Chapter 16
Stare into the Night
As Luna's moon pooled over the Everfree Forest, the mane six were still ever vigilant on finding Zasalamel and steering clear of any carnage that he may or may not have caused. The trails the group have taken have become more gnarled and difficult to cross over, but they were the only safe routes other than the ones leading into the darker parts where more creatures could be alive and waiting.
After walking further along, the group began to get tired with how far they have progressed. It was a good thing they spotted a clearing up ahead in the distance to rest in before they continue tomorrow. With what they have brought on their trip, they decided to set up camp and enjoy a small meal while getting warm around a small campfire. As they ate, Twilight felt it was best to discuss current plans "Okay, girls. We're no doubt so far into the forest that we're sure to run into Zasalamel soon enough!"
Rarity was scoffing at how dirty her hooves were and turned to Twilight "Honestly, I don't know why in Equestria somepony like the one you've mentioned would even set hoof in this dreadful place, Twilight! What could his reason for coming here possibly be?"
Rainbow Dash nodded "Hey, yeah! I mean, we already know that he burnt one of your newest books, but why would he wanna come here afterwards??"
Twilight shot her two friends a look "First off, he's not a pony, he's a human! Secondly, that's exactly what we're trying to find out! Maybe he could be trying to find the Moon Palace and search for something important!"
Applejack turned to Twilight "What's t' find at that place? It's nothin' but ruins and there ain't much important stuff there! Ya thinkin' he might be involved with how Luna became Nightmare Moon?"
Twilight shook her head "No, Applejack. But if anything it bothers me to realize he's the only human left." She looks down "The humans were a race that have long since past, and yet here he stands in Equestria to this day...and as far as I've read in many books, he wasn't even recorded in history, save for when Doodle told me about his existence! It was as if he spent his years in hiding...but what is he hiding?"
Applejack raised an eyebrow "Th' better question is how is he even alive? Y'all said humans were extinct, right? What if that Zasalamel feller ain't even human? What if he's some kinda monster in disguise??" The farmpony then heard a squeak as she turned to see Fluttershy curl up into a ball and shiver after hearing Applejack speak. Applejack then gave an embarrased smile "Heh...Sorry, Fluttershy..."
Pinkie wolfed down what was left of her food "Well whoever he is, I just hope he's friendly! Maybe he might be willing to help us if we ask nice enough!"
Twilight shook her head "We'll have to continue our search tomorrow...Until then we'll have to get some rest."
Rarity then cleared her throat "Um, Twilight...Not to be a bother or anything, but...do you perhaps forget that we're in the middle of a dangerous forest teeming with all sorts of creatures?? We were lucky not to be met with any trouble, but that doesn't mean we won't see any more soon!"
Twilight nodded "An excellent point, Rarity!" She then levitated a scroll and quill out of her bag with her magic "Which is why I've decided to schedule times to where each of us will be taking shifts to stay up and be on the look out for anything lurking around that could spot us!"
Rainbow Dash groaned "So I won't be able to get as much sleep? Great, just great! Way to think this over, Twilight!" She crossed her forelegs and pouted at the thought of not being able to get a good night's sleep despite being in the Everfree Forest.
Applejack shot a look to Rainbow Dash "Aw, come off it, Rainbow! We're in this together! S'not like anypony else won't get much sleep neither!"
Pinkie hopped up on her legs "Yeah, and besides, this'll be our first all-nighter out in the woods! It'll be fun!"
Rainbow Dash turned to the party pony "EVERYTHING'S fun to you, Pinkie! This isn't much of a surprise..."
Twilight looked at the cyan pegasus "Regardless of Pinkie's shenanigans, we have to stay vigilant even at night! We could be lucky to find him around here sooner!"
Fluttershy looked around the campsight as her friends continued talking so she would know that it was safe before she could even go to sleep. She didn't like the dark, even if she had slept in it most of her life, and the forest only made it worse for her knowing there were creatures lurking about. While she was looking, she looked over to see a waterfall a short distance away with a small silhouette resting under a tree nearby "Umm...girls??" She spoke at a barely audible tone.
Pinkie hopped up "Can I stay up first? I wanna see how far I can go before I actually pass out! I may not have been ready while I was guarding my cake that one time on the Friendship Express, but I'm definitely bringing my A-game today!"
"G-Girls??"
Twilight nodded "Okay then, Pinkie gets first shift!" She documents it on her scroll "Who's next?"
Applejack smiles "Shoot, I'll do it! Ah need t' be ready for anythin' while were here after all."
"Girls, please, I-"
Twilight documented her notes further "Okay, so it's Pinkie then Applejack! Rainbow, would you wanna go next?"
Rainbow Dash sighed and shrugged "Fine. It's not like we're dealing with something small here if it means having to take turns looking around. I'll do it!"
Rarity raised her hoof "Twilight, is it okay if I could somehow go last? Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind doing this for us all, but I really need my beauty sleep! a small amount of hours before waking up and falling asleep again just won't do!"
The lavender bookworm chuckled "Alright, Rarity. You'll go last. Which only leaves me and-"
"GIRLS!"
The others turned to Fluttershy, who then pointed a shaking hoof over to what she saw "Look over there. I see something under a tree. I hope it isn't a monster..."
Rainbow then hopped up "I'll go check it out, everypony! Don't go anywhere!" She glided over into the deeper brush and got a better look at the silhouette. It was dark, but she noticed there was a long stick with a large curve going down from the top of it 'What kind of monster is that? I never seen anything like that in the Everfree Forest before...' her curiousity piqued, she slowly hovered closer towards the shape, only to hear the sound of light breathing. Was it asleep perhaps? She carefully drew closer and caught the full appearance with widened eyes. Keeping silent, she then flew back to her friends with her expression unchanged.
"Twilight, I think I found who you're looking for..."
_____
On the Friendship Express, Braeburn and Little Strongheart were sleeping in their room as the train rolled on. Sadly, Braeburn couldn't actually sleep with what was on his mind. The cowpony sighed and looked up as he thought of his sister 'Poor Apple Bumpkin's probably fillin' buckets o' tears while I'm gone...I hope she ain't too sad 'bout me leavin'...'
"Braeburn..."
As his name was called, he instantly snapped up and looked around. He thought he heard his sister for one moment, but then noticed that his buffalo friend was awake as well. Upon seeing this, he smiled "Oh, howdy Li'l Strongheart...can't sleep either, huh? What's on yer mind??"
Little Strongheart looked down "My tribe...I hope that they are boding well without my presence..." She looked back at the cowpony "And yourself??"
Braeburn scratched the back of his head as he looked away "I guess I can't shake th' fact that my sister's feelin' pretty bad about me leavin'...Frankly, I don't really blame 'er. She's th' only real family I've got left other than my cousins in Ponyville! Sure, she's rough 'round th' edges, but deep down inside Apple Bumpkin's th' best sister I can ask for."
Little Strongheart smiled at Braeburn's depiction of his sister, touched at how they both felt about each other. She was happy that her father gave her permission to join Braeburn knowing that she was of age. The buffalo calf could only hope that her family can do well without her for the time being, especially with what they had just experienced. A thought appeared in her head as she looked at her cowpony friend "Braeburn, this probably isn't a good time to ask, but...Where do you propose we should go in search of that...thing we've met outside my tribe's settlement??"
Braeburn paused for a moment, and then scratched his head "Huh...Guess I didn't think that one through, did I?? Well, th' train's due fer Ponyville, an' I'm sure he could be there now. But there's a possibility he coulda left fer anywhere else from there. Ponyville has plenty o' trails leadin' t' different places!" He then perked up at a thought "Say! Maybe I can get my cousin Applejack t' help us out! I'm sure as cider she'll believe me when I tell 'er about what happened yesterday!"
Little Strongheart beamed "Yes! A wonderful idea! We may need her and her friends for this task! The Elements of Harmony may be our only chance in finding out the significance of that cloaked figure's passing..."
Braeburn nodded "Alrighty then! We'll find th' element bearers and then maybe our journey can really begin!" The cowpony wanted to go back to sleep, but now he was bustling with energy at his excitement "Hehehe, well so much fer that." He hopped off of his bed and picked up his hat with his mouth, tossing it onto his head "Say, Li'l Strongheart! Wanna join me fer a small walk?? Ain't much else t' do right now!"
Little Strongheart looked at the cowpony, and then smiled "Sure. I'll gladly join you, Braeburn." She picked herself up and trotted to Braeburn's side as the two shared a warm smile and opened their cabin door and made their way into the hall. With that, they began their little stroll to wear themselves out before returning for a good night's sleep.
As they strolled by, a door was left open as the passenger inside was sleeping. There was a fedora on the nightstand as the zebracorn that was tucked in bed turned and mumbled in his sleep "Errr...First Immortality...then the bitches..."
_____
In the streets of Manehattan, the night life was good around most areas, but there were few residents that took the time to trot to their respective homes after having enough fun. But while many had their homes, one particular unicorn mare was found trotting on the sidewalk with her head hung down, her eyes buried under her large magician's hat.
There wasn't much left to turn to when your only home had been smashed to bits a while back, and there could only be a time where the Great and Powerful Trixie would find a proper meal after breaking her back performing shows to passerbyers in the city and earning some bits. She growled as she cursed the one responsible for her current predicament "That Twilight Sparkle...the nerve of that one having to put Trixie in this tragic situation!" She would gladly curse another certain pony, but the one called Gabby Gums had unknowingly vanished after revealing her secret 'Oh, if that Gabby Gums were to be found here in Manehattan...SHE is the reason Trixie can barely get anypony to watch her shows and offer payment!' She passed an alley as she growled under her breath.
A good distance away from Trixie, there were two shadows that were found lurking in an alley.
The azure unicorn continued to rant to herself "This is beyond unacceptable! The Great and Powerful Trixie should not choose to suffer like this because somepony decided to challenge her magical abilities! She should not even be performing such meager shows hustling her next meal!" She rose on her hind legs and struck a hoof to the sky as she yelled "There shall be Tartarus to pay once Trixie has you in her hooves, Twilight Sparkle!" After finishing her rant, she noticed that she wasn't alone as a stallion in front of Trixie was staring at her as if she grew a second head. She then regained her composure and glared at the stallion "And just what are YOU looking at, commoner??"
The stallion raised an eyebrow "Talking to yourself's bad for ya, lady...Especially in third person! It gets kinda annoying." It would seem he had listened to her vent for a short amount of time.
Trixie scoffed and leered at him "Do you not know who I am!? I am she who's magic is unrivaled by ANY unicorn in Equestria! I am the one who has performed feats that nopony else had dared to perform! I am the-"
She was then interrupted "The Great and Powerful Trixie~!" He replied in a sarcastic tone as he waved his forelegs in the air in mock awe. Trixie was then met with a deadpan stare "I heard you talking before, and I'm sure as Luna that everypony else has heard you as well...Sorry, but I haven't exactly heard of you. Now if you'll excuse me, I better be getting home now." He trotted past her nonchalantly, avoiding the piercing glare that was being given "See ya!"
Trixie continued glaring, then simply turned her head away in a huff with her snout in the air. She then resumed her trotting as she and the nonbeliever made their distance.
While the stallion was walking, he heard an alluring and melodic voice echoing from the alley, turning to it "Huh??" The crescendo in the feminine tone of voice was tantalizing, beckoning for him to venture into the alley and find the source. After a few more seconds of waiting, he himself trotting forward with an tranced smile on his face. When he went further inside, he noticed two shadows coming into view and wondered why he only heard one singing voice.
The voice grew louder and more vivid as he neared the two shadows, but then widened his eyes when one of the shadows lunged forward and ensnared the stallion, causing him to yelp. Writhing in his grasp, he noticed that the voice had ceased once he was captured, and could only stare at his captor as the figure responsible was hidden under a large cloak shrouding its appearance while the other was the same, only smaller. When he caught sight of what appeared to be its mouth, he noticed it give a wicked grin and showing it had sharp canine teeth, making him sweat beads and whimper.
Outside the alley, Trixie was only trotting until she heard a loud and familiar yell, making her turn around "What in Equestria??" She muttered to herself as the shout was abruptly ceased. She was certain she had seen the particular stallion who had doubted her fame across Equestria trot behind her a moment after mocking her abilities. She suspiciously trotted back towards the alley as she peaked towards the edge to see what was going on.
The stallion Trixie spoke to earlier looked pale as the bite mark on his neck leaked what blood he had left. The larger shadow rubbed its mouth with an arm and gave a satisfied sigh "Your singing was amazing as always, my dear...Well done." The voice was masculine, sounding regal and charismatic.
The smaller shadow hung its head down as a feminine voice was heard "...I wanted him to live..." Her tone was almost monotonous and hollow "...He was cute like the others..."
The larger shadow turned to the smaller and spoke "Now you know we don't have much to work with like we have in the past! And what could we possibly do with these disgusting ponies as minions? I'm sorry, but we must feed in order to survive...I promise that maybe we'll find you a pony of choice once we've achieved our goals, okay??"
The smaller shadow was silent, but then it gave a nod "Okay...Thank you, daddy..."
Trixie noticed the corpse on the ground and felt sick to her stomach at the sight of him. What were monsters other than gangsters doing in Manehattan? Before she could sneak away, the larger shadow turned to the alley's entrace "I hear something..."
Her heart skipped a beat as she wanted to gallop away. But then it hit her: What if she were to expose these monsters and vanquish them? She would no doubt be rewarded with fame and money. She smiled at the very thought and turned to the alley with a look of determination, galloping a few feet into the alley and planting her hooves on the pavement in a defensive fashion as her cape fluttered in the night's wind "Tis I, foul beast of the night! You are in the presence of your demise and shall know what pain is before I send you back to the depths from whence you came!"
The larger shadow advanced forward with a chuckle "Oh? And what is the name of my demise, if you don't mind me asking?" It spoke in a condescending tone, almost similar to Trixie's time in Ponyville.
Trixie only grinned "Very well, demon! It is only best that you know who you're dealing with before you perish, after all!" She rose onto her hind legs "It is I! The Great and Powerful Trixie!!" A small amount of fireworks managed to pop behind her for her dramatic pose.
The larger shadow only paused, and then began chuckling before it turned into a loud and callous laughter. This caused Trixie to raise an eyebrow towards the shadow as it stepped forward again "How foolish of you...to anger me..." It moved its arm and gripped a fold of its cloak before ripping it off and tossing it aside, revealing its true form to Trixie as she stood stunned at the demon's appearance.
It was another bipedal figure, only it was donning a green royal outfit complete with armor on its upper torso and an amazing cape fluttering in the wind. His blonde hair was a sight to behold, but his eyes were much more than that. They were a soulless red, leering down at the showmare as he gave a condescending smirk at her stunned expression. He then pulled out a blade out of a scabbard resting at his waist and pointed his thin blade after spinning it elegantly.
"Welcome...Let us celebrate your demise..."
End of Chapter 16