//------------------------------// // Prologue - An offer of safety // Story: The Ones Who Returned From Stone // by Skijarama //------------------------------//     “This must be the place…” The brown stallion muttered under his breath, pulling the hood on his travel cloak back to reveal his dark brown mane and bright cyan eyes. He stood at the edge of a small patch of forested terrain, gazing out from the shrubbery at an old, pre-dark farmhouse that looked like it was abandoned. The presence of an earth pony stallion watering a few potted plants, looking to be no older than fifteen, quickly made it clear that this place was not abandoned. “I just hope these ponies can actually help us…”       Without another word, the stallion stepped forward out of the bushes, allowing himself to illuminated by what little light was available from the red ring. He took special care to make sure that his stance was as passive as possible. The stallion watering the plants looked up and immediately stopped what he was doing to make a break for the door of the house. “Mom! Dad! Somepony’s out here!” he shouted, throwing open the door and darting inside.       Soon after, two more ponies, both looking remarkably older than they actually were, stepped out of the farmhouse. The stallion of the two was a dark green unicorn. His mane and tail sported dark purple and dark red stripes and were both tied in careful ponytails to eliminate interference. His purple eyes narrowed and his horn lit up. A crossbow revealed itself, drawn from his back and now aimed directly at the oncoming brown stallion’s head. “Not a step further! Who are you?!” he shouted.       “I’m Palmwood,” the brown stallion said calmly, maintaining a neutral tone and passive stance. “I don’t want any trouble; I simply need to ask you lot a few questions.”       The green unicorn hummed quietly, but didn’t lower the crossbow pointed at Palmwood’s face. “I’m Blackberry Thorn. What do you need to know, Palmwood, and why do you think we know anything?”       Palmwood let his stance slowly relax. “My… companions and I have been looking for a certain somepony. We think you may know where we can find them.” he said carefully before glancing over his shoulder. “Though I’d rather not say more while in the open. Who knows if Horizon has fiends watching us or not.”       The mare next to Blackberry, a pegasus with a bright blue coat and a striking orange mane and tail, looked to Blackberry cautiously. He saw her worry and gently wrapped a foreleg over her shoulders while still keeping the crossbow at the ready. “It’s alright, Grapes. I’ll make sure he doesn’t try anything.”       “You’d better. Bramble’s still on edge…” the mare, now identified as Grapes, replied, nuzzling into Blackberry affectionately.       “I know, sweetie… Alright, come on in, Palmwood. Just don’t touch anything and don’t cause any trouble.”       “I wouldn’t dream of it, sir.” Palm gave a small smile and stepped forward to follow them into the farmhouse.       The next several minutes were spent in a tense silence while Grapes made some rudimentary snacks for their guest. Palmwood found himself puzzled by the display of hospitality considering the crossbow aimed between his eyes, but thought better of questioning it. The supplied meal was pretty simple. A small bowl of corn with a few leaves of lettuce on the side. Once that was set for him at the table, he and Blackberry took seats opposite of each other. Grapes left the room, presumably to speak with the young stallion Palmwood had seen a short while ago.       “I appreciate the hospitality, sir. It’s rare to see that these days, even if it’s with a crossbow aimed at my head.” Palmwood said with a small, friendly smile.       “Look, don’t go playing mister nice guy with me, Palmwood. I don’t know who you are or what you want. Until I know I am considering you a trespasser in my house and on my property. I am simply giving you a chance to explain yourself.” Blackberry said back in a low voice, leaning forward slightly. “Now, I believe you had a question for me.”       “A few, actually, depending on the answer to the first.” Palm clarified before clearing his throat. He rested his hooves on the table and looked into Blackberry’s eyes with a frown. “You see, I travel with a group of ponies who have been working towards locating Princess Luna and Princess Twilight Sparkle. We have reason to believe that you, or somepony in your family here, has found where Horizon has been hiding them.”       Blackberry scowled and steadied the crossbow. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, buddy.”       “Considering your steadied aim, I’d be inclined to believe otherwise.” Palm replied simply, never losing eye-contact with the dark pony in front of him. “But please believe me when I say we can make it worth your while, sir.“       “And who the buck is ‘we’?” Blackberry snarled, looking more and more agitated.       “My sister, myself and an old, old veteran who… is basically a mother to us.” Palmwood answered, his gaze briefly losing its intensity.       “Forget it.” Blackberry said firmly, standing up sharply and glaring at Palm. “It’s too risky. Besides, who's to say the princesses are even still alive in those stone cases? I won't risk the only family I have left on a lottery.”       “With all due respect, you’re already running a pretty big risk being so isolated and few in numbers. This farm is pretty well disguised as being abandoned, but if I found you guys living here, there is no doubt a hungry fiend could as well.” Palmwood reasoned, slowly standing up and backing up. “But you don’t have to decide now. Let me name the reward we offer, first.”       “Hurry up.” Blackberry spat.       Palmwood nodded and reached into his cloak with a hoof. What he withdrew was a long, perfectly maintained silver chain pendant. The ornament that hung from the chain was made of a vibrant blue crystal in the shape of a heart, clasped in golden supports. He set the pendant on the table and looked at Blackberry squarely in the eyes. “Help us find the princesses and retrieve them. In exchange, you and your family will be given access to enter the safety and protection of the Crystal Empire.”       Blackberry looked at the pendant in shock, his crossbow drifting off aimlessly. “That pendant…?”       “We haven’t had a chance to bring them back in at least twenty years, mister Blackberry. I don’t know about you, but…” Palmwood pulled his hood back up and turned around for the door. “...well, the princess would very much like to be reunited with her aunt after so long. Think about it, okay? I’ll be back in twenty four hours to hear your answer.”       With that, Palmwood left the house, trotting for the edge of the forest, leaving the family to make their decision.