Chapter 9 - That which walks in the shadows...
‘Please, let me go’ I begged
Eris was pinching the bridge of her slender nose, sighing. “I told you, if I let you out now, the repercussions could be catastrophic” she said. “Not that I wouldn’t enjoy it, but still…”
‘If you won’t release me, then who will?’
“It’s just a matter of time…” she said apologetically.
‘Who?’ I questioned
“Space didn’t specify...but you’ll know, believe me” she answered.
‘Why should I believe you? You’re leaving me here to rot...’ I retorted, downcast.
“No I’m not” she defended “By the way, I got you a little something” She reached into her vest and removed a gold pocket watch.
‘What- why?’ I asked as she wrapped the chain around my neck, securing it.
“You need food, right? Eating time energy?” she questioned.
‘I...think...’ I said worryingly.
“Just wind this part up” she said, pointing to the hands of the watch “and you’ll be fed for that number of hours; don’t telI Time I gave you that”
‘Thank you, this will really help!' I gave her a small hug.
“No problem kid” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “See ya in a few hours”
Eris snapped her fingers and disappeared, leaving me to stare into my own reflection once more.
...Just wonderful…
X X X X X X X
~ Excerpt from ‘Daring Do and the case of the Living Statue’ ~
“Miss Do!” Rusty cried, running towards me.
“What is it? What did you find?” I asked.
“Nothing, b-but th-that statue-” he stuttered.
“I’ve told you, it’s just your imaginations playing with you- there is nothing wrong with that statue, I’ve checked” I waved my hoof dismissively.
The stallion shook as he looked nervously to the courtyard.
“Does Bonepick still have that watch they found on it?” I questioned
“Yes." he quickly replied.
“Inspect it, maybe it’s the secret to all of this…” I infered.
“Yes ma’am” he said. The stallion saluted and ran off.
X X X X X X X
I dusted off a wall of ancient equine glyphs just as a blood-curdling scream echoed throughout the halls of the castle. I ran back to the throne room to do a party check. “What happened? Who screamed?” I asked.
Rusty silently pointed into the courtyard, I looked down, and saw Bonepick playing tug-of-war with the statue, the glinting gold casing of the pocket-watch between them. Bonepick held the watch firmly between his teeth, struggling to take it. The statue itself was putting up a good fight of its own, or wasn’t, I wasn’t sure- it occurred to me that this was the first time I’d ever actually seen the statue move.
“Bonepick, what are you doing?” I deadpanned.
“The blasted thing won’t give the watch back!” he called from below.
“Maybe if you asked it nicely?” Rusty suggested.
Bonepick and I shot him a deadpan look.
“What?” he shrugged
“Hey!” Bonepick called “This thing can’t move when it’s being watched, right?”
“Yeah, that’s what we think” I replied “Why?”
“Go get me a mirror." he commanded.
X X X (Canterlot, year 940) X X X
Thunder rumbled overhead as lightning charged the air, giving the atmosphere a damp feel. Ponies trotted hurriedly past the newest addition to the Canterlot Gardens, some because they believed it to be bad luck, others just wanting to get home before the eventual downpour drenched the streets. The statue of the biped held its arms outstretched, palms facing the sky, a look of peace and calm adorning its face.
All the while, nopony noticed a small, pink, pegasus filly crying in the arms of an angel.