//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: The Anonymous Mr. Green Hill // by Sipioc //------------------------------// The stone stairs spiraled down into the darkness for what seemed like an eternity. Minutes had felt like hours since they began their decent, and with each passing turn a sense of the very earth closing in around them was becoming more and more overbearing. It didn’t help that there was no source of light down here, other than the dim, macabre green torch, held aloft in Princess Luna’s magic as she led the way, deeper and deeper into the blackness. Try as she might, Twilight Sparkle couldn’t ignore the morose atmosphere, which was not surprising considering where they were. The gloom of the place weighed her down like the heaviest of cloaks, making each step down the stairs feel like wading through molasses. Reaching a landing, she stopped for a chance to catch her breath, and maybe try to calm her nerves. “Princess Twilight?” Twilight still wasn’t used to the pair of wings that now adorned her sides, but that title was far more surreal to her. Especially when it came from Princess Luna. “I am fine, Princess.” She stammered in reply, coming back to attention quickly. The taller Alicorn regarded the newly christened princess. For a long time it had been just her sister and herself. A living embodiment of pony harmony wrapped into a singular form. Upon her return, she was pleasantly surprised to find a third had reached this level, and most recently she was present to witness the fourth. The fact that it was her saviour brought her no small amount of joy. Things were different in this ‘modern’ era beyond any doubt, but if this place taught one anything, it was that the old world was never truly far behind. Stepping forward, the Princess of the Night came to the younger pony’s side. The torch shifted in her telekinetic grip so that she could be clear in her words and expression for what she had to say next. “I understand your desire to prove to my sister and I that you are up to any challenge set upon you, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Luna began regally. “But as I hath said upon the onset of our journey, where we now are, is a place few are truly prepared to endure. Alicorn or not.” In the pale light, Twilight could see the gravity in what she was saying. There was no joy to be found where they were going. Everything about the place was just a stark reminder of what could happen in the worst of circumstances. “Thank you, Luna.” Twilight nodded solemnly. “But I have come this far, I can’t turn back now.” “So be it.” Luna then held the light aloft and walked side by side with Twilight. Together they rounded the next, and incidentally, the final corner. The spiral stairway opened up into a vast, cavernous expanse of a room. Stalagmite rock formations hung from the ceiling. Some so old they had connected with the stalactites that adorned the floor, forming natural pillars and columns. Shadows veiled the majority of the room. The only signs of tampering, was the smooth pathway that snaked between the natural formations. It was by no means marble polished, but it was clearly meant for walking upon. As if thousands of years of geology had committed to a single accommodating purpose, to ease the path of one seeking to traverse this area. In silence they followed the pathway into the darkness, and as they reached the end, its purpose became clear to Twilight. Framed perfectly in the millennial old bedrock was a door. Though calling it merely a ‘door’ did not capture what it was. Tall enough for a full grown dragon to pass through, it was made of unearthly metals. From top to bottom it was lined with heavy locking mechanisms one would expect to find on the doors to a bank vault. Giving off an impression of absolute security. The remainder of its surface was covered in a vast relief that depicted chained prisoners being watched over by tall, armored beings she had never seen before. And above the scene were engraved two words. “Adversus Tenebris?” Twilight read aloud. “Steadfast against the darkness.”Luna replies grimly. “Welcome, Twilight Sparkle, to the gates of Tartarus.” ————————— “It’s just this way Hilly!” Pinkie Pie squees as she bounces ahead of me. “I’ve been to the library, Pinkie.” I casually canter after her. “Yeah? But have you been there when I’m running things?” “....no can’t say I have.” I shudder to think what that might entail, and for the poor sod who needs to pick things up after. “Well today is your lucky day!” Within a few more steps we stand beneath the shade of a large tree. Golden Oaks Library is the oldest standing ‘building’ in all of Ponyville. Even the Apples who settled the area couldn’t truly lay claim to that right due to the fact that this tree was here before they set up. Old it certainly was. Maybe as old as….me? Stepping inside this remarkable place, even with my senses dulled, always felt strange. The roots of the tree went deep, so it could of been the extra boost of earth magic emanating from the floors. Part of me wondered if it had to do with the previous attendant to its shelves. Twilight Sparkle. She was a relative newcomer to Ponyville, but in a short time had gone from Princess protege, to national hero, to a full fledged Alicorn. There I go again. Relishing in the even the smallest amount of residual magic of such a paragon of selflessness and good. Damn, maybe I do need to see a therapist, if I am so addicted I enjoy absorbing magic traces from floor boards. Pathetic. “Here we are Hilly, Bibliotheca Rosado-e-Tarta!” She extends her arms out, to the pristine book lined shelves. I bring myself out of my self loathing to acknowledge her. “Bueno, Pinkie.” Managing a smile. “No te quedes ahí todo deprimido, entra.” She spouts back fluidly, and utterly perplexing me. “Uhmmm….s-sì?” I heard something close to ‘enter’ so I took a chance and walked in. Guessed right; if her nod meant anything. Without a care she hops further into the building and disappears behind a stack of stacked books. Gripping the ornate handle I close the door behind me. “Is there somepony down here?” Descending the wooden staircase comes a white unicorn, her purple locks bouncing slightly with each dainty step she took. Her eyes scan the room before meeting my own. “Oh! Mister Greenhill, right?” “That’s me, Miss Rarity.” I curtly lower my head in a sort of bow, once again to give the impression of not being a threat. Coming to the bottom she gives me a inquisitive look before righting herself. “I’m afraid the library will be closing soon, so unless you need something quickly it might be better to-“ “No need for that Rarity, Hill’s with me!” From the mound of books the pink maned mare pops her head out to address her friend. “Oh?” A regal eyebrow inches up ever so slightly. “Yeah! I’m gonna need help sorting tonight and he’s got some free time.” She chirps before disappearing once again into the pile of books. Pinkie didn’t really explain what she needed help with at the library on the way over. I suppose she forgot. Hearing it now, it didn’t seem too bad; as good as anything else to do. Until tonight’s mission, anyway. It was, by necessity, quiet in here. That was good. Her white unicorn friend seems a bit more dubious at my presence, however. “Is that so,” She regards me again for a longer moment. In my time in town I had run into her only a few times, and those interactions were passing at best. Still no doubt she had heard about me, the cover story at least, and hopefully at most. After a tense moment she simply smiles before grabbing a stack of books with her magic and begin to reset them on the shelf. “What a kind gesture, Mister Hill.” The sight and proximity of the blue aura of magic is distracting. So tantalizing close. But I manage to draw my eyes back down. “It’s no trouble. Happy to help.” “Well I best stay and chaperone, who knows what mischief you two might get into if you were unsupervised.” What does she mean? The sly smirk she shoots Pinkie doesn’t help. Pinkie’s own coy expression doesn’t either. “Not really the mischief type.” I shrug. Hoping to skip past the awkwardness of...whatever this was, I canter over and pick up a stack of my own and place them on the table to be sorted. —————————— The heavy gate needed to be closed behind them. The incarcerated beings here were trapped in there own various cells and items, but the door was an additional protection to any who managed to get out. The fact that nothing came at them the moment Luna opened the gate with her magic should of been encouraging, but that still left the feeling of being now locked into the most cursed of places on the planet. The Abyss. Duat. Tophet. The Pit. Hell. Or just plain ‘Tartaurus’, as the lands that held this place was called. The oxen and cow settled Republic of Bovinia was a strong and stable country, one that held its own unique culture and industry, economy, and trade agreements. For centuries, this mainly agricultural nation had been a peaceful and near constant ally to Equestria. Bolstering a healthy economy and trade alongside the other standing nations of the world. But having a place like this, was a considerable drawback. Stories were passed as far back as history can recall about this place. The stories about forgotten gods themselves crafting this place for there most corrupt and malevolent. Since then, residence of those trapped in here was known only to the chief heads of state of the nations of the world. The Princesses of Equestria, of course, being a longstanding member of that group. Twilight was now one of those Princesses. Apart from etiquette, statesponyship, and new responsibilities, touring this accursed place was now a part of that new role. She kept close to Luna, doing her best not to show any fear but more than likely failing. She hadn’t even seen anything remotely threatening but the feel of this place was unsettling. The air was far too still, and the noises there own hooves made was far too loud. This place...felt dead. Taking a deep breath of air didn’t help sway her of that belief, as Luna led on to a central point. Some sort of obsidian stone sculpture stood at the center. It depicted a three headed dog, a Cerberus, standing watch over all three paths that branched from the center. The multi headed dog was synonymous with this area, the majority of them running wild on the surface above. The breed was said to be made for the sole purpose of watching over this place. Over time cross breeds were common, but all of them still had the unearthly ability to sense this place and the evil held within. The Night Princess stepped forward. The torch light seeming casting no additional light upon the world about them, swallowed up by the gloom of this place. “Acheron.” Pointed to the first path “Styx.” The middle. “Phlegethon.” Was the last. “These are the frozen rivers that lead to the depths of this place. Off each path are various held beings and entities. Sinners, the lot of them. Many of them are granted a sort of dreamless slumber here as placation. But there are those who are sleepless.” Her somber tone was doing nothing to help the gravity of what she was feeling now. ‘I really wish the girls were here.’ She thought to herself. She could only imagine what each of them would say in this situation. Applejack would no doubt take in the view, daring to lean over the edge and stare down into the black, maybe even spit down, just to wait and try and hear the echo. Rarity would take the whole thing in, being able to pick out each and every detail of the horrid place in entirety, then break it down into color scheme, architecture, and design. No doubt have a slew of recommendations for improvement. Rainbow Dash would scoff, and seem unimpressed. She would be far more eager to investigate down a path or two. Probably all three. Fluttershy would stick close. Her fear would be debilitating, but her selfless courage to following her friends would shine through as it had time and time again. To literally hell and back in this case. Pinkie would find the good in it. As crazy as that sounds, she would find a way to cut through the gloom and make everyone smile. Even going so far as making some friends down here. The thought of her friends gave her strength, empowering her with a second wind that brought her back to the present. But it also made her miss them terribly. She couldn’t wait til this was over and she could go back to her cozy library. With all her friends. “Let us continue on. Now that we are here, I’d rather we see what we need, and be off.” ————— “Don’t be modest, you have turned more than a few heads in town.” Claimed Rarity with a playful smile. All the while she meticulously sorts another stack of half a dozen books. “N-no fair teasing, Miss Rarity.” She’s just flirting to be nice. But I am so hard up for a little positivity I am willing to believe her. “Pish-posh,” She chides; replacing the check out card before closing the last of the stack before levitating it to me. I truly envy a unicorn’s ability to do that, effortlessly move things through mere application of will. I am admittedly unfamiliar with the extent of my own abilities. There have been a few times that I will reach out with a hand and attempt to grab a distant object or float something. Instead I just wind up throwing it, or getting a weird look from Bon Bon. Once tried throwing it at Bon Bon. It came back. Not magically. Violently. Taking the stack I begin carefully reset the shelves. At the counter, Pinkie had applied ink to all four of her hooves and was going about stamping all of the returned books back in, with uncanny precision. In Twilight’s absence, all six of her friends had taken it upon themselves to keep the Library going despite there own busy schedules. To have friends like that? I can only hope that my parole goes through, so I can at least have the chance. With moments like this, and with ponies like Pinkie, and Thunder, I dare to hope. “All you need is a little more confidence.” She tittered while looking me up and down. “Perhaps a new look as well.” “Heh, it’s a little tattered, I know.” I shrug as I adjust my caparison. Looking back up I jump a bit when I see she is on her way over. “Why wear it at all, though?” She queries as she starts to circle a bit me, a postulating hoof to her chin as she seems to be stripping the layers I so carefully put up. “Dare to show a little more coat.” I don’t like this. I don’t like this at all. She has an eye for detail, could she pick something out, something that was missed when my disguised was made. I hold my body tight, trying not to freak out, but images of her pulling a loose thread on me, unraveling my whole pony form. “Hill?” A soft touch makes me jump. Looking down I see Pinkie’s hoof is pressed to my chest. My heart is pounding so hard that her hoof seems to thump along with it. “Are you alright, Mr Hill?” Rarity has since stepped back and looks equally concerned as Pinkie is. Taking a deep breath, I cough into a hoof. “Yeah. Yeah, sorry, I-“ I pause, trying to find an suitable excuse, “-zoned out there for a minute.” A light chuckle seems to placate Pinky enough for her to remove her hoof, but Rarity seems unconvinced. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” She apologizes, looking sincere, but unsure of what could have set me off. “You-you didn’t. I’m fine. Really, it just happens to me, sometimes.” “Did you have to fart?” Drawing both our attention, Pinkie Pie looks at me with absolute seriousness. “What?” Did she really just ask that? “You looked like you had to fart. Did you need to and was trying to hold it in?” She really did just asked that. “....No, that wasn’t it.” My cheeks blush a bit as I try to contain a immature chuckle. After all that’s happened today; the unexpected visit from the doctor, the blood draw gone bad, and the run on for tonight, the idea of being able to laugh felt cathartic. The white unicorn however was less than pleased. “Pinkie Pie, please, that’s so uncouth.” she scolded, blanching at the idea. “What?” Pinkie asked innocently. “Ponies fart. It’s science.” “Perhaps, but a lady should not speak of such things.” “Stallions fart. Mares Fart. Fart. Fart. Fart.” Pinky singsonged heedless of the irritation growing in her friend, and the tight lipped struggle I was facing not to burst out laughing. “Okay, that’s enough.” Clearly having had enough the unicorn, attempted to retreat back to the library desk. Before a parting shot struck her. “You fart.” “PINKIE PIE!” My resolve broken, I give in and break down into childish giggles. ————————— The frozen river of Acheron crunched under Twilight’s hooves as she followed Luna through the gloom. The frigid touch of the ice made her hooves and legs feel numb, and sent a chill through her spine that had nothing to do with the oppressive gloom that permeated the place. ’How does Luna not feel that?’ She wondered as her entire body shuddered. Yet despite the chill, neither her nor Luna’s breath condensed before them. She wagered it was just another accursed effect of the place. They had been down here for nearly an hour. Luna showing her a myriad of dark and terrifying things that made Twilight’s head spin and her skin crawl. The Sessho-Seki Stone; a Draconese rock said to bring death to anyone with but a single touch. Even an alicorn. Seeing the vile, sickly glow that radiated from within, Twilight could believe the story to be true. Even from a distance, watching the stone made her feel like she had the flu. Athena’s Bridle; which could enslave any who was forced to wear it. It looked deceptively innocent, even beautiful. As if enticing the viewer to wear it and submit to its will. An Ebony lamp inlaid with blood red rubies, said to house a malevolent Djinn that was contained by a Saddle Arabian Prince over two-thousand years ago. A smarty pants doll, not unlike her own, held in a locked and chained box. The sight of the doll only further chilled her, as it seemed to be watching her, even asking her to take her out. The deep, dagger-like scratches on the inside of the glass case were a clear message however that doing so would be a grave mistake. Every so often they would round a bend and find a frozen statue of contorted and grotesque creature. Many of which she recognized as gorgons. This begged the question: If Discord was allowed to simply be placed in the gardens as a statue, then whatever these creatures did must of been absolutely unforgivable. she reasoned as she passed a particularly sinister serpent bodied pony, who despite being frozen, cast an unsettling grin, rows of glinting fangs peeking through her curled lips. Another shudder wracked her body. Twilight became so frustrated that she ignite her horn and prepped a simple warming spell. Her aura flowed before it was snuffed out by a deliberate hoof to her horn. “No. Not here.” Luna warned, leaving no room for argument. “I’m sorry, Luna.” Twilight exclaimed. “But the cold is unbearable. “Aye, it is.” Luna agreed, wrapping her own wings around her barrel even tighter. Twilight rubbed her wings to her side, and mimicked Luna’s action. “We are nearly finished, friend Twilight. Soon we will be back to the surface, and need I remind you that it is a sweltering desert?” “That, actually sounds amazing right now.” She puffed out a breath to bring some blood flow back to her face. “Verily.” She nodded before guiding the way once more. “But here especially, we must refrain from expressing our inner light, lest we awaken him. The torch now squarely held in her hoof she shined the dim light forward. Emerging from the darkness came the sight of the next cavern and the contents within. Massive iron chains were fused into the walls. Each chain was anchored on at least five points in the cavern, all of them attached to a large coffin looking box. The casket itself was also made of iron, the outside lacking any ornate design or writ. In fact, while the iron work seemed sturdy, she couldn’t help but think the look of the casket was rather, jumbled, almost appearing to be rushed. This lead her to conclude that whatever was locked inside, was put there in a considerable hurry. ————————- With an audible ‘click’ the Library was officially closed down. Taking the key into her magic Rarity placed it in a side pocket of her saddle bags that somehow found there way on my back. I didn’t mind, though I did wonder how she had gotten them here in the first place? The unmissable sensation of what could only be a sewing machine poked uncomfortably in my kidneys as I shuffled the pack to a more comfortable position as we began walking. ‘She is either much stronger than her dainty looks imply or (more likely) those dainty looks had garnered somepony else to carry them here in the first place.’ I surmised, being the most current sucker to those wiles. She called me a ‘dear’ for it. Self esteem is looking up. Between Pinkie’s kind words and that? It’s at a ‘one’. That’s pretty good. The sun was beginning to set and Bon Bon would no doubt be packing to get ready for tonight’s excursion into the woods. I did have a little time, time enough, to at least escort Pinkie and Rarity across town. So what if it was other side of town. I can run to the train station. Besides, Pinkie Pie had a surprise for me. Nobody ever had surprises for me. Not good ones anyway. Said pink pony was bouncing ahead of myself and Rarity who were walking at a leisurely pace. “Ahhh, I do love this time of day.” The fashionista sighed to herself pleasantly. ”Ponyville closing down for the day, the brisk trot back for the evening. It’s something I never got to experience having my home and shoppe be one and the same place. I would never been able to experience it until now. It’s rather wholesome.” “I suppose it does.” I didn’t really have a job yet, but between housework, training, and simply staying ‘out of trouble,’ I could somewhat glean where she was coming from. “Oh thank you again, Mister Hill, for all your help today,” she gives my withers a friendly pat, “Pinkie and I could surely of managed but it was lovely having an extra set of hooves and strong back to help out.” A meekly nod in appreciation. It wasn’t a night out on the town, but it was better than sitting alone in my room. “Not to mention Twilight is soooo picky about where the books go!” Pinkie whines as she proceeds to bounce around us. “The same place each time? -Psshhhh-.” She scoffs while saddling between us. “It would be more fun if she put them in a new place every time. Make it like a game!” “That would be rather frustrating, dear.” Rarity counters. “It’s half the fun! Like a Egg Hunt! But with Books! -Oh! We’re here!” We had indeed arrived on the outside of Sugarcube Corner. Even in the late afternoon hours the bakery still wafted the remnants of the sugary goodness. I practically begged Bon Bon for something, anything from there my first day in town. She relented and came back with a cinnamon roll. Golden glazed, rich smell, and creamy frosting. She could of spit on it and I wouldn’t have cared. With newfound skip to her step, Pinkie Pie bounded inside through the side door. “Don’t go away! I’ll be right back.” The two of us are left outside waiting. I am legitimately curious as to what she has in mind. Like the child I once must of been, my mind is a buzz on what she could possibly have in mind. “I wonder how she is doing?” A bit confused I turn to see the purple maned unicorn staring off into the distance. “Sorry-Twilight, I mean.” Following her gaze I look to the north and see a field of treetops leading all the way to the foot of A mountain. A top it sits the capital, Canterlot. Home of the Princesses. “We all knew Twilight was special, powerful of course, but brave,” she continues, in a sort of nostalgic malaise, “but when we first saw her with wings-“ She hesitates for a moment, thinking fondly of her friend. “Then again, you moved here after all that happened, I suppose. You haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Twilight, yet.” Her expression shifts to more apologetic, thinking she was leaving me out. “The way everyone talks about her, I can see why you would miss her. She must be quite the pony.” She smiles, before looking back to mountain. “You are not what I expected from a felon, Mister Hill.” The silence hangs for a moment before I dare to speak. “I make a effort not to come off as one.” “Is that why you hide behind a veil of shaggy hair and body coverings?” Her eyes don’t leave the horizon. She had been trying to pry all night, but with the work to be done and Pinkie acting as a chirpy buffer, I was able to dodge most of her questions. Now it was just us. “You don’t have to say anything. It really is none of my business, I know, but I must be frank,” she finally turns to me, her blue eyes unwavering, “word spread around town about Bon Bon’s brother coming to stay with her, I had my concerns, more than a few of us did.” Her tone is level, the sense of fondness is gone, but there is still a lilt to her words that doesn’t make me too uneasy. “The idea of a Pony in our little hamlet having spent time in a house of corrections was not one we particularly liked.” “I can’t blame you. I wouldn’t either.” Self Esteem levels slowly began to dwindle as I began to sense things go south fast. Unfortunately, there was nowhere run now. Nothing to do but take the threat that was coming. “An important lesson Twilight helped teach all of us was to give others the benefit of the doubt. Not to judge a book by its cover,” with a hoof she stifled a chuckle, ‘how apropos that we learn such a lesson from a pony who surrounds herself with books.” She looks back to me, in a look that shows actual tenderness. “What I am trying to say, Mister Hill, is that don’t feel you need to hide.” I hear her words. While I want to acknowledge her kindness, I can’t ignore the simple fact: hiding was paramount. If I didn’t hide, if I wasn’t contained...things would happen like they did before. The mountain, the first taste of magic, the fear in the eyes of the ponies as they climbed over each other to get away, how I didn’t care, how I just wanted more. How I tore through homes to get them, pulled them from the sky as I got stronger and they...grew weaker.. “It would be foolish to let your guard down so easily.” It needed to be said, even at the cost of alienating another pony, it’s better to be honest when I can. “And you would be a fool to remain in the past,” she shot back. I truly hadn’t expected that. There was no anger in words, she simply presented it as matter-of-fact. “If you are remorseful, and if you have made amends as much as you can, then there is nothing to gain from reliving your mistakes. Learn from them, then move on. Don’t hide behind self-pity, it’s very unbecoming.” She had no idea what she was talking about, and yet, it actually felt...nice to hear. I bring myself to look at her. From the first time I saw her I had her labeled for soft, snobbish, and tittering, yet here she was trying to make a mug like me feel welcome. In the moment, I felt like my self esteem peak at a two. “I’ll try.” Perk of higher self esteem is that smiles don’t seem nearly as forced. “Good.” She offers one in return, before the Dutch door to the bakery swings open. “I’m back!” Pinkie Pie trots up to the two of us. “Sorry about that, there was a line in there like you wouldn’t believe.” From her mane she pulls a small burlap bag. Or maybe it’s a satchel, don’t really know where the cut off is. She uses her teeth and pulls open the...container. I smell it before I see what’s inside. “Peppermints. For the train ride.” Peering inside I can see the swirling cascade of red and white candies glistening within. Looking up I can’t help but feel a bit overcome. Sure they didn’t know the whole truth about me, and if the worst would happen, I didn’t know if I would have the willpower to resist draining there magic. But I had more hope now that I could indeed try. “Thank you.” —————————————- An errant spark from the green flamed torch flickered on to the foreleg of Princess Luna, yet she didn’t so much as flinch to it. She had known far worse pain in her centuries of life, comparatively it was a tickle to the wounds her body could recall. Instead her eyes remained fixed forward, but her senses focused to all around her, ready to react at moments notice. A small burn was paltry compared to the situation at hoof. Stepping up to her side Princess Twilight stared in horror at the large iron casket before them. The veryopen and empty casket. If she didn’t feel exposed and afraid before, Twilight felt it now. Luna’s silence wasn’t helping. Daring even a whisper that felt far too loud, Twilight managed to speak, “That’s not supposed to be open...is it?” Gripping the torch tighter, Luna found her own voice. “No...no it isn’t.” The torch light flickered once more, the green light illuminating the inside of the vacant restraining device. The four manacles hung loose within, a worn outline of a bipedal form, unmistakable in the dim light. The Creature of the Mystic Mountains was gone.