Chapter 5: Mysticism IS a school of Magic
Nick and his trio of ponies arrived at the small, hollowed tree in the forest. Nick, although he knew it inside and out, was still a bit cautious in his approach. It wasn't fear of Zecora that held him back, but more towards her reaction to seeing a human in her hut. Had she ever seen a human before? How would she see look upon him if she had? Did she have the capabilities to send him back home? His mind buffeted these thoughts back and forth all about is mind.
"Zecora?" Twilight asked, knocking on the door with her hoof. The sound of sliding wood could be heard on the other side, followed by hoofsteps approaching the door.
"Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie! And even quiet Fluttershy!" Zecora said with a smile, then turned to face Nick. "But who is this creature before me? An alien species do I see?" She walked around him, inspecting him.
"Zecora, this is Nick. We brought him here by accident." explained Twilight.
"We were wondering if you knew of a way to bring him back home." added Fluttershy.
Zecora Grabbed Nick's wrist and inspected his right hand, including his terrifyingly sharp fingernails attached to the ends. "It is quite unwise to roam." she agreed, dropping Nick's hand and trotting over to the door. "It's for the best you go back home. But you must be tired from your walk. Please come in, sit down and talk."
Twilight happily entered behind Zecora, followed by Pinkie, Fluttershy, and finally, Nick, closing the door behind him. Obviously, this home was not built with large amounts of company in mind. Even with her kettle stored away, there was still little room to move about in the small space, and Nick ad to crane his head to keep it out of the ceiling.
"So, do you have any knowledge on how to get Nick back home?" asked Pinkie, leaning against Nick's hip as she said his name.
"I have traveled far and wide, but naught a human have I spied. But Maybe I have something here," she said, rummaging through a chest, and finally pulling out a small metal fragment. "Although, it may not work, I fear."
Nick reached out to it, and turned it a bit in his hand. it was small, a pale blue-green, and had what looked like a whale swimming around it. on either side was a green pillar, holding the frame apart, keeping the whale in the center from moving too much.
"What have we here?" asked Nick.
"This Talisman represents Oneiros. He controls the spirits and ghosts. But for full power, you need eleven. As for their locations, I know only seven."
"Any information you have would be useful." commented Twilight. Zecora stepped over to a cupboard, and pulled out a map of equestria. She spread it out over the table, and grabbed a pencil between her teeth, marking five exact locations, then drawing a circle around a small arrow, signifying a mountain. She then turned to face the others, motioning for them to look at the map
"Upon this night, I give you this. But you must travel to find your bliss. First to the clouds, up high in the air. The second element, you will find it there. Next, to Hoofington, where you go underground. Deep in the mines, the piece can be found. Then to this temple, where you'll climb ever higher. You'll find that trinket atop its spire. Down by the sea, below you will find a chalice of silver, which you must unbind. In the center of the desert, a monument stands, A portal leads in, but is covered by the sands. Last to this mountain, earth burns below, to find the seventh, to the flames you must go." With each new revelation, she drew her hoof to another marked point on the map. The last place she pointed was at the circle she had drawn.
"Why is this one marked by a circle, instead of an X, like the rest of them?" inquired Nick, pointing at the mountain.
"The way I used to enter the shrine has been closed for quite some time. I'm afraid you'll have to find another way, if it's not your intention here to stay."
"Uh... Guys?" asked Pinkie. "We might want to go home soon." The others all moved over to the window, save for Nick, who glanced at his watch. Thank Celestia it was still accurate. The sun sat on the horizon, with only a quarter of it still visible.
"Pinkie's right." said Twilight, rolling up the map and handing it to Nick. "If we're going to get home and get some sleep before we head out tomorrow."
"Thank you so much, Zecora." said Fluttershy. "We'll be sure to commit what you said to memory, and we'll get Nick back home safe."
"I believe that would be best. But now, you must go, have some rest." Zecora said, practically shooing them out the door. Nopony was out to stop her either, as she was right to do so. the Everfree grew dangerous at this hour...
They walked quickly through the trees, using the last few rays of sunlight to find their cart right where they had left it. Nick sighed, then climbed in the back and curled up tightly. As Pinkie threw the cover over the top, he mentioned something to Twilight, which caused her to blush a bit. Fluttershy wasn't listening, and Pinkie was out of earshot. Nevertheless, they recognized the signs that she had been a bit embarrassed at whatever was said. Fluttershy was kind enough to not inquire further, and just let Twilight keep the thought to herself. Pinkie, on the other hand...
"What'd he say?" she inquired, going nose to nose with Twilight.
"N-nothing, Pinkie. It was for me to hear, and me alone." defended Twilight. Come on, we need to get back to the library."
"Actually, Twilight, I was thinking to myself, and, if it wouldn't be too much trouble..." Fluttershy started. "Um... Nevermind, just forget I asked."
"What is it, Fluttershy?" asked Twilight. "If you have an idea, I'd like to hear it."
Fluttershy blushed, and turned to try to hide it, failing with the latter. "Well, since it's closer to the train station, and further out of the way, and less chance of visitors, that it might be a better idea if he... if it's not too mush trouble, that is.. stayed at... my place?" she finally managed to force out. She flinched a little, not wanting to hear the words she imagined in her mind. 'That's a terrible idea! why would you ever suggest that!? He's staying at the library!'
"That's a wonderful idea, Shy!" said Twilight. "Why didn't we think of that sooner? It's a shorter walk from here, as well." Twilight clapped her hooves together and smiled with glee. "He can stay at your place!"
Like Twilight said, Fluttershy's cottage was in a secluded area just halfway between Ponyville and the Everfree. They had passed it on their way out, in fact.
When they got there, the cart and cover were stored in back of the cottage, and Nick followed Fluttershy in, closing the door behind him.
"You can have the couch, if you like," offered Fluttershy. "Or there's the guestroom upstairs, but the bed's smaller."
"The couch will be fine," said Nick, sitting down on one end. Fluttershy couldn't help but think of a certain seafoam-green pony who had been sitting on a park bench the exact same way on more than one occasion. "I usually sleep on a couch at home anyway."
"By the way, what you said to Twilight, You don't have to tell either me or Pinkie what it was, and it was wrong of Pinkie to pry, so if she asks, you don't have to tell her, either."
"All I said was, 'Don't forget to cast that energy-saving spell.'"
Author's notes:
Yes, my policy on these from Trial and Error still stands.If you don't know what that policy is, go read Trial and Error again.
Somepony who shall remain nameless dared to send me a personal message, exclaiming that I can't just give Fluttershy magical abilities outright. Go figure that they said 'No' when I asked if they had read Trial and Error. They retorted, 'But I shouldn't have to read your other stories to understand this one! I should just be able to understand it outright!' 'Then it wouldn't be much of a sequel, would it?' That shut them up. I still get angry letters about it, though.
Honestly, I was expecting them to complain about Pinkie. I never actually gave her any powers until recently.
I do need to get some more of my catechism finished, as it's somewhat important to this story. In fact, Oneiros was one of the few names I remembered. Also, expect a hoofful of elder scrolls references when we near the end. They've been written into my catechism to balance out the power of divinity, so I can't write the other eleven in without writing the references in alongside.
Anywho, word count. My keyboard operates like my guitar. The more I use it, the more comfortable it feels, and the more I want to use it. As a result, I'm getting my word count to increase without having to pump in any filler. So very very happy am I! But alas, who reads these anyway? What should my complaints matter to you?
"Because if you laugh at yourself, they'll tone down the criticisms?"
Shut your yap, editor...