> Tales Of The Gargoyle King
>  by discordjediknight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> chapter 1 the sorcerer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once upon a time, there was magic and wonder across the land. Those who had the most magic were those of the spirits. The god's and goddesses, whose duty was to uphold the balance across the land. Magic could be sorted through many elements. Fire water and so many more. Including some of those with darker purposes. Tho magic is not inherently evil, there are those who would miss use it and thus darker elements emerged. Among them was the Gargoyle King. Once he was seen as evil because of his powerful magic. But after meeting him, the vampire queen found kindness in his heart. Kindness the gargoyle king thought was gone. But after spending time with her, his heart began to change. Kindness grew in his heart thanks to the vampire queen. Until one day the mighty gargoyle king, a creature unlike any other, put a stop to the war entirely. He did so for his love of the vampire queen. Afterward, peace was restored by the mighty king who…

"Who married and lived happily ever after." A little girl said. The little girl had jet-black, curly hair that flowed down to her shoulder, and an innocent smile as she jumped up and stood on top of her bed.
Her mother, an older lady who sat next to the bed put down the book titled tales of the Gargoyle King. Yes, dear, she told her daughter. She spoke with such happiness. But anyone could take one look at her and see she was very tired. The bags under her eyes made her look far older than she actually was. Her hair didn't help either. What must have been once a rosy pink, was now a faded tone of pink. It wouldn't be long before it was gray. She had her hair up in a braid. Held up by blue flowers.
"Ok, dear time for bed. "
"Yes mother"
The little girl got underneath the blankets. By the surrounding walls, it was clear she lived in a small cabin just outside the woods. The little girl yawned as her mother tucked her in.

"I love that story. I hope one day ill meet my own king."
Her mother giggled. "Perhaps one day. But for tonight you must rest."
"But mother." She yawned. "You haven't sung the lullaby yet." 
Her mother smiled softly as she blew out the oil lantern they had for light.
"Now I can't forget that. Now, can I?" She said and began to sing. 
The little girl was a striking resemblance to her mother, other than her jet-black hair and eye color. Her mothers were turquoise that almost glowed as the moonlight hit them from just the window. Hers on the other hand glowed a bright ruby in the dark of the room without the lantern light.
In a sweet and yet somber tone, her mother began to sing her lullaby...
Hush now quiet now it's time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now quiet now it's time to go to bed. 

the little girl felt her eyes grow heavy and closed them.

Drifting off to sleep leave your troubled day behind you. Drifting off to sleep let the sweetest dreams come find youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

Her mother held the note until a small snore could be heard.  
Her mother leaned in and kissed her forehead. As she whispered the last of the song. 
I hope you'll find peaceful dreams, do not let a nightmare consume you. 
"Good night Melody."




Chapter 1 the sorcerer
Melody woke up. As the sun began to rise and shine through her window. She yawned and stretched as she slowly got out of bed. She headed out of her room and into the small kitchen.
"Good morning mother." She said cheerfully.
Her mother turned around. "Good morning dear." She set a pile of pancakes down and gestured her over to sit. "Happy 15."
Melody smiled. "Thank you, mother." She started to chow down on her pancakes. She was no longer a little girl, but a young woman.

"I had a dream last night. Rember when you used to read me that old fairy tale? I dreamt you telling me that old story."

Her mother shook her head. "I remember it well. You used to love that story, you wouldn't go to sleep unless read some of it to you when you were younger and sang the lullaby from it to you." She giggled as her mother smiled.
Tho she wasn't that old, her mother looked twice her age. Her hair turned gray with only one strand of pink hair left in it and her tail. Her face looked sunken in and she looked very tired.

Her mother began to cough, much to her sadness of Melody. Melody's head jumped up away from her food.
Her mother saw the concern in her daughter's eyes. With a smile, she waved her hand at her to ease her worry. "It's only a small cough, honey, eat your breakfast. "

Melody said nothing and returned the smile as she finished her breakfast. "Well, I'm going to get to my chores after…"
"Nonsense." Her mother interrupted. "'Tis your birthday. Go, head to town. Enjoy a day off. Ill attends to…"
"No mother, I cannot let you do the chores by yourself."
"I'll be carefu,l I promise." 
"But."
"I won't overdo it. I will follow the guidelines the doctor has set. You enjoy your day. Take the horse and run free today. You deserve it."
With that, she knew she wasn't going to win against her mother. She grew excited at the thought of running into the forest. 
"Thank you. Thank you, thank you." She quickly got up and hugged her mother, to her mother's surprise.  
"Of course, dear, of course. But." her mother's expression grew serious. "You know you must be careful."
Still excited as ever Melody jumped up. "Yes, yes, I know."
Her mother glared at her. Staring at her with one eye. 
A shiver ran down Melody's spine. For some reason, she always felt as if she couldn't do anything except what her mother said. As if she was being mind controlled. And not just her. Anyone or anything. If her mother gave them that look. That stare. They instantly could do nothing except what she told them
"Yes, mom. I'll be uh. Careful". She said nervously.
Her mother nodded. "See to it, you do. Not everyone has your unique talents. And some can be troubled by them."
Her mother then rubbed her finger over her wedding wing, as she often did whenever this topic came up. 
Melody looked down at her mother's hands and then back up at her face. She gave a reassuring smile and a quick but reassuring hug to her mother that she be alright. Her mother nodded. "Well, get going then." She chuckled.
Melody ran out of the cottage. She lived on a small farm. Not even a farm, really. There was no barn, just a small stable. Other than the chickens, an old goat and a few pigs she was raising for slaughter could be found there. She interns the stable and ran past the spooked pigs and hungry goat to the rather impressively large and fancy horse. The horse looked as if it belongs to a royal family. Not some random nobodies in a cottage. Near the woods.  She quickly brushed its fur and saddle it. She jumped on and with a  Whip of it's raines the hores quickie ran down dirt rodes that lead away from her cottage. Coming to a crossroad just up ahead. One leads to town, the other leads into the forest.
The horse didn't even need directions, it knew where to take her. Then ran through the trees. Miles being crossed. She rode the horse over a river and up a large hill until she came to a small valley where a meadow sat. Some dear heard her coming and ran away as birds began to take flight.
Once the horse stopped, she jumped off and tied up to a tree. She patted the horse's head as she took in the sounds of the forest. Calm quiet. She breathed in the cold morning air and breathed out softly. She stood there with her eyes closed as she took in the sweet sounds surrounding her. A river flowing over a creak. The chirps of birds far in the distance. The sound of little animals like squeals and rabbits scuffling through the bushes.
This is where she could find her peace. She opened her eyes. They were a deep crimson red. She softly smiled as a fire glowed within her eyes.
Suddenly, two large wings popped out of her back. The horse had no reaction to it at all. It was used to it by now.
Melody raised her hands. And whispered something. (Blow wind) "Dniwwlob". The wind picked up great speed. She chuckled and ran in it as she jumped she took flight flapping her wings as she sores threw the sky laughing and loving every minute of it.




A few hours later, she sat on a blanket she created with her magic. She waved her hand and a vine sprouted by her. It grew on its own until an orange spouted from its leaves. She took it and taped it .it split on its own as if it was sliced by a knife, forming a little flower. She ate a slice and sat back against the tree that her horse was tied to. She sighed in delight. As she slowly blinked and looked up at the branches of the tall tree above her.
What a day. Her mind drifted to the story her mother used to tell her when she was little. She remembered in the story the gargoyle king had unusual powers. Like turning water into chocolate milk.
She wanted to try it. She held out her hand. She whispered something and a glass grew out of the ground. She took it and got some water from the creak. She remembered her mother saying the gargoyle king would whisper something and tap the glass three times.
Spells usually were very simple. At least for her. Most spells were one or two words said in reverse. Setting your imagination into them. All she ever had to do was imagine she would have a cup and poof a cup would appear so long as she said the word backward. But without the words spoken, it wouldn't work.
She whispered chocolate milk backward and taped the glass three times. Unfortunately, nothing happened. She tried aging and nothing happened. She sighed. In her defeat. Tho magic seemed to have simple rules, the more she learned about it the more she learned it was anything but simple. And she wondered if spells like that just didn't exist.
The horse neighed at her. It stomped its hooves as if in a panic. "Yes, yes, I know. It will be supper soon, we should head back." She got on her horse and set her course for home.
> chapter 2 the farmers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The horse seemed to fly past the trees, seemingly going faster than they headed out. Melody could feel the horse run as if in a panic. "WoAh, woah calm down." She tried to control it but it wouldn't stop at all. 
Melody rode her hose all the way home. She didn't mean to stay out that long, and the sun was begging its slow descent. As she got back to the little cottage, she pulled back on the horse, who stood on two legs and neighed at the sight of the cottage. She thought the horse would stop. But the horse ran right past the cottage.
"Hay, where are you going!?" Shouted melody. The horse didn't respond and kept running.
"Home is that way, you crazy beast." She pulled on the ropes trying to get it to turn around. It frantically whirled its head back, slapping Melody with its long ear. It then continued to gallop until it reached the farmlands a little ways away from home.

He finally stopped and flung his head back with a cry.
"Woah, woah. Hay!" she petted the horse's main. "Hay, what's all the excitement about? It is not often you get this exciting Flash." 
The horse jumped, aging as if it was in a panic, flinging melody off its back.
"Hay, what did you do that for?! Melody complained as she stood up, rubbing the back of her head.
Suddenly, she heard someone call out to her.
Melody, Melody over here! 
She turned to find Big Mac Apple, the farmer closest to her home, standing just outside his house.
"Oh, I'm sorry, sir. My horse wouldn't…"
"Come quickly, Melody. Come. " Big mac cried out. "Quickly."
Melody's eyes grew as she raised an eyebrow. The tension in Big Mac's voice made things seem like something was wrong. She grabbed the horse by its ropes, leading it closer to the house before she headed inside.
The moment she got in, her heart sank at the sight. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
Big Mac's wife and sister were tending to Melody's mother. She lay barely moving on the couch. Other than a dreadful cough. It was only then did she opened her eyes and saw her daughter.
"Oh. Hi honey." She coughed aging, this time louder than before. "How was your birthday?" She smiled softly at her daughter. As if nothing was wrong with her at all. As if the scene Melody found herself in was a happy one.
Melody shook her head. "Mother, what happened?"
"Oh, I'm fine, really I am. You know how the cold bothers me. I was getting some milk from big mac when…" she coughed a few times. "When my illness crept up on me. I promise you I'm fine. Tho I did not make you supper, I'm afraid."
"Oh now, don't you worry about that…" a cowgirl in a brown hat said, with a heavy country accent. "Why she can have some of ours, there's plenty left over."
"Thank you AJ". Melody's mother told her. 
"Any time."  Said the other lady. 
Sugar Bell mind helping me in the kitchen? Big Mac's wife got up with a nod. She patted melody on the shoulder reassuringly as she followed her sister-in-law out of the room.
MMelody was benign to shake a little, trying to hold back tears whelping inside her. She wanted to walk over to her mother and hug her. But she was frozen from the waist down.
With another bad cough, her mother rolled her head away from her. "Come, you need to eat, and your mother needs to rest. You're more than welcome to stay here the night." Big mac told her. "It's best not to move her till the morning."





Later on, that night, melody did not go to sleep. Instead, she crawled onto the roof of Apple's home and sat staring at the moon. She looked over and could see flash the horse with its head drooped down as if he reflected her own emotions back at her. She didn't know why or how. But somehow it was as if flash knew her mother would be ill. She remembered how only a few hours ago, the horse practically yelled at her as if he wanted to leave the forest right away.
She then thought back to moments of her mother when she was younger. It seemed strange, but she never questioned it. Her mother would always sing and dance around the little cottage and yard, and the animals would follow her. Whenever an animal had a hurt leg or a problem, she seemed to instantly know. Melody growing up would also often watch as her mother would sit there with a cup of tea and talk to either the hens or flash as if they could really talk back to her. As if she could understand every word. The giggling smile on her face came into view on Melody's mind, and soon it was replaced by the coughing sound coming from inside the house. Reality setting back in.

Melody could not sleep, not while her mother showed signs of such illness. Then aging, she thought back. There wasn't a time she could remember when her mother wasn't working herself to the bone. She worked herself until she was ill and had to rest. No doubt, her mother was a workaholic. And not in a good way.
She heard the front door open up and didn't react. She sat there, quiet as can be as she heard two people walk out. By the sound of the voices, it was Big Mac and his sister Jacky Apple.
"I fear she's getting worse," AJ told her brother. A grumble could be heard from him as he sat down in a rocking chair on the porch. "Winter is only a week away. The first snowfall will be harsh on her. In her state, I don't know how shell survive through winter. Especially not in that tiny, cold cottage."

"I'll call for her doctor in the morning." Big Mac said.
"The little town doctor wouldn't be enough. I fear not even doctor Hooves from Canterlot would be able to save her." She sighed, half choked on a cry. "If only Melody's father were here. With a snap of his fingers, her mother would be right s reign." 
"I"… big nodded.  "He was a powerful man. With a good heart. I miss my old friend dearly. We all do."  
Melody could hear whimpers of AJ. 
"Look sis, ill ride to Canterlot. Maybe there will be someone who could…"
And with what money? We barely have enough food to last us through winter. We have nothing to sell and no gold to trade."
Melody's heart began to sink deeper into her stomach. "No gold to trade," she whispered to herself. Then an idea came to her. "No gold to trade!" she said out loud. Alerting big Mack and AJ to her presence.
She jumped off the roof, landing on her feet. "We may not have a lot, but we do have gold to trade., or at least a rare metal." She ran inside the house, leaving the two adults in confusion. She quickly went to her mother and gently took her mom's ring from her finger. Her mom only snored in response.

She rubbed the ring with her thumb. It had an odd symbol on one side. A small turquoise-colored diamond cut like a butterfly. On the other. It was a black metal ring and looked hand forged by the finest metalworkers to ever lived. Not a speck of imperfection anywhere. The question was, tho. What metal was used to forge it? And how much would it be worth?
"What are you thinking?" Uttered AJ in a whisper. Furious and confused.
Melody smiled and headed back outside to let her mom sleep. AJ followed. 
"The ring. If I travel to canterlot perhaps I could trade it for some help."
"That ring won't be enough. AJ told her.
"Maybe not, Doctor Hooves. But surely there are a lot of good Doctors in the kingdom. I'll find one and bring them home."  She then ran over and got on the back of flash. 
Big Mac shook his head.
"You're crazy going all the way to Canterlot…" shouted AJ
"Got any better ideas?" 
To that, the two stood quiet. After a moment of silence, melody spoke up, aging. "I have a week till winter comes. If I leave now, I might be able to be back in two days' time. Flash is no ordinary horse. He's the fastest that ever lived. Hell, get there. I'm going to go home and get some supplies. I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise." she then looked at the ring aging. "Father can save her. One last time"

AJ knew she couldn't argue or stop Melody. She just shook her head at first. But nodded." On one condition. Do not use your talents unless it's an emergency. Many of those in canterlot fear magic. They have since the beginning of the endless war that ended before you were born. You must be swift and careful.
Melody nodded to that and set course for home. She ran inside and lit a small lantern lighting the room. She quickly packed her bag up with food and other equipment she might need for camping. She was running so fast that she bumped into the shelf, knocking over a book and her lantern. Creating a little fire.

She ran over to the kitchen, grabbed some water with a bowl and tossed it on the flames. She waited till the flames went out, breathing heavily. It was the first time since the idea popped into her head that she had a moment to breathe. She stepped closer to the fire before it went out. And in its light, she saw the book she knocked over. She read in plain English the words. Gargoyle King. It had a childish drawing of a gargoyle on it. She picked it up and stared at it till the light went out completely, leaving her in the dark. The only light was the moonlight spilling in from the open door.

She finally set the book in her bag and set off to canterlot.
> chapter 3 the shoe shiner
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

She rode all night through the dirt roads of her small town, and her humble home looked and felt like that of old fairy tales. Some hay bail haulers and blacksmiths pounding away creating swords and knives. No electricity to be found. What little light there was not from the moon came from oil lanterns or plain torches. She had no time to stop as she, on the back of flash her horse, galloped straight through town waking some of the sleeping people nestled in their homes on the cold autumn night. As she headed out, she turned back to see the small town she grew up in. and wondered what she would find in canter lot.
She galloped through the night, only stopping once for a few hours of rest. She then continued her way heading threw several towns, not stopping for anything. A whole day passed. Just as the moon began to rise, aging she finally saw the gates to the capital city of the kingdom. She smiled with a yawn. We finally made it flash. We finally made it. She rode the horse all the way up to the gates and got off only inside the town.
She was quite surprised and a little embarrassed when she entered Canterlot. Not only that, but she has never been here. Furthermore, she heard many stories and read many letters and news articles about it, but none did the grand city justice.
It was large. The city was not made of wood and grass like her home. It was made of tall brick and cobblestone walls. Rodes paved in it as well. Tho there were some oil lamps and torches, their light was nothing compared to the streetlamps. Cables flowed down the streets, bringing power to all the buildings.
She walked in awe and wonder as she looked around. Several people got in and out of line for a telephone booth at the corner of the sidewalk. Some horse-drawn carriages still walked around, but most traveled by iron horses called cars. They were mechanic machines that breathed smoke from their back. She paused and stared at a few of them, only to have some honk their horns at her for it.
"Get out of the road, don't just stand there." Some of the drivers told her. She decided to take her horse aside and stay on the sidewalk. Tho she was in wonder, she also felt a tinge of fear from it all. She was now the furthest she could ever be from her element. Not a tree was in sight, tho there were many bushes of flowers growing in pots all along the city. What made her the most uncomfortable tho was the way people looked at her. And what they wore compared to her.
Tho, she never felt poor. And didn't feel like she was wearing rags. It was clear that her brown cloak and black shirt and pants looked out of place here in the city. Many of the women wore some oddly bright-colored dresses with white gloves. Even the children. Many of the men wore top hats and crisp suits with ties around their necks, wearing gloves.
She admits she was a bit of a tomboy, always been. But never did she feel more out of place and embarrassed than the moment she walked into canterlot. She continued her way looking for any sense of where she might be able to find help when she finally tripped over something and fell down. Something or someone.

"Oh sorry, sorry, my bad." She shouted. As she quickly got up and reached her hand out to help the guy she knocked over.
"Oh, no prob… lem…. "The guy slowly said as he looked up in her eyes. A bit of a shock ran across the young man's face. He took her hand and she pulled him up as he continued to stare at her eyes. "Wow," he said under his breath.
"What was that?" She asked. 
"Oh uh, nothing, nothing. Um." he said frantically. Unlike the others around he was wearing overalls and a white t-shirt with a small cap on his head. His messy hair was a pink color. He kinda reminded melody of her mother. Tho, his eyes were a light green. And he had an odd necklace hanging from his neck. It looked like a blazing sun. 
"Uh, care for a shoe shine." He asked. 
"A what."
"Oh, I clean boots and shine them up. Yours." he looked down at her boots. They seem quite muddy. In a fine city like this, we try to keep dirt off the rodes as much as possible."
She tilted her head. "That sounds like a waste but uh sure I guess."
He gestured her over to a chair. She sat down, and he began to clean off the mud on her boots.
"You're definitely not from around here. What brings you to town?"
I'm looking for a doctor. I hope to trade in my mother's ring in the hopes they will follow me back to save her life." 
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that, if there anything I could do…"
"Yeah, I don't know my way around town, if you could help me in my search I'd be grateful. AlthoughI have nothing to pay you. I only have the ring to help my mother."

The boy stopped cleaning her shoes. 
Oh. uh. Most shoo shines are 5 coins and when they're this dirty it would cost 10."
She frowned at that. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry I can't not pay you in any…"
"For payment, I'd rather just have your name. Hell, ill even help you find your way around town for that. "
She smirked." I see. You're gonna be one of those guys, huh?"
"What?" he asked.
"Oh, you know. The smooth, kind, friendly guys who just want to help a damsel in distress. Well, I can tell you I'm quite fine on my own, thank you." She stood up from the chair and walked back over to her horse.
"I was only trying to be kind" 
"Your kindness is not welcome." 
He shrugged. "Well, I'm sorry I offended you. Trust me, most men here will do far worse."
"I'll keep that in mind."
He nodded and rolled his eyes. "If you head down this street and make a right ,you'll find hooves. He's a doctor who might be able to help you." 
She froze, her eyes grew wide. She looked back at him. He shrugged. "No payment required." She nodded a “Thank You”. "Hope your mother gets well soon." He then returned, looking around for another customer.
She smiled slightly and followed his advice.




Oh, I am sorry, Mrs but." The old man in glasses speak. "Sadly, I can not wait a whole day's journey for no money at all. Medicines and supplies, not to mention my time in researching new medicines, are far too valuable. I have several patients here in Canterlot I can not just get up and run to anyone sick in the world."
"Oh, but I would pay you, Mr hooves. This here..." She showed him her mother's ring. "... Is my mother's wedding ring given to her by my father, it is the last thing we have of him. And ill give it in exchange for your help."
The doctor sighed. "Unfortunately, young lady, sentimental value is not worth much in this town.
"Please, it's all I have!" She shouted
The doctor sighed and grabbed his glasses. He held out his hand. "Let me see." She handed him the ring. He looked at it for a few seconds, but dropped it with absolute terror filling his eyes.
"E-gad. What the hell? You dare come to this city with a ring like that." He opened the window. And shouted. Help, help devil worshiper help.
Several officers down the road ran to his aid and opened the door behind her. She saw the fear in the doctor's eyes and shook her head in confusion as she bent down and grabbed her mother's ring. 
Two police officers entered the room. 
"You're lucky I don't press charges. Gentleman, take out this filth." The doctor demanded.
An officer tried to grab her arm, but she twisted out of it.

"No, no," she said and jumped out of the window. "Hay!" the cop shouted. She ran as the two pursue her.
One of the cops tried to grab her horse, but it pushed him aside and ran off.
The same young man who helped her before was heading on his way home, his work for the day now done, when he hears one of the cops yelling. "Stop. Someone stop that girl."
He turned around and saw the same young lady he helped early on the run. Several other copes joined in, and now she was cornered in the center of town. She was frightened and frantic. She grits her teeth, showing them all. Several of her teeth were large and fang-like. Several of the people jumped back in fear.
"Vampire" shouted one lady. 
"No, no. I'm just a..."
"She's a devil worshiper, perhaps one of his demonic vampires here to kill us all." Shouted another. 
"No, no I'm." 
"Get her." Someone yelled as a large crowd began to jump at her. She had no choice, frightened and cornered like a wild animal something in her roared to life. A fire began to glow in her eyes as she wished nothing more but to get away.
"Stay back!!!" she shouted. And before she knew it, the words already slip her lips. (Lightning) Gninthgil!!! Suddenly, a zap of lightning surrounded her. They all cowered in fear. Giving her a small opening to run towards the city gates.
"Sorcery!" Shouted one. "Magic!!!" Shouted another. "Witchcraft." The crowd cried. "Burn the vampire witch to a stake, send the devil back to hell." Others called out.
The boy could not imagine his eyes. As she headed towards his direction. A sense of panic and fear ran down his spine. Oh god, a devil is coming this way. What do I do? Oh Celestia, what do I do? He placed a hand over his son necklace. His mind raced. Do I try and stop her? Do I run for my life? But for some reason, he was frozen in fear. His fight or flight response wouldn't let him move as she ran past him. For a split second, he made eye contact with the running witch as she ran past him. It was as if time slowed down. And he could actually get a good look at her. All he could see in her eyes. Filled with fear and sorrow.
Something sprained into his mind. Something his own parents once said. "Help those in fear. Put a smile on their face. No one likes to be scared or worried."
In that split second, he followed her as she ran past him. He didn't know why, but he decided he was going to help her. He grabbed her by the arm. She stopped only for a moment, about to fling him off when he pulled her into the shadows of a wall. She wanted to scream out, but he put his hand over her mouth.
"Anyone sees where she went?" An officer barked. "No sir, she's disappeared." He nodded. "Close the gates and let it be known witchcraft is in the city."
When they were finally gone, he let go of her mouth and arm. She pushed him aside. "What are you doing!!!" She yelled. His hands flew in the air. "Saving the damsel in distress." He joked.
She then recognized him. "You. You're that shoo shiner from earlier." He nodded.
"Did you seriously just help me thinking I'd be your girlfriend or something?"
He shook his head. "No, no. My parents taught me to help anyone. Anyone sacred. And you seem so scared back there." He said as he started to paint nervously. "Um, so you're a witch then." He asked slowly.

"I am not."
"But ...but you have..."
"Everyone has magic. It's in every living thing. Or at least..." She stopped and looked away slowly. "That's what I was taught."
Just then, a cloaked figure from deeper in the shadows called out to them. "Need a way out of canterlot. Come with me if you want to find your destiny.

They both turned around. "Do not fear. I am here. Here to help you on your way." By the sound of the voice, it was a woman. "With magic like that, you are very foolish to show it here today."
But fear not. Zecora is here to set you straight now come before it is too late.
Melody blinked in confusion for a moment as she hesitated. But for some reason perhaps agents he better judgment, she could tell the lady meant no harm. She seemed to already have a sense of trust. Even tho she never met her. Something about her seemed familiar, but she couldn't figure out what it was. She began to walk to her but was stopped by the boy.

"Are you mad?" 
"She's willing to help us."
"Yeah, well…" he paused. "Us." 
She nodded. "Melody. Thanks for saving me back there."
The boy's eyes grew a bit in surprise. "No problem. Cheese. Cheese jr or. Little Cheese my mom likes to call me." 
Melody smiled and headed in the direction of the lady. Cheese shook his head. "What the hell did I get myself into." he mumbled as he followed the two.
> chapter 4 the fortune teller
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Come this way quickly now this way." The lady bellowed and dashed among the shadows. Little Cheese and Melody followed suit, trying to get away from the coming mob.
"Find her!" They shouted. "Find the vampire! Find the witch to burn the monster on a stake! Send it back to hell, where it belongs!" They shouted.
The two ran into the woods and looked around.
"This way." the lady whispered to them, waving her hand. They followed her as she headed deeper into the forest. When they finally got away from the herd, they found themselves in front of a small hut. The lady was rubbing the nose of a horse.
"Flash!" Cried Melody. "Oh, Flash, what are? How? She said as she ran to the horse and threw her arms around it.
The lady held out a carrot for flash and smiled softly as Melody hugged it tighter.
"It was flash here who told of you". She stepped away. "It is him you have to thank, the horse is brave and true. "
Melody blinked rapidly in confusion at her. "And who are you? I mean thank you but…"
The lady chuckled. "Oh, no thanks necessary. I am, fortune-teller madam Zecora , I am only glad you are out of fear and the scary."
The lady wore a long dark green robe. But her dress was striped black and white like a zebra. And she had a few gold bracelets around her wrist, a few necklaces around her neck, and somewhat of a tiara on top of her head, covered mostly by the hood of her dark green cloak. Beautiful, if not a little frightening.
Cheese raised an eyebrow at her. Your madam Zecora. The, the, The witch!
Zecora turned to Cheese. "Such a terrible insult for one who just saved your life. Be grateful, I only help those in need. But then aging, I do not blame you. For the fear you feel has only one cause, and that is what they teach you, such a shame indeed."
Magic is a skill all have within. It is what we do with it that makes us strong or thin. You know what I mean don't you Melody?
Melody's eyes widened. How do you know my name?
Flash told me, my dear. If you want to hear him speak, all you have to do is lend an ear. He's quite talkative. Especially about you. Going on and on about how wonderful you are. I think he thinks you are quite the star. The horse spat at the lady and seemed to be embarrassed.
"While I don't usually interact with you, I've watched you grow for many years. Always coming in and out of the woods to practice your magic, dear.
"Ok well, whatever. Thank you for the help, but we really must go. "
"Yes, yes, your mother's quite ill. Pour thing. But you should know your efforts are only in vain.
This made Melody stop in her tracks. She turned too, her mouth open in aww.
"I know your fortune, shall I tell it. Yours is most definitely great."
Melody closed her mouth a little worried but nodded for her to continue.
"Your destiny is to learn the true story and reveal to those frightened by magic what it truly can be. But to do so, you must let go of your mother in the end. Only then will you finally be able to catch the wind. Trying to save her will bring back the never-ending war of yesterday's past, the one your father brought an end to at last."
"No, no, there's got to be a way to save my mother. She's the only family I got left."
The lady sighed." Is this what you want? There's no going back if this is the road you chose to take. It will lead to quite a mistake."
Melody was frightened beyond all belief now at the woman's words. But she could only nod.
"Then it is your father you seek. You have a long journey to travel by the end of this week."
My father's… Melody whispered.
"Dead… yes, but nothing is truly gone. To save your mother, only he has the power. And you have all you need to summon his soul. But I must warn you of this fait full hour."


"Wait, wait, wait. That. That's black magic that's dark and, and dangerous. Cheese called out.
Zecora lifted her gaze from Melody to him. "There is no such thing as dark or light magic. It is what you do with it that counts. although there is a sense of balance in all of nature. To do so will break that balance, but to do so will also bring the truth you seek. You have a choice to make. Perhaps this is something you should think about when next you wake. For now, get some sleep. My home is yours." Zecora gestured her hand over to her hut.
"Thank you, but we only have so much time left. I really must be on my way."
Zecora nodded and set her arm to her side. "Very well, but before you go I have a gift for you. Once you will need if you are to succeed."
She reached into her cloak and pulled out a notebook. She presented it carefully to Melody, who took it just as cautiously.
On the notebook was an odd symbol. The same symbol that was on the back of Zecora cloak.
"Ah, I know that symbol." Cheese said as he saw it. It was a gray spiral sun. "It's the symbol of the plant goddess. Sister of the sun."
Zecora nodded. "Mother earth some call her. Tho she doesn't shine as bright, she reaches her arms and hands always to the light."
Cheese nodded. "Plants".
Zecora smiled. "Tho, the reason why it is gray is because she creates shadows and keeps balance between light and dark. Shading those who seek shelter from the sun's boiling heat. Keep that in mind, or you will face defeat."
"This book holds some knowledge you will need. Places to go now you have a map to get you there, and most of all great power. But it has plenty of empty pages as well. Those are for you to write down your own story."
Melody flipped through the pages and just as Zecora said there was a small map and were several pages completely empty." She closed the book and got on the horse. Cheese watched as she did. She lent a hand to him. "Coming." She asked.
He stared at the hand, curious and frightened.
Zecora walked over to him and gave him a slight shove to take her hand. Which he finally did and climbed on the back of flash.
"And one more thing before you go. When you see your father. Tell him he still owes me for the last favor I did him. "
"You knew my father?" Melody asked.
"Of course,Zecora said, walking away. She turned back to look at them. "He's my brother, you know." She grinned ear to ear. She waved a hand good buy, and Flash didn't give Melody a chance to react to the news that she just met her aunt. All she could do was open her mouth wide in shock and grip onto the horse for dear life as it took off.he horse for dear life as it took off.
> chapter 5 the servent
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So um, where are we headed?" Cheese asked.
"According to this book, we're heading for the center of the ever-free."
Cheese's eyes widen. "Oh. Sorry, I asked."
"Hmm, why's that?"
"Because the center of the ever-free is said to hold the gates of hell. The chaos realm. Legend has it that 15 years ago when the 4 kingdoms were at endless war with each other, a battle raged there in front of chaos castle to defeat some ancient evil sorcerer. War did not end until a nameless knight was able to cut down the devil king of magic, sending him back to hell."
Melody nodded. "That would have been my father."
"Your father."
"He died before I was born. My mother didn't even know she was gonna have with me. She doesn't ever talk about him. All I know is that he was a knight and a powerful sorcerer. Who used his magic, sacrificing himself to stop the endless war. "
She pulled on the roped to get flash the horse to stop running. "I never even got to know him. Don't know what he looks like. I don't even know his name."
"Sometimes I wonder if she did." Melody got off the horse.
"Well, that explains the horse." Cheese muttered as he got off as well. "But he was a sorcerer too. That makes no sense."
Melody shrugged. "I guess to defeat magic, you needed to use magic."
"Well, that explains your powers. What are we doing now?" He asked.
"Just a quick rest. Flash needs it." She pet the horse, who seemed thankful for the pit stop.
"So what about you? What about your parents?"
Cheese sat on a broken log. "Oh, not much to tell. My mother, she's a baker. Use to be a cook for a royal family, tho she won't tell which. I'm pretty sure she's not from canterlot. My dad. He's a shoe shiner and a boot maker. Tho, he's a jokester. In fact, I don't remember a time when my parents weren't either laughing or having fun." He chuckled. "What about you."
She smiled softly. But sadness filled her eyes. "My mom is always smiling. Always laughing and singing. But… "A silent pause filled the air. "We live in a small town to the south, near the border of the ever-free. We don't have electricity or cars or any of that stuff, just hard labor. And being a single mother, she worked herself till she couldn't stand. She did everything possible just so we survive the next day.
I of course helped, especially when she started to become frail. But…" Melody stated, shaking as her voice became little more than a whimper. "She's growing weaker. And are nabors who's been like family to us…." Melody shook her head, trying to stop the tears. "She may not survive this winter. Not in a tiny, cold cottage we live in. barely enough food or shelter".
Suddenly, she felt two arms wrap around her. Melody turned her head slightly to see him. Tho she had tears in her eyes and was very sad, a glare grew in her line of vision.
"Uh heh. He nervously chuckled and released her. "Sorry, it just seemed like ya needed a hug."
She said nothing but whipped her tears. He backed away slowly.
Once he was back at the log away from her, she started to go through the saddlebag on flash.
"So magic," he said, trying to change the subject and break the awkward tension that now filled the air. "Um every one can do it. He asked.
She nodded. "Yeah, so I've been told."
"And who taught you."
'Uh well." She laughed. I just always seemed to know. Although my mom does know a few spells, most of my gifts come from my father. Tho there have been a few who know about magic and have taught me from time to time. It's weird, the more I practice magic the more I feel closer to him ya know."
"So, how do you do magic?"
"Oh it's… "She paused for a moment. "Huh, you know I never thought about it.
He smiled at the response.
"No seriously. I just always known."
"Care to explain." He persisted.
She smiled. "It's not simple. But it's simple. It's like..." She shook her head." It's like wishing for anything. And then just a build-up of your own energy, your own spark release that energy into the air and let it form into reality."
He laughed. To which she only held up her arms in protest.
"Laugh it up. But that's what happens. I've always just wished for something and poof there it is. well, most of the time any way. There are some spells and tricks that just don't work no matter what I do."
"Ok, so what if I wanted to do magic?" He asked.
This surprised her. "Ummm well. Just..." she thought back to when she was little and how she did magic. It was hard for her to describe, since she always just knew what to do.
"Ok, don't strain yourself." He muttered mid-laughing. She wanted to glare at him aging, but his laughter was contagious.
"What do you got there anyway?" He asked, noticing she had a book now in her hand. And not the one her aunt gave her.
"Oh, this. This is just a fairy tale my mom use to read to me as a kid. Tho I've never read it myself. It was always my favorite story. I kinda wanted to start reading it. Her smile then began to fade away again."
Cheese notices this. Oh, dear, got to thank fast. He thought to himself. "Um, how about you read it then? Read it two me. "She looked at him a bit confused.
"Yeah, I love fairy tales. Cinderella or Alice in Wonderland you know those." She shook her head.
"Well, it doesn't matter, just read it to me. He sat down and laid back, head resting on the broken log. What it's called, anyway."
he walked over and sat by him on the log. "It's called The Tales Of The Gargoyle King."



  

A beautiful woman was walking down the streets of canterlot heading to work. The streets of canterlot did not have lamps or cars. Most of the cobblestone streets only had a few carriages and were less crowded. The sun sat high in the air and the wind blew softly down the streets of the main road leading straight to the castle.
She had long pink hair. A yellow coat, a simple blue maid uniform, and she carried a basket at her elbow. She held her head up high with a simple, small smile. But she kept her hair over most of her face. One crystal teal blue eye could be seen peering through the waves of pink that made up her hair.
"Hay it's Fluttershy, shouted a few of the men." Several guys stopped what they were doing just to take a look at her. Little did they know she hated the attention. She was quite shy and said nothing to anyone. If you went up to her and asked her how her day was, she would keep the conversation short and to the point, nodding or shaking her head to say yes or no. otherwise, she tended to be an introvert. Keeping to herself whenever possible.
In front of the castle, just before the gates was a large water fountain. She sat there at the fountain and toss leftover bread crumbs from work at the birds. She was an animal lover. And it seems the only ones she could ever actually talk to were the little animals. There weren't many in the big city. Some raccoons or wild dogs. Some flying squirrels or butterflies. Birds of all sorts of colors. But her favorite thing to do was tend to the horses walking by. Some fancier than others. Why, even the occasion mule could be found walking in town.
After feeding the birds, she would head inside the castle gates and start her day cleaning and tending to the royal animals littered across the palace. Swans, ducks and an occasional hair or two. She dusts and sweeps and mops the floors. Tho she wasn't the only maid there, more often than not she was the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. She stayed away from the busier corridors and great hallways of the castle, preferring the peace and quiet ones with only the sound of the birds outside. As she cleaned, she would often hum or even sing a tune while working.
But today was different. After feeding the birds and sweeping the cellar, she would make tea and bring it to the princess and her mother. As she prepared the tea, she did not realize a suit of armor that stood on the wall began to move and follow her. It was surprisingly quiet, even if it wore a bunch of clanging meddles. It tipped toed around her and froze in place every time she looked in its direction.
Finally, she looked up and tilted her head. "Huh, was that always that cloes." She said out loud. "Eh, what I know, there's so many of those darn things." She then went back to work preparing the tea.
The suit of armor then decided to creep closer to her. She didn't notice at all when it was right behind her. Suddenly the suit of armor grab her and she squealed in alarm.
Hahahahahaha it chuckled.
"Uh, zephyr!" She yelled. "You almost made me drop the princess and queen's tea."
"Uh sorry, sis, I had to. It's almost nightmare night. A good fright is all in fun." The knight took off its helmet and grabbed an apple from one of the baskets in the kitchen.
"Ugh, when will you ever grow up, little brother."
"I am grown up." He snorted back at her.
"Shouldn't you be on guard?"
"I am. I'm guarding the kitchen. This is my post." zephyr smiled.
Fluttershy looked at him with a glare.
"No, no honest. Prince armor himself said this would be the best place for my talents."
Fluttershy put a hand over her mouth,catching her laugh before it could insult her brother.
"Hay, I'm not that bad of a knight. I'm a good guard."
"Yes, yes I'm sure you, ah, must guard the food against those thieving mice." Fluttershy smiled.
"Yes, now you get it. "
Fluttershy smiled as he nodded back. "Um, Zephyr."
"Yes."
She pointed in the corner of the room. Zephyr followers her finger. Their two mice were stealing some grain. "Oh no, you don't." He shouted and lunged at them with a sword. They ran down the hall. "See ya later, sis." He called back to her.
Prince armor walked into the kitchen and chuckled at the sight. She turned around, laughing along with him. "You know, a cat would be more useful," She told him.
"Perhaps, but then I'd have to give him a real job guarding. Can you imagine how bad that would be?"
She laughed harder. "Well, I really must get this tea to the princess."
"Oh of course, actually I'm glad I caught you before you did, can you do me a favor?" He held out a scroll to Fluttershy. "Give this to the queen when you see her."
"Of course, my lord."
"I'm afraid I'm heading out. "
Fluttershy frowned. "Can we not make peace with the other kingdoms?"
"They've already crossed our borders. If we don't defend it, they will attack by nightfall. I will do what I can. Although, I could send your brother after them. I'm sure that will scare them."
Fluttershy chuckled at the joke. "That is not funny. He's my only living relative. I don't want to lose him like I lost my father and mother."
The prince nodded. "Yes, this war has raged on for centuries. I hope one day will find a solution to stop it, but for now…"
A large bang could be heard echoing down the hall.
"Perhaps we should deal with the real threat inside the walls. "
Fluttershy put another hand to her mouth trying to hide her smile as her brother called back "I'm ok." 





Fluttershy entered the great dining hall. The room was quite large. As a massive wooden dining table sat in the center. At the end of the table, setting in wait was the queen sunset shimmer. Her daughter princess twilight sitting next to her reading a book and paying no attention,
The queen looked as the doors creaked open, letting in the maid. She smiled and pointed at her daughter eagerly. Fluttershy nodded and set the tea aside. She taped on the princess's shoulder, startling her for a moment.
"Oh, Fluttershy when did... Oh, mother, oh I'm so sorry." Twilight quickly put the book aside.
The queen shook her head. "My daughter, you are the future queen of this land. You shouldn't get so distracted. "
On a day like today when my brother is off to war, I find a distraction quite comforting." The princess said and raised her cup of tea.
The queen only shook her head.
"Your highness before he departed the prince told me to give you this," Fluttershy handed her the scroll.
She looked at the seal on it. A weary smile crept along the queen's face. She sighed as she opened it.
"What is it, mother?" The princess asked.
"It's the invitation to the dark castle. I've been expecting them. We must attend the nightmare-masked ball soon."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Balls are so boring, mother. Can you send word to the king just to help us?"
"Twilight sparkle." The queen barked. This is not an ordinary ball. For one, it is a masked ball. For another, it is from the king of the ever-free. He has endless resources due to his great knowledge of sorcery. Are resources are nearly drawn, I just sent my own son into battle because of it. He gives his resources and asks only that we throw a party once a year in his honor. This year he is hosting it at his own castle. One almost no one ever has the privilege to enter."
Twilight rolled her eyes.
"We will be attending."
Fluttershy smiled. She heard of the dark castle and the king of the ever-free. The evergreen forest was the largest set of land that separated all 4 kingdoms. The masked ball was open to anyone royal or pheasant, so long as they dressed up. And all 4 kingdoms were asked to participate. It was the one night of the year that it seemed like the war-torn world was at peace. Even tho all 4 kingdoms were at each other's throats, they all sent a few representatives to the party so long as they were dressed up in a costume.
And the king would send a large group of goods and resources from the ever-free forest to whoever was hosting the party. And anyone could take anything they want from the shipment back to their own kingdoms.
Fluttershy tho has never been able to attend any of them. She was always so busy doing her chores or working that she 		could never attend any of them.
"Ok, well if I'm going can my maid join me this time? Twilight complained.
The queen looked at Fluttershy. "If she is able to get all her chores done in time, then yes. But Fluttershy…"
"I know, I know. There is a long list of things I have to do to get twilight ready for the ball. Including looking for a costume myself. oh, but I would love to go. Especially to see the dark castle. I mean, I've only heard rumors of it. If I may queen, have you been there before? What's it like?"
The queen sat back in her chair. "It is called the dark castle for a reason. It looks as if the whole castle is a shadow made of black stone and iron. Protected by the most hideous of gargoyle statues. Some call it gargoyle castles because of how many there are. It has tall walls and even taller towers.
And tho I've stood in front of it. Even in front of the king himself. I have never been inside. Rarely anyone who enters ever comes back out. But he has invited us to it. So surely he will let us in and let us leave."
"And what is the king like?" Twilight asked.
"Whenever he has ever appeared, he has always been draped in shadow. No one knows. Last I was at the castle, I was alongside your father. We were traveling back from a meeting with the kingdom of the east when we were attacked by the kingdom from the north. We ran, we were injured and would have died if we didn't stumble of the castle. As we got to the walls, a voice called out to see if we were alright. We told him we needed shelter, tho he wouldn't let us in. he did however use his magic to heal us."
"He's a sorcerer." Twilight gasped.
"Yes. Magic is beyond dangerous and has been outlawed in 3 of the four kingdoms. But no one can deny the king of the ever-free forest is a king of sorcery. We must stay on his good side. I don't want to think of what could happen if he was ever angered. Magic is an evil practice. "
Hearing this twilight gulped. "Um, I and Fluttershy should go and get ready quickly then." Twilight stood up as her mother nodded in approval.
> Chapter 6 the doctor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suddenly the place grew dark. Melody looked up to see a cloud was now covering the moon. Without its light, she couldn't see to read the rest of the book.

"Ok, so it's an average start to any fairy tale. I like what it's setting up. Obviously, the servant of the queen gonna end up with the gargoyle king. Cheese said as he sat up."

"Yeah, I guess you hear one fairy tale you heard them all," Melody said closing the book, making a mental note of where she left off. "But it isn't just the servants story."

"Oh yeah."

"Yeah, like their this who second part where a farm girl is running from a witch and ends up at the castle. And a girl whose brother got eaten by the same witch"

"Hansel and Gradle."

"What."

"Hansel and Gradle. That's the story of Hansel and Gradle. "

"Never heard of them. I only know the tales of the gargoyle king. "

He shrugged. "Well let's get going then shall we. I think that's enough rest for now."

"Leaving so soon.I was just enjoying the story." A voice said behind them. They turned to see a woman in a dark blue dress and cloak with a star-like pattern.

"Doctor Luna." Melody shouted and jumped up, throwing her arms around her.

Luna was a bit surprised by the hug, but returned the gesture.

"What are you doing here?" Asked melody.

"I could ask you the same question."

"My mother is sick and..."

"Yes." she hugged Melody, aging. "Yes I know. And I know of what you plan to do." She pulled away from melody. "You shouldn't do this." Melody frowned. "But I am not here to talk you out of it." Luna smiled.

"Your mother is quite ill and I am afraid that I can not help her. It's funny. I've known you since you were born, melody. What you don't know is that I was tasked by your father himself to watch over your mother. And i have watched over you as well." Luna placed a hand on melody face. You've grown so much.

Melody tilted her head in confusion. "Does every one know my father but me." She looked at cheese for an answer. He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as a response. Luna chuckled fondly at both of them as she removed her hand.

"It's a shame your father never knew about you."

"Does he have the power to save her?"

"Luna nodded slowly. My power is great, but there was non-like his. He could shape all of reality with a snap of his fingers. He definitely could be the cure to save your mother."

"Well, then that's it. I'm going to bring him back. I have to."

"Wait!" Cheese interrupted. "You said your great power. I thought you were a doctor," he stepped closer to her and then noticed her necklace. "Hay, that's the symbol of the moon goddess. Her job is to watch over and give sweat full dreams to those in rest."

Luna nodded as she turned her head to the boy. "Many herbs and plants grow not in the sunlight but the moon light. I tend to use those to remedy the sick and give them peaceful nights. Alto I have become somewhat of a doctor, I do indeed use magic as a last resort. She turned her gaze back to melody. And it is because of that I do understand what you're dong."

"Luna here in many ways is the person who taught me how to do magic. Hay would you mind teaching him. I can't do it justice. "

Luna chuckled. "Yes, well that is because you are in many ways quiet special. Your magic is some of the strongest ever to exist. But all do have magic. Mr?"

"Oh Cheese. Cheese jr."

"Well cheese. Imagine a burning fire. That burning fire is a soul. From that soul comes warmth and light. It also comes with the possibility of invention. Without fire, you wouldn't be able to cook your food or create weapons of iron. Or power your homes, cars and trains. That very same fire is with in you. And all who live have it. "
Cheese nodded.

"And just like any fire, it takes fuel to feed it. You eat to fuel that fire and when you over do it you feel ill and weak, the fire may be tired. But its energy still there. You must use that spark, that fire, to create magic."
Cheese nodded as if he understood, but the look on his face showed much confusion.
"Of course the soul fire is but one of three things youl need to perform magic, the 2ed is your mind. Your imagination."
Cheese smiled at this. "So if I'm getting this right, I just have to believe in it, and it will come true."
Luna nodded. "Yes, in simplest terms. Imagine you could do anything and it will come true. Tho, some spells are harder than most. And take great effort and energy to bring to reality. Nothing is impossible, tho. "
"And what of the third. "

Luna smile widen. "While you can create magic on your own. By using The third, it can strengthen it. All you have to do is call apwan the energy around you. The energy of nature. It is the combination of these three things that create magic. Once you know what you want your fire to create you must draw a pawn magic around you. Typically, by drawing a rune. Luna drew a crescent moon symbol in the dirt using her foot."

Melody shook her head in confusion." I don't do that."

"Threw the use of runes, it can be easier to draw specific energy from specific elements of nature. You however, never needed to. Your powers already great. "

Luna turned her attention to cheese aging. The gods you speak of. There not gods as much as they are spirits of nature. The physical forms of natures energy. It is their power you draw a pawn when creating magic, they are the ones who give runes to those who seek it. Most are more than willing to share their powers with you. Interested to see what mortals will create with it. And others who are not. Unless you can prove worthy of their rune. Of their power. To activate a rune, you must only say the name of the spirit. "

" I did not know that. I wonder who's powers I've been drawing a pawn for years, then."
Luna only smiled. "Well, best not to dwell on it. I've kept you long enough you should be on your way, but first. " Luna reached in to her cloak and pulled out a small stone, and handed it to her. "You will need this in time. "
Melody took it and placed it in her saddlebag before she jumped on the back of her horse, followed by cheese.
"And one more thing." Luna stopped them. "Your father. He's not what you will expect. My brother has always been a bit of a grump."

Melody's eyes widen at that." How many siblings do you have? She asked

"Oh, the family's kinda of a large one. Counting your father theirs, thirteen of us in all. And I'm sure youl meet every one of my siblings soon enough. Now go." She waved a hand and before melody could react, flash the horse took off. As she disappeared into the dark the moon came out from behind the clouds and shined the way aging.
> chapter 7 the sailors
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Melody looked at the map she got from aunt Zecora. She turned the map every which way as she tried to make sense of it. Still sitting on the back of her horse.

Cheese yawned. "Can we please go to sleep? Ittle be morning soon." He said as he almost fell off the horse.

"I have no time to rest. And besides, I'm not even… ahh" she yawned. "... Tired."

"Uh-huh." Cheese muttered grumpily.

Melody grew a scowl as she searched through the map, aging. "Uh, this makes no sense. I mean, we just left Canterlot, so we should be…."

"Do you even know how to read maps?"

Melody scowled. "I got to canterlot from my home, didn't I?"

Cheese sighed," let me see." She rolled her eyes but handed him the book.

"Ok, we just left canterlot and have been following the north star, so we've been heading north." H mumbles as he yawned. Suddenly he noticed the sky begging to change. "Oh, great daybreak, we've been up all night", he complained.

"Just read the darn map." Melody yelled as she rubbed her tired eyes.

"Ok, ok, got it. I think. This is an old map. And it's not just of the kingdom, but pretty much the world. We're to head up north to the crystal kingdoms according to this. Huh, I wonder why your aunt wants us to go there."

"Beats me. How far are we from there?"

"Well, the crystal kingdom is pretty far. But. He looked around. As strange as it is, it seems we're much further than we should be. That horse of yours must be the fastest horse alive. According to this, we're right by the stern river. And then, we, uh oh."

"Uh oh. What uh oh."

"Well, we have to cross the North Sea. It's treacherous this time of year. Not only is it known for its crazy storms, it's known to be home to sea monsters of all sorts. You'd have to be crazy to pass it during this time of the year. We should go around it."

Melody put a hand on her chin. "Going through it would be the fastest way, tho."

"It's not safe."

She smiled. "You don't have to come along if you don't want to."

He yawned. "Fine ill join."

She giggled at that. "If we find a boat with a good captain, well be able to sleep while we travel."

Cheese yawned, aging but nodded in agreement. He grabbed on her before she snapped the rope, sending flash running. They soon came across the river and traveled upstream till they found a small fishing town.
The little town was already bustling with people heading to the docks, bakeries, or shop stands. "Get your fish oil here…" melody heard one of the shopkeepers call out.

"Fresh eal. Anyone want fresh eal?"

She got off the horse, leaving Cheese to take control of it. "Umm, hay excuses me." She said to one of the fishermen. He turned around. "Can you help us, we're trying to cross the sea?"
The fisherman laughed. "Ha haha. Yeah, right… good luck with that. Everyone knows that you can't pass the sea during this time. Hay flam get a load of this. She wants to pass the sea today."
A salesman looking just like the fishermen only without a mustache laughed along with him. "We only go out and catch fish in the morning before the storms hits at night. Crossing the sea means staying out there in the middle of the night. No one is dumb enough to do that."

"Hay you two. What did I tell you about setting up shop here?" An Angry sheriff called out.

"Uh oh. Brother, we got company.

"Uhh yeah look it was nice talking to you but we're off." The salesman and his brother the fisherman ran, leaving the three confused.

"Get back here." The sheriff called as he ran after them.





The three asked every single person they crossed by to see if they would help them cross, but no one would help. Especially when they learned they did not have any money. After a few hours, exhaustion took over, and they fell asleep on side of the dirt roads just a ways away from the docks.
A loud sound woke melody from her rest as she gasped. She looked around and saw a clock on the wall say 11:50.
"It's almost noon." Melody yelled out as she kicked cheese awake.
"I'm up, I'm up. " He started with a tired yawn. "Where should we go from here?"
Suddenly something broke through the wall behind them landing on both of them creating a pile of wood and dust.
"Oww." a few moans were heard. "Ahh, what was that?" Melody said, rubbing her head. As the dust cleared, she got her answer.
Flim and flam got up slowly. "Hay, I know you two." Melody announced to them.
"Yeah yeah. Hay, mind if we borrow your horse?"
"Wait what"
"Thanks!" They both shouted as they hopped on the back of flash and took off.
"Hay, that's my horse." She shouted. But then she saw what they were running from. It was several officers of the town.
"Hay officer, those two just stole my horse!"
"Yeah yeah. Well, get 'em." The officer said back and continued to go after them.
The town was not very big, and you could hear the ruckus they caused going up and down the roads. Cheese's stomach growled as he followed the sounds of chaos, looking left and right.
"Well, I'm hungry. What's for breakfast?"
Melody sighed. "I'll make you some food once we get my horse back, come on." She shouted and pulled him by the arm.




"Hay, watch where you're going!" Flim said as he ducked behind a sign that almost hit him.
"I'm trying, but the horse has a mind of its own. I can't control it." Flam argued back.
Suddenly someone whistled, and the horse turned right, smashing through a wooden fence. "Ahhhhh!" the brothers shouted as they helped on for dear life.
They then smashed into a chicken coop. The chickens all flew as Flim and flam came out covered in eggs and muck.
"Someone stop this crazy thing!" Flim cried out. Suddenly the horse came to an abrupt stop, sending the two brothers flying into an outhouse. Flam brought his head up out of the broken toilet. He was soaked in egg muck and toilet water. Flim had his head stuck in the ceiling. Broken glass from the small mirror in there, stuck between his skin. "Ouch", he said as he tried to free himself.
"Hold on, I got you." His brother told him and grabbed him and pulled, trying to free his head from the roof while in the ceiling. Melody walked forward towards them while Cheese got back to the horse.
"Umm, help." Muttered Flim
"Serves you right for stealing my horse. Why are so many copes after you anyway?"
"Heh, it's a long story. Look, if you help me get my brother out and away from those cops well do you any favor."
"Anything." A devilish grin spread across her face, showing a fang like tooth.
"Yes, yes, anything now just get me out of here." Cried flam.
Using her magic, melody made several vines grow and split the wood freeing flim and flam.
"You, your ah, ah."
"If you dare say, witch." She grits her teeth, showing more sharp fangs. "Or vampire..."
"No, no. no. I was gonna say, magic user." Flim smiled.
"Yeah, not many magic users left out there like us." Flam replied.
"Wait, your magic users."
"Yep, tho only because of this." Flim held up a shell with an odd marking on its back that looked like a trident.
"Anyway, we're men of our word, what do you want?"
"We want to cross the sea. And you have a boat to do it. Wait you do have a boat right?"
"Oh, not just a boat..."flam boasted. "... A ship. Finest ship you ever see. If not a little rustic."
Flim continued with. "But traveling will be much too dangerous this time of year."
"Would you rather be in jail?" melody said as she pointed behind them. The copes were catching up.
"Uh no, well take our chances on the sea. Come on brother." Flam shouted as the 5 of them headed off to the docks. Flim ran over to a wooden ship that was stuck on land. It was a rather large ship with 3 flags, two decks and a lower deck that was trapped on land.
"Uh, guys, thanks for doing this but that ships on land not in the sea. How are we gonna get sailing if it's not in the waters?" Cheese called out.
"Oh, don't worry about that." Flam told him
"Just get on quickly." Flim announced.
As soon as they got on, Flim pulled out the shell with the trident symbol on it. He held it up to the sun. "liastes nova" (set sail) a flash of light came from his eyes and suddenly the water itself as if drawn to the boat by the tides grabbed a hold of the ship and pulled it in. Flam pulled on a rope, letting the sails open. The wind caught it and with that, they finally set off. Flim grabbed the stirring wheel and began to chart their way across the waters.

"So why do you guys want to go across the sea anyway?" He asked.
""I'm on a journey to find my father. I plan to bring him home, so he can save my mother from dying." Melody said as she took flash and made him lay down on the deck.
"And I'm just here to help." Cheese replied.
"Oh really? Well, sorry to hear about your mom. Who's your dad anyway. Heck, we don't even know your names."
"Oh, I'm Cheese the horse is flash and this is." He held out his hand to her. She rolled her eyes. "Melody shy. And as for my father, I don't know. I've never met him. But he's supposed to be a really powerful sorcerer. Only I just learned he had magic. I was always told he was a knight. And you?"
"I'm flim he's flam we are the world-famous film flam brothers." They sang and chuckled together.
"Well, we wanted to be famous at one point."
"Oh yeah, what happened?" Asked cheese.
Flim spoak." Well you see me and my brother here for the longest time we had a dream, see. A dream of being rich and famous and even making our own castle one day." Flam continued. "We traveled all over the map. Bring our show along with us. Stories of mythical creatures. Down below, we even have crates full of stuff from the show. The problem is, most of them were all fake. We made most of them up. And those that we didn't we just legend and folk tales we heard on our journeys. but one thing for sure. Magic didn't exist as far as we knew."
"unless..." flim continued. ."… You went to chaos castle."
"Chaos castle." Melody asked curiously as she took out the map.
"Oh yeah. That place had magic alright. the place was protected by a creature that was unrecognizable. We don't even know what to call it. After that, we tried to spread the word, but no one believed us. Finally, we thought we would have to get proof, so we tried to capture the creature."
Flam continued. "Only to be tossed out and thrown to the sea. But that's when we were saved by a mermaid."
"A mermaid cheese repeated, skeptical of their story..."
(Flam)"Yeah, a mermaid. Not only did she save us, she gave us this." Flim held up the shell as he finished his brother's sentence. "And told us if ever we needed help, we could rely on its power to help guide us."
(Flim) "But no one belies us. And soon we became nothing but a laughingstock. So we decided that we needed proof."
(Flam)"And ever since then."
We've been on the hunt for mermaids. They both said simultaneously.
"Yes well, we're hungry and tired." Melody said, waving the story aside.
"Oh, there's food and beds below the deck. Have at it, you two."
"Cheese didn't hesitate to run downstairs. He opened a box full of oranges and chowed down before he laid down.
Melody chuckled at the sight of him as she took a bite of an orange. Her eyes begging to slightly glow in the darker light.
After a few moments, he flipped on his side." Ugh, I can't sleep now. "
"Why's that." She asked.
"I'm." His face began to grow green. Never been on a boat. And I feel too sick to sleep."
She set a hand on her mouth, trying to stop a giggle. "Here, let's read some more of the gargoyle king. Maybe that will help you sleep."
He nodded as he set a hoof over his face, trying not to throw up.
> Chapter 8 the prince
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy was helping Twilight get ready for her travels to the dance.
"Oh, what should I go as? Oh, oh, I know. What if I go as star swirl the bearded?"

Fluttershy giggled at her enthusiasm. "I thought you didn't want to go."

"Well, if I have to I'm going to dress up as something I like. She walked into her closet, everyone expects some grand and pretty dress... Well, I say," she came out in a cloak and wizard hat. "We can be anything we want to be tonight, let's have fun and be anything we want. I am definitely not gonna be princess twilight, blah. I'm gonna be a powerful wizard, she cheered. I just need you to make me a fake beard. I know use the cotton from this old pillow." She grabbed a pillow from her bed. "And here's some yarn, can you knit me a fake beard?"

Fluttershy nodded and took the items with a smile the entire way. She always felt safe coming out of her shell a little bit when twilight was around. She might have been the princess's servant, but she treated Fluttershy like a sister. the two have been together since they were very young. her mother was the previous hand maiden. befor she died of sickness.
"So what should I go as?" Fluttershy asked as she started to work on the fake beard. Twilight thought to herself as she reached for a book. "Hmm, go as anything you want. It's nightmare night."
Fluttershy thought to herself about this. "I guess ill go as a maid. I mean, I have the look for it." she gesture to her maid out fit.

"Nooooo nope, no you can't do that. "Twilight said as she picked up an old, dusty book from the back of the shelf. You need to go as something fun. Hmm." twilight opened the book and saw a photo of the moon goddess. "Oh, I know, what about the moon goddess?"
Fluttershy looked up from her work. "Uh, sure but I really don't have anything to make me look like her."

"Oh, but I do. Here." She ran back in her closet. "You can wear this old cloak." She handed Fluttershy a beautiful dark blue robe-like cloak with a hood and simple dress to match." Oh, no Twi i." she tried to interject," And as a finishing touch." The princess ran over to her jewelry box and pulled out a simple but elegant silver necklace. On it was a little stone with a crescent moon carved in it.
"My, my princess, I thank you but i... I can't where such things. Such clothes are made for royalty, not…"
"And who says you're not? at least." twilight giggled. "On nightmare night. Besides, I don't like that cloak, it's not my color. And the necklace you can keep. It was a gift from my brother, he got it on one of his expeditions to the northern kingdom. Honestly, he brings back the most ridiculous things for gifts. Doesn't he know a good book is all I require?"
Fluttershy shook her head but accepted the gifts.
"Alright, then we're all set for nightmare night in a few days, assuming you can finish your chores in time. Oh, I hope you can, these balls are always so boring. I wish I could just sit and read instead of dancing. I'm not even a good dancer." Twilight complained.





Suddenly the trumpets went off just outside. Twilight and Fluttershy ran to the window to see what the commotion was about.
Dressed in a dark wool coat, a man walked out with a scroll. The man was sicking pale and looked to be on death's door. He wore a large black medallion around his neck. And carried a wooden staff. On the medallion was a black cloud. He took in a deep breath and let it out as he spoke. "Presenting his majesty of the northern kingdom, of the crystal empire. Prince Blue Blood." The man then held out his arm and did a slight bow towards the carriage that rolled up behind him.
A man dressed in warm white furs and gold and silver jewelry walked out of a carriage and onto the grounds of the castle. The large doors of canterlot opened, revealing queen Sunset shimmer who reluctantly greeted him kindly.

"And what do I owe the pleasure?" The queen asked in a rather dull tone.
"Same as always. Our two kingdoms stand as allies? Yours of the west and mine of the north. I have already dispatched half of my company to help fight off the attackers at your borders."
"That doesn't explain why you stand at my door." The queen narrowed her eyes.
The prince nodded slowly. "Forgive me. I have come to deliver some sorrowful news of my own. I am afraid the king of the crystal empire has deceased, and you stand before the next."
The queen's expression did not change. "Sorry to hear that."
The prince turned his nose up at her response. "Everything your kingdom has suffered, mine has gone through ten times. You have fertile lands warm sunny days mine is high in the north, barely a step away from a frozen wasteland. And yet I still come to your aid."
"What is it you want?" The queen replied.

"Getting straight to the point, are we? very well. I ask that we join together and take out our true enemy."
"The eastern kingdom is rather strong."
"Griffin stone kingdom is only a fool's errand, those barbarians attack because they too have limited resources. Yes, we fight back, but for what useless bloodshed? There is only one way to end the endless war. I have made arrangements with the kingdom of saddles in the south."
The queen's eyes widen. "What kind of arrangements?"
The prince smiled an evil grin. "if we join forces along with those of the griffins, we might stand a chance against the sorcerer king. We can take all his resources. Maybe even his magic. And we all have endless resources, we will never have to fight aging."
The queens gasped.
"We've all been invited to the king's own castle for the masked ball this year. It's the perfect time to strike, he won't be expecting it in the slightest." He said.
The queen had no words. she looked in surprise. Finally, she spoke. "How can you say such things in open air like that?"

"Behind closed doors would matter, not. I will attack, and I hope your kingdom stands with me."
The queen could give no answer. He nodded his head at her expression. "Very well. But my men and I are weary. He gestured to the man behind him... This is my 2ed hand man. My top adviser, sir Stygian. Along with the rest of my guard, will need a place to stay tonight. "
The queen bowed politely, still in shock. Her words came shakily out of her mouth as she said,“ we have plenty of room for you to stay here. We all leave soon for the dark castle tomorrow.” with that the queen heeded inside, the unwanted guest followed.

Up in the castle, the princess and her servant stood trying to listen in on the conversation. "Ugh, we're too high, I can't hear anything they're sayings." Complained twilight.
"It's rude to eavesdrop, you know." Fluttershy told her. Twilight looked back at her with a raised eyebrow. But she sighed in defeat, knowing her friend was right. She went back to her book. "Well, then I suppose I shall release you. You need to finish your duties if you are to attend the ball." Fluttershy finished the fake beard and nodded. She took her to consume given to her by the princess and headed off.
> chapter 9 the cat
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was two days later. The prince decided to stay until they traveled to the ever-free forest. That way he could travel with them. Those two days were not very welcome.

While Fluttershy did her job along with her brother, the prince would often walk around the castle grounds watching every move. As much as he was a pain to deal with, the true fright came from his top servant. Something just didn't seem right about him.

He was sickly pale and had messy black hair and dark black eyes. Something about him scared Fluttershy. As he wandered down the halls, always at the prince's side. Fluttershy on numerous occasions saw the two whispering to one another, but could never make out what they were saying.

Fluttershy entered the great dining hall alongside her brother the knight. She was bringing supper to the king and the unwanted guest. Her brother was called for a different reason. Once he had no idea about. The two entered and Fluttershy set the many plates she had across her arms down on the table.

The queen gave a nod as she turned to her brother. "My queen." Zephyr said standing straight, taking a soldier position. "What is your request?" He asked.

"Zephyr breeze the 2ed. Son of Zephyr Breeze, the finest knight my late husband trusted with his life. With my son in the mits of battle, you're the closest knight we have to present the king of the ever-free with our gift."

Twilight stopped mid-eating and looked up. "What gift."

"Says on the invitation that in good faith to the sorcerer king, watch kingdom intern will give one gift that represents our own kingdoms' wealth. In exchange, will get plenty of resources to help our kingdom through this winter. I've already decided to give him a gift basket full of our finest drinks and treats. I already had our chiefs fetch them…" she gestured to a gift basket that was sitting on a chair. "…and Zephyr will present them in the absence of your brother."

"That is grand." Blue Blood said. "I plan to give him our finest warm coats as a gift. We are known mostly for our wool." He said, while pulling his wool cape over his shoulder to show it off.

"Well, then that's settled." The crowd then went back to eating in silence as Zephyr took the basket and left the room. Fluttershy followed him and as soon as they were out of sight and sound of the main hall she jumped and gave her brother a hug.

"Congratulations on the promotion." She cheered.

"Yeah, I know big responsibility huh. from guarding a kitchen, to now being the one able to present such an extravagant gift to the sorcerer king." He then froze as he realized something. "Uh oh."

" What?" she asked.

"This means I have to go to the, the Ever free with the king." he studerd." On nightmare night of all things."

Fluttershy smiled and rolled her eyes. "I'm sure the king won't be uh that bad. Besides, I'm going to remember." He looked at her and nodded. "Yeah, that makes me feel better. The most scardey cat person I know. Now I really feel safe."

"Hay!" she shouted at him. But then she lowered her head. "No, no, you're right. I hate nightmare night. But...." she turned away from him. "I'm curious. If he's as powerful as everyone says. Why doesn't he just end the war? I'm hoping that if I go, ill learn the answer." She said, fiddling with her fingers.

Her brother looked at her with a surprised expression. But softly smiled. "You know sometimes you're stronger than you think, sis." He said as he ruffled up her hair.

She chuckled nervously but gave a cheerful grin. "Well, alright. Tomorrow we start our journey to his castle. Uh… what the hell am I gonna wear. I mean its nightmare night, I need some costumes."

"Uh, why don't you just go as a knight? I mean, your armor is pretty scary to me."

He looked at her and then at his armor. "Huh, if I paint it a bit. I think you're right. "He said and dashed down the hall leaving Fluttershy alone, a bit surprised, but she slowly smiled at his enthusiasm.

"You did replace it, right?" She heard a voice say. She slowly peeked over the corner. She saw two long shadows. One was clearly the king, the other looked off to her.

"Yes, yes, I did." Said the voice of the prince.

"Fool. it's only a matter of time, then. Be sure to tell the others to have their guard up. With any luck, this will be done with, by the end of tomorrow night." A deep voice chuckled. The prince joined in the chuckle. And with any luck, well have all the resources' humanity will ever need.

Fluttershy didn't like the tone of their voices, but shrugged it off.

"I mean they're probably just talking about the party, right?" She thought to herself.

The next morning, every one quickly grabbed their costumes and met at the main gate. Zephyr painted his armor gold. Only it was a lemon-yellow color and not gold. It kinda made him look ridiculous as he stood there with a basket. The queen wore a phoenix costume, her daughter twilight danced around in her Star Swirl the bearded costume.

To many, surprise Blue Blood was a court jester, a clown, and most of his men wore either pirate or circus outfits.
Alright, is everyone ready to set off? The queen said in a dull voice, keeping her eye on prince blue blood. He gave a nod with a sly grin, which did not ease the queen. After hearing about his plan to attack the king, queen sunset shimmer decided to not let any civilians go to this party. Only armed knights in costumes and a few necessary servants.

"Wait," her daughter cried out. "My servant Fluttershy, she isn't here yet."

"Oh uh. About that. I'm afraid I had extra chores for her to do, she won't be able to make it". sunset told her.

"What. ugh, this is gonna be boring." Twilight complained.

Just as she said that, Fluttershy could hear her friend from just inside the castle. She was scrubbing the floors, disappointed she wouldn't be able to attend. She looked over the long list of chores the queen left her.
Clean the floors
Clean the guest rooms from the prince's stay
clean out the stables.

The list went on and on, stretching to the floor. It was as if the queen wanted to keep her there. How strange, she thought to herself. It would take a full day's travel by horse to get to the castle, let alone by foot would take far longer. Even if she finished her chores, there was no way she'd be able to catch up with them. And after twilight gave her that nice dress and necklace, two. She sighed and dumped her mop back into a bucket of water. Before, she continued to mop the floors. She was also the only servant in the castle, anything that would be covered by other maids or servants were now on her list.

"Well, I guess someone needed to do it while they left." She thought to herself as she sighed. She tended to the animals, mow the lawn. Brought new firewood in from outside to build warm fires in the fireplaces. Water the flower gardens of the castle and clean leaves and muck out of the pond and water fountain. All the while, she tried to smile and have a good day. But found it difficult. Her little animal friends realized something was wrong and tried to comfort her. She giggled at a squirrel that rubbed its head against her face.

"Oh, thank you, Mr squirrel" she said and picked him up. Several small birds hovered all around her as she sat at the now-cleaned fountain. They chirped loudly in concern for her." No, no, I'm fine. I'm fine, I just... She sighed. She really couldn't understand the animals and for all, she knew they couldn't understand her.

"You guys. You're the only ones I can really talk to, huh." she said as she pet the back of a black cat that walked over and rubbed against her legs.

"Ok fine. So I may have wanted to go. You know. Just to see if the rumors and stories of the king are real. I mean, I know they say he's evil and terrifying but..." She rolled her head. "An immortal king with no way of dying. How does that even work?" The cat meowed as a few caravans flew down, landing on top of the fountain seemingly interested in the conversation.

"Hmm. I always wonder what magic is like." She stood up. "And what I'd do if I had such gifts?" She turned to the squirrel who jumped on her shoulder. She giggled. "If I had such gifts I'd end the war, of course." The squirrel squeaked as if it understood.

"No, I wouldn't want to kill anyone, but... She sighed, And began to sing a little tune that just happen to come to mind.
I sense there's something in the wind
That feels like tragedy's at hand
And though I'd like to stop the fight
Can't shake this feeling that I have
The worst is just around the bend
And does magic truly? Exist in this world.
And if it does. Why not save us?
It would be like a dream. If only it could be.

"If ID went, I would have tried to convince him to stop the war with his magic. You'd think that could work, right?" She asked her animal friends who only tilted their heads, not understanding her words as far as she knew.

She sighed and walked away, thinking of a song her father once sang to her.

Hush now quiet now it's time hush now quiet now it's time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now quiet now it's time to go to bed. Drifting off to sleep leaves your troubled day behind you. Drifting off to sleep, let the sweetest dreams come find youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.
I hope you'll find a peaceful dream, do not let a nightmare consume you.
Magic comes from the mid, the heart and the light. Do not let the darkness claim you.

"If only those words were true. If only magic could have saved you." She said softly, remembering her father and mother. It was near sundown, and she was tidying up Twilight's room. She decided to set her costume back in the prince's wardrobe. She looked over the sparkly dress and cloak that would have been her costume, stretching out the arm to see if it would fit her. She rolled her head and closed the wardrobe. She decided to walk over and open the door. The princess's room had one of the best sights in the entire kingdom. And it was her favorite room. Tho shed never tells twilight that. She gazed out. You could see to the left the sun setting and to the right, the moon rising ever so gently over the mountains. The daylight about to vanish into the night of the full moon. During most months the trees down below looked lush and green, but now they were like old wooden hands twisting and turning watch way stretching upwards.
The only trees that had any green were the dark evergreens along the side of the ever-free forest that could be seen far, far in the distance.

She looked out as a cold breeze came in from the window. She slightly shivered at it, but was mostly unfazed. As the final light of day was gone, she yawned. Tired of her work from today. She turned around and decided to finish fixing the princess bed. Another yawn came as she heard the small jingle of something in her pocket. She pulled out the pendant that twilight had given her. She remembered what her friend had told her.

"Besides, I don't like that cloak, it's not my color. And the necklace you can keep. It was a gift from my brother, he got it from one of the exhibitions in the northern kingdom. Honestly, he brings back the most ridiculous things for gifts. Doesn't he know a good book is all I require?"

She chuckled at the memory and decided to keep the gift. She rubbed her thumb over the crescent move carved into it. She decided to slip the necklace over her head. She looked at it carefully and yawned. She then notice there was something on the back of it. She rubbed the back, cleaning it off. It said something, but she couldn't quite make it out. With another yawn, she finally read the words. They seemed silly to her, but she did it anyway.

Eurt emoc maerd (dream come true) Luna.

Suddenly as she said the last words she felt all her strength evaporate out of her. She fell back onto the bed, exhausted beyond all belief. As if every ounce of energy she had was just drained out of her all at once. Her head felt extremely dizzy, her chest felt extremely warm. As if her heart was set ablaze. She fell out of consciousness. The light of the full moon peering through the window was the last thing she saw.

While still, asleep, Fluttershy felt something shake her. "Come on." A voice said. She was given another shake. As she got up, she set a hand on her still-aching head. "ah, what?" She asked, fluttering her eyes until they were opened. When they were, she saw a dark bluish cat with white stripes that almost seemed like stripes. "Oh uh, hello there." She said, looking at the small creature.

"Hello." The cat said softly back at her, making her jump in surprise.
The small cat giggled at the sight. "No need to fear, dear child." The creature wished around her. She got a better look at it. It strangely sparkled. As if its stripes were made of the night sky. It shined like the moon, being the only source of light in the room. Everywhere else including outside was dark.

"Curious." The cat said in a very regal voice. "Hmm. perhaps if I was in a different form." she said. Suddenly the cat transformed into that of a pale woman dressed in a nightly blue gown a starry night cloak and what looked to be a crown on top of her head.

Fluttershy jumped back in fear. Making the woman chuckle. "Now, now, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Your, your ah, Ah … what are you." Fluttershy asked.

"Hmm, what am I? Hmm. kinda hard to answer. Hmm. im Luna. The spirit of night magic."

Fluttershy squealed. "You, your, you're the moon goddess."

This made Luna chuckle. "You mortals. Always calling us gods or goddesses. We're only part of nature, dear. I'm a bit of a moon fairy, actually. I tend to watch over those who slumber, trying to help those who have bad nightmares. However, someone once saw me once remove a disgusting tooth out from someone's bed, and now they think I'm a tooth fairy. How ridiculous is that?" She chuckled once more. "I just didn't want the human to get his head cut by his own old tooth. Heh."

"Uh. yeah." Fluttershy said nervously and tried to chuckle along, tho she was clearly faking her laugh and not hiding her nervousness at all.

"Um, what are you doing here… Uh, if I may ask? "She said, still cowing in the corner.

Luna smiled softly. "You of course."

"Me?"

"Yes. you said a powerful spell. One to make a dream come true. Only you never finished it. You blacked out. I decided to check on you and see what wish you wanted to come true."

"Oh uh. But I uh."

"The necklace you have is a powerful relic I gave out years ago. With it, one wish can come true. But to do so you must think of your dream while making the wish, otherwise it only will be half complete. So finish the spell, young one. What is it that you dream of? What wishes from the deepest part of your heart could come true?"

Fluttershys mind raced as she heard the calm voice of the mood goddess. She thought to herself. "I uh. I want the war to end. And not in a way where someone gets hurt and killed, either." She looked up at Luna.

Luna's smile turned into a slight frown. She stared into the eyes of Fluttershy." Hmm, such kindness." She whipped.

"What was that?" Fluttershy asked.

Luna turned away from her." Humans..." She began. "... You think by making a wish, someone can just snap their fingers and make it true. But magic doesn't work like that. This is a powerful dream. And I can see that in your heart, this is what you want. But..." she spun back around to Fluttershy.

"This type of wish. The magic can only come from you. It will take time. You must have the courage and the strength to succeed if you wish for this war to truly end.

"What but?.."

Luna reached into her sleeve and pulled out a wand.

"Wha, wha, wait!" Fluttershy shouted. But Luna did not stop. She waved her wand making a blue glowing crescent moon shape.

"To end this war, you must find out how it began and convince the one with the power to stop it to do so. "

She taped the shape and the light swished around Fluttershy. Fluttershy was in awe of the magic that surround her. "Hmm, now you just need a costume." Luna tapped her chin in thought. "Oh, what should it be? Hmm. ahh, I know." She devilishly smiled. She brought the wand up in a flash Fluttershy's outfit turned into a black webbed dress her teeth grew sharp her ears slightly pointy her hair slightly ruffled up. She had a small red tiara in her heir, and the crescent moon jewel glowed red as it settled around her neck. A black mask covered most of her face. Except for her lips with deep red lipstick. When she pulled up her arms, the dress's sleeves resembled bat wings. Finally, a bracelet with a sand dial appeared on it.

"Umm, what's this for? She asked.

"This part of the plan is truly my doing. And it only tends to work at night. When the sand dial is at its last grain, you will be brought back here and the dress will disappear."

"Oh, but what if I don't get a chance to meet the king?"

"Worry not. This is only the begging of the spell. If you fail tonight, you will have another chance. If that is your choosing."

Fluttershy tilted her head.

Luna chuckled. "Like I said, only you have the power to make your dream of a peaceful world come true. But only if you choose to. If you choose left you'll never find a way, only the right path will help you."

Fluttershy scratched her head at that, but decided not to question it any further.

"Well, Mrs. Dracula now that you have your costume we got to get you over to the party". Luna smiled and with another wave of her wand, a large flash of pure white moonlight hit Fluttershy. She shielded her eyes from it as it got brighter and brighter, blinder her, and when she opened them aging she was standing in front of the tall castle of the sorcerer king.
> chapter 10 the dance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy was instantly teleported to the ever-free forest. She got there just in time. A large crowd of people gathered around the castle walls. It was the first time she ever saw the castle. And it was just like the queen described, only more haunting.

Completely made of an odd black stone, the castle looked extremely impressive for something in the middle of the ever-free forest. The outside walls made a large triangle surrounding several large square towers that rose above the wall. And one round tower that rose even higher. On each of the corners of the building, two massive gargoyles sat looking over the forest. In all directions.

No windows could be seen anywhere in the castle except on the top floors of the towers. And several balconies. On top of the wall, two guards walked back and forth. The crowd looked up and tried to chat with them. "Hello, we were summoned by your king. Uh, how do we get in, there is no door." The guard's said nothing as they passed back and forth.
Fluttershy quickly walked over, trying to blend into the crowd when a strange shadow caught her attention. She stood there watching it as it vanished into the bushes. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to walk over. She took a few steps when suddenly a familiar voice stopped her.

"Uh, this is boring. Wish I had my book instead." She turned to the lady standing next to her. It was none other than twilight sparkle dressed like Star Swirl, the bearded stood there with her arms crossed.
"Uh, twilight." She said cautiously.

It caught star swirls attention. She turned and gasped. Fluttershy quickly put a finger to her mouth and shushed her
"Oh of course, of course. Hay, you made it. How?"

"Oh uh well."

"No doesn't matter. Now, this night will be less boring." She hugged her. "Of course, will keep this from my mother at all costs. Just keep your mask on and your head down, ok." Fluttershy nervously nodded as she turned back to the bushes.

Someone walked out of them. In a pumpkin-orange suit with red tie white gloves and what must have been costumed boots stood a tall man. His costume boots showed a clawed dragon foot and a deer hoof. He had deer antlers and a goat horn coming out of his head. And a red snake-like tail with white feathers matching that of his beard. He reached back into the bush, pulling out a pumpkin orange top hat and a black wooden cane. He brushed some leaves off of it and set it on his head over his messy black hair antler and horn. He had a sharp jawline and a rather pointy nose. He must have put some makeup on to look dead for nightmare night. He was so pale. Matching that of the odd servant that worked for prince blue blood. If not paler. His face was slightly sunken in, and his skin was paler than it could actually be. The way he looked at first glance he wasn't exactly handsome but at 2ed glance, he was far from ugly.

Fluttershy watched as he put on a black scull mask covering the top half of his face. Step forward and lost him among the crowd. The man seemed to be acting quite unusually. At least to her. Her thoughts were interrupted by twilight to startle her out of them.

"Isn't this exciting, she said. I mean, real sorcery"

"Uh, but we hold nightmare night every year. Haven't you seen the king? "Fluttershy asked her.

"If I have, I have no idea. It's a masked ball. The gargoyle king could be anyone."





Suddenly, two trumpets were sounded off, catching everyone's attention. The large wall in front of them began to bubble and bend like liquid. It peeled away, revealing a large wooden door that opened revealing a brightly lit hallway that made no sense when you thought about how the outside of the castle was arranged.
As the doors open wide standing, in the middle of the hallway was what must have been a boy dressed in a dragon costume with a black cloak over it. He held up a scroll. His costume was quite good. It looked as if he really was a dragon. He coughed into one of his claws. "Ahem." He spread out his arms to the crowd and bowed forward slightly.
"Welcome, welcome one in all, to my master's humble home. I have been tasked with being your escort through the castle. You will follow me down the hall through the gardens to the main tower floor. Where the throne room, now a ballroom, has been set. Any questions or concerns you may ask me at any time."
"Where's the king?" someone asked.
"Hell, be along. Now I must ask you to quickly follow me. And please do stay with the group at all times. For you see, in this castle you can easily get lost. And we don't want anyone to take a wrong turn. Also, once we are there, no one is allowed to leave the ballroom unless accompanied by me or one of the guards." As he said that, the two guards that were on top of the wall just a second earlier walked out from behind the walls and stood by the boy.
"Well, with that we will begin." The boy turned around. A purple tail stuck out from underneath his robes. He led the large group down the hallway. As they walked and looked around, the group started to feel claustrophobic. Especially since it seemed the group doubled out of nowhere as servants of the king joined them. It seemed as they head deeper and deeper into the hallway, the walls narrowed, and the roof caved in on them. It was dimly lit by torches on the walls. And strange paintings hung between the torches.
All the paintings were strange depictions of the forest. But as if they were in a fairy tale setting. In the paintings were many animals. Some recognizable, some they've never seen before. All at different times of the year or different times of the day. Watch one was quite different from the last, except all of them had one thing in common. There was always a gargoyle hidden in the photo.
The gargoyles were some type of chimeras. They had 2 large, mismatched wings. One of an angel, one of a bat. A slender body with the head of a horse, a snake-like tail with dagger like feathers. A lion paw, an eagle claw, a dragon foot a deer leg a horn, and an antler on top it's head. And finally, sharp fangs.
In each painting, the gargoyle looked to either be asleep or hunting one of the animals.
"Interesting art." Someone said from the crowd.
"Yes," the boy said. "My master does enjoy his painting. Each piece of art ever seen in this castle he painted himself. And carved every stone stature as well." He said, as they passed two stone statues of gargoyles.
The two gargoyles looked intimidating and terrifying. They stood quite tall and seemed to be presenting the audience with the door down the hallway. A large wooden door with iron rivets and silver trimming sat at the end of the hallway. Or at least they thought it was largely due to perspective.
"Actually, my master built this castle with his bare hands. Every stone and log used to form this castle he carved himself. Quite the artist. The boy then stood in front of the door. Aww, here we are, he turned to the crowd."

It was clear now by his standing by the door. It wasn't perspective at all. The crowd was now cramped. The room seemed to shrink down to the size of the boy.
The boy set his claw on the silver and iron door handle.
"You're joking?" Someone in the crowd called out. With these costumes and what not, we can't fit through that door. Said a woman's voice. Yes, what, is this a joke? "’Tis some kind of a. A fun house." Others argued. The crowd murmured and talked among themselves. Let's get out of here. Said another as some in the crowd turned around.
Fluttershy and twilight turned with the crowd. But as they did, they heard a shriek from up ahead.
The hallway was gone, replaced with a brick wall. Just inches from the nearest person in the back. Everyone including twilight and Fluttershy was in a panic. Everyone but the two knights, the young boy who lead them there, and the strange tall figure in the middle of the crowd. He kept his eyes closed as he fixed his hat. A sly grin on his lips.
"As you can see. "The boy announced to the crowd. "There is no way back. Only forward. If you want to leave, that's fine. But you will find the exit is in front, not behind."
"Nonsense he's trapped us all…" shouted one person. "Oh, there must be a way out. Perhaps a secret tunnel or something." Shouted a woman. Several from the crowd banged on the brick walls and knocked over some of the torches and paintings. The strange man rolled his eyes and stepped forward over to twilight mother. Who was wearing a phoenix outfit? Her mask looked like a beak.
"Didn't you were that last year?" He asked in a dull voice.
The phoenix turned around, noticing him. "Oh, oh, it's you. Yes well. I didn't have time to think of a new costume. Plus, the feather dress looks nice.
The man rolled his eyes, aging. "Do you honestly think you'd be invited just to be trapped?"
"I don't know him that well, So." she looked away with a weird look.
Twilight turned around to face man. "And how would you know?"
"It's nightmare night, clearly this is just to scare you." The man chuckled. His chuckle sent a chill in the air. "And by the looks of you all, it seems this little charade has worked quite well."
The boy dressed as a dragon just rubbed his head. "So I see we have one who doesn't get scared so easily. Fine then." He said, and present the gentleman with the door. He walked over and twisted the nob. Opening it slowly, a light, 		warm breeze filled the air with the smell of chocolate and candy.
He walked right in and didn't need to bend down at all. It turns out it was all just a visual illusion. The walls were a little bit narrower, but the door was indeed fully sized. The boy just studied in the perfect place where it looked like the door was the size of him. It definitely tricked everyone else. They all calmed down and with a small breath they walked forward and followed the strange man out the door.
"Mother, who is that?" Twilight asked. "The queen looked at her. Oh, no idea. He shows up at every nightmare night festival. Probably for his own kingdom. Come now, the ball awaits." She said, taking Twilight's hand. Twilight gestured her friend over. But Fluttershy was unable to because of the crowd. She just waved at her and worded the phrase, ill see you inside.





Once everyone was inside, they froze in awe and wonder. They found themselves in a massive room. Or was it a room? It had an endless sky, but the question was, was it actually a sky? There was no moon in the sky while it did look like a knight, it was completely purple with swirls as far as the eye could see. And pink clouds that hung low enough that you could jump up and touch them.
"Just across the garden, you'll find our destination." The dragon boy told them.
They focused their vision and in the distance across a river of what looked to be chocolate was none other than the main tower where the ballroom sat. The main tower tho seemed to tower up through the strange purple sky.

The boy smiled as he threw off his cloak, revealing his whole dragon costume. The question was, was he actually a boy or a real dragon? His costume looked so real. It was quite frightening.
He leaped over the steppes down, landing on the yellow brick road that lead to the main tower. Then he did something very unusual. He began to sing.

Boys and girls of every age Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
Come with me, and you will see This, amazing castle of the sorcerer king
Two girls jumped out, one dressed like a chicken, the other dressed like a lion. And they joined in the song.
Tonight is nightmare night tonight is nightmare night., Pumpkins scream, but we don't bite
This is nightmare night, everybody catch a fright
Trick or treat 'don't forget to turn on the light.

Suddenly, the two guard against the back began to sing.
It's our home, everybody scream
In this castle of haunted dreams
The dragon boy bowed aging.
Are maser is the one that calls you hear filling your hearts with fear and dread
Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red He is the one who owns this magical lair Tail like snakes and black fire for hair
This is nightmare night, this is nightmare night
The little dragon threw his claw up allowing them all to run.

In this forest, we call home
Everyone hails to this crazy song
You might hear a lion's claw 
"Pinky it's a lion paw."
her fellow guard told her. "Oh right by the way everything you see is edible so enjoy on your way to the ballroom." She then grabbed a tree branch and bit into it. She then handed some of it to others. They bit into it as well and found that the tree bark was some kind of peppermint.
Everybody's waiting for the next surprise
'Round that corner, hiding behind in the shadow
Something's waiting now to pounce and how you'll scream
This is nightmare night, nightmare night, 

As the song continued, people started randomly trying what the odd gardens had to offer. Gummy leaves. Licorice vines.
The tall strange man even pulled down a pink cloud using his cane, taking a few bites and then handing some to the Phoenix next to him. It's cotton candy. He said as he held it out to her.
She took a bite and found that he was right.
Aren't you scared? Well, that's just fine
Say it once, say it twice
Take a chance and roll the dice
Take flight with wings in the dead of night… the dragon boy then jumped up in the sky.
Everyone was eating some type of candy or salty snake. Corn fields were filled with popcorn. Pumpkin patches filled with pumpkin pies. Candy fruit and ice cream snow stayed on a mountain, not too hard to get up and take a spoon full.

Everybody scream, everybody scream
In our forest of nightmare night
He is the one with a horse like face Here in a flash and gone without a trace
He is the answer to the question "Who's there?" Running an eagle claw through your hair
He stays in the shadows of the moonlit night Filling your dreams to the brim with fright
This is nightmare night, this is nightmare night Tender lumplings everywhere
Life's no fun without a good scare That's his job, but he's not mean
in this forest of scares and fright.
Everybody is waiting for the next surprise
A dragons claw a dears hoof know one wants take a look
This is nightmare night, everybody scream

As the song continued, they made their way down the walkway. Eating marshmallows rocks and lolly pops that grew like weeds on the side. Until they reached their final destination
Won't you please make your way inside for the ballroom, we hope you enjoy your stay.
Our master is the sorcerer king. And now you've seen what he will bring.
This is nightmare night, the only night you can be whatever you want to be.
So don't be scared, we will let you eventually leave.
The crowd was shocked and amaze by this. Many of them clapped their hands or whistled to the servants of the sorcerer king.
"Oh, what an excellent performance." The queen dressed like a phoenix said.

The young dragon boy lifted his head and seemed to be looking for approval.
The tall man stood there with his cane. He smiled and examined his glove. "Oh, a bit off-key, but it seemed to please."
The dragon boy smiled and gave a slight nod.
"Oh, come now, that performance was great." Twilight said as she stepped forward and shook the dragon boy's hand. Fluttershy only smiled.
"Well, well, well, what do we have to hear? Star Swirl, the bearded. Nice to have you join us." The man said, tipping his head slightly. Twilight was confused at first, but then remembered her own costume. "Oh uh yes, of course. And you good sir". She held out a hand.
He acted like the jester didn't exist. "Jjust an enjoyer of this fine holiday." Suddenly, a golden suit of armor walked up and took off his helmet. It was none other than Fluttershy's bumbling idiot of a brother.
"Ok, you guys have got to try the chocolate nut bars." He held out a few of them to the group.
"Aww, I see a knight in shining armor. Bit cliché don't you think? " He asked Twilight, who only giggled in response. Fluttershy stepped back, not wanting to be recognized by her brother.
"Well, I hope you all enjoy the ball. I'm glad you and your people could make it. Canterlot will always be considered an ally. 'Tis one of my favorite kingdoms. I would move there if I didn't have so many other things I need to attend to."
Twilight's eyes grew. How do you know we're from Canterlot? She asked.
"Simple, the knight's shield is from there... "they looked at Zephyr shield. It had the canterlot crest. Zephyr looked at the shield and then slapped his own forehead. "... and I've met this phoenix quite a few times as well."
"Uh, I meant to cover that up. I know we're not supposed to show our origin tonight. I'm so sorry, your highness. " The phoenix just sighed at the sight, making the man chuckle.
"In any case, hope you all enjoy yourselves." He then walked away from the group.
Twilight then turned to her mother. "Who is that anyway?"
She just shrugged in response. "Probably someone from the southern kingdom, since he said we're allies.
I've seen him a couple of times around meetings and nightmare night traditions. He usually says hello, cracks a few jokes and nothing else. Never dances or stay in one place. I honestly wonder who he is, too." The queen told her daughter.
"Oh great now thire was two mystery men tonight." Twilight thought to herself.
Fluttershy didn't understand why. But she felt like she needed to speak with him more than anyone else. But she shrugged. Not knowing why the man caught her attention, she decided to let it go for now and enjoy the party.
As they walked in, they were greeted with a large room. Far larger than it seemed possible on the outside. Several servants of the king played a few tunes on their instruments. Tables all along the room had different types of dinners. Some ham turkey or just plain chicken soup. There was room for both dinner or dancing. In the back was a large organ. And to the side underneath the largest gothic window was an empty throne with a lone staff.
Twilight and Fluttershy both decided the roast beef looked good. And had along with it a side of tomato soup. Along with a few grapes. Or at least what they thought were grapes.
As Fluttershy was about to grab one, she screamed as the grape turned over and blinked at her. It was indeed an eyeball.
The servant dressed like a lion laughed. In a heavy country accent, she said "don't mind the food, it has a few tricks. It's all just magical illusions, they're just grapes." The servant took one of the eyeballs and popped it in her mouth as she took a bright red liquid squished out of it. "Red grapes. I promise. "
Another scream came from a nearby table. They all turned to find a guy in a clown costume screaming his head off, sounding like a girl.
They looked down and on the food tray was a snickering detached head. Hay, aren't you one of the guards? Asked twilight.
"Ah hahahahah. Yep, getting ahead of the crowd you know". She snickers. "Get it ahead."
"How are you doing that?"
"Oh, it's all an illusion, I ashore you anything here gonna hurt you. Oh, but you might want to watch out for those spiders, they are real."
"A huh. Well, I'm not falling for…" suddenly, Twilight felt a spider run up her leg.
She squealed.
"Nope, I wasn't kidding, but They're actually pretty harmless." The head said. "Oh, oh quick uh you there." She said releasing Fluttershy was standing there. "Put the top over my head aging, I want to scare the next group." Fluttershy nodded and set the lid back over the tray and walked away.
"Get it off, get it off, get it off!" Shouted twilight. Fluttershy quickly grabbed the little spider and headed to a window to let it go free. As she approached the window a figure popped out at her
"boo." It shouted and she jumped back.
It laughed in her suspense and took off its ghostly disguise. It was another one of the servants dressed like a ghost. Everywhere all across the ballroom, screams and laughs could be heard from the spooky party.
For the next hour or two, Fluttershy found herself either jumping from one of the spooks and laughing at it afterwords or eating some of the most delicious food she ever tasted in her life.
Suddenly the crowd all turned to the organ in the back of the room as it began playing music by itself. Candles and dirty plates all began to float and fly away from those who were done with them.
The crowd was a bit frightened at first, but soon awwed at the spectacle of the night. "Well, he is the sorcerer king, right?" Twilight said, reassuring her frightened friend. Fluttershy could only smile at that. She was glad that her friend was here with her.
"Yes, yes, quite a show we have here tonight." The clown from before said. "But where is our host?" I seek an audience with him. "We all do. I mean, here we come to a party, and he doesn't even show his face."
It was clear by the voice that it was none other than prince blue blood underneath the clown makeup.
It is a costume party, is it not? No one supposes to know who or where anyone is. "That's kinda the point." The dragon boy said.
"Oh yeah, and who are you? You're just a servant."
"Not tonight." Tonight I'm spike the dragon. "Sure, I'm helping my master out. But otherwise, he's given me the day off. Just sit back and relax, will ya stop running the fun?" The boys shrugged and walked away.
"How dare you. I am a guest of the king. Not only that, but I am royalty myself."
The boy turned around and chuckled. "I see no royalty here. I only see a clown."
Others in the crowd began to laugh. Making the clown angry as he ripped off his clown noes. "Do you know who I am? I am prince blue blood. And I demand to know where the sorcerer king is."
A voice from the crowd speaks up.
"And what, please tell. Do you think you are worthy of his time?"
The crowd all turned to see the tall man in the back of the room.
"It's a costume party. The point is to show what you really are. "
"What!" blue blood demanded.
"Kings' servants are all just costumes. Tonight, you can be any costume you want. Regardless of pointless things like rank or status. The boy there is right, you see. I see no prince. I see a clown. Tho, I must thank you. Clowns are great at entertaining people and making them laugh, am I, right folks?"
Some in the crowd nodded and chuckled. "Only here's the problem. Now you have shown to this crowd that the kingdom in the north is led by a clown."
The crowd chuckled more.
The man growled. "Why you? I am the future king of the crystal empire of the north. Who are you to joke like that? Reveal yourself."
The man chuckled a dark chuckle. "I think not. I wouldn't want to embarrass my homeland in such an awful display like you have." He chuckled more as the crowd joined in. some even those who were servants to prince blue blood.
"I say we take all our masks off. Whoever the sorcerer king is must be in this room."
"And how do we know you're not the sorcerer-king?" The man said. "Oh, wait, that's right. Because the king wouldn't be so dull as to act like a clown. Enjoy yourself, prince blue blood." He said and began to walk away.
Prince blue blood growled and pulled out a sword. "Want to say that aging."
The man stopped as he heard the sound of the sword.
"Oh, look, everyone." He turned halfway to him and halfway to the crowd." The clown wants to entertain more. But needs help. Any volunteers." He held out his hand, But the crowd all took a step back as Blue blood grits his teeth.
"No. I guess I will." He pulled back his orange jacket, revealing a short sword that looked like it belonged to a piret. Definitely didn't match his costume. The crowd all gasped and step back any further. Spike rolled his eyes. And the other servants chuckled.
"This should be great entertainment for the sorcerer king." He quickly pulled his sword out as blue blood lunged forward.
The tall man dodged, not even blocking as he brought his sword up. Blue blood swung his sword left. The tall manager didn't block, just jumped over his sword. Still in midair blue blood slashed at him only for the man to catch his sword. As he landed he yanked it out of the prince's hands making the prince stumble backward landing on his but.
Heh. And that is how you deal with a moran. The man bowed at the audience as he put his weapons away. Once he did, he waved his hand and stepped outside. The little boy in the dragon costume steps forward.
"Well, well, well. Let the party continue, then". He said with a nervous chuckle. The tall man disappeared into the crowded aging. And the rest of the evening went pretty much as planned.
A few more scares and treats. But nothing, two events full. People would come over and discuss their costumes. She mostly being her shy self, kept to the sidelines. She kept her eye out for the strange man, but he never showed up, aging. As the hours of the night became late everyone began dancing and enjoying themselves.
Eventually Fluttershy decided she needed some air and walked outside. To her surprise, she did not exit where she originally thought she would... As she exited the main doors, she found herself on a tall balcony. She looked up and realized she was still inside the castle, tho, since the sky still was purple. She looked over the edge of the balcony, seeing the chocolate river flow below. The air smelled like sweet candy. And strangely, there was a nice breeze. She smiled as it flowed through her hair. She taped her tooth. The fang was fake, but it was well attached to her mouth. She thought to herself. "Hmm, strange. The sorcerer king. He was the only one who didn't seem to show. How am I supposed to convince the king to end the war with his magic if he isn't even going to show up? I mean, he's the one who invited all of us here, isn't he? Why wouldn't he show up to his own party… unless he was already in there disguised as someone else? If that's the case, how was she ever to know who the king was?"

Suddenly, a loud sigh got her attention. She turned to see that off in the corner of the balcony leaning up against a wall standing on top of the railing in the shadow of the building, arms crossed, was none other than the strange tall man in the pumpkin orange suit with what she was sure was fake wings and tail. He stood there staring at something in the distance. She tried to follow his gaze but found nothing but the wall. It was as if he was looking past that. Past the wall past the kingdom, passed everything as if he was spacing out. He looked as if he was annoyed by something. His eyes crystal ruby almost seemed to glow in the shadow. There was something about his eyes. While his expression was mutual, his eyes seemed as if he was tired and filled with sorrow.
It scared her a bit. She never even knew he was there. As odd and somewhat scary as he was, she decided to approach him. She was kinda curious why he wasn't inside with everyone else. She walked over calmly, but then tripped due to a small puddle. She slipped and ran into him knocking him off, catching his attention. He slipped off the railing. Fluttershy shrieked at the sight of him falling off. Suddenly, he caught the bar with his hand. His hat fell and he caught  it In the other hand. He surprisingly had great reflexes.
"Umm uh sorry" she said grabbing his hand he swung upward jumping over her and landing on the balcony and catching her as she fell backward from the surprise.

Her eyes grew wide in surprise. Being very tall, he looked over her head down at her. He smiled a crooked smile.
"Umm Therese better ways to ask someone to dance you know."
Her face grew red with embarrassment. Seeing this he shrugged and helped her to stand up, aging.
"Heh, that was a joke."
She stood, not knowing what to do or say. He then crossed his arms but kept the same smile, narrowing his eyes as he stared at her. He looked into her eyes for a split second only to then look away. "Hmm, how odd." He mumbled.
"What is?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing." He then looked at her costume. Nice costume. A vampire queen, I suppose. Tho, you seem to be far too nice to be evil.

"Oh uh yeah. Um, it's just a costume. I uh. I like yours two. Very uh unique."
"Hmm." he looked at his wings and tail. "Oh yeah, uh costume." He rolled his eyes and turned his head. Tho, he 		kept his vision on her. So enjoying the ball, he said with a grin.
"Oh yes, the ball is fun."
"Hmm, if that's so why aren't you in there with everyone else?"
"I was uh. Gonna ask you the same question." She nervously giggled.
Needed some fresh air. He said, his tone shifting to a cold one. " I didnt like him ruining a good party." he mumbled.
"So What is it?" He said wanting to get right to the point.
"What is what?" she replied.
"What is it? Don't think I haven't noticed you keep looking around for something?"
"Oh uh. Well." she played with her fingers and tried to cover her face with her hair.
"Well, I was wondering where the king was. I mean, he's is the host of the party."
"And why bother with the king?" He said, sounding slightly irritated. "What do you want?"
"Oh uh. Nothing, I just um." She stopped and turned her back to him, looking over the balcony. It's just. Look at the power he has. Such amazing magic. I am only curious,"
He raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I suppose. Most people are quite surprised by it, it is rather impressive." "He told her, sounding unimpressed.
"Yeah well with such great power, why doesn't he use it for good? I mean, why doesn't he? Stop the war."

"And what concern is that of yours?"

She jumped at the cold tone he spoke with. "I guess i. I guess I just dream of a time when this war would finally end. I mean, look at this. This amazing castle. The amazing garden below. With such magic. The world could change for the better..."

"Aren't you afraid of magic? Doesn't this place frighten you? "He asked, lowering his eyebrow.

"Uh. A little. But only because I don't understand it. I don't understand the gargoyle king. But if he has a place like this, he can't be all bad, can he?"
"The. The gargoyle what." The man snorted and began laughing.
"Uh, I mean the sorcerer king."
He chalked greatly. His chest bounced along with his laughter. "Hahahahaha. I've heard many many names. Some, better than others, but that. Hahaha." Tried to stifle his laughter with his hand to no avail. "That takes the cake."

She smiled softly. His laughter was somewhat contagious. "I guess it is kinda funny", she began to laugh along.
"Kinda. Oh, it's the funniest thing I ever heard. If not accurate." He said under her breath. She heard him and raised an eyebrow at him, but quickly let it go.
After a few more hardy laughs he coughed a few times clearing his throat and trying to regain his composure. "Umm, I must thank you. I don't think I had quite a laugh like that in ages."
"Oh, uh, you're welcome. I'm glad, I guess." She replied nervously.
"Well. Your little dream of a war-free world. Believe me, that's much easier said than done. Even with such powerful magic. It's one your kind will have to deal with. With that said, if there's one thing I can usher you. It is possible. "
She turned back to him, and he shifted slightly to face her.
"I mean, look at tonight. That's why I like this holiday."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, look around. All four kingdoms are here under one roof. And not only that, but tonight is a night that true faces show. It's ironic. Everyone wearing a mask. When in truth every one here is showing themselves plain as day." He took a step forward and gestured to the glass door. "No one in there is hiding themselves. It doesn't matter if you are royalty or a peasant. Such futile titles and status doesn't exist tonight. You can not only be what you want to be. You can also be." He took in a deep breath and breathed out. "Your self."
"It's much easier to be yourself when hiding behind a mask. It's ironic. That it takes a holiday like this to show that. Yet after tonight, everyone will go back to caring for nothing but static, wealth, and positions in power. As if your kind is above nature. To stop this war. One will have to face that reality first. The reality that none of you are better than the other. Or worst."

She understood his words but was taken a bit back at the way he said them. your kind. That for some reason ranged in her head. "And uh, what about you?" She asked.

"Me," he said, turning his gaze back to her," it's the same I suppose. "He turned around and walked back over to the railing. Learning over with his elbows." This is the one night I can just be me. I can just be."

Free. they said in unison.

He looked over his shoulder at her. "And what of you? What is this night to you?"
"Oh uh. Well, I always was afraid of nightmare nights, to be honest. I don't like being scared and stuff. But." she walked over and leaned over the railing, just like him. "I must omit I do see your point. I mean for me. I…" her smile slipped into a frown." I usually can't be myself, either. Not really. I'm too shy. The only one I can talk to is my friend. But even then being that she's a princess she could never understand. It seems the only true friends I got are the little animals back home."
She thought it was odd. "Why am I telling him any of this?" She thought to herself. "And why. Why is it so easy to talk to him?" She turned her head up to see his face. He was looking down at her, watching her carefully.

"Yeah, me too." He said softly. The sincerity in his tone of voice surprised her.
The two stood there looking at each other for a long time. The air growing quiet as the tension grew between them.
"Uh ha" he laughed nervously breaking the silence. "Uh heh,"he slightly chuckled under his breath, " You um... Wanna get back to the dance?" He said, pointing his thumb behind him at the party.
"Huh." she asked, a bit surprised that the quiet moment was gone.
"I mean we should probably get back to the ballroom and uh."
"Do…" she asked in a stutter... "Do you uh want to dance?"
"Hmm, oh umm, I just meant we should get back to the dance, the party?" He said, smiling nervously.
"No, I mean. Do you want to dance with uh? Me". She asked nervously.
His eyes widen. ""Heh. Uh sure. Tho I've never been asked to dance with someone before." He scratched the back of his neck as he set his hat on his head, covering his fake antler and horn.
"Uh well. Neither have I. So. she smiled, a small but genuine smile. "
He looked down at her. In her eyes. Heh. How strange. He mumbled under his breath,
"What was that?" She asked.
"Oh, nothing comes on then. One dance couldn't hurt." He replied as he held out his gloved hand. He seemed to have long fingers, almost claw-like. She took his hand as he guided her back to the ballroom.





As they entered, the band started playing an upbeat and jazzy tune.
"Oh, I've always loved this song, he snapped his fingers to the rhythm of it."
He turned to his dance partner. "Shall we?"
She gilded and just as the bell in the music strikes three times she set her hand in his while he spun her, setting his free hand on her hip. The two hilariously were in perfect sink to the music. Some did turn to see the new dancers on the floor, but most didn't think too much of it as they continued their own dancing to the tunes.
He was so tall that her arm got tired quickly being on his shoulder, and she lowered it to his chest. She only came up to half his chest, and yet as strange as it was he didn't need to bend over to dance with her. Keeping his back straight, he found it quite easy to dance alongside her. As the music picked up, the two danced so in sink it was as if their footsteps were making the music.
With another loud blow of the trumpet, he and she both spun out of each other towards the crowd. They spun back together, meeting in the middle moving their hips to the jazz music all the while.
For someone who never danced with anyone, "you're pretty good." He told her.
She giggled slightly. "My mom taught me. She and my dad's favorite thing to do was dance when I was little."
The two of them jumped back with another sound of the horn, then rocket back and forth when they were together.
And how are you so good? She asked.
He chuckled. "Being in my position. You have to know how to dance at events like this. In my spare time, I tend to practice by myself."
"Heh well, your practice has paid off." She said as the tune shifted into its 2ed cores. The two spun around together, catching the sight of some of the other dancers.
Normally Fluttershy would be terrified to show off her dance moves, but in his arms, it was as if no one else were around. The way he gripped her hand. As if she was mad of glass. Too tight and he breaks her, but not strong enough, and she slips out of his hands shattering into a million pieces. She never felt more comfortable. And it was reassuring. It made her want to dance, as if she didn't have any stage fright at all.

As they stopped spinning, they both fell right back into the moment of their original dance. "Ok, now I'm curious. How good of a dancer are you?" He asked with a sly grin and a grand chuckle.
"Better than you, I bet."
"Oh, is that a challenge?"
The two didn't notice the crowd was listing in on their conversation. Making many stop and turn. Some were smiling, some were making bets with others on whom the better dancer would be. Some were nodding in approval and giggling at the thought. A dance-off. What could be better than that?
"Maybe." She said as she jumped back away from him. He let go of his grip on her as he did so, crossing his arms and shaking his head.
She started with a little tap dance kicking to the tune, as the horn went off she stopped and turned to see him.
He jumped in with a slide of the foot and a spin. At the next horn, she did a twisting movement, slightly moon walked. Stopping to see what he does. The crowd then circled the two of them. Knowing who she was, twilight cheered in delight for her friend. Her mother was surprised by the outburst, but cheered along with her.
The man did a slight jump, landing his right foot and tapping his left then sliding over her to the beat of the music.
She giggled and twisted her body to the rhythm. As he did too. Ok, ok. Now you're showing off. He chuckled.
Oh, what, afraid I might win. She said with a grin.
He shook his head at that with a huge smile. Ok, you asked for it. He then jumped and did a backflip turning in the air not missing a beat as he landed low swinging his leg out pulling it back in and turning like a ballerina stopping on the perfect note hands on hips.
Is that all, she rolled her eyes playfully? She jumped in the air doing several twirls, landing on her hands sliding past him. "I was a ballerina in my hometown ya know."
He laughed at her. Well, you're rather amusing, but can you do this? He said he said sliding back doing the moonwalk he twirled jumped back did the splits then came back up with snapping both fingers pointing at her.
Ok, you got me there, I can't do the splits. But can you do this? Fluttershy jumped spun around, did the moonwalk midair landing perfectly to the beat of the music.
The crowd oohed and awwed at the skeptical. Neither one of them was out of sync to the music, yet both were dancing such random dance moves.
"Haha, ok, then let's go all out." The man cheered. sync one, care to join us? He said, swinging his left arm to the crowd.
Several of the men snapped their fingers and tried to stay in sink to the tune and him as he snapped his fingers, walking to the beat towards her. Several women followed her movement as she swished a bit of her dress forward and back, snapping along with him as she walked over. Once they met in the middle, the two took each other's arms . As he steps forward, she steps back. And soon the two danced perfectly in sync not only to the music but to themselves.
While the other couples tried to follow keeping their own dancing in sync to the music, no one could keep up with how quickly the two would change direction. He spun her around, staying right behind her as they stepped side to side left. He spin her back before they stepped over to the right side.
They jumped together, flying outwards, keeping their right hands together, so they didn't fall. As the music turned to the jazz piano solo, they taped and danced alongside each other in perfect sink. He'd stop for a moment letting her continue the song only to stop before the piano got deeper, giving him his cue to have his little solo. Then the two danced together as the last of the piano solo ended, giving room to the loud trumpet and then the light drum solo.
He kicked his feet, doing a little solo dance of his own to the beat of the drums. She then did her solo, matching his movements to a tea... Then as the drums went wiled, they spun around.
You know, I never did catch your name. "May I have it?" She asked politely.
He chuckled aging. "What?"
Oh, nothing. No one ever calls me by my name. Only my title, but.
As the drums ended, they spread out once aging.
"I'll tell you what. You give me your name, and ill give you mine." He said, continuing the conversation.
She smirked. "Fluttershy."
"Ah, Fluttershy what a nice name. A bit strange, tho." He said, pulling her back in for a spin.
"You don't seem very shy."
She giggled. "Maybe it's because tonight I don't have to be. "
He smirked at that. As the song came to an end, he set his arm around her waist and dipped her…
Bending over her, so he could whisper it in her ear." Discord." He told her.
He pulled her up and the two stood right beside each other faces, inches apart as they gasped for air, tired of all the dancing.
"Discord. That's um. Kinda an odd name." She smiled. "I like it. It suits you."
"Heh, thank you." He smiled and widened even further as he tilted his head a bit to the side.
A loud rumble of applause erupted from the crowd. The two then realized just then that they were not alone. And how cloes they were together. The two of them jumped back, letting each other go as if both were slightly frightened of one another.





"Heh. Well uh. Thanks for the dance." He said, flinging one arm up. With a shrug of the shoulder, he then decided to walk away, leaving her alone on the dance floor. She watched as he seemed to disappear behind one of the large columns.
The crowd then surrounded her and cheered her. Some of the women patted her on the back. Her nerves then initially kicked in, and she felt very, very frightened. She began to shiver as she crossed her arms.
Twilight wasn't too far from her and could see her. "Wasn't that amazing," her mother queen sunset said. Twilight nodded. "Yeah, I've never seen such dance moves." She cheered, but then turned to see her friend. She was the only one who noticed Fluttershy's stage freight kicking in.
"Well, ill say what a good night." The queen said nervously.
"Uh-huh um. Look mom, I'm gonna get something to drink."
Oh, you know what I'd like some punch two, can you bring me some? "She asked. Twilight nodded and headed away toward the frightened girl.
You were awesome out there. Said a guy. "You're such a great dancer... "Complemented a woman. "Yeah, so you teach, ID love to learn a bit." Said another.
"Ummm ca can you ju... "She stuttered. Suddenly her friend showed up just in the nick of time. Twilight grabbed her by the arm. Hay buddy, great dancing. "Every one you mind giving my friend here a bit of space?" The crowd didn't seem to mind at all as twilight rushed her out on the balcony to get some fresh air.
As soon as they were out on the balcony, twilight turned to her friend. Ok seriously, where did you learn how to dance like that? Twilight said with a graceful laugh.
Futtershy small smile returned. "I told you before, my mom taught me and my brother how to dance." Anyway, thanks for saving me in there.
"Oh, no problem. I'm just surprised you danced with such ease, in front of everyone."
"Oh. I uh. It was just. He was so nice, and I forgot all about everyone."
Yeah. That odd fellow. He does seem like a nice guy. Kinda strange tho."
"Yeah. Discord is like that."
"Discord?" Twilight repeated in surprise. "You know his name."
"Uh yeah. He told me it when I asked him. I also told him mine."
Twilight giggled. "First name basis, huh? Way to go, flutters".
"What? Uh," she squealed nervously. No, no. it was just a dance. She then noticed her sundial watch. "Uh oh."
"Hmm, what."
"Oh uh well, you see I kinda got to go. When you get him tho, you got to tell me how the night was. I have to leave before everyone, so your mom won't find out I came."
Twilight nodded. "Ok, then ill distract my mom." Twilight said as she headed back. "See ya later, flutter- … shy." But when twilight looked back, Fluttershy was already gone.
> Chapter 11 the pirates
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Melody looked up from the book when she heard snoring coming from cheese. She smiled slightly and took the upper bunk bed above him. "Yeesh now, how am I supposed to sleep with all that noise?" She muttered as the sound of his snoring filled the room.
She shrugged and yawned, as she stared at the title of the book in the yellow glow from the lantern. It was still light out, but on the lower decks of the boat, it was pitch black except for the lantern's light. She smiled at the thought of a king coming to sweep her off her feet with a dance challenge like in the story. But truly, it wasn't some prince or king she would want to dance with. She half sighed and half yawned as she place the book down on the bunk. But as she lay down, she decided to take one last look at her mother's ring. She traced her fingers over the strange symbol that was carved in it.
I wonder what he'll be like, she mumbled and drifted off to sleep.





Melody knew she was dreaming. It was a dream she had before. She smiled at the thought of this dream. She twirled around as she noticed her dress. She wore a dress-like vampire costume. With her teeth and eyes, she looked just like the description in her book. She thought maybe that's why her mother wrote it like that. Because when she was young she used to get teased for her sharp teeth, and when she messed up they call her screwball the freak, or vampire. Vampires tho, were cool. So by making the M'C look like a vampire, her mother let her pretend she was the main character of the story.
She stood in a grand ballroom. But it wasn't decorated for nightmare night. Instead, it was dressed for a birthday party. Cake and cookies and all her favorite desserts lined the walls. She grinned ear to ear, showing off her sharp teeth. She knew what or better who would be coming next.
A tall suit of armor took a few steps toward her. She could hear him behind her. Prince charming perhaps, NO. she turned excitedly towards the knight.
Wearing classic silver-plated armor. With a long flowing purple cape that covered his left shoulder. The strange symbol that was on her mother's wing was molded into the armor on his right shoulder. He held out his right bare hand to her. On it, a ring similar to her mother's, but something a man would wear.

She giggled. "A father-daughter dance on my birthday. Really dad. "
The suit of armor nodded. It kept its helmet on. All that could be seen from it were red eyes. She guessed she had her father's eyes, so she always imagined him when she looked in a mirror.
She giggled more and took his hand as they danced silly across the floor. Her mother in the background, young and happy, was just pulling out a birthday cake.
The two dancers stopped as they saw her.
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you." Her mother began to sing. Her father waved his hand and the candles set themselves on fire on the cake.
She knew what just to wish for. She took in a deep breath and blew out the candles as she turned to see her father.
He set his hands over his helmet and began to pull it off, when suddenly a crack of thunder shook the room.





Her eyes flew open as she fell off the top bunk and hit the ground. She looked over and saw a very green-looking Cheese rock back and forth because of the swaying room.
"Morning already?" He asked, trying not to barf.
Melody was still very tired. Even so, she stood up quickly and ran up the stairs, bobbing from side to side as the boat shook. "What's going on, she yelled at the two sailors."
Flim was trying to grab the sails and pull them down as flam tried to keep the boat steady, (and failing at it)." Grab the sails!" Flame yelled. Melody did as she was instructed, but not with her hands. "(Sales down) nwodseles" she muttered. A flick of fire spread through her eyes as she did. The sales by themselves came down, and the rope tied itself to the raft. Flim a little dazed stumbled to his feet. "Uh, thanks for that." He said, as he just remembered she was a sorcerer.

A loud thunder sound of thunder came above as the sound of powerful waves crashed into the side of their boat, nearly tipping over the ship.

"Ahh, I told you. No one goes out to sea during this time of the year, it's far too dangerous to cross!" Flim shouted at her.

"Would you rather be in jail for stealing my horse?!" She shouted back as she ran over to her horse, who was flailing about being scared of the storm and the ocean currents. "Get that horse under control," Flam yelled.

"Sorry about this flash." She whispered in its ear. "(Sleep) Peels." The horse instantly calmed down and sat on the rocking floor of the deck fast asleep.
"well at least one of us will be able to sleep," Melody muttered to herself out loud.
Cheese finally got to the top deck, only to run to the side and finally let out the contents of his stomach.
With another wave crashing against the haul, cheese fell back landing next to the sleeping horse. "Did I mention I hate boats?" He asked with a deadpan look. His face was less green than it was before. But he still looked rather ill.

The storm raged on and flam couldn't keep the boat from tipping over any longer. It crashed as a large wave smashed into the side of it. But before they could drown a large hook caught the port side, pulling them over. The storm raged on and on, but to the passenger's shock, it wasn't the typing of the boat they had to worry about. Someone quickly gagged and tied them up, leaving no time to process what was happening. they even gagged the horse and threw them over the edge. They fell with a thud onto a much larger deck.
A loud booming laughter could be heard just over the sound of thunder and flashes of lighting. They looked up to see a skull and crossbones flag flying in the wind. A crazy-looking old guy standing on top of the flag pole leaped down, landing in front of them. What do we have here, boys? He grinned
"Couple of moron sailers." Said a girl with dark purple hair.
"Good work tempest. Anything worth keeping."
" No captain, just a few crates of food and junk, but the horse will sell for a lot. Oh, and I got this off of the girl." A girl said with an eye patch,Her hair rainbow-colored. She placed the ring in the hand of the captain. Some other pirates pulled up the crate of food and the bags.
The captain grumbled at the sight. "Toss the junk overboard, keep the food and any goods. Sink the boat! "
What! Flim and flam cried out, muffled by the rags tossed in their mouths.

"Be thank full. We're saving your skins. A little dingy like that will only sink in these waters."
"What do you want us to do with them?" Tempest asked.
He then ripped Flam's gag out, making the man chock. "Here's the deal. Got anything worth something and will drop you off at the next port. If ya don't well make ya swim back." He chuckled darkly. "Don't worry, we won't kill ya. But we can't say the same of the waters. Hahahaha." The man chuckled.
The man had a crazy look in his eye. His eyes tho, were a cold blue. He wore a white shirt, red jacket along with a matching hat and white feather. A tiny thin mustache was on his face along with an evil grin. The jacket had two blue stripes running down it like a lightning bolt.
One of the pirates rolled over a canon ball and shouted fire in the hole as it blasted a canon ball toward the ship.
Melody's eyes widen as she remembered what was down in the ship, her book. She grit her teeth as a fire wheeled up in her ruby eyes. She yelled (ball stop) "potsllab!"
The canon ball stopped midair to the pirate's surprise.
Even the pirate captain stopped in his tracks. She then whispered something, and the ropes and gags undid themselves. Cheese fell to the floor, sick as another large wave hit the side of the ship. "Oh god, can we please get out of here?" He said about to vomit, aging.
Melody raised her hand and whispered something. The water then wiped out of the air and picked up Cheese, Flash the horse, and the two sailors setting them on the boat. She then flicked her wrist and the canon ball flew backward, destroying the canon.

The captain looked at her, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. Just a second ago, this girl was frightened out of her mind like she should be. And now she was standing with such determination. Knowing her friends were safely back on the boat, melody glared daggers at the pirate.
"I'm going to say this once. Give me my mother's ring back. And let us go. You can keep the food, I don't care. But you're not getting my horse or sinking that boat."

The captain, a bit stung by the actions of the girl turned his gaze to the ring. Then to her. Her eyes. The fiery ruby color in them. He mouthed something, but melody couldn't make out what it was nor did she care.

"I said, give me my ring". She then raised her hand and other pirates laughed maniacally.
"Shut up, you fools before I make you walk the plank."
He eyed the ring carefully. His eyes widen as he saw the symbol carved into the ring. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the pirate king's brat."

"pirateS what now?" Melody said still with a fiery glare. The two sailors jumped up in fear. "Black beard!" They shouted.

"Hahahaha. That's what they called my brother. 'Tis a stupid name you have given him, all because his beard was black. Truth be told, that was not his name. Tho he did sail the seven seas and was colder-hearted than I ever was." he rolled his head left and right as if he was mauling something over in his mind. "If he were here, he wouldn't have thought twice about throwing you to Davy Jones locker. Fortunately for you, your uncle's a bit nicer."
"Uncle?" Melody's eyes widen at that. "pirate king black beared. My father was a knight that stopped the devil, thus ending the never-ending war."

"Hahahaa. Stop the war, he did. Oh, but he was no knight in shining armor." The man smiled. His eyes soften along with his tone. "He was a good man. One who was no man." His tone shifted back to the crazy guy he was. "I am the storm king. King of the stormy seas, that is. I'll make you a deal. Your father, he was... Hmm. always a thorn in my side. He was the only one capable of besting me. Besting me at everything. "He chuckled. "Except looks."
"If you can out sorcery me and prove your worth of his title. His throne. I will let you pass my seas without the thunderstorms."
Melody raised an eyebrow at this. "You mean you control the thunderstorms.

The captain shrugged. "More like I am the thunderstorms. It's hard to explain. So." he said as he pulled out a thin, short, but very sharp sword. On its blade was the same strange blue lighting symbol.
Melody raised her hand. "(Lightning spark). Krapsgninthgil." A rainbow of lighting came out from the sky at her command. The pirate king laughed as he flung his sword up in the air. He made a strange symbol with it and whispered something. Suddenly blue and yellow bolts clashed with the chaotic rainbow, one stopping in its tracks.
He then caught his sword midair and swiped it at her. Tho he was nowhere near to cut her, he didn't have to be. He mumbled something ranging and the wind howled. The wind became sharp and began twirling all around her. Before she knew it, she could see a tornado forming in the distance. No, not a tornado. A hurricane. Rain and lighting clashed. It was soon hard to tell what was sky and what was water on the horizon.
Melody flung her arms up in the air and shouted (stop wind) "dniwpots"
To the pirate's surprise except for the captain the wind stopped completely. The captain had an amused look on his face. Very good. You definitely have some power. But it will take more than that if you want to win.
Melody dropped to one knee. She never used that much power before. She have never been in a spell battle before with another sorcerer. She breathed heavily as she raised her head to her so-called uncle.
"Um, sir," Tempest called out, a bit concerned.
"Not now, I'm just begging to have some fun."
" But sir, if she really is."
"Give her your sword!" The captain barked.
"Huh" the pirate was confused
"Give her your sword. Shell needs a way to defend herself. and it is obvious that magic wise we're pretty matched."
Tempest was nervous about this, but gave the sword to the sorcerer. The sword had the same strange symbol on its blade.
Melody stood up, still catching her breath as she took the sword from the pirate.
"Now listen here. You see this sword. Look at its craftsmanship". holding up his sword to her. "This is a very special type of medal. This meddle can harness magical energy. It is a natural medal that is even rarer than diamond. Carved into it is a powerful sigil. A rune. To activate it. Say the word stormer."
Melody didn't understand what his game was. She did however know that runes could only be used once a day. After that they were useless. The question, why did they have runes carved into their swords, would have to wait.
Melody gripped the sword with both hands, shoeing her fang-like teeth. The pirate captain only grinned a half-amused smile, half insane smile.
"Do you know how to sword fight?" He asked her.
"I'm a quick learner." She said unimpressed.
"It's simple, really. It's kinda like dancing. All you have to do is watch your opponent carefully. If I step here." He said as he took a step to the left.
She shadowed his movements. "Correct. Only unlike with dancing, youl want to keep yourself from your partner at all times. Like if I do this." He said as he lunged forward with a small skip. She jumped back, shadowing his movements. "Very good. Now, it's not just my feet youl have to be aware of. Say if I…" he swung his sword at her head. She blocked it with hers. "Very good." He then drew his sword back with a half step backward. He stepped forward swinging his sword at her legs only for her to catch on. She blocked each swing. Up left, slash to the right. She blocked each movement to the captain's amusement. "Very good." But you should know I'm a pirate." He chuckled darkly.
Melody took what she thought was a strong sword stance.
"Which means I don't play fair. Get her!" He shouted. The other pirates drew their swords and slashed at her.

She was surprised at her own ability to block. Tho tired and almost out of breath. With the smell of the salty sea air. And the loud thunder of the storm around her. She felt strangely calm. Almost as if she was at home in the woods. All she needed to do was focus. Her eyes dashed left and right, seeing each next move coming from her opponents. She slashed her sword up and blocked them only to jump and kick one of them in the gut, swinging them over board. The captain chuckled.
"Tempest, get that fool back on board". He ordered. tempest not having a sword, did as she was told.
Flim and flame watched in horror, not knowing what they could do to help. Cheese stood up only to vomit over the side of the boat, aging. He wished he didn't have seasickness. If he could just get control of his stomach, he'd be able to help her.

The pirates were tired of being beaten by the girl. They whispered stormer to their swords, and a powerful shock wave of electricity sparked from their blades. Melody had to think quickly on her feet. She dodged one sword and blocked the other. Tho she blocked it, she couldn't stop the surge of electricity from their blades. It zapped her, making her cry out in pain.
"Melody!" Cheese shouted as he felt another surge of bio in his gut come up. "Come on, I can't have that much in my stomach, can I?" He mentally cursed himself. He looked over and saw the flash. The horse was still sleeping. "How can you sleep in a time like this, wake up?" He said as he shook the horse.

Melody collapse to the deck. The pirate king smiled wickedly. He took his own sword and waved it high above everyone's heads.

Cheese shook the horse harder. "Wake up, wake up."
The horse slowly came to and shook its head, trying to focus. "Yeah, come on, flash." Cheese smiled. The horse was seeing double, no triple. But as it slowly came, too soon it saw his master's friend standing over it.

His expression gave the horse all he needed to know as he flung his head left and right looking for its master. It saw her collapse on the ground on the other ship. Cheese quickly jumped on its back as the hose got up and took off. It jumped the distance between the two boats.
The captain slowly walked with his sword high in the air, a crazed look in his eye. "Now, don't go falling asleep on me yet." The pirate said slowly. His voice just above a whisper.
Suddenly, before he could cloes the distance between him and his niece he was knocked off the boat by a horse and cheese.
Melody looked up, seeing her two best friends trying to protect her.
The pirate king looked as if he was going to land in the sea, instead he stopped just before he could hit the water. He stood floating. And flew back up to the deck. The boy and the horse were terrified by this. There was no way they could defeat a pirate sorcerer.
"I didn't say you were allowed to play." He said annoyed. He then whispered stormer to his word, it cackled in lighting. A bolt came from the sky and nearly hit the boy, only for melody to see it coming. She swiftly without thinking jumped in front of the boy and the horse. The lighting hit her sword. She then grew an idea as she whispered "stormer tcelfer "(reflect)
The energy then reflected back at the pirate. He barely dodged it.
He laughed manically as he watched the lightning pass by him. Melody collapsed to the ground. Feeling her energy drained out of her.
The last thing she could hear was her name being called by cheese as she blacked out.
> chapter 12 the book princesses
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Melody, to her surprise, work up feeling well-rested. She lay in the same bunk she was in before. She slowly got up, sending a hand to her forehead. Ugh, she moaned as she felt her entire body ache as if she had just been run over by a horse or a car. She recognized she was on the lower decks of Flim and flame's ship.
"Hmm, was that a dream?"

"Afraid, not kid-oh."

Melody's eyes widen at the sound of the pirate's voice. Tempest and dash both sat on the other side of the room.

Melody jumped down, ready to fight. Only as soon as she landed she nearly passed out, aging. As she began to fall to her news, rainbow and tempest caught her.
"Woah, easy there. Yeah, you're almost as feisty as your dad was." The rainbow hair colored girl said.

"How do you know him?!" She scowled. But due to her own exhaustion, could barely make a move.
"Where are my friends!!!"

Tempest and dash looked at each other. A knowing grin spread across their faces.

"Where!" Melody demanded as she tried to stand up only to fall back onto the lower bunk.

"Oh, good, you're awake." A familiar voice called out.

Melody turned to see Cheese standing in the stairway. Above him was a fancy horse.

Cheese. She said slowly. Trying to process the scene in front of her.

"Yeah, let me catch you up to speed. You and your uncle the storm king had an epic duel. One that if he hadn't dodged your final attack, he surely would have been cooked. You won the duel but passed out due to your magic being drained, apparently."

"Soon as it was over, the boss let you go free." Tempest said.

"Yeah, along with your friends and the boat. He even instructed us to guide your ship safely through the storm." The rainbow-haired pirate replied. "I'm dash and that's Tempest, by the way."

"Guide us through the storm?" Melody mumbled.

"Yeah, you see, no one can get through these storms without this. Dash held up her sword. It's a powerful rune. Without it, you're toast in these waters."

"Should have known magic was involved." Flam said hearing the conversation from below.

(Flim) "yeah, brother. I'm just glad it's over and we're scot-free."

"I wouldn't say that." Dash yelled back. "You still gave us all your food and goods. We emptied your place out, other than these folks."

"Why did you do that?" Cheese asked with an annoyed raise of the eyebrow.

"We don't get a lot of people out to sea thanks to the storms. And being pirates, we can't just walk right up to the nearest port. So in exchange for saving lives, we take what we need to survive. We're not evil, ya know." Dash shruged.

Melody sighed in defeat. She had no idea what to make of her new companions. Or her uncle for that matter. Or the fact that her father was apparently a pirate instead of some brave knight that her mother told her. That's right, she thought to herself. It was Mother that said he was a knight.

"Hay, did any of you know my father by chance?"

The two pirates grinned at each other. "Oh, we knew him alright. Hell, rainbow here used to work for him." Tempest said.

"So he was a pirate then?" She asked confused.

"For a time. He was also a knight, a king, and so much more. I never really liked the guy, but kinda had no choice but to work for him since he saved my life". Dash shrugged.

"My stories a bit different to be honest." Tempest sighed as she spoke.

"I always had strange magical abilities. Magic people are frightened of. Even to this day. Much like you, I am a sorcerer. I, a long time ago, thought that because people thought I was a witch I didn't have a choice to be anything but. So I joined the witches' cult and we nearly destroyed your father. That was till the end of the war. After that, I and dash became friends and one day while traveling out to sea met your uncle. The rest is history."

With this new info, melody smiled as excitement grew in her. "Tell me about him. What was he like? What did he look like? Was he…"

Rainbow raised her hand, stopping her. "Sorry, but there not much to tell. Neither of us knows what he looks like. And he was always distant, keeping quiet to the shadows. When working for him, we were in fear of him the whole time. We don't even know his real name. We only called him king. And that is it."

Melody's smile turned to a frown," but. But uncle said he was a pirate nicknamed Black Beard, surely you must have…"
"Nope" tempest replied". We never heard of no Black Beard befor yesterday."


"Nor did I know him when he was a pirate." Dash told her.

Melody went silent. She then breathed. "Sorry, it's just. I never met him. Always kinda wondered who he was and what he'd be like."

"Hay, don't sweat it. Now, why are you on this quest for the runes anyway?"

"Runes? I'm not on a quest for the runes. She shook her head. I'm on a quest to save my sick mother. She needs healing, and the only one who could, would be the sorcery my father was capable of."

"We're trying to resurrect him." Cheese said bluntly

The two gasped in horror.

"Yeah, I know." He said with a deadpan expression.

"You can't!" The two pirates demand in unison.

Melody rolled her eyes.

"Look, the world is at peace now. You revive him. The endless war will return."

"My aunt told me that. She also said it would be my destiny to find out the true story. And revel it to those who are scared of magic. I don't know what she was mumbling about. But I can't do that without understanding the story. So tell me what happened."

The two pirates looked at each other and then back to Melody. "That's the problem. We don't really know, either. Your father took that to the grave."

"Hell, we didn't find out the king was getting married until the day of the wedding." Dash told her.

"Well, then you're no help." Melody said as she got to her feet. She grumbled at the soreness threw her body.

"Hay, take it easy." Cheese insisted.

"I'm fine." She mumbled back.

"Well, it's a good thing your uncle decided to test you, then." Tempest remarked. "You're gonna need training. Both in magic and in sword fighting if you plan to go up against your father."

"My father's not evil." She spat as she glared at the pirate.

"No, your father was a hero. Just not someone you want to cross. You never met him, and he never met you. You might want to brush up on your studies before he attacks you." Dash shrugged.

Melody's eyes widen. "Studies."

"Hmm. Was it something I said?"

"How close are we to the nearest port?" Melody asked Cheese.

Cheese opened his mouth to reply, but it was Flim that responded.

"Not far now. We see land just ahead of us. Soon will be in the northern kingdom."




Melody flipped through a book. "No not hear." She said and tossed it onto the table.
"Not this one." Cheese remarked tossing another book besides the one she threw.

"Why are we here, aging?" Dash said as she flipped through a book titled Daring Dew And The Quest For The Fountain Of Youth.

"Put down that book and start searching for anything on the pirate Black Beard." Melody demanded.

As soon as they got to the port, melody asked for a library to start searching for clues about who her father was. All she could go off of was the name Black Beard, the pirate king.

"You're in the wrong section of the library, then." A voice said from behind them. They turned to see a girl no older than melody herself reading a book. "Myths and legends are that away". She said, pointing to the bookcase at the end of the library.

"Princess dawn." Cheese said as he bowed to her on one knee.

Dawn didn't look up from her book. She only turned and started reading the next page. "That's my name, don't wear it out."

Dawn wore a simple purple dress. Her hair was yellow, her eyes purple. No crown on her head.

"Cheese you know her." Melody asked.

"Not personally, she's the princess of Canterlot."

"Not anymore." She replied in a sing-song voice. "My mother wants me to be queen. So I'm apparently going to be crowned soon." She flipped to the next page of her book.

"Uh, but this is the northern kingdom, isn't it?" Dash asked, looking up from her book.

"I'm here on holiday to visit my cousin. The princess of the crystal kingdom. She's around here somewhere."

"Overhear." A voice said from the direction of the myths and legends section... The lady poked her head out with a child-like grin. Tho, she was an adult. Her hair was a swirl of colors. She wore a silver crown with crystals embedded into it. "Don't let my Debbie downer of a cousin scare ya off."

"I should have guessed you'd be in that section." Dawn said unimpressed.

"And where is your crown?" The lady insisted.

"Flurry, I told you that thing makes my head itchy."

"But how can you be a princess in a fairy tale without one?"

"This isn't a fairy tale." Dawn replied in a tone that sounded like she was already tired of the whole conversation.

"Ok, ok. Fine be that way Mrs grumpy. You'll have to excuse my cousin. She's all about facts and science. Her aura is always so lackluster."

"Dawn rolled her eyes. Oh, here we go again. My auras."

"What's an aura?" Dash asked confused.

"Nope, don't get her started." Dawn insisted, jumping over to the pirate.

"Well, since you asked."

"Too late." Dawn said as she smacked her own forehead.

"An aura is a field of energy that surrounds a person. By reading someone's auras, you can tell a lot about someone. For example, I can see from yours that you're an outdoors type. It's a rainbow of colors, but you're strong-willed and determined to be loyal trumps all."

Dash smiled," ah shucks, go on."


"My name is Flurry Heart, by the way." She looked over at Cheese. "you're a happy guy. Bright orange." And you, she said, pointing at tempest as She smiled brightly. "I can tell you had some trouble in the past, but you're content with the way your life turned out." Tempest's eyes grew in shock at how accurate that statement was.

She then turned her attention to Melody. "And you." Her smile diminished as she looked at Melody.

A confused look crossed the girl's face. "What are you?"

Melody shrugged. "I know all about auras. So you can see them then. A fortune-teller no doubt. My aunt is one as well. Tell me what does mine look like."

"I can't explain, really." She said in a confused tone.

"Ugh, that's it, I had enough!" Dawn shouted. "Aroahs don't exist. Magic doesn't exist. Why don't you go talk to your imaginary friend and leave us alone?" Dawn shouted.

Flurry smiled and shrugged one shoulder. "Aging apologizes for dawn. She isn't a fan of magic myths and legends."

"Because it doesn't exist!" She shouted.

Melody chuckled at that. "Tell me dawn. Do you know how the body works? How muscles move and stuffi mean."

"Uh yeah. Its eclectic pulses threw are cells going threw out the body, but what...?"

"And tell me do you know how a magnet works then?"

"Yes. Magnets have a north and a south pole..."

"And you know all about magnetic fields, don't you?"

"Uh yes". She said, starting to wonder why she was being questioned like this.

"Then with as much electricity that runs through the body don't you think that between the body a magnetic field of electricity could be created?"

Dawn shrugged. "What's your point?"

"Auras are explainable. As is all magic. That's my point. You might not be able to see auras like your cousin, but there is plenty of science to back it up..."

"Umm..."

Melody took a few steps towards her. "Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. For example. Gravity." She said and tossed the book she was caring over to the table.

Dawn watched the book hit the table. It was a book she was very familiar with two. The laws of gravity were the title of it.

Melody got directly in Dawn's face and set her fist on her own waist. "Think before you comment". Melody said before turning around and walking towards the myth and legends section. Leaving dawn and the rest of the room speechless.

Dawn stood quiet as she thought about what she was just told.




The first to break the science was Flurry. "Oh, I like you. I never seen anyone be able to leave my cousin speechless before." She giggled.

"I was just tired of her attitude. Now I'm looking for anything on the pirate king Black Beard."

Flurry smiled. "Oh, oh, that's one of my favorite old myths." She ran to the back of the library and pulled out a book.

"My friend sunburst is the one who showed me it."

"Sunburst?" Tempest asked as if she recognized the name.

"Yeah, he's the bookkeeper of this library. If you need any information, he's the one to ask. Anyway, let's see here." She flipped through the pages of the book. "Oh, here we are." She said as she found her page and flipped the book upside down, shoving it against the table towards melody.

Melody looked down at the book curiously. It had an illustration of a man with messy black hair. His beard covered half his face. His expression looked like that of an angry pirate. He wore a basic captain's hat. But that was the only thing normal about him. His teeth shark-like. One tooth hung out of his mouth like a fang.

Being some pirate king, you expected him to be illustrated as a man with big arms. Similar to Melody's uncle... Yet he looked the exact opposite. He looks as if he were starved, Skinny, and tall. he looked as if he was near death. On his hat, the same strange symbol that was found on her mother's ring.

"The legend of Black Beard and the fountain of youth." Flurry continued with excitement.

Dash raised her eyebrow as she looked at her current book. "Fountain of youth."

"Yeah. according to this book. Almost six hundred years ago, the pirate king was on the search for the one thing that could break his curse given to him by the devil."

"The devil." Melody asked quietly as she reached her hand in her pocket, grabbing her mother's ring and holding it tight.

"Yep, ya see he was apparently a devil worshiper, and as we all know, you're never supposed to make a deal with a devil. The deal was a simple one, to have great power. The devil did so, giving his rune. But the more he used it, the more he realized it was a curse draining the life out of him. The only thing to break the curse was the  waters of the fountain of youth. Anyone who…"

"Any who drinks it heals all wounds." Dash said nonchalantly.

"Howd you know?" Asked flurry.

Dash closed her book and showed them the title. "Apparently, this author A.K. Yearling wrote an entire book on the fountain. She even has a map of where it is. Ha. like it's real, tho."

Can I see it? Melody asked as she turned to her.

Dash shrugged and handed her the map.

Her eyes grew wide when she saw it. "That... that can't be." Melody mumbled.

"What is it?" Cheese asked.

Melody tore out the map her aunt Zecora gave her. "Look at this." She demanded her the others.

The maps were identical. Down to its last drawing.

"No way. The map in this book is from a children's story." Dash said as she gasped.

Yet that's the map me and Cheese have been following. "There's only one difference between the two, tho. Look."
Cheese took another look, comparing the two. "Yeah. it seems the fountain of youth is in the exact location of the old dark castle."

Flurry and dawn gasped. "You mean where the endless war ended fifteen years ago."

"The very same."

Dawn tried to keep it in, but couldn't any longer. She spat out, laughing. "Hahahaha. You're joking right? Next, you're gonna tell me the fountain exist? Haha. and the devil king with magical powers. Hahahaha" she griped her stomach laughing.

Melody scowled at her. "It's true. And my dads, the one that ended the endless war."

Ha ha and who... "Who's your dad?" Dawn sputtered in laughter.

Melody frowned slightly as she looked back at the illustration of Black Beard.

Cheese noticed and looked at it two. "That's impossible." He told melody threw a whisper.

She shook her head. "Not if the fountain is real." She whispered back.

Tempest and dash gave each other a look of concern and unspoken knowledge. As if they were having another conversation altogether.

"That's enough, flurry told her rude cousin. Anyway, the story ends with him vanishing before he could ever even get there. Like I said, it's just a legend."

Dawn finally got a hold of herself. "Whatever, I have studying to do. See ya." She said and started walking away.

"Aging, sorry for my cousin. I love legends and fairy tales. Anything can happen in a story."

"Yeah, I guess so. You should hear about the gargoyle king sometime." Cheese said.

"The what now?"

Oh, it's just a fairy tale my mom wrote me when I was little. It's your classic love story kinda fairy tale between a terrible beast and a beautiful servant.

"Oh, tell me, tell me, tell me." Flurry shouted excitedly.

Melody was a bit surprised by her sudden enthusiasm but smiled at it. "Alright, I guess we do have some time. I read you guys a little of the book". She said as she pulled it out of her bag.

She quickly caught flurry and the others up to speed before diving into the next chapter.
> chapter 13 the little town
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the sun rising, all seemed fine that day. But the anemones wind gave the pink hair servant a bad feeling.

She tried to brush it aside as she tended to the little animals that morning. A squirrel that came looking for food, and two small yellow finches that shivered in the cold morning air. She helped all those She could find shelter and food. She also tended to the royal horses and goats that morning.
It was the day after they all returned from the dark castle in the ever-free. Fluttershy was excited to ask her friend, the princess, what she missed after she left. The very second the time went out on her sundial she instantly was teleported back to the castle where she quickly finished her chores, working overtime, so the queen didn't know she ever left.
Her brother Zephyr stood at his post. And guarded it as it lead to the crown jewels.

She smirked at the idea that his post was in the royal kitchen. His suit was still painted a bad yellow instead of gold. How he will clean that off, she had no idea.

The rest of the day went without incident. Until just after 1:00. Or the thirteenth hour of the day. Suddenly out of nowhere, dark clouds emerge covering the sky. They looked to be far in the distance, but as they quickly approached, the queen looked in fear and told her to prepare for company.

Flutershys didn't understand what she meant by this. But did as her queen asked.
The dark clouds quickly took over the sky, blocking out any sunlight. Dressing the entire kingdom in a blanket as dark as night in the middle of the day. Several civilians looked up in wonder.

"Odd weather we're having." A voice said from behind her. Making her jump. As she turned around, she found it was just the princess.

"Oh, your highness. Your mother told me to prepare for company." She said quietly and skittishly. Is there umm. Anything you need.

Princess twilight looked out the window a bit confused. "Strange." She said. I"'ve never heard of a freak storm like this coming out of nowhere. I don't need anything. The queen has requested my presence for the arrival. I was hoping you knew who was coming."

Her shy servant shook her head. Twilight shrugged and continued on her way. Something in the air, tho. Something didn't feel right. There was a strange tension. And every person and creature felt it.

"Well, afterward we really should catch up. I want to know all about how you got to the castle". Twilight said with a smile.
Her servant returned the gesture and nodded. "Well definitely have to. I want to know what happened after I left."

Twilight shrugged. "Uh no, ya don't. The king showed up. Took our offers and sent us home. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the exchange at all. But we got plenty of goods for the kingdom. The king told us to take back anything we wanted."
Twilight reached into the sleeve of her dress. She pulled out a large bag of cotton candy.
"Guess what, this stuff still has chocolate milk in it." She smirked.
The two friends laughed as twilight offered her some of the sweet treat.

Half an hour passed by. The sky crackled with the sounds of thunder. No lightning was seen. The queen sat on her throne along with her daughter standing by her side. Several soldiers lined the walls. Even Zephyr with his comedic bright yellow suit of armor.

"When they approach, make sure to let them in. Otherwise, we'll have worse things to deal with." The queen commanded. The soldiers nod in response. Send a few servants to fetch them, please.

Fluttershy and another maid along with three guards walked out of the throne room and went just outside the castle walls waiting for the arrival. The air grew cold and almost had a nip to it. It was only November. The thought of it being so cold seemed like a strange phenom.

Suddenly out of nowhere, eight horses emerge with their riders. All dressed in black armor and dark cloaks. Some black, some brown all in the same armor. The horses they rode on were large and powerful. And as they galloped through the streets of town, they shook the very ground. Fluttershy had never seen a larger horse before in her life. As they came closer she couldn't help but shake in fear and not just her. She heard slight shaking of the guards standing on their armor as they watched them approach.

The lead horse jumped over the fountain, (Fluttershy often sat at) with ease. The gates sped open as fast as they could, but not fast enough. The horse ran into them, and they buckled off of their henges, not damaging the horse or the rider at all. The others swerved around the fountain and followed the leader quickly.

As the horse reached its destination and its rider pulled on its rains, it rose in the air towering over everything. It neighs fiercely before it stopped completely.
Flutershys quickly looked up in horror and amazement. She has never seen such a magnificent horse. The horse was lined with black armor and silver lining the edge. But underneath the horse, yellow sheen shined. As if it were made of living gold. Its rider wore the same armor lined in silver. He wore a black, tattered cloak that swayed in the wind. His face was covered in shadow from his dark hood. Strangely, there were holes in the top of the hood. Two large mismatched Horne's sprained out. One looked like a stoneware goat horn. The other, a stone gray antler.

Quickly, the others surrounded the leader. All in the same armor. Some wore black cloaks, others brown. The horse's same incredible height but some were bright white, others black as night.

The smallest rider was the first to step off. His cloak like his master covered his face in shadow with a hood. They all did.

The small one approached Fluttershy. In a calm and somewhat shaky voice, he spoke. "My master has come to see your queen. "
"You are expected, right this way". Said a guard. Equally shaky to the small figure.
With that, the leader finally dismounted his horse along with the others.

Fluttershy couldn't say a word. She only kept her head down and lead the way back to the throne room.
She now knew who she was in the presence of. And it terrified her as much as everyone else. It was none other than the king of the ever-free. But what business did he have here? 





As they entered, Fluttershy stepped aside. The crowd follows suit. The king stood in the center of the room at first, but quickly stepped towards the window looking out over most of the town of Canterlot.

The air stood quiet as the tension grew. Not one person wanting to make a sound. The only sound was the wind hitting the windows and the occasional crackle of thunder above their heads.

Flutershys first thought the king would say something, but it was the small servant that bowed his head and began to speak.

"On behalf of my master. We have come to discuss such terrible events."

The queen did not move an inch.

"It seems..." The servant continued. "That someone has tried to poison our great leader. Only it doesn't work on immortals, nevertheless... "The servant continued raising his hand
"... Such a disgraceful act against our king can not go unpunished." The servant paused. The air still was silent

"Our king was given gifts last night by all four kingdoms. However, the poisoned wine had your kingdom's seal."

Are you accusing us? Barked the queen.

"No, no. The kingdom of Canterlot has always been loyal to the king. Friends even. It is most likely that while the royalty and most people have nothing to do with this. There might be an individual who did. We only ask for information on who dares to cross the king."

The queen rose her chin and breathed in and out heavily.

"It is possible that the culprit could be of another land who was smart enough to leave your crest in order to make the king suspect you..."
Another pause of awkward silence.

"Of course, we only want information. Any we'll be accepted."

"And if I don't have any. "The queen said deeply disturbed.

"Then the king has no choice but to exterminate your land."

Those in the room apart from the kingdom gasped. Flutershys didn't know why, but her eyes shot over to the king. Frightened beyond all belief.

The king stood there and said nothing. Just staring out of the window. His poster gave nothing to emotion. He stood tall, back turned to those in the room. He's height towering over everyone, especially because of his Horne's. All he did was look out the window.

"How dare you come to our kingdom and make such a threat!" Shouted twilight. To which the queen stood up, dumbfounded as she looked at her doughtier.

The servant bowed his head. "Please. No one more than the king doesn't want this to happen. We only ask for information."

"We don't have any!" Queen sunset declared. "But please, there must be a way to save our kingdom. Please." She pleaded

"Mother?" Twilight shouted with tears building in her eyes. Terrified of the shriek of pain found in her mother's voice. The plea for help from a being that is higher than a queen frightened her beyond belief.

"Perhaps there is a way to stop such pointless bloodshed." Said a cold, deep emotionless voice.

Everyone froze in fear at the sound of the voice.

"Master?" Asked the servant.

The dark-cloaked figure did not move a muscle. "As I recall, it was the knight in his armor who presented the present."

Zephyr suddenly felt sweet on his brow.

"If he has information on who tainted the gift. Or perhaps his blood will pay my price."

"Wha, what?" Zephyr mumbled

"Either that or I take both hairs. I've given you two options to spare your kingdoms." He lifted his right hand with two fingers. "What will it be?"

As he said, his voice shifted into an amused tone. Lightning Finally split, lighting the figure to the crowd.

The queen put a hand to her chin in thought. "Mother, you can't be serious." Twilight said, almost choking on her cries.

Zephyr trembling took a step forward. To Fluttershy's horror.

"I..." He muttered but was too frightened to say anything.

The tall figure in the window dropped his arms. "Oh, how Noble. "He said, sounding bored." I must omit the Canterlot folk are very brave. To say the least."

Fluttershy stood frozen in fear, in shock, in sadness, and in terror.

"I…if it means saving my homeland. I would." Zephyr said as his legs began to buckle underneath him. He fell to the ground. "Please, I know not of any plot against you. I had fun and was more than proud to be the one to present our offer in our prince's absence." He cried out. "I don't wanna... "But he trailed off.

"Mortals." The king grumbled deeply. He turns with a swift swipe of his cape. He stood towering over the frightened young knight as if he were an executioner. The sound of a sword being unsheathed could be heard from under his cloak.

He dared to look up at the king but saw nothing under the dark hood except the resemblance of a fanged creature.

"Any last words?" The small servant of the king asked Zephyr.

Zephyr slowly lowered his head to the sevent, who two was hidden by the cloak. But by the sound of his voice, the servant at least was sorry for him. He gulped, trying to think of anything to say but couldn't find the words. All he could do was turn his sight to his last living relative.

She however, made no movement. She was in pure shock. Her eyes filled with tears. Tho, what could she do?

Relisting how scared she was, Zephyr did the only thing he could do to help her. He with all the strength he could muster put up a reassuring smile. Reassuring yes, but false nonetheless.

Suddenly as another flash of lightning lit the room, the unsheathed sword rose and began to fall. It's a destination all too clear.

Fluttershy didn't know what it was. Some form of courage perhaps, or maybe fear. But adrenalin somehow got the best of her, and she jumped In front of the blade, hugging her brother tightly and shielding him as she cried out.
" WAIT!"

The sword to everyone's surprise but the king stopped inches from her back. 
"If one life is all it takes, please let it be mine, not his." She whimpered. "Not my little brother. He's the last of my kin. The last to hold my family name. Take me instead." She pleaded tears I'm her eyes but not a cry in her voice. She stood her ground. Brave and bold.

Silence filled the air for a moment. The small servant looked as if he was about to say something, but the king raised his hand to stop him.

The king straightened slightly, lowering the blade to everyone's surprise.In a somewhat loud whisper-like voice, the king spoke calmly. But emotionless.

"Such a display of loyalty and kindness. For it, I will show some mercy."

The edge of his sword approached Fluttershy, not threateningly. He only made her look up at him. She saw nothing under the hood at first, but then two glowing eyes emerged from inside the cloak. They were large and a snake-like ruby slit iris could be seen. A fire danced with inside them. They definitely weren't human eyes. She looked at them with her teal ones. No fear in them at all. Only a fire of her own to protect her brother.

"I could use a servant with such commitment. You would be more useful to me alive than dead." He said in a deadpan voice. "Work for me, and I'll spare your brother and the kingdom."

Flutershys said nothing at first. She thought he would settle with just killing her. And be done with it.

"Do we have a deal?" The king asked, sounding bored aging.

Fear swelled inside her once aging as she nodded.
"What? No"! Shouted her brother.

With her answer, he lowered his sword, giving the girl the ability to sink to the ground.

She turned to Zephyr and smiled a reassuring but concerned smile. It's going to be ok. This way, no one dies. She said shakily, letting her hair cover her face. The tears ran down her cheek, she didn't let a cry dare come out of her mouth. She needed to reassure her brother right now.


The princess leaped forward and gave her servant a tight hug. She dare not look at the king for fear of angering him more. The queen as well as everyone else stood silent and in shock.

The king used his sword like a cane and began to walk out.

The servant turns to the queen. "Seems today there will be no bloodshed thanks to your loyal subjects." He said shakily. "But know this. If any more Info comes about send it to our home right away, please. We do wish to get to the bottom of this."

With a snap of the king's fingers, two of the others grabbed hold of Fluttershy and carried her away from them. The small servant bowed aging and headed out. A small purple tail was seen under his cloak.

They headed to the horses. Flutershys was set on the back of the leaders. The leader however did not mound his horse. Two large mismatched wings spread from his back. With a flap of them, he took off midair. The others mounted their horses and out of nowhere they grew wings and flew off beside him, Instead of galloping on the ground. Flutershys had no choice but to grab hold of the horse as it took off following its master.

And before she could even phases it. The horse landed in front of the castle.

She looked up in terror. Somehow in a matter of seconds, she was now In Front of the enormous dark castle in the ever-free forest. Far, far away from her home in Canterlot.
She looked at the wall In Front of her and with a snap sound from the king's fingers the doorway inside emerged. Everyone entered the wall. The horse moved on its own and entered not giving Fluttershy any warning to hold on. With a small yelp, she gripped the horse tightly as they entered the same strange castle. She looked behind her to see the king inter last. With a snap of his fingers, the door disappeared back into the wall leaving Fluttershy feeling trapped.





The king slowly snapped his fingers making the sword turn into a cane he walked with it down the hall. With a wave of his hand, his companions visibly relaxed as he strolled down the hall disappearing around a corner.

When his footsteps were no longer heard one of the armor-clad folk let a "whoof. That was close." In a high pitch almost hearty voice. With a giggle, she lifted her cloak off shaking her head as she took out the hair ties. Her hair was a brightly colored hot pink.

"Pinky!" The others shouted.

"What. The kings gone." She whines. She sighed. "I'm just relieved he didn't kill anyone. His day is ruined enough as it is." She shrugged. As she walked down the hallway her armor seemed to peel itself off of her and the suits lined the walls.

Two others took their cloaks off. Their armor too took itself off of them and stood as suits of armor along the side of the walls.

"Yes well, we're not wanting to frighten the poor girl with this type of talk." Said a girl with a slightly sassy tone. She had purple hair and matching eyes. And once the suit of armor was off it revealed a rather simple yet elegant dress matching with matching shoes. She had white gloves and a charm bracelet.

"Sorry, darling." She said turning to Fluttershy. I'm rarity rune stone. "Welcome to our humble home. And you are. "She asked politely.

Flutershys. She said quietly.

"Sorry, Hun didn't quite catch that." Said a country scent. A girl in a blue dress with golden locks in pigtails said in a heavy country accent. She quickly dusted off a hat that was hanging on the wall and put it on. Tho she wore a dress-like skirt she had overalls on.

Fluttershy. She said a bit louder.

"Well nice to meet you flutters. I'm Jacky apple. My friend rarity. My brother big Mac." She said pointing to a knight that took off his cloak but kept the armor on. "Dash ray." AJ said pointing at the only knight that didn't take her cloak or suit off. "My cousin pinky", Pinky waved hi. "and my other cousin Braeburn." Braeburn nodded as he put on a western hat similar to AJ keeping his armor on. "And of course there..."

The last of the cloaked figures was the short one. He flipped his hood off revealing to be the little dragon boy from the party. "Spike. And yes let's get this out of the way. I'm a young dra..."

To his surprise Fluttershy grabbed him pulling him off his feet. "Oh my gosh oh my gosh. You're so cute. I've never seen a baby dragon."

"Hey. A young dragon, not a baby." He said. She dropped him to which he landed on his feet.

"I didn't know dragons could talk."

Spike shrugged. "Chaos magic. You get used to it. I'm also sort of the king's ward. Or personal assistant." He said proudly examining his little claws. He was a purple dragon with emerald-like spikes going down his back that seam to almost sparkle and be transparent. And as he unsheathed his cloak two small wings spread from his back. They were obviously too small for him to actually fly with yet. But the scales on him sparkled in the light of the torch.

"A glorified butler if you ask me." A snarky female voice said. It came from dash who still wore her cloak and armor. The boy's Snickers at the comet as they nodded in agreement, to the dragon's dislike.

"Uh Huh, laugh it up. Laugh at your elder. And for the record, I'll be 2 centuries old next month." He shrugged turning to Fluttershy. "Dragons arnt immortal like the king, but we tend to live a lot longer than you humans. 200 is young for us."

AJ knelt over towards Fluttershy. "He is an equivalent to a ten-year-old."

"Am not spike argued. I'm far more adaptable than a ten-year-old."

"Ok, ok, sugar cube." She put a hand over her mouth and whispered to Fluttershy. "Has the temperament of a ten-year-old too."

"Yeah well, it doesn't help when you got these guys always laughing at me." He said as he pointed his thumb behind him to the group who innocently whistled.

Flutershys didn't know what to say. She stood quietly and took in the new information as she shyly hid her face with her hair. She tightly kept her arms and legs together trying to seem as small as possible. But then she noticed something glaringly obvious. While she was never the tallest person around. And big mac and Braeburn were a little taller. It was obvious by the look of them. Everyone here was just a kid.

"Well if ya need anything just tell us dear." Rarity said. "
Yep, that's right now that you live here with us." Pinky said excitedly." Come on let's head over to CHAOS VILL."

"Chaos vill?" Flutershys repeated as a question.

"Oh, yeah. That's what we call our little town. Come with us and we'll show it to you. All you got to do is follow the yellow brick road away from the center tower."

Flutershys nodded but stopped in confusion. "A town?" She asked.

"Yep!" Pinky shouted. "You see this castle is full of magic and wonder. And we'll CHAOS." She said as she sprang her arms in the air. "The insides are much, much bigger than the outside. In fact, I'm pretty sure we have an entire second world."
Suddenly Pinky Pie pulled out a map and showed it to her.

Thires the outside walls. Surrounding everything and everyone. A river that flows in a big circle around. To the north the cold mountain where chaos vill snuggled just near the valley. To the south a vast desert that ends at the river and outside walls. And in the center of it all the grand tower.

Pinky pulled down the map. "We also have plenty of crops and so many trees like a little forest. Heck, we live in a wonderland after all. Why you can even eat the sidewalk?"

Fluttershy nodded in understanding. "But. But why do you live here?" She asked shakily.

"Oh well, a long time ago great granny apple pie's hometown was destroyed by the war. And the snow fell on the village all night with fire that broke out terrorizing the town and then a volcanic eruption started too..."

"Ok, ok okay. Pinky. "Her cousin said calming her down. "The point is our ancient relative and her family needed a place to stay. She swore loyalty to the king. A basic deal was made, and we were allowed to live here for as long as we want. Ten generations later and no one else ever left. At least I think it's been ten generations. Some outsiders from time to time are let in and when. They get a taste of the good life they never leave, settle down raise a family, and add more to our little home."

Flutershys nodded shyly

"I mean why leave and join a war-torn world when you can live here in paradise? Granted at a cost."

"What's the cost?" Asked Fluttershy.

"We serve him." Spike shrugged. "We also follow his basic rules and live happily. As his assistant, it is my job to inform you of such things." He said proudly aging making the others in the back snicker. To which the dragon rolled his eyes and head at.

"The king will give you a list of chores. Don't worry there's not much he ever wants to be done. Usually, everyone here gets one task a day and once completed are free to do whatever they want."

"There are doors leading to the top of the outside walls feel free to go there even. And there are rather simple rules to follow. Follow them and there will be no incidents, do your job efficiently and the king might even reward you. Don't follow the rules and punishment are dished out by the king personally."

Flutershys quivered a bit at the last part. "And...and those rules are?"

1 when addressing the king only refer to him as my lord your highness stuff like that

"The king allowed us to call him the sorcerer king for the party, but he hates those awful names people give him."

2 when in his presence do not speak out of turn. Do not speak to him unless he speaks to you. Most of the time if you do see him just let him be. He's very busy and usually just wants to be left alone. Trust me the last thing you want to do is annoy him. Usually hell just ignore the fact that you are around.

3 don't go near the center tower EVER... Spike said as he waved crossed both arms and swiped the air. That is his personal dwellings and unless he calls upon you no one is allowed to go near there.

"Don't worry tho. Usually he only calls upon me or his personal chef..." Spike pointed his thumb claw at pinky who grinned happily. "Normally you won't ever see him."

Flutershys nodded but stayed very quiet. The group then walked down the hall into the familiar and somewhat odd garden.

"Oh, one more thing you should know about this place. "Said spike turning up to her. "While usually, most things keep in their relative area... You'll find it likes to shift a lot. So that map pinky showed you is just a general idea. You find that the stairs walkways and sidewalks all shift in different directions something new each day. It can be somewhat bothersome when heading to work. The best way to do so is this little trick."
Spike handed her a compass. "First, follow the compass. And 2ed if you ever lost anywhere head left. Never right."

Fluttershy looked at him confused.

"Trust me if your lost head left never right." He smiled. "Alright well, you take her back to town. I'm going to go see if the king needs me." Spike said extremely proud of himself.

Making the boys and dash try to hold in a chuckle. To Jacky's dismay.





"Alright, sugar cube she said, taking Fluttershy's hand. Just follow us. Oh, and do you like musicals?"

Flutershys didn't know how to answer that.

Well too late because one of the best ways to get anywhere in this place is to sing about it. For some reason, it makes long distances that would take an hour or two only take a song's worth. Braeburn said taking out a guitar from what seemed like nowhere.

Ok, everyone. Get ready everyone hears knows this one. Shouted Jacky. Flutershys tilted her head as they all began to sing.

We travel the road of generations joined by a common booooond.

Pinky pie chirped in. We sing our song across the chaotic lands. Everyone! She shouted.

They all began to sing.

Leaving the world behind beyond. We're apples together we're apples forever family and so much more. Oh, we're apples to the core.

Rarity chimed in. It was long ago my grandfather left the world behind. He met an apple and fell in love now I sing this song happy with the rhyme!

Pinky chimed in. there's no place I'd rather be than traveling with my family. I have lots of cousins and siblings to boot. She showed Fluttershy a picture of her family with the word pies prettier written under it. I'll let you all meet them oh ittle be a hoot.

Braeburn chimed in. We're apples together we're apples forever but some of us do have other names. Those who are new will become good friends if not family then.
Braeburn turned to Rainbow

Rainbow chimed in. You guys need to be 20 percent cooler for me to sing. she replied in a dead pan voice.

"Uh fine, we're here anyway." AJ said looking atFlutershys. "Anyway, I prefer apple jack if you don't mind. Or just AJ. Now welcome to CHAOS vill."

Flutershys looked around and saw the little town. She didn't understand and really hoped she got there so quickly. According to the map, they crossed 10 miles in an instant just threw singing.

"Now you got to meet everybody." Squealed pinky pie. "That's my sister Maud."
Hellow. A girl said in a bored tone but with a smile.
"My sister limb stone and marble. And I did have a brother but eh heh. Oh, oh and that is..." she said pointing to the youngest of girls.

"Hi, I'm flower boom." Said a girl with red hair that resembled AJ. "I'm bell aren't I sweet?"
" Scootaloo. Bab seed. Diamond tiara and silver spoon. Derpy, Oh, and that there is cranky."

"That's not my name." A young man said in a grumpy voice.

"The cake twins," she pointed at two twin babies and so many More.

Fluttershy shy was begging to get overwhelmed. She waved hi and said hello but was very, very scared of all the new faces who stared at her.

"Ok, ok, pinky that's enough. AJ said. Look flutters, mind if I call you that?" Fluttershy shook her head.
"We have 19 mouths to feed now 20 with you here. Their's too many to meet in one day, but we're all family and friends here. If you need anything at all will help you ok. Now tonight you'll stay with me tomorrow we'll have the boys fetch you up a cabin of your own. Ok."

Fluttershy shyly nodded grateful that AJ noticed how uncomfortable she was.

"Now folks this here is Fluttershy a new servant of the king and our new member of the town. She's a bit tired of the day so let's let her rest and ease in shall we?"

The town nodded and the crowd dispersed. A girl walked up to applejack and Fluttershy." It's about tea time. I'm Starlight, I'm sure you'll fit right in." She said, throwing a forced grin.

"Hay Starlight." Said dash. Who still didn't remove her hood. Starlight as well as everyone there wore a mixture of fashionable western outfits. The men wore overalls for work or simple suits. The girls wore dresses or work jeans. Nothing like what Fluttershy saw in Canterlot. A lot different from the maid uniform Fluttershy was in.

Starlight greeted Dash with a small curtsy. "Hello, dash." The two of them quickly laughed at the way she greeted her.

"Fluttershy this is the town mayor. Starlight pie. Cousin to pinky. And we'll everyone I suppose."

Fluttershy shyly nodded. Starlight kept up her fake, obviously fake smile. She looked to be the oldest in the group.
" I really do wish I had a notice before you came. It's quite difficult to keep track of everything in chaos vill. Everything here is well CHAOS. She said with a shrug."

"She stays with me. Don't worry." AJ said, eyeing Starlight.
"Good, one less thing I have to deal with."

Pinky jumped up. "With a new member tho, we have to throw a welcome party."

Starlight's eyes narrowed. Oh, no. No, not another one of your welcome parties. Remember last time? Starlight said sternly.

"Oh, come, it's not often we get someone new." Please. Pinky begged starlight.

She looked at AJ.

AJ nodded. "I won't let it get as bad as last time."

Flutershys was curious as to what was so bad last time but then quickly decided not to ask.

"Fine but only if you keep it down." Starlight warned her." The king has been through enough trouble as it is. Now I'm going to go to tea. If anyone wants to join me feel free to."

"Tea sounds lovely." Fluttershy said quietly.

Applejack smiled. "Well, why don't we all join and head to the tea party? That way we all can relax and get to know one another."


Starlight forced a smile. "Oh, sure, sure. If she can keep up." She grinned devilishly. She then took off into the small woods by the town.

"You girls go on ahead me and the boys have guard duty. Dash said with the two boys following her.

AJ turned to the nervous Fluttershy and helped out her hand. It's ok sugar cube. Fluttershy smiled softly and took her hand before she knew it she and apple jack were in a heavy sprint running into the woods.
> Chapter 14 the tea party of chaos
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Why are we running?" Asked Fluttershys. 
"To catch the table." Applejack told her. Making Fluttershys question what she just heard. But before she could even ask, she saw the running wild table.

"Quickly!" Laughed starlight. "I don't want all the scones gone."
" Yeah." Shouted pinky pie.

AJ then brought out a red licorice vine from a nearby tree. She used it as a lasso and threw it, catching onto one of the chairs. The table itself rocked back and forth along with mismatched chairs. Mismatched teapots and plates scattered the surface with food.

The girls quickly jumped onto the rope and sat down quickly at the table. Once Fluttershy was seated, starlight and the other girls rubbed the tables too as if they were petting a crazy pet. The table instantly came to a stop and settled down, letting them have a moment of peace.

Flutershys didn't know what to make of it. She looked around, everything just seem to settle down. She finally had time to relax. She looked up at the sky. Seeing it be a purple swirly. Cotton candy clouds swayed with the soft wind that smelt of mint. The sun was a bright orange. No, a literal bright sparkling orange that shined the day away.

She then remembered the night of the party and how fun it was. She thought of how strange the candy plants were and relisted they all were still there. She looked down at the plants, realizing that some of them were food as well.

She sat back in her chair. Which was a fancy sofa-like chair. The material felt like a soft carpet and was quite comfortable. She finally took a deep breath and looked around. She then took a look at the others.

She remembers some of them at the party as well. In odd costumes. But now they were all sitting around drinking tea as if nothing was unusual about what The day has brought. They must have been so used to it.

"So Fluttershy." Rarity spoke up. "What was life back at home like? You lived in Canterlot what did you do there?"

Fluttershy jumped a bit at being addressed.

"Oh, hush up, rarity. She doesn't need to talk if she doesn't want to."

"Hmm, I suppose you're right, I was just curious." She said as she drank some of her tea.

"I um…" She stuttered." I was a maid." She let her hair full into her eyes, trying to hide. "I worked for the queen and attended to the princess whenever she needed me to."

"You had a brother. He looked like a strong knight." Rarity said

Then she remembered that rarity and these girls were those in the cloaks.

"He is actually a rather poor knight. He only got the job because of our father." She said quietly.

"Is your father a knight?" Asked starlight, twirling her spoon in her cup of tea.

Fluttershy nodded. "Was. He uh well. He died along with my mother long ago."

"Did you have a favorite part about living there?" A place, a book. A boy. Rarity said with a sly grin.

Fluttershy giggled a bit. "I just loved the animals there. I tended to them often when. On royal duties. My friend was twilight the princess."

"Ah, a princess, my, my. What I would give to be a princess. Where a tiara, a fancy dress." Rarity went on, to the other's dismay.

"Well, now we're all friends. And tho it looks bleak we're all happy you're here and besides, it's not like you'll never see them, you can write to them any time." Pinky said, sounding surprisingly wise. Everyone looked at her with a surprised expression just before she dived into a chocolate cake head first, taking a huge bite out of it that was sitting on the table.

"And that's pinky for ya." AJ said making Fluttershy giggle aging. Out of the group, only starlight sat properly. She seemed to be snooty high-strung but nice. She kept looking at her watch and staring at the cups around the table.

Flutershys finally decided to grab a cup when suddenly starlight shouted.

"Empty cup, empty cup, move down move down move down." She shouted. All of them quickly stood up and walked five or so seats down. AJ noticed Fluttershys confusion and lack of movement. She grabbed Fluttershy and dragged her out of the chair before it was too late.

She looked back and noticed the table coming to life aging, snapping the chairs into the air far away.

"What was that?" Fluttershy asked, confused and static.

"Oh well, you see, doll". Rarity said as she helped Fluttershy into another chair, this time a wooden rocking chair. "Every so often, about ten minutes, the table reacts and flings things away. Usually, a good sign of when that's going to happen is if you see an empty cup." She pointed at the cups of steaming hot tea.

"And if you get kicked off, you usually end up on the other side of the table. The problem is the table is half a mile long. So stay close, you don't want to get lost. Oh, but if you do just remember to turn left, never right."

This made no sense to Fluttershy, but she quickly nodded, taking a cup of tea. But she didn't drink it. She sat there staring at the table, frightened of it next. Movement.

This continued for a short time. She barely had anything to drink and just relaxed, listing to everyone one chatter. Every few minutes, getting up before the table burst into life

But then in mid-conversation about how the town came to be. AJ and starlight explain the history. Pinky shouted. "Empty cup empty cup move down". Flutershys tried to get up out of her chair. A blue recliner. But found difficulty in making the front of it go down.

Oh, no, she thought. She slightly panicked and tried to jump out as AJ called to her, "Come on." But to no avail. Suddenly, she and the chair were whipped into the air, and she flew far away to the other end of the table.

She and the chair landed with a hard thud. The chair finally broke, letting Fluttershy get up a little bruised from the landing. She stumbled for a minute to look where she was. She was still in the forest, and far into the distance she could see the blobs of what must have been the girls.

She turned her head away from them, hoping she wouldn't have a concussion.

She looked up and while a bit away but closer to her than the girls, she saw a man sitting at the table eating a slice of cake.

She thought on her option. She could either treck back all the way to the girls, or she could ask the man for help. "Hmm, I mean everyone here lives in town right, surly he must know a quick way back." She thought. With a sigh, she finally decided to walk toward the stranger.

He wore a black, somewhat torn coat with silver tips at the end of it. Strangely tho, he also had on white gloves and a light green top hat. He ate his cake rather viciously in anger at the sound of his chomping.

She slowly approached the stranger, a bit nervous, to say the least.

"Um, excuse me." She said barely above a whisper.

"AHH What now! I swear if this is another..."

The man said as he quickly stood from his chair, spinning around to greet her.
"Oh. Oh, it's you. I'm sorry, I was expecting someone else." He said, letting a crooked smile spread across his face.

Flutershys eyes widen,in  shock. She recognized the man. He wore a bit of a different outfit, but there was no mistaking it. He wore a green suit, purple paints and a black cloak that draped down to his purple boots.

"Dis... Discord." She stuttered.

"I half expected you to be the rabbit." He said as he turned back with a flap of his cloak. He sat down and continued to eat his cake. Picking it up and tossing what was left in his mouth. He gulped it down in one bite.

"You. You live here too?" She questioned, a bit shocked. He only nodded. 
"Glad your, not the rabbit." He shruged.

"What rabbit?" She asked.

"Never mind, glad I cot you when I did. Tell me what are you good at."

"Huh?" she said, confused.

"You worked at the Canterlot castle, did you not? What are your skills?"

"Oh, umm, I make tea for the princess."

He nodded his head tilting a bit. "Good skill but not needed as you can see. You can clean right."

"Uh yes, I some timed-did the laundry, the dishes, and the floors."

"Laundry not needed, dishes, you can eat them hear. Floors might be useful. What else?" He asked as he pulled out a handkerchief cleaning the edges of his mouth.

"Umm, I used to dust and sweep and well I... I always tended to the animals."

"Animals aye. Hmm. He said, stroking his beared. Can you muck out horse stalls? Not the easiest or cleanest job for a lady, but..."

"Uh, yeah, I used to clean the royal horses' stalls all the time. And tended to the other furry creatures around." She said with a bit more excitment then she thought she had. As she finished her words, her heart began to ache. She would never see her little animal friends aging. And that reality was just setting in.

"Ah, good. The Midwestern walls are where we keep most of the animals at bay who live in the castle walls." He took a cup of tea and brought it to his face. "Come to think of it, the grounds over there could use a good cleaning out. Glad that's settled then."

"Huh, what..? She asked, but then heated another voice.

"Why don't you just do it? You're strong enough, Mr complainer." A white rabbit jumped out of the woods and over to the table.

"Ahh, shut up, you." Discord barked. "I have things to do."

"your just lazy. all you do is sleep!" the rabbit shruged

Flutershys froze in both fear and curiousness. "Did... Did that rabbit just..?"

"Yeah, your new year aren't ya sweetheart?" The rabbit said in a rather odd, deep voice. It didn't fit the cute little bunny body he had.

Her jaw dropped.

"Why don't you go back to the forest where you belong, fur ball?" Discord growled at it.

"Oh, that's rich. What you need is a chill pill, bro."

"I am not your bro rabbit." Discord said, crushing the teacup in his hand.

"Oh, come on, you know you need me."

Discord sat back in his chair as he brought his fingers to the bridge of his nose. He sighed." I've had a long day. I only wanted a cup of tea and some time to myself. Everyone else gets that but you. You animals." He flung up his hand. Several birds chirped in from above. "Oh, come on. Just talk about it. What happened that was so bad anyway?" Asked. a Green parrot.

"Shut up Smooes." Discord grumbled as he took another cup and sipped on the tea.

Flutershys watched the scene play out, not knowing what to really do or say.

She finally decided to take a seat. She looked at discord.

His eyes were as bright red as the night they danced. And tho he wore a smile, his eyes told her he was tired and upset.

"What are you looking at?" He muttered to Fluttershy. "Uhh. Umm, I've seem to have ended up on the wrong side of the table. Is there any way to get back to town?"

"Walk over to that tree," he said pointing at it, "and turning left at the rock. Hope you enjoy your time in chaos vill." He said as he got up and began to walk away. "Oh, uh, leaving so soon..."

"I have things to do. Sianarah" he said with a toothy grin and a wave of the hand.

"Oh, but..." But before she could stop him, he vanished. She looked around every which way and saw no one. She turns back to the table and the birds and rabbit were gone, leaving her completely alone to offend herself. Likewise, she shook her head and decided to follow Discord's advice. This was the 2ed time she ever met him. And looking back at the party, he seemed to be the only one who knew what was happening. Perhaps it's because he lived here for so long, she thought. Perhaps she would find him in town and thank him later. For now, she walked over to a tree. Nothing was particularly strange about the tree. Well, strange compared to the others. Its bark was definitely made of chocolate. And gave maple syrup. It had edible gummy leaves and licorice vines draped across its branches. She headed over to it and turned left at the rock, to her surprise she was standing right behind apple jack and the other girls.

"We should go back for her!" Shouted rarity. 
"She'll find her way, all she needs to do is turn left." Starlight said.
"What if she turns right?" Pinky cried in fear. 
"Now just calm down!" AJ yelled.

"Umm."
They all simultaneously turned around. "Fluttershy" they said. They jumped up, giving her a hug. Flutershys was a bit taken back and surprised by the gesture, but she too hugged them back.

Starlight was the only one who didn't hug her. But she gave a smile. , "told you she'd be fine."

"Are you kidding, she's been gone for hours!" AJ yelled back...

"Hours, I was only gone for fifteen minutes." She said, but when she looked up she saw that the one that gave light was now starting its descent past the mountains.

Well, come on, sugercube." Applejack said, pulling her into another hug. "Your safe now. When
We get back we have a welcome party planned, and then I'll show you to your sleeping quarters for the night."

Fluttershy nodded and head back to town with her new friends. Her new family. Trapped here in the castle of the Gargoyle King forever, it seems. A small tinge of pain crept into her heart at the idea. But for now, she didn't want to be the party pooper and decided to go along with it.
> Chapter 15 the town party
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flutershys and her new friends got back into town. There were banners and music all around. The decorations looked wonderful. And there was plenty of food to go around.

Fluttershy never had a party in her honor. Not this big anyway. When she was little her little family would do something for her birthday. The party kinda reminded her of that only with a whole town.

She looked around. It was a rather strange town. It only had one street lined with buildings that all looked exactly alike. Nothing strange about the buildings either made completely to look like log cabins. But then she remembered where she was the moment she smelled cinnamon on one of the walls. They were definitely edible. She looked at the roofs and realized that what she thought were brick roofs were actually some kind of hard candy. Such a strange place she'd have to get used to.

Everyone danced around to the music some singing about the town. AJ kept around, and the two quickly became friends. Many of the town folk came to meet her and say hello but didn't rush her like earlier that day.

As the sun set(or the orenge that brought light to the area set) the music became louder, and the dancing never seem to stop. She at first was shy as usual but with the help of AJ, she got into the swing of things.

Finally, after several dances, she asked AJ if they could take a break to which she agreed.

AJ walked her over to a bench right In the middle of town. Behind them stood a tall gargoyle statue.

"Umm, may I ask how old are you... And everyone else. "She said looking around...
"Oh, it's no problem. You may have noticed tho we're all pretty young here."
Fluttershy didn't want to be rude. And she awkwardly smiled.
"Heh, no problem. "AJ replied to her expression. "I'll list everyone here by name, but we don't know anyone's age except spikes."
Pound cake
pumpkin cake
spike is 10 actually has 200 but is ten to us
my sister apple bloom
Rarity's sister's sweaty bell
scootaloo
babe seed
silver spoon
Diamond
maud
rarity
gallus
dash rainbow
cranky,
"that's not my name!" cranky yelled. 
"And what's your name?" Aj called back. 
"I can't remember, but it's not cranky..."
Fluttershy tilted her head at this but AJ shrugged and continued her list.
Big mac
Derpy
Braeburn
Pinky pie
"me, I'm the second oldest here. If you don't count Spike.
Starlight I believe is the oldest out of all of us. But we really don't remember."

Fluttershy nodded. Umm ok, but where are the adults where are your parents?

Applejack shrugged. "That's kinda the odd thing. We're all orphans.... I think."
Orphans… 
"and the truth is." Applejack frowned. "We don't remember how long we've been here. Or anything about our parents."
She nodded. "And we say we're all family here but the truth is. "Applejack frowned. "Most of us are not related. Tho we pretend to be. It just makes it easier."
"Oh. I'm sorry."Fluttershy said feeling awkward. What now? She was in a town full of orphans.
"I never would have imagine that The Gargoyle king…""

Applejack raised her eye at the statement. "The what now?"

"Oh, I mean the king. I never would have imagine he let a town of orphans live in his castle."

"Word of advice. While that's a great name don't call him that. The king hates to be called names."

Fluttershy nodded. "I guess I would too. I just called him that because of all the gargoyles around here." Fluttershy gestured to the large statue behind her.

"Hay that reminds me do you know where discord is?" She said as she looked around the town. "I wanted to thank him for helping me earlier."

"Discord?" AJ asked confused.

"Oh, yes. He helped me find my way back. I was surprised to see he lived here."

"Uh, Hun. I know every person here. And I never heard of no discord."

Fluttershy's head spun to her. "What…what? But he helped me get back."

"Hmm. Never heard of him."

Pinky pie jumped in out of nowhere over hearing the conversation. "Such a strange name too. oh, I know when you see him next just invite him to town. Maybe he lives out in the forest."
AJ shrugged." Yeah, I guess here in this castle there are a lot of strange creatures living in that forest."

"Hmm, maybe," Fluttershy muttered. "Umm, do you know anything about the talking rabbit..."

"Huh! They shouted." The area grew silent as everyone stopped singing and dancing.

"Umm, was it something I said…?" Fluttershy asked.

"Animals don't talk." Starlight demanded. "I will not have any of this mumbo jumbo going through town aging."

"Oh, but they do they really do little girls said running up to them..." Starlight rolled her eyes. "Apple bloom…"

"But then a light came from somewhere in the crowd. The crowd split apart to reveal dash still with her hood up.
Strange, isn't it?

"Oh no, don't start." Starlight groaned.






"Well, well, well, what have we here?"
Fluttershy, huh?
Ooh, you should be scared.

"No, no dash. Our king is not like that."
"Oh, really he's not, huh? Might I remind you of this?" She yelled and tore off her cloak revealing her rainbow hair. "This is what happens when you question the king. Punishment. And for that matter, no one ever saw the king, but we all have a story. One that he keeps from us. Why are we here, and why won't he tell us? Why does he stay up in his tower and never greet us?"

Fluttershy jumped back as dash jumped in her face.

So, you're the one everybody's talkin' about?

You're joking, you're joking
I can't believe my eyes
You're joking me, you gotta be
This can't be right time. Look newbie the king

He's ancient, he's ugly
I don't know which is worse
I might just cry in fear now
If I don't die laughing first

What he truly is the chaos lord and when he says
There's trouble close at hand
You'd better pay attention, now
'Cause, you're in the chaos land.
And if you aren't shaking
There's something very wrong
'Cause this may be the last time you hear the chaotic song, oh (wow)
Oh (wow)
Oh (oh, yes we're in the CHAOSland)

Well, if I'm feelin' antsy
And I've nothin' much to do
I might just tell you my tale
While I eat this delicious stew

"Alright, dash you've done enough." Applejack said as she continued the song.

Look sugar cube there's nothing to fear. Even if it's a little strange he does play fair. Tho I must emit he can seem kinda strange. He protects us all and never Dallas her in the chaos land

(oh)
Oh (oh)
Oh (oh)
Oh yeah, he's the chaos lord. (oh yeah, we live in the chaos land.

Pink sang next.
Now, here and there you'll see a bit of odd. You'll find a shadow on the wall watching from abroad. Sometimes you hear a voice or two or maybe even three. But all it really is, my friend is the chaos king.

Dash jumped up on top of a table

You're joking, you're joking
I can't believe my ears
Would someone shut these fools up?
I'm drowning in my tears
It's funny, I'm laughing
You really are too much

And now, with your permission
I'm going to tell my stuff
"Well, what are you going to say?" Fluttershy asked.
I'm going to do the best I can to explain.

So there I was, a strong knight for the southern king. I went toe to toe with the devil himself, and he decided to sing.

Oh, the sound of rolling dice
To me is music in the air, he told me. Take it and make a deal with me just please it will make me happy.
He was bored, and I didn't know, so I fell for his game. He cheats his way and I lost and I became his slave.
'Cause he's the gambling chaos man
And no he don't play fair.
It's much more fun to him, it seems
When lives are on the line
Not his of course
But yours, oh boy
Now that'd be just fine

Stop it dash, don't be brash. Rarity chimed in. Darling, I promise you he won't harm a fly. So long of course he isn't disturbed and that is just divine.

I mean look at you, he let you live and isn't that very kind. I mean, after all, he can't show weakness can he, or everyone who wants to kill him would try?

And why do they want to because he has power? Because he's a little unordinarily well that seems a bit extraordinary. Just leave the poor thing alone. He means no harm, so long as you don't try and strip him to the bone.

Oh, brother, you're something
You put me in a spin
She needs to comprehend
The position that she's in
Its hopeless, you're finished
You haven't got a prayer
'Cause, you live the chaos land now and under the king's watch You ain't going nowhere. None of us are.
She said as she slowly approached Fluttershy, who bit her lip a little afraid.





"Ok, that's enough." Starlight barked. "You're just mad, course you get punished every time you bad-moth the king. And .get us all, one of his punishments by the way are harmless pranks. I can tell you, he means no harm…"AJ said looking at Fluttershy. Who gave a little nod.

"The king's evil and we all know it. You just don't want to face his wrath. Cowards the lot of ya!" Dash shouted.

"Now everyone starts cleaning up. We got work to do in the morning." Aj yelled. Starlight continued. "Yes, apple jacks got a point. As mayor, I call this party alarm. You've all met Fluttershy now let's get to bed. pip, pip". She clapped her hands.

"Why are you in charge? You're not my mother. "Rainbow dash yelled out.
Starlight turned to her with a gasp. "And I'm glad I'm not. But someone here has to be responsible. And it certainly isn't going to be you."
Dash shrugged.

Fluttershy, while the two began arguing, thought she heard snickering and laughing. As the others started to clean up the party, she decided to see who it was.

There leaning against the stature on the other side was none other than discord chuckling. "Oh, dear," he said as he whipped a tear out of his eye. "How amusing. Chaos king. I'll have to remember that one." He chuckled further as he took a bite of a red apple.

"Oh, discord. Umm, it's you". She said with a small but happy smile.

Discord turned to her. He wore a black top hot same cloak and what seemed to be a long fancy black robe. His long claw-like fingers held the apple between them.

He swallows his apple. Just as the wind blew past his greasy black hair. "Oh, it's you aging, eh? How's your first day in chaos vill?" He asked with a toothy grin. His teeth seemed sharp and fanglike. Kept his eyes closed. He stood in the shadow of the statue

Fluttershy shrugged, a bit confused and frightened. "Oh, uh. It's nice, I guess."

"Yes, well, I'm sure being ripped from your home and family must have been traumatic for you". He turned back with a sly grin and took another bite of his apple. He spoke with his mouth full. "Sorry about that by the way, but you must understand. We can't show the other kingdoms' weaknesses."

Fluttershy nodded. "Oh, it's not your fault."

"Mmm you know for a bunch of kids, they grow really good apples here, even without magic.Of course, my favorite fruit around here has to be the snoss berry."

"The snoss berry?" she asked, confused.

"Oh yeah, you got to try it sometime. Anyway, dash just has hair die in her hair if she ever got her hair cleaned, she'd learn that by now. Still was a good tune. Nice to see that apple jack has a good head on her shoulders. If you need anything, be sure to go to her."

"Uhh, why don't people know of you?" Asked Fluttershy.

"I told you no one called me by my name, only my title." He waved his hand. "In fact, do me a favor and forget that you know it." He said, sounding bored.

"Oh, umm then what do I call you that..."

"Hay Fluttershy, we got your bed all setup." Apple bloom said. "Oh, who are you talking to? I heard you talking."

She turned to the little girl. "Oh, I was just talking about dis..." She turned back only to find the statue." Uh. Discord." She called out his name." Dis…" She walked around the statue. "Did... Did you just see him walk off then?"

"Nope. No one but you were standing here. That's why I had to ask. Hmm, maybe you've seen the ghost."

"The ghost." Fluttershy repeated in a stutter.

"Oh, yeah, every now and then we'll see a black shadow or a distant voice. Believe it or not, but it once saved me and babes when we were little. Come on in and I'll tell you all about it."
Fluttershy nodded and followed her inside.