//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Of Hoof and Paw // by Damsus Rhee //------------------------------// Of Hoof and Paw Written By: Damsus Rhee Chapter Two Stories. Zecora had acquired many stories in her lifetime, and she loved to share them with her friends. Occasionally when she told her stories, she would come across similarities, despite many of them having such disparate origins. Tonight she had such a story to tell, a story told in her homeland. Once intended to inspire fear of the outside world, it was now told as a fairytale to children. She hoped that the ponies she was preparing to tell the tale would enjoy it as much as she had. It was a quiet evening in Equestria when Zecora began to lead a familiar group of ponies through the Everfree Forest. She was leading a camping trip to the other side of the woods. The trip had been planned weeks in advance. She had invited some her dearest friends who, through unfortunate circumstance, she had not seen in some time. Zecora looked forward to telling a few more stories she hoped her pony friends would enjoy. Many in Ponyville feared the Everfree Forest, and they were right to do so. Still, it was not as terrible as they imagined. The Zebra had lived there for many years, after all. Behind her followed the six mares and three fillies that meant more than anypony else in the world to her. Pinkie Pie was bringing up the rear, bouncing merrily and carrying a lantern in her mouth. The light from her lantern bounced as she did, causing the shadows of the forest to shift and change with each leap. Strapped to her back were half-a-dozen small bags filled with sugary treats, some falling out behind the excited pony. As she continued to bounce around, she bumped into Rarity’s flank, and came to a halt. Rarity gave a squeak and stumbled for a moment before regaining her balance and fixing Pinkie with a frustrated stare. She wore a yellow beekeepers helmet over her head this evening, fearful of the insects lurking in the woods. "Careful Pinkie Pie!” She admonished the pink mare, her tone a whine. I don't want to tear this. There are so many bugs in these woods. Really, I don’t see why we couldn’t just have had the camping trip out in Ponyville," as she spoke, she checked her guard gently, ensuring that it still sealed her away from the ravenous insects looking for a more fabulous meal than usual. "You know... where it’s clean." "Oh Rarity," Pinkie said with an innocent smile. "Bugs aren't all bad. What about ladybugs? You like them, right?" "That’s different, Pinkie," Rarity exclaimed, looking over at her hyper little friend, who began bouncing around again. "Ladybugs are cute. And most importantly...” she looked around with a shudder for incoming crawlies. “They don't bite!" "Now sugar cube, there's no need to worry about a couple of little ol' bugs. I'm around 'em all the time on the farm, and they don't bother me none at all," Applejack spoke as she walked over and tugged on Rarity's helmet. "You just gotta loosen up a bit and have some fun like the rest of us. This trip is mostly for the little ones anyhow." "But hopefully it will be fun for all of us," Fluttershy expressed, and smiled down at Scootaloo who was walking along next to her. "At least, I’ve been looking forward to it." "Me too!" Scootaloo said enthusiastically, and began to run ahead towards Rainbow Dash. "Me three!" Applebloom chimed in as she ran to join her friend. "Me four!" Sweetie Belle cheered, running to catch up to the other two fillies. "I think we're all excited about this little trip. Thank you so much for inviting us all to go along, Zecora," Twilight said as she walked next to her zebra friend. "We’ve never been to the other side of these woods before. I for one cannot wait to see the Divide! There’s so much history in that place, as well as the lands beyond! In fact...” she leaned closer to Zecora as her face lit up with her excitement. Her voice was vaguely singsong. “I brought multiple books on the subject!" "Of course she did," Rainbow Dash snorted to Applejack. "You can take Twilight out of the library, but you can't take the library out of Twilight." "Yeah," Applejack responded with a brief snort of a giggle as Twilight looked back at her with an annoyed expression. “She even brought a book to that pool party!.” "Very funny girls," Twilight remarked, a sardonic smirk growing on her face. "But you will thank me. It never hurts to be prepared. But like I said... thank you Zecora." "You are all most welcome, my pony friends. Soon now our journey will be at an end." Zecora beamed and ignored the continuing jokes her friends were tossing at Twilight’s expense in the background. "For this evening a story I shall relate, of truths lost to time and the auspices of fate.” The zebra gave a menacing smile. “A story of the Furies you ponies shall hear, the better to love light and good camping cheer." “The Furies," Rainbow Dash spoke as she floated up next to Twilight, upside-down. "Aren't they the Manehattan sky ball team? Why would we listen to a story about those guys?" "No no, Rainbow," Twilight said, giggling at the unusual acrobatics of her pegasus friend. "Not the sky ball team, but the beings they are named after." Flipping over to land next to Twilight, Rainbow Dash asked, "Oh... well, who are they?" "Well... it’s supposed to be an old mares’ tale. One told long ago about the untamed and supposedly unstoppable forces that roamed in, and beyond, Equestria," Twilight replied. Then looking at Zecora, she smiled and said, "They supposedly fought over territory and influence long ago and then just up and vanished. Am I right?" "Yes, my dear Twilight, I can mostly agree. But the tale is quite true, as I fear you shall see." Zecora spoke as she came to a stop. She turned around and looked back at her friends, who halted as well. "Ooh... Spooky," Pinkie added in her ghosty voice, poking her head under Rarity’s mask. “What are you doing dear?” Rarity asked delicately, stepping away from the pink intruder. “Do you see this invisible line...?” she complained, a hoarse whine in her voice. “I just wanted to make sure you were still under there,” Pinkie said and smiled exuberantly. “You can still see her with the mask on, Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash pointed out in confusion, pointing a hoof at Rarity’s legs. “Yup,” Pinkie said. “But not her head.” “Well I assure you that my head is not going anywhere,” Rarity said dryly. “Has anypony ever heard the story of the headless horse?” Pinkie asked, looking around. “It’s my favorite spooookie story!” “Well if we have time we’ll tell that one too. But tonight Zecora is telling the stories,” Twilight said, then looked back at the three fillies huddled around Applejack, shivering. “Besides Pinkie, I ain’t sure that story’s suitable for the little ones. Stick close everypony," Applejack said as she looked at the cowering Cutie Mark Crusaders. Realizing they looked foalish, they quickly stood at attention, saluting her. "We don't need to get separated in the Everfree Forest." "Okay!" All three of them said in unison, and ran to join the rest of the herd. The group continued, following Zecora, until the darkness of the woods parted before them. The ponies emerged on the edge of a precipitous drop overlooking a deep canyon. A barren land beyond stretched as far as they could see. With not a cloud in the sky, all the stars shone down upon them, bathing them in their cold gaze. Luna’s milk-white moon shone clear and crisp on the majestic scene, glimmering like a diamond in a sea of darkness. Far off in the distance an impossibly tall and very dark mountain loomed quietly over the sweeping scenes below. Around its’ summit, like a crown, raged a strange blizzard. They stood close, some closer than others, to the edge of the cliff. Fluttershy took one look, squeaked, and backed away from the chasm, fearful that she might fall in despite being contradicted in this fear by the downy yellow wings on her back. Rainbow Dash, however, had no such fear as she stood directly on the edge of the cliff, staring down into the darkness.         "Amazing!" Applebloom cheered on. "It's so far! And so deep!"         "Speaking of deep," Applejack spoke, and placed a hoof on her younger sister's head, gently pushing her back. "Don't you be getting that close now, you hear? It's a long fall." "I hear it goes on and on, and covers the entire eastern border of Equestria," Fluttershy spoke worriedly, looking to her left and right. Then slowly added, her silky voice growing progressively quieter. "Are you sure it’s alright to, you know... um.... camp up here... this close... to the edge?" "Dear Fluttershy, you needn’t hide: the danger is on the other side." Spoke Zecora, who stood near the edge of the chasm, waving a hoof in dismissal. "Wow," Twilight remarked, looking astounded. "How far down does it go I wonder? I can't see the bottom from here." "Oh Rainbow Dash," Rarity beamed, looking over at her friend while she sat her bags neatly on the ground. "Be a dear and go have a look, would you?" She asked with a flutter of her eyelashes. "On it," Rainbow Dash said and lifted off the ground, giving a fast salute to her friend. She dashed forward but before she started down a voice behind her yelled, "STOP!" In mid-flight, Rainbow dash put on the air brakes, and looked behind her at a very worried Zecora. "Why?" She asked looking confused. "I would have been back in ten seconds flat. Or do you think I need a lantern to see down there? Good idea!" "Into the pit you should not try to go, for it is a place nopony should know." Zecora spoke, then moved to stand on the edge of the cliff, impeding Rainbow Dash’s progress. "Those that have gone have learned their mistake, for once at the bottom there is no escape." The gang went completely silent having heard this, realizing how close one of their friends had come to such a fate. Zecora gave a wry grin to the blue pegasus. "So you see, dear Rainbow, you would need more than a lamp. Come my little ponies, we should all set up camp!" "Good idea," Twilight said, looking over at Rainbow Dash with a worried expression on her face, the pegasus wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "Remember to look before you leap next time, Rainbow." Then Twilight looked over at Zecora giving a nervous chuckle. "Um, anything else we need to know? You know, before somepony touches like... a magically cursed leaf or something?" Zecora chuckled at Twilight and shook her head at the purple unicorn. In the back of the group Applejack began making it perfectly clear that thunder would be laid down if Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo failed to stay away from the mouth of the yawning pit. Rarity began magically assembling a tent with Twilight, while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash worked on theirs with Zecora. Applejack and Pinkie Pie simply laid out some sleeping bags, desiring to sleep under the stars. It only took twenty minutes and they had assembled two tents and a nice roaring campfire. Twilight and Rarity's tent looked absolutely perfect, between ones’ need for everything to be straight and the others’ usage of the instruction manual. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy’s tent however, was barely held together by rope and stakes. Pinkie Pie, who had been quietly contemplating the perfect method of  roasting a marshmallow, reached into her saddlebag and removed a large bag of treats for her friends to enjoy. "Nothing like a bunch of delicious treats to go with a spooky ghost story," spoke Pinkie as she stuffed a hoofful of uncooked marshmallows into her mouth and nommed loudly. "Pinkie," Rarity scolded, reaching a hoof up and closing her mouth for her. "Close your mouth. The little ones' manners are bad enough already without you giving them the impression that it's okay." "Yeah," Applebloom's voice agreed, muffled by the treat in her mouth. "See," Rarity said, looking down at Applebloom. "Now she’s doing it too." Twilight giggled at their exchange, then turned her head to face Pinkie Pie. "It isn’t really a ghost story, Pinkie. More of an urban legend," Twilight corrected, magically snatching the treat bag with a purple glow of her horn and ignoring the amusing altercation between the three. "And you're supposed to roast them first!" With her horn, she levitated a stick from the ground and spun it in a circle, placing a marshmallow on the end of it, then thrust it into the gentle flames. "Gather round everypony, Zecora has a story to tell us," Rarity said, picking up a stick and levitating a marshmallow onto it, muttering something about the sanitary merits of eating off sticks. "I can't wait," Applebloom said, plopping down and roasting a marshmallow with the others as Zecora approached the campfire with her bag of magical dust. "Listen closely ponies, to the tale I will tell, for in the near future it may serve you all well. Long long ago, when the land was yet young, when wars were still waged and battle-songs were yet sung: Powerful creatures held sway over all, the world cowered under their merciless pall." Zecora spoke, releasing some strange green powder into the campfire, which flared and cast a pale green light. Images of her words began to appear in the flame. "This is gonna be so awesome," Rainbow Dash chimed in, her violet eyes sparkling. "I love Zecora's stories." "I will now recite the furies, but do not be frightened. You may better resist once you have been enlightened." Zecora spoke, raising her hoof to the flame in which the image of a great serpent appeared, coiling around a group of ponies. "This great serpent was the king of the seas; his delight was in sowing distrust in ponies. His power grew by the creation of lies: in his presence ponies could scarce trust their own eyes. His name was Deceit and true, his infamy grew as he ruled over you!" The image faded and was replaced by two glowing eyes darting back and forth as they leered at the campers. "This next you will see is a hard one to prise, known to most ponies by his glowing pink eyes! He had many forms, to deceive and to trick, and if ever found out he would change himself quick. Though nopony can say which may be his true guise, Treachery is the Fury with the burning pink eyes! He caused ponies who were friends to grow hate in their heart. War has been his weapon from the very start." The eyes wavered and an image of a great dark raven appeared, it's wings beating in the flame. Zecora circled the campfire as she spoke. "This next was a blight in Equestrian skies, a bird of dark shadow with deep sea-green eyes. Misery was the name of this dark green-eyed bird; great pain and suffering were the fruits of his word." The images in the fire shifted once again, this time showing a great spider, it’s many eyes glowing orange. "A trick may be a trick to we pony folk, but this Fury is not to be seen as a joke. She manipulated mares with such mirth and such glee, her name is renowned now as Mockery. She sowed fear and distrust with her strands so thin, bending good ponies to her every whim." "Oh I do so dislike spiders," Rarity spoke, flinching back. "Are all of these Furies so, well, awful?" "A most valid point, my dear pony friend," Zecora continued, trotting over to her, looking down at the graceful white pony. "But monsters like this are bound to offend."         "It's true, Rarity," Twilight interjected. "These creatures were supposed to be absolutely horrific. In fact, my research with Princess Celestia suggests that the Elements of Harmony were first created to deal with these creatures." "Really?" Pinkie asked, sitting up and looking over at her, spilling a bag of treats that she was devouring. "So the Elements of Harmony might have been created to defeat them!" "Well, no," Twilight said, looking down at her books and frowning. "Supposedly they were nearly invulnerable, but the Elements were created to reverse the effects of the destruction they left behind them." She looked at Zecora with a blush and an apologetic smile, her ears horizontal. "We should talk about that after Zecora finishes. Sorry for interrupting." "No worries at all, Twilight my dear; it is good that somepony can make some things clear," Zecora spoke, raising her hoof with more of the green powder, changing the flame again. A giant bull appeared, running though the flame, it’s muscles rippling in the green corpse-light. "Avarice was her name and greed her domain, driving ponies to fight over ill-gotten gains. When the fighting had ended she would sift through the corpses. The pony with the most treasures she would add to her forces." Zecora now began to walk away from the flame. As she did, the flame began to die down. Slowly a scorpion with a massive, comma-shaped tail appeared. "Of this next beast I’m reluctant to tell; Spite was a fiend who was known all too well. Cruelty and malice burnt in her eyes; from a throne made of bones she wove her foul lies. Of her deeds I won’t speak in the dark of the night. Death was her coin, and great was her might." "Wow," Applejack said. "I just realized something." "What is that, dear?" Rarity asked. "Well that makes six of them, for six Elements of Harmony. Kind of makes sense what Twilight said a moment ago," Applejack replied. "Not really," Twilight said. "You would think so, but there was one more. The very worst, supposedly." "Yes my dear ponies, indeed it is true. For just one more Fury shall I present you." Zecora spoke, putting her hoof up in the air. The flame began to rise up vibrantly. "This next is the last of the Furies immense, once you know of her then my tale can commence. A great wolf of white with fiery red eyes, as fierce as a lion and at least twice the size. Her ferocity and strength were fury and true; Tempest was the wolf who will soon devour you!" When Zecora finished her last rhyme, she leaped over the flame and landed in front of the ponies, giving them quite the fright. All of them fell over, some laughing and some shivering. "What a great campfire story," Applebloom said, smiling. "I love scary stories when I'm out like this." "Until you get the nightmares," Applejack responded, laughing. Scootaloo continued to shake, hiding under Rainbow Dash’s wing. Poking her head out from protection she asked, “Umm... could we, you know, tell another story? One that wouldn’t give Sweetie Belle nightmares?” “Do I have to do my chicken call again?” Applebloom mocked. Twilight stepped in between the two and spoke softly, “Girls, these are just stories. But yes. I should have known they were a bit on the scary side. Would it be okay to change the subject Zecora?” Zecora giggled and nodded her head at Twilight, who was looking at the fading image of a wolf in the fire. She then looked down at the fillies and said, “I apologize girls. Of the Furies, some other time. Perhaps for now, a simple nursery rhyme?” After a round of laughter, Zecora began telling more foal-friendly stories to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the rest of the mares stepped away towards the edge of the Divide. Once out of earshot of the little ones, they all huddled around Twilight. She began levitating a couple of logs from the campfire over, setting them down in the circle near them. "So what happened to all of these scary creatures?" Fluttershy asked. "I mean, if you say even the Elements couldn’t stop them, then what did?" "Some think that they destroyed each other," Twilight said, shrugging. "But even Celestia doesn't know for sure." "How could Celestia not know?" Pinkie asked, jumping up and spinning around. "I mean, isn't she like, a million years old?" "Actually," Applejack spoke, looking at Pinkie. "Celestia is a little over two thousand years old. Or at least that’s what my parents used to tell me." "That's right, Applejack," Twilight beamed. "And Luna is only around fourteen hundred." "But that’s like FOREVER!" Pinkie shouted, raising her hooves to the sky. "They are actually rather young for alicorns, Pinkie," Twilight responded. "They weren’t around during Celestia and Luna's rule. They were supposed to be around during their parents’ rule. Not to mention that a lot of books from that time were destroyed for some reason, so it’s no wonder records of these monsters might be lost. Also, it is possible they never existed in the first place. Kind of a gray area in my studies. But you see that mountain over there in the distance?” Twilight asked, pointing a hoof over at the lumbering giant. “That's called Death's Peak. Supposedly it’s where the white wolf sleeps, waiting for her time to rule the lands once again.” Twilight paused, and laughed once. “Legends love to talk about the return of this, or the rise of that after all." "Oh," Rainbow Dash said, sitting up. "Like the old saddle in the stone I heard as a filly." "Exactly," Twilight said, nodding in approval. "Like the mare in the moon," Fluttershy responded, shuddering, and everyone went quiet. "But that one came true." "Well this one doesn't have any concrete evidence to support it. Just a bunch of hearsay," Twilight said, comforting her friend with a gentle smile. "So you don't even know if they actually existed at all?" Applejack asked, standing up from the circle of friends. “Nope,” Twilight responded and looked behind her at the foals, listening raptly to Zecora at the other campfire. “We should get back over there.” Carrying the remains of the burning log she previously borrowed with her magic, Twilight sat it down with care in the midst of the flames. The mares all quickly huddled around the fire, as the cold of the night was beginning to set in. Zecora had just finished telling a joyful tale to the girls, when they had returned. Sweetie Belle, who had been watching the girls return to them, seemed not to notice her marshmallow had been in the flame too long. "You're cremating your treat, dear," Rarity said, smiling at her younger sister as she came to a rest at her side. Sweetie Belle looked down at the burnt snack in shock. "Oops." The young filly spoke. "Guess that's a do-over." At that moment Pinkie jumped in and poured liberal amounts of hot sauce on it. She then snatched and devoured it. "What?" She asked, her mouth full. "It's good!" "Yuck!" Everyone said in unison and began to laugh. "Twilight," Applebloom said, standing up and approaching the violet mare. "Can I ask you something?" "Sure Applebloom," Twilight responded as she began to lay a blanket on the cold ground. “What is it?” “It’s about that story earlier,” Applebloom said, kicking a rock softly off the blanket and laying down next to Twilight. “Those bad things... they are gone, right?” Twilight looked over at Applejack, who was giving her a nod, and said soflty, “Yes, they are gone and are never coming back.” "So are the monsters from that story enemies of ours? You know, if they came back?" Scootaloo asked, looking at Zecora. Twilight interjected with an annoyed tone, “Scootaloo, I just said they weren’t coming back.” “But if they did...” Scootaloo continued, ignoring Twilight as she huffed. "I imagine they would be, if they were still near. I admit that this thought brings me great fear." Zecora interjected, looking a uneasily at the little pony. She turned her head towards the sky, looking at the vibrant glow of the moon. "If that came to pass you must make no mistakes, battles would begin to decide all our fates." “You’re not helping, Zecora,” Rarity said, motioning a hoof to the foals curled up in fear. "Well if those meanies tried anything Princess Celestia and Luna would show 'em a thing or two!" Rainbow Dash said, standing on two hooves punching the air like a boxer. “I’d throw ‘em a party!” Pinkie cheered, throwing her hooves in the air, sending a shower of marshmallows down on the children. They all laughed at the ridiculous pony. “Hey Dashie! You got any games we could play before bed?” “You bet!" Rainbow Dash said, flying into her tent and coming back out with a couple of games. "Now that the stories are over...” Rainbow Dash lowered her voice. “And you’ve traumatised the foals...” She smiled around at the group, holding the board games into the air above her head. “Let's get on to some games!" As the night continued on they laughed, ate, and played games. Only when completely exhausted did they lie down to sleep. They were unaware of the events unfolding in Canterlot. Unaware that far away across the Great Divide, on the massive mountain, a creature stirred. Unaware that this would be the night that everything started to change. ******* Across the Divide and past the barren wastes, Death’s Peak stood vigil over the lands around it, an ominous sentinel to things best forgotten. In the eye of the great blizzard that crowned the top of the mountain, a statue in the shape of a wolf, carved from a light-blue crystal, stood glowing. It was beginning to crack. A shadow fell over it, circling above. It took the form of a large black raven, his eyes a pestilential green. The monstrosity landed on the mountain's peak, cracking the rock between his talons with ease. Once settled on his newly-made perch, he tucked his wings around his dark feathers as if to protect himself from the torrential blizzard. With slow and precise movement, the great dark bird scanned the area before fixing his gaze upon the breaking sculpture. Taking a breath, the raven spoke with a power that had forced seasoned warriors to their knees in fear. "I thought I had felt the damnable stirrings of thy wakening," his raspy voice echoed through the mountain, causing snow to cascade down it’s sides. "Long has it been since last I looked upon thee... Tempest." With the wolf's name spoken the crystal statue shattered, and the once-crystal eyes were replaced with a deep red glow. The crystal fell to the ground in bits and shards, breaking like glass, to reveal a solid white wolf, her downy white fur seeming to glow, whether through a trick of the moonlight or some magic in her. Unlike the bird she was not massive in size, about the size of a large bear. "As fair as ever." The bird spoke, its beak stretching and contorting with unnatural sounds and movements into wicked smile, mocking the wolf. Ignoring him, she stretched as strange crimson lights danced around her, now and then coalescing into barely visible blades that cracked stone and rent the ground beneath her feet with her freely-flowing power. "And with such fury yet trammeled," The bird said, inching away from the casual but dangerous power flowing around the luminescent creature. The wolf slowly looked up at the colossal bird. Each of her words were accompanied with a soft echo, floating in the wind. “Great fowl, Misery,” she spoke mockingly, inclining her white head in a bow. “Would that I could enjoy this single pristine waking without a visit from your venerated person." She grinned, and her eyes became weary as she stared up at the beast. "I tire of thy meddlesome ways, crow.” The bird’s eyes narrowed at the slight. The wolf’s strangely lovely voice took on a plaintive tone. “Wilt thou but leave me be? Dost thy long shadow darken my steps forever? In what far future shall I surpass it?" "When thy carcass rots and thy eyes and tongue are a worm’s repast, cur,” the wolf smiled at his return of her insult. “When all thy deeds which were and all thy deeds that will be are done and passed from any living memory. Mayhap when I sup on thy corpse-flesh, then shalt thou pass from beneath my shadow. But not before.” The two exchanged a brief but meaningful visual exchange. The raven straightened his ink-black feathers. “What now wilt thou do, wolf? Wither wilt thou go?" "What intelligence can know that which is unknown?" She said coyly, grinning wickedly at the dark bird and grinding her claws against the ground. "I desire knowledge of the new world. I will glean it, once I have shed old burdens,” she regarded him with mirth, then looked out on the world below. “My wrath is great, and I have not sated this unnameable hunger that burns now in my breast in many an age." She turned her head from the lands and glared up into the bird’s eyes. “Perhaps you could alleviate my fury. What do you say... old friend?” The giant bird leaned back sharply. "Rest easy, cur... I am more wise than to engage thee or harry thee here at the height of thy power." With a cracking of bone, Misery’s beak slowly stretched wide into another grin. "Goest thee now and do as thou wilt. Thy time among the waking will be brief, mark me. Go out into the world as it is now and see that it has no place for one such as thee.” The great bird looked contemplative. “Verily thou shalt find no place here anymore for any such as us. An we should shape the world to our own ends." “Thou wouldst so cavalierly employ that old ruse, crow?” Tempest said, tilting her head, glaring at the great bird before her. “It did us little good the last time... wouldst thou not agree?” “Then we were separate, our minds scattered and our might grown weak from disuse,” Misery spoke, batting his wings against the wind and sending boulders bounding off the clifftop. He spoke quickly. “Soon fell deeds will awaken... deeds the ends to which I have turned all of my mind for four millenia.” The raven lowered his beak to her face and spoke quietly, “4000 years... to plan for our vengeance on this world.” “Your vengeance, maybe,” Tempest said, looking away as her tone turned to mockery. “We shall soon discover the truth in that, shan’t we?” As her words trailed off, the gigantic raven rose up and flew off into the night sky, his great wings beating against the air. His voice began to echo from the heavens. "Our companions will wish to know of thy stirrings. They have missed thee as long and as well as I, dear sister. Mayhap they shall visit thee as well." As soon as those words left the wretched bird's beak, the lovely wolf raised her head to the sky and let loose a howl that rocked the very foundation of the mountain she stood upon. As the howl expanded, unseen force caused massive avalanches of snow to roar wildly downwards, and the snowstorm guarding her sleep died abruptly. "Crow,” Tempest spoke to herself, contempt in her tone. Looking down on the lands below, she smiled hungrily, the specter of a distant campfire catching her eye, the smell of woodsmoke tickling her sensitive nose. “We shall find now what spoils this new world has to offer.” ******* This night is colder than normal, Luna thought to herself as she gently walked across the surface of the lake outside of Manehattan City. The gleam of her luminescent horn reflected off of the waters below her, ensuring that she would neither sink nor get wet. She was strolling under the moon she had brought forth, lovely and full to ease the tides into harmony. To some, her form walking across the still waters would have sparked a minor panic, but she had done this many nights before and knew that none of the city folk could see her this far out. I wonder if anypony even notices the lovely glint I gave it tonight? Of course they do! How could they not? Even Tia said that though they might sleep through my work, my moon aids in their peaceful sleep. She smiled for only a moment, then her face turned to sorrow. Although it is a pity that more ponies do not witness my work at night. I always feel so alone out here by myself. Luna had recently taken a more hooves-on role in her duties, guiding the moon herself on nightly walks across Equestria. She had wanted to learn more about the lands she had missed over her one thousand year imprisonment. Since being released she had traveled most of her home country, sending the precious giant off on its own once she had reached the Equestrian borders. Although she was reunited with her sister, she still felt strangely alone at times. "Oh moon," Luna spoke, staring up at the giant orb in the sky. "Even with all of my new friends, I still have time to speak with you," Luna smiled weakly, sitting upon the surface of the lake. "Maybe tomorrow I will ask Tia to stay up with me and join me on my stroll. But she is always so busy... and I do not wish to bother her." "That would not be a bother at all," came a beautiful voice from behind her on the lake. Celestia, her horn also glowing with the light of her ancient magic, began walking across the water. "You know, I was sitting at home in the castle and I had this strange feeling you needed me sister," She said, speaking sweetly down towards her. "I'm surprised!" Luna said, shocked and smiling. "You always sleep at night now. What are you doing out here, Tia?" Luna asked, standing as she turned to face her sister. She walked up alongside her, nuzzled her once and gave her a playful smile. "You really should be resting for another day of royal decrees and fancy dinners." "Very funny, little one," Celestia responded, greeting her nuzzle with one of her own. "But you are right. However, I would like to spend some time with you out here under your beautiful moon. If you would not mind my intrusion." "Not at all! By all means, let us sit," Luna spoke sitting once again, this time by her sister, on the surface of the waters. "I am... happy... to see you sister. I know that you have forgiven me, and I know that the ponies of Equestria have as well. But...” the younger princess’ eyes were downcast. “I just feel so alone sometimes." "Oh Luna," Celestia spoke, softly placing a hoof on her sisters' back. "You are not alone at all. Our ponies absolutely love you, and the moon is much more vibrant with you at its helm once again." Luna's vision blurred for just a moment. A small pain in her head caused her to wince. "Ouch," Luna winced, rubbing her head with her hoof. "Maybe we should get off this lake. I’m beginning to get a headache." "You are using your powers too much, dear sister," Celestia spoke, smiling at Luna. "Here, let me hold us both up while we talk." Celestia's horn began to glow more brightly and Luna's faded, supporting both alicorns on the surface of the lake. "Thanks," She said, looking a bit confused. "I have done this a hundred times over and never come close to any magical strain." "You must be tired," Celestia beamed at her, stroking her mane once with her hoof and then hugging her. "Why not lie down and rest a bit?" "I wish I could sis, but I must keep the moon moving on its way," Luna replied, looking at her sister's hoof, chuckling. "You're treating me like a little filly." "Oh," Celestia started, removing her hoof from her sisters back. "Old habits, I suppose." Luna began to stand and walk away, smiling at her sister, but stopped abruptly when her headache began to flare up once more. "Oh? My dear sister, stay for just a moment," Celestia spoke, grinning at Luna in a way that bothered her. "It is important after all." "What is it, sis?" Luna asked, looking confused through the pain, legs buckling. "I... don’t feel so well." "These ponies we have watched over. Mother and father who watched over them before us... they do not appreciate us as they should," Celestia spoke, looking at Manehattan with an odd glint in her eye. "You said yourself that you feel alone. I feel it too." Luna looked at her sister with wide eyes and said, "I do not understand sister. What are you proposing?" "I think it is time that we show them the full and unrestrained potential of our power. So they might be reminded of why we have the right to rule them," Celestia said, dipping a hoof into the waters below, stirring it. "We could make them love you, dear sister." Luna stood quietly. These very thoughts had troubled her mind when Nightmare had taken hold of her. But she had never heard her sister speak in such a manner. Especially about the citizens of Equestria. She had always spoken so fondly of them in the past. Something had to be wrong. "Big sister... is something wrong with you?" Luna asked, lowering her head while worriedly shuffling toward the elder princess. "You're not acting like yourself." "I’ve been thinking about this a great deal recently," Celestia said, removing her hoof from the water and fixing Luna with a terrible stare. "We should head to Manehattan. We can begin there. You and I together could carve a path all the way to Canterlot. And then all would bow down before us, from the lowest merchant to the greatest aristopony. Oh dear sister. For too long have we played by the rules. We should rule with fear, not love. I see now that love is weak." "You must be losing your mind, Tia!" Cried Luna, holding her head, which now felt like it was splitting in agony. "I would never do such a thing! How could you even think such a thing!?" "Help me, or you are free to return to the moon, Luna," Celestia said coldly staring at her still-wet hoof. "I know what it is that you feel. You feel neglected by our subjects. We could force them to love you. You fear we have become separated as sisters. We would rule side by side over a new Equestria! Besides, is it better to be loved or feared?" By now Luna's aching head had reached an unbearable pitch, and she glared at her sister with an equal intensity. She slowly began to step away from her towards the shore, her dark eyes fixed on the creature that could not have been her sister. Why would you say such a thing Tia? She thought to herself as her sister’s lovely face was transfixed by a wicked grin. "You are not my sister. You can’t be!" Luna shouted, lowering her head with her horn leveled at her sister. "I don't know what you are! But my sister would never act this way!" Celestia, her bearing communicating severe displeasure, stood to face her sister. Although Luna had grown rapidly since she had regained her powers, the eldest princess still towered over her. The wicked smile she had worn earlier was now a sneer of disgust as she spoke in the royal voice. "You would dare speak this way to us!? You would bare your horn at us!? Knowest thou thine own place, little sister!" Luna trembled terribly as she faced her older and stronger sister, whose horn now shone out like a beacon in the dark of the night. The waters around her hooves came alive with it, laced with fingers of multi-colored power. "I remember my place!" Luna spoke, gathering energy herself. "It is you who have forgotten yours!" "Dear sister," Celestia spoke softly, lowering her horn, it’s brilliant light fading out. "Thou hast forgotten a vital fact... it is now only by my power that thou keepest above water." The realization that her sisters’ magic was still suspending her above the surface of the water did not have time to set in for Luna, as the magic holding her was withdrawn and she plunged belly first into the lake. The cold water tore and grasped at her, some unseen force dragging her down deeper into the darkness of the lake. I have to gather my magic, her mind screamed as she was pulled deeper. She focused with all her might, but to no avail.  Why is nothing happening!? She began to panic as water seeped into her lungs. Kicking and thrashing, Luna tried to escape only to once again be pulled under by unknown means. When all hope seemed lost, she did the only thing she could. She let out a watery scream. And then all was quiet. To think that I, Luna, princess of the moon, will meet my end by drowning in a lake, she thought to herself, closing her eyes as her lungs relaxed. But death did not come at that moment for the young alicorn. The pain in her lungs was simply no longer there. No water was pressing against her. "What?" Luna gasped, opening her eyes to see only see the luminescent aura of her moon's surface. "I am on my moon? How?" Luna asked out loud as she lifted off the ground to fly towards Equestria. Not two feet off the surface a familiar, yet unexpected force pulled her down harshly. A chain, glowing purple, wrapped around her neck held her fast. "Grand Seal chains! No! The stars already freed me from these! Why? Did Celestia.... I do not want to be here!" Luna shouted in a panic. Weeping, she huddled against herself on the dusty ground. "I thought you were crazy, or an impostor. I did not think you would or even could banish me again! Why did you send me back? I was being good... I tried so hard." Tears flowed freely now. “Tia, why?” She asked desperately, speaking to nopony. Tears streaked down her face as she continued to cuddle with herself. Why did Tia have to do this? What has happened to make her change? Maybe... maybe I was right. Maybe that was not the real Celestia! Oh, listen to me! I sound like a crazy mare! Luna continued sobbing for a few moments, when suddenly she coughed up a mouthful of water onto the surface of the moon. Shocked, she looked down at the liquid, roiling along the ground, as the realization hit her. I'm still under the water! She thought, closing her eyes to concentrate. Focus! Focus Luna! Opening her eyes this time, she looked around at the nothingness that was pitch black water with her moon above her as her only guide. Luna's relief was short-lived as the pain of the water in her lungs took hold, forcing her to gasp and squirm under the lake. Swimming up as fast as she was able, she had nearly reached the surface when two strangely-slit yellow eyes, each as large as her entire body, opened in front of her. A voice inside her head boomed, "Thy pain would have been far lessened, fairest Princess of the Moon, hadst thou chosen to remain wreathed in my illusion." The unseen voice caused the forgotten pain in her head to flare up once again. "Now, my dearest Luna, shall I with mine own fangs make good thy demise!" Not ten feet away, just below the eyes, four jagged rows of teeth opened up in a massive yawn, lit by an odd light, flickering deep within the open maw. The voice echoed again, "Pass now from this world in agony, fair Mare of the Moon." "This is gonna hurt..." Luna thought, as the glow intensified. Authors Note         Once again thank you Malthusite for taking the time to not only edit this, but take the time to rewrite 90% of the Zecora couplets, they are a lot better now. I’m still going to charge a quarter for every curse you wrote to me in my editorial notes. I think I can afford a new car off of that. How was I supposed to know that you hated poetry? But seriously, I could not do this without your aid. You damn walking dictionary you...         Jezebelle, thank you for the editorial glance that you always have to give when I am done with this. Your intuitive ‘I like this part’ and ‘hehe that was funny’ comments helped me to shape my story to the way I wanted it.         Muffins will be UPS delivered shortly...