//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 // Story: To Tread Amongst the Living // by RobertPooner //------------------------------// At the southern tip of Equestria along the Bridle Shores, the expanse of beaches along Equestria’s Eastern border with Eternity’s Crossing stands the small port town of Stableside. After the reign of Discord, Stableside was a thriving city, it being Equestria’s anchor to the magical construction once known as Eternity’s Bridge. This bridge was once the most advanced travel method in all of Equis; its enchanted rails allowing movement to and from the Cervid city of Seaddle in under an hour’s time. After the rise of Nightmare moon though, the large tidal shifts caused by the Long Night caused the bridge to collapse and with it the thriving city soon fell into poverty and abandonment; many of its population migrating inland toward Equestria’s heart of toward the western frontier. Remaining though were still a few hearty ponies living off of the miniscule bounties reluctantly provided by the unforgiving sea, or operating the seldom used docks that allow oceanic transportation across Eternity’s Crossing to Cervidas. Standing at one of these docks awaiting a ship was a red-robed elk impatiently tapping his hoof. “How much longer until we depart pony?” asks Tulimus. “I have pressing matters to attend to and have little patience for idleness.” “Just a few more minutes Inquisitor, we’re just finishing loading our cargo and should be able to shove off momentarily.” Says the captain. Already an hour behind schedule, Tulimus walks away from the captain all the while complaining about the pony’s tardiness under his breath, “These thrice damned ponies, no respect for their superiors… ” Suddenly from between his horns a familiar ball of blue magic appears and floats to eye level with him. “My lord Aschere, I apologize for my tardiness. These ponies are less than punctual and I should be back within...” “Silence Tulimus, that is no longer of concern. I have a new mission for you.” Bowing low to the speaking elder, “As you command mu Lord, what is your bidding?” “It seems Celestia behaved as we have predicted; she failed to eliminate the heretic. I am sending the rest of your circle to meet you in the city known as Hoofington. From there, you are to purge the heretic and any who aid him from the lands.” “At once my lord.” “And Inquisitor, this is to be a stealth operation. No ponies are to be privy of this especially Celestia; we are not ready to reveal our plans just yet. Am I clear Tulimus? “Crystal my Lord. I shall travel there at once.” “We cannot hide our machinations from this necromancer forever. Do not fail us Tulimus.” says Aschere as the orb fades away. “My life for the Circle my Lord. “ Walking into each of their rooms; Twilight and Applejack in the first, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie in the second, and Rarity and Fluttershy in the third, each group had a similar reaction. Each of the rooms were designed as if each of them were made for the pairs of ponies in particular. The beds and cushions each matched their particular pony in not only color and type, but also had each of their cutiemarks emblazoned upon them. After they finished inspecting their sleeping, the pairs of ponies all met in the lounge. “Do any of you girls find this a little weird?” asks Rainbow. “Yeah, it is a might strange that all this was here fer us.” Says Applejack “Lilith did say that he was expecting us.” Answers Twilight “That too, how in the hay did he know we were even coming? I think that pony is spying on us!” “Calm down Rainbow, he has seemed to be more than forthcoming with information up to this point. Perhaps we should just ask him?” says Rarity “He did say that we could look around.” Says Twilight “Yay lets go exploring!” shouts Pinkie as she begins to charge out of the door, only to be stopped by Twilight who uses her teeth to grab hold of the tuft of her tail. “Hold on Pinkie!” says Twilight through the pink tail clenched in her teeth. Letting go of her now calm friend, “We can’t get lost here. I’ve noticed that these doors aren’t regular doors, they’re all portals to different parts of whatever this place is, and it could be huge. We should travel in pairs; each of us stays with our respective roommate. Let’s meet back here in an hour.” With that, the six friends all exit the lounge and walk through the portal that Lilith had led them through not 20 minutes before. When they each the other side they notice that the other two pairs of their friends are missing, each group ending up in another part of the strange place that was Nox’s home. Rarity and Fluttershy materialized outside of a dark oak door. “Where are we Rarity, and where did the rest of our friends go?” “I’m not sure dear, though it appears that our destination has been chosen for us. Shall we?” says Rarity motioning to the door before them. “Helloooo, is anypony home?” calls Rarity melodically. “Oh well, nopony home. Guess we can get going now…” says Fluttershy. Just as she turns away to walk back toward the portal, the oak door creaks and slowly open to the darkness within. “Hello?” calls Rarity into the room. Taking a cautious step over the threshold, candles within the room come alight. “Would you look at this room Fluttershy….its breath taking…” The room in which the two stood is one of the most exquisite sights the two girls had ever seen. Black velvet carpet and walls spanned the entirety of the room, accentuated by a purple bed set and couch which were both inlaid into the floor. Along the right side of the room sat several full length mirrors much like the ones Rarity had in her shop so customers could examine themselves in the cloths that she painstakingly crafted for them. On the wall adjoining it sat a large portrait of a beautiful violet pegasus mare with a black and red highlighted mane. Below the picture are numerous pictures and memorabilia most likely owned by the pegasus in the picture. Walking over to the said portrait, Rarity let out a gasp of realization at who the picture was of. “Fluttershy, do you know who this is?! This is Lily Nightshade! The most famous debutante in Equestrian history! She led the great awakening of fashion and art in the latter part of the Prench Renaissance in fourteenth century!” “Wow Rarity…you sure know a lot about her.” Says Fluttershy. “Well of course I do, she basically invented the classical fashion haute couture that is still used in Canterlot today!” “Umm Rarity…doesn’t she look an awful lot like Lilith?” In response Rarity turns to her with her mouth agape and eyes full of shock. “It can’t be Fluttershy; Lily Nightshade disappeared when her air yacht was lost over the Tramplevanian mountains.” “What are you two doing in my room!” yells Lilith as she walks through the door. “And stay away from that!” “Lilith was this… is this you?” asks Rarity, her eyes sparkling with wonder. Walking over to the picture, “Lily Nightshade, daughter of the count Hemlock of Stalliongrad and countess Oleander of Canterbury; the definition of couth and elegance and in her time lorded after by noblepony and commoner alike. That mare is long dead, lost to the world when her yacht exploded over the deserts of I’bxia.” “But umm Lilith, Rarity said that the ship was lost over the Tramplvanian mountains…” “No we lost power over the mountains, turned out that it was a fuel leak. Once the crew found out the cause of the problem….it was too late. The last things I remember was the screaming…the fire…and then nothing, until I opened my eyes and saw Nox’s emerald green orbs staring back at me…they were so calming, telling me that everything was going to be ok…” Lilith looked to be miles away as she recounted her tale. “Are you and Nox well….an item…if you don’t mind me asking that is….you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to that is…” Snapping out of her stupor to glare daggers at the buttercream pegasus, “That is none of your business foal,” her eyes then falling to the floor, “but no, we aren’t.” “I see…, never the less, it is such an honor to meet you Ms. Nightshade. I have personally based my entire life on your accomplishments. I dare say you have been quite a role model for me. Oh my I’m so sorry, I don’t mean to gush… as they say.” Says Rarity ending with an awkward laugh. “Well Rarity, I have to say that I am quite honored. I had thought that I was all but forgotten over the years.” “My heavens no, your styles are still the mainstay of the Canterlot elite! You’re a legend in the circles of fashion and elegance from Prance to Gildedale! Ever Princess Celestia still wears the same style of ornamented sabatons that you pioneered.” Blushing with pride, “Thank you Rarity, it does an old mare good to hear that she’s been remembered, though I must cut this talk short. I have a few things to attend to, but I would love to talk with you two again sometime.” “Of course, and it has been an honor Ms. Lily. Let’s go Fluttershy, I can barely wait to tell the others about this!” says Rarity as she moves toward the portal. “Umm, I’ll catch up to you in a little bit Rarity.” Says Fluttershy as she moves back into Lilith’s room. “Lily…umm…Lily?” “It’s Lilith Fluttershy, that pony Lily is gone.” “Oh ok…Lilith, can I ask you a few questions…about Nox?” “I suppose I can spare a few moments. What is it you wish to ask young one?” “Well…who is he really? Where is he from?” “Well little one that is quite a long story…” After coming through the portal, the first thing that Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie noticed was that their friends were gone. “Well Dashie, looks like we’re on our own.” Says Pinkie Pie “Yeah, but where are we?” Taking in their surroundings, the two ponies see what was in the large room before them. The room itself looked like it was a ballroom straight out of a Las Pegasus casino. In the middle was the largest fountain that they had ever seen. Standing at least three stories tall, the obelisk that formed the center was a sight to behold. Made of what seemed to be pure crystal the obelisk refracted the lights within the chamber giving the water the same appearance as the rainbow fountains that flowed from the weather factory at Cloudsdale. On the far side of the room sat something that Rainbow thought she’d never see in a place like this, “Look Pinkie, he has a bar let’s go!” Rainbow Dash and Pinkie pie move like lightning over to two of the twenty padded bar stools that sat at the bar. “So do we help ourselves or…” started Dash only to be interrupted by a figure appearing behind the bar. “What’ll ya wee colleens be havin?” says a faded green spirit dressed in a Mild West style bartenders outfit. “Gahh!!” yells a surprised Rainbows Dash. “Hey there Mister, what’s your name?” asks a chipper Pinkie. “Lash Bogtrotter, at ya service me fair lass.” “My name is Pinkie Pie, and that silly filly’s name is Rainbow Dash.” “Aye, Nox said ta be expectin guests. Didn’t know it ‘ad be such grand birds such as you.” Says Lash with a wink. “Now what can a ol bogger be gettin for ya two?” Righting herself back on her stool Rainbow asks, “Do you have any cider?” “Sorry lass, none o that bog water here. Never touched tha stuff maself.” Depressingly sinking into her seat, “I never get any cider; not here or back in Ponyville.” “Did ya say that ya come from Ponyville lass? I maself had a plot a land there, ran maself a wee boozer there back in ma more…grand days.” “What’s a boozer?” asks Rainbow. “A pub lass… a bar.” “You speak all silly Mr. Lash. You don’t sound like you’d be from Ponyville” Says Pinkie. “Aye Miss Pie, before me n ma kin moved there we all came or from small city of Gallopway on the Coltic Isle.” “Wowie, that sure is a longggg ways away mister. “ “That it is ma fair lass, now how about I take a wee liberty n pick ya somethin?” “I guess.” Sighs Rainbow Reaching behind the bar Lash grabs two oddly shaped pint glasses and begins to fill them with a thick black liquid with thick brown bubbles forming fast at the top. After waiting for the foam to subside, Lash places the drinks in front of the two mares. “What is this stuff?” asks Rainbow. “It’s just a pint a tha black stuff wee mare. It’s called beer, try it.” Taking a cautious sip, Rainbow Dash’s eyes light up with delight, “This is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted! This is way better than even Sweet Apple Acres Cider!” says Rainbow as she downs the last of the pint. Pinkie Pie though seemed less than enthusiastic after her first sip. “I don’t mean to be rude Lashy, but this is icky. Do you have anything else?” “I may have jus what ya lookin for lass.” Says Lash as he pulls out a bottle from a rack behind him. Pinkie couldn’t see the whole label but the first letter was K and the last was T. Pouring her a small glass, Lash places it in front of the pink mare and waits for her to taste it. Pinkies reaction was much like Rainbows, but more akin to a sugar high. “That’s so sweet and tasty, what is it?” “Well Pinkie, that’s a sweet whiskey. A mix o butterscotch, hazelnut, and honey. Used to call it tha Knot.” Both mares look back at the bartender and say in unison, “More please!” “Anythin for two fine colleens such as yourselves.” Says Lash with a lighthearted chuckle. Coming out of the portal, Twilight and Applejack appeared in a long hallway much like the stained glass hallway in the castle of Canterlot. Like those windows that show their triumphs, these windows too showed stories but of events that were unknown to most of the creatures on Equis. “What are these Twilight?” asks Applejack. “They look like a set of stories but they don’t make any sense, and there’s some kind of strange magic coming from them.” Just as Twilight finished her explanation, the stained glass window before them began to shift and change, altering the pieces of glass and completely altering the picture. “What’s happenin Twi?” “It looks like all of these tell some kind of story, and the magic changes the pictures as the story progresses.” “Quite astute Twilight,” says Nox as he approaches from the portal behind the girls, startling the two mares. “These windows tell the story of the creation of Equis.” “Nox, ya scared us.” “I am truly sorry girls.” Says Nox as he walks next to the first window. “It has been a while since I’ve stepped hoof in this room.” “I’ve never seen magic like this before Nox, one that constantly shifts solid matter, did you make these?” “Heh, no young Twilight this magic has been lost from the world for longer than I have trod its ground. I reclaimed these from the city of Marelantis just before your moon princess’ fall to darkness.” “Ya had us goin there for a moment Nox. Everypony knows that Marelantis is just an old pony’s tale.” “Much to the contrary Applejack. I am sure that you two along with your other friends know the tail of your princess Luna’s fall into darkness better than most. When she fell, the Long Night that she created when she refused to lower the moon caused many cataclysmic events to unfold; earthquakes, tidal anomalies, and storms of epic proportions wreaked havoc not only across Equestria but Equis as a whole. The once vibrant city of Marelantis was one of the many casualties of your princess’ selfishness.” “Now hold on there sugarcube, it wasn’t entirely her fault. Princess Luna…” “Princess Luna’s actions doomed thousands of ponies to die beneath the ever encroaching waves of the ocean and the relentless nature of the land itself! The story that you foals were told tells little of the suffering that happened all thanks to Luna’s pathetic inferiority complex!” shouts Nox. “The little utopia that you ponies have lived in thanks to the lies of your vaunted princess’ these past thousand years is an affront to the rest of the world!” Calming himself while looking up at the stained glass window, “I would gather that you ponies haven’t the faintest idea of this story do you?” Both Applejack and Twilight shook their heads confirming Nox’s suspicions. “Allow me to enlighten you ladies… countless millennia ago, a great elk walked amongst our world; the God King.” He says as he motions toward a window that mirrored his story with its depiction. The picture than began to change into a moving picture of creatures being molded out of the very clay of the earth. “Through his cloven hooves, he crafted the world and its first people in his own image; these people are what we call the Cervids.” Moving to the next window, “The God King loved and cared for all of creation, and all of creation loved him. Over time crafted the various sentient races that walk the earth; the gryphons, the buffalo, all races that inhabit the lands outside Equestria.” The window began to change again. “Over time the God King joined with the Earth Mother Terra and sired a single son Hephaestus, the god of fire; the very destroyer and creator of life. After the birth of his son, the God King had a vision of what was to come of his young fawn, a rising shadow in his son that would lead to the destruction of all of creation. To protect the world the God King attempted to smite his son, but his vision became clouded by the very shadow he sought to squelch. Terra then took her fawn and fled to the sun where the darkened eyes of the God King could not see.” Moving toward the next stained glass window, “Centuries later Hephaestus returned to Equis to face his father. A great battle ensued, with Hephaestus emerging victorious. In his last moments, the visions that the God King had centuries earlier were than imparted to his son.” The glass altering itself again, “Seeing his fate Hephaestus cast himself into the earth, sacrificing himself so that his visions would not come to fruition.” The three ponies than moved to the last stained glass window, “From the magic of the God King, the earth of his wife Terra, and the life-giving fires of Hephaestus, a new steward was created by Hephaestus’ sacrifice to take their place as stewards of creation; the ponies.” The final window morphing into a picture of the three pony races, “The pegasi channeling the winds and falling of the rain to control the righteous fury of Hephaestus, the earth ponies to cultivate and propagate the life giving soil of the earth mother Terra, and the unicorns blessed with the natural affinity for the magic of the God King himself.” ‘That was a great story Nox.” Says Twilight. “Indeed, back in my homeland we were told this story as foals. It made us proud in the dark ages of pony history.” Says Nox, a sad look on his face as he reminisces. “But the hour grows late girls, I am sure that your friends are awaiting your return.” “Thanks for tha story Nox; let’s go find tha girls Twilight.” “Goodnight Nox.” Call back the girls as they walk back to the portal. Appearing through the portal by herself, Rarity came upon quite the sight. Sitting at a bar in the most fabulous ballroom she had ever laid eyes on were here two friends Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, both thoroughly ossified and talking to what looked like a ghost that was standing behind the bar. “Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, what are you two doing?!” “Oh hay, *hic* Rares, Pinkie and I were jus havin a drink wif our new bes frien Lash.” Says Rainbow slurring her speech horribly. “Yeah Rarity, come join us!” chimes in Pinkie almost falling off her stool. “How much have you two had to drink?!” says Rarity looking at all of the empty glasses on the bar. “Ya need not worry ma fair mare, I’ve been keepin a eye on these two. Lash Bogtrotter at ya service.” Says Lash with a wink. “A pleasure Mr. Lash, but I must decline. These two foals have had enough and we have quite a busy day tomorrow. Come come girls, the others must be waiting for us by now.” “Yer always such a *hic* a spoil sport Rares.” Says Dash as she stumbles out of her seat. With her friends leaning against either side of her for support, the three girls make their way through the portal. “And that’s about all Fluttershy.” Says Lilith as she finishes her story. “Oh…my…that sure explains a lot.” Says Fluttershy. “Please do me this though Fluttershy. This is between us; can I trust you to keep this a secret? Nox would be…most displeased that I divulged this without his consent.” “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Says Fluttershy as she goes through a strange series of practiced moves with her hooves. “Thank you Ms. Fluttershy, and it appears that your friends are waiting for you.” “I…really appreciate it Lilith. Thank you.” Says Fluttershy as she trots through the portal to return to her friends.