//------------------------------// // Amethyst and the Stone // Story: Diary Of The Banished // by DouglasTrotter //------------------------------// I couldn't move. No matter how hard I struggled, it was impossible to run. Rubble surrounded me, bits and pieces of a structure lay scattered about the area. The silhouette of a tall mare materialized in front of me. Her tears glinted in the light of the sun as it rose behind her. She spoke in a gentle voice, so quiet I couldn't hear what had been spoken. I awoke from that dream, the birds' chirps outside my window growing louder. My parents, at breakfast, were ecstatic when I told them I had a dream, but their happy demeanor changed when I talked about the dream. Throughout my young life, I never dreamt. The one dream I ever had came on the night I earned my cutie mark. After my encounter with the unicorn stallion in his tower however, the pendulum swung the other way. Nightmares about the cursed laboratory tormented me each night since the incident. The hisses and howls from those abominations pounded against my ears. In one dream, that creature targeted me with its octopus like tendril. I had "doomed it to Tartarus" with my reckless actions. There were times I didn't want to sleep but would crash from exhaustion. One night, I awoke in a cold sweat with the moon still overhead after the most powerful nightmare. The ethereal dark flames felt real as they surrounded me, ready to incinerate my body. Otra stood by me with her wing draped over my shoulder on several occasions. That powerful nightmare may have been the final breaking point as I found myself determined to hone my magical skills. I wanted to surpass my weakness. I wanted the ability, the knowledge, and the power to stand hoof-to-hoof against Efficacy in another battle. My desires led me to use what I had learned from those books in the bedroom. Each trick, each idea, each notion, all of it did nothing but frustrate me. No matter what I tried, I couldn't levitate more than three objects at a time. Seven spells appeared to be a newfound limitation as well, exhausted when I reached that unlucky number. Day-by-day I trained, and the most basic spells caused my companion flee. Otra displayed that same frightened demeanor from when I first met her, using my magic to free her from the tree's vines. Though our partings were brief, it felt like a part of me went with her. She always returned when I was done, and, as if she could sense when I were done, she hopped onto my back. With a gentle tap of her talon, after the materials of our campsite were collected, we resumed our journey. The first week that passed, since the incident, brought a bit of happiness to me. My companion stood by me. There were times I swear she even nodded at me, like she encouraged my actions. Despite my happiness, my nightmares diminishing as well, I knew the seriousness of the matter. The second week flew by in the blink of an eye, and I gave Otra a gift to commemorate our time together. She brushed her snow white wing against the object before I placed it around her neck. Her eyes lit up at the magic I used to refine a small pebble into a shiny stone for her. On that day however, Equestria tested our bonds when an object materialized in the distance. Otra's sharp talons tightened against the sturdy straps of my saddlebag while a dark, cold sensation washed over me. The haze around the object dissipated, and I charged towards it. My companion clung onto me for dear life. After I slowed down, Otra pecked at the back of my head, twice. In front of us stood an impressive, gigantic wooden barrier that jutted towards the sky. My thoughts turned to the notions of it meant to guard something inside from Equestria or to guard Equestria from what was contained inside? Each log, in perfect placement next to one another, appeared freshly cut. Otra squawked into my ear, pointed a wing, and then flew into the air. I flowed her around the circular barrier, and two ponies came into view. The stallions stood guard at a large sealed gate. Though I had read about the symbols of Equestria, new and old, the symbol on the front of the guard's armor didn't seem familiar. The bizarre nature continued when neither of them attempted to approach me. My front right hoof touched the bridge. Both awoke in an instant. One guard demanded to know what had brought me to the city behind the great barrier. His partner reiterated the comment in almost the same voice, tone, and manner. Neither approached me while none of my answers pleased them. Both earth pony stallions nodded to each other then said one answer had to be the right one. I was a spy. With the word "spy" uttered, they readied their weapons. I backed away. A strange feeling came to me before Otra landed on my back. She spread her wings, a shadow forming on the gate. I illuminated my horn and dug my hooves in. Magical armor or not on the guards, I would not allow them to harm my companion. The tense moment broke when a pony came from behind the guards. An amulet around her neck displayed the same symbol as the one on the guard's chest plates. She pointed a swift hoof at the stallions. They relaxed, to a small degree. In an articulate voice the young mare said, "I apologize for the rude reception, traveler. I am Amethyst, the overseer of the village behind the great wall." In the guards' eyes, both displayed a readiness to assault me and Otra at a moment's notice. Amethyst pointed her hoof at the stallions once more. The two calmed and stood at attention. With no objection, Amethyst welcomed us inside. *** *** *** Opulent banners hung from lampposts along street corners, the city ready to welcome a regal visitor. Otra remained calm on my back as we traveled through the city. Though the grand décor fueled my curiosity, I found myself perplexed at the city. It had a strange aura. Each part was beautiful, however, no trace existed of a single equine beyond Amethyst and myself. There was a tinge of bittersweet happiness to Amethyst's voice when she spoke about the history of her home. She stopped her story, wiped away a tear, and said, "Vestus is my cherished home." We stood in front of two magnificent marble statues in the central plaze; the statue of Princess Celestia stood on the left while Princess Luna's stood on the right, a sun and moon behind them. I learned through Amethyst's historical story that Vestus had been founded after the great battle between Princess Celestia and Nightmare moon. Princess Celestia granted Amethyst's great grandfather permission to venture into the wilderness of Equestria, in the hopes of founding a new city. A legend, passed down through Amethyst's family, spoke of a light guiding the group to this spot where the city blossomed. The light came from a rock, which fell from the sky and nourished a vast utopia of flora and fauna. Amethyst's pale hoof pointed towards the back of Vestus, "The gift's energies also created the mountain in the distance. It's the site of my office and residence." A few scholars that visited Gallopia spoke of such sites, rocks falling from the sky. They called the stones meteorites, but I found the nomenclature trivial. Instead, the idea of such a mystical object having wondrous, magical properties stoked my inner fire. The mare's heavy sigh ended my train of thought. When I asked about the barrier, Amethyst hesitated before she said we had made it to her office. The sturdy door opened, its interior rivaling the city's in beauty. Magnificent tapestries hung from the ceiling; each ornate cloth told the story of Princess Luna, her corruption, and the battle with Princess Celestia. Otra and I followed the tale to its end at a marble statue of Princess Celestia. My companion stared at the marble sculpture. "That pony bowing to Princess Celestia is my great grandfather, compass." Amethyst said. Before Otra and I could proceed, Amethyst tapped me on the shoulder. "Have you heard about the hero and the bird? It's a favorite story of mine." I shrugged at her, Otra doing the same. Amethyst had read a story about a hero that would appear in times of need. I apologized to the young mare after my impolite chuckle. The story sounded not unlike what would be read to a young pony before bedtime, my parents reading me a few of those tales when I was younger. Amethyst maintained her scowling gaze. After I apologized once more, I told her about no books existing in Gallopia that spoke of such a tale. Otra and I prepared to leave, but Amethyst stepped in front of us and asked for our assistance. "Why?" She said. I had helped enough, not wanting to repeat the my past mistakes. Otra contradicted my answer as she nodded at Amethyst. My companion squinted at me then squeezed my backside with her talon for a second. Amethyst, after I gave my word to help, took us further into the mountain through a limestone corridor. A strange scent permeated the air. Despite the candles' illumination, our surroundings had an eerie darkness. The strange sensation I encountered outside the city returned. It happened before I turned to see Otra's wings shivering. All of it reminded her, and me, of that tower. We came to a halt. Amethyst unlocked the door in front of us. The library contained a small number of quaint bookshelves. Two tables sat side-by-side near the room's lone window. One book lay open near a chair. "Could you assist me in researching the city's past?" Amethyst said. After skimming the pages of the first book, I nodded to my companion. She had agreed to assist Amethyst, and I couldn't back down from my word. Otra's help accelerated the research. I refused to let my mind dwell on the bittersweet fact my companion's experience in retrieving the books came at a high price. Soon, the books piled up. The light from the window moved in a slow, fluid motion across the tables. So focused on the research at hoof, I attempted to levitate a fourth book. It floated into the air for a brief second then fell to the ground; the red bound tome landed on the ground with a loud thud. Otra and Amethyst gave a stern, quiet stare towards me. None of the books helped. All of them appeared to be random gibberish. Our breakthrough from the two books delivered to us by Amethyst. Placed next to the first book, a final story was told between the three, yet bits and pieces contained in each tome contradicted the other. The pale earth pony's story seemed correct from the first book's point of view while the second tome talked about the rock falling to Equestria thirty years before Nightmare Moon's appearance, 30 B.N. as labeled. I refused to read more than half of the third book as the grim story told of the mountain serving as a crypt for unicorns; its macabre entry gravitated into nonsensical ramblings. The more I gazed at the books, the more I felt something was missing. What puzzled me were the authors' signatures. Though each book had a different author, each name had the same style of writing. I ordered each book in the shape of their writings and found a chronological order. Amethyst poked my side, and, in a kind voice, she asked us to follow her once again. Our surroundings grew darker, more natural. We were led to a large metal door, seemingly crafted from a single piece of heavy iron. The door groaned and creaked when we pushed it open. I illuminated my horn, spied four torches on the wall, and lit them. Before us was an empty room. Several images were carved into the stone walls. Amethyst's raised hoof guided my eyes toward the back wall. My attempts to understand the story, carved into the wall with meticulous precision, failed every time. Several symbols had been destroyed by some event. Otra tugged on my mane. She pointed her right wing toward a symbol of a unicorn. I shrugged it off, yet my companion pointed to it again. With the dust blown off the image, a tiny hole appeared in a small circle floating above the unicorn's horn. It tested my magic to loosen the piece from the wall's heavy grasp. The object broke free with a final tug. From its looks, glinting in the light of the torch, the rod appeared expertly crafted from a solid piece of crystal. Intricate symbols were carved into its surface. To have such a unique find in this place was unthinkable. The rod turned to dust. Amethyst, Otra, and I watched the wall vanished. A powerful gust of wind whizzed past our group. The strange smell grew stronger. With the torch levitated out of its holder on the wall, our group headed down the path towards a sound in the distance. *** *** *** We stopped. At the end of the pathway, a giant rock sat atop a small mound inside a cavernous room. A small, nearby waterfall fed the vegetation around the stone's base. All of it appeared alive. Yellow light emanated from the meteorite and illuminated the room. Each vine pulsated. My eyes followed one vine along the ground. The tendril split into smaller vines that covered the face of the wall. I remembered the passage from the third book, stating, "...unicorns 'transcended their mortal coils' while the magical essence left within their bodies will nourish the soil and land above." That yellow light increased in intensity for a second and lit up the horrible site. Mares, stallions, fillies, colts, and foals were held prisoner behind those vines. Smaller vines attached to their horns. Despite almost being overwhelmed by my emotions, I couldn't turn away. This rock, this meteorite, this "thing" had come from a place I would never see. It had to be from a place not even the princesses had glimpsed. Just like the vines, my mind pulsated. I wondered how this rock came into being, if those tendrils were siphoning the magic of the unicorns, and the potential of it being a sentient form of life. A firm, gentle push came to my body. I took a quick breath then gazed on in disbelief, that image forever frozen within my mind. The powerful strike from the thick vine flung Amethyst down the straight tunnel. As I saw her disappear into the tunnel's darkness, realizing she protected me, it caused those emotional memories of Otra to cascade throughout my body. I gritted my teeth. I focused my magic. That same blue fireball from the spire came into being once more, and I hurled it toward the meteorite. The lone vine which struck Amethyst blocked my spell and absorbed its magic; my fireball reduced from the size of a small tent to a tiny ember, which was snuffed out by the circular pond of water around the rock. I don't know if I was scared more by the moment or the fact the fireball spell had barely taken an ounce of my magic when I cast it that time. The vines thickened after absorbing the spell's magic. My companion snapped me out of my shock as she let out a bellowing screech before leaping off my back and attacking those vines with her sharp talons. I locked my hooves in place. I wouldn't lose Otra. I wouldn't lose my companion. Water dropped onto the ground from a nearby stalactite formation. I focused my mind on that sound. Magic permeated the air, and my body flooded with power. Each hair on my white coat stood on end in unison with my silvery mane and tail. Those seconds were painful. What few thoughts not devoted to the spell kept me wondering, "Was this level of power on par with Princess Celestia?" A few moments more, and I would have perished from the magical energy. I shouted at Otra and told her to move. My eyes opened. I marked the sturdy rock base below the meteorite, and then the meteorite itself. What ticked by were seconds more unbearable than when I began the spell. Though nothing happened at first, the meteorite appeared to vanish. The repulsion spell, though a simple spell for any young unicorn, had been heightened to unfathomable levels. The meteorite launched into the ceiling, barely missing my companion. It plowed through the hard surface and rocketed toward the heavens. My actions had undesired consequences. Heavy rocks slammed into the ground. Otra flew to my side. I looked at the unicorns behind the vines; they turned to dust. A large chunk of rock landed off to my right side, splashing water onto my face. My hooves were freed from their invisible chains. Otra and I charged down the tunnel with a heavy, gale-force wind pushing from behind. The tunnel collapsed behind us as we made our way back down the tunnel. All of what we had seen began to disappear. In the darkness, I struggled to illuminate my horn. My heart sank when I looked at the floor. Amethyst, on the cave's floor, clung to what life she had left. Through a strained voice she said, "Please... traveler... please take me to see the light of the sun, one last time." My magic and strength began to fade, but I mustered enough to levitate Amethyst off of the floor and keep my horn aglow. With the young mare cradled in a soft aura, we guided ourselves toward the exit. *** *** *** Out of the cave, the sun began to set. Wind blew across the near endless field of grass. Two trees stood side-by-side near a large bolder several paces away from the cave's entrance. Amethyst gave a kindhearted smile when I placed her on the soft ground. She gazed towards the sky. Otra and I received a hushed "thank you" before Amethyst closed her eyes. As Equestria's wind peacefully carried the pale earth pony's ashes into the sky, none of what transpired felt real. Three small stones were gathered. I placed two near the cave's entrance, and Otra placed the final stone. My brilliant mind failed me. In that moment of silence, precious, kind words eluded my thoughts when I tried to speak. If it weren't for Amethyst's actions, I would have been imprisoned by the meteorite while Celestia knows what done to my companion. Though the city may have been an illusion, Amethyst's selfless acts of kindness and generosity were real enough in my heart. I stared at the grave, and then collapsed. My tail curled around my dark-red hooves. Otra placed a wing over my shoulder. I looked into my companion's serene, sky-blue eyes. The sun began its final descent into the horizon. Back on my hooves, Otra and I paid our final respects to the memory we held of Amethyst. My companion flew into the air then landed on my back. With the gentle tap of her talon, I knew the time had come: it was time to resume our journey to Canterlot.