From the dark realm of Tramplevania, an ancient force awakens to reunite with a lost love.
It is 1897. Equestria is at peace and Dusk Shine, a rising star in the fields of science and sorcery has set up shop in the capital of Canterlot, along with his two assistance Barbara and Butterscotch. However dark things are beginning to stir in the east, with news of the intrepid trio reaching the ears of an ancient vampiress who has set her sights on the young cream Pegasus, believing him to be her long lost lover.
As fate brings these two ancient souls together, what shall become of poor Butterscotch? Will he stay firm and bask in the light of day, or shall he fall to the velvety seductions of the night?
I would like to begin with that I do not expect anyone to believe the story I am about to relate. It seems incredible even to me still as I write this, the weird and fantastic tale that unfolded before me from the yellowed, faded pages of the original manuscript.
Nearly a year has gone by since I first came across it while delving into the histories of this nation Equestria during the later years of the nineteenth century, when through my explorations of history I came across a curious old leather-bound booklet of modest size and thickness tucked away in a secluded corner of the Royal University library.
The University had many hundreds of original manuscripts similar to this one in particular; all having been cataloged and shelved, with very few having been studied in detail. At first glance it appeared to be just another dusty old diary of a stallion long dead, accumulated with a few scattered dry official records from the Ministry of Supernatural and Arcane Affairs.
It is from these tattered accounts and the original manuscript that I have painstakingly sewed together this fantastical and Gothic tale of romance and woe. In preparation for the press, I have divided the narrative into chapters to which I have affixed fictitious names of my own devising as to help in relating the manuscript in a more comprehensible manner.
At the very least if you do not find the contents of this story at all credible—and frankly I would not blame your skepticism—then at the most you could wistfully hope that what is written here is true as I have. From the tattered records of the old office of the Ministry and the mildewed manuscript recovered from the dusty confines of the University Library, we learn of a scholarly Unicorn stallion by the name of Sir Dusk Shine. A graduate of their Majesties esteemed Royal University, majoring in the fields of science and the paranormal, he was a stallion of logical, academics and rational thought, and yet it is from his diary that I derive this tale.
At his side, having been pointed by the higher officials was a young dragoness named Barbara, who had been hatched and raised in the University alongside Sir Dusk, which made her appointment as his personal assistant seemingly natural. However, also appointed to his side was a young Pegasus stallion whom we shall refer to as Butterscotch.
A soft spoken and kind-hearted stallion, if not in all honesty horribly shy, Butterscotch was gentle stallion with an enduring affinity for animals and a voice that would send mares a flutter and inspire great jealousy in the hearts of other stallions. It is he who shall take center stage in this tale. A tale of romance, tragedy, dark powers, and a love that spans beyond the short lives we ponies are forever trapped in; a tale of how the young Pegasus Butterscotch came to know…
...The Angel in Red.
Act I, Scene I
Canterlot, 1897―
The streets of Canterlot were a bustle of activity as ponies returned home from their day jobs. Many filling the sidewalks while others rode in carriages, filling the air with the clamor of hooves and turning wheels on the cobblestone-paved roads. However as the city went through its bustling, evening-time bedlam, in a lofty apartment studio overlooking the city’s main plaza, two stallions were still hard at work.
“That’s it, just a little more to the left!” Dusk Shine instructed enthusiastically. “Just set it down if it’s getting to heavy.”
With a heaving grunt, the two stallions set down the final piece of furniture in the laboratory. They had spent most of the afternoon hauling in suitcase after suitcase of equipment, personal belongings, and other assorted trinkets, only then to spend the rest of their time helping the violet colored stallion arrange the furniture; which they would have sworn had been infused with bars of lead.
“Perfect!” Dusk exclaimed. Having graduated the Royal University with flying colors, he had saved up his bits in order to rent out a large studio sweet in the city’s central plaza where he could properly establish his own laboratory from which to pursue his studies in fields of the arcane and paranormal.
“I hope so.” Said a rough, feminine voice. Dusk turned to see his faithful draconic companion and assistant Barbara walk into the room carrying a large satchel in her claws. “Because it looks like the poor stallions over there are about to collapse.”
Awkwardly, Dusk looked back at the exhausted stallions, feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment. “Oh! Yeah… sorry about that gentlecolts.” He said apologetically. “It’s getting late anyway. Best call it a night.”
With a sigh of relief, the two stallions respectfully nodded and took their leave. With a bright smile, the excited Dusk levitated the satchel out of Barbara’s claws and removed the contents. Inside were several books and scrolls on various spells and works of Swirly Stars the Maned, which had served as his principle teachings during his early years studying magic.
“Oh! And Dusk, here this arrived this morning but I forgot to give it to you.” Barbara said handing Dusk a neatly folded newspaper.
Untying the paper with his magic, Dusk turned to the first page, causing a bright smile to spread across his lips. The title header read out in fine bold print:
“INTREPID YOUNG WIZARD ON THE RISE”
Below the title was a picture of himself standing in front of the building where he had set up shop with the following article dedicated to him and opening of his own laboratory. Beside him to his left stood Barbara wearing a rather uncomfortable dress that clearly made it difficult for her to smile as she faced the camera, and on his right stood his other trustworthy assistant Butterscotch. The adopted son of a family friend, Dusk had known him for several years now and had placed a request to have him work with him after he had filled out the legalities of setting up his laboratory.
He knew Butterscotch as a kind and helpful stallion, though he did have trouble in crowds. In the picture he could see the nervousness in his eyes as he forced a smile for the shot. It was then that it dawned on him. “Hey Barbara?”
Upon hearing her name, Barbara looked up from the sack of papers she had been sorting through. “Yeah?”
“Where is Butterscotch?”
Down on the ground floor, the cream-colored Pegasus stallion quietly swept up the dust that had been tracked in while the others had brought in Dusk Shine’s equipment. The room was relatively dim as the sun was beginning to sun. He would need to light a few candles very soon to make sure ponies could see.
Besides for the sound of his broom tracing across the wooden floor, the room was deathly quiet, which he honestly enjoyed. With all the hustle and bustle that had gone on through the day, he was glad there was a moment for calm now.
As he continued to sweet he heard something stir to the right of him, causing his ear to twitch. Lifting up the broom he inquisitively investigated the noise, nudging several boxes aside to find its source. “Oh! Well hello there. What are you doing in here?” Butterscotch asked in his characteristically gentle, coddling voice.
Staring back at him from the dusty floor was a small white and grey potted mouse that muttered a few petit squeaks while twitching its nose from side to side. The rodent looked afraid at first but sensing the cream colored Pegasus posed him no threat, he let his guard down and approached Butterscotch with a tiny smile.
Reaching out with his hoof, Butterscotch let the little mouse hop on before he lifted it up again. “Oh come here.” He said tenderly, “Are you lost? Do you live here?”
The mouse replied with a few chitters and squeaks. “Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I was just cleaning up a little. Where do you live?”
Again the rodent replied with a few squeaks before pointing towards the overhanging bookshelf just to the right of them. Looking at it for a moment, Butterscotch nodded and flapped his wings softly, lifting himself up to the bookshelf. “Here we go.” He said noticing a small knot-hole tucked away behind a few books. The mouse thanked him, giving him a quick nuzzle on the cheek before hopping off onto the shelf and scurrying out of sight into the knot-hole.
Butterscotch smiled knowing the good he had done for the little mouse. However, his delight was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Fluttering down to the floor he set the broom against the wall and trotted over to the door, promptly opening it.
Outside stood a grey-coated Pegasus stallion with blonde and tail dressed in a postcolt’s uniform and a satchel tucked under his wings. However the most peculiar feature of this stallion was his eyes, as they both seemed to wander in different direction. “Evening good sir,” the postcolt said in a gruff but cheerful voice. “Dopey Hooves at your service sir. I have a letter for a one Sir Dusk Shine?”
Butterscotch for a moment felt his lips and tongue go dry as the stallion addressed him. It wasn’t something he was too terribly proud of, but he had always had a real trouble when interacting with other ponies. He had been trying to get better at it, but his shyness always managed to crop up when he least expected it.
“Um… uh, yes,” He managed in a quiet tone. “He’s here. I’ll give it to him.”
Seemingly oblivious to the cream stallion’s awkward shyness and body language, the cheerful postcolt reached into his satchel and pulled out a decent sized maroon envelope with a red wax seal stamped on the front. Butterscotch quietly accepted it and thanked the stallion for his service.
“Righty oh! You have a good night sir.” Dopey exclaimed before fluttering his wings and flying upwards, accidentally knocking into the sign hanging above the door. Shaking it off, he waved farewell before zipping off into the air and out of sight down Maine Street.
Butterscotch watched him until he was out of sight and closed the door behind him. Looking over the envelope he noticed the seal had both a sun and moon pressed into the hardened wax, the Royal Seal none the less.
“I better get this to Dusk.” He said, quickly fluttering up the stairs towards the third floor.
Meanwhile in the laboratory, Dusk and Barbara were busy sorting through and unpackaging the seemingly endless amount of suitcases and boxes that the two mover-stallions had brought in.
“48, 49, 50.” Barbara counted to herself. “Dusk do you really need this many ink wells?”
“I like to be well stocked.” Dusk Shine replied. “What if I run out of ink and it’s the last line of an important letter or spell but I can’t finish it because I ran out of ink and had to run all the way to the market to get more?”
Barbara rolled her eyes as she tucked away the last ink well into the cabinet, “Oh dear oh my, how horrible that would be.” She said in a sarcastic deadpan tone.
“Ah uh uh, none of that sass.” Dusk replied shaking his hoof.
“Yes Mom!” Barbara chuckled. “Honestly Dusk, if you didn’t want this sass than you should have asked for another totally awesome and cute dragoness to be your assistant.”
Dusk sighed and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Oh Barbara, don’t be silly. I wouldn’t do that for all the ink wells in the world.”
With a smile on her face, Barbara once again rolled her green eyes, “Well gee, don’t I feel special.”
Dusk pouted and stuck out his tongue in a most colt-like fashion. Barbara gave him a smirk and stuck out her tongue as well, knowing this was all just friendly banter. “Love you too Dusky.” She mused.
It was then that they heard the door open with a slight squeak. Looking towards the entrance way they saw their fellow colleague Butterscotch step in.
“Oh there you are Butterscotch,” Dusk said warmly. “Were you downstairs?”
Butterscotch nodded and smiled back at him, “Yes. I was cleaning up a little bit when I heard a knock at the door. This just arrived for you.” He said reaching out his hoof and presenting the maroon envelope.
Upon seeing its vivid color and the royal seal printed on it, Dusk Shine erupted into a giddy, almost school-colt-like level of excitement. “Oh good Solaris! It’s here! It’s finally here!” He exclaimed taking it from Butterscotch and breaking the hard wax.
Inquisitively, Butterscotch leaned in to try and see what all the excitement was about. “What is it Dusk?”
Reaching into the envelope, Dusk pulled out a sheet of fine quality folded paper and flipped it open to reveal it’s content. “It’s our invitation!” Dusk replied. “To the International Science and Sorcery Exhibition in Geneighva, Sweetland!”
“Oh my goodness, that does sound exciting!” Butterscotch commented.
“Oh yeah! It’s one of the most renowned conventions in Equestria.” Barbara added. “Showcasing all the latest achievements in the sciences and the arcane! All the most important and prolific scientists and sorcerers of our time will be there!”
Upon hearing that, Butterscotch couldn’t help but feel a slight worried tingle press against his stomach. So many important and famous ponies all collected together? He didn’t want to feel this way but confound his shyness the idea made him feel very uncomfortable.
Dusk and Barbara noticed the worried expression that washed over their friend’s face, and Dusk Shine laced his hoof around his neck. “Don’t worry about it Butterscotch.” Dusk reassured. “We’re all going to be there together.”
“Yeah Butters!” Barbara added. “Every step of the way. It will be fun.”
Hearing his friend’s words of reassurance managed to comfort him, giving him a fair amount of confidence. “Thanks guys.” He replied thankfully. “Just as long as he stick together.”
“You got it buddy.” Dusk replied, giving his friend a hug which Barbara sooned join in with. “Besides, you helped us get to this point. Without your family’s donations we probably wouldn’t have been able to secure this prime location and all this equipment.”
Butterscotch blushed a little bit at the praise he was being given. “Well papa always was a generous contributor to the sciences. He always said that you couldn’t put a price on the pursuit of knowledge, and Blue Belle and I just felt it would be good to honor that.”
“That reminds me, how is Blue Belle doing?” Barbara asked pulling away from the hug.
“Oh she’s been alright. She’s been travelling abroad as of late.” Butterscotch said with and shrug. “I got a letter from her a few weeks ago saying she was going to host a charity ball in Trottingham and that she may not be home for a few more months…”
Dusk nodded seeing the glum expression wash over Butterscotch’s face. “You miss her huh?”
Butterscotch nodded and let out a sigh. “Yeah. Ever since papa passed away, she and I have always been so close. But she has to live up to the family name. I just do what I can here.”
Dusk patted his back, “Well I’m sure she’s missing you just as much. But for now I think we should all call it a night. It’s getting kind of late and we’ve all been working really hard today. Let’s just all go home and get a good night’s rest?”
“I’m up for that!” Barbara exclaimed happily.
Butterscotch nodded his head with a smile, even though his ears were still tucked back against his head. He couldn’t shake the feeling of loneliness, despite his friend’s kind words, but decided that it would probably be best if they just tried for the night.
“Yeah. Let’s all get some sleep. We have to get ready for the Exhibition. When did it say it was?”
“A week from Friday.” Dusk replied. “I think it would be best if we leave by Thursday so we can get a head start on things. Should give us plenty of time to get packed and ready to head out.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Butterscotch agreed. And with that the three friends went on their ways back to their respected households, giving each other a pleasant goodnight as they parted.
Butterscotch gasped as he suddenly awoke. His breath heavy and uneven he darted his eyes back and forth in confusion. All around him he saw a vast forest cloaked in thick, choking mist that blanketed the ground and obscured his hooves from view.
Above him a bright august moon hug looming, scowling down its auburn light upon the dark forest floor, casting faint and creeping shadows on the landscape.
“Hello?” Butterscotch called out. “Is anypony there?”
The only answer he received was the faint whisper of the wind as it blew through the gnarled green branches of the thick woodland around him. He heard a screech echo through the mist, causing him to jump in fright. Then came the sound of fluttering wings which tickled at his twitching ears before finally the wood fell silent.
“Hello?” He called out again nervously.
His breath growing more rapid and uneven by the minute, he scanned the dark tree line for signs of any movement. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye he swore he saw something move. Squinting his eyes, he peered into the stygian blackness to try and see what could be, if it was still there at all.
From the inky blackness he saw nothing stir at first, but finally, after a few minutes staring into the tree line Butterscotch saw something. From between two great trees he saw something move, followed by two glowing yellow eyes. They stared back at him maliciously, filling his heart with dread. Then came another pair, then another, and another, and another, until over twelve different pairs of glowing yellow eyes stared back at him from the darkness.
“Oh my…” He whimpered as he heard a growl rise up from them. The eyes came forward, stepping into the light of the moon, revealing a massive timberwolf; its jaws dripping with saliva. Then came another, snarling and baring its teeth at the little Pegasus. Butterscotch's heart was pounding at a million miles an hour as the pack confronted him.
Overwhelmed with fear, he obeyed the only impulse his body would allow him to.
He ran.
Galloping frantically through the mist and trees, Butterscotch could hear the wolves behind him. He could hear them barking and howling as they pursued their prey, and he could practically feel their rancid breath brushing against his flanks.
Suddenly, his ears perked up with his eyes following suit. In the distance in front of him he could see something moving just above the mist. It looked like a whispering cloud of shadow shaped like a pony and he could hear it calling to him.
“Butterscotch...” It called in a strange, hypnotic voice. “Butterscotch... Come...”
With his options very limited at the moment, he ran towards the shadowy figure, hopping over roots and fallen trunks of trees in mad dash to save himself from the hungry jaws of the pursuing beasts. However to his horror, he found himself soon coming upon a steep stone cliff and the shadowy figure nowhere to be seen.
He heard a snarl come from behind him and he turned around to face the hungry pack that was closing in around him.
He pressed his back against the cliffside as he watched the beasts encircle him, snarling and baring their fangs.
“Help! Somepony!” He cried. “Anypony!”
It was then that he heard the voice again, this time coming from above him. “Butterscotch…”
Looking upwards he could see the shadowy figure from before reaching down with a whispering hoof. “Butterscotch…”
In desperation, he reached up to try and take the figure’s hoof, though no matter how hard he tried he was just could not reach. It was then that he looked back and to his horror saw one of the massive predators lunge at him, the last thing he saw being the gaping jaw clamp around his neck.
“AHHH~!” Butterscotch screamed as he sat up violently in his bed. He was panting frantically, his body covered in a cold sweat that had soaked his sheets. His tongue was dry and his lips quivered as he collected himself in the dim light of his bedroom.
“It… it was just a dream…” He said quietly to himself trying to even out his breath.
Hopping out of bed, he changed his sheets, touching the soaked ones in the hamper and dressing his mattress in fresh, clean ones. Laying his head down on his pillow he laid there quietly for a moment, staring out the large balcony windows of his room at the bright orange moon outside.
“It was just a dream…” he said to himself before settling back down to let sleep claim him.
Meanwhile, miles away to the far east of Canterlot, over rivers and valleys, through woods and wastelands, to the high peaks of the Capricornian Mountains, to the land known as Tramplevania, dark things began to stir.
Nestled in the lofty spires of stone, in the Tramplevanian province of Orlokia, there stood a large, looming castle. It’s walls and battlements baring the scars of time and bygone wars, it towered ominously over the rugged valley below.
In it’s heyday, the castle would have been a sight to behold. A towering monolith of Gothic spires and lofty palisades, but only now a grumbling shadow of its former glory; its walls blackened by the slow march of time and overgrown with moss.
However, even despite the remoteness of it, the efficacy of the Equestrian postal service knew no bounds, as a lone mailmare approached the the long stone bridge that spanned the gap over the valley. Nervously she approached the castle, practically shaking like a school filly. In her hoof she held a few letters and a newspaper designated for this address.
The air was deathly quiet as she approached, and the sky was overcast with thick dark clouds that bathed the landscape in darkness. However her fear soon got the best of her as she suddenly felt a gust of wind brush against her back. She squeaked and dropped the mail where she stood before she turned around and gallivanted away, leaving the scene once again vacant.
As the mailmare disappeared down the road, the doors to the castle slowly opened. A dark figure stepped out and proceeded down the stone causeway to where the mail had been dropped. Not even walking, almost gliding over the bridge, the figure scooped up the assortment of envelopes before coming to the newspaper. Flipping it over she untied the string that bound it and looked over the front page. On the front was a large header, “INTREPID YOUNG WIZARD ON THE RISE”, with a picture of a violet colored Unicorn Stallion and two others. However, what stood out most to the darkly shrouded pony was the little Pegasus that stood to the right of the Unicorn.
Her breath becoming soft and profound, the figure eyes the stallion with disbelief and amazement.
“At long last my love,” came a smooth, feminine voice. “You have returned to this world...”
It was Thursday and the time of the Exhibition would soon be upon them. As the morning carried out, he was just about done finishing packing the last of his personal belongings that he had dubbed necessary for the long trip ahead.
He was scheduled to meet Dusk and Barbara at the train station by eight that night and ride it until they reached Sweetland, then take a carriage for the final hurdle of their journey to the city of Geneighva, where the Exhibition was being held.
He sighed as he finished packing the last of his bags. However as he clamped it shut, he failed to hear the door of his room swing open as a figure stepped inside. Slowly approaching from behind, the grinning figure reached out with her hooves and pounced, wrapping them around the Pegasus’s head and covering his eyes.
“Guess who!” Came a feminine voice.
Butterscotch jumped at first, but mentally calmed hearing the familiar voice. “Blue Belle!” He cried excitedly as he turned around to face her.
There before him was the regal alabaster Unicorn mare he had known since childhood. She wore a regal scarlet and maroon trim gown that accentuated her body quite flatteringly with the long honey-golden locks her flowing mane elegantly pulled up into a bun and smiled warmly at him. “The one and only.” She chimed teasingly.
“I thought you weren’t going to be home for another month?” Asked Butterscotch.
Blue Belle shrugged and gave him a winking smile. “Nonsense! And miss another month spending time with my favorite little brother?”
It was then that Butterscotch’s smile dissipated, glancing back to his packed luggage. Blue Belle followed his gaze and spotted the stuffed suitcases stacked on his bed.
“Wait? Are you going somewhere?” She asked with obvious worry in her voice.
He nodded and let out a sigh. “I sent you a letter. The Exhibition in Geneighva is coming up and Dusk was invited to attend, and that means both Barbara and I have to go… I didn’t know you’d be home so soon… I’m sorry.”
Blue Belle could see the embarrassment and shyness creep over Butterscotch’s face, prompting her to reach out her hoof to comfort him. “It’s okay Butterscotch.” She reassured. “I must have left before the mail arrived.”
Butterscotch lowered his head and sighed.
“Oh come now Butters, it’s alright.” Blue Belle insisted. “I mean it’s not forever. I mean what is it? Three weeks? One week to get there, one week there, and one week back? I mean that’s not that bad.”
“It’s just I wish we could catch up a little bit you know?” Butterscotch replied.
Blue Belle let a tender smile trace across her lips. “Oh Butterscotch… still that little shy, apologetic colt papa brought home all those years ago. It will be okay. I mean this is really big. Papa would be so proud of you.”
Butterscotch looked up and smiled faintly. “You really think so?”
“I know so.” She replied. “If he were here now, he’d probably be the most proud father in all of Equestria.”
Butterscotch couldn’t help but blush. “Aww… thanks Blue. You always know how to cheer me up.”
The two shared a hug before they both exited the room and began to walk down the flight of stairs towards the estate’s main foyer.
“Hey! I have an idea.” Butterscotch exclaimed happily. “How about we go to that little restaurant papa used to take us too when were little and we can catch up a little before I have to head off to the train station?”
“That sounds delightful!” Blue Belle replied, giving him a light peck on the cheek. “I’ll go change into something more casual and then we can head out.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Butterscotch said trying to hide his blush. “I’ll call the carriage.”
“Great! I’ll be out in five minuets.” Blue Belle said as she hurried off to her room, leaving Butterscotch still blushing with a warm smile.
“Oh! Blue Belle!” He called out.
Blue Belle stopped just before her room and looked back at the little Pegasus. “Yeah Butters?” She replied.
With a warm and nodding smile he said, “I’m glad your home.”
Blue Belle smiled back and said. “I am too,” before ducking into her room to change while Butterscotch called for the carriage.
“Okay is that everything?” Dusk Shine asked as he and Barbara loaded up the last of their luggage onto the train with the help of one of the train’s conductors.
Lifting up the last of the suitcases, Barbara grunted in exhaustion as she handed it to stallion. “Yeah!” She gasped as she tried to catch her breath. “That’s the last of ours. Now all we need is Butterscotch.”
Glancing at his watch, Dusk nervously scanned the crowd for the Pegasus stallion. He bit his lip as the clock ticked closer towards the train's departure. “Oh where is he?” said Dusk. “If he doesn’t hurry he’s going to miss the train.”
Catching her breath, Barbara took a deep intake of air as she also scanned the crowd. “Wait! There he is!” She exclaimed, pointing towards the figures of Butterscotch and Blue Belle. “And there’s Blue Belle!”
The two of them quickly maneuvered through the bustling crowd, pardoning themselves when they accidently knocked into some of the other patrons.
“So sorry I’m late guys.” Butterscotch apologized as he caught his breath,”
“Yeah guys, we got a little caught in traffic on the way here.” Blue Belle added.
Dusk shook his hoof. “It’s alright guys. You made it here, that is what is important. Oh! And before we say anything else, it’s good to see you my Lady Blue Belle.”
“Yeah Blue!” Barbara added. “It’s been so long. When did you get back?”
“Just today.” Blue Belle replied. “Though I wish I could have gotten here sooner. I mean, I get home and you guys are rushing out the door!”
“I thought Butters sent you a letter?” Asked Barbara.
“She didn’t get it in time.” Butterscotch said as he handed the conductor his luggage. “Letter must of gotten to Trottingham after she had left.”
“Well that’s a shame.” said Dusk. “We could have all gone out to lunch.”
“Oh it’s alright guys.” Blue Belle reassured. “When you get back we can all catch up. Maybe we could even through a little party at the estate?”
“That sounds like fun.” said Barbara. It was then that the wailing sound of the train’s whistle sounded, ringing out loudly and alerting all passengers that the train was about to depart.
“All aboard!” Called the conductor as he climbed on the train.
“Oh! That’s our call!” said Dusk as he motioned towards the train. “We got to get going. It was so great to see you again Blue Belle. When we get back we’ll all catch up and share our stories of our travels.”
“It’s a deal!” Blue Belle called out as Dusk and Barbara hopped on the train. However before Butterscotch could follow them she stopped him by placing a hoof on his shoulder.
“Wait Butterscotch, I want to give you something.” She said reaching into her handbag.
Curious to what it might be, he watched her as she sifted through her bag and pulled out a small trinket that she then placed in his hoof. Glancing at it he instantly recognized it’s craftsmanship.
“Papa’s silver ring?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been carrying it with me while I was away, to remind me of my home and you. I want you to take it with you. To remind you of home, and of Papa and I. So if you ever are feeling lonely, you’ll have this to remind you that Papa and I will always be with you.”
Butterscotch stared at it for a moment, remembering when he was little and he had just arrived at his new home. He had been found as a baby by the constable on a stormy night and was brought to the city orphanage where he lived until he was three. That was when his Papa came and found him. He was a kind and generous stallion whom despite Butterscotch’s shyness, always managed to make him feel loved and at peace, adopting him and bringing him home to love with him and his young daughter Blue Belle.
“Thanks Blue.” He said pulling his adoptive sister into a warm hug.
She returned his hug and again gave him a light peck at the cheek. “Think nothing of it.” She said as the conductor again called out.
“Now go on then. Hurry your haunches.” She said with a smile.
Butterscotch nodded and tucked the ring into the pocket of his coat before hopping on the train and finding his seat next to Dusk and Barbara. He felt the train lurch forward as the wheels began to turn. Peering out his window she waved to Blue Belle as the train began to pull away. She waved back as steam began to billow out of the underside of the train, eventually obscuring both of their views.
Sighing a little, Butterscotch leaned back into the red leather of his seat and tried to relax. “Well here we go…” He whispered to himself as the train sped along out of the station.
The train jostled slightly as it sped on along the train tracks the dark forest, illuminated only by the pale light of the moon above.
The passengers had all retired to their bunks in the sleeping cart and had fallen fast asleep, dreaming sweet nothings as the train carried them to their destination. However, one of the passengers was having a much harder time getting a restful night then the others as he tossed and turned sporadically in his bunk.
Butterscotch panted as his brow trickled with sweat before he shot up gasping and nearly slamming his head into the ceiling of his bunk.
Realizing that he was still safely tucked into his bunk, Butterscotch collected himself as he recovered from horrid nightmare he had been having.
“Butterscotch?” Barbara whispered groggily from her bunk. “You okay?”
“Y-yeah… I’m fine…” Butterscotch lied.
“It’s those nightmares again isn’t it?”
Knowing he couldn’t deny it, he nodded in response.
“Same one?” Asked Barbara.
“Same one… I don’t understand it Barbs. No matter how fast I run… I can never get away… but why am I having the same nightmare over and over?”
Barbara shook her head while rubbing her tired eyes. “I don’t know Butters. Is there anything I could do to help you sleep?”
Butterscotch shook his head. “N-no… just go back to sleep Barbara. I’ll be fine. I’m just… I’m just going to look at the moon for a while.”
Letting out a long, boisterous yawn, Barbara laid her head back down on the softness of her pillow and nodded. “A-alright then… night.”
“Night Barb.” Butterscotch replied as he peered out his window. For the next few hours he simply watched at the nocturnal landscape unfolded before him. Rowling fields and hills of flowers, their colors dampened by the dim light of the evening.
For a split second he managed to spot two deer prancing through a grove of mulberry trees, a doe and a buck as the train sped by them. It was times like this that he wondered why he sometimes feared the night so much. It was calm and serene, with an otherworldly beauty that could entrance the hearts of many, and yet, was dark and mysterious at the same time.
Taking several long cleansing breaths, Butterscotch let the gentle moonlight bath over him, letting his limbs go limp and his heartbeat slow, letting the plush softness of his sheets take him as he slowly drifted back to sleep, only hopping that this time his dreams would be much more pleasant...
The journey that followed was relatively quiet and uneventful, with Butterscotch only suffering from one or two more night terrors as the days went by along the way towards Genieghva. Upon reaching the mountainous borders of Sweetland, the party of three disembarked from the railways to proceed on their way via carriage for the final hurdle of their trek. However whilst resting at a small village inn Dusk had come across a most peculiar and mysterious article in the newspaper.
Across the page it read in bold, dramatic lettering, “Ghost-Ship Arrives in Port; All Crew Missing!?” Apparently the night before, a schooner coming in from Germaneigh called the Lady Bird had arrived in port completely deserted, with the entire crew of twenty four, captain and first mate included, missing. On board, police discovered very little major clues to what might have happened, with the only significant items found being a gold locket with a picture of one of the sailors and his wife, a crate filled with dirt, and the captain’s log. In it he reports how his crew was slowly beginning to disappear one by one until it was only he and his first mate remaining before the final entry. Some witnesses reported seeing a large, black dog or wolf jump off the side of the railing as the ship pulled into port and ran off out of sight, but the police hadn’t thought much of it.
Dusk Shine was instantly intrigued by the mystery. I mean, a whole ship-full of fully grown stallion doesn’t simply vanish into thin air?! To which he spent the better half of the afternoon coming up with possible theories of what might have befallen the ill-fated schooner, ranging from haunted mist to possible inter-dimensional displacement while Butterscotch all the while tried to block out the mysterious, and honestly, frightening report from his mind. Honestly he’d much rather be enjoying the lush mountainous scenery then worrying of what terrible thing might have befallen those sailors. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, it was just he’d rather not think of what they might of went through.
The day went on relatively well, with Barbara securing them a decent carriage and driver for a very generous price, but things started to get a little rocky, no humor intended, as they set off into the mountains. Genieghva lay roughly thirty miles northeast of the town, on the shores of a small, picturesque lake that was fed annually by the glaciers that ran through the higher canyons of the mountain peaks. The thing was that the roads were particularly a hassle. Many being unpaved and treacherous as they hugged the cliff-faces and wound through the steep ravines.
It was a quarter past eight as they neared the outskirts of Genieghva, arriving within another mile or so. Luckily the terrain has evened out a bit, opening up into hilly woodlands that flanked them on both sides and gradually climbed up the misty mountain sides.
Glancing out the window, Butterscotch bit his lip as he looked out into the mist-covered forest. If he didn’t keep his wits about him he might have sworn he could see glowing eyes staring back at him from between the trees as they rode on.
“Ohh~! I’m so excited!” Dusk exclaimed in a very school-coltish fashion. Seriously, the closer they seemed to get to Genieghva, the more giddy the Unicorn seemed to become. “I mean so many brilliant minds all coming together! It’s like a dream come true!”
Barbara gave him an amused smirk as she shook her head, “Hold your horses big guy, no need to start getting all goofy before we even get there.” She said as she reached over to adjust his tie. “Besides, you're going to mess up your look if you start going all fan-boy on us.”
“Sorry,” Dusk said as his cheeks flushed with color. “It’s just I’ve been looking forward to this for so long.”
“Oh we know Dusk, there’s no need to be sorry.” Butterscotch interjected. “And don’t worry, we’re going to be right there to enjoy the moment with you.”
“Here's to that!” Barbara cheered.
“Thanks guys.” Dusk replied. “I mean, you two helped us get here as much as I did. I’m just glad we’re all here together for this.”
“Oh! Come here you big dork!” Barbara chuckled as she wrapped her arms around her good friend. Butterscotch followed suit and the three all embraced each other in joyful laughter. However their merriment was short lived as the felt the carriage suddenly come to a stop. “Whoa!” The stage coach called out as he slowed the carriage down.
Breaking the group hug, Dusk peeked his head out of the window and called up to the driver. “Hey, what’s the matter? Why have we stopped?”
The elderly stage coached looked back to him for a moment before pointing forward with his hoof toward a bend some ways ahead of them. “Trouble up ahead Sir.”
Following the driver’s hoof, Dusk peered down at the upcoming bend. As the road dipped and veered to the left, the violet Unicorn could see the large bulk of a carriage flipped over on its side resting along the bend. He could see the wheels still spinning but little sign of activity, but nevertheless, it was best they investigate. “Driver, pull up to them, they might be in real trouble.”
As the stagecoach pulled up along side the other carriage, both Barbara and Butterscotch peered out the window to get a look at what was going on. As they drew closer they could see two figures moving about the the overturned carriage; its luggage still strapped to its rear end and roof. One of them was a young stallion with a blue coat and dark blue mane who was dressed similarly to their driver, while the other one was a tall and slender Pegasus mare who held herself regally as they approached. From where Butterscotch could see she was young Pegasus of generous beauty and refinement, her coat a rich ash-grey with a long platinum-silver mane that draped down her neck in an almost too-perfect fashion as it daintily led the eyes from her collar bone towards the softness of her face. She wore a bright red dress that showed signs of expert craftsmanship and hugged her body generously. However, the thing that stood out most was her eyes. They were a rich, scarlet-ruby; like two orbs of dancing wildfire that locked his gaze firmly with hers as their eyes met, despite his first impulse to look down in embarrassment.
“Evening?” Dusk called out with concern. “Are you two in need of help?”
The mare turned to him as she heard his voice, “Oh, yes. Sadly I’m afraid so.” She said in a very soft, lilting voice. “My poor driver Archibald were making our way to the Exhibition in Genieghva when we struck a rock as we turned the bend. As you can see, it didn’t end to well.”
“Oh dear!” Butterscotch exclaimed. “Are either of you hurt?”
“Oh no dear,” she said as she flashed him with a tender smile. “We’re perfectly alright. Though, sadly I doubt we’ll be able to get this carriage up and going again in time to make it to the Exhibition.”
As soon as the first words escaped her lips, Butterscotch swore he felt his heart stop momentarily. That voice… that clear, silky voice… he had heard it before. No, it couldn’t be. His ears were twitching curiously as he analyzed they way she spoke and moved as haunted memories from his nightmares began to creep up from the back of his mind. Her voice sounded just like the shadowy figure’s, he swore to himself. But that was impossible, wasn’t it?
Dusk Shine meanwhile looked back at his companions who all gave him a nod of approval as they silently agreed on what to do next. They couldn’t very well leave them stranded now could they? Though, Barbara eyed the strange mare suspiciously. She couldn't tell why, but something about her just didn't seem right.
“Funny you should mention that.” Said Butterscotch. “We’re also heading to the Exhibition. We could give you a ride there if you’d like.”
“Oh? Would you?” She said batting the dark fans of her eyelashes. “I mean, I don’t want to impose.”
“No it’s perfectly alright!” Dusk reassured as he stepped out of the carriage. “I mean we have plenty of room in ours to spare. And besides, what kind of gentlecolt would leave such a lovely mare such as yourself stranded out in the middle of nowhere?”
With an almost filly-like blush, she let a small chuckle escape her lips. “Oh well that’s just too kind of you.”
Butterscotch, having followed Dusk’s example stepped out of the carriage, smiling awkwardly at the attractive Pegasus. She the meanwhile seemed to be particularly focused on him even though Dusk had been talking her directly. Butterscotch felt like his lungs grew heavier the more and more she looked him over, almost to the point where her gaze would provoke him to gasp for breath.
“Are you alright dear?” He heard he ask.
Realizing that he had been staring at her awkwardly, Butterscotch shook his head and chuckled nervously. “Oh! Sorry, I’m alright, just… this mountain air…”
“But Butterscotch, you’re a Pegasus.” Barbara interjected. “You should be used to high altitude air?”
Butterscotch shot a glare at the little dragoness as his cheeks flushed with color, a glare that simply said, ‘Not now Barbara’, soliciting a winking grin from the dragon.
The mare gave a little chuckle in return, placing her hoof to her lips politely. “Butterscotch… that’s a handsome name. Rolls of the tongue… wouldn’t you agree dearest Archibald?”
“Indeed ma’am.” The sullen-eyed stallion replied in a monotone voice.
“What’s your name by the way?” Dusk inquired.
With a proud smile she looked at the violet Unicorn and said, “I am the Lady Erzsebet Ondrushko good Sir. But please, call me Eris. It’s much easier to say.”
Lifting up her hoof daintily, she offered it to the two stallions. Dusk, who was nearest to her took the offer first, taking her hoof in his and politely kissed it in the traditional manner. Butterscotch followed shortly after, but only after some nervous hesitation. Taking her hoof in his, he laid his lips down on her wrist blushingly. “It’s.. g-good to meet you, E-Eris.”
As he rose back up, his eyes again met the with ruby-red of her’s, catching him a bit off guard. “The pleasure is mutual,” she replied. “Butterscotch…”
“Dusk?” Barbara called. “Can I speak with you for a second?”
Looking back at Barbara, who had remained in the carriage, he nodded trotted over to her. “Excuse me for a second.” He called back to Eris before turning to face his trusty assistant. “What’s up Barb? Is something the matter?”
She gave him and bemused expression before darting her eyes back towards the strange mare. “Doesn’t this seem a little… strange?”
“Strange?” Said Dusk. “What do you mean?”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Really? Pretty mare with eyelashes for days and swaying hips just stranded in the middle of nowhere? That doesn’t sound suspicious to you at all?”
He thought it over for a second and he had to admit, she did have a point. This was unfamiliar territory and who knew what could happen in such remote areas.
“I mean, what if this is all just a trap set up by bandits?” Barbara added. Plus, I know the road isn’t great, but I didn’t see any big rocks that could possibly overturn and whole carriage.”
“Well… they could have been speeding? That may have done it?”
She shook her head. “All I’m saying is that we may need to be careful. We don’t know who they are.”
Dusk nodded as Barbara’s reasoning won out. Turning back he rejoined the others and dressed his lips with a pleasant smile. “Well, I’m sure we could give you a ride. I think we have enough space for the two of you, but please, if you don’t mind me asking, why is it that you’re going to the Exhibition?”
Eris looked a little taken back by the question.
“I don’t want to intrude but~”
“Oh don’t worry about it dear Sir,” she said with a lighthearted chuckle. “I don’t mind. You see I’ve made some donations to the academic fields of science and the arcane, so I’m simply going to help participate in the celebration of the progress of knowledge.”
“Oh! Well… that… that’s quite generous of you.” Dusk managed.
“I try.” Eris replied. “Archibald could you please be a dear and help me load up the essentials? We can send the constable back out here later to fetch the rest.”
“Right away Ma’am.” The stallion said as he carried three large suitcases over to the carriage, loading them on along with the rest of the luggage.
“Do you need any help with that?” Butterscotch asked.
“Oh don’t worry about him,” said Eris. “Archibald likes to deal with things himself.”
Despite feeling uncomfortable about the situation, Barbara could tell that time was running thin for them as she checked her pocket watch. “Hey guys, we need to get a move on! Otherwise none of us will get to the Exhibition on time!”
“Oh! Oh goodness!” Dusk exclaimed in a sudden panic. “Barbs right! We need to get this show on the road.”
“Well let’s get moving shall we!?” Eris added.
With a hurried step in their pace, they all piled into the carriage with Dusk and Barbara sitting on one side while Butterscotch sat beside Eris with Archibald climbing onto the back platform.
“Onward driver!” Dusk called, prompting the carriage to continue of its journey.
The carriage rode swiftly down the winding road, it’s wheels turning and jostling with the extra weight that had been added to it. The passengers sat quietly for the most part as they continued, with Eris simply closing her eyes and leaning back into softness of the seat as she smiled to herself. Butterscotch meanwhile kept his eyes down towards his hooves, trying not to focus on the extra company that had joined them, however, despite his best efforts, he would occasionally look up to steal fleeting glances at the mare, and it began even more difficult when she began glancing back at him.
“I have to say,” she spoke finally. “I can’t thank you gentlecolts enough for this.”
“It’s… it’s nothing,” Butterscotch replied. “Think nothing of it, it-it’s no big deal.”
“Oh but it is!” Eris exclaimed as she placed her hoof over her breast. “You three are truly my knights in shining armor right now. I simply must repay you!”
“Oh, that’s very kind of you Eris,” said Dusk. “But there’s no need for~”
“Ah tut tut!” Eris interrupted. “I don’t want to hear a word of it. I’ve made up my mind. I have to repay you for your kindness, otherwise what kind of Lady would I be?”
“That’s… that’s generous of you.” Butterscotch said with slight bow of his head.
“Think nothing of it dearest.” She said with a wink. “It’s not much, but if you gentlecolts would like a place to stay while the Exhibition is going on, I have plenty of room at my Villa. I recently bought it not to long ago. It’s outside of Genieghva by a beautiful little lake. A little scene home away from home.”
“My goodness that’s awfully generous of you.” said Dusk.
“A little too generous if you ask me.” Barbara said, muttering under her breath.
Eris giggled as she casually dismissed Dusk’s statement. “Oh please, Sir Dusk, It’s the least I can do.”
“Where is home anyway?”
“East.” said Eris. “Droll mountainous country. Nothing really spectacular… I won’t bore you with it.”
Dusk looked between his two companions, silently asking them if they approved. Butterscotch shrugged nervously, not wanting to be rude about the kind offer, while Barbara was still quite skeptical of the whole situation, but begrudgingly nodded in approval.
“I… I suppose we could take you up on your offer.”
“Then it’s settled!” Eris cheered. “Oh this will be just wonderful! After the Exhibition we’ll head right on over and we can get you guys settled in and enjoy a big meal! Then we can all~ ow!”
She let out a wince of pain as her eyes squinted suddenly from irritation. Rubbing her eye tenderly she felt a sudden jolt of pain shoot through her as out of the corner of her eye she spotted something glistening in the dim light of the carriage. Taking a closer look she could see around Butterscotch’s neck, hung a polished band of silver…
The night proceeded with little more interruption or complication, with the three original comrades and their plus one arriving in Geneighva luckily on time enough to make it ahead of several other carriages that had come to attend the Exhibition.
The city itself was a masterwork of architecture and cultural extravagance, with broad paved roads, ornate shingled rooftops, windows and moldings, with the walls both possessing gleaming polish and rusting charm all at once; equaling and even perhaps rivaling the Equestrian capital itself, with its grand buildings and ornate statues and gardens, illuminated by golden lamps as the day ceased and the oncoming wall of night took over.
As they arrived at the Exhibition, the group was met with an awe striking sight; a vast soiree of mares and stallions of every background and field congregated into a large building built of white marble and mountain stone. For most of the year the spacious, almost warehouse like structure sat empty, cared for by a legion of janitors and maintenance ponies. However during weeks of the grand fairs and exhibitions, the massive, glass domed hall became a roaring become of light, noise and intellectual expression; and absolute dream come true for the young Dusk Shine.
“Oh goodness, we’re actually here!” Dusk Shine cheered quietly, restraining himself from going full on overjoyed schoolcolt for the sake of his friends, the other ponies outside, and for the sake of their new female companion.
“That’s right Dusky, we’re here.” Barbara said teasingly with a grin as she patted him on the back. “And not a moment too late or to soon I would say.”
“Indeed.” Eris commented with a relaxed grin; her crimson eyes half lidded and striking, “I would appear that the line hasn’t yet fulling filled up. Lucky us indeed.”
As the carriage pulled up and stopped at the foot of the marble staircase that led up to the grand entrance, a young colt dressed in an ornate uniform hopped over and swiftly opened the carriage door with a bow of his head. “Welcome all!” He said cheerfully.
“Hello there!” Dusk replied excitedly. We’re not late are we?”
“No no, not at all!” The colt replied. “You’re just in time sir. Just proceed up the steps and you’ll be instructed from there.”
Dusk felt his lips curl into a distorted, almost euphoric and stupid grin as his breath became caught in throat. “Barbara?” Dusk said straining. “Pinch me so I know I’m not dreaming!”
Barbara chuckled in her throat and shook her head. “Oh come on Dusk! Just move your flanks!” She said as she playfully shoved exasperated stallion out of the carriage and onto the landing of the stairs. Oh Solaris, always that little schoolcolt at heart, she thought to herself.
The rest followed suit, with Barbara exiting the carriage just after Dusk, followed by Butterscotch, until only Eris remained seated in the wheeled vessel. “Butterscotch?”
The little cream-colored stallion’s ears perked up and swiveled as the feminine voice reached them, causing him to pause and look back at the lovely mare. “Um… uh… y-yes? Yes Eris?” He replied with a smile.
She returned his warm grin and held out her hoof to him, blushing slightly. “Could you please help me out of the carriage?”
“Oh! Yes! Yes of course!” Butterscotch answered hurriedly, realizing his ungeltcolt-like behavior. “Sorry about that, I should have offered my hoof.” He said taking her hoof in his.
Their hooves now interlocked, the regal mare gracefully exited the carriage, lifting up her gown with her spare hoof as she took in the cooling freshness of the night are. “Oh my dearest Butterscotch! Please, don’t put yourself down! You have positively nothing to be sorry about silly.” She said playfully. “Although… would you mind doing me an insty tinsty little favor and… walk me in please?”
The way she spoke was heavy and rich with character; positively dripping with playfulness and tender prowess that made Butterscotch both delighted and farouche at the same time.
He swallowed nervously as she held out her arm, elbow bent and inviting, “Oh… uh… y-yes, if you like?”
“Oh yes… yes I most certainly would.” She replied, locking forelegs with him as they proceeded up the stairs and into the grand hall; Butterscotch’s face as red as Eris’s gown.
What followed after that was an overloaded mixture of high society and scientific revelation that culminated into a erratic mess of one particularly purple Unicorn stallion who whilst between mingling with his fellow academic and arcane minds, goggled and gawked with wonder at the many displays that abounded in the vast hall.
Such renovations in the fields of magic and science! Like for example actually harnessing the power of love from others casually and without harm to the pony, infusing it into crystals for use in creating electricity and heat! Another being a way to distort space so that the interior of objects could be expanded larger than their outer proportions! Though he didn’t understand why they chose a telephone booth of all things to demonstrate it with.
Nevertheless the night went smoothly and with little interruption. However, as the night drew on and the clock closed in on midnight, the raucous laughter and activity began to diminish as mares and stallions alike retired to their respected pavilions.
Dusk Shine and his company were among the last of the participants present as the grand opening night of the Exhibition drew to a close, and while both Butterscotch and Barbara were practically falling asleep as they stood, the eccentric and bright Unicorn was still running at full gear. It was getting to the point where they were starting to honestly consider dragging him out by his hooves. However, they found that such action would not be needed, as Eris caught his attention, tapping him on the shoulder and breaking his gawking for the first time in the whole evening.
“Dear Sir Dusk,” She addressed him politely with with a tender smile. “I’m very sure that you’re having the time of your life, but I think it’s about time we retire for the night.”
He hesitated for a moment to look at the clock, seeing that it was very well past midnight. “Oh! Ah… I… I guess the time just got away from me.” He said, nervously rubbing the back of his head.
“I’ll say!” Barbara exclaimed. “I need my beauty sleep Dusk!”
“Aww Barbyahhh!” Butterscotch yawned sleepily, the little Pegasus obviously exhausted, “You're just grumpy right-t n’nooww…”
Barbara snorted snorted, crossing her arms and let a disgruntled pout creep over her scaly lips. “I’m tired okay?”
Dusk shook his head. “I’m sorry Bard. I’ll make it up to you okay? I’ll make you some fire-ruby pancakes tomorrow.”
“Now now gentlecolts,” Eris interjected. “All in good time. But now, what’s say we all call it a night and retire to my villa, eh?”
“That sounds wonderful.” Butterscotch replied with a tired smile; and so with that the party of four departed the grand hall of the Exhibition, setting out towards the aforementioned lake-side villa that Eris had so generously offered as a place for them to rest during the next few days of their excursion to the tranquil city.
Under Eris’s direction, they proceeded in their carriage along a winding road that lead just outside of the city proper, through a small grove of mountain pine and to the quiet shores of a small lake, which the road followed until reaching a bridge that led across it, where on the opposite bank resided their destination.
Despite the pitch-blackness of the night, they could still make out the building quite clearly. It was a two story high structure with plaster walls that showed sign of repair, along with a red shingled roof top, and crown molding around the entrance way and large oval windows that looked over the lake; possibly a mid 16th century country home judging from the architecture and obvious wear on the building, Dusk concluded.
“Well, here we are!” Eris proclaimed in a sing-song tone. “Now I know it’s a bit umm… rustic, but I promise you it’s much nicer on the inside. I sent my contractors out and had them completely renovate and furnish it.”
“It looks lovely Eris.” Butterscotch complemented as they unloaded the carriage. “Just… I just have to thank you so much for letting us stay here while the Exhibition is going on.”
“Butterscotch, Butterscocth,” Eris said shaking her head and wrapping her hoof around the Pegasus’s shoulders, pulling him against her. “I told you think nothing of it. It’s the least I can do for such strong strapping young stallions like yourself coming to my rescue.”
Butterscotch felt his cheeks begin to heat up again at the complement. As the night had continued, he had begun to notice the routine affection and compliments he receives from the mysterious mare, usually in reference to his kindness of physical prowess, which always succeeded in sending his him becoming tremendously embarrassed and flattered all at the same time. However the real question was why she was doing it in the first place? She had been courteous and kind to the others, but with him she seemed to be more so fixated upon, which made him feel a little reserved the more and more she did so.
“Why does she keep being so… affectionate towards me?” He thought to himself, having trouble admitting to himself that it was affection he was receiving. It wasn’t like he never received affection, but she was still relatively a stranger. It just a little… odd.
In any case, they made haste in getting inside, where the warm promise of a soft bed and decent night’s sleep resided. Archibald, whom had been riding in the back of the carriage dutifully sprung to his hooves and ran over to the large dark cedar door and held it open for Eris and her company.
Inside the villa was completely dark; no candles or lanterns whatsoever lighting the way, with the only light being the light of the pale moon as it shone through the oval windows and cast awkward shadows on the interior.
“Miss Barbara? Sir Dusk?” said Eris, “I’m sorry but I don’t have that many rooms fully prepared yet, would you mind sharing a room for now?”
“Oh no, I think that will be fine.” Dusk replied as Barbara snored unconsciously, draped over the Unicorn’s back.
“Excellent! Your room is right down here!” She said, leading them down a long hallway toward the farthest door. Meanwhile, Butterscotch followed them keeping close behind them to make sure he didn’t get lost in the seemingly endless maze of hallways, however he was stopped by Eris as they came too two diverging hallways.
“Butterscotch, dear?” she said pointing down the opposite hallway. “Your bedroom will be down there. You just go on ahead. I’ll meet you there in just a minute.”
Butterscotch didn’t say anything, only nodded as he watched his friend’s escorted to their chambers before he peered down the dimly lit hallway. Slowly, he proceeded down it, taking note of the crown molding and hardwood floors as he made his way to the designated door of his room.
Pressing his hoof against the doorway, he pushed it open slowly; the door creaking as it’s weight bared down on it’s hinges. Stepping inside he found the bedchamber of be of modest size and width, with a large canopied bed with mahogany bed frame placed next to a large window that allowed large amounts of moonlight in. Next to the bed was a small bedside table where a single, unlit candle stood beside a box of matches.
Taking the initiative, he trotted over to the bed-stand and retrieved one of the matches, striking it along the side of the box and illuminating the room in a dull, auburn flame as he lit the candle.
Waving the smoldering match back and forth he looked over the bed more carefully now that he could see it a lot better. It was a large Queen sized mattress, dressed in maroon and golden sheets and covers that shown brightly in the candle light. Placing a hoof on the fabric, he took in how soft it felt; a warm little nest to curl up in and be at peace...
“Like it?” A sudden feminine voice asked from the darkness of the hall.
Butterscotch jumped in surprise and whirled around to see the figure of Eris standing there in his doorway; the flickering light of the candle highlighting her slender face. “Uhh… y-yess, yes. It’s wonderful.”
She smiled as she entered the room; her shadow dancing across the room. “I’m glad to hear.” She said as she slipped over to his side. “Won’t you climb in?”
Butterscotch hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting back and forth between the bed and his hostess before he nervously nodded and undid the clovers. He waited to see if she would step out of the room so that he could change into his nightgown, but she wasn’t budging an inch even as the stallion’s coat and other garments were tossed aside.
Nervously not trying to make eye contact as he slipped into his night-garments, he then crawled into the sheets and pulled them up over her body, resting his head on the velvet of the pillow.
“Do you need anything to help you sleep?” She asked kindly as she adjusted the covers, pulling them up to cover his torso.
He shook his head. “Um… no.. no thank you, I’m fine. Thank you though.”
“Alright then.” She looked a bit sad as she heard his answer. “Well if you do need anything… just give I or Archibald a ring okay?”
He nodded silently before covering his mouth to dampen a long yawn. “Thank you Eris…” He said through a sleepy yet genuine smile.
“You must be so tired… you rest now alright?”
Again he nodded, with her then rising to her hooves and walking out of the room, partially closing the door behind her as she went.
“Eris?” Butterscotch called out before she could shut the door. Her eyes perked up and turned to him before the rest of her did, her eyes glancing at him with curiosity.
“Yes?”
“Thank you for being so kind to us…”
She smiled in response; an auburn glimmer showing in her eyes, “Sleep well, dear Butterscotch.”
Sleep then came suddenly and heavily upon the stallion, his head falling back into his pillow with a thwamp! Almost as if he had spontaneously fell unconscious…
“Oh my dearest Butterscotch…” Eris purred as she blew out the candle, returning the room to the darkness and the paleness of the moonlight.
As the pale moon light streamed into the room, as if it was a small river of silvery light through the dark curtains as they fluttered delicately in the soft breeze, washing over the slumbering figure of Butterscotch. He laid there motionless on his side, the soft covers draped over his body, shifting ever so slightly with the rising and falling of his chest.
The air was still in the dark room, the only noise being the soft breaths of the sleeping stallion. However, that quickly changed as he began to stir.
Shifting nervously in his bed, the cream-colored Pegasus’s eyes slowly fluttered open and blinked rapidly as his slumber was broken. Raising a hoof to the ridge of his snout, he let out a small groan as he propped himself up with his elbow, taking in a deep cleansing breath.
“Ohhh… wha?” He muttered.
Looking about the room, he found it to be exactly how he had last seen it before retiring for the night. The door was shut, the curtains were drawn and the candle extinguished by his bedside. However… something was off.
He couldn’t very well explain it to himself, but something was amiss. “H-hello?” He asked softly as his eyes scanned the dimness of the room.
“Is anypony there?”
Inside him, he truly wished that nopony would answer, but that hope was soon shattered as a small noise began to creep into his ears. It began as a soft murmur, like a whisper, but it quickly began to grow louder, louder, until it filled his ears and prodded at his eardrums.
His breath grew more rapid as the whispers overtook his ears; a light sweat quickly beginning to form on his brow. “Hello? Hello?” He called as he clutched his sheets. “Dusk? Barb? If this is some kind of joke it’s not funny…”
His heart beat wildly in his chest, sending his blood coursing through his body rich in adrenaline, preparing him to either fight or flight to whatever this intrusion might be. He would have dived out the window if he could, but was frozen still as a new sound entered his ears; the sound of footsteps. Footsteps from down the hall, heading towards his room.
“W-who? Who’s there?” He squeaked in a hushed tone, his eyes fixated on the door. His heart pounding like drum in rhythm of the oncoming footsteps. Each one growing closer, and closer, and closer!
Until finally it reached the door.
Butterscotch held his breath, his eyes wide and his body shaking.
Suddenly, the door flew open with a loud thwamp as it slammed against the wall, prompting the stallion to cower under his sheets, for fear of what might be standing in the doorway.
Once again, all was silent.
Butterscotch remained beneath his covers for several more minutes, waiting for something to happen. For something to grab him and rip him out of his bed, but it never came.
He felt his breath steadying as each moment went by, curiosity slowly creeping over him of what could it possibly be that had entered his room unannounced. Perhaps it wasn’t even anything at all? Maybe it was just his mind playing tricks on him?
There was only one way to find out…
Slowly, Butterscotch peeked his head out from his covers.
Now what was that expression? Curiosity killed the cat? Because it would have seemed that that was all too real the situation as the cyan blue of Butterscotch’s eyes were met with the vivid vermilion of his late night visitor.
There, looming over his bed like a thunderstorm was the shadowy figure of what appeared to be a massive feline; it’s eyes glowing a rich auburn red with white fangs dripping saliva and staring down at the now mortified Pegasus.
His muscles tensed and his lip quivered as the monstrous thing loomed over him; its eyes penetrating his very soul and filling it with dread. He wanted to run, to scream, but he couldn’t; seemingly unable to move as the great cat, it’s coat as black as a Stygian night, bared its fangs and lunged forward, wrapping its gaping jaws around his throat.
He felt tears well up from his eyes as hot fire burned from his jugular; the light quickly leaving his eyes, leaving only darkness in it’s place.
Butterscotch gasped as he shot up out of his bed, his hooves rushing straight up to his throat. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as his lungs ached with pain; his breath shaky and uneven.
“Wha? What?!” He stammered as he looked around frantically, but finding the room empty.
Streaming through the partially opened curtains, he could see pale light casting itself across the hardwood of the floor. Reaching over, he parted them and let the light flood the room.
Outside he could see that it was well into the morning, as the mountains and lake side were clearly visible. However, instead of the sun lighting up the sky with brilliant light and serene blue, a thick cloud cover hung heavy above the mountain peaks, dimming the light ever so slightly as if rain was about to fall.
How long had he’d overslept?
Catching his breath, he pulled the covered off his body and sat upon the edge of the mattress. Another nightmare? How long were these going to plague him?! But they seemed so real…
He lifted his hoof again to his throat, the memory of the burning sting of the beast’s fangs still fresh in his memory.
No… it couldn't be. Could it?
His attention turned to his dresser, which had a mirror mounted atop it.
Slowly and with great hesitation, he flapped his wings and approached it; a mixture of fear and curiosity burning in his eyes.
Gulping down the collecting saliva on his tongue, he peered into the mirror took a breath; tilting his head to the side to inspect his jugular. However, on both sides to his great relief he found nothing.
“It was just a dream…” he said quietly to himself before there came a knock at his door, causing him to jump.
“Butterscotch?” Came a familiar voice from behind the door.
The stallion in question, who had perched himself atop his dresser gasped in relief at hearing the voice and quickly climbed down. “Barbara? Y-yes? Come in?”
He watched as the handle turned and the door slowly swung on it’s hinges, followed by the round face of his dragoness friend peering in with curiosity.
“Oh good, you're up?” She said. “There’s breakfast waiting for you in the dining hall.”
Upon hearing the mentioning of food, it quickly dawned on him just how hungry he actually was, as his stomach gurgled and ached with hollowness, the need for a satisfying meal becoming very prevalent.
“Oh... okay then, thank you." he replied. "Let me get dressed and I'll be there in just a minute…
Barbara could tell something was up with Butterscotch. She could hear the nervous jittering tone in his voice and the evidence of perspiration condensated across his cream-coat and rosé mane. The same look he always had after a long and night terror filled slumber
“You alright Butters?” She inquired, despite knowing full well what troubled him. “You look a little shaken up?
“I’m… I’m alright Barbara.” Butterscotch replied. “Just… a rough night.”
Barbara nodded in understanding. “Well… there’s a hot cup of tea and biscuits waiting for you in the dining hall, Dusk and Lady Eris are already down there.”
Butterscotch nodded as he began to slip on his more regular attire, combing through his troubled mane and trying to make himself look presentable. “Thank you Barb. Just start without me, I’ll be down in a second.” He said with a smile.
Barbara paused for a moment before she gave in to Butterscotch's insistence. “Alright then… see you then.”
She didn’t really want to leave him, she would have preferred if Butterscotch would have just simply come out and told her what had happened, but wanting to respect his wishes, she turned and closed the door behind her before heading back down towards the dining hall to await his arrival.
As he heard the door click, Butterscotch let out a sigh of relief, letting his head hang from his shoulders before looking back into the mirror.
“What did papa always tell me?” He said to himself reassuringly. “Cancel, cancel, cancel. What scares me, don’t think about it, don’t let it have power. Cancel, cancel, cancel.”
With that, he gathered up his things and straightened out his coat, preparing to make his way to the dining table to join his companions and the generous Lady Eris who had offered her home to them.
“Only good comes to me.” He said to himself, channeling the advice of his papa to surround himself in good aura.
With that, he turned and trotted to the door, letting a confident smile spread across his lips. It was a new day, and he was among friends, what did he have to be afraid of?
After a bit of exploration, with Butterscotch having taken a few wrong turns, his nose eventually led him towards the occupied dining room where a fresh and tantalizingly delicious smelling assortment of breakfast cuisines. He could feel his stomach growling as he eyed the table as Archibald set down a fresh tray of sesame seed bagels, not even noticing the eyes that were on him.
“Oh Butterscotch, you’ve arrived.” Eris said in her velvety voice, bringing the stallion back to reality.
“You had us a bit worried.” She chuckled playfully. “You were asleep so long, I was starting to worry that we’d have to bring back from the grave.”
Butterscotch couldn’t help but laugh at that, even if he was a bit flustered by it. “Oh no, no need for that I assure you.” He replied with a friendly chuckle. “Just… had a bit of rough night…”
Both Dusk and Barbara exchanged knowing glances and let a silent sigh pass between them. ‘Nightmares again’, they said silently to each other.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear,” Eris said with an honest voice. “But please… please come eat. Everything is fresh and waiting for your consumption.”
Butterscotch nodded and thanked her, taking the nearest available seat, which just so happened to be next to the generous noble mare.
Happily he served himself a decent sized helping of sesame seed bagels, buttered toast, eggs and piping hot green tea, forming a well balanced breakfast if he did say himself. Putting a bit of the egg on the toast he brought it to his lips and bit down, letting the flavor wash over his tongue; it was absolutely scrumptious!
“This is really good, Eris.” He said after swallowing.
She smiled and bat her eyes, leaning over the table and propping herself up on her shoulders as she toyed with a spoon. “I’m glad you like it. Archibald is quite the cook.”
Butterscotch looked down at her empty plate curiously. “Aren’t you going to have any?” He asked politely.
She shook her head, “No, don’t worry about me.” She replied. “I ate a little earlier… also had a bit of a midnight snack last night… besides… I’m trying to save my appetite for something extra special. But please, eat up, don’t want any of this to go to waste no do we?”
Butterscotch shook his head in agreement. “N-no… we wouldn’t…”
“You know Eris,” Dusk Shine interjected. “This house is quite spectacular. The architecture is exquisite. I mean the crown molding and carpentry, for a old villa this is quite the splendid retreat from home.”
“Ah well, yes, indeed, quite splendid.” Said Eris, barely even making eye contact with Dusk, causing Barbara to raise an eyebrow.
Dusk glanced towards Barbara looking a bit confused, looking back and forth between the dragoness and the mare before he continued. “Y-yyess…. Well, I was wondering, do you have a library? I’d love to get some reading in for the day if you don’t mind?”
“Oh yes, of course,” replied Eris. “Down the hall and it’s the third door down. You can’t miss it.”
“Wonderful!” Dusk exclaimed with glee.
“I’ll be down by the lake…” Barbara added as she finished her meal and hopped out of her seat. “I need some fresh air. You want to come with me Butterscotch?”
At first Butterscotch wanted to instantly to say yes, to go down to lakeside and enjoy the crisp morning, but before he could open his mouth to reply, a sudden urge fell over him to stay inside, practically keeping him planted in his seat. “Um… no, no you go on ahead Barb.” He said apologetically. “I’m just going to… kick back and relax a little inside.”
Barbara and Dusk looked at Butterscotch curiously, both feeling very surprised that the Pegasus stallion would turn down an opportunity to go out and enjoy nature.
“Really?” Barbara asked in disbelief. “You alright Butters? This is a little unlike you?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Butterscotch reassured. “I just… need to rest a little. Still a little sleepy.”
The two companions looked to each other, almost wishfully hoping that the other had some kind of explanation to the stallion’s uncharacteristic behavior, but they could read in each others eyes rather bluntly that neight of them had such information.
“Well… alright then.” Barbara replied finally as she and Dusk slowly made towards the door. “I suppose I’ll see you around then?”
“Yeah! Yes, of course,” said Butterscotch. “I’ll catch you guys later.”
“Don’t worry,” Eris interjected as the Unicorn stallion and dragoness departed. “I’ll make sure he’ll have plenty of company.”
There was something in how she said that not only rubbed the already uneased Barbara wrong, but now even Dusk was beginning to pick up on the noble mare’s strange tone.
“That’s what worries me…” Barbara said under her breath as she exited the room, leaving Butterscotch alone with their mysterious hostess.
There was an awkward silence that gripped the room as they left, with Eris just a few feet away and still toying with the silverware, her eyes more then often wandering over to Butterscotch and accompanied by her signature soft yet perplexed smile that hadn't failed yet to cause the stallion’s cheeks to flush with color.
Butterscotch meanwhile tried his best to not make eye contact, almost forcefully darting his eyes around the dining room trying to find something to captivate himself with to distract himself from the mare’s heated gaze.
“My dearest Butterscotch, do you have a fever?” Eris inquired. “You're turning red, and is that sweat on your brow? I do hope you're not falling ill?”
Turning his head to face her, he found his lips had seemingly gone dry as he tried to come up with an explanation from his vermilion coloration.
“Oh! No no! I’m alright, no need to worry.” He said with a nervous chuckle before letting his mild laughter die, letting a sigh escape his lips.
“I’m sorry Eris… I just… can I ask you something?”
She looked at him with a confused and curious expression. “Oh? Yes, of course my dear? Does something trouble you?”
“Well… yes and no.” He said finally. “I just… oh never mind it. It’s probably just in my head. I’m probably still shaken up from last night.”
Eris looked at him with understanding. “Of course my dear,” she said. “I do hope your not to shaken up to enjoy the day?”
“Oh, I’ll… I’ll be fine. Just need some hot tea and I’ll be right as rain.” Butterscotch reassured, reaching over to his cup and sipping at the freshly brewed concoction. He let the flavor settle on his taste buds for a moment before swallowing it down, but as he finished it off, he felt the call of nature signal to his body it was time to seek out the nearest laboratory.
“Oh um, Eris? Where was the restroom again?” He asked as politely as possible.
She simply smiled and said, “Down the hall and take a right. It will be the second to last door.” And with that, she rose from her seat and bowed her head. “You’ll have to excuse me also, there is something that I must attend to. I’ll come find you afterwards.”
Softly, Butterscotch smiled and gave her a nod, hopping off his seat and heading down the hall as she had directed.
After he had finished relieving himself and washed his hooves accordingly, he made his way back towards the dining hall in search of Eris, however, as he came to large eating area he found her to be nowhere to be seen. But never the matter, she did say she’d come find him once she was done with… well whatever it was she said she had to attend too.
Letting his inquisitive side get the better of him, he left the dining hall and proceeded to casually stroll down the hallway, his hooves clicking against the hard, dark wood floor as he observed the architecture. The ceiling was rather high, which would easily allow any Pegasus a comfortable amount of air space to get around in; with brace paneling decorating it, allowing with floral crown molding that had even been painted to resemble vibrant spring blooms.
However, as he neared the end of the hallway, he was greeted by a large doorway to his right that had been left partially open. He could feel a cool breeze blowing in through the cracked door; perhaps somepony had left a window open?
Raising his hoof, he placed it on the door side and pushed it open, revealing inside a large parlor room. Stepping inside he was greeted with a wondrous scene; all around the room where brilliant tapestries, statues, buttresses and paintings that, due to his work along side Dusk and Barbara, noted that they were of medieval fashion, possibly 15th or 14th century. However, his attention was diverted as another cold breeze bathed over his muzzle; his eyes darting to an open window and the far side of room.
Trotting over to the window, he promptly closed it and turned the latch to lock it down. “Wonder who left that open.” He said to himself as he stood back; his attention slowly turning to his other surroundings.
About the room he could see much more clearly the medieval art pieces that he had glimpsed as he had entered. Despite their brilliance and master craftsmanship, they seemed to be worn, with many of the once vivid colors faded into duller hues, but no doubt he’d suspect Dusk would have a field day here.
As he when about the room curiously investigating each piece and taking note of their details, he came across a large oil painting that had been hung over the mantelpiece. Unlike the rest, which seemed to have gathered a great deal of dust; subsequently losing their luster, this piece was well kept and still shown with vibrant color as if it had been painted yesterday. In it, it showed a single Pegasus stallion dressed in 14th century Eastern Equestrian garb posing beside a lake shore, his expression gentle but indecisive.
However that wasn’t what had caught his eye. Instead, as he gazed upon the stallion, he came to a stunning and almost frightful realization; that the stallion’s face was basically identical to his own. Almost as if he were staring into a mirror.
He felt his heart beat a little slower as he gazed on the painting as a strange sensation formed in his gut, churning with uncertainty; it was both fascinating and unsettling, like a lost memory that had faded into the back of his mind but traces of it could still be felt, nagging at his heart and consciousness.
It was like a song. A song he had forgotten so long ago in the dim recesses of his youth, that if he just… listened to… closely… enough...
“Dancing bears… painted wings.
Things I almost remember,
And a song someone sings,
Once upon a December.”
The words came without sense or reason, conveyed only on his breath as his lungs took in and expelled the air; the words and melody filling his body and flowing out like a river...
“Someone holds me safe and warm,
Ponies prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully,
Across my memory!”
It was as if a great barrier had burst within him; an overwhelming sense of joy and power surged through him with an almost euphoric effect, the song growing within him, only to be released and given life by his soprano voice, which filled the room with an almost dream like aura.
“Far away, long ago,
Glowing dim as an ember.
Things my heart used to know,
Once upon a December.”
“Someone holds me safe and warm,
Ponies prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully,
Across my memory!”
“Far away, long ago,
Glowing dim as an ember.
Things my heart used to know,
Things it yearns to remember…”
“And a song someone sings...
Once upon a December…”
“Having fun?” Came a foreign voice, causing Butterscotch to jump in surprise and whirl around only to find the ruby-red eyes of Eris staring back at him from the parlor door way.
“Eris!?” Butterscotch exclaimed, feeling very embarrassed about being caught singing to himself. “Oh, um… I’m sorry, was I too loud? I just~”
“Shh…” She said, placing a hoof on his lips. “It’s okay Butterscotch. No need to be embarrassed. You sounded beautiful.”
There was pure honesty in her vermilion eyes and velvety voice that just seemed to quell the self induced panic he had felt buzzing in his chest.
“Oh… um… thank you.” He said finally.
“Well it is the truth my dear… I see you’ve discovered my little art collection?”
“Uh, yes well, there was a window open and i just kind of… wandered in… this is a very impressive collection you have Eris.”
“Isn’t it? I suppose I’m a bit of a collector. I just love the romanticism of the middle ages. Though a lot of this has actually been handed down through the family tree. For example, this fine piece.”
She pointed to the painting that butterscotch had been looking at before, his curiosity spiking again.
“Who is that?” He asked.
Eris sighed a little as a smile traced over her lips. “That is the Viscount Dandelion, a kind hearted and generous stallion, one of the many nobles of Tramplevania. He was… the betrothed of my great great grandmare, the Lady Erzsebet the I… however… they were never wed.”
Butterscotch looked to her, “Never wed? Why’s that?”
“...The invasion.” Eris replied.
“Invasion?”
“Yes. The Griffonic Invasion of 1437.” Where passion had once been, now Butterscotch could only hear sadness as the mare continued. “A long and terrible war between the Ponies of Tramplevania and the encroaching armies of Griffonstone under the rule of King Gavroche… they’re castle held strong against many assaults… but… eventually… well, the war claimed him before they could wed…”
Butterscotch stood there silent for a moment before he spoke. “That’s terrible…”
“Yes… and she loved him. With all her heart…”
There was a brief silence that gripped the room as Eris stared up at the painting, as if it had a hypnotic effect on her.
“But enough of that.” She said finally, a smile returning to her soft face. “I don’t mean to sadden you with stories of the long departed.”
“No no, it’s alright,” said Butterscotch. “I don’t mind.”
“Thank you… but anyway… you know for what it is, it’s pretty decent day outside,” said Eris as she offered him her hoof. “Nice a cool, why don’t we join that little Barbara friend of yours out by the lakeside?”
Butterscotch hesitated for a moment but gratefully accepted her gesture, taking her hoof in his. “I’d like that.” He said with a warm smile.
She returned his warmth and began to lead him out of the parlor. “You know Butterscotch?”
“Hmm?”
“I think this is the beginning of something quite beautiful.” She said as her ruby-eyes sparkled. “Quite beautiful indeed…”
The soil was damp and rank beneath Butterscotch’s hooves as he ran through the thick underbrush; the mist that had condensed around the dangled roots of the great gnarled trees billowing upwards around his legs as he galloped frantically for his life.
He could feel the hot tears stream down his face as he heard the wolves gaining on him, practically close enough that he could feel their breath and savage jaws snapping at his hind legs.
Suddenly, he felt his hoof catch on one of the roots that was jutting from the ground, sending him tumbling forward face first into the dirt, eventually rolling over a ledge where the roots hung like a canopy.
Not minding the sharp pain he felt ache through his body, he hid himself beneath them, in hopes to avoid his pursuers. His whole body shook with fear as he heard their paws pad against the dirt above them; their teeth and wet lips snapping together as they snarled and barked at one another, trying to find where their prey had gone.
He shivered and placed a hoof over his muzzle to muddle his terrified breath and prevent himself from screaming. He had to stay quiet. Not a single sound, let they find them and make short work of his body.
“Oh Solaris please.” He prayed to himself, clamping his eyes shut as tight as he could.
He stayed there for minutes. Hours? He couldn’t tell. It just felt like at any moment he’d feel them lung at him, sinking their fangs into his flesh and tare him apart. But… I never came.
Finally, he worked up the courage to open his eyes. Slowly, he looked out from his little hiding spot, trying to find any trace of the wolves. The snarling hand clattering of teeth had died away now. Replaced but an unsettling silence, permeating through the dark fog that saturated the forest.
Stepping out, he returned to his hooves and looked around, trying to find a way out or something that could lead him somewhere safe.
Everything was just so unnaturally still. Not a cricket or owl, nor the sound of wind rustling the trees greeted his ears. It was just silence. A silence that sent shivers down his spine as his breath began to lock up in his throat while he bit his upper lip anxiously.
Then, like a song long since forgotten, came a sound that rang in his ears like bells; his body instantly tensing as he heard it.
“Butterscotch~”
The voice was smooth and velvety, with a hypnotic gentleness to it that left the stallion spellbound. The same voice he had heard once before… in a dream.
“Butterscotch~”
There it was again, calling to him, beckoning him, pleading for him to come, to which he soon found his hooves moving on their own accord. The feeling was like that of weightlessness. Like laying on a cloud without a care in the whole world to trouble you with...
It was then he reached the summit of a hill that led down into a large clearing. In the distance, he could see craggy mountains rising above the eldritch treeline.
“Butterscotch~”
There it came again. Peering across the gibbous moon-lit plain of wisping fog before him, he spied a steep ledge on the far end. But what surmounted it was what really caught his attention. Standing atop the high cliff of rock, he could see the shadowy figure of somepony. He could not see a face, but the outline was equine, no doubt about that. Just, it seemed peculiar, as if it did not possess a truly physical form,but instead it’s body was composed of ebony mist that shimmered in the pale moonlight.
“Butterscotch… come~”
The voice was peace. It was joy. It was safety…
Suddenly, his ears stood attentive, swiveling back behind himself. Looking back, to his horror, he was confronted by the pack of wolves that had chanced him earlier; he could see the fire in their eyes, the saliva glistening on their long fangs as they eyed him hungrily.
He ran for it.
“Butterscotch… come~” The voice called to him, to which he ran at full force, his hooves digging deep into the soil and kicking it up as he made a mad dash for life; the wolves still gaining on him. His lungs were on fire, his muscles screamed, but he had to get away. He had to reach the voice~!
“Come to me~” It called. “Come to me~”
Finally, he reached the cliff side, nearly smashing his face into it as he approached it at full gallop. Looking back he could see the wolves still coming; he tried to flap his wings, but as he leapt him he felt gravity pull him back down, accompanied by a hideous pain that throbbed in his wings. Looking back, his eyes widened as he saw long trails of blood staining his feathers, but from what injury he could not tell.
With no other option available to him, Butterscotch began to clamor up the stone wall; his hooves and underbelly scraping against the sharp rock.
Looking upwards he could see the shadowy figure standing above him kneel down, reaching for him with it's ghostly hoof. Glancing back one last time he could see that the wolves were nearly upon him, ready to pounce and tear him apart. He looked back up and with all his strength, vaulted himself upwards, reaching for the hoof and successfully taking hold of it just as the beasts reached the cliff side, their jaws inches from sinking into his ankles.
He felt himself pulled up, the strength of the figure astonishing as he was pulled to the ledge, clamping his eyes in fear as the darkness overwhelmed his vision…
He kept them closed as he curled up into himself, his hooves pulled up in front of his face. However, as he tried to hide himself from the outside world, he felt a sudden sense of calm wash over him. He felt his body being cradled in the arms of somepony, while a hoof ran through his mane tenderly with an almost maternal affection.
Then came that voice… humming a soothing melody that made his body ease and relax, eventually allowing the frightened stallion to open his eyes, and as he did, he was met with a strange yet beautiful sight.
“E-Eris?”
There, holding him in her forelegs, pressing his figure into her’s was the Lady Eris in all her radiant glory, her ruby eyes gazing down at him with a gentle smile.
She giggled slightly as she hushed him, pressing her hoof against his lips as the moonlight illuminated her face.
“Hush my dearest… It’s alright. Don’t be frightened.” She said in the same voice Butterscotch had heard. “You're safe now… with me.”
“Shh, shh, it’s alright my dear. No need for words… you’re safe now. I’m here, and I’m not going to let anypony hurt you… ever.”
“This… this is a dream.” Butterscotch said, “T-this, this isn’t real. This isn’t happening, y-you're j-just a dream. ”
“Me my dear? A dream?” Eris retorted, his soft voice sounding a little hurt. “No my dearest… only if you let it be a dream.”
“Stay here with me Butterscotch.“ She continued. “Stay with me... Forever.”
Something struck a cord in Butterscotch ears as that last word rolled off Eris’s tongue. It was not the rich velvety voice that he head heard before. It was cold, visceral and sharp, like the fine edge of a razor that had just been given a wet stone.
His eyes once again met her’s, however, this time he noticed something was wrong. Dreadfully wrong. Where once loving tenderness resided, now burned something akin to hot embers of a fire; the ruby red of her pupils glowing with frightening ferocity.
However, the worst was yet to come. As he stared up at the now almost foreign face; the lovingness of the mare now replaced with something else. Something unnatural and terrifying that wore the mare’s features like a twisted mask, he could see her changing, her body growing and elongating into obscenely proportions. Her hooves becoming claws that dug into his skin while wicked horns protruded out of thing’s long ghostly mane. He stared up in horror as the creature loomed over him, making him feel utterly helpless at it held him tight in it’s grip.
He wanted to scream, but found his voice stolen from him as his eyes caught the glint of white fangs jutting from the beast’s maw, which then opened wide; the moonlight giving them an otherworldly shine.
“Who are you~!?” He screamed. The thing paused for a moment, but only chuckled in return, just before lunging forwards, sinking it’s fangs deep into his throat!
“Butterscotch!?”
Butterscotch gasped as he sat up dramatically, his hoof instantly rushing to his throat as he regained his bearings. His whole body was heaving; his coat glistening with sweat.
He felt a hoof on his shoulder as he caught his breath. Turning his head, he jumped a little as he saw the crimson eyes of Eris staring back at him.
“Butterscotch are you alright? She inquired with honest concern.
“Eris~!?” He exclaimed, still quite shaken. “W-what are you doing here? What time is it?”
She looked at him for a second before giving a slight nod. “Close to midnight.” She said, “I heard you from down the hall… you were having a nightmare.”
It was a dream. Oh thank Solaris it was just a dream.
“Oh… I’m sorry for disturbing you.”
“Oh nonsense Butterscotch. No need to apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong.” She said giving him a reassuring smile as she pulled up a chair to sit by his bed side. “But… actually, I’ve been wanting to talk to you…”
He cocked his head confused. “Wha-what do you want to talk about?”
“I… I must apologize to you.”
“Apologize? What for?”
“For acting so… well for lack of a better word ‘strange’ around you.”
Butterscotch was taken back by this, unsure of how to react or respond. Sure she had been behaving a little… ‘curious’ since they had met, but… “Eris… there’s no need to apologize. It’s alright. Honestly you’ve been nothing than kind to us… letting us stay in your home, feeding us and giving us warm beds, I don’t think I could have asked for more.”
She smiled and blushed slightly. “Oh, well pleasure is all mine. It’s been a delight having you and your friends here? This has been the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”
However he smiled dissipated shortly after, as she looked down at her hooves. “You’ll… you’ll be leaving tomorrow right?”
He nodded, “Yes… well the Exhibition will be over and… we’ll have to get back home to Canterlot. Dusk has very important duties he needs to undertake, and as his assistant… well, I go where he goes.”
“I’ll be sad to see you leave.” Eris replied, looking back up at him. “The villa will honest just feel a little less full with you all gone…”
There was a pause as they just sat in silence, each just in silent contemplation. Taking a deep breath, Butterscotch reached out his hoof and placed it on her’s, the two of them locking eyes once again.
“Oh! I brought something for you.” Eris exclaimed, reaching back around herself and pulling out a tea cup and flask. “I nearly forgot.”
“What is it?”
Uncorking the flask, she poured it’s frothing contents into the tea cup; violet swirls of mist rising upwards.
“I heard you’ve been having routine nightmares so… I brought you something to help you sleep.” She said, offering him the cup. “This potion will help you relax and make sure that you’ll not have any more bad dreams for the night.”
He looked at it for a moment before accepting her offer, taking the cup in his hooves he rose it to hips lips and drank it down in it’s entirety. It tasted like pomegranates.
“Mmm, thank you Eris.” He thanked her, his body beginning to relax back into his bed.
“My pleasure.” She replied, tucking him back in. “Now you just relax and let the potion do it’s work. It’s an old family recipe of mine. Always helps me sleep when I’m feeling troubled.”
Butterscotch let out a tired yawn as he laid his head on his pillow, the softness of his sheets and covers holding him in a warm embrace. He looked up at her with a sleepy smile. “Good night Eris.” He said through another yawn before drifting.
She chuckled a little at just how fast her potion was working on him and she stood up, trotting towards the door. “Sleep well… my sweet prince.”
The next morning came swiftly and without any setbacks, with the merry band of esteemed companions having loaded up their carriage with the luggage that had brought with them on their journey to Geneighva. They had already had breakfast and said their goodbyes to their gracious hostess, who stood in the doorway of the villa as they themselves entered the wagon for their long journey home.
“Au revoir.” Butterscotch called out as the other’s sat down in their seats. Barbara sat next to Butterscotch in the back while Dusk sat at the front facing them.
Eris didn’t call back to them. She just waved and nodded as their carriage driver, a rather hefty stallion hauled himself to his seat.
“Shall we be off then?” He said.
“Yes driver, I think we’re all set.” Dusk called back to him.
“Aye, good good, we’ll be off then my lady.” The driver said, tipping his hat to Eris before cracking his reigns, putting the carriage into motion.
Butterscotch watched through his window as the carriage sped away from the villa; the figure of Eris growing more and more distant until finally his view was obscured by the trees.
Eris meanwhile watched them go as well, her crimson eyes following the carriage until it was out of sight.
“Until next time.” She said under her breath before looking down at her hoof.
There, resting the palm of her hoof was a small band of silver; the ring glinting dimly in the light of the overcast sun. She looked at it with a wincing expression of pain as the metal rested on her bare skin; the ring burying her as causing small shreds of skin to rise and fly in away in the wind.
“Will that be all my Lady?” Archibald called from inside the villa.
Tucking the ring back into her pocket, she turned and approached her loyal servant. She smiled at him and ran her hoof across his cheek. “That will be all my dear Archibald.” She said softly. “Rest now…”
He nodded solemnly to her in response, just before his skin began to wither and dry out. His cloths fading and crumbling around him, his eyes rolling back into his head as the hair and flesh of his body seemed to fade into dust until only the bone was left, which then crumbled to the floor and blew away in the wind.
She watched as the bones and dust vanished into the air, closing the door behind her before she turned once again to the long hallway of the villa. She could see the walls already beginning to crumble and fade as paint peeled off and fell to the floor. She began to walk…
“I've seen so many sunsets in my life,
I should know everything there is worth knowing.
But since I saw his face I don't know where I am,
There's no map that can show me where I'm going…”
All around her the villa began to crumble. The floors reduced to dirt where thick grass and weeds grew; the ceiling collapsing in as the walls began to be swarmed with ivy; the beauty and majesty melting away revealing nothing but a hollow ruin...
“The longer I live the more I wonder,
If I know anything at all.
If I've ever been in love, I can't recall…”
“The longer I live, the less I'm certain,
That I have all the answers right.
I'd give all my yesterdays for one more night.”
“It's hard to make each moment count,
When you're alone,
Maybe that's all I need to know.”
“The longer I live without him near me,
The longer my empty years will be,
The world will not turn until he turns to me…”
“...My world will not turn until he turns to me~!”
The jostling of the carriage shook Butterscotch back to awareness as they approached the end of their journey. The many days and nights on the road had been arduous, and the fatigue of travel weighed heavy on them, with the little cream Pegasus drifting in and out of awareness, though he couldn't seem to make himself sleep. Barbara had curled up to rest her eyes in Dusk’s lap as a few miles back on the road to Canterlot, but the rocking of the carriage didn’t seem to disturb her sleep. Dusk was as usual lost in one of his books to pass the time, though Butterscotch could tell from the crow’s feet that traced under his eyes that he desperately needed a comfortable place to sleep.
“Are we almost there?” Butterscotch asked as his lips curled back into a yawn, his tongue feeling dry as he did.
Dusk groaned a little as he closed the book and set it aside. “We should be there within the hour,” he said as he checked his pocket watch. “Ah… Solaris should be raising the sun by now…. I need sleep.”
“You-ahhhh~ took the words right out of my mouth.” Said Butterscotch through another yawn.
It was that they hear a ground rise up from the little Dragon, with Barbara picking herself up and rubbing her eyes as she did. “Can’t a girl get any sleep around here.” She said as she leaned into the seat, her emerald eyes opening wide and glancing out the window. “Hey… is it me or is the sun a little absent right now?”
“Oh… it’s just a bit cloudy.” Dusk reassured, trying to keep himself from passing out.” Pegasi just rolling in a little shade... “
“At this time of year?” Barbara retorted.
“Ugh! I don’t know Barbs… I can barely think straight. Just put the hay in the apple and eat the candle…” Dusk said as he finally succumbed to his exhaustion, his head slumping over, followed by heavy snoring.
“Ah great, he's loopy.” Barbara groaned, slapping her forehead.
Butterscotch shook his head with a sigh, leaning back into his seat as the carriage finally turned the corner that lead to Canterlot’s main gates. He could see the city walls and the high towers of the Royal palace rising above them. It was a welcomed sight. The familiarity of it brought a sense of calm to him. Even more so since his dreams the last few nights had been much more pleasant.
He remembered Eris and the kindness she had given him, going out of her way to house him and his friends and help him with his nightmares, he couldn't explain it in words but for the first time in a long while he felt simply… safe.
Suddenly the carriage jerked upwards, having his a loose stone in the cobbled streets as they entered Canterlot. There was an odd mist that hugged the sidewalks and alleyways but he didn't pay it much mind. They had just rounded the block onto the street where Dusk’s workshop was, the promise of a soft bed having been prioritized in his mind.
After a sluggish and tedious time unloading their bags from the carriage and paying the coachman his due payment, the exhausted band made their way into the door of Dusk’s private study, each having up to their rooms for some much needed rest.
Butterscotch was glad to see the familiar space as he made his way up the stairs, it was practically a second home for him aside from his childhood residence with Bluebell; he smiled at the thought at seeing her again. However as he entered his room and set his bags aside, he was struck by a sickening pain that lurched deep inside his stomach, as if a sharp blade of cold steel had been stuck through his gut.
“Oh no,” he whispered to himself, reaching into his pockets and back pockets in a panic. “Oh no no no no no!”
It was gone, his father’s silver ring was gone! “Oh Solaris please no!”
Butterscotch felt a bitter taste wash over his tongue as his breath drew shorter and shorter. Spinning around, he beat his wings and propelled himself down the stairs, nearly tripping as he came to the landing, and burst out the front door of the building, looking around frantically for the carriage. But it was too late, it was already gone.
Through the mist and grey air of the city streets he could barely even see half way down the block, only making out the outlines of ponies as they passed by.
“Oh no, no!” He shouted in his groggy voice. He has lost it! He had lost his father’s ring! Probably either left it in the carriage or perhaps even worse, left it behind in Geneighva in Eris’s villa. He felt sick to his stomach. What would Bluebell think? What would she say?!
“No, no! Calm down Butterscotch, calm down,” He told himself, “No need panicking like this. It’s not going to do anypony any good. Oh, but what if Bluebell finds out? She’ll be so hurt. Oh what am I going to do?!”
Defeated and utterly spent, Butterscotch sullenly returned to his bed chambers. He wasn’t thinking straight, he couldn’t think straight in his current state, that he knew. The best course of action would to get some rest and then decided what to do next.
Drawing his curtains shut and blowing out his candle, he slipped into his sheets and laid his head on his pillow; he stared up at the dim ceiling for a while before he felt his eyelids finally slink shut. At least he didn’t have to worry about nightmares…
Meanwhile…
The doors to the Sweet Apple Inn and Tavern burst open with a raucous laughter, as three large and heavily drunkard stallions stumbled out, two of which leaning against each other and belching out a hardy cackling laugh. Their clothes were worn and faded, their muzzles dressed in grizzled smiles as they shambled out onto the sidewalk. “Oh Solaris, I love drinking with you guys.” One of them said in slurred, half-baked voice.
One of them, an averagely built stallion with a light cream coat and chestnut mane splintered off from the other two and began an his way down the street, waving goodbye to his companions, “Okay guys I’ll see ya later.” He called to them as they went on their way.
He shook his head as he trotted on, trying to clear his mind so he could remember which way led back to his house. The thick fog wasn’t that much help either, along with his enamored state, but he was a persistent stallion, navigating the best he could until his ears perked up and swiveled towards a nearby alleyway.
“Ppst!” He heard,“Ppst!”
Turning towards the dark alley, he could see a figure standing near the corner of the left-hand building. Rubbing the grim from his eyes, he focused on the figure to see a young mare dressed wearing a red hood staring back at him with a tantalizing gaze.
“Late night good sir?” She said in a gentle, velvety voice. She looked young and fair to the stallion, with an alabaster coat and long honey-golden mane that highlighted her rich violet eyes perfectly; eyes that seemed to look him over with need.
“Y-yes mademoiselle,” He said in reply. “A long, late night.”
She giggled and smiled with a slight swivel of her hips as she turned away from him, looking over her shoulder with a seductive smile. “Oh my dear goodness, and all alone? That won’t do at all… wouldn’t you prefer some… company~?” She said, swishing her tail back and forth, fanning her scent to the enamored stud.
He felt the hair along his spine stand up as his nostrils flared, breathing in the sweet and zestful aroma. He shivered a bit as he felt heat begin to build between his haunches, the fire fanned by the posture of her flanks and softness in her voice.
“W-well… I suppose…” He said with a chuckle in the back of his throat.
She giggled in tern and slowly made her way into the alley, her figure melding with the darkness as she beckoned him on. “Follow me,” she teased.
He grinned as she called him, his hooves seemingly moving on their own accord as he followed her into the darkness. He pursued her down the alley for some way, lead on by her tantalizing voice, until finally his snout met a brick wall, catching him off guard.
He looked around confused, searching for where the mysterious mare had gone. “H-hello? Where’d you go?” He called out. No reply came. Only dead silence. He started to feel uneasy.
“Hey, is this a joke?!” He called out, again receiving no answer, unaware of the dark shadow looming over him. “Because this isn’t funny!”
Everything was dead still, not even the wind seemed to dare stir. Fear gripped the stallion’s heart, his eyes darting in every possible direction, searching for the mysterious mare, that is, until his ears perked up and swiveled behind him.
“Boo~”
There wasn’t a scream, there was no time for one as the stallion felt his throat forced shut as two hot needles shot into it. He felt his body go limp, the color in his face drain as he was pulled upwards with great force, disappearing out of sight. The air was deathly still again, just as from seemingly out of nowhere, down dropped a pocket watch. As it hit the ground it popped open, the glass cracked, showing the ticking clock and a photo of a mare and two fillies...
Butterscotch’s eyes creaked open as the smell of food roused him from his sleep. Sitting up in his head he pushed back his mane with his hoof before crawling out of bed and opening the curtains to balcony doors. He shook his head as a cold wind brushed by him as he looked out onto the streets of Canterlot. “What the…” He paused as he looked up, noticing the thick overcast that hung over the city; the damp streets had a faint glow, as if the street lamps were dim candles and the roads, silver glass as they gently glittered.
It had been a week since they returned from their trip to Geneighva, but still the cloud cover had yet to let up, leaving the entire city in a state of perpetual twilight. He could see the ponies bellow dressed in heavy rain coats and hats. It was like a noir scene from a mystery novel.
“Oh well…” He said closing the balcony doors.
He could hear Blue Belle as she hummed as he trotted down the stairwell, his face content as he did so; the delightful smell of fresh pancakes helping him perk up dispite the drowsy weather.
Putting on his undershirt and coat, Butterscotch trotted his way from his room down the grand stairs of his inherited family estate, down towards the parlor room where he was surprised but delighted to see Dusk Shine waiting while Blue Belle brought out the tea as he read the newspaper.
“Well there he is.” Blue Belle said with a smile, pouring his a cup of tea.
“Morning Butterscotch,” Dusk said, looking up from his newspaper. “You slept in again. Another tough night?”
Butterscotch nodded as he sat down at the adjacent couch. “Yeah, the nightmares have come back. I went away for a while but they seem to have come back with a vengeance.”
“I’m so sorry Butters.” Blue Belle said, trying to comfort her adopted sibling.
“Oh, don’t worry about it Blue, it’s not your fault.”
She smiled at him as she sat down at his side. “What’s new in the paper Dusk?” She asked.
Dusk shine shook his head as he set the paper down on the mahogany table in front of him. “More of the same.” He grimaced. “Three more ponies have disappeared without a trace. I think that’s now like twenty five since we got back.”
“Oh dear, that’s awful.” Said Butterscotch. In the days following their return the newspapers had been flooded with reports of ponies vanishing without a trace. Some officers theorized that there was some kind of magical explanation, that or a serial killer, but no pony could say for sure. The ponies were simply… gone.
Suddenly, there came a knock at the door that made all three of them look up with surprise. None of them had been expecting visitors? Especially not this early in the morning.
“I'll get it.” Said Blue Belle as she set the tray down on the table and excused herself, leaving Dusk and Butterscotch alone.
“Dusk this is starting to really worry me. How can ponies simple seem to disappear?”
“I agree,” Dusk replied, folding up the paper. “I'm actually going to help with the investigation. If this is a magical phenomenon, the constables may finduse of my expertise.”
“Alright, but please be careful. All this missing ponies business has gotten me all on edge.”
“Don't worry Butters, I'll be fine.” Dusk reassured with a smile.
“Butterscotch you have a visitor!” Blue Belle called from the front of the manor.
Butterscotch looked up then to Dusk as if to ask a question, but found Dusk as equally confused. They two of them set their tea aside and rose from their seats, with Butterscotch taking the lead.
As they rounded into the entryway of the home, Butterscotch was delighted to see a familiar face standing in the doorway.
“Rainbow Blitz!” He exclaimed, rushing over to the prismatic colored stallion, the two laughing as they embraced each other. He wore a light violet vest with beige undershirt, a light august bow tie around his neck, and two grey socks that he had worn holes in long ago. He wore his mane split down the middle, his bangs parted to keep them out of his eyes.
Rainbow chuckle as he ruffled Butterscotch's mane with his hoof. “Good to see you Butter-Ball!”
“Oh Rainbow Blitz, you're ruining his hair!” Blue Belle protested.
“Oh it's alright Blue, no harm done.” Butterscotch said with a light chuckle.
“Where have you been Butters? I haven't seen you since you left with Professor Egghead here for Geneighva.”
“Hey!” Dusk Shine said with a huff.
“Oh, I'm sorry Rainbow. I meant to send you a letter when I got back, but I guess I forgot…”
Rainbow smiled and waved his hoof dismissively. “Don't sweat it bud. I know you're busy. But if you're free now, how's about you and me head down to Sweet Apple Inn and catch up over a frothing mug of cider? I know Applejack would love to see you.”
“Don't you think it's a bit early to go drinking Blitz?” Blue Belle said in a deadpanned, disapproving tone.
“Oh no, none of the hard stuff, that's for after lunch. Right Butterscotch?”
The little yellow stallion gave his dear adopted sibling a reassuring smile. “Don't worry Blue, I'm just going to go catch up with Rainbow and Applejack. I'll be alright.”
Blue Belle gave him a sigh of consent in response. “Alright, but you two please be safe. I don't want either of you ending up in the next paper missing.”
Rainbow Blitz gave her a confident smirk as he wrapped his foreleg around his friend’s shoulders. “Don't worry about us, Butters and I can take on any would be pony napper. Right bud?”
“Umm… sure?” Butterscotch said with an uneasy smile.
Blue Belle gave a sigh and nodded, giving Butterscotch a hug and nuzzle on the cheek, “Alright. You two have fun. Please stay safe.”
“We’ll be alright.” Butterscotch said again as he and Rainbow Blitz began to trot down the sidewalk leading away towards their destination.
“Bye Blue, bye Dusk. I’ll be back soon.” He called back to them, waving his hoof.
Dusk and Blue Belle watched from the porch as the two stallions escaped their view. Blue Belle chewed her cheek anxiously; she couldn’t help but worry about Butterscotch. After all, he was the only family she really had left.
“Well, I hate to leave on that note, but I’m afraid I have an appointment with the constable's office.” Dusk said, settling his hat on his head, bidding Blue Belle adieu. “I’ll see you again soon.”
She nodded with a smile, “Of course. Hopefully you can help get to the root of these dreadful missing pony classes.”
“Likewise.” Dusk replied. “Good day.”
“Adieu.”
And with that, Dusk Shine took his leave. Blue Belle watched him go as they had both done for Rainbow and Butterscotch, but now she found herself alone. She bit her lower lip as she heard thunder rattling above. It gave her an ominous sensation in her gut that she couldn’t quite explain. Something just felt off…
Shaking her head, she turned around and stepped back inside her family home, closing the door behind her; locking it for good measure.
“Solaris, please keep them safe...”
A few hours later...
There was a raucous clatter in the Sweet Apple Inn as Rainbow Blitz set down his fifth mug of cider, taking a deep breath and chuckling to himself as he sat there next to his friend, who had rested his head in his hooves on the table. “Then I picked up a couple of coconuts and through them at the bartender!” He exclaimed laughing.
“Yeah! I know Rainbow! That was me you did that too.” Applejack hollered back from behind the counter. “That’s the last time I give you vodka and rum at the same time. Where in the heck darn did you find coconuts anyway!?”
“Please guys, not so loud.” Butterscotch pleaded, looking up from the table. “Ugh~! My head’s pounding. I’m never touching Zap-Apple Cider again.”
The Sweet Apple Inn was a modest establishment; a tavern and inn that had been passed down through the Apple Family for generations now, and had been the local hot spot for weary travelers to come and drown their sorrows or simply come with friends to rest, eat and have a drink together. Butterscotch and Rainbow had known Applejack for years now, and the three of them together had made some fond memories together there.
Rainbow chuckled a little at his friend’s expense, patting him on the shoulder. “Your such a light weight.”
“I’m supposed to. Pegasi have hollow bones to help us fly.”
Rainbow paused for a minute looking a little taken back by that comment. “I think you’ve been hanging out with Dusk Shine a little too much.”
“Speakin’ of which, how was the trip to Geneighva?” Applejack asked as he cleaned a mug with a wet towel. “Bet you had a heap load of fun up there with all those scientist folks and all their new crazy do-dads?”
Butterscotch sat up and rubbed his forehead, “It was alright… didn’t get a lot of sleep though.”
“You’re still having those nightmares?” Rainbow inquired, leaning in and propping himself up with his foreleg.
“Well… not anymore,” Butterscotch confessed. “Well… actually, yes, but they went away for a while. They started up again when we got back.”
“What made you stop having them?” Asked Rainbow, who had raised an eyebrow at this.
Butterscotch sat their for a moment as if trying to figure out how to explain to his friends. “Well… I did tell you about Eris right?”
“Oh yeah, that mysterious mare in distress you found on the side of the road with her little lucky in tow?” Rainbow said with and suggestive smile. “The way you talk about her, I’d dare say somepony has a little crush.”
Butterscotch's cheeks flushed with color, “No I don’t!” He retorted.
Rainbow could help but snicker at that, earning him a disapproving glare from Applejack. “Well anyway, what about her?”
“Well… she gave me a sleeping potion to help me with my nightmares. I haven’t slept better since… I wonder what was in it. Probably should have asked.” He sat there for a moment in silence, his two friends waiting patiently for him to continue. “I don’t know what it is but… she seemed so… mysterious… otherworldly. So…”
“Je ne sais quoi?” Rainbow suggested.
“Exactly!
“Come now, don’t y’all start speakin’ fancy on me.”
Butterscotch shook his head anxiously, “Whatever the case, I can’t help but shake this feeling. It feels very familiar, almost like something I forgot. It’s been bugging me for days now, and it gives me knots in my stomach whenever I think about it! And now we got all this trouble with ponies going missing? That certainly hasn’t helped.”
“What you mean Butters?” Applejack asked as he came around from behind the counter and took a seat next to him.
Butterscotch found himself without words, holding his breath as he tried to explain. “I’ve been having a… premonition… like something is coming. Something from my past… sweet Solaris, it’s been nagging at me since we got back!”
“Now don’t you get all worked up now, just take a deep breath.”
Butterscotch took his friend's advice and calmed himself.
“I’m sorry guys…” He sighed. “Also… I lost my father’s ring…”
“You what?!” Rainbow exclaimed.
Butterscotch nodded in response. “I think I may have left it at Eris’ estate back in Geneighva…”
“Have ya told Blue Belle?” Applejack inquired.
“No! I haven’t… I couldn’t! She’d hate me if I told her!”
“Oh Butterscotch she wouldn’t hate you.” Rainbow assured, “Yeah she’d be upset, but it was an accident, wasn’t it?”
“Well… yeah, but I still feel pretty bad…. that was our father’s ring! I feel so ashamed having lost it...”
“Don’t beat yourself up Butterscotch. You're a good stallion, I’m sure your dad and Blue would understand.”
Butterscotch nodded silently as he thought of his father and Blue Belle; remembering all the good times that had had together while he was still alive. He had deeply loved the stallion; it was because of him he had become the pony he was today. He had always dreaded letting him or Blue Belle down. However his contemplation was cut short when Rainbow pushed another mug of cider in front of him.
“Oh no, I shouldn’t,” he said, pushing the mug away. “I’ve already had way too much tonight.”
“Butterscotch you’ve only had half a glass.” Rainbow retorted with a deadpan stare. “Just relax and take your mind off things. Have a little fun. It’s just guys here.”
Butterscotch sighed as he took the glass in his hoof and brought it to his lips, giving it a quick swig before gasping for air, the strong taste making him shake his head, trying to adjust to the taste.
“That a boy!” Rainbow cheered.
He nodded as he took another sip, the flavor settling on his tongue. Little did he know that as they three of them drank, from across the tavern they were being watched by prying eyes. At the far end of the tavern, tucked away in a secluded booth, two ruby eyes watched them intently from the gloom, specifically on the little yellow-cream Pegasus sitting in the middle of them.
The figure broke it’s gaze and looked down at her hooves; a sliver ring resting in them; small flakes of fur and skin burning away as she held the metal.
Hours came and went as the trio of friends healed their hearts and drowned their woes mug after mug of cider, laughing and boasting as stallions did. During Applejack’s lunch break, they decided to head down to the city gardens and get some fresh air. Despite the overcast skies giving the usually lush gardens a darker, perhaps even depressing look, the three stallions still enjoyed it as they could, coming to rest by the pond where they would through bread crumbs at the dabbling ducks in the water, before somehow, by some unplanned turn of events, they all found themselves at Rainbow Blitz’s apartment, where they indulged in even more hardy glasses of cider, until before they knew it, night was falling. Outside, the street lamps slowly came to life as Solaris' golden sun dipped behind the mountains to the west.
Realizing how much time had truly passed, Butterscotch anxiously tried to think of what to tell Blue Belle while Applejack bid the two stallions adieu and made his way back to his family took.
“Oh good Solaris, Blue Belle is going to be so upset.” Butterscotch said as he rubbed his aching head with his hooves. He felt his chest tense up as he chewed his lower lip. He let out a heavy sigh, trying to figure out what he should do.
Rainbow shrugged and flew over to the couch on the far side of his living room, lighting a few wall sconces as the sun disappeared from view. “Don’t sweat it Butters, just tell her it was my fault you stayed out so late.”
“Oh Rainbow, I can’t do that… it was my own poor decision.”
Rainbow shrugged again and let an amused chuckle escaped him, “Hey, most of my life has been made up of poor decisions,” he joked. “Don’t beat yourself up.”
“I... I gotta try to get back home.” Butterscotch said as he hopped up from his seat and started to make his way towards the exit, only for Rainbow to stop him at the door.
“No way Butters. You remember what it said in the paper. I don't want you trying to walk home in the dark with some murder happy creep out there.”
“But what about Applejack? Or Blue Belle?”
“Applejack can handle himself. Plus he lives not that far away from here. You on the other hand live on the other side of town. Way farther than I'm comfortable with letting you walk alone in the dark. I'd walk you, but I'm still a little tipsy... Also don't worry about Blue Belle. I'll send a message to her saying you'll be home tomorrow. Don't sweat it.”
Butterscotch relaxed his body and sighed in response. "...How could I have gotten so wrapped up in this... I don't even drink that much!"
"Yeah, I was kind of amazed that you could keep so much down." Rainbow snickered. Butterscotch gave his friend an annoyed glare.
"Look, I'll send a courier down to your house to let Blue Belle know your safe and at my place. I'll make a spot for you on the couch, and you can head out tomorrow morning. Sure she'll be a bit peeved, but that's only because she loves you so much. It'll be alright."
"... thanks Rainbow... you always have my back." Butterscotch said with a appreciative smile.
Rainbow Blitz smiled and patted his friend on the back. "Don't worry about it Butters, it's what I'm here for."
The little cream Pegagus nodded before staring down at his hooves for a moment as the world beyond the apartment windows darkened, casting the Equestrian capital into shadow.
"I'm going to go write that letter and ring the courier. There's some food in the kitchen if your feeling peckish, and there's some extra blankets in the trunk over there. Pick out the ones you like."
Butterscotch nodded and hopped up to head over to the trunk while Rainbow stepped out to head down to the nearby mail-pony's office that was thankfully right next door to the apartment building. He knew the stallion who worked there. Very kind stallion, but could prove to be a bit clumsy at times, but he still got his job done.
Opening up the drunk, Butterscotch started looking through the folded fabrics. Finding a few blankets to his liking, he pulled them out and set them out across the sofa and headed into the kitchen to fetch a snack. All the while he thought about Blue Belle. He couldn't shake the guilt he felt about leaving her alone for so long. He wondered if she thought she was neglecting her...
His thoughts were interrupted as Blitz returned shortly after with a smile on his face. "Alrighty then! Done and done." He said, flying over to a chair and promptly fell into it. "Just sent the letter over to Blue."
"Thanks Rainbow..."
"Oh cheer up Butters. Like I said, it will be fine. At least she knows where you are. Not out on the street."
Butterscotch nodded, "Well... your right there..."
Rainbow Blitz paused for a moment, knowing his friend was still feeling a bit low. "Look, why don't we get some shut eye? It's been a long day, and I don't know about you but I'm about ready to hit the sack."
Hesitantly, Butterscotch nodded in agreement. "Your right. I am pretty tuckered out..." He said as he felt a weary yawn creep up his throat.
The apartment was dark, shaded in the calm blue of night, muting all color in that had once prevailed in the light of day. The only light coming from the lamp posts outside. The sound of the wall mounted clock was the only sounds to be heard as the two stallions slept. Buttersotch had made himself a space on the couch with some of the extra blankets, not wanting to steal away Rainbow's bed despite the stallion's offering. It didn't quite matter though, as the cyan Pegasus had passed out in the living room chair.
It was nearly a quarter till one o'clock in the morning when the sound of hoof steps roused Butterscotch from his peaceful sleep. His eyes fluttered open as he heard them, and soon after rubbing his eyes free of the remaining sleep, he noticed that his friend Rainbow was nowhere to be seen, and that the front door was wide open. Confusion and curiosity egged him on as he hauled himself up and made his way towards the door. Peering down the hallway, he caught a glimpse of Rainbow rounding the corner of the stairwell before disappearing once again.
He made a glance back into the apartment before quietly following him, trotting down the stairs until he came to the landing of the bottom floor, where he found the door to the complex ajar. Hesitantly, he opened it and stepped outside.
The damp, cobble stone street was foreboding quite; choked with thick, silvery fog that bathed the adjacent houses in glistening moisture. The light of the street lamps bleeding into the mist. Butterscotch felt the hair on the back of his neck and running down his spine stand up as the grim atmosphere plucked at his nerves. Beads of sweat began to form on his brow as he proceeded through the courtyard, rounding the back towards the small communal gardens in the back of the building.
The mist was obscuring his vision to the point where he had to guide himself by follow the wall with his hoof until he finally reached the corner and stepped out in the gardens. A lamp post from across the alleyway glowed like the pale moon through the fog, the light peaking over the large hedges that grew around the gardens. Despite this however, his vision wasn't completely nulled, however as he looked on he wished quietly to himself that it had been. There, standing dead center of the gardens was his dear friend Blitz, completely still, with what he could only estimate to be roughly a ten foot tall figure leaning over him. He could see it's eyes glowing a mesmerizing swirl of colors, and his heart raced with fear, his pupils dilated as his muscles tensed up. He wanted to run but his body had frozen in fear of the grim thing before him. However his fears turned for the worst as the white glimmer of two long savage fangs glittered in the pale light, making his blood run cold as he watched the thing grin at his petrified friend.
"Now... hold still." The fiend said in a deep, dark and velvety voice. However, the figure stopped as a small whimper rose in the air. Butterscotch all to late realized his mistake, shivering with fear as the tall creature turned it's gaze toward's him, staring at him with the same piercing eyes he had seen in his dreams; sharp, fiery and hungry. However, as their eyes met, the figure seemed to freeze as well, knowing it had been caught.
This was the same creature that had haunted his nightmares! He knew in his heart and could feel it in his veins. At first he thought perhaps this was just another dream, but no, no he knew this was real. Oh sweet Solaris, this was real! His lungs tensed and his lips shook, about to scream for help. But before another noise could ever leave his lips, the ghastly thing lunged forwards into the air and tackled him, pinning him to the ground beneath a massive paw, while covering his mouth with sharp talons.
He closed his eyes and waited. This was it. This was how he died. His heart thumped furiously fast in his chest, his head spinning as he awaited the killing blow... yet, it never came.
"Why did you have to find me like this..." The voice said with a hint of sadness. "I never wanted you to ever have to see me like this..."
He... he knew that voice. The same voice he had found comfort in not too long ago... in a lake side villa... slowly he opened his eyes and looked up at the face of his assailant.
Looking back at him was a strange yet familiar face, with long silver-white hair surrounding it. Two horns crowned her head, one an antler, the other similar to that of a goat. Her golden eyes had softened, glowing not as fierce, and she sported only one fang instead of two. His body began to calm, his muscles relaxing as she slowly removed her talons from his mouth.
"Eris...?" He said finally.
The creature blinked solemnly and nodded in return.
Butterscotch found it difficult to find what to say, staring up the strange and familiar face of the pony he had once knew, now in the form of what had long plagued his nightmares.
Slowly, she rose back to her feet, taking a few steps back to let him regain himself. Slowly, the flabbergasted Butterscotch did make it back to his hooves, standing there before her unsure of what to do or say. He glanced back to Rainbow, who was still motionless where she had left him, his eyes swirling with hypnotic color.
"You must have questions..." Eris said finally.
He nodded in reply, "W-who... what... are you, Eris?"
She seemed to grimace at his question... "...I've been many things... and gone by many names... I'm a creature of the night..."
"...What... what were going to do to him?"
Eris looked back to the hypnotized stallion, "... I was calling to you Butterscotch.... I was calling to you my dearest... but he answered me instead."
Butterscotch felt his tongue go dry as the words formed on it, "... v-vampire...?"
She looked at him again, her eyes glowing bright. She didn't need to say it. He knew.
"And... and you where about to... " He grimaced at the idea... "Release him. Please... release him Eris..."
Her gaze turned stern as stone, "I need sustenance Butterscotch... to survive..."
"Eris... please, spare him!" He begged, taking a shaky step towards her. "Please Eris, let him go. I'll do anything for you, just please let him go!"
Eris stood there in silence for a moment, leaving Butterscotch to hold his breathe in nervous anticipation for her answer. "For you, my dearest, very well. But on one condition..."
The little Pegasus nodded his compliance. "Anything?"
"Meet me then in three days time at the old bridge that spans the river that flows though this city. Meet me there and midnight. Bring no one. We have much to talk about..."
The stallion's breath was shaky as he thought over her request, "I'll meet you there. Three days time... just please, set him free."
Eris nodded and strode back over to the prettified Rainbow Blitz, running her talons through his multi-colored mane as the mist billowed around her. "Remember my dear.... three days." And with that, the slender figure of Eris vanished into the mist, taking the spell that held Rainbow with her, leaving him to collapse on the ground.
Butterscotch rushed to his unconscious friend and lifted up his head. He was unharmed for what he could tell, just firmly rooted into sleep. He sighed in relief knowing his friend was safe once again, but the fear of what was to come quickly returned. He looked out into the misty streets, wondering what he had just agreed to...
