A few hours later
Edge of the forest
It was night by the time Cassandra reached the town, the full moon shined brightly through the dense trees as she slinked through the darkness.
She sat crouched behind the trees, peeking through an especially tall bush and into the town. Not a soul roamed the streets.
Cassandra watched the empty town with wary eyes, pondering her situation and options. She couldn't just walk on in, as far as the townsfolk knew she was still wanted for treason all over Corona.
Cassandra smirked and pulled on her cloak, its magic transforming her into a short old woman with a blue dress and white hair pulled up into a bun.
Yes, while Cassandra was wanted for treason, old lady Crowley WASN'T.
And besides who would question a little old lady?
She turned to Owl, whispering to him softly. "You wait here in the trees, I'll be back soon."
Cassandra stepped out of the bush and into the empty street, making her way to the town's center where she could find the news board with a map and a fountain where she could steal some coins for food.
She walked confidently through the dim street, tugging her cape close to avoid accidentally blowing her disguise.
After a few minutes of roaming through the streets, she reached the center of the town and saw a small stone fountain with glittering coins sitting at the bottom.
Bingo.
With a grin, she began filling her pockets for her journey to the capital, occasionally glancing over her shoulder to check for anyone approaching. While not many would bother an old woman they might not be too happy with her taking their wishing coins.
Satisfied with the weight in her pockets she approached the town's news board, several papers of varying sizes were nailed onto the aging wood.
Cassandra scowled once she stood in front of the board. Everything was written in a different language, the map didn't even resemble any part of Corona in the slightest. A particular paper seemed to be the mugshot of a horse with beaded curly hair? And paint?
She sighed. Of course, she wasn't in Corona, the universe wouldn't want to make things that easy for Cassandra now would they?
She frowned and pulled a coin out of her pocket, inspecting its surface for any recognizable image of this nation's royalty. Instead, she found a sun stamped onto one side with the moon stamped on the other. A peculiar blotch was indented under the crescent moon.
Well, that didn't help.
Frustrated she ripped the map off the board and marched away. She was farther from home then she thought, the coins only told her which nations she wasn't on, and not a hint as to where in the world she was.
"Hey! Where are you going!?" A young male voice spoke.
Cassandra froze, momentarily surprised by the voice before clearing her throat. "I'm going home, it's getting late."
The voice snorted and the sound of hooves clopped closer. "Didn't you hear? That old unicorn blacksmith said he saw a monster in the forest last night that used BLACK MAGIC! There's a town meeting, everypony's got to go!"
Cassandra froze again, stunned by the boy's words. A unicorn? That's also a blacksmith? Monster?
Cassandra chuckled at the thought. "Alright listen, kid, -" She started, turning to the kid as she spoke. "-I don't know what you've been... Drinking..."
Cassandra starred into the equally shocked face of a small yellow pony with a green mane and orange eyes.
For what seemed like forever nobody spoke, fearing that in doing so they would break the thin wall of sanity that stood in the air.
Cassandra took this moment to better observe her surroundings for any threats, now that she thought about it, it seemed like all the doorways and houses were a bit too small for the average person.
She looked back down on the now trembling horse, taking in his strange, colorful nature and unusually large eyes.
"Hey, Shine! Where'd you go!?"
This wall of sanity shattered the instant that the colorful pony began shrieking, undoubtedly attracting the attention of his friend.
"MONSTER! MONSTER, MONSTER, MONSTER!"
Another pony appeared around a corner, his eyes widening as he caught sight of Cassandra and the yellow pony. "SHINE, WATCH OUT!"
Cassandra fled immediately on instinct, her mind filled with a flurry of questions as to what the hell she just saw.
That tiny horse talked, both of them did. Not only that but they were able to display a sense of intelligence as they spoke. And somehow, she, a HUMAN, was the monster?
"GO TELL THE OTHERS YOU FOUND THE MONSTER, I'LL GO AFTER IT!"
Cassandra cursed under her breath, this was like Terapi Island all over again and instead of Lorbs treating her like a wild animal, it was HORSES of all things.
She glanced behind, seeing another pony joining the other in chasing her with a torch clasped in his hoof. How he was holding the torch she had no idea.
"RUBY CASE, GET OVER HERE!"
A red pony appeared suddenly from a street right in front of her, flying towards her with his hooves aiming right for her head.
Cassandra dodged the golden-maned pegasus and continued sprinting forward. It seemed the world was getting crazier by the minute, there was no way those tiny wings could lift that pony.
Another pegasus joined the chase, closing in on her.
Thinking fast she sprinted down an alleyway, leaping off a crate and onto the rooftops to prevent most of the group the following.
"IT'S GETTING AWAY!"
"NOT ON MY WATCH!"
The two pegasuses of the group followed, the stronger of the two zipping in front of her to use her momentum and kick her in the face.
Idiot.
Cassandra easily caught his hoof, pulling him forward she used his tactic against him and used his momentum to punch him in the face and throw him against a chimney, never pausing to stop.
She glanced behind for a second, seeing the other furious pegasus about to bite down on her hair bun.
The pony, unaware of her disguise, actually nipped her cloak and dispelled her disguise, revealing Cassandra's true, and much taller form.
The pony faltered, surprised by her sudden change in appearance, giving Cassandra the chance to pull farther ahead.
The pegasus growled and began pushing herself forward with her legs, trying to fly closer.
Cassandra smirked and summer salted over a gap between the rooftops, kicking her legs upward to nail the pony successfully in the jaw with a faint crack.
After landing back on her feet she turned and faced the pegasus, ready to catch her again with a left hook.
Instead, she saw the groaning crumpled form of the small purple pegasus on the roof cradling her jaw.
Nearby shouts drew her attention, prompting her to turn and continue her escape.
"YOU THREE GO AROUND THE LEFT, LET'S TRY TO CORNER IT!"
Cassandra glanced down the edge, seeing the group of ponies split off behind the building to the side.
Using the second group's momentary blindness to her location, she jumped to another rooftop, and then another, effectively leaving them behind.
Once she was out of the sight of the ponies she adjusted her cloak, shifting her appearance into a squirrel to lose their attention.
Cassandra followed the group out of the town and stood on the edge of the last house, watching as the groups of ponies as they ran into the clearing in between the town and forest.
"Where did it go?!"
"How did it get away!?"
"Did it use its magic?"
One of the stallions pounded the dirt with his hooves. "ALRIGHT LISTEN UP!"
The ponies paused their search, huddling around the apparent leader.
"I need you to split up in three teams!" The dark green unicorn began, pointing a hoof to one of the other ponies. "You and your brothers will search the left side of the forest while you-" He pointed to another pony. "-search the right side!"
The dark green unicorn faced the forest, narrowing his eyes. "Velvet, Seedy, you two come with me. We'll head straight and search the center."
Cassandra watched as the ponies disappeared into the forest, their shouts beginning to become fainter.
Now that she was no longer being chased she paused to question the absurdity of her situation.
So apparently pegasi and unicorns were real. She shouldn't have been so surprised, she did once meet a mermaid of all things.
And a sapient race of fish people, and a physic monkey, and a little girl who could turn into a werewolf, and a demon goat that wanted to destroy her country.
These things really shouldn't come as a shock anymore. Not after everything she's seen.
Really she would just come to terms with the idea that any and all myths were probably real while she was still sane.
After making sure the ponies were all gone she moved to slink away, quickly returning to the town square.
Cassandra pondered the young one's words from earlier. A town meeting huh? It could help her understand what she was dealing with, why they thought she was some monster.
She silently made her way into the town hall, sneaking in through the front door.
As she wandered the halls she could hear panicked voices just beyond a grey door directly in front of her.
She carefully approached the door, pressing an ear to the wood.
"Please everyone calm down! There is no need to panic!" An elderly feminine voice cried out. "Cast Iron and the others are patrolling the town as we speak, there is no need for fear."
Cassandra nudged the door open, peering into the room.
It was filled with what appeared to be mares and foals either crying or comforting their little ones. An older unicorn stood on a stage to the side, addressing the crowd on a pulpit.
Cassandra looked closer, it seemed that all the adults had some sort of tattoo on their flanks, some of the younger ones lacked a noticeable mark.
Weird.
"Silver lens and his brothers have been sent to the origin site to investigate Cast Iron's claims. We can't be afraid of something that might not even exist." The old pink pony said calmly.
One yellow mare spoke out against this. "How DARE YOU! My husband would never lie about something like this!"
Another stood up with her. "He's one of the most trustworthy ponies in town!"
"What if the mayor is lying?!"
"We should KILL IT! Before it kills US!"
"Where's Princess Celestia?!"
Cassandra scrunched her nose and began to turn away. These tiny horses sounded bloodthirsty, she would be better off leaving this place as soon as possible.
She only paused when she heard the mayor call out.
"Please!" The elderly unicorn cried. "Let us be calm about this matter, Princess Celestia shall receive our letter promptly and aid us in this situation. Nopony is going to die!"
Cassandra returned to the door, intrigued by her words. She could afford to listen a little while longer.
The pink pony motioned to someone behind the curtains. "Miss Heart Aid, if you would please share your information with our fellow citizens."
A pale yellow unicorn stepped out, light blue curls bouncing atop her head.
She paused in front of the table with the cage, clearing her throat. "Last night while I was looking through my medical records I came across Cast Iron's head injury from a few years ago."
Cassandra raised a brow. What did that have to do with anything?
"HEY, YOU CAN'T SAY THAT! THAT WAS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION!"
"Please if you would just let her explain you will understand!" The mayor asked, looking over the ponies carefully.
The ponies gathered began to whisper amongst themselves.
The unicorn rubbed her hoof against the floor. "Now normally I don't share medical records but later in the morning, Cast Iron came back to town hollering about something he found in the woods. Screaming about a creature with blue hair that has two long legs and hairless skin."
Cassandra glanced at the crowd, watching their mixed reactions.
The pony straightened. "I believe that his previous injury is beginning to take its toll on his mind, making him see things that aren't there."
The yellow unicorn gasped loudly. "HOW DARE YOU! My Cast Iron didn't come hollering about some ANIMAL IN THE WOODS, but about a MONSTER THAT USED BLACK MAGIC TO SUMMON BLACK CRYSTAL!" She shouted.
Cassandra felt confused. Black magic? They couldn't be talking about the black rocks, could they?
"Do you know who ELSE USED BLACK MAGIC?! THAT WRETCHED KING SOMBRA!" The mare screamed and pointed to the mayor. "I will NOT STAND FOR THIS STUPID IDEA THAT CAST IRON IS INSANE WHEN THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF A MONSTER CAN TURN PART OF THE FOREST TO ASH!"
Cassandra winced at the pony's words, she definitely could only be talking about the decay spell. But she didn't mean to do it! It just happened, it wasn't her fault!
The ponies gasped at the mare's words and turned to their mayor, waiting for her words of assurance.
The mayor stood shocked for a second before turning to Heart Aid. "T-that can't be right, can it? Any information on black magic was destroyed millennia ago!"
Heart aid merely turned away. "Silver lens is looking into the situation, we will know soon enough..."
Cassandra grimaced as her eyes began to turn a misty green, feeling the heavy weight of guilt tugging at her heart. She wasn't a monster, right? She never meant to hurt anything.
The mayor began to panic. "Where is my quill!? I have to send another letter to Prin-"
"MAYOR SERENE!" A voice shouted behind Cassandra, causing her to twist towards the voice.
She barely caught a glance at a small brown pony before he crashed into her, throwing the doors open and leaving her dazed on the floor with her disguise broken.
"ITS THE MONSTER!"
"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"
"EVERYPONY FOR THEMSELVES!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"
She looked up from the floor, locking eyes with the unicorn Heart Aid for a second.
There was an unmistakable look of fear in her eyes, making Cassandra feel sick.
Cassandra picked herself up and booked it out the door, running as fast as her legs permitted.
"EVERYPONY UPSTAIRS NOW!"
"BARRICADE THE DOORS!"
"ICY! WHERE'S ICY?! WHERE'S MY BABY!!"
Cassandra quickly disappeared into the trees, leaving the town behind in a state of panic and chaos.
She never noticed how her eyes flared green before returning to their white color.
Once the screams of the village became nothing but background noise she leaned against a tree, trying to catch her breath.
This all felt crazy. She was in a nation filled with easily startled horses that probably wanted to kill her.
No. They definitely wanted to kill her. She didn't know who this Sombra guy was but apparently, he wasn't good.
Cassandra thought deeply about her situation. As far as she knew the only ones that knew about her existence were in this town. If she could find a ship out of here before the letter they mentioned made it to their Princess then everything would be okay.
This was fine, she knew from experience how slow mail was in Corona.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the familiar screech of her trusted pet.
Turning to the sound Cassandra saw an owl zooming towards her with his talons stretched out.
Cassandra lifted her arm automatically, making space for Owl to land.
Owl slowed and perched himself on her outstretched arm, shifting his claws to get more comfortable.
Cassandra sighed. "We're in trouble Owl, it looks like this place is run by a bunch of horses, and I don't think there are any other people here."
Owl felt confused by her words, how could horses run a nation? They had hooves, they couldn't write.
Owl looked at her sad face and scooted up to her shoulder, nipping at her ear, trying to make his friend smile for a moment.
Cassandra chuckled and rubbed his neck. "Don't worry buddy, we'll get through this."
She pulled out the map from her cloak and looked at its contents, across the woods was a city that looked like it was sitting on clouds.
Eh, it was probably metaphorical for something.
"Alright we'll head over here, -" She pointed to the strangely pictured city. "There hopefully we can find some more information as to where we are and where we can find a boat out of here."
Cassandra glanced back to the forest before glaring at the town. "We're a long way from home Owl. How about we get going before they find us?"
Owl purred in agreement as she scratched his neck.
She put her fallen hood back up, changing her appearance to a raccoon. "Scout ahead for a place where we can sleep tonight, I'll keep walking straight."
Owl raised a feathered brow at her appearance but listened, flying off into the night.
A familiar blue figure appeared from behind the bushes, sneering at Cassandra as she walked away.
She had an idea.
Once the disguised woman disappeared from view she turned to the town and pressed her hands against the grass.
The blue woman growled as beads of sweat grew on her brow, as if she struggled with some heavy weight.
A bright red spine rose from the ground, spearing through the earth as it rose above the blue women's head, inching taller with every second.
Satisfied with her work the women with twin buns grinned at the town and disappeared into nothingness.
A small pale blue pegasus poked his head out of the bush, he had seen the red rock rise out of the ground by itself and was amazed by it.
Where did it come from?
He crept closer and gazed at it, his eyes reflecting the red glow.
What was it?
Slowly he raised a hoof and touched the rock, tracing its peculiar lines.
It was so pretty...
A loud snarl came from above, making the little one freeze.
Slowly he looked up and saw the open, drooling maw of a monster with beady black eyes, its lips pulled back into a snarl.
With a shriek he ran back to the village, racing to the town hall to find his mommy.