10 minutes away. I hoped I had enough strength to make it.
Ponyville must have been in a heat wave, it felt at least 120 degree outside. The streets were deserted. I could have sworn I saw shadows from the corners of my eyes, but when I turned to look, they were gone.
Finally, I was at the doctor’s office, it was locked. The office was never locked; something must be going on in Ponyville.
“Is anyone here!?” I yelled out into the streets. As the echoes subsided, I could hear howling. “This can’t be happening.” I looked for something to defend myself with. There was nothing. I could see the wolves enclosing around me. Ten of them, all fully grown. They must have been 5 yards from me. Suddenly they began to charge me, lunging at me, mouths open wide. As the first teeth began to close on me, my world became black.
I awoke with a start, sweat and tears coming down my face. Twilight was shaken awake.
“Dick, are you ok? Let me get you some water.” She ran to the kitchen. Soon enough however, she was back. I drank the glass in one gulp.
“What happened, Twilight? I can’t keep waking up like this.” I said jokingly. She didn’t smile at all.
“Dick, I’ve scheduled you to be brought to Canterlot tomorrow. Celestia will look at you herself, and I’ve asked her to let you use the royal doctors as well.”
“Honey, it was just a fever.” She looked sad.
“It’s not just a fever, Dick. This is serious. Please, just listen to me ok?”
“Ok, I’ll go.” I conceded; there was no arguing with this mare. She went to get me more water. I laid back in bed. I fell asleep quickly, I was quite tired indeed.
I awoke to a semi familiar bedroom. It was Celestia’s. She was standing over me, looking quite creepy if you ask me.
“Good morning there, Dick. How are you feeling?”
“Morning to you as well, Celestia.” She was staring at my wound, no longer covered by bandages. “Can I help you with anything?”
“Your injury is very strange, Dick. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I’ll use my magic to see if I can help it a little.” Her horn glowed briefly and I could feel familiar warmth covering my body, concentrated on my shoulder. Something was wrong though, as the magic touched the puncture wounds, it began to burn. I let out a scream; her horn stopped glowing.
“Dick, what happened?” She was nervous.
“The wound… it burns!”
“Let me get the doctors.” She flew away. My body was on fire, the wound began to sting and itch. The doctors came and went in a blur; the pain from the wound grew worse and worse. Celestia kept pacing around me, eventually she left. A strange pony came in after she left; she was dark in color, with a unicorns horn and wings.
“Hello there, Dick. I’m Luna, Celestia’s sister. I’m going to use my magic to help you.” I shook my head to stop her, but she paid no attention. Her horn glowed a sickly dark color, the same as her mane. Instead of warmth, I felt cold envelop my body. The wound, instead of getting colder, got hotter and hotter. From deep within my shoulder the pain grew intensely. I screamed out in pain but she did not stop. It seemed to last for an eternity, but eventually it ended.
“I see you are healed now.” She said with a slight smile. I looked at my shoulder, the bite marks, the red lines, were now all gone. I fell onto the pillows, exhausted.
“Thank you… Luna.” That was all I could mutter before exhaustion overcame over me. The last thing I felt was her warm body lying next to mine.
“You two are far too cute.” Celestia was poking me awake with her hoof.
“What are you talking about?” I rubbed my eyes and stood up. I was still in Celestia’s bedroom. Luna was still sleeping.
“Aren’t you married, Dick? You shouldn’t be sleeping with other mares.” She was smirking.
“Oh, you know it’s not like that. She cured me, and fell asleep next to me. I know it looks weird, but I swear its fine.” She shook her head.
“Whatever you say Dick. Do you want me to transport you home now?” I nodded and she cast her magic on me. Transport magic always made me a bit sick. It felt like being in two places at once, an awkward position to be in.
I was back at Twilight’s. She was sleeping in our upstairs bed. I wasn’t tired, so I decided to read a book she had suggested, one of several in fact. It was a book about a war in the olden times, before all the pony tribes worked together. It seemed like rubbish, but I couldn’t tell her that, it was one of her favorites. The book wasn’t interesting to me at all. It did do wonders to make me tired though. I headed up to the bed and got inside. Twilight stirred at my movements. I kissed her on the nose and snuggled up. Sleep soon followed.
The next day came with some sad news. Mayor Mare had decided that it might be easier for me if my office was in the library, so it would have to be moved. Also she needed the old office for personal reasons. I didn’t dig more into it.
“That’s really rude of her. She gave you that office.” Twilight said this after we got back into the library.
“It’s ok, honey. Think of it this way, I’ll get to see you more!” I gave her a big kiss. I wasn’t fazed too much by the move. “I know it sucks, but I don’t mind, really. I’m not that much of a hero.” She looked at me and sighed.
“Dick, you have to see it from another perspective. You ¬are a hero; you saved Sweetie Belle’s life.” It was my turn to sigh.
“But anypony would do that. Not just me.” She shook her head and walked away. I knew it was no use to argue with her now; she had to get over it by herself. I decided to wait outside to see if anyone would come to me for some detective work. In a small town like this, it wouldn’t be likely that I’d get a client every day, but you can never know.
It didn’t take long for somepony to approach me. It was somepony I’d never seen before. He was wearing a weird garb, like a cloak. He had very dark eyes and a long unkempt mane.
“Hello good sir, have you heard of the Lunar Revolution?” This guy must be a nut.
“No, I’m afraid I haven’t. What’s your name? I didn’t quite catch it.” He continued to stare at me.
“I didn’t say it. The revolution is for the betterment of all ponies everywhere, too long have we suffered under Celestia’s reign! We plan to bring back the days when we were free under Nightmare Moon’s guidance.” This guy was clearly crazy; everypony knew that Celestia was the better ruler, at least compared to Nightmare Moon.
“Now, I’m sure you may believe that, but I’m just not interested. Have a good day.” He gave an awful frown at that.
“One day you will understand, fool!” He stormed off to another group of ponies and began to chat with them. This guy might be trouble, but I didn’t want to judge without all the facts. I’d have to ask Twilight about the Lunar Revolution later, if she was feeling better that is.
I stayed out there in front of the house for a few good hours, nopony came up for a job, only to talk and socialize. A few of them mentioned that strange pony from before, but no one had any real complaints about him. I decided to call it a day as the sun was finally setting. I headed back inside to see Twilight sleeping on the couch, a book resting gently on her face. I walked over and took it off her, making sure to save the page; she went mental over that sort of thing. She looked very peaceful so it seemed like a good idea not to wake her up.
I went to the kitchen to fix myself a sandwich. While I ate it, I wondered what I was going to do. Ponyville was far too small to run a successful detective agency in, but I don’t think I could ever convince Twilight to move; this was her home and mine too. I barely even remembered my hometown now. Thinking about the past made my head feel fuzzy, I shook myself out of it, but it wouldn’t go away.
“I have to stop getting sick.” I murmured to myself. I tried to focus on the plate in front of me, but my vision was blurring. I tried to yell out for Twilight, but I couldn’t say anything. I stumbled out of my chair, my head hit the floor. I fell unconscious.
Chapter IV
I was sitting at a bar, but I wasn’t myself. I was Richard, a human. This must have been Barney’s pub, I remember that.
“Why do I keep dreaming this?” I asked myself.
“What’d you say, Dick?” I turned to see Barney looking right at me. He was drying those cups like always.
“What am I doing here, Barney?” He chuckled and put down the glass.
“You know why you’re here, Dick. This is where you can be what you want.”
“You mean, here I can be a detective, but when I wake up, I can be happy.” He nodded.
“I knew you were sharp, Dick. Those ponies don’t need a man like you. Here, have a shot on me.” He took a full shot glass and placed it in front of me. As I drank it he said, “You know, I wish you’d never had those dreams, Dick.”
I woke up abruptly. I got up and headed into the living area, Twilight was still asleep. That was lucky; I was tired of her seeing me unconscious on the floor. I wondered what that dream had meant. ‘I wish you’d never had those dreams, Dick.’ What dreams? Was this the dream? No, that’s impossible; this must be the real world. I even remembered my childhood, I think.
I decided that Twilight shouldn’t know about the dreams again; she worried far too much about me as it was. It was getting late, the windows were all darkened. I got the spare blanket from the closet and laid it over Twilight and kissed her goodnight. I went upstairs to the bed and fell asleep. I wondered if I was going to get the same dreams. I did not.
The next few days went by without much trouble. I was able to get a job, searching for a break-in suspect. More and more of those ponies came by, touting the Lunar Revolution. A few of Ponyville’s ponies went with them, but not more than ten.
“Some ponies will believe anything.” This was said by Twilight during dinner. She had a disapproving tone.
“I don’t get this whole revolution thing, Twilight.” She looked at me.
“Well, you know how Luna was banished to the moon for taking not lowering the moon right?” I did know this. Turns out reading some of Twilight’s books had been beneficial.
“Of course I do. I believe that was in one of your books.” She smiled, she liked when I read. She wanted me to be book smart, not street smart.
“That’s great. Well, I think that some ponies want Luna to be in control instead of Celestia. I can’t understand why though. They work so well together.” That was the part that confused me too. Of all I knew of Equestrian history, which wasn’t much, the two princesses ruling together were the most peaceful times.
“I know what you mean. I also don’t think Luna could single handedly rule Equestria. She’s too young.” She nodded. I offered to do the dishes afterwards, she heartily accepted. I took the plates and cups to the sink and began to wash. I looked back to see her watching me from the couch. When she saw my glance she quickly turned around.
“That’s weird.” I muttered. I thought no more of it. Maybe Twilight was in the mood for something more romantic. To be honest, we hadn’t made love to each other for a week, and I did miss it. She was an amazing pony whom I loved deeply and I always would. I finished up the dishes and went to the couch with Twilight and sat beside her. She was deeply engrossed with her book now. It was something to do with magic incantations. I was always sort of jealous of her magic, but what can you do?
I picked up my own book, a western novel, my favorite genre. I got nearly 100 pages in when Twilight said she was ready to go to bed. I agreed and we trotted off to the bed. It was easy to fall asleep next to her; her rhythmic breathing was very soothing.
The windows were still dark when I woke up.
“That’s strange.” I murmur. I got to Twilight and try to rouse her; she mumbles something and turns over. I check the clock on the wall, its 8 o’clock. That’s odd, it’s summer; there should be sunlight. I walk out the door, my jaw hits the floor. There are no stars, the sun is dark. Equestria is blanketed in darkness.
Chapter V
“Twilight, you have to wake up!” My hooves pushed her to and fro on the bed. She wasn’t getting up. “Twilight!” Still no response. “I have to get a letter to Celestia.” I ran to get Spike and sent off a letter.
“What’s going on, Dick?” He asked me.
“Well for one thing the sky is dark. Secondly, Twilight won’t wake up.” He seemed panicked at that too. I rushed back to the house with Spike in tow. All over Ponyville ponies were panicking, running around town screaming. What’s going on here?
Twilight was still asleep when we arrived. I tried once more to rouse her from her slumber, but she would not stir. I was getting intensely worried. I wondered if the sun and her had any correlation. Just then Spike received a letter from Celestia.
“Dick, I’m coming to get you and Twilight, don’t leave the house.” Is what the note said. It didn’t take long for her to arrive. Celestia appeared in a bright flash of light, and as soon as she arrived she grabbed Twilight and I and we were teleported away. We arrived in what must have been her war-room.
It was a large room. Unicorns sat at tables looking into crystal balls and writing things down. Couriers sometimes received said notes and brought them to other tables. We were standing on a pedestal in the center, Luna was standing near us; she did not look well.
“What’s going on Celestia?” I asked her, alarmed at the situation. She looked at me grimly.
“Luna can’t seem to grasp her magic anymore. She’s blacking out the sun and she can’t stop. We have no idea why.” I gasped.
“Why can’t she control her magic?”
“We don’t know, Dick! Have you heard anything in Ponyville?” I thought back, but only one event stood out to me.
“There were these strange ponies coming around. They kept talking about something called the Lunar Revolution.” Her eyes opened wide.
“Tell me everything you know.” I did so.
“Celestia, what can we do about Twilight?” The princess looked at her faithful disciple on the floor.
“I’ll see what I can do. Dick, I need you to find the source of this cult and get rid of them. Equestria’s future lies in your hands.”
“Me? What can I do? Aren’t you all powerful? What about all these unicorns here?” She shook her head.
“Dick, I can’t leave this room. They might try and get me somehow and I can’t risk it. The scanner magic we use isn’t picking up anything. You are the best detective pony I know, also the only one.” I sighed.
“I’ll do it, just make sure Twilight’s ok.” She nodded. “I need to get my things at the library.” Another nod and her horn glowed white. Her magic teleported me instantly to Ponyville. I went to the closet and donned my faithful hat and coat. And for more than one reason, this was going to be a long night.
I needed somewhere to start, but where? Who knew anything about this cult? I remembered that they had taken some of the ponies from town for the group; they would know where they meet. I wracked my brain for their names… only one came to me, Bon-Bon. Luckily, I knew where she lived. It was merely a quick walk, but this time I ran. Ponies were still running and screaming all around Ponyville as I ran. It took me only 2 minutes to make it, but I was out of breath now. I stood outside her house looking at it, there didn’t seem to be any lights on.
I approached cautiously and knocked. There was no response. I needed her to tell me what was going on. I knocked and harder and then stuck my head to the door. I could hear something in the back. I decided to brute force this. I turned around and gave a few great kicks to the door, it broke the hinges. After the door there was a hallway with three doors, at the last door on the right there was a small glow. I slowly walked down the hall. As I neared, I could hear crying. At the precipice of the door, I snuck a quick look.
There was a pony in the room, but it wasn’t Bonbon, it was Lyra, her greatest friend. I jumped into the room in front of Lyra.
“Where is Bonbon? Tell me now!” She started to cry harder. Through her sobs I could make out a few words.
“She…she hasn’t come…back yet. She went with th-those ponies. I-I told her not to g-go. She w-wouldn’t listen to me.” The rest of what she said is unintelligible. I asked her if she knew where they met. She shook her head. I was going to have to have a look around. I decided to start with checking out the current room. It must have been their bedroom. Lyra was still crying on the bed. I turned on another light, to make it easier to see. I checked her drawers and shelves for anything that might lead to a location. Her wallet was still here, it had a scrap of paper in it, but it was blank. I decided to keep it just in case. It was a right angle on one half, with flat edges; the other two were clearly torn from a journal or notebook. Clearly this room was not going to give me any leads. I decided that it would be best to check the living room next.
The living room was meticulously clean. Not a thing out of place, except for a scrap of paper on the table.
“How lucky.” I say to myself. I pick up the paper. It looks like the corner was torn off so I hold the scrap I got earlier to it. It’s an exact match. Strange thing was that that entire piece of paper was covered in writing except for the scrap. The writing was in some sort of unintelligible gibberish. It looked as though the writing ended as soon as it crossed the edge. Maybe Lyra would know more. I returned to the bedroom, Lyra had calmed slightly.
“Lyra, what’s the deal with this paper?” I held it up to her. She gave it a quick glance.
“They gave it to her when she joined. They told her to look at it when the time was right.”
“What does that mean?” She gave a heavy sigh.
“I don’t know, Dick. But it felt like she took that thing out with her every night.” So she took it out a night, maybe it has something to do with it. “She always seemed to be looking at it, like it would change or something… I don’t know anymore, I’m sorry.” She looked down.
“It’s ok, Lyra. You’ve been a great help.” I took the paper and headed outside. Why would she take it outside at night? Perhaps it changes in darkness. I held it up to the dark sun. It was still blank. I’d have to try with the moon up. The sun was setting so it wouldn’t take long. Everypony has calmed down in town, so it was a lot quieter; easier to get my head around things. I decided to see if anyone needed any urgent help from me. The town was practically deserted; everyone was either out of town or cowering inside. I had made it nearly all across town when I saw the moon peaking above the horizon. ‘Go time,’ I thought to myself. I held the scrap of paper up to the moon. As if by magic I could see ink begin to appear.
Within the Earth we crave the moon
The time of destiny shall be soon
Through the glass we gaze the stars
Fused with night, the world will be ours
A riddle, I hate riddles. Riddles never solve anything. I wish Twilight was here. I better get Spike to send a letter to Celestia, asking her about Twilight. I ran back to the house, thinking all the while about the riddle. ‘Within the Earth’, did that mean underground, maybe a basement of some sort. Spike was still in the house, pacing anxiously. He saw me walking through the door.
“Did you find anything, Dick?” I told him what I had so far. “Ew, riddles.” He shared my sentiments exactly. I asked him to send a letter to Celestia for me, he agreed to.
“I want the letter to be as follows ok? Princess Celestia, I may have a lead on where to look for the cultists. I have a riddle to decode, if you could send someone that’d be great. Please tell me my wife is ok, please.” He wrote it down and sent it away. I waited for an eternity for a response, and when it came, it wasn’t in a letter. A smart looking unicorn appeared in front of us.
“My name is Bastion Yorsets, I work with Celestia. I hear you have a riddle to crack.”
“Yeah, I sure do Bastion. My name’s Dick by the way.” I told him the riddle. He closed his eyes and concentrated for a few minutes.
“Hmm, yes. From what I can think it may have to do with an underground meeting area. Probably not the main one either. It is definitely somewhere you could find astronomical equipment, like telescopes. I think that’s what the ‘stars’ line refers to.” It all fit into place, sort of.
“Yeah, that makes sense. Thank you so much Bastion.” I looked around nervously. “Do you know anything of my wife?” He looked sad and cast away his glance.
“I know nothing new to report… I was one of the judges for her entrance exam into school. She’s a great unicorn; lots of potential.” A tear fell down my cheek. I turned away from them both.
“Thank you, Bastion. I’ve got to find the base now. I’ll be back.” I walked out the door into the twilight night. I knew there was one place where you could go to gaze at the stars. It was a tiny little house; just a thing ran by the community. It was on the other side of town however and would take me a fair amount of time to get there. It gave me time to think about what I was doing.
This was what I had wanted, a nice big case to solve. For some reason, I wasn’t feeling happy about it at all. I wanted to be home with Twilight, reading a book or maybe just snuggling. I looked up from my thoughts, I was nearly there. It wasn’t as very big building at all. I was also fairly certain it didn’t have a basement. The front door was unlocked so I walked in unhindered. The place was fairly dusty from nonuse; it had been a few weeks since the last clear night sky. I saw a few footprints in the dust and followed them until they died in the middle of the room. Upon closer inspection I saw that it was a trapdoor. I lifted it up slowly. There was a faint amount of light down the tunnel it revealed.
I climbed down the ladder; it must have been a five foot high tunnel of roughhewn stone. I never knew this place existed. I slowly closed the trapdoor in case anyone came in after me. The passage looked to be about fifteen feet long until it opened up, there was light and voiced at the end of the tunnel. I crept up to the ending. The bigger room was just a big circle with a fire in the middle. Around the circle were a lot of ponies, all dressed in raggedy cloaks, in chanting. There were a few ponies around the edges keeping an eye on things. The pony that first came up to me was there too, he was the one closest on the edge.
I needed to ask some questions. I looked around below me for a small pebble; I tossed it at the cultist. It bounced off his head. He looked around and walked near the entrance. As his head poked around, I hit him square in the jaw. I grabbed him by his cowl and dragged him back through the tunnel and up through the trapdoor. I threw him onto the ground; put my hoof to his neck.
“Listen here, boy. You are going to tell me everything. Ok?” He spit at my face. I shook it off. I used my other foreleg to smash his head against the ground. “Do you understand?” His mouth opened.
“You are all going to suffer.” He started to laugh.
“I’m afraid that’s not what I was looking for. What have you done to the sun? What have you done to Luna?” He wouldn’t stop laughing, so I hit the smile off his face a few times. Blood was running down his face, pooling slightly on the floor.
“We helped her reach her potential to be a ruler. She is more powerful than ever now.” He wasn’t laughing now.
“I’m going to stop you, no matter what it takes. I’ll take this entire building down if I have to.” He let out a quick laugh, more like a bark.
“You think we are the only ones? We are everywhere! Even in the castle. Hahaha!” I was tired of this bullshit. I gave him a hard punch to the face one last time; he went out cold. I knew I couldn’t take out the entire group here by myself. Luckily I knew two great friends who could help me.
Chapter VI
“I know this sounds strange, but I need your help, please.” Applejack and Big Mac looked at each other. I knew that these two were my only hope. They were the strongest ponies in all of Ponyville. I told them everything that had happened today. Some parts had shocked them, mostly the parts with Twilight and the cult.
“Dick, I don’t know what you got yourself into, but we will always be there to help you. We’re in.” Applejack looked unsure when she said this, but her voice seemed confident.
“I can’t thank you enough. Please there’s not much time, follow me.” We ran back to the secret base.
The supposed cult leader was still there when we got there. I showed them the trapdoor and we headed down. On the way we had discussed the plan. Big Mac would take on the enforcers around the edge; none of them were nearly as big as he. Applejack and I were to help Big Mac if he needed it and stop any chanter if they got up. It was the best plan we could come up with in that time.
“Ok, let’s go.” We rushed out of the opening. Big Mac barreled over two enforcers on the left, neither of them got up. He then tangled with a third and fourth, hitting them together like rocks. A.J. and I saw some chanters getting up; we jumped and landed on their backs, slamming them to the ground with our unexpected weight. Big Mac had already taken out all six of the enforcers when we stepped off the downed chanters. The room was silent, there was no more chanting. Everyone was staring at us.
“Stop this now! You are going to destroy everything!” I yelled at the assembled ponies. They continued to give blank stares. “Why are you doing this?” From here I could see Bonbon. “Bonbon, what would Lyra think if she knew what you were doing?” I could see a glimmer of recognition cross her face, but it soon faded.
“We seek the Lunar Revolution. We want the world united under the rule of Queen Luna.” The cultist from upstairs was walking through the door. His face was no longer marred with blood. “You should not have come back, you may have lived longer. Grab them my children.” The ponies began to swarm us. Big Mac charged to us and threw Applejack into the hallway. He turned to me.
“Get her safe.” He grabbed me by my coat and threw me as well. The ponies were swarming all around him when I landed. Applejack and I hurried through the trapdoor and out of the house. We didn’t stop running until we were back in the library. As soon as we got through the door, she broke down crying.
“Big Mac, no!” She started to roll on the floor. I tried to console her but she pushed me away. “I trusted you, Dick!” I felt the tears coming too, but I couldn’t let my emotions get the best of me; not now at least.
“A.J. you don’t know what happened.”
“What are they going to do to him!?” I wanted to tell her it was going to be ok, but I couldn’t.
“I don’t know, Applejack. I just don’t know.” She began to cry harder. I picked her up and put her on the couch with a blanket. It was getting late. I told Spike to keep watch tonight, just in case. I walked up to the bed and went to sleep almost immediately.
“What’s going on there, Dick?” Barney was asking me how I was doing. This dream again, what a pain.
“I lost a good friend today. I have no idea how to get back at them. I only have one friend who is strong left.” He pat me on the shoulder.
“Dick, you know your greatest friend is your greatest ally. Don’t forget good ole’ whiskey.” I shot him a puzzled look.
“What’s getting drunk going to do to help me?” He chuckled.
“Remember those arson cases, Dick. The ones with those teens who couldn’t keep themselves away from a bottle of jack and a lighter?” It was coming back to me in some strange way. The kids kept using molotovs for some major destruction. Could I trust myself with this weapon in Ponyville? Was the risk worth the benefit? I could see no other way, it had to be done.
I was being shaken awake by Spike, Applejack was behind him, and they looked terrified.
“What’s going on?” I could hear knocking at the door.
“It’s the cultists, they came for you.” This wasn’t good.
“Hold them off; I need to get some things. Applejack, I need your alcohol.” She looked confused but nodded in consent. “I’m going to sneak out the back. Cover me.” I ran for the open window and jumped out. I made a break for Applejack’s farm, making it in record time.
I knew where her whiskey was from repeated drinking with the gang. It took only a few minutes to assemble some Molotov’s. I placed them in my coat, matches close at hoof.
“If you do this, Dick, there is no going back.” I asked myself. “Is it worth it? Is there any other way?” No, there wasn’t. I see no other solution. I began the walk back into town. I nearly stopped many times. The guilt of this was going to get to me, I know it.
I stop by the cultist’s secret base, they left the trapdoor open. Light pours from it through the glass ceiling. I grab one of the Molotovs and light it, merely holding it makes me tremble with fear. I throw it through the window of the store. It shatters on the floor. Hot, orange fire spreads throughout the building in seconds. I throw another through the trapdoor. I can hear the screaming of unidentified ponies. My heart broke then, but I wasn’t done yet. I had more work to do. I began the walk to the library once more.
“So I see you’re back, Dick. You left your friend behind you. I guess you didn’t care for him.” I could see none of his enforcers with him. They must have all been knocked out cold.
“I want you to leave Ponyville. Even Equestria if you must. There will be no Lunar Revolution.” He chuckled.
“What makes you think you can make me leave?” I was tired of this smug bastard. He needed to be knocked down a peg. I saw he was standing a good ten feet away from any other pony. I grabbed one of the Molotovs and lit it. “What’s that you got there, Dick? Gonna mix me a drink?” It was my turn to be smug.
“Something like that.” I threw it at his damn face. It hit him square on the nose. The fire erupted all over his body. He started to scream and ran through the crowd and through an adjoining alley. All the assembled ponies looked at me with horror in their eyes.
“What have you done?” The voice came from Bonbon. I looked at her, she met my gaze.
“I did what I had to do. He had put you under a spell.” It was then that they all took a look at each other and what they were wearing. I heard a few of them ask what happened. I told them.
Chapter VII
I was back in the library now. All the ponies that had assembled outside had decided to hunt the remains of the cultist leader. The fire at the secret base had been put out. There was no sign of Big Mac at all. I hoped he had gotten out. There had been no ponies in the base at all, which was lucky. They must have all gotten out. Applejack had gone back to the farm to console Applebloom, her younger sister. I had Spike send one more letter to Celestia, telling her of the news. The worst news being that there were more cultist locations.
Her letter came quickly in response. Her magic wasn’t working on Twilight just as it hadn’t worked on me. It was up to Luna to get better to help her. Those words hit me like a brick to my head, and my heart. The letter went on to tell me that I needed to find the lead cult group. She said she was going into hiding now. She couldn’t trust any of the guards. It looked like I was on my own for now.
I had to find that lead cultist; I hoped he wasn’t dead, not yet at least. I went outside to see how the ponies were faring finding him. They told me they had caught him trying to flee into the Everfree Forest. He wasn’t in a pretty condition.
His clothing had burned off, his face was burned terribly and even then I could still see the hatred in his eyes.
“You are an animal! A monster! Why can’t you accept our good graces?” This was getting old fast, even he couldn’t see how wrong he was.
“You are the animal. What did you do to Big Mac? Who is your leader?”
“Don’t you see fool? Can’t you smell it in the air? The world is going to a better time!” He wasn’t making any sense anymore.
“What are you talking about? Answer my questions!” I gave him a quick jab to the gut. He bent forward, the breath knocked out of him.
“I-I don’t need your questions, fool. It’s too late for you to do anything!” Mildly asking questions was getting me nowhere. I needed to up the ante. I turned to one of the ponies around.
“Get me some matches.” He looked mortified, but scurried away. I turned back to the cultist. “You listen to me and you listen carefully. I am going to ask you one more time. What did you do to Big Mac? Who is your leader? You answer me those questions, and I don’t make you look worse off. Ok?” His face looked a mixture of pure hatred and panic. He tried to back away from me. The ropes binding him held him tighter.
“No, no, no. You can’t do that! It’s not right!” He eyes the returning pony. I grabbed the matches from him.
“I need these answers, and I’m willing to do worse to get them.” Panic swarmed his face. I took one of the matches and lit it. His eyes didn’t leave the flame.
“The big pony got away after you! H-he escaped! I don’t know where he went!” I drew the match closer to his face. He struggled against the bindings, trying harder and harder to get away.
“One more thing, my friend. Where is your leader? Where is he?!” My face was in his now. I could smell the burned hair and skin. He was shivering in fear.
“I-I don’t know where he is. We just get orders… I don’t know anything.”
“That’s a damn shame isn’t it? I needed some info to get me out of this room. Well, I guess you and I are going to have a lot of fun. Won’t we?” I motioned for the other ponies to leave the room. He knew I wouldn’t act with them in here. He started to shout.
“Wait! Wait! I think he might be in Canterlot! Th-the Royal food supplier! I used to work there.” He broke down in tears. “He called me in one day. Told me about Luna’s great power. I didn’t want to follow him. Something compelled me; it made me follow, it made me worship him. Please, you have to understand. He’s going to destroy the kingdom! You have to stop him.” I turned around and walked out, there was no time. The ponies surrounded and untied him. From behind he called out, “My name is Xavier… Thank you, Dick.”
I headed back to the library; I needed to pick up some final supplies. How was I going to get to Canterlot? I couldn’t get Celestia to port me, not this time. Then I remembered the fastest pony I knew, Rainbow Dash. She could carry my weight and do it quickly. It was the only way. I sent Spike to go find her. I needed to prepare.
I looked around the house for something to use a weapon. I found a baseball bat that had been used by me once; it was perfect. I slung it over my back with a few of the Molotovs. I hoped I wouldn’t need them, but I had to expect the worst. There was a knocking at the door, Spike was back.
“So you need my help to get to Canterlot? Why?” Rainbow Dash was standing in front of the door.
“I need to stop this cult before anyone else gets hurt. I need to get there as soon as possible. You are my only hope Rainbow Dash. Please.” She gave a grunt.
“Fine. Let’s hurry.” We headed outside and she picked me up and we began the flight to Canterlot.
Chapter VIII
It was nearly dawn when I finally landed in Canterlot. The streets were empty. Patrols of royal guards swarmed the skies. They stopped us, but relented when I told them we were on royal business. One of the guards gave a shocked look at the mention of Celestia’s name. I took that in a mental note.
“Do you need anything else, Dick?” Rainbow Dash was getting ready to fly back to Ponyville.
“I can probably take care of it myself, but if you’d like to help you can.” She scuffed the dirt with her hoof.
“I’ll stay for a while. I can’t leave you here by yourself.” I knew I could count on Rainbow Dash to stick with me whenever I needed her. The streets were deserted, not a single pony in sight. We started to walk down the road towards the castle looming in the distance. We couldn’t fly closer; the guards would not allow it. Without warning Rainbow Dash lets out a small cry.
“What happened?” I ask her. She rubs her head.
“Someone threw a rock at me.” I looked around to catch any culprits, but none could be seen. We continued walking with no incident to the castle.
There were multiple squads of guards protecting the door. At the sight of the two of us, they raised spears. An apparently high-ranking pony came in the front.
“What are you doing here?” He asked in a serious voice.
“We need to talk to the princess. We are on royal business.” He scowled.
“Prove it then.”
“Get Bastion Yorsets. He knows me!” A look on recognition came over him at the name. He barked orders to get Bastion. It took only minutes.
“Why did you call me, general?” He looked at me. “Oh you’re here. Hurry inside.” He led the way indoors. The guard ponies made a path for us. Bastion led us down a maze of hallways and stairs until finally we arrived at a dead end. He tapped a nearby vase and a slight rumbling noise began to emanate from the wall. A good portion of the door swung outwards.
“This way, Dick.” Bastion lead us through, the door closed behind us.
“This is a pretty cool room you got here, Bastion. Where’s Celestia?” He stopped and turned his head.
“She’s not here, Dick. It’s too risky to bring you to her. I will communicate with her through telepathy. Is there anything you need to ask?” A devious plan indeed. Celestia was a smart one, you can’t deny that.
“I need to know where I can find the royal food supplier. I’ve got a good idea that he may be the leader in all of this.” His horn glowed as he relayed the message. Unexpectedly his eyes shot wide open.
“Celestia tells me that he was fired a week or so ago. She heard results that he was making unsavory statements against the crown. I believe he was sent to the dungeons. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Is there anyone I can trust besides you two?” His horn glowed.
“You can’t trust anyone else, Dick.” I thanked him and headed out of the room. I turned to Dash.
“You stay out of the dungeons, just in case. He said we can’t trust anyone. If I’m not out in thirty minutes. Get help.” She nodded and went to leave the castle. I headed deeper. I entered the dungeons.
Chapter IX
The dungeons were a dark place. Several guards were leading me to the cell where they keep the dissenters. We passed many cells of thieves and worse. Finally we reached the cell at the end of the block.
“He’s in here. Please go in sir.” I thanked him and walked inside the dark cell. It was empty. As soon as I turned to call them out, the door was shut and locked. I ran to the bars. Banging into the door with my hooves.
“What is this? Let me go!” They looked at me with distaste.
“You are an enemy to the throne. We have had order from Celestia to capture you; luckily you just walked in yourself.” The guards turned and walked to their stations. This was terrible. I was in dire trouble. I had to keep calm; I knew Rainbow Dash would come for me eventually. They didn’t expect that.
“I see you’re settled in your new accommodations. Hmhmhm. I bet you expect that little rainbow thing to help you? Well she won’t be, she was captured by the guards as well. They are having a little fun first before they get rid of her.” I looked up to see Bastion standing in front of me.
“What are you doing?”
“Ha ha ha. You didn’t think I’d tell him my real job would I? No, I was a royal advisor at that point. It wasn’t easy moving up in the ranks to this position, getting real close to Celestia. Let me tell ya’ Dick, she was real interested in you when you first arrived in Equestria.” How long had this guy been planning this? “In fact, she had me compile a story of your life, and one little thing surprised me. Practically nothing exists before you turn up in the forest. In fact, nothing does. Can you explain that?”
What did he mean nothing showed up? I had a life. I had a mom and a dad. I tried to think back on them, but nothing came up; just vague and blurry memories. He saw the look of confusion on my face and smirked.
“I knew it, Dick. You aren’t anything. At least you don’t remember anything. Don’t worry though; we will have plenty of time to jog that old memory of yours. We will start bright and early tomorrow. Ha ha ha.” He turned and walked away. I was too stunned to say anything back. I went to the cot and laid down. I needed to get my wits about me. What did I have on me, they hadn’t taken anything. I still had the bat and the Molotovs. I have a small pack of matches. Lastly I had a few bits, but that wasn’t going to do me any good. I couldn’t bribe the guards; they were under the idea that I was a criminal. I had to hope he was lying about Dash; he just had to be. I laid my head down to sleep. It came quickly.
“Mmm, Dick. Are you ready for round two?” The voice came from something next to me, a woman, a human woman.
“Who are you?” She gasped, taken aback.
“Ooh, do you want to play a little game?”
“What are you talking about? Where am I? Where’s Barney? He’s usually the one here.” She started laughing.
“Oh, Dick. Don’t tell me you’re gay. If you are, you put on quite the disguise.”
“Can you please answer my questions?” She controlled her laughter a little better.
“Sure thing, sweetie. You are in our home, where we live. Barney is at his home; that’s because it’s three in the morning. Also, you can tell me if you start sleeping with Barney. I’d like to make a schedule with him.”
“This is a strange dream, isn’t it?”
“Oh, Dick. Not this dream shit again. It’s bad enough that you dream of ponies, like some little girl. Dick, everyone thinks you dream about sex, since that practically all you do when you’re awake.” This wasn’t making any sense. In my dreams I had always been a detective.
“What do you mean? Sure it happens occasionally. Aren’t I some kind of big detective?” She gave a hearty laugh and had to hold onto the bed poster to stabilize herself.
“You? A big detective? Not for at least five years, Dick. You gave that up.
“What’s your name?” She gave me an endearing smile.
“Dick, you’re slow sometimes. My names Karen.” She kissed my forehead. “Now goodnight.”
Chapter X
“Wake up, Dick. We’ve got some games to play.” It was the voice of Bastion. I was back in the cell in Equestria. “Come on, Dick. We don’t have all day.” I didn’t move; I wasn’t going to give him anything. “Get him up.” Two burly pegasi burst inside the cell. The used their powerful blows to rouse me from bed and get me through the door. “Good. Now let’s go, we have some fun things planned for you. Traitor”
Bastion led the way through long corridors of the dungeons. We must have passed hundreds of cells. I didn’t think Equestria would ever have so many criminals. Finally we arrived at an unassuming wooden door.
“Well well well, looks like we’re here.” He gave one of his content laughs. The guards pushed me inside the door. There was a platform in the center. They lead me up to it, and as soon as I stood on it, my feet were frozen in place.
“What is this?” He gave me a look of fake pity.
“Oh, Dick. You didn’t think we could have you thrashing about could we? No, these will hold you until were done with our… fun; just in time for dinner.” He and the guards started to close in on me.
I had been in this damn dungeon for ten days; I knew Rainbow Dash couldn’t help me. Bastion would be here soon, but I would be waiting. I had hidden away the bat and Molotovs the first day. It was growing darker by the day. I had no idea how Twilight, Luna or Celestia were doing. I could hear the door open as Bastion entered the hallway. I grabbed a match and a bottle. His footsteps echoed in the hallway, louder and louder as he came nearer. I had to time it exactly right. It sounded like he was alone this time. I stood on the bed, where it would be hard for him to see me. The lock jiggled and the door opened.
“Come on, Dick. It’s time for your favorite activity!” I leapt off the bed onto his back. His head hit the floor and knocked him unconscious. I rifled through his pockets for the keys. I dragged his limp body into the cell and locked it, making sure I grabbed my bat and the rest of the bottles. I felt lucky I hadn’t needed to use it; I couldn’t be sure of the future however. My body ached with the wounds of his torture. I was weak from the little bread and water they gave. I would make them pay. I snuck up to the main dungeon door, the door let out to the guard post. It was empty!
I walked inside, ready to grab the bat at moment’s notice. Candles were still lit on the tables; they couldn’t have been gone for long. I hurried back to Bastion, he was stirring now.
“Wake up, Bastion. It’s time for a little game. I’m going to ask a question, and then you are going to answer it. Doesn’t that sound like fun?” He glared at me.
“I don’t think you can boss me around. The guards will arrive soon. They’re all outside that door, waiting for me to return.” I let out a cocky laugh.
“Oh, Bastion. I don’t think that’s true. I mean, I would know and all. I was just out there. It’s empty.” His eyes didn’t move at all. He had an amazing poker face. “Now back to the game! First question, how do I stop this magic nonsense?”
“Hah, you can’t stop it now! It’s far too late for that. You can’t stop us now.”
“Now, the ‘us’ you mention right there. Does that refer to your whole cult? Or perhaps just the ones at your level?”
“You think that I’m it? I’m the top? Oh what a joke! We are the tip of the iceberg!”
“Alright, that’s fine. Where would I find the rest of the iceberg?”
“Why on Earth would I tell you that?”
“You see, that’s what your underling, Xavier, said to me once. I lit him on fire. I’m not saying I like to repeat my little tricks, but I’d do it again. Just for you, of course.” His face paled. “Now, I think maybe a little fire would do you good. You had me in here for ten whole days, and not once did you use fire. I think maybe it’s because you never tried it yourself. You do try all your torture on yourself right? Otherwise that’s just cruel. What do you say? Want to tell me, or do you want some fire training?”
“You wouldn’t dare.” I had him in a corner now.
“Wouldn’t I? Well, Luna is the only one who can cure my wife, and you seem to be the only one holding Luna back from that. It seems like an easy trade to me. Your life for hers.” Now to drive it home.
“Yo-you can’t kill me! I-I’m a royal advisor!” I took out one of the bottle and a match. His eyes didn’t leave either. “Wh-what are you doing? Stop this…now!” I lit the match and held it close the wick. “D-don’t. You can’t.”
“I can, and I will. Unless you tell me how to stop this madness. Okay, Bastion?” He was sweating profusely. The wick caught fire. He nearly exploded in panic.
“I don’t know anything! PLEASE! Stop it!” I prepared myself to throw the cocktail into the cell. “WAIT!” I held my position. “I-I know something, maybe. The spell we cast on Luna, it’s fueled by people’s belief. It can’t stop unless people stop believing in it.”
“That sounds really stupid, Bastion. Can’t you come up with something more believable?” I heaved the cocktail into the adjoining cell. It burst on the opposite wall. Magnificent yellow and orange flame engulfed the entire cell. The heat was intense even as far away as I was. I made sure Bastion could see the flames flickering through the cell door.
“Now, Bastion. I’ve got at least one more of those, and I’m pretty sure it’s got your name on it. Why don’t you tell me how to really stop it?” He was sobbing in the cell.
“I-I don’t know! I was told to make it all happen.”
“By whom?”
“I don’t know! I got a letter one day, it had the royal seal on it so I assumed it was Celestia or something, trying to give her sister power.” It sounded strange, I didn’t believe it.
“You’re telling me that you received a letter that told you to start a Lunar Revolution? Where is the letter now?” He shook his head.
“I burned the letter, it told me to. It didn’t tell me to start a revolution! I just had to do that to make people follow it. It told me only of the spell. I had to keep it hidden from others, so I wrote it down in a secret location.”
“Where?” He undid his coat and showed his body. His body was adorned with strange marks and diagrams. “Oh god. What is this?”
“These are the directions I’ve been following. The note came with everything. It even suggested the Lunar Revolution.” A thought came to me about what he’d said.
“Bastion, did you ever think about WHO sent it to you?” another head shake.
“No, I didn’t. I didn’t care, it looked to important.” Shameful little minion, only ever follows orders.
“Tell me, Bastion. Who has access to the royal seals?” He thought on it for a second, calming down now that the threat of death was diminished.
“I think just the princesses.”
“Do you know where Celestia is?”
“No, I don’t. She went into hiding, she was right to if you ask me.” He gave a brief smile. “No one knows where she is tho-”
Without warning the door at the end of the hallway was blown from its hinges. I could see Rainbow Dash charging down the hallway towards me.
“I’ve come to get you, Di-. Oh.” She saw me out of the cell and Bastion inside of it. “I see you do pretty well for yourself.”
“What took you so long Rainbow Dash?” Tears came streaming down my face, for ten days I thought her dead; now I was pleasantly surprised.
“Oh you know this and that.” She came over and embraced me in a hug. Her strength sent pain through my wounds. I didn’t let go anyway.
“We have to find Celestia! She’s in grave danger.” I turned to Bastion, “Did she take Luna with her?”
“No, Luna should be in her room.” I turned to Rainbow Dash and motioned for us to go. We ran out of those dungeons.
“It would be easier to fly to it. It’s on one of the top towers.” I nodded at Rainbow’s suggestion. We exited the castle. I had never been happier to see that black sun.
Chapter XI
It must have been midday, but torches and lights were everywhere. The sun provided next to no light now. The guard posts in front of the castle were deserted. It didn’t look good.
“Come on, Dash. We have to hurry.” She nodded and she carried me off into the sky. We could see her room on the top spire. It was opposite Celestia’s, yet joined to her tower by a bridge near the middle of the tower. Stairs encircled the tower to the top. Smoke seemed to pour out of the window.
“Dash, she might be in trouble. Hurry!” We picked up speed. Close to the tower I could see that the smoke was some sort of black smog. We ran up to the grand door and attempted to push it open. It didn’t budge. We knocked, but there was no response. I told Dash to fly me in through the window.
The black smog completely covered the inside. There was the sound of loud chanting in the middle of the room. Though it was hard to see, I made it to the source of the noise. Luna was loudly chanting while looking at a piece of parchment, some of the markings looked familiar. Her mane was distorted, it was completely black, and the smog seemed to emanate from it.
“Luna, what are you doing?” She didn’t seem to hear me. I was going to have to wake her up. I grabbed the bat from my coat. With a quick turn, I ran the bat into her back. She stopped chanting immediately; the smog stopped coming from her mane. She glared at me intently. Rainbow Dash backed away towards the window. As I held my ground and the room cleared I had a thought, maybe that wasn’t the best idea.
“HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT ME?” Her voice far louder than her size bellowed throughout the room. “WHY HAVE YOU COME HERE?”
“Luna, we have something to tell you,” I had a feeling she already knew however; “Bastion is a spy.” Her look was a mixture of contempt and hatred.
“IS THAT ALL? IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE?”
“W-well, I thought it was important that you hear something he told me. He uh-“
“SPIT IT OUT!”
“He told me he was given instruction in a letter, and that the letter had a royal seal on it. Now only two ponies had access to that. That would be you and Celestia. Celestia doesn’t seem to be the one who would do this. That leaves one option open… you.” Her eyes flared.
“You think that I would do this? ME? Poor little Luna. I’m just the little sister!” I didn’t know where she was going with this.
“Yes, I do. I got a chance to look at that paper of yours while I was cowering. It’s the same spell that Bastion had.”
“Bastion had a spell? Surely you must be joking. He is behind it!”
“You know, Luna. I think that you’re behind it.” She began a dark laugh.
“You may be right about that, Dick. But that truth will die, with you!” She stood up and began to saunter towards me.
“I’m not sure what your game here is, Luna. But you will never get away with it.” Her laugh reached an astonishing crescendo.
“Oh, I think it will.” The doors to her room burst open.
“No, Luna. I think he’s right!” Luna gasped.
“Sister!” Celestia had walked through the door, a regiment of guards behind her. Luna was trembling.
“I know what you did now. I am very disappointed in you, Luna. We were raised better than that.”
“It’s too late, sister. You can’t stop me now. It’s far too late for that. The spell has been completed.”
“No, it hasn’t.” Celestia said as her horn glowed bright white. White vapors exploded outwards and rushed into the sky. They mixed with the black smog and disappeared. Luna gave out a cry.
“No! All my work!” Luna glared at me. “This is your fault.” She lowered her horn and began to charge. Her horn barely scraped my shoulder as I dodged out of the way. At the touch of her horn, my shoulder exploded into pain. The wound that had vanished before was back, and it was a darker, sickly color.
“What? It was gone!” I screamed out. Luna laughed.
“I couldn’t get rid of it my dear Dick. I needed you to have that. You were a catalyst for my spell.” Luna lowered her head and charged again. I knew I couldn’t dodge this one. Her horn stopped inches from my side. Luna’s body was covered in a white glow. Celestia’s usually calm face betrayed a deep anger.
“Luna, Dick. Stop this madness!” Celestia declared. My body couldn’t control itself; it looked like Luna’s couldn’t either. We both sat upright on the floor. “Luna, how could you betray me like this?” Luna started to sob.
“I wanted to be powerful like you! I just wanted to be loved like you.” Celestia’s face turned to a mix of pity and compassion.
“Power is not the answer, Luna. I’m afraid I must punish you for this transgression. I’m sorry for this, Luna. But I must return you to the moon.” Luna’s face turned to horror.
“No, sister please! Not the moon, not again!” Celestia horn glowed a deep white. A similar glow began to cover Luna’s body. Her screaming did not stop until the white completely covered her. Within an instant she was gone, banished to the moon. Celestia turned her gaze to me. “Now, Dick. What should I do with you?” I panicked.
“Yo-you’re going to punish me?” She laughed in her little cute way.
“Oh no, Dick. I’m making you a hero. You uncovered a plot against the throne.” I could feel control return to my body.
“How did you know I was in trouble?” I asked her.
“I believe your friend escaped in all that confusion. She came to my tower and told me.” I was dumbfounded.
“You were hiding in your tower? That’s brilliant! Hiding in a spot everyone would assume you would never hide in!” She smiled.
“You are quite the detective, Dick.” A thought popped into my head, the most important thought of all.
“Celestia, where’s my wife? Where’s Twilight?” She looked down for a while until finally returning to my gaze. She did not look happy.
“Dick, I’m afraid to tell you this, but I have no idea how to heal her. She’s still in her coma.” It was my turn to be mad.
“What do you mean you can’t fix her? What’s the cause?” She flinched at my rage.
“I think it may be from when she tried to heal your wound. It was Luna’s mark. It may have caused this in her.” She had as annoyingly calm voice.
“Well can’t you take it out?” She started to tremble very slightly.
“It can only be taken out by… Luna.”
“YOU SENT HER TO THE MOON, AND SHE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN FIX HER?” She took a step back.
“Dick, it had to be done.”
“It could have waited! When will she be back?” Celestia thought for a second.
“A few years at the least.” I was going to be without Twilight for years? I couldn’t live with that.
“There’s nothing you can do? Nothing at all?” She turned around and began thinking.
“Well, I can use my magic to keep her stabile for a few…” Her words droned on and on. I all I cared was that she couldn’t cure her. I walked out the door to the ledge. The sky was clearing up. It was bright for the first time in nearly two weeks. The sunset was beautiful. I could hear Celestia continue talking, she hadn’t noticed that I’d left. How could I live without Twilight? I called out for Celestia.
“Can you out me in a deep sleep too?” She raised her head and stared at me confused, and then it hit her.
“Of course that’s possible, Dick. Are you sure you want to?” Tears streamed down my cheek. I looked her in the eyes.
“I don’t think I could stand it any longer without my beloved wife.” She nodded.
“Then it will be done. I’ll take you to her.”
Chapter XII
She looked incredible peaceful. I wondered what she was dreaming about. I heard Celestia telling me lie down. I did so. I laid there, next to Twilight.
“Now, Dick. You will wake up when I have Twilight up. Ok?” I nodded. “Do you have any questions before I put you under?” I had only one question.
“Will I dream?” She nodded. That was perfect.