Once Beyond the Gates

by Quill Scribe

Schism

The sun shone brightly as I circled a battlefield from the air. A yellow pegasus mare in full barding, and white unicorn with a blue mane, barely a stallion, stood in between a group of fallen soldiers and the beast from my nightmares.

"Alright Wonderbolts, our orders are to provide cover for the retreat of our ground forces. Maintain tight formation and move out!" A rainbow maned pegasus stallion commanded.

"Sir, yes sir!" I felt my voice join the chorus of the team.

We flew in teams of three, dive bombing the creature as it was advancing on the pegasus and unicorn. It flinched several times as our bladed wing tips brushed against it, but it continued advancing.

After several passes like this the beast finally turned its attention to us. It waited patiently until somepony got a little too close. Its jaws snapped shut like a vice. The trapped pony's colors drained away and their body crumbled into dust.

The unicorn stallion screamed something I couldn't hear. His horn glowed magenta and a translucent dome dropped over the creature, trapping it.

"Captain Swoop, get your pegasi and get our wounded out of here!" The yellow pegasus mare shouted.

"You've got it, Captain Barricade!" The rainbow maned pegasus said, "alright, you heard the lady. Move out!"

Swoop landed next to Barricade while she removed her barding, preparing to evacuate. The rest of the team each picked up a fallen pony and prepared to take off.

The beast roared in frustration. It was a cacophony of sound, the wailing of a thousand lost souls, bending of steel girders, and rumbling of an earthquake. Several of our team, myself included, faltered mid takeoff, flopping impotently to the ground.

The creature opened its maw, a dark red glow emanating from deep inside. A cylinder of magic and flame sprang forth, splashing against the dome.

The white unicorn grunted and collapsed to his knees. His magic sputtered out and the shield collapsed. The torrent of energy burst forth and struck the escaping pegasi, reducing them and their passengers to ash.

Swoop yelled, "Fleetfoot! Rapidfire! Get Shining Armor out of here! I'll cover your escape."

The two pegasi snatched up shining armor and took off. Barricade and I settled in behind them. I looked back to see that Swoop had launched himself high into the air.

The creature turned toward us and opened its maw again. I heard a whistling sound from above. I glanced skyward and saw Swoop rocketing ground-ward, his wings fully extended, angling himself at the creature.

He pushed against the air resistance, growing ever faster, until finally it gave way. The creature's throat glowed a dark red as the energy and fire was released.

Swoop slammed into the creature's muzzle at the speed of sound, slamming it shut on its own attack. A moment later a shockwave of rainbow light hammered the beast into the ground. After a mushroom cloud of multi-hued light and dust all was still.

Beams of magic streaked up at us from the ground. I looked towards their source. A cluster of cloaked unicorns was firing magic at us. I looked at my comrades carrying the wounded.

I rocketed down towards the unicorns, intent on distracting them, but an errant bolt seared through my wing after only a couple of passes. I could smell the charred flesh and feathers as I crashed among our attackers.

As they all turned to face me I managed to catch a glimpse of them under their cloaks. They were all the same midnight blue color. They looked at me angrily, and as they blasted me with their magic my vision faded to an inky black.

Through the cloying darkness I could see a pinpoint of light. It grew quickly as I fell. A pair of rusted doors opened away from me and I fell through. The blinding light and falling sensation quickly gave way to the solid ground.

As I impacted I felt the ground give way slightly. By all rights I should have been a smear from the speed I had picked up, but the only pain I was in was a burning sensation on my flanks, as though I had been branded.

My eyes opened slowly. My body ached and my flank burned. I glanced down at my flank. I wore a cutie mark there. It was a black snake eating its own tail, with silver runes running its length.

"Are you alright little one?" Princess Celestia asked, her voice snapping me out of my daze.

I looked up at her, the vision I had still fresh in my mind.

I managed to speak up. "Barricade... Shining Armor... Help them."

Her eyes narrowed and she stared down at me with a grim look. She barked a few orders to the guard that had tried to catch me as I fell, and she took off in a flurry of feathers.

"Sigil!"

I heard familiar voices call out to me. I looked towards them. Lyra, Clair, and Arpeggio wrapped their forelegs around me, tears streaming from their eyes.

I fell into the comfort of their embrace, allowing myself to fall into the serenity of unconsciousness.

I was startled awake by the clattering and banging of pans and cupboards.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I sat up in my bed. I donned my goggles and prepared to meet the day. I was in the middle of brushing my mane and coat when I smelled smoke.

I rolled my wheelchair into the kitchen. Lyra stood over the stove, cursing it in a way that would make a sailor blush, as smoke rose over the charred remains of... something.

I cleared my throat. Lyra nearly jumped out of her skin and whirled around to face me with a fake grin plastered on her face.

"Hey Siggy! I wasn't expecting you to be up so early," she stammered, "I wanted to make you some breakfast in bed. Figured you'd need the rest after yesterday... and all."

I smiled at her. It was the thought that counts anyway right?

"Something tells me you better marry a cook sis, or you're gonna eat nothing but coal," I joked. I wasn't going to let her off that easily.

She smirked and stuck her tongue out at me. "Well excuse me for wanting the day of your cuteciñera to be special."

After everything that happened yesterday my cutiemark had totally slipped my mind. I wasn't even sure what it was, but I could figure that out later. I was just happy to not be a blank flany anymore. One less thing to be teased about.

I smiled brightly and danced a little in my seat. "I almost forgot about that!"

Lyra giggled. "So, since I seem to have not only ruined the pancakes, but also somehow burned your cereal, how 'bout we go out for some brunch? Then you can pick whatever you want to do for the day until mom and dad come home."

"Maybe we could go find Twilight after brunch? I wanna let her know I'm ok."

Lyra looked downcast. "Hey, um... Listen squirt, I know it's your big day and all, but maybe it could be just you and me? We almost lost you yesterday. I still don't know how you didn't have a scratch on you after that fall... I... I just..." Lyra couldn't hold back anymore. Her words dissolved into a broken sobbing.

I looked up at her and hugged her foreleg to my chest. I nuzzled her neck. "I'm ok now sis. Please don't cry anymore. I'm not going anywhere."

My stomach grumbled petulantly. Lyra buried her face in my mane and giggled.

"C'mon, let's see about that food. How about here?" She pointed to a doughnut shop on the corner.

We entered the shop and sat down. She ordered a chocolate doughnut and I got a prench crueler. We ate in relative peace until Lyra leaned in close to my and whispered.

"You know what I think is weird? This guy's name is Doughnut Joe. I get the doughnut part, I mean my name is Lyra, I'm good with a lyre, your name is Sigil, you remember everything you read, but Joe? That's just bizarre."

I raised my eyebrow. I'm not sure I like where this is headed.

"So, it got me thinking. Do you remember that book you gave me? The one on humans? Well according to that book 'Joe' is a really common name for them." She paused for a moment. "I think he might be one of them, just turned into a pony!"

I giggled at her. "That is the silliest thing I've ever heard. Even if humans were real why would he turn into an earth pony? And what possible interest could he have in working at a doughnut shop?"

She laughed with me. "Of course Siggy. I know there's no way a human could cross dimensional barriers and get turned into a pony to observe us and possibly save his race. That would just be silly. After all, everyone knows they used to live in the Everfree forest and died out a long time ago."

I sighed and decided to change the topic. "Hey sis, why don't you take me to the museum? There's a new geology exhibit I want to see."

"Sure thing!" She patted my head with a free hoof and pushed my chair outside.

Lyra trotted down Mane street with me towards the museum, but froze in her tracks when she saw the exhibit banner.

"Jewelry of Ancient Equestria?" She read out loud and then stared at me with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

"Oh nothing, I just didn't think you were into that sort of thing, what with having your nose in a book all the time," she said, "next thing I know you'll be dragging me to Hoity Toity's newest fashion show!"

I looked down at the ground and grumbled. "I'm allowed to like pretty things if I want to..."

We wandered the halls of the museum for hours. Each exhibit more interesting than the last. Pre-Unification, Pre-Equestrian, Trotskin, the Whinnysance, all exquisite. We finally reached an exhibit that took my breath away.

The artifacts from the Crystal Empire were beyond words. Most of them seemed to be grown rather than crafted by pony hooves.

"I want... I need to go there. To see this for myself. Lyra, it's so beautiful." The edges of my eyes shimmered with tears as I spoke.

Lyra glanced at me sadly as she read the information kiosk for the exhibit.

"Im sorry Siggy. It says here that the Empire disappeared over a thousand years ago when Celestia and her sister Luna defeated its corrupt king."

"Figures," I grumbled, "I wonder if..." I trailed off, my attention caught by a piece of jewelry that seemed out of place among the organic crystal creations.

I rolled over to the black necklace. The style of its black metal frame, winged unicorn bust, and carbuncle gemstone intrigued me. I read the inscription that rested nearby.

"The Alicorn Amulet. It is said to grant untold magical power to the wearer, but corrupts them with use."

I stared at it, the implication did not escape me. Somepony, somewhere, had tried to do something similar to myself. Craft an independent vessel of power to enhance a pony's innate magic.

I filed it away in my mind for later research. It was getting late and Lyra and I needed to get home to our parents.

It was the most exciting and frightening day of a young pony's life. No, not the day one got their cutie mark, though that was admittedly awesome. No not their birthday either. It wasn't even the day a pony was asked to be a special somepony.

I sat in my wheelchair, next to my adoptive parents and sister, staring at the imposing tower on the castle grounds.

This special day of all days, was the first day of school.

Clair placed a hoof comfortingly on my shoulder and smiled down at me.

"It won't be so bad Sigil. I know it's new and scary, but it will be good for you. You can't stay cooped up in the library forever, maybe you'll meet some nice ponies here and make some friends," she said.

"I'm pretty sure they have a library here too. I wonder if there is space in the stacks for my bed," I said, only half jokingly.

Lyra snickered. "C'mon Siggy, lets go inside. I'll show you around."

Lyra and I hugged our parents goodbye for the day and went inside.

The halls were bustling with ponies as Lyra walked me to our first class of the day. We shared a great number of classes. I had placed out of all of the first year classes and most of the second year ones too. My studious nature and excellent memory helped me retain most of what I had studied before I took the entrance exam.

We entered the classroom together and picked our seats, or in my case desk. Both of us sat near the windows and looked outside as the rest of the class filed into the room.

A rotund orange unicorn waddled into the room. She sat down behind her desk and cleared her throat to gain the attention of the class.

"My name is professor Wide Margins." Everypony in the room burst into a giggling fit.

I rolled my eyes. At least her name is appropriate.

She cleared her throat again. "I teach 'Equestrian Magical History'. Since today is the first day of class, and you all seem so overjoyed to be here, we shall have a test to see what knowledge you need refreshing."

The class groaned in unison as the floated the papers out to us. I looked down at my paper and began writing. This was one of those times my memory came in handy. While the rest of the class was still writing I had finished.

This is where I made my first mistake in a new school. I drew attention to myself, not intentionally of course.

I brought the test up to the front of the room. "Excuse me professor. May I be excused to the library? I'm finished."

She smiled at me. "Of course..." She glanced at my paper. "...Sigil."

"Can you please tell my sister Lyra where I went when she is done? I don't want her to worry."

The professor nodded, and as I exited the room I could feel the eyes of the class boring into the back of my head.

I wandered the halls, following the signs to the school library. I had thoughts of a certain amulet dominating my mind.

I was so absorbed by my thoughts that I barely acknowledged the librarian, and I certainly didn't see the sign that read 'Restricted Section' as I passed under an archway. I knew this part of the library held the oldest books, so I was certain that if there was something written about the amulet's creation, it would be here.

I spent the better part of an hour searching through book after book with no success. Finally I reached a section of the room that held a tome under glass. I rolled up close to it and peered at the cover. The gold leaf lettering was so faded I could barely read it. The only words that were still completely legible were Crystal and King.

I used my magic to open the book and gently flip through the pages within its preservative case.

There were lots of spells written inside. I gave each of the legible ones a cursory glance, until I came across a sketch of a familiar necklace. I flipped to the next page and read each word carefully.

After several minutes I came upon what I was looking for, the spells and theory that provided the backbone of its power.

There was a spell to draw in magical energy, very similar to the spell I had modified. A spell that pushed that energy into a pony's ley lines, I made note of that one since I had been doing it passively. Finally there was a spell that served as a containment field to concentrate the drawn out energy and keep it from leaking back out. I made note of that one too.

According to the theory section all three spells drew the power to sustain them not from the unicorn themselves but from the borrowed magical energy.

Unfortunately this is where the writing stopped being readable. There was no mention of the materials used aside from the words 'star metal' or the supposed 'curse' that the exhibit had talked about.

"Hey kid! You aren't supposed to be in here!" A voice called out from behind me.

"Oh wow! Detention on your first day. Mom and dad are gonna have a fit!" Lyra laughed.

"I'm glad you are enjoying yourself at my expense, sis." I deadpanned.

She giggled and glanced around, something caught her eye. "Sorry Siggy, I bet I know what would cheer you up!"

I was dragged into a nearby boutique. The music pounded in the air as we approached a makeshift stage.

I stared at Lyra and narrowed my eyes at her as ponies in strange outfits of clashing shapes and colors started trotting down the catwalk.

"Are you poking fun at me?"

She cocked her head to the side and lowered her ears. "I thought you'd like it."

"I said 'I like pretty things'. This," I gestured at the stage, "is an abomination of all that is beautiful."

"Quite right darling. I dare say that Hoity Toity is losing his edge." A voice next to me said.

I turned to look at who was talking to me. She was a unicorn filly, her coat was almost as white as mine, and her purple mane and tail were perfectly curled and manicured.

What really caught my eye was her necklace, or rather her necklace's gemstone. It was cut in such a way that the gem's main window lit up with the light it took in. The metal setting had a mirror coat on the inside to reflect the light.

I sat with my jaw slack, staring at it. This was the answer to a question I hadn't thought to ask yet.

That gem, with those spells... The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

I looked her dead in the eyes with a silly grin on my face. I placed a forehoof on either side of her head.

"That's the answer! Oh you beautiful muse, I could almost kiss you!"

I spun my wheelchair around twice in place as she stood, too shocked to move. I turned to Lyra, who was giggling hysterically.

"Let's get back home, I've got a lot of work to do!"

That night was a busy one. I was scolded for the first time by my adoptive parents, not harshly mind you, they were far too sweet for that. Next made my day's notes about my discovery and committed them to memory so they would stay fresh.

I welcomed the comfort of my bed, sleep came to me swiftly, that is until I was rudely woken.

I snapped upright in my bed as I heard the shattering of glass and the smell of something burning.

Heh, Lyra must be cooking again.

That's when I heard unfamiliar voices.

"Are you sure this is the place? I don't want to get the wrong house"

"Positive. Look at the wheelchair and goggles by the door. The foal is definitely here."

"Alright, let's just get this over with."

I wasn't a stupid pony. I knew my limitations. I couldn't walk and had next to no magic of my own, so drawing attention to myself would have been a bad idea.

I lowered myself slowly into the wheelchair I used inside the house. I rolled out into the hallway and made my way towards my parent's room. I noticed that Lyra's room was empty.

As I passed the hallway to the living area I saw them. Two midnight blue pegasi and a midnight blue unicorn, all wearing hoods and cloaks were climbing out through a side window.

"Mom! Dad! Fire!" I screamed.

There was no response. I rolled into their bedroom and froze in place.

There are times where having an eidetic memory is a blessing. Tests, dates, names, spells, all things I could remember at any moment with perfect clarity.

Things that useful always come with a price. I could never forget anything. Even if I wanted to. The looks of twisted agony on the faces of the ponies who loved me even though I wasn't their blood would be seared into my mind forever.

I stared at them, mind frozen, unable to bring myself to move or look away as the flames licked at the room around me. A ceiling beam groaned and fell on me pinning me to the ground. My world went white.

I felt the pull of the gateway drawing me in. I couldn't resist, and was drawn through the inky blackness to the other side.

The searing pain of my cutie mark forced my eyes open to the beginning rays of dawn. Fireponies clambered over the debris of our home while a crowd stared at it, at me.

Lyra was among them, her mouth hung open, tears streamed from her eyes.

The firepony who had found me was backing away slowly, a look of confused fear on his face.

Perplexed, I half dragged myself to Lyra. I couldn't exactly wheel myself since my wheelchair was ashes.

That's when I heard the voices of the crowd.

"Look at those eyes."

"Not a mark. And with all that flame too."

"Not natural."

"Monster."

I looked pleadingly at Lyra, tears streaming down my face as the scene from my parents bedroom played over and over in my mind.

"H-how?" She asked quietly. Then she screamed, her voice quavering in terror. "How aren't you hurt! How are you even alive!" She backed away from me slowly.

Of course she blames me. Everypony else thinks I'm a monster, its only natural. I mean how many times can I cheat death and call it a coincidence.

I stared at her, the light faded from my eyes. I seared the faces of the ponies who set the fire into my mind.

They want a monster? They've broken a pony with a rather unique special talent.

My eyes opened wide underneath the scowl I wore, my large hourglass pupils causing a stir among the crowd.

I'll show the ones that did this to my family true fear.

My mouth curled into a half snarl half mad grin.

They're right, really. They've woken a monster.

I am, the Pale Pony.