Chapter 11

Since before we entered the cult’s caverns the air outside has chilled to the point of freezing. Without the stones Trixie must lead the way with her light spell, but it is much weaker than the stones’ light only illuminating a few feet ahead. My blood is flowing through my body so fast that the cold is bearable to run through with the particles of ice cutting through the wind and pelting my face. We nearly bump into trees or trip over logs due to our lack of vision. I feel that our running is getting us nowhere as I do not see anything that appears familiar. Our lungs are begging for breath but we continue forward, however at this point I’m not too sure what direction we’re heading. We could be going the wrong way bringing ourselves even farther from our destination. “H-How do we know where we’re going? I cannot see a single thing!” Trixie shouts to overcome the sound of the wind.

“Just keep going! We’ll find our way! . . . Wait! This is it; this is the field!” Valiari points out that we are standing atop the field of small leafy plants. “We’re going the right way!” He shouts excitedly. Driven by hope we continue our sprint through the field. Landmark after glorious landmark our hopes have never been higher. We find the tall spiny plant, the hunched tree, and then the rounded stone; which would mean the puddle of water should be nearby. Aria said that she would hold the portal open for us; I hope it isn’t too late. “That puddle of water . . . should be . . . here! I found it!” Valiari shouts excitedly. Trixie’s light shines upon the familiar ground and edge of the puddle of water. Valiari jumps up and down into it, but he is met with a slam onto something solid. As we move closer we find that Valiari is confused and frantic. “Th-The water it’s . . . frozen. It’s frozen over!” Trixie and I are speechless. In a quick slash our hopes of ever making it back to Aria’s cave are destroyed. From here who knows where the way is? Valiari angrily punches the ice, but not even his hoof can so much as crack it. “Wh-What do we do now?! . . . Trixie? Aireal? What do we do?!” Valiari’s eyes are tearing, but the cold freezes them to shine upon his cheeks. Out of everything to stop us, nature holds out its hand to us. Trixie and I without an answer force Valiari to begin pacing, pondering to himself for what could be done. Soon after, he falls to the ice staring down towards it out of hopelessness. My mind feels to be lost in a state of shock while Trixie sits herself down onto the frosty grass. I can see that she believes that they have won. Without that portal we are left with nothing. No guide and no idea on where we would even begin. Even though my mind should be filled to the brim with fear, there is something else lurking within. That feeling of being watched suddenly returns. I gaze out to the blackness and see just that, dark; until something out there sparks. A small orb of teal light flickers beyond the dark. It doesn’t feel real, but my brain cannot deny what my eyes see.

“Valiari. . .” I call while still staring out at the light. He is too saddened to respond, but I can feel his stare towards me. I do not say another word for I am too entrance by the light to speak, so I simply point out to it. He and Trixie both look out to the dark and begin to get back to their hooves. Valiari, also entranced, almost mindlessly walks through the grass towards the light. Trixie and I follow closely behind without words, but the want to reach this mysterious light. It comes clearer and larger as we move closer. It hangs slightly above the tall grass immobile. The closer we get I can feel a strange aura about the area. As if something is grasping the very hand of my spirit. So gentle, so warming. My eyes feel they are gazing up at one of the Moon’s fellow stars twinkling without end. My body feels at such peace wanting to be near this light, and once we are close enough we stop. The teal light emanates from a small horn and glimmers onto a set of big childlike eyes. A young filly stands before us with a swirly white and pine green mane, and her coat is richly teal. She holds a smile upon her face as her small body does not tremble in the cold of this dreadful air. The small clouds of our breaths float into the air, but hers does not.

“ . . . It’s you.” Valiari mutters. The filly giggles, and in an instant she trots away. “Wait! Stop!” On that note I find that all three of us are instinctively chasing her. Her motion glides gracefully through the grass as if it never touched a single blade. Her steps never make a sound, only ours as we desperately try to catch up. My body never grows tired of the chase; I breathe with ease, and my bones are calm. My eyes are so focused on the filly’s light that all else is blocked away. Time feels stiff, I cannot feel the wind blowing, I cannot feel the icicles against my face and I cannot hear the grass shuffling. The dark begins to swallow everything except the filly’s light, but we do not stop following. With one last giggle that echoes beneath my ears her body and light dispel into the air becoming nothing but droplets of teal light. Her absence wakes our minds back to reality and we stop dead in our tracks. Everything has become dark, the wind is gone, and the soft ground beneath my feet has turned solid and smooth. That feeling of bliss throughout my body has disappeared just as the filly did. It dispelled into nothing, back to its original state of shock and aching. “. . . Where are we?” Trixie echoes. Her voice reverberates amongst walls that surround us. Trixie casts her spell to bring violet light to the dark. We glance at each other in horror, but with the need to press onward. Voices speak softly in the distance, and the closer we walk to them the warmer the air becomes. A cloud of blood red grows into the dark, with the sounds of boiling and cracking of twigs. Just ahead are the black silhouettes of three figures standing before a pool of crimson. Their voices are speaking in an unrecognizable language as they crumble leafy substances into the pool. Taking a few steps closer their voices halt as their shadows turn towards us.

“Ah. . . Just in time.”

“What do you mean? What have you done?!” Valiari shouts in anger.

“You’ve come at the perfect moment to witness the creation of a new beginning. The life that resided within this cave was perfect, much better than those two worthless royals.”

“That beginning you speak of will never see the light of day. We will put a stop to you!”

“Tis a pity for that one odd looking mare that resided here. She seemed like such a kind soul. Too bad we had to shut her up for good!” All of them join in laughter, and Valiari’s face is steamed.

“Why . . . you. . . I am going to make sure that not another breath comes from your filthy mouths!” Out of rage Valiari trots towards them in a full on charge. Trixie and I call out to him begging him to stop, but it seems nothing can stop him. Just as he is close the center pony holds out her hoof as a shadowy mist pours from her sleeve enveloping Valiari. He is held up by it as he struggles to break free. Just as Trixie and I are compelled to try and help him the other two ponies cast a black vine that whips around us. It tightens and forces us back against the cave walls. Trixie angrily attempts to break free, but no amount of struggle can release us. “Let them go or I swear you will regret it!”

“Now, now, do not throw a fit. Why wouldn’t you want to see such a revolution of this putrid land?”

“Because I’m not a disgusting embarrassment of life such you and your twisted little family here!”

“. . . Are you sure?”

“Just what is that supposed to mean?!” The robed pony casts another dark appendage that swipes off his hat revealing his missing horn, and tugs at his shirt to reveal his black scar.

“It would seem that you are already a part of our ‘twisted family’. . . Brother.”

“No, no I’m not. I am nothing like you!”

“Do not fight it Brother. We understand it’s much to take in, but you are one of us. Come now, we aren’t as bad as you think. We care for one another as if we indeed were born from the same womb. Don’t you want that? A family?” Valiari’s silence and lack of struggling worries me. He seems to actually be in thought about what they say.

“Valiari don’t listen to her!” Trixie cries.

“Pay no mind to her, she does not understand. This is your choice. Will you take my hoof Brother and join us? We were meant to live with this curse for a reason, to come together, and finish what was started. Princess Celestia left us for dead, and she would have done the same to you if you weren’t lucky enough to escape.”

“That isn’t true!” I desperately shout.

“Who do you believe Brother? Your family? Or a couple of weak insignificant pests? Come to our side, we will love you just as we always have each other.”

“. . . Really?”

“Valiari!” I shout.

“What are you doing?!” Trixie shouts.

“Of course Brother, our family is what holds us together. So what say you? Will you join us?” The robed pony sets him down to the ground and holds her hoof out to him.

“Valiari! Don’t!” I plea. He grasps the robed ponies hoof and joins the group. Please let my eyes be lying to me, he cannot have fallen prey to them. This cannot be happening; it just can’t!

“You old fool! How could you do this to us?!” Trixie exclaims.

“Listen to how they speak about you. It’s about time they showed you their true colors. Thank you Brother for understanding. We gratefully accept you as part of our family at last.”

“. . . She is right; I was a fool to have been on their side. Can you forgive me Sister?”

“Of course Brother, we will not look down upon you for your mistake. To celebrate why don’t we give you the honors?”

“I agree Sister, Brother?”

“Why not? He deserves it.”

“Splendid! Sister, would you kindly hand him the book?”

“But of course. . . Here you are Brother. The last verse, go right ahead and read it aloud, and everything else will follow suit.” They hand Valiari the book. He holds it below his face and takes a breath ready to recite what ever the text says. I never would have believed for a second that Valiari would turn on us so quickly. I see no more point in struggling to break free, as does Trixie as she hangs her head down in disappointment.

“Sister, there is but one problem.” Valiari says puzzlingly.

“What would that be Brother?”

“. . . I don’t speak freak.” Valiari slams the book shut and tosses it over his shoulder into the red pool of boiling water.

“What have you done?!”

“Oh and one more thing: do not call me ‘Brother’.” Valiari pulls the pony’s hood completely over her head and under her chin, grabs her robe and tosses her into the pool of water as well. Attracting the attention of the other two ponies they drop Trixie and I to the ground. “If I were you two I wouldn’t even bother, because you’re too late.” Above Valiari is the hole leading down into the cave, but a light breaks through its edges. The Moon, the moon is back to shine it’s light. Watching the light envelop Valiari washes away what I for a moment saw him as, a traitor; but now, as he stands tall smiling back at Trixie and I gives off vibes of a hero. The two ponies turn to an offensive stance staring angrily at Valiari, but he looks completely calm.

“Brother! The unicorn and the animal! Take care of them!” The hooded mare shouts out to him. The hooded stallion turns his attention to us and charges toward Trixie. “How could you do this to us Brother? We could have given you anything you wished for.”

“I already had that. Until you took her away!” Valiari shouts angrily.

“Surely you must reconsider, why you would have been happier with us.” As the mare speaks I notice a disturbance in the pool of water. Something is peering out from the waves.

“Valiari! In the water!” I shout, but it’s too late. He turns his head as the mare he shoved into the water grabs his foreleg and drags him off the edge until the both of them are submerged.

“Valiari!” Trixie calls.

“Oh do not worry about him. Now, this is between you and us.” The mare taunts. “Brother, you take the unicorn. I’ll deal with this ‘creature’.” The mare glues her eyes to me and begins circling around preparing for some sort of attack. The robed stallion tries to cast another form of the black vine to try and entangle Trixie, but she is able to just nearly dodge every attempt. “What’s the matter? Are you scared?” The mare asks as my body trembles with every step I take to keep myself oriented. “Well, this should be fun.” I carefully slip my hand into my pocket as my heart beats crazily. I cannot see her eyes, but I feel terrified just imagining them. In the blink of an eye the mare is sprinting towards me. I rip my hand out of my pocket and toss one of the white smoke balls I still have onto the ground creating a thick cloud of smoke. She loses herself in the cloud and starts hacking violently. “Guh! Just what is this?” Her disorientation gives me a chance to act, but what do I do? My mind is so overwhelmed with all the activity around me that I come to a blank. Trixie is trying to fire a violet beam of light at the stallion who is also trying to use his magic to attack her as well. I can hear struggling in the pool of water behind. Valiari and the robed mare have broken up to the surface gasping for air, but quickly force each other back down. “Why you little . . . !” The mare charges at me once again, but I manage to toss another smoke ball to the ground. Disoriented once again I can tell that she is growing furious. The stallion rams himself into Trixie and holds her by the neck up onto the cave wall. “That is it! I’m through playing games!” Distracted by Trixie’s struggle something ties around my legs and yanks me down slamming my body onto the ground. The mare casted a black whip to tie around my legs, now she stands over me with her hooves holding down my arms.

“Aireal! Ugh! Let him go!” Trixie shouts.

“No, I don’t think so. Brother, keep her alive for a few more moments. I want her to watch as I drain the life right out of her pathetic little pet.” The mare brings her face closer to mine as another black vine whips around my throat. She smiles as it tightens cutting off my air. My body is in a panic as I try to thrash about to set myself free, but her grip is too strong. Slowly everything is beginning to fade as my lungs plead for air.

“Let . . . him . . . go!” I can hear the slight sound of an explosion from the other side of the cave, and a bright beam of violet light blasts into the side of the robed mare. She flies across the floor letting my throat and legs go free. I take in a much needed breath of air, and as the vision returns to my eyes I see that Trixie has broken free from the stallion who is now sprawled across the ground trying to get back to his hooves. Trixie’s eyes are burning with violet light as it moves like flames pouring out from her eye sockets. Her horn is glowing with the same aura, and her face is filled with fury. The stallion stands back up ready to charge at her once more, but she fires another beam of light at him sending him flying back crashing into the cave wall near the pool of water. His body becomes lodged with in it as the cave shakes upon impact. “Well, you must be more of a challenge after all.” Says the mare now getting back to her hooves.

“You will never speak, or even so much as lay another hoof on him.” Says Trixie’s now slightly distorted voice.

“Really, and just what are you going to do about it?”

“Why don’t you come and find out?”

“Well if you insist.” The mare tries to throw her black whips at Trixie, but they bounce away with a flicker of violet light as Trixie holds her horn to them, distorting the air, creating some sort of shield in front of Trixie’s body. The mare stands clueless, and Trixie smirks.

“Cute, now it is Trixie’s turn.” A whip of Trixie’s violet light spans from her horn and whips around the mare’s leg. It lifts her up into the air slamming her body into the walls, roof, and ground as if she were merely a doll being tossed around the room. Afterwards she whips her across the cave so violently that she tumbles without end until she hits the back wall near the pool of water. I notice that as she hits the wall Valiari is climbing out of the pool watching her with a surprised expression on his face.

“Well, that was easier than expected. . .” He says breathing heavily. Now standing and trying to drain the water out of his hat something leaps out from the pool. The robed mare again is trying one last attempt to attack Valiari, but she is shot by a violet bullet of light and falls back into the water. Valiari gingerly turns his head and puts his hat back atop his wet mane. “. . . Woah, you see? I told you she was a good shot!” Then something rumbles throughout the cave. The ground and walls are shaking so violently that we are thrown off balance. A shockwave of air forces Valiari shooting across the ground before us. As he tries to stand back up the robed mare rises up from the red pool with her own crimson glow about her body. Her hood has fallen revealing her furious, grey but young face and her blood red irises that radiate with the glow of her body.

“That is it. I have had it with you!” The mare raises her hooves to the open hole in the roof of the cave, and black clouds shroud the Moon and shun it from shining. Now all that glows is the mare’s red appearance. From the center of her abdomen a red orb of light gathers together and is fired straight at Trixie. She prepares herself to act against it, but a white beam of light blasts it away into the cave’s wall. Shocked I turn my head to see that the Twilight and the other five ponies are here as well. Behind them is a newly formed opening to the cave, they must’ve caused the rumbling from earlier. “Well now, who invited them to the party? You brought some friends I see?”

“That’s right, and all of us are going to put an end to you!” Twilight shouts.

“Ha! Aren’t you just adorable? Then go ahead, show me what you can do?” The six ponies prepare another white beam of magic and fire it directly at the mare, but she parries it back at them with a swipe of her hoof.

“Girls watch out!” Twilight shouts as they all scatter away from their magic beam.

“You’re puny little toys are nothing. Now, you are the one who seems the most interesting.” The mare says pointing her hoof at Trixie. “If anypony here is to be considered a challenge then it might as well be you. But, nine against one isn’t very fair now is it? Brother! Sister!” Once their titles have been called the stallion and other mare stand back up with their hoods flown back revealing their eyes that glow of red as well. “Brother, would you take kindly to our newest guests? And Sister, will you please finish off that pathetic painter and his lackey?”

“Yes Sister.” They say in unison. The stallion takes off into the air after the other six ponies. He attempts to fire red orbs of light at Fluttershy who is cowering in fear, but Rainbow Dash swoops in and saves her in time. Twilight tries to fire her own beams of magenta colored light at the stallion, but he dodges every last one.

“Just how are we going to stop this guy?!” Rainbow Dash exclaims.

“Don’t worry! Everypony has a weakness! It’s just a matter of time until we find it!”

“Well ‘time’ isn’t something we really have a lot of!” Rainbow Dash shouts worryingly.

“You’re mine this time you little pest!” The mare shouts at me.

“Aireal come on!” Valiari pulls me away and we run as fast as we can away from the mare who is still following behind. We join in with Twilight who is also trying to outrun the stallion. “Oh, hello Miss Sparkle!” Valiari says joyfully. “How are you today?” He asks.

“What?!”

“Well never mind then, no need to get all defensive. Just trying to start a conversation. Anyway I say that we should work together if we going to have a chance at stopping these two.”

“Well, what did you have in mind?!”

“Ah well you see I haven’t really thought about it too much yet. How about we just keep running and see what happens?”

“Wh-What?!”

“You know you really should calm down. So long for now!” Valiari and I veer away from Twilight. I see that he is thinking and looking around at everything about the cave trying to come up with some kind of plan. She fires beams of red light that nearly scrape the back of my heels. “You go left I’ll go right!” The both of us split up, but the mare chases after me. Already my legs are growing tired, I won’t be able to keep my speed for much longer. She fires a few more beams of light, and this time they come so close that I stumble and trip down to the ground. She hovers near me casting a black vine to hold me down.

“This time, you’re all mine.” The mare smiles devilishly.

“Catch me if you can!” Shouts a hyper voice. The pink pony hops right onto the mare’s back then back down to the ground. Confused, she watches her continue to hop away, but the stallion that was chasing her rams himself right into the robed mare. The both of them disoriented her black vine disappears, and I take this opportunity to get up and run out of there to wherever I can to maybe be safe.

“Brother! Please watch where you are going!”

“My apologies Sister.” On that note they take off in search of us yet again.

“Aireal! Over here!” Valiari calls and beckons me over. I join him while able to finally catch a few breaths since we’ve lost the mare for a few moments. “I think I have an idea. Come on, we need to find Twilight so she can inform her friends.” On that note I follow close by as we locate Twilight who is trying to fire her beams of magic at the stallion who is still in pursuit of the pink pony. “Miss Sparkle! There you are! I think I have a plan.”

“Really? What is it?”

“Tell your friend with the lasso and hat that she needs to wrangle the robed mare. We’ll keep her distracted until she gets a clear shot at capturing her. Tell your other friends to distract the stallion and keep him in the air. He is oblivious to his surroundings, so if we can get them to collide into each other that would surely knock them out clean.”

“Very well, I’ll let them know. I hope your plan works.”

“Twilight, be careful.”

“You as well.” Twilight trots off to the orange pony and speaks with her.

“There you are!” Shouts the robed mare finally spotting us.

“Run!” Valiari shouts. On his command we bolt away from each other running around the cave in separate directions, but still she focuses her attention on me. I begin to think back, when the rainbow pony was chasing me down the halls of the castle. She was going so fast that by any quick movement made by me she could not change speed quick enough to catch me. I could do the same thing here; she seems to be going just as fast. Making a few quick turns and dodges she begins to grow frustrated.

“Hold still you little . . . !”

“Wee! Come and get me!” The stallion tries and tries to grab Pinkie Pie but her endless hopping and jumping make it impossible.

“Yoo-hoo! What about me?!” Shouts the white-coated mare with the royal purple mane. The stallion tries to catch up to her giving up on Pinkie Pie, but Rainbow Dash swoops by and mocks him to attract his attention.

“Hey slow poke! Bet you can’t keep up with me!”

“That is it! When I catch you you’re going to regret ever taunting me!”

“You can try!” Rainbow Dash teases before bolting away. The furious stallion chases her all around near the roof of the cave unable to reach her. Still trying to keep away from the robed mare I find that her attention is drawn to something else. She’s staring at Fluttershy who is the farthest from the group. She stands frozen in fear, and the mare glances at me with her dubious smile before flying towards her. Fluttershy still won’t budge, and I can’t just watch. The other ponies are too occupied with the stallion, which means . . . I need to help her. With whatever energy I have left I use it to sprint towards Fluttershy.

“Come on you have to move!” I say in an attempt to encourage her to move, but she remains where she is cringing from fear.

“I-I can’t! I’m too scared!” Fluttershy hides her face behind her hooves as the robed mare flies ever closer. My only instinct is to throw down another smoke ball and cling on to her so that maybe I can ease some of her fright.

“More smoke huh?! Well I’m not letting that stop me this time!” I shut my eyes and mentally prepare myself for the impact as much as I can. Just as when Trixie saved me from the cold, it only feels right to protect another helpless being despite the pain I may endure. I try to shield her with my body awaiting the impact, but nothing happens. Opening my eyes I see the face of the robed mare near mine, and both of ours are lined with shock.

“Ah gotcha ya hooded freak show!” Shouts the orange pony. The robed mare’s leg is wrapped in her lasso, and just as she glances back to realize this she is yanked back and twirled into the air with the orange pony gripping the other end of the rope between her teeth.

“Come on! You’ve almost got me!” Rainbow Dash teases once more to the robed stallion who is still chasing her near the roof of the cave. Rainbow Dash breaks the circular flight pattern and the orange pony whips the lassoed mare into the air. Rainbow Dash ducks down, but the stallion is moving too fast to change direction; and his face is met with the mare. They collide into each other and plummet to the ground like stones. The orange pony wraps and ties them both together. Rainbow Dash flies down to them and finds that they are both knocked out cold. “Nice shot!” She congratulates.

“Aw well, ya didn’t do too bad yerself.” Says the orange pony. Bringing myself to be calm I let go and step away from Fluttershy who now comes out of hiding.

“Y-You . . . ! I knew you were friendly! But they wouldn’t listen to me.”

“Aireal! Oh that was too close! Are you two alright?” Valiari asks.

“I-I think so.” I say.

“Splendid! But, there still is just one more problem.” Out in the distance behind Valiari closer to the pool of red I see Trixie and the other robed mare fighting, firing beam after beam of light at each other. Twilight and her friends prepare to launch another beam of light, but the mare sees them before they get a chance.

“Sorry, but I will not allow your friends to interfere!” The mare shouts. She casts a misty black cloud that swipes the six ponies into us and tumbling towards the back wall of the cave. The mare stomps onto the ground, and around us black vines break through the rock ground and entangle with each other as they stretch up and dig themselves into the roof of the cave. We tug at them in a vain attempt to break free, but they are as hard as stone. Rainbow Dash and the orange pony shake themselves awake and proceed to attack the vines.

“Applejack! Help me bust these things!”

“Alrighty!” Applejack tries to use her hind legs to kick and possibly break them, but they do not even crack. Rainbow Dash flies up and attempts to beak them, but they don’t budge. If they cannot break them then nothing will. We’re trapped, and all we can do is watch. I believe in Trixie, she has the strength to beat her. I know she does.

Trixie and the robed mare stare each other down. Trixie’s face is full of anger, but the mare’s is full of excitement. Trixie fires a beam of violet light at her, but leaps up into the air and descends towards Trixie with her hoof pulled back for a punch. Trixie grabs onto the edge of her cape which produces a bright violet glow of its own. The mare tries to punch Trixie through the cape, but it’s as if the cape was made of steel as her hoof bounces right off of it. The mare jumps back as Trixie fires her magic beam that wraps around the mare’s waist and pulls her back. Trixie throws one good punch into her jaw, but she angrily shakes it off. They continue to punch and kick each other but neither of them tires. “Do you really think you’re strong enough to beat me?” The mare taunts. Trixie attempts to kick her once more, but the mare evades it and kicks her instead. Trixie staggers leaving her open for several consecutive hits by the mare. With every hit she takes I can feel the same impact on my heart. The mare fires one beam of red light into Trixie’s chest sending her to the ground.

“Trixie!” I hopelessly shout. The mare slowly walks closer to her body and steps on her back pushing her into the ground.

“You see? I told you you didn’t have the strength. Now, after I’m through with you, your little friends are next. Don’t worry; I’ll make sure I finish them off nice and slow. Especially that odd little creature of yours.” Suddenly Trixie’s glow intensifies, and a burst of violet light pushes the mare away as she slides onto the ground. Trixie stands with her eyes still full of violet flames as she walks towards her. The mare tries to shoot her beams of red at Trixie, but she blocks each one effortlessly with her cape. Trixie stops before the mare staring her dead in the eyes.

“I don’t ‘think’ I have the strength to defeat you. I ‘know’ I do.” Trixie waves her horn and casts swipes of violet light that gash the mare but leaving no physical damage. Trixie bucks the mare in the chest, and as she is still in mid-air she fires another beam of violet into her body. She is grabbed yet again by Trixie’s violet whip before hitting the ground. Holding her upside down she brings her closer to her face.

“. . . J-Just who are you anyway?” The mare asks heatedly and worryingly.

“Me? I am The Great. . .” Trixie lifts her up into the air, smashes her into the cave’s wall to the left. “And Powerful . . . !” She smashes her into the cave’s wall to the right. “Trixie!” She then slams her body down into the ground with so much force that the ground beneath her body cracks. The mare tries to push herself up, but as the red glow fades from her eyes she drops down to the ground. The pool of water behind Trixie alters back to a cool soothing blue with the glimmering Moonlight being shown once again. Trixie’s breath calms as her eyes fade back to normal, and the glow about her body disappears. My breathing still catches in my throat as I try to calm myself. The black vines disperse into smaller black particles and fall to the ground like sand. Without any prior hesitation Valiari and I sprint to Trixie calling her name.

“You did it Miss Trixie!” Valiari says excitedly.

“I. . . I did. . . I suppose Aria was right after all.”

“Yeah. . . She-She was. . .” Valiari’s tone of voice has gone from cheerful to upset. I had just remembered. Aria is no longer here with us.

“Oh, Valiari I’m so sorry I. . .”

“No, it is quite alright. I just . . . hope she is now at peace.”

“I am now.” A voice speaks from behind us. Turning around we see something moving about on the water’s surface. Out from the dark hole emerges Aria gracefully walking along the water creating gentle ripples dispersing the Moonlight amongst the hollow stones along the walls. Their colors begin to shine, but only slightly.

“Aria! It’s you! B-But how?!” Valiari asks trotting to the pool of water. I can tell he wants to move closer, but the water keeps him from doing so.

“Vali, these stones may posses a healing energy, but it was our love that has been keeping me alive.” Valiari falls to his knees as tears drip from his eyes, yet he holds a smile.

“I-I thought I lost you.”

“And you never will. I will always be with you, no matter what.” Aria steps closer to Valiari and rests her hoof upon his cheek. As they stare into each other’s eyes I can feel my own heart moving to the sight of their reunion. “And now, you, Miss Lulamoon. What you did was extraordinary. I knew that you had it in you.”

“But how?”

“It was your bond between you and your friend that sparked your inner power. When his life was threatened, you were finally able to let it free.”

“. . . You’re right.” Trixie says now looking up at me. “Without him I. . . I don’t know what I would have done.”

“So now I must thank you, all of you, for putting those three to an end. Everything you had done was through bravery, and a slight glimmer of hope. I thank the stars for allowing me to live and see this. . . I see that you were not alone during this time.” Aria says looking down at the six ponies who are entranced by her.

“Girls!” A familiar voice calls from behind them. They all turn to see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna walking towards them.

“You’re majesty!” Twilight shouts in worry as they all trot to attend them.

“Do not worry, we are feeling fine. Where are they?”

“They're here.” Twilight and the others drag the one robed mare and lean her against the other two ponies tied by Applejack’s lasso. “Shall we cast a binding spell you’re majesty?”

“That won’t be necessary Twilight. I only wish to speak to them.”

“A-And . . . why would we want to speak to y-you?” The mare mutters.

“Because I . . . would like to apologize. I blame myself for what you three have been turned into. You used to be innocent souls that I swore to protect just like any other subject, and look what you’ve become. I do not expect you to forgive me, but I just wanted you to hear how sincerely sorry I am.” The mare’s eyes shut and her head hangs from her neck passing unconscious.

“Princess, what drives them to become this? What I felt from them during this time was . . . unlike any anger I have ever experienced.”

“Their curse has it written in their minds that all peace must be eradicated, and they will not be satisfied until they have met their goal: the elimination of peaceful magic, and replacing the void with their own practices. It was the way of the cult, and the curse cannot be taken away. . . Twilight.” Princess Celestia looks at Twilight, and she nods in understanding. The six ponies’ gems glow and intensify along with their eyes into white. A beam of light fires from Twilight’s tiara and down into the three unconscious ponies. The colors of their coats and robes fade to gray, and after a long stare at their still bodies I realize that they have been transformed into stone statues. Princess Celestia tries to hold her face to appear solemn, but tears stream from her eyes and down onto the statues. “. . . I am sorry.” She whispers.

“You’re majesty; do you think we could find a cure for their curse?”

“I do not know, perhaps we may in time. . . For now, they will remain nothing more than a reminder.”

“What about him?” Twilight asks pointing towards Valiari. “Maybe I could use him to study and maybe find a solution.”

“Perhaps, we just might learn a bit from him. What say you Sir Valiari? Will you help us?”

“It would be an honor you’re majesty.” Valiari holds his hat to his chest and bows before her.

“Please, you need not to bow to me. For I did nothing more than lay in a pit of bones, it is you all who deserve the credit. Thank you all.”

“Again, we’re sorry for the trouble we caused you three.” Says Twilight.

“Oh it’s no trouble. Thank you for coming to help us.” Says Valiari.

“Trixie, there is one thing I had forgotten to show you. Please, look.” Says Aria motioning her eyes for Trixie to look down at the pool of water. Aria moves her hoof in a circular motion along the surface creating a new image. A mare and a familiar looking filly appear in the ripples; their laughing, smiling and playing.

“Th-That’s. . . Candle Light.” Trixie says coming to the realization.

“Indeed it is, and her Mother is as healthy as can be. They’re enjoying the time they have together. It is all thanks to you two, and the gift you have given her.” Even though the magic from the stones in the cave’s walls are no longer emanating their energy I can still feel it throughout the cave. In fact my mind is still trying to comprehend that we have won. The cult is finished, and everything couldn’t be more perfect. I look back at Trixie with the both of us smiling.

“You did it.” I say to her.

“No, ‘we’ . . . ‘we’ did it.” Finally I can see what Trixie has been hiding glimmering in her eyes. I have longed to see it at last. I could not have asked for any other to have befriended. If there was any other pony I could have befriended, I am glad it was her.

“Vali, now would be the time.” Says Aria with her smile suspiciously missing.

“B-But I. . .”

“Say it before. . .” Suddenly my body begins to feel uneasy. The strength in my legs is vanishing as I slowly crumble to the floor on my knees.

“Aireal? . . . Aireal what’s wrong?” Trixie asks with her hoof on my shoulder.

“What is happening over there?!” Princess Celestia exclaims.

“Does he need help?!” Twilight asks as they all start to trot closer.

“Aireal are you feeling alright? Are you sick?” Trixie continues to ask.

“I. . . I don’t know. . .” I say confusedly.

“Vali you must tell them.”

“Tell us what?” Trixie asks.

“I-I can’t I. . .”

“It will happen regardless so you might as well tell them!”

“What?! What are you two talking about?! Ever since we met you Aria you two have been hiding something from us and I want to know what it is!” Trixie orders exasperatingly.

“It’s about. . . Aireal. Do you remember when I told you that I couldn’t believe the emotions that flowed through you?” Valiari asks.

“Y-Yes. . .” I mutter.

“It was because I did not know you were capable of producing such emotions. For you are nothing but a creation . . . my creation.”

“W-What?”

“And just what is that supposed to mean?!” Trixie asks.

“I mean exactly what I say Miss Trixie. I created him. I. . . I needed to experiment with my magic to see if I was capable of producing a live image that could think, move, and speak. So that I could transfer that knowledge to my studies and accomplish what I had set out to do, surely you remember.”

“Y-You liar! This isn’t true you’re lying!” Trixie shouts.

“What I say is the truth! Aireal do you remember when I told you not to touch any of the papers in my home? It was not for you to respect my privacy, but so you wouldn’t see my practice sketches of you. You, Aireal, are a work of art. I painted you, designed you, gave you the knowledge you needed to survive and gave you your way of thinking. Or at least I thought I did. You seem to have developed your own way of thinking with your own mind and your own feelings, and it is truly magnificent how far you’ve come and how much you’ve developed. . . But there is just one major problem. You know my magic is limited and can be faulty . . . and since you are a spell of mine, you have but one fault. . . You’re time here is limited. Eventually you will . . . you will fade away. And I’m afraid that time is drawing near.”

“. . . No, no this . . . this can’t be happening. Aireal please! Can you hear me?” Trixie says trying to shake me from my weariness. My voice feels so weak I cannot respond to Valiari, but I cannot believe it. All this time I was nothing more than a piece of art, a spell, a drawing. I never was anything real; I was just a false image on a timer. Now, the clock is ticking down. “W-Well . . . couldn’t you do something?! If you did create him then couldn’t you let him stay?!” Trixie pleas.

“I’m. . . I’m sorry Miss Trixie but there is nothing I can do. I haven’t perfected the spell and I’m not sure if I will ever be able to.”

“A-Aria couldn’t you let him live? With all your power surely you could do something?!”

“Miss Lulamoon, there are things I can do, and there are things I can’t. I am not sure if this is something I could do.”

“W-What about these stones? Couldn’t they save him?”

“Their power is faded at the moment, but I do not believe they would even have the power to sustain his life. He is not a being of this land, nature didn’t create him. These stones were born from nature and peace; they could not interfere with something such as this.”

“B-But couldn’t you try?! Please just try something!”

“. . . I could try, but I cannot make any promises.” Says Valiari.

“Aireal? Aireal please don’t go.” Trixie wraps her forelegs around me pulling me closer. She nestles her head into my chest with tears streaming down her face and soaking into my jacket. . . The jacket she gave me on the first days we met. Just as I lift my arm to embrace Trixie I notice sparkles of light forming on the cloth and drifting away, this is happening all around my body. Slowly I am deteriorating, and there is nothing I can do about it. Even the tears that drip from my eyes join the sparkles in the air before they can even touch the ground. “T-Trixie . . . I’m going to miss you.” Are the only words I could find to say at the moment. For who knows how many moments I may have left? The Princesses, Twilight and her friends all stare at us, and in their eyes I can see . . . that they are crying as well. But why? These were the faces that hated me, but now I look at them somewhat as friends that I never got to know.

“You’re majesty couldn’t you do something?” Twilight asks.

“Maybe you can help him!” Fluttershy says hopefully.

“I am sorry girls, but this is something foreign to me. I do not believe I have what is needed to keep him here, but I suppose I could try.” Says Princess Celestia.

“As will I.” Says Princess Luna as both their horns begin to glow. As the gentle Moonlight rests upon us I can feel something touch the side of my neck. Looking up I find that snow is drifting down through the hole in the roof of the cave. How beautiful it is. These small soft clusters of ice, but something as beautiful as this cannot ease my heart.

“Aireal please! I don’t want you to go; I don’t want you to go.” Trixie whimpers as she holds me even tighter and her tears waterfall down her cheeks. I embrace her with my weak arms and hold her close. “Y-You’re the only friend I have, and the only friend I ever wanted; and I am not letting you go.”

“Y-You . . . could always make new ones.” I mutter.

“No one could ever replace you. No one . . . Aireal. I only want you . . . after everything we’ve been through I . . . I don’t want this to go away. . . A-Aria? What if I wished? . . . What if I wished he could stay?”

“. . . You could try.” Says Aria.

“I. . . I wish you could stay. I wish you could stay.” She says pressing her head into my chest while resting a hoof on my chest. She looks up at me, and I look down at her. I remember the times I would see her smile. It was such a wonderful thing to see. Now, I look into her tear-filled eyes, and I feel that feeling again. The feeling those stones gave me. . . The feeling I had when I first gazed into her eyes. Finally, I believe I understand what it is. This feeling that makes my heart flutter and butterflies dance in my stomach is something more than I could have ever imagined. It is something far greater than friendship, and I can feel it about her as well. I only wish that this will not be the last time I get to gaze into her beautiful eyes. I just want to see her smile again; it would put my mind at so much ease. With my hand on Trixie’s face I wipe away the tears on her left cheek. I smile in an attempt to bring her heart to maybe some relief, but instead her mouth quivers and the tears continue to flow as she nestles her head back into my chest. “Aireal . . . I wish you could stay. . . I wish.” With the little strength I still have in my voice I use it to wish. To wish that I could still be with her like I had sworn.

“. . . I wish.”

“I wish.”

“I wish.” My heart begins to slow its rhythm, and my muscles are growing even wearier. One peak out to my hands and I can see that they are turning translucent. My eyes witness the fading images of every pony. Valiari becomes a blur, and the other ponies become unrecognizable. I am unable to hold Trixie as my arms have grown too weak, no matter how much I beg my arms to stay around her they fall away from her body. I myself fall down to the cave floor as Trixie tries to keep me up. I can barely feel any part of my body, and my breathing sounds like an echo to my ears. Everything is becoming so cold, and turning so dark.

“Aireal! Just keep looking at me, okay? Just . . . please.” My heart may be dying, but as Trixie is resting her head on my chest and staring into my eyes that strange feeling has never felt stronger. I think I may have just put it together, what this feeling is. That word that Valiari told Aria, I feel that word is exactly what this feeling has been all along. This may be my only chance to finally tell her, and I hope it's the right word to express these heavy emotions.

“. . . I love you.” I whisper with the last bit of strength my voice can muster. Trixie stares at me with the most surprised look I have ever seen dawned on her face. I can no longer hold my eyelids open as I let them drop hiding whatever little amount of vision I still had.

“Aireal? No, don’t go! Please wake up! Wake up!” The voices stop, the sounds stop, everything stops. Everything has turned to blackness, and I cannot feel any part of my body. But I do feel a drop of a tear drip onto my cheek, and a hoof under my chin. I suppose, not all wishes can be granted no matter how much you try. I will miss you Trixie . . . forever. My spirit, if I ever had one, will now be haunted with one question that may never be answered. What would Trixie have told me after I had told her about how my heart felt? Perhaps, I will just be left here in the cold dark, alone.

To be continued. . .

Author's Note

Did you enjoy my tale? If so, and wish to read more, go right on ahead and check out the sequel that is now in progress if you like and let me know what you think! https://www.fimfiction.net/story/194867/the-truth

If not, then I cannot thank you enough for reading and for any comments you may have left along the way!