//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Questions // Story: The Dark Slayer in Equestria // by 0kamaterasu //------------------------------// Chapter 3 Questions The walk back to Ponyville was rather uneventful, save for a small little encounter that slowed the group down. “So Vergil, if y’all are hungry then some apples probably sound mighty fine to ya, huh? Matter a‘ fact, mah Granny Smith probably just baked some apple pie. " Vergil nodded. “After wasting so much time, I am quite content with anything. Especially apples." With his mind set on the food that was waiting for him in Ponyville, Vergil quickened his pace, determined reach it as soon as possible. The half-devil observed his surroundings, the lifeless trees to the side of the path, the thick bushes that covered the deeper entrances to the forest, the chicken that was poking its head out of a bush a few steps ahead... Though he thought it odd that a farm animal would be in a forest, Vergil resigned to simply keep moving forward... Until he saw the presumed chicken emerge from the bush. The head of the bird in question was attached to the body of a serpent, looking down the path in the same exact direction that the ponies were travelling. The startled gasp of the ponies in his company made it turn around in alarm. "Cockatrice!” Twilight shouted. “Don’t look it in the eye or you will be turned to stone! Fluttershy, we need you to do the stare!" Whimpering in the far back, Fluttershy muttered, "But I can't..." "Yes you can! You’ve done it before." "But that was only when the girls were in trouble... Can’t we just wait with our eyes closed until he gets bored?" Were he in a world he knew, Vergil wouldn’t wait for an answer. As it was, he was slightly tempted to go with Fluttershy’s plan... until an idea crossed his mind. A strangled, surprised cluck made the ponies open their eyes. "What the..." Rainbow Dash muttered. They were greeted with the sight of the cockatrice locked in stone, its face looking towards Vergil, who held Yamato in front of his eyes as a shield. “But….But how?” Twilight stuttered with an incredulous look on her face, her friends all wondering the same thing. How did the cockatrice turn into stone? Vergil’s sword reflected her face when she looked at it, and everything clicked. “It stared at itself,” the swordsman explained simply. She shivered slightly. Swords were a common tool used by the royal guard, and even though she was used to seeing them, the blades always looked intimidating. However, the curved blade Vergil had was even more so; it wasn’t very large or wide – it wasn’t meant for show, but for use. “Wait, so the dumb thing literally stoned itself?” Dash started snickering. “Pffffft, talk about a bad reflection!” Fluttershy, who was inspecting the now petrified cockatrice, returned, satisfied. “It’ll be okay, it’s temporary. He’ll be back in a day or two.” Applejack facehoofed. “Sugarcube, that thing just tried to freeze us.” “Oh, but it can’t help it! It was scared, and defending itself!” Rarity cut the blonde mare’s answer before she started talking. “Darling, you do know how Fluttershy is regarding any sort of animal, right? It would be better if you just dropped the issue.” Clearing his throat, Vergil caught the general attention. “Well, now that the nuisance has been taken care of, perhaps we can continue?” “Yeah, let’s get a move on, Vergil here is probably hungrier than a green snake in a sugarcane field.” Traveling further and further ahead, the group finally reached the forest edge, fairly close to Applejack’s farm. Approaching the trees on the side of the orchard, the farmer gave one a good kick with her back legs. Not wasting any time, Vergil quickly grabbed one of the falling apples straight from the air. Savoring the sweet taste of the fruit, Vergil finished his apple and moved onto another, and another and another, until he had eaten nearly all the apples the plant had yielded. Looking on in shock, the ponies wondered just how hungry their new acquaintance was. “Well, I’m satisfied. Now, I believe you had some questions for me? “Well, yes,” Twilight said, “but Princess Celestia would like to ask you some questions herself.” Vergil’s eyebrow quirked. “And who is this Celestia?” The darker unicorn had an incredulous look on her face. “Wait, you’ve never heard of Princess Celestia? You know, the ruler of ALL of Equestria?” He matched her gaze with his own. “I’m not exactly from here, if you couldn’t remember.” “Well, I know that, but… Never mind. All you need to know is that Princess Celestia rules Equestria along with her younger sister, Princess Luna. Princess Celestia raises the sun, while Princess Luna raises the moon.” Thoughts began to enter Vergil’s mind. Did these two princesses really have the power to raise the sun and the moon? Doing so would require immense power, akin to that of a deity or powerful Demon. It might be best to play along for now. “Well, it's never a good idea to keep royalty waiting. Where is she?” “She’s waiting at the library near the center of Ponyville. Follow me.” Doing as he was told, Vergil followed Twilight through the Town, receiving odd looks from the townsfolk. Some were whispering to each other, and he could hear 'What is that, mommy?', 'Is that a monster?' and 'I wonder if it has any muffins?', among others. He continued on – thinking how odd it was that the gray pegasus would be concerned about him having muffins in his possession above everything else – following Twilight back to the library. Just as Zecora had said, it was inside of a giant, hollowed out tree. “Twilight, you’ve returned,” Princess Celestia greeted with a kind smile. “Did you investigate the rift?” “Yes, the thing that came from it was a living creature. He’s waiting outside right now. You had questions for him, no?” “Yes, please bring him in.” Turning around, Twilight stepped out of the library and spoke, “You can come in now, Vergil.” Upon walking inside, Vergil noticed two new occupants, a small lizard like being, and a large regal pony, that had both wings and a horn. Celestia found herself staring at the strange creature before her. He was slightly taller than herself, bipedal, and clad in a royal blue coat that that draped over his figure, with hair as white as her coat. Despite this stranger’s appearance, Celestia put on a kind smile. “Greetings mister… Vergil, was it?” “Just Vergil will do. You had questions for me.” Celestia paused a moment. 'Polite, but not friendly. Interesting.' “What are you, if you don't mind me asking, Vergil?” “I am what’s known as a human.” “And where did you come from?” “From what I’ve heard, from your conversation with miss Sparkle, I was brought here from my world by the power of a creature named Discord.” “I see. Well, I’d like to welcome you to Equestria, If only the circumstances were a bit better.” A sad smile that Vergil didn't miss adorned on her face. “If I may ask, who is this Discord character?” “Discord is the spirit of chaos and disharmony. He recently broke out of his prison and began causing chaos throughout Equestria. He’s been defeated again, thanks to my faithful student, her five friends, and the elements of harmony.” Her face steeled when she looked at Vergil's hand with more attention, noticing Yamato for the first time. “I apologize for the break in decorum, Vergil, but I must ask why you are carrying a blade around. Surely you don’t wish to harm anypony? Please be honest.” The son of Sparda didn't waver. “I carry around my blade because I come from a world where might controls everything. One has to protect themself one way or another. “As for the safety of your subjects, I have no quarrel with them. If I am attacked, I will defend myself, but that is the full extent of it.” Releasing a breath she didn’t know she was holding, Celestia’s face softened. “I’m glad to hear that, and I trust my subjects will not cause trouble for you. “Now, I will begin research on a way to send you back to your world. In the meantime, you can stay here in Ponyville. Twilight, I trust that you and your friends will enlighten Vergil of Equestrian affairs?” “Yes, princess, you can count on us,” Twilight replied proudly with a nod. “Then farewell to all of you, and welcome to Equestria, Vergil.” With that, Celestia teleported away. “So you’re like… an alien? That’s awesome!” the small lizard spoke up. “Oh that’s right, you two need to be introduced!” “Hiya, I’m Spike, Twilight's number one dragon assistant. Nice to meet you.” Taking Spike's much smaller claw in his own hand, Vergil shook it. “Likewise.” After that conversation ended, Twilight was eager to begin a new one. “So that was the reason that you didn’t know who Princess Celestia is, you’re from an entirely different world!” “Yes, I originally appeared in the forest. I met a zebra by the name of Zecora, who directed me to you for assistance, and you directed me to Celestia.” “Princess Celestia” Twilight corrected, ”and that’s fine and all, but now we need to figure out where you’re going to sleep. Which of us have room to spare, Spike?” “I can sleep outside. I don’t mind.” “Oh pish posh, darling” Rarity piped up. “You’re our guest, and a proper lady would never leave her guest out in the cold. You can stay with me.” Vergil bowed slightly. “Thank you, miss Rarity.” “Oh, think nothing of it darling,” she responded, a smile adorned on her face. “Now then, ladies, if you will excuse us, I must get Vergil settled in.” The two left the library, chatting amiably along the way. Vergil wasn't one for mincing words, only speaking what was needed when needed, but he found the change of pace surprisingly pleasant. “Now then, darling, are you allergic to cats?” “No, but animals and I have never exactly gotten along.” “Well, Opalesence has never gotten along with anypony anyway,” the unicorn scoffed with a small laugh. “Oh, and I do have a younger sister that lives with me. I expect you’ll meet her later today; she should be at school at this time.” Ignoring the stares from the townsfolk, the duo arrived at a carousel-like edifice. “This is the Carousel Boutique, my home and workplace. Your room is upstairs, it’s the second door on the left.” Thanking her again, Vergil marched upstairs to enter his new room. _____________________________________________________________ Sup, sorry i took so long with this chapter. I took forever writing this chapter because I'm a closet brony, and my brother recently got a bunch of days off, and guess where he likes to set his mac up? right. next. to. me.