//------------------------------//
// Book of Quarrel, Canto 4 
// Story: Fallen-Song 
// by Chicago Ted 
//------------------------------//

“Mayhaps,” said Luna, “in other cases,
That vileness serv’s him well in such places.”
They shar’d the laugh resulting. “I’d not spare
Such mercy on the wicked.” Two paces,

His swift and Luna’s gliding, they would dare
To venture on to deeper wastes. A snare
Would capture soon his eyes – and all too true,
He had to stop at once, and look to there.

She thought her steadfast guide could see the view
Of fantasy the warmth could cause – yet drew
Her eyes to where he pointed, saw the truth
From lies – those namely shimmers, ones she knew,

But he did not. Then Luna said, “Forsooth,
I’ve not seen a thing like that since my youth.
I say we seek it out – it is that tree
We ust to play around. You’re quite the sleuth!”

“To find some older memories, I see?”
He ask his liege. “I shall join you with glee!
I should look forward t’ hearing even more.”
“How grand ’twould be,” said she, “to sip that tea

We would once have in our youth, long before
We were ordain’d with destinies of yore.
O how I long t’ relive those memories –
Perhaps you’d like to join me, I implore,

Relive the same with me.” A gentle breeze
Brusht past them. “I indeed would like to – these
Thoughts you so treasure fondly must be good
If all at once you recognize with ease

Where they were made.” “Let us go, as we should,
And well remember them together.” “Could
Such thing be possible?” “I’ th’ land of dream,
This and more can be done. I’ve understood

Such nonsense folly in that random stream
Call’d consciousness. To you, ’twould eas’ly seem
Mere chaos pull’d from nought, but dreams can tell
Of inner tales that one wi’ th’ spell could gleam,

Although, of all the things I’ve seen, this well
Of drouth is by far th’ strangest thing. My spell
Should not have fail’d me, yet in that moment
It did, to my surprise, and then we fell

Into this pit of memory.” “We’ll hunt
A way home in due time. The ailment
Of Shade’s Corruption can be cured, yes?”
Then Luna ponder’d th’ answer she’d present –

And when she had, she simply said, “Unless
A miracle occurs, I can’t express
Such hope for that to happen.” “So be it,”
Said he, “for if not you, then none can bless

Me for my life.” She was glad that her hit
T’ encouragement did not at all admit
Concession. “But let’s get us home now,” said
He boldly. “That enough would benefit

Me well. To see your moon arise and tread
Across the sky would well relieve my head
Of Shade’s Corruption.” Heartily they laught.
“We spake enough, so let us go ahead

And see to your fond memories, and craft
Some newer ones,” Honeycomb said – and aft
These words, they started pacing onward to
Their newfound destiny. A sandy draft

Blew past their faces, pointing them on through
The sand. Their fortitude renew’d anew,
They merrily went cantering i’ th’ dust
Until they could make out a crimson hue

Upon th’ horizon beyond them – and just
As they saw it, as in this land they must,
They came across a rather lofty drop.
Unlike before, when they would never trust

Th’ stability, they chose instead to bop
Off th’ edge, and slide without a sudden stop.
What fun they had, to speed on down the hill!
E’en if they were not keen to climb to th’ top,

They would agree, ’twas worth th’ impromptu thrill.
And once they reacht the base, the air was still
Once more – the lookt ahead of them, and saw
They’d further much to go, and sweat to spill

E’en more before they’d reach that place of awe
For Luna. As was this land’s cursed law,
It seem’d much further than when they began.
A heavy groan erupted from her maw.

“We’ve come much further ranges in our plan,”
The baker told her. “This two-pony clan
Can tolerate a few more hills like that.
Could you set your gall aside?” “Yes, I can,”

She would admit. “And whilst we idly chat,
Could you speak more of how you both begat
Your powers of the sky?” “Perhaps once we
Arrive, I may,” said Luna. She slipt. “Drat!”

The baker helped her, to pull her free
Fro’ th’ sand’s grasp on her hoof. And then, once she
Was firmly standing, she again thankt him,
And moved on to cherisht memory.

It seemed that the distance was too slim
For them at first glance. Carefully they’d skim
The surface of the sev’ral hills between
Them and their destination. A blue limb

Found a stone crag, with such a brilliant sheen
That Luna found herself blind. She was keen,
However, to keep moving. Up on high,
She suddenly found their prize – at that scene,

She made one final effort to come by
That special place within her mind. A sly
Honeycomb saw her struggle, stopt to give
A heave, and watcht her see the tree and sigh.

“We shall now find respite here, and relive
Such fondness of my deepest mind. Forgive
Indulgence mine, would you?” “My Liege, of course,”
He said. “I’m sure this place does prove motive

So potent for you.” Then, from unknown source,
A wind blew through the tree. The darker horse
Took in the scent resulting, which gave bliss
And cause t’ relax beneath it. Without force,

This tree did beckon with the things she’d miss –
A tea so sweet and perfect, ’twas a kiss
From Mother, just about. – She sigh’d relief,
Then gestured him t’ approach and not dismiss.

“’Tis nice,” the baker said. “However brief
It may last, ’twill still be beyond belief.
I’ll never find its equal – what say you?”
“I must agree,” said Luna. “Verdant leaf

Is hard to find, but somehow this land knew
My fonder times of youth. These things are few
And far between; thus, I cherish the time
When we had not the obligations too.”

Her tree had blossom’d, as though in its prime
And just awaken’d from the winter’s rime,
And scented flower-petals fell to th’ ground.
A tranquil scene indeed, a paradigm

Of peacefulness, as Luna once had found.
“So Princess Mine, I’m sure your mind’s abound
With fables of your ancient fillyhood,
Of times forlorn before you two were crown’d.

I’d like to hear some of those, if you would.”
And Luna nodded. “Here, beneath the wood,
We once saw th’ stars come out one cloudless night.
And dazzl’d our young sight. We understood

This was their nightly show – and what a sight
They’d show to us! We pointed out the slight
Light-pricks, to seek the patterns in the group,
And morrow come, to see if we were right,

We’d ask the others, be they royal troop
Or common peasant, yet in one fell swoop
They’d break our images, tell us they’re wrong,
But our imagination we’d recoup

By nightfall. Of course, by day we’d hear the song
Of birds o’erhead, and back where we belong
We would return, to stay and idly speak
And play within its branches all day long.

On warmer days, there ran a shallow creek – ”
She pointed out its place – “where we would wreak
Some harmless havoc on ourselv’s. It’d cool
Our fur, and by the end o’ th’ day, we’d reek

Of river scum.” The baker laught – “A fool
You once were! – erm, My Liege.” “O sod that rule,”
Said she. “Your words ring true in any case –
Besides, we hadn’t any other pool

To swim in – we had yet to be the grace
To raise the sun and moon over our place.
At times I wonder – if we’d never were
The ponies you depend on to replace

Your older unicorn troupe.” “You and her,
You’re indispensable. No one could stir
The sky quite like you could – as goes the day,
So does the night – wait, what’s this on my fur?”

He lookt up, shoct upon his hoov’s. “Away!”
He cried, and gallopt off. Without delay,
She follow’d him behind – then glanced back,
And saw her fillyhood tree would not stay

Upright intact forever – it burn’d black
With flames burning hot. With a total lack
Of water, they had t’ cut their losses so.
“What was this?” askt he once they got far back.

“Was it an ambush, was it all a show
To set a trap, or will we never know?”
“Regardless,” Luna, chokt with tears of grief,
Told him, “we ought t’ ignore this newfound throe – ”

“I say nay,” he announct. “A stopping brief
Is warranted.” And fro’ th’ sky, a black leaf
Came tumbling down, in front of them, t’ remind
Her further. She was in full disbelief –

How could a memory that they would find
Betray her, just like that? ’Twas now behind
Her, ne’er t’ enjoy at any rate again,
She would remind herself – she’d not be blind

T’ reality. O, what tremendous pain
And sorrow had she! Her etheral mane
Went slack and hung to the side of her head,
Sans vim, for reasons noöne can explain.

“Perhaps that’s simply just it,” Luna said.
“’Twas just distraction from the road ahead –
That tree exists no longer, I accept
As much. – Yet why do I still feel a shred

Of sadness in my heart?” “Perhaps you’ve kept
That place in mind for so long, it had crept
Out into th’ land, and set itself up there
To give respite.” “That would be true – except

We don’t know if this land can see the glare
Of our thoughts in our minds.” “And yet, I swear
There’s more to this place than would meet the eye.”
He shook his head. “Shall we go? If we fare

Up that hill yonder, we could see the sky
Illuminate the path ahead. We’d try
The next lead we see. I’m sure it would go
Much better than before.” She gave a sigh,

Relenting to his offer. – Who would know
What laid o’er th’ hilltop, what the light would show
Them when they reacht the top? And as th’ ascent
Near’d its end, sand appeared to be like snow,

What with the brightness of the sun. They went
Down th’ hill, in jolly fashion, which had sent
Her flying through th’ air. When she hit the ground,
She lookt and found, by her own assessment,

A crystal fragment. “Look what I have found!”
She call’d to him – and once he came around,
He also saw it, glitt’ring in the light.
“I’ve never seen such thing before – astound

Me more, I see?” “I very well just might,”
Said Luna. “Keep its image in your sight –
I do suspect there may be others like
This, forming trail that, though ever slight,

Can lead us to another ponylike
Being.” “Shall it be worth the resulting hike?”
“Indeed so. Let us not waste our time more,
And search out missing pieces all alike.”

The baker sigh’d. “Lovely, another chore,”
But all the same kept nose to ground, t’ implore
Their whereabouts. He spotted one too soon,
And sev’ral more besides. His hopes would soar

As she too saw. Seeing where they were strewn,
The baker and the Princess of the Moon
With care did start along its path so faint.
The trail did end at yet another dune –

And Luna could well see a hoof, apaint
With black, although o’er years it would grow quaint
As sand would ravage it. She grabb’d it firm,
And pull’d it true. This would elicit plaint

Fro’ th’ rest o’ th’ pony. Luna would confirm
Her thoughts that this indeed was an infirm –
A crystal-pony. These she rarely met,
For seldom would they leave for any term

Their homeland in the north. “Now will you let
Me go?” She would do so, but then the sweat
On her hoof made her slip and tumble down.
She stood up. “Thank you – I am in your debt.”

Her gratitude soon turn’d into a frown
Once she saw Princess Luna’s royal crown.
“I never realiz’d I was in the care
Of someone so important, so renown,

As th’ Princess of the Moon.” The lunar mare
Shook her head. “We, forsooth, were not aware
Of your stay here. Your crystal blends right in
Wi’ th’ sand. We only spotted you here, where

A trail of crystal shards led us.” “I’ve been
Unwhole for quite some time – my fragile skin
Had given way to the wind. Rather soon,
Some pieces of me fell away, akin

To broken glass. I had to leave them strewn
Across the sand, for I was not immune
To th’ effects of repairing myself. So
I had to settle here, beneath the noon

That never seems to end. I thought I’d know
Just solitude forever, but O no,
You came and found me buried here. – But why?”
“Because,” said Luna calmly, “even though

You see yourself as somepony awry,
We think you’d make a wonderful ally.
We seek an exit from this dreary pit –
If you would join us, we can better try

As three instead of two. The benefit
Of half a dozen eyes should us permit
To find our goal – so shall you join us now?”
“An offer good,” spake she. “I should not quit

Your words now, not when you have sav’d me. How
Shall we pursue it?” “I you would allow
Me to confess, we’ve wander’d lost this long.”
“Still, this does not invalidate my vow;

I’ll wander with you, as a tagalong,
’Til we return back home – where we belong!”
“Your spirit’s reassuring, but take note:
The beings we’ve met – you would have to be strong

T’ resist their malice – O the things we’d quote.
You would not want to hear. E’en th’ anecdote
May be too much to bear.” “If you dissuade,
You’ve failed,” said she. “I mean not to gloat,

But in my time I’ve learn’d t’ ignore display’d
Atrocity. I’ve seen them all invade
My territory, yet they’ve ne’er upset
Me’t all. At least down here i’ th’ sand, the shade

Encompasses all, so I never fret.”
“You speak of int’rest,” said the baker. “Let
Us hear more of your life – before you came
To this place, preferably.” “I’ll regret

To speak of it,” said she. “I would not blame
If you demand I stop before I shame
Myself. I’m sure you’d know.” “Why, that is just
Nonsense!” said he. “To start, what is your name?”

“Black Widow is my calling, if you must,”
She did reply eventually. “This dust
May chip away at my iconic dark,
Since I have long lost my crystalline crust,

But I am still that crystal pony. Hark!
I’ve made some trouble, but if I be stark,
You’d do much th’ same as I, without the guilt
That most indeed expect. You’ll see that spark

When you commit it first – or shall you wilt
To shame? We soon shall see – my moral tilt
May or may not align with yours.” “Pray tell,
What makes you ask? What lies beneath the lilt

Of your speech?” “O, allow me please to quell
Your concerns,” said she. “You’ve all had that spell
Of afterthought and regret, have you not?”
“I cannot say I know. Where does it dwell,

Your thinking?” Luna askt. “How had you wrought
Such an idea?” “I’ll tell you what you ought
To know, and nary more.” Black Widow was
Quite resolute in saying so. What brought

Such firmness to her mind? And from her jaws
She’d tell – “I hold things back from you, because
I know not either of you. – Even you,
O Princess, you have yet to show me cause.”

“I’ve heard things unbelievable – you view
Me yet as unprepared. If you knew
What beings in court have sought me, you would say
And hold nought back – you know this to be true.”

Black Widow sigh’d. “If you insist. But pray
That you are right.” She clear’d her throat. “Astray
I’ve led my life until now, e’en before
I ended up in sand, perhaps to stay

For good – had you not shown up to this shore
Without a sea – stuck here forevermore
A’ th’ mercy of the elements. Enough
Of that now, you pine t’ hear a tale; therefore,

Do gather ’round.” All three sat on the tough
Part of the land. “I married once a rough
And grizzl’d crystal pony of the guard.
When first we met six years before, the scruff

Of his chin did distract him from the yard
He had to watch. I wistl’d, and it jarr’d
His idleness. Some sev’ral hours since then,
They’d change the posting, and he’d regard

Me with the warmth of future lover. When
We met beneath your moonlight, he again
Arriv’d unshaven. Said he he desir’d
The visage of a mighty pony – then

He said that, in the guard, he was requir’d
To keep a cleaner look, lest he be fir’d.
But fortunately, he had but two years
Left in his oath before he’d be retir’d.

Those two years were the worst of all my fears –
By night, I’d pray that his guard-schedule clears
And he could – safely, early – come to me,
Before his passion for me disappears.

Then one day, after that time, he was free –
He doft his armor one last time, to see
A harden’d stallion ’neath the shining steel.
He came to me then, happy as can be

To see me once again. It seem’d surreal –
Had two years flown past? Did they just conceal
Their length of time? Regardless, there he stood,
Having remember’d me with baited zeal.

The things we did together, as we should
As two united by the heart – we would
Go walking through the fields beyond the Land
Of Crystal, or ev’ry year, walk ’neath the hood

To see the Crystal Heart, as we had plann’d
Every year, like other crystal ponies, and
When we went, I’d see other stallions too –
Of ev’ry look and like, from truly bland

To beauties marvelous. Some others knew
My lover from his duty; in the queue
He’d strike a word with other guardsponies
He once alongside serv’d, which did accrue

Impatience of me – but I would appease
These thoughts – bethinking that he was no tease;
They simply were old friends I’d never met
Before in my life. What put me at ease

Was him to introduce me in a get-
Together of his own. There, he would let
Me know them just as well as he the lot –
To let them know that I was not a threat

As well. They soon accepted me, which ought
To bring some calmness into me. And not
Long after, one of them told me that soon
He would propose a marriage – one I sought

From him too. I of course was o’er the moon
When he askt me that question, and at noon
On th’ longest day o’ th’ year, I married him
Within that yard where our fates were first hewn

From that wood of time on a simple whim.
Its elegance sheer nopony can limn
E’en now – e’en I cannot do such a thing
Myself; one simply had to go see him

And me there. – Anyway, that coming spring
We happen’d by a grassy knoll, aiming
To spend an idle day there. Lovely ’twas,
A contrast to things that were happening

That same day. As it turns out, my in-laws
Had lost one of their own – which gave him pause
For grief, for it was younger sister dear.
I mourn’d her too, as mine as well, because

When she would visit, her glee was sincere,
As she consider’d me one to be near.
– Besides, ’twas long before her time as well.
And whilst her will was read, it would appear

That whilst I got but little, I could tell
My husband would be getting much to swell
The lining of his pocket. When ’twas done,
And the bells sounded out their dying-knell,

I would confront him over this. Noöne
Expected him t’ rebuke my gripes, nor shun
Me for another week. I tried t’ inquire
Why he would do this; eventually, one

Day he told me she knew him longer, prior
To meeting me – why should I be th’ denier
Of her last word? As though that would suffice,
E’en! Thus, the situation grew more dire

By passing days. I told him once or twice,
“You know, dear husband mine, it would be nice
If we could set aside that useless argument
To get our lives together.” ’Twas concise,

But he did not wish for this – I’d cement
A wide divide betwixt us, one not meant
To be repair’d. I’d formulate a plan,
But he would stop it dead. I’d not torment

Myself o’er this for longer much. O’er th’ span
Of sev’ral weeks, I bled myself, began
T’ exhibit signs of foal that would not be,
And one night, in the dead of dark, I ran –

But not before I let my blood spill free
Across the kitchen floor. Then I would see
A larger mess created here, to fake
The fact that some horrendous killing-spree

Had in the night occur’d here. It would take
Me four hours to ensure that this would make
Him guilty of my murder. It was worth
The time and pain, for soon that bloody lake

Would yield revenge so sweet. It gave me mirth
To see him at spearpoint when from his berth
He rose that morning, and taken away
In chains of iron. None of them would unearth

The truth for quite some time, but sans delay
I hid myself, so I would not display
What I had done t’ imprison him too soon.
I hoped that would be the end – but nay,

They went asearch for my corpse. By the moon
At night, I fled the crystal-lands, t’ impugn
The facts o’ th’ matter. Soon I’d wholly leave
My home and ponies back; I’m not immune

E’en now to persecution. They would grieve
My loss, and I my exile, I believe,
For I had t’ start another life outside.
Such spousal treason one could not conceive

Before, and likely not since. I would bide
My time ’fore they forgot where I might hide
Outside the Crystal-Lands. Now you wonder:
Do I regret this? If I did, I’d lied

To you both – it felt right for me to spur
Such actions, that I’d make him a doër
Of evil. But I do suppose that peace
Would not forever last – some time after,

I would be recognized by my niece
Who came to town one day. It would increase,
Her scrutiny, as she saw me once and again,
Until she pointed me t’ her father. “Cease!”

He call’d to me, but I’d avoid the pain
Of what would happen to me should he gain
Ahold on me, so I’d not let him grab
Me, not at all – unless I should be slain.

I’ th’ space of sev’ral minutes, a dull drab
Had set in my sight, and I felt a jab.
When it clear’d, all I could see was this sand
Around me – I’m sure you’d heard that same gab

Before. And ever since then, this curst land
Has shown no mercy to me at all, and
The same betrayal I have render’d on
My husband seem’d trivial and so bland.

I soon discover’d – rather, happen’d ’pon –
The fact that I could be betrayal’s pawn.
My crystal let me shine distorted light
And make whatever I would fancy. Gone

They soon were, be it fire or wind. It might
Attract some other wand’ring souls, a sight
That they could not resist, a memory
So fond to them they had t’ relive it quite.

You fell just now into my trap, I see.
A, yes, but did you like to see your tree
From long before? I did expect you not
To find me buried here, nor pull me free.

I’ve many targets to my name; I’ve fought
A drake i’ th’ past, but never have I thought
I’d find a princess i’ th’ expanse of dust –
But thus, that was my tale that I have taught.”

Honeycomb was displeas’d. “If e’er you must
Betray your husband, then you’ve lost our trust!
And e’en what you have added to the end –
Your animosity, and too your lust

For cheating – you can never at all mend
What rift you’ve made between you and your friend
From back home. I myself am married to
A wonderful mare, who would always lend

A hoof to help, instead of leaving for who
May offer untold riches. Perhaps you
Could learn from her – not to forsake your love,
But in its stead, to see your troubles through

Together.” Livid still, he was above
A further word – but Luna could tell of
His grimace that he still had vitriol
Left over. “I shall add,” said she, “your love

Has struck deep in me such a great appall
That I cannot conjure the words to call
Upon your excommunication. But
The fact that you are stuck here – that is all

I’ll ever need to make my peace – for what
You’ve done to me and others too, your rut
Of sand is where you’ll stay forevermore.
If we should find a way home, we won’t cut

A deal for you – for you’d renege before
Long in your return. Thus, we shall ignore
Whatever you’ve t’ object with. O your wile
Of light and magic fool’d us both – therefore

We’ll leave you here to ponder all the while.
– What, you still think your tricks were not so vile?
Then reason more to stay, for you’ve not learn’d
Your lesson, have you? – Will you at all?” “I’ll

Consider your words.” “Yet you’ve not reëarn’d
Our admiration quite just yet. You’ve spurn’d
So much of what we value, we should doubt
What you say now. As far as we’re concern’d,

You’re irredeemable, and cast right out
O’ Equestria so righteously.” “You tout
Your righteousness, but do not demonstrate
Your other virtues to me. – May your trail

Grow cold, yet still retain the heat you hate;
May both of you find your return too late;
May you both suffer as I in this land,
And may you see the error, and come straight

To me again.” “Your words stop us not! Sand
Will be your home, but not ours! Come now, and
We’ll leave her to her fate.” The baker said,
“Forsooth, what do you think you can command?

What folly, this! We’ll leave you here for dead,
And there is nought you can do in its stead.
You’ll suffer just as he had – then you’ll learn,
Perhaps then, what it means to have a shred

Of dignity.” He kict sand on her – stern
His words sure were; she knew they’d not return
To save her as well. She’d stew in her own
Self-pity, but she’d easily not concern

Herself with them returning, nor the moan
O’ th’ wind above her head – and with a groan,
She tried to chase them down, but could not walk
At all. She slumpt into the sand, alone.

On th’ other hoof, the princess and th’ ad-hoc
Guide made their way to other places, t’ talk
With other beings who dwell in dusty waste.
They went as well as one, each step in lock

Along the other’s. Carefully they pac’d
T’ ensure they would not fall in her misplact
Trap. So far, there were none. “Yet I still fear,”
He said, “what else she’d make. My heart does race

About the chances still not told. Yet near
Us, I cannot find those things – nor the cheer
That can assure our loneliness. Behold
My own despair.” And Luna laught with sheer

Joy that she just found. “You are not as old
As I,” said Princess Luna, as they stroll’d
E’er on. “So do not worry yourself on
Such mysteries. Have I my dreamwalk-hold,

I could pry in there, but alas they’re gone,
My power, my spell – every bit’s withdrawn
Into my horn, and I cannot tap in.”
The baker said, “I wonder when the dawn

Would come, and if so, how we would begin
To seek another way for us to win.”
“Which is, of course, assuming that the night
Is pinned to my spell.” She gave a grin

To him. “I’d eas’ly wield it with my might
By day, but who would sleep during the light?
That’s why I’ve not tried it yet.” “I could tell,”
The baker said. “Your powers at their height

Can fell a mighty herd of dragons – well,
I do believe you can o’ercome this spell.”
“But that’s just it,” said Luna. “This whole time,
I’ve tried it on myself – before you yell,

Nay, that is not the same as thinking. I’m
Consid’ring using others – ” “Anytime
You need to test, you only need ask me,”
Said he. “That is, if you can stand the slime

Of Shade’s Corruption.” They both laught merr’ly
At his quip. Then she’d add, “I may not see
A speck of that, I’m sure – I may be wrong,
However. I will test it once we’re free.

In any case, when usually along
My dreams I walk, I eas’ly hear the song
Of memory. But here, I cannot find
That sound – and I suspect resistance strong

In you as well.” She lit her horn, to bind
Together her dream-magic with his mind,
And peer’d in to find the same condition
Existed here. “Is my spell not align’d?”

She askt. “Perhaps it is because you’ve done
So much, that you need rest, before ’tis none,”
He answer’d in kind. “Well, you must be smart –
To cast to check f’ error is little fun.

I shall stop now, and with some hope I’ll start
To solve this riddle. As we go, we’ll chart
This land so we do not find things once more –
We’ll soon head back, to the home of mine heart!”