//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Understanding // Story: Earth Ponies Can Cast Spells Too // by Paulicus //------------------------------// The frog-like fey sniffed the air again. “Three... hm.” He turned and beckoned them forward with gnarly, webbed fingers. “Come, we must begin,” he said, promptly disappearing inside the dark hollow of the tree. “Is that...?” Rainbow Dash furrowed her brow in confusion. Applejack shrugged. “Guess so,” she said as she walked, ducking her head to pass through the narrow entrance. The scene that greeted them was nothing like they had expected. In contrast to the other tree-homes they had seen, the Dream Keeper's cottage – if it could even be called that – was dank and dimly lit. The floor was little more than packed earth, and the ceiling consisted of a low-hanging tangle of roots that felt more like an opportunistic burrow than any purposefully-built home. A few wooden bowls glowed with embers, releasing an aromatic smoke that slowly danced in the slivers of light trickling through the walls. In one corner was a small, murky pool that may have been used for sleeping or bathing, though it was hard to know which. A few scattered stumps looked as though they could be used as seats, while in other areas the roots seemed to have been woven into makeshift shelves. A number of strange decorations dangled from the ceiling, similar to the bone idols hanging outside. Even stranger were the items arrayed on one of the larger shelves. Wooden cages containing various creatures sat next to haunting effigies and contraptions of unfathomable purpose. The Dream Keeper was hunched over one of them – a rough wooden box with a lid made of bark. Inside, the ponies spied some kind of dead animal swarmed by large, black beetles. The fey plucked one of the insects and placed it in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out in disgust. “You, pony.” The Dream Keeper turned to face Applejack, somehow pinpointing her with his clouded eyes. “Why are you here?” “We're here to save Equestria, heard you could help us,” she said with a nod. “A noble goal, but often impossible.” The fey took a step forward, clearly unsatisfied. “Who do you protect?” Applejack cocked her head. “Uh... the ponies of Equestria?” “No.” The Lewintar tapped a finger on her nose. His eyes drifted, looking just off-center from Applejack's face. “Why. Who is most dear?” “Well... guess that’s my family – and my friends!” Applejack added, tossing her forelegs around her companions' shoulders. She couldn't help but grin. “Hmm, ar-nòa...” The Lewintar surprised her by suddenly reaching up and grasping her cheek, pinching the flesh as though searching for something only he could see. He plucked a hair, eliciting a wince from Applejack, before abruptly turning back to his eclectic collection. “We were told you might be able to help us,” Twilight said, stepping forward. “You see, one of the fairies said–” “I know,” he said without looking. The Dream Keeper dropped Applejack's fur into one of the wooden bowls. He grabbed a sprig of some dried herb, holding it close to the embers, and gently blew until it began to crackle. He held the burning leaves uncomfortably close to his face, listening intently until the flames sputtered out. The Lewintar slowly ambled away from the bench, tapping a webbed finger on his chin. “Hmm... the Fates were silent on your kind. Until recently, they said nothing of no'st templá... your magic, released.” A few old bones sat in the Dream Keeper's hand, gently rattling as he ran his fingers over them. “But... hm. Daenam ik'taan, perhaps there is a chance now.” “Hold on a minute, is he trying to say he can see the future?” Rainbow Dash pointed an accusatory hoof at the fey. “I call BS.” “Rainbow!” Twilight hissed. The Lewintar emitted a low, burbling chuckle. “You are wise to doubt me, though wrong, in this event.” He flashed what could be called a wry smile. “Miglan performed his task well, if slowly. It was I, after all, who sent him those dreams.” “So... Does that mean you're the one that Princess Luna sensed in the dreamscape?” “The solemn one? Yes, I remember her. Almost as old as I, I think. Conflicted, yet strong and driven.” He tapped a finger on his temple. “But I am clever, and have much practice.” “Fascinating. And you're how old, exactly?” Twilight's eyes lit up as she summoned a notebook and quill from her saddlebags. “I'm also interested in hearing the precise functions you perform as 'Lewintar.'” The Dream Keeper smirked. “You know this already, I think. It was countless moons ago that I drank the Milk of Vision, as my n'alkh edan before me...” The fey trailed off, momentarily staring into nothingness. He slowly turned and walked to one of the nearby stumps, gingerly resting his hands on his knees. “Those were happier times. But we are distracted, and time runs short. You cannot hope to defeat your enemy without understanding.” “Does that mean...?” The Lewintar nodded. “I will tell you of Mori Roch.” His story began long ago, in the realm of the Fey. The First World was an immense, primeval garden covered with verdant forests and wide, rolling plains. Many fey lived as nomads, wandering until some curiosity convinced them to settle for a time. Others lived in small villages, caring for and protecting their own tiny slices of home. It was a place of peace and harmony rarely broken, where an endless parade of scents and sounds danced through the air like a beautiful melody. The Dream Keeper lived in his own small abode outside of one of those villages. 'Lewintar' was a position of respect, a long-lived fey who kept their histories alive. When decisions needed to be made, or threats appeared, fey would seek the Lewintar's wisdom. But threats were rare, and their problems few. The Lewintar spent most of his days tending his small garden, or telling tales to the younger fey. He took great pride in his stories, carefully crafting each one to capture his audience and leave them just a bit wiser than when they had arrived. For the Dream Keeper, there was no greater joy in the world. It was peaceful for many years, but there came a day – none recall exactly which – when their home began to change. It began as a distant shadow over the land – a minor curiosity that was easily forgotten, like a passing storm. But soon there were signs of something darker. It was small at first, minor troubles that were easily dismissed as pests or nuisances – sickly trees, lost harvests, and the like. Before they realized what was happening, however, the blight had already begun to engulf them. It spread like a plague, corrupting everything it touched. Animals fled, once-plentiful fruits withered on their vines. The forest died, and the earth became barren. The fey's home was transformed into a twisted mockery of gnarled trees and blackened soil. The beauty was gone, and all that remained was the stench of decay. Many fled. Even worse, some were lured in by morbid curiosity. Their minds were warped, and they became wicked versions of their former selves – drawn to the blight and bent on spreading its influence. Despite the efforts of the Lewintar and other powerful fey, they could do little more than slow its spread. Then, he appeared. Mori Roch... a monster from another world. An evil creature with deathly eyes and a soul of black ice. He arrived as a conqueror and claimed dominion over the fey, enslaving those who had yet to be corrupted by his dark magic. He raised a castle of glass and bone, and called himself King. Any who resisted were hunted down and killed. Or worse. “I couldn't leave,” the Lewintar explained. “Never.” Despite his courage, their numbers dwindled. One-by-one, his allies fell until he alone remained. His capture was inevitable – blind as he was – and when it finally happened, he was brought before the Dark One himself. “At last, the esteemed Lewintar.” Mori Roch's voice was deep and oily slick. He exuded an air of calm confidence, but underneath was a deep-seeded anger that seem to infect everything around him. “I've been eagerly awaiting the honor,” he said with mock sweetness. The Lewintar remained silent, his lidded eyes cast toward the ground. “You're the last, you know,” he continued. “The last that matters, anyway. The stragglers are weak, barely even fit for slavery,” he spat. “My kingdom reaches farther than any of you pathetic creatures have ever known, and grows larger by the day.” Still, the Lewintar remained silent. He had lost, and it burned him inside. “Nothing to say? Your friends were much more talkative.” Mori Roch leaned in close. “They screamed. You should have heard it... it was beautiful.” “You are a monster,” the elder fey seethed. He felt empty. “I will revel in your defeat.” “Ha! You put too much faith in your visions, frog.” Mori Roch blithely pushed the Dream Keeper, easily toppling him. “Make no mistake, the only reason you're still alive is because I think you could be useful.” He stepped away from the Dream Keeper. “Believe it or not, I don't care about your world; it's filthy and unorganized. I view it as nothing more than another step towards my true goal.” His voice dripped with venom as he said, “I have unfinished business elsewhere.” Lewintar scoffed. “And how does this one fit in?” “Your kin call you wise,” Mori Roch said. “For your sake, I hope they are right.” “I am nothing more than I am meant to be.” “Oh, how humble,” he said. “I wish to leave this place, but the borders of your world are thick. With your help, I should be able to finish my work much more quickly. “The benefit to you – aside from your life – is that once I'm gone you might actually have a chance to take back your home – though I doubt it.” He leaned closed to the Lewintar again, speaking in a darkly sympathetic tone. “What do you say?” “What else could I do?” He agreed. For many years, the Dream Keeper toiled in the King's grim castle. He lent his knowledge of the First World and of fey magic, devising means that might allow access to the land he now knew as Equestria. Mori Roch was obsessed, and when progress grew slow, he was quick to anger. More than once the Lewintar found himself the target of Mori Roch's wrath; even now, he still bore the scars. The King grew frustrated and began insisting on more and more dangerous experiments. In service to his new master, the Lewintar was forced to perform horrible, unspeakable acts that would haunt his mind forever. One day, after a particularly disastrous failure, Mori Roch sequestered himself in his quarters. It was weeks before he was seen again, and in that time the only sign of his presence was an eerie glow that spilled from his tower, punctuated by unearthly screams echoing in the night. When he emerged, Mori Roch delivered to the Lewintar an item of his own making – something he hoped would be the key they needed to pierce the heavy barriers surrounding the First World. He gave it to the captive fey and ordered him to familiarize himself with the artifact – they would begin testing the next day. When he first touched the artifact, the Lewintar couldn't help but recoil. He felt the same unnatural rage flowing from the key as he had from Mori Roch. It was a heavy stone, warm to the touch and twisted like frozen fire. It was simultaneously repulsive and alluring. To create an item of such power... It was hard to believe that even Mori Roch was capable of such a feat. Surely it would be the key that was needed. The Lewintar began work that night, and met with surprising results. After only a few hours of tinkering, he had already grasped the threads of reality and opened a passage through space, at least temporarily. The path to Equestria opened before him. All that was left was the relatively simple task of stabilizing it. As he stood there, the Dream Keeper felt the long-forgotten touch of fresh breeze on his skin. He could smell the flowers and the forest, pristine like his own home had once been. Could he really condemn this new world to the same fate, for only a chance to reclaim his own? No. He could never. Instead, he took the key and did what he had once considered unthinkable. He fled. A heavy silence hung in the air as the Dream Keeper finished his tale. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak. “...Wow.” “Sweet Celestia, that's awful,” Applejack said. The fey smiled sadly. “You are kind to say so... My arrival was nearly one hundred moons ago. I did not know if, or when, Mori Roch would come searching. So I guarded the key with the most powerful wards I knew and hid it as best I could. Carrying it was simply too dangerous. “Mori Roch has guarded himself, and it is difficult to see where the future lies, but one thing is certain – you will need the key if you hope to defeat Mori Roch.” He shut his eyes and let out a beleaguered sigh. “It seems I was a fool not to keep it.” Rainbow Dash groaned. “Great, another errand to run. Please tell me we're done with the swamp, at least.” “Where can we find this 'key?'” Twilight said, stepping in front of Rainbow. The Lewintar croaked gently as he thought. “When I arrived in this world, I found myself in a small forest, surrounded on all sides by a dry sea. I dared not carry the key openly, so I buried it there before crossing the salted expanse.” He reflexively curled his webbed toes. “It was very painful.” “From there, I traveled towards the rising sun until the land reached towards the sky. With much work, I found a passage through the mountains and descended into the realm in which we now reside.” He gestured to his clouded eyes. “I am sorry I cannot be more specific.” “The fella outside... would he've been able to see more?” Applejack suggested. “Alterius? No, he came later. A new traveler.” The fey smiled softly. “He is young, and impulsive, but his insight is strong. He will make a worthy successor one day.” “That does raise another question,” Twilight said, tapping a hoof on her chin. “Why are the Dark Fey only coming through now, and why are their appearances so dispersed?” The Dream Keeper drummed his fingers idly as he thought. “Perhaps Mori Roch's experiments have weakened the barriers between our worlds. Perhaps he thinks it cunning. It is difficult to say. Regardless, it is a worrying sign.” “Is there anything else you can tell us? About the key, or Mori Roch?” The fey raised a single finger. “Hubris. Mori Roch is powerful, and thinks himself invincible. Use that, it is your best chance.” The fey shook his head. “I am sorry, but I should say no more, or I risk disturbing the strings of fate. Such would be rashwe'en...” He tapped his chin. “...very bad.” “So the big guy’s a little too cocky, eh?” Applejack said. “I can see how that’d come in handy. Sounds like we’ll be needin’ any edge we can get.” “Take caution on your journey. I know not what type of foul magics may have leached from the stone since I left it.” He slowly stood from his seat, joints popping as he rose. “Now, it is time for you to leave. Go, retrieve the key, and do not dawdle. You may just save this world yet.” Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but then sighed and reluctantly stowed her notebook. “Very well. Thank you, Lewintar.” She bowed deeply before leaving. Rainbow followed, grumbling about being sent on another trek. “Better not hear 'your princess is in another castle!' when we get there...” “Ay-jay,” The Dream Keeper called as Applejack turned to follow her friends. “A moment.” She looked back over her shoulder. “Hm? Yeah?” “You have an important role to play in the coming conflict. I cannot say exactly what you will do, but fate has a way of... balancing, shall we say. To defeat a great evil, a sacrifice is required.” Applejack swallowed. “...What kind of sacrifice?” He shrugged. “I do not know. But for such an act, the loss will certainly be great.” Applejack was silent for a moment. She looked back to the Lewintar with determination in her eyes, nodded, and turned back towards the door, placing her hat on her head as she stepped into the light. “Ain't that just the way...” “What was that about, AJ?” Twilight asked after Applejack joined them outside. “What? Oh, uh... it was nothin'! He just wanted to feel my face some more, give some encouragement and all that,” she stammered. “Say, where're we meetin' that boat, anyhow?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “We're not, remember?” She tapped her horn. “If my calculations are correct, we're just close enough to Horseshoe Bay that I can get us back with a single jump.” Applejack gulped. “Oh, right. That.” “So what's the plan after that?” Rainbow asked. “The Dream Keeper arrived west of here, and there's nothing in that direction but the Badlands for hundreds of miles.” Twilight tapped her chin. “Though the geology there is all wrong for salt plains and plant life. Then again, it's never been particularly well-mapped. Who knows what we could find deeper in.” “Well I'm just glad it's not another swamp. This place is really cramping my style.” Rainbow took the the air with a quick flip. “Should be good flying with all those thermals!” “Rainbow, there's a Pegasus Post in Horseshoe Bay, correct?” “Well, yeah. Of course.” Rainbow Dash gave Twilight a confused look. “What does that have to do with anything?” “I need to send a letter when we get back. If we're going to recover an ancient fey artifact, it might be a good idea to bring more ponies with us. I'm hesitant to call them off their assignment early, but I believe Maud and her team are still in Dodge Junction for another week.” “That should be interestin', at least,” Applejack said. Rainbow's ears perked up. “Maud? Oh ho ho, I've heard stories! Can't wait to see her in action!” “If we're lucky, you won't have to. Still, it's better to be safe than sorry.” Twilight took a few steps into the clearing. “Gather 'round, girls, it's time to go.” Applejack followed, shifting nervously on her hooves. “You sure it's safe to teleport all that way?” “Quite safe. Now, hold onto your hat!” After a flash and a familiar falling sensation, Applejack found herself once again losing her lunch, this time on the sunny outskirts of Horseshoe Bay. “Lovely.” Cherry Jubilee's cottage was an impressive structure – a rustic yet stylish cabin that was bigger than the Apple family's farmhouse. It was a bit out of the way, but a bumpy carriage ride was a small price to pay for the relative luxury they had here. Cherry had been eager to offer her own cottage when Twilight first wrote to her about potential housing for fey agents. Applejack didn't doubt it, having seen the older mare's generosity firsthand. Hay, she could probably even give Rarity a run for her money! Still, Cherry was so happy to reconnect with Applejack and her friends that she would've kept them in Dodge Junction an entire week if Twilight hadn't insisted that they leave as soon as possible. The evening ride gave them a chance to relax and watch the first few stars appear as the sun sank below the horizon. One thing was for sure, the ponies stationed here were a lucky bunch. The following evening saw the three ponies seated in the spacious main room of Cherry's cottage, double-checking that their bags were ready to go at a moment's notice (at Twilight's insistence). Maud's team had yet to return, but Twilight expected that they would be back soon. “88% of fey incidents from this station are resolved within 48 hours,” she'd informed them. “Are we really going to head out in this if they come back?” Rainbow Dash pointed toward the window and the rapidly fading light beyond. Rain clouds had started to roll in over the past hour – a rare event so close to the Badlands, where pegasi left the weather to its natural rhythms. Drops of water had begun peppering the windows, and a distant peal of thunder emphasized Rainbow's question. “Well, no,” Twilight admitted. “But it never hurts to be prepared.” “Ain't that the truth,” Applejack said as she snapped her saddlebags shut. “Pretty sure I'm ready over here.” “I just don't wanna risk this baby getting wet and shrinking or something.” Rainbow pulled out her new stealth suit and ran a hoof gently across it, a small grin on her face. Twilight rolled her eyes. “Once again, Rainbow, dragonscale doesn't shrink.” “I know, but... I don't know.” “She sure is protective of that suit,” Applejack said, recalling Rainbow's excitement when she first showed them the suit and its properties. “But I'm tellin' ya RD, you gotta relax when you're casting those spells. If you keep straining like that, you're gonna pop a vessel or somethin'.” “Yes, professor,” Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes. “It's not like I'm some recruit fresh out of training.” “I'm just sayin'.” “Kidding, AJ.” Rainbow winked and stuck out her tongue. “That reminds me, have they found a new place to train ponies yet? That college basement must be getting cramped.” Twilight sighed. “It is. The last I heard was that Princess Celestia has been working with the Dean to outfit some of the castle gardens as training grounds, but it's been difficult with the city so crowded. There's a lot to take care of.” She secured her own saddlebags and hung them by the door. “I think they're getting close, the Princess was apparently discussing commendations for nobles that make donations to the program.” “Politics at work,” Rainbow quipped. “It has to be done somehow.” Twilight shrugged. “Fair enough. Our job hasn't been getting any easier, that's for sure.” Suddenly, the front door burst open. Standing in the entryway was a tall, azure-coated mare. Dusty, rugged boots ran up her hind legs. Various pouches and daggers hung from an assortment of worn straps. Her striped tail and cutiemark of a crossed wand and crescent were briefly revealed as the wind pulled at her star-patterned cloak. A matching hat with a wide brim obscured most of her face, save for a wicked grin that split her muzzle. “Well, well, well. If it isn't Twilight Sparkle.”