//------------------------------// // Chapter Eleven: Visiting Zecora // Story: Reflection of Nightmares // by Cold Spike //------------------------------// Phoenix trudged through the forest and stopped to glance at her surroundings. After living in The Dread Timbers for so long she felt right at home. In fact, The Everfree seemed a damn sight safer. “Hope I’m going the right way.” The main path had quickly split off into other pathways. While that would easily confuse other children her age, Phoenix had learned a few things about wild forests. Carefully, the filly patted the ground in several places, making sure not to disturb the dirt too badly. After a few moments of this, she finally hit pay dirt. A carefully concealed hoof print, or what was left of one, was what she found deeply embedded into the dirt. After a few more pats up ahead, she found a few more and quickly smiled. “Glad this is good for something,” she murmured. It hadn’t exactly come in handy on missions given that most of the false Queen’s army were pegasi. As she walked, she noted how much brighter it was getting and far more open. She wasn’t exactly sure if that meant anything good, but it seemed far safer so she went with it. She took a few more steps and gasped, doubling over in pain. Her vision blurred and she could sense her heart racing, almost spiraling out of control as it sped up higher and higher. Phoenix fell over to her side, moaning in pain that never seemed to waver. “W- what is this?!” Pain radiated through her body while her heart continued to race. It was as if she was stuck in a perpetual state of fight or flight. She tried to call out for help, but her voice felt hoarse and her throat very dry. Just before she passed out, she saw a cloaked figure enter her vision, and then all was black. Discord sighed. Something was not right. He loved having tea with Fluttershy and didn't even particularly mind the one-sided conversations with the little devil ironically called Angel, but something was just not quite right. “Um, more tea?” Fluttershy asked. “Hmm?” he mumbled while said tea seemed to be floating in midair all around him with random splashes of liquid bubbles appearing and reappearing at random. Despite the bizarre sight, Fluttershy didn’t blink an eye and continued staring at her friend, waiting for a reply. “Uh, the tea?” she tried again and he nodded without thinking. “Oh sorry, Fluttershy. You were saying something about noodles?” The mare blinked and blinked again then she giggled. “No, you silly. I was wondering if you wanted more tea, but I think the tea decided for you…” "Oh, yes, it often does that around these parts," he mentioned with a quiet yawn. “Uh, s- sure,” she replied a tad nervously. Finally, Discord groaned and leaned his head on the floating table as the piece of furniture started to take him for a swift ride around the endless void dimension that Discord often took the two to. “Sorry Fluttershy, there’s just something I can’t quite place on my mind. Something… strange.” Fluttershy’s head followed his body as he twirled around mid-flight. “Strange? Isn’t that a good thing for you?” “That’s just it! No! It’s not a chaotic strange or a fun strange it’s a… sad one. A really sad one. I can sense it in my claws… in my bones,” he started and his body literally ripped itself into pieces while bones of Discord began to float in random directions. “Ugh, and I don’t know what it is! It’s like I can smell it, right under my nose!” At this, Fluttershy started shaking as she struggled to look away. “Pleas- please don’t do that…” she whispered rather angrily. Discord froze mid float and sighed again before snapping his body back together. “Oh, you’re no fun!” The mare fluttered into the air and turned away from him before making a small whimpering noise. “I can be very fun, thank you. And I’m sorry that your, um, chaos is on the fritz but--” “Hold on a moment! You stop speaking right there!” he bellowed loudly. “My magic is working just fine, thank you! Hay, I’d teleport to the moon and back without breaking a sweat!” As if to show off his ridiculous-sounding boast, Discord snapped his talons and disappeared only to reemerge a moment later carrying what could only be described as celestial moon rocks. He dumped them on the floor and waved his arms in their general direction while staring at Fluttershy squarely in the eye. “See?” “Discord! There’s no need to show off and get all dramatic. Just relax; I mean if you’re feeling fine and can still cast magic, then what’s wrong? Everything seems perfectly fine to me, you know.” Discord blinked and stared at her for a moment that seemed frozen in time. He did this for so long that Fluttershy started to back up in fear. “It’s you… it’s on you!” “What?! What is?!” she recoiled and started looking all over her body for splotches or signs of something out of the ordinary. Discord chuckled. "I mean," he started and reached out to feel her fur. "I can feel it on you… the sadness…" He trailed off and waited for her to respond, but all she did was shrug. "And that's it… Fluttershy, dear, just what have you and that daredevil purple-haired child been up to?" She blinked and squinted her eyes at him. "Discord! Have you been spying on me?!" The chaos being snorted. "Perish the thought, but I can assure you I have not been. I can feel her… essence on you. Her very soul, the thing that makes the pegasus whole. Her magical signature. I can sense it all." "That's not very, um, chaotic sounding. Are you feeling okay?" He blinked and slowly shook his head. "Forgive me, I've just not felt chaos like this in a very, very long time. I… oh drat, fine. I hate being nice, you know that, right?" "Who you, never! I… okay maybe you could stand to be a tad kinder to others." He nodded and took a rather serious pose. "Fine. Tell me, Fluttershy, just what has gotten that child into such a depressive rut? I'm not even sure old Sunbutt felt this sour when her sister left. And, yes, I felt that one too," he stated rather seriously. For a while, she said nothing while Discord felt uncharacteristically calm. She blinked and sighed. "I'm not sure… if it's my place to say. If you really care--" "I do!" He bellowed. She gave a hesitant smile and nodded. "Then I think you should ask her yourself." He groaned and summoned up a wood-crafted table to smack his head down on. "I was afraid you'd say that." "Um, though her situation is a tad more complicated than you're thinking…" He raised an eyebrow at her. "Hmm?" “I see you’re finally awake,  though I’m sure you’ve quite the headache.” Phoenix moaned and blinked a few times. She glanced around and found that the familiar-sounding voice was quite right. She was growing very tired of them but quite used to the annoying things as well. “Gee, what gave it away?” Phoenix mumbled without thinking. The figure, who was slowly coming into focus tilted its head.  “I fail to see what sarcasm will net you,  now please drink this stew  for you are quite overdue.” Before she could even comprehend her current predicament, Phoenix felt a wooden spoon had been shoved into her mouth. She blinked and slowly swallowed its contents. Tastes minty? “I’m also glad to see that you’re well enough to eat,  but please you must tell me, what has got you beat?  I’ve never seen one of you three in this condition,” the Zebra commented while poking and prodding over Phoenix’s body.  “Or is this a wrongful supposition?” she asked with narrowed eyes. Phoenix continued to eat the stew, mainly because she was hungry and figured any food was better than none. As she did, the zebra’s words started to make more sense. “Us three… oh. Um, right.” The zebra shook her head and sighed.  “Your overall condition means you should probably see a physician.  Your wings are torn, and are severely worn. But not by some beast or some simple mistake, I had to do a double-take!” Phoenix slowly nodded and continued on her stew. She couldn’t think of anything to say and doubted that lying would do much anyway. It was a knife wound, and she could clearly see that Zecora saw right through it. "Scootaloo, what has troubled you so, explain this so that I may know." Phoenix swallowed and sighed herself. “I’m not Scootaloo, Zecora. I mean, I sort am… just not here. Uh, you are Zecora right?” With narrowed eyes and a defensive stance, the zebra backed up and stiffly nodded.  “Is this a prank or a joke?  Or are you a changeling under cloak?!” Phoenix’s eyes bulged out of her sockets. “No! It’s just… um. It would take a while to explain.” The zebra nodded and took a seat. "If it's the truth you bring, then, please, explain the whole thing." “Truth…” Phoenix trailed off and looked rather downcast. She hadn’t been truthful with anypony and for very good reason. Hesitantly she glanced back at Zecora and gulped. Zecora shook her head.  "Perhaps you're not so wise, a full explanation I would advise. You're hurt and in pain so please, the truth so I can be at ease." Phoenix sighed again. Then she looked Zecora straight in the eyes and hesitantly smiled. “If I tell you, will you help me with something?” she asked with a hopeful gaze. The zebra scoffed. “Only a fool would agree to something, of which they know nothing.” Phoenix nodded and looked over to her bag and rummaged around in it. After a few moments, she placed a wooden canister down on the floor, next to her makeshift bed. She then motioned to it while Zecora looked on curiously. “I need you to make more of these for me.” “A most peculiar request, but are you sure this would be for the best?” Phoenix shrugged and went back to eating. “That or if you got a cure for crazy magical sickness and headaches. Uh, and insomnia,” she added after taking another bite. “And what sickness would this be? Tell me so I may set you free.” “I don’t know, okay! They injected me with this weird stuff and I just wanted to survive so badly and it hurts so much. I can’t stop getting headaches and… and worse.” Phoenix shuddered and looked away while Zecora seemed to pat her on the shoulder. She shuddered from the touch but didn’t push her away. "You're not making any sense, your story please and try to condense." Phoenix chewed the inside of her lip while she thought it over. Zecora’s stare did not waver which sort of unnerved her. “I… guess I’ll tell you everything. I owe you that much.” Zecora raised her eyebrow and slowly shook her head. “Uh, well I guess it wasn’t you who did it. I keep forgetting that…” “The more you speak the stranger you seem, it's almost like you're describing a dream." Or a nightmare... Phoenix thought. “Yeah, I know,” she said and scratched her head. “To tell you the truth, I don’t really understand it all that much. I mean, it’s sort of crazy.” “Just explain to me what you can, after we can piece together a plan.” She nodded and started to explain. “...As you can see by our projections the upcoming bill regarding imports will increase the crown profits by roughly two percent a quarter which will allow us greater control in maintaining Equestrian controlled counties.” Princess Luna pretended to care with a quiet nod. “Go on.” “Well, that’s basically it. All the data you would need to see is laid out on your desk, your majesty. As requested.” The princess blinked and smiled. “I see. I do appreciate you going through my new procedures, I understand it may have caused a bit of a… oh what’s it called again?” “A ruckus, y- your majesty?” “Precisely!” she exclaimed with a smile. “Er, yes that. Though, We see no reason to cloak such bills with fancy layered writings,” she responded. Her magical aura had enveloped the provided scroll while she skimmed through it line by line. The tall unicorn stallion before her shrugged. “It’s standard procedure to ensure every bill is thoroughly edited, and er, concise.” She eyed him with a twitching eye. The scroll had rolled off her desk and hit the wall before it was even halfway read. “This is concise?” “Heh, compared to what was a standard practice only a few years ago? Yes. I am well aware that legal drafts are not always the easiest of reads. But each paragraph and law must abide by every other law it interacts with. Uh, your majesty.” She flipped through it some more but had to stop. There was no way in Celestia’s great beard that she was going to understand even a fourth of what was written. And that’s what bothered her. Sighing, she addressed him once more. “We will review this with…” she trailed off and shook her head. “I will review this with my sis--” She saw him raise an eyebrow at the wording and she sighed again. “Forgive me. This will be reviewed with the proper channels with Princess Celestia, myself, and Princess Cadance present. Is that agreeable?” The stallion bowed and nodded. “Yes, thank you, Princess Luna.” “Right, then our business for now is concluded. We bid- I bid you farewell.” A few moments later another bow and the stallion left, leaving Luna to her thoughts. “You may come out now, sister.” With a quiet giggle, Princess Celestia, bearer of the sun revealed herself hiding just behind a massive tapestry. “Forgive me, I didn’t want to interrupt.” Princess Luna examined her elder sister with a degree of curiosity. Her usual eternal mane was not blowing in a nonexistent wind, as it usually did. She almost seemed casual. “I would have forgiven you if you had! It would have helped…” she exclaimed, mumbling the last part with a sigh. “I am not fit to monitor laws and oversee ponies in the day and you know this!” Luna felt her anger reach the tipping point. She clenched her teeth and scowled at her sister. “LuLu, I’ve explained to you many times before: this is our duty. This is your right, as a princess.” The lunar sister sighed and looked away. “It was, once. I just don’t see--” Celestia spread her wings and flew high into the air before landing just at Luna’s hooves. She watched her elder sister shake her head and sigh herself. “It is now and has always been. I trust you, Luna. All of Equestria does too. Please, don’t belittle yourself. You deserve so much more.” And without warning, Celestia walked up and nuzzled Luna’s mane. A warm and comforting feeling overcame her, but only for a moment. “Now, I wanted to discuss Twilight’s little problem. Any progress?” “Ah. Funny you call it little. But as a matter of fact, yes.” Celestia smiled. “I knew you could do it! I--” “It’s not what you think, Tia. This… this little one is not shielded by dark magic or some unknown force. She did this willingly.” Celestia blinked. “I don’t understand.” “A dream catcher, sister. This Phoenix wishes to be left alone while she sleeps. She shields herself from her dreams. Or possible nightmares. I cannot in good conscious break that just because I possess the ability to. It wouldn’t be right.” She watched Celestia look at the ground as if she were searching for something. “Luna, that is perhaps the most thoughtful thing you have ever said.” Luna tilted her head in confusion. “I suppose. Still, this begs the question. Why go through so much trouble. Last I checked a real Dream Catcher with magical weave is only constructed by the Zebras. It would take considerable effort, or money to obtain one.” Celestia nodded. “It would. Dreams and their realms are your business and skill. Why do you think she’s done this? If we can’t… betray her privacy, we can at least grasp for clues.” Luna nodded. “You want my honest opinion, sister?” Celestia met her eye and gave a kind nod. “Always.” “She has likely been haunted or traumatized by a severe or catastrophic event. Twi-- Princess Twilight claims those mirrors could lead anywhere.” “Most certainly.” “She has also explained her theory on these multiple outcome possibilities, extensively. If we assume anything is possible, then it is very probable that young Phoenix has been through pain. Intense pain. Based on your pupils’ reports and everything we know of the young filly, even if it isn’t much, I can only conclude that her past circumstances revolved around something extremely traumatic.” Celestia looked away in shame. “That is quite disturbing, Lulu. But I must concur. There would be no other reason to use such a device if not to indulge in some peaceful rest. But still, so many questions and no matter what they try, she remains a closed book. So guarded and so frightened. Simply remarkable.” Luna shook her head and eyed the unfurled scroll in her magical aura. “Indeed. But, tell me, what do you think will become of her? After all, her situation is far from ordinary.” Celestia still had a downcast look on her face and Luna noted that her magical mane leaked any presence of the word. It usually spelled bad news, or in Celestia’s case, sour emotions. “That really depends.” Luna waited patiently, but all Celestia did was stare out into the void. “I should have never messed with that mirror, dear Luna. Nothing good has come of it.” Luna smiled, feeling slightly mischievous. “It’s from my understanding that three very curious little fillies messed with said mirror, dear sister.” The solar princess gave her an annoyed look and shook her head. “You know what I mean.” Luna snorted. “Oh please. Even if you hadn’t, that would simply mean young Phoenix would have appeared somewhere else. Probably somewhere far more dangerous.” “A fair point.” Luna inspected her sister while the other princess stared off in thought. “What is troubling you? Your mane, it does not scream the dear sister that I know.” Celestia took a seat on the floor, something not normally seen from the two. From Luna’s perspective, she seemed to be searching for something that wasn’t there as her eyes looked all around. “I thought, for the longest time, that I was in control of things. I have dedicated my whole being, my life, to practicing magic and exploring our world. But after hearing of Twilight’s journey involving young Starlight Glimmer and after Phoenix, I’m just not so sure anymore.” Luna shook her head. “You’re being cryptic, elaborate.” The sun princess sighed. “I am saying that I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface of this plane, of our world. And if Twilight is to be believed, there are other worlds out there. And then it all comes back to Starlight, she is so talented and so powerful. But that power is far from stable, she is far from stable. I know it’s rude of me to say, but that is my conclusion so far,” she quickly added at the end. “And it’s taken me this long to realize that we really know nothing, Luna.” “Does that not make it exciting? Exploration has always been an interest of yours if I’m not mistaken.” Celestia smiled, though she seemed far from happy. “Not if it means endangering my little ponies.” “Are Phoenix and Glimmer not your little ponies?” “I… it would not be fair to declare a stranger as my own. She is not from here, after all.” A small bit of anger swelled in Luna, but she quickly squashed it. She would later note that she neglected to mention Glimmer again. “If she is truly stuck here, then I’m afraid you might not have a choice,” Luna said and then smirked at her. “Given she isn’t even a citizen here, it would make for a rather awkward solution.” Celestia blinked and then her eyes quickly widened. “Are you saying--” “That you would have to perform a very special ceremony for her.” Luna then took a seat to join her sister. “One that can only be performed by the solar princess, Tia.” “That would be up to her, of course. I can’t force her to become one of my little ponies against her will.” “Of course.” “Getting back on topic,” Celestia said with just a small hint of irritation, “I am worried, Luna. And for the first time in a long while, I am unable to think of a strategy. Phoenix and Starlight complicate things, but it’s not so much them that I worry about… it’s what they represent.” “Oh?” “Mystery, dear Luna. I do not like being out of the loop, especially when we don’t know just how far the extent of our ignorance is.”