It was but a rainy night in the midst of nowhere. The moon and stars were covered by dark clouds and the sky only lit up occasionally when lightning struck. Other than thunder the only sounds that could be heard were the impact of the heavy raindrops and the cold wind howling through the branches of dead trees. Letting your gaze wander from those trees to the ground it was evident that the ground was devoid of all life. Nothing was able to survive out there, yet a strange shadow kept galloping through that very same lifeless place. Trixie was completely drenched and shivering when she reached her destination.

Slowly she was entering the saloon through the swing doors trying to keep a low profile. If there was a place where one shouldn’t boast and brag about their great and powerful nature than it would most certainly be that pub. As Trixie walked up to the counter she watched the other “customers” from the corner of her eyes. There were two shady colts at the back of the room and one nervous mare at the opposing corner sipping some wine. Well, this place wasn’t meant to be booming, it was merely a place where criminals, bounty hunters and the outcasts of society used to frequent. No matter why those ponies were there, they certainly weren’t up to anything good.

Trixie let her hat rest on the dusty counter and ordered a cider and a warm lentil soup with her last few bits. The soup was thin and watery but still Trixie let that rusty spoon levitate from the plate to her mouth until it was all gone. The innkeeper smiled at Trixie in amusement. She probably knew why Trixie came back to the eastern border of Equestria.

“Trixie has returned…” Trixie managed to say after she took a few more sips of cider. The pale and beautiful innkeeper with the white coat and crimson pigtails nodded at Trixie while focusing her with those unsettling heterochromatic eyes. “Did you find the amulet, I told you about?” she asked Trixie in curiosity while her blue and red eye wandered down Trixie’s perfect body.

Trixie let out a deep sigh and started to tell the innkeeper the story of how Trixie acquired said artefact and how it was taken from her. When Trixie ended her tale of woe the innkeeper got lost in thoughts. Trixie was then told that not any pony could use such a powerful artefact. Trixie was flattered that at least somepony recognised her greatness but it also brought her back to the reason for her visit.

“Do you know of other powerful artefacts that would suite the great and powerful Trixie?” Trixie asked the mare.
Of course Trixie mentioned that she wanted something less cursed and corrupting than the previous amulet this time. When the innkeeper asked if it was to atone for what she did before Trixie had to let out a short laugh. Trixie didn’t need to atone for anything, for it wasn’t Trixie’s fault but the amulet’s. Trixie merely needed something to dazzle the crowd so that no pony would doubt that she was the best. Knowing that Trixie’s intentions were obviously pure the beautiful mare told Trixie to meet a pony named Silver Scroll in Canterlot.

Two weeks later…

The great and powerful Trixie tried her best to keep her spirits high but it was a hard task. She already wasted three days in the city of Canterlot looking for the pony called Silver Scroll. Trixie already regretted that she didn’t think about asking for more information on her contact. Trixie supposed it had to be an antiques dealer like the pony who sold her the alicorn amulet. After checking through over hundred antique shops and Canterlot’s black market Trixie came to the conclusion that whoever that pony was he or she probably wasn’t a merchant.

Nonetheless Trixie couldn’t give up because there was no way back. Everything besides Trixie’s trademark hat and cloak had been turned in at a local pawnshop for quick bits so she simply had to be successful in her quest for power. Hours passed and Trixie decided she had to slightly change her approach. Originally Trixie intended to keep as much bits as possible because she knew that powerful magical objects don’t come cheap but Trixie was already on a dead end anyways. The only option left was to look for some shady informants in a honky-tonk and pay some bits per information.

Trixie walked down through the maze of Canterlot’s small alleys until she finally found what she was looking for, a pub. Trixie never had been to the “Dark Cloud” before but the dirty and fading silver letters above the door were a good indication that it was exactly the kind of place that Trixie was looking for. The windows were covered in filth and the ebon façade of the drinking hole was tainted by mud and when Trixie entered she immediately recognised the same feeling she had at “The lonely Wanderer” near the eastern border. All the eyes shot in Trixie’s direction mustering her, evaluating who she was. Trixie simply ignored them and sat down at the counter and ordered a cider.

The bartender looked a bit surprised when Trixie told him that she was looking for a friend but couldn’t remember the address. The poor colt probably thought that Trixie only stumbled upon this place due to some coincidence but when she offered him twenty bits for his help he understood. He waited for a few moments and glanced around before he took my money and his eyes pointed at a yellow colt with green mane at the other side of the room.

Trixie was walking up to the colt’s table and took the seat across while watching his reactions. He began to smile and asked what such a cute mare could probably want from him. Oh, Trixie really hated all that public cover for shady business but it couldn’t be helped. Big cities naturally cause ponies to be more secretive if they didn’t want to wander to jail. Taking a deep breath Trixie decided to not talk with her “date” about work (a shady job), problems (murder), friends (hiring) or favoured items (theft) but about visiting an old acquaintance(intel on a person).

As soon as Trixie mentioned the name Silver Scroll the colt’s stare suddenly turned very cold. He leaned a bit closer and said but one word; “why”. Trixie wasn’t keen to reveal that she was after a magical source of power so she just bent the truth a little. Trixie told him she was following the tracks of an old family heirloom that found her way to said pony. The informant raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth whispering some words softly into my ear.

Even though the colt was just whispering a lot of ponies suddenly turned their heads towards us. Trixie didn’t know what he was talking about but she probably stumbled upon something dreadful if it attracted that much attention. Trixie decided to answer truthfully and the colt began to relax and all the other ponies lost interest in our talk. The pony across the table told Trixie that she was looking for a mare working as a scribe in the, “The Royal Quill”.

That was a bad sign Trixie thought. If the colt didn’t need to do any research on the subject it could only mean that somepony already requested the same as Trixie. Wait, didn’t he ask me about “Malevolence” when I mentioned the name? They had to be connected somehow. Trixie thought for a few minutes if she should ask about “Malevolence” and the connection to the mare. Even if her curiosity was great Trixie decided against it because such informations wouldn’t come cheap. When Trixie asked the informant how much bits she owed him for the information she was rather displeased by his answer. Nonetheless she paid up, thanked the shady colt for his help and left the dirty place known as “Dark Cloud”.

While Trixie walked towards her new destination she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about how her life kept changing again and again. Trixie grew up as part of impoverished nobility until her father died. Trixie was but a filly back then and she had no one to rely on so she started to care for herself. She stole and lied just to keep on living but the more years passed the more cunning she became. After some time Trixie came to the conclusion that theft was far too risky and that there were better ways to relieve her victims from their purses.

Trixie became a cunning con artist tricking ponies for money. Times changed and Trixie changed with them. It had been fun to trick all the ponies but it never lasted long. Trixie always had to change her location because some ponies saw through her deceptions. It was on a cold winter’s day when Trixie decided to use her skills in deception for something that wasn’t frowned upon. Trixie became a travelling magician. Of course Trixie’s magic wasn’t that great or powerful but she knew how to mesmerize and entertain the crowds. Trixie came to like the respect and feeling of superiority that accompanied her new job. Then everything changed and Trixie’s boosted self-esteem took a blow.

Twilight Sparkle singlehoofedly managed to destroy Trixie’s life. In the blink of an eye respect turned into laughter and pride into shame. All of a sudden even her admirers turned her back on Trixie, those hyenas. Trixie swore by the name of Lulamoon that she'd get revenge on every last one of them, beginning with Twilight Sparkle. The rest of the story Trixie would rather not remember…

However, this time was different. Trixie didn’t intend to take vengeance anymore; she merely wanted enough power to live an easy life as a magical performer. An easy life filled with glory, respect and true admirers. Yes, Trixie just wanted the life she deserved instead of being a laughing stock…

When Trixie reached “The Royal Quill” no pony took notice of her. Trixie coughed a little but still, she got no response. Trixie was not amused so she raised her voice and began to speak.

A customer, a colt with blue fur and red mane, rolled his eyes at Trixie’s greatness while a small alabaster mare just let a few scrolls fall on the floor in shock. Naturally Trixie wouldn’t care to help a stranger but things would go a lot faster if at least one of the ponies would help her find Silver Scroll. Trixie levitated the scrolls up and the puny mare took them under her foreleg.

“So, the great and powerful Trixie wonders if you do know a mare called Silver Scroll.” Trixie asked.

The mare’s eyes widened and she simply shook her head. Trixie knew a liar when she saw one and smiled wickedly at the mare. The frail mind of the mare wouldn’t hold long against Trixie’s greatness.

The mare suddenly became stiff. Her breathing became slightly heavier and she retreated a little. Oh Trixie was enjoying this. Knowing that she already took control of the conversation Trixie stepped after her and whispered “they’ll come for her” in the mare’s ear. Oh Trixie loved the feeling of superiority. The mare on the other hoof became very uncomfortable and couldn’t even fathom what Trixie’s intentions were.

Trixie was very happy how events unfolded when the mare lead her into an office that belonged to Silver Scroll, at least if the nametag was correct. The mare offered me a seat in front of the desk and took place behind it. Trixie already suspected who she was.

“So, what is it that you want?” she asked still very scared, yet Trixie saw something flash inside her eyes. Was it excitement? Was it anticipation? Trixie did not know…

“The great and powerful Trixie was told that you know of an artefact that could rival the Alicorn Amulet in power. Tell Trixie where she can find what she desires…” Trixie stated bold.

The eyes of the mare widened as if Trixie just made her a present. Her long silver mane covered half of her face when she suddenly started to burst out in laughter. Nonetheless her other eye was still fixated on Trixie, never letting her guard down. When she finally stopped laughing and got her mane back in place Trixie realised the dark circles around the mare’s eyes.

“So, Trixie, why did you think that I would help you?” the earth pony asked in a carefree manner.

A smile began to grow on Trixie’s face and she thought about the best way to get her point across. Trixie decided to devastate the mare with the information she already had.

The grin on the mare’s face immediately fell. She looked at Trixie in suspicion, wagering her options. Trixie did not know what that “Malevolence” was that made Silver Scroll so uneasy but if there was one thing that Trixie was good at than it was to keep up appearances.

Oh, Trixie’s plan worked out quite well. The mare probably thought that Trixie knew a lot on that matter while in reality she only extorted her poor victim with a construct of lies.

“How come you know that the amulet corrupts it’s user? A book containing such informations is extremely rare. To be more accurate there are only thirty copies of that particular book.” the mare stated in surprise.

“It belonged to Trixie once.” Trixie said and shrugged her shoulders as if she didn’t care.

“Once? What do you mean by once? Where is it now?” the mare replied now even more frantic.

“Well then, have you ever heard of…” the mare started to explain while Trixie’s eyes fell on a poem lying on the desk.

Two days later in Ponyville…

This is a poem of a time long forgotten. I tried my best to bestow upon you something that had been lying dormant for the last few centuries. It took some effort to transcribe the language of old into something a pony from today could understand more easily. The content of the poem wasn’t altered and is genuine in any way possible. Getting information on this poem proved to be a difficult task because everything related to “Malevolence was considered classified.

Even though spreading that poem was prohibited directly by her royal majesty, princess Celestia, we couldn’t resist publishing it for a wider range of readers. The content of the poem is utterly disturbing and related to a time where the greatest threats of Equestria still roamed free. After this rather short introduction I hope you’ll enjoy the following tale.

MALEVOLENCE

When nightmares try to take a hold,
they herald spirits of the old.
Spirits who used to torment us all,
even now they could plot our fall.

The Queen who used to rule the night,
twisting dreams and seeding fright.
Torn apart by the wielders of the sun and moon,
her wail but a whisper in the ice wind’s croon.

Those icy winds so long forgotten,
they urged to freeze those hearts so rotten.
They regretted they had to veer,
all they wanted was beauty of crystal so clear.

Darkness already had a chance to reign,
fear used to be the king’s domain.
The king soon had to yield,
In his weakness his essence sealed.

Banishment was the fate of their sister as well,
condemned to eternal rebirth she became but a shell.
She left back a curse with her last breath,
for she was the embodiment of death.

The war within the heart was born,
deceit reigned together with scorn.
Her breath corrupted the land to the core,
and no mortal could flee from that war.

Royalty picked up the fight,
and Equestria came to see the light.
The land now unified in love,
thanks to the sun and moon above.

The shadows of the past now broken,
those foul names no longer spoken.

Still be wary for they could rise again…

Twilight Sparkle looked at the poem in disgust. The pony called Silver Scroll was exactly the kind of pony she despised the most. She wrote something utterly cryptic and simply added the name of her beloved mentor somewhere to gain attention. To make matters even worse the poem wasn’t good either. Those were just a lot of rhyming couplets, something ponies didn’t use a lot back then, at least according to “Rhymes and Riddles VI” which should cover the “last few centuries” Silver Scroll mentioned.

Everything seemed just far too fishy for Twilight Sparkle. She took a deep breath and let her eyes wander to another document on her desk. It was a letter from princess Celestia. Twilight opened it with raising curiosity. It probably had something to do with that strange poem. When Twilight opened the letter, her eyes slowly wandered down the paper.

Dear Twilight,
Due to the efforts of the royal investigators Luna and I got our hooves on some worrisome information, namely the poem I sent you. If you haven’t already read it I would advise you to do that before reading on.

The poem is in fact genuine and originally dates back to a time before Discord’s reign and the banishment of my dear sister, Luna. The pony who originally wrote it had been a dear friend of mine who wanted young Equestria to remember the heroic deeds of Luna and me. Back then the poem gave my subjects a feeling of accomplishment and safety. Nowadays people already forgot about the existence of the four greatest threats that ever walked these lands. I’d rather not see my subjects reminded of them and living in fear due to some legends of the past. Luckily our investigators were fast and could acquire the information before it was published.

The mare who managed to recreate this poem, Silver Scroll, went into hiding shortly before we made our move. Even now as you read this, she is probably looking for more information on these sinister beings. I’m not sure about her true motives but whether it is curiosity or something else that drives her you’d probably agree that she has to be stopped before something bad happens to Equestria.

Of course there is no reason to fret at the moment because it needs a lot of time to unearth information capable of endangering every pony. Right now it isn’t an immediate threat to Equestria but it could turn into one if we don’t keep an eye on the situation.
Nonetheless, I wish to discuss the matter with you in private the next time we meet.

Even though Twilight knew that the message was bad news she had to smile. She still wasn’t used to the fact that Princess Celestia shortens her name to Tia in her letters. It seemed somehow wrong to Twilight that her mentor thinks they are on even grounds now. Wasn’t there so much more she needed to learn to come even close to her? Oh great she did it again, she trailed off.

“So what does the princess want this time?” a very curious purple dragon asked.

Twilight smiled at her little friend and told him about the poem and Celestia’s summon.

“You seem strangely calm Twilight. I thought you would be all over the place. So I guess Equestria won’t be doomed?” the dragon asked with a raised eyebrow and a suspicious look.

“Oh Spike, don’t be silly. There is no way possible that this Silver Scroll will get information about beings that are supposed to be legends that fast...” she replied rather calm.

“Maybe she just didn’t want to freak you out before an important mission?” the dragon said with a shrug.

Twilight knew that Spike probably only said that to win the argument however there was some truth to his words. Maybe Celestia did play it down so that she didn’t have to worry that much. That thought started to gnaw on Twilight’s mind. She thought about the situation for a few moments took a deep breath and sighed. Well, even if it wasn’t that much of a problem it wouldn’t hurt to be just a little ahead of one’s schedule.

“Spike, I thought about it and I think I should visit her immediately after all.”

After seeing Spike off Twilight went outside and spread her wings. The fact that she already adapted to her wings didn’t mean she really enjoyed flying that much. She would still rather take the train but she knew that wherever a princess went there was bound to be a commotion. Just thinking about the ponies she would have to interact with in a public train made her decide on flying.

Flapping her wings and using the updraft Twilight’s mind began to wander. Enjoying the warm sun on her coat and the gentle currents breezing through her wings and mane she simply had to smile. Maybe flying has some perks as well she thought. Appreciating all the peace and serenity in the sky she missed out on two little spots that drew closer and closer to Ponyville…

Malevolence

by Caffeine Junkie

(1) of Cons and Scholars