The pack led Echo and Sunset deeper into the woods.
"For the record, I still think this is a bad idea." Sunset whispered.
"Of course it isn't." Echo insisted. "If these Nightcrawlers were the terrorists they were made out to be, they would have killed us, not taken us to their home."
"Unless they're only taking us home so they can snuff us out quick and easy." Sunset frowned.
"I don't think so." Echo insisted. "They don't seem like the type."
"Even the big one?" Sunset pointed to Artorias. "As in the one who almost drained the life force out of you?"
"He had a reason for doing that." Echo declared. "A skewed reason, but a reason nonetheless."
"Since when did you become so trusting?" Sunset groaned.
"Since when did you become so pessimistic, my dear?" Echo asked.
"Don't turn this back on me." Sunset scowled. "And don't think I don't know why you're being so lenient."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." Echo declared.
"You're giving them the benefit of the doubt because they're Nightcrawlers." Sunset declared.
"Not true." Echo shook his head. "I can tell there's more to them than we know. Even Artorias. If I don't at least give them the benefit of the doubt, I would be no better than Malus."
"On you, stubbornness isn't all that attractive." Sunset rolled her eyes.
Up ahead, the Pack were having a similar hushed discussion.
"Are we really doing this?" Moana asked. "Bringing those two to our home? This could end really badly..."
"I agree with the fair maiden." Willow nodded. "Mayhaps we would be better off simply leaving them in the wild."
"Come on, bro." Wave declared. "It won't hurt to hear 'em out, will it? Once Aether's had a little snoop around their heads, made sure everything's legit, then we'll decide what to do with 'em."
"I still think we'd have been better off killing them." Artorias snorted. "But if there's a chance they can actually help us, it'd wouldn't hurt to see if they mean it."
"If Artorias says its okay, then so do I." Nano declared. "He's never steered us wrong before. And if it turns out those two are lying, he's already proven he can take care of them..."
"Verily." Willow agreed.
"I hope it doesn't have to come to that." Moana sighed. "Their corpses would really mess up the forest..."
"If they're lying, then death would be the least they deserve." Artorias declared. "For their sake, they'd better be telling the truth..."
After a while, they came across a tall, wide tree.
"Here we are." Artorias declared. "Home, sweet home."
"A tree is your home?" Sunset asked.
"Appearances can be deceiving, milady." Willow smirked.
Using his mighty claws, Artorias grabbed onto a seam in the tree bark, and pulled. The entire front of the tree swung open, revealing a passageway underground.
"Remarkable." Echo gasped.
"Come along." Nano urged.
One by one, they descended down the passageway, and into a long tunnel.
"Did you... build this passageway?" Sunset asked.
"Yep." Wave nodded. "It was a real fixer-upper."
"The normals were relentless in their persecution." Artorias said bitterly. "Staying up top would have gotten us captured long ago."
"So we have to stay in this dark, damp place." Moana sighed, "Not to mention a bit filthy."
"I'm sorry for your hardships." Echo declared.
"Please." Wave snorted. "Judgin' by those threads, you don't know nuthin' of 'hardships'."
"I may not live underground, but that doesn't mean I haven't suffered." Echo said heatedly. "I, too, have felt the stigma of prejudice upon me, simply for being what I am."
"Yeah, right." Wave scowled. "Like I didn't have it rough enough, bein' one of the few black and white stallions around these parts, I had to turn out to be a Nightcrawler too..."
"I must admit, that was quite surprising." Echo remarked. "I thought the Tenebros gene was only found in ponies. I suppose the Zebra genetic structure is close enough to ours for it to crop up there too."
"Yeah, lucky for me." Wave scowled. "Maybe if you'd been through what any of us have been through, maybe y'all wouldn't be talkin' outta yer plot right now."
"Don't go thinking I don't know what it's like to be persecuted." Echo glared. "As a Thestral, I already was something of an outcast. Of course, my research into dark magic didn't help much. Me turning out to be a Nightcrawler was just the third in a list of things that set me aside from regular ponies."
"Yeah, but not far enough aside that you couldn't get yourself some tail." Wave sneered, glancing at Sunset.
"Watch it, pal." Sunset scowled. "Or this 'tail' is gonna shut that big mouth of yours for good."
"Ooh, sassy." Wave snickered. "You got good taste pointdexter, I'll give ya that."
"I'll thank you not to talk about my wife that way." Echo growled. "Understand?"
"Understand?" Wave smirked, his eyes wisping for a moment, using a perfect replica of Echo's voice.
"How did you...?" Echo gaped.
"What, you think the only thing I can do is yell real loud?" Wave sneered. "Wrong. I can also copy anypony else's voice exactly."
"You don't say." Echo mused.
"Yes, I do, you lowly commoner!" Wave said, in a perfect imitation of Blueblood's voice. "It's great fun at parties!" He replicated Cheese Sandwich's voice. "And it helps when you want to make a phone call to high places." He mimicked Celestia.
"Impressive." Sunset said mockingly. "Maybe you should rename yourself 'Polly, the amazing parrot pony'."
"Fun-ny." Wave scowled. "Guess pointdexter didn't get with you for your sense of humor..."
"We're here." Artorias announced.
They were at the end of the tunnel, a pair of wooden doors standing before them. Artorias knocked in a three part pattern. The door was opened soon after, by a most unusual creature; She was mostly pony-shaped, but with claws instead of hooves, a long, finned tail, and two small horns that curled over the back of her head. Her coat was black with blue scales. Her mane was a similar blue, with bright greenish-blue eyes.
"Welcome back." The mare smiled, as she looked upon the others. She then noticed Echo and Sunset. She gave Echo an odd look, before adding "I see you've brought company..."
"Fascinating..." Echo appraised the mare. "If I'm not mistaken, this is a dragon/pony hybrid. You certainly do not see one everyday."
"I'd hate to see how that happened." Sunset joked. "Yeowch..."
"Hey there, sugar scales." Wave leered at the mare. "Did ya miss me?"
"In your dreams, stripes." The mare rolled her eyes.
"Always so cold-blooded..." Wave snorted. "I like that..."
"What are they doing here, Artorias?" The mare asked, looking at Echo and Sunset.
"They claim to be here to help us, Elatha." Artorias declared. "We need Aether to make sure."
"I see." Elatha frowned. "Well, come on in..."
As they walked past the doors, they reached a large chamber, which contained numerous openings to other passageways. A young dracony filly, similar to Elatha, but with ice blue scales, rushed to greet them.
"What in the..." Echo and Sunset murmured, watching the little filly run up to them.
"Hey, guys!" She smiled.
"Hiya, Snow." Nano grinned.
"It's good to be back, so we can gaze upon that adorable visage once again." Willow declared.
"Huh?" Snow frowned.
"He means it's good to see ya again, kiddo." Wave snickered.
"Oh." Snow nodded.
"We really missed you." Moana added. "Without you, things out there are so depressing..."
"Thanks, Moana." Snow smiled. "Things are pretty dull around here too. So, who're your friends?" She pointed to Echo and Sunset.
"That's none of your concern, Snow." Artorias said gruffly. Suddenly, he slipped the cowl off his head, revealing his strong, draconic snout, with scales running between his eyes, and a long messy silver mane, with red-ish golden eyes.
"Whoa...he is a dragon pony too..." Echo murmured.
Artorias then undid the straps on his armor, slipping off his gauntlets and the rest of his body armor, revealing a hulking muscular body, rivaling Nano's. He then spread his wings, each bigger than any Pegasus or Thestral that Echo had ever seen.
"Besides, they probably won't be around for long..." Artorias finished.
"Aww, really?" Snow frowned. "I barely ever meet anypony new these days..." She turned to Echo and Sunset. "Hi! Nice to meet you!"
"And you too, little one." Echo smiled indulgently.
"Are... um, you guys related?" Sunset asked, pointing first to Artorias, then Elatha, then Snow.
"Yes." Artorias said bluntly. He gestured to the dragon mare. "This is Elatha, my younger sister, and the little one is Snow, her daughter. But that is of little importance right now."
"That's right. Where is Aether?" Nano asked. "We need him."
"I am here, Nano." An elderly Unicorn stallion with a peach coat, gray mane and beard, and a Cutie Mark of a scroll. He was wearing some old scholar robes, and had a shiny metal necklace around his neck. "What is with all the hullabaloo?" He then took note of Echo and Sunset, "And who are these strangers?"
"These two claim they were sent a letter, begging him to save this land from our 'attacks' and came to our woods." Artorias declared. "They also claim they wish to help us to avoid further persecution. We need you to find out for sure."
"And why would you trust them?" Aether raised a brow. "You don't trust easily, Artorias..."
"Yeah, don't get any ideas, Aether." Artorias growled, "I am only giving them the benefit of the doubt because this batpony..." He glared at Echo, "...is a Nightcrawler, and he managed to best Nano, Moana, Willow, and Wave. I would had killed him easily hadn't his wife stepped in."
"Really?" Aether gaped, "That is certainly unheard of." He turned to Echo, "My compliments, young stallion, it's not often that a Nightcrawler could defeat four of his kind."
"I wouldn't say he 'defeated' me, exactly." Willow scowled. "The use of underhooved tactics barely qualifies as a true victory."
"Yeah, and I wasn't exactly at a hundred percent." Wave claimed. "Didn't get that much sleep last night, so I was a little sloppy. That, and I think I feel a cold coming on..."
"There is no excuse for failure." Nano declared. "I underestimated my opponent. A real warrior would never make that mistake."
"I'm just sorry I let everypony down..." Moana sighed.
"Whatever the reasons, his victory must have been impressive indeed." Aether smiled at Echo. "Are you a trained warrior?"
"Not really." Echo shrugged. "I've always been more of a scholar than a fighter. Though I find I can muddle through when things get rough."
"A natural, eh?" Aether declared. "It's not often you might a pony with such a gift..."
"His 'gift' is not what concerns me." Artorias declared. "Aether, I need you to ascertain their motives, and find out for sure whether or not they're truly on our side."
"...As you wish." Aether nodded.
"And how exactly is he going to 'find out for sure'?" Sunset asked.
"This is Aether Irvine." Artorias introduced. "He is the elder of our pack. And like the rest of us, he too is a Nightcrawler. His power is the power to read and influence minds."
"You don't say..." Echo mused. "Remarkable."
"He can read minds?" Sunset gaped. "And control them?"
"Yes, but I try not to make a habit of either." Aether smiled good-naturedly. "A pony's mind is their own. I only pry when there's no other choice."
"If it weren't for Aether, we would've been taken out long ago." Nano declared. "He can always sense when somepony's coming, and if they're out to cause trouble."
"Which is what he'll be doing right now." Artorias declared. "Aether?"
"Of course" Aether declared, rounding on Echo and Sunset. "I'll just take a little peek into your heads, and see the truth for myself."
"Feel free to do so." Echo smiled. "We have nothing to hide."
"Just don't go looking too deeply." Sunset said darkly. "There are some memories in my mind that I'd prefer to stay buried."
"I won't be going too far in." Aether declared. "Just a brief scan of your recent memories should do it."
"You should read my mind first." Echo stepped forward. "It was I who decided to come out here after receiving the letter. As my wife, Sunset felt she had to come with me."
In truth, Echo sought to ensure the procedure wasn't too painful, not wanting Sunset to be hurt.
"Very well." Aether nodded. He walked over to Echo, placing his horn on his forehead. "One word of warning; Try not to resist. It will be more uncomfortable for both of us."
"Acknowledged." Echo declared.
Aether's eyes and horn developed the same wispy energies. At the same time, Echo felt as if something was descending into his mind, like a diver into water. The "diver" went deeper, and deeper, causing Echo to feel an odd tingling sensation.
"This is always so weird..." Snow grimaced.
"Hmmm..." Aether mused, as the glow faded. "Interesting..."
"Well?" Artorias asked.
"Their intentions are pure." Aether smiled. "This one has a heart that is pure and true. He really does wish to help us."
"Heart?" Nano snorted. "I thought you were supposed to be a mind-reader..."
"The two are quite often linked." Aether declared.
"And what of the mare?" Artorias asked. "Who's to say she doesn't have her own agenda? She is, after all, the only non-Nightcrawler here..."
"And you think us 'normals' are prejudiced..." Sunset rolled her eyes. "Go ahead, then. Do it."
"I shall." Aether read Sunset's mind, also. The mare shuddered as she felt the same odd sensation Echo felt. "...I detect... suspicion, and fear. But there is no hint that she wishes to harm us."
"Alright, then." Artorias declared. "If Aether sees no ulterior motives, I suppose we can trust them... for now."
"So I guess you're okay." Nano told Echo. "Sorry about the whole... attacking you thing."
"I understand." Echo smiled. "You were only trying to defend yourselves."
"Willow, you're hurt." Moana pointed to a cut on Willow's leg.
"'Tis but a scratch." Willow said bravely.
"Oh, you poor thing..." Moana started to cry.
As her eyes grew wispy, the tears flowed over to Willow's leg. The liquid covered the cut, which quickly healed.
"You are a wonder, dear lady." Willow smiled. "Whoever said crying never solved anything never met you."
"Thanks..." Moana blushed.
"So, what are we gonna do with these two now?" Wave asked, pointing to Echo and Sunset.
"We'll send them on their way." Artorias declared.
"I'm afraid we can't just leave." Echo retorted. "We are staying right here."
"We are?" Sunset frowned.
"Yes." Echo nodded. "We still have to get the bottom of all this."
"And you assume we will allow you to stay?" Artorias scowled.
"No, I hope you will." Echo declared. "If we bring back proof that your 'pack' is not an immediate threat, it may 'take the heat off you', so to speak."
"That's right." Sunset nodded, catching on. "If all goes well, you won't have to worry about oppression ever again."
"Who says we're worried about it?" Artorias scowled.
"Oh, not much." Echo frowned. "Just all that trouble at the senate. If their Nightcrawler Registration Act goes through, and you refuse to go along with it, they'll consider you criminals just for that."
"They consider us criminals already." Artorias declared. "So nothing will really change."
"Don't be so sure." Echo retorted. "Anti-Nightcrawler sentiment is on the rise. And this den won't protect you forever. If I can bring back conclusive evidence that your pack is benign, it might just prove enough to turn the tide. And what better proof to bring back than the knowledge of what your day-to-day lives are really like? That you spend your time living in peace, and not launching terrorist attacks? Even the most hardened bigot won't be able to deny the truth!"
"It's not such a bad idea, brother." Elatha declared. "If they can convince the normals that we are not the monsters they make us out to be, we will no longer have hide out here. We can live normal lives."
"I highly doubt that." Artorias snorted.
"It's not like you have any better ideas." Sunset shot back.
"It wouldn't hurt to give us a chance." Echo urged.
"You can't be buying what these normos are selling, Artie!" Wave growled. "It's a load of bull honkey!"
"They say they want to help us." Artorias declared. "And since Aether sees no malevolent intent, perhaps we should let them try... not that they'll be able to do much in the long run, but at least we have some other ponies on our side for a change...Faust knows we could use more ponies..."
"My thoughts exactly." Nano smiled. "We could always use some extra hooves."
"Hey, Nan." Wave sneered. "Are your lips chapped?"
"Why would my lips be chapped?" Nano asked.
"From kissin' Artie's butt all the time, of course!" Wave snickered.
"Very funny." Nano pouted.
"Is there something amusing about loyalty, Wave?" Artorias glared at the Zebra.
"Hey, relax, Artie." Wave smiled. "I was just funnin' the guy."
"I, for one, am sure they can help us." Elatha smiled. "Surely you all must have heard of Echo Alchemy, right?"
"Not really." Nano shrugged.
"Never heard of 'im." Wave admitted.
"Nuh-uh." Snow shook her head.
"I think I read his name in a local newspaper at one time..." Willow mused.
"I'm sorry to say I haven't heard of him." Moana declared.
"You all know I don't get out much." Aether shrugged.
"The name is... vaguely familiar." Artorias admitted.
"Seriously?" Sunset frowned. "You guys don't keep up on current events much, do you?"
"This is Echo Alchemy. He is practically a professor on all that is dark magic." Elatha smirked. "He may be a Nightcrawler like us, but he is well-known across Equestria, even respected. With him on our side, we just might be able to get the normals to accept us."
"Looks like you've got a fan." Sunset teased Echo.
"If you don't mind my asking, how did you all end up here?" Echo asked, ignoring Sunset's jibe. "Judging by your accents and mannerisms, I'm guessing you're not all native to the area."
"We aren't." Artorias nodded. "We are all ponies that came from different walks of life. Different circumstances lead us to developing our powers. Immediately, we were revealed and were forced to flee for our lives. Eventually our lives intertwined with one another and together, we built this den, so we could live in peace, away from those who would persecute. Since then, we had been looking for other Nightcrawlers..."
"And how do you know about Nightcrawlers?" Echo asked "I mean, the term 'Nightcrawler' hadn't become popular till recent events. Yet all of you seem to be rather knowledgeable in the subject..."
"Well, we had help." Elatha declared, "Aether had taught us a lot about all there is to know about dark magic."
"There is that." Aether stepped forth, "But I had been basing my knowledge off the records of an acquaintance from long ago. They came into my posessions and helped us along."
"An acquaintance?" Echo frowned. "Who would know so much about Nightcrawlers?"
"A very wise stallion." Aether declared. "One whose knowledge helped through those uncertain early days."
"Without that knowledge, we may not have even made it this far." Nano added.
"Aside from Aether, none of us have ever had the pleasure of meeting him in pony." Willow smiled.
"Pity, isn't it?" Moana sighed.
"Well, what's the name of this 'very wise stallion'?" Sunset asked.
"He didn't use his real name often, but he liked using the name 'Flatfoot'..." Aether revealed.
Immediately, Echo's face darkened and Sunset's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?" Echo scowled. "Did you say... 'Flatfoot'?"
"Wait, you mean to tell me that you have been surviving by his notes?" Sunset gaped.
"Oh, yeah." Nano nodded. "Those notes were lifesavers.
"The guy knows where it's at, that's for sure." Wave smiled.
"If he were a playwright, his talent would surpass William Shakesprint himself." Willow declared.
"And you really... trust what he said?" Sunset asked.
"Yeah, why not?" Moana asked. "He must be the only normal pony who cared about us."
"Care about you?" Echo growled. "You must be mistaken, cause this Flatfoot you all seem to cherish... is a treacherous backstabber!"
"Say what?!" Wave growled.
"Oh, my..." Moana gulped.
"What slanderous talk is this?" Willow snarled.
"Echo, try and calm down..." Sunset urged, concerned at her husband's anger.
"I'm sorry, but they need to hear this." Echo declared. "'Flatfoot' is a villainous, uncaring fiend!"
"Why is he being so mean all of a sudden?" Snow asked.
"I don't know, baby." Elatha frowned.
"How can you say that?" Aether frowned. "I knew Flatfoot. He was a good stallion."
"If you think that, then you're just another one of the poor fools he's duped." Echo declared. "Whatever you've heard must be taken with a grain of salt, for they are surely lies, manufactured to deceive and manipulate you!"
"You watch your tone." Artorias growled. "Flatfoot's knowledge got us this far. We owe everything to him."
"I'm afraid your faith is misplaced." Echo scowled.
"And how would you know, pray tell?" Willow asked.
"Well, we know because we know Flatfoot." Sunset murmured. "And... things didn't go so well."
"I do not know how you could take the words of that monster for granted, but I know this for sure..." Echo declared. "Take it from us: Sterling is not to be trusted."
"Sterling?" Wave frowned. "Who da buck is Sterling?"
"Bulky Earth Pony, rather smug, knowledgable about Nightcrawlers..." Echo declared. "You know, Flatfoot."
"Whoa, hold the curtains..." Willow frowned. "I do not know what 'Flatfoot' you are referring to, but obviously the one you know is a charlatan."
"Yeah, there's no way that's Flatfoot." Nano declared. "Flatfoot was a Unicorn."
"He was?" Sunset frowned.
"Indeed he was." Willow nodded. "At least, that's what Aether told us."
"Are you sure?" Echo asked Aether.
"Absolutely." Aether nodded. "Dark purple stallion, mutton chops, crescent moon Cutie Mark..."
"...What?" Echo gasped. He recognised that description.
"You know somepony like that?" Artorias asked.
"Yes..." Echo nodded, his mind reeling from the shock. "The stallion you're describing... is the one I once called 'father'... Nocturne."
"Flatfoot was your father?!" Nano gaped.
"It would appear so, yes..." Echo murmured. "But I had never once heard anypony call him 'Flatfoot'. I would very much like to take a look at these 'notes' of his and figure out what is going on."
"Oh, we have them in a chamber in the east tunnel." Aether declared. "I could take you to them... if it's okay with Artorias."
"I suppose so." Artorias shrugged. "If what he's saying is true, then those notes are pretty much his birthright."
"If ya ask me, this is all a little too convenient." Wave snorted. "The son of Flatfoot, showin' up outta nowhere. Pretty suspicious."
"Aether already read my mind, and saw that I mean you no harm." Echo retorted. "What more do you want?"
"What more do you want?" Wave mimicked Echo's voice.
"Enough, Wave." Artorias snarled. "I have made my decision. I expect you to abide by it."
"Whatevs." Wave snorted.
"Thank you." Echo smiled.
"Right this way, please." Aether urged. "The notes are in my personal chamber."
"Excellent. Sunset, would you care to join me?" Echo asked.
"No thanks, I'm beat." Sunset sighed. "Speaking of which, do you guys have any place for a pregnant mare to sit down? Maybe get something to eat?"
"I know just the place." Elatha smiled.
"We've got some yummy berries in the food chamber!" Snow added.
"Sounds good to me." Sunset grinned. "Lead on."
As Elatha and her daughter led Sunset to the food chamber, Eather led Echo through another passageway. It was safe to say that Echo had not counted on a revelation such as this. The idea that his father had used the name 'Flatfoot', a name used by a false friend, did not bode well.
'What is this all about, father?' Echo thought. 'What will I discover in these notes of yours?'
Fearing the answers just as much as he yearned for them, he continued to follow Aether down the passageway.
Back in the main chamber, Wave once again voiced his distrust of their guests.
"I still say this is a little too much of a coinkydink." He frowned. "The son of the guy who wrote and recorded those notes, coming right to us? Somethin' don't smell right."
"Perhaps it's just sheer good fortune." Willow suggested.
"Faust know we've seen precious little of it these days..." Moana sighed.
"Let's just hope this Thestral can follow through on his offers of help." Artorias declared. "With Malus and his ridiculous Registration Act hanging over our heads, we need something to help turn the tide..."
"And maybe Echo could be that something." Nano declared.
"We'll see." Artorias frowned. "We'll see..."