//------------------------------// // Atonement // Story: Equus of the Clow // by The Twisted Scripter //------------------------------// Part 3 Atonement Thomas’s vision returned to him as he began to make out shapes in the room. First was Taiyu unconscious on the floor. Second was Yue standing over her. In his hoof, he noticed a card from earlier. The Insight. Thomas felt his neck as something dangled from it. Around his neck was the pendant he found earlier. Thomas put the card into his coat pocket as he looked up to see Yue checking her sister for signs of life. Yue then turned to him with a shocked expression on her face. She galloped to his side and began talking. Thomas’s ringing ears distorted and muted what she said until he fully regained consciousness. “......mfmfmff..id you do? What happened to Taiyu. Answer me!” Thomas stared blindly at Yue as a flood of emotions swept into his very being. Pain and overwhelming sadness gripped his soul as he tried to find the reason for such burdens. In an instant, the events that just transpired shot through his mind like an arrow. “I…..I…I...gyaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Thomas collapsed to the for in a fit of anguish. His actions tore through his mind as he began weeping on the floor next to Yue. “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault! I killed everyone!” “What are you talking about?!” Yue lifted Thomas to his hooves. “Calm down! Lets get you two somewhere more comfortable. Shall we?” “Oh, that won’t be necessary. He won’t live long enough to recover.” Yue turned in horror as she saw a familiar figure standing in the walk way. Standing there was a viciously happy viceroy with a squad of guards. Their eyes glowed with a dark red hue as the viceroy appeared to control them. “F-father? but...that’s…” “Don’t kid yourself, foalish daughter, anything that comes out of you is imbued with your magic. You never do anything without it. Once I created a magic jammer after studying your methods for so long, I knew there was nothing you could do to overpower me. Though I must admit, that piece you created was a humorous tone to say the least. It was to say the most, a complete waste of magic.” Lychinus turned to Thomas. “As for you, I never figured I would be talking to such a powerful creature, half-breed.” Thomas gave him a puzzled look. “What’s a half-breed?” “Oh don’t give me that! You know very well what you are and what you were doing here. Why else would you be here except to threaten my control?” “...Because the guards didn’t let me.” Thomas said sheepishly. “Hmm, hilarious-” Following that comment, the viceroy’s horn began to flash red as a bolt of energy struck Thomas in the head. “-and if you look closely, you will see me not giving a care.” Thomas’s vision began to fade again as his consciousness slowly slipped away from him. “Now, what to do with my smart mouthed daughter and her lesser sister.” The room turned purple, then dark blue, then pitch black. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Wake up! Nap time is over!” Thomas heard a rasping, irritated, familiar voice that assaulted his ear drums. After the initial confusion, Thomas began piecing together the situation he was in. Ok, I was attacked by the viceroy, I can’t see, and somepony is yelling at me. Where the- In an instant, a shock ran down his spine. It felt like somepony bludgeoned him in the back with a hard object. The action was met with a moan of agony from Thomas. “Wake up, boy! You are in a load of trouble!” Thomas groaned. There was only one verbally and physically abusive villager he knew well enough to be call boy by her, and he had to live with her. Oh viceroy. You’ve killed me. “...Ok, I’m up. I’m up.” Thomas said mustering every ounce of energy he had to stave off the beating to his body. “You arrogant twerp! What did you do?” “It’s nice to see you too, grandma.” “I haven’t seen eye nor ear of you the entire day. I would expect you would check back with me after a few hours so you wouldn’t worry me, but sadly I was mistaken. The sun goes down and I still can’t find you. I decide to check the castle to learn your whereabouts, but the guard wouldn’t let me in. So I introduced myself and I was like ‘Hi there! my name Debora! ‘ but the wouldn’t let me in.” “Oh I’m sorry, was it anything you couldn’t handle.” The aged mare looked to the guard at the door with a devilish grin as the guard began to quiver. “Believe me, it was not a problem.” “Please, k-keep her away!” “Oh shut up, you know you loved it.” A shiver ran down Thomas’s spine. “Anyway, I enter the castle and inquire on your whereabouts and they tell me that you’ve disappeared from the group and have no idea where you are. I check the group to be sure- though they were dancing to a rather catchy tune- and you were no where to be found. I finally get to the library when a large noise caught my ear as a black cloud rushes by me. I check the room you were in to find that pompous viceroy lording over your body. He tells me that you have cause a great disturbance in his party and damaged a portion of his estate. I said I would whip the life out of you when you got home so he let you off with a house arrest until he wants to act further. You just had to mess with other ponies stuff, didn’t you? You couldn’t just leave well enough alone!” “.....the other two." “What?” “What about the other two in the room?” “Other two?” “The two mares next to me, where they alright?” “I haven’t the slightest.” Thomas hung his head in depression. “What do you have to say for yourself?” Thomas began to tremble. “I...I…” “Spit it out!” “What have I done!” Thomas broke into a fit of tears and emotions. “Woah! take it easy!” “Every single pony in this town will die tonight, and it’s all my fault!” She held Thomas down and gave him a solitary smack on the head. Thomas’s fit subsided. “Now, tell me what happened.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “Honestly Yue, what did you think disobeying your caring father would get you out of this whole situation?” Lychinus loomed over Yue as she sat quietly on her bed in her room. “I didn’t do it to hurt you. I did it for Thomas.” “Oh really? What made you, the most refined and civilized daughter I own, bend to the whim of a common street rat?” Yue turned away from her father’s disheartening gaze. “He had something against us.” “Oh, you mean those little excursions you take when you say you’re going to entertain your sister for the day?” Yue’s face flashed with surprise as she whipped around to face her father with shock. “How stupid do you think I am? I’ve known for some time. I’ve just needed the perfect opportunity to execute retribution, and your friend has given me that quite generously.” “W-what do you mean?” “Well, it’s just like this. Had I punished you for disobeying me after I told you not to mingle with the common folk, I would begin to lose support with the subordinates that follow me now and would be seen as a malevolent tyrant who punishes people for simple offenses. However, if by some chance you were part of a cue to overthrow me with that strange stallion and you were simply setting the stage for a revolt, I would be justified in banishing you from this town and forcing you out on your own where you can’t interfere with me.” “But it wasn’t my idea! He and my sister asked me for help.” “Throwing your dear sister under the bus, how shameful. It’s no wonder that she is more qualified for the throne than you.” Yue’s face changed from fear to anguish as his words boiled her blood. The thought that her sister would outshine herself enraged her. “You’re wrong!” “Am I, really?” With a mocking laugh, he left the room and slammed the door shut and crossed the hall to Taiyu’s room where she lay unconscious. Just like clockwork. Lychinus entered the room and sat at the foot of Taiyu’s bed. Taiyu slowly regained consciousness as she began scanning the room to grasp her situation. “Hello, my child.” the viceroy whispered to Taiyu in an endearing voice. Taiyu eyes reflected a deep fear as her sight was glued to the viceroy. She began shifting away from him as she groped around for her sword. “I’m sorry, did I scare you my little one.” “Oh, don’t give me that. I know what you really want.” “Not tonight, I’m afraid.” “W-well then, h-how can I he-” “Don’t even think about it, dear. I have your sword.” Taiyu’s expression shifted from fear to disbelief. “How did you know about that?” “Your lovely sister told me all about your little excursions into the city. My my, you should really choose your allies better.” “...T-that can’t be true.” “Maybe, but can you take that chance? Are you willing to be undermined by somepony as close to you as your sister?” “.....” “Being a ruler means you have to learned who you can and can’t trust. If you can’t do that, all you are doing is waiting for a knife in you back. Even those close to you can be your greatest enemies.” Taiyu’s face twisted in anger. “What do you really want?” “I’m giving you two a choice. I will bring that young stallion back to try him for crimes of conspiracy and trespassing.” “And?” “If you declare that you do not know him and won’t support him during his trial, your seat on the throne will not be relinquished; however, if you choose to defend him then you will face the same fate he will and be banished for the rest of your lives from my city.” “Your city. I thought this city belonged to everypony.” “Then why do I rule?” “If you rule, then why does crime run the streets ragged?” “Because I outsource my labor to willing brutes that accept the highest bidder. Those ‘criminals’ you and your sister assaulted the today were given full immunity by me to keep the city in line while my guards protected the estate here. For you to harm them is a capital offense even though they were deputies. I’m sure that would have you deported in an instant. What do you think?” Taiyu thought it over and lowered her head in defeat. “Why do you treat us like this? We’re your daughters.” “You’re my daughter. Once your ruling it all, you will be doing the same things I do. You’ll understand once you're in my position how you must act to ensure your leadership goes unquestioned. Until then, the choice is yours.” Taiyu turned away from her father as his words burned through her mind. It doesn’t have to be that way. Without another word, Lychinus left and closed the door behind him. The rest is up to you, little ones. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “You say that you saw a Jinn?” The old mare said in puzzlement. “Yes, and it wasn’t what I expected.” “What exactly were you expecting?” “Well...I was hoping they would look more like us than whatever they were.” “Isn’t it amazing how beings of chaotic magic look a tad different than you and me?” “hmm…” Thomas began to sulk. This began irritating the aged mare. “So, tell me. How was the tour of the castle? Was it anything like you expected?” “It was… rather silly. It served for the soul purpose of bewildering the visitors, yet it made me feel intimidated. I guess you were right.” Thomas began to withdraw in anxiety. “It’s too bad it won’t protect anypony tonight.” Debora’s expression became serious. “What’s happening tonight?” “Well, like I said, the Vile is going to end this towns existence by ending the life of everypony. He sort of hinted at it while he was in my thoughts.” “My my, it couldn’t have been pleasant being possessed by that thing.” “No, not possessed...persuaded.” “Oh?” “When he was in my head-” I can make a better world. “what he said felt true to me. He said that he wanted to make this world better because we pollute it with fear. He said...we poisoned our world.” Jinn don’t kill Equus, Equus kill themselves. “I wanted to see a world where people don’t fear leaving their homes because of criminals like that gang. I wanted to see what perfection looked like.” Thomas faced the aged mare. “I let him control me.” “Oh, well wasn’t that foalish?” “How so?” “Anything that has had the privilege to outlive the idiots has found ways to make them dance. He would know exactly what to say to you to justify killing even me. Though, I don’t think much persuasion would be necessary.” Debora said with a sly wink. Thomas flashed an indignant grimace. “Hey! That’s not fair!” “What’s not fair?” “I...care about you.” “Oh, shut up. I didn’t raise a pansy.” Thomas grumbled to himself. “Anyway, that is probably how he works. This Jinn is no friend to Equus. He isn’t even a friend to Jinn. He’ll probably use that same method of control on the population of our ragged town to impose a self-genocide. He has already began manifesting his influence.” “How so?” “Folks around here were pretty anxious and paranoid when I left them last. They even were darker than I remember.” “We can blame that on cataracts, grandma.” “Hilarious.” Whack! “Ow!” “The looks in their eyes were other worldly. It’s only a matter of time before this town kills itself.” “Oh, joy.” Thomas began to sulk again. “So tell me, boy. How are you going to fix it?” Thomas gave her a puzzled look. “What?” “If you made the mess, you should clean it up. I’d say we have the rest of tonight to alter this Vile’s plan before it is out of our hooves. Even if we act now, I suspect that we will be met with resistance from our bewitched neighbors. So tell me, what will you do?” Thomas buried his face in his crossed hooves. “Nothing.” “Excuse me, did I just hear what I think I just heard?” “Yeah, there’s nothing I can do. It’s obvious that he is a lot smarter than I am, and he has already thought three moves ahead of anything I try. If what you saw is true, then he already has the town in his pocket.” A tear ran down Thomas’s face. “Oh, what have I done. Everyone- the jester, the young ones, even the Taiyu and Yue- is doomed. If only I hadn’t poked my nose where it didn’t belong. Maybe it would be better if I just curled up in the corner and waited for the Vile to kill…” Bang! A pot connected with the back of Thomas’s head. “Yeow! Why would you do that? You heartless hag!” “Yeah, I’m a dusty old hag. An annoyed, aged, decrepit, disgusting old hag that raised a weak minded push over!” “How dare you!” “Oh really? Prove me wrong!” Thomas’s expression flashed quiet intensity. “There is a town full of ponies that will die tonight if you don’t act, and you want to hide in the corner and pray it doesn’t find you. Will you so quickly throw away their lives to satisfy your need for self loathing? I thought I raised you better.” Thomas sat quietly deep in thought. “Well my boy, I guess you just weren’t cut out for saving lives. Maybe you will find luck in the next life and will become a mindless insect; that is, if you will exist after this Jinn devours you. If you’re just going to stand there and mope perhaps you can help me welcome our guest.” “What guest?” “The one guarding the door.” The guard pointed to himself with a quizzical look. “Yes, you. Come, sit down. have a drink. I just made a pot of tea.” “Oh...um...my orders are to not let you two leave.” “Is have a drink with an old mare going to interfere with that? You’re still watching us. Besides, what the viceroy doesn’t know won’t hurt him. “Uh, okay.” The guard sat at a small table in the middle of the room. Debora poured his tea into a tin cup and added a white substance. “What’s that?” “It’s a little something called sugar. I think it makes things sweet. I’d imagine you upper-crust aristos might have some expensive and weird named substitute that tastes a lot like it.” The guard took a sip. In an instant his face lit up like a candle. “Wow! This is great! Where did you get this?” “Oh, that’s nothing you need to worry about. Tell me, what is your job like? I have a feeling this weakling could benefit from learning about what strong ponies do.” “I’ll tell ya how itsth like, it sucks! We do all of that viceroy’s dirty work while he rakes in all of the glory.” “Oh, simply awful. Have another sip.” The guard took another sip. “And thatsth not the worst part. I don’t even think he caresth about us littly people.” “Simply atrocious.” The guard’s head began to wobble. “Uh, grandma, what’s going on?” “Oh dear! Is something the matter mr. soldier boy? You look a little pale.” “W-w-what, what wasth...in that?” “Oh, I don’t think you should worry yourself about that. Perhaps you should worry about how the viceroy is going to deal with you when this is all over.” “Treasssson! I’ll have you s-s-s-skewered for…” The guard collapsed to the ground. “Grandma! did you just…” “Please, I don’t need to kill others to get what I want. He’s just going to be out for a while. It’s only a little (but potent) sleeping agent for when I can’t sleep. By the time he wakes up, this whole problem will be resolved.” “Resolved?” “I’m going to let you in on the gravity of the situation. As of right now, we are criminals for assaulting an officer and have nothing to lose anymore. I say we make that count. We can spend the remainder of this night waiting for this Vile character or the viceroy to kill us or we can take this opportunity and put what we have left into saving this town.” “Criminals?” "We are not getting off the hook for assaulting this guard. It is more than likely that we will be beheaded for it; but, such is life. It will often blindside you when you are unwilling to make tough decisions.” “...” “Well, what do you say? You want to wait for death and feed the worms, or do you want to die fighting.” “...” Thomas flashed a weak smile and began chuckling. His fit continued until he was in a full on laugh. “What’s so funny?” “Oh, I am a sad excuse for a pony. Here I was thinking I should kill myself or wait for the world to do it for me, and the rest of the world is passing me by without a second thought. I didn’t even matter enough to be dealt with because I wouldn’t deal with the situation. I didn’t even have the gall to make a decision so it made one for me.” Thomas turned to face Debora, his eyes wide with determination. “That is not a favor I can let go unreturned. It’s time I did something that mattered.” Debora let slip a sly smile. “So?” “Let’s do it!” “That’s the boy I want to hear. Okay, first things first. We need a plan.” “I can get help from the two I was telling you about.” “The entire city will be in an uproar with everypony for themselves. How are you going to find them? We need a real plan.” She had him there. Oh, wait. Thomas reached into his pocket on his coat and pulled out the card he stashed there earlier. The Insight. “I may not have a plan, but I have an idea.” “What good will that do?” “Well, since it is called ‘The Insight’, maybe it can help us find them.” Thomas pulled out the sword pendant. “Wait, that holds a chaotic being that shows little regard for Equine life and probably knows that you just released its worst enemy. How do we even know if it will help us?” “...I haven’t the slightest.” In the next instant, Thomas stabbed the card with the pendant. A brilliant flash of light sparked in the space of the room and enveloped him. Thomas could not see. Blackness gripped his vision. “Hey! what’s going on.” Such a foalish individual. An aged voice flowed into his mind as the feeling of another’s presence startled him. “Uh… who’s there?” Exactly what gave you the idea that I would want to help you? I really don’t like Equus that much, and I like you in particular even less. “Uh...Why?” Freeing Vile, what were you thinking? I doubt any of us will want to willingly help you at all after a stunt like that. So tell me, foal, why would I help you? Thomas thought it over for a minute. This voice was right. Thomas especially would have killed the one who put the lives of those close to him in jeopardy. After a brief moment, Thomas thought up a proper rebuttal. “Have you ever heard the phrase,’ the enemy of my enemy is my friend’?” What? “You don’t have to like me; and I can accept that. Even I don’t like me right now; but, I do know that you hate this Vile character even more so. If you help me, I might be able to fight him back before he can have his way with this city.” Hmmm, city? Try world. There is no chance that he will stop at a tiny town on the outskirts of a larger population. Both Equus and Jinn will fall before him if he is allowed to take over. Do you really think that a small impurity such as yourself could possibly match a power like that? “I don’t know. But I do know that it is worth a shot, at least. What do you say?” I say you have a very one track mind. “You don’t say.” But this concept of yours brings up a valid point. I hate you, but I hate Vile even more. I guess I could lower myself to helping your pitiful city to serve the greater good of us. It doesn’t have to last forever, and I am curious to see where this half-cocked plan will get you. “So we are in agreement then?” For this one mission. If I ever see you again afterwards, I will end you without hesitation. You would do well to remember that. “Fine, you can destroy me later. Now, tell me where Taiyu and Yue are.” My, so pushy. You haven’t even told me what they look like or where I should look. “Oh, sorry. Do I need to?” Please, do you really think I’m that inept? Behold! Thomas’s vision returned. What he saw was not his grandmother’s shack, but the gate to the inner castle wall. Outside of the gate was a horde of blackened shapes beating down the door. Oh no! In the next instant, a spark of light shot through the crowd and parted it. Two figures began sprinting through the parting as they made their way to the top of a building. One was a white alicorn with braided rainbow mane and the other was a dark blue alicorn with a straight blue mane. Taiyu! Yue! They’re alright! Not for long, little one. They are out numbered; and soon, out matched. What can I do? Perhaps this will shed some light. A flash clouded Thomas’s vision as he began to see the room with the Clow book. A...book? How will that help? Ah,ah,ah, I don’t want to spoil the fun. What fun? If we are going to be working together, I need to know that you are not completely brainless. I’ve given you all of the insight that you need. Now you must make something of it. Remember there is more than one answer to every problem. How am I suppose to work with this? Get creative. Well stay in touch. Get to work! Your test starts now. Thomas’s vision faded and returned to the shack. He saw the aged mare look at him with astonishment. “Something wrong, grams?” “...What just happened?!” “Well, I have a feeling I just made a deal with a devil.” “You, you were here..but you weren’t. Like your soul left your body. Your eyes were empty and white as a sheet. I yelled at you, but you didn’t respond. What happened? What did you see?” “Well, I saw those two I was telling you about.” “And?” “They are in deep trouble.” “Fantastic.” “I have a feeling they are the key to something that could help us.” “How so?” “I also saw that book. Somehow, the Insight thinks that those two entities will solve this problem.” “The...Insight?” “It spoke to me, sort of. It said that it wants me to figure out this problem on my own with what it showed me. It said i’ll have to get creative.” Debora grimaced. “We’re dead.” Thomas smirked. “Oh ye of little faith.” “You have a plan?” ...Not a clue. “Of course I do! In fact, I’m going to put it to work right now. I’m heading out for a stroll, don’t wait up for me.” “What about me?” “Um...you stay here and...hold down the fort. You never know who could be coming over.” Before Debora could object, Thomas flew out the door and onto the streets. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Yue, how’s the situation looking?” Taiyu and Yue positioned themselves atop a house while a legion of blackened ponies with red eyes clawed and scratched at the walls supporting the house with a vicious scowl marking their faces. “We are outnumbered, out maneuvered, and cornered. We are surrounded by a tireless army of our subjects that we can’t and won’t harm, and we are exhausted.” “In other words.” “We haven’t got a prayer.” A shadowed figure climbed onto the roof while leaving a shadowy trail that marked his path. “My my, you have quite a passion for these little parasites, haven’t you?” The blackened figure closest to them began to speak as a set of sharpened, hungry teeth climbed up its body and stopped at the top of its head. “It’s too bad that these little ones aren’t really worth saving. Have you ever considered what your loyal subjects do behind your backs?” The mouth crawled off of the first figure and onto another in the crowd. “This one stole priceless silverware from your dining room this evening.” The mouth moved again to the one next to the thief. “This one was having an affair with another stallion behind her significant other’s back.” The mouth moved again. “This one was preparing to bludgeon his wife and her bedmate for having an affair behind his back.” “Just shut up!” Taiyu leveled a sheathed blade at the legion of dark figures. “Oh, a feisty one! You two have made it exceptionally difficult for me to take over; however, I have learned more than enough to break you.” “Oh really?” Taiyu scoffed,” I doubt that.” “Quite a mouth for a noble’s daughter. I would imagine that he would have already beaten that out of you. Or has he been beating you for other reasons; maybe even in more ways than one.” Taiyu’s strong expression shattered as fear gripped her face. The mouth moved over a figure that resembled the viceroy. “I hear the tole on a noble’s life is quite taxing; both physically and emotionally. All that tension needs to be relieved somehow; and, when your wife is gone, something will take that placed.” Taiyu stood motionless, paralyzed in despair and agony as horrible memories drilled into her mind. Yue rage grew. “Leave her be!” “Why would I do that? You don’t like her one bit.” “That’s not true!” “Oh? Tell me, doesn’t it just burn you up inside when the viceroy thinks she is the better daughter instead of you? What about when he doesn’t even consider you his daughter because of your little secret?” “I don’t care what my scumbag father thinks!” “Oh, I think you do. In fact, I think I see a tear coming to your eye.” It trickled down her face as she was powerless to stop it. “Ah! see! There it is. It was just a little shy. I have to tell you, my day has been just fabulous. Everyone I can use, I have under my shadowy, Incorporeal thumb. I have your very emotions and sanity on a leash; and, as I said before, I can yank on it to my heart’s desire. Isn’t it just thrilling when you get new toys?” “What do you mean, ‘everyone you can use’?” “Look for yourself.” Vile pointed to an open alleyway. Just visible in the corner was a band of ragged ponies with looks of absolute fear gripping their very beings. Each one had a number on their heads, and each one was cowering behind a frightened white stallion missing a portion of his leg. “I don’t need to take them, they’re entertaining me all on their own. Just look at them, they look absolutely adorable when they quiver. I think the one in front peed himself already.” Taiyu strained to look Vile in the eyes. “Please...leave...them...be.” “What’s this? are you asking me a favor?” “I beg of you, please!” “Oh, Taiyu my dear, I think you can beg harder than that. But, don’t you think it’s a waste of energy? Earlier this morning you were busy dismembering them, and now you want to protect them. I guess no matter the subject, you want them alive. I must say, you are either the most determined or retarded Equus I have ever had the misfortune to know. It’s quite a shame that you and your sister have casted your lots with a lost cause. I could have used you.” "That's a lie." The horde of villagers merged into a single shadow that surrounded the two and sized up to them with the mouth growing larger as it hovered overhead. “What can I say… it's a nasty habit to break.” The shadow dashed, poised to swallow Taiyu and Yue whole. The large mouth of ravenous sharp teeth opened wide. Yue dashed to her sister and raised a deep blue barrier with everything she had. In an instant, their worlds turned black. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas dashed around corners and bends at full gallop, trying to make it to the castle in the center of town for what seemed to be the only hope of saving a doomed town. He attempted to avoid an encounter with the blackened spot covering what use to be a line of inns and apartments While keeping relatively close to the main walkway. “That is the Vile?!” Indeed, and this is his weakest. It’s amazing what he can do with limited materials. “How am I suppose to beat that?” Simple, you wont. “Huh?” As I said, you are an insignificant impurity. There is not a thing you can do to take him head on. Think back to what you saw. Thomas began retracing his memories for a clue. What came to mind was the Clow book and the two mares. After a minute, a deduction sprang to mind. “I will need to get to that book or else this will all have been in vain. I may not be able to assault him directly, but something in their can.” Precisely! Now while you do that, I’ll monitor you in my safe place. Thomas began gingerly trotting around the shadow for fear of being spotted. "Watch...the...black part." He whispered to himself as it appeared to move under his footsteps. Though his hooves were quick, the shadow was quicker. A hoof connected with the shadow and a large set of teeth appeared and rose to eye level. "Oh, hi! If it isn't my favorite indentured employee! Congratulations, you've brought enlightenment and beauty to these poor and deprived souls without any thought for your own gain. You sir are truly a visionary for us all." Thomas stared in disgust as bodies of what was once the inhabitants of the city began oozing out of the Vile like an infected wound. "Beauty?! It's hideous!" "Oh come on, they've never been better. Just ask them." A head solidified next to its mouth. "Tells us! how do you feel?" The head made a repulsive gurgling noise. "There, see? Strait from the horse's mouth. Now they have become as one, abolishing their selfish and destructive individualism to work for the better of the whole; and, the best part is, you've done it all on your own." "I never wanted any of this. You said that you could make a better world, not devour one." "You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. Besides, this isn't for our new world." "Then what is this." "I like it!" “That's...that's…” “Vile? Maybe so. I would imagine that you would have an open mind to the good of the many instead of your misconception of individuality. I thought the same for your two friends as well, but they proved obstinate.” Thomas’s heart skipped a beat. “What have you done with Taiyu and Yue?!” “As of yet, not a thing. They are acting very rebellious and indifferent. In fact, they’re over there.” In the direction the vile pointed with a gaseous appendage was a bulge in the Vile’s form. It then began to move down the building, across the walkway, and near Thomas. “Whoops, I meant right here.” Vile’s mouth opened wide and spat out a large blue ball. Upon colliding with the ground, the ball shattered and released two exhausted mares; each one’s face reflecting agonizing pain. “Taiyu! Yue!” “While I admit I can take pleasure in working for my meal, their squabble has bored me long enough; however, I have yet to chase you around.” Thomas began to back away from the mouth as anxiety began taking its toll on his composure. His hoof began unconsciously reaching for the sword pendant. “Wait...w-what are you talking about?!” “I’m hungry, little one. Feed me.” The mouth opened wide and lunged. Thomas closed his eyes. Crack! When Thomas opened his eyes, he did not find the void within the Vile’s stomach. At the end of his hoof was a bright sword with the chain of the pendant bonded to his skin. At the end of the sword was a set of sharp teeth viciously trying to close as the sword buried deep into the jaw. After a few seconds of struggling, the teeth began to unwedge itself from the sword. “You puzzle me, little one,” the jaw said as the gap created by the sword regrew as if by magic. “I do not usually find problems when dealing with half-breeds, and I shouldn’t expect anything more from you. After poking around in your head, I couldn’t see anything that would lead to this behavior.” “W-what do you mean?” “If anything, your pride should have stopped you from addressing what you consider a problem. Yet you are here, facing your mess head on. What caused the magnificent Thomas to swallow his pride and face me knowing that this is all entirely his fault?” Thomas remained silent while tilting his head to the ground. The Vile followed his gaze and began staring at the two unconscious mares before him. A satanic smile beamed from his form as he began laughing maliciously. “Oh! I get it! It’s all for them! You perverted dog you! You really think that you’ll end up the heroic stallion to this fairy tale fantasy and save the damsels in distress. You’ve even fooled yourself into thinking that you’re not doing it for any sensual pleasure. I guess one wasn’t good enough for you. you had to start a collection, didn’t you?” Thomas began blushing. “Shut up! That’s not true!” “You filthy lecherous liar! You just want to take over where daddy left off!” “I would never!” “Oh, but maybe you would. You never know,-” a figure of the viceroy emerged from the filth,”two mares, alone in a royal suite, behind locked doors. Anything could happen.” Thomas’s rage flared as his eyes began to well up. “You know what? Have it your way!” the Vile’s void manifested two thin black vines and stabbed the unconscious mares in the ribs. In an instant, they awoke with a gasping breath. They began struggling to stand on their hooves as Thomas rushed to their sides to help them. “You want to play the hero, so be it! Save your damsels in distress!” “From what?” Thomas shouted. “From this!” the Vile’s form began to quiver and burble as figures began crawling out of it and forming complete creatures. “Uhh, any ideas?” Yue looked around the alleyway. In one corner was a door. “There!” All three galloped for it. Taiyu and Thomas burst into a bland kitchen void of any cooking utensils. Yue remained in the doorway and beckoned to the criminals cowering in the corner. “Boss, I think it’s that mare that burned me earlier.” “Forget her! Her sister has a knife!” “Everypony shut up and run!” Number one said as he began smacking the other members to goad them into moving. All ten crammed into the little room as Yue shut the door behind them. He horn began to glow as energy began pooling out in globs and coating the door. “A bit sloppy, but it will have to do. That door wont be moving for at least a few moments.” Yue joined the now large group and positioned herself next to Taiyu and Thomas. “Ok, first things first.” Smack! In a blur, a blue hoof collided with Thomas’s face sending him reeling. “OW! Why does everyone like hitting me today!” “That’s for what you did to my sister-” Before Thomas had a moment to respond, another blur caught his eye. Whack! The sheath of Taiyu’s sword cracked Thomas in the stomach. He dropped like a bag of rocks and was on the verge of vomiting. “-and that’s for everything else that has happened today.” Taiyu finished. Thomas’s breath became shallow as he attempted to recover from the pain emanating from both his face and his stomach. The points of injury confused his senses as he didn’t know which one to address for relief. “...O...Ok...I’ll admit I deserved that.” “Good. Now that that’s behind us, we have a very big problem on our hooves. This thing no longer finds us amusing; and that means he will be throwing us away any chance he gets. Worse still, he is putting in an effort to make sure our bloody murders will be gruesome. He commands immense power and we have no way to defend ourselves because my magic and Taiyu’s sword are worthless against him. He holds all of the cards and we have no way to win.” “I wouldn’t say no way.” “What do you mean?” “Well, there is a way to disperse him; but the only way to do it is if I have the book from the library. It is the key to bringing him down.” “How do you know this?” Thomas pulled out the Insight. “A little birdy told me.” “Oh no,” Taiyu interrupted,” there is no way that thing is going to help us. It is one of them, and it probably doesn’t like any of us.” “No it does not; but, it hates the Vile even more. It simply wants to bring him down as well. We don’t have to worry about it.” “Well, it’s not like we have a choice. What did it say about the book?” “Well...Nothing much. It just said we need that book in order to save ourselves.” “Not very useful, is he? Fine, we need a plan to reach the castle in one piece.” “Hang on, you’ve got wings,” number five inferred,” just fly over there and bring it back.” “....” “Well?” “We...can’t.” “Why not?” “...” “Well?” “We…can’t fly.” A sly grin began forming on number five’s lips. “ahaaaahaaahahahahahahaaaahaha” He broke out into a fit of laughter. It progressed until he was sprawled on the floor gasping for breath. “*gasp* so you mean*gasp* to tell me*gasp* that two fully grown adult mares with wings *gasp* can’t fly? You mean to tell me that the two mares that barbequed half of us and butchered the other can’t fly?” Taiyu drew her sword. “I can continue butchering you if you think it’s that funny.” Number five’s laughter died down as the sword slowly leveled to his chest. “S-sorry m’lady.” “That’s better. Now, does anyone have a plan.” The inhabitants of the room began turning to Thomas. “...What?” “Well, since you are here, you must have been prepared with some kind of plan, right?” Taiyu questioned. “Uh...Well…” “You mean you have no plan whatsoever?” “I was kinda winging it.” “...Well then, I guess that leaves you Yue. What cha got?” Bang! Bang! “From the sound of it, we don’t have much time. You do have something, right?” “Give me a second! I’m thinking!” Bang! Bang! Bang! Yue’s eyes became flustered as thoughts began building in her head and dispersing out of anxiety. The shiny, mother of pearl like blue barackade cracked down the middle and began splintering further with every pound on the door. Yue began frantically scanning the room for options but was turning up empty hoof. Then she stopped at the ten standing near the door. Immediately, her eyes lit up like a torch. “Say, weren’t you ten suppose to leave town when we beat you into submission.” The ten began giving Yue quizzical looks as an inspired look gripped her face. “How would you like to earn your pardon?” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bang! Bang! Bang! The hord of blackened figures rammed the door with tremendous force as the encasing on the door began to shatter. A mouth grew on the figure closest to the door. “Knock, knock! Times up little ones!” Bang! Bang! Bang! The door’s integrity waned as the casing began breaking off in chunks. On more hit and the seal would break for sure. “Feeding Time!” Crrrrack! The door caved in. The shaded figures poured in like a river and charged Taiyu, Yue, and Thomas standing in the middle of the room. In a mad dash, all three ran deeper into the house. The shadowy figures continued to chase with blinding speed as they all navigated their way through the empty house and out the back door. As the legion of black, demonic villagers burst through the walls of the house the three runners split up and disappeared into the alleys. The horde followed their example and divided into three groups which pursued them with great speed. “The chase is on! I love a good run!” as the groups began gaining on each of the three, a smoke charge ignited and covered the group. “Where did they go!” “Find them!” “Feed!” “Over here!” A voice called out in a taunt. “After him!” Half of the group continued the chase. Another bomb sparked after a few alleyways. “Another one!” “Still here!” “Kill it!” A third of the group continued the chase. All three of them ran until each was cornered into an alley on separate sides of the town. A mouth formed onto the leader of each group. “This has been a lot of fun for me, but I think it’s time we end this little charade.” All nine began laughing. “What a twisted sense of humor. Laughing at your own demise? I thought I reserved that pleasure all by my lonesome.” “Wrong again!” “Come again?” “Haven’t you been paying attention to your hunting dogs?” The figure with a mouth looked around and bared an enraged look as he noticed that his group was considerably smaller. “I am missing parts of me, yet they all say they’ve surrounded their prey. What black magic is this?” “Not black magic.” all nine said. Their forms began destabilizing as portions of their exterior began melting off. Underneath the melting form were not the three, but nine of the Vicious Ten. “Just really good makeup.” Each pretender pulled a smoke bomb from their pocket. “As a representative of our esteemed band of fighters, allow me to say it is has been a pleasure to fool with you.” Pooffff! In a cloud of smoke, each snuck away back into the shadows. “...Well that was very annoying.” The Vile’s tone shifted into a very deep growl. the legion began to dissolve as he assumed his void form. “I don’t like being annoyed!” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Do you think that will buy us enough time?” Thomas said to Yue as they crossed the threshold of the outer gate to the castle. “I think It will buy us a few more seconds. It’s a good thing we can call in favors.” “It’s a good thing I can disguise other ponies to play our stunt-doubles.”Taiyu interjected. “No, you can splash on some colors and call it a disguise. A bit sloppy for my taste, but it should due if he doesn’t look directly at them in any form of light or up close.” “I don’t do magic well.” “I told you I should do it.” “We need to save whatever you have left for when he figures out what we really are up to. I made an executive decision to aid us in the long run.” Taiyu’s breathing quickened as fatigue began chipping away at her demeanor. “Even at a basic color spell, you can’t do it without spending yourself. You really are a pathetic magic user.” “Why do you think I carry weapons?” “Point taken.” As they entered the castle, a soul shredding scream tore through the sky and burrowed into their ears. “That didn’t last long.” “Told you I should have done it.” “To the library!” Thomas screamed. The three blazed through the foyer as a large black shadow began enveloping the courtyard. “I’m not having fun anymore!” Vile spat. The three charged up the stair with all that they had as the shadow began to encircle the room below and work its way up the stairs. They burst into the dining room as the shadow trailing them began to grow innumerable sets of jagged and slimy teeth ready to rip away body parts. Upon reaching the next staircase, the shadow sped up. Thomas’s foot could not evade the black void any longer. Rrrrippp! A chunk of flesh from Thomas’s foot was torn free from his leg. Thomas stumbled as he let out a bemoaning wail of anguish and crippling pain. Before he could fall to the other mouths, Taiyu snatched him up by the neck and carried him on her back. “We don’t have the time for you to die!” Into the library they plowed. The Vile rose from clinging to the floor and walls to eye level as he lunged for his meal. all four ran into the room with the book. Taiyu, Yue, and Thomas jumped for the circle and landed within its seal. The Vile’s shadow stopped dead. “...Hah! What are you going to do now?! Big bad Shadowy Jinn can’t cross the line!” Taiyu spouted. The mouths began grinning as the edges of the seal began to evaporate with a hissing sound. Their time was drawing close to its end and it was now or never. “You and your big mouth. Thomas! take the book!” Yue threw the book at the floor where Taiyu had dropped Thomas. Thomas began flipping through the pages, trying to remain focused with the hole in his leg demanding he lose consciousness. Thomas flipped to the section with the cards still within the hollowed center of the pages. He pulled out the sword pin and poised himself to stab. “I sure hope this works.” Thomas struck the deck. Fwwwwissshshshsssh! A bright light enveloped Thomas as his vision faded. In his darkness, Thomas began to feel the familiar sense of other beings within his head. This time was different, though. This time the sense was overpowering and the other being he sense seemed innumerable. What is this? An Equus? An Equus! Dirty thing! The voices chattered and shouted until Thomas’s hearing started to falter. “Everypony shut up!” So commanding! Insolent beast! How dare he talk to us as such! “Do you know who I am?” You damned your world! He set Vile free. How could you? “He tricked me.” How easy it is to do to such pests. Leave us before we feed on you! “I came to make a deal.” The voices silenced as if deep in thought. A deal? You’re in no position to bargain! “Just hear me out!” All was quiet once again. “I can understand that you don’t like Equus, and I can understand that you hate me even more.” Filthy half-breed! “But I do know something that you know too. You hate the Vile even more.” Get to the point. He’s made his point. Kill him now! “I can fight him for you! I can destroy your greatest foe!” Liar! arrogance! This is impossible! How do you plan on doing this? “I..I don’t know yet; but I do know one thing. It’s all my fault that he is free. I can accept that you want to kill me. My only wish as a dead pony walking is that you let me die at his hands if I can’t defeat him.” Lost cause! Cut out the middle pony, I say kill him know! Thomas’s breath grew short as he felt a constricting force wrap around his neck. He was being judged by an unscrupulous group of beings and was being found undesirable. What would a lowly spawn like you dare demand from us? “All I need you to do is help me to weaken the Vile.” We are done! Time to die! You’ve wasted our time long enough! Thomas began to choke as he could no longer breath. Consciousness began to fade as his fate appeared to be sealed. “Wait!” Thomas’s breath returned as the force constricting his neck began to loosen. A familiar voice began speaking. “Mighty ones, have we really considered letting something as putrid as the Vile have the world we so desperately fought for? Will we be so weak as to lie down peacefully as he takes our divine power away from us?” Could it be? Silence! the Insight speaks. “Vile’s existence has marred our pure and high names for long enough! We all want him destroyed. I say, let this poor thing throw itself to the Vile as we support his effort and take over when he is spent!” End its existence! Show it its place! Squash it to pieces! Thomas began to reel back from the pure essence of savagery emanating from the voices occupying his head. “Well Thomas, they want blood. It’s time you gave it to them. I’ve set you up for with the means, now do something with them. Thomas heard a scream as his vision blinked in for a moment revealing Taiyu and Yue standing next to his body. The circle evaporated and the shadow bridged the gap between them instantly. In a brilliant flash of blue aura, a barrier surrounded the three while a mouth of vicious teeth began gnawing at the barrier. They only had precious seconds of life left. Come on Thomas, he thought to himself, Think! Anxiety took its toll as his thoughts became clouded and blurry. He had no clue how to save them. “How can I give them blood?!” In an instant, an idea flashed through Thomas’s mind. “So you say you want blood?” Lots of it! Make Vile bleed! Tear into his soul! “Well then, far be it from me to stop you. I’ll let you draw blood for yourselves!” You mean… “Come out of your prisons and tear him apart!” Freedom! Free us! Let us out! “Thomas, what are you doing?” “Using my resources.” Thomas’s vision returned. In one hoof was the book and the other his pendant. He positioned his pendant to strike the book. “Now...Feed!” Thomas struck the deck of cards with his pendant. Qwwaaaaaaah! A circle mimicking the seal on the book formed at Thomas’s hooves. From within, the arms of terrifying creatures began clawing out of the seal as whole figures formed. Out of the seal poured these terrifying and powerful creatures, each one with one thing on their mind, devour the Vile. “Tear him to shreds!” The horde of Jinn began to rip apart portions of the Vile’s body as the unconscious bodies of possessed villagers began falling out of the blackened void. Vile’s form began deteriorating as The Jinn continued to feed on him. After a ravenous frenzy gorged itself on the rest of his form on the lower floors, all of the Jinn dispersed. “Where are they going?” Where do you think, fool, to freedom. You let all of these destructive beasts into a world that is not prepared for them. What were you thinking? “I...I didn’t see any other option.” “Hahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahaha.” A maniacal laughter spewed from a tiny black mark on the floor next to Thomas, Taiyu, and Yue’s hooves. “Brought to my knees by a filthy half-breed and two lower life forms. Isn’t this an interesting turn of events; but, even if you slowed me down for the time being, you’ve failed once again!” “No matter what the size, he still has a repulsive attitude.” Taiyu remarked. “You have just unleashed a population of unimaginably powerful creatures into a world that has no way to deal with them. Now that they are free, this world will fall to ruins; and once again, it’s all your fault!” Vile began cackling again. “Yeah, well, at least you won’t be destroying it anytime soon.” Taiyu retorted. “Stupid bottom feeder! I don’t need to destroy it. I just have to step in when the dirty work is all done and take away everything my close minded brethren worked for. I can wait! I can wait until the end of time! I can wait this whole thing out and there isn’t a thing you can do to stop me!” “You’re one to talk, considering you’ve been reduced to an ink blot. I don’t think you pose a threat right now.” Yue stated. “Oh, I’m not the one you need to worry about. For starters, maybe you should worry about the villagers sprawled across the castle when they awaken and remember that you brought this all on them.” “Shut up.” Thomas began clutching the pendant in his hooves tighter. “Oh the titles they will give you. Traitor! Scum! Demon! Devil! Murderer!” “...” Blood began leaking from Thomas’s hoof as the pendant buried deeper into it. “What will you do now? No home! No friends! No one left in the world to love you! All alone by yourself as a guilty criminal responsible for thousands of deaths and ruined lives! You’ve nothing left to live for!” Thomas struggled to crawl to the blackened spot on the ground to avoid agitating the wound in his back leg. Once over the Vile’s weakened form, he drew the pendant above it. As it was raised, energy sparked from it as a sword took its place. “You can seal away my form if you want; but it won’t change a thing. You can’t stop me even if you hold me prisoner.” The sword came down. “No matter what, I’ve won!” The two connected. Flash! Energy erupted from the Vile’s body with sparks. His body began to shrink and form a shape the size of the cards. As his form slowly deteriorated, Vile laughed and laughed as his voice became more distorted and dissonant. Eventually, the black form became nothing more than a card on the floor. All was silent. Thomas picked up the card. On the front was an illustration of a black void with vicious teeth and eyes. The Vile. “It’s over.” Yue said. Thomas’s face lowered as he grew silent. “He’s right. It’s all my fault.” A form began to stir in the hallway leading into the octagonal room as a figure approached the three. The viceroy soon became visible as he stumbled into eyesight. “You! Look at what you have done!” The viceroy’s horn sparked as fire began manifesting on the tip. The flame moved to his hoof as he approached Thomas’s damaged body. As he approached, Taiyu and Yue shifted closer to their fallen ally but began to falter from sheer exhaustion. “For endangering the lives of our citizens, bringing forth an enemy of all equus kind, and assaulting the royal family, I only see fit to set you ablaze and have the town watch you burn. What say you, filthy demon?!” Thomas met the viceroy’s gaze of rage with a face of pure sullen acceptance. He was ready for death. He was even on the verge of begging for death to unburden himself from the knowledge of the pain he caused and would cause. Nothing came to mind as he remained silent, waiting for the viceroy’s wrath to engulf him and set him free. Wait! A single, powerful thought shot straight through Thomas’s head as the memory of releasing countless numbers of Jinn activated in his mind. If I die, everypony else dies too! Thomas shook off his contentment for death as his resolve shifted to the responsibility for protecting those he put into harms way that night. “I have one thing to say, my lord.” The viceroy’s fury began to subside as curiosity took its place. “Speak, my young one.” The viceroy said in a soothing voice. “I am ready to pay for what I did tonight. I will take whatever you give me without a second thought. But before you end me, I need to do something first.” “What is it that you desire?” “The countless hordes of Jinn from legend and stories have been unleashed on a world that has no way to fight back. I am the only one that can fight back because of what I am. I can even return them to their prisons and to the book. With your blessing, please let me bring them all back before they take our world from us. After that, you may do to me as you wish.” The viceroy’s eyes began reflecting gentleness as he began to ponder the last request of a prisoner desperately seeking for closure to his dilemma. “You have committed terrible atrocities tonight. There is no judge that would let you live for what has happened.” Thomas’s face began to reflect worry as his proposal appeared to be be failing to win over the viceroy. “However, I am no judge. If you are so hell-bent on prolonging your suffering for the sole purpose of mending your failures, I see no reason to let you try to gain closure.” Thomas’s face beamed with joy as his fears faded. “Oh, thank you my lord.” “You’ve no reason to be thankful. I will grant your last wish on one condition.” The smile began to fade. The viceroy’s horn began to radiate a red aura as energy began sparking from it. Without warning, the viceroy shot the energy at Thomas’s chest as he felt a tight pain in his heart. “You have one year to bring back all of the Jinn you’ve unleashed to this castle. After the year, your heart will burn within your chest and kill you slowly and painfully. Oh, don’t worry. I have been reading up on your kind quite a lot lately. Because you’re part Jinn, you’re naturally resistant to magic. You’re even impervious to basic magic. However, this is no basic magic. That spell would have normally incinerated a pony in less than a second. Because of your inborn nature, that spell will work away at your life until you won’t be able to resist it any longer. I cannot let you think you can flee from your punishment and this will surly prove that.” “I...I understand.” “Also, I won’t kill you yet; but, I can’t allow you to get of as free as you would be. As long as you are away, you are forbidden to return to Salutem. As far as anypony is concerned, you have died tonight by the will of that black beast. You may only return when you have sealed away the Jinn you have unleashed at the next festival of sages.” Thomas was shocked. His entire life was crumbling around him, and he had little control over it. As he slowly came to grips with his new reality, he began to find acceptance. “Understood my lord.” “Excellent.” Another sparked formed on the viceroy’s horn. A wave of bright red aura washed over Thomas as he began to feel more comfortable. After the wave passed, Thomas stood on his four hooves as he realized that his large wound was gone. Though he could move his leg again, a feeling of fatigue still tugged at his mind. “Though this will fix your major problems, your Jinn blood prevents the full effects of the spell from healing you quickly. It will be a while before you will be at full strength.” “Thank you.” Lychinus then began repeating the spell on the two sisters on the floor. They awoke with a gasp and began to work their way to standing. “As for you two, I will have a talk with you later.” The viceroy turned to Thomas with a serious expression. “You have an hour to collect what you will need from your house. After that, the guard will escort you to the outside of the city.” “Thomas, what’s happening?” Yue asked. Thomas turned to face his allies. “I’m leaving; and I don’t think I’ll be coming back.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas began packing a small sack on his bed. In it he put a few spare coins and a few days worth of provisions. “So you’re leaving.” Debora asked with a hint of intrigue. “I’m afraid so. There is a world filled with extremely powerful creatures out there and I am the only one who can deal with them. If I’m going to make what happened tonight count, I’m going to have to fix what I messed up.” “I see.” “Are you sure you’ll be alright all by yourself?” Whack! Thomas’s head began to throb. “Ow!” “You tell me, am I capable of surviving?” “I think you’ll be the death of me, and anypony else in this town you don’t like.” “Besides, I’ve got a lovely assistant to help me while you are gone.” Debora waved to the guard she drugged earlier as he stood in the kitchen brewing a pot of tea. He smiled and waved back. Thomas couldn’t help but smile at the fact that she wouldn’t be left alone; and then cringed at the thought of what Debora might have done to this guard to make him this way after he left. “Ok then, I believe this is goodbye.” “I guess it is.” Thomas stepped out the door to view his last look at the town he grew up in and called home. The thought of never seeing it again began to sink in as depression began to grip him. “Wait! Before you go.” “Yes?” “You’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. Never forget that at least one cranky old hag still believes in you.” “Thank you.” “Prove to me that I’m not wrong.” Thomas’s depression passed as a smile creeped onto his face. “Of course.” “also.” “What?” “You better write to me or I swear I’ll kill you myself.” “Y-yes grandma.” “Good! Now get going, you're wasting moonlight. Thomas stepped out the door and into the hooves of two guards waiting there for him. They began walking down the wide walkway that was filled with vibrant colors and music not a few hours before. As the gates of the outer wall opened, Thomas could see nothing but rows of forests and groves stretching for what appeared to be miles. He trotted through the gates and felt the dirt of the outside under his hooves. As he turned back to his last view of the city, the gates closed shut. “Well, now I am alone.” Not alone completely, foalish one. Thomas jump at the sound of a familiar voice. “Insight? is that you?” It is. You’ve failed miserably at handling the Vile incident and created more chaos than ever. Thomas grimaced. “Thanks for the reminder.” The way I see it, the mission is not over. You still need to deal with the released Jinn as well as deliver on your promise of killing Vile. As long as that still remains unresolved, we’re stuck together. “Well...then, welcome aboard. We’ve got a lot of traveling to do and not a lot of time to do it.” Not so fast. I don’t feel very talkative right now and I am still a bit disappointed with you. In the future, only summon me for help when you’re dealing with Jinn. Other than that, you won’t hear a peep from me. Thomas felt around in his coat pocket as he pulled out the two cards he acquired earlier. “Isn’t that something. I’ve got two creatures in my hoof. One that wants to kill me, and the other that wants to mess with me; and neither will speak to me.” Thomas returned them to his pocket and began to walk. “This is going to be a long trip.” “You’re not going anywhere!” Thomas turned to find the origin of the voice as he saw two forms drop in from above. One was a white alicorn with braided rainbow hair and cladded in a red and yellow tunic. The other was a dark blue alicorn with straight blue hair cladded in a dark blue tunic. “What are you two doing here? I though you were talking with the viceroy.” "Oh, we talked. It just didn't get far as we saw differing opinions on the what happened." Taiyu said. “If you’re going on anywhere, we are coming with you.”Yue concluded. “No, you can’t. You have a city to run and a throne to rule from.” “I doubt we’ll still have a birth right to the throne after the viceroy finds out we are missing.” “Why would you do that? You still had a home and royalty. Why would you give that away?” Taiyu began smirking. “I don’t think you get the big picture. Throne? Royalty? This city is nothing but table scraps with a tiny kingdom to govern it. I don’t want to be a ruler of a small city with little to no real authority, I want something bigger.” “Like what?” Taiyu turned to face the expansive forests. “There’s an entire world out there that is ripe for the taking. Everything I could ever hope to achieve lies in this vast world of possiblility.” Taiyu then turned to Thomas. “I will be the one who sits on top of that world; and nothing is going to stop me.” Thomas began to worry as arrogance quickly turned to avarice. “Besides, the only reason you survived tonight was because we were there to help you. If you want to carry out this little crusade of yours, you are going to need both of us.” “She’s right.” Luna continued. “The only way this is going to work is if we can work together.” “Why are you coming? I understand her power hunger, but what about you?” Yue reached into a bag on her side and pulled out the Clow book. “Thomas, many of us tried everything to break into this book. What you did to open it was done by countless others before you. So why did your attempt succeed where they failed?” “I don’t know.” Yue began to grin. “I don’t either; but, the answer to it is through you. I am interested in where an adventure like this will take us. I am also curious about these beings that no pony has seen since time immemorial. I want to find out what you are, and what you will do when a challenge arrises.” “Many of those Jinn will be either just as dangerous or even more so than Vile ever could be. I can’t guarantee that we’ll all make it through this alive.” “We can either die by their will taking the fight to them or die when you conquer us and leave no one alive. What happens out there with both the Jinn and ourselves will affect countless others we never knew existed. If we are going to fight back, we should do it while there's still a tiny chance of winning.” Thomas sighed. From their demeanor, there was no possible way he could change their minds. “Well then, if this is going to be our new lives, we should get to stepping. We have a long trip ahead of us and a strict schedule to keep.” “Rightfully so! Come now, comrades! For glory awaits!” Taiyu shouted while dramatically leaning on Yue. Thomas began to smile faintly as enthusiasm filled the air. For the first time in what seemed an age, he felt that he could finally let himself be happy and ready to face the world. “Hey blank flank! You coming?” Taiyu said as the sisters began to traverse the forest. “Hey kettle, it’s pot. Are you black today?” Yue retorted in a smug tone. Following the comment, Yue was met with a smack to the head as Taiyu glared at her. Thomas felt a spring in his step as caught up to the two before they could break into a fight. “Now now, no need for hostilities.” Thomas wrapped a front leg around Taiyu’s shoulders and the other around Yue’s shoulders. “If we are going to be an effective team, we are going to need to let our grievances go. Now let’s be off. Gold and glory awaits!” All three began to trek into the forest. As they marched along into the unknown territory that lay before them, first light peaked over the horizon. A new day, as well as a new dawn, began. To Be Continued...