//------------------------------// // Chapter Nine: Whispers // Story: Shadows and Watchers // by -SBRS //------------------------------// The next day had been a rather curious matter altogether, following my first night of training in Equestria. I had returned to the archives early the subsequent morning, eager to satiate my thirst for stories and knowledge of the new world. I had browsed through incomplete maps, detailing the reaches of Luna and her sister’s realms, and those further beyond.   I was quite puzzled, indeed, to find that Equus, as the world was called, bore such peoples as griffons, minotaurs, yaks, and others. Though I was quite familiar with some, I only knew them to be the dumb animals commonplace throughout such lands as Farron and Astora, while others had seemingly burst straight from the inky parchments of storybooks, only seen in legend and myth.   It was only late in the afternoon that I had heard a succession of whispers, mutterings in the dark inherent of political gossip and royal matters.   Politics. A matter that I was quite unfamiliar with, yet in my new home it reached out to me with treacherous tendril. Unfortunately I had been hooked, eager to find how exactly Luna’s world of elites worked.   They whispered of a strange pony, far from the north, his coat a crystalline tapestry of iridescent indigo. Allegedly, fear had gripped his eyes in a most peculiar manner, as if he himself was unsure what frightened him so.   They called him a “Crystal Pony,” of what that meant I bore only supposition. Perhaps, I thought, he might have been from the “Crystal Empire” Luna had told me about – Shining Armor’s new holding in the frozen tundra to the north, a green jewel upon a bleak white canvas. He had been tired, they said, immeasurably so. He had visited on the night of my training, seeking only a Princess’s guidance, but Luna had bid him patience for the night, and would resume her court with him tonight. This night.   I knew the stallion had borne an urgent message. Of what he meant to relay, I had no idea, but I had resolved to find out. Now, the stars had arisen, Luna’s moon slowly riding across the sky above.   I was still quite amazed to know that Luna bore control over the very moon itself. I would have never guessed to have befriended a celestial emissary.   I was just outside the royal court, perched upon an ajar window above the proceedings. Luna sat upon an indigo throne, her eyes attentive and warm, and before her, down a set of stairs, stood an unfamiliar pony, looking to be quite rested. His coat matched the whispers – he was the one. To his side were two armored fellows, their coats alike to the messenger’s.   Leaning in closer, yet intent on not revealing my presence, I listened closely to the stallion’s words.   “Your Highness,” he addressed her, bowing his head. “I thank you for your time.”   Luna nodded, smiling warmly at the crystal pony. “It is of no matter, Mister Marble. It is our duty to attend to our subjects’ needs,” she said. “Now, I know that you have brought with you an urgent message.” She looked tired, immeasurably so, and I felt a weight upon my heart.   Marble, as his name was, nodded fervently, and I could see hints of fear speckled within his gaze. “Yes, your Highness, it’s true.”   “Urgent enough to warrant an escort from Princess Mi Amore Cadenza herself?” Luna gestured towards the two guards at Marble’s side.   “Yes, Princess. Very urgent.”   “Explain.”   Marble took a deep breath before explaining. “I live in a small village north of the Crystal Empire. It’s a remote station, a trade post for travelers and merchants heading to Yakyakistan. I’m an innkeep.”   Luna raised a brow, tilting her head. “Not many visitors, then.”   “Very few,” Marble agreed, looking away. He was timid, I could see, yet I knew not what he was fearful of. “I’m lucky to get more than a couple customers a week. Anyways, I was on my way back to the Crystal Empire to visit my daughter, when I came across… something.”   His last words were laced with terror, as if the very memories of what he had seen shook his core. “I don’t know what, exactly, they were, but they were not friendly.”   “Go on,” Luna motioned with her hoof, leaning forwards with rapt attention. “What did you find, Mister Marble?”   Marble shivered, his next words trembling with fright. “I-I don’t know how to explain, exactly. They were dark creatures, slithering around in blizzards and caves,” he looked from side to side, and the guards beside him clasped their hooves upon the stallion, their intentions helpful. “Some were monstrous, like snakes and serpents bubbling with… shadows. But, your Highness, some looked like ponies. But-but with weird, scaly and thorny armor.”   Luna looked puzzled, yet I bore no further need to listen any longer. I sat back upon my perch, my muscles weak and my flesh damp with boiling sweat. My cheeks burned with a focused rage, my vision red with fixated anger. Was it truly what I feared it was? I knew I should not leap to conclusions, yet irrational frustration blurred my mind.   How? How had it come here, to a world untouched by the rotten dregs of humanity? Why was it here, and with what intention? Was it because of me? Had I brought it with me? Like Marble, I felt a burgeoning core of fear within me, fused with a bubbling concoction of hatred and unbridled fury, yet unlike the crystal pony I knew its source, and with it a scorching passion to burn and crush the Abyss.   The Abyss. In the North.   Perhaps I had found yet another purpose. An old, familiar one, like a trusty companion and friend.     I had calmed myself later that night, finding the strength deep within to hold back my rage. I knew I had to be reasonable, dedicated by logic and motive. Mister Marble’s descriptions of the troubles had been similar to those of the Abyss, correct, yet it was impossible to know if the Abyss had truly come.   How could it, anyhow? No humanity to feed off, no dark to spread. I was the only Undead around, yet I stood quietly outside Luna’s study. I was not hollow, I did not believe, and so the Abyss would have no place in Equus.   I reasoned with myself, and I had come to the conclusion that, most likely, the “dark creatures” were just another problem for Equestria, another monster to defeat as the princesses and their subjects had done with plenty before. Luna had promised me that she would explain Equestria’s recent history, and I knew only that Equestria had dealt with its fair share of “villains” and “monsters.”   A topic that she had, unfortunately, appeared more than a little bit uncomfortable with.   Yet, I would still help, as much as I could, with any threat that festered within Equestria. It was my new home, after all, the realm of a new friend. It would be a purpose for the time being, and I wanted only to aid my new friends and their country.   Thus, I knocked upon Luna’s door, my knuckles rapping gently upon the lunar crest. “Luna – it is I, Roland. Are you there?”   I stood back, watching as the door took a dark blue sheen. It opened slowly, and I gazed into Luna’s study. She sat upon her usual seat upon her cushion, staring back at me. Her eyes bore within them a fatigued peer, but Luna was visibly happy to see me.   I only hoped she hadn’t expectations for stories and our usual fun this night.   “Roland!” Luna exclaimed, gesturing towards me. “Come in! I was hoping you might visit me tonight.”   Nodding, I followed my friend’s directions, stepping into her study with an eased gait. Joining her by the fire, I smiled at Luna. “It’s good to see you again. I enjoyed the archives very much, but the books lack the warmth of our own conversations.”   Luna returned my smile, setting her work to the side. I paid no attention to her quills and ink, though her writings did pique some portion of my curiosity.   “I’m happy you liked the archives, though I hope you didn’t get too sucked into those old books and scrolls,” Luna giggled, patting my shoulder with a hoof. “Too dusty for my tastes. I hope you’ve come here with some good stories planned?”   I shook my head, and Luna became visibly concerned. “Not tonight, Luna. I’m afraid my visit this evening is for… business, rather than recreation.”   Luna raised a brow, tilting her head to the side. “Indeed? What’s the matter, Roland?” She was noticeably saddened, disappointed, and I felt a slight pain in my bosom to see Luna’s frown of consternation.   Taking a deep breath, I shook my head. “I have heard some murmurs – some of your servants and courtiers have been talking. A messenger from the Crystal Palace, an urgent missive of distress?” I poked, watching as Luna became visibly wary. “I wanted to know more. What has happened in the north?”   The princess scoffed under her breath, turning her head to the side. “It is of no matter, Roland. Courtly duties, and I hope they’ll remain so.” Luna gave me a sideways glance, her eye worried. “It’s nothing to be concerned with.”   I was not harried by Luna’s terse rejection, pressing the matter further. “I don’t like being lied to, Luna. I took the initiative – I sat in on your Court tonight, I heard everything Marble had to say,” I said, watching as Luna became shocked – indignant, even. “Dark creatures? Shadowy serpents, dressed in thorny armor?”   Luna raised a brow at me, and her ears pinned backwards. A forehoof tapped with weight upon her cushion, pressing into the indigo velvet. “Are you saying that you snuck into my court? Unwatched? Are you trespassing, Roland?”   I could see Luna’s steadily rising frustration – I could feel it. Thus, I raised my hands forwards, lowering my voice. My eyes became gentle, my demeanor one lacking of aggression. “Luna, that was not my intention.”   The princess ceased her hoof-stomping, watching me with caution. Fortunately, however, she grew no angrier.   “I’m sorry I stood in on your court without your permission. I understand that you don’t want me exposed or known of yet,” I said in as placating a manner. “But, you must know – when I heard about this messenger, and how afraid he was, I knew I had to investigate.”   “Roland, I’d appreciate if you left royal court matters as they are—”   I shook my head and interrupted her. “Luna, I heard what Marble said. His words worried me, Luna. Very much so,” I whispered, placing a hand upon her barrel. “Luna, I was scared.”   I could see, then, that Luna had understood. After all, I had told her of the Undead Legion, and what our purpose had been. I could see, in her eyes, that she comprehended my words, and of my fear in proportion. The darkness Marble had spoken of gave me recollection of the Abyss, and it took all my might to not descend into a fury of conniptions.   “I understand,” Luna murmured, rubbing against my gloved hand. “I’m sorry for becoming angry with you, Roland – it was not my intention. But please, Roland.” I nodded. “Leave the court matters to myself and my sister. At least, for now.”   “But Luna—”   She placed a hoof upon my lips, shaking her head. “We’ll talk about this later soon, I promise. But I am very tired right now, and I need my rest. I still have my nightly duties to take care of.” “Roland, I promise.”   Slowly, I nodded, accepting her decision. Yet, I was undeterred – I would hold Luna to her promise, and I would know the truth behind the darkness Marble had spoken of.   Without another word, I stood and left my friend’s study, leaving Luna behind. I closed the door behind me, eager for at least some manner of rest.