//------------------------------// // Secrets within the Labyrinth Walls // Story: Requiem For a Quill // by KingofSquirrelz //------------------------------// R e q u i e m for a Q u i l l An MLP:FIM fanfiction written by: KingofSquirrelz with editing and proofreading by: The_Great_Pirate_King Chapter One Secrets within the Labyrinth Walls It was raining, a rare occasion in the gardens that surrounded the castle. The green life of the orchids, roses and tulips that spanned the colors of the rainbow and some that could never be described by word alone. The clouds above littered the Canterlot garden with a small torrent of cool droplets. Each feeding the vegetation into the plants the labyrinth. Tucked away in the corner of the garden, was a statue of the pegasus, Mighty Quill. The pegasus that had been forgotten, Quill as he was known to his friends and family, was a writer, and a bard. His poems struck cords deep within the citizens of Equestria, as he sang songs of truth and of the valor and heroism of others. In one of his many searches to sing praises of heroes long past, he came upon a document. More of a diary of sorts, it told the tale of the slow fall and rise of the moon princess. Luna who had been seal away in the moon five hundred years ago. Quill, as his cutie mark depicts, a silver shield under a black quill. Went to spread the truth about Luna, as he worked his way around Equestria. Some called him a liar, but others believed his words. His cause grew in time; the group was dubbed ‘The Truth of the Moon’ lead by Quill. Quill was no fighter however, he use his mind and his words to fight for him. His words could cut deeper than any sword would ever. He led a peaceful demonstration to have Princess Celestia confess to the imbalance of the stars and in Equestria. As a show of power, to prove there was nothing wrong. She commanded Mighty Quill to stand before her and bow; he did as a sign of respect. Quill prized being a gentleman, above all else, and she was still his ruler. As he closed his eyes and stepped forward, it only took but a moment for the spell to wash over him. Granite, solid, cold and lifeless granite, which is all that he was now. No more was there to prove, that is all it took to discredit Quill. There he sat, tucked away in the corner of the garden, forgotten as five hundred years, seven months and twenty days past. Until Today. The tall walls of the shrubbery labyrinth were dense and riddled with twists and turns, the ever changing walls built to house a treasure. The mist of the ivy leafs change the path, to forever lock away its secrets. As Celestia’s sun filled the plants with life, forever nurturing her hidden shame. Auspicious today was, since it was created, today was a day that it will finally be solved. “Legend has it that it is a statue of a pegasus, longing for the sky. Forced to bear witness to only the ground for all of eternity for his crimes against Princess Celestia.” Sweetie Bell said as she and the other two members of the cutie mark crusaders lurched onward in the maze. “I don’ know about this Scoots’. Yah sure that we will get are cutie marks if we find this statue? I don’t think were aloud in the garden for what happened with Discord an' everythin’.” Apple Bloom's eyes darted back and forth as they made their way deeper into the maze. “Not to mention what Miss. Cheerilee will do if she find out we snuck off from the school field trip. Sometimes I think she is scarier than Chrysalis was.” “We have to get are cutie marks from this Apple Bloom. You know how many ponies have a compass for a cutie mark? There were three just on the way here. How cool it would be if we all got the same cutie mark? We could all be explorers like Daring Do!” Scootaloo exclaimed, as a wild fantasy started growing in her mind to win praise from Rainbow Dash for having the same cutie mark as her hero. “I heard that she stopped exploring, there was even a rumor going around that she is dating a diamond dog.” Sweetie Bell informed, taking in small bits of pride of her social knowledge. “Whatever you say dictionary, I won’t believe it until I see her cuddling with one of them myself.” Scootaloo said as they continued to trek forward. “Hey, you girls think we past here before?” For a moment they looked around trying to read the area, and failing. “I don’ know, this place all looks the same ta’ me. I wish Fluttershy was here, she is always good navigatin’ the Everfree Forest. She could even fly up and see how far the end is at.” Apple Bloom spoke as they naturally started to huddle together. “Pegasus can’t fly above the labyrinth walls anymore Apple Bloom. Not since the whole incident with Discord. Princess Celestia said she was going to remove whatever magic it was that caused it, but for some reason she hasn't done it yet.” Sweetie Bell spoke, only to cause fear to build within the trio of explorers. “Girls I think that we may be lost.” There was a long silence as they continued onward, no pony wanted to believe that they were lost. Only the thought of getting there cutie marks drove them forward, deeper into the ever changing maze. “Hey what do we do when if we find the statue?” Scootaloo said as she tried to make a false sense of bravado. “What make ya’ think that we can find it? No pony ever been able ta’ finish tha’ maze Scoots.” Apple Bloom said as they turned the corner, only to find a dead end. “Ah, horse apples.” “Apple Bloom, there is no reason for that language.” Sweetie Bell scolded. “Even you have a better vernacular than that.” “Venacu… wha’?” Sweetie Bell resisted the urge to facehoof. This is why they call you dictionary, just talk normal. Again a silence broke out; however this time it was due to two of the cutie crusader members trying this think what the word ‘vernacular’ meant. Soon though the mist that filled the labyrinth got thicker as once sunny sky started to fill with black clouds, it was mere minutes before the rain came down upon the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Girls… I think’ that we have ta’ turn back. We will catch a cold if we stay out here any longer.” Apple Bloom suggested. “Actually Apple Bloom, with a rain of this caliber and considering the heavy wind that seems to be building. The worst case scenario for us would be pneumonia, with the possibility of death.” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stop and looked at Sweetie Bell. “What?” Scootaloo just rolled her eyes. “Fine, let’s turn back. I guess this maze is unbeatable for a reason.” As the trio turned however the once opened path was not blocked off by a wall of ivy and vines. “What… we just came from there!” “I think that tha’ maze changed again…” The three sighed in unison. The three pivoted in hoof and continued back the way they were going. “I really hope we can find the exit soon, Rarity will kill me if I get sick.” Sweetie Bell started to drudge in herself pity of the memories of last time she gotten sick and threw up on one of her dresses. Step by step they took down the path, only to find the same the never ending ivy walls growing before them. Almost an hour had passed in their world of ivy and mist, the light sprinkle now grew harder against their soaked coats. “Girls what are we going to do?” Sweetie Bell said through chattering teeth as the wind blew into her coat. “All I wanted to do was find that statue, please tell me that is not too much to ask.” Scootaloo huffed; a clear vain grew on her face. The path in front of them closed, as did every path around them, each stood in amazement as the shifting wall grew and shut until only one path remain before them. “What just happened?” They all said in unison. They continued forward, since it was the only path set before them. The walls grew wider until it came to what seem to them was the edge of the labyrinth. At the end was an archway of vines and shrubs, the grass has long since been over grown and now limps due to its own weight. In the center of the forgotten cove was a statue of a pegasus on a plinth. Covered in moss and over grown ivy that glistened in the mild rain that was consuming the area. “I told you girls we could find it!” Scootaloo ran to the statue as she became to examine his wings. “He looks like he had fragile wings.” Sweetie Bell was next to step forward to the statue of the pegasus, as she scraped away some of the moss and pull off the ivy that grew over the monument. In the center of it there was a small plague that she had discovered. Mighty Quill “I think his name was Mighty Quill.” Sweetie Bell said as she examined the rest of the stone for other markings. “I wonder what he did to Princess Celestia for her to do this to him; he must have been a very bad pony.” “Sweetie Bell it not rightful fare for you ta’ judge some pony that you never met before.” Apple Bloom trotted alongside of her now examining his face. “AHHHG!” Scootaloo yelled as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell looked at her. “No cutie mark AGAIN! The girls all examined there flanks to find no mark there, this being their seven hundred and forty fifth failure. “I think this whole day has been just exaggerating.” Apple Bloom spoke. “I think you mean exhausting.” Sweetie Bell corrected. “No I mean exaggerating, like really tiring.” “That is exhausting!” “Exaggerating!” “Exhausting!” A small crack started to for at the base of the stallion's hooves… “Exaggerating!” “Exhausting!” The crack started to grow rapidly as it started to cover the wings. “Girls… I think we have a problem here.” Scootaloo said. “Exaggerating!” “Exhausting!” The crack now split into several more extending throughout the stallions body as the stone started to fall from the stallions face revealing the a light golden crème coat and a charcoal mane with a light grey streak. “Exaggerating!” “Exhausting!” “Umm girls?” The stallion opened his eyes revealing the ice blue irises beneath them, giving a solid surprised blink. “Exaggerating!” “Exhausting!” “Girls!” Scootaloo shouted. “WHAT!” they screamed back, all Scootaloo did is point at the once granite stallion. The stallion opened his mouth to speak. “I must agree with thine frenzied young filly, thine word you seek is exhausting.” Quill looked down at his body for the first time in over half a millennia, “I must thank you young magicians, what sorcery did you use to free me from my confines?” Not again…