The Same Mistake

by The Wizard of Words

Chapter 1

The simple things were what made Fluttershy’s day a happy one, small things that other ponies might complain about.

There were no issues with her rising this morning, beating Mr. Rooster to his usual call and setting out the food for the animals before any of them started to get restless. Even Angel Bunny, the usually picky eater, had no issues with his carrot and grapes salad today.

The morning routines were just as hassle free.

Unlike most mornings, all of the animals’ food supply were in their proper places, filled up and ready for eating. It took little effort on her part to lay out the seed and corn for the animals in her garden to enjoy, each of them digging in with joy. Them eating gave her enough time to clean out their pens and refill their water, finished before they returned home. It was even to her joy to see the grass already cut, though it usually was maintained thanks to a few goats that found the grass about her home particularly appetizing.

Even now, all she had to do was take back all of the empty buckets from their respective pens for the next day, and her morning would be all set. She might even have time to beat Rarity to their daily spa date. The idea of outdoing the dressmaker’s punctuality made her giggle.

It was, without much thought needed in the canary pegasus’s mind, one of the most enjoyable mornings she had had in a long time. Few worries, no accidents, and just enough happy faces on her cute little animal friends to be taken as a “thank you.”

Fluttershy was loathe to admit it aloud, be shecould honestly attribute the ease of this morning’s schedule to the lack of Discord’s presence.

She was thankful for the draconequus, helpful where he could be though mischevious were not meant to be. He had made a few select adjustments about the house that benefitted many of the critters that often made her home their own home, though at the expense of scaring a few for a small laugh. He smiled every time she reprimanded him.

Still, it was common for him to throw the metaphorical wrench into Fluttershy’s daily activities. Sometimes they were as small moving the food for the animals do a different shelf, but other times as drastic as making them switch bodies. The pegasus could still vividly remember the time Mr. Bear came hopping up to her like Angel Bunny.

Fluttershy was kind as ever to him though, treating his antics with seldom more than disapproving words and a furrowed brow, but still offering him three meals a day and a warm bed to sleep on, though he did prefer to sleep on the ceiling.

Princess Celestia had to “borrow” him, as he put it following a meeting with the diarch. He sounded chipper as ever, making the few unnecessary jokes of wondering how many chances it would take for them to learn. It was just a small trip, bureaucratic, as the princess had clarified. She simply needed to prove to a few other leaders that Discord was a changed draconequus, no threat to any pony, griffin, or dragon. Discord never stopped laughing when the princess said “no threat.”

He had left with little issue, leaving Fluttershy with a temporarily vacant room and a fresh morning free of interruptions. It was enough to let the canary pegasus relax with a smile.

That was until a black bird swooped into her vision.

“Eep!” the squeal immediately escaped. She dropped the empty bucket she was carrying, letting it fall to the grass with an almost silent thud. Her eyes darted as her wings stood up on end, prepared to take her to the air in a moment’s notice. But nothing threatening came.

There were no ominous caws, no dangerous objects around her, nothing but a few animals dashing around the garden or perched up in a the trees. But Fluttershy saw it then, out of the corner of her eye.

It was a black bird, nestled on the post of the pigs’ pen fence. Its wings were folded against its body and red eyes looking directly at her. Fluttershy stared back at it, unsure of where the avian creature had come from.

“H-Hello?” Fluttershy questioned aloud, hesitantly holding a hoof out towards the bird. It did little more than twist its head at her. Fluttershy swallowed a ball in her throat. Something wasn’t right. There were no genetic lines in ravens that allowed for red eyes, not without some sort of infection. The idea gave the pegasus a different kind of fright.

“Oh my… are… are you alright?” Fear was pushed away inside Fluttershy as worry began to take its place. She was a caretaker above all else. Seeing an animal possibly in pain was enough to set aside any of her unease.

She took a few hesitant steps towards the dark raven, it doing nothing more than stare at her, occasionally cleaning one of its dark wings. Fluttershy put aside the observation that she literally couldn’t see anything about the bird but blackness.

“Oh no, maybe it can’t hear me…” the thought was terrifying, even as she spoke it aloud to herself. Fluttershy was having trouble naming any diseases that affected hearing but also causing redness of the eyes. At least, such a vibrant redness.

It took little time for Fluttershy to approach the raven, it still perched on the fence post and her hooves hovered around it. She was nervous to touch it, worried that whatever illness the bird may have could make it dangerous to touch. Yet, it didn’t. The bird did little more than stare at her, cocking its head but never opening its equally-dark beak. It seemed incapable of uttering so much as a caw.

It only made Fluttershy feel worse.

“Oh dear,” Fluttershy spoke to herself, concern deepening with every moment. “You must be very sick. Don’t worry, I can take good care of you.” Her worry pushed aside once more, Fluttershy held out her hoof for the bird, familiar with the motions of perched birds transitioning from one point to another. The bird gazed at her hoof for only a moment before hopping onto it, doing nothing more than staring at her after she did so.

“You have energy though, that’s a good sign.” Fluttershy noted the bird’s physique, continuing to speak to herself. “But we must do something about your eyes. They look like they’re infected with something.” Fluttershy bit her lip in thought, the bird’s well being at the fore-front of her mind.

“I see you like Arma.”

The voice came so suddenly that it caused Fluttershy to squeak again in fright. Her wings shivered as they perked up, the hairs on her coat standing on end. In the flash of a moment, she was in the air, eyes wide and dilated. In the next, she was huddled into the ground, staring up and around her like a scared puppy, the bird on her hoof taking flight at her quick movements.

She was very scared.

Yet, as long as her blue eyes searched, she couldn’t find the pony that had spoken to her. Nopony was around or above. Only the small black bird, silent as ever, staring at her with a twisted head and eyes of red.

Her perked ears heard a small snap, nearly bringing another eep from her throat as her eyes darted with her head, looking up into a tree nearby. Even with the high sun, it was near impossible to see into the canopy it made, the foliage too thick to make out the greater details. But slowly, as she knew they would, Fluttershy’s eyes began to adjust, allowing her to see in the darkness. In it she saw a thing she did not know.

It had no familiar shape, no design of structure common amongst any other species of animal she was familiar with. It was tall, yet thin, lying on two branches with its opposite ends. The end of the thing had arched hooves, something similar to duck, but they were far too small for a figure so tall. But then the other end, leaning on a different branch, was far more familiar, possessing two forelegs and a head like most other animals.

It was garbed in a large coat; that much Fluttershy was sure of. It hung from its shoulders, draped over its body before hanging loosely from the assumed-to-be waist. With the height of the tree and gap of the branches, it seemed more like a curtain. Fluttershy had only just let that thought pass through her mind before the creature moved.

Scared stiff and silent, Fluttershy did nothing as the creature moved its foreleg, losing one end of its support. Swiftly, it started to fall, spinning around the branch its hooked feet were upon. They too lost their position, leaving the creature to fall from the tree. It remained stiff as a board as it fell.

Then, with a light thump, it hit the ground, landing with almost gymnastic grace. It had a small crouch, face still hidden from her. The light, however, was shining on him far brighter than before. None of what Fluttershy saw made her feel any safer.

She could see it wore other clothes, presumably at least. Brown pants that ended at the end of its legs, dark boots that seemed to made of a single material, free of any stitch, a white shirt that collared at the neck, and a gray glove. Except… there wasn’t a glove. It just had a gray hand, a hand that seemed like more similar to a minotaur’s than a dragon’s.

Then, as quietly as it appeared, the thing began to stand to its tallest. It was almost ominous in posture and movement, taking the time to make its thin figure seem titan. Next to Fluttershy, however, that took minimal effort. But what it did show to the pegasus were the now-revealed features of its face.

They were impressively blank. There was no beak for a mouth, ears upon its head, nose between its eyes, arcs in its cheeks, or any other easily-distinguishable feature. Everything about it seemed plastered, formed, carved in. Especially the gray scar that ran down its eye. But as much as such a figure would grab another pony’s attention, there was another feature of the thing that made Fluttershy shake in her curled position.

It wore a charmed smile.

“She likes you, too.”

Its voice was sing-song, as blissfully unaware of the pegasus’s fright as it could ever be. It walked towards her, each of its long legs swinging with approach. Fluttershy scooted away as fast as she could, belly dragging on the grass as she did so. The creature held up its hands when it saw what she did.

“Hey now, don’t worry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” its smile hadn’t changed for a moment as it spoke. It had stopped moving, however. “I was just looking for my dear companion over there. I’m glad to see you’ve already become acquainted with her.” The thing held up its arm, pointing behind Fluttershy.

The pegasus turned her head, still huddled deep into her crouched body, to see the black bird from before staring at her. It hadn’t moved from the perch it was on.

“I do apologize if she has been a bother to you,” the thing behind her continued to speak, sounding closer to her now than it had when she turned. “Arma has always been such a devious little bird.”

“A-Arma?” Fluttershy spoke the name questioningly, turning back towards the creature that spoke. Its eyes seemed a bit wider, but smile unchanged. It was hard for her to tell with the gray eye, the one that appeared to be made of stone.

“So you can talk!” It spoke the fact with such delight that it nearly made Fluttershy scoot away again. Almost. She was glad her home was nearby. “Here I was worried I’d have to do all the talking. I’m not sure you’d believe it, but I much rather listen to others than myself. It’s hard to learn if I do all the talking.”

Fluttershy blinked at the strange creature, staring at it cautiously. It… didn’t appear to be threatening, not beyond what Fluttershy usually thought of as terrifying. If nothing else, he was smiling; at least, Fluttershy thought it was a he.

“I’m… I’m very sorry, but who are you?” Fluttershy didn’t want to take another move until she knew what this thing was. It only giggled at her question, holding out its dull claw with a single digit extended.

The pegasus watched, enraptured as the raven, Arma apparently, landed on the gray digit, talons curling about it with ease. The thing’s other hand rose to meet the bird, petting it smoothly, matting its feathers. At least… Fluttershy thought it had feathers. Even when it was but a leg’s length away she couldn’t tell.

“I’m a traveler, actually,” the creature spoke again. “Wandering the lands for the sense of adventure. I was momentarily separated from my dear companion Arma here, but I’m glad we found each other so quickly.” The thing leaned back in its stance, balancing one leg as it held the perched bird above its head. Fluttershy was impressed a creature so tall could have such good balance.

“Bad, bad Arma,” the thing spoke with a joyful tone, waving its free digits at the bird. The raven didn’t react to the words or the gesture. “Always sneaking away when I’m not looking.”

“Ravens have a developed sense of curiosity above average for most avian species. She was likely trying to observe the new area.” The words were pulled from Fluttershy’s mouth before she could stop herself, her innate and well learned animal knowledge flowing forth. The thing turned and stared at her, an odd expression of joy and curiosity about its own face, even the gray eye. It made Fluttershy regretfully shirk in closer on herself.

“O-Oh dear… I’m sorry, I… I just thought it would explain why Arma flies away from you. She’s just curious.” The tone of the pegasus’s words grew more and more submissive as she spoke on, the creature as silent as ever, starying at with a grin that she couldn’t read.

Then it started to laugh, jovially at that.

“Why yes!” The creature spoke with a near shout. “I suppose she does enjoy the curious side of things. How remarkable of you to notice that.” The compliment returned some ease to Fluttershy, far more comfortable with something that appreciated her than scared her.

“Oh, um… thank you,” the pegasus replied with a small smile of her own. “But, I do think Arma might also be sick. Her eyes are unnaturally red.” The creature was quick to dismiss her words.

“Oh no no no no,” it spoke with a wag of its finger. “Her eyes are perfectly fine. I’d wager they’re even better than mine!” It didn’t laugh at the joke it made. “She was just made this way, carved from stone just like me.” That, however, could not be ignored.

“Carved?” Fluttershy repeated. “Like… a statue?”

“Why yes, of course!” The creature spoke, letting its arms extended outwards. Arma didn’t seem bothered by the action in the slightest. “Just your average walking talking statue, with a sense of wonder as large as my head. I’m told it’s quite large.” He laughed at his joke this time, and Fluttershy couldn’t help but joining in, giggling into her hoof.

She looked back, seeing her home only just behind her. She knew what she should do, and what she shouldn’t do, but somehow, she was more concerned with what she wanted to do. That was what made ponies happy, after all.

“Um, I have to go back to my house.” Fluttershy motioned towards the carved tree with her head. “I have to finish taking care of the animals, and I need some of the food in there.”

“Oh, but of course!” the statue replied easily, shutting its eyes and looking away from her. “I would hate to be a reason for your schedule to fall to pieces. Please, don’t mind me.” Fluttershy gave a small bow of thanks before turning and hurrying towards her home.

She could feel the statue following behind her. That was good, it would make the next part easier. When she was just by the door to her home, she turned and spoke the statue and bird once more.

“Would… would you like to come in? Maybe?” Fluttershy held the door open in front of gesturing with her bowed head towards the inside of her home. She hoped the poor statue would accept. She understood how horrible it could be to be lost. The very least she could do was help out.

The bright smile the statue wore continued to shine on her, making the pegasus feel a bit more sure of her decision.

“I’d be delighted,” the statue spoke with a great bow, arm folding over its torso as it did so. Arma didn’t as much as squawk from its shoulder as it bent. Intrigued, Fluttershy didn’t even see it adjust its footing.

She was excited. She couldn’t wait to speak with the statue some more.

It was business as usual in the Capital of Equestria. Ponies had problems beyond the scope of their reason so they sought the council of a princess they believed all-knowing. More than once Celestia wished such a delusion was true. At least then she wouldn’t have to do all the ponies’ answer-searching for them.

She was thankful for the odd case of property dispute or contract troubles. They were a nice break from the philosophical questions or hypothetical scenarios that ponies seemed to adore giving to her, seeking her wisdom for what to do. Should they open a restaurant? Go back to school? Start a family?

More than once Celestia wished she could simply ask them back if they wanted to live their life, but she couldn’t do that. So few ponies would readily accept such a question, most others seeing it as a dismissive question, perhaps even an insult. It honestly wouldn’t be far off from one.

But that wasn’t what she wanted, far from it.

No matter how often she may wish for a different schedule to guide her day, she could never turn her ponies away, no matter how small their needs were. She loved them just as they loved her. A thousand years and she had never felt the kind of joy that came from a pony’s grateful smile. She could never make enough memories.

“Please send in the next group,” Celestia spoke the words without eye contact, still staring at crystal boots on her hooves. She heard the clopping of hooves as one of her guards walked the chamber hall.

She had to ready herself, but not steel herself. Celestia was a diarch that her ponies adored, not a cold figure of absolute rule and authority. She was meant to be kind and patient with all, not tired and at the end of their metaphorical rope. She only hoped it would soon be time to set the sun, as she could almost hear her bed calling her.

“Princess Celestia,” the solar guard spoke, earning her attention. She looked towards the new arrivals with a patient smile, luminous eyes, and her ever-billowing mane. Her regal appearance was well practiced. “Two students from the Archeology wing of Canterlot University are here to see you.”

Celestia eyed the pair of ponies following the guard. Both were mares, well dressed and obviously dolled up to approach the princess. It was likely their first time seeing her, at least without a crowd around them. Their eyes were wide, staring hesitantly as they took careful steps forward. The look of trepidation was one Celestia had long since grown used to.

“It is, um… a pleasure to meet you, your highness,” one of the mares spoke. She had a blue coat with a striped white mane. It suited her, Celestia Idly noted; she was doubtlessly the object of much affection. “I hope we aren’t intruding on you.” Celestia couldn’t help but laugh softly at the statement.

“Not at all,” the diarch waved her hoof, gentle smile present through her words. “It would be hard for me to say you are intruding on me at a time where I am here to help.” The realization of what she said set in quickly, and the mare looked away bashfully. It was cute, undeniably so. It cemented the suspicion that many of the stallions in the University saw highly of her.

“We do need help, princess, but not for us,” the other mare spoke. She was older than her friend, but only slightly so. She at least had less tremor to her voice, likely from being more used to speaking to authority, and Celestia imagined her position as the princess was slightly above any common professor in the University. “Our professor has gone on an archaeology expedition near Ponyville, but she should have been back by now. She wasn’t alone though, her student went with her. But, what worries me is that she’s missed all of her weekly reports.”

“Oh?” Celestia questioned. It wasn’t odd to hear of a journey that had been extended. Great finds usually led to longer absence, but to go without message was not a positive sign. Celestia’s smile vanished, though she kept any scowl away. She stayed on point. “Who are they and where did they go?”

The two mares glanced at one another, sharing a conversation the princess couldn’t hear. They were likely close friends, given the way the interacted. Also, the fact that they came to see her together, Celestia figured, made that fact obvious.

“Their names are Professor Slate and Iron Wit,” the first mare spoke again. She really should have said her name by now, but Celestia was not one to needlessly interrupt. She never would be. “They left to start a pre-excavation of the Ghastly Gorge.” That raised once of the diarch’s brows.

“Ghastly Gorge?” The princess repeated. “Would you happen to know why they were searching such a treacherous site?” It was more out of curiosity than necessity, but she found small talk an effective method of easing somepony’s worries. That was just another lesson the centuries had taught her.

“Yes, we do,” the first mare spoke again. “Professor Slate said that she didn’t want to join any of the excavation teams around the Crystal Empire because it was, to quote her words, ‘too crowded’.” Celestia felt her smile return slightly at the words.

“The desire for solidarity in work is a common one to have.” The the princess nodded her head with the words, more than familiar with such practices. “However, I have difficulty believing she left for the Ghastly Gorge only because she wanted minimal interference. Surely something must have given her reason to explore there, of all places.”

The students exchanged another look, this time far longer and less sure. Before they had had their worries identified and shared, now they simply didn’t know. They were still conversing quietly, though Celestia patiently waited for them to finish. They were a thousand years too young to hold a conversation in Celestia’s presence without her noticing.

She saw the second mare, the elder of the two, very slightly shake her head. It was hardly more than a tremor, clearly denying something. The younger of the two, the blue coated mare, had a quick dilation in her eyes. They were hiding something, though the princess wasn’t sure what, or why, for that matter.

They were likely hiding some great find or clue the Professor had found, some indication that the Ghastly Gorge held a secret she might not know about. There were few other reasons for a Professor of Archeology to take to such secrecy with her students in tow. It was impossible to ask the students directly now, not without destroying any faith they had in her. Celestia was a leader, not a tyrant.

“She… P-Professor Slate had a hunch that an area like the Ghastly Gorge might contain old fossils in its trench.” A lie, and an obvious one at that. Celestia wasn’t fond of being lied to. Then again, the diarch could name very few ponies that wouldn’t mind it. She kept her face the same however, smile unfaltering as she narrowed in on the subject.

“Really?” She spoke dryly, though the students were too absorbed in their own fear to notice. “What was she hoping to find? Did she recently discover the remains of a fossilized creature?” The shock on the student’s faces was quickly replaced with relief. It wasn’t relief for the diarch understanding, however. It was for being given a way out. The observation slightly annoyed the princess, especially considering that two ponies may be in need of help.

“Y-Yes! That’s right!” The elder of the two spoke. Celestia only just now realized how her coat was lime green, accenting the blue of her companion rather well. They were likely more than students. Perhaps sisters. It made their silent conversation easier to believe. “We haven’t been able to find any records of it before, s-so the Professor wanted to conduct a more thorough dig by herself... And!,” the mare quickly added with slight panic. “And Iron Wit.”

“Hmm…” The princess hummed, her trap having caught the string of the loose spool the students had spun. “That is interesting, but mostly because the Ghastly Gorge doesn’t contain the sediment necessary to properly preserve fossils. Not without digging miles beneath the surface.”

Celestia watched as both of their hopeful expressions were dashed. Her own smile depleted as well. She could not look joyful at their discovery. It would send all the wrong messages.

“Now,” the diach continued, her tone far firmer than before. “I understand you two are worried for your professor and friend, as they must be for you to so readily seek my help.” Both ponies weren’t looking at her, both staring at their feet with dilated eyes and open jaws. “But you must speak honestly to me, or I can not honestly help you.”

The two looked at one another once more, their conversation much easier to read than before. Mostly because they were no longer hiding it.

“We’re sorry, Princess. It’s just that… Professor…” the younger began before swallowing on a ball in her throat. “Professor Slate found evidence that something was beneath the Everfree Forest.”

That single comment made Celestia’s brows raise. The student, however, was far from finished.

“She didn’t want to tell anypony, but she knew better than to keep a secret like that all to herself,” the elder spoke on. “We were with her when she left, and she made us swear not to tell anypony what she found.”

“She took Iron Wit with her because he was an Earth Pony, and the top of our class,” the blue mare spoke up. If there was any doubt Celestia had that the two were sisters, it was dashed. “She wanted to see if he could help her find anything she couldn’t with her magic. I-I don’t know if she even told him anything.”

“So,” Celestia spoke as she finished. “Is your fear that she did indeed find something, or that she was lost while searching for it?”

“We don’t know,” the lime green pony spoke up, forgoing the expected hushed conversation with her sister. This was the truth she was speaking. “Honestly, we came to you before any other pony in the University because… well, you do keep secrets.”

Intentionally or not, Celestia found herself laughing at the comment. It was not an accusation, not by any means, but it was humorous to hear a mare call her out for her private ways so openly.

“Jasmine!” The younger pony reprimanded. It took those words for the elder to catch on to what she said.

“Oh.” Terror quickly took root in her eyes. “Oh no, I-I-I’m so sorry your majesty!” The mare, Jasmine as it was, quickly put her head to the floor, begging forgiveness in posture and words. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. I actually meant it as a good thing! I meant that we can trust you to help us!”

“And help you I shall.” Celestia stood from her throne as she spoke. “Do not worry, I took no offense.”

The two sisters watched her approach, walking down the few stairs between them and the great stone throne. The diarch, tall and with wings widespread, was imposing enough to envelope them whole. The solar guards on either side of the descending ruler gave her a glance, straightening their already solid posture, awaiting orders. Instead, however, she merely nodded towards them both. They each only blinked before resuming their stance, little having changed.

“I am curious of the evidence your Professor has found, as curious as I am as to what happened to her and her student.” A thankful expression crossed the sisters, both smiling up at her. “I must ask of you now to show me this evidence. If I have any knowledge of what it is, it may help us to find her.”

“Right, of course, yeah!” Jasmine eagerly replied to the diarch before turning towards her sister, grinning with a joy that only came from moments like these. “But… wait. Shouldn’t we look for them first?” Celestia’s smile retained as she nodded her head.

“Of course, but it would be more expedient for us to recruit a pony from Ponyvillle to search the Gorge. I am sure my presence alone would attract enough attention to ruin this… secret of yours.” A sheepish look overtook the mare once again.

“But… who are you going to ask?” It wasn’t uncertainty in the mare’s voice, but neither was it fear. It seemed closer to curiosity than anything else. That was a good sign. It meant that they already had trust in her. Celestia was thankful for that much, at least. Trust was something she cherished.

“A student of mine has a home in Ponyville,” the diarch cryptically replied. “As such, she is more than used to keeping secrets when necessary. I am sure she will help in any way she can. Does that suit you?”

“Yes, thank you!” Jasmine nearly threw herself at the diarch’s hooves, but was stopped by her own awareness, fore legs still partially outstretched as if in a hug. Celestia chuckled at the position and uneasy look the elder sister adopted. “I’m… sorry about that.”

“Think nothing of it,” the diarch dismissed. “I would be remiss to say that I do not care for hugs. They are as clear a sign of affection as any.” The smile she offered to the younger mares showed she had no falsehood in her words. Celestia had none in them.

“Okay, awesome,” Jasmine continued to smile as she nodded her head. She turned her attention to her younger sister before she spoke on. “Opal, can you run ahead and get what Professor Slate found?” Her younger sister, Opal as she was called, nodded before dashing off. Celestia watched her turn tail and gallop from the hall.

“Is what your professor found… large?” It was an innocent and honest question from the diarch, but it was one of only a few reasons she could think of for preparing evidence of a discovery. The shake of Jasmine’s head told her her answer.

“No, not big, just old.” The mare let out a dry laugh as she spoke. “Just really, really, old.”

“Would you care for some tea?” Fluttershy asked her guest politely, smiling with subtlety as she asked. Her guest, sitting across from her in an odd upright position, gave back its own broader smile before responding.

“Oh no,” it spoke with a wave of its gray hand. “Eating and drinking are things for… ponies to do. I actually would like to just talk.” Fluttershy nodded her head at his words.

“Oh my, you're right, I should have realized that,” the pegasus lightly cajoled herself with her bobbing head. “I’m sorry about that.” She heard the statue giggle across from her.

“Don’t worry, it was just a mistake. We all mistakes, don’t we?” Fluttershy looked up at the statue again, smiling at his words. It felt… easy to do so, requiring no force or convincing on her part to do so. It was nice.

Though she hid the majority of her features behind her long pink mane, Fluttershy didn’t feel the usual unease she did around others. Maybe it was because she was talking to a statue- or, two statues, she corrected herself. She curiously observed Arma, perched on the taller statue’s head. That could have been it, talking to things that weren’t other ponies, but maybe it was because the statue was smiling, smiling without trying to invade her personal space.

The pegasus took a seat across from the statue, sipping at her tea held between her hooves. The house around them was quiet otherwise, the rest of the animals running around outside, burning pent up energy from the previous night’s rest. That… and they were likely celebrating while they could in Discord’s absence.

“So, um… if I can ask, what’s your name?” It was a small question, an innocent one. She had seen Rarity ask it to many stallions and mares at her boutique. The statue only giggled lightly across from her, ensuring to the pegasus she made a proper choice.

“Oh, that’s not important,” the statue dismissed the question with a wave of his hand. Fluttershy felt her brow crease in confusion. “We don’t need names to have a talk. Besides, I hardly remember my own name.” The confusion in the pegasus turned to concern at a speed only she was capable of.

“Oh my!” she gasped, raising a hoof to her mouth in surprise. “That must be awful!” Despite the pain her words might inflict on another, the statue merely chuckled as it had done so far before responding.

“Not at all!” It responded jovially. “It frees up the space, leaves me room to learn more about the world. And after all, you can never learn too much.” It lifted its discolored hand, lightly tapping on the edge of its head with a gleeful smile. It was enough to ease a bit of the worry in the pegasus, but only a little.

“Oh, I guess… that makes sense.” In truth, it didn’t. Fluttershy wasn’t ready to judge, however. “I have a friend like that. She loves to learn.”

“Really?” the statue questioned, tilting its head to the side ever so slightly. “What does she enjoy learning? I’m partial to music.” Fluttershy felt another small smile push against her lips at the statement. It was such an easy question, it deserved an easy answer.

“A lot, actually,” Fluttershy found a very small giggle push through her lips as she thought of her friend. “She loves to read, and look into different subjects too. She’s very curious, something I’d be too nervous to do. Oh, but she is also very kind. She helps all the ponies around Ponyville whenever she can.” The statue nodded at her words, never once giving the idea that it was going to interrupt.

Fluttershy sipped at her tea, putting the empty china cup down. The statue leaned over almost as soon as it touched the table, stilling the pegasus. She didn’t expect it to move towards her, let alone so quickly. It’s gray digits wrapped round the small cup, lifting it as the statue leaned back in the chair.

Normally, Fluttershy would expect a guest to sit properly in their chair, holding any dishes in front of them or letting them sit on the table. That was not what the statue did.

The statue had one of its legs on the chair it sat on, the other extended outwards at a far length. One of its arms was wrapped behind the back of the chair, folding over the long cloak it wore. Its other hand held the cup it just grabbed, though ‘held’ was a loose term. It was balancing it, with only a single outstretched finger, and high above its head. It had its mismatched eyes settled on Fluttershy.

It was still smiling jovially.

“I must say, it has been some time since I’ve seen a cup quite like this.” Of all the statements it could have said, that was one of the last Fluttershy expected. The pegasus voiced such a concern.

“W-What do you mean?” The statue tilted its head before responding.

“Well, think about it. Why would I need any dish or utensil?” The statue answered with a question, though a simple one at that. It occurred to Fluttershy immediately what it was talking about.

“Oh, because you don’t eat…” she mumbled, looking away. It was starting to make her nervous.

Then it laughed, that jovial laugh she heard so rarely in her solo company. Whenever she did hear it, it was usually in a group of friends or a crowd of ponies. But here, it was simply the two and Arma.

“Oh, please forgive me,” the statue spoke as it untwisted its other arm, bending it back over the chair to let its open palm rest on its chest. Its head bowed slightly as well. “That was rude of me.” Fluttershy found herself shaking her head.

“N-No, its alright. I don’t mind.” The statue’s painted grin broadened at her words.

“Well, that is good,” it responded in kind. “But do tell me, is there anything interesting in this town?”

Fluttershy felt her head tilt at the sudden change in subject.

“Oh there I go again, being rude in front of such a gracious host.” The statue leaned its head back, pulling it over the chair as it made sighing sound. The position looked entirely uncomfortable to the pegasus. Then again, she was never one to judge.

“I-It’s alright,” the pegasus again forgave with no more hesitation than she took with all her actions. “I mean… surely you didn’t mean to be rude, a-and you did apologize. It’s alright.” The statue flipped its head back over the chair, its painted and scarred eyes both closed with a broad grin over its drawn lips. Fluttershy doubted that the smile ever left.

“Why thank you, for being so understanding. You’d be surprised how often I’m confused for some deviant or another.” The statue looked towards the bird on its head as the bird looked back down. “Though Arma here can be a bit devious, you silly bird you.” A silent stare was all the raven gave back in response. It appeared to be hilarious to the statue, as it laughed merrily at the silence.

“I-I don’t think you look… strange… just different,” Fluttershy was sinking further and further into herself the more she spoke. Any confidence she had at the beginning of this talk was rapidly depleting. Maybe she shouldn’t have pushed herself too hard.

“That’s awfully kind of you to say.” Fluttershy watched as the statue lowered himself against the table, holding its head above its laced fingers, staring at her with a much more subdued, though still present, smile. “Makes me wonder if you’re this kind to every stranger who chances upon your home.”

“Oh, well, a-at least I try to be,” Fluttershy spoke quickly in return. “I would feel just awful if I hurt anypony- or statue!” the pegasus blurted, fearful of offending her guest. The small rise in its smile told her no fault was yet committed. Yet. “I am the Element of Kindness. Being kind to others is what makes me happy.”

“Really?” The statue asked with a rise in one of its brows, the one sitting atop it gray scarred eye. “What does that mean? I do apologize, but I don’t believe I understand.” Fluttershy, so used to seeing Twilight grow frustrated in the face an unobvious problem, was thrown momentarily by sheer joy to which the statue spoke of his own predicament. It seemed far too happy to be confused.

“Oh, um, I can explain, if you’d like, that is.” The statue rocked its head over its fingers, nodding at her without a change in its smile. Arma hopped from the top of its head, landing on one of the statue’s shoulders, silent as always.

“Um, okay, well,” Fluttershy began, sitting back in her chair. “The Elements of Harmony are very old but very powerful magical artifacts.”

With only that single sentence, Fluttershy was forced back as Karl nearly leapt up from the table, its smile broad, lips open, and eyes staring down at her in wonder. The pegasus felt her heart hammering against her chest, her wings folded tightly against her body, and her long pink mane now covering the majority of her forward features.

“Did you say ‘magic’?” The statue asked the question as innocent as ever, though succeeding little this time in relaxing the frightened pegasus. She only shivered as she continued to stare up at him. The statue held up one of its hands before it spoke again. “I do apologize again for my reaction, but what you said was most interesting.”

“I-It was?” Fluttershy answered weakly, no further out of the shell she jumped into than before. The statue, however, only nodded its head, much slower than it had jumped from the table.

“Of course!” It replied, jovially as ever. “It is has been quite some time since I’ve seen something magical. I was beginning to think it was nothing but fairy tales and pixie dust. Are those here too?” Fluttershy peaked her head out from her mane at the question. The statue was still smiling, and it had also backed a way a little from the table.

“Um… There are breezies, are those like the pixies you mean?” The question seemed to require a bit of thought on the statue’s part, as it straightened itself out and raised one of its hands to its chin, scratching at the painted stone idly. Its gaze wandered, staring idly up at the thatched roof of Fluttershy’s home.

“Hmm, I don’t know,” the statue finally concluded. “I suppose I would have to see one to know, but we can burn that bridge when we get to it. Now though, I have another question, if you don’t mind me asking.” It held out its hand in offering, symbolically as far as Fluttershy could see. The statue was still staring at her, grin permanently set to its lips and leaning over the side ever so slightly, as if it had no issue keeping balance.

“Um… I-It’s alright,” Fluttershy weakly agreed. In truth, she would rather have not, but the statue was still her guest and was at least being apologetic for its behavior. That was more than Discord or the Breezies usually did.

“Excellent,” the statue spoke as it lightly clapped its stone hands together. The sound irked Fluttershy momentarily, not expecting the sound of grinding rock. “I was curious just where these Elements of Harmonies are? I would love to see them before I continued on my little journey.” The statue bent sideways as it spoke, stiffly moving its hand in a slow waving fashion. The pegasus suspected it didn’t like to hold still.

“Oh um… I-I’m terribly sorry, but… they’re gone.” Fluttershy was fearful of the statue’s reaction, robbing it of its ability to see something it clearly had a desire to witness. “We had to return them a little while ago… Oh dear, I’m so sorry.” But rather than complain, or whine, and demand that the Fluttershy was hiding them, the statue did what the pegasus should have expected, but didn’t.

It sighed.

“Oh well,” it spoke with resignation, still laced lightly with a bit of cheer. “Can’t say I expected it to be that easy.” It turned back towards her, smile and eyes far more subdued, lacking the cheer they had up till now. Fluttershy bit her lip, not enjoying the idea of robbing a pony, or something, of what they wanted like that. That was when an idea popped into her head.

“Um, Twilight might be able to help you...” The statue tilted its head at the statement, its drawn lips lightly puckering, at least shrinking, at the statement. “She was the one who, um, helped us find them. She knows the most about magic, so I’m sure she could help you out.”

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Then, to Fluttershy’s immense surprise, the statue turned away from her. “Thank you again for the help!”

“W-wha… wait!” Fluttershy found herself calling out, too stunned for a moment to register than the statue was leaving. It did stop by the door to her home, one hand on the molding as it turned to look at her over its shoulder. Arma even hopped and turned around, beady red eyes staring at the pegasus.

“Hmm? Is something wrong?” The statue asked, genuinely confused. Fluttershy had to swallow a ball in her throat before she answered.

“Um, no… b-but I don’t want you to just leave.” The statue raised its other hand to its mouth, lightly covering the lines drawn across its face. It appeared to be thinking, but it was still staring at her.

“That would make this a problem wouldn’t it,” the statue mused lightly to itself before speaking to the pegasus, louder in volume and smile as broad as before. “Well, I do have to go, but I suppose I can answer a question you may have for me. I’m sure you must be brimming with them!”

In truth, Fluttershy had almost none. The statue was just easy company to speak with.

“Oh, um, what…” Fluttershy found her mind racing for a question. She should have had one, even an obvious one. But she couldn’t ask a rude question. The statue didn’t want to say its name, so it would be inappropriate to ask why. It would be even worse to insist, not to a guest she hardly knew.

But the statue wasn’t a complete stranger, not anymore. After all, it did say at least one thing about itself.

“What kind of music do you like?” It was the first question Fluttershy could think of that wouldn’t be rude. It was never rude to ask a pony what they liked. By the way the statue’s face lit up, the pegasus knew she asked a good question.

“Why, the violin!” Apparently the answer was so important that the statue had to spin at the declaration.

Fluttershy felt a small eep escape from her throat as the statue smoothly pivoted itself on its heel, standing at its tallest with arms spread wide and black raven resting on its shoulder. The brown cloak it wore billowed as it was spun with the body it was connected to. For once however, the statue did not apologize for its behavior.

Instead, arms again raised to its chest, it held its gray hand against its equally hard surface. Its other hand stretched outwards, as if offering something that Fluttershy couldn’t see. Her apprehension grew by the second. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.

“The violin is such a wonderful instrument!” The statue went on to speak. “It can be played in almost any way. Either as subtle was the wind or as strong as a mountain. I can even remember the members of the park coming to hear me play.” Park? Fluttershy had never heard of him mention a park before. She wondered off-hoof if there were any animals there. Maybe that’s where it met Arma.

“They would look to me and say, ‘Play another Bach song, would you Karl?’”

Fluttershy watched, as the statue took to its name and froze solid. It didn’t take her long to figure out why.

“Karl?” She spoke the name questioningly, blinking as the statue stiffly turned its head toward her. Its smile was still present, as it always was, but it was… flatter than what it had been. It looked wrong. Fluttershy didn’t understand why. “Is that your name? That’s a nice name.” She found herself smiling softly, hoping to encourage the statue to do the same.

It did not.

“I... suppose it is,” the statue noted with an obvious tip in its tone, lacking much of the jovial nature that had made up their conversation thus far. Fluttershy was no more or less wary that before. “Though to be honest, I’m rather fond of the idea of changing it. What do you think of the name ‘Ginger’?”

Fluttershy felt any small amount of worry she had twist into confusion. To illustrate its rather oblique point, Karl held its coat out at length, holding it like one would a curtain.

“I think it would go rather well with my attire. And I hear it can be sweet to taste.” Fluttershy felt her mouth pucker at the thought of eating ginger like that. Karl noticed. “Am I wrong when I say that?”

“Um, I’m sorry, but… yes,” Fluttershy hesitantly spoke, disagreeing with his description of the spice. “Cinnamon is… tart and dry. It isn’t easy to taste. I-I don’t think it’s a sweetener, but I don’t usually cook with it… Oh dear, I may be wrong.” Fluttershy buried her head a little deeper into her mane, though mostly out of embarrassment. Oddly, she preferred it that way.

“Really? I heard quite the opposite, and I have spoken to a great many individuals,” The statue leaned over as it spoke, raising a pointed hand into the air. It, however, didn’t loom over Fluttershy as the pegasus momentarily feared.

“Tell you what, why don’t you find some and we can see? If it is sweet to your taste, I’ll be Ginger from now on. Do we have a deal?” The statue drew its hand back behind itself, extending the other colored appendage towards Fluttershy.

The pegasus stared at it, shaken with both confusion and fear, the emotions bundled together awkwardly. The combination rarely went well for her. But then she looked up at Karl. It… he was still smiling at her, looking no different than he had before.

Its name… His name didn’t change anything. He was already a friend to her, and he was treating her as one. The least she could do, if not even accept his shake, was to refer to him as such.

After all, he wasn’t a thing. Karl was another living creature.

Fluttershy felt a small swell in confidence as she reached her hoof out, tentatively at that. When it rested on the statue’s digits, he grasped her hoof gently, moving it up and down in agreement. He didn’t force her in any way.

“Excellent, now, do you know where any ginger is? I’m sure I’d only make a mess of your house looking for it.” The statement perked the pegasus up, realizing what he meant. Of course, she had to look for it. He was the guest.

“Oh, of course!” The pegasus spoke as she lightly jumped from her chair, walking on all fours with her long mane dragging behind her. She looked at Karl with an expression she hoped wasn’t pleading. “Please wait here. I-I’ll be back with it as fast as I can.” Without another word, Fluttershy turned tail and disappeared into the kitchen.

Fluttershy emerged from the kitchen only minutes later, cinnamon can in hoof and ready to test it with Karl. The pegasus would be remiss if she weren’t to admit she felt a bit excited. It felt like she was with the rest of the girls, asking odd questions and doing silly dares, all for the sake of a little fun and adventure.

It was even funnier when she remembered how much it all used to scare her.

“I’m ba-” the words died in her throat as she entered the living room, looking around with a confused blue gaze. Her mane lightly billowed left, then right, matching the motion of her head. Something was missing. Something, something obvious, was gone.

Karl was nowhere to be seen.

Maybe ‘nowhere’ wasn’t the right word. He could just be hiding. Fluttershy remembered how often Pinkie pie and Rainbow Dash liked to surprise her and the rest of the girls. She set the can down on the table, in preparation of any startling. She looked beneath the table, but found nothing. She moved to the windows, lightly moving the curtains with an out stretched hoof; still no statue.

“Karl?” She called the statue’s name out, fully expecting him to answer. Instead, she heard nothing but her quiet echo through the house. That wasn’t right.

“Karl?” The pegasus called again, walking through her house, eyes scanning as she moved. Still no trace of him.

“Karl?” The pegasus walked into her foyer, seeing nothing missing but also new. There was no one there, and certainly no statue waiting for her.

Where did Karl go?

“That was a close one, wasn’t it Arma?” The statue spoke to the bird perched on its head, silent as it ever was. “Almost had to take a few drastic measures. Not that we’d mind, would we?” Again, silence followed the statue’s question. It made laughter bellow from his etched mouth.

“Why yes, yes, I am well aware.” The statue spoke to the bird, smile bright with laughter. “But we can’t be obvious yet, never if preferred.” The drop in the statue’s tone was more than obvious.

It turned, looking at the house carved into a tree, the pegasus outside glancing around curiously, no doubt searching for him. She wouldn’t find him, not now at least. The statue had made sure of that.

“We have to be careful Arma, far more than before.” There was no jovial tone in the statue’s words now. Only fact. “There’s no more Castle to go back to. We can only move forward now. Speaking of!” With those last two words, the statue whirled on its heel, pointing a hand in the air as his voice took a jovial tune again.

“I suppose we should visit that pony’s friend. Twilight Sparkle, was it?” The bird only pecked the top of the statue’s head, as if trying to crack a nut. “Yes, that was it. Can’t be hard to find this time at least, a statue in the middle of a village? Must be an eyesore!”

He laughed as it began its walk, coat billowing behind it as a stray breeze caught the fabric. paid it little mind, and neither did the bird still holding strong on top of its head. They walked onward, and didn’t look back.

Comments

[Komodo23]

...dammit Karl.
Sooo... he's looking for a source of power for himself, and that's fine and understandable, but why change name?

Oh, like you would tell us. It would be spoiler! Waiting for the next chap. Keep going, Wizard!

[SCP049]

Well he is.

[Sir Mortimer of Eden]

Wow I like where this is going. Good chapter, I enjoyed it and hope you post the next one soon. I wonder if Discord might figure out what Karl is up to? Or perhaps if the castle was discovered again by Celestia or anyone else, Climber would be the one to come 'Alive' through their magic. Oh well looks like I'll have to wait! Good Job Wizard and keep it up!

[IrisGale]

KARL, YOU MONSTER! YOU'RE BEING PLEASANT TO FLUTTERSHY! YOU FIEND!

These were the honest thoughts going through my head as I read this. You do such an amazing job with Karl's character, he was absolutely sinister despite being utterly calm and happy. Hell, I'd even say you got his character better than his own creator did.