The fog was thick and the smell of rotten flesh hung heavy in the air as Trixie made her way
through Deaths Hallow.
"Ugh it really stinks around here." Trixie wheezed as she held her muzzle.
"Sorry. I keep forgetting that not every pony enjoys the smell of graveyard soil." Pale chuckled.
"I can't imagine why?" She coughed.
"Then allow me to change it to something else my dear." He laughed as the fog began to swirl
and thicken.
At first Trixie didn't notice anything different, it still reaked of death and must, but slowly another
smell began to waft into her nose, and as she continued to trot through the fog her surroundings
began to change to something of a memory. The fog began to lift revealing trees covered in leaves
of amber, and orange with trims of gold. The gray dirt felt soft against her hooves as thick grass
began to wash a emerald green into the lifeless soil. The chirping of birds echoed all around her
as they fluttered amongst the trees that surrounded her.
"Does this fit more to your liking?" Pale asked, as the odor of sweet maple sugar and oak filled the
air.
"I would be lying if I said no, now if only if your voice would stop resonating in my head."
"Yes I am growing tired of this as well my dear so why don't we speak face to face or in your case
face to skull."
Trixie felt like screaming but she didn't have the chance to as she was teleported to a clearing in
the now autumn woods. As her head cleared she found herself sitting down at a picnic table, across
from her sat Pale, a pony that she hoped would help her escape this hole. His face was a oddity
to her. The left was perfect in every way, each curve complementing the next. His mane was long
and ever flowing appearing to be made of liquid obsidian rather then hair as it rolled and eddied
over his parchment white coat. His eye was as black as a winter night but Trixie swore if she
focused on one point, a memory of long ago could be seen still flickering with strong emotion.
"But the right is not so pleasant is it?" Pale chuckled.
"Oh great another mind reading pony." Trixie groaned.
"No not really, your facial expressions gave you away silly." He said with a caring smile.
"So Trixie what can I do for you?"
"Well for one can you get him to leave." Trixie motioned over his shoulder.
Pale smiled as he rotated his head to face what trixie was pointing at, he didn't have to
he already knew who was standing behind him.
"Run along and play Slender, I wish to speak with the mare in private."
Slender didn't say a word as he bowed and disappeared into the mist that still coiled through
the trees.
"Better Trixie?"
"I'm sorry, it's just..."
"Oh I understand, he is what he is after all. So what is it that you wanted me to help you with?"
There was a long pause before Trixie spoke again, she wanted to say something meaningful
enough to convince this strange ailcorn to help hr, but all she was able to managed was.
"I want to go home." She sighed, knowing that if this Pale character was anything like his
brother she would know his answer.
"Trixie if that is what you wish then consider your wish granted." Pale said sincerely
Trixie's jaw must have been laying on the table because Pale began to laugh, it was a warm
childish laugh, one that could lift you up no matter how low you felt.
"What, did you expect my answer to be something else."
"I'm sorry. I thought you being Azreal's brother and all you would...."
"Be as much of an arse and not know the meaning of compassion?"
A laughed escaped Trixie's muzzle, she couldn't help it but for some reason she was starting
to like this strange alicorn.
"So Trixie when do you wish to be back in your body?" Pale asked as a glass of strawberry
milk appeared in his hoof.
"Um right now would be good but something tells there's going to be catch."
"Unfortunately your right." Pale sighed. "I'm going to need you to acquire something before
I can help you."
"It's not going to be easy is it?"
"No it will be, I don't see the point in making things over complex." Pale said with a smile as he
rose from the table. "I'll even walk you there."
"Are you serious?"
"Why of course, I'm not like most but my system functions far more efficiently Trixie."
"Then why aren't you in charge?" Trixie questioned.
"Because power corrupts all those who hold it." He sighed with a snort as he trotted into the fog.
Trixie had galloped to catch up with Pale but he didn't say a word when she did. He kepted his
right side to her, never even glancing over to her with his burning eye. She just stayed behind
him watching his white ribs move back and forth as they slid outside of the black mass that was
his sunken flesh.
"Can I ask you something Pale?" Trixie asked nervously.
"And what would that be Trixie." He answered as his leather wing twitched.
"Is this going to take long and why are you smouldering?"
"Well no and I'm smouldering because this area of The Hallows has been sealed off from my
presence so most likely I'll be bursting into flame in a few minutes." He shrugged.
"And your not concerned about bursting into flames?"
"No not really, I've been set on fire too many to remember." He chuckled.
"Really?"
"Yeah most have been by Az, but hey we're nearing your task so I'm not really worried, but
hey if I do you have my permission to roost smores." He chuckled.
Trixie couldn't help herself and began to laugh. "Oh and here I am with out any gram crackers."
She giggled.
"Well that is unfortunate. How about we have some when you're back in your body?"
"That would be nice if I ever get back." Trixie sighed.
"Oh by the way are you afraid of spiders?" Pale asked as they came to a halt.
"No, why?
"Because your going to dealing with a lot of big ones." He answered as Trixie gazed at the gaint,
gnarled web that hung before her.
"Your joking right?" Trixie gulped, as large black shapes moved out into the open.
"I'm afraid not Trixie, but hey it could be worse."
"How could going into a nest of giant spiders be less worse then something else?"
"Oh you could be going in there alone." Pale nervously laughed, as he began to back away from
the silk covered barrow.