The Equestrian Inferno

Looking at the windows, it struck me that they flared on and off in a pattern of some sort. Yes, they definitely had some form of organization. Morse code maybe? Or maybe some sort of Equestrian equivalent.

"Do the lights mean something", I asked Galaxy.

"Yeah" she replied, "Look out over the sea. If the mist isn't too strong, you should see it."

I turned my gaze out over the vast body of water before me. A haunting fog hovered over it. Struggling to see into the distance, my peripheral vision caught hold of a faint glimmer lurking at the right side of my field of vision. As I my eyes adjusted once more to the darkness, I saw the figure of a ship beneath it.

"Oh. That?" I asked

"Yep" the patterns of the lights send messaged to the various ferrymen across the sea. They can also be used to call up certain creatures the dwell beneath its deeper waters..."

I looked back up at the enormous building behind me. The order of the lights had changed. Within the highest windows, I thought I saw movement but it might have just been an illusion. Despite the haunting aura of the building, I still preferred looking at it to gazing over the endless watery abyss behind me. For the first time, Galaxy sat down. I did as well, and vigorously rubbed my face to ease its tension. For a while, we sat there waiting. I knew we were going across the water, but after my first trip via the naga, I was not looking forward to this one.

A few minutes later, I heard a distinct sound behind me. Raising my head, I realized that Galaxy was already standing alert. Getting up myself, I turned and saw that the distant ship I had seen earlier was quickly approaching the shore. That is, if you could call it a shore.

As it neared, I could make its outline out more clearly. It was modeled after a pirate ship, though a small one. What I had originally thought was a single light was actually three lanterns strung together upon its mast. Its sails glowed a ghostly shade of gray by virtue of the reflected light of the building behind me. So far, it seemed to be empty. Besides the wind in its sails, no sound emanated from it.

The boat pulled up in front of us. As it did so, I could see that there was indeed a figure upon the deck, though he had blended in quite nicely with the pole holding the mast behind him.

"Well well well, What have we here", asked the figure gleefully, "Another one to be forever under my influence I suppose."

"Sorry Zeb", Galaxy spoke beside me. "This one's going to Spite, and you're going to take us there."

"Pffft. Yeah right!", Zeb retorted, "that ain't what the lights say…"

"As if I cared…" replied Galaxy back, "We have a rather unusual situation here and it just so happens that you got dragged into it. Now take us across!"

Zeb looked closer at me for moment. He opened his mouth to protest before contorting his face into a confused expression. Deciding not to ask any more questions, he turned and let down a large set of collapsible stairs. Galaxy and I began walking up together. As I did so, I jumped as a wet creature hoisted itself out of the water and crawled before me, blocking my path.

"Living human, who are you, who walks in the land of the condemned?" she asked

"Why do you care?" I replied, "It's none of your business."

Something in her voice had caused me to answer in such a rude and abrupt tone. At the moment, I couldn't quite put my hand on it.

"I am one who cries eternally for in life, I was reckless and violent. Even in life, these traits caused me trouble, though I never changed them. Now, it is too…"

"BEGONE YOU VIOLENT MARE!" shouted Galaxy beside me as she sent the creature flying back into the water with a kick from her hoof.

Turning to me, she said, "It was right of you to shun her, for that is her fate. In life, she ignored others and caused them to suffer to advance to her own lofty heights. Now, she must suffer as well."

"Really?" I asked as I suddenly recognized who the mare had been, "That's it? It would be better if she suffered the violence she caused to others for eternity instead of simple isolation."

"Very well, you will have your wish than" said Galaxy

"AT LIGHTENENING DUST" came a great shout from all around. At once, a large multitude of condemned ponies rose from the water and dragged her under while beating her.

As we boarded the ship and began our journey, I listened as the muffled sounds of the struggle slowly faded away.

I turned to face the other direction. Zeb was now relaxing on a hammock near the stern of the ship. As we moved further out to see, I sensed the winds around us begin to pick up. Moving closer to the center of the ship to avoid being blown overboard, I heard the sound of thunder above us.

"Oh dear" said Galaxy, "If we get caught up in that, we may never see land again"

I shuddered at the thought. Luckily however, our journey was not intended to be a long one at all. In front of us, I saw the faint glimmer of lights on the distant shore. It was only a matter of time before we reached it. With every second, they came closer. The warm glow of the lights seemed a strange relief from the murky and dark water of the ocean and sky around us. Still, each circle so far had been worse than the last and I was not sure what to expect now.

"We're approaching the city of Spite" Galaxy began. "It's the most populated city of hell. We'll be there for pretty much the rest of our journey."

"It must be one heck of a city then" I said. We were almost at the shore. From the light of the torches, I could now see the cold granite walls of the massive metropolis.

"It is the location of the fire of hatred" said Galaxy. "If the fire of friendship is not strong in your heart, it will consume you. Therefore, watch your emotions and stay faithful to the forces of harmony."

The boat bumped up against the side and with a clang, Zeb once more let down the stairwell. As we got off, I looked in awe at the size and magnitude of the outer walls of Spite. To the left of us, embedded in the walls, was a large portcullis that gleamed a violent shade of brownish red. As we headed over, I noticed that it was guarded by a multitude of changelings.

They made a hissing sound that seemed to be directed at us. "Carefull," whispered Galaxy in my ear. "Remember, there are many in this land who take offence at your presence. "

Two changelings flew over to meet us halfway and began speaking in that screechy voice that is so characteristic of them. "Why in Chrysalis's name have you brought a living human to the Equestrian land of the condemned dead?" asked one in disbelief. "Surely you realize that he cannot enter here" continued the other." In the background, the hissing of the other changeling continued.

"Let me address all of you at once then" said Galaxy. Motioning for me to remain in place, she headed off to the gate with the two changeling trailing her.

They didn't speak long. And although I could tell their conversation was heated, I was too far away to understand what was happening. I finally knew, however, when Galaxy trotted back with a defeated expression upon her face.

"So, how'd it go?" I asked sarcastically.

Galaxy sighed. "It's the type of behavior I expected from them." she said, "Changelings just don't seem to change over time. But then again, that's why they're here I guess. Don't worry, we'll get in somehow."

"Riiigggghhhhttt" I said, as I rolled my eyes.