Prologue
The Dresden Fillies: False Masks
Written by: psychicscubadiver
Edited by: frieD195
Story Image by: wyrmlover
Cover arrangement by: Novel Idea
Disclaimer: I don’t own The Dresden Files or My Little Pony, that is Jim Butcher and Hasbro, respectively. This is a fanfiction only. This story takes place before Discord’s return in MLP and between books six and seven in the Dresden Files.
Prologue
Despite being its capital, Canterlot wasn’t the biggest city in Equestria. While places like Manehatten or Fillydelphia were busy around the clock, the ruling center of Equestria was asleep by midnight.
Sure, some guards still patrolled the castle, a few nobles threw parties until the early hours of the morning, and one Princess had even begun to hold the Court of Night again, otherwise the entire town was silent and still. Bookmark was especially glad for that as he hurried through the deserted streets, his hoofsteps echoing behind him.
The unicorn trotted along keeping an even, if quick, pace, careful not to break into a run. He resisted the urge to glance behind him, instead using the darkened glass of various storefronts as mirrors. Even though he didn’t see anypony following him, he still pulled his cloak tight and hunched beneath its cover. At least there was a light drizzle tonight, otherwise a cloak in midsummer would have seemed suspicious.
His destination didn’t look like much. Just a small, dimly lit storefront squeezed between two much larger and more prosperous shops. A small bell rang as he entered and peered around the tea shop worriedly. His concern was unfounded as the booths and tables were all empty.
The only employee visible didn’t seem to be overjoyed at the sight of her latest customer. She was a lovely earth pony, her charcoal gray coat accompanied by a bright red mane and a flank well-curved enough to make any stallion drool. Her expression, though, was such a potent mix of boredom and hostility that it was hardly surprising the small shop was empty. Bookmark ignored her irritated glare and took off his cloak, revealing his tan coat, dark green mane, and a closed book for a cutie mark. He laid the cloak across the counter and cleared his throat to get her attention, waiting at the counter for service. The look the earth pony gave him indicated that her customer mattered about as much to her as the dirt beneath her hooves, but she slowly made her way over to him.
With a heavy sigh she asked, “What can I get for you?”
Bookmark paused for a moment, shooting a look behind him just to be sure, but the door remained closed and the shop’s few windows were all made of frosted glass. He turned back and spoke. “Actually, I’ve got a question if you wouldn’t mind.”
For a brief instant the mare’s eyes brightened, but quickly dimmed, her expression becoming guarded. “Sorry, you’re not my type.”
Where most stallions would have been crushed by that news, this pony smiled and took it in stride. “No, not that. I just wanted to ask, what’s your favorite shape?”
“The triangle, I suppose.” She shrugged seemingly uncaring, but he knew she was paying close attention to him now.
“Yes, three lines, three points. A perfect harmony within one shape.”
She nodded, and dropped her mask of hostility. Smiling, she bowed and replied, “The Order Triune welcomes you, brother. Pass to the next gate.” She pulled a small lever hidden beneath the counter and a section of floor beside her lifted, revealing a winding set of stone stairs. Bookmark grabbed his cloak and hurried down the steps, disappearing from sight. The barista put the lever back to its original position, dropping the false floor back into place, the seam nearly invisible. Then she quickly wiped the floor and counter with a rag, removing the precipitation he’d brought in with him. She resumed her unpleasant expression, boredly flipping through a magazine. Within two minutes of his entrance, there was no evidence that Bookmark had ever been there.
The stallion in question carefully descended the unlit portion of the steps, hurrying once he reached the torch-lined lower levels. Bookmark saw numerous doors as he headed down, some wooden, some metallic, all of them shut and adorned with arcane symbols, but he didn’t stop. His instructions had been precise; he was to enter the door at the bottom of the stairs and no other.
The air grew colder as he descended, and he tugged his cloak back on and lifted its hood, grateful for its warmth. As he passed the tenth door, Bookmark couldn't help but stare. He’d been here once or twice, but had only been allowed into the upper levels. The lower floors of this place were some of the most secret and well-protected places the Order possessed. The stairs dug deep into the mountain, taking him more than a hundred feet below the streets of Canterlot. At last he reached the bottom and stood before an enormous door made of solid stone. It was huge, at least eight feet tall, and covered in runes. The symbols extended outwards from the door to the walls around it, surrounding anypony who approached the door with mystic power. While he’d never been here before, he had heard rumors of this door and its brothers. They were made by Clover the Clever in the earliest days of the order, long ago, when there was no Canterlot above their stronghold. Supposedly, they could even hold one of the Princesses at bay for a few minutes.
Bookmark swallowed nervously and stared at the barrier, remembering the pass phrase and what would happen if he got it wrong. Unlike the shop above, this ritual wasn’t the common greeting between members. This was a code specifically for this occasion. The instructions he’d received had told him to memorize it before burning. It should have been foal’s play, since his talent was perfect recall of anything he’d read, but when faced with the grim portal before him, Bookmark couldn’t help feeling unsure.
Reviewing his lines, Bookmark approached the door, trying not to think about what some of the runes surrounding him could do. He slowly knocked three times, letting the echoes die away each time before striking again. There was movement on the other side of the door, and two lines etched into its center shifted, changing into a pair of eyes. They stared at him, their gaze far more penetrating than he ever would have thought stone eyes could be. A pony’s voice, muffled by the stone between them, called out. “Where does the sun go when the night comes?”
“Over the mountains and beyond the sea, waiting to rise again.” The voice beyond the door hesitated on the next line and Bookmark felt a trickle of sweat run down the back of his neck.
At last the guard responded. “And what of the moon when day reigns?”
Bookmark covered up his sigh of relief and gave the answer. “She plays with her children, the stars, patient until twilight falls.”
There was another moment of harsh silence, just long enough to make Bookmark consider running, when the carved eyes turned back into flat lines. The door groaned as it swung inward, slowly unveiling of the room beyond. The unicorn guarding it was hooded as well, but he would recognize that two toned mane anywhere.
Bookmark’s jaw dropped. “Romana?” he hissed. “You’re a member of this Council?”
“And I thought you had a funny expression at the door! You’re priceless, Mark.” She chuckled at his shock, and gave him a smile. “I’ve been part of it since our university days. C’mon, the meeting's about to start. You’re the last one here.”
Bookmark stepped through the portal, and Romana shut the heavy door, her horn glowing brightly. The stone slid back into place, the ancient enchantments reactivating while a heavy bar settled over it. The chamber was lit by strange green crystals; they weren’t very bright, but their soft glow was just enough to make out the rest of the room. Carved from the living rock of the mountain, the ceiling vaulted above him on numerous twisting columns. There were two more doors, twins to the one he had entered through, and several trapdoors descending further into the mountain. The focus of the room, though, was the table in the middle. It was a broad circle made of three pieces: one cold iron, strong and stubborn; the next silver, shining brightly even in the dim light; and the last aluminum, the metal of lightning and flight. Seven ponies already waited at the table, leaving two spots on the silver side empty. Bookmark and Romana took them.
“Three races and three ponies of each, all united by one purpose. I call this meeting of the Order Triune to business. May we protect our world’s fragile harmony,” said a voice from the iron side of the table.
With that, everypony removed their hoods to reveal a collection of serious, middle aged ponies. Bookmark and Romana were the youngest ones there by at least a decade. The wizened earth pony who’d started the meeting turned her eyes on Bookmark, and he struggled to keep a calm face under the intensity of her gaze.
“I believe you were the pony to call this meeting. You said important information had come to light.” The eyes of the door were nothing compared to the stare of the mare before him now. He had suspected that the Advisor would be formidable, but she could have carved granite with that glare.
One of the Pegasi laughed. “Give the poor lad a break, Hawkeye. Any more of that glare of yours, and he won’t speak for the rest of the night.” The earth pony turned her attention on the pegasi who’d spoken, but she seemed to be made of sterner stuff than Bookmark.
Still, he cleared his throat and began. “I was privileged to be delivering some reports to Her Highness when a sealed letter from her student arrived. I waited while she read it, but before she could get rid of it, a fortuitous crash,” he grinned at that and let his horn glow slightly, “from outside the hall distracted her. I was able to get a brief look. The letter was vague on some points, but it still had relevant information. He is coming back within the next week, and the ceremony the Princess has been organizing is to award him a medal.”
Bookmark couldn’t have gotten a bigger response if he’d told them he was one of the Princesses in disguise. All eye were fastened on him, and one of the Pegasi who hadn't spoken simply gaped.
“Surely the Princesses know his true nature. They can’t be that dense.” snorted a large earth pony standing to Hawkeye’s right.
“Of course they do. They’re nopony’s foals. The question is why they act this way when they know.” Hawkeye returned. As the Senior-most pony at this meeting, she considered her next words carefully. “You are certain there is no mistake in this. It truly referred to him?”
This time Bookmark withstood her piercing stare slightly better. “Y-yes, as sure as I can be. The Princess’s protégé suggested he use the pseudonym ‘Blackstone’ for the ceremony.”
The discussion devolved into anarchy at that news, wild speculation and urgent questions taking the place of reasonable communication. It took Hawkeye several minutes before the table was calm enough to continue. “Romana, are all of our members in Ponyville ready? I don’t want this to slip through your hooves like his rumored first visit.”
Romana grimaced at the reminder, but still saluted the older pony. “Of course. We will keep close tabs on all of the Elements. I won’t fail again.”
Hawkeye nodded, turning to stare into space. “Then we must prepare and do so quickly. Romana, if possible, examine him yourself. Perhaps we are worrying over nothing, but I fear not.”
She sighed, seeming to show her true age for the first time. “I declare this meeting over, but I wish to say one last thing before we leave. Be vigilant, my brothers and sisters; the Order Triune will not sit idle if Obsidian truly means to return.”
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Let's see...ancient, shadowy organization? Check. Possible prophecy involving a mysterious and cryptic threat? Check. The setup for either an unfortunate truth or sad misunderstanding? Double-check.
Yep, it all adds up. Dresden's coming for a visit.
Interesting... Looking forward to the next chapter.
And this makes three Dresden Files crossovers that look promising!
How am I going to keep up with all the smart-assery?
Aww yeaaaah! I can't wait for the next one!
awwwww yeeeeah!
Glad to see more of this. and looking forward with giddy delight for the next chapter.
287090 Eeeeyup.
3.bp.blogspot.com/-Orw3QzD9QDc/TqePEFelgYI/AAAAAAAACjw/JIdTHBGmo-k/s400/57609%2B-%2BDJ_P0n-3%2Bartist%2Bsweatshirt%2Breaction_image%2Bvinyl_scratch.jpg
I think I may have cracked the Track button from clicking it so hard.
287448
It bitches and it whines, but you know it loves the abuse.
287123
This, My Little Denarians, and what's the third one?
287646
287123
Technically there are 4 if you count Strange Friends (precursor to this) and Forever (precursor to Denerians).
But if there is another I'd love to know about it.
Excellent prologue. I am almost literally salivating for more.
lying it on the counter rather hanging it up.
rather "than"
The instructions he’d received had instructed him to memorize it before burning.
Bit repetitious, maybe "directions" or "directed" instead of one of the "instruct"s.
cool. story. bro.
Swheet
Let this next story be of snark and parties!. . and cupcake cannons!
YES....that is all I can say
There can never be to many Dresden/MLP cross overs.
287123
Three? I'm sending a PM asking for clarifacation on this...
287713 If you want to get even more technical, it should be 'laying' rather than 'lying' in that first example.
But hey, a sequel to Strange Friends! I am excited.
Ohmigod you started writing the sequel
Cant wait to read it!!!
*Returns from reading*
It is times like this that I REALLY wish I had a stockpile of reaction images like everyone ELSE on the internet.
Back on topic. I give even odds on Obsidion actually showing up in this story. Bonus points if he turns out to be human.
But seriously, having it turn out that the bugger has been DEAD for X number of thousand years would be a nice twist.
One word, and I think you can figure out what it is:
already tracked before I read it.
Tracked, faved and upvoted as soon as I saw this. But... Why in the world this isn't featured yet?!
Looks like something's broken up there. 
Dun dun DUUUUUUUN!
287123
You must master the sheen transformation.
And become a flaming symbol of dickishness and badassery to keep up with dresden.
A sequel to the crossover that got me into The Dresden Files? Yes please!
*Throws hands in the air*
Let's start this thing!
-Glassed
Before even reading further, bit of an early stumbling block -- the mare in the tea shop is described first as an earth pony, then as a unicorn in the same paragraph. Given that Bookmark is a unicorn himself, I think there's been a bit of a mixup and she's really supposed to be the former.
YES!!!! IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!!!
287090 Yeah, with the whole 'Obsidian' thing, I think we're heading for a massive 'what's going on here' crisis for Dresden. So, Tuesday then.
I am so, so happy to see a sequel to this story.
291072 Myeh, I was thinking Wednesdays. Tuesday he gets to go out with Shagnasty, on a double date with Mavra and Nicodemus.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT
Most read Moar
289002 same here... 287355
aw i want that image now i like it... 
well i just guess i will settle for reading THIS!!!!!
287123
You can't beat Dresden at a smart-ass off. He is simply the best there is.
very nice here. Hope to see more of this quality of this crossover soon.
Again because i know it will be good
287098 You won't be disappointed.
287123 That was what I loved about Strange Friends. Twilight's ability to snark right back at Harry and win raised the enjoyment, and didn't really detract, as it might have in other stories. 'Cause we all know Harry can't keep his mouth shut, he needs someone - or somepony - to help him.
Ah, I didn't know this was here, too. You need to update more often (hoof tapping).
dun dun duuuuuuuuun!!!
Ok. I'm finally hear and ready to read. Loved your last story and can't wait to read this. How many more chapters before the story is finished?
I sense an impending attack. WE ARE READY.
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twcenter.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=4963&pictureid=58025
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tgapbronies.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/1/9/14194724/4113034.jpg?507 here comes tom.
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Your army awaits your orders, Dresden.
3228733 Rainbow+Shit=MACHINE GUN!
Oh great, Equestria has its own mage council...
Case of mistaken identity?
3228733
operation: iron mane, is a go! fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/139/7/f/ponified_avengers__ironman_single_by_creepy99-d50amuk.png
*Peaks through the fabric of reality to see the meeting going on*
*Gets an horrible/amazing idea*
*Shifts into Byte*
*Tears a hole in reality, entering right in the middle of the paranoid meeting*
GREETINGS MORTALS. YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED.
*Watches as panic unfolds*
Why not. Ever world needs it's own ground of nuts to think they will be the ones to protract the world from evil.
This story is the second best crossover on the entire site