2)5,960 words
Epilogue2,604 words

Epilogue

Snowblind
by crowmagnon

Epilogue

"Miss Zecora? Can we ask you something?"

Zecora turned to see a trio of fillies looking up at her. She quickly identified two of them as sisters of her apprentice's friends, and the one with the hat and cape had to be...

"Oh, good morning, young Scootaloo. What can Zecora do for you?"

To the zebra's surprise, the fillies suddenly looked frightened, and Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle let out little shrieks before hiding behind a nearly equally terrified Scootaloo. The reason for it became apparent when Zecora heard the hissing of the snakes which had coiled around her shoulders and legs. "Ah, the sight of serpents makes you quake. Their blood runs cold, so sharing my own warmth helps them wake. This breed is quite docile, so there is nothing to fear. In any case, what brings you here?"

Scootaloo looked warily at the snakes, which seemed to be staring back and flicking their tongues at her. "Uh... y-yeah... After what happened yesterday, my mom said you knew all about Windigoes... thought maybe we should ask about them in case you-know-who has a relapse and turns into a supervillain again."

Scootaloo pointed over her shoulder at Gertrude as the albino griffon cheerfully pulled her snowplow. Zecora assured her, "A supervillain? Your concern is fair, but it is unlikely she will turn to evil again."

"Yeah, that's what the docs said about Sweet & Sour in Mysteries of Mare-Do-Well #79..." Scootaloo muttered doubtfully.

Zecora arched her eyebrow at the comic book reference, but decided to push on. "As for the nature of Windigoes, I will gladly share with you what I know." Taking a seat on a patch of ground that had been recently cleared of snow, and took a deep breath before she began to speak, her voice taking on even more of a chanting tone than she usually had as she took on the cadence of a storyteller.

In the home of my youth, the Zebrican plains

The lands know very little rain

Without the magic of your pegasi

The ground grows cracked and throats run dry

Each zebra tribe considered water theirs by right

And over that precious liquid, they would fight

"Fightin' over water? Ya mean like... a war?" Apple Bloom asked, interrupting Zecora for a moment. The trio looked relieved when the zebra shook her head.

That relief was short-lived as Zecora elaborated, "Not one war, but many, my little foal. Conflict and strife were how we paid the toll."

Sweetie Belle cocked her head slightly. "Toll? You mean like on a bridge?"

Zecora shrugged. "In a sense. Our water came from the streams created by melting mountain snow. Without pegasi or griffons, it was created by feeding the Windigoes. Our battles were a necessary sacrifice to make them cover Mount Kiliponijaro with snow and ice. These glaciers would melt and bring water to the land, allowing life to flourish in the earth and sand."

The trio's ears flattened at the thought of having to live in such a way. Even Scootaloo, who lived on tales of adventure and battles against evil, couldn't really imagine what it would be like to live in such constant danger without the comfortably peaceful day-to-day of Equestrian life to return to.

"Is... is that why you left?" Sweetie Belle asked with a faint whimper.

Zecora gave the filly a warm laugh as she reached out to pat the little unicorn on the head. "Fret not, my unicorn friend. Those dark days are long-since at an end. The one who ended our constant strife was Shangwe ya Maisha, whose name means 'Joy of Life'. In those times of war, such joy was quite rare, but she was a spirit of mirth who sought to save us from despair. Unlike you Equestrians, we could not afford to drive the Windigoes away with friendship's flame. Instead..."

The shaman paused for dramatic effect, then grinned widely. "... She replaced our constant battles with a game."

The three fillies stared at Zecora until Scootaloo said, "I'm doubting the validity of this story."

Zecora laughed again. "Feel free to doubt me if you must, but that very spirit is the source of my loa dust. In her madness, Gertrude's connection to Winter gave her fearsome powers, but such magics are weak to the energy of that which grows and flowers. Just as the griffon holds dominion over frozen things, Shangwe was known as the Warden of Spring, and since times far back in antiquity, she has been right here in the Forest of the Ever Free."

As one, the fillies looked toward the thick woods off in the distance. "So how come we ain't ever heard of her before?" Apple Bloom asked.

Zecora's smile took on a sad edge. "Long ago, your rulers and my ancestors all thought it best that Shangwe ya Maisha remain in a state of eternal rest. Since then, one shaman in every generation is sent to dwell here in your nation. We live in there among the thickest trees, and keep the honored spirit company."

Before the fillies could ask anything else, Rarity called out, "Sweetie Belle, I'm done talking with Gertrude! Do you and your friends still want to help me with the bird nests?"

"Oops! Coming, Rarity!" Turning back to Zecora for a moment, she said, "Thanks for the story, Ms. Zecora!" The other two also said their own goodbyes to the shaman before following Rarity and Spike.

After getting out of earshot, Scootaloo asked the other two, "So, you actually believe any of that?"

"Why not?" Sweetie Belle replied. "You think she wasn't telling the truth?"

"Well come on, if this Shamwow--"

"Shangwe," Sweetie Belle corrected.

"Whatever," Scootaloo replied, rolling her eyes. "If she's so great, what was the deal with keeping her asleep in the Everfree? Like Apple Bloom said, none of us ever heard of her. It sounds like something Zecora just made up on the spot, to me. What do you think, Apple Bloom?"

The earth pony thought about it for a moment before replying, "Honestly, Ah don't care much whether it's real or not. It was a good story. 'Sides, even if Zecora was tellin' the honest truth, it ain't lahk we're ever gonna meet this Shangwe. Ah mean, after Eclipse an' Gertrude, what're the odds of somepony else lahk that comin' ta Ponyville?"

-----

As the ponies of Ponyville worked to clear away the last of the snow, and the clouds were pushed aside to let the sun shine down upon their town, many of them broke out into song to celebrate the slightly belated beginning of Spring. Most were a reprise of the song they had sung to kick off the previous day's efforts, though at Gertrude's request, Vinyl and Octavia did an a capella rendition of the music they had used to bring down her walls.

These songs carried on the refreshing Spring winds, which blew warm breezes through the town, over the hills, and between the intimidating trees of the Everfree Forest.

The sound of four black hooves stepping through the dark wood did not. Nopony but Rainbow Dash or Zecora ventured into the EVerfree without cause, and both of them were in Ponyville. In point of fact, nopony was in the forest at all.

Then again, it was no pony who moved as silently as a shadow, making his way through a circle of immense trees surrounding the entrance to a very special cave. The Spring breeze blew around him, carrying the songs of Ponyville into his ears.

Behind his neatly trimmed beard, Mr. Trick's mouth quirked up at the corner. "Catchy," he admitted as he began humming the tune while walking toward the wide mouth of the cavern. The closer that he got, the more clearly he heard the song echo back to him.

By the time he stepped inside, it was more than his own voice reflecting back toward him. From out of the darkness, a faint whistling sound called out to him along with the music.

"Ah, I knew you would like that," Mr. Trick whispered as he stopped at the cave's mouth. "I don't suppose you've ever heard that song before. It's a cheerful little melody, celebrating the turning of the seasons. The weather will warm, the sun will shine, the flowers will bloom, and all the little fillies and colts will be out playing. I'm sure that you're looking forward to it, but... oh, that's right. Poor, sleepy little Shangwe. You're so very tired, but don't worry. Your nanny will be here shortly to put you down for your nap."

As fast as lightning, a flurry of green vines lashed out of the cave and wrapped themselves around the centaur's arms and legs. Mr. Trick looked into the darkness with an amused smirk, even as the verdant tendrils lifted him up off the ground and tightened their grip.

Over the sound of his wrists and leg bones creaking under the pressure of the impossibly strong vines, he felt a sweet, flowery breeze waft out of the cave. On that breeze, a youthful voice whispered, "No... more... naps..."

"Well, if that's really what you want, then you know you I'm willing to help... and you know what I'll need in order to do it."

"... Trick... liar..."

Mr. Trick winced as the vines twisted extra hard around his arms, then let out a sigh. "Oh, you wound me, Shangwe. I am nothing if not honest. But this is just what Celestia and Luna want. For us to be at each other's throats so your nanny can put you back to sleep."

"... No naps..." came the whisper, and the vines loosened their grip and set him back down on the ground. A new vine emerged from the darkness, this one with a luminous yellow bulb at the end. Mr. Trick held out his hands, and the bulb opened up into a gorgeous yellow flower. Even in the dim light, it seemed to shine like a small sun as it tipped toward Mr. Trick and delivered several large seeds into his waiting hands. "...I want... to play..."

The centaur grinned, then slipped the seeds into a cloth pouch around his waist. "Not to worry, Shangwe. I will see to it that these find... fertile ground. Then you'll be able to find all sorts of little friends to play with to your heart's content." He looked around and smirked at the ancient trees surrounding the cave. "Just like the good old days."

As he turned to walk away, the centaur heard Shangwe whisper, "... Friends... come... play with me... ever young... ever free..."

"Oh yes," Mr. Trick mused, reaching out to touch a knot in one of the massive trees that looked very much like the face of a unicorn filly, her face frozen in a blank smile. "Ever free, indeed."

* * * * * * * * *

COMING ATTRACTIONS

* * * * * * * * *

Waking Night, four months before Winter Wrap-Up

* On a sunny Autumn evening, a crowd of ponies in a wide variety of costumes are gathered in front of Canterlot Castle while a frail, elderly Celestia is helped to a balcony from which she looks out upon the crowd.

Celestia:

My little ponies, I thank you all for coming this Waking Night to honor my beloved sister.

* A purple shadow, seen from above, slips between the other ponies. Their identity is hidden by a wide-brimmed hat and cape.

Celestia:

One thousand years ago, Princess Luna was taken from us by the fiend, Eclipse. Though she is lost to us, trapped in an eternal dream, tonight we celebrate the banishment of Eclipse.

* The purple-clad mare reaches a less crowded section, revealing that she is completely covered from head to hooves in a bodysuit that hides her features completely except for her general body type.

Celestia:

We clothe ourselves in the image of dreams and nightmares. We raise our voices in revelry in the hopes that she will hear us, and be drawn back into the waking realm.

* The crowd cheers, but sounds of jubilation quickly fade as the sun's light begins to dim. Everypony turns to look at the sky, and confused, frightened murmurs fill the streets, rapidly growing in panic as they see the moon slowly moving across the face of the sun. Some turn to Celestia for guidance, but she is as shocked as they are.

Celestia:

No... No! Everypony, leave the streets! Evacuate immediately!

* While the citizens of Canterlot start to run around in a panic, Celestia's horn glows with a bright, golden glow as she struggles to pry the sun and moon apart. Her aged face is strained, and she begins to sweat heavily from the effort, but the moon very slowly starts to move away from the sun.

* A number of costumed ponies run away down one of the streets, but they skid to a stop and gape in horror at something ahead of them. Some immediately turn tail and flee the other way while others are frozen in place.

* Celestia fights hard to maintain control over the sun and moon, and is slowly but surely making progress. When she hears ponies screaming, however, her concentration slips. She sees a thick, black cloud spilling out through the streets, snatching up terrified ponies into itself, but none escape. The glow fades from her horn as she watches her subjects get pulled into the encroaching cloud, and the moon finishes interposing itself between Equestria and the sun.

* A shadow passes over Canterlot as the eclipse is complete. A loud cracking sound like thunder can be heard, followed by insane laughter.

Celestia:

No... Guards, to arms! Eclipse is coming! You must be prepared to--

* Celestia is interrupted as the pony dressed as Mare-Do-Well leaps up to the level of the balcony, balancing on the railing. With a golden dagger held in her mouth, she launches herself straight for Celestia.

* There is a sound of the dagger sinking into flesh.

Guard:

Princess Celestia! The Princess has been stabbed! Get her to the royal physician immediately! You... how could you? HOW COULD YOU?!

ANCIENT EVILS HAVE RETURNED.

* A green pegasus mare in a slinky black dress saunters out of the cloud. Seeing a shadowy entity begin to take form in front of her, she grins and reveals a mouth full of sharp fangs as she bows to it.

EQUESTRIA'S RULER HAS BEEN STRUCK DOWN.

* The pony dressed as Mare-Do-Well holds the golden dagger close as she lurks in the shadows, watching the Guards fend off a swarm of vamponies while carrying Celestia's wounded body deeper into the castle.

SIX MARES, SIX REASONS TO FIGHT

* Quick flashes of each of the Mane 6 exploring a dark labyrinth, facing perilous traps, or fighting a deadly foe.

EACH SEEKS PRINCESS LUNA'S RESTING PLACE, AND THE POWER TO SAVE EQUESTRIA.

ECLIPSEVERSE: WAKING NIGHT

Coming... eventually.

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Feo Takahari

Feo Takahari #1 · Jan 10th, 2014 · · ·

I usually read stories when they're complete. I saw this story in the featured box, and it says incomplete, but the chapter titles make it sound like it's resolved, complete with epilogue. Is this story complete?

RanmaChaos

RanmaChaos #2 · Jan 10th, 2014 · · ·

Great Please hurry with Waking Night.

djthomp

djthomp #3 · Jan 10th, 2014 · · ·

The earth pony thought about it for a moment before replying, "Honestly, Ah don't care much whether it's real or not. It was a good story. 'Sides, even if Zecora was tellin' the honest truth, it ain't lahk we're ever gonna meet this Shangwe. Ah mean, after Eclipse an' Gertrude, what're the odds of somepony else lahk that comin' ta Ponyville?"

Huh. That Waking Night tease, I can't help but already have theories.

Also, I'm still seeing this story tagged Incomplete.

BringBackSonicSatAM

BringBackSonicSatAM #4 · Jan 10th, 2014 · · ·

Calling it now: "Mr. Trick" is actually none other than Tirek himself, who betrayed his fellow Elements via a deal with Eclipse. Also, what everyone else said about the story being tagged Incomplete.

Snowblind - CrowMagnon

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