After a horrific incident in the local undertaker's establishment, Styxx Rivers goes to her bosses, the princesses, for somewhere to live for a while. But as she is staying in the Canterlot Palace, she begins to fall for a certain lunar princess.
Styxx Rivers is the infamous undertaker pony of Equestria. When a certain order for a murdered family falls into her hooves, she ends up in a situation she cannot fix alone. She goes to the princesses for help, and this leads to Luna taking Styxx under a protective wing. The undertaker pony soon realizes the beautiful, mystifying lunar princess is the type of pony she needs.
All while having to catch the serial killer.
(Rated T for sexual innuendos, sexual scenes, language, and dark themes and scenes.)
Canterlot was nearing dusk, the moon slowly rising as the sun left behind the hills in the horizon. The sky was in a twilight state, and slowly leaning toward night. Styxx was in her shop, looking over her bookshelf, muttering to herself the name of the book she was looking for. A new order had just came up for her. A young mare had come in a couple days before, and asked that four bodies be prepared for a funeral and the caskets be in beautiful detail. A family of ponies had been unfortunately killed, and the killer was never caught. Because Styxx was the best and only undertaker in Equestria, she often took care of dead ponies from all around. It was not uncommon for the undertaker pony to get such an order, but it had been a few years. The young mare had given Styxx a slip of paper that was evidently a will for the stallion that laid lifeless in a white silk-lined casket. She read that the stallion wished to be buried separate from his family, however buried close. Styxx did not receive any other burial request from the family, so she assumed it was the same for the mare and two fillies.
"There it is," Styxx said to herself, using her unicorn magic to reach a book from the highest shelf. The cover read Book o' Death. She often used this book to write down the specific ponies she was working on, how they died, and the book recommended how they should be patched up. The book itself was made by the princesses' mother, and given to Cadaver Hades, Styxx's great-great-grandfather. It was passed down to Styxx once Cadaver retired. It was made with infinite knowledge, so every entry was answered via magic. As an undertaker, Styxx had to prepare the body for the most important day of its life: its funeral. To Styxx, a funeral was like a wedding. Everypony looks their best, some crying and some are secretly happy. She believed the pony in the casket should be as beautiful as it was during its life. In the Book o' Death, Styxx found her most recent entry:
Firecracker- Stallion, father of two fillies (Golden Dawn and Violet Dusk). Wedded to Spectrum Ring. Died by impalement to the chest. Spectrum Ring- Mare, mother of two fillies (Golden Dawn and Violet Dusk). Wedded to Firecracker. Died by blunt-force trauma to head. Golden Dawn- Filly, daughter of Firecracker and Spectrum Ring. Sister to Violet Dusk. Died by hanging. Violet Dusk- Filly, daughter of Firecracker and Spectrum Ring. Sister to Golden Dawn. Died by hanging.
Styxx glanced over to the four caskets across the floor, lined perfectly with Firecracker first, Spectrum Ring next, then Golden Dawn and Violet Dusk. She felt a twinge of sympathy as she looked at the fillies' necks. She remembered reading the paper two days before. The family had been massacred. Officials believe it was either a unicorn, or a very skilled earth pony. Firecracker had evidently been dead the longest, because when he was found in his bed, his blood was drier than his wife's or fillies'. He had taken a butcher knife to the chest, and had his heart and lungs taken from his body. His wife, Spectrum Ring, was found in bed with him. She had been beaten against the wall and -possibly- with something along the lines of a sledgehammer. Blood was splattered on the wall, and drops had flung the opposing way. The twin fillies had been taken and hung by a noose, together in the living room. Their noses had bled profusely, staining Golden Dawn's ivory coat and Violet Dusk's white mane. It was, according to officials, the most gruesome murder they had ever seen.
Styxx soon managed to snap out of her thoughts, and look back into her book. Because it was made by alicorn magic, it would automatically come up with patching suggestions. Styxx read that the stallion should be carefully stitched, the mare be stitched in the head, and fixed up to the best way possible. The fillies' only suggestion was to use a bruise-reduction cream. Styxx enjoyed this part the most, fixing up the bodies for their day to shine. Her least favorite thing about her job was the cleaning and cleansing. She would often get blood in her grey coat, and in her silver mane. However, she wondered if the blood in her mane was from her. An incident that occurred when she was a filly left her with a permanent, constantly-bleeding scar in her left cheek. Often times her own stitches would pop apart and the scar would bleed. However, her patchwork on bodies was always flawless. She took pride in her work, and not enough in her personal appearance.
She put the book back in its respective place on the shelf, and went to the back room to get a spool of red thread and blue thread, two needles, and bruise-reduction cream. Just as she was leaving the back room, she looked to the front door when she heard the entrance bell jingle. She smiled a little when she saw the midnight blue alicorn. "Good afternoon, Princess Luna." Styxx said. "How are you?"
"I'm well. Yourself, Miss Rivers?" Luna asked. Styxx smiled at her superior.
"I'm just fine. Getting along." she chuckled. Luna and Celestia were Styxx's superiors in the line of death. They know of every death and every one coming. Styxx basically worked under their control. "Is everything alright, Luna?" she inquired.
"I just came to see the progress on the family." Luna replied, trotting over to the bodies in the caskets. Styxx followed, standing by the starry-mane beauty.
"I was about to begin the patchwork. I cleaned off what blood I could. But the fillies are stained." she explained. Luna nodded.
"Are they being buried separate?"
Styxx nodded. "However, their graves will be close together. It was what the stallion -Firecracker- wanted." she replied grimly. "It's a shame how they went out."
"I'll say." Luna replied. "Celestia said it had been years since she had heard of such a horrid death." she sighed. "Let's hope they rest well."
"I worry about the fillies' spirits." Styxx remarked. "Foals don't always realize when they have died. I hope they rest well, and don't stay long." she added. "They are free from any troubles now."
Luna nodded. Before she left, she turned to Styxx. "Styxx," she began.
"Yes, Princess?" Styxx replied as she went over to the fillies, and used her magic to begin applying the bruise-reduction cream.
"If ever you have any trouble with this, do not hesitate to come to me, or to Celestia. Please." Luna said. "We wish you well. I know this job is not the safest, as it is close to a play in life and death. My sister and I just want you to know that we are here to assist you in any issues that involve such things."
Styxx was a little befuddled by this, but she nodded anyway. "Thank you, Princess." she replied. Luna nodded, then left the shop quietly. Styxx looked back down at the fillies, and continued what she had barely began. Over time, Styxx had finally patched up the bodies, and the mare (who was in the worst state) looked much better than when she was brought in. Styxx looked over to the clock on the wall by the door. She could not believe it was nearing two o'clock in the morning.
"I suppose it makes sense." she said to herself. "Spectrum took the longest to fix, so that must've taken a few hours." she chuckled. She then turned to the bodies, and used her magic to grab a pouch of sea salt. She took pinches of it, and tossed some into each casket. "Rest well, my lovely ponies. I'll see you tomorrow." she told them, as if they could hear it or reply. She put the salt back on the shelf, closed the caskets, and went into the back room after turning out the lights in the main room. In her back room, there was a small bed set up in the corner. She often kept her patchwork things and personal belongings in the back room. It was a candlelit room, scented of Dragon's Scale for protection and for a sweet smell other than formaldehyde and rotting corpses with a hint of sage. Styxx laid in her bed, covering herself with her blanket as she began to fall asleep.
An hour passed of silence in the shop. That is, until Styxx was jolted awake by the sound of hoofsteps. She listened closer, and realized they sounded like a foal's hoofsteps. Light and quick, one after another. Nothing really frightened Styxx, but she had one phobia: the living dead. Ghosts, zombie-ponies, et cetera. All the same, and all frightening to her. Fascinating to look at when they are inanimate, but horrifying when they walk and speak. "H-Hello?" Styxx called out. "Is anypony there?" she asked. The hoofsteps sounded to circle around the main room. Styxx got up from her bed, and used her magic to light the candle on her nightstand. She took the candle along with her, and quietly trotted toward her door. The hoofsteps slowed down, and began to approach her door. As Styxx was about to take the door by its handle, the doorknob began to jiggle. She jumped back, her eyes widening at the doorknob. "S-Stop it!" she yelled. Immediately, whatever had been messing with the door had quit. Styxx came back to the door, and quickly swung it open.
Nothing. Nothing but darkness. Styxx came into the room with her candle, and searched the perimeter. As she did, the corner of one of the caskets caught her eye. Her fire-engine eyes glanced down at the small section her candlelight caught, and she took a deep breath, and shone the light over the casket. Styxx could not hold back a terrified scream as she saw Golden Dawn's casket open. Styxx's heart pounded against her sternum, as she took the top of the casket by her magic, and closed it again.
Shaken by the previous events, Styxx went back to the back room, closing her door and locking it. Tense, she set the candle down by her bed and laid back down in bed. She stared up at her ceiling for some time, before falling asleep again.
The next morning, Styxx awoke once the light from her single window came through and hit her eyes. She got up, and trudged to the main room. She switched on the light to provide more than just the dawn's light through the windows. Thankfully, all the caskets were closed. Styxx decided to open the caskets and do a second herbal cleansing. She opened the first two caskets slowly. Coming upon Golden Dawn's, she bit her lip and opened hers more quickly than the others.
Styxx felt like she was struck in the chest, because the air had been knocked right out of her. Golden Dawn's noose bruise looked fresh, like it did when the young mare had brought her in. Styxx shut the casket again, and was too afraid to look into Violet Dusk's. She took a deep breath in, and exhaled shakily. She turned to her shelf and found water from the Everfree Forest springs. Styxx looked back to the couple in their caskets, and she took a few drops and dropped two drops of water on both. One on each head, and one on each chest. She then put it back onto the shelf.
Without any true thought, Styxx went into the back room to retrieve her shop key, put it on a small string, and tie it loosely around her neck. She brushed through her thick, silver mane, and checked the scar on her cheek. Immediately, she left the shop and locked the door behind her. She did not look back, out of fear something would be looking back at her.
Styxx trotted the five miles from her shop to the palace. Luna's words from the day before replayed in her mind like an old record. She ignored any odd looks she got from the Canterlot snobs, knowing a lot of them were staring down her cheek or her cutiemark of a scythe and skull. Styxx was much duller looking, but also a little frightening to look at from afar. She lacked much color, her fire-engine red eyes standing out the most. The key around her neck slid around from Styxx picking up trotting speed after a while, trying to make the forty-five minute trek seem less painful.
Once at the doors, the stallion guards -of course- blocked her from just entering. Styxx sighed, glancing down at her key, then back up at them. "My name is Styxx Rivers. I am the undertaker pony under the commands of the princesses. I am here to see them to address a formal issue." she explained. The guards figured this reason was enough to allow her access, so they moved out of her way, one escorting her to the throne room.
Once there, the guard looked up at the regal white alicorn sitting on her throne. "Your highness," the stallion began. "Styxx Rivers has come to request that you speak with her with a formal issue." he told her.
Celestia smiled at the both of them, then nodded, dismissing the stallion back to the front doors. Styxx held her head high in the presence of royalty. "Your highness," she began. "there has been a complication in my shop."
Celestia seemed concerned right away. "What kind of complication?" she inquired. "I hope it's not grave."
"Well," Styxx sighed. "I'm not sure what has ignited this, Princess Celestia, but I believe something has made it's presence known in my shop. I believe it is the spirit of the filly Golden Dawn."
"A spirit? Is that possible?" Celestia asked in a mixture of shock and pure awe.
"It most definitely is, princess. May I explain?" Styxx asked.
"Absolutely."
"Well, usually when a pony dies, their spirit goes to Heaven or Hell. Sometimes, they end up in Purgatory, or as I like to call it, the 'Waiting Room'. Then, there's the truly rare occasion that the spirit is trapped here in our world. This is typically due to an unfulfilled life, unfinished business, et cetera. However, in some cases, the spirit is unaware of their death and wants someone to notice them and acknowledge their existence. It gives them a certain comfort and hope when somepony does notice them. I believe, in Golden Dawn's case, she doesn't realize she is dead." Styxx explained the best way she could.
Princess Celestia nodded, listening closely to Styxx. Once the young unicorn finished, Celestia inquired about what led Styxx to believe that the late filly was trying to make her presence known. Styxx reluctantly explained the previous night's incidents, including the ironic fact that she is afraid of the undead. "It was terrifying for me, and this morning I checked the caskets and her noose bruisings were fresh." she finished. "I was too scared to check her sister's casket before I took my key, locked up, and left."
Just before Celestia could reply, Luna entered the room. "Oh, Styxx," she said. "nice to see you here. Is everything alright?" she asked. Styxx shook her head, and explained vaguely what she had discussed with Celestia.
"I was about to suggest an indefinite closing of the shop until further notice." Celestia said. Styxx's ears perked up tightly, and she turned quickly to look at her.
"What about the bodies? They are to be prepared by this Sunday!" said she in a panicked tone.
"It's for the better. If anypony comes looking for them, we will take care of the matter." Celestia said. "Styxx, you have been a major factor in ponies' lives after death. This must be a sign that resignation must come soon."
"I can't just give this up!" Styxx cried. "Undertaking is my life! I could never just drop my profession!"
"Styxx," Luna intervened. "this is your life we're talking about, not your profession with your life. Celestia and I would hate to see something happen you." she told her. "Please, at least give it some thought." she pleaded. Styxx bit the inside of her right cheek, and then let a sigh slip her lips.
"I will." she said. "But give me until dusk." she requested. The princess sisters nodded, then Styxx left without another word.
Styxx decided to visit downtown Canterlot, where most of the classy Canterlot ponies never ventured. Styxx often went to the small bar at the end of Crown Avenue. As the undertaker pony trotted in, her friend peeked out from behind the bar, and smiled at her presence. "Styxxie!" the mare exclaimed with happiness. "It's been a while!" she remarked as Styxx came up to the bar.
"Yeah," Styxx sighed. "I need an Ursa Major Bomb, chased with Sweet Apple Cola." she ordered with a tired tone. Her friend raised an eyebrow at her, then turned to make the drink. Styxx's friend's name was Strawberry Jewel. She had been working at multiple pubs and bars in Equestria, and is known for her spectacular mixing. She had an ivory coat, a reddish-pink mane, freckles, green eyes, and her flank bore a cutiemark with a glass of alcohol and a strawberry beside it. Strawberry turned back around and set the short glass of the Ursa Major Bomb and the bottle of Sweet Apple Cola.
"Rough day?" Strawberry asked Styxx.
"I'll say," Styxx replied, and took a drink of the Ursa Major Bomb. "I just got back from an urgent conversation with the princesses. Needless to say, I might be out of business for some time..."
Strawberry gasped. "Out of business!?" she exclaimed. "Styxxie, you can't! Cadaver had been running that place since you were just a filly! How can you just quit!? What happened!?"
Styxx went on to explain why she was not intending to step another hoof into her shop for a while. But as she did, a certain guilt burned in her brain and made her feel nauseous already. Strawberry Jewel sympathized with her friend, and for a few hours, Styxx sat in the not-so-busy bar and had Strawberry give her Grand Royal Liquor, Hard Apple Cider mixed with tequila, and -Styxx's favorite to top it off- Sweet Red Wine.
It had been a good few hours before Styxx had left the bar, tipping Strawberry generously. Styxx managed to get a cart to the palace, and she managed to trot in without too much stumbling. But as soon as she reached the throne room, the princesses were greatly alarmed. "Styxx!" Luna exclaimed when she saw her.
Styxx looked her way, and hiccuped. "What, Luna~!?" she replied. Luna got down from her throne and went over to help the drunk unicorn keep steady. Celestia got down to make sure Styxx was alright.
"Styxx, what did you drink!?" Celestia asked, immediately noticing the alcohol on Styxx's breath. The unicorn stopped for a second, then laughed. Luna was overall bemused by all of this.
"A Major Bomb, a chaser, some liquor, cider and 'quila, then my favorite~" she admitted giddily. Luna looked back up to her sister with an annoyed expression. Celestia had servants take Styxx to a guest bedroom, where the undertaker pony promptly passed out from the alcohol in her body.
In the throne room, Luna seemed especially agitated at her friend. "I cannot believe her!" she growled. "She knows all of that alcohol will get her swacked in no time!" she proceeded to go on about how Styxx was irresponsible in her drinking habit and should not have gone to the bar in the first place. Truthfully, Styxx had been hammered more than once in her life. When she was younger, the first Ursa Bomb would have killed her tolerance. As she grew older, her tolerance grew. She now managed to keep down plenty of alcohol, unless she drank a lot of strong alcohol.
"Please, sister," Celestia replied. "calm down. Styxx is going through a rough time, and I believe she needed this. Yes, it's irresponsible. But try to look at it the way she is: she is losing her business little by little. She's been doing this for so long, and she needs something to erase today, and to tell her everything's alright." she told her little sister.
"You're justifying her stupid decision!?" Luna snapped. "How-!? I-!?" she stammered, then just growled, and sighed. "I'll speak to her in the morning."
The next day, Styxx awoke in the beautifully decorated guest bedroom. The bedroom had a mural on the ceiling, the windows perfectly cleaned. The floor of pure marble, and the furniture finely crafted. The first thing Styxx saw was the sunlight through the windows, and she immediately flinched and pulled the covers over her with her magic. She groaned, her head throbbing.
"Damn liquor..." she muttered, blaming only one alcohol over the others. Suddenly feeling nauseous, she hightailed it from the bedroom to the bathroom just in the room. She ended up vomiting out everything she had to eat and drink the day before. Afterward, she flushed and managed to find some mouthwash and use it. Once she was done, she heard a knock on her bedroom door.
"Styxx?" Luna called. "It's me, Luna. May I come in? Are you awake?"
"Come on in, Luna." Styxx replied. As Luna entered, Styxx noticed the princess carrying a tray of saltines and a bottle of water.
"Just wake up?" Luna asked, setting the tray on the bed. Styxx left the bedroom and nodded weakly. Luna nodded as well, then gave her the water. Styxx opened it and took a drink. "Pace yourself, Styxx." Luna said. "Too much at once will make you vomit again." Styxx nodded, and set the water on the bedside table.
"What time is it?" Styxx asked.
"Around noon," Luna replied. "Styxx, Celestia and I got to talking this morning. She wanted me to tell you something."
"Tell me, what is it?" Styxx asked, taking up a saltine and taking a bite.
"We would like for you to stay here in the castle while we try to handle your shop." she told her. Styxx's eyes widened, and she almost choked on her saltine.
"What!?" Styxx exclaimed. "Stay here, in the palace!?"
Luna nodded. "Yes. We don't wish for you to be alone at a time like this. Especially if the spirit tries to attach itself to you." said the lunar mare. "You're one of our best employees. We can always depend on you, so we decided to try and help you in any way we can."
Styxx smiled. "Luna, I'm honored! Thank you so much!" she said, and hugged the princess. Luna was a little surprised, but hugged the unicorn back. Once she pulled away, Luna remembered to give Styxx a couple aspirins.
"You'll need these," Luna sighed. "please, take time to rest. We can discuss more things about this later. For now, recover from your hangover."
Later that evening, Styxx had finally sobered up enough to go and see the princesses. She left her room, still carrying her water bottle with her magic. She went downstairs to the throne room, only to not see the princesses anywhere. She looked around for a minute, then spotted a stallion guard. "Excuse me, sir?" she said, hoping to grab his attention.
The guard looked up at Styxx. "Yes, Miss Rivers?" he asked.
"Where are the princesses?" she inquired.
"Her majesty Luna has gone to her chambers, and Celestia has gone to the garden. Why, is everything alright?"
"Oh, yes, just fine. I was just wondering." Styxx replied. "Where is Luna's chambers?" she asked.
"Downstairs, take the east wing." he said, and Styxx nodded, thanked him, then turned and left. While she left the room, she could feel his eyes staring right into her plot. Unfortunately for him, she was not interested in stallions. She even dated Pinkie Pie when she was a teenage mare, but they ended up breaking up after a few months. However, they remained friends. Styxx did not call the stallion out on his staring, but she did silently roll her eyes and keep going.
Once downstairs, she reached Luna's chambers, and saw two dark guards standing at her door. "Uhm, sirs," Styxx said upon approaching. "may I enter and see Luna?" she asked. The two guards looked at one another, then one opened the door and escorted her in while the other stayed outside. The guard told Luna that Styxx had come to see her. The lunar princess was sitting on her bed, facing a monitor and playing a video game. She set aside her controller and headphones, got up, and dismissed the guard.
"Styxx," she began. "good to see you sobered up." she remarked with a sly smirk.
"Yeah, well, thanks to your hospitality." Styxx replied with a smile. "And a couple times with my head in the crapper."
Luna laughed, and trotted over to her bed, and sat down. "I was just playing Outlast." she said. "Wanna play?"
Styxx looked at the monitor to see the title screen of a creepy looking game. "I've never played..." she said. "and I'm not big on ghosts. I'm kinda afraid of that kind of thing." she admitted sheepishly. How embarrassing, an undertaker pony afraid of ghost and the undead.
Luna seemed surprised, but then just nodded. "Yeah, not a lot of ponies like that kind of thing. I can teach you how to play. We can take turns every time we die or something." she suggested. Styxx chuckled, and nodded. She proceeded to sit with the princess. For about ten minutes, Luna explained the controls and told her that whenever there is a bed or lockers, that it's imperative that you not take chances and to hide. So, after Luna purposely got caught by the pig-boy, she handed the controller to Styxx. The princess seemed thoroughly amused by the undertaker pony screaming and talking to herself as she did things. She especially liked the stupid voiceovers she gave the crazy people they had to avoid.
This went on for a few hours, Luna eventually suggesting a more light-hearted and fun game: Guitar Heroes. Styxx gladly accepted, her heart pounding against her sternum. The two played against each other with songs by Fall Out Stallion, Panic! At the Palace, and Black Veil Mares. Styxx won against Luna in Black Veil Mares' song "In The End", and Luna beat Styxx in "Sugar, We're Goin' Down" by Fall Out Stallion and "Fillies/Fillies/Colts" by Panic! At the Palace. Styxx was still proud of her efforts.
Before the two knew it, it was almost two o'clock in the morning. Celestia was surely asleep by then, and the girls had had the time of their lives playing together. They eventually took a break from all the gaming, and just sat on Luna's bed, talking about some embarrassing moments in their lives. "So, my sister Halo and I were just fillies at school, when she started telling everyone I was great at speaking Spanish. I tried to call her out on it, but nopony believed me. When someone told me to prove it, she proved to be lying through her teeth and I looked so stupid." Styxx told Luna, who laughed.
"I didn't know you had a sister!" she said with a smile. "What's she like?"
"We're twins." Styxx said, thinking to herself about how much irony is in her life. "Halo was a huge liar when we were fillies, but she was super popular. I was truthful, but a shadow in my sister's popularity. In high school, we finally got on similar social statuses, but she was still more popular." Styxx told her. "Halo and I don't see each other much nowadays, but we write to one another. We're really close now."
Luna nodded. She understood just how Styxx felt, and felt a twinge of that in her heart. "I know just how you feel," she said. Styxx nodded.
"You know, we should do this type of thing more often." she remarked with a chuckle.
"Well, now that you live here, maybe we can." Luna said with a smile.
"I'd like that."
The next morning, Styxx found herself in her guest bedroom, which was honestly a little disappointing. She had hoped she had hallucinated going back to her room late at night and just falling on her bed, but that was far from the truth. She got up, and went to her bathroom. She looked at her reflection, and noticed a couple of her stitch threads in her face had come loose. She sighed, and decided she would shower before she took care of it.
She climbed into the shower, and turned on the warm water. She had to wash her mane, and she brushed her hair back to do so. It was unusual to be able to see through her right eye. The truth of the matter was, she was not perfectly visioned in her right eye. It was also a lighter shade of red than her other eye, but she assumed it was due to her being fairly nearsighted in her right eye. Needless to say, she has kept her mane covering her bad eye since she was a filly. What was the use of trying to see out of one good eye and one bad eye? Though, it did still burn to get hair products or soap in general in her eye.
After her shower, she took a towel from the rack and dried herself off. As she was carefully drying her face, she felt two more pops of her stitches. Styxx cursed to herself, finishing drying off quickly so she could find a needle and thread. She was never afraid of needles, since she constantly had one stuck in her cheek. She searched through drawers and the wardrobe, but found nothing. Discouraged, she left her room to try and find a maid at least.
To her luck, she found one. "Excuse me, miss?" she asked. The maid turned to her, and smiled. She was an attractive mare, really. Ivory coat, blue mane, green eyes.
"How may I be of service, Miss Rivers?" she asked. Before Styxx could answer, she noticed her cheek and gasped. "Oh my, Miss Rivers! Your cheek!"
"Yes, don't worry." Styxx sighed. "It's a common issue. I just need a needle and some thread." she told the maid. The alarmed maid nodded, and left to retrieve the items. Just as she left, Luna came passing through. She happened to notice Styxx. She opened her mouth to say hello, but her eyes caught her cheek as soon as her voice escaped her throat.
"Oh my Celestia, Styxx!" she exclaimed. "What happened to your cheek!?" she asked, alarmed as she went up to her friend and examined the wound.
"By your sister's beard, Luna, calm down!" Styxx said. "This is a common thing and I just need a needle and thread to fix it."
"Doesn't that hurt!?"
"Not when you're so used to it that the nerves in your left cheek are almost dead."
Luna stood in silence for a moment, eyes still wide. "H-How did you even get a scratch like that?"
"I got it when I was a filly. I had gotten my first scythe, and I accidentally scraped my face one time when I was carrying it. Horrific at the time, but nothing much now. It's now just a bloody scar." she explained vaguely.
Luna bit her lip. "Do you want me to see if a nurse around here can fix it?" she asked. Styxx shook her head, and by then, the maid returned. Styxx thanked the lovely mare, and took the needle and thread by her magic.
"If you'll excuse me, princess, I'm going to repair myself." Styxx said with a smile, and turned to trot away.
Luna felt compelled to follow her. Styxx did not mind this one bit, and she even sparked small talk with her. Once back in Styxx's bathroom, she noticed why everypony was being so weird over her scratch: it had started to drip and bleed. "Oh," Styxx said, eyes wide. "joy." she groaned. Styxx had to pull out the old stitches, and start repairing it. Luna watched, wincing every time Styxx poked the needle back into her face to fix another thread.
Once Styxx finished, Luna was a little amazed and horrified. "How do you not see that as such a big deal!?" she asked.
"Well," Styxx began. "I guess I'm used to it. The first few times it happened, I was a little filly. Naturally, it frightened me. But as I grew older, I learned to do it myself. Only when I did it, I never bothered to numb it. I just got the worst over with. By the time I had graduated school, I couldn't feel anything in my cheek anymore. I visited Nurse Redheart over it, and she told me it was simply because my nerves just died from it all. I barely -if even- feel it at all anymore." she explained.
"Wow..." Luna gasped. "that's...kind of awesome." she remarked with a small smile. Styxx chuckled, and the two mares trotted out of the bathroom, and went to do their own things.
Later on during the day, Celestia called Luna and Styxx to the throne room for an urgent discussion. Luna was a bit alarmed by this, but Styxx just figured it was probably royal matters. But then again, if that was the case, why would Celestia call her into the conversation? Luna and Styxx soon met Celestia, and the sun princess asked them to remain calm when she gives the news.
"There has been another murder in Appleloosa." she told them. Luna gasped, and Styxx furrowed her brow.
"What?" Styxx asked. "Is it like...before?" she asked. Celestia nodded.
"A young newlywed couple was murdered in their sleep. The scene was horrific and the motive didn't appear to be robbery."
"Who would kill for sport!?" Luna asked, eyes wide.
"Some ponies aren't right in the head." Styxx remarked. "Are you sending any troops for town protection?" she asked.
"It seems like the only thing I can do right now. Cadence won't like that we'll have to send Shining Armor to all the different places in Equestria, but it's our only option."
"And the palace!? Will maximum protection take place!?" Luna asked. Celestia nodded, her head lowering in sulk. Styxx looked to Luna, who had sat down and had placed her face into her hooves in pure disbelief. "Who is murdering all of these innocent ponies?" she quietly asked to nopony in particular.
Styxx looked back up at Celestia. "May I return to my shop for a short bit?" she asked. Celestia looked up, and raised an eyebrow at her.
"Why?" she asked. "Styxx, it's very dangerous to be out and about now. I'll have to hold a public speaking in Canterlot and let the mayors of other towns deal with the others. Why do you wish to leave?"
"I'll be back. I just need to retrieve something." she told the princess. Celestia, bemused, finally sighed and nodded. She was truly reluctant to let one of her most reliable employees leave into the open where danger is now very present, but she had faith in the young mare.
Styxx went back to her room to retrieve her key, and she then left the palace. Instead of trotting the whole way back to her shop, she flagged down a cart. After paying and tipping generously, she found herself back at the front door to her shop. It had really only been two days since she stepped hoof in that place, but two days felt like two years to her. Cautious, she unlocked the door and stepped in. Nothing seemed to be out of place. She closed the door behind her, and her eyes immediately scanned over the caskets on the floor. She felt immediate tension just as she looked at the fillies' caskets, and quickly went over to the shelves.
She began to look for her Book o' Death. If the murders were going to continue, she felt obligated to keep her book to write down entries. She felt like once this mess blew over, she would have a lot of work to catch up on. Unlike the days before, she found the book almost right off the bat. She used to magic to get it from the shelf, and she felt curiosity peek. She opened the book to the bookmarked page. What she saw made her drop the book and knocked the breath right out of her. She gasped sharply as she looked down at the book, which was still open to the page she had only caught a glimpse of. The entry of the most recent murder was already written in it:
Orange Tart- Stallion. Newlywed to Apple Jelly. Died by blunt-force trauma, skinning, and dismemberment. Apple Jelly- Mare. Newlywed to Orange Tart. Died by blunt-force trauma, asphyxiation from severed tongue, and dismemberment.
The book had yet to give any answers to how to fix them up. Styxx found that even more disturbing. Even still, she did not let this keep her from picking the book back up, and quickly trotting out of the shop and locking up once again. Before she called for another cart, she looked back the opposing direction, where downtown Canterlot was, and good old Crown Avenue. She figured buying a bottle and saving it for later would not hurt anything. Therefore, she trotted the other way and headed toward the bar.
As she trotted in, she heard her friend exclaim happily, "Styxxie!"
"Hey, Strawberry!" Styxx replied. "I'll need a bottle of Sweet Red to go." she told her.
Strawberry Jewel raised an eyebrow at Styxx. "That's all?" she asked. Styxx nodded, and she turned to get a fresh, cold bottle. She gave it to her, and charged her ten bits. Styxx gladly gave her the ten bits, and Strawberry put them into the register. "Styxx, are you sure you don't want anything else? Apple Tart Liquor, Saddle Arabic Champagne?" she pressed.
"Nope, I'll just need this." Styxx said. "I'll need it for tonight."
Strawberry smirked. "Got a special somepony to share it with~?" she asked.
Styxx blushed through her grey coat. "N-No! I mean, I..." she stammered, and thought for a moment. She could not lie about how she thought Luna was a beautiful, stunning, mare. Not to mention her personality was attractive. "I...I may work on it." she told Strawberry. The bartender mare laughed.
"You go, girl!" she teased. Styxx chuckled, and rolled her eyes.
"Thanks, Strawberry." she sighed, then left. She then flagged down another cart, and she went her way back to the palace.
When Styxx returned to the palace, she noticed Luna was in the throne room alone. Styxx immediately assumed Celestia had gone to give the public speech. "Luna?" Styxx asked, one eyebrow raised, The lunar princess looked up from her daze, ears perked.
"Styxx!" she gasped, startled. "S-Sorry, you caught me off guard."
"Everything okay?" Styxx asked. Luna nodded.
"Yes. just...just in thought." she sighed.
Styxx thought for a moment, then went up to her. "I have some wine if you want a glass." she offered. Luna looked to her.
"I...don't drink." she sighed. Styxx raised an eyebrow, and smirked.
"Not what you told me last night. About New Year's?" she teased. Luna blushed, and shook her head.
"That was one time. No more alcohol for me."
Styxx chuckled. "I wouldn't be so sure. I can make a sweet mixture with it and your energy drinks." She tempted. Luna's eyes widened, and she looked to Styxx.
"Really?" she asked. Styxx nodded, and Luna followed her to the kitchen. Styxx mixed about three glasses of Sweet Red Wine and Iron Bull energy drinks. Styxx had a few glasses straight up. Styxx soon felt the effects of the alcohol, as did Luna. The two spent a good hour drinking and talking about the most random things. Some of the maids thought they were on magic grass, but it was just the alcohol. The two mares happened to catch each other by the eyes.
"Wow~" Styxx chuckled with a smirk. "Luna, I never noticed-" she stopped to hiccup. "how beautiful your eyes are."
"You too, Styxxie!" Luna laughed.
Styxx took one more drink straight from the bottle of wine, and she grew a lustful look in her eyes when she looked to the princess. "Wanna take this to my room, princess?" she asked. Luna did not even think about it before replying positively, and Styxx took her upstairs. Once in her room, Styxx locked the door and laid Luna on the bed.
She went in and kissed the princess passionately. Luna did not hesitate, and kissed the mare right back. Styxx prodded at Luna's bottom lip with her tongue, to which the princess responded by parting her lips and allowing Styxx entrance. Styxx explored Luna's mouth with her tongue, and they fought for dominance. Luna won over Styxx, and put her front hooves around the mare's waist and pressed into her flank. Styxx pulled away and sighed sensually.
"Luna~" she chuckled. Luna smirked, and kissed at the mare's neck, while the undertaker pony tilted her head back in submission. Soon, the princess had them switch places, where she was atop the grey mare. She proceeded to kiss down the mare's body, and pleasure her in ways she never imagined possible. The two mares knew nothing else, and ignored everything else around them. All that existed was them.
The passionate kisses escalated to pleasures and drunk sex. After a good five hours of pure satisfaction, the mares ended up laying on the messy, cold sheets, hungover. Styxx had her head hanging over the side of the bed, over a wastebin. Luna was laying with her head in her hooves. "Don't tell me..." she stopped to swallow back nausea. "we just did that..."
"We did..." Styxx groaned, and vomited into the wastebin again.
Luna reached up to touch her horn, which was a little sore and felt awkward. When she drew her hoof back, she saw an almost clear, sticky substance. "Oh my Celestia!" she exclaimed. She looked to Styxx to see a similar substance dripping from her horn. Styxx leaned up, and groaned as she held her head in one hoof. The two sat in silence, then looked to each other.
When they did, they ended up laughing a little. "We are such whores." Styxx laughed. Luna nodded, laughing.
"I can't believe I let you do that to me!" she said, looking to Styxx's horn.
"I can't believe you did the same to me!"
The two laughed it off for a minute, then sighed. "Did you...enjoy it?" Luna asked.
"What I remember of it, yeah." Styxx replied with a smile. The guilt they had felt just moments ago suddenly faded. They were comfortable with this now. A little odd to Styxx, considering they were grown mares who just had drunk sex. The only thing they hoped was that Celestia did not hear any of it. If she did not, then she would never know it ever happened.
Later in the evening, Celestia had the servants make dinner for her, Luna, and Styxx. Luna had not mentioned one word about the earlier festivities with Styxx to anyone, but it was stuck in her's and Styxx's heads. Styxx promptly remembered putting Luna's horn in her mouth, and could feel the cramping in her jaw. Luna remembered the feeling of Styxx's innocence on her horn as well, and it was all honestly pleasureful to remember for the both of them.
At the table, Celestia decided to strike some conversation. "What have you two been up to today?" she asked. Luna and Styxx looked to one another, then back to Celestia. Styxx smiled, and chuckled a little.
"I retrieved my book from the shop today, then I went to see my friend Strawberry Jewel." she admitted innocently, and Luna nodded intently.
"And I just played some games today." she told her sister. Celestia laughed a little, and continued eating. Styxx felt relieved, having the feeling they had gotten away with their activity. Luna gave the unicorn a thankful glance, and Celestia noticed and raised an eyebrow.
"Everything alright, you two?" she asked.
"Yes, princess." Styxx lied, caught off guard by Celestia's acknowledgement of their expressions.
About ten minutes passed with pure silence. Celestia finished her food before Luna and Styxx, and a couple maids came to take the cleared plate and refill the flute of champagne. "You two need to work on being more quiet." she simply remarked when she noticed the two were too into thought. Her sister and the grey unicorn jolted, and blushed profusely. Styxx looked away, clearing her throat as her eyes widened.
"W-What do you mean?" Luna asked her sister, clearly embarrassed by her sister's blunt remark.
"I swear, ponies could've heard you two all the way in Trottingham." she replied. "You two sounded like you were enjoying yourselves, though."
"Princess!" Styxx cried out, finally looking back to Celestia, who laughed.
"Styxx, it's fine." she said. "I almost expected it."
"What!?" Styxx and Luna exclaimed in unison, almost offended. Celestia then smirked slyly, and took her champagne to her bedroom. Luna looked to Styxx with a befuddled expression, to which Styxx returned with a shocked expression. "What the Hell did she mean by that!?" she asked Luna.
Luna blushed even more, her cheeks almost crimson. "U-Uhm, I-I don't know!" she responded, so muddled that she was stammering. Styxx sighed, and got up and kissed the princess's cheek.
"I'll see you in the morning, love." she said tiredly, not totally realizing what she just called Luna. She left the dining room, and Luna was left at the table with her head in her hooves. It was almost thirty minutes of thought before Luna finally asked for a can of Iron Bull, and a bottle of Royal Liquor, and returned to her chambers.
Styxx laid in her bed, befuddled to no end. She was beginning to regret everything. Was Luna even a lesbipony? Was it just a one night thing? Styxx could not shake the horrible feelings she had. She laid on her side, staring out the window. She could faintly hear the late night bustle of ponies out and about the Canterlot streets. Curiosity peaked, and she thought about what Luna may be up to. Hesitant to go and see, she got up and went downstairs to the entrance of Luna's chambers.
She did not speak with the guards, as she silently listened to Luna's angry grumbling and a hiccup here and there between her sentences. She was drunk gaming, that had to be it. Styxx asked for entrance, and one guard knocked on the door. A hiccup of an affirmative came from the other side, and the guards allowed Styxx in. She trotted in nervously, and peeked around the corner to see Luna sitting on her bed, an empty bottle of Royal Liquor and a can of Iron Bull laying next to her. Styxx sat on the rug, and glanced to the television. Luna played the newest "Resident Evil", not too phased since she had alcohol goggles on.
"Luna?" Styxx started gently. "Are you alright?" she asked.
Luna paused the game and looked to Styxx. "Yeah Styxxie-" she stopped, and hiccuped. "I'm just fine! Wanna play a round?" she offered. Styxx decided to accept, since the princess was clearly just needing to rest. For thirty minutes, Styxx played the game with tensity while Luna laid drunk rambling about games she had played, using her magic to try and get the last few drops out of the glass bottle. Styxx had eventually tuned her out, since the game had required all her focus. Unfortunately for her, she made it to the morgue before the mold monster killed her for about the tenth time.
"I suck at gaming." Styxx muttered under her breath as she saved again, put away the controller, and turned off the console. She looked back over to the lunar princess next to her and realized she had fallen asleep. Styxx smiled, and gently got up. She gathered the bottle, empty Iron Bull can, and some junk food wrappers and threw them away in the wastebin by the nightstand. She then returned to the bed and laid next to Luna. She was not sure why, but she cuddled close to the princess, and quietly laid there with her.
Two o'clock in the morning struck, and Luna awoke to see Styxx laying there next to her, asleep. For a moment, she panicked and thought she fell asleep while gaming. She noticed the television was off, and looking around, she noticed the room was a little neater. Then, the realization hit; Styxx had come and cleaned up a bit. Luna smiled a little to herself, and looked back over to the grey mare lying asleep. She got up from the bed, and used her magic to lift Styxx onto her back. She proceeded to take her on to the bedroom, and laid Styxx in bed. She covered the mare with the blanket. Just as she looked over her one more time, she noticed the stitches in Styxx's face had come loose again.
Luna remembered watching Styxx do it, and she went to the bathroom to find the needle and thread. Luckily for her, it was set just on the sink counter. She went back to the bed with the needle and thread, and began to gently pull out the old stitches, and sew in new ones. After a couple retries, Luna eventually got the wound sewn back up. She set it on the bedside table, and then left the unicorn to sleep.
As Luna was passing through to proceed back to her chambers, she found Celestia in the library. "Sister?" Luna asked.
"Ah," Celestia said, turning to look over her shoulder to her sister. She did not seem startled. "I thought you had gone to bed."
"I did for a while." Luna admitted. "Is everything alright?"
"Well," Celestia hesitated. "no. See, I was going to look and see if there was anything here that could possibly help in finding the serial killer and a way to help Styxx back onto her hooves in the shop."
"Have you found nothing?" Luna asked.
Celestia nodded. "This will be more difficult than I anticipated."
"It'll be too dangerous to do something like destroy the shop." Luna said to her sister, as she paced the library nervously. Celestia was busy looking through books and scrolls in hopes to find something even remotely close to Styxx's specialty. No such luck was to fall upon her. For as long as they have been alive, and their infinite knowledge, they had no active records of death in their archives. Though, Celestia was sure there had to be something.
"Styxx said the dead have a waiting room, right? What did she call it?" Celestia asked.
"Purgatory? What does that have to do with anything?" Luna asked as she looked to her sister, who was frantically opening books and unrolling scrolls.
"The dead is the source of this problem, isn't it? If we can only find something that can help us in putting the -uhm, unresting- to rest." she replied, trying to find better terms, but her mind unable to do so.
"There won't be such luck. We've been around longer than her, but she has seen more death somehow..." Luna sighed. "she has seen horrors we have not. Though, I remember when Cadaver had the fear of losing his business because the ponies had found ways of keeping themselves alive."
"The only reason we have not seen death is because we never leave this damned castle." Celestia muttered. "You and I both know well that we could go and find something that is-" she stopped, suddenly an idea coming to her.
"Celestia?" Luna prodded.
"Death." she said, and trotted quickly further into the archives. Luna followed, apprehensive and a bit tense. "That's it, Luna! We need to find out who the killer is. Once we figure out that, Styxx could do something that could help with this. She can put an end to her problems, and everypony is happy."
"I am sure it is not that simple, sister." Luna replied. "She is only an undertaker. You mistake her for some kind of reaper."
"What if that's what she is though? She has not taken much pride in finding her root abilities, has she not?"
"How would you know that?"
"I recruited her as the undertaker when she was a teenage mare. She had already had plenty of experience, and poor Hades had just about had it with that shop. That place is as old as nails, Luna. We need to try and find out what she is capable of. I'll train her like I did Twilight. She won't become an alicorn, of course. But she will be stronger in her abilities. If she is meant to be-"
"She is meant to be an undertaker! Her cutiemark says so, doesn't it!?"
"What if it means so much more!?"
Luna growled. "You're being ridiculous! Is this is some delusion you have that there is a pony who is capable of controlling death at will? That is not Styxx. She can't be."
Luna would not allow her sister another further argument. She trotted out the archives, only greeted to a hallway illuminated by the three o'clock moon. As she headed to her chambers, she could hear another set of hooves coming down the staircase. She looked up to see the grey unicorn coming down to meet her. "Luna?" she said.
"Styxx?" she said. "Did you hear any of that?"
"...Any of what?"
Styxx had not asked Luna about the night before. She had returned to her room as soon as Luna had dismissed her and went to her chambers. Styxx paced her room quietly, thinking about why Luna had asked if she had heard 'any of that'. Any of what? What was said that she was not supposed to hear? Were they considering things behind her back?
No, not Luna... she thought. She wouldn't. Styxx continued to pace her room, unsure of how much more she could possibly handle if the princesses were talking about sending her back home. Not so early on, surely? Styxx's family has always been loyal servants. They couldn't. She paced her bedroom a bit faster, almost galloping around the room. While her back was turned to the shelves, she heard something fall. She looked over her shoulder to see her Book o' Death laying open on the floor. She had forgotten she had set it on a shelf. A bit apprehensive, she trotted over to it and looked to the page it turned to.
The River of Styxx beckons thee. The old oak tree stands to seek the nearest venturer. Research for years can be found in the mind's library.
Styxx's brow furrowed. She immediately noticed the book actually misspelled "Styx", to be her name. She knew the book was trying to communicate in the only way it knew how. She was too worried about other things to realize just how creepy this message was. She read it over and over, trying to get the message. Styxx finally narrowed the message down to the potential sentence, trying to make heads or flanks of this. Then, it hit her.
The River of Styxx beckons thee. The old oak tree stands to seek the nearest venturer. Research for years can be found in the mind's library.
"Shit." Styxx growled. "Which library!?" she snapped at the book. She slammed it shut with her aura and threw it across the room. Her mind was muddled, as was her emotions. She had no time to think about this kind of thing, and had no desire to further the stupid riddles in front of her. She grabbed her key from the bedside table, and put it around her neck. She trotted down to the main doors and headed out of Canterlot.
Styxx had not been to Ponyville in some time. She had family there, but they lived on the outskirts, closer to the forest. She figured going to see Twilight was her best bet. She wondered if the library her book mentioned was Twilight's? Styxx found herself galloping through the streets, finding it so much easier than the busy streets of Canterlot.
When she came to the tree, she knocked on the door. A small dragon answered, and he looked up at the grey unicorn. "Hi!" he said with a smile. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Miss Twilight Sparkle?" Styxx replied. Just before the small dragon could leave to retrieve the mare, Twilight passed by the door. Her eyes widened when she saw the undertaker pony.
"Styxx?" she asked, amazed the mare was standing at her door.
Styxx had to explain everything to Twilight. The purple alicorn was searching the shelves on one side of the library, Styxx doing the same. Anything regarding death, necromancy, and darker magic was what they needed. Twilight said Styxx had the mind of an ancient pony when it came to the knowledge of death. Though, this is taking to account that half of her family were necromancers, cadavers, et cetera.
"Have the princesses been taking care of you, Styxx?" she asked casually. Styxx looked over her shoulder at Twilight for a moment, then answered her.
"Yes, they have. Luna has been especially kind to me." she remarked.
Twilight chuckled. "I would figure so. I wonder if she is fond of you?"
Styxx's brow furrowed as she continued looking through the many books on the shelves. Twilight and her had known each other for some time. In fact, Twilight was the one who helped Styxx get directly under the princesses' wings. Before then, the family business was more like servant work. Now it's more important. "Why me?" she asked, almost to herself.
"Luna is particular about these things, Styxx. It's not everyday you meet a pony of death." Twilight answered, still looking through the books as well. "Ah, here's something..." she muttered, taking an old leather book from a high shelf, and holding it with her aura as she continued to search. One book was not enough to look for a solution for Styxx.
"I'm not a grim reaper, if that's what you mean." Styxx replied. "I'm just a pony who prepares others for one of their most important occasions, if not the most important." she added casually as she too found a book. This one was black and hardback, the covers almost looking like a thin woven fabric wrapped around a hard surface. "Have you found anything, Twilight?" she asked.
"I found one thing so far. You?"
"Same here." Styxx sighed, discouraged. Since nopony knew much about death or beyond, there was not much research books. Styxx was almost positive any books they would find would be written by one of her distant ancestors. She turned back around, as did Twilight. "Let's look through these and see what we can find."
Twilight nodded, and they came closer to flip through pages. They sat down, both using their magic to hold the books and look through them. "The princesses were acting a little...strange...early this morning." Styxx remarked.
"Oh?" Twilight said. "How so?"
"They had spent hours on end in the archives, and I had come downstairs to check on Luna. Dinner had been a little...awkward, to say the least. I had to make sure she was alright. When she came out and caught sight of me, she asked if I had heard anything she and Celestia had been discussing."
"Had you?"
"No. But that caught me off guard. I'm starting to worry, Twilight." Styxx admitted, almost sheepishly.
"Don't be worried, Styxx." Twilight said reassuringly. "I'm sure they just were having a private conversation. You and Luna seem to be close, so I'm sure she will talk to you about it later."
"I hope so..." Styxx sighed, and flipped to the middle of the book she had to realize a page was torn. "Hey, one of these pages are torn. I can't read the rest."
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Really? Let me see." she said, and peered over to see the page was torn in half. The bottom of the page was gone. "How did that happen?"
"Did anypony else own this library before you?" Styxx asked.
"Oh I'm sure," Twilight replied. "but I don't know who..."
At the palace, Luna was determined to convince Celestia that Styxx was not a grim reaper pony. She paced her chambers, trying to think of how she could persuade her sister to believe that Styxx was not meant for that. Luna knew that Styxx was meant to prepare ponies for a restful afterlife, not put them into the afterlife. She knew the grey unicorn was out, and this worried her deeply. What if she went back to her shop? She was beginning to think there was no saving it...
"Luna!" Celestia called from upstairs. "Sister, come here!"
Luna rolled her eyes, knowing Celestia was probably trying to give more evidence that Styxx was meant for "so much more". She went upstairs, and saw Celestia holding two scrolls and a dark leather book. "What are those?" Luna asked. "The book looks like the 'Book o' Death...'"
"It is." Celestia admitted. "I found it in the guest bedroom Styxx has been staying in. A new entry has been put in, I witnessed it myself!" she told her, aware of the book's magic, since their mother had given the book to Styxx's family. "We need Styxx to hunt the killer and put them to rest, Luna."
"You're asking her to assassinate another pony!?" Luna exclaimed, shocked.
"Luna, this pony is a threat to Equestria! I cannot do this, but Styxx can. She knows the elements of death better than any other pony." she vaguely explained.
"She is not a grim reaper, Celestia!" Luna shouted, stomping a hoof.
"What if that is what she is truly meant for!?"
"She would have known that by now! I don't care what you say, I will not allow you to go through with this silly plan!"
"Also, little sister, it is not assassination. It is a natural act of a reaper." Celestia corrected her from earlier.
Luna growled, on the verge of screaming at her older sister. "Dammit, Tia! She is not a grim reaper, she is an undertaker. She would be doing much darker work if she was a reaper, and she would know if she was one. She would commit to it and it would not have to grow in strength if it was truly inside of her somewhere!" she yelled.
Celestia glared at her. "Luna, calm down." she instructed sternly, trying to keep her composure herself. Luna's glare did not ease, and she looked to the side.
"Just shut up about it around me." she snapped. "If you dare mention this ridiculous idea to Styxx, I will leave this palace. And take her with me."
"Why would you take her along?"
Luna hesitated, realizing what that sounded like. Quick to flip it around on Celestia, she said, "...Because I refuse to allow you to implant this into her mind. She is already on edge, I know it. Just leave it be, Celestia." she almost pleaded, and turned away to return to her quarters.
Twilight and Styxx sat in the middle of the library for a long time, having found about four more books on the matter they were looking for. The ultimate idea was to find a way to return Styxx's shop to normal. The two sat mostly in silence as they skimmed through several worn pages of six different books. Styxx found a particular page that could possibly help with whatever was in her shop. "Twilight," she said to get the alicorn's attention. Twilight looked up, a glint of inquisitiveness in her eyes. "I found something. 'Returner'? It's like a spell..." she said, turning the book to let Twilight see the page.
She glanced over the page, and smiled. "Hmm, this could work. Return the spirit to the murderer?" she asked.
"I believe it's more like a karma thing. The spell sounds familiar. My aunt, Sage Hoodoo, was knowing of these kind of things. This is well deserved, obviously. Hell, it's a murderer." she pointed out. Twilight nodded.
"I understand. Where are we going to find the things for this?" she asked, looking over the ingredients to perform this spell.
"Zecora, if I don't have anything myself." Styxx told her. "Zecora is who I often go to if I run out of herbs and such. A truly talented pony, she is." she added, and Twilight nodded.
"Should we head to Canterlot to see what we can do, then?" Twilight asked. Styxx seemed hesitant at the thought. She knew the princesses were put off about her ever going back to the shop as of right now. Another thing she thought of was the four caskets still neatly put in the floor, having yet to be preserved, and probably slowly decaying as of now.
"...Give it a little bit of time?" Styxx asked. Twilight raised an eyebrow at the grey unicorn.
"Why? Don't you want to be rid of this and return to work?"
"Of course I do." Styxx replied, and then looked away at nothing in particular. "I just...have a lot of issues with this matter. I have not performed a proper spell in four years. There's also rules to this kind of magic. What days are better than others, what times are better, the moon phase..." she trailed off. "I could go on. Twilight, what I'm trying to say is, I'm worried it will release and then latch onto you. I would not wish a haunting on you, princess." she said gently.
"I know that, Styxx." Twilight replied. "I understand your magic is more delicate than most." the grey unicorn nodded at this acknowledgement. She sighed, and looked down.
"I'm going to speak with Luna on the matter." she admitted.
Twilight let a small smile spread on her face, and she nodded. Styxx thanked her friend, and they shared an embrace before the grey unicorn left the library. For safe keeping, Twilight put the books all together and set them to the side. She knew this would not be the last time they would have to look through those.
Styxx returned to the palace, a bit surprised when Celestia approached her. "Styxx, you're back." she said. She raised an eyebrow at the princess, having never really seemed to mind when Styxx came and went, so this was new.
"Yes..." she said slowly. "is everything alright?" she asked. The regal princess nodded.
"If I may, I would like a word with you." said she, eerily calm. Styxx was a little alarmed, but simply nodded in response. "Styxx, correct me if I am wrong, but your family is a mixture of cadavers, undertakers, and reapers, yes?"
Styxx had to think for a moment before replying. Her grandfather was a cadaver, but her father was indeed a reaper. "On my father's side, yes." she answered. "My mother's is more...holier, if you will."
Celestia nodded once again. "You are a very gifted pony, you know. Not many other unicorns are capable of handling life itself."
"You mistake me for a reaper, princess. For I am merely an undertaker." Styxx told her. "I posses no other skill. I have only truly practiced undertaking and cadaving. Not taking a pony's soul."
"I see. But are you open to it?" Celestia asked. Styxx's eyes widened. What was the princess asking of her?
"...Please elaborate, your highness..."
"Styxx, you are born with that kind of talent in your veins. Clearly it is a genetic. I am desperate to catch this serial killer, if that isn't already obvious. I need you to channel your inner reaper..." she hesitated, thinking about Luna's threat to her just moments ago. She knew Luna was not bluffing, but she would not admit it to herself. "...I need you to find them and kill them. You would be saving so many innocent lives!"
The grey unicorn was at a loss for words. Her mouth was agape, as she tried to fathom what the princess has just told her. "B-Become a reaper!? And actively kill a pony!?" she exclaimed.
"Please, Styxx! I will train you, or at least attempt to. You won't have to worry." Celestia told her. Before Styxx could reply, Luna stormed in.
"Still thy tongue, sister!" Luna screamed, her Royal Canterlot voice extremely prominent. Celestia was startled, and she turned to face her sister, who galloped over to them. "Styxx, do not fall for her tricks!"
"Princess?" Styxx said, her brow furrowed at the two.
"Luna!" Celestia began. "Do not intervene, little sister. Or I shall be forced to have the guards escort you out."
"Let them then!" her sister screamed at her. "You are asking her to do an extremely dangerous job and one that she probably is not even meant to perform!"
"Luna, please-" Celestia tried to make her sister stop, but she kept going.
"I refuse!" her royal voice again extreme. "Styxx, come with me please." she asked, her voice now calmer but had some tension. "We are leaving."
"Princess...?" Styxx said again, now truly unsure of what to say. Luna just looked at her, a pleading glint in her angry eyes. The unicorn then compiled to her princess, and she trotted with her to the exit, Celestia's angry calls for them to stop and return just drowned out by the flurrying thoughts in Styxx's mind. Luna ignored her sister as well, as they made their way to the train station.
Never once has Styxx ever witnessed the sisters actively argue until then. The train ride was mostly silent, worried glances to the princess only returned with ones that seethed with rage directed to what had just happened. Once the train stopped in Ponyville, Luna looked to Styxx. "We need to speak to Twilight." she stated.
"I just came back from her place!" Styxx said.
"She won't mind."
With reluctance, Styxx again compiled and they proceeded to the library. Spike answered the door when Luna knocked, and was genuinely surprised to see them. He called for Twilight, who soon showed up to the door, and let them in. "Is everything alright, you two?"
"My sister is attempting to get Styxx to try and become a reaper." Luna said. Twilight was shocked to say the least.
"Celestia!? Why!?" Twilight exclaimed.
"To catch the killer." Styxx answered. "She wants me to 'channel my inner reaper' and take care of the problem. I know it would do good but that isn't exactly the most effective way, I don't believe. We should handle it legally instead of otherworldly, yes?"
"You aren't wrong, Styxx." Twilight said.
"I refuse to allow her to throw you in the face of danger like that." Luna stated firmly. "Styxx, I care too much about your well-being and safety for you to do that."
"I am well aware princess, and I thank you." she said, bowing her head for a moment. When she looked back up, the princess smiled warmly. Twilight sighed.
"I looked through the books a bit more further, Styxx. If you want, we can skim through them and find something that may solve your personal issue?"
Styxx turned her attention to her friend, and she smiled. "Alright."
Celestia paced the throne room, seething. "Why won't she let me take care of it the way I believe is best!?" she yelled, mostly asking herself. She had no idea who else she would be asking, truthfully. "Fucking hell..." she spat, and shook her head as she turned to the hallway, which carried through the palace, branching off to other wings. She called for her guards.
When five guards approached her, she looked to them with pure seriousness and rage. "I want you five to search Equestria for two things: Styxx Rivers and the serial killer. Find the reaper first." she demanded. "Once I have the reaper, you five will stay whilst I keep her for training. Once she is ready, I will send all of you to find the killer and eradicate them."
The guards exchanged worried glances, before nodding in respect and agreement. "Go then!" Celestia commanded, and they were off. She grumbled to herself, planning her training for Styxx in her mind. She was not a born reaper, but she would reteach her. Her magic was made for the netherworldly practices, and she imagined it would not be easy. Not to mention convincing her would be tough...
Then it would come down on what to do with Luna. Sending her back to the moon was a bit too much, but if need be, she would either seal her in her chambers or keep her in the dungeon. She knew if Luna was angry enough to leave the palace, she would be absolutely killer-crazy against her if she took Styxx forcibly.
...Then the princess began to rethink herself. Was she really going to force her way with a pony? She felt like she had to. It was the only way she was going to catch the killer...was it not? She quickly pushed away these second-guessing thoughts. What is needed cannot be undone. She knew Styxx was the only way through this. To save her subjects.
As the day slowly became night, Styxx had looked through almost every novel, every textbook, and every booklet on anything related to death and the afterlife. Styxx was growing sick of the words "spirits", "ghosts", all along those lines. Luna had to go out on Twilight's balcony and raise the moon, and eventually rested against Styxx as she closed the last book. The grey unicorn allowed a yawn to escape her muzzle.
The peace was not long lived, because there was the pounding of a hoof on the door. "Royal Guards! Open up, please!" a gruff stallion voice called. Styxx and Luna jolted up, and Twilight came galloping down the stairs. In a panic, Twilight waved a wing as a signal for the couple to hide. They hurried upstairs as quietly as they could manage, Luna taking the liberty of hiding in the rafters, trying to be light on her hooves. Styxx went for the cliche of stuffing herself under the bed.
Twilight answered the door, and gave a curious look. "Hello," she greeted. "is there anything I can help you with?" she asked.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle," the same guard began. "we are searching for Princess Luna and Styxx Rivers. By any chance have you encountered them in the past three hours?" he asked.
Twilight took a deep breath mentally, readying herself to lie. "No sir, I hate to disappoint."
The guard raised an eyebrow at the others behind him. He was reluctant before clearing his throat and looking back to her. "I see. I apologize for disturbing you. Have a good night, Princess Twilight." he said before they all turned away. Twilight calmly closed her door before calling out to the girls.
"The coast is clear!" she said, relatively quietly as to not alarm anyone. Luna came down from the rafters, and Styxx wriggled herself out from under the bed. They trotted back downstairs.
"That was a close call..." Luna remarked.
"Celestia is hell-bent on getting me to kill somepony, isn't she?" Styxx asked. Luna was so hesitant to believe this, but she had had an entire argument with Celestia about the matter.
"It is unbelievable, to say the absolute least." the lunar princess sighed. There was a bit of a pause, before Twilight broke the silence by changing the subject and mood of things.
"So, Styxx..." she began. "...what all did you find?"
Styxx grinned. "I believe I found more than enough of the information I need!" she happily reported. "As I read, I began to understand why these spirits are staying in my shop. Though the reasoning is frightful to think about, it is very likely. Especially coming from a screwed up family like mine."
The princesses gave the undertaker inquisitive looks. Styxx chuckled, and used her magic to hold up three books in particular: Hauntings and How To Survive, The Art of Death, and Necromancy, Cleansings, and Exorcisms. "Those are the books that are supposed to help!?" Luna exclaimed, reading the titles and feeling alarmed.
"Allow me to explain." Styxx said with a cheeky smile. "It's a simple concept really. See, when ponies die in the way this family did, they may have a reason to stay behind. I believe I mentioned something about unfinished business, or things along those lines? Well, that's basically it. I concluded that their deaths could be linked to me, just not directly to me, you get it?" she asked.
"Would you care to elaborate more?" Twilight asked.
"I'd be delighted to~ What I'm coming at is, the killer could be a close friend, an ex-marefriend, or even a family member of mine. As much as I don't want to think that is a possibility, it could be. The spirits feel the need to linger in my shop because they want me to figure it out. And thankfully their presence has made me want to figure it out, because I'm behind on appointments." she said the last part a bit flatly. Styxx then cleared her throat, and flipped to a particular page in The Art of Death, and showed the pages to Twilight and Luna. "Another problem is, of course, the brutal murder. The way ponies die can be a reason they stay. From any and all documents I have on ponies, I could tell this family was more than wholesome. It's a shame the way they went, really. As horrendous as the scene was. They didn't deserve that and they know it. But obviously, the killer has some kind of grudge against wholesome ponies."
"How would you say so?" Luna asked, skimming over the text on the pages.
"I mean, think about it. The most recent entry I saw was this newlywed couple. I pulled out any files I had on them and it too was a clean slate. It's like the killer has a jealousy. Also, look at it this way: as far as I can tell, innocent foals and straight pony couples have been murdered. No problems there, obviously." Styxx scoffed. "Sounds like sexism and God-complexism to me."
Luna and Twilight nodded in agreement. "So what can we do?" Twilight asked.
"Well, that's where we're fucked." she admitted. "We may have to side with Celestia, but propose that we do not kill the killer right off the bat, but give them a fair trial. I probably have all the files we need on every pony in Equestria." she told them. "However, if they are a family member of mine, then we are truly screwed over. Grandad Cadaver didn't keep files on the family. Something about 'family sticking up and protecting family' or some cringey shit like that."
Luna's brow furrowed. "So this is playing with fire, is what you're saying?" she asked.
"Essentially, yes." Styxx replied. "The plan would have to go in this order: side with Celestia with a mutual understanding, find the killer and do what we have to, then cleanse the shop. And magic! All back to normal for the rest of us."
The princesses exchanged worried glances, and then decided they all needed to see Celestia. As nerve-wracking as it was at the time, they knew it was for the best.
A train-ride filled with anxiety later, they were all going into the palace with brave faces. Celestia was pacing, seething with rage as she muttered to herself. Luna, the bravest soul, spoke out to her sister. "Celestia?"
The celestial princess quickly turned to them. "You! You turned on me, you absolute-" she was cut off by Styxx stepping forward to speak.
"Princess, please! I have taken the liberty to search for the information I need and I believe I have a plan that may serve better than trying to turn me into something like a reaper. If I may tell you?" she asked.
Celestia had to contain her anger, and she exhaled heavily. "Yes, Miss Rivers. Go on."
Styxx went on to explain everything she had previously to Luna and Twilight on to Celestia. Once she was done explaining everything in the simplest way she could, she looked the princess in the eyes. "What we need to do, is we first need to track down the killer properly. I believe it would help to keep some ponies I know on standby, and we can bring Twilight along. She had the books I needed to enlighten myself on the situation at hoof. So, Celestia? What say you?"
Celestia was hesitant, biting her lip. She turned her back to them, and called for a maid. She instructed her to let a guard that stayed behind to send for the ones out on the search. The maid nodded, bowed, then left. The princess turned back to the three ponies presented to her, and she let out a shameful sigh.
After a good thirty minutes of waiting and calling the ponies needed, Celestia, Luna, and Twilight were pleased to see Styxx's family once again. A large, strong, built unicorn stallion stood before them first. His coat was dark red, his mane as black as the night, eyes glimmering magenta. His flank bore the cutiemark of a large death scythe. He knelt down in front of the princesses respectfully. "A blessing to see you again, princesses." he spoke, his voice low and warm.
"Pleased to see you again, Scythe." Celestia replied with a smile. Scythe stood back up, and looked to Styxx.
"And I am very happy to see you again, my darling daughter." he said. Styxx smiled.
"Glad to see you again!" she said.
Soon, two more unicorns trotted in. Silver coated, one's mane short, magenta with black streaks, and the other had a long mane, orange with black streaks. Their eyes were grey, glancing around the palace with curiosity. "Aunt Crypt! Aunt Grave!" Styxx said excitedly, going over to them. They both looked up and hugged their niece with glee.
"Styxx, baby!" the magenta-maned one, Cryptia, said.
"How are you dear?" the other, Gravella, asked.
"Not great if I'm honest." Styxx answered. "I'm so happy you could come!"
"Of course, darling." Grave spoke. "We wouldn't miss the opportunity to reap again for the world!" this made Styxx laugh, and turn back to the princesses. Luna and Twilight seemed slightly befuddled and a little humored by the family members Styxx had.
Next to trot in was Styxx's great-grandfather, Tombstone. He had a grey coat like Styxx's, but had black hair. His eyes were red as well. His cutiemark matched his name, a grey tombstone. He bore his age with his looks a bit, but not by much. It was obvious where Scythe got his looks from, however. "Grandpa!" Styxx said joyfully, and he smiled, hugging her for a moment.
"Hello, Styxxie." he said, his voice also low and warm, his more monotone however. "Your great-great-grandfather will be here soon." he told her, and she raised an eyebrow.
"Grandad? But he's not fit for the problem at hoof right now." she said. Tombstone shook his head.
"Contrary to what you believe, he's more spry than he looks. Though his vision is lacking a bit..." he trailed off, Styxx shaking her head at the thought of her dear old great-great-grandfather coming in for this. While the new guests were reintroducing themselves to the princesses, they heard not just one set of hooves trotting along, but two. Styxx looked up curiously, and saw Cadaver alongside Styxx's pegasus mother, Holeigh Guardian.
The two looked like they were practically an angel and a devil walking alongside one another. Holeigh's mane looked purer than gold, her eyes glistening a bright blue. Her coat forever stayed pearly, and her flank shown off her cutiemark of a halo wrapped around a wing. Scythe looked to Holeigh with pure love in his eyes, the two looking so polar opposite to one another as she approached him.
Cadaver's age shown greatly in his appearance, but still had a somewhat healthy-looking stature. He had a blood-red coat and grey mane, eyes golden. His cutiemark was a coffin and a shovel. He bowed before the princesses, standing back up as he said, "It has been too long, your highnesses."
Celestia smiled. "It indeed has, Cadaver."
The royals looked upon the grim looking family, spotting Holeigh out of the crowd. The mare stepped up to the princesses, bowing with respect. "I do not believe we have properly met," she said softly, her voice as smooth as silk. "I am Holeigh Guardian, Styxx's mother." she introduced herself. "It is an honour to be of service to you, your highnesses." she had a slight proper accent to her voice.
Celestia nodded to her with equal respect. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Guardian." she replied. They had not met her, but were impressed to say the least. Holeigh returned to Scythe's side, and he smiled down at her. "I hope Styxx has briefed you all on the current situation. If I may ask, who here is skilled in reaping? Please step forward."
It was then Scythe, Cryptia, and Gravella stepped forward. Luna observed for a moment before realizing there used to be four reapers. "Wait." she said. "I remember talk of there being four reapers. Where is the missing pony?" she asked.
"That would be our father, Nevermore." Crypt spoke out.
"He is no longer with us, I'm afraid." Grave added. Luna realized this, and nodded grimly as she stepped back, glancing to Styxx, who stood between Cadaver and Holeigh. Celestia then cleared her throat.
"Yes, well, though we are one short, this should be enough. You three are very skilled, I presume?" she asked, all three nodding. "Good. You three will be our main attackers if need be. Whoever this killer is, if they decide to become hostile, you three are to take care of what needs to be done." she instructed. "Kill if necessary, disabling is a main, however. You three may step back." she dismissed, the three returning to their former positions. "Now, if the undertakers would step forward."
Then Styxx and Tombstone stepped up. "Styxx, because you are the one to have found all information needed, you will be leading the mission along with Luna and Twilight. However, Tombstone, if you would stay and access the situation once the culprit is captured? We require an undertaker to take care of any bodies we discover along the way. Preparation and preservation, I assume. And assure the preservation of others that have yet to be taken care of by the current undertaker, Miss Rivers." Celestia said, both nodding in agreement before being dismissed and stepping back.
"Cadaver?" Celestia said, he stepping up.
"How may I be of service?" he asked.
"We will need you for the initial burying and taking care of the bodies found. Also, if it comes down to the burial of the killer, we definitely need you for that. If you can do so?" she inquired, the elder nodding slowly with a smile, as he was dismissed and stepped back. It was then Celestia looked to Holeigh. "And you, Miss Guardian?"
Holeigh trotted front and center. "Yes, your highness?"
"What can you do?"
"I am a pony of light. I can assure a safe passage for the ponies suffering in the serial killings. If I may do so in this mission, I will not let you down." she said. Celestia smiled, and nodded.
"Alright. You will await here along with Cadaver and Tombstone. The other six will all be heading out. The guards reported that the last reported killing was in Appleoosa. A long trip, but I assure it will have its own rewards." she said. "Admittedly, I believed Miss Rivers was capable of more than just undertaking, but now I see your family has a variety and does not require to change who she is for this mission. I thank you all for willing to be part of this." she added, all giving her small smiles.
"Shall we be going?" Luna asked, looking to Styxx.
"Yes, I believe so." she replied, looking to her family. Scythe and Holeigh shared a tight embrace and loving kiss before he turned to leave with the group. Styxx felt a slight anxiety begin to rise as she looked ahead at the large doors leading to the main hall out the palace. It was then she remembered something, and quickly turned around, galloping over to a maid.
"Maid, if you would, please retrieve the Book o' Death from my room and bring it down to Tombstone? He will need it!" she said with much urgency, the maid nodding quickly and going to get it. Holeigh joked to Styxx to not get too worked up, or her wound would burst open. Styxx rolled her eyes playfully at her mother, who giggled at her own joke. The grey unicorn then returned alongside her family and lover, as they headed out.
As of this date, 11/23/2018, I am discontinuing this story. I have lost interest in this story and I have had major writer's block over it for almost a year. I had ideas but no way to convey it in a way that would even be half decent. I apologize for the inconvenience, and I just might rewrite it in a better way. Depends, really.
