Stories in Stone
Capricorn's Curse
by TDR
Let it Die
“.............. So then I tried proposing in a hot air balloon but the weather pegasi screwed up the timing of a rain storm that day and not only did we get soaked, but like seven other couples had the same idea I did and once I found that out I had to find something else.” Lyra ranted.
The group had entered what they assumed was some sort of massive castle. Countless rooms ran down seemingly endless hallways that went every where. The group had started by checking every room they came across for a way out only to find what seemed to be endless storerooms of random treasures or junk and of course, a series of undead monsters. There were far less of them than what Luna had expected. The monster rooms were more like cells for each odd undead thing they came across, but there were a number that were completely empty with no sign of who or what had been inside. There were also far more 'cells' than any other type of room they found. By the end of the first long hall they had stopped and only checked every few doors along or any of them that looked odd.
Despite the odds, some how Lyra had found the small box she had been looking for. They had to fight some sort of pony sized zombie frog monster, but by that point it was the fourth one like it they had met and the trick with it's tongue was no longer a surprise, or even an amusing bit of innuendo.
The box Lyra had been after contained a small engagement bracelet. Questions were asked and the secret love, that every one knew about any way, between Lyra and Bon Bon was revealed. It seemed Lyra had been looking for a perfect way to propose to Bon Bon, one that had never been done before. She had been telling the others about it as they continued to search for a way out.
Lyra had considered the old wedding ring in the champagne glass trick, that led to finding a glass big enough for the bracelet, though she had written it off because it was an old trick. She had asked Fluttershy to have a cute animal deliver it, Fluttershy was booked solid four weeks in advance for that. Every time she thought she had a new idea, Lyra found out that thousands of others had done it before her. She was getting frustrated.
“You know the possibility of successfully finding a completely original way to propose is approximately Three thousand seven hundred and fifty to one.” Twilight listed getting a odd look from the others.
“Never tell me the odds.” Growled Lyra.
“Seriously you did that in your head?” Octavia asked.
“What? Math is fun.”Twilight protests as Luna rolls her eyes.
“Nerd...” Trixie muttered.
“Hey!” Twilight snapped.
“So Pri..... I mean Luna.... how did Jer'rahd propose to you? Maybe that might give me an idea.”Lyra commented, cutting off any argument between twilight and Trixie.
“He beat me in chess.” Luna said flatly with a small smirk.
“What?” Lyra asked, though the others were curious as well, except for Twilight.
“Oh please. You walked up to him told him you two were getting married and he said okay. “ Twilight snorted. “ And you did it that way just to annoy your sister.”
“Given that we were already technically married under equestrian law for just how long we had been living together it mattered little to either of us.” Luna huffed. “Granted the reason I did that to Tia was because she declared that law void simply to remove that complacency so that we would have to marry properly. Of course she fully expected him to propose to me, given how annoyed I was at her antics, I asked first.”
“That's boring.......” Lyra sighed.
“But you must admit, it is not likely something some one has done before. Proposed to some one you were already wed too, just to annoy ones sister after she changed a law you did not agree with.” Octavia commented. “ Decidedly unique.”
“What about you Octavia are you married?” Lyra whimpered a bit.
“Have you received an invitation yet?” Octavia rolled her eyes.
“No.”
“Then clearly I am not.”
“But he proposed years ago.” Lyra sighed.
“Indeed, though we have had a number of issues with our work. Given that it is only after Tirek attacked that Pontera has stopped touring. Still with all that is going on with the school's expansion into other countries, Jacob and I barely have the time to start planning.”
“Yeah, now that was an awesome proposal too.” Lyra muttered.
“I disagree.... with part of it.” Octavia muttered.
“Really how did Jacob propose? “ Trixie asked. “Trevor loves Pontera so I am forced to know much about them as well, though Trixie does not know that name.”
“Jacob is his real name. His stage name is, or was, Bloodmoon.” Octavia stated turning a bit red with all the information she was sharing.
“Wait? Bloodmoon, as in, THE Bloodmoon? The self proclaimed alicorn of rock?”Luna asked raising a brow.
“Given that his brother Nico... or Blackhole Sun, is the self proclaimed alicorn of 'and roll', yes.” Octavia rolled her eyes.”It is quite stupid, but the fans seem to love it.”
“Tia and I were going to investigate that when we first heard of them.” Luna commented.
“Please don't, he'd likely have a heart attack if you or Princess Celestia showed up. It was one of his fears that they would draw attention with their clams. Neither of them are alicorns. Nico is a unicorn with rather potent illusion magic and Jacob is a pegasus. The pair of them could not find work as musicians at first until Nico came up with the insane plan of his. That gimmick along with Jacob's song writing skill made every one take notice of the little band called Pontera. I'm still not sure how Nico convinced Jacob to go along with it given how shy he is....”
“Mind you this is the same stallion that flirted with every female, no mater the age or species, while on stage.” Lyra snorted at knowing the inside of this joke.
The others look back at Octavia who sighed.
“He is a different pony when he is out of his costume, a COMPLETELY, different pony. As Bloodmoon he is loud, boisterous and frankly an annoying musician. Outside of that he is completely different. For example he actually proposed to me twice. Once, on stage in front of thousands of fans, though thankfully he didn't use my full name, nor did he call me out....”
“I believe the actual line was. “ And now to make all the groupies cry, Tavi babe, will you marry me? Lemmi know later though I'm busy now'. He then proceeded to launch into some loud and screamy song.” Lyra giggled.
“Yes well not only did he apologize for that later, a lot, he proposed in a different way, he actually wrote a song and had the rest of the band play back ground for it while out of costume.” Octavia smiled at the memory. “I think it took all his courage to do so as well because he normally cannot sing while out of costume. That proposal was rather sweet. It balanced out the idiotic one enough for me to accept.”
“And yet again , that's two more pretty rare proposals.” Twilight commented getting a grumble from Lyra.
The mint green mare looked to Trixie hopefully, though the blue mare simply shook her head.
“Trixie does not think she is ready for any sort of relationship. She has never been interested in mares and stallions still cause her.... issues, to be around.” the blue unicorn muttered.
Lyra nodded looking over at Twilight who had done her best to try to place Luna between her and the curious mare.
“Not a chance Sparkle.” Luna snorted slowing suddenly and letting the purple mare walk in front of her out in the open.
“Oh ho, does Twilight Sparkle have some one she fancys then?” Trixie asked.
“Is it some sort of scandal perhaps?” Octavia asked. “ I suppose the news that one of the Princesses was involved with some one would make headlines rather quickly.”
“Well...” Twilight muttered her ears droop as Luna smirked.
“I truly forgot how many do not know of your relationship Twilight.” Luna laughed.
“Cause we don't want every one to know.” Twilight muttered.
“Yet it is not as if you do anything to hide it. The castle servants simply know better then to pass along rumors when some one might be watching. And the Guard really do not wish to annoy Jer'rahd.” Luna stated.
“What do you mean annoy Jer'rahd?” Twilight frowned.” Did he do something to threaten every one again?”
“While we are not stopping any of them from talking personally. Most think that Jer'rahd an I are working to keep your relationship quiet. One cannot easily keep secrets with Changelings about and nearly all the Guards fear their Guard Captain. So when it was let slip that he may have issue with that sort of talk then they assume so would I and thus keep them selves quiet.”
“Who the heck thought that plan up.” Twilight asked.
“Starfall and Peach Blossom if I am not mistaken.” Luna admitted.
“Remind me to give them a raise.” Twilight muttered.
“Frankly I don't rightly care whether any one knows or not and I am sure Jer'rahd is the same.”
“Are you two going to continue to tease us with all this double talk or is the name of Princess Sparkle's lover ever going to be said?” Octavia huffs, not usually caring about rumors, but this was getting to her.
Twilight's ears flatten to her head. “ FINE........ it's Celestia..........”
There was a collective gasp, one that included Luna for some reason.
“Seriously? Our two Princesses are knocking horseshoes?” Lyra gaped.
“That is quite the age gap there, though I suppose since you ascended that means little more than her having a great deal more experience.” Octavia pondered.
“Trixie is simply surprised that Twilight Sparkle is in a relationship with something other than a book.” Trixie smirked. “ Though one would suppose a teacher student kink would still be high on her list.”
“Tis the quiet ones you need to watch out for.” Luna added watching as Twilight turned a deeper shade of red with each comment.
“Seriously.......” Twilight growls flicking a wing towards Luna. “I get comments on kinks I may or may not have and no pony asked the master of disguise over here how that affects her bedroom games?”
Luna blinked her ears flattening as she felt six eyes narrow on her. She glared back at Twilight noting the mares grin. Tia had been teaching Twilight rather well in proper diplomacy and misdirection.
“There is little to tell in that department. Given my ability to turn into anything there are still only four forms which Jer'rahd wishes to have... relations with.” Luna commented, turning a bit red herself.
“Only four? Let me guess is one of them Celestia? That way he gets both the sisters...?” Lyra asked Getting a sudden sharp bark of laughter from both Twilight and Luna. “What did I say?”
“Given Jer'rahd's hatred of my sister I am sure he would rather geld himself then consider the option.” Luna smirked, though Twilight kept laughing. “No the only four forms he desires are, the one I wear now, how I looked before I became a Changeling. That was how I looked when he first saw me. The third is my Nightmare Moon look, though that's rare. His favorite however is how I looked as a pegasus before I ascended.”
“Untold numbers of looks to choose from and he only likes four of them?” Lyra snorted.”That pony has some insane focus.”
“Some what romantic when you think of it however. All he seems to desire is you no matter which form you took before.” Octavia pondered. “Still with as long as you two have been around and how long you likely will live, that seems to me as if it might get old. I do hope he is creative at least.”
Trixie opted to stay out of the conversation and Twilight seemed ill by it. Luna considered it serving her right for starting this line of talks.
“He is some what lacking in imagination at times, but he is not against trying anything I suggest. “ Luna grins wide showing fangs as she glanced to Twilight. “That said were you girls not already taken I would suggest finding a Kirin for yourself. Not only are they.. ahem, bigger, than a normal stallion , they have stamina for days, and Jer'rahd is easily twice that.”
“Ugh I did not need to hear that.” Twilight bemoans.
“And I do not need to hear you and my sisters trysts while in my courtyard, but thine volume is on par with the Royal Canterlot voice.” Luna smirked wider like a cat with a caught mouse. “Perhaps you might shut your windows, or invest in a soundproofing spell?”
“GAAAAH!” Twilight wailed.
==============================================
[ Several months ago, just before Hearths Warming. Sweet Apple Acres.]
Rynthia trotted though the forest at the edge of the south orchard of Sweet Apple Acres, following a tall Zebra mare. To either side of her, were her brothers, Fox and Wolf.
Wolf was a lanky colt that never seemed to gain any weight no matter how much he ate, and according to Applejack if they hadn't gotten a small stipend from New Canterlot, he would have eaten them out of farm and field. His white fur was a little darker than his brothers, and his stripes a little grayer giving him a somewhat faded coloration all around. He kept his mane and tail long and loose, the stringy hair seeming like a rats nest most of the time as it mostly covered his blue eyes and fell down to his shoulders. Fluttershy joked she had lost a few of her combs trying to tame the mess. Despite being nine already he was still smaller than most foals in his classes. He interestingly had gotten a cutie mark already though. Not a very complex one, little more than a knife and a stick crossed on his flank, but he had developed it in the Coltscouts when he was going for a pocket knife badge. His talent seemed to involve wood work and he was able to whittle nearly anything with a great deal of skill, no small feat for any one without magic, or fingers.
On the other side of Rynthia was Fox. The other twin had outgrown his other half a few years ago and seemed to be taking more after his father than anything else. He was already nearly as tall as the zebra mare before them and had put on quite a bit of muscle by taking more and more tasks around the farm. While he had no cutie mark yet, no one in the school was willing to tease such a big colt for it, despite the fact he would never do anything. He seemed to take quite a bit after Big Mac, he didn't speak much and had a knack for farming. He had not grown any more stripes either since he was a foal and as such he looked more like a white pony with a few black markings on his back and legs than a proper Zebra. His mane was cut very short, the hair barely standing out on the back of his neck and head. His blue eyes hid an intelligence that his lack of words and massive frame disguised. Despite his longer legs he kept pace with his little sister, only speaking once at the start with an open offer to carry her if she got tired.
She and Dawn didn't often visit the farm except for around the holidays despite how close they were. Rynthia and Dawn both attended the same school as her brothers. It was the same one as Pip and the Lilys attended.
Of course due to the courtesy of her fathers position of Guard Captain there was also a Guard outpost at the edge of the school yard now too. While the post was supposed to be an advanced position in case anything came out of the Everfree, nearly every one knew the Guards posted there had standing orders to keep an eye on Rynthia, Dawn, the twins, and any one else related some how to the Kaisurs.
Ahead of them was Zecora. She was a tall mare with a sun like cutie mark. Recently she had let her hair grow out more and her black and white hair had grown nearly down to the ground. She currently had her hair pulled back in a loose bun and two large bundles of flowers rested on her back in a basket.
The twins knew her as a family friend of the Apples, but Rynthia knew her as an Aunt some where along the way. Her father said she was related to Aunt Tia and she hadn't really questioned it. Zecora evidently came by earlier, specificly to see her..... and to warm Applejack and Fluttershy that the Disaster Trio and Dawn would need help at the barn sometime soon.
Applejack and Fluttershy had both panicked at that and run off as Zecora agreed to take the twins along too.
As they reached the edge of the orchard a sudden boom from the other side of the farm made Rynthia wince as she fully expected Dawn to be in the middle of whatever that was.
There was very little snow on the ground, mostly patches in the shade that hadn't melted yet. The weather pegasi were gathering up all the snow clouds for a big white out on Hearths Warming Eve, so while it was cold it wasn't unbearably so.
Neither of her brothers seemed to be thrilled with the direction across the farm they were taking and Rynthia had a sinking suspicion as to why. She barely recalled having been out this way a few times in the past with her father, Jer'rahd, though she doubted they were going to visit his parents graves this time.
[“Have you two visited out here very often?”] Zecora asked.
[“Occasionally, usually on holidays when Uncle Jer'rahd heads out here.”] Wolf responded in heavily accented Zebra. Fox nodded as well as Rynthia's ears perked up. She was taught Zebra along side Equestrian, though like her rhyming she got certain things in both languages jumbled up. Still she was better than Dawn, who had only learned the bad words and a few inappropriate comments and insults. Her father was equal parts proud and mortified at that, though her aunt Bleu thought it was hilarious.
[“While I am glad you have come out here with me, really I only wished to speak with your sister.”] Zecora added.
[“And we wanted to get away from the farm as we could before it was time to clean up what ever the trio did this time.] Wolf stated as Fox nodded solomly.
The Disaster Trio of Butterscotch, Apple Blossom and Dandelion had taken up the mantle of the cutie mark crusaders after their favorite aunt and her friends and had caused no end of chaos trying to get their cutie marks. While the trio never managed to actually achieve a disaster rating as the original Cutie Mark Crusaders had, they had caused enough damage that every one kept a close eye on them.
Even now, despite all three of them having their cutie marks they were often at the center of some problem or another from trying to help some other pony get their cutie mark. Dawn and Rynthia were often their targets when visiting. While Rynthia didn't really care, Dawn was eager enough to encourage all sort of things, much to everyone's horror.
[“They truly do take after Applebloom and her friends far to much. Perhaps we should have cleaned out the clubhouse before they found it and became the new Cutie mark crusaders.”] Zecora sighed though she paused as they came within sight of a small wrought iron fence.
In recent years Jer'rahd and the Apples had made a concentrated effort to maintain the graveyard. New headstones were added and an iron fence was placed around it.
There was talk of expanding the Graveyard after Discovering that the Pie's were distant cousins of the Apple Family. Jer'rahd, Pinkie, and Applejack launched a full investigation, which mostly involved bugging Spike until he found a book that had the family tree in it, something which Jer'rahd quickly had several copies made of to prevent any sort of paradox in case the book didn't exist before hoof.
The information that was found in the book revealed something else of importance beyond where in the family tree the Apples and Pies were related.
It revealed the location of Ma Pelt's final resting place.
While exhuming her to move her to the Apple family plot was written off immediately it did lead them to her gravestone in a small plot of land at the edge of the Pie rock farm. And in doing so cemented the connection of the family's more solidly than the book did.
Right now however Rynthia's attention was mostly focused on the pair of graves they approached. The ones of parents she had never met. She was some what sad about that. To hear her father and mother talk of them they were the greatest pony and zebra to have lived. Aunt Celestia, Aunt Starfall, and Auntie Bleu had other choice things to say about them, but they all seemed to have great respect for them.
Rynthia wasn't sure how much was true and how much was respect for the dead, though she did note that when ever her real fathers name was brought up in her presence, Applebloom tended to look angry and often tried to change the subject immediately.
“I am not really sure from just what you show, how much of the Zebra language do you actually know?” Zecora asked softly looking down at Rynthia.
Rynthia blinked at that, not sure what to say though her eyes widened as her aunt seemed to effortlessly string together words into a rhyme that still made sense. She loved that.
“Umm I speak more Equestrian than Zebra, though does this have something to do with my Ma and......... father... Dad.... “ Rynthia struggled.
“Pa” Fox offered.
Zecora chuckled. “I see you are still doing your best to rhyme, relax it is a learned skill that takes time.”
“Well she's better at it than me.” Wolf admits taking a seat on a patch of grass before the two graves.
Fox sat down next to him laying out a small blanket for Rynthia to sit on rather than the cold ground. Zecora surveys the area before sighing softly and lifting the flowers off her back in a soft glow of red magic before setting one on each of the graves.
The air around the adult Zebra shimmered as the black and white mare was replaced by a red and white one with a small red crystal horn poking out from her forehead, not unlike the tiny one Rynthia had.
Rynthia felt a flush of embarrassment recalling the first time she had seen her Aunt Zecora, or Sunshine as she was really called, like this. She had been so amazed that there was some one who looked like her that she had acted like a fool. It was something Dawn still found amusing given how calm Rynthia normally tried to be, to balance out her sisters antics.
Neither Fox nor Wolf seemed bothered by Zecora's change. Evidently every one on the farm knew and Zecora didn't bother to keep it as close as a secret as she did before, something about her father and a surprise trip to the Zebralands before his wedding.
“Your father bore the Element of Generosity, your mother Compassion,the pair were part of the Element's of Harmony.” Zecora continued. “It is likely that their fame has become overblown, their true selves only a few left have know.”
“You are going to tell us about our real parents? Isn't that something Momma or uncle Jer'rahd should do?” Wolf asked.
“Neither of them are willing to speak ill of the dead, and likely would put little more than their best times in your head. While I am related to all three of you, pointing out these two were our families black sheep is what I must do. While tales of the Gods War had increased their fame, in the war before that, many atrocities were done in their name.” Zecora sighed.
“Why would you need to tell us this, is something they did still … wrong... incorrect.” Rynthia grumbles.
“Amiss.” Fox stated.
“The issues Applebloom has gone through, can easily be brought back to the fault of at least one of the two. Despite what those in the Zebralands have done, some of the fault can be placed on the other one.”Zecora muttered.
Zecora shifted and settled down, beginning to tell the foals the tales of Rhede and Velkorn during the events of the Dragon Wars and everything else up until the point where they were sealed in stone. She told the trio of their actions once they had woken again and all the way up to their eventual ends. She down played their heroics by pointing out why they did them and up played some of their darker moments.
Zecora only spared them a few things here and there but the picture that was painted of their parents was not a pretty one. It was filled with blood, near genocide, infidelity, infanticide, and curses. By the end of it all three of the foals were at the very least teared up, though Wolf was clearly angry.
“If they did all that, killing foals, helping make monsters and turning on their own why were they let loose again? Why would the Elements of Harmony even choose them?” Wolf snapped.” This has got to be lies.”
“What I said has not been a lie, they were far from perfect when fate chose them to die.”Zecora sighed.
“Why did you tell us this?” Fox demanded, the colt sounding much angrier than Zecora had heard him speak before, though given how he was rubbing the softly sobbing Rynthia's back she could understand why.
“As I said before this lesson was never meant for you two, it was not something I planned to put you through.”
“Yes, because making our sister sit though the story alone is much better.” Fox grumbled.
“There is a lesson, and a point here if you are willing to see. After everything I have told you and what you know , what might the lesson be?”
“They were …. they were still worthy of the Elements of Harmony..... despite what they did. They did horrid things but they tried to atone.... “ Rynthia muttered.
Zecora's ears perk up and a small smirk crosses her muzzle. “Indeed Rynthia, correct you are, in your families reasoning abilities, you are setting the bar. Despite what they did and what they lived through, they represented Compassion and Generosity too. Their actions could be considered atrocious at times, horrific I'd guess, their morals seemed cloudy their judgments a mess. But your mother cared for all, no matter the price, and your father was giving whether or not he was actually nice. “ Zecora looked back at the graves.
“In the end they both did their best to make up for their wrongs, I doubt either expected or wanted to be remembered in song. But that is what happens and how ponies cope, with the loss of ones loved they can only hope, that their friends might be remembered with warmth and good praise, and their misdeeds forgotten, behind all the praise.”
Zecora slowly rises to her hooves.
“That is the lesson, unless you still object, they both became heroes, worthy of our respect. Their beginnings however you would do well to recall, and know there is potential to be anything inherent in all. Despite telling you this, a tail that seems tragic, think of how many loved them because their friendship is magic.“
The three foals blink looking up at Zecora then to each other before all of them flatten their ears with confused looks on their faces.
“I have no idea what the point of this was.” Wolf muttered.
=======================================
[Tamberlane, outside the shield]
“The moon's going back down.” Jer'rahd commented.
“Well that didn't take long. I suppose she might be limited in power or trying to hide herself.” Celestia commented as the moon dipped back down below the horizon. “ We really need to come up with a solid way to inform each other that we are still alright in situations like this.”
“We shouldn't HAVE situations like this.” Jer'rahd growled. “ Any way the bastards times up. You wanna knock this time and break another train car or do I just cut the bubble?”
“ Go ahead, if we can break through this thing then we don't need to wait for a rescue. One of us can find the hostages and the other can find the bell.”
“You can fly, you go for the bell it might be in a tower or something.” Jer'rahd stated.
“Alright. But do not underestimate Grogar. Just kill him quickly.” Celestia agreed as Jer'rahd readies the Waning Moon to slice the yellowy shield.
=========================================================
[ Inside the Shield on Tamberlane, a few minutes prior]
“Well at least it's not a store room.” Twilight observes. “ It looks like a amphitheater.”
The room they entered was a massive bowl shape with a vaulted covered with images faded and chipped into obscurity. Rows and rows of half rotted and collapsed benches rested on stair like tiers sloping down towards the middle. At least three other floors of seating were above them on staggered balconies that ran around the whole room. In the very center was a raised circular stage of stone.
There were six obvious paths leading to doors at the back walls of the theater, one of which they had just come from all radiating out from the stage. The stage it self was littered with splintered wooden chairs and what looked to be ruined interments and Donkey and Equine skeletons.
“It looks as if there was a orchestra playing here. Something must have killed them quickly as several are still in their proper places.” Octavia noted as the small group moved down towards the center of the room.”I never liked this sort of stage.”
“This is creepy. What the heck happened here. There's no other bones any where else , just on the stage.” Lyra noted.
“Perhaps they died in practice?” Trixie suggested.
Luna and Twilight had not really been listening to the others. Both of them felt something off here and were watching the upper balconies expecting something to attack.
While they were not disappointed, they were wrong in the direction they looked.
Octavia was the first to see the spectral form rising up out of the center stage. She barely yelled out a warning before the others were moving. Lyra lept at it swinging her weapon at it, the boat hook slicing right through the specter with no resistance.
Other ghosts began to rise up in the concert hall from the stands, blocking the exits with their wispy forms. Luna lashed out at one with a hoof before yanking her hoof back with a yelp, her limb covered in ice crystals from the contact.
“Don't touch them. They're freezing.”Luna snapped to the others as she tried to stomp the frost off her limb.
“Ghosts!” Trixie yelped.
“There's no such thing as ghosts.” Twilight snapped back.” Though these things put up a pretty good argument to the contrary. They are likely just echos....”
“Sparkle do not get into a discussion with Trixie about ghosts while we are surrounded by them....” Trixie snapped as she rushed in the circle around the stage before climbing onto it wary of the spirit in the middle as she looked at the stage floor. “No trap doors or exits for performers, what kind of stage is this!?”
“A political one most likely.” Luna growled backing up towards the stage noting that there were more ghosts coming and even flying out without hitting one wasn't an option.
While the others were forced closer to the stage by the encroaching spirits, Octavia had yet to move from where she stood next to the circular dais. Her lavender eyes were locked on the first ghost to appear.
“Luna.” Octavia muttered her ears flattening to her head. “ I know who this one is........”
“What?” Luna asked looking back at the one in the center of the stage as she an the others were forced up onto the stage.
The ghostly figure was clearly a mare, she looked as she likely did in life. Lithe with a long mane and tail and very pretty features. Features that were marred by an obviously damaged spine which bent her back at an odd angle and great claw marks ripping through her chest and mid section as if she had been attacked by a great beast or dragon. Her fur was solid black with a high sheen of gloss to it like onyx and her long hair was pure silver. On her flank was a white octave cleft symbol cutie mark.
Luna's eyes widen at the sight of the ghost, who's own eyes snapped open to stare at the Changeling Queen, her eyes glowing blood red with hate.
“Oh shit...... it's his ex.” Luna yelped as the Ghost screams the sound echoing across the amphitheater and making everyone feel as if their bones were rattling. The spirit launches itself at Luna as she dove to the side, the ghost pony darting through the air and whirling back around for another attack as if she were a pegasus rather than a unicorn. Luna cursed barely managing to keep out of the ghosts reach though bits of ice and frost dot her wings and mane from the near misses.
“Well it seems she has a serious issue with you. Lady Regent of Dullahan..... or was that Demon of Dullahan and Regent of Gallopa-whatever. Honestly it matters little now that I have found you again.” Shouted a voice from one of the upper floors.
Luna spared a glance up as Grogar loomed over the railing looking down at the five trapped in the center of the room by the horde of ghosts. The vengeful spirit also looked up at Grogar and held it's place. In the air sparing glances at Luna.
“I call foul Grogar. Platinum reincarnated and that reincarnation is currently very much alive. There is no way this can be her.” Luna snarled.
'Reincarnation?” Grogar scoffed. “That myth? Simply because some individuals claim to have seen themselves in their past life in their dreams they think that reincarnation is real. Death is the end of everything mare. And when you master death you have mastered everything. Everything that lives, dies, and once it is dead it is mine. The greatest of warriors, the most talented musicians, the most powerful spell casters. Once they pass the veil they are mine for eternity. Next thing you'll tell me is that gods are real too. “
Twilight and Luna both blink slowly then look at each other before looking back at Grogar.
“They're not?” Lyra questioned.
“Of course not. All it takes is a few cheap tricks and the idiot locals think you're a divine being. I had a tribe of somethings calling themselves Shadow Walkers worshiping me as a god for close to a thousand years. Stave off a couple of deaths and a disease here and there then make a new life form or two out of leftover seapony and dragon parts and all the sudden you're a deity. Honestly though that was quite entertaining thousand or so years, perhaps I should look into doing that again. “Grogar pondered. “In any event I am the closest thing to a god that exists. I control death and the only guide that life has are base impulses imprinted from repeated reproduction of a species and what is learned. There are some odd quirks here and there that grant some more power than others, but in the end only death remains. Unless you are one such as I who have mastered the finale of life.....”
“Drones on a bit doesn't he?” Trixie muttered to Lyra who nodded.
“Oh sorry if I'm boring you. I had planed to keep you alive for a bit longer to study your oddities and in the musicians cases until I managed to get my lab set up again, but if this has gotten boring I can easily spice it up again!” Grogar snaps as the ghosts start to howl pushing closer and forcing the five onto the stage. Platinum's ghost remains above them glaring at Luna.
“Whats that no snarky comment? No quips or threats this time?” Grogar grinned.
“Why bother? You've yet to surrender, which means your end is already upon you. Clearly you have already met your destroyer as well, or else you wouldn't have mistakenly called me the Demon of Dullahan.” Luna grinned. “ there is only one stallion who goes by that title. And if he is here and you left him alone for any length of time, you dun goofed.”
“Perhaps but that is a goof easily fixed, and it will not matter to you in the slightest. Given you will be dead.”Grogar snorted, his eyes narrowing.” Kill th......”
Grogar's order was cut off as a scream of pain filled the air. The sound of it was louder than even the scream from the ghost of Platinum, seeming to reverberate in the very air and setting every one on edge/ Dust drifted down from the ceiling, a section of the balcony collapsed on the far side of the room and the sound of tumbling rock filled the air long after the scream itself slowly subsided as the whole island seemed to shake.
Some of the ghosts looked startled as well, most of them flickered and some faded out for good.
Luna bared her fangs in a smirk again as the noise subsided, the expression on Grogar's face was one of shock and terror and Luna could taste his fear. For once the emotion was delicious.
“What did I say?” The mare snapped as Grogar glared down at her.
“Hold them, do not let them go any where!” Grogar ordered turning and rushing off as the Ghosts packed themselves tighter around the small group.
The front rows of the theater were caked in ice, the very air around them cold enough already for the group to see their breath.
“Guard Captain Kaisur?” Lyra asked.
“Oh yeah.” Twilight agreed.
“I can't feel his presence very well, but I am certain it is him and my sister.” Luna stated glaring up at Platinum.
“Any ideas on how to get out of this?” Trixie asked.
“Not with all these ghosts. If I had my magic perhaps, but we cannot touch them. And we cannot scrape these rings off without damaging ourselves.” Luna grumbled. “Twilight?”
“Grogar doesn't believe gods exist nor does he believe in any sort of reincarnation. That puts him from I would say the dark ages, the thousands of years of blank history where there either were no gods, or the pre history age where the gods hid themselves away from the world. Given I don't recognize the architecture, nor his accent I can't place his origins any closer than that, nor can I see any use from this observation.”
“So we're stuck?” Lyra sighed.
“Trixie is not a fan of being trapped.....” Trixie muttered. “Nor the cold.....”
A sudden cord from behind them had the four mares turn to look back at their fifth group member.
Octavia had cleared off one of the stools from the ancient band and pulled out her cello. She was in the process of tuning it and a number of the ghosts had focused their attention on her.
“Octavia what are you doing?” Twilight asked.
“All I can do at the moment.” Octavia stated flatly playing a few more notes before adjusting the strings. Seemingly satisfied the musician stood up and drew the bow across her interment making an awful screeching sound that made every one, including the ghosts flatten their ears to their heads.
Snapping her bow up like a sword she pointed the tip into the air directly at the floating ghost of Platinum. The spirit seems confused as Octavia holds the position glaring at the ghost of the mare. Finally the ghosts eyes widen then narrow as her own ears flatten to her head her attention fully on the gray earth pony now.
“Accepted.” Platinum stated her voice reverberating in the room.” Terms?”
“You know the terms. You have enough musicians here to follow either of our leads. They will play back up for both of us to the best of their abilities. Winner take all of course.” Octavia stated.
“Accepted, lose and you are mine.” The ghost mare stated.
“Agreed. There are worse fates then to be stuck in a spectral orchestra.” Octavia snapped back as the ghost dropped back into the middle of the stage vanishing from view.
“What the heck is going on?” Twilight asked as Luna stared at Octavia in shock.
“A musicians duel. In the past some times the only way to play a venue was to directly compete against others. While it was generally less violent than a normal duel the terms were often ridiculous so the practice fell out of favor.” Luna shuddered. “Some ponies demanded others limbs, ears, that they gouge out their eyes. Become slaves, give up music or take their own life. Musicians would often do such things with out question as the loss of honor would mean they would never play again publicly if they refused. A discordant note and the gesture...... How did you even?”
“I am a teacher of the most prestigious school of music ever to exist Queen Luna. I would be amiss if I did not know the history of my craft even the sordid bits most prefer to forget.” Octavia stated.
“Awesome, win this and we're out. You got this Tavi!” Lyra cheered though her voice dropped off a little.
“You can win right? I mean sure Platinum is considered one of the greatest but not THE greatest right....? Tavi?”
Octavia said didn't respond as she began checking over her instrument again waiting for Platinum's ghost to return.
=======================================================
[ Crystal Empire.]
“... and that completes my report sire.” Pip stated his form still stiff and at attention. Scootaloo stood nearby, though while she was also standing at attention, she had a rather dark expression on her features as she stared down Shining Armor behind his desk.
To be honest the young mare was rather unnerving him with that look, but their report bore consideration. He himself hadn't been sleeping that well for the last few nights, though in truth after raising two foals, he was used to it.
After the fire in midtown, the pair had been summoned to him directly at the castle to give their report. While this technically skipped a number of channels and probably pissed off their superiors Shining respected merit more than rank and given Pip and Scootaloo's short stint in the guard and what they had done, he already ranked them above a number of their superiors. Kaisur's efforts to reform the Guard were only partially successful. There were still a number of brown nosers and idiots in positions of power. Particularly in the Crystal Guard, though he was working on that, just at a slower pace because, unlike Kaisur, he actually knew what tact was.
Still while this bore investigation there were few if any that could investigate issues in dreams. The two main ones were currently indisposed on that island. Any others would likely be in Neighlantis. It was rumored they had studied such things.
As for those who could investigate and do the leg work, most of his Guards were busy with the Northern Expedition or assisting the Griffons. The only ones available were right in front of him, which explained Scootaloo's glare as they were supposed to be on vacation.
“At ease already. Also Scootaloo don't give me that look, I'm neither on your fathers nor Luna's payroll. I know this is supposed to be your vacation, but I don't have any one else available to investigate. This might be nothing, or it might have something to do with the island appearing, but given all that we've been through I'm not willing to take the chance.“ Shining sighed as the glare got worse. “I'm letting you off the leash to investigate this, you'll answer to me or any one higher than me.. which in the Empire is just Cadence. I'd suggest avoiding pulling resources from the Guard as the officers will likely get surly being pulled from their own tasks. Try the Crystal Citadel first. Maybe this is something they noticed, or heck it could even be a side effect of something one of the students is working on. Worst case you can probably ask Berry for some magical support if you need it........... Scootaloo.... stop looking at me like that........ Alright FINE. I'll try to arraign the pair of you to be put on outpost duty for a couple of weeks once this is over. That's the best I can do without Luna getting involved.”
Scootaloo considered and nodded lightly much to Shining's relief.
“Now then I suppose we can start this by going to wake the foals up from their nap and see if they had any nightmares.” Shining Armor sighed pushing himself up from his desk.
==============================================================
[Crystal Empire, Nap Time]
There was no screaming this time when they entered the dream, just a over bearing feeling of fear and dread. There were whimpering sobs and a dark voice muttering something just below the range of their hearing. This dream was dark and grotesque shapes and forms seemed to writhe around at the edges of their vision. When one turned to look there was nothing there but darkness, though looking in a different direction only showed new horrors at the edges of their sight.
None of the foals were comfortable with this place, and the tapir, Glimmer had named Charlotte, was trying to bury itself between the pink pony's wings.
Dawn slunk towards the whispering and sobs sniffing lightly at the air as she crawled along. The others followed closely behind.
The orange scaled Kirin stopped suddenly lowering down to her belly.
“Alright guys I think that's the big bad over there standing over Shin. We need to hit him hard and fast....” Dawn whispered.
“And how are we supposed to do that” Glimmer hissed.
“So long as you know you're in a dream you have control over that dream. Just imagine doing something that you can use as a weapon and try to form it like Puffyhead did with his gloves.” Dawn explained.
“Gauntlets.” Talon snorted. “Our powers also work here, though I think I am the only one with any sort of control of them.”
“Talon you are the only one who knows their own power, I doubt Elusive and I can hope to gain one suddenly and light our darkest hour.” Rynthia commented.
“Just focus on something to use as a weapon. Like Brainy's spear or something. We just need to rescue Shin.” Dawn muttered.
The others looked at each other as Dawn seems to concentrate, her form growing larger and darker. Rynthia frowned as her sister seems to shift back into the dark alicorn that she had been before. Of course the alicorn suddenly developed a bright pink skin tight uniform that looked like the superhero Filli-second from one of Dawn's comics. Of course given that Filli-second is her sisters favorite comic, it made sense.
Elusive was the next one who caught on. He didn't grow any larger, but he was suddenly wearing armor and wielding a spear not too far different from the one he had on a wall in his room. Though this one appeared to be the real thing rather than just a training weapon. In fact it looked like the spear stuck in the ground on Gallopagos.
Rynthia looked over to Talon as he grew in size, whether from his imagination or his own power she was unsure, but his fore claws were covered with the gauntlets once more and his furred and feathered form covered with forest green armor.
Glimmer........ Glimmer unnerved Rynthia a little. The mare suddenly burst into some odd elaborate dance number, sans music or flashing lights, but after a kaleidoscope effect and clothing magically forming on her body she stood on her back legs wearing a odd looking little blue miniskirt, a white leotard with boots on all four limbs. Her mane was done up into two small little buns with ridiculously long pony tails coming from each of them. She had a tiara on her head and some odd sort of wand with a crescent moon on it. Charlotte was also changed as now he was solid black, with cat ears and a silver crescent moon on his forehead, which the tapir promptly pulled off and ate.
“Sailor Sentai?” Talon asked.
“I love those stories.....” Glimmer muttered as if ashamed.
“It might work. Though I shall warn you I will not dress up in a suit and throw flowers.” Talon nodded getting a small sigh of relief from Glimmer as well as a bit of a pout to her lips.
Rynthia however seemed to be having trouble getting anything to form. She thought of her fathers sword, her Aunt's blade, the bone armor anything, but nothing appeared. The Zebra sighed noting the others had already started forward, while she was trying to figure out what to use.
Why was this so difficult for her? Was there nothing she favored? It couldn't be she was over thinking it, Talon and Elusive were the best at that. Even if she couldn't summon anything she couldn't let her friends fight alone, but she needed something to help.
The little red stripped zebra whipped her head trying to clear it of any thoughts. A soft jingling caught her attention as well as a unexpected weight on her chest.
Rynthia looked down rather surprised to see an odd silver and gold pendant dangling over her chest. She blinked and quickly took the jewelry off to get a better look at it. What was this?
The pendant was richly carved and showed the old symbol of a scale like they had in court houses on it. It didn't appear to be silver, but highly polished steel, simple but still ornate.
Had she summoned it? She didn't know why, she couldn't think of any fictional heroes that wore jewelry like this, she wasn't fond of decoration herself.
Still the amulet seemed familiar, but she couldn't place why.
Shrugging she put it back on and started toward the others trying to sneak up on the monstrous Kirin. Maybe the amulet would help, but she couldn't do anything if she wasn't closer.
Rynthia may as well have not bothered. As she took a step forward all the others rushed him at once and were flung off the ground and into the air by a sudden blast of power from the gray creature. They hung in the air struggling and squirming being held aloft by nothing. Rynthia remained on the ground untouched by the magic as she seemed to have been too far back from the epicenter of it. She watched as costumes and gear burnt off her friends turning back into the dream stuff. Charlotte clung tightly to Glimmers back though the tapir seemed pinned between the pink pegicorns wings.
>” This is the best?”< the creature sneered, it's mouth unmoving. >”I knew I would be found out sooner or later, but by foals? Truly you mortals are pathetic.”<
It's gaze swept over them as it pulled them all in close. One of it's eyes glowing red, the other glowing a bright green, it truly did resemble her father. If her father was a disgusting monster any way.
>”A brat of a Princess, a pompous hippogryph, a foal with delusions of grandeur, and a nightmare reborn. You have such an array of fears , simple ...”< he looks to Talon, >” Complex,”< A glance to Shin who was still whimpering on the floor. >” Common.....”< a glare at Dawn, >” inane,”< A glance at Elusive. >” Still that is quite the variety, I should keep you all around to feed me more.... But time grows short and as easily as I stopped you here should provide more than enough of a meal as you consider your own uselessness.”<
The creature grind its mouth splitting up the side of it's face and running down it's equine like neck displaying more and more ragged predatory teeth as several more eyes popped out of it's torso to stare at the foals floating about them, covering it's body with softly glowing red and green orbs.
>“But why make it that simple?” <
The creature suddenly tossed Elusive away, the Kirin foal vanishing into nothing with a light pop. Dawn followed being tossed in another direction her alicorn form gone with the costume she wore. Talon was simply dropped and vanished. The monster pried Charlotte from Glimmer and tossed the pair in two different directions for them to vanish. Shin simply vanished from where he was huddled the creature barely sparing him a glance.
The monster sucked in a ragged breath of air, a long striped serpentine like tongue slipping from it's maw, licking it's lips from one shoulder all the way around to the other. It paused turning it's focus to the red and white Zebra foal before advancing on her.
>”Well well, seems I missed one.... Mmm another complex fear, layered too... ooh you are a treat.”<
“Wh... what are you....?” Rynthia stammered trying to muster the courage to get back to her hooves as the creature loomed over her.
>”Really now sister. Don't you recognize your older brother?”< The monster laughed again, the sound humorless and seeming to come from every where except the beast before her.>” Though I suppose you are adopted.”<
“You... you are neither Pip nor Brush....” Rhynthia stammered.
>” Of course not, I'm much older than them. I was born long ago from your father and a seapony, aged in fear and grown in terror, I just now have the freedom I have craved since his wife is no longer in control of this world.”< The monster grinned wider, the smile going further into it's torso showing larger teeth where his ribs should have been.
>” As for who I am? Father never decided to name me, blaming everything on a house guest who overstayed his welcome. So I named myself, would you like to know what I call myself little sister? Do you want to know the name Equss will scream when I finally gain the power to escape this place?”<
The monster leaned down to mutter something to the terrified Zebra foal before rearing up, it's whole body splitting open with a terrible maw full of teeth and multiple tongues not unlike a Tazel worm. It laughed again the sound booming from every where but the creature.
=============================================================
[Crystal palace. End of nap time.]
Shining Armor pushed open the door to play room frowning as he noticed a few things.
One, it seemed all the foals were already awake.
Two, it seemed they were trying to build some sort of fort out of the beds and other furniture of the room. The lot of them stopped suddenly, staring at Shining as he looked in the door at them.
Shin suddenly pointed at Dawn from his perch atop one of the beds to where she stood pushing a toy box up to help reinforce their fort.
“She did it!” Shin quipped getting a glare from Dawn right before she scrambled up the side of the flipped bed and tackled the shrilly screaming Changeling onto the other side of the fort's wall. Elusive slapped his forehead with a hoof and both Talon and Glimmer rolled their eyes.
Shining rubbed the bridge of his nose with a hoof. Clearly they were fine and not only that, it seemed they had skipped their nap. Still he was impressed they had been quiet this long.
“Is Rynthia in here too?” Shining asked ignoring Shin's yelps and Dawn's overly loud mauling once the Changeling foal started giggling and the raspberry sounds started.
“She is sir... She's.... reading...” Talon stated flatly.
“Shh alright. I'll have the maids bring some snacks up in a bit....”
“Thank you daddy.” Glimmer chimes in as Shining closes the door.
The foals all held their positions in silence for a moment more before all of them scrambled behind the hastily built barricade.
“I still don't understand why we can't tell him?” Talon hissed. “ That thing threw us all out of the dream like it was nothing.”
“Because the moment we tell them we had a bad dream, they'll take away some of our treats cause that's what gave us the night mares or some of our stories.... “ Glimmer muttered. “They've done it before. Adults have weird ideas of what causes bad dreams.”
“Plus if they found out we were using dream magic spells they might get mad too.” Elusive added.
“You could blame it on me, I wouldn't get in trouble.” Dawn grinned.
“Yeah except you can't use magic.” Shin pointed out as Dawn pouted.
“I still want to know how you knew so much in there Dawn.” Talon pointed out.
“I knew what in where?” Dawn asked.
“In the Dream you sounded like you knew what was going on.” Elusive added.
“I did?”
“Yes, this isn't the time to be silly!”Glimmer snapped. “ Charlotte is still stuck in there.
“Who?” Dawn blinked.
“The tapir!” Glimmer growled.
“What's a tapir?” Dawn asked.
“Is she serious?” Glimmer hissed.
“She did say she didn't recall her dreams, there is of course more to my sister than it..... is..... appears?”Rynthia commented looking up from the book she had buried herself into.
“Seems?” Elusive offers.
“Yes that.”Rynthia sighed. “ This book has nothing on that name, nor the necklace I had on. This makes no sense to me.” Rynthia growls tossing the book aside and flopping onto her belly.
“Name? What name?” Talon asked
“The creature told me it's name.” Rynthia sighed.
“What's it called then?” Dawn asked.
“It calls itself Tantabus.” Rynthia explained.