Chapters The sun was high into the sky as Rainbow Dash was zooming over Canterlot with Scootaloo flying alongside her. Scootaloo had grown up to be a perfect example of a wonderbolt as Rainbow Dash had given up that dream to become Twilight Sparkle’s personal guard. I was in the castle’s garden with Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Applebloom, and Sweetie Bell having tea since Sweetie Bell had gotten a swing deal with Sapphire Shoes herself. As time went one Princess Celestia along with Twilight had found out that Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie couldn’t die due to the strong ties to the Elements of Harmony. Hearing that news I felt as my world had once again started spinning. Pinkie was off doing her own thing as I was writing my memories down as the girls went on bragging about things their sisters did and how proud they were of them. Unaware to us three fillies one an earth pony with a light blue coat and a dark blue mane and tail was standing on a cloud with a white Alicorn filly with dark navy mane and tail with streaks of pink and purple. The second Alicorn was a colt with a light purple coat and a pastel mane and tail. They were standing on a cloud as the colt pushed it over our heads yelling out “RAINSTORM!” they started jumping on it drenching everything except us.
“OCEAN SWEET!” I yelled causing my grand kid to look down as I had thrown up a quick barrier around us as she ran off with the others along a trail of clouds leading from the eastern side of the castle to the gardens.
“Just wait until Twi here’s about this!” Applejack gave the kids a glare as Rarity looked over towards me.
“Ocean has sure gotten your power of the clouds.” She placed her tea cup down causing me to shift my gaze to her.
“Wait till you see her flying she got her mother Ocean Blossom’s Changeling powers.” I started to laugh which made Rarity, and Applejack flinch as Fluttershy hid under the table.
“Oh don’t worry she been in Canterlot a lot longer than the attack heck even the Princess knew she was here.” I waved my hoof at them as I closed the book in front of me laying the quill down sighing a bit as I rubbed my head with my hoof.
“What’s wrong?” Sweetie asked as I looked over at her taking my glasses off as I smiled a bit.
“Well I’m writing down my memories, spells, and unrecorded history stuff like that, I’m stuck on one part though.” I took a sip of my tea as I took a bite out of a crystal cupcake.
“What part darling?”
“The part of my first married life Necro Skull, you probably seen his picture in the castle the black unicorn stallion with his white mane pushed back.” I looked over at Rarity who had sparkles in her eyes.
“You mean that dashing unicorn! He is the inspiration of many of the vampire and gothic novels of today.” She placed her hoof under her chin as she drifted off into dream land.
“Now you done it she off in dream land.” Applejack waved her hoof in front of Rarity as a small golden colt came running out as Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom started laughing.
“Somepony got into luster dust.” They both fell on the ground.
“Hey there Golden meadows” I picked him up as I looked over at the two laughing mares. “He isn’t covered in luster dust girls he just happen to pick up his grandfather Sunflower Lily” I placed him in my lap has he stole the last bit of my cupcake.
“Now since we have all day would you like to hear about that part of my life Rarity?” that made her look towards me and smile.
“Oh yes.” Applejack and Apple Blood stood up and said their goodbyes as Luna came walking out of the shadows along with her Sister Celestia and Twilight beside them.
“If you’re looking for your kids Twilight follow the clouds.” I pointed towards the sky where you could see a trail of clouds still.
“No we wanted to see how things were but I would love to hear how you meet Necro” she sat down next to Fluttershy as I made the table a little bit larger to fit the three Alicorns as I placed Golden down nudging him to run along as Little Skull came walking along with Ocean on his back.
“Back for more little one” I moved my eyes over to the filly that jumped from her father’s back and ran for her life causing Little to laugh.
“What is everypony up to out here?” he asked as he sat under a tree near our table.
“Well I was just about to tell a story about how I meet your father would you like to hear?” I looked over at him as he nodded.
“Maybe I can add a few points in from my side before Nightmare moon.” That made my ears twitch as I looked over at my current love Luna.
“Will you be okay?”
“All in the past dear.” She gave me a smile as she made herself a cup of tea as I cleared my throat as I gave a smile.
“Well it starts as this, It was a warm and inviting spring as the sun was hidden by some clouds.”
The sun was hidden in the sky by clouds that rolled off the small nearby mountains that lie against Baltimare’s train station. It never gets easy to see loved ones die as you stay young forever. Sweet had died just months ago and the pain just never ends, so I packed up everything from our shop and decided to head up towards Manehatten. I left the aging spell on while I stood at the train station since a few ponies I knew were hanging around. The train pulled in as a few ponies disembarked as a few replaced them. I had opted to sit in the cargo compartment with my stuff as the conductor had sealed me in I let the age spell fade. My dull lifeless mane bounced back to its vibrant multicolor blue as my coat turned to a shiny grey as the light blue tail brought back to its dark blue hue as I adjusted my glasses on my muzzle a bit. Glancing over towards my wagon I pulled out a large grey sack that was tied off with twine as I pulled the knot out opening it to reveal bright pink, blue and green cotton candy. I pulled off some with my magic placing it on my tongue letting it melt as it tasted like a lemon with sugar sprinkled on top of it. Sweet had created this in a weird experiment one night that blew up the bottom basement.
I smiled at the memory as I moved over towards my wagon leaning against it as I listened to the sounds of the train wheels move against the iron train tracks. Time seemed to fly by as the train had come to a rapid stop as the wheels were squealing against the track itself. The door was opened by the conductor.
“Sorry ma’am but the track to Manehatten has been closed due to Griffon attacked” he bowed leaving the door open to show a small platform outside the train car. I reattached myself to the wagon pulling it out on to the platform as the area was lit by lanterns on a string. The town was small and mostly made up of covered wagons. A few buildings were built but they were mostly stores.
“The tracks will be back up within a week” the conductor had left on the train as a few stallions pushed it back the way it came.
“Okay so where am I?” I spoke to myself as I walked off the platform and into the middle of the town where a nice elderly earth pony mare with a dull grayish brown coat with a light faded red mane that was tied up in a red silk scarf as her tail hung low. Her cutie mark was that of a crystal ball with a golden chain wrapped around the bottom of it.
“Hello my dear.” Her voice was so soft and quiet I leaned in a bit and smiled.
“Um hello, you happen to know where I am.” I asked as I placed my wagon down giving my back a short break.
“Oh you’re in Hollow Shades my dear.” She was smiling as well as giggling as I looked around the town. I have heard of Hollow Shades. It was a small town that was surrounded by forest and the famous Foal Mountain. It was founded by gypsy ponies not too long ago after a few of them were run out of the Everfree city by guards and nobles.
“Do you know any place where I could stay for the week?” I looked down at the mare as she nodded.
“Follow me.” She started walking towards the left as I placed my wagon back on my back following her as a few ponies had stopped what they were doing and looked over at me. I just looked down at my hooves as I kept walking along the dirt path.
“Here we are” she spoke making me look up. I was placed against the edge of the trees where the town seems top just simply stop. “You can make your wagon here and have a nice fire pit.” She pointed to the small hole in the ground as I parked my wagon as I used some of my magic to make the grass grip the wheels immobile.
“Thank you and by the way I’m Moon/Sun Lily” I held my hoof out as she took it in hers and gave it a soft shake.
“Why ponies call me Elder by I go by Crystal Chain.” She smiled as she started to walk towards town. I quickly followed her as I only had a few bits to my name and I needed a job.
“Ma’am can you tell me where I could find a job around here?” I made her stop in her tracks as she turned to look at me.
“There is only one place at the moment looking for a hired hoof.” She pointed towards the back of the town where the lights go from a bright yellow to a dark blue. “No pony likes going back there when the sun is setting, good luck.” She left me standing there as I walked towards the graveyard out of my mind. I stepped past the bright lights into the darken area as a cold chill ran down my spine as some fog rolled in from the forest. I walked towards the graveyard as I saw nothing but three floating lights around a hole with a tip of the shovel being seen every now and then. I walked over towards the hole as I saw a black stallion with a white mane and tail tied up as he was digging in the dirt. His cutie mark was that of a bright white skull. The lights were simply candles floating in the air probably by magic.
“Um hello?” I made him place the shovel down as he looked up at me with his UN breaking dark gray eyes.
“Can I help you?” his voice was something out of the darkness that would plague your nightmares.
“Miss Crystal Chain told me you were looking for some help” I tried to keep the bravest face up as he climbed out of the hole untying his mane and tail. His mane draped down to his shoulders and around his horn as his tail was long and elegant with the tip of it touching the ground.
“She would be correct.” The lights around the place went from a dark blue to a bright orange showing that the graveyard was no bigger than the town itself. The headstones were kept in pretty decent shape with different kinds of flowers growing in front of them. I followed him down a stone road to a small wooden house with a large stump in the front. He pushed the door open as he entered the house and came right back out carrying a small skull pin on work apron.
“Wear this tomorrow when you start work for the first time. We work from dawn to dusk okay?” he was standing in front of me with this mask of expressionless.
“Okay but what is your name?” I looked at him as he chuckled a bit.
“Sorry I forgot about that I’m Necro Skull.” He placed his hoof on his chest.
“I’m Moon/Sun Lily but you can call me Lily.” I placed the apron in my magic as I head down the road for the night. It was peaceful out here in the night. You could see the stars shining brightly as a few unicorns dressed in silk and gold switched the light over to a dull purple. I made my way to my wagon pulling the back off as I climbed in placing it back. I only had a small bed with a pillow and a large stack of books that filled up one wall. I fell down on my bed closing my eyes for the night. A large banging sound came from the back of my wagon as I poked my head out with my glasses hanging from my ear.
“It’s not even dawn yet so how can I help you?” I spoke without thinking as I rubbed my eyes noticing a black unicorn in front of me.
“It’s past dawn.” He spoke and my ears went up as I went into panic mode. I knocked over a wall of books that spilled out and over on the ground. He stepped back as I popped out of the stack of books pushing my mane down which was full blow frizz. I heard him snickering at me as I looked at him through my mane. I floated a few books in his magic as he opened them before my eyes as I quickly closed them placing them all inside.
“Sorry sorry.” I rushed towards the graveyard leaving him behind me. I made it to the graveyard as I used my magic to brush out the knots as I smoothed down my coat and tail along with my mane. Necro soon appeared at the main gate as I was sitting on the stump. He was carrying a couple of sandwiches along with a large sack from my wagon.
“You rushed off without me finishing what I was going to say.” He passed a sandwich off at me along with the bag. “I was going to say would you like breakfast since this morning will be slow.” He sat next to me as I gripped the sandwich taking a bite. I could taste the lettuce and tomatoes mixed with onions and some vinegar.
“Well thank you. Would you like some cotton candy?” I opened the bag up holding it out in front of him.
“All you have is cotton candy?” he glared at me as I finished off the sandwich as I pulled a bit off taking a bite as I could taste the flavor of lime as it melted away. “Yes my friend made it. It changes flavor every bite you take from it.” I smiled as he took a small piece from me taking a bite. He gave me this weird look of what the heck. I laughed at him as he finished off his breakfast.
“Well let’s get to work.” He walked off into the other end of the graveyard as I followed him. We stopped in front of a large rock that looks like chunks of rock have already been cut off from it wildling it down to a small size.
“We need to cut a headstone out of this today” he picked up some chisels and some hammers as he gave a basic simple arch cut into the rock. “We got an order in today for a headstone for the mare who you talked to.” He continued to chip at the rock as I watched in awe.
“I need you today to pick weeds and to tend to the visiting ponies “he had turned to me as he stopped for a bit as I gave him a slight nod.
“Alright” I turned away from him as I walked around pulling a few weeds I saw here and there. Only one pony came to pay their respect to the lost one. I had placed the weeds I had collected next to me as I watched a few unicorns messing with the lights again. The sun wasn’t even setting it was still high noon and yet these ponies were messing with the lights.
“You watching them messing with the lights aren’t you?” Crystal Chain came up to me as I looked down at her.
“Yes I am” I kept my eyes locked on her as she looked towards the ponies.
“It’s an old magic their using. Different colors keep away different animals and evils. A normal yellow light keeps everypony happy and warm, red is to keep them Timberwolves away, blue is Manticores, the blanks, and the undead at bay, green is to keep flutterponies at bay, while purple keeps all the animals of the forest away. Oh and Orange keeps dragons at bay. You don’t need a special candle for them you just half to add magic to the flame. That’s it. So how is young Necro treating you my dear?” she had switched from a caring teacher to a caring mother type.
“He great!” my ears went up as I smiled. “He might seem a little tough or rough on the outside but I think there is something more there.” I looked as she smiled.
“You’re the first pony to say that.” She laughed as Necro came around from behind us.
“Oh Miss Chain I was just working on the headstone.” He walked over as she smiled at him.
“You’re just like your father Necro.” And with that I walked away leaving them to talk but I was able to hear her say “You better catch that young mare while you have the chance she a keeper” that made me blush as I took the bag of weeds and walked to another part of the graveyard. Sooner or later he came walking over as he tapped my shoulder.
“You okay?” he asked as I looked at him.
“Oh yeah I’m fine” I gave him a smile as he sat down next to me.
Chapter Two
The evening was a cool one as the wind was blowing from the top of Foal Mountain giving the normally hot summer day a spring feeling. Necro was sitting next to me as he pushed his mane out of his face with his hoof.
“Let me guess you heard what she said huh?” he looked at me as I gave him a nod. I placed my apron on the ground watching as his hard demeanor changed into a soft one as he sighed. He laid down in the soft grass as I sat up looking down at him. I touched his shoulder with my hoof as I glanced down at him.
“If you need some time alone I can head out to town.” I said as I started to walk off as he placed his head down covering his eyes with his hooves. I took that as a yes and walked off. I walked past a few ponies messing with the lights changing out the candles as Ms. Chain was sitting in the middle of the square giving out readings to a few ponies that were stuck just like me. A few of the younger ponies were getting a few lessons in reading a crystal ball that was sitting in front of her. I walked over to her as she moved from her pillow letting another pony take over as she walked over to me.
“What’s wrong my dear?” she spoke in a worried manor as I looked down to her.
“Oh I’m just thinking Ms. Chain” I smiled as I walked off towards a random building noticing it was a sweet shop. I swear anytime I’m not paying mind to my area I always end up in one of these places. I pulled out a small coin bag noticing I had a few bits to my name still. I walked out of the sugary shop and over towards my wagon that was sitting in the back. I pulled out a small wooden box, it held a few things from my past the only thing I needed was a large fire pit. I walked over a small section of lawn that had signs of use before as I started digging with my hooves. I made a small fire pit with a magical flame going as I started to boil some water. The sun was beginning to disappear behind the trees as I started walking towards the graveyard. I looked around the town noticing that many of the ponies were walking inside their wagons leaving me alone on the streets. I flared my magic creating a few light blue mushrooms lighting my way as the main gates came into my view. I had come into Necro’s view since his head whipped around in my direction. I pulled the tray off my back and placed it on the wooden stump that was in front of him. It had a large white tea pot and smaller tea cups with a few daisy sandwiches on a plate.
“You seemed a little down.” I took the tea pot in my magic and poured him a cup as the smell of cherries hit his nose causing him to rub his muzzle a bit. “Sorry but it’s a special blend from home.” I had poured me a cup as I sat there in front of him watching a few lighten bugs dance around the headstones. “So are you going to tell me what is on your mind?” I wanted to break the silence as he moved one eye over to me.
“Not many ponies have stayed as long as you have, they do not like my talent.” He placed the cup down as I placed my glasses behind my horn.
“What you make a lovely headstones” I was tossing a dart and I think I missed the balloon and smacked the pony in the back of their bald head instead. He moved his whole body to face me.
“My talent is necromancy. I can make things come back to life or create things out of the shadows. My father was or still is a guard pony for the princesses and taught me how to fight.” He kicked the ground with his hoof as he got to them. “No mare besides my mother has even wanted to talk to me, not like this.” He was doing his best to look at me as I started to smile at him. He turned his body around to face me as I took another sip from my cup.
“So you’re a little rough around the edges Necro I mean not all ponies are perfect not even the bloody Princesses” I placed the cup down as I got to my hooves placing my glasses back on my muzzle as I walked over to him. “I’m not even perfect I mean my magic is weak in the day time I can’t even use it but I have the best upper body strength but at night I’m a complete opposite. My magic is strong and my strength is poor. Any mare would be lucky to have you.” I stomped my hoof on the ground as I smiled at him. I was talking out of experience.
“Why don’t you keep the tea for the night I’ll be around early okay?” I smiled as I walked off leaving him standing there baffled. It never changes from place to place I always end up dealing with other ponies lives! Sometimes I feel like they are drawn to me. I sighed softly as I glance up at the sky listening to the soft music that the stars were preforming. Even though I have been out here for two days this place feels right. I do not half to change myself to fit in. I walked to my wagon pulling out a few hidden sides that I had locked up to create more of a living space. I pulled out a few books I had on necromancy and started reading though out the night. I didn’t even see the sun rise in the sky as I was out making some soup early morning with the fog dancing around my hooves. I was making a rose soup with some daisies, some moon flowers alongside some hydrangeas. It was a weird combination but I didn’t mind the taste.
“Up early my dear” Ms. Chain appeared out of nowhere making me cough up the soup I had just made as she came walking out of the fog. My heart was beating rapidly as my coat stood on ends giving me a fluffy look.
“Sorry to scare you my dear.” She was smiling as she came walking up as I blew out the fire under the kettle.
“No it’s quiet alright” I had swallowed the mouthful of soup as I raised my hoof up at her as she smiled. “Would you like a bowl Ms. Chain?” I offered her a ladle of soup but she decline. She had moved over towards me as I got another bowl out before placing the lid on the kettle.
“Well I wanted to let you know they got the train fixed and it will be coming by later this evening.” She had walked off leaving me to my thoughts as the dark black sky was becoming a light purple. And here I thought nothing could ruin my day! I placed a cover on the bowl as I walked out to the crowded square as I noticed ponies were lining up buying tickets already, I slipped by a couple of them as I made my way to the graveyard.
“So you’re leaving today?” Necro had his back to me as I walked around him holding out a bowl of soup.
“What and leave your sense of humor behind?” I placed my apron on as I sat on the wooden stump in front of his house. He just stared at me as he sat beside me. I could see the gears turning in his head as he placed the bowl down entering his house. I heard some clacking and pots falling against the floor making me cringe as he came out carrying a pot with steam coming from the spout with two cups, cubes of sugar and what looks like cream. The stuff was black and smelled bitter sweet, so I let him add the sugar and cream to it before placing it in front of me. The last thing I saw was dirt being poured on top of me and him yelling “YOU ARE NOT COMNIG OUT UNTIL YOU CALM DOWN!”
The earth was surprisingly cold and damp for sitting in the sun for a couple of days. I laid there appearing up in a long hollow tube up at the blue sky as my mind went back on what happened a few hours ago. Necro had just given me coffee for the first time in my life and all came to a complete stop as I started to move around. I could hear the voices of the other ponies nearby echoing and bouncing off other buildings. What Necro saw was my body shaking and every time I move it would be nothing but a blur. He had ended up chasing me around the yard before he created a skeleton pony to tackle me at the right moment where I had stopped bouncing off the headstones and ended up in front of another open grave. I feel back into the hole as he came up holding a shovel in his magic.
The caffeine had worn off and I’m now staring up into nothingness! If I could bang my head on the dirt above I would but my horn had gotten stuck the first time I did it.
“WAIT!” Little skull had placed his hoof in front of me causing me to stop. “He really buried you!” he had this shocked look on his face as I pulled out a worn out leather bound black journal as I flipped through a couple of pages with different colors and styles of pictures were bound to the pages back and front with magic. I had stopped at an old style picture where the colors were faded giving it an old pastel look. I was standing at the edge of the grave with Necro standing beside me holding a shovel over his shoulder. My mane was dripping over my shoulders and as dirt clang to my mane and coat as I was giving him an evil glare.
“Wow he really did burry you.” Little held the picture in his hoof as Rarity fell over as Twilight caught her in her magic.
“How should we wake her up this time?”
I levitated a pot over Rarity and dumped out the chilled water causing her to shriek as I gave her a smile. “Now back to the story! Oh I have baby pictures as well in here.” I gave a smile as Rarity gave me the same glare I gave Necro.
After standing still for Ms. Chain and her large brown box for a bit, I had kicked Necro in the grave giving him a taste of his own medicine. After he had climbed out of the grave he told me to follow him once he got a good look at me and the dirt that was clinging to my coat. I was being led down a long dark green tunnel made up of vines letting somewhat of sun light though as most of the flowers were a bright moon white as my hooves click against the smooth surface of the flat rocks that line the pathway. Necro was in front as my mane was sticking to my coat as he dug me up from the grave forgetting that he set the timer for a set of magic blue crystals they held a certain amount of water for the plants. He pulled me up out of the hole covering his face with his hoof trying to hold back the laughter.
We made our way through the vines to a small section of the Foal Mountains were a small warm water fall fell from the rocks into a small pool and down into a small stream heading towards the town and back away into the forest. I took one step into the grove looking at all the different color flowers that grew along with rocks with vines covering them giving this place a scene from a fantasy novel or book. Necro was at one of the walls picking a few flowers from the vines as I stepped into the water causing me to shiver from the rapid temperature change. I just dunked my whole body into the lake as I could feel the dirt just disappear from my coat and mane. I popped my head out from under the water giving Necro a small scare as he was staring at me with such a frantic look upon his face. All I could do was laugh at him as I moved my face not far from his as I could notice the heat rising in his face as my ears turned bright red.
“I think I should get out.” I dragged myself from the pond as my mane had become lifeless as it was dripping with water. I turned to look at him as my eyes caught the few strands of stray sun light made them sparkle in his eyes but made me squint at the intense glare. I shook the water from my mane and coat using my magic to straighten them all out. I glanced over to him as he was trying hard to look away from me as I grinned at an Idea that had popped into my head.
“You know you have shown me what you can do and all this” I wave my hoof around as I looked back at him “How about I show you what I can do” I had made a puzzled look on his face as my mane moved towards the middle of my head as the wind picked up changing my body slightly. I heard a few pops here and there as I flexed my wings out. He was just in shock again as I gave him a small grin as I hovered off the ground looking down at him.
“H…Ho….How?” was all he could spit out as I wrapped my hooves around his legs as I smiled.
“Magic.” Were the only thing I said before I took off lifting him with me as I flew out of the small cavern hole at the top of the grove where all the vines were growing through and the main source for the large amount of sunlight. I flew over the outer edges of Hollow Shades keeping my distance from the town giving him a grand view of Equestria as we could see the farm covered hills from here to FillyDelphia. The town was still building itself up just to be as large as Baltimare and Manehatten the two largest cities along the ocean that major in import and export from the Griffins and the Dragons. I flew over Neighagra falls not even hearing a sound from him as I land just along the edge of the falls as I placed him on the ground removing my hooves from him as he turned to face me. I haven’t even landed yet as I was still hovering in the air above him.
“That….That was.” He couldn’t even get the words out as I landed in front of him. I could see he was trying to think of the words as I started to flutter my wings as the wind came from the falls changing me back to normal, and whatever he was thinking was gone now as I walked towards the falls turning my eyes away from him as a wall of water came rushing down from the clouds and the mountain that was standing there with a large forest blocking the east creating a private romantic atmosphere. I walked behind the large wall of water blocking out the sounds of the birds and the bees along with some crickets. This was a perfect place, a place where I could sit and let my thoughts roll off the top of my head. I pushed my mane back as he walked over to me placing his hoof on my shoulder.
“Should we get back in time for you train?” was the first thing he could spit out trying not to look flustered as those words made my eyes widen as I gave him a chuckle.
“I guess we can head back” I rubbed the back of my head as I walked past him letting the water flow over my hooves as small fish swim around the hooves nibbling a bit as I stepped around them. What worries me the most is that little nagging feeling that I have in the back of my head as he head out towards town. He was walking right beside me as he saw a few ponies working on the rail making sure that it was correctly laid the first time.
“Those ponies are always worried about that darn line.” He had moved over towards me making my face turn a deep dark red as I looked up at him.
“Well it does get ponies and other stuff to towns all over.” I made him look towards me as we followed the tracks taking our time. “So do you have any plans for the nearby future?” I wanted to break that damned silence as he sighed softly to himself.
“Well no. I’m just going to work the graveyard for the rest of my life.” He had given me a stern answer as I pushed my glasses back upon my muzzle.
“What about a dream?” that seemed to strike a nail on the head.
“Well I always wanted to live in the highest place in Equestria some where I could over look this land.” His eyes were lighting up as he looked towards the mountain that would be come Canterlot in much later years. “That or be a well-known Noble in the Everfree city.” I rubbed my hoof along my chin as I looked up at him. I had enough money saved up I could at least give him a dream but which one.
“Well if you were to live up on that mountain where would you develop the land?” I looked at him still as we got off the train tracks and looked up towards the mountain.
“I say near the top of the mountain just above that waterfall.” I pointed his hoof up there as I listened closely to how he had this whole house planned out in his head.
“If I told you a secret will you keep it? Will you stay sitting next to me? Or will you run?” I had completely shut him off as I asked three questions feeling like I owe him some sort of explanation since I just sat here and listen to him rumble off what he wanted in his life.
“Well I would keep and depends on what you’re going to say” He sat there sitting beside me as I turned to him. I just let it out, all out everything that I was holding back as I could see his eyes widen a bit as he placed a hoof on my shoulder.
“That must have been horrible” he pulled me into a hug as I smiled at him, as this reminds me of sweet and how she was just random but loveable. The sun was behind us now as we started walking down the tracks continue talking about my past and what he wanted. We both arrived in town laughing as we stopped in front of the water fountain noticing that the town was awful quiet tonight.
“I should be heading back to the graveyard thanks for the day.” He leaned in and kissed me making my ears turn red as I was stumbling on my words making him laugh. He went off towards the direction of the graveyard as I went towards my wagon. My mind was completely blank as I gave out a soft sigh as I reached my wagon using my magic I covered the door in a light greyish magic pushing it open. You know what I don’t mind if I do fall in love with a stallion at least I be different then a mare especially one who could bounce off walls, create living cakes and cupcakes, a large cotton candy monster and make a candy flower turn into a weed problem in Baltimare. I shut the door as I sprawled out in my bed pulling out a large book of hoof written poems by Edgar Allen Poe a very talented earth pony who could turn his dark and miserable life into a work of art that could leave you wanting more. Not too long into my favorite poem The Raven:
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door;-
Darkness there, and nothing more.
I wasn’t even far into the poem as I heard a knock on my door. I glance at well-worn page in the book then back at my door, as I went back to reading more knocking at my wagon door. I placed the book back on the shelf. I pulled the door open with my magic as I saw Necro standing there with his eyes blood shot as he was crying.
“Ms. Chain…..she passed on today.” he sounded heartbroken as I stepped to the side to let him in. He was whipping tears from his cheeks as he stepped in. He stopped for a few moments to take in my room. My wagon maybe small on the outside but it was larger on the inside. I had a large spacious bed covered in black sheets with a dark rose red down confuter on the top. I had a large shelve with different jars filled with different types of crystals and labels that read “Apple, Cherries, and Cherry Blossoms Etc.” another wall I had a shelf full of first editions of books time. I walked over towards my bed “Please make you’re self at home.” He walked over towards my bed the only thing I had to sit on in my wagon at the moment. I stopped for a moment and looked over at him.
“Would you like to talk about it?” All I got was silence as I walked over noticing he had fallen asleep holding a pillow with tears in his eyes sill. I felt guilty for taking him away from the town today. I started feeling guilty for taking him away from the town today. I placed a blanket over top of him before pulling out a spare pillow and blanket as I set a few magic candles around the wagon to keep the inside warm as I put the jars up and turning the lantern off. “Maybe in the morning I can get something out of him” I pulled the book down and opened it up to the story called Bon-Bon or more normally known as “The Bargain Lost.” I soon fell asleep after the story.
The sun’s first rays were coming through the window as I could feel the warm feeling on my coat as my ears twitch at the sound of glass being clinked around not far from where I was lying. I opened my eyes to see nothing but blurred objects as I used my hooves to search around the area for my glasses. I gave up after a while but I have noticed I wasn’t on the hard floor anymore but I was on my bed. I flared my horn up casting a location and a retrieval spell all in once causing my glasses to glow from a certain location before popping on top of my muzzle making the world come into focus. I pushed back my mane, before stretching my legs and popping some joints. I turned my head towards my book shelf as I noticed that a few spell books were stack in a neat pile as my head turned towards the direction of the sounds of glass. I saw Necro standing in front of a counter holding a large glass full of either black salt or void salts. Void salts are very rare and very hard to come by since they are made from the ground up powder of an undead pony who was enchanted with necromancy giving the bones a blacken look. It is then mixed and ground up with salt. Black salt was just salt mixed with charcoal not made for eating just purification. I got up off the bed and walked over towards him looking over his shoulder as I saw a large black leather bound book opened to a random page as he grabbed a vial of frost salts off the rack of ingredients causing me to take a closer look at the book he was reading from. Since Frost salts are also rare since they are made up of the bones of the frozen ice wolves that harbor the mountains are ground up and mixed with salt I thought it be odd he was using it.
Frost Salts and Void Salts are explosive when mixed together in the wrong way which would be in a mortar and pastel. The friction which generates heat would cook the salts activating the magical properties in the void salts; I hardly understand the reaction since I’m still studying them. I had taken the spell book from him as I looked towards the page as I noticed that the edges were charred a bit. I know this spell, it’s a bomb making spell that I created when I was working in Horseshoe Bay trying to fight off pirates from attacking merchant ships. I flared up my horn as I pulled the mortar away from him in the nick of time as I casted a glare back at him.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“What were you trying to do Necro?” I shut the book as I placed it back on to the book shelf as he started to blush.
“I wanted to make breakfast.”
“So you picked the most explosive spell in my whole collection?” I turned to look at him as I picked up a couple of books in my magic placing them back on the shelves as he looked down towards the wooden floor.
“I thought it was a rare breakfast since it has no title.”
“The titles are in the front next to the pages that each spell is listed besides all my recipes for food is in this book” I pulled out a large checkered red and white book as I swear I could see him blush a deep red under that black coat of his.
“Oh”
I laughed a bit before walking over to a couple of jars picking out one that was filled with rainbow colored crystals as I placed one on his hoof before placing on in my mouth. It was a multiple range of flavors as I noticed he was unsure of what I had just handed him. I took the crystal from his hoof and placed it in his mouth causing his eyes to widen and me to smile from ear to ear.
“That was….”
“Food from my homeland so are you willing to talk about last night?” I sat down in front of him as he closed his eyes.
“I heard rumors from a few visiting ponies that the princesses are looking towards the mountain for a new city since the wild animals from the Unicorn range and White Tail woods are being forced towards the Everfree city. I’m going to be joining the group and I wanted to know if you wanted to come along?” he glanced towards me as I sighed. I thought he would always stay here but I guess hearing that Ms. Chain had passed has really rattled his thoughts and feelings.
“I guess I could come with you since this town will be a little boring without you.” I smiled as I could swear I could see him blush. He walked out of my wagon heading towards his place in the graveyard. I started to pack up a few things I had placed outside like my cauldron and a chair I had placed to sit on while I cooked a few meals. As I was pulling up a couple of blocks from the wheels of the wagon as I noticed he was walking up towards me only carrying a few bags around his waist.
“You can place your stuff in my wagon.” I poked my hoof back towards the back of the wagon as he gave a slight nod to me. “So how are we going to get up the mountain?” I started to walk through the area as he walked beside me with the wagon following behind.
“Well there is only one way to get up their”
“And”
“We half to climb it!” he was sounding as astatic as we walked past the train station walking along the trail that lay not far from the tracks. We were both silent as we were walking through the forest keeping our ears open for anything that might harm us. As we exited the forest we saw our options of travel which were follow the path for the new tracks they were laying down or go over the Foals Mountains. We both agreed that going over the mountains would just cause us both pain in our flanks so we deiced to follow the dirt path that was made to show where the new trail was going towards. My mind was still going back to last night when he just appeared but every time I brought it up he would just ignored me for the good portion of the trip. When we did speak we talked about mostly changed over the years, mostly I did the talking about that since I been around longer than most ponies. As Luna’s night rolled around we made our camp, we weren’t even far from the base of the mountain but we didn’t think it was the best to climb it during the night since one wrong step and you’re done for.
“So what are your plans when you set up a home and everything else?” I rolled over on to my back looking up at the sky pulling my blanket up to my chin.
“Maybe set up a blacksmith shop”
“Wait you know how to create armor and weapons?” I rolled back over on to my stomach as he looked over at me.
“Yes why?”
“Maybe you can fix my old armor for me?” I walked over towards my wagon giving the side a good kick causing a compartment to swing open as this large black box with a white crystal embedded in the side as I pulled it out causing him to walk over towards me as I flipped the lid up revealing a large set of white marble crystal armor with a large black blade on the side of it.
“This is..”
“Yeah I know rare armor.”
“No it’s the armor of the MAIDEN!” He was drooling as I just wanted to slap my hoof against my forehead. How could I have forgotten? I had gained the title of Maiden when I saved a small town from a foal who decided that the book of the undead would be a good read for school. He had brought the whole town’s graveyard to life. I didn’t think my reputation had spread since it was one town!
“Oh well it kind of cracked a while back while traveling I just haven’t found a shop that can fix it.” I pulled out the helmet which looked like something out of a horror book since you can’t see out of the eyes normally but you could see through it by using magic. I placed the helmet back into the box and the box back into my wagon leaving Necro sitting there shocked again.
“I thought you would learn by now that there will be more surprises in time.” I placed a small kiss on his cheek as I walked over towards my bed as I pulled the blanket over me. I didn’t know what Necro did but when the morning came he was sleeping on the other side of the fire. I was the first to wake as I rolled up my stuff placing it inside of my wagon along with him. We both argued about who would of slept inside so we ended up outside and it was nice. I looked up towards the top of the mountain as I closed my eyes and sighed. I have been up that mountain once and only once and that was after I had earned the title of maiden.
It had been about three days since I save the small town from rampaging zombies. I had made sure I brought the book that the young foal had read was in my bags. The body of my armor was cracked as a few pieces of bone were sticking out showing where I had used my body as a battering ram. I didn’t feel like staying in another town not with how I looked or felt. Unaware of where my hooves were taking me I had climbed up a mountain with a long waterfall from the top to the bottom. I found out that I was on a nice flat surface overlooking everything. The view was lovely as Celestia’s sun was setting along with Luna’s moon was rising both were in the sky together on opposite sides of Equestria. Lights from the far off cities look like something that a unicorn would make out of boredom.
I just opened my eyes as the memory faded from view as I smiled to myself.
We made it to the top and noticed we weren’t the only ones with the idea of tagging along the expedition. Many ponies were sitting up their claim of the land more towards the middle of the flat ledge or whatever you wanted to call it. I was walking around towards the wall of the mountain where there were less ponies pitching tents. I had found this small opening where there were dark and blue crystals along with bright blue and greens growing out of the rock with magical aura that I could feel in the base of my horn. I placed my wagon in front of the hole making our claim of land as Necro took a stick and drew a large square around the wagon.
“You seem a lot brighter than you were days ago” I had walked over towards him as he was working on converting a few random wild rocks into logs and planks as his magic whirled around in the air above his head has he worked on creating a fence in the dirt he just made a line in.
“New area new life!” he was basically singing as he worked on the fence. I took the time to get out of his mane and stretched my hooves a bit by walking along the tents with different styles of crest that were sown in to the sides. I saw a couple of Pegasus families with dark blue and silver crest with a pair of wings either wrapped around a flower and an apple. I really didn’t see any earth pony families around but I did see a lot of unicorn families around as I strolled through the small alley way of tents. A few ponies were fighting over land with their horns locked together in battle I just keep walking on by deciding it was none of my business to sick my nose in. What I did see were a lot of solar guards or more commonly known as Solar Stallions since mares were never seen in the guard itself. I always wanted to do something about it but I just pushed it in the back of my mind for now, since I have other things I need to worry about and to do. I had walked back to the yard noticing that Necro had finished the fence and was building a small fire pit.
“See anything?”
“Not much everypony is fighting over land in the middle like it was something great” I walked over towards the wagon as I pulled out the cauldron and placed it in front of him as I walked towards the back of the wagon towards the entrance of the cave. I squeezed through the gap I had left as I placed my hooves into the dirt of the cave as the hair of my coat stood on ends. It was breath taking but I was too busy trying to figure out how can I build off of something like this? I walked back out of the cavern towards the opening for another time but I did pick up a couple of gems that were a bright blue with white swirls in the middle of it. I pushed the wagon out of the way noticing a few other ponies had seen what we had done and moved in beside us. I didn’t give it another thought as I pulled out a large black box from the wagon where my armor was stored.
“Now would be the best time to work on this …I might need it” I was thinking to myself as I cast my gaze on a couple of the nobles who were chatting up a few guards. I placed the helmet and the leggings on making sure the straps were still working as I pulled out the breast plate walking around the wagon noticing Necro was talking to a large white stallion with long bleach blond mane tied up, they both stopped the conversation as I appeared.
“Oh do not stop because of me just checking the straps” I pulled the helmet off as I left the leggings on as they were still looking at me.
“What?” I placed the breast plate in front of me as the large stallion walked over and bowed down.
“I am Prince Blueblood”
“Wait you meet original blueblood?” Rarity had asked almost spitting out her tea as I laughed a bit.
“Oh yes I did. At least he had manors and knew how to treat a mare but I still kicked his flank a couple of time unlike the one we know today, now let me continue.”
“I am Prince Blueblood of the house of Noble Blue and what is a lovely mare like you doing with a stallion like him?”
“Okay I lied he is just like the blueblood of today.”
“And why is it any of your concern boy” I cast my eye at him as I pulled my blade from my magic placing it in front of him.
“Oh well such a lovely mare with a gift for magic doing with somepony like Him” he had his nose up at Necro as he went walking out of the yard causing me to worried a bit.
“Because I can” I placed on the breast plate and the rest of my armor as Blueblood had his back turned listing the things that he could do for me that Necro couldn’t do in his entire lifetime. When he turned back I think the color had drained from his mane as he saw me standing there in my armor, the one time I actually want to put on the “Maiden act.”
“Now listen to me you little pony! I can hang around anypony I want! If you want to go around and mounting mares you can do that but do not come knocking on my families door now or in the far future! “
“And if I don’t?” he was trying his best not to quiver in front of me.
“You will meet the MAIDEN!!!” I shouted at him as all eyes were on us as I forced him to back out slowly off our land as a couple of guards were staring in shock as Necro was keeping quiet.
“Now if you excuse me I really do need to fix this” I took off the breast plate and walked over towards the box that was lying on the ground. Necro came walking up to me.
“That was something else.”
“Sorry but I really hate ponies who think they can do anything or anypony they want” I placed my armor against the fire pit leaving Necro standing there alone with his thoughts.
As most of the day wore on I had spent walking around getting to know a few of the local ponies as Blueblood kept his distance from me shaking every time I came near him. I found myself sitting outside of my wagon watching Necro and the others start along the foundation of their homes I sat their staring at the sky as I closed my eyes feeling the wind blow my mane back.
“Are you okay?” Necro looked at me as I shook my head.
“I’m alright” I had only one thing on my mind at the current moment and that was Necro, I had never seen him with his mane and tail tied up as he wiped off the sweat off his head. He had most of the foundation laid out in stone and wood. My eye was twitching was he walked over as I could feel my cheeks started to turn a dark red as I shook my head.
“Why don’t we go for a walk?” I blurted out.
“I think you need to lie down” he placed a hoof on my forehead as I leaned up and kissed him out of the blue. My eyes widen to dinner plates as I jumped to my hooves as I ran into my wagon leaving him out there alone with his thoughts in his head and thoughts in my head. I climbed into my bed pulling the covers over my head feeling like some kind of derange mare on the loose. I just simply closed my eyes and wait for the worse.