As the glow around me died down, I found myself inside the grand hall of the Friendship Castle. Looking around the hall, I saw seven mares talking to each other standing beside the windows, through which I saw the early morning sunlight. ‘Huh. That means I lost my consciousness when I was teleported. But does this means that lost my connection with the church?’ I thought as I got up and tried to walk towards the little group. But stopped as I felt a sharp, painful pull on my spiritual energy. As I took a few steps back, I noticed that I was in some sort of magic circle, with runes, lines and figures. If I haven’t changed into the cosmic goat thing I would have absolutely no idea how it works, but now, with, apparently preinstalled, magical knowledge, I soon realized that this magic circle was somewhat similar to the Faraday cage, but instead of only protecting outside or inside from electric and magnetic fields, it also had magical protection. And it was really advanced too. Even if I am a cosmic being now, I could dispel it, in a few minutes or so.
“Ah, you're awake!” I heard Twilight says with a hint of relief. “Sorry about that, but I had to put you in a suppressing circle for our safety. We all still don’t know if we should trust you just yet.” She said rubbing the back of her head. “But I do have good news for you! In a few minutes, the princesses will arrive and we will determine your true intentions for Equestria. Until then, I would like to ask you some questions about your magic. If that’s okay with you.” As she finished I was already halfway through dispelling the ‘faraday’ circle.
“You indeed can ask me a few questions.” I say, but cut her off as she tries to ask the first question. “But only if you will answer the same amount as mine.” She nods. “And I will ask first.” She hesitates for a moment but then nods again. “Good. Is this magic suppressing circle of your design?” I say pointing my finger down.
“Well yeah. Discord and I were working on them together, exactly for situations similar to yours. I mean Discord was an evil spirit before, so I asked him for help. What about it?” she asked, as I finally dispelled the circle.
“I can say that this circle is very impressive. You did an amazing job, for an alicorn this young.” She blushed a little.
“But you need to improve the locking runes.” I say as circle burns in the white flames. It captured the attention of all mares and dragon, as I harmlessly step out of the circle. “You all also need to be more relaxed, because I do not have any ill intent, neither towards you or your country.” I said looking down at the scared Twilight.
Then my spider senses (or is it supposed to be goat?) kicked in, in a second I brought my hand in front of my face and caught the magic beam that Starlight shot at me, as she shook out of her shock. I absorbed the magic from the attack and slowly turned my head to her. Glimmer`s eyes widened and then I felt her delicious fear. ‘Excuse me, whaaaaaat?!’ exploded in my thoughts, as I tried to remember the article on Swedish mythology, about the Church Grim. I remembered, that they fed off some concrete emotions. They fed on Hope, Fear, Happiness, and Sorrow. But for some reason, the fear was most delicious of them. ‘Damn, my eating habits are worse than the changelings before their reformation.'
I thought, frowning.
Then, in a flash of light, that was as bright as the sun, The Two Royal Sisters appeared in the center of the room, by this I mean right in front of me. As the princesses opened their eyes after their long-distance teleportation, their gazes locked on me. ‘Huh, I'm taller than Celestia.’ I thought as her eyes traveled from my chest to my face. Her eyes were slowly widening, while Luna was looking at me with a hint of curiosity.
That continued for a few moments, until I said “Greetings Princesses.” and slowly bowed a little.
They both were a little surprised, maybe because I didn’t move my mouth again? Or maybe because my voice didn’t come from me, but from every direction at once? In either way, they were surprised.
“Greetings to you as well.” Said the Sun Princess, turning to her student. “Twilight, it is good to see you too as well. But, would you mind telling me why you wrote that he was in a magic suppressing circle?” She asked her student.
“W-well, he was, Princess. But, somehow he broke out of it…” said Twilight, eyes nervously looking between me and Celestia.
Princesses’ eyes widened, as she understood that I, all by myself, turned off her ex-students spiritual trap, from the inside. I got a spike of fear from Celestia and a spike of curiosity from Luna.
“Interesting… I thought that we cleared our realm from such spirits.” whispered Luna to her sister; even I almost didn’t hear what she said.
“What do you mean by that princes' Luna?” I said as the room visibly darkened. ‘Maybe it’s because I fear that they will kill me too?’ I thought as I backed up a little from them all.
Then all attention got centered around the princess. “Wait. You saw spirits like him before?” Asked Sparkle, looking deep into the eyes of her teacher, as the latter`s ears slowly moved to the sides of her head.
“Well. Yes, Twilight. My sister and I battled similar to him spirits a year after Discord got imprisoned the first time.” She says as everyone looked at me, and then taken defensive poses. Celestia and Luna were just standing there, continuing the explanation. “After a year of Discord`s rule, the boundaries of our realm has grown weak, and in some places, it tore. My sister and I traveled the world, guided by the elements, closing holes and banishing creatures and spirits that found their way in. The most noticeable and irreversible change was the Everfree.” Everyone gasped, excluding me. “It slowly grew around the rift, protecting it, and the creatures inside the forest. But then, Church Grim that had a wolf appearance revealed himself to us, and guided us to the rift. To the small village with the church of Sun and Moon.” Everyone visibly tensed, and I think Twilight gulped, and I thought. ’Huh. That’s funny… I didn`t see anything like it when I scan the environment with my “past vision”.’
Luna continued. “We battled many evil spirits that horrible night, until Diralium managed to close the portal from the inside… Many ponies of our army didn`t make it out of the village.” She hung her head down. “That is why we sealed that region with a complex spell that prevented anyone from entering the village or looking in its past, for exemption of the ones knowing its exact location.” She said as I thought. ‘Oh. That explains some things.’
“Does it mean, that you are not going to destroy my spirit?” I ask cautiously.
Everyone turned to me.
“If you do not give us a reason to do so, then, no we are not.” Said Luna with a little smirk on her muzzle, as room visibly brightened.
‘So I do have an emotional bond to the world around me.’ I thought calming myself down.
“But it doesn’t mean that you are free to go wherever you want.” States Celestia extending her wings. “You will remain under watch of my former student until you will prove us, that you have no ill intentions towards our little ponies.” She said and then turned to a little shocked Twilight. “I trust you, to make him familiar with our world and its laws, Twilight. You did very well for your first encounter with an unknown spirit.” She started charging her teleportation spell along with Luna.
“Princess wait! What do you mean ‘I did well’?” She asks her former teacher.
“It’s a story for another time. Farewell princes' Twilight.” She said smiling, and in a bright flash, they both teleported away.
There was a pause for a few minutes, until Applejack politely coughed and excused herself, because the farm couldn`t harvest apples all by itself. Then everypony found an excuse to leave, after everyone left the hall, the only ones that remained were Twilight, Spike, Starlight and of course, I.
Twilight broke the silence first. “Hey um… Church Grim? What`s your name?”
‘Huh. My name… I can’t call myself by my human name anymore.’ I thought for a second and then answered. “You can call me Alaras. Alaras Grimmus.” They were just looking at me for a moment. “… Or just Grim or Alaras.”
“Oookay… Grim, let me and Spike show you to your room.” Said Twilight walking towards the door, and then turning around. “Spike!” She called out again breaking the little guy out of his stupor. He ran to twilight trying to not break eye contact with me.
I sigh deeply placing my right hand on my face. “If my form is so terrifying to you, I can alter it.”
“You can?” Said Spike and Starlight at the same time.
“Spike! Starlight! It`s extremely impolite to say something so-” Twilight started to say but I cut her off.
“It is quite alright, princess. You are my host, and it is not right for a guest, to make its host uncomfortable.” I say and in the bright white flames my appearance changes. Now in my place stood tall slender unicorn stallion with a long-horn, white coat, white mane and gray eyes, wearing a black cloak with sleeves that covered his body. “Is it better?” I then said in the bored tone.
Twilight looked at me wide-eyed, inhaled deeply, and ruffled her wings. “Yes…” she said cringing a little, then continued walking towards one of her castle rooms.
“It is alright, really. I am supposed to be terrifying. That’s how I, for the lack of a better word, eat.” At this, they suddenly stopped.
“What did you say?” Said purple princess turning to me.
“My kind of spirits feeds off the fear, along with the hope, love, dreams, and happiness of others” I say bluntly.
That makes them even more nervous, bringing me a little of a fear essence to feed upon.
===============================*****===================================
When we finally got to my room everyone left me alone to settle in. My room was two times bigger than my Earth one. It had a big square bed, an armchair, a study desk with a stool, an empty bookcase and closet, and finally a wall mirror. Midday sunlight was shining through the two symmetrically placed windows on the wall opposite to the door, making the crystals shine in the soft light. In short, the room was beautiful and had everything I might need. The only thing I might complain about, it had no bathroom.
‘But do I even need to use the bathroom?’ echoed through my head.
I jumped on the bed.
Lying on my back I thought about today. Well, technically about my two days I was in Equestria. ‘Its good to know, that I will not be turned into stone or sent to the sun in the foreseeable future. It’s also nice to know I will be making friends.’ Then I frowned. ‘But now I need to understand how I exactly know all these things about my new improved self.’ I closed my eyes.
When I opened them I was lying in the white abyss filled with black constellations and gray clouds of stardust. “Huh. So that’s how I access this realm.” I mumbled.
I was hearing a heartbeat, coming from underneath my cloak. I opened it and looked at my heart. And then it struck me like a lightning. “The heart of a Church Grim!” I exclaimed, remembering the line from that one game encyclopedia. ‘It goes “if you were to touch the heart of the Church Grim it is believed you can see Creation itself”. So apparently my heart became an artifact of ultimate knowledge.’ I smiled, and then immediately frowned. ‘Which I don’t know how to use correctly.
'I don’t exactly want to poke it to gain knowledge.’ I sigh making the world appear again.
I fixed my clothes hiding the heart within my cloak as someone knocked on the door, no I will not use the term "anypony" or "Somepony" because they are both racist.
“Come in.” I replied in a bit cheery voice, I will not play a mysterious cosmic creature while I am in a pony`s body. I will make an excuse a bit later.
“Hi… Alaras.” Said Twilight walking in. “I, uh, wanted to check on you, um, to see if you settled in…” She trailed off looking quizzically at my smiling self.
“Yes, the room is pretty nice.” I say, the smile never living my face. “Though, the bookshelf is empty, but I guess I would fill it with books in a few days.” She was still looking at me with a raised eyebrow. “Is something wrong?” I asked, bringing purple alicorn from her mindscape to reality.
“Oh! Um. It’s just that, you act so differently than before. It’s kind of strange.” She answered feeling a bit better.
“While I do enjoy ‘taste’ of fear and sorrow, happiness and hope are much tastier. So I decided to be a livelier person, or a pony, as you say.” I said sliding from the bed to standing position.
“…Well. It’s good to hear!” She smiled in return. “I actually wanted to show you around the town, so you can properly introduce yourself.” Twilight said opening the door, invitingly.
“Oh! Of course.” I said walking through the door. “I would love to see the place.”
And with a click, the door closed, leaving the room empty.
===============================*****===================================
The town was indeed a pretty one. Big, wide streets contrast with small side streets and alleyways, that showed just how the town grows so rapidly. This was also shown by the buildings on the main street that conveniently ended up at up the town-square and the marketplace. We visited the most recently built part of town, it was opened up a few days ago with new shops and most of the new houses were sold. Yes Ponyville was a town, and a fast growing one, its growth and its popularity among tourists was rising faster and faster since the defeat of Nightmare Moon, that was six years ago, yes you heard that right, SIX years ago! (And just two years after that village grew enough to be called a town.) By this time Ponyville is 3 times bigger than it used to be. I was shocked too. Not by the fast growth, but by the fact it’s all actually made sense! And did you know that Ponyville had two cinemas? What about a mall? A theater? Museum? Even a freaking “Burger Prince”! And there`s more! Being a town with a Princess of Friendship as a head of it brought many different races in town, streets were filled with the many colorful species! There were the diamond dogs, desert cats, few dragons, zebras, donkeys, mules, griffons and much more! I will not be surprised if this “town” will be the new capital of Equestria in a few decades.
I was walking all day with purple-butt, explaining pony society, norms, rules, and telling me the history of the town and about the future plans, she was willing to introduce magic powered trams to population of growing town in a few years.
I didn`t even notice that the sun was down and Luna`s moon was slowly rising. It was finally that time, when interesting things started to happen. Instead of a quiet and sleepy town, there were hundreds of small carnival lights, streets were filled with street musicians, actors, and artists of many cultures and countries. Many people were walking on streets, softly chatting in cafes, carelessly spending time with the happy smiles on their faces.
The town square stands and market were closed and moved away, freeing space for a fresh and new "Trixie`s magic show", with fireworks at the end.
In other words, it was Luna`s dream finally come true.
Ponyville was the great town to live in. And only after full excursion did I realized, that I wanted to stay in this town. Live here and watch it grow.
“Are you all right?” I heard Twilight ask.
My mind snapped into place, we were sitting in a cafe not far away from the town hall. I realized that I was crying. I was happy.
“Yeah… Never been better.”
I said smiling, slowly biting my tasty vegeburger, as tears magically evaporated from my coat.
Twilight rolled her eyes in a friendly manner at the display of my unusual magic. “So, you really liked the town?”
“Yep.” I said chewing on my burger. “I would be happy to stay in such a nice place.”
Twilight glanced at the watch on the wall. “Oh! We should hurry up (and get back to the) castle.”
“Um why?” I asked suspiciously.
“Oh, um, I promised Spike I would be home at 11 p.m. at tops. It's already 10:43.
“Oh! Alright, let`s hurry.” I said finishing my vegeburger.
Twilight packed her unfinished food and we moved out towards the castle, Where we were greeted by complete darkness and loud whispers.
‘Wait, this situation seems familiar… Oh, oh no it is a-‘ my train of thought was rudely interrupted by a multitude of loud screams and many voices.
“SURPRISE!!!”
The main castle hall was filled with almost a hundred people, decorations, banners, tables with baked goods and drinks that were about to collapse by weigh of said goods. It was a Pinkie`s brand surprise party. How did I know it? Come on it started with a loud “surprise” and all the banners read “Welcome to Poniville Alaras Grimmus!” Also, said pink pony was jumping up and down saying. “Were you surprised? Were ya? Wereya wereya?”
I chuckled. “Yes Pinkie, it was a great surprise.” I answer with a soft smile. “Come on everyone! I`m finally here so…” I looked at Pinkie, who smirked at me.
“LET`S PARTY!!!” We yelled together as the crowed cheered.
===============================*****===================================
Deep in the Everfree forest, a pack of timber wolfs was hunting. They were pursuing a small target filled with magical energy. That’s what was important for them. The magical essence that's contained in the blood and flesh of every creature, that was their food source. Then they lost the smell and sight of their target in an area that was filled with ruins of an old village.
The Wolfs were moving slowly, without a sound, searching for a small embodiment of the sweet and tasty magic.
Soon, one of the wooden beasts found something in a corner of a small, almost destroyed house. It was a crying foal with gruesome injuries around his neck. They resembled deep cuts with a black, blood-like substance liking from them on the ground. His face was hidden behind his hooves.
When all the wolfs came to the foal, snarling and growling, wanting to restore their magical resources, the foal stopped crying.
Slowly his hooves dropped to the ground.
The Timber wolfs backed off in fear because instead of a face of a scared to death foal, they were greeted by empty eyes sockets and an unnaturally wide predatory grin filled with sharp deformed teeth.
A moment later, there were no timber wolfs in the area. Only broken twigs and branches stained with a black substance, which then retreated back into the “foal” and swarmed inside him through the eye sockets and his maw.
After that, silence filled the air, as the darkness covered the village once again.
Then through the maw of a monster hundreds of voices spoke as one.
“It’s not enough. They had no flesh.”