Flutter Mane-ia CHP 6: Hidden Savior
“Where are all the beautiful tapestries hiding in this dust-infested dungeon!?” Rarity asked, frustrated and fed up with the bare walls that had surrounded them for nearly an hour. She and Spike had been searching for the perfect ancient fabric to repair, but it seemed as if the castle was not willing to comply. So far, they searched down six long corridors and they had yet to witness even a thread of the classic equine artworks. Her horn began to ache from the constant use of light she provided. Her hooves were already sore from all the walking she had done.
“I, uh, wouldn’t know Rarity. Maybe they were destroyed. That’s probably what happened. Now this has been real fun, but now I think we should call it a day and head back to get Twilight and Fluttershy and—.“ There, Spike’s quick rant ceased as the majestic unicorn magically quieted him.
“Hush Spike!” she turned and scolded him sharply. “I’ll have no talk of giving up until I have what I came to this dreadful place for. All our suffering will be worth it I can restore at least one amazing artwork back to its former glory.” After pausing for a few seconds of longing in the distance, she recomposed herself and asked another question in a much more calming voice. “What’s gotten into you anyway?” She promptly removed her magical mute on him to receive her answer.
This question took the dragon aback. As much as he wanted to tell her about everything that he noticed so far, he knew how crazy it sounded. If it was anypony else, he’d tell them in a second, but since it was Rarity… he just couldn’t bring himself to say it. “I’m… worried, that’s all. Worried for Twilight that is. You know how she can get sometimes without me there to help her out.”
“Awwww.” she responded endearingly, turning this time to give him a hug. “That’s so sweet of you Spikey-Wikey.”
Feeling her warmth against his cool scales, he was instantly relieved of all his worries. The sweet smell of her mane and coat permeated around him, sweeping away all thoughts of abandoning this ‘mission’.
After a few longing moments, she released her touch and turned forward to resume the search. “Hmmm...” she hummed in thought, examining the area around her. “There must be some place all the tapestries are hiding…” So far they only searched the first floor. Just down the hall, she eyed a set of conveniently placed stairs. Suddenly, a moment of ‘brilliance’ dawned on Rarity. “Perhaps they were moved into the basement for safe storage! I am certain if we head down there we are sure to find something amazing!”
And just like that, Spike was instantly worried again, except this time his woes were nearly doubled. He quickly tried to convince his love that this was the worst idea he had ever heard, “R-rarity, I don’t think that’s a very good idea. This place is over a thousand years old, and… it could collapse at any minute. I think the first floor is safe enough. Let’s just—“
“Nonsense!” Rarity interrupted him yet again. “I doubt this ungrateful castle would crumble that easily. Now come along,” and she beckoned him to follow her down the stairs.
The small dragon sighed in defeat. His concerns fell on deaf ears. ‘Why must she be so stubborn?’ he thought. With his reservations aside, he descended downward into the pitch-black bowls of the building, closely following the luminescent light blue glow.
“How’s it coming, Twi?” asked Applejack for the third time while nervously pacing back in forth. It was bad enough that she failed to protect her friend from the first attack, and now she was feeling even lower. It was her fault that Rainbow Dash had become this… this monster. If only she’d have been quicker. If only she had never brought them to this place for that stupid contest. If only…
“Still nothing.” the alicorn frustratingly responded, frantically flipping through the ancient tomes like a madpony. Even with her speed-reading spell, she could only take in so much novel information. Despite her short respite, her magic had not yet fully recovered. Her horn was beginning to create a sizzling pain that shot into her already aching skull.
Finally, with agonizing scream, Twilight released all the spells she was casting and fell back into her chair. Her magic was almost burnt out completely, and she knew it would take a long time to recover if that happened: time they wouldn’t have.
Noticing this, the earth pony hastily rushed over to her. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just… too weary to continue looking. I need to save my magic. I still need to find Spike and—“
“But what about Rainbow?” asked AJ, with an insulted tone. “She’s our friend too, and she needs help right now!” She was annoyed that Twilight would even think about anypony else besides their injured friend.
“I know that Applejack, it’s just… it’s just that this search is useless.” She saw her friend face twist even angrier, and quickly amended her statement. “I mean I already looked through all the other mythology books this library has, and nothing else mentioned a single word about vamponies or the cure. None of the spelIs I read help with this either. The medical books don’t say anything too! Look, I know you’re tired, and angry, and irritated, but there’s nothing more I can do. She’s stable right now, and with the magical binds on her, even if she does turn feral, she won’t be able to hurt anypony. Besides, I have a plan. After I recover a bit, I’ll head out and find Spike. Once I do, I’ll bring him back here, then he’ll be able to send a letter to Celestia for help. If anypony knows what to do, it’ll be her. Trust me, Rainbow Dash will be fine.”
Her words seemed to soften the earth pony. “It’s just… I hate not bein’ able to do anything. Everything about this situation don’t make a lick of sense. I wanna help, but I can’t… All I can do is sit here and watch ma pal transform into a monster.”
“You’ve already done enough AJ.” said Twilight, putting her hoof on the mare’s shoulder. “You shouldn’t worry yourself anymore because it will only make you feel worse. Right now, what you can do to help is watch over and protect her.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
With that, silence dominated the room once again as the two drifted off into their respective thoughts.
By now, the Pony of Shadows could feel the energy revitalize its weary soul, even through the flesh it wore. With every step, more strength flowed back into it. The sweet taste of blood still tantalized it, as it licked its fangs for the twentieth time, trying and failing to find a drop of life elixir left on them.
Nevertheless, it was still too weak to regain any substantial power. No, this was just a taunt; a mere taste of what was to come. After all, it was the life force of one pony, and only half the force was siphoned at that. Ponies alone could not sate its ancient thirst for its lost strength. If anything, this encounter only fueled its voracious desire. It need more, and more and…
It shook its fleshy head, snapping it out of the near feeding frenzy. ‘I must have patience. I have waited this long, so a few more hours is nothing.’ Staring at its ample host’s hooves, admiring their sickeningly yellow complexion, it calmed itself down.
After what had seemed like a century, the Pony of Shadows was back to its normal state of ire-filled apathy. Its mind drifted to the grand scheme, which was finally coming into perspective. With the last of the preparations taken care of, there was nothing that could get in its way now. It could not help but feel satisfaction as a smile slashed across its face. ‘I really must thank you again my dear; your body is most useful for my plan.’
It was referring to poor Fluttershy, who had just recently woken up. She was in some sort of dark grey room, with a single wall replaced with the moving picture of a body in motion. However, this was not just any body… it was her body, but different somehow. In the corner opposite from her was what looked like the shape of a large pony, but with a see-through body? She looked down and she too was translucent as well, except for a chain that was wrapped around her neck, holding her trapped to the wall.
Then, as if her mind suddenly roared to life, she heard a voice. It was soft yet scathing. Calming and yet alarming. A sinister mix of smooth and deadly. It seemed to mention her as it spoke, but the words were too fuzzy to make out.
Then she noticed it. The pony in the distance had turned around, revealing not exactly a pony, but a shifting mass of shadows with a razor sharp grin and sinister yellow eyes. The captured pegasus squealed in horror, feebly trying to retreat deeper into her corner.
This caused a chilling laugh to echo throughout her mind. Finally, she was able to make out the words: ‘Poor, dear Fluttershy, you have nothing to fear… not for a while that it. I won’t hurt you until all your other friends fall first. There is nothing you can do to stop me from them. So you might as well sit back and enjoy the front row seat of the carnage.’ it ended, cackling.
At the mention of her friends, the yellow pony surged with newfound power. ‘You better not lay a single hoof on my friends.’ she responded in a protective and motherly voice, staring daggers at the illusory pony-shaped mist. ‘I don’t know who you are, or what you are, or where we are, but I do know my friends will save me and stop you.’
However, this only added to the laughter as it rose in volume.
‘They… they will. ’ she said, her confidence beginning to waver.
‘ENOUGH!’ roared the Pony of Shadows, instantly teleporting in front of her. ‘No one is coming to save you, and you and your friends will meet they demise on this night! I have already taken down one of you friends, and now you will watch me fell the rest!’
‘W-who did you h-hurt?’ asked Fluttershy, her concern briefly overcoming her trepidation.
‘You will see soon enough my little pony.’
Suddenly, its head jerked towards the large screen. Its mouth curled even bigger as if it had felt some unseen pleasure. ‘It appears your friends have arrived sooner than expected. You may have something to worry about after all my dear.’ Turning, it continued, ‘I will be back once I deal with these fools. I do hope you witness my plan unfold, for I have spent quite a while perfecting it. Farewell… for now.’
And just like that, the mysterious pony was gone, leaving the quivering mare to herself.
“See Spike, aren’t they simply the most impressive pieces of ancient threadwork you’ve ever seen? Such complex weaving, such interesting palette choices, such amazing designs! This is it, Spike! I will restore one of these fabrics back to its former glory. Now which one…”
Next to the exuberant Rarity was a large and rather ornate wall ornamented with luxurious tapestries. They had found it precisely at the dead end of a narrow hall. It was exactly like she said: these were the most beautiful woven works both of them had ever seen. She walked along the base of it, examining and critiquing each unique embroidery individually.
Even Spike was surprised how easy it had been to find these hidden gems. After nearly an hour of searching and not spotting a single one, a plethora had been revealed right under their feet. Even the path reaching them was relatively easily, except for the hall of disembodied pony limb scones, or as Rarity called them “tasteless design choices”. Other than that, it was nearly a few minutes walk from the stairs they descended from.
But something seemed off. ‘This is too easy.’ he thought, looking at the wall closely. His suspicions were confirmed when he noticed the distinct lack dust on nearly all of them. Then he realized it. ‘Somepony moved these recently.’
“Rarity”, he began “something is very wr—“
“Shush Spike, I’m trying to work here. I’m sure whatever it is can wait a moment.”
“But—“
“No buts about it. I’m onto something big here! Just wait a moment dear.”
In that moment, a slow chill crept into room, freezing the baby dragon down to the bone. His mind went back to earlier in the night, when he had a similar experience. It was right before he was attacked by… that thing. With a new sense of urgency, he tried once more to save himself and his friend. “Rarity, we need to leave now!”
“Nonsense.” was her only response as she mindlessly glanced over the equine art, unaware of the eminent danger.
Then, out of nowhere, it appeared. A creature barely visible in the utter darkness of the narrow hall. It slowly lurched forward with large, flared wings, covering wall to wall, leaving no room for escape. It had a sinister smile etched on its face that revealed its impressive pearly teeth, razor sharp. Its glowing red eyes shone with a dangerous brilliance.
Overall, Spike was petrified. He was so overwhelmed by his fear that he could not warn his love. He tried to find the words, but could not. He stood in deadly silence watching his impending doom reach him one step at a time.
Finally it seemed his mouth decided to move. “RARITY!!!” he cried, dropping his guise of fearlessness.
But it was too late. She turned around to scold him just as the creature was in mid-pounce. ‘We’re doomed!’ they both thought, trembling.
Suddenly the wall behind them turned upward, sucking the two into the dark unknown, saving them from the immediate danger. The creature hit the wall with a sickening thud just as they landed hard on the ancient stone floor. In the excitement, Rarity’s horn had gone out, leaving them consumed by the darkness. She relit it to reveal their hidden saviour: a mare with a puffy pink mane offering an outstretched hoof to the two, a deadly serious expression etched on her face.
“Come on” she said in an uncharacteristically serious tone, “we need to move. Now.”