//------------------------------// // interlude // Story: The Crown of Eques // by PTBonesbeard //------------------------------// University of Magnus. Wyvernwax crushes up an indistinguishable chunk of blue stone in his mortar and pestle. Once powdered finely enough, he spoons out some onto a scale. carefully measuring it out till the scale levels out perfectly. Taking the pan, he floats it over to a flask of pinkish liquid and dumps it in. Inserting a glass mixing rod, he stirs vigorously till it turns a lemon yellow. Finally he takes a eyedropper and collects a sample of the extract he made earlier and carefully adds one drop to the flask. Wyvernwax watches attentively as it swirls with blue ribbons and begins to sparkle and glimmer. Taking up a quill, he begins to jot down notes, as behind him, appears a magical glow. Glittering and flashing, and with a golden light, there's a pop of teleportation magic. And there appears the Sun-Goddess herself, Celestia of Equestria, facing the opposite direction. Wyvernwax glances over his shoulder for a moment in annoyance. But before Celestia notices him, he returns to his work. Looking this way and that, she finally spots him. "Oh! Wyvernwax! I'm sorry. I didn't know you would be here." she remarks, acting surprised. She didn't fool Wyvernwax in the slightest. "And where else would I be?" he asks with distain. Not bothering to pay her any attention. "Well, um, you're usually out when I come over to visit. And I normally have to leave a message with your familiar." "Hmm." he muses in fain sympathy. "Yes. It's a shame one of us doesn't have a way of knowing when the other will be out." "Um, yes." She says sadly before asking. "Where is Soris by the way?" "He's out. On an errand for me down south near Squirestone. So unfortunately, he will not be available to take my messages for the moment." "Ah! Of course... So, I was wondering if you had received my scroll?" "Yes. I did. And after ten precious minutes of reading your long-winded drivel, you finally got to the point." "Ah. That's, good. And your answer is..?" "No." "No?" she asks with a frown. "And why not?" He stops writing with a sigh. "Because, your Majesty." he begins to explain as he turns to her. "Number one, as immortals, we are never to interfere with the fates of the mortal realm. We've all sworn the oath. You know the rules, and so do I. Number two, this is the Creator's story. The Elder Alicorn's pet project. We happy few are just along for the ride. Number three, it goes against the founding principles of the High Magic Counsel. A Guild, You, set-up by the way. Not that I'm complaining of course. It leaves me more time to get research done. Number four, and finally, I'm very busy. There. You got your answer. Now, if you don't mind seeing yourself out. Leave me in peace to complete my work." With that, he turns back to his chemistry set and adds another drop to his flask. Celestia stares at the back of his head in disappointment for a few minutes. Then, a plan forms in her head, and she casually walks up behind him to watch him over his shoulder. Sencing her presents, he tries to ignore her for a time. But with her head hovering over his, her greater stature giving her a bird's eye view of his work station, makes her presents unbearable. "Do you mind?" he asks. looking up at her with distain. "Still trying to figure out the Alicorn formula I see." "Of course! It's my life's work. And no matter how cold it gets, I'm going to figure it out. For Lauren's sake." he snaps. Resolute to on ignoring her, he goes back to experimenting. "Your burner is a little too hot." she advised after a few minutes. "Oh thanks. Shoulder alchemist." he growls. Turning back the flame. "I can manage my own instruments. If you please." "Ok I understand." She placates. Stepping away to leave. "I just thought I'd be nice and help guide a friend to reach his goal. I know I would've back before getting it right." "Oh please. I've been trying to get it right for centuries. How can you possibly know what I've tried already. It's not as if, you, know... Wait. You..." He looks at her, then back at his work station. Then back too her. "You! You've already figured it out! Haven't you!" he shouts. spinning around and jabbing a hoof in her direction. "Hmmm. I didn't say anything like that." she says with all the innocence of a crumb coated foal, holding an empty cookie jar. "You did! Didn't you! And never told me?! Gaaa!" turning back around, he slams his head repeatedly into his notebook. "Of course you would. You oversized, over powered, freak of nature!" "I'm sorry Wyvernwax. It's just so much easier to understand and solve when you're, you know." "Ok, fine." he says as he takes a deep breath and turns back to her. "Are you going to tell me now?" "Oh, sorry. No can do." she answers. Grimacing sympathetically. "It's part of the Alchemist's Code. Once you understand, you must never reveal it to the uninitiated. Such an action could cause the world to explode." "Nooo!" he cries too the rafters as he falls to the floor and sobs. "I, have tried, soo many combinations, and methods. I've been driving myself, up the wall, to understand it all, and have nothing to show for it, after all these years." "Aw. There there Redwax." she comforted. Patting his withers as he sobs into his hooves. "Don't give up hope. You'll get it eventually." "You don't know that." he cries. Tears streaming from his eyes. "I, have been trying, for hundreds of years. How do I know, if I'm not, going in circles." "Well. I know Starswirl was working on it before he disappeared. Have you read his books of magical thesis?" "Starswirl?" he asks "Starswirl!?!" he shouts as he leaps to his hooves in manic outrage. "Don't get me started on that, Mad Stallion! Have you read all his works?! I have! I had to search for his scattered writings from one end of Crown to the other, just to start with. And let me tell you! He was either suffering from obsessive compulsion, or out of his head crazy." Lighting his horn, he floated out six volumes of books from a shelf and spun them over his head manicaly. "Half the time he's just going off on a tangent about his own wild theories. It's so bad, even I'm beginning to believe the rumors he was just an earthpony mare with a fake horn and beard, who just spouted magic mumbojumbo to fool everypony. And I met the stallion!" "I am sorry Redwax, but my hooves are tied. You know the rules, and so do I. The only way to know the Alicorn formula, is to understand and experience the process of the discovery. Otherwise, I would be steeling a once in a lifetime experience of enlightenment from you." "Gaaa!" he shouts in frustration and despair. "Haven't I sacrificed enough?! What use is this this life if I never uncover it's secrets in a hundred lifetimes?" Throwing the books away, he falls on his back and Kicks his hooves at the air. Celestia sadly shakes her head. After a few seconds, he tires and rolls onto his side. Pulling out a pocket watch from his robes, he stares at it's motionless face. Pondering the pros and cons of setting it in motion once again. "I'll tell you what." Celestia offers. "You tell me what you've seen through your Auger ability, and I'll give you a critique of your progress." Wyvernwax shoves the watch back into his robes and gives her a suspicious look. "It can't be anything substantial mind you. But It'll be better then nothing." Chewing her words over for a few seconds, he then rises to his hooves. "Ok. But I want you to do the wizards pledge to seal the deal." Celestia smiles and rolls her eyes as she assumes the position. Both of them puting their right hooves against each-other's and raising their left hoof. "I, Princess Celestia of Equestria, do solomely sware to give Wyvern Redwax an honest critique of his project." "And I, Arch mage Wyvern Redwax, of the University of Magnus, do solomely sware to divulge my knowledge of the impending Windigo disaster." After that a ball of light appears at the tips of their horns. "Now then, what have you seen.?" asks Celestia. lowering her hooves. "I've seen the three Heralds of Rainbow. A unicorn, my personal student, An Earthpony of Crown, and a Pegasus from Equestria. My student I have already sent too Gallops Hill to meet with the other two. The Earthpony and Pegasus have already met in Squirestone and will head to Gallops Hill. There, I believe they will fulfill the proficy and summon the Rainbow Warrior to drive off the Windigos again." "Ah." sighs Celestia. Putting a hoof to her chest. "That's a relief to hear." "Yes well. Don't be too confident." reminds Wyvernwax. "My Augery is only just so. Wether or not they succeed in their quest is up to them. Though I'm confident it will not be on account of my pupil. Let's hope your equestrian pony is up to the challenge. And the Earthpony of Crown is sure to be the toughest of the three." The magic ball at the tip of his horn pulses, and rises to float over his head to signify his fulfillment of the agreement. Noticing it, Wyvernwax turns a smug look on Celestia. She huffs and goes to his work station as he floats out stacks of notes to tower before her. Sitting down, she begins to read page after page. After an hour she lays down the last paper. Getting to her hooves, she stretched and groaned, causing Wyvernwax to stir from his sleepy stuper. "Ahem. Well?" he asks in anticipation. "Well. After a thorough read over your notes, I can definitely say..." he leans forward in hopeful excitement. "You are definitely, on the right track." she finishes with a boop to his snoot. He stares at her, flabbergasted, as the ball of light detaches from her horn and floats over her head. "That's all you can say?" She just answers him with an apologetic smile. He sags forlornly. "Don't give up hope Redwax. I also think you should reread Starswirl's writings," she pauses as she gathers up the valumes and carefully restacks them. "in this order. Perhaps you may find them in a more coherent line. Now. shall we conclude the ritual?" After a few seconds, he glances up at the waiting orbs with weary acceptance, and nods. Extending his leg to her, she hooks her own to his as they recite in unison. "Ring around the rosey, pocket full of posy. Ashes, ashes, we all fall down." As they chant the words, they dance in a circle keeping their hooves locked. Then break, thrusting their hooves in the air twice before falling too their backs out from eachother. Laying on the floor, they both watch as the lights rise and pop like balloons with a snap. A sign of their mutual agreement the pact is complete. Celestia giggles but Wyvernwax just groans as he gets up from the floor to return to his work station. "One last thing Redwax." says Celestia. Getting up. "I don't think I'd ever have understood if I had stayed in my tower. You need to get out and find some friends." Wyvernwax just snorts in frustration as he cracks open the first book. "I've tried that. Nopony likes me. Nopony understands me." He is surprised when her hooves wrap around him in a motherly hug. "I like you. I like all my little ponies." he rolls his eyes in embarrassment at her kind gesture. "Your Master Baker has just finished her latest endeavor of a perfect pineapple turnover. She will be taking a break out back in seven minutes. Leaving her dozy assistant to guard it." "Oh my!" exclaims Celestia. jumping to her hooves. "That's not alot of time." glancing around to ensure she's not forgetting anything, she dashes to the center of the room and begins casting her teleportation spell. "So-good to speak with you again Hope to see-you again soon-bye." With a flash of golden light, she disappears. Wyvernwax huffs and begins to read. After several minutes, his ears twitch, as he hears something big land on the roof. Taking a moment to glance up, he sees bits of dust fall from the ceiling, before looking back to his book. A few seconds later, he hears the latch on the large main window of his tower open. Followed by something big landing on the floor behind him. "Welcome back Soris. How was your trip down south? Productive I trust." "Yeah, about that." the dragon replies in a deep voice. "We... may have a problem." Cocking his eye, Wyvernwax turns to the black dragon, over twice his size. And sees, Soris kneeling on the ground. While holding, cradled in his arms, the limp body of Ironbloom. Wyvernwax sucks in air through his teeth at the sight. "Oh, dear." *** Cloud Palace. Sweet Haven A young white griffin, with grey and black markings, and dark grey beak, slowly crawls through a wooden duct that passed between the walls of Cloud Palace. The first time he had done this, he had to push through cobwebs and dead bugs to reach the throne room. But his rich clothes have done a good job at sweeping it clean over the past few years. Traveling by memory, he reaches the sharp turn that slopes up to the top corner of the Royal Court. He needed to be careful in this stretch. His claws can't slip here, or someone might hear him if he loses control and slides back down. As he makes careful progress, he can hear Gwendolyn angrily yelling at someone. She always scared him when she did that to him. And he was glad she didn't know he did what he was now. She'd probably flip her crown. "One simple job! And all you can say is sorry?!" she yells. The other's response is too quiet to understand. "I don't care if it was Tirek himself who attacked. You absolute disgrace! Your failure, is making me into a laughing stock all across Crown." Finally reaching the top of the slope, it levels out just far enough for him to lay somewhat comfortably as he peeks through the wooden-slat vent. It was almost at a good angle to view the room below. He had thought from time to time of removing a slat or two, but he always reminded himself that somegriff may take notice. Mostly listening, he focuses on the proceedings going on below. Queen Gwendolyn, a light-grey griffin hen with tan accented feathers, paced back and forth in front of the throne as a smaller, black and white griffin respectfully retreated away. "Fortunately the Prince was able to evacuate safely." states a tan and red unicorn with a purple and gold uniform. "As I am told, he did not suffer any physical harm, but he refuses to leave his chambers. I expect he will be seeing himself off on the next airship bound for the Equestrian capital." "My dear General Hud." begged The Queen. "You see the incompetence I must deal with? I beg you to reconsider the withdrawal. If you could but lend me-" "Your highness." he stopped her. "My campaign is complete. I have ended Balgriff's rebellion, put down the barbarian hoard of Bowl, and brought stability to your kingdom. As planned. My ponies are weary and have well earned their return home to their families. Any further action must be approved by her Majesty Celestia. They are her little ponies. This last action you demanded to complete yourself, to prove your legitimacy as the next High Queen of Crown. "But this dragon's interference! Surely you can understand that-" "I impressed upon you that you have contingency plans when you started, but it seems my council has gone unheeded." "But my Lord." "The withdrawal will proceed as planned. I've seen to it that our security patrols have been shared with your staff, and they are more than capable to take them up as we leave. If you feel incapable to perform your duties to the kingdom, I would suggest you speak with your fellow Jarls. You are not alone. Show good character and unite Crown again. Bury your hatchet with Balgriff. Make peace." After a few minutes of silence in the room, he goes on. "Yes, your husband is now blind, but he still lives. Abandon your desire for vengeance. The kingdom needs guidance to heal. Especially with the overthrow of the Jarl in Southrim. You do not need another civil war. We have been hear for three years already. I cannot allow the army to be used for every little conflict that arises. The longer we linger here, the more the creatures of Crown will believe you are a puppet of the Equestrian empire. "I understand my Lord, but if you could leave me but one of your bombard cannons, the dragon-" "The dragon, acording to my scouts, has already left Squirestone and disappeared into the mountains near the far coast. What it's intentions in the south were, I do not know. Leave the Jarl of Northstar to deal with it. As I understand, Jarl Grimclaw is most pleased with the prospect of hunting it down. That is, if the Hunters of Jaegervale haven't already tracked it down and beat him to it. I expect it will be the prize of their Autumn Hunt festival." "In eather case, what you need is diplomacy, not cannons. Besides, they are property of her Celestial Majesty and are not mine to give. I have sent a detachment of troupes to the Squirestone ruins to secure them till the Equestrian Foreign Legion arrives. They will be stationed there till the Withdrawal is complete and conduct safe passage to any Equestrian citizens who may need to travel out on hoof. Now, if I have your leave, there is important matters I must attend to." With that, the unicorn bows and leaves the chamber. "Thanks for nothing." growls Gwendolyn as soon as the doors shut behind him. Slumping into her throne, she gives a weary sigh. "Just as I told you." says a white black and grey griffin with a long yellow beak, dressed in richly adorned robes. "All high and mighty and full of their own hot air. Now how are you going to get me back my Hold? You promised me you would help if I handed over Balgriff and his loyalists. Now that mud-wallower Blackberry is going to rub her stink all over my Palace. We had a deal!" "Just shut up a second Gallgriff and let me think!" snaps back Gwendolyn. "I should have listened to my brother what he said about you." Gallgriff mutters under his breath as he begins to pace the floor. After a few minutes she asks. "What can you tell me about this Mead-Blood pony?" "I have no idea! Not any more than what the legends say at least. All I know, is that during the ambush, the town guard claimed he revealed himself by bleeding Mead when they attacked him. It's got to be a lie that that Horse! Blackberry started to rile up the rest of the town's ponies to overthrow me! That's all I heard before an angry mob stormed my Palace and forced me to flee for my life!" "Then it's your fault for not having more security. Not mine." "My guards had their claws full making sure my end of the bargain was upheld. How was I to know the Legendary Mead-Blooded was going to show up?!" "But he wasn't the Mead-Blooded." spoke up the small, black and white griffin. Who immediately regretted it when the two turned angry glares at him. "What? Did you see him Spindle?" asks Gwendolyn. "I think so." he replies fearfully. "He, was just a Pegasus. Brown coat, green mane. He escaped through the underground tunnels with the Stormwings." "This, is... Great News!" exclaims Gwendolyn sitting up in her throne. "Great?! How can this be great!?" spat Gallgriff angrily. "Shush-Shush-Shush!" she says. Putting a claw too her beak and bounding up to Gallgriff. Glancing around the room before putting an arm around him conspiratorially. "If we play up this Legendary pony rumor. Convince the General that he's joined up with the Stormwings. He'll have no choice but to stay and help fight. After all, if the Meadblood helps Balgriff, there's no telling how long the war will continue. And the longer it goes on, the more equestrian gold pours into our cauphers." "But how does that get me back my Palace?" "Forget your old Palace. You play along, and I'll give you the position of Haven's Harbor Master. Think of it! all the wealth of the kingdom of Crown, flowing right through your claws. Rich equestrian goods. You can have any luxury your heart desires." "But what about Southrim? If they tell everyone it was a lie-" "Why would Blackberry tell anyone? It's all been a ploy to get her the Jarlship. With her collaboration, think of the possibilities!" The thought seems to excite Gallgriff as he smiles. "Harbor Master Gallgriff. Ok. How do we do this?" "It's not safe to speak here. Come with me to my chambers. We'll discuss it there." A few minutes after they leave the room, the young griffin, quietly as he can, turns around and heads back the way he came through the vents. It takes about ten minutes to get back to his room where he got in. He climbs out and puts the vent cover back into place, when suddenly a sturn voice speaks up behind him. Causing him to jump in fright. "Where have you been?" he spins around and sees a tall thin griffin standing there in ornate white painted armor that covers him from head to toe. "Oh Greyword. It's just you." he sighs in relief. Without another word, Greyword steps up to him and grabs him by his shirt collar. Lifting him off the ground and glaring at him through his helmet visor. "How many times have I told you to not go sneaking off? I cannot preform my duty to the Prince if you go where I can't follow! What if you get stuck in there? I'd be the only one who may know and they're going to be asking questions when they find me tearing up the walls looking for you!" "Aw, come on Grey." he answers. crossing his arms as he hangs from his powerful grip. "I've got at least two more winters before I'm to big to fit in there." "And look at the state of your clothes!" Greyword goes on. Grabbing his arm and twisting it to reveal a fresh hole worn in the elbow. "How am I going to explain to your... 'Mother' how you have destroyed another expensive shirt just sitting, doing school work?" "Hey. I didn't ask for any of this. It was all the Prince's idea." "Yes. But the more you mess around, the more likely someone will notice you aren't who they think you are. Then it will be both our heads!" Greyword growls. Carrying him over to the bed and dumping him onto it. "Now get back to your studies." "Ug." he groaned. picking up one of the books on the bed. "But this stuff is so boring." "It's what a future leader needs to know." "But that's not me!" he protests. "I swear, I learn more spying on Court then I do when I'm sitting in Court." "Why? What did you learn?" Greyword asks. After a few seconds, the little griffin responds. "I think the Queen is deliberately trying to prolong the war. She was talking about someone called Meadblood." "The Mead-Blooded?" Greyword asks with a start. "Yeah. She sounds like she wants to use him like a boogyman. Who is the Meadblood?" Greyword remains silent for a few minutes before answering. "He was an old Crown legend. Back when the Griffins first invaded, under King Grover the second, he was a leading member of the Mighty Helms. He personally slew the King at the battle of Gallops Hill, and stopped the invasion for several years. But when The King's son, Grover the third, took power, he brought with him a powerful magic artifact called The Golden Griffin's eye. It's said that any Griffin who looks into it, becomes a slave to it's wearer." "With it, the King forced his army to relentlessly attack the city till it finally fell. The Mead-Blooded managed to escape and flee south. After a time, he returned with a suit of impenetrable armor, and lead the Mighty Helms to slaughter all griffins he found. Freeing the enslaved ponies. And no matter how many soldiers the king threw at him, he could not be slain." "So the King made a pact with the Weirdsister Hags to get arrows capable of piercing the Mead-Blooded's armor. And so, when they met on the field of battle, Grover the third was able to shoot him till he died." "So, he's dead then?" asks the griff in confusion. "Why would anyone be scared of a dead pony?" "Yes. He died. But the King, after expending so many soldiers, went crazy and became known as, Grover the Mad. He demanded that his ruined army to go out and re-subjugate the ponies. But beaten as they were, the newly freed ponies rose up in full revolt against their griffin rulers." "Facing overwhelming tides of the native population, the Jarls turned on the King and handed him over for their lives. And ever since, it became a cautionary prophecy, that if ever the griffin rulers oppressed the ponies of Crown, The Mead-Blooded would return and finish his terrible vengeance." "Whoooa!" says the yong griffin. Feeling a chill run up his spine. "What happened to the Magical artifacts? The Eye? The Meadblood's armor? Why aren't they still being used today?" "The Golden Griffin's eye was such a feared thing, that it was supposedly buried with the Mad King. The Mead-Blooded's armor was separated into pieces, and given out, one too each hold." "What about the arrows?" "Somewhere safe I'd imagine!" Greyword snaps. Realizing he had been tricked into being a distraction. "And no concern to a young Prince who needs to learn math!" he finishes with an open handed bop to the young Griffin's head. "Now get back to it or I'll inform your teacher you're ready for another lecture." *** Woodlyn Trader. Riverdale Mr Abirdy whistles away as he sweeps the floor of his shop. Gathering up the dirt, he dumps it into a bucket, when he hears the door open. Turning to see a tannish-cream mare with an orange mane enter the shop. Her sharp eyes scan around the room before settling on the bright-golden wing on display behind the counter. Wary of her interest, he moves behind the counter and fixes her with a guarded look. "Welcome to Woodlyn Trader. How can I help you?" After a few seconds, she casually approaches the counter, glancing around the other items for sale. But Abirdy wasn't fooled by her aloofness. Finally, she returned her gaze to the wing, then to him. As if recognizing her ploy had failed, she sat and put her hooves on the counter. "So, how much for the wing?" He casually looks up at the display, then turns back to her. "That depends." he narrows his eyes as he answers. "How much ya got?" her eyes narrow and her face screws into a grimace. Lightning shooting back and forth between their eyes as they lean in towards one-other. Her hoof slowly moving to her bag as the tension thickens. * * * Peatmoss's dreamscape The Lunar goddess surveyed the grassland before her. The dark clouds that shaded it rumbled as a stiff wind blew. A testament to the pony's unease at the crime he had committed. Since her return from her exile on the Moon, she had been surprised at the innocence of the kingdom's populace. The ponies of her time, now known as the olden days, had much harder spirits compared to those who now live in her sister's kingdom. Even the hardest criminals of Equestria's urban centers amounted to not much more than financial cheats, petty theft, and assault. The mere sight of her full Nightmare visage would sooner drive them too insanity, then give them a chance of reform. Of course, murder wasn't completely unheard-of. Most often such guilt of it was from the royal guard, who had turned to family and friends to bolster their spirits. Strengthened in the belief their actions were making society safer for all the good ponies. And for those very few that had shed innocent blood, they were no match for even her more moderate powers. None were even close to a match against her. Only the greatest of villeins from her time had faced her full strength and resisted. The last being her own sister, for which she never intended to ever experience again. Yet still, a hunger to flex her full power, to test her might against a deserving foe, gnawed at her. This pony, who's dreamscape she now trod, stank of guilt. The smell of blood, not sweet like that of the innocent, nor bitter of the deserving, wafted off him. She had had to plumb far to seek him out, causing her to surmise he was near the edge of the kingdom. Though his soul still glittered with her sister's light, the corpses of his victims haunted him like flies. Deep down, it thrilled her to know that even in her sister's brilliant Kingdom, shadows still lingered. As she moved forward towards the victim of his first crime, closing in on the source of blood. She felt the desire to rush on past these nightmare apparitions. To find and pounce on the guilty soul and torture his spirit. To rake his mind and expose the rot. To express her full might and dominate his mind. It called to her with sweet whispers, like a drug. But she knew where that road ended. She had travelled it before. She now knows, the true path was one of patience. To assess the pony's motivations, and judge him justly. As she gets closer, she hears a whinnying voice floating over the wind. "Can't we all just, get along?" Emerging from the tall grass into a patch that was trampled down, she observes a unicorn wearing leather and chainlink armor sitting alone sorrowfully. A sword protrudes from his chest as he stares vacantly into the distance. "Can't we all just, get along?" he asks again. Repeating in a sad tone, as if knowing the answer. Stopping a moment to look at him, he ignores her as he repeats the line, continuing to stare at nothing. "Rest thyself in peace little one." she says as she waves her hoof and the pony disintegrates into dust. Revealing it's self to be only a shadow of the victim. Turning her eyes to the pool of blood that had been around him, she sees the red hoof prints and follows them on. After a few long strides, the grassland ends and turns to a stony path up a mountain. Reaching the top, she sees a large stone house surrounded by tall stone pillars. The sound of clacking bones surround her as she draws closer. Then suddenly, a dead griffin in bone decorated clothes drops down to hang in front of her. Merely blinking at the swaying corpse, she regards it's slashed open chest unphased. Such simple jump-scares are mere foal's play to her experience in nightmares. "Ah, fresh horse." cackls a voice in her ear. She turns her head and sees a griffin, dressed the same as the one hanging before her, appear from behind a pillar with a sword. "Only a leg or two will fit the bill." He swings it at her, but it passes right through her. raising it to strike again, an arrow hits his chest and he stumbles back. Then another hits his head and he collapses to the stony ground. A young griffin then flies up to her with a bow and arrows. "Thank you Peatmoss. You were a great teacher." He then draws an arrow in his bow and disappears just as he looses it at her. Turning her attention back to the trail of red hoofprints, she follows it to the big doors. Around the arch are inscribed runes that look vaguely familiar, but these ruins are merely the pony's perception of the place, and are as understandable to her as they were to him. Pulling open the doors, she sees it filled with bones and skulls. Stepping in undeterred, the doorway pulls away behind her as the walls, floor, and ceiling, roll like waves of bones and bloody corpses. The clattering sound fills her ears as she watches, looking for clues in the mass. Then suddenly, the vale is torn away as an Earthpony stallion appears in dark flames. "Trespasser! Thou doth not belong here." he growls. She silently regards the apparition. "Art thou def? Leave this dream! And trespass no more!" She blinks and looks around in confusion as she comes to the realization he's talking to her. "What art thou?" she asks to test him. In response, his black flames flare and she feels an unexpected force strike her bodily. Immediately her eyes snap open and she sits bolt upright in her bed. 'He ejected Us?!' she thinks to herself as she glances around to see she's back in her room at Canterlot Palace. The eyes of the Batpony guard standing at her door briefly look at her before returning to stare forward. 'That wast not a nightmare apparition.' she contemplates to herself. 'It seemest that this, Peat moss, is haunted by more than just nightmares.' Then her lips curl at the thought of a potential challenger. "Sir nocturnal." she addresses the guard. "We may have found thee a worthy foe." The guard simply turns to her and respectfully nods.