//------------------------------// // Chapter Four - Old Faces, New Tricks // Story: The Midnight Mares - Crazy Canterlot Catastrophe. // by Ausbrony //------------------------------// By the time Pockets arrived to the yard, she could see a large gathering of both Lunar and Solar guards hollering and cheering and passing around bits. “Yo, watch it. Small unicorn guard coming through, let me- HEY! No butt touching without my permission!” She huffed, using her small size to easily squeeze her way to the front lines. By the time she made it through though… it was just in time to see a large male griffon punch Midnight right in the face, sending her flying from the massive force of the blow and tumbling across the ground. “Come on!” the griffon yelled, pulling up his tattered red scarf. “You’re fighting like a little foal!” “Oh fuck you!” Midnight groaned as she rolled to her hooves and then shot forward, flying barely an inch off of the ground as she screeched. The griffon merely stepped to one side and grabbed her back leg as she flew by, before lifting her and slamming her into the ground. “Ohhhh,” the crowd moaned and winced. “What… the buck is going on?” Pockets said, a frown starting to grow on her face. A yellow pegasus stallion who was next to her looked over as Midnight struggled to get up. “Huh? Oh, it’s Midnight versus Aerial Ace. Though, nopony’s ever seen Midnight get beaten so badly before…” “What happened to my student?” Ace sighed. “You’re fighting like a rookie. No, scratch that. A rookie could fight better than you.” “Shut up!” Midnight yelled and flew high, before taking a sharp dive right at him. “So angry,” he sighed and crouched slightly, once she was in reach, he delivered a brutal uppercut, the resulting crack made the crowd wince again as Midnight once again hit the dirt. “Your technique is sloppy, you’re telegraphing your moves so obviously that even an illiterate could read them and-” “I said. SHUT UP!” Midnight rolled to her hooves and drew her wingblades, racing at him again. The griffon sighed and narrowed his eyes. What happened next was almost a blur to everyone. He fist shot forward and impacted her chest. There was a brief pause, a moment that passed in the blink of an eye before the single punch exploded! The sheer force behind it caused ponies in the front row to tumble as Midnight was shot back like she had been fired from a cannon, landing well over two dozen feet away. “Hey, you brute!” Came a voice from behind Ace, a very angry voice growling at him. Ace turned and saw a rather short-statured navy blue unicorn stomp towards him. His eyes widened slightly. Her magical aura was… Well wasn’t that interesting. “Oh damn, what the hell is she doing?” “She’s toast.” “Ten bits on the tiny hornhead.” “Twenty on Ace.” Ace chuckled as he adjusted his scarf. “Can I help you little one?” “Yes, as it turns out, I do not like how you’re treating my marefriend.” She huffed, scuffing her hoof on the ground, “So now I’m going to have to beat your sorry little ass, is that cool with you? Cool.” “Heh, I am merely sparring with my student,” Ace replied. “And she was beaten because of poor form. She usually fights much better than this. Something heavy is weighing on her heart and a good fight is just the cure.” “Oh yes, what an excellent cure, breaking her bones and leaving her unconscious.” Pockets snorted in disgust, her tone intensifying ever so slightly with each word “You said a rookie could do better than her? Let’s test that out. You and me, first one to either get knocked out or surrender, loses.” “Interesting,” Ace mused and clicked his beak. “Wait, marefr—” That was all he got out before a hoof connected with the side of his face, slamming it into the dirt as Midnight perfectly executed the rest of her flip kick… By face planting the dirt as well. Still, she held up the one leg that wasn't broken and cheered. “Hah! Eat that bird brain!” Pockets blinked, and looked at Midnight utterly confused and shocked, some slight frustration sneaking in there due to the fact she wanted to kick him herself, “Uhm… you’re still… unconscious… well that is definitely not weird.” Midnight didn't move… or respond… “Well, can't say I expected that,” Ace replied as he picked himself up. “You and me both pal.” Pockets sighed, poking the mare to see if she got any sort of response, “Damn, today's been pretty bucking weird. One minute I’m having a cup of tea with the Princess, the next minute Midnight is getting her flank royally kicked!” “We were sparring, only Midnight seems to have forgotten a significant portion of her training,” Ace replied as he picked her unconscious form up. “But let us make for the medic. She’s going to require treatment.” “I'd ask how the heck is that sparing, buuut… yeah, let’s do that, sounds like the best idea right now.” Pockets began to pick the mare up with her head, grunting when she realized this wasn't going to be easy, “You ok there batty?” Unconscious Midnight’s response was oddly silent. Seems Unconscious Midnight wasn't much of a talker. “Glad to know.” Pockets grinned with a half-aired chuckle. She managed to get Midnight on her back, and soon realized her body wasn't made for carrying cargo, “Okay…. no more bugs for you Missy, getting kinda heavy there… I’m already starting to miss using my magic.” She sighed, making her way towards the medical wing with the most wobbly of legs. “Yo, batty.” Pockets wasn't a very patient mare. It was because of that -poke- that for the last half an hour -poke- she had been poking Midnight's -poke- face nonstop. ‘Nrrgh, go’way….’ “Nope, won’t do it.” Pockets poked her face once more. Hey at least it seemed to get results. “Buzzoff,” she mumbled and rolled over. Celestia, everything hurt. “I’m no fly nor a Pegasus, so can’t do that.” Pockets poked once more, “If you don’t wake up I’ll poke in places you do not want me to poke.” “Ten minutes… or hours…” she mumbled again, her wings twitching. It was then… that she got poked in the tip of her muzzle, Pockets’ hoof staying there and doing circles with it while making weird wub-wub noises, “Waaaake uuuuup.” Then she got the end of her hoof bitten. Pockets’ hoof jerked back and a single, pained tear left her right eye, “Don’t scream ‘buck’… don’t scream ‘buck’…” She whispered to herself, kissing her injury. She took a few quick breaths, before sighing and deciding to ignore the small stinging sensation, “Seriously if you don’t wake up I’ll do something in front of everyone and… let’s just say you will not be happy with me.” Ace stood by, then flexed his talons… and sharply pinched Midnight’s rump. “Eeeeeaaahhhhh!?!?” Midnight leapt up and screamed at the sharp and unexpected attack. Once she landed, she turned and glared hard at Ace. “That HURT you son of a—” “Boop.” Pockets said with a smile, booping Midnight's muzzle with a cute tilt of her head, “About time you woke up.” Midnight winced, realising most of her body was still in a good deal of pain. “...ow.” “You'd not be so bad off if it wasn’t for that pitiful performance,” Ace replied with a small nod, before leaning down and hugging the thestral, one she returned. “It's good to see you again.” “Geez, lucky you pulled some of those punches,” Midnight winced as they broke the hug. “How long have I been out?” “Only two hours,” the unicorn nurse replied. “Healing you was no easy effort by the way. You'll be tender for a day or two.” “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you!” Pockets grinned from ear to ear, “What’s the worst that could happen?” The nurse, Midnight and Ace all sighed applied hooves/talons to the faces. “Well great, so now that Pockets has incited the apocalypse,” Midnight groaned. “What brings you to Canterlot Acey?” “To see you, amongst other things,” he replied and then looked to the smallest unicorn in the room. “So, who might this be?” “This,” Midnight said and ruffled her mane. “Is my adorable little marefriend. You know, an actual one.” Aerial Ace fell very silent as he moved around the bed and now the massive, scarred griffon loomed over Pockets. “Uhm…” Pockets gulped, trying her best to give him an innocent, trustworthy grin, which came more of a ‘Holy-shit-he’s-scary’ kind of grin, “Hi? I’m… Pockets.” She raised her now shaky hoof to him. He took her hoof, his single hand almost encompassing half her leg… before pulling her into a tight, feathery hug that caused her lungs to call it quits. “I'm so happy Midnight has found someone again!” he cried rather loudly. “Tis a most joyous day indeed!” “Y-yes… joy… air… need it, help!.” Pockets’ almost inaudible squeaks came out, her face going red real fast. “Ace, I kinda like that one, so could you please not kill her?” Midnight deadpanned. The griffon blinked and looked down, before releasing her. “Ah, so sorry tiny unicorn. I forget not all ponies are as tough as Midnight.” “I feel like I should take offense to that.” The unicorn breathed in, glaring at the griffon, “So… Aerial Ace huh? Middy said a lot of things about you, scary things mind you. Nice to meet you I guess, even though I still kinda want to beat your butt for what you did to Middy.” “Scary?” Ace tilted his head and looked at Midnight, who just whistled innocently. “Ah, well perhaps my training can be a little… eh, scary,” he chuckled and ruffled Pocket’s mane. “But the results speak for themselves no? Or, have you not witnessed Midnight fight at all?” “Oh I’ve seen her alright, and she’s just as scary as her trainer.” Pockets smirked at the thestral with a wink. “Nah, I’m a lot scarier and a lot sexier,” Midnight winked back and winced again. “Ahh owowowow...” “My dear student,” Ace sighed and shook his head. “What was with that performance? Your heart wasn’t in it and your emotions were all over the place. What has happened recently that has made you so?” “Nothing!” Midnight snapped back a little too loudly. “Nothing happened alright! Just drop it!” “It’s just been some rough weeks, that’s all.” Pockets sighed. Yet she knew better, and because of that, she knew the topic had to be dropped one way or another, “Ya know, saving a town, a few guys attacked us, eh the usual.” “Sounds like something Midnight usually deals with,” Ace turned and looked at the bat. “Midnight. Tell me the truth.” “Buzz off,” she muttered and folded her arms. “Did you fail a mission?” “No.” “Is your family alright?” “Never better.” Ace paused and then looked at Pockets… specifically her neck, “You hurt her…” “I DIDN’T MEAN TO!” Midnight snapped and jumped up, ignoring the burning pain. “Nope,” Pockets gently pushed Midnight back down, “None of that, you’re crazy injured and need to rest. So calm yo teats and let me.” She glanced at the griffin and sighed, “She didn’t mean to. We got tricked, one of the attackers switched places with me at the last possible second. Only goes to show how awesome Midnight is, stopping her attack like a true pro.” “You were able to stay your blade? Even while in a Lyrica Trance?” Ace looked, rather impressed actually. “Well, I thought as much, seeing as how the little pony here still has a head.” Midnight just remained silent, she still felt terrible about it. “Oh for… look, Mister Ace right? Look pal, I know she shouldn’t have gone into that Leggings Trance or however it’s called. I know she almost cut my head off, and she almost went all murdery or something.” Pockets said, not helping Midnight in the slightest, “But that’s the key word, ‘Almost’. She stopped, and from what I can tell because so far I know as much as a bucking brick, that is a good thing. So you!” She pointed at Midnight, “Stop acting all depressed and stuff, you are amazing and did nothing wrong, deal with it. And you!” She turned to Ace, “Please stop rubbing it on her face please? She don’t need any of that crap.” “I am not ‘rubbing it in’ as you so put it,” Ace replied. “Midnight just has a terrible habit of not seeing her flaws unless someone slaps her in the face with them.” “Yeah, thanks,” Midnight sighed and rolled her eyes. “And first, it’s called Lyrica. ‘Li-Ri-Ca’ and…” she paused and shook her head. “I guess, I have no idea where you get all that faith in me from. But, thanks Pickett.” “Hey, I’m your marefriend, kinda comes with the contract.” Pockets giggled, kissing her cheek, “And… sorry if I’m still a bit stressed and… well more ‘me’ than usual. I just really don’t like seeing Midnight sad, or beaten the bat out of her for that matter.” She gave Ace an apologetic smile, and shrugged, “You seem to know her even better than me, I’m still in the process of understanding the rare specimen that is the ‘Midnight Song’, so yeah…” “Ah, I wish you luck in your endeavours,” Ace nodded solemnly. “I have studied that species for fifteen years, and am no closer to completing it.” “I hate you both,” Midnight muttered and folded her forelegs. “And… what about you Pockets? What about that weird magic you did to me?” Pockets froze, and chuckled awkwardly, “Ooooh, look at that time! I have… things… yes. I have to go do some important stuff, like… feeding the fish?” “We don’t have fish, or any other pet for that matter,” Midnight replied as she sat up and leaned closer. “What aren’t you telling me? You know I’ll get it out of you. So save us the time and slightly pleasurable effort of me doing so.” “Heheh… uhm, it’s my brand new… illusion spell!” Pockets said dubiously, yet deciding this was her best shot at anything, “Yes! You know me, I like to do things in big, flashy ways. So I added some lights and some echoey voice changers and then did… illusiony things…” “So that’s how it’s going to be huh?’ Midnight closed her eyes and sat back. “Well… guess I’ll have to cancel our date tonight then. I’m feeling just a little too sore now.” The thief’s eyes widened up, “No… no that’s just straight up playing dirty!” She huffed and in the most ridiculously haughty way possible, raised her head, “It will not work with me, Missy. My lips are sealed!” “Mm, too bad I guess. If those lips are sealed, I suppose that means we can’t go eat at Paradiso. You know, that fancy restaurant that has a waiting list of over a year?” Midnight shrugged and shook her head. “Guess I could always take somepony else… Maybe Ace here?” “You wouldn’t dare.” Pockets narrowed her eyes in defiance. “Try me,” Midnight shot back. “It’s really too bad. I hear their ice-cream is the best in Equestria.” And now she was using ice-cream against her, oh Pockets hated how much this mare knew her, “I…” Pockets had no idea of what to do. The mare who would usually just pick the coolest-sounding option without thinking twice, had no way of choosing easily now. There was no cool option! On one hoof, freaking Princess Celestia had told her to keep her muzzle shut, on the other hoof her marefriend was bribing her with fancy ice-cream. Royalty, or ice-cream. A promise made to Celestia herself, or Middy and ice-cream. Huh… well this was harder than what she thought it’d be. But then… Pockets had an idea. An idea she should have thought way sooner because both Middy and Ace had been staring at her blank expression for like a minute now. Why not tell half the truth! That way she could keep Midnight happy, and not reveal anything that would break her promise to Celestia! Genius! There’s no way this could go wrong. “You… see. That is actually a brand new spell me and… Princess Celestia have been working on. Yes. That. It’s actually a top secret experimental spell so yeah I can’t really tell it to you?” Pockets raised her shoulders, “It’s complicated. And I’m only telling you this because I care about you, I love you, and you wont freaking stop until you at least heard that.” Midnight narrowed her eyes, before sighing lightly and sitting back in her bed. “Fine. I get it. You can’t trust me with it. Everypony is entitled to a secret or two yeah?” Pockets lowered her head and whimpered, her ears falling flat. She really didn’t like keeping secrets to Midnight, and her guilt-tripping was not helping at all. “She won’t say because I asked her to,” a voice said as Princess Celestia entered the room. “Playing like that is not fair Miss Song.” Midnight’s eyes widened and she flattened her ears as well. “I’m sorry. That was really crappy of me. I… I don’t even know why I said it.” She looked over at Pockets and lowered her head. “I really am sorry.” First she hurt her physically, now emotionally, she really was the worst marefriend ever... “I will forgive you… with one condition.” Pockets grinned maliciously, already feeling way better and making a mental note, ‘Thank Sunbutt later’. “A… condition?’ Midnight said and blinked slowly. Ohhh stars, she had a bad feeling about this. “Yes, a condition.” Pockets giggled like a little devil, “But this condition is special, you have to go with it or say no-no before I give the terms.” “Why do I feel like making a deal with Discord is safer?” Midnight moaned to herself and nodded her head. “No, I’ll accept it. I’ve been a crappy marefriend.” Pockets giggled, then chuckled, and that chuckle turned into a laugh which in turn turned into an evil cackle, “In our date… you, Midnight Song! Will…” “Will?” Midnight gulped. She suddenly felt really cold for some reason. Dear Celestia, she’d unleashed Nightmare Pockets. “Let me…” Pockets’ figure loomed over Midnight with a bright, white, incredibly creepy and startling grin. “L-Let you?” Midnight shivered slightly. Even Ace and Celestia had taken a step back, wondering what the demonic mare had conjured for the poor thestral. “Have…” Suddenly the room felt as if darkness itself had filled it, a sense of dread and death and demise taking over Midnight. Ace and Celestia leaned closer as the thestral tried shrinking back into her pillow “Oh just get on with it!” The nurse exclaimed from across the room as she sorted some files. “Four scoops of ice-cream!” The unicorn then grinned like a filly. Ace and Celestia fell forward, groaning at the utterly anti-climactic request. “.......wut?” Midnight blinked. “You heard me. Four scoops of ice-cream for me and me alone! You, you butt, didn’t let me eat too much last time because ‘Oh you have to watch your weight. A Royal Guard shouldn’t be overweight’ Well who’s laughing now, huh!?” Ace just chuckled as Celestia actually laughed out loud. Gods, even her laugh was perfect. Midnight sighed and then reached up, pulling the unicorn into a hug. “You… you smol, weirdo thief. You can have as much ice-cream as you like.” “Yay~!” Pockets giggled, nuzzling Midnight. Then she got another idea. She smirked and whispered into her ear, “And I also have another much more special request I will tell you about later~” “Mm, I have one right now,” Midnight purred and motioned at a nearby rack that had a nurse’s outfit on it. “Once Ace and Celestia leaves, I might need some… special attention~” The unicorn blinked, doing the two plus two, turning a few gears in her head, before finally getting what she meant by that, “Ohhh! Well, I guess if it can’t be helped, little nurse Pockey can help you~” She mused, before trapping Midnight's lips in her own in a deep, passionate kiss. “Hmhmhm, I see my student hasn’t changed a bit,” Ace chuckled and looked at Celestia. “Well, I’m also happy to see you’re still kicking. Shall we leave these two and have our usual?” “Mm, sounds like a plan you crazy old bird,” Celestia tittered. “Midnight, Pickett, we’ll see you later. Oh, and Pickett? Could you meet me at the Royal Archives when you’re done?” Celestia only got what seemed like a mix between a hum and a ‘got it’ as a response. The alicorn just shook her head in amusement and left the two lovers be. The nurse paused and watched for a bit, before a golden glow surrounded her and dragged her out as well. Midnight broke the kiss and stroked Pocket’s cheek with a hoof. “Sorry I’ve been such a dumb butt lately.” “Please, you are talking to the queen of dumb butts.” Pockets snorted and gave Midnight a soft nuzzle, “I love all of you, both the good and the bad, just remember that ‘kay?” “Fine, and I guess I owe you a little explanation later. But right now…” She glanced at the nurse uniforms that were on a nearby shelf. “Oh no, I’m feeling a little cold. I do hope my pretty nurse knows how to warm me up~” Pockets vanished with a flash of her horn, only to return with a white nurse uniform and a smirk across her face, “Is that so? Well we can’t have that now can we?” She mused, crawling up the bed and slowly making her way up until her muzzle was inches away from Midnight’s. “Now this is grade A healthcare~” Midnight giggled and kissed her. For the first time in a while, Midnight felt… better. Pockets was following a castle worker to the Archives, a slight limp in her gait. Midnight lied when she said how much energy she had… dirty cheater. She soon reached the room, the entrance guarded by some stoic looking stallions with very pointy spears. It was a bit weird to guard a buncha books and scrolls wasn’t it? Still, she was shown inside and found Celestia in the centre of the first room, along with another unicorn. “Ah, and she arrives,” Celestia smiled at her. “Hello Miss Pickett. Good of you to join us finally.” “Oh hey, sorry about that. Was a bit… busy.” She chuckled, taking a good luck at the place, “So, why am I here again?” “We’re going to see if we can find a record of the magic you have,” Celestia said and motioned to her other guest. “Oh, allow me to introduce you. This is Moondancer, she graduated from my school with top marks, second only to Twilight Sparkle.” Moondancer… Moon...dancer… why was that name oddly familiar? Huh, she’d think about that later. She shot the unicorn a smile and a lazy salute, and… couldn’t help but feel she had seen that face before. Eh, her mind was probably playing tricks on her, “Sup! Nice to meet ya.” Moondancer looked up from her book at her, studying her form. “So, this is the unicorn with the empathic magic?” “We think that’s what it might be,” Celestia nodded. “The spell she performed with Midnight Song is leaning towards that conclusion, but that fact she consumed her own magic makes me think otherwise.” “...Interesting,” Moondancer replied. As she turned, Pockets spied a necklace she wore, her thieving habits naturally attracted her to shiny things. It was an oval-shaped silver pendant with a musical stave. A familiar one. Well it looked familiar, given that she’d just spent a nice portion of her time staring at something with that exact marking. “No, Pockets, focus dammit! You are in an important meeting and crap!” She thought to herself, getting rid of those thoughts so she could return her attention to Celestia and Moondancer. “—And so, have you considered that option?” Moondancer said to the Princess, neither having noticed Pocket’s little moment. “Yes, we tried with mine, but it didn’t work,” Celestia said. “Now, aside from the Forbidden Section, you two have unlimited access to our records here. I need to take care of a few things so I’ll return in a few hours alright?” “Of course, thank you for giving me this chance Princess.” Moondancer bowed her head. “That’s quite alright,” Celestia smiled. She turned and looked at Pockets. “Best of luck… and don’t steal anything.” “Not even one book?” Pockets pouted, “I really like reading adventure stories during my free time.” “You may borrow,” Celestia said and nuzzled her. “And remember to play nice. Moondancer is here to help you after all.” She turned and nodded at said unicorn before taking her leave. The two unicorns now alone in the massive library. “Sooo… Moondancer, right?” Pockets grinned, leaning against a bookshelf, “I have the best idea of where to start looking.” “Is that so?” Moondancer replied. “Then do enlighten me.” “Why the Forbidden Section of course!” Pockets said with her hoof in the air, “What better way to search for weird-ass magic than there!” “Oh I don’t know,” Moondancer said with no small amount of sarcasm. “Maybe because it’s called the Forbidden Section. You know, the section Princess Celestia just told us NOT to go in!?” “Come on! I really have a feeling that our answers are in there.” Pockets nudged her after teleporting right next to the taller unicorn, much to her annoyance, “It will be our little secret, you and me, sisters in crime!” “No. Definitely no and ABSOLUTELY NO!” Moondancer replied. “I will start in Foreign Magicks and you can go over to Empathic magicks in that section,” the mare replied. She turned and then paused. “...What did you do to Midnight Song by the way? The, information might be helpful.” “You mean that night? I… honestly have no idea.” Pockets shrugged, “I hugged her, hoped for the best, and tried to keep all my emotions in check. And things apparently went weird, but I felt nothing different going on.” Moondancer paused as she went over that, and what Celestia had told her that Midnight felt. She was already getting a small clue, but lacked the major pieces of this puzzle. “Hmm, is it possible that she enforced her will upon her? But… that would hint at mind control…” “Hey hey now, even if I have no idea of what I did, I would never, in a million years, cast a mind controlling spell of her!” Pockets exclaimed, scanning the room with her eyes, “Anyways... if you really don’t wanna go to the Forbidden Area, I guess I’ll go check the Empathetic Magicks area or whatever it’s called.” “Empathic,” Moondancer sighed. “But if you have no idea what you did, looking for it will be difficult.” The unicorn walked off to the section she wished to examine, leaving Pockets on her own in the massive library. Pockets looked at the other unicorn as she left, before turning around and realizing that… she had no idea where to look, what to look for, or even where exactly she was standing, “... Well, time to work I guess.” She sighed and ventured into the unknown depths of the Royal Library. Moondancer floated around a half dozen tomes in front of her, her eyes scanning the pages but nothing seemed to even remotely related to this odd magic. Was it possible that the thief somehow scammed Celestia? Was this all a ploy to get to Midnight’s rather wealthy family!? The unicorn snorted and shook her head. No, neither of them would be that foolish. She placed several of the books back and looked though the titles on the shelf before taking a small stack of scrolls… and once she took a heavy enciclopedia, she saw the most ridiculous, silliest grimace she had ever seen. All courtesy of the small navy blue unicorn at the other side. “Kyyyaaaa!” Moondancer screamed and backpedalled, falling onto her rump. “W-W-Wha? You!?” “Booooo, I’m the spoooopy ghost of the deceased fun times brutally murdered by these books!” Pockets said as she waved her hooves around. Moondancer took a moment to get her racing heart under control. She sighed and placed a hoof to her chest. “We are supposed to be studying,” she said flatly and put the book back in the shelf, blocking Pocket’s face. The smaller unicorn teleported right next to her and let out a loud groan, “But I’m boooored! Those books were just… ehg.” “Uneducated pony,” Moondancer shook her head. “The foal’s section is near the front if you want something more at your level.” “Haha, very funny.” Pockets rolled her eyes, “It’s not that I’m uneducated. But that reading more about Apathic Magick would be useless.” “Oh for the love of… go find a dictionary and read that, please!” “Wow, rude much?” Pockets quirked an eyebrow, before walking around and looking up to the beautiful ceiling, “Look, I don’t have Love Magic, Clover the Clever himself said that this kind of magic was rare and exclusive to those descendant of the Crystal Empire’s legitimate rulers. And it was Arcane Discovery who said that Love Magic is only present when there is love involved. Back when I was with Celestia I didn’t feel much of that, more like… frustration.” Moondancer’s jaw could not have dropped any further. “I… uh… what!? You… you’re smart!?” “I feel like I should be offended by that.” Pockets deadpanned, before shrugging, “And it’s simple really, just had to read. In fact I went ahead and found a tome from this guy… what was his name? Starbutt the Mustachioed? Well he wrote about different kinds of rare magic. None fit the glove, the closest thing is Love Magic. Meaning that whatever sort of magic my horn is farting, Stardust never heard of it.” “Starswirl,” Moondancer corrected, losing any respect she’d just gained for the petite mare. “And if you know all that, then why are we here?” “Because it means we have to dig deeper!” Pockets grinned, “Not even Celestia or Stargaze know about my weird magic, meaning it either is a brand new type of magic which I doubt, or an incredibly old one. And where do we read about legends from before Equestria was a thing?” “I… don’t know,” Moondancer sighed, giving up on correcting her as she looked around. “I don’t know if there is anything like that here. Maybe in the Crystal Empire…” “Maybe. But we’re in Canterlot and we have to make do with what we can,” Pockets walked towards a certain area Moondancer would have never thought looking at in a million years, “We have to look in our most basic of legends. You gave me quite the idea ya know? Because there’s no better place for that than…” “The foals section!?” Moondancer exclaimed. “You have got to be kidding?” “Nope, I’m serious.” Pockets smirked, immediately taking hold of a random book and opening it, “Every legend, every myth has a base of truth. Dunno about you, but I’ll do my research here. You can either join me or waste the rest of your day looking for something you won’t find.” Moondancer frowned, but decided to humor her at least. She hadn't found anything all day, so… why the buck not? She looked at one shelf and a small gasp escaped her lips. “Found something interesting?” Pockets asked from nearby, reading a story about an earth pony, a cow, beans, a goose, and giants. “Kind of,” Moondancer sighed as she took a book out titled ‘The Fox and the Rabbit’ “It’s a book I haven’t seen since…” She paused and sighed, putting the book back. “Never mind.” “Nope!” Pockets pushed the book she was reading back on its place and walked towards Moondancer, “I wanna hear it, there’s no ‘Nevermind’ with me!” “It’s just a book that… that me and an old marefriend used to read is all. She used to joke that I was the Fox and she was the Rabbit.” “Sounds like a nice memory.” Pockets giggled and nudged Moondancer, “Good memories ain’t anything to be ashamed of, they are made to be remembered fondly. Also I can so see you in a fox outfit.” “Goddess above, you are just like her,” Moondancer sighed and sat on her rump. “So… how is Midnight? Is… she doing okay?” “Hmm? Middy? Oh yeah she’s doing great. Well considering someone tried to kill us and then somepony else tried robbing her parents’ place, she’s doing rather well.” Pockets nodded, “Tonight we’ll celebrate our first month together. Why do you ask?” So, the rumors Moondancer heard were true, that Midnight was seeing this mare. “No reason, just curious,” Moondancer brushed Pockets’ question off and turned back to the shelf. “I’m still waiting to see why we’re looking through foals books.” “Two reasons.” Pockets said as her gaze traveled from title to title, “So we can take a break from all the super complicated stuff, and because you never know what wonders they hold.” Her magic took hold of a thin green and gold book with a gorgeously painted magical forest as a cover, the title of the book was written in gorgeous corsiva-styled writing which read ‘The Legend of Tall Tale’, a book Pockets knew all too well, “Have ya ever read this one?” Moondancer read the title and shook her head. “No, I can’t say that I have actually.” “It’s actually a pretty cool story, a local myth from the city I used to live in. Though I haven't read it in forever, what with me being banned from the library because I was a bit… overenthusiastic when reading. Here, give it a read, you’ll see why I like it so much.” Pockets smiled and passed the book to her. Still dubious, Moondancer took the book regardless as she stared at the cover for a moment. She’d certainly never heard of the title, and despite being a foal’s storybook, the joy of reading something new still sparked in her eyes. She set the book down, opened the cover and started to read... Hear o’ hear, fillies and colts of all ages, the story of the tiniest one between all mages. The story of a breezie who was quite bold, yet in the inside held a heart of pure gold. Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, back when the world used to be a much simpler place. Ponies back then were quite different from what they are now, Breezies have remained the same from then to the ages to come. For to the Breezies, even before Equestria was founded, one and one thing only has always commanded. Just like their name dares to suggest, on the breeze and the currents their whole life depends. And that was the only thing they ever cared, their survival in this world far bigger than theirs. And some would say this would never change, that Breezies would forever on the breeze depend. Yet those who believe that have never ever met, the greatest, the mightiest, the small-sized Tall Tale. A hero who stood up against nature itself, and claimed victory against the northern cold days. It all began in one fateful day, when from the North a powerful, chilling breeze suddenly came. Grass turned white, and birds stopped singing, the air turned cold, and snow froze the little breezies. And oh my little reader, the worst part was yet to come, for the tiny fairy ponies began to run out of apples, strawberries and even plums! But Tall Tale, our hero, determined to fight this dreadful cold, grabbed his things, got to think, and then did something, quite very bold. He took some of his potions and began to mix them up, putting them together in a cauldron so big, it was as big as a little teacup. “With five spider eyes, and the tail of a scaredy mouse, When fear shall come, and I must protect myself and run, it shall aid me in my task. With a bottled gloom day, and the tear of a clown, Sorrow and sadness shall my weakness forever drown. And with the petal of a sunflower and the drawing of a little colt, Happiness and glee will strengthen my power and appease my soul.” The Breezie mixed and mixed, and then he stirred and stirred, the pot glowing hot with the powers he brewed. And once he was done with his magical mystery soup, he grinned, then cheered, and with confidence gulped all he could. “What’s this? What’s this!? I feel the power coursing through me! The magic that I held inside me, it is finally being set free!” Tall Tale wooed and laughed and all of his things grabbed, for he knew he had a mission, he couldn't lose time. And so our bold little Breezie took on the challenge, to beat the mighty Windigos, he knew he could manage. For he knew that his size may make his trip difficult, but he had no fear in his heart, for he was no longer a regular bree, no sir no, he was magical! His fury gave him strength, his joy kept him warm, as he flew through the harsh cold winds that tried to freeze him up. And not even winter was match against the fae, for he was determined to travel north and his tribe finally save. But the further he traveled, the worse the weather became. And soon not even his magic could save him from his fate. Wings frozen, body shivering, everything was lost. His magic of emotions grew weaker, and he could do nothing but keep him breathing, at most. Soon, it seemed like everything was lost. But... if it had really ended that way, then why... is there more? It came as a surprise, but it sure did happen, a white, angel of love, came down from the skies flapping. She took him to safety, to a nearby warm cave, where the mighty and powerful angel healed him up and kept him safe. She fixed his broken wings, and warmed his little heart, and gave the tiny Breezie a brand new start in life. He awoke, and he saw, the majestic creature that saved him. A winged pony unlike any other whose kindness to the brim filled him. He kneeled and he sighed, for he owed this mare his life. Yet with a graceful giggle and a respectful nod, she comforted the quite being, noting he was quite odd. He believed himself unworthy, but the winged one knew better, for he had traveled so much and survived for so long, he was a warrior, he should not fretter. “You are brave and you’re smart, but you have also forgotten, the reason why your magic failed you and almost left you to rotten. For the greatest and most powerful of emotions you’ve left out, and your heart you have filled with nothing but doubt.” “What emotion is this, oh great powerful savior? Tell me the reason behind my failure!” “Love, my dear Breezie, is the one emotion that you are missing.” “Oh silly me, that was what was missing! I’ve been a fool all along, love is the secret!” Tall Tale, now armed with newfound conviction, gave his savior his thank you, and returned to his mission. “Wait, sir Tall Tale! A gift I want to give thee. A blessing of love, a bit of my own magic, so stronger you can be! For I know you want to defeat the ancient windigos, to save from this winter the ones you love most.” Tall Tale kneeled down and the angel his forehead kissed. And soon he felt how a newfound power boosted through him. He left the small cave, and that gorgeous friendly angel and traveled back down South, his magic stronger than ever, he was ready to kick some flank! And much to his surprise and still increasing glee, he began to see some signs of the now returning spring. For he was not the only one who fought the snow evil creatures, for ponies joined in the fight of all sizes types and even ages. He aided everypony who he encountered in his way, fighting Windigo after Windigo disguised as one of them. Yes he was now able to disguise as a colt, in fact he was more capable of many things, he was finally truly strong. The ground below heard his pleas, and the winds kneeled down to him, and the powers of nature itself were now the servants of the little bree. The magic of a Breezie, with the power of love itself, and the brew of other emotions that had added in Tall Tale, his magic was too powerful, too dangerous he knew. And so he decided that this magic was one he needed to keep safe. For he knew once the war against the Windigos was over, many ponies would try and copy his feats and use them wrongly. And he did not wish for the powers of nature to be misused, so he found his tribe, flew away and hid somewhere where he could never be seen. He kept on fighting wrong and evil to protect every living being, and soon even a pony settlement was born in the honors of him. The warrior, the adventurer, the mage and the lecturer. Who would ever imagine he was once just a tiny fairy? So remember little ones, whenever you’re feeling gloomy. Size matters little, it is all about your inner beauty. It is about who you are, and who you want to be, and how hard you will work in order to become that which you wish. For if a breezie the size of an orange was able to do this all, you, my brave little warrior, will be able to do anything, no matter how small. And what happened with Tall Tale? You might be asking yourself. Well rumor has it that if you’re lost in the Tall Tale woods, if you’re brave and kind just like he was, to your aid will come the greatest of all faes. The End. “Well…” Moondancer closed the book and sighed. “I suppose… that on the off chance that the contents of this story has even a remote grain of truth, then this would hint to an entirely new branch of Empathic Magic.” “Can I say it?” Pockets grinned cheekily, with a wide, way too excited grin. “Only if you want to be turned into a toad,” Moondancer said back. “There is absolutely no proof that this book is factual in the slightest. Most ponies still believe that the battle between Nightmare Moon and Princess Celestia was little worse than a strongly worded argument after all.” “Oh but there is.” Pockets bopped the mare’s nose, sure of her words, “Or at least, if there is evidence we can easily get it.” “I’m calling horseapples,” Moondancer snorted. “Really now? A Breezie beating Windigos? That’s just plain ridiculous.” Pockets began to hum in thought, tapping her chin with her hoof, “I don’t know… One would think that someone eating her own magic without being a magic-eater would be ridiculous.” “Oh, I already know you are ridiculous,” Moondancer shot back. “Fine, I will bring it up with the Princess, so can we please get back to the real research?” Pockets laughed and teleported on top of a rather small bookshelf and rolling onto her back, looking at her upside-down, “We don’t have to do more research! This is it! I got a feeling it is. And we can’t keep researching because we don’t have more info. The rest of the story is somewhere else.” “You are impossible,” Moondancer sighed and shook her head. “If you aren’t going to be productive, then I will just do the research myself.” Pockets sighed, and teleported right next to her, “Look, I know this may sound like horsecrap, but I really got a good feeling about this! Maybe I’m right, maybe I just want to be right. I... really admire Tall Tale. And the sheer thought of me and him being connected somehow drives me crazy happy! But either way, if we could focus on this just for a few minutes, just give it a bit more attention… it would mean the world to me.” She sighed again, rubbing her leg as a small, saddened pout formed on her lips. She really wanted this, but she knew Moondancer just didn’t like her, “I know I may be a bit annoying and all, but I really want this. And hey, I promise that if this leads nowhere, I’ll just shut up and help look somewhere else with you. How does that sound?” Moondancer winced at the look on her face, she felt like she’d just kicked a puppy and set fire to an orphanage for good measure. She mumbled something under her breath and turned around. “What was that?” Pockets asked, a grin growing on her muzzle. “I said I’ll help alright,” Moondancer said at a more normal tone. She blushed and looked at Pockets. “And I’m only doing this because of Midnight and because the Princess asked me alright!?” “Yay!” Pockets then glomped the unicorn and trapped her in a bone-crushing hug, shaking her around as a bright yellow aura surrounded them both, “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” “Can’t… breathe...tell Midnight… she’s a butt…” Moondancer groaned. “Oh, sorry.” The smaller unicorn let go and chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head in slight embarassment. She then stomped on the ground and stood firm, her happy magic vanishing to give place to her ‘focused-face’, which looked kinda ridiculous really, “Ok Pockets! act professional. Let’s see… Where. Can. We. Start?” “Professional… riiight,” Moondancer opened the book and flicked through it. “Now, the book says that he got his power from an ‘Angel of Love’. Angels obviously don’t exist, so it might be referring to a winged species. Maybe an alicorn… except that the only two back then were Princesses Celestia and Luna. This was set before the Unification after all.” “A winged creature who could do magic?” Pockets quirked an eyebrow, “Is that even a thing?” “Well all ponies can do magic,” Moondancer said as she floated another book over and opened it. “All species have an innate magic of some kind. How do you think pegasi fly and manipulate weather? Or how earth ponies are able to work crops and possess immense physical strength?” “Oh I know that. I’m not that much of an air-head ya know?” Pockets said with a smirk, before humming and taking a look at the book as well, leaning her elbow on the taller mare’s head much to Moondancer’s annoyance,, “But from the looks of it, somehow this ‘angel’ gave Tall Tale a blessing. And as far as I know, Pegasus can’t give blessings with just a kiss to the forehead, heck, not even unicorns can do that.” “No, which is why I think this story is rubbish,” Moondancer said. “This is more akin to something religious. As far as i am aware, not even Princess Celestia could ‘bestow’ power like that. Magical transference is possible, but…” She sighed and looked at the book. “The method is pointless. For all we know, it was a Transference and the writer simply took some… creative liberties.” “I guess…” Pockets sighed. Well, there went their lead. Except… “Wait… quick question. Which came first, Equestria or the Crystal Empire?” “The Crystal Empire,” Moondancer replied. “It’s been around far longer than Equestria.” “Then…” Pockets’ eyes widened up, she had an idea. Using her magic, she pulled out a board that was hidden behind some shelves and a small chalk, writing as she spoke out what she thought could be the key to it all, “Ok so. Tall Tale traveled to the north to defeat the windigos and end the eternal winter. He failed, and was lost in the middle of the snow, only to be rescued by an ‘angel with the power of love’. Up north from what today is Equestria, is the Crystal Empire, home to the crystal ponies and the crystal heart. So, let’s put two and two together. A flying creature with empathic magic from the north, who gave him a blessing through a kiss on the head. As I read not long ago, empathic magic is reserved only to the members of the Crystal Empire’s royal family-” As she talked, she listed it all out as if it was a mathematical problem, adding element and element, until she equaled it all into the drawing of a heart, “-which means, the angel he saw could have been…” “Princess Amore, the previous ruler of the Empire,” Moondancer concluded. “Exactly!” Pockets grinned from ear to ear, It all checks out! Princess Amore would totally be able to bless him with love power! It’s so obvious now that I think about it… And guess what descendant of Princess Amore Celestia is planning to bring over to check on my magic?” “Princess Cadence is coming?” Moondancer asked “From the looks of it, eyup!” Pockets replied with a smug grin, “Things are starting to work out for us!” “So it would seem,” Moondancer replied as she headed for the Archives entrance. “Well come on then. Let’s report what we’ve found to Princess Celestia.” “Aye aye captain!” Pockets gave a clumsy guard salute, before following Moondancer… and noticing something incredibly important. How could have she been so blind? “You know… you have a cute butt… huh, didn’t notice how cute it is.” Moondancer blushed and covered her flank with her tail. “Pervert! You’re just as bad as Moonbutt!” Her hoof found her mouth, preventing her from saying any more. “First, I am no pervert… well I am but that’s besides the point. I am a flank mare, I see a cute butt, I point it out.” Pockets explained, before grinning with a quirked eyebrow, “And… Moonbutt? Oh Moonie hun, are you hiding something from me?” “N-No!” Moondancer flushed red again and started walking faster. Pockets teleported next to her and wiggled her eyebrows. “Moonie, you can’t escape the Pockets. Ya gotta tell me!” The smaller unicorn grinned. With a small crack, Moondancer teleported further down the hall and broke out into a run. Yet Pockets quickly caught up, her grin still there. “I can teleport as well ya know? The difference, I’m a former thief and now a Royal Guard! You can’t escape, resistance is futile!” She exclaimed with an evil gallop. Moondancer now went into a full gallop, but the nerdy unicorn was not built for stamina and quickly wore out. When Pockets trotted up to her, she was panting heavily as she doubled over. “Aww book-pone is tired?” Pockets pouted, patting her back, “There there, take a break. Also you do realize I can’t force you to tell me. Up to you really. Buuut, you’d make a mare, me, very happy if you did.” “Urrrgghhh,” Moondancer groaned, curse her poor physical abilities. “Fine, what do you want to know, you annoying foal.” “Who is Moonbutt?” Pockets began asking. “Who do you know that has a moon on her butt, and that would address so casually?” Moondancer deadpanned. Pockets blinked, and tilted her head, “Luna?” “Yes, I would give one of our revered Princesses such a crass nickname,” Moondancer deadpanned harder. “You get two more.” “Well, I call her Moonmoon from time to time… and Moonflank… and I did once call her ‘you dirty cheater you!’ during game of Monopony... eh, still don’t see the problem. But oh well…” She hummed, “Is… it… let’s see, moon in the butt, a pervert… yeah I got nothing.” She shrugged, “Just say it darnet!”” “It’s Midnight Song, you Breezie-brain,” Moondancer sighed as she got her breath back and kept walking. “Oooh!” Pockets nodded, that made— “Wait just a minute…” Finally, her brain got to work. The familiar-sounding name, the shape of the locket, the interest in Midnight… and her face, she has seen that face before in “The locket… Oh. My. Goddess. You are Middy’s ex!” “Wow!” Moondancer deadpanned. “Thank you oh so much for pointing that out!” “Wow I am slow.” Pockets whistled, “Geez, sorry dudette. My brain sucks sometimes. But I can’t believe I actually got to meet you! I thought you were like gone or something. I didn’t know you were still alive and here in Canterlot!” “Well I am, are you disappointed?” Moondancer frowned deeper. Her opinion of the petite unicorn was dropping like a Pegasus with Lockwing. “Heck no!” Pockets chuckled, “Just that, I always hear about you, but Middy doesn’t like talking about it because she goes all emotional. I just imagined you were killed or something like those cliche stories.” She increased her pace and caught up, “Glad to see I was wrong. You seem like a smart and awesome pony, it would have been a bummer not getting to meet ya.” “Why?” Moondancer snorted. “So you can rub in my face that you succeeded where I failed? Yeah, thanks for that too.” Pockets stopped and looked at Moondancer with a frown, “Ok, listen dudette. I don’t know what it is but I can’t stop thinking that either you have something against me, or you think I have something against you. But either way, I ain’t happy with that.” Moondancer sighed and sat down, wincing at the cold floor. “It's not you,” she finally said. “I'm just… I'm jealous I guess. That somepony could get Midnight to truly open her heart other than me.” Pockets’ frown turned into a sigh, oh she knew that feeling all too well, “Look, I… don’t know what happened between you and Midnight. She gets pretty damn emotional when anyone bring the subject up so I’m yet to hear the full story. But believe me, whatever happened, it pains her to this day. You’ve had quite the impression on that little bat head, on everyone around her. Heck, I can’t meet anyone from Middy’s circle of friends without your name popping up. That’s the reason I was so happy to meet you. Because whoever left such a mark on Middy, must have been one heck of a gal.” The unicorn walked closer and trapped Moondancer into a soft hug, “She really appreciates you, I know that, and she hates what happened. I don’t know how a crazy bastard like me won over her heart, probably never will. But what I do know, is that you can’t give yourself so little credit.” Moondancer paused, caught off guard by the sudden hug, but soon returned it after a few moments. She didn’t know what it was, but something about this mare just made her… feel at ease. “Thank you,” she whispered. “And, if you ask Midnight again, tell I said to give you the full story okay?” “I will.” Pockets chuckled, booping Moondancer’s muzzle playfully before breaking the hug, “Now let’s go! We got thingies to talk with the Princess!” “Thingies?” Moondancer sighed and pushed the mare away. “No more hugs, your stupidity might be contagious.” She flashed a cheeky smirk and trotted down the hall, her tail wagging left and right slowly. Pockets didn't want to, she really didn't want to… but she couldn't help but look at the unicorn´s cute flank, “Damn sexy nerd…” She muttered, before following… with her eyes locked into the flank at all times. Many different creatures have passed through the Canterlot gates, from the occasional griffin to the rare minotaur and even some diamond dogs from time to time. Needless to say, the guards working there have seen pretty much everything. Or so they thought. For one particular, seemingly normal day, a new visitor like none other before asked for permission to enter the city. A short, slender, deer-like creature made its way towards the gate. She walked both proudly yet with a sense of class, her long, slim legs that ended in pointy pink hooves letting out a soft clop sound that echoed through the nearby area. A short fluffy tail perked up as she walked with a slight side-to-side hip-movement, her delicate yet clear curves making themselves known with every step. Her asymmetrical, pink, long hair covered her left eye, a thick, yet perfectly taken care of cream-colored mane surrounding her neck. On top of her refined, queenly face, two short diagonal antlers shoot up, their shape akin to the half of an oak leaf with a pinkish brown color similar to that of her underbelly. And she was gorgeous. “Uhm excuse me?” Her voice was lilting, almost as if singing instead of talking, a small yet precious grin on her delicate muzzle, “May I enter this city, please?” The guards said nothing, their jaws dropped to ground level while the only response they were able to give, was the sound of their drooling mouths. A yellow pegasus mare with black mane facehooved and walked towards the strange creature, her fiery orange eyes eyeing the strange creature carefully while she held her weapon up ready to strike if necessary. “Who are you and what is your business here?” She asked with a demanding tone that would intimidate many, but not the visitor. “My name is Sweet Aroma, and I came here looking for my cousin.” She grinned softly, “My grandfather told me she’d be here.” “Alright…” The guard quirked an eyebrow, “And what’s the name of this cousin of yours?” “Penumbra, but I’m sure she doesn’t know that.” Sweet replied, before tip-toeing her way towards the gate. Yet she was soon stopped by the war lance of the guard, who was not amused in the slightest. “Now listen missy, if you want to go in you’ll have to tell me the truth, else I’ll have to call my supervisor and believe me, it won’t be pretty.” The guard grunted. Sweet blinked, before tilting her head in confusion, “But I need to go in and find my cousin, I can’t waste time.” “Well too bad, now follow me to the guardpost, I’ll call my supervisor so we can figure out what to do with you.” The guard said flatly, turning towards the gate and signaling the stranger to follow. Yet Sweet Aroma did not move in the slightest. “See, the problem is that I can’t afford losing time.” The deer-like creature hummed, her antlers glowing with a soft pink glow that began spreading throughout the area like a cloud. Suddenly, the males around them dropped their weapons and their eyes were opened wide, their mouths finally shutting close before glaring at the visitor with a blank expression. The pegasus noticed this, and brought out a small stone that glowed immediately, “This is Secure Lines of the Royal Guard! I demand backup at the gate, I repeat I dema—” The rock was blown off her wing by a blast of magic that came from one of the male guards, who alongside the others, were now slowly walking towards the lone female pegasus. “I’m so sorry it had to come to this.” Sweet sighed, “But I really have no time to lose. It’s nothing personal really.” She raised one of her slim hooves and pointed at the mare, “Get rid of her, pretty please~?” She pouted. Secure narrowed her eyes, looking at the upcoming zombie-like co-workers that were mindlessly making their way towards her. She knew them all well enough to know that they wouldn’t mind waking up with a good headache and a bump in their foreheads, or bruises all over their bodies really. And this is why she bashed the side of her lance on the head of two of the guards, the rest growling before jumping at her, only to be pushed back by another slam from the long weapon. Yet the stallions did not give up, not like they had an option. One darted towards her from the front, another one flanking from the side while a pegasus took into the air before diving down. The pegasus mare narrowed her sight and locked eyes with the first one, dashing to the side before delivering two consecutive powerful kicks to her opponent’s ribcage. She turned around and grabbed the second one by the collarbone, before taking off into the sky and slamming him into the third stallion’s face, sending both of them crashing into the ground. “Ha! Is that all you got?” Secure Lines chuckled, doing a flip in the air and pointing at the deer “Now it’s time for you to go down as well.” The remaining hypnotized guards stepped forwards with a growl, yet were soon stopped by Sweet who giggled at the antics, “Down my powerful stallions, you’re too weak and pathetic to deal with her. I guess my grandfather was right, if you want something done right…. do it yourself.” With a calm expression yet bloodthirsty gleam in her pink eyes, her antlers began glowing a strong pitch black color, a thin semi-transparent beam of magic striking the pegasus in an instant. But this wasn’t regular magic that had struck her, regular unicorn magic would have hurt, push her back, heck this wasn't even dark magic. This… was different. For what the pegasus felt wasn’t pain, but a growing sense of irrational fear and anxiety, a sensation that caused her body to tremble. “W-what… are you doing!?” She scowled, her hoof raising shakingly, “Y-you won’t get away with th-this!” And without waiting for her situation to get worse, she threw the lance with all her might, before falling to the ground as her wings failed her. The landing was brutal, hurting several of her limbs and bones. With shivers and trembles, Secure looked up and glanced at the enemy who she hopped the lance had killed, or at least injured. Yet Sweet Aroma was completely unharmed. Did she fail the throw? No… that could not be. Did… the lance phase through the intruder? Secure Lines’ body went numb, her mind finally succumbing to the fear. This was no regular creature, this was a monster. She began to whimper in fear as the hypnotized stallions approached her, one of them pressing his hoof against Secure’s head, tears falling from the pegasus’ eyes. Seeing this, Sweet Aroma grinned maliciously and walked closer, her antlers glowing a stronger shade of black, “Hmmm I wonder what’d happen if I fill every inch of your being with fear…” She mused, before turning away and walking towards the gate. A pair of large, ethereal, butterfly-like wings appeared on Aroma’s back, taking her off the ground, “Get rid of her. Forget everything that happened here.” She ordered to her small army of stallions. “Over here!” Came a new voice from the other side of the gate, much to Aroma’s annoyance. “Change of plans, I order you to forget everything that happened here and then knock yourselves out. The fear will keep our little mare shut.” She growled, before taking off as the stallions below her simply fainted, leaving Secure Lines trembling and whimpering, completely and utterly terrified. And with a happy tune, Sweet Aroma’s body simply vanished from sight. She couldn’t lose time... she had a cousin to get rid of.