-Story Time-
Twilight told Princess Celestia everything she had gathered from Cheerilee. Celestia demanded to see all the foals that witnessed Shattered Skies’ return. Each had the same story as the last, even giving his exact description. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna listened intently, but with vastly different reactions. Princess Celestia wore a blank expression while her sister could no longer look anypony in the eye.
Celestia’s gaze swept over the ponies in the room as she sighed. "You are all dismissed.”
Once the Princesses and Element bearers were alone, Celestia turned to Luna and rested her wing on her wither. “It’s okay, Luna. He won’t trouble you. We’ll double the guard and get to the bottom of this.”
Twilight looked at the sisterly display, shocked that the news caused this much of a reaction. “Princess, what is going on? Isn’t this just another Spirit?”
Princess Celestia looked at Twilight and visibly relaxed, there was no need to be so tense in her former student’s home. Celestia knew this was going to be a long day and turned to her guard that had arrived shortly after she did. “Captain, cancel the rest of my meetings for today and put the Solar-“
Celestia looked at Luna who gave a curt nod.
“-and Lunar court on suspension until further notice.” Celestia said abruptly.
“Yes, Princess!” The guard saluted and rushed out of the room.
“Princess?” Twilight asked. The rest of the room was silent, including Rainbow Dash.
Spike walked in with a cart of tea and cookies for the Princesses who ignored Twilight’s question in favor of making their own cups of tea.
Celestia poured a little honey in hers and took a small sip. She smacked her lips gently and rearranged herself. “What do you all know about Shattered Skies?”
Twilight was the first to answer. “He was the mythological forest Spirit that would spread plagues. He was in league with many of the evil Spirits like Storm Front and Arctic Wind, enslaving populations to use their own life-force as fuel for his dark forests. He was also supposed to be responsible for corrupting many ponies and to send into Sombra’s army.”
Princess Celestia nodded the entire time Twilight spoke. “And do you know what he did to Luna?”
“He planted seeds of doubt in her mind and helped the Nightmare take over Princess Luna? Or at least that's how the legends go.” Twilight asked and looked over to Luna who was staring into her tea the entire time.
“Correct.” Luna said. “But what the books never told you was that he was once a friend.”
“Acquaintance.” Celestia corrected. “We knew him long ago, but he didn't start to worm his way into our lives until we were much older. He lived in the Everfree and barged in when some of the animals helped us build our old castle.”
Applejack squinted and looked to Twilight. “Told ya, that monster aint no good.”
Celestia nodded to Applejack. “It’s true; our first meeting wasn’t so great. He, along with all the other Spirits, thinks differently from us ponies. He often tried persuading us to change the way we rule.”
“You forget, sister, that it was I who offered him a place on our council. He was to help us with our reign.” Luna said.
Celestia looked over at her sister; she knew it would be hard for Luna to seal away Skies since they were longtime friends before his fall.
Celestia could see the curiosity written on everypony’s face in the room. She looked down at Twilight’s magic table and laid a hoof on it, summoning images from her memory. She stopped at one in particular, the day before Luna became Nightmare Moon. The table projected his image in her mind as she remembered it.
Everypony in the room aside from the Princesses gasped at the hologram of Shattered Skies. A tall being with devious features, his wings out and teeth bared. All, frozen in time.
Rarity looked at Luna with confusion. “Why would you have a thing like that help you?”
Luna winced a little, unable to look at the image. “He wasn’t a monster when we met him. I still can’t remember those days before I fell to the Nightmare.”
Luna could not bring herself to speak the truth. She remembered everything about those days. Her body acted on its own to her emotions and betrayed Skies in the worst way possible. Celestia informed Luna of much of the things she had missed when she was imprisoned on the moon, but few things stung more that hearing of his turn to darkness. Maybe I’m to blame for his fall.
“I don’t get it, why come back now? He hasn’t shown up in the past eight hundred years.” Twilight asked.
Princess Celestia took another sip. “I’m not sure, Twilight. Most of the Spirits have been sealed away or have agreed to live peaceful lives. Whatever he’s planning, I’m certain it’s something complex and sinister.”
“I should buy a boat.” Sky said. His paper held out in front of him.
“What would you need a boat for?” Sif asked.
“I don’t know, boat things?” Sky said, sarcasm seeping from his tone. Noticing Sif’s sour mood, he folded his paper to concentrate on her. “Come on, Sif. It isn’t that bad. You botched the mixture up and now you’re back to being a fluffy wolf.”
Sif huffed. Her potion was mixed incorrectly and let the guise down far earlier than she wanted. All her hair, however, remained two feet long, giving her an appearance similar to a drowned rat.
“Whatever. What are we doing today?” Sif spat.
Skyfall tucked his paper under his cold tea and looked at his half-eaten plate of food, silently.
“What?” Sif asked.
“I’ve been thinking-” Sky was interrupted by Sif.
“Oh no, you’re finally going crazy.” Sif tried faking shock but looked too funny to do so with her long hair flowing in all directions.
“Ha ha, very funny.” Sky stuck his tongue out at Sif. “I think I want to go to the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.”
“Why?” Sif asked, tone growing serious.
“I need to know why everything on this planet remembers me as a that creature in the book. One or two tales I can deal with, but a novel is slightly worrying.” Sky looked at Sif with more of a glare than anything else. Sif could tell this upset him, but Sky couldn’t deal with having his name dragged through the dirt.
“Fine. Just let me send a reconnaissance party ahead of us.”
Sky got up and walked past Sif, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, you’re the best. Oh, and get a haircut.”
Sif slammed her paw down onto the table. “I demand forty-five strips of bacon for this!”
Skyfall laughed as he walked out of his backdoor. He was eager to find something at that castle, something that told everypony he wasn’t what the stories made him out to be. Sif quickly caught up to Sky as he leisurely strolled in the direction of the castle.
“Okay, the recon has been sent.” Sif said.
“Hm?”
“Of course, you’re oblivious.” Sif jeered.
“Not oblivious, just deep in thought.” Sky said quietly. “From what you told me, after Celestia’s fight with Luna, she fled the castle the next day and left a lot of things behind.”
“Yes, she couldn’t bear to look at things she and her sister shared. She used the Elements on Luna. That tore her apart.” Sif said. "A lot happened after that. So much so, that I had to seek refuge in neighboring continents."
Sif and Skyfall talked about the pony sisters; their separation and reunion. They talked until they reached a young wolf waiting by a rickety, old bridge.
“Feather, report?” Sif asked.
“Mother wolf.” Feather bowed. “We secured the perimeter, but the inside of the castle is occupied.”
“By?” Sif asked impatiently.
“There are large cats and another Spirit in the deepest part of the castle.” Feather bowed lower.
Skyfall donned his Spirit form at the mention of a second Spirit. He stood, looking at the small wolf with a smile. “Rise.”
Feather did as she was told and looked up, only turning her gaze as high as his chest. “Yes, my lord.”
“What did this other Spirit look like?” Skies asked. “Take your time and remember.”
Feather didn’t need time to remember, the Spirit had unique features. Since Spirits were scarce, naming one wasn't as hard as one would believe. “The Spirit had an elongated dog-like head. He walks on all fours, with dog-like hind limbs and ape-like forelimbs, and a long monkey-“
“Ahuizotl.” Shattered cut her off, his mood turning slightly sour. “Surprised he escaped Princess Sunbutt’s wrath.”
“He didn’t.” Sif said plainly. “I heard he was captured, and was being held in Tartarus like most of the other lesser Spirits.”
“You never did tell me what happened to the other Spirits.” Shattered Skies said, giving Sif a sideways glance.
“Well, like I said, most of the lesser Spirits were put in Tartarus or turned to stone. Spirits like you disappeared. I tried to find out where she imprisoned them, but came up short. The only information I was able to get was something about a mirror to another world.”
“Ah, well, we’ll get to that later.” Skies shrugged his large wings and started to walk across the ravine.
“Wait!” Sif yelled.
“What?”
“You’re just going to go in there?” Sif deadpanned. “With no one to back you up? What happens in the case he decides to fight you?”
“That’s why I have you, Fluffy Butt.” Skies cheered.
Sif rushed to catch up with Skies, but ran straight into his flank as Skies abruptly halted.“What’s wrong? Did you see something?”
“No.” Shattered Skies said quietly. He looked at what used to be a fortress and the former home of both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. “I guess the battle was worse than I believed it to be.”
The castle once sat in a valley surrounded by mountains in the distance. Its walls were seven stories high all around. Skies looked at the crumbling gate and lamented. It took three hundred years to finish the castle, and it was their home for more than double that time, yet here it sat. Ignored and in ruins.
“It’s a shame, isn’t it?” Sif asked.
“Yeah.” Skies answered under his breath.
“The village on the other side by the lake is far worse. Celestia left in such a hurry that the casualties from Luna’s rebellion are still there.”
Skies stopped and looked at Sif. “You’re kidding.” He saw the look on Sif’s face and a pit in his stomach formed. “You’re not kidding.”
Skies started walking faster. “I’m going to have to fix that.”
“You can’t fix everything Skies.” Sif reminded.
Shattered Skies ignored Sif’s rhetorical comment, choosing instead to continue his way across the bridge.
Walking through the halls of the castle, Skies stopped and noticed an ocelot hiss before trying to run into the darkness. A vine soon whipped up and around the ocelot like a snake, stopping its movement and forcing it into a constricted fetal position. The cat spat and hissed until a flower sprouted from the vine, releasing pollen that put it to sleep. Skies raised a brow as he passed, feeling the animal fighting its binds even after loosing its consciousness.
At the end of the hall where the cat attempted to escape, a faint light shone through the dark. Skies found a long winding stairwell after a few twists and turns. The closer he came, the more light he saw before hearing the unmistakable accent of Ahuizotl yelling something about hurrying up.
Sif and Skies stopped at the top of the stairs that overlooked a large, empty chasm that was now a sacked treasure room. The entire space had large roots poking out of the walls from years of neglect. Ahuizotl stood, shaking his fist at a group of ponies while his large cats walked around, sniffing through old, leftover boxes.
Skies heard the patter of many wolves coming down the stair behind him. He nodded at Sif as he melded into the secrecy of a nearby root. "Agitate him."
Ahuizotl and his felines smelled the wolves and turned to see that they had been snuck up upon. As Sif approached, Ahuizotl laughed. “Interesting, after a thousand years you finally show your cowardly face.”
“Cowardly? Coming from a sniveling cur like you, that doesn’t mean much.” Sif said calmly. She wanted to keep his full attention, so she aimed to agitate.
All the felines hissed, even a small, overly aggressive house cat. “I smelled you coming, mutt. You have no right to be here, so be gone with you!”
Sif chuckled at Ahuizotl’s dismissive attitude. “I have the only right here, fleabag.”
“I heard a nasty rumor. Your master and friend died long ago. Why don’t you follow suit with his failure?” Ahuizotl scoffed at the pack of wolves as they growled, but he became confused when they all went silent.
“Dead? I wouldn’t say that.”
Ahuizotl tried turning around, but found his paws had been bound to the floor along with the remainder of his posse. “What is the meaning of this!”
Shattered Skies slowly emerged out of a root and into the light. “I should ask you the same.”
Skies released Ahuizotl, who glared in return. Skies stared at the Spirit, waiting for him to move. “Let me ask you again in a different way. What are you doing here?”
Ahuizotl brought his shoulders back. “I’m here to claim the Sunset Effigy. With it I shall raise an unbeatable-”
Shattered Skies remained expressionless as Ahuizotl went on about taking over the world, but on the inside he was remembering the horrors caused by the Sunset Effigy. King Sombra stole it from the Spirit council and used it to hold the souls of those he sacrificed. Whenever a soldier in his army fell, he would use the effigy to bring them back, but the downside is that when he brought somepony back, someone else had to be sacrificed as a result. Before his defeat, he discovered a way to transfer their power to his own life, prolonging it and making him stronger. The more he used the effigy, the more he slipped into insanity.
“-and finally, the world!” Ahuizotl struck a victorious pose.
“And you think that the Sunset Effigy is in Celestia’s vault?” Skies asked.
“It is. After she left, all mention of it fell from knowledge. By the look of things, she forgot a lot more.” He chuckled deviously. “Help me and I shall offer you a seat of power in my new empire!”
Wow, he really has gone nuts. “Sure, sounds like a good deal.” Skies muttered uninterestedly.
Skies walked over to Sif and winked at her, letting her know that it was a ruse.
Ahuizotl smiled as Skies released his cats. “Wonderful, now all we need to do is get into that vault.”
Ahuizotl looked over the door, but was unable to open it.
“You’re never going to get that open, Ahuizotl.” Skies remarked.
“And why not? I know all many of seals and techniques to break them.” Ahuizotl sneered.
“That door was sealed by Princess Luna herself. No manner of pushing anti-enchantments can break her seal.” Shattered Skies walked over to the door, igniting the runes, bringing a mass of light and fire in shapes forming an intricate lock.
After a moment Sif whistled at sight. “Those are a lot of locks.”
“Yep, Luna is the best rune master I know. A few of these were put on by Celestia, but that’s like putting a doorstop on a bank vault. No, what Luna did was meant to be permanent.” Skies removed his claw from the door and balled it into a fist, then struck it, aggravating the runes.
Ahuizotl frowned, keeping his distance from Skies as a precaution. “So it’s impossible.”
“I said permanent, not impossible.” Skies said matter of factly.
Sif looked to Skies, ignoring Ahuizotl. “I’m pretty sure that door isn’t going to open.”
“You’re right, it won’t, but I’m not going through the door now am I.” Skies said, winking at Sif. “I’m going through the wall around the side.”
“Why the wall?” Ahuizotl asked.
“It’s the spot with the least amount of runes.” Skies said. “I can use my roots to create a passage large enough for me to enter, but it will take a week.”
“That’s not good enough!” Ahuizotl yelled, but was met with a glowing pair of golden eyes.
“I am not one of your henchponies, Ahuizotl.” Shattered Skies stood over Ahuizotl. “Do not forget that.”
Ahuizotl, not one for apologies, remained silent.
“Like I said, it will take a week. I will return periodically to check on the progress.” Shattered Skies said while walking away. “Catch you later.”
Sif waited until they exited the castle to speak. “So what’s your goal?”
Skies looked around, making it obvious that he saw the sun had set, but was really looking towards one of the crumpled buildings in the far off town, where a cloaked pony stood, watching. “Huh, it’s night already.”
“Um, Skies?” Sif said, snapping her toes in front of Skies’ face.
“Huh? What?” Skies asked.
“What’s your plan, dingus?”
“Steal whatever is in the vault and lock Ahuizotl in there.” Skies stated plainly.
“You know he may have knowledge about why that book of Spirits has so much misinformation in it.” Sif said. “He said you were killed one thousand years ago, only a very small few know that you were hurt. The rest think that you disappeared that night Luna snapped.” Sif said.
“I know, I caught that slip up as well.” Skies said. “I don’t have enough time to get it out of him before Celestia shows up.”
“And how do you know she will?” Sif asked, but received an amused look from her friend.
“Cause she’s going to send patrols around the Everfree looking for any signs of you or me. So if a patrol were to happen upon, say, a wolf, They would follow her back to a castle, where she would lead an assault to catch us.” Skies laughed.
“We could remain unseen.” Sif said.
“No, Ahuizotl wouldn’t know much to begin with. He’s better off as a messenger to distract her. Plus, it’ll give me enough time to get to their new castle. I need to speak with her, alone. Maybe then, I can fix this.”
“Back for barely a month and you’re already causing trouble.” Sif commented.
“Hey, I’m in retirement, but I can’t sit by while idiots like Ahuizotl taking my things now, can I?” Skies said.
“Where are you going to put it?” Sif asked.
“Not sure yet. We have a basement. You would have to start sleeping by my bed like a good doggie, but I know you won't mind.” Skies teased.
Sif leaned against Skies. “I’m happy that you’re not a rotting corpse.”
Skies kissed the top of Sif’s head in response.
Princess Celestia spent most of the day explaining Spirits and their habits. She also went into great detail about locking them in Tartarus. It was kept a secret, but Celestia told her student and friends about her crusade to imprison all the Spirits that were evil. The good ones were assimilated into society and have lived quiet lives since.
Twilight grew more impressed as the minutes ticked by; she never knew that her mentor had done so much for Equestria. In her eyes, Princess Celestia was everything she wanted to be, however, the side she saw was so different than the normal Princess she grew to love, that giving her a different name was almost appropriate.
Fluttershy raised a hoof.
“Yes, Fluttershy?” Princess Celestia asked.
“What are we going to do about Shattered Skies?” Fluttershy asked quietly.
“I will have the Everfree patrolled by the guard. We can’t afford to let him roam around now that he has shown himself. I sent for Shining Armor and Princess Cadance to come immediately. We will need all the help we can get.” Princess Celestia said firmly.
“You’re bringing in my brother and sister-in-law to fight that monster?” Twilight asked, shocked at her mentors move.
“Twilight, I know this is troubling for you, but your brother was an elite royal guard with multiple operations under his saddle, and your sister is the Princess of Love. They can handle it.” Celestia said in confidence.
Princess Celestia looked out the window and put her teacup down. “It’s time for us to leave, everypony. I know this has been a stressful day for you all, but it is time for us to hold our own council meeting.”
Luna didn’t move, however. She looked at Celestia for a second before speaking. “Tia, I wish to stay for a little longer.”
“I forbid it.” Celestia snapped, causing Luna to wince.
“But sister-“ Luna tried to speak, but was cut off by Celestia
“Sister, you know it’s dangerous to go near those woods now.” Celestia leaned closer and was nuzzled by Luna. “I can’t lose you again.”
“You’re right.” Luna said quietly before following her sister.
All of the ponies give their farewell to the Princesses as they left. The Mane Six sat in silence, looking at the image of Shattered Skies that was still frozen in a magical projection. Rainbow Dash couldn’t stand the silence any longer.
“Why don’t we just get the Elements from the Tree of Harmony and hit him with a little magic?” Rainbow flew into the air shadowboxing the air. “A pow and a woosh and he’s done for!”
“And where would you find him?” Twilight asked. “The Princess said he is very cunning. I doubt us going into his forest will make him show himself to us.”
“That’s right. And we’d be in his place of business, with him pulling all the strings” Applejack slammed her hoof on the table. “Might as well tie ourselves up now if that's out plan.”
Twilight sat back in her seat, rubbing her hoof over the bridge of her nose. She looked at Shattered Skies, he wasn’t anything special compared to the other things that tried to destroy Equestria. Why does this Spirit freak the Princess out?
Skyfall walked through the back door and quickly found his living room. He melted into the couch with a long, loud sigh. His calmness was unfortunately short-lived as Sif dropped a letter on his nose.
“Princess Twilight sent you a letter asking for you to return her books.” Sif walked away, snorting at Skyfall’s flailing response.
“That mare will be the death of me!”
“Are you going to go tomorrow?” Sif asked from the basement as she curled up to sleep.
“No.” Skyfall whined. “I should go do this now. I want to spend some time in the market tomorrow after sleeping in. It would be easier without having Princess Bookmonger acting as an alarm.”
“Good luck.” Sif called out in a sing song voice.
Skyfall walked his usual path to Ponyville through the night. His mood slowly improved as he went on. The stars illuminated his path and he had a little time to think about his day. Celestia left that castle in such a hurry that her most guarded vault was left untouched. Skyfall wondered what was inside, besides the Effigy. He stopped his line of thought when he noticed a lamp’s light shining through the darkness
Big Mac, Granny Smith, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle were standing at the front gate of Sweet Apple Acres, talking to Scootaloo. Their muffles turned to silence as Skyfall approached. The fillies perked their ears at the sound and became rigid as they didn't hear him until her was nearly to them.
Big Mac held up his lamp to light up the dark path. “Who’s there?”
“It’s just me.” Skyfall walked into the lantern’s flickering glow. ”Didn’t mean to scare you, I’m just heading into town.”
“Well, ya did scare us!” Applebloom cried out.
“And how did I do that?” Skyfall smiled as he casually strolled past the filly.
“Well, with that new Spiri-“ Applebloom was cut off by Sweetie Belle’s hoof.
“Sh! The Princess said we’re not supposed to tell anyone!” Sweetie Belle hissed through clenched teeth.
So she already knows about me. I’m flattered. Skyfall stopped and looked at the three fillies. All of them were smiling nervously. “Sounds interesting. Did something happen?”
Big Mac laughed, diverting Skyfall’s attention. “It’s nothing Mr. Skyfall, just the usual shenanigans for this town. That’s all.”
Granny Smith creaked around Big Mac. “Big Mac, is this the youngin that moved into that haunted house down the road?”
Again with the house?
Applebloom mouthed ‘sorry’ while Big Mac facepalmed and said. “Yes, this is our new neighbor, Skyfall. Mr. Skyfall, this is Granny Smith.”
Skyfall smiled and waved.
“Has he met Applejack yet?” Granny asked.
“Granny!” Big Mac’s mouth dropped.
“What? He’s a big, handsome stallion and yer sister needs a good-“
“Granny there are foals around!” Big Mac shouted while the three fillies giggled.
Skyfall pretended not to hear any of the borderline verbal assault being spewed out by Granny Smith. She eyed him suspiciously. “What are ya doin out this late at night anyhow? In the dark?”
“I have to make a last minute visit to the library.” Skyfall stated.
“Ah’m sorry.” Big Mac pulled Granny Smith out of Skyfall’s face. “Would you mind doing us a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Would you mind taking Scootaloo to Ponyville?”
“I’m old enough to do it myself!” Scootaloo protested.
“Not with what’s out there, you’re not.” Granny Smith said. “Yer too young to defend yerself against a lot of the creatures that come out of these here woods.”
“Fine.” Scootaloo pouted.
“Skyfall.” Big Mac presented his hoof. “Thank you.”
Skyfall smiled and happily shook his hoof. “It’s no trouble at all.”
Skyfall looked at the small filly who was pouting and kicking the dirt with a hoof. “Are you ready, Scootaloo?”
“Y-Yeah.”
“Alright, goodbye everypony!” Skyfall waved in farewell.
After some time, Skyfall noticed Scootaloo sneaking peeks under his wing. His scar there was hardly visible to any normal passerby, but if one were looking to where the wings met the body, it was rather apparent. His legs being much longer than hers, he passed Scootaloo again, catching her eyes looking back to his scar. “Is there something that interests you, Scootaloo?”
Scootaloo blushed and hurriedly snapped her head straight forward, increasing her pace. “No. I was just looking around.”
“It’s okay to talk to me, Scootaloo. I won’t bite.” Skyfall chuckled nervously. “It’s my scar isn’t it?”
Scootaloo abruptly stopped walking. Skyfall came to a halt, turning to face the filly.
“Is it really that gruesome?” Skyfall asked.
“No. That’s not it.” Scootaloo said quietly.
After a few moments of silence, Scootaloo looked at Skyfall. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Yeah, feel free.”
“Can you fly?” Scootaloo asked, welling up.
“Yes, why do you ask?” Skyfall was caught off guard by the question. He couldn’t fly like regular pegasi because of his size, but if he flew like a bee, rotating his wings to get proper propulsion, then he could fly just as well. “Is it my size?”
“No.” Scootaloo gazed absently into the distance. In truth, she also heard the sneer Silver spoon spat at him in the forest.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand. What’s making you upset?” Skyfall asked, trying not to make enemies of his new neighbors. “Was it something I said?”
Scootaloo gave a small smirk and hesitantly raised her wings high enough to show him the underside, as well as her wing joints. She had a similar scar in the exact place he did, but her’s was from surgery, not a weapon.
“What happened?” Sky did his best to not grimace.
“I don’t like to talk about it. I had to have surgery when I was small.” Scootaloo said quietly.
“Then I shall not press.” Sky walked up beside Scootaloo, giving her an encouraging pat on the back. “Let’s get you home.”
“Right. Home.”
“Where do you live?” Skyfall looked out on Ponyville.
“I live with my step-mom, next to where the library used to be.” Scootaloo said solemnly. “She should be home, she always is.”
The venom in Scootaloo’s voice had not gone unnoticed by Skyfall. It was clear she resented her step-mom. “What about your dad?”
Scootaloo became tense, her hair standing on end. She started to walk a more carefully out of reflex. “He’s away. He is in the Royal Guard so I don’t see him a lot.”
Skyfall noticed Scootaloo stopped at a house.
Scootaloo smiled at Skyfall weakly. “Well, this is where I live. I guess I’ll see you later, Mr. Skyfall.”
Sky patted Scootaloo on the head. “You can just call me Skyfall if you want. Hay, you could even call me Sky.”
“Goodnight, Sky.” Scootaloo gave a genuine smile.
“Night, Scootaloo.”
With that, Skyfall made his through Ponyville. The nightlife was nonexistent, except for an apparent nightclub with a sign that said something about a DJ. The manic flashing of strobe lights and the bassy thumping of electronic music bled out out into the streets. Aside from this club, Ponyville was dead quiet.
Skyfall turned another corner and saw his destination. “I hope Twilight’s out.”
It was getting late and everypony was starting to tire from all the planning they were doing. Twilight studied books on plant life in the Everfree, while Applejack and Rainbow talked about where Shattered Skies could be hiding. Rarity looked through some old history books, and Pinkie Pie was in the kitchen making everypony coffee for the long night ahead. Fluttershy, however, read a book about animals; not to help the others with catching a Spirit, but rather to simply keep herself occupied.
Spike came running in, interrupting the air of focus throughout the room. “Twilight! Somepony is here to see you.”
“About?” Twilight asked, uninterested in his statement.
“It’s about some books that were checked out, but it’s-”
“Agh! Why now?” Twilight pouted. “I’ll lose my place.”
“If you want, I can go see who it is.” Fluttershy said, all too willing to stretch her legs and get away from Applejack and Rainbow’s bickering.
“Are you sure, Fluttershy?” Twilight asked.
“Oh yes. It’s probably Lyra.” Fluttershy knew Lyra was in the library frequently, going through books and tomes for her own studies.
“Probably.” Twilight sighed.
Fluttershy walked past Spike as he sat down and started reading a comic book. He quickly lost touch with the world around him, until Rainbow Dash called over to him.
“Hey, who was at the door?”
Spike grumbled.
Rainbow inhaled suddenly to yell her question again, but Rarity held up her hoof, stopping her. “Excuse me, Spike?”
“Huh? Yes, Rarity?” Spike immediately dropped his comic book, full attention on the mare.
“Who was at the door?”
“Skyfall.” Spike said. He saw all of his friends get up and run past him to the door. “Uh, guys?”
Fluttershy looked out from the doorway, but the stoop’s light made it hard to figure out who was at the door.
“Hmm, you don’t look like Twilight.” The dark figure observed.
Fluttershy’s eyes flew wide open as she froze up. “Who’s there?”
The mysterious stallion walked into the light. “If you ponies invested more in street lamps, you would be able to see a lot better at night.”
“Oh M-Mr. Skyfall it’s you.” Fluttershy said, hiding behind her mane. She had seen Skyfall around Ponyville, but never actually met him due to his reserved nature. Ponies in Ponyville talked, and from what she overheard, he seemed like a sour, bitter pony. Though, Fluttershy confessed to herself, she had never talked to anyone when she first moved here, and many said the same about her.
Skyfall looked at Fluttershy oddly. “I’m sorry, you know my name, but I don’t remember getting yours.”
“I’m Fluttershy.” She said in her unusually quiet voice. She chided herself, every time she meets a new pony, she can’t help but whisper.
“Hello, Fluttershy.” Skyfall smiled.
Unknown to either of them, the rest of the ponies were eavesdropping. Each of them watched intently, even Rainbow, who earlier in the day was griping about how Skyfall humiliated her.
Skyfall and Fluttershy sat in an awkward silence for a time, both of them unsure how to proceed.
“Well, I have Twilight’s books. I’m sure she’ll want them back.”
Fluttershy looked at the books placed at her hooves and saw Skyfall turning to leave. Fluttershy knew how lonely it could be being the new pony in town. Maybe he needed another friend. Come on, remember your classes.
“I-I see you l-like to read about Spirits.”
“Huh?” Skyfall looked back and saw Fluttershy standing there, attempting what looked like a welcoming smile. “The book? Yeah, Spike offered it to me. It was pretty interesting.”
Fluttershy panicked. What do I talk about?
“So, you take care of the animals in Ponyville?” Sky questioned, attempting to fill the silence.
“Oh yes.” Fluttershy beamed. “Who told you?”
“Oh, a little birdy told me.” Sky sat down. She would take his comment as a figure of speech, but in fact a little, red bird had told him. All the animals filled Skyfall in on the going-ons of Ponyville and Equestria. They helped him get updated on the world so he didn’t trot around making himself look like a fool.
“Do you take care of animals too?”
Skyfall shrugged. “From time to time. I help them when I can.”
“Oh this is wonderful, what’s your cutie mark? An animal stuck in a tree?” Fluttershy was suddenly giddy; it appears Sky found out how to get her to come out of her shell.
Fluttershy looked over at his flank expectantly, but found only saddlebags. His hidden cutie mark confirmed a rumor that went around as well. She heard that his cutie mark was gruesome and hid it as a result.
Sky followed her gaze. Why is she looking at my flank? A few ponies have been doing this lately. “Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy realized that she had been caught staring and her butter yellow face turned pink. Her shy personality took over once more and she hide behind her mane.
Sky sighed inwardly. “I know that my flank is great, but is it so stare worthy?”
Fluttershy whimpered and crouched down. Rainbow Dash tried to fly out of the room to tackle Skyfall, but was stopped by Twilight’s magic.
“Rainbow, stop actin up.” Applejack put her hooves on Rainbow’s chest, stopping her from pushing forward. “Ah don’t think he knows that Fluttershy is an int…intro.”
“Introvert.” Rarity finished for Applejack.
“Thanks. That word.” Applejack said. Rainbow rose an eyebrow at Applejack.
“Really? You think he doesn’t know Fluttershy is afraid of other ponies?” Rainbow’s question made the others trade looks.
Pinkie giggled. “I think he’s just being friendly. It’s probably awkward for him to meet new ponies too.”
Suddenly they heard Fluttershy giggle, tearing their attention away to the door.
Skyfall smiled at Fluttershy. She opened up when he started to tell her a story about the time he and Sif went to a harvest festival and she got indigestion from a bad apple. Unfortunately, it was only partially true. The last harvest festival he went to ended with Sif biting the head off of an unruly griffon.
When Fluttershy peeked out from behind her mane, her eyes met Sky’s.
“See? I’m not so scary.” Sky said quietly, coaxing her out of her shell. “I apologize if my question earlier was brazen. It’s just that I’m not from around here, so I don’t understand why ponies look at my flank all the time.”
“Many ponies look at somepony’s cutie mark to figure out what they do.” Fluttershy sat and showed hers. “My cutie mark is three butterflies, showing that I’m good with animals.”
“And I always wear saddlebags, so ponies probably think mine’s embarrassing.” The realization dawned on Skyfall.
“Uhm… Yes, actually.”
“So ponies have been talking?” Sky asked accusingly out of jest. Fluttershy started to collapse in on herself until Sky held his hooves up to show he was playing. “I’m sorry again, Miss. I joke around a lot.”
Fluttershy could see that he was trying to be friendly, so she could try too. “So, what is your cutie mark?”
Skyfall never liked his mark because of its meaning, but if it would stop ponies from spreading rumors, then it was worth it. He sat up and unsnapped his saddle before putting it on the ground and leaning over.
“Oh-Oh my. I wasn’t expecting that”
“Many ponies don’t. Most ponies have something clear like a music treble or a shield. Mine, however, is a shattered pane of glass.”
Fluttershy turned her head to get a better look. “What does it mean?”
A mistake. Skyfall thought before repeating the line he’s rehearsed countless times. “I fix other ponies problems. Whenever something goes wrong, I always end up being at the right place and the right time to help.”
Fluttershy looked like she had an epiphany, or a brain spasm. She smiled and looked back at the a set of double doors that had been cracked open. I hope the others like my idea.
“Well, I’ll take these books to Twilight.” Fluttershy started to pick up the books, but fumbled with them before finally getting them balanced on her head. “I will see you later, Mister Skyfall.”
“Please, call me Sky.”
Fluttershy smiled and blushed. “Goodnight, Sky.”
“Night, Fluttershy.” Skyfall turned around and heard the clopping of hooves as the door shut. How odd.
Skyfall felt good; better than he had in a long time. He walked into the night with the premonition of his life in Ponyville getting a lot more interesting.
“Princess Cadance, letters from Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight regarding your arrangements in Ponyville as well as the requested information about the Spirit.” A crystal guard announced from a bowed position.
“Thank you! I’ve been waiting for this.” Cadance tore open the scroll with glee.
Shining Armor looked over, bemused at his wife’s over-eagerness to read Twily’s letter. He had felt some terrible pit in his stomach since hearing that Shattered Skies was real and in the Everfree, so close to his sister. “I know that you’re excited to see Twilight, but doesn’t it bother you that this thing is stalking the forest?”
Princess Cadance patted Shining’s thigh. “I want to believe the best of ponies. If Shattered Skies is back, then maybe he can be turned to good if he isn’t good already”
Shining nuzzled Cadance. “I always loved that about you. You see the good in ponies and try to remain optimistic.”
Shining continued on in a quieter tone as drowsiness began consuming him. “Though, if he doesn’t want to cooperate, we will have no choice but to stop him.”
Princess Cadance ran her hoof over Shining’s face as he dozed off. Once he was asleep, Cadance reached for the letter detailing the events in Ponyville with the local school foals and Shattered Skies. She read the letter over and over before secretly summoning a journal with Celestia’s cutie mark emblazed on the front. Nopony knew she had this journal; she had hidden it from everypony, even Shining Armor.
Cadance read deep into the night, comparing the information in the letter to the information in the journal. She kept her intent a secret. Over time, a small smile grew on her face and as she repeated one word over and over. “Soon.”