“It’s actually quite fascinating just how inefficient the government operates with such a series of middleponies.” Chilly Quill went on. “I mean is it really necessary to have three ponies to talk to before you could see your county supervisor? And don’t get me started on the corruption further up in the government.”
Nigma sighed, trying his best to find a way to stop listening to the dull conversation. The two ponies had already gone through three out of the four shops they needed for herbs and spices. Nigma had asked him about the government books Chilly had way back at the first store and he hadn’t stopped talking since. “Never ask about his books again.” Nigma whispered to himself. “It’s just not worth the time…”
Chilly Quill paused, looking over at the dejected Nigma. “What did you say? I got a little carried away and didn’t hear you.”
Nigma sighed with relief. “Well since you told me so much about the government I’d like to know something not book related.”
Chilly Blinked. “Well I’m not sure how much help I can be. I don’t really go out of Ponyville much.”
“Actually I’d like to know a little more about Wild Mint. He didn’t want to tell me much about himself when he and I met. How does he know how to use a blade so well?”
Chilly Quill thought back to the fight with the Brotherhood, realizing he couldn’t deny the pony’s prowess. “Well you have to realize that Wild Mint isn’t proud of that skill of his. I’m not surprised he didn’t tell you.”
Nigma and Chilly walked into the last store on their list, lowering their voices to prevent other ponies from listening in. “Wild Mint’s real family is mostly a Pegasus family. They’re a proud group of warriors that almost always enlist into the guard with every generation. His father was particularly militant in his actions, demanding that his children join into the Pegasus guard.”
Nigma frowned. “When Wild Mint was born I can’t imagine he was too happy.”
Chilly frowned. “Twins besides the point, yes. Even though he had Summer Sun to raise he wasn’t happy with Mint. He didn’t care if Mint joined the guard or not because he wouldn’t be trained by his family. Summer, on the other hand, ended up being trained almost as soon as she could walk.”
Nigma absently grabbed the herbs off the shelf, unaware of the bulk he had pulled with his magic. “So she ended up being trained relentlessly?”
Chilly nodded. “They put her through an accelerated program to teach her to fly like a professional and use wing blades for combat. When she proved horrible with them her father was furious. He ended up training her in the art of torture instead. She was only 7 by then.”
The two paused as the walked up to the register. The cashier only blinked as the mass of herbs fell in front of him but rang them up nonetheless. He was more shocked when Nigma dropped half of his pouch onto the counter, being well past the intended amount. Before the pony could hand Nigma his change he started walking away, forcing the cashier to magic the rest back into his pouch.
“The training scarred Summer and she became afraid of what she could do. It’s why she’s so jumpy now.”
Nigma frowned. “What about Mint? What did he do?”
“The only thing a loving brother could do.” Chilly sighed. “He went up to his dad and made him a deal. He would join and serve the Earth Pony Guard as long as Summer would be allowed to live like a normal pony.” Chilly Turned down onto the main street, beelining straight to the forest. “Problem with the Earth Guard is their more brutal than the Pegasus Guard are.”
Nigma nodded. “They have to be. Pegasi are more adept for fighting since they can just put on wingblades. An Earth Pony either learns to hold a weapon in their mouth or develops another method.”
Chilly grunted. “Mint was stuck in the Guard for eleven years after that. Once he turned eighteen he left the guard though and abandoned his father. He went to live with his uncle, who knew what he was going through and helped him work out of the military life.”
Nigma frowned. He didn’t think about furniture making would be a good outlet but since they both involved bladework of sorts it would be a fair way to work it out.
The edge of the Everfree finally came into view, making Nigma sweat with fear. He glanced over to Chilly, who was still talking. Nigma began to waiver off to another trail, hoping to lead Chilly away from the forest and avoid having to enter the place. Chilly noticed, however, and grabbed him by the mane, dragging him along. “Not a chance. You and I are going to the forest and there’s nothing you can do about it!”
“But I don’t want to go in there!” Nigma squealed. “The place is a nightmare!” He clawed at the ground in an effort to get free of Chilly’s grip, digging crazily with his hooves.
Chilly used his magic to pull Nigma’s tail, not having enough force to hold him simply by the mane. “Give me three reasons why we shouldn’t go in the forest!” He grunted through a mouthful of hair.
“How about Manticores, Cockatrices and Hydras!”
Chilly spit out Nigma’s mane, keeping a death grip on his tail with magic. “Those are good points. But we still have to go in. “ He walked on into the forest, dragging Nigma along. “Just stick to the path and everything will be fine.”
“AHH!!!” Nigma screamed. “The path never saves anypony! We’re doomed!”
Despite his insistent screaming about doom and despair, the forest didn’t prove dangerous. In fact for the vast majority of the trip, the only thing they saw in the forest was thick vines and the occasional rabbit. To his credit though, the rabbits were fairly hostile and relentlessly kicked their legs until their knees were sore.
“Alright maybe I was wrong about the forest.” Nigma admitted.
“Exactly. There isn’t anything that could possibly go wrong in here.”
The forest responded to Chilly’s words like they were a challenge. Lightning cracked overhead and the color in the forest drained away. A black fog rolled in and an ethereal laughter could be heard from the distance. Nigma sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Why would you even say something like that? Nopony says that!”
Chilly Quill shrugged. “I read a lot of books. I thought that was the right thing to say!”
“Maybe if you want to get into trouble!” Nigma shouted. “Otherwise you keep your mouth shut in such a place like this!”
The black fog thickened and began the swirl around the two, the cackling growing closer. “Such a tasty meal that’s in my home.” The voice mused. “Its about time I get a pony to eat instead of the animals in this forest!”
Nigma covered his head under his hooves, trying his best to stay still. “Chilly! What is this thing?”
Chilly on the other side had frozen in place, his legs quivering and tail lashing. “W-W-Wraith” It’s a W-Wraith!”
The fog split in between the two and a larger figure flew out from the ground. The figure was a mass of tentacles and wings, the center of its body being nothing more than a mouth. Black fog poured out of the Wraith’s mouth, enveloping the two until neither pony could see the other.
Nigma stood up in the fog, trying his best to illuminate the fog. It took the vast majority of his magic before he could even see the ground beneath his hooves. He ran about the fog, narrowly avoiding the screeching dives of the Wraith as it struck from the depths. It took some time but he finally found Chilly cowering in the fog, his whole body in a shivering fetal position.
Nigma hauled him up, shaking the frightened unicorn. “Get a hold of yourself Chilly! We need to get out of here!”
Chilly Quill couldn’t get a single word out anymore, his words reduced to stuttering madness. His magic, however, didn’t need any words to operate. He poured his magic over Nigma’s, supercharging the light magic until they were able to push back the black fog.
The two rushed away from the Wraith as fast as their hooves would take them. It seemed like they ran through miles of fog, the forest growing thicker around them. They could still hear the cackling of the Wraith behind them, its mouth leaking out more fog.
Soon enough even the combined power of their magic couldn’t produce a light powerful enough to hold back the fog, the inky black rolling in around them. The Wraith began to fly overhead, lightning crashing around them. “Now you will drown in my darkness!” It cried.
The Wraith moved in closer to the pair, mouth drooling out in anticipation of its newest meal. Before it could close the gap though, a pebble smacked Nigma in the head, knocking him and Chilly over. Nigma sat back up, touching the pebble with his hoof. His touch lit up the pebble with more light than the two could manage, blinding them even through the fog.
The Wraith wailed in horror as the pebble pushed back its fog with ever growing light. “Not you again!” It screamed. “I will have you one day! You can’t keep the darkness away forever!” The beast flew away before the pebble blew back the rest of its fog, fleeing to the safety of the forest.
The pebble died down as soon as the wraith was out of sight, letting the two ponies see again. Nigma saw a second less powerful light coming towards the two as he helped Chilly Quill back to his feet. A pony-like figure walked out of the darkness, holding a lantern in its hoof. “I do not believe that you will ever conquer me, demon.” The figure said in an exotic accent. “And I do not believe I had ever seen a more confusing pair of ponies in my life here.”
Chilly watched as the figure walked into view, showing off black and white stripes of a zebra. A particularly thick black stripe washed over the Zebra’s face and mane, which was shaved almost to his head. The mark on his flank was a red X with circles in each space.
The Zebra looked over the two, frowning in disapproval. “I cannot say why I should be finding you out in the forest, Chilly Quill. Normally I find you inside your shop.”
Chilly Squinted for a moment. “Is that you Xion? Are you who Wild Mint sent us to visit?”
“Why should this be a surprise to you if you were sent for me?” Xion asked.
Chilly shrugged. “I didn’t think you lived in the forest. I didn’t know you were an herbalist either.”
Xion snorted. “Even in my own lands people would notice when one only ever buys books about native herbs and their uses.”
“I don’t look at what people buy all the time!”
Nigma walked up to the Zebra offering his hoof, which Xion took without hesitation. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Xion. My name is Nigma. Wild Mint sent us to you to buy some exotic herbs from you. Maybe we could also work out an arrangement with you about delivering for us?”
Xion grinned. “I would be happy to give you some of my herbal supplies, Nigma. If you would follow me to my hut we could get you what you require.” The Zebra turned back towards Ponyville, motioning for the two to follow him.
Chilly and Nigma frowned. “I thought you lived in the forest?” Chilly asked.
The Zebra nodded. “Indeed I do, dear Chilly Quill. But I’m afraid you two took the wrong path to my abode. I wouldn’t dare live this deep in the forest. My hut is only a short ways in the forest. You can even see town from my hut.”
Nigma felt like pummeling Chilly for all the unnecessary effort. “Why are there two paths then?”
Xion shrugged. “I suppose others beyond myself venture into the forest. I do keep up a sign to direct ponies such as yourselves down the right path. Did you not see it?”
The three ventured out of the forest, sticking close to Xion as he led them back to the safety of his hut. After their encounter with the Wraith, they preferred to be close to somepony with a real light to keep other creatures at bay.