Glory to The Necropolis!

The next day, the sun was shining beautifully, and the air was nice and warm. It looked like everything was largely back to normal once again in Ponyville. Twilight was thankful to hear that no serious injuries had occurred during the earthquake, and that structural damage had been minor around Ponyville. She was also glad to hear that her friend's, families and homes were safe and sound as well.

Twilight received a letter from princess Celestia soon after the city’s arrival. The event had been felt even all the way in Canterlot, but had hardly been as severe. Celestia had received reports from the mayor, which only made her even more worried for the safety of her subjects, and asked in the letter if everyone there was alright.

Twilight sent a response stating that everyone in Ponyville was okay, but chose not to tell the princess of what she knew about the event. Twilight had made a choice, she’d decided to heed the black books advice, and chose to keep the princesses from getting involved.

Twilight had hid the black book amongst the shelves, and began to wait. She planned to catch the king when he came looking for it, then try to negotiate peace in exchange for the book afterwards. When the deal was done, she hoped that he and his city would try to remain hidden afterwards.

It was a simple plan, and she would admit there were many uncertain variables, but it was still a plan. There was just one key problem in the plan however, she didn't know when the king was going to appear.

As Twilight waited, Celestia herself came to Ponyville with a large contingent of guards. Twilight noticed that the princess looked deeply worried when she’d arrived, though when she saw everyone was alright her relief was almost palpable. Before Celestia departed, she told everyone that she was leaving behind some of the guards she’d brought just to be safe. Twilight silently hoped that the excess guards wouldn't give the wrong impression to the king when he arrived.

* * *

It was now the middle of the night in the library one week after the city arrived. Twilight and Spike were asleep in the bedroom loft, but Twilight was beginning to stir.

O O O

Twilight found herself standing in a cold empty void. She looked around, and saw only darkness, and heard not even a whisper.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, Twilight saw something. She turned to it, and saw a little glowing light shining out in the dark void. She slowly approached the light, and found the source to be a ghostly white flame when she drew close. The flame itself lay sheltered within a black box lantern which rested upon a white pedestal. Twilight gave a grateful smile to the little white flame. She felt safe and welcome in its ethereal glow, and felt as if it would guide her in an unsure world.

Her moment of peace was ended however, when something out there in the darkness broke the silence. Twilight’s ears twitched as she heard a distant tapping sound that was growing steadily closer. As the tapping sound got close, it turned ominous as it became slower and more drawn out, to the point where the sound lasted for a few seconds before fading away.

Twilight huddled close to the lantern for comfort, as the source of the sound came to just beyond the lantern’s light. Suddenly the tapping stopped, and Twilight froze as two bright glowing red irises appeared in the dark. The lantern glowed just a little brighter, and revealed two white pedestals standing before the entity in the dark. On one pedestal there rested a dove, and on the other stood a spear.

It took Twilight only a moment to realise what it meant, and out in the void there came a whisper that seemed to echo from everywhere, yet nowhere.

Choose.

Twilight was hesitant at first as she looked into those glowing eyes watching back at her in the dark. She mustered her courage however, and slowly approached the entity and the two pedestals before it. The red eyes never looked away from Twilight as she approached the pedestal with the white dove on it. When she pointed her hoof at the dove, the bird quickly flew off the pedestal, and into the void beyond the lanterns light.

Twilight was saddened as she watched the little dove fly away. After a few seconds however, a bright light began to shine forth from where the dove had flown. The light began to grow brighter, and started to chase away the darkness. Before the light could catch it though, the dark entity vanished seemingly into thin air.

Can a broken soul be redeemed? the bodiless whisper asked. Or are they forever condemned by their own guilt? Can a guilty soul be forgiven? Or will they never receive a chance to atone for what they’ve done?

Twilight wanted to ask the voice who it was and what it meant. When she tried, she found she couldn't speak as the world around her grew brighter and brighter. Be brave little one, it's time to choose.

With those final words the world faded to white.

O O O

Twilight awoke in a sluggish state as she tried to put her mind together. Well at least that dream was more... pleasant. But who was that voice, and what did it mean?

Those questions would have to wait as she heard a sound coming from the main library. Twilight quietly got up, and crept over to Spike's little basket bed. "Spike, Spike," she whispered as she gently shook him.

After a few shakes, Spike roused from his sleep. "Huh? Wha...? What's up, Twilight?" he asked groggily.

Twilight turned to look at the bedroom door. "I think someone's in the house."

That part got Spike fully awake, and he became nervous. "Do you think it’s?"

Twilight looked back at him. "I don't know. But there’s only one way to find out." With that, the two of them got up, and made their way for the door.

* * *

The both of them silently crept onto the stairs overlooking the main library. In the darkness below they could barely make out a shadowy figure standing in front of the shelves.

Twilight had been staying up late during the whole week to try and catch the king. This night though, she just couldn't keep it up any more, and had gone to bed early. Now she was mentally scolding herself for her lack of diligence, and for letting someone get into the library to do who knows what.

“Spike, wait here in case I need backup,” Twilight said to him as quietly as she could. Spike answered her with a nod, and Twilight slowly made her descent down the rest of the stairs. When she reached the bottom, Twilight felt her head begin to itch just like when the city arrived last week.

From what Twilight could tell, the figure had its back to her, and was focused on searching the shelves. Twilight realised it would be a good idea to have something to defend herself with should the intruder be violent. She thought for a moment, and remembered having a particularly large tome by the front door. She crept over to the lectern that held 'the History of Stalliongrad' and took it with her magic when she could finally see it in the dark.

With her ‘weapon’ in tow, Twilight turned back to the figure, and continued her approach. As she got closer, Twilight was still unable to make out who or what it was, but one thing was certain. It wasn't a pony.

When Twilight was within about ten feet from the figure, she noticed the glow of her magic was getting caught on something beside it. Twilight hoped that the light and quiet hum of her magic wouldn't give her away as she crept closer still. In the darkness, she could now make out a long horizontal blade that had a slight downward curve to it.

Twilight stopped for a few moments to assess the situation. Whatever it is, it’s armed. At first she felt like backing out, but quickly mustered her courage. I'll just have to be quick then, no backing out now Twilight. When she felt brave enough, she continued her approach.

Twilight was about six feet away from the dark figure when one of the floorboards beneath her hooves gave out a slight creak.

"Huh? Who's the-"

WHAM!

Those few words were all the intruder got to say before Twilight panicked, and batted him clear over to the other side of the room. The figure slammed into one of the shelves, which promptly spilled it’s books onto the slumping form below.

Twilight’s mind was still in a panic when she realized what she’d done. Ohgosh, ohgosh, ohgosh, I hope I didn't hurt him to much! she thought as she ran over to where the intruder lay. She caught herself, and realized that the figures voice definitely sounded male in tone.

"I’ll get the lights," Spike said as he ran down the stairs. When the lights turned on, Twilight realized why she’d had trouble seeing who, or what, it was.

Laying beneath the bookcase was a creature enshrouded in a pitch-black robe that covered its entire being. Lying next to its side was a scythe’s edge on a long black pole.

Twilight decided to take a chance, and got closer to investigate the creature while Spike stood back. The first thing she noticed were it’s hands. Twilight lifted one up with her magic to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. The creature’s ‘fingers’ were long black metal blades. Twilight decided it was best not to see if its fingers could actually cut her, and gently placed the hand back down.

Next she moved onto the head. It was still slumped over, and Twilight was starting to get nervous at the fact. She carefully lifted up the creatures head, and her eyes widened as she realised who she’d just knocked clear across the room. oh horseapples.

The dead king wore upon his face a pale-white mask just like his portrait in the black book. The mask looked to be made out of a glazed ceramic like material that shone dully in the light. The king’s mask had been damaged by Twilight’s blow, with cracks webbing along the side where she’d hit him.

As Twilight looked at the mask, she watched in fascination as the cracks and chips within it slowly but seamlessly repaired themselves. Once done, there were no signs or indications of any previous damage on the mask.

Twilight jumped a bit as the king let out a low groan, and both she and Spike backed up as he began to stir. The king put a hand to his head, his knife like fingers bending at unseen joints, and slowly opened his eyes. The king’s eyes were a hateful red, and where the whites of ones eyes would be there was only black. His mask moved and acted like a face, and instantly morphed into a surprised expression as he saw Twilight and Spike standing a few feet in front of him.

The king just silently stared at the two of them, and Twilight gained an awkward smile as the moment dragged on. “Uh… hello.” she said, trying to break the ice. The king’s expression went from surprise to shock as Twilight spoke.

After a few moments however, the king’s expression hardened into a scowl. He grabbed his scythe from the side, and slowly got up from the books he’d laid in. His steps were slow and methodical, every time his scythe hit the ground it would make an ominous ‘tap’ as he approached the two of them.

When the king stopped before Twilight and Spike, he loomed over the both of them like a shadow. As he looked down at the two of them, five thin black spikes rose up from his head to form a tall crown on top. The king’s expression became a cold hard scowl as he opened his mouth to speak. “I am Vengeance Necrolic. King of the Necropolis and king of death, darkness and destruction.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at his name and titles. Now she was starting to get a distinctively king Sombra vibe about him, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt like she was in a bad fiction novel with a cliche villain.

Vengeance became visibly annoyed as Twilight stared at him, and cleared his throat. Twilight jumped a bit as she realised she’d wandered off, and quickly righted herself into a more proper stance. She was about to introduce herself as the personal student to princess Celestia, when she thought about something.

What would happen if Vengeance knew about her close connection to the princess? Twilight’s first thought was of Vengeance foalnapping her, and being used as leverage against Celestia to have her do whatever Vengeance wished. Twilight decided she wasn’t about to let herself become a damsel in distress, and chose keep it a secret for now if she could.

Vengeance was starting to look suspicious at her stalling, and Twilight racked her brain for a title that would be less important to him. After a few seconds she had it. Twilight puffed out her chest, and spoke with a genuinely proud smile. “I’m Twilight Sparkle, proud librarian of the golden oaks library.”

Vengeance raised what passed for an eyebrow on his ceramic mask at Twilight, and chuckled a bit at her little show. He then smiled, and gave her a bow. “Well it’s a pleasure to meet someone of such stature,” he said while still bowing. He then lifted his head up, and looked Twilight right in the eyes.

Twilight wasn’t sure if he was mocking her or not, but as she looked into Vengeance’s eyes, her head began to itch like mad, and she also felt the onsets of a headache. Twilight shook off the feeling as Vengeance stood up straight again. He looked down at her with an almost sure demeanor as he loomed over the two of them like a shadow once more.

Twilight stood up strong to Vengeance. She wasn’t about to let herself be daunted by him and his intimidation tactics. This was much too important for her to falter now. Twilight’s demeanor became much more serious as she got into as much of an authoritative posture that she could. “King Vengeance, I come to you acting on behalf of Equestria. I wish to make a deal with you.”

Twilight had Vengeance's full attention at the word ‘deal’. He slowly leaned down till he was only a few inches from her face, and gave her a menacing grin with a mouth full of sharp pointed teeth. “I’m listening.”

All of Twilight’s courage ran dry as she looked at her own reflection in Vengeance’s twisted grin. She tried to regain her composure, but her attempts failed as she continued to stare at her reflection. “I-I…” Twilight envisioned Vengeance just simply biting her head off with those teeth, and she instinctually backpedaled away from him.

Vengeance exchanged his grin for a wry smile as he looked at the sufficiently spooked unicorn. “How bout you just give me the book, and I’ll go away like a bad dream.”

“Hey!” A young male voice shouted beneath him. Vengeance looked down to see the little purple and green lizard creature standing between him and his deal. “How bout you back off buddy.”

Vengeance growled at the creature’s interruption. Great, the lizards talk too..? He leaned down even further until he was looking it in the eye. “And just who are you?”

Spike stood stalwart to Vengeance. He wasn’t about to let this creep hurt Twilight if he had any say in it. “I’m Spike, number one assistant to Twilight. Now back off.”

Vengeance grinned at the little lizard. “Well it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Then his expression became curious as he started looking Spike up and down. “Now just what are you?”

“I’m a dragon thank you very much.” Spike answered tersely, still determined to keep Vengeance away.

Vengeance raised an eyebrow at Spike. “A dragon eh?” He stood up straight once more, silently impressed by the little dragons courage. He looked up at Twilight, then back down to Spike. “Still, I have the feeling that your little friend back there isn’t telling me the whole truth.” Vengeance pointed his empty hand over to Twilight.

Spike turned around to see her staring upwards with a horrified expression on her face.

Eyes...

All around her, Twilight saw nothing but countless unblinking eyes. Each and every one stared right at her with cold empty gazes. Behind the starring walls, Twilight heard voices constantly whispering the same thing over and over again.

Tell the truth…

No matter where she looked Twilight couldn’t escape their unfeeling gaze. She tried running away from, or possibly towards, them all, but it was to no avail. They all stayed the same distance from her.

Twilight fell to the ground, and curled into a ball. She desperately closed her eyes, and clasped her ears to try and escape the horrors she saw and heard. It was no use. She knew the eyes still stared at her pathetic huddled form, while the whispers echoed within her mind.

Twilight began to despair that this nightmare would never end, when a sudden bright light began to shine out from behind the wall of eyes. The eyes vanished into a mist, while the whispering faded to nothing as the light shined forth. When Twilight tried to see what the source of the calming light was, her eyes widened as she saw someone she didn’t expect to see.

“P-Princess Celestia..?”