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// Ghosts of the Black Mountain 
// Story: Fallen Sun 
// by shademaster24601 
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The wind whistled, and the dirt crackled beneath the wooden wheels of the wagon. The elevation was daunting on it's own, but the narrowness of the road, which only allowed for barely two wagons at a time, made for a perilous bit of tension. The mountainous regions of equestrian made for secure homesteads, but they were murder on travel. Given the occasional rockslide, Trixie was sure that phrase was more literal than she'd like it to be. Uriah insisted they begin their journey immediately, much to her protesting. She needed sleep and he was happy to let her have it, but only if they were on the road while she did. While she slept, he moved the wagon with his magic, casting an illusion of her pulling it. This lasted well into the night, but as soon as morning came around, Uriah woke her and told her it was time to tag out. Given that it had only been five hours, she wasn't exactly compliant. Uriah, however, less than gently, reminded her that he hadn't slept for twenty four, so she gave in. It could only be blamed on fate that the timing just happened to get her hitched up just as they were approaching Mt Holycow, as she exasperatedly dubbed it. Trixie had no idea where Uriah had brought them, but the sheer cliff on her right and drop on her left didn't do her nerves any favors.
She flinched when she heard rocks crumbling and couldn't figure out from which side. "Oh, yes, your majesty. Of course I'll escort you through this dangerous mountain pass. It's an absolute pleasure to put my life on the line for this mysterious mission to further your coup while you rest you princely little head." She blew a loose strand out of her eyes. "Relax, Trixie, just keep moving. Making sarcastic remarks about your new friend isn't going to help. It's not like there'a any pony else you can go to if he decides to leave you high and dry." She happened to glance to the drop. "So very high."
The clatter of her own wagon left her deaf to the clatter of another. A brown stallion, in a ragged shirt, with five-o-clock shadow trudged up along side. Trixie wasn't found of the crowded feeling, so she just faced ahead and waited for him to pass. However, he stopped when he caught up to her, then turned to her. "Hey." Trixie recognized the tone and just ignored him. He took offense to that. "Hey, I'm talking to you."
Trixie rolled her eyes, still not looking at him. "I don't much feel like talking."
He scoffed. "Well that's rude. When a gentlecolt says hi, a nice little filly like you should say "hi" back."
The blue unicorn snorted and her eyes hardened into a glare, but she still refused to look at him. "Well, I'm not a "nice little filly," I'm a cranky grown mare and I don't owe you a thing!"
The stallion gave a dangerous grin. "Actually, you do. Cute little thing like you, all alone out here on a dangerous road with that nice caboose of yours..." Trixie went beet red. "You really do need a big tuff stallion, like me, to keep an eye on..." He didn't get to finish. While he spoke, a dark red aura surrounded him and his wagon and, mid sentence, a loud boom rang out as he and his cart were blasted off the cliff by a tremendous force.
Trixie stopped dead in her tracks and was left speechless by the demonstration of power with such little effort. A deep, sleepy voice shook her out of her shock. "Call me old fashioned, but I remember when stallions knew to show respect." Trixie turned her head to see two angry red eyes peering out of the open window of her wagon. They softened to a look of concern as Uriah poked his head out. "Are you alright?"
She stumbled with her words. "Th-that seemed a little excessive."
Uriah lazily looked over to the cliff. "He's a "big tuff stallion," I'm sure he'll be fine." His gaze came back to her and softened again. "But more important, are you okay? That was vile."
Trixie took a little breath and started walking again as she answered. "It's fine...well, not fine, but I'm not gonna let it bother me. It's not the first time I've run into a jerk on the road. Most times I just move on without paying any mind. Heck, if I'm in a good mood I'll get a little saucy and reject them in a way that lets every pony leave with a good laugh." Her face hardened. "But then there's the ones that can't take a hint, like I should be grateful for their acknowledgement or need them to point out the fact I have a great butt. I've got smoke bombs and flash powder to spare." She took a look around. "Although, there's not exactly a lot of leg room here for a quick escape so." She turned and smiled at Uriah. "Thanks for backing me up."
He nodded and returned the smile. "It was my genuine pleasure." He let out a little yawn. "We've certainly made good progress."
Trixie went to looking ahead. "Yeah, but where are we exactly? I've just been moving forward from where you had me take over."
Uriah used his magic to float the map up to her view. He opened it, and a little red spot appeared. "We are here..." a second spot appeared, "and we are going there, to this basin. You'll recognize it by the big lake and the black mountains to the north." 
"Well at least it's not much further, but what is there? If you don't mind me asking?" There was a mix of curiosity and worry in her tone from venturing this far into the unknown.
"I'm not sure." He sounded slightly disheartened. "It has been five hundred years, I'm sure it's bound to be different, but I'm hoping to find allies. It'll be a lot easier when it's more than just the two of us."
She nodded. "I'll wake you when we get there if you want to get some more sleep."
Uriah shook his head. "No, no, I should be up. Do you have anything back here to help, caffeine, sugar, anything?"
Trixie smirked. "Top cabinet in the back on the left side, there's some energy drinks I picked up for when I need to do late shows. There's also a white container on the shelf beneath it with some granola bars. Would you get me one?" Uriah nodded. He aimed his horn in the direction she gave him and his magic did the rest. The cabinets and container opened and shut again once he retrieved his prizes. He puzzled over the "energy drink" as he gave Trixie her granola bar. She happily took it in her own magic and started to unwrap it. "Thank you." She took a bite and suppressed a giggle as she munched. "It's funny. I just had an actual prince fetch me a snack."
It took Uriah a second to figure out the tab, but he opened his drink and smiled at the remark. "It's not that big an issue. I really am a relaxed individual most of the time. Of coarse, I can turn it on when I need it; the angry eyes, the authority asserting, and I've got a scream that can crack the walls." He took a sip, winced at the bitterness, and mulled over himself. "For a long time though, that was all I had. When I first got back, even when I restored my mental link to my magic and I could think clearly again, I thought I was going to be one hundred percent bad guy. All the time just revenge and doom and misery, but then I met this strange mare." He smiled at the thought of those blue eyes. "She brought something out in me that I hadn't felt in centuries and now I have this hope in a world where I thought I wouldn't be able to care about anypony ever again."
Trixie smirked. "Sounds like the mighty prince has a special some pony," she said teasingly.
Uriah cocked his head. "A what?"
She rolled her eyes and kept smiling "You know, a special some pony. A pony you like a lot, you feel good being around,  you give presents to on Hearts and Hooves day."
He gave her a dead-pan look. "Trixie, I've been gone five centuries. Please speaketh upon me with language I understand."
She wanted to be polite, but he was trying to make her laugh now. "It's some pony you love, you goof."
"Oh..." His eyes widened, then his expression fell. "No. No it's not..."
Trixie looked back and was immediately crestfallen. "Hey, I'm sorry...I didn't mean..."
Uriah raised a hoof to stop her. "It's fine, you didn't know." He took a deep breath. "I was in love. I was hopelessly, madly in love, like something out of a twisted fairy tale. I was going to propose...the night I was exiled." There was a quick jolt as the wagon came to a halt. Trixie looked devastated. Uriah, oblivious to his own tears, kept going. "The worst part is not knowing what happened to her. With me and everything related to me being wiped out of the world's memory, I have no clue where she ended up." His breath caught in his throat once or twice. "The only thing I know for sure is that she died not even knowing I ever existed." There was a clatter of unhitching and climbing through the window, but it ended with Trixie wrapping her hooves around him. "What are you doing?"
"Hugging you." Came the reply.
"Why?" He asked, starring into space.
"Because you need it." Trixie wasn't used to friends, but this felt like the right response.
Uriah hugged her back, still looking out at the sky, thinking about his hurt. "Thank you." He patted her back before releasing her. "Come. We should keep going." Trixie nodded, then went back out to the harness. Uriah went back inside and climbed onto her bed. He laid on his back, stared at the ceiling and muttered to himself. "I'm going to rip off Celestia's wings."


To say that the morning bore surprises for Twilight's friends was the understatement of the year. First there was the presence of Princess Luna, followed by why Luna was there, followed by who else visited in the night, what he left, and most importantly, why they didn't wake up for any of it. The leadership skills of the young princess were put to the test trying to get every pony to calm down so she could explain, but she succeeded and was now leading the group through the halls of Canterlot castle. Having Luna by her side and their feelings out in the open made it easier on her confidence.
Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, was feeling wounded in her pride. "I can't believe Uriah pulled another fast one! That's twice he's knocked me out of the fight before it started."
Twilight shook her head. "I told you it wasn't a fight. He just wanted to talk."
Applejack caught up, looking puzzled. "And he just gave you that book, with all his secrets, just like that? No tricks, no bargaining, or anything?"
"Just like that." The lavender alicorn mused over the book in question. It's usefulness and authenticity were without question. She had been bookmarking it all night. "I don't know if he's toying with me, or just genuinely trying to be nice about it, but it's just a goldmine of information."
Fluttershy couldn't help but be curious. "How much is in there?"
Twilight let the book fall open to show them the infinite page spell. "Everything. It's like ten libraries worth of information, I have no idea where he found the time to write it all. Spells, maps, journal entries, contacts, recipes, music. He's an absolute genius." She flipped through to specific section. "Rarity, you'll get a kick out of this. Apparently, he also designed dresses for his marefriend. There's sketches and everything."
Rarity took hold of the book with her magic. "My word, that's gorgeous. It reminds me of my designs for Applejack's gala dress, elegance with down-to-earth charm. Such sweet effort to go to for his special some-pony."
Pinkie bounced up from the back of the group and landed between Twilight and Luna. "Speaking of special some-ponies, are we not gonna talk about how I woke up between the cutest princess sandwich ever?" She placed a placed a hoof on the shoulders of both princesses and looked between them with the biggest grin. '"How long has this been going on?"
They both blushed and Luna answered. "We've been growing closer for a while now and just made it official last night. I got so worked up over Uriah and I just kind of went for it."
Twilight smiled at her. "And I'm glad you did." Luna's blush deepened.
"Soooo, when's the wedding?" Pinkie raised her eyebrows for emphasis and both princesses started laughing.
Twilight had to catch her breath. "We're not there yet Pinkie, don't go baking a cake yet."
The party pony responded with a determined smirk. "It's always time for cake."
The whole group shared a laugh, and Luna brushed a tear away. "Stars, I can already see the tabloids. "Cradle-Robbing Co-Ruler of Equestria  Seduces Freshman Princess." This made Twilight double over in another giggle fit. Luna draped a wing around her and gave her a loving nuzzle. "I'm looking forward to going through this adventure with you."
Twilight gave her a little peck on the cheek. "Right back at you. Now, speaking of adventures, the one in front of all of us just got more complicated. Now that I've gotten the chance to meet Uriah, I'm convinced he's not as malevolent as other threats we've faced."
Pinkie gave a little victory hop. "Yes! I knew you'd see he's a friend."
The princess of friendship shook her head. "It's not that easy, Pinkie." It stung a little, watching her friend's smile stop. "I know you believe in him, I want to believe in him too, but the way he talked about Celestia has me concerned. You saw it too, in the throne room, there was this look in his eyes, a genuine hate. He's determined to hurt her and I can't let that happen. We can't let that happen." The rest of them nodded in unison and, after looking to the ground, disheartened, Pinkie did the same. Twilight gently lifted Pinkie's chin so she could look her in the eye. "I promise, if there's a chance to talk him out of it, we'll take it."
Luna placed a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. "We'll talk to my sister, see if we can't get her to meet him half-way." The reassurance was welcome. Pinkie hugged both Princesses tight in a silent thank you for letting her hope for her friend. The seven of them continued their walk. Two guards cleared them and opened up the dinning hall for them. A table had been set and prepared.
Much to their surprise, a familiar face was waiting for them. Twilight's eyes lit up. "Spike!"
The princess of friendship hurried over to meet her faithful assistant, who was also running give her a hug. "Hey, Twilight."
Her ears drooped. "I'm so sorry, I completely forgot we left you in Ponyville."
He shrugged. "It's fine, there was a lot happening. I just had to catch an early train. Good thing too, I was just in time so we could make breakfast for you."
The "we" puzzled them, but a light throat-clearing caught everyone's attention. It was Celestia, looking rather sorry for herself. "Hello, every pony," She said sheepishly. "I made pancakes." The solar princess and put together a delightful spread. Each stack had a little face drawn on with toppings. It was a stark contrast from the night before. Celestia, who had projected so much authority and power, was now looking rather small. The elements, Luna, and Spike all took their seats. The white alicorn approached Pinkie with hesitance. "I want to...apologize for my behavior. I never should have been so harsh, you were only doing what you do best; you were being a good friend. I want to thank you too." Pinkie tilted her head. "I was so worried that I had lost my son, even before his exile. It was like he had just broken to the point beyond recognition and I was so convinced of it that I was ready to believe he was deceiving you, but the reality is I think you simply found that part of him I thought he lost." Celeste had arranged the seating so Pinkie would be next to her. "What's he like? My son, how is he?"
Pinkie took a deep breath. "He started out very cold, wouldn't or couldn't smile, was very inquisitive and polite. He loves cupcakes, he's really funny and gentle, and when I finally did get him to smile, he had the best laugh, real warm and infectious." The earth pony smiled. "I felt real safe with him, once I knew we were friends for sure.  Like he could see what made me me and made me feel real good about it. Like I was the most important pony in the world."
Celestia smiled. "That's my son. Every friend, no matter how wild or strange, was more precious than the most flawless gem in his eyes." She took a moment to dry her eyes. "I was so afraid. I knew he would still have that anger from when I sent him away, but I acted like a fool and just fanned those flames. I made things worse."
Twilight stopped eating, and looked at her mentor with a sympathetic pain. She hesitated, but decided to speak up. "Uriah paid me a visit last night." A notable amount of shock washed over her former mentor's face. "He just wanted to talk. I got the sense he was sizing me up, but also trying to reach out. I think PInkie's right. I think, despite the very clear hatred that's still eating at him, he wants friendship."
Luna took her turn to speak. "Sister, I know you're worried about what he's capable of doing, but I think we need to give him a chance. If you're not ready to believe in him, then believe in these ponies. They reformed Discord, they saved me, and I wouldn't feel right if we didn't try to save my nephew."
Celestia gave her sister a tired smile. "Okay, but...please be careful. I want more than anything to have my son back, but if he refuses, if he makes it clear that he won't yield, promise me you won't hesitate in using the elements. I don't want to think he'll hurt any pony, but I didn't want to believe he was capable of killing the basilisks." She turned to Twilight. "When he spoke with you, did he say anything? Did he leave any clue as to what he might be planning, where he might go?"
Twilight felt a lump in her throat, and ushered Uriah's book into her saddle bag. "No. Like I said, I think he just wanted to figure me out. He talked about how beautiful the city was at night, that he was happy things have been peaceful in Equestria, he took me on a secret tour of the castle."
The sun princess gave a knowing nod. "His secret tunnels. He was always popping in and out all over the castle. I could never keep track of them all...or fit in any of them."
The younger alicorn rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it. He told me I was clever and that he thought I was going to be "fantastic," the kind of proud big brother vibes I get from Shining Armor. Also he invented Oubliettes and Ogres."
Spike spat out his juice. "What? Really?"
Twilight gave an excited grin. "Yes! I couldn't believe it either, but it all checks out. He had pages of a prototype campaign that looked absolutely amazing, I wish I would have thought to grab them before he teleported us out of there."
The little dragon could barely contain himself. "Well, just take me back to that tunnel. I'm small, I can go get them."
Celestia suppressed a giggle. She thought back to before Twilight left for Ponyville, the only time she ever took a break was to play that game with Spike. She even found a way to work her studies into them for authenticity. However, something itched at Celestia's mind. "Twilight, do forgive me for implying anything, but in the time I've known you I can just tell certain things about you. For instance, if there's something you're not telling me."
Twilight started to sweat. She smiled nervously and glanced over at Luna. Luna's eyes darted between the pleading look in Twilight's and her saddlebag, which had a barely visible corner of a certain black book peeking out. The night princess summoned all her courage, for she knew just what she needed to do. She stood from her seat and exclaimed "Twilight and I are in love!" You could hear a pin drop. Every pony had either a blush, a sheepish grin, a mix between the two, or Spike and Celestia, who just looked stunned as they were the only two at the table who didn't know.
All eyes were on Celestia, who's expression started to shift. First into dumbfounded, then scrunched tightly as if repressing something, then exploding with joy. "Aaaaaahhhhh, I can't believe it!" The solar princess picked up the other two with her magic and gave them the biggest hug. "I'm so happy for you two! Oh my stars!"
Twilight was having trouble breathing she was being hugged so tight. "You're taking this well."
Celestia beamed. "Are you kidding? I've been watching you two for so long, ever since that first Nightmare Night when you first met officially and when Luna came back to the castle, she just went on and on about you. It was like the most obvious crush that she was trying really hard to project as not-a-crush."
The lavender alicorn raised an eyebrow at her beloved. "You talked about me?"
Luna grinned. "You left quite an impression. You were so cute in your costume, with the bells and everything."
Celeste spun around with them in her embrace as she went on. "Oh, then when Twilight moved into the castle for her princess training, all the glances, all the praising back and forth, just all the "will they or won't they" stuff." Every pony just smiled and ate their pancakes while they enjoyed the sight of Celestia leaping off her pedestal to fawn over the new couple. "I'm so excited! Anything you two need me to help with, let me know. I'll rework the schedules, I'll get you some more time off, anything you need to be together."
Twilight got a little defensive. "You leave my schedules alone."
The sun princess went on, completely oblivious. "I even have these vows written up that I wanted to run by you that I think you're gonna love and I already have some sketches drawn up for the cake..."
Now Twilight was really getting red-faced. "We're not getting married yet!"
"Yet?" Luna raised a teasing Eyebrow.
Twilight playfully bopped her in the shoulder. "Oh, hush."
The room erupted in laughter, joy, and, for Twilight, victory. For in all of Celestia's excitement, she had completely forgotten her questioning and was left completely unaware of Uriah's book.


Uriah hadn't been very forth coming with what exactly he was looking for, but trixie couldn't imagine what kind of value it had coming from a dump like this. The town seemed to be drowning in fog, if it wasn't for the lanterns, she was sure they'd never find their way. The houses were wood and reinforced with iron, much like most of the constructions around them. Fences, platforms, walls, all of them had large patches of iron plating slapped on to them, solidly applied, but clearly rushed. Then there were the tracks. Like small railways webbed throughout the town ,they connected everything.
Trixie's face scrunched in revulsion. "I've been to some dumps before, but this place takes the cake. I feel like my manes getting soggy and what is that smell?"
"Brine and mildew," Uriah, hidden by a cloak he improvised from some of Trixie's old curtains, scanned the area as he replied. "It's a fishing town. They pack the fish in brine to preserve freshness and ship them out and this much wood this close to the water tends to grow things."
She gave him an incredulous look. "How do you know so much about fishing towns?"
He shrugged. "I did a lot of traveling. Saw some things that would make your head..." He stopped mid sentence and his eyes darted to the left. "Look out!" 
The alicorn grabbed Trixie and leapt back just as a large cart zoomed across where they had just been standing. It shot out of the mist without a sound. If Uriah hadn't felt the vibrations, it could have easily flattened Trixie. The two lay there on the ground, Trixie still held tight in Uriah's protective grip, watching the cart of fish speed deeper into town and vanish in the haze. A gruff voice bellowed from where it came from. "Hey, be careful! Last thing we need is some tourists getting hurt cause they couldn't look where they were going!" 
Uriah glared at the old fishing pony, who went back to work without paying them any mind. Curiously, he was supervising a team operating some kind of mechanism, reeling in a large net from the lake. Two of them pulled it apart while one worked the controls of a pulley. It pulled the net up a platform and essentially scrapped the fish out into three carts below it. Each cart was at least the size of three ponies alone. "That's a lot of fish."
Trixie was still shaking. "I think my heart stopped."
Uriah gently patted her mane, then helped her back up. "I think we're on the right track, pardon the pun. Let's see what we can learn from the locals." They made their way through the fog, towards the brightest visible light. It was an inn, as old and shabby as the rest of the town. Uriah held the door for Trixie and the two couldn't help but notice the glances from the room, which then proceeded to pretend they weren't there. They made their way to the counter and took a seat.
An older mare, brown coat and black mane with a grey streak, came to greet them with less than enthusiasm. "What can I get you? We got oatmeal and hot tea."
Uriah took charge and spoke flatly. "Two oatmeals. My companion and I didn't have much of a breakfast."
The mare nodded, but then did something Uriah found curious. She didn't write anything down, which on it's own wasn't that strange, she could just memorize, but she raised her hoof to just below the counter. Uriah heard two clicks when he gave her the order."Where you two traveling from? We don't get many visitors."
"Canterlot." Uriah kept a straight face, but never took his eyes off her.
The inn-keeper gave a little sneer. "Hmm, that's a first. Most times, we don't get much of anything from Canterlot."
Uriah raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong with Canterlot ponies?"
The inn-keeper's face had an air of resentment on it. "I'm sure the ponies are fine, but he leadership is a piece of work. Her majesty doesn't really pay towns like Wallowmire much thought." She repeated with air quotes. "Her majesty give me a break."
Uriah gave a little smirk. "I think we are of like minds on that."
The sound of two bells cut short the conversation. There was a whirring sound and, to the surprise of the companions, the counter started to move. They hadn't given it much notice, but closer inspection revealed a conveyor on the counter top, which circled around both sides, in and out of what one could only assume was the kitchen. Two bowels of oatmeal came drifting out of a little door and, when they were in front of Uriah and Trixie, the innkeeper nudged them on to the table space between the customers and the conveyor. The inn-keeper gave a half hearted smirk. "Enjoy."
The two took hold of their spoon with their magic. Uriah nodded. "Thank you." Before the inn-keeper left, Uriah gave her a little tug with his magic. "A moment please, I'd like to pay now." He materialized a sizable bag of bits and tossed it to her.
She had to catch it with both hooves. "Sir, this is way too much."
He smiled. "Is it?" He gave her a wink, which made her blush before carrying her payment to the back room."
Trixie ribbed him. "Flirt."
Uriah gave a little chuckle. "Always treat your inn-keepers well. They're connected to every pony in town in one way or another. Being nice to them is a good way to build favor with every pony."
Trixie took another spoonful of oatmeal. "So...mmm, you know what, never mind, she earned in. I don't know if it's maple or what, but this is good. So what are we looking for?"
Uriah didn't answer at first. He levitated his bowl to his mouth and drank a few gulps. Apparently he agreed it was that good. He wiped his mouth ad kept his eyes to the counter. "Clue one; what's the first thing you notice about the ponies in the town? Look around the room, it's packed, but don't look like you're looking."
She was a little confused, but did as instructed. They didn't look off, just glum. She realized why he warned her, they were all looking at them, the way he said to look at them. "Ok, are we in trouble?"
Uriah finished his bowl. "No, they're not dangerous, but they're hiding something. Did you see?"
"I..." She puzzled for a moment and took a guess. "They're all earth ponies?"
"Bingo." He kept his voice low. "A town of all earth ponies, but they've got conveyors that bring your food at a button push and carts of fish that zip around tracks on their own."
Trixie shook her head. "Well, there has to be some explanation. Maybe there's one unicorn at least working everything with magic or engines."
"Small engines." Uriah corrected. "Small engines on the nets, on the conveyor, on the carts, engines that have singular purposes for certain tasks. Then there's the fish. You'd need transport for shipping all that fish, but those roads are too narrow for that size of shipment. You could pull it off with pegasai airlift, but we'd have seen them, they'd have cleared the mist."
Trixie's ears drooped as the creepiness of the situation settled in. "Then what are they doing with all the fish."
"Excuse me." The two turned to find the inn-keeper who had come around and was looking at them rather harshly. Trixie and Uriah's eyes widened at the sight that she had hidden when she was behind the counter. Her back left leg was gone and in it's place was a prosthetic. Iron and crudely designed, like the patches they'd seen, but also fully functional. It's joints and hinges followed natural movements perfectly. "You two need to leave. Thank you for your generosity."
Uriah was about to argue, but Trixie nudged him, alerting him to the mob that was getting ready to get up from their seats. While the fallen prince was sure he could take them, he didn't want to hurt them. Without a word, the two made for the door. When they were outside, Trixie voiced her concern. "Do you think she heard? Maybe we should go back to the wagon."
Uriah looked around. "No, this just means that what I'm looking for is definitely close. Although, it's clear we aren't getting anything out of them voluntarily."
The blue unicorn raised an eyebrow. "Why not just turn on the scary, like you were talking about? Go in there and go ancient Equestria wrath style on those fish hawkers."
He rolled his eyes. "Calm yourself, Trixie. I get the sense these ponies share my animosity toward my mother. I don't want to burn a potential bridge before I cross it. We just need to find another..." His ear twitched. "Do you hear that?" Uriah started walking out into the mist and Trixie followed close behind. He was later focused, stopping only once to let another cart of fish pass. The further they went, the sound he heard became clear. Some pony was crying. The two followed the sound to a sidewalk, which led them to the source. A small green filly with a red mane in pigtails and a hoof in a cast, weeping on a stoop. Uriah felt a pain in his heart as he approached her. "Little one, why do you cry?"
She recoiled at first, but the warmth in his eyes made her relax. "I...I lost my dolly," she sniffled. "Mama...mama says I'm not supposed to talk about it.  'Cause of the secret."
The large, cloaked, pony approached with caution. He got down on his knee to meet her at eye level. "What's your name?"
"Water Poppy," she squeaked through tears.
"What a lovely name." He gently dried her cheek. "Can I share a secret with you, Water Poppy?" She hesitated, but gave a little nod. His horn glowed, and his cloak flew off of him. Uriah unfurled his wings and held his head high.
The filly marveled at him. "You're an alicorn?"
"I'm a prince," he corrected with a soft smile. "Which means it's my job to help all the little fillies who've lost their dollies." He gently brought his wing around her. "Now, tell me, how did you lose yours?"
Water poppy sniffled a bit. "I was out by the lake. I'm not supposed to go out at night, but I wanted to see the fire flies."
Uriah spoke gently to press. "And no pony's supposed to be out at night because of the secret?" She nodded. He looked around at the houses and found more iron patches. "Do they scare you...when they come at night?"
Water Poppy curled up tight, unconsciously rubbing into him. "No pony sees them, but I hear them. They bang and crash and hiss and laugh. Mama says we give them lots of fish every three days so they'll be good. They don't hurt any pony, and they fix the broken things, but they're so scary."
He gently brushed her mane to try and calm her. "What happened next?"
"I...I fell off the pier," she whimpered and showed him her hoof. "I fell off the pier and dropped my dolly. Then I heard something on the water and three snakeheads came out." Uriah grimaced at the thought. The fish from Tartarus were a plague on any ecosystem, and they got so big they could easily snap up a lost little pony like Water Poppy.
However, they didn't which made Uriah all the more curious. "What did you do?"
She trembled. "I...I was crying and they were getting closer. Then I heard a scary noise and they jumped off the pier."
Trixie had been looking on in sympathy and bewilderment. "Who did?"
"Them!" She cried. She buried her little face in Uriah's side. "Them...They came out of nowhere and started attacking the snakeheads. They were snarling and cutting them with their claws and knives. They ripped them apart and there was so much blood and I ran away!" She broke down.
Uriah hugged her her close and gently pet her mane as she wept. "Shhhh, sh, sh, sh, there there." He nuzzled her. "All alone, against three snakeheads, and you ran all the way home on a hurt leg? You've got to be the bravest little filly I've ever met." He waited for her to catch her breath before he pressed again. "Water Poppy, can you tell me where the grown-ups take the fish?"
She shook her little head. "I never go there, but the carts, the ones that fly around town, they all go there from the fishing docks." Uriah tried to get up, but she held his leg. "Promise you won't tell! I'll get in so much trouble..."
Uriah placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I won't tell if you don't tell my secret." He stood up and beckoned Trixie to follow him. "I promise, I'm going to find your doll." 
Water Poppy smiled, but was then startled by her mother calling. She ran for the door and Uriah and Trixie quickened their exit. The blue unicorn gave him an admiring smile. "You handled that real well."
Uriah smiled with pride. "Slayer of monsters, great with kids." He found himself hugging the shadows without his cloak. "Now we know how to get what we're looking for."
Trixie looked a little shocked. "Wait, you mean the things she was talking about? The scary things that come at night that no pony is supposed to talk about; that's why we're here?"
Uriah listened to the ground. "Yep," He took a hold of Trixie and braced himself. "Hold tight and don't scream."
All she could blurt out was "What?" before he jumped them both into the path of an incoming cart. Just before it hit, they flashed red with Uriah's magic and phased into the cart.


The ride was bumpy, but that was hardly the worst part. They were covered in fish, slipping and sliding into each other, hoping they weren't just going to get thrown out by the force of a too-sharp turn. Just as Water Poppy told them, the cart passed through the town completely and followed the tracks north, toward the Black Mountains. It went straight into a cave, made a few turns until it started to slope downward. It slanted, hopped from one track level to another, then stopped at a caged-off lift. Where the town looked like a patchwork on pony woodwork, this was one hundred percent the crude iron  works. The door slowly opened and the cart was lowered down.
Uriah had maintained complete composure, but Trixie was having a rough time of it. Her mane was a mess, she was covered in slime and scales, and she was being crushed by the sheer weight of all the fish. She couldn't hide her discomfort. "I think I swallowed one."
The prince rolled his eyes. "Don't be a baby."
She didn't glare, she just looked pale. "I'm being deadly serious. I think it was a sardine, it got in my mouth when the cart jumped, I think it was alive causing it's doing flips in my insides, and I think I'm gonna hurl."
"Please don't," came his flat reply.
"I'm gonna." She yelp queasily. 
Uriah rolled his eyes. He reached over and started to rub her stomach in small circles. "That help?"
The blue unicorn was now beet red in the face. "No, your slimy hooves rubbing my tummy aren't helping. In fact, now I'm feeling queazy and awkward." She was trying very hard not to make a dire situation worse, but she definitely felt something thrash. She just tried to keep her mind on the task at hand. "Can you hear anything?"
He pressed his ear against the walls of the cart. "I hear gears and a chain. I thin we're on some kind of lift. Sounds like...we're going down."
Trixie wriggled through the fish and got under his wing. It didn't help with the slime, but at least she felt safer and could barf on him at her leisure. "Down where? Will you please tell me what we're heading into?" There was a clang and the cart jumped again. She pressed her muzzle against his chest to keep anything from getting in again. "What was that?"
Uriah squinted as a loose scale was getting in his eye. "We stopped. I can hear the doors opening." He heard something    else. "Someone's coming."
There were at least four distinct sets of steps, one light, one very heavy, and two that were somewhere between. There was a raspy laughter of different pitches that accompanied them. There was a clang as something latched onto the cart and started climbing around it to get to the rim. "Fishy fish! Fishy fish!" came the first, high pitched cackle.
"Big tuna! Me starving!" Came a low, phlegmy, rumble of a voice. There was a sudden pressure as something big reached in. Trixie and Uriah huddled together tight in one corner of the cart. They caught glimpse of a massive arm, with a three clawed hand as big as Trixie, grab hold of a tuna and yank it out.
Another voice barked at the second. "Wait your turn! We gotta get this pack to dinner den, you great glob!
The fourth voice sounded just like the third. "You too, you screwy little gremlin, don't go nibbling."
There was a gross, wet, crunching sound. Presumably, it was the second creature biting into his tuna.  Then it made a disgusted sound and there was a wet slap like had spit it out. "Ugh! Bad!"
Either the third or fourth voice responded. "Whatcha mean bad? That's good fish they send us!"
"Taste wrong!" The second voice bellowed. There was an audible sniffing sound. "Smell wrong. Smell like..." There was a pause, everything was dead silent, Trixie held Uriah tighter. The second voice let out a horrible roar and the entire cart was flipped. The two ponies tumbled out amongst the fish and looked up in alarm at their assailant. The source of the second voice was an enormous, fat, brute of a creature with dark green skin and piercing red eyes. It was bald, had pointed ears, no nose, barely a neck, spikes that started at the top of his head and ran down his spine, and a mouth full of pointy, crooked teeth. There were spike fringes on the elbows of it's massive forearms, almost crocodilian scales on most of it's body, stumpy, yet trunk-like legs, and of coarse, the three clawed hands the two had seen in the cart. It wore stitched, red, pants that were up to it's large gut. It pointed at them and snarled. "Spies!"
Uriah tried to rush him, but was tackled from the side by another creature. This one was shorter than the giant, about Uriah's height. It was lanky with an athletic build, a paler shade of green skin, and long, matted, black hair. It had the same pointed ears and red eyes, but also a long nose and prominent chin. It wore a full suit of armor that was made of the same iron as the cart and the lift. It had much more dexterity than the big one, with five fingers on each hand and long black nails. "Dis one's got wings an a horn. It's one those put us 'ere" Uriah struggled and managed to throw the creature off him.
Trixie tried to run to him "Uriah!"
Before she made three steps, another one, which could have been the twin of the second, grabbed her from behind and lifted her up in a bear-hug. "Where's you think you is going, missy?"
She struggled, but the creature was too strong. That's when the fourth one showed itself. "Spy! Spy Spy Spy!" That shrill voice was grating. It was a scrawny, repulsive looking thing, about the size of a foal. Same pointy ears and red eyes, same skin and nose as the lanky ones, bald like the giant, but this one's head was bulbous. It had to scurry on all fours to support itself. It clambered up the one holding Trixie, then hung off her horn and pointed one of it's boney little fingers in her face. "Spyspyspyspyspyspspyspy!"
Between that disturbing sight and the pressure on her midsection, Trixie had enough. She violently wretched and spewed all over the little freak. It writhed on the floor, covered in vomit and getting smacked in the face with a sardine. And exhausted Trixie look helplessly at Uriah. She muttered, "Told ya," and she passed out in her captor's clutches. He clamped some kind of shackle around her horn.
Uriah's blood ran cold. He glared at the one that tackled him and bucked him into the wall. He would have done more, but the giant ambushed him, knocking him into the overturned cart with one good slap to the side. Before he could get up, he saw some kind of iron ball coming toward him. It popped open into a net that constricted around him. Uriah tried to phase through it like the cart, but it wasn't working, his magic was shorting out. He tried to break it, actually ripping out a few strands, but the two lanky ones tackled him again and tied him in cable. He let out a furious roar. "Let her go!"
The giant one, who had Trixie dangling from one of his massive paws, grunted at him. "Take spies. Find out. What know."
One of the lanky ones rolled his neck. "Oy, careful with him. King's gonna wanna see it up close." He gave Uriah a wicked smirk. "Welcome to Goblin Town." The four of them cackled and howled as they dragged the two deeper into the caverns.