//------------------------------// // Chapter 33: Upcoming events // Story: Souls Apart // by GnollReader //------------------------------// "Hello?! Anybody home?!" the necromancer's voice could be heard through the large slab of stone blocking the entrance to the tunnels, "I know you're in there, I can hear you wankers!" On the other side of the stone, one of the changelings gave his brethren a confused look, "He can't really hear us, can he?" Another changeling shook its head, "No way... What's a wanker?" "How should I know?" "How did he even find the entrance?" "I don't know! Should we tell the queen?" "We don't even know what this thing is!" "I think one of the scouts accompanying the queen talked about seeing something strange in Ponyville..." "Well get them. Maybe they'll not what it is!" "Hey!" the changelings stopped their discussion as the necromancer's voice could be heard again, "I hope you guys won't miss your rock!" the stone exploded into thousands of shards, covering the changelings in dust as something shot past them and down the dark tunnels with a wild laugh, "Because I am making an entrance!" --- "My queen!" Chrysalis raised an eyebrow as one of her guards came rushing into her thrown room, "One of the entrances to the hive has been breached!" "What?!" she didn't believe her ears, "Who dares enter my hive without my permission?!" her eyes glowed with a venomous green, "How many intruders are attacking?" "Well..." the changeling suddenly became nervous, "It's just one, actually..." "One?!" Chrysalis' eyes narrowed, "You let yourself be defeated by a single opponent?!" her voice became threatening, "And yet you dare step before me?" "He hasn't actually attacked anyone..." the changeling cringed, "He's just running through the tunnels like a lunatic and shouting profanities at everyone he passes... We did try to catch him once, but he used some sort of magic to evade us." "He?" a small smile appeared on her lips and her voice changed its tone drastically, something that nearly scared the changeling out of its wits, "Tell me... is he a bipedal in black clothes with a maniacal grin?" The changeling swallowed, "He is, my queen... and he has been laughing all along the way. I think he even called out your name on several occasions." "Where is he right now?" Chrysalis got up from her throne. "In the abandoned east tunnels, my queen. Scouting group three has taken up the trail already... it appears he has become lost." --- The necromancer had indeed become lost, not that it really bothered him at this point. It was way too much fun... plus, he had gotten himself a guide. Though a very reluctant one at that. "Stop! Let me go this instant!" Xhergis squirmed in his pocket. She had been walking down a tunnel, minding her own business when out of the blue the necromancer had shot around a corner with at least a good dozen guards in chase and laughing like a crazed idiot. He had recognized her immediately, which was already bad enough... but when he shrunk her and stuffed her into one of his pockets... not to mention the used tissues. "No way, Buttercup!" he laughed as he shot on through the dark, "This place is amazing! I love it!" he suddenly came to halt, "Where did the guards go?" Xhergis stuck her head out of his pocket to see him look around himself with a disappointed expression, "Did they already give up?" "You idiot!" Xhergis tried to shout at him, "We're in the abandoned tunnels! No one comes down here anymore!" "Huh..." he huffed, "Can't see why not. It certainly has charm... could use some torches though." with a flick of his wrist, a small light came to life above him, illuminating the dark tunnel, "Certainly brings back memories. Do you think I could rent some space down here?" "Why are you even here? Aren't you supposed to be in Ponyville?" "That place is boring." he stretched his legs, "Do you think they'll catch up? If I shrink enough of you guys we could play a really cool chess game!" "You are insane! Queen Chrysalis is going to be furious!" "Oh, come on!" he petted her head with a smile, "Last time we met she was such a good guest!" he sighed, "The fun we had... where is she anyway?" "I am right here." a set of green eyes glowed softly as queen Chrysalis stepped forth from the dark, "The next time you plan to visit, do give me a notice before. My guards are in a state of panic." a small smile appeared on her lips, "I see you have already found Xhergis on your way." "Who?" he looked down at the small head sticking out of his pocket, "Oh, Buttercup! I figured I should get a guide..." Chrysalis shook her head, "And the rest of the guards? The ones that tried to catch you?" "What about them?" he tilted his head with a grin. "How long will it take for your spell to lose effect?" Chrysalis asked with a small frown, "Some of them seem to think they are mushrooms." "They should be alright in a few minutes..." he gave an amused laugh, "The illusion never holds for that long." "And why are you not in Ponyville? I had presumed that you would partake in the upcoming festivities." "Festivities? What are they celebrating?" "Nightmare Night, of course." Chrysalis replied with slight surprise, "You did not know yet?" Aergad scratched his head, "Nightmare what now?" --- "So that I understand this correctly..." Celestia watched the paladin with disbelief, "The necromancer, Aergad... told you that both Twilight and my sister are inside this box?" she eyed the small box before her with suspicion. The paladin nodded, "He also said I shouldn't try to look inside." Celestia gave a short nod, "And it was good that you did not. There is a very strong enchantment on this item. Step back a bit, I will try to open it." she set the box down in the grass a few feet away from them, then she used her magic to carefully pull the lid open. The moment she did, shouts could be heard coming out of the box. "What are these things?! There are hundreds of them!" Twilight could be heard shouting... she sounded clearly distressed. "I don't know!" they heard Luna curse, "Unhand us now you vile creatures! Why is my magic not working?!" "Luna, Twilight!" Celestia called out, "Can you hear me?" "Princess Celestia? Is that you?!" "Sister, do not look into the box less you will be trapped as well!" there was a short pause, "Why are thy preparing a fire? And that pot..." there was a short pause, "They're going to cook us! Savages!" "They're going to do what?!" Twilight could be heard wailing in shock, "Princess! Save us!" "Where is the necromancer?" Celestia looked around herself desperately, only to spot one of the imps standing guard at the doors of the tower, "You! Where is your master?! Have him undo this at once!" The imp gave her a curious look, "Why? What did he do this time?" it walked up to Celestia with a lazy pace and looked at the box on the ground, "Haven't seen that one for a while..." it gave a shrug, "So what about it?" "They're adding vegetables!" Twilight could be heard shouting. "Oh..." the imp raised an eyebrow, "So he put the book thief in there?" "Book thief?" Celestia gave it an incredulous look, "What is the meaning of this?" The imp gave an impassive yawn, "You can ask your sister about it, she knows. Where did she go anyway?" "She's inside that box as well!" Celestia shouted at it, "How do we get them out?!" "Why?" the imp asked without interest, "The pygmies are good hosts... some of the best stew I ever had." "The water is starting to boil!" Luna could be heard shouting furiously among the thumping of hundreds of little spears, "Do something!" "Alright, that's enough." Calindria drew her sword and took a step towards the box. Before she could reach it, something shot past her and the other two... it was a hand. The moment they saw it, the hand had already jumped into the box. Immediately, countless shouts of rage could be heard from the open container, accompanied by numerous slaps. "You know what?" the paladin sighed, "I don't even care anymore." and with those words, she stepped forward, looked into the box... and was gone. Inside the box, steel could be heard clashing with wooden spears and pygmy skulls. Outside the box, both Celestia and the imp stared at the small container of wood with surprise, "Huh..." the imp finally managed to huff, "Fancy that... I hope the pygmies have spare pots." Celestia gave it a glare, "How do we get them out?! Tell me this instant!" "How am I supposed to know? It's not like the boss tells us everything." the imp scratched its chin, "Did you try turning it around and giving it a good shake?"