//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Silver Bells // by mamori86 //------------------------------// Silver Bells Chapter 1: "COLD!" Twilight Sparkle found herself staring at a knot in the ceiling of the library she called home, eyes still blurry from a full night’s rest. However, instead of her nice, warm bed, she was laying upon frighteningly chilled wood. Somehow she had managed to roll onto the unforgiving floor. A tumble of blue, star and moon laden blankets proved little comfort given the temperature. Beside her bed, curled in his own blanket, lay Spike. He evidently had not yet awakened. “As cold as it is, I’d be surprised if you woke up at all today,” she whispered. Stretching briefly, she made her way to the frosted window. All across Ponyville the sound of laughter filled the air. Ponies of all ages came out to play in the freshly fallen snow. A snowball here, a snowpony being built there, the first snowfall of the season, however light, still completely changed the familiar scenery. After a quick brushing, the young Ponyville librarian got to work. Today, among other tasks, she needed to sort through newly delivered books, generously donated by a library in Trottingham. The first delivery had come the day before, but a few tomes had been shipped separately, due to their fragility, and were expected to arrive that morning. It wasn’t long before there was a knock at the library door. “Did you hear? Did you hear!? There’s a new baker in town!” The pink frenzy bounded about the library, her usual delight firm in place. “Good morning to you too Pinkie” laughed Twilight. “W-we’re not intruding, are we?” Fluttershy’s whisper of a voice called in from beyond the door. “Not at all, I was just waiting for the rest of the books to arrive.” “Books?! What kind of book?” questioned Pinkie Pie. “Are they about parties? Monsters? Ghosts? Atlases? Weasels? Geology? Aerostatics? Algology? “Algology?” Fluttershy cocked her to the side. “The study of algae, silly,” Pinkie replied with a grin. Twilight levitated a crisp white paper from a nearby oak table. “According to the checklist, all we have left are books on history and folktales.” “Oooh, I LOVE folktales.” Pinkie continued bounding about the library for a few seconds, listing off the various reasons why she loved folktales. Of those reasons, the ones that elicited questionable glances from her friends were “they go great with cinnamon rolls,” and “you could use them to buy a watermelon.” “Oh, yes, we came here to ask if you wanted to see the new bakery with us. Pinkie said something about ‘investigating the competition,’” Fluttershy murmured. “That’s RIGHT!” Pinky popped up from behind Twilight. “There’s a new baker! Just opened next to that clockmaker’s shop, the one with the blue door! “I wish I could, but I really need to be here when the books are delivered,” Twilight apologized. “These ones are quite rare, and I’ll need to sign for them.” “Hi!” The three ponies jumped back in shock. Evidently, while they had been talking about the books arriving, the books had arrived. “Good morning Ditzy” smiled Twilight. Are those the books from Trottingham? “Yep! If you could just sign here they’re all yours,” said the gray pegasus. “Ditzy! Have you been to the new bakery?” Pinkie inquired. “You mean the one by the Doctor’s shop? I stopped by earlier, but it wasn’t open yet. But it smelled soooooo good inside!” “You should come with us then! Right, Twilight?” “I really should get these books put away first…” “But if you don’t hurry all the bread might be gone! No rolls, or scones, or croissants, or muffins--” “No muffins?!” The look of horror and despair on Ditzy’s face forced Twilight’s hoof. “Fine, fine. Just let me leave a note for Spike.” ---------------- As the four ponies trotted down the street towards the bakery, it was evident that the fresh snow had inspired some ponies to start decorating for the upcoming Hearth Warming Eve. A few traces of evergreen wreaths, bright red bows, and the occasional golden star graced the buildings. Lampposts made particularly good targets for extra holiday cheer. They soon found the air filled with delicious scents. Shortly after, the familiar blue door of the local clockmaker could be seen, and sure enough, next-door was a newly renovated building. The sign, made of golden oak, was fairly ordinary, with “Bakery” carved into it. What drew much more attention was a small sign posted at the front door, swung open wide. “Snow special, free muffins and warm beverages.” “Well that’s nice, must be to help advertise,” mused Fluttershy. Pinkie and Ditzy had already pushed their way through the small crowd that had gathered to take advantage of the new shop’s deal. Smaller than Sugar Cube Corner, shelves full of rolls, breads, and the occasional sugary treat were lined against the walls. To the right of the doorway stood a counter adorned with a cash register of wood and bronze, beyond which laid a door to what was likely the kitchen or storeroom. In the center of the rectangular room were two long tables, each covered in solid forest-green tablecloth, and host to the promised confections and refreshments. “What should I get?” whined Pinkie. “Blueberry, chocolate, carrot, daisy, blackberry, strawberry, cream filled, coconut, lemon, cranberry, bran, oat, orange, cinnamon, pumpkin, banana, apple, date…” “Why not try one of each?” came an amused voice from behind the counter. “Can I?” asked Pinkie, eyes glistening. “Go ahead,” laughed the colt. Twilight caught sight of Pinkie and Ditzy gorging on muffins, with the occasional sip of what appeared to be hot chocolate. “Oh, how lovely.” Twilight turned to see Fluttershy admiring a small bell hanging from the doorway. "Find something interesting?" the colt asked as he came out from behind the counter. “This bell, it has the most lovely tone. Where did you get it?” Twilight hadn’t heard the bell, and in her curiosity moved next to Fluttershy to hear about it. “Ah, the bell! I had them custom made back in Trottingham. You know, there’s an old tradition where I come from. They say hanging a silver bell in your doorway keeps out misfortune.” “Really? I’ve never heard that one before,” responded Twilight. The colt laughed. “Well, it is very old, and I doubt most ponies remember it, let alone practice it. Just like how no one makes Jack-o-lanterns on Nightmare Night anymore. A shame really…” “Oh! I’ve read about that!” Twilight was suddenly excited. “They used to hollow out turnips and light them to protect against ‘evil spirits.’ Then after Nightmare Moon was banished to the moon, they used pumpkins, due to their larger size, to carve frightening faces into them in hopes of driving her away every Nightmare Night.” “Indeed! Sadly, it’s fallen out of practice. Though some dedicated ponies still do it in Trottingham. I just moved from there actually.” “Excuse me, Ember, but I think the next batch is almost ready.” The tan pony turned his head. “Thanks Colgate, I’ll be right there. Sorry ladies, duty calls.” With a bow he trotted passed the counter, into the back. “He certainly seems nice,” offered Fluttershy. However, Twilight’s focus was back on the bell. It really was beautiful, for something that looked so simple. But there was something else about it. Closing her eyes, Twilight’s horn glowed ever so slightly. Searching, feeling, what was it about that bell? There it was, ever so faintly, wrapped carefully into the bell, a thin layer of magic. Only then did she finally here the bell's cry. ------------ Twilight had just finished shelving the last of the previous day’s book delivery when she noticed how dark it had gotten. “There, now I just need to find places for the books delivered today and I’ll be right on schedule.” The purple unicorn smiled. As she levitated the books in the air feeling out the perfect spot for them, something caught her attention outside the window. Moving closer, she heard it again. The clear "ting" of a silver bell. “A bell?” Twilight looked back at the still freshly opened package, then at the window. Package, window, package, window. She levitated her scarf around her and dashed out the front door. Twilight searched to her left, then her right. No sign of anypony on the street. Considering how cold it was, this was no surprise. Yet where had that sound come from? Circling around the library proved unfruitful. “Gah, why am I even out here…” It was only when she looked skyward out of exasperation that she found the source of the sound. Up on the observation platform of the library was a pony, reaching up into the branches above. “What the hay…” Sprinting back inside, Twilight made straight for the observation platform. “What do you think you’re doing on… you?” Letting the bell hang with a light jingle, the form dropped down onto all four legs. Before Twilight stood a colt, tan coat, brown hair, and green eyes. Around his neck hung a blue scarf. The baker she had conversed with that morning. “Ember… was it?” The colt smiled a sheepish smile, with the look of a child having been caught with their hoof in the cookie jar. “Ah, yes, we met this morning. Miss….” “Why are you on my house…” Twilight’s tone was flat. “Well…” Ember’s eyes shifted nervously, “I mentioned about the bells before, right?” “Yes, you did.” “It’s been a long, long time since I’ve seen anypony actually do it. So I figured, hey, why don’t I do it? And really, the higher the better. Better reception and all.” “Okay, okay, I get it… but how did you get up here? I didn’t hear Spike let you in.” Ember’s grin from the morning returned. “Oh, that was easy!” A soft green glow surrounded Ember’s body for a moment. After a few awkward attempts, Twilight was staring at the baker, clinging at an impossible angle on one of the branches of the tree. “Yo…you can use magic? But how?” “Never seen a hornless unicorn before? Not surprising I suppose, there aren’t many of us around.” “I’ve read about unicorns who’ve lost their horns, they usually have a limited range, if they can manage magic at all. I would imagine it would be difficult without a horn as a focusing appendage.” “Well, usually a hoof suffices when needed.” Ember waved a hoof in the air, leaving a small blue-green flame in its wake. “Anyway, I’m sorry for disturbing you. And I’m a bit short on time, lots more bells to hang, so I’ll let you go.” “You’re going to hang more?” “Of course! The more the better. I was hoping to be done by now, but I got distracted by a very strange rock on my way back from picking up some eggs. It looked to be metamorphic, likely gneiss, but there were no other traces of it anywhere. The nearby mountains are supposed to be granitic primarily, but I couldn’t trace it to a source. It was quite the exciting discovery." Ember suddenly looked toward town hall, as if something important had just occurred to him. "I'm afraid I really must be going." With a bow the colt wished her a pleasant night of vivid hallucinations, before leaping from the platform, landing softly bellow. What a strange pony. ------------------------------ VWORP-VWORP The blue unicorn lifted her head at the familiar sound. Before her lay an opened up a tarnished bronze pocket watch. To her left, various slender tools and screws had been lined up in meticulous order. But her project would have to wait, as her employer had finally come home. From the back room strode a brown earth bony, sporting an hourglass on his rump and a complicated expression on his face. Something between delight and sorrow mused the unicorn, who happened to have the same cutie mark. “Welcome back Doctor,” she spoke, before returning to her work. She used to ask the Doctor about his times away, but they often just degenerated in complex babble of “Timey-Wimey” things, all of which just gave her a headache. Colgate figured she’s stick to listening when the Doctor talked clocks. Those she understood. “Colgate?” “Yes Doctor?” “…Where did this bell come from?” Colgate lifted her head a second time. The Doctor stood in the doorway of his modest clock shop, inspecting the new decoration suspended above his head. He had been away for several days, leaving her in charge in his place. This was not a strange occurrence, as the Doctor often went on mysterious errands, often with Ditzy Doo in tow. “Oh that, isn’t it nice? Our new neighbor next door brought it over, said it was an old custom.” “I see…” “Something wrong?” inquired the blue pony. “Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing, just my imagination. But, there is one more thing.” Colgate sighed. “Yes?” “Have you heard the phrase ‘Bad Fox’ before?” “I can’t say I have. Why do you ask?” It’s somehow found its way onto the TARDIS. Lifting an eyebrow, Colgate stopped her work and peered into the back room. There in the corner, parked as it often was, was the Doctor’s blue box. Two ponies high at least, a sign across the top read “POLICE PUBLIC CALL BOX.” And there, across the doors in what appeared to white chalk was clearly written… “BAD FOX” Both Colgate and the Doctor peered at the words for a short time before a voice came from behind. “It’s been a while, Doctor. Well, at least for me.” -------------- “Just one more book.” Twilight smiled, having finally gotten the package of books opened and sorted. This last book had a particularly ancient feel to it, easily over a hundred years old. It’s cover was worn, the words “Forces of the Ancient World” barely visible in faded blue ink. Carefully examining the contents, the book seemed to be a sort of guide to a vast array of spirits and creatures who had once dominated the world. Each entry included a picture, history, description of their abilities and personalities, and how best to survive or otherwise benefit an encounter with each one. Organized by region, Twilight flipped to the section of what would now be Equestria. Sure enough, there were entries on Ursa Majors, Hydra, Cockatrice, various dragons who once lived in the area, and even Discord himself. Turning over the pages, an entry caught her eyes as a bookmark slipped out onto the floor. “Tempest,” Twilight read. “This ancient fox spirit is known for its guidance and protection of all creatures. It is thought that some of the earliest known spells came from his guidance. During winter, he would participate with the other spirits in casting purifying spells across the lands. It is customary to leave out oranges if you live in Tempest’s domain, as it is believed to be his favorite food. Hanging silver bells during this night will increase the range and longevity of the purification spells, keeping malevolent and trickster spirits (see Discord, pg. 143, Windigoes pg. 157) at bay for their duration. A master of magical arts, Tempest, as him name would suggest, is often documented as controlling weather related magic, calling forth winds and lightning. As with other fox spirits listed, the blue-green “will-o-wisps” or “fox fires” may be a hint of his presence. These magical flames can be placed in vessels and given as gifts to those he finds deserving. Not seen since The Darknening.” Next to the text was a beautifully drawn image of the spirit. A tall, gray fox sitting under a tree, a pair of flames floating around him. “What is ‘The Darkening?’” the purple unicorn pondered out loud. One thing was caught her attention though; this bell custom Ember had spoken about could very well be a reference to these spirits. However, it seems that hasn’t taken place since Equestria was founded! He had mentioned he had lived in Trottingham, so it was possible he had read this same book. Still, she made a mental note to ask him about it. Perhaps in the morning.