//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: An Eccentric Trespasser // by MyLittlePonyTales //------------------------------// Keeping an especially close eye on her sister as they wandered the dark hallways, Celestia couldn't help but feel a small chill work its way up and down her spine at the recurring memory of childhood fears that slowly pinched and scratched at the back of her brain. There were reasons she didn't like coming down here. Though she couldn't place it right now, a strong sense of self preservation beckoned, no, pleaded her to turn back...but she was curious. She always had been curious. As the light of day disappeared behind them and they went further into the depths, the Doctors' excitement grew. He was used to finding ancient tombs, chambers, and sunken cities in remote, out-of-the way places. Ancient unicorn libraries, or the secret storehouses of the royal family of Ancient Equestria. But never had he imagined he would be delving down into the chambers deep under the royal castle itself! Luna didn't like the feel of this part of the castle at all. What had once been a place of refuge was now a place of regret and bad memories. Luna's leg's stiffened at each step, pleading with her to stay out of this place. She stayed close to Celestia, inside the circle of light cast by her horn. The eerie shadows danced against the wall, traces of them sneaking by like hands and threatening to pull her away into the cold darkness. Their hoofsteps were the only noise, the normally soft clip-clopping made louder by the stone and the extreme quiet. Outside of the light, there was only blackness, beyond and behind, it surrounded them. Celestia had to be strong, too. She could see the wobble in her sister's step and encouragingly nosed the blue filly's cheek with a soft, reassuring smile, hair fluttering against the dusty walls surrounding them as they delved deeper and deeper still. Luna nearly jumped at Celestia's touch, distracted as she was by the false movements around her. She wanted to smile, to show that she was grateful...but the look in her eyes as they met Celestia's was one of worry. Celestia blinked at Luna's reaction, and her smile turned apologetic The Doctor followed the stairs down, past the Guard Station, to where year after year of guard patrols had kept a single clear path through millenia of dust, cobwebs, and gunk. He lifted his nose and gave a sniff, smelling the stagnant air, the musty dampness... "Ahhh... now this is more like it!" he exclaimed excitedly. "Oh, yes. They'll be down here for sure... smell that? That's not a pony smell. That's a ... kinda ... ooo, what is that? You ever smell a ... oh, what is that ... you ever smell an old Skunk Flower under the hot sun in the middle of a drought just after the rain started falling? Except snow instead of sun. And no rain. Just a campfire. But it was raining yesterday, then it froze. Actually, it's not like that. Forget the Skunk Flower! This is totally different!" What was this brown pony's motivation? Celestia mused to herself. Had she just allowed some...mad creature into her home? Would she regret her actions? That doubt settled evenly in her chest before she blinked and spluttered at a stray cobweb that landed on her face. She shook herself free of it before either of the guard's could worry themselves silly over such a small thing. The Doctor glanced back over his shoulder, seeing Luna and Celestia silhouetted in the faint light of the stairwell they were leaving. Then he looked forward into the dead blackness—wow, he couldn't even tell the difference between the corridor and the stone wa-BAM! The brown pony had disappeared into the darkness, and Luna drew in a sharp breath. She wasn't really concerned for his safety, but he seemed to know what he was doing and where he was going—and if they lost him, they themselves might become lost. The Doctor stumbled backwards, his head spinning. Oh, now he could see something! Look at the lovely stars! Luna paused as she heard the *thump* up ahead. Arching a brow, Celestia made her way further into the inky blackness. Seeing Celestia rush forward, Luna did as well, not wanting to be caught in the darkness. They found the brown colt soon enough, Celestia's horn illuminating the way. They watched him spin slightly for a moment. He must have ran straight into the opposing wall! "Are you alright....?" Celestia asked. The Doctor spun around and looked up at the two princesses with a slightly dazed grin. "Oh, yes. Perfectly all right!" He turned around, again to peer at the wall. "I just don't remember a waaaalllll being there," he said suspiciously. He turned around and looked at the stairs.. then turned to look at the wall. He held up both his front hooves before his face, peering between them, then tilted his head slowly sideways. "Oh! Nevermind! There it is! Just got turned around a bit!" He smiled up to Celestia and Luna, then looked around at the surrounding muck and dirt. As Celestia watched over the brown pony, her that she may have brought in some completely buck-wild and downright crazy pony into her home made her...very...very nervous. But, it never came to the surface. Oh no. She was very good at keeping her emotion's level. It was to make sure that when everything turned to manure around her, she was at least calm in the hope that it instilled some calm into the ponies around her. But right now... she was deeply worried. As they continued on, Luna glanced up at her sister. She was surprised to see that Celestia did not look as worried as she herself felt. In fact, there seemed to be little emotion crossing her sister's face. Perhaps a hint of determination, but other than that...there was nothing. Just... nothing. "Well, this is certainly exciting!" The Doctor said energetically, seeming to become more and more delighted the creepier it got. He peered closely at a hanging cobweb, gave it a sniff, then gave it a lick. He smacked his lips and rubbed his front hooves over his tongue. "Blech. Yup, we're on the right track! Getting stronger now!" He peered closely at the floor, in the light of Celestia's horn, and then proceeded to follow the sole worn, almost clean cut path through the dusty surroundings. The smooth groove was worn into the stone floor from hundreds of years worth of halfhearted guard patrols. "This way, then!" As the doctor took off again, Celestia glanced at Luna, making sure she was alright before she followed the brown stallion, keeping a steady pace. The guard's following suit, like loyal dogs kept to their diligent vigil. Luna knew that voicing her fears wouldn't do anypony any good. Celestia was bent on following this insane stallion, whatever her reasoning might be. The guard ponies continued along with them, seeming to echo Celestia's emotionless state. Luna wished that she could project that bravery herself. The Doctor hummed happily and out-of-tune, as he proceeded on down the twisting, winding halls. "I gotta say," he said enthusiastically, "I've had a lot of ponies follow after me in my adventures, but this is the first time I've had TWO princesses as my companions! It's quite a treat for me!" His tone was light, offhand—just showing an enjoyment of the moment, regardless of what the future might hold. Every so often, the brown Earth pony would pause to examine this or that turn off... sniff the air... listen carefully, a hoof raised for quiet... then shake his head, and move on. Further down, further in, the strange procession continued. Maybe it was the dank air in the depths of this place, or the fact it was just so dark and disorientating... but something felt... very off to Celestia. The princess' footing began to falter, and she paused at the end of one hallway. This felt so... familiar... in a horrible, horrible way. Celestia had stopped, and with a stiff jerk Luna did as well, careful not to step out of the light. She looked up at Celestia to see what was the matter, and saw her eyes travel far away, but only for a moment before she seemed to shake the feeling off. “M'lady?” One of the guards inquired of Celestia. A small pause and she shook her head. "Something tells me we're not in for a pleasant surprise down here. Let's go make sure our guest doesn't get himself eaten." Came her reply. "Luna, I want you to stick close to me." Luna moved the tiniest bit closer at her sister's request, her head brushing against Celestia's side. "Wh-What?! Eaten?!" she exclaimed, as she registered what else her sister had just said. "But there's nothing actually down here, right? It's been abandoned down here for years—centuries even!" she paused, listening as her voice gave an eerie echo in the seemingly empty corridor.