//------------------------------// // 10: Hot On The Trail // Story: 'Til Death Does Us Part // by Styxxie //------------------------------// After a good thirty minutes of waiting and calling the ponies needed, Celestia, Luna, and Twilight were pleased to see Styxx's family once again. A large, strong, built unicorn stallion stood before them first. His coat was dark red, his mane as black as the night, eyes glimmering magenta. His flank bore the cutiemark of a large death scythe. He knelt down in front of the princesses respectfully. "A blessing to see you again, princesses." he spoke, his voice low and warm. "Pleased to see you again, Scythe." Celestia replied with a smile. Scythe stood back up, and looked to Styxx. "And I am very happy to see you again, my darling daughter." he said. Styxx smiled. "Glad to see you again!" she said. Soon, two more unicorns trotted in. Silver coated, one's mane short, magenta with black streaks, and the other had a long mane, orange with black streaks. Their eyes were grey, glancing around the palace with curiosity. "Aunt Crypt! Aunt Grave!" Styxx said excitedly, going over to them. They both looked up and hugged their niece with glee. "Styxx, baby!" the magenta-maned one, Cryptia, said. "How are you dear?" the other, Gravella, asked. "Not great if I'm honest." Styxx answered. "I'm so happy you could come!" "Of course, darling." Grave spoke. "We wouldn't miss the opportunity to reap again for the world!" this made Styxx laugh, and turn back to the princesses. Luna and Twilight seemed slightly befuddled and a little humored by the family members Styxx had. Next to trot in was Styxx's great-grandfather, Tombstone. He had a grey coat like Styxx's, but had black hair. His eyes were red as well. His cutiemark matched his name, a grey tombstone. He bore his age with his looks a bit, but not by much. It was obvious where Scythe got his looks from, however. "Grandpa!" Styxx said joyfully, and he smiled, hugging her for a moment. "Hello, Styxxie." he said, his voice also low and warm, his more monotone however. "Your great-great-grandfather will be here soon." he told her, and she raised an eyebrow. "Grandad? But he's not fit for the problem at hoof right now." she said. Tombstone shook his head. "Contrary to what you believe, he's more spry than he looks. Though his vision is lacking a bit..." he trailed off, Styxx shaking her head at the thought of her dear old great-great-grandfather coming in for this. While the new guests were reintroducing themselves to the princesses, they heard not just one set of hooves trotting along, but two. Styxx looked up curiously, and saw Cadaver alongside Styxx's pegasus mother, Holeigh Guardian. The two looked like they were practically an angel and a devil walking alongside one another. Holeigh's mane looked purer than gold, her eyes glistening a bright blue. Her coat forever stayed pearly, and her flank shown off her cutiemark of a halo wrapped around a wing. Scythe looked to Holeigh with pure love in his eyes, the two looking so polar opposite to one another as she approached him. Cadaver's age shown greatly in his appearance, but still had a somewhat healthy-looking stature. He had a blood-red coat and grey mane, eyes golden. His cutiemark was a coffin and a shovel. He bowed before the princesses, standing back up as he said, "It has been too long, your highnesses." Celestia smiled. "It indeed has, Cadaver." The royals looked upon the grim looking family, spotting Holeigh out of the crowd. The mare stepped up to the princesses, bowing with respect. "I do not believe we have properly met," she said softly, her voice as smooth as silk. "I am Holeigh Guardian, Styxx's mother." she introduced herself. "It is an honour to be of service to you, your highnesses." she had a slight proper accent to her voice. Celestia nodded to her with equal respect. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Guardian." she replied. They had not met her, but were impressed to say the least. Holeigh returned to Scythe's side, and he smiled down at her. "I hope Styxx has briefed you all on the current situation. If I may ask, who here is skilled in reaping? Please step forward." It was then Scythe, Cryptia, and Gravella stepped forward. Luna observed for a moment before realizing there used to be four reapers. "Wait." she said. "I remember talk of there being four reapers. Where is the missing pony?" she asked. "That would be our father, Nevermore." Crypt spoke out. "He is no longer with us, I'm afraid." Grave added. Luna realized this, and nodded grimly as she stepped back, glancing to Styxx, who stood between Cadaver and Holeigh. Celestia then cleared her throat. "Yes, well, though we are one short, this should be enough. You three are very skilled, I presume?" she asked, all three nodding. "Good. You three will be our main attackers if need be. Whoever this killer is, if they decide to become hostile, you three are to take care of what needs to be done." she instructed. "Kill if necessary, disabling is a main, however. You three may step back." she dismissed, the three returning to their former positions. "Now, if the undertakers would step forward." Then Styxx and Tombstone stepped up. "Styxx, because you are the one to have found all information needed, you will be leading the mission along with Luna and Twilight. However, Tombstone, if you would stay and access the situation once the culprit is captured? We require an undertaker to take care of any bodies we discover along the way. Preparation and preservation, I assume. And assure the preservation of others that have yet to be taken care of by the current undertaker, Miss Rivers." Celestia said, both nodding in agreement before being dismissed and stepping back. "Cadaver?" Celestia said, he stepping up. "How may I be of service?" he asked. "We will need you for the initial burying and taking care of the bodies found. Also, if it comes down to the burial of the killer, we definitely need you for that. If you can do so?" she inquired, the elder nodding slowly with a smile, as he was dismissed and stepped back. It was then Celestia looked to Holeigh. "And you, Miss Guardian?" Holeigh trotted front and center. "Yes, your highness?" "What can you do?" "I am a pony of light. I can assure a safe passage for the ponies suffering in the serial killings. If I may do so in this mission, I will not let you down." she said. Celestia smiled, and nodded. "Alright. You will await here along with Cadaver and Tombstone. The other six will all be heading out. The guards reported that the last reported killing was in Appleoosa. A long trip, but I assure it will have its own rewards." she said. "Admittedly, I believed Miss Rivers was capable of more than just undertaking, but now I see your family has a variety and does not require to change who she is for this mission. I thank you all for willing to be part of this." she added, all giving her small smiles. "Shall we be going?" Luna asked, looking to Styxx. "Yes, I believe so." she replied, looking to her family. Scythe and Holeigh shared a tight embrace and loving kiss before he turned to leave with the group. Styxx felt a slight anxiety begin to rise as she looked ahead at the large doors leading to the main hall out the palace. It was then she remembered something, and quickly turned around, galloping over to a maid. "Maid, if you would, please retrieve the Book o' Death from my room and bring it down to Tombstone? He will need it!" she said with much urgency, the maid nodding quickly and going to get it. Holeigh joked to Styxx to not get too worked up, or her wound would burst open. Styxx rolled her eyes playfully at her mother, who giggled at her own joke. The grey unicorn then returned alongside her family and lover, as they headed out.