//------------------------------// // Bad Dreams // Story: Dusk Falls // by Lyreaxiose //------------------------------// Phantom images of the Swarm, from some strange abyss in her mind, infest her mind that night. She is standing before a large mound. It's a chaotic mixture of building materials laid out by some eye which saw neither order nor aesthetics as anything of importance. Dusk feels compelled to walk forwards towards the Hive. She climbs to a narrow hole dug into the Earth. There is a chattering in her brain that tugs her deeper. As she descends, the light of day slowly fades into nothing. Her eyes can perceive only thin pinpricks of cool, green light. She nears close to the source of one pair, and, as she sticks a hoof out to identify its source, it skitters away into the darkness. Dusk reels back in revulsion at the realization of the source of this light. All around they stare, blinking in and out of sight. Still she marches on; her body pays no attention to her rising panic. Finally, there is light, but Dusk wishes there was none when she first glimpses the dark form before her in the center of the chamber. A black monster reaching 20 feet into the air sits in the center of the room. There is a large, semi-opaque sack attached to its back which stretches the length of the room. In its jaw, it munches upon some unfortunate animal; the bones occasionally fall to the ground from the Things mouth. It reaches out to Dusk with a leg covered in thick hairs. Dusk attempts to turn and run, but she finds her body still won't respond. She watches, completely paralyzed, as the sharp limb rises high above her head before beginning a downward sweep. Her hearts feel as if it will soon burst. A hair strokes her horn, and she wakes. Pan is there, patting her mane as she wakes shaking uncontrollably, her chest heaving. There is no light coming in through the window except the distant flames of the watch. She notices a pale light above her bed. Her pillow is floating. There are books sprawled over the ground. Aurora is sleeping, thankfully. She turns to Pan and asks the time. He tells her it's close to one. She thanks him and gets out of bed. Using her magic, she quickly tidies the room up once more and makes for the door. Pan starts to follow. "No." She cuts him off, and closes the door behind her. She approached her twelfth day in Tundragrov. In that time, Aurora had introduced her to many ponies including Glidell and Stone Works, the Earth pony under Faircraft. Dusk at first figured it would be wise to cast a wide net, but found it exhaustive work. She settled on Aurora, Glidell, and Stone Works, as their position made it the most prudent choice. It didn't seem to bother most ponies, as they rarely came back to speak with her twice. Dusk finds the door to the Library. It was open, thankfully, at all hours. She lets herself in and combs the sections of history, zoology, and, finally, mythology. There, in a book of mythological creatures, she finds what she searches for. She takes the book to a table lit by a mote of flame suspended in the air. "Thumophage: Devourer of Desires" A drawing of a grotesque beast appears under the title. The description is brief, saying that the creatures are found in the most inhospitable parts of the world and that they received their name from the fatigue and emotional numbness which is associated with their presence. It says that some explorers have seen ponies willingly present in their company, but all attempts to converse with them has revealed, universally, a stark madness and desire to defend the Thumophage. The few separated from the Swarm have all died shortly thereafter from starvation or thirst, refusing any sort of food or water. Dusk begins to close the book. She pauses for a moment to stare at the image. She feels her heart race slightly as her eyes widen. There's fear mixed with a trace of excitement. The cover slams down. From her gut rises a feeling of disgust when she thinks too long upon her actions just then. Dusk replaces the tome and extinguishes the flame before leaving. She returns to her room where Pan is sleeping in a chair next to her bed. He must of passed out waiting for me, she thought, how sweet. Lowering her head, she nuzzles him and crawls into bed. The dragon scratches himself. It draws a warm smile out of Dusk. She goes to sleep with that same smile and wakes with it several hours later. Pan greets her with breakfast, "You're looking a lot better. Sleep well after your little midnight stroll?" "Hmm, oh, yeah. A lot better. I feel a lot more refreshed today than I have lately." "Great, let's hope you can keep that up until this weekend." "Why this weekend? What do you have planned?" "It's not me. I got a response from Faircraft." "Really? Show me." Pan takes out a small letter with a broken seal. He clears his throat and begins to read: "To Lady Dusk Crystal of Canterlot, you are Cordially invited... to the residence of Lady High Society...15th." "So, she actually invited us? It seems Stone Works was right about Faircraft, she has some strange friends in this city." "Even unicorns have need of craftsmen and bankers. And they all answer to Faircraft in this town." "I suppose. Anyway, I'll need to get ready. Pan, could you send a letter to Stone Works and grab Glidell? I'll need to go to town today and pick out a dress." "On it, my Lady." He bows and rushes out the door. Dusk rises from bed and walks to the window. She gazes off into the distance where Gale pointed. She feels a slight sense of apprehension before that familiar disgust comes back and forces her to look away. "Ugh, I can't stand those filthy insects." Levitating her glass towards her, she drains the water inside and slams it back down. It's time to prepare for the day. An hour later, she is at the front gate with Glidell and Stone Works. A carriage pulls up and they get in. It takes them into the winding streets of Tundragrov towards the market district. Stone Works passes the time by pointing out various businesses, who owns them, and gossip about the owners. "That pony was seen just last week with this pony together in park. That other pony is about to lose all of his money to liquor and gambling." It seems as if he never shuts up. He is a strongly built pony with a marble column for a cutie mark. He was as refined in manner and appearance as the column was on his cutie mark. The carriage stops before a small boutique. Stone Works leads them inside where a thin pony greets Stone as an old friend. She shows the trio around her shop before pushing Dusk behind a curtain to have her measurements taken. There are birds inside which assist the owner in her task. Finally satisfied, Dusk is shooed out as quickly as she is taken in. The pony tells her, "Come back in three days, and I shall have your dress ready. Don't worry, I know what these unicorns like." Outside, they meet three unicorn mares. They look from Glidell, a sneer, to Stone Works, a chuckle, to Dusk, fully laughing now. They toss a bit at Dusk before continuing on their way. Dusk picks the bit out of the snow and furrows her brows. "What was that?" "They think you're trash. They were mocking us with their gold." Glidell wings tremble and rise slightly. She is about to chase after them when Stone Works steps in front of her. "We're better than that, Dell. The carriage is here, let's return Dusk to the Academy." Glidell sinks, but her wings continue to shake. She looks Stone in the eyes before entering the carriage. Dusk follows, and Stone Works climbs in last. He shuts the door, and the they take off under a heavy silence. Stone is the first to break it. "I'm sorry, Dusk." "It feels colder. They warned me, but I didn't think some of the ponies would be so difficult." "Things are grim." "Yeah. If this is the norm, there can't be much time left." Dusk stares out the window at the passing street. On the surface, everything appears so ideal, but Dusk was beginning to understand what lies at the city's heart. The carriage reaches the Academy Gates and lets Dusk off. She turns to Glidell. "Are you coming?" She looks at Stone "Stone and I wanted to spend some time together. I'll catch you tomorrow, okay?" "Ah, well," Dusk feels stupid, "Have fun, you two." "Thanks, we will." The door closes and the carriage takes off back towards town. Dusk suddenly feels a sinking loneliness. A wind cuts through her and drives her into the warmth of the Academy. She seeks Aurora out in the commons, but finds only a handful of unicorns hard at work in their studies. Dusk decides not to bother them. Instead, she decides to sleep early tonight. Hopefully, there would be no more nightmares. Luck abandons her tonight. She finds herself again in that chamber. The monster is there, but ignores her now. She hears voices throughout the Hive. It creates a maddening chorus which she tries to block out by covering her ears. Only upon covering her ears does she realize the sound is in her head. The monster turns towards Dusk and speaks to her. Dusk is drawn to stand before it. It again raises one of its limbs, but, this time, it picks her up into the air. It carriers her towards it mouth. She struggles to get loose, but the grip just tightens until she can no longer breath. The four jaws open and she is forced inside. Dusk sees the light go out as the monster closes its mouth. Then, the teeth begin to tear into her and the first bone cracks.