//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: To Tread Amongst the Living // by RobertPooner //------------------------------// The moderately sized city of Hoofington sits eerily dark as the tall robbed form of Tulimus strides down the central thoroughfare. Windows were shuttered, shops were closed, and all but a few candles were doused for the night. Soon, Tulimus sees his destination in sight, a small inn and tavern named the Hoof in Muzzle. Pushing through the Appleoosian style swinging doors, he surveys his surroundings. The tavern is mostly deserted aside from a few ponies, a mare and two stallions sitting at the bar and the taverns proprietor behind the bar. The ponies though sat deathly still as if frozen in time. Tulimus is well aware of what spell is at work, one often used by himself and his order when performing stealthy operations; used to freeze creatures for a limited amount of time and leaving them unaware of any effects once the enchantment is dispelled. Sitting in the back of the room were three robed figures that were unaffected by the spells effects, one in a yellow robe, one in a green, and the final in a blue robe. Approaching the table, Tulimus is greeted by the figure in the green robe sitting in the center of the other two. “Prompt as always brother Tulimus.” says the figure with a feminine voice. “The masters spell has made magical travel… difficult at best sister Portavi.” Than while nodding to the figures in the yellow and green robes respectively, “Brother Secare, brother Mesus.” “Now that the usual pleasantries are over, shall we go?” asks Secare in the yellow robe. With a nod of his hooded head, Tulimus as well as the other three Inquisitors disappear in a flash of light; their destination: Ponyville, and the heretic necromancer. In a flash of black magical light, the three groups of mares appear back in the hallway that led to their rooms. “So girls, did any of you find….uhh…what happened to them?” motions Twilight toward Rarity and the two ossified ponies that she was supporting. “It appears that our two adventurous friends here found a bar.” “It was ...hic*… it was amazing Twilight.” Says Rainbow accompanied with a half-lidded look toward her purple friend. “Yeah! It was the most super fantastic bar EVER!!!” yells Pinkie, who then proceeds to pass out against Rarity’s right shoulder. “Perhaps one of you could lend a helping hoof?” pleads Rarity as the weight of her two friends begins to quickly overwhelm her. Lifting Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash in her magic, Twilight trots them toward their room. “Let’s get these two to bed, then we can talk.” Rarity opens the door for her three friends and Twilight gently places them each on their own cutiemark emblazoned beds. “Best…night….ever.” says Rainbow as she quickly falls asleep. Rarity and Twilight than quietly exit the room and join Applejack and Fluttershy, who have assembled in the lounge and were already deep in conversation. “What do ya mean ya can’t tell us?” asks Applejack of Fluttershy. “I…umm… made a Pinkie Promise to Lilith not to…” “But we’re yer friends, why can’t ya tell us of all ponies?” “Nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise!” shouts Pinkie Pie from the other room, who then subsequently continues to snore loudly. “What is she talking about dear?” asks Rarity. “Well…Lilith told me some things about Nox…and umm…she asked me to keep it a secret. I’m so sorry girls…” “Don’t worry Fluttershy, its ok I reckon. I of all ponies know not ta break a Pinkie Promise.” Says Applejack, remembering the one time she broke the rule. “Did either of you find out anything else about him, or this place for that matter?” asks Twilight. “Darling I thought that you would never ask! It turns out that our hostess Lilith is none other than Lily Nightshade! Oh the thing that everypony could learn from her; the sophistication, the glamor!” says Rarity as she drifted off in star struck ramblings. “What about you Twilight…if you don’t mind me asking that is…” asks Fluttershy. “Well, some of the things that that pony claims are hard to believe. Marelantis, the events of Nightmare Moon; either he’s lying or many things that everypony knows about history are wrong.” “He wasn’t lyin Twi, I could tell.” Says Applejack assuredly. “I watched him the entire time and he was tellin the truth.” “It’s just hard to believe Applejack. During my entire lifetime in Canterlot I was told that things like Marelantis were just old ponytales. What’s next; the Hoofmuda Triangle, Slenderpony? It’s just not scientifically possible!” “Calm down Twilight. Perhaps a cup of tea will ease your nerves. Now where is the kettle.” Says Rarity as she moves towards the small counter that lay on the back wall of the lounge. Looking over it, Rarity finds a kettle, silverware, and flatware laid out neatly for their use, but nothing else. Searching the cabinets above the counter, she still couldn’t find anything resembling tea or anything else edible for that matter. “Now why set this here if one cannot even brew their own tea?” asks Rarity of nobody in particular. “Can I be of service madam?” “Gahh!!” shouts Rarity as she stumbles backwards from the overhead cabinet. Looking toward the once empty space where the voice came from there now stood an elderly stallion, or at least what once was a stallion. In a state much like the bartending pony earlier, this ghostly pony stood rigidly straight, adorned in an elegant butler’s uniform and carrying what appeared to be a white linen cloth over his right foreleg. “I do apologize for my abrupt entry madam. My name is Prim Courtly, butler to Master Albus Noctis. It is truly a pleasure.” By this point, all eyes in the room were focused on Rarity and the specter standing next to her. “Ahh…yes…a pleasure.” Says Rarity still with a hoof over her heart dealing with the previous surprise. “I have taken the liberty of preparing tea and daisy sandwiches for you…four? Am I mistaken or aren’t there supposed to be two more of you?” “Ah yes, Mr. Courtly. Our other friends are…indisposed…at the moment.” Answers Rarity. “Ah yes…well if there is nothing else that I may be of assistance to, than I shall take my leave. If you should need anything more ladies, simply ask.” Says Prim as he fades away. “Well…that was…strange.” Says Twilight. “Indeed, well shall we?” says Rarity motioning toward the platter that had appeared on the table that the three were sitting around. The four friends began to enjoy the food and drink, all the while talking about what the next day will bring, yet Applejack was uncharacteristically quiet. “What’s wrong Applejack?” asks Fluttershy as Twilight and Rarity too turn toward their cowpony friend. “Well, I was just wondering about Nox letting me see my parents.” “Well dear, he said that we need to wait till tomorrow.” “It’s not that Rairs, it’s just…why? I’m just a simple farmpony, aint done nothing much worth writin’ bout.” “Applejack, you’re the element of harmony. We’ve brought back Princess Luna, stopped an invasion of Changelings, and even defeated Discord. I would think that if he’d notice anypony it would be one of us.” Answers Twilight. “Twilight, you’re the student of one of Equestria’s princesses, Rarity, you’re a famous designer all around Equis, and you Fluttershy, you were a famous model and had your pictures on every magazine cover from here to Hoofstralia. Me though…I haven’t done much of anythin to catch anyponies attention, none the less from some fancy necro-whatever.” “Necromancer.” Corrects Rarity. “Thank you Ms. Dictionary.” Snidely comments Applejack. “But still, why me…and why my parents?” “Well Applejack, I guess the only way to find out would be to be patient and wait until tomorrow.” “I just don’t know Twi, somethin just don’t feel right. Ya ever get that feelin that somepony is watchin ya?” “Ha, she’s quite an astute one.” Says Nox to himself looking into his scrying orb. “The Elements of Harmony must have put a lot of thought into these mares.” Waving a hoof over the floating purple orb the magic contained ceases and the orb turns transparent. Using his magic, Nox returns the orb to a stone pedestal in the corner of his inner sanctum. Nox’s sanctum is his true home within his ethereal domain, separate from the rest of the areas that his servants and new friends occupy though accessible to those who know how. The room itself is quite large, about the size of his library and workshop but consists of only a single floor. The sanctum was a perfect sphere with a hovering platform in the center being the only area one is able to occupy within the room. On this platform are Nox’s most prized possessions, magical and sentimental items that he has collected throughout his many years on Equis. Towards the back of the circular platform sits a glass display case containing three weapons, quite obviously imbued with magical properties based upon the varying colored glows emanating from each. The first is a scythe; the snath, stem, and grip of which appears to be made of pieces of the spinal column of a pony-sized creature, the tang made of the skull of a gryphon, and the glowing silver blade made of the talon of a dragon. The second is a strange sword, its grip and guard appearing to be made for something with digits more akin to a dragon or gryphon. Instead of a traditional pommel the blade has a strange spherical skull appearing to belong to some kind of ape-like creature. The blade was long; about the size of a pony’s foreleg, and has razor sharp serrations spanning the breadth of each of its cutting edges, its fuller pulses with an eerie black magic. The final weapon in the case is by far the most ghastly of the three. Standing upright in the case sits a staff; the top of which sits a horned skull that could only have come from a demon straight out of the deepest pits of Tartarus. Four eyes still sit within the skull, their rotting features accentuated by the glowing red magic coming from them. Its mouth is lined with two rows of razor sharp teeth forever frozen in a maniacal bloodthirsty smile. From its mouth and down the staffs’ length flows a red viscous liquid that could only be blood, which pools at its base only to be absorbed by a glowing green spear embedded at its end. To the left of the display case sat an ornate onyx desk with papers and books strewn about it as well as numerous glass jars and vials filled with all manner of ghastly and grotesque pieces of creatures in varying states of decay; eyes, brains, and even hearts. On either side of the desk stand two stone statues dressed and styled much like Nox is, but with very distinguishing differences. The statue on the left is a unicorn mare with a scar over her closed left eye. In her right forehoof is the very same staff that Nox has in his display case. The statue on the right is much different. Much taller in stature than the mare is a strange bi-pedal creature. Instead of hooves this creature has digits on its hands much like a dragon or gryphon but lacking claws of any kind. Its face has no muzzle, but a strange flat nose with its eyes situated central to its head much like many a predator do. In the statues’ left hand was also one of the weapons in the previous display case, the serrated longsword. Opposite the desk on the other side of the platform is an armoire, in the same style as the onyx desk, containing varying styles of robes but only in three colors; emerald green, charcoal gray, and black. The door of the cabinet is inlaid with a full-sized mirror. Strangely absent from this room is any semblance of a bed though this is far from strange for Nox; it has been a long time since he has required sleep. Finished with his scrying, Nox walks over and takes a seat at his desk. “Lilith, come here please.” Calls out Nox, but he receives no answer. “Lilith!” yells Nox louder, but still he receives no answer. Needless to say this was strange, with the magical bonds created between him and his servants when he raised them he should be able to reach them wherever they may be, especially within his own home. “Lash! Prim!” says Nox calling out to his other servants, but still no answer. “What in the nine hells is going…” Just then, the sound of a large explosion rocks Nox out of his thoughts.