//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Equestrian Conjurer // by Lunafan1k //------------------------------// Phie awoke to a rapping on her door. She attempted to rise but was met with resistance. She looked around to see the changelings sleeping on top of her covers, binding her to the bed. "Well at least it's not overly hot." She muttered, "Come in!" She beckoned to the door. The door opened and the small drake, Spike, waddled in. "Good morning! I was about to get started on breakfast and wasn't sure..." He trailed off and slowed to a halt when he noticed five pairs of blue orbs and a pair of slitted eyes staring at him from the bed. "Oh, that's wonderful. Twilight's lucky to have someone with such initiative in her life." Phie complemented, causing Spike to blush and quickly forget his rising fear of the pile of changelings. "As for what I'd like, anything without hay or oats would be fine." "Well, I AM her number one assistant!" He preened, "My gemstone pancakes are the best! I'll make an extra batch for you!" he announced as he ran out the door. Phie turned to Chrysalis, "Did he say 'gemstone pancakes?'" the queen nodded as she yawned, "I must inform him of this error in communication. I suggest you join us shortly." Phie blinked out of existence and appeared next to the bed, wearing nothing but the modest white undergarments she wore while sleeping. The changelings watched her with interest, the queen's eyes widened at how skimpy and frail the pale elf appeared when she wasn't wearing her bulky cloak. She quickly donned said bulky cloak and rushed out the door. Phie quickly caught up to the young drake as he turned at the end of the hall, "Young Spike, I am afraid you misunderstand. I do not eat gems either." Spike looked confused for a second before he frowned, "Oh, right, you're not a dragon... So what do you eat?" he asked with a raised brow. "Fruits and vegetables are fine and wheat-based breads and products instead of hay would be best." She told him, "I hope that doesn't cause any issues?" Spike pondered a moment, "I don't think we have anything not made with hay or gems, I’ll have to check..." "Salads are fine too." Phie suggested. "Oh! Well why didn't you say so? I make a mean chef salad!" Spike declared. “Minus the gems for you though.” "Glad to hear. I'm going to shower and get changed, see you shortly." Spike nodded as he ran off to the kitchen. Phie returned to her room to see the changelings haven't moved yet. "I assume you are not the morning type?" Phie asked as she removed her cloak once more, hanging it back in the wardrobe. "The bed's still warm..." Chrysalis murmured, still half asleep. Phie chuckled as she ruffled through the pockets of her cloak and removed a small ornate wooden box. She held the small box in her palm and concentrated, the box glowed with power for a moment before the empty space in front of her collapsed onto itself, soon revealing a massive chest identical to the small box she was holding. She undid the locks and opened the lid, the inside of the chest seemed slightly larger than what it should be and was filled with books and scrolls. Shoved into a corner and folded tightly were several changes of clothing. She grabbed a few articles of clothing and moved her cloak from the closet to the chest before closing the lid, the magical and mundane locks quickly sealing it shut. She turned and disappeared into the bathroom, the sounds of running water filled the room, rousing the changelings from their weary slumber, buzzing their wings to get their blood flowing. About ten minutes later she emerged wearing a modest light white summer dress that flowed down to her knees, her long silver hair ended at her lower back. The dress, in combination with her short stature and soft features, made her look like a child rather than a mage. Chrysalis blinked in confusion, "Are you even the same person?" She gave a small smirk, "Heh. It's my disguise." "... Wearing a dress and letting your mane down is a disguise?" Chrysalis asked incredulously. "While you look different it's still obviously you, and in fact calling it a disguise is a bit insulting." "Apologies, no offense meant. In my world I am quite short in comparison to adults, and wearing a simple dress such as this gives the impression that I am a young age, akin to a child. People tend to overlook sweet little children and won't arouse suspicion if they wander where they aren't supposed to be. I've simply walked past security before and people tend to respond to childish inquiries. It also gets me free candy." Phie replied, putting on a show of being a child by skipping around and twirling in a circle with a goofy smile that didn't reach her eyes. "So you are telling me that pretending to be a child is an effective means of gathering information?" Chrysalis almost seemed shocked. "Why didn't we think of that?" One of her drones asked. Phie dropped the facade, returning to her resting bored face. "Well, there are some things a child can't do no matter how innocent, in which case liberal use of magic and shenanigans is needed." "Wait..." Chrysalis started, a thought forming in her head, "Were you a criminal?" Phie didn't seem bothered by the question, "It depends. If a child acquires a sword or another weapon, would you take it away from them?" The changelings nodded slowly, "When a group of non-magic users locate and secure a magical artifact, it's usually a non-issue. But sometimes they find something exceedingly dangerous or too powerful for them to handle safely, in which case I will infiltrate them and speak with the leader or steal the item and place it in a vault so it won't cause trouble or harm. "Then there's evil mages, who want to use magic for evil deeds and the fastest way to put them out of commission is simply stealing their book or artifact. That doesn't always go as planned though..." She trailed off with a blank stare as her mind went back to all the times she was forced to fight. "In the end, I did what needed to be done, for the sake of innocents." The changelings were shocked, the thought of murdering or killing was as alien a concept to them as it was to ponies. Sure they replaced ponies and kidnapped them, just a little bit, but they never killed or maimed the ponies. Chrysalis spoke  up, "So, in the cave, when you mentioned how you would 'deal' with us, you were prepared to kill us all if we were deemed a big enough threat?" Phie sighed, "Yes and no, I would have tried talking you down first. But if you were intent on causing harm to the ponies or myself I would have taken the necessary actions." Phie met each of their gazes, "I suppose that knowledge put me in a bad light, but take comfort in knowing that I would do the same to defend you if it comes to it." Chrysalis facehooved, "And here I am, thinking that I was something to be feared by ponies." She chuckled, "You must give your enemies the worst kind of nightmares." Phie smirked, "I can be quite meddlesome. Shall we head to breakfast?" She asked, motioning towards the door. The queen nodded and her changelings filed out before her, Phie slipped on a pair of sandals before heading out, closing the door behind them as they headed down the hall. The smells of pancakes and eggs permeated the air as they neared the large kitchen and eating area. "Ponies eat eggs?" Phie asked. "Just the non-fertilized ones!" Phie's vision was suddenly filled with pink and blue as Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared right in front of her, staring into her eyes. "They're good and good for you and without them I wouldn't be able to make any cakes or muffins or cupcakes or cookies or-" Pinkie suddenly vanished almost as soon as she appeared. Phie lowered her hand, "Oops." "Pinkie, what have I told you about-" Twilight cut herself off as she rounded the corner, seeing an absence of the pink mare and Phie in her casual summer dress. "Phie?" She asked, "You look... different." "It's my ears isnt it?" Phie asked, reaching up to hide her long ears inside her hair almost self consciously. "What? No, I don't know why, but I just assumed you would always wear the black cloak or the robes. You look nice though, I'm sure Rarity would approve." Twilight reassured her. "By the way, have you seen Pinkie? I swear she ran off in this direction." A door down the hall opened and a soaking wet Pinkie Pie walked out, dripping a puddle of water behind her. She grinned when she reached the group, "Sorry if I startled you again!" She said with a shiver. "And I am sorry for teleporting you again... but why are you wet?" Phie asked, "I was sure I shut off the shower." "Oh! When I appeared in the tub I accidentally hit the knob as I slipped and the shower soaked me good. I couldn't find the towels though." Pinkie said through chattering teeth as she seemed to vibrate violently. “I think you should dry yourself before you catch a cold.” Phie suggested. “Pinkie, come sit by the fire and warm up until breakfast it ready.” Twilight suggested as she escorted Pinkie away to another room, presumably with a warm fire. “That was strange.” Chrysalis commented, summoning up the entire situation. “Just wait. This is nothing.” Phie remarked as she continued into the kitchen. “What? Wait for what? What are you talking about?” Chrysalis asked as she kept pace. “Exactly as I said.” Phie dodged the question as she took a seat at the table, soon joined by Chrysalis, her changelings, and Twilight. Twilight eyed Chrysalis and the changelings nervously, tapping her hooves on the table and grinning just a bit too wide. “Twilight, there is no need to be wary of the changelings.” Phie commented. “What? What are you talking about? I’m not still a bit scared of them or upset at them or anything!” Twilight said just a bit too quickly. “Twilight, calm down. They wouldn't dare try anything.” Phie sighed. Chrysalis raised an eyebrow, “How would you be so sure?” “Because you would have tried something already and would have likely refused to meet with Celestia and Luna in the first place if you didn't think there was something in it for you. As such, if you take actions against the ponies then you would no longer be able to achieve whatever goal you have in mind. Even if you would attack once you attain your desire, in the meantime the ponies are safe.” Phie responded at length. “So Twilight, relax, get to know them, give them a chance. Kindness and understanding goes a long way.” Twilight sighed and banged her head on the table, “You’re right… I should do as Celestia asks and try as well.” She looked up to the changelings, “Can you forgive me?” The changelings looked to each other and shrugged, “She’s right to be suspicious and nervous.” “That is our MO lately.” “But we’re working on that, right?” “Right.” They turned back to Twilight, “Apology accepted.” Twilight smiled back, more relaxed now. “There, wasn’t so hard, was it?” Phie asked. “No, I suppose not. Thank you.” She said. Spike soon joined them and placed several plates on the table, hay pancakes for the ponies and changelings, gem pancakes for himself, and a large salad for Phie. He topped it off with a large plate of eggs and toast with plenty of juice, butter, and syrup. "Wow! Good job Spike! It looks delicious!" Twilight complimented him. Spike beamed at the praise, "Well, I AM your number one assistant!" A sudden, very loud, sneeze echoed from the other room. Spike's ego deflated just a bit, "... Pinkie helped a bit." "This is still an impressive spread, there is nothing to be ashamed of when you are assisted with a task." Phie commented as she helped herself to some eggs and toast, "Is the toast hay-based?" Twilight shook her head, "Hay isn't the best when it comes to making breads, so wheat is the preferred product for baking." "What's the difference anyway? Isn't hay just long grass?" Spike asked as he dug into his pancakes. Twilight smiled at the opportunity to teach them all a little something over breakfast, "Well-" "Hay is basically a dried plant meant to be used for livestock feed. Typically from grass or alfalfa. Wheat is a small grain. Typically the grain, or the seed, is ground down into a light powder, known as flower, and used for baking needs." Phie interrupted, "I could go on but I believe that should suffice for the moment." Twilight gave her a flat look, "Right... what she said. Although in our society hay is used as a snack and primary food like hayburgers and hay fries." “I see, interesting.” Phie commented as she took a bite of her toast. Spike looked between them in confusion for a moment, "Uh, right. Thanks?" "You're welcome." They both replied. Phie chuckled while Twilight glared at her. "I should apologize, I'm too used to others seeking my knowledge." Phie remarked with a nod towards Twilight. Twilight sighed in turn, dropping the glare, "I suppose I can understand that, I'm just not used to others interrupting me to lecture instead." "I would hardly call that a lecture, and most people respond better to smaller pieces of information rather than a large amount all at once." Phie said as she finished her toast. She chewed a bit before looking to the other changelings and Chrysalis, whom were quietly eating their own small meals. "So what do you plan to have your changelings do while here in Ponyville? Will they just follow you around all day?" The queen rolled her eyes, "It's not like they can go anywhere else." "Ah, right, the stigma from the invasion and the kidnappings. Well, not really a stigma, to be fair those were pretty bad happenings. Anyway, I have an idea that I will discuss with Celestia when she arrives that should hopefully begin building some trust towards changelings." Phie replied. Chrysalis stared at her for a moment, the gears in her head turning, "You are scheming something drastic, aren't you?" "Perhaps, although I will need additional information prior to implementing the plan." Phie replied easily, "So we shall see. I will advised when such a time comes." "Right..." Chrysalis trailed off, returning to her food. Her mind was abuzz with thoughts wildly suggesting everything from the mundane to the extreme on what Phie was planning. "And why can't you just ask me about it? I'm a princess too you know, I have the title framed in my office." Twilight asked. "Because I naturally defer to the highest authority, especially since my plan will likely affect the nation as a whole, she and her sister as the primary rulers would be the ones to consult. Not to worry though, you will likely be able to attend the meeting to voice any concerns, as well as you Chrysalis." Phie responded at length. Chrysalis couldn't help be become increasingly worried, for both herself and her remaining changelings. 'Perhaps,' she thought, 'I acted out of desperation too soon, and doomed us all.' Meanwhile.... "Trixie!" Starlight whispered harshly, "What are you doing!? We're supposed to be down at breakfast with the others!" "What?" Trixie replied innocently, "We're just going to have a poke around. Aren't you curious about her? I bet she's hiding something! Or just imagine what spell books she has! She did mention she had some." She carefully opened the door to Phie's room, poking her head inside and looking around curiously. "How do you even know she left them in her room? She didn't have any luggage in the first place!" Starlight said as she quickly followed her inside, being careful to close the door behind them. "Then what do you call that?" Trixie asked, pointing out the large ornate chest next to the dresser. Starlight stared at it for a moment, eyes tracing over the gold borders and embedded gems before settling on the large locking mechanism. They stepped closer, eyes wide in curiosity. The top of the chest was level with their eyes as they stood next to it. Trixie reached forward to try to open it but was quickly stopped by Starlight, "Hold on, this doesn't feel right." "Well we already technically broke in so it's a little late to suddenly want to back out." Trixie remarked. "No, not that. I mean that this chest is magical, you can't just open it without thinking. It could be cursed, sound an alarm, activate a spell, or any number of things." Starlight said as she began to study the chest. Her eyes glowed as she cast a spell of her own, allowing her to more easily see the spells themselves. To her, the chest itself appeared to glow with thousands of runes and energy channels, all powered by the gems themselves. "This is way more complex than I thought it would be..." Starlight commented as she continued to decipher each spell and what its function was. "How complex?" Trixie asked, for all she was able to see was a mundane chest. "Wow... We're looking at magic that distorts reality, no, it moves through reality... There's something that binds it in place, no, binds it to this reality? I'm not sure, this is way beyond anything I've researched." Starlight trailed off, muttering to herself. Trixie rolled her eyes and searched around the room, soon finding what she wanted leaning against the wall. "This should do it." Starlight was still muttering as Trixie returned, "I don't know trixie, I've studied the enchantments in Canterlot placed by Celestia herself and they weren't nearly as complex as these. There's even a spell here to specifically make it smell like mahogany." "Not to worry, for I, Trixie, have the solution to this dilemma!" Trixie announced in the only way that Trixie announces anything, overly dramatic with sparks and fireworks. "Trixie! We'll be caught!" Starlight whispered to her. "Oh relax, these rooms are way down the hall, we'll be fine if we're not too loud." She responded slyly. Starlight facehooved, "Fine, what solution is it anyway?" "This." Trixie held up Phie's staff, bunting the end against the chest much like how Phie had done to Rainbow Dash at the castle. The staff let out a jingle as the magic dispersed from the chest. However, unbeknownst to them, it didn't go unheard. Starlight looked it over, "Well I'll be, it's all inactive. Looking at the gems though I'd say we have about five minutes before they recharge and reactivate." "Well we better not waste any time then." Trixie lowered her horn and cast a spell of her own, soon the lock opened with a heavy click. Trixie gave a sly grin to Starlight, "What? I know a few tricks." Starlight chuckled and rolled her eyes, then pushed open the chest, propping her hooves on the edge as she and Trixie peered inside. "Well, looks like you were spot on about the books at least." Trixie picked up a few and looked them over, opening one to a random page. Most of the page was taken up by a strange series of symbols laid out in an array, but the small text underneath it was written in an unfamiliar language. "Well, this seems about as magical as you can get, can't read it though." She said, snapping it shut and tossing it aside. Her attention was caught by the sight of some dark fabric. "Well well, someone had a wardrobe change!" She said as she pulled up the cloak. It unfurled and a red book fell out. Starlight giggled at her antics, "Right? What's this though?" She asked as she held up the book. "Might be her personal diary." "Oh, well in that case we shouldn't look." Trixie stated. They stared at eachother for a moment before bursting out in laughter. "But how are we going to read it?" Trixie asked. "Just watch me." Starlight smirked as she concentrated on a spell, combining the properties of her magic sight and a number of translation spells. She enveloped herself, Trixie, and the chest within a purple bubble of magic. "There!" she declared with a grin. "Well it looks pretty but what's it do?" Trixie asked. "Just watch," Starlight held up the book and opened it to a random page. They watched as the words and numbers seemed to shift before their eyes. A moment later they formed the language they knew and loved. "Area of effect translation spell." She bragged. "That is pretty cool." She said as she read the text, "Wait... what is this? It's just a list of stuff and some numbers. 'Josh Ballman, 2044-2054. Allen Grayson, 2043-2054. Cheryl Smith, 2049-2054.' The list fills the page." She flipped through several pages, all listed names with the number ending in 2054. "Starlight, I think we shouldn't be reading this." SHe said with a frown. Starlight was busy ruffling through the cloak, soon coming up with a brown book. "Ha! Journal!" She grinned and opened it toward the middle. She paused as she looked at the number on the top of the page. "What number is listed there?" Trixie looked back to the book she still held, "2054." Starlight flipped back a large number of pages until she found one dated for July 22, 2054, "Well the numbers correspond and this is definitely a date, so let's see what that's all about." She cleared her throat and was about to start reading when something behind them cleared its throat. "You shouldn't be snooping." Starlight and Trixie felt their blood run cold, eyes wide as they turned to see what it was. Phie and the others had nearly finished breakfast when a pair of blood curdling screams echoed through the castle then were quickly and suddenly cut off. The ponies shared a look of confusion while Phie prepared a summoning spell. They all quickly leaped to their respective feet and hooves and charged down the hallway, passing a much dryer but worried Pinkie Pie. "That sounded like Starlight and Trixie!" She said as she joined in with Twilight. "Then we can't waste any time!" She replied, using her magic to thrust open each door as they passed. They soon came upon Phie's room, the sight of which caused the ponies to freeze up in fear. There was a creature, it seemed to be made of black smoke wearing a poncho. Its arms and hands were long, incredibly thin, and ending in sharp claws. There weren't any legs to support it as it seemed to float in place. The head though, it seemed to be in the form of a pumpkin. Its mouth was wide and curved into a smile filled with teeth. The eyes were burning brightly, their sharp angles giving it a menacing appearance. Behind it they could see both Starlight and Trixie, bound in living vines and unable to move. They tried to blast the vines away with magic but they were quickly replaced with even more vines. Beyond them was Phie's open chest, and at the base of it was a pair of journals. Phie sighed and released her magic, calmly approaching the creature. "That's enough, Jack. They aren't hostile." Jack, as she called it, seemed indifferent. "They shouldn't be snooping through your things, My Lady. What if they tried to use one of the spell tomes, or got their filthy paws on an artifact?" Phie rolled her eyes and stepped around him, "I have no such things in my possession at the moment, I was sure to transfer anything dangerous into the vault at the coven. The spellbooks are low to intermediate level and the rest is history related." She picked up her discarded journals and looked at the pages they were opened to. "2054..." she whispered mournfully. Jack shrugged, "Still, shall I dispose of these pests?" Phie returned her journals and closed the chest, "Not at the moment, you may release them." The captured ponies were released, dropping them on their haunches. "Since you're here anyway, do you have anything to report?" "Nothing in particular, it's been rather quiet save for some rumors." Jack replied as he floated to a dark corner of the room. "They are interesting rumors though. They speak of a group of shadow people using the dead to toy with the living. Another is a warning, 'Beware the Smiling Man.' What are my orders, or do you finally wish to release me?" Phie sighed, "You know my response to that. I want you to investigate into these rumors for anything substantial and let me know if they are true and any details surrounding them." "Understood." Jack replied as he started to encase himself in a black cloud. "Also, one more thing you should be aware of. The gate you opened, the path still exists. Caution to the wise," he said ominously as he vanished completely. Phie sighed and sat on her chest, finally turning to the confused ponies and changelings still standing in the doorway. "If you have any questions please, just ask me directly instead of snooping through my things. You were lucky it was Jack that discovered you and not something else." "What the HAY was that... thing?!" Trixie blurted out. "That was Jack. He got into some trouble and was set to be executed, but I was able to have him do 'community service' for me as a spy and information gatherer. He's very good at his job and has become an essential asset." She said, "When he asked for me to release him, he was asking that I kill him. He's got a guilty conscious, you see, however he also wishes to redeem himself. He's pretty conflicted." The others finally entered the room and sat before her, Twilight made sure both Starlight and Trixie were fine before sitting as well. "Ooo this is like a Q&A panel! QUICK!! WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?!" Pinkie yelled excitedly. "Blue hues." Phie responded. "Yes!" Pinkie declared before zipping out the door. Twilight looked to the others before asking her own question, "I suppose I'd like to know more about what Jack said." "You heard what I did, although I would assume necromancy is involved in some way." Phie commented. "About the Smiling Man, I haven't the faintest idea. As for the last thing he said, about the path, I would assume that my coming here left a trail of some kind that others may be able to find and follow, which would explain how he was able to come here as well." She pondered. Trixie raised her hoof slowly. Phie motioned for her to speak, "I just wanted to apologize, I didn't think we'd bring something here." Phie raised a skeptical brow that would make Applejack proud. "Okay! So maybe we shouldn't have broke into the box!" Trixie relented, throwing her hooves into the air dramatically. "But really though," she continued, "what was the list of all the names and dates?" Phie was silent for a while, staring at each of them and studying their faces. They stared back, the ponies' eyes sparkling with curiosity and innocence while the changelings seemed to recall what was said during their first encounter. Phie broke eye contact with a sigh, "I will not give you all the details, but that is a list of the dead. Those are the ones I have vowed to keep in my memory. I will not speak on it further until I deem you are ready." The ponies were taken aback, being the first time they heard about it. Trixie looked devastated, she had seen the thickness and weight of the journal, now seeming much heavier of a burden knowing the significance behind it. "Ah, perhaps even that knowledge places a burden on you." Phie commented sadly. "Do not fret, it is my burden to bear, and I do so willingly." She hopped off the chest and gave the ponies a pat on the head, "Pat pat. Come now, there is a party to plan, remember?" Twilight shook her head and forced a smile, "Yeah, we've got a lot of work to do. Come on Spike, let's find Pinkie and get started." She said as she stood, then departed with Spike in tow. Trixie and Starlight muttered their own apologies as well as they followed behind. Phie watched them go for a moment, then closed the door behind them. She walked past the changelings back to her chest and opened it, sorting through the items and making sure everything was accounted for. Chrysalis watched her curiously, "So, what happened on that date?" "Do you believe in gods?" Phie asked instead. Chrysalis was confused by the sudden question, "How do you mean? Like Celestia?" Phie sighed and closed her trunk, checking the enchantments and discovering how they were bypassed. "No, I mean deities from another plane of reality, beings with powers and consciousness beyond comprehension. Beings of great compassion, and ones of pure evil and malice." Chrysalis through about it for a moment, "Well, there are legends about how the world was created that involved powerful beings, but most speculate they are Celestia and Luna's parents." Phie focused her mana into one of the crystals, quickly charging it and reactivating the enchantments. "I see. What happened on that day was truly terrible..." We were searching for ancient ruins deep within an area called 'Death's Bridge.' It was called such because it was a narrow strip of land connecting the two continents, only about two hundred miles wide and about a thousand long. The place was a wasteland, nothing grew here and the air smelled of death and decay. It was considered the most dangerous place on the planet, monsters of all sizes made their home here. To venture through it would be suicide, but I had my companions with me and together we felt we could face anything. I traveled with Grace, a young mage who aspired to be a white necromancer. It was a concept I had never heard of until she told me, and I hope one day she accomplishes that dream. The other mage with me was Astrid, she wasn't expecting the heat and was making it snow around her to keep cool while complaining about melted ice cream. There was also Arashi, a shaman with great skill but terrible luck. Morgan, a combat android with a soul and passion, and a strange tribal warrior called Nefere. We had been traveling for two days, riding a trio of horses as fast as they could run. We outran most dangers but others we were forced to stop and fight or be eaten ourselves. About midday I was blasted off my steed by an unknown force, rolling to a stop a bit roughed up but fine. The others halted their advance and returned to make sure I was alright, Nefere was the first to arrive. I do not know what her tribe teaches, but she is able to outrun most machines let alone horses. She spotted it before I did, pointing out the figure approaching our position. We got ready for combat when it got close, it was a human. He was equipped with weapons and armor and looked half dead as it was. "Phie, of the coven, we meet for the first time, and the last." He said. The others caught up and prepared for combat, I took the diplomatic approach, "Why must this be the last? We have just met, and I don't even know your name." "My name doesn't matter!" He yelled angrily, "I'm going to kill you, and save my village!" I was confused at this point, I had no intention of destroying a village, and nobody knew I would be at this location. "I believe you have the wrong mage." "I HAVE THE RIGHT MAGE!" He roared as he drew his sword, "We are to duel to the death! Nobody interferes or you lose!" I stepped out in front of my comrades to face him. "You know I can just rip him to pieces, right? You don't have to do what this crazy asshole says." Morgan commented as her mechanical parts clicked and whirred in preparation for combat. "No, stand down, there's something else going on." I replied as I looked around, opening my magical senses to the world around me. However, try as I might, I wasn't sensing anything. I addressed the man, "Who arranged this duel, and for what purpose?" "It doesn't matter, I am to kill you, and when I win, my people will be spared!" He yelled as he fixed his combat stance. He must have been waiting out here for several days, he was sweating and panting heavily. "You are exhausted, I refuse to duel someone with one foot in the grave." I said simply. I pulled out my waterskin and tossed it to his feet, "Here, have a drink." He kicked it aside, "We will fight, and we will fight now!" "No." I said sternly. He was taken aback, "W-what?" "I said no. I will not duel you, I will not kill you. I don't care what kind of self righteous mission you think you're a part of, but I will not execute a man who's barely able to stand." I crossed my arms with finality. "But we have to!" He was getting desperate, looking around frantically. "Says who, exactly?" I asked. The world around us grew dark, the air went from hot to incredibly cold, much to Astrid's delight. The man cowered and covered his head as a disembodied voice boomed out, "Says I. You will duel. The loser is determined by death. Any outside help will be a loss. If you win, you get to live. If you lose, you, everyone you love, everyone in your home, will die as I claim their souls as my own." A chill went down my spine as a pit formed in my stomach, "And if I refuse?" "Then you will lose." It responded dispassionately. "You can't just pit two people against each other." I tried to reason, looking for a way out of the situation. "I can. I did. Now duel, or you both lose." It said. The darkness receded as the heat and the sun returned. The man stood on shaky knees, "Th-there you have it! Now fight me!" "... There has to be another way. Don't you think I have an unfair advantage? I am not nearly as tired as you!" I called out, more to the mysterious watcher than the man before me. "I don't call that a duel!" I got a response, but not the one I was expecting. The man screamed, his blood seemed to glow white hot as it shown through his veins. In a moment it was gone, the man howled in rage and leapt forward with renewed energy, the duel was on. I thought quickly, summoning a dense fog between us. I took off to the left through the fog, running as lightly and silently as I could. To buy some time I summoned my unseen servant and sent it to the right, making as much noise as possible. I could hear my comrades arguing weather to join the fight or not. Thankfully Arashi got them to settle down with a few coarse words. I appreciated the thought, but I am never alone. I burned a good portion of my mana to summon my battle gryphons, managing six in total. Their piercing cries rang out over the wastes as the man burst from the fog. He yelled and ran forward, I commanded my allies to attack. He didn't stand a chance. He managed to injure two of them bad enough that they returned home, but he was quickly brought low. The gryphons held him down and disarmed him at my command. I called up to the sky, "I have won the duel, as winner I decide to spare his life and his village!" I thought I could negotiate. The man's heart exploded out of his chest, showering me in gore. There would be no negotiation. "It took weeks to locate the man's village. Eighty-three men, women, and children, all dead. Because of me, because of a god, because of a demon, a bet, a fight, a duel." Phie wiped her eyes, "There is no victory in combat. Only death." "You can't blame yourself because some powerful being forced you to do something." One of the changelings spoke up, the others nodded. "Yea! The invasion was her fault!" another said, pointing a hoof at his queen, who growled and bit at his hoof. "I don't feel bad about it at all." Phie knelt solemnly before her chest, "I'd like to be alone for a while." Chrysalis sampled the emotions she was giving off, cringing at the sudden bitterness of self loathing and despair. "Fine, we will antagonize Twilight without end. Come, we have a party to crash." She said, commanding her changelings to follow her out. Phie sighed and hung her head, mournfully recalling the recent tragedy. The silence of the room, however, was punctuated with faint sobs that weren't her own. She stood and wiped her eyes, picking up her staff in case it was needed. She followed the sounds to her closet, where she placed a hand on the handle and quickly opening the door. Sitting on the floor with her mane straight and eyes wet, Pinkie sobbed quietly, unaware of her discovery. Next to her was a triple decker cake decorated in blue frosting and what Phie assumed to be a few words, possibly of the welcome variety. Phie sighed and stepped into the closet, closing the door behind her and sitting next to Pinkie. She reached over and gently pulled her onto her side so Pinkie’s head rested in her lap, where she was held and comforted. They sat in the darkness of the closet, one sobbing while the other whispered comforting words. Pinkie slowly calmed down, wiping her eyes and snuggling closer to Phie. “Shh, it’s alright. There there. Why all these tears, little one?” Pinkie sniffed back further tears, “It’s just… I heard the story… It made me so sad, that something was… Just, why?” Phie pet her head, “My world is cruel, little one. For too many, each day is a fight for the next. Too many know that when they bed for the night, they might never awaken. The evils of man are wide and rampant, giving power to gods that embody those ideals. Humans are capable of such cruelty, such unspeakable horrors, that at times even I feel they should be eradicated. “But, just as there are those who would do evil, there are ten times as many who are capable of great kindness. They are the ones putting their lives on the front line to protect their families, bonding together to pull themselves out of the darkness. It's hard to see at times, but they are a balance. “It is what gives me hope. Hope that if I help face the evil, innocents won’t have to.” She gave Pinkie a light hug, “If I have to face the demons of hell themselves, I can hold my head high that the thousands behind me won't have to, and in doing so I know that I stand alongside thousands of others.” Phie wiped Pinkie’s face with her dress, staining it. “So no more tears for me, not while others are more deserving. Keep them in your heart, they will give you the strength and perseverance to succeed.” Pinkie straightened up, wiping her face with a hoof while her main regained some of it's curls. “Okay… It's still so sad, but I’ll try. You think they would like a party?” Phie smiled her small smile, “I am sure of it.” Pinkie smiled sadly and nodded, “I’ll plan something for those poor pon-I mean, people then.” “I’m sure a party in their memory would be honored. But perhaps after the event just around the corner.” She said, patting her head and tousling her mane. Pinkie turned and gathered up the cake, “I’ll get something planned for your official welcome too, you can count on me!” Pinkie’s smile was growing, the prospect of not one, but two big parties cheering her up. Phie smirked, “Then show us all what you are capable of.” “You got it!” Pinkie saluted before darting out of the closet. Phie remained seated in the darkness, a frown on her lips. ‘A party for the departed…’ she thought to herself, ‘Perhaps, it is long overdue.’