The Bone Diaries

Applejack and Asteroth are walking down the road, with Applejack casting glances at her traveling companion, not exactly sure what to think of him. He’s massive for one but he moves with amazing speed and grace, almost cat-like despite his wolfish appearance. And speaking of appearances, she still can’t get over how rather scary he looks, with his spikes and rather demonic looks. Asteroth seems to notice her looking at him and asks, “Is there something I can help you with?”

Applejack clears her throat and says, “Yeah, are ya going to cause any more trouble at mah farm?”

Asteroth simply responds with, “I am well aware that you do not trust me, and are, in fact, only giving me this ‘job’ at the request of your purple pony friend. Rest assured, I have no conflict with you, nor any of your little friends. In fact, I’d rather be home, sleeping or preferably hunting.”

“Then what’s stopping ya? I pride mahself with being fast but I can tell you’re probably faster and could get away.”

Asteroth stops, causing Applejack to stop as well. He then looks at her very seriously and says, “Because I currently owe you, and the other ponies, a debt. A debt which I intend to repay. Because my kind do not leave scored unsettled. And quite simply, I am curious as to what a ‘farm’ is. Is it like those ‘buildings’ in town?”

“Ehh, kind of. Here, at Sweet Apple Acres, we work hard to make a living.”

“I see. Interesting.”

“Now then, we better get back to the farm. It’s almost gettin’ dark.”

Asteroth chuckles in his deep voice, a sound that sends shivers up Applejacks spine. “What is the matter my little pony friend? Afraid of the dark?”

“No, just want to get home before it gets too dark ta see the road.”

“Heh. I prefer the dark.”

“Well, good for ya, I don’t really.”

All she got as a response from Asteroth was a short, low chuckle. He then turns his head so one of his eyes are close to her and says, “Do not worry, my little orange friend. Were something to attack us, I will surely protect you. Heh heh heh.”

“V-very funny.”

“I thought so.”

“Well, anyways, here we are. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres!” Applejack then points her hoof forwards.

Asteroth follows her hoof and looks at the large red farm in all its glory. “It’s… Actually very nice. But why is it so different than the other ‘buildings’”?

“Well, ya see, this here’s a farm. We grow food here, like carrots, apples, and all sorts of other things.”

“You ‘grow’ food?”

“Uh, yeah. Don’t they grow food where you come from?”

“No, we seek out food. We climb trees or hunt. It’s more or less a fight for survival. The only thing that grows where I come from are the trees and the ferns.”

“Wow. Sounds rough.”

“And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“So, wait, you like having to fight to survive?”

“But of course. Without danger or a challenge, the senses become dull, your reaction time is greatly reduced, and you become weak. And only prey are weak.”

“Uh, I see. Well, we really have no need to fight to survive here in Equestria. We really just grow our food and what not.”

“Explains why you are rather weak looking.”

“I beg your pardon?!”

“Well, not just you really. All you ponies. You didn’t try to fight me which means that you know you aren’t stronger than I am.”

“We didn’t try to fight ya because we were waiting for our other friends.”

“Yes, but all of the ponies in your little town easily outnumbered me. If you all attacked at once, you could’ve easily won. But instead, most of the ponies ran away or hid, all except you, Twilight, that pink pony, and the rainbow one. You mainly stood up to me and faced me, which I respect. And it is hard to gain a Bone-Hounds respect.”

“Well, most ponies aren’t used to seeing an evil looking creature such as yourself.”

Asteroth jerks his head back as if he was physically struck. “You wound me, Applejack. I am not evil. Indifferent to you ponies right now, perhaps, but not evil.”

Applejack gets up close to Asteroth’s face, just inches from his eye. “Well, don’t talk about us being ‘weak’ either. We are stronger than we look and I will gladly show ya how strong.” Applejack then points to the barn. “Ya can sleep there tonight. I’d offer ya the guest room but I don’t think you’d be able to fit through the front door, plus I don’t feel like giving Granny a scare.”

“Very well,” Asteroth simply says. So long as I can see the sky.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Applejack pushes the barn door and it opens with a creak. “I doubt I have a sleeping bag or anything your size, so I suppose you’ll have to be creative.”

Asteroth moves past Applajack and begins looking around, spelling the floors, beams, and other places. He then walks to the middle of the room, scratches the ground, and lays down, placing his head over his right front leg and curling his tail around himself. “Bonum nocte, Applejack.”

“Pardon?”

“Good night.”

“Oh, night then.” And with that, Applejack closes the barn door, but not before taking one more look at the Bone-Hound. She sighs as she heads back to her house, thinking to herself, “I wonder if it’s really a good idea to let this guy stay in Ponyville. From what he says, sounds like there’s more of him elsewhere. But where?”

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Back in Ponyville, Twilight is wondering a similar thought as she paces back and forth, reading off her thoughts as Spike writes them down. “Dear Celestia, I know I have already written to you earlier today but something big has happened here in Ponyville. A creature from someplace called ‘The Bone Valley’ has arrived here, though, I have no idea where that is, as it’s not on any maps that I can find. At first it seemed like he was attacking the town but we then found out it was really looking for something to eat. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of it is the fact that it’s intelligent enough to talk! And quite eloquently as well, though, he seems to speak in a language that I have never heard of. He says his name is Asteroth and he simply got lost. Other than a bit of a temper, he seems somewhat friendly, especially since he accepted responsibility for damaging half our town and will work to earn bits to fix it. If possible, I wish to study him and possibly even write a book on him, though, I’d rather hear your opinion first. Along with this letter is a photo I managed to take of him so you’ll be able to tell what he looks like. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight sighs as she says, “Alright Spike, you can send the letter now.”

“Aye aye, Twilight.” Spike responds with a salute. He then tosses the scroll in the air and blows fire on it, transporting it to Celestia. “So, Twilight, do you really think it’s a good idea to let that Asteroth guy stay here? I mean, he looks like he could eat one of us in a single bite!”

“I know Spike, and I’m wondering that myself. But I know Applejack and she can easily take care of herself. Hopefully. But he seemed sincere when he accepted the offer to work off his debt. We’ll just have to keep an eye on him and see what Celestia wants to do with him.

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Meanwhile, in Canterlot, Princess Celestia is reading the first letter Twilight sent her, happy with how much her favorite student is learning about the magic of friendship. She then hears a knock on her bedroom door. “You may enter.” The door opens, revealing her little sister, Luna. “Ah, Luna, what are you doing here? I thought you’d be raising the moon right about now.”

Luna fidgets nervously as she looks at her elder sister and says, “D-dear sister? I have… news.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“Well, forgive me but another letter from Twilight arrived for you and I couldn’t help but to read it.”

Celesita raises an eyebrow. “Oh? And what did it say?”

Instead of saying anything, Luna simply levitates the letter to Celestia. “I… think it would be better if you were to read it yourself.”

Curious, Celestia takes the letter and begins reading is. After finishing it, she begins visible shaking. “It… It can’t be.”

“I’m afraid it is sister.” Luna then pulls out the photograph Twilight took and show it to Celestia. “I’m afraid IT is back.”

“Dear Maker, and it’s in Ponyville?!”

“Yes.”

“Luna, you and I are heading to Ponyville first thing in the morning!”

“But sister! You have to meet with the representatives from Saddle Arabia!”

“They can wait, this cannot. Now, leave me be. I must plan of how to deal with our... unexpected guest.”

Luna sighs and says, “As you wish, sister.” As she leaves, she gives Celestia one last look and then closes the door.

After Luna closes the door, Celestia gets up and walks over to her large mirror and stares at it. “So,” she begins to say to herself. “You have returned here once again.” She uses her magic to lift up some of her hair from her face and picks up a small wet rag. “I wonder if you came back to apologize for what you gave me,” She then takes the rag and wipes away some of the powder covering her face and neck, revealing 3 scars on her cheek and going down her neck. She then glares angrily at the mirror. “Or have you come to finish what you have started all those years ago?”

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Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Asteroth is sleeping in the middle of the floor inside the barn when he begins growling before opening up one of his eyes.