"Look" Eleanor face-hoofed "can we please drop the subject of my eyes? It's making me uncomfortable."
Spike rolled his eyes and walked back to his bed.
"So uhh... Eleanor." Twilight started "What brings you to Ponyville?"
"Just looking for my comrades, that's all." Eleanor grunted.
Fluttershy tapped on Twilight's shoulder, before heading towards the door "I.. umm.. Have to go... feed Angel bunny.." Twilight smiled, nodded and returned to Eleanor once the door shut.
"Really? What do they look like? I can ask pinkie pie, she knows everypony in Ponyville!"
Eleanor looked out the window, hoping to see Brannon and Kent standing outside, looking for her, but instead was met with a blank scene. "I... Don't... Know..."
Twilight stared at her awkwardly "You don't know?"
Eleanor's eyes widened, realising what she just said "I... Uh... Haven't seen them in a long time..."
"Oh, okay then. What are their names? I'll be sure to ask Pinkie later."
"Brannon and Kent."
"Strange names... Oh well, I'll ask later. Help yourself to the library, If you need anything I'll be studying over there." Twilight pointed towards a pile of books in front of a pillow on the floor, and after giving Eleanor a quick glance, moved there and lay down. With nothing better to do while hopefully waiting for the other two, Eleanor browsed the library's book selection, Anatomy? No... An atlas? Maybe later... Then, a dusty book caught Eleanor's eye. It had some cobwebs on it, but Eleanor took it off the shelf nonetheless. After a quick blow to get rid of the dust on the cover, the title revealed itself as 'Equestria: A species guide; Eleanor cocked an eyebrow, and turned to the contents page. The main four titles were Alicorns, Earth ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns, followed by lesser creatures. Eleanor, intrigued, turned to the "Alicorns" chapter.
The chapter was surprisingly short, stating the only known alicorns in existence were the princesses and their parents, With the parents whereabouts unknown, the princesses living together in the castle of the pony sisters, but that has been crossed out, and written above it 'canterlot'. It also said that the princess "Celestia" controls the movement of the sun, and with her sister "Luna" controlling the moon.
"Controlling the sun and the moon?" Eleanor said aloud in surprise "That isn't possible.."
"What isn't possible?" Twilight asked
"Huh? Oh... Nothing.." Eleanor shut the book and returned it to the shelf. Twilight levitated the book in front of her and flipped to the page Eleanor was on. Shortly after, she returned the book to the shelf, and stared suspiciously at Eleanor
"You aren't from around here... Are you...?"
"Uhh... Nope..."
"Riiiggghttt... Well you should still know about Princess Celestia, right?"
"Not really.."
"Really..." Twilight's eyes narrowed suspiciously, before turning to write something down on a piece of parchment, then asking Spike to send it to the princess, Eleanor stood back in surprise as the dragon burst green flames onto the parchment, before Twilight thanked him and turned back to Eleanor. "Would you care to stay for some tea?" Eleanor took another look out the window, looking for Brannon or Kent, neither were there. She sighed, but reluctantly agreed.
After a few minutes of waiting for the water to heat up, Eleanor gave a groan and slumped down onto a chair. Twilight stared at her, which made her uncomfortable, so she tried to drink some tea in the hopes it would calm her nerves.
"So..." Eleanor tried to break the ice. She was never really one for conversation, what with half the people she talked to ending up inside out. "Is Fluttershy always that much of a crybaby?"
"HEY" Twilight shouted "She may be a bit sensitive but she isn't a crybaby."
"Well I said one thing and she just burst into tears." Eleanor took another sip of tea. It was actually pretty good.
"That doesn't sound like Fluttershy, I mean, she is a bit shy, but she doesn't usually cry over something so trivial *sip*"
"Well then something must have upset her before we met, otherwise... oooh.. I'm feeling a bit... Woozy." Eleanor's vision blurred before she collapsed and blacked out.
Eleanor fuzzed in after what seemed like weeks, on an ornate red carpet, she focused her vision and saw what the book described as an Alicorn, sitting upon a golden throne. But what caught Eleanor's attention more, was that her mane was long and flowing, in the same style and colours as the orb in the ruined building.
"Stone Wall, could you please take her staff?" The princess motioned one of her guards towards Eleanor
"No." Eleanor stood on two legs, and gripped the staff, pointing it towards the approaching guard. The guard didn't slow down. "I said, NO." Eleanor spun her staff above her head, before slamming the base to the ground, creating a blast-wave of air that knocked the approaching guard to his flank. His horn glowed, before the princess interrupted
"That's enough, Stone Wall. I have seen all that I need." The guard returned to his post, angrily glaring at Eleanor. "So.. Eleanor is it? My faithful student Twilight Sparkle tells me that you have quite the magical ability."
"Wait, is that what this is all about? You DRUGGED ME, just to ask me a few questions?" Eleanor's teeth were grinding against each other.
"Well it certainly seems obvious that you are not from Equestria" the princess chuckled "Most ponies have a little more respect for me. Although I'm not fussed about it. And to be honest, I was the one that told Twilight Sparkle to drug you, and I apologize. But from what she wrote to me in her letter, I assumed you were reluctant to leave the library. " The princess slightly hung her head.
"That isn't a good reason to knock me out and kidnap me!" Eleanor slammed her staff against the ground, making a nearby guard jump.
"Please calm down Eleanor, I understand you might be angry. I didn't actually ask Twilight to drug you straight up, but rather as a last resort. I'm not sure if she thought you were dangerous or anything, but it was not my intention to knock you out, I was just curious. Please accept my apologies." the princess' tone of voice changed into a slight worry, something that would be unusual for a monarch.
"Ugh. Alright then. But I'm sure there are more interesting matters then me." Eleanor rolled her eyes.
"I'm curious, what brings you to these lands?"
"Looking for friends. That's all."
"Of course... Might I ask which land you heil from?"
"I'd like to stop being asked questions now." Eleanor's patience was running thin. She didn't give a dragons ass if she was royalty, she didn't bow down to anyone.
"Just a few more, now could you tell me where you come from?"
"That's enough of the questions..." Eleanor really did not want her finding out where she came from, she could feel something a bit more sinister beneath the princess' calming outer shell. The princess' eyes became more impatient.
"Please Eleanor." The princess sounded more stern then before. "I just want to help you"
"I don't need help."
"Oh for hays sake, just tell me where you live." The princess was shouting this time
"I said. NO!" Eleanor's staff burst into flames, she threw it full force at the princess, The princess dived out of the way just in time, the staff struck the back of the throne, piercing it, before blinking back into Eleanor's hooves. Four of the royal guards rushed towards Eleanor, Horns glowing, Eleanor punched the ground with her hooves, putting as much thought as she could into her bracelets, A stone pillar emerged beneath her, carrying her into the air, almost touching the roof of the enormous throne room. A few armoured pegasi flew in to the room, carrying swords in their mouths. This was not the first time Eleanor had experienced combat with flying foes, She leapt off the pillar, landing on the back of one of the pegasi, completely unphased, the pegasus tried to ram Eleanor into the wall, hopefully dazing her long enough to be sedated. Eleanor picked this up, and when the pegasus got close to a well, she smacked the back of his head with her staff, then forcefully jumped using a burst of air, back onto the pillar. Another pegasus closed in on her, she focused on channelling her levitation magic through her staff, to the end crystal. When the pegasus got close, Eleanor swiped the sword with her staff, magnetically locking the sword the the staff. Eleanor started spinning around and around, cliché to these situations. The pegasus tried to let go of the sword, but Eleanor locked his mouth shut with a magic muzzle. She cancelled the magic in the staff, causing the pegasus to spin in the air, slamming into the last pegasus in flight. Both pegasi tumbled to the ground.
"Is that all you got?" Eleanor shouted towards the princess, triumphant in her endeavour. The princess gritted her teeth, before her horn began glowing, after a few seconds, a white glow engulphed Eleanor. "Pfft, what's this? A tickling spell?"
"Impossible..." Celestia gasped "I cannot banish her..."
Eleanor laughed. "To where? the moon?"
"That is the general idea." Celestia turned her head towards the throne room door and shouted "LUNA!"
A small voice came from the hallway "coming sister".
"There's two of them?" Eleanor said to herself "Screw this, I'm out of here." She spun her staff around in the air, before bringing it down. A bright light lit up the room, before returning to normal. Eleanor was gone, as was all trace of her being in the room, save for a few passed out guards.
Luna opened the door a few seconds later "Is something wrong sis- oh.. where is your guest?"
"Luna." Celestia coughed, she wasn't used to eating the floor. "Send out guards to look for an 'Eleanor', 'Brannon', and 'Kent'."
'Of course.. Is something wrong?"
"Yes. Something is very wrong."
Fluttershy put a bag of rabbit feed back where it belongs, before turning to go back inside. the sky was getting dark, and all the animals were fed. She smiled. Earlier in the day she had embarrassed herself in front of somepony new, and was starting to regret it. It wasn't her fault... Suddenly, a burst of flame came from behind her shack, she rushed to see the source, only to find Eleanor lying face-first in the mud. smoke coming from her horn.
"Oh.. Um.. Do you want some help?" Fluttershy cautiously leaned towards her. Eleanor replied with a muffled speech. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you... Could you um.. Repeat that?"
Eleanor struggled to lift her head out of the mud. "That... Would be appreciated... Thank you."
Fluttershy was able to lift Eleanor onto her back, and carry her inside. She placed Eleanor on the couch, and fetched a wet towel to clean her face. Eleanor groaned, the burst of adrenaline kept her awake, but now the drugs effects were returning.
Fluttershy wrung the towel and hung it on the side of a bucket, she turned around and handed Eleanor a cup of tea. Eleanor was about to take a sip, before asking
"It isn't drugged, is it?" Eleanor asked, cautious about last time she had tea.
"Drugged? Oh my no, what kind of pony would I be if I drugged people. Oh no no no no..." Fluttershy was a bit stunned at being asked such a question. Still keeping her suspicions, she took a small sip of tea, before placing it on a nearby table.
"Fluttershy.."
"Um... Yes?"
"Is there a reason why you cried when we met? According to your friend you aren't that kind of pers- I mean pony."
"Oh.. I.. Umm.." Fluttershy Winced as she pulled back her mane, underneath were some cuts and bruises. Eleanor's mouth dropped open, normally that would be something she would laugh at, but seeing something so innocent have cuts and bruises seemed... wrong. "When you threatened me..." Fluttershy continued "I guess I sort of... lost it..."
"Who did this to you..."
"I... Don't really know, they were wearing hoods.. But I think I heard one mention the name "Stone Wall". If that's any help.."
The name hit Eleanor like a hammer. She remembered the princess referring to one of her guards as "Stone Wall".
"I'll be right back." Eleanor grabbed her staff and ran towards Ponyville.
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
"Coming!" Twilight called out "Don't get your tail in a twist." Twilight opened the door, expecting some royal guard ponies. But instead was met with the snarling face of Eleanor "OH HAY" Twilight slammed the door, then hid behind a desk. The door exploded into many pieces, flying across the room. Dust settled and Eleanor trotted in, glaring at Twilight. Twilight stood up, horn glowing. "I.... I have magic.. a-and I'm not afraid to u-use it!"
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Don't bother Twilight. Why did you drug me."
"T-The princess told me to..."
"She said to use it as a last resort, you didn't even ASK! WHY DID YOU DRUG ME?" Eleanor was almost screaming at the top of her lungs
"BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WERE DANGEROUS AND WERE GOING TO HURT EVERYPONY PLEASE DON'T KILL ME" Twilight cowered behind the desk
"I won't hurt you, but your friend Fluttershy, has been assaulted and hurt because your princess, your mentor ordered two of her guards to do so." Eleanor lifted her staff up, levitating Twilight and pressing her against the wall
"But..." Twilight protested "Celestia would never hurt anypony!" she struggled against the magic bindings, but to no avail.
"Which explains why she told you to drug me."
"But.. I... Urr..." Twilight was lost for words.
"That's what I thought, maybe when you harden up, you might come around and tell Fluttershy the truth yourself." Eleanor grunted "Those bindings will wear off in a few minutes." and with that, she walked back to Fluttershy's hut.
Upon returning, Eleanor saw two familiar looking armoured ponies standing at the front of Fluttershy's house. She hid behind some bushes, and with a small peak, could understand a little bit of what they were saying.
She heard the words "Refuse, Accept, Reward, and Punishment."
Eleanor recognized the guard "Stone Wall", but not the other one. As soon as they left, Eleanor crawled out of the bushes and up to Fluttershy's door, giving it a light knock. Fluttershy peeked through a crack in the door, before letting her inside.
"They came for... umm.."
"Me, I know."
"If it helps, I told them you were never here... I hope that's alright..."
"That's awesome, thanks." Eleanor smiled, a rare occasion.
"If you need a place to stay, I do have a spare bed..."
"That's very kind of you, thanks." Eleanor and Fluttershy smiled at each-other.
Fluttershy showed Eleanor the spare bed, then went to her own. Eleanor spent more then an hour staring at the starry night.
Worried about her friends, Normally they would answer the signal, no matter what. Once Kent even showed up in the middle of fighting a giant bear. She sighed and rest her head on the pillow. Slowly drifting off to sleep.
"Eleanor! Help!" A shrieking voice came from the surrounding darkness. Eleanor looked down, she was her normal self, hands, clothing, hair, everything back to as it was. "Please! Help us!" the voice repeated itself. Eleanor rushed towards the voice, the darkness around her clearing with the more she ran. A short distance later, the darkness completely disappeared. She was back in the building ruins, in front of her was a tall figure, wearing a bleached white dress, hair flowing in different colours.
It was a human Celestia. Crown, necklace and all. She was looking angrily at Eleanor, while holding her palm up in the air towards her side. It was Kent, Held up in mid-air by Celestia's magic.
"Eleanor! Please! Stop her!" Kent shouted, squirming as much as he could.
"YOU." Celestia shouted "I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU."
"Let him go, Celestia!" Eleanor pointed her staff at the princess, the tip glowing. Celestia Grinned, and flicked three of her fingers.
With a sickening *Snap* Kent's neck turned to an unnatural degree, then his lifeless body fell to the floor.
"NO!" Eleanor shouted, but it was worthless. Kent remained a lifeless corpse. "You'll regret doing that you monster!" Eleanor Dropped her staff, eyes glowing, with a fluent body motion, fireballs flew from her hands towards the princess. But it was to no avail, as the princess just waved her hand, which stopped the fireballs in their path. Celestia grinned even harder. then waved her hand again, Brannon floated out, yelling, and attempting to swipe his fists at Celestia.
"Such an ugly being. Allow me to do you the favour of ridding it." Celestia laughed maniacally.
"Eleanor" Brannon gave up trying to fight it. "Please.. Tell Zecora... I..." *SNAP*
"NO! BRANNON!" Eleanor ran up to his body, shaking it "Don't.... Please..." She was met with silence.
"And now..." Celestia grabbed Eleanors neck with her hand, and brought her to her knees. "Time for retribution" she brought a large knife to Eleanors throat "Any last words?" Celestia's grin could bring nightmares.
"Just a few.." Eleanor smiled "Hope you enjoy your new home." She held up pieces of the swirling orb that opened the gate to the other world. Celestia screamed in rage, raised the knife and brought it down.
*GASP*
Eleanor jolted upwards, gasping for air. It was just a dream. But it felt so vivid... She looked down and saw her hands were hooves again.
"It's okay. It was just a dream" Eleanor assured herself.
"But what did it mean?"
Publishers note:
This is my second attempt at writing an action chapter in a fanfiction, so please excuse me if it seems plain or weird.