Quill, a story telling minstrel. Set in stone for five hundred years, his good name taken. Set free by accident by the crusaders now journeys forth on with his great descendant Trixie. What things await this duo as they try to find the pieces of the weapon that destroyed the Crystal Kingdom, as he tries to restore the name of Quill to its former glory.
with editing and proofreading by: The_Great_Pirate_King
Also Format Concept Stolen From: RUST cover art and illustrations by: SilverTailWuf
Still with each dawn and brand new sun, I hope today's the day, That forgiveness finds its way to you, and you let me fly away.
For Markarian
Once upon a time, there was a pegasus, named Mighty Quill. Mighty had a passion for writing, but all through his life he felt something was not right in the world. Eventually, he realized that after Princess Luna had been banished as Nightmare Moon, there was no longer balance in the sky or in Equestria. Soon, his pamphlets began to quietly circulate throughout Equestria, critical of Celestia as both a ruler and a sister. He even went so far as to call her a usurper. When he led a peaceful demonstration in the Canterlot castle gardens to air these grievances with the Princess herself, he soon thereafter found himself a permanent resident among the paths and hedges. He's still there today, tucked away in a quiet corner, long forgotten by all... except one.
with editing and proofreading by: The_Great_Pirate_King
Chapter One
Secrets within the Labyrinth Walls
It was raining, a rare occasion in the gardens that surrounded the castle. The green life of the orchids, roses and tulips that spanned the colors of the rainbow and some that could never be described by word alone. The clouds above littered the Canterlot garden with a small torrent of cool droplets. Each feeding the vegetation into the plants the labyrinth. Tucked away in the corner of the garden, was a statue of the pegasus, Mighty Quill.
The pegasus that had been forgotten, Quill as he was known to his friends and family, was a writer, and a bard. His poems struck cords deep within the citizens of Equestria, as he sang songs of truth and of the valor and heroism of others. In one of his many searches to sing praises of heroes long past, he came upon a document. More of a diary of sorts, it told the tale of the slow fall and rise of the moon princess. Luna who had been seal away in the moon five hundred years ago.
Quill, as his cutie mark depicts, a silver shield under a black quill. Went to spread the truth about Luna, as he worked his way around Equestria. Some called him a liar, but others believed his words. His cause grew in time; the group was dubbed ‘The Truth of the Moon’ lead by Quill. Quill was no fighter however, he use his mind and his words to fight for him.
His words could cut deeper than any sword would ever.
He led a peaceful demonstration to have Princess Celestia confess to the imbalance of the stars and in Equestria. As a show of power, to prove there was nothing wrong. She commanded Mighty Quill to stand before her and bow; he did as a sign of respect. Quill prized being a gentleman, above all else, and she was still his ruler. As he closed his eyes and stepped forward, it only took but a moment for the spell to wash over him.
Granite, solid, cold and lifeless granite, which is all that he was now. No more was there to prove, that is all it took to discredit Quill. There he sat, tucked away in the corner of the garden, forgotten as five hundred years, seven months and twenty days past.
Until Today.
The tall walls of the shrubbery labyrinth were dense and riddled with twists and turns, the ever changing walls built to house a treasure. The mist of the ivy leafs change the path, to forever lock away its secrets. As Celestia’s sun filled the plants with life, forever nurturing her hidden shame. Auspicious today was, since it was created, today was a day that it will finally be solved.
“Legend has it that it is a statue of a pegasus, longing for the sky. Forced to bear witness to only the ground for all of eternity for his crimes against Princess Celestia.” Sweetie Bell said as she and the other two members of the cutie mark crusaders lurched onward in the maze.
“I don’ know about this Scoots’. Yah sure that we will get are cutie marks if we find this statue? I don’t think were aloud in the garden for what happened with Discord an' everythin’.” Apple Bloom's eyes darted back and forth as they made their way deeper into the maze. “Not to mention what Miss. Cheerilee will do if she find out we snuck off from the school field trip. Sometimes I think she is scarier than Chrysalis was.”
“We have to get are cutie marks from this Apple Bloom. You know how many ponies have a compass for a cutie mark? There were three just on the way here. How cool it would be if we all got the same cutie mark? We could all be explorers like Daring Do!” Scootaloo exclaimed, as a wild fantasy started growing in her mind to win praise from Rainbow Dash for having the same cutie mark as her hero.
“I heard that she stopped exploring, there was even a rumor going around that she is dating a diamond dog.” Sweetie Bell informed, taking in small bits of pride of her social knowledge.
“Whatever you say dictionary, I won’t believe it until I see her cuddling with one of them myself.” Scootaloo said as they continued to trek forward. “Hey, you girls think we past here before?” For a moment they looked around trying to read the area, and failing.
“I don’ know, this place all looks the same ta’ me. I wish Fluttershy was here, she is always good navigatin’ the Everfree Forest. She could even fly up and see how far the end is at.” Apple Bloom spoke as they naturally started to huddle together.
“Pegasus can’t fly above the labyrinth walls anymore Apple Bloom. Not since the whole incident with Discord. Princess Celestia said she was going to remove whatever magic it was that caused it, but for some reason she hasn't done it yet.” Sweetie Bell spoke, only to cause fear to build within the trio of explorers. “Girls I think that we may be lost.”
There was a long silence as they continued onward, no pony wanted to believe that they were lost. Only the thought of getting there cutie marks drove them forward, deeper into the ever changing maze.
“Hey what do we do when if we find the statue?” Scootaloo said as she tried to make a false sense of bravado.
“What make ya’ think that we can find it? No pony ever been able ta’ finish tha’ maze Scoots.” Apple Bloom said as they turned the corner, only to find a dead end. “Ah, horse apples.”
“Apple Bloom, there is no reason for that language.” Sweetie Bell scolded. “Even you have a better vernacular than that.”
“Venacu… wha’?” Sweetie Bell resisted the urge to facehoof. This is why they call you dictionary, just talk normal.
Again a silence broke out; however this time it was due to two of the cutie crusader members trying this think what the word ‘vernacular’ meant. Soon though the mist that filled the labyrinth got thicker as once sunny sky started to fill with black clouds, it was mere minutes before the rain came down upon the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“Girls… I think’ that we have ta’ turn back. We will catch a cold if we stay out here any longer.” Apple Bloom suggested.
“Actually Apple Bloom, with a rain of this caliber and considering the heavy wind that seems to be building. The worst case scenario for us would be pneumonia, with the possibility of death.” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stop and looked at Sweetie Bell. “What?”
Scootaloo just rolled her eyes. “Fine, let’s turn back. I guess this maze is unbeatable for a reason.” As the trio turned however the once opened path was not blocked off by a wall of ivy and vines. “What… we just came from there!”
“I think that tha’ maze changed again…” The three sighed in unison.
The three pivoted in hoof and continued back the way they were going. “I really hope we can find the exit soon, Rarity will kill me if I get sick.” Sweetie Bell started to drudge in herself pity of the memories of last time she gotten sick and threw up on one of her dresses.
Step by step they took down the path, only to find the same the never ending ivy walls growing before them. Almost an hour had passed in their world of ivy and mist, the light sprinkle now grew harder against their soaked coats.
“Girls what are we going to do?” Sweetie Bell said through chattering teeth as the wind blew into her coat.
“All I wanted to do was find that statue, please tell me that is not too much to ask.” Scootaloo huffed; a clear vain grew on her face.
The path in front of them closed, as did every path around them, each stood in amazement as the shifting wall grew and shut until only one path remain before them. “What just happened?” They all said in unison.
They continued forward, since it was the only path set before them. The walls grew wider until it came to what seem to them was the edge of the labyrinth. At the end was an archway of vines and shrubs, the grass has long since been over grown and now limps due to its own weight. In the center of the forgotten cove was a statue of a pegasus on a plinth.
Covered in moss and over grown ivy that glistened in the mild rain that was consuming the area.
“I told you girls we could find it!” Scootaloo ran to the statue as she became to examine his wings. “He looks like he had fragile wings.”
Sweetie Bell was next to step forward to the statue of the pegasus, as she scraped away some of the moss and pull off the ivy that grew over the monument. In the center of it there was a small plague that she had discovered.
Mighty Quill
“I think his name was Mighty Quill.” Sweetie Bell said as she examined the rest of the stone for other markings. “I wonder what he did to Princess Celestia for her to do this to him; he must have been a very bad pony.”
“Sweetie Bell it not rightful fare for you ta’ judge some pony that you never met before.” Apple Bloom trotted alongside of her now examining his face.
“AHHHG!” Scootaloo yelled as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell looked at her. “No cutie mark AGAIN! The girls all examined there flanks to find no mark there, this being their seven hundred and forty fifth failure.
“I think this whole day has been just exaggerating.” Apple Bloom spoke.
“I think you mean exhausting.” Sweetie Bell corrected.
“No I mean exaggerating, like really tiring.”
“That is exhausting!”
“Exaggerating!”
“Exhausting!”
A small crack started to for at the base of the stallion's hooves…
“Exaggerating!”
“Exhausting!”
The crack started to grow rapidly as it started to cover the wings. “Girls… I think we have a problem here.” Scootaloo said.
“Exaggerating!”
“Exhausting!”
The crack now split into several more extending throughout the stallions body as the stone started to fall from the stallions face revealing the a light golden crème coat and a charcoal mane with a light grey streak.
“Exaggerating!”
“Exhausting!”
“Umm girls?”
The stallion opened his eyes revealing the ice blue irises beneath them, giving a solid surprised blink.
“Exaggerating!”
“Exhausting!”
“Girls!” Scootaloo shouted.
“WHAT!” they screamed back, all Scootaloo did is point at the once granite stallion.
The stallion opened his mouth to speak. “I must agree with thine frenzied young filly, thine word you seek is exhausting.” Quill looked down at his body for the first time in over half a millennia, “I must thank you young magicians, what sorcery did you use to free me from my confines?”
with editing and proofreading by: The_Great_Pirate_King
Chapter Two
Princess Celestia's Personal Executioners
The cool wind chilled the air of the labyrinth, as the rain soaked the coats of four ponies held within its deepest parts.
The black clouds overhead held nothing to be desired as the rainfilled small onclave. The walls were blight and luminous as the vegetation of wild flora seem to resonate with the awakening of the long forgotten stallion. A pony took in the feeling, for rain was one of the rare delights you could not feel in stone.
The trio of fillies huddled together as they looked into the ice blue eyes of the light golden coat of the stallion on the plinth. Why do they look at me like thine have come from the pits of Tartarus?
Although there was something else of their minds, something kept them glued together, shivering like foals before beasts.
Quill nodded politely “What are thine names, speak now lets you hold thee in contempt.” he drawled in a regal voice that stemmed from years of verse and song.
The girls looked at each other until Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell lightly pushed Apple Bloom forward, “Ah’ I’m Apple Bloom… and this is Scoots and Sweetie Bell…” she slightly stammered, visibly shivering from the cold now. She nodded to the girls and they each stuck a pose.
“And we are.”
“THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!” The yells in unison.
Quill’s tail went firmly between his legs as his blue eyes shot wide like saucers. “Crusaders… the warriors of the sun, Princess Celestia’s personal executioners? So she hast finally wish to see thee dispatch from the mortal coil. Thine vile fiends! I shall not go willingly. Have at thee!”
Quill quickly bent down and bit down on a sharp shard of his former granite skin as he leapt back of his plinth. A grievous miscalculation on his part as he slid on the wet grass sending the granite shard flying into the air as he fell on his back spread eagle.
The shard imbedding itself in the ground mere inches from his… stallionhood.
Quill looked at the sky, the clouds that he missed so dearly that he had not even a chance to drift upon them again. “You three hast bested me in combat, quickly take thine finished blow and send me off. So lest I dream upon the wind of the world, thy wish to pear upon the stars beyond.”
The stallion closed his eyes giving no regret to his fate.
After several moments of silence Quill opened an eye. “Why doesn’t thou not make thy finished blow?”
The trio looked at the down stallion in confusion. “What in the world are ya’ talking about mister? We aint going ta kill ya’.” The stallion peered in the golden red eyes of his savior.
“You are sparing thy life? Oh, Luna be praised to the heavens beyond the clouds.” Quill elegantly stood up, carefully taking his footing as to not fall again. “I shall see to it personally the world over knows of your great mercy, Cutie Mark Crusaders. I shall weave a song that will tell of your deeds today. Thine shall be the talk of all the streets and pubs. Tis a great day indeed to be freed and then personally meet heroes.”
“Mister I think your mis—“ Sweetie Bell was cut off by a hoof firmly planted on her mouth,
“So your saying that you can tell other ponies of are deeds? Like we will all be all famous and stuff, like say Daring Do?” Scootaloo contemplated. A wry grin growing on her face.
“I hast not heard tale of this Daring Do, but you three stall be known throughout the land for your great mercy that was shown here today.” Quill smiled a grin shown sincerity, as she stomped his hoof into the wet grass.
Aaaaachooooo
All eyes fell upon Sweetie Bell as she wiped some mucus that caught on the bridge of her snout. “This has been great and all, but can we continue this conversation where we are not surrounded by torrent winds and freezing rain?” Sweetie Bell asked.
“Wha?” Apple Bloom looked confused.
“Right! Lest make haste and tarry not, I have been coop up in this cove for nearly half a millentia. So do tell me Cutie Mark Crusaders of your exploits so that it may help me compose a ballad to be sung throughout the land.”
“Well I don’ know about that. It went and took well over three hours gettin’ here and everythin’. Who knows how long it will take for us ta’ get back to tha’ castle.” Quill raised a questioning brow.
“Didst thou find thine cove not knowing the secrets of the labyrinth?”
The three just looked at each other and nodded back in agreement. “I see, tis a amazing feat then that you three found me. This labyrinth was built as far as I know, to hide thee away from the world beyond. As for what else lays hidden within the flora walls is far from my realm of contemplation. Though for jest, to get where one wishes to go. All thy need to do is ask.”
Apple Blooms mouth went ajar, as Scootaloo shut it with her hoof. “What are you talking about mister?”
“You three may call me Quill, a bard, a writer, a minstrel, or a troubadour. Many titles that bare the same mark, thou I am first and foremost a storyteller. As for this maze of ivy and flower. This garden is where words hold most power.” Quill said as he shakily stepped forward. Past the three fillies and into the maze, they just shrugged as they followed him in.
Several feet into the labyrinth Quill stopped and coughed clearing this throat as he put a hoof against the ivy wall. “I wish to go home to the castle, please part the walls and show me the way home.” There was several long seconds of silence where only the rain and wind could be heard.
However like he commanded the leafs and ivy walls parted, as the way opened up for the wayward group. Quill and the cutie mark crusader now trekked forward as the labyrinth walls now made way for them.
“How did you know about that?” Sweetie Bell asked, her body now stopped shivering now the fast trot back to the castle.
Quill just gave her a passing glance. “Princess Celestia hast come to visit thee many a times over the past five hundred years. Sometimes to curse me, sometimes to apologize. In every case she spoke those words to the vines and the path was always made way for her, so it should do the same for us.”
“What did you do for the Princess to seal you away? You didn’t murder any pony did you?”
Quill shuddered, “No, I hast never taken a life before. Nor hast I ever tried. Nay, my crimes were nothing more than speaking my grievances with Princess Celestia. As a result, my instrument, family, and entire world was taken from me.”
“There is no pony way Princess Celestia would never do that to any pony for speakin’ their mind. She just can’t have done that.” Apple Bloom protested. “Princess Luna maybe, but never Celestia.”
Quill stopped dead in his tracks. “Princess Luna hast returned from the moon, so the night mare hast returned again…”
The girls just chuckled to themselves. “You’re a funny guy Quill, let’s give you a little update on what happened in the past few years.”
- - -
The trio finally made their way to the entrance after a hour of walking through the ivy maze.
“So Princess Luna’s curse has been lifted? What of the night court? What hast become of Discord? Tell thee more about these Bearers of the Elements, they sound like fascinating heroes. Two of you are brethren of them, one must wonder if heroism is genetic?”
The trio was about to answer Quills maelstrom of questions but was stopped by the lisped call of a certain filly.
“I found them mthis Cheerilee!” Twist yelled as she hopped in place.
“We are in so much trouble.” Scootaloo said, Quill however made way under the stone walls and shook off the rain that drenched his coat. So much hast happen is such a short time, Princess Luna doth returned, such a joyus day indeed.
The girls followed in and shook as much of the water as they could from their coats. The calm serenity of the warmth of the castle bleed its way into their bodies as if the walls themselves welcomed them home.
The sound of a charging mare on the marble path was audible threw out the garden. “Girls I am so glad you’re safe, you can imagine what I have been through looking for you!” Miss Cheerilee said as she panted for air. Her coat was just as wet if not more than the girls from her search.
“Were sorry Miss. Cheerilee, we got lost in tha' maze. We were just trying to get are explorer cutie marks, honest.” Apple Bloom said.
Scootaloo was next to speak. “We also found the treasure! It wasn’t much of a treasure but we found this guy. He talks funny, but he is a cool pony.” Scootaloo point a weary hoof at the stallion who was now eyeing Miss Cheerilee up like a foal looking at candy.
She shot a glance at Quill who continued to stare,” Umm. Hello? Did she just say you were the treasure in the labyrinth?”
Quill smiled as he stepped towards the school mare as he took her hoof in his, “Enchanted to meet you, surely a beauty such as thee must have a name thast I may call you Miss. Cheerilee?” Quill put every emphasis he could on the world miss.
Miss Cheerilee blushed a little but still held her teacher composure. “It’s just Miss Cheerilee Mr.?”
“Quill, Mighty Quill.” Quill bent down and kissed the tip of her hoof, one the earned a fit of giggles from a lispy filly, and some shocked glares from a trio of cutie crusaders. Miss Cheerilee politely smiled as she calmly accepted the kind gesture. “May I say you have the most fertile birthing hips I hast ever gazed upon.”
Miss. Cheerilee just blinked.
“Well Mr. Quill, it has been very kind of you, and thanks for the ummm compliment. However we must be going we have a train to catch in a few hours.” Miss Cheerilee politely pulled her hoof back as she slowly backed away from the stallion.
Quill felt a slight pull on the back of his tail as he craned his head back to spot the crème color filly with red curly hair, “Donth worry tooth mthuch about ith Mr. Qthill. Miss. Cheerilee likth some pony elsthe.
“Ah, thank you young mare for you kind information, thou hopes that someday that thee finds a stallion fitting your kindness.” Quill spoke earning a small giggle and she kicked a small stone into the rain.
“Lets get out of this place already.” Came the whiny voice of a Diamond crowned filly. “This place is cold and wet, and if I see that stupid statue of the mare holding the flag I think I’m going to throw up.”
“Yah.” Said Silver Spoon as she followed Diamond Tiara in toe.
Quill gaze fell upon the whiny young filly, and most specifically the Diamond crown on her head. “By Luna’s great moon, another Princess hast been born? Tiss a great day indeed! I hast missed a great deal in 500 years.” Quill trotted over to the young princess and gave her a low bow.
Diamond just raise a eyebrow. “Who is this weirdo and why ids he bowing?”
“I’m sorry my princess thine name is Mighty Quill, a minstrel of sorts. Tiss a pleasure to see that Equestria is graced with another ruler. Might I add a pretty one at that?”
The reaction was instant as a smirk worked itself on her face.
Apple Bloom was as Quill’s side in a heartbeat. “Quill, your mistaken. Diamond is not a pr—“ Apple Bloom was cut off by a hoof that cross six feet in the matter of the tenth of a second.
“Yes, I am a princess. I am glad to see some pony here has taste. You may bow before me.” Diamond said as she raised a dismissive hoof the offer still held firm on Apple Bloom’s jaw.
“It hast been many a year since I last seen a princess, may thou ask young mare how old ist though, so that I can comprise a ballad worthy of your splendor?”
The sound of gaging could have been heard through the rain, but was promptly ignored by the huge doses of flattery that Diamond was absorbing. “I’m twelve, the oldest in my class. I even already had my cutesignaria.”
Quill looked up with a raised brow. “Twelve? A twelve year old princess with no husband? You must put those birthing hips to good use at once, lest your womb shrivel up and die.”
“Yes I… wait what?”
Apple Bloom pushed Diamond Tiara hoof away from her face, “She is not ah princess Quill. She just wears a tiara to look snooty.” Quill looked back at the filly now starring daggers at the farm filly.
“Tis this true young one, did thy bare false truth?” Quill face showed no emotion save for a few glances of pity.
Diamond turned her gave to the Quill, the cold glare he was giving her pierced deep within her. “I am a princess, my daddy owns more shops than any other pony in Ponyville. I am just one step away from royalty.”
“Tis a said day indeed that one would act in such a manner for a face that one dost not know. Liars are the bane of the world young miss, so much could be prevented if one just tells only truth.” Quill said in a tone that almost chilled the air around them.
Several moments past wile Quills words slowly sunk in.
Miss Cheerilee cleared her throat to get the attention of her class. “Now class, it is time to say goodbye. I am sure Mr. Quill has lots of important things he must attend to. Also, we all have a train to catch. As for you three I, the next parent teach conference will be quite interesting.”
The goodbyes were bittersweet. The small group of students left the garden with the school mare in a rush, leaving Quill alone.
Fret not young sorceresses, you three young heroes must have a great destiny before thee. Quill thought as he watched their silhouette disappear off into the distance.
Quill turned and faced the stone walls of the castle. “I guess now tis a great time as any for me and Princess Celestia have a little reunion.” He finished with his own words leaving a bittersweet taste in his mouth.
My, my, my… this place has not changed a bit in over five hundred years. Seems princess Celestia doesn’t do much interior decorating. Alas, those curtains in the waiting room should do with an update. Quill thought to himself as he trotted through the castle walls. Where are the guards? I should have intersected with at least one pony by now.
The florin marble floor set off the walls of the paintings of nobility. The stain glass windows that showed the heroic feats of those long past caught Quills eye, one in particular of the elements of harmony.
Quite a sight indeed. Someday I would love to meet these heroes. Such a joyous day, I come back and I am already graced with the presence Crusaders. I wonder what else hast change. His gaze met the stain glass window with the six elements defeating discord. Oh what wouldn’t I give to see that?
“Who are you!” came the shout of an irritated stallion. He was downed in a red velvet suit with white sash the bore the universal mark of magic, a six point purple star. His eyes where the ocean blue and an alabaster coat. He must be a unicorn of high ranking to wear the garbs of a commander. “Speak now!”
Not a patient one it seems. “My name is Mighty Quill, I am just wondering around a bit. Oh, but if you could point me to Princess Celestia bedchamber I would be much obliged.” Quill said with a sincere smile.
Shining Armor’s eye twitched, “I will disregard that obvious statement, since you know it would mean you in shackles. How did you get into the castle?” A wry smile grew of Quill's face.
“Shackles? My voice is that of the opinion of the masses. I doth spent half a millennia in a cell of stone. Your mere bindings can’t compare to the sentence I just finished serving. As for you quarry about my stay with the Princess, I simply wish some information from her, she did invite me to the castle to begin with.
Although that was well over five hundred years ago, but I doubt this pony would believe my story.
The sound of light hoof steps again the marble floor, “Shining come back to bed, I’m so wonly.” Came the soft cooed voice of a pink alicorn. As she peered into the room with her deep velvet eyes, her mane seductively curled back, he steps nearly silence by the purple and pink striped socks she was wearing.
Quill and Candace shared a long stair as she whole coat started to turn a bight shade of red. She took a hoof in step and almost galloped full speed in the opposite direction.
“Well now I do see why there were no guards patrolling the corridors. Marry making within the castle walls, oh how it does being back memories. Tell me young squire, does Celestia still hold the Gala, I say I would love a good waltz around the courtyard again.”
Three large pulsing veins grew on Shining Armor’s forehead as he his mood stiffened from his rendezvous being ruined. Quill left the ground as he was encompassed in a dark purple aura. “Trespassing is a heavy punishment, I’m sure a few days in a stone cell will do you nicely” Armor said as he walked up to the floating bard.
Quill laughed, “The royal treatment? I can walk have you know, my hoofs are made for walking and that just what they'll do.” Ahhh, what great fun this is, I haven’t had good word play in centuries.
- - -
The cold dank air of the dungeon was enough to send a chill through his bones. The cell was carved out of the wall leaving much to be desired for the ever day comforts of normalcy.
I didn’t think he would actually put me in the dungeon, really had I known of his little meeting I would have avoided the area. Does no pony put socks on door handles anymore? Quill slumped over on the cloth futon on the floor, tracing circles in the dirt next to it. This place is filthy.
The wooden door at the far end of the hall creaked open, as a familiar face of an irritated guard captain trotted through the door. Clear distain on his face. “It seems princess Celestia would like to have a few words with you Quill.” He said in low growl.
Quill put a hoof to his forehead, ”How can I ever survive in the outside world anymore, all that I ever known, lost in time. All I know now is the cold confines of these laden stone walls. What shall I ever do?”
Shining just dead panned, “It’s been fifteen minutes…”
“AH, quite well let’s be off then, its time for the fated reunion. Let’s hope it doesn’t end up like the last one.” Quill chuckled to himself half joking, half serious. Shining remanded silent, he had no clue what connection this stallion had to the princess, and he wanted to know.
The duo made their way past the guards that blocked the entrance, each pony saluting Shining as they walked by. The cold stone became marble as they ascended the stairs of the dungeon. The temperature difference was a nice change.
Shining lead the stallion across the castle, into the tower that held Princess Celestia’s personal study. The short trek left Quill oddly winded from the long climb up the stair case. I really need to consider a training regimen if I survive this.
Three solid knocks on the white gilded doors could have been heard throughout the castle. Quill’s heart nearly stopped as the door creaked opened, even shining was surprised to see Celestia sitting I front of a tea set for two.
He study was surrounded by wall to wall with books; the mahogany furniture in the room was a nice touch that offset the luminous white walls of the area. The smell of morning glories filled the room along with the ever familiar honeyed earl grey tea.
Quill’s favorite.
“Thank you Shining armor, you may go.” Celestia said her voice dripping with regality. Shining was about to protest but her glare she shot back at him was enough for him to realize this was not his place.
The knight closed his eyes and bowed. “By your leave, princess.” Quill could just barley catch the scowl on his face as he shut the door of the study leaving the story teller and the alicorn alone.
A sheepish grin grew on Quill’s face. “It hast been quite some time my dear Celestia, how long has it been since you last paid me a visit, forty, no fifty years. I did enjoy are visits so.” The Pegasus finished by taking a seat right across from the goddess. “Do tell how have you been?”
The alicorn princess sipped down her honeyed tea, “It has had its ups and downs’, and leading a nation does have its moments Mighty Quill…” Celestia finished as she set down her cup and levitated the china tea pot and pour her guest a cup.
“Thank you, I was quite parched, I haven’t had a spot to drink in well of five hundred years, I am glad you remember my favorite tea.” Quill finished as he took in the whiffs of the delicate smell of the honeyed tea. “It has been far too long.”
The two sat in silence for a while as each said nothing, avoiding the obvious elephant in the room.
“So what do you plan to do now that your free, I can’t very well put you back? I have long since lost the power to control the elements. What to do with you is the question.” Her eyes became half lidded and she looked at the stallion across from her. “Maybe we could… start were we left off so many years ago?”
The trajectory of the tea was perfect as it I flew across the table right into the princesses forehead.
“What thou ask to rekindle the fire, well let me put it in words that you may under and it reads thusly.”
Quill took a breath.
“You may place you wonder lips upon my posterior and kiss it repeatedly. What we had died years ago, there is NOTHING there but contempt. The monument of emotion that I gave for you withered away in the span of the years that I was stuck being a sculpture in your lawn. I lost everything, all because you wanted to LIE to your little ponies. I love my instrument, my, my family, and most importantly my word. Ponies called me a LIAR, a horrid vile contemptible creature that uses the magic blessed by words for thine own purposes. All because thou didn’t wish to lose face over something so minor.”
Quill took another breathe. “You wear my first and ONLY. Now thanks to you I am doomed to wonder in a world that knows nothing, and a nation built on the lies of a ruler. Thine heart may still beat with my chest, but you killed me that day all those years ago.”
Princess Celestia wiped off the tea from her coat, as she attempted to keep ever bit of regality that she could muster. “I’m sorry Quill, it has just been as hard of me as it was on you, if I knew… I never would have done what I did.”
“Oh and what reason would you have to regret? I am the one who had been a lawn ornament for the past five hundred years, only to watch the grass die and grow before me on my stoo—“
“Solaria, Jasmine, and Verdel. Those are the names of your foals that I bore, we had triplets.”
Quill spit out the tea again this time he hit a phoenix that had landed across the room, only to squawk in protest and as she flew out the window.
“You were PREGNANT? We only did it once, and you said I was unskilled in the sensual arts.”
Celestia sighed as she poured herself another cup. “Yes, well contrary to popular belief, it only takes once. Thanks to your actions though, I had to raise them in secret, until I introduced them to the nation as our my nieces and nephew. I am just lucky that all three were Pegasi.
Quill swallowed a large pool of saliva that had begun to pool, “So what hast become of your… I’m sorry, our children.”
Celestia sighed, “They did not retain my immortality, they have long since passed away. Of our family only three remain. Solaria and Jasmine married stallions from the outskirts, Verdel stayed and remained and became the general of the army. I kept tabs on all three, they had their ups and downs but they all lead full lives. I personally made sure of that, since then our blood has been mixed over and over.
The stallion held back his tears. “I see, well I guess the Quill blood runs strong. Tell me what of these three that remain, tell me about them. I would like to meet them.”
The Alicorn princess sighed, “The first is name Author James Blueblood, the nation knows him as Prince Blueblood. He is currently studying magic and swordsmanship at the Academy that borders to the north; he seems to also be studying dragons. His magic skills are lacking but his skill with a blade is second to none other than Shining Armor.”
Quill put a hoof to his forehead, “So my loins bore fruit, and the end result is a solder. I hope he is skill in the arts?”
Princess Celestia shook her head, “He was not like you in that right, he can’t pick up an instrument and play. Some say him on the battle field could be said as a great performance for the eyes. Although the other two are do have a flare for the arts.”
Quill’s ears perked up, “Oh do tell?”
She nodded, “Next in line in a cello player name Octavia Philharmonica, she plays for the Canterlot orchestra, but due to a incident last year during the Gala she lost her job. She is currently living in Ponyville with her marefriend, Vinyl Scratch.”
Quill gave a sigh of relief, “A cello player, oh how i can remember the days that I too played my violin, twas a long time indeed. I am glad to see my blood still runs strong, I bet you the last on tells only the truth, and has strong moral ethics.”
Celestia opened her mouth and shut it and sighed, “Before I tell you the last one I would like to know what your plans are for the future.”
Quill set down his tea cup, “I have had many years to contemplate what I would do if I ever got a chance to breathe the air of the world again. I guess I will explore, so many new places have been built since I been away, I guess I want to go to each town and listen to the stories of the heroes of the world. I already have a great lead on a pegasus named Daring Do, who apparently is mating with a Diamond Dog of all things.”
Princess Celestia gave a bright smile that sent a shiver down his spine, “Since you will be traveling I want you to do me a favor… I know I shouldn’t ask but it is gravely important that you do this for me.”
A large frown worked its way to his face, “What is so important that you need to request me to do it for you, shouldn’t I be the very last pony on your list of things to ask favors from?”
Princess Celestia looked area, “I know but right now you’re the only pony that can do it… I want you to rebuild the Requiem Violin.”
Quill nearly buckled over laughing, “Oh this is great, does thou want me to give you the moon too? That is a just a old foals tale that Unicorns tell their children at night to make them behave. Don’t tell me you actually believe that thing exists.”
Princess Celestia sigh as her horn started to glow as a large stone plate shifted in place below the silk rug, it was a long black case that extended the length of the table, the stallion peeks a curious eye as the magic latches opened, as a black mist started to drift out of the case.
Quill’s heart stopped as he gave into the box and saw hundreds of black strings, it only took him a millisecond to recognize what it was, “Strings of Fate.” Quill said in nearly a whisper. “There must be a thousand strings, how in the pony world did you even manage to get one? There is enough here to… no…”
“Make the Requiem Bow, yes Quill it is not an old pony tale, it is very real. Since my sister’s defeat, every piece of the violin has come to Equestria, all it takes is the hoofs of an stallion who remembers the old ways to make it.”
Quill slammed the case shut, “What reason do you have that you need that dangerous thing for, you know what would happen if you played it? The crystal kingdom fell because of the cursed instrument, and you want me to make it! You must think I am a fool to think that I would help you with such a endeavor.”
The alicorn put a tender hoof on his shoulder, “Quill listen, this kingdom is not what it used to me all those many years ago. It has become a dangerous place. We are nearly warring with the gryphon nation to the east, they have been gathering forces. They are even rumors that they are trying to side with the changelings for an all-out attack, Millions will die, and all this could be prevented Quill, if you made that violin.”
Princess Celestia looked deep into Quill’s eyes, “Think about it Quill, you would be a hero like the ones you sing about. No long will you have to stand in the shadows of greatness, but become the pillar that casts the shadows. Enough glory to rebuild your name, Mighty Quill.”
The stallion licked his lips, “Well I do see that you need me, just know this. I am do this for my family, I haven’t been there for them, I guess now I can protect them from war.”
Princess Celestia put a hoof on Quill’s shoulder. “Excellent, now let’s be off. We should get your traveling companion.”
Quill raise a brow, “Who would be dumb enough to join me on this fools errand.”
Celestia smile, “She doesn’t know anything yet, also she is the last on you lineage that I mentioned. She was caught stealing fruit from a stall in the northern district, so right now she should be in a normal cell for a few days, Good thing too, she is hard to find. She is a traveling performer name Trixie.”
The sound of gilded bits falling from Celestia’s hoof was the only thing that was on his mind as she divvied out his travel and lodging expenses. “More.” Quill cooed as the personal watched Celestia fill a third bag pump with the precious metal.
Celestia royal guards ground their teeth in silence as they watch the presumptuous stallion demand more money from the ruler of the kingdom. Only for them to grow with murderous intent as their beloved princess complied filling the fourth bag.
A wry, almost sadistic smile grew on his face as she sealed up the leather pouch “I think that will be enough, let’s go get my granddaughter out of those shackles now shall we, dear.” The venom in his words could have poison a snake.
Celestia almost face hoofed, why did I have a thing for writers, I could have had a handsome knight. Noooooo, I choose a scrawny writer. What was I thinking back then?
Quill eager put the bags into the cloth saddle bag, taking even more joy as the large thumps sounded evenly as they hit the base of the container.
Celestia sighed as the pair set across the marble floor of the treasury. The soft jingle of the bits sounded in the halls as they made their way towards the keep. The servants that they passed by shot glares of contempt as they watch the arrogant stallion walk side by side with the ruler of the nation as they were equals.
Who does he think he is?
Quill frowned as he faced his foe again, the dreaded stairs. Again with these contemptible beings, my adventure starts with such a formable enemy. Celestia took the stairs two sets at a time, while the stallion took heavy breaths climbing them as easily as possible. First thing, training regimen.
Celestia was waiting at the top of the stairs for the not out of breath charcoal mane pony. She stifled a chuckle as she pushed the lustrous doors open to a nearly empty room. Two alabaster pegasus stallions with matching gilded armor where sitting at a small round table. Both leaning back in chairs through cards into a large black hat.
They took the sound of hoof steps and nearly fell over in their chairs as they saw the white alicorn watching them. Her ever pressing gaze judging there movements. They wordlessly stumbled out of their respective spots and trotted towards the white chariot.
The older of the two stallions spoke up. “Morning your heir'ess, where will ya’ be goin’ this lovely morn.” He said in a thick accent, obviously a decent from line in Trottingham.
Celestia sigh in contempt as her point to the stallion next to her, “To the holding cells in the northern district.”
The pegasus stallion nodded, “Rightio, will yah friend becoming too?” This however was already answered as Quill took the nice seat on the chariot that was meant for Celestia. The alicorn took the less comfortable seat next to Quill as she just nodded in silence.
“We are going to go free are granddaughter the irons.” Quill said with a smug look on his face, with an odd mixer of a foal getting a birthday gift early. Both the stallions shot a glance back at Celestia who just waved her hoof.
“Ignore him, let’s get moving.” Without another word spoken, they took off through the opening in the all at the far end of hall. Quill was pushed pack into the seat from the momentum of the youth pulling their hardest. Oh to be young again, maybe if I wasn’t five hundred and twenty three years old.
The caramel stallion leaned back and enjoyed the ride as the clouds broke against his coat as soft dew particles clung to it. I missed you sky, old friend. The reunion though was cut tragically short.
They were already there.
They descended into the cobbles stone path into front of the holding penitentiary. The on lookers stood in awe wide amazement as they bowed before the royalty who graced them with her presence. She smiled and gave a waving hoof to each of the as they cheered her name.
Quill however was not as enthusiastic about the princess as most; he wished he could leave this city as fast as his hoofs could carry him. Again contemptible stares were given to the pegasus that didn’t bow before their royal guardian. Quill paid no mind to them, if they knew that he been bowing the last five hundred years, they wouldn’t be so presumptuous with their ideas.
After almost pushing their way through the doors of the building to be welcome with a nearly empty lobby, save for the mare behind the country who was paging through a magazine filled with stallions posing in erotic positions, a derped look on her face as she engrossed herself in her imagination.
She never heard the door open as the princess peeked over the counter to see what as so amazing to catch her subject’s attention away from the royalty before her.
A light blush worked its way to her cheeks as she looked at an M/M combination of grossly well-endowed stallions covered in chocolate sauce.
“Oh buck.” The receptionist said she looked up from her page. Celestia’s horn glowed as the magazine founds its way under her wing.
“I shall be confiscating this, its better if you pay attention to your duties.” Celestia winked. “Now I need you to open the cell of Trixie, we need to speak to her.” The receptionist looked over the alicorn to see the stallion standing there; she complied and led the way down the unicorn wing.
This wing was specially divided with magical dampeners to house powerful unicorns. Right now however, there was only one unicorn.
The receptionist put her hoof to holding chamber, the contact causes several of the inter-mechanical locks to unbolt and set free from the wall, as a loud thunk was heard for the last large physical lock was released.
“You may go.” Celestia said she complied as she nearly bolted away.
Quill watched the mare run past, she must hast been lonely, such small birthing hips.
“The great and powerful Trixie demands you tell me who is there!” Trixie bellowed from behind the cell door. Quill raised a brow.
She speaks in the third tongue, what an odd manner of speech.
Quill stepped past the stationary alicorn as he entered the cell, the padded room was estranged as the only greet he was met with was the contemptible glare of a mare with a grey-blue coat, and a silvery mane.
By the nine, why is she restrained?
Her mood did a complete one-eighty as the princess stepped into the room. “Good evening Trixie.”
The stallion felt a gut wrenching sour taste in the back of his mouth as he say his grand-daughter bow before his former lover. “Your highness, Trixie must apologize; if I knew it was you I would never have been so rude.”
She smiled as she sat down in front of her, “It is quite alright my little pony, and I have come here to ask you a favor.”
Her gaze shot up from her exceeding low bow, small tiny stars sparked in the back of her irises. “Trixie will do anything for you Princess Celestia.”
A sheepish grin grew on her face. “Well I need you to help this stallion here on an errand of his, I’m sure you will be handsomely rewarded.”
Quill chuckled, “You make is sound like I am heading off to milk the cows of a farmer, I think you should tell h—“
“The great and powerful Trixie will help him, so what is this about a reward…” a wry smile grew on the back of Quill's face.
An eye for the prize, she truly is a Quill. I bet she is always truthful and has a strong sense of right and wrong as well.
Princess Celestia put a hoof to her chin, “How about an estate, and forty acres of land.” Trixie’s mouth nearly hit the floor, owning real land was an entirely new venture.
Quill however wasn’t satisfied as he slammed his hoof to the ground. “Hast you already forgotten Celestia, land is nothing more than dirt. You treat your kin with mere baubles than what really matters here. She is a Quill; you will give her what is her birth right!”
The mares in the room both looked at the enraged stallion, “Trixie thinks he has gone off the deep end, Trixie is not a quill, which is a writing tool. What is this about birth rights?”
Princess Celestia sighed, “I knew you would want something like this Quill.”
“Hast ye already forgotten, tea and sweet words won’t make up for what hast transpired. Be grateful I accepted your plan, I shall restore the Quill name to its former glory and beyond.”
The silvery mane mare stood now staring daggers at the rude stallion. “Trixie will not have you talking the princess like that, filth.”
Quill stood and glared back at her with just as much intent, “You will not speak to your elders in such a manner, and you’re a Quill, act like one!”
Trixie just raised an eye brow, “Elder? Your can’t even be past your mid-twenties, Trixie think you should have a room in the loony bin.”
This time the thunderous stomp came the agitated alicorn, “Fine Quill, I shall reinstate her birth right, only if she helps you.”
Quill sat on his haunches, a smug smile of victory, “You made a wise choice, Celestia.”
Trixie looked at Celestia with more confusion than ever, “Trixie wants to know what this birth right the crazy stallion is talking about.”
The alicorn sighed as she looked out the small window in the room, “I need to tell you a story.”
- - -
This time Trixie’s mouth did in fact hit the floor; Quill just leaned against the wall as Celestia told the events of the past to the young mare, up to the present day.
“… and that is why you I want you to assist Quill with his adventure. He will need a pony from this time to help him adjust, alas some of the places are quiet perilous and he will need your help.”
Trixie however wasn’t paying attention, she only mental connected one thing in the entire story that she told to her.
Trixie was a princess, not some far off no pony relative, no, a descendant of Princess Celestia herself.
Quill near doubled back in surprise as Trixie’s demeanor almost paradigm shifted, as she leaped up off the floor crying into Celestia’s mane. “GRANDMA!”
Celestia caught Quill’s smirk as he mouthed the word ‘grandma’ over and over again.
This little high that he got was immediately depleted as the mare extended her hoof around Quill’s neck and pulled the family into a group hug, “GRANDPA!”
This time Celestia was the one with a wry smile mouthing the word ‘grandpa’ over and over again, although he didn’t mind, he like it actually.
Trixie broke the hug as she sniffled with a toothy grin on her face, one that resembled a foal who just got the one thing she ever wanted for a hearth warming day present.
Her face tear stained with her previous moment of bawling, she sniffed. “Trixie wants to know when she starts this little journey.”
Celestia coughed, “Today, I have already sent ahead a letter for your release. No more stealing, you’re going to be a princess soon. Bad for the public image.” She winked as she turned her gaze to Quill. “I shall leave you too it, you have everything you need.” She put a hoof to his should, and the pain was immediate.
Quill nearly toppled over as he checked his coat, there wasn’t any mark. A small tear started to swell up on his eye, Quill have an extremely low threshold for pain.
Before he could protest Celestia was already talking, “Don’t worry about the pain, it’s just a minor enchantment, so I can send letters to you by dragon fire so I can send you updates on locations of the pieces of requiem.”
Quill rubbed the tender spot, “You could have warned me, hast common courtesy waned in the past five centuries.”
Celestia turned to leave as the stallion and the mare got up and followed in hoof. He kept his goodbyes to the princess short and sweet while Trixie tried to pry her for information about her ancestry.
This was going to be a long journey indeed, Quill thought as he saw the alicorn take off into the sky, taking her and the chariot with her. The crowd that gathered to see her fly away slowly dispersed. No pony taking any real interest in the odd pair.
A stallion with a light golden coat, a charcoal mane with a grey streak running through it, and a silver shield with a black quill over it.
A mare with a greyish blue coat, a light silver man that sparkled in the light, and a wand with magic drifting out the tip.
When Celestia’s silhouette had finally dispersed from the horizon, he sat down in the middle of the seat and opened his forest green cloth saddle bag.
Trixie now being left alone with her dearly, young, grandpa, was taking interest in his features as he rummage through his bag. So this is my grandpa… I wonder how many generations ago he is… her thought process was cut off with the sound of three large bags of bits hitting the ground next to her hoofs. Her eyes nearly doubled in size, “Trixie wants to know what this is for?”
Quill now tightened the bag around his belt, as he started to walk away, “It’s to live on, and I never planned on you joining from the start. When I heard you were in prison, I had to act, you are my kin after all, if I survive this adventure I'll come get you so you can claim you birth right, till then I hope you have a great life. Though is I don’t come back in a year, consider me dead.”
Trixie was at a loss for word, the bits on the ground were sure enough for her to live well upon for the next five years. Although her mind quickly decided the better rout, she was still in fact a Quill. The stallion didn’t notice the thunder cloud grow above him; he did notice the lightning bolt strike the mail box in front of him.
Quill font himself sitting on his plot looking as the scorch marks, his heart pounding faster than a jack rabbit on joke.
“Trixie will be coming with you, grandpa. The great and powerful Trixie needs to make sure that you do not die, Trixie will become a great and powerful princess.”
The stallion just looked back at the mare, her old contestable glare was now in full effect, and Quill couldn’t help but smile. She is a Quill after all, “Thou shall regret thine words, mark mine tenfold this day.” He said as he worked his way to his hoofs. “Come let’s find an inn before night fall, and I want to do a bit of shopping for now, extra necessities of the trade.”
“Trixie knows a great place to sleep, meet Trixie in an hour at the Canterlot gates.” Quill just waved a dismissive hoof as he looked at the map of Canterlot.
“One hour, I must make haste myself, the shop upon its final hour.” Quill set off in hoof, while Trixie left in the other direction.
Now where is that music shop?
:One Hour Later:
Quill sat in on a bench that over looked the view of the valley below, as he played a soft melody on an ocarina that he had purchased, along with a plethora of other instruments that an old traveling minstrel would find a necessity.
I can’t believe the shop master didn’t want to barter, I remember when I could get a harmonica for three chickens. Forty bits for a guitar, hast the economy driven to the sky while I was stoned?
Quills inner monolog was cut off as he heard the tussles of a self-sustaining moving wagon, what caught his attention the most what there was no pull system. The red shingled wagon had six windows; the wood looked like polished iron-wood. Trixie burst from the front door, although she was wearing a cape and a magician’s hat covered in the stars of night.
“Trixie hopes you like it grandpa, this will be are new home while we are traveling. Trixie is not a fan of sleeping in beds that are not her own.” She nodded in a matter of fact tone.
Quill looked over the wagon, well if I don’t have to pull it… “Great, now lest head forth, I wish to make it to the edge of the forest before nightfall.” Quill took a seat on the couch that was on the front porch of the wagon.
A smile grew on her face, “Trixie thinks this is going to be a fun time.”
Quill nodded, “Quiet, are first stop is the Everfree Forest to collect Nightmare Moon’s shell, Nightshade. From the map it seems there is a nearby town called … Ponyville, that shall be are first stop.”
Trixie stopped smiling.
Quill didn’t notice as the wagon started to move on its own as he took out a guitar. “Let me teach you a song from the past, his name was Winnie Nelson, I think his song would be appropriate here.”
Luna walked into her sister room after a long nap; I wonder if Tia has any more of that Night-Quill. She thought as she sniffed away on the cold she had.
As she pushed through the door she caught her sister in a very compromising situation with her hoof over a tender area, as she scrolled through what looked like to her as a dirty magazine.
The wheels of the wagon was by far the greatest item in existence in Quill’s mind, as he rode shotgun with his great granddaughter down the well beaten path to Ponyville. The evening sky was sprayed with the hues of blues and reds, a nice send off as red sky’s promised a bright sky for the next day. However to road became silent as the duo traveled on, both lost in the memories of the past.
Quill shifted in place as he looked up at the evening sky, “So, if I am to spend the greater part of my life with you now. Do tell me about yourself Trixie, how hast my boon been these past five hundred year?” He asked the mare sitting next to him on the red puffy couch.
Her ear twitch as she sat silently to herself, until a thought finally scrapped in the back of her mind on to avoid his question. “Trixie does not know much of our heritage, Trixie only knows her mother. What Trixie wants to know is how a stallion of such a low caliber was able to woo the princess of Equestria?”
A mild irritant ran over Quill as his memories went back to the days of old. “It was not anything special, at least for her… since you are my lineage I shall tell you a piece of my past then. Knowing one’s past is the greatest strength.”
Quill sighed as he leaned back to get into his comfort zone, “For you to understand completely I am going to have to go back a bit, you see, I wasn’t always Mighty Quill the Master of Words. No, I was Mighty Quill the street urchin. I was a common thief, not even a good one either. I stole food, sometimes I did it to increase my skill for the art of thievery but I never got better. No, it twas a hard life, for a start anyway. Until I got adopted…”
Trixie raised a brow, “Trixie did not know you were adopted, Trixie wants to know why your last name is still Quill?”
Quill sighed, “I guess some would call me lucky then, I wasn’t, but the public eye called me the golden child. I was adopted into the Swirl family, the great descendants of Starswirl the bearded himself. They had about as much magical talent as I do, save for my brother Citlalii Swirl. He was the only friend I had growing up, not that I didn’t mind it; I was quite a recluse growing up in the mansion. Citlalii was good at everything, magic being his forte. Until one day the house of Swirl was called upon to give a son to help in the war effort. I didn’t find out till later this is why I was adopted into their little family. Citlalii wanted to go in my place, but every pony knew I would go.”
Quill sniff as a fond memory started to dig its way into his mind. “So I went, me and Citlalli wrote letters while I was away at Hoof-Camp. Six months of pure torture, I learned a lot about myself, or my weaknesses anyway. My wings have a rare condition; they have a disease that fills them with a thick black blood like mixture that can harden as strong as bone. When I first heard about it I thought it would be useful, but it’s also the reason why my wings are thinner that most Pegasi. Then I did something that would change thine life forever. I went to fill my belly with the nectar of the gods.”
“You went drinking, Trixie wonders?”
Quill smirked and nodded. “Indeed I did, which is how I discovered my second flaw, I cannot fight. Now my way with mares has always been… out of hoof, would be the term you young ponies would use. There twas a beautiful mare at the pub; me and some of my flock from the air division went out to...check out the scenery. Her name was Flutters. She had the personality of a saint, but could out drink any earth pony. So I did what any stallion would do, I picked a fight with the largest earth pony in the room to impress her, using the knowledge of my wings as a shield. I did not know this at the time was Flutters’ brother, turns out my wings being able to harden as strong as bone doesn’t fare very well when you get hit in the face, but I will get to the good part.”
A sheepish grin worked its way through the muscles on Quill’s face, “A stallion, one who had eyes that were as cold as silver, and a coat that was blacker than the night itself came into the pub. He came in preaching old legends of a great fighter Gilgamesh, the hero of time. His voice drew every pony in like a moth to a flame, as he played a haunting melody with a violin. When the story was done, I was the only pony who noticed, the bar had changed. Everyone was happy, drinking like there was never any brawl at all only minutes before. I went to him later that night and asked him what magic he used to spare my life.”
Quill chuckled as he gazed up as the stars, “I used only the magic in words, nothing is more powerful than the mighty word. It can kill faster than any blade and woo the heart of any maiden. Is what he told me, I defected that very night pleading to him to make me his apprentice, he accepted. I then spent the next three years learning everything there was to know about being a traveling storyteller and the importance of truth. One day though, he disappeared, we were sleeping in an inn and when I awoke, there was a note that said simple this, 'you have learned all there is to know from me, it is time for you to spread your wings and grow.'”
Quill sighed, “Even after all that time, he never told me his name. Nor, did it really matter in the end. So I went to test my mettle, to go scratch my name into history as the greatest wordsmith Equestria had ever seen. Although, stallions cannot live on water and air alone, and I was getting hungry. So I decided to pay my adoptive family a visit. To find out that I was no longer welcomed, I can’t really say I blame them. When I defected, there had to be a replacement, and it fell on the true heir of the house of Swirl, Citlalli.”
The mare now sat on bated breath, “Trixie wants to know what happened next!”
Quill laughed, “Quite, now I wasn’t welcome. I again had no home and nothing to call my own save for the clothes on my back and a violin that was given to me by my master. So I played at inns and pubs for food and coin. Until one day two royal guards detained me, I had done nothing wrong and they brought me before Princess Celestia. This was the first time I was able to see her for what she was back then, a true beauty that I have longed to meet and admired from afar. She wore her mane differently back then, she asked the oddest thing of me, to play a love song for her.”
“Trixie thinks you are spinning a tall tale.”
Quill shook his head, “I never lie, ever. So I did, from everything I learned, I sang to her the feelings that sprang forth as I made up a song on the spot as the melody and verse came to me. Of the purest emotion."
A slight breath left his voice as Quill started to play, as the wellspring of long dead emotions started to swell up from the pits of his bawls. His voice shuttered as he began to play.
The melody faded as Quill snapped back to his senses as he looked at his guitar and to Trixie who had small droplets that started to form at the brim of her eyes, “Trixie thinks you are a very sweet stallion, Trixie has no doubt that Celestia fell for your kind words.”
Quill nodded, “I don’t know, but she made me her personal entertainer. After I sang to her, Citlalii stepped from behind the throne, laughing like a foal. Since in essence he knew of my longing to meet Celestia and my feelings for her. Citlalli had become the arch-mage of Equestria in the three years I was away, he saved many lives on the war front. It was thanks to his recommendation that I was brought before the princess. I broke down in front of her and the court that basically heard me propose to the princess and then run to my brother in a tight embrace that only a family member could understand.”
Trixie smiled, “So tell Trixie how you two got together.”
Quill smirked, “Three months had past, and I had been charged to give Princess Celestia everything she ever wanted. I had basically become her personal attendant, I was happy, she was happy. Until one night... I broke down and told her that I had fallen in love with her. It was after she showed me a moment of weakness for her bananas, it was adorable. She told me she loved me since the day I sang to her, my words connected with her and tapped into her heart. And we made love right there, on the table in the grand dining hall, and in the chair, and on the marble floor—“
“Trixie gets it; Trixie will be living there soon. Trixie does not want to think of her grandparents activities on the castle floor.”
Quill frowned, “I know but this story does not have a happy ending, two months later I asked permission to go through her private library to find story about the heroes of the past. what she didn’t know was that I was going to find a spell the could rearrange the stars and ask her to marry me. I knew the spell that could be found in the forbidden section of the library where the records of Luna were sealed.”
Trixie’s heart fell into her chest. “So that is where you found that book that Celestia mentioned, Trixie thinks?”
Quill nodded, “Yes, a tome filled with the forbidden magic’s and secrets in the land of Equestria. Created by Luna and partially Nightmare Moon herself, but what I read was not that of the crazed thoughts of a jealous sister, no, it was of a tactician who planned ahead, the things I read from that book could cause this nation to overthrow Celestia.”
Trixie just blinked in surprise, “Trixie wants to know what is in that book that would be so bad that an entire nation would turn against her.”
The stallion shook his head, “I am sorry my granddaughter, I will never say, tis a secret that I wish to take to the grave, it and the magic’s of this world should die with me. I do not wish that fate to you. You should know the rest of the story, me being turned into a lawn ornament.”
The pair sat silently in as the sun finally dipped below the horizon, revealing the great night sky. The vast sparkles of the millions of tiny lights that guided them on their path. As the wagon began to work its way forth towards their destiny.
Trixie took a side glance of the stallion who gazed upon the moon, “Trixie wonders, would you try and get back together with Princess Celestia after our journey is complete?”
Quill deadpanned, “I would rather stick the full mast of thine genitalia into a pit of fire ants than ever think about coatis with her majesty again. Five hundred years I spent in stone, all because of a lie. Liars, they are worse than Discord, at least he didn’t lie.”
Trixie gulped as she looked forward as they came up to the archway that leads into Ponyville. “H-he-he yeah, liars, they're pretty bad…”
The stallion looked at his descendant as she got up and went into the wagon, “What are you up too, we are almost in town.”
“Trixie thinks she needs a change of garments, my mother’s Great and Power hat and cloak might be too great for these simple Ponyvillians.”
Quill snorted, “Alright, just be quick about it. I think I might get a drink, it hast been far too long since I have given privy to the spirits of cider and mead.”
A large window, made up for four smaller windows that could be opened in a bipartisan for the free movement of a full grown pegasus. The black curtain shut tight to keep the vile sun out of the room, as a large wooden dresser held photos of close friends and family. As a vanity mirror held clippings of mares of the latest Pony Politan, across the room with the floor littered with lacy clothing and socks.
There was a mattress on the floor covered in heart blankets and three mismatched pillows as a pegasus with a light lavender coat enjoyed her bliss as her golden mane laying haphazardly across her pillows from the euphoric bliss from the previous night excursion. As she licked her lips, the dry taste of cider still present on her lips.
The light in the room crack a little as the evening sun pierced through the edge of the window into the eyes of the drowsy mare as it woke her from her slumber, “Hmmm, hun, close the curtain and lets bang some more.” She slumped over to as her eye flickered open to see the empty spot on her bed. Her eyes opened as her hoof traced the spot over to feel the absent lump of the stallion that was there the previous night.
“He left…” she said in a tired solemn as she plopped her face into the pillow taking deep breaths as her heart raced over the loss of another stallion.
The door to her room creaked opened as a mare popped her head in, “Are you awake you Cloud?” Berry Punch asked as she looked at the sobbing lump on the bed, “Oh not again, Cloud I told you this would happen.”
Cloud Kicker covered her face with her pillow as she look heavy breaths into the pillow. “It’s not my fault, they keep leaving.” Berry Punch sat at the edge of her mattress as she started to pet her mane, as she cooed sweet nothing into her ear.
“Caramel was an ass anyway, you could do better. How about this, let’s have a girls night, just you and me and we can even invite Rose and the other girls.” Cloud Kicker ears perked up.
“You think there will be any cute stallions there?”
Berry Punch face hoofed “You sure bounce back fast.” She said as she leaned back onto her roommate’s pillow as something she never seen before caught her eye that was on the edge of Cloud’s mattress. “What’s this?”
It was a photo of a mix and match stallion, it had the ice blue eyes of Prince Blueblood, the charcoal mane of Daring Do and the light golden coat of Caramel, and a recently glued on pair of wings that was of Princess Cadence with the golden Crayola working over the wing.
Cloud kicker leaned to her side as she looked at the object she was holding as her eyes shot wide like dinner plates as she grabbed the photo out of her hoof as she stuffed it underneath her pillow. “Don’t look at it!” She whined Berry’s face was awe struck.
“Who are you and what have you done with Cloud Kicker?”
She looked back, “What are you talking about?”
“I have known you since we were four, and since then I have seen you blush one time, and that was because you wet MY bed when I was five. So you have a picture perfect pony, I stop doing that when I was like ten, but I never would have guess you do it.”
“Shut up and get out of my room.” She said as she covered her face deep into her pillow.
Berry Punch wrapped her hooves around her friend, “It’s ok, I am just glad to see a bit of the old you, I know and love shine through a little bit. I know you wanna meet that perfect stallion, one day I really hope you get your wish. You deserve a nice special somepony.”
Cloud sniffed, “Thank you Berry, times like this I am glad you’re my best friend.” She returned her friends embrace in a warm hug. “So do you wanna bang?”
